Manila Standard - 2022 May 21 - Saturday

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Gov’t can’t keep prices down

DTI admits this much for basic goods, cites high cost of raw materials

By Othel V. Campos

O

N THE back of worries about a looming food crisis for the second half of the year, the Department of Trade and Industry (DTI) said Friday it could not keep the prices of some commodities low because the cost of raw materials had increased.

Trade Undersecretary Ruth Castelo said in a televised briefing: “We cannot stop the price from moving because the price of raw materials also increased. These are the products' major ingredients.”

The Department of Agriculture

had warned this week of an impending food crisis due to the COVID-19 pandemic, high fuel costs, and the impact of Russia's Ukraine invasion.

But the DTI said it is constantly monitoring the price movement of some goods, after recently approv-

ing the price hike of some commodities.

Castelo said only the price of 82 basic necessities and prime commodities in the suggested retail price bulletin had an increase out of their 212 stock keeping units. Next page

STILL THE BEST. Hidilyn Diaz makes the gold medalwinning lift in the women's 55kg weightlifting event during the 31st Southeast Asian Games in Hanoi on May 20. AFP

VOL. XXXVI • NO. 94 • 3 SECTIONS 12 PAGES • P18 SATURDAY SATURDAY,, MAY 21, 2022 • www.manilastandard.net • mst.daydesk@gmail.com

Hidilyn keeps SEAG crown, but PH slides to 5th overall

By Riera U. Mallari HANOI—Tokyo Olympics weightlifting gold medalist Hidilyn Diaz and esports Team Sibol retained their respective titles on Wednesday, as brawn and brains kept the Phil-

Japan’s PM, Marcos talk, eye benefits

By Rey E. Requejo PRESUMPTIVE president Ferdinand “Bongbong” Marcos, Jr. on Friday expressed hopes to promote better and stronger bilateral cooperation between the Philippines and Japan and raise to a higher level all aspects of the relationship between the two countries.

Marcos made the statement after a 15-minute telephone conversation with Japanese Prime Minister Fumio Kishida, who called him on Friday to convey his congratulations.

“I thank Japanese Prime Minister Fumio Kishida for his warm congratulatory message via a phone call this morning.

We were able to have a preliminary discussion about the Japan-Philippines partnership, which I said is very important and has been one of mutual benefit to our two countries,” Marcos said.

Marcos expressed hope of not only continuing, but also increasing all engagements in every aspect of relations between the two countries.

Shortly after their talk, a statement

ippines’ hopes of finishing third in the 31st Southeast Asian Games hosted

by Vietnam alive.

Diaz prevailed in her faceoff with fellow Olympic gold medalist Thai Tanasan Sanikun Friday with a total lift of 206 Next page

Mendoza: Cases vs. BBM must wait after proclamation

By Rey E. Requejo PETITIONERS who want to move against the presidency of Ferdinand "Bongbong" Marcos Jr. would have to wait until after the proclamation of the presumptive president before appealing

to the Supreme Court, his legal counsel said Friday.

This is as Estelito Mendoza, lawyer of Marcos, said they will seek the dismissal of the petitions seeking his disqualification as presidential candidate in the recent May 9 elections when they file their com-

Romualdez seeks cohesive House for legislative agenda

By Maricel V. Cruz HOUSE Majority Leader and Leyte 1st District Rep. Martin Romualdez is set to work on strengthening the unity and bond of the lower chamber's members ahead of the expected heavy but vital tasks of the incoming 19th Congress.

Romualdez, the leading contender for House Speaker, revealed this during his luncheon meeting with Partido Demokratiko Pilipino-Lakas ng Bayan (PDP-Laban) stalwarts Thursday at EDSA Shangri-La Hotel in Mandaluyong City.

Discussed during the meeting was the lawmakers' intention to fully support the would-be legislative agenda of

presumptive President Ferdinand Marcos Jr. "This is truly the message of the UniTeam during the campaign period,” Romualdez said during an ambush interview.

One of the key measures to be tackled by the 19th Congress—two months before its official opening on July 25— is postponing the upcoming barangay elections in December to save funds for a renamed stimulus bill, he added.

Romualdez said: “That is one of the complaints of the barangay chairpersons that we met in Liga ng mga Barangay, so we shall consider that.”

He added: “If that will be taken up,

ment before the High Court.

In a television interview, Mendoza was asked if any questions on candidates and even on the conduct of polls could not be elevated before the Supreme Court.

He was also asked if petitioners could seek a temporary restraining order on the

canvassing of votes and the proclamation of winner for the May 9 elections.

"That will have to be done through an election protest... not at this time, but at this time, the Constitution provides step by step, what shall be done with the votes Next page

UNITY IN MIND.

House Majority Leader and Leyte Rep. Martin Romualdez discusses how he would work on strengthening the unity and bond of the House of Representatives members ahead of his expected heavy lifting as presumptive Speaker of the incoming 19th Congress.

Ver Noveno

Next page

Next page

Think tank book offers policy tips to incoming gov’t

Susan Roces, Queen of PH Cinema, 80 SUSAN Roces, dubbed the Queen of Philippine Cinema not only for her marriage to movie "king" Fernando Poe Jr. but also for her own towering 70-year acting career, passed away on Friday evening in the United States, her daughter Sen. Grace Poe announced. She was 80.

"With great sadness, we announce the loss of our beloved Jesusa Sonora Poe, whom many of you know as Susan Roces," Senator Poe said in a statement, referring to her mother's birth name. Next page

By Rey E. Requejo and Willie Casas

SUSAN ROCES

THE Makati-based research group Stratbase ADR Institute has offered recommendations to presumptive president Ferdinand Marcos Jr. on various issues and policies in a new book launched Friday.

At least 16 policy scholars wrote their recommendations on foreign policy, security, economy, governance, climate change, and agriculture among many others, said Stratbase ADRi founder Dindo Manhit, and president of its policy Next page

NCR still low risk despite virus uptick

By Willie Casas THE daily average COVID-19 cases in the National Capital Region (NCR) has increased by 19 percent during the past seven days, but the region remains at "low risk," the independent monitoring OCTA Research Group said Friday. Next page This undated booking photo from the Multnomah County Sheriff's Office in Oregon shows murder suspect Nancy Crampton Brophy. AFP

Monkeypox: a rare disease with low fatality rates PARIS—Several cases of monkeypox have been detected in North America and Europe since early May, sparking Next page

Fiction comes to life: How to Murder Your Husband LOS ANGELES—A writer who penned a piece titled "How To Murder Your Husband" is on trial in the United States for... killing her husband.

Next page

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News

SATURDAY, MAY 21, 2022

mst.daydesk@gmail.com

Group: Pinoys want SCS win enforced At the book launch “Beyond the Crisis: A Strategic Agenda for the Next President” in Quezon City, professor Victor Andres Manhit of the Stratbase Albert del Rosario Institute said while most Filipinos would want the government to defend its position that the West Philippine Sea’s “nine-dash line” is within the territorial

jurisdiction of the Philippines.

Despite such intentions, there are other issues, such as unemployment and inflation, that have been hounding the Filipino people, he said.

He advised the new administration to strengthen the country’s alliance with the other nations supporting the July 12, 2016

ruling of the Hague’s arbitral tribunal that the nine-dash line and disputed maritime features located in the South China Sea, such as the Spratly Islands, belonged to the Philippines.

“It is only China rejecting the ruling, while other countries are affirming the ruling,” said Dr. Renato de Castro, trustee and convenor of Stratbase ADR Institute.

The group said the incoming Marcos administration must pave the way for a stronger partnership with Australia, Japan, the United States of America and the other nations, including the European Union.

In its book, Stratbase ADR Institute provided policy recommendations from lessons learned from the Duterte admin-

Gov’t...

ed Broilers and Raisers Association is against the reappointment of Agriculture Secretary William Dar, who has recently offered his services to the incoming administration.

Poultry stakeholders said Dar “promoted a regime of importation and cultivated the vested interests of importers at the expense of farmers.”

In an open letter to President-elect Ferdinand Bongbong R. Marcos Jr., UBRA said Filipino farmers became sacrificial lambs to Dar’s import policy that failed to lower food prices.

“Retail prices have remained high despite increasing importation through the years. It has made us dependent on overseas employment and business process outsourcing,” said UBRA president Jose Elias M. Inciong.

The group recalled that during Dar’s term, the Commission on Audit found fiscal anomalies at the DA involving P9.45 billion in disallowances, audit suspen-

sions, and charges; P17.54 billion in unliquidated fund transfers to implementing agencies and non-government organizations; P20.21 billion unliquidated fund transfers in prior years; and, P9.806 billion that was returned to national treasury.

Should Dar continue to lead the DA in the Marcos Administration, UBRA believes Dar will only heighten the Philippines’ vulnerability to climate change and imperil food security.

“It will be the (incoming) Marcos’s administration’s biggest fault to reappoint Dar. He has been openly and aggressively campaigning to be retained as secretary of Agriculture,” Inciong said.

“Secretary Dar’s tenure has been about importation from heavily subsidized agricultural systems. We are on very dangerous ground because he implemented import liberalization to the hilt. Reappointing Dar will not be an act of shooting oneself in the foot but in the head,” he added.

In related developments, Dar said beneficiaries of the Pantawid Pamilyang Pilipino Program (4Ps) would only be the "first priority" if ever the state-subsidized NFA rice becomes available again in the market.

Dar said this would depend on the subsidy that would be provided by the government to the National Food Authority.

“If the subsidy would be increased, then more poor families will be allowed to avail of NFA rice. As we have more budget for NFA, more rice will be released every now and then to NFA outlets,” Dar said.

NFA rice has not been available in the market since August 2019.

The Department of Agriculture earlier said to make rice more affordable, it is looking to make NFA rice available in the market again but only for beneficiaries of 4Ps. Dar said the plan to bring back NFA rice would not need an amendment to the Rice Tariffication Law.

scenario has changed and then therefore, what they should be filing is an election protest before the Supreme Court, either a quo warranto or an ordinary election protest," he said.

According to the 2010 Rules of the Presidential Election Tribunal, the quo warranto is a verified petition for quo contesting the election of the president or vice president on the ground of ineligibility or disloyalty to the Republic of the Philippines.

This may be filed by any registered voter who has voted in the election concerned within ten days after the proclamation of the winner.

In an election protest, the registered candidate for president or vice president of the Philippines who received the second or third highest number of votes may contest the election of the president or vice president, as the case may be, by filing a verified election protest with the Clerk of the Presidential Electoral Tribunal within 30 days after the proclamation of the winner But Mendoza told ANC: “This issue of disqualification was ruled upon by the Comelec division and later on, it was ruled upon by the Comelec en banc so you already have two rulings affirming the qualification of BBM (Bongbong Marcos).” (See full story online at manilastandard.net)

Romualdez... it should be immediate because the barangay elections are already scheduled in December. We should also put that under the priority list under consideration.”

During the campaign, Marcos Jr. said he planned to revisit the term periods of officials in the barangay and Sangguniang Kabataan, the smallest political units in the country, should he become the next president.

He said barangay and SK terms could be fixed at five years instead of the current three years.

The barangay elections have been postponed thrice since 2016, with the last law moving the polls to December 2022.

Romualdez, who was Marcos Jr.’s campaign manager, said postponing the barangay polls would give the government more than P8 billion in savings that could fund a stimulus package.

He said the stimulus package "would allow the incoming president to harness the resources available to him during this closing period of 2022 and address the measure that are needed for the pandemic, hopefully the endemic stage of this COVID.”

The Department of Interior and Local Government said the decision to postpone the barangay elections for 2022 would be up to the next administration.

“The DILG will leave it to the wisdom of the incoming Congress and President if they will enact a law postponing the barangay and SK [Sangguniang Kabataan] election,” DILG spokesperson Undersecretary Jonathan Malaya told GMA News Online in a message.

“Otherwise, it would be held as scheduled in December 2022,” he added.

"So, we are looking forward to working together, bonding together in helping [the] incoming administration and his spirit, his message, his reason for a united Philippines," added Romualdez, the LakasChristian Muslim Democrats (LakasCMD) President, referring to Marcos.

Based on unofficial results of the May 9 polls, “BBM” gained a rare majority mandate among Filipinos to the tune of 31 million votes.

Romualdez also disclosed in the same interview plans to craft a stimulus package that would help the country wade through the challenges of the COVID-19 pandemic this year and possibly beyond, which will be dubbed the "Bayan Bangon Muli" bill or BBM bill. (See full story online at manilastandard.net)

0.76, which is considered low, OCTA said.

A reproduction number that is below 1 indicates that the transmission of the virus is slow.

The positivity rate —referring to the ratio of people testing positive over the total number of tests conducted — remained at 1.2 percent over an average of 11,476 tests per day, while hospital care utilization rate remained at 22 percent in the NCR. The one-week average daily attack rate (ADAR) increased from 0.42 to 0.50 "but remained very low (less than 1)," OCTA said.

"Overall, NCR remained at low risk," OCTA said.

On May 9, the Philippines conducted its national and local elections amid fears that crowding of people going to voting precincts could lead to another surge in COVID-19 cases.

The government recently announced that it has detected 17 cases of Omicron subvariant BA.2.12.1, two of them in the NCR. The subvariant is said to be 27 percent more transmissible than BA.2, the dominant Omicron subvariant in the Philippines and the rest of the world.

On Thursday, the Department of Health (DOH) said a fresh COVID-19 surge is possible if a new immune-escaping variant of the coronavirus enters the country and the immunity of the vaccinated people wanes.

The government has been advising citizens to get vaccinated against COVID-19, saying the country has enough vaccine supply.

The government recently rolled out a second booster shot for health care workers and senior citizens to give them more protection against the virus. (See full story online at manilastandard.net)

gether to strengthen it,” Marcos said.

Marcos said they also exchanged views on current regional developments and both of them have committed to work together for peace and prosperity in the region.

He added they also agreed to meet face-to-face as soon as possible and engage in a deeper dialogue.

Kishida said he wants to closely cooperate with Marcos toward the realization of a free and open Indo-Pacific region, according to the Japanese foreign ministry.

The initiative has been promoted by Japan and the United States and is widely seen as a counter to China's growing military and economic clout in the region.

Kishida also pledged to continue its ongoing economic and security support for the Philippines such as building infrastructure.

"Prime Minister Kishida expressed his

wish for future close coordination with President-elect Marcos for the realization of a 'Free and Open Indo-Pacific,' and the two leaders concurred on future coordination to realize regional peace and prosperity," a press release from the Japan Embassy in Manila read.

"The two leaders concurred on holding an in-person meeting as early as possible and deepening the discussion going forward."

Earlier this week, Marcos Jr. also received congratulatory phone calls from Australian Prime Minister Scott Morrison and Chinese President Xi Jin Ping.

In his conversation with Xi, Marcos Jr. said that China and the Philippines "must not allow what conflicts or difficulties we have now between our two countries to become historically important."

Fiction...

deliver ng gold medal for the Philippines.

Masaya ako na nandito ako ulit ako sa SEA Games, na i-represent ang Pilipinas,” added Diaz after delivering the Philippines’ 42nd gold.

Esports, represented by Sibol-Blacklist, delivered the country’s second win Friday, the country’s 41st gold, while judoka Shugen Nagano won the 43rd in the 66kg class.

But winless stints in other fronts left the Philippines, backed by the Philippine Olympic Committee and the Philippine Sports Commission, sliding to fifth overall

from fourth, with Singapore moving up to third and Indonesia climbing to fourth.

Host Vietnam continued to run roughshod over the opposition going into the last three days of action, with Thailand assured of runner-up honors.

The Philippines-Sibol team of Johnmar “Phi Villaluna” Villaluna, Danerie “Phi del Rosario” del Rosario, Salic “Hadji” Imam and Dexter “Phi Alaba” Alaba scored a 3-1 win over Indonesia in the finals of Mobile Legends: Bang Bang at the Vietnam Convention Center. (See full story online at manilastandard.net)

Susan...

By Rio N. Araja

E

IGHT out 10 Filipinos want to assert the legal victory for the Philippines against China over the South China Sea (West Philippine Sea), according to an independent international and strategic research organization.

From A1

DTI released a new SRP list last week, showing the new set of minimum increases for some products.

Castelo noted: “All supermarkets and groceries are covered by this because we are monitoring until the 2nd level of the supply chain. We are sure that they are following the SRP in these establishments.”

Aside from monitoring the SRP in groceries and establishments, she said her agency was making sure that the price of goods would be maintained, as they also monitor the supply of retail and manufacturing given the demand.

Castelo added they could not assure the public that SRP would be followed in retail stores because their "supply chain mechanism is different."

Meanwhile, the poultry group Unit-

Mendoza:...

From A1

that are cast in the election," Mendoza told CNN Philippines.

"The canvassing of votes by the Board of Canvassers of each province and each municipality, their transmittal to the president of the Senate and the president of the Senate has also time within which they shall have them open before the Senate and the House of Representatives in joint public session," he added.

Mendoza on Thursday submitted a manifestation to the High Court stating that it has no jurisdiction to prevent Congress from canvassing the votes and proclaiming the winner of the May 9 presidential election.

He argued that the duly elected president and vice president must begin their term at noon on June 30 and end their term at the same time six years later, as stated under the 1987 Constitution.

In another interview on ANC, Mendoza mentioned that if the petitioners would still push through, they could also file a quo warranto before the SC. "The petitioners will then have to decide whether to abide and stick by the petition as filed by the SC or whether the

NCR...

From A1

In its latest report, OCTA said cases during the May 13 to 19 period went up to 71 from 59 recorded during the May 6 to 12 period.

The NCR is among the areas currently under Alert Level 1, the least restrictive among COVID-19 alert levels.

The NCR's reproduction number, which refers to the number of people who can be infected by one case, also increased to 0.90, which is considered "moderate," up from

Japan’s...

From A1

posted on the website of Japan’s Ministry of Foreign Affairs reported that Kishida assured Marcos that Japan has every intention of continuing the cooperation and official development assistance to the Philippines.

They intend to do this through the Joint Committee on Economic Cooperation and Infrastructure and the Ministerial Meeting on Foreign Affairs and Defense.

Japan has been assisting the Philippines on various levels such as on the economic front that includes infrastructure development and security.

“I told him that I would like to deepen the cooperation in a wide range of fields in the future and we agreed to work to-

Hidilyn...

From A1

kgs (snatch and clean and jerk) to snatch Philippine weightlifting’s first gold in the games.

“My journey to Paris starts here, so this SEA Games gold is very important for me,” said Diaz, who ended the country’s decades-long wait for an Olympic gold by winning in Tokyo last year.

“Napaka-meaningful nito (SEA Games). After winning the gold medal (in Tokyo), bumalik pa din ako, nakapag-

From A1

istration, highlighting points of action and intervention that the Marcos administration may opt to take in addressing current issues to prepare for potential and future threats.

It would also bring into focus the domains of security, economy and governance to further unpack its intersectionality and how these mutually reinforce one another, the book added.

The research organization brought together 16 experts from various fields, including those from the academe, that crafted the “strategic government agenda with resilience and sustainability in mind taking into consideration the next six years and perceivably beyond political timeline.”(See full story online at manilastandard.net)

From A1

It is a case that has all the hallmarks of classic detective fiction—a huge insurance payout, an impecunious suspect who claims to have amnesia, a missing weapon, and surveillance footage that seems to have caught the culprit red-handed.

But for novelist Nancy Crampton Brophy, it's not the plot of her latest book; it's real life in an Oregon court room.

Crampton Brophy, whose "Wrong Never Felt So Right" series of novels include "The Wrong Husband" and "The Wrong Lover," stands accused of shooting Daniel Brophy, using a gun whose now-missing barrel she bought on eBay. Prosecutors say the 71-year-old writer

From A1

"She passed away peacefully on a Friday evening, May 20, 2022, surrounded by love and warmth, with her daughter Grace, her nephews Joseph and Jeffrey and many of her family and close friends."

"She lived life fully and gracefully.

Remember her in her beauty, warmth and kindness. She is now with the Lord and her beloved Ronnie — FPJ. We will miss her sorely but we celebrate a life well lived."

Monkeypox:...

From A1

concern that the disease, endemic in parts of Africa, is spreading.

Most people recover within several weeks and monkeypox has only been fatal in rare cases.

There have been thousands of human infections in parts of Central and Western Africa in recent years but it is rare in Europe and North America.

France declared its first case on Friday.

What is monkeypox?

Monkeypox is a virus transmitted to humans from animals, with symptoms very similar to smallpox but less severe clinically.

In Africa, monkeypox has been found in many animals including rope squirrels, tree squirrels, Gambian poached rats, dormice as well as different species of monkeys and others.

The World Health Organization however says human-to-human transmission is limited.

Symptoms in humans of monkeypox include lesions, eruptions on the face, palms or soles, scabs, fever, muscle ache and chills.

Human monkeypox was first identified in 1970 in Zaire, now the Democratic Republic of Congo, in a nine-year-old boy in a region where smallpox had been eliminated two years earlier.

Since 1970, human cases of monkeypox have been reported in 11 African countries – Benin, Cameroon, Central African Republic, Democratic Republic of Congo, Gabon, Ivory Coast, Liberia, Nigeria, Republic of Congo, Sierra Leone and South Sudan, according to WHO. In the spring of 2003, cases were also confirmed in the United States—the first time the disease surfaced outside Africa.

How is it transmitted?

Animal-to-human transmission can happen as a result of direct contact with the blood, bodily fluids, or cutaneous or mucosal lesions of infected animals. AFP (See full story online at manilastandard.net)

Think...

From A1

think-tank, Albert del Rosario Institute for Strategic and International Studies (ADRi).

"We need to help the incoming administration think beyond politics... Instead of waiting for the government to establish itself, why don't we contribute to the discourse," he said.

The recommendations include the formulation of a new National Security Strategy based on the 2016 arbitral ruling that junked China's claims to parts of the West Philippine Sea, which President Rodrigo Duterte did not pursue (see related story on A2 – Editors).

Marcos last year said Duterte was employing "the right way" towards Beijing and its rejection of the ruling.

Stratbase ADRi said there must be a clear, cohesive and consistent foreign policy direction prioritizing the country's national interest.

Manhit added the country must assert its rights, but must have a strategic approach when it comes to foreign policy.

"They [new admin] need to hear the people also, that they would like us to be more assertive and protective of our maritime rights and territorial integrity. And if they have not heard that, we would like to share those studies with them," he said.

The Philippines must form ties with nations that share common values on democracy and a rules-based approach and strengthen ties with more nations aside from China and the US, the group added.

Scholars also want the new administration to prioritize agriculture and climate change.

They said climate change should not just be considered in connection with the environment, but as an issue that affects all sectors, and must therefore be given priority. (See full story online at manilastandard.net) was struggling to make payments on her mortgage, but kept up multiple life assurance policies that would pay out a total of $1.4 million in the event of her husband's demise.

"I do better with Dan alive financially than I do with Dan dead," she said as she took the stand in Portland this week, The Oregonian newspaper reported.

"Where is the motivation I would ask you? An editor would laugh and say, ‘I think you need to work harder on this story, you have a big hole in it.’"

Prosecutor Shawn Overstreet said security camera footage had captured Crampton Brophy's minivan outside the Oregon Culinary Institute on June 2, 2018 at almost exactly the time her chef husband was killed in one of the school's classrooms. (See full story online at manilastandard.net) "Susan Roces—daughter, mother, grandmother, a true Filipina and a national treasure," the senator added.

Roces had been widowed after the 2004 passing of her husband and fellow screen veteran Fernando Poe Jr., who ran for President that year but lost to Gloria Macapagal-Arroyo. The incumbent senator is their lone daughter.

Roces would have turned 81 on July 28. The veteran actress’s death was also confirmed by her nephew in a social media post. Nickie Wang (See full story online at manilastandard.net)

News

SATURDAY, MAY 21, 2022

A3

Tondo fire eats up 100 homes, nearby vessels

By Willie Casas

PICKING UP THE PIECES OF BURNT HOMES.

Victims of a two-hour fire that razed a blighted neighborhood in Baseco, Tondo, Manila try to salvage whatever usable materials they can find, even those floating in murky waters around their community in an attempt to rebuild their damaged homes and shattered lives. Norman Cruz, Danny Pata, and AFP

Imee: DOF must clarify stand on WFH

By Macon Ramos-Araneta

S

ENATOR Imee Marcos has urged the Department of Finance (DOF) to iron out inconsistencies between its back-to-office order and the government’s approval of work-from-home programs before the Covid-19 pandemic began.

Marcos, chair of the Senate Committee on Economic Affairs, said the lack of a consistent and comprehensive policy on work-from-home (WFH) arrangements discouraged the entry of more foreign investors, thus making it harder for the next administration to keep investment growth on track.

“Companies in export zones are now afraid of losing their tax incentives if

they don’t resume all operations onsite,” she said.

“But their work-from-home programs were approved as early as 2017, which the Telecommuting Act of 2018 also supports,” she added.

The Philippine Economic Zone Authority (PEZA) approved the pre-pandemic WFH programs of companies that mainly belonged to the information technology

and business process management (ITBPM) sector, notably Accenture, ANZ Global Services and Operations, Deltek Systems, HSBC Electronic Data Processing, Optimum Global Solutions, and PSG Global Solutions.

Despite two years of the pandemic and under work-from-home conditions, the IT-BPM sector grew its workforce by 8.9 percent to 10 percent, and its revenue by about 9.5 percent to 14.5 percent, according to PEZA data.

But the Fiscal Incentives Review Board (FIRB) headed by the DOF, ordered a return to full office operations at the end of March to spur the recovery of businesses that depend largely on IT-BPM workers.

Marcos asserted that micro, small

and medium enterprises (MSMEs) like community groceries, restaurants, and delivery services would also thrive where employees worked from home.

While fear of a pandemic resurgence remained, Marcos supported PEZA’s call to extend WFH programs until the end of the government’s state of calamity declaration in September.

She added that working from home helps employees save on fuel and commuting costs, besides minimizing traffic and public transport congestion.

Wifi connection problems would also ease with the broader distribution of internet bandwidth away from business centers, which Marcos said even the FIRB recognizes.

Cayetano eyes independent, strong Senate

By Macon Ramos-Araneta SENATOR-elect Alan Peter Cayetano said the country needs a “strong independent Senate” that will help the administration fulfill its role, but will also call it out when the state veers away from its mandate.

Meanwhile, Sen. Christopher “Bong” Go urged fellow senators to work together and continue serving the interest of the Filipino people by pushing people-centered legislations.

Cayetano revealed that some senators who are vying for the Senate presidency have been calling him up apparently to get him on their side.

But he said those who are courting his support will have to deal with his strong stand on certain issues.

“To those who will run for Senate President… what I can say: I hate drugs. I hate e-sabong. I hate inefficiency in government. And I hate it when we seem helpless,” he said.

Cayetano said he would have wanted to yield his time to those running for Senate president but added it was not the time or place for them to speak.

Instead, he left them with this charge: “A strong independent Senate — (one) that will help Malacañang when it needs help but will also correct and fiscalize when they have to be told that something is wrong — is what our country needs now.”

GIVING AID AND COMFORT TO FIRE VICTIMS. Navotas City Rep. John Rey Tiangco extends sympathy as he provides emergency assistance in the form of relief goods for the victims of a structural fire that struck Sitio Putting Bato in Barangay NBBS proper where 106 families were economically dislocated. Andrew Rabulan

Police dragnet yields two suspected drug dealers

By Joel E. Zurbano

TWO suspected drug dealers were reported caught in a dragnet laid by elements of the Southern Police District’s (SPD) on Thursday afternoon in Makati City.

SPD director Brig. Gen. Jimili Macaraeg said the operation also resulted in the seizure of P353,000 worth of methamphetamine hydrochloride, locally known as shabu.

A composite team of the Makati City Police Station’s Drug Enforcement Unit of Police Sub-station 1 conducted the buy-bust operation on 9210 Pateros Street in Barangay Olympia around, resulting in the arrest ofJoshua Bataller, alias Jong, 24, and Vincent Imperial, alias Teng, 44.

Seized from the suspects were 52 grams of shabu and the marked money used by the police in the entrapment.

Bataller and Imperial were detained by the seized substance was brought to SPD

Forensic Unit for chemical analysis.

“We in the police force are serious in our campaign against all forms of crime and illegal drugs. We will not stop until we get rid of this long -standing problem,” said Gen. Macaraeg.

He also said the SPD is enforcing the PNP’s anti-crime campaign dubbed as SACLEO, or the simultaneous anticriminality and law enforcement operations, aimed to ensure peace and order in the community.

A STRUCTURAL fire of still undetermined origin broke out Thursday evening in a seedy neighborhood in Tondo, Manila, leaving more than 300 families lost their homes, while some ships berthed closed to the area were likewise damaged as they could not leave because of the low tide at the time.

Nobody was reported injured in the incident.

The Bureau of Fire Protection in Manila said the blaze, which gutted houses in Block 17 of the Baseco Compound in the Port Area, started at about 6 p.m. and was tapped out by 9:30 p.m. The fire allegedly started at the second floor of a house on the Pasig riverside.

Arson investigators said at least 100 houses were destroyed and more than P1 million worth of property went up in smoke.

“Agad nilang tinawagan ang BFP para humingi ng tulong, habang inalertuhan naman ang mga barko at iba pang sasakyang pandagat na malapit sa pinangyarihan ng sunog (They immediately called the BFP to ask for help and alerted ships and other maritime vessels nearby),” the Philipppine Coast Cuard (PCG) said.

At least 10 PCG assets were deployed to help put out the fire, in addition to the Quick Response Team of the PCG Auxiliary101st Squadron.

Both the PCG and the BFP are assessing the extent of the damage caused by the fire with a view to providing aid to the affected families.

De Lima slams ‘murder’ of MSU student OPPOSITION Sen. Leila de Lima deplored the killing of a member of the LGBTQIA+ (Lesbian, Gay, Bisexual, Transgender, Queer/Questioning, Intersex, Asexual, and other sexual identities) who was a senior high school student of a government-run university in Mindanao.

De Lima, a social justice and human rights advocate, said the killing of Khaleed Khay Abdulgajir warrants serious and thorough investigation and ensure that justice will be served.

The victim studied at the Integrated Laboratory School of Mindanao State University Tawi-Tawi College of Technology and Oceanography (MSU-TCTO). He was allegedly murdered at Midvalley, Nalil, Bongao.

“We are strongly condemning the brutal killing of a member of LGBTQIA+ community,” De Lima said.

“It’s appalling how some people have no qualms to kill, as if life is so cheap that they can simply take it away whenever they like. No family deserves to suffer the pain of losing their loved ones to violence,” she said.

A police report stated that Abdulgajir was stabbed five times in her body and sustained one deep wound on the neck.

Salm Kairo Dumanlag, executive director of Mindanao Pride, condemned the killing, saying, it has a chilling effect. “This happened at the height of the celebration towards fight against discrimination, towards trans, bisexual and LGBTIQ community.”

Macon Ramos-Araneta

Five more barangays in Marawi now energized

By Rio N. Araja

FIVE more barangays in Marawi City, Lanao del Sur now have full power supply, indicating sustained progress of the massive governmentled rehabilitation.

Eduardo del Rosario, head of Task Force Bangon Marawi, led the ceremonial lighting of the five ba-

rangays inside the so-called “most affected area (MAA),” formerly known as “ground zero,” organized by the Lanao del Sur Electric Cooperative Inc. (Lasureco).

“The electrification of the additional barangays right in the center of MAA signifies the success of the government-led rehabilitation,” he said.

“This is also solid proof of the gov-

ernment’s commitment in providing assistance to those adversely impacted by the 2017 siege, especially our Maranao brothers and sisters, and help them rebuild their lives,” he added.

The five barangays that were energized were Moncado Kadingilan, Norhaya Village, Sangcay Dansalan, Moncado Colony and Datu Naga – comprising Sector 9 of the MAA.

BI chief warns vs. scam using gov’t officials’ names

BUREAU of Immigration Commissioner Jaime Morente has warned the public of an emerging online scam using the name of government officials.

Morente cited received reports of unscrupulous individuals using his name, as well as other government officials, in soliciting

money from unsuspecting victims.

The reports showed that the scammer, in an email, would pretend to be the BI Chief and would ask for money to be sent to a distressed friend overseas.

The scammer would pretend to have difficulty in sending money, and would

seek the assistance of his victim in wiring money on his behalf.

“This is a scam, attempting to use the name of government employees in their illegal activities,” Morente said.

“The public is warned against this new modus,” he added. Vito Barcelo

EMPOWERING SOLO PARENTS. The Department of Social Welfare and

Development in Tabaco City conducts livelihood skills training for solo parents who perform the dual role of housekeeper and breadwinner. Norman Cruz

A4

News

SATURDAY, MAY 21, 2022

SC places 5 members in 3 divisions in latest revamp

CHR to BBM: Gov’t should recalibrate war on illegal drugs

By Rey E. Requejo THE Supreme Court (SC) has revamped the membership in its three divisions with five justices each following President Rodrigo Duterte’s appointment of Associate Justice Maria Filomena D. Singh as its 15th magistrate.

With the reorganization, which took effect on May 19 the SC’s First Division is headed by Chief Justice Alexander G. Gesmundo as chairperson, Associate Justice Ramon Paul L. Hernando as working chairperson, and Associate Justices Rodil V. Zalamadea, Ricardo R. Rosario, and Jose Midas P. Marquez as members.

The Court’s Second Division is led by Senior Associate Justice Marvic Mario Victor F. Leonen as chairperson with Associate Justices Amy C. Lazaro Javier, Mario V. Lopez, Jhosep Y. Lopez, and Antonio T. Kho Jr. as members.

Associate Justice Alfredo Benjamin S. Caguioa is the chairperson of the Third Division with Associate Justices Henri Jean Paul B. Inting, Samuel H. Gaerlan, Japar B. Dimaampao and Singh as members.

The re-organization was contained in a special order issued by Senior Associate Justice Leonen as acting chief justice. Chief Justice Gesmundo is on wellness leave until May 30.

The SC divisions hold sessions Mondays and Wednesdays. As a full court, the SC holds sessions every Tuesday. But division or full court sessions may be called any day of the week to deliberate on urgent cases.

It is expected that there would be no changes in the division memberships until June 4, 2025 when Justice Mario V. Lopez mandatorily retires at age 70.

In many previous cases, some justices—not only in the SC but also in the appellate courts— opted to retire early or forced to relinquish their posts due to disabilities or other reasons.

VIRGIN MARY EXHIBIT. Select candidates of the Binibining Pilipinas grace the Marian Exhibit at the Ali Mall in Quezon City on Friday. The exhibit features various collections of the Virgin Mary from different collectors in the country Danny Pata

Rody hopes new gov’t will pursue change, progress P

By Vito Barcelo

RESIDENT Rodrigo Duterte is hoping that his successor would continue to pursue his administration’s quest for change and progress.

Duterte issued the remarks during the launching of the Philippine Postal Corp.’s (PHLPost) Digital Innovation and Modernization at the Central Post Office Building in Manila on Thursday, saying that the COVID-19 pandemic opened avenues for improvements to address the needs of the people.

“May our pursuit for change and progress never cease to gain more momentum in the coming years under the new leadership,” he said.

In his speech, he also urged the officials of PHLPost to continue its modernization efforts to ensure the “seamless” delivery of government services even beyond his term.

Duterte said that PHLPost’s modernization efforts were timely and relevant as it facilitates the efficient delivery of commu-

nications, payment of services, and goods and merchandise, especially as industries and businesses shift their operations to e-commerce and online transactions.

“In fulfillment of this administration’s Ease of Doing Business agenda beyond my term, I hope that you will constantly explore innovations and strategies that will further streamline, develop, and improve government services to the people for greater efficiency,” he said.

Duterte likewise expressed optimism that the PHLPost’s initiatives would help restore its integrity, as he acknowledged the public complaints against the supposed shortcomings of the PHLPost.

“I hope that these innovations, digital and all, will bring back the integrity of the Post Office. Many of the post of-

fices, in the past, not now—many years ago, the complaint of the public was that fundamentally, their packages were either opened or missing, all sorts of you know things that would make a person unhappy,” he said.

Malacañang on Friday also pushed for innovative strategies to promote transparency in government transactions.

Acting Deputy Presidential Spokesperson and Communications Undersecretary Michel Kristian Ablan, who also serves as the Freedom of Information (FOI) program director, stressed the need to continue the current administration’s efforts to provide the public with easy access to information.

“I want to emphasize the value of transparency and accountability in governance as we move forward with the new administration,” Ablan said during the culminating activity of FOI Philippines’ InfoDataQuest initiative.

The FOI-Project Management Office (FOI) has launched the InfoDataQuest campaign in support of the development of access to information and data analytics culture and practice in the country.

THE Commission on Human Rights (CHR) said on Friday that new administration under should recalibrate the past government’s war on drugs.

Earlier, the CHR reported that President Rodrigo Duterte’s administration failed to protect the rights of the victims of his crackdown against illegal drugs and that it only encouraged a “culture of impunity.”

CHR Commissioner Gwen Pimentel-Gana said presumptive president Ferdinand Marcos Jr. and the new administration is likely to continue the government’s anti-narcotics war. “And we are just hoping that they will recalibrate their approach to the drug problem,” Pimentel-Gana said in ANC’s “Rundown” program.

She said the new government should also continue investigating drug-related deaths.

Pimentel-Gana said it is the government’s obligation “because this drug war has actually lost, had so many deaths of innocent individuals also. They should continue seeking that justice is served to these victims.”

Earlier, the CHR in a 48-page report, said it found that police showed “intent to kill” and used “excessive force” in drug operations.

The CHR further said though law enforcers alleged the victims showed aggression or resisted arrest, there were only 31 incidents where operatives sustained injuries.

The CHR report said in 133 incidents, witness accounts “state discrepancies and inconsistencies in the official police narratives.”

“The use of excessive and disproportionate force is also evident in 329 incidents where a lone victim was killed in drug operations participated by a minimum of three well-trained and highly skilled police operatives, armed with highly reliable weapons,” the CHR report said.

“Out of the 234 victims with records on sustained gunshot wounds, 201 (86 percent) were shot in the head and/or torso—further manifesting the intent to kill by police operatives. Verily, the victims’ deaths were inevitable results of the police operations,” the report said.

The CHR further said it had no access to police documents in 295 of the drug killings due to lack of response, outright denials, or pending clearance from higher offices.

Group: 5 in 10 MM kids missed jabs during COVID

By Willie Casas FIVE out of 10 children aged 0 to five years in Metro Manila missed routine vaccination amid the COVID-19 pandemic, Philippine Medical Association (PMA) president Dr. Benito Atienza said on Friday.

Atienza, during the Laging Handa public briefing, said the Department of Health (DOH) has reached out to the PMA to help in administering vaccines in its vaccination campaign in the National Capital Region (NCR).

“Ang nangyari nga dyan five out of 10 na bata ay hindi nabakunahan during COVID-19 pandemic [What happened there is five out of 10 kids have missed their vaccination during the pandemic],” Atienza said.

Atienza encouraged parents to have their children vaccinated during the “Chikiting Ligtas” vaccination drive that will be held from May 30 to June 10.

The PMA President said the catch-up immunization drive will cover the shots that the children missed during the pandemic.

Last April, DOH Secretary Francisco Duque III said the COVID-19 pandemic caused a drop in the number of routine vaccinations among infants.

According to Duque, around 1.1 million kids did not complete their routine immunization. These include those who are undervaccinated and unvaccinated./Willie Casas The PMA further urged eligible persons for a third or fourth vaccine dose to get it after a more transmissible omicron subvariant was detected in the country.

The PMA will meet with the DOH on May 26 about the stock of booster shots and COVID-19 vaccines for children in specialty clinics and hospitals, he said.

On the other hand, Atienza said the next health chief must be patient, understanding, and able to communicate with the masses.

“Dapat down to earth, nakaka-relate lalo na sa lower strata... parang si idol dating secretary Juan Flavier. Nakakacommunicate, nadadala ang sentimiyento ng ating mga mamamayan (They should be down to earth and can relate to the lower strata of our society... just like idol and former Secretary Juan Flavier. They must be able to communicate and carry the sentiment of the public.),” he said in a televised briefing.

Priority groups get 2nd booster dose in San Juan

SECOND BOOSTER SHOTS. San

Juan Mayor Francis Zamora witnessed second booster shots given to medical frontliners and senior citizens of San Juan on May 20 at the city’s main vaccination site on the 3rd floor of V-Mall in Greenhills.

Manny Palmero

THE San Juan City government has started rolling out the second booster shot against COVID-19 to health care workers (A1) and senior citizens (A2) on Friday.

More than 2,000 residents signed up for second booster shots since Thursday.

“In less than 24 hours, more than 2,000 have registered. Ibig sabihin na naintindihan na nila ang kahalagahan ng (That means they have understood the importance of getting the) second booster shot,” San Juan Mayor Francis Zamora told reporters in an interview.

The city government has fully vaccinated about 3,000 medical front-liners and 15,000 senior citizens but is still

A1, A2 groups get 2nd booster shots in Manila THE Manila Health Department (MHD) has started conducting vaccination of the second booster shots for healthcare workers (A1), senior citizens (A2) and the immunocompromised (A3) on Thursday.

In a statement Friday, the MHD said a total of 1,625 persons have received their second booster shots of COVID-19 vaccines on May 19, 2022.

The MHD said the inoculation of the second booster is being conducted in the six public hospitals of the six districts of Manila, namely the Gat Andres Bonifacio Memorial Medical Center, Ospi-

CAUGHT OFF GUARD. Farmers in La Trinidad, Benguet were caught off guard as their harvestable and matured lettuce were damaged by days of incessant rains prevailing in the area for the past week. Pagasa earlier said that the rainy season has started. Dave Leprozo.

tal ng Tondo, Justice Jose Abad Santos General Hospital, Ospital ng Sampaloc, Ospital ng Maynila, and Sta. Ana Hospital.

Other vaccination sites were four shopping malls namely Robinsons Place Manila, SM City San Lazaro, SM City Manila, and Lucky Chinatown Mall.

The MHD is also conducting the inoculation of the second booster shots in the 44 health centers located in the six districts of Manila, as well as conducting this through home vaccinations.

Included in the immunocompromised individuals are the following:

Immunodeficiency State, HIV, Active Cancer or Malignancy, Transplant Recipients, Undergoing Steroid Treatment, patients with poor prognosis/bedridden patients, and other conditions of immunodeficiency as certified by the physician.

For categories A1 (healthcare workers) and A2 (senior citizens) COVID-19 vaccine brands used were Pfizer and Moderna.

For A3 category (immunocompromised persons), all COVID-19 vaccine brands available were used, depending on whether these are homologous or heterologous vaccines. Willie Casas

gathering data as to how many of them have been administered with the first booster dose.

“If all of them will register, we can give five days for the vaccination of our medical front-liners, and our senior citizens. It would probably take around two weeks [to complete their second booster shots],” Zamora said, partly in Filipino.

The mayor reminded qualified vaccinees to register via the San Juan City Vaccine Registration portal https://vaxreg. sanjuancity.gov.ph vaccine_registration/ public/ as they are not allowing walk-ins to avoid overcrowding and to make sure only the qualified priority sectors will get the

second booster shots.

Walk-ins are allowed only for the primary series. So far, only V-Mall in Greenhills is open for booster shots from 9 a.m. to 5 p.m., which can be extended to 9 p.m. if needed.

Primary series and first booster shots may also be availed of at V-Mall, San Juan City Hall, Santolan Town Plaza, and Puregold Agora along N. Domingo Street.

Vaccinees must bring a valid identification card and their vaccination cards.

“Just in case, if we will see that the numbers will go [up] in the next few days, we can open other sites for inoculation,” Zamora said.

QC exec suspended on harassment case

By Rio N. Araja

THE Quezon City government has suspended a high-ranking official for sexual harassment against another employee.

During the celebration of Women’s Month in March, Mayor Joy Belmonte declared a zero-tolerance policy for violence, abuse, and sexual harassment at the city hall in respect of all the women workers of the city government.

“We condemn all these vile acts of harassment against women, especially among our officials and employees. The Quezon City government is committed to addressing all sexual harassment cases regardless of gender and position in any department,” she said.

In the complaint letter, the female employee detailed several acts of verbal and physical sexual har-

assment against the high-ranking official.

The complaint was then forwarded to the Legislative Department’s Committee on Decorum and Investigation for corresponding investigation and recommendation.

After a series of hearings, Vice Mayor Gian Sotto as the disciplining authority for the legislative department found the official guilty of a less grave offense of sexual harassment defined under Memorandum Circular No. 12-S2020 and 2017 Rules on Administrative Cases in the Civil Service with a penalty of suspension without pay for six months.

Belmonte encouraged city government employees to report any act of harassment and abuse to break the culture of silence brought about by the fear of losing their jobs or the chance of being promoted, especially if perpetrators are superiors.

Opinion US midterms and the strange demise of the political center

By Frankie Taggart A GIANT Donald Trump mural on the front lawn. An anti-Biden rap video. A TV ad featuring an assault rifle and a vow to do “whatever it takes” to restore America to its “former glory.”

It isn’t campaigning as Lincoln or Kennedy knew it, but it worked for midwestern underdog candidate J.R. Majewski, and analysts worry it could be a glimpse of future US primary election seasons in a country that is losing its moderate political center.

Establishment Republicans in Majewski’s northwest Ohio swing district — where he is vying to win a US House seat in November’s midterm elections — spent six-figure sums trying to get more moderate rivals nominated.

But the Trump-backed air force veteran and conspiracy theorist won anyway, seeing off more favored state lawmakers after being endorsed by Paul Gosar, a far-right congressman.

In South Carolina, another Trump-endorsed hopeful, Katie Arrington, has called for disbanding the US Department of Education, President Joe Biden’s impeachment and the arrest of government Covid-19 advisor Anthony Fauci.

‘This is where things get dangerous.’

She is challenging first-term Republican congresswoman Nancy Mace, who is out of favor with Trump after blaming him for the 2021 US Capitol assault.

The races are early fronts in a battle already playing out in Republican and Democratic primary contests across America, as establishment politicians find their hopes of representing their parties in the midterms threatened by more extreme challengers.

In Pennsylvania, state senator and election denier Doug Mastriano, who helped Trump try to overturn the state’s 2020 results that favored Biden, swatted away several less controversial Republicans Tuesday to win the party’s nomination for governor.

But Trump, whose status as political kingmaker is being tested, also experienced setbacks Tuesday including in Idaho, where his favorite gubernatorial candidate Janice McGeachin, who reportedly said this month that “Christ will reign in the state,” lost to the incumbent.

In coming weeks Republican moderates, pragmatists and compromisers will face Trump-backed culture warriors in several races, in Illinois, Michigan, Minnesota, South Carolina and Washington.

‘Winner-take-all’ Across the aisle, Pennsylvania state congresswoman and community organizer Summer Lee, who identifies as a “Democratic Socialist,” was narrowly leading the field after

Tuesday’s primary to replace retiring moderate Mike Doyle.

She is backed by Justice Democrats, the group that sponsored leftist New York congresswoman Alexandria Ocasio-Cortez’s first campaign and is sending a new generation of leftist legislators to Washington.

Ocasio-Cortez is the most prominent member of the so-called “Squad” — a group of staunchly progressive Democrats poised for gains in seats and influence in November despite the party’s likely loss of the House of Representatives.

As many as six Squad-aligned candidates have realistic chances of winning House seats this cycle, against more middle-of-theroad Democrats.

The numbers sound small, but lawmakers on the fringes tend to have outsized influence on political discourse because they make all the noise and attract attention.

The Common Ground Committee, which campaigns to reduce incivility in politics, says it observed a coarsening of public discourse following 2008’s global financial meltdown.

“There seems to be an increasing level of vitriol generated by a ‘winner-take-all’ attitude in Congress that actively discourages working with those across the aisle and is exacerbated by the highly polarized cable news media,” co-founder Bruce Bond told AFP. “Many things have come together to encourage polarization and people need to stop supporting it.”

‘Bell-shaped curve’ A Pew Research Center analysis found Democrats and Republicans are further apart today than at any time in the past 50 years.

In 1972, 144 House Republicans were less conservative than the most conservative Democrat, and 52 House Democrats were less liberal than the most liberal Republican, according to the analysis.

But that common ground began to shrink, and since 2002, there has been no overlap at all. In the Senate, that overlap ended in 2004.

“The polarization has changed American public opinion from a bell-shaped curve — where most voters and the parties were in the center — to a bimodal curve with the center of the two parties drifting apart and ideologically purifying,” political scientist David Schultz told AFP. The professor, who teaches at Minnesota liberal arts college Hamline University, believes economic restructuring, race, social issues and technology are driving the diversification — with Trump “merely the personification of trends already occurring.”

Progressive political consultant Zee Cohen-Sanchez blames the cash that has flooded politics in recent years, incentivizing candidates to carve out controversial positions that gain attention and funding.

“Because our elections have become astronomically expensive, people seek to make fast money rather than raising money from everyday Americans,” Cohen-Sanchez said.

“That’s where things get dangerous.” AFP

Hungary’s neutral war stance puts off Ukraine refugees

By Peter Murphy LIKE Kristina Novytska, most Ukrainian refugees in Hungary are keen to leave the country, whose nationalist leader’s neutral stance on the war is an exception in the EU. “I like Hungary so much... but I also saw how the Hungarian government thinks about us,” Novytska told AFP at The Workshop, a shelter for refugees run by a Budapest resident.

The 39-year-old fashion designer fled Kyiv with her two-year-old daughter soon after Russia invaded Ukraine and now wants to look for work in an English-speaking country.

Despite Hungarian government claims of providing for hundreds of thousands of refugees, only an estimated 10 to 20 percent of Ukrainians stay more than a few days, according to relief organisations.

Personal networks abroad, language and job prospects are key in refugees’ decisions where to go, aid organisations say.

But nationalist Prime Minister Viktor Orban’s neutral stance on the war, as well as his moves to dismantle the system supporting asylum seekers and refugees are additional push factors.

‘Uncomfortable’ “It’s as if the government would like refugees in general to avoid Hungary,” said Viktoria Horvath of Migration Aid, which runs a help desk in the government-run BOK aid centre in Budapest.

In the vast centres, dozens of volunteer staff outnumber refugees by far.

United Nations data estimates that more than 620,000 Ukrainian refugees have crossed into Hungary since the invasion on February 24.

But according to official Hungarian data,

only around 20,000 have applied for “temporary protection” that grants them access to the local health and social insurance systems.

In the days after the invasion, Orban described Hungary as “a good friend of Ukraine” and said his government would help Ukrainians — contrary to its usual antirefugee stance that has seen the country push back on asylum seekers, mostly from the Middle East and Africa.

At the same time, Orban, who has sought close ties with Vladimir Putin in recent years, has avoided naming the Russian leader as being responsible for the war.

Some of the animosity is rooted in the two countries’ recent history.

Orban has sent aid to Ukraine, but he has refused to send weapons, saying it could draw Hungary into the conflict.

This “stay out” approach is seen as having propelled him to a fourth straight term in office in another landslide win last month.

His stance has not won him praise among the leadership in Kyiv.

Ukrainian President Volodymyr Zelensky told Orban in a video message in March that “once and for all, you should decide who you are with”.

Hitting back during an election day victory speech on April 3, Orban described Zelensky as an opponent, a remark met by cheers from his supporters.

Most recently, Orban has said he would not be able to support an EU oil embargo, citing Hungary’s dependence on Russian imports.

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EDITORIAL

Migrant woes N OFFICIAL of the Department of Foreign Affairs said more Middle Eastern countries may be willing to discuss changes in their sponsorship system for foreign workers. This system is more commonly known as “kafala.”

A

The openness appears unprecedented.

“Never before have we ever seen the openness of these countries to listen to us, to open their doors, to build a bridge because they want to do better,” said Undersecretary for Migrant Workers’ Affairs Sarah Lou Arriola said, as reported by GMA News.

Under the system, foreign workers require a local sponsor and need its permission to change jobs or leave the country altogether.

The sponsor could either be an individual or a company. The arrangement has left workers vulnerable and at the mercy of their sponsors.

“Kafala” has often been called modernday slavery Six years ago, Arriola said, reforms to the system were practically a taboo topic during United Nations activities, and all other nations were wary of offending the countries which observed it.

But since the death of Joana Demafelis, a 29-year-old migrant worker from the Phil-

ippines found in a freezer in Kuwait, there have been some changes.

Would it not be good if Filipinos viewed migration as just an option, rather than a necessity, for upward mobility?

In 2018, it was only Bahrain willing to talk about kafala. But this week, Philippines representatives attended the International Migration Review Forum 2022. Arriola said they were able to talk to the United Arab Emirates, Qatar, Kuwait, Oman, Saudi Arabia, and Bahrain on migrant workers’ matters.

Such a system is based on a mindset that migrants of countries like the Philippines need their jobs in these foreign lands more than their employers need them. Once these OFWs arrive in these countries, they face uncertain working conditions. The presence of embassies or consulates does not guarantee immediate resolution of their woes. Sometimes, these do not even get resolved at all.

The new department created to protect the interest of our migrant workers has a daunting task ahead of it. Not only does it have to address problems that may arise; it also has to address the decades-old issues that have hounded our OFWs and their families.

Certainly, the fact that we have institutionalized the export of labor instead of seeing it as a temporary measure until better economic opportunities come along is an occasion for sadness and frustration. It reflects how our leaders have, over many years, failed to create an economic environment that would sustain a good quality of life for Filipinos, such that they have to make the painful – and often perilous – choice of leaving their families behind just to earn decent wages.

Let’s welcome this development among Middle Eastern countries and continue to push for the interests of our workers, with the end – ideal – scenario of Filipinos viewing migration as just an option, rather than a necessity, for upward mobility.

ASEAN wary of US motivations diversify and command higher value for their exports. Second, the competitive challenge posed by China’s maintaining a reasonable value to their currency allowed other countries to take advantage of the policy of true multilateralism, which is open and free from US economic sanctions.

Fifth, the novel idea to produce arms among Asian countries to increase the value of their exports; or to pursue their own security interest is totally different from the US and from other former colonial countries.

Asian countries, particularly China and India will never convert the region as an Asian version of NATO as UK’s foreign minister Lis Trass would propose. NATO today has been reduced as a US dominion, an ideal ground for the US to launch a proxy war.

ANALYZING the latest move of the US to call on the members of ASEAN, it would seem the US has not gotten away with the habit of calling its allies to seek reassurance it would always be around to assert its declared policies like containing and isolating China. The US’ role is more of a security blanket to exercise its unipolar power, and make adulation to their conceived “dynamic” world order.

US motivations are being questioned.

Why? First, ASEAN has gone a long way since its inception in 1967. During that era, the US almost monopolized trade. As a single trading partner, it nearly commanded 50 percent of all exports from the members. It was understandable because the US holds more than 70 percent of the world’s manufactured goods.

However, China today has overtaken the US in the export of manufacturing and is equally competing in the importation of raw materials from ASEAN. Second, the ASEAN, becoming an industrial bloc, the member-countries compete among themselves. This naturally led to the diversification of exports, which is the reason why the US has to increase the value of its currency to increase their profit, unaware that such a strategy would equally diminish their market.

Third, the ASEAN ratification of RCEP in effect expanded the coverage of the trade bloc to include countries outside the region.

Countries outside of RCEP, in anticipation to the completion of China’s Belt and Road Initiative (BRI), took advantage of the rights and privileges given under the new Eurasian railways with China at the top because the terminal hub begins in China to put into operation the global supply chain. US refusal to join RCEP allowed itself to be left out of the global market.

Fourth, the fading of the traditional colonial exports like sugar and copra have given way to accelerate land reform. This in turn forced countries to cut their colonial bondage with the US, as when the Philippines did not extend the lopsided Laurel-Langley Agreement in 1974. Colonial-based exports have been pinpointed as the cause of social unrest in most underdeveloped countries. The colonial or “traditional” exports like coconut oil and coffee served to reconsolidate control and ownership of agricultural lands, mostly by the local elite who generated much wealth through the export of these products.

The demise of these colonial-based products was attributed to two factors: First, the decoupling of the US dollar from the gold standard, thus forcing exporting countries to

NATO members are allies willing to shed blood for the cause of the US, and to start a proxy war will be a windfall for the giant US arms manufacturers. In fact, it saved the US economy from decay and financial mismanagement though unabated revaluation of its currency, and over-printing of US dollar, gargantuan foreign debt, and the loss of market for its exports.

The diversification of exports and the manufacture of arms among Asian countries has considerably weakened US revenue and concomitantly its policy for the whole of Asia.

Many countries like Japan, India, Pakistan, South Korea, Indonesia, and Thailand are manufacturing a variety of weapons although countries like Japan and South Korea are mostly under license from US arms manufacturers. It is only Taiwan whose arms industry is wholly circumscribed to the US policy, which is to contain China.

Asian arms producers have limited markets and have no colonial ambition to produce and sell sophisticated weapons to influence other countries. In fact, Asia cannot match NATO’s requirement that each member must contribute 2 percent of their GDP for the defense of the alliance. If this happens, the US arms manufacturers will be singing hallelujah for having on their side mules volunteering to fight their cause.

The US continues to have a grip in its arm sales in the Philippines mainly due to the existence of our defense agreement. Our military agreement undoubtedly includes our purchase of weapons and the provisions to US military advisers dictating to us what they see fit for

“Ukrainians do tend to feel uncomfortable here,” said Anya Yelina, a university dance and choreography teacher from Kyiv, who came to Hungary in early March.

“The problem is that Orban is pro-Russian, and everyone among the refugees is talking about it constantly,” added the 25-year-old, whose brother has worked in Hungary for three years but now also wants to leave.

‘Demolished’ asylum system Some of the animosity is rooted in the two countries’ recent history.

Budapest has in recent years complained about what it sees as discrimination of a large Hungarian minority in western Ukraine, discouraging them to speak their language.

Since the invasion, pro-Russian narratives relativising Moscow’s aggression have also

been prominent on Hungary’s heavily proOrban public media.

“There are millions of people (in Hungary) watching TV channels or reading news that are actually following the Kremlin line,” Patrik Szicherle, an analyst, told AFP. In a poll last month, market researcher Ipsos found that 67 percent of Hungarians agree that “the problems of Ukraine are none of our business, and we should not interfere”.

It was among the highest of the 27 countries polled, and well above the average of 39 percent.

Unlike in nearby Poland or the Czech Republic, there have also been no large solidarity rallies against Russia’s invasion.

The problem for Ukrainian refugees is also institutional.

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

What exactly is a dynamic world order?

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

our use, often overpriced and unfit for our armed forces.

Sixth, the latest US economic assistance of $150 million for the ASEAN to allegedly shore up the association’s economy is a drop in the bucket. Many of the member countries could see the disparity given them to what it now offers to embattled Ukraine of $40 billion arms package by the US Congress to fight the Russian invasion. The offer of assistance is conditioned on China lending the US additional loan. Senator Rand Paul already raised the objection of the US sustaining a war in a foreign land based on borrowed money, yet giving so little to help countries of Southeast Asia to improve their economies in such crucial areas as “digital economy” and to come out with better standards for their emerging technologies.

The package seeks to bolster Southeast Asia’s climate, maritime and public health infrastructure in pursuit of its interest in the alleged increasing military aggressiveness of China in the South China, and in defending the freedom of navigation on the rule-based order of international law.

The total amount of COVID-19 vaccines alone allocated by China, which arrived in airlifted batches, were given to millions of our people for free. The US has refused to join RCEP for it seems that China would play a lead role in directing the flow of the trade. The RCEP is made up of 10 ASEAN countries and five partners namely China, Japan, New Zealand and Australia. The refusal of the US is a great loss because RCEP today is the biggest trade bloc in the world covering a market of 2.2 billion consumers and accounts for more than 30% of the global GDP and about 28 percent of the global trade.

The summit called by the US with ASEAN partakes of a tall order. If one has to examine what China and other countries in the region contributed, many of them already spent billions in the fight against pandemic compared to the amount allocated by the US. The total amount of COVID-19 vaccines alone allocated by China, which arrived in airlifted batches, were given to millions of our people for free.

The use of rule-based order in international relations is something of a catch phrase. Remember, the order is a rule imposed by the US, and made part of international law by the US because it was issued as a unilateral policy. A rule-based order must be based and approved by international law through convention or by the UN Security Council. In this case, the so-called rule-based order is merely a policy pronouncement made by the US President or by the State Department with the cavalier imposition of their usual unilateralist policy. (rpkapunan@gmail.com) Hungary “demolished” its asylum system in recent years, which makes it harder for Ukrainians to integrate, according to Aniko Bakonyi of the Hungarian Helsinki Committee, a refugee rights group.

Since 2015, fences were built on Hungary’s southern borders, and refugee camps shuttered.

Police are also obliged by law to physically “push back” migrants across the borders, while asylum seekers since 2020 can only submit applications at embassies abroad.

“The open border with Ukraine and humanitarian aid is the right way, but refugees need to see a perspective, and a holistic system of services to integrate in a new home,” Bakonyi said. AFP

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

Associate Editors News Editor City Editor

Emil P. Jurado

Honor Blanco Cabie Night Editor Lino M. Santos Chief Photographer

Chairman Emeritus, Editorial Board

B2

World

SATURDAY, MAY 21, 2022 mst.daydesk@gmail.com

Biden leaves for Asia under Ukraine, Nokor nuke shadows WASHINGTON—President Joe Biden left Thursday for South Korea and Japan to cement US leadership in Asia at a time when the White House’s attention has been pulled back to Russia and Europe -- and amid fears of a North Korean nuclear test during his trip.

Biden wants the trip to build on recent moves accelerating a years-long US pivot to Asia, where rising Chinese commercial and military power is undercutting Washington’s dominance.

But highlighting competing demands from Europe, Biden met right before his departure with the leaders of Finland and Sweden to celebrate their applications for joining NATO —a seismic development sparked by Russia’s invasion of Ukraine.

In another sign of growing US involvement in the conflict, the White House said that while Biden was in Asia he would put his signature on a massive, $40 billion Ukraine weapons and aid package passed Thursday by Congress.

Signing the bill “expeditiously” will ensure no gap in the funding flow, National Security Advisor Jake Sullivan told reporters aboard Air Force One en route to Seoul.

A separate crisis awaits Biden on arrival, however -- jitters that North Korea’s unpredictable leadership will choose his trip as the moment to test a nuclear capable missile or even conduct a test nuclear explosion.

Despite a spiraling Covid outbreak, Pyongyang’s “preparations for a nuclear test have been completed and they are only looking for the right time,” South Korean lawmaker Ha Tae-keung said after being briefed by Seoul’s spy agency.

Sullivan said there was “real risk of some kind of provocation while we’re in the region, whether in South Korea or Japan.”

“We know what we will do to reManila spond to them. We have communiStandard cated with not just our allies, but also TODAY with China,” he said. AFP

Russia turns Donbas into ‘hell’ as US readies $40 billion in aid

K

YIV—The renewed Russian offensive in Ukraine’s Donbas has turned the eastern region into “hell”, President Volodymyr Zelensky said, as the United States approved a gargantuan $40-billion aid package for the country.

east of Ukraine, devastating towns and villages with artillery fire.

Moscow’s forces have been trying to take complete control of Donbas, a Russian-speaking area that has been partially controlled since 2014 by pro-Kremlin separatists.

“In Donbas, the occupiers are trying to increase pressure,” Zelensky said in his nightly address on Thursday.

“There’s hell, and that’s not an exaggeration.”

The defense ministry in Kyiv said Thursday that Russian forces were preAfter failing to take Kyiv following the venting civilians in Donbas from fleeing launch of the invasion in February, Russia to Ukrainian-controlled territory.

In Severodonetsk, 12 people were has focused its attacks on the south and

killed and another 40 wounded when Russian forces shelled the eastern city, the regional governor said.

Severodonetsk and its sister city Lysychansk make up the last pocket of Ukrainian resistance in the smaller of the two regions comprising the Donbas war zone.

Russian forces have surrounded the two—split by a river marking a central front of the war—and are bombarding them to try and wear down resistance and starve residents of supplies.

The residents still in the now ghostly city are afraid to take more than a few steps outside their front door.

Nella Kashkina sat in her basement

next to an oil lamp and prayed.

“I do not know how long we can last,” the 65-year-old said.

“We have no medicine left and a lot of sick people—sick women—need medicine. There is simply no medicine left at all.”

Zelensky on Thursday described the bombardment of Severodonetsk as “brutal and absolutely pointless”.

- Biden backs Finland, Sweden Ukraine’s allies, led by the United States and the European Union, have given billions of dollars in assistance— including military equipment—to Kyiv since the Russian invasion began on February 24. AFP

Nobel laureate new East Timor leader on 20th year of freedom DILI, East Timor—Nobel laureate Jose Ramos-Horta was inaugurated as East Timor’s president on Friday, pledging to break a longstanding political deadlock in Southeast Asia’s youngest country as it celebrated its 20th independence anniversary.

The former Portuguese colony, which became independent from Indonesia in 2002 after 24 years of occupation, marked the occasion with a concert and fireworks for thousands in the capital Dili.

The 72-year-old revolutionary hero, himself a former president of East Timor, defeated incumbent Francisco “Lu-Olo” Guterres in the April 19 runoff vote, securing 62 percent against the former guerrilla fighter’s 37 perCYAN MAGENTA YELLOW BLACK cent.

In a wide-ranging speech at parliament delivered in four languages in the early hours of Friday, Ramos-HorFOR BIDEN’S VISIT. Pedestrians walk past banners calling for strength of the South Korea-US alliance near the US embassy in ta called for national unity between riSeoul on May 20, ahead of US President Joe Biden’s visit to South Korea. AFP val parties that have had a tumultuous relationship in recent years.

“I will fulfil with loyalty the functions that have been invested in me... and will dedicate all my energies and knowledge to the defense and consolidation of independence and national unity,” the bespectacled leader said.

LAUNCESTON—The man narrowly tipped to his personal journey—from the son of a single “Peace will only be real and lastbecome Australia’s next prime minister predict- mum living in Sydney public housing to the ing when it is achieved through died a “close” outcome in Saturday’s vote, as he threshold of the highest office in the land. alogue and mutual respect in which “It says a lot about this country,” he said, voice barnstormed the country in an eleventh-hour bid neither party feels coerced and hucracking with emotion. “That someone from to defend a shrinking lead. miliated,” he added, addressing a “We knew that this election was going to be those beginnings... can stand before you today, crowd of military and diplomatic close,” said Anthony Albanese, admitting his hoping to be elected prime minister of this counpersonnel.

Labor Party still had a “mountain to climb” to try tomorrow.”

At one point in the ceremony, Raend nine years of unbroken conservative governIf elected, Albanese notes he would be the first mos-Horta received an embrace from Australian with a non-Anglo or Celtic surname ment. his presidential predecessor Guterres.

More than 17 million Australians are reg- to be prime minister.

The election, which passed withBut he’s up against a tough campaigner in inistered to vote in an election that could bring out incident, was seen as a chance to an end to decades of foot-dragging on climate cumbent Prime Minister Scott Morrison, who reset the political deadlock between defied the polls three years ago in what he termed change and a less pugilistic style of leadership. his National Congress of the Recon“I have given absolutely everything. I have got a “miracle” election. struction of Timor-Leste (CNRT) Speaking in Western Australia, Morrison admitnothing left in the tank,” Albanese said, embarkand Guterres’s Revolutionary Front ted his compatriots go into election day “fatigued ing on a last-minute four-state blitz. for an Independent East Timor Delivering his closing argument to voters in and tired” having endured three years of bushfires, (Fretilin). AFP Adelaide, Albanese welled up as he reflected on droughts, floods and the pandemic. AFP

Candidates crisscross Australia on eve of ‘close’ election with 17m set to vote

Brief trip home by exiled ex-king raises Spain’s ire

(MS-MAY 21, 2022)

SANXENXO, Spain—Spain’s former king made his first trip home on Thursday after nearly two years in exile following a string of financial scandals, sparking widespread criticism.

Although prosecutors closed their probes into Juan Carlos I’s affairs in March, revelations about the murky origins of his fortune have done irreparable damage to a figure once revered for his role in Spain’s transition to democracy following decades of dictatorship.

“What we’ve heard in recent years has been very worrying for everyone regarding the institution of the head of state,” Economy Minister and Deputy Prime Minister Nadia Calvino told Cadena Ser radio.

“There’s no doubt we need some explanations.”

The 84-year-old former monarch arrived on Thursday evening by private jet in Vigo in northwestern Spain ahead of a three-day regatta in the nearby resort of Sanxenxo.

His yacht, the “Bribon” -- Spanish for “rascal”—is participating, and is the same vessel with which he and his crew won the world sailing title in 2017.

Juan Carlos smiled, waved and offered a thumbs up to onlookers as he arrived at the home of a friend in Sanxenxo where he will be staying.

On Monday, he travels to Madrid to visit his wife Sofia, his son King Felipe VI and other family members before leaving the same day for Abu Dhabi “where he has established his permanent residence”, the palace said late Wednesday.

He has been living there since going into self-imposed exile in August 2020. AFP

STILL MOURNING. A relative of the victims of the 1985 Accomarca massacre

walks past niches at the abandoned military base of Accomarca, Ayacucho, southern Peru, on May 19. The remains of 42 of the 61 victims of the largest massacre of peasants by a Peruvian army patrol, perpetrated 37 years ago during the internal war, were handed over to their families on Wednesday. AFP

TikTok star ripped over forest fire video ISLAMABAD -- A Pakistani social media star with millions of followers is facing criticism after posing for a TikTok video by a forest fire, as a devastating heatwave causes widespread misery in the country.

The user “Dollyofficiall” posted a clip of herself walking playfully in a silver ball gown in front of a burning hillside with the caption: “Fire erupts wherever I am.”

It comes after police arrested a man earlier this month in the northwestern city of Abbottabad for intentionally starting a forest fire as a background for a video.

Temperatures have peaked at 51 degrees Celsius in parts of Pakistan in recent days,

leaving the poor and vulnerable struggling to beat the heat in the impoverished country.

Dolly, who has more than 11 million followers on TikTok, said in a statement released by an assistant that she did not start the fire and there was “no harm in making videos”.

The clip has since been taken down.

“She should have been holding a bucket of water to extinguish the fire instead of glamorizing it,” Rina Saeed Khan Satti, an environmental activist and chairperson of the Islamabad Wildlife Management Board, told AFP. AFP

Business

B3

SATURDAY, MAY 21, 2022 || extrastory2000@gmail.com

Japan inflation hit 7-year high of 2.1% in April

PSEi May 20, 2022

TOP GAINERS LAST PRICE

% CHANGE CHANGE

1 2

BHI HI

0.105 3.68

0.01 0.32

10.53% 9.52%

3 4

TECHW PXP

0.59 4.99

0.05 0.39

9.26% 8.48%

5 6

TUGS ALLHC

0.77 4.26

0.06 0.3

8.45% 7.58%

7

SOC

0.62

0.04

6.90%

8 9

APO UBP

0.93 81

0.06 4.45

6.90% 5.81%

10

FGEN

20.45

1.11

5.74%

TOP LOSERS LAST PRICE

% CHANGE CHANGE

1 2

FFI ALHI

4.94 6

-2.06 -0.89

-29.43% -12.92%

3 4

LODE REG

0.455 2.9

-0.06 -0.33

-10.78% -10.22%

5 6

NI ATI

0.91 13.06

-0.07 -0.94

-7.14% -6.71%

7

MB

0.365

-0.025

-6.41%

8 9 10

BNCOM SLF PSE

11.12 2300 200

-0.48 -98 -8

-4.14% -4.09% -3.85%

MOST ACTIVE 1 2 3 4 5 6

SMPH ALI CNVRG MONDE BDO ICT

VOLUME 15,958,000 15,251,600 14,221,100 25,469,900 2,769,660 1,390,320

VALUE (PHP) 601,620,740 439,761,570 401,561,200 400,066,630 360,201,407 292,485,456

7 8

SCC TEL

8,618,700 132,005

277,548,355 260,165,150

9 10

URC GLO

2,186,430 86,085

233,405,184 216,388,700

ECONOMIC CRISIS. Police use water canon to disperse university students protesting to demand the resignation of Sri Lanka’s President Gotabaya Rajapaksa over the country’s crippling economic crisis, in Colombo on May 19, 2022. AFP

Market rises; SM Prime, Ayala Land lead gainers S TOCKS rallied Friday along with the rest of Asia following China’s decision to lower a key benchmark rate, injecting optimism among traders that it could boost the world’s second-largest economy from its COVIDbattered knees.

The Philippine Stock Exchange Index rose 86.28 points, or 1.3 percent, to 6,746.33 on a value turnover of nearly P7.2 billion. Gainers overwhelmed losers, 131 to 62, with 43 issues unchanged.

SM Prime Holdings Inc. of the Sy Group advanced 4.3 percent to P37.80, while major property developer Ayala Land Inc. of the Ayala Group climbed 3.8 percent to P29.

Semira Mining and Power Corp. of the Consunji Group, the biggest coal producer, increased 3.2 percent to

P32.50, while Universal Robina Corp. of the Gokongwei Group, the largest snack food maker, added 1.9 percent to P108.

The rest of Asian markets saw a sustained bump Friday.

Downcast earning reports from retailers this week have heightened uncertainty in the world markets at a time of rising interest rates, surging energy prices, China’s COVID lockdowns and Russia’s ongoing war in Ukraine.

Wall Street took a beating Thursday, adding to its very bad week as the markets reacted to back-to-back earnings misses from Walmart and Target which revealed difficulties managing rising costs, as well as weaker-than-expected Chinese economic data.

On Friday morning, China’s central bank announced it would lower its fiveyear loan prime rate—a key interest rate governing how lenders base their mortgage rates—from 4.6 percent to 4.45 percent.

The move will help reduce mortgage

costs, serving as a boost for demand as China undergoes a property slump and its economy bleeds from stopped ports and factories due to COVID lockdowns.

It is “without doubt a positive in terms of raising the market’s sentiment,” Niu Chunbao, fund manager at Shanghai Wanji Asset Management, told Bloomberg.

Tokyo, Seoul, Singapore and Sydney all saw a sustained one percent boost, while Hong Kong’s Hang Seng led the rally—up by more than 3 percent in the afternoon.

A strong fiscal stimulus “is also expected” from the central government given persistent headwinds to growth, said Chaoping Zhu, a Shanghai-based global market strategist with JP Morgan Asset Management.

“In addition to the conventional approaches including infrastructure investment and tax deduction, direct subsidies or cash payout to consumers may be adopted to stabilize domestic demand and employment,” he said.

With AFP

Tunisia beekeepers abuzz over early warning system app

By Aymen Jamli TESTOUR, Tunisia—Elias Chebbi inspected a beehive in a field in Tunisia, minutes after a buzz on his phone warned him of a potential problem.

The 39-year-old beekeeper opened a flap in the hive to reveal a low-cost, locally made sensor dedicated to measuring key environmental variables.

An app on his phone then warns him if action needs to be taken.

“Thanks to this, I can relax,” he said.

“It tells me remotely everything that’s happening.”

Chebbi has two of the sensors, entirely produced in Tunisia by the only company of its kind in North Africa.

He periodically places one in each of the 100 or so hives he keeps, on a grassy hillside an hour’s drive from the capital Tunis.

The devices, each costing under 300 Tunisian dinars (around 92 euros), send live updates on temperature, humidity and the weight of the hive to a central computer.

It then analyses the data and helps him react quickly to potential problems—as well as selecting the most resilient, productive queens for breeding.

That is a major asset as bee colonies face multiple threats, including climate change and increasingly common collapses of entire hives.

Key role of bees Chebbi remembers being stung by a sudden heatwave in 2013, before he started using the system, when he lost around a quarter of his hives.

“I had big losses, 26 hives, because of humidity and the sudden change in temperature,” he said.

But since he started using the SmartBee system—developed in 2020 by a group of young Tunisian engineering graduates—his losses have dropped dramatically, to under 10 percent of his hives in a given year.

He has also boosted his honey production by 30-40 percent.

Today, Khaled Bouchoucha, 34-year-old CEO of manufacturer Beekeeper Tech, says the sensors gather “a huge amount of information on

Tunisian beekeeper Elias Chebbi, who uses a locally-made SmartBee device that remotely monitors internal factors in real time and accesses key performance indicators inside his hives, holds a honeycomb in the northern Tunisian area of Testour, in the Beja province, on April 8, 2022. The device sends live updates on temperature, humidity and the weight of the hive to the Beekeeper Tech company’s cloud computing system, which analyses it to identify potential problems. AFP

the bees’ yield and the threats they face.”

The gadgets “gather reliable data in real time, so beekeepers can make good decisions and avoid collapse of their hives,” he said.

This data is then fed wirelessly to the company’s cloud computing system, which analyses it to identify potential problems.

If it does, it sends a warning to the beekeeper to intervene—by cooling overheating hives, adding insulation to those that are dangerously cold, or providing sugar solution to those whose weight shows that they have not produced enough honey to survive the winter.

Beekeeper Tech has sold over 1,000 of the systems, mostly in Tunisia and neighboring countries.

Bouchoucha says customers are swarming to the app and the firm’s workers are preparing another 1,500 orders for customers in Libya, Algeria, Saudi Arabia and even New Zealand.

Boosting food security Bee populations around the world are facing disaster from overuse of pesticides, mites and temperature extremes due to climate change.

That also spells catastrophe for humans, as we depend on pollination by bees for over a quarter of all the food we consume.

According to the UN’s Food and Agricul-

ture Organization, three quarters of the world’s main crops depend on pollinators—but the insects are in decline worldwide, mostly due to human activities.

Beekeeping itself is also a vital livelihood for many.

In Tunisia, with its population of 11 million, the sector employs some 13,000 people and produces some 2,800 tons of honey every year, according to its agricultural union.

The FAO marks a World Bee Day every year on May 20 to raise awareness about “the essential role bees and other pollinators play in keeping people and the planet healthy.”

The SmartBee app offers more than an early warning system.

The data it collects also tells beekeepers about the health and productivity of each hive, its resistance to changes in climate.

Mnaouer Djemali, chief scientific officer at the National Agronomic Institute of Tunisia and a co-founder of Beekeeper Tech, said data from the hives “enables us to measure the profitability of each queen” and to select the best for breeding.

“That can help us boost our food security and sovereignty,” he said. “We are sorely in need of that in a world full of diseases and wars.” AFP

TOKYO, Japan—Japan’s core consumer prices posted their biggest jump in seven years in April, official data showed Friday, as global commodity prices soared and the yen slumped against the dollar.

The core consumer price index, which excludes fresh food, jumped 2.1 percent year-on-year, according to figures released by the internal affairs ministry.

It was the first time since March 2015 that the figure has breached the 2.0 percent set by the Bank of Japan as its long-term inflation target.

The reading, against market expectations of 2.0 percent, is the eighth consecutive monthly increase following a 0.8 percent rise in March.

And excluding energy, prices were up 0.8 percent in April, against market expectations of a 0.7 percent rise.

That was the first positive figure since July 2020, underpinning the impact of skyrocketing energy costs which have been magnified by higher import prices.

After years of price stagnation, some manufacturers and stores in Japan who rely on imported resources have begun to raise prices.

Last month, the Bank of Japan hiked its full-year inflation forecast but cautioned that it sees rising prices, driven by a surge in commodity costs partly caused by the Ukraine war, as a temporary and volatile trend.

Despite climbing prices and a slump in the yen to a 20-year low against the dollar, the bank left its ultra-loose monetary policy unchanged.

The bank argues that the price rises are not likely to last and therefore do not mean its inflation target has been achieved.

Some economists agree, with UBS economists Masamichi Adachi and Go Kurihara saying “goods-driven inflation is unlikely to be sustainable” and “upside risk appears limited especially in energy prices.”

Others pointed out that last month’s leap was driven in large part by a plunge last April in mobile phone fees. AFP

China condemns Canada’s ‘groundless’ Huawei 5G ban BEIJING, China—China on Friday hit out at Ottawa for blocking Chinese telecoms giants Huawei and ZTE from Canadian 5G networks, describing the ban as “groundless” ban and based on spurious security risks.

Canada’s long-awaited move follows the United States and other key allies, and comes on the heels of a diplomatic row between Ottawa and Beijing over the detention of a senior Huawei executive on a US warrant, which has now been resolved.

“China is firmly opposed to this,” foreign ministry spokesman Wang Wenbin told reporters of the 5G block, adding Beijing would “take all necessary measures” to protect Chinese companies.

“This move runs counter to market economy principles and free trade rules,” he added.

Canadian Industry Minister Francois-Philippe Champagne made the announcement on Thursday, citing their “intention to prohibit the inclusion of Huawei and ZTE products and services in Canada’s telecommunication systems.”

The United States has warned of the security implications of giving Chinese tech companies access to telecommunications infrastructure that could be used for state espionage.

Both Huawei and Beijing have rejected the allegations, while Beijing warned of repercussions for nations placing restrictions on the telecoms equipment provider.

Champagne and Public Safety Minister Marco Mendicino made the announcement at a news conference.

“Today, we’re announcing our intention to prohibit the inclusion of Huawei and ZTE products and services in Canada’s telecommunication systems,” Champagne said. AFP

Davos returns under Ukraine cloud PARIS, France—The world’s political and business elite will hobnob in Davos next week after a two-year break caused by COVID, with the Ukraine war set to dominate the exclusive Swiss mountain summit.

The world has changed drastically since the last time the World Economic Forum took place in person at the ski resort in January 2020.

At the time, US President Donald Trump and climate campaigner Greta Thunberg headlined the show and the coronavirus had yet to spread widely outside China.

Since then, the outbreak in China turned into a pandemic that rocked the global economy, Trump lost the US election to Joe Biden, countries have endured climate change-driven weather disasters, inflation has surged and Russia invaded Ukraine.

After a virtual forum in 2021 and the postponement of this year’s in-person event due to the Omicron variant, the WEF returns to its Davos den on Monday under the theme “History at a Turning Point.”

But the hub of cheerleaders of capitalism and globalization will lack its usual scenic snowy backdrop—and the usual Russian contingent.

President Vladimir Putin spoke at the online meeting last year, but organizers decided to exclude Russians this time as Western powers have imposed sanctions on Moscow over the Ukraine conflict.

Instead, Ukrainian President Volodymyr Zelensky will address the summit via video link while around a dozen officials from his country will attend in person. AFP

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

B4

SATURDAY, MAY 21, 2022

Business

ASEAN+3 COOPERATION.

Bangko Sentral ng Pilipinas Governor Benjamin Diokno (fifth row, left), with counterparts at the ASEAN+3 Finance Ministers’ and Central Bank Governors’ Meeting, welcomes the progress of regional financial cooperation. Key developments include the enhancements to the Chiang Mai Initiative Multilateralization; strengthened regional policy advisory role of the ASEAN+3 Macroeconomic Research Office; significant advancements in the regional bond market under the Asian Bond Markets Initiative; and adoption of new initiatives in the areas of financial digitalization and transition finance to foster the region’s economic growth and financial integration.

By Julito G. Rada

B

ANGKO Sentral ng Pilipinas Governor Benjamin Diokno said Friday he expects the second-quarter gross domestic product growth to be faster than the 8.3-percent expansion in the first quarter, as macroeconomic fundamentals remain strong despite the lingering COVID-19 pandemic and the war in Eastern Europe.

Diokno said his optimism stemmed from the fact that despite the surge of new COVID-19 cases early this year, the economy still managed to expand by 8.3 percent in the first quarter, a reversal of the 3.8-percent contraction a year ago. “[So] the second quarter [GDP will be] much better than Q1 because we did not have a surge [during the pe-

riod which] we experienced in January 2022,” Diokno said.

He did not provide specific GDP growth projection for the second quarter.

Diokno said the country was well into its recovery process from the pandemic, which caused a 9.6-percent GDP contraction in 2020. In 2021, the economy rebounded by 5.7 percent.

He cited the country’s solid external position, strong banking system, manageable inflation environment, stable currency, investment grade ratings from global credit rating agencies, declining unemployment rate and sustained inflows of overseas Filipino remittances as the country’s strengths.

Diokno said he also expects policy continuity under the incoming administration, especially the game-changing reforms instituted by the Duterte ad-

ministration such as the CREATE Law, “Build, Build, Build” infrastructure program, Rice Tarrification Law and Retail Trade Liberalization law.

He said the strong 8.3-percent GDP expansion in the first quarter and the rising inflation rate were the reasons the Monetary Board decided to raise for the first time in 18 months the policy interest rate by 25 basis points to 2.25 percent on Thursday.

Diokno said any monetary policy decisions going forward would continue to be data driven, such as economic growth and inflation.

He earlier said average inflation would likely breach the upper end of the 2 percent to 4 percent target range in 2022 at 4.6 percent, while the forecast for 2023 edged closer to the upper end of the target band at 3.9 percent.

PSE INDEX CLOSING

Cebu Pacific set to use green fuel on A33NEO jets

Friday, May 20, 2022

86.28 PTS. 6,746.33

TOTAL VOLUME TOTAL TRADES

2,923,490,261 97,300

TOTAL VALUE (IN PHP) ADVANCES DECLINES

7,156,276,469.47 131 62

UNCHANGED

43

F oreign e xchange r ate

By Darwin G. Amojelar CEBU Pacific said Friday it will use green fuel to power two more brandnew Airbus A33NEO aircraft that are set to be delivered later this year.

The airline said it used green fuel to power its brand-new Airbus A33NEO on its delivery flight from Airbus facilities in Toulouse, France to the Ninoy Aquino International Airport in Manila, becoming the first low-cost carrier in Asia to incorporate sustainable aviation fuel into its operations.

The historic flight, with the Airbus330 NEO aircraft, departed Toulouse, France and was powered by a blended mixture of SAF and conventional fuel.

The new aircraft is CEB’s third A330NEO and is said to be the greenest aircraft in the industry given its fuel efficiency and carrying capacity.

It is configured with 459 seats in a single-class layout and is fuel efficient, achieving 25-percent less fuel burn than previous-generation aircraft.

“This move to use SAF is a pillar of Cebu Pacific’s sustainable journey.

SAF will be used for aircraft delivery and is a major component of our fleet modernization. This strengthens our drive to achieve our green goal of being carbon neutral by 2050,” Cebu Pacific chief strategy officer Alex Reyes said.

SAF is a “drop-in” replacement for fossil fuels, produced from renewable resources. The use of SAF results in an up to 85-percent reduction in carbon emissions across the SAF lifecycle.

The chemical and physical characteristics of SAF are almost identical to those of conventional jet fuel and these can be safely mixed with regular jet fuel to varying degrees. SAF does not require any adaptations to the aircraft or engines and does not have any negative impact on performance or maintenance.

The airline’s sustainability goal is aligned with global aviation’s commitment to achieve net zero carbon emissions by 2050.

CEB said it invested in appropriate technologies and is practicing fuel-saving and emission reduction strategies.

GCash reports 5.3-m digital savings base GCASH, the mobile wallet of Globe Telecom, said Friday its digital savings account base reached 5.3 million users, with one out of every five banked Filipino adults now using the service and the platform continuing to reach out to the country’s huge unbanked population.

GSave was created by GCash and one of Southeast Asia’s largest commercial banks, CIMB Bank.

It is the first bank account that can be opened and maintained straight from the GCash app.

The number of GSave depositors is expected to increase further as CIMB hikes its interest rate to 7 percent per annum for new GSave account holders. Current depositors enjoy a 2.6-percent annual interest rate, which is much higher than the 0.10 percent to 1.25 percent offered by traditional banks.

Encouraged by the success of its partnership with CIMB, GCash is set to launch the GSave Marketplace, offering users more choices of bank and savings products that best suit them.

Darwin G. Amojelar

Max’s Group posted P42-m profit in Q1

Diokno sees over 8.3% growth in Q2 Diokno participated in the ADB Institute’s webinar on Friday where he tackled issues on macroeconomy, financial technology and sustainable recovery amid the emergence of new uncertainties.

“We expect GDP to grow much faster in the second quarter, making the 7 percent to 9 percent GDP target this year doable,” Diokno said.

IN BRIEF

Bangko Sentral ng Pilipinas • FRIDAY, MAY 20, 2022

COASTAL CLEAN-UP. About 50 volunteers from Aboitiz Construction, local

government units of Iloilo City and other volunteers from the private sector team up with the Iloilo City Environment and Natural Resources Office for a coastal clean-up drive in Barangay Sto. Niño Norte, Iloilo City. More than 160 kilograms of solid wastes that include plastic and paper rubbish were collected by the volunteers, properly segregated and disposed accordingly.

Currency

Unit

US Dollar

Peso

United States

Dollar

1.000000

52.3900

Japan

Yen

0.007827

0.4101

UK

Pound

1.247600

65.3618

Hong Kong

Dollar

0.127431

6.6761

Switzerland

Franc

1.027749

53.8438

Canada

Dollar

0.779910

40.8595

Singapore

Dollar

0.724480

37.9555

Australia

Dollar

0.704700

36.9192

Bahrain

Dinar

2.652872

138.9840

Saudi Arabia

Rial

0.266596

13.9670

Brunei

Dollar

0.721865

37.8185

Indonesia

Rupiah

0.000068

0.0036

Thailand

Baht

0.029053

1.5221

UAE

Dirham

0.272287

14.2651

Euro

Euro

1.058600

55.4601

Korea

Won

0.000791

0.0414

China

Yuan

0.149016

7.8069

India

Rupee

0.012920

0.6769

Malaysia

Ringgit

0.227144

11.9001

New Zealand

Dollar

0.638300

33.4405

Taiwan

Dollar

0.033750

1.7682 Source: BSP

BOP registered a deficit of $415m in April on increasing imports THE balance of payments, or the difference in value between payments into and out of the country, swung to a deficit of $415 million in April from a surplus of $2.61 billion a year ago, due to the government’s repayment of foreign debt and wider trade shortfall, the Bangko Sentral ng Pilipinas said Friday.

“The BOP deficit in April 2022 reflected outflows mainly from the national government’s foreign currency withdrawals from its deposits with the BSP as the government settled its foreign currency debt obligations and paid for various expenditures,” the BSP said in a statement.

The latest figure brought the cumulative

BOP position to a surplus of $79 million in the first four months, a reversal of the $231-million deficit a year ago.

“Based on preliminary data, the cumulative BOP surplus reflected inflows that stemmed mainly from personal remittances, net foreign borrowings by the national government and foreign direct investments,” BSP said.

The gross international reserves level declined to $105.4 billion as of end-April from $107.31 billion in March. At this level, the latest GIR still represented a more than adequate external liquidity buffer equivalent to 9.3 months’ worth of imports of goods and payments of services

and primary income.

It was also about 6.7 times the country’s short-term external debt based on original maturity and 4.5 times based on residual maturity.

Michael Ricafort, chief economist of Rizal Commercial Banking Corp., said the BOP deficit in April partly reflected some net foreign portfolio investments outflows amid increased volatility in the global financial markets as triggered by hawkish Fed signals on more aggressive Fed rate hikes and reduction in the Fed’s balance sheet through asset/bond sales/quantitative tightening to better rein in elevated US inflation. Julito G. Rada

MAX’S Group Inc., the largest casual dining restaurant chain in the Philippines, said Friday it nearly doubled its first-quarter profit to P42 million from P22 million in the same period last year, driven by strong overseas sales and improvement in dine-in sales.

MGI said in a disclosure to the stock exchange first-quarter systemwide sales, comprised of sales generated by both company-owned and franchised stores, jumped 25 percent to P3.55 billion from P2.84 billion a year ago. Revenues also rose 18 percent to P2.17 billion, on the back of higher restaurant sales and commissary sales.

Domestic sales were still tempered as a result of the strict lockdown in January due to the Omicron surge, while international business continued to flourish, surpassing pre-COVID levels.

“Our results for Q1, even more markedly so in March, are an indication of strong demand for our brands and patronage of our core of core, which are available both in traditional brick-andmortar spaces, and expanded to business-to-business and off-premise platforms,” said MGI chief executive Robert Ramon Trota.

Jenniffer B. Austria

NGCP holds annual blackout simulation GRID operator National Grid Corp. of the Philippines said it conducted its annual blackout drill to secure the continuity of power transmission services in case of a major system disturbance.

The exercise, conducted yearly since the start of NGCP’s operations, is comprised of both tabletop discussions and an actual simulation drill for the three power grids.

“We conduct the blackout drill every year because it is critical that every power stakeholder knows their role in the event of a system collapse. When everyone understands their part in the system, we are able to effectively communicate, efficiently respond, and recover from a blackout,” NGCP said.

The activity was attended by stakeholders from the generation and distribution sectors, and representatives from the Department of Energy, Energy Regulatory Commission, National Transmission Corp., Independent Electricity Market Operator of the Philippines and the Power Sector Assets and Liabilities Management Corp.

Alena Mae S. Flores

BPO companies confident on shift to hybrid scheme

By Othel V. Campos THE IT and Business Process Association of the Philippines expressed confidence on the validity of the letters of authority issued by the Philippine Economic Zone Authority to help registered business enterprises shift to on-site work mode by end-September.

IBPAP president Jack Madrid said the group’s member-companies and six partner associations were relying on PEZA to help them make it through the government deadline.

“We continue to count on their support to uphold the validity of the LOAs in order to achieve our jobs and revenue targets,” he said.

He said the IT-BPM industry successfully navigated the pandemic, recording growth in revenues and jobs through the support of PEZA, the Fiscal Incentives Review Board and other government partners.

The expiration of the 90-percent work-from-home arrangement posed great challenges to many registered business enterprises of the IT-BPM industry, according to Madrid.

These include the complex process on the logistics of mobilizing employees and equipment to onsite operations while managing employee satisfaction and mitigating widespread attrition.

“The support that PEZA extended by allowing 30-percent WFH arrangement through an LOA is a legal and fair measure that IT-BPM RBEs are grateful for,” Madrid said.

The LOA provides necessary relief to address the cost and competitiveness pressures that the IT-BPM industry has been under since the pandemic began.

Gov’t pays outstanding P300-b provisional advances with BSP ahead of June maturity THE national government paid in full its outstanding P300-billion provisional advances to the Bangko Sentral ng Pilipinas on Friday, ahead of the June 11, 2022 maturity date, the Department of Finance said Friday.

It said in a statement the repayment fulfilled the goal of Finance Secretary Carlos Dominguez III to unwind the pandemicrelated liquidity support from the BSP before the start of the next administration.

The provisional advances is a tempo-

rary measure under Section 89 of Republic Act 7653, or The New Central Bank Act, that allows the BSP to extend shortterm financing to the national government in the amount of up to 20 percent of the latter’s average annual income in the past three years.

The grant of provisional advances enabled the government steady access to cash for the uninterrupted delivery of large fiscal response and recovery measures despite the lower revenue collec-

tions and disruptions to financial markets experienced throughout the last two years.

“With the sustained economic recovery and consequent strengthening of revenue collections last year, the volume of the provisional advances was downsized from P540 billion in 2021 to P300 billion in January this year, which is only half of the maximum available amount of P600 billion,” the DOF said.

It said the early repayment was made possible by the sooner-than-expected re-

turn of the economy to its pre-pandemic strength.

The economy grew by 8.3 percent in the first quarter, a reversal of the 3.8-percent contraction a year ago, helping the government attain revenue collections growth of 12.6 percent over the same period.

The DOF said with the strong revenue performance, the deficit only reached P317 billion, leaving the government with a strong cash position. Julito G. Rada

Sports

PH Sibol grabs 2nd esports SEAG gold

Riera U. Mallari, Editor; Randy M. Caluag, Assistant Editor SATURDAY, MAY 21, 2022

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By Peter Atencio HANOI—Team Philippines-Sibol took Game 4 of their best-of-five finals series with Indonesia, 7-2, and claimed the 31st Southeast Asian Games Mobile Legends: Bang Bang at the Vietnam National Convention Center on Friday.

Composed of veteran players from Blacklist International, the Sibol roster is made up of Johnmar “PHI VILLALUNA” Villaluna as team captain, together with Danerie “PHI DEL ROSARIO” Del Rosario, Salic “Hadji” Imam, and Dexter “PHI ALABA” Alaba.

Amateur players Kyle “PHI SOTO” Soto, Howard “PHI GONZALES” Gonzales, and Russel “PHI USI” Usi, who have never competed in any Mobile Legends: Bang Bang Professional Leagues or tournaments, were also part of the winning roster.

Gonzales took charge with the Beatrix the marksman and joined up with Del Rosario’s seldom used Akai, the panda tank support hero, to help the Philippines claim a second gold medal in the Esports category, with the first one coming from the Wild Rift, courtesy of all-female Grindsky Eris on Wednesday night.

The Philippines won three golds, a silver and a bronze during esports’ debut in the games during the 2019 Philippine edition.

Sibol finished the finals series with Indonesia after winning three games and losing only one match.

After Indonesia’s Calvin “Vynnn” tied the contest at 2-all with his slaying of Johnmar “OhMyV33nus” Villaluna’s Lolita the support tank, Sibol went on a rampage, with Gonzales going for a triple kill on three Indonesian foes.

As Salic Alauya “Hadji” Imam capped Sibol’s killing spree with Xavier the half-elf mage’s Dawn of Light’s sniping shot on Albert Neilsen “Alberttt” Iskandar’s Emeralda the mage, the Filipinos squad never relinquished their advantage.

The Indonesias were caught flatfooted, unable to level up immediately with their available resources and counter the assault, and from there, Sibol went on to finish the game by destroying their rivals’ three remaining defensive towers.

When it was over, Gonzales ended his stint with three kills, one death and two assists, in the final game that lasted in only 10 minutes and 52 seconds.

Sibol took Game 1 with a 17-8 triumph over Indonesia, with Gonzales pulling a 5-1-6 kill-death assist record off his Wan Wan the marksman character.

While Del Rosario focused his energies on keeping Rivaldi “R7” Fatah at bay, Gonzales joined forces with Imam and Villaluna in setting up ambushes that kept Indonesia’s support crews from coming close.

Indonesia managed to recover in Game 2 with a 18-10 edge, after sniping got Villaluna slain thrice early in the game.

Sibol took Game 3 with a 2416 victory, and defied Alberttt’s successful bid to immortalize his character.

Gonzales tallied nine kills and five assists, and he had to respawn thrice.

The match was tied at 16-all, when Sibol took the lead, 19-16, following two quick kills from Imam and Kyle Dominic Soto, with Imam finding a way to neutralize Alberttt.

Members of Philippines-Sibol, represented by world champion Blacklist, are shown during the Mobile Legends: Bang Bang gold medal awards ceremonies of the 31st SEA Games at the Vietnam Convention Center.

Hidilyn begins new journey towards Paris at SEA Games

By Riera U. Mallari

H

ANOI—Forget that Hidilyn Diaz is an Olympic champion. Forget that she sets records only to break them.

Because when the 2024 Paris Olympics is concerned, past champions don’t get an automatic seat in the competition. It’s not like the Masters, where past winners are invited to join the tournament for life.

In the Olympics, past medals or titles or status don’t matter. Everyone starts from scratch and must go through various stages to qualify.

From London to Saigon, or Thailand to New Zealand, every weightlifter in the world dreaming of Olympic dreams are equal.

For Hidilyn, her Olympic breakthrough in Tokyo as the Philippines’ f irst and only gold medalist is over and done with. That chapter is closed.

The Southeast Asian Games in Hanoi is the beginning of a new Olympic journey, which Hidilyn marked with a 55-kg weightlifting gold at the Hanoi Sports Training and Competition Center on Friday, saying the appearance in the regional sports competition was essential in her bid to make it to the Paris Olympiad.

Diaz totaled 206 kgs in the finals, three ahead of eventual runner-up Sunikun Tanasan, the 2016 Rio Olympics gold medalist, to capture Philippine weightlifting’s first gold in these games.

“My journey towards Paris (Olympics) starts here, so this SEA Games gold is very important for me,”

Hidilyn Diaz carries the Philippine flag at the awards ceremonies

said the 31-year-old Diaz. “Napaka-meaningful nito (SEAG). After winning the gold medal, bumalik pa din ako, nakapag-deliver ng gold medal for the Philippines. Masaya ako na nandito ako ulet ako sa SEA Games, na i-represent ang Pilipinas.”

With a predominantly Filipino crowd that included POC president Abraham Tolentino and Chef de Mission Ramon Fernandez cheering her on, Diaz set a new SEAG mark of 92 kgs in the snatch, but the record was short-lived as Tanasan raised the metal plates by a kilogram to literally snatch the new record and led the competition at the break.

But there was no concern at all from Team HD’s camp.

“The clean and jerk is where she really stands out,” said sports psychologist Dr. Karen Trinidad, who is part of Diaz’s world-class support staff known as Team HD. True enough, Diaz was at her best in the clean and jerk, where she pounced on the field with an initial 114-kg lift that proved too high a mountain to climb for the Thai, who managed only a best lift of 110.

“We studied our opponent, we know she’s (Thai) strong in the snatch, but not so much in the clean and jerk. But of course, we cannot downplay the competition. I always do my best,” said Diaz, who plans to take part in the World Championships and the Asian Games—two competitions she hopes will make her worthy enough for the Paris games.

By then, we will all be reminded, who Hidilyn Diaz truly is. Oh, we will never forget.

Diaz’s biggest challenge in journey to Hanoi HANOI—Hidilyn’s Diaz’s biggest challenge on her journey towards the 31st Southeast Asian Games in Hanoi wasn’t the metal plates that call on her everyday, waiting to be lifted. It’s not the pressure of keeping her SEA Games’ title. It’s not even a 25-year-old former Olympic weightlifting gold medalist at the peak of her powers.

It’s the ice cream and milk shakes, snack and pancakes that were deprived of her when she was training for the Tokyo Olympic Games, the same food that she consumed in large quantities as a some sort of a reward for herself for delivering the Philippines’ first and only Olympic gold medal.

“It’s really hard. After winning the gold medal, I have been so busy. I had no

time to train. I became too big, I felt that I needed that break, I needed to eat a lot of food, I got to 61 (kgs), siyempre December (Christmas season). Kung nakita niyo, the whole six months, I was so focused to get my weight again,” said Diaz, a weightlifter struggling to maintain her ideal weight.

That was a thing of the past on Friday

Ikeda targets 2nd straight LPGT trophy at Splendido BACK on the winning track, Chihiro Ikeda hopes to bring her act to Laurel, Batangas next week for a crack at a second straight Ladies Philippine Golf Tour crown in the ICTSI Splendido Taal Challenge, which gets going Tuesday (May 24) at Splendido Taal Golf Club.

Ikeda used a big frontside run spiked by an eagle feat then scrambled at the finish to save a 72 and beat Chanelle Avaricio by three in the ICTSI Mount Malarayat Ladies Challenge in Lipa City two weeks ago for her first victory since edging Pauline del Rosario in sudden death at ICTSI Midlands Challenge in 2019.

“While the victory removed all doubt as to whether I could win again, it will be a lot tougher to make it two-in-row given the level of the (playing) field and the terrors lurking on every corner of Splendido,” said Ikeda, whose campaign is backed by AsiaGlobal Technologies and Manila Southwoods.

Korean Hwang Min Jeong nipped Prin-

cess Superal by one to win the last LPGT event at Splendido in 2019 with the same tight finish expected in the upcoming 54hole tournament serving as the fifth leg of this year’s circuit organized by Pilipinas Golf Tournaments, Inc. Avaricio, for one, is raring not only to get back at Ikeda but also get back in the groove after being denied a third straight championship following a playoff victory over Superal at Hallow Ridge and a onestroke triumph over Ikeda at Caliraya.

A slew of others are also gearing up for the Splendido battle, including reigning Order of Merit winner Harmie Constantino, who won two legs in her LPGT debut last year but has missed earning a clear stab at a third crown in her succeeding tournaments.

She led in the first round at Mt. Malarayat but fumbled in the next and ended up third.

Midlands leg winner Sunshine Baraquiel also hopes to sustain her big finish at Malarayat

that saw her post the tournament-best 68 in the final round to salvage joint fourth with Pamela Mariano and Gretchen Villacencio.

Mariano was also a revelation the last time out, crowding Ikeda and Constantino in the first 36 holes before the Cagayan de Oro native lost steam in the stretch run.

Brand-new pros Martina Miñoza and Lesley Icoy, who made the grade at Malarayat, are also tipped to contend, along with Marvi Monsalve, Lovelyn Guioguio, Sarah Ababa, Eva Miñoza, Sheryl Villacencio, Lucy Landicho and Kristine Fleetwood.

But nobody comes into the Splendido leg with as much confidence as Ikeda, who has stepped up her buildup with daily training at Southwoods under swing coach Bong Lopez in anticipation of a challenging campaign next week.

“I’m currently working on my short game and putting,” said Ikeda, adding that ball control will also be key at the long, wind-raked Splendido course.

as Diaz kept her weightlifting title in the SEA Games.

“I was able to drop my weight from 61 to 55. I’m so grateful with Team HD for me to be able to reach this weight and performance again,” said Diaz, giving women, who are struggling to lose weight, the inspiration to focus on their goal. Riera U. Mallari

Chihiro Ikeda seeks to blast the opposition at Splendido Taal

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SATURDAY, MAY 21, 2022

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

Home/Design

Space in the heart of the metro

F

EDERAL Land recently presented a ready-foroccupancy investment opportunity within the Greenhills neighborhood.

Square sits on a prime piece of real estate across the Greenhills Shopping Center.

“After living two years in the pandemic, people have become more discerning in choosing a condo. One Wilson Square offers the comfort, security, and convenience they are looking for,” explained Federal Located along Ortigas Avenue corner Land head of sales, Margarita SaenzWilson Street in San Juan City, One Wilson Resurreccion.

The 38-storey tower offers one- to fourbedroom units available in a variety of size options, ranging from 39 sqm. to 216 sqm., complemented with efficient layouts that cater to the different space requirements of residents, most particularly growing families.

All units have balconies. Visit www. federalland.ph to schedule a private viewing of the property.

Bonifacio Global City: Former military camp has come a long way

By Amanda Mauchline DISASTER-RESILIENT CONSTRUCTION. Holcim Philippines, recently partnered with Build Change Philippines, an organization focused on building disaster-resilient homes in developing nations, to strengthen local structures against natural calamities. The parties agreed to work together to support areas impacted by super Typhoon Odette in 2021, via disaster-resilient housing projects.

This includes endeavors to build or retrofit houses, schools, and evacuation centers for disaster resilience and capacity-builiding through training and advocacy of policies or financing strategies to key stakeholders. Both organizations also committed to develop a scalable affordable housing program, in collaboration with other key stakeholders like microfinance institutions to increase access to affordable, disaster-resilient homes particularly for the more vulnerable segments of society. At the signing ceremony were ( left to right): Build Change Philippines program officer Marvin Daryl Riego; country director Arnel Capili; Holcim Philippines senior vice president and chief sustainability officer Zoe Sibala, and vice president for communications and corporate social responsibility Cara Ramirez.

UPCOMING CEBU GEM. RLC Residences, the residential division of real estate giant Robinsons Land Corporation, recently launched for the AmiSa Tower D, the newest addition to its resort-inspired property in Mactan, Cebu – the AmiSa Private Residences. Located at Punta Engaño in Mactan, AmiSa D offers an unobstructed view of the Magellan Bay, the Olango Island, and the Hilutungan Channel. At the launch were (from left to right): Doj Garcia, sales channel head - Cebu; Stephanie Anne Go, business development and design department head; John Richard Sotelo, RLC Residences SVP; Karen Cesario, marketing head and chief integration officer; Allen Miranda, vice president and head of sales.

SHDA PUSHES FOR FUTURE-READY HOUSING. The Subdivision and Housing Developers Association (SHDA) remains bullish on creating a future-ready Philippine housing industry as it recently celebrated its 52nd anniversary. With over 350 members from eight regional chapters and over 30 affiliate members, SHDA also vowed to further nurture its relationship with key housing agencies to become a true enabler in the housing industry. The event was graced by the Department of Human Settlements and Urban Development Sec. Eduardo Del Rosario. He was joined by Fermin Sta. Teresa Jr. senior vice president of Pag-Ibig Fund, along with top officials from the Organization of Socialized and Economic Housing Developers of the Philippines (OSHDP), the Chamber of Real Estate and Builders’ Associations (CREBA) and the National Real Estate Association (NREA). SHDA revealed its new logo, reflecting the organization’s focus on the future-proofing of the local housing industry. It also unveiled a refreshed website to serve as a place where members and partners can converge to solve problems, be updated, and grow together.

ONE of the most highly sought-after business and residential addresses in Metro Manila, Bonifacio Global City has come a long way since this former military camp was developed in the mid-1990s. It is now Metro Manila’s largest and second largest condo and office markets – distinctions that will only get better over the coming years.

Who would have thought that a former military camp would one day become one of Metro Manila’s most important business districts?

That is exactly what happened to Bonifacio Global City (BGC), which traces its origins to Fort McKinley, an American military camp established in the early 20th century. It was turned over to the Philippine government in 1949, three years after the country’s independence from the United States, and subsequently renamed Fort Bonifacio in 1957 and was made permanent headquarters of the Philippine Army.

Taking shape into a sought-after address But what we know as BGC today started to take shape in 1995 when Bonifacio Land Development Corporation (BLDC), a consortium led by Metro Pacific, became the partner of the Bases Conversion Development Authority to master-plan and develop BGC. In 2003, Ayala Land and Evergreen Holdings of the Campos Group purchased a controlling stake in BLDC from Metro Pacific, and these entities have overseen the masterplanning of the district since then, which has rapidly developed into a full-fledged business district. BGC is now Metro Manila’s largest and second largest condo and office market, respectively, based on latest Colliers data; over 40,000 of Metro Manila’s approximately 142,000 condo stock as of the first quarter of 2022 and 2.5 million square meters of office space.

What makes BGC such a highly soughtafter business and residential address?

While we know it as home to such popular leisure establishments as the Bonifacio High Street, Uptown Mall, The Mind Museum, and Market! Market!, the district also boasts many of Metro Manila’s green and sustainable office buildings, some of them LEED certified – an important consideration for multinationals to meet their ESG goals.

BGC’s strategic location is also an important draw. Located just two kilometers from the Makati CBD via McKinley Road (with only the ultraexclusive Forbes Park and Dasmariñas Village separating them), the district can be easily accessed from C5 Road, EDSA

via Kalayaan Flyover, the South Luzon Expressway, and Kalayaan Avenue. The newly opened Bonifacio Global City– Ortigas Link Bridge connects BGC to Brgy. Kapitolyo in Pasig, cutting the travel time between the district and Ortigas Center to just 12 minutes. It also has its own fleet of commuter buses, connecting it with nearby Makati CBD and Arca South, a burgeoning business district also in Taguig. BGC is also a bike friendly place, having a dedicated bike lane for the commuters.

Self-contained community BGC also abounds with many highend condo developments, ensuring a good selection of residential options for expats and local workers alike. Some of the first to be completed are on the western side next to the Manila Golf and Country Club, such as Pacific Plaza Towers, Bonifacio Ridge, and those developed by Megaworld Corp. in its Forbes Town Center township, while Ayala Land developed Serendra, a 12-hectare estate located on the eastern side of BGC. In recent years, BGC has seen the rise of Uptown Bonifacio and Grand Central Park, mixed-use projects of Megaworld and Federal Land, respectively, located on the northern section of BGC; Alveo Land’s High Street South Block; and One Bonifacio High Street, where the PSE Tower, Shangri-La at The Fort, and Ayala Land’s The Suites are located. Countless others dot the district’s peripheries.

A truly self-contained mixed-use development, BGC also has medical and educational institutions within its confines, including St. Luke’s Medical Center, graduate schools operated by the University of the Philippines and De La Salle University, Leaders International Christian School of Manila, British School Manila, International School Manila, Manila Japanese School, and Korean International School Philippines, among others.

Being home to approximately 2.5 million square meters of office space, BGC abounds

with a huge selection of office buildings suitable for a wide range of occupiers.

Colliers’ Office Services put together a list of office buildings in BGC well-suited for any type of business: from BPOs to traditional corporate occupiers and government agencies.

The Brilliance Center Developed by NAPPCO Land Development Corp., The Brilliance Center is a 15-storey Grade A office building boasting nine office floors (with a floor plate of 600 square meters), five podium parking levels, and a ground floor dedicated for retail establishments.

Situated at the corner of 11th Avenue and 40th Street, it is less than 50 meters away from Kalayaan Avenue, 400 meters from Uptown Mall, and 1.2 kilometers from Bonifacio High Street. It offers flexible layout, modern design, and complete facilities.

Pioneer House Pioneer House BGC is an upcoming 26-storey Grade A office building being developed by The Pioneer Group of Companies. Located at the corner lot along 5th Avenue and 26th Street, this sustainable building (registered for LEED v.4 Platinum) is right across Six/NEO and The Fort Strip and approximately 200 meters from PSE Tower.

It will feature a modern and sustainable design, including low-E double-glazed glass curtain walls, eight high-speed elevators, six basement parking levels and five-level podium parking floors.

Parkway Global Tower Formerly known as Hanjin Building, Parkway Global Building is a 16-storey office development located along University Parkway, less than 400 meters away from Uptown Mall, 1.1 kilometers from Bonifacio High Street, and 350 meters from Kalayaan Avenue. This Grade A office building offers 14 office floors, with the typical floor plate of 832.14 square meters, and has wellmaintained facilities and well-designed ground-floor retail spaces Menarco Tower Towering 32 storeys along BGC’s busy and exciting 32nd Street, Menarco Tower is a multi-awarded, intelligently designed boutique office development and so far Southeast Asia’s only office building that is certified by two of the world’s most well-known green building certification programs (WELL Certified Gold and LEED Gold). The flagship project of Menarco Development Corporation, Menarco Tower offers technologically advanced and energyefficient office spaces well suited for occupiers looking to reach their ESG goals.

Tech & Gadgets

SATURDAY, MAY 21, 2022 rumallari@thestandard.com.ph

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Huawei APAC Digital Congress:

Innovation for a Digital Asia Pacific S INGAPORE—The Huawei APAC Digital Innovation Congress, jointly held by Huawei and the ASEAN Foundation, gathered over 1,500 government officials, experts, researchers, partners, and analysts from more than 10 countries in the Asia-Pacific region to explore the future of digital innovation and the digital economy.

Topics included ongoing advancements in ICT, speeding up digital transformation across industries, as well as green and low-carbon development.

"The Asia-Pacific region is one of the most culturally and economically vibrant regions in the world," said Ken Hu, Huawei's Rotating Chairman, during his opening speech. "It has long played an important role in global economic growth, and now plays an equally important role in digital innovation," he continued, citing the fact that many APAC countries have elevated digital transformation to a strategic policy level and are actively going green.

"Huawei has deep roots in APAC. We have been serving our customers here for over 30 years, and we are proud to support digital development in the region.

Moving forward, we will keep investing heavily in innovation to help our partners in the region meet their strategic development goals. In 2022, we will increase our support for a Green and Digital APAC by promoting digital infrastructure, low-carbon development, and digital inclusion."

Yang Mee Eng, Executive Director of the ASEAN Foundation, also spoke at the event. "Only a strong digital talent team can achieve an inclusive and resilient digital Asia-Pacific region," she said. "The Huawei APAC Digital Innovation Congress 2022 marks another critical milestone in the ASEAN Foundation-Huawei partnership to continue creating a talent development-focused learning ecosystem that will help address the digital skills shortage in the region."

Simon Lin, President of Huawei's Asia Pacific Region, giving a keynote speech

How Huawei is supporting the growth of Asia-Pacific's digital economy Simon Lin, President of Huawei's Asia Pacific Region, spoke about the company's mission, "In Asia-Pacific, for AsiaPacific", under which Huawei is committed to becoming a key contributor to the digital economy in Asia-Pacific, and working with its customers and partners to build a better green digital life.

Lin said, "Huawei hopes to help AsiaPacific build a leading and green infrastructure, create a thriving industry ecosystem, and empower an inclusive and sustainable Asia-Pacific." According to Lin, Huawei has provided connectivity for more than 90 million households and one billion mobile users in Asia-Pacific.

Huawei's IaaS market share ranks No. 4 in the emerging Asia-Pacific market, and Huawei is integrating digital and power electronics technologies to enable energy digitalization for a greener future.

In Asia-Pacific, Huawei has established partnerships with nearly 10,000 enterprise and cloud partners and plans to invest US$100 million in the Spark startup ecosystem and trained 170,000 locals on digital skills, and plans to provide digital training to another 500,000 within five years as part of its efforts to develop a talent ecosystem that can drive the digital economy forward.

As an ICT leader, Huawei is commit-

ted to promoting ICT industry development in the Philippines, and conducted several CSR programs, such as School in A Bag, Huawei Philippines Scholarship, etc. As the company’s flag CSR program, Seeds in the Future has been in the Philippines for 7 years, which benefited more than 200 students. Huawei Philippines also partners with more than 60 philippine universities in ICT Academy, covered more than 13,000 students.

During the event, with participants including Prof. Paul Cheung, Director of the Asia Competitiveness Institute at the Lee Kuan Yew School of Public Policy of the National University of Singapore; Mohamed Djelid, Director of the UNESCO Regional Science Bureau for Asia and the Pacific; Dr. Iskandar Samad, President & Chief Executive Officer of MIMOS Berhad, Malaysia's national applied research and development center; and David Lu, President of Huawei Asia Pacific Strategy & Marketing. The panelists concluded that a thriving and sustainable Digital Asia-Pacific depends on effective top-level strategic planning, favorable industrial policies, solid digital infrastructure, wide adoption of digital applications, and a strong digital talent ecosystem.

The event included four industry sessions focused on new innovations in digital infrastructure: intelligent campuses, full-stack data centers, digital power, and

Ken Hu, Huawei's Rotating Chairman, speaking at Huawei APAC Digital Innovation Congress 2022

cloud. At the Intelligent Campus session, Huawei released solutions for multiple campus scenarios, including simplified campus networks and FTTO/FTTM scenarios, and shared the latest achievements and best practices of its customers and partners. At the Cloud session, Huawei unveiled new products and solutions like GaussDB—a new cloud storage database —and DevCloud—a one-stop DevOps shop for more efficient software develop-

LG’s new refrigerator lineup blends smarts, style

Upgrade to the smarter choice today and get LG’s latest refrigerators.

WITH the goal of offering a smarter experience for consumers, LG recently unveiled its new generation of refrigerators.

The new lineup plays into LG’s vision of a smart, interconnected home. The new lineup boasts of smart features that retain fan-favorite innovations and improve on existing technologies. Even with all the features and new technology, the units are also elegantly designed to be sleek and compact to ensure a seamless integration for any home.

One of the major features for the new lineup is the LG ThinQ with wifi connectivity. LG's Smart Learning technology learns your patterns over a 3-week period to optimize everything from energy and cooling performance to energy consumption.

With this technology, your fridge just got a lot smarter. A feature that uses this is Smart Fresh Air, which applies optimal food storage algorithms with usage pattern analysis. It minimizes inner temperature fluctuations with the intensive cooling logic two hours before frequent door opening times of users, based on the accumulated data on an hourly, daily, and weekly basis. Another new feature is

Economic Care+, which optimizes energy use with customer usage pattern analysis. The compressor decides to turn into either “Save Mode” or “Power Mode” based on your refrigerator usage patterns, reducing wasted energy.

A popular mainstay of LG refrigerators is Linear Cooling. Enjoy the taste of crisp, fresh food thanks to reduced temperature fluctuations. LG Linear Cooling makes temperature fluctuations stay within ±0.5oC and provides freshness for the first time longer than the normal cooling algorithm. Your food is preserved at peak freshness for up to 7 days.

Another major function is Door Cooling. Food stays fresh and drinks get ice cold on any shelf with even and faster cooling performance. LG’s exclusive Door Cooling technology cools quicker than a conventional cooling system for fresher food and colder beverages on every shelf.

Upgrade to the smarter choice today and get LG’s latest refrigerators. You can purchase LG refrigerators from authorized dealers nationwide and in LG’s online flagship stores in Lazada and Shopee.

Globe taps AcadArena to aid Hapag Movement GLOBE is tapping the local gaming community to help alleviate hunger.

As gaming continues to thrive in the country, Globe saw an opportunity to give customers an avenue to contribute to something meaningful through The Hapag Movement, a fundraising initiative that aims to encourage support for vulnerable families and communities.

To jumpstart the gaming industry's involvement in The Hapag Movement, AcadArena, a leading organization for campus gaming and esports education in the Philippines and Southeast Asia, was the first to signify its support. They have a long-standing partnership with Globe that focuses on building skills development programs, hosting gaming leagues and tournaments, and providing scholarship support.

“The world is bigger and there's so much we can do together in gaming and esports. You just need to meet the right people to change the world,” said Ariane Lim, Co-CEO of AcadArena.

“Like Globe, we, too, advocate that gaming is not just play, but a way to help build a better future. We believe in developing gamers to be exemplary people of our society, so we are happy to be part of Globe’s purpose to create a Globe of Good,” she said.

The Hapag Movement was introduced to the Filipino public at a hybrid event with the media held last April 27 at Versus Barcade in Taguig.

In line with Globe’s priority to promote Gaming for Good, the Hapag Movement also highlights the use of technology in the company’s unified fight against hunger.

Globe is activating its ecosystem of partners to help inspire collective action. To do this, Globe is utilizing digital platforms such as GCash and Globe Rewards to enable its customers to donate, and is tapping the gaming community to contribute to the cause.

“Hunger is faced by millions of Filipinos who cannot sustain their daily needs. We encourage gamers to be part of the advocacy and help our kababayans cope with the hunger crisis,” said Ralph Aligada, Globe Head of Games and Esports.

The increasing hunger incidence in the country is brought about by rising unemployment, with 3.13 million individuals jobless based on the February 2022 report of the Philippine Statistics Authority. The fourth quarter 2021 report of the Social Weather Stations, meanwhile, showed that 15 million Filipinos said they had experienced involuntary hunger.

The Hapag Movement is part of the Globe of Good program, an initiative of the Globe Group which focuses on hunger alleviation, capacity-building, and providing livelihood opportunities for long-term results.

Master every scene with Xiaomi 12 Series at these local destinations THE Philippines is home to many world-class tourist destinations and heritage sites. As travel restrictions in the country start to ease, it’s the perfect opportunity to pack up, and embark on unforgettable adventures.

These trips won’t be complete without capturing every thrilling moment. Master every travel scenario with the new Xiaomi 12 Series, a device built to deliver clear, crisp photographs in any situation.

Here’s how one can utilize the Xiaomi 12 Series’ features at these key destinations: Magical Siquijor Siquijor is shrouded in both mystery and magic as it’s known as an island inhabited by “healers.” It has numerous pristine beaches with snorkeling sites, picturesque waterfalls, and historic landmarks that will inspire travelers to live in the now and

Magical Siquijor with Rhian Ramos

capture every inch of their beauty using the Xiaomi 12 camera.

The smartphone boasts a prograde 50MP main camera with ultrawide and tele macro lenses. It also includes a triple 50MP camera array with telephoto and ultra-wide lenses.

As actress Rhian Ramos notes, these features will allow one to “see life in a more vivid view.”

Travelers can effortlessly shoot sceneries and portraits in Siquijor through Xiaomi 12’s Snapdragon 8 Gen 1 Meanwhile, the advanced 4nm processor with 5G allows users to share their moments with others on social media in no time.

Captivating Camarines Norte Camarines Norte is not only a surfing spot, it also provides a food

adventure for those who want to try authentic Bicolano cuisine during one’s trip. Trying out something new is always exciting, which is why, as Chef Jose Sarasola puts it, it’s important to be open to try new dishes to increase one’s appreciation for diverse experiences.

Whether one is sharing a plate of spicy Bicol Express or surfing the waves of Bagasbas Beach, adventure seekers can document everything with the help of Xiaomi 12’s ProFocus technology. This offers subject learning and tracking algorithms that anticipate movement with Motion Tracking Focus, Motion Capture, and Eye Tracking Focus features. The results are clear and seamless shots every time. And with the Xiaomi 12’s fast-charging 4500mAh battery with 50W wireless turbo charging, they’ll have enough juice to last a whole day of activities.

Epic Camiguin Known as the “Island Born of Fire,” Camiguin island has a remarkable shape due to unexpected volcanic eruptions. Apart from its scenic beaches, travelers can also hike up the island’s highest peak, Mount Mambajao (1,713 above sea level) for a unique experience.

Hiking requires getting up at the crack of dawn. This is the ideal time to experiment with the Xiaomi 12’s UltraNight Video and Multi-Scene Night Views to capture subjects in low light.

Portrait Night Mode and other night mode capabilities on wide angle and ultra-wide angle cameras automatically brighten up videos and photos to make them more vivid.

Travelers can also enjoy music from the Quad Speakers feature SOUND by Harman Kardon technology while camping, or enjoying a bonfire with friends.

Motoring

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

C4

SATURDAY, MAY 21, 2022

MS Weekend Ride with Cherry Tiggo8 PHEV

W

E CONTINUE to reiterate how Chinese automobiles have been continuing to take Philippine shores by storm, yet there are just a handful of them that are actually ahead of their time.

Jump into this new SUV and you’d immediately notice its very sleek and stylish interior, which is pretty much a common trend for Chinese vehicles.

However, only a few compose a perfect combination of aesthetics and functionality; an experience pleasing and complementary to the senses. And this Chery Tiggo8 Pro is definitely one of them.

Yet the “Tiggo8 Pro experience” gets into an overwhelmingly new level once you start driving it. From its power delivery, to its top notch handling and riding comfort, to even its innovative real-time safety features, you can definitely say that the “Tiggo8’’ is synonymous with the word “Premium”. To put things short, you’d definitely feel you’re

onboard an elegant European SUV but with a price tag that’s comparable (even cheaper) than its staple Japanese counterparts. And as for its Hybrid variant, the PHEV, you’d be astounded by how you have a whole lot of power at your fingertips (a combined output 320HP, to be exact) that goes a very long way (a maximum range of 3,400km on a full tank of gas and a fully charged power unit, while 80-95 km when on full EV mode).

Truly, a vehicle well worth enjoying and even having. The all-new Chery Tiggo8 is not only a testament to how Chinese vehicles have evolved since day one, yet it also tells what the future holds - as early as today. Milo Rivera

Suzuki Burgman riders undertake H.E. Ambassador Huang Xilian tours FOTON Motor cleanup ride in Pasig Philippines Inc. World Class Assembly Plant

OVER 200 Suzuki Burgman Street riders joined a one-day clean-up ride at the Rave Forest Adventure Park in Pasig City to raise awareness about the pressing problem of rising levels of pollution that hurt the environment directly or indirectly.

The Suzuki Clean Up Ride is part of the Suzuki Helps, Aids & REbuilds (SHARE) program and was participated by Suzuki Burgman Street Elite Riders Club PH’s different chapters from Pasig, South Caloocan, Malabon, Quezon City, Laguna, Rizal, and Cavite as well as members of the press and the motovlogging community.

“By showcasing the Burgman Street in this manner, it solidifies the fact that the Burgman Street is a very important product to Suzuki Philippines,” according to Nenuka Guba, Motorcycle Marketing Manager at Suzuki Philippines Inc. Over 200 Suzuki Burgman Street riders

joined a one-day clean-up drive and cleared the Rave Forest Adventure Park in Pasig City - the park of trash to raise awareness about problems of rising levels of pollution.

The Burgman Experience Interestingly, Burgman Street users were in unison with their praises about the scooter, which they said is the best in its segment- perfect for work, leisure travel, and long rides.

The Suzuki Burgman Street comes with a 125cc, 4-stroke, single-cylinder, SOHC, 2-valve engine that boasts of up to 53.50 km/L consumption. It has sufficient power for daily city rides, and its smooth CVT automatic makes riding effortless that it requires only a simple twist of the wrist to operate.

Burgman Street also churns out 8.58 hp and 10.2 Nm of torque. The air-cooled and fuel-injected (Fi) engine is efficient and straightforward enough for daily tasks around the city, while remaining smooth and easy to operate. All of these at Php 78,900 pesos only.

Toyota Financial Services PH: TMP’s ‘Mobility For All’ vision catalyst

BY OFFERING Filipino customers accessible and flexible ways to acquire cars and enjoy the freedom of mobility for 20 years, auto financing and leasing services company Toyota Financial Services Philippines (TFSPH) is supporting Toyota Motor Philippines (TMP)’s vision of providing mobility for all.

TFSPH continues to strengthen its traditional business offerings like vehicle financing and finance lease, while introducing innovative products and services that seek to revolutionize the way Filipinos acquire, enjoy, and upgrade their vehicles.

According to TFSPH President Rommel Ocampo, the company has reached 45% market share in 2021, meaning for every 10 Toyota cars sold, five are financed by TFSPH. With these results and some encouraging economic indicators, TFSPH is confident in expanding its offerings that will cater to the customers’ evolving needs and will adapt to the ever-changing mobility landscape.

Among TFS’s innovations are the mobile app myTOYOTA Wallet, and vehicle lease products KINTO One for individual customers and KINTO One Business for corporate fleet. myTOYOTA Wallet is a mobile payment solution that allows customers to safely and easily transact for everything Toyota.

Available for Android and iOS the mobile app currently allows card tokenization for up to three debit or credit cards, so customers can easily and conveniently pay for their Toyota transactions at any Toyota dealerships nationwide. This service works

hand-in-hand with TMP’s all-in-one mobile customer portal, the myTOYOTA App, for payments on parts, accessories, service, and insurance.

KINTO One is a full-service vehicle lease package for individual customers that introduces the convenient and worry-free car subscription or “usership” model. The all-inclusive monthly payment package covers periodic maintenance service, normal wear and tear parts replacement, annual comprehensive insurance, annual car registration, plus an exclusive KINTO concierge service.

KINTO One Business is a full-service lease package that is a hassle-free, worryfree solution for corporate customers’ fleet requirements. The fleet-management service covers periodic maintenance, comprehensive insurance, vehicle registration, and even roadside assistance in affordable payment packages. It also has a state-of-the-art fleet connected service, for location status, geofencing, and unplug detection along with feedback on driver performance.

Customers can download or learn more about the myTOYOTA Wallet and myTOYOTA App through their respective websites. Those who are interested to “subscribe and drive” may learn more about KINTO One and apply online through https://www.kinto-ph.com.

For more information about TFSPH and its products and services, and to apply for its various financial services online, visit https:// www.toyotafinancial.ph

FOR the last 15 yrs, FOTON Motor Philippines Inc. has been empowering Filipino businesses through first-rate products and their EC Genuine Parts and EC Mobile Service Truck service programs. Their commitment to provide excellent service was extended when they created their “Empowering the Filipinos Business campaign” as part of their brand’s extensive effort to help fellow citizens step up against the economic recession. Their Assembly plant also employs 700 Filipinos, a total of 5,000 Filipinos nationwide, creating a multitude of opportunities for their staff and families.

Because of FMPI’s contribution to the community and economy, H.E. Ambassador Huang Xilian paid a visit to their Assembly Plant in CDC, Angeles Pampanga. He toured their facilities and was shown where FOTON’s world class vehicles are assembled.

H.E. Ambassador Huang Xilian was met by FMPI’s Vice Chairman Mr. Kenneth Sytin and FMPI’s President Errol Duenas, and as they

toured the facilities, the Ambassador his hope that they continue deepening praised them for the exemplary work and strengthening the ties between the they have achieved, and expressed Philippines and China.

Honda Foundation receives COVID-19 Response Gold Award FOR maintaining a steadfast advocacy in sharing the joy of mobility and helping those in need despite the global business challenges, the Honda Foundation, Inc. (HFI) was bestowed with the COVID-19 Response Gold Award at the 5th SPMJ Driven to Serve Awards.

The award honors the initiatives of Honda Foundation Inc. (HFI), the Corporate Social Responsibility (CSR) arm of Honda Group of Companies in the Philippines. The first project is the HFI’s donation of motorcycles to the Philippine Red Cross (PRC) in 2020 to help in the quick delivery of humanitarian and lifesaving services to communities during crises, amid the pandemic. The second project is the HFI’s efforts to help rebuild

homes in typhoon-hit Catanduanes last year.

“Honda Foundation, Inc. and the entire Honda Group of Companies in the Philippines are beyond grateful for

*Supervised by the Bangko Sentral ng Pilipinas (consumeraffairs@bsp.gov.ph).

CAVITEX implements new toll rates starting Sunday IN COOPERATION with the Toll Regulatory Board (TRB), CAVITEX Infrastructure (CIC) will start implementing new toll rates for the CAVITEX R-1 segment starting tomorrow, May 22, 2022.

The new rates are inclusive of the 2011 and 2014 periodic toll

petitions, and add-on toll petition for enhancement works done in the expressway, which includes bridge lane widening works. Thus, motorists plying through CAVITEX R-1 segment (Cavitex Longos Bacoor to MIA Exit v.v.) will be charged the following VAT-Inclusive amounts: Php 33.00 for Class

1 vehicles, Php 67.00 for Class 2, and Php 100.00 for Class 3.

Its supposed implementation last May 12 was deferred to provide more time for the registration of PUV drivers and operators to the toll reprieve program which allows them to continue enjoying the old toll rates of Php 25 for Class 1, Php 50 for

Class 2 through a rebate program.

The toll reprieve program is system driven via the RFID, so all the PUVs operators and drivers have to do is enroll their account to the program in coordination with their different transport organizations. The program will run for 90 days starting on Day 1 of the new implementation.

this heart-warming recognition by the SPMJ,” said HPI President Susumu Mitsuishi. “Supporting the community is the cornerstone of our business as we believe in creating value for the society.

This award will only keep us even more inspired to improve the lives of Filipino people in need and bring joy to people’s lives.”

HFI’s donation project to PRC is in line with Honda’s “One Dream” campaign, which highlights Honda motorcycles as life-saving vehicles. A total of 104 motorcycle units, produced by HPI —52 red units each of TMX125 alpha and Wave 110 alpha—equipped with insulated top boxes were donated to be used by all of PRC’s Chapters across the country.

Meanwhile, HFI handed over construction supplies to help families rebuild their homes in San Andres, Catanduanes in 2021, after the province was battered by Typhoons Rolly and Ulysses. Each family received galvanized steel sheets for their roofing needs, sets of marine-grade plywood, Coco lumber, and umbrella nails. HFI also gifted them with Honda souvenirs.

The SPMJ, or The Society of Philippine Motoring Journalists, is an association of local automotive writers, editors, and media personalities across different platforms. Through the “Driven To Serve” program, the SPMJ looks to honor the most outstanding practices in corporate social responsibility in the automotive industry.