Manila Standard - 2022 May 13 - Friday

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Biden, Xi congratulate Marcos Both look to stronger political, trade ties with incoming administration

By Rey E. Requejo and Maricel V. Cruz

U

NITED States President Joe Biden and Chinese President Xi Jinping, along with ambassadors and political leaders from various countries, have conveyed their intention to strengthen alliances with the administration of presumptive President Ferdinand “Bongbong” Marcos Jr. In a statement, the White House said Biden called to congratulate Marcos on May 11 (US time).

“President Biden underscored that he looks forward to working with the President-elect to continue strengthening the US-Philippine alliance, while expanding bilateral cooperation on a wide range of issues, including the fight against

Presumptive President Ferdinand 'Bongbong' Marcos Jr.

US President Joe Biden

Chinese President Xi Jinping

Next page

Sara accepts DepEd position, sets work on skills learning

By Maricel V. Cruz PRESUMPTIVE vice president and Davao City Mayor Sara Duterte of Lakas-Christian Muslim Democrats (CMD) has accepted the offer of winning presidential candidate Ferdinand “Bongbong” Marcos Jr. for her to be secretary of the Department of Education (DepEd).

In a statement, Duterte said: “It was decided that I would work on producing skilled learners with the mindset to realize their full potential as individuals."

"Our country needs a future generation of patriotic Filipinos that advocate peace and discipline in their respective communities,” Duterte said.

The Lakas-CMD and regional party Hugpong ng Pagbabago

VOL. XXXVI • NO. 86 • 3 SECTIONS 12 PAGES • P18 FRIDAY, MAY 13, 2022 • www.manilastandard.net • mst.daydesk@gmail.com

PH economy robust, up by 8.3% in Q1 this year

By Julito G. Rada, Othel V. Campos and Maricel V. Cruz THE country’s gross domestic product (GDP) surpassed the pre-pandemic level as it grew by 8.3 percent in the first quarter this year, a strong reversal of the 3.8-percent

contraction in the same period last year, as the economy reopened with the waning number of COVID-19 infections.

The Philippine Statistics Authority (PSA) said growth in the first quarter exceeded the median analyst forecast of 6.7 percent, making the Philippines the fastestgrowing economy in the East Asian Region for the period. On a seasonally adjusted quarter-on-quarter basis, the economy grew by 1.9 percent compared to the fourth

quarter of 2021.

Data showed the first-quarter expansion was the strongest in the past three quarters, or since the 12.1-percent growth in the second quarter last year.

The expansion in the first three months was also significantly stronger than the 7.8-percent expansion in the fourth quarter of 2021.

National statistician and civil registrar Next page

Presumptive Vice President Sara Duterte-Carpio

Duterte believes no poll irregularities but asks alleged cheating be probed

By Vito Barcelo

ties in the May 9 polls.

“To be honest, I did not see any DESPITE some groups’ allegations cheating and I will not allow cheatof electoral fraud, President Rodrigo ing,” Duterte said in a prerecorded Duterte said he is convinced there was Talk to the People aired on Thursday.

Next page no cheating or other voting irregulari-

COURTESY CALL. Newly-elected members of the 19th Congress, led by Ilocos Rep.-elect Sandro Marcos, pay a courtesy call on Majority Leader Martin Romualdez in his Makati residence. Also in the photo are GP party-list Rep. Jose Gay Padiernos, TGP party-list Rep. Bong Teves, Ako Bicol party-list Rep. Zaldy Co and Uswag Ilonggo party-list Rep.-elect Jojo Ang.

NUP endorses Romualdez as House Speaker

By Maricel V. Cruz

SAFEGUARD AGAINST FRAUD. A volunteer nun carefully scrutinizes election returns at the Parish Pastoral Council for Responsible Voting (PPCRV) Canvassing and Monitoring Center on Thursday, May 12, 2022. Danny Pata

THE National Unity Party (NUP) endorsed Thursday House Majority Leader and Leyte 1st District Rep. Martin Romualdez as House Speaker of the incoming 19th Congress.

“In a consultation with the NUP Members of the House of Representatives it was unanimously

agreed to endorse Rep. Romualdez as the Speaker for the coming Congress,” NUP spokesperson Reginald Velasco said in a statement.

Velasco said the decision to push Romualdez to be the next Speaker was made "in recognition of his exemplary service as Majority Leader of the 18th Congress and his proven ability as a consensus builder for the

different political parties in the House of Representatives."

NUP was among the major political parties that supported the tandem of presumptive President and Vice President Ferdinand Marcos, Jr. and Sara Duterte in the May 9 general elections.

NUP is poised to be one of the largest Next page

Palace forms transition team to hand over reins of govt Rody to BBM: Initiate Charter

By Othel V. Campos THE government on Thursday named the members of the transition team that will hand over the reins to the incoming administration led by presumptive President Ferdinand Marcos Jr.

Executive Secretary Salvador Medialdea, who will lead the turnover team, said President Rodrigo Duterte issued Administrative Order 47 for the creation of the Presidential Transition Committee (PTC).

With Medialdea as chairman, its members include Foreign Affairs Secretary

Teodoro Locsin Jr., Finance Secretary Carlos Dominguez III, Budget Undersecretary Tina Rose Marie Canda, and Socioeconomic Planning Secretary and National Economic and Development Authority chief Karl Kendrick Chua.

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change, drop party-list system

By Vito Barcelo

The 77-year-old Duterte encouraged the country's next leader—presumptive Ferdinand "Bongbong" PRESIDENT Rodrigo Duterte urged President his successor to initiate Constitutional Marcos Jr., 13 years his junior—to amendments and abolish the party-list make an initiative to amend the 1987 Next page system in the country's legislature.

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News

FRIDAY, MAY 13, 2022

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Comelec set to proclaim senators T HE Commission on Elections on Thursday said it is ready to proclaim the winning senators in the just-concluded May 9 polls after determining that the Certificates of Canvass (COCs) from areas that will be holding special polls or have yet to conduct elections will no longer affect the overall senatorial rankings.

According to acting poll body spokesman, lawyer John Rex Laudiangco, they want the proclamation to be held immediately.

“By immediate, we mean that the canvass has practically covered most of the COCs and those remaining votes, perhaps

referring to a special election, will not anymore affect the canvass,” he said in a press conference.

“If we reach that point, the Comelec will not delay the proclamation. I think we want this to be over and done with.

The earlier we could proclaim the bet-

ter... it will be a big savings to the government... we will not delay. For as long as we have canvassed and the remaining votes will not affect anymore (the results), I know for sure the NBOC (National Board of Canvasser) will schedule the proclamation,” the Comelec official added.

Among those that are set to hold special polls are 14 barangays in Lanao del Sur. The post overseas that has yet to hold elections is Beijing, China as the host government implemented a lockdown due to the increase in COVID-19 cases.

The number of voters in the municipalities of Butig, Binidayan and Tubaran

Biden,...

self-determination, economic recovery,” the statement added.

Marcos assured Biden that “the Philippines has always held the United States in high regard as a friend, an ally, and a partner.”

“I have also invited President Biden to my inaugural on June 30, which could further fortify the relationship of the two countries,” Marcos said.

Marcos spokesman and chief-of-staff Vic Rodriguez said the Philippines’ relationship with the US “will get better” under the Marcos administration.

“As far as our relationship with the United States, under the administration of president-elect Bongbong, I assure you now that it will get better,” Rodriguez said, in an interview with ABS-CBN News Channel.

Rodriguez said Marcos’s foreign policy will be “inclusive” while also ensuring that the interests of the Filipino people come first and are never compromised.

“What I can tell you, you can expect and look forward to a better relationship with our longtime partner and ally, the United States,” Rodriguez said.

“We will not be exclusive to anyone.

The interest of the Filipino people and the

national interest comes first and will never be compromised especially on our territorial integrity. It will never be compromised,” he said.

Chinese Ambassador to the Philippines Huang Xilian also extended his congratulatory message to Marcos Jr. and his running mate, Davao City Mayor Sara Duterte-Carpio.

Huang expressed confidence the Philippines will demonstrate “unprecedented unity” under the incoming administration which would help the country to "rise above all challenges, recover from the pandemic and prosper.”

“I have no doubt that under the next administration, our bilateral relations will only become stronger, our peoples closer and our cooperation deeper and wider,” Huang said.

“We look forward to working with the next Philippine government to upgrade our relationship of comprehensive strategic cooperation to a new height and bring more tangible benefits to the peoples of our two countries,” he added.

Ambassadors and political leaders from several countries have conveyed their messages of congratulations to Marcos.

The ambassadors who were first to greet Marcos were Ambassadors Hajah Johariah

binti Haji Wahab of Brunei Darussalam, Ilan Fluss of Israel, and F. M. Borhan Uddin of Bangladesh.

Meanwhile, a legislator from the Bicol region on Thursday appealed for national unity following the "highly polarized" May 9 elections and called on all Filipinos to rally behind the presumptive President-elect “who is the clear choice of a majority of our voters."

“With his key pronouncements during the presidential campaign season, I am confident that BBM would genuinely pursue a political and economic agenda that would restore us back to the path of high and inclusive growth after it stumbled across speed bumps over the past two years as a result of the once-in-a-century pandemic and, later, the Russia-Ukraine conflict,” Rep. Luis Raymund Villafuerte of Camarines Sur said.

Villafuerte said Marcos wants the Filipino people to judge him not by his ancestors but by his own actions; and has promised to be the President of both those who had voted for him and those who did not, and—in keeping with his central campaign message of unity—to seek common ground in working together to unite the nation.

range of 7 to 9 percent for the entire year.

Chua emphasized the importance of policy continuity by the incoming administration.

“The Duterte administration has enacted many [vital] reforms, like the CREATE Law, Rice Tariffication Law, ‘Build, Build, Build, National ID, retail trade liberalization… All of them should be retained, not reversed,” Chua said.

Chua added that the incoming administration must address the full economic recovery from the COVID-19 pandemic and the acceleration in the inflation rate.

In a joint statement of the Duterte administration’s economic managers composed of Chua, Finance Secretary Carlos Dominguez III, and Budget officer in charge Tina Rose Marie Canda, said the country has overcome the country’s greatest economic and health challenges.

“The headwinds we faced were strong, but our quick rebound from the Omicron surge in January proved that we can live and deal with the virus. With our strengthened healthcare capacity and accelerated vaccination program, we were able to contain the surge and safely reopen the economy,” they said.

On Feb. 1, the government shifted economic centers to alert level 2. By the end of March, around 70 percent of the

economy was placed in alert level 1.

Economic managers said other economic indicators support this strong recovery. Google mobility data improved further when the alert levels were lowered.

Visits to the transit stations are now 30 percent higher than the pre-pandemic level, while visits to workplaces have also exceeded the pre-pandemic level by around 20 percent.

Likewise, the unemployment rate in March 2022 fell to 5.8 percent, the lowest since the start of the pandemic.

Employment creation is now at 4.4 million jobs above the pre-pandemic level.

Other positive developments include manufacturing, which saw a volume of production index growth of 336 percent in March 2022; external trade, with a growth rate of 18.6 percent in March of 2022; and remittances, which hit $2.8 billion in February of 2022.

“Our strong economic performance moves us closer to achieving our growth target of 7 to 9 percent this year, but we will not rest on our laurels. We will continuously work hard to strengthen our domestic economy against heightened external risks such as the RussiaUkraine conflict, China’s slowdown, and monetary normalization in the United States,” economic managers said.

But private economists warned of

economic headwinds building in the coming months as rising prices fueled by supply chain disruptions and the Ukraine conflict squeezed household budgets.

The Philippines' next president will face a "tough challenge" when he takes office on June 30, with inflation and record government debt among the most pressing issues, warned Emilio Neri, lead economist at the Bank of the Philippine Islands.

Palace spokesman Martin Andanar, however, said the next president need not worry about the current state of the economy, pointing to the strong first quarter GDP performance.

Andanar also said the foreign direct investments in February 2022 rose by 46.3 percent year-on-year to $893 million net inflows from $611 million in the same month in 2021.

The Department of Trade and Industry (DTI), meanwhile, lined-up a list of priority programs for endorsement to the transition team of the incoming administration.

Trade Secretary Ramon Lopez said the DTI will soon meet with the transition group and with his replacement as department head.

He said it was vitally important to continue policy reforms and to avoid reversing these. (See full story online at manilastandard.net)

candidates to continue serving the people in their own capacities.

“To the candidates who have failed to secure seats, I thank you as well for your participation in this electoral process. You may not have won this time but I hope you will continue to serve our people in your capacity as leaders in your respective sectors and communities,” he added.

Duterte reiterated it would be an honor to turn over the reins of power to his successor knowing that he did his best to serve the country and people.

“Once the will of the people has finally been made known and all the winners have been officially proclaimed, we will begin the important process of transition of power to our new set of leaders… I would feel patriotic if in the coming days, when I shall have to transfer the reins of government to the newly elected president,” he said.

The Chief Executive also invited the public to join him in rallying behind the newly elected leaders to continue the task of building a stronger and more progressive nation.

Duterte will step down as president on June 30. (See full story online at manilastandard.net)

Palace...

“The PTC will oversee the implementation of the transition activities of the entire government and see to it that delivery of services to the public remains unhampered,” Medialdea said.

Duterte, for his part, said he would call for a meeting with members of the PTC to discuss the impact of the Russia-Ukraine crisis on the Philippines.

“It would be good for us to meet… select members of the committee or maybe all. We should have about one or two meetings because of the fallout in Ukraine,” the President said.

The ongoing war between the two countries would push up international prices of food and fuel, which would hurt consumers and economic growth, according to the World Bank.

Meanwhile, the Department of Trade and Industry (DTI) also lined up a list of priority programs for endorsement to the transition team of the incoming administration.

Trade Secretary Ramon Lopez said the DTI will soon meet with the transitionary group and with his replacement as depart-

ment head at the DTI. Of vital importance, Lopez noted, is the continuity of economic reforms and to avoid reversal of policy reforms.

AO 47 also directs all departments, bureaus, and instrumentalities of government to create their own internal transition committees, according to Medialdea.

“We will work closely with the representatives of the incoming administration to ensure a peaceful and orderly transfer of power,” Medialdea said.

Based on an unofficial count, both Marcos Jr. and his running mate, Sara Duterte-Carpio, have huge leads following Monday's polls, with over 98% of election returns already sent to the Commission on Elections.

Under Administrative Order No. 47, signed by Duterte on May 10, all departments, bureaus, and instrumentalities of government are directed to create their own internal transition committees which will support the PTC in overseeing the proper turnover of projects and continuous operation of their offices during the transition period.

Medialdea said that official talks among members of the PTC will be put on hold until the next president is officially declared. (See full story online at manilastandard.net)

campaign, she and Marcos talked about the possibility of her leading the Department of National Defense (DND).

“But seeing the way things are at the moment, I expect that people who want to see the new administration fail will fabricate intrigues about my loyalty and the DND [Department of National Defense] position to break the UniTeam,” Duterte said.

She thanked DepEd Secretary Leonor Briones and the entire DepEd organization for their readiness to work with the new

team.

Senator Sherwin Gatchalian hailed Marcos’s decision to appoint Duterte to the DepEd, saying she had the political capital to ensure that much needed reforms in the education sector—including a review of the K to 12 system—will be implemented.

He reiterated the urgency of addressing the crisis in the education sector considering the dismal performance of Filipino learners in international assessments like the 2018 Programme for

International Student Assessment (PISA).

He also noted Filipinos' dissatisfaction with the K-12 program.

Also on Thursday, Marcos spokesman Vic Rodriguez said the presumptive president is not against appointing a relative to his Cabinet as long as they are qualified.

But the former senator will respect "prohibitions provided for in the Constitution" and in the Civil Service Law, Rodriguez added.

From A1

COVID-19, addressing the climate crisis, promoting broad-based economic growth, and respect for human rights,” the White House said.

Xi, for his part, recognized the Philippines and China as “partners through thick and thin” as “neighbors facing each other across the sea.”

“In recent years, with the joint efforts of both sides, the bilateral relations have been consolidated and enhanced, bringing benefits to the people of both countries and contributing to regional peace and stability,” said Xi in a statement released by the Chinese embassy in Manila.

Biden called Marcos around 9 a.m. (local time) and congratulated him on his overwhelming election victory.

“Marcos was grateful for the acknowledgment of his victory by the American president,” the Marcos camp said in a statement.

“The two leaders spoke of strengthening of ties in trade and diplomacy, as well as their common interest in democracy,

PH...

From A1

general Dennis Mapa said in an online briefing that the main contributors to the first quarter growth were manufacturing, 10.1 percent; wholesale and retail trade and repair of motor vehicles and motorcycles, 7.3 percent; and transportation and storage, 26.5 percent.

Among the major economic sectors, agriculture, forestry, and fishing; industry and services all posted positive growths in the first quarter of 2022 with 0.2 percent, 10.4 percent, and 8.6 percent, respectively.

On the demand side, household final consumption expenditure grew by 10.1 percent in the first quarter of 2022.

Other items that also recorded growths were government final consumption expenditure, 3.6 percent; gross capital formation, 20.0 percent; exports of goods and services, 10.3 percent; and imports of goods and services, 15.6 percent.

Net primary income from the rest of the world grew by 103.2 percent, bringing the gross national income to grow by 10.7 percent in the first quarter of 2022.

Despite the stronger first-quarter GDP performance, Economic Planning Secretary Karl Kendrick Chua recommended keeping the GDP target

Duterte...

From A1

To dispel doubts, Duterte urged the Commission on Elections (Comelec) to investigate cheating allegations, including the 2,000 vote counting machines (VCMs) that malfunctioned.

“On glitches or those saying there are malfunctioning machines that do not read votes, I hope that Comelec would also find time to investigate just to… well, disabuse the minds of those who said that there was cheating,” he added.

The Comelec decided to discard the malfunctioned VCMs for future polls.

The machines, which were acquired from automated elections supplier Smartmatic Corp., have been used since the 2013 midterm polls.

Duterte also urged winners of the national and local positions to prioritize the nation and people.

“You have my congratulations well in advance. I am hopeful that you will serve the Filipino people with all your heart and ability and prioritize the welfare of the general public above everything,” he said.

The President also enjoined losing

Sara...

From A1

(HNP) chairperson thanked her UniTeam running mate for the offer.

“I wish to express my gratitude to presumptive President Bongbong Marcos for the confidence in me to lead the Department of Education,” Duterte said in a statement this Thursday morning.

Duterte said before the election

From A1

in Lanao del Sur is around 10,000 while Filipinos in Beijing are only 1,991.

On the other hand, Laudiangco reminded the 12 winning senators to limit their companions during the proclamation ceremony, which the poll body has yet to schedule.

“We have to remind our potential senators-elect, this time, we will be limiting their companion like what we did during the filing of the Certificate of Candidacy (COC),” he said.

“We are still in the pandemic. We are still under alert level 1. We should all comply with the minimum health protocol,” the poll body official added.

Poll body vows extra pay for election workers THE Commission on Election (Comelec) en banc committed Thursday to provide additional honoraria to all members of the electoral board who worked overtime during the May 9 elections.

“It’s not called overtime pay but additional honoraria. We did this already in the 2019 elections for those electoral boards who worked more than required hours just to finish the assigned tasks,” Comelec spokesperson John Rex Laudiangco told a press conference in Pasay City.

"To our electoral boards, don't worry because the Comelec will be processing this just like what we did in 2019,” he added.

The Comelec still has to provide the exact amount of additional honoraria to EBs, including teaching and non-teaching personnel from the Department of Education.

The latest Comelec resolution stated that the chairpersons and members of the EB, the Department of Education supervisor official (DESO), and their respective support staff shall be entitled to a travel allowance amounting to P2,000 each. DESO and DESO staff will also receive a communication allowance of P1,500 each. (See full story online at manilastandard.net)

SC asked to halt ‘unconstitutional’ mandatory vax

By Rey E. Requejo THE Supreme Court has been asked to stop the implementation of all government issuances and policies imposing mandatory vaccinations against COVID-19 for being unconstitutional.

In a 173-page petition, the petitioners -- who include a COVID-19 vaccineinjured employee, doctors, scientists, religious leaders, government and private sector employees as well as public school teachers -- asked the SC to issue a temporary restraining order and/or a writ of preliminary injunction as an immediate relief.

The petitioners include an alliance from various civic groups including COVID Call to Humanity (CCH), Concerned Doctors and Citizens of the Philippines (CDCPh), Legal Lightworkers for Life and Liberty (L4), and Juan Dakila Movement.

Former University of the Philippines College Law Dean Pacifico Agabin, one of the country’s leading experts on constitutional law, will lead the 11-person legal team that the petitioners tasked to defend the petition. (See full story online at manilastandard.net)

Rody...

From A1

Constitution as soon as he assumes the presidency on June 30.

Duterte, in a prerecorded Talk to the People aired Thursday morning, said there was "really a demand of the moment" to introduce amendments to the Constitution.

He made the call as he reiterated the need to make changes in the country's charter, be it a shift from the presidential to a federal form of government or whatever.

Addressing his successor, Duterte said "It should be done now. Because if you do that before your term ends, they would say you want to change some provisions in the Constitution to allow you to run (again)."

Duterte told his successor to propose the change in the Constitution as early as possible to avoid speculations that the move was meant to extend the Charter-mandated six-year term with no re-election.

"That's what they did to me, saying I want that because I want another term.

My golly, it’s all yours. But the new administration must do that because that's necessary," he said. (See full story online at manilastandard.net)

NUP...

From A1

political parties in the 19th Congress as it is one the political parties accredited by the Comelec as a major national political party in the May 9 elections.

The reelected Romualdez, Marcos' first cousin, currently serves as chairman of the House committee on rules, being the Majority Leader.

He is one of the campaign managers of presumptive vice president Davao City Mayor Sara Duterte, who chairs the Lakas-CMD. Romualdez finished law from the staterun University of the Philippines and is the president of Philippine Constitution Association (Philconsa), the oldest association of legal luminaries in the country.

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friday, May 13, 2022

Deployment ban to Saudi still in effect LABOR Secretary Silvestre Bello III reiterated on Thursday that the deployment ban to the Kingdom of Saudi Arabia has not been lifted, adding that the newly created Department of Migrant Workers (DMW) cannot impose any policy pending the full constitution of the new department.

In a fresh rebuke of appointive DMW Secretary Abdullah Mama-o, Executive Secretary Salvador Medialdea upheld Bello’s stance maintaining the status quo, including the suspension of processing of newly hired household service workers bound for Saudi Arabia.

In a memorandum issued last week, Medialdea again advised Mama-o that the DMW has yet to be fully constituted and therefore cannot impose any policy on any agency that the new department would subsume later on.

Medialdea was referring to DMW Department Order No. 4, Series of 2022 dated April 25, which purportedly lifted the ban on deployment to the Kingdom of Saudi Arabia (KSA), and DMW Advisory No. 3, Series of 2022 dated April 18, which enumerated the insurance providers accredited by the Insurance Commission to provide enhanced insurance coverage to OFWs. “Considering that the DMW has not been constituted yet, the DMW Secretary may not impose any policy on the government entities/agencies enumerated in Section 19 of RA No. 11641, since the said entities/agencies continue to exist separately until the DMW is constituted,” the memorandum stated.

Under Section 23 of the DMW law, the DMW could not be constituted without an appropriation in the 2023 General Appropriations Act, as well as the implementing rules and regulations, and a staffing pattern. Vito Barcelo

Revamped number coding still uncertain

The current unified vehicular volume reduction program (UVVRP), commonly known as number coding or color-coding scheme, is seen to remain for the foreseeable future, with the Metro Manila Council still to discuss a newly-modified version of the policy.

In a television interview Metropolitan Manila Development Authority chairperson Romando Artes said a new policy on number coding was earlier discussed by the MMC before the May 9 national elections.

He, however, said the council is yet to decide on its possible implementation as Metro Manila mayors, who make up the MMC, have requested additional data that will be provided “in the coming days or in the coming weeks.”

“The MMC will meet again to discuss this once we have the data asked by some of the mayors,” Artes said.

To date, the MMDA implements a modified form of the UVVRP which reduces the volume of vehicles along EDSA and other major thoroughfares in Metro Manila by 40 percent during the evening rush hours.

Under this scheme, vehicles with license plates ending in particular numbers are prohibited from entering or plying Metro Manila from 5 p.m. to 8 p.m.

Vehicles with a license plate ending with 1 and 2 are prohibited on Mondays; 3 and 4 on Tuesdays; 5 and 6 on Wednesdays; 7 and 8 on Thursdays; and 9 and 0 on Fridays.

ORAL POLIO VAX. Nurse Sarah Jane Austria from the Health Office of the Dasmarinas City, Cavite, administers an oral polio vaccine to a baby at the barangay hall in Barangay Salitran 3.

Under the program, oral polio vaccines are given to all children five years old and below.

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ANTICOVID-19 MANDATORY VACCINATION DRIVE. Groups

wanting a halt to the government’s mandatory COVID-19 vaccination drive show copies of a petition filed at the Supreme Court, citing as respondents the Inter-Agency Task Force, Executive Secretary Salvador Medialdea, Health Secretary Francisco Duque III, Interior and Local Government Secretary Eduardo Ano, Transportation Secretary Arthur Tugade, Education Secretary Leonor Briones, and Makati City Mayor Abby Binay.

Norman Cruz

Duterte won’t apologize for bloody war on drugs

P

RESIDENT Duterte has no intention of apologizing for his much-criticized anti-narcotics campaign even as he warned that the drug menace would persist under the next administration.

Meanwhile, presidential spokesman and Communications Secretary Martin Andanar said the outgoing Chief Executive would continue his advocacies for good government, anti-corruption and anti-illegal drugs even as a private citizen.

Duterte maintained that he did the “right thing” in launching his war against drug syndicates right at the start of his six-year term in July 2016.

“I would say and I would insist na ang tail end sa administration na tama talaga ang ginawa ko. Hindi ako aatras.

No apologies. No. Wala ako. Basta ang akin, tama ‘yung ginawa ko (I would

say and I would insist that the tail end of the administration is that I did the right thing. I will not bow down. No apologies. For me, I did the right thing),” Duterte said in a taped “Talk to the People” program aired Thursday morning.

Duterte expressed dismay that despite his relentless anti-narcotics drive, the scourge of illegal drugs still plagues the country.

He also warned that the drug menace would persist under the next administration, given that billions of pesos worth of illegal drugs continue to enter the country.

“We continue to suffer from the drug

problem. Hindi ito matatapos (This will not end),” he said. “Kaya dito talaga (So, here), it has to be a war. Hindi ito sabihin mo (You cannot call it) special operation ng (of the) police or the military. It cannot be because this thing is a very sinister and virulent activity that would affect life.”

Duterte said he was optimistic that his successor would continue his drug war.

He also hoped that the next leader would take a “stronger pressure” against drug traffickers.

“But I would insist on a continuance of the drug war,” Duterte said. “I hope that the next administration would be, maybe, [take] a strong pressure sa ginawa ko, mas mabuti. Pabalik-balik ang droga eh (compared to what I have done. That’s better because the drug problem is still there).”

LANDSLIDE WINS FOR ROBES COUPLE.

The husband- andwife team of Rep. Florida “Rida” P. Robes and Mayor Arthur Robes of San Jose Del Monte City in Bulacan, celebrate their landslide victory over their respective rivals in the May 9, 2022 election. The Robeses were proclaimed on Thursday by the Commission on Elections together with the winners in their Arangkada San Joseño slate.

Manny Palmero

Cash rewards await winners in 31st SEAG MEMBERS of the Philippine contingent competing in the 31st Southeast Asian Games (SEA Games) in Hanoi, Vietnam who bring home medals will receive cash benefits for their achievements, Senator Sonny Angara said on Thursday, As sponsor and author of Republic Act 10699 or the National Athletes and Coaches Benefits and Incentives Act, Angara said gold medalists in the SEA Games would each get P300,000, while silver and bronze medalists would receive P150,000 and P60,000, respectively.

“Congratulations to Mary Francine Padios for giving the country its first gold medal in the ongoing SEA Games with her masterful performance in the Pencak Silat women artistic singles finals,” Angara said.

“We expect to see more victories by our Philippine Team and hopefully, even surpass the 149 gold medal haul in the 2019 games,” he added.

Apart from Padios’ gold, among the early medal winners were the Philippine men’s beach handball team, men’s lightweight double sculls, and Helen Aclopen Talongen (Kurash 48-kg) who all bagged silver; while George Baclagan (Kurash 90-kg), Charlie Quelino (Kurash 52-kg), and the women’s quadruple sculls the secured bronze medals.

For the team events with five or more participants, Angara clarified that each team member is entitled to receive 25 percent of the cash incentives for individual medal winners.

In the case of competitions with less than five participants per team, they will receive the same cash incentives as individual medal winners and will divide this equally among themselves.

Macon Ramos-Araneta

Eastern Visayas re-opening of face-to-face classes going smoothly

By Ronald O. Reyes

PALO, Leyte--The Department of Education (DepEd) in Eastern Visayas has thanked the support of the local government units (LGUs) and other stakeholders in the conduct of limited face-toface classes amid decreasing cases of COVID-19 in the region.

“We are glad that our LGUs and our stakeholders are very supportive.

During our Focus Group Discussion with them, they really expressed their genuine commitment to supporting the progressive expansion of the limited face-to-face classes,” regional DepEd director Dr. Evelyn Fetalvero said.

Fetalvero maintained that the suc-

cess of the expansion of limited faceto-face classes depended on the “robust” partnership between DepEd and its stakeholders.

Jasmin Calzita, DepEd regional information officer, said 3,882 public and private schools in the region have implemented the progressive expansion of limited face-to-face classes as of April

18, 2022.

“This is 86.8 percent of the 4,473 schools in Region 8,” Calzita said.

In its general assessment during the opening of classes, the DepEd-Eastern Visayas reported that it went smoothly, adding that “the big factor was the strong support of the LGU, parents, and other stakeholders.”

Martinez gets 3rd term as solon Deputy Speaker and re-electionist Valenzuela City 2nd Dist. Rep. Eric Martinez, who is seeking his third and final term has been proclaimed after garnering 132,241 votes against his lone opponent, Magtanggol Gunigundo, who garnered 50,599 votes.

The Valenzuela City Official Board of Canvassers managed to secure and counted all the election returns and finish its Certificate of Canvass and officially proclaimed Martinez.

Martinez upon receiving the official copy of the certificate of canvass expressed thanked his supporters.

Martinez said that he truly feels

great knowing how his constituents appreciated his efforts in making sure all his worthy projects and programs are implemented.

Martinez also credited his victory on the support from President Rodrigo Roa Duterte, and the backing of Iglesia Ni Cristo (INC).

He is also a staunch supporter of the Bongbong Marcos-Sara Duterte Unity tandem and his long-time local political alliance with the Gatchalians.

The group of third-termer Valenzuela City Mayor Rex Gatchalian, who ran unopposed for the first district congressional seat, also secured victory.

A4

News

FRIDAY, MAY 13, 2022

ON GUARD. Members of the Philippine Army man their posts at the EDSA Shrine and EDSA People Power Monument. This is part of preparations for possible protest actions in the aftermath of the May 9 elections. Manny Palmero

Cops, military stay in 14 brgys in Lanao del Sur MEMBERS of the Philippine National Police (PNP) and Armed Forces of the Philippines (AFP) will remain deployed in 14 barangays in Lanao de Sur where failure of elections has been declared.

PNP spokesperson Police Colonel Jean Fajardo, in a GMA News report, also said policemen designated as special board of election inspectors in those areas are still being deployed “Fajardo further said “the deployment of the PNP and AFP still continues there to ensure that the elections there would remain peaceful.”

The Commission on Elections (Comelec) earlier declared failure of elections in 14 barangays in Lanao del Sur. Officials have also called for a special elections in the barangays located in Tubaran, Binidayan, and Butig, Lanao del Sur. Department of the Interior and Local Government (DILG) Secretary Eduardo Año meanwhile said there are no reports of politicians or local government unit (LGU) officials paying permits to campaign fees or any form of aid to terrorist groups such as the Communist Party of the Philippines-New People’s Army-National Democratic Front (CPP-NPA-NDF) in this elections.

He said the DILG will file the appropriate charges against personalities violating Republic Act 10168, otherwise known as the “Terrorism Financing Prevention and Suppression Act of 2012”, which is also a violation of Section 261 of the Omnibus Election Code and Article 137 of the Revised Penal Code or the Disloyalty of Public Officers.

Section 4 of Republic Act 10168 states that any person who finances terrorist groups to carry out or facilitate the commission of any terrorist act, by a terrorist organization, association or group, or by an individual terrorist, shall be guilty of the crime of financing terrorism.

Comelec affirms decision to deny petition vs Bongbong

T

HE Commission on Elections (Comelec) has affirmed the decision of its Second Division denying the petition to cancel the certificate of candidacy (COC) of presidential candidate Ferdinand “Bongbong” Marcos Jr., for failure to present new arguments.

In a five-page resolution dated May 11, the Comelec En Banc, voting 6-0 with one inhibition denied the motion for reconsideration (MR) of petitioner Danilo Lihaylihay to have Marcos declared as a nuisance candidate in the May 9 polls.

“A careful review of the Motion for Reconsideration reveals that it contains merely a rehash of petitioner’s averments and arguments,” it said.

“The Motion failed to raise new mat-

ters or issues, and the grounds that would warrant the reversal of the Assailed Resolution,” the Comelec added.

It noted that there is also no ready to reverse the decision of the Second Division.

“It is apparent on the face of the Motion that there is no cogent reason to disturb the findings of the Commission (Second Division),” it said.

“Wherefore, in view of the foregoing, the Commission (En Banc) denies (the)

respondent’s Motion for Reconsideration dated 22 December 2021 and affirms the Resolution of the Commission (Second Division) promulgated on 16 December 2021,” the poll body said.

In October 2021, Lihaylihay filed the petition urging the poll body to declare Marcos as a nuisance candidate.

Two months later, the Comelec Second Division junked the petition. The petitioner subsequently appealed the case before the Commission en banc.

The Comelec also denied the MRs filed by Bonifacio Ilagan, Akbayan Party, Abubakar Mangelen; and the appeal of Fr. Christian Buenafe, among others, against Marcos, asking to disqualify the latter from running in the presidential race.

THE Department of Environment and Natural Resources (DENR) on Thursday urged candidates to dispose their campaign materials properly.

DENR Secretary Jim Sampulna told the candidates in the 2022 national and local elections to clean up and dispose campaign materials in accordance with Republic Act 9003 or the Ecological Solid Waste Management Act of 2000.

“Win or lose, these candidates must consider the long-term consequences of their campaign materials in the environment. Therefore, they must encourage their supporters and volunteers to take down these materials, especially those made of plastic, and dispose these properly,” he said.

The agency, along with the local government units, would be “at the beck and call” of the Commission on Elections to make sure that a resolution would be crafted requiring candidates to remove election materials after every campaign period.

“We will make sure that the existing environmental laws, such as RA 9003, will strengthen the resolution,” Sampulna said.

He called on the candidates to assemble their teams to “clean up voluntarily instead of being intimidated by possible violations after the election season.”

He recommended the recycling and upcycling campaign materials to lessen the by-products to be disposed of at dumps.

He said the Department of the Interior and Local Government, a member of DENR’s National Solid Waste Management Commission, has already disseminated an advisory to all local governments to remind them to strictly enforce the pertinent provisions of RA 9003. (RIO) Commission on Elections spokesperson John Rex Laudiangco also urged winning and losing candidates to help them remove their campaign materials.

“We are asking all candidates, please continue cleaning up your campaign materials. Let us be environment friendly and compliant,” he said, adding that “if possible, let us recycle these materials. Don’t just throw them away anywhere.”

Manila

21ST FLOOR PACIFIC STAR BLDG., SEN. GIL PUYAT AVENUE CORNER MAKATI AVENUE, TODAY MAKATI CITY, PHILIPPINES 1200 TELEPHONE: (632) 793-5500 TO 04 FAX: (632) 811-5588

NOTICE OF ANNUAL STOCKHOLDERS’ MEETING FOR : The Stockholders of CENTURY PROPERTIES GROUP INC. FROM : The Corporate Secretary SUBJECT : 2021 Annual Stockholders’ Meeting on JUNE 27, 2022 Please be informed that the annual stockholders’ meeting of CENTURY PROPERTIES GROUP INC. (the “Corporation”) shall be held on JUNE 27, 2022, MONDAY at 10:00 a.m., to be conducted virtually and attendance at the meeting will be via remote communication only.

Only common stock shareholders as of MAY 23, 2022 shall be entitled to notice and to vote at the said meeting.

The agenda for the said meeting shall be as follows:

TURNOVER. Election officials turned over certificates of canvas, statements of votes, and backup CDs from Masbate, La Union, and Ilocos Norte to the PICC Forum Tent of Pasay City for the National Board of Canvassers to count the votes for senatorial and party-list candidates. Norman Cruz

THE Commission on Election (Comelec) en banc is still verifying if there is a filed petition for declaring “failure of elections” in Cotabato City.

In a press conference on Thursday in Pasay City, Comelec spokesperson John Rex Laudiagco said every filed petition will go through the proper process.

“We will be confirming with the clerk of the commission if indeed the petition was

A member of the City Environmental Management Office of the Material Recovery Facility in Marikina City sorts campaign materials that can be recycled and used in the city’s landscaping projects.

Mike De Juan

By Rio N. Araja

Standard

Comelec verifying reports of failure of elections in Cotabato

BOUND FOR RECYCLING.

DENR seeks proper disposal of poll materials

filed,” he said.

Upon receiving similar petitions, Laudiangco explained processes should be followed under Comelec’s rules of procedures that are exploratorily applicable to the rules of the court.

“If there are these kinds of situations, we welcome that so that we could investigate, we could hear -- the case based on evidence, and most importantly our commission en banc will decide on the merits,” he said,

when asked for comment about the election situation in the city.

Laudiangco urged the petitioners to bring their complaints into a proper forum instead of staging rallies that may agitate untoward incidents.

“Pumasok po tayo sa proseso, puntahan po natin ang tamang forum para ma-ventilate yung mga issues na ganito (Let’s go to the proper forum so that issues like these will be ventilated),” he said.

MILF party candidates proclaimed CHRISTIAN candidates supported by the Moro Islamic Liberation Front (MILF) through a local party-based campaign with its newly-organized United Bangsamoro Justice Party (UBJP) have been proclaimed.

The City Board of Canvassers proclaimed mayoral candidate Mohammad Ali “Bruce” Dela Cruz Matabalao, and running-mate Butch Abu as city mayorand vice-mayor-elect of Cotabato City, as of early Thursday.

Both are bets of the UBJP. Seven of their party-mates were also proclaimed winner of the 10-seat Sangguniang Panlunsod. Matabalao is raised of mixed Muslim-Christian family while Florante Formento, who tops

the City Council race, is a Christian, while Henjie Monte Ramos Ali is also of Muslim and Christian parents.

Under the 2014 Comprehensive Agreement on the Bangsamoro (CAB) and the Bangsamoro Organic Law (BOL), the MILF pioneers an inclusive governing council in the Bangsamoro Transition Authority (BTA), composed of its selected leaders and members of the Moro National Liberation Front; as well as the sectors of the Christian Settlers and Indigenous People’s Tribes; Women and Differently-Abled Persons, as well as representation of the Traditional Moro Leadership and the business community. Nash B. Maulana

1. Call to order 2. Certification of notice and the existence of a quorum 3. Approval of the minutes of the Annual Stockholders’ Meeting held on JULY 26, 2021 4. Annual Report of the President 5. Ratification of all Acts and Proceedings of the Board of Directors and Corporate Officers 6. Approval of the 2021 Audited Consolidated Financial Statements of the Corporation 7. Election of Members of the Board of Directors and three Independent Directors 8. Appointment of External Auditor for 2022 9. Other Matters i. Amendment of the Third Article of the Amended Articles of Incorporation to change the principal place of business of the Company – from:

21/F Pacific Star Bldg., Sen, Gil Puyat Avenue corner Makati Avenue, Makati City

to:

35/F Century Diamond Tower, Century City, Kalayaan Avenue, Makati City

10. Adjournment In light of the current conditions and in support of the measures to prevent the spread of COVID-19, there will be no physical meeting.

Stockholders may only attend and participate in the meeting by remote communication. Stockholders may vote electronically in absentia, subject to validation procedures.

Stockholders who intend to attend by remote communication are required to REGISTER via https://www.century-properties.com/ asm2022/ on or before June 15, 2022 The instructions, procedures and requirements for electronic voting in absentia and participation by remote communication shall be sent to the email address provided in the stockholder’s registration from.

The link through which the Meeting may be accessed shall be sent to the email address of the registered stockholder after validation. The procedures for participating in the meeting through remote communication and for casting of votes in absentia will be set forth and discussed in details in the Company’s Definitive Information Statement (SEC Form 20-IS).

The Definitive Information Statement, Management Report, Audited Financial Statements, Quarterly Report/s and other documents relative to the Annual Stockholders’ Meeting, including the Procedures and Guidelines on the participation by remote communication and voting in absentia may be accessed, beginning on MAY 25, 2022 through any of the following: 1. Go to the Corporation website via this link: https://www.centuryproperties.com/ 2. Go to the PSE EDGE portal via https://edge.pse.com.ph/ or; 3. Request for a copy by sending an email to icsales@centuryproperties.com or danny.bunyi@divinalaw.com

ATTY. DANNY E. BUNYI Corporate Secretary

Opinion Preliminary investigation in the Prosecutor’s Office

A PRELIMINARY investigation is an inquiry conducted by the Prosecutor to determine whether an indictment or criminal information can be filed in court against the respondent. Specifically, the Prosecutor will determine “whether there is sufficient ground to engender a well-founded belief that a crime has been committed and the respondent is probably guilty thereof, and should be held for trial” (Section 1, Rule 112, Rules on Criminal Procedure).

A preliminary investigation is required to be conducted before the filing of a complaint or criminal information in court where the penalty for the offense is at least 4 years, 2 months and 1 day, without regard to the fine (Section 1, Rule 112). The absence of a preliminary investigation does not affect the court’s jurisdiction over the case, but only the regularity of the proceedings (Paderanga v. Drilon, G.R. No. 96080, April 19, 1991).

The procedure protects respondents from hasty and oppressive prosecution, and the State from useless, improper, and expensive trials.

The absence of preliminary investigation, or its irregularity must be raised by the respondent (accused) before the plea is entered. The court shall resolve the matter as early as practicable but not later than the start of the trial of the case (Section 26, Rule 114). To be clear, the preliminary investigation is held before the Prosecutor’s Office while the arraignment, pre-trial, trial, and judgment are conducted in court.

Officers authorized to conduct preliminary investigations are: (a) Provincial or City Prosecutors and their assistants; (b) National and Regional State Prosecutors; and (c) Other officers as may be authorized by law. The authority to conduct preliminary investigations covers all crimes cognizable by the proper court in their respective territorial jurisdictions (Section 2, Rule 112).

Before 2005, Judges of the Municipal Trial Courts and Municipal Circuit Trial Courts (MuTC) were authorized to conduct preliminary investigations. However, on October 03, 2005, the Supreme Court, through A.M. No. 05-8-26-SC, removed this authority from the MuTC judges.

Preliminary investigation will be conducted by the Investigating Prosecutor in the following manner: (a)The complainant together with his witnesses shall prepare their affidavits duly subscribed and sworn to before any prosecutor or government official authorized to administer oath, or, in their absence or unavailability, before a notary public. The officer administering the oath shall certify that he personally examined the affiants and that he is satisfied that they have voluntarily executed and understood their affidavits. (b)Within 10 days after the filing of the complaint, the investigating prosecutor shall either dismiss it if he finds that there are no grounds to base the preliminary in-

vestigation on; or issue a subpoena to the respondent, attaching to it a copy of the complaint and its supporting affidavits and documents. (c) Within ten 10 days from the receipt of the subpoena with the complaint and supporting affidavits and documents, the respondent shall submit his counter-affidavit and that of his witnesses, as well as other supporting documents relied upon for his defense. The counter-affidavits shall be subscribed and sworn to and certified by the officers mentioned above. The respondent shall not be allowed to file a motion to dismiss in lieu of a counter-affidavit. (d) If the respondent cannot be subpoenaed, or if subpoenaed, does not submit a counter-affidavit within a 10-day period, the investigating prosecutor shall resolve the complaint based on the evidence presented by the complainant. (e) The investigating prosecutor may set a hearing if there are facts and issues to be clarified from a party or a witness. The hearing shall be held within 10 days from submission of the counter-affidavits and other documents, and shall be terminated within 5 days. The parties can be present but do not have the right to examine or cross-examine. They may, however, submit to the investigating prosecutor questions which may be asked to the party or witness concerned. (f) Within 10 days after the investigation, the investigating prosecutor shall determine whether or not there are sufficient grounds to hold the respondent for trial. (g) If the investigating prosecutor finds cause to hold the respondent for trial, he shall prepare the resolution and information. Otherwise, he shall recommend the dismissal of the complaint. (h)Within 5 days from his resolution, he shall forward the record of the case to the provincial or city prosecutor or chief state prosecutor, or to the Ombudsman or his deputy in cases of offenses cognizable by the Sandiganbayan. They shall act on the resolution within 10 days from their receipt thereof and shall immediately inform the parties of their action (Sections 3 and 4, Rule 112).

Based on the procedure outlined, the investigating prosecutor can recommend the dismissal of the complaint, or the filing of the criminal information against the respondent after conducting preliminary investigation. The recommendation for the filing of the criminal information shall cause the investigating prosecutor to prepare the resolution and criminal information.

The resolution will state the factual and legal reasons for the recommendation. The criminal information is the official written document that charges the respondent in court. No complaint may be dismissed or criminal information filed in court without the prior written approval of the provincial, city, or chief state prosecutor, or of the Ombudsman or his deputy (Section 4, Rule 112).

There are instances when the investigating prosecutor recommends the dismissal of the complaint, but which upon review, the aforementioned officials do not agree.

The latter may, by himself or herself, file the criminal information against the respondent, or direct any other assistant prosecutor or state prosecutor to do so without conducting another preliminary investigation (Section 4, Rule 112).

No preliminary investigation is required for arrests without a warrant, unless the respondent requests for it when his or her continued detention is ordered by the inquest prosecutor (Section 6, Rule 112). Preliminary investigation is also not required for offenses where the penalty is less than 4 years, 2 months and 1 day.

Full version on www.manilastandard.net

Banner year for Manila Water

By Melandrew T. Velasco AS IT observes its 25th year as a water concessionaire this year, Manila Water Services, Inc. deserves the accolade for garnering 7th place on LinkedIn’s Top 2022 companies in the Philippines for professionals to grow their careers.

This is a feat for the water company that also landed in LinkedIn’s list of best workplaces last year.

Criteria for inclusion in the list include ability to advance, skills growth, company stability, external opportunity, company affinity, gender diversity and spread of educational background. Companies in the list are those that offer stability to their employees and attracting new ones.

The recognition given by LinkedIn is testament to Manila Water’s efforts in improving the well-being of its employees and providing them with career growth that impact their lives in the process.

That the recognition awarded to Manila Water for two consecutive years comes in the wake of COVid-19 pandemic makes it even more significant. “It shows how the company is totally committed to give the best of what we can do help our employees stay healthy, safe and productive in this unprecedented period of their working lives,” Manila Water President and CEO JV Emmanuel de Dios had said.

Manila Water has initiated its Total Employee Well-being Programs to help its employees overcome the impact of the pandemic. This initiative centered on social, emotional, physical, psychological, career development and financial support to help employees cope with the fluid uncertainty of their day-to-day work experiences.

Manila Water, now under the stewardship of business tycoon Enrique Razon following a 24-year majority stakeholdership of the Ayalas, gets another affirmation as a top notch company as it is shortlisted as one of

ManilaStandard

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EDITORIAL

Back to the pre-pandemic level

T

HE Philippine No government economy is finally should shy away from back to its prethese problems. pandemic level, with daily COVID-19 cases trickling to a few hundreds. It sal from the 4.8-percent contraction in the same period last year. grew at a robust pace of The easing of restrictions after the Omi8.3 percent in the first cron surge in January and the increasing quarter of 2022 and topped vaccination rate among Filipinos have althe economy to expand faster in the expectations. It was a strong lowed first quarter. The laxer mobility restrictions performance that validated enabled more Filipinos to find jobs and earn a living. As proof, factory production the argument that the jumped 336 percent in March alone while Philippines could live and external trade expanded 18.6 percent.

The unemployment rate in March also deal with the virus with a dropped to 5.8 percent, the lowest since the reopened economy. start of the pandemic. Employment creation, Filipinos were back spending in malls and restaurants, and traveling to their home provinces. As a result, private consumption or household demand rose 10.1 percent in the first three months of 2022, a sharp rever-

meanwhile, stood at 4.4 million above the pre-pandemic level.

The glowing economic figures in the first three months of 2022, however, are not a cause for celebration yet. As the economic

team of President Rodrigo Duterte points out, the recovery process is missing the contribution of the education sector.

Face-to-have classes have not fully resumed. More than the economic activity foregone from school closures, the Philippines will have to deal with the social cost of an under-educated population. The immediate resumption of face-to-face schooling and a catch-up plan to regain lost learning in the past two years should be one of the priorities of the incoming administration to keep the nation’s demographic dividend.

The share of the working-age population in the Philippines has outstripped that of the non-working age, giving the country a bigger growth potential.

The incoming administration and its economic team by now should have a clear idea on how to sustain the economic gains achieved by the outgoing government in the first quarter of the year. Economic growth is fraught with challenges that include the pandemic, high prices, a rising debt level, unequal distribution of wealth and climate change. No government should shy away from these problems.

The pre-election surveys were correct

SINCE late 2021 and on to the first four months of 2022, the election surveys consistently placed Ferdinand “Bongbong” Marcos Jr. (BBM) and Sara Duterte as the frontrunners in the presidential and vice presidential races, respectively.

The election surveys were conducted by established and reputable opinion polling institutions which have been around for quite some time.

It turned out that those election surveys were correct. BBM and Sara clobbered their competition. The second placers were far, far behind them.

Two hours after the end of the voting on May 9, 2022, the partial, unofficial tallies available from the Commission on Elections (Comelec) already indicated tremendous leads for both BBM and Sara over their nearest rivals.

By early morning of the next day, BBM’s closest opponent, Leni Robredo, trailed him by 17 million votes, while Sara’s nearest rival, Kiko Pangilinan, was down further by about 22 million votes.

When almost all of the election returns had been counted and victories for BBM and Sara became inevitable, many of the candidates trailing in the counting gracefully conceded their defeat.

In the presidential race, Manny Pacquiao (third place), Isko Moreno (fourth place) and Ping Lacson (fifth place) officially conceded to BBM. As for the vice presidential election, Tito Sotto (third place), Willie Ong (fourth place) and Lito Atienza (fifth place) accepted Sara’s electoral victory.

In a speech read in the television news and in social media, Robredo thanked her supporters and urged them to accept the results of the election. She did, however, tell

May this journey be more fruitful and this partnership benefit more Filipinos. the best companies in the forthcoming Global Water Awards under the Water Company of the Year category. Joining Manila Water, the only local-based company in the short list, are Aqualia, Metito and Saur. Winners of the 2022 Global Water Awards will be announced at the Global Water Summit in Madrid, Spain on May 17.

The water company has reaped accolades in the past. It received the Best Sustainability Award by Asset Asian Awards in 2020 for its US$ 500 million sustainability bond issuance – the largest sustainability bond issued by a privately-led, publicly-listed water utility in Asia despite financial challenges due to the pandemic.

It earned recognition from the World Bank for its commitment to become a Utility of the Future. As a future-focused utility it provides reliable, safe, inclusive, transparent, and responsive water supply and sanitation services through best-fit practices that allow it to operate in an efficient, resilient and sustainable manner.

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

them that they should continue what they had “begun,” whatever that is.

Observers construe Robredo’s statement as a concession to the landslide victory of BBM. Despite his lost cause, Pangilinan refused to concede. In a statement to the media, Pangilinan insinuated that the election results were questionable. His statement, however, was belied by the election watchdog Parish Pastoral Council for Responsible Voting, which announced that there were no irregularities in the canvassing of votes.

Congress is waiting for the certificates of canvass to be submitted to it by the Comelec. Under the Constitution, Congress proclaims the winning candidates for president and vice president.

Days before the actual election, many pro-Robredo partisans claiming to be “political experts” were disputing the reliability of the election surveys which always showed BBM and Sara in the lead. They alleged that the surveys were defectively prepared, and that the samples used were not representative of the voting population.

Although all of them were very generous with their criticism, the “political experts” failed to show how and why they suddenly became “experts” in statistics, much less in the highly specialized field of public opinion research. In fact, nobody ever heard of them before.

Imagine that! A “political expert” with apparently no substantial background on statistics and public opinion research, disputing the scientific soundness of election surveys conducted by established and reputable opinion research institutions!

Come on, guys! Your political affiliation

with the Leni-Kiko camp does not automatically make you competent, reliable and credible public opinion pollsters.

One self-proclaimed “political expert” who appeared on social media cited an unverified election survey supposedly conducted at a public transportation hub. According to that “political expert,” that survey is reliable because it revealed that the public pulse is for the Leni-Kiko tandem.

Really now! Why should we believe an unverified election survey?

A survey made from a sample taken at a public transport hub is not a reliable representation of the cross section of the voting population in the Philippines. That sample does not include people who do not use public transportation; people who do not leave their homes; people who work from home; people who are self-employed; people who work the nightshift; and people who are unemployed.

Even assuming that the unverified election survey cited by that “expert” actually exists, the inference suggested by the “expert” may be statistically accurate, but it is not statistically reliable.

For instance, a survey conducted using a sample of five respondents, with two voting for candidate x, allows an accurate inference that 40% of the voters will choose candidate x on election day, but that inference is not reliable.

At the end of the day, it is very obvious that Leni-Kiko partisans were behind all those dubious attempts to discredit the mainstream election surveys which placed BBM and Sara always in the lead.

Through their statistically unsound and scientifically flawed inferences, these LeniKiko partisans tried to mislead the Filipino people into thinking that Leni and Kiko will win in the elections.

As it turned out, the results of the elections proved the mainstream election surveys correct—that BBM and Sara are destined to win the elections.

Those so-called “political experts” who tried to impeach the reliability of the election surveys which consistently predicted a BBM-Sara victory should be exposed and discredited.

Manila Water is also known to have pioneered sustainability practices in the Philippines: it was the first domestic company to publish sustainability reports in 2005; the first to communicate climate change policies in 2007; and the first to publish sustainability reports in accordance with GRI Standards in 2010. It is poised to publicize its Environmental, Social, and Governance (ESG) policies later this year.

Manila Water, the MWSS concessionaire for the East Zone is serving 7.3 million customers. The East Zone concession covers 23 cities and municipalities in Metro Manila and Rizal namely Mandaluyong, Makati, Pasig, Pateros, San Juan, Taguig, Marikina, and parts of Quezon City and Manila in NCR; and Angono, Baras, Binangonan, Cainta, Cardona, Jalajala, Morong, Pililia, Rodriguez, Tanay, Taytay, Teresa, San Mateo and Antipolo in the province of Rizal. Among others, it has expanded its local operations to Boracay, Clark, Cebu and Davao and internationally to Indonesia, the Kingdom of Saudi Arabia, Thailand and Vietnam.

Last year was indeed a banner year for the water company. It was granted another 25-year franchise to operate by the Philippine government. In collaboration with international partners, it also secured in 2021 a second high-profile water and wastewater management contract covering the eastern

zone of Saudi Arabia reinforcing its presence in the country.

In 2021, it recorded its highest capital expenditures (CapEx) at P13.7 billion, more than its 2020 CapEx of P10.7 billion.

According to Manila Water, major components of the investment are the construction of new facilities and networks to expand service coverage, rehabilitation and improvement on existing assets and facilities for both water and wastewater, compliance projects relating to biological nutrient removal (BNR) for wastewater facilities, and the implementation of interim water source projects. It has awarded 282 projects in 2021.

The company remains resilient despite the challenges of water security and uncertainties due to the pandemic. It never wavers in its commitment to provide excellent service to its customers. Over the years its accomplishments speak for themselves: increased water availability to nearly 100 percent from 26 percent; reduction of NRW from 63 percent to an average of 13 percent; and giving access to clean and affordable water to those from marginalized communities through its Water for the Community Program.

It has been said that government and business are two institutions fated to travel together. With the new concession agreement in place, may this journey be more fruitful and this partnership benefit more Filipinos.

The so-called experts should be exposed and discredited.

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

Associate Editors News Editor City Editor

Honor Blanco Cabie Night Editor Lino M. Santos Chief Photographer

Emil P. Jurado Chairman Emeritus, Editorial Board

CYAN MAGENTA MAGENTAYELLOW YELLOW BLACK BLACK CYAN Manila

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Ukraine to hold first war crimes trial; Moscow says Kyiv shelled Russian city

KYIV—Ukraine announced it will hold its first war crimes trial over the Russian invasion, as Moscow accused Kyiv of shelling a Russian city in the war’s latest flashpoint.

The conflict has devastated cities and displaced millions, with fears also growing of its broader international impact as gas supplies to Europe were disrupted by a halt in Russian flows through Ukraine.

Kyiv has repeatedly accused Russian troops of committing atrocities since the invasion began on February 24, and Ukrainian authorities said Wednesday they would launch the first war crimes trial of the conflict.

The prosecutor general’s office said Vadim Shishimarin, a 21-year-old Russian service member, is accused of killing an unarmed 62-year-old civilian as he fled with four other soldiers in a stolen car.

“The man died on the spot just a few dozen metres from his home,” said a statement from prosecutor Iryna Venediktova’s office.

Shishimarin faces possible life imprisonment if found guilty.

Venediktova’s office has said it has received reports of more than 10,000 alleged war crimes, with 622 suspects identified.

The Russian invasion has sparked an exodus of nearly six million civilians, many of whom bear accounts of torture, sexual violence and indiscriminate destruction.

The UN Human Rights Council is due to hold a special session on Ukraine on Thursday.

Moscow has focused on eastern and southern Ukraine since it failed to take Kyiv in the first weeks of its campaign.

Ukraine’s forces were boosted by what Kyiv described as the recapture of four villages around the northeastern city of Kharkiv, close to the border with Russia.

In the Russian city of Belgorod, around 70 kilometres (43 miles) from Kharkiv, authorities said one person was killed and six injured by Ukrainian shelling. AFP

AFFIDAVITOF OFSELFADJUDICATION SELFADJUDICATIONBY BYSOLE SOLEHEIR HEIR AFFIDAVIT

Notice isis hereby hereby given given that that the the estate estate ofof the the late late CHARMAINE CHARMAINE Notice GONZALES CARANDANG CARANDANG and and Remm Remm Gonzales Gonzales Carandang Carandang GONZALES whodied diedon onMay May10, 10,2015 2015and andDecember December24, 24,2016 2016respectively respectively who the City City ofof Mandaluyong Mandaluyong Philippines Philippines have have been been extrajudicially extrajudicially inin the settledtotoCarl CarlJohn JohnG. G.Carandang.

Carandang. settled

Thedeceased deceasedleft leftaaParcel ParcelofofLand Landwith withTCT TCTNo. No.008-2013000009.

008-2013000009.

The This Settlement Settlement under under Notary Notary Public Public ATTY ATTY JAN JAN RURIK RURIK D. D. This PADIERNOSas asper perDoc. Doc.No. No.210, 210,Page PageNo. No.42, 42,Book BookNo. No.10, 10, PADIERNOS Seriesof of2022.

2022.

(MStandard-Apr.29, 29,May May66&&13, 13,2022) 2022) Series (MStandard-Apr.

REPUBLIC OFTHE THEPHILIPPINES PHILIPPINES REPUBLIC OF ERRATUM ERRATUM REGIONAL TRIALCOURT COURT REGIONAL TRIAL The following following erratum contains corrections and NATIONAL CAPITAL JUDICIAL REGION and The erratum contains corrections NATIONAL CAPITAL JUDICIAL REGION clarification that that should106 be made made to to the the Publication of of clarification should be Publication BRANCH QUEZON CITY BRANCH 106 QUEZON CITY Metro South Cooperative Bank Balance Sheet ending Metro South Cooperative Bank Balance Sheet ending DEXTER D. ABANTO, March 31, 2022 as posted in May 9, 2022.

DEXTER D. ABANTO, March 31, 2022 as posted in May 9, 2022.

Petitioner, Petitioner,

PreviousFormat Format -versusPrevious -versusAsof ofMarch March31, 31,2021 2021 As ::

FOR THE CHILDREN.

should beread readas as follows: R-QZN-21-04425 CVfollows: ItItshould be R-QZN-21-04425 CV For:Declaration Declarationof ofNullity Nullityof of For: As of March 31, 2022 As of March 31, to 2022 Marriage Pursuant Article 36 Marriage Pursuant to Article 36 ofthe theFamily FamilyCode Code of

KATHERINESANGLA SANGLAYY-ABANTO, -ABANTO, KATHERINE REPUBLICOF OFTHE THEPHILIPPINES PHILIPPINES REPUBLIC LocalCivil CivilRegistrar Registrar ofAntipolo Antipolo City IN CITIES Local of City MUNICIPAL TRIALCOURT COURT MUNICIPAL TRIAL IN CITIES and the Philippine Statistics Authority, 8THJUDICIAL JUDICIAL REGION and the Philippine Statistics Authority, 8TH REGION Respondent, CALBAYOG CITY Respondent, CALBAYOG CITY x---------------------------------------------------x x---------------------------------------------------x

ORDEROF OFSUMMONS SUMMONSBY BYPUBLICATION PUBLICATION ORDER

TERESITA CANOACOBA, ACOBA, for Declaration of Nullity of Marriage filed TERESITA CANO verified Petition InInaaverified Petition forPlaintiff, Declaration of Nullity of Marriage filed Plaintiff, prays that after due hearing his on June June 7,7, 2021 2021 , , petitioner petitioner on prays that after due hearing his marriagetotothe the respondentwhich whichCivil was solemnized onFebruary February -versusCase No.2128 2128 on marriage respondent was solemnized -versusCivil Case No. 17, 2011 2011 , , by

by Hon. Hon. Danilo Danilo O. O. Leyble, Leyble, City Mayor, Mayor, Antipolo City, For:Recovery Recovery Ownership 17, City Antipolo For: ofofOwnership && City, HEIRS OF PACITA VELOSO, Possession with Damages be declared NULL AND VOID, AB INITIO, on the ground OF NULL PACITA AND VELOSO, withon Damages beHEIRS declared VOID, Possession AB INITIO, the ground ofof namely: MA. MA. LUZ LUZ VELOSOofTAN, TAN, psychological incapacity both parties. namely: VELOSO psychological incapacity of both parties.

THELMA VELOSO, VELOSO, TERESITA THELMA TERESITA GRACIA, ZENAIDA MICIANO, Summons was issued issued on November November 2,2, 2021.

2021. The The Officers Officers GRACIA, ZENAIDA MICIANO, Summons was on MARIA VICTORIA V. DELOS REYES, Return datedDecember December 2021states statesthat thatrespondent respondentisisnow nowinin MARIA dated VICTORIA V. DELOS REYES, Return 6,6,2021 ERLINDA ROMAN, ROMAN, EMMANUEL EMMANUEL K. ERLINDA K. Dubai sinceEMMELINE sometimeinVELOSOinJune June2021.

2021.

Dubai since sometime VELOSO, VELOSO, EMMELINE VELOSORECIO, MARIANNE VELOSORECIO, MARIANNE VELOSOOn February February 2022, petitioner filed filed aa Motion Motion for for Leave Leave ofof On 2,2, 2022, petitioner LOPEZ, MARCELINO VICTOR K. LOPEZ, MARCELINO VICTOR Court Serve Summons byK. Publicationpraying prayingthat thatthe theservice service Court totoServe Summons by Publication VELOSO, EDUARDO K. VELOSO, VELOSO, VELOSO, EDUARDO K. summons be effected effected upon the the respondent respondent by by publication publication JOSE ANTONIO VELOSO, ofof summons be upon JOSE ANTONIO K.K. VELOSO, which was granted, perCARINA Order dated dated February February 28, 28, 2022 2022 ofof the the RAFAEL VELOSO, CARINA which was granted, per Order RAFAEL K.K. VELOSO, VELOSO FLORES, SYLVIA court.

VELOSO FLORES, SYLVIA court.

VELOSOMANAHAN, MANAHAN,LINA LINAVELOSO VELOSO VELOSO NOW, THEREFORE, THEREFORE, respondent KATHERINE KATHERINE SANGLAYSANGLAYPECACHE, andallallother otherinterested interested NOW, respondent PECACHE, and persons claiming claiming rights under address ABANTO, whoserights last known known address isis atat No. No. 110 110 Gen. Gen. persons under ABANTO, whose last them.

Luna Street, Barangay Barangay San San Roque, Antipolo City, is hereby them. Street, Luna Defendants.Roque, Antipolo City, is hereby Defendants. summoned and required required toto file file with with the the Regional Regional Trial Trial Court, Court, summoned and x---------------------------------------x x---------------------------------------x Branch 106, Quezon Quezon City, City, National National Capital Capital Judicial Judicial Region, Region, Branch 106, Bulwagan ng Katarungan, Quezon City, her answer to the petition Bulwagan ng Katarungan, Quezon City, her answer to the petition MOTION TODECLARE DECLARE theinstant instantcase casewithin within THIRTY (30)DAYS DAYSfrom fromthe thelast lastdate dateofof MOTION TO ininthe THIRTY (30) DEFENDANTS DEFAULT publicationofofthis thissummons. summons. the eventofoffailure failuretotodo doso, so,this this DEFENDANTS ININDEFAULT publication InInthe event court shall direct the Public Prosecutor to conduct an investigation court shall the Public Prosecutor to conduct an investigation Plaintiffdirect TERESITA CANOACOBA, ACOBA, counsel, mostrespectfully respectfully states: Plaintiff TERESITA CANO bybycounsel, most states: to determine whether or not collusion exists between the parties to determine whether or not collusion exists between the parties the1. filing of the instant petition; andififThelma determined thatthere there On of February 2022, defendants Veloso, Teresita Teresita Gracia, ininthe instant petition; and ititisisdetermined that 1.filing On 1616the February 2022, defendants Thelma Veloso, Gracia, isno nosuch such collusion, the petitionershall shall beallowed allowed topresent present his Miciano, Marianne Veloso-Lopez, Marcelino Victor K.K. Veloso, Veloso, and Lina Lina isZenaida collusion, the petitioner be to his Zenaida Miciano, Marianne Veloso-Lopez, Marcelino Victor and Veloso Pecache, were notified/served with the Summons dated 28 October 2021 evidence support thepetition. petition.

Veloso Pecache, were notified/served with the Summons dated 28 October 2021 evidence ininsupport ofofthe (“Summons”)together togetherwith withaacopy copyofofthe theAmended AmendedComplaint Complaintdated dated2020October October (“Summons”) Let thisOrder Orderas be published once week fortwo two(2) (2) consecutive 2021 (“Complaint”), as indicated the Affidavit Publication dated February Let this be published once aaweek for consecutive 2021 (“Complaint”), indicated ininthe Affidavit ofofPublication dated 1717February 2022 executed MarioStandard”, Policarpo,Jr., Jr.,newspaper theauthorized authorizedofsignatory signatory thePhilippine Philippine weeks “Manila national circulation, 2022 executed bybyMario R.R.Policarpo, the ofofcirculation, the weeks inin “Manila Standard”, aanewspaper ofcirculation national Manila Standard Publishing Inc., a newspaper of general in the Philippines.

Manila Standard Publishing Inc., a newspaper of generalofof circulation in the Philippines. pursuant P.D. No.1079, theexpense expense thepetitioner. petitioner. pursuant totoP.D. No.1079, atatthe the

People look at Little Amal, a 3.5-meter puppet that is an international symbol of child refugees, in the western Ukrainian city of Lviv on May 11. The puppet depicts a 10-year-old girl migrant from Syria, who walked 8,000 km looking for her mother in 2021. It is an embodiment of millions of children who lost their home and were separated from their families. AFP

Cardinal, 90, arrested in HK; China defends move, West alarm grows H ONG KONG—China on Thursday defended the arrest of a 90-year-old Catholic cardinal under Hong Kong’s national security law, a move that triggered international outrage and deepened concerns over Beijing’s crackdown on freedoms in the financial hub.

Retired cardinal Joseph Zen, one of the most senior Catholic clerics in Asia, was among a group of veteran democracy advocates arrested Wednesday for “colluding with foreign forces”.

Cantonese pop singer Denise Ho, veteran barrister Margaret Ng and prominent cultural studies scholar Hui Po-keung were also arrested, the latter as he attempted to fly to Europe to take up an academic post.

“The persons concerned are suspected of conspiracy to collude with foreign countries or for-

eign forces to endanger national security—an act of severe nature,” said the Commissioner’s Office, which represents Beijing’s foreign ministry in Hong Kong.

The four were detained for their involvement in a now-disbanded defense fund that helped pay legal and medical costs for those arrested during the huge and sometimes violent wave of democracy protests three years ago.

China responded with a broad campaign to crush the movement and transform the once-outspoken city into something more closely resembling the authoritarian mainland.

Zen and his colleagues, who were released on bail late Wednesday, join more than 180 Hong Kongers arrested to date under the national security law Beijing imposed to stop the protests.

Those charged are typically denied bail and can face up to life in prison if convicted.

- ‘Deeply troubling’ Criticism came from Western nations who have accused China of eviscerating the freedoms it once

promised Hong Kong could maintain.

The United States, which has previously sanctioned key Chinese officials over the ongoing crackdown, called on Beijing to “cease targeting Hong Kong’s advocates”.

Canadian foreign minister Melanie Joly called the arrests “deeply troubling”.

Ho, a popular Hong Kong singer and LGTBQ campaigner, is also a Canadian national.

EU foreign policy chief Josep Borrell said he was following the arrests with “great concern”, while Human Rights Watch called it a “shocking new low for Hong Kong”.

“Even by Hong Kong’s recent standards of worsening repression, these arrests represent a shocking escalation,” added Amnesty International.

The Vatican said it was concerned by Zen’s arrest and “following the development of the situation very closely”.

Cardinal Zen fled Shanghai for Hong Kong after the communists took power in China in 1949, and rose to become bishop of the city. AFP

IN BRIEF

PAYING RESPECTS.

An armed man visits the site where veteran AlJazeera Palestinian journalist Shireen Abu Akleh was shot dead while covering an Israeli army raid in the occupied West Bank, in Jenin on May 12. Israeli Prime Minister Naftali Bennett said it was “likely” that Palestinian gunfire killed her. AFP

Pursuant to the Summons andthis thisHonorable Honorable Court’s Order dated Likewise, letto athe copy thesummons summons aswell well asaa copy the 2.2.Pursuant Summons and Court’s Order dated 2727 Likewise, let copy ofof1,the as as copy ofofRules the October 2021 wellaasas Section Rule11 11ofofthe the 2019 Amendments to the1997 1997 October 2021 well Section 1,the Rule 2019 Amendments the Rules petition beasas deposited the Post Office, postage to pre-paid and petition be deposited inin Post Office, postage pre-paid and of Civil Procedure, defendants were required to file their respective Answer within sixty ofsent Civil Procedure, defendants wereto required to file their respective Answer within sixty byfrom registered mail the respondent her last known sent by registered mail tosaid the respondent atat her last known (60)days days notice/service the said summons.

(60) from notice/service ofofthe summons. address also theexpense expense thepetitioner, petitioner,and andfor forpetitioner petitionertoto address also atatthe ofofthe submit to thiscourt court proof of compliance herewith.

Defendants hadproof 18compliance April2022 2022within within whichtotofile filetheir theirrespective respective submit this herewith.

3.3.to Defendants had upuptotoof 18 April which Answertotothe theComplaint.

Complaint.Up Uptotonow, now,however, however,they theyhave havenot notfiled filedany anyAnswer.

Answer.Neither Neither Answer SO ORDERED. have they filedany anymotion motionfor forextension extensiontotofile filesaid saidAnswer.

Answer.

SO ORDERED. have they filed Quezon City, March 8, 2022.

Quezon City, March 8, 2022.

Not having having filed filed their theirAnswer Answer within within the above-mentioned above-mentioned reglementary (Sgd.) NOELL. L.PAREL PAREL 4.4. Not the reglementary (Sgd.) NOEL period,defendants defendantsmay maynow nowbebedeclared declaredinindefault default accordance withSection Section3,3,Rule Rule period, ininaccordance with Judge Judge 9ofofthe the2019 2019Amendments Amendmentstotothe the1997 1997Rules RulesofofCivil CivilProcedure.

Procedure.

NLP/trc 9NLP/trc OSG OSG PRAYER PRAYER ACP ACP DexterWHEREFORE, D.Abanto Abanto plaintiff TERESITA CANO ACOBA respectfully prays that Dexter D. WHEREFORE, plaintiff TERESITA CANO ACOBA respectfully prays that Katherine Sanglay-Abanto thisHonorable Honorable Courtdeclare declaredefendants defendantsTHELMA THELMAVELOSO, VELOSO,TERESITA TERESITAGRACIA, GRACIA, Katherine Sanglay-Abanto this Court Atty.

KarlMICIANO, DanielE. E.MARIANNE Buban VELOSO-LOPEZ, ZENAIDA MICIANO, MARIANNE VELOSO-LOPEZ, MARCELINO MARCELINO VICTOR VICTOR K.K. Atty.

Karl Daniel Buban ZENAIDA VELOSO, and LINA VELOSO PECACHE, in DEFAULT in accordance with Section VELOSO, and LINA VELOSO PECACHE, in DEFAULT in accordance with Section REPUBLIC OF THE PHILIPPINES Rule99ofofthe theREPUBLIC 2019Amendments Amendments the 1997 RulesofofCivil CivilProcedure.

Procedure.

OF THE PHILIPPINES 3,3,Rule 2019 totothe 1997 Rules

REGIONAL TRIAL COURT

REGIONAL TRIAL COURT Plaintiffalso alsoprays praysfor forsuch suchfurther further orother other reliefasasmay maybe bedeemed deemedjust just Plaintiff or relief NATIONAL CAPITAL JUDICIAL REGION andequitable. equitable.

NATIONAL CAPITAL JUDICIAL REGION and BRANCH106, 106,QUEZON QUEZONCITY CITY BRANCH

Calbayog City,Samar, Samar, Calbayog City, (rtc2gzn106@judiciary.gov.ph 8639-6019) (rtc2gzn106@judiciary.gov.ph 8639-6019) April2022.

2022.

2727April DEXTER D. ABANTO, DEXTER D. ABANTO, Petitioner, Petitioner, THEPUBLIC PUBLICATTORNEY’S ATTORNEY’SOFFICE OFFICE THE CALBAYOGCITY CITYDISTRICT DISTRICT OFFICE CALBAYOG OFFICE -versusCivil Case No.R-QZN-21-04425 CV -versusCivil Case No.R-QZN-21-04425 CV HALL OF JUSTICE, CALBAYOG CITY HALL OF JUSTICE, CALBAYOG CITY For:Declaration Declaration NullityofofMarriage Marriage For: ofofNullity Pursuant to Article 36 of the Family By: Pursuant to Article 36 of the Family By: Code Code KATHERINESANGLAY-ABANTO, SANGLAY-ABANTO, ATTY.GRACE GRACEANNE ANNEB.B.DE DEVEYRA VEYRA KATHERINE ATTY. Counsel forPlaintiff Plaintiff LocalCivil CivilRegistrar Registrarof ofCounsel Antipolo City for Local Antipolo City PublicAttorney AttorneyI I And the Philippine Statistics Authority, Public And the Philippine Statistics Authority, RollofofAttorneys Attorneys No.75038 75038 Roll No. Respondents.

Respondents.

IBPNo. No.201126; 201126;01-31-2022; 01-31-2022;Leyte Leyte IBP ------------------------------------------------x xx------------------------------------------------x MCLE Compliance No. VII0003654; 06-10-2021 MCLE Compliance No. VII- 0003654; 06-10-2021 ORDER ORDER A Motion for Leave of Court to Serve Summons byPublication Publication NOTICE A Motion for Leave of CourtNOTICE to Serve Summons by wasfiled filedby bypetitioner, petitioner,through throughcounsel. counsel. was BRANCHCLERK CLERKOF OFCOURT COURT BRANCH

MARCELINOVICTOR VICTORK.K.VELOSO VELOSO MARCELINO

Sterling Heights Michigan 48310, USA

California 92223, USA

Municipal TrialCourt CourtininCities CitiesReturn dated25883 25883 BoulderRock Rock Place Menifee, California the Officers December 2021 summons Municipal Trial Boulder Menifee, California InInofthe Officers Return December 6,6,Place 2021 summons Hall Justice, CalbayogCity, City, Samar dated 92585, 92585, USA Hall of Justice, Calbayog was not served served forSamar the reason reason that thatUSA the respondent respondent isis now now inin was not for the the THELMAsince VELOSOsometime MARIANNE VELOSO-LOPEZ Dubai since sometime inin June June 2021, 2021, asVELOSO-LOPEZ per information information ofof Ms. Ms. THELMA VELOSO MARIANNE Dubai as per 2305Autumn AutumnRidge Ridge Drive 1486 SundaceDrive, Drive,Beaumont Beaumont 2305 Drive Sundace Jacqueline Lubrica, cousin of the1486 respondent.

Jacqueline respondent.

Sterling HeightsLubrica, cousin of the California 92223, USA

The 48310, 1997 Rules ofof Civil Civil Procedure Procedure provide provide that that when when the the Michigan USA The 1997 Rules LINAVELOSO VELOSOPECACHE PECACHE defendant does not not reside reside and andLINA is not not found the Philippines, Philippines, TERESITAGRACIA GRACIA Kenneth Road Burbank defendant does is1906 found ininBurbank the TERESITA 1906 N.N.Kenneth Road 19010 East 13, Mile Road, Roseville Calfornia 91504, USA and the action affects the personal status of the plaintiff, service 19010the East 13, Mile Road, Roseville Calfornia 91504, USA and action Michigan,48066, 48066, USAaffects the personal status of the plaintiff, service Michigan, USA of summons may,by byleave leaveofofcourt, court,be beeffected effectedby bypublication publicationininaa of summons may, ZENAIDA MICIANOof newspaper of national national circulation circulation inin such such places, places, and and aa copy copy ZENAIDA MICIANO newspaper 4325 Foster Lane 4325 Fostersummons Lane of the summons and the the order order ofof the the court court shall shall be be sent sent by by of the and Shelby Township Shelby Township registered mail to the last known address of defendant {Rule 14, Michigan48316, 48316, USA to the last known address of defendant {Rule 14, registered mail Michigan USA Section 15}.

Section 15}.

Also, the the Rule Rule on on Declaration Declaration ofof Absolute Absolute Nullity Nullity ofof Void Void Also, GREETINGS: GREETINGS: Marriages provides provides that that when when respondent respondent cannot cannot be be located located Marriages at his/her given address or his whereabouts are unknown and Please be informed that the undersigned is submitting the foregoing Motion at his/her address orundersigned his whereabouts and Pleasegiven be informed that the is submittingare the unknown foregoing Motion toDeclare Declare Defendants Default tothis thisHonorable Honorable Court forconsideration consideration and be ascertained by diligent inquiry, summons may and be tocannot Defendants ininDefault todiligent Court for cannot be ascertained by inquiry, summons may be approval upon receipt hereof. effected onreceipt him/her bypublication, publication,with withaacopy copyofofthe thesummons summons approval upon hereof. effected on him/her by be sent to him/her by registered mail at his/her last known be sent toyou. him/her by registered mail at his/her last known Thank you.

Thank address {Section6,6,A.M. A.M.No. No.02-11-10-SC} 02-11-10-SC} address {Section WHEREFORE, the the Motion Motion for for Leave Leave ofof Court Court toto Serve Serve WHEREFORE, ATTY.GRACE GRACEANNE ANNEB.B.DE DEVEYRA VEYRA ATTY. Summonsby byPublication Publicationisisgranted. granted.

Summons Counsel for Plaintiff Counsel for Plaintiff Letan anOrder OrderofofSummons Summonsby byPublication Publicationbe beissued. issued.

Let

SOORDERED. ORDERED. SO EXPLANATION EXPLANATION QuezonCity, City,February February 28, 2022.

Quezon 28, 2022.

(Re:Service Service byPublication Publicationininaa (Re: by (Sgd.)NOEL NOELL. L.PAREL PAREL (Sgd.) NewspaperofofGeneral GeneralCirculation) Circulation) Newspaper Judge Judge NLP/trc:: OSG, Petitioner, Atty.

Buban NLP/trc:: OSG, Petitioner, Atty.

Buban Pursuant Sections and9,9,Rule Rule1313ofofthe the2019 2019Amendments Amendmentstotothe the1997 1997 Pursuant totoSections 3,3,5,5,and RulesofofCivil CivilProcedure, Procedure,undersigned undersignedcounsel counsel respectfully manifests that copy ofthe the (MStandard Apr. 29&&that May 2022) Rules respectfully manifests aacopy of (MStandard --Apr. 29 May 6,6,2022) foregoingMotion MotiontotoDeclare DeclareDefendants Defendants Defaultwas was served the other partybyby foregoing ininDefault served ononthe other party publication in a newspaper of general circulation, in lieu of personal service, due to the publication in a newspaper of general circulation, in lieu of personal service, due to the distanceinvolved involvedasaswell wellasasthe thecommunity communityand andsocial socialdistancing distancingmeasures measuresand andtravel travel distance restrictions being imposed to address the COVID-19 crisis. restrictions being imposed to address the COVID-19 crisis.

TheAffidavit AffidavitofofPublication Publicationevidencing evidencingthe thepublication publicationofofaacopy copyofofsaid saidMotion Motion The Declare Defendants Defendants inin Default Default toto the the aforementioned aforementioned addressee addressee isis attached attached toto Declare hereto. hereto.

ATTY.GRACE GRACEANNE ANNEB.B.DE DEVEYRA VEYRA ATTY. Counselfor forPlaintiff Plaintiff Counsel Copyfurnished: furnished: Copy ZENAIDAMICIANO MICIANO ZENAIDA 4325Foster FosterLane, Lane,Shelby ShelbyTownship Township 4325 Michigan48316, 48316,USA USA Michigan

MARCELINOVICTOR VICTORK.K.VELOSO VELOSO MARCELINO 25883Boulder BoulderRock RockPlace Place 25883 MenifeeCalifornia California92585, 92585,USA USA Menifee

THELMAVELOSO VELOSO THELMA 2305Autumn AutumnRidge RidgeDrive Drive 2305 SterlingHeights, Heights,Michigan Michigan48310, 48310,USA USA Sterling

MARIANNEVELOSO-LOPEZ VELOSO-LOPEZ MARIANNE 1486Sundace SundaceDrive, Drive,Beaumont Beaumont 1486 California92223, 92223,USA USA California

TERESITAGRACIA GRACIA TERESITA 19010East East1313 19010 MileRoad, Road,Roseville Roseville Mile Michigan,48066, 48066,USA USA Michigan,

LINAVELOSO VELOSOPECACHE PECACHE LINA 1906N.N.Kenneth KennethRoad RoadBurbank Burbank 1906 Calfornia91504, 91504,USA USA Calfornia (MS-MAY 13, 2022) (MS-MAY 13, 2022)

NOTICEOF OFDISSOLUTION DISSOLUTION NOTICE MEGAHARMONYINC. INC. MEGAHARMONY Notice isis hereby hereby given given that that the the Amended Amended Articles Articles of of MEGAHARMONY MEGAHARMONY INC. INC. Notice with the the TIN TIN of of 756-284-545-000, 756-284-545-000, shortening shortening the the term term of of its its existence existence and and thereby thereby with dissolving the the said said corporation corporation as as of of January January 24, 24, 2022.

2022. aa Balance Balance Sheet Sheet showing showing dissolving that no no creditors creditors thereof thereof will will be be affected affected by by such such dissolution, dissolution, have have been been filed filed with with that the Securities and Exchange Commission.

All persons having claims against the the Securities and Exchange Commission. All persons having claims against the corporation are are required required to to present present the the same same at at its its principal principal office office at at UNIT UNIT 802 802 corporation PENINSULA COURT COURT BLDG., BLDG., 8745 8745 PASEO PASEO DE DE ROXAS ROXAS AVE., AVE., BEL-AIR BEL-AIR MAKATI MAKATI PENINSULA CITYfor forimmediate immediatesettlement. settlement.

CITY This announcement announcement will will serve serve as as aa notice notice to to all all parties parties concerned concerned of of the the legal legal This dissolutionof ofthe thesaid saidcorporation. corporation. dissolution MakatiCity.

City.Philippines.

Philippines.January January24, 24,2022 2022 Makati (MS-MAY 13, 20 & 27, 2022) (MS-MAY 13, 20 & 27, 2022)

(SGD)ARIEL ARIELDELA DELACRUZ CRUZFELICIANO FELICIANO (SGD) CorporateSecretary Secretary Corporate

NOTICEOF OFDISSOLUTION DISSOLUTION NOTICE ONEBLUESTARCORP. CORP. ONEBLUESTAR

Notice isis hereby hereby given given that that the the Amended Amended Articles Articles of of ONEBLUESTAR ONEBLUESTAR CORP. CORP. Notice with the the TIN TIN of of 745-044-729-000, 745-044-729-000, shortening shortening the the term term of of its its existence existence and and thereby thereby with dissolving the the said said corporation corporation as as of of March March 9, 9, 2022.

2022. aa Balance Balance Sheet Sheet showing showing dissolving that no no creditors creditors thereof thereof will will be be affected affected by by such such dissolution, dissolution, have have been been filed filed with with that the Securities and Exchange Commission.

All persons having claims against the the Securities and Exchange Commission. All persons having claims against the corporation are required to present the same at its principal office at UNIT 204 corporation are required to present the same at its principal office at UNIT 204 PENINSULACOURT COURTBLDG., BLDG.,8735 8735PASEO PASEODE DEROXAS ROXASAVE., AVE.,BEL-AIR BEL-AIRMAKATI MAKATICITY CITY PENINSULA forimmediate immediatesettlement. settlement. for This announcement announcement will will serve serve as as aa notice notice to to all all parties parties concerned concerned of of the the legal legal This dissolutionof ofthe thesaid saidcorporation. corporation. dissolution MakatiCity.

City.Philippines.

Philippines.March March9, 9,2022 2022 Makati (SGD)AL ALMICHAEL MICHAELM. M.PATRICIO PATRICIO (SGD) (MS-MAY 13, 20 & 27, 2022) (MS-MAY 13, 20 & 27, 2022)

CorporateSecretary Secretary Corporate

NOTICEOF OFDISSOLUTION DISSOLUTION NOTICE ALTEXPRIMEINC. INC. ALTEXPRIME

Noticeisishereby herebygiven giventhat thatthe theAmended AmendedArticles Articlesof ofALTEXPRIME ALTEXPRIMEINC. INC.with withthe the Notice TINof of756-583-133-000, 756-583-133-000,shortening shorteningthe theterm termof ofits itsexistence existenceand andthereby therebydissolving dissolving TIN thesaid saidcorporation corporationas asof ofMarch March9, 9,2022.

2022.aaBalance BalanceSheet Sheetshowing showingthat thatno nocreditors creditors the thereof will will be be affected affected by by such such dissolution, dissolution, have have been been filed filed with with the the Securities Securities and and thereof Exchange Commission.

All persons having claims against the corporation are required Exchange Commission. All persons having claims against the corporation are required topresent presentthe thesame sameat atits itsprincipal principaloffice officeat atUNIT UNIT708 708MEDICAL MEDICALTOWERS TOWERSMAKATI., MAKATI., to 103 V.A. V.A. RUPINO RUPINO ST., ST., LEGASPI LEGASPI VILLAGE, VILLAGE, SAN SAN LORENZO LORENZO CITY CITY OF OF MAKATI MAKATI for for 103 immediate settlement. immediate settlement.

This announcement announcement will will serve serve as as aa notice notice to to all all parties parties concerned concerned of of the the legal legal This dissolutionof ofthe thesaid saidcorporation. corporation. dissolution MakatiCity.

City.Philippines.

Philippines.March March9, 9,2022 2022 Makati

(MS-MAY 13, 20 & 27, 2022) (MS-MAY 13, 20 & 27, 2022)

(SGD)ROXAN ROXANROLEN ROLENBARCELLANO BARCELLANO (SGD) CorporateSecretary Secretary Corporate

Palestinians honor slain journalist, reject probe RAMALLAH—Palestinians planned a memorial service Thursday for journalist Shireen Abu Akleh, who was killed while covering an Israeli raid in the West Bank, but have rejected US-led calls for a joint investigation into her death.

Palestinian-American Abu Akleh, 51, a veteran of Qatar-based Al Jazeera’s Arabic TV service, was shot in the head during clashes in the Jenin refugee camp, a major flashpoint in the IsraeliPalestinian conflict.

Israel’s Defense Minister Benny Gantz conceded late Wednesday that it could have been “the Palestinians who shot her” or fire from “our side” -- appearing to walk back Prime Minister Naftali Bennett’s remarks that she was “likely” killed by stray Palestinian gunfire.

“We are not certain how she was killed but we want to get to the bottom of this incident and to uncover the truth as much as we can,” Gantz told reporters.

Al Jazeera, Palestinian officials and witnesses said Abu Akleh was killed by Israeli forces, and the network insisted she was targeted “deliberately” and “in cold blood”.

Israel has publicly called for a joint investigation into the killing and asked Palestinian authorities to hand over the bullet that struck Abu Akleh for forensic examination.

An Israeli security source told AFP that Israel was prepared to examine the projectile in front of Palestinian and US officials, “out of transparency”. AFP

Junta set to reopen Myanmar to tourists

YANGON—Myanmar’s junta will allow tourists to apply for visas after a break of more than two years, state media said Thursday, sparking calls by an activist group for foreign travelers to stay away.

The country closed its borders to visitors in March 2020 at the beginning of the coronavirus pandemic in an attempt to prevent infections rising.

It was further isolated after the army toppled the civilian government of Aung San Suu Kyi in February 2021, prompting huge protests and a bloody military crackdown on dissent.

“With an aim to develop the tourism sector... e-Visa (Tourist) applications will be allowed and accepted from 15 May 2022,” said a notice in the Global New Light of Myanmar.

It did not give details on when the first visitors could be expected to arrive.

Activist groups warn that the military’s vested interests in swathes of the economy—including mines, banks, petroleum, agriculture and tourism—mean tourist dollars will likely end up in the junta’s coffers.

“Even if foreign visitors avoid hotels and transport owned by the Myanmar military and their associates, they will still fund the junta through visa fees, insurance and tax,” said activist group Justice for Myanmar. AFP

Sri Lanka president set to name new PM

COLOMBO—Beleaguered President Gotabaya Rajapaksa was set to name a new prime minister Thursday to try to steer Sri Lanka out of its dire economic crisis after days of violence, officials said.

Respected five-time former premier Ranil Wickremesinghe was the frontrunner to head a “unity government” with cross-party support in the 225-member parliament and replace Rajapaksa’s elder brother Mahinda who stepped down on Monday.

“A swearing-in is likely today unless there is a last-minute hiccup,” a senior official close to the president told AFP. In a televised address to the nation on Wednesday night, Rajapaksa stopped short of yielding to weeks of nationwide protests calling for him to resign.

The country of 22 million people is in its worst economic crisis since independence with severe shortages of food, fuel and medicines and long power cuts.

But in a bid to win over the opposition who wanted Rajapaksa to quit, the 72-year-old pledged to give up most of his executive powers and set up a new cabinet this week. AFP

CYAN MAGENTA MAGENTAYELLOW YELLOW BLACK BLACK CYAN

CYAN MAGENTA YELLOW BLACK Manila

Standard

(PTIR), with the different industry stakeholders - tobacco farmer leader, tobacco manufacturers, wholesale tobacco dealers and exporters, congressional district representatives, beneficiary Local Government Units (LGUs) of RA 7171 and RA 8240. The submissions of the beneficiary LGUs pertaining to same, after due evaluation, were likewise incorporated. The list will continue to be updated based on the continuing public consultation by the LGUs and DA/NTA, scheduled within January every year, with the different stakeholders, with the participation of the local development councils.

TODAY

Reviewed and updated as of 30 October 2021.

REPUBLIC OF THE PHILIPPINES DEPARTMENT OF AGRICULTURE NATIONAL TOBACCO ADMINISTRATION

APPROVED:

Joint Memorandum Circular (JMC) No. 2021-1 December 2021 To

:

Local Chief Executives, Members of the Local Sanggunian, Local Budget Officers, Local Treasurers, Local Planning and Development Coordinators, Local Accountants, and All Others Concerned

Subject

:

GUIDELINES ON IDENTIFYING ELIGIBLE AND SPECIFIC PROGRAMS/PROJECTS FOR FUNDING FROM THE SHARES OF LOCAL GOVERNMENT UNITS (LGUs) FROM THE COLLECTIONS OF TOBACCO EXCISE TAXES PURSUANT TO REPUBLIC ACT (RA) NO. 7171 AND RA NO. 8240, AS AMENDED BY RA NO. 10351, AND AS FURTHER AMENDED BY RA NO. 11346

WILLIAM D. DAR, PhD. Secretary Department of Agriculture

ROBERT VICTOR G. SEARES, JR. Administrator/CEO National Tobacco Administration

BACKGROUND 1.

Under Section 6 of Joint DOF-DBM-DOH-DA-BIR Circular No. 001-2014, implementing Republic Act No. 10351, the DA and NTA, have been entrusted with the responsibility “to issue, in coordination with the DBM, the guidelines in identifying eligible and specific programs/ projects in accordance with Rule V and with any network plan required under the General Appropriation Act or any other relevant plan or program of the DA. Such guidelines shall require among others the submission of beneficiary LGUs of Work and Financial Plans as funding requirement and quarterly reports on the status of projects/ accomplishments, which plans and reports shall include objectives and verifiable indicators, including but not limited to, the global positioning system (GPS) coordinates of intended and actual project sites and photographs of works being constructed and/or upgraded”.

The same has been affirmed under Section 3 of the DA-DBM-NTA Joint Memorandum Circular 2020-1, implementing Section 14 Republic Act No. 11346, providing for the Guidelines on the Allocation, Release and Utilization of the Shares of the LGUs From the Revenue from the Excise Taxes on Tobacco Products Pursuant to RA Nos. 7171 and 8240, as amended. In brief, this covers initiating updates and amendment to the Agriculture and Fisheries Modernization Program(AFMP); the issuance of guidelines prescribing programs and projects that may be implemented by LGUs; resolving issues concerning eligibility and propriety of programs and projects that may be implemented; and, assistance in the consultation/workshop to be conducted by the LGUs concerned with tobacco farmers to facilitate the identification of appropriate programs and projects.

2.

PURPOSE Pursuant to the pertinent provisions of aforesaid laws, the guidelines are issued:

3.

2.1

To facilitate identification of programs and projects and ensure that fund allocations are effectively utilized for the intended purposes, as provided for under Section 2.3 of DA-DBM-NTA JMC 2020-1;

2.2

To institute, standardized processes and content in the preparation and submission of documentary requirements for the release of funding allocation; and,

2.3

To provide the basis for effectively monitoring the utilization of the shares of the LGUs and measuring the impact of the allocation of funds in terms of benefits derived in accomplishing purposes set under RA Nos. 7171 and 8240, as amended.

GUIDELINES 3.1 List of Programs and Projects That May Be Funded by LGUs Share, for CY 2020 The present Listing of Programs and Projects (Please refer to Annex “A”), updated as of 30 November 2021, as approved by the NTA Administrator and the Secretary of Agriculture, will serve as a valid basis for screening/ evaluation/ approval for above purposes.

As presented, the above list was a result of earlier consultative conferences with the various stakeholders for the purpose.

For any program/project proposal outside of the list, the Beneficiary LGUs may submit request for clarification, in writing, to DA/NTA or as has been earlier practiced, the DBM Regional Office may refer the matter to DA/NTA. With consultation as may be needed, DA/NTA will submit its official response within five (5) days upon receipt of official query.

3.2

Updating of the Listing of Programs and Projects for the Ensuing Implementation The identification, formulation and packaging of programs and projects, to tailor-fit to their specific needs, priorities, resources and capabilities shall be the continuing responsibility of the beneficiary LGUs.

By January of every year, the LGUs shall, with the assistance of the DA and NTA, conduct public consultations with tobacco farmers identified by NTA, pursuant to Section 2.3.4 of DA-DBM-NTA JMC 2020-1. Provided that the Local Development Councils – provincial, municipal, city and barangay, shall be invited to participate in the said public consultative meetings by the LGUs. This is in time for the plan and budget preparation processes of the DBM and the Regional Development Council as well as the submission of Budgetary proposal to the DBM, earlier set at 15 days after issuance of Local Budget Memorandum or 15 May, whichever comes first , under the IRR of RA No. 10351.

As deemed necessary, the beneficiary LGUs shall coordinate with the DA/NTA for the specific schedules in conducting said public consultation for the above purposes.

Corollary to the above, the DA/NTA may also conduct consultative meetings/ workshops with the LGUs in connection with the continuing updating of AFMP and/or the Philippine Tobacco Industry Roadmap (PTIR), the Sustainable Tobacco Enhancement Program (STEP), including the inventory of resources, infrastructures and facilities, and to ensure effective interfacing of programs and projects, collaborative arrangement in the implementation and sharing of responsibilities especially on matters of funding/budgetary support. The activity will be participated in by other relevant units of the DA, particularly the Bureau of Agriculture and Fisheries Engineering and the DA/Regional Agricultural Engineering Group and other DA agencies/units whose assistance may be needed by the LGUs concerned.

Resulting from the above processes, an updated List of Programs and Projects, as approved by the NTA Administrator and the Secretary of Agriculture, will be issued by the DA/NTA.

3.3

Documentary Requirements by the LGUs for Release of Funding and for Monitoring of Utilization and Evaluation of Impacts of said Allocation/ Utilization of LGUs Shares The Beneficiary LGUs shall furnish the DA/NTA a copy of the Work and Financial Plans for Release of Funding By the DBM, following standard format provided for the purpose.

To facilitate evaluation of plans and to provide the basis for the monitoring and evaluation, beneficiary LGUs shall attach to the above submission a Brief Summary/ Profile of each program/project, that will include among other information, the following: a.

A clear definition of the problems and/or opportunities being addressed, and number affected and the nature and magnitude of effect;

b.

Major outputs and outcomes contributory to the attainment of the goals and objectives of the AFMP and PTIR/STEP, to include poverty reduction, employment generation, climate change mitigation/resiliency, etc., target beneficiaries for each;

c.

Critical interventions or strategies to be adopted including, specific results to be achieved for the attainment of intended outputs and outcomes;

d.

Geographical focus or location of the project including the Global Positioning System (GPS) coordinates;

e.

Market, technical, socio-economic and organizational viability and financial feasibility (as may be applicable), clear and verifiable proof of sustainability;

f.

Identification of participating agencies, as may be needed, and the specific roles of each; and,

g.

Work program, timetable and funding requirement.

The Beneficiary LGUs shall likewise furnish the DA/NTA of its accomplishment reports in compliance with its obligations and responsibilities, pursuant to Rule VIII of the IRR of RA No. 10351, as amended.

Resulting from the above, the DA/NTA shall submit its monitoring and assessment reports to the DOF and oversight agencies in compliance with existing laws.

4.

DESIGNATION OF SECRETARIAT AND LGU REPRESENTATIVES To facilitate coordination, beneficiary LGUs shall submit to the DA/NTA Secretariat its duly designated Representative and Alternate Representative for above purposes.

Under the direction of the NTA Administrator, the NTA Corporate Planning Department, (at 4F Benlor Bldg, Quezon Avenue, Quezon City, Tel. No.(02) 83723185/83723182, email: mis@da.gov.ph), shall serve as the Secretariat, with the Deputy Administrator for Operations as Team Leader for the Technical Operations; and, the Deputy Administrator for Support Services, for Interagency Coordination and Administrative Support. The Administrator, upon signing of the JMC, shall issue Special Order for the Implementing Team, to be organized at the national and provincial levels, and Action Plan/ Procedural Guidelines, for the purpose. The duly designated representatives from the LGUs will complement and form integral part of the implementing team organization.

5.

EFFECTIVITY This JMC shall take effect immediately upon publication in the Official Gazette or in a newspaper of general circulation.

WILLIAM D. DAR, Ph.D. Secretary Department of Agriculture

ROBERT VICTOR G. SEARES, JR. Administrator/CEO National Tobacco Administration

DA – NTA JOINT MEMORANDUM CIRCULAR NO. 2021-1 (SUPPLEMENTARY GUIDELINES TO DA-DBM-NTA JMC 2021-1) ANNEX “A” LIST OF SPECIFIC PROGRAMS AND PROJECTS THAT MAYBE FUNDED BY THE BENEFICIARY LOCAL GOVERNMENT UNITS (LGU’s) FROM THEIR SHARE FROM THE COLLECTION OF TOBACCO EXCISE TAXES PURSUANT TO REPUBLIC ACT (RA) N0S. 7171 AND 8240, AS AMENDED BY RA NO. 10351 AND FURTHER AMENDED BY RA NO. 11346* * The programs and projects were identified during the consultative meetings conducted by the NTA, initially in 2014, in connection of the Implementing Rules and Regulations for RA No. 10351 and in the preparation of the Master Plan/Philippine Tobacco Industry Roadmap

(MS-MAY 13, 2022)

CYAN MAGENTA YELLOW BLACK

Business

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

B4

FRIDAY, MAY 13, 2022

PSE INDEX CLOSING Thursday, May 12, 2022

-103.56 PTS. 6,532.30

TOTAL VOLUME

1,590,015,814

TOTAL TRADES TOTAL VALUE (IN PHP)

99,696 7,421,984,259.88

ADVANCES

70

DECLINES UNCHANGED

128 48

F oreign E xchange R ate Bangko Sentral ng Pilipinas • THURSDAY, MAY 12, 2022

Currency

Unit

US Dollar

Peso

United States

Dollar

1.000000

52.2670

Japan

Yen

0.007695

0.4022

UK

Pound

1.225500

64.0532

Hong Kong

Dollar

0.127390

6.6583

Switzerland

Franc

1.006441

52.6037

Canada

Dollar

0.769941

40.2425

Singapore

Dollar

0.719632

37.6130

Australia

Dollar

0.693900

36.2681

Bahrain

Dinar

2.652872

138.6577

Saudi Arabia

Rial

0.266596

13.9342

Brunei

Dollar

0.717051

37.4781

Indonesia

Rupiah

0.000069

0.0036

Thailand

Baht

0.028868

1.5088

UAE

Dirham

0.272287

14.2316

Euro

Euro

1.051700

54.9692

Korea

Won

0.000782

0.0409

China

Yuan

0.148730

7.7737

India

Rupee

0.012918

0.6752

Malaysia

Ringgit

0.228571

11.9467

New Zealand

Dollar

0.629500

32.9021

Taiwan

Dollar

0.033692

1.7610 Source: BSP

Ayala Land hiked first quarter profit by 14% to P3.2b

By Jenniffer B. Austria MAJOR property developer Ayala Land Inc. of the Ayala Group booked a net income of P3.2 billion in the first quarter of the year, up 14 percent year-on-year, on strong on the strong rebound of malls and hotels businesses.

Ayala Land said in a disclosure to the stock exchange Thursday consolidated revenues were steady at P24.6 billion as the uptick in commercial leasing business was offset by the slight contraction in property development.

Minus one time gain from the sale of its stake in hospital unit Qualimed to Ayala Corp. in the first quarter of 2021, revenues and net income rose six percent and 77 percent, respectively.

“The greater mobility in the 1st quarter resulted in an immediate positive impact on our overall business. Notable was the turnaround and higher customer patronage of our malls, hotels, and resorts,” said Ayala Land president and chief executive Bernard Vincent Dy. “We expect the positive trend to continue as the health crisis abates, people increasingly return to their pre-pandemic consumption patterns, and business and leisure travel gain momentum.” he added.

Property development revenues in the first three months preached P15.9 billion, down two percent from P16.2 billion in the same period last year, mainly due to lower residential bookings.

Sales reservations totaled P24.1 billion, or equivalent to monthly average sales of P8 billion.

The company launched seven new projects in the first quarter of the year with a total value of P17 billion Commercial leasing revenues, meanwhile, grew 26 percent to P6.4 billion from P5.1 billion after benefitting from the reopening of the economy.

Revenues from shopping centers surged 49 percent to P2.9 billion from P2.1 billion on year due to higher mobility and tenant sales as the country shifted to less strict quarantine restrictions.

Office leasing revenues remained strong, growing seven to P2.7 billion from P2.5 billion while, hotel and resort revenues improved 29 percent to P823.4 million due to increased domestic travel and higher room rates.

Ayala Land said it remains confident in the market and is poised to launch P100-billion worth of residential inventory this year.

Japanese firm to break ground on P40-b facility N

By Othel V. Campos

IDEC Corp., a Japanese manufacturer of motors, motor parts and industrial equipment, will break ground on a P40billion expansion facility in the third quarter to support increasing demand for its products, the Department of Trade and Industry said Thursday.

Trade Secretary Ramon Lopez said the expansion project would increase the company’s production capacity for strain wave gears by 50,000 units a month. It will also add 35,000 square feet to its production area of 3.5 hectares.

“As the only country in the world producing high-precision gear components, DTI, the primordial agency tasked with

facilitating the entry of foreign direct investments to the Philippines, will lend support to Nidec’s aspiration to achieve number one status as global specialist in harmonic drive systems,” he said.

The added investments will bring the factories’ total combined monthly exports to the US, EU, India, Korea, China and Brazil to 80,000 units.

Nidec’s expansion will open up at least 400 job opportunities to supplement its workforce, which may reach 1,000 once the expanded facility opens.

Nidec first established a factory in the Philippines in 1995—a factory in Laguna followed by anotyher in Subic.

Both are engaged in the manufacture of motors and reducer gears.

The company’s operations in the Philippines were previously devoted to the production of spindle motors and related products. It has since expanded to cover more high-tech gear products used in the aerospace, robotics and solar tracking industries.

Special trade representative and commercial counselor of the Philippine Embassy in Tokyo Dita Angara-Mathay

said Nidec initially planned to increase production of components for hard disk drives. A contraction in the global market for small sized spindle motors led to a shift in corporate strategy.

Mathay said the company relocated all its planetary gear business from China to the Philippines. Subsidiary and sister company Nidec Shimpo, one of the biggest global innovators for precision gearing solutions, started mass production of robotic components developed in Japan and the Philippines. The components were described by developers as extremely silent with zero backlash and smooth rotation.

Lopez thanked Nidec for consistently upgrading the skills of Filipino workers and engineers.

“As robotic systems and automation related technology are increasingly defining the configuration and operational systems of factories around the world, DTI is grateful that Nidec has poured resources to training Filipino engineers develop skills related to the production of precision motors and reducers,” he said.

IN BRIEF URC, Monde Nissin brace for higher costs

FOOD manufacturing giants Universal Robina Corp. (URC) and Monde Nissin Corp. are bracing for higher input costs that could squeeze margins in the coming quarters.

URC president and chief executive Irwin Lee said during the annual stockholders’ meeting the company expects input cost to double this year to P12 billion from P6 billion a year ago due to rising commodity prices and logistics problem.

Because of the development, Lee said company’s profitability in the next quarters would continue to the choppy as higher input costs could reduce margins.

To mitigate the impact of rising commodity prices and other cost pressures, Lee said URC would announce significant price increases in the second quarter across key categories.

Monde Nissin is also carefully evaluating if it will implement a third round of price increases. The company in January implemented a three- to four-percent price increase across brands and another five- to eight-percent in April. Jenniffer B. Austria

Shell’s income jumped by 245% to P3.5 in Q1

PILIPINAS Shell Petroleum Corp. on Thursday reported a 245-percent increase in net income in the first quarter of the year, boosted by higher pump prices and the general increase in global oil prices.

The country’s second largest oil company said net profit amounted to P3.5 billion in the first three months of the year from P1.02 billion in the same period last year.

Net sales amounted to P59.06 billion in the first quarter, up 48 percent from P39.92 billion in the same period last year.

Sales volume, meanwhile, dropped to 970.3 million liters during the period from 997.8 million liters last year.

The energy company maintains a high fuel premium penetration of 29 percent, sustaining the strong position of its Shell V-power brand as the most preferred fuel brand in the country.

“Pilipinas Shell remains steadfast and committed to our strategy of powering progress for the country, as opportunities are opening with a recovering economy,” said Pilipinas Shell president and chief executive Lorelie Quiambao-Osial.

Darwin G. Amojelar

Converge, partners bullish on cable link

SMART TECHNOLOGY. Clark Development Corp. president and chief executive Manuel Gaerlan (third from right) leads the launching of the Smart Infocast system at Clark Visitor’s Center. With Gaerlan are PLDT Clarktel president Aniceto Franco III (fourth from left), Smart Communications Inc. center head and assistant vice president for community solutions and Business development Pedro Luis De Guzman, and other executives of PLDT Smart and CDC. Smart Infocast is a text message broadcast solution that can send out several SMS alerts. It can also deliver immediate messages to a large number of predetermined recipients.

CONVERGE Information and Communications Technology Solutions Inc. and its foreign partners expect to complete by 2024 a new submarine cable system that will connect Hong Kong, Hainan China, Philippines, Thailand, East Malaysia and Singapore, with options to extend to Vietnam, Cambodia, West Malaysia and Indonesia.

China Mobile International Limited (CMI), China Unicom Global (CUG) , Converge and PPTEL SEA H2X Sdn. Bhd (PPTEL SEA-H2X), reaffirmed their partnership to construct and operate the South East Asia Hainan-Hong Kong Express Cable System (SEA-H2X).

The parties to the SEA-H2X Project appointed HMN Technologies Co. Limited (HMN Tech) to build the cable in a fully funded project that will greatly enhance intra-Asian connectivity.

“We are pleased to be a partner in this trans-Asia cable that will respond to the booming data traffic between Hong Kong SAR and Southeast Asia. This submarine cable system will boost the connectivity between our two PoPs located in Hong Kong and in Singapore,” said Converge chief executive and co-founder Dennis Anthony Uy. Darwin G. Amojelar

Jollibee’s net income, revenues returned to pre-pandemic levels in Q1 RESTAURANT chain operator Jollibee Foods Corp. said Thursday first-quarter profits and revenues returned to prepandemic levels.

Jollibee said in a disclosure to the stock exchange Thursday first-quarter net income jumped 1,412 percent to P2.31 billion from P153 million in the same period last year.

First-quarter system-wide sales also climbed 25.5 percent to P59.97 billion from P47.78 billion a year ago.

“Despite the challenges brought about by the surge in Omicron variant in some

markets where JFC operates and the increase in prices of raw materials and energy, our business performed well and even set new record for sales for a first quarter,” Jollibe chief executive Ernesto Tanmantiong said.

Tanmantiong said system-wide sales in major markets overseas reached prepandemic levels, driven by continued store expansion.

Global same-store sales grew 16.5 percent in the first quarter from a year ago, while sales of domestic business were still below pre-pandemic levels as

dine-in sales remained weak.

Off-premise sales climbed 57 percent from the first quarter of 2019, offsetting the decline in dine-in sales while delivery sales accounted for 20 percent of the Philippine system wide sales.

Operating income went up 33.8 percent to P1.98 billion, driven by the acceleration of profit growth in the Philippines.

Gross profit margin was slightly below year-ago level on rising inflation rate and higher freight charges.

Jollibee chief finance officer Richard Shin Manila

Standard NICKEL ASIA CORPORATION

TODAY Notice of Annual General Meeting of Stockholders

UNDERWATER CLEANUP.

TO OUR STOCKHOLDERS:

Leading up to the celebration of Earth Day this year, AboitizPower subsidiary Therma Visayas Inc., in partnership with the Aboitiz Foundation, organizes an underwater garbage cleanup with volunteer group ‘Scubasureros’ in Barangay Bato in Toledo City, Cebu.

Please be informed that the Annual General Meeting of the stockholders of NICKEL ASIA CORPORATION will be held online on Friday, 03 June 2022, 10:00 a.m. and will be presided at the Company’s principal office address at the 28th Floor, NAC Tower, 32nd Street, Bonifacio Global City, Taguig City, Metro Manila (the “Annual General Meeting” or “AGM”). The order of business thereat will be as follows: 1.

2.

3.

4.

5.

6.

7.

8.

9.

10.

Robinsons Land earmarks P25.5b for capital expenditures this year ROBINSONS Land Corp. said Thursday it earmarked P25.5 billion in capital expenditures this year to expand its mall, office and hotel businesses.

RLC president and chief executive Frederick Go said during the annual stockholders’ meeting this year’s capital spending would be funded by internally-generated funds and borrowings.

RLC will open one mall in Gapan, Nueva Ecija and complete the expansion of an outlet in Antipolo. These projects will increase the company’s mall gross leasable area by 3 per-

said the company’s raw material prices increased over the same period in 2021.

“Costs are accelerating because of higher inflation and broad-based supply chain challenges,” Shin said.

“JFC will take the necessary steps to protect its margins including implementing cost improvement and revenue management initiatives,” he said.

The fast-food giant opened 107 new stores in the first three months, but closed 58 stores, of which 14 were in the Philippines and 44 overseas.

Jenniffer B. Austria

cent to 1.62 million square meters.

The company will also open three new office developments, which will boost its office GLA to 741,000 sq. m.

RLC is set to unveil four new hotels, including Summit Naga, Go Hotels Naga, Go Hotels Tuguegarao and Summit Genreal Santos. These will hike the company’s hotel portfolio by 14 percent to 3,676 hotel rooms by end-2022.

Meanwhile, RLC also reported that its firstquarter net income fell 41 percent to P1.74 billion on lower revenues from malls and China business.

Consolidated revenues fell 60 percent to P6.7 billion as the company booked P10.45 billion in revenues from its Chengdu Ban Bian Jie project in China in the first quarter, following the completion of handover activities for Phase 1.

“The company is expecting to match this with revenues from Phase 2, which will be recognized in the succeeding quarter,” the property firm said.

Mall revenues reached P2.67 billion in the first quarter, up 19 percent year-on-year on improved consumer spending and retail sales.

Jenniffer B. Austria

Call to Order Proof of required notice of the meeting Certification of quorum Reading and approval of the Minutes of the 4 June 2021 annual general meeting of stockholders Presentation of Annual Report and Audited Financial Statements for the year ended 31 December 2021 and action thereon Ratification and approval of the acts of the Board of Directors and Executive Officers during the year 2021 Appointment of independent auditors Election of directors, including independent directors Other matters Adjournment

Stockholders of record at the close of business on 24 March 2022 are entitled to notice of, and to vote at, this year’s AGM. Shareholders may only participate via remote communication. To register, certificated stockholders who will attend the Meeting should send a scanned copy of one (1) valid government identification card (ID) to NIKL-ASM2022@ nickelasia.com. Indirect shareholders should send scanned copies of their broker’s certification and one (1) valid ID to NIKL-ASM2022@nickelasia. com. Deadline for registration is on 23 May 2022, at 12NN. The Company is not soliciting proxies. Should you be unable to attend the meeting, you can nevertheless be represented and vote at the AGM by submitting a proxy by email to NIKL-ASM2022@nickelasia.com, or by sending a physical copy to the Office of the Corporate Secretary at the Company’s principal address at 28th Floor, NAC Tower, 32nd Street, Bonifacio Global City, Taguig City, Metro Manila. The deadline for submission of proxies is on 23 May 2022.

Sgd. BARBARA ANNE C. MIGALLOS Corporate Secretary MS-MAY 13 & 14, 2022

Sports

Riera U. Mallari, Editor; Randy M. Caluag, Assistant Editor FRIDAY, MAY 13, 2022

C1

PH’s 3x3 teams start title-retention SEAG bids The Philippine women’s 3x3 team of Afril Bernardino, Janine Pontejos, Claire Castro and Angelica Marie Surada begins its title-retention bid in the 31st SEA Games.

By Riera U. Mallari

H

ANOI—It was a relatively quiet day for Filipino athletes in the 31st Southeast Asian Games on Thursday, when the biennial meet officially started with a spectacular opening ceremony at the My Dinh National Stadium.

Quiet day for PH bets, but help is on the way

the opening ceremonies at the My Dinh National Stadium, with pole vaulter Ernest John Obiena leading the way for 31 members of Team Philippines.

The 22-year-old Yulo, the most beBut help is on the way on Friday, with medalled Pinoy athlete in the 2019 the big guns, led by world champion Philippine SEAG with two golds and Carlos Yulo, Asian Games gold medal- five silver medals, kicks off his camist Lois Kaye Go, rising junior tennis paign Friday in the men’s artistic gymsensation Alex Eala, ONE Champion- nastics competition—the first of four ship veteran Gina Iniong-Aras and the golds Gymnastics Association of the professional cage stars from 3x3 cham- Philippines president Cynthia Carrionpion Limitless Appmasters plunging Norton predicts the Tokyo Olympics veteran will win in the 31st Southeast into action in several fronts.

Aside from kickboxing, where Pinoy Asian Games here.

“I’m confident he (Yulo) will win at fighters are assured of at least six more medals, badminton, 3x3 basketball, bil- least a minimum of four gold medals,” liards and snookers, bodybuilding, chess, Carrion-Norton said. “Everybody’s afraid esports, fencing, golf, gymnastics, sepak and watching Caloy in training here.”

The Tokyo Olympics veteran begins his takraw, table tennis, tennis, wushu, and indoor volleyball get going, hours after campaign in the men’s all-around event at

10 a.m. at the Quan Ngura Sports Palace here against 12 other gymnasts from five countries—two from Malaysia, one each from Indonesia and Thailand, two from Singapore and four from host Vietnam —in the artistic gymnastics men’s allaround qualifying round.

Also hogging the spotlight are golfers Go, teen sensation Rianne Malixi and Mafy Singson, along with entries in esports where the country is among the favorites and wushu, which has been a solid source of gold medals for the country in the past.

Fresh off her second pro title at the International Tennis Federation W25 Chiang Rai in April, a stellar followup to her victory at the W15 Manacor in Spain in 2021, 16-year-old Eala debuts in the games in the team event at Hanaka Bac Ninh Tennis Complex. She

is also slated to compete in the singles and mixed doubles.

Also expected to deliver gold medals are kick boxers Iniong-Aras and Jean Claude, the defending champions, along with Renalyn Dacquel, Gretel De Paz, Zeph Ngaya, and Claudine Veloso.

Samahang Kickboxing ng Pilipinas secretary-general Atty. Wharton Chan believes the country can surpass the 2019 SEA Games haul of three gold medals, two silvers and a bronze in this year’s regional showpiece.

“Our athletes have done a tremendous performance and exceptional job despite fighting in a hostile terrain after beating several Vietnamese athletes,” Chan said. “I predict we can be at 80 percent or 5-of-6 or maybe 4-of-6 in winning golds in tomorrow’s finals. We can surpass the three golds last time.”

PLDT, Smart, MVPSF support Filipino athletes PLDT Inc, its wireless unit Smart Communications, Inc. and the MVP Sports Foundation, Inc. are supporting the Filipino athletes representing the Philippines in the 2022 Southeast Asian Games, which opened on May 12 in Hanoi, Vietnam.

PLDT and Smart President and CEO Alfredo S. Panlilio says the athletes’ skills and unyielding spirit will take them far in the competition. “From our successful run during

the Tokyo Olympics and in the SEA Games in 2019, we have high hopes for our talented delegation as they proudly wear our country’s colors. We are proud to have been part of their journey, and we are excited to see the fruits of their hard work. Laban Pilipinas, puso!” he says. Panlilio is also the President of MVPSF and the First Vice President of the Philippine Olympic Committee.

From basketball to badminton to gym-

nastics to weightlifting to esports and many others, the MVP group has long been empowering 17 National Sports Agencies, backing hundreds of athletes, and contributing to nation-building through sports development.

The MVPSF is building several sports centers to help the training of Filipino athletes, starting with gymnastics, badminton, and boxing.

The country’s largest fully integrated telco company, PLDT has also partnered with the

SEAG COUNCIL MEETING. Philippine Olympic Committee president Rep. Abraham “Bambol” Tolentino (seated, right) and his counterparts are shown with Vietnamese Sports Ministry officials during Thursday’s Southeast Asian Games Council Meeting at the Hyatt Regency Hanoi. Tolentino said the council has approved the order of hosting for the succeeding SEA Games—Cambodia 2023, Thailand 2025, Malaysia 2027 and Singapore 2029. Tolentino also appealed during the meeting the nine-member Philippine bodybuilding team’s doping compliance issues.

PLDT and Smart President and CEO Alfredo S. Panlilio

Philippine National Volleyball Federation to help in the development of the sport in the Philippines. Smart, together with the Philippine Esports Organization, has been a key figure in the development of SIBOL, the country’s national esports team. PLDT and Smart have also been huge supporters of Gilas Pilipinas, Caloy Yulo, Olympic gold medalist Hidilyn Diaz, and several other Filipino athletes who are vying for medals in the SEA Games and other international competitions.

Filipino fans can also watch and cheer for Filipino athletes in the upcoming SEA Games live via GigaPlay, free of streaming charges until May 23, 2022 at smrt. ph/gigaplay. They can also download the app via Google Play Store or Apple App Store. GigaPlay is powered by Smart, the country’s fastest 5G mobile network, as reported by Ookla, the global leader in mobile and broadband intelligence.

For more information, visit www.smart. com.ph.

Lady golfers start defense of crown; men’s team ready FILIPINO golfers are among the best in the world. And they want to keep it that way.

In the 31st Southeast Asian Games in Vietnam, the Philippine men’s and women’s teams begin their respective bids as golf competitions unwrap today (Friday) at the Heron Lake Golf Course in Vinh Phuc, Vietnam.

“We believe all are motivated intrinsically by being their best versions. This in itself is the challenge we have given them —to be better every day, in all aspects both on and off the course,” said Miko Alejandro, coach of the national women’s squad made up of Lois Kaye Go, Mafy Singson and young sensation Rianne Malixi.

They are hard-pressed to retain the crown won by now-pro Bianca Pagdanganan (individual), Go and Abby Arevalo (team) in the last SEAG wars

at Luisita in 2019 but are upbeat of their chances to fulfill the promise with a well laid-out battle plan.

“I think it’s not necessarily pressure but more inspiration to the players. We use these stories to remind us we are capable.

We understand that this is a brand new opportunity to win gold medals for the country,” Alejandro added.

For one, Malixi is oozing with confidence, coming off a string of victories, including a couple of feats in the local pro circuit and one in the American Junior Golf Association.

The 15-year-old spearhead of Team ICTSI is thrilled more than anxious playing in what she considers as her biggest tournament thus far, all geared up to slug it out with the likes of Thais Narkitta Wongthaveelap, a three-time Thai LPGA Tour winner, Pimkwan

Chukaew, a King Rama VII Cup titlist, and fellow 15-year-old Ella Galitsky for the coveted medal.

As hosts, Vietnam is out to spoil the highly anticipated PH-Thai gold medal duel, along with Malaysia and Singapore, but the perennial regional rivals are expected to take center stage just the same with their depth and talent in both sides of the 54-hole tournament.

“It will be exciting. I’ll play my best for the team,” said Malixi. “This is the biggest for me so far, playing not for myself but for our country. By playing my best, it’s like I’m paying a tribute to our flag. I’m looking forward to hearing our national anthem at the end of the tournament.”

“I’m ready for the tournament. I hope everyone will pray for the success not only for our team but for the entire delegation,” she added.

Asian Games gold medalist Lois Kaye Go

HANOI—The country’s quest to sweep anew the four basketball gold medals at stake in the 31st Vietnam Southeast Asian Games begins Friday when the Gilas Pilipinas 3x3 squads plunge into action at the Thanh Tri Gymnasium here.

The Limitless App team that captured the title in the PBA 3x3 First Conference will be tested starting at 11 a.m. (12 noon Manila time) by Cambodia, followed by games against Thailand at 2 p.m. (3 p.m. Manila time), and Indonesia at 4:20 p.m. (5:20 p.m. Manila time).

Making up the men’s national quartet are Brandon Rosser, Marvin Hayes, Jorey Napoles and Raymar Caduyac, who are out to duplicate the gold medal winning feat of CJ Perez, Mo Tautuaa, Jason Perkins and Chris Newsome in the 2019 Philippine SEA Games.

The Gilas women’s squad faces Cambodia at 12 noon (1 p.m. Manila time), Vietnam at 3 p.m. (4 p.m. Manila time), and Thailand at 5:20 p.m.

(6:20 p.m. Manila time).

Back to defend the women’s 3x3 crown are Janine Pontejos, Clare Castro and Afril Bernardino, with Angelica Marie Surada being the newcomer in the team.

The Philippines swept the 3x3 tournament in 2019, with the men’s team beating Indonesia and the women’s squad outlasting Thailand in the finals.

But the two coaches who supervised the preparations said retaining the gold medals will be more difficult.

“Nag-revamp lahat ng countries.

They also have players from other countries. They do the same thing as the Philippines,” said men’s coach Willie Wilson.

“I think they are prepared to defend the crown. About the other teams, nag-prepare sila, especially Vietnam.

I expect stiff competition from them,” said women’s coach Pat Aquino.

The preliminary round will continue on Saturday with the top four teams advancing to the semifinals, with the winners advancing to the gold medal match.

Action in regular basketball gets going on March 16, with the Gilas Pilipinas men’s and women’s squads primed up to retain the crowns they won in 2019, both against Thailand in the finals.

Obiena trains at hotel gym after 24-hour journey HANOI—After a long travel process that took almost 24 hours from Formia, Italy to this bustling Vietnamese capital, Asia’s top pole Ernest John Obiena’s first order of business the minute he stepped into his hotel on Wednesday wasn’t to rest—but to train.

He immediately hit the gym at the Daewoo Hotel to do some light training on the weight room.

“It was a long jour- Ernest John Obiena ney, but okay overall,” said Obiena, who also plans to train on Friday at the My Dinh National Stadium after his flagbearing duty on Thursday.

“I hope I get clearance to feel the venue,” said Obiena, who expressed excitement for his appointment as flag bearer of the 626-strong Team Philippines.

The 26-year-old Obiena, the world’s sixth best pole vaulter but Asia’s best with a World Athletics score of 1374, is expected to obliterate his own SEA Games’ record of 5.45 meters he set when the Philippines hosted the biennial in 2019.

He currently holds the Philippine record of 5.91 meters, achieved during the Meeting de Paris at the Stade Charlety, Paris on Aug. 28 last year.

The athletics competitions begin on Saturday at the My Dinh National Stadium.

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Sports

FRIDAY, MAY 13, 2022

Bucks rally to push Celtics to brink; Grizzlies maul Dubs L

OS ANGELES—The Milwaukee Bucks erased a doubledigit fourth-quarter deficit to beat Boston 110-107 on Wednesday and push the Celtics to the brink of NBA playoff elimination as the Memphis Grizzlies stayed alive with a 134-95 drubbing of Golden State.

The Grizzlies, facing elimination and playing without injured All-Star guard Ja Morant, weren’t about to go out on their home floor.

They raced to a 38-28 first-quarter lead and never trailed as they cut the deficit in their best-of-seven Western Conference series to 3-2, sending it back to San Francisco on Friday.

“We just stuck to the game plan,” said Grizzlies forward Jaren Jackson Jr, one of three Memphis players with 21 points.

“We knew what was at stake. We didn’t change anything though, we just calmed down, looked at the film, understood what we had to take away from the last game and just went out there and executed.”

Desmond Bane and Tyus Jones also scored 21 for the Grizzlies, who had seven players score in double figures in the wire-to-wire win.

Klay Thompson led the Warriors with 19 points.

Bobby Portis of the Milwaukee Bucks reacts after shooting the go-ahead basket in the fourth quarter of Game 5 of the Eastern Conference Semifinals against the Boston Celtics at TD Garden in Boston, Massachusetts. AFP

Jonathan Kuminga added 17 and superstar Stephen Curry scored 14 on four-of-10 shooting for the Warriors, who coughed up 22 turnovers leading to 29 Grizzlies points.

“It was awful, embarrassing,” Thompson said. “We all had the mindset we were going to close it out tonight, but sometimes basketball is an inexact science and we played like a shell of ourselves.”

The Grizzlies outrebounded the War-

riors 55-37 and led them 24-5 in secondchance points.

Up by as many as 55 late in the third quarter, the Grizzlies were flirting with NBA history, with the largest margin ever in the playoffs—58 points.

It was a massive comedown for the Warriors, who played their second straight game with head coach Steve Kerr sidelined by COVID-19.

The third quarter hadn’t ended when stars Curry, Thompson and Draymond Green were pulled by acting coach Mike Brown.

In contrast, it came down to the wire in Boston, where Giannis Antetokounmpo scored 40 points and Bobby Portis and Jrue Holiday came up big late as the reigning NBA champion Bucks rallied to take a 3-2 lead in their Eastern Conference series. AFP

MPBL 4th season inks pact with Molten MOLTEN and the Maharlika Pilipinas Basketball League and Molten are now partners in promoting regional caging throughout the country.

MPBL Commissioner Kenneth Duremdes and Sonak Corporation president and CEO Anil Buxani signed the partnership agreement recently and it will be effective starting May 25 in the ongoing MPBL fourth season.

Under the terms of the agreement, Molten, which is solely distributed by Sonak Corporation in the Philippines, will be the “Official Ball Partner and Sports Equipment Supplier” of the MPBL. As such, Molten will be used as the MPBL’s official game ball up to May 25, 2024.

Apart from the league itself, Sonak will also support the MPBL’s grassroots program as well as other undertakings that would be beneficial to both parties.

After taking a break in deference to the national elections, the MPBL will resume its fourth season with another doubleheader on Monday, May 16, at the FilOil Flying V Centre in San Juan.

Debuting teams Bataan and General Santos City will clash at 7 p.m. to be followed by the Bacolod-Imus tussle at 9 p.m.

The MPBL returns to the Batangas City Coliseum on Tuesday, May 17, with Makati battling Mindoro at 7 p.m. and Pasig tackling Batangas at 9 p.m.

Ikeda seizes 2-shot lead; Constantino stumbles Ateneo, UP shoot for UAAP title LIPA City, Batangas – Chihiro Ikeda took a step closer to snapping a long title spell, wresting control in a wild, hot frontside skirmish then holding sway in a windy backside finish to move ahead by two over unfancied Pamela Mariano with a 72 after 36 holes of the ICTSI Mount Malarayat Ladies Challenge here yesterday.

Ikeda birdied the 10th and 14th and parred the rest of the way to salvage an even-par card blemished by a frontside 38 that included a double-bogey and two bogeys against two birdies at the Mt. Malipunyo and Mt. Lobo nines of the sprawling Mount Malarayat golf complex.

With a 143 aggregate, the former SEA Games individual champion posted a twoshot cushion over Mariano, who upstaged back-to-back Ladies Philippine Golf Tour leg winner Chanelle Avaricio with a gutsy 72 round of three birdies against the same number of bogeys that likewise moved her closer to annexing a breakthrough finish in the circuit put up by ICTSI. Mariano assembled a 145 to earn a spot in today’s (Friday) championship group with Avaricio and Ikeda, whose opening 71 and a 72 put her closer to nailing her first win since besting Pauline del Rosario in sudden death at Midlands in 2019.

“I struggled a bit at the front but I was happy to have recovered strong at the back with two birdies,” said Ikeda, who birdied No. 3 but bogeyed the next two holes then drove out-of-bounds at the par-4 No. 6 for double-bogey.

But she fought back with a grit of a fighter, gunning down three birdies in an eighthole stretch from No. 7 to find herself atop

the leaderboard heading to the final 18 holes of the P750,000 championship.

“I need to play steady tomorrow (today) to win again,” she added.

But Mariano isn’t only hungry for a first crown but also for recognition as the Cagayan de Oro bet, who shot two birdies against three bogeys at the front, likewise showed toughness in putting up a backside 35 to gain a clear shot at the crown.

“I hit 15 greens, reaching the par-5 No. 13 in two,” said Mariano, 24 and excited over the chance to crash into the elite circle of LPGT winners. “I would need to play it shot-for-shot and just enjoy the game.”

But Avaricio also dished out a strong backside rally of two birdies in a big rebound from a three-bogey marred frontside card, her 39-34 round and a 146 that kept her just three strokes off Ikeda, guaranteeing a high noon shootout in the last 18 holes of this fourth leg of this year’s circuit organized by Pilipinas Golf Tournaments, Inc. “I struggled at the front but was able to hit two birdies at the back to save my game,” said Avaricio, who nipped Princess Superal in a playoff at Hallow Ridge then held off Ikeda to win by one at Caliraya.

“Put the ball in play, not be too aggressive and hope my putts would drop,” said Avaricio of her final round game plan.

Harmie Constantino, who scored a holein-one on her way to grabbing the first day honors with a 70, blew her lead with a woeful frontside 40. She got back into the mix with a birdie on No. 11 but faded with three straight miscues from No. 13.

History, redemption at hand

THE country’s under-23 national team competing in the 31st Southeast Asian Games will have a tall order to end 31 years of frustration in football competitions of the biennial games.

They need to beat powerhouse Indonesia as they wrap up their campaign in Group A. Head Coach Norman “Noy” Fegidero Jr. said despite the defeat against Myanmar last Tuesday, the team remains focused on their date with history at the Viet Tai Stadium in Phu Tho later at 4 p.m., Vietnam time or 5 p.m. Manila time today.

“We will use the same approach na ginawa natin against Vietnam. Ang Indonesia kasi malakas din. We need to contain them in the first half, more on the defensive tayo then we will go for the counter attack in the final half,” Fegidero said.

Fegidero is realistic that beating Indonesia will be hard but not entirely impossible to do so. Indonesia won the silver medal in the 2019 SEA Games in Manila.

“Sinasabi ko parati may chance, hindi

nawawala yun as long as positibo tayo at gusto talaga natin manalo. Kung titingnan mo ang team ng Indonesia matagal na silang magkakasama. Well experienced din sila—some of them played abroad at sa domestic league nila. Tayo three months lang magkakasama ang mga players natin. Malaking factor yun but because of the determination and the desire of the players na makapasok sa semifinals, yan yung kagandahan as team natin. And I believe that in football, there is always an upset,” he added.

The team has already accomplished an upset early in the tournament. After beating Timor Leste, 4-0, in their opening match, the U-23 squad held the host to a 0-0 draw last Sunday, May 8, to end string of losses to the regional powerhouse in the biennial games. The Philippines even had a chance to beat the host in first half but the opportunity was not converted.

But again the result was very important and almost unexpected.

“I was in Hanoi in 2010 when we be beat Vietnam—the miracle in Hanoi.

Ngayon lang ulit naka-draw ang team, after 12 years ngayon lang tayo ulit nakapuntos sa Vietnam,” Josef Malinay, team manager of the U-23, said.

While not taking away credit from the Myanmar side, both Fegidero and Mali-

By Peter Atencio

Chihiro Ikeda lets off her grip after hitting her tee shot on the par-3 No. 4 which she bogeyed.

nay noted that the schedule given by the organizing committee to the Philippines and Timor Leste put both teams at a disadvantage. Both squads are about to end their campaign in the group stage while the rest of the teams will be just playing their third games.

The Philippines, for example, will play its fourth game in just eight days while Indonesia will play its third match in as many days. Host Vietnam has only played two games so far as of Wednesday.

“Tayo lang at Timor Leste ang binigyan ng ganiyan schedule. Kahit si Schrocky (team captain Stephan Schrock) said it is crazy. Hindi dapat ito nangyayari sa football especially sa Southeast Asian Games.

‘Yung schedule every 40 hours may game tayo. ‘Yung game natin sa Vietnam naubos talaga ‘yung mga players. ‘Yung sa second half against Myanmar, lumamang pa tayo pero sa second half halos nakatayo na lang mga players natin,” Fegidero said. “‘Yung talaga ang biggest challenge namin dito, yung recovery ng mga players.

One day is not enough for professional athletes to recover. Kahit saan ka magpunta, wala ka makikita na team na maglalaro ng three games in five days,” Malinay added.

The schedule has affected greatly the team’s performance against Myanmar, its third game in just five days.

“Kaya super happy ako sa mga players ginagawa ng mga players natin. Nandoon ang puso, ayaw talaga magpatalo. Kasi ‘yung mind set namin, one game at a time ‘yung approach na makapasok talaga sa

REMINDERS on how the Ateneo Blue Eagles tackled their championship series with the La Salle Green Archers are in the back of coach Tab Baldwin’s mind.

The Eagles will try to recall their Season 80 finals’ showdown with La Salle when they face the University of the Philippines Fighting Maroons in the deciding Game 3 of the 84th University Athletic Association of the Philippines men’s basketball tournament tonight at the Mall of Asia Arena.

It will be another tough showdown, according to Baldwin, as the Blue Eagles seek to stretch their reign to a fourth straight season in the last match of their best-of-three finals series at 6 p.m.

“The physical toughness of UP is very similar to the physical toughness of La Salle, the way they played physical defense. But UP is a really great rebounding team and this is such a big key, I think in winning championships, and statistically we’ve been a very very strong rebounding team this year as well,” said Baldwin.

Baldwin talked about their Season 80 finals in 2017, after the Blue Eagles fended off the Fighting Maroons, 69-66, in Game 2 last Wednesday to force the do-or-die clash this Friday.

In Season 80, Ateneo’s championship series with the Aldin Ayocoached La Salle also went the distance, but the Eagles went on to bring semifinals,” Fegidero explained.

Aside from a piece of history, personal goals are also at stake in the sidelines—especially for a player who seeks respect and recognition for a team that has been the favorite whipping boy in the SEA Games.

Coach Noy was part of the last Philippine side that was able to compete for a medal in the football competitions of the SEA Games. It was in the 1991 Manila SEA Games that the men’s team came the closest for a podium finish. The team eventually finished fourth in the competitions, losing to Singapore, 2-0 in the bronze medal match. Since then, no other team has progressed into the knockout matches.

Fegidero, as the coach, said they have one last opportunity to do this and make his dream of leading another Philippine side to the semifinals.

“Parati ko sinasabi sa kanila na may chance sila na sundan ang ginawa namin noon, Ito ang opportunity nila, ” he added.

Fegidero gave the team a well deserved rest last Wednesday to help them recuperate and prepare for their most important game yet in the tournament. This is the longest rest between games for the Pinoy squad.

Moving forward, Fegidero is hoping that after Hanoi, the U-23 team for the next SEA Games will be immediately formed to give the team more time to prepare and jell – a move seconded by Malinay.

“We were just given three months to prepare after more than two years of no football in the country. Sobrang hirap lalo na yung mga players natin na nasa sa

home Ateneo’s ninth title.

“And I think they’re a better rebounding team than La Salle was. La Salle shot the ball a little bit better with (Aljun) Melecio, and (Andrei) Caracut, and these guys, were very very good perimeter players. But both series it just felt like you were in a fight, it felt like nothing was easy. There wasn’t an easy possession, and in all honesty, I’m a big Aldin Ayo fan, and certainly (UP coach) Goldwin (Monteverde) is making me a big fan of his as well, the way he coaches his team, and the way they’re playing in big moments. This is a high-quality coaching staff led by Goldwin, and nothing is easy like very much like the La Salle series, it’s tough, and if ever there was a flip of a coin, and this game three could be that,” added Baldwin.

Monteverde said he needs to remind the boys of being aware of the score and the time, noting of lapses when Ricci Rivero held on to the ball for too long in the final minute, but still managed keep the Maroons within range with his drive in the final 37.2 seconds and split charity in the last two seconds of action.

The Blue Eagles, who managed to lower their turnovers in Game 1 from 26 to 16 in Game 2, are expected to keep matters difficult for the Maroons, who seek to end a 36-year title drought.

Rookie of the Year Carl Tamayo who had 18 points, 12 rebounds, two steals, and a block in Game 2, is expected to be MVP Angelo Kouame’s biggest stumbling block under the boards once again. mga probinisya. From zero football activity tapos going to the highest level in the region. For athletes na mabakante lang ng one week ang layo na agad ang hahabulin sa fitness and conditioning at lalo na ‘yung level of competition,” Malinay explained.

On the good side, Malinay said that so many players have the potential to form the core of the team that will compete in the Suzuki Cup later this year. But first, the team need to play their best, again, against Indonesia.

In the women’s side, the Philippines dropped a close 2-1 match against host Vietnam two nights ago.

“We may have a little bit of fatigue and getting nerves playing in front of such a big crowd but I thought at the beginning we were the better team, and then at the last 10-20 minutes, we were the better team again,” Coach Alen Stajcic said after the game.

But despite losing the close match, the Filipinas are still on the hunt for a spot in the semifinals after posting a 1-1 win-loss slate in the group stage, unless Cambodia beats the host 4-0 in the last game of Group A. Here’s to hoping that history will be altered in the next few days and the football gods will smile on our teams. Same wish for the country as well.

Stay safe. Stay happy peeps!

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

Entertainment

Nickie Wang,, Editor Patricia Taculao, Editorial Assistant E-mail: lifeandshow.manilastandard@gmail.com FRIDAY, MAY 13, 2022

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Dingdong Dantes, Marian Rivera realize showbiz dream in new sitcom

Marian Rivera

Dingdong Dantes

L

OCAL entertainment’s power couple Dingdong Dantes and Marian Rivera co-produce Jose & Maria’s Bonggang Villa, a milestone project with GMA Network and APT Entertainment that marks their return to the small screen together.

Speaking to the members of the entertainment press, the couple, together with the entire cast, admitted that the sitcom, which premieres tomorrow night on primetime, serves as a realization of a dream they had even before they tied the knot in December 2014.

“Isa ito sa mga pinangarap namin, lalo na sa akin kasi ang tagal ko nang hindi lumabas sa primetime, hindi ako makapaniwala na totoo na ito, na mangyayari na ito kasi pangarap ko talaga magkaroon ng sitcom kasama si Dong,” the actress said.

“Even before we got married, sabi namin sana balang araw magkaroon din tayo ng isang show ulit na magkasama

The cast of ‘Jose & Maria’s Bonggang Villa’

tayo and ‘yung comedy format naman,” Dingdong added saying that aafter a decade, they are ready to once again warm viewers’ hearts.

Marian and Dingdong last shared the screen in the television romance Endless Love in 2010 and in the 2011 period drama, Amaya, where the latter played Ferdinand Magellan.

Joining the couple in the new sitcom are Benjie Paras, Pekto, Shamaine Buencamino, Johnny Revilla, Pinky Amador, Zonia Mejia, Jamir Zabarte, Hershey Neri, and Loujude Gonzalez.

The weekly situational comedy follows the life of newlywed and deeply in love, Jose (Dingdong) and Maria (Marian) who are known in their community as the most hospitable couple.

“Jose and Maria are a married couple who has just transferred to an old house. They will get to meet all the cast members there. Their misadventures begin when they start to transform the house into a bed and breakfast. A lot of fun things will happen,” Dingdong shared.

Jose’s family owns the most popular hotel chain in the country, while, Maria is a celebrated gardener and florist who is known to bring everlasting life to anything that she touches. Sadly, their luck turns around and they are faced with financial issues.

Jose’s Lolo King (Johnny), while disappointed that the couple eloped, gives him the challenge to prove himself and win back his family’s trust and inheritance. He is to revive the family’s first business venture, an old and notoriously haunted bed and breakfast.

Naturally, Jose and Maria take it upon themselves to restore and make ‘Bonggang Villa’ great again; but that does not come without hurdles. As they meet people and well, spirits of dead people, they help both the living and the departed to resolve unfinished businesses and find their path to everlasting paradise.

Seasoned TV host and comedian John ‘Sweet’ Lapus is at the helm of this exciting project.

Jose & Maria’s Bonggang Villa premieres tomorrow night at 7:15 after Pepito Manaloto on GMA-7.

‘Big Night,’ ‘Resbak’ bag top plums at 19th Asian Film Festival in Italy PHILIPPINE cinema takes the spotlight on the international stage following the remarkable victory of Cignal Entertainment’s Big Night! and Resbak (Payback), which bagged major awards at the 19th Asian Film Festival held from April 7 to 13 at the Farnese Arthouse in Rome, Italy.

Deemed one of the most significant exhibitions of Asia films in the world, the festival featured 30 films from Japan, South Korea, China, Hong Kong, Singapore, Taiwan, Thailand, and the Philippines.

Out of all the nominees from the eight participating countries, director Brillante Mendoza (Resbak) was bestowed the Lifetime Achievement Award by the Roma Lazio Film Commission, while Christian Bables (Big Night!) and Vince Rillon (Resbak [Payback]) won Best Actor. Both Resbak (Payback) and Big Night! are produced by Cignal Entertainment and will also be available on

Christian Bables in ‘Big Night’

s t r e a m i n g platforms soon.

Directed by Mendoza, Resbak (Payback) follows the story of Isaac (played by Vince Rillon), a motorbike thief who gets rebuffed after asking his boss for help when he gets chased by the police.

Isaac then plans vengeance against his boss. The film, carrying the international name “Payback,” is set to be released in the Philippines soon.

Meanwhile, Big Night!, directed

Pageant circuit welcomes return of Mister International Philippines MISTER International Philippines 2022 was relaunched recently at Novotel Manila after two years of hiatus due to the pandemic. The launching was graced by three former Mister International winners Jose Anmer Paredes of Venezuela (2013), Seung Hwan Lee of South Korea (2018), and Trin Van Bao of Vietnam (2019) with Mr. Philippines International 2019 Levin Arguelles.

Mister International 2014 Neil Perez met with them earlier.

The Mister International-Philippines Organization — headed by Atty. Manuel Deldio, president/national director, with J Samonte, marketing manager, Makoy

Mister International Philippines returns after a two-year hiatus due to the pandemic

Manlapaz, pageant director, Arvin Maceda, spokesperson, and Ameer Gamama, PR and communication head ­— has promised to conduct an extensive search nationwide.

Mister International Philippines 2022, which focuses on men empowerment through sports and wellness, is open to single, good-looking, Filipinos, of good moral character, 18 to 28, years who advocate sports and wellness. The grand coronation is set on June 27 at Okada Manila.

••• Miss World Philippines 2022 partners with Megaworld MISS World Philippines 2022 pageant kicked off recently with the signing of a partnership agreement with Megaworld Hotels and Resorts, the official venues for

the preliminaries of the competition.

Present at the event were Miss World Philippines Organization (MWPO) officials, led

by Arnold L. Vegafria, national director, and Ryan Ros Calmante, vice-president, with Miss World Philippines 2021 Tracy Maureen Perez.

Miss World Philippines 2022 will crown its new winner on June 5 at the Mall of Asia Arena. The official candidates include Ashley Montenegro, daughter of Miss World 1994 Top 10 Cara Subijano and model Hans Montenero, and Ingrid Santamaria, daughter of former PBA player Joey Santamaria.

The rest of the official candidates are Alana Joaquin, Alison Black, Angel Jed Catorre, Angela Teng, Anje Mae Manipol, Beatriz Mclelland, Blessie Villablanca, Carla Manuel, Cassandra Chan, Charyzah Esparrago, Erika Kristensen, Erika Vinculado, Gwendolyne Fourniol, Ivanna Kamil Pacis, Justine Felizarte. Kayla Ariadne Tiongson, Kevyn Alessandrea Mateo, Kimberly Anne Tiquestiques, Kristal Marie Gante, Lady Justerinnie Santos, Loraine Joy Arpia,, Maica Martinez, Maria Gigante, Maria Nina Soriano, Marie Louise, Marinel Tungol, Natazha Vea Bautista, Patricia Dizon, Patricia Mcgee, Paula Madarieta Ortega, Samantha Gabronino, Shaina Rose Ico, and Simone Nadine Bornilla.

National Director Arnold Vegafria (second from left) with Miss World Philippines 2021Tracy Maureen Perez (center) and the & Officers during MOA Signing and Press Conference at Kingsford Hotel Manila

by Jun Robles Lana, is situated in present-day Philippines and tackles the country’s controversial war on drugs through the experiences of Dharna (Christian Bables), a gay beautician who was mistakenly placed on the current watchlist of drug users. Big Night! was the most-awarded film at the 2021 Metro Manila Film Festival, scoring big by winning the Best Actor, Best Director, Best Screenplay, Best Supporting Actor, Best Cinematography, Best Musical Score, and the Best Picture and Gender Sensitivity awards.

C i g n a l A scene from Entertainment ‘Resbak’ starring continues to support Vince Rillon and showcase fresh, relevant, and internationally appealing films that represent uniquely Filipino stories.

“Being recognized on the international stage by a prestigious institution further ignites our desire to continuously evolve and produce top-caliber movies. We thank the 19th Asian Film Festival for bestowing us such great honor and recognition. We also congratulate Director Brillante Mendoza, Christian Bables, Vince Rillon, and everyone who gave their utmost dedication into bringing Resbak (Payback) and Big Night! to life,” shared Cignal and TV5 CEO and President Robert P. Galang.

For more information on the winners of the 19th Asian Film Festival, visit www. asianfilmfestival.info/.

KathNiel reunites with box office directors in special docu Marian Rivera

Three renowned directors get the opportunity to grill KathNiel about their relationship, career, and more

YOUNG superstars Kathryn Bernardo and Daniel Padilla reunite with Cathy Garcia-Molina, Mae Cruz Alviar, and Olivia Lamasan, who directed some of their most memorable box-office films that were instrumental in making KathNiel a formidable love team over the past ten years, in a special documentary titled 2 Good 2gether: A Special Reunion that streamed yesterday on ABS-CBN Entertainment YouTube channel.

The reunion special takes a trip down memory lane with the three respected directors who will also get a chance to grill Kathryn and Daniel on the undying magic of their love team, the future of their careers, and some unanswered questions in the ten years of the power couple.

In the teaser posted by ABSCBN, Direk Cathy admits that she is unaware of when Kathryn and Daniel became an official couple.

She asked them if there were plans already for a wedding.

When asked by Direk Mae

…are talking about

PEOPLE

Zeinab Harake Her interview on Toni Talks detailed her relationship with Filipino Rapper Skusta Clee, and it was painful to watch.

She spilled the tea on how they struggled with their relationship, her mental health, and the distrust.

Yet, despite all their fights and misunderstandings, Zeinab still strived to fix their family out of unconditional love. Nonetheless, Zeinab, and anyone else, for that matter, doesn’t deserve to be disrespected in such a manner.

Winwyn Marquez It was last year when Winwyn announced her pregnancy. She recently gave birth to a healthy baby girl that brought much joy to her and her family. Although motherhood is a daunting role to play, especially for first-time mothers, the Marquez family is confident that Winwyn’s strong personality will help her overcome any challenge. It’s also fortunate that her family is supportive of her pregnancy and birth since they’ll be there whenever Winwyn might need the help.

if she had any career regrets, Kathryn responded, “I wished I had believed in myself much earlier.”

Meanwhile, Inang recalled the first time she met Daniel. “The first time I’ve worked with you as a director was Pangako Sa Yo.’ Si DJ parang itong tadpole.” DJ, on the other hand, joked, “Paki-zoom in nga po.

Am I a tadpole?”

Daniel and Kathryn also had interesting questions for the three directors like if they still believe in KathNiel and if they are on the right track. The 50-minute special documentary is part of ABS-CBN’s “Made For YouTube” projects.

Kathryn Bernardo (left) and Daniel Padilla

...are not talking about Manny Pacquiao

After the election controversy, people didn’t pay much attention to the presidential aspirant and worldrenowned boxer. He came in third despite the doubts many people had regarding his expertise in politics. Manny already conceded in the presidential race but remains thankful for those who believed in him and gave him their votes.

Hopefully, this will serve as a wake-up call for Manny to learn more about governing a country to become a better public servant.

Alex Gonzaga People still have mixed and unprocessed emotions about the recent elections, and Alex’s comment asking people to stop fighting and come as one struck a nerve among the public. While she may have a point in saying that Filipinos should stop fighting each other and start working together, each person has a different coping mechanism and take longer to grieve than others. At this point, it’s necessary to exercise respect toward others instead of rushing them to become accepting or compliant.

Tei is responsible for designing the wedding venue for Wilma Doesnt (left) and Gerick Parin

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

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FRIDAY, MAY 13, 2022

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URNING venues into magical and dreamy locations for his clients is a gift Tei Endencia has been providing his clients for some time now. The multislashie who dabbles in a lot of artistic ventures (singing, hosting, acting, etc.) is on the rise.

Juggling event styling and CEO duties at Aquila Crystal Palace Events Place in Tagaytay, Tei is now officially part of the growing roster of talents of Artist Circle Talent Management Services. His artistry is backed by a good number of years in business.

In particular, Tei’s Aquila Crystal Palace Events Place has been running for seven years now, performing remarkably in sales and thriving in highly competitive and burgeoning Tagaytay, the go-to destination for out-of-town weddings and other events.

Tei Endencia

Life It’s Tei Time Event stylist and CEO Tei Endencia spills his story of success “We started in 2015. The planning stage in terms of architectural, landscaping, and our hiring process was too difficult in the beginning but it was all worth it!,” Tei shared. He added that great reviews and organic word-ofmouth feedback gave the business a boost even during the reconstruction phase.

Passionate in what he does, Tei shared what it felt like to see his business project flourish.

“We were on cloud nine as the events place eventually became in demand,” he proudly said.

The pride and joy are rooted in Tei’s love for the arts since childhood. He shared, “Since I was a kid, my mom already saw how creative I am. She said that I did love puzzles, fabrics, drawing on walls, and other creative pursuits. While

Tei Endencia has a gift for turning venues into magical and dreamlike locations

Tei Endencia (second from right) with seasoned talent manager and Artist Circle head Rams David (second from left)

growing up, I got my hands into flower arrangements for debuts and setting up venues for birthdays and other events.”

Tei took up Fine Arts in college and his artistic path led him to where he is

now. He shared how passion, dedication, and a lot of prayers in between paved the way for Aquila.

When it comes to his signature style, Tei shared that he has a fondness for diamond studs, exquisite ceiling treatment, extravagant table scaping, and glittery elements that scream luxury and style. It is no surprise that this personal brand of his has captured the attention of celebrity and talent manager Rams David.

“In one of our events, I met Mr. Rams David, a friend of my dear friend Wilma Dassent. He believed there is something different in me,” Tei said.

The stylist was referring to his childhood friend actress Wilma Doesnt whose fabulous wedding venue styling he worked on. Tei added that Rams took notice of his potential and commended his skills and creativity.

“I’m now preparing for a big wave in my life, a newer me, in the entertainment industry,” Tei said. More people are set to experience what everyone calls his #MasTEIpiece.

For inquiries on Tei’s services, contact Artist Circle (E-mail: artist_circle@ yahoo.com.)

Untitled by Julius Clar

‘Indulgence’ by Mark Viñas

For your random thoughts. get in touch with the author at randomrepublika@ gmail.com.

PH’s fastest-growing health app honored in Singapore

mWells bags the Best Initiative in Innovation award at the ESG Corporate Awards inSingapore

BARELY a year old, mWell PH by Metro Pacific Investments Corporation, has made its mark on the international stage.

The fastest-growing health app that provides doctor consultations and serves as a wellness guide, has won Best Initiative in Technological Innovation in The Asset ESG Corporate Awards, one of the world’s leading and longest-running honors in the environmental, social, and corporate governance (ESG) space.

The Asset ESG Corporate Awards is one of the world’s leading and longest-running honors in the environmental, social, and corporate governance (ESG) space. The award recognizes excellence in corporate sustainability.

As the Best Initiative in Technological Innovation winner, mWell has proven to have launched a first-to-market technological initiative that has taken the company to the next level. The United Nations’ Sustainable Development Goals (UNSDGs) served as the framework for its entry.

MPIC President, Chairman and CEO, Manny V. Pangilinan fully supports MPIC group’s newest foray in digital healthcare.

He says, “Through a collaboration with trusted health experts, mWell brings integrated digital healthcare closer to every Filipino. We are committed to empowering our countrymen to be in control of their health through innovative services.”

Chaye Cabal-Revilla, Chief Finance, Risk, and Sustainability Officer of Metro Pacific Investments Corporation, says of the award, “We are deeply honored. This shall serve as an inspiration as we continue to deliver a responsive, highly convenient healthcare platform. As a globally recognized fully integrated ecosystem, we shall be the digital healthcare ally Filipinos can rely on, in every step of their wellness journey.”

Cabal-Revilla recently became part of the

Chaye Cabal-Revilla (left) and Manuel V. Pangilinan

secure payments via PayMaya.

It is backed by Primary Care and Specialized Doctors from top hospitals such as Makati Medical Center, Cardinal Santos, Asian Hospital and Medical Center, De Los Santos Medical Center, Manila Doctors Hospital, and Marikina Valley Medical Center. It has also teamed up with PhilCare to increase the number of partner-doctors nationwide. mWellness Score: Chaye Cabal-Revilla (leftmost), Chief Another PH first and exclusive Finance, Risk, and Sustainability Officer of Developed in partnership with an awardMetroPacific Investments Corporation and winning team of doctors and data scientists pacesetter of sustainability in the Philippines, from Aktivo, the mWellness Score offers with HRHThe Prince of Wales (rightmost) users a guide to developing a healthy physical during the A4S Roundtable event lifestyle for long-term health, without having to spend on extra gadgets or wearables! mWell Prince of Wales’ Global CFO Leadership users can easily generate their daily mWellness Network and is the only Filipino and only Score by simply clicking on the mWellness woman to join the founding members of the Score icon on the app.

Once activated, the mWellness Score A4S Asia Pacific Chapter. Supporting her in the mWell leadership team are Gary Dujali, measures physical activity, sedentary Chief Commercial and Marketing Officer behavior, and sleep daily, using data-driven and Dr. Michael Muin, Chief Technical methods. No need for a drastic lifestyle change. All it takes to improve one’s score Officer. are a few tweaks to make space for physical 24/7 Online Doctor Consultation mWell makes sure that everyone can activity and adequate sleep regularly. mWell continuously strives towards receive the healthcare that they need in the safety of their homes. For as low as P250 becoming the integrated health and wellness and a minimal booking fee, mWell users platform of choice. Users simply need to can talk to a doctor on call 24/7 or book download PH’s fastest-growing health app an appointment at their most convenient to fully enjoy its innovative features.

As part of the MPIC Group, mWell is time. A wide range of Primary Care and Specialized doctors are just a tap away— committed to work towards the achievement Internal Medicine Specialists, Obstetrician of the UN’s Sustainable Development Goals, and Gynecologists, Pediatricians, particularly SDG 3: Good Health and Wellbeing. It also supports the MVP Group’s Ophthalmologists, and more.

Gabay Kalusugan advocacy focusing on Healthcare industry leaders To provide a seamless integrated quality and affordable healthcare.

Download the mWell PH app from the experience, has mWell partnered with leading names in healthcare, wellness, and Apple App Store or Google Play Store. tech industries, including CareSpan, Aktivo, Follow mWell on Facebook and mwellph on Active8me, Highly Succeed and runs on fast Instagram for more updates.

FilArts Gallery opens with ‘Unang Hirit’ art show THE Filarts Gallery, the newest and only artist-run gallery around north of Quezon City, will open on Sunday, May 15, with an aptly titled art exhibit called Unang Hirit.

The Filarts Gallery prides itself as so far the only gallery located in the FairviewNovaliches area. It is actually housed at the Robinsons Novaliches mall, a stone’s throw away from SM City Fairview and the Ayala Terraces, along Quirino Highway.

Unang Hirit will open FilArts Gallery with a mixture of art modes and tendencies, from traditional representational styles to abstract expressionist compositions. Unang Hirit artists are the founding members of the gallery.

First is Roy Espinosa, a venerable artist who has exhibited in Malaysia, India, Vietnam, Thailand, Turkey, the U.S.A. and other countries.

He has been a publisher of art coffee-table books and art periodicals. His latest publication projects are Philippine Art and Beyond (2022) and the Contemporary Arts By Asian Artists (2021), which are now available at selected art galleries in Metro Manila.

There’s also Mark Viñas who is fastbecoming known for his knack for redeeming old, disposed artworks from unknown artists, re appropriating them into various media.

True to form, he is now a highly sought-after art-picker who brings old unknown scarp paintings back into life.

Also in the pool is Roy Ama who delves on the gestural abstract application of acrylic medium and subsequently harmonizes the image with carefully drawn orb-like images to fulfill some subconcious narratives from the recent past.

Rounding out the group are Al Vargas and Julius Clar. Vargas mines his childhood memories and draws nostalgic scenes in small watercolor work which he subsequently convert into larger acrylic medium renditions on canvas. Clar first picked up his paint brush in 2018 and has been doing quiet abstract work on canvas, his hand-crafted darkroomproduced b/w photographs (silver gelatin prints) have been shown at the Cultural Center of the Philippines, The Ayala Museum, The Lopez memorial Museum, The Art Center in Mega Mall and other places.

FilArts gallery will hold regular exhibitions, art sales, Asian artists’ shows and other artrelated activities. One direction that FilArts Gallery wants to pursue is the quality of its inventory and their affordability. At FilArts the beautiful can be affordable!

‘A Mother’s Affection’ by Roy Espinosa

A painting from Roy Ama’s ephemeral series