Manila Standard - 2022 May 16 - Monday

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12 senators’ proclamation set Comelec eyes May 16 or 17 together with partial party-list winners

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HE Commission on Elections (Comelec) is set to proclaim the 12 winning senators and partial winning party-list groups on Tuesday or Wednesday.

Comelec Commissioner George Garcia said that if canvassing of the remaining certificates will be done within the day today or tomorrow, the poll regulator will then immediately prepare for the proclamation on the next day.

Poised to serve fresh six-year terms in the Senate are Robin Padilla, Loren Legarda, Raffy Tulfo, Sherwin Gatchalian, Chiz Escudero, Mark Villar, Alan Peter Cayetano, Miguel Zubiri, Joel Villanueva, JV Ejercito, Risa Hontiveros, and Jinggoy Estrada.

The Comelec reported that 149 out of 173 COCs have been canvassed as of Saturday.

The poll regulator further said the 24 remaining COCs include 19 manual overseas COCs, one manual COC from the Vulnerable Sector Office, one manual COCs from 63 barangays, one electronic COC from Lanao del Sur, one Next page

VOL. XXXVI • NO. 89 • 3 SECTIONS 12 PAGES • P18 MONDAY, MAY 16, 2022 • www.manilastandard.net • mst.daydesk@gmail.com

NPC supports Romualdez as Speaker

By Rio N. Araja and Macon Ramos-Araneta A SUPERMAJORITY supporting House Majority Leader and Leyte 1st District Rep. Martin Romualdez as Speaker in the next Congress is shaping up in the House of Representatives.

Ex-Batangas congressman Mark Llan-

dro Mendoza, Nationalist People's Coalition secretary general; Rizal Rep. Jack Duavit, and Quezon Rep. Mark Enverga on Sunday presented to Romualdez the party's manifesto of endorsement for his speakership of the 19th Congress during a luncheon meeting in Makati City.

Party chairman and Senate President Vicente Sotto III said Romualdez should be the next speaker, after a meeting of

their members.

"As chairman of the Nationalist People’s Coalition and in consultation with our HOR (House of Representatives) leaders, I hereby announce the unconditional support of the party to the speakership of Congressman Martin Romualdez in the 19th Congress," Sotto said.

Romualdez is the president of the Next page

CANVASS CONTINUES. An elections official inspects a sealed envelope of election returns while numerous ballot boxes are inspected by bomb-sniffing dogs (inset) as they rolled in at the Senate on Sunday, the sixth day of its reception of Certificates of Canvass (COCs) and Election Returns (ERs) for President and Vice President. Senate PRIB

NCR, other areas remain Alert Level 1 up to May 31

By Willie Casas THE Department of Budget and Management (DBM) has released P1.081 billion to the Department of Health (DOH) for the grant of sickness and death benefits to public and private health care workers and other workers in health facilities who contracted or who may contract COVID-19 in the line of duty for this year.

Specifically, workers in health facilities who contracted mild or moderate COVID-19 infection will receive a compensation of P15,000 while those who fall under the severe or critical case will be compensated for P100,000.

P1 million is allotted for the family of workers in health facilities who died due to COVID-19 while in the line of duty.

The identification of COVID-19 Next page

Gov’t urged to exempt small business from wage increase NPC SUPPORT. House Majority Leader and Leyte Rep. Martin Romualdez (2nd from left) gives a thumbs up along with Nationalist People's Coalition (NPC) Secretary General Dong Mendoza (left), Rizal Rep. Jack Duavit (center), Quezon Rep. Mark Enverga (2nd from right) and National Unity Party Secretary General Reggie Velasco (right) during their presentation of a Manifesto of Support signed by 39 lawmakers on Sunday. Ver Noveno

HANOI—Carlos Yulo captured two more golds from gymnastics to lead the charge of a Philippine contingent jostling for second place with Thailand, Indonesia, and Malaysia in the 31st Southeast Asian Games here on Sunday.

The reigning world vault champion

already struggling” from the effects of the COVID-19 pandemic and the high cost of commodities because of the RussiaUkraine crisis.

Concepcion said these “very small” businesses usually have very little capital and that whatever is earned for a day of Next page

Locsin lauds US over shared SCS view

Yulo boosts PH gold harvest to 20

By Riera U. Mallari

METRO Manila along with other areas across the country will remain under Alert Level 1, the lowest level of COVID-19 restrictions, until the end of the month, Malacañang announced Sunday.

Presidential Adviser for Entrepreneurship and Go Negosyo founder Joey Concepcion said these micro-enterprises “are

By Rey E. Requejo

Yulo returned to the Quan Ngua Sports Palace, site of his all-around gold last Friday, as he topped the floor exercise, the event where he emerged as world champion in 2019 and followed up his electrifying show by scoring an impressive triumph in the rings.

Sparked by Yulo’s twin golds, the

THE Philippines has expressed its gratitude to the United States for being its “most vocal partner” in reaffirming and asserting the 2016 arbitral ruling that invalidated China’s massive claims over the South China Sea and

upholding the country’s exclusive economic zone in the West Philippine Sea. Foreign Affairs Secretary Teodoro Locsin Jr., in a speech during a working lunch hosted by US Vice President Kamala Harris in Washington DC on May 13, thanked the US government Next page

Next page

Agatha Wong

Aleah Finnegan (2 golds)

Annie Ramirez

Carlos Yulo (3 golds)

EJ Obiena

Fernando Casares

Edmar Tacuel

Gina Iniong

Jack Escarpe

Jean Claude Saclag

Kim Mangrobang (2 golds)

Lucia Gutierrez

Meggie Ochoa

Samantha Catantan

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News

MONDAY, MAY 16, 2022

mst.daydesk@gmail.com

‘New gov’t must continue reforms’

By Julito G. Rada and Rio N. Araja

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ITAL reforms must continue in the next administration to ensure the continued economic recovery from the impact of the pandemic, the Department of Finance (DOF) said over the weekend.

In an economic bulletin, the department echoed the sentiment of Economic Planning Secretary Karl Kendrick Chua about the importance of “policy continuity.”

Chua particularly cited reforms enacted under the Duterte administration,

like the CREATE Law, Rice Tariffication Law, “Build, Build, Build,” the National ID, and retail trade liberalization.

All of these reforms “should be retained, not reversed,” Chua said.

In its bulletin over the weekend, the DOF said the next administration may

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The Senate meanwhile is on standby Sunday for 56 more Election Returns (ERs) and COCs which are expected to arrive anytime, out of the 173 that the joint session of Congress will canvass starting May 24 to determine the next President and Vice President.

On the sixth day after the May 9 elections, the Senate Information and Public Relations Bureau reported that it received COCs from Romblon, Pampanga, Samar, Davao Occidental, Zamboanga Sibugay, Camarines Sur, Northern Samar, Cebu City, Zamboanga del Norte, Negros Oriental, Davao del Sur, Davao de Oro, Davao Oriental, Maguindanao, Misamis Occidental, Bulacan, Basilan, South Cotabato, Iloilo, Caloocan City, and Palawan.

Likewise, votes cast from Taiwan, Qatar, Bahrain, Singapore, London, Thailand, and Canada, and by Persons Deprived of Liberty are already with the Senate, for 67.63 percent of the total ERs and COCs. On Saturday, 88 ERs and COCs came from Benguet, Eastern Samar, Baguio City, Quirino, Biliran, Capiz, Apayao, Antique, Cagayan de Oro City, Pangasinan, Zamboanga City, Agusan del Sur, Surigao del Norte, Tarlac, Aurora, Bataan, Cagayan, Rizal, Las Piñas City, Quezon City, San Juan City, Bukidnon, Pasay City, Marikina City; Laguna, Sarangani, Batangas, Southern Leyte, Muntinlupa City, Lanao del Norte, Catanduanes, Iligan City, Nueva Ecija, Oriental Mindoro, Marinduque, Kalinga, Abra, Misamis Oriental, Albay, and Local Absentee Voting.

Also delivered were the Overseas Absentee Voting COCs from Indonesia, United Arab Emirates, Germany, Sweden, Angola, Switzerland, and South Korea.

Vito Barcelo

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electronic overseas COC from Hong Kong, and one electronic COC from Jordan.

Garcia however said not all COCs may arrive over the weekend, as Lanao del Sur has yet to hold a special election targeted on May 24, after failure of elections was declared in 14 barangays.

Speaking about the proclamation, Garcia in a GMA News report also said: “We don't want anyone to be left out. It's better to just have one proclamation.”

“For example, let’s proclaim all winning senators then the party-lists. It may be possible that not all party-lists will be proclaimed if there will still be left.”

The Comelec earlier said nine partylist groups have secured seats in the House of Representatives.

Actor Robin Padilla topped the 2022 senatorial elections based on the partial and official canvassing.

Garcia meanwhile said that he will push for a law to allow overseas Filipinos to vote online, as well as give senior citizens and persons with disabilities early voting privilege in future elections.

The Comelec official added that there were a lot of lessons learned from the May 9 polls as well as concerns. He said the poll regulator “will work to address some of the issues that arose from the recently-concluded electoral process.”

Some of the concerns include votecounting machines, which may no longer be used in future polls.

Garcia said most for the machines are already “old” and have been used multiple times. 67% of election returns, COCs already transmitted to Senate.

need to continue to implement structural reforms in the economy to sustain the economy’s growth and recovery.

As trade activity recovers, everyone must continue to be vigilant and hedge against the risks posed by COVID-19 and its variants through a robust vaccination program and a prudent reopening of the economy, lest the recovery momentum be lost and economic gains go unrealized, the bulletin said.

“Key structural reforms such as the recently passed amendments to the Retail Trade Liberalization Act, to the Foreign Investment Act, and to the Public Service Act will improve the economy’s investment climate and stimulate trade and economic

activity in general,” the DOF said.

The country’s total external merchandise trade in February 2022 stood at $15.8 billion, up 18.1 percent from the same month last year.

The import value for the month was recorded at $9.7 billion, up 20.1 percent year-on-year, while exports for the month amounted to $6.2 billion, up 15.0 percent year on year.

Additionally, total trade for the month was 19.7 percent larger than the total recorded in 2019. Imports and exports were respectively 21.3 percent and 17.3 percent higher than their pre-pandemic levels. (See full story online at manilastandard.net)

Pope canonizes hermit, martyr and journalist POPE Francis on Sunday canonized a Frenchman murdered in the desert, a Dutch priest killed in a Nazi concentration camp, and an Indian lay convert among 10 new saints officially proclaimed on Sunday.

Thousands of people from around the world crowded into St Peter's Square in the Vatican for the canonization mass, presided over by the 85-year-old pontiff and attended by delegations including France's interior minister Gerald Darminin and Italian president Sergio Mattarella.

The pictures of the 10 new saints were hung on the facade of the world's biggest basilica.

Unlike in recent days, Francis—who was surrounded by around 50 cardinals and 300 bishops and priests—did not appear in a wheelchair.

Under a sunny sky, groups of pilgrims had begun to converge on the square, some wearing shirts or scarves with the picture of one of the new saints.

Under the rules of the Catholic Church, all 10 have already been beatified, or named "blessed", but had to then be attributed a miracle to take the final step to sainthood.

The new saints included Charles de Foucauld, a French soldier and explorer, who became a Catholic priest and lived among Trappist monks in Syria, in Palestine, and finally among the Tuaregs in the Algerian desert.

He was murdered by bandits on December 1, 1916, but his works outlasted him, and he became one of France's most celebrated men of faith.

Men of faith Another who made the step to sainthood was Dutch Carmelite priest, theologian, and journalist Titus Brandsma, who took a stand against the Nazis during World War II. He spoke out against them before Germany invaded the Netherlands in 1940 and afterward, encouraging Catholic Dutch newspapers to resist the occupiers' propaganda. (See full story online at manilastandard.net)

Locsin...

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Lakas-CMD where former President Gloria Macapagal-Arroyo is the chairman emeritus.

The NPC said Romualdez, LakasChristian Muslim Democrats president, "will definitely bring the House of Representatives to new and greater heights under a common goal of unity toward economic and moral recovery, social justice and the rule of law.”

"We, the members of the Nationalist People's Coalition party of the 19th Congress of the Philippines, express our full support to Honorable Ferdinand Martin G. Romualdez, Representative of the 1st District of Leyte, as the new Speaker of the House of Representatives," the NPC said.

On Saturday, there was an avalanche of support for Romualdez coming from members of the Party-list Coalition Foundation Inc., independents, PDP-Laban, Nacionalista Party, Hugpong ng Pagbabago, Liberal Party and Lakas-CMD. Another group of supporters is led by incoming Ilocos Norte Rep. Sandro Marcos, son of the presumptive president Ferdinand Marcos Jr., is composed of neophyte congressmen.

The 34-member-strong National Unity Party was the first group to announce its endorsement of the incumbent majority leader for the speakership.

The outgoing administration party PDP-Laban counts on 62 lawmakermembers. NP has 39, Lakas-CMD 29, and LP, 9.

Dinagat Island Rep. Alan Ecleo and other Lakas members from Dinagat Islands also back Romualdez as House Speaker.

Ex-President Gloria Macapagal Arroyo, returning representative of Pampanga’s second district, announced her support for Romualdez, and urged her Lakas-CMD party mates to do the same.

Romualdez thanked the NPC for its endorsement to replace outgoing Speaker Lord Alan Velasco.

“The latest declaration of support from the 39-man contingent of the NPC highlights the desire of our newly -elected and re-elected congressmen to heed the call for unity of our incoming President Bongbong Marcos,” he added.

With NPC’s declaration of support, the new administration has now a clear supermajority in the House of Representatives, which is crucial in pushing for legislative measures needed to move the country forward, he said Camarines Sur Rep. Lray Villafuerte said he sees a smooth transition from the leadership of outgoing Speaker Lord Alan Velasco to Romualdez.

He said the assumption of the speakership of Romualdez has become a “fait accompli” with his endorsement by exPresident and ex-Speaker Gloria Arroyo.

A senior member of Congress from Mindanao has endorsed Romualdez as well.

“We are all for Congressman Romualdez to be the next Speaker,” Surigao del Sur Rep. Johnny Pimentel said in a statement on Sunday.

“Congressman Romualdez is highly competent. His track record as House majority leader speaks for itself,” Pimentel, chairman of the House strategic intelligence committee, said.

“There’s no question that Congressman Romualdez has the necessary ability, knowledge and skill to lead the House,” Pimentel said.

for sharing the same view on the issue in the South China Sea. Locsin made the statement even as he reaffirmed Manila’s position in upholding the arbitral ruling that favored the Philippines in 2016.

“The US is our most vocal partner in reaffirming the 2016 Arbitral Award and upholding a rules-based international order.

We deeply appreciate that,” Locsin said.

He also welcomed the call of the US Senate for a common ASEAN approach to reaffirm the Award.

“Thank you, America,” he added.

According to Locsin, the Philippines being an archipelagic state, “puts primacy on maritime freedom and security, first and foremost in its exclusive waters; be they territorial, EEZed (exclusive economic zone) or continental shelf.”

“What is ours is ours. It can be taken from us by stealth or force; yet that would not diminish a whit of our sovereign ownership. What is stolen cannot be lost by prescription, we insist. Brute facts do not ripen into law,” Locsin said.

Locsin emphasized that the benefit of the arbitral award is not exclusive to the Philippines.

“The Award provides legal clarity to all and is available to other countries with the same problematic maritime features as ours.

It benefits the world across the board,” he said.

Locsin also said the Philippine government did not actively seek recognition from the international community so as not to undermine victory.

“That would have undermined the totality of our victory by diluting its binding legal force with the seeming need for international acclamation and support.

The victory is pure law,” he added.

He reiterated anew that with regard to the EEZ, the Philippine government holds fast to the Arbitral Award that it fought for and won by itself.

An EEZ, as prescribed by the 1982 UN Convention on the Law of the Sea (UNCLOS), is an area of the sea in which a sovereign state has special rights regarding the exploration and use of marine resources, including energy production from water and wind. It stretches from the baseline out to 200 nautical miles from the coast of the state in question. (See full story online at manilastandard.net)

Gov't...

for them because these are not ordinary times,” Concepcion told ABS-CBN. From A1 The Chamber of Commerce of the Philippine Islands (CCPI), meanwhile, operations is usually used just to keep the said the next administration should decide small business going. on the minimum wage hike.

He added that many of these small The CCPI said: “To increase wages now businesses are already in debt. might put the Philippines on a less competitive “We have to make this exemption edge to attract investments into the country.”

“We should wait for the incoming administration to settle down first and let them make the decision. Employers, however, can include free or subsidized meals, clothing, shuttle transport to help alleviate the up and down movement of prices of basic necessities,” CCPI president Jose Luis Yulo said.

Minimum wage earners in the National Capital Region will have a P33 daily

wage hike, while those in Western Visayas (Region 6) will receive an increase of up to P110.

With the salary adjustment, Metro Manila workers in the non-agriculture sector will be receiving P570 in daily wage while those working in the agriculture sector will get P533.

The last wage order for employees in private establishments in Metro Manila

was issued on November 22, 2018, granting a P25 increase in the minimum wage.

The wage adjustment was significantly lower than the wage hike petitions filed by major labor groups in NCR. The Associated Labor Unions and the Trade Union Congress of the Philippines have sought a P470 increase in the National Capital Region.

The funds were charged against the regular budget of the DOH under the FY From A1 2022 General Appropriations Act. Thus, the compensation will be transferred classification of eligible workers will be by the Department of Health to DOHbased on the criteria set by the Health retained and corporate hospitals, DOH department under DBM-DOH Joint Treatment and Rehabilitation Centers, Circular No. 2022-0002. and Centers for Health Development,

among other attached agencies and institutions.

The DOH on Saturday reported 175 new COVID-19 cases, bringing the nationwide total to 3,687,922, as the number of active cases dropped to 3,008, the lowest reported so far this year.

The regions with the most number of

new cases in the past two weeks were the National Capital Region (NCR) with 903, then Region 4-A with 277, and Region 3 with 236.

No new COVID-19 deaths were reported, the DOH said.

Meanwhile, a total of 3,624,459 patients have recovered from the viral

disease.

The country’s bed occupancy rate stood at 16.7 percent as of May 12.

The number of occupied beds was 5,163, while 25,682 were vacant.

The DOH said 20,026 people were tested on Friday, with 307 testing laboratories submitting their data.

Yulo...

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Philippines hauled a total of eight mints to raise its total to 20 to hover from 2nd to 5th as results trickled into the standings, with Vietnam safely entrenched at the top with 64 golds. Thailand has 21 as of 9 p.m. (Philippine time).

“I’m very happy, I didn’t expect to win. But I’m proud of my performance,” said Yulo, who scored 15.200 in the floor exercise and 14.400 in the rings.

But the Tokyo Olympian isn’t finished yet. He returns to action on Monday to shoot for three more golds in the vault, where he is the current world champion, the high bar and parallel bar.

Gymnastics has proven to be a gold mine as Fil-American Aleah Finnegan added the women’s vault gold to Team Philippines’ harvest, bagging her second gold after leading the women’s squad to the team title last Saturday. She also had a silver in the women’s all-around.

Finnegan, a 19-year-old Missouri native, who was a member of the US national team that emerged triumphant in the Pan American Games in 2019, scored 13.133 in the vault, to foil the golden bid of hometown bet of Nguyen Thi Quynh Nhu, who settled for the silver with 13.033.

She vies in the floor exercise and balance beam on Monday in the last day of artistic gymnastics action, which has so far propped up the Philippine campaign with five golds and two silver medals.

Contributing to the Philippines’ gold medal coffer were Kim Mangrobang, who added the women’s duathlon title to her victory in the triathlon last Saturday;

NCR,...

wushu practitioners Agatha Wong and Arnel Mandal; Fil-Am William Morrison in shot put and dancesport (Single Dance, Latin - Cha-Cha).

Less than 24 hours after winning her third straight SEA Games triathlon crown, Mangrobang, 30, became the first Pinoy athlete here to capture back-to-back gold medals, ruling the women’s duathlon at the Tuan Chau Peninsula in 2:13.12.

Wong, who lost her stranglehold in wushu’s taijiquan event last Saturday, bounced back with a big victory in the taijijian event, scoring 9.71 points to frustrate two Vietnamese entries at the Cau Giay Gymnasium.

Later in the day, Arnel Mandal made it a double celebration for the Philippines, winning the team’s second gold by beating Laksmana Pandu Pratama of Indonesia in the finals of the men’s 56kg sanda 2-0 to join Wong, a 19-year-old beauty whose smile can melt hearts, on the podium.

Morrison, 25, back to defend the title he won in 2019 in the Philippines, heaved the heavy metal ball to 18.14 meters, way off his former winning throw of 18.38, but way ahead of the Thai second placer who had a throw of 17.32m and the Malaysian bronze winner who had 17.20m.

While the athletics contingent celebrated the country’s second gold at the My Dinh National Stadium, which came a day after world-class Ernest John Obiena topped the pole vault with a new SEA Games mark of 5.46 meters, there was concern all around as Philippine record holder John Albert Mantua, the country’s second entry in shot put, injured his right leg after his fifth throw.

Mantua was brought out of the field on a stretcher and was taken to a hospital with a suspected severe leg sprain.

PUTO-LATIK FESTIVAL. A performer carries an elaborate costume at the opening of the 12th Puto-Latik Festival in Binan, Laguna on Sunday. Lino Santos

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News

MONDAY, MAY 16, 2022

SC creates award to honor retiring associate justice

GROWTH IMAGE.

Three men on a motorized pedicab cruise along Lopez Avenue in Manila to deliver sacks of fruits in Divisoria Market Sunday. The gross domestic product grew by 8.3 percent in the first quarter of the year, against the 7.8 percent in the fourth quarter of 2021 and the -3.8 percent in the same quarter last year.

The main contributors were manufacturing, which grew by 10.1 percent; wholesale and retail trade and repaid or motor vehicles and motorcycles by 7.3 percent and transportation and storage by 26.5 percent, according to Philippine Statistics Authority. Danny Pata

By Rey E. Requejo

Du30: PMA grads ‘future leaders’ P

RESIDENT Rodrigo Duterte called the new graduates of the Philippine Military Academy (PMA) as among the future leaders who will protect the people’s rights in responding to the challenges faced by the country.

Addressing the 214 – 165 males and 49 females – makes and graduates of PMA “Bagsik Diwa” Class of 2022 for the last time Sunday before his six-year term ends on June 30, Duterte said they would be among those who would fight the country’s problems including corruption, crimes, and illegal drugs.

“My administration was constrained to adopt extreme legal measures to fight society’s ills at the start of my term.

Sad to admit, after six years, these ills hound us still though to some lesser degree of intensity,” Duterte said during his speech at the PMA commencement

exercises at Fort General Gregorio del Pilar in Baguio City.

“Corruption, red tape, and illegal drugs, and crime and criminalities are the wrongs that we need to correct,” he said.

“I guess it is in the hands of the next generation of Filipino leaders and movers where our salvation rests. You, the Bagsik Diwa Class of 2022 belong to that generation,” the President added.

Krystlenn Ivany Quemado, valedictorian of this year’s PMA graduates did not have it easy even if she is a military officer’s daughter.

As the daughter of Col. Nicolas Que-

mado Jr. of PMA Maalab Class of 1993, she always had to prove herself.

“Many people think that I grew up in a sheltered, privileged life. People do not see the other side of the coin, where I carry the burden of proving myself. That I can create my own identity through my own effort and determination,” she said in her valedictory address.

She recalled being exposed to the realities of life at a young age whenever she visited the Mindanao camps where her father was assigned.

“It was there that I saw the adversities of life. The modest life of the nearby communities and the plight of the lowly soldiers who give up the comforts of life,” said the 22-year-old from Koronadal City, South Cotabato.

She used those realizations to fulfill her dreams that one day, “I, too, could

PNP secures post-election mass actions PHILIPPINE National Police officerin-charge Lt. Gen. Vicente Danao Jr. has declared that all post-election public assemblies and other mass actions held in some places around the country have been secured to prevent any form of violence.

“We are glad that those assemblies or gathering(s) of supporters went smoothly without any major incident recorded,” he said in a statement on Saturday.

Danao added the active deployment of police personnel in areas of convergence greatly contributed to maintaining peace and order to the identified areas.

The PNP recorded at least 40 public assemblies staged between May 1014 across the country, including the thanksgiving event at the Ateneo de Manila University campus on Friday.

“We would also like to thank the cooperation of the organizers and those who participated in these events for adhering to our call for a peaceful gathering. The premise is to allow them to express their sentiments in consideration to the safety guidelines that were set,” Danao said.

On Friday afternoon, supporters flocked to the thanksgiving event of Vice President Leni Robredo and her running mate Francisco Pangilinan at the Bellarmine field in Ateneo de Manila University.

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bring honor to my father as the first child of a cavalier to graduate number one, not standing behind his shadow but following his life to a path of noble service”.

She called on her “mistahs” (classmates) to never tire of working, even in small ways, for the betterment of the country.

Quemado also reminded the youth that they “have bigger roles to play”.

“May you find the core foundation of your purpose in life. If you have a calling, hold on to it, dream high, fight for it, and be determined and strong to overcome the challenges. Your dreams and aspiration for our country are as important as ours,” she said.

She is the seventh female cadet to top the PMA since it began accepting females in 1993. She will join the Philippine Navy.

TOURISM AWARDS.

Visiting guest from Turkey, Alper Peker (Regional Sales of Deluks Turizm; Tourism Awardee Sinan Duman (President, Deluks Turizm; RCM Immediate Past President Bobby Joseph. Standing from left Tourism Awardees Salah Al Albalushi, country manager Philippines of Oman Air and VP Farid Schoucair , General Manager of Heritage Hotel, exchanging pleasantries after the simple RCM 8th Tourism Awards ceremonies during the weekly luncheon meeting at the Heritage Hotel , co sponsored by Ralphs Wines and Spirits.

Tons of mangoes up at Guimaras all-you-can-eat fest ILOILO CITY—Some 30 tons of sweet mangoes await visitors for the 2022 Manggahan Festival of the province of Guimaras that kicked off at the provincial capitol grounds in Jordan town on May 14 and will culminate on May 22 to mark the 30th year since the island became a full-fledged province.

“We return this Manggahan festival to support the recovery of our micro, small and medium enterprises,” said Liberty Ferrer, officer-in-charge of the

provincial tourism office in an interview on Sunday.

Ferrer said this year’s festival is bannered by the “mango-eat-all-you can” where for P100, a guest is given the chance to consume unlimited numbers or kilos of the sweet fruit in 30 minutes.

Of the 30 tons, the Provincial Office of Agricultural Services has allotted 10 tons for the eat-all-you-can feast and the rest are projection for the 10 stalls available at the agri-trade fair, market

linkages, and actual sales.

The venue for the feast can accommodate six batches at 100 guests per batch for 30 minutes.

“On the average, they can eat around two to 2.5 kilos. So that’s 1.2 to 1.5 tons of mangoes in a day,” said Guimaras assistant provincial agriculturist Alvin Nava in a media conference on Saturday.

He said that in the previous years, they had a guest from Mindanao who consumed around 11 to 12 kilos in 30 minutes.

TO RECOGNIZE the exemplary service by Senior Associate Justice Estela M. Perlas Bernabe, who mandatorily retires from public service on Saturday, the Supreme Court has created a special award in her name.

This will be given to a retiring SC justice who shall have served as magistrate in all levels of court without leaving any case pending for resolution upon promotion to a higher court.

In the Special En Banc session held at the SC Session Hall on Friday, celebrating the retirement of Bernabe, Chief Justice Alexander G. Gesmundo revealed that the Supreme Court has approved the creation of an award in her honor dubbed as The Senior Associate Justice Estela M. Perlas-Bernabe Exemplary Career Jurist Award.

“This is the first of its kind in the history of the Philippine Judiciary,” the Chief Justice said.

“This award shall be henceforth conferred only to the distinct set of Justices of the Supreme Court who have served the Judiciary in all court levels, particularly from a trial court, a lower collegiate court, and finally, up to the Supreme Court, and have achieved a zero-backlog or zero docket upon every promotion to the next level court, until their retirement from the Supreme Court, as what Justice Estela M. Perlas-Bernabe exceptionally accomplished during the course of her 26-year judicial career,” Gesmundo stressed.

The top magistrate said that by conferring this award, “the Court hopes that future career jurists will aspire to receive this honor upon their own retirement, and traverse the same path of unwavering dedication to judicial service the Justice Estela M. PerlasBernabe paved for them.”

Chief Justice Gesmundo led the SC magistrates in paying their tributes to Bernabe by presenting her the traditional tokens of the Supreme Court and giving their own personal tributes.

PH condoles with UAE on Khalifa death THE Philippine government, through the Department of Foreign Affairs, expressed Sunday its sympathy to the United Arab Emirates after the death of President Sheikh Khalifa bin Zayed Al Nahyan on Friday.

Khalifa, rarely seen in public in recent years because of health issues, was 73.

His brother and UAE’s de facto ruler, 61-year-old Sheikh Mohamed bin Zayed Al Nahyan, was elected president the following day by the Federal Supreme Council.

“The Government of the Republic of the Philippines and the Filipino nation stand in solidarity with the United Arab Emirates and its people as they mourn the passing of His Highness Sheikh Khalifa bin Zayed Al Nahyan, President of UAE,” the DFA statement read.

During his 18 years as President, Sheikh Khalifa steered UAE with wisdom and tolerance towards becoming a global economic powerhouse, the DFA stated.

“His Highness’ legacy has secured a bright future for his country’s future generations,” it added.

Calabarzon center receives new tools for TB care

By Macon Ramos-Araneta THE Department of Health-Center for Health Development CaLaBaRZon (Cavite, Laguna, Batangas, Rizal, Quezon) received New Tools for Improved TB (Tuberculosis) Care from USAID and Stop TB Platforms.

Regional Director Ariel I. Valencia,

who received the new tools, stated that DOH Calabarzon was fortunate to be selected as one of the recipients of the new tools.

“Through these tools, we can further intensify our TB screening initiatives that have greatly been affected

by COVID-19 pandemic not only in the communities but also in the hos-

pital for the benefit of the vulnerable and at-risk populations especially in several GIDA areas.”

Valencia emphasized that in his message during the Ceremonial Handover of New Tools for Improved TB care held at the DOH Calabarzon Regional Office in Quezon City.

Navotas welcomes 48 more tech-voc graduates

By Jun David

THE City Government of Navotas has welcomed 48 technical and vocational graduates from Navotas Vocational Training and Assessment (NAVOTAAS) Institute.

Of this number, 21 completed and re-

ceived national certification II for Barista, seven for Housekeeping, and 35 for Basic Visual Graphic Design.

“More and more Navoteños see the importance of tech-voc training. Since January this year, 240 have graduated from NAVOTAAS Institute and another batch is set to complete their training

this May. We will strive to offer more courses as we prepare for the establishment of the Tanza Airport Support Services,” Mayor Toby Tiangco said.

Navotas has four training centers open to Navoteño and non-Navoteño trainees. Residents may study at the institute for free.

MUSIC AND COLORS. A festive atmosphere is back in Brgy Olympia in Makati City

through music and colors provided by a marching band as residents finally celebrate their fiesta after three years of COVID-19 restrictions. Diana B. Noche

PISTON to Rody: Suspend excise tax on fuel with EO

A4

MONDAY, MAY 16, 2022

News

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UBLIC utility vehicle (PUV) drivers and operators on Sunday called on President Rodrigo Duterte to pass an executive order to suspend the excise tax on fuel to help alleviate the plight of their ranks after the successive major price hikes.

In a Super Radyo dzBB interview, Mody Floranda, Pinagkaisang Samahan ng mga Tsuper at Operator Nationwide (PISTON) national president, said the transport sector has not yet recovered from the changes in fuel prices initially brought about by the Ukraine-Russia conflict.

The jeepney and bus drivers’ group is thus determined to ask Duterte to address their demands before he steps down from office on June 30, Floranda added.

“We are really determined to call on the Duterte administration that maybe he can make an executive order to suspend the implementation of high taxes on petroleum because our livelihood is really suffering,” he said in Filipino.

In its fuel price forecast for the May 17 to 23, 2022 trading week, local firm Unioil said the price per liter of diesel may go down by P2.90 to P3.00. Gasoline prices may roll back between P0.40 to P0.60 per liter.

Floranda said PISTON will also work on a transport agenda they will propose to the next administration.

“We will ask the next president of our country to amend or abolish the Oil Deregulation Law, TRAIN Law, e-VAT and excise [tax] on petroleum products so that at least the people’s livelihood can be kept up,” he added.

Presumptive President Ferdinand “Bongbong” Marcos Jr. earlier said he preferred to push for oil subsidies and the

USAID, TESDA partner to help out-of-school youth get jobs THE US government, through the United States Agency for International Development (USAID), has helped more than 1,230 Filipino outof-school and unemployed youth gain much-needed technical-vocational training in partnership with the Technical Education and Skills Development Authority (TESDA), local government units, and private sector partners.

In General Santos City, 89 USAID-supported youth completed technical-vocational training last month, with almost half immediately securing full-time employment with private sector partners.

Through its Opportunity 2.0 and YouthWorks PH programs, USAID supported General Santos City youth to complete TESDA courses in housekeeping, electrical installation and maintenance, computer servicing, and cookery.

“It is always amazing to me what youth can achieve if they are just given the opportunity and support that they need. This program has been a success mostly because of the resilient spirit of the youth.

But this would not have been possible without the partnerships that support these young people,” said USAID Philippines Senior Education Adviser Mirshariff Tillah.

“Because of the sustainable alliance in your city, it is easier to connect upskilled youth to local opportunities in academia, business, and entrepreneurship.”

During the COVID-19 pandemic, USAID collaborated with TESDA on restoring access to technical-vocational training in safe and inclusive ways through TESDA Online Programs.

POST-POLL CLEANUP.

A concrete post is stripped of campaign and other advertising materials along Quezon Avenue, Quezon City on Saturday. Placing campaign materials in nondesignated areas is among the most common violations every election season.

Robert Oswald P. Alfiler

reactivation of the Oil Price Stabilization Fund.

This statement deviated from the stand he and his running mate, presumptive Vice President Sara Duterte, previously took that the government should “suspend excise tax on fuel imports as a form of subsidy for oil companies.”

Meanwhile, the Land Transportation Franchising and Regulatory Board (LTFRB) has apprehended 13 premium taxis since March due to their “colorum” operation of charging passengers with a fare per person instead of the approved meter- PMA TOPNOTCHER. President Rodrigo Roa Duterte presents the Presidential Saber award to Class Valedictorian Cadet 1CL Krysbased rate. tlenn Ivany G. Quemado during the Philippine Military Academy commencement exercises at the Fajardo Grandstand, Borromeo Field in In a statement, the LTFRB said these Fort Gen. Gregorio H. del Pilar, Baguio City on May 15 (See story on A3). Presidential Photo premium taxis were apprehended following complaints made by passengers.

This month alone, it said eight premium taxis were seized due to the said violation, including four who were appreter representing Antique in Congress bong” Marcos Jr.

By Macon Ramos-Araneta hended on Tuesday. in the last three years, “is capable of Villar is a leader of the Nacionalista “Five were apprehended again in sepaAs the most senior of the incoming leading her colleagues with her intel- Party – the former party of Marcos -- led rate operations in March and April,” the batch of new senators, Loren Legarda ligence and charisma” aside from be- by her husband and tycoon Manny VilLTFRB said. is the most qualified to lead the Senate ing “industrious and having work done lar.

Out of the 13 impounded premium With 23.9 million votes, Legarda trails in the 19th Congress following her track immediately.” taxis, it said 12 were operated by G.V. Outgoing Senate President Vicente topnotcher Robin Padilla, who has 26.5 record, outgoing Senate President Pro Daraman Transport while one is being Sotto III said his successor must possess million votes in the partial unofficial Tempore Ralph Recto said Sunday. managed by SRRCA Araneta Transport Legarda, who ranked No. 2 in the a mastery of parliamentary rules and Senate poll.

Corp.

Others poised to join them in serving May 9 senatorial race, was a three-term procedures, must be a consensus builder, “A fine of P200,000 will be imposed senator, the only woman Senate Majority independent-minded and stern but com- six-year terms in the Upper Chamber are against the operator of these premium Raffy Tulfo, Sherwin Gatchalian, Chiz Leader, and Senate finance committee passionate. taxis and the vehicles will be impounded But the former journalist is expected Escudero, Mark Villar, Alan Peter Caychairperson, Recto and Legarda’s allies up to three months after payment, based to face stiff opposition from Senator etano, Miguel Zubiri, Joel Villanueva, said in a statement. on Joint Administrative Order 2014-01,” They also said Legarda, coming off Cynthia Villar, a known supporter of JV Ejercito, Risa Hontiveros, and Jingthe LTFRB said. a stint as House Deputy Speaker af- presumptive President Ferdinand “Bong- goy Estrada.

Recto, allies want Legarda as SP, but Villar looms as foe

Gatchalian worried over Malampaya as Udenna plans sale of stake

By Alena Mae S. Flores

STATE U BONFIRE. Actress Andrea Brillantes joins her boyfriend, University of the Philippines men’s basketball player Ricci Rivero, after the UP Fighting Maroons won the UAAP and celebrated with a bonfire at the College of Human Kinetics grounds in UP Diliman, Quezon City on Saturday night. Danny Pata

SENATOR Sherwin Gatchalian on Sunday expressed “grave concern” overthe country’s power situation after businessman Dennis Uy of Udenna Corporation announced plans to sell the firm’s stake in the Malampaya deep water gas-to-power project.

Gatchalian said the sale of Udenna’s 45 percent interest in Malampaya amid the impending depletion of its reserves has created uncertainty in the country’s power supply.

Udenna confirmed on Friday possible partnerships for its assets, including the Malampaya project amid strong investor interest as the country returns to post-pandemic recovery.

“With the expiration of Malampaya’s service contract in 2024, the depletion of the remaining reserves in the gas field by 2027, and now the possible sale of participating interests of Udenna in the country’s most important energy source, there’s so much

CDC, Smart debut Infocast system for Clark Freeport THE Clark Development Corporation (CDC) in partnership with PLDT wireless unit Smart Communications, Inc. (Smart) recently conducted the ceremonial awarding and turnover of the ‘Infocast’ system in this Freeport.

CDC President and CEO Manuel R. Gaerlan led a sample Infocast Broadcast to officially launch the system in the Clark Visitor’s Center.

During the activity, Gaerlan emphasized the importance of communicating urgent messages and announcements to workers and locators in the Freeport.

“Congratulations and thank you for this innovation. This is indeed a very useful technology and software because we will be able to communicate with our stakeholders here in Clark. In terms of safety, in terms of information dissemination, and even promotion of Clark as an investment and tourism destination,” he said.

Apart from disseminating information, the new system is seen to improve

communication in the entire Freeport.

“This launching of the Smart Infocast is another step towards the improvement of communications here in the Clark Freeport Zone. We always set the pace, as much as possible we compete with the whole world and we keep abreast as far as information and technology is concerned,” Gaerlan added.

PLDT and Smart representatives graced the said activity including Smart Head/AVP Community Solutions and Business Development Pedro Luis A. De Guzman, Center Head/AVP Stakeholder Management Jose Felicisimo L. Rosete, Center Head/AVP Regional Customer Development Leonides G. Nivado, PLDT Clarktel President Aniceto M. Franco III, PLDT Clarktel Chief Operations Officer Joselito C. Mercado, and other PLDT and Smart managers, officers, and representatives from distributors in the region.

From the CDC side, Gaerlan was joined by CDC Vice President for Engi-

neering Services Group Dennis C. Legaspi, CDC Vice President for Legal Affairs Group Atty. Josep Jepri Miranda, CDC Communications Division Manager Eric V. Jimenez, CDC Tourism Promotions Division Manager Noemi B. Julian, and other assistant managers and staff.

For his part, Franco expressed his elation with the launching of the newest project in Clark.

“We’re here to fulfill our commitment to help improve the communications and we’re very happy that we are here today, this is another milestone for us to be able to help the Clark community – and for CDC to be able to communicate with different locators and different stakeholders here in Clark”, Franco said.

Smart Infocast is a text message broadcast solution that can send out several SMS alerts. It can also deliver immediate messages to many predetermined recipients.

Lagman asks lawmakers not to make Minority Leader ‘adjunct’ of majority ALBAY Rep. Edcel Lagman on Sunday urged the incoming Congress “not to perpetuate the stratagem of the majority leadership of anointing a Minority Leader in the House of Representatives as an adjunct of the majority coalition.”

“Allow critical dissent to flourish and respect the independence of a vibrant, although only a handful, of minority representatives,” the veteran lawmaker said.

“Legislation must pass deliberate consultation as well as the furnace of serious debate,” he added.

Lagman made the statement as the chamber is set to prepare to transition to the 19th Congress.

“The hallmark of a deliberative assembly is the genuine existence and steadfast

advocacy of the minority,” he added.

Under the House rules, members who vote for the winning candidate for Speaker shall constitute the majority in the House while those who did not vote for the winning candidate shall comprise the minority.

“The Minority Leader shall be elected by the members of the minority and can be changed, at any time, by a majority vote of all the minority members,” the rules state.

Lagman was recently reelected to represent the first District of Albay. Edcel’s eldest daughter Krisel Lagman-Luistro was reelected mayor of Tabaco City, while son Grecon “Grex” Lagman was also reelected vice governor of Albay for a second term. Rio Araja

uncertainty ahead of us insofar as our energy security is concerned. Are we looking at rotational brownouts again?” Gatchalian said.

But Udenna president Raymundo Martin M. Escalona said the company remains “business as usual” and continues to provide the Philippine government hope for energy security in the medium and long term.

Escalona said Udenna remains committed to the continued growth and development of Malampaya.

“We have a highly qualified team and have expended considerable time, expense, and resources to put ourselves in the position where we can step in to arrest the decline of Malampaya,” he said.

Escalona said Gatchalian has frustrated attempts to develop Malampaya over the past year.

“As a result, today as we speak all development activity on Malampaya is on hold and the field continues to decline impacting energy security of the country. The good reelectionist Senator has single

PLDT installs PV panels at La Paz Iloilo main office PLDT Inc. (PLDT) has fortified its move to help mitigate the effects of climate change with the completion of photovoltaic (PV) panel installation at its La Paz Office in Iloilo City.

PLDT La Paz is one of the integrated telco’s main offices in Panay Island and houses a sales and service center, PLDT and Smart network offices, as well as Enterprise sales.

“The solar rooftop installation supports the integration of sustainable practices into our daily operations,” said Rhea Dienzo, Assistant Vice President and Sustainability Executive of PLDT and Smart Corporate Sustainability Office.

“As the only telcos who form part of the inaugural members of the government-led Stakeholders’ Chamber on the Sustainable Development Goals being supported by the National Economic Development Authority (NEDA), PLDT and Smart are committed to reach netzero emissions by 2050.”

More than 140 PV panels were installed on the rooftop of PLDT’s office that will generate approximately 78,500 kilowatt hours (kWh) of solar power equivalent to a reduction of around 56 tons of carbon dioxide per year.

Following the installation of a similar facility at PLDT’s Mandaue office in Cebu, the Iloilo site is the second location to be installed with solar power technology to augment energy drawn from the commercial grid.

Opinion Expect the vilification of the Marcoses to continue

Important notes on the Plaza Miranda bombing NO LESS than the late Senator Jovy Salonga questioned why Ninoy Aquino, who was then dubbed as “unrivaled star of the Liberal Party,” was absent from the event. According to reports, he was, at that time, at the Sky Room in the Jai alai Building along Taft Avenue in Manila, celebrating a friend’s birthday. His trip to Plaza Miranda was said to have been delayed as he was still waiting for Cocoy Laurel to finish his performance.

But according to Ka Jun, an ex-CPP cadre, Kumander Pusa, who was known to be close to Ninoy, personally warned the late senator to take his time in going to Plaza Miranda. Ka Jun adds that another former Leftist leader, Fluellen Ortigas, now based in the US and one of those who were with Ninoy at that time, bared they were puzzled then as to why it appeared Ninoy seemed unprepared to attend the ongoing LP Grand Rally in Plaza Miranda.

Former newsman and senior CPP cadre Ricardo “Dick” Malay, brother-in-law of Satur Ocampo, also pointed to Sison as the brain behind the PMB. Malay headed the “advance party” ng CPP delegation, and was primarily responsible for the planning of the M/V Karagatan arms smuggling.

Not surprisingly, Sison, who has been residing in Amsterdam since 1988, has constantly denied the CPP’s involvement in the PMB, even declaring that when the bombing took place, ‘the Liberal Party at the time was our ally of sorts.”

Bound to fail And now, as BBM’s ascension to power is at hand, we would expect an intensified vilification drive against him and his family. That same faction of the Oligarch, now represented by the Pinklawans, have already joined forces with the Left to challenge and oppose the surging

The people will triumph.

Sensing the Filipinos are no longer interested in how they project the present political scenery, they are now resorting to the international community, hoping the same community which pushed Ukraine to war with Russia, will back them up.

As of this early, they have openly declared defiance for a Marcos presidency, saying they would never ever recognize his administration. Schools known to still host the dwindling number of student activists have vowed to boycott classes until BBM is disposed of, hoping to ignite a scenario reminiscent of the First Quarter Storm of 1970.

But then, I believe the Filipinos will not let anything of what they are sinisterly planning this time to succeed.

We have learned our lessons – that the vilification of Marcos leading to his ouster was nothing but a grand design concocted by Ninoy Aquino brought about by his political ambition, and ably aided by the gullible Jose Maria Sison, who himself, has been planning on betraying his Oligarch partners once they seize.

Sison failed then as the Oligarch-led Yellows junked them after having ascended to power. But as a consolation for him, both of them will fail now. Despite their renewed collaboration, they are bound to tail. The people will triumph.

A noble initiative: the Tullahan rehab project Everyman

By Melandrew T. Velasco WITH the looming onset of the rainy season, focus must now be on the dredging of esteros and the rehabilitation of rivers to avert flooding in the metropolis and other urban centers in the Philippines.

Improper garbage disposal and tons of effluents discharged into bodies of water from factories and industrial plants result in water pollution, destroying marine lives, aesthetics and recreational values of the bodies of water.

While it is primarily the government’s responsibility to ensure the problem of water pollution is addressed, the sad reality is public funds are not enough. Each of us must be involved in solving the problem of pollution in our country’s bodies of water to bring drastic changes to their dismal state.

Filipinos are fortunate that tremendous effort is being exerted by many private companies and organizations to rehabilitate bodies of water. One of these companies is San Miguel Corporation (SMC).

SMC is an active partner of the Department of Environment and Natural Resources (DENR) in the latter’s Adopt-an-Estero Program. DENR partners in the program undertake environmental improvement on the waterway they have adopted. Aside from regular clean-up activities and dredging of the waterway, they may also conduct information and education campaigns, community mobilization activities and training for stakeholders.

The program is one of DENR’s priority initiatives and strategies relative to the continuing Supreme Court mandamus to

clean up Manila Bay. It was on March 14, 2019 when former DENR Secretary Roy A. Cimatu and SMC President and CEO Ramon S. Ang (RSA) signed the memorandum of agreement to formalize the partnership.

Spanning 27 kilometers from the La Mesa Water Reservoir in Quezon City to Centennial Park in Navotas City, the Tullahan-Tinajeros River System is a major tributary of Manila Bay. It is considered one of the most polluted waterways in Metro Manila. It traverses the cities of Malabon, Caloocan, Valenzuela and Quezon. It is the beneficiary of SMC’s river rehabilitation initiative.

It is our shared responsibility.

Recently, SMC announced its initiative to rehabilitate the Tullahan River has gained ground. After months of cleaning major segments of the river system, it was reported that a hydrographic survey showed significant improvement in the river depth and carrying capacity. Silt and solid wastes were removed, making the flow of water from upstream unobstructed. This has resulted in less flooding in nearby areas.

This has provided relief to communities affected by flooding as a result of overflowing rivers that are filled up when downpours occur. “Essentially, what we’ve accomplished is to remove the silt and wastes that have made these rivers shallow and increase their ability to receive water from upstream channels, particularly during heavy rain or typhoon season, which is when severe flooding in many areas in Metro Manila occur,” RSA

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EDITORIAL

A new era

(Last of four parts)

BBM campaign but to no avail.

As I have been saying then, weeks leading to the elections, they adjusted their campaign strategy suggesting some post-election scenario, hinting at possibly another EDSA Uprising. They are now accusing BBM of plotting massive cheating, which is grossly absurd as there is absolutely no reason why he would cheat when all credible polling firms has him leading by a mile in their pre-election surveys (BBM will eventually win by more than 16 million votes over Leni Robredo, garnering more than 56 percent of the votes, the first majority elected president since his father).

MONDAY, MAY 16, 2022

S PRESIDENT Joe Biden said a first summit in Washington with leaders from the Association of Southeast Asian Nations (ASEAN) marked the launch of a “new era” in the relationship between the United States and the 10-nation bloc.

U

“A great deal of the history of our world in the next 50 years is going to be written in the ASEAN countries, and our relationship with you is the future, in the coming years and decades,” Biden told the ASEAN leaders on the second day of a two-day meeting.

The summit marked the first time ASEAN leaders gathered as a group in Washington and their first meeting hosted by a US president since 2016.

“We’re launching a new era – a new era – in US-ASEAN relations,” Biden said, calling the US-ASEAN partnership “critical.”

Earlier, US Vice President Kamala Harris said the United States would remain in Southeast Asia for generations and stressed the need to maintain freedom of the seas, which the United States says is challenged by China.

“The United States and ASEAN have shared a vision for this region, and to-

gether we will guard against threats to international rules and norms,” Harris said.

The incoming administration in Manila clearly needs to walk a tightrope between the two superpowers.

Neither she nor Biden mentioned China by name, but their message was clear.

Ahead of the summit, Washington promised $150 million for areas including infrastructure, security, pandemic preparedness and clean energy.

New US commitments will include

deployment of a US Coast Guard vessel to the region to help counter what the United States and regional countries have described as China’s illegal fishing.

These initiatives are welcome, particularly given China’s aggressive behavior in the West Philippine Sea. But Washington will need to do much, much more to counter Chinese initiatives in the region. In November, Beijing pledged $1.5 billion in development assistance for ASEAN over three years to fight COVID-19 and to fuel economic recovery.

ASEAN countries share many US concerns about China’s overreaching claim of sovereignty over almost the entire South China Sea where Vietnam, the Philippines, Brunei, and Malaysia have rival claims. But they also remain cautious about siding more firmly with the United States, given their predominant economic ties with China and limited American economic incentives.

The incoming administration in Manila clearly needs to walk a tightrope between the two superpowers, but with a new push from Washington, we hope to see a departure from the current kowtowing and apologetic scraping that have passed for Philippine diplomacy with Beijing.

Post-election thoughts

MAY 9th, election day was my first time as a senior citizen and the sixth automated election that I voted in. I recently transferred voting precincts to where my permanent residence is and, with more than 54 million voters, fulfilled my duty as a citizen of the Philippines. Together with my family, we trooped to our assigned voting center in the first hours -- but the queue was already out on the streets.

There were many volunteers helping the voters, especially seniors like me. I was in and out in just over 40 minutes.

I monitored the TV news coverage of election happenings and as usual, they followed the voting of the presidential candidates in their respective precincts and every bit of negative incident particularly the glitches of the vote counting machines (VCM). Political analysts were interviewed and gave their insights to put more objectivity and sobriety to the negative news reports which were giving the impression that all the VCM malfunctions were compromising the integrity of the elections.

Let’s do some fast fact-checking of these VCM incidents. There are allegations that more VCMs had malfunctioned in this election than in previous automated elections. According to COMELEC reports, in the 2019 mid-term elections, 2.64% VCMs were replaced in various voting clustered precincts which is much higher than this election that counted only 0.86%. To put a numbers perspective on this, out of 106,174 VCMs deployed all over the country, only 200 were reported to have problems. Unfortunate but expected is the media’s focus on the 0.18% that said.

RSA added that the Tullahan River’s depths at areas along the 10-kilometer stretch the company’s cleanup teams have worked on are now between three to five meters, compared to one to two meters previously.

SMC has removed 876,296 metric tons of silt and solid wastes from the Tullahan River and it hopes to reach one million metric tons by June. It has allotted Php1billion budget for the program that was launched in 2020. The amount will include the cost for equipment acquisition.

SMC’s river dredging and clean-up initiative has been lauded by DENR as Acting Secretary Jim O. Sampulna commended the conglomerate for its dedication in protecting and preserving the environment. “We are very grateful for our partnership in securing healthier and cleaner waterways for a better future,” he said.

It will be recalled that on November

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

had technical and also user issues.

Transmission was record breaking compared to all the automated elections with 98% of election returns transmitted by 2 pm of May 10 or just 31 hours after polls closed. Actually, even by late evening, a few hours after data from the transparency servers started its tally, the winners in the national positions were already clear.

Let us continue to uphold our democracy in this new government.

But even this feat which critics used to hit for delays and efficiency issues was met with suspicion by some for being “too fast” instead of commending the Commission on Elections for effectively addressing the transmission problems of the past with more robust technology. Being a proponent of accelerating the development of the country’s digital infrastructure and digital transformation of government, the speed of transmission and availability of data from the transparency servers was very impressive.

I remember how political parties had to organize their own quick count operations to run parallel tallies. Now this is unnecessary because the best audit of the automated election system is the PPCRV’s (Parish Pastoral Council for Responsible Voting) manual audit of the election returns (ER). As in the past automated elections, PPCRV will manually check each ER with the transmitted results of the VCMs through its army of young volunteers.

As of May 12, PPCRV already encoded 16,820 ERs and has so far resulted in a 100 percent match. As of this writing the latest report is that as of mid-morning of May 14, 48.31 percent of total ERs or 52,066 out of 107,785 of the total number of precincts have been received. Since 26, 2010, DENR inked a Memorandum of Agreement with San Miguel Foundation, the corporate social responsibility arm of San Miguel Corporation to clean up Metro Manila waterways. One of the focus areas of the Foundation is on the environment that includes river rehabilitation.

The agreement involved the environmental improvement of a 1.7-kilometer portion of the Tullahan River in Valenzuela City starting from MacArthur Highway to the Philippine National Railways bridge. The MOA also stipulated that SMC through SMF will undertake “expanded environmental improvement including including the dredging of portions of the Tullahan River from the MacArthur Highway all the way to Manila Bay.” Then DENR Secretary Ramon Paje called the partnership “a big boost to our adopt-an-estero program” as he emphasized that most of the water bodies in Metro Manila could no longer be restored by

2010 when the COMELEC started using the AES as mandated by law, the accuracy rate has been at 99.99%.

There are also allegations that there were 1,800 defective VCMs countering COMELEC’s figures of only 200. This is again erroneous, because this actually represented 1,800 technical support or troubleshooting assistance given to solve rather simple user related issues like paper jams, switching on the VCM, and other things that did not necessarily need VCM or SD Card replacement.

Another issue raised is that millions of voters had to wait for hours because of the delays caused by VCM malfunctions and the delayed replacement which the COMELEC should have prepared for.

It’s true that replacement was slower, and this was explained by the lower number of contingency VCMs which this year was only 1,000 for the 33,000 polling places compared to 10,000 in 2019. COMELEC was able to lease only 11,000 of the 25,000 new machines that had been planned for procurement because of the huge increase in voters but the global shortage of electronic components because of supply chain disruptions caused

by COVID 19 thwarted these plans.

The election results, though still unofficial and partial, vindicated the muchmaligned survey firms that have again proved the soundness of their scientific methods of conducting polls. Nationwide surveys on the automated elections have also reflected the people’s confidence and overwhelming trust of our automated democratic elections.

For boomers like me who have seen the extensive cheating, vote buying, harassment, and the rule of guns goons and gold during the dark era of manual elections, the legislation of automated elections reversed what was becoming a dangerous erosion of trust in our democratic process.

Let us continue to uphold our democracy in this new government. the government alone.

The SMC initiative to clean the river system is part of the company’s campaign to promote environmental sustainability.

It complements other flood mitigation efforts in Navotas, Malabon, Valenzuela, and Caloocan.

In the future, a rehabilitated Tullahan River system may provide alternate routes for transportation between Quezon City and Navotas, aside from flood mitigation and its contribution to a cleaner Manila Bay. But the rehabilitation of the Tullahan River system entails the collaboration of all stakeholders, not just the national government, SMC, the local government units and the communities in nearby areas.

It is our shared responsibility. We must be involved.

Mr. Velasco has written at least 50 coffeetable books.

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

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World

MONDAY, MAY 16, 2022 mst.daydesk@gmail.com

10 slain in ‘racially motivated’ NY shooting B UFFALO — A heavily armed 18-yearold white man shot 10 people dead on Saturday at a Buffalo, New York grocery store in a “racially motivated” attack that he

live-streamed on camera, authorities said.

The gunman, who was wearing body armor and a helmet, was arrested after the massacre, Buffalo Police Commissioner Joseph Gramaglia told a news conference.

Gramaglia put the toll at 10 dead and Manila Manila three wounded. Eleven of the victims Republic of the Philippines Standard Standard AFFIDAVIT OF SELFADJUDICATION BY SOLE HEIR were African Americans.

Regional Trial Court TODAY TODAY Notice is hereby given that the estate of the late CHARMAINE National Capital Judicial Region The gunman shot four people in GONZALES CARANDANG and Remm Gonzales Carandang Quezon City, Metro Manila who died on May 10, 2015 and December 24, 2016 respectively the parking lot of the Tops superin the City of Mandaluyong Philippines have been extrajudicially Branch 223 market, three of them fatally, then settled to Carl John G. Carandang.

The deceased left a Parcel of Land with TCT No. 008-2013000009. went inside and continued firing, IN THE MATTER OF THE WILL AND This Settlement under Notary Public ATTY JAN RURIK D. Gramaglia said.

TESTAMENT OF EMMANUEL KENNETH PADIERNOS as per Doc. No. 210, Page No. 42, Book No. 10, Among those killed inside the store F. VELASCO Series of 2022.

(MStandard-Apr. 29, May 6 & 13, 2022) was a retired police officer working as SPEC. PRO. CASE NO. R-QZN-22-00810-SP an armed security guard.

The guard “engaged the suspect, ATTY. ARNEL P. KHO, Petitioner. fired multiple shots,” but the gunman x-------------------------------------------x MASS GRAVE. Human remains exhumed from a mass grave by Iraqi shot him, Gramaglia said.

ORDER authorities, lie on the ground near the southern city of Najaf, on May 14. The He added that when police arrived, This is a verified Petition for Probate of the Last Will and Testament of the Late Emmanuel Kenneth F. Velasco mass grave, first discovered in April this year, is believed to hold dozens more the shooter put the gun to his neck, but dated February 3, 2022, and which was received by this Court on February 9, 2022. likely killed under late dictator Saddam Hussein, an official said. AFP was talked down and surrendered. AFP The Petitioner alleges that to the best of his knowledge, Emmanuel Kenneth F. Valasco (Testator”) executed a L:ast Will and Testament (“Will”) sometime on August 2021, a copy of which was sent to him through Viber Message; that to the best of his knowledge, Testator died on September 27, 2021, as evidenced by a certified true copy of his Certificate of Death issued by the City Civil Registrar of Quezon City; that at the time of his death, Testator was a resident of 38 Rosa Alvero, Brgy. Loyola Heights, Quezon City; that the original copy of the Will was delivered to him

by Mr. Benjamin F. Velasco; that a perusal of the Will, particularly item 3 thereof, shows that the Testator instructed the Petitioner to dispose of his personal investments and give from the rental or proceeds from sale of his personal investments to the following legatees: Legatees

Amount

Gerry Sy-Quia Lorelie Realingo Marlon Pedregosa

Php 1,000,000.00 Php 3,000,000.00 Proceeds from the sale of Testator’s interest in Palawan Property Balance of the proceeds from the sale of Testator’s personal real estate investments

Testator’s Brothers

The petitioner likewise alleges that to the best of his knowledge, Testator’s brothers are Benjamin and Emmanuel Hugh F. Velasco; that to the best of his knowledge, the only surviving heirs of Testator are his father, Emmanuel T. Velasco, and his mother, Gloria F. Velasco (collectively referred to hereinafter “Heirs”); that to the best of his knowledge and information, none of the Legatees, Testator’s Brother and / or the Heirs have presented and/or filed any petition to probate the Will of Testator before any competent court and/or applied for any letters of administration, and/or settlement of the estate of Testator in accordance with the Will; that to the best of his knowledge, the addresses of the Legatees, Testator’s Brothers and Heirs are: Name

Residence

A.

Legatees/Testator’s Brothers

1.

2.

3.

Gerry Sy-Quia Lorelie Realingo Marlon Pedregoso

4.

5.

Emmanuel Hugh F. Velasco Benjamin F. Valasco

B.

Heirs

1.

2.

Emmanuel T. Valasco Gloria F. Velasco

8232 Avocado St., Marcelo Green Village, Parañaque City 12C Flerida St., Acacia, Malabon City 31-A East Tower, The Beaufort, 5th Avenue, corner 23rd Streets, Bonifacio Global City, Taguig 17 Regidor St., Varsity Hills, Subdivision, Quezon City 2 King Pin St., Vermont Royale, Mayamot, Antipolo City

38 Rosa Alvero, Brgy. Loyola Heights, Quezon City 38 Rosa Alvero, Brgy. Loyola Heights, Quezon City

Okinawa marks 50 Eurovision win lifts spirits years since US rule; in Ukraine amid raging war Discontent simmers

KYIV — Ukraine’s forces were fighting off a fierce Russian onslaught on the east of the country Sunday, after a Eurovision victory gave the country a much-needed boost of morale.

President Volodymr Zelensky warned on Saturday that the war in his country risked triggering global food shortages, adding that the situation in Ukraine’s Donbas is “very difficult”.

Russia, which invaded Ukraine on February 24, has increasingly turned its attention to the country’s east since the end of March, after failing to take the capital Kyiv.

Western analysts believe President Vladimir Putin has his sights on annexing southern and eastern Ukraine in the months ahead, but his troops have appeared to be encountering stiff resistance.

Russia’s war in Ukraine is in-

creasingly shifting the balance of power in Europe, with Finland and Sweden poised to jettison decades of military non-alignment to join NATO as a defense against feared further aggression from Moscow.

Helsinki is set to formally announce its bid for membership on Sunday.

But as a conflict that has displaced millions dragged towards its third month, Ukrainians were offered a much-needed boost of optimism as a rap lullaby combining folk and modern hip-hop rhythms won the Eurovision song contest.

“Stefania”, which beat out a host of over-the-top acts at the quirky annual musical event, was written by frontman Oleh Psiuk as a tribute to his mother before the war -- but its nostalgic lyrics have taken on outsized meaning because of the conflict. AFP

The petitioner further alleges that to the best of his knowledge and information, Testator left the following properties, which may be disposed of and/or used to honor the wishes of Testator: Real Properties: Nature

Condominium Certificate of Title (CCT) No.

T a x Declaration No.

Location

Total A r e a (SQM)

Assessed Value Per TD (Php)

M a r k e t Value Per TD (Php)

1. Condominium Unit

18368

TD No. EB011-02585

Unit 115, Rosewood Condominium.

U s u s a n , Taguig City

42

419,840.00

699,730.00

2. Condominium Unit

18370

TD No. EB011-02586

Unit 116, Rosewood Condominium, U s u s a n , Taguig City

42

419,840.00

699,730.00

Parking Area Rosewood Condominium, U s u s a n , Taguig City

12.50

3. Condominium Unit

27193

TD No. Eb011-10667

EUROVISION WINNERS. Members of the band “Kalush Orchestra” 32,000.00

80,000.00

Cash in Bank Savings and Current Accounts with Metropolitan Bank and Trust Company in the total amount of Php 1,279,646.20 as of September 27, 2021, as shown by a Bank Certification dated December 9, 2021.

The petitioner prays of this Honorable Court, that after notice and publication, (i) the Last Will and Testament of Testator Emmanuel Kenneth F. Velasco be probated, particularly item 3 of the Will; and (ii) petitioner Atty. Arnel P. Kho be appointed as executor and administrator with respect to item 3 of the subject Will of Testator.

Wherefore, finding the verified petition to be sufficient in form and substance, the same is set fore hearing on July 29, 2022 at 8:30 in the morning, Session Hall of Branch 223 of this Court, at which date and time, petitioner and counsel are directed to appear to substantiate the allegations of the petition and for any interested persons may appear and show cause why the petition should not be granted.

Let a copy of this Order be published at the expense of the petitioner in a newspaper of general circulation to be selected by raffle pursuant to Section 3 of Rule 76 of the Rules of Court, once a week for three (3) consecutive weeks prior to the date of hearing.

Let a copy of this Order together with copies of the Petition and its annexes be furnished upon the Office of the Solicitor General and Office of the City Prosecutor of Quezon City, who are directed to file their opposition to the petition within fifteen (15) days from the last date of publication of this Order.

SO ORDERED. Given in Chambers.

Quezon City, Philippines, March 30, 2022.

CMWL/mcc SPEC. PRO. CASE NO. R-QZN-22-00810-SP/Initial Order Copy furnished:

(Sgd.) HON. CARIDAD M. WALSE-LUTERO Presiding Judge

The City Prosecutor’s Office DOJ Building, Justice Cecilia Muñoz Palma Hall Quezon City Hall Complex Diliman, Quezon City

Emmanuel Hugh F. Velasco Legatees 17 Regidor St., Varsity Hills Subdivision, Quezon City

Office of the Solicitor General 134 Amorsolo St., Legaspi Village, Makati City

Benjamin F. Velasco Legatees 2 King Pin St., Vermont Royale, Mayamot, Antipolo City

The Local Civil Registrar Quezon City Philippine Statistics Authority (formerly National Statistics Office) East Ave., Quezon City Atty. Arnel P. Kho Petitioner Unit 502 Pacific Center Building, 33 San Miguel Avenue, Ortigas Center, Pasig City Gerry Sy-Quia Legatees 8232 Avocado St., Marcelo Green Village, Parañaque City Lorelie Realingo Legatees 12C Flerida St., Acacia, Malabon City Marlon Pedgregosa Legatees 31-A East Tower, The Beaufort, 5th Avenue corner 23rd Streets, Bonifacio Global City, Taguig

Emmanuel T. Velasco Legatees 38 Rosa Alvero, Brgy. Loyola Heights, Quezon City Gloria F. Velasco Legatees 38 Rosa Alvero, Brgy. Loyola Heights, Quezon City Atty. Emmanuel s. Ypil e-mail: esypil@phylaw.com.ph Atty. Kimberly A. Yee e-mail: kayee@phylaw.com.ph Counsel for the Petiitoner Paner & Ypil Attorneys-at-Law (formerly: Paner Hosaka & Ypil Attorneys-at-Law) 502 Pacific Center Bldg., 33 San Miguel Avenue, Ortigas Center, Pasig City, Phlippines 1600 Contact No: (632) 7798-2595/(632)8633-3611 Facsimile: (632) 8584-7310 E-mail Address: phylaw@phylaw.com.ph (MStandard - May 16, 23 & 30, 2022)

pose onstage with the winner’s trophy and Ukraine’s flags after winning on behalf of Ukraine the Eurovision Song contest 2022 on May 14 at the Pala Alpitour venue in Turin. AFP

Swiss vote on ‘Netflix’ law, organ donations, Frontex border agency GENEVA — Switzerland votes on Sunday on whether streaming services should cough up money to boost Swiss film-making -- and whether everyone should automatically become an organ donor unless they say otherwise.

Under the wealthy Alpine nation’s direct democracy system, voters are called to the polls four times a year to decide on specific topics, according to popular demand.

Besides streaming services and organ donation, the Swiss are voting on whether to join in the planned expansion of the European border agency Frontex, providing more money and staff to protect the continent’s Schengen open-borders zone.

The polls close at midday (1000 GMT), with most ballots having al-

ready been sent in by post over the past four weeks.

Vote projections should come within an hour, with the results due later Sunday.

Lex Netflix The so-called “Lex Netflix” vote is on an amendment to the Film Production Act adopted by parliament last October.

Since 2007, domestic television broadcasters have been obliged to invest four percent of their turnover in Swiss film-making.

The law change is intended to catch up with the dramatic shift in how audiovisual content is now consumed, with global streaming platforms like Netflix, Disney+ and Blue now making hundreds of millions of dollars in Switzerland each year. AFP

TOKYO — The Japanese island of Okinawa marks 50 years since the end of US rule Sunday, with discontent simmering about the ongoing presence of American troops and fears about growing regional tensions.

The post-World War II US occupation of Japan lasted until 1952, but it took another 20 years for Okinawa, the country’s southernmost prefecture, to regain its sovereignty.

The anniversary was marked with official ceremonies in Tokyo and Okinawa, with the island’s governor Denny Tamaki calling attention to the “excessive burden” he said is placed on residents in his prefecture as it hosts the bulk of United States bases.

The long-festering controversy was highlighted by Prime Minister Fumio Kishida, too.

“The government takes this fact seriously and will continue to make an utmost effort to reduce this burden,” he told the ceremony in Okinawa.

Longstanding concerns for Okinawans about the US troop presence -- and more recent worries about the threat of a military confrontation involving China -- remained palpable.

“I’m not in the mood to celebrate at all,” Okinawan native Jinshiro Motoyama told AFP ahead of the anniversary as he sat outside a Tokyo government building on a week-long hunger strike. AFP

Robbers hit home of Chile defense chief, steal car

SANTIAGO — The home of Chilean Defense Minister Maya Fernandez was robbed by attackers who beat her son and threatened her husband, authorities said Saturday.

Fernandez, a granddaughter of former Socialist leader Salvador Allende, was not at home at the time of the attack late Friday in Santiago’s Nunoa neighborhood.

A bodyguard in President Gabriel Boric’s security team was also shot in the arm by attackers who stole a presidential vehicle, as Chile suffers what one official has called “the worst moment in security since the return to democracy,” with crime surging in both numbers and severity.

“There was a robbery in the defense minister’s property,” General Jean Camus, a district police chief, announced Saturday. “Unknown individuals stole cash and also a vehicle.”

The same night, the presidential bodyguard, a sergeant in the Carabineros, or national police, was robbed and shot when a group of men approached him as he sat in an official vehicle. AFP

Opposition hopes to win first Lebanon election since crisis BEIRUT — Lebanon voted Sunday in its first election since multiple crises dragged it to the brink of failed statehood, a major test for new opposition groups bent on removing the ruling elite.

Observers have warned not to expect any seismic shift, with every lever of power

firmly in the hands of traditional sectarian parties and an electoral system rigged in their favor.

After an underwhelming campaign stifled by the nation’s all-consuming economic turmoil, 3.9 million Lebanese were eligible to vote when polling stations opened at 7:00 am

(0400 GMT).

The army deployed across the country to secure an election Lebanon’s donors have stressed was a pre-requisite for financial aid crucial to rescuing the country from bankruptcy.

A new generation of independent candidates and parties are hoping to kindle the change

that an unprecedented anti-corruption uprising in 2019 failed to deliver.

“I am with change because we tried this current political class before and now is the time to bring in new faces,” Nayla, a 28-year-old who only gave her first name, told AFP after casting her vote in Beirut. AFP

Conservative Aussie premier Morrison makes last push for reelection SYDNEY — Australia’s conservative prime minister sounded the gun on the last lap of a bitterly-fought election campaign Sunday, admitting “not everything went to plan” during the country’s pandemic response.

At an official launch of his party’s election campaign ahead of the May 21 vote, conservative Scott Morrison acknowledged

missteps during the crisis but declared “Australia has prevailed” In reality, the election campaign has been underway for months — if not years — but the event offered Morrison a chance to rally the party base and appeal to voters who appear set to boot him out after three tumultuous years in office.

According to the latest

opinion polls, the centre-left Labor party, led by Anthony Albanese is expected to win Saturday’s vote.

But both sides know an upset is still possible.

Morrison’s tenure has been beset by a rolling series of crises, from climatefuelled droughts, bushfires and floods to the global Covid-19 pandemic.

“It has been one of the

most challenging times we have ever known,” Morrison said, while insisting the country was now “heading in the right direction.”

The 54-year-old from Sydney’s affluent Eastern Suburbs has come under fire for a glacial vaccine rollout that helped make sure Australia’s borders were shut for the better part of two years. AFP

Business

B3

MONDAY, MAY 16, 2022 || extrastory2000@gmail.com

Stock market ripe for technical rebound TOP GAINERS S PSEi May 13, 2022

1 ABG 2 WEB 3 ARA

LAST PRICE CHANGE 4.1 0.5 3.55 0.3 1.64 0.1

% CHANGE 13.89% 9.23% 6.49%

4 5 6 7 8

BC MONDE PHR CNVRG SMPH

7.3 14.36 1.42 27.75 35.1

0.41 0.76 0.07 1.25 1.55

5.95% 5.59% 5.19% 4.72% 4.62%

9 10

TCB2C BCB

55 7.29

2.2 0.29

4.17% 4.14%

By Jenniffer B. Austria

HARE price are expected to trade sideways with a downward bias after slumping last week on slowing global economy concerns.

Analysts said investors are worried the continued rise in US inflation and interest rates could trigger a global recession.

Post-election jitters are also causing investors to opt to stay on the sidelines until a clear direction from the incoming new administration emerges.

The stock market, however, could be ripe for some technical rebound after the Philippine Stock Exchange Index dropped by 8.7 percent in the past four weeks.

“Domestically some investors have taken a riskoff stance with the results of the Philippine national elections. At this stage, the PSEi is at a cheap at 14.8x P/E (price-to-earnings) and amid pressures is a good fundamental level to accumulate,” said brokerage firm Urade.com.ph research head Gabryle

D. Aguila said.

The index last week plunged 5.6 percent to close at 6,397.17 as investors ignored the better-than-expected first quarter gross domestic product figures.

The government last week reported that the GDP surpassed its pre-pandemic level after expanding 8.3 percent in the first three months of 2001, a reversal of the 3.8-percent contraction in the same period last year.

Meanwhile, all sectoral indices ended in the red led by mining and oil, which declined 7.4 percent; holding firms which dropped 6.6 percent; property which sank 6 percent; financials which fell 4.7 percent; industrial which shed 4.3 percent; and service which lost 4.2 percent.

Foreign investors were net sellers for the week by P4.1 billion while the average daily value traded stood at P12 billion from the previous week’s average of P5.5 billion.

Weekly top price gainers were Monde Nissin Corp., which rose 7.3 percent to P14.36; Alliance Global Group Inc., which climbed 4.9 percent to P11.54; and San Miguel Food and Beverage Inc.,

TOP LOSERS

1 I 2 DIZ

LAST PRICE CHANGE 0.79 -0.1 4.7 -0.56

% CHANGE -11.24% -10.65%

3 4 5 6 7

ECP ATNB UPM GMAP FGEN

3.52 0.42 0.006 10.04 20.65

-0.38 -0.045 -0.0006 -0.98 -1.85

-9.74% -9.68% -9.09% -8.89% -8.22%

8 9 10

SLF DITO ION

2300 4.89 0.6

-194 -0.41 -0.05

-7.78% -7.74% -7.69%

MOST ACTIVE

1 MONDE 2 SMPH

VOLUME 80,913,600 32,114,400

VALUE (PHP) 1,148,346,984 1,133,452,930

3 4 5

ALI CNVRG AC

40,280,100 35,347,200 904,870

1,128,974,000 997,598,250 599,057,340

6 7 8 9

TEL BDO SM ACEN

265,840 3,653,410 483,880 56,221,400

515,025,520 462,465,434 390,231,090 360,074,976

10

ICT

1,574,670

326,173,788

MA. KATHLEEN AQUINO

Green Light OUR guest speaker for our Integral Human Development class, Dr. Robin Velasco, introduced us to the different neurotransmitters our bodies produce. I want to share my thoughts on our body’s chemical messengers.

Dopamine makes you look for what’s “good” out there…

While dopamine is a HAPPY hormone, and there is nothing wrong with bringing out the joy in oneself, there is a dark side that we should be mindful of. It makes you continually seek rewards. During this pandemic, live selling became very popular. It is online streaming of the e-store wherein the seller displays her products and describes them in detail.

The stock is minimal, most sellers do not have a warehouse, and they store their products at home. Most of the time, the seller only has less than 5 of each item—some just one of each style. With that, the buyers would have to be quick to get it. In this e-market platform, the buyers are called “miners” because of the buying methodology used. Sellers usually give out code which the buyer should type in the comment together with the word “mine” (hence, they are called “miners”). The first miner on the seller’s screen with the correct code gets the item!

This method triggers the competitiveness of the miners and the urge to be one of the few who can add to the cart and check out the item. I often peek at these live selling sessions when I need a break from schoolwork, which I do between 6 pm to 3 am. And, in less than an hour of watching, I easily spent P10K. It is pretty addicting that up until now, I have not used half of the items that I bought. I’ve not only found new friends and acquaintances in the e-shops that I frequent, but I also enjoy repeat miner discounts extended to me by sellers who have grown fond of me.

Yes, impressive until I realized my im-

which advanced 4.2 percent to P63.

Weekly top price losers were ABS-CBN Corp., which declined 20.7 percent to P10.22; GMA Network Inc., which dropped 19 percent to P10.28; and AC Energy Corp., which sank 18 percent to P6.23.

Meanwhile, Wall Street stocks rebounded Friday after a bruising week beset with worries over inflation, the Ukraine war and the economic outlook.

Following a strong session

in Europe and Asia, Wall Street closed the week robustly, with the tech-rich Nasdaq jumping nearly four percent and the S&P 500 pushing back above 4,000 points.

But even with Friday’s rally, all three major US indices posted losses for the week.

Gregori Volokhine of Meeschaert Financial Services warned “it will take more than one session” to turn around the market, adding that there was no clear news catalyst for Friday’s gains.

With AFP

Manila

Standard

TODAY

HEAD OFFICE: PBCOM Tower, 6795 Ayala Avenue corner V.A. Rufino Street, 1226 Makati City Customer Care: (02) 8777-2266 or 1-800-10-777-2266 (Domestic Toll Free) *Email: customercare@pbcom.com.ph*Website: www.pbcom.com.ph

BALANCE SHEET (Head Office and Branches) As of March 31, 2022

As of December 31, 2021

ASSETS Cash and Cash Items Due from Bangko Sentral ng Pilipinas Due from Other Banks Financial Assets at Fair Value through Profit or Loss Available-for-Sale Financial Assets - Net Held-to-Maturity (HTM) Financial Assets - Net Loans and Receivables - Net Loans and Receivables - Others Loans and Receivables Arising from RA/CA/PR/SLB General Loan Loss Provision Other Financial Assets Equity Investment in Subsidiaries, Associates and Joint Ventures - Net Bank Premises, Furniture, Fixture & Equipment - Net Real and Other Properties Acquired - Net Other Assets - Net

P

1,248,603,796.89 17,498,743,466.80 1,971,476,534.07 912,372.56 6,137,788,460.68 16,422,476,433.93 67,779,211,656.67 64,599,113,531.43 3,667,904,101.00 487,805,975.76 489,916,420.07 20,523,427.11 1,473,222,994.69 786,496,234.78 5,165,163,551.67

TOTAL ASSETS

P

118,994,535,349.92

P

2,802,164,126.41 10,271,486,135.65 1,383,549,724.31 882,732,452.12 6,464,507,116.93 16,426,825,476.71 65,726,029,129.08 62,745,109,069.91 3,470,889,369.00 489,969,309.83 582,072,767.25 20,474,809.24 1,492,706,074.45 782,289,843.29 4,832,524,430.53

P 111,667,362,085.97

LIABILITIES Financial Liabilities at Fair Value through Profit or Loss Deposit Liabilities Bills Payable: Other Deposit Substitutes Other Financial Liabilities Other Liabilities

P

91,698,930,715.76 8,398,056,475.11 8,398,056,475.11 967,580,140.77 2,183,621,224.76

P

6,042,486.83 86,968,477,928.76 6,010,987,639.55 6,010,987,639.55 713,839,549.68 2,311,931,977.41

TOTAL LIABILITIES

P

103,248,188,556.40

P

96,011,279,582.23

P

14,278,374,781.56 3,194,916,295.55 -1,817,208,573.37

P

15,656,082,503.74

STOCKHOLDERS’ EQUITY Capital Stock Other Capital Accounts Retained Earnings

P

14,278,374,781.56 1,745,759,003.78 -277,786,991.82

TOTAL STOCKHOLDERS’ EQUITY

P

15,746,346,793.52

TOTAL LIABILITIES AND STOCKHOLDERS’ EQUITY

P

118,994,535,349.92

P 111,667,362,085.97

CONTINGENT ACCOUNTS

In this picture taken on May 13, 2022, people cross a street in Hong Kong. Recent rate hikes from the Federal Reserve have come at a bad time for Hong Kong which, thanks to its US dollar peg, must follow suit despite its own flagging economy. AFP

US rate hikes straining Hong Kong’s economy HONG KONG, China—Recent rate hikes from the Federal Reserve have come at a bad time for Hong Kong which, thanks to its US dollar peg, must follow suit despite its own flagging economy.

Hong Kong has pegged its currency to the US dollar since 1983, which has helped the city weather economic storms such as the 1997 Asian financial crisis and underpinned its status as a major global finance hub.

But it also means Hong Kong has little choice but to follow the Fed’s latest round of hawkish rate hikes—the biggest of its kind in 22 years.

“The COVID outbreak in Hong Kong and in mainland China is already hurting growth,” senior economist at Oxford Economics Lloyd Chan told AFP. “The last thing that Hong Kong needs now is a rising interest rate.”

The city on Friday revised its 2022 GDP

growth forecast down to between one and two percent, after a worse-than-expected four-percent drop in the first quarter.

Financial Secretary Paul Chan wrote last week that Hong Kong was now facing a reversal of the low interest rate environment it had enjoyed for more than a decade.

“As the economy has not yet fully recovered from the epidemic, we have to pay attention to the impact of interest rate hike... (on) people and small and medium enterprises,” he wrote on his official website.

Hong Kong banks have so far kept their best lending rates steady, but they will feel the squeeze in three to six months, analysts say.

“The interest rate may increase quicker than in the past, given the faster pace from the Fed and also the change in the overall background risk sentiment in the world,” economist Gary Ng of Natixis told AFP. AFP

Te amo con todo mi Hipotalamo… pulse buying, starting with running out of storage space and an unnecessary increase in expenses. I devised a plan to put a hard stop to this impulse buying. Starting with the live selling, I replay the posted recording instead. This way, it’s like “window shopping.”

Again, there’s nothing wrong with rewarding yourself, but like everything else, it should come in moderation, for too much of anything is bad for you.

Endorphin: Adrenaline cocktail Ever wonder why you don’t feel tired while doing the very popular High-Intensity Interval Training (HIIT) until after completing the activity? That is because of the natural pain killer in our body, called Endorphin!

I never quite understand the advice given to me before doing exercises when anxious, nervous, or having difficulty sleeping. Now, I know that these physical activities release our body’s fight response and give us an endorphin experience.

Therefore, you can control being succumbed to your fear by simply doing physical workouts (or even cleaning/disinfecting your home).

Exercise changes your body and changes your mind, attitude and especially your mood!

Seratonin: The Alpha This happy chemical comes out when we feel respected and important. For a competitive (and assertive) person like me, it’s euphoria! Although before it grows out of proportion, put a balance on it and think how disgusting it is when you see other persons are seeking relentlessly for attention or acting privileged.

That elated feeling when recognized, whether in the form of promotion, excellent rating, top grades, awards, etc., can easily lift you to cloud nine, as they say. But your values will keep your feet on the ground.

I am blessed that my family, school and company values align well. Growing up, I learned how to be noble and humble. God gave us the talents and skills that fuel our actions; hence, we should glorify His name in all these things that we do.

Oxytocin: The Love Hormone!

That sense of belongingness triggered by touch is Oxytocin. Years may pass without seeing a

friend, a family member, or even a former officemate, but there’s an instant bond and easiness the minute you set eyes on each other.

But we must know that this special closeness and attachment should not cloud our vision of doing what’s right. For at times, it does. How often have we heard parents covering for their child’s mistake (or worst crime)? Too many situations are heard wherein one can’t get out of an abusive relationship. There were persons put in circumstances at the risk of losing their reputation to help a friend/colleague. These are the bad side, if you will, of this happy chemical, and you should be able to detect it and take control before it gets out of hand.

My objectivity balances this out. I may be known as the mind-over-heart person, but it is how I protect myself from the unhealthy side of Oxytocin. It serves as my vitamins for making sound and righteous decisions even if it concerns my clan, my core group, or even mi amore. At the sense of the other party stepping on the line, I immediately detach myself from that person—a hard stop talking to them. It was a bit painful at first, but it rid me of the toxicity it could bring.

Reading about these neurotransmitters would confirm that LOVE is all about Serotonin, Dopamine, and Oxytocin. Realizing LOVE is nothing but just the impact of neurotransmitters makes it easier to deal with. I still believe LOVE is a choice you have to make every day. It is never a tingling sensation. It is a choice you choose to love this person today.

“That’s what falling in LOVE amounted to, your brain on drugs. Adrenaline and Dopamine, Oxytocin, and Serotonin. Chemical insanity celebrated by poets.”—Tess Gerritsen.

The author is an MBA student at the Ramon V. del Rosario College of Business, DLSU. She can be reached at ma_kathleen_ aquino@dlsu.edu.ph.

The views expressed above are the author’s and do not necessarily reflect the official position of DLSU, its faculty and its administrators.

Financial Standby Letters of Credit Commercial Letters of Credit Trade Related Guarantees Commitments Spot Foreign Exchange Contracts Trust Department Accounts Trust and Other Fiduciary Accounts Agency Accounts Others TOTAL CONTINGENT ACCOUNTS

P

866,686,707.81 2,855,190,356.22 613,959,947.84 882,400.00 2,547,478,400.88 9,192,752,730.05 1,600,449,759.38 7,592,302,970.67 227,041,359.44

P

825,173,240.84 1,025,451,170.00 396,018,542.64 2,206,500.00 628,542,785.39 8,631,951,523.20 1,727,665,067.60 6,904,286,455.60 131,428,565.85

P

16,303,991,902.24

P

11,640,772,327.92

ADDITIONAL INFORMATION Gross total loan portfolio (TLP) 70,212,798,066.60 Specific allowance for credit losses on the TLP 1,945,780,434.17 Non-Performing Loans (NPLs) a. Gross NPLs 3,286,514,656.85 b. Ratio of gross NPLs to gross TLP (%) 4.68% c. Net NPLs 1,674,015,824.14 d. Ratio of Net NPLs to gross TLP (%) 2.38% e. Ratio of total allowance for credit losses to gross NPLs (%) 74.05% f. Ratio of specific allowance for credit losses on the gross TLP to gross NPLs (%) 59.20% Classified Loans & Other Risk Assets, gross of allowance for credit losses 18,599,980,005.37 DOSRI Loans and receivables, gross allowance of credit losses 1,597,566.34 Ratio of DOSRI loans and receivables, gross of allowance for credit losses, to gross TLP (%) 0.00% Gross non-performing DOSRI loans and receivables Ratio of gross non-performing DOSRI loans and receivables to TLP (%) 0.00% Percent Compliance with Magna Carta (%) a. 8% for Micro and Small Enterprises 4.72% b. 2% for Medium Enterprises 5.46% Return on Equity (ROE) (%) 10.00% Capital Adequacy Ratio (CAR) on Solo Basis as prescribed under existing regulations a. Total CAR (%) 17.58% b. Tier 1 Ratio (%) 15.08% c. Common Equity Tier 1 Ratio (%) 1/ 15.08% 1/

68,127,578,322.43 1,911,579,883.52 3,329,176,288.04 4.89% 1,688,814,471.89 2.48% 72.14% 57.42% 16,796,891,331.75 1,781,651.38

Common Equity Tier 1 Ratio (%) is only applicable to all Universal and Commercial Banks and their subsidiary banks.

0.00% 0.00% 5.50% 5.84% 10.31% 18.18% 15.58% 15.58%

BASEL III Leverage Ratio Report, as prescribed under existing regulations a. Capital Measure 13,462,016,337.00 13,376,459,168.77 b. Exposure Measure 124,444,385,357.63 116,271,051,776.00 c. Basel III Leverage Ratio 10.82% 11.50% BASEL III Liquidity Coverage Ratio Report, as prescribed under existing regulations a. Total Stock of High-Quality Liquid Assets 34,306,846,840.39 32,847,879,776.80 b. Total Net Cash Outflows 15,067,261,257.96 13,442,202,122.10 c. Basel III Liquidity Coverage Ratio 227.69% 244.36% REPUBLIC OF THE PHILIPPINES) City of Makati ) S.S. We, Arlene M. Datu and Patricia May T. Siy, of the above-mentioned bank do solemnly swear that all matters set forth in the above balance sheet are true and correct to the best of our knowledge and belief.

(SGD.) ARLENE M. DATU Comptroller, SVP

(SGD.) PATRICIA MAY T. SIY President & CEO

SUBSCRIBED AND SWORN to before me this 4th day of May 2022 at City of Makati, affiants exhibiting their SSS nos.

0356633451 and 0373099955, respectively.

(SGD.) ATTY. GERVACIO B. ORTIZ JR. NOTARY PUBLIC City of Makati until December 31, 2022 IBP no. 05729 - Lifetime Member MCLE Compliance No. VI - 0024312 Appointment no. M-82 -(2021-2022) PTR No. 8852511 Jan 3, 2021.

Makati City Roll no. 40091 101 Urban Ave., Campos Rueda Bldg. Brgy. Pio del Pilar, Makati City

Doc. No. 122 Page No. 26 Book No. XIV Series of 2022.

Member: Philippine Deposit Insurance Corporation Maximum Deposit Insurance for each Deposit P500,000.00 Manila

Standard

TODAY

NOTICE OF THE ANNUAL MEETING OF STOCKHOLDERS Please take notice that the Annual Meeting of Stockholders of the PHILIPPINE BANK OF COMMUNICATIONS (“PBCOM”) will be held on Tuesday, 7 June 2022, 9:00 a.m. to 10:00 a.m. The meeting will be conducted virtually and can be accessed at the link provided in the Bank’s website at https://www.pbcom.com.ph/.

AGENDA 1.

2.

3.

4.

5.

6.

7.

8.

9.

Call to Order Certification of Notice and Quorum Review and Approval of the Minutes of the Previous Meeting held on 15 June 2021 (Annual Meeting), and 15 March 2022 (Special Meeting) Annual Report of Management and Approval of the Audited Financial Statements for 2021 Ratification of Acts of the Board of Directors and Management since the Last Annual Meeting of Stockholders Election of Directors Appointment of External Auditor Other Matters Adjournment

For purposes of the meeting, only stockholders of record as of 18 April 2022 are entitled to notice of, and to vote at, the Annual Meeting of Stockholders.

In light of the community quarantine measures still in place, PBCOM will be holding a virtual Annual Meeting. The conduct of the Annual Meeting will be streamed live, and stockholders may attend, participate and vote only through proxy, remote communication or in absentia. The requirements and procedures for voting in absentia and participation through remote communication are set forth in the Information Statement.

Stockholders who choose to vote by proxy must submit and address their signed proxy to the attention of the Corporate Secretary at 5/F PBCOM Tower, 6795 Ayala Avenue corner V.A. Rufino Street, Makati City or via e-mail at CorporateSecretary@ pbcom.com.ph not later than 5:00 p.m. on or before 30 May 2022.

In compliance with SEC Resolution No. 196, Series of 2015, a copy of the Unaudited Interim Financial Statements of PBCOM with Management Discussion and Analysis for the period ended 31 March 2022 shall be posted in PBCOM’s website at https:// www.pbcom.com.ph/ on or before 30 May 2022. A hard copy of the said interim financial statements shall be provided within a reasonable time upon request by any stockholder.

Copies of the following documents will be available upon request: (i) Minutes of the Annual Meeting of Stockholders held on 15 June 2021; (ii) Minutes of the Special Meeting of Stockholders held on 15 March 2022; (iii) Information Statement; (iv) Management Report; (v) Audited Financial Statements for the year 2021.

PBCOM IS NOT SOLICITING PROXIES.

(MS-MAY 16 & 17, 2022)

MICHAEL STEPHEN H. LAO Corporate Secretary

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

B4

MONDAY, MAY 16, 2022

Business

DTI seeks removal of tariffs on imported electric vehicles

By Othel V. Campos

T

Friday, May 13, 2022

-153.13PTS. 6,379.17

TOTAL VOLUME

996,410,218

TOTAL TRADES TOTAL VALUE (IN PHP)

135,865 10,766,553,077.79

ADVANCES DECLINES UNCHANGED

68 126 41

F oreign E xchange R ate Bangko Sentral ng Pilipinas • FRIDAY, MAY 13, 2022

Currency

Unit

US Dollar

Peso

United States

Dollar

1.000000

52.3860

Japan

Yen

0.007787

0.4079

UK

Pound

1.219900

63.9057

Hong Kong

Dollar

0.127390

6.6735

Switzerland

Franc

0.996711

52.2137

Canada

Dollar

0.766401

40.1487

Singapore

Dollar

0.716281

37.5231

Australia

Dollar

0.685300

35.9001

Bahrain

Dinar

2.653153

138.9881

Saudi Arabia

Rial

0.266603

13.9663

Brunei

Dollar

0.713725

37.3892

Indonesia

Rupiah

0.000069

0.0036

Thailand

Baht

0.028798

1.5086

UAE

Dirham

0.272287

14.2640

Euro

Euro

1.038300

54.3924

Korea

Won

0.000775

0.0406

China

Yuan

0.147336

7.7183

India

Rupee

0.012915

0.6766

Malaysia

Ringgit

0.227687

11.9276

New Zealand

Dollar

0.623000

32.6365

Taiwan

Dollar

0.033532

1.7566 Source: BSP

HE Department of Trade and Industry asked the Tariff Commission for the removal of tariffs on electric vehicles, regardless of the source, for a period of five years in line with the government’s promotion of cleaner engines.

Economic managers earlier cited the need to promote electric vehicles as a way of mitigating the impact of the Russia-Ukraine crisis on the transport sector.

DTI officials said in a public hearing conducted by the TC on Friday the tariff suspension for the next five years would support the accelerated adoption of electric vehicles as a viable mode of transportation to reduce consumption of oil.

The Department of Energy, which has a similar petition submitted to the National Economic Development Authority, also said Manila the temporary removal of tariff Standard rates on EVs would TODAY provide energy security, consistent with the Philippine Energy Plan 2020 to 2040 which provides the direction for 10-percent penetration rate of EVs in the road transport sector.

The move will also reduce the country’s dependence on imported fuel for the transportation sector and support the transition to emerging technologies, according to DOE officials.

Energy officials said the sus-

PSE INDEX

pension of tariffs would expand market sources, foster extended growth of the domestic EV industry and encourage consumers to consider acquiring EV over conventional vehicles.

Data showed that as of February 2022, there were 13 models of EV battery, 22 models of hybrid EV and six models of of plug-in hybrid EVs available in the country.

Based on market prices, the cost of acquiring an EV can range from P1.6 million to P9.49 million. The price of EV trucks range from P3.7 million to P15.8 million, while light kick e-scooters and e-bikes are priced between P7,000 and P48,000 per unit.

Prices of e-scooters and e-motorbikes range from P20,000 to P125,000.

Japan was the leading supplier of completely built-up EVs from 2019 to 2021, accouting for 74 percent of total imports. It was followed by China with 25 percent and the rest from Thailand, Singapore, Taiwan, United States, South Korea and Europe.

Tan’s LT Group booked P6.5-b net profit in Q1

By Jenniffer B. Austria

SOCIAL FINANCING. Citi, the country’s largest foreign bank, and Home Credit,

a global leader in consumer finance, announce the launch of a new joint social finance facility in the Philippines. The loan is designed to promote greater financial inclusion for Filipinos and is the first example of its kind for Home Credit supporting the mobile segment.

Attending the signing ceremony are (by row, from left) Citi Philippines corporate banking head Fernando Fleury, Home Credit corporate treasurer and chief business development officer Zdenek Jankovsky and Citi Philippines’ global subsidiaries group head Ajay Paul, Citi’s Kel Fabian, Home Credit’s Victoria Tupaz, Henry Segovia and Carmela Ongsiako and Citi’s Vince Lopez.

PSE okays solar firm’s bid to conduct P700-m IPO

By Alena Mae S. Flores THE Philippine Stock Exchange said over the weekend it approved the application of renewable energy firm Raslag Corp. to conduct a P700-million initial public offering.

Raslag, a Pampanga-based solar producer, is scheduled to hold the IPO from May 23 to 27, 2022. It will offer up to 350 million primary shares and up to 52.50 million overallotment option shares at a price of up to P2

apiece. The final offer price will be determined on May 18 after the company’s book building exercise.

“We welcome the IPO of Raslag as this will help grow the lineup of companies in the renewable energy space that are listed on the PSE. Providing RE firms an avenue to raise capital for its projects is one of the ways by which we can help address the threat of climate change as an Exchange,” said PSE president and chief executive Ramon Monzon.

Raslag will use the proceeds from the IPO to pay for the equity portion of Raslag-4’s development and construction and for the pre-development work for Raslag-5 and other pipeline solar projects.

“The exchange’s approval of the conduct of the IPO and listing of the company’s shares is subject to its compliance with all of the postapproval conditions and requirements of the exchange,” the PSE said.

The IPO consists of a primary offering of up to 350 million common shares that will be issued and offered to the public on a primary basis with an offer price of up to P2 apiece.

It also involves an over-allotment option for another 52.5 million common shares to be offered by J Ten Equities Inc. to the public on a secondary basis.

Under its prospectus, Raslag plans to commence the offer period on May 23 and end on May 27. The offer shares are expected to be listed on the PSE main board under the symbol ASLAG on June 6.

The estimated gross proceeds to the company from the sale of the firm shares, assuming an offer price of P2, will be P700 million and the expected net proceeds will be about P647.54 million.

Gov’t to turn over 1,200-MW Ilijan gas plant to San Miguel THE government is set to turn over the 1,200-megawatt Ilijan natural gas power plant in Batangas province to conglomerate San Miguel Corp.

Energy Undersecretary Felix William Fuentebella said the plant, managed by stateowned Power Sector Assets and Liabilities Management, was being prepared for turnover to SMC. “There are still ongoing turnover activities this May to June. We asked them to visit the plant,” Fuentebella said, referring to representatives from the Oil Industry Management Bureau, Power Bureau and the Energy Resource Development Bureau.

“Representatives of three bureaus will go to Ilijan plant because we need to look into the details of fuel and power output relating to whether there will be red or yellow alerts going to happen,” Fuentebella said.

He said based on the DOE’s scenario, there would be no forced outages, although there could be yellow alerts or thin power reserves until June.

“We have to immediately respond to whatever scenario that may happen, and that’s why we are visiting the plant itself,” he said.

The Ilijan power plant was constructed and owned by KEPCO Ilijan Corp. under the Energy Conversion Agreement with National Power Corp./PSALM. SMC through subsidiary South Premiere Power Corp. administers the output produced by the Ilijan power plant under the independent power producer administration agreements with PSALM. SPPC was appointed the IPP administrator for the Ilijan power plant in 2010.

Alena Mae S. Flores

LT Group Inc., the holding company of billionaire Lucio Tan, reported a slight uptick in first-quarter earnings to P6.53 billion from P6.49 billion in the same period last year.

LT Group said in a disclosure to the stock exchange the strong performance of banking and liquor businesses tempered the decline in earnings CYAN from MAGENTA BLACK tobacco,YELLOW beverage and property businesses.

The tobacco business accounted for P4.21 billion or 64 percent of the total attributable income, followed by Philippine National Bank which shared P1.61 billion or 25 percent of the total.

Tanduay Distillers Inc. added P330 million; Eton Properties Philippines Inc., P127 million; and Asia Brewery Inc., P80 million.

The company’s 30.9-percent stake in sugar miller Victorias Milling Company Inc. added P111 million.

The company’s tobacco business reported a net income of P4.22 billion in the first three months, down 16 percent year-on-year despite higher volume.

“There was no price increase implemented in 2021 and most of 1Q22, with the previous one in October 2020, so the lower profit can be attributed to the P5 increase in excise taxes that PMFTC Inc. had to absorb starting Jan. 1, 2022,” LT Group said.

TDI’s net profit in the first quarter rose 42 percent to P333 million, on higher liquor and bioethanol volume.

As of end-March, TDI’s nationwide market share for distilled spirits was at 30.2 percent, compared to end-March 2021’s 26.5 percent.

IN BRIEF NLEX’s income increased 44% in Q1 NLEX Corp. said over the weekend net income rose 44 percent in the first quarter from a year ago on the back of higher toll revenues and better cost efficiencies.

The operator of North Luzon Expressway and Subic Clark-Tarlac Expressway posted a net income of P1.5 billion from January to March, up from P1.05 billion it earned in the same period last year.

NLEX revenues amounted to P3.9 billion, or 13 percent higher than 2021 figures on higher traffic volume and the impact of toll rate adjustment implemented in May 2021.

The adjustments in May 2021 were related to the third tranche of the 2012 and 2014 toll rate petitions while the November 2020 adjustments included the add-on toll for Segment 10: C3-R10 Section and the second tranche of NLEX 2012 and 2014 petitions. Darwin G. Amojelar

LandBank launches P50-b loan program STATE-RUN Land Bank of the Philippines launched a new loan offering to assist enterprises against economic disruptions caused by natural calamities or man-made conflicts such as the strife in Europe, civil wars and disputes among nations.

LandBank’s National Assistance Towards Initiating Opportunities to eNtities amidst Social and Economic Reverses which Visibly Entail Shockwaves to Businesses Lending Program provides additional working capital for businesses to strengthen their operations, expand trading facilities and stockpile supplies and inventories to mitigate the actual or impending impact posed by such crises.

“LandBank aims to bolster the resiliency of key development industries by cushioning the negative impact of economic disruptions. Through the NATION SERVES Lending Program, we will also contribute to preventing price surges on basic commodities as we continue serving the nation,” said LandBank president and chief executive Cecilia Borromeo.

Sports

Riera U. Mallari, Editor; Randy M. Caluag, Assistant Editor MONDAY, MAY 16, 2022

C1

Wong delivers PH’s lone wushu gold HANOI—Agatha Wong saved her best for last to rule wushu’s taijijian (taolu) event and give Team Philippines its first gold medal in the sport it used to dominate in the Southeast Asian Games.

Wong bagged the gold barely 24 hours after relinquishing her crown and settling for the silver in the taijiquan (taolu), the same event she won in the past two editions of the 11-nation event.

“I’m so thankful,” said Wong, who admitted coming here with very little expectations because the Filipinos only had two months to train under a bubble setup in Manila.

“We must remember na may pandemic. Kaya yung kahapon I was thankful naka-silver ako.

Kahit bronze pa ‘yan I’d still be thankful,” said Wong, adding the she can’t wait to go home.

“I miss my family,” said Wong, in her black Team Philippines tracksuit, after fulfilling the postevent doping requirements.

The 23-year-old wushu artist made sure she’d keep the gold in taijijian.

Wong wowed the judges in the event that had the nine participants wielding a double-edged sword traditionally used in Chinese martial arts, and earned a score of 9.71 points.

Hometown bets Huyen Tran Thi and Trang Tran Thi tried hard to get the crowd going at the Cau Giay Gymnasium. But they couldn’t do any better than 9.70 and 9.69 for the silver and bronze, respectively.

Team Philippines, which won seven gold, two silver and two bronze medals in wushu in 2019, will go home with a gold, two silvers, the other one courtesy of Jones Inso in men’s taijiquan (taolu), and a bronze, also provided by Inso in taijijian.

Two more Filipinos were in action as of presstime yesterday – Thornton Quieney Sayan in men’s nangun and Johnzenth Rapada in men’s gunshu.

Wong was asked if she was looking forward to next year’s SEA Games in Cambodia.

“Maybe. I don’t know. I’m not sure,” she said with her beautiful smile.

Agatha Wong shows the form that netted her the gold in the taijijian (taolu) event.

Gilas PH wants redemption in SEAG, opens bid vs Thais

H

ANOI—The coaches and players of Gilas Pilipinas may not directly say it, but they want redemption when they open their title-retention bid in the 31st Southeast Asian Games against Thailand at 3 p.m. (4 p.m.

Philippine time) at the Thanh Tri Gymnasium.

Head coach Chot Reyes said Gilas will be facing improved competition from the region and that includes their first opponent in Thailand.

Reyes revealed that Thailand’s 3x3 team that captured the SEA Games gold last Saturday in Moses Morgan, Frederick Lish, Antonio Price Soonthornchote, and Chanatip Jakwaran will also be seeing action in the 5-on-5.

The Philippines’ 3x3 team placed only third in these games after ruling the event in 2019.

“The kind of opposition that we have here is serious. They are a serious threat.

We already saw what happened in the

3x3. Those are the guys. We know their level and that’s why it’s very important that we will be able to beat that challenge,” said Reyes.

The nationals will be eyeing a 19th SEA Games gold medal in men’s basketball.

Gilas also had last-minute changes to their roster with Kiefer Ravena being called-up after Robert Bolick and Dwight Ramos couldn’t make it here. Bolick had to attend to his ailing father in the United States while Ramos still has commitments with his ballclub in the Japan B.League Toyama Grouses.

Kevin Alas also begged off from Gilas

to attend to his wife Selina, who was recently diagnosed with a rare cancer called Gestational Trophoblastic Neoplasia.

Ravena is eyeing his sixth SEA Games gold medal, and he has a chance to do so with his brother Thirdy, making his debut in the biennial meet after his second season with San-En Neophoenix in Japan.

Also in the squad are six-time PBA MVP June Mar Fajardo, Matthew Wright, Roger Pogoy, Troy Rosario, Mo Tautuaa, Kib Montalbo, Isaac Go, Will Navarro, and Lebron Lopez.

Gilas Pilipinas Women also begins its quest to defend the gold when they

Knights close in on crown

Morrison keeps shotput gold; Ubas 2nd in long jump HANOI—William Morrison retained his shotput title with a heave of 18.14 meters for the Philippines’ second gold in athletics in the 31st Southeast Asian Games at the My Dinh National Stadium on Sunday.

With his mother Marlene watching from the sidelines, the 25-year-old Morrison set the pace as early as his second heave of 17.84 meters.

For good measure, he slowly increased his throws to 17.97 and then at 18.14 to completely obliterate the field, that included eventual runner-up Ja k k a p a t Noisri of Thailand (17.32)

Thailand and third placer Malaysia’s Muhammad Ziyad Bin Zolkefli (17.20).

Morrison’s heave was way off the 18.35 he set when he captured the shotput gold during the 2019 Philippine SEA Games, but it was enough to avert a gold-medal shutout in athletics for the day.

While the athletics contingent celebrated the country’s second gold at the My Dinh National Stadium, which came a day after world-class Ernest John Obiena topped the pole vault with a new SEA Games mark of 5.46 meters, there was concern all around as Philippine record holder

John Albert Mantua, the country’s second entry in shot put, injured his right leg after his fifth throw.

Mantua was brought out of the field on a stretcher and was taken to a hospital with a suspected severe leg sprain.

Also on Saturday, Janry Ubas settled for the silver medal in the men’s long jump with a leap of 7.73 meters.

Ubas, who was running third after his penultimate jump, clinched that second-best leap right in his final try.

Vietnam’s Trong Nguyen Tien won the gold in 7.8 meters.

William Morrison raises the Philippine flag.

Trainers expect Obiena to hit peak at World Championships in July

Ernest John Obiena tells the crowd to cheer louder.

HANOI—Asia’s best pole vaulter Ernest John Obiena looked good obliterating the field in the 31st Southeast Asian Games in just two leaps.

But according to Obiena’s Italian physiotherapist Antonio Guglietta, the Tokyo Olympian is still just halfway through his full potential in the Hanoi games.

Now imagine him in his peak form.

“He is just in his middle form in these games” said Guglietta, who was also a part of Obiena’s team during the Tokyo Olympics.

“I think that EJ (will have) a perfect performance in July,” added Guglietta, referring to the World Athletics Championships to be held in Eugene, Oregon in the United States on July 15 to 24, 2022 On Saturday, Obiena took just one

clash against Indonesia at 9 a.m. (10 a.m. Manila time).

The women’s team eyes a second straight title after winning the historic first gold in basketball in 2019 in Manila.

Two new players recently recruited in the United States in Gabi Bade and Stefanie Berberade will make their SEA Games debut. Bade, from Sacramento State, is the daughter of former PBA player Cris Bade, while Beberabe is a former Player of the Year in National Association of Intercollegiate Athletics (NAIA) school Westmont.

“This time around, medyo malaki ang difference. Six veterans and six new ones, not to mention na meron tayong tatlong Fil-Ams. Siguro medyo maliit tayo ngayon pero we are faster,” said Aquino.

initial leap at 5.4 meters to clinch the pole vault gold medal, and a second one at 5.46 to smash his own SEAG record of 5.45.

With the gold and new record safely tucked in his bag, Obiena then aimed at his own personal best and Asian record of 5.93 by setting the bar at 5.94 meters.

He tried thrice but failed.

“Almost there, but masyado pa maaga ‘yung volume ng training, he is not that well rested pa,” said Obiena’s father/coach Emerson, who expects EJ to be a hundred percent in Eugene. “Tapering muna, then doon siya magpi-peak) But before the World Championships, though, the 26-year-old Obiena will compete on May 29 in a local Italian tournament near Formia, where he trains.

LETRAN moved on the cusp of clinching its second straight crown with a 68-63 victory over Intramuros rival Mapua in the NCAA men’s basketball tournament Sunday at the Filoil Flying V Centre.

Playing catch-up for most of the game, the Knights unloaded a 10-1 finishing run in the final 3:10 to secure the 1-0 lead in the best-ofthree series.

Unbeaten in 11 matches, Letran goes for the jugular in Game 2 at 3 p.m. on Sunday at the San Juan arena.

Inexperience hit the Cardinals, as they could not nail the needed baskets coupled by the Knights’ tough defense down the stretch.

Despite the psychological advantage, Letran knows the capability of Mapua to bounce back.

“We have to keep on improving.

Kapag close game, breaks of the game iyon. Either team can win, kung sino ang may gusto,” said coach Bonnie Tan. “Hindi nag-give up mga players namin kahit na wala si Rhenz Abando,” he added.

The scores: Letran (68)—Paraiso 14, Sangalang 14, Abando 13, Yu 6, Ambohot 6, Reyson 6, Javillonar 4, Caralipio 3, Olivario 0, Fajarito 0.

Mapua (63)—Bonifacio 10, Gamboa 10, Agustin 9, Hernandez 8, Lacap 7, Nocum 6, Mercado 5, Pido 5, Garcia 3, Salenga 0.

Quarterscores: 15-24, 32-39, 49-54, 68-63

C2

Sports

MONDAY, MAY 16, 2022

Djokovic’s 1,000th career win sets up Roland Garros replay R

OME—World number one Novak Djokovic took his place in the Italian Open final on Saturday by claiming his 1,000th career win in straight sets over Norway’s Casper Ruud 6-4, 6-3 in Rome.

Djokovic will face Monte Carlo Masters champion Stefanos Tsitsipas in Sunday’s final, the Serb’s fourth in as many years in the Italian capital and he basked in the warm applause of a crowd for whom he always enjoys playing.

“If I can pick the two places in the world where I would want to celebrate the thousandth win it’s in Serbia and here in Rome,” Djokovic said in Italian after being given a cake in honour of the milestone.

“Let’s go for another thousand.”

Djokovic is chasing a sixth title at the Foro Italico ahead of Roland Garros lat-

er this month and dealt with world number 10 Ruud on his way to a 12th final at one of his favourite venues.

The 34-year-old has already secured a record-extending 370th week as world number one thanks to his straight sets victory over by Felix Auger-Aliassime on Friday.

And after racing into a rapid 4-0 lead in the first set he never looked back, Ruud playing some fun tennis and winning entertaining rallies but never really offering the impression he could overhaul Djokovic.

The second set was as routine as it

gets, Djokovic breaking Ruud in game eight and then dispatching his opponent at the first opportunity two games later.

“I thought I played really, really well in the first four and last four games of the match. Let’s hope I can take that form into tomorrow’s final,” added Djokovic in a courtside interview.

Djokovic’s clash with Tsitsipas will be a rematch of their final at last year’s French Open, a five-set thriller eventually won by the Serb.

“He’s definitely in form. These last few years he’s been one of the top two, three clay court players.... I can expect a big battle on the court but I’m ready for it.”

Greek world number five Tsitsipas is in the final after beating Alexander Zverev 4-6, 6-3, 6-3 in an entertaining last four battle.

Jabeur stuns again

Ons Jabeur will face Iga Swiatek in the women’s final after winning a thrilling clash with Daria Kasatkina 6-4, 1-6, 7-5.

Tunisia’s Jabeur became the first Arab or African player to claim a WTA 1000 title with her stunning victory in Madrid last weekend, and now she has the chance to make more history against Swiatek after another glorious comeback win on centre court.

Having won the first set in fairly comfortable fashion world number seven Jabeur was clattered from pillar to post by unseeded Russian Kasatkina.

Having levelled the match Kasatkina then looked a certain winner and had match point on her own serve in game 10 of the third set. AFP

Bucks cancel watch party after shootings near arena LOS ANGELES—The Milwaukee Bucks cancelled a game seven watch party at their Fiserv Forum outdoor plaza on Sunday after 20 people were wounded in shootings outside the arena on Friday.

In a statement on Saturday, the Bucks called the shootings “horrific,” adding that the team condemns “this devastating violence.”

The Milwaukee Journal Sentinel, citing law enforcement sources, said none of those hurt appeared to face life-threatening injuries.

“We are grateful to local law enforcement for its valiant efforts to try to contain what was a dangerous and fluid situation,” the Bucks said.

“While these incidents took place outside of Deer District property, it clearly resonated with fans coming out of the arena and leaving the plaza.

“Security, health and welfare are always our top priorities for our guests and employees and we appreciate the hard work of our security team to keep our fans safe.

“In order to allow law enforcement to devote needed resources to the continued investigation of last night’s events, we have decided to cancel tomorrow’s planned watch party on the plaza.”

The team said businesses in the Deer District, a neighborhood near the stadium that draws thousands of fans to bars and entertainment venues during and after games, would remain open.

But they will not show Sunday’s decisive game seven of the team’s Eastern Conference semi-final series against the Celtics in Boston on a big screen outside the arena.

On Friday, some 11,000 people were in the area for such a watch party, and the first shooting came near the packed district shortly after the Bucks fell to the Celtics in game six of the series inside the arena.

Police said the victims included two men, aged 26 and 29, and a 16-yearold girl, and all three are expected to survive their injuries. AFP

Serbia’s Novak Djokovic celebrates after defeating Norway’s Casper Ruud during their semifinal match at the ATP Rome Open tennis tournament at Foro Italico in Rome. AFP

Forest Hills Invitational golf slated May 19 to 22 THE Forest Hills Golf Club will host more than 200 two-man teams in the coming member-guest Invitational slated May 19 to 22 in a tournament that will serve as the club’s kickoff heading up to its grand celebration of its 25th year anniversary in November.

The four-day tournament, sponsored

by Golforce and Megaforce Security, is actually just one of the many lined up activities including the launch of a coffee-table book, a Jubilee Pro-Am and the Chairman’s Cup later this year.

“We have prepared a lot of big and small events for our members as a way of thanking them for their trust through the years,” said Forest Hills Chairman Atty. Ferdinand T. Santos, who is one of the pioneers when the club opened in 1997.

Each team in the Invitational will play two days, depending on their preferred schedule and the following course formats: Best Ball at Palmer and aggregate at Nicklaus.

“It’s going to be exciting as they vie for the top prizes and wonderful raffle prizes during the awards zoom ceremony,” said General Manager Raymond Bunquin.

Cherrylume/Mileage Asia, SJKGuahan, Eatwell Supermarket, J-Ten and Tee One, Emirates Airlines, Escala Tagaytay and Microtel and Tryp

by Windham are sponsors, with hole in one backers Taishan Insurance, Silicon Computers & Telecoms and The Turf Company and media partners Business Mirror and The Perfect Drive PH. Andelein Land, Aqua Haus, Aqua Terra Integrated Solutions, Interconnect Systems, Pixel Data, Primepower Manpower. Waterworld Trading, PMC, Agrexplore, Hydrotech, Gotobox, Romari Construction, Eurotel, Robinsons Lux, Zepar Environment, Torre Lorenzo Dev., CJH Golf Club, G&W Clubshares, Manila Southwoods, Manila Southwoods Manor, The Manor @CJH, Eagle Ridge, Beverly Place, Empire Golf, Humans Fit, Pacsports Phils., and Ayala Land Premier are lending support.

Colombia’s Munoz leads Spieth by 1 at Byron Nelson LOS ANGELES—Sebastian Munoz fired an eagle and five birdies in a six-under-par 66 on Saturday to take a one-shot lead over three-time major winner Jordan Spieth after three rounds of the US PGA Tour Byron Nelson tournament.

Munoz’s 66 put him on 21-under 195 with Spieth on his tail after an eightunder par 64 for 196.

Chile’s Joaquin Niemann carded his second straight 65 for solo third on 197 while American James Hahn produced a sparkling 61 for 198, tied with American Justin Thomas who shot a 64.

Colombia’s Munoz started the day in a three-way tie for the lead alongside Ryan Palmer and Davis Skinns and on a day when birdies abounded at TPC Craig Ranch in suburban Dallas he wasted no time in separating himself.

Munoz rolled in a 39-foot birdie putt at the second to grab the solo lead on 16-under.

Hahn, Spieth and Niemann had joined Palmer on 15-under, one shot back, when Munoz quickly separated himself again, holing out for an eagle from a greenside

bunker at the par-four sixth.

Munoz’s shot from 57 feet flew straight at the hole, hit the pin and hopped in to give him a three-shot lead.

Munoz grabbed birdies at nine, 10, 12 and 14 -- where he fired out of a greenside bunker to three feet.

He bogeyed 16, and couldn’t take advantage of the par-five 18th after a tee shot to the far right rough. But he had enough to keep his nose in front of local favorite Spieth.

The Texan is seeking a second victory in as many starts after his triumph at the Heritage in April.

He is also warming up for next week’s PGA Championship in Oklahoma, where a win would give Spieth a career grand slam.

Spieth said he knew he’d need a low score to make progress in a tournament Munoz opened with a stellar 60 on Thursday.

He drained a 23-foot birdie at the third and an 11-footer at the fifth, then got up and down from a greenside bunker for birdie at the sixth.

Sebastian Munoz of Colombia reacts on the 18th green during the third round of the AT&T Byron Nelson at TPC Craig Ranch in McKinney, Texas. AFP

Baldwin, team say goodbye to 5 graduating Eagles

By Peter Atencio

Tab Baldwin

AS SEASON 84 of the University Athletic Association of the Philippines drew to a close on Friday, coach Tab Baldwin and members of the Ateneo Blue Eagles dealt with the emotional difficulties of losing the crown to the University of the Philippines Fighting Maroons.

Tears were shed on courtside at the Mall of Asia Arena and inside their locker room as well.

Then, the bonds of friendships with teammates and coaches were reaffirmed as soon as Baldwin and the rest of the squad bade their graduating senior players goodbye.

The entire squad wished five graduating cagers Tyler Tio, Gian Mamuyac, Raffy Verano, BJ Andrade and Jolo Mendoza good luck on their next journey, but with some sadness, minutes after the Fighting Maroons celebrated their 72-69 overtime triumph in Game 3 of their best-of-three finals and claimed their first crown in 36 years.

Mamuyac and Tio will take their act in the Philippine Basketball Association, as they are among the 66 players listed for the 2022 PBA Rookie Draft, while the 6’3” Verano is now considering an offer to join a club team in the Korean Basketball League.

“They have so much to be proud of. They’re going to be good pros. And I’m humbled by their friendship,” said Baldwin, who has been with Verano and Tio for four seasons, three championships and a runner-up finish.

Tio and Mamuyac have been among the lethal scorers from the outside for the Blue Eagles in the last three seasons.

On the other hand, Verano has led Andrade and Mendoza in taking control of the boards whenever necessary.

“We spent a lot of time together, over a lot of years, and when that time comes to say goodbye, whether you win or lose, it’s really more difficult when you lose. But when it’s time to say goodbye, you just say the truth,” said Baldwin.

Entertainment

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

Britney Spears announces miscarriage POP star Britney Spears said in an Instagram post Saturday that her surprise pregnancy, which she announced last month, had ended in miscarriage.

“It is with our deepest sadness we have to announce that we have lost our miracle baby early in the pregnancy,” the 40-year-old singer wrote in a joint post with her partner Sam Asghari.

Spears had announced the pregnancy in an Instagram post on April 11, saying “So I got a pregnancy test ... and uhhhhh well ... I am having a baby.”

That news came five months after a Los Angeles judge dissolved a conservatorship long overseen by

Spears’s father -- an arrangement the singer said had prevented her from having a contraceptive IUD removed despite her desire for more kids.

In their post, Spears, and Asghari added that they “will continue trying to expand our beautiful family... We kindly ask for privacy during this difficult moment.”

Spears had said in her post announcing her pregnancy that she would be lying low during the pregnancy to avoid paparazzi and that she had previously suffered from perinatal depression, which she described as “absolutely horrible.”

She is already a mother to two teen sons, Sean and Jayden, with her ex-

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Britney Spears (left) with her partner Sam Asghari

husband Kevin Federline.

Asghari and Spears met in 2016 when they co-starred in a music video for her single “Slumber Party.”

After announcing their engagement late last year, Spears has since started referring to her 28-year-old partner as her “husband.”

At the time Spears announced she was pregnant, Asghari said in a separate Instagram post that “fatherhood is something I have always looked forward to and I don’t take lightly. It is the most important job I will ever do.” AFP

Returning Eduard Bañez bares dreams and plans

(From left) Assistant Director Nicolas Cacciavillani, Producer Luciano Croatto, Director of Photography Gio Croatto, Director Francisco D’Intino, Kapuso actress Andrea Torres, Argentine actor Marcelo Melingo, Producer Agustin Clerico, and Producer Noel Maximo

Andrea Torres celebrates role in Argentinian film ‘Pasional’ lugar natin ng pagpunta nila dito,” Andrea said.

She shared that the Pasional NDREA Torres production team visited picturesque starred in numerous locations in the Philippines, such Caramoan, and Banaue. films and television as Coron,Andrea also said that shows that highlighted since this was a great opportunity for her versatility as an her career, she actress. She used focused all her time and each opportunity effort on to prove that she completing has a wide range the scenes whenever the of emotions production suited for genres team was hard at like comedy, work. horror, and drama.

Andrea w h o l l y She was also part of the i m m e r s e d Andrea Torres Filipino-Cambodian film Blood in herself in her (left) with Dispute, a co-production between ‘Pasional’ Director role as she took GMA-7 and the Cambodia Francisco D’Intino on immense Television Network (CTN), scenes with one of Cambodia’s leading TV her co-star and networks. lead actor, Marcelo Melingo.

Now, Andrea is gracing the She even took tango lessons to international silver screen in the complete her character.

Argentinian film Pasional, written “Nag-train ako ng tango bago ako and directed by Francisco D’Intino, umalis pero I was surprised co-produced with GMA Network, kasi pagdating ko doon, Ferdinand Dimadura, and associate iba pala ‘yong tango producer Agustin Vargas Clerico. na nakasanayan In the film, Andrea plays the role nating makita of Mahalia, a former tango dancer sa YouTube and and current jury of the International yong tango na Tango Dance Festival. ginagawa nila According to the production team doon, which of Pasional, during an online media they call conference for the film, when they ‘milonga’,” started thinking about the project, the Kapuso Andrea first came to mind because they actress said. knew she’d be well suited for the role.

The dance They initially planned to shoot is more intimate the movie in South America, but because partners when the opportunity to do it in need to follow the Philippines arose, they started each other as considering a Filipina in the lead there’s no role—and they weren’t disappointed choreography. in choosing Andrea as their star.

S i m p l y , “It’s a huge honor for me kasi kahit milonga relies papaano nagkakaroon sila ng idea on the pair’s kung paano ang Pilipino, kung ano weight and ‘yong traits natin, kung paano tayo m o v e m e n t , magtrabaho dito. And happy naman encouraging din po ako na na-enjoy nila ‘yong the dancers

By Patricia Taculao

A

to trust their partners.

Since the movie is a collaboration between two countries, Andrea also learned Spanish words from the film’s producers and cast. The Kapuso actress enjoyed speaking in another language and planned to continue learning about it even after the film’s production ended.

“I learned it’s the second most used language so magagamit ko din talaga siya,” Andrea said.

Pasional is a romance film that has a universal message and uses the beauty of its locations, both Argentina and the Philippines, to inspire its viewers. However, like many films, it also has a twist that explains the story’s overall plot.

It’s currently in the second stage of production and has yet to announce a release date.

Kapuso star Andrea Torres lands the lead female role in ‘Pasional’

JUST like the lyrics of the iconic Hotdog’s anthem “Manila,” Nickelodeon star Eduard Bañez walked the streets of San Francisco, took the rides in Disneyland, and with regards to dating girls from Sydney, this part of the song, just made him smile with cheeks turning red.

Bañez, who turned 31 on May 11, is a true embodiment of the good traits of a man born under the astrological sign of Taurus. As of the moment, he is extremely focused on continuing with his life and passions even if the pandemic is still around.

“Most of my plans were put on hold because of the pandemic,” Bañez says. “It definitely altered how we live, work, and play. It taught all of us to safeguard our health and that of the people dearest to us, and that we must do our share in helping people the best way we can, and not only financially but emotionally as well.”

Bañez believes that the pandemic made all of us appreciate relationships, especially with family and friends, more.

Though most of our career plans and projects were halted, he subscribes to the idea that there is perfect timing for everything.

Bañez is coming home to Manila the soonest and he wants to be a news anchor again. Producing and making music videos are some of the things that he plans to do once he is back.

“Not just my songs, but the songs of others as well. I am aware of the current P-Pop music craze. I think SB19 and the other leading groups like BGYO, Bini, and others, are the millennial incarnations of what used to be called the Manila Sound. The field of Filipino

and Robinsons Place Malolos.

There are two categories for the auditions: one for 13 years old and above, and two for its Sing Galing Kids competition which is open to children ages 5 to 12 years old.

There’s another audition scheduled at Robinsons Metro East happening today, May 15, and Robinsons Galleria South on May 22.

Right after the auditions, guests and participants can watch and enjoy its Kantawanan Show with exciting games

‘First Lady,’ ‘False Positive’ continue to rope audiences in GMA Network’s primetime offerings First Lady and False Positive continue to post impressive numbers ending another week of strong performance as more audiences tune in eager to find the latest development in the series’ respective plots.

Based on NUTAM People Ratings of Nielsen Philippines, on May 12, First Lady registered a TV rating of 15.4 percent compared to its rival Ang Probinsyano, which recorded Glaiza De Castro (left) and Xian Lim in ‘False Positive’

and fun performances from the Sing Galing cast K Brosas, Ethel Booba, Donita Nose, Ronnie Liang, Zendee, and Rey Valera, as well as Sing Galing’s first-ever Ultimate Bidaoke Star, Marimar Tua, and Ultimate Bidaoke Sing-lebrity, Patrick Quiroz.

The fun activities continue as Robinsons Malls endorser Maja Salvador visits Robinsons Starmills in San Fernando, Pampanga with the rest of the Niña Niño cast today aternoon to celebrate their Niña Niño: Grand

pop now brims with so much talent and the potential.”

When asked what keeps his feet on the ground, Bañez said that he’s a dreamer “who works hard to make sure that they come true. Not only do I invest blood, sweat, and tears to realize them, but I also put a lot of love and passion into what I believe.”

How is it like when he is in love? He answers: “Just like a true Taurean, todo akong magmahal. I give my all. Hindi sa akin pwede yung pinipigil ang love and romance. I am generous to a fault. I am a loyal partner and lover.”

What Eduard promises: “When I am back in Manila, people can expect the best version of me, but not the impossible perfect kind of individual.

My best version is a flawed yet honest man who believes in the innate goodness of people.”

Bañez is excited to explore and contribute to the world of Pinoy gag and other comedy shows. And ultimately give people more reasons to smile, laugh, and feel optimistic.

The female cast of ‘First Lady’

TV5 partners with Robinsons Malls for upcoming shows and events MALL shows and gatherings are definitely back for families, friends, shoppers, and patrons as Robinsons Malls open its doors for TV5’s exciting activities in line with their upcoming entertainment programs this May. In partnership with Robinsons Malls, TV5 and Cignal TV are set to jumpstart a series of entertainment activities starting with the top-rating Sing Galing Nation: The Grand Kantawanan Caravan, which kicked off on May 14 at Robinsons Place Lipa

Nickelodeon star Eduard Bañez

Himala Day with the public.

Niña Niño was one of the top-rating shows on TV5 and has garnered international accolades at the 2021 Asian Academy Creative Awards.

The show was also a consistent favorite on Netflix when it started streaming on the said platform.

‘Niña Niño’ stars Maja Salvador (left) and Noel Comia Jr.

9.9 percent ratings on May 12.

Last week, we saw Melody (Sanya Lopez) running for president after her husband, Glenn Acosta (played by Gabby Concepcion), was hurt in an assassination plot orchestrated by Senator Allegra Trinidad (Isabel Rivas), Glenn’s rival in the presidential race.

False Positive, on the other hand, won in its timeslot producing 10.5 and 10.8 percent ratings on May 11 and 12, respectively.

The series, which premiered just this month, introduces Xian Lim’s character, Edward, as a pregnant husband.

Glaiza De Castro, who plays Edward’s wife Yannie, is the one pregnant in the beginning but things take a sudden turn when the newlyweds have a fight.

First Lady, directed by L.A. Madridejos, airs weeknights at 8:00 p.m., while False Positive, helmed by Irene Villamor, airs at 8:50.

Life

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

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MONDAY, MAY 16, 2022

Bukawan ni Alejandra Garden is home to a variety of flower plants

Cebu is booming

and blooming

D

ESPITE my best intention to wake up early in the morning, I still found my body pressed against the warm blanket and soft pillows that started cuddling me the night before. And obviously, they didn’t want to let go.

The trouble with staying in a comfortable hotel room, getting out of bed is a challenge.

With my eyes still closed, I dragged my feet to the spacious bathroom that offers al fresco shower and bath. In the middle, there is a freestanding bathtub. I lounged there for a while and allowed myself to be completely awakened by the room’s skylit roof.

It was my second day in Cebu, our firstday itinerary was already packed. From the airport, our group was billeted in Bluewater Maribago Hotel and Resort, our warm and charming home for the next three days.

After having lunch, we immediately had a quick visit to Alegre Guitars factory, the Virgen de la Regla Parish, and Island Central Mall to view the Kadaugan Trade Fair and Art Fest before we headed to the Liberty Shrine to watch the special reenactment of Battle of Mactan.

And that was just a glimpse of what our group would experience on our second day, which was the official tour organized by the Department of Tourism Region 7, Cebu Pacific, and Lapulapu City Tourism.

“Our today’s itinerary is different,” our tour guide said. “We cherry-picked the destinations we included in this tour.”

Our guide wanted to show us the different sides of Cebu. In doing so, they had to show our group some places not usually frequented by tourists.

“We’re going to the Little Tagaytay of Cebu,” she added.

On our way to our first pit stop, our guide shared a little story about Typhoon Odette that ravaged Cebu and the nearby islands and provinces in December.

“As you can see, the damage caused by the typhoon is still evident,” she pointed her hand to the electric posts knocked down by the typhoon, including the houses and other establishments that are yet to be repaired.

The city looks normal at first glance as people are out and about. If a local did not point out the damage caused by Odette, one would think nothing tragic and devastating happened.

“We haven’t completely recovered, but we are back on our feet,” our guide beamed after reminding us that the mobile phone signal in some places we’re about to visit has not been fully restored.

After about an hour and a half on the road, we’re able to reach our first destination, the Bukawan ni Alejandra Garden.

Located in Brgy. Gaas, Balamban, this blooming 700-square-meter garden is home to a variety of flower plants and features approximately 200 kinds of flora and fauna arranged and planted in a way that each variety stands out and would create beautiful contrasts.

Since it is located on high land, the temperature is cooler. This allows visitors

to be comfortable while taking pictures even if it is noontime.

The word “buwak” translates as “flowers” in Cebuano, the predominant language spoken and used in the region. Thus, “buwakan” comes to mean “flower garden,” I was told. A staff member, who became my instant photographer, also shared that this vibrant garden was wiped out by the Typhoon Odette and they had to start from scratch landscaping the entire area to restore its former look “and glory.”

Just before lunchtime, we headed to Our Lady of the Rosary of Manaoag ​​situated on a hillside in the mountain barangay of Guba.

The destination offers an intimate place where one can pray while listening to the chirping of birds and the sounds of a brook downhill. The main attraction is a statue of Our Lady on a concrete altar surrounded by several concrete benches lining the hillside.

“Cebu is also a faith destination,” our guide said. “There are seven jubilee churches here that are popular among local tourists.”

Next on our list, was lunch at Kusina Luche at Adlawon Vacation Farm. It is located also on the rural side, just a few minutes’ drive from Our Lady of Manaoag.

Named after owner Dr. Melinda “Peluche” Ortiz, this on-site restaurant is located within The Lodge, the main structure on the farm.

Kusina Luche serves appetizers (like cassava crackers), salads, soups, and desserts, all made from healthy organic fresh fruits and vegetables newly harvested from the farm. The restaurant is famous for its chicken buko soup, bistek, binukadkad na tilapia, pandan chicken, and crispy pata, which were all put on the table during our lunch.

Now it’s time to drive back to the city for a different agenda – to meet the

Raquel Toquero-Choa is the ‘chocolate queen’ of Cebu

The white sandy beach in Bluewater Maribago

Interesting launches are back

Actors reenacting the Battle of Mactan at Liberty Shrine where the historic event happened 501 years ago

The bridge that links Cebu to Cordova

Alegre Guitar Factory caters to both local and international markets

‘chocolate queen’ of Cebu. Raquel Toquero-Choa, 46, whose main turf is The Chocolate Chamber Boutique located at Robinsons Galleria, is a staunch advocate of cacao farming in the Philippines.

Choa’s kingdom welcomes chocolate enthusiasts to sample a wide variety of cacao products locally made in Cebu. Her artisanal chocolate company sells tablea truffles, chocolate cake, hot and cold cocoa, chocolate high tea, cacao nib cookies, and more.

“We focus on transforming locallyproduced cacao beans into internationally-acclaimed creations,” Choa, who introduced herself and Cebu’s rich chocolate heritage in a theatrical manner, said.

Before we had dinner at Marina Seaview Restaurant in Lapu-lapu city and head back to the hotel, he had a quick stop at the Cebu–Cordova Link Expressway (CCLEX), also known as the Cebu–Cordova Bridge. The massive and artistically designed 8.9-kilometer bridge is the country’s longest bridge-way structure.

“This is the third bridge here in Cebu and there’s another bridge, the fourth

one,” the tour guide proudly said sharing that the structures and the development within the area well define Queen City’s progress.

Cebu’s newest landmark was inaugurated on April 27 coinciding with the 501st commemoration of the Kadaugan sa Mactan, which marks the victory of Mactan warriors led by Lapulapu over the Spanish army of Ferdinand Magellan.

“Speaking of Magellan, the tourism board is planning to introduce the Magellan Route,” our tour guide shared. “But it might take us one week to complete the entire tour.”

And as we head back to our temporary home in Cebu, I realized that one day is not enough to paint a beautiful picture that could possibly encourage other people to visit the Queen City of the South.

But with one day, we can already gather beautiful stories, memories, and new experiences worth sharing with someone who would want to rediscover the province that is known for its beautiful people and colorful history.

HSMA President Benjie Martinez (left) and Chairperson Margie Munsayac

THESE days, you can easily see that the metro’s social life is breathing once again.

After being empty for more than two years, my social calendar is getting filled up by the day…and I’m not complaining. It feels good to be able to interact face-to-face with friends, after being fully dependent on Wi-Fi connections just for us to say “hello” to people we know.

Song of Negros

The newly reopened Ayala Museum hosted its first event recently for the well-attended launch of the latest book by Dr. Victoria Bantug Hoffarth, Song of Negros: Myths and Culture in the Philippines. It contains fifteen beautifully illustrated myths, legends, and folktales from Negros and explains the significance of these tales to the culture of the provinces in particular, and of the Philippines, in general.

Former Tourism Secretary Narzalina Lim hosted the afternoon program and introduced the event’s main speaker, Dr. Rene Samaniego, eminent psychiatrist and psychotherapist at the Makati Medical Center. He said that mythology is a projection of our unconscious, representing the totality of the human experience.

The author, Dr. Hoffarth, grew up in Victorias, Negros Occidental, and left her province to take up studies at Maryknoll College in Manila, and onwards to New York City for a master’s degree in Psychology from Columbia University, and a PhD in Media Ecology from New York University.

Married to a German economist, she spent many years in Europe teaching in business schools and doing consulting work on women-in-management. She now divides her time between Manila, London, and with her son in Berlin.

Song of Negros: Myths and Culture in the Philippines is now available in all Fully Booked locations nationwide.

Virtus Awards 2022

Dr. Victoria Bantug Hoffarth, author of ‘Song of Negros’

YOUR MONDAY CHUCKLE I was having dinner with Garry Kasparov (world chess champion) and our table was covered with a checkered tablecloth. It took him two hours to pass me the salt!

The 43-year-old Hotel Sales and Marketing Association launched its prestigious Virtus Awards 2022 during its first face-to-face general membership meeting for the year at the newly opened Kingsford Hotel Manila.

With the theme “Breakthrough 2022,” this year’s awards, which will be given out in a live ceremony on October 25, will highlight the endeavors of the country’s hotel sales and marketing professionals to be released from the shackles of the various global quarantine restrictions.

The keynote speaker at the event was Rosvi Gaetos, Department of Trade and Industry-Trade and Investments Promotions Group Assistant Secretary. Fresh from our country’s participation in the Dubai Expo, Asec. Gaetos shared with the HSMA members the developments and outstanding pavilions at the Expo and the opportunities and ideas which our local hoteliers could draw inspiration from.

With the support of the Department of Tourism, Tourism Promotions Board, Atlantis, Bambunet, and Kingsford Hotel Manila, this year’s Virtus Awards promises to discover another set of outstanding hotel executives, who are at the center of our country’s world-renowned hospitality industry.

Maria’s Room

International celebrity entrepreneur Maria Ozawa, in partnership with M88 Mansion, the number one gaming destination in Asia, recently launched Maria’s Room at The Cove of Okada Manila, in a glittering event entitled, “One Night Only: Live In Manila.”

Maria’s Room is a dedicated online gaming portal designed by M88 Mansion and offers exciting online games recommended by Maria Ozawa herself. It guarantees excellent and engaging games for players and also features exclusive videos and a photo gallery of Ozawa.

During the launch, M88 Mansion also introduced exclusive workout kits, as inspired

by Ozawa, being a health and fitness enthusiast, through her “Monday Mornings with Maria” on Facebook and her Youtube channel. These and more are found in Maria’s Room which anybody may access through https://m88.com/maria-ozawa For feedback, I’m at bobzozobrado@gmail.com

Virtus Awards Chairperson Rose Libongco (left) and DTI-TIPG Asec. Rosvi Gaetos

The annual search for these outstanding hospitality icons is under the auspices of Rose Libongco, chairperson of the Virtus Award; Margie Munsayac, HSMA chairperson; and Benjie Martinez, HSMA president.

Information on the Virtus Awards’ entry eligibility and requirements, may be obtained from www.hsma.org.ph.

The beautiful Maria Ozawa