Manila Standard - 2022 June 4 - Saturday

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Global oil prices still soar despite OPEC output, hike by 648k bpd VOL. XXXVI • NO. 109 • 3 SECTIONS 12 PAGES • P18 • SATURDAY, JUNE 4, 2022 • www.manilastandard.net • mst.daydesk@gmail.com

OIL prices rose again in the global market on Thursday (Friday in Manila) despite an agreement by major crude producers to boost output more than expected in a move sure to set off price increases in pumps at stations across the world, including the Philippines.

In Vienna, the OPEC+ group decided to add 648,000 barrels per day (bpd) to the market in July, up from the 432,000 bpd increases in recent months, and a shift from the cartel’s recent stance of sticking to a planned pace of monthly Next page

Omicron BA.5 strain hits PH First 2 cases detected in C. Luzon, variant behind surge in S. Africa

GRADUATING CLASS. After almost three years under the COVID-19 pandemic, about 8,926 graduates from the class of 2022 of the

By Willie Casas and Othel V. Campos

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University of Santo Tomas return to holding in-person baccalaureate masses at the UST athletic field on Friday. Danny Pata

HE Philippines has already detected the first two cases of the Omicron BA.5 coronavirus variant in two persons from Central Luzon, the Department of Health (DOH) said Friday.

This developed as OCTA Research fellow Dr. Guido David said these variants of the virus that causes COVID-19 could bring up daily cases again to around 10,000.

World Health Organization chief Tedros Adhanom Ghebreyesus in May said subvariants BA.4 and BA.5 were behind the surge in cases in South Africa.

Both subvariants are 10 percent to 30

percent more transmissible than BA.2, which in turn is 20 percent to 30 percent more infectious than the original Omicron variant, according to DOH infectious disease expert Dr. Edsel Salvana.

“The concern in South Africa is that the BA.4 and BA.5 are again driving a fifth wave. It seemed it peaked quickly, one-third or one-fourth the peak of their original Omicron,” Salvana said.

PNP on full alert nationwide after bombings in south THE Philippine National Police (PNP) is on full alert status nationwide as it monitors the chain of bombings in Mindanao in recent days.

Extra security precautions are being implemented in crowded areas, PNP

spokesperson Police Colonel Jean Fajardo said Friday.

She said the heightened status triggers the police to increase the force’s visibility in public transportation terminals and provide bus marshals, as ordered by act-

SUPREME Court Chief Justice Alexander Gesmundo will administer the oath of President-elect Ferdinand Marcos Jr. on June 30 as the country’s 17th president, incoming Executive Secretary Vic Rodriguez said on Friday.

House Majority Leader and Leyte Rep. Martin Romualdez (left) administers the oath of office to (from right) Surigao Del Sur 2nd District Rep. Johnny Pimentel, TGP Party-List Rep. Jose ‘Bong’ Teves Jr., and Isabela 1st District Rep. Antonio ‘Tonypet’ Albano on Friday. Ver Noveno

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“We shall abide by the tradition, the Supreme Court Chief Justice, the Hon. Alexander Gesmundo,” Rodriguez said, in a text message, when asked about who will administer Marcos’s oath of office.

Rodriguez said the oath-taking would be held outdoors so that Filipinos who

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Congress urged to pass laws to regulate socmed CONGRESS should follow the lead of other countries and pass legislation to regulate social media, the Department of the Interior and Local Government said Friday.

Such platforms needed to be held liable for any illegal content on their sites, DILG Undersecretary Jonathan Malaya said in a GMA News report.

He explained that social media sites such as Facebook must be held accountable for how they protect their users’ privacy and how they handle and safeguard users’ data.

Social media sites must also have the duty to take care of its users, including protecting them from illegal and harmful content, Malaya added.

The Philippines is considered the social media capital of the world by amount of use, with 80 million people using social media on average

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OATH OF OFFICE.

CJ Gesmundo to conduct Marcos’ oathtaking, to ‘abide by tradition’

By Rey E. Requejo

ing PNP Chief Lt. Gen. Vicente Danao Jr. “After the continuous bombings in these areas, the PNP raised the alert status nationwide to full alert so these won’t happen again,” Fajardo said.

Duterte may reappoint or give BBM free hand on fate of bypassed officials – solon

By Maricel V. Cruz, Willie Casas, and Rey E. Requejo PRESIDENT-ELECT Ferdinand Marcos Jr. will have a free hand in nominating the top officials of three constitutional commissions, after the Commission on Appointments bypassed the ad interim appointments made by President Rodrigo Duterte.

“By operation of the Constitution and the CA

rules, these positions become vacant upon the adjournment of the session of Congress,” Deputy Speaker and Cagayan de Oro City Rep. Rufus Rodriguez said.

He said though the House of Representatives and the Senate adjourned their third and last regular session on Wednesday, the official adjournment based on the legislative calendar is June 4.

The affected officials are the chairman and two Next page

US backs PH protest vs. China’s fish ban

By Rey E. Requejo

DRUGS IN TOY DRUMS. A Bureau of Customs official examines part of an estimated P5.1 million worth of shabu hidden in toy drums shipped from Mexico after an operation by Customs, NAIA airport and PDEA anti-drug personnel on Friday. (See story on A4)

THE United States on Thursday backed the Philippines in criticizing a unilateral seasonal ban on fishing declared by Beijing in the dispute-rife South China Sea. This developed as Foreign Affairs Secretary Teodoro Locsin Jr. said the ban won’t be enforced anywhere in the country’s exclusive economic

zone in the West Philippine Sea. The State Department pointed to a 2016 ruling by a court in The Hague that rejected Beijing’s claims, as well as the UN Convention on the Law of the Sea, ratified by China although not by the United States.

“The PRC’s unilateral fishing moratorium in the South China Sea is inconsistent with the Next page

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SATURDAY, JUNE 4, 2022

mst.daydesk@gmail.com

Leni meets Sara’s transition team O

UTGOING Vice President Leni Robredo has met with Vice President-elect Sara Duterte-Carpio’s representatives for transition talks.

Robredo welcomed and gave Duterte’s transition team a tour during their visit to the Office of the Vice President in Quezon City, GMA News reported.

During the meeting, Robredo said she was ready to assist and guide the incoming group to ensure a smooth transition to the next administration.

On June 1, the transition teams held a Zoom meeting during in which they discussed the overview of the organization and primary reforms and projects under Robredo’s term.

Meanwhile, San Pedro Square in Davao City was being readied for the inauguration of Vice President-elect Duterte-Carpio.

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production hikes.

The announcement came after European Union leaders agreed to ban more than two-thirds of Russian oil imports as part of a sixth package of sanctions on Moscow over the Ukraine war.

But the action by producers did not appear to be enough to calm oil markets, with futures contracts rising more than one percent.

The jump in prices reflects “doubts the cartel members can deliver on their promises,” TD Securities’ Bart Melek said in a note.

He warned that oil prices could spike “well above” $120 a barrel in the peak summer period amid tight inventories, geopolitical risk, and uncertainty over OPEC (Organization of Petroleum Exporting Countries).

Last week, local oil firms boosted pump prices of diesel fuel by P1.20 but cut gasoline prices by P1.60 per liter. Year-to-date adjustments stand at a net increase of P25.55 per liter for gasoline and P29.10 per liter for diesel.

According to Department of Energy Director Rino Abad, based on the first four days of training in the world market this week, gasoline prices have already risen by two pesos – and P6 for diesel.

This was the effect of Russian oil being banned across Europe, so the producers need to look for other sources of oil to make up for it, he said.

“For the coming 1 to 2 weeks initially higher prices will kick in because definitely EU member countries are arranging alternative sources of fuel, and because our country’s oil sources, most of them in the Middle East, will likely join the fray there too,” Abad said.

Meanwhile, transport groups vowed to “bury” the Land Transportation Franchise and Regulatory Board (LTFRB) with complaints next week over the government’s inaction on their fuel subsidies during the COVID-19 pandemic, and especially with pump prices poised to rise again in a few days.

In an interview over radio DZRH, Liga ng mga Transportasyon at Operators sa Pilipinas national president Orlando Marquez said public transport groups would try to pin down LTFRB chairman Martin Delgra, who they said has not acted on their petitions for a fare hike amid the global oil crisis.

Meanwhile, OCTA’s David told Karen Davila in a television interview on ANC: “To be fair, (the surge) might not be as bad as we saw in January, we still have a high number of vaccinations.”

“And the growth advantage of these subvariants is not very far, very high compared to the BA2 that spread in the country. We might be seeing 5,000 to 10,000 cases per day, but nowhere near the 40,000 (daily) cases we saw back in January,” he added.

“But of course, that is still subject to change. We are still monitoring the trends in South Africa, in India,” and in the United States,” David said.

However, doctors are in favor of lifting the state of public health emergency in the country.

“We still have a low number of cases.

So, we support the lifting of the state of public health emergency,” Dr. Maricar Limpin of the Philippine College of Physicians said.

“We approve of it being lifted so the economy can be lively again, because we have to really lift up our economy,” she said.

But the DOH said it is not yet time to lift the state of calamity, Health Undersecretary Maria Rosario Vergeire said.

“We saw an increase in cases in other areas. Second, there are variants that have entered the country that are deemed to be more transmissible, and they also have an immune escape mechanism,” she said in Filipino in a radio interview.

Vergeire said the patients with BA.5 had no travel history except to their polling precinct in Metro Manila.

The two immediately isolated after

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“Our country is one of Facebook’s biggest markets, accounting for 93% of the country’s social media market share. Since it dominates the Philippine market, it generates considerable profits especially in the last national and local elections,” he added.

Given these, Malaya said Facebook and other technology companies had to be made responsible and accountable for stopping illegal activities – like e-sabong (electronic cockfighting) and child abuse – especially on live streaming and video call platforms.

“Up to now, online predators increasingly use live-stream because most tech companies have not done enough to detect or stop this type of abuse,” he said.

“As a business entity operating in the Philippines, Facebook should never allow itself to be a venue or a tool for illegal activity.”

The Philippines needed to be vigilant in enforcing its laws without fear or favor, even if it involves a social media giant, Malaya said.

“We must build a safe and healthy online environment removing content that is illegal and harmful to the general public.”

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From A1 commissioners of the Commission on Elections, and the chairmen of the Commission on Audit and the Civil Service Commission. President Duterte appointed them while Congress was in recess.

Rodriguez said President Duterte could choose to either not renew the appointments or reappoint the affected officials.

“I think the President will choose the first option and let his successor fill the Comelec, COA and CSC vacancies, in the same manner that the CA bypassed the appointees to give the incoming President that same opportunity,” he said.

He said if the appointees are reappointed, they could face the same fate in the CA of the next Congress as they suffered on Wednesday.

“By then, the new President will already have assumed office and he will have a free hand in appointing or nominating constitutional officers,” he said.

Meanwhile, Department of Health (DOH) officials are ready to work closely with its next Health secretary to continue the implementation of the Universal Health Care (UHC) agenda under the Marcos administration.

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In a related development, two chil-

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“We call upon the PRC to abide by its obligations under international law.”

Zubiri vows talk with Robin; Win keeping groups

The President’s daughter, also the incumbent Davao City mayor, earlier said she wanted to establish satellite offices in different regions to bring services closer to the people.

The Philippine National Police said no serious threats have been monitored for the inauguration of President-elect Ferdinand Marcos Jr. on June 30 in Manila and for Vice President-elect Sara Duterte-Carpio on June 19 in Davao City.

Last week, Duterte-Carpio formally reached out to the Office of the Vice

President and the Department of Education ahead of her expected takeover of both agencies starting July 1, her spokesman said.

In a statement, Liloan Mayor Christina Frasco, Duterte-Carpio’s spokesperson, said the Vice President-elect “has communicated formally with the Office of the Vice President… with the view to ensuring a smooth, orderly, and comprehensive transition.”

Barry Gutierrez, spokesperson of Robredo, assured preparations were ongoing for the turnover. Rio N. Araja

experiencing coughs and colds, and are now asymptomatic and tagged as recovered, she said.

The patients had two close contacts, who were members of their household and continued to isolate after one of them tested positive for the virus, Vergeire said.

The Philippines last month reported its first Omicron BA.4 subvariant in a Filipino returning from the Middle East and have so far reported 22 cases of the Omicron BA.2.12.1 subvariant.

The current COVID-19 state of calamity is set to expire in September.

“So, it will be up to the president if it’s going to be lifted or not, based on recommendations from the DOH and the experts,” she said.

Lifting the country’s state of calamity declaration for COVID-19 would also invalidate the emergency use authorization (EUA) of vaccines and drugs against the illness, the DOH said.

Only the WHO can lift the public health emergency it declared for COVID-19, which a group of doctors recently sought, Vergeire said.

She said the Philippines, however, can choose whether or not to prolong its state of calamity declaration, which was extended twice already.

Vergeire said the DOH has presented to the Inter-Agency Task Force on COVID-19 the implications of ending the state of calamity, including its effect on the authorization for vaccines.

She said experts are projecting an increase in cases by the end of July or early August due to waning immunity.

With 40 areas yet to meet the government’s COVID-19 vaccination target, it was too soon to remove the country’s alert level status, Vergeire added.

Limpin, meanwhile, said now was not the time to lift mask mandates, saying masks have kept infection numbers low.

She said other countries that have lifted mask mandates have experienced increases in COVID-19 cases.

Also on Friday, the DOH said a second booster against COVID-19 for people with comorbidities was not yet recommended.

Vergeire said that under the emergency use authorization (EUA), second booster jabs are only for senior citizens, health care workers, and immunocompromised individuals.

Vergeire made the statement after an infectious disease expert expressed hope that the coverage of the second booster will be extended to individuals with comorbidities.

Earlier, the presidential adviser for entrepreneurship, Joey Concepcion, called for the lifting of the state of public emergency now that the Centers for Disease Control and Prevention (CDC) has brought down travel-risk classification to the lowest level.

“Lifting the state of public health emergency would promote confidence among the population. Doing so will also lift the alert levels that have been the basis of mobility and capacity restrictions and are based on vaccination rates and healthcare utilization rates,” he said.

According to the CDC, the Philippines is now in a Level 1 travel risk classification, considered the lowest risk classification reserved for countries that have 49 or fewer new cases per 100,000 residents over the last 28 days.

He said even countries like Australia, Singapore, Canada, the UK, Spain, and Italy – which are on CDC’s Level 3, or high-risk category – are not under a state of public health emergency.

The DOH, in a statement, said that it was prepared for the change in administration.

The department stressed the importance of primary health care in making preventive measures that could ease the hospital utilization in the country, as well as the emergence of telemedicine that has been beneficial throughout the pandemic.

The DOH pointed out that the pandemic highlighted the need for “sound leadership and good governance of provincial governors and city mayors” who are responsible for the roll-out of COVID-19 vaccines in their localities.

“There are many more lessons learned from the pandemic response, and moving forward, our transition to the new normal where UHC will help us prepare better for any future public health emergencies,” the DOH said.

President Duterte signed into law the UHC Act in February 2019, guaranteeing that all Filipinos will have equal access to quality and affordable goods and services in health care.

The Philippine Amusement and Gaming Corporation (PAGCOR) on Wednesday said it signed a joint circular with the Philippine Charity Sweepstakes Office (PCSO) on how to disburse their allotted funds for the UHC. Marcos has yet to name the next

Health chief who will replace Secretary Francisco Duque III. The Philippine Medical Association said on Wednesday that it was endorsing National Task Force (NTF) Against COVID-19 medical adviser Dr. Ted Herbosa to serve as the next Health secretary, citing his experience and expertise in health care systems, public health, hospital administration, trauma surgery, and emergency and disaster medicine.

Infectious disease expert Dr. Edsel Salvana, who is also a member of the DOH Technical Advisory Group, earlier declined to comment on whether the Marcos camp has tapped him as the next Health chief.

Outgoing Justice Secretary Menardo Guevarra on Friday assured incoming Justice Secretary Jesus Crispin Remulla of a smooth and orderly transition at the Department of Justice.

“Together with our senior officials, I will give [Cavite] congressman Remulla and his team a briefing on DOJ operations, programs, and projects on Thursday, June 9. We shall ensure a smooth and orderly transition at the DOJ,” Guevarra said in a text message.

Guevarra said he will suggest to the incoming DOJ chief several issues that need full support and continuation under the incoming DOJ leadership.

gave the former senator overwhelming support will witness the event.

“The victory is really for the Filipino people, and it will be open to the public and (Marcos Jr.) will take his oath before, to be witnessed by those Filipinos who overwhelmingly voted him into office,” he said.

SC spokesman Brian Keith Hosaka said Gesmundo has not yet received any request to administer Marcos’s oath.

Rodriguez, however, said: “Everything is being coursed through the Inaugural Committee and I think the letter will be out soon at going to the direction of the Chief Justice.”

The Department of Public Works and Highways (DPWH) is in charge of the “preparation for the little construction or renovation works,” he said.

“We will leave it up to them,” Rodriguez said. “We’re just hoping that it will not rain.”

Earlier, incoming Presidential Management Staff Secretary Zenaida Angping said the incoming president would take his oath at the National Museum of the Philippines.

Angping said the inaugural committee inspected the area and found it to be a suitable venue.

The DPWH earlier said it has prepared at least three other venues and plans to ensure that Marcos Jr. will have options.

The National Museum of the Philippines, formerly known as the Old Legislative Building, also served as the venue for the inauguration of former Presidents Manuel Quezon, Jose Laurel, and Manuel Roxas.

dren died while two others were wounded after an explosion in Kumalarang, Zamboanga del Sur on Friday afternoon, according to a radio report and a statement by the police and military.

Based on the initial investigation of the police, the victims were playing with a rusty pipe which suddenly exploded in Purok Malipayon.

But the 102nd Infantry “Igsoon” Bri-

gade of the Philippine Army said the explosion “was neither caused by any terror attacks nor perpetrated by criminal groups or individuals.”

“Based on the initial investigation, the explosion was caused by an unknown rusty pipe played by the victims.

The origin of the said object is yet to be determined by the authorities,” brigade commander Brig. Gen. Leonel Nicolas

said in a statement.

Blasts rocked Koronadal City, South Cotabato, and Tacurong City in Sultan Kudarat last week, injuring at least 5.

These supposedly came from an improvised explosive device, according to authorities.

Last Monday, separate explosions in Isabela City, Basilan, one of which was in a bus terminal, saw three people hurt.

This comes on the heels of a 10-day South Pacific island-hopping tour by China’s top diplomat, which focused world attention on a usually overlooked region, opened a new front in Beijing’s quest for global influence, and challenged decades of Western primacy.

On the face of it, Wang Yi’s trip was a failure, according to an Agence France Presse report.

Wang’s centerpiece proposal -- a re-

gional pact to turbocharge China’s role in Pacific island security -- was leaked to the press and then roundly rejected by regional leaders, the report said.

Representatives of the 10 Pacific Island states were not shy about expressing their displeasure at China trying to ram through such a consequential agreement with next-to-no consultation, the AFP added.

Meanwhile, Locsin remains unper-

turbed by China’s rejection of the Philippines’ protest on Beijing’s unilateral imposition of a fishing ban in the South China Sea. He stressed that China could say anything about the diplomatic protest the Department of Foreign Affairs filed over the fishing ban that covers maritime areas in the WPS “which the Philippines has sovereignty, sovereign rights, and jurisdiction.”

INCOMING Senate President Juan Miguel Zubiri will invite Senatorelect Robin Padilla to a “one-on-one meeting” later this month regarding the committees given to the former action star to lead.

Padilla, the top vote-getter in the May 9 senatorial elections, will head the Senate committee on constitutional amendments and revision of codes, as well as the public information panel.

Meanwhile, senator Sherwin Gatchalian will keep his chairmanship of the Senate Committee on Basic Education, Arts and Culture in the 19th Congress and vowed to pursue reforms that will address the education crisis and improve the performance of the country’s learners.

In a statement, Gatchalian said among his priorities are the full resumption of face-to-face classes, the review of the K to 12 system, and upholding the welfare of teachers.

“As the Senate President-designate and hopefully elected Senate President, I will talk with Robin, one-onone... and I’ll ask him, can you do this?

Do you have a legal team that can help you and assist you?” Zubiri told ABSCBN in a phone interview on Friday.

Zubiri’s decision to meet with Padilla was in reaction to concerns raised by some of his colleagues regarding the actor’s capability to effectively chair the constitutional amendments panel, which would involve highly sensitive discussions about the 1987 Constitution and various codes.

Since 1986 covering the 8th Congress until the year 2022 covering the 18th Congress, experienced lawyers who became senators have chaired the Senate constitutional amendments panel. Macon Ramos-Araneta

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Pope Francis names Cardinal Tagle to new post in the Vatican

CANNONS OF DOLOMITE BEACH. Workers

are rushing the installation of World War II vintage cannons at the Remedios area of the Dolomite beach which is set to open on June 12 as a side show of the country’s Independence Day celebration. Inset shows Intramuros administration’s bike-riding personnel checking on park visitors to see if anybody needed medical assistance, part of the hospitalin-a-bike project of the Department of Tourism and the Makati Medical Center. Danny Pata

Senate links 34 missing men to e-sabong

By Macon Ramos-Araneta

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HE Senate Committee on Public Order and Dangerous Drugs has established that at least seven cases of missing cockfighting aficionados were linked to the controversial online cockfights also called e-sabong.

Meanwhile, the Philippine National Police (PNP) on Friday said it has monitored two more e-sabong websites, bringing the total to 14 online cockfighting channels despite the ban on the activity.

This finding was embodied in the committee’s report which was adopted by the chamber on the last session day of the 18th Congress.

The committee headed by Sen. Ron-

Bohol-Panglao Airport reopens after pandemic THE Civil Aviation Authority of the Philippines (CAAP) on Friday announced the arrival of Jeju Air flight 7C4407 at the Bohol-Panglao Airport (BPA), marking the first international flight to land at the BPA since the COVID-19 pandemic.

CAAP and other airport officials were on hand to welcome the 167 passengers who flew in from Incheon, South Korea.

The Jeju plane was set to leave at 12:15 p.m. of the same day, with only 16 passengers on board.

Jeju Air first landed at the BPA on Nov. 21, 2019 before the pandemic.

At present, BPA also accommodates flights from such airlines as the Philippine Airlines, Air Asia, and Cebu Pacific Air. “With renewed optimism amid persisting challenges, BPA hopes that reopening the Philippines’ borders after the COVID-19 crisis will be a turning point in the aviation industry and for the country’s economy,” said CAAP Area VII manager Rafael Tatlonghari.

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ald dela Rosa particularly inquired into the cases of 34 missing cockfight aficionados and concluded that the disappearances were linked to regular sabong and e-sabong.

The committee recommended 18 administrative and 7 legislative actions to be undertaken relative to the disappearances.

After four separate public hearings, Dela Rosa’s committee established that

seven out of 32 missing persons were connected to cockfighting activities.

The committee also noted that there was an emerging pattern in the abductions.

Dela Rosa cited as probable motives game-fixing called “tyope” and the “cloning” of an e-sabong website as in the case of victim Ricardo Lasco Jr, who was reputedly a master agent abducted from his house in San Pablo, Laguna.

In his 77-page committee report, Dela Rosa urged the Philippine Amusement and Gaming Corp. (PAGCOR) to formulate a mechanism that will deny minors from gaining access to electronic gambling platforms and for money transfer facilities to strictly implement the “Know-Your-Customer” policy.

He recommended the suspension of business permits of cockpit arenas found violating ordinances for installation of CCTV cameras, collection by the Bureau of Internal Revenue of tax dues from e-sabong operators, and no let-up in investigation by the police and the National Bureau of Investigation on cases of the missing individuals.

Dela Rosa also suggested that the Department of Social Welfare and Development should extend assistance to families of missing cockfight aficionados, and the Department of Education to include in the curriculum discussions on the perils of gambling and its nature as a social ill, based on Republic Act No. 11476, otherwise known as the “GMRC and Values Education Act.”

POST PANDEMIC FIRST FRIDAY MASS. With

pandemic restrictions virtually lifted, a large crowd of Catholic devotees attend the first Friday mass at the Quiapo Church in Manila.

Norman Cruz

Poe takes to task Manila Water, Maynilad SENATOR Grace Poe has asked the country’s major water concessionaires to do their best to avoid water service interruptions in their coverage areas in Metro Manila and nearby provinces.

Despite the rains, water level at Angat Dam decreased, as well as in other dams except Ambuklao and Ipo. However, water level in these dams remained below normal as of June 2.

“Having waterless days amid the rains shouldn’t be the normal. Consum-

ers should never bear the brunt of the concessionaires’ inability to store sufficient volumes of water to meet reasonable demands,” Poe said.

“Residents don’t deserve to live miserably, as their taps run dry for reasons that can be duly managed in the first place,” the senator stressed.

Last February, the Metropolitan Waterworks and Sewerage System (MWSS) penalized Maynilad Water Services Inc. (Maynilad) for its unusually prolonged

water service interruptions from December 2021 to February 2022.

Poe, who sponsored Maynilad and Manila Water’s renewal of franchises last Manila year, said these firms should fulfill their Standard obligations in delivering clean, quality TODAY and reliable water services to consumers.

The senator pointed out that concessionaires were mandated to modify or improve their facilities, pipelines, and equipment for an efficient and reliable service. Macon Ramos-Araneta

POPE Francis has appointed Luis Antonio Cardinal Tagle as a member of the Congregation for Divine Worship and the Discipline of the Sacraments.

The church-run Radio Veritas reported on Thursday that the Vatican announced the appointment on June 1, along with the designation of other bishops to the Vatican office.

Under the office, priests, deacons, and other ordained ministers who wish to use the Old Rite are required to submit their request to the Cardinal and agree to follow the new norms of the church.

The Congregation for Divine Worship is led by Cardinal-elect Archbishop Arthur Roche who is part of the consistory that is set to be held on August 27. He replaces Cardinal Robert Sarah who retired in May 2021.

Aside from Tagle’s membership in the Dicastery for Divine Worship and the Discipline of the Sacraments, as Prefect of the Congregation for the Evangelization of Peoples, he also manages the Dicastery for Evangelizations.

The former Manila archbishop is also a member of various offices, such as the Congregation for Catholic Education; Institutes of Consecrated Life and Societies of Apostolic Life; the Oriental Churches; Pontifical Councils; Legislative Texts; Inter-Religious Dialogue; Administration of the Patrimony of the Apostolic See; Cardinal Commission for the Supervision of the Institute for the Works of Religion and Grand Chancellor of the Pontifical University Urbaniana.

Before he was appointed to the Vatican office, Tagle headed the Caritas Internationalis.

Salceda pledges to push budget reform advocacy ALBAY Rep. Joey Sarte Salceda has said he would continue to push his advocacy for fiscal reforms as embodied in his proposed Budget Reform Act. “I will refile the bill, hopefully with enhancements from the incoming Finance and Budget chiefs,” Salceda said.

Salceda, who was chair of the House Ways and Means Committee, was the principal author and sponsor of the bill, then approved as House Bill No. 7302 in 2018 which, according to him, would make government expenditures more effective, transparent, and accountable.

The Duterte administration described the bill a priority reform measure.

Salceda refiled an enhanced version of the bill in 2021 as House Bill No. 9214 or the “Budget Modernization Act” “This is crucial because our reforms have to be two-pronged if we do not want to raise too many new taxes. We need more efficient tax collection, and spending with higher multiplier effects on productivity. The Budget Reform Act is the foundational framework for reforms on the spending side.”

Explaining the bill in summary, Salceda said “the reform will institutionalize the good practices already adopted by the budget department during the Duterte administration.” Maricel V. Cruz

Gov’t agents seize P5.1-m worth of shabu at NAIA GOVERNMENT agents assigned at the Ninoy Aquino International Airport have seized P5.1 million worth of shabu suspected to have been smuggled from Mexico.

A composite team from the Bureau of Customs - NAIA, the Philippine Drug Enforcement Agency, and the Inter-Agency Drug Interdiction Task Group intercepted the contraband at the Central Mail Exchange Center (CMEC) in Pasay City on Thursday.

The authorities also arrested two suspects, residents of San Juan City and Cainta, Rizal, after they tried to claim the shipment at CMEC.

Based on import documents, the shipment was misdeclared as “Bateria, Musical, Dulces” or Set of Toy Drums shipped from Mexico. It arrived in Manila last May 30.

Customs examiners placed the shipment under full examination after x-ray scans yielded suspicious images. They later found 750 grams of shabu concealed in the toy drum set.

The suspects were put under custody of the PDEA and would be criminally charged with violation of Republic Act 9165 otherwise known as the Comprehensive Dangerous Drugs Act and the Customs Modernization and Tariff Act (CMTA).

Last month, Customs NAIA agents also seized a smuggled shabu shipment worth P7.4 million and arrested its claimant, in a controlled delivery operation in Bulacan.

The shipment arrived at CMEC on May 11.

The importer declared the shipment as water purifier from Laos, but upon physical examination, the parcel was discovered to contain 1,092 grams of shabu with a street value of P7,425,600.

The Customs bureau formed a team of operatives who conducted the controlled delivery operation leading to the arrest of the consignee in Malolos. Joel E. Zurbano

25 July 2022

Over 14,000 Taguig senior citizens get P3,000 each TAGUIG City senior citizens appear to be luckier than their counterparts elsewhere in the country because they are receiving a windfall courtesy of the Department of Social Welfare and Development (DSWD) in collaboration with the local government unit.

Another batch from the more than 14,000 elderlies in Taguig received their P3,000 social pension from the local government last Thursday.

The cash doleout, spearheaded by the DSWD through the city’s Office for Senior Citizen Affairs, covers 14,818 indigent senior citizens from the 28 barangays of

the city.

The distribution at Lakeshore Hall in Barangay Lower Bicutan will continue until June 10.

The beneficiaries needed only to prove that they were not receiving any pension from other government agencies such as the Social Security System, the Government Service Insurance System, and the Philippine Veterans Affairs Office.

Meanwhile, Ormoc local officials led by Mayor-elect Lucy Torres-Gomez visited Taguig last Wednesday and conducted a benchmarking of the city’s “Center for the

Elderly”.

The benchmarking aims to establish a system of measures for internal management and strategic goals; and to use these measures to identify best practices; and for possible duplication of said project or facility in Ormoc City.

The Taguig City Center for the Elderly is a five-story building with a clinic, a conference room, a ballroom/gym, a dialysis center, a recreational center, and a movie theater.

It was established to ensure the health and wellbeing of the city’s senior citizens. Joel Zurbano

(MS-JUNE 4, 2022)

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News

SATURDAY, JUNE 4, 2022

Charges vs.

De Lima to be reviewed THE government will review the illegal drug charges against detained Senator Leila de Lima after several witnesses withdrew their testimonies against her, the Department of Justice (DOJ) said.

DOJ Secretary Menardo Guevarra said the recantations must be made in court, adding that “the DOJ always reviews the evidence presented in a case.

We are doing the same with De Lima’s, recantations or otherwise.”

“But of course, retractions have to be presented in court, not before the media,” Guevarra, in an ABS-CBN news report, said.

Guevarra added that recanting witnesses must be cross-examined in court. “For now, we can’t say which is the truth--the original testimony, or the recantation? This must be closely examined. The DOJ will accept the truth that comes out,” he said.

In April, self-confessed drug lord Kerwin Espinosa recanted all his allegations against De Lima. during a 2016 Senate hearing. Espinosa claimed that he gave a total of P8 million in drug money to De Lima when the latter was Justice Secretary, through her former driver, Ronnie Dayan.

Former Bureau of Corrections OIC Rafael Ragos also recanted his testimony earlier. He claimed that he delivered P10 million in drug money to De Lima’s house in Parañaque.

Dayan testified that no delivery of drug money to De Lima’s house ever happened and he also recanted his earlier testimony before the House of Representatives that he supposedly received drug money from Espinosa.

Another prosecution witness, Joel Capones said that he does not know and did not have any transactions with De Lima.

Marcelo Adorco, a key government witness against Espinosa, took back his allegations against the self-confessed drug lord, including a claim against De Lima.

WORLD BICYCLE DAY. Bikers use the bicycle lane along Commonwealth Avenue in Quezon City while another man takes a selfie of his group of two-wheeled riders (inset) at City Hall as they all marked World Bicycle Day on June 3. The day recognizes the importance of bicycles as a simple, affordable, reliable, and environment-friendly means of transportation.

Manny Palmero with AFP

Lakas-CMD firmly behind Romualdez

By Maricel V. Cruz

T

HE Lakas-Christian Muslim Democrats (Lakas-CMD) party reiterated its support for its president, House Majority Leader, and Leyte 1st District Rep. Martin G. Romualdez, to be elected Speaker in the next Congress.

The party also said several newly elected House members have expressed their intention to join Lakas-CMD. Zamboanga Sibugay Rep. Wilter Palma II, the party’s deputy secretary-general, said the Lakas-CMD leadership is considering welcoming the lawmakers into its fold.

“Some of our colleagues have expressed their intention to join Lakas-CMD. We

are very proud and happy to support our president to become our Speaker in the next Congress,” Palma said.

Lakas-CMD earlier formally endorsed Romualdez for the top House position.

The endorsement was contained in Resolution No. 05, Series of 2022, which the party’s executive committee has approved.

The resolution was signed by com-

mittee members led by Vice Presidentelect Sara Duterte and Sen. Ramon Revilla Jr., who co-chair the party.

The approval of the resolution followed a previous appeal on May 14 from former President and come-backing Pampanga Rep. Gloria Macapagal Arroyo, who is Lakas-CMD president emeritus, for party members to support Romualdez for the speakership.

In its resolution, Lakas-CMD believes Romualdez, “can lead the House of Representatives into being an effective partner of the incoming (Marcos) administration.”

The party resolved to endorse and support the House leader “to run for and be voted as Speaker in the 19th Congress.”

Makati court affirms ruling on Espinosa

NBI confirms Lozada bros in its custody

By Willie Casas NBN-ZTE deal whistleblower Rodolfo Noel “Jun” Lozada Jr. and his brother surrendered Thursday to the National Bureau of Investigation (NBI) after the Supreme Court recently affirmed their conviction in 2016 for graft.

NBI Deputy Director Ferdinand Lavin confirmed this. The Supreme Court denied the petition of Lozada and his brother, Jose Orlando Lozada, and sentenced them to a minimum imprisonment of six years and one month and maximum imprisonment of 10 years and one day.

The Ombudsman accused Lozada of partiality and giving unwarranted benefits when he awarded over 6.599 hectares of public land to his brother under the Lupang Hinirang Program of the Philippine Forest Corporation (Philforest) last 2007.

Lozada was the president of Philforest at that time. They were found guilty of graft by the Sandiganbayan in August 2016.

Lozada was a whistleblower in the multi-million NBN-ZTE deal involving former President Gloria Macapagal-Arroyo.

Other parties that have declared their support for the incumbent majority leader include PDP-Laban, National Unity Party, Nacionalista Party, Liberal Party, Party-list Coalition Foundation, Inc., Hugpong ng Pagbabago, Partido Federal ng Pilipinas, Nationalist People’s Coalition, independents, and the group of neophytes.

Romualdez’s endorsers now comprise an overwhelming majority of the members of the incoming House.

His supporters said he would be an asset to the administration of presumptive President Ferdinand “Bongbong” Marcos Jr. because of his “legislative prowess” in shepherding the approval of important pieces of legislation.

BLASTING GUANZON. Undersecretary Ronald Cardema gestures while explaining to the media his gripe against former election commisioner Rowena Guanzon in a press conference at the Kamuning Bakery in Quezon City on Friday. Flanking him are lawyer Ferdinand Topacio (left) and event host Wilson Lee Flores. Manny Palmero

Cardema: Guanzon forcing way into party-list seat FORMER Commission on Elections (Comelec) commissioner Rowena Guanzon is forcing all P3PWD party-list nominees to resign so she can be a substitute, National Youth Commission (NYC) Undersecretary Ronald Cardema said.

Cardema, in a GMA News report said “you (Guanzon) are forcing your nominees to declare themselves dead or incapacitated so you can substitute for them.

That’s absurdity, right?”

He said substitutions are only allowed until election day, which he said is a rule Guanzon created during her stint as a commissioner at Comelec. Cardema added that he learned of this when one

of the nominees reached out asking for help.

In response, Guanzon challenged Cardema to present to her the nominees she is allegedly coercing to resign, and that such complaint should be lodged with the poll regulator.

Cardema claimed there were screenshots of Guanzon’s supposed messages asking for the resignation of the nominees.

“Who gave you the authority, Cardema, to speak for this person that you alleged that I am coercing. You are all talk. Show us evidence. Name them and show us the person who is complaining,” Guanzon, quoted by the GMA News re-

port, said.

Guanzon dismissed the accusations that she is seeking a congressional seat by taking the place of P3PWD nominees.

She added that P3PWD nominees are “honorable and highly educated” women, adding that “whoever sits there is worthy to be a representative and to push for our advocacy.”

The former Comelec commissioner also said that once a certification of proclamation is issued to the partylist, the party-list can then decide who will be its if all the nominees resigned and the group submitted a new list to the poll body.

A MAKATI Regional Trial Court stood by its earlier ruling junking the illegal drugs charge against self-confessed drug lord Kerwin Espinosa.

Regional Trial Court Judge Gina Bibat-Palamos denied the motion for reconsideration filed by the prosecution over her Dec. 17, 2021 order that granted the demurrer to evidence filed

by Espinosa.

A “demurrer to evidence” is a motion to dismiss due to insufficiency of prosecution evidence.

Reports said the prosecution had relied on the testimony of Marcelo Adorco, himself one of the accused.

Adorco was also presented as Espinosa’s bodyguard and driver to prove his alleged involvement in the illegal drug trade.

On Aug. 11, 2020, Adorco executed a counter-affidavit recanting all the testimonies he gave in court. He also claimed that he was only forced to testify against Espinosa.

He recanted claims that he is Espinosa’s driver and bodyguard, and that he has knowledge of his alleged involvement in the illegal drug trade.

But in its December 2021 order, the Makati court said that “without Adorco’s testimonies, the prosecution’s case against the Espinosa Group necessarily crumbles.”

DOJ files raps vs. PDEA men in QC ‘misencounter’

By Rey E. Requejo THE Department of Justice (DOJ) has filed homicide charges before the regional trial court against three agents of the Philippine Drug Enforcement Agency (PDEA), in connection with the February 24, 2021 “misencounter” with

members of the Philippine National Police (PNP) in Quezon City where three law enforcers died.

The DOJ through Prosecution Attor ney Cheyenne Amayma P. Yu, disclosed on Friday that the DOJ f iled the homicide case against the three PDEA agents

before Quezon City RTC, Branch 83 last May 23.

“The Information (criminal charge sheet) for the homicide case was already filed with the RTC Quezon City Branch 83,” said Yu, who is the press liaison officer of the DOJ-Office of the Prosecutor General.

Gordon: PH ‘got shortchanged’ on Pharmally

By Macon Ramos-Araneta FUTURE SENATE HOME. Outgoing Senate President Vicente C. Sotto III, Sen.

Panfilo Lacson, and Sen. Nancy Binay pose with engineers and construction workers after conducting a quick inspection of the construction site of the new Senate building at the Naval Village in Fort Bonifacio, Taguig City on Thursday. Senate PRIB

SENATOR Richard J. Gordon on Friday said that the Filipino people got shortchanged as the draft committee report on Pharmally Pharmaceutical Corporation failed to reach discussion in the Senate plenary.

Gordon, the chairperson of the Senate Blue Ribbon Committee, lamented the fact that some senators refused to sign the report as the report involved President Rodrigo Duterte.

“They can say, ‘I dissent,’ ‘I disagree,’ or ‘I will interpellate’ because

that will be brought to the plenary to be tackled if it passed,” said Gordon during a radio interview.

“And they will say, they will , reserve sila, I will interpellate or I will amend.

But the problem, we have no such things,” lamented Gordon.

Opinion The ultimate Comforter and Advocate THE 50th day after Easter is Pentecost Sunday.

On this day, we commemorate the indwelling of the Holy Spirit which Jesus Christ has sent.

The Gospel of John quotes Jesus extolling his disciples, “If you love me, you will keep my commandment. And I will ask the Father, and he will give you another Advocate to be with you always. Whoever loves me will keep my word, and my Father will love him, and we will come to him and make our dwelling with him…. I have told you this while I am with you. The Advocate, the Holy Spirit whom the Father will send in my name, will teach you everything and remind you of all that I told you.”

The Paraclete is our comfort in times of solitude By this indwelling of the Holy Spirit marks the “birthday of the Catholic Church. For on this day the paschal mystery is completed.

As the Catechism of the Catholic Church explains—On this day, On the day of Pentecost when the seven weeks of Easter had come to an end, Christ’s Passover is fulfilled in the outpouring of the Holy Spirit, manifested, given, and communicated as a divine person: of his fullness, Christ, the Lord, pours out the Spirit in abundance.

In his Pentecost Sunday Homily delivered last year at St. Peter’s Basilica, Pope Francis explained that the term “Paraclete” essentially means two things: Comforter and Advocate.

“The Paraclete is the Comforter. All of us, particularly at times of difficulty like those we are presently experiencing due to the pandemic, look for consolation. Often, though, we turn only to earthly comforts, ephemeral comforts that quickly fade.

“Today, Jesus offers us heavenly comfort, the Holy Spirit, who is “of comforters the best” (Sequence). What is the difference? The comforts of the world are like a pain reliever: they can give momentary relief, but not cure the illness we carry deep within. They can soothe us, but not heal us at the core.

“They work on the surface, on the level of the senses, but hardly touch our hearts. Only someone who makes us feel loved for who

we are can give peace to our hearts. The Holy Spirit, the love of God, does precisely that. He comes down within us; as the Spirit, he acts in our spirit. He comes down ‘within the heart,’ as ‘the soul’s most welcome guest’ (ibid).

“He is the very love of God, who does not abandon us; for being present to those who are alone is itself a source of comfort.”

The Paraclete is our comfort in times of solitude, when we feel that an obstacle within you blocks the way to hope, if the heart has a festering wound, if we feel that there is no way out.

In times like this, Francis advises the forlorn, the depressed, the heartbroken the lonely, to open the heart to the Holy Spirit. As Saint Bonaventure tells us that, “where the trials are greater, he brings greater comfort, not like the world, which comforts and flatters us when things go well, but derides and condemns us when they do not” (Homily in the Octave of the Ascension).

That is what the world does, that is especially what the hostile spirit, the devil, does, the Holy Father continued.

What is then the Paraclete as a Comforter and Advocate is telling the Church in today’s Philippines and world? The Holy Father explains: The Paraclete is telling the Church that today is the time for comforting.

It is more the time for joyfully proclaiming the Gospel than for combating paganism. It is the time for bringing the joy of the Risen Lord, not for lamenting the drama of secularization. It is the time for pouring out love upon the world, yet not embracing worldliness.

It is more the time for testifying to mercy, than for inculcating rules and regulations. It is the time of the Paraclete! It is the time of freedom of heart, in the Paraclete.

The Paraclete is also the Advocate. In Jesus’ day, advocates did not do what they do today: rather than speaking in the place of defendants, they simply stood next to them and suggested arguments they could use in their own defense. That is what the Paraclete does, for he is “the spirit of truth.”

He does not take our place, but defends us from the deceits of evil by inspiring thoughts and feelings. He does so discreetly, without forcing us: he proposes but does not impose.

The spirit of deceit, the evil one, does the opposite: he tries to force us; he wants to make us think that we must always yield to the allure and the promptings of vice.

With the Holy Spirit on our side, there is nothing to be really afraid about – whether it is a serious sickness we are facing or the challenges our country and planet are facing.

We have the ultimate Comforter and Advocate after all.

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homes, she said, but only three had filed official complaints.

“They are even less ready to go to the police than to seek medical treatment,” Anasova said.

The lawyer said Ukraine’s often poorly trained investigators have recently modernised how they work, but still subject victims to several interrogations and medical examinations that contravene international recommendations.

A dedicated police unit that has been working in the Kyiv region has identified 13 victims of alleged sexual abuse by Russian soldiers, Deputy Interior Minister Kateryna Pavlichenko said.

“Moscow’s invasion of Ukraine has spurred a wave of allegations of sexual violence” ‘Information, not emotion’ But military psychologist Natalia Zaratska believes it’s too early for police to go out looking for victims.

“It would make more sense to talk to them in six months, when they have a better handle on their memories,” she told AFP. “For a criminal investigation, you need information, not emotion.”

Still, Zaratska believes there is “urgent” work to be done. She understands victims need support but she also believes “they won’t come to us.”

“So we have to go to them.”

That’s why she goes at least three times a week to Bucha, outside Kyiv, a town whose name is now synonymous with harrowing allegations of atrocities carried out by Russian soldiers, including summary executions.

Hushed talk of sexual violence carried out

by Russian soldiers has permeated all corners of the town where villagers were found shot dead with their hands bound behind their backs after their occupiers withdrew.

“A doctor told me that for one month, the ambulance only picked up women who had this problem,” 45-year-old plumber Volody-

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EDITORIAL

Breaking the silence of war’s rape victims WHEN war erupted in Ukraine and reports that Russian soldiers were using rape as a weapon of war began to surface, Yulia Sporysh wasn’t sure she was the right person to help.

But urged by partners at Divchata, a small NGO that mainly works on health education for girls, she set up a hotline in April to advise and support victims.

Ukrainian officials as high up as President Volodymyr Zelensky were accusing Russian troops of widespread and systemic sexual abuse and Divchata was poised by the phone.

Yet after three months of war, it has barely rung at all.

“There’s still huge, huge stigma. There’s this idea the victim might have brought it on themselves,” Sporysh told AFP, explaining why people may not be coming forward.

“We have requests from relatives and from volunteers,” she added, “but not directly from victims.”

Moscow’s invasion has spurred a wave of allegations of sexual violence perpetrated by its troops in Ukraine.

Zelensky said in April that Russian troops who withdrew after trying to capture the capital Kyiv had left in “hundreds” of rape victims in their wake, including children.

AFP has spoken with at least one woman in the south of the country who said she was raped by several Russian soldiers.

Kyiv announced this week it was initiating the first legal proceedings against one of Moscow’s soldiers for sexual violence.

‘Too ashamed’ Still, activists tasked with helping people whose lives have been shattered by rape are first having to persuade them to break their silence.

“Victims, for the most part, are not ready to report to law enforcement and some of them are not even ready to receive specialised medical treatment,” says Yuliia Anasova, a lawyer with La Strada.

The well-known rights group, which also has a phone number for the war’s rape victims, has received just over a dozen calls in relation to 17 people—including one man.

“He says he is too ashamed to see a doctor,” Anasova told AFP. Everyone who reached out was raped

by Russian soldiers and mostly in their own

SATURDAY, JUNE 4, 2022

I

On coaches and athletes

T HAS has been said repeatedly that players win games, and coaches lose them.

Success in sports always boils down to having the best of both worlds: the best player and best coaching staff put together.

In real terms, that will not always be the case.

In a team with multiple athletes and a set of coaches and trainers, success varies from one to another. Some take the victory podium while others lose and whine about how they tried their best.

The coach understands why the winning athletes deserve the lion’s share of the credit.

They are the kinds that pour their hearts out in training, who take the extra mile to perfect their skills, and who remain humble and keep believing in their coaches even when the chips are down.

And the coaches? They only want the

“Coaches, in the different sports disciplines, deserve equal recognition” best for their athletes.

They are the father, mother, manager, psychologist, medical assistant, nutritionist, caregiver, masseur, and utility boy all rolled into one. They will do everything for their athletes to emerge victorious.

They are the first to celebrate when their players win and the first to cry when they crumble in defeat.

And they most willingly take the sideline when the battle had all cleared and their athletes take center stage in the midst of the jubilation.

In the recent Southeast Asian Games in Vietnam, the nation celebrated the victory of 227 medalists: 52 gold, 70 silver, and 105 bronze.

Monetary rewards await the medalists with the gold winner receiving a P300,000 bonus, P150,000 for silver, and P60,000 for bronze, under the Athletes and Coaches Incentive Act. The coaches will receive half of what the athletes will be getting in bonuses.

In a recent courtesy call on President Rodrigo Duterte, the athletes received extra bonuses with the gold worth P250,000, silver medalists P150,000, and bronze medalists P100,000 for bronze medalists each. Coaches were not included.

On top of that, each of them received the Order of Lapu-Lapu Kamagi medal.

Coaches were not included.

The Philippine Olympic Committee also announced that it will hand out its own cash bonuses totaling more than P11 million to the winning athletes, broken down as follow: P100,000 for gold, P30,000 for silver, and P10,000 for bronze in individual events. Coaches are not included.

Maybe not in monetary form, but coaches deserve equal recognition, too.

Redrawing our foreign policy THE incoming BBM administration would have difficulty trying to accomplish what BBM’s father achieved from 1965 to 1986.

The late President accomplished many to bring about economic transformation. Unfortunately, he fell victim to retribution because the circumstances in the change of government were determined to write their history of him.

This factor now serves as a ledger in measuring what the present administration seeks to achieve.

The issue about Philippine-Chinese relations has become relevant because the competition between China and the US has intensified.

The victory of BBM affirmed that China finally has gained an upper hand in winning the friendship of the Filipino people.

The political contest to capture Malacañang was fierce that it divided families between pro and anti-Marcos. It was like reviving the old wounds.

One could see the ambivalence of people divided on issues. People who narrate the “horrors of martial law” were people yet to be born during that period.

Most were either students from exclusive universities operated by the Catholic Church and economically well-off or were from the upper middle class.

Many were simply agitated by the Church.

They were not politicized by the traditional Marxist concept of class struggle.

Their view was rooted with on a much deeper objective. In fact, a Jesuit university republished the book of lies written by a casino gambler, and reprinted it to dissuade the popularity of BBM indicating he would obtain a runaway victory in the May 9 election.

It was not a simple case for the opposition fearing the return of the Marcoses, but the fear of the future status of the US bases.

As one would put it, a Marcos victory would result in political tsunami for the opposition.

They fear a repetition of the cycle of political retribution although the young Marcos is not inclined to repeat the infamy of exacting vengeance.

Most Filipinos know the real power brokers are eager to push our people into the pit of divisiveness.

The pro-American elements are still hoping to add color to politics by injecting racism to resurrect the popularity of Robredo and the consequence of the future status of the US empire.

They could not raise the issue of economic exploitation by China for that could backfire with people asking, what have we got under the tutelage of US occupation?

Most interesting issue about the South China Sea has intensified during the Aquino administration.

US fears that China would encroach its turf based on their unilaterally “rule-based” principle of international law.

This column instantly became a sensation after I wrote that most of the islands in the SCS are located outside the boundary demarcated in the Treaty of Paris on December 10, 1898 between Spain and the US. This created a sensation after I stated the boundaries indicated in latitude and longitude myr Strilets told AFP in Bucha.

Andrei Halavin, the priest who presides over the local Orthodox church, is navigating how best to steer the conversation with believers.

‘Best not to talk about it’ “It’s best not to talk about it,” he told AFP in Bucha draped in black clerical robes. “People have to get on with their lives”.

But he sought to reassure congregants that victims had not transgressed their faith.

“I have to tell them that it is not a sin to have been raped.”

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

demarcated are close to the island of Palawan with little or virtually leaving no space of the 12-mile limit, an area reserved as part of our territorial waters under international law.

Moreover, PD No. 1596 merely stated that Kalayaan is part of the continental margin of the Philippine archipelago.

This was followed by our accession of the UNCLOS which expanded to 200-mile limit our exclusive economic zone (EEZ) which invariably included the Kalayaan Group of Islands. In fact, the other islands nearby have been illegally occupied by Vietnam.

China’s CGTN took notice and immediately sent their reporter to interview this column.

Because of my assertion that most of islands are outside the boundaries demarcated in the treaty of Paris, CGTN took notice that they belong to China by historic right in the absence of effective occupation.

We only managed to bolster our claim under the newly-approved UNCLOS. This was followed by our standoff with China over the Ayungin Shoal culminating in the filing of our claim in the Permanent Arbitration Council, and got complicated by each of the claimant’s interpretation of UNCLOS. I Incidentally, the Ayungin Shoal is outside of UNCLOS. The only concession we obtained in our negotiations with China is the exploitation of natural gas found in the Reed Bank. In the service contract for Malampaya, the partition of natural gas extracted allowed the government only 10 percent while Shell and Chevron got 90 percent to be divided at 45 percent each.

Malamapaya is about to be depleted by 2025.

The agreement between Wang Yi and Locsin in 2019 in the exploration of natural gas in the Reed Bank, rectified the iniquitous partition to 60-40 in accordance with our Constitution, the division was reached despite the contentious issue that it remains within the territory disputed by Philippines and China. The division remains favorable to the country.

Another important item the incoming administration should tackle is the renewed presence of the US bases.

We can no longer view the US bases on the original goal of wanting to keep our security.

The division of the world between the “Free World” and the Socialist World has become less relevant, particularly after the country opened diplomatic relations with China in 1975.

The new equation today has nakedly been identified to the core interest of the US and China in the SCS. The trouble is that US interest is tied up to the concept of hegemonism; that they have to remain in the country is vital to deter the alleged expansionism of China.

As Imelda Marcos once said, one cannot change geography. But in the US, such is given a different version that the US bases are here for our security.

When then President Marcos opted not to renew the Laurel-Langley Agreement, he acted with judicious wisdom in not renewing the agreement beyond 1974.

It was a blessing in disguise because it helped implement the long-delayed land reform program.

Th program got complicated because the US-installed government wrongly equated the concept of free trade to freedom and democracy; that to lower the tariff of sugar, the country would be able to resurrect the ailing industry.

The effect was a disaster, for, according to nationalist economist Alejandro Lichauco, the entry of duty-free commodity ultimately led to the bankruptcy of Hacienda Luisita. The Aquino family had to pay the salary of their contractual sugar workers (sacadas).

This explains why the Aquino administration, instead of pursuing the policy of taking a neutral stand to implement the MarcosJohnson Communique signed in 1965 giving the US up to 25 years, flip-flopped by signing EDCA in 2013.

EDCA granted the US five military bases, using mostly the existing facilities of our armed forces.

Many suspect the US purposely wanted to heighten the tension in the SCS and the festering problem of Islamic secessionism to justify their presence.

This would appear that the US is helping us shore up our defense against China.

The mad scramble to contain China turned complicated. The US has to deal with China, both as a military power and an economic behemoth.

It has to set up a “chop suey” alliance as if to embrace all existing economic blocs to be on its side.

Today, the Philippines cannot just detach itself from the alliances that emerged with the openness of China to world trade and its adoption of the policy of multilateralism and openness.

This was reinforced by its gargantuan economic project called Belt and Road Initiative to facilitate the trans-Asian forwarding of goods.

The country is not just committed to upholding the principles of ASEAN to which it is an original member but to abide by its membership in RCEP, which has a total 16 member-countries with the entire ASEAN bloc participating.

The countries of RCEP constitute about 30 percent of the world’s population (2.2 billion people) and 30 percent of the global GDP ($29.7 trillion).

They already constitute the largest trading bloc in history. Signed in November 2020, RCEP is the first free trade agreement among the largest economies in Asia, which include China, Indonesia, Japan, and South Korea.

In fact, the Philippines under Marcos administration floated the idea of joining the nonaligned countries known as Group of 77.

To show his earnest desire, he went to Kenya to meet the venerable African leader, Jomo Kenyatta. In 1978, first lady Imelda Marcos visited Cuba to meet the revolutionary leader, Cuban leader Fidel Castro.

All these moves, beginning with the opening of our windows to the socialist world, did not please the US. They simply had to bide their time to remove him in 1986. (rpkapunan@gmail.com)

Zaratska, the military psychologist, said she started going to Bucha to talk to residents about their experience of Russia’s occupation and soon was referred to rape victims.

She said the volume of complaints meant that the three psychologists working in the region were nowhere near enough. “Twelve or 16” are needed, Zaratska said.

Again, she said, the victims were often hesitant to broach the subject of their experience.

“It’s only when they are around someone who understands that in wartime, rape is a form of torture,” she said.

She said they also needed to be reassured their testimonies would be handled with sensitivity.

Several officials have controversially made public graphic details of rape and sexual abuse allegations, including Ukraine’s human rights ombudswoman who left the post after describing an incident in which a young girl was violated with a kitchen utensil.

“It’s totally unethical,” said Zaratska. “It can create a second trauma. If society were more sensitive on this issue, we might hear from victims more.” AFP

The US has to deal with China, both as a military power and an economic behemoth

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

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Chairman Emeritus, Editorial Board

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Biden makes emotive plea for action on gun violence WASHINGTON—US President Joe Biden on Thursday made a fervent appeal for lawmakers to pass tougher gun control laws, including a ban on assault weapons, to curb a scourge of mass shootings turning American communities into “killing fields.”

Biden made the 17-minute address —his latest call for tougher firearms measures—with 56 lighted candles arrayed along a long corridor behind him, representing US states and territories suffering from gun violence.

“How much more carnage are we willing to accept?” the president asked in the speech, which he delivered with anger in his voice, and at times dipping close to a whisper.

“We can’t fail the American people again,” he said, condemning the refusal of a majority of Republican senators to support tougher laws as “unconscionable.”

At a minimum, Biden said, lawmakers should raise the age at which assault weapons can be purchased from 18 to 21.

He also urged them to take steps including strengthening background checks, banning high-capacity magazines, mandating safe storage of firearms, and allowing gun manufacturers to be held liable for crimes committed with their products.

“Over the last two decades, more school-age children have died from guns than on-duty police officers and active duty military combined. Think about that,” Biden said.

He highlighted the story of a young student who smeared a dead classmate’s blood on herself to hide from a gunman at a Texas elementary school, saying: “Imagine what it would be like for her to walk down the hallway of any school again.”

“There are too many other schools, too many other everyday places that have become killing fields, battlefields here in America,” Biden said.AFP

Queen Elizabeth II kicks off historic jubilee celebrations

L

ONDON—Queen Elizabeth II on Thursday kicked off the first of four days of celebrations marking her record-breaking 70 years on the throne, to cheering crowds of tens of thousands of people.

But the 96-year-old sovereign’s appearance at the Platinum Jubilee -- a milestone never previously reached by a British monarch -- took its toll, forc-

ing her to pull out of a planned church service on Friday.

“The queen greatly enjoyed today’s birthday parade and fly-past but did experience some discomfort,” Buckingham Palace said.

“Taking into account the journey and activity required to participate in tomorrow’s national service of thanksgiving at St Paul’s Cathedral, Her Majesty with great reluctance has concluded that she will not attend.”

The extent of the queen’s participation in the historic jubilee had already been in doubt due to her difficulties walking and standing, and a recent bout

of COVID. But dressed in dove blue, her hands clasped on a walking stick, she appeared on the Buckingham Palace balcony to take a salute after the centuries-old Trooping the Colour military parade.

After gun salutes and a fly-past of military aircraft, she made a second appearance on the balcony with three generations of her heirs, princes Charles, William and George, and other close family members.

In bright sunshine, The Mall below was awash with red, white and blue union flags, with some die-hard royal fans camping for days to be in prime

position for the display of pomp and pageantry.

But many acknowledged the coming end of an era in what some feel could be the last major public event of her long reign.

“We know it’s a special occasion because it might be the last day we’ll see Her Majesty in a public event,” ambulance service worker Gilbert Falconer, 65, told AFP after travelling from Scotland.

Recognition of the queen’s unprecedented reign saw tributes from political and religious leaders from across the world, including Pope Francis and US President Joe Biden. AFP

Washington puts pressure on Europe over China PARIS—US Deputy Secretary of State Wendy Sherman on Thursday condemned China’s challenging of European security, economy and values, calling on Europe to help the United States counter competition from Beijing.

“Even before President Xi (Jinping) and President (Vladimir) Putin declared their ‘no limits’ partnership in February, the PRC (People’s Republic of China) has challenged Europe’s security, Europe’s economy and Europe’s values,” Sherman, speaking from Washington, told European reporters by video link.

Sherman’s comments came in the wake of a speech by her boss, Secretary of State Antony Blinken, who QUEEN’S 70TH. Typhoon Fighter jets from Britain’s Royal Air Force fly in formation to form the number 70 during a special recently identified Beijing as the fly-past over the Buckingham Palace balcony following the Queen’s Birthday Parade, the Trooping the Colour, as part of the main threat to world order, despite platinum jubilee celebrations for Queen Elizabeth II (inset) in London on June 2, in what could be the last major public event of the Russian invasion of Ukraine. her long reign. AFP Washington accuses Beijing of wanting to reshape the world order.

In a speech on May 25, Blinken said Washington was engaged in vigorous competition with Beijing in order to preserve the current world SOLEDAR, Ukraine -- Ukraine marked had some success in the battle for the stored. order.

Ukrainian troops were still holding 100 days since Russia’s invasion on industrial hub, which is in the Lugansk The Biden administration has spoan industrial zone, Gaiday said, a situFriday with fighting raging across the region. ken of the need to pressure China “But it is still too early. It is the tough- ation reminiscent of Mariupol, where a east of the country, where Moscow’s to play by the rules, including in its huge steelworks was the southeastern forces are tightening their grip on the est area at the moment,” he added.

South China Sea and trade disputes.

Lugansk regional governor Sergiy port city’s last holdout until Ukrainian Donbas region.

“While Beijing may be thousands The somber milestone came as Kyiv Gaiday said on Telegram that “for 100 troops finally surrendered in late May. of miles away..., the PRC’s actions The situation in Lysychansk -announced Moscow was now in con- days, they have been levelling everymatter just as much for the future trol of a fifth of Ukrainian territory, thing”, accusing the Russians of de- Severodonetsk’s twin city, which sits of Europe,” Sherman said, welcomjust across a river -- also looked inincluding Crimea and parts of Donbas stroying hospitals, schools and roads. ing current cooperation with Europe “But we are only getting stronger. creasingly dire. seized in 2014. while still seeking to “align our apAbout 60 percent of infrastructure After being repelled from around Hatred of the enemy and faith in our proaches”. and housing had been destroyed, while the capital, President Vladimir Putin’s victory make us unbreakable.”

She added that “we are all lookSince Russia’s February 24 invasion, internet, mobile network and gas sertroops have set their sights on capturing at issues of supply chains”, in the ing eastern Ukraine, prompting warn- thousands of people have been killed vices had been knocked out, said the wake of the pandemic and the war in and millions forced to flee, while Zel- city’s mayor Oleksandr Zaika. ings the war could drag on.

Ukraine.

“The shelling is getting stronger evSome of the fiercest fighting is now ensky says up to 100 Ukrainian soldiers “The US is not seeking conflict” centered on Severodonetsk in the Don- are dying every day on the battlefield. ery day,” he said. with China nor to “sever our econoIn the city of Sloviansk, about 80 Severodonetsk’s Azot factory, one of bas region, 80 percent of which the my from the PRC”.

Russians have seized, but Ukrainian Europe’s biggest chemical plants, was kilometers (50 miles) from Severo“We don’t want a new cold war”, forces are putting up stiff resistance. targeted by Russian soldiers who fired donetsk, residents said there were she said, but “we can’t rely on BeiPresident Volodymyr Zelensky said on one of its administrative buildings constant bombardments by Russian CYAN MAGENTA YELLOW BLACKAFP jing to change its behaviour.” late Thursday Ukrainian forces had and a warehouse where methanol was troops. AFP

Russia invasion of Ukraine enters 100th day, fighting rages in east

Ukrainian President Volodymyr Zelensky Manila

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World disarmament body sees N. Korea taking helm

TODAY

(MS-MAY 28, JUNE 4 & 11, 2022)

REPUBLIC OF THE PHILIPPINES Department of Human Settlements and Urban Development Kagawaran ng Pananahanang Pantao at Pagunlad ng Kalunsuran

NOTICE Notice is hereby given that CZARK MAK CORPORATION has filed with this Office a sworn registration statement for the sale of industrial lots only in POLARIS INDUSTRIAL ESTATE located at Brgy. Tarcan (Sta. Barbara), Baliwag, Bulacan and covered with TCT Nos. 0392019001534, 039-2019001535, 039-2019001533, 039-2019001536, 039-2019001430, 039-2019002751, 039-2019002750 and T-299078 (with RTC-Decision, LRC P-222-2020).

All papers relative thereto shall upon request and payment of processing fee, be available for inspection during business hours by any person having legal interest thereon.

Absent any legal impediment, the above-cited project is deemed registered and a certificate, in evidence thereof, shall for with be issued after five (5) days from the last day of publication.

Brgy. Maimpis, City of San Fernando, Pampanga, 25th day of May 2022.

(SGD.) Atty. FELIX V. BRAZIL, JR. Director III OIC-Regional Director (MS-MAY 28 & JUNE 4, 2022)

GENEVA—North Korea on Thursday skipped the diplomatic niceties for a combative tone when it took the helm of the Conference on Disarmament.

“My country is still at war with the United States,” declared Pyongyang’s Ambassador Han Tae-Song.

Around 50 countries voiced their outrage that unpredictable nuclear-armed North Korea is being tasked with chairing the world’s most foremost multilateral disarmament forum for the next three weeks.

North Korea took over the rotating presidency of the Geneva-based CD, according to a decadesold practice among the body’s 65 members following the alphabetical order of country names in English.

But despite the automatic nature of North Korea’s presidency of the conference, dozens of nongovernmental organizations had urged countries to walk out of the room in protest.

There was no dramatic exit, but many nations opted to send only lower-level diplomats, while the United States, the European Union, Britain, Australia and South Korea, among others, took the occasion to chastise Pyongyang over its numerous ballistic missile tests and feared preparation for a fresh nuclear test -- the first since 2017.

“We remain gravely concerned about the Democratic People’s Republic of Korea’s reckless actions which continue to seriously undermine the very value of the Disarmament Conference,” Australian Ambassador Amanda Gorely said, speaking on behalf of the group of countries. AFP

AT THE READY. Turkey-backed Syrian fighters gather in the countryside of the

northern city of Manbij, Syria on June 2. Turkey’s President Recep Tayyip Erdogan on June 1 renewed threats of a military offensive in northern Syria, which he said would target Kurdish “terrorists.” AFP

Turkey changes name at UN to ‘Turkiye’ UNITED NATIONS—Turkey has told the United Nations that, at the behest of its president, it wishes from now on to be called “Turkiye” in all languages, the UN announced Thursday.

“The change is immediate,” Stephane Dujarric, the UN chief’s spokesperson, told AFP by email.

He noted that Ankara’s official letter requesting the change had been received at the UN’s New York headquarters on Wednesday.

The day before, Turkish Foreign Minister Mevlut Cavasoglu had tweet-

ed a photo of himself signing the letter, addressed to UN Secretary-General Antonio Guterres.

“With the letter I sent to the UN Secretary General today, we are registering our country’s name in foreign languages at the UN as ‘Turkiye,’” he wrote, including an umlaut over the “u”.

He added that the change would bring to an end the process of “increasing the brand value of our country,” an initiative started by Turkish President Recep Tayyip Erdogan, who has led the country for almost two decades. AFP

CYAN MAGENTA YELLOW BLACK CYAN MAGENTA YELLOW BLACK

Business PSEi June 3, 2022

TOP GAINERS LAST PRICE

% CHANGE CHANGE

1 2 3 4 5

TFC KPH BHI KPHB MJC

56.45 7.5 0.107 7.22 1.74

12.95 0.75 0.01 0.47 0.11

29.77% 11.11% 10.31% 6.96% 6.75%

6 7 8 9 10

MAH BRN AT TUGS PERC

0.99 0.83 6.28 1.03 5

0.06 0.05 0.31 0.05 0.22

6.45% 6.41% 5.19% 5.10% 4.60%

TOP LOSERS LAST PRICE

% CHANGE CHANGE

1 2 3 4 5

FJPB SPM LFM MB SPNEC

2.63 2.16 19 0.34 1.65

-1.11 -0.53 -4.3 -0.05 -0.1

-29.68% -19.70% -18.45% -12.82% -5.71%

6 7 8 9 10

AB X DNL ATI DDMPR

7.7 0.325 6.75 13.3 1.56

-0.43 -0.015 -0.3 -0.58 -0.06

-5.29% -4.41% -4.26% -4.18% -3.70%

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SATURDAY, JUNE 4, 2022 || extrastory2000@gmail.com

Stocks rally; JG Summit, SM Prime lead advances T HE stock market rebounded on bargain hunting along with the rest of Asian markets and following a strong performance on Wall Street ahead of a key US jobs data release.

The Philippine Stock Exchange Index rose 54.57 points, or 0.8 percent, to 6,741.40 on a value turnover of P4.6 billion. Gainers beat losers, 102 to 89, with 42 issues unchanged.

JG Summit Holdings Inc. of the Gokongwei Group advanced 4.4 percent to P53.95, while Semirara Mining and Power Corp. of the Consunji Group, the biggest coal producer, climbed 2.9 percent to P37.

PLDT Inc. of Indonesia’s Salim

Group, the largest telecommunications firm, gained 2.4 percent at P1,937, while SM Prime Holdings Inc. of the Sy Group added 2 percent to P37.90.

The rest of Asian equities rose Friday while crude gave up some of the previous day’s gains after an output hike disappointed traders.

A below-forecast reading on US private jobs offered some support to New York, even as inflation and interest rate hike concerns remained major headaches.

While observers said the reading from payroll firm ADP was not usually a good guide for the official report, a soft number on Friday could give the Federal Reserve a little room to ease off its rate hike drive and provide a much-needed boost to sentiment.

“Seemingly, anything that keeps the Fed from a more aggressive rate-hiking path appears to be greeted with open

arms by equities,” said Stephen Innes of SPI Asset Management.

For now, expectations are for the US central bank to continue tightening monetary policy with half-point hikes at upcoming meetings, while vice chair Lael Brainard warned she did not yet see any reason to take a breather in the third quarter, as some had hoped.

Still, a rally in beaten-down tech firms helped drive healthy gains on Wall Street, and Asia managed to ride on the coattails.

Tokyo rose more than one percent, while Sydney, Seoul, Singapore, Mumbai, Wellington and Jakarta were also up.

Hong Kong, Shanghai and Taipei were closed for holidays.

But analysts remain on edge about the near-term outlook owing to uncertainty caused by a range of issues including the Ukraine war and China’s economic travails. With AFP

MOST ACTIVE 1

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VALUE (PHP) 501,082,700

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ALI SCC GLO

12,745,400 6,832,800 97,510

380,730,450 251,866,925 227,877,930

5 6 7 8

SM TEL JGS BDO

244,500 100,005 3,560,670 1,140,660

210,351,155 192,888,165 190,033,760 146,447,051

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CNVRG JFC

5,112,100 610,490

130,092,925 126,252,384

COCA-COLA’S BANE. Garbage recyclers throw empty Coca-Cola plastic bottles in front of Coca-Cola’s offices demanding for a recycling law that includes them and against funding for private recycling systems, in Buenos Aires on June 2, 2022. AFP

Ford set to invest $3.7b, boosting legacy factories NEW YORK, United States—Ford on Thursday announced fresh multibillion-dollar capital projects in Midwestern factories near its Detroit home, as the auto giant spreads new investments throughout the United States.

The 119-year-old carmaker plans to spend $3.7 billion to add manufacturing capacity for a mix of electric vehicles (EVs) and conventional gasoline-powered autos in the states of Michigan, Ohio and Missouri, much of it at existing plants that have been in the company’s portfolio for years.

The move follows an announcement last September of an $11.4-billion push with SK Innovation, a South Korean battery company, to build greenfield car production and battery plants in Tennessee and Kentucky.

Major car companies are investing billions of dollars in a race to bring EVs to market, develop driver-assistance programs and outfit their products with the latest and greatest digital equipment.

“We’re investing in American jobs and our employees to build a new generation of incredible Ford vehicles,” said Ford chief executive Jim Farley.

Thursday’s announcement was made jointly with the United Auto Workers, which agreed to the new projects outside of standard union contract negotiations.

Ford will add more than 6,200 new manufacturing jobs and convert around 3,000 temporary UAW employees to permanent status.

“This announcement is a testament to UAW members who contribute their skill, experience, and knowl-

edge to the success of Ford Motor Company,” said UAW President Ray Curry.

“We are always advocating to employers and legislators that union jobs are worth the investment. Ford stepped up to the plate by adding these jobs and converting 3000 UAW members to permanent, full-time status with benefits.”

About $2 billion of the investment will go to projects in Michigan, including boosting production of the new F-150 Lightning electric truck and the production of new pickup and coupe vehicles.

The company will spend $1.5 billion in Ohio on assembly of new EV models and other projects, and $95 million in Missouri to add a shift at a plant that makes commercial vans and will add an electric van. AFP

Oil prices rise even as OPEC boosts output NEW YORK, United States—Oil prices rose Thursday despite an agreement by major crude producers to boost output more than expected, while US stocks rallied ahead of closely-watched employment data seen as a key input to the inflation debate.

In Vienna, the OPEC+ group decided to add 648,000 barrels per day to the market in July, up from the 432,000 bpd increases in recent months, and a shift from the cartel’s recent stance of sticking to a planned pace of monthly production hikes.

“The meeting highlighted the importance of stable and balanced markets for both crude oil and refined products,” the group said of the move.

The announcement came after European Union leaders agreed to ban more than two-thirds of Russian oil imports as part of a sixth package of sanctions on Moscow over the Ukraine war.

But the action by producers did not appear to be enough to calm oil markets, with futures contracts rising more than one percent.

The jump in prices reflects “doubts the cartel members can deliver on their promises,” TD Securities’ Bart Melek said in a note.

He warned that oil prices could spike “well above” $120 a barrel in the peak summer period amid tight inventories, geopolitical risk and uncertainty over OPEC. Meanwhile, Wall Street stocks pushed higher after two down sessions in which worries over inflation stymied buying.

Payroll services firm ADP said private US employment rose by 128,000 positions last month, far less than economists expected and well below April’s total.

While the ADP data is not necessarily a harbinger of Friday’s government jobs data, some market watchers think a Labor Department report showing weakening hiring and less wage pressure might be welcomed by investors.

“Some traders expect to see cooler labor demand, which could slightly ease some inflation worries,” Oanda’s Edward Moya said. AFP

Fed’s Brainard says pausing interest rate increases in September unlikely WASHINGTON, United States—The vice chair of the US Federal Reserve said Thursday there is currently no reason to consider pausing rate hikes in September in the face of soaring inflation.

“Right now, it’s very hard to see the case for a pause” during the Fed’s meeting in September, Lael Brainard said in an interview with CNBC. “We’ve still got a lot of work to do to get inflation down to our two percent target.”

She stressed the central bank’s priority was to bring inflation down, even if the US economy will slow as a result, but said it was too early to determine when demand will ease and when the labor supply will increase.

Following Fed chair Jerome Powell, Brainard noted that rate hikes are decided based on economic data. Any decisions for September will have to wait until data for the summer months has been published.

In the short-term, Brainard said, two additional half-point rate hikes at the meetings on June 14-15 and July 26-27 seem to be “a reasonable kind of path.”

The Fed has increased the benchmark interest rate twice since March by a total of three-quarters of a percentage point, and has previously signaled multiple half-point hikes are likely as it tries to tamp down the highest inflation in more than four decades without derailing the economic expansion.

“We’re certainly going to do what is necessary to bring inflation back down,” Brainard said. “That’s our number one challenge.”

In another major step back toward normal practices, the Fed has also begun to trim its balance sheet, after launching a program in the early days of COVID-19 of purchasing bonds and mortgage-backed securities to stabilize financial markets.AFP

US-Venezuela business picking up despite punishing sanctions from Washington

By Esteban Rojas CARACAS, Venezuela—Venezuela’s imports of US food and farming products are on the rise, with the private sector driving increased business between the two former partners despite punishing sanctions imposed on Caracas by Washington.

“Venezuela was disappearing from the world of imports and exports for a while, but it’s coming back,” Luis Vicente Garcia, general manager at the Venezuelan-American Chamber of Commerce (VENANCHAM), told AFP. “We’re at a turning point,” Garcia said.

Total imports of food and farming supplies in Venezuela were $2.4 billion in 2021, a 31.2-percent increase over 2020.

The oil-rich but cash-strapped South American country is now experiencing timid growth after a years-long recession in which its gross domestic product shrunk by 80 percent.

Purchases from the United States reached $634 million in 2021, second only to the $934 million spent

A kiosk seller waits for customer at Cafetal neighborhood in Caracas on June 1, 2022. They are light years away from the good old days, but US imports of food and agricultural products are growing in Venezuela. ‘Enemies’ for the past two decades, the old partners are doing business again, driven by the private sector, despite fears of sanctions. AFP

in Brazil, according to a report by the US Department of Agriculture, which said that opportunities in Venezuela are improving.

Although the US figure represents a 45-percent increase from the previous year, it is still a far cry from the $1.4 billion per year seen between 2010 and

2014. In 2017, at the height of USVenezuelan tensions, US imports were worth just $400 million.

The main purchases are grains, pasta, tinned fruit and vegetables, liquor and animal feed.

Imports are crucial for Venezuela, which only produces 50 percent of its

basic corn and 45 percent of its rice needs, according to the Fedeagro union of agricultural producers.

VENAMCHAM says trade between Venezuela and the US were around $38 billion in 2008, at a time when Washington was Caracas’s largest crude customer.

Softening controls That figure fell to just under $2 billion in 2021, but has increased almost 28 percent in the first quarter of 2022 compared to the previous year.

At the height of Venezuela’s economic crisis, the government of President Nicolas Maduro blamed the scarcity of basic necessities such as food, which produced interminable lines at supermarkets, on the US “blockade.”

Between 2017 and 2018, sanctions were against individuals, freezing bank accounts and barring US businesses and citizens from engaging in commerce with dozens of Venezuelan state officials.

The United States did not recognize Maduro’s 2018 re-election in a vote boycotted by the opposition. The year before, Washington imposed a series of sanctions against his government,

including an oil embargo, in response to a crackdown on demonstrators.

“When the sanctions arrived... there was a reaction (by businesses): I’m not going to take part in this market,” said Garcia.

Even though medicine and food was exempt, the fear of reprisals was a barrier.

But faced with a cash flow problem, the government, which used to almost monopolize food imports, opened the doors to the private sector.

It was “around two or three years ago that the government started to let private enterprises import,” Garcia said.

Venezuela food imports have also benefited since 2018 from the lifting of tariffs.

The softening of tight currency exchange controls has also helped, as has remittances that are worth an estimated $2.5 billion to $3 billion a year.

There have also been movements on the political front.

On May 17, US President Joe Biden softened certain sanctions in a bid to promote negotiations between Maduro and the opposition, which were suspended in October. AFP

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

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SATURDAY, JUNE 4, 2022

Business

IN BRIEF 2GO Group trimmed net loss by 88% in Q1

LOGISTICS provider 2GO Group Inc. said Friday it reduced its net loss by 88 percent in the first quarter on the back of higher freight and travel revenues.

The country’s leading transportation and logistics firm incurred a net loss of P35 billion from January to March, lower than the P292million loss it registered in the same period last year.

Shipping revenues climbed 53 percent, as both sea freight and travel gained traction.

Logistics and other services revenues grew 14 percent, boosted by the growth in cold chain reefers, e-commerce fulfillment and international courier services The company said it delivered P3.9 billion in revenues in the first three months.

“Our company focused on profitable services and customers, while driving efficiencies in our operations and stringently controlling costs. We are encouraged by the country’s reopening as it opens opportunities for us to facilitate economic activity,” 2GO Group president and chief executive Frederic DyBuncio said.

Darwin G. Amojelar

PCX launches consultancy arm

MINERAL TALKS. The Board of Investments, along with various government agencies, academe, industry stakeholders, associations and organizations, holds a trade and industry development talks on the green metals sector, including the processing of nickel, copper and cobalt. Among the resource speakers are (from left) Mines and Geosciences Bureau assistant director Juancho Pablo Calvez, Electric Vehicle Association of the Philippines president Edmund Araga, Resource Based Industries Service director Raquel Echague, BOI Industry Development Services executive director Ma. Corazon Halili-Dichosa, Philippine Nickel Industry Association president Dante Bravo and Philex Mining Corp. president and chief executive Eulalio Austin Jr.

DOE welcomes Malampaya investor

T

HE Department of Energy on Friday welcomed the planned investment of tycoon Enrique Razon Jr. in the Malampaya natural gas project, saying it is a positive development in the energy sector.

Energy Secretary Alfonso Cusi said in a statement the keen interest of investors in Service Contract 38, notably from the Razon Group, bolsters the position asserted by the department that the Malampaya project remains economically viable and presents an attractive investment opportunity for the upstream oil and gas industry.

“The potential entry of Prime Infrastructure, owned by Mr. Enrique K. Razon Jr., as partner of the Udenna Corp.—which is in the process of purchasing Shell Philippines Exploration B.V.—is a positive development not

only for the Malampaya consortium, but also the power sector as a whole,” Cusi said.

“Their involvement could further improve the financial standing and technical experience of the consortium, and more importantly, facilitate the progress of much needed and urgent development of Malampaya, given the depleting reserves in the existing wells,” he said.

Prime Infrastructure Holdings Inc. of Razon on Thursday announced plans to acquire a controlling stake in the Malampaya project, one of the

largest and most successful commercial gas finds in the Philippines. Prime Infra said it was in talks with Udenna Corp. of businessman Dennis Uy for a controlling stake in the Malamapaya project.

Prime Infra said while Malampaya’s service contract would expire in 2024, the company aimed to continue operating the project while applying for an extension so it could invest in its expansion and sustain the economic and social benefits of the Malampaya project.

Cusi said one of the top priorities of the Department of Energy is the uninterrupted operations and supply of natural gas from the Malampaya project to ensure energy security especially as the global economy reels from the energy crisis brought about by the conflict between Russia and Ukraine.

The Malampaya project provides clean fuel to major power plants in Batangas province with combined capacity of more than 3,000 megawatts.

“Should the negotiations push through, the DOE looks forward to SPEX continuing as the operator of Malampaya and rapidly progressing with the urgent drilling activities required to further develop Malampaya and arrest the depletion. Without which, at current depletion rates, Malampaya will only be able to provide gas sufficient for 1,000MW of power by 2024 versus 3,000MW in 2021,” Cusi said.

Razon said Prime Infra plans to invest and sustain the development and production of domestic gas as long as the terms of the operating license and the natural resources permit.

NLEX Corp. invests P6.9b on road repair

PLASTIC Credit Exchange, the world’s first global non-profit plastic credit platform, launched PCX Solutions—a consultancy arm that provides advisory on pre-consumer strategies for businesses to assess their plastic footprint and create programs that match their sustainability goals.

Headed by sustainability expert Vincent Kneefel, PCX Solutions aims to scale up circular economy infrastructure by helping companies reduce unessential plastic and increase their circularity. It can also certify brands that wish to achieve net zero plastic waste under the Plastic Pollution Reduction Standard.

“At PCX Solutions, we support businesses so they can help create systemic change. A circular economy model can bring $4.5 trillion in opportunities globally over the next decade, and companies that are first movers will have the most to gain,” said Kneefel.

“We’re proud to be participating in pre-consumer solutions that will help set our upcoming Extended Producer Responsibility in the Philippines for success,” said PCX founder and executive chair Nanette Medved-Po.

Sitel PH wins award for pandemic response

SITEL Group, one of the largest global providers of customer experience products and solutions, said it received a Gold Stevie Award for Most Exemplary Employer in the 2022 Asia Pacific Stevie Awards for its agile and comprehensive response to COVID-19.

The award highlights the efforts of the recently integrated Sitel Group and Sykes Enterprises Inc. and how the company responded to the challenges of the global pandemic.

“The pandemic made it necessary for all businesses to adjust and adapt to ensure the safety and security of their people,” said Pamela Donato, vice president of human resources at Sitel Philippines and China.

“We wanted to make sure our COVID-19 response programs were people-centric and designed with the help of our associates and with their needs in mind. We conducted focus group discussions and leveraged feedback into creating a coordinated COVID-19 response strategy,” said Donato.

The most important focus point for Sitel Philippines when crafting a COVID-19 response was prioritizing associate wellbeing.

Xurpas appoints Gurango as CEO to boost business

By Darwin G. Amojelar

By Jenniffer B. Austria

NLEX Corp. said Friday it invested P6.9 billion for the upgrade, repair and maintenance of North Luzon Expressway and Subic Clark-Tarlac Expressway.

The tollway company said it spent P3.4 billion for annual capital expenditures and P3.5 billion for yearly pavement maintenance program and other routine repairs since 2015.

It said the figures were apart from the big infrastructure projects such as the NLEX Harbor Link, SFEX Capacity Expansion and the ongoing NLEX Connector.

“Over the past seven years, we have completed many enhancement projects that strengthened our commitment to deliver quality service to our motorists,” said NLEX Corp. president and general manager J. Luigi Bautista.

“Despite the challenges and even at the height of the pandemic, we continuously implement our projects and focus on getting better,” Bautista said.

The improvements cover the roads, bridges, traffic devices, roadway lights, signs, pavement, toll collection system, drainage, fence and landscaping. The yearly maintenance program includes pothole repair services, asphalt overlay, crack sealing works and pavement marking enhancements.

Among the notable projects is the integration of NLEX and SCTEX, which involved the conversion of NLEX and SCTEX toll collection systems into a single system, resulting in reduced toll collection stops and travel time savings of up to 40 minutes from Balintawak to Subic/ Tarlac and back.

The NLEX-SCTEX integration also paved the way for the modernization of SCTEX’s features including the installation of CCTV cameras and the upgrade of traffic control center.

NLEX Corp. holds the concession for the management, operation and maintenance of the SCTEX as private sector partner of the Bases Conversion and Development Authority.

PUBLICLY-LISTED technology provider Xurpas Inc. said Friday it appointed IT veteran Jonathan Gerard Gurango as chairman and chief executive to revitalize its business.

Xurpas said in a disclosure to the stock exchange Gurango would succeed Nico Jose Nolledo, who voluntarily stepped down to allow Gurango to take over the leadership of the company.

Nolledo’s resignation will take effect on June 6. He will remain an advisor to the Xurpas board.

“The challenges and opportunities facing Xurpas are very different today than even just a few years ago. So we are very excited that Joey is coming on board to steer the company through this next, exciting phase. Xurpas is increasingly a B2B company, and Joey is the perfect candidate to take things forward. I am happy to step down, knowing that the company will be in good hands,” said Nolledo.

Gurango has a solid track record in the tech industry, having worked at both startups and bluechip software companies in the Philippines and overseas.

His career started at Apple and Microsoft in the United States in the 1980s during the home computer boom. Starting as a software developer at Microsoft, he eventually served as Asia-Pacific director of products and services for Microsoft Business Solutions in the early 2000s.

EDUCATIONAL SUPPORT. Teachers, students and community members take a moment to appreciate and thank Security Bank and the Bankers Institute of the Philippines for their donation to the community in Cabongaoan Elementary School Iliq-Iliq, Burgos, Pangasinan through the Handog Pag-Asa sa mga Kabataan program. Through the initiative, Security Bank provided computer sets and a printer to the elementary school, complementing the other school and sports equipment donated by BAIPHIL to the community.

FIRB plans to harmonize investor fees collected by agencies

By Julito G. Rada THE Fiscal Incentives Review Board chaired by Finance Secretary Carlos Dominguez III plans to harmonize the investor fees collected by investment promotion agencies.

The FIRB instructed all investment promotion agencies to submit a copy of the schedule of rates for various services relating to the grant and administration of tax incentives to registered business enterprises-investors, according to the Department of Finance.

It said the FIRB Secretariat advised all IPAs in a recent memorandum to submit copies of their respective fees relating to the grant and administration of tax incentives, with the details on the cost recovery and income generation.

This harmonization initiative will adopt the principle under Administrative Order No. 31 issued by the Office of the President, which mandated that the imposition of fees and charges of

the government should be primarily for cost recovery and should strike a balance between recovering the cost of services and the socio-economic impact of the imposition shall be sought, it said.

Finance assistant secretary and FIRB Secretariat head Juvy Danofrata said the move was prompted by a directive issued by Dominguez on harmonizing the schedule of fees collected by IPAs as part of the FIRB’s expanded policymaking and oversight functions in the grant and administration of tax incentives under the Corporate Recovery and Tax Incentives for Enterprises Act. “The need to evaluate and rationalize fees and charges collected by the IPAs is to ensure that there is equity and shared responsibility between the government and its stakeholders,” Dominguez said in a directive during a DOF executive committee meeting.

“The evaluation of fees and charges are best coordinated with the stakeholders to ensure that the rates are just and reasonable,” Dominguez said.

PSE INDEX CLOSING Friday, June 3, 2022

54.57 PTS. 6,741.40

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

1,092,000,940 68,469 4,608,357,413.80 102 89 42

F oreign e xchange r ate Bangko Sentral ng Pilipinas • FRIDAY, JUNE 3, 2022

Currency

Unit

US Dollar

Peso

United States

Dollar

1.000000

52.5800

Japan

Yen

0.007702

0.4050

UK

Pound

1.257900

66.1404

Hong Kong

Dollar

0.127478

6.7028

Switzerland

Franc

1.044277

54.9081

Canada

Dollar

0.795482

41.8264

Singapore

Dollar

0.729874

38.3768

Australia

Dollar

0.726400

38.1941

Bahrain

Dinar

2.652872

139.4880

Saudi Arabia

Rial

0.266617

14.0187

Brunei

Dollar

0.727220

38.2372

Indonesia

Rupiah

0.000069

0.0036

Thailand

Baht

0.029121

1.5312

UAE

Dirham

0.272287

14.3169

Euro

Euro

1.074800

56.5130

Korea

Won

0.000806

0.0424

China

Yuan

0.149571

7.8644

India

Rupee

0.012923

0.6795

Malaysia

Ringgit

0.227842

11.9799

New Zealand

Dollar

0.655500

34.4662

Taiwan

Dollar

0.034351

1.8062 Source: BSP

Strong Batangas economy raised AbaCore Capital’s net income to P4.6-b in 2021 ABACORE Capital Holdings Inc. said Friday it posted a net income of P4.6 billion in 2021, a turnaround from the P84.7-million net loss in 2020 as the company’s move to forge joint venture partnerships with several parties in Batangas provinces boosted operations.

AbaCore said in a statement around P580 million represented regular income while the rest was a fair value adjustment on the company’s properties as a result of the various strategic part-

nerships it signed with investors.

“ABA’s financial results for 2021 were positively impacted by secular trends involving the Batangas economy, with more businesses expanding their operations into the province given its attractive proposition as an economic powerhouse,” AbaCore chairman Raul De Mesa said.

“As such, the value of land in Batangas has significantly appreciated in recent years, therefore increasing ABA’s bot-

tomline and boosting our shareholders’ return on their investments,” he said.

The company entered into deals in 2021 with businesses looking to expand their operations into Batangas including the $100-million joint venture with Starfleet Innotech. Under the deal, AbaCore will provide land to the New Zealand-based asset management company to develop a resort-like condotel.

The company said it also continues to pursue plans to build the ABA Energy

Hub, a 103-hectare energy facility in the province. Based on the plan, AbaCore agreed to provide land to a subsidiary of A. Brown & Company for the development of a liquefied natural gas facility.

De Mesa said the company has a land bank of about 330 hectares, which allows it to have the flexibility and capacity to team up with various entities that are interested in investing its Batangas.

Jenniffer B. Austria

Sports

No panic for Warriors after Celtics shocker SAN FRANCISCO—Draymond Green said there is no chance of the Golden State Warriors hitting the panic button after the NBA Finals favorites crashed to a series-opening defeat to the Boston Celtics on Thursday.

The Warriors slumped to a stunning 120-108 loss in front of their home fans after the Celtics staged a remarkable fourth-quarter onslaught, outscoring their opponents 40-16.

It was the first time Golden State were beaten at home this postseason, leaving the Warriors desperately needing to win Sunday’s game two in San Francisco.

Green said the Warriors will respond to the challenge after falling behind in the best-of-seven series.

“You get a chance to do something else, do it in a different way, embrace the challenge,” Green said.

“We’ve always embraced challenges. We’ll embrace this one. It’s not a hit to the confidence at all, not one bit.”

“Whether you win every game at home, you still want to win one on the road. And our history, we’ve always won one on the road,” he added.

“So, it’s just nothing to panic about.

It’s the first team to win four games, not the first to win one.”

Green’s comments were echoed by Klay Thompson.

“It’s never fun and it hurts on the biggest stage, obviously, but there’s no reason to panic,” Thompson said.

“I like our chances still, and we’ll go home and we’ll digest what happened.

I know we’ll be better Game 2.

“There’s no reason to hold onto a loss when you have another game so soon.”

Warriors coach Steve Kerr said his team will approach game two on Sunday with a sense of “desperation.”

“When you win game one at home, there’s a sense of comfort, and you kind of have a feel for your opponent at that point and make your adjustments,” Kerr said.

“So it’s a different feeling. Obviously you go into Game 2 with more of a sense of desperation.

“But that’s all part of this stuff.

We’ve been in this position before, and we’ve won series where we’ve lost the first game... you always kind of assume that you’re going to have to win on the road to win a playoff series.” AFP

Riera U. Mallari, Editor; Randy M. Caluag, Assistant Editor SATURDAY, JUNE 4, 2022

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Jaylen Brown of the Boston Celtics shoots the ball against Draymond Green of the Golden State Warriors during the second half in Game 1 of the 2022 NBA Finals at Chase Center in San Francisco, California. AFP

POC hands P11M in bonuses to PH SEA Games medalists F

OLLOWING the example of president Rodrigo Duterte, the Philippine Olympic Committee will hand out its own cash bonuses totalling more than P11 million to Filipino medal winners in the recent Vietnam 31st Southeast Asian Games.

This marks the second time under the leadership of Rep. Abraham “Bambol” Tolentino that the POC is rewarding the medalist athletes for their accomplishments in the SEA Games held last May 12 to 23 in main hub Hanoi and other Vietnam provinces.

“The POC will always recognize the efforts of the athletes who trained, prepared and fought hard in Vietnam despite the circumstances,” Tolentino said.

“We may not have retained the overall championship, but what we saw in Vietnam was a fighting Team Philippines.”

Tolentino said the incentives were made possible by the POC’s partners—Manuel V. Pangilinan’s MVP Sports Foundation, Ramon S. Ang’s San Miguel Corp. and Charlie Gonzales’s Ulticon Builders Inc.

Ernest John Obiena holds the PH flag.

They will be deposited directly to the medalist athletes’ bank accounts.

The P11 million total is broken down into P5.82 million for the gold medalists, P3.22 million for the silver medalists and P1.97 million for the bronze medalists.

The government granted the medalist athletes their mandated incentives from the Philippine Sports Commission, with President Rodrigo Duterte also handing out his bonuses to the athletes during a courtesy call in Malacañang on Tuesday night.

Tolentino initiated the POC’s recognition in terms of financial bonuses to the athletes in the 2019 SEA Games which the country dominated.

There was a total of 227 medalists—52 gold, 70 silver and 105 bronze—in the Vietnam SEA Games.

The Athletes and Coaches Incentives Act provided bonuses of P300,000 for individual gold medalists, P150,000 for silver and P60,000 for bronze, while President Duterte the gold medalists another P250,000, silver medalists P150,000 and POC president Rep. Abraham “Bambol” Tolentino congratulates Chloe Isleta for winning the women’s 200 bronze medalists P100,000 for bronze medalists meters backstroke of swimming in the SEAG. each, on top of awarding each of them the Order of The bonuses are P100,000 for gold, P30,000 for silver Lapu-Lapu Kamagi medal for their sacrifice and and P10,000 for bronze in individual events, while the significant feat after bringing international honors incentives are appropriately calibrated in team events. to the country.

Athletics’ podium finishers get outright Cambodia slots

By Peter Atencio ALL FILIPINO medallists in the athletics meet of the 31st Southeast Asian Games will surely see action in Cambodia next year.

National coach Jojo Posadas said this after Team Philippines came up with a productive performance in the recently Vietnam games.

The Philippines finished third overall in athletics with five golds, seven silvers and 14 bronzes for a total of 26 medals.

“The same medallists will go to Cambodia, based on the criteria,” said Posadas, who remained upbeat even if

Team Philippines did not match or surpass the 11 gold, 8 silver and 8 bronze medals that they came up in the 2019 SEA Games as hosts.

Asia’s best pole vaulter Ernest John Obiena led the country’s quest for gold when he set a new Games record of 5.46 meters.

The other gold medals came from William Morrison in the men’s shot put (18.14 meters) and Clinton Bautista, who set a new national mark in the 110m hurdles at 13.78 seconds.

Then’s there’s Eric Cray, who retained the men’s 400m hurdles crown for a fifth time.

Another gold came from Kayla

Richardson, who regained the 100-meter sprint honors in 11.60 seconds.

“Sure na sila, based on the standard criteria,” said Posadas.

Next to the athletics in medal production was gymnastics with seven golds, four silvers and three bronzes.

Dancesports is third with 5-5-2 finish.

The silver medallists in athletics were Kyla Richardson (200 meters, 23.56), Hokett delos Santos (pole vault, 5 meters), Janry Ubas (long jump, 7.73 meters), Aries Toledo (decathlon, 7499), Sarah Dequinan (Heptahlon), Harry Diones (triple jump, 15.87m) and Hallasgo.

Folayang eyes bouts against Northcutt, ‘Sexyama’ FILIPINO mixed martial arts icon Eduard “Landslide” Folayang may be late in his career, but maintains he is nowhere near the end as the veteran fighter believes he is merely turning to a new chapter in his illustrious career.

After conquering legendary Australian striker “The Gunslinger” John Wayne Parr in his first ONE Super Series fight, the 38-year-old Folayang revealed he is keen on facing either Yoshihiro ‘Sexyama’ Akiyama in a mixed martial arts bout or Sage Northcutt in a wushu vs. karate spectacle.

“Sure, ‘Sexyama’ is a very good challenge to pursue especially since he just came from a big win as well,” Folayang said.

Akiyama recently ended a feud with fellow Japanese great Shinya

Aoki at ONE X. ‘Sexyama’ pulled off an emotional second-round technical knockout victory after he survived Aoki’s tricky submission attempts in the opening round.

And while Folayang says he isn’t sure whether or not he is willing to feature in another Super Series bout, a match against American sensation “Super” Sage Northcutt remains an enticing proposition.

“I’m honestly not sure about a Super Series fight but I really want a wushu vs. karate fight against Northcutt,” Folayang said.

Folayang and Parr put on an absolute classic at ONE Championship’s landmark 10th-anniversary show in Singapore last March. It was “Landslide’s” first win following a string of heartbreaking setbacks in MMA. The two legends poured it all in a

match that belied the years they’ve both put into their respective martial arts careers.

Though Folayang dominated the early going against Parr, the veteran Aussie turned back the clock to give the Filipino stalwart trouble in the final round.

Folayang, though, weathered Parr’s late attack and took home the unanimous decision win. Team Lakay’s elder statesman said his win against Parr was a gust o f inspiration to him and it would motivate him in his future battles ahead.

“That win against JWP was a huge motivation-booster for me to keep going no matter what lies in my future fights,” Folayang said.

Eduard Folayang

PSC’s Para Sports Coaching Series draws 500 participants FIVE hundred participants received coaching lectures in para-powerlifting, parabadminton, para-cycling, football 5-a-side and sitting volleyball in the second edition of the Philippine Sports Commission Para Sports Coaching Webinar Series.

The five-day coaching program which started on Monday featured coaches and expert practitioners who shared fundamental coaching and experiences in five para sport disciplines, in partnership with the Philippine Sports Association for the Differently Abled (PHILSPADA) and the Philippine Paralympic Committee.

“After our first successful edition of our coaching webinar last year, we decided to bring it back to introduce new para-sports and boost the knowledge of our coaches and trainers in para-sports,” said PSC Oversight Commissioner for para-athletes Arnold Agustin.

PHILSPADA and PPC President Michael Barredo graced the first day of the webinar series and talked on the history and foundation of para-sports in the country, together with PPC Secretary-General Walter Torres and Officer-in-Charge Tricia Rana.

“We thank our active partners in PHILSPADA and PPC for supporting this event that will surely strengthen our programs,” added Agustin.

“Participants who completed the webinar series will be awarded with a certificate, official shirt, an official Pilipinas Para Games (PPG) medal and a compiled module from the webinars,” said PPG Project Director Jan Errol Facundo.

Last year, 500 participants also took part in the first edition of the webinar series with goal ball, para-swimming, wheelchair basketball, para-athletics, and para-table tennis as featured para-sports from October 9 to 15.

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SATURDAY, JUNE 4, 2022

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

Home/Design

‘Great transformation’ I N 2022, AboitizLand, the real estate arm of the Group, is looking at exponential transformation powered by its investments in technology, data science and artificial intelligence, as well as strategic partnerships with futureforward companies.

One area is in precast panel technology advantage of the rising demand for (inset) to accelerate house construction residential properties in new growth which will help the company take cities outside the metros.

“Our Great Transformation will propel our company to the frontlines of modern innovation and beyond, in order to ensure and accelerate our continued growth and success, and to advance business and communities faster, better, and stronger than we ever did in the past” said Sabin M. Aboitiz, president and chief executive officer of Aboitiz Equity Ventures.

Leisurely jaunts to Pampanga just got better FAMILY bonding at Vista Mall Pampanga is an extraordinary experience.

Home to a mix of 40 affiliate and third-party stores, Vista Mall Pampanga caters to basic needs from clothing to food, health and fitness, beauty and wellness, banking, and worldclass movie entertainment, among others.

Vista Mall Pampanga is home to the Villar Group’s specialized stores such as Coffee Project Black, Dear Joe, Liberty Market, Kinder City, AllToys, AllHome and AllDay Supermarket.

Follow Vista Mall Pampanga at https://www.facebook.com/ vistamallpampanga.

NOD TO RECOVERY. With experts predicting a rebound of the economy, this may be the right time to invest in real estate that is guaranteed to appreciate over time. The new Burbank Tower of the Levels in Filinvest City, Muntinlupa - a nod to the recovering real estate market - offers the features on the must-have lists of prospective property buyers. The project sits at the heart of the thriving green business district in Metro South, the master-planned Filinvest City. It provides an upscale suburban lifestyle with its resort-like amenities while ensuring ease of access to modern conveniences that are readily available in big cities, like premier shopping destinations, lifestyle and recreational centers.

The Levels Burbank offers flexible payment terms which are available for all unit types. and are intended to ease the start of investment for prospective buyers.

ACHIEVING SATORI. Santolan district in Pasig City has always been a preferred address among home-seekers who want to be connected to the perks of urban living, but also relish a relaxed atmosphere. Enter the Satori Residences of DMCI Homes. Located along F. Pasco Avenue, Satori Residences is accessible to places of interest in Pasig, Marikina, Quezon City, Manila and Rizal.

Offering units ranging from 27.5 square meters (sq. m) to 78 sq. m with an average price of P4.10 million, the Neo-Asian Minimalist condominium presents the best value-for-money propositions among residential projects in the area. All five buildings of the development are now being constructed and will be ready for move-ins starting with Hacana in February 2023; Lana in August 2023; Rahu in February 2024; and Amani and Yasu in August 2024. Designed for start-up families and young professionals, the condominium’s verdant surroundings, which occupies 70 percent of the land area, provide a much-needed breathing space in the urban jungle.

INSTANT HOMES, INSTANT FINANCING. Ovialand is onto its third development. Santeví, after the success of its first two projects in San Pablo, Laguna — Savana and Sannera. With Ovialand’s proprietary precast building technology and solid financing partners, clients can move into their brand new homes within 3-6 months. First-time owners can move into their property with as little as 8-10% down payment. The developer works closely with PAGIBIG Fund to help clients apply for their loans. This year, Ovialand expanded its financing partners to include Bank of the Philippine Islands (BPI) and Banco de Oro (BDO) so that clients will have more options for their home financing needs “If you can get a car a few days after your down payment, why do you have to wait a few years to get your dream home?” asked Pammy Olivares-Vital, President of Ovialand.

ETON CENTRIS OPENS KENNY ROGERS ROASTERS BRANCH.

Real estate player Eton Properties Philippines, Inc. (EPPI) recently welcomed the latest franchise of Kenny Rogers Roasters restaurant at the 12-hectare Eton Centris in Quezon City. This is the 107th Kenny Rogers Roasters restaurant of the chain in the Philippines. The store is known for its best-tasting rotisserie chicken, which spans its branches all over the Philippines. Since Eton Properties’ leasing business has been an essential segment in 2021, this year, the company plans to add more leasable area within the year, while aiming to activate some of its remaining raw lands across the country for development. Eton Properties is the real estate brand of the Lucio Tan Group. At the ribbon-cutting were Eton executive director Kyle Ellis Tan (third from left) and Kenny Rogers’ business development director Petter Danila (fourth from left). They were joined by other Eton Executives and the family of the franchisee.

Tech & Gadgets How remote work can help achieve better business results WHEN the world began to recover from lockdowns, many companies were determined to bring their employees back to the office.

But majority of employees have already adapted to teleworking and many feel better working from home. With higher levels of employee satisfaction, well-organized remote work has the potential to improve business results. So how should businesses adjust their management tactics to handle this new reality in the long-term? Kaspersky executives share their insights and the proven tips they use to efficiently run multinational, remote and hybrid teams.

Here are field-proven tips from Kaspersky’s executives that can help managers increase the productivity of their remote teams: Hire self-motivated people that share your company’s values, enjoy their work and want their company to succeed. This promotes teambuilding and lets you trust your workers without following them with a stopwatch; Enable employees to focus on the areas where they exhibit the greatest efficiency and enthusiasm. Let employees express themselves and share tasks between different teams, so that team members understand and learn new processes; Avoid micromanagement. Trust people and the way they work best without being overly controlling.

Work should be judged by measurable results, not by the hours spent on tasks Raise the maturity levels of business processes. Build metrics that allow you to assess the results of your team based on the value they contribute Even if your team works remotely, still try to periodically hold face-to-face meetings. Communication is challenging with remote work because people perceive between 50% and 80% (according to different sources) of information through non-verbal cues. In-person communication helps you and your teammates to get to know each other and can prevent potential communication problems Make use of all the advantages that the remote model has to offer and organize your time as effectively as possible. For example, if you cannot personally attend a virtual meeting, ask your colleagues to send you a recording so you can listen to it afterwards at a higher speed. This will save you time but also keep you well-informed Read relevant literature and study best practices because more information on the topic will enable you to make better decisions. Try books, such as “Remote: Office not required,” by Jason Fried and David Heinemeier Hanssen, or guidelines from companies that have been working under a fully remote model for a long time, such as Gitlab’s.

SATURDAY, JUNE 4, 2022 rumallari@thestandard.com.ph

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French mobile tech brand WIKO enters PH market

W

IKO, an international mobile brand original to Marseille, France, continues to gear towards global expansion.

Set off by its success in the European scale which dates back to 2011, it rapidly expanded its reach and visibility in above 30 countries worldwide.

Now it proudly enters the Philippine market with two smartphones up its sleeves, the WIKO T10 and WIKO T50.

THE PHILIPPINES WELCOMES WIKO’S FRENCH AESTHETICS From the sky-high districts of France to other parts of Europe, Africa, Middle East, and Asia, WIKO has finally landed and is set to ignite the Philippine tech sphere.

“The significant number of mobile phone users in the Philippines inspired this venture and the potential of WIKO is evident in a market with such demand,” says Whisky Wang, President for AsiaPacific Region, WIKO. “The goal is to give value especially to the younger generations and, same as with any other countries where we are present, to be a key player in the mobile phone industry,” he said.

WIKO is known for fusing the latest tech innovations and the refined artistic taste of its French roots, providing hard-wearing devices that elevate individual lifestyle.

Wiko can definitely take you to the upscale streets of France just by having it in the palm of your hands.

“The hardware perspective alone was already enough to have made WIKO one of the most preferred brands in Western Europe. We take pride in the durability of our products, equivalently in the elegance that we try to incorporate to each of them,” Wang said.

T10: ELEGANCE AT YOUR FINGERTIPS The WIKO T10, the first smartphone under WIKO’s belt, is equipped with a 64GB large storage which is more than enough for a day-to-day user’s typical capacity requirement.

Its massive 5000mAh battery should be enough to get you through long hours of extreme usage without charging.

For movie enthusiasts, you’ll find yourself being immersed in your binge-watching experience with its 6.5”

WIKO: From France to the Philippines

Edgeless Dewdrop Display. Stuffed with good features, this phone is also ideal for mobile photography as it is outfitted with a 13MP AI Camera.

The WIKO T10 runs on Mediatek MT6761 processor and is available in two simple yet stylish colors, Emerald Green and Midnight Black.

Get your hands on this device for just P4,990.

T50: DISCOVERING THE WORLD IN STYLE See a world without limits with the WIKO T50 that is packed with features apt for someone as go-ahead as you. For starters, it boasts of a 64MP triple AI camera for sterling shots wherever your adventure takes you.

It also comes with a 40W fast-charging feature to keep abreast of your active lifestyle, resting on a 4000mAh

battery capacity for prolonged usage.

Promising a visual delight whether for online browsing, watching, or reading to keep you entertained anytime, it is crafted with a 6.6” Edgeless Display.

It is powered by a Mediatek Helio G85 processor with a large 128GB storage, to equal your drive and capabilities.

The WIKO T50 is a sight to behold with a flashy aesthetic and three colors to choose from: Aqua Green, Lively Pink, and Midnight Black. Get one now for only P11,990.

Feel as if you’re on top of the world with WIKO— functional and stylish smartphones all made within your reach. To know more, visit https://ph.wikomobile.com/

Mapúa partners with Arizona State U, America’s most innovative university MAPÚA University, in collaboration with Arizona State University, has announced a joint initiative to expand the access Filipino students will have to high quality international education in both business and health sciences.

ASU is ranked by U.S. News & World Report as #1 in the U.S. for Innovation1, and Top 10 for Best Undergraduate Teaching2 . ASU is also ranked by Times Higher Education as # 1 in the U.S and #2 in the world for global impact in research, outreach and stewardship3.

This groundbreaking collaboration will provide students with a highly differentiated education that will be centered on three core pillars—international exposure, real-world experiential learning and digital expertise.

By grounding this new collaboration around these three core pillars, Mapúa students will now be able to access ASU’s worldclass content and curricula and participate in Global Signature Courses with faculty and classmates from other countries conducted in a state-of-the-art Global Classrooms facility, which will give them a broader worldview and more international network.

Students will also be immersed in realworld experiential learning co-designed with industry partners, through problembased learning and modern tech-enabled

simulation environments.

To round out their experience, they will have enhanced opportunities to learn the digital skill sets necessary for this era of rapid technological transformation, by le-

veraging ASU’s digital expertise.

These experiences will enable Mapúa graduates to hit the ground running in cutting-edge careers here and abroad.

“International, research-driven, digi-

Shown here are (from left) Mapúa University president Dr. Reynaldo B. Vea, Cintana Chief Strategy Officer of Asia Chris Hill, Ayala Group Managing Director Fred Ayala and Mapua Partnership Executive Director Dr. Bonifacio Doma Jr.

tally-enhanced and outcomes-based: this is the character of Mapúan education,” said Dr. Reynaldo B. Vea, President of Mapúa University. “Our strategic collaboration with ASU enables us to push the envelope further, by providing our students with the opportunity to learn with a top U.S university. Our goal is to further enable a new generation of forward-looking Filipino business and health professionals to transform lives and society positively.”

Starting in August 2022, Mapúa’s E.T. Yuchengco School of Business will offer ASU-enhanced courses at Mapua’s brand new, 8-story campus in Makati, the country’s premier business district. Business students will benefit from Mapúa’s strategic collaboration with ASU, which is home to the #1 Best Online Bachelor’s in Business Programs according to U.S. News & World Report4. This will further enhance students’ opportunities to learn from industry practitioners and pursue internships at some of the country’s leading companies.

At the same time, content and curricula from ASU will be incorporated into key health sciences pre-med programs, including the BS in biology and BS in psychology degree tracks.

Fossil announces next generation of wearables RICHARDSON, Texas – It is with great excitement that Fossil announces the newest generation to our wearables portfolio: the Gen 6 Touchscreen Smartwatch.

The Gen 6 smartwatch will be the first smartwatch powered by the Qualcomm® Snapdragon Wear™4100+ Platform, providing users faster application load times, highly responsive user experiences, and more efficient power consumption. In addition, the battery charging speed is two times faster than leading smartwatches, reaching 80% charge in just over 30 minutes. Users will also benefit from continuous heart rate tracking, a new SpO2 sensor, speaker functionality to make and receive tethered calls, software updates from Wear OS by Google™and Fossil Group, smart battery modes and more.

Gen 6 will also be compatible with Google’s new system update, Wear OS 3, announced last year. The smartwatch will be

Gen 6 boasts of increased speed and performance, updated wellness sensors, and compatibility with Wear OS 3

eligible for the Wear OS 3 system update in 2022, alongside other updates that will continue to improve the overall user experience.

“We are proud to announce our highly-anticipated next generation of smartwatches. At Fossil Group, we are always striving to deliver increased performance and delight users, working in partnership with Qualcomm and Google, and we are excited by the new capabilities Gen 6 is bringing to our users. Faster interface, less time to charge and upgraded health and wellness features are only a few of the benefits Gen 6 will see as our teams continue to innovate and evolve our smartwatch portfolio,” says Steve Evans, Fossil Group EVP Chief Brand Officer.

“Fossil Group and Qualcomm have had a long-standing partnership and have led the convergence of fashion and technology in the industry,” said Pankaj Kedia, Global Head of Wearables, Qualcomm Technologies, Inc. “We are delighted to have collaborated with Fossil Group on their latest smartwatch, the Gen 6, which is the first product to come to market based on our Snapdragon Wear 4100+ platform. This platform enables users to experience lightning-fast processing and richer, always-on, ambient modes and watch faces with ultra-low power consumption thanks to the integration of the always-on coprocessor in the platform.”

The new Fossil brand Gen 6 smartwatch launches with 3 colorways in a 44mm case and three colorways in a 42mm case for added size options. In addition to offering 6 timeless styles and endless interchangeable strap options, us-

ers can customize dials and buttons to easily access their most-used functions. Fossil Gen 6 is upgradable to Wear OS 3, Google's new system update announced earlier in the summer, and will benefit from continued improvements in features and user experience.

Gen 6 boasts top everyday features, including: Increased Battery Charging Speed and Smart Battery Modes Users can enjoy shorter charging time and extended battery life to maximize their day. The Gen 6’s charging speed is two times faster than the leading smartwatch, reaching 80% in only a little more than 30 minutes of charging. This, combined with the Snapdragon Wear™4100+ platform, decreased power consumption and Fossil Group-developed Smart Battery Modes, puts the user in control and allows for 24+ hours of battery life (based on usage) or multiple days in Extended Battery Mode.

This improvement also impacts the customer experience in regards to sleep tracking.

The device reaches 80% charge in about 30 minutes, enabling a full charge in the morning after tracking your sleep.

Upgraded Health & Wellness Sensors In addition to wellness updates from Fossil Group released in 2020, Gen 6 boasts an upgraded heart rate sensor to allow continuous tracking and improved signal accuracy. Users will also benefit from the new SpO2 sensor, which tracks an estimate of the wearer’s blood oxygen measurements to see how well your body is circulating

oxygen over time.

Swimproof Speaker and Microphone Android and iOS smartphone users can enjoy the ability to make and receive calls from their Gen 6 smartwatch.

Hear responses and get answers from Google Assistant—when you ask a question or tell it to perform an action, you can hear Google speak back to you.

Additional features include: Stainless steel case, topring and pushers 44mm and 42mm case size options Stunning 1.28’’ touchscreen digital display Swimproof (up to 3 ATM) Customizable dials and button functionality Interchangeable straps and bracelets Enjoy All Your Spotify Music and Podcasts Offline on smartwatches running Wear OS for all Spotify Premium users Increased performance and lower power with Qualcomm® Snapdragon Wear™4100+ Connectivity: Bluetooth® 5.0 LE, WiFi, GPS, NFC SE Sensors: Accelerometer, Gyroscope, Compass, Altimeter, PPG Heart Rate, SpO2, Off-body IR, Ambient Light Wear OS by Google 8 GB of storage and 1 GB RAM 4 pin USB fast charging with magnetic puck Google, Android and Wear OS by Google

Fossil wearables, the first powered by the latest Qualcomm Snapdragon Wear 4100+ Platform are trademarks of Google LLC. Wear OS by Google works with phones running the latest version of Android (excluding Go edition and phones without Google Play Store) or iOS. Supported features may vary between platforms and countries with compatibility subject to change.

Available at Fossil Stores: Fossil SM Baguio, Fossil Uptown Mall BGC, Fossil Ayala Center Cebu, Fossil Century Mall, Fossil SM Clark, Fossil Evia, Fossil Festival, Fossil Market Market, Fossil SM Megamall, Fossil Mall Of Asia, Fossil Newport, Fossil SM North Edsa, Fossil SM Southmall, Fossil Vertis North, Fossil Robinsons Ermita, Fossil Kiosk Ayala Manila Bay, Fossil Robinsons Galleria, Fossil Robinsons Magnolia

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

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SATURDAY, JUNE 4, 2022

Motoring

Traveling a blast with the New BeAT WHETHER you feel sporty and fun, hip and cool, or daring and commanding, ride to your own beat with The New BeAT. Another popular model of Honda Philippines, Inc., the BeAT is a fuel-efficient and attractive scooter that’s available in three-stripe designs: Fashion Sport, Street, and Premium.

Here are five reasons why every ride is a joy to have with The New BeAT, according to businessman and motorcycle enthusiast Bien Garcia.

1. A certified ‘gwapo’ The New BeAT is a true head-turner with its stylish design. “Gwapo siya,” Garcia says, adding its looks come with useful functions. “Its overall dimensions are so fit for busy streets.

It makes your daily commute a lot easier. It has enough storage to fit all your personal needs for the day ride.”

With an attractive headlight and sharp tail light design, complete with stylish new stripes design, you’ll certainly look good while you cruise the streets.

2. Fuel efficient and eco-friendly As gas prices continue to trend skyward, there’s even greater value now on rides that present optimum fuel efficiency. On top of that list is the The New BeAT. Featuring an amazing 63.7 km/l fuel consumption for the premium model on a 4.0 L-fuel tank, this super scooter allows you to go more for less, whether for your daily drive or weekend-long trips.

Equipped as well with a PGM-Fi fuel supply system with electronic control technology, capable of optimally supplying fuel and air to give it efficient engine power with low emissions, you also minimize your carbon footprint, helping save the environment.

3. Premium comfort and safety The New BeAT also comes with tons of features that promise safety, comfort, and convenience. For instance, there’s a secured key shutter or magnetic safety ignition. It’s a simple yet important innovation for your riding safety.

It also ensures a hassle-free experience, whether you’re working your way around city traffic or traversing twisty roads. You’ll stay alert and never

feel slouching with its 740-mm seat height and 146-mm ground clearance, measurements that are perfect for the average Filipino, including women.

Meanwhile, the ACG Starter combines the generator and starter in a single system for a smooth and noiseless starting of the engine. Conversely, a side-stand switch automatically and ingeniously turns off the engine once set down.

“He proved he is tough,” Garcia says.

“That hot day when we traveled 500 km back and forth to Bicol, this little BeATbeast never overheated. After a long ride with this The New BeAT, I always wake up happy and content, and the most important thing is - no shoulder or backaches.”

4. The power to stop and go Garcia also commended The New BeAT’s reliable engine and braking system.

“Experiencing the dangerous highways of Quezon for the first time, I depended on The New BeAT’s smooth handling to survive the day. Close-calls? Yes, we had a lot. My best bet was Honda BeAT’s superb braking power. It saved me so many countless times. Also, whether on smooth highways, cracked roads, or light off roads, its tires and suspension eased my tired body.”

The New BeAT is powered by a reliable 4-stroke, SOHC, air-cooled eSP that generates a maximum power of 6.48 kW @ 7,500 rpm and a top torque of 9.21 Nm @ 6,000 rpm. Meanwhile, it presents a responsive hydraulic ventilated disc brake up front and mechanical leading trailing outback.

5. You don’t have to break the bank Perhaps the most enticing proposition of The New BeAT is that you get all these designs and features at the best price.

Score the Premium (ISS/CBS) model at just SRP 71,900.00 pesos, the Fashion Sport (STD) variant at only SRP 68,900.00 pesos, and the Street (STD) at also SRP 68,900.00 pesos.

If you’re looking for an entry-level motorcycle that will heighten your pleasure of work and play, this model will surely make your dreams come true. Get yours now and never skip a beat with The New BeAT.

Toyota Gazoo Racing Academy is back Jumpstart your career as a racer, be a track star for a day

By Milo Rivera

OYOTA Motor Philippines (TMP) officially kicked off their 2022 motorsports calendar starting with their long-running motorsports training program which aims at imparting key learnings for a better driving and road safety craft, as well as opening doors into the local motorsports scene.

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Held last June 29 at the Clark International Speedway (CIS), the Toyota Gazoo Racing Academy PH held their first session this year in partnership with Tuason Racing.

Formerly known as the Toyota Racing School, the academy drew a number of up-and-coming names in

the sport, driving enthusiasts, and aspiring racers to a whole day of comprehensive race skills training and track experience.

A team of highly experienced and awarded race drivers ensured that each participant gets to bring home a huge chunk of learning, all whilst wearing

huge smiles on their faces after an occasion like no other. The “Basic Circuit Car” class, which is known to have housed some of the country’s figured names in the sport, including eventual Toyota Vios Cup champions, started things off with a 1-hour classroom session where students were briefed on the “dos and don’ts” of driving around a race track, as well as essential tips to drive the right, safe way - regardless of the speed you’re on. A two hour’s worth of driving drills onboard the Vios Cup “One-Make Race” (OMR) cars came soon after.

This included an acceleration-brake test, a slalom exercise, and a five-lap session around CIS. And for those new drivers who have pre-booked a race seat for this year’s Vios Cup, a supplemental “Level 2 - Advanced” class was conducted wherein proper race craft and key techniques were introduced and honed.

The second Toyota Gazoo Racing Academy (TGRA) session is set on June 26, 2022, also to be held at Clark International Speedway - just a week before the highly anticipated opening round of the 2022 Toyota Gazoo Racing Vios Cup. Race fans may visit Toyota Motor Philippines’ official website and social media channels for updates and registration procedures, as well as announcements on other upcoming events and new model launches.

A new Hyundai for Filipinos Safer, worry-free drive thanks to AXA, Honda Cars NOW that many motorists are back on the road, an important aspect we shouldn’t overlook is road safety. According to the Metro Manila Accident Reporting and Analysis System, about 65,032 accidents with 337 deaths happened last 2020 in Metro Manila alone, highlighting the need to put more focus on staying accident-free while on the road.

To help promote road safety and protection, AXA Philippines, one of the country’s leading insurance providers, recently partnered with Honda Cars Philippines, Inc. to provide Comprehensive Car Insurance with preferential rates for their Honda SENSING-equipped cars to help drivers have a safer, worry-free drive.

The new Honda SENSING-equipped vehicles are one of the first in the country that feature driver-assistive technology using a wide-angle camera and highspeed processing chip.

AXA Comprehensive Car Insurance complements the innovative vehicles by providing first-class protection as you drive your new car. These customers can also enjoy special features such

as easy claims processing and access to the AXA Rescue Line for free 24/7 emergency assistance, including police, fire, ambulance and roadside assistance available through the Emma by AXA PH app.

With the AXA Comprehensive Car Insurance, car owners may also become part of AXA Motor Club - FOR FREE, which offers exclusive VIP privileges and value-added services. Members will have access to a wide-range of services such as emergency towing, vehicle removal with a crane, minor repairs onsite, other auto-related personal assistance services, as well as alternative travel assistance, hotel referral and reservation assistance, and LTO registration assistance. Membership is valid as long as AXA motor insurance policy is active, and is automatically extended every time the car insurance policy is renewed.

To know more about AXA Comprehensive Car Insurance, visit axa.com.ph/motor, or download the free Emma by AXA PH app at axa.com.ph/ emma.

OFFICIALLY launched last June 1, Hyundai Motor Philippines (HMPH) aims at managemental revolutions to further grow the Hyundai brand for the Philippine passenger vehicle market. Through its president, Dong Wook Lee, HMPH promises better customer satisfaction and a soonto-be rebuilt brand, business, and network. In addition to a committed dealership service revamp, Hyundai Motor Philippines shall live up to their “Innovate Everyday” slogan by launching several new models by as early as July. These new vehicles include the Staria, Palisade, Creta, and all-new Tucson - among others.

Hyundai is coming back to the Philippines with stronger purpose and commitment since the Philippines plays an important role for Hyundai especially in the Asia Pacific Region.

The company’s vision, “Together for a Better Future” is the foundation of their dedication in providing product line-up with technologies that are helping to build solutions for a more sustainable future. The company plans to secure a leadership position in electrification under the Strategy 2025 by focusing on presenting the most desirable products and services for customers and becoming a Smart Mobility Solution Provider.

To support its presence and growth,

HMPH is committed to provide the best service in terms of sales and after sales, supported by an authorized dealer network spread throughout the Philippines and will continue to grow.

HMPH aspires to become the lifetime partner of automobiles and beyond, to come one step closer with its customer and become their beloved brand.

Lee: “We would like to increase market awareness on the Hyundai vision and mission locally. Hyundai’s

Vision is Progress or Humanity.

We believe progress only becomes meaningful when it is connected with a deep sense of humanity. Humanity unites us, makes us stronger. It guides us in our investments and drives our innovations. Our brand direction and manifesto for The Philippines is “INNOVATE EVERYDAY” where we share your passion to improve, to keep moving ahead and we believe better days should be always ahead of us.”

Newly inaugurated Hyundai Motor Philippines (HMPH), under its appointed president, Dong Wook Lee (middle) held a lunch gathering for the local motoring media at Shangri-La at the Fort last May 31. Lee shared his long-term promises and expectations for the brand, as well as what to anticipate in the coming months.

Milo Rivera