Manila Standard - 2022 March 19 - Saturday

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LTFRB junks P1 fare hike THE Land Transportation Franchising and Regulatory Board (LTFRB) on Friday junked a petition to increase the minimum jeepney fare by P1 amid spiraling oil prices.

The LTFRB said it denied the provisional fare hike sought by transport groups 1-Utak, Pasang Masda, ALDTODAP, and ACTO.

VOL. XXXVI • NO. 34 • 3 SECTIONS 12 PAGES • P18 SATURDAY, MARCH 19, 2022 • www.manilastandard.net • mst.daydesk@gmail.com

“While it recognizes the present clamor of stakeholders in public land transportation services for necessary action relative to fare rates, they cannot be insensitive to the plight of Filipinos every time an increase on the prices of the commodities occurs, as a domino effect to the grant of fare increase,” the board said.

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No funds for P24b wage subsidy

Govt says budget 'already stretched' to allot beyond P200 monthly for poor families

By Vito Barcelo

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HE government does not have enough funds to provide a bigger subsidy for the country's minimumwage earners amid skyrocketing prices of oil products and basic commodities, a Department of Finance official said Friday.

The DOF is carefully looking into the Labor Department's proposed P24 billion-wage subsidy that could last for three months to support workers, Finance Assistant Secretary and spokesperson Paola Alvarez told CNN Philippines' The Source.

This developed as the Trade Union

Congress of the Philippines (TUCP) appealed to President Duterte to instruct the Regional Tripartite and Productivity Wage Boards (RTWPB) to act immediately on their petition to approve the minimum wage hike it filed in Metro Manila.

TUCP said it will also file wage increase petitions in other RTWPB offices

apart from the National Capital Region to help minimum wage earners in the provinces.

But the government is already "really stretched," Alvarez said, when asked about the P200 aid the government is providing for the poorest households hit by Next page

Comelec debate bans ’codigo’ on stage

CANDIDATES will not be allowed to bring any notes on the podium during the two-hour first of a series of presidential debate dubbed Pilipinas Debates 2022 organized by the Commission on Elections (Comelec) in Pasay City today.

“We will not allow any notes on stage.

Although we will be providing notepads

and pens on the podium to enable the candidates to (write) down notes if they want,” Comelec spokesperson James Jimenez said in an interview Friday, during the walkthrough at the debate venue at the Sofitel Hotel Tent.

Jimenez said among the topics to be Next page

DEBATE-READY. Newly-appointed Commission on Election Chairman Saidamen Balt Pangarungan is joined by Commissioner George Garcia and Comelec spokesman James Jimenez in inspecting the stage at Sofitel in Pasay City where the presidential and vice presidential debates of the poll body will be held today (Saturday) and tomorrow (Sunday), respectively. Danny Pata

PEZA to appeal Int’l body warns of oil supply crisis, on-site reporting calls for urgent steps to cut usage of BPO workers

By Macon Ramos-Araneta and Vito Barcelo THE Philippine Economic Zone Authority (PEZA) on Friday said it will appeal a government decision to compel business processing outsourcing (BPO) companies to require their workers to report to work physically in their offices by April 1 or lose their tax incentives.

PEZA had earlier asked that the BPO companies be allowed to continue workfrom-home (WFH) arrangements beyond the April 1 deadline, but the Fiscal Incentives Review Board (FIRB) led by the Department of Finance (DOF) rejected its request.

PEZA Director-General Charito Booc, however, said the FIRB issued its decision before Russia’s invasion of Ukraine drove Next page fuel prices to record highs.

THE International EnergyAgency on Friday urged governments to urgently implement measures to cut global oil consumption within months following supply fears stemming from Russia's invasion of Ukraine.

The IEA also called on the OPEC+ group of oil-producing nations led by Saudi Arabia and Russia to help "relieve the strain"

on markets, while warning that the world faced the biggest shock to supply "in decades."

The outbreak of war in Ukraine has sent prices for the fuel up sharply and led to major economies, such as the United States and Canada, sanctioning Russia by banning imports of oil.

The IEA warned earlier this week of the risk

of a global supply crisis as major oil companies, trading houses, shipping firms and banks have shunned Russia.

With the threat that supplies of Russian oil could be cut even more, "there is a real risk that markets tighten further and oil prices escalate significantly in the coming months" as the world Next page

Jobless rate down in Jan. versus a year ago

By Julito G. Rada and Vito Barcelo THE country's unemployment rate declined to 6.4 percent in January 2022 from 8.8 percent a year ago, the lowest since the start of the

pandemic, as new jobs were created during the month, data from the Philippine Statistics Authority (PSA) on Friday show.

The January 2022 jobless rate was also lower compared to the 6.6 percent in December 2021.

In its January 2022 Labor

Force Survey, the PSA said the 6.4-percent unemployment rate for the month translated to 2.93 million unemployed Filipinos, a decline of 1.04 million from the 3.96 million unemployed reported in January 2021.

Next page

Smartmatic staff in ‘breach’ under custody PH bet crowned Ms. Eco International

By Maricel V. Cruz THE Smartmatic employee involved in the alleged security breach in its system is now under the custody of the National Bureau of Investigation.

“We were already given a copy of his sworn affidavit,” Senate President Vicente “Tito” Sotto III said.

It was not clear whether the employee

surrendered or was accosted.

Senator Imee Marcos, chairman of the Senate Committee on Electoral Reforms, on Thursday said the data of Smartmatic — the software contractor of the Commission on Elections for the May 9 polls – might have been hacked.

Sotto said the employee was “not disgruntled.”

Next page

By Eton Concepcion THE Philippines’ Kathleen Paton bested 40 candidates from around the world and was crowned Miss Eco International 2022 at the finals held at Jolie Ville Resort & SPA Kings Island in Luxor, Egypt on Friday. She is the second Fili-

pina to win the title after Cynthia Thomalla in 2018.

Miss Belgium Chloë Reweghs and Miss USA Jesaura Peralta were named first and second runners up, respectively, while Miss Spain Lucia Morales and Miss Malaysia Prasana Shri finished third and Next page fourth, respectively.

GREEN BEAUTY.

Filipina lass Kathleen Paton is crowned Miss Eco International 2022.

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SATURDAY, MARCH 19, 2022

mst.daydesk@gmail.com

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the recent oil crisis, exacerbated by oilproducing Russia's invasion of Ukraine.

"Again, we are really stretched. This is what we can afford. We understand it's not a huge amount but again it's what the [national] budget can afford," she noted.

"If we can't afford the budget of more than P200 [for low-income households], I guess you know the answer to a P24billion proposal," Alvarez hinted.

Aside from the P33 billion earmarked for the P200 monthly relief for select indigent households, the only subsidies available are for the transport and the agricultural sectors, the Finance spokesperson noted.

Duterte previously approved the proposal to distribute unconditional cash transfers to each of the country's "bottom 50%" households per month, totaling P2,400 over a year.

The government has earlier allocated P5 billion to assist public transport drivers with a P6,500 subsidy for two months, and a separate P1-billion budget for fuel discounts to benefit the agricultural sector bearing the brunt of increased oil prices.

The Finance Department earlier rejected proposals to suspend the collection of excise taxes so the country will not have to resort to more borrowings in the future.

The government projects a revenue loss of P105.9 billion for 2022 alone if such suspension happens, it said.

Members of the government’s economic cluster earlier reiterated their opposition to proposals seeking a national minimum wage, saying this would only worsen inequality among the regions.

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enters its peak demand season, the IEA said.

"As a result of Russia's appalling aggression against Ukraine, the world may well be facing its biggest oil supply shock in decades, with huge implications for our economies and societies," IEA Executive Director Fatih Birol said in a statement.

Increases in supply of the crucial commodity "would not be able to ease the current strains" after the "disappointing outcome" of a recent monthly meeting of OPEC+, the IEA report concluded.

The OPEC+ group has resisted US pressure to step up production for months, agreeing only to modest increases in output at its regular meetings, even after Russia invaded Ukraine.

The IEA was hoping for "some good messages which could help to relieve the strain on the oil markets" after the group's next meeting on March 31, Birol said at a press conference to present a plan to cut demand.

The 10 proposals put forward by the IEA could cut oil consumption among advanced economies "by 2.7 million barrels a day within the next four months," it said.

The measures, put forward together with the French government, could reduce consumption among those countries by 2.7 million barrels a day, while these currently consume between 44 and 45 million barrels a day, according to IEA estimates.

Together the world's advanced economies account for around 45 percent of global oil demand, it said.

The proposals, principally targeted at transport, included reducing speed limits, working from home three days a week, car-free Sundays, cheaper public transport and greater use of long-distance trains over planes.

In the Philippines, the high cost of crude has resulted in sharp increases in pump prices.

But earlier this week, the Department of Energy (DOE) said an oil price rollback

Comelec...

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discussed are the COVID-19 pandemic and the economy.

“These are the two biggest things on the minds of everyone right now,” he added.

For Saturday's presidential debate, there are 10 podiums on stage representing the number of candidates running for the highest elective post in the country.

“We have a pool of 20 questions but we don’t expect all of them to be asked.

Again, this is not a questionnaire type of debate wherein all questions are going to be asked. The debate will be organic and we will flow according to responses of the candidates,” Jimenez added.

The first candidate to speak will be chosen through draw lots while the second and the next speakers will be chosen alphabetically.

Asked on what they are going to do in case surveys front-runner former senator Ferdinand “Bongbong” Marcos Jr. shows up at the event, Jimenez said: “Will see what happens if he shows up tomorrow (Saturday) but as of right now, we have no information that he will.”

Marcos' spokesperson, lawyer Vic Rodriguez, had said the former lawmaker would skip the debates – held from 7 p.m. to 9 p.m. – but they have yet to submit a formal notice of non-participation to the poll body.

“Right now, we are conducting candi-

According to DOF Legislative Liaison Specialist Jeanne Guinto, the department supports maintaining the current system of regional wages, as needs vary among areas.

“On aligning the minimum wage of those in the province with that in the city, we really think that it will not be an effective measure,” Guinto said before the House Committee on Labor and Employment.

“The cost of living in the province is different from that of the city, so they may have different needs in terms of allocating their income for their basic necessities and other expenses,” she added.

Meanwhile, TUCP President Raymond Democrito Mendoza said they sent a letter to President Duterte "to direct the RTWPBs to act swiftly on our demand for a minimum wage increase."

"The 5 million minimum wage workers are now fast becoming the new poor.

It has been years since the last wage increase, and as prices of basic commodities continue to spike, minimum wage earners will soon no longer be able to cope," he said.

"The lack of a just wage, sufficient to support the daily needs of a Filipino family, is a social powder keg just waiting to explode,” Mendoza added.

Legislating for a national minimum wage increase will take too long and will raise false expectations, he said.

“Workers cannot wait when Congress resumes to tackle our proposed wage measures. The 18th Congress will only have a few weeks of sessions after the May 9 elections until it adjourns in the first week of June to give way for the incoming 19th Congress,” Mendoza said.

“We will not have enough time in Congress to provide urgent relief for our

minimum wage earners through legislation. This is the reason that we are asking the President to instruct the RTWPBs to move fast and approve our petition,” the labor leader added.

TUCP also debunked the argument of Presidential Adviser Joey Concepcion against the immediate grant of a minimum wage increase.

Concepcion had said the RussianUkrainian war, which has caused a spike in fuel prices, will just be temporary, and that if the conflict ends oil prices will eventually go down.

“In the House committee hearing that we just recently held to know the status of our OFWs in Hong Kong and Ukraine, the sense communicated to the committee was that the Ukraine-Russia war would go on indefinitely and will not be solved anytime soon as both Russia and Ukraine remain diametrically opposed, and as the Ukrainian Government declared itself willing to fight till the end," Mendoza said.

"This gives us more reason to believe that oil price increases will not subside soon, which will certainly cause inflation rates to soar in the coming days that will badly hit our struggling workers and their families,” he added.

A committee on Thursday deliberated on House Resolution 1676, which looks into the possibility of establishing national minimum wages, as proposed by labor groups amid the COVID-19 pandemic.

Guinto cited the inflationary impact of the measure, with the country now battling higher costs due to the 11 straight increases in the pump prices of both global and domestic petroleum products.

“We post an objection to the proposed measures as these may cause high infla-

tion on top of the ongoing fuel crisis that will impact both in business side and in households,” she explained.

Domestic prices have seen gasoline up

by P7.10 per liter and diesel by P13.15 per liter on Tuesday alone.

The Department of Energy has maintained that the ongoing conflict between Russia and Ukraine has hit global prices, which in turn impacted domestic prices.

The National Economic and Development Authority mirrored the DOF’s sentiment, also citing the “significant differences” in the economic conditions across the regions.

“We share the objective of raising living standards for workers and their families, but we are unable to support proposals to have a uniform minimum wage across regions,” NEDA Director Reynaldo Cancio said in the same hearing.

“This will erode the ability of other regions to attract industries and enterprises, and worsen the inequality across regions.

There are significant differences in the economic conditions across the regions,” he added.

According to Cancio, the price gap of basic goods vary across regions, and could be as high as 40 percent for rice, 35 percent for chicken and pork, 50 percent for electricity, and 70 percent for water.

Labor groups have been pressing the government to increase the daily minimum wage in the NCR to P750, with Labor Secretary Silvestre Bello III himself noting that the prevailing wages may no longer be enough.

Bello has since ordered the Regional Tripartite Wages and Productivity Boards to expedite their review of the minimum wage, with the recommendations expected before the end of April. With Maricel V. Cruz

of P12 per liter for diesel and P5 per liter for gasoline was possible next week as world oil prices declined sharply.

Energy Secretary Alfonso Cusi said the lockdown in China because of COVID-19 with projections of lower demand and the ongoing talks between Russia and Ukraine tempered oil price increases globally.

He said gasoline has gone up by P31.85 per liter, diesel by P40.35 per liter and kerosene by P32.93 per liter and cooking gas or LPG by P20 per kilo since January.

He also said there is enough oil supply despite the uncertainties brought about by Russia’s invasion of Ukraine.

Meanwhile, President Rodrigo Duterte offered very little relief from skyrocketing fuel prices Wednesday, rejecting mounting calls to suspend the excise tax on oil products and offering instead a P200-per-month subsidy to poor families for the rest of the year—or the equivalent of only P6.66 a day.

Acting Palace spokesman Martin Andanar said the President turned down the proposal to suspend the excise tax on fuel, saying the subsidy for poor families was “a more equitable response” since lowering the price of gas and diesel by cutting taxes would only benefit “richer people” who have cars.

The explanation did not take into account the owners of 4 million registered motorcycles in 2021 who also need to gas up.

“President Duterte has approved of the Department of Finance’s recommendation to retain the fuel excise tax under the Tax Reform for Acceleration and Inclusion (TRAIN) Law amid the continuing increase of oil and petroleum products prices,” Andanar said.

The DOF had argued that suspending excise tax on fuel provided under the TRAIN Law will result in a loss of P105.9 billion in government revenues that could be used to fund several administration programs.

Andanar said the President instead approved the DOF recommendation to provide P200 in monthly subsidies or ayuda to poor households for one year, at a cost of P33.1 billion. AFP

Smartmatic...

country’s top post in tandem with DuterteCarpio, raised alarm over the “very serious” security breach, considering the “degree, depth, and breadth of data” that has been released and made available to the public.

But the Comelec maintained Thursday the automated election system was not hacked.

Comelec spokesperson James Jimenez expressed confidence that the hacking claims would not affect the election results.

Meanwhile, social media giant Twitter has partnered with the Comelec to promote healthy conversation and fight misinformation in connection with the upcoming polls.

The partnership also aims to amplify voter education initiatives on the policy, product and partnership front to protect the integrity of election-centric conversations on Twitter and encourage healthy civic debate.

"With a record-breaking 65.7 million registered voters, the Philippines is expected to hold one of the largest elections in Asia. During this most important time for us as a nation; collaboration between governments, industry partners and civic organizations is crucial to protect the integrity of the elections. We are pleased to be partnering with Twitter to fight misinformation and encourage voter participation," a press release from Twitter quoted Comelec spokesperson James Jimenez as saying on Friday.

date briefings also in other places of this complex since they need to see the venue where the debate will be held and our preparing for the candidates,” Jimenez said.

Those who are expected to attend the first Pilipinas Debates 2022 are Ernie Abella, Leody de Guzman, Isko Moreno Domagoso, Ping Lacson, Norberto Gonzales, Faisal Mangondato, Jose Montemayor Jr., Manny Pacquiao and Leni Robredo.

On Thursday, the Comelec set up a livestream of the ongoing printing of ballots for the 2022 elections at the National Printing Office in Quezon City.

Jimenez said it was a 24/7 uninterrupted feed webcasting live from the NPO, and was accessible via the official Comelec website and Facebook Page.

"The livestream will go on for as long as ballots and other election paraphernalia are being printed. Consider this move our way of communicating to the public that their concerns do not fall on deaf ears, and that the Comelec will take all steps necessary to promote transparency and secure public trust for the elections," he said.

The live feed will show the printing area, packing and shipping area, and quarantine room. The areas for printing and packing and shipping displays various viewing angles, providing an inside peak at the activities being done as well as persons coming in and out of the areas.

The quarantine room is dedicated to rechecking rejected ballots due to various reasons, such as irregular margins, smudges, and other ballot deficiencies.

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“He was corrupted. He was offered money,” Sotto said.

The Palace on Friday said President Rodrigo Duterte will make sure the May 9 national and local elections will be free of cheating amid revelations of the supposed “breach” in the system of Smartmatic.

“President Duterte will do everything to ensure clean, fair, and honest elections,” acting presidential spokesperson and Communications Secretary Martin Andanar said.

Meanwhile, the party of Davao City Mayor Sara Duterte-Carpio, the LakasChristian Muslim Democrats (CMD), is taking the reported breach of Smartmatic data seriously.

In an ambush interview on the sidelines of her sorties in Cebu Friday, vice presidential candidate Duterte-Carpio confirmed Lakas-CMD was looking into the data breach via its legal team.

"Yes we have already held a meeting with our legal team in the Lakas-Christian Democrats," she said.

Andanar said Duterte had directed his Cabinet, as well the teachers serving as poll workers in the May 9 elections, to protect the integrity of elections.

Marcos, whose brother Ferdinand “Bongbong” Marcos Jr. is vying for the

PEZA...

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Booc said the decision was “abrupt,” and noted that the industry was able to help the economy grow even when its employees were working remotely during the COVID-19 pandemic.

She also said the skyrocketing fuel prices as a result of Russia’s war on Ukraine was another reason to extend the WFH arrangements for BPO workers.

The IT and BPO Process Association of the Philippines (IBPAP) has proposed a hybrid setup that would balance working on-site or from anywhere, saying this would improve the country’s competitiveness in the BPO industry.

The association also sought more time to get its workers back to their offices.

"It was difficult to move personnel and equipment from onsite to home, it will also be equally difficult to move [back] over 1 million [workers], to move onsite.

We need a longer runway," said Jack Madrid, the group’s president.

Calls for an extension of the WFH arrangements gained the support of Senator Risa Hontiveros, saying this made sense “in the middle of an oil price crisis.”

She said it was reasonable to let BPO workers continue with the work-fromhome arrangements to help cushion the effects of rising transport costs.

Hontiveros also said that it was wrong for the DOF to say that it is important to end the work from home scheme to re-

LTFRB...

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This means the minimum jeepney fare stays at P9.

The board said it took into consideration the argument of the National Economic Development Authority (NEDA) against passing on the burden of fare hikes to consumers.

NEDA said this may impact on inflation and “reduce the purchasing power of the general public.”

The LTFRB has started crediting fuel subsidies in the amount of P6,500

vive the economy.

The National Economic Development Authority (NEDA) and DOF’s argument against work from home arrangements should not be legalistic, she said.

Vice presidential candidate Senator Francis Pangilinan also supported an extension of the WFH arrangement for the BPO industry.

"The pandemic is not yet over. The danger to our health still remains. And everybody knows the continuing spikes in oil prices in the world market due to the Russian invasion of Ukraine," Pangilinan said.

The savings of IT-BPO workers from the continuing work-from-home would be a huge help to their families, he said.

Senator Joel Villanueva said if the government is scrambling to “soften the pain” of surging oil prices for many sectors like drivers and farmers, then 1.3 million BPO workers should be entitled to the same mitigation.

But BPO workers, Villanueva pointed out, in spite of plowing P1.5 trillion into the economy yearly, “are not asking for billions of pesos in fuel subsidy.”

“They just want to be allowed to continue working from home. It is a mitigation measure that will not cost the government anything,” he said.

Villanueva disagreed with government claims that a return-to-work for call center employees will provide local micro, small, and medium enterprises with a needed economic jolt. (See full story online at manilastandard.net) to PUVs and will continue distributing subsidies until the end of the month to 377,433 beneficiaries,.

The LTFRB will tackle on Tuesday a separate petition to increase the minimum fare from P9 to P14.

Earlier, the Transport Network Vehicle Services (TNVS) Community – which has about 25,000 members – also appealed to the LTFRB to approve their petition for a P15 base fare increase.

“We can't take it any longer. Our drivers' take-home pay has become insufficient,” the group said.

The petition was filed in November 2021, but the LTFRB has yet to take action on it.

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"The employment situation in the country for the first month of 2022 has improved from 91.2 percent in January 2021 to 93.6 percent this year. This estimated rate was also higher than employment rate in the previous quarter’s 92.6 percent," PSA said.

"In terms of magnitude, the number of employed persons increased by 1.77 million from 41.25 million in January 2021 to 43.02 million in January 2022," it said.

But Economic Planning Secretary Karl Kendrick Chua said that while the unemployment rate declined, fewer Filipinos were able to work during the Omicron surge in January 2022.

"Due to the Omicron surge in January, the labor force participation rate fell from 65.1 percent to 60.5 percent. Another reason for lower employment levels is the end of the holiday season which shed off seasonal jobs. Despite this, net employment remains at 0.5 million above the pre-pandemic level," Chua said.

“The Omicron surge caused a temporary decline in our employment levels.

Now that we have contained the spread of the virus and shifted to Alert Level 1 in most parts of the country, we look forward to an improvement in employment outcomes in the coming months,” Chua said.

Since March 15, 2022, 70 percent of the economy has already shifted to Alert Level 1. This means that more restrictions were removed on travel and capacity limits on establishments were eased.

Chua said this translates to an additional P10.8 billion per week of economic activity for the country and 195,000 fewer unemployed over the next quarter, compared to Alert Level 2.

Chua also emphasized the need to reopen all schools in Alert Level 1 for faceto-face learning as this will provide a big boost to the economy, enable children to learn more, and allow more parents to go back to work.

PSA data showed that the number of persons 15 years old and over reported as either employed or unemployed was estimated at 45.94 million in January 2022.

This was higher compared to the 45.21 million Filipinos in the labor force in the same period last year. In terms of the labor force participation rate (LFPR), this remained the same as the January 2021 rate of 60.5 percent.

On average, employed persons worked for 41.8 hours per week in January 2022. In January 2021, the average hours worked of an employed person was lower at 39.3 hours per week.

Underemployed persons or employed persons who expressed desire to have additional hours of work in their present job or to have an additional job, or to have a new job with longer hours of work was accounted at 6.40 million translating to an underemployment rate of 14.9 percent. This was lower than the 16.0 percent reported in January 2021 but higher than the 14.7 percent reported in December 2021.

The visible underemployment rate or the proportion of underemployed persons working less than 40 hours in a week was reported at 8.9 percent in January 2022. This was lower than the 11.0 percent in the same period last year. This estimated rate was also lower than the October 2021 and December 2021 estimates at 10.7 percent and 9.8 percent, respectively.

On the other hand, invisible underemployment rate or the proportion of underemployed persons working at least 40 hours in a week was estimated at 5.9 percent in January 2022. This was higher than the reported rate in January 2021 (5.0 percent), October 2021 (5.3 percent) and December 2021 (4.9 percent).

PH...

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Paton, a 24-year-old model and actress of Filipino and Australian descent, studied business management at Victoria University in Melbourne, Australia. She was born in Boracay and grew up in Aklan, her mother’s hometown, before moving to her father’s country of Australia in 2006.

Miss Eco International is Paton’s second international crown after winning the Miss Teen International 2017 title in Bangkok, Thailand.

The former Miss Manila 2018 also won the Best Eco Video award, in which she said that the Philippines is a typhoonprone country and vulnerable to the effects of climate.

During the Q&A round, Paton was asked: “Do you think it’s important to stay neutral on controversial social issues or to use your title to promote your own belief and why?”

“I do believe as a leader and as someone who is very influential in society, we sometimes have to use our voice in a very neutral state of mind because we have a very influential position. But in doing so, we also need to use our voice in order to motivate other people to stand up for what is right and I think that takes a lot of good moral compass,” she confidently responded.

Paton’s victory came a day after Miss World Philippines queen Tracy Maureen Perez’s Top 13 finish at the Miss World 2021 pageant.

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‘Evil men behind missing sabungeros’

By Vito Barcelo

P

RESIDENT Rodrigo Duterte reiterated he will not suspend the operation of online cockfights, also called e-sabong, despite the reported disappearance of more than 30 “sabungeros” (cockfighting aficionados).

The President said such disappearances were “not the fault of the management of cockfighting arenas but of “evil men doing something wrong.”

In a speech at the inauguration of the new Leyte provincial Capitol in Palo, Leyte, Duterte said cockfighting has been a source of revenue for the government.

“E-sabong gives the government P644

million a month. In one year, it gives the government billions,” Duterte said.

“Now, the cockfighting enthusiasts who disappeared actually sabotaged the cockfights.

They will either maim the game fowls or soak them, then the next day enter it into a fight, it will shiver, chickens also get flu. That’s the reason behind their disappearance,” he said.

The President said temporarily closing

down the businesses of operators without any violations would be unfair.

He said the disappearances were not the fault of the management who are doing it fairly, adding that it was the fault of the “evil men doing something wrong and they end up fighting (among themselves).

“Let the police solve the problem,” the Chief Executive said.

According to him, the culture among cockfighting enthusiasts and syndicates is different. “They just discovered what each other was doing. The problem is they killed everyone. Thirty-eight? Thirty-six? Because they’re involved in betting. They did it in different provinces so that it wouldn’t seem obvious, but they placed their bets on favorites and underdogs, depending on their agreement,”

RESIDENTS help firemen extinguish flames razing through a residential area in Barangay Maharlika, Taguig City Thursday night, leaving some 300 families displaced as their homes went up in smoke. Norman Cruz

DOT: Tourist arrivals are picking up

By Othel V. Campos THE Department of Tourism (DOT) reported on Friday that more and more foreign tourists are now coming into the country due of the easing of travel restrictions.

The DOT said tourist arrivals as of last March 16 surpassed the 100,000 mark following the relaxation of travel protocols last February 10.

The agency cited data from the One

Health Pass (OHP) that showed 102,031 visitor arrivals, and described it as a high note for the country since the closure of borders at the onset of the pandemic in 2020.

“We are happy to see the gradual reopening of our borders finally bearing fruit as evidenced by the much higher foreign visitor arrivals. This will help safeguard the industry’s revival, providing more jobs and livelihoods to Filipinos in the tourism sector,” said Tourism

Secretary Berna Romulo-Puyat.

American tourists accounted for the largest tourist traffic with 22,243, followed by Canada with 4,852; United Kingdom was third with 4,386; South Korea 3,748; Australia 3,387; Vietnam 2,656; Germany 1,976; and Japan with 1,752.

Puyat cited as a positive factor for the renewed vigor in tourism traffic the various measures imposed by the Inter-Agency Task Force for the Management of Emerging Infectious Diseases (IATF-EID) such as the suspension of the country classification system and relaxed entry protocols for fully-vaccinated leisure travelers from visa-free countries listed under EO 408.

MMDA gears up for worsening traffic in NCR

TROOPING THE LINE. NEWLY installed National Capital Region Police Office (NCRPO) chief Gen. Felipe Natividad troops the line at the Manila Police District (MPD) during a visit to the unit’s headquarters on U.N. Avenue, Manila. MPD director Brig. Gen. Leo Francisco escorted their new chief during the event. The NCRPO has issued 677 Galil assault rifles to further enhance the MPD’s crime fighting capability. Norman Cruz

Ombudsman probes cash aid mess

(MS-MARCH 19, 2022)

THE Office of the Ombudsman has initiated a fact-finding probe into alleged anomalies on the Department of Labor’s emergency cash-for- work program during the COVID-19 pandemic.

“As an independent constitutional body, the Ombudsman continues to conduct indepth investigations on alleged anomalies especially those committed in these trying times of the pandemic,” Ombudsman Samuel Martires said.

The inquiry would focus issues involving the Tulong Panghanapbuhay sa Ating Disadvantaged/Displaced Workers (TUPAD) program’s implementation in Quezon City,

including the distribution of wages with illegal deductions reportedly funneled to congressional staff members or barangay officials; collection of processing fees from the wages of aid recipients; government officials taking advantage of the TUPAD program, and suspension of the TUPAD program in Palawan.

The program is a community-based assistance package meant to provide emergency employment to displaced workers, unemployed and seasonal workers, for a minimum of 10 days but not to exceed 30 days, depending on the nature of the work to be performed. Rio N. Araja

THE Metropolitan Manila Development Authority (MMDA) expects worsening traffic situations in the coming days as economic activities heighten with the de-escalation of COVID-19 quarantine restrictions in the National Capital Region (NCR).

To address the challenge, the MMDA organized a three-day multi-stakeholder summit to formulate a comprehensive traffic management plan.

“With the easing of restrictions in Metro Manila under Alert Level 1, we see an enormous increase in the number of vehicles and expect traffic to worsen in the coming days,” said MMDA chairman Romando Artes on the first day of the event held at Novotel, Araneta Center in Quezon City.

The summit started on March 17, and will resume on March 22, and 24.

Artes said the meetings seek to craft a “unified traffic management plan” with the participation of government agencies, the private sector, transport groups, transport associations, local traffic bureaus of the 17 local government units in Metro Manila, and various stakeholders.

“We need the help of government agencies, concerned sectors, and traffic offices to find solutions to traffic (problems). No contribution is small or big. We welcome all the suggestions and input that could help reduce the time commuters and motorists spend while stuck in traffic,” he said.

Traffic plans and proposals would be consolidated in order to have a unified action to further improve traffic situations in the metropolis.

The MMDA is set to present proposed traffic improvement plans, including expansion of number coding and re-implementation of motorcycle lane along Epifanio delos Santos Avenue, in preparation for the “new normal”. Joel E. Zurbano CYAN MAGENTA YELLOW BLACK

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News

SATURDAY, MARCH 19, 2022

Pacquiao: Give 1 sack of rice instead of measly P200 aid

By Macon Ramos-Araneta

UNITEAM HQ IN CEBU. Lakas-CMD vice presidential candidate and Davao City Mayor Sara Duterte (4th left) assisted by Liloan City Mayor Christina Frasco (2nd left) and Cebu Rep. Duke Frasco (3rd right) inaugurates the New UniTeam BBM-SARA headquarters in Liloan City, Cebu.

With them are LAKAS-CMD president and House Majority Leader Martin Romualdez (5th left), TUCP party-list Rep. Raymond Mendoza, and Davao Occidental Governor and HNP president Claude Bautista (left). Ver Noveno

INSTEAD of the measly P200 ‘ayuda’ to help Filipinos get by amid soaring fuel prices, PROMDI presidential candidate Sen. Manny Pacquiao prefers that the government should just deliver a sack of rice to poor families.

He said the government should also buy its rice supply from local farmers at a reasonable cost to help Filipino farmers who are barely surviving because of the influx of cheap imported rice, the unabated smuggling, and the high cost of production.

Pacquiao noted that the P200 monthly aid is a measly amount even for poor families. He said it will not be enough to help them survive so the government should give them a sack of rice instead.

“The poor can already fight hunger with rice, cooking oil, and salt or soy sauce. You can even be sure that the aid will be used for food and not for something else,” said Pacquiao.

In his childhood, Pacquiao said that his family would try to fight hunger just by drinking lots of water and it was already considered a decent meal for them if they have rice on the table.

Pacquiao said that President Rodrigo Duterte’s decision to allocate at least P33.1 billion to finance the cash assistance for the “bottom 50 percent of all Filipino households.”

He said this is in agreement with his position that the government can address the skyrocketing cost of fuel either by suspending the excise tax on fuel or by providing direct subsidies to the poor.

However, Pacquiao stressed that P200 per month is not enough to help the country’s poor.

Against the backdrop of rising prices of basic commodities confronting the Filipino family, the amount of cash assistance may be far from achieving its objective of easing the economic difficulties faced by them, he explained.

He said a sack of race delivered monthly to members of the “C, D, and E” classes of Filipino families can be the best option in addressing the problem.

BBM vows higher salaries for teachers

By Rey E. Requejo

E

VEN while still in the Senate, presidential frontrunner Ferdinand ‘Bongbong’ Marcos Jr. has already been pushing for legislation that would raise teachers’ salaries from salary grade 11 to salary grade 15, which is also one of his major campaign advocacies now that he is running for the highest post in the land.

On January 24, 2012, the former senator first submitted Senate Bill No. 3106, or An Act Upgrading the Minimum Salary Grade of Public School Teachers from Salary Grade 11 to 15.

Unfortunately, it did not pass on the first reading prompting him to file Senate Bill No. 109, which again sought to raise teachers’ compensa-

tion from salary grade 11 to 15 on July 1, 2013. Again, the bill was not enacted.

Despite those setbacks, Marcos said he will continue to push for programs and reforms designed to uplift the quality of life for teachers, and consequently inspire them to provide the highest quality of service and teaching to their students.

“We need to provide our teachers with all the necessary support because they were the ones who were molding our young students to become better, responsible and productive citizens who in turn would become the country’s future leaders,” he said.

Marcos said that after winning the presidency, he will increase the salaries of public school teachers, adding that he will also provide free training and scholarships to their children.

To recall, at the recent presidential debate at SMNI, Marcos stated that one of the things he wants to do for education is to offer decent benefits and adequate salaries for teachers.

“Let’s support our teachers, their salaries are enough, and their salaries don’t arrive late. We can give them all the benefits in the law so that they

lose their worries about themselves and their families,” Marcos said.

“Besides that, we should not only support them financially, we should also support them in education, retraining, refresher courses so that they can teach the latest for children,” he added.

Even in the former senator’s interview with lawyer Trixie Angeles in her program “Luminous Trixie,” Marcos mentioned that he would be doing the same thing that he did in Ilocos Norte, where the school had seed money to keep teachers from incurring debt.

Several times throughout his rallies, Marcos highlighted supporting teachers, increasing the quality of life for their families, granting scholarships to their children, and upgrading the country’s educational system.

Ex-DepEd officials back Robredo

By Rio N. Araja

AN ORCHID NAMED AFTER LENI. A pink orchid hybrid has been named after presidential candidate and Vice President Leni Robredo. Reports said the orchid, with the scientific name “Rhyncholaeliocattleya Leni Robredo,” was pollinated 7 years ago and is registered to the UK’s Royal Horticultural Society.

AT least six former secretaries of the Department of Education, along with 90 former officials, staff and teachers are endorsing Vice President Leni Robredo and her running mate Senator Francis Pangilinan in their bid to be the next president and vice president, respectively.

Former education chiefs Edilberto de Jesus, Fe Hidalgo, Mona Valisno, Jesli Lapus, Florencio Abad, and Bro. Armin Luistro FSC, endorsed the duo’s tandem, citing a vote for quality education for all Filipino learners.

“Both bring solid experience and a grounded understanding of the education sector, its challenges, and what needs to be done,” their statement read.

The Robredo-Pangilinan tandem was earlier endorsed by the Ateneo de Manila University, the different schools of De La Salle, and San Beda Universiy.

Former secretary Ismael Sueño of the Department of Interior and Local Government is also supporting the presidential bid of Vice

Gatchalian urges limited face-to-face classes RE-ELECTIONIST Senator Win Gatchalian is pushing for all schools to conduct limited face-to-face classes.

He said this would contribute to increased economic activity especially if more parents would be able to return to work.

There are 48 areas, including Metro Manila, that shifted to Alert Level 1, the least stringent of COVID-19 restrictions. According to the Department of Education (DepEd), 6,122 schools started limited face-to-face classes as of March 10.

The National Economic and Development Authority (NEDA) earlier said that expanding in-person classes would add P12 billion weekly to the economy as more services and businesses resume such as transport, dormitories, food stalls, and sale of school materials. Socioeconomic Planning Secretary Karl

Chua said, however, that there will be limited impact on jobs if adults had to stay at home to help their children study.

A 2020 study by the Asian Development Bank (ADB) said that since at least one adult had to supervise a student for home-based learning, 11 percent of the workforce had to stop working. This costs the economy P225 billion for one school year.

School shutdowns have been blamed for a rise in dropout rates and decreased literacy. The World Bank estimates that learning poverty—the share of 10-year-old children who cannot read or understand a simple story—is at 90 percent in the Philippines, a figure that will likely worsen because of COVID-19 school closures.

Macon Ramos-Araneta

President Leni Robredo. He is now a senior adviser and partner of the Robredo-Pangilinan campaign in Soccsksargen. He was a former South Cotabato governor and ex-mayor.

He backed then Davao City Mayor Rodrigo Duterte’s presidential bid in 2016, and he was even one of his campaign contributors.

According to Sueño, Robredo showed her integrity and strong character when she was then the housing czar.

“When she started pointing out government excesses and impunities, she lost her Cabinet position,” he said.

He said the Vice President was trolled and bashed to depict that she was an incompetent leader.

“Fellow Mindanaoans, many Filipinos tend to believe these lies. Fellow Mindanaoans, these are critical times. We cannot be passive and neutral and allow our history to be rewritten.

We must act now. If we don’t, chances are, the beneficiaries of these lies and misinformation may come out winners of this year’s national elections. Truth must prevail,” he said.

De Guzman backs suspension of oil excise taxes PRESIDENTIAL candidate ‘Ka’ Leody De Guzman said the government should not “retail fuel excise taxes.”

The labor leader also said the government should instead suspend the collection of fuel excise taxes and VAT, which in turn will bring immediate “relief” to Filipinos having difficulties with rising oil prices.

“Yung ibibigay na ₱200, prop lang yan gaya nung mga nakaraan. Kunwari nagbigay pero karamihan ng mga tao hindi naman nakatanggap [Translation: The ₱200 will only serve as prop like before.

It would look like they’ve provided it but in reality, most people did not receive it],” De Guzman, quoted in a CNN report said.

Earlier, President Rodrigo Duterte rejected calls to suspend the collection of fuel excise taxes.

He instead promised to provide a ₱200 monthly subsidy to millions of poor families for a whole year.

However, De Guzman’s running mate and former party-list representative Walden Bello said that “cash grant programs are prone to irregularities.”

Bello also cited the “failure” of the previous administrations to pass the oil deregulation law which would give the government authority to control oil prices “Ang hirap talaga ipatupad yan (It’s hard to implement that). It favors certain groups, it’s prone to corruption,” Bello, in the CNN report, said.

Both De Guzman and Bello meanwhile said they support calls for a no car day once or twice a week.

De Guzman and Bello said Filipinos “should be less reliant on cars” and go for more environment-friendly modes of transportation like the bicycle.

De Guzman further said he does not support the construction of more elevated expressways as these will only encourage people to buy cars.

He said government should instead develop better mass transport strategies.

Binay promises to focus on health care

By Joel E. Zurbano UNITED Nationalist Alliance (UNA) party senatorial candidate Jejomar Binay on Friday said if elected, he will bring preventive health care closer to the people, especially in the provinces.

“Preventive health care should be a priority. These are ways to prevent getting sick. This would, in turn, help reduce the strain on the public health system placed by expenditures on treating debilitating and even life-threatening diseases,” he said.

The former vice president said preventive health measures include mass immunization or vaccina-

tion, nutrition, promoting healthy lifestyles, proper sanitation, community-based health programs, and traditional medicine.

“Most illnesses are preventable. Government should emphasize preventing illnesses since the state of the people’s health also has an impact on the economy,” he said.

“Healthy citizens are the foundation of a vibrant economy. If I win, the health of every Filipino will be one of our priorities,” he added.

Binay made the statement after the Philippine Statistics Authority (PSA) recently released a report showing the leading causes of

deaths in the country in 2021.

The report said ischaemic heart diseases are the leading cause of death from January to October 2021, with 110,332 cases or 18.3 percent of total deaths in the country.

This is an increase of about 28 percent from the 86,164 deaths recorded in the same period in 2020.

Other top causes of death in 2021 were cerebrovascular diseases, deaths due to COVID-19 virus, neoplasms or commonly known as cancer, and diabetes mellitus.

“Every Filipino has the right to receive medical services from the government. And the government must provide it,” Binay said.

Defensor says ‘Bistek’ will energize Senate QUEZON City, a vote-rich city, will catapult Herbert “Bistek” Bautista to the Senate in the May 9 elections, Congressman Michael “Mike” Defensor (Anakalusugan) boldly predicted on Friday.

“We are going all out for Herbert because he will surely invigorate the Senate. He will be a huge asset to that chamber,” Defensor, who is running for Quezon City mayor, said.

In the latest Pulse Asia survey released on March 14, Bautista entered the so-called “Magic 12” in the race for Senate seats.

“We are confident that once he is in the Senate, Herbert can contribute practical solutions to many of our country’s problems via highly responsive remedial legislation,” Defensor said.

“Herbert has an outstanding record as a dependable and hardworking public servant. He will definitely be able to help out even more people once he becomes a senator,” Defensor said.

Bautista and Defensor were youth leaders and so-called “street parliamentarians” in the early 1990s.

The two are running for office with former Sen. Ferdinand “Bongbong”

Marcos Jr. as their presidential candidate and Davao City Mayor Sara Duterte-Carpio as their vice-presidential candidate.

Defensor said he expects Bautista to champion the youth and local governments once he is elected to the Senate.

“Herbert is loved by everybody.

Here in Quezon City, we are counting on our 1.4 million voters to give Herbert the final push that will assure him of a Senate seat,” Defensor said.

Bautista is a former three-term mayor and a former three-term vice mayor YOUTH LEADERS. In this throwback photo, Herbert Bautista (left) and Mike of Quezon City.

Defensor (right) march as youth leaders and “street parliamentarians” in the early 1990s.

Opinion Celebrating 10 remarkable women (part 2)

LAST week I wrote about two remarkable community women leaders who have been with my organization, the Democratic Socialist Women of the Philippines (DSWP), for decades. Let me now proceed with the eight other women.

Laura “Lalyn” Nuñez is a coconut farmer from Lopez, Quezon. Do not be fooled by this diminutive and quiet woman. She may be small but Lalyn is a dynamite when it comes to her leadership roles. Presently, she serves as a Kagawad in her barangay. Her being so, she said, she owes to the various training she underwent through the DSWP, particularly those pertaining to political participation and skills development.

Lalyn and her group joined the DSWP in the early 1990s but she has already been actively organizing women’s groups in as far as Laguna years before joining the DSWP. The groups she helped establish eventually joined the DSWP as well. When asked about her unforgettable experience with the DSWP, she readily responded, “that time when we went to Cebu in the early 2000s for a national consultation on the bill that is now known as the Anti-Violence Against Women and Their Children. For one, it was exciting being my first time to take an airplane.

Also, I will not forget the passion by which women advocates discussed each provision of the bill. I realized then that drafting a really rights-based bill is not easy.”

Lalyn also mentioned the DSWP leaders’study tour in India as a memorable experience because it was her first time to go out of the country, and there, she met women who like her, were fighting for women’s rights. Lalyn’s biggest lesson gained through the decades of working with the DSWP is the courage to face and discuss matters with what she termed as “matataas na tao” at the local and national levels. “I never imagined that an ordinary woman like me will be able to do the things I do now, and this is because of the DSWP,” she concluded.

It is because of Lalyn and her core group of women leaders that the DSWP has been successful in providing education and training, livelihood opportunities, and reproductive health services in the province of Quezon through the years.

Wilhelmina “Willie” Catane is from Bukidnon. Her group where she serves as the Executive Director, the Bukidnon Active Women’s Federation (BAWFED) (formerly Bukidnon Women’s Organizations, Inc.), may be the biggest organization of women in the province because its members are also women’s groups from the various parts of Bukidnon. They joined DSWP also in the early 2000s.

From then onwards, Willie and their other women leaders have actively participated in almost all DSWP activities, including the advocacy for pro-women bills. Willie joined the DSWP delegation who went on a study tour in Denmark, and this she said, is her single most memorable experience. “I saw there that when

women work together, we become stronger and able to do more things. In Denmark we had meetings with women government officials and I was very surprised that they were just using bikes to go to their offices. They also did not have bodyguards unlike here where government officials always have bodyguards,” she said. “It was inspiring. I realized that women have power and that we can also do this here in our country,” Willie ended.

Because of the training they received from DSWP, the women’s groups in Bukidnon came to appreciate the opportunities for participation in the local government units (LGUs). Thus, Willie and her group persevered in having the local organizations accredited by their respective LGUs. This enabled the BAWFED to pursue partnerships with government agencies on projects for women. “Without DSWP’s assistance and the training we received, we would not be able to achieve this,” a proud Willie concluded.

These are their stories.

Ligaya “Gaya” Gargar-Beso is from Kabankalan City, Negros Occidental. One will not fail to notice this tall woman who speaks in the unmistakably tilting Ilonggo/Negrense accent. Gaya’s group joined the DSWP around 2004, a bit later than the others but from then on, has been actively involved in the federation.

She was among the leaders chosen to join the DSWP study tour to India where she realized that like here, Indian women also contend with and struggle against biases, marginalization, and abuse.

Asked what her memorable experience in DSWP is, Gaya responded, “It was the advocacy for the RH bill. Besides the very long and difficult time we used for this, when we were doing the signature campaign calling for the bill’s urgent passage, a priest said to me that I would not be allowed inside the church.” Gaya continued chuckling while saying that she answered the priest with, “Ay hindi pwede yan, Father. Bakit, sino ka ba? Diyos naman ang pinupuntahan sa Simbahan, pari ka lang.” This is typical of Ligaya.

Like the other DSWP pioneers, Gaya considers her gaining self-confidence to, and developing the skills in dealing with different kinds of people, including those in high government positions, as her surprising characteristics learned from DSWP. “It is because of DSWP that I am able to do things. Now, we will need to focus on our recovery because our province was devastated by typhoon Odette. Many of our homes and livelihood, including mine, were destroyed.

We will find ways to recover.”

DSWP’s activities in Negros Occidental have been successful mainly because of our capable leaders there and the pack is led by Ligaya.

Next week, to conclude this series, I will write about Neolenia “Neoly” Barbas, Emily Callo, Catherine “Cathy” Gayo, and Rhoda Avila, four more remarkable women worthy of being recognized. @bethangsioco on Twitter Elizabeth Angsioco on Facebook

The purpose of suffering THE Gospel for the third Sunday of Lent tells us about a loving, merciful and patient God who gives us all the opportunity to repent and turn our lives to take the right direction. Our Lord is not a vengeful, who takes delight in punishing but one who is also compassionate and just.

The Gospel from Luke narrates an incident where Jesus is asked by some of his followers about the Galileans whose blood Pilate had mingled with the blood of their sacrifices. Listening pensively, Jesus replied to them, “Do you think that because these Galileans suffered in this way they were greater sinners than all other Galileans?

By no means! But I tell you, if you do not repent, you will all perish as they did! Or those eighteen people who were killed when the tower at Siloam fell on them— do you think they were more guilty than everyone else who lived in Jerusalem? By no means! But I tell you, if you do not repent, you will all perish as they did!”

And as always when Jesus wanted to drive home a point, he told them this parable: “There once was a person who had a fig tree planted in his orchard, and when he came in search of fruit on it but found none, he said to the gardener, ‘For three years now I have come in search of fruit on this fig tree but have found none. So cut

it down. Why should it exhaust the soil?’ He said to him in reply, ‘Sir, leave it for this year also, and I shall cultivate the ground around it and fertilize it; it may bear fruit in the future. If not, you can cut it down.”

What is then the purpose of suffering? Why do people, including even innocent children suffer?

Why do people, including even innocent children suffer?

These days, we are flooded with news coverage about the invasion of Ukraine by Russia. The Russian aggression is causing so much death and destruction. Millions of innocent civilians, including men, women and children, flee their homes to neighboring countries to escape. Suffering and misery is everywhere. In the Philippines, have we seen what Duterte’s war against drugs has done to many poor communities?

Are the Ukrainians being punished? Do the families of Duterte’s victims deserve what they got?

The gospel reading tells us, not necessarily.

Different religious cultures see pain and suffering in a lot of different ways. To some, it is a misfortune, dealing the unlucky card, or losing favor from the gods. To others, it is a sort of punishment by a superior being. But in the Judeo-Christian tradition, pain and suffering reminds us of our powerlessness, limitations,

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EDITORIAL

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Steeling ourselves

HIS month, we saw – and quickly felt – the impact of rising prices of gasoline and of basic commodities, with the country’s headline inflation remaining steady at 3.0 percent in February, slower than the 4.2 percent in the comparative month in 2021.

The people, still suffering from the two-year jab of the coronavirus pandemic which sent millions off their work areas, now have to stand up to yet other price increases in what they need daily to make both ends meet.

For instance, data showed that in March, gasoline prices went up by P11.90 per liter and diesel prices shot up by P19.80 per liter, reflecting the volatility of oil prices in the world market – not helped any, but likely aggravated, by Russia’s invasion of Ukraine, now on its third week.

And then prices of goods are expected to increase once the Confederation of Truckers Association of the Philippines implemented a 30-percent increase in trucking freight rates on skyrocketing

fuel prices to enable them to provide service to customers.

More challenges ahead There have been proposals to suspend the excise tax on fuel as a way to reduce the impact on consumers of spiraling oil prices in the world market.

But this was rejected by the Department of Finance which said the move would only set back the Philippines’ economic recovery from the pandemic and would instead end up subsidizing the expenses of affluent families more than those of low-

income households.

Earlier this week, the Department of Trade and Industry said prices of canned sardines might push up soon although bread costs – allowed an increase of at least P3.50 last January – would remain stable for the next three months.

There has been a request with the DTI from one sardines manufacturer to raise prices due to increases in fuel costs, the request now studied by the government agency.

Bakers and bread manufacturers meanwhile have yet to ask the DTI for a price increase for their products, as supplies of wheat have already been secured for at least three months.

Flour millers, who import wheat, have already received enough supplies for a month, and have already paid for shipments for the next two months, DTI said.

Life has been difficult, and it will be even more so in the coming days. We can only hope that the government can provide as much help as it can to the long-suffering people, and that it has a plan outside of advising us to tighten our belts.

Ukraine is the only loser in the conflict UKRAINE cannot demand the imposition of a no-fly-zone over its air space. It is not a member of NATO. By that, NATO ipso facto cannot impose a no-fly zone over a territory of a nonmember. If a Russian aircraft is shot down over Ukraine, that would constitute an act of war that could change its dimension, this time NATO directly at war with Russia.

Of course, diplomats always have their ramifications to justify their action. If it was a Russian aircraft that was shot downed by a NATO, the alliance practically involved itself in a direct military action with Russia. Such would constitute blatant aggression because as a non-NATO member, the Western alliance has decided to cross Russia’s red line.

The world saw how NATO unilaterally applied the no-fly-zone over Libya. Interestingly, NATO’s action was in violation of international law, not having been approved by the UN Security Council. Some even considered NATO’s action as barbaric because it went beyond the enforcement of the no-fly-zone. It was applied even to grounded aircrafts.

The rationale was to provide NATO an unimpeded bombing foray in Libya. The no-flyzone was not only applied to intercept aircraft flying within Libya’s airspace, but was given a freehand to attack aircraft parked at the airports and hangars, bombed military installations, buildings governments, schools, hospitals and even mosques. Practically, NATO carried out a bombing spree to indiscriminately target anything of military value like bombing the residence of President Muammar Ghaddafi.

A no-fly-zone over Ukraine would undoubtedly constitute a direct intervention of the Western alliance into the conflict between Ukraine and Russia. First, the strategy would require the physical presence of NATO forces. Second, a no-fly zone would involve NATO’s participation like engaging the Russian ground forces in Ukraine. This could open the option for Russia to think of the unthinkable.

According to President Vladimir Putin, any country that would implement a no-fly-zone over Ukraine will be interpreted as an act of war much that it could limit Russia’s effort to carry out its objectives in Ukraine. Once the red line is crossed, there is nothing that would prevent Russia from defending itself.

If Russia takes this position, NATO and the EU would lose credibility to invite Ukraine to join NATO. The principle that an attack on a member would be viewed as an attack to all its members will no longer hold true. The alliance and finitude. Death and suffering can make us glimpse death. It is God’s way to remind us that he alone is in control, that we cannot rely solely on our own devices.

As the Scripture will tell us, God uses suffering as a tool in the believer’s life to mold, sharpen, and strengthen us. Suffering can be the result of God’s discipline, which He does out of love. It behooves each and every one of us to use this suffering as a unique opportunity to sanctify ourselves and become better persons.

We all know that following God’s will is not a walk in the park. In fact, Christian theology exhorts the faithful to embrace the cross just as Jesus willingly offered himself as a living sacrifice to redeem mankind. He did not escape the cross but embraced it and became like a lamb to the

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

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would by then be operating in defense of a nonmember country.

Today the unabated supply of weapons to a non-member country may qualitatively increase Russian casualties, and that could redefine NATO’s proxy war with Russia.

Political analysts believe Russia’s strategy of engaging it in a proxy war is incomprehensible.

The tipping point to US and NATO’s indirect interference in Ukraine will be determined once Russia experience an upscale increase in casualties or should NATO start sending mercenaries in defense of Ukraine that could prolong the conflict.

This is something history will not forget.

Last Monday, US national security adviser Jake Sullivan and Chinese Senior policy adviser Yang Jiechi met in Rome. The meeting was prompted by rumors that Russia is seeking military assistance from China which was branded by Chinese foreign ministry spokesman Zhao Lijian as immoral and irresponsible. Some believe the accusation was intended to deflect the announcement by Russia’s ministry of defense that the US is running 26 bio-laboratories in Ukraine.

Instead taking the denying, the US took the offensive stand of accusing China of giving military assistance to Russia which is rather preposterous.

The bio-lab called by the US agitator in Ukraine as biol-research has nothing to do with its imaginary apprehension of China’s military assistance to Russia except for want of nothing to say.

The lie fabricated by the US is also meant to cover up what it has been doing in the previous wars it waged. In less than a week after the “special military operations” of Russia in Ukraine began, the stocks of the biggest US arms manufacturers like Raytheon, McDonnel Aircraft, Boeing, Lockheed-Martin, Grumman, etc. soared.

Nobody in his right mind would accept the supposition that Russia is seeking military assistance from China. Rather, NATO’s interference now partakes of a collateral entry to join the war without enlisting Ukraine as member. The limited war at could metamorphose to nuclear war with the US blaming Russia for the catastrophe without the world analyzing the antecedent facts that compelled it to invaded Ukraine. Countries in the West feel no remorse because the US mass media has been manipulated to trumpet that they are fighting for freedom and democracy.

The defeat of the US in Afghanistan was a slaughter. No one can escape death and suffering for it is the inevitable and undeniable fact of life.

But for this cross to be meaningful, we have to learn to acknowledge that a cross without Christ will not be a glorious cross while a cross without him is to suffer without gaining any merit that will lead to the final destiny, i.e. eternity in the company of God the Father. Thus suffering and pain has a redemptive value that can be utilized as an opportunity for sanctification.

As in the parable, God, because of his infinite love, does not want to punish us. But we are all obligated, as children of God to lead fruitful and meaningful lives, to produce plenty of fruit. He waits patiently for the tree, that is, for each one of us, to bear fruit, in accordance to the graces each one receives. As heirs of his kingdom, it is our

respite to the adventurism of the US military-industrial complex. Arms manufacturers continue to rake in through by the production of arms despite the fact that many of them are known to belong to the neo-Nazi Azov Battalion, a far-right nationalist group operating in Ukraine. This explains why Russia will never concede of allowing a neoNazi government to be resurrected in Ukraine.

Remember Russia lost more than 24 million of its people in World War II, and that is something history could not easily forget.

US and NATO wants to focus the blame on Russia, and forget that they agitated Ukraine to take a hardline position of going to war with Russia, thereby making the issue of rehabilitating Ukraine’s economy its solely responsibility.

Before that, the US carried out a policy of deindustrializing Ukraine thus pushing its GDP to the pre-Cold War level.

When Russia invaded Ukraine after ignoring its security concern, NATO and the US instead threatened by imposing harsh economic sanctions. This means NATO and the US are not prepared for war. They offered various subterfuge like mulling on the idea of allowing Ukraine to fly Poland’s aircraft to fight Russia. NATO objected to Poland’s offer of SU 27 jets fearing it would directly invite Russia to the conflict.

Despite NATO’s the massive drumbeating of impending invasion, Russia purposely delayed it to expose NATO’s next move: that NATO will not risk going to war with Russia or would take measure that would directly involve Russia. Zelensky was caught flat-footed unable to do what it wants except to see how the enormous Russian army is tearing to pieces his country with NATO standing and still ranting on what to do with Russia.

When Russia finally invaded Ukraine, nobody from NATO sent a single soldier to fight the neo-Nazi Azov battalion. Their expectations that Russia could be mired like what the Soviet army experienced in Afghanistan in the 70’s is an outmoded strategy. The people of Crimea overwhelmingly voted to return to Russia in a referendum in 2014. The people of Crimea are not interested in seeing the peninsula handed back to Ukraine only to be swallowed by another imperialist power with the intention of choking Russia’s only outlet to the Mediterranean.

Finally, Volodymyr Zelensky wants to have a face-to-face meeting with President Putin. Zelensky failed to understand that he is a product of the US created government. Putin describes Ukraine today as a vassal state operated by its Western masters. For Russia to deal with him is to elevate his status as an equal and legitimate president. rpkapunan@gmail.com duty to obey his precepts and live according to his will. Thus, we should not be lazy, neglectful of our duty, indifferent and pleasure seeking. For doing so means death, the consequence of disobedience.

The parable speaks of the person waiting three years for the fig tree to bear fruit, and so commands the gardener to cut it down, after all, why should the useless tree be allowed to exhaust the soil. But the gardener begs his lord to wait a little longer.

Christians have been so generously bestowed

by Jesus with the gift of faith. Christian duty dictates that this faith is shared, either by evangelizing or by practicing Christian virtues and being a good example to others.

Website: tonylavina.com Facebook: deantonylavs Twitter: tonylavs

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Associate Editors News Editor City Editor

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Biden to press Xi over condemning Russia

W

ASHINGTON—US President Joe Biden will warn his Chinese counterpart Xi Jinping on Friday that he will face “costs” if Beijing rescues fellow authoritarian ally Russia from intense Western sanctions aimed at punishing CYAN Moscow’s invasion of Ukraine.

MAGENTA YELLOW BLACK Republic Of The Philippines REGIONAL TRIAL COURT National Capital Judicial Region Branch 104, Quezon City SABASTIAN V. POONIN and FLORDELIZA POONIN represented by FRANCIS F. POONIN, Petitioners, SUMMONS BY PUBLICATION R-QZN-17-12574-CV

-versus-

QUEZON CITY GOVERNMENT, OFFICE OF THE MAYOR, QUEZON CITY TREASURER’SOFFICE, QUEZON CITY ASSESSOR’S OFFICE and NOEL PATRICK S. PRUDENTE, Respondents. x-------------------------------------------------------------------------------x TO: NOEL PATRICK S. PRUDENTE No. 26 Newport Street, East Fairview, QC GREETINGS: You are hereby required, within ninety (90) days after the last publication of this summons and the complaint, to file with this Court and serve upon the plaintiff/s, your answer to the complaint of the plaintiff/s. If you fail to answer within the time fixed, the plaintiff/s will take judgment by default and may be granted the relief applied in the complaint.

fact, an attempt was made to inform Mr. Prudente by sending him a letter dated September 14, 2017, a copy of which is hereto attached as Annex “F”.

The Petitioners had no inkling before last 2017 that the subject property had already been sold at an auction sale. When they asked for a copy of the Tax Declaration last 2017, they found out that the said tax declaration is still in their names. A copy of the said Tax Declaration is hereto attached as Annex “G”.

By reason of this, the Certificate of Sale, Warrant of Levy and similar documents issued by the Respondent Assessor’s Office should be invalidated and set aside.

Instead, the Petitioners should be allowed to redeem the property.

PRAYER WHEREFORE, premises considered, it is respectfully prayed that the Honorable Court decide in favor of the Plaintiff and against the Respondents more particularly as follows: 1. The Warrant of Levy and Certificate of Sale on the said property be cancelled and set aside; 2. The subject property be reverted back to the Petitioners as its former owners; and 3. The Petitioners be allowed to redeem the subject property.

Quezon City, Metro Manila, November___, 2018.

ORDER

Petitioner’s counsel manifested that per Sheriff’s Return of Service, private respondent Patrick Noel Prudente was not served Summons, and prayed that Summons be served upon said respondent, through publication, which was not objected to by Atty. Odtojan.

As prayed for, let Summons be served upon respondent Noel Patrick Prudente, through publication as the expense of the petitioners, pursuant to the Rules.

Meanwhile, the pre-trial is cancelled and reset to March 3, 2022 at 9:30 in the morning.

The Court notes the Manifestation filed by petitioners, through counsel stating that they are not objecting to the dropping of the Assessor’s Office but are objecting to the dropping of the Treasurer’s Office as one of the defendants.

DOMINGUEZ, DELANI, DOMINGUEZ & FORTUNO LAW OFFICES 21-G F. Castillo St., Proj. 4, QC Tel No. (02) 399-6279; 0917-822-5073 VERIFICATION AND CERTIFICATION WE SEBASTIAN V. POONIN and FLORDELIZA F. POONIN, both of legal age, Filipinos, married and with the above stated addresses, after being duly sworn to in accordance with the law, do hereby depose and state that.

1. We are Petitioners in this case; 2. I have caused the filing of the foregoing Amended Petition for Annulment of Warrant of Levy and Certificate of Sale; 3. The allegations therein are true and correct to the best of our personal knowledge and authentic documents; and 4. We hereby certify that neither we nor our counsel has commenced any similar action or proceeding involving the same issues raised herein before the Supreme Court, Court of Appeals or any other tribunal or agency and to the best of our knowledge, no such action or proceeding is pending threat and if we should learn thereafter that a similar action or proceeding is pending before and the aforesaid court or bodies, we undertake to report such fact within five (5) days therefrom to this Honorable Court.

November 28, 2018.

(Sgd.) SEBASTIAN V. POONIN Petitioner OSCA (Nagcarlan) 0008656

(Sgd.) FLORDELIZA F. POONIN Petitioner UMID 006-0069-2599-2

SUBSCRIBED AND SWORN to before me this 28th day of November, 2018 here in Quezon City, Metro Manila by Petitioners having exhibited their respective identification under their signatures.

Manila

TODAY

Doc. No. 420; Page No. 85; Book No. LIV; Series of 2018

Open Court, Quezon City, November 4, 2021.

(Sgd.) CATHERINE P. MANODON Judge

REPUBLIC OF THE PHILIPPINES REGIONAL TRIAL COURT NATIONAL CAPITAL JUDICIAL REGION BRANCH 104, QUEZON CITY SEBASTIAN V. POONIN married to FLORDELIZA F. POONIN, Petitioners, -versus-

Cc: Office of the City Assessor’s Ofice, QC Noel Patrick Prudente

ANNEX “A”

ANNEX “A-1”

Case No. 17-12574

QUEZON CITY GOVERNMENT, OFFICE OF THE MAYOR, QUEZON CITY TREASURER’S OFFICE, QUEZON CITY, ASSESSOR’S OFFICE OF QUEZON CITY and NOEL PATRICK S. PRUDENTE., Respondents. x----------------------------------------------------------------------x AMENDED PETITION FOR CANCELLATION OF WARRANT OF LEVY AND CERTIFICATE OF SALE COMES NOW THE PETITIONERS, through undersigned counsel, unto this Honorable Court, respectfully state that:

ANNEX “B”

STATEMENTOF THE CASE This is a case of Cancellation of Warrant of Levy and Certificate of Sale on grounds that there is no proper notice to the Petitioner and other irregularities attending its issuance.

ANNEX “B-1”

STATEMENT OF THE PARTIES 1. The Petitioners are both of legal age, Filipinos, married and with address at 433 Bgy. Taytay, Nagcarlan, Laguna; 2. Respondent Noel Patrick S. Prudente is of legal age, Filipino, and with last known address at No. 26 Newport St., East Fairview, Quezon City; 3. Public Respondent is the Quezon City Government Office of The Mayor, Quezon City, Treasurer’s Office, Quezon City, and Assessor’s Office of Quezon City; STATEMENT OF FACTS 1. The property subject of this case is a parcel of land located in Quezon City and is more particularly described as follows: “A parcel of land (Lot 7, Blk. 7 of the cons. subd. plan (LRC) Pcs-17782, being a portion of the cons. of Lots 723, Piedad Estate, & Lot 705-A-1-C (LRC) Psd-2967, LRC Rec. No. 5975), situated in the Dist. of Tandang Sora, Quezon City, Island of Luzon. Bounded on the NE., points 2 to 3 by Lot 6, Blk. 7; on the SE., points 3 to 4 by Road Lot 9 (10.00 m. wide); on the SW., point to 4 to 1 by Lot 8; on the NW., points 1 to 2 by Lot 2, both of Blk. 2, all of the cons. subd. plan. Beginning at a point marked “1” on plan, being S. 87 deg. 19’E., 735.95 m. from LM No. 14, Piedad Estate; thence N. 3 deg., 21’E., 15.00 m. to point 2; thence S. 86 deg.

39’E., 20.00 m. to point 3; thence S. 3 deg. 21’W., 15.00 m. to point 4; thence N. 86 deg. 39’W., 20.00 m. to the point of beginning; containing an area of THREE HUNDRED (300) SQUARE METERS, more or less. xxx xxx” A copy of Transfer of Certificate of Title No. 316000 covering said property is hereto attached as Annex “A”.

2. Initially, the subject property was mortgaged to Pag-Ibig. The Petitioners tried their very best to pay off the amortizations of the said property until it was fully paid; 3. Little did the Petitioners know that the subject property also had some real property tax liabilities. They thought that since the said property was mortgaged, they do not have any other liability to the government except to Pag-Ibig. Little did they know that the said property had already been foreclosed and auctioned off last July 5, 2012; 4. Petitioners had never received any notice of the Warrant of Levy, Auctioned Sale of Certificate of Sale as they are not residents of the said property.

Furthermore, the said property remained unoccupied until the present time. A copy of the said Warrant of Levy and Notice of Levy acquired by the Petitioners from the Register of Deeds of Quezon City is hereto attached as Annex “B” and “C”. A copy of the Certificate of Sale subsequently acquired by the Petitioners is hereto attached as Annex “D”; 5. However, last September 27, 2012, the Petitioners, having learned of their tax liabilities, paid off their real property tax Copies of the receipts for the said Real Property Tax for 2012 is hereto attached as Annexes “E”, “E-1”, and “E-2”.

Petitioners tried to ask if there are other tax liabilities since they were previously informed that they had not paid for back real property taxes for the previous years.

However, they were not informed of the said real property tax liabilities for the previous years. Neither were they informed that the subject property had already been foreclosed for non-payment of real property taxes; 6. In the meantime, the Petitioners, who are already senior citizens, had some health problems and were not able to travel all the way from their residence in Nagcarlan, Laguna to check on the subject property. It was only last 2017 when they checked on the property and they learned that it was already sold at auction to Respondent Noel Prudente; 7. This is forced them to file this case; 8. In compliance, with Sec. 267 of the Local Government Code, Petitioners are willing to post a bond corresponding to the unpaid real property taxes and interests that may be imposed in this case.

ANNEX “C”

ANNEX “D”

Manila

ONE BURGUNDY PLAZA CONDOMINIUM ASSOCIATION INC Standard U3, One Burgundy Plaza Condominium

TODAY

307 Katipunan Avenue, Loyola Heights 1108, Quezon City, Philippines Email:obphomeowners@gmail.com Telephone: 426-2003 Telefax: 426-2003

NOTICE OF ANNUAL GENERAL MEMBERSHIP MEETING AND ELECTION OF BOARD MEMBERS AND OFFICERS ANNEX “E”

ANNEX “E-1”

DATE

: May 14, 2022 (SATURDAY)

TIME

: 5:00 P.M.

VENUE : Conference Room, 4F One Burgundy Plaza Condominium No. 307 Katipunan Avenue, Loyola Heights, Quezon City I.

Call to Order

AGENDA

ANNEX “E-2”

ANNEX “F”

Ill. Determination of Quorum IV. Reading and Approval of the Minutes of the last Regular Meeting and Election of Board Members and Officers held on May 11 , 2019 V. President’s Report VI. Treasurer’s Report VII. OBP Developer Legal Cases VIII. Election of Board Members and Officers for 2022-2023 IX. Adjournment Attested by:

ANNEX “G”

Petitioners will not deny their lapses if they have any. They are simply ordinary folks who do not know the intricacies of our laws. However, in this case, the government also had its lapses too. The real property tax payments made last September 27, 2012 should have been rejected and the Petitioners should have been told that the property had been sold off at auction.

JUAN A. KANAPI, JR. PhD Corporate Secretary (MStandard-Mar. 12,19 & 26, 2022)

IN BRIEF BBC pays ‘substantial sum’ to ex-Diana aide LONDON—The BBC said on Thursday it has paid a “substantial sum” and apologised to Princess Diana’s former private secretary over a bombshell 1995 interview found to have been obtained using deception.

An independent report by senior judge John Dyson last year concluded interviewer Martin Bashir tricked Diana’s brother into helping to arrange the interview, in which she spoke candidly about her troubled marriage to Prince Charles.

“The BBC and Commander Patrick Jephson have reached a settlement following publication of the Dyson report,” the BBC said in a statement.

Jephson, who aided Diana from 1988 to 1996, reportedly said Bashir “seduced and betrayed” her into agreeing to the interview, which sent shockwaves through the royal family.

“The BBC accepts and acknowledges that serious harm was caused to Commander Jephson as a result of the circumstances in which the 1995 interview ... was obtained,” the broadcaster said. AFP

Boy, 13, driving truck that killed 9 in Texas HOUSTON—A 13-year-old boy was driving a pickup truck that collided with a van carrying a college golf team in west Texas, killing nine people, officials said Thursday.

Six members of the New Mexico-based University of the Southwest golf team were killed in Tuesday night’s crash along with their coach, according to police.

The 13-year-old boy and his 38-year-old father who was riding in the pickup truck also died in the accident, which occurred near Andrews, Texas.

According to the Texas Department of Public Safety, the Dodge 2500 pickup veered into the oncoming lane, colliding head on with the van.

Both vehicles caught fire.

Bruce Landsberg, the vice chairman of the National Transportation Safety Board, was quoted by KWES TV in Odessa, Texas as saying the minor was behind the wheel of the pickup truck at the time of the accident.

The 13-year-old was violating Texas law.

A resident may obtain a learner’s permit in the state beginning at the age of 15 which allows them to drive with a licensed adult over 21. AFP

Peru court OKs release of ex-president Fujimori

II. Proof of Due Notice of Meeting

A THE PETITIONERS WARRANT OF LEVY AND THE SUBSEQUENT SALE OF THE PROPERTY TO INDIVIDUAL RESPONDENT SHOULD BE CANCELLED AND SET ASIDE

Regarding the individual respondents Noel Prudente, Petitioners are willing to reimburse him for whatever payments he may have made at the auction sale. In

LOS ANGELES—“Terminator” star Arnold Schwarzenegger appealed to Vladimir Putin on Thursday to end the “senseless” war in Ukraine and praised Russians protesting the conflict as his “new heroes.”

“Ukraine did not start this war,” the former California governor said in an emotional message to the people of Russia and Russian troops posted to his Twitter account and other platforms.

“I’m speaking to you today because there are things going on in the world that are being kept from you, terrible things that you should know about,” he said in the powerful nine-minute video that was subtitled in Russian.

The Austrian-born former bodybuilding champion, whose film “Red Heat” was the first American movie filmed in Moscow’s Red Square, spoke of his affection for the Russian people and meeting his idol, Russian weightlifter Yuri Vlasov, when he was 14 years old.

“The strength and the heart of the Russian people have always inspired me,” he said. “That is why I hope that you will let me tell you the truth about the war in Ukraine.”

“I know that your government has told you that this is a war to ‘de-Nazify’ Ukraine,” he said. “This is not true. Those in power in the Kremlin started this war. This is not the LEGAL NOTICE Russian people’s war.”

Schwarzenegger said “the world has turned Notice is hereby given to the public that an Extra- against Russia because of its actions in Ukraine Judicial Settlement has —whole city blocks have been flattened by been executed by the heirs of the late Fernando Russian artillery and bombs, including a chilA. Lacerona. The heirs all dren’s hospital and a maternity hospital. of legal age, over personal “Because of its brutality, Russia is now isoproperties, per deed executed on 17 March 2022 lated from the society of nations,” he said. before Notary Public of Atty.

In an appeal to Russian troops, SchwarGerald Alan Quebral In zenegger recalled the wounds suffered by his Quezon City, per Doc. No. 165; Page No 33; Book No father while fighting for the Nazis in Russia XX11; Series of 2022 during World War II. AFP (MS-MAR. 19/26/APR. 2, 2022)

ISSUES/ARGUMENTS

Based from the above facts, it is very clear that there were lapses on the part of the Respondent Assessor’s Office of Quezon City in failing to inform the Petitioners of their tax liabilities and accepting the payment of real property tax of the Petitioners last September 27, 2012,they were not informed that the subject property had already been auctioned off due to non-payment of real property taxes. Had Petitioners learned of the Auction Sale of the said property, they would not have hesitated to redeem the said property.

Schwarzenegger tells Putin in video to ‘stop this war’

Standard

The Motion for Reconsideration is submitted for resolution.

SO ORDERED.

mother of Major Ivan Skrypnyk, who was killed during Russia’s invasion of Ukraine, mourns over his flagdraped coffin during a funeral ceremony at Lychakiv cemetery in the western Ukrainian city of Lviv on March 17.

AFP

(Sgd.) BERNARDITA S. FORTUNO Counsel for the Petitioners Attorney’s Roll No. 39406 MCLE Comp VI-9014 until April 14, 2022 PTR No. 5520331 QC 1-3-2018 IBP No. 019428 QC 12-27-17

REPUBLIC OF THE PHILIPPINES REGIONAL TRIAL COURT NATIONAL CAPITAL JUDICIAL REGION BRANCH 104, QUEZON CITY

In today’s scheduled pre-trial, the Court notes the presence of petitioners counsel, Atty. Bernardita Fortunu, as well as counsel for Quezon City Government, Atty. Leodeeanne Odtujan.

IN MOTHER’S ARMS. The

RESPECTFULLY SUBMITTED.

(Sgd.) LOWELL FREDERICK A. MADRILEÑO Clerk of Court V

QUEZON CITY GOVERNMENT, OFFICE OF THE MAYOR, QUEZON CITY TREASURER’S OFFICE, QUEZON CITY, ASSESSOR’S OFFICE OF QUEZON CITY AND NOEL PATRICK S. PRUDENTE Respondents. x--------------------------------------------------------------------------x

Not only could Beijing potentially help Russia weather crippling pressure on its banks and currency, but Western governments would then face the painful decision of whether or not to impose sanctions against China, likely prompting turmoil on world markets.

The White House was tight-lipped on whether Biden will threaten China with sanctions during his call, but some sort of response is on the table.

Biden “will make clear that China will bear responsibility for any actions it takes to support Russia’s aggression and we will not hesitate to impose costs,” Secretary of State Antony Blinken said.

He hoped China would use “whatever leverage they have to compel Moscow to end this war,” the top US diplomat said.

“Instead, it appears that China is moving in the opposite direction,” Blinken said, adding he was “concerned that they’re considering directly assisting Russia with military assistance.” AFP

Order remedies just and equitable under the premises are likewise prayed for.

WITNESS my hand under the seal of the Court, this 15th day of December 2021.

SEBASTIAN V. POONIN and FLORDELIZA F. POONIN, Represented by FRANCIS F. POONIN, Petitioners, -versusCase No. R-QZN- 17-12574-CV

The two leaders’ 9:00 am (1300 GMT) scheduled phone call, their first since a video summit in November, will be a chance to air differences as the United States spearheads an unprecedented pressure campaign on Russia, placing China in a geopolitical bind.

It’s “an opportunity for President Biden to assess where President Xi stands,” White House Press Secretary Jen Psaki said.

Trade rows and snarled international supply chains will be discussed, according to Psaki, but a big focus is expected to be the Western bid to force Russia from Ukraine, where President Vladimir Putin’s invasion is in its fourth week.

Biden has successfully marshaled a tight Western alliance against Russia, while giving military support to Ukrainian forces.

But Beijing has refused to condemn Moscow, and Washington fears the Chinese could switch to full financial and even military support for Russia, transforming an already explosive transatlantic standoff into a global dispute.

(MS-MAR. 19, 2022)

LIMA—Peru’s constitutional court on Thursday ordered the release of disgraced former president Alberto Fujimori, who is serving a 25-year sentence for crimes against humanity, a judicial source said.

The court reinstated a “humanitarian pardon” given to the 83-year-old in December 2017 that was subsequently revoked in October 2018, the source told AFP on condition of anonymity.

The court’s decisions cannot be appealed, and the source said Fujimori should be released within a few days.

Fujimori, who was president from 1990 to 2000, is serving the 25-year sentence for two massacres committed by army death squads in 1991 and 1992, in which 25 people, including a child, were killed in supposed anti-terrorist operations.

Upon leaving office he fled into exile in Japan, where his parents were from. AFP

CYAN MAGENTA YELLOW BLACK

Business PSEi March 18, 2022

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0.69 0.66 1110 0.6 0.011 23.5 4.58 7.86 1.79 12.1

ATNB ATN MFC ALCO MA ACEX RFM NIKL MARC ABSP

0.15 0.09 117 0.06 0.001 1.8 0.35 0.57 0.12 0.8

27.78% 15.79% 11.78% 11.11% 10.00% 8.29% 8.27% 7.82% 7.19% 7.08%

TOP LOSERS

LAST % PRICE CHANGE CHANGE

1 2

FPI X

0.203 0.31

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3

HOME

7.56

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-7.24%

4 5 6

DITO IMP AB

5 1.25 5.66

-0.35 -0.08 -0.32

-6.54% -6.02% -5.35%

7 8

MER MONDE

358.2 14.34

-19.8 -0.74

-5.24% -4.91%

9

ALHI

5.7

-0.29

-4.84%

10

LMG

3.8

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-4.28%

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SATURDAY, MARCH 19, 2022 || extrastory2000@gmail.com

Shares down; Converge, Monde Nissin lead losers T HE stock market retreated Friday on profit taking as oil prices made a recovery after a steep fall that could add further pressure on the inflation rate.

The Philippine Stock Exchange Index tumbled 114.82 points, or 1.6 percent to 7,007.63 on a value turnover of P27.6 billion. Losers beat gainers, 100 to 81, with 49 issues unchanged.

Noodles maker Monde Nissin Corp. fell 4.9 percent to P14.34, while fiber broadband provider Converge ICT Solutions Inc. slipped 2.9 percent to P25.20.

Major property developer Ayala Land Inc. of the Ayala Group declined 3 percent to P34.45, while sister unit AC Energy Corp. dropped 2.7 percent to P8.20.

Asian equities mostly rose Friday to end the week on a strong note after a

blockbuster rebound boosted by China’s pledge of support for its markets, while unease over the Ukraine war helped oil extend a recovery.

After a painful start to the week, global stocks have enjoyed a massive bounce in the past few days thanks to optimism over peace talks between Moscow and Kyiv and after Beijing’s signal that it was ready to shore up markets and ease off its tech crackdown.

And while the Federal Reserve announced the first of what many think will be seven interest rate hikes this year, traders have largely accounted for a period of tighter monetary policy.

Focus remains on Russia’s invasion of Ukraine and its impact on the global economy as surging commodity prices ramp up expectations of inflation, already at a 40-year high in the United States.

Talks between US President Joe Biden and his Chinese counterpart Xi Jinping will be closely followed, with the White House looking to get Beijing onside in trying to bring an end to the

European conflict.

That comes as Russia appeared to play down reports of progress in talks with Ukraine on a ceasefire, while the Pentagon warned Vladimir Putin could threaten to use nuclear weapons if the conflict continues to drag on.

On equity markets, Asia struggled at the start of the day to keep up the momentum seen in New York but most recovered in the afternoon.

There were gains in Tokyo, Shanghai, Sydney, Seoul, Singapore, Taipei, Bangkok and Wellington.

But Hong Kong dipped after soaring a mammoth 16 percent on Wednesday and Thursday in reaction to China’s top economic official vowing measures to support beaten-down markets and indicated a regulatory drive against the tech sector was nearing its end.

But while the extreme volatility that has characterized markets since Russia’s invasion three weeks ago has died down for now, commentators remain cautious. With AFP

MOST ACTIVE

VOLUME

VALUE (PHP)

1 2

SM TEL

12,456,970 778,585

11,247,115,660 1,315,318,725

3 4

SMPH AREIT

30,992,000 23,341,600

1,201,294,085 1,079,573,855

5

RCR

142,546,500 1,024,037,389

6 7 8 9 10

MONDE ICT CNVRG ALI ACEN

69,261,000 4,361,640 33,081,400 18,784,000 79,780,200

995,296,902 977,889,848 851,878,890 669,444,465 660,409,009

ANTI-IMF. People take part in a demonstration against the agreement between the government and the IMF outside the

Argentine Congress in Buenos Aires, on March 17, 2022. Argentina’s Senate on Thursday gave final approval to an agreement with the International Monetary Fund that restructures a $45-billion debt, clearing the country’s short-term financial horizon but leaving a serious inflationary challenge. AFP

Moscow stock market crash crushes financial dreams of ordinary Russians MOSCOW, Russia—The Moscow stock exchange ended 2021 in fine form: a record number of companies were listing their shares, foreign money was flowing in and ordinary Russians were keen on investing.

Everything changed after Moscow sent troops into Ukraine on February 24.

The market crashed as indices tumbled 30 percent and was closed the next day, putting it under a dark cloud and leaving investors out in the cold.

It is due to reopen on Monday even as the Ukraine conflict drags on and Western sanctions throttle the Russian economy.

Meanwhile, ordinary Russians who had jumped on the stocks bandwagon have seen their investments frozen and are likely to suffer huge losses while the ruble has fallen dramatically in value.

“I’m completely frustrated,” said Anna Meshchanova, a 30-year-old graphic artist.

“I don’t know what to do.”

She began to invest in the stock market three years ago after having stumbled upon a financial blog.

“I thought it was important to have a financial airbag and retirement savings as there is no guarantee the state will pay a good pension,” Meshchanova told AFP. She stepped up investing during the pandemic, putting 10,000 rubles per month (around $150 at the time but $90 now) into Russian and US stocks.

In this file photo taken on February 28, 2022 a man walks past the Moscow’s stock market building in downtown Moscow. The conflict in Ukraine has put the market under a dark cloud and left investors out in the cold. AFP

Meshchanova said she considers her Russian investments “already lost” and estimates her losses will stand at $4,500 when the exchange reopens.

She is considering whether to transfer her US shares, held by a Russian broker, to an international one.

Investor influx Russian banks and stock exchanges had been working for years to attract investors, rolling out new mobile apps to make it easier for them to dabble in stocks. Financial blogs and podcasts flourished.

“In 2021, we experienced an enormous inflow of individual investors into the stock exchanges, both the one in Moscow and Saint Petersburg,” said Alexander Saiganov, head of analysis at Invest Heroes, a Moscow-based company which provides investors with news and analysis.

“This trend started in 2019 when brokers simplified their procedures for investors,” he added.

The number of retail investors grew to more than 15 million in 2021 compared to between two and three million in 2018.

Last year, a post-pandemic boom in investing helped drive up trade volume on the Moscow exchange to record levels and six new share listings took place.

But already in October the growing geopolitical tensions that led up the conflict in Ukraine began to weigh on Russian share prices and the inflow of investments began to slow. AFP

Shenzhen eases lockdown rules as COVID gnaws at China economy BEIJING, China—China’s southern tech powerhouse Shenzhen has partially eased lockdown measures, after President Xi Jinping stressed the need to “minimize the impact” of the coronavirus pandemic on the nation’s economy.

The city of 17.5 million, under full lockdown since Sunday, resumed work, factory operations and public transport in four districts and a special economic zone, Shenzhen’s government said late Thursday.

Those areas have “achieved dynamic zero-COVID in the community,” it added.

China reported 4,365 new infections nationwide Friday, according to National Health Commission data, as the country battles a nationwide Omicron surge, its worst coronavirus outbreak since early 2020.

Millions remain under lockdown across the country, many under hyper-local restrictions aimed at smothering clusters as they emerge without shutting down entire cities.

China has firmly stuck to a “dynamic zero-COVID” strategy since the pandemic began, through targeted lockdowns, mass testing and travel restrictions—an approach that has left it increasingly isolated in a world adjusting to the pandemic.

However, frequent virus shutdowns affecting major port and industrial cities have dampened the country’s economic growth, leading to Beijing announcing the weakest GDP target in decades earlier this month of 5.5 percent.

The new measures in Shenzhen were introduced to balance “epidemic prevention and control with economic and social development,” said a notice from the city’s virus response command center.

Shenzhen is home to supply chains for major companies making everything from iPhones to washing machines, while some of China’s biggest tech firms also have campuses around the city.

Yantian port, whose three-week closure last summer due to an outbreak exacerbated global shipping delays, is included in one of the districts where measures were relaxed. AFP

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

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SATURDAY, MARCH 19, 2022

Business

PSE INDEX CLOSING Friday, March 18, 2022

-114.82 PTS. 7,007.63

TOTAL VOLUME TOTAL TRADES

1,653,035,966 87,049

TOTAL VALUE (IN PHP) ADVANCES DECLINES

27,588,094,210.22 81 100

UNCHANGED

49

F oreign E xchange R ate Bangko Sentral ng Pilipinas • FRIDAY, MARCH 18, 2022

Currency

Unit

US Dollar

Peso

United States

Dollar

1.000000

52.1670

Japan

Yen

0.008431

0.4398

UK

Pound

1.315000

68.5996

Hong Kong

Dollar

0.127921

6.6733

Switzerland

Franc

1.066894

55.6567

Canada

Dollar

0.792267

41.3302

Singapore

Dollar

0.738825

38.5423

Australia

Dollar

0.737500

38.4732

Bahrain

Dinar

2.652731

138.3850

Saudi Arabia

Rial

0.266539

13.9045

Brunei

Dollar

0.736106

38.4004

Indonesia

Rupiah

0.000070

0.0037

Thailand

Baht

0.030066

1.5685

UAE

Dirham

0.272287

14.2044

Euro

Euro

1.109200

57.8636

Korea

Won

0.000826

0.0431

China

Yuan

0.157542

8.2185

India

Rupee

0.013173

0.6872

Malaysia

Ringgit

0.238464

12.4400

New Zealand

Dollar

0.687900

35.8857

Taiwan

Dollar

0.035466

1.8502 Source: BSP

LIPA CENTER. The Lipa City Hall breaks ground at its new location at Ayala Land Inc.’s newest estate, Areza. The City Hall,along with the Lipa City Trading Center at the Department of Agriculture, will be among the primary locators of Ayala Land’s soon-to-be launched mixed-use estate in Lipa City. Areza is a 92-hectare property that is accessible through the STAR toll way via Balete exit.

Attending the groundbreaking ceremony are (from left) Lipa City Mayor Eric Africa, Senate Pro Tempore Ralph Recto, Ayala Land Estates Inc. vice president Cris Zuluaga, Ayala Land assistant vice president and Areza project development head Jay Teodoro, Ayala Land senior vice president and Ayala Land Estates Inc. head Meean Dy and House Deputy Speaker Vilma Santos- Recto.

By Jenniffer B. Austria

C

ONGLOMERATE Ayala Corp. said Friday it will sell its entire stake in the company that holds the concession for the Muntinlupa-Cavite Expressway project to the Villar Group for P3.8 billion. the continued expansion of core businesses in real estate, banking, telecommunication, and power, and scaling up emerging businesses in healthcare and logistics.

“The transaction also supports the conglomerate’s target to raise $1 billion from value realization initiatives by 2023, which is executed through a combination of strategic partnerships and divestment of certain non-core assets,” Ayala said.

“The proceeds will be used to fund fu-

ture investments and further strengthen the company’s balance sheet,” it said.

Ayala said that as of January 2022, it executed P27 billion worth of value realization initiatives, including sale of shares in AC Energy’s thermal assets and Manila Water Co. Inc. and the entry of a new investor in Mynt, the operator of mobile wallet GCash.

MCX Expressway is a four-kilometer controlled-access toll expressway linking southern part of Cavite to Muntinlupa. It is the first private-public participation project under the Aquino administration.

Ayala signed in 2012 a 30-year concession agreement for the operation of MCX Expressway. It invested P2.2 billion for the project including a P902-million cash payment to the government.

Ayala earlier said it would spend a record P285 billion for capital expenditures this year, up 25 percent from P228 billion in 2021.

The conglomerate said net income climbed 62 percent in 2021 to P27.8 billion, fueled by divestment gains and improved performance of property and banking units. It booked gains from the re-measurement of its stake in Manila Water following the sale of secondary shares to Trident Water and stake in GNPower Kauswagan Ltd. Co. Excluding gains and other one-offs, Ayala’s core net income decreased 10 percent to P23.5 billion in 2021 from a year earlier.

Meanwhile, PAVI has been ramping up its business and is engaged in telecommunication, water and power generation.

PLDT building hyperscale data hub in Laguna

THE Department of Energy approved the updated proposal of the Service Contract 55 consortium on the Cinco-1 well in southwest Palawan that will pave the way for the drilling of an appraisal well by next year.

ACE Enexor Inc., parent firm of Palawan55 Exploration & Production Corp. which owns a majority interest in SC 55, said in a disclosure to the stock exchange “the Cinco prospect is deemed as a viable drilling target based on studies conducted and prospective resource estimates meet the benchmarks for a floating LNG [liquefied natural gas] development.”

SC 55 is a deep-water block in the southwest Palawan Basin covering an area of 9,880 square kilometers. The Cinco well is estimated to contain 1.3 trillion to 2.4 trillion cubic feet of gas and 45 million barrels of oil.

The recently approved drilling program for SC 55 is seen as a milestone in ACE Enexor’s efforts to help the country develop indigenous gas resources as a pathway to energy security and the energy transition in the wake of the dwindling Malampaya gas reserves. Alena Mae S. Flores

LT GROUP Inc., the holding company of tycoon Lucion Tan, said Friday net income reached P20.25 billion in 2021, down 3.7 percent from P21.02 billion in 2020, on the lower contribution of the banking, property and beverage businesses.

LT Group said in a disclosure to the stock exchange tobacco business accounted for P17.43 billion or 86 percent of LTG’s total attributable income, followed by Tanduay Distillers Inc. with P1.24 billion or 6 percent of the total.

Eton Properties Philippines Inc. added P548 million, while Asia Brewery Inc. contributed P475 million. The company’s 30.9-percent stake in Victorias Milling Company Inc. added P258 million.

Banking unit Philippine National Bank had a net contribution of P308 million, after eliminating the gain of P33.44 billion from the transfer of real estate assets into PNB Holdings Corp.

The group’s tobacco business had a net income of P17.50 billion in 2021, up 4 percent from a year ago despite lower industry volume.

Jenniffer B. Austria

Group claims ancestral rights over El Nido A TRIBAL group asked the National Commission on Indigenous People to maintain the ceaseand-desist order it issued against a tourism project of Ayala Group in El Nido, Palawan until the conglomerate recognized the group’s ancestral domain rights over the site of the project.

Tagbanua-Tandolanen IP community legal counsel Peter Paul Danao said the NCIP should not withdraw the CDO it issued against Ten Knots Philippines Inc., a subsidiary of Ayala Land Inc., which is developing the 325-hectare Lio Airport and Tourism Estate in Barangays Villa Libertad and Pasadena in El Nido.

Danao said the NCIP should maintain the order against TKPI despite the submission of documents under the Free and Prior Informed Consent guidelines to oblige the Ayala Group to seriously negotiate with and recognize the ancestral domain rights of the Tagbanua-Tandolanen IP community.

“The CDO will oblige them to do what is right.

If the CDO will be lifted, they [TKPI] will only return to their usual ways of asking too many questions, resulting in the delay in the judicial process,” Danao said. Othel V. Campos

BOP to register deficit in 2022 on global volatilities

By Julito G. Rada

By Darwin G. Amojelar PLDT Inc. on Friday broke ground for the construction of the largest hyperscale data center facility in the country.

“The PLDT Group is one with the nation in building a digitally-advanced Philippines and making our country the next hyperscaler destination in Asia Pacific. With Vitro Sta. Rosa, we aim to set the benchmark in infrastructure resilience, operational excellence, global competitiveness and world-class sustainability,” PLDT president and chief executive Alfredo Panlilio said.

“A facility of this caliber only ensures the best possible customer experience not only for our hyperscale clients, but also for the Filipino end-users consuming their services. We at PLDT Group are committed to providing world-class services to our global enterprise clients and enabling the digital transformation of the country and the Filipino people,” he said.

Vitro Sta.Rosa underscores the PLDT Group’s commitment to constantly invest and elevate the digital infrastructure readiness of the country through the sustained expansion of its international and domestic fiber capacities, 5G roll-outs and worldclass data center facilities with the goal of powering up the hyperscale industry of Philippines.

PLDT is one of the early enablers of the hyperscale industry, serving the unique requirements of global tech companies through existing Vitro facilities.

It collaborated with key government agencies in 2021 to lay down the groundwork and include hyperscalers as one of the new priority sectors of the Philippines, culminating with the official launch of the hyperscale industry under the ‘Make It Happen’ campaign of the Department of Trade and Industry in September.

Vitro Sta. Rosa will rise as the country’s largest data center campus on a five-hectare PLDT property in the booming industrial city of Sta. Rosa. It is the first in a series of data center builds totaling to a power capacity of 100 megawatts.

DOE approves Cinco gas drilling program

LT Group’s income topped P20b in 2021

Ayala sells toll road unit to Villar Group Ayala said in a disclosure to the stock exchange it signed an investment agreement with Prime Asset Ventures Inc. of the Villar Group over the sale its 100-percent ownership in MCX Project Company Inc. The deal is subject to the consent of the project’s grantor, the Department of Public Works and Highways.

The conglomerate said the sale of MCXPCI is aligned with its strategic priority to realize value from certain non-core assets and sharpen its focus on

IN BRIEF

EXCLUSIVE ROUNDTABLE. Metro Pacific Investments Corp. chief finance, risk and sustainability officer Chaye Cabal-Revilla (left) meets with Charles, Prince of Wales, during an A4S Roundtable at St. James’s Palace. Revilla also met with Chanel chief finance officer Philippe Blondiaux, International Organization of Securities Commissions chairman for sustainable finance task force Erik Thedéen, Burberry chief operating officer Julie Brown and Bank of America vice chair Paul Donofrio during the exclusive Accounting for Sustainability Roundtable on sustainability reporting hosted by Prince of Wales.

Economist sees Bangko Sentral raising interest rate in second half A PRIVATE bank economist said Friday the Bangko Sentral ng Pilipinas is expected to start raising the overnight borrowing rate of 2 percent by the second half this year, as some countries react to further rate hikes by the US Federal Reserve.

Michael Ricafort, chief economist of Rizal Commercial Banking Corp., said in an online briefing the “widely expected Fed rate hike of +0.25 on March 16, 2022, to be followed my more and earlier Fed rate hikes thereafter [or six more +0.25 Fed rate hikes for the rest of 2022]; and [3-4 +0.25 Fed rate hikes for 2023].”

“Based on the Fed’s dot plot/estimates; possible Fed decision on the

reduction of the Fed’s balance sheet by May 2022 could lead to some upward adjustments in policy rates from record lows close to zero percent in other countries, especially in other developed countries,” Ricafort said.

He said these rate adjustments in other countries were expected to maintain healthy interest rate differentials and effectively respond and better manage the recent relatively higher inflation and inflation expectations amid improved global economic recovery prospects.

“Thus, it is a tough and delicate balancing act in managing the monetary policy, going forward, to prevent infla-

tion from spiraling further,” he said.

When asked by much the BSP might raise interest rates this year, Ricafort said it “would be less than the Fed’s; local policy rate hike of at least 0.50-0.75 [less vs. the Fed’s expected total hike of 1.50-1.75], as a function of secondround inflation effects from proposed wage hike and transport fare hike petitions, both of which could potentially lead to higher prices of other affected products and services.”

Inflation in the first two months of 2022 averaged 3 percent, the midpoint of the target range of 2 percent to 4 percent for the year. Julito G. Rada

THE Bangko Sentral ng Pilipinas on revised Friday its 2022 balance of payments projection to a deficit of $4.3 billion from the $0.7-billion surplus target made earlier, taking into account the uncertainties posed by global developments.

BSP’s Department of Economic Research managing director Zeno Ronald Abenoja, in an online briefing, cited a number of domestic and external factors for the downward adjustment of the BOP target.

“Key considerations are global developments and world GDP growth forecasts from the World Economic Outlook Report of the International Monetary Fund released January 2022 and the World Economic Prospects Monthly Report of Oxford Economics released on March 8, 2022,” Abenoja said.

Other factors considered were the country’s gross domestic product growth of 5.6 percent in 2021, lower actual BOP surplus last year of $1.3 billion, overall BOP position as of January 2022 of $102-million deficit and data on gross international reserves, tourist arrivals, cash remittances, OFW deployments and foreign portfolio investments.

Data showed the overall BOP position yielded a deficit of $157 million in February, reflecting outflows mainly from the government’s foreign currency withdrawals from deposits with the BSP. This brought the cumulative BOP level in the first two months to $259-million deficit.

“The assessment of the BOP outlook for 2022 and 2023 takes on a more guarded view as the ongoing RussiaUkraine conflict complicates the global and domestic recovery picture, magnifying the disruptions and uncertainties caused by the pandemic. The heightened volatility in both international financial and commodity markets could spill over to the domestic economy of emerging market economies including the Philippines,”Abenoja said.

DOTr set to sign deals to purchase 304 train cars for North-South Commuter Railway THE Department of Transportation said Friday it is set to sign contracts on the acquisition of an additional 304 train cars for the North-South Commuter Railway System Project.

The agency on Friday unveiled the first eight of the 104 train cars, which the government earlier procured for the NSCR project.

“We will also be signing the contract for additional train cars also for the NSCR System,” Transportation undersecretary

for railways Timothy John Batan said.

He said the DOTr and the Philippine National Railways would initially sign another contract for 56 airport express train cars for the project.

The NSCR’s train sets are designed to operate at up to 120 kilometers per hour, shortening the travel time from Clark International Airport in Pampanga to Calamba, Laguna from more than four hours to less than two hours.

“The ongoing expansion of the Philip-

pines railway network, happening at record scale and at record speed, would not be possible without the unwavering support of our partners from the international development community and the global railway industry,” Batan said.

“We recognize and we thank our partners from the government of Japan and from the Japan International Cooperation Agency for their ‘fast and sure support’ and the 786 billion Japanese yen or P362 billion of official development assistance being extended for

the NSCR project,” he said.

After decades of attempts starting 1994, the 38-kilometer PNR Clark 1 and 53-kilometer PNR Clark 2 segments of the 147-kilometer NSCR System are now being constructed at full blast.

The NSCR System, with 35 stations spanning 28 local government units from Mabalacat, Pampanga to Calamba, Laguna is expected to serve over a million passengers a day upon completion.

Darwin G. Amojelar

Flying Titans foil Troopers’ PVL fightback CHOCO Mucho pulled through in a rugged third set endgame to thwart Army Black Mamba, 25-13, 25-11, 2523, and launch its 2022 Premier Volleyball League Open Conference campaign in straight-set fashion at the Paco Arena in Manila on Friday.

But it took the Flying Titans a power hit from lefty Caitlyn Viray and a clever play from Deanna Wong to repel the Lady Troopers, who fought back from two forgettable sets with a gutsy stand in the next that however fizzled out in the end.

“The tournament is very short and every game is really a must-win,” said Choco Mucho coach Oliver Almadro after his wards pounded out the 76-minute win. “So, we thank God that He gave us the strength to win our first game.”

On the short format, Almadro underscored the need for his players to focus on each match and get better and tougher in all aspects to fuel their title drive.

“We’re taking it one game at a time, and that’s the important thing. So as the tournament wears on, the battle becomes more difficult and the focus should intensify and the character (of the players) should grow.”

Poised for another set romp after a pair of trouble-free victories, the Flying Titans blew an 8-4 lead in the third frame on a series of miscues, enabling the Lady Troopers to get back into the thick of things. Army forced the first tie at 11 and then battled its fancied younger rival to six more standoffs before finally wresting control at 17-16.

But after they traded points on varying hits, the Lady Troopers regained the lead at 22-21 on a Jeanette Villareal block off Ponggay Gaston.

But Gaston struck with a big hit in the ensuing play and Viray put Choco Mucho on top again with another offthe-block hit before ageless MJ Pabayo scored on a push to keep Army alive and set the stage for a tight finish.

Viray, however, came away with another power hit and Wong completed a Gaston save off a Honey Royse Tubino attack by wittingly tossing the ball to the unguarded spot at the baseline, securing the point and the victory that tied matched F2 Logistics and Cignal HD’s early victories in Group A of the short month-long tournament.

Army, on the other hand, absorbed its second straight defeat following a fourset loss to F2 Logistics in last Wednesday’s inaugurals of the league’s second pro season organized by Sports Vision.

Kat Tolentino fired 11 hits, including nine attack points, to emerge the game’s best player, while Gaston finished with eight points and Viray added seven hits in a two-set stint as Almadro utilized a 14-player rotation.

Desiree Cheng put in a six-hit performance while Isa Molde and Cherry Nunag produced five points apiece, Bea de Leon added four hits, and Wong, Aduke Ogunsanya chipped in two points each.

Sports

C1

World gymnastics’ champ Yulo earns literature degree in Japan

By Randy Caluag

W

ORLD gymnastics champion Caloy Yulo on Thursday graduated with an Associated Degree in Literature at the Teikyo University in Tokyo, Japan.

The Filipino gymnastics’ ace, who has been training under noted Japanese coach Munehiro Kugiyama since 2016 in Japan, posted a picture of him on his Instagram receiving his diploma.

His parents Angelica and Mark were not with him, but had a small get-together to celebrate their 22-year-old son’s educational accomplishment.

His mother Angelica, though, posted a long, emotional post on Facebook to greet her son.

“Happy graduation ‘nak. (We) missed this important event in your life, I wish I was there to hug you and greet you on your special day. I wished that I witnessed the happiness written on your face when you received your diploma. I wished that you shared your joy with us, celebrating another achievement in your life with us.”

Angelica added: “But apparently we are not there to celebrate your success, but surely we’re happy of what you’ve achieved and grateful to our Almighty God for

giving you the courage to finish your studies without Kitakyushu, Japan. our presence. But you know that we’re always here beIn his seniors’ debut in 2019 just before the SEA side you to support you in all your endeavors. I want you Games, he pocketed the gold in the floor exercise in to know that I AM THE PROUDEST MOM IN THE Stuttgart, Germany. He was a bronze medalist in the WHOLE WIDE WORLD.” same event in Doha, Qatar in 2018.

Yulo had a short vacation in the PhilipJoining Yulo in the men’s artistic SEAG squad pines as he led the inauguration of the MVP are Jan Gwynn Timbang, Justine Ace De Leon, Sports Foundation Gymnastics Training Juancho Miguel Besana, John Ivan Cruz, and Center in Intramuros, Manila last March John Matthew Vergara.

5. He had to go back to Japan to catch his Other gymnasts in the team include Aleah graduation ceremony.

Finnegan, Chiara Andrews, Ancilla Lucia Yulo will lead the Philippine gymnastics’ Mari Manzano, Lucia Gabriel Gutierrez, team to the 31st SEA Games set in May in HaKursten Rogue Lopez and Christina Onofre noi, Vietnam as he aims to surpass his twoLoberanes in the women’s squad. gold, five-silver medal haul in the 2019 The rhythmic team is composed of Danedition of the biennial meet hosted by iela de la Pisa, Breanna Labadan, Shielthe Philippines. dannah Sabio, Katrina Loretizo, He topped the all-around Andrea Mae Emperado, Divina and floor exercise events and Sembrano, AJ Melgar, Jenny Maplaced second in the vault, rie Eusebio and Angelika Leigh ring, pommel horse, horiBuenavidez. zontal and parallel bars in Making up the aerobics’ the last SEA Games. squad are Charmaine Dolar, During the pandemic, he Lynette Ann Moreno, Queenie won the gold in vault and Grace Briones, Dorothy Grace silver in parallel bars at the Asuncion, Christopher Daniel 2021 World Artistic GymQuevado, Carl Joshua TangoCarlos Yulo nastics Championships in nan and Enrico Ostia.

their setback to the Bolts in quarterfinals.

Meanwhile, eyeing to prevent Limitless App from imposing its dominance again in the PBA 3x3 Lakas Ng Tatlo, teams were quick to tweak their respective rosters in time for Leg 4 of Conference 2 Saturday at the Smart Araneta Coliseum.

Leg 1 champion TNT, top contenders Barangay Ginebra and Platinum Karaoke, and even Terrafirma 3x3 have made corresponding lineup changes in an attempt to thwart the Appmasters’ bid for a back-to-back leg title.

The Tropang Giga, who lost to Limitless in a thrilling Leg 3 finals last week, brought back big man Mark Acuno for Chris Javier, while the Kings are returning with top gunner Encho Serrano and Jayson David after missing a podium finish in the last leg.

Platinum meanwhile, reactivated Ryan

Monteclaro for big man JR Alabanza, while the Dyip are parading team manager and former San Miguel Beer player Ronald Tubid for Jebb Bulawan.

Limitless opens its campaign against guest team Master Sardines at 10:05 a.m. in one of 16 games featured in Day 1 of Pool play.

The Appmasters just won their third leg championship overall, counting the two they won in the First Conference, where the team also emerged as the first ever grand champion.

The quartet of Brandon Rosser, Jorey Napoles, Reymar Caduyac, and Marvin Hayes, are bracketed in Pool A along with Master Sardines, Leg 2 winner San Miguel, NorthPort, and CAVITEX. The Beermen also made a roster change with the return of veterans Ken Bono and

Louie Vigil for James Mangahas and Bacon Austria, the Batang Pier tapped Louie Brill and Michael Calisaan for LA Revilla and Jeepy Faundo, the Braves are reunited with Ernest Efren Reyes for Larry Fonacier, and Master Sardines replaced Michole Sorela and Jefferson Comia with Cyrus Tabi and Ramon Mabayo.

TNT leads Pool B with Sista Super Sealers, Pioneer Pro Tibay, and Platinum Karaoke, while Leg 3 third placer Meralco is joined by Terrafirma, Barangay Ginebra, and Purefoods in Pool C. Master Sardines and NorthPort opens hostilities at 8 a.m. followed by CAVITEX-San Miguel (8:25 a.m.), Sista-Pioneer (8:50 a.m.), Terrafirma-Barangay Ginebra (9:15 a.m.), NorthPort-San Miguel (9:40 a.m.), and Limitless-Master Sardines. Peter Atencio

Morales wins Stage 8, but Oranza still leads

By Peter Atencio

Ronald Oranza

SATURDAY, MARCH 19, 2022

Choco Mucho’s Deanna Wong keeps possession alive during a 2022 Premier Volleyball League Open Conference game won by the Flying Titans against Army at the Paco Arena in Manila on Friday.

Bolts maul Beermen to advance to semis THE Meralco Bolts, led by Tony Bishop, became the first team to reach the bestof-five semifinals of the 46th Philippine Basketball Association Governors’ Cup. The 32-year-old Bishop powered the twice-to-beat Bolts to a 100-85 smothering of the San Miguel Beermen in their quarterfinal playoffs after scoring 32 points, spiked by four triples.

The Bolts, who took charge by as much as 21 points, will now wait for the outcome of the quarterfinal clash between the top-seeded Magnolia Hotshots and the Phoenix Super LPG Fuel Masters.

Chris Newsome added 22 points for the Bolts, who need to sweep three of their five-game assignment to reach the finals.

The Beermen, behind import Shabazz Muhammad with 24 points, dropped out of contention with a 6-7 slate, including

Riera U. Mallari, Editor; Randy M. Caluag, Assistant Editor

ECHAGUE, Isabela— Philippine NavyStandard Insurance’s Ronald Oranza, heavily protected by his teammates, lost a four-second advantage, but still remained the overall leader after Stage 8 winner Jan Paul Morales of Excellent Noodles sneaked up from behind him at the finish line Friday in the 11th Ronda Pilipinas here.

The top rider of the defending champion Navymen vowed to keep fighting for the general classification title after logging a time of four hours, 41 minutes and 31 seconds, following a three-man bunched finish for top podium honors with Nueva Ecija’s Marcelo Felipe and stage victor and Morales.

All three submitted similar times at the end of the 170.4-km race from Baler, Aurora heading into the mountain roads of the Sierra Madre range all the way into Echague.

A bigger battle for the overall individual title now looms between Morales and Oranza in a crucial Stage 9 race, after the Navy top bet kept the red jersey for a third straight time.

Oranza, who grabbed the overall individual lead during the 147.1-km stage 6 from Lucena City to Tagaytay City, said he will be going all out when they head for Baguio City in a 187.9-km odyssey from Santiago City on Saturday.

The 29-year-old Oranza, who was protected by his four Navy teammates upon entering Echague, now has a total time of 27 hours, 59 minutes and 47 seconds.

“Kapag may bumigay, nandu’n sila, ganu’n sila,” said Oranza of his supportive teammates after Morales slipped behind him before crossing the end point at the national highway road located in front of the Echague Municipal Hall.

Morales cut Oranza’s 42-second lead time by four. He is now behind by 38 seconds, following his daring move at the closing moments of the race.

Overall, Go For Gold’s Jonel Carcueva is in far third, three minutes and eight seconds behind the pacesetter, followed in fourth by Navyman Ronald Lomotos and Felipe. Two other Navymen, El Joshua Carino and Jeremy Lizardo took sixth and seventh spots, respectively.

Patrombon, Olivarez dispute title JESON Patrombon and Jed Olivarez lived up to the hype as they dispatched their respective rivals in contrasting fashions Friday to arrange a much awaited face-off for the PPS-PEPP Olivarez Cup Open crown at the Olivarez Sports Center in Sucat.

Bracing for a spirited duel with manytime Davis Cup teammate Arcilla, the 28-year-old Patrombon hardly found a challenge instead, dominating the veteran campaigner before claiming the abbreviated win when the latter retired due to injury, 6-1 (ret.).

The top-seeded Patrombon thus kept his imposing run in the event marking the return of the country’s longest running tennis circuit after a two-year hiatus due to global health crisis with the Iligan City ace dropping just 15 games in four matches to earn another stab at the championship.

Olivarez also piled up three straightset victories before the second-ranked ace rammed into a tough Vicente Anasta in the semis. But the 23-year-old talent bounced back strong from a stinging second-set setback, put his act together in the decider and pulled off a 6-2, 1-6, 6-3 triumph in their side of the Final Four.

They dispute the crown at 9 a.m. today (Saturday) with Patrombon tipped to bank on his experience and allaround prowess while Olivarez is itching to spring a surprise on home turf and prove his worth against his more seasoned rival.

The duo also poised themselves for a sweep of two titles as they advanced to the semifinal round of the doubles play with convincing wins last Thursday.

With Anasta as partner, Patrombon rolled past Loucas Fernandez and Aljon Talatayod, 6-2, 6-2, in the upper half of the draw while Olivarez and Joewyn Pascua clobbered Exequiel Jucutan and James Mina, 6-1, 6-2.

C2

SATURDAY, MARCH 19, 2022

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

Home/Design

Ovialand offers homes for the future M

ILLENNIALS, especially young working professionals, often have ambitious plans for the future. As young people work towards achieving their financial goals—wherever they may be in their financial journey—it is important to assure them that homeownership will always be accessible.

MAKING EVERY DROP OF WATER WORK

Menarco, Nova Group value water like gold IDEALLY, all modern infrastructure should work towards reducing emissions by around 6% annually from 2020 to 2030.

A lot of this change will be propelled by shifting to renewable energy sources and increasing resource efficiency (meaning doing more with one unit whether it is kilowatt-hour or cubic meter).

For Menarco Development Corporation’s Carmen Jimenez-Ong and Nova Group’s Chut Cuerva, this means making a single drop of water go through their buildings multiple times before it is discharged.

Nova’s Nex Tower in Ayala Avenue (Shown in photo) is Leadership in Energy and Environmental Design (LEED) Platinum certified and is the sole Philippine project to ever bag Urban Land Institute’s Asia Pacific Award for Excellence. Meanwhile, Menarco Tower in Bonifacio Global City is the first to pursue WELL certification in the country, and the only building in Asia to be both LEED Gold and WELL Gold certified.

Menarco Tower reduced potable water use by 47.49%. Potable water for sewage conveyance is reduced by 100%.

Landscaping and irrigation systems in Menarco have been designed to use only recycled water. Instead of using clean, potable water to do things that do not require potable water that people should be drinking, a gray water system filters water from the condensate drains and water used for washing, plows it back into the system to water the plants.

Nex Tower uses the same principles.

Instead of water from the mains, a rainwater harvesting system collects rain that falls on the roof and filters it to irrigate the plants.

Building a foundation “At Ovialand, one of our core goals is to make every Filipino appreciate that being a homeowner is a reality, not an impossible dream,” observed Pammy Olivares-Vital, president and CEO of Ovialand. “We are at the cusp of a new generation. Over 70% of homebuyers are millennials who are starting their young families. This pandemic has made many of them realize they should prioritize buying a home as a long-term investment rather than spend carelessly.”

Savana, a housing development by Ovialand in San Pablo, Laguna, is designed with the new generation in mind. It currently comprises 490 house and lot units.

It is only 3 kilometers away from the city center, a place bustling with commerce, schools, and hospitals.

For social media-savvy millennials The spacious area inside a Savana home allows millennials to design the interiors to their hearts’ content. For example, those who are active in social media apps such as Instagram can share as many pictures as they want about the private spaces they have cultivated for themselves. Indeed, a home can be a reflection of a human’s personal identity.

Ovialand kept the social media savvy millennial in mind when designing Savana. It made sure that the home is always photo-ready, with corners and nooks that make the perfect Pinterest canvas.

No two homes built the same “Savana is designed to fulfill the lifestyle of young people, whether they may be family-oriented or seek a lifestyle full of entertainment,” said Olivares-Vital.

“We want to make our millennial clients think that the properties we build are in line with how they want their lifestyles to be now and in the future,” said.

At Savana, no two homes are built the same. Because no two families have the same needs, homeowners have different options on how they want their houses to look like. They have options such as Mansion, Manor Luxe, and Manor Classic — each differing in size to fit the needs of homeowners.

Making dreams attainable Ovialand is currently with PAG-IBIG to provide accessible financing to young people. PAG-IBIG, in fact, recognized the company as a top housing developer in South Luzon in 2021. The award was given due to Ovialand’s contributions to ensuring the success of the government’s Building Adequate, Livable, Affordable, and Inclusive Filipino communities (BALAI) shelter program.

UPSCALE LIVING IN TANDANG SORA. In the

Committed to the cause Water products manufacturer LIXIL, whose portfolio includes INAX, GROHE and American Standard, has been rallying its R&D around environmental sustainability and recently met some milestones.

“I think that’s the biggest investment LIXIL has made to get people fully committed to the cause,” LIXIL’s corporate responsibility lead Priyanka Tanwar.

GROHE’s sense and sense guard water monitoring systems alert homeowners of pipe leaks so they can be addressed immediately. The app monitors and reports consumption so people can adjust their water use.

“It comes from a philosophy of treating

IN THE CENTER OF THINGS.

Real estate developer Bria Homes is pushing for sustainable lifestyles in its fifty-plus communities nationwide, and more recently in Davao, where it is building three communities: Bria Homes Tagum, Bria Homes Panabo, and Bria Homes Digos. Bria Homes Tagum, situated in the “Palm City of the South,” is just a few minutes’ ride from the city proper, close to Pioneer Avenue and Daang Maharlika Highway.

Bria Homes Panabo, known as the “Banana Capital of the Philippines,” is nestled between Davao City and Tagum, with agro-tourism sites found in nearby towns. Bria Homes Digos, located near the Davao del Sur Provincial Capitol, is close to Digos city center.Prospective buyers may choose from three house models in Bria Tagum and Bria Digos: rowhouse Elena (22 sq. m. floor area and 36 sq. m. lot area); twostorey townhouse Bettina (44 sq.m. floor area and 36 sq.m. lot area); and single firewall Alecza (36 sq.m. floor area and 81 sq.m. lot area). BRIA Panabo offers Bettina and Alecza.

water like gold, saving it when and where you can,” ex-plained Jimenez-Ong. “You wouldn’t think there’d be water shortages when it rains like crazy here,” said Cuerva. “ But what we are trying to do is store the water. When there is plenty of water, you can store that so when there is no water, you use that. It’s a similar predicament to solar panels. When it is sunny, you want to store that energy in a battery and then use it when the rates are expensive.”

The other benefit of storing water is that during huge downpours, it helps the sewerage systems. If more buildings like Nex and Menarco capture rain during these downpours, then slowly releasing the excess into the sewerage systems instead of dumping it all at one time, they would help ease flooding in our cities.

new normal, you will want to live in a home that takes you to all that is essential in a jiff, while also allowing you to relish healthy spaces.

DMCI Homes offers just that with its latest condominium project in Quezon City—Erin Heights. Nestled along Commonwealth Avenue corner Tandang Sora Avenue in Quezon City, Erin Heights is the developer’s answer to the call for secure, upscale high-rise living on this side of the metro.The property is in the same neighborhood as universities like U.P. Diliman and the Ateneo; business centers like the U.P. Technohub; as well as the upcoming MRT-7 Tandang Sora Station. It is also minutes from top hospitals like the Diliman Doctors’ Hospital, Philippine Heart Center, and St. Luke’s Medical Center Quezon City. Graceful, elegant, and stylish, DMCI Homes’ latest project follows organic shapes and forms, meld together with clean, modern lines. Erin Heights is set to open its doors to residents in October 2027. Units are now preselling at a starting price of P5,062,000.

‘GREEN’ LIVING BY DESIGN. To live sustainably is to have an

environment-friendly home without compromising practicality and aesthetics.

This is what ISOC Land has achieved in I-Land Residences Sucat, a “green” residential condominium community. “Throughout the different touchpoints, it is important that the spirit of sustainability is woven through from design, construction until operation of the building,” said architect Ric Reyes of Aidea, the design consultant of the project. Inside I-Land Residences Sucat’s residential units, homeowners enjoy generous and versatile living space (Shown in photo). As the pandemic has brought about the need to transform different parts of the home for various other uses such as work and study, a hallmark of sustainable design is the ability to accommodate these lifestyle changes easily and effortlessly.

Tech & Gadgets Borzo donates Mr. Speedy bags to PH Red Cross QUEZON CITY—Borzo Philippines (previously Mr. Speedy) donated its old Mr. Speedy bags to the Philippine Red Cross – Quezon City Chapter.

Janice Adolfo, Officer-inCharge of the Philippine Red Cross Chapter expressed her gratitude to Borzo as these will be used by the organization in their day-to-day operations.

“The Mr. Speedy bags will be repurposed by the Philippine Red Cross to transport blood and vaccines as well as be used in the pick-up of saliva test samples in the various Covid-19 test centers in Quezon City,” Miss Adolfo said.

Borzo Philippines recognizes the challenge of having an efficient logistical system especially for organizations like the Philippine Red Cross, specifically the need to move critical and essential medical supplies to hospitals and testing sites.

Standing by its purpose to not only provide reliable transporting services to its customers, but also to be stewards of sustainability in the Philippines, Borzo found the perfect way to aid the Philippine Red Cross using Mr. Speedy bags and for these to serve a better purpose to be of benefit to the Filipino people.

This newly forged partnership between Borzo Philippines and the Philippine Red Cross— Quezon City Chapter is only the beginning.

Borzo Philippines seeks for new potential partnerships and explores ways of supporting like-minded organizations, while also helping small business communities thrive by offering them free features such as Facebook posts and YouTube videos, all in the spirit of delivering care for our countrymen.

Borzo is a global crowdsourced same-day delivery marketplace operating in 10 countries on a fully asset-light basis.

For more information about Borzo, visit https://borzodelivery. com/ph or follow Borzo on Facebook at Borzo Philippines and on Instagram at @borzo.ph. Borzo is also available for download on Google Play Store and Apple App Store. Join the BorzoFAM at https://linktr.ee/borzoph.

Beatrice Puyot (center), Country Head of Marketing and Communications, Borzo Philippines, with Red Cross-QC staff

SATURDAY, MARCH 19, 2022 rumallari@thestandard.com.ph

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Nokia G50: 5G phone that does a little bit of everything

By Jessica Luna

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OKIA phones have always been about quality and durability. Its G50 is another living proof to this.

Nokia G50

With a price point of P13,990, the Nokia G50 is a reliable buy that delivers a bit of everything.

Notice the key words ‘bit of everything’, meaning it’s decent enough to deliver what you want in a phone, but won’t blow you away like a thousand-dollar phone does.

And that is just fine, simply because most phone users like an above-average phone that is a 'jack of all trades so to speak'—from surfing, gaming, texting and calling to taking photos that are acceptable.

The Nokia G50 boasts of four primary features that it is proud of—large display, 48MP camera, battery life and 5G.

Large display

With a 6.82-inch screen, the G50 is huge by smartphone standards, with a body that is nearly 9mm thick, 174mm tall and weighs an evenly distributed 220 grams.

This is kind of a contrast from other brands that go for the slimmer types.

But make no mistake about it. Many consumers like bulky phones. They may not be able to use just one hand in its operation, but its large screen will compensate for it because many folks prefer watching videos or surfing on bigger screens. The large display produces some nice colors, good contrast and is easy on the eyes, even in dark places.

Camera

Considering its price range, the G50’s 48-megapixel main camera is a pleasant surprise as it produces bright, punchy, shareable and editable photos, that will satisfy many users. The night mode is very decent in low light situations, while videos are good with software stabilization. Selfie pictures are is nice, too. Its 5MP wide-angle and 2MP depth cameras are consistent with similar setups found on other phones, too, producing photos that make sure you and your background are nicely lit.

Overall, the 48MP/5MP/2MP camera combination won’t elicit the ‘wow’ factor that can be had in expensive smartphones, but they do the job and you won’t be disappointed.

Battery

If only for its massive 5,000mAh battery, then the G50 is worth it. Our unit’s juice lasted for two days of moderate usage. If you want to extend an already good battery life, there is a super battery saver mode. However, it doesn’t have very fast charging (an hour, 45 minutes) —18W quick charge only and no wireless charging.

Performance

The Snapdragon 480 processor is a decent performer,

not ultra fast but you can do gaming without any major issues. Moving from one app to another is a breeze. Plus, it won’t get hot in your hands. Call quality is fine, with no problems whatsover with network, Wi-Fi, or Bluetooth connections.

5G

Many smartphones are hopping on the 5G bandwagon, the G50 included. But in the Philippines, it is not yet a feature that you will greatly need as 5G enabled areas are still few and far in between. But a 5G phone that is sturdy and tough like the Nokia G50 is a nice assurance, in case the entire Philippines becomes a 5G country. In areas that are 5G enabled, such as BGC though, the G50 had no issues with signal reception, while call quality is nice and

clear. Surfing is a blast, too.

Overall, the Nokia G50 is a good phone for the non-techie guy, and they are a lot! It is a tough phone, but not rugged. The G50 may not have flagship specs, but the software is better than some other phones that do have more enviable hardware. Its long battery life, strong build quality, fuss-free and reliable software are a plus.

Our verdict? It’s easy to use and does a little bit of everything. And that is enough.

Hakuhodo DY Holdings, GrabAds team up to help accelerate omni-channel marketing TOKYO—Hakuhodo DY Holdings on Friday announced that it is partnering with GrabAds, Grab’s advertising business unit, to help clients harness the power of omni-channel marketing through Grab’s solutions.

Both companies plan to work together to co-develop meaningful and innovative online-to-offline (O2O) campaigns to better engage consumers in Southeast Asia.

Grab is a leading superapp for deliveries, mobility, and financial services in Southeast Asia.

The multi-year collaboration will enable Hakuhodo DY Group companies’ clients to leverage GrabAds’ first-party data insights into changing Southeast Asian sei-katsu-sha tastes and behaviors, as well as its superapp advertising expertise in driving full-funnel conversion via GrabCar,

GrabFood, GrabMart and GrabPay. Since 2018, Hakuhodo DY Group companies and GrabAds have jointly developed several award-winning superapp campaigns that showcase the power of combining massive online reach with powerful offline brand experiences.

This collaboration helped the client clinch prestigious awards, such as Best Omni-Channel Campaign in APAC at

The Drum Awards for Digital Advertising 2021, PR Award Grand Prix, MMA Smarties APAC and so on.

“Hakuhodo DY Group and Grab Group have been supporting clients' advertising and marketing activities, and executing R&D activities and PoC (Proof-of-Concept) projects for innovative solutions from 2018," Masato Aoki, Corporate Officer at Hakuhodo DY Holdings Inc. said.

"We are very pleased to be the first Japanese advertising company to sign a regional multi-year partnership with Grab. According to a recent survey, 80% of Southeast Asia's senior marketers are planning to increase ads distribution on the Superapp platforms in 2022. We are confident that this partnership will contribute to the growth of both groups in the business domains of marketing service and advertising. Hakuhodo DY Group’ will do its best to serve as a bridge and a window between Southeast Asian communities, companies, and people and those in Japan.”

Ken Mandel, Regional Managing Director and Head of GrabAds and Brand Insights, said: “Hakuhodo DY Holdings emphasizes the importance of a 360-degree perspective on consumers’ lives. Sei-katsu-sha Insight is the foundation of the company’s brand building philosophy. It reminds us that consumers are more than shoppers performing an economic function. They have heartbeats and distinct tastes and lifestyles. We are delighted to be teaming up to help Hakuhodo DY Group's clients more deeply understand superlocal behaviors, trends and tastes across Southeast Asia and harness the power of superapp advertising to accelerate omni-channel marketing in this region.”

Advocacy group: Pinoys must be responsible digital citizens to protect themselves from cybercrime FILIPINO consumers must become responsible digital citizens to protect themselves from internet-based crimes, and while there are existing laws against cybercrimes, the government and the private sector must work together to educate and empower the people against falling prey to cybercriminals, an advocacy group said.

“The pandemic has pushed most of us to shift our activities online,” said lawyer Tim Abejo, co-convenor of CitizenWatch Philippines. “We now do our banking, shopping, schooling, over the internet. We order food online and do our work from home. These have their benefits, of course, but they also carry great risk.”

Abejo said that while these internet transactions result in convenience and efficiency, they also bring the danger of abuse and exploitation in many forms.

“There are many who are out to take advantage of unsuspecting internet us-

ers. We have to make sure that our people arm themselves against these online predators.”

During the pandemic period, the number of cyber tips received by the Department of Justice—Office of Cybercrime tripled to 1.2 million in 2020 from just 400,000 the previous year.

Most common among internet crimes are fraud, sexual abuse and exploitation, bullying, and identity theft.

Targeting the vulnerable Abejo cited the UNICEF finding that prolonged lockdowns have made children and young people more vulnerable because these resulted in extended hours online.

“For two years now, they cannot go out to play or go to school or to meet their friends,” said Abejo.

“Instead, they are constantly online to study, play or socialize. This provides predators the opportunity to manipulate them for their own gains.”

Meanwhile, the public has also seen a rise in incidents of hacking of online bank accounts.

“Sure, there have been arrests. But these people are always one step ahead and they are bound to come up with newer, more sophisticated ways to launch cyber-attacks,” Abejo said.

The Bankers Association of the Philippines said more than P1 billion was lost last year due to cyber fraud.

“These criminals are so ingenious,” Abejo said. “They dupe people into disclosing sensitive information through innocent- or legitimate-looking emails, text messages, or even social media posts.”

He said that ransomware is becoming more prevalent in the Philippines, where malicious software—malware— gains access to a computer system, which would become inaccessible unless the user pays ransom.

Laws and public private partnerships “To be sure, there is no dearth of laws

protecting the public from cybercrimes,” Abejo said.

“The laws range from the broader Cybercrime Prevention Act to data privacy, to preventing online sexual abuse and exploitation, to those protecting the integrity of electronic transactions or strengthening financial literacy for consumers in the digital economy,” he said, citing that the real challenge is making the people aware that these laws do exist and enforcing them in this context.

Abejo proposed that, “Government should incentivize private initiatives to engage the education sector such as the Digital Thumbprint Program of digital solutions company Globe in partnership with the Department of Education that has integrated into the curriculum the training of young students to be knowledgeable in cybersecurity and responsible digital citizenship.”

“More public private engagements in digitally powered interventions

can give free online access to workshop modules to arm people with the knowledge and attitude to responsibly and safely navigate the internet,” Abejo added.

A common concern According to Abejo, empowering Filipinos to be aware of and fight online risks is a collective effort that must be undertaken by the government, the private sector, civil society, and the education sector.

“Specifically, telcos and ISPs should partner with the government to engage in an aggressive and sustained education program to raise awareness of online dangers,” Abejo said.

“Technology is good because it allows societies to be productive and innovative, and reach their potential,” he said. “We must manage the inherent risks and learn how to protect ourselves against those who think they can use the internet to advance their criminal interests.”

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

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SATURDAY, MARCH 19, 2022

Motoring Sharing the road together: A responsibility for both drivers and cyclists

intersections, they are put in a high risk situation.

What drivers would like cyclists to know: • They have a hard time seeing bikes that don’t have lights on at night.

Photo by ICSC • They are irritated when bikes disregard traffic lights.

• When excessively bright cycle lights are not adjusted properly, they

By Milo Rivera become dazzled.

• They are bickered when bikers ride two abreast (despite the fact that it ONFLICTS between cyclists and drivers have is not unlawful). existed for a long time. While many of these • It’s sometimes impossible for them to forecast what a cyclist will do. “disagreements” may have a true point of view, • They are always perplexed as to it never helps when one party refuses to adjust or see the why bicycles ride in the middle of the other’s perspective. Neither bicycles nor automobiles are lane.

• Even with all of their extra mirrors, likely to become obsolete anytime soon, so it’s best to huge vehicle drivers may find it difficult to see bikes on their nearside. try and get along.

Drivers may find it confusing or difficult to share the road with cyclists, “Sharing the road with cars can same level of protection as a driver and however, so here are some tips on how be dangerous, but there are things to that even small collisions can cause to do so effectively and safely. keep in mind to help protect yourself significant injury. On the other hand, 1. Use caution when turning and foster a healthier relationship it’s easy to forget that vehicles have a Cyclists ride on the right side of the between motorists and cyclists; hard time seeing cyclists, especially in road, so a quick turn could hit an while you can’t control the actions the dark, or anticipating what they’re unsuspecting rider. Before turning, of others, you can control how you going to do, and that they may not check your mirrors and be aware of any drive or ride, and conduct yourself on understand why you adopt the ‘Primary blind spots. Make a complete stop at a the road.”

Position’ on the road. stop sign or red light to allow bikers to Our own behaviors on the road, as What cyclists would like drivers to pass and to check for unseen riders. well as those of others around us, can know: 2. Pass slowly and cautiously • They are alarmed by inattentive Allow plenty of room for your car to sometimes put us in danger or make driving and riding unpleasant and driving. safely pass and travel ahead of cyclists.

• They must stay clear of the gutter Passing at a slower speed is also uncomfortable. For example, drivers that overtake bikes too closely, often in order to avoid potholes and debris. recommended. If you accidentally hit • When they turn, they feel exposed. or swipe a cyclist, the speed with which accidentally, generate intimidation • Close overtaking makes them feel you collide can have a significant and upset. Similarly, cyclists can put themselves in risk (deliberately or very threatened. impact on the severity of the injury.

• They aren’t trying to obstruct you 3. Stay out of the bike lanes when unwittingly) by their activities, such as riding off the pavement and into or slow you down on purpose. driving, pulling over, or parking • When they ride in the middle of (even if it’s “just for a minute”) the road, which accounts for around a fifth of serious cycling injuries their lane, it’s so they can see and be These lanes are designated areas on the and is exceedingly inconvenient for seen better, and it’s also because there road where cyclists can ride safely and isn’t enough room for drivers to safely freely. Maneuvering out of the bike motorists.

It’s easy to forget (especially if you overtake them. lane and into the lane of traffic in order • When large vehicles turn at to avoid your car can be a tricky and don’t pedal) that a cyclist lacks the dangerous move for riders.

4. Allow them space - As a general rule, drivers must leave at least three feet between their vehicle and any cyclists ahead of them. Allow enough space between your IN cooperation with BPI, RCBC, BDO, Financing customers availing through the vehicle and the Robinsons Bank, and PNB, Honda Cars participating bank partners must have a reservation cyclists ahead of Philippines, Inc. (HCPI) is offering until with their chosen dealership within the promo you.

Sunday, March 20, 2022, an additional period and are entitled to this special financing 5. Yield - Give exclusive financing promo discount to make it offer across all available financing schemes. cyclists the right easier for customers to bring home their dream Financing customers may submit their bank of way. Allowing Honda vehicles. loan applications online at www.hondaphil. them to go first is Through the partnership, customers have an com through the auto loan link page for select option for easier and more affordable financing bank partners, subject to the participating bank solutions tailored to their needs and preferences. partner’s approval.

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LAST CALL UNTIL TOMORROW:

Honda Cars PH closes Q1 with bank partner sale

always the safer option, as it allows them to travel along an open, safe path. At intersections, make eye contact with cyclists to acknowledge their presence and signal that they are free to pass.

6. Don’t Assume - Not all riders are as proficient as you expect them to be; they may swerve, brake suddenly, or even fall. Even experienced bicyclists may have a difficult time avoiding obstacles on the side of the road, such as debris or potholes. So don’t assume they’ll always stay along the side of the road in a straight line; be aware of their movements.

7. Keep the Kids in Mind - Children on bicycles are smaller and more difficult to spot on the road, especially for drivers of larger vehicles. At crosswalks and intersections, be cautious and considerate. Kids are less aware of their surroundings and when crossing the street is safe. Wait and allow them to cross safely and give them the right of way.

8. Don’t “door” them - When the occupant of a parked car quickly opens their car door on an unsuspecting cyclist who is hit or runs into it, this is known as “dooring.” Before you open your door, make sure the area around you is clear.

On the same note, here are 10 cycling etiquette tips to keep in mind when sharing the road with drivers.

1. Ride with traffic, not against it Ride in the same direction as the flow of traffic. Riding against traffic is not only illegal, but it is also dangerous.

Drivers are looking for cars that are traveling in the same direction as them, and the same is true when they see bikes.

2. Ride on the road, not the sidewalk. - Ride on the shoulder of the road rather than the sidewalk whenever possible. Because cars will be expecting you in the street as you roll through an intersection or past a driveway, this is safer for you, the cyclist. This is also safer for pedestrians who don’t expect a cyclist approaching.

3. Watch right turns - When cars take a right-hand turn, rarely do they look over their right shoulder for cyclists. Watch for drivers making a right-hand turn and remove yourself from their blind spot by moving towards their left—especially if you’re planning on going straight through the intersection.

4. Bike lanes are your best friend - If your city has bike lanes or paths, take advantage of them! They’re not only safer for cyclists than sharing the road with cars, but they’re also more efficient. If the lane shares a road with other vehicles, keep an eye out for parked cars or, as previously

mentioned, cars turning right (or cars merging onto the road).

5. Stick to the rules - Just because you’re riding a bike doesn’t mean you can ignore stop signs or red lights.

Sure, it’s illegal, but there’s more to it: adhering to traffic rules and patterns makes you more predictable, which makes riding with cars safer.

6. Consistency is key - Maintaining consistency when sharing the road with vehicular traffic is another way to avoid problems. This means you should ride in a straight line at a constant speed whenever possible, rather than weaving through stopped traffic or cutting through portions of the road.

7. Watch out for car doors - We’ve all known someone who was riding on the shoulder of the road when a parked car door unexpectedly opens, causing the rider to collide with the door. This can result in serious injury depending on your speed. Allow at least a few feet between parked cars and slow down to check for drivers in vehicles who might decide to open their doors.

8. Turn left with caution - You should already be aware of the importance of adhering to the rules of the road, and left turns are no exception. This can be done in one of two ways: hopping off your bike and waiting on the sidewalk to cross the street on crosswalks (walking your bike), or merging into the left turn lane and turning like a car. For each situation, choose the option that feels the safest and most comfortable to you.

If you decide to stay with the cars, don’t forget to use your hand signals when merging and turning.

9. Mind your surroundings - When sharing the road with vehicular traffic, only you will know what feels right and what doesn’t. If something isn’t right or you’re uncomfortable on a particular road, don’t be afraid to pull over, stop riding, and call for help or wait for traffic to clear. Keeping the preceding eight points in mind will go a long way toward ensuring your safety, but ultimately it falls on your shoulders to be extremely aware of your surroundings (leave headphones, your phone, and music in your backpack or jersey pocket).

Animosity between vehicles and bikers stems from misinterpretations of one another’s demands and conduct.

Remember, there is no such thing as US and THEM because we are all part of the same road community. Every road user should be treated as if they were a member of your family.

(Source: The Royal Society for the Prevention of Accidents)

Green NGO: Motolite among global #HeroesOfRecycling

YOUTH-LED environmental group Solidarity for Environmental Education and Development for Sustainability (SEEDS PH) pushed for the inclusion of Motolite on the list of brands that are being recognized internationally as #heroesofrecycling in line with the annual celebration of Global Recycling Day last March 18.

Jonero Dacula, coconvenor of SEEDS PH, said Motolite – the most reliable automotive battery brand in the Philippines – has been investing heavily to make sure the used lead-acid batteries in the country are being collected and recycled, instead of contributing to environmental degradation.

“Motolite has a longstanding partnership with corporations, civic organizations like the Philippine Business for Social Progress (PBSP), battery dealers, and other groups for the collection of used lead-acid batteries that are considered hazardous wastes.

These old batteries are then being brought to Motolite’s third-party recycler Evergreen Environmental Resources Inc. (EERI), which is recovering close to 99 percent of the batteries’ components,” Dacula said.

Using German technology, Motolite makes use of these recycled materials in producing a complete line of batteries for different applications, including the New Excel, which is recognized by experts as the Philippines’ best automotive battery; the Excel EFB (Enhanced Flooded Battery)

for start-stop vehicles; the Excel DIN mostly used for European cars and certain American and Japanese vehicles; the Sea Master; Solar Master; TruckMaster; GolfMaster; and a host of low-maintenance batteries as well as motorcycle batteries.

Last year, Motolite managed to collect 32,727 metric tons of used leadacid batteries, including those sold by its competing brands that do not have recovery and recycling programs.

“Motolite is the only player in the country’s automotive battery industry that has a recycling program. Motolite, thus, is no longer dependent on virgin plastic and mined lead in the production of its batteries.

This should earn the brand the distinction of being one of the global #heroesofrecycling. We are also calling on Filipino motorists to support Motolite for its efforts to protect our environment, unlike other brands,” added Dacula.