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Polls aftermath: COVID surge Expert sees spike anytime as PH logs highest new cases since May 1

By Willie Casas

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SURGE in COVID-19 cases is expected to occur two weeks after the May 9 elections, an infectious disease expert said Sunday.

The recent increase in COVID-19 cases was to be expected after superspreader events such as campaign rallies, said Dr. Rontgene Solante, head of the Adult Infectious

Vaccine czar Carlito Galvez Jr. on Sunday said he tested positive for COVID-19 and is currently experiencing mild symptoms. Galvez said he remains in “high spirits” as he and his family are fully vac-

Diseases and Tropical Medicine unit of the San Lazaro Hospital.

Still, he said the rise in infections will not affect the hospitalization rate, as the cases are expected to be mild.

VOL. XXXVI • NO. 96 • 3 SECTIONS 12 PAGES • P18 MONDAY, MAY 23, 2022 • www.manilastandard.net • mst.daydesk@gmail.com

Gilas loses crown to Indonesia, 81-85 as PH ends SEAG at 4th place overall

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From electoral tsunami to a perfect storm

By Angelito Banayo DESPITE all the petitions filed in the Supreme Court seeking to disqualify Ferdinand Marcos Jr., there is an inevitable political reality that we all have to accept: the people have spoken, and sed lex notwithstanding, the high tribunal is likely to invoke political doctrine.

The election of the FM Jr. tandem with Inday Sara Duterte by a whopping majority of the popular vote has been described by many as an electoral tsunami, the first time since elections held under the 1987 Constitution elicited a majority vote for the president and vice president.

Even the hugely popular Erap Estrada in 1998 received only 39.86 percent of the vote and PNoy Aquino after the death of his mother President Cory managed to get less than a majority, at 42.08 percent of the total vote.

58.74 percent of the electorate is indeed a political tsunami, which gives the incoming president an opportunity he should not waste. Except for Vice-President Leni Robredo, his

major opponents have conceded and wish him well, for the sake of the benighted land.

Early days though, there is an on-rushing storm. It is a problem that the incoming president, and a supportive Congress will have to immediately address.

I refer to the affordability, nay, even the availability of food for a teeming population of 109 million, some 25 percent of whom are in handto-mouth survival conditions.

The looming food crisis comes as a combination of many factors, the immediate trigger of which is the Russia-Ukraine conflict in Eastern Europe, which has brought the price of oil and gas to stratospheric levels. Ominously, it has also created a supply bottleneck on food, principally wheat (one-fourth of total world supply comes from these two war-stricken nations), cooking oil (Europe and North Africa are heavy consumers of sunflower oil, of which Ukraine and Russia produce 75 percent of total production), corn, potatoes and barley. (Turn to B1)

By Riera U. Mallari HANOI—The Philippines concluded its 31st Southeast Asian Games campaign at fourth place overall on Sunday, but the real

heartbreaker was the fall of the mighty Gilas Pilipinas basketball team from its lofty perch in the region.

Unbeaten in the region for 31 years, the Filipino cagers fell to the Next page

WIN SOME, LOSE SOME. The Gilas

Pilipinas basketball team bows down to Indonesia – losing the crown for the first time in 31 years, while (from left) Eumir Marcial, Ian Clark Bautista and Rogen Ladon show their gold medals as they defeated their opponents to lead the country's fourgold medal haul in the final day of the 31st Southeast Asian Games in Vietnam.

AFTER 13 YEARS.

The FEU Cheering Squad wins first place in the UAAP cheerdance competition on Sunday, May 22, 2022.

Danny Pata

BBM spokes named Executive Secretary, more nominees up

By Rey E. Requejo LAWYER Vic Rodriguez, the spokesman and chief-of-staff of presumptive president Ferdinand “Bongbong” Marcos Jr., said Sunday he has been nominated for the position of executive secretary for the incoming administration.

This as Marcos said the vetting processs should not be rushed.

"Even as there are no talks yet on the proclamation, we have already started the vetting process of those who we feel are capable of heading our departments.

New govt faces lack of funds for stimulus package—solon THE incoming administration of presumptive president Ferdinand Marcos Jr. may not have funds it will need for its stimulus package as the outgoing Duterte administration has already disbursed 90 percent of the 2022 national budget, Albay 1st District Rep. Edcel Lagman said Sunday.

“Unless the new administration can find or create fresh funds, the stimulus package monikered as Bayan Bangon Muli will be mere sloganeering and simply a change in nomenclature from the original Bayanihan,” Lagman said in a statement.

“Unlike in Bayanihan 1 and 2, there is nothing more to be realigned in the 2022 national budget because 90 percent has already been released to departments and

agencies,” he said.

While there are special purpose funds, these are “untouchable as they are mandatories like salaries, pensions, and for the National Disaster Risk Reduction and Management Council Fund or the calamity fund,” Lagman said.

Albay 2nd District Rep. Joey Salceda, chairman of the ways and means committee of the House of Representatives, earlier said the incoming administration would need around P326 billion in new revenues every year to cover both principal and interest payments due to debts incurred during the COVID-19 pandemic.

To achieve this, Salceda cited the need for Congress to enact new packages of tax policy reforms.

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This is not an easy process, nor should it be rushed," Marcos said in a video blog posted on YouTube.

"There are names that have been floated—some have yet to be confirmed, some have already been confirmed, and several are just pure speculation. We will reach the right time when I will introduce each of them to you," he added.

“Who can say no to President-elect Bongbong Marcos? It is an honor working with him, whom I have known for a very long time and I believe will serve the Next page

NPC officially for Romualdez in Speaker race

By Rio N. Araja THE Nationalist People’s Coalition has formalized its support for the speakership bid of Majority Leader and Leyte Rep. Martin Romualdez for the incoming 19th Congress.

Romualdez, president of the LakasChristian Muslim Democrats and leading speakership contender, took part in NPC's fellowship dinner hosted by secretary general Mark Llandro Mendoza and Quezon Rep. Mark Enverga last Saturday night at the Makati Diamond Residences.

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UNQUALIFIED SUPPORT. Nationalist People's Coalition chairman and Senate President Vicente Vicente 'Tito' Sotto III gives a thumbs up sign as he declares full support to House Majority Leader and Leyte Rep. Martin Romualdez as the next Speaker of the House of Representatives in the upcoming 19th Congress during a fellowship dinner over the weekend. Ver Noveno

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MONDAY, MAY 23, 2022

mst.daydesk@gmail.com

Ukraine, pandemic color WHO assembly

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HE Ukraine war looms large as the World Health Organization opens its main annual assembly Sunday, threatening to overshadow efforts on other health crises and a reform push aimed at preventing future pandemics.

The UN health agency will kick off its 75th World Health Assembly Sunday afternoon, convening its 194 member states for their first largely in-person gathering since COVID-19 surfaced in late 2019.

The agenda will remain focused on the continuing coronavirus crisis and efforts to avert future pandemics.

But the war raging in Ukraine and

rebukes of Russia for its invasion are expected to take center stage.

Kyiv and its allies will present a resolution during the assembly harshly condemning Russia's invasion, and especially its more than 200 attacks on healthcare, including hospitals and ambulances, in Ukraine.

It is also to voice alarm at the "health

emergency in Ukraine", and highlight the dire impacts beyond its borders, including how disrupted grain exports are deepening a global food security crisis.

"The Ukraine war is having a systemic impact on international organizations," a European diplomat told AFP, pointing to the "considerable amounts of time [spent] looking at the consequences for health in Ukraine, in Europe and in the world."

But while Russia has been shunned and pushed out of other international bodies over its invasion, no such sanctions are foreseen at the World Health Assembly.

"There's not a call to kick them out," a Western diplomat told AFP, acknowledging that the sanctions permitted under

WHO rules are "very weak."

Moscow meanwhile flatly rejected rumors that it was planning to leave the WHO, insisting in a tweet Friday that they were "simply not true."

The conflict is far from the only issue on this week's packed agenda.

Among other things, the assembly is expected to reappoint WHO chief Tedros Adhanom Ghebreyesus to a second five-year term.

His first term was turbulent, as he helped steer the global response to the pandemic and grappled with a range of other crises, including a sexual abuse scandal involving WHO staff in the Democratic Republic of Congo.

But while the former Ethiopian health

minister has faced his share of criticism, he has received broad backing and is running unopposed, guaranteeing him a second term.

There will be no shortage of challenges, with the COVID-19 pandemic still raging and demands for dramatic reforms of the entire global health system to help avert similar threats going forward.

And new health menaces are already looming, including hepatitis of mysterious origin that has been sickening children in many countries, and swelling numbers of monkeypox cases far from Central and West Africa where the disease is normally concentrated. AFP (See full story online at manilastandard.net)

Polls...

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HOPEFUL SPLASHING. A burst of water from a fire hose refreshes Catholic devotees as they celebrate the feast day of Sta. Rita de Cascia, patron saint of impossible causes, in Parañaque City on May 22, 2022. Danny Pata

Gilas...

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Indonesians, 81-85, in the gold-medal match in a shocking result that is expected to have repercussions on the Philippine team’s lineup, coaching staff and approach in its formation.

The Gilas Women’s Team did win the gold, although it lost its final game to the Malaysians, 93-96.

The Filipinas’ cause was helped along

by Vietnam, which beat Malaysia, 6965, late Saturday night, the Malaysians’ second defeat in five games.

With a 4-1 card, the Gilas women bagged the gold. Indonesia can match that record with a win over Singapore late Sunday, but the Filipinas will still prevail, having beaten the Indonesians, 93-77, Monday last week.

Backed by the Philippine Sports Commission and the Philippine Olympic Committee, the Filipinos finished the 12day biennial games with 51 gold medals on top of 67 silver and 92 bronze medals.

The Philippines was the overall champion three years ago with a harvest of 149-117-121 three years ago.

BBM...

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country efficiently and with unquestioned devotion. It is very flattering to work alongside the best person I’ve known,” Rodriguez said in a statement.

“Rest assured that our team will work doubly hard for the success of his six-year presidency,” he added.

Rodriguez has left his post as Marcos’s spokesperson in preparation for his transfer to the Office of the Executive Secretary.

The executive secretary is the highestranking official within the Office of the President of the Philippines. The execu-

NPC...

From A1

"With the authority given to me, I hereby declare that the NPC in the House of Representatives will support the speakership of Martin Romualdez. I mentioned it before, but tonight [Saturday] we make it official," NPC chairman and Senate President Vicente Sotto III said.

"We assure you that this party has always been there, strong, will remain strong and under the leadership of the new Speaker Martin Romualdez, I'm sure that we will have a very good 19th Congress in the House of Representatives,"

Host Vietnam put the finishing touches to its dominant run to the overall crown with a 193-115-109 haul, followed by Thailand (84-96-126) and Indonesia (6383-74). Singapore, which seized fourth overall from the Philippines last Friday, remained stuck at 47 golds with 45 silver and 67 bronze medals for fifth.

Also on Sunday, Tokyo Olympics bronze winner Eumir Marcial mauled his unheralded Timor Leste opponent to lead a final-day, four-gold medal haul.

Showing superior skills, Marcial made quick work of Delio Anzageci Mouzinho, forcing a referee-stopped contest victory in the first round of the middleweight finals, following through on big victories scored earlier by Ian Clark Bautista and Rogen Ladon at the Bac Ninh Stadium.

Ladon edged Thao Tran Van of Vietnam, 3-2, in the men’s 52kg division, while Bautista humbled Naing Latt of Myanmar, 5-0, in the men’s 57kg class.

The other Pinoy boxer in the finals, Tokyo Olympian Irish Magno, bowed to Vietnamese Nguyen Thi Tam in the women’s flyweight championship and bagged the silver, the same fate suffered by the esports team in its League of Legends

finals showdown against Vietnam 0-3.

There were bright spots in these games, though, like the world-class Tokyo Olympians, who crushed the competition as they became the delegation’s saving grace, alongside a couple of newcomers showing their readiness to be next in line.

Hidilyn Diaz won her battle for the 55-kg gold in the weightlifting competition against a fellow Olympic gold medalist from Thailand, pole vaulter Ernest John Obiena retained his title with a new meet record of 5.46 meters and world vault champion Carlos Yulo captured 5 gymnastics gold medals to go with two silvers to lead the PH charge in these games.

Their efforts may have failed to fuel the country’s bid to place runner-up to host Vietnam, but it reaffirmed their status as world-class athletes, ready for another call of duty in the coming 2024 Paris Olympics and several other world championships.

“My journey toward Paris [Olympics] starts here,” said Diaz, whose 206-kg total lift in the finals foiled the challenge of the Rio Olympics’ gold medalist, who only had a 203. “That is the goal, to make it to the 2024 Olympics. I can still do it, my

team still believes in me and I know I can still win the gold medal in Paris 2024.”

Obiena, Asia’s best pole vaulter, on the other hand, looks to reach his peak form in the World Athletics Championships to be held in Eugene, Oregon in the United States on July 15 to 24, 2022, while Yulo is expected to defend his title in the 51st FIG Artistic Gymnastics World Championships in Liverpool, England.

Both Obiena and Yulo, who failed to win a medal in the Tokyo Olympics, believe they are ripe for the 2024 Paris games.

“Paris is my goal right now, every competition is connected to 2024, my whole mindset is like the Olympics – what if today was the Olympics?” said Yulo.

Shining brightest among the newcomers was weightlifter Vanessa Sarno, the 18-year-old teenager who won the gold in the 71-kgs while smashing three SEA Games’ records along the way in the snatch (104), clean and jerk (135) and total lift (239).

Then, there is 16-year-ol Rafael Nadal Tennis Academy scholar Alex Eala, who collected three bronze medals – women’s singles, women’s team and mixed doubles with partner Treat Huey – at the Hanaka Sports and Service Center.

tive secretary is also a part of the Cabinet.

The executive secretary directly assists the president in managing government affairs and directs the operations of the executive office.

Lawyer Salvador Medialdea serves as President Rodrigo Duterte’s executive secretary.

Earlier, Marcos asked former Labor Secretary Bienvenido “Benny” Laguesma and migrant workers' advocate Susan "Toots" Ople to be part of his administration.

Rodriguez, said Tuesday Marcos had talked to the two before leaving the country for Australia for a "much needed rest and vacation" after a grueling campaign.

Laguesma was asked to lead the De-

partment of Labor and Employment, while Ople was asked to take the helm of the newly-created Department of Migrant Workers.

"Both are respected in the field of labor and employment,” Rodriguez said.

He said both Laguesma and Ople “accepted the invitation warmly” even as they asked for some time to consult first with their families, friends, and other people they trust.

Laguesma was DOLE Secretary from 1998 to 2001 under President Joseph Estrada – a position also held by Ople’s father, Blas Ople, under President Ferdinand Marcos Sr. from 1978 to 1986.

Toots Ople, who heads the Blas F. Ople Policy Center and Training Institute, was an undersecretary of DOLE

under President Gloria Macapagal-Arroyo from 2004 to 2009. She was her father’s chief of staff in both the Senate (from 1992 until 2002) and the Department of Foreign Affairs (in 2003).

Earlier, the Marcos camp announced the first two Cabinet members of the incoming administration: presumptive vice president Sara Duterte-Carpio for the Education post and former Metropolitan Manila Development Authority chairman Benhur Abalos to lead the Department of the Interior and Local Government.

Rodriguez earlier said their camp is moving “in the right direction, with the appropriate speed” in forming a "responsive" team amid the challenges besetting the country. (See full story online at manilastandard.net)

Sotto added.

NPC stalwart and Rizal Rep. Jack Duavit said the party is a solid partner of Romualdez in pursuing the legislative agenda of the incoming administration.

"We just like you [Romualdez] to know that we are not just going to be your partners, we are always your friends.

You can count on our support because we know that your cousin and yourself are out to rebuild this nation and we want to be a part of that and we want to be a part of that success," he said, referring to presumptive president Ferdinand “Bongbong” Marcos Jr. Senator-elect Francis Escudero also assured Romualdez that NPC would be

his steady partner in the next Congress.

Romualdez, for his part, thanked Sotto for the reiteration of support.

“As you know I have always admired you from a far because at the Lower House, we would always watch what you would do, a true leader, a consensus-builder. You have steered the Senate through troubled waters and you always navigated [in the right direction]. That's why we admire you and the party, the NPC that you symbolize and represent,” Romualdez said.

"We are very inspired and we are very elated that you would like to be part of the nation-building with President-elect Bongbong Marcos. It will be very impor-

tant to hit the ground running so to speak.”

“We will have a great partnership with the Senate and of course in consonance with the legislative agenda of the [incoming] administration. I am sure that at the heels of this pandemic, we will be on the road to recovery not just health wise, but economically, that's what we look forward to," Romualdez added.

Earlier, former President and returning Pampanga Rep. Gloria Arroyo and incumbent Speaker Lord Allan Velasco conveyed their support for Romualdez.

Velasco thanked Romualdez, whom he described as “a steady partner and ally,” for helping him shepherd the House in the outgoing 18th Congress.

“From what we see in the Omicron BA 2.12, those who are affected only manifest symptoms of cold, fever, and a little cough. Usually, the symptoms disappear after three to five days. So we expect that it will not be like last year when many went to the hospital,” Solante said.

The rainy season could also see the spread of COVID-19, he said.

Solante earlier said that if no surge occurred two weeks after the elections, this meant that protection against COVID-19 remained high in the country.

The country on Saturday logged 246 new COVID-19 cases, the highest since May 1, amid the threat of the emergence of Omicron subvariants.

This is the highest in nearly three weeks, the Department of Health (DOH) said based on its data.

The new cases brought the country's total COVID-19 caseload so far to 3,688,751.

Of the new cases, 120 come from the National Capital Region (NCR).

Based on the latest count, 3,626,038 people have recovered from the disease while 60,455 have died from it.

The independent monitoring OCTA Research Group earlier warned that cases in Metro Manila have increased by 17 percent.

Their data showed that the average daily cases rose to 71 percent from 59 average daily cases logged from May 6 to 12.

The DOH earlier announced that it detected Omicron BA.4, a variant of concern, from a Filipino who traveled from the Middle East last May 4.

The patient is an asymptomatic case.

"DOH has been coordinating with the concerned LGUs [local government units] since confirmation of the case to rapidly implement detection and isolation activities,” the DOH said in a statement.

"BA.4’s faster transmission is likely because of its ability to evade immune protection induced by prior infection and/or vaccination, particularly if this has waned over time. While the ECDC (European Center for Disease Prevention and Control) has not observed any change in severity for BA.4 compared to other Omicron subvariants, we must be careful because faster transmission will lead to a spike in cases that could overwhelm our hospitals and clinics," the department added.

On Tuesday, the Health department said it had detected local transmission of the Omicron subvariant BA.2.12.1.

Health Undersecretary Maria Rosario Vergeire, however, said local transmission is not the same as community transmission.

"This is not a community transmission where the infection is already so widespread that linkages cannot be traced anymore," she said.

The government recently announced that it has detected 17 cases of the Omicron subvariant BA.2.12.1, two of them in Metro Manila.

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"Unless we can raise that kind of revenue, we will have to downscale our public spending or borrow again to pay the debt," Salceda said in a statement.

Stressing the need for quick and effective fiscal measures, Salceda added: “The earlier the Marcos administration starts with a fiscal expansion program, the better it will be for investor confidence, our credit ratings, our debt overhang, and our future growth prospects.”

“You need money for the most important campaign promises: cheaper rice, more efficient government services, and improved agriculture.”

“So, I would suggest quick and effective fiscal measures being undertaken in the first hundred days,” he said.

Meanwhile, Salceda said the debt service due to deficit spending from January 2020 to March 2022 would have been around P144 billion in principal payments over the next 20 years, and around P181 billion in interest payments.

"That will of course vary per year, and some years will need lower debt than others,” he said. "But if you want to stretch out the payment schedule, that’s the kind of fiscal space you need to cover the COVID-19 debts without incurring budget cuts."

News

MONDAY, MAY 23, 2022

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Gordon insists Senate still has power to detain execs

SHORELINE SHUFFLE. A man walks at the Manila Bay Dolomite Beach shoreline Sunday, apparently not aware the Department of Environment and Natural Resources has moved the reopening of MBDB to the public from May 20 to June 3, 2022, due to incomplete infrastructures. Norman Cruz

SENATOR Richard Gordon has insisted the 24-member Senate still has authority over the detention of the executives of embattled Pharmally Pharmaceuticals Inc. until the end of the 18th Congress.

Gordon on Sunday cited a ruling by the Supreme Court en banc in 1950 which did not find sound reason to limit the power of the body to impose penalties for contempt.

“There is no limit as to time (on) the Senate’s power to punish for contempt in cases where that power may constitutionally be exerted,” he said in a statement.

This followed claims by Ferdinand Topacio — the lawyer of the detained Pharmally executives Mohit Dargani and Linconn Ong — the Senate was scheduled to release his clients on June 3.

SC junks dismissed judge’s plea

By Rey E. Requejo

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HE Supreme Court has junked the appeal for clemency filed by Presiding Judge Rolando Mislang of Regional Trial Court of Pasig City following his dismissal from the service in 2016 after finding him guilty of gross ignorance of the law in issuing several orders favorable to detained Globe Asiatique president Delfin Lee. In a 14-page en banc resolution, the SC noted that Mislang failed to show “prima facie circumstances” to warrant the grant of clemency and to allow him to retire with full benefits.

Mislang also sought the lifting of his disqualification to seek employment in

DENR launches center to monitor air, water quality

By Rio N. Araja THE Department of Environment and Natural Resources’ Environmental Management Bureau has launched a data center providing real-time monitoring of air and water quality, including the status of solid and hazardous waste management, facilities with environmental compliance certificates and online permitting system.

Secretary Jim Sampulna said the EMB data center would provide the most intensive services to “give the public quality environmental data that brings together real-time air, water and even solid waste data from across the country that will certainly empower our citizens to make informed health choices and strengthen the DENR’s capability to take immediate action against erring establishments.”

Similar undertakings have been made in other DENR field offices in recent years but were “not as intensive as this one,” he noted.

He lauded the efforts of the DENREMB even if the funds for the establishment of the P10-million facility came from the savings of the bureau.

According to Stephen Roie Lee, head of the facility’s IT team, expenses for the facility’s programming and operation would reach almost P100 million if contracted out to a third party.

“This is the kind of leadership and management that I like. You’re given 10 and you accomplished much more than P10,” Sampulna said.

EMB director William Cuñado said they pooled together in-house talents of computer programmers both from its main office and regional offices to come up with an integrated platform for the facility which is housed in a 60-square meter room at the EMB executive building in Quezon City.

The data can be accessed at www. emb.gov.ph A self-generated show cause order is sent online to the establishment, giving it 24 hours to explain why it should not face proceedings leading to a possible issuance of a notice of violation.

any branch or instrumentality of the government, including governmentowned and controlled corporations.

The high court noted that based on its operative guidelines for resolving requests for judicial clemency, a prima facie case may be said to exist when

the petitioner sufficiently demonstrates that he or she has sincerely expressed remorse for his past infractions, has convincingly reformed in his or her ways and deserving of the clemency based on surrounding circumstances.

The SC said while Judge Mislang complied with the minimum five-year period to seek clemency for dismissal or disbarment, he failed to show “prima facie showing of his genuine repentance and remorse of his past infractions.”

“Accordingly, the Court cannot simply allow clemency cases to proceed without first thoroughly sifting through the petition and uncovering, at least, ostensible proof of a prima facie case.

Indeed, to permit the contrary would undermine the public’s confidence in

the genuineness of the clemency process and, in turn, reflect poorly on the sanctity of the judicial system,” the SC said.

Based on its records, Mislang is still insisting up to now his innocence and believes that he was unfairly meted with dismissal.

The SC cited Mislang’s letter to the Court en banc dated June 3, 2021, which was made only three months prior to the filing of his petition for clemency, wherein he insisted that he was innocent of the charges lodged against him.

Worse, the high court said, Mislang even sought the intervention of the President in a matter wholly within the jurisdiction of the judiciary.

MENTAL HEALTH.

Luckie Masbad, a lady biker and a public relations practitioner, joins the Distinguished Gentleman’s ride along Roxas Boulevard fronting Manila Bay on Sunday, as part of efforts to raise awareness of prostate cancer research and men’s mental health.

Danny Pata

K-12 system should be among DepEd priorities—solon

By Macon Ramos-Araneta IMPROVING the skills of learners, fixing the K-12 system, and upholding the welfare of teachers should be among the priorities of the Department of Education (DepEd) under the new administration, Senator Sherwin Gatchalian has proposed.

Gatchalian recalled that out of 79 countries that participated in the 2018 Program for International Student Assessment (PISA), the Philippines ranked last in Reading and second to the last in Mathematics and Science.

The Philippines also ranked last out of 58 countries in two other international assessments: the 2019 Southeast Asia Primary Learning Metrics (SEA-PLM) and the 2019 Trends in International Mathematics (TIMSS).

Before the pandemic struck, experts were saying the congested K-12 curriculum, which requires too many competencies, was preventing learners from mastering basic skills.

Gatchalian added that Filipinos were dissatisfied with the K-12 program.

A December 2019 survey by Pulse Asia revealed that only 38 percent were satis-

fied with the K-12 program, while 47 percent were dissatisfied.

Among those who are dissatisfied with the K-12 program, 78 percent said they had to shell out more money for transportation and education for two more years.

Gatchalian, Chairman of the Senate Committee on Basic Education, Arts and Culture, said upholding the welfare of teachers should include raising their salaries.

He has proposed to increase the salary of Teacher I from Salary Grade 12 (P25,439) to Salary Grade 13 (P29,798) or Salary Grade 14 (P32,321).

Dargani and Ong have been detained at the Pasay City jail for contempt, after they earlier failed to cooperate with senators regarding an investigation into the P12-billion contract awarded by the Department of Health.

“Congress is in the Third Session of the 18th Congress. This Congress ends at noon of June 30. Thus, any power that the Senate possesses and exercises does not end on June 3,” Gordon said.

“If Counsel for any of those detained has a problem with that, let him go to court for a clear interpretation of when a particular Congress — this 18th Congress — ends,” Gordon said.

Topacio last month said Dargani’s petition questioning his continued detention was transferred to another division of the Court of Appeals.

‘PDIC expected to increase bank deposit insurance’ AMID soaring inflation, Makati City Rep. Luis Campos Jr. foresees an increase of at least 50 percent (or P250,000) in the maximum deposit insurance coverage (MDIC) per depositor per bank within the next few months.

In a statement released to media, Campos said he was counting on the state-run Philippine Deposit Insurance Corp. (PDIC) “to raise the MDIC from the current amount of P500,000 to a higher sum of between P750,000 to (sic) P1 million per depositor per bank soon after the applicable bill is signed into law.”

The bill that grants the PDIC the power to bump up the MDIC is now awaiting President Rodrigo Duterte’s signature, according to Campos, a member of the House committee on banks and financial intermediaries.

The House and the Senate previously ratified the conference committee report on the bill.

Under the bill, the PDIC’s governing board “may increase the amount of the MDIC to an amount indexed to inflation or in consideration of other economic indicators as may be deemed appropriate.”

The measure also empowers the PDIC to review the amount of the MDIC every three years and enlarge it as may be warranted.

“The PDIC has no choice but to increase the MDIC because spiraling inflation is eroding at a faster rate the value of depositor protection afforded by the prevailing P500,000 ceiling,” Campos said.å The country’s inflation accelerated to a three-year high of 4.9 percent in April due to sustained price increases and lingering food supply issues. Economists see inflation surging to as high as 5.7 percent by June.

In House Bill 5812, Campos had originally proposed to double to P1 million the 13-year-old MDIC of P500,000 per depositor per bank.

However, instead of increasing the MDIC, as it did it in the past, Congress this time decided to give the PDIC the power to raise the ceiling.

Campos expressed confidence that the anticipated increase in the MDIC would further reinforce public confidence in the banking system and encourage even more Filipinos to save.

Magnitude 6.1 shock hits offshore Batangas

By Rio N. Araja A MAGNITUDE 6.1 earthquake hit offshore Batangas south of Metro Manila on Sunday morning.

According to the Philippine Institute of Volcanology and Seismology, the tremor occurred at 5:50 a.m. with an epicenter of 18 kilometers off the coast of Calatagan, Batangas.

Of tectonic origin, which is caused by the movement of the earth’s crust, the quake, 22 minutes after sunrise, had a depth of 122 kilometers.

Intensity 4 was felt in Batangas’ Calatagan, while Metro Manila’s Quezon City and Pasay City Pasig City; Cavite’s Tagaytay City, Mendez, Amadeo and Alfonso,

and Bulacan’s Obando felt intensity 3.

Intensity 2 was recorded in Bataan’s Abucay, Bataan; Nueva Ecija’s Gapan City; Zambales’ Castillejos, Zambales; Metro Manila’s Mandaluyong City, Manila City and Makati City, and Rizal’s Tanay.

“The quake was not felt that strong due to its depth,” Phivolcs director Renato Solidum said.

Damage and aftershocks are expected, he noted.

The quake was triggered by the sliding of the Eurasian Plate against the Manila Trench, Phivolcs said.

The Philippines lies along the Pacific Ring of Fire, which causes the country to have frequent seismic and volcanic activity.

AFFORDABLE PLAYTHINGS. Colorful toys are sold by an unnamed vendor for only P80 pesos each, in hopes accompanying children’s parents would see and buy the bargain at the Quezon City Memorial Park.

Manny Palmero

PCG ‘s multi-role response vessel to arrive from Japan’s Shimonoseki Shipyard in June THE Philippine Coast Guard (PCG), the third armed uniformed service of the country, will soon have a new multi-role response vessel (MRRV) to add to its maritime assets, the BRP Melchora Aquino.

The PCG is attached to the Philippines’ Department of Transportation, and is tasked primarily with enforcing laws within Philippine waters, conducting maritime

security operations, and safeguarding life.

Known as MRRV-9702, the vessel is currently at Shimonoseki Shipyard in Yamaguchi Prefecture, Japan and undergoing the last “harbor acceptance test and inspection” by the PCG. It will depart Japan on May 27 and is expected to arrive in the Philippines next month where it will be commissioned into service.

MRRV-9702 Commanding Officer Coast Guard Commander Patrick Babag said the inspection was important to ensure that the vessel is “fully compliant” with the technical specifications in the contract.

The vessel will be the second 97-meter MRRV of the PCG. The first is the BRP Teresa Magbanua which was commissioned into PCG service on May 2.

The BRP Melchora Aquino was modeled after the Kunigami-class vessel of the Japanese Coast Guard.

The vessel has a speed of 24 knots and with endurance of 4,000 nautical miles.

PCG Commandant Admiral Artemio Abu said the BRP Teresa Magbanua and BRP Melchora Aquino would be used to strengthen maritime security, maritime safety, mari-

time law enforcement, maritime search and rescue, and marine environmental protection capabilities of the PCG. The MRRV-9702 was acquired by the Department of Transportation under the Maritime Safety Capability Improvement Project Phase II, with funds from a loan from the Japan Official Development Assistance (ODA).

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MONDAY, MAY 23, 2022

News

Comelec taps PNP, AFP for special polls in Lanao

LAST RESPECTS. Joseph Sonora, nephew of Susan Roces, pays his last respects to the late actress at the Heritage in Taguig City on Sunday. (Inset) Flowers from fans and supporters adorn the Walk of Fame star of Susan Roces in Eastwood City following her passing early this morning. Danny Pata and Norman Cruz

Comelec set to investigate Cavite ballot disposal issue THE Commission on Elections (Comelec) said it is investigating the disposal of training ballots used in Manila at a site in Cavite as these should have been kept by teachers who served as electoral board members in the last May polls.

Commissioner George Garcia in an interview on ABS-CBN TeleRadyo said “we’re just finding out why F2 Logistics, our provider, also brought those items from Tondo to Cavite, and why it was dumped there.”

According to Garcia the election officer of Manila City “has explained that the items found to have been discarded in Amadeo were ballots used during the training, and final testing and sealing process ahead of the actual voting day.”

Garcia said the ballots used by voters on May 9 are “properly accounted.”

The ballots, stored at the Manila City Treasurer’s Office, can be used in case of electoral protests, he said The official said training ballots used by teachers during their preparation are not collected by the Comelec anymore.

“Ballots used during the training and final sealing and testing should be in the custody of teachers because, remember, the final sealing and testing is being done in precincts,” Garcia said, in the radio interview. “Therefore, these should be in the custody of our electoral boards.

We’re wondering why these fell into the hands of F2 Logistics when these should be in the precincts, or if not, in the principal’s office after they were used.

Garcia did not disclose who should be held liable so as not to preempt the Comelec investigation. However, he said custodians of those documented should be identified and asked “to explain” why those were passed on to the logistics provider.

The F2 Logistics is also being asked to explain, to be able to find out if they picked up the document and dropped off those, Garcia said.

Garcia said the Comelec is treating this case as a “serious issue”

UN executive lauds Marawi rehab efforts A TOP official of the United Nations has lauded Task Force Bangon Marawi (TFBM) for the rehabilitation of the country’s only Islamic city following the 2017 siege.

UN Resident Coordinator and Humanitarian Coordinator in the Philippines Gustavo Gonzalez, who was in Marawi for the Marawi Week of Peace, described the city’s rehabilitation as the “best rebuilding process” he has ever seen.

“We are very proud to be your partners in this rebuilding process... which needs coalitions, alliance. We are proud to see the results of our investments,” he said.

Housing czar Eduardo del Rosario, the task force chairperson, invited Gonzalez to Lanao del Sur’s Marawi City’s most affected area for him to personally witness the progress of the massive government-led rehabilitation.

Gonzalez graced the turnover of hundreds more permanent shelters awarded to internally displaced persons in Marawi City.

Gonzalez joined Secretary Eduardo Del Rosario in the awarding of the permanent shelters are part of a housing program led by the UN-Habitat in partnership with the Japanese government and the Social Housing Finance Corp. Rio N. Araja

THE Commission on Elections (Comelec) said it is now preparing for the 2022 special elections in Lanao del Sur set on May 24.

The Comelec earlier reported a failure of elections in some areas of the said province.

Comelec Commissioner George Garcia in a radio interview said that the Philippine National Police (PNP), Armed Forces of the Philippines (AFP), and the Philippine Coast Guard (PCG) will work with the poll regulator body to conduct the special elections in Tubaran, Lanao del Sur. Tubaran has yet to submit its Certificate of Canvass (COC) for the 2022 national and local elections.

“The Comelec is ready. The AFP, PNP, and PCG are already coordinating with us. We have increased our forces there in Lanao del Sur because the possibility that violence will arise in Tubaran is very high,” Garcia, in the Super Radyo dzBB interview, said.

Garcia said PNP personnel “will have to take over the special elections in 14 polling precincts in Tubaran so as not to put the teachers at risk.”

The official said PNP personnel had to undergo training for several days and weeks to oversee the elections in the said areas. The Comelec noted that teachers are being threatened” in the said areas.

The Comelec said at least 12 barangays in Tubaran reported violence, threats, and intimidation related to the 2022 elections.

These barangays were Tangcal, Datumanong, Guiarong, Baguiangun, Wago, Malaganding, Gadongan, Riantaran, Pagalamatan, Mindamunag, Paigoday-pimbataan, and Metadicop.

Velasco vows ‘credible’ canvassing

By Rio N. Araja

H

OUSE Speaker Lord Allan Velasco on Sunday assured the nation that the canvassing of votes and proclamation of winners in the recently concluded presidential and vice-presidential elections will be “expeditious, transparent, and credible.”

He gave the assurance as Congress and the Senate are set to hold a joint public session this coming week to convene as the National Board of Canvassers as mandated by the Constitution to count the votes cast and proclaim the country’s next President and Vice President.

“Congress, sitting as the NBOC, is duty-bound to make sure that the entire process of vote counting and transmission of results will be done expeditiously and with utmost transparency and integrity,” he said.

The legislature through Velasco and Senate President Vicente Sotto III is set

to proclaim the duly elected President and Vice President on May 27.

“We will perform our constitutional duty quickly and efficiently. We will be combining accuracy and speed for us to meet our committed timeline,” Velasco said.

The vote canvassing would proceed despite a pending disqualification case against presumptive President Ferdinand Marcos Jr. before the Supreme Court.

“Our duty to canvass is mandated by the Constitution itself. Nothing therein says that this duty is suspended while a case, which has already been dismissed by the Commission on Elections, is pending with the Supreme Court,” he said, adding that “We are bound to proclaim the winning President and Vice

President, and uphold the will of the people with dispatch.”

The House of Representatives and the Senate resume their separate sessions to adopt a joint resolution convening Congress to a joint session and act as NBOC for the two highest elective posts of the land.

Each chamber is expected to formally create a contingent to the Joint Committee that will do the actual count of votes cast for President and Vice President during the May 9 polls, starting May 24.

Each contingent will have seven regular members and four alternate members. The Speaker and the Senate President shall designate the chairperson of each panel.

Sara hits ‘false’ claims of history revisionism

CHILD’S PLAY. Children with their faces covered with white powder blow a cup filled with flour during a game in the town fiesta celebrating the feast of Saint Rita de Cascia in Pasay City on Sunday. Danny Pata

DAVAO CITY—The camp of Vice President-elect Sara Duterte said Saturday ACT Teachers party-list Representative France Castro’s “false claims on history revisionism” is premature and misleading, pending the presentation of the education agenda by the incoming administration.

Castro has called on Duterte, the incoming secretary of the Department of Education (DepEd), to restore Philippine History as an independent subject in the high school curriculum to prevent revisionism.

On May 12, Duterte accepted the offer of incoming President Ferdinand “Bongbong” Marcos Jr. to head the DepEd so she can help produce “skilled learners”.

“Do not use our education system as a tool for further revision of our history. The next DepEd chief should be able to discern the importance of

the subjects, as according to her, this would play a major role in the downfall of the quality of education,” Castro said in a statement on Friday.

Liloan Mayor Christina Frasco, spokesperson of Duterte, similarly challenged Castro not to give in to her personal and political agenda and to focus on upholding the welfare of thousands of teachers by legislation, which is her duty and mandate.

“Taking a belligerent and combative stance in the molding of our youth serves no one except perhaps those whose intention it is to foment discord and disunity in our country,” Frasco said in a statement.

Castro claimed the subject was removed from the high school curriculum under the K to 12 program and events of Philippine History are only integrated into several subjects instead of having an “independent” subject.

Padilla insists Charter change to attract more investors to PH IT is high time to amend the economic provisions of the 1987 Constitution to attract more foreign investments in the country, Senator-elect Robin Padilla said on Saturday.

In a Facebook live post, Padilla said relaxing the economic restrictions in the country would help the Philippines catch up with its neighboring countries.

This, as he lamented that the “60-40” ownership rule that is enshrined in the Philippine Constitution merely benefits

the oligarchs.

“It is now time to accept more foreign investments. We have to make it fair. This is too much. Local oligarchs are getting richer. The poor could not feel any progress,” Padilla said.

Padilla issued the statement, as he blasted former presidential spokesperson Edwin Lacierda and outgoing Senator Franklin Drilon for questioning his proposal to introduce amendments to the Constitution.

Lacierda, in a tweet on Thursday, said it is better to push for a “simple” legislation to address the pressing issues in the country rather than seek an economic charter change.

He also told Padilla that amending the Constitution is a “long and costly process.”

“The problem with Charter Change (Cha-cha) is as much as you want to focus on certain issues, doing it would likewise open other provisions for change, not to

mention it takes longer to do Cha-cha.

And lastly, it has to go through people’s assent through referendum. [That’s] a long and costly process,” Lacierda said.

On the other hand, Drilon on Friday said seniority in the Senate would be given “heavier” consideration in choosing the chairperson of its major committees.

Drilon’s statement came after Padilla expressed openness to lead the Senate Committee on Constitutional Amendments.

Catholic group, BARMM sign pact on women’s participation THE Catholic Relief Services and the Office of MP Diamila Disimban-Ramos of the Bangsamoro Transition Authority (BTA) signed a memorandum of agreement to advance the inclusion and participation of women in the Bangsamoro Autonomous Region in Muslim Mindanao (BARMM).

The partnership aims establish consultative and dialogue mechanisms and platforms; conduct developmental initiatives and capacity building activities; strengthen women organizations and enterprises; improve access to finance and development programs and services; improve coordination with the government and other development stakeholders; improve gender and development programming; and integrate women agenda in regional and local development plans, policies, and laws.

“Our partnership is very important.

Through this, we can further strengthen our move towards a more peaceful and progressive Bangsamoro,” Ramos said.

Ramos also said through the partnership, “we are more likely to achieve our collective goals and mainstream and institutionalize the positive experiences and the changes or results achieved by pilot and local interventions for women.”

The Bangsamoro Government also recognized and awarded the contribution of six distinguished Bangsamoro women in various categories during the Awarding Ceremony of the Search for Bangsamoro Women Advocates 2022 on March 28.

The awardees include; Anna Zenaida Alonto, Bangsamoro Woman Advocate on Education 2022; Hadja Nabiha Noni Lao, Bangsamoro Woman Advocate on Gender and Development 2022; Dalomabi Bula, Bangsamoro Woman Advocate on IDP 2022; Shahera B. Lucman, Bangsamoro Woman Advocate on Children 2022; Nairah Tambie, Bangsamoro Woman Advocate on Youth 2022; and Shri Tahanie Macaumbao, Bangsamoro Woman Advocate on Environment 2022

LAST DAYS OF SUMMER. Children enjoy the wave pool at the newly-opened Villa Excellance in Barangay Postema, Tanza, Cavite on the last days of the summer season. The Philippine Atmospheric, Geophysical and Astronomical Services Administration earlier declared the start of the rainy season. Norman Cruz

Opinion Analysis

From electoral...

Some 90 million tons of grain are stuck in the Black Sea ports of Odessa and Mariupol.

The nearest available port, Constanza in Romania, is incapable of handling such huge supplies and the landline to the Ukraine is largely impassable.

But even if Russia had not invaded Ukraine, climate change and the resulting unpredictable weather patterns have wrought havoc on the production of staple food, whether in Brazil or the USA plagued by droughts, or in China with incessant rains and flooding of its plains. To all these, add the lingering effects of a mutating coronavirus, which has disrupted supply chains, locked down work forces, and created logistical nightmares throughout the world.

Now, the average Filipino might say: so what if pan de sal becomes smaller, and tasty (pan Americano) becomes more expensive?

There’s always good old rice, the price of which has been relatively stable in the past two years because of heavy importation.

Well, imports of our staple food will become more expensive, as consumers, used to bread as their staple, start substituting rice for their daily diet. Many may think that is far from reality, but hunger finds substitute carbohydrates.

Unfortunately, rice is a grass that grows well only in a few countries, within a certain latitude close enough to the equator. And it requires a lot of water which is increasingly becoming scarce. It takes 3,000 to 5,000 liters of water to grow a kilo of rice, depending on variety and soil conditions. And the world’s top producers of rice, principally Thailand, India, Vietnam, Pakistan, Myanmar, even Cambodia, are heavy consumers of rice as well.

It is only their surplus production that they export to nearby countries like the Philippines, Indonesia, Malaysia, and China, and to far-away Middle Eastern and African consumers. That surplus, or what we call “tradeable” supply of rice, amounts to just about 8 percent of total production, a very thin volume to support regular consumption of importing countries such as ours, plus the substitute demand as a result of wheat scarcity.

Other than the impact of huge imports of rice, our palay farmers are saddled with the prohibitive cost of fertilizers. A year ago, one sack of the input cost P900; today it has tripled to P2,800 per bag. Inorganic fertilizers are derivatives of petroleum, so there.

Environmentalists may say we should go organic, but it’s too late for that. The Rajapaksas of Sri Lanka prohibited chemical fertilizers, going green, they claimed. The result, apart from a huge foreign debt? Food shortages and high prices drove them out of office very recently.

Because input costs have increased, our small palay farmers, mostly agrarian reform beneficiaries, have reduced the use of fertilizers, so output per hectare will substantially drop. Unless the government saves agriculture through good programs and hefty subsidies properly implemented, the farming sector will be in extremis.

But enough of the problems, which also affects all kinds of food items, whether meat and poultry dependent on corn and soybean meal for feeds, or fish where fishermen have to shell out double the cost of petrol for their motorboats, or even vegetables reeling also from fertilizer costs and everything else saddled by higher transport costs. So much has been written about the problems.

The issue is, what can be done, and soon?

If there are strong typhoons in the latter half of this year, flooding our central Luzon plains, destroying soon to be harvested palay and other crops, we will be facing a massive food crisis very, very soon. In fact, even if the weather cooperates, the food crisis will be upon us.

In September of 2017, alarmed by reports that NFA’s rice inventory was down to 8 days of the national consumption, this writer was asked by Pres. Duterte to write an instant memorandum on what measures should be done. I advised him to do an immediate government-to-government import of the staple, and if he could not trust his appointed bureaucrats to do it right, he could always call the Prime Ministers of Vietnam and Thailand and seek immediate relief. He was at the time also the chair of the ASEAN. In 2008, Pres. Gloria Macapagal Arroyo’s government was faced by a similar crisis, and Metro Manilans were lining up for meager supplies of rice, the result of a steep rise in world prices, abetted by our government’s miscalculations. Frantic calls to Vietnam officialdom saved the day, as they even sold part of their reserves to a rice-strapped ASEAN brother.

I informed Pres. Duterte that if we were beset by strong typhoons during the harvest season in 2017 which was about to begin, rice prices would shoot up by November, and we may even have a dire shortage of the staple.

Fortunately, there were no strong typhoons in 2017, but the yawning gap in government-held inventory remained till 2018, which was when rice prices spiked considerably.

The economic managers saw this as an opportunity to get Congress to pass the Rice Tarrification Law, which substituted 35 percent tariffs for quantitative restrictions, castrated the National Food Authority, and left the market completely to the private sector.

There will be time to discuss the RTL later, as our farmers blame it for the drop in the farmgate price of their palay output, and their losing out to imported rice. To be sure, food inflation has somehow been tamed by stable rice prices in the market.

Still, it is never the right policy to sacrifice

Published Monday to Sunday by Philippine Manila Standard Publishing Inc. at 6/F Universal Re Building, 106 Paseo de Roxas, corner Perea St., Legaspi Village, Makati City. Telephone numbers 8-5646225 and 8-5646229 (connecting all departments), (Editorial) 832-5554, (Advertising) 832-5550. P.O. Box 2933, Manila Central Post Office, Manila. Website: www. manilastandard.net

the production sector to favor the consumers.

Food security is national security, and relying on food imports is fraught with external dangers, such as the storm we now face.

But for now, how shall we confront a food crisis like no other?

Let me give my two cents worth of proposals.

Firstly, Congress, at the instance of the incoming Speaker, should study giving the Chief Executive “emergency powers” to deal with the looming crisis. There is no time to tarry. The opposition and even the strict guardians of the usual procurement processes will quibble about this proposal, and say these powers may be abused, but hey, food is very basic. No matter our misgivings, we have to deal with a paramount necessity.

There is an ASEAN plus Three (APTERR) mechanism forged in our time among the ASEAN countries plus China, Japan and Korea, to help each other, but the mechanisms are intended for calamity response. Efforts outside the APTERR agreement must be done on a bilateral government-to-government basis.

Congress gave then-Pres. Fidel V. Ramos emergency powers to deal with the brownouts brought about by the lack of foresight of his predecessor, and whatever questions there may have been, with stranded costs and alleged short-cuts, the lights went on.

We can do no less with food.

We are a food insecure country, with some 12 percent of our people or three million of them, experiencing involuntary hunger, a number that is growing as we write this article due to food price inflation. And high malnutrition levels among our children have resulted in stunting and worse, breeding a nation of morons.

We cannot produce an abundance of food overnight. As we write, we are importing 15 percent of our rice consumption requirements. We import corn, soybeans, pork, beef, even galunggong, on top of garlic, onions and vegetables.

Emergency powers should address the situation where the market is completely in the hands of the private sector, while NFA has been reduced to a public warehouse, buying from local farmers and keeping the same as reserves for disaster relief. And what authority will cover rice must likewise be adopted for corn, fertilizers, and feeds, all of which impact on the price of pork and poultry. Of fresh incidence was how our hog industry was ravaged by ASF, and the dangers of avian flu. We must always be prepared, yet unfortunately, the government has always been reactive even when it comes to as basic a necessity as food supply.

Congress can institute the necessary safeguards, and regardless of our doubts on the incoming administration, we need to prioritize food security.

Secondly, local government units in tandem with the agriculture department must be allowed to come up with immediate food security programs such as planting of vegetables and legumes in suitable public land and with idle private land within their territorial jurisdictions.

Third, some 4.5 million families are under the wings of the 4Ps, receiving cash subsidies through the DWSD. How they spend the cash is left to the better judgment of mothers or fathers who could abuse the benefits. Think of this: why not give rice instead of cash?

Our per capita rice consumption is about 110 kilos per annum, or about 10 kilos per month. If we give each pantawid beneficiary a 25 kilogram sack of rice each month instead, that will cost the government less than giving them cash. If we use the government to government importation for this, without duties, at the projected cost of $420-500 per ton CIF, that is around P650 per month plus distribution logistics which the LGUs can shoulder. If we give subsidies to local farmers and buy domestic rice, that would amount to roughly P800 per family. Rice is better than cash. If the government, through the NFA buys at P20 per kilo of palay, the 25-kilogram sack should cost the government about a thousand pesos in rice terms.

Fourth, on-the-ground assessment must be seriously made on how the Rice Competitiveness Enhancement Fund is being allocated. Farm mechanization, through the Philmech, promotion of hybrid seeds, and other such programmed spending may have to be re-aligned for immediate farmer needs, such as fertilizer and fuel subsidies.

Fifth, our legislators must look for ways and means to make our agrarian reform beneficiaries more productive through consolidation into land areas with economies of scale, allow the corporate sector to participate especially in farm management and marketing. Should we finally open up the economy to greater foreign participation even in agriculture, joint venture models could be pursued to improve farm technology.

Sixth, we need to ensure adequate rice reserves. The current government-held inventory, around seven (7) days, is woefully inadequate and exposes us to vagaries which exacerbate our food insecurity. While this may be comparing kalamansi to lemons, China’s rice reserve is good for an entire year, and still growing, in response to the situation. They are stockpiling further on wheat, corn and soybeans, buying whatever they can from the world market, especially since bad weather has affected their domestic output. Neighboring Taiwan as a rule has a 90-day rice reserve inventory, adjusted upwards again due to externalities. Indonesia’s Bulog has been stockpiling its rice inventory.

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EDITORIAL

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MONDAY, MAY 23, 2022

Philippine Press Institute The National Association of Philippine Newspapers

W

Consumers need greater protection

E welcome the passage of a law to protect consumers from financial fraud by giving regulators more powers.

dice to financial consumers.”

Financial regulators will have adjudicatory powers to order the reimbursement of lost funds not exceeding P10 million, allowing regulators to “resolve the challenges faced by financial consumers in a timely manner.”

They are tasked to determine the reasonableness of interest charges or fees that a financial service provider may demand, collect, or receive for a service.

Republic Act No. 11765, signed by the President on May 6, aims to strengthen the rights of Filipino consumers to equitable and fair treatment, disclosure and transparency of financial products and services, protection of consumer assets against fraud and misuse, data privacy and protection, and the timely handling and redress of complaints.

Under the new law, financial regulators can craft their own standards and rules for specific financial products or services within their jurisdiction, guided by internationally accepted standards and practices.

Financial regulators can also conduct surveillance and examination of financial service providers, as well as require the submission of reports.

Financial regulators will also be able to restrict the collection of excessive or unreasonable fees by service providers, and disqualify directors, officers and employees, as well as suspend a company’s operations, if they violate the law.

They may fine and suspend companies that violate the law, and issue cease-anddesist orders against financial service providers that commit fraud, violate the law or “cause grave or irreparable injury or preju-

A lot more needs to be done.

They must also provide efficient and effective mechanisms to address and handle complaints, requests and inquiries from financial consumers.

The passage of the law is timely.

In 2020 and 2021, the central bank received more than 42,000 complaints through its Consumer Assistance Mechanism. The total amount involved in the 2021 complaints amounted to P540 million, bringing the total from 2019 to P2 billion.

Identity theft, phishing and social engineering schemes were the top three cybercrimes in 2020.

While the new law is laudable, more

needs to be done to provide consumers with the basic protections they deserve, not just in financial transactions, but in commercial ones as well.

Consider, if you will, the hapless consumers of home internet services, who continue to remain at the mercy of their service providers, who offer no reasonable guarantee of continuous service, or of a swift resolution of problems. These so-called service providers are quick to bill and quick to disconnect upon non-payment, but are glacially slow in providing decent customer and repair service.

The addition of a third telco has done nothing to spur competition or improve customer service.

The recent experience of one Quezon City service area, is instructive. Here, the dominant internet service provider, PLDT, has not repaired downed broadband fiber connections for five days and counting, despite systemgenerated messages saying they were working on it. But not only is the company slow in repairing its network, it makes it difficult for its customers to get the rebate they are owed for lost service days. If customers want a rebate, they must fill out a form at a PLDT office—where the lines at the “customer service” counters are long. The hapless customers cannot even vote with their wallets, thanks to long lock-in periods that penalize them for switching to another provider.

As the 19th Congress begins, lawmakers could do worse than to legislate better protection for consumers against such poor service.

A must-read for the next administration cussed his paper titled, “A National Security Strategy (NSS) for the 17th Philippine President: The Case for A Limited Balancing Strategy.” It pushes for territorial and sovereign rights based on the 2016 Arbitral Ruling of the Permanent Court of Arbitration. In his paper, he highlights human security priorities such as public health security, sustaining the AFP modernization program, organizational and legislative reforms involving the PNP and AFP, and strengthening new and existing partnerships and alliances founded on a rules-based international system.

Dr. Francisco “Kiko” Magno, likewise a DLSU professor and an ADRi Trustee and

MUCH has been said about presumptive President Ferdinand “Bongbong” R. Marcos Jr’s qualifications and capacity to lead the country in the next six years . This will be a legitimation baggage that will need heavy lifting with the help of a highly competent and honest team of what I always say, should be the best minds and talents of the land to run a government that will inherit a country reeling from the deep economic crisis of the pandemic.

Last Friday, I had the honor of moderating the proceedings of top think tank, Stratbase ADR Institute’s (ADRi) launch of their latest publication, “Beyond the Crisis: A Strategic Agenda for the Next President” as part of a continuing advocacy to provide policy recommendations in the context of challenges to be passed on by the Duterte administration. The book focuses on strategic analyses and policy agendas on security, economy, and governance in the spirit of sustainable development, the rule of law, and a participative, all-of-society approach.

Stratbase Group CEO and ADRi President Prof. Victor Andres “Dindo” Manhit authored the special paper titled, “A Responsive and Strategic Foreign Policy Outlook in an Interconnected and Multipolar World” which concludes that the new leadership must pursue a future-oriented, responsive, and strategic Philippine foreign policy that secures the country’s national interest amidst uncertain international order and challenges resulting from the Duterte administration.

“The next set of leaders must also foster multilateral and inclusive cooperation through alliances and strategic partnerships with like-minded states including the United States, Japan, Australia, and the European Union. Likewise, economic diplomacy must also be prioritized through participation in regional and global initiatives,” Prof. Manhit said.

Dr. Renato Cruz De Castro, Professor of the De La Salle University (DLSU) and ADRi Trustee and Program Convenor dis-

How shall we confront a food crisis like no other?

India has stopped exporting wheat to ensure domestic food supply.

What happens when India stops exporting rice too, as it did in 2008 to 2011? Will Thailand and Vietnam likewise increase their reserves and thus reduce the already thin “tradeable” rice in the world market? Before the RTL law, government was mandated by Congress to have at least 15-days stockpile of rice, and 30 days during the lean season, which is the third quarter of the year.

In his father’s time, Executive Secretary Rafael Salas was assigned as the “rice czar” to implement a crash program on rice self-sufficiency. The template is there, except the incoming administration may have to multiply the re-

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

I hope they listen to these experts.

Program Convenor, in his paper “Governance Agenda for Development in a PostCOVID-19 Philippines” emphasized the need for reforms and innovation to build strong institutions for citizen deliberation, participation, and oversight in the exercise of authority and the disbursement of public resources. He posits a comprehensive approach in fighting corruption that strengthens institutions for efficient public services facilitated by legislative, political, bureaucratic, and digital reforms.

Dr. Ronald U. Mendoza, Dean and Professor of the Ateneo School of Government discussed his study on “Reducing Inequality in the Philippines: Rationale and Reform Options” zeroing in on reforms that builds strong social safety nets and competition in the market economy and political system to break free from the inequality trap. He calls for a review implementation strategy of passed laws such as TRAIN, Bangsamoro Basic Law, Rice Tariffication Law, Universal Health Care Law, 4Ps Law, Anti-Political Dynasty Law among others.

Dr. Carlos Primo “CP” David, Professor of the University of the Philippines (UP) National Institute of Geological Sciences, ADRi Trustee & Program Convenor, Philippine Business for Environmental Stewsponsibility beyond rice production to embrace all food necessities in short supply.

No less than the Philippine Chamber of Agriculture (PCAFI) has stated that it may take as long as eight years for our agriculture sector to recover from the effects of the pandemic, swine disease, and other maladies.

But while there are short, medium and long-term policies and programs underwritten by the present leadership of the department in coordination with the NEDA, it is the immediate impact on our people’s day-to-day living that worries most.

The incoming leadership of both houses of Congress must take the matter of addressing the crisis with utmost urgency, even as it reviews the budgetary requirements of a medium and long-term agricultural productivity enhancement vision. Improved post-harvest facilities and cold-chain storage, adequate research, crop insurance, and many other priorities long neglected for decades must be prioritized with crash-course urgency. Alongside this, structural changes need to be made in the Department of

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

ardship Convenor, sees the need for greater government support and private sector participation in agriculture to develop self-contained food production areas. He proposes strategies that would adapt climate-resilient measures, promote crop overproduction and food processing, strategic farm development for cool weather crops, small holder farm optimization and land consolidation strategies, and the creation of social enterprise farms.

Dr. Toby Melissa Monsod, professor of the UP School of Economics, the lead author of the paper titled “Accelerating Resilience and Climate Change Adaptation: Strengthening the Philippines’ Contribution to the Global Decarbonization Agenda” dives deep into the Philippine’s high vulnerability and consequences of climate change. She proposes a shift away from greenhouse gas inventory-centric approach to a sustainable development-contextualized approach for power and energy, transportation, among others.

This book by some of the country’s top thought leaders is a must read for the next government, The other esteemed authors are: Former BSP Dep. Governor Diwa Guinigundo on investment led, more sustainable economic growth; Richard Heydarian on China, US, and the new cold war in the Indo-Pacific; Dr. Chester Cabalza on Philippine civil and maritime security; Dr. Mely Caballero-Anthony on non-traditional security threats to peace and security; Charlotte Justine Diokno-Sicat on inclusive growth with innovative public sector governance.

Dr. Vicente B. Paqueo and Dr. Michael R. M. Abrigo proposes a development agenda on human capital and labor markets; Magdalena A. Barcelon, M.D., Katharina Anne D. Berza, Eleanor A. Jara, M.D. advocates for a genuine “People’s Health Agenda”; Zy-za Nadine Suzara calls for the rethinking of public spending towards recovery; Dr. Sherwin Ona pushes an inclusive digital transformation agenda; and Dr. Rizal Buendia explores the lessons and prospects of Philippine political governance.

I congratulate these pro-active and forward-looking thinkers for this compendium of policy recommendations that will hopefully serve as initial guidance for our country’s sustainable and inclusive recovery beyond this crisis.

Agriculture. Separating Fisheries as another department can be done without necessarily bloating the bureaucracy. The top-heavy bureaucracy, with a dozen undersecretaries and even more asecs should be trimmed to lean and mean proportions, just as DILG must exhort LGUs to professionalize their agriculture field workers. So much needs to be done and we do not have the luxury of time.

The crisis stares us in the face. It likely will be the biggest challenge the incoming administration must perforce face.

As a former president was famously quoted —“Hungry stomachs know no law”. And his successor as mayor of the country’s capital, after conceding to the incoming president the day after the elections, exhorted the people to cooperate, stating that “iisang bangka, iisang bansa tayo.”

The writer, Angelito T. Banayo, was National Food Authority Administrator during the Aquino administration, and was MECO Chairman and Resident Representative to Taiwan of the Duterte administration.

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

Associate Editors News Editor City Editor

Honor Blanco Cabie Night Editor Lino M. Santos Chief Photographer

Emil P. Jurado Chairman Emeritus, Editorial Board

B2

World

MONDAY, MAY 23, 2022 mst.daydesk@gmail.com

HELLO, GOODBYE: BIDEN GREETS KIM

US ‘prepared’ for Nokor weapons test B

Republic of the Philippines Regional Trial Court National Capital Judicial Region Quezon City, Metro Manila Branch 223 IN THE MATTER OF THE WILL AND TESTAMENT OF EMMANUEL KENNETH F. VELASCO SPEC. PRO. CASE NO. R-QZN-22-00810-SP ATTY. ARNEL P. KHO, Petitioner. x-------------------------------------------x ORDER This is a verified Petition for Probate of the Last Will and Testament of the Late Emmanuel Kenneth F. Velasco dated February 3, 2022, and which was received by this Court on February 9, 2022.

The Petitioner alleges that to the best of his knowledge, Emmanuel Kenneth F. Valasco (Testator”) executed a L:ast Will and Testament (“Will”) sometime on August 2021, a copy of which was sent to him through Viber Message; that to the best of his knowledge, Testator died on September 27, 2021, as evidenced by a certified true copy of his Certificate of Death issued by the City Civil Registrar of Quezon City; that at the time of his death, Testator was a resident of 38 Rosa Alvero, Brgy. Loyola Heights, Quezon City; that the original copy of the Will was delivered to him

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

Amount

Gerry Sy-Quia Lorelie Realingo Marlon Pedregosa

Manila EFORE President Joe Biden left Standard TODAY South Korea for Japan Sunday, he offered a brief message to Kim Jong Un, whose nuclear sabrerattling has risked overshadowing the US leader’s first Asia trip: “Hello.

Period.”

He offered the succinct greeting when reporters asked whether he had anything to say to North Korea’s leader, highlighting his administration’s openness to dialogue with Pyongyang, even as they look to ramp up joint military exercises with South Korea.

Biden said that he was “not concerned” about the risks of a fresh weapons test while he was in the region – something US officials have warned of repeatedly – saying: “We are prepared for anything North Korea does.”

He has spent two days with South Korea’s newly elected President Yoon Suk-yeol, with the pair saying Saturday that “considering the evolving threat” from Pyongyang, they were looking at expanding the “scope

and Manila scale” of joint military exercises.

Standard AFFIDAVIT OF SELFADJUDICATION BY SOLE HEIR North Korea has conducted a blitz of sanctions-bustTODAY Notice is hereby given that the estate of the late CHARMAINE ing weapons tests this firing an interconGONZALES CARANDANG andyear, Remmincluding Gonzales Carandang who died onballistic May 10, 2015 and December 24, 2016 respectively tinental missile at full range for the first time in the City of Mandaluyong Philippines have been extrajudicially since 2017, with satellite imagery indicating a nuclear settled to Carl John G. Carandang.

The deceased left a Parcel of Land with TCT No. 008-2013000009. test is looming.

This Settlement under Notary Public ATTY JAN back RURIK due D. Joint exercises had been scaled to Covid PADIERNOS as per Doc. No. 210, Page No. 42, Book No. 10, and in order for Biden and Yoon’s predecessors, DonSeries of 2022.

(MStandard-Apr. 29, May 6 & 13, 2022) ald Trump and Moon Jae-in, to embark on a round of high-profile but ultimately unsuccessful diplomacy with North Korea.

In contrast to the dovish Moon, Yoon said he and Biden discussed possible “joint drills to prepare for a nuclear attack” and called for more tactical US assets to be deployed to the region.

Any build-up of forces or expansion of joint military exercises would likely enrage Pyongyang, which views the drills as rehearsals for invasion.

North Korea’s weapons testing schedule may also be affected by a raging COVID-19 outbreak.

More than 2.6 million cases of “fever” have been reported since the Omicron coronavirus variant was first detected in April, state media said Sunday. AFP

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

Testator’s Brothers

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

Residence

A.

Legatees/Testator’s Brothers

1.

2.

3.

Gerry Sy-Quia Lorelie Realingo Marlon Pedregoso

4.

5.

Emmanuel Hugh F. Velasco Benjamin F. Valasco

B.

Heirs

1.

2.

Emmanuel T. Valasco Gloria F. Velasco

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

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

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

1. Condominium Unit

Condominium Certificate of Title (CCT) No. 18368

T a x Declaration No. TD No. EB011-02585

Location

Total A r e a (SQM)

Unit 115, Rosewood Condominium.

U s u s a n , Taguig City

42

Assessed Value Per TD (Php)

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

419,840.00

699,730.00 Manila

Standard

TODAY

2. Condominium Unit

18370

TD No. EB011-02586

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

42

419,840.00

699,730.00

3. Condominium Unit

27193

TD No. Eb011-10667

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

12.50

32,000.00

80,000.00

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

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

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

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

LAST RESPECTS. People attend the funeral service for 47 year old Olexandr Haponchev, a Ukrainian serviceman killed during the Russian invasion of Ukraine, in the military section of the Kharkiv cemetery in eastern Ukraine. AFP

Nothing left: Mariupol picks up pieces after intense fight THE carcasses of charred buildings stand amid the lush greenery in what remains of the once bustling Ukrainian port city of Mariupol.

After weeks of siege and strikes much of the city on the coast of the Sea of Azov has been reduced to a wasteland.

As the last Ukrainian troops in the town surrendered to the Russians at the bombed-out Azovstal steel plant, passers-by mourned their fate.

Angela Kopytsa, a 52-year-old with bleached hair, said she saw no future for herself in Mariupol.

“There is no work, no food, no water,” she said, adding that both her home and life had been “destroyed.”

The city has lived without electricity since early March.

Kopytsa breaks into tears as she recounts how during the hostilities she had to share morsels of food with her children and grandson and how “children at maternity wards were dying of hunger.”

“What future?” she said in Russian. “I have no hope for anything.”

Manila Three months of fighting in Mariupol have sent hundreds of thousands Standard of people running for their lives and caused untold suffering and death.

TODAY Russia has pledged to rebuild the southeastern city and turn it into a seaside resort.

AFP journalists traveled to Mariupol as part of a press tour organized by the Russian army but members of the media were not allowed to approach the huge Azovstal steel plant, which has become a symbol of fierce Ukrainian resistance. AFP

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

SO ORDERED. Given in Chambers.

Quezon City, Philippines, March 30, 2022.

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

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

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

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

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

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

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

Queen’s pet passions to take center stage in Jubilee parade

CORGI dogs, horses and swans are all being put through their paces in a historic warehouse in Coventry ahead of their starring roles in a parade to mark Queen Elizabeth II’s 70-year reign.

One of the procession’s tableaux, entitled “The Queen’s Favorites,” has been commissioned from Imagineer, an outdoor events company based in the English West Midlands city.

Director Jane Hytch said the royal commission came as a “total surprise,” but that the job was a “huge honor.”

The parade, touching on more personal aspects of the 96-year-old queen’s life, will wind through central London to Buckingham Palace on June 5.

“When we were given the queen’s favourites... we thought about what does she love outside of all her duties?” said artistic director Kathi Leahy.

Dogs and horses were the obvious choices. AFP

Afghan women television presenters cover faces on air

WOMEN presenters on Afghanistan’s leading news channels went on air Sunday with their faces covered, a day after defying a Taliban order to conceal their appearance on television.

Since seizing power last year, the Taliban have imposed a slew of restrictions on civil society, many focused on reining in the rights of women and girls to comply with the group’s austere brand of Islam.

Earlier this month, Afghanistan’s supreme leader Hibatullah Akhundzada issued a diktat for women to cover up fully in public, including their faces, ideally with the traditional burqa.

The feared Ministry for Promotion of Virtue and Prevention of Vice ordered women TV presenters to follow suit from Saturday.

But women presenters defied the order and went on air with their faces visible, only to fall in line with the directive on Sunday. AFP

After a 2-month lockdown, Shanghai reopens transport

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

IN BRIEF

(MS-MAY 23, 2022)

SHANGHAI partially restarted public transport Sunday, signaling a gradual reopening after nearly two months sealed off from the outside world.

China’s largest city has been almost entirely locked down since April, when it became the epicentre of the country’s worst coronavirus outbreak since the early days of the pandemic.

Unlike other major economies, Beijing has dug in its heels on a zero-COVID approach of stamping out clusters as they emerge, though this has become increasingly difficult with the infectious Omicron variant.

But as new infections have slowed Shanghai has cautiously eased restrictions, with some factories resuming operations and residents in lower-risk areas allowed to venture outdoors.

Four of the city’s 20 subway lines will restart on Sunday along with some road transport, officials announced this week, forming a “basic network covering all central urban areas.” AFP

Business

B3

MONDAY, MAY 23, 2022 || extrastory2000@gmail.com

Stock market likely to trade sideways after technical rally

By Jenniffer B. Austria

S

HARE prices are expected to return to sideways trading after last week’s technical rebound as investors remain wary about the recovery of the domestic economy.

With inflation likely to increase further, analysts said investors were concerned that high prices could derail the growth of the economy. The investors are also waiting for the new president to unveil his economic programs for the country.

“The near term risk remains tilted to the downside. For one, inflation has yet to peak and the new president that yet to define his economic plan and name his economic managers,” said BDO Unibank chief market strategist and first vice president Jonathan Ravelas.

Renewed concerns about a possible surge in COVID-19 cases over the near term period following the detection of new variants in the country could also affect market sentiments.

The Department of Health on Saturday said the Philippines reported its first case of the highly transmissible COVID-19 Omicron sub variant BA.4.

The Philippine Stock Exchange Index last week jumped 5.8 percent to 6,746.33 points on bargain hunting after the market’s recent decline, while the broader All Shares Index climbed 4.5 percent to 3,613.24.

All sectoral indices ended in the green. Mining and oil rose 8.7 percent; property advanced 6.3 percent; industrials gained 5.8 percent; financials improved 5.6 percent; and services rose

3.2 percent.

Foreign investors, however, were still net sellers by P3.7 billion, while the average daily value traded stood at P12 billion, up from the previous week’s average of P7.7 billion.

Weekly top price gainers were Semirara Mining and Power Corp., which climbed 15 percent to P32.50; Globe Telecom Inc., which advanced 14 percent to P2,506; and Aboitiz Power Corp., which rose 10.5 percent to P31.50.

Weekly top price losers were Phoenix Petroleum Philippines Inc., which dropped 6.4 percent to P9.49; Bank of Commerce, which dipped 5.7 percent to P11.12; and Alliance Global Group Inc., which fell 5.7 percent to P10.88.

Meanwhile, Asian and European stocks rebounded Friday on China’s interest rate cut, but US equities gyrated amid fears that sky-high inflation will spark a recession.

“Markets have been looking for an excuse to bounce, and a China rate cut provided the reason,” IG analyst Chris Beauchamp told AFP. The People’s Bank of China announced it would lower its five-year loan prime rate—a key interest rate governing how lenders base their mortgage rates—to 4.45 percent from 4.6 percent. AFP

ANNUAL FORUM. A general view shows the resort of Davos in Switzerland ahead of the World Economic Forum (WEF) annual meeting on May 22, 2022. The world’s political and business elite will hobnob in Davos this week after a two-year break caused by COVID, with the Ukraine war set to dominate the exclusive Swiss mountain summit. AFP

WHEN I think about hope, its interrelation with faith comes to my mind. I believe that my faith in God has a big part of why I am hopeful in life. But I understand that there are people who do not believe in a higher being or any other beliefs but are also hopeful and has a positive outlook on life. With me, the hope that I have for my future is driven by my faith and what I believe in.

In my Integral Human Development class, the guest speaker, John Reily Baluyot, told us his story of hope—h^is story of being accepted by his own family. One thing that amazed me was that he was hopeful that one day his parents, particularly his dad, would accept him for who he is, and eventually, it did happen. He never lost hope and continued to go and pursue his goals. The only part that fascinates me is that he never mentioned God or faith in that story. I do not know if I just did not hear it. But as far as I can remember, faith was not his driving force of hope.

This circumstance was very different from mine. For me, faith is a big reason why I am hopeful. If I did not have faith, I would most probably be a hopeless person. I am not the most optimistic person and am an over-thinker. I do worry a lot, though, sometimes for a reason. Most often, I worry about nothing.

I believe hope is something you can influence other people. A person could inspire others to become hopeful through their own experiences and life stories, just like how the class speaker shared his life with us. Through this, he conveyed that anyone could be hopeful and so would achieve their goals and dreams.

Looking back, I realized that this was a reminder to me and everyone in the class that our experiences, whether big or small, are valuable and could be a source of hope to other people.

Let me share with you a simple story of hope. When the pandemic happened last year, I felt so hopeless for the first time in my life. I was afraid that I might have the virus without knowing and spreading it to the people around me.

I was so worried that we might get the virus through going out.

I was paranoid that every time a family member went outside, they might get the virus. It may seem like a normal response to the COVID outbreak, but not for me. In my mind, I knew I should not be like this. I knew that my thoughts were wrong. I knew I was panicking too much. That feeling stayed longer, and I felt hopeless at that time.

The fact that we could not do anything, the lack of information we had during those early days of COVID, and the amount of misinformation we read every day made me feel that way.

It was a difficult time since I could not control my thoughts anymore. I became more and more pessimistic. It was a tough battle, particularly in my mind. But what made me pass that stage? My answer to that is prayer and the Bible. I diligently prayed and asked God for wisdom, sound mind, peace of mind, and hope. I remind myself that my only hope is the Lord our God during these trying times. The Lord showed me that I should lean on Him in so many ways, and the only hope to hold onto in this pandemic is through Him. And yes, He sustained our needs. We never had COVID, and I am very thankful for that. Lastly, he gave me peace—a peace of mind that could stand its ground during battles.

Green Light

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

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

WASHINGTON, United States—South Korean automaker Hyundai will build a $5.5-billion electric vehicle and battery plant in the southern US state of Georgia, its governor announced Friday, as President Joe Biden pursued his trip to Seoul.

Brian Kemp made the announcement alongside Hyundai Motor Company president Jay Chang at the future factory site near Savannah, hailing the more than 8,000 jobs the venture is expected to create.

“We are proud to welcome Hyundai Motor Group to Georgia as we forge an innovative future together,” Kemp said, according to a statement released by his office.

He called the plant “the largest economic development project in our state’s history.”

Hyundai suppliers are expected to invest an additional $1 billion in the factory, which will have an annual capacity of 300,000 units, according to the statement.

The automaker said it plans to begin construction in January 2023 and to complete the plant in the first half of 2025. It did not yet give any details on which of its electric models will be produced at the Georgia location. AFP

Manila

Standard

Republic of the Philippines DEPARTMENT OF FINANCE Roxas.Boulevard Comer Pablo Ocampo, Sr. Street Manila 1004

NGAs the implementation of any collection system should require approval of the Treasurer of the Philippines, for consistency with the TSA framework: Provided, further, that the proposed bank will only serve as a collection bank for the account of the NGAs/ GOCCs/ LGUs: Provided, finally that, all collections of collection banks shall be transferred to any of those listed in Section 5.2, in the case of NGAs, to the TSA or to any of those listed in Section 5.2, on the next banking day counted from the collection date.

TODAY

DEPARTMENT CIRCULAR NO. 002.2022 May 16,2022 TO

: HEADS OF ALL NATIONAL GOVERNMENT AGENCIES, GOVERNMENT-OWNED OR-CONTROLLED CORPORATIONS/ GOVERNMENT FINANCIAL INSTITUTIONS AND PROVINCIAL, CITY, MUNICIPAL AND BARANGAY TREASURERS (LOCAL TREASURERS)

SUBJECT : REVISED GUIDELINES DEPOSITORY BANKS

ON

AUTHORIZED

5.3.2

All interest income earned by deposits of NGAs shall be remitted by the AGDBs to the National Treasury five (5) banking days after the end of each quarter, unless expressly provided by law that interest earnings of the account shall accrue to the fund for which the account was opened or maintained. The NGAs shall furnish the bank a copy of the certification of the exemption from automatic remittance of interest income, which may be granted by the BTr upon confirmation of the legal basis submitted by the NGAs.

5.3.3

In the case of GOCCs, all interest income earned by deposits or investments from unutilized subsidies from National Government and from transfer funds shall be remitted by the AGDBs, unless expressly provided by law that interest earnings of the account shall accrue to the fund for which the account was opened or maintained, from where such unutilized subsidies and transfer funds are deposited, to the National Treasury five (5) banking days after the end of (i) each quarter; (ii) upon expiration of the program/project; or, (iii) maturity of the investment of the fund, whichever comes first.

GOVERNMENT

Section 1. Legal Basis These guidelines are being issued in line with the mandate of the Department of Finance ("DOF") under the Administrative Code of 1987 and Executive Order No. 127, series of 1987 for the sound and efficient management of the financial resources of the Government, its subdivisions, agencies and instrumentalities.

Section 2. Coverage This Circular shall cover all National Government Agencies ("NGAs"), GovernmentOwned or -Controlled Corporations ("GOCCs")/Government Financial Institutions ("GFls")/Government Instrumentalities with Corporate Powers ("GICPs")/ Government Corporate Entities ("GCEs") and Local Government Units (“LGUs").

Interest income earned by GOCCs from loans covered by lending programs funded by subsidies or transfer funds shall not be included in the amount to be remitted to the National Treasury. Provided, however, that the interest earned from unutilized subsidy and transfer funds for lending programs, as well as interest earned from unutilized proceeds or collections therefrom, shall be remitted to the National Treasury.

Section 3. Definition of-terms: 3.1

3.2

"Authorized Government Depository Bank ("AGDB")" refers to a bank,/ where NGAs/ GOCCs/ GFls/ GICPs/ GCEs and LGUs are allowed by law to deposit government funds and maintain depository accounts, or by way of exception, a bank allowed or designated by the DOF and the Monetary Board to hold government deposits subject to prescribed rules and regulations.

“Government Funds" include public moneys of every sort and other resources pertaining to any agency of the government, including LGUs and GOCCs.

3.4

“Government Instrumentalities with Corporate Powers ("GICPs”) / Government Corporate Entities ("GCEs”)" refer to instrumentalities or agencies of the government which are neither corporations nor agencies integrated within the departmental framework, but vested by law with special functions or jurisdiction, endowed with some if not all corporate powers, administering special funds, and enjoying operational autonomy usually through a charter including, but not limited to, the following: The Manila International Airport Authority, the Philippine Ports Authority, the Philippine Deposit Insurance Corporation, the' Metropolitan Waterworks and Sewerage System, the Laguna Lake Development Authority, the Philippine Fisheries Development Authority, the Bases Conversion and Development Authority, the Cebu Port Authority, the Cagayan de Oro Port Authority, the San Fernando Port Authority, the Local Water Utilities Administration and the Asian Productivity Organization.

3.5

For efficient implementation of this provision and proper monitoring: a. GOCCs shall maintain separate bank accounts and records for the accounting of unutilized subsidies and transfer funds, as defined under Sections 3.6 and 3.7, including unutilized proceeds/ collections from lending programs funded by subsidy or transfers, and their corresponding interest income: Under no circumstances that these funds shall be co-mingled with other bank accounts.

“Government Financial Institutions (“GFls'')'' refer to financial institutions or corporations in which the government directly or indirectly owns majority of the capital stock and which are either: (1) registered with or directly supervised by the Bangko Sentral ng Pilipinas (IIBSP/I); or are (2) collecting or transacting funds or contributions from the public and thereafter, placing them in financial instruments or assets such as deposits, loans, bonds and equity including, but not limited to" the. Government Service Insurance System and the Social Security System.

3.3

Let’s talk about hope HAZAEL LORRAINE CARA

Hyundai building $5.5-b electric car factory in the US

b. GOCCs shall properly identify in the monthly Cash and Investment Balance Report regularly submitted to the DOF, the bank account and investments which were sourced from subsidy and transfer funds. The DOF shall provide the necessary information to the AGDBs to facilitate transfer to the BTR of the interest income earned from GOCCs' deposits/ investments. c. GOCCs shall submit additional reports that the DOF will prescribe.

5.4

"Government-Owned or -Controlled Corporations ("GOCCs”)” refer to any agency organized as a stock or non-stock corporation, vested with functions relating to public needs whether governmental or proprietary in nature, and owned by the Government of the Philippines directly or through its instrumentalities either wholly or, where applicable as in the case of stock corporations, to the extent of at least a majority of its outstanding capital stock. Provided, however, that for purposes of this Circular, the term "GOCC" shall include GICP/GCE and GFI as defined herein.

3.6

Unutilized subsidies refer to unspent funds, whether obligated or unobligated, for programs and projects by the GOCCs/GFls, including its regional offices, sourced from subsidies received directly from the National Government (NG) through the Bureau of the Treasury (BTr).

3.7

Transfer funds refer to funds transferred from other national government agencies (NGAs), other GOCCs/GFls, and other government instrumentalities for programs and projects by the GOCCs/GFls.

a.

Letter from the Head of the NGAs/ GOCCs/ LGUs or its duly designated officer stating: (i) the terms of the deposit, purpose for opening and maintaining an account with the proposed bank; and, (ii) that the NGAs/ GOCCs/ LGUs shall comply with fiscal and financial reporting requirements of the BTr/ DOF/ BLGF;

b.

In the case of GOCCs, it shall submit: (i) a copy of the board resolution authorizing the GOCCs to deposit funds with the proposed bank, (ii) its latest audited financial statements issued not more than eighteen (18) months at the time of the submission of the request, and (iii) a Summary of its Daily Collection Report for the last three (3) months; In the case of LGUs, it shall submit a copy of the Resolution of the local - Sanggunian authorizing the LGUs to deposit funds with the proposed bank with the approval of the Local Chief Executive, and directing the Local Chief Executive and all concerned officers to perform all such acts to ensure full compliance with fiscal and financial reporting requirements of the DOF and the BLGF;

c.

5.5

Section 4. General Principles 4.1

All requests as provided for under Section 5.2.2 and 5.3.1 shall be accompanied by the following:

As the Government's steward of sound fiscal policy, the Department of Finance formulates, institutionalizes and administers policies to ensure that the government resources are managed and mobilized judiciously in a manner supportive of the development objectives of the government in promoting the welfare of the people and accelerating economic growth and stability.

d.

In the case of NGAs/ GOCCs/ LGUs, list of AGDBs provided under Section 5.2 within 50- kilometer radius from the NGAs/ GOCCs/ LGUs and specifying the products and services currently offered.

e.

Other information that the BTr/ DOF/ BLGF may require in the course of its evaluation.

The NGAs/ GOCCs/ LGUs shall require the proposed bank to: (i) within one (1) banking day, notify the NGAs/ GOCCs/ LGUs, if the bank's authority to accept government deposits has been revoked pursuant to relevant laws, issuances, or regulations of the BSP; and, (ii) within five (5) banking days, submit to the BSP proof of receipt of such notice.

On the last business day of March of every year, the heads of NGAs/GOCCs/ LGUs shall submit the following to the BTr/ DOF/ BLGF: (i) a report on its receipt of a notice of revocation of authority from any bank where it maintains an account, if any; and, (ii) a list of its accounts in all banks.

Section 6. Sanctions 4.2

4.3

The Bureau of Local Government Finance (“BLGF"), as the focal agency and authority in local finance, shall assist the Department of Finance in the formulation and implementation of policies on fund management.

Pursuant to Executive Order No. 55 (s. 2011), the government through the DOF and the Bureau of the Treasury (“BTr") implemented the Treasury Single Account (“TSA") system for better cash management and greater transparency in public financial management.

Any violation of this Circular shall be a ground for the imposition of the following sanctions: 6.1

For the bank, other than those referred under Section 5.2, the DOF shall recommend to BSP the cancellation of the authority to accept government deposits if one has already been granted and/or disqualification to act as a government depository for not more than one (1) year without prejudice to other sanctions as may be imposed by the BSP.

6.2

For GOCCs/ NGAs/ LGUs, the Heads of GOCCs/ NGAs/ LGUs shall be responsible for the compliance of this Circular without prejudice to criminal and/or administrative liability in accordance with existing laws, rules and regulations.

Section 5. General Guidelines: 5.1

Pursuant to Executive Order No. 55, all National Government Agencies shall adopt the TSA system for the collection of fees, charges and other revenues and remittance of the same to the National Treasury.

5.2

GOCCs and LGUs, specifically allowed by laws, rules, and regulations to retain income and/or for operations and/or working balances, shall deposit and maintain Government Funds with any of the following banks: without the need for prior approval from the Secretary of Finance, in the case of GOCCs, or from the Executive Director of the BLGF, in the case of LGUs: . a. b. c. d.

Land Bank of the Philippines; Development Bank of the Philippines; Overseas Filipino Bank (formerly, Philippine Postal Savings Bank Inc.); and AI Amanah Islamic Investment Bank of the Philippines.

5.2.1

In the case of NGAs, it shall secure written authority to open deposit accounts and/or deposit Government Funds from the Treasurer of the Philippines in all banks, including those listed in Section" 5.2, in accordance with relevant laws, issuances, and regulations of the BSP.

5.2.2

In highly exceptional cases, where the NGAs/ GOCCs/ LGUs deemed it necessary to transact with private banks or avail its services, the NGAs/GOCCs/ LGUs shall secure the approval of the Treasurer of the Philippines, in the case of NGAs, the Secretary of Finance, in the case of GOCCs, and the Executive Director of the BLGF, in the case of LGUs.

5.2.3

5.3

The GOCCs and NGAs shall submit a notarized waiver for all new and existing accounts within ninety (90) days from the effectivity of this Department Circular: (i) allowing the DOF/ BTr to examine, inquire, or look into all its deposits or accounts in all banks, including those listed in Section 5.2, and (ii) allowing the DOF/ BTr to require the banks, including those listed in Section 5.2, to submit reports/ statements with respect to its accounts.

Section 7. Transitory Provisions 7.1

All NGAs/ GOCCs/ LGUs maintaining accounts, including term deposits and investments with banks other than those listed in Section 5.2, including those with prior BTr/ DOF/ BLGF approval, shall have one (1) year from the effectivity of this circular to transfer all funds and cash balances to any banks listed in Section 5.2.

7.2

The NGAs/ GOCCs/ LGUs with existing term deposits and investments in treasury bills, bonds and other instruments with banks other than those listed under Section 5.2 are not allowed to renew or extend the maturity periods of such deposits and investments upon the effectivity of this Act. The NGAs/ GOCCs/ LGUs shall immediately transfer the proceeds from such deposits and investments to any banks listed in Section 5.2 upon their maturity. This is without prejudice to those term deposits and investments in treasury bills, bonds, and other instruments maturing beyond the one-year transitory period.

7.3

The LGUs with existing accounts with banks other than those listed under Section 5.2 as of the effectivity of this Circular, shall, for purposes of amortization payment only, be allowed to maintain such accounts until the loan maturity.

Section 8. All other orders, circulars, memoranda, issuances contrary or inconsistent herewith, including Department Circular No. 01-2017 dated May 11, 2017, Department Circular No. 03-2015 dated August 24; 2015, and Department Circular No. 02-2016 dated July 8, 2016, are hereby revoked and/ or modified.

Section 9. This Circular shall take effect immediately, upon publication in the Official Gazette or in a newspaper of general circulation in the Philippines.

To remove revenue and expenditure floats: 5.3.1

The NGAs/ GOCCs/ LGUs may engage the collection services of banks other than those listed in Section 5.2, thru a transaction feebased arrangement, subject to the prior approval of the Secretary of Finance, in the case of GOCCs, or of the Executive Director of the BLGF, in the case of LGUs: Provided, that in the case of

(MS-MAY 23, 2022)

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

B4

MONDAY, MAY 23, 2022

IN BRIEF Max’s Group eyes 143 new outlets MAX’S Group Inc. said over the weekend it plans to expand beyond the brick-andmortar stores with the opening of 143 access points to serve customers this year.

MGI president Ariel Fermin said in a briefing following the annual stockholders’ meeting the plan was to open 60 physical stores, 33 cloud kitchens and 50 delivered fresh daily doors this year.

He said of the 60 stores, nine would be opened overseas, particularly in North America where sales recovered strongly since the pandemic.

MGI aims to have a total of 720 stores in its network by end-2022.

Fermin said the company would also expand its cloud kitchens nationwide after delivering strong results last year. One cloud kitchen is delivering sales equivalent to three physical stores, he said.

MGI remains confident about its organic growth this year as it set up plans to mitigate the impact of cost pressures.

Jenniffer B. Austria

ASEAN ministers tackle trade issues ASEAN Economic Ministers discussed key trade concerns, including challenges faced by the region brought about by global developments such as the COVID-19 lockdown in China and the Russian invasion of Ukraine.

“We should focus on enhancing international cooperation, going beyond trade and pursuing other initiatives such as boosting investment and strengthening the rules based multilateral trading system. On the first, it is important that we [ASEAN] strengthen economic cooperation efforts and bring about real, and honest to goodness integration,” said Trade Secretary Ramon Lopez.

“Most importantly at this time, we need to ensure that there are no restrictions on trade so as to allow the unhampered flow of goods, especially essential food, fuel, medicines, and medical equipment,” he said.

Lopez raised issues on recent export bans on rice, coal and palm oil implemented in the region. He acknowledged efforts by other countries that eventually removed such measures and called for the remaining bans to be lifted. Othel V. Campos

ERC proposes fixed energy supply mix ENERGY Regulatory Commission chairperson Agnes Devanadera proposed a 40-year fixed energy supply mix to guide investors and secure the country’s energy requirements.

“Provision of a specific target in terms of capacity and technology will provide investors with better signals as to where they should invest,” said Devanadera.

She said the energy mix should be technology-specific with a target capacity increase every year.

This is among the list of proposals she prepared for the incoming administration to help bring down power costs.

“The target supply mix should likewise be fixed for the next 40 years. Investment in power projects are capital intensive and long-term in nature. Thus, the target supply mix should not be shifting from time to time. Otherwise, investors will end up with stranded investments that they can no longer later on recover from. This will, likewise, turn away future investors,” Devanadera said.

She said for the past six years, the national government aimed to increase the use of renewable energy sources but no fixed energy supply mix was implemented.

Alena Mae S. Flores

Business BIR collections climbed 7.2% to P532.6b in the first quarter

By Julito G. Rada

T

AX collections by the Bureau of Internal Revenue rose 7.2 percent in the first quarter from a year ago, but fell short of the government’s target.

Data showed the BIR tax collections amounted to P485.4 in the three-month period, up P32.4 billion from the P452.9 billion it raised in the same period last year.

The BIR said in a report to Finance Secretary Carlos Dominguez III its firstquarter performance fell P47.2 billion or 8.9-percent short of the P532.6-billion target set by the interagency Development Budget Coordination Committee for the period, as many businesses

availed of the provision allowing outright crediting of input value-added tax on capital goods under the Tax Reform for Acceleration and Inclusion Law. BIR deputy commissioner Arnel Guballa said the shortfall was due to businesses deciding to fully utilize their input VAT credits on purchases available to them under Section 35 of the TRAIN Law. He said prior to Jan. 1, 2022, the Tax Code requires that input VAT from purchased capital goods with an aggregate acquisition cost of P1 million and above should be spread out over a period of 60 months beginning the month of purchase.

Guballa said that with the outright crediting of input VAT by businesses, the BIR incurred a shortfall of P17.4 billion in VAT collections and another P9.4 billion in income tax collections in the first quarter, compared to the DBCC-set targets, Guballa said.

Collections from non-BIR operations reached P18.1 billion in the first quarter, bringing its total collection for the period to P503.5 billion.

The total collection was higher by P33 billion or 7.0 percent from last year’s actual first-quarter collection of P470.5 billion, but lower by P48.3 billion or 8.8 percent than the DBCC target of P551.78 billion.

Guballa said compared to last year’s collected amount of P97.9 billion in the first quarter, the BIR’s collection this year of P113.5 billion from VAT was P15.6 billion or 16 percent higher.

Meanwhile, the BIR, upon the orders of the Department of Finance, suspended revenue special orders and operations memoranda creating special audit task forces to prevent duplication of functions of BIR offices and avoid confusion among taxpayers.

PAGCOR DONATION. The town of La Paz in the province of Tarlac becomes the latest local government unit to unveil a fully-constructed Multi-Purpose Evacuation Center funded by Philippine Amusement and Gaming Corp. The emergency structure, which was completed a year after the project broke ground on April 9, 2021, is situated in Barangay Rizal, one of the communities in La Paz that is prone to heavy flooding and other natural calamities. Leading the inauguration ceremony of the MPEC in La Paz are PAGCOR chairman and chief executive Andrea Domingo (third from right) and La Paz Mayor Venustiano Jordan (fourth from left), along with other officials of PAGCOR and La Paz.

España section of NLEX Connector expected to be finished this year NLEX Corp. said over the weekend it expects to complete the first phase of NLEX Connector this year and start the construction of two other significant projects in the second half.

It said the two new projects are the NLEX C5 Link Mindanao AvenueQuirino Highway Section and the Candaba Third Viaduct.

“We continue to actively contribute to our country’s economic recovery by ramping up our infrastructure improvements that aim to enhance the mobility and safety of motorist,” NLEX president J. Luigi Bautista said.

The construction of the 8-kilometer NLEX Connector continues to advance, with the progress of the first 5-kilometer España Section between Caloocan and

España interchanges now standing at 70 percent and is expected to be completed within the year.

The entire elevated road extends the expressway southward from NLEX Harbor Link Caloocan Interchange on C3 Road to España Blvd., R. Magsaysay Blvd. and all the way to Sta. Mesa, Manila.

Once completed, the NLEX Connector will provide the supply chain and logistics sector with a more efficient and truck ban-free route, bypassing busy roads such as EDSA and C5.

It will also enhance accessibility to international airports such as NAIA and Clark, help create jobs and spur development between Metro Manila and its surrounding provinces in the north and south.

About 35,000 motorists are expected

FLASH EXPRESS EXPANSION. Flash Express,

the fastest-growing logistics and courier services company in the Philippines, opens three Flash Shop stores in Divisoria Mall, 999 Mall and Manila Textile, and inaugurates the first batch of branded trucks to be deployed in Metro Manila. Within just eight months of operation, Flash Express continues to be at the forefront of the logistics industry. Shown during the milestone affair are (from left) Flash Express marketing director Dave Khodr, finance director Carolyn Cao, brand ambassador Robi Domingo, head of legal and compliance Sherry Lou Bernabe, brand and communications manager Reyjim Timoteo and PR and media relations manager Reginald Rex Pumihic.

to be served by this new expressway which runs mostly above the alignment of the Philippine National Railways.

The tollway company is also looking to start within the year the construction of the first two kilometers of the NLEX C5 Link section between the Mindanao Ave. toll plaza and Quirino Highway in Novaliches, Quezon City.

The NLEX C5 Link is an 11.5-kilometer expressway traversing Mindanao Ave., Quirino Highway, Regalado Ave., Congressional Ave. and C.P. Garcia Ave. in Quezon City and a vital portion of the Metro Pacific’s Urban Ring Road or the interconnected tollway network that is being developed to link up the west, east, north and south sides of Metro Manila. Darwin G. Amojelar

PSE INDEX CLOSING Friday, May 20, 2022

86.28 PTS. 6,746.33

TOTAL VOLUME

2,923,490,261

TOTAL TRADES TOTAL VALUE (IN PHP)

97,300 7,156,276,469.47

ADVANCES DECLINES UNCHANGED

131 62 43

F oreign E xchange R ate Bangko Sentral ng Pilipinas • FRIDAY, MAY 20, 2022

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

Ayala’s Asticom to create 15,000 jobs in five years

By Darwin G. Amojelar THE Asticom Group of Companies plans to generate 15,000 jobs in the next five years as it aims to capture a bigger market in Southeast Asia and tap more small-and-medium enterprises and startups in the country.

The company generated 3,000 jobs for Filipinos in 2021 to help address the job market crisis caused by the prolonged pandemic.

Asticom, a shared services company under the Ayala Group, said it believes in providing beneficial impact to support the Philippine economy by playing matchmaker to those who have lost their means of livelihood.

The group said it continues to improve people’s lives through the help of subsidiaries including information technology and business services outsourcing company Asti Business Services Inc., HR and digital solutions provider HCX Technology Partners Inc., engineering firm Fiber Infrastructure and Network Services Inc. and logistics provider BRAD Warehouse and Logistics Services Inc. “We are committed to creating opportunities for our fellow Filipinos at Asticom. Together with this promise, we also provide valuable talents and solutions for our clients through our shared services offerings and technology,” Asticom Group president and chief executive Mharicar Castillo-Reyes.

“Our diverse business portfolio and our subsidiaries support the realization of our mission of improving Filipino lives, especially in the midst of the ongoing health crisis,” she said.

Asticom’s expertise in providing the right people to its growing clientele opened several opportunities for Filipino job seekers amid a challenging labor market. The new jobs involve IT, HR, accounting, administrative and engineering roles in the subsidiaries.

The group also plays a key role in lowering the skills mismatch, an obstacle many individuals face. The skills mismatch, a divergence in available jobs and workers’ skills, is a critical factor in the 6.4-percent unemployment and 14-percent underemployment rates in the country.

Harm reduction tagged as missing strategy in WHO’s tobacco control TWO former World Health Organization officials identified harm reduction as the missing link in the global body’s tobacco control policy, as the number of tobacco users has barely changed since the treaty was implemented 17 years ago, according to two former WHO officials.

Prof. Robert Beaglehole and Prof. Ruth Bonita, who both worked with the WHO, said the missing strategy in WHO Framework Convention on Tobacco Control policies is harm reduction.

“Most people smoke because they are dependent on nicotine. Tobacco harm reduction reduces the harm caused by burnt tobacco by replacing cigarettes with much less harmful ways of delivering nicotine; these alternatives have great potential to disrupt the cigarette industry,” they said in a correspondence entitled “Tobacco control: getting to the finish line” which was published

in The Lancet on May 14, 2022.

In its definition of tobacco control, the FCTC includes harm reduction as one of the strategies. The two experts noted, however, that the WHO and the FCTC Conference of Parties reject harm reduction.

“This opposition is not grounded in 21st century technological advances, and is unduly influenced by vested interests who promote nicotine abstinence. This opposition privileges the most harmful products―cigarettes,” the experts said.

“Tobacco control is not working for most of the world,” they said, noting the current strategy has failed to drastically reduce smoking rate in most countries. “Four out of five of the world’s smokers are in low-income and middle-income countries. In these countries where most of the eight million deaths caused by tobacco occur each year, rates of tobacco use are falling only slowly,” they said.

New law needed to create a separate agency overseeing nuclear power development, says ERC chair

By Alena Mae S. Flores THE Philippines will have to issue a law and create a separate agency if it wants to pursue and promote the development of nuclear energy, the top energy regulator said over the weekend.

Energy Regulatory Commission chairperson Agnes Devanadera said the law on nuclear energy should be enacted within the year.

“The policy to include nuclear energy in our supply mix should be solidified

with the enactment of a law that will provide for the policy and regulation of nuclear plants, as well as the creation of an agency that shall focus on the laying down the foundations necessary for the inclusion of nuclear power in our energy mix,” Devanadera said.

The move is one of the proposals of Devanadera to help the incoming administration bring down power rates.

“We should really have specialists on this...There should be an agency to help, to look into, to shepherd the incubation of

these ideas,” she said.

Devanadera said the new president will have to decide where to put the agency, whether it will be within or outside of the ERC. “What is important is there is one, so there is compliance. If it will be adjunct to the work of existing personnel, they won’t be able to follow through,” she said.

Devanadera said an executive order can be issued creating an agency under the Office of the President to oversee nuclear

power development.

“It’s like incubation, you have to take baby steps especially there have been accidents in other countries so that maybe, that should be looked into,” she said.

Devanadera said nuclear technology evolved from the traditional concept of nuclear, thus would not more scientific studies.

“Why do we have to give so much importance to nuclear? That’s the only source that can provide big amount, big capacity,” she said.

President Rodrigo Duterte issued Executive Order No. 164 entitled, “Adopting a National Position for a Nuclear Energy Program, and for other Purposes” on Feb. 28.

The president issued the EO upon the recommendation of Department of Energy integrating nuclear energy into our country’s energy mix.

“Since we want a stable, reliable, and sustainable energy resource, I believe that nuclear is the way to go,” Energy Secretary Alfonso Cusi said earlier.

Vietnam denies PH 3rd esports gold medal

Sports

Riera U. Mallari, Editor; Randy M. Caluag, Assistant Editor MONDAY, MAY 23, 2022

C1

By Peter Atencio HOST Vietnam denied the Philippines a third gold medal Sunday in the esports event of the 31st Southeast Asian Games at the Vietnam National Convention Center.

An effective buddy system allowed Team Vietnam to pull off a 3-0 sweep of their best-of-five finals showdown with Team Philippines-Sibol in the League of Legend finals. Đỗ Duy Khánh, also known as Levi, took the best players in Games 1 and 2 after getting the most kills in their encounters with Sibol, which drew strength on the games of David Emmanuel Tapang and Andre “Calumnia” Soriano.

It was over in the 19 minute-and-16second mark of Game 3 after Vietnam, behind gamers from GAM Esports, prevailed over Sibol, 21-15, handing the Philippines the silver medal.

Earlier, Singapore settled for the bronze with a 3-1 beating of Malaysia.

Vietnam’s three-game sweep was made possible following a 26-5 triumph in Game 1 and a 21-7 swamping of the Filipinos in Game 2.

The 24-year old Levi joined forces with Trần Đức Hiếu (alias Bie) in Game 3, using the Wukong the Monkey King avatar, and survived the fight with six kills and three assists.

Bie, using Gwen the scissorwielding fighter, drew first blood on Tapang’s hero, Rell the Iron Maiden, a low level tank who went out on in the 2:19 mark.

A followup kill on Jan Edward Hortizuela’s avatar soon followed, and Vietnam began resorting to a buddy system, with twin slayings, and by attacking in pairs to gain the upperhand—an unreachable 13-3 edge at the 11:37 mark.

In Game 1, Levi registered 15 kills using Vex, a mage which immobilizes opponents and hits them with a mistral bolt afterwards.

And Tapang, with his Kai’sa marksman, could only make three kills during their almost 19-minute showdown.

Game 2 saw Kati, the alias of Đặng Thanh Phê, punching his way to six kills and five assists off his boxing character Sett the Bossman.

This time, it was Andre “Calumnia” Soriano’s time to shine for Sibol with Apehelios, a high difficulty level marksman, which sniped away five kills with his Callibrum rifle.

But Aphelius got slain thrice in the game.

Chack Cabinbin scores inside

HISTORIC. Members of the Philippine women’s football team celebrate their 2-1 win over Myanmar on Saturday at the Cam Pha Stadium in Cam Pha City, Vietnam.

The Filipinas ended a 37-year medal drought in the biennial meet by taking the bronze medal.

Heartbreak in Hanoi: PH Gilas dethroned in men’s basketball

By Riera U. Mallari

H

ANOI—The Philippines failed to defend what many Filipinos back home label as the meet’s most important gold as it succumbed to a gritty Indonesian team, 81-85, in the 31st Southeast Asian Games’ basketball finals at the Tranh Tri Gymnasium on Sunday.

Led by naturalized player Marques Bolden and former Philippine team coach Rajko Toroman, the Indonesians snapped the Filipinos’ 13-time domination of the basketball competition in a streak that began during the 1991 SEA Games in Manila.

It was the Filipinos’ first loss in the basketball finals in 33 years since since the 1989 Kuala Lumpur edition, where the Malaysians romped off with the title.

The Indonesians completed a sixgame sweep of the tournament for their first gold in the regional meet, with the

Filipinos settling for the silver with a 5-1 card.

“Our players played their best,” Gilas coach Chot Reyes said after emerging from the dugout. “Indonesia came up with a very good game plan. They shot well from the three-point line. In the end, we just couldn’t match it.”

“Obviously that’s on me. I take full accountability and responsibility for the result.

Like I said, they tried their best and that’s sports. That’s life. Sometimes, things don’t work out the way we played,” Reyes added.

Bolden and Grahita converted five free throws in the dying minutes to complete their shock conquest of the Filipinos.

The 6’10” Bolden proved to be a thorn on the Philippine side as he hauled 10 rebounds and scored 10 points, including a banking shot to give the Indonesians a 78-70 lead in the final 3:33.

Matthew Wright, who led Gilas with 23 points, hit a clutch three as the Philippines threatened to within 79-81, with still 35 ticks left. But Wright flubbed what could have been the equalizer following an Indonesian turnover, leading to two freebies by Grahita for an 83-79 count.

And although Thirdy Ravena scored on a layup to put Gilas to within three at, 83-81, time was not on its side as Bolden made both free throws off a foul by Troy Rosario for the final score.

Fajardo led the Filipinos with 20 points, while Ravena added 17.

Gilas’ poor shooting at 43 percent, including a horrible 3-of-16 from three, proved to be their undoing.

Indonesia, on the other hand, shot 47% from the field including 13-of-31 from long distance.

Cagebelles bow to Malaysians, but still take SEA Games crown HANOI—Gilas Pilipinas Women lost to Malaysia, 96-93, on Sunday but still won the gold in the final day of the basketball competitions of the 31st Southeast Asian Games at the Thanh Tri Gymnasium.

A three by Yin Yin with 17.2 seconds left as Malaysia, playing with a sense of urgency in hopes of capturing a medal, closed the game with a 7-0 run to hand the Philippines its first loss in the last match of the tournament.

Gilas Women though was already assured of the gold medal prior to the game after Malaysia bowed to Vietnam, 69-65, late Saturday night.

It finished with a 4-1 win-loss card, regardless of whether Indonesia, at 3-1 as of press time, wins over Singapore due to the winner-overthe-other rule.

“I congratulate Malaysia. They still had that heart to play the game. Even though they were down, we really had a hard time. They were making shots,” said Gilas Women coach Pat Aquino.

Nevertheless, it was a solid showing for Gilas Women, whose four victories had an average winning margin of 23 points. It also won its second straight gold medal in the SEA Games.

“I still tap my hats off for the girls. They played their hearts out. It’s just not as sweet as we want it to be. But we are still gold medalist. I’m so proud of them having that feat,” said Aquino.

Janine Pontejos had 18 points, six rebounds, and three assists while Afril Bernardino had 16 points, seven rebounds, two assists, seven steals, and three blocks for Gilas.

Mondilla wants to end bridesmaid finishes FOILED twice at Luisita and Caliraya, Clyde Mondilla hopes to get the job done at Splendido, eager to make up for his failed bids in the first two legs of this year’s Philippine Golf Tour when the ICTSI Splendido Taal Challenge is unwrapped on Tuesday (May 24) in Laurel, Batangas.

Mondilla rallied from out of nowhere to force a playoff with Miguel Tabuena but lost on the second playoff hole in the ICTSI Luisita Championship last March.

The 2019 Philippine Open champion also charged back in the final round of the ICTSI Caliraya Springs Championship but his closing 67 proved short to stop Zanieboy Gialon last month.

But those setbacks are expected to further toughen up the amiable Del Monte ace, who emerged triumphant last in a five-player playoff, the most crowded playoff cast in PGT history, at

Pradera Verde in Jan, 2020, heading to the invitational championship at the exacting Splendido Taal Golf Club layout.

The rest of the 60-player field, however, are also all geared up for the title chase in the 72-hole tournament, including Gialon, Michael Bibat, Jhonnel Ababa, Tony Lascuña, Joenard Rates, Ruperto Zaragosa and Reymon Jaraula, among others.

While length could hold the key to victory in this third leg of the PGT organized

by Pilipinas Golf Tournaments, Inc., premium will also be on ball control and putting with the fairways softened by rain the last few days.

That should make the race wideopen race the likes of Bibat, Rates, Ababa and Lascuña also setting out to snap a title spell, thus guaranteeing another fierce battle that has marked the first two stops of the country’s premier

circuit put up by ICTSI. The month-long break has also given Mondilla and company time to hone up and make the necessary adjustments to their respective games, particularly the former leg winners who could not seem to get their games going at Luisita and Caliraya.

They include Jobim Carlos, Jay Bayron, Anthony Fernando, Orlan Sumcad, Mars Pucay, Rufino Bayron, Marvin Dumandan, Richard Sinfuego, Jun Bernis, Gerald Rosales, Arnold Villacencio, Nilo Salahog, Mhark Fernando and former Masters titlist Jerson Balasabas.

The event also marks the third time that the PGT will be held simultaneously with the Ladies PGT with Chihiro Ikeda shooting for a follow-up to her three-shot victory over Chanelle Avaricio at Mount Malarayat two weeks ago in their side of the 54-hole championship.

Clyde Mondilla

JuneMar Fajardo

Abando is NCAA’s 4th Rookie-MVP LETRAN’S Rhenz Abando became the league’s fourth Rookie of the YearMVP winner in 18 years in a glitzy awarding ceremony prior to Game 2 of the NCAA men’s basketball Finals Sunday.

T h e 24-year-old Pangasinan native duplicated the feat of Mapua’s All- Rhenz Abando well Oraeme (2015), San Beda’s Sam Ekwe (2006) and Philippine Christian University’s Gabby Espinas (2004) of winning the highest individual award on his debut season in the league.

Abando, with a 48.44 Player Average Value, actually placed second behind Justin Arana’s 58.75 PAVs, but the Arellano University center was not qualified to win the MVP honors as his team failed to make it to the Final Four.

Joining Abando and Arana in the Mythical Team are Letran’s Jeo Ambohot (47.22), College of Saint Benilde’s Will Gozum (46.88) and San Sebastian’s JM Calma (41.77).

For the second consecutive season, Arana was named as the Defensive Player of the Year with 20.50 PAV. Arana, Ambohot, Gozum and Calma were in the Best Defensive Team along with Nat Cosejo of Emilio Aguinaldo College and Omar Larupay of Lyceum of the Philippines University.

Mapua’s Paolo Hernandez claimed the Most Improved Player plum, while the Sportsmanship Award went to University of Perpetual Help System Dalta.

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Sports

MONDAY, MAY 23, 2022

Mbappe set to snub Real Madrid, stay at PSG PARIS—Kylian Mbappe is set to turn his back on Real Madrid and stay at Paris Saint-Germain for another three years, AFP learned from a source close to the negotiations on Saturday.

PSG hope to make an official announcement by the end of the day that the 23-year-old forward is staying in the French capital, the source said.

The club are playing Metz in their final Ligue 1 match of the season at the Parc des Princes later Saturday.

If Mbappe’s decision to stay in the French capital and reject Madrid’s advances is confirmed, it will end months of speculation surrounding arguably the hottest property in world football.

World Cup winner Mbappe has made no secret of his desire to play one day for Real, who will face Liverpool in the Champions League final in Paris next weekend after securing a 35th Spanish title.

But PSG, who have won the Ligue 1 title for a record-equalling tenth time but angered their hardcore supporters with their limp exit to Real in the last 16 of the Champions League, have battled to hold on to their biggest asset.

Mbappe had reportedly agreed a deal with Real months ago for a potential switch to Spain which would have included a signing-on fee of 150 million euros ($158 million).

‘Insult to football’ The president of Spain’s La Liga, Javier Tebas, complained bitterly on Saturday that the massive financial resources of PSG’s Qatari owners had proved decisive in persuading Mbappe to stay in France.

“What PSG is doing by renewing Mbappe with large sums of money...after posting losses of 700 million euros in recent seasons and having a wage bill of over 600 million euros, is an INSULT to football,” Tebas tweeted.

On Friday, Mbappe’s mother Fayza Lamari told an Egyptian media outlet that her son had offers from both clubs and was still weighing up which one to accept.

“All the negotiations are finished.

We have an agreement with Madrid and Paris. Now it is up to Kylian to choose,” she told Kora Plus.

It now appears Mbappe will stay alongside Neymar and Lionel Messi to help the club in their protracted quest to land the Champions League, the title that has so far eluded them.

Mbappe joined PSG on a seasonlong loan from Monaco in August 2017 that turned into a permanent deal worth 180 million euros and has helped the club win four Ligue 1 titles in five seasons. AFP

Adebayo steps up as Heat rip Celtics to take 2-1 lead B OSTON—Bam Adebayo delivered a 31-point masterpiece as the Miami Heat dug deep to defeat the Boston Celtics 109-103 on the road and take a crucial 2-1 lead in their Eastern Conference finals series on Saturday.

After an injury forced Miami talisman Jimmy Butler out of the game at half-time, Adebayo stepped up with a superb all-round display to hold off a ferocious Boston fightback at the Celtics’ TD Garden.

Adebayo, who had averaged just eight points a game in the first two fixtures of the best-of-seven series, finished with 10 rebounds, six assists and four steals in addition to his 31-point haul.

That helped Miami close out a thrilling battle which had seen the Celtics claw their way back from a whopping 26-point first-half deficit to get within one point with just under three minutes remaining.

“Those last couple of games, my team depended on me and I didn’t show up,” Adebayo said afterwards. “I took it upon myself to lock in and get the win.”

Miami coach Erik Spoelstra praised

Adebayo’s readiness to fill the void created

by Butler’s second-half absence.

“He did his version of what Jimmy does in doing what is needed in the game,” Spoelstra said of Adebayo.

“He was assertive in key moments.

And it wasn’t just the scoring—he did so many things in terms of getting us organized, facilitating, defending against a team that presents a lot of challenges.

He’s a winning player.

“He really is the heart and soul of our group... When Jimmy was out in the second half, he stabilized us because it got a bit gnarly out there.”

Costly turnovers Boston, who had routed the Heat to level the series in Miami on Thursday, were left counting the cost of 23 turnovers that led to 33 opposition points.

“We didn’t match them from the start,” Celtics coach Ime Udoka said.

“It looked like we were kind of wilting to the pressure, and complaining to the refs.

“It took us out of the game from the start. Disappointing to come out that flat in a conference final game. When you turn the ball over 23 times and gift them 33 points, you dig yourself a hole.”

Boston’s Jaylen Brown produced a magnificent scoring performance with 40 points, but Miami’s P.J. Tucker successfully bottled up Celtics star Jayson Tatum to deprive the home team of a crucial offensive weapon.

Tatum finished with just 10 points from 3-of-14 shooting.

Although the game went down to the wire, it looked early on as if the Celtics were headed for a painful drubbing as the Heat roared into a 46-20 lead early in the second quarter.

But with the prospect of a blowout looming, the Celtics rallied, going on a 10-0 run to close the half which trimmed the Miami lead to 15 points.

The return of Kyle Lowry at point guard also changed the offensive balance for Miami, giving Boston another headache in addition to the resurgent Adebayo.

French Open gets glimpse of future with Alcaraz

Bam Adebayo of the Miami Heat dunks the ball against the Boston Celtics during Game 3 of the 2022 NBA Playoffs Eastern Conference Finals at the TD Garden in Boston, Massachusetts. AFP

Hurting Tiger withdraws from PGA after woeful 79 TULSA—Tiger Woods withdrew from the PGA Championship after limping to a nine-over par 79 in Saturday’s third round, his remarkable comeback from severe leg injuries succumbing to a painful reality.

Woods withdrew from a major for the first time as a professional and only the second time ever following the 1995 US Open.

After struggling to the third-worst major round of his career with pain in his surgically repaired right leg, the 15-time major winner would not commit to playing Sunday’s final round at Southern Hills.

“Well, I’m sore,” Woods said. “I know that is for a fact. We’ll do some work and see how it goes.”

It didn’t go well, and just after the round was completed, Woods let organizers know he was done.

“We admire Tiger’s valiant effort to compete here at Southern Hills and wish him the best as he continues to recover from his injuries,” said PGA of America president Jim Richerson.

Chile’s Mito Pereira fired a one-under-par 69 to stand on nine-under 211 after 54 holes with a threestroke lead over England’s Matthew Fitzpatrick and American Will Zalatoris.

But the spotlight was on Woods as it had been all

week at Southern Hills.

Woods suffered severe right leg damage in a February 2021 car crash and spent weeks hospitalized and months unable to walk.

But he made an emotional return 14 months after the accident to finish 47th at last month’s Masters, his major feat being to walk 72 holes at hilly Augusta National while huge crowds of spectators cheered him at every hole.

His second comeback event didn’t end so well.

Woods made five consecutive bogeys at a major for the first time in his career from the ninth through 13th holes and stood on 12-over 222 after 54 holes when he pulled the plug.

“I didn’t do anything right,” Woods said. “I didn’t hit many good shots. Consequently I ended up with a pretty high score.”

After struggling to his worst Masters rounds with weekend 78s, Woods again could not follow the effort to make a cut in Tulsa with a solid round.

Woods struggled to his worst-ever score in 79 PGA Championship rounds and his only worse major scores were a 10-over 81 in the third round of the 2002 British Tiger Woods of the United States walks on the 17th tee during Open and a 10-over 80 in the first round of the 2015 the third round of the 2022 PGA Championship at Southern US Open. AFP Hills Country Club in Tulsa, Oklahoma. AFP

Arcilla clobbers Lazaro, wins Fr. Suarez crown

Johnny Arcilla, right, holds his trophy as he poses with Leander Lazaro after dominating the Fr. Suarez M-Cup Open

Until the late second-quarter rally, Boston had struggled to cope with the movement of Miami’s offense, and also were left ruing 11 first-half turnovers.

A chaotic start to the second half saw Miami confirm that Butler was ruled out of the remainder of the game with right knee inflammation.

Soon afterwards Boston suffered what looked like a cruel blow when Smart twisted his right ankle in a collision with Lowry and hobbled to the locker room.

Incredibly, Smart returned to the fray to deafening roars and promptly drained a three-pointer to get Boston back to within 10 points of Miami.

Boston kept chipping away at the lead and moved within nine of Miami at one stage, but the Heat weathered the storm and took a 15-point lead into the fourth quarter.

Again Boston edged back with Brown’s three-pointer making it a onepoint game.

But a huge Max Strus three-pointer and an Adebayo bucket pulled Miami back clear as the Heat hung on for the win.

Game four of the series takes place in Boston on Monday. AFP

AGELESS Johnny Arcilla kept racking up titles over younger rivals, bagging the Fr. Fernando Suarez M-Cup Open Championship crown with a 6-2, 6-1 romp over Leander Lazaro at the Malabon Tennis Club’s shell court in Malabon City last Friday.

The veteran Davis Cupper flashed vintage form in toppling Mimo Tomacruz, 6-0, 7-6(1) and Alberto Villamor, 6-2, 6-2, before crushing Fritz Verdad, 6-2, 6-1, in the semifinals of the five-day tournament held in honor of the late healing priest and tennis buff and supporter.

Ranged against the 29-year-old

Lazaro, Arcilla broke in the third game, yielded the next at serve but bounced back strong with a sweep of the next four.

It was more of the same in the second frame as the 42-year-old nine-time PCA (Philippine Columbian Association) Open champion broke Lazaro in the third game and won the next four to complete his dominant title run in the event presented by Dunlop.

The third-ranked Lazaro looked poised to surprising Arcilla after upending second seed Vicente Anasta, 6-4, 3-6, 10-6, in the semis but had no answer to the top-seeded bet’s power,

ground strokes and court savvy.

Arcilla pocketed the top P30,000 and added another P20,000 after teaming up with Villamor to blast Verdad and Lance Fernandez, 6-0, 6-0, in the men’s doubles finals of the event that missed the presence of three-time champion Jeson Patrombon and other 31st SEA Games campaigners.

Lazaro took the P15,000 second prize in singles while doubles runnersup Verdad and Fernandez received P10,000 in the second Open tournament in the busy Palawan PawnshopPalawan Express Pera Padala calendar after the Olivarez Cup last March.

PARIS—Carlos Alcaraz headlines the first day of the French Open on Sunday as the teenage Spanish sensation gives Roland Garros a glimpse of the future of Grand Slam tennis.

The 19-year-old, bidding to become just the eighth teenager to capture a major men’s title, is widely tipped to end the dominance of 13-time champion Rafael Nadal and two-time winner Novak Djokovic.

Alcaraz is the tour’s dominant player in 2022, winning a season-leading 28 matches with just three losses.

Three of his titles have come on clay in Rio, Barcelona and Madrid where he defeated Nadal, Djokovic and world number three Alexander Zverev to take the title.

On Sunday, Alcaraz begins his French Open campaign against Argentine lucky loser Juan Ignacio Londero, ranked at 141 but who made the last 16 in 2019.

Alcaraz was ranked 97 this time last year. He was only two when Nadal won the first of his 13 French Opens in 2005 but he made his mark at the 2021 tournament where he came through qualifying to reach the third round.

“He definitely is special,” admitted Djokovic of Alcaraz who also claimed the prestigious Miami Masters earlier in the year.

Top seed Djokovic, who turns 35 on Sunday, and fifth-seeded Nadal, with 41 Grand Slam titles between them, are not in action on the first day.

Also sitting out the opening programme is women’s world number one Iga Swiatek, the 2020 champion in Paris, who is on a 28-match win streak, having won five successive tournaments.

German third seed Alexander Zverev, a semi-finalist in 2021 when he gave up a two sets lead to Stefanos Tsitsipas, begins his bid for a maiden Slam title against Austria’ Sebastian Ofner, ranked at 218.

Ofner, without a win on the main tour since July last year, has come through qualifying at Roland Garros for the first time in five attempts.

Two-time runner-up Dominic Thiem, whose ranking has slipped to 194 after a lengthy battle with a wrist injury, plays Hugo Dellien of Bolivia.

Thiem has yet to win a match since his return in March.

Opening proceedings on Court Philippe Chatrier is Tunisia’s Ons Jabeur who faces Poland’s 56th-ranked Magda Linette.

Jabeur, the first Arab or African player to capture a WTA 1000 title with her victory in Madrid, has dreams of replicating her 2011 junior triumph on the Parisian clay.

The 27-year-old has made three clay finals this season—losing to Belinda Bencic in Charleston and Swiatek in Rome—and boasts a tour-leading 17 claycourt wins this season.

Also in action on Sunday is Greek fourth seed Maria Sakkari against Clara Burel of France. AFP

Entertainment

Nickie Wang, Editor nickie.standard@gmail.com MONDAY, MAY 23, 2022

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Who will be this year’s Superbods?

THIRTY-TWO healthy and fit men and women who stood out from hundreds of hopefuls will soon take the spotlight as finalists of Century Tuna Superbods Love Strong 2022, the most anticipated health and fitness event in the Philippines.

With the powerful and relevant theme “Stay Strong to Love Strong,” this year’s diverse roster of finalists carry with them their reasons to have a strong and healthy body to take on challenges—highlighting the importance of having a healthy lifestyle for the people they care about, especially amid the pandemic.

Century Tuna Superbods 2022 launched a more inclusive competition that’s open to

anyone regardless of age, background, and gender—candidates simply need to make a stand and become an inspiration to Filipinos to be the best version of themselves.

After the online auditions for this year’s competition, the final callbacks were held at Sofitel Philippine Plaza Manila, the official venue partner for Superbods 2022.

The aspirants were carefully screened to vie for the title Century Tuna Superbod.

“We would like to congratulate this year’s finalists for making it this far. We are excited to witness their Superbods journey and see how they can inspire others to become better versions of themselves” said Century Pacific Food Inc. (CPFI)

The 32 candidates of Century Tuna Superbods Love Strong 2022 Vice President and General Manager for Tuna Division Carlo Endaya.

In the female category, the 16 beautiful and fit finalists are Andrea Abalos, Christelle Abello, Michelle Arceo, Xandria Bautista, Sherlyn Doloriel, Lovely Elazegui, Vienne Feucht, Querubin Gonzales, Mary Gonzalez, Julia Mendoza, Nadia Mostoles,

Chrystalle Omaga, Kerri Reilly, Selena Reyes, Mia Salisbury, and Kim Velasco.

The 16 fit and strong male finalists are George Baker, Kirk Bondad, Edison Borja, Wani Manotoc, Herson Parias, Paul Pedley, Gee Plamenco Jr., Patrick Ramirez, Lourd Ramos, Anjo Resurreccion, Ramon Reyes, Julian Roxas, Jaime Santamaria, Jean Santos,

A

S THE REST of the world witnessed Philippine history unfolding, Filipinos here and abroad turned to the country’s leading broadcast company, GMA Network, for election news and information across all platforms via the “Eleksyon 2022: The GMA News and Public Affairs Coverage”.

On air, significantly more viewers nationwide tuned in to the Kapuso Network’s biggest, most comprehensive, and most trusted election coverage compared to its counterparts.

The Kapuso Network’s special coverage was also the first to broadcast the partial and unofficial results tally both on-air and online through the Network’s forerunner in technology, GMA New Media, Inc. (NMI).

Based on Nielsen Philippines’ overnight data for May 9 to 10, GMA’s and GTV’s election coverage (Eleksyon 2022 plus other election-related shows/ newscasts) posted 45.6 percent and 20.9 percent people net reach, respectively, in NUTAM (National Urban TV Audience Measurement) -- for a combined net reach of over 50 percent.

Both coverages of GMA and GTV were ahead of counterparts on TV5 (19.5 percent), A2Z (11.2 percent), and Kapamilya Channel (3.4 percent).

Providing top-notch reportage was the whole GMA News and Public Affairs team led by its pillars Jessica Soho, Mel Tiangco, Vicky Morales, Arnold Clavio, Howie Severino, and Mike Enriquez.

Online, Filipinos turned to the Eleksyon 2022 website for the latest news and results of the polls on May 9 and 10, resulting in 78.9 million page views for GMA News Online over two days.

Providing top-notch reportage are the whole GMA News and Public Affairs team led by its pillars (from left) Arnold Clavio, Mel Tiangco, Jessica Soho, Mike Enriquez, Vicky Morales, and Howie Severino

Filipinos’go-to source for election-related content

Also reporting for duty are Kapuso broadcast journalists and the full roster of GMA News and Public Affairs reporters The Eleksyon 2022 livestream drew 7.7 million views on YouTube, 11 million views on Facebook, and 2.4 million views on Tiktok on May 9 and 10.

On YouTube alone, the said livestream

PH, France national film agencies sign new cooperation agreement

CNC COO Olivier Henrard (right) signs the Cooperation Agreement with FDCP's Liza Dino ON MAY 18, the Film Development Council of the Philippines (FDCP) and Centre National du Cinéma et de l’image animée or National Centre for Cinematography (CNC) of France renewed their cooperation agreement, marking their 75 years of diplomatic relations.

The signing of the agreement happened at the Philippine-Singapore Pavilion during the 75th Cannes Film Festival and Marché du Film.

The two national film agencies locked in on a commitment to pursue mutual participation in creating stronger film policies, exchange of education and training development, and other aspects of filmmaking from co-production, exhibition efforts, and best practices in heritage preservation.

Both parties were represented by their heads, Olivier Henrard, CNC COO representing CNC President Dominique Boutonnat, and Mary Liza Diño, FDCP Chairperson and CEO. Representatives from the FDCP and CNC, invited international filmmakers and stakeholders, and several film

professionals witnessed the momentous signing.

In a short message during the signing event, Diño mentioned, “With all these aspirations to understand the structure, the system, how we can improve, and how we can elevate the industry to become more globally competitive, the updating of the agreement, that will include cooperation in animation and strengthening our archiving partnerships, will be really instrumental to us as we support more projects.”

“Thank you so much to the CNC Team for seeing the value of this partnership.

I hope that in return, the warmth and the welcoming arms of the Philippines can also lead you to our country so we can discover more collaborations together,” Diño added.

“I’m sure that this Signing of the CNC-FDCP Agreement will be one of the peaks of the festival. We are full of optimism; we are full of energy to launch a new move in the industry in Europe and with our partnerships with the Philippines,” Henrard shared during his thanksgiving speech.

First signed in 2014 by the previous heads of their respective agencies, the Cooperation Agreement between CNC and FDCP led to both agencies supporting each other in sharing cultural promotion and were able to accomplish industry milestones together through the help of the French Embassy in the Philippines in the last eight years.

The renewal of the agreement was named as a priority during the online 9th Philippines-France Joint Economic Commission (JEC) Meeting last July 2, 2021 and was discussed further last July during the Cannes Film Festival in 2021. Read full story on manilastandard.net

peaked at more than 291,000 concurrent views – the highest among all news agencies. In addition, it was number 2 in the top trending list of YouTube Philippines and earned the top spot in

ARIAS ALWIN IGNACIO MEETING ace filmmaker Phil Giordano for the first time is a congenial experience. Erase the preconceived notions that this American Italian who loved The Godfather (one of his all-time film favorites) is any way like Don Vito Corleone, portrayed to perfection by the late, great Marlon Brando, or the recent Italian incarnations in The Sopranos or Roma.

Amiable, with a disarming smile, and devoid of artifice and superficiality, this Master’s Degree in Film holder from the prestigious New York University Tisch School of the Arts, tells you straight why he loves anything and everything about the cinematic arts.

“I am firm believer that a film can change one’s life,” begins Giordano.

“Whether as a spectator or as a filmmaker, from whatever is seen on the silver screen, it is some sort of seduction. It beguiles, intrigues, and stirs many of your emotions.”

“As an audience, we all know that cinema offers a different perspective and take on life. As a filmmaker, the task and responsibility become daunting and exhilarating because you are a creator that gives insights to situations and events, and breathes life to characters and a whole new world and experience,” he carries on.

For Giordano, the films that stirred his soul and made him realize the power of cinema are David Fincher’s Fight Club and Cary Joji Fukunaga’s Sin Nombre.

“I am drawn to motion pictures that focus on manhood and masculinity.

Fincher’s Fight Club was an exhausting and gritty exploration of what makes a man. That manhood goes beyond the present templates in contemporary society. Fukunaga’s film was a formative one for me because it showed the scale and the stakes, terrors, and thrills of being

terms of election-related coverage of news publishers.

GMA News platforms also continued to be the most-watched accounts among Philippine news organizations during

Mark Soriano, and Erik Visser.

The 32 finalists will all be undergoing a series of activities and challenges leading up to the finals night in July. Moreover, two grand winners will receive P500,000.00 each, while the two runners-up will receive P200,000.00 each, tax-free. All four winners will also get a year’s worth of Century Tuna products and other exciting prizes.

this same period according to data from Tubular Labs. The GMA News YouTube channel had 40 million views on May 9 and 10, compared to 15 million for ABSCBN News. Meanwhile, the GMA News Facebook page had 48 million views, compared to 32 million for ABS-CBN News.

Ably complementing GMA’s top-notch election coverage was its impressive, state-of-the-art set and graphics. Designed

by Emmy award-winning U.S. firm FX Design Group, the studio featured LED video walls, color-changing panels, and open floor space. And with the latest version of Vizrt Graphics Solutions, GMA was further able to provide viewers with more meaningful and enriching content and presentations.

From the actual coverage to the immersive visuals, Eleksyon 2022 earned praises from viewers and netizens.

“Being far from home, I’m anxiously waiting for election results as I know this will affect the future of my beloved country and my family back home. [GMA’s] indepth coverage of Election 2022 made me feel that I’m part of everything that is happening. The news anchors delivered every news blow-by-blow in a very comprehensive way,” said Bernadette Bonete who is based in Los Angeles, California.

On Twitter, user @kapusongkim said: “Taking time to tweet my appreciation for @gmanews & @GMA_PA’s Election Coverage. Wonderful team!

Comprehensive reports! #Eleksyon2022.”

“They started strong in Eleksyon 2019 in terms of graphics. Now, they’ve DONE it again. And since they have [a] GMA HD feed on YouTube, talagang LEVELED UP siya ngayong Eleksyon 2022. You NEVER failed to impress me. Kudos to the graphics team and GMA News and Public Affairs,” commented James Joshua Escandor on YouTube.

“Maraming Salamat Sa Pagpupuyat para pilipino.Salamat sa graphic ninyo ang ganda. At pati ang new studio ninyo,” added Tom Ashlee Caguia. Read full story on manilastandard.net

Phil Giordano’s artistic gambles in the so-called underworld. These two films show that life has a bigger picture that at times, it only through films that point us to the realities that make us look the other way,” he explains.

This New Yorker who now has a decade-old love affair in Manila is here for the longest haul because of the artistic and creative people he’s met along the way.

“Your culture, the people, the places, the layout of the urban dwellings and the landscape in the provinces, all that you have here, is so worthy to be, and immortalized in a film,” he said.

The godimento della vita e dei suoi numerosi orrori are the most essential elements in his first movie Pusoy, with Baron Geisler, Janelle Tee, Angeli Khang, and Vince Rillon who comprise a group of card hustlers who play with life and lust.

Giordano describes Geisler as a raw and explosive actor. In the film, he leads this so-called card hustling family and he has insatiable cravings for money, women, and power.

“Baron gave it gravitas and vulnerability. I liken him to a wolf, predatory yet loving of his pack.

Vince matches Baron perfectly,” the director enthuses.“He has a family that he loves the most and a surrogate family that he is tight with. His choices and dilemmas make you want to embrace and root for him,” To the female leads, Giordano points out: “They are rivals. Sandra, the character of Janelle is like the original queen bee Then Kang enters their crew and it causes a schism. She brings more money and cunning and devious are adjectives that suit her character Mica. She knew how to brew a tempest and it makes Janelle insecure and jealous.”

“The movie plays on the topics of loyalty and betrayal,” the director declares. “I feel that being in situations

wherein these two are ingredients, brings out the rawest of emotions and makes a character have a showdown with himself, his morals, and what is most valuable to him. Change is always happening.

Nothing is static and in the world of Geisler and Rillon, as Rodolfo and Rogelio, events and things within the spheres of loyalty and betrayal shift all the time. True allegiance is to one’s self and to what a person considers truly dear.”

“Yes, there is a lot of action, gambling, sex, violent stuff in Pusoy but there are moments in the film that one can take a break, breath, and see the humanity of these flawed and scarred characters.”

Pusoy begins its screening on Vivamax on May 27.

Vince Rillon (right) and Angeli Khang in ‘Pusoy’

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

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MONDAY, MAY 23, 2022

Life

Witness the beauty of Bulacan through an ATV tour

By Patricia Taculao I’VE been to Bulacan several times in my life. Most of these instances were to visit my extended family in the rural areas of Calumpit. The other reasons included field trips, work-related excursions, vacations, or enjoying some of the restaurants in the city proper.

However, at some point, I also saw the province’s natural beauty when I visited Biak Na Bato National Park in San Miguel.

It still had a dense forest, rock formations, and a cooling river that most tourists flock to after hiking in the nearby mountains.

Seeing those mountains always made me wonder what the view is like atop, but I’m not adept at hiking. On May 10, I had the chance to see the mountains of Bulacan from a different perspective—and I didn’t have to hike to get there.

A family-owned business in San Miguel offers tours using all-terrain vehicles (ATV) that tourists can drive themselves.

Now, ATV tours aren’t unique in Bulacan, as numerous others provide these services. San Miguel DRT ATV Tours allows their guests to explore the Doña Remedios Trinidad (DRT) and Sierra Madre mountains, offroad trails, hidden waterfalls, and more.

It started as a sideline business for Ferdinand Carreon, 29, and his wife in January 2021. Eventually, they saw the potential of tourism in giving them a lucrative source of income while promoting the natural beauty of their province.

Ferdinand Carreon is a local from Bulacan who started the ATV tour sideline in January 2021

Guests also experience crossing rivers and streams in their ATV tour

Some of the sights along the route include a fresh spring where tourists can rest from their drive

The interior of Windha’s spacious and well-designed room offers a relaxing view of the bay

“T

rip” is actually a variation of “type” which is a popular slang for “like.”

Every time I pass by that imposing structure at the corner of Seaside Boulevard and J.W.Diokno Boulevard on my way to Mall of Asia, I always marvel at its beautiful location because I could see that it has an unobstructed view of Manila Bay. So when the Holy Week break came, I decided to be smart. Instead of driving hundreds of kilometers just to be in a nice beach resort and eventually getting stuck in horrendous traffic on the way back home, I opted to stay in the metropolis. I chose a hotel that would give me that “beach resort feel” without being far from things I may need in the course of the day. I realized that it was an opportunity for me to take a closer look at the facilities and services of this hotel I have always marveled at.

Tryp by Wyndham is a 191-room upper mid-scale property of Microtel Hotels and Resorts in the Philippines. As expected, its guestrooms offer a breathtaking view of Manila Bay and the metropolis. Thanks to Edison Rosales, the livewire dynamo Director of Sales of Microtel Hotels and Resorts, who made the arrangements for my staycation, I had a spacious, functionally designed suite on the 16th floor of the hotel, with a front-and-center, relaxing view of the bay.

The room I had could easily accommodate a The hotel’s swimming pool family because, aside from on the roof deck the two queen-size beds, there is also a wide divan right beside the window which could serve as a bed for any regular-sized adult.

It also has, beside another large window, a small dining area, complete with a microwave oven and a mini-refrigerator. And, I always like hotel rooms with very spacious bathrooms, which this one has.

The hotel’s all-day dining venue is Milagrito’s on the third floor. It banners Filipino and Spanish specialties on the menu, like kare-kare, lechon kawali, gambas, paella, lamb caldereta, and many other mouth-watering culinary offerings. I enjoyed their rice bowls because, not only are they very affordable, but they are also cooked to culinary perfection. I went for the sumptuous salmon salpicao for lunch, and the pork belly sisig was my dinner delight.

What I like most about the restaurant is the spacious veranda in its periphery, where guests can enjoy their meals with the sea breeze blowing from all directions. These days, when the pesky virus is still very much around, I always prefer to dine in openair restaurants, just to have that added protection of not being cooped up in a covered space where the air does not circulate.

Friends have been telling me about the hotel’s swimming pool which, they said, puts guests practically “on top of the world,” so I could hardly wait to spend a whole day working on my golden tan. True enough, when I got to the roof deck (the swimming pool is on the 19th floor), I was stunned by the breathtaking, 360-degree, calming view of the bay and of the metropolis. It was the “crowning moment” of my staycation.

I was lucky to have had the pool all to myself when I went up at around 10:00 a.m., of course, under the watchful eye of the lifeguard who, I could see, also busied himself with his other duties of keeping the pool area clean and orderly. So, there I was enjoying my swimming session to the hilt, in my “private” pool, on top of the metropolis, with the healthy sea breeze keeping me safe by blowing away any unwanted antigens.

My swimming reverie ended when I noticed that I had already turned into a darker mass of epidermis and I needed to replenish my lost body liquids with an ice-cold glass of Pina Colada. It was certainly the best way to spend the long weekend! If you’re YOUR MONDAY CHUCKLE in the market for a staycation that’s exciting and affordable, take a trip to What’s the difference between a cat Tryp. You may reach them at (632) and a comma? A cat has claws at the 840-8000 or hello-mnl@tryp.ph end of paws; a comma is a pause at the For feedback, I’m at bobzozobend of a clause. rado@gmail.com

“We also saw it as a way to keep us grounded and to allow us to spend more time together since we’re a growing family,” Carreon said in the vernacular.

He added that it also became a way for them to stay afloat during the pandemic since many city folks were looking for an adventure while following health protocols. The nearby mountains, abundant with fresh air and sparsely populated, supplied these demands.

With the help of a private business partner and local government support, they acquired several ATV units to get their business started. They also worked with some local suppliers to get ATV units and spare parts for maintenance.

Carreon said that their ATV units undergo maintenance before and after use to secure the safety and satisfaction of their guests.

Those who aren’t familiar with driving an ATV receive a crash course from Carreon before the start of the tour. He explains the basics promptly so guests

can easily understand the ATV’s controls.

They’re also allowed to test the ATV for a few minutes until they get the hang of it. As an added safety precaution, Carreon advises their guests to have a firm grip on the handles to prevent swerving and other accidents while on the road.

Once everyone can maneuver their units, Carreon gets the tour started. Guests can choose which route they can take and base it on their experience on the ATV. Those looking for more adventure can opt for the challenging path that’s filled with off-road terrain, steep slopes, and sharp turns.

Regardless of the path, Carreon will let the guests experience crossing rivers, rocky roads, and new heights so they can make the most from their ATV experience.

He hopes that their business will bring more tourists to the mountains of Bulacan and boost the local economy while highlighting the province’s natural beauty.

Visit San Miguel DRT ATV Tours on Facebook for more information.

The imposing façade of Tryp by Wyndham at the MOA complex

Trip ko ang TRYP The room’s front window shows the busy ferries plying the bay

The Manila skyline and the bay is a clear view from the side window of the room

‘Infinite Legacies’ spotlights Stephanie Kienle-Gonzalez’s push for environmental conservation WITH environmental waste as one of the most pressing issues in the country, Infinite Legacies TV Docuseries will soon release its third episode featuring Philux, Inc. Founder and Managing Director Stephanie Kienle-Gonzalez and her efforts to address this on May 29, 5:30 p.m. on Cignal TV’s One News Channel.

Infinite Legacies is the ongoing TV documentary series of Smart Communications Inc.’s luxury postpaid brand Smart Infinity in partnership with Cignal TV, which pays tribute to today’s inspiring Changemakers and how they are vastly contributing to their respective industries.

Gonzalez is at the helm of Philux, a homegrown luxury furniture label that champions Filipino craftsmanship and design sensibilities. Her definitive fashion sense and Filipino-Swiss heritage translate into a deep aesthetic appreciation, which is expressed in her dedication to her craft. She is passionate about empowering the self-sufficiency of Philux’s local artisans, as well as advocating an environmentally conscious and purposeful lifestyle.

“Having Stephanie as one of our Changemakers, Smart Infinity expands its footprint in fostering impactful advocacies. We see how our members achieve great success in their fields and pay it forward to society, and it is also

Philux, Inc. founder Stephanie Kienle-Gonzalez

part of our commitment to support and empower them to positively contribute to the world,” shares Sofie BorromeoAlvarez, AVP and Brand Head for Smart Infinity.

She adds, “Beyond providing a rewarding mobile experience with exceptional product offerings, exclusive lifestyle privileges, and priority customer service, Smart Infinity showcases its limitless support for the Changemakers

and their advocacies through the Infinite Legacies documentary series.”

Philux, together with Smart Infinity, has partnered with Green Antz Builders, an award-winning environment-conscious company that repurposes waste into construction materials. Its mission is to create sustainable and environmentally responsible communities, which aligns with Gonzalez’s personal advocacy.

The partnership will help divert plastic wastes from landfills and oceans by having bins stationed in three Smart store locations. The plastic wastes collected in the bins will travel to the Eco Hub, Green Antz’s Modern Recovery Facility (MRF), and the manufacturing plant for green building materials.

The stations will include collaterals on which wastes are accepted and where exactly they will go, cultivating a Circular Economy instead of a linear, material-disposing economy.

Stephanie Kienle-Gonzalez’s story on Infinite Legacies airs Sunday on Cignal TV’s OneNews channel, the Cignal Play app, or the Smart GigaPlay app.

Learn more about the Changemakers leading the way for positive change in the Philippines.

For more information on Smart Infinity’s offers and Infinite Legacies docuseries, visit www.smart.com.ph/infinity and follow @smartinfinity on Instagram.