Manila Standard - 2022 April 8 - Friday

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Duterte to zap ‘e-sabong’ if linked to illegal activities PRESIDENT Rodrigo Duterte on Thursday threatened anew to suspend e-sabong and forego billions of pesos in revenue from the online gambling platform if the illegal activities linked to it are proven.

“Where can I find P640 million a

VOL. XXXVI • NO. 54 • 3 SECTIONS 12 PAGES • P18 FRIDAY, APRIL 8, 2022 • www.manilastandard.net • mst.daydesk@gmail.com

month? This is why I allowed it. The problem is like this: I have heard that these bettors are already pawning things in order to make a bet. That is what the outsider sources said,” Duterte said in his speech during the groundbreaking

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Rody renews call to end ‘endo’ Asks Congress to rectify vetoed provisions for a ‘healthy balance’ law

By Vito Barcelo

P

RESIDENT Rodrigo Duterte called on Congress to rectify the vetoed provisions of the security of tenure bill as he reiterated his commitment to stop “endo,” the practice by which employers hire and rehire contractual employees after five months to avoid giving them benefits as full-time employees

Palace spokesman Martin Andanar issued the statement after Senate President and vice presidential candidate Vicente Sotto III criticized Duterte for failing to sign the bill.

In 2016, Duterte vowed to stop "endo," which is short for "end of contract," but he vetoed an anti-endo bill in 2019.

“The version submitted by Congress

‘unduly broadens the scope and definition of prohibited labor-only contracting, effectively prescribing forms of contractualization that are not particularly unfavorable to employees involved',” Andanar said, quoting the President's veto message.

Duterte said there should be a "healthy Next page

More jobless, underemployed in Feb. amid biz reopening steady at 6.4 percent, the Labor Force Survey released Thursday by the Philippine Statistics MORE Filipinos were unemployed in Febru- Authority showed.

National Statistician Dennis Mapa said in ary at 3.13 million compared to the previous month even as the unemployment rate stayed a briefing that the number of jobless Filipinos

By Julito G. Rada

in February was higher than the 2.93 million But with more Filipinos looking for work this posted in January 2022. year as COVID-19 protocols were steadily lifted, In terms of magnitude, PSA said in a state- February's unemployment rate was lower ment this translated to 3.13 million unem- than the 8.8 percent or 4.19 million jobless ployed individuals 15 years old and over.

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STILL LOOKING. Applicants line up along Gen. Luna Street in Intramuros, Manila for possible employment abroad during a job fair spearheaded by a placement agency on Thursday, April 7, 2022. Danny Pata

1.2m tricycle drivers, operators FB drops over eligible for fuel subsidies—DILG 400 malicious, his department is tasked to direct local government units to come up with a list THE Department of the Interior and Lo- of names of tricycle drivers and operacal Government (DILG) said Thursday tors, which he estimated at 1.2 million.

The list would then be submitted to the about 1.2 million tricycle drivers and operators can be eligible for fuel subsidies. Land Transportation Franchising and Next page Interior Secretary Eduardo Año said

By Macon Ramos-Araneta

15 cities, 105 towns tagged poll hotspots (DILG) said Thursday.

“We already have the list of the elecTHE police have identified 105 towns tion areas of concern or what we call the and 15 cities as election hotspots under hotspots. Particularly, the red-tagged arthe highest red category, the Depart- eas. I think we have about 15 cities and Next page ment of Interior and Local Government

By Vito Barcelo

risky accounts

OVER 400 accounts and Facebook pages in the Philippines were taken down for engaging in “various malicious activities” ahead of the May 9 general elections, the social media giant’s parent firm Meta said Thursday in a statement.

Meta said it also removed Facebook pages, groups, and accounts of “dangerous organizations” such as the New People’s Army (NPA) – which it described as a "banned terrorist organization"—after violating its policies and engaging in violence.

The NPA is the armed wing of the Communist Party of the Philippines.

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DECORATIVE PALM FRONDS. A family from Minuyan in San Jose Del Monte, Bulacan starts making palm fronds for next week's Palm Sunday celebration. Danny Pata

11,000 cops to be deployed in NCR during Holy Week

CATASTROPHIC ATTACKS. Body

bags are lined up for identification by forensic personnel and police officers in the cemetery in Bucha, north of Kyiv, on April 6, 2022, after hundreds of civilians were found dead in areas from which Russian troops have withdrawn around Ukraine's capital.

AFP

By Vito Barcelo and Joel E. Zurbano

CIVILIANS FLEE AMID 'IMMINENT' NEW RUSSIAN OFFENSIVE WORLD / B2

SOME 11,000 police officers will be deployed in Metro Manila during the Holy Week starting Sunday.

National Capital Region Police Office spokesperson Lt. Col. Jenny Tecson said the personnel will be assigned to churches, transportation hubs and tourist destinations to secure peace and order.

Philippine Coast Guard spokesperson Commodore Armand Balilo said they would also be on heightened alert

starting April 11.

On the other hand, Immigration officers assigned at the Ninoy Aquino International Airport (NAIA) and other major airports were prohibited from going on leave during and after the Holy Week to ensure adequate personnel are on hand to serve the traveling public during the Lenten break.

In a memorandum, BI port operations division head Carlos Capulong said all applications for vacation leave for the period April 7 until April 15 were deemed disapproved.

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News

FRIDAY, APRIL 8, 2022

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Antigen OK’d for inbound travelers

By Vito Barcelo and Willie Casas

This as members of the Inter-Agency Task Force for the Management of Emerging Infectious Diseases (IATFEID) agreed Wednesday night to allow the use of rapid antigen tests taken by healthcare professionals as an entry requirement for travelers.

Acting Presidential Spokesperson and Communications Secretary Martin Andanar said the antigen test must be “administered and certified by a healthcare professional in

a healthcare facility, laboratory, clinic, pharmacy, or other similar establishments from the country of origin of the traveler.”

Under the existing IATF-EID Resolution 165, foreign travelers can enter the country, on condition they are fully vaccinated against COVID-19 and have acceptable proof of vaccination.

Foreigners are also required to present a negative reverse transcriptionpolymerase chain reaction (RT-PCR)

test taken within 48 hours or a negative laboratory-based antigen test taken within 24 hours prior to their arrival to the country.

Andanar said the IATF-EID, in its meeting Wednesday, also approved the acceptance and recognition of the national COVID-19 vaccination certificates of Bangladesh, Mexico, Panama and Slovak Republic, for purposes of arrival quarantine protocols, as well as for interzonal or intrazonal movement.

“This is in addition to other countries/ territories/jurisdictions whose proof of vaccination the IATF has already approved for recognition in the Philippines, and without prejudice to such other proofs of vaccination approved by the IATF for

Rody...

subcontracting arrangements between employers and their employees.

“A clear example is Executive Order No. 51 which PRRD signed in 2018 that strictly prohibits Andanar also maintained that Duterte is still bent on putting an end to abusive employment practices.

Sotto, in a speech during a sortie in Cebu, said "endo" continues because Duterte vetoed the measure passed by

Congress.

"One of the promises in 2016 is ending contractualization, right? What did the Senate do? We passed it," the vice presidential bet said.

"But what happened? It was vetoed by the President. He did not want to sign it into law. It was sent back to us," Sotto added.

Re-electionist Senator Risa Hontiveros

on Thursday said she will go back to the Senate and fight for the security of tenure bill that Duterte failed to sign again.

Together with different organizations and workers' unions, Hontiveros was the first to file a security of tenure bill.

"We worked hard on this up to the end together with Senate President Vicente Sotto III," she said. "But we all failed. We are sad the Palace did not support this.”

63.8 percent in February, which led to a net employment creation of 2.5 million over the same period. This brings the country’s employment to 2.9 million above the pre-pandemic level," Chua said.

He said the quality of jobs also improved, as seen in the decline in the underemployment rate from 14.9 percent to 14.0 percent.

“As we contained the spread of the Omicron variant and ramped up the vaccination program, we were able to revert to alert level 2 in the National Capital Region and other economic centers starting February 2022,” Chua said.

“This allowed more Filipinos to rejoin the labor force. We aim to shift the entire country to alert level 1 to enable even more Filipinos to find work,” he added.

As of April 1, 2022, 79 percent of the economy has been placed under COVID-19 Alert Level 1.

However, the National Economic and Development Authority, which Chua heads, also warned the country cannot reap the full benefits of shifting to Alert Level 1 without resuming face-to-face classes.

“To maximize the shift to Alert Level 1, we reiterate the need for the full and urgent resumption of face-to-face classes.

This will allow one-fourth of the parents who stay at home supporting their children during online classes to work. This is crucial in light of the temporary inflationary pressures we are experiencing due to the Russia-Ukraine conflict,” he said.

Chua said the full resumption of face-

to-face classes is included in the 10-point policy agenda proposed by the Economic Development Cluster and adopted by President Rodrigo Duterte through his issuance of Executive Order No. 166.

The agenda includes 10 key strategies to accelerate and sustain the country’s economic recovery and strengthen the domestic economy against external shocks, the NEDA chief said.

Michael Ricafort, chief economist of Rizal Commercial Banking Corp., said any measures to further re-open the economy could fundamentally lead to higher production, capacity, and sales and income for many businesses and industries.

He said it would also "create more jobs, greater business/economic activities, and improvements in the government's fiscal position with more tax collections and reduced government spending on financial assistance with less risks of lockdowns..."

Chua said more Filipinos joined the labor force when restrictions in the National Capital Region and other key economic centers eased to Alert Level 1.

Unemployment ballooned when the pandemic started in early 2020 due to lockdowns imposed to stem the spread of the disease.

Employed persons worked an average of 40.8 hours per week in February 2022, the PSA added, higher than the reported 38.9 hours in February 2021 but lower than the recorded 41.8 hours in January 2022.

Visible underemployment rate or the

proportion of underemployed persons working less than 40 hours in a week was reported at 9.2 percent in February 2022, higher than the reported 8.9 percent in January 2022 but lower than the 12.5 percent reported in February 2021.

On the other hand, the invisible underemployment rate -- or the proportion of underemployed persons working at least 40 hours in a week -- was placed at 4.8 percent in February 2022.

This was lower than the estimated invisible underemployment rate in February 2021 (5.7 percent) and in January 2022 (5.9 percent).

By broad industry group, the services sector continued to lead all sectors having the largest share of employed persons with 58.2 percent. The share of employed persons in agriculture and industry sectors accounted for 23.9 percent and 17.9 percent, respectively.

Youth labor force participation rate (LFPR) in February 2022 was estimated at 35.9 percent out of the 20.15 million youth population who are 15-24 years old.

Underemployed youth was reported at 838,000 of the 6.20 million youth who were reported employed, while the total number of unemployed youths was placed at 1.03 million.

Youth employment rate was reported at 85.7 percent, higher than the reported employment rate in February 2021 (81.5 percent) but lower than the recorded employment rate in January 2022 (86.2 percent).

candidates.

Comelec Chairman Saidamen Pangarungan, meanwhile, said the poll body’s employees can expect to receive a onemonth bonus this month.

The poll body also approved more expenses for its workers and suspended the biometrics or automated attendance system so that employees can continue working in the field without the need to return to the office to punch in their attendance.

Pangarungan said an exemption from the gun ban for election officers, provincial election supervisors and regional election directors has been approved “in principle.”

Election officers, he added, may also be entitled to not more than two security details subject to the approval of their respective regional election directors.

“This exemption to the gun ban was enjoyed before by our election officers in previous elections. To be effective, our election officers need to feel secure in performing their duties, free from fear, and pressure from opposing candidates in their respective jurisdictions,” Pangarungan said.

Also on Thursday, the poll body said it plans to set up isolation polling areas for voters with COVID-19 symptoms during Election Day. Comelec Commissioner Aimee Neri said this is to “provide additional support in revisiting COVID-19 related guidelines and develop timely and more responsive policies.”

Neri said the Comelec is expecting about 67.5 million people — or 60 percent of the country's 112-million population — to cast their votes on May 9.

1.2m...

Regulatory Board (LTFRB), which will distribute the cash aid.

The LTFRB started distributing P6,500 in fuel subsidies to over 377,000 qualified public utility vehicle (PUV) drivers and operators in March to ease the burden of rising fuel costs.

Senator Grace Poe said the Commission on Elections (Comelec)) order to allow the resumption of fuel subsidy distribution to PUV drivers and operators was a timely response.

"We urge the government to speed up efforts on the use of digital payments through financial service providers like e-wallets for a more efficient aid distribution during a crisis," Poe said.

The use of the national ID system, Poe added, will also make it easier to identify and verify the data of beneficiaries.

"Help is most effective when it reaches our people in their time of need," said Poe, who chairs the Senate committee on public services.

Senator Panfilo Lacson on Thursday commended the Comelec for allowing the resumption of fuel subsidy.

“Way to go and kudos to the Comelec for acting expeditiously on such a nobrainer issue involving the fuel subsidy," said Lacson ,who is running as an independent presidential candidate in the May 9 elections.

The subsidy is a grant under the Special Provision of the Department of Transportation's 2022 budget.

The Comelec earlier exempted the re-

lease of fuel subsidies from the campaign spending ban.

Commissioner George Garcia said the release of the fuel subsidies can resume once the Comelec en banc comes out with a formal resolution.

The exemption also covers the release of fuel subsidies channeled through the Department of Agriculture and the Department of Social Welfare and Development.

Garcia said the agencies and departments must “specifically mention the beneficiaries, how and when the project will be implemented, as well as documentation as to the compliance to the implementation before of similar projects.”

The LTFRB's Pantawid Pasada program seeks to provide P6,500 worth of fuel subsidy each to some 377,443 PUV drivers.

Earlier, Lacson questioned the suspension of the fuel subsidies.

"Unless there is jurisprudence along that line, I don’t think the national government should be covered by the election ban on providing social services to our people especially at a time when the prices of fuel continue to go up," Lacson said.

Lacson said the fuel subsidy was a "call of the times," adding the continued rise in the prices of oil threaten to crush those in the transport sector, as well as fishermen and farmers.

“I do not see how that can be construed as vote buying," he added.

Meanwhile, transport group Pasang Masda has filed a new petition seeking to increase the minimum jeepney fare from P9 to P14.

The LTFRB last month denied petitions for a P1 provisional fare hike.

of departing passengers after the Lenten break,” Capulong said.

He explained it was imperative that the BI continues to operate at full work capacity at the airports or its services to the passenger public will be compromised.

Capulong also observed that the number of arriving passengers at the international ports continued to steadily climb since the country opened its borders to foreign tourists last month.

Aside from the NAIA, international flights are also served at the airports in Mactan, Clark, and Davao.

Statistics show that passenger arrivals at the airports are now averaging between 13,000 to

15,000 daily since a week ago, compared to only 6,000 to 9,000 a month ago.

Meanwhile, the Manila International Airport Authority is gearing up to accommodate thousands of air travelers going to and coming from Manila to ensure their safety and convenience in time for the observance of Lent.

This is in line with the directives of the Department of Transportation’s (DOTr) program dubbed “Oplan Biyaheng Ayos: Semana Santa and Summer Vacation 2022.” ”With the lowered alert level in relation to COVID-19 in the country, we expect to have a dramatic increase in the volume of passengers and other airport users as well

as vehicles at the parking areas, loading and unloading points within the Ninoy Aquino International Airport,” said MIAA general manager Eddie Monreal.

Also for the entire months of April and May, MIAA will conduct intensive security screening and passenger assistance operations in order to ensure a secured, reliable, convenient, and uninterrupted airport operations at the airport.

Airport officials advised passengers to leave home early to allot more time for travel to the airport during the peak period.

As a general rule, passengers should be at the airport at least three hours before their flights.

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RAVELERS can now enter the Philippines just by presenting an antigen test performed by healthcare professionals, Malacañang said.

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balance" between the conflicting interests of laborers and employers.

Despite the rejection of the security of tenure bill, the Palace official said that Duterte signed an executive order in May 2018 to stop the illegal contracting and

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Filipinos in the same comparable period last year, the state numbers agency said.

PSA data showed the number of employed persons rose by 2.33 million -from 43.15 million in February 2021 to 45.48 million in the same month this year.

Underemployment, on the other hand, also eased to 14 percent this February, compared to 14.9 percent in January and 18.2 percent in the same period last year.

February's underemployment is equivalent to 6.38 million workers, the data showed.

Underemployed persons are persons who expressed the 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.

The employment rate for February also stayed at 93.6 percent with 45.48 million Filipinos, compared to 43.02 million in the previous month. It was also higher than the 91.2 percent reported for the same period last year.

The Labor Force Participation rate also rose to 63.8 percent in February from 60.5 percent the previous month.

Socioeconomic Planning Secretary Karl Kendrick Chua said increased mobility and easing of restrictions led to a better employment situation this February.

"The labor force participation rate increased from 60.5 percent in January to

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101 municipalities,” Interior Secretary Eduardo Año said at a press conference Thursday.

Police Lt. Gen. Ferdinand Divina, head of the task force for the 2022 elections, said more focused deployment and operations will be enforced in these areas.

Divina said the police would leave it up to the Commission on Elections (Comelec) to release the list of hotspots.

Comelec spokesman James Jimenez said they were still validating the list submitted to them by the Philippine National Police (PNP) and said the list could be released this week.

The PNP classifies areas into four color-coded categories for the 2022 elections: green, yellow, orange, and red.

Areas classified as green are considered generally peaceful for the conduct of elections.

Yellow areas have reported suspected election-related incidents in the past two elections, possible presence of armed groups, and intense political rivalries.

Yellow areas are considered “areas of concern.”

Orange areas have a recorded presence of armed groups such as the New People's Army that may interrupt the polls. These are considered “areas of immediate concern.”

Red areas meet the parameters for yellow and orange areas and will be placed under Comelec control. Security forces will focus on monitoring these areas with a possibility for violence among local

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Also canceled are applications for authority to travel abroad by any BI employee assigned at the airports.

Capulong said the directive, affirmed

by BI Commissioner Jaime Morente, was issued in anticipation of the influx and exodus of large numbers of international travelers that usually happen during the Lenten season.

“Normally, there is always a rise in the volume of arriving passengers before the Holy Week and an increase in the number

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all inbound travelers,” he said.

Andanar said the Bureau of Quarantine, the Department of Transportation’s One-Stop-Shop, and the Bureau of Immigration have been directed to recognize only the proof of vaccination thus approved by the IATF. According to Resolution 165 issued by the IATF-EID, the other acceptable proofs of COVID-19 vaccination include the World Health Organization International Certificate of Vaccination and Prophylaxis, VaxCertPH, national or state digital certificate of foreign country accepting VaxCertPH, and other proof of vaccination permitted by the IATF-EID. (See full story online at manilastandard.net)

Health workers file criminal raps vs. Badoy for red-tagging them

By Rio N. Araja and Willie Casas HEALTH-CARE workers filed an administrative and criminal complaint Thursday against National Task Force to End Local Communist Armed Conflict (NTF-ELCAC) spokesperson Undersecretary Lorraine Marie Badoy before the Office of the Ombudsman for supposedly red-tagging them.

The Alliance of Health Workers (AHW), represented by Antonio La Viña, urged the people to fight any attempts of red-tagging against health workers amid the COVID-19 pandemic.

Badoy was not immediately available for comment.

The AHW will seek the immediate, preventive suspension and ultimate dismissal from service of NTF-ELCAC spokesperson Lorraine Badoy for redtagging.

"We know that this is dangerous because our lives are on the line," AHW national president Robert Mendoza said in an interview with ANC's "Rundown" on Thursday.

“We filed a complaint of misconduct against the undersecretary and the NTF-ELCAC for red-tagging health workers and frontliners exactly a year ago. We want to make her liable, and make her stop and the NTF-ELCAC to stop doing this, to stop red-tagging,” La Viña said. (See full story online at manilastandard.net)

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In a separate statement, the social network said it is expanding protection for public figures, including journalists and human rights defenders, against online harassment.

Meta said it has rolled out a free digital security and safety program to secure and protect journalists and human rights defenders' digital assets and counter online harassment.

The Journalist Safety Hub would centralize all resources and tools available on its platforms, it added.

Meta said it abolished the network of over 400 accounts, pages, and groups that worked together “to systematically violate our Community Standards and evade enforcement.”

"The people behind this activity claimed to be ‘hacktivists’ and relied primarily on authentic and duplicate accounts to post and amplify content about Distributed Denial of Service (DDoS) attacks, account recovery and defacing and compromising of primarily news entities' websites in the Philippines," Meta said.

The firm revealed it also removed several clusters of activity that switched their FB pages and groups to the elections to increase their following.

The move comes after Twitter Inc. in January suspended more than 300 accounts reportedly promoting presidential frontrunner Ferdinand “Bongbong” Marcos Jr., citing a violation of its policies against platform manipulation and spam.

The majority of these social media accounts had already been taken down as part of routine actions before news website Rappler’s report on pro-Marcos Twitter handles, the company said. An investigation into the matter is ongoing, it added.

Twitter’s policy on manipulation and spam cover accounts that have inauthentic engagements or those that “make accounts or content appear more popular or active than they are.”(See full story online at manilastandard.net)

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of a center for overseas Filipino workers in Las Piñas City.

“If it's true, I'll stop it, you can be sure of that. Before I go, I'll stop it if it's true.

I have to sacrifice… the billions that we would have earned if it was operating,” he added.

This is the second time in as many weeks that Duterte threatened to suspend the franchises of e-sabong operators.

Last week, the President said he would not hesitate to halt the operations of e-sabong, if the issues concerning the betting game became “very serious.”

He admonished policemen to do their job to “solve the crimes” related to online cockfighting, including the case of over 30 sabungeros who went missing since last year.

“They mention so many personalities there and all are capable of doing it because they have a criminal mind,” he said.

News Pharmally exec sues CA justice over ‘delay’ in habeas petition

By Rey E. Requejo A COURT of Appeals (CA) justice has found himself on the receiving end of an administrative complaint filed by an executive of the controversy-ridden Pharmally Corp.

Mohit Dargani of Pharmally filed the case before the Supreme Court against CA Justice Apolinario Bruselas Jr. over alleged :undue delay” in the disposition of his habeas corpus petition.

Dargani has been detained at the Pasay City Jail since November 2021 following an arrest order against him issued by the Senate Blue Ribbon Committee amidst legislative investigation on the questioned procurement of COVID-19 equipment in 2020. The SC received the complaint against Bruselas last April 5.

Dargani was one of the petitioners in a habeas corpus case pending before the CA Special Fifth Division headed by Bruselas.

The petition was partially resolved on March 1, when the CA ordered the dismissal of the plea but only insofar as the complainant’s sister, Twinkle Dargani, was concerned. The case against Twinkle had been rendered moot due to her release from detention on January 11, 2022.

However, the resolution did not mention any other petitioners, prompting Dargani’s lawyers to file a motion for partial reconsideration, arguing that the petition should be resolved in its entirety.

“The continued inaction of the Respondent Justice, as the presiding Justice and ponente of the case, shows that he has decided to shirk on his duty as a magistrate and to turn a blind eye to the plight of a person whose constitutional rights have been gravely violated,” the complaint stated.

Dargani believed that Bruselas’ inaction on his petition which was considered urgent under the Constitution and under the Rules of Court, constituted a violation of Section 5 of Canon 6 of the Code of Judicial Conduct.

FRIDAY, APRIL 8, 2022 mst.daydesk@gmail.com

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DILG evaluates LGU performance, to pick anti-drugs drive ‘winners’

By Joel E. Zurbano

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HE government has started evaluating the works and accomplishments of local executives in the anti-illegal drugs campaign, and top performers would be known before President Duterte ends his term in June.

“We will start the assessment of AntiDrug Abuse Councils (ADAC) to determine who are doing well and who are lagging behind in their anti-illegal drugs campaign. After the assessment, we will honor who have worked well,” Interior and Local Government Secretary Eduardo Año said in a statement.

The best performers will be selected from 81 provinces, 146 cities, and 1,488 municipalities.

An ADAC is composed of the local chief executive as chair with members from the Department of the Interior and Local Government (DILG), Department of Education, Department of Justice, Department of Social Welfare and Development, local court and health offices, public information office, a parole and probation officer, two representatives from non-government organizations, and one from interfaith groups.

Top performers will be determined using

the following criteria: Barangay ADAC (BADAC) functionality or the percentage of total barangays with highly functional BADACs (30 points); sustainability of ‘drug-cleared’ or ‘drug-free’ status (40 points); and, reduction of drug affectation as of 2020 (30 points).

ADACs which garnered 75 or more points would be awarded in a ceremony organized by the Philippine Anti-Illegal Drugs Strategy-Project Management Office (PADSPMO), with incentives to boot.

ADACs that attained 85 to 100 points will be classified as Highly Functional, 51 to 84 points rated as Moderately Functional, and 50 points and below deemed Low Functional.

Año said the ADACs’ performance must maintain steady progress to cope with the directive of President Duterte to rid communities of illegal drugs, including the traffickers.

He added that the recognition and assessment will ensure that all councils nationwide are on the same page and are delivering according to the parameters established by the national government.

“Ensuring that ADACs are effectively performing their mandate is a paramount priority for the DILG. These ADACs are our allies in our anti-illegal drugs campaign so we just have to acknowledge their unique contributions to the suppression of illegal drugs in the country,” Año said. “Thus, it is also vital to evaluate their performance and see what can still be improved in our policies and enforcements.”

He said that the functionality of the ADACs and their audit score would be determined in terms of organized Local ADAC, conduct of ADAC meetings; allocation of funds for anti-illegal drug activities, formulation and implementation of ADAC plans and program; supervision and support to Component ADACs, and innovations undertaken.

“We are urging LGUs to strive for excellence and be proactive in their campaign against illegal drugs. LGUs who are effectively carrying out their duty in our ongoing campaign deserve to be awarded,” he added.

DOLE: OFW deployment to Saudi still banned, POEA ‘advisory’ fake THE Department of Labor and Employment (DOLE) on Thursday described as “fake” an advisory supposedly issued by the Philippine Overseas Employment Administration (POEA) purportedly announcing that the suspension of deployment of Filipino workers to Saudi Arabia has been lifted.

DOLE spokesperson Rolly Francia said the bogus document, entitled Advisory No. 69, series of 2022 and dated April 4, 2022, was circulated apparently to create confusion among the public, specifically the workers who were eyeing employment in the Middle East kingdom.

“It is fake! There is no iota of truth to the content of that advisory” Francia, director of DOLE’s Information and Publication Service (IPS), said.

“The suspension of deployment (to Saudi Arabia) re-

mains,” he added.

Francia said POEA administrator Bernard Olalia confirmed that he has not signed nor issued such advisory which is meant “apparently to mislead or confuse the public on DOLE policies.”

Francia surmised that the perpetrators of the fake notice might have used an old advisory and substituted its contents to give it the appearance of a legitimate issuance.

“Thus, it also suggests intention to compromise the credibility of POEA and injure the current leadership of the agency,” he added.

He said DOLE is engaging law enforcement agencies to track down the source of the bogus advisory.

“We intend to apply the full force of the law to whoever is behind this very criminal act which could undermine the welfare of our migrant workers,” Francia said. Vito Barcelo

Slain cops conferred medals of heroism TACLOBAN City—Two police officers who were killed in a recent landmine explosion in Las Navas, Northern Samar were on Thursday conferred medals of heroism.

The newest “heroes” were Patrolmen Harvie Lovino and Rico Borja, both members of the 1st Northern Samar Provincial Mobile Force Company (NSPMFC).

“We salute them for putting their lives on the line so that our community will be safe. We shall honor their commitment, service, and dedication,” said Brig. Gen. Bernard Banac, director of the Police Regional Office in Eastern Visayas.

“I am here to share your pain. I know that this is a painful time for you, but your loved ones died for a noble cause.

We share your grief as we too, have lost dedicated and loyal comrades,” Banac told the families of the slain police operatives.

Banac also handed over financial aid to the families even as he assured them of the benefits and entitlements from the government.

The two policemen were part of a community support program (CSP) team when they were hit by the antipersonnel mine from suspected communist rebel groups on April 4.

Banac and Northern Samar Police Provincial Office Director Col. Alfredo Tadefa and 1st NSPMFC Commander Lt. Col. Edwin Oloan Jr. urged all policemen in the region to “strengthen their resolve in the fight against insurgency and terrorism, and let the memories of their fallen comrades inspire them to continue to do good for the country and the people.”

Another policeman, Patrolman Leandro Luciano Bulosan, was awarded the “Medalya ng Sugatang Magiting,” as well as financial assistance.

SUNDAY, APRIL 10, 2022 LAGUNA (STA. CRUZ; LILIW; NAGCARLAN; MAGDALENA; MAJAYJAY; SAN PABLO CITY; AND RIZAL) BETWEEN 6:00AM AND 7:00AM AND THEN BETWEEN 12:00NN AND 1:00PM – THE WHOLE OF CIRCUITS BOTOCAN 41D; AND STA. CRUZ 34WF AND 35WF Portion of Pedro Guevarra Ave. from Meralco – Sta. Cruz substation in Bgy. Pagsawitan to and including Bgys. Sto. Angel Norte, Sto. Angel Central, Sto. Angel Sur, Sta. Cruz Town Proper, San Pablo Sur and Pagsawitan in Sta. Cruz.

Portion of Quezon Blvd. from Pedro Guevarra Ave. in Sta. Cruz Town Proper to National Highway (Pila – Sta. Cruz Road) including Bgys. Bubukal, Bagong Bayan (Bagumbayan) and Calios; portion of Bgys. Patimbao and Labuin in Sta. Cruz.

Portion of Majayjay – Liliw Municipal Road from Meralco – Botocan substation to and including the whole towns of Liliw, Nagcarlan and Magdalena; Bgys. Bukal, Coralao, Ibabang Banga, Ilayang Banga, Majayjay Town Proper, Malinao, May-it, Munting Kawayan, Olla, Oobi, Pangil, Panglan, San Isidro, San Roque, Sta. Catalina, Suba and Talortor in Majayjay; Bgys. Malinao, Alipit, Oogong and San Jose in Sta. Cruz; Bgys. San Antonio I and Sta. Maria Magdalena in San Pablo City; and Bgy. Entablado in Rizal.

REASON: NGCP maintenance and testing work inside NGCP – Lumban substation.

MONDAY TO TUESDAY, APRIL 11 – 12, 2022 BATANGAS PROVINCE (BATANGAS CITY; AND SAN PASCUAL) BETWEEN 11:30PM AND 11:59PM (MON., 04/11/22) AND THEN BETWEEN 5:00AM AND 5:30AM (TUE., 04/12/22) – PORTION OF CIRCUIT BATANGAS 314SG Portion of Caltex Road from near Anie’s Bar and Resto to Batangas - Bauan Provincial Road including Sitio Ilaya, Sitio Ibaba, Sitio Santa Rita Ilaya, Sitio Banaba, Tierra Del Oro Subd. and Villa Mercedez Subd.; and Batangas City Water District Pump in Bgys. Banaba South, Banaba West and Sta. Rita Karsada in Batangas City.

Portion of Bolbok Road from Caltex Road to near Banaba West Elementary School; Bgys. Banaba South and Banaba West in Batangas City.

Portion of Balimbing Road from Our Lady Of Fatima Chapel to and including Bloomfield Homes Subd. and Villa San Pascual Subd. in Bgy. Balimbing, San Pascual.

Portion of San Pascual – Laurel and Pook Ni Banal Roads from Batangas - Bauan Provincial Road to near Makalintal Ave. including Reaville Green Heights 3 Subd., Sitio Nangkaan; Aquino and Dimatatac Sts.; Bgys. Banaba, Bayanan, Laurel, Padre Castillo, Pook Ni Banal and San Pascual Town Proper in San Pascual.

BETWEEN 12:01AM AND 5:00AM (TUE., 04/12/22) – PORTION OF CIRCUIT BATANGAS 314SG Portion of Bolbok Road from near Aquaporins Water Refilling Station to and including Inn-land Resort in Bgy. Banaba South, Batangas City.

REASON: Replacement of poles and line reconductoring work along Bolbok Road in Bgy. Banaba South, Batangas City, Batangas Province.

TUESDAY, APRIL 12, 2022 RIZAL PROVINCE (CAINTA) BETWEEN 12:30AM AND 6:30AM – THE WHOLE OF CIRCUIT DOLORES 65XM – ST. ANTHONY 61ZN – MANGGAHAN 61ZM – MARIKINA 64VG Midland Steel in St. Anthony Subd., Bgy. San Juan.

REASON: Replacement of rotten pole along Dolores 65XM - Marikina 64VG - Manggahan 61ZM - St. Anthony 61ZN 115kV transmission lines.

BULACAN (NORZAGARAY; ANGAT; AND PANDI) BETWEEN 6:30AM AND 7:00AM AND THEN BETWEEN 1:00PM AND 1:30PM – PORTION OF CIRCUITS SAPANG PALAY 33YO; AND ANGAT 33YT Portion of Villarama Road (San Jose Del Monte City – Norzagaray Road) and M. Fernando St. from Malaganit St. in Bgy. Matictic, Norzagaray to near Pundicion St. in Bgy. Santa Cruz, Angat including Sitio Coral, Sitio Gulod, Sitio Kanyakan, Sitio Malaganit, GK Tinaglia Ville, North Hills Village Phase 3 and Sitio Bulalo; and Kabilang Ibayo St. in Bgys. Matictic and Bitungol; portion of Bgys. Bangkal, Baraka, Partida, Poblacion and Tigbe in Norzagaray; Bgys. Donacion, Marungko, Sulucan and Taboc in Angat; and Bgy. Real De Cacarong in Pandi.

BETWEEN 7:00AM AND 7:30AM AND THEN BETWEEN 12:30PM AND 1:00PM – PORTION OF CIRCUIT SAPANG PALAY 33YO Portion of Villarama Road (San Jose Del Monte City – Norzagaray Road) from Kaymino Road to Sanctuario De Paz Memorial Park including Minuyam St.; and Norzagaray Homes Subd. Phases 1 & 2 in Bgys. Bitungol and Minuyan in Norzagaray.

CALOOCAN CITY (BAGONG SILANG - KALIWA) BETWEEN 8:00AM AND 1:00PM – PORTION OF CIRCUIT CAMARIN 433TC Portion of Phase 4 Packages 5 to 8 near Langit Road.

REASON: Replacement of poles, relocation of facilities and line reconductoring work in Phase 4 Packages 5 to 8 near Langit Road in Bagong Silang – Kaliwa, Caloocan City.

QUEZON PROVINCE (LUCENA CITY) BETWEEN 10:00AM AND 1:00PM – PORTION OF CIRCUIT LUCENA 425LCN Portion of Landing Road from near Citta Grande Subdivision gate entrance to and including Purok Damayan and Purok Masagana in Bgy. Ibabang Iyam.

REASON: Replacement of poles and installation of facilities along Landing Road in Bgy. Ibabang Iyam, Lucena City, Quezon Province.

TUESDAY TO WEDNESDAY, APRIL 12 – 13, 2022 VALENZUELA CITY (MALINTA) BETWEEN 11:00PM (TUE., 04/12/22) AND 4:00AM (WED., 04/13/22) – PORTION OF CIRCUIT MALINTA 44YB Portion of MacArthur Highway from near A. Pablo St. to Gov. I. Santiago Road.

REASON: Relocation and reconfiguration of facilities affected by the construction of North - South Commuter Railway (NSCR) along MacArthur Highway in Bgy. Malinta, Valenzuela City.

WEDNESDAY, APRIL 13, 2022 LAS PIÑAS CITY (DANIEL FAJARDO AND MANUYO I) BETWEEN 9:00AM AND 2:00PM – PORTIONS OF CIRCUIT PAMPLONA 43XD Portion of Coastal Plaza Condominium Compound in Bgys. Daniel Fajardo and Manuyo I. REASON: Line reconductoring work in Coastal Plaza Condominium Compound in Bgys. Daniel Fajardo and Manuyo I in Las Piñas City.

WEDNESDAY TO THURSDAY, APRIL 13 – 14, 2022 MARIKINA CITY (NANGKA) BETWEEN 11:30PM (WED., 04/13/22) AND 3:30AM (THU., 04/14/22) – PORTION OF CIRCUIT MARIKINA 42VG Portion of Kingsway, Ilang – Ilang and Kabayani Sts. from J. P. Rizal St. to and including Camacho Compound Phase 2, Marikina Greenland Subd. Phases 1 & 2; Balubad St.; and Manila Water Pump.

REASON: Line reconductoring work along J. P. Rizal St. in Bgy. Nangka, Marikina City.

THURSDAY, APRIL 14, 2022 LAGUNA (CALAMBA CITY) BETWEEN 10:00AM AND 3:00PM – THE WHOLE OF CIRCUITS CARMELRAY 414WQ, 423WQ, 424WQ AND 426WQ Portion of Integrity Ave. from Progress Ave. to and including Asia Socorro Optics, First Choice Food Corp., Clover Plastics Phils, Carmelray Industrial Park Administration Office, Toyo Ink Compounds Corp., Philippine Auto Components and Philippines Bio Industries in Carmelray Industrial Park 1, Bgy. Canlubang.

Along Excellence Ave. from Integrity Ave. to and including Jeco Autoparts, Shindengen Phils., Japan Project, Tong Hsing Electronics, Pricon Microelectronics, Gotoh Phils., RCM Mfg., Dualtech Training Center, Gandang Kalikasan, Asian Transmission Corp., ACP Test Company, Phil. Precision Tech., Ergonomics System Phils., Agchem Mfg. Corp., New Food Coatings Phils. and ACS Mfg. in Carmelray Industrial Park 1, Bgy. Canlubang.

Sanritsu Great Int’l Corp., Fuji Electric Phils., Bell Electronics and Integrated Device Tech.

Phils. along Innovation and Enterprise Drives in Carmelray Industrial Park 1, Bgy. Canlubang.

REASON: Line reconstruction work inside Carmelray Industrial Park 1, Bgy. Canlubang, Calamba City, Laguna.

BETWEEN 7:00AM AND 1:00PM – PORTION OF CIRCUIT SAPANG PALAY 33YO Portion of Villarama Road (San Jose Del Monte City – Norzagaray Road) from near Sanctuario De Paz Memorial Park to and including Malaganit and Tandang Barrio Sts.; and Norzagaray Heights Subd. in Bgy. Bitungol, Norzagaray.

THURSDAY TO FRIDAY, APRIL 14 – 15, 2022 LAGUNA (CALAMBA CITY) BETWEEN 8:00AM (THU., 04/14/22) AND 3:00PM (FRI., 04/15/22) – PORTION OF CIRCUITS CARMELRAY 423WQ AND 424WQ Toshiba Information Equipment in Carmelray Industrial Park 1, Bgy. Canlubang.

REASON: Line reconductoring work along Villarama Road (San Jose Del Monte City – Norzagaray Road) in Bgy. Bitungol, Norzagaray, Bulacan.

REASON: Maintenance work inside Toshiba Information Equipment in Carmelray Industrial Park 1, Bgy. Canlubang, Calamba City, Laguna.

SUNDAY TO MONDAY, APRIL 17 - 18, 2022 CAVITE (GEN. TRIAS CITY) BETWEEN 4:00AM AND 5:00AM (SUN., 04/17/22) AND THEN BETWEEN 3:00AM AND 4:00AM (MON., 04/18/22) – PORTION OF CIRCUIT AMADEO 62AMA – GATEWAY 62WP – FCIE 65WB - SMC San Miguel – Purefoods Hormel Compound along Governor’s Drive in Sitio De Fuego, Bgy. San Francisco.

REASON: Relocation of facilities along Crisanto Delos Reyes Ave. in Bgy. Biclatan, Gen. Trias City, Cavite.

A4

FRIDAY, APRIL 8, 2022

News

‘Marcos, Duterte lead impossible to overtake now’

By Maricel V. Cruz

A

FTER just two months into the national campaign period, UniTeam presidential bet former Sen. Ferdinand “Bongbong” Marcos Jr. and vice presidential candidate Davao City Mayor Sara Duterte have built a survey lead over their rivals so huge that overtaking them is improbable, if not downright impossible.

PEOPLE’S HEALTH FIRST. In celebration of World Health Day, a participant in a picket holds a placard, joining doctors, nurses, and other health workers to reiterate that people’s health is primarily a state government responsibility and that governments worldwide must ensure public health care to all citizens and protect health workers, especially during the pandemic. Danny Pata

Drilon says support for ‘pink movement’ snowballing

By Macon Ramos-Araneta THE “Pink Movement” is snowballing after the “huge jump” in March of the survey ratings of Vice President Leni Robredo, said Sen. Franklin Drilon on Thursday.

Drilon said the elected officials “can feel the tides turning” with the release of the new Pulse Asia survey.

He expressed hope that more local officials will soon throw their full support to the candidacy of Robredo with the increase in her survey ratings backed up by actual warm bodies on the

ground The most recent Pulse Asia survey shows the vice president posted a whopping nine percent, from 15 percent in February to 25 percent in March.

The “pivot” to the Robredo-Pangilinan camp of hundreds of influential officials in the regions, Drilon stressed was and will be “voluntary on their part.”

“I think more local officials will heed what their conscience and constituents are telling them, and that is to get behind a candidate who walks the talk and is the most

principled among those who are running,” noted Drilon.

“They will do this with no quid pro quo,” said Drilon, adding that they would do it to have a chance to be in the “good graces of voters” and “on the right side of history.” He considered this priceless.

The “mutual meeting of the minds was not a product of the traditional political transaction,” said Drilon.

“No exchange deal, only the promise that a Robredo presidency will fight for the people and give our children a better future,” said the former Senate president.

“It is now statistically impossible to overtake Bongbong Marcos and Sara Duterte in time for the May 9 elections, which is just over a month away.

This shows that the message of unity that has espoused by both Marcos and Duterte has truly stricken a chord with Filipinos,” said Quezon City mayoralty candidate Mike Defensor of Anakalusugan party-list.

Defensor is the UniTeam’s official mayoralty candidate in Quezon City.

Marcos, based on the latest Pulse Asia survey results, has a 32-percentage point lead over his closest rival, Vice President Leni Robredo (56 percent and 24 percent, respectively).

In the case of Duterte, she has 36-percentage point lead over Sen. Vicente “Tito” Sotto III who is second with 20 percent.

The congressman pointed to a comparative analysis of Pulse Asia presidential survey results in past elections beginning 2004 for roughly the same period (mid to end of March).

“There has never been a survey lead like that Marcos’s in the past wherein one could say at this point, ‘May nanalo na,’” Defensor said.

Figures show that in 2004, then-incumbent President Gloria MacapagalArroyo had a 3 -percentage point lead

Isko: Filipinos have grown tired of ‘factions’ in political arena

By Rey E. Requejo AKSYON Demokratiko standardbearer Isko Moreno Domagoso on Wednesday called anew on Filipinos tired of being the victims of the drawnout battle for power among the political elites to vote for him instead if they want “peace of mind” and tangible solutions to the country’s problems.

In a series of interviews in Pagadian City, Zamboanga del Sur, Moreno pointed out that despite the serious crisis facing the country, the public’s sense of urgency has been once again clouded by the heat of the political battle between the anti-Yellow Marcos faction, led by Ferdinand Marcos Jr., and the anti-Marcos Aquino faction now bannered by Vice President Leni Robredo.

“I notice that every presidential election, red and yellow are always talked

Cayetano vows to continue to ‘lead by example’ SENATORIAL aspirant and Taguig City Rep. Alan Peter Cayetano has vowed to continue his “eco-friendly, lead-by-example” campaign following his high ranking in the latest survey on senatorial preferences by Pulse Asia.

“When we mounted our eco-friendly, lead-by-example campaign in February, we knew we would face major challenges. In the sea of flyers and posters, our name would not be seen among the candidates in every corner of the country,” Cayetano said in a statement Thursday.

He made the statement after the Pulse Asia released April 6 its March 2022 survey results which showed Cayetano ranking second to fifth among all senatorial candidates.

The survey showed Cayetano getting 56.4 percent of votes from participants, which is a 1.4 increase from Pulse Asia’s February 2022 survey. The former Speaker also has an awareness of 99 percent among voters despite having no posters or tarpaulins and not mounting motorcades.

Cayetano maintained he still decided to continue the new style of campaigning because he did not want to add to the election-related waste that is generated every three years.

He said “ the survey results have been consistent in showing that the people appreciate and support our commitment to our cause.”

Cayetano also thanked his supporters for helping him in his campaign, volunteering to mount bike caravans and coastal clean-ups that further pushed his eco-friendly advocacy.

According to Pulse Asia, the survey fieldwork was conducted from March 17 – 21, 2022 using face-to-face interviews. Maricel V. Cruz

about, the rival families or groups. The fight between red and yellow is very hot. It’s personal. Buy here, buy there.

They’re both hooking each other. It’s really getting personal. The fight between red and yellow has not changed” he noted.

If elected, Moreno vowed his administration will pursue a “Life and Livelihood” economic policy that aims to address poverty, hunger, unemployment, inequality, and social injustice through an inclusive and equitable infrastructure development program as spelled out under his 10-point Bilis Kilos Economic Agenda.

And just like what he did in the Philippine capital, a Moreno government will be an open, transparent and inclusive administration which will be politically color blind in filling out various positions, he said.

Ping praises team members ‘worthy of people’s votes’

TERMINAL INSPECTION. Manila International Airport Authority General Manager Ed Monreal inspects on Thursday the NAIA Terminals 3 and 4 to check their readiness for the influx of passengers during the Holy Week. Norman Cruz.

Binay promises to push for teachers’ salary hike

By Joel E. Zurbano SENATORIAL candidate Jejomar Binay on Thursday promised if elected, he will push for an increase in the salaries and benefits of public school teachers.

Binay, who is running under the United Nationalist Alliance (UNA), said “Our teachers have long been asking for a pay increase, and it is high time that we make this a reality.”

The former vice president said he will move to increase the starting pay of teachers from P25,439.00, or salary grade 11, to P35,097.00, or salary grade 15.

Aside from a salary increase, Binay said he will pursue legislation increasing teachers’ allowance for instructional materials, providing study

Jejomar Binay

grants and scholarships for their children, and tax exemptions for additional benefits.

“We will also study how we can give them study leaves with pay regularly,

Zubiri urges sugar regulatory body to halt new importation program SENATE Majority Leader Juan Miguel Zubiri is calling on the Sugar Regulatory Administration (SRA) not to push through with a new importation program supposedly proposed by the administration, after already receiving two injunctions for Sugar Order No. 3 in February.

“Our local sugar farmers are again approaching our office, deeply concerned over talks of a new SRA proposal that would green-light the importation of 350,000 metric tons of sugar into the country,” he said.

He related that our courts have already landed on the side of our sugar farmers last February.

“So it’s disheartening that we are having the same conversation about im-

over Fernando Poe Jr. (34 percent and 31 percent, respectively) during this period.

In 2010, then-senator Benigno S. Aquino III had a 19-percentage point lead over former President Joseph Estrada (37 percent and 18 percent, respectively) at this time.

On the other hand, 11 percentage points separated the survey frontrunner Davao City Mayor Rodrigo Roa Duterte from former senator Mar Roxas (30 percent and 19 percent, respectively) in 2016.

Historically, most of the survey frontrunners for the Palace seat up to this point even increased their lead over their rivals during the April survey period before going on to win in the actual polls, according to Defensor.

The UniTeam tandem meanwhile will continue building on the wide voter support they enjoy, House Majority Leader Martin G. Romualdez said.

Romualdez, who is president of Lakas Christian-Muslim-Democrats (LakasCMD), said based on Pulse Asia’s March survey, 56 percent of voters would most likely choose BBM and Mayor Sara.

“We thank our people for keeping faith with our candidates. We pray that they will continue supporting them and sharing and spreading their message of hope, unity and patriotism,” Romualdez said.

portation again,” said the reelectionist senator.

“Lest the SRA will be accused of this being a midnight deal bereft of propriety and due process,” he added.

“They should not allow this while our farmers are harvesting their crops during the harvest season.”

In February, the Sagay City and Himamaylan City Regional Trial Courts issued separate preliminary injunctions against the importation of 200,000 metric tons of sugar under Sugar Order No. 3.

Sagay RTC Branch 73 Judge Reginald Fuentebella went so far as to say that the court recognizes “the grave and irreparable injury [that] will result from the implementation of SRA Sugar No. 3.”

Macon Ramos-Araneta

to enable them to upgrade their knowledge and teaching skills,” he said.

These measures, according to Binay, would help improve the quality of education and would also prevent the exodus of teachers for jobs abroad.

“Our teachers should be mentoring future leaders and achievers, and not toiling in foreign lands far from their families,” he said.

Binay noted that many teachers have even opted to work as nannies or domestic helpers abroad.

“This should not be the case. We should work to recognize the dignity of our teachers and the teaching profession,” he said.

“We need to recognize and honor their sacrifices by making sure they get the compensation and benefits they deserve,” he added.

PRESIDENTIAL candidate Panfilo ‘Ping’ Lacson praised members of his campaign team for being true public servants, worthy of being voted into office this May 9 elections.

Lacson said he is proud of having his running mate Senate President Vicente ‘Tito’ Sotto III by his side, together with their senatorial candidates Dr. Minguita Padilla and Emmanuel ‘Manny’ Piñol.

The presidential candidate told the Cebuanos he and Sotto have worked together for so long that they have known each other that well. The two consider themselves as like-minded partners in public service throughout their legislative careers and have shared similar ideologies and principles.

“I know that once we forged a partnership, we are like-minded. Our direction is very aligned—anti-corruption. We can tell you some anecdotes—these are true-to-life stories— where we would decline the offers made by those who were following up on legislation,” said Lacson.

The veteran statesman was referring to suitcases of money that he and Sotto politely declined from some groups or corporate individuals that were lobbying about particular franchise bills or other pending legislations at the Senate.

Lacson spoke glowingly about Dr. Padilla, describing her as ‘too humble’ to speak about her achievements in medicine and ophthalmology, her field of expertise.

He mentioned that Dr. Padilla reached out to him to seek his permission if she could extract the cornea of some casualties during their kidnapfor-ransom and anti-criminality operations to be donated to indigent patients, who needed cornea transplant to address their poor eyesight.

Macon Ramos-Araneta

MCKINLEY WETPARK. Kids are seen playing in the Wetpark Adventure Lagoon, the country’s first indoors aqua playground located at Venice Grand Canal, Mckinley Hill,Taguig City. The new attraction will be opened to the public this April 8.

Manny Palmero

Opinion The game-changer in the First Level Courts THE Supreme Court recently issued the Rules on Expedited Procedures in the First Level Courts (Expedited Rules) which shall take effect on April 11, 2022. These Rules will significantly affect the manner by which cases are handled, prosecuted, defended, and resolved in First Level Courts.

The First Level Courts are the Metropolitan Trial Courts, Municipal Trial Courts, Municipal Trial Courts in Cities and Municipal Circuit Trial Courts. The issuance of the Expedited Rules will “recalibrate, reconcile and harmonize” the Rule on Summary Procedure and Rules on Small Claims with Republic Act (RA) No. 11576.

RA No. 11576 expanded the jurisdictional amounts in First Level Courts to: (a) not exceeding P2Million for claims in civil cases; and (b) not exceeding the assessed value of P400,000 for actions involving the title to, or possession of real property, or interest therein.

The rules will take effect on April 11.

The Expedited Rules highlight the move of the judiciary to further accelerate the disposition of cases in First Level Courts. The implementation of this reinvigorated policy will be possible with the help of pro-active judges who have a strong support staff, and who will study, hear, and resolve cases in a timely manner.

The Expedited Rules on Summary Procedure increased the maximum value of civil cases and complaints for damages that First Level Courts can resolve to P2Million [Rule 1A(1)(b)(c), Expedited Rules]. This development will fast-track the resolution of money claims and damages cases in that level. Examples of these cases include the recovery of sums of money or personal properties, and complaints for damages due to negligence.

With the Expedited Rules on Summary Procedure, more civil cases will be resolved by the First Level Courts, since after the preliminary conference, mediation, and judicial dispute resolution – especially when these proceedings still result in an unresolved case – the parties will be ordered to submit their position papers, if still necessary and without need of trial; and thereafter, the court can proceed to render its judgment.

Excluded from the Expedited Rules on Summary Procedure are probate proceedings, admiralty and maritime actions, and small claims cases falling under the Rules on Small Claims which are incorporated in the Expedited Rules. However, forcible entry and un-

lawful detainer cases remain to be covered by Summary Procedure [Rule 1A(1)(a)(b)].

Also included under the Expedited Rules on Summary Procedure are: (a) enforcements of barangay settlement agreements and arbitration awards where the money claim exceeds P1Million; (b) revival of any First Level Court judgment if not enforced within 5 years from its finality; and (c) civil aspect of a violation of the Bouncing Checks Law, if no criminal action was instituted [Rule 1A(1)(d)(e)(f)].

The Expedited Rules also adjusted the amount for Small Claims Cases in the First Level Courts to not exceed P1Million, exclusive of interest and costs. A “small claim” is an action that is purely civil in nature, where the claim or relief raised by the plaintiff is solely for the payment or reimbursement of a sum of money [Rule 1A(2)].

The “small claim” may be for money owed under: (a) contracts of lease; (b) contracts of loan and other credit accommodations; (c) contracts of services; (d) contracts of sale of personal property; and (e) the enforcement of barangay settlement agreements and arbitration awards where the money claim does not exceed P1Million [Rule 1A(2)]. If it exceeds said amount, the case will fall under Summary Procedure.

The intention of the Supreme Court in providing the Expedited Rules on Small Claims, among others, is “to provide a simplified and inexpensive procedure for the disposition of small claims cases”. This type of action does not require the representation of a lawyer; no formal pleading is required except for the Statement of Claim (SOC), which is available in court.

While the Expedited Rules on Summary Procedure and Small Claims are intended to hasten proceedings in First Level Courts, they have procedural differences, which include, among others, the following: (a) the period to file an Answer or Response; (b) the effect of failure to file an Answer or Response; (c) the proceedings after filing an Answer or Response; (d) the applicability of mediation and judicial dispute resolution; and (e) the remedies after judgment.

Period to file an Answer or Response. In Summary Procedure, the period to file an Answer is within 30 days from the receipt of summons [Rule III A, Section 6], while the period to file a Response in Small Claims is within a non-extendible period of 10 days from the receipt of summons [Rule IV, Section 13].

Effect of failure to file an Answer or Response. In Summary Procedure, the court, on its own initiative or upon manifestation of the plaintiff that the period for filing an Answer has lapsed, shall render a judgment [Rule III A, Section 9]. However, in Small Claims, the failure to file a Response coupled with the failure to appear on the date set for the hearing will push the court to render a judgment within 24 hours from the termination of the hearing [Rule IV, Section 14].

Full version on www.manilastandard.net

preference, and to be humble enough to accept that some points of view are better or more valid than their own. They make us accountable to each other. Differences also make for variety. It is always interesting to know what the next person thinks or believes, and, more importantly, why that person thinks or believes it.

There are always different sectors or interests in a society. For example, if one is a businessman, the things that are important to him or her are definitely not the same as the things that ordinary workers hold dear.

Scientists have their own discipline, as do artists. Those arguing for development may not be in agreement with those who want to protect and preserve the environment at all costs. Some people are for the legalization of same-sex marriages; some, only civil partnerships. Some want to push divorce while some believe the laws currently in place are already enough. Some believe it is morally reprehensible to terminate a life whatever the reason; some believe that such acts could sometimes be justified.

We thrive in diversity. We agree to disagree.

This is the hallmark of democracy — assent and dissent. Whoever has the best argument — not whoever has the loudest voice — should prevail. Then again, the debates should never end in our constant search for what is good for our country and our people.

We do not expect people to constantly think the same way or dance to the same tune as we do. Thus, in living with this knowledge, we must also be aware of the things that are negotiable for us, and more importantly, those that

ManilaStandard

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EDITORIAL

Unity is a problematic word

UNITY is generally perceived in a positive light. It evokes people having a common aspiration and working together toward that goal.

It brings to mind the absence of differences.

Everybody is in harmony. There are no conflicts. With everyone working together, how can success be far behind?

Unfortunately, this notion of unity could be problematic — first because it is not true, and second because it is not sustainable.

That everyone would feel and think the same way is impossible. Each individual has a set of values unique only to him or her. These values are shaped by one’s education, upbringing, exposure, experiences, and preferences.

Now, some people may share some qualities and values in general. This explains the phrase “birds of a feather.” It is natural that people with the same interests and principles become friends or partners. But even best friends, the most intimate of partners, or the closest of families do not agree on everything all the time.

Disagreements are, in fact, healthy, so long as they are acknowledged and managed constructively. It gives people room to learn new things, to argue for their own

FRIDAY, APRIL 8, 2022

ADB’s cautious growth outlook

T

HE Asian Development Bank is neither optimistic nor pessimistic about its growth forecast for developing Asia this year. The region is on track to recover from the COVID-19 pandemic but a dark cloud has emerged on the horizon that could slow down Asia’s economic recovery.

The financial institution slightly lowered Asia’s growth forecast to 5.2 percent for 2022 from its earlier estimate of 5.3 percent in December and the actual 6.9-percent expansion registered in 2021. The ADB noted that “increasing” price pressures in the continent, in the wake of Russia’s invasion of Ukraine, were threatening the economic recovery from COVID-19 surges.

Nations across Asia, including India, the Philippines, Sri Lanka and Indonesia, are reeling from high domestic pump prices of petroleum products. The elevated oil prices are raising the cost of food, transportation, electricity and other services. Rising inflation, in turn, may prompt central banks across the continent to hike interest rates in order

to contain price pressures and preserve the value of currencies.

Asian governments should just stick to sound macro-economic fundamentals Energy bills, says the Asian Development Outlook report, will rise for energy importers, pushing inflation up and weighing on demand. But the ADB still considers COVID-19 as a more potent growth dampener than the Russian invasion of Ukraine, citing that risks from the emergence of more deadly variants

and the Omicron outbreak in China will threaten regional growth and supply chains.

The ADB, meanwhile, has a positive perspective on the Philippine growth story for this year. It sees the economy expanding 6 percent this year, stronger than the actual growth of 5.6 percent in 2021. The Philippines’ economic recovery, it says, is expected to gain traction this year and the next, underpinned by rising domestic investment and consumption as pandemic restrictions eased, allowing for more manufacturing and construction activities.

The Asian financial institution took note of Manila’s measures to reopen the economy, lift mobility restrictions, expand the vaccination coverage of the population and relax international travel restrictions to boost the services sector.

Asian economies are poised to recover this year given the declining COVID-19 cases in the continent and despite the war in Europe. Asian governments should just stick to sound macro-economic fundamentals and resist populist calls that will stall the recovery efforts and ultimately ruin their economy.

A presidential candidate who frequently gambles at the casinos

ON SEPTEMBER 20, 2016, Malacañang issued Memorandum Circular No. 6 which categorically prohibits government officials and employees from going to any gambling casino, unless their presence there is justified by their official duties and functions.

Memorandum Circular No. 6 reiterates the prohibition recited in Presidential Decree No. 1067-B, as amended by Presidential Decree No. 1869. Both presidential decrees have the force and effect of law, and as of this writing, Congress has not amended them.

The memorandum circular explicitly states that “the mere entry or presence of government officials or employees in a gambling casino shall be considered as conduct prejudicial to the best interest of the service.” Further, the circular states that the presence of government personnel in a gambling casino has a “negative effect on the public perception of government service as a whole.

Memorandum Circular No. 6 aside, gambling itself is a deplorable vice. Gambling casinos are designed to attract customers, and the temptation to win money, and big money at that, is almost impossible for many to ignore.

Since the odds at the gambling tables are always in favor of the house, casino operations are always profitable as long as there are gamblers patronizing such establishments.

Indeed, many a gambler wastes away his money, whether hard-earned or borrowed, or in the case of some government officials, stolen from the people’s coffers, in the hope of making easy money at the gambling tables.

Many ordinary citizens have called my attention to the presence of government officials inside gambling casinos, mostly those operating in Manila and Pasay City. In particare non-negotiable.

What are your non-negotiables?

For example, we could imagine ourselves working with or being friends with people who may have views different from our own.

They may have different preferences in entertainment, or in the way they dress, or even in the way they maintain their relationships. Our views on success may not be the same. We would still be friends even though we may rib or call each other out every once in a while.

And the non-negotiables? Dishonesty, violence, sloth, arrogance. These are just examples of things we will not put up with. In these cases, it would be extremely difficult for us to teach the younger generation that taking things that are not yours is wrong, for instance, or disrespecting others is a no-no, if we sim-

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

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

ular, my attention has been repeatedly invited to a current candidate for president who very frequently goes to the casinos, where he loses tens of millions of pesos during each visit.

Gambling casinos in the Philippines operate under the supervision of the Philippine Amusement and Gaming Corporation (Pagcor). The top management of Pagcor may not be aware of it, but this candidate for president has a section in the casinos he visits segregated for him and his select companions.

Obviously, that special privilege has the tacit approval of some middle-level Pagcor officials assigned to the said candidate’s choice gambling hideouts. That arrangement violates Memorandum Circular No. 6 issued

by Malacañang.

Who is this person?

Where is this presidential candidate getting all that money for his expensive casino adventures? His annual salary as an incumbent government official is certainly not enough to pay for just one night’s gambling losses. Citizens, therefore, have good reason to suspect that this guy’s casino expenditures are financed by big time suppliers, oligarchs with interests to protect, and businessmen who do not want government to pry into their nefarious trades.

The big irony is that this candidate for president likes to portray himself in his costly prime time television commercials as somebody who used to be poor, but who ended up successful by his sheer determination. His commercials suggest that because of his “rags to riches” story, the electorate should feel obligated to elect him president, but without using the phrase “vote for” found in hardsell political advertisements.

Nevertheless, this candidate’s commercials are conveniently silent about his very expensive gambling habit. They are also silent about his hidden wealth.

Another irony is that the vice presidential running mate of this presidential candidate is mindlessly unaware of the latter’s addiction ply “move on” from the past and embrace that nebulous word, “unity.”

For the sake of our country, we try to work through our differences with others, acknowledging that no two people, much less groups, are ever really alike. We will only do so, however, if we operate in the same sphere of “negotiables.” Once the non-negotiable issues enter the picture — and here it is crucial for each person to determine what these are — then unity becomes meaningless. A sham.

Times have been so bad lately that we are desperate for anything that gives us warm, fuzzy feelings. The word “unity” is easy to mouth and comprehend. If we go by face value, it can make us feel good. But let us not let our desperation get the better of us. We should see through empty words and reject insinuations that some acts — past and continuing — can simply be forgotten, glossed over, and forgiven just for unity’s sake. adellechua@gmail.com

to big time gambling. Obviously, this candidate for vice president does not know what he is talking about, each time he publicly extols the “virtues” of his presidential running mate. Actually, he has no choice because the unidentified businessmen supporting his presidential running mate is bankrolling their entire political campaign Observers suspect that the said vice presidential candidate was asked to run in order to deodorize the candidate for president in case serious issues are raised against the latter.

This candidate for president used to be in good terms with President Rodrigo Roa Duterte, until they had a falling out last year when partisan political lines were starting to be drawn by wannabes for the presidency.

I see this candidate for president as a political opportunist of the lowest order. He used to be critical about the administration of President Duterte, but he started pulling his punches, so to speak, after he learned that President Duterte may be shopping for a presidential candidate to endorse in this year’s elections.

This casino enthusiast has not been doing very well in the latest opinion surveys relating to the coming election for president. His campaign is in desperate need of a shot in the arm, and no sponsors are falling for his claim to being the best among the candidates for president.

If this guy is elected president, public money will be wasted away at the gambling casinos.

Good sense dictates that voters should reject this candidate on election day.

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Emil P. Jurado Chairman Emeritus, Editorial Board

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NEW RUSSIAN OFFENSIVE ‘IMMINENT’

Civilians try to flee east Ukraine before attack S EVERODONETSK, Ukraine—Desperate evacuation attempts from eastern Ukraine were under way Thursday as authorities warned of an imminent Russian offensive, following the devastation around Kyiv that has shocked the world.

Russian troops have been withdrawing from around the capital and Ukraine’s north, leaving a trail of destruction, as they prepare for an expected assault on the country’s southeast.

Scenes of carnage that Ukrainian officials have accused retreating troops of leaving behind in towns including Bucha have sparked outrage and led to a wave of fresh sanctions against Moscow.

But on Thursday, Ukrainian President Volodymyr Zelensky warned that Russia was undeterred and continued “to accu-

mulate fighting force to realize their ill ambitions in (eastern) Donbas”.

“They are preparing to resume an active offensive,” he said.

Begging civilians to leave the region “while it is still possible”, local officials in Donbas’ Lugansk and Donetsk said the region was already facing constant indiscriminate shelling.

“We can see clearly that before the enemy goes to full attack, they will just destroy places completely,” local governor Sergiy Gaiday in Lugansk told Ukrainian broadcaster Channel 24.

‘Nowhere to go’ Gaiday said on Facebook that more than 1,200 people had been evacuated from Lugansk on Wednesday, but that efforts were being hampered by artillery fire, with some areas already inaccessible.

For those unable to leave, he said, tonnes of food, medicine and hygiene products were being delivered as part of a massive humanitarian effort.

The head of the Donetsk Regional Military Administration said strikes had

SCN FORM NO. 1 (R.A. NO. 9139)

REPUBLIC OF THE PHILIPPINES SPECIAL COMMITTEE ON NATURALIZATION

targeted aid points.

“The enemy aimed directly there with a goal to destroy the civilians,” Pavlo Kyrylenko wrote on Facebook.

He added that people were heeding calls to flee and he would be coordinating evacuation to make it “faster and more effective”.

Shells and rockets were also slamming into the industrial city of Severodonetsk, the easternmost city held by Ukrainian forces.

“We have nowhere to go, it’s been like this for days,” 38-year-old Volodymyr told AFP, standing opposite a burning building in Severodonetsk.

More than 11 million people have been displaced since Russia invaded on February 24, aiming to seize the capital.

With that goal thwarted, Russia is instead trying to create a land link between occupied Crimea and Moscow-backed separatist statelets in Donbas.

Ukrainian forces are also regrouping for the offensive, including on a two-lane highway through the rolling eastern plains connecting Kharkiv and Donetsk. AFP

with any association or group of persons who uphold and teach doctrines opposing all organized governments. I am not defending or teaching the necessity or propriety of violence, personal assault or assassination for the success and predominance of one's ideas. I am not a polygamist nor a believer in the practice of polygamy.

I have not been convicted of any crime involving moral turpitude. I am not suffering from mental alienation or from any incurable contagious disease. The country of which I am a citizen or subject is not at war with the Philippines and grants to Filipinos the right to be naturalized citizens or subjects thereof.

13. It is my true and honest intention to become a citizen of the Philippines and to renounce absolutely and forever all allegiance and fidelity to any foreign prince, potentate, state or sovereignty, and, particularly, to INDIA of which at this time I am a citizen or subject.

I will reside continuously in the Philippines from the date of the filing of this petition up to the time of my admission to Philippine citizenship.

IN THE MATTER OF THE PETITION OF LAVINA LAKHWANI to be naturalized as Filipino citizen pursuant to Republic Act No. 9139.

SCN CASE NO. x------------------ x

1. My full name is LAVINA LAKHWANI , but I have also been known since childhood as LALA / VINA or I have been judicially authorized to use the alias name(s) N/A .

14. My character witnesses are SURAJ KAPAHI and CAMILLE LEGASPI both Filipino citizens, of legal age, and residing at 2646 ENRIQUEZ ST., VITO CRUZ, MALATE, MANILA. and 16 SAN FELIPE ST., MAGALLANES VILLAGE, MAKATI CITY respectively, who have executed sworn statements attached hereto in support of my instant petition, together with: (a) brief biographical data about themselves; (b) detailed statements on the dates they first came to know me, the circumstances of our initial acquaintance and the reasons and extent of our continuing familiarity; and (c) the number of times they have acted as character witnesses in other petitions for naturalization.

2. My present place of residence is 2102 CARMEL ST., SAN MIGUEL VILLAGE, City/Municipality of MAKATI CITY Province of METRO MANILA and all my former places of residence are (please indicate periods of residence)

15. Attached hereto as annexes and made part of this petition are the duplicate originals or certified photocopies of the following documents (please check the appropriate box):

PETITION Pursuant to the provisions of Republic Act No. 9139, petitioner hereby submits a petition for naturalization to become a citizen of the Republic of the Philippines and respectfully declares:

FAITHFUL COMPANION. This combination of pictures created on April 03

shows (top) a dog lying next to the body of a man in the town of Bucha, not far from the Ukrainian capital of Kyiv, and (bottom) the dog reacting as communal service workers collect the man’s body. US and NATO leaders voiced shock and horror at new evidence of atrocities against civilians in Ukraine and warned that Russian troop movements away from Kyiv did not signal a withdrawal or end to the violence. AFP

Hong Kong defends COVID flight ban policy HONG KONG—Hong Kong’s leader on Thursday defended her policy of temporarily banning flight routes that bring in coronavirus cases, as a leading airline industry figure warned the city had fallen “off the map” as an aviation hub.

The city’s airport was previously one of the world’s busiest but has been largely cut off throughout the pandemic as Hong Kong hews to China’s strict zero-Covid policy.

“Circuit breaker” rules mean any airline that brings in three or more infected passengers on a single flight is suspended from flying that route for seven days.

City leader Carrie Lam defended the policy on Thursday, saying flights were bringing in infections “probably because of the very relaxed approach adopted in many places” around the world.

Authorities have given some ground, lifting a complete flight ban on nine countries earlier this month following growing anger from the business community and Hong Kongers stranded overseas.

Lam said more than 1,000 residents have returned to

Hong Kong daily this month, compared to just 200 a day previously.

“It is not right to say that this travel easing has no impact,” she said.

Her comments came as the director general of the International Air Transport Association, Willie Walsh, warned Hong Kong was “effectively off the map”. “(Hong Kong) is going to lag significantly behind the recovery that we’re seeing elsewhere,” Walsh told reporters on Wednesday in quotes carried by Bloomberg News and the South China Morning Post.

Temporary flight bans have been frequently invoked, throwing travel plans into chaos as residents scramble to book new routes and change mandatory hotel quarantine bookings.

Six airlines including Emirates and Cathay Pacific have had routes banned this week.

Emirates’ Dubai-Bangkok-Hong Kong route has been suspended six times for a total of 77 days this year, according to Bloomberg. AFP

IN BRIEF

2170-A FATIMA ST., SAN MIGUEL VILLAGE, MAKATI CITY (2004-2014) 8861-D SAMPALOC ST., SAN ANTONIO VILLAGE, MAKATI (1997-2004) 9009 ARANGA ST., SAN ANTONIO VILLAGE, MAKATI (1993-1997)

Floods threaten Sydney suburbs

3. I was born on APRIL 21, 1985, in METRO MANILA Philippines. I have been a resident of the Philippines since birth. At present, I am a citizen or subject of INDIA 4. My father's name is KISHORE LAKHWANI and he was born on NOVEMBER 10, 1957, in JAKARTA, INDONESIA He is a citizen or subject of INDIA. My mother's name is RENU LAKHWANI and she was born on MAY 6, 1961 in AJMER, INDIA. She is a citizen or subject of INDIA. 5. My trade, business, profession or lawful occupation is PRODUCT RESEARCH & ASSOCIATE COMPLIANCE OFFICER and from which I derive an average annual income of P412,500, inclusive of bonuses, commissions and allowances. My wife's/husband's trade, business, profession or lawful occupation is N/A and from which she derives an average annual income of P N/A .

(Where the above does not apply): I am exempt from the requirement of lucrative trade or occupation and from submitting income tax returns for the past three (3) years because I am a college degree holder [please state (1) degree obtained: , (2) name of school: and (3) years graduated: who cannot practice my profession (the practice of which requires a government licensure examination) by reason of my citizenship.

PEACE PIPE. A man smokes a pipe on the third day of the Terra Livre Indigenous Camp in Brasilia on April 6. The 10-day annual protest is held by indigenous people from tribes that arrive from all over Brazil and calls for greater protection of their land and rights. AFP

6. My civil status is SINGLE, I was married on N/A in N/A . My wife's/husband's name is N/A and she/he was born on in N/A in N/A. She/he is a citizen or subject of N/A and presently resides N/A.

Turkish court confirms transfer of Khashoggi slay trial to Saudis

7. I am legally separated from my spouse; my marriage was annulled, per decree of legal separation/annulment dated N/A granted by N/A. (please indicate the particular court which granted the same). I am a widower/widow and my spouse died on N/A in N/A. 8. I have 0 child/children, whose names, dates and places of birth and residences are as follows:

Name

Date of Birth

Place of Birth

Residence

9. I received my primary and secondary education from the following public schools or private educational institutions duly recognized by the Department of Education, Culture and Sports (DECS), where Philippine history, government and civics are taught and prescribed as part of the school curriculum and where enrollment is not limited to any race or nationality:

Name of School DLSU-TAFT

Place of School MANILA, PH

Dates of Study 2002-2006

COLEGIO SAN AGUSTIN COLEGIO SAN AGUSTIN

MANILA, PH MANILA, PH

1998-2002 1991-1998

Highest Grade Completed BACHELOR’S DEGREE HIGH SCHOOL GRADE SCHOOL

10. I am able to read, write and speak Filipino and/or any of the following dialects of the Philippines: N/A. 11. I have enrolled my minor children of school age in the following public schools or private educational institutions duly recognized by the Department of Education, Culture and Sports (DECS), where Philipine History, government and civics are taught and prescribed as part of the school curriculum and where enrollment is not limited to any race or nationality:

Name of Child N/A

Name and Place of School N/A

Date of Enrollment N/A

12. I shall never be a public charge. I am of good moral character. I believe in the principles underlying the Philippine Constitution. I have conducted myself in a proper and irreproachable manner during the entire period of my residence in the Philippines in my relations with the constituted government as well as with the community in which I am living. I mingled socially with Filipinos and have evinced a sincere desire to learn and embrace the customs, traditions and ideals of the Filipino people. I have all the qualifications and none of the disqualifications under Republic Act No. 9139.

I am not opposed to organized government or affiliated

(MS-MAR. 25/ APRIL 1 & 8, 2022)

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ISTANBUL—A Turkish court on Thursday confirmed a halt of the trial in absentia of 26 suspects linked to the killing of Saudi critic Jamal Khashoggi and its transfer to Riyadh, a decision that has angered rights groups.

The 59-year-old journalist was killed inside the Saudi consulate in Istanbul on October 2, 2018 in a gruesome murder that shocked the world.

A Turkish court began the trial in 2020 with relations tense between the two Sunni Muslim regional powers.

But with Turkey desperate for investment to help pull it out of economic crisis, Ankara has sought to heal the rift with Riyadh.

The judge told the court: “We decided to halt and hand over the case to Saudi Arabia.”

The court decision comes almost a week after Justice Minister Bekir Bozdag said that he would greenlight a Turkish prosecutor’s request to hand the case over to Saudi Arabia, at the demand of the latter.

The prosecutor said the case was “dragging” because the court’s orders could not be carried since the defendants were foreigners.

-’Entrusting lamb to wolf’Defence lawyer Ali Ceylan told the court on Thursday that there would not be a fair trial in Saudi Arabia.

“Let’s not entrust the lamb to the wolf,” he said, using a Turkish saying.

Another defence lawyer, Gokmen Baspinar, denounced the justice ministry’s move as “against law.”

“There is no prosecution going on in Saudi Arabia at the moment,” he said.

“Saudi authorities have concluded the trial and acquitted many suspects.”

He said the decision to hand over the case to Riyadh would be tantamount to a “breach of Turkish sovereignty” and “an example of irresponsibility against Turkish people”.

The decision has deeply upset rights groups. AFP

SYDNEY—Heavy rain triggered evacuation orders in Sydney on Thursday, as swollen rivers threatened homes and flooded roads in the latest wild weather to lash Australia’s east.

Residents in several suburbs of Sydney’s south and southwest were told to leave for safety as fast-flowing rivers rose.

“We have seen exceptionally sharp, short bursts of rain that have created significant flash flooding events around parts of the Illawarra,” New South Wales State Emergency Service Deputy Commissioner Daniel Austin said.

“We ask the community to continue to be vigilant. This is a highly dynamic situation. These events are moving exceptionally quickly.”

Images from around Sydney showed submerged roads, cars struggling through floodwaters and debris flowing rapidly down rivers.

Woronora resident Belinda told national broadcaster ABC that the river was flowing faster than she had ever seen.

“A little nervous, our property’s up quite high so it’s not much danger of us being flooded but for those properties that are a bit lower, it’s a real worry,” she said. AFP

Norwegian diver rescued in Malaysia

KUALA LUMPUR—A Norwegian diving instructor was rescued alive on Thursday a day after going missing off Malaysia’s southeast coast, but three other Europeans were still missing, officials said.

Kristine Grodem, 35, was found in the water in the morning by a passing vessel, a significant distance from where the group had disappeared.

She was then picked up by a helicopter involved in the search effort and taken to nearby Mersing district, police official Cyril Edward Nuing said. She is in hospital in a stable condition.

Helicopters, boats, and dozens of divers are hunting for the others—a 46-year-old British man and his son, a 14-year-old male Dutch citizen, and an 18-year-old Frenchwoman.

Police also revealed the boat captain who had taken the group to the diving site had been arrested after testing positive for drugs, without giving further details.

Grodem had been instructing the divers close to a small island about 15 kilometres (nine miles) off the coast when the accident happened, authorities said.

The group was in the water for 40 minutes. When they surfaced, they could not see their boat and drifted in strong currents, Nuing told reporters. AFP

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Shell to take a hit of $5b on Russia pullout

PSEi April 7, 2022

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4 5 6 7

CEU RCI OV LPZ

6.86 0.58 0.0094 3.2

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8

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220

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7,016,300 112,540 1,721,180 1,950,820 238,400

258,648,850 203,374,780 202,848,384 190,051,103 186,239,385

Samsung expects operating profit in Q1 to climb 50.3% SEOUL, South Korea—Samsung Electronics expects operating profits for the first quarter to rise 50.3 percent, the South Korean tech giant said in a statement Thursday, despite global supply chain woes.

The world’s biggest smartphone maker forecast 2022 first-quarter operating profits of about 14.1 trillion won ($11.6 billion), up from 9.4 trillion won in the same quarter last year.

Samsung did not provide details on the performance of its various divisions. The company is expected to release its full results on April 28.

Analysts said the forecast was likely driven by strong smartphone sales, but warned of an expected drop in profits in the memory chip division.

“Price decline in memory chips will be contained on the back of stronger than expected demand,” Kim Un-ho, an analyst at IBK Investment & Securities, said in a report.

Profits in Samsung’s mobile business are expected to soar by 55.8 percent compared with Q4 to over 4.1 trillion won, offsetting an anticipated six percent decline in profits from its memory chips division, the report said.

With memory chips now used in a wide-ranging array of devices and cloud servers—essential for remote working in the pandemic era—the sector has become less dependent on seasonally-driven demand for gadgets such as smartphones and laptops.

Last year saw a surge in chip prices amid strong demand for those used in personal devices and data centers, helping Samsung hit record annual sales.

Going forward, Kim forecast the conglomerate would make 60.5 trillion won in operating profits for 2022 overall, a 17 percent increase on-year.

But Samsung’s smartphones division was in hot water in its native South Korea recently over a pre-installed app called Game Optimizations Service on the latest Galaxy S phone lineup.

Designed to fine-tune system performances, consumers claim it actually throttled the speed of thousands of non-gaming apps. AFP

BIGGER AND FRIENDLIER. A large cowboy boot arrives onsite at the new Tesla Giga Texas manufacturing facility on April 6, 2022 in Austin, Texas.

Tesla’s unveiling this week of a new auto factory in Austin has highlighted corporate America’s growing affinity for Texas compared with California and other states seen as less business-friendly. AFP

Stocks tumble; URC, SM Prime lead losers

S

TOCKS sank Thursday along with the rest of Asia after minutes from the Federal Reserve’s latest policy meeting indicated it is preparing to aggressively wind back its monetary policy.

The Philippine Stock Exchange Index slumped 183.23 points, or 2.6 percent, to a three-week low of 6,926.03 on a value turnover of P6.4 billion. Losers overwhelmed gainers, 139 to 33, with 52 issues unchanged.

Universal Robina Corp. of the Gokongwei Group, the biggest snack food maker, dropped 4.8 percent to P117, while SM Prime Holdings Inc. of the Sy Group, operator of the largest shopping mall chain, fell 4.1 percent to P36.30.

Fiber broadband provider Converge ICT Solutions Inc. declined 4 percent to P27.85, while conglomerate Ayala Corp. of the Ayala Group skidded 3.8 percent to P770.

The rest of Asian equity markets fell Thursday while oil prices pared another big drop.

The eagerly awaited Fed summary dealt another blow to traders, who have grown increasingly concerned that officials will not be able to rein in 40-year-high inflation while also preventing the world’s top economy from tipping into recession.

Asia broadly followed New York down, with Tokyo, Sydney, Seoul, Taipei, Singapore, Mumbai, Wellington and Bangkok all in the red.

Hong Kong and Shanghai were also sharply lower, having given up early gains fueled by hopes that China will ease monetary policy as its giant economy struggles under the weight of lockdowns in various parts of the country.

According to the minutes, several policymakers were in favor of lifting interest rates half a percentage point while they also talked about offloading their bond holdings at a rate of $95 million per month—a process known as quantitative tightening.

The Fed’s balance sheet runs to about $9 trillion.

News that such measures were being considered comes after several members of the policy board made hawkish comments about lifting rates. The next meeting takes place May 3-4.

The prospect of borrowing costs rising at a quicker pace and to a higher level over the coming months has added to a wave of uncertainty across trading floors caused by the war in Ukraine.

And while data at the moment points to a healthy economy, commentators warn of possible hard times ahead.

“This job of orchestrating a soft landing (for the economy) is going to be difficult,” Tracie McMillion, at Wells Fargo Investment Institute, told Bloomberg Television. With AFP

LONDON, United Kingdom—British energy giant Shell warned Thursday that it would take a hit of up to $5 billion (4.6 billion euros) on its exit from Russia, following Moscow’s invasion of Ukraine.

Impairment from assets and additional charges relating to Russia activities were expected to be between $4 billion and $5 billion in the first quarter, Shell said in a statement after recently signaling its gradual withdrawal.

The write-off comes after the London-listed energy major announced in late February that it would sell its stakes in all joint ventures with Russian state energy giant Gazprom after the Kremlin launched its assault on Ukraine.

The group said at the time that the ventures were worth about $3 billion.

Shell then announced in March that it would withdraw from Russian gas and oil in line with UK government policy, and also immediately stopped purchases of its crude.

The company also apologized for buying a cargo of Russian oil at a vast discount, adding that it should not have happened.

Britain, which is far less dependent than the rest of Europe on Russian energy, plans to phase out oil imports by the end of the year and eventually stop importing its gas.

A wide range of international companies have stopped doing business in Russia since President Vladimir Putin ordered the invasion of Ukraine on February 24.

Shell’s main rival BP has also announced its departure.

BP said in late February that it would pull its 19.75-percent stake in state energy giant Rosneft, ending more than three decades of investment in Russia.

Shell’s first-quarter earnings are scheduled for publication on May 5.

It had swung back into massive profit last year, as oil and gas prices jumped on recovering demand and geopolitical unrest.

Net profit stood at $20.1 billion after a loss after tax of $21.7 billion in 2020, as economies reopened from pandemic lockdowns. AFP

Uzbekistan dangles incentives to fleeing Russian IT specialists

By Shukhrat Khurramov TASHKENT, Uzbekistan—Hit by regular power cuts and with popular sites like Twitter and TikTok blocked, the Central Asian nation of Uzbekistan hardly seems a likely candidate for a tech boom.

But with Russia’s invasion of Ukraine driving an exodus of IT specialists to former parts of the Soviet Union, authorities in Uzbekistan are hoping to speed up plans to modernize an economy best known for its vast production of cotton.

It took only one day after Russia’s February 24 invasion of Ukraine for Uzbekistan to launch a one-stop government relocation program for IT specialists and companies.

Offering visas, housing and child care support to individuals, and registration assistance and tax exemptions to companies, the program has already attracted some 2,000 foreign IT specialists, the government said.

People like Anastasia Markova, a Russian citizen who recently became a public relations manager at Uzbekistan’s state-run IT Park in the capital Tashkent.

Markova, 22, had been due to be married in Russia in April, but left Moscow with her fiance—an employee of a company registered at the park—for Tashkent and the two are now seeking permanent residence.

Markova said she feels comfortable

Employees work at Uzbekistan’s state-run IT Park in the capital Tashkent on April 4, 2022.

AFP

in the city, where Russian is still widely spoken three decades after Uzbekistan gained independence during the collapse of the Soviet Union.

“The country accepted us as one of their own. The people are so friendly and hospitable,” she said.

Thousands in IT leave Russia Markova was more keen to speak about her new home than the country she left behind, saying only that her decision to leave Russia had been “rushed, as it was for many people” and due to “a number of social and economic factors.”

Several other Russian citizens contacted by AFP after moving to Uzbekistan and neighboring Kyrgyzstan refused to talk, saying they feared the consequences of potentially being seen as critical of Russia.

The IT Park in Tashkent is home to some 550 companies and at the heart of plans to increase Uzbek IT exports to more $1 billion by 2028, a 25-fold rise from last year’s figure.

The park’s motto, “START local and GO Global” is emblazoned on a wood panel facade at the entrance. Inside,

young support staff in casual attire and headsets work at desks.

The IT Park is already seeing benefits from the relocation program dubbed TashRush—”a name that seemed most suited to the phenomenon we are witnessing,” the park’s deputy director Bakhodir Ayupov said.

The Russian Association of Electronic Communications, a lobby group, said on March 22 that 50,000 to 70,000 specialists had left Russia and up to 100,000 more may follow them out of the door this month. AFP

Several US Fed officials support future half-point increase—minutes WASHINGTON, United States—At their March policy meeting, several US Federal Reserve officials supported raising interest rates by half a percentage point in the future to combat inflation, minutes released Wednesday said.

“Many participants noted that one or more 50 basis point increases in the target range could be appropriate at future meetings, particularly if inflation pressures remained elevated or intensified,” according to minutes from the Federal Open Market Committee’s (FOMC) March 15-16 gathering.

Fed officials at that meeting decided

to raise interest rates by a quarter percentage point, their first increase since slashing the rate to zero when COVID-19 broke out two years ago.

The central bank is under pressure to curb inflation, which has climbed to levels not seen since the 1980s in the United States, without tightening conditions so much they damage the economy’s recovery.

A half percentage point rate increase would represent a more forceful response to the inflation wave, and the minutes said many participants at last month’s meeting “would have preferred a 50 basis point increase in the

target range for the federal funds rate.”

“A number of these participants indicated, however, that, in light of greater near-term uncertainty associated with Russia’s invasion of Ukraine, they judged that a 25 basis point increase would be appropriate at this meeting,” the minutes said.

Officials also believed “that the committee’s previous communications had already contributed to a tightening of financial conditions, as evident in the notable increase in longer-term interest rates over recent months,” according to the minutes.

Meeting participants wanted to “ex-

peditiously” move towards neutral monetary policy—a term indicating a balance between restriction and accommodation for the economy—but “depending on economic and financial developments, a move to a tighter policy stance could be warranted.”

Fed Chair Jerome Powell and other central bank leaders have signaled they will soon take further action to tighten policy by beginning the process of reducing the Fed’s stockpile of trillions of dollars in bonds and other securities, many of which were accumulated during the pandemic to support the economy. AFP

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

B4

FRIDAY, APRIL 8, 2022

Meralco: Tight power supply to hike April rates

By Alena Mae S. Flores POWER rates in the franchise area of Manila Electric Co. may go up in April on tight supply, gas supply restrictions, the impact of international coal prices and peso depreciation, an executive said Thursday.

“Initial data points to an upward adjustment in April bills, due to a higher generation charge consistent with what the DOE [Department of Energy] and ERC [Energy Regulatory Commission] expected,” Meralco vice president and head of utility economics Lawrence Fernandez said.

Fernandez said prices at the Wholesale Electricity Spot Market, the trading floor of electricity, rose on tight supply conditions, as peak demand in Luzon increased by more than 1,500 megawatts from the February to March supply months.

“Sustained high WESM prices led to the secondary price cap being imposed for 4.5 percent of the March trading intervals,” Fernandez said.

He said the persisting Malampaya gas supply restriction forced the First Gas plants to shift to more expensive liquid fuel, adding pressure to generation costs.

“The impact of higher international coal prices and peso depreciation is also expected to weigh on the generation charge,” he said.

Fernandez said that aside from these factors, the April generation charge would also factor in the first amortization of generation costs whose collection was deferred in March.

Meralco took the initiative to cushion the impact in the bills of customers last month by coordinating with some of suppliers to defer collection of portions of their generation costs.

Quezon Power and First Gas agreed to defer the collection of P500 million, equivalent to a potential deferral of P0.18 per kWh. These deferred charges will subsequently be billed on a staggered basis over three months starting March.

This is equivalent to an add-on of around P0.06 per kWh in the generation charge.

FDC reported 28% decline in income to P6.1b last year

By Jenniffer B. Austria FILINVEST Development Corp. of the Gotianun family said Thursday net income fell 28 percent in 2021 to P6.1 billion from a year ago on lower contribution from core banking and real estate businesses.

FDC said in a disclosure to the stock exchange consolidated revenues also dropped 13 percent.

“Our financial results in 2021 were mixed across our businesses resulting from the varying degrees of economic impact caused by the COVID-19 disruptions. We saw higher reservation sales in the residential business, particularly the affordable horizontal segment. However, volumes have not returned to pre-pandemic levels for most of the businesses by the end of 2021,” said FDC president and chief executive Josephine Gotianun-Yap. “Now that the economy has opened up and mobility restrictions have been lifted, we are looking forward to regain lost ground especially in banking, commercial leasing and hospitality,” said Gotianun-Yap. Banking unit EastWest Bank delivered a net income contribution to the group of P4.3 billion, or equivalent to 40 percent of the total profit. The figure, however, was 32 percent lower than P6.4 billion in 2020, on lower loan revenues and trading gains.

The property business contributed P4.2 billion to group’s net income, down by 18 percent from the previous year of P6 billion. This was largely due to the high base in 2020 brought about by the income recognition amounting to P2.4 billion by FAI in relation to the joint development of a prime property in Filinvest City, Alabang.

Revenues from the residential segment rose 14 percent to P12 billion, driven by the high reservation sales of the affordable and middle-income housing projects and construction progress.

Business February manufacturing output jumped by 84.3% M

By Julito G. Rada

ANUFACTURING grew faster in both volume and value in February, as the economic reopening boosted consumer and business confidence, data from the Philippine Statistics Authority show.

The PSA said the volume of production index expanded 84.3 percent in February from a year ago, faster than the 17.1-percent increase in January.

The VoPI in February 2021 dropped 43.9 percent.

It said the surge in VoPI was brought about by the positive growth rates of 19 industry divisions, led by the manufacture of coke and refined petroleum products with a 748.9-percent increase.

The remaining three industry divisions recorded decreases, led by manufacture of electrical equipment with 28.8-percent annual decline.

The value of production index also jumped 92.4 percent in February, pick-

ing up from the 21.8-percent expansion in January. In contrast, the VaPI fell 47.0 percent in February 2021.

Meanwhile, the value of net sales index maintained an upward trend, registering an annual increment of 20.7 percent in February and faster than the 17.6-percent increase in the previous month. In February 2021, VaNSI dropped 17.5 percent.

The volume of net sales also registered a year-on-year increase of 15.7 percent in February, from 13.0 percent in January. In February 2021, VoNSI went down by 12.6 percent.

Based on responding establishments, the average capacity utilization rate for the manufacturing sector improved to

69.0 percent in February from 68.3 percent in January.

Nearly all the industry divisions reported capacity utilization rates of more than 50 percent, except for manufacture of wood, bamboo, cane, rattan articles and related products (48.7 percent).

Among these, the top three industry divisions were manufacture of furniture (84.1 percent), manufacture of other non-metallic mineral products (80.5 percent) and manufacture of electrical equipment (76.8 percent).

The proportion of establishments that operated at full capacity (90 percent to 100 percent) represented 20 percent of the total number of responding establishments. Meanwhile, 36.8 percent operated at 70 to 89 percent capacity, while 43.2 percent operated below 70 percent capacity.

The Department of Trade and Industry said the greater mobility and effective implementation of health and safety protocols allowed the Philippine manufacturing sector to post one of the fastest growths in Southeast Asia.

PSE INDEX CLOSING Thursday, April 7, 2022

-183.23 PTS. 6,926.03

TOTAL VOLUME

920,277,571

TOTAL TRADES TOTAL VALUE (IN PHP) ADVANCES

79,359 6,411,638,483.94 33

DECLINES

139

UNCHANGED

52

F oreign E xchange R ate Bangko Sentral ng Pilipinas • THURSDAY, APRIL 7, 2022

Currency

Unit

US Dollar

Peso

United States

Dollar

1.000000

51.3860

Japan

Yen

0.008078

0.4151

UK

Pound

1.307000

67.1615

Hong Kong

Dollar

0.127592

6.5564

Switzerland

Franc

1.072271

55.0997

Canada

Dollar

0.797512

40.9810

Singapore

Dollar

0.735240

37.7810

Australia

Dollar

0.750900

38.5857

Bahrain

Dinar

2.652520

136.3024

Saudi Arabia

Rial

0.266603

13.6997

Brunei

Dollar

0.732547

37.6427

Indonesia

Rupiah

0.000070

0.0036

Thailand

Baht

0.029904

1.5366

UAE

Dirham

0.272287

13.9917

Euro

Euro

1.090000

56.0107

Korea

Won

0.000821

0.0422

China

Yuan

0.157262

8.0811

India

Rupee

0.013168

0.6767

Malaysia

Ringgit

0.237361

12.1970

New Zealand

Dollar

0.691800

35.5488

Taiwan

Dollar

0.034860

1.7913 Source: BSP

IN BRIEF MRACC Credit expands services

FINTECH lending company MRACC Credit Corp. expanded its loan services to address the urgent financial needs of the employees of partner companies.

QLO Cash Advance is the latest salary loan product, of Quick Loan Online, which issues employees a loan of a fraction of their monthly salary at 0-percent interest rate and payable within a short-term period.

“We continue to produce different loan offerings to provide our clients with flexibility and the peace of mind that in case of emergency, there is a fast and easy way to get credit without the hassle of too much paperwork,” said MRACC vice president Mary Ruth Oquendo.

“QLO Cash Advance is our special effort to make small loans available to employees who need it. Loans of small amounts should not have to go through tedious processes so we are very happy with this new offering,” she said.

The QLO Cash Advance amount ranges from P3,000 to P8,000. The product has 0-percent interest, and only has a one-time processing fee of low as P500, which will be deducted from the proceeds to be received by the borrower. The loan is settled conveniently through salary deduction.

Darwin G. Amojelar

Manila Water listed in LinkedIn’s top firms

Bangko Sentral ng Pilipinas Governor Benjamin Diokno (right) presents the new 1000-peso polymer banknote to President Rodrigo Roa Duterte (center) in a ceremony at Malacañang. Looking on is Finance Secretary Carlos Dominguez III. The Office of the President and the BSP Monetary Board approved the issuance of the new polymer banknote, which the BSP will release in phases starting April 18. The new banknote strengthens the BSP’s efforts to respond to pressing public health and safety concerns due to the COVID-19 pandemic, promote environmental sustainability and deter counterfeiting.

BSP to roll out new 1000-peso polymer banknotes this month

BANGKO Sentral ng Pilipinas Governor Benjamin Diokno said Thursday the bank will release the new 1000piso polymer banknotes this month.

Diokno said in an online briefing the banknotes, which would coexist with the current 1000-peso bills circulating in the financial system, would be available on April 18.

“Initially, they will be available over the counter... but [sooner] in about six months they will be available in ATMs,” Diokno said.

Diokno said banks should reconfigure their ATMs for this purpose, although it could not be done in a short period. “But the six months is the maximum [period for them to reconfigure their ATMs],” Diokno said.

Diokno and the rest of Monetary Board members on Wednesday pre-

sented the new 1000-peso polymer banknote to President Rodrigo Duterte in a ceremony at Malacañang.

The Office of the President and the Monetary Board approved the issuance of the new polymer banknote, which the BSP will release in phases, starting April 18.

Diokno said as the sole issuer of Philippine currency, and in line with best practices of central banks worldwide, the BSP periodically updates the material, design and security features of banknotes to ensure that they promote public well-being, be durable enough for longer-term use and incorporate the latest technology to prevent counterfeiting.

The new banknote strengthens the BSP’s efforts to respond to pressing public health and safety concerns due to the COVID-19 pandemic, promote

environmental sustainability and deter counterfeiting, he said.

Polymer bills can be sanitized with less risk of damage, making them a more hygienic alternative to paper banknotes. Scientific studies reviewed by the Department of Health found that in temperatures typical of tropical climates, viruses and bacteria survive for shorter periods on polymer compared to paper banknotes.

Studies conducted by other countries show that polymer banknotes have a smaller carbon footprint as their production requires less water, energy and other resources. Some countries reported that polymer banknotes last at least 2.5 times longer than paper banknotes, given their resistance to water, oil, dirt and general wear and tear. Julito G. Rada

MANILA Water ranked 7th on LinkedIn’s Top 2022 Companies in the Philippines for professionals to expand their careers, the second year the company made it to the list.

Manila Water president and chief executive Jocot de Dios said the water firm is proud of the recognition which strengthens its position as a company of choice among able professionals.

“We are grateful to get this affirmation from LinkedIn on the programs we do for the total well-being, development and career growth of our employees. Making it to this list during the pandemic years made it even more meaningful for us. It shows how the company is totally committed to give the best of what we can do help our employees stay healthy, safe and productive in this unprecedented period of their working lives,” de Dios said.

Manila Water corporate human resources group director Janine Tan-Carreon said the company launched meaningful programs centered on social, emotional, physical, psychological, career development and financial support to help employees cope with daily uncertainties at work and overcome the impact brought about by the pandemic.

Othel V. Campos

Cityland readies early One Premier turnover

CITYLAND, with a track record of completing its projects ahead of schedule, announced the early turnover of One Premier.

One Premier is strategically located at Alabang Premier, Km. 21 Alabang-Zapote Road, Almanza Uno in Las Piñas. It is a prime property conveniently located near various commercial and business centers such as Alabang Town Center, Festival Mall, SM Southmall, Landers, San Beda College and Asian Hospital , making it an ideal investment that is easy on the budget.

The 32-story commercial and residential condominium offer studio, one-bedroom and two-bedroom units that are available in cash or easy payment scheme on a firstcome, first-served basis.

Amenities like swimming pool, gym, playground, multi-purpose function room and viewing deck are provided for the enjoyment of valued clients.

Cityland, awarded as a leading condominium developer, remains steadfast to its motto, “we commit, we deliver.”

Vivant unit bags 225-MW La Union diesel plant THE provincial government of La Union awarded the ownership of the 225-megawatt Bauang diesel power plant to 1590 Energy Corp., a majority-owned subsidiary of Vivant Energy Corp.

It issued on April 6 the notice of award to 1590 EC, which offered the highest bid for the plant during the public auction following a post-qualification evaluation.

The sale will be concluded through a deed of transfer and conveyance that will be executed by the two parties to formally transfer the ownership of BDPP to 1590 EC. “We welcome this opportunity to solidify our commitment to be a partner in the continued development of both the province of La Union and the municipality of Bauang. We will invest further into BDPP to continue providing stable and reliable power to the grid,” said 1590 EC chairman Emil Andre Garcia.

The company has been operating and maintaining BDPP since 2010 under a lease contract with the provincial government.

BDPP, the largest bunker-fired power plant in terms of generating capacity, helped address the supply needs of the Luzon grid since the start of its commercial operations in 1995.

“While diesel-fired plants use fossil fuel technology, the speed at which they can be fired up supports the expansion of renewable energy in the total energy mix by providing fast-reacting ancillary power to support renewable energy expansion,” said 1590 EC president Mark Habana.

He said 1590 EC contributed to local government revenues and helped improve everyday living in the communities surrounding the plant and nearby municipalities.

Vivant Foundation and 1590 EC also contributed to uplifting public education in Bauang through the construction of classrooms and science laboratories.

The company also provided immediate relief assistance following natural calamities and support for the implementation of distance learning during the COVID-19 pandemic. Alena Mae S. Flores

CREDIT FACILITY. Pursuing its commitment to provide comprehensive financial opportunities to more Filipinos, the country’s leading consumer finance provider Home Credit Philippines signs a P7-billion two-year credit facility with the Union Bank of the Philippines. Attending the signing of the agreement are (by row, from left) UBP executive vice president Roberto Abastillas, HCPH chief executive David Minol, HC Group chief executive Jean Pascal Duvieusart, HCPH corporate treasurer Zdenek Jankovsky and UBP vice president Erika Sykat; and UBP senior executive vice president and treasurer Jose Emmanuel Hilado, UBP consultant Beatriz Romulo, business manager Honeylee Regala, relationship manager Mary Ann Claire Salazar and sales Director Jose Maria Roxas.

Sports

One-Armed Mamba becomes face of women’s cage league

By Randy Caluag

T

Kat Tan, the One-Armed Mamba, is an inspiration in the WNBL.

Bolts want to sustain momentum in Game 2

By Peter Atencio SUSTAINING the momentum they gained in Game 1 will be the next mission of the Meralco Bolts.

But the Bolts will have to work harder if they want to repeat their opening-game result in the PBA Governors’ Cup best-of-seven titular showdown against the Barangay Ginebra San Miguel Gin Kings on Friday at the Araneta Coliseum.

The match is set at 6 p.m., with the Bolts going for win no. 2 against the Gin Kings, something that they have not done in their part finals’ showdowns.

The Gin Kings are expected to come back stronger in their bid to equalize.

The Bolts have the momentum following their 104-91 victory in Game 1.

But the confidence of the Gin Kings will be high, considering that two of their players, Scottie Thompson and Justin Brownlee are candidates for the Best Player of the Conference and Best Import, respectively.

Thompson is shining with an average of 13.5 points per game, while Brownlee norms 30.3.

The Bolts won due to the balanced effort from Tony Bishop and local players, led by Allein Maliksi and Chris Newsome.

PBA commissioner Willie Marcial (third from left) and Andy Tsui (second from right), president of Leisure & Resorts World Corporation (LRWC), officially sealed the partnership between the PBA and BingoPlus with a handshake that follows the contract signing ceremony at the Smart Araneta Coliseum on Wednesday. Also in photo are Jo Francisco (extreme left) PBAPI head; Peter Antolin (second from left), director; Robert Lee (second from right), CEO and senior partner of Trout and Partners SEA and Jasper Vicencio (extreme right), president of AB Leisure Exponent, Inc. (ABLE).

Near-flawless backside run nets Superal 3-shot lead

Princess Superal checks the yardage on the par-3 No. 5 as LK Go looks on

SAN PEDRO, Laguna – Princess Superal used a nearimpeccable iron game at the back to fire a three-under 69 yesterday and drive a wedge between her and her pursuers heading to the final round of the ICTSI Hallow Ridge Ladies Challenge here.

Superal thwarted Chanelle Avaricio and amateur Lois Kaye Go’s challenge with a fine display of iron play and putting touch in the last nine holes of the Filipinas Golf Hallow Ridge, setting up birdies chances inside six feet which she made to break off a crowded leaderboard and seize a three-stroke lead at two-under 142.

Avaricio, who matched Superal’s opening 73 to share opening day honors Wednesday, fell by one with a frontside 37 then hit two birdies against a bogey at the back to save a 72 although she dropped three strokes behind at 145.

Go, just a shot off the joint leaders after 18 holes, reeled from a double-bogey mishap on the second hole but worked her way back into contention after a bogey on No. 5 with two birdies. She salvaged a 73 and remained at third at 147.

With the rest failing to mount a rally in moving day in the 54-hole championship organized by Pilipinas Golf Tournaments, Inc., Superal will practically have two rivals to shun to nail another victory after winning two in an abbreviated campaign on the Ladies Philippine Golf Tour last year.

“It will be a question of ball positioning,” said Superal, who

FRIDAY, APRIL 8, 2022

C1

Maroons nip Archers, stretch win streak to 4 ZAVIER Lucero took charge during University of the Philippines’ thrilling 61-59 win over De La Salle University in the UAAP Season 84 men’s basketball tournament, Thursday at the SM Mall of Asia Arena in Pasay City.

Lucero, a ‘two-and-through’ master’s student-athlete from Cal State Maritime Academy, pumped in 11 of his 21 points in the fourth quarter, including the go-ahead basket with 1:49 left.

Lucero, with the help of Joel Cagulangan, unleashed a 14-4 run to turn a 45-52 Fighting Maroons’ deficit to a 59-56 lead with 3:27 to go.

With 3.8 seconds remaining off the inbound, Green Archer Michael Phillips received the ball at the top of the key and drove to the basket but missed as time expired.

The Fighting Maroons zoomed to 5-1, running their winning streak to four games, while pulling the Green Archers down to 4-2 at the third spot.

“I felt halos buong game, maybe first hanggang third quarter, we struggled offensively,” said UP coach Goldwin Monteverde. “Good thing, especially in the fourth quarter, talagang nag-step up ang defense namin. I thought Carl (Tamayo) played really good defense against Baltazar in the fourth.”

Lucero added 14 rebounds including nine on the offensive end with two steals and a block.

Cagulangan had all his five points in that game-changing run to go with seven assists, five rebounds, and two steals against five turnovers.

Justine Baltazar and Evan Nelle tallied 13 points apiece for the Green Archers, with the former chipping in 10 rebounds.

The first round will conclude on Saturday with DLSU battling Adamson University at 1 p.m., while UP facing Far Eastern University at 7 p.m.

HE Women’s National Basketball League has picked a one-armed lady cager to become the league’s face and spokesperson in its effort to inspire more women in sports.

“It’s the ability that matters, not the disability,” the National Basketball League posted on its official page, naming Kat Tan as its women tourney’s ambassador.

“Kat is indeed an inspiration! She is a living proof that nothing is impossible indeed to those with selfwill,” the post added.

NBL Executive Vice President Rhose Montreal said Tan is “the perfect choice for the post”.

Montreal even quoted Tan: “I may not be a topranked player or the best player in my team, but when I play -- (it’s) all heart and dedication” Montreal added: “Your team name speaks of your talent.”

Interestingly, Tan played for team Limitless in the recent WNBL 3x3 Tournament. Her team, which connotes endless possibilities and without borders, was not among the top finishers, but Tan drew the admiration of peers and league officials.

“Sobrang galing,” said Montreal in describing Tan, who may not have churned out monster statistics to reflect an outstanding performance.

Tan just being there playing with her one shooting arm, competing with able players was enough for her to provide inspiration.

Tan admitted she admired the late Kobe Bryant of the Los Angeles Lakers, so she was nicknamed the One-Armed Mamba. She even met and played with Kobe, the Black Mamba when the NBA superstar visited the Philippines in 2016.

Tan lost her left arm following a carnival ride accident when she was 10 years old. The brave young girl that she was, her will remained strong as she worked even harder. Basketball became her turf as she made it to the varsity team of her school.

She continued to exude the same confidence in the recent WNBL 3x3, topped by Uratex Dream.

“Kat, you just don’t know how you inspired lady ballers including the younger generations! You have my utmost respect and it was indeed an honor having you in the WNBL. Continue chasing your dream,” added Montreal.

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

snapped a one-birdie, one-bogey game at the front with birdies on No. 10 from six feet, on No. 13 from eight feet, and on the 18th from four feet on a tough side-hill, downhill spot. “Hopefully, I make more putts tomorrow (today).”

Avaricio failed to cash in on her local knowledge of the upand-down layout but flashed resiliency after each stumble, birdying No. 7 after a bogey on the par-5 No. 6 for the second straight day, matching Superal’s birdie on the 10th after yielding a stroke on No. 8 and draining another birdie on the 17th after yielding a shot on No. 14.

“I struggled with my ball positioning, especially on the greens. I put myself mostly on the bad sides,” said Avaricio, seeking to nail a second LPGT diadem after dominating the Riviera-Couples leg by seven last November.

“It’s all about executing the shots,” said the former Alabama State U standout. “If the putts drop, then that’s it.”

Go, priming up for the SEA Games next month, had hoped to launch a big charge early but got stymied by a double-bogey miscue on the tough second hole. She dropped another stroke on the fifth but recovered to birdie the par-5 ninth then gained another stroke on No. 11 and rescued a couple of pars to stay in the hunt.

“I had kind of a rough start but I told myself to be composed and be patient and the birdies would come,” said the Cebuano ace. “They did, but I felt my game isn’t so consistent and had to make a couple of par-saves towards the end.”

Buntan: Premature to give Sundell shot at gold TO earn a crack at a ONE World Title, fighters must pay their dues, and Jackie Buntan believes she has done that.

She feels that’s not the case, though, with her opponent, Smilla Sundell, who she’ll battle for the inaugural ONE Women’s Strawweight Muay Thai World Title on Friday, April 22.

Buntan takes on teenage sensation in the co-main event of ONE: Eersel vs Sadikovic at the Singapore Indoor Stadium, a clash between two athletes with contrasting resumes.

While the American has racked up three victories, her Swedish foe made her ONE Super Series debut only in February.

“I have definitely been asked [about whether Sundell deserves to fight for the World Title], and I thought about this myself. And yes, one fight in the division or in the promotion and getting a title shot, I think it is a bit premature,” Buntan told ONEFC.com.

“But at the same time, our division is so new and staggered in terms of when these girls have competed.”

The 24-year-old, who traces her roots to the Philippines, didn’t expect to face the 17-year-old for the belt, as she feels others are more deserving.

“There are definitely a couple of other girls that I would assume would be able to have the title [shot], given they were able to fight more for ONE Championship versus just having one single fight,” the Boxing Works representative said.

Buntan burst onto the scene in 2021, scoring victories over Nat “Wondergirl” Jaroonsak, Ekaterina Vandaryeva, and Daniela Lopez, which made her one of the most visible competitors on the ONE roster last year.

Having worked hard to get to this point in her career, she wants to make the most out of her moment on center stage.

C2

Sports

FRIDAY, APRIL 8, 2022

Cool Smashers gun for sweep; Angels seek rubber match

Mercedes boss warns ‘no magic fix’ for Melbourne MELBOURNE—Lewis Hamilton’s hopes of winning a third Australian Grand Prix were handed a reality check by Mercedes boss Toto Wolff Thursday, who warned there was “no magic fix” to the problems plaguing his car.

The once-dominant Silver Arrows have fallen well short of Red Bull and Ferrari in the opening two races of the season following a series of design changes to comply with new regulations for the 2022 season.

A key problem has been porpoising —bouncing at high speed—and Mercedes have been working round the clock to remedy the issue at their British base since the Saudi Arabia Grand Prix two weeks ago.

But while Mercedes, who have won the last eight constructors’ world championships, are tipped to introduce a new rear wing in Melbourne, Wolff warned they still had a lot to do.

“We are in a learning race and the first two weekends have shown we still have plenty to learn,” he said.

“At the moment, our track performance is not meeting our own expectations, but everyone at Brackley and Brixworth is focused on understanding the problems and finding the right solutions.

“There won’t be a magic fix for the next race weekend, but we’re pushing to steadily bring gains over the upcoming races, to hopefully move us closer to the front of the pack.

“Until then, we need to maximise each opportunity and make the most of the package we have.”

At the opener in Bahrain, seventime world champion Hamilton finished third behind the Ferrari pair of Charles Leclerc and Carlos Sainz, but only after Red Bull’s Max Verstappen and Sergio Perez retired in the closing stages. Hamilton’s teammate George Russell was fourth.

In Saudi Arabia, Hamilton managed only 10th, while Russell fared a little better in fifth, but still considerably off the pace of the Ferraris and Red Bulls who filled the top four.

Despite the frustrations, Wolff praised his drivers’ patience.

“There are various challenges ahead of us, but that’s something we relish and is when a team really shows its true spirit,” he said. AFP

Games today

(Ynares Center, Antipolo) Presentation of awards 3 p.m. – Choco Mucho vs Cignal HD 6 p.m. – Cignal HD vs Petro Gazz

Rogen Ladon (left) unleashes a left hook against Po-Wei Tu of Chinese Taipei in their flyweight quarterfinal match in the Thailand Open International Boxing Tournament at the Angsana Laguna Phuket Resort Hotel in Thailand. Ladon easily won, 5-0, to secure at least a bronze medal and advance to the semis. (Thailand Boxing Association)

Ladon, 4 other PH pugs eye Thailand Open finals P

HUKET, THAILAND —Reigning Southeast Asian Games flyweight champion Rogen Ladon guns for at least a silver finish, even as four other Filipino boxers aim for the same in the 2022 Thailand Open International Boxing Tournament on Friday at the luxurious Angsana Laguna Phuket Resort Hotel here.

Ladon takes on hometown bet Thanarat Saengphet in the men’s fly semifinals scheduled as the opening match of the afternoon session starting at 1 p.m. (2 p.m. in Manila) while Ian Clark Bautista (men’s feather), Riza Pasuit (women’s light), Aira Villegas (women’s fly) and Hergie Bacyadan (women’s middle) face separate opponents.

The Asian Games and Asian Championships silver winner Ladon earned a bye to the quarterfinals, where he overwhelmed Po-Wei Tu of Chinese Taipei, 5-0, on Wednesday.

He now goes up against the 2021 AIBA World Championships bronze

medalist Saengphet who narrowly beat world title holder Saken Bibossinov of Kazakhstan through a 3-2 split decision.

Ladon, 28, is not taking the much younger Saengphet (19) lightly even though he already caught a glimpse of the Thai fighter’s potential as the two were sparring partners in the pre-tournament training camp held in Muak Lek District just outside Bangkok.

“Fifty-fifty ‘yung tsansang manalo.

Hindi natin matantya kasi nasa hometown ‘yung kalaban eh. Pagsikapan lang talaga makalusot. Siyempre hindi naman tayo magpapa-isa,” said the pride of Bago, Negros Occidental.

On the other hand, Bautista fought all the way from the preliminaries to the semis where he meets Nguyen Van Duong of Vietnam, a silver finisher in the 2019 SEA Games.

The SEA Games bronze medalist Bautista first demolished Cheng Wei Lee of Chinese Taipei, 5-0, then outclassed Alex Mukuka of New Zealand, 4-0, in the quarterfinals.

Pasuit, who captured a silver in the SEAG held in Manila almost three years ago, squares off against Punam Rawal of Nepal after battering Zann Chee Wai Yee of Singapore, 5-0, in the quarters.

SEAG bronze winner Villegas clashes against Nillada Meekon of Thailand following dominant 5-0 victories over Novita Sinadia of India and fellow PH campaigner Mary Sinadjan.

Young boxer Bacyadan, for her part, got a bye to the semis where she tests her mettle against Bhagyabati Kachari of India, who scored a 5-0 win against Pornnipa Chutee of Thailand.

CREAMLINE has toiled long and hard to reach a record sixth straight finals appearance in the V-League club era—and three sets away from nailing a fourth championship—and a third Open crown—coach Sherwin Meneses is virtually unburdened by the pressure that comes with accomplishing such a hard mission.

“We’re thankful that we got Game One. Winning it is a big deal because the pressure is now on the other side,” said Meneses after the Cool Smashers survived the Petro Gazz Angels’ gritty stand to hack out a 25-16, 23-25, 25-12, 32-30 victory in the opener of the Premier Volleyball League Open Conference title series at the packed MOA Arena late Wednesday.

Back in the same spot as they were last year, Meneses guaranteed a different ending this time.

“What happened last year was a lesson to us,” he said, referring to the league’s pro inaugurals in Iloilo Norte where they edged the Chery Tiggo Crossovers in five games in the opener of the best-of-three finals but dropped the next in four and lost the sudden death in an epic five-set thriller.

One thing going for the Cool Smashers as they set out for the clincher – and a rare sweep of the championship – is that Petro Gazz top hitter Grethcel Soltones remains a doubtful starter after the former San Sebastian ace sustained injury while trying to help anchor the Angels’ fightback in the fourth set.

“It’s a different game on Friday (today). We’ll have a new rotation, we are one player down but somebody must step up,” said Petro Gazz coach Jerry Yee, who, however, cited the Angels’ maturity that enabled them to measure up with the Cool Smashers in the series.

“The team is mature enough to fight.

If they give us a break, we’ll cash in on it,” added Yee, whose Angels blew four set points but saved a couple of match points before yielding in a protracted battle of wits and nerves.

Woods defies odds in quest for 6th Masters’ title AUGUSTA—Tiger Woods was poised to launch his boldest Masters bid yet on Thursday, a quarter-century after his 12-shot triumph at Augusta National heralded a new era in golf.

Then, the 21-year-old Woods cemented his superstar status with a record-setting victory that made him the youngest Masters winner, nabbing the first of his current 15 major titles.

His quest for No. 16 comes 14 months after Woods suffered career-threatening injuries to his lower right leg in a February 2021 single-car crash in California.

The 46-year-old, who has slumped to 973rd in the world rankings, couldn’t even confirm until Tuesday that he planned to tee it up, but make no mistake, Woods has his sights set on a record-equalling sixth Masters victory.

“I don’t show up to an event unless I think I can win it,” Woods said, expressing complete confidence in every aspect of his game.

The challenge will be simply walking the hilly, 7,510-yard Augusta National course

Choose wisely THE draw for the Men’s Under-23 Football tournament of the 31st Southeast Asian Games in Vietnam has placed the Philippines in a very difficult group, to say the least. The Azkals Development Team will have to face host Vietnam, Indonesia, Myanmar and Timor-Leste in Group A. The country needs to finish at least in the top of the group to advance to the knockout stage and hopefully win a medal for the first time in the games. But we are getting ahead of ourselves.

One thing is sure for now: The path to the knockout stage will be difficult.

Team manager Dan Palami, as always,

for four straight days.

“That’s going to be the challenge, and it’s going to be a challenge of a major marathon,” said Woods, who was unable to walk for months.

Woods tees off on Thursday at 10:34 am (14:34GMT) alongside South African Louis Oosthuizen and Chilean Joaquin Niemann.

Niemann, who won the Woods-hosted Genesis Invitational at Riviera in February, wasn’t born when Woods won his first Masters title in 1997.

But he’s among a raft of young golfers whose careers were inspired by Woods.

Scottie Scheffler, 25, arrived at Augusta ranked number one in the world after winning his first three US PGA Tour titles in the space of two months.

Spain’s US Open champion Jon Rahm, 27, can regain the number one ranking he ceded to Scheffler with a first Masters victory, one of five players who can supplant the American this week along with reigning British Open champion Collin Morikawa,

US PGA FedEx Cup champion Patrick Cantlay, rising Norwegian star Viktor Hovland and Aussie Cameron Smith.

Northern Ireland’s four-time major-winner Rory McIlroy will be trying for the eighth time to complete a career Grand Slam with

is optimistic the U-23 team will play their hearts out in the pitch to make a strong performance in the biennial games.

He said Enrique Linares will be flying to Manila within the next two weeks to join the ADT as they prepare for the SEA Games.

Despite the Azkals losing both friendlies in the 2022 TriNations Cup in Singapore, Linares’ overall performance has earned him a spot in the ADT. “He’s young, he’s got lots to learn but yeah, he’ll be part of the SEA Games squad. It will be good for him to go to the Philippines after his games with his club and train with the ADT already,” Palami said.

Linares currently plays for San Pedro in the Spanish Tercera Division RFEF. The fixtures in the league are still ongoing but Palami says they are trying to bring Linares as soon as possible.

“He will ask permission if he can go after the second last game of his club. I’m asking him to fly out early but he has to ask his club because they still have another game on the 24th. Hopefully, he can fly to Manila on the 18th.

Palami says he wants Linares to play for the ADT for a couple of games in the ongoing 2022 Copa PaulinoAlcantara.

Regarding the Ulaanbaatar, Mongolia qualifiers of the 2023 Asian Cup, the much anticipated debut of Gerrit Holtmann in an

Azkals’ jersey remains unknown.

Palami revealed that Holtmann will attend to a very personal matter on June 6.

“He is getting married on June 6 and we don’t want to get in the way. He is committed to play for the team. In fact, he wanted to fly out (for the TriNations Cup) except for the COVID protocols in Singapore,” Palami added.

The Malditas, or the Filipinas, if you prefer to follow the latest announcement of the Philippine Football Federation regarding the moniker of the national women’s football team, are in Australia for a month-long training as part of the build-up for the FIFA Women’s World Cup next year. They will face Fiji for a two game “friendlies.”

Just hoping that the fans’ uproar on the moniker change will not disrupt the team’s preparations.

The Malditas are also set to compete in the SEA Games and are in Group A with Cambodia, Indonesia and host Vietnam. Despite the tough draw, the Malditas are still riding the momentum of qualifying to the World Cup and this will come in handy in May. Speaking of handy, I recently bumped into former tennis standout Maia Balce. Balce is back in the country after finishing her studies at Fordham University in New York. She said tennis had a great impact on her life and

her pursuit of education. It allowed her not only to gain a scholarship to a prestigious university in the United States but also gave her opportunities to go to different places.

Moreover, tennis also gave her the discipline and the fortitude to overcome challenges on her way to earning a degree and more.

“My major is Journalism, minor Political Science and Communication Culture. And then I took my Master’s Degree in Public Media with a concentration in multi-platform journalism,” she revealed.

As a junior player, Balce had a career-best 304 ranking the International Tennis Federation in January 2016.

The last time she played in a local tournament was during the 34th Philippine Columbian Association in 2015 where she lost to Clarice Patrimonio in the finals. Her last competitive game was in April 2021 during the NCAA tournament in the United States.

Unlike the typical athlete, Balce is more on the success story side even if her career in tennis appears to be over now because she knew then that she has to think beyond the sport and prioritize her education at the same time for her future.

“I would definitely advise them to pursue both, not just tennis. Even if you are good in tennis but you don’t have good grades or if hindi mo kayang mag-oral ng maayos, bale-

a Masters victory, while defending champion Hideki Matsuyama of Japan is battling fitness concerns as he tries to join Jack Nicklaus, Nick Faldo and Woods as the only players to win back-to-back Masters titles.

Matsuyama tees off in the group after Woods at 10:45 a.m. Rahm tees off alongside Cantlay and Will Zalatoris at 1:41 p.m. (17:41GMT), followed by Hovland, in a group with Spieth and Tokyo Olympic champion Xander Schauffele, at 1:52. McIlroy is in the final group of the day alongside four-time major winner Brooks Koepka and England’s Matthew Fitzpatrick.

The action will official get underway at 7:40 when honorary starters Nicklaus, Gary Player and Tom Watson make the ceremonial first tee shots.

But all the focus is on Woods, and whether he can pull off the most miraculous comeback yet in a career marked as much by his gritty determination to defy pain as by his sublime skill. AFP wala rin galing mo sa tennis because hindi ka rin makakapasok sa schools or colleges. Or if you get injured, tapos hindi ka nakapag-aral.

There should be a balance, because education is very important,” she explained.

Right now, Balce is ready to explore other opportunities in life and moving away from tennis where she had been playing for the last 16 years of her life.

“I think I would rather do something else than this. Really. It was just, I think from the beginning even with my parents. It was so I can get a good education. I feel like, so far I don’t really miss it. Maybe sometimes,” she added.

Balce says she is hoping to start a career in Journalism here in the country. With her educational attainment, right attitude and experience in going through adversities, she can obviously do so.

Which brings us to the reality that when it comes to work, nothing beats having the right education, real-life experiences, the motivation to do well, the sincerity of giving your best and having the good character to prepare anyone for a higher calling.

Choose wisely.

Stay safe. Stay happy peeps!

For comments or questions, you can reach The Designated Kit Man at erel_cabatbat@ yahoo.com or follow his account at Twitter: @erelcabatbat

Entertainment

Nickie Wang,, Editor Patricia Taculao, Editorial Assistant E-mail: lifeandshow.manilastandard@gmail.com FRIDAY, MARCH 18, 2022

C3

Sexy star Cloe Barreto topbills new psycho-thriller

By Nickie Wang

(From left) Karl Medina, Cloe Barreto, Bobby Bonifacio Jr., and Quinn Carillo

SHOWBIZ newcomer Cloe Barreto turned emotional during the story conference for the film Tahan, a sexy psychological thriller to be directed by Bobby Bonifacio, Jr. Written by another sexy actress, Quinn Carillo, who is also part of the cast, the soon-to-be-made movie enlists Jaclyn Jose and JC Santos as main stars.

Completing the cast are Karl Medina, AJ Oteyza, Mac Cardona, Mercedes Cabral, EJ Salamante, Joseph San Jose, and Stiff Banzon.

“I’m just so overwhelmed that I was given this opportunity to act

alongside these big stars,” Chloe said in vernacular.

Still wiping her tears off her cheek, she jested, “Wait, sayang ang makeup.”

“I just can’t believe that I’ll have another big project. It only inspires me to give my best. I went through depression after my movie last year so I was away from the limelight. I didn’t think I would be given another chance to showcase my talent,” she added.

Cloe played the lead role in Joel Lamangan’s Silab, which premiered in July. The seasoned director had nothing but praises for her sensational performance as a young married woman.

Her majesty reigns supreme

By Patricia Taculao

I

Her professionalism also earned her the respect of some of the industry’s executives.

So it comes as no surprise that Cignal and TV5 recently awarded Maja with the distinction of “Majestic Superstar” as recognition for her passion and dedication to showbiz.

“Very thankful ako, grateful ako sa Cignal and TV5 family kasi simula umpisa, grabe ‘yong suporta talaga at pagpaparamdam sa akin na sobrang welcome talaga ako,” Maja said during the Her Majesty Reigns media conference held last April 5, Tuesday, at TV5’s Reliance Studio.

The newly proclaimed “Majestic Superstar” added that the secret behind her success in showbiz throughout the years comes from her passion for acting and towards those who supported her every step of the way.

Her long-term boyfriend, Rambo Nuñez Ortega, CEO of Crown Artist Management, also plays a significant role in Maja’s life by allowing her to

Maja Salvador is the country’s first and only Majestic Superstar

flourish and put her career first.

Maja is among the artists who entered the TV5 family just as the network was trying to rebuild its reputation for being a source of entertainment for Filipino audiences everywhere.

Cignal TV and TV5 CEO and President Robert Galang is happy to have Maja in the network, saying that she’s professional, easy to work with, and gives her all in any project they throw her way.

“Maja’s versatility as an actress, host, judge, and overall performer has made her a perfect fit for all the projects she has done for and with the network in the past year. We are honored and proud of all her achievements, and we look forward to seeing her transform yet again as she reinvents herself in the upcoming projects that she will be doing with us soon,” Galang shared.

Thanks to the professional relationship between Maja and the network, the award-winning actress signs anew with Cignal

Entertainment for a partnership that offers a lot of firsts in the new phase of her career as TV5’s prime star.

Presently, Maja is preparing for the grand finale of her record-breaking primetime series Niña Niño. The show recently celebrated its first anniversary as the most-watched primetime program produced by Cignal Entertainment.

Moreover, the show also received international recognition as it bagged top awards at the prestigious 2021 Asian Academy Creative Awards.

Niño Niña received the Best Drama Series award, while Maja took home the Best Actress of the Year award.

Niña Niño also joined Netflix Philippines’ roster in December 2021 and instantly became one of the most streamed Netflix programs, remaining on the Top 10 list several weeks after it launched.

Although the show is nearing its end, Cignal and TV5 have more in store for Maja. She’ll soon star in her firstever sitcom that’s guaranteed to show her versatility and comedic prowess.

Maja teased that she’ll be taking on the role of a performer in the upcoming sitcom. She’ll also be undergoing training in preparation for the role because she needs to be mentally, physically, and emotionally ready.

SMART Communications is introducing its watch-all-youcan promo for GigaPlay. Through this promo, subscribers can enjoy streaming exclusive content including the blockbuster shows from Korea’s top drama network tvN to all the sports action from the NBA, PBA, PVL, and UAAP real-time hardcourt action among other content - on the GigaPlay app without incurring data charges.

The GigaPlay app has been home to music and concerts enthusiasts with the exclusive live streaming of the iHeart Radio Music Festival and Jingle Ball, the 2021 American Music Awards, the Mnet Asian Music Awards, among others.

The app also offers original content featuring K stars Hyun Bin, Son Ye Jin Park Seo Jun, and Cha Eun-woo as well as Thai superstars Mario Maurer, Nonkul Chanon, and Gulf Kanawut.

GigaPlay also streams tvN, a popular cable network in South Korea known for airing the all-time best K dramas loved by all. Some of the most popular titles that currently air on the GigaPlay app via its tvN partnership include the 15th Anniversary Special Drama called Jirisan starring Jun Ji-hyun (My Love From The Star, Kingdom: Ashin of the North) and Ju Ji-hoon (Kingdom, Along With The Gods).

Other features include the top-rating series Military Prosecutor Doberman with Ahn Bo-hyun (Itaewon Class,

PEOPLE ...are not talking about

Anji Salvacion

The former Pinoy Big Brother housemate is making waves online and is quickly making a name for herself in showbiz. Her loyal fans and supporters are ecstatic to see her finally achieving her dreams with her first concert titled Feels: The Concert on April 30, Saturday.

Every artist knows that a solo concert, especially their first one, is a big deal in their career. In just three months, Anji proved that she has what it takes to be the next music artist of her generation.

‘Family Feud’

Ratings for the GMA-7 adaptation of the well-loved game show continue to skyrocket as audiences enjoy a good laugh from the contestants’ sometimes unorthodox answers to usual situations. Dingdong Dantes is also doing a great job in hosting the show by exhibiting his comedic side. After two years of lockdowns, it’s refreshing to see the public enjoy a game show that’s normal during pre-pandemic days.

Jojo Bragais

Credit goes where credit is due, but shoe designer Jojo Bragais didn’t receive any from Miss Universe 2018 Catriona Gray. The 28-year-old beauty queen failed to mention Bragais in her Instagram post featuring her newly unveiled wax figure at Madame Tussauds Singapore. His cryptic posts spoke volumes about his disappointment and how a simple tag or mention could’ve changed everything. Whether the omission was intentional or not, we should remember to give credit to artists and their works.

Beauty queens’ timeless beauty secret GETTING ready for that summerworthy look? iSkin beauty and wellness luxury center offers the latest and innovative aesthetic treatments that bring you the confidence, courage, and inspiration you need to be summerready, and thrive during life’s transitions. iSkin Aesthetic Lifestyle helps you get rid of all visible signs of stress and skin aging worsened by the effects of the pandemic. With iSkin, you’re one step away from that supple, firmer, and youthful skin radiating timeless beauty and perfection.

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Herlene Budol

We all know the feeling when we meet a celebrity heartthrob—we just can’t help ourselves from getting as much interaction with them. Yet, Herlene might have taken it a bit too far by sneaking a kiss from Alden Richards on a TikTok video. Alden appeared to be uncomfortable during the encounter, but it’s a good thing that Herlene quickly apologized for the awkwardness she caused. May this serve as a lesson for her to respect a person’s personal space, regardless of how good-looking they may be.

Descendants of the Sun) and City Girls on the Climb starring Lee Sun-bin (The Uncanny Counter).

While in the local scene, GigaPlay was first to premiere Love Is Color Blind top-billed by the Philippines’ hottest loveteam, Donny Pangilinan and Belle Mariano.

Aside from world-class entertainment, GigaPlay has also been the ultimate destination for sports enthusiasts.

The app has been popular among sports fans for streaming live NBA action via NBA TV Philippines.

It’s also the go-to live streaming app for subscribers to catch the PBA and the PBA 3x3, as well as the Japan B League, the National Basketball League (NBL), and the FIBA World Cup. GigaPlay is also the official digital streaming partner of the ongoing UAAP and is currently streaming Season 84’s basketball eliminations, as well as the UAAP Volleyball and Cheerdance competition.

Smart subscribers can easily download the GigaPlay app on the App Store or Google Play Store. To watch for free, users can connect their phone to Smart or TNT mobile data or PLDT Home WiFi while accessing the app, without incurring data charges.

The promo runs until July 15 only.

To know more about GigaPlay visit https://smart.com.ph/Pages/gigaplay.

GigaPlay also offers the 15th Anniversary Special Drama called ‘Jirisan’

(From left) Crown Artist Management Chief Operating Officer Mikki Gonzales, Cignal and TV5 President and CEO Robert P. Galang, Maja Salvador, and Crown Artist Management Chief Executive Officer Rambo N. Ortega

…are talking about

Cloe Barreto

Catch world-class entertainment with GigaPlay’s new promo

Maja Salvador earns new showbiz moniker; renews contract with TV5 N NEARLY two decades in the entertainment industry, multi-talented actress Maja Salvador proved she can do just about anything. Whether it’s performing a dance number, singing hit singles, or stirring the audience’s emotions with her acting, she’s not one to easily back down from a role.

In Tahan, on the other hand, Cloe plays Elisse, a sex worker who was thrown into the flesh trade at the early age of eleven.

“I can only relate to my character for working at an early age. I started joining modeling and beauty contests at 15, other than that we really don’t have something in common. So, it’s really a challenge getting into a character. It’s a challenge, especially for the director,” the aspiring star said of her character.

“Lahat ng gagawin ko dito ay character lang,” she clarified.

Tahan is produced by Janilyn Carillo of 3:16 Media Network with John Brian Diamante as co-producer.

The ambassadors of iSkin

Aesthetic Lifestyle was founded by the businesswoman, Kate Dionevic M. Pagkalinawan. iSkin holistic beauty and wellness luxury center, located at Fort Bonifacio, BGC, has been a major sponsor of national beauty pageants including Miss Universe-Philippines and Miss Earth Philippines.

The clinic’s roster of ambassadors includes actors Chanda Romero, Andrea del Rosario, Arlene Muhlach, Susan Africa, and Patrizia Garcia. Also part of the iSkin family are Miss Saigon stars Isay Alvarez and Robert Seña and also dance diva Regine Tolentino-Maristela.

With iSkin’s state-of-the-art technology and the finest in beauty science, glow and reveal your inner beauty and be the most beautiful you can be.

Life

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

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FRIDAY, APRIL 8, 2022

Paul Pablo proves he can Bryan is running for first nominee of Agimat party-list in the 2022 elections

Paul Pablo is the rising artist of Warner Music

Bryan (rightmost) is the eldest son of Senator Ramon Revilla Jr. (third from right) and Mayor Lani Mercado (third from left)

THE moment he walked into the restaurant for an interview, Davaobased singer-songwriter Paul Pablo gave off a balanced vibe of quiet confidence and shyness. The rising Warner Music recording artist was in Manila last week to promote the release of his latest single, “Kaya.”

This fifth track remains consistent with what Paul is known for - “hugotronic” sound – a distinct mix of melancholic and electronic pop music.

Clad in a skirt and long-sleeved top, Paul is strikingly unique and authentic. This observation resurfaced as we delved deeper into his personal story of wanting to represent the LGBT community well and keep his androgynous fashion style.

“My personal experiences serve as my guide,” Paul said in Filipino as he spoke about his inspiration in songwriting. “For me to feel whatever message I am trying to convey in a song.” He added wanting to bring to life not only those that connect to his soul but also ones others may find relatable.

Paul uses his personal experiences to fuel his inspiration in songwriting

Proving his claim right is his newly launched single and personal composition, “Kaya.” In the local language, the word means can or able to do something.

Paul explained Kaya through the s o n g ’s

Paul’s new song, ‘Kaya,’ reminds listeners to take things easy and achieve their goals slowly but surely

context. He said, ‘Kaya’ is about adulting.

I got inspired to tell my listeners that when there is too much on their plate, they need not feel bad about letting go of some that they can’t complete and prioritize what they can do.” Throughout

Have a delightful and cool Easter with this fashionable AXCS Plush Bunny wired and adjustable headphones

It’s Bryan’s turn the track, Paul Pablo reminds listeners to take things easy and carve their own paths.

Paul’s life is a series of evidence that anything is possible. With a career launched at the height of the pandemic, when live shows were temporarily put to a halt, the young artist powered through. His music began hitting the numbers, with “Bangin” reaching 1.2M streams, his other songs played over a million times collectively on Spotify, and raking in thousands of Youtube views. To add to that, Paul was also named Spotify Radar artist and is currently releasing “Kaya” exclusively on Apple Music Spatial Audio.

“I guess that it is really important that the people you work with let you express your ideas and creativity with freedom,” Paul emphasized, speaking from a place of gratitude. He added, “This helped me to stay true to my musical and artistic identity, and people from The Sound House, Warner Music PH, and BigseedX helped me embrace my uniqueness and let it take over my songs. I’d like to turn the pain of what I’ve been through in the past into something beautiful that would fuel me in times of struggle.

I hope this song will help people struggling with adulting to feel better.”

In parallel, Paul’s loving family, friends, and new recording label provided him with similar support.

With his powerful voice reaching more playlists and personal brand making stronger recall, I asked Paul if he is open to giving acting a try. His face brightened and his eyes lit up as he revealed, “That is my ultimate dream, but as of the moment, I still find acting difficult but I am very eager to learn.”

When someone from his team reminded him, “What you did in your Kaya video was acting,” Paul was quick to reply. His honest response was, “I was asked to give ‘More!

More!’ [during the shoot], I feel I still need to undergo workshops to enhance my acting skills.” With his consistent streak in making things happen and a display of passion and grit, crossing over to television or movies would just be a matter of time.

Without a doubt, Paul Pablo can.

B

RYAN Revilla wants nothing to do with the attention associated with him being the son of a popular actor and politician. For the longest time, despite having a family name, which is synonymous with power and fame, he preferred to work behind the scenes.

I met with 35-year-old Bryan on Tuesday. It was drizzling all day and the traffic situation was terrible. He arrived at the venue an hour before our scheduled meeting. For him, punctuality conveys that you are organized, and dependable, and you value everyone’s time.

Even before the staff at Super Sam – the restaurant on Scout Tobias that served as the venue for our intimate gathering – approached me for my order, Bryan had already transferred to my table. He greeted me with a smile and a fist bump.

Bryan is running as the first nominee of Agimat Partylist in the 2022 national elections. But our conversation started with his foray into filmmaking. For his first project, he helmed a documentary about his grandfather. It aired on GMA N e w s TV in 2020.

“It was a very

personal project. I wish I did it when he was still alive because I still had a lot of questions. Sayang, so from then on, whenever I have a goal, I really work on it immediately. I start working on it because we will never know when the time stops or when it’s game over,” he said.

The eldest son of Senator Ramon ‘Bong’ Revilla, Jr. and Mayor Lani Mercado said that it took a while for him to enter politics because he believes that it’s only now that he’s more prepared and well-equipped.

And just like his takeaway from directing his first documentary, he wouldn’t want to let this opportunity pass.

“I’ve been working behind the scenes, but this pandemic, with my parents’ effort to help our people around the country, I’ve kind of had a first-hand experience and got fully immersed in public service,” Bryan explained.

“There were so many considerations because if you’re running for a public office, you have to be mentally, spiritually, and physically prepared because it’s an act of selflessness,” he went on.

Bryan grew up in a political family.

His grandfather, the late action star, Ramon Revilla, Sr. served the Senate for 12 years. His father has been in politics for 26 years and has been a senator since 2004. His mother is the incumbent mayor of Bacoor, Cavite.

“We come from a lineage of public servants, from my grandfather, my

parents, my brother, my uncle, lahat naman sila subok na sa sebisyo.

People see what our family has done in Cavite, what Bacoor was compared to what it is now. That’s something I’m part of,” Bryan said of his family’s track record which he plans to bring to the table in case elected.

A graduate of Consular and Diplomatic Affairs in De La Salle College of Saint Benilde, Bryan says that more than the family’s political tradition, he believes that politics is his calling. He has been working in Bacoor’s rehabilitation program for drug surrenderees.

Meanwhile, talking about Agimat Partylist’s main agenda, Bryan said that their focus is economic recovery, workers’ assistance, and economic growth.

“At the moment, we are pushing na maisabatas ang Hazard Pay at Risk Allowance para sa public and private health care workers. Also, we had grassroots consultations with our constituents. There, we decided to expand the help that we are rendering to our countrymen who are in need,” he stated.

Just like his parents and grandfather, Arts, Entertainment, and Film Industry is part of his agenda.

“Kailangan may batas a kumakalinga sa mga manggagawa natin sa larangan ng kultura, sining at arte kapag panahon ng krisis at pandemya. We are all given the challenge to mature more and upgrade for our people. I want to provide this type of service or even improve it,” he ended.

Bryan Revilla (left) with his late grandfather Ramon Revilla Sr.

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To hug and to hold. Fluffy Kawaii Bunnies from Toy Kingdom

There’s a lot of egg-citement in Easter Egg Hunting with these colorful eggs, bucket, and a Peter Rabbit plush. Items are sold separately at Toy Kingdom