Manila Standard - 2022 April 18 - Monday

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BBM STILL TOPS OCTA’S APRIL SURVEY AT 57%, LENI AT 22% PRESIDENTIAL aspirant Ferdinand “Bongbong” Marcos Jr. continued to dominate the latest OCTA Research survey even as Vice President Leni Robredo posted her largest jump in her voters’ preference rating.

Marcos logged 57 percent preference votes out of the 1,200 respondents in the OCTA survey conducted from April 2 to 6.

The survey, with a ±3 percent margin of error, showed an increase from Marcos’ 55 percent preference votes in

February.

Robredo was at second place with 22 percent preference -- a seven percentage point jump from the 15 percent she recorded in February.

Broken down per region, Marcos has 35 percent preference votes in the National Capital Region, 66 percent in Balance Luzon, 56 percent in the Visayas region, and 50 percent in Mindanao.

Marcos was also the top choice among all socio-economic class.

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VOL. XXXVI • NO. 67 • 3 SECTIONS 12 PAGES • P18 • MONDAY, APRIL 18, 2022 • www.manilastandard.net • mst.daydesk@gmail.com

Isko dares Leni to withdraw Ping, Bert also blast VP camp for asking them to quit prexy race Robredo team tags quit call as ‘theatrics...of bluster and falsehood’

By Rio N. Araja THE camp of Vice President Leni Robredo on Sunday rejected calls by presidential bet Manila Mayor Francisco “Isko Moreno” Domagoso for her to withdraw from the race.

“With three weeks to

go before election day, we are at a time of great momentum for our People’s Campaign, and increasing clarity as regards which candidates can count on the people’s support when they enter voting booths on May 9,” Robredo’s spokesperson Barry Gutierrez said.

“From the start, it has been the prerogative of every candidate to continue till the end, the

same as it is the choice of a candidate to disregard surveys, rally attendance, endorsements, or any other conventional measure of support. We wish every candidate who decides to push through to the end, only the best,” he added.

The Manila mayor called on Robredo to Next page

NO WITHDRAWAL. Presidential candidates Manila City Mayor Francisco ‘Isko Moreno’ Domagoso, former National Security Adviser Norberto Gonzales, and Sen. Panfilo Lacson

show a signed copy of their joint statement during a press conference in Makati City on April 17, 2022. The three doused speculation they would withdraw from the race to improve the chances of Vice President Leni Robredo. Danny Pata

By Rey E. Requejo and Macon Ramos-Araneta

T

RAILING in third place in most opinion polls, presidential candidate Francisco “Isko Moreno” Domagoso on Sunday called on Vice President Leni Robredo, who is leading him, to withdraw from the race, saying she only ran to stop the Marcos family from returning to Malacañang.

In a press conference that also featured other presidential candidates Senator Panfilo Lacson and Norberto Gonzales, Domagoso offered himself as an alternative candidate to Filipinos who are tired of bickering and want “peace of mind”--then used a Marcos catchphrase, saying it was “time to move on.”

Senator Manny Pacquiao, according to Domagoso, had intended to sign their joint statement stating their decision not to withdraw from the presidential race, but the lawmaker did not make it to the press conference.

Moreno said Robredo should make “the supreme sacrifice” to beat frontrunner Ferdinand “Bongbong” Marcos Jr. in the presidential race.

“If there is a supreme sacrifice, the No. 2 (in the survey) should do [it]. Let Leni withdraw. Withdraw, Leni, if you love your country,” Domagoso said.

“Whatever you’re doing is not effective against the Marcoses,” he continued.

“Withdraw, come and join us. Can I still sub? Still sub. Maybe we can get three points, one of us,” he said, using a basketball metaphor.

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Prexy bets claim survey results ‘mind conditioning’ Lacson, Gonzales warn Marcos govt

By Joyce Pangco Pañares

THREE presidential aspirants have questioned the results of pre-election surveys, which they said have conditioned the minds of Filipinos that the May 9 polls is a two-way fight between Vice President Leni Robredo and former Senator Ferdi-

nand “Bongbong” Marcos Jr. Manila Mayor Francisco “Isko Moreno” Domagoso claimed they have “evidence” that the surveys have become “polluted.”

“Subject to verification, we can prove to you that the surveys have become polluted. We have evidence already on hand, and we are just verifying it,” he said, add-

ing his camp has already talked to people who conduct the survey on the ground.

“Pulse Asia and SWS may not know it because they are the ones analyzing, but the raw data they are getting, maybe, should be subjected to further study,” Domagoso said.

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Duterte on Easter raises hope for better days ahead EASTER BLESSING. Pope Francis touches a sculpture of the Virgin Mary and the Christ Child at the end of the Easter mass on April 17, 2022 at St. Peter’s square in The Vatican.

AFP

PRESIDENT Rodrigo Duterte, whose six-year term ends on June 30, is hopeful that Filipino Christians have renewed faith in the Lord and in each other amid the prevailing COVID-19 pandemic.

In his Easter Sunday message, Duterte enjoined Filipinos to remain optimistic.

“Let us be hopeful of better days ahead even as we continue to work hard for the brighter and more prosperous future that we aspire for ourselves and for future genera-

tions,” he said.

He said the nation has remained “strong and resilient” throughout the challenges in the past years because of the Filipinos’ firm hold on “the promise of salvation as professed by Jesus Christ”.

“The fulfillment of the Resurrection of the Lord therefore gives us hope and courage to never falter no matter how overwhelming the odds seemingly are,” Duterte said in a statement.

He said trust in the Lord and in each other was a sure way to overcome any challenge.

might face destabilization attempts

TWO presidential candidates – Sen. Panfilo Lacson and former Defense secretary Norberto Gonzales -warned that “destabilization” might occur in the country if former Sen. Ferdinand “Bongbong” Marcos Jr., the pre-election surveys front runner wins the presidential race.

Gonzales, a former National Security Adviser, said it is highly likely that a

Marcos administration will face destabilization attempts.

“Marcos has so many issues. This might lead to destabilization, and not necessarily just because the Number 2 of today will oppose Number 1 even after the elections,” he said.

Lacson, a former Philippine National Police chief, said it would be Next page

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BURST OF COLORS. Kids and kids-at-heart enjoy the indoor Easter displays and

decorations at SM Center Lemery in Batangas. SM malls nationwide have decked their activity centers and outdoor spaces with Easter eggs and bunnies for an EGGstra special family bonding day.

Agaton death toll rises to 172; estimated damage to agri, infra at P256.7m

By Maricel V. Cruz A TOTAL 172 people, 156 of whom from Eastern Visayas, have died from landslides and massive flooding caused by tropical storm Agaton, the National

Disaster Risk Reduction and Management Council said Sunday.

The NDRRMC also reported eight injuries from the storm, which affected 16 cities and towns which have been placed under a state of calamity, while

110 remained missing.

According to the NDRRMC, 207,572 individuals were still staying in 909 evacuation centers across affected areas.

Overall, 583,994 families or 2,015,643 individuals were affected by Agaton,

the report showed.

The NDRRMC also reported that Agaton left damage to agriculture and infrastructure amounting to over P249.8 million and P6.9 million, respectively.

Meanwhile, a congressional leader has reiterated his appeal for a “whole-of-nation approach” to mitigate the impact of climate change-driven natural disasters, following the devastation left by Agaton.

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MONDAY, APRIL 18, 2022

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Isko...

From A1 Domagoso, the standard bearer for the Aksyon Demokratiko, alleged that Robredo’s camp has been asking other candidates to step aside and support her fight against Marcos, the frontrunner in most opinion polls.

Marcos got the support of 56 percent of Pulse Asia’s March presidential survey respondents, followed by Robredo, who is backed by 24 percent. Domagoso ranks third with 8 percent; Senator Manny Pacquiao, 6 percent; and Lacson, 2 percent.

But Domagoso said he is the top second choice for president.

Gonzales, who had zero percent support from those surveyed by Pulse Asia last month, said the latest results suggest that the people are not in favor of the second-ranked contender to battle it out with the first placer.

Domagoso also suggested that voters are backing Marcos’ presidential bid only to ensure that the independent Robredo and the Liberal Party that supports her would not return to power after the 2022 national elections.

“Maybe they do not really like former senator Ferdinand Marcos Jr.,” he said in Filipino. “But they just picked him because they just hate the Yellow party so much,” referring to the Liberals.

Domagoso cited the loss of opposition slate “Otso Diretso” in the 2019

midterm elections where none of the candidates bagged a Senate seat despite an endorsement from Robredo.

“The Otso Diretso was flushed down the toilet... Perhaps people are flocking toward the former senator Ferdinand Marcos Jr. because of so much anger against the yellow-pink.”

Domagoso also slammed Robredo’s camp and supporters for supposedly urging him to make the “supreme sacrifice” and pull out of the race.

But Lacson made it clear he was not urging anyone to withdraw from the race, and said he would certainly not pull out.

He also said he found it hard to believe that more than half of Filipino voters were solid supporters of Marcos, since several issues rooted in the dictatorship of the late President Ferdinand Marcos Sr. remain unresolved decades after he was ousted from Malacañang.

“We still hear from our people the pains of martial law, especially those who have yet to receive their compensation,” Lacson said in Filipino.

All of the presidential candidates at the press conference said they were determined to finish the race.

They also vowed to unite and serve the government whoever among them would emerge victorious in the upcoming polls.

Lacson said they had to pursue unification to show to the people that there are other options for the presidency aside from Marcos and Robredo.

“There are not just two options. Actu-

ally, there are others running,” he said.

“Our experiences are the same. Some wanted to strip Mayor Isko and I of our supporters and our support groups,” he said.

Partido Reporma had initially adopted Lacson as its standard bearer, but he resigned from the party when its president, Pantaleon Alvarez, shifted his support to Robredo last month.

In their joint statement, Domagoso, Lacson and Gonzales vowed to join forces to fight any act to distort the real decision of the people or that would limit the people’s choices.

Lacson committed to fight moves by some sectors to subvert democracy by “convincing” him and some of his fellow presidential bets to withdraw from the race.

He said he was not alone in getting feelers to withdraw from the presidential race in exchange for financial and other considerations.

“In so many words, what is this? This is an attempt to subvert the will of the electorate even before Election Day,” he said at the press conference.

“That is the essence of our press conference--and a warning against those concerned against subverting the will of the electorate because we’ll stand up as one,” he added.

“We’re emphasizing this morning that nobody will withdraw. We’ll go all the way until May 9, come what may. Let’s not buy their propaganda no matter how foul and below the belt,” Lacson said.

Lacson, who earlier named former Qu-

ezon City mayor Brigido “Jun” Simon Jr. as approaching him to withdraw in favor of Robredo, said he learned from Gonzales that he had a similar experience.

Lacson also noted he and other candidates including Domagoso, were being “stripped” of their supporters by the same camp.

Lacson’s vice presidential bet, Senate President Vicente Sotto III, said he is supporting Lacson, Domagoso and Gonzales.

“I fully support the stand they are making on this,” he said.

Domagoso said Senator Manny Pacquiao will supposedly sign the joint statement, but he was still on the way to Manila from General Santos City at the time of the press conference.

Domagoso and Lacson also attacked Robredo as someone who “cannot be trusted,” saying they were “fooled” into believing that she wanted to unite the opposition and that she had no interest in seeking the country’s top post.

“I was also fooled in the face by the Vice President. She said to my face, 1,000 times, that she will not run for president,” Domagoso said.

Lacson said he experienced the same treatment before the filing of candidacies in October 2021.

“The first meeting, the concept, beautiful, unification. So I took a bite,” he said.

Lacson said he initially suggested to Robredo to consider taking Senate President Vicente Sotto III as her vice presidential candidate, but the idea was rejected.

Robredo...

From A1 pull out from the presidential race, saying she ran only because she wanted to prevent the Marcos clan from returning to Malacañang.

But Gutierrez dismissed assertions “made through bluster and falsehood.”

“Who benefits from such theatrics?

What is best for the Filipino people? Perhaps, silence would have had more depth; at the very least, it would exhibit less selfentitlement, fragility, and toxicity,” he said.

“We are thankful that the alignments have been made even clearer. And we remain focused on showing our people that a Robredo presidency will mean a victory for all Filipinos,” he said.

Senator Risa Hontiveros, who is running for re-election under Robredo’s slate, called the press conference of presidential candidates “a triumph of macho egos and a tragedy of political and common sense.”

Faced with the prospect of another Marcos capturing the presidency, she said the call for so-called unity among the candidates to finish the presidential race was myopic.

With 22 days left before the election, Hontiveros said she hoped that the presidential candidates will see the forest and not just the trees, and defend the nation’s interests far beyond their “oversized egos and fragile skins.”

Agaton...

From A1

BONDING TIME. Customers take a selfie under a canopy of colorful umbrellas along the walkway of a restaurant in Angeles City in Pampanga on Sunday. Norman Cruz

Lacson...

Prexy...

From A1

best if the next president is someone who can “unite the country” after a polarizing election.

“We do not want Marcos to win because his administration will only face destabilization -- there will be continuing destabilization in the country,” Lacson said.

“We are tired of destabilization. Maybe it’s time to choose an alternative who can really and genuinely unite our people, one who is color-blind.”

“We want to offer ourselves. For the sake of the country, and for the sake of the peace and quiet we all aspire for, the voters should choose not either one of the two,” the senator added.

The 64-year-old Marcos, who has consistently topped the pre-election surveys since the campaign started in February, had no comment on the projections of his presidential opponents.

For his part, Manila Mayor Francisco “Isko Moreno” Domagoso said Marcos’ strong showing in pre-election surveys might be a reflection of people’s disdain of what he called “pinklawan” -- a portmanteau of pink, the color of Vice President Leni Robredo, and dilawan or yellow, the color of the Liberal Party.

“Maybe we should also ask the Vice President -- why is it that she appears to be ashamed of the yellows that is why she ran as an independent candidate?” Domagoso said.

“Let us stop this fight between the yellows and the reds. The election is not just about two families fighting it out,” he added.

Former National Security Adviser Norberto Gonzales said the house-tohouse surveys have been “outsourced.”

“The problem is there is only one firm doing the actual survey and so the respondents come from the same population. That is why the results are almost the same,” he said.

He said survey firms have also excluded respondents from the socio-economic class AB. Pulse Asia president Ronald Holmes earlier said none of their randomly selected respondents could be classified as belonging to Class AB. Gated communities, including subdivisions and condominiums, are more difficult to access especially amid the pandemic, making it harder to reach potential AB respondents, Holmes said.

Senator Panfilo “Ping” Lacson, for his part, said he found it impossible for more than half of the voters to be supportive of Marcos.

“I cannot believe, for the life of me,

From A1

Duterte...

From A1 “May this occasion give us much reason to thank the Almighty and have faith -- in each other and in the Lord -- so that we may stand brave and united in our journey as a people,” he added.

Over the weekend, Duterte conducted

that 50 percent [of Filipinos] are loyalists. The dark legacy of Martial Law is still there,” he said.

Lacson said Marcos’ wide lead in recent surveys may have been propped up by a “negative attitude” toward Robredo.

“The psyche of Filipinos is to lean toward who’s winning. That’s why we are here, to remind the people that there are other candidates running – equally qualified and competent, if not more qualified and competent,” Lacson added.

Meanwhile, PUBLiCUS Asia said based on its latest survey, some three out of four respondents to its March 30 to April 6, 2022 pre-election survey said they were unlikely to change their choice for president before May 9, suggesting high levels of vote firmness.

Respondents to the Pahayag 2022 First Quarter Survey who selected a candidate for president were asked to choose among five options that may best describe the likelihood of changing their vote.

At least 64 percent said they would “definitely not change” their vote, while another 13 percent said they will “likely

not change” their vote. Only 16 percent said they “may or may not” change their presidential vote and one percent said they would “likely change” their choice for president.

“Vote firmness measures the elasticity of a candidate’s vote share by gauging the likelihood of his or her supporters switching allegiances to another candidate. Voters who say they would definitely not change, or likely not change, their vote are considered ‘firm voters’ who form the floor of a candidate’s support. In other words, the proportion of firm voters indicates the candidate’s hardcore base of support that is unlikely to be swayed or converted by other candidates,” said Aureli Sinsuat, Executive Director of PUBLiCUS. Marcos notched the largest proportion of firm voters in the PUBLiCUS survey. At least 88 percent of respondents who indicated Marcos as their choice for president said they would definitely not change or likely not change their vote.

Robredo also enjoyed relatively high firm voter support, with 79 percent of her voters saying they would definitely or likely not change their vote.

aerial inspections in Baybay City, Leyte and Capiz province and led the distribution of assistance to families affected by Tropical Depression Agaton.

He guaranteed that he would use his last days in office to ensure that shelter aid would be given to the victims.

Duterte also appealed for patience and understanding from affected families with damaged houses, as he admitted that it would take some time to grant

the assistance to rebuild.

The 77-year-old Duterte also expressed optimism that the next administration would be “much better” in addressing the problems that continue to confront the country.

He also hopes that his campaign against illegal drugs and communist insurgency would be continued by his successor.

Nevertheless, he ensured that the

“The devastation will impact heavily on communities and fellow Filipinos still struggling to recover from the pandemic. It is imperative that the concerned national government agencies act with haste, and address the most pressing needs of the residents namely, food, water, and shelter,” Quezon City Rep. Alfred Vargas, the House Committee on Social Services chairperson, said in a statement.

But Vargas said the impact of Agaton and super-typhoon Odette should be seen as a wakeup call.

“The destruction left behind by these two natural calamities underscores the havoc that comes as a result of unmitigated climate change,” Vargas, brother of Michael Vargas who will run for congressman in the 5th district of Quezon City.

“Once again, I call for a national response to climate change that involves not only the national government and the local governments, but also the private sector and the public. Each of us shares not only in the burden, but the responsibility to face this challenge head on,” he added.

In a resolution, Vargas said while agencies such as the Department of Social Welfare and Development have swiftly provided aid to affected families, “much more needs to be done to assuage the sorrow of our fellow Filipinos and to meaningfully provide aid during these situations of personal and community crisis.”

He said “community, social, and economic recovery efforts” should be started at the earliest time possible, especially to help farmers and fisherfolk whose livelihoods have been entirely wiped out by Agaton.

Vargas said his proposed “whole-ofnation and whole-of-society” approach in meeting the challenges of climate change “must consider accelerating financing for disaster risk reduction, ensuring that public investments are risk-informed and addressing resilience needs of infrastructures in our communities.”

BBM...

From A1 Robredo, on the other hand, recorded a 35 percent preference rating in the National Capital Region, 21 percent in Balance Luzon, 23 percent in the Visayas, and 23 percent in Mindanao.

At third place was Manila City Mayor Francisco “Isko Moreno” Domagoso at 9 percent, slightly lower than his 11 percent in February; followed by Senator Manny Pacquiao with 7 percent, down from 10 percent; and Senator Panfilo “Ping” Lacson with 4 percent, slightly higher than his 3 percent in February. fight against drug offenders and communist rebels would be relentless until he steps down from office on June 30.

“I hope and I pray that the next administration will be better than mine in all aspects. I am praying for that for my fellow countrymen,” Duterte said during his visit to the Pontevedra Elementary School that has been transformed into an evacuation center in Capiz.

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MONDAY, APRIL 18, 2022 mst.daydesk@gmail.com

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Think tank: Next President should rectify policy gaffes

KIDS AND EASTER BUNNIES. After a weeklong lull on account of the Holy Week, the kids are having a field day with colorful Easter Bunnies at the McKinley Hill’s in Bonifacio Global City’s Eastwood Mall Open Park, in Taguig City where they spent Easter Sunday with their parents. Danny Pata

A PROMINENT academician has said the next President of the Philippines should “craft a responsive and strategic foreign policy to reverse the losses caused by the flippant policy of the current administration, and strengthen linkages with like-minded states to counter the threat from China and other traditional and non-traditional security challenges.”

Professor Victor Andres “Dindo” Manhit, president and CEO of think tank Stratbase ADR Institute, made this suggestion in his paper entitled “A Responsive and Strategic Foreign Policy Outlook in an Interconnected and Multipolar World.”

The research was introduced during a virtual forum, organized in coordination with Bower Group Asia (BGA), held on April 5, 2022 to coincide with the book launch of international policy expert Dr. Prashanth Parameswaran, Deputy Head of Research for BGA. “The new foreign policy that needs to be crafted needs to prioritize the country’s national sovereignty, territorial integrity, and developmental interests,” Manhit stressed.

“At the same time, as part of an intercon-

BIR told: Define ‘unrelated activities’

By Maricel V. Cruz

A

LBAY Rep. Joey Sarte Salcedo has urged the Bureau of Internal Revenue (BIR) to clearly define the term “unrelated activities” under its revenue regulations to ensure that affected taxpayers “would not suffer from tax uncertainty.”

Salceda, chairman of the powerful Committee on Ways and Means, said under the BIR’s Regulation 3-2022, the regular corporate income tax rate of 25 percent “shall be imposed on the entire taxable income of the institutions … if their gross income from unrelated trade, business or other activity … exceeds fifty percent (50 percent) of the total gross income they derived from all sources.”

Salceda said clarifying the meaning of “unrelated trade, business or other activity” would avoid confusion and help ensure that schools and hospitals toe the line.”

“I think it’s better if we prevent confusion by clarifying what that means and providing examples of those activities,” the Bicolano lawmaker said.

“For example, is selling a PE (physical education)

Villar urges gov’t: Protect farmers, stop smuggling of agri products WITH imported agricultural products flooding the local market, Sen. Cynthia Villar renewed her call to protect the farmers and run after the smugglers of agricultural products who appeared to be “untouchable.”

Villar, chairperson of the Senate committee on agriculture and food, urged the government to strictly implement the Anti-Agricultural Smuggling Law of 2016 (Republic Act No. 10845).

She said the law provides harsher penalties to serve as a deterrent to smuggling activities. She said violators will face a penalty of life imprisonment and a fine of twice the market value of the smuggled agricultural product and the aggregate amount of the taxes, duties and other charges avoided.

The law, Villar said, also Intends to protect and promote the productivity of the agriculture sector and the farmers from corrupt traders and importers linked to the perennial problem of smuggling in the agriculture sector.”

She cited the policy of the State to advance and safeguard the agriculture sector from unscrupulous individuals or dummy corporations, who by the sheer volume of their illegal importation of agricultural products, significantly affect the production, availability of supply, and stability of prices.”

She stressed that the illegal importation of agricultural products has been inimical to the production and accessibility of food supply and steadiness of their cost. It also threatened the country’s food security.

“This problem of rampant smuggling also continues to undermine the country’s ability to attain food self-sufficiency,” Villar said.

“The “never-ending” entry of smuggled products into our market effectively manipulates the prices of agricultural products by lowering them down, and adversely affects the income and livelihood of food producers especially our farmers who belong to the country’s poorest sector,” she added. Macon Ramos-Araneta

shirt for related PE classes unrelated business activities? What about varsity merchandise? What about revenues from sponsorships for their school teams?

I think we have to be clearer so they know what to avoid,” Salceda explained.

According to him, citing specific cases that the BIR would consider “unrelated” is a good way to prevent litigation and tax uncertainty.

“It would also prevent arbitrary actions on the part of BIR agents,” Salceda noted.

“Generally, the clearer the test for “unrelated activities,” the better,” he said.

Salceda also said he would work with the BIR to make sure that the definition “is consistent with prudent tax policy as well as the experience of private schools and hospitals.”

Salceda is the principal author of Republic Act 11635, which clarified the tax regime for pro-

prietary schools and hospitals. Private schools touted the measure as a way to provide relief to these educational institutions and help keep tuition lower.

“Tax clarity is the clear next step after that law. I will work with the BIR and the private schools on the matter. I particularly want to know what business activities of these schools were counted as unrelated in the past, and I want to know what the gray areas are so that we can figure them out with the tax authorities,” Salceda said.

“We have to take these steps so that we can prevent conflict and litigation. The faster and smoother tax collection is, with little dispute between taxpayers and tax authorities, the better for economic recovery,” he stressed.

“We should consider an omnibus compendium of what constitutes related and unrelated business activities for hospitals and schools. That would make the work of tax practitioners, tax assessors, and other parties involved in the tax collection process easier,” he said.

“Tax conflict always arises out of tax uncertainty.

The result is always bad for everyone concerned.

The people don’t get taxes on time. The parties pay for litigation costs. And tax still has to be paid anyway,” Salceda added.

A fireman trains his hose on the cargo vessel MV General Romulo which caught fire on Sunday morning off Talisay City, Cebu, killing the ship’s chief engineer and injuring three other crewmen.

Cause of the blaze is still unknown.

Philippine Coast Guard

Villanueva cautions MMDA on modified UVVRP SEN. Joel Villanueva has cautioned the Metro Manila Development Authority (MMDA) on its plan to implement a drastically modified Unified Vehicle Volume Reduction Program (UVVRP), also called number coding scheme, saying it might have adverse impacts on the economy and the people’s way of life.

“People want to go back to work as we are reopening the economy.

The MMDA should make it clear with the Metro Manila Council that the modified coding scheme won’t be at the detriment of commuting workers and economic rejuvenation,” Villanueva said.

The senator was reacting to a social media post on April 9 by the MMDA pertaining to its modified number coding scheme in a bid to get the public pulse on the issue.

While the MMDA said it has consulted with government and transport groups on the proposed modified plan to solve traffic in Metro Manila, Villanueva said the agency should make sure the proposals address the recommendations of the

IN BRIEF BARMM sets special vaccination days THE Bangsamoro regional government has scheduled special COVID-19 vaccination days next month in a bid to broaden inoculation coverage, a local health official announced on Sunday.

“We will have our Bayanihan, Bakunahan exclusively here in the BARMM (Bangsamoro Autonomous Region in Muslim Mindanao),” said Dr. Amirel Usman, director general of the Bangsamoro Ministry of Health.

Usman said local officials are eyeing to give the jab to 215,776 people during the special vaccination days, which will be held in Basilan (May 11-13, May 16-18); Lanao del Sur (May 16-20); Maguindanao (May 17-19); Sulu (May 11-13); Tawi-Tawi (May 18-20); Marawi City (May 5-7); and Lamitan City (May 11-13).

Thus far, the BARMM has chalked up a total of 959,694 people fully vaccinated in the Bangsamoro region, representing 28 percent of the target population, Usman said.

Usman said they have sufficient supply of vaccines in the region, citing hesitancy among the residents as the main reason for the low coverage. “(Our problem is really hesitancy... especially among those living in remote areas and the so-called geographically isolated and disadvantaged areas.),” he said.

But Usman said the government has intensified its information drive to combat vaccine disinformation. Willie Casas

Lawyer, doctor nix pediatric vax

CARGO SHIP ON FIRE.

By Macon Ramos-Araneta

nected and networked international society, this more responsive and strategic foreign policy will effectively contribute to ongoing efforts to collectively manage global and regional issues,” he added.

Manhit underscored that “fostering multilateral and strategic partnerships is imperative if the Philippines is to recover from the consequences of the current administration’s foreign policy decisions and be rightly aligned with the growing global alliance advancing a free and open Indo-Pacific.”

These issues, according to him, included matters pertaining to the international political economy, geopolitical shifts, rising inequality, and political instabilities that complicate global risks, he said.

Manhit noted that hese have resulted in a multi-faceted and unpredictable geopolitical backdrop, especially in the IndoPacific region.

He acknowledged that the United States, of course, remains a primary ally of the Philippines, and is key to rallying support from the international community to counter China’s continued aggression in disputed waters.

economic managers on what would be the its effects on businesses and the workers.

“Traffic congestion does have adverse effects on the economy and the lives of everyone on the road,” Villanueva said.

He noted the MMDA should study if the 20 percent, 40 percent, or 50 percent volume reduction of vehicles in Metro Manila has a net positive impact on the economy.

The senator added that the proposed modified scheme should go hand-in- hand with an improved public transportation system. “Better public transportation services and alternatives should be offered if we are to reduce traffic congestion.”

The senator also reminded businesses and the government to fully implement the Telecommuting or Work From Home Law, especially in areas with severe traffic congestion.

“Until we can find a clear solution to our traffic and transport problem, alternative working arrangements remain viable options for workers and businesses,” he said.

Republic Act No. 11165, also known as the Telecommuting Act

or the Work From Home Law which Villanueva authored and sponsored, enables employers to offer alternative work arrangement options to their employees. The law allows both employers and employees to mutually agree on terms and conditions for the alternative working arrangement, which should not be less than the minimum labor standards set by law.

“A lot of time is being wasted because of traffic. Instead of our workers being productive, they are stuck for two to three hours or more every day on the road just to get to work and back home,” Villanueva said.

“We need a traffic and transportation scheme that puts life back in livelihood,” he added.

In 2018, the Japan International Cooperation Agency reported that the economic cost of transportation in Metro Manila is at P3.5 billion a day, which was estimated to increase to P5.4 billion a day by 2035.

The economic cost of transportation refers to vehicle operating cost (e.g. wasted fuel) and the time spent by drivers and passengers on the road.

A QUEZON City trial court has ordered a physician and a lawyer to testify on why they allegedly tried to stop the COVID-19 vaccination on children aged five to 11 years old.

Dr. Benigno Agbayani Jr. of the Concerned Doctors and Citizens of the Philippines and the Manila Doctor’s Hospital expressed belief that the pandemic is about to end and there was no need to rush the vaccination of children 5-11 years old.

Revelyn Dacpano, Public Attorney’s OfficeNational Capital Region director, cross-examined Agbayani, asking the physician about his advocacy expressed when he was invited as a resource person in a congressional inquiry.

Agbayani indicated that he was against “mandatory or coerced” vaccines, unless the vaccines are proven truly safe and efficacious and vetted by long-term and independent studies.”

“I respectfully pray before this Honorable Court to order the stop of the inoculation of children, considering that the COVID-19 vaccine is only experimental. The presence of innate immunity in a younger Philippine population and considering that they also don’t smoke, drink alcohol and rarely lack exercise and sleep, there is no need to rush their inoculation until after its safety and efficacy has been duly established and proven,” Agbayani told Regional Trial Court Judge Maria Cherell Sansaet. Rio N. Araja

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MONDAY, APRIL 18, 2022

News

‘SALUBONG’ IN QUIAPO CHURCH. Devotees attend the traditional “salubong” to mark Easter, the feast of Christ’s resurrection, at the Quiapo

Church on Sunday. Norman Cruz

Leni resumes poll campaign; to visit Quezon PRESIDENTIAL candidate Vice President Leni Robredo will resume her campaign sorties on Monday with backto-back events in Quezon province and Marinduque.

In Quezon, Robredo will be feted by her supporters and would reconnect with beneficiaries of her poverty alleviation programs.

In Infanta, Robredo’s supporters organized the REINAgkakaisa people’s rally which will feature performances

by Rivermaya and other artists. Joining them are representatives of the Dumagat tribe and coconut and palay farmers from the towns of Real, Infanta, and General Nakar, also known as REINA. The early morning rally will start at 7am at the Infanta Government Service Complex.

Robredo’s next stop will be in Pollilo Island where she will hold a multisectoral assembly where they would hear a message from Teresa Puchero, a beneficiary of the medical assistance program of the Office of the Vice President (OVP).

In Marinduque, the youth and senior citizens would be teaming up for Robredo.

Palace urged to provide security for Marcos Jr. WITH the May 9 elections only three weeks away, Malacañang should consider offering a Presidential Security Group (PSG) team to former Sen. Ferdinand “Bongbong” Marcos Jr., who is widely favored by voters to become the country’s next chief executive, Rep. Michael “Mike” Defensor (Anakalusugan) said on Sunday.

“Of all the major presidential candidates, only Bongbong does not have any personal protection extended by the government because he is not a current officeholder,” Defensor, who is Marcos Jr.’s anointed candidate for Quezon City mayor, said in a statement on Sunday.

“The problem with our setup here is that if you are not an incumbent official and you run for president or vice president, you have no government protection at all, unlike in the United States,” Defensor said.

“In America, all presidential and vicepresidential candidates –whether they are current officeholders or not – are automatically safeguarded by the U.S. Secret Service, the same agency defending their sitting president against potential harm or attack,” Defensor said.

Although Marcos Jr. previously served as a senator for six years and as Ilocos Norte governor for nine years, he is not a current officeholder.

“We are not worried about presidential candidate Leni Robredo’s personal safety because she already enjoys official protection as the sitting vice president,” Defensor said.

Ping seeks purge of corrupt officials if he wins on May 9

By Macon RamosAraneta

PRESIDENTIAL candidate Panfilo Lacson on Sunday reiterated his plan to apply the same methods he used when he was chief of the Philippine National Police (PNP) to separate good public officials from the rotten ones.

The move, he said, will radically purge the culture of corruption in the bureaucracy under his administration.

To achieve this, Lacson said he would impress upon his future subordinates the same “leadership by example” principle that he had been holding on to since he started his public service career from his days as a soldier, policeman and throughout his three terms as senator.

“It’s not enough that a leader is not corrupt. There should be more (that needs to be done). It is necessary that his personnel and associates in government are not corrupt as well,” he said.

Asked to explain how he would enforce discipline among public officials and separate the good ones from the bad ones, Lacson referred to his policy of planting undercover agents across vari-

KBL reaffirms Marcos support, dismisses ‘shifting allegiances’ T

By Rey E. Requejo

HE national leadership of the Kilusang Bagong Lipunan (KBL) on Saturday reaffirmed its support for the candidacy of presidential frontrunner Ferdinand “Bongbong” Marcos, Jr. even as they dispelled reports that some members in its Baguio chapter have shifted their allegiance to another candidate. officers and members are fully in sup-

In a press conference in Baguio City, KBL vice president for Luzon Chris Garrido read the party’s official statement, saying that there is no truth to the reported withdrawal of support from its Baguio chapter members.

“This is to inform the public that there is no truth to the publicized withdrawal of support of the KBL members in Baguio City. We want to assure you that our

port of BBM,” a portion of the statement signed by KBL national president Efren A Rafanan Sr. stated.

On Wednesday, a group of KBL-Baguio Benguet officers were invited to a private residence lunch meeting and asked to bring their appointment papers by a fellow party official.

Several officers who attended the

Wednesday event explained to the media members that they were kept in the dark about the reason for the meeting.

After entering the venue, the group said that the gates were closed behind them, and media members streamed in, taking photos and videos. They added that they felt helpless as a tarpaulin bearing the image of Isko Domagoso was unfurled behind them while they were raising their KBL appointment papers.

The group also showed a T-shirt, ID sling, and a pack of rice given to them by the event organizer they identified as Aries Mendoza.

According to Rafanan, an initial investigation revealed a nationwide effort from the camp of presidential candidate Isko Domagoso to “present a scenario” where Marcos supporters are backing out and switching to Domagoso.

PREPARING FOR ELECTIONS.

Quezon City Hall employees carry bins for ballot boxes for cleaning in preparation for the coming May 9 elections.

Manny Palmero

Ilocos Norte secures P1b funding for critical infrastructure projects

By Rio N. Araja THE provincial government of Ilocos Norte has secured close to P1 billion in funding for critical projects from various national government offices.

Ilocos Norte Governor Matthew Marcos Manotoc said the province’s critical projects are agriculture, health, infrastructure, and transportation, including

the establishment of a centralized trading center or “bagsakan” for agricultural produce and a cold storage facility.

The others are the upgrade of medical services at the Governor Roque B. Ablan Sr. Memorial Hospital and other provincial government-managed hospitals, rehabilitation of various bridges, the establishment of the Port of Currimao, improvement of the Laoag In-

ternational Airport, and construction of an intermodal terminal and parking building.

The establishment of a “bagsakan” and a cold storage facility will need P30 million and P20 million, respectively, from the Department of Agriculture, while the National Tobacco Administration allocated a P7 million worth of biostimulants to benefit the tobacco farmers.

ous government agencies, which was the same thing he did when he was PNP chief.

“As much as possible, we’ll get them or catch them in flagrante delicto, ano, on-thespot. “ In way, he said we would have no problem with respect to presentation of evidence.

“And we know how to deal with it because I’ve already done it in the PNP.” Lacson’s methods were proven effective at the time because he was able to significantly reduce the number of so-called ‘kotong’ (bribeseeking) cops off the streets, thus restoring public trust in the oft-maligned police organization.

“I would like to believe, and I’m confident, [that] this was really felt by our motorists, business owners), traders, and commuters,” Lacson said.

Under his presidency, Lacson said he wants whatever anti-corruption policies he would be able to implement within his legal authority to be sustained. He and his vicepresidential running mate Senate President Vicente ‘Tito’ Sotto III are already preparing some measures to achieve this goal.

Embassies urged to extend hours for OFW polls

By Macon Ramos-Araneta SENATOR Imee Marcos has called for extended office hours of Philippine embassies and consulates to ensure that overseas Filipino workers (OFWs) can cast their votes in this year’s national elections.

Marcos, who chairs the Senate committee on electoral reforms and people’s participation, warned that setbacks reported on the first day of voting in Hong Kong, the United States, Italy, and New Zealand may be replicated in other areas where large OFW populations are located.

“Let’s not wait for a last-minute scramble to implement remedies.

Thousands of OFWs will end up being disenfranchised,” Marcos said.

“The immediate solution is to extend voting hours at our embassies and consulates, while the logistical challenges of setting up more voting precincts still have to be sorted out by the Comelec (Commission on Elections),” she added.

Marcos pointed out that government offices abroad did not have consistent voting hours, with some ending mid-afternoon and others extending into the night.

Long lines, the delayed shipment of election paraphernalia, and unreceived mail-in ballots are preventing many OFWs from voting.

Complaints reaching Marcos’s office from Saudi Arabia and the United Kingdom also revealed that some OFWs still did not know where to vote or that the deadline for voter registration was already over.

“The Comelec and DFA (Department of Foreign Affairs) must review the math of accommodating OFWs in different areas daily and within the one-month voting period allotted. It’s also not too late to ramp up an information campaign so that OFWs know their precinct assignments,” Marcos said.

Survey: Atayde leads QC District 1 congressional race A SURVEY conducted by Istratehiya Inc. from March 17 to 20 said Arjo Atayde is leading the congressional race in Quezon City’s District 1 (QCD1) by 74.9 percent against Rep. Onyx Crisologo’s 25.1 percent.

The survey was done based on the reasons in voting for a political candidate which include the ability to help others, hard work, the capacity to understand the plight of the poor, intelligence, honesty, toughness, religious belief, not being a traditional politician, and the MOTHER AND SON. Arjo Atayde walks ability to elicit inspiration that is both positive and uplifting amongst many other criterion. with his mother, Sylvia Sanchez. Atayde is With the campaign taking a break this Holy leading the congressional race in Quezon City’s District 1 (QCD1), according to a survey. Week, Atayde thanked volunteers for support-

ing his campaign, and stressed that he would continue to focus on informing voters on what he plans to do for the district instead of responding to negative campaigning.

Atayde reveals that supporters had informed him that black propaganda is being circulated in response to reported surveys that show that he is now leading the congressional race in QCD1.

“Hindii ko na po pinapansin ang mga anonymous na naninira sa akin; my focus is to inform the voters about what I plan to do for the district,” says Atayde.

“Right now what the families of QCD1 needs is H.E.L.P., not black propaganda.

Hindi po nakakatulong ang black prop. Ang kailangan po nga taga-Distrito Uno ay tulong, hindi tsismis.”

Atayde points out that H.E.L.P. sums up the thrust of his platform and programs for QCD1: Health, Education, Livelihood, and Peace and order.

“Based on our conversations and discussions with the residents of the district, these are the top concerns in the area, kaya ito po ang ating tutukan,” he said. “When we resume the campaign after the Holy Week break, we will start discussing the specifics of these programs, but definitely, these will center on providing H.E.L.P.”

Opinion Digital policy unreadiness

THE behavior and culture of Filipino consumers have changed so fast since the shock of the COVID-19 pandemic disrupted our comfort zones. Things were so different three decades ago when we were just starting to use analogue cell phones and internet access was very slow and limited. Computer technologies then were working with dial-up speeds that sometimes dropped as low as 21 kbps. Mega-bits per second (MBPS) speeds and even the concept of “cloud” computing were still decades away.

When the lockdowns started, we learned how to use all those e-commerce apps in our smartphones which have become an indispensable device to access all the telecommunications and online services to continue, communicating, working, schooling, and yes, even playing.

Even before the pandemic, among my smart phone apps, one of the most useful is the ride hailing service Grab. It became a convenient and safe alternative to driving around the wild traffic of the city to get to the next business appointment. We didn’t know how to do online meetings then. It saved me a lot of stress and is actually a viable option to using your car considering the wear and tear, fuel, and parking expenses. Now, it has become a go-to app for ordering food, groceries, shopping, delivering and receiving packages, over the counter medicine, booking hotels, insurance coverage, and more.

Quite an amazing evolution that at the end of the day is good for us consumers.

The speed of innovations like this is even accelerating as each new technology builds up on the gains of the last version and makes things even more efficient and faster which then creates new opportunities for newer technologies. However, the reality of compliance to the regulatory and policy environment of governing bodies cannot keep pace and is often a resisting force that tech driven companies must live with because of the slow human pace of change averse bureaucratic thinking.

Here is an interesting case. If you are a Grab user, a rider or one of their partners, you may have heard of the issue of penalties totaling P25.45 million that the Philippine Competition Commission (PCC) ordered Grab to pay because of “extraordinary pricing deviations” committed in 2019 and 2020. As of March 21, 2022, only 21 percent have redeemed and about P19 million still pending refund. The PCC set a deadline of April 22 to refund the

remaining amounts by crediting via GrabPay Wallet automatically.

Apparently, the Grab passengers who are qualified for the one-or two-peso rebate have no interest in bothering to check the Rewards section of the Grab app for refund. Well, who would be? The remaining P19 million sounds big but when reduced to the ridiculous one little peso per qualified customer, the energy and time is simply not worth it.

This needs to be addressed.

In a TeleRadyo interview, Grab public affairs head Booey Bonifacio clarified that only users who booked Grab Car rides from August to October in 2019 are entitled to this refund and though they are complying by transferring the rebate to the corresponding GrabPay wallets there is a problem for users that did not activate their GrabPay wallets. The Bangko Sentral ng Pilipinas (BSP) regulation on e-Wallet platforms to know-your-client (KYC), requires customers to submit information to verify identity before activation of their GrabPay wallet. I for one don’t need the wallet function because my Grab account is linked to a credit card, and I certainly won’t bother activating it for a one-peso refund.

So here is the policy disconnect of the PCC ordering automatic refund without any act from the qualified users to claim on one side and the BSP requirements on the other.

Grab has submitted a memorandum to the PCC last month suggesting alternative solutions and is still waiting for the anti-trust body’s approval.

I understand the need for a government institution to follow its mandate and rules, but the unique circumstance of this case needs a Solomonic solution that would consider options that would result in maximum benefit. Though it seems fair to disburse the refund to the rightful recipients, there is really no value in receiving one peso. Some creative thinking is needed like donating the remaining amount to the drivers of Grab as fuel assistance or donating to a worthy charity will have righteous impact.

This reveals the digital unreadiness of government that needs to be addressed.

The challenge for all policy makers, agency heads, officers, and employees of government is to unlearn the very linear and rigidly slow bureaucratic culture and transform into a more digital mindset that embraces dynamic thinking with a people-centric outlook that aims to get the country ready to thrive in a global digital economy as soon as possible.

The war in Ukraine: a silent assault on the developing world

By Antonio Guterres

Secretary-General of the United Nations FOR the people of Ukraine, the Russian invasion is a waking nightmare, and a humanitarian disaster on a terrifying scale.

But the war is also fast becoming a matter of life and death for vulnerable people around the world.

We have all seen the tragedy unfolding inside Ukraine: cities flattened; people suffering and dying in their homes and in the streets; the fastest displacement crisis in Europe since the Second World War. But beyond Ukraine’s borders, far beyond the media spotlight, the war has launched a silent assault on the developing world. This crisis could throw up to 1.7 billion people — over one-fifth of humanity — into poverty, destitution and hunger on a scale not seen in decades.

Ukraine and the Russian Federation provide 30 percent of the world’s wheat and barley, one-fifth of its maize, and over half of its sunflower oil. Together, their grain feeds the poorest and most vulnerable people, providing more than one-third of the wheat imported by 45 African and leastdeveloped countries.

At the same time, Russia is the world’s top natural gas exporter, and second-largest oil exporter.

But the war is preventing farmers from tending their crops, while closing ports, ending grain exports, disrupting supply chains and sending prices skyrocketing.

Many developing countries are still struggling to recover from the effects of the COVID-19 pandemic, coupled with historic debt burdens and soaring inflation.

Since the start of 2022, wheat and maize prices have increased by 30 per cent.

Brent oil prices have risen more than 60 per cent over the last year, while natural gas and fertilizer prices have more than doubled.

The United Nations’ own life-saving operations are under severe strain. The World Food Programme has warned that it faces the impossible choice of taking from the hungry to feed the starving. It urgently needs $8 billion to support its operations in Yemen, Chad and Niger.

Some countries are already sliding from vulnerability to crisis and serious social unrest. And we know the roots of many conflicts lie in poverty, inequality, under-development and hopelessness.

But while much of the world has stepped up in solidarity with the people of Ukraine, there is no sign of the same support for the 1.7 billion other potential victims of this war.

We have a clear moral duty to support them, everywhere.

The Global Crisis Response Group on Food, Energy and Finance that I launched last month aims to develop coordinated solutions to these interlinked crises, with governments, international financial institutions and other key partners. I thank the global leaders in all sectors who are supporting this initiative.

On food, we are urging all countries to keep markets open, resist hoarding and unjustified and unnecessary export restrictions, and make reserves available to countries at the highest risk of hunger and famine.

This is not the time for protectionism.

There is enough food for every country to get through this crisis if we act together.

Humanitarian appeals must be fully funded, including for the World Food Programme. We simply cannot allow people to starve in the twenty-first century.

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EDITORIAL

R

Historical shame

EALITY television contestants last week became notorious because of their hilarious – actually, tragic – response to a quiz on Philippine history.

In a segment of Pinoy Big Brother Teens, the contestants were asked how the priests Mariano Gomez, Jose Burgos and Jacinto Zamora were collectively known. But instead of “GomBurZa,” the youngsters guessed: “MaJoHa.” The quizmaster asked again what the nickname of national hero Jose Rizal was. Instead of Pepe, the contestants said: “J. Rizal.”

And when asked what the longest bridge in the country was, they did not say San Juanico Bridge. Their answer: SLEX. The episode remains talked about, not for its entertainment value but for the ugly truth it seems to reveal– that younger Filipinos are so ill-taught in history and that our education system is in shambles.

Conversations on the glaring errors in DepEd textbooks and modules soon followed.

The episode also brought back a World Bank study that found the Philippines was 90 percent learning poor as of August last year. Learning poverty is defined as the share of 10-year-olds who cannot read nor understand a simple story.

The next administration must acknowledge that education grounded on facts and documented history should be a priority.

The blended online and modular delivery of education, forced upon us by the pandemic, was also blamed for this sloppy performance.

It is, of course, quite a stretch to think that two unenlightened contestants at a reality show could represent an entire generation of Philippine students. Perhaps they were nervous. Perhaps they were the type who did not pay attention in school. Perhaps they were not the brightest in their class.

Nonetheless, the anecdotal evidence is there, as are the findings of reputable institutions like the World Bank.

To which, then, can we assign blame for the apparent breakdown of the

youth’s knowledge of history? To their short attention spans, their preference for visual, instead of textual, stimulation, or their belief that they do not have to memorize anything because everything can be searched online, anyway?

Do we blame their parents, who are too detached, too liberal, or too protective of their kids’ self-esteem? Teachers who may not be up to their jobs or too lazy to take extra steps to make the children learn? The government for not investing enough in education?

Or is it the culture of a lack of verification, of believing something just because it is available and easy to absorb whether or not it is accurate?

The reasons are bound to be many, but one thing is clear: The next administration must acknowledge, beyond sweeping statements, that education grounded on facts and history should be a priority. We need to raise a generation of Filipinos who revere the truth and eschew frivolity. We have to have young people who question the decisions of their elders, not out of disrespect but out of a desire to do better.

This must not be a reason to look down on the children who do not know any better. This should be a wake up call to those in a position to create a better, more conducive learning environment – but who have chosen not to, just because they personally do not value education.

Turf contest at the Comelec BEFORE Saidamen Pangarungan was appointed by President Duterte as chairman of the Commission on Elections, he was chair of the National Commission on Muslim Filipinos with cabinet rank.

During the last election year, Pangarungan applied for a gun ban exemption and saw exactly the flaws in the process – from application, submission of documents, processing, follow-up and final release. It was long and tedious, and in Lanao where many residents carry firearms and where guns are part of their culture, a cabinet official moving about without firearms for his security detail is unthinkable.

He said, for instance, when there is violence in Lanao, would he wait for a week for the Firearms committee to convene, before acting?

So, when Chairman Pangarungan was named Comelec chief a few weeks ago, he was in a position to tweak the procedures on election gun ban and the declaration of Comelec control in some areas where peace and order has deteriorated.

The Comelec en banc promulgated Resolution No. 10777, amending Resolutions 10728 and 10757, on April 6, aimed at recalibrating the rules and regulation on the election gun ban.

The new resolution gives the chairman the power to grant gun ban exemptions and place areas under Comelec’s control, formerly the turf of Commissioner Socorro Inting, chair of the Committee on the Ban on Firearms and Security Concerns (CBFSC). Inting resigned from the committee “in protest,” and was joined by Commissioners Marlon Casquejo and Aimee Ferolino in rejecting the new policy.

Among those who voted for Resolution No. 10777 were newly appointed Commissioners Rey Bulay, George Garcia and Aimee Neri along with Pangarungan.

On energy, the use of strategic stockpiles and additional reserves could help to ease this energy crisis in the short term.

This war must end now But the only medium- and long-term solution is to accelerate the deployment of renewable energy, which is not impacted by market fluctuations. This will allow the progressive phase-out of coal and all other fossil fuels.

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

It was timely that on Wednesday, Chairman Pangarungan calmed the waves saying “dissent is an integral element of democracy.”

“As a member of a Commission that enables our democratic exercise, I welcome the differing opinions and stances of my colleagues. This is part and parcel of our sacred duty to the nation as a collegial body.”

“I have nothing but respect for the valuable work done by all our Commissioners, especially by Commissioner Inting in the CBFSC and all the committees that ensure the conduct of honest, peaceful, and credible elections.”

“We are professionals and we will continue to work towards a common goal,” he added.

At the start of his term, Chairman Pangarungan showed how important unity is for a collegial body like the Comelec.

There was a time, immediately preceding the term of Chairman Benjamin Abalos, that no en banc meeting was held because the en banc members were hopelessly divided. Abalos, the cheerful problem-solver that he is, united the commissioners and achieved the right results.

Anyway, Pangarungan assured he will use the power to declare Comelec control sparingly, only with the recommendation of the PNP and AFP. Pangarungan is doing another Abalos this time, and to his credit. He will need all the cooperation of the en banc to implement clean, honest, and credible elections.

The latest news from Commissioner George Garcia is that the en banc has de-

ferred action on the resignation request of Inting, which she submitted as “irrevocable”.

Good luck to Chairman Pangarungan and Commissioner Garcia for moving in the direction of unity rather than division, especially now that we are nearing the May 2022 elections.

••• Pole vaulter EJ Obiena can now heave a sigh of relief.

This was after the Commission on Audit cleared him of any irregularity related to his liquidation of his government-funded expenditure, including the salary allocation for his Ukrainian coach.

And no less than Senator Francis ‘Tol’ N. Tolentino welcomed the latest CoA findings, saying the 26-year-old Olympian can now shift his attention and solely focus on the real upcoming battles ahead, especially the 31stSoutheast Asian Games in Hanoi, Vietnam next month and the 19th Asian Games in Hangzhou, China this coming September.

In a letter sent by COA to the Philippine Sports Commission (PSC) dated March 31, 2022, state auditors clarified that they “have not issued any Notice of Suspension nor Notice of Disallowance” over the government-funded assistance given to Obiena amounting to P12.34 million between June 2019 until August 2022.

“This will definitely put a final closure on the matter. EJ’s sole job is only to train hard and to perform well for his upcoming tournaments. Hindi niya trabaho na maging isang accountant,” said Tolentino.

Last March 17, Tolentino and three other senators filed a motion for contempt against top honchos of the Philippine Athletics Track and Field Association for bringing the case of Obiena before the Court of Arbitration for Sport in Switzerland after the botched mediation between the two camps.

The current World No. 5 pole vaulter and the Patafa leadership later reconciled last March 30 and “agreed to a settlement” as announced earlier by PSC chairman William “Butch” Ramirez.

All’s well that ends well.

And on finance, the G20 and international financial institutions must go into emergency mode. They must find ways to increase liquidity and fiscal space, so that governments in developing countries can invest in the poorest and most vulnerable, and in the Sustainable Development Goals.

This should be a first step towards deep reforms to our unfair global financial system, which makes the rich richer and the poor poorer.

Social protection, including cash transfers, will be essential to support desperate families through this crisis.

But many developing countries with large

external debts do not have the liquidity to provide these safety nets. We cannot stand by and watch, as they are forced to choose between investing in their people, and servicing their debt.

The only lasting solution to the war in Ukraine and its assault on the poorest and most vulnerable people in the world is peace.

As the United Nations works to support the innocent victims of this war — both inside and outside Ukraine — we call on the global community to speak with one voice and support our plea for peace.

This war must end, now.

At the start of his term, Chairman Pangarungan showed how important unity is for a collegial body like the Comelec.

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

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Myanmar political prisoners excluded from amnesty grant FAMILIES of detained Myanmar protesters had their hopes dashed Sunday after political prisoners were not included in some 1,600 people released by the junta to mark the Buddhist new year.

The Southeast Asian country has been in turmoil since Aung San Suu Kyi’s civilian government was ousted last year in a military coup, which sparked huge protests and a deadly crackdown.

State television announced that 1,619 prisoners, including 42 foreigners, had been “pardoned” and will be released to mark the new year – an annual tradition that last year saw 23,000 prisoners freed.

A prisoner released from Yangon’s Insein prison told AFP that “political cases and protesters were not among those released,” with authorities only freeing criminals.

Crowds in front of the prison slowly left on Sunday afternoon. More than 100 people had gathered hoping to be reunit-

ed with loved ones, AFP correspondents said.

Among them was a woman waiting for her 19-year-old nephew, sentenced to three years imprisonment for incitement against the military.

“He was young, and he may have some feelings to fight,” she said, declining to give her name.

“I wish all young children will be released, including my nephew. They all were innocent.”

Aye Myint, whose 19-year-old daughter was serving three years on a political charge, had hoped she would be released.

“Now, she has been more than one year in prison,” Aye Myint said.

At around midday, a prison officer confirmed that “about 160 prisoners including six women prisoners” had been released from Insein, without giving more details. AFP

DIE-IN PROTEST. Eastern European nationals living in Taiwan stage a die-in during a demonstration at Free Square in front of the Chiang Kai-shek Memorial Hall in Taipei on April 17, 2022 against the ongoing Russian invasion of Ukraine. AFP

‘Inhuman’ situation in Mariupol

U

KRAINE’S President Volodymyr Zelensky said the situation in Mariupol is “inhuman” and called on the West to immediately provide heavy weapons, as Russia claimed it was in control of almost all of the strategic port city and urged its last defenders to surrender.

Moscow said Ukrainian forces in the city must lay down their arms by Sunday, after weeks of relative calm in the capital Kyiv were brought to an end by renewed Russian airstrikes.

Austria’s chancellor, the first European leader to meet with Vladimir Putin in person since the invasion began, said he thought the Russian president “believes he is winning the war” in Ukraine.

But in the south, the devastated city

of Mariupol has become a symbol of Ukraine’s unexpectedly fierce resistance since Russian troops invaded the former Soviet state on February 24.

Moscow officials now say they are in full control there, though Ukrainian fighters remain holed up in the city’s fortress-like steelworks.

“The situation in Mariupol remains as severe as possible. Just inhuman,” President Zelensky said in a video ad-

dress.

“Russia is deliberately trying to destroy everyone who is there.”

Ukraine’s Minister of Digital Transformation Mykhailo Fedorov said the city was on “the verge of a humanitarian catastrophe” and warned the country was compiling evidence of alleged Russian atrocities there.

“We will hand everything over to The Hague. There will be no impunity,” he said.

Moscow Saturday issued an ultimatum to the fighters, urging them to lay down their arms by 6:00 a.m. Moscow time (0300 GMT) and to evacuate the premises before 13:00 p.m.

But with the Russian forces closing in, Zelensky issued his own warning.

“The elimination of our troops, of our men (in Mariupol) will put an end to any negotiations,” Zelensky told the Ukrainska Pravda news website.

“We don’t negotiate neither our territories nor our people.”

Smoke rose from the Darnyrsky district in the southeast of the capital after what Moscow said were “high-precision long-range” strikes on an armaments plant, killing one person and wounding several others.

A heavy police and military presence was deployed around the factory, which was badly damaged.

“Our forces are doing everything possible to protect us, but the enemy is insidious and ruthless,” Kyiv Mayor Vitali Klitschko said. AFP

North Korea tests new weapons system to improve ‘tactical nukes’ KIM Jong Un supervised the test-fir- Pyongyang – that were due to begin ing of a new guided weapons system on Monday. to improve North Korea’s “tactical The “new-type tactical guided nukes,” state media said Sunday, cap- weapon... is of great significance in ping days of celebrations surrounding drastically improving the firepower the birthday of the country’s founding of the frontline long-range artillery leader. units and enhancing the efficiency in The launch was the latest in an un- the operation of tactical nukes,” the precedented blitz of sanctions-bust- North’s official KCNA news agency ing weapons-tests this year, which reported. included firing an intercontinental It said the test was successful, but ballistic missile at full range for the did not specify when or where it took Manila Standard first time since 2017. place.

TODAY It also came just ahead of USSouth Korea’s Joint Chiefs of South Korea military training exer- Staff said it detected two projectiles cises – which have always infuriated fired late on Saturday, which flew 110 kilometres (68 miles) at Republic of the Philippines an altitude of 25 kilometers, NATIONAL CAPITAL JUDICIAL REGION travelling at speeds of around Regional Trial Court Mach 4. AFP Branch 78 Quezon City In re : PETITION FOR ADOPTION OF ANGEL CHRISLENE BENITEZ SANTILLAN AND CHANGE OF NAME TO ANGEL CHRISLENE SANTILLAN MALAPITAN. S.P. CASE NO. R-QZN-21-09485-SP SPOUSES WILFREDO MALAPITAN AND AILENE SANTILLAN MALAPITAN, Petitioners. x-------------------------------------------------- x

ORDER This is a Verified petition filed by the SPOUSES WILFREDO MALAPITAN & AILENE SANTILLAN MALAPITAN on November 15, 2021 for the purpose of adoption of minor ANGEL CHRISLENE BENITEZ SANTILLAN and application for change of his name from ANGEL CHRISLENE BENITEZ SANTILLAN to ANGEL CHRISLENE SANTILLAN MALAPITAN. Finding the PETITION and its attachments sufficient in form and substance, the same is set for hearing for the presentation of jurisdictional requirements/initial hearing on MAY 18, 2022, at exactly 8:30 o’clock in the morning before this Court sitting at Room 203 Second Floor Hall of Justice Annex Building, Quezon City Hall Compound, Diliman, Quezon City.

Let copy of this Order be published in a NEWSPAPER of national circulation selected by a Raffle under the supervision of the Honorable Executive Judge of the Regional Trial Court of Quezon City, at the expense of the petitioners.

EXTRA-JUDICIAL SETTLEMENT of ESTATE Notice is hereby given that the estate of the late TIC CHING CHU GO has been extra-judicially settled among his heirs WITH WAIVER OF RIGHTS consisting of cash deposits in MBTC Tacloban Rizal Ave. Branch. As per Apostille No. 99741 before Notary Public ANDREA JAFFIER (California Ventura County); Doc. No. 250; Page No. 50; Book No. I; Series of 2022 before Notary Public ATTY. ELISEO S. CALMA, JR (Quezon City); Doc. No. 183; Page No. 38; Book No. LXXII; Series of 2022 before Notary Public ATTY. CARLOS ALLAN F. CARDENAS (Mandaue City); Doc. No. 77; Page No. 17; Book No. III; Series of 2022 before Notary Public ATTY. JANN CLAUDINE M. AMAGO (Tacloban City).

(MS-APRIL 11/18/25, 2022)

Madam MARIEBEC CARIAGA, the Social Worker of the Court is ordered to conduct prepare and submit CHILD & HOME STUDY REPORTS pertaining to the herein petitioners, the adoptee and their family; and shall verify likewise with the Civil Registry the real identity and registered name of the adoptee.

The same Social Worker shall establish that the child is legally available for adoption and the documents submitted in support thereof are all valid and authentic; that the petitioners has sincere intention and the adoption shall inure to the best interest of the child.

If after the conduct of the case studies, the social worker finds that there are grounds to deny the petition, she shall make the proper recommendation to the court furnishing a copy thereof to the petitioners.

Human trafficking ‘alarming’ in Cyprus CYPRUS’S frozen conflict is providing fertile ground for human traffickers with cases at “alarming” levels in the EU member state, and the breakaway north considered as bad as Afghanistan.

“I love her, but at the same time she reminds me about my past,” said one Cameroonian trafficking survivor, referring to her young daughter.

“There was so much abuse during those months,” added the woman in her 20s, who said she was rescued by a client from her ordeal.

“I didn’t die ... and God saved me, so I know that He has a plan for my life,” she told an NGO working with survivors which requested anonymity to protect her identity.

Last year the US State Department downgraded Cyprus in its annual Trafficking in Persons Report from Tier 1, the highest ranking, to Tier 2, citing problems including protracted court proceedings and a lack of convictions. AFP

Migrant found dead after border shooting

Standard Manila

Manila

Standard

RESURRECTIONTODAY SUNDAY. Orthodox Christians TODAY light candles on Easter Sunday at the church of the Holy Sepulchre in Jerusalem’s Old City on April 17, 2022. AFP

Transgender rights in Aussie poll spotlight TRANSGENDER rights have been thrust to the centre of Australia’s closely fought election campaign after the country’s prime minister refused to withdraw party support from a candidate who made inflammatory comments on the issue.

Liberal Party candidate Katherine Deves described trans people as “surgically mutilated and sterilized” on Twitter and posted that she felt “triggered” by the Pride flag, according to reports

this week by News.com.au.

She also compared her activism against trans athletes competing in women’s sport to people standing up against Nazis during War World II while speaking on a panel last year, the Guardian revealed Thursday.

Deves co-founded Save Women’s Sport Australasia, an organization that campaigns for sport to be “categorised by sex, not gender identity” – an issue that has become increasingly contentious around the world as sporting bodies consider their position on the participation of trans athletes.

While Deves apologized for her comments

after the media reports, it was not enough to quiet calls for Prime Minister Scott Morrison to drop her as a candidate for the May 21 vote, including from high profile members of his own party.

Liberal Matt Kean, treasurer of Australia’s largest state, New South Wales, called Friday for Deves to be disendorsed.

“There is no place in a mainstream political party for bigotry,” he posted on Twitter, adding that “political leaders should be condemning the persecution of people based on their gender, not participating in it.”

Morrison confirmed Saturday that he would stand

by Deves.

“I’m not joining that pile on,” he said. AFP

A WOMAN migrant has been found dead after a shooting erupted as she and others tried to cross into Greece from Turkey by boat, Greek police told AFP on Sunday.

YEL The incident occurredCYAN late on MAGENTA Saturday on the Evros River, some 67 kilometers (41 miles) northeast of the Greek city of Alexandroupolis, police said.

The woman was believed to have been aboard a boat carrying migrants who were trying to enter Greece from Turkey and ignored warnings from the Greek side to turn around.

“Last night a group of 10 people were found trying to cross into Greek territory by boat from the area of Soufli,” a police spokesman in the region of Eastern Macedonia-Thrace told AFP. “The Greek police signalled for them to stop but they did not obey. Shots were heard from the Turkish side. Greek border guards fired into the air to protect themselves,” the spokesman said. AFP

Pakistan seeks ‘stern actions’ vs. militants PAKISTAN on Sunday called on the Taliban government in Kabul to take “stern actions” against militants launching attacks against the country from inside Afghanistan, a day after alleged rocket attacks by the Pakistani military killed six Afghans.

Border tensions between Pakistan and Afghanistan have risen since the Taliban seized power last year, with Islamabad claiming militant groups are carrying out regular attacks from Afghan soil.

The Taliban deny harbouring Pakistani militants, but are also infuriated by a fence Islamabad is erecting along their 2,700-kilometer (1,600-mile) border.

Fresh tension erupted after five children and a woman were killed in Afghanistan’s eastern province of Kunar on Saturday in alleged rocket attacks that Afghan officials blamed on the Pakistani military. AFP

US to host ASEAN meet mid-May

Let copies of this Order be furnished the Office of the Solicitor General, the City Prosecutor of Quezon City, Assistant City Prosecutor Arnel F. Pabellar, DSWD, the NSO, the City Civil Registrar of Quezon City and the petitioners for their perusal and immediate reference.

The City Civil Registrar of Manila, whereby the proposed adoptee is registered, and any one/offices who wishes to oppose instant petition including the Civil Registrar General are likewise ordered to appear on the above mentioned scheduled hearing to show cause why this petition should not be granted.

The petitioners and the proposed adoptee must personally appear and the former must testify before the undersigned presiding Judge of this Court.

SO ORDERED. Quezon City, Metro Manila, Philippines.

26th day of November, 2021.

(Sgd.) FERNANDO T. SAGUN, JR. Presiding Judge (MStandard-Apr. 11, 18, & 25, 2022)

IN BRIEF

Date of Second Publication: April 18, 2022

US PRESIDENT Joe Biden will meet in midMay with the leaders of Southeast Asian nations, with a likely focus on the rising power of China, the host country announced Saturday.

The summit, originally scheduled for March, “will demonstrate the United States’ enduring commitment to ASEAN,” White House press secretary Jen Psaki said in a statement, referring to the Association of Southeast Asian Nations.

“It is a top priority for the Biden-Harris Ad-

ministration to serve as a strong, reliable partner in Southeast Asia,” the statement said.

The summit, originally set for March 28 and 29 before being delayed without a new date, will now take place on May 12 and 13.

The meeting was postponed amid reports that the leaders of some ASEAN members had scheduling conflicts, and as the Ukraine crisis continued to deepen.

The United States has long said that strengthening its ties to Asia was a foreign policy priority. AFP

CYAN MAGENTA YELLOW BLACK

CYAN CYANMAGENTA MAGENTAYELLOW YELLOWBLACK BLACK Manila Manila

Standard Standard

Business

TODAY TODAY

B3

MONDAY, APRIL 18, 2022 || extrastory2000@gmail.com

Stock market trading to remain volatile T

By Jenniffer B. Austria

RADING at the Philippine Stock Exchange will remain volatile this week on worries about rising oil prices that are pushing inflation rate and interest rates higher.

Analysts said investors are worried that prolonged elevated oil prices coupled with weakening of the peso against the dollar may lead to lower corporate earnings due to margin pressures.

The upcoming presidential elections is also caus-

ing investors to stay on the sidelines.

Investors are looking ahead to the start of the earnings season that could provide an indication on how companies will perform for this year.

“Note that we are one month away from what is dubbed as the most polarizing national elections in local history, a possible 50 basis points rate hike from US Federal Reserve, and full blast in earnings reports. Range trade and keep a level head, as the market attempts to find better footing near 7,000 level,” said online brokerage firm 2TradeAsia.com.

The Philippine Stock Exchange Index last week slipped 0.5 percent to 6,984.90 on thin trading.

All other sub-indices ended in the red, except for holding firms. The mining and oil index fell 1.7 percent, property dropped 1.4 percent, financial de-

clined 1 percent, industrial sector lost 0.3 percent and services dipped by 0.3 percent.

Foreign investors were net sellers for the week

by P1.25 billion, while the average daily value traded reached P4.19 billion from the previous week’s average of P4.69 billion.

Weekly top price gainers were Emperador Inc., which jumped 21.3 percent to P17.10; Wilcon Depot Inc., which advanced 5.4 percent to P26.50; and Filinvest Land Inc., which rose 3.8 percent to P1.07.

Weekly top price losers were PXP Energy Corp., which fell 10.1 percent to P4.90; DMCI Holdings Inc., which dropped 4.3 percent to P8.72; and Century Pacific Food Inc., which declined 3.6 percent to P22.65.

Meanwhile, Asian markets dipped Friday after a negative lead from Wall Street, with investors

around the world worried about surging inflation.

Central banks in several major economies including the United States, Canada and Britain have already started raising interest rates to contain prices, but the European Central Bank on Thursday kept its stimulus plans and rates unchanged.

That sent the euro plunging to a near two-year low, but eurozone stocks were boosted while Wall Street retreated ahead of the Easter holidays.

The mood was subdued in Asia too, where only a handful of markets were open on Good Friday.

The Nikkei 225 closed 0.3 percent lower with Wall Street’s woes depressing sentiment.

Analysts had expected China’s central bank to cut interest rates on Friday to provide support to the COVID-stricken economy. With AFP

Shanghai lockdowns threaten China’s car output while port gridlock worsens CHINESE automakers warned they may have to put the brakes on production if COVID-19 lockdowns in Shanghai persist, with a top Huawei executive also sounding the alarm Friday about snarled supply chains.

The restrictions have kept Shanghai’s 25 million residents mostly at home for weeks, forcing manufacturers to halt operations and making China’s GDP growth target of around 5.5 percent look increasingly difficult to achieve.

Shipping giants also warned that Shanghai’s lockdown was snarling up the world’s busiest container port.

COVID outbreaks across the country and the associated reductions in economic activity have already hit the auto industry hard, with car sales dropping 10.5 percent in March.

“If supply chain companies in Shanghai and its surrounding areas cannot find a way to dynamically resume work and production, all original equipment manufacturers may have to stop pro-

PENSIONERS’ DEMAND. Pensioners take part during a demonstration against the rising prices and low pensions in Ankara, on April 16, 2022. Pensioners demanded an additional raise from the government AFP

UNIVERSAL ROBINA CORPORATION

Saving is not for everyone IRISH YVONNE VILLATE

GREEN LIGHT

healthy, I also save more money than buying from fast food or restaurants. Preparing my meal is like a de-stressing moment for me as I am always excited about what food to put in every meal (breakfast, lunch, snacks). It truly gives me joy.

I know that I am still young and immature when it comes to saving and spending, but I think the steps above are great help for someone struggling to start saving. So, what can you say? Is saving money for everyone?

Can you share some tips, too? Let others know in the comment section below!

I ALWAYS asked myself, “Where did my money go? Why is it so hard to save?” It feels like my money has feathers! It is always flying to who-knows-where.

I always wanted to discipline myself when it comes to spending. I even followed the 50-30-20 rule of saving. However, I failed to reach the specific The author is an MBA student at the Ramon V. del Roamount of money I wanted to save. I admit that among many things that I love to spend money on sario College of Business, DLSU. She can be reached at are clothes and shoes next to food. But during the irish_villate@dlsu.edu.ph.

The views expressed above are the author’s and do pandemic, I can say that that changed.

I started to reflect on my financial status after five not necessarily reflect the official position of DLSU, years. I want to be a blessing to others, and I want to its faculty, and its administrators. build my charity. How can I help them if I am not financially stable? I slowly overcame my bad spending and started to focus on saving. Let me share some tips to reach the amount I planned to save within a year: Keep track of the money. I installed a Wallet app on my phone where I can reNOTICE OF POSTPONEMENT cord my income, expenses and savings.

OF ANNUAL STOCKHOLDERS’ MEETING In that way, I can easily see the percentage of those three things, and I can comTo All Stockholders: pare which is highest for the period that I want to check. This app will summaPlease be informed that the annual meeting of stockholders of MARCVENTURES HOLDINGS, INC. (the “Corporation”) for the rize your spending and ask you if you year 2022 which is scheduled every last Friday of May of each feel happy about your item purchases year has been postponed and reset to a later date. (and that always makes me realize that I should not have bought those because I The purpose of the postponement is to give Management ample time to prepare for the meeting. can still live without them). It makes me happy whenever my savings percentage A Notice of Meeting will be issued in relation to the new meeting becomes higher than my expenses. date.

Knowing my wants and needs. I know that it is easier said than done, and someMakati City, 13 April, 2022. times my wants win over my needs (Sorry! I’m just a human being). Although it MAILA G. DE CASTRO is not that bad when you treat yourself Co-Asst. Corporate Secretary and your loved ones at times, you must put limits on it. I always bear in mind a certain percentage of my salary that goes to something like that.

Avoid credit cards. I always think that credit cards will make me poor because the word itself “credit,” meaning it is a loan that you must pay in the future (take note: with interest), which is the NOTICE OF POSTPONEMENT main reason I do not have one. And OF ANNUAL STOCKHOLDERS’ MEETING look! I am all okay (H‘wag makiuso, sis! Hahaha!)

Open a savings account. I researched To All Stockholders: the PAG-IBIG MP2 program, and I can Please be informed that the annual meeting of stockholders of say that having an MP2 savings account PRIME MEDIA HOLDINGS, INC. (the “Corporation”) for the year is better than having a bank savings 2022 which is scheduled every third Tuesday of May of each year account. MP2 is where regular PAGhas been postponed and reset to a later date.

IBIG Fund members can save for as low The purpose of the postponement is to give Management ample as P500 with a 5-year maturity plan. You time to prepare for the meeting. can withdraw the dividends every year or after five years. (Here’s the link to that: A Notice of Meeting will be issued in relation to the new meeting MP2 (Modified Pag-IBIG II) Savings date. (pagibigfund.gov.ph)) I always make Makati City, 13 April, 2022. sure to put a certain amount every month from January 2020 (And guess what? I achieved my goal for the year 2020!).

REUBEN CARLO O. GENERAL Corporate Secretary Prepare your own meal. I set out to prepare my own meal to eat in the office.

Aside from being sure that it is fresh and

duction in May,” XPeng chief He Xiaopeng said Thursday on social media.

XPeng has been touted as a Chinese challenger to US electric car giant Tesla, and its chief said that businesses were hoping for more support from the authorities to navigate the COVID closures.

A top executive at Chinese tech giant Huawei—which has started to work with domestic auto manufacturers in the intelligent vehicle sector—echoed the comments on Friday and warned the clock was ticking.

“If Shanghai continues being unable to resume work and production, from May, all tech and industrial players involving the Shanghai supply chain will completely shut down, especially the auto industry!” Richard Yu, head of Huawei’s consumer and auto segment, said on the social media platform WeChat.

Huawei sold its first 3,000 electric vehicles with the company’s HarmonyOS operating system in March. AFP

NOTICE OF ANNUAL MEETING OF STOCKHOLDERS MAY 11, 2022 1:00 P.M. Notice is hereby given that the Annual Meeting of the Stockholders of UNIVERSAL ROBINA CORPORATION (the “Corporation”) will be held on Wednesday, May 11, 2022 at 1:00 P.M. in accordance with the relevant provisions of the By-Laws of the Corporation which allows meetings of the stockholders to be conducted by remote communication, subject to such guidelines as may be promulgated by the Securities and Exchange Commission.

Stockholders may view the livestream of the Meeting and download the Information Statement at the following web addresses:

The Agenda for the Meeting is as follows: 1.

2.

3.

4.

5.

6.

7.

8.

Proof of notice of the meeting and existence of a quorum.

Reading and approval of the Minutes of the Annual Meeting of the Stockholders held on May 13, 2021.

Presentation of annual report and approval of the financial statements for the preceding year.

Election of Board of Directors.

Appointment of External Auditor.

Ratification of the acts of the Board of Directors and its committees, officers, and management.

Consideration of such other matters as may properly come during the meeting.

Adjournment.

Only stockholders of record of the Corporation as of April 4, 2022 shall be entitled to vote.

Stockholders may cast their votes on or before May 4, 2022 on all matters requiring approval by: (a) accomplishing and submitting the proxy form; or (b) voting in absentia.

The procedures for attending the meeting via remote communication, submission of proxies, and for voting in absentia are explained in the Information Statement.

Proxies shall be sent via email to corporate.secretary@urc.com.ph or hard copies to the Office of the Corporate Secretary, 40F Robinsons Equitable Tower, ADB Avenue cor. Poveda Road, Ortigas Center, Pasig City. Validation of proxies shall be held on May 6, 2022. We are not soliciting proxies.

By Authority of the Chairman (signed) MARIA CELIA H. FERNANDEZ-ESTAVILLO Corporate Secretary

NOTICE OF ANNUAL MEETING OF STOCKHOLDERS MAY 13, 2022 • 11:00 a.m.

Notice is hereby given that the Annual Meeting of the Stockholders of JG SUMMIT HOLDINGS, INC. (the “Corporation”) will be held on May 13, 2022 at 11:00 a.m. in accordance with the relevant provisions of the By-Laws of the Corporation which allows meetings of the stockholders to be conducted by remote communication, subject to such guidelines as may be promulgated by the Securities and Exchange Commission.

Stockholders may view the livestream of the Meeting and download the Information Statement at the following web addresses:

(MS-APRIL 18 & 19, 2022)

(MS-APRIL 18 & 19, 2022)

The Agenda for the meeting is as follows: 1.

2.

3.

4.

5.

6.

7.

8.

9.

Proof of notice of the meeting and existence of a quorum.

Reading and approval of the Minutes of the Annual Meeting of the Stockholders held on May 14, 2021.

Approval to amend Article Sixth of the Amended Articles of Incorporation of the Corporation in order to reduce the number of seats in the Board of Directors from eleven (11) to nine (9).

Presentation of annual report and approval of the financial statements for the preceding year.

Election of Board of Directors.

Appointment of External Auditor.

Ratification of the acts of the Board of Directors and its committees, officers and management.

Consideration of such other matters as may properly come during the meeting.

Adjournment.

Stockholders may cast their votes on or before May 5, 2022 on all matters requiring approval by: (a) accomplishing and submitting the proxy form; or (b) voting in absentia.

Proxies shall be sent via email to corporate.secretary@jgsummit.ph or hard copies to the Office of the Corporate Secretary, 40F Robinsons Equitable Tower, ADB Avenue cor. Poveda Road, Ortigas Center, Pasig City. Validation of proxies shall be held on May 10, 2022. The procedures for attending the meeting via remote communication, submission of proxies, and for voting in absentia are explained in the Information Statement.

Only stockholders of record of the Company as of April 4, 2022 shall be entitled to vote. We are not soliciting proxies.

By Authority of the Chairman (signed) MARIA CELIA H. FERNANDEZ-ESTAVILLO Corporate Secretary

CYAN CYANMAGENTA MAGENTAYELLOW YELLOWBLACK BLACK

dard

Business

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

B4

MONDAY, APRIL 18, 2022

By Jenniffer B. Austria

PSE INDEX CLOSING Wednesday, April 13, 2022 89.54 PTS. 6,984.90

TOTAL VOLUME TOTAL TRADES TOTAL VALUE (IN PHP) ADVANCES DECLINES UNCHANGED

1,424,190,103 53,287 4,214,874,602.69 100 66 54

F OREIGN E XCHANGE R ATE Bangko Sentral ng Pilipinas • WEDNESDAY, APRIL 13, 2022

Currency

Unit

US Dollar

Peso

United States

Dollar

1.000000

52.1750

Japan

Yen

0.007976

0.4161

UK

Pound

1.300500

67.8536

Hong Kong

Dollar

0.127603

6.6577

Switzerland

Franc

1.072616

55.9637

Canada

Dollar

0.791014

41.2712

Singapore

Dollar

0.733299

38.2599

Australia

Dollar

0.745400

38.8912

Bahrain

Dinar

2.652520

138.3952

Saudi Arabia

Rial

0.266667

13.9134

Brunei

Dollar

0.730620

38.1201

Indonesia

Rupiah

0.000070

0.0037

Thailand

Baht

0.029727

1.5510

UAE

Dirham

0.272287

14.2066

Euro

Euro

1.083000

56.5055

Korea

Won

0.000814

0.0425

China

Yuan

0.157077

8.1955

India

Rupee

0.013148

0.6860

Malaysia

Ringgit

0.236351

12.3316

New Zealand

Dollar

0.685100

35.7451

Taiwan

Dollar

0.034440

1.7969 Source: BSP

JG Summit allots P41.5b for 2022 capital expenditures

BOAT DONATION. Aboitiz Foundation Inc., along with Cebu-based Aboitiz business units AboitizLand Inc. and Visayan Electric, team up with the local government units of Liloan and Talisay City, Cebu for the provision of 60 motorized fishing boats to 60 selected fishermen living in the coastal areas to help them recover from the devastation caused by Typhoon Odette. Leading the turnover of the fishing boats in Liloan are (second from left) AboitizLand vice president for external corporate relations Anthony Noel, along with Liloan Mayor Cristina Frasco (third from left), Aboitiz Foundation assistant vice president Danilo Cerence and Liloan Agriculture Office officer-in-charge Ireneo Noval.

Meralco’s power sales climbed 6% in Q1

By Alena Mae S. Flores

E

LECTRICITY ales of Manila Electric Co., the biggest power retailer, rose nearly 6 percent in the first quarter from a year ago as the Philippines eased mobility restrictions in Metro Manila and other regions.

“Indicative numbers indicate close to 6 percent firstquarter growth compared to the same period last year,” Meralco first vice president and chief commercial officer Ferdinand Geluz said over the weekend.

He said all sectors―residential, commercial and industrial―posted growth in the first quarter.

“All sectors grew with strong energization performance specially for project covered applications at

[more than 60 percent higher in the same period last year], recovery of commercial segment with easing of mobility and occupancy restrictions, steady growth of industrial segment with easing of mobility after January Omicron surge,” Geluz said.

He said the back to office/hybrid set-up for most segments including education and warmer temperature and strong household energization drove residential segment sales up.

Geluz expressed optimism that Meralco could surpass the 6-percent sales volume growth in 2021 as more commercial and industrial businesses opened up this year.

“Six percent is achievable and more if commercial picks up because, well, industrial sales continue to be robust,” he said.

He said that once more commercial establishments resumed operations, the 6-percent sales volume growth in 2021 may even be surpassed this year.

Meralco reported a 13-percent increase in consolidated core net income in 2021 to P24.6 billion from P21.7 billion in 2020.

This was driven by the return of energy sales volume to near pre-pandemic levels and contributions from the power generation business.

Meralco’s consolidated distribution utility energy sales volumes increased 6 percent to 46,073 gigawatthours in 2021 from 43,572 gWh in 2020, driven by sustained residential consumption, ramp-up in commercial volumes amid more relaxed quarantine restrictions and strong industrial rebound within the franchise areas.

Meanwhile, Meralco said its third-party bids and awards committee would begin soliciting bids for the second round of competitive challenge for its 850-megawatt renewable energy mid-merit requirement.

Meralco’s RE requirement covers a 20-year supply period starting Feb. 26, 2026.

CONGLOMERATE JG Summit Holdings Inc. earmarked P41.5 billion in capital expenditures for 2022, down 9.1 percent from P45.7 billion it spent a year ago, as it expects all units to face margin pressures over rising oil prices.

JG Summit said in a recent investor presentation the easing mobility restrictions would have positive effect on its food manufacturing, real estate and airline businesses.

The conglomerate, however, said the increasing prices of oil and key input costs, coupled with the peso depreciation, would affect the margins of all operating subsidiaries.

JG Summit’s property arm Robinsons Land Corp. will spend P20 billion this year, primarily for land banking and expansion projects across all divisions.

RLC will continue to inject additional assets to its real estate investment trust company and plans to launch a new mall, four office developments and four hotels. It also intends to launch P10 billion worth of residential projects.

Universal Robina Corp. budgeted P9 billion in capital spending this year to to expand capacities on the back of strong demand, while JG Summit Petrochemical Corp. allotted P9 billion to complete expansion plans and diversify power sourcing and shift to cleaner fuels, particularly solar.

Airline business Cebu Pacific Air will spend P2 billion in capital expenditures for maintenance and ground operations as domestic flight frequencies and booking trend towards preCOVID levels.

Banking arm Robinsons Bank allotted P1 billion for 2022 capex as it plans to continue to build up and diversify portfolio via acquisition, retention, channel, collaboration and digitization strategies.

IN BRIEF Raslag firms up expansion plan

RASLAG Corp. of the Nepomuceno family is firming up expansion plans outside Pampanga province as it prepares for its initial public offering by early June, a top executive said over the weekend.

CYAN MAGENTA YELLOW “We BLACK have expansion plans outside Tollway Project.

Pampanga.

We are negotiating for a propThe company booked a net income of erty in Hermosa, Bataan. We’re looking at P2.61 billion last year, up 50 percent from other properties in Bataan, in Zambales,” P1.75 billion in 2020.

Raslag founder Peter Nepomuceno said.

Toll revenues amounted to P5.57 bilRaslag has two solar power plants, includlion, higher by 22 percent than P4.55 bil- ing the 10.046 megawatt RASLAG-1 and the 13.141-MW RASLAG-2 in Pampanga. lion in 2020.

Both plants are running under the feed“SLEX traffic volume have shown a re- in-tariff system of the Department of Encovery after travel restrictions were eased ergywith a base tariff of P9.68 per kWh in NCR and Southern Luzon and the re- and P8.69 per kWh, respectively. sumption of economic activities in 2021,” Nepomuceno said they were looking at initially at the expansion of its solar project the company said. in Bataan.

“We’re negotiating to purchase a 30-hectare property there. There are other areas we are looking into. It has to be land that has access to NGCP facilities so that you can connect to the NGCP facility. If you’re too far from the NGCP facilities or is not available, the land you bought cannot be used for solar,” he said. Alena Mae S. Flores

SMC tollway unit spending P9.49b this year to build TR4, repair SLEx

By Darwin G. Amojelar

TODAYTHE tollway unit of San Miguel Corp. said it is spending P9.49 billion this year to partly finance the construction of a toll road from Batangas to Quezon and repair South Luzon Expressway.

SMC SLEX Inc. said its board approved the 2022 capital expenditure of P9.49 billion, including P8.46 billion to fund the TR4 project.

The company in March 2019 started

the construction of the 66.74-kilometer SLEX Toll Road 4 that would connect Sto. Tomas, Batangas to Lucena City, Quezon.

The toll road will shorten the travel time from Sto. Tomas, Batangas to Barangay Mayao in Lucena City from the usual three hours to just 45 minutes.

The P26.1-billion project is expected to be completed by 2026. TR4 is a part of SLTC’s 30-year concession which will last until 2036.

The toll road will be divided into six sections, including Sto Tomas, Batangas to Makban in Laguna (11.32 km); Makban to San Pablo City (12.75 km); San Pablo to Tiaong in Quezon (7.5 km); Tiaong to Candelaria (15 km); Candelaria to Tayabas (10.21 km); and Tayabas to Lucena (9.96 km).

SMC SLEX also allocated P417 million for periodic maintenance of SLEX and P714 million for the acquisition of equipment for its Seamless

NOTICE OF ANNUAL MEETING OF STOCKHOLDERS MAY 12, 2022 Notice is hereby given that the Annual Meeting of the Stockholders of the following companies (the “Companies”) will be held on May 12, 2022 at the time and place as stated below. In light of current conditions and in support of the efforts to contain the outbreak of COVID-19, stockholders may only attend the meetings via remote communication at the livestream links specified below:

Solid economic fundamentals lure more foreign capital to PH

By Julito G. Rada

The Agenda for the meeting of Robinsons Land Corporation is as follows: 1. Proof of notice of the meeting and existence of a quorum 2. Reading and approval of the Minutes of the Annual Meeting of the Stockholders held on May 13, 2021 3. Presentation of annual report and approval of the financial statements for the preceding year 4. Amendment of Article II of the Articles of Incorporation 5. Election of Board of Directors 6. Appointment of External Auditor 7. Ratification of the acts of the Board of Directors and its committees, officers and management 8. Consideration of such other matters as may properly come during the meeting 9. Adjournment

THE country’s solid macroeconomic fundamentals continue to attract foreign direct investments despite the prolonged COVID-19 pandemic, the Department of Finance said over the weekend.

It said in an economic bulletin capital formation, the most comprehensive measure of investment, improved last year.

The Philippine economy recovered partially its investment-led growth orientation in 2021 as lockdowns were eased and vaccination was rolled out. As a percentage of real gross domestic product, capital formation rose from 19.2 percent in 2020 to 21.6 percent in 2021. However, this was still lower than its 26.5-percent investment-GDP ratio

in 2019.

Capital formation is one of the foremost determinants of future growth, in addition to employment and factor productivity.

Capital formation, which is tracked by the National Income Accounts issued by the Philippine Statistics Authority, showed a real growth of 19 percent in 2021, reversing part of its 34.4-percent plunge in 2020. Of the major components of investments, fixed capital which consists of construction and durable equipment grew by 9.6 percent.

“The continuing rapid rise in capital formation and FDI, particularly for those sectors not seeking fiscal incentives, implies that investors are attracted primarily by the country’s favorable economic fundamentals,” the DOF said.

The Agenda for the meeting of RL Commercial REIT, Inc. is, as follows: 1. Proof of notice of the meeting and existence of a quorum 2. Presentation of annual report and approval of the financial statements for the preceding year 3. Election of Board of Directors 4. Appointment of External Auditor 5. Ratification of the acts of the Board of Directors and its committees, officers and management 6. Consideration of such other matters as may properly come during the meeting 7. Adjournment The Agenda for the meeting of Altus Property Ventures, Inc. is, as follows: 1. Proof of notice of the meeting and existence of a quorum 2. Reading and approval of the Minutes of the Annual Meeting of the Stockholders held on May 13, 2021 3. Presentation of annual report and approval of the financial statements for the preceding year 4. Election of Board of Directors 5. Appointment of External Auditor 6. Ratification of the acts of the Board of Directors and its committees, officers and management 7. Consideration of such other matters as may properly come during the meeting 8. Adjournment The Information Statements of the Companies which contain more details regarding the rationale and explanation for each of such agenda items may be viewed or downloaded at the web addresses indicated above. Stockholders intending to participate via remote communication must notify the Companies by email on or before May 4, 2022 at the corresponding email addresses indicated in the Information Statements of each Company.

Stockholders who wish to cast their votes may do so via the method provided for voting in absentia, or by accomplishing the proxy form. The procedures for attending the meeting via remote communication and for casting votes in absentia are explained further in the Information Statements.

Shareholders who wish to vote by proxy shall send the proxies via email to the corresponding email addresses indicated in the Information Statement of each Company or hard copies to the Office of the Corporate Secretary, 12/F Robinsons Cyberscape Alpha, Sapphire and Garnet Roads, Ortigas Center, Pasig City, not later than May 4, 2022. Validation of proxies shall be held on May 6, 2022. We are not soliciting proxies.

Only stockholders of record of the Companies as of April 4, 2022 shall be entitled to vote at the respective meetings.

By Authority of the Chairman (sgd.)

JUAN ANTONIO M. EVANGELISTA Corporate Secretary

LANDBANK IN URDANETA. Land Bank of the Philippines inaugurates a three-story corporate center along MacArthur Highway in Barangay Nancayasan, Urdaneta City to serve as a one-stop shop for the banking and financing needs of the province. Attending the ceremony are (from left) LandBank senior vice president Ma. Celeste Burgos, Pozorrubio Mayor Emma Zosima Chan, LandBank senior vice president Ma. Belma Turla, LandBank president and chief executive Cecilia Borromeo, Urdaneta City Mayor Julio Parayno III, LandBank executive vice president Julio Climaco Jr., Pangasinan provincial treasurer Marilou Utanes and LandBank senior vice president Filipina Monje.

CebuPac adds more Cebu, Davao flights CEBU Pacific said over the weekend it resumed more direct local flights from Cebu and Davao as part of its commitment to expand its domestic route network.

The airline said that as it restores 100 percent of its pre-pandemic capacity this dry season, it would add more flights for its passengers in Visayas and Mindanao to enable them to explore more local destinations without having to pass through Manila.

It said that this month, it resumed direct flights to four new destinations from Cebu to Calbayog, Surigao, Puerto Princesa and Legazpi. With these additions, CEB now operates direct flights to 21 domestic destinations.

Flights to CEB’s 18 other direct flights from Cebu also increased to service more Cebuanos safely to Manila, Davao, Iloilo, Zamboanga, Coron, Boracay, Cagayan de Oro, Bacolod, Clark, General Santos, Siargao, Tacloban, Dumaguete, Pagadian, Butuan, Ozamis, Camiguin and Dipolog. Darwin G. Amojelar

PH to lose investors over trade deal delay TRADE Secretary Ramon Lopez expressed concern that the country may lose investment opportunities to competitor countries over the delayed congressional approval of the Regional Comprehensive Economic Partnership.

“Will have it checked. It’s too early to tell, but that’s for sure if we further delay ratification [of RCEP[,” Lopez said Sunday.

Lopez said that Singapore’s Trade Minister recently announced that local businesses were exploring opportunities brought about

by RCEP through the additional preferential market access they gained from China and Japan for products such as mineral fuels, plastics, chemical products, food preparations and beverages.

“We cannot afford to delay or not participate in this FTA deal when our ASEAN neighbors are already reaping the advantages of the agreement with partners. And they are already benefitting from it,” he said. Othel V. Campos

Sports

Riera U. Mallari, Editor; Randy M. Caluag, Assistant Editor MONDAY, APRIL 18, 2022

C1

Petecio’s weight class remains in Olympics

By Peter Atencio

CURRY’S TRIUMPHANT RETURN. Stephen

Curry of the Golden State Warriors gets fired up against the Denver Nuggets in the second half during Game One of the Western Conference First Round NBA Playoffs at Chase Center in San Francisco, California. Curry made a triumphant return from a left foot sprain on Saturday as the Warriors, led by Jordan Poole’s 30 points, routed Denver 123-107 in an NBA playoff opener. All-Star guard Curry, sidelined since March 16 with the injury, had 16 points on 5-of-13 shooting from the floor (3-of-6 from 3-point range) with three rebounds, four assists and a steal over 22 minutes off the bench as the host Warriors took a 1-0 lead in the best-of-seven series.

Obiena is SEAG flag bearer

O

NLY a month ago, Ernest John Obiena wasn’t even included in the list of Filipino athletes set to play in the 31st Southeast Asian Games.

Now, he is the Philippines’ flag bearer in the parade of nations of the biennial meet on May 12 at the MNy Dinh National Stadium in Hanoi.

No less than Hidilyn Diaz, the country’s first Olympic gold medalist, fully supports Obiena, saying that her fellow Tokyo Olympian pole vaulter is the “story of every Filipino athlete who fights to bring home pride and glory to the country.”

“I’m very happy to see EJ as our f lag bearer for Team Philippines,” said Diaz, who, like Obiena, will defend her weightlifting gold medal in the postponed Games from last year.

“I’m happy for him and the rest of the Philippine delegation. I will support him.”

Diaz and Obiena could be holding the country’s colors together in the pa-

Lions rout Chiefs, stay undefeated Games tomorrow (La Salle Greenhills Gym) 12 noon – CSB vs Mapua 3 p.m. – JRU vs SSC-R ]SAN BEDA pulled away in the second period to rout Arellano University, 82-68, and remain unbeaten in the NCAA men’s basketball tournament at the La Salle Greenhills Gym Sunday.

Holding a slim 17-15 lead after the first 10 minutes of play, the Red Lions outscored the Chiefs, 30-17, in the second period to erect a 47-32 halftime lead and never look back. he week-long break has benefitted San Beda, which raises its record to 5-0 as it embarked on a tough two-week stretch that ends with a rivalry game with Letran on April 29.

“It’s the schedule. We have no qualms with that,” said Lions’coach Boyet Fernandez. “We took advantage of that because it’s Holy Week, at least nakapag-nilay nilay kami and then we also have to prepare for the future games. We are looking for five games in two weeks.

We got already Sunday and then we have four games remaining.”

“As I have said, we are looking one game at a time. We are looking forward for Perpetual on Wednesday. We will just be ready for that.”

James Kwekuteye had 14 points and four rebounds and recorded a +15 efficiency rating to lead San Beda.

Gab Cometa was the other Lion in twin digits with 11 markers.

Axel Doromal took the scoring mantle for Arellano with 16 points while Gelo Sablan added 10 points and six rebounds.

Justin Arana, the league leader in double-doubles with four, was held down to seven points. He grabbed 13 rebounds.

rade of nations, but the biennial meet allows only one athlete to be bestowed with the honor.

“There could only be one flag bearer for each country. We nominated Hidilyn and EJ, but it was turned down,” Philippine Olympic Committee president Rep. Abraham “Bambol” Tolentino said.

“Like Hidilyn, EJ has all the qualifications to be our flag bearer.”

Obiena, who finally patched up his differences with his mother federation —the Philippines Athletics Track and Field Association—which paved the way for his inclusion in the national delegation, is expected to retain his SEA Games gold. He won pole vault title in the 2019 Philippine Games with a commanding leap of 5.45 meters and since then, has set the bar higher to a new Asian men’s record of 5.93 meters

he set last year in Innsbruck, Austria, last year.

“It’s an honor,” Obiena said. “I was heading home after training here in Formia [Italy] when I received the message.”

As flag bearer, a big responsibility comes with the honor. But Obiena said he’s ready for the challenge.

“All I can do for now is to train harder and be better, and smarter,” the 26-yearold Obiena said. “I really want to defend my SEA Games title.”

The 6’2” pole vaulter is one of 656 athletes who will be defending the country’s grip of the overall championship in the Games that Vietnam is hosting for only the second time since 2003.

The hosts programmed 40 sports— the Philippines is competing in 39 of them—which they intend to dominate. Ernest John Obiena But Tolentino is undaunted.

“We are fielding a fighting team,” Toleave on May 10, two days before the lentino said.

Team Philippines will fly to Vietnam opening ceremony. The Games end on in batches with the main bulk set to May 23.

OLYMPIC silver medalist Nesthy Petecio is looking forward to the 2024 Paris Olympics.

Her pet event, the women’s featherweight class, will remain after the International Boxing Association confirmed that her weight category is among those that will be included in its new Olympic qualification system.

The new arrangement to be used for Paris 2024 got approval last week from the International Olympic Committee Executive Board following months of development.

Petecio settled for the silver medal in the Tokyo Olympics last year after she bowed to Sena Irie of Japan in the finals of the women’s 57 kg category.

However, the new system does not include the men’s 75 kg and the 52 kg events, which earned Eumir Marcial a bronze and Carlo Paalam a silver medal, respectively, in Tokyo.

For Marcial and Paalam to make it to the Olympics again, they will have to change their weight classes and seek qualification by fighting in a different category from their former divisions.

The newly formed International Boxing Association, in a recent statement, said this is the fairest qualification system ever.

The format offers a number of avenues from which to qualify, while the number of medal events for women has increased to six.

In the Paris Games, there will be seven medal events for men, but the split of athlete quota places between men and women is even at 124.

“IBA is very pleased with the results of our cooperation with the IOC in the development of this Olympic Qualification System and for the IOC’s approval of the categories for the tournament,” IBA President Umar Kremlev said.

PLDT, Smart support MVPSF Center for Sports Excellence THE country’s largest integrated network PLDT Inc. and its wireless unit Smart Communications, Inc. are supporting the MVP Sports Foundation in its goal to build a Center for Sports Excellence at the First Pacific Leadership

Academy in Antipolo, Rizal.

The groundbreaking for the Center for Sports Excellence followed the recent unveiling of the MVPSF Gymnastics Center in Intramuros.

Present at the groundbreaking cere-

PLDT and MVPSF Chairman Manuel V Pangilinan and Antipolo 1st District Representative Roberto Puno (center) lead the recent groundbreaking ceremony at the First Pacific Leadership Academy in Antipolo, Rizal.

mony were PLDT and MVPSF Chairman Manuel V. Pangilinan, Antipolo 1st District Representative Robbie Puno, Association of Boxing Alliances in the Philippines chairman Ricky Vargas, Premium Megastructures Inc. Chairman Francis Lloyd Chua, PMI President Alfred Comendador, FPLA Deputy General Manager Kay Biason, FLPA Operations Head Norman Morte, MVPSF officers Ryan Gregorio, Maita David, and Vince Soliven, ABAP Coach Pat Gaspi, Philippine Badminton Association Coach Rosman Razak.

“We have long-term plans to develop this site through MVPSF, which is a program of the MVP group to develop Philippine sports and help Filipino athletes to become champions. Initially, we will have the boxing and badminton training facilities, but there will be more sites to develop for weightlifting and similar sports,” said Pangilinan, one of the biggest patrons of Philippine sports.

In a few months’ time, the MVPSF

Center for Sports Excellence will feature a boxing facility with two boxing rings and an outdoor training area, while the badminton training grounds will include eight courts where the athletes can strengthen their skills and prepare for their tournaments.

PLDT and Smart President and CEO Alfredo S. Panlilio said the facility is among the integrated telco’s groupwide efforts to contribute to nationbuilding through sports. “We want to be a driving force in the development of world-class Filipino sports champions.

Through these facilities, we can equip athletes with the training that they need and boost their chances in winning the gold for the country,” said Panlilio, who is also the President of MVPSF. “Kami po ay nagpapasalamat sa MVP Sports Foundation sa binigay nila sa aming mga atleta. Napakalaking tulong at opportunidad nito para tuloytuloy ang training namin,” said Marvin Tabamo, who won the gold medal in the 39th Tammer Cup in Finland in 2018.

Alido spices up ICTSI Caliraya title chase A LITTLE over a year after scoring a breakthrough at Riviera, Ira Alido is back in the hunt for a Philippine Golf Tour crown, stronger and better coming off a stint on the Asian Tour and the Asian Development Tour.

He missed the season’s kickoff leg at Luisita last month, but the 21-year-old rising star is more than ready to slug it out with the cream of the local pro crop in the ICTSI Caliraya Springs Championship unfolding tomorrow (Tuesday) in Cavinti, Laguna.

Alido, who broke into the pro circuit in 2018 with a lot of promise, dominated the same field in the PGT Riviera Invitational Championship in 2020, coasting to a nine-stroke romp over former PGT Order of Merit winner Jobim Carlos and two others at the Langer course.

He stayed fit and in shape during the long pandemic break through home practice although he admitted it’s a different thing being on the range or fairways where he could hit balls and measure his progress as a player. He vied in the DGC Open of the Asian Tour last month and

in the ADT’s Gurugram Challenge three weeks ago, both in India.

But the rest of the 60-player PGT cast are also all primed up for the P2 million championship, including former Philippine Open champion Clyde Mondilla, who lost to absentee Miguel Tabuena in sudden death at Luisita, Jhonnel Ababa, Tony Lascuña, Jay Bayron, Michael Bibat, Marvin Dumandan, Zanieboy Gialon, Reymon Jaraula, Frankie Miñoza, Robert Pactolerin, Joenard Rates, Gerald Rosales, Ruperto Zaragosa, Dutch Guido Van der Valk, Lloyd Go and Carlos.

Held simultaneously with the PGT is the 54-hole Ladies PGT also set to fire off tomorrow with Chanelle Avaricio seeking a second straight championship after besting multi-titled Princess Superal in the ICTSI Hallow Ridge Challenge in San Pedro, Laguna two weeks ago.

But like Alido, Avaricio braces for a fierce challenge from the likes of reigning OOM winner Harmie Constantino and leg winners Daniella Uy and Sunshine Baraquiel while Chihiro Ikeda is

also going all out to snap a long spell in the circuit organized by Pilipinas Golf Tournaments, Inc. Superal won’t be around to honor a commitment to play in Thailand but Marvi Monsalve, Sarah Ababa, Florence Bisera, Kristine Fleetwood, Apple Fudolin, Lucy Landicho, Pamela Mariano, Eva Miñoza, Gretchen Villacencio and Shery Villasencio along with lone amateur Aily Kidwell toughen up the cast in the P750,000 event put up by ICTSI. What makes this week’s title chase doubly interesting is that no player from each circuit holds a distinct advantage as the touring pros will tackle the Arnold Palmer-designed layout for the first time, thus ruling out the proverbial edge in local knowledge of the course spruced up in championship condition.

But there sure will be players who will stand out in the next three or four days, most specifically those armed with long game and superb ball control and those who will come up with the necessary adjustments on a well-kept course that varies in character in every swirl of the wind.

Ira Alido

CYAN MAGENTA YELLOW BLACK Manila

Republic of the Philippines Standard REGIONAL TRIAL COURT

TODAY National Capital Judicial Region Branch 100, Quezon City

CARLO Y. LEPATAN,

Plaintiff,

-versus-

R-QZN-14-11748-CV

NELSON C. SONER, ALL ASIA STRUCTURES, INC., and MACRO STRUCTURES, INC., Defendants. x----------------------------------------------------x

DECISION Attributing negligence on defendants on the mishap that transpired on 01 December 2013, plaintiff filed this instant case for Damages. He prayed that: WHEREFORE, it is most respectfully prayed of this Honorable Court that judgment be rendered in favor of herein Plaintiff LEPATAN and against herein Defendants SONER, MACRO STRUCTURE, ALL ASIA STRUCTURES, xxx ordering the latter to pay, joint and severally the following: a. The sum of PHILIPPINE PESOS: SEVEN HUNDRED EIGHTY ONE THOUSAND THREE HUNDRED FIFTY and 60/100 (Php 781,350.60) as the total amount of actual damages plus legal interest; b. The amount of PHILIPPINE PESOS: TWO MILLION (Php2,000,000.00) representing the loss of earning capacity of the deceased Ms. Eileen M. Lepatan; c. The amount of PHILIPPINE PESOS: FIFTY THOUSAND (Php 50,000,00) as death indemnity for the death of Plaintiff LEPATAN’S wife by reason of this incident; d. The amount of PHILIPPINE PESOS: ONE HUNDRED THOUSAND (Php100,000.00) representing moral damages; e. The amount of PHILIPPINE PESOS: FIFTY THOUSAND (Pph50,000.00) as exemplary or corrective damages by way of an example or correction for the public good; f. The amount of PHILIPPINE PESOS: ONE HUNDRED THOUSAND (Php100,000.00) as payment for attorney’s fees plus payment for appearance and pleading fees; and g. The cost of the suit.

Other reliefs, just and equitable under the premises, are likewise prayed for.

In the Order dated 12 February 2021, plaintiff’s Motion to Declare Defendants in Default was granted and the former was allowed to present evidence ex-parte.

Thus, whether there is an employer-employee relationship between the registered owner and the driver is irrelevant in determining the liability of the registered owner who the law holds primarily and directly responsible for any accident, injury or death caused by the operation of the vehicle in the streets and highways.

As explained by this Court in Erezo, the general public policy involved in motor vehicle registration is the protection of innocent third persons who may have no means of identifying public road malefactors and, therefore, would find it difficult – if not impossible – to seek redress for damages they may sustain in accidents resulting in deaths, injuries and other damages; by fixing the person held primarily and directly liable for the damages sustained by victims of road mishaps, the law ensures that relief will always be available to them.

To identify the person primarily and directly responsible for the damages would also prevent a situation where a registered owner of a motor vehicle can easily escape liability by passing on the blame to another who may have no means to answer for the damages caused, thereby defeating the claims of victims of road accidents. We take note that some motor vehicles running on our roads are driven not by their registered owners, but by employed drivers who, in most instances, do not have the financial means to pay for the damages caused in case of accidents.

These same principles apply by analogy to the case at bar. Filcar should not be permitted to evade its liability for damages by conveniently passing on the blame to another party; in this case, its Corporate Secretary, Atty. Flor and his alleged driver, Floresca. Following our reasoning in Equitable, the agreement between Filcar and Atty. Flor to assign the motor vehicle to the latter does not bind Espinas who was not a party to and has no knowledge of the agreement, and whose only recourse is to the motor vehicle registration.19 (underligning supplied) Hence, plaintiff was able to prove his case by preponderance of evidence. As pronounced by the Supreme Court: Xxx. On this score, Section 1, Rule 133 of the Revised Rules on Evidence provides: Section 1. Preponderance of evidence, how determined. – in civil cases, the party having the burden of proof must establish his case by a preponderance of evidence. In determining where the preponderance of evidence or superior weight of evidence on the issues involved lies, the court may consider all the facts and circumstance of the case, the witness’ manner of testifying, their intelligence, their means and opportunity of knowing the facts to which they are testifying, the nature of the facts to which they testify, the probability of their testimony, their interest or want of interest, and also their personal credibility so far as the same may legitimately appear upon the trial. The court may also consider the number of witnesses, though the preponderance is not necessarily with the greater number.

“Preponderance of evidence” is the weight, credit, and value of the aggregate evidence on either side and is usually considered to be synonymous with the term “greater weight of evidence” or “greater weight of credible evidence.”20

Plaintiff then presented himself and Anna Josette A. Mendoza The facts are unrebutted.

On 01 December 2013, at around 2:30 P.M., plaintiff was driving his Toyota Rav 4 with plate number ULO 725 along the Southbound lane of Mac Arthur Highway in Barangay Lanat, San Manuel, Tarlac bound to Manila from Baguio City. His passengers were his wife, Eileen M. Lepatan, his sister –in law Anna Josette Mendoza, and his nephew Lorenzo Miguel Mendoza. The traffic condition that time in the area was light. On the northbound lane, a Fuso tractor head truck with plate number NPI868, registered in the name of defendant Marcro Structures, Inc., as shown by its Certificate of Registration No. 9773906-21 and Official Receipt No. 4485538142 was being driven by defendant Soner. Said truck had a forty (40) foot trailer with plate number PUR-809 registered in the name of All Asia Structures, Inc., as shown by the latter’s Certificate of Registration3 and Official Receipt No. 279721945.4 The cargo reached a height of about four (4) to six (6) meters more or less from the floor of the trailer.

Said vehicle hit a sagging cable along the said highway, until the said cable was stretched causing the concrete posts to which the said cable was connected including that at the other lane, to be uprooted and one of which fell on the incoming Toyota Rav 4 of plaintiff. As a result, plaintiff lost control of the vehicle and the car plunged into a drainage which was under construction. Plaintiff and all his passengers suffered injuries. They were all brought to a nearby hospital.

Eileen M. Lepatan was declared dead - on-arrival as shown by the Dead on Arrival Certificate5 and Medical Certificate6 both dated 01 December 2013, the MedicoLegal Report7 dated 03 December 2013 and Certificate of Death .8 Likewise, the Rav 4 was damaged. The corresponding Spot Report9 dated 01 December 2013 was issued by the San Manuel Police Station. The scene of the incident were likewise photographed as shown by the pictures10 taken thereon. A corresponding criminal Information11 dated 02 December 2013 for Reckless Imprudence Resulting to Homicide, Double Physical Injuries, and Damage to Property was filed against herein defendant Soner before the Regional Trial Court of Paniqui, Tarlac, Branch 67 docketed as Criminal Case No. 190-13. Prior to the subject incident, at around 11 o’clock in the morning, defendant Soner was apprehended by the Land Transportation Office (LTO) at North Luzon Expressway for excess load as shown by the Traffic Ticket Violation.12 The total medical expenses spent as well as the repairs of the Rav 4 amounted to Php 781,350.60 as shown by the various receipts.13 At the time of the death of Eileen M. Lepatan, she was gainfully employed as shown by her 2013 Annual Income Tax Return.14 Are the defendants liable for damages?

This Court answers in the affirmative.

As stated above, plaintiff anchored his present case on the negligence of defendant Soner, banking on Article 2176 of the Civil Code, to wit: Art. 2176, Whoever by act or omission causes damage to another, there being fault or negligence, is obliged to pay for the damage done. Such fault or negligence, if there is no pre-existing contractual relation between the parties, is called a quasi-delict and is governed by the provisions of this Chapter.

As well as on the vicarious liability of the registered owners of the truck and trailer as provided under Article 2180 of the same Code: Art. 2180. The obligation imposed by Article 2176 is demandable not only for one’s own acts or omissions, but also for those of persons for whom one is responsible.

The elements necessary to establish a quasi-delict case are: (1) damages to the plaintiff; (2) negligence, by act or omission, of the defendant or by some person for whose acts the defendant must respond, was guilty; and (3) the connection of cause and effect between such negligence and the damages. These elements show that the source of obligation in a quasi-delict case is the breach or omission of mutual duties that civilized society imposes upon its members, or which arise from non-contractual relations of certain members of society to others.15 Hence, before defendant can be held liable these three (3) requisites must first be established: Based on these requisites, Dra. dela Llana must first establish by preponderance of evidence the three elements of quasi-delict before we determine Rebecca’s liability as Joel’s employer. She should show the chain of causation between Joel’s reckless driving and her whiplash injury. Only after she has laid this foundation can the presumption – that Rebecca did not exercise the diligence of a good father of a family in the selection and supervision of Joel – arise. Once negligence, the damages and the proximate causation are established, this Court can then proceed with the application and the interpretation of the fifth paragraph of Article 2180 of the Civil Code. Under Article 2176 of the Civil Code, in relation with the fifth paragraph of Article 2180, “an action predicated on an employee’s act or omission may be instituted against the employer who is held liable for the negligent act or omission committed by his employee.”

The rationale for these graduated levels of analyses is that it is essentially the wrongful or negligent act or omission itself which creates the vinculum juris in extra-contractual obligations.

In civil cases, a party who alleges a fact has the burden of proving it. He who alleges has the burden of proving his allegation by preponderance of evidence or greater weight of credible evidence. The reason for this rule is that bare allegations, unsubstantiated by evidence, are not equivalent to proof.

In short, mere allegations are not evidence.16 (the emphasis in the original text is hereby adopted).

In the present case, plaintiff tried and was able to discharged his function.

It has been held that negligence is “the failure to observe for the protection of the interests of another person that degrees of care, precaution, and vigilance which the circumstances justly demand, whereby such other person suffers injury.”

Verily, foreseeability is the fundamental test of negligence. It is the omission to do something which a reasonable man, guided by those considerations which ordinarily regulate the conduct of human affairs, would do, or the doing of something which a prudent and reasonable man would not do.17 It must be emphasized that it was defendant Soner while driving the subject truck and trailer who hit the cable wire on the road, causing the post to which it was attached to topple down, and in the process of falling, hit the incoming car of plaintiff on the other side of the street. In the absence of any evidence to the contrary, defendant Soner’s liability is established.

Clearly, the proximate cause of the accident complained of is the negligence of defendant Soner. Thus, it has been held: Proximate cause is defined as that cause, which, in natural and continuous sequence, unbroken by any efficient intervening cause, produces the injury, and without which the result would not have occurred. And more comprehensively, the proximate legal cause is that acting first and producing the injury, either immediately or by setting other events in motion, all constituting a natural and continuous chain of events, each having a close causal connection with its immediate predecessor, the final event in the chain immediately effecting the injury as a natural and probable result of the cause which first acted, under such circumstances that the person responsible for the first event should, as an ordinary prudent and intelligent person, have reasonable ground to expect at the moment of his act or default that an injury to some person might probably result therefrom.18 This Court cannot attribute any negligence on the part of plaintiff. He manifestly observed the traffic rules and regulations before and during the impact, that is, he was driving his vehicle within the allowable speed limit on the other side of the road, and had defendant Soner did his part and observed what was expected of him as dictated by the circumstances, the accident may not have occurred.

Accordingly, it follows that the vicarious liability or imputed negligence of the other defendants, the registered owners of the truck and trailer can be attached. Their being mum on this case militates against them. The following pronouncement of the Supreme Court is most enlightening: It is well settled that in case of motor vehicle mishaps, the registered owner of the motor vehicle is considered as the employer of the tortfeasor-driver and is made primarily liable for the tort committed by the latter under Article 2176, in relation with Article 2180 of the Civil Code.

In Equitable Leasing Corporation v. Suyom, we ruled that in so far as third persons are concerned, the registered owner of the motor vehicle is the employer of the negligent driver, and the actual employer is considered merely as an agent of such owner.

In that case, a tractor registered in the name of Equitable Leasing Corporation (Equitable) figured in an accident, killing and seriously injuring several persons.

As part of its defense, Equitable claimed that the tractor was initially leased to Mr. Edwin Lim under a Lease Agreement, which agreement has been overtaken by a Deed of Sale entered into by Equitable and Ecatine Corporation (Ecatine).

Equitable argued that it cannot be held liable for damages because the tractor had already been sold to Ecatine at the time of the accident and the negligent driver was not its employee but of Ecatine.

In upholding the liability of Equitable, as registered owner of the tractor, this Court said that “regardless of sales made of a motor vehicle, the registered owner is the lawful operator insofar as the public and third persons are concerned; consequently, it is directly and primarily responsible for the consequences of its operation.” The Court further stated that “[i]n contemplation of law, the owner/ operator of record is the employer of the driver, the actual operator and employer being considered as merely its agent.” Thus, Equitable as the registered owner of the tractor, was considered under the law on quasi delict to be the employer of the driver, Raul Tutor; Ecatine, Tutor’s actual employer, was deemed merely as an agent of Equitable.

Thus, it is clear for the purpose of holding the registered owner of the motor vehicle primarily and directly liable for damages under Article 2176, in relation with Article 2180, of the Civil Code, the existence of an employer-employee relationship, as it is understood in labor relations law, is not required. It is sufficient to establish that Filcar is the registered owner of the motor vehicle causing damage in order that it may be held vicariously liable under Article 2180 of the Civil Code.

Rationale for holding the registered owner vicariously liable The rationale for the rule that a registered owner is vicariously liable for damages caused by the operation of his motor vehicle is explained by the principle behind motor vehicle registration, which has been discussed by this Court in Erezo, and cited by the CA in the decision.

The main aim of motor vehicle registration is to identify the owner so that if any accident happens, or that any damage or injury is caused by the vehicle on the public highways, responsibility therefor can be fixed on a definite individual, the registered owner. Instances are numerous where vehicles running on public highways caused accidents or injuries to pedestrians or other vehicles without positive identification of the owner or drivers, or with very scant means of identification. It is to forestall these circumstances so inconvenient or prejudicial to the public, that the motor vehicle registration is primarily ordained, in the interest of the determination of persons responsible for damages or injuries caused on public highways.

What then is the liability of defendants?

They are solidarily liable for the actual damages, that is, the repair of the damaged car of plaintiff and all expenses relative to the death of Eileen Lepatan and injuries sustained by plaintiff and the other two passengers, as shown by the various official receipts, in the amount of Php775,981.60. They, too, should be made answerable for civil indemnity in the amount of Php50,000.

They are likewise must pay for moral damages in the amount of Php50,000, exemplary damages of Php20,000 and attorney’s fees of Php50,000. In awarding the same, this Court adopts as its own the ratiocination of the Supreme Court as follows: This Court further agrees with the CA that the respondents are entitled to the award of moral and exemplary damages. Moral damages, x x x, may be awarded to compensate one for manifold injuries such as physical suffering, mental anguish, serious anxiety, besmirched reputation, wounded feelings and social humiliation. These damages must be understood to be in the concept of grants, not punitive or corrective in nature, calculated to compensate the claimant for the injury suffered. Although incapable of exactness and no proof of pecuniary loss is necessary in order that moral damages may be awarded, the amount of indemnity being left to the discretion of the court, it is imperative, nevertheless, that (1) injury must have been suffered by the claimant, and (2) such injury must have sprung from any of the cases expressed in Article 2219 and Article 2220 of the Civil Code, x x x Also known as “punitive” or “vindictive” damages, exemplary or corrective damages are intended to serve as a deterrent to serious wrongdoings, and as vindication of undue sufferings and wanton invasion of the rights of an injured or a punishment for those guilty of outrageous conduct. These terms are generally, but not always, used interchangeably. In common law, there is preference in the use of exemplary damages when the award is to account for injury to feelings and for the sense of indignity and humiliation suffered by a person as a result of an injury that has been maliciously and wantonly inflicted, the theory being that there should be compensation for the hurt caused by the highly reprehensible conduct of the defendant – associated with such circumstances as willfulness, wantonness, malice, gross negligence or recklessness, oppression, insult or fraud or gross fraud – that intensifies the injury. The terms punitive or vindictive damages are often used to refer to those species of damages that may be awarded against a person to punish him for his outrageous conduct. In either case, these damages are intended in good measure to deter the wrongdoer and others like him from similar conduct in the future.

In awarding the above, the CA correctly ruled that: It is extant in the records that defendants did not overturn or disprove the plaintiffs’ claim for actual damages such as the hospital bills/expenses which were duly supported by documentary evidence (receipts). It was also duly proven that defendant Al Dela Cruz acted with gross disregard for the suffering of his victims when he refused to board them in his car and only did so when forced by the by-standers who assisted the victims, when he drove to his house first before driving to a clinic then to [the] hospital when it was obvious that Renato Octaviano’s wound was severe and needed immediate professional attention.

These insensitivity of defendant caused suffering to the plaintiffs that must be compensated.

As to the award of attorney’s fees, Article 2208 of the New Civil Code provides the following: ART. 2208. In the absence of stipulation, attorney’s fees and expenses of litigation, other than judicial costs, cannot be recovered, except: (1) When exemplary damages are awarded; (2) When the defendant’s act or omission has compelled the plaintiff to litigate with third persons or to incur expenses to protect his interest; (3) In criminal cases of malicious prosecution against the plaintiff; (4) In case of a clearly unfounded civil action or proceeding against the plaintiff; (5) Where the defendant acted in gross and evident bad faith in refusing to satisfy the plaintiffs plainly valid, just and demandable claim; (6) In actions for legal support; (7) In actions for the recovery of wages of household helpers, laborers and skilled workers; (8) In action for indemnity under workmen’s compensation and employer’s liability laws; (9) In a separate civil action to recover civil liability arising from a crime; (10) When at least double judicial costs are awarded; (11) In any other case where the court deems it just and equitable that attorney’s fees and expenses of litigation should be recovered.

In this case, since exemplary damages are awarded, the award of attorney’s fees is necessary.21 However, the claim for loss of earning capacity cannot be granted. It must be noted that plaintiff presented only the decedents’s Annual Income Tax Return which was made only after such death. There are no documents presented in support of the figures stated therein. There was also no mention what was the occupation or business of the decedent prior or at the time of death, or her daily wage for that matter, or where was she was conducting her business, or employment. The Supreme Court provided for the requirements or guidelines, which, sadly, plaintiff failed to supply and comply: Next, the Court holds that the CA erred in awarding damages for loss of earning capacity in the absence of documentary evidence to support the claim.

Damages for loss of earning capacity is in the nature of actual damages, which as a rule must be duly proven27 by documentary evidence, not merely by the self-serving testimony of the widow.

By way of exception, damages for loss of earning capacity may be awarded despite the absence of documentary evidence when (1) the deceased is selfemployed earning less than the minimum wage under current labor laws, and judicial notice may be taken of the fact that in the deceased’s line of work no documentary evidence is available; or (2) the deceased is employed as a daily wage worker earning less than the minimum wage under current labor laws.

Based solely on Nelfa’s testimony, the CA determined that the deceased fails within one of these exceptions. Nelfa testified that her husband was in the business of contracting and manufacturing grills, fences and gates, and his earnings “exceed P6,000.00” per month prior to his death. She presented no documentary proof of her claims.

It was error for the CA to have awarded damages for loss of earning capacity based on Nelfa’s testimony alone.

First, while it is conceded that the deceased was self-employed, the Court cannot accept that in his line of work there was no documentary proof available to prove his income from such occupation. There would have been receipts, job orders, or some form of written contract or agreement between the deceased and his clients when he is contracted for a job.

Second, and more importantly, decedent was not earning “less than the minimum wage” at the time of his death.

Xxxx Respondent testified that her husband was earning not less than P6,000.00 per month. On the other hand, the highest minimum wage rate at the time of the accident, based on Wage Order No. RTWPB XI-07, was P148.00. At the rate, the monthly minimum wage would be P3,256.00, clearly an amount less than what respondent testified to as her husband’s monthly earnings. The deceased would not fail within the recognized exceptions.

There is therefore no basis for the CA’s computation for Mumar’s supposed net earning capacity and the subsequent award of damages due to loss of earning capacity.22 WHEREFORE, premises considered, judgment is hereby rendered in favor of plaintiff. Accordingly, defendants are made solidarily liable to pay plaintiff the following: 1.

2.

3.

4.

5.

Actual damages in the amount of Php 775,981.60 Civil indemnity in the amount of Php50,000, moral damages in the amount of Php50,000, exemplary damages of Php20,000, and attorney’s fees of Php50,000.

Considering that defendants, who were summoned by publication have failed to appear in this case, let this Decision be serve upon them also by means of publication in a newspaper of general publication in the Philippines, chosen by raffle at the expense of Plaintiff, pursuant to Section 13, Rule 13 of the 2019 Proposed Amendments to the 1997 Rules of Civil Procedure.

SO ORDERED. 27 July 2021, Quezon City, Metro Manila.

(Sgd.) EDITHA G. MINA-AGUBA Presiding Judge Copy furnished: ATTY. INOCENCIO VIVERO ATTY. CERIZAR VICENTE S. TORIO Counsel for the Plaintiff CARLO Y. LEPATAN Plaintiff NELSON C. SONER Defendant ALL ASIA STRUCTURES, INC., Defendant MACRO STRUCTURES, INC., Defendant Exhibit “A”; Records, p. 16 Exhibit “A-1”; Records, p. 17 Exhibit “B”; Records, p. 18 4 Exhibit “B-1”; Records, p. 19 5 Exhibit “D”; Records, p. 21 6 Exhibit “D-1”; Records, p. 22 7 Exhibit “D-2”; Records, p. 23 8 Exhibit “D-3”; Records, p. 24 9 Exhibit “E”; Records, p. 25 10 Exhibit “F” and series; Records, p. 28-29 11 Exhibit “G”; Records, p. 30 12 Exhibit “C”; Records, p. 20 13 Exhibit “H” to “J” and series; Records, pp. 31-48 14 Exhibit “K” and series; Records, pp. 49 -55 15 Dra. Leila A. Dela Llana, petitioners, versus, Rebecca Biong, doing business under the name and style of Pongkay Trading, respondent, G.R. No. 182356, 04 December2013 16 ibid.

17 R Transport Corporation, petitioner, versus, Luisito G. Yu, respondent, G.R. No. 174161, 18 February 2015 18 Mariano C. Mendoza, and Elvira Lim, petitioners, versus, Spouses Leonora J. Gomez and Gabriel V. Gomez, respondent, G.R. No. 160110, 18 June 2014 19 Filcar Transport Services, petitioner, versus, Jose A. Espinas, respondent, G.R. No. 174156, 20 June 2012 20 Rosena Fontelar Ogawa, petitioner, versus, Elizabeth Gache Menigishi, respondent, G.R. No. 193089, 09 July 2012 21 Al Dela Crus, petitioner, versus, Capt. Renato Octa Viano and Wilma Octa Viano, respondents, G.R. No.219649, July26, 2017.

22 Paulita “Edith” Serra, petitioner, versus, Nelfa T. Mumar, respondent, G.R. No. 193861, 14 March 2012 (MStandard-Apr. 18 & 25, 2022) 1 2 3

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Sports

MONDAY, APRIL 18, 2022

Spence stops Ugas to win rd 3 welterweight world title

L

OS ANGELES—Errol Spence punished Yordenis Ugas on the way to a 10th-round technical knockout on Saturday to add the Cuban’s World Boxing Association title to his World Boxing Council and International Boxing Federation belts.

Spence, fighting in front of home fans in the Dallas Cowboys’ AT&T stadium in Texas, remained unbeaten, improving to 28-0 with 22 knockouts when referee Laurence Cole called a halt at 1:44 of the 10th on the advice of the ringside doctor.

By then, Ugas’s right eye was swollen shut from the blows meted out by Spence, who rocked the Cuban in the seventh round and continued to pour in the punishment until it was over.

Spence was fighting for the first time since an eye injury suffered in training forced him out of a planned bout with Manny Pacquiao last August.

Ugas stepped in at the last minute and sent the Philippine legend into retirement with a unanimous decision victory.

But the 35-year-old Cuban had no answer for Spence’s powerful combinations. He did rock the American in the sixth round, sending him reeling into the ropes after knocking Spence’s mouthpiece out.

Spence said he was distracted by the loss of his mouthpiece, and didn’t defend himself adequately.

“I thought the ref had said stop,”

Spence said. “That’s my fault.”

It could have been ruled a knockdown, but Spence—who has never been sent to the canvas—insisted he was never out on his feet.

He led on all three judges’ scorecards when the fight was stopped as Ugas fell to 27-5 with 12 knockouts.

‘Kept on punching’ This would be Spence’s second comeback from serious injury—the first when he was sidelined for months after a car crash in October 2019.

The 32-year-old said during the inring interview post-bout he didn’t have any doubts about his return after suffering a detached retina.

“I believe in myself 100 percent.

I train 100 percent. And I just knew I would be victorious,” he said.

However, with his last fight being in December 2020—a victory over Danny Garcia—Spence said he did feel his timing was a little off in the early rounds with Ugas.

“But I knew I was going to catch on later in the rounds. I just kept on

working, kept on punching.”

With three belts in hand, Spence wasted no time in calling out unbeaten World Boxing Organization champion Terence Crawford.

“That’s the fight that I want, that’s the fight everybody else wants,” Spence said. “Terence, I’m coming for that belt.”

Ugas, meanwhile, said he wished the fight had continued.

“I couldn’t see from the eye, but I wanted to keep going to the end,” said the 35-year-old Cuban, whose eye was examined by the ringside doctor several times during the bout.

“I feel sad because I trained really hard for this fight.” AFP Errol Spence

PSI chairman and president Lailani Velasco (middle) is shown with fellow board of trustees following the PSI election during their congress at the New Coast Hotel in Manila.

With her are (from left) Edgardo Lora, Conreylito Dalisay, Vero Paloma, Sherwyn Santiago, Jefferson Lao, (front row) Lea Antig and Antoninette Mendoza.

Velasco secures fresh term as swim chief Republic of the Philippines NATIONAL CAPITAL JUDICIAL REGION Regional Trial Court Branch 78 Quezon City In re: PETITION FOR ADOPTION OF A MINOR EDWARD THOMAS PALOYO WITH APPLICATION FOR HIS CHANGE OF NAME, FROM “EDWARD THOMAS PALOYO” TO “EDWARD THOMAS P. SAUNAR”.

S.P. CASE NO. R-QZN-21-11293-SP SPOUSES RUEL J. SAUNAR AND SHEILA MARIE P. SAUNAR, Petitioners. x------------------------------------------------------x

ORDER

This is a Verified petition filed by the SPOUSES RUEL J. SAUNAR and SHEILA MARIE P. SAUNAR on December 22, 2021 for the purpose of adoption of minor EDWARD THOMAS PALOYO and application for change of his name from EDWARD THOMAS PALOYO to EDWARD THOMAS P. SAUNAR. Finding the PETITION and its attachments sufficient in form and substance, the same is set for hearing for the presentation of jurisdictional requirements/initial hearing on JUNE 22, 2022, at exactly 8:30 o’clock in the morning before this Court sitting at Room 203 Second Floor Hall of Justice Annex Building, Quezon City Hall Compound, Diliman, Quezon City.

Let copy of this Order be published in a NEWSPAPER of national circulation selected by a Raffle under the supervision of the Honorable Executive Judge of the Regional Trial Court of Quezon City, at the expense of the petitioners.

Madam MARIEBEC CARIAGA, the Social Worker of the Court is ordered to conduct prepare and submit CHILD & HOME STUDY REPORTS pertaining to the herein petitioners, the adoptee and their family; and shall verify likewise with the Civil Registry the real identity and registered name of the adoptee.

The same Social Worker shall establish that the child is legally available for adoption and the documents submitted in support thereof are all valid and authentic; that the Petitioners has sincere intention and the adoption shall inure to the best interest of the child.

If after the conduct of the case studies, the social worker finds that there are grounds to deny the petition, she shall make the proper recommendation to the court furnishing a copy thereof to the petitioners.

The counsel for the petitioner is given ten (10) days from receipt of a copy of this ORDER to furnish the Office of the Solicitor General, the City Prosecutor of Quezon City, DSWD, NSO and the City Civil Registrar of Quezon City copies of this Petition complete with annexes and to show compliance thereof soonest time possible.

Let copies of this Order be furnished the Office of the Solicitor General, the City Prosecutor of Quezon City, Assistant City Prosecutor Arnel F. Pabellar, DSWD, the NSO, the City Civil Registrar of Quezon City and the petitioners/ counsel for their perusal and immediate reference.

The City Civil Registrar of Quezon City, whereby the proposed adoptee is registered, and anyone/offices who wishes to oppose instant petition including the Civil Registrar General are likewise ordered to appear on the above mentioned scheduled hearing to show cause why this petition should not be granted.

The petitioners and the proposed adoptee must personally appear and they must testify before the undersigned presiding Judge of this Court.

SO ORDERED. Quezon City, Metro Manila, Philippines.

28th day of December, 2021.

(ORIGINAL SIGNED) FERNANDO T. SAGUN, JR. Presiding Judge (MStandard - Apr. 18, 25 & May 2, 2022)

LANI Velasco has been given a fresh four-year term as Philippine Swimming, Inc. chairman and president following a recent election during the congress of the local federation at the New Coast Hotel in Manila.

Velasco said the goal remains the same for the PSI board of trustees--to have a “healthy participation from all five disciplines” in the sport, as well as to send athletes to different international tournaments particularly the 2024 Paris Olympics.

“We’re hoping to see our athletes perform well in different international competitions,” said Velasco, whose leadership enjoys the full support of both the International Swimming Federation and the Asia Swimming Federation.

“We want to see more of our athletes qualify in various meets abroad, especially the Olympics,” she added.

The five events in aquatics are swimming, water polo, diving, open water and artistic swimming.

Under the leadership of Velasco, the country sent two qualified

swimmers during the previous Tokyo Olympics—Fil-Ams Luke Gebbie and Remedy Rule.

In the 30th Southeast Asian Games the country hosted in 2019, James Daiparine captured the gold medal in the 100-meter breaststroke—the country’s first gold in 10 years—at the New Clark Aquatics Center in Capas, Tarlac.

The national team also captured six silvers and nine bronze medals in the 2019 biennial meet, and according to Velasco, the goal is to match—if not surpass—that medal haul in the Hanoi SEA Games in Vietnam on May 12 to 23.

Also elected to their respective positions were Antoinette Mendoza as secretary, Vero Paloma as treasurer, and Edgardo Lora, Conreylito Dalisay, Sherwyn Santiago, Jefferson Lao, Roberto Tan and Lea Antig as members of the board of trustees.

Philippine Olympic Committee chairman Steve Hontiveros and POC membership and accreditation of commission chairman Atty. Avelino Sumagui attended the polls.

PH golfers hold practice at Vietnam SEAG venue THE Philippine national golfers went to Hanoi for a familiarization trip ahead of the 31st Southeast Asian Games set next month in the Vietnam capital.

The team arrived in Hanoi over the weekend and tested the fairways beginning Monday at the Heron Lake Golf and Resort in Hanoi.

According to the statement of the National Golf Association of the Philippines, all but one of the seven members of the golf squad joined the trip “for a chance to sample and get acquainted with the intricacies of the 6,883-yard course which is fairly young as it opened only 12 years ago.”

“It’s a resort-type course with the feels of Mount Malarayat back home,” said national coach Miko Alejandro in describing the site of the golf competitions from May 13-18.

CYAN MAGENTA YELLOW BLACK

Entertainment Tony Labrusca’s sweet recollections mind the “shipping” WHEN Hello Stranger but he makes clear lead stars Tony that it will never Labrusca and JC happen in reality.

Alcantara – the two “I feel bad for young gentlemen who those who wanted it gave heart and soul to be for real. A lot to Xavier de Guzman of our followers were and Mico Ramos, sad because they are respectively – won aware that JC and I the BL Love Team of have other projects the Year for an online separately and we magazine, the XavMi are not just doing BL. What gives followers were ecstatic.

“We deserved it,” Labrusca, one- me comfort though is that I believe, half of the XavMi coupling teases. aside from all the kilig and that dream “The win was not just because of me of us being an us, is that we were not and JC, but the whole artistic, creative, just XavMi to them. We became their companions, friends, and and technical village that gave life to some extent, family to the movie and the series of even, that we were course. It was a well-deserved there for them, pat on our collective backs and for each because you know, it other, during was an affirmation that the harshest hey, we did something moments good.” of the According to pandemic,” Labrusca, their being he explains. “aesthetically pleasing” Labrusca’s is the reason why ultimate wish Filipino BL aficionados for XavMi: and the curious block “I want them gravitated towards XavMi. to become the “The most superficial one I think, we were probably Tony Labrusca (left) Popoy and Basha of Philippine BL. I am aesthetically pleasing to a lot with JC Alcantara open to the idea of of people. The content was being him again, not appreciated because there was no political agenda and we did that soon though. When JC and I not have all the prevailing concerns, step in their shoes again, I want it to issues, and the correctness tones that be epic! With a fuller, more mature were all over in the other BLs,” he story of two men who fell in love and are still in love.” says.

On XavMi’s experiencing the most “It was an honest-to-goodness movie about Xavier and Mico falling anticipated true love’s kiss, the actor in love with each other. The creators recollects: “I still remember that and the film’s director focused on Crazy For You was on repeated play the journey, the ups and downs of to put us in the mood. Both JC and I two gentlemen who met at the right were emotionally truthful about being time and right place, and became Xavier and Mico. JC always joked that amongst all the actors in a romantically involved,” the young BL, siya na lang ang hindi pa actor carries on. nahahalikan, right?”

Labrusca gives credit to the He continues: “The kissing Young Padawans with Vivoree scene had three takes. The first Escito, Patrick Quiroz, and take felt awkward and yes, it Miguel Almendras who looked it. The second take was a acted as Mico’s best friends, funny one because when our lips Gillian Vicencio as Crystal, locked, may sounds. Rinig mo Xavier’s girlfriend, and talaga yung tunog. Yung third, Mean Espinosa as which was the one, which Professor Tina everyone saw in the Moran. movie, was talagang “All of them tamang-tama.” and the manner What is next in line they breathed for him are You’re life to all their Mine with Jane characters, Oineza, a romantic plus the comedy by Easy stories written Ferrer and another and woven movie to be directed wonderfully

by Victor Villanueva made Hello (Patay Na Si Hesus).

Strangers “There is a super not only intense psychological engrossing thriller and another but an interesting one with Ariella Arida,” watch,” avers he discloses.

Labrusca.

He is also off to New York As to the (first time to be in the city that X a v M i / To n y never sleeps) to be in Jhett and JC shippers, Tolentino’s Asian Persuasions Labrusca says that stars KC Concepcion, that he doesn’t Dante Basco, and other AsianTony Labrusca American actors.

Ang Probinsyano breaks live viewership record on YouTube A scene from ‘Ang Probinsyano’ starring Coco Martin (left)

ACTION drama FPJ’s Ang Probinsyano smashed its own live viewership record on Kapamilya Online Live on YouTube after its April 11 episode reached an all-time high of 222,000 live concurrent viewers (or the number of live viewers watching at the same time).

The action-packed series broke its own

record for the second straight episode, which saw Cardo (Coco Martin) and Task Force Agila in an all-out gunfight against his mortal enemies led by Albert’s (Geoff Eigenmann) elite police group Black Ops, Lito (Richard Gutierrez), and first lady Lily (Lorna Tolentino).

landed on Philippine’s trending list.

Meanwhile, after a COVID-induced hiatus, Coachella Valley businesses are flourishing with the return of one of music’s most-touted events, a boon for the region that counts festivals as key to its economic engine.

With just a little over 90,000 residents, Indio’s motto is “The City of Festivals,” events that make it at least $3 million in direct revenue alone, according to municipal figures, which includes ticketsharing dollars and transient occupancy

MONDAY, APRIL 18, 2022

Shanti Dope unlocks new career level,

C3

joins panel of P-Pop reality search ‘Top Class’

(From left) Cornerstone Entertainment Erickson Raymundo, Shanti Dope, and Jeffrey Vadillo

P

INOY rap star Shanti Dope has officially joined Top Class: The Rise To P-Pop Stardom as the competition’s rap mentor and judge. He now joins KZ Tandingan who was previously introduced as one of the mentors and Catriona Gray who is hosting the show.

Speaking to Manila Standard Entertainment, the 21-year-old rap artist talked about how he reacted when he was informed that he was going to be part of the reality search, and how excited he is right now to share his rapping skills with P-Pop hopefuls.

“Music doesn’t have any limits. It’s like exploring another new territory.

It’s another level in my career that’s why I felt both nervous and excited when I was approached to join the show,” Shanti Dope, born Sean Patrick Ramos, said in vernacular.

“I think this is a good venue to explain my music and since P-Pop and hip hop are two different genres, it’s not surprising if we, the artists and the hopefuls, would come up with new sounds because we all have different musical backgrounds,” he added.

According to Shanti Dope, the lucky auditionees who will become the students of the first batch of Top Class are going to have a great learning opportunity from him.

“I can tell yet what kind of mentor I’m going to be but

Shanti Dope (left) with event host and singer KVN during the official announcement

for sure I’ll be able to learn from them as they will learn something from my experience. Though I still consider myself a student of hip hop/ rap music and the music industry as a whole, I believe that there are a lot of new techniques, perspectives, and approaches that I can share when it comes to coaching, mentoring, and judging,” he bashfully shared.

Shanti Dope has rightfully gained universal critical acclaim from peers in the rap community, critics, and fans alike. Having gotten to closely work with big rap personalities such as DJ Klumcee and rap legend Gloc-9, students can be assured that they will be getting lessons from a certified lyrical master who is behind the hits such as “Nadarang,” “Mau,” “Shantidope,” and “Amatz” (the last of which was featured in an episode of M a r v e l ’s The Falcon and the Winter

Soldier.)

When asked for his thoughts on being the rap mentor for Top Class, Shanti Dope stated that he feels extremely honored.

“Of course, I am so honored and excited to be one of the mentors of Top Class. This is my first time being a judge for a talent show, so for me, a new achievement was unlocked for my career.”

On his preparation for the exciting opportunity, Shanti went on to say that “Right now I’m watching talent shows and contests to refresh my knowledge on how to be an effective judge/mentor and how to articulate and describe what I want to express better. As part of my preparation, I also exercise daily and try not to stay up too late.”

Auditions for the reality competition are currently ongoing and will only be open until April 20, giving aspirants less than two weeks to take their shot at becoming one of the next P-Pop icons.

For this edition of the show, Top Class will only be admitting boys between the age of 16 and 26. The full audition mechanics can be found on the social media pages of Top Class and aspirants will have to accomplish the steps as stated on the Top Class Kumuchannel.

Top Class is an innovative reality show made possible by the collaboration of Filipino Entertainment giants Kumu, Cignal Entertainment, TV5, and Cornerstone Entertainment.

Shanti Dope joins the P-pop reality search ‘Top Class’

PPCRV partners with Smart in nationwide call for youth poll volunteers THE Parish Pastoral Council for will serve as the official uniform of in the critical role of poll volunteers especially the youth - in fulfilling this Responsible Voting (PPCRV) has PPCRV volunteers.

“Smart has been an invaluable mission,” said Jane J. Basas, SVP and partnered with PLDT mobile arm Smart Communications, Inc. (Smart) for its partner to PPCRV through the years,” Head of Consumer Wireless Business at Smart. aim to mobilize youth volunteers to said Myla Villanueva, PPCRV Chair.

Smart’s support for PPCRV is in line Interested volunteers may directly serve as poll watchers in the upcoming with its various efforts to inspire the coordinate with the PPCRV coordinator national elections.

An accredited citizens’ arm of the Filipino youth to live their passion with in their parish.

Aside from poll watching at precincts, Commission on Elections, PPCRV is a purpose.

“It is an honor for Smart to support PPCRV volunteers may also express their national parish-based political but nonpartisan lay movement that promotes PPCRV in its noble mission to promote preference in other assignments, including clean, honest, accurate, meaningful, clean and peaceful elections. We believe Voter’s Education; Voters’ List Cleansing and Verification; Voters’ and peaceful elections.

Assistance Desk; Election As part of their Monitoring System partnership, Smart is Encoders; Logistics providing logistical support for Food and Supplies; for PPCRV to engage and Transportation and and empower more youth Communications, among volunteers across the country. others.

To help with the Smart’s partnership connectivity needs of the with PPCRV is also part organization, Smart has of its commitment to also set up a dedicated help the country attain mobile hotline for PPCRV the United Nations at 09287008222. Smart has Sustainable Development Goals, particularly also turned over mobile UNSDG 16, which calls phones and committed for strong institutions. monthly prepaid load To know more about assistance to the election PPCRV and its mission, watchdog as well as donated PPCRV partners with Smart to mobilize youth volunteers to serve as poll visit www.ppcrv.org. over 390,000 shirts, which watchers in the upcoming national elections

K-Pop group 2NE1 reunites at Coachella SOUTH Korean girl group 2NE1 has officially reunited on Sunday at the Coachella Valley Music and Arts Festival in the United States. It was the band’s first performance since disbanding six years ago.

At the festival’s main stage, Minzy, Bom, and Dara (more popularly known

by Filipino fans as Sandara Park) joined leader CL in performing the band’s 2011 hit “I Am The Best.”

Clips of the performance flooded several social media platforms and

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

taxes from campers.

The benefit to businesses from liquor stores to hotels to gas stations took that figure soaring even higher — until the pandemic stymied live performance and put Coachella on indefinite hiatus.

This year, the festival’s giving 1970s vibes with bell-bottom silhouettes of yore, along with bursts of neon and glitter adding sheen to the Empire Polo Club grounds where the stages spring up each year. AFP

2NE1 at Coachella

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

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MONDAY, APRIL 18, 2022

Life

I

WAS one of the thousands who immediately embarked on “revenge travel” when alert levels were lowered in the metro and neighboring provinces.

I drove off on a relaxing escapade to Pico de Loro of which I heard so much about from my sons and from friends. It felt great to finally be able to liberate myself from the shackles of home confinement brought about by almost three years of varying alert levels.

With no laptop and no mobile phone in hand, I was also escaping from all the brutal and nasty election-related posts that dominate social media these days.

Pico de Loro, a 40-hectare residential resort village, is part of Hamilo Coast and is named after the mountain that can be seen from its entrance. It has a Beach Club exclusive to members and their guests who have a choice of either displaying their swimming skills in the sea, taking a dip in the infinity pool, or just relaxing on daybeds spread all over the beach while gazing at the captivating view of the sun-sea-sand elements.

Since I was on an honest-to-goodness relaxing holiday, I did all three.

The resort also has a Country Club that offers various sports facilities and indoor recreational amenities. Upon entering its lobby, I noticed right away some masterpieces of world-renowned Cebuano furniture designer, Kenneth Cobonpue, who is certainly a source of pride for us, Cebuanos. Completing the tightly-k nit resort community is the nine low-impact resi-

The amiable Celine Arenillo, Cluster Marketing Communications Manager, makes sure that first-time guests leave the facility with a load of pleasantly memorable moments, as I did

My Pico De Loro escapade The relaxing view from my balcony is that of the residential condos around the saltwater lagoon

dential condominiums that surround a four-hectare saltwater lagoon.

The amiable Celine Arenillo, who is the Marketing Communications Senior Manager of the facility, wanted me to see everything interesting about the village and was kind enough to draw up a schedule for me because she knew it was my first visit. I told her that my beautiful and functionally designed room at the Pico Sands Hotel was, definitely, a great start to a relaxing holiday. Its spacious balcony had a soothing view of the nearby lagoon surrounded by the condos.

After I got settled in my room, I immediately headed for the beach on one of those comfortable oversized golf carts that ferry guests around the entire facility. After having been forcibly kept away from the beach by the pandemic, it felt great, spending most of my time swimming, embracing the fresh sea air and getting that enviable tan, then relaxing on those beachfront daybeds, with a very cold piña colada in hand. It was, indeed, a real escapade from the boring city life.

The following day started with a hearty breakfast at the breezy patio of the hotel and I have to say that they have excellent tsokolate batirol, complemented by very good service from a team of well-trained banquet staff. It was the perfect way to prepare me for the first scheduled activity of the day – a very interesting mangrove tour.

Pico de Loro offers this tour to guests who appreciate ecotourism and those who are aware of their duty to help preserve nature’s bounty. The tour takes you on a leisurely walk through the mangrove forest, which is 10 hectares in size, the largest in Nasugbu, Batangas.

Along the path, I saw on the ground

Tagaytay Highlands remains to be a foremost choice of investors who now see the wisdom of acquiring properties located in lush mountainous areas and its envisioned to last and endure through the years

small mounds with holes on top and was told by our guide that dozens of crabs live inside those dried heaps of mud.

They stay indoors and crawl out of the holes only at night, to look for food.

The tour also takes guests on a comfortable ride on a small boat along a narrow river, for a closer look at the different plant and animal species that proliferate in such untouched environment. Around 80 percent of the world’s important fish species have mangroves as their habitat.

While on the tour, I kept reminding myself of the mantra I teach my students when they go nature tripping: leave nothing but footprints, take nothing but pictures, kill nothing but time.

YOUR MONDAY CHUCKLE HOSPITAL: An institution which holds your ills by pills and kills you with bills.

The latter part of the afternoon was reserved for a sunset cruise that took me to the different coves near Pico, the most interesting of which is the Elephant Cove, named so because the monolith right next to it is shaped like the trunk of an elephant. There is also the St. Elmo’s Cove, which has pure white sand, easily becoming a favorite of Pico’s guests, especially because it is also a good spot for snorkeling.

And, what is a sunset cruise without cocktails? Always one step ahead, the resort’s management prepared delicious finger food and a bottle of merlot for us, passengers, raising our satisfaction level to unprecedented heights. Still, we

were reminded by the boat’s crew that a four-course dinner was waiting for us at one of the beautiful handcrafted domes set up on the beach.

At our dinner inside the dome, I marveled at such an ingenious way to partake of a de luxe meal, with the evening sea breeze blowing from all directions.

The artistically designed cocoon-like structure even had piped-in music and mood lighting. Only in the Philippines can one have a lavish meal served in such magical ambience.

To me, part of real relaxation is having a good massage, so I tried out the services of the hotel’s spa. My therapist was so good that whatever muscle pains I had in my back and leg vanished, and, no doubt about it, I felt like a million bucks thereafter.

I planned to spend the following day just going around the entire facility on those nice shuttle carts, to enjoy the pleasant vibe of the place. However, when I passed by the Beach Club, I couldn’t resist the sun-sea-sand temptation again.

The next thing I knew, I was already swimming in the sea, taking in as much fresh air as I could, and putting the finishing touches on my much-desired tan. After all, I was on an “escapade” from almost three years of bland, uninspired life within the four corners of my house.

Pico de Loro is certainly the best antidote to stress and boredom. Only an hour-and-a-half drive from Manila on well-paved roads, it’s where you commune with nature…in style. Perk yourself up and book your own “escapade” now through reservations@picosandshotel.com or (632) 84647888.

For feedback, I’m at bobzozobrado@gmail.com.

Most times of the year, Tagaytay Highlands’ nippy breeze spurs resident families to take leisurely ‘paseos’ at its lush garden parks

Doesn’t this scene make you want to jump into your car and speed off right away to Pico de Loro?

The mesmerizing sunset at Pico de Loro is out of this world, a definite stress-reliever

Eating a four-course dinner in this beautiful dome on the beach, complete with piped-in music and mood lighting, is one of the highlights of Pico de Loro

As well-heeled homebuyers seek tranquil havens for their families to this day, they realize that they need not look elsewhere for good air quality, soothing nature views, and proximity to vast green spaces

Tagaytay Highlands provides salient home considerations RESULTS of a global buyer survey recently disclosed that since the pandemic hit two years ago, a number of Filipinos have moved houses, driven by the need for outdoor space and a private place of rest set in a healthy, breathable environment.

In the same breadth, the discerning few continue to find these essential home living features in Tagaytay Highlands, an exclusive mountain resort complex just 90 minutes’ drive from Makati CBD. With approximately 1,200 hectares of rolling terrain, Tagaytay Highlands is the only mountain resort of its kind and scale that spans the provinces of Cavite, Laguna, and Batangas. At 2,000 feet above sea level, residents and their guests enjoy year-round clean, crisp air and the intoxicating vista of Taal Volcano rising in a shimmering Taal Lake. On any clear day, however, Mt. Makiling, Canlubang Valley, and Laguna de Bay hover into view, nature scenes that are balm to the spirit.

The survey, conducted by trusted real estate agency and consultancy firm Santos Knight Frank, further revealed a growing

number of buyers (85 percent of local respondents) preferring abodes with access to the outdoors (33 percent) and to functional property features (17 percent) such as health- and wellness-related facilities.

Such homebuyers’ considerations do not surprise. Cloistered at home during community quarantines and lockdowns, Filipino urbanites felt the urgency to “flee for the hills” where there’s more birdsong than traffic noises—and where they could keep safe from viral transmission while staying sane.

This finding is borne by reports of wellheeled homebuyers trading the metro’s sleek condo penthouses for detached homes or villas at suburban sprawls down south. As they seek tranquil havens for their families to this day, they realize that they need not look elsewhere for good air quality, soothing nature views, and proximity to vast green spaces.

“Most times of the year, Tagaytay Highlands’ nippy breeze spurs resident families to take leisurely ‘paseos’ at its lush garden parks or to indulge in more revitalizing activities such as trekking, hiking, fish-

ing, go-karting, biking, and jogging,” says Lennie Mendoza, Senior Vice President of Highlands Prime, Inc. (HPI), developer of Tagaytay Highlands and a subsidiary of SM Prime Holdings.

“Tagaytay Highlands, in fact, offers everything that is fun and frolicsome in life. In this self-contained community, residents have everything they need to live, play, work, and entertain themselves,” adds Mendoza.

For instance, the Tagaytay Highlands Country Club houses a three-level sports center that features swimming pools, an indoor basketball court, a fully equipped gym, a billiards hall, and a 14-lane bowling center. Golfing families have access to the Highlands’ world-class golf courses with championship-level layouts—the Tagaytay Highlands International Golf Club and Tagaytay Midlands Golf Club.

Residents and their guests who like to indulge their robust appetites may simply head for the Highlands’ slew of fine neighborhood restaurants. For the ultimate wellness experience, residents can check out The Spa and Lodge for relaxing spa services. All

these are part of the exclusive privileges of membership in the premier mountain resort.

No longer just a weekend getaway, Tagaytay Highlands features options for every discerning Filipino family’s dream home: signature log cabins perched on expansive lots, posh condo units, and elegantly themed, low-density residential enclaves designed as alternative primary homes for upmarket property seekers.

Envisioned to last and endure through the years, Tagaytay Highlands is also primed for expansion, making it the foremost choice of investors who now see the wisdom of acquiring properties located in lush mountainous areas. Imagine everyday living in a beautiful home that brings the outdoors in and offers flexible interior spaces, ensuring long-term protection from future contagions.

As the country adapts to a ‘better normal’, Tagaytay Highlands invites discriminating homeowners and property investors to make it their permanent address. After all, the premier estate is probably their only option south of Metro Manila for an enduring dalliance with bountiful nature that is

balanced by modern conveniences.

Interested homebuyers will be interested to know that despite the economic downturn due to the pandemic, HPI continues to dominate the Metro Tagaytay market, with the most active inventory at a time of peak market interest. HPI posted substantial gains as evidenced by homebuyers’ rapid uptake of its properties at the height of the 2020-2021 pandemic. The Department of Human Settlements and Urban Development has also named HPI as one of CALABARZON’s 2021 Outstanding Developers for Open Market Projects.

A development that values the safety of its homeowners, their guests, members, and staff, Tagaytay Highlands has also been awarded the Safety Seal of the City Government of Tagaytay.

For inquiries and other information, interested buyers may access Tagaytay Highlands’ Facebook https://www.facebook. com/Tagaytayhighlands; Instagram @tagaytayhighlandsofficial; and website www. tagaytayhighlands.com.