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DFA protests return of over 100 Chinese vessels in WPS MANILA lodged a fresh diplomatic protest against Beijing over the swarming of over 100 Chinese vessels in Julian Felipe Reef.

Critical engagament with China (See story below)

The Department of Foreign Affairs said the unauthorized presence of Chinese vessels in the Julian Felipe Reef, which Next page

VOL. XXXVI • NO. 114 • 2 SECTIONS 12 PAGES • P18 FRIDAY, JUNE 10, 2022 • www.manilastandard.net • mst.daydesk@gmail.com

New oil price increase set

Diesel P3.92, Gas P0.59, LPG P4.66; Price stabilization scheme bucked By Alena Mae S. Flores

LREADY high pump prices are expected to rise again next week, with diesel going up P3.92, gasoline P0.59, and kerosene by as much as P4.66 a liter as world oil prices remain volatile, industry sources said Thursday. On Tuesday, June 7, oil firms implemented price hikes of P6.55 per liter for diesel, P2.70 per liter for gasoline and P5.45 per liter for kerosene. This prompted the government to approve a provisional P1 increase of the minimum fare for public utility jeepneys in Metro Manila and Regions 3 and 4, raising it to P10, even as the Department of Energy said there was no relief in sight from the constant increases. But amid talk that the incoming Marcos administration would revive the Oil Price Stabilization Fund (OPSF) to shield consumers from wild fluctuations in the price of fuel, one industry group said it would Next page oppose such moves.

AUTOMATIC FARE HIKE. A jeepney barker on Thursday flashes a sign announcing the new minimum fare hike of P10 – reflecting the P1 increase approved by the Land Transportation Franchising Regulatory Board (LTFRB) Wednesday evening even without an official updated fare matrix yet. Danny Pata

Rice at P20/k difficult to attain—Estrella WHO warns monkeypox real risk as outbreak cases hit 1k

By Rey E. Requejo

BRINGING down the price of rice to P20 per kilo is “difficult to attain” at this time, incoming Agrarian Reform Secretary Conrado Estrella III said Thursday. But Estrella vowed to implement programs to achieve the goal of the incoming administration of President-elect Ferdinand “Bongbong” Marcos Jr. to cut the price of rice in local markets, which cur-

rently sell for over twice as much. "The President is so realistic about it. He said this is our aspiration that we are going to lower the price of rice and I think it will be possible, but if you do serious pencil pushing, if you study it, the P20 per kilo of rice is difficult to attain right now," Estrella said in an interview with reporters. Latest data available from the Department of Agriculture show the average

prices of rice at P38.00 to P50.00 per kilogram for local, and from P37.00 to P52.00 per kilogram for imports as of June 6. The National Food Authority currently sells rice at P23 (wholesale) to P27 (consumer) per kilo, but stocks quickly run out at its warehouses or authorized retail outlets. Meanwhile, the Agriculture department on Thursday said it is preparing for a Next page

THE risk of monkeypox becoming established in non-endemic nations is real, the WHO warned, with more than a thousand cases now confirmed in such countries. "More than 1,000 confirmed cases of monkeypox have now been reported to WHO from 29 countries that are not endemic for the disease," World Health Organization chief Tedros Adhanom Ghebr-

Carlos: Incoming govt to push critical engagement with China By Macon Ramos-Araneta and Rey E. Requejo INCOMING National Security Adviser (NSA) Clarita Carlos on Thursday said the Marcos administration will pursue a "critical engagement" with China amid the territorial dispute in the West Philippine Sea (WPS). In a radio interview, Carlos said she and President-elect Ferdinand Marcos Jr. discussed the country's relationship with China during a meeting on Wednesday. She said critical engagement involves

eyesus said. Tedros, however, said the UN health agency was not recommending mass vaccination against the virus, and added that no deaths had been reported so far from the outbreaks. "The risk of monkeypox becoming established in non-endemic countries is Next page real," Tedros said.

Sherman meets Marcos, talks on PH-US alliance

creating a holistic framework considering all aspects in the country’s relationship with China. “Critical engagement means you need to pay attention to all political, economic, social, cultural aspects of our relationship with China,” she said in Filipino. “While others are only looking at the economic, or defense or military aspects, with critical engagement, you will create a holistic framework,” she said. Carlos said this approach will be also used with other countries. Asked about China’s bullying in

By Rey E. Requejo and Nash B. Maulana

PH-US ALLIANCE. United States Deputy Secretary of State Wendy Sherman pays a courtesy call on President-elect Ferdinand “Bongbong” Marcos Jr. on Thursday. The two underscored the need 'to strengthen our economies, including the importance of public-private partnerships, clean energy, and our digital economy.'

UNITED States Deputy Secretary of State Wendy Sherman met with President-elect Ferdinand "Bongbong" Marcos Jr. on Thursday and discussed various issues and ways to deepen the alliance between the traditional allies, including their shared commitment for a rules-based order in the South China Sea. Sherman is the highest-ranking US State Department official to visit the country since the COVID-19 pandemic began. In an interview with reporters after their meeting, Sherman reiterated the Next page

Bloggers need Pichay gets 18 to 30 years for graft 20k followers By Maricel V. Cruz to cover Palace DRILL. A pupil does the duck, cover and hold during the Quarterly Nationwide Simultaneous Earthquake Drill at the Aurora Quezon Elementary school in Manila on Thursday, June 9, 2022. Norman Cruz

TO BE able to cover the Malacañang beat, a blogger may need high engagement and more than 20,000 followers to be accredited, as the incoming Ferdinand Marcos Jr. administration reviews the policies set by the Duterte government. Trixie Cruz-Angeles, the incoming head of the Presidential Communications Operations Office, said Thursday they are Next page

THE Sandiganbayan has found Surigao del Sur Rep. Prospero Pichay, Jr. guilty of three counts of graft and sentenced him to 18 to 30 years in prison for mismanaging P780 million in funds while he was administrator of the Local Water Utilities Administration (LWUA). In its decision dated June 7, the anti-graft court’s Fourth Division convicted Pichay and his then deputy administrator Wilfredo Feleo Jr. for LWUA’s acquisition of 60 percent

voting stock of the Laguna-based local thrift bank Express Savings Bank Inc. (ESBI) owned by the Wellex Group Inc. (WGI) and Forum Pacific Inc. (FPI). The transaction was done in 2009. In a statement, Pichay expressed surprise at the Sandiganbayan’s decision, noting that the constitutional right to be presumed innocent until proven guilty can be overthrown only by proof beyond reasonable doubt. "It is noteworthy that even the dispositive portion of the decision Next page

News

FRIDAY, JUNE 10, 2022

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Dengue cases in Region 2 up 897% By Willie Casas

In an interview on TeleRadyo, Dr. Romulo Turingan, head of the Disease Prevention and Control Cluster of DOH Region 2, said they recorded 2,014 dengue cases in the region from January to June 4 this year. The total is 897 percent higher compared to the 202 cases recorded in the

same period last year, Turingan said. The province of Isabela has the greatest number of dengue cases with 997, followed by Cagayan with 724, Nueva Vizcaya with 262, and Quirino with 59 cases. Batanes reported two cases. The DOH is currently working with concerned provincial health officers in areas

that have seen a spike in dengue cases. Health Secretary Francisco Duque III said these include areas in the Cordillera Administrative Region (CAR), Region 6, and Zamboanga. The DOH, however, said that total dengue cases recorded in the country since January are still lower compared to the same period last year. “Dengue cases have not reached the levels of last year. There are pockets of outbreaks of dengue in 3 regions at the moment,” Duque said. He said hospitals are ready to accommodate more dengue patients, and urged the public to observe the 4S strategy against dengue:

New...

out the special fund using the general fund, displacing funding for anti-poverty programs in the process," Navarro said. She added that administering the OPSF will be very costly today given that there are many players now in the downstream oil industry, unlike during the OPSF days when there were only the “Big Three.” "The huge cost will be disproportionately borne by the poor, again because of the to-be-displaced funding for social programs for the poor. The likely delays in reimbursing oil companies may even reverse the competition gains in the medium to long run and discourage investments in expansion or encourage withdrawals of investments, thereby restricting access of the general population to competitively priced petroleum products," she said. Capinpin said previous OPSF participants "agree that changes in the funds' rules and the deviation from its intended purpose” led it to failing to accomplish its objectives and subsequently led to the misuse of funds. PIP members include Chevron Philippines Inc, Isla LPG Corp., Petron Corp., Pilipinas Shell Petroleum Corp., PTT Philippines Corp., and Total Philippines Corp. Navarro said programs on targeted assistance to the poor are preferable to the OPSF.

She said the history of the OPSF has shown that this policy instrument did not deliver the objectives, and the lengthy experiment even led to a greater burden on the poor. Capinpin, meanwhile, said the oil industry will oppose the proposed amendments to the Oil Deregulation Law, particularly increasing the minimum inventory requirement (MIR) for oil products, as this would be “a form of price control." "Increasing MIR at best can help assure us that supply of fuel in the Philippines will not be disrupted...The Philippines imports nearly 100 percent of its crude oil and finished petroleum products. As such, we are subject to the volatility of global prices. It is driven primarily by supply and demand. It, in turn, is affected by OPEC production quotas and other seasonal factors and geopolitical tensions," he said. Capinpin said increasing the MIR will not lead to lower fuel prices as the industry does not practice inventory-based pricing or pricing products according to the cost of that current inventory. "The oil players will import products at different times, and different parcel sizes. And then you price that according to inventory, it will cause swings in supply in demand per company and location. That is going to be very messy. It is not

going to be reflective of the true cost of the product," he said. He said increasing the MIR at any given time for all products may be impossible for all players to implement as it will involve massive capital infusions for land, infrastructure, storage tanks, and inventory cost. Capinpin said the required investments may find their way to the prevailing prices that are passed on to the consumers. He said increasing MIR would also raise barriers to entry and discourage new investments. Moreover, he said, the current MIR is already sufficient, and many oil players already exceed this. On Wednesday, the Department of Energy (DOE) said fuel prices would continue to rise unabated for the next few weeks. The director of the DOE’s Oil Industry Management Bureau, Rino Abad, said they saw nothing that could offset the price increases. Abad cited the European Union’s ban against oil imports from Russia, the potential surge of demand for fuel during summer in the Northern Hemisphere, and Russia’s ongoing invasion of Ukraine. He said recent price rollbacks were due to the lockdowns in China, which are now almost over.

cheaper rice is not possible right now. "Considering the price of oil now, then the price of fertilizer, (it’s difficult). But if it's just a little closer, a little higher there, we can reach it,” he said. “I want to be realistic. I don't want to window dress... What I'm saying is if we can peg it at a little higher price or at a price nearer to P20, we can do that,” the former Abono party-list representative added. When asked about an attainable price of rice, Estrella said it could be at P27 or P28 per kilo, noting that the P20 per kilo needs further study. During his presidential campaign, Marcos Jr. said he would recommend a price cap on rice to bring down its prices to as low as P20 per kilogram. He said that this campaign promise is an “aspiration,” noting there is a need to fix the value chain of rice to attain that. The value chain is the series of stages

involved in producing a product or service that is sold to consumers, with each state adding to the value of the product or service. Outgoing Agrarian Reform Secretary Bernie Cruz had proposed the consolidation of rice production through “mega farms” to lower the price to P20 per kilo. He said it would be possible to achieve the target price should the incoming administration look into merging the production of small farms. Dar previously said bringing the retail price of rice to P20 per kilo could be realized, but it would be a huge challenge to accomplish. “Number one challenge [is] we have to target much higher [yields],” he said, noting that the yield for inbred rice can be increased to 7.5 metric tons (MT) per hectare from 4.5 MT per hectare in the next four years. For hybrid rice, the yield can be targeted to 10 MT per hectare from the current

6 MT per hectare. “The challenge is huge, but with this political will that we have and prioritization given to agriculture, these challenges can be addressed,” Dar said. The outgoing Agriculture secretary said increasing rice production yields, coupled with additional investment in building post-harvest facilities for drying, milling, and warehousing can bring down the price of rice. Dar said the Marcos Jr. administration should look into a “Build, Build, Build” program for irrigation, as 1.1 million hectares of agricultural lands still need irrigation systems developed for long-term sustainability. He said the biggest challenge for now is the increasing production cost due to rising fuel and fertilizers amid the global supply disruptions caused by the UkraineRussia war. (See full story online at manilastandard.net)

ENGUE cases in the Cagayan Valley region rose by nearly 900 percent during the early part of this year from the same period in 2021, an official of the Department of Health (DOH) in Region 2 said Wednesday.

From A1

"We maintain that the government's money is better spent elsewhere in delivering essential services," Philippine Institute of Petroleum (PIP) executive director Raffy Capinpin said during a webinar organized by the Philippine Institute of Development Studies (PIDS) on the risks of reviving the OPSF. At the same event, Adoracion Navarro of PIDS said reviving the OPSF would be "anti-poor" in at least three respects. "The price smoothing through the OPSF will not send the correct signal that consumers should reduce their consumption during seasons of very high international petroleum prices, and given that it is usually the rich who consume a higher volume of petroleum, the subsidy from the OPSF will disproportionately benefit the rich more than the poor," Navarro said. She said that based on experience, the government is not good at getting the right smoothed price (e.g., the government cannot stick to the correct price when political pressures mount), managing the fund, and controlling the deficits of the fund. "Reviving the OPSF will likely result in the national government having to bail

Rice... From A1

possible hike in the price of imported rice, and said the Philippines needs to have "food sovereignty" amid lingering crises. Agriculture Secretary William Dar said Vietnam and Thailand might "coalesce" and raise the price of their rice exports, which could lead to a P6 per kilo increase in the price of imported rice. "There are two strategies there in the potential P6 (increase): we will broaden our sourcing not only in Vietnam and Thailand, but India and other potential sources so there is great (price) competition," said Dar in a public briefing. "The second strategy is to sustain, if not increase, our local rice production," he added. Estrella cited the high price of fuel products and fertilizers as reasons why

Pichay... From A1

admits that no civil liability is adjudged against me in view of the fact that LWUA public funds invested in ESBI are under receivership and liquidation of the PDIC. So it is baffling: how can there be undue injury to the government?" Pichay asked. He said his legal team will come up with the necessary action to prove his innocence. "I am now discussing with my lawyers our next course of action but definitely, I am determined to exhaust all possible legal remedies accorded to me by law." The anti-graft court said Pichay and Feleo, “caused undue injury to the government when they made the ESBI acquisition without securing requirements and prior approval of the Office the President, the Department of Finance (DOF), the Bangko Sentral ng Pilipinas-Monetary Board (BSPMB), and the Office of the Government Corporate Counsel (OGCC) as provided for under Republic Act 8791 or the

General Banking Law of 2000 and Administrative Order 59.” “The prosecution was able to present sufficient evidence to prove that the irregular transactions carried out by the accused LWUA officials…were committed with gross inexcusable negligence. Ultimately, the absence of the requisite MB approval resulted in losses on the part of the government in the total amount of P780 million,” the Sandiganbayan said. "It cannot be denied that the accused Pichay and Feleo knew of this requirement as they had been in consultation with the Office of the President, the DOF, and BSP. They were specifically advised to secure prior approval of the MB. This advice was given before LWUA purchased ESBI shares," it added. The Sandiganbayan meted out Pichay and Feleo six to 10 years in prison for each count of graft or a total of 18 to 30 years. In addition, they were disqualified from holding any government position for life. Pichay lost his re-election bid in the May elections.

Bloggers... From A1

currently reviewing the Palace’s blogger accreditation policy. The main focus of their policy review, Angeles said, is checking whether or not to allow vloggers to attend regular Palace briefings, a practice put in place under the term of President Rodrigo Duterte. Access to Malacañang coverage or Palace events was traditionally limited to journalists from TV and radio networks, online news outfits, and newspapers. But PCOO Secretary Martin Andanar in 2017 allowed the accreditation of select social media users through a department order. “Under the old policy, a blogger needs to have a minimum of 20,000 followers to be accredited. Right now, we are also looking at engagements, because engagements really mean that people are responding to what

• Search and destroy mosquito breeding places • Self-protective measures like wearing long sleeves and use of insect repellent • Seek early consultation on the first signs and symptoms of the disease • Say yes to fogging if there is an impending outbreak. “Our hospitals and isolation wards are ready,” Duque said at the online Kapihan sa Manila Bay. Turingan said increased mobility and the lifting of travel restrictions may have contributed to the spike in cases. There is also increased transmission during the rainy season. (See full story online at manilastandard.net)

you have written or shown, in the case of vloggers, and they're interested in what you say,” the PCOO chief, a vlogger herself, said. “So now we are considering both (a blogger’s) following and engagements because they're different. We don't know if it's the right time. What is their level of inclusion? What will they be regulars like, (will they be) similar to the Malacanang Press Corps, or will they just be able to cover events, do we create events for them?” she said. Acting Palace spokesperson Andanar told reporters they are leaving the accreditation of bloggers to the incoming administration. "Any reaction or queries on the matter should therefore be best answered by the next Administration's Press Secretary-designate," he said. Bloggers played a huge role during Marcos Jr.'s presidential campaign, with some given priority access during UniTeam sorties.

report cases of apparent community transmission, including some cases in women." Greece on Wednesday became the latest country to confirm its first case of the disease, with health authorities there saying it involved a man who had recently travelled to Portugal and who was in hospital in a stable condition. The initial symptoms of monkeypox include a high fever, swollen lymph nodes and a blistery chickenpox-like rash. Tedros said he was particularly concerned about the risk the virus poses to vulnerable groups, including pregnant women and children.

He said the sudden and unexpected appearance of monkeypox outside endemic countries suggested that there might have been undetected transmission for some time, but it was not known for how long. One case of monkeypox in a non-endemic country is considered an outbreak. Tedros said that while this was "clearly concerning," the virus had been circulating and killing in Africa for decades, with more than 1,400 suspected cases and 66 deaths so far this year. "The communities that live with the threat of this virus every day deserve the same con-

cern, the same care and the same access to tools to protect themselves," he said. In the few places where vaccines are available, they are being used to protect those who may be exposed, such as healthcare workers. He added that post-exposure vaccination, ideally within four days, could be considered for higher-risk close contacts, such as sexual partners or household members. Tedros said the WHO would issue guidance in the coming days on clinical care, infection prevention and control, vaccination and community protection. AFP (See full story online at manilastandard.net)

“The persistent swarming of Chinese vessels is contrary to international law, From A1 including the 1982 United Nations Convention on the Law of the Sea (UNCLOS) is within the West Philippine Sea, is “not and the final and binding 2016 Arbitral only illegal but also a source of instability Award. It is also a violation of China’s in the region.” commitments under the 2002 Declaration

on the Conduct of Parties in the South China Sea, in particular, the exercise of self-restraint pursuant to Paragraph 5 thereof,” the DFA said in a statement. “The Philippines regrets this Chinese violation of international law days after the successful April 8, 2022 telesummit

between President Rodrigo R. Duterte and Chinese President Xi Jinping where the two leaders reaffirmed their commitment to solve issues of mutual concern through peaceful dialogue, and exercise restraint in any and all endeavors relating to the South China Sea,” it added.

WHO... From A1

The zoonotic disease is endemic in humans in nine African countries but outbreaks have been reported in the past month in several other states—mostly in Europe, and notably in Britain, Spain and Portugal. "So far, no deaths have been reported in these countries. Cases have been reported mainly, but not only, among men who have sex with men.” "Some countries are now beginning to

DFA...

Sherman... From A1

US government's commitment to upholding freedom of navigation in the South China Sea. “The Philippines has been a leader and a champion for upholding freedom of navigation in the South China Sea in the face of increasing encroachments. The United States remains committed to standing with the government of the Philippines to uphold the rules and laws underpinning the international maritime order, and we have spoken up against infringements of the Philippines’ sovereign rights,” she said. Marcos earlier said he would uphold an international ruling against Beijing over the disputed South China Sea, insisting he would not let China trample on Manila's maritime rights. In his strongest comments yet on the longstanding source of tensions between the two nations, Marcos said he would not "allow a single millimeter of our maritime coastal rights to be trampled upon." "We have a very important ruling in our favour and we will use it to continue to assert our territorial rights. It is not a claim. It is already our territorial right," he said. "We're talking about China. We talk to China consistently with a firm voice." But Marcos added: "We cannot go to war with them. That's the last thing we need right now." Sherman said she also raised the importance of respecting human rights during their meeting. “No nation has a perfect track record when it comes to human rights, and the United States is no different. But what we can do—what democracies can do – is to strive to do better. We regularly engage with the Philippines to discuss human rights concerns and to advance human rights in our bilateral relationship, and I raised human rights on my visit here as well, as I raised in my own country, also.” Sherman added Marcos Jr., once he sits as the 17th President of the Philippines on June 30, will be allowed to travel to the United States without fear of being arrested. "The fact is when you are head of state, you have immunity in all circumstances and are welcomed to the United States in your official role," she said. In a separate tweet, Sherman said she discussed with Marcos the economy, human rights, and a free Indo-Pacific region, among other issues. "I was pleased to meet and congratulate President-elect Marcos. We discussed strengthening our longstanding alliance, expanding people-to-people ties, deepening our economic relationship, advancing human rights, and preserving a free and open Indo-Pacific," Sherman said. Also present at the meeting with Sherman and Marcos Jr. were Philippine Ambassador to the United States Jose Manuel Romualdez, incoming Executive Secretary Vic Rodriguez, and Foreign Affairs Undersecretary Theresa Lazaro. (See full story online at manilastandard.net)

Carlos:... From A1

the South China Sea, Carlos said the administration would continue to engage in talks with Beijing. “You only have two alternatives. You continue to talk or you go to war. I am sure the other alternative is not our option. We continue to talk,” she said. Carlos will replace Hermogenes Esperon Jr., a former military chief of staff. A former University of the Philippines professor, Carlos said she accepted the offer to be Marcos' NSA because defense, security, and foreign policy are her areas of research and expertise. Senators on Thursday welcomed the appointment of Carlos and Rep. Conrado Estrella III as secretary for the Department of Agrarian Reform. "Prof. Clarita Carlos is an exceptional choice for the position of NSA Head, especially since she is an expert in geopolitics," said Senator Juan Miguel Zubiri, who is expected to be the next Senate president. Senator Francis Escudero said Carlos, who was his former professor, can effectively advise Marcos on issues like the West Philippine Sea. Senator Loren Legarda said she has worked with Carlos for decades. "She was my consultant in the Senate, and I learned much. As a national security practitioner, I know that she is an outstanding national security expert, with a keen mind that specializes on global, and geopolitics. I hope that she will focus on the climate crisis, as well.” Legarda said Estrella knows agriculture, rural livelihoods, and local government concerns. "He will do well in DAR, and hopefully will transform the agrarian reform communities into productive, climate resilient areas to further help our farmers," she added. Meanwhile, incoming Justice Secretary Jesus Crispin Remulla said he would schedule another meeting with outgoing Secretary Menardo Guevarra to discuss further the “complex problems facing the country’s justice system.” “We might ask for a second one because the problems that have to be addressed in the system are complex,” Remulla said after meeting Guevarra.

News

FRIDAY, JUNE 10, 2022

Solon warns of possible food crisis By Maricel V. Cruz

LBAY Rep. Joey Sarte Salceda on Thursday warned of a nutrition crisis in light of a recent survey showing some 100,000 families experienced hunger during the first quarter of 2022 amid increasing prices of basic commodities. Salceda, chair of the House Committee on Ways and Means, was referring to results of the April 19-27 survey that showed 12.2 percent of the respondents said their families suffered lack of food supply over the past three months. The figure was 0.4 point above the 11.8

percent, or an estimated three million families that went hungry based on the survey conducted in December 2021, Salceda said. “I fear that if we don’t find a way to get cheap, accessible sources of nutrition among the poor and among children, we

will see a nutrition crisis that could affect long-term growth prospects.” A Food and Agriculture Organization (FAO) study, Salceda said, determined that an augmentation by 500 kcal per day can cause as much as two percentage point increase in real GDP per capita. “That’s huge. Meanwhile, the mean daily energy intake of working adults was 1768 kcal/day or 74 percent of the Estimated Energy Requirements (EER) for this age group, according to another study by the FNRI. That means working-age Filipinos

THIS IS JUST A DRILL.

Risa, Koko vie for Senate minority seat

Army soldiers conduct a rehearsal with an oversize Philippine flag near the Rizal monument in Luneta, Manila preparatory for the June 12 Independence Day celebration. Norman Cruz

By Macon Ramos-Araneta THE choice for Senate Minority Leader of the 19th Congress has narrowed down to re-elected Sen. Risa Hontiveros and Sen. Aquilino “Koko” Pimentel III. Hontiveros said would nominate Pimentel to the position, or take it for herself, depending on the decision of the minority group in the Senate. “I would be honored to nominate him (Pimentel) as Minority Leader or to serve as Minority Leader myself, if that’s what we finally decided,” said Hontiveros said. She added that for the time being, said she and Pimentel are closely working together. “First, we have to form first a minority bloc in the Senate,” she said. Hontiveros was the only opposition senatorial candidate who won the May 9 election. Current Senate Minority Leader Franklin Drilon belonged to the socalled “graduating senators.”

have around 621 calories in deficiency. In my own calculations, that will result in at least P851,000 in lost productivity per person in one’s working lifetime,” Salceda noted. Salceda cited the need for the government to ensure access to cheap food. “In the short-run, we won’t be able to avoid imports until we are able to produce cheaply. But we will also need to supplement our domestic production of the usual staple crops with nutritional buffers such as camote, cassava, smallscale poultry and eggs, and easy-toproduce vegetables,” Salceda said.

NCRPO bares 5-month performance report By Joel E. Zurbano THE National Capital Region Police Office (NCRPO) has reported that a total of 671 guns were confiscated and 1,300 people arrested in Metro Manila during the five-month election period. “As the election period officially culminated on June 8, the National

Capital Region Police Office gained laurels on its 157 days of ensuring a safe, secured, accurate, fair and free elections 2022,” said NCRPO director Maj. Gen. Felipe Natividad. The Commission on Elections (Comelec) prohibited from Jan. 9 to June 8 the carrying of firearms and deadly weapons by unauthorized persons outside

residence or place of business, and in all public places; engage the services of security personnel, and transport firearms and explosives, including its spare parts and components, among others. Violators faced imprisonment from one year to six years years, permanent disqualification from public office and loss of right to vote, and deportation for foreigners.

IN BRIEF Water confab set in Cebu City June 15-17 A WATER districts convention comes off the wraps on June 15-17 at the Waterfront Cebu City Hotel to tack issues and challenges concerning the delivery of sustainable and reliable water supply to households and other consumers. Local Water Utilities Administration (LWUA) acting administrator Eileen Dela Vega will deliver the keynote address at the conference to be attended by representatives of 530 water districts nationwide. The event, organized by the Philippine Association of Water Districts, will have for its them “Water Governance Towards Building a Better Normal.” Topics up for discussions cover such issues as climate change, increasing water demands, declining per capita water availability, deteriorating water quality, financial stress, and water security among others. These issues, according to Dela Vega, were aggravated due to the COVID-19 pandemic.

Chit Pedrosa’s passing saddens Malacanang MALACAÑANG and other quarters on Thursday expressed sadness, and extended condolences over the passing of prominent author, columnist and Philippine Amusement and Gaming Corp. (PAGCOR) director Carmen “Chit” Pedrosa. “The Palace extends its condolences to the family, friends and colleagues of Carmen “Chit” Pedrosa on her passing,” acting Presidential Spokesperson and Communications Secretary Martin Andanar said in a press statement. Pedrosa, 80, passed away on Wednesday, the PAGCOR said in a statement posted on its official website. PAGCOR also expressed grief over Pedrosa’s death. “The Philippine Amusement and Gaming Corporation deeply mourns the passing of one of the members of its Board of Directors, Carmen “Chit” N. Pedrosa on June 8, 2022,” it said.

News

FRIDAY, JUNE 10, 2022

IN BRIEF BI orders strict screening of Japan-bound Pinoys THE Bureau of Immigration (BI) has ordered its inspectors deployed in the international airports to strict screen Filipinos departing for Japan as part of ongoing efforts by the agency to curb human trafficking. In a memorandum, Immigration Commissioner Jaime Morente instructed immigration inspectors in the ports of exit to “observe due attentiveness” to Filipino passengers bound for Japan. Morente directed the BI personnel to exercise extra caution in clearing the departure of Filipinos with visas for the intra-company transferees, short-term visitors, students, and specialists in humanities and international services. According to the BI chief, there have been reports that said visas were being used by unscrupulous recruiters to circumvent government rules on the documentation and deployment of Filipino workers to Japan. Vito Barcelo

NEW LAKAS MEMBERS.

Lakas-CMD President and House Majority Leader Rep. Martin Romualdez (left) administers the oath-taking of new members of Lakas-CMD from (right) Caloocan 3rd District Rep. Dean Asistio; Manila 5th District Rep. William Irwin Tieng; Manila 1st District Rep. Ernesto “Ernix” Dionisio Jr.; and Quezon City 5th District Rep. Patrick Michael Vargas in Mandaluyong City. Ver Noveno

Balindongs win in May polls, secure bar exams

Poe: NTC must intensify efforts vs. text scams

23 congressmen pledge allegiance to Lakas-CMD

By Macon Ramos-Araneta

By Maricel V. Cruz

SEN. Grace Poe called on the Department of Information and Communications Technology and the National Telecommunications Commission (NTC) to intensify efforts to halt rampant text scams victimizing many unsuspecting mobile phone users in the country. “The unabated surge of text scams has brought further hardship and distress on our people who are already mired in debts. This must stop,” Poe said. The senator herself has received a number of unwanted texts from prepaid mobile phone numbers promising jobs, extra income, incentives and freebies. “As more rely on digital technology to cope with the hard times, so must we intensify all necessary safeguards against heightened risks that can overturn our people’s efforts at recovery,” Poe said. Despite the NTC’s earlier directive to major telcos Globe, Smart and Dito to warn subscribers against fake jobs from May 28 to June 4, such text messages have persisted with new gimmicks to bait and deceive mobile phone users. As of end-March 2022, Globe has 87.4 million subscribers while Smart has 70.3 million. As of end-2021, Dito reported having five million subscribers. Poe likewise urged telcos to beef up their continuing efforts to block SIM cards clearly used only in criminal pursuits. She likewise urged the incoming 19th Congress to take up the SIM card registration bill to help institutionalize protection for millions of mobile phone users in the country. It can be recalled that the 18th Congress passed the Poe-sponsored measure, which faced a snag when it was vetoed by the outgoing administration amid the few remaining session days before sine die adjournment.

WENTY-three members of the House of Representatives in the incoming 19th Congress joined the Lakas-Christian Muslim Democrats (Lakas-CMD), bringing the party’s strength in the Lower House to 50.

House Majority Leader and Leyte 1st District Rep. Martin G. Romualdez, who is Lakas-CMD president, has administered the oath to the new party members at Lakas-CMD Headquarters in Mandaluyong City Thursday afternoon. “We are elated that our colleagues chose to be with us in Lakas-CMD. We look forward to having a fruitful engagement with them and sharing the values and advocacies we have followed and pursued as one of the biggest political parties in the coun-

try,” said Romualdez, a lawyer from the University of the Philippines (UP) and president of the Philippine Constitution Association (Philconsa). Romualdez said the decision of lawmakers-elect to join Lakas-CMD would strengthen support in the House for the legislative agenda of the incoming administration of President-elect Ferdinand “Bongbong” Marcos Jr. He assured the newly inducted members that he and the party’s leadership would serve them well.

Among the new Lakas-CMD members are Reps. David C. Suarez (Quezon), Patrick Michael Vargas (Quezon City), Dean Asistio (Caloocan City), Faustino Dy V (Isabela), Marlyn Alonte (Biñan City, Laguna), Emmarie Ouano-Dizon (Mandaue City), Cheeno D. Almario (Davao Oriental), Francisco Jose Matugas II (Surigao del Norte), Samier Tan (Sulu), Jurdin Jesus Romualdo (Camiguin), Dimple Mastura (Maguindanao), Christopherson Yap (Southern Leyte), Irwin Tieng (Manila), Midy Cua (Quirino), Ernix Dionisio (Manila), Edsel Galeos (Cebu), Jinky Bitrics Luistro (Batangas), Arnan C. Panaligan (Oriental Mindoro), Doris Maniquiz (Zambales), Joseph Tan (Isabela), Faustino Michael Carlos Dy III (Isabela), Jojo Lara (Cagayan) and Steve Solon (Sarangani).

DUCK AND COVER.

Quezon City Hall employees participate the 2nd Quarter Nationwide Simultaneous Earthquake Drill at the Quezon City Hall complex. Manny Palmero

NBI chief orders probe on series of bus bombings in Mindanao By Willie Casas THE National Bureau of Investigation (NBI) has started the investigation on the series of Yellow Bus Line, Inc. (YBLI), Mindanao Star Bus, and Rural Tours bombing attacks in Mindanao. There are already six bombings attacks on bus lines in Mindanao in the last two

years, said the NBI in a statement. NBI Director Eric Distor has led the probe and called on NBI Regional Directors and officials to take part in the said investigation. Distor, with the team of NBI-Counter Terrorism Division (NBI-CTD) operatives, traveled to the areas of concerns in Mindanao, together with the NBI forensic

Binay convenes Makati biz groups By Joel E. Zurbano MAYOR Abigail Binay on Thursday convened the Makati Business Development Council (MBDC) to assist the city government in charting its longterm economic development strategy. This is the first time the MBDC has convened since the COVID-19 pandemic. The city chief executive expressed confidence that the business council will help develop high-impact innovations and initiatives that will spur business growth, raise the city’s competitiveness, and secure Makati’s stature as a premier investment destination. “As we reconvene, we are tasked with facing the challenges of recovery

and renewal in the coming years. The MBDC will be playing a critical role in providing advice and guidance on programs and initiatives that will help businesses in Makati to restart, rebuild, and grow,” said Mayor Binay, who also chairs the council. The MBDC was created in January 2003 under the administration of Binay’s father former Vice President and Makati Mayor Jejomar Binay to gather representatives from the business sector and discuss business-related matters. The business council has been providing the city leadership with inputs on investments and business-related concerns, and developing sustainable plans and promoting inclusive growth.

experts and evidence response team. NBI Deputy Director for Forensic Investigation Service (DDFIS) Ferdinand Lavin and Deputy Director for Intelligence Service (DDIntS) Roel Bolivar also joined the NBI team in Mindanao. The series of bombing incidents started on January 7, 2021, with a hoax bomb threat and extortion demand being sent to YBLI

Koronadal City, South Cotabato office. At the time of the call, YBL bus no. 2688 was at Kidapawan, Cotabato Overland Terminal, and was searched by PNP EOD. The emplaced improvised explosive device (IED) was found thereat and was rendered safe. Footage taken from the YBL Bus no. 2688 CCTV camera showed two male passengers leaving the IED inside the bus.

MALABANG, Lanao del Sur— Members of the Balindong political clan secured victories in the May 9 elections and passed the 2021 Bar Examination results released on April 12. Speaker Ali Pangalian Balindong of the Bangsamoro Transition Authority (BTA) Parliament feted his grandson Ali Pangalian P.A.A. “Chito” Balindong III for making it to the 2021 Bar Examination. The older Balindong and his brother Mayor Alinander Balindong of Malabang, Lanao del Sur have survived an ambush perpetrated by suspected political foes in that town last month. Nash Maulana

BoC agents burn fake cigarettes, other products THE Bureau of Customs in Cavite destroyed shipments of counterfeit cigarettes and other unsafe products previously seized at the Ninoy Aquino International Airport. The condemnation, according to NAIA district collector Carmelita Talusan, was conducted last June 6 in a facility operated by Integrated Waste Management Inc. (IWMI) situated in Trece Martires City. She added the shipments of expired and unregistered food items, used UV lamps, prohibited Chinese medicines, and 60 cartons of counterfeit cigarettes worth more than P4.6 million were condemned via pyrolysis using high-temperature heat to incinerate and totally destroy the subject products. Joel E. Zurbano

Amid COVID, Pinoys face HIV scourge By Willie Casas

HIV remains a “silent epidemic” as Filipinos continue to battle the coronavirus pandemic, according to a report. In 2021, the Department of Health (DOH) said at least 890 Filipinos were diagnosed as persons living with HIV (PLHIVs) in the country. Of the cases, 852 were male while 38 were female. Around 43 percent or 364 of them came from Metro Manila, 20 percent or 181 were from Calabarzon and 13 percent or 120 were from Central Luzon, DOH data indicated. A total of 859 PLHIVs or 97 percent contracted it through sexual contact, one percent or six acquired it through sharing of infected needles, one child was infected through mother-to-child transmission while two percent or 24 cases have no data on its mode of transfer, the DOH data said. According to the World Health Organization (WHO), there are currently over 37-million PLHIVs globally of which, 27 percent or 10 million have no access to treatment or medication.

BLOODLETTING.

Makati City government employees, uniformed personnel of the Phil National Police (PNP) and the Bureau of Fire Prevention (BFP), and regular blood donors do their share of bloodletting in a Mass Blood Donation, an initiative of the local government to ensure sufficient blood supply for residents who need blood transfusion. Diana B. Noche

Opinion

FRIDAY, JUNE 10, 2022 mst.daydesk@gmail.com

Authenticating documents

DOCUMENTS are commonly used in courts or tribunals as evidence to prove a party’s claim, charge, or defense. It is imperative that the documentary evidence marked, presented, and identified in court is authentic. Otherwise, the truth will not be ascertained by our courts. There is a notion that an original document presented and identified by a witness is automatically authentic or genuine. This is inaccurate since what may appear to be an original document may have been falsified, forged, or tampered with. It is for this reason that every document presented, identified, and marked in court must be authenticated. During the pre-trial, the parties are required to mark their respective evidence, examine the copy and compare it to the original, and manifest in open court that the copy presented is a faithful reproduction of the original (Section 2, Rule 18, Rules of Civil Procedure).

Our courts cannot render a fair judgment if the documents presented and identified are based on fabricated facts Even after this point, the documentary evidence is still not definitively authenticated. The marking and comparison of documents are conducted only to ensure that all the evidence is available and marked before the trial. However, there are instances in pre-trial when the parties may agree on the genuineness and due execution of the documents (Section 2, Rule 18). There are also documents which are judicially admitted for their genuineness and due execution, such as actionable documents (which are the bases of the claim) not specifically denied under oath by the adverse party, and documents subject of and attached to a Request for Admission (Section 7, Rule 8; Rule 26). There are two classes of documents, public and private. Public documents include: (a) written official acts or records of sovereign authority, whether of the Philippines, or of a foreign country; (b) documents acknowledged before a notary public; (c) documents considered public documents under treaties and conventions; and (d) public records of private documents required to be entered in the Philippines (Section 19, Rule 132, Rules on Evidence). All other documents or writings are private. However, it is not enough to present, mark and identify a document to authenticate it. It must go through a process of authentication pursuant to the requirements of the Rules of Court, which may vary depending on the nature and kind of document. Written official acts or records of sovereign authority may be authenticated by the official publication or certificate of the officer in custody of the document (Section 24, Rule 132). The latter is publicly known as the “certified true copy,” obtained from government agencies or entities. Examples of these documents are laws, governmental rules and regulations, letters of authority from the Bureau of Internal Revenue, or decisions of the courts. Any person who obtained a published official copy or certified true copy of the public document can be presented as a witness. The author of the official act or the officer of the agency is not required to be presented in court to authenticate the public document. Documents acknowledged before the notary public are authenticated by presenting the notarized document with the “acknowledgement” in evidence. There is no necessity to present the notary public as a witness since the acknowledgement is prima facie evidence of the execution of the document (Section 30, Rule 132). The notary public will only be presented if there are questions on the genuineness and due execution of the document, such as tampering, insertion of information, or forgery of signatures.

In the absence of these issues, a party or witness to a notarized document can testify to identify the document in court. Not all notarized documents are to be considered as public documents. Only those which are duly acknowledged before the notary public are considered public documents within the contemplation of the Rules. A “jurat” is a notarial act, but will not convert or make the document a public document (Francisco, Evidence; citing Minutes of the Rules of Court Revision Committee). Public documents under treaties and convention which are in force between the Philippines and the country of source are authenticated by a certificate or form prescribed in the treaty or convention. An example is the Apostille Convention, which took effect in the Philippines on May 14, 2019 after the Philippines acceded to it on September 12, 2018. Under this Convention, the tedious requirements of legalization in different jurisdictions are disposed of. The internationally accepted certificate, otherwise known as an “allonge,” satisfies the requirement of authentication. However, this applies only between and among the countries which signed or have acceded to the convention. The certificate must contain: (a) an authentication of the signature of the signatory; (b) the capacity in which the person signing is acting; and (c) where appropriate, the identity of the seal or stamp it bears (Article 2, Apostille Convention). The diplomatic officer or agent need not be presented as a witness in court, since the presentation of the allonge will be sufficient to authenticate the document attached to and referred therein. The person who applied for and processed the certificate or allonge may be presented in court as a witness to identify it. In case the foreign country from which the document originates is not a party to the Apostille Convention or other conventions, the secretary of the embassy or consular officers of the Philippines in the foreign country, in which the record is kept, may authenticate it by the seal of their office (Section 24, Rule 132). The certificate of the consular office may be identified in a Philippine court by a witness who applied for and processed its authentication. The consular officers who signed the certificate and affixed the seal of the office are not required to be presented as witnesses. The most common public documents are private documents recorded in a public office. It is the recording of the document, as required by law, that makes it a public document. Examples are birth certificates, marriage certificates, death certificates, affidavits of adverse claim, and certificates of land registration, among others. This kind of public document is proved by the original record in the custody of the interested party or by securing a certified true copy of the recorded private document in the public office where it is kept (Section 27, Rule 132). Conversely, if there is no such record in the office, it will issue a certificate of no record. In either case, the person who applied for it may be presented as a witness to identify the certificate. On the other hand, private documents may be proven authentic by (a) anyone who saw the document executed or written; (b) evidence of genuineness of the handwriting or signature of the maker; or (c) other evidence showing its due execution and authenticity (Section 20, Rule 132). A witness who saw the person write, or has acted or been in charge of the person’s documents, may be presented as a witness to prove the genuineness of the handwriting. A comparison made by the witness or the court, with a specimen of handwriting treated as genuine by the other party, may be used to prove its genuineness (Section 22, Rule 132). Furthermore, a person sufficiently familiar with the handwriting of another may be presented as a witness (Section 53, Rule 130). After complying with the authentication of documents, these must then be formally offered. According to the Rules, the Court shall not consider evidence which has not been formally offered (Section 34, Rule 132). In simpler words, only documents formally offered and admitted by the court can be considered in the rendition of judgment. The authentication of documents is indispensable in the orderly administration and just disposition of cases. Our courts cannot render a fair judgment if the documents presented and identified are based on fabricated facts.

BBM to work closely with lawmakers THE incoming administration of Presidentelect Ferdinand “Bongbong” Marcos, Jr. is all set to lead and unite the nation to rise from the economic devastation of two-and-a-half years of COVID-19 pandemic restrictions and falloff. President-elect BBM has put together a Cabinet, including top economic managers,

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EDITORIAL

Weakest economic link

GRICULTURE, the weakest link in the Philippine economy, is partly fueling the rise in the country’s inflation rate. The inflation rate in May, as measured by the consumer price index, climbed to a 42-month high of 5.4 percent from 4.9 percent in April, with transport cost and food prices accounting mostly for the increase. The rising cost of transportation is a given because of surging crude prices in the world market as a result of the geopolitical conflict in Eastern Europe. But the increase in the prices of pork and fish is something that can be moderated in an agricultural setting like the Philippines. Food inflation in May, per the report of the Philippine Statistics Office early this week, further rose to 5.2 percent from 4 percent in April due to the faster increase in the prices

of vegetables, fish and meat. Transportation fares are a major factor in the delivery cost of food items. However, when the lack of supply is also causing prices to go up, something is amiss with the agriculture sector.

When the lack of supply is also causing prices to go up, something is amiss with the agriculture sector One factor that is leading to the rise in pork prices is the high cost of corn – a major feedstock for the livestock sector. Corn inflation remained high at 24.4 percent in May due to a limited global supply and high prices. The Philippines, according to the United States Department of Agriculture, may import 750,000

metric tons of corn from 2022 to 2023 as supplement to feed wheat, whose prices have soared amid the UkraineRussia war. The volume is 250,000 MT is higher than the earlier projection of 500,000 MT of corn imports for the current market year. Soaring fish prices are also unforgivable in the Philippines given its extensive coastline. It is no wonder then that agriculture’s contribution to the gross domestic product has been on a decline. Agriculture production accounted for just 10.2 percent of the total economic output in 2020 from 13.8 percent in 2010. Agriculture’s performance is anomalous considering that a majority of the population live in the countryside. Our incoming policy makers should take a hard look at the sector. It should be a major driver of the economy and an inflation stabilizer.

What can we expect from the House?

WITH a new administration poised to take over by July 1st, the 19th Congress marks a new beginning for the legislative branch of government. While it faces formidable challenges in the economic, political and social spheres, it must resolve these challenges with dispatch by crafting new legislation and amending existing ones to respond to changed conditions. The House of Representatives begins its work for the next six years on a positive note. The presumptive Speaker, the House Majority Leader in the 18th Congress, is Leyte Rep. Martin Romualdez. He is a first cousin of President-elect Ferdinand ‘Bongbong’ Marcos Jr. and, as such, enjoys a close personal relationship with the incoming Chief Executive that can facilitate close cooperation and inter-action between the two branches of our democratic system of government. Romualdez must be able to build consensus among the different political parties for the Marcos administration’s legislative agenda. As it is constituted at present, the House has 66 members belonging to the Partido Demokratiko Pilipino-Lakas ng Bayan or PDPLaban; 36 from the Nacionalista Party (NP); 33 from the Unity National Party (UNP); and 35 from the Nationalist People’s Coalition (NPC). Romualdez’s own party, Lakas-Christian Muslim Democrats (Lakas-CMD), has 26 members, while the Liberal Party (LP) has 10 congressmen. There are six Independents, while the Hugpong ng Pagbabago or Alliance for Change has six members in Congress. The People’s Reform Party won three seats while the Party for Democratic Reform and the Federal Party of the Philippines, and the Federalism of the Noble Blooded Association have two members each sitting in the Lower Chamber. A total 177 party-list groups competed in that will focus on economic recovery and rebuilding. But, to steer the economy out of sheer quandary which was recently exacerbated by constant oil price hikes, government efforts will not depend only on BBM’s executive initiatives.

BBM will need the full support of the 19th Congress to pass measures that will fuel economic recovery thrusts The BBM administration will need the full support of the 19th Congress, both in the Senate and the House of Representatives, to pass measures that will fuel BBM’s economic recovery thrusts. In the first place, it is the job of Congress to legislate with the ultimate goal of uplifting

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

the 2022 polls, but only 63 of their nominees managed to make the cut and earn a House seat. The 2022 party-list race was dominated by ACT-CIS, which will have three representatives in Congress. Reelectionist groups Citizen’s Battle Against Corruption (Cibac), Bagong Henerasyon (BH), Kabalikat ng Mamamayan (Kabayan), Magsasaka, Senior Citizens, and Duterte Youth; Komunidad ng Pamilya Pasyente at Persons With Disabilities (P3PWD); Social Amelioration & Genuine Intervention on Poverty (Sagip); Pinatatag na Ugnayan para sa mga Oportunidad sa Pabahay ng Masa (Pinuno); and Kalinga-Advocacy for Social Empowerment and Nation-Building through Easing Poverty (Kalinga).

House members will focus on bills seeking to boost employment generation and extend support to micro, small and medium enterprises that make up more than 90 percent of the Philippine economy The regional party-list groups include Tingog Sinirangan; Uswag Ilonggo, based in Western Visayas; Abante Pangasinan-Ilokano Party (API); Probinsyano Ako; Ako Bicol; Bicol Saro; Ako Bisaya; and An Waray – Eastern Visayas (Leyte, Eastern Samar, and Samar). The Makabayan bloc only managed to obtain three seats, with one each for Gabriela, Kabataan and ACT Teachers. The party-list groups constitute a significant bloc in the 19th Congress, and have the numbers to influence the outcome of voting on important bills. They are also expected to fight tooth and nail to fight for the retention of the status the quality of life of the people, as well as to serve as check-and-balance to the executive powers. The 1987 Constitution vested Congress with “power of the purse” to pass the proposed annual national budget or the costs of running the government. Conversely, running the government means working to improve the plight of the Filipino. Through legislation, the Senate and the House of Representatives now face the daunting task of stirring trade and commerce, and enabling the country’s industries to attract investors to generate the needed tax revenues. Congress also bestows the necessary emergency powers or authority to the President to dispense with government funds to facilitate public health emergency response and social amelioration programs, like the Bayanihan to Heal Act. Any such undertaking should be more efficient and free of irregularities. It is a welcome development that the BBM leadership has gained the full support of both the emerging leaders of the Senate and the House of Representatives, Sen. Migz

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

quo on the party-list system, particularly on the Supreme Court ruling that opened the floodgates for various party-list groups to apply for accreditation even if they do not represent marginalized or underrepresented sectors. Recall that President Duterte recently called for changes in the party-list system, but it seemed he did so only because he wanted the progressive groups out of the House. Given the dominance of pro-administration lawmakers in the 19th Congress, Malacañang is also likely to find smooth sailing for its priority bills just like in the Senate. With the incoming administration focused on hastening economic recovery, we expect a deluge of bills seeking to raise taxes aimed at funding priority infrastructure projects and vital social services such as education and health. We’re also certain that House members will focus on bills seeking to boost employment generation and extend support to micro, small and medium enterprises that make up more than 90 percent of the Philippine economy. Will the 19th Congress also tackle the contentious issue of Charter change and a shift from the unitary to the federal system of government that the Duterte administration pushed years back but abandoned even after a constitutional commission recommended such a shift? We do not harbor any illusion that the House would even consider any proposed bill that would enforce the constitutional ban on political dynasties through an enabling law. But we expect members of the House and its leadership to give priority to bills that would intensify poverty alleviation efforts, including the continuation or even expansion of the 4Ps (Pantawid Pampamilyang Pilipino Program) that gives a monthly subsidy to the poorest of the poor to allow them to keep body and soul together amid difficult times. What is important, from where we sit, is for the incoming leadership of the 19th Congress to foster consensus on policies and programs aimed at ensuring political stability, sustained economic growth and social concord in the next six years. (Email: ernhil@yahoo.com) Zubiri and House Majority Leader Rep. Ferdinand Martin Romualdez, are expected to be elected as Senate President and House Speaker, respectively. We count on the Senate President and the House Speaker to work closely with President BBM to address not only economic recovery but also the ailing public health infrastructure. They must also tackle the issues of internal and external threats to national security such as, communist terrorism and the Chinese incursions into the West Philippine Sea. They must also tackle the worsening plight of the local farmers and fisherfolk who have long been adversely affected not only by the flood of imported goods but also by natural calamities caused by erratic climate change. The incoming President BBM leadership, the 19th Congress, and all the way down to our LGU and barangay officials have all the work clearly cut out for us. Unlike two-and-a-half years ago when we reacted late and panicked, shutting down the economy and all means of transportation, this time around we must be ready for any eventuality. We will be well-prepared this time.

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

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Honor Blanco Cabie Opinion Editor Lino M. Santos Chief Photographer

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FRIDAY, JUNE 10, 2022 TODAY mst.daydesk@gmail.com

Shanghai to lock down and test 2.7m for COVID

HANGHAI will lock down a district of 2.7 million people on Saturday to conduct mass coronavirus testing, city authorities said, as the Chinese metropolis struggles to fully emerge from punishing curbs.

The city eased many restrictions last week, after confining most of its 25 million residents to their homes since March as China battled its worst COVID outbreak in two years. But the lockdown was never fully lifted, with hundreds of thousands in China’s biggest city still restricted to their homes and multiple residential compounds put under fresh stay-home orders. The southwestern district of Minhang, home to 2.7 million people, will be placed under “closed management” on Saturday morning and all residents will be tested, district authorities said in a social media post on Thursday. “The closure will be lifted after samples have been collected,” they added, without giving a specific time or date. The statement also did not say what measures would be imposed if any district residents test positive. Under China’s stringent zeroCOVID approach, all positive cases are isolated and close contacts – often including the entire building or community where they live—are quarantined. Shanghai reported nine new local infections on Thursday—none in Minhang.

The district’s announcement sparked fear among some social media users that the lockdown could be prolonged beyond Saturday if any cases are found. “You need to clarify if (the lockdown) will really be lifted after samples are collected,” one user wrote on Weibo. UNDER LOCKDOWN AGAIN. A health worker takes a swab sample from a woman by the entrance of a residential area under “If there are abnormal results af- COVID-19 lockdown in the Xuhui district of Shanghai. AFP ter the tests, what will you do? Continue the lockdown?” asked another. The lockdown in Shanghai – a major global shipping hub – had threatened to pile further pressure UKRAINIAN soldiers in Severodo- bas is being decided there.” At talks in Ankara, Russia and Turon already-strained international netsk are fighting “one of the most difAfter being repelled from Kyiv and key made little headway in striking a supply chains. ficult” battles against Russian troops other parts of Ukraine following their deal to secure safe passage for grain But the city has slowly come back since the start of the war, President February invasion, Russian President exports stuck in Ukraine due to a RusVolodymyr Zelensky said, adding the Vladimir Putin’s troops have refocused sian sea blockade. to life in recent days. fate of the whole Donbas region rests their offensive on the Donbas region, At the request of the United Nations, Commuters are back on subways in the eastern city. comprising Lugansk and Donetsk. Turkey has offered its services to esand buses as people return to workMoscow’s forces are concentrating The cities of Severodonetsk and cort maritime convoys from Ukrainian ing in their offices, while residents their firepower on the strategically imLysychansk, which are separated by ports, despite the presence of mines – have gathered in parks and along the portant industrial hub as part of efforts a river, were the last areas still under some of which have been detected near city’s historic waterfront. to capture a swathe of eastern Ukraine. Ukrainian control in Lugansk. the Turkish coast. But others are chafing under conAfter days of raging street battles, Lysychansk is still in Ukrainian “We are ready to do this in cooperatinued restrictions, with residents Ukrainian officials conceded that hands but under fierce Russian bom- tion with our Turkish colleagues,” Rusin one compound in the downtown Russian troops control a large part of bardment. sian Foreign Minister Sergei Lavrov Xuhui district protesting against the Severodonetsk, and that their forces At the United Nations, Secretary- told reporters in Ankara. rules this week. might have to pull back due to constant General Antonio Guterres added his Kyiv said it would not demine waters China’s capital Beijing, meanshelling. voice to increasingly dire warnings around the Black Sea port of Odessa to while, is transitioning more smoothIn his evening address to the nation, about the conflict’s impact. allow grain exports, citing the threat of Zelensky said the battle for the city was “For people around the world, the Russian attacks on the city. ly towards normality after shut“very fierce... very difficult. Probably war is threatening to unleash an unLavrov’s Turkish counterpart Mevlut ting restaurants, gyms and subway one of the most difficult throughout precedented wave of hunger and des- Cavusoglu called Russian demands for stations last month to stamp out a this war. titution, leaving social and economic an end to sanctions to help grain onto smaller outbreak. AFP

Donbas’ fate rests in battleground Ukraine city

“In many ways, the fate of our Don- chaos in its wake,” he said.

DEED OF EXTRAJUDICIAL SETTLEMENT OF THE ESTATES OF SPOUSES SAMUEL M. CELI AND CONSOLACION F. CELI

American with monkeypox escapes Mexican hospital

Notice is hereby given that the estate of the late Spouses Samuel M. Celi and Consolacion F. Celi (“Deed”) who died on May 4, 1997 and June 21, 2009 respectively at their residential address at 26 South Lawin cor. San Pablo Sts., Brgy. Phil-Am, Quezon City, Metro Manila have been extra-judicially settled among heirs on August 6, 2020 before Notary Public Atty. Jan Rurik D. Padiernos as per Doc. No. 508; Page No. 102; Book No. 3; Series of 2020.

(MStandard-June 10, 17 & 24, 2022)

REPUBLIC OF THE PHILIPPINES NATIONAL CAPITAL JUDICIAL REGION REGIONAL TRIAL COURT BRANCH 230, QUEZON CITY ATLANTICA REALTY & DEVELOPMENT CORPORATION REPRESENTED BY MA. LINDA MAGNO, Plaintiff, -versus-

CASE NO. R-QZN-19-18096-CV

NAPOLEON GONZALES DELOS SANTOS II, Defendant. x--------------------------------------------------x ORDER In today’s hearing for monitoring, the plaintiff is represented by Atty. Ricardo C. Pilares, Jr., who informed the Court of the filing before the OCC of a Motion for Service of Publication in a Newspaper of General Circulation on 20 April 2022 and he gave the Court an advance copy of the same. The same shall now form part of the records of this case. Finding the same to be well taken, the Motion is hereby GRANTED. Let Summons be served by publication. In the meantime, set this case for monitoring on 30 June 2022 at 1:30 in the afternoon, in court, at Rm. 707 7th Floor, Hall of Justice, Annex Bldg., Quezon City Hall Compound, Diliman, Quezon City. SO ORDERED. In open court, 21 April 2022. (Sgd.) MARIA GILDA T. LOJA-PANGILINAN Presiding Judge

GRACEFUL ACT. A performer is seen onstage during the opening ceremony of the 9th Summit of the Americas at the Los Angeles Convention Center in Los Angeles, California. AFP

ATLANTICA REALTY & DEVELOPMENT CORPORATION REPRESENTED BY MA. LINDA MAGNO, Plaintiff, CASE NO. R-QZN-19-18096-CV For: Rescission of Contract Recovery of Possession and Damage

NAPOLEON GONZALES DELOS SANTOS II, Defendant. x--------------------------------------------------x SUMMONS To: NAPOLEON GONZALES DELOS SANTOS II Unit 4 Trafalgar Villas Townhomes, # 15 F, Dela Rosa Street, Loyola Heights, Quezon City GREETINGS: You are hereby required within fifteen (15) days after service of this summons upon you to file with this Court and serve on the plaintiff your answer to the complaint, copy of which is attached, together with the annexes. You are reminded of the provision in the IBP-OCA Memorandum on Policy Guidelines dated 12 March 2002, to observe restraint in filing a motion to dismiss and instead allege the grounds thereof as defenses in the answer. If you fail to file answer within the time fixed, the plaintiff will take judgment by default and may be granted the reliefs applied for in the complaint. WITNESS my hand under the seal of the Court, this 5th December 2019. (Sgd.) ATTY. GENELOU L. SAMPAGA Branch Clerk of Court (MStandard-June 10, 17 & 24, 2022)

A US citizen with monkeypox escaped from a hospital in a Mexican resort and fled the country, local health authorities said Wednesday. The 48-year-old man, originally from Texas, fled the hospital in Puerto Vallarta on Mexico’s Pacific coast last weekend despite having been told by medical staff that he should be tested for monkeypox and kept in isolation, the state health department said in a statement. When he arrived at the hospital, the patient had symptoms of “cough, chills, muscle pain and pustule-like lesions on his face, neck and trunk,” the agency said. After fleeing the medical facility, the Texan then went to the hotel where he was staying with his partner and caught a flight out of Puerto Vallarta on June 4, before authorities were able to locate him. The US Centers for Disease Control and Prevention confirmed to Mexican authorities on Monday that the patient had returned to the United States where a test confirmed he had monkeypox. Prior to arriving in Puerto Vallarta on May 27, the individual was in Berlin, Germany, between May 12 and 16, and subsequently in Dallas, Texas. During his stay in Mexico, he attended parties at the Mantamar Beach Club in the resort town of Jalisco. Health officials urged anyone who attended the club between May 27 and June 4 to monitor their health. The World Health Organization said Wednesday that it was aware of more than 1,000 cases of monkeypox in countries where the disease is not endemic. AFP

Australia to address KFC ‘cabbage-gate’

REPUBLIC OF THE PHILIPPINES NATIONAL CAPITAL JUDICIAL REGION REGIONAL TRIAL COURT BRANCH 230, QUEZON CITY

-versus-

the world market “legitimate.” AFP

NOTICE OF DISSOLUTION Notice is hereby given to the public that HI-TECHNOLOGY PHARMACEUTICALS, INC. (hereinafter referred to as the “Corporation”) with business address at ESC Building Unit VI, 153 San Francisco St. Brgy. Plainview, Mandaluyong City, Philippines, in a Meeting of the Board of Directors held on 14th January 2022 in Mandaluyong City, approved the shortening of the term of the Corporation for which the Corporation is to exist to a period up to June 30, 2022, which resolution was duly ratified by the affirmative vote of the stockholders owning and representing at least two-thirds (2/3) of the outstanding capital stock of the Corporation at the stockholders’ meeting held on the same day led by its President and Chairman of the Board Patrick Kok Tiong Chua Uy in Mandaluyong City; subscribed and sworn before Notary Public Atty. Juan Jaime D. Nolasco IBP No. 171577 PTR No. 4863719 on June 07, 2022 under Notarial Registry Doc No. 222 Page 45 Book 36; series of 2022. (MS-JUNE 10, 2022)

AUSTRALIA’S prime minister joked he would huddle with top officials Thursday to discuss the soaring cost of lettuce and local KFCs’ decision to replace the verdant leaf with a cabbage mix on their Zinger Burgers. Dubbing the fast-food chain’s decision “crazy,” center-left leader Anthony Albanese quipped the situation had become a national “crisis.” Lettuce prices have soared by as much as 300 percent in Australian cities thanks to recent flooding and high global fuel prices. A single head of iceberg lettuce that once sold for about $2 now goes for close to $8 in Sydney and Melbourne. As a result, KFC told Australian customers it would reduce the lettuce in its products in favor of a 50-50 lettuce-cabbage mix. “Cabbage isn’t the same as lettuce. That’s just wrong,” Albanese told Sydney’s KIIS FM radio. “I’ll put it on the list for the Cabinet meeting today. Cabbage-gate.” AFP

Pink drink unites Indians, Pakistanis

PAKISTAN and India have fought three wars and countless skirmishes, but as summers get hotter with climate change, their peoples are united by love for a cooling 115-year-old pink libation with a secret recipe. The ultra-sweet concoction of herbs and fruits, Rooh Afza – which translates as “refresher of the

IN BRIEF soul” – has not only survived the 1947 partition of the two countries but thrived on both sides of the border. On a furnace-hot recent day in Old Delhi, the formidable vendor Firoza chops up in a metal cauldron an ice block delivered to her by motorbike down the tight alleyways. She then stabs the top of a bottle of Rooh Afza and squeezes in the viscous, lipstick-red concentrate before attacking a milk carton and adding that too, along with pieces of watermelon. This is the 50-year-old’s own special version, “Sharbat e Mohabbat” (“Drink of Love”)—every vendor has their own – which she sells for 20 rupees ($0.25) per plastic goblet. “We use more than 12 bottles of Rooh Afza and 20 boxes of milk, even 30 at times, and up to 40 when business is good,” she told AFP in her booming voice, hoarse from hawking her elixir. “I took over this shop a decade ago when my husband passed away. He started selling Rooh Afza here some 40-50 years ago. It’s my only source of income.” In Pakistan, the drink is a particular favorite in the holy month of Ramadan, when it is served as an evening thirst-quencher with the Iftar feast, when Muslims break their fast. But served in desserts, milk and custards, it remains popular throughout Pakistan’s summer season, during which temperatures hit 50 degrees Celsius (122 degrees Fahrenheit) earlier this year. AFP

CYAN MAGENTA YELLOW BLACK

Business

FRIDAY, JUNE 10, 2022 || extrastory2000@gmail.com

China exports bounced back in May as virus controls eased

PSEi June 9, 2022

TOP GAINERS

LAST % PRICE CHANGE CHANGE

PHA

0.53

0.06

12.77%

2 3

PBC ROX

18.7 1.19

1.74 0.11

10.26% 10.19%

4 5 6 7

OPMB MBC MONDE BKR

0.012 8.99 15 2.47

0.001 0.69 1 0.16

9.09% 8.31% 7.14% 6.93%

APVI

15.98

0.96

6.39%

9 10

CEI RFM

0.09 4.29

0.005 0.22

5.88% 5.41%

TOP LOSERS 1 BHI 2 TCB2A

LAST PRICE CHANGE 0.103 -0.01 0.94 -0.09

% CHANGE -8.85% -8.74%

3 4

HOME MAB

5.31 0.0095

-0.33 -0.001

-5.85% -5.00%

ASLAG

1.92

-0.1

-4.95%

6 7

GEO VLL

0.18 2.23

-0.009 -0.11

-4.76% -4.70%

8 9 10

UPM LCB PMPC

0.0062 0.134 5.94

-0.0003 -0.006 -0.26

-4.62% -4.29% -4.19%

MOST ACTIVE

1 ICT 2 SMPH

VOLUME 3,269,990 13,599,300

VALUE (PHP) 667,386,302 515,691,995

3 4 5

CNVRG ALI SM

18,551,600 11,034,800 300,980

435,987,795 349,481,180 258,201,385

6 7 8 9 10

MBT BDO AC TEL MONDE

3,500,540 1,218,680 231,860 69,545 7,967,700

182,184,200 157,440,363 156,664,960 132,722,835 117,255,024

IMF, Argentina reach staff-level accord to unlock $4.03b in funds WASHINGTON, United States— The International Monetary Fund announced Wednesday that it had reached a staff-level agreement with Argentina on the first review of its massive loan package, paving the way for the country to access some $4.03 billion. “The (staff-level) agreement is subject to approval by the IMF Executive Board, which is expected to discuss it in the coming weeks,” said Julie Kozack, deputy director of the IMF’s Western Hemisphere Department. “Upon completion of the review, Argentina would have access to about US$ 4.03 billion.” In March, the IMF approved a 30-month credit program with Argentina totaling $44 billion, with an immediate disbursement of $9.66 billion. Kozack noted that “all quantitative targets in the first quarter of 2022 were met” by Argentina, and that the South American country had also made progress on “the structural agenda and growth-enhancing reforms in line with program commitments, including on the energy front.” Despite shocks due to Russia’s invasion of Ukraine, the IMF said it had agreed with the government of Argentine President Alberto Fernandez that the “annual objectives established at approval of the arrangement will remain unchanged.” “(Argentine) authorities’ commitment to implementing additional policy measures to achieve these annual objectives is welcome,” added the IMF. Under the deal struck in March— the 13th that Buenos Aires has signed with the IMF since the return of democracy in 1983—repayments will be made from 2026 to 2034 after a grace period. AFP

MILAN FAIR. An outdoor spa by Italian brand Gessi is displayed on June 8, 2022 the Salone del Mobile design and furniture fair in

Milan. AFP

Stocks decline; ICTSI, Metrobank lead losers

TOCKS closed virtually flat Thursday on mild profit-taking as a rally in oil prices ramped up inflation fears.

The Philippine Stock Exchange Index slipped 11.03 points, or 0.2 percent, to 6,758.59 on a value turnover of P5.3 billion. Losers beat gainers, 97 to 79, with 56 issues unchanged. International Container Terminal Services Inc. of tycoon Enrique Razon Jr., the biggest port operator, fell 3.8 percent to P203, while Metropolitan Bank & Trust Co. of the Ty Group, the second-largest lender in terms of assets, dropped 3.7 percent to P51.80. Conglomerate Ayala Corp. of the Ayala Group declined 3.3 percent to P671, but Noodles maker Monde Nissin Corp. climbed 7.1 percent to P15. Most Asian equity markets, meanwhile, fell Thursday, with top officials

warning of more pain to come, while focus turns to a meeting of the European Central Bank. Buyers on Wall Street were in retreat again after data showed US crude and gasoline stockpiles sank, just as the summer driving season begins and a leading OPEC member warned demand would surge further as China moves to reopen. Adding to the gloom was the OECD’s sharp downward revision of its global growth outlook and doubling of its inflation forecast. The glum mood was only slightly offset by ongoing optimism that Beijing’s tech crackdown was close to an end. In Asian trade, Hong Kong dropped, even as tech firms continued to benefit from hopes that China’s crackdown was almost over, while Shanghai, Sydney, Seoul, Singapore, Taipei and Wellington were also in the red. Both main crude contracts edged down but held most gains after jumping more than two percent Wednesday to

three-month highs after figures showed the biggest US storage depot had seen a big fall in reserves last week, suggesting elevated prices were not deterring people from driving. Meanwhile, White House Press Secretary Karine Jean-Pierre said officials expect Friday’s keenly awaited consumer price index will be “elevated.” The comment lifted expectations that the Federal Reserve will stick to its hawkish path and hike interest rates by half a point for at least three more meetings this year as it tries to bring down inflation from four-decade highs. Analysts said investors were unlikely to get any reprieve until crude—a key driver of inflation since Russia’s invasion of Ukraine—was brought under control. “A pullback in crude would be crucial for any prolonged risk rally, given implications for inflation expectations,” said SPI Asset Management’s Stephen Innes. With AFP

BEIJING, China—China’s exports rebounded strongly in May, data showed Thursday, with factories restarting and supply chains untangling as Shanghai slowly emerged from a grueling COVID lockdown. The economic hub started going under a lockdown in late March and most of its 25 million residents were confined to their homes for around two months as China persists with its zeroCOVID strategy. Strict movement restrictions in multiple cities--sometimes over just handfuls of cases—kept consumers at home and battered the economy, dragging retail sales, factory output and export growth to their lowest levels in about two years. But as curbs began to ease, overseas shipments from the world’s secondbiggest economy bounced back 16.9 percent on-year in May, up from 3.9 percent in April, according to customs data released on Thursday. “The export rebound is actually quite surprising... I believe that’s mainly because of the Shanghai port,” said Iris Pang, ING’s chief economist for Greater China. The world’s busiest container port was running at around 90 percent capacity in late May, boosting shipments, she added. The data suggests that China is “becoming more agile at dealing with COVID flare-ups” while keeping exports running, said Stephen Innes, managing partner at SPI Asset Management. But this could also mean “less incentive” for officials to move away from a zero- COVID strategy quickly, he added. Analysts polled by Bloomberg had expected a spike of around eight percent in exports. “If (US) tariffs are lifted... there will be even stronger growth,” Pang said, referring to remarks by Treasury Secretary Janet Yellen that the United States is considering lifting some tariffs imposed during the Trump administration. Some observers warned that the rebound could be short-lived. AFP

With inflation rate on rise, ECB readies tougher action By Sebastien Ash AMSTERDAM, Netherlands—The European Central Bank is set to announce the end date to its bondbuying stimulus on Thursday, as concerns over the accelerating pace of inflation in the eurozone grip policymakers. The stop is a prelude to the ECB hiking rates for the first time in over a decade in the weeks that follow, turning the page on an era of ultraloose monetary policy. Inflation in the eurozone rose to 8.1 percent in May, the highest level in the history of the currency club and well above the ECB’s own twopercent target. The surge has largely been driven by the war in Ukraine, which has decisively pushed up the cost of energy, food and raw materials. Persistent price pressures have forced the ECB into an “enormous U-turn” since December, said Carsten Brzeski, head of macro at ING bank. From saying inflation would be “temporary” and warding off interest rate hikes in 2022, the ECB is now racing to catch up with other major central banks in the United States and Britain. With inflation picking up, “the only really interesting question is why they don’t start hiking rates immediately instead of waiting until July,” Brzeski said.

Queen Maxima of The Netherlands (right) poses with President of the European Central Bank (ECB) Christine Lagarde prior to a dinner with European central bank heads in Amsterdam, on June 8, 2022. AFP

‘Lift off’ Under pressure to show the ECB was responding to inflation, President Christine Lagarde set out the likely next steps for the central bank in a blog post in late May. The unusually clear statement foresaw an end to the

ECB’s crisis-era stimulus program “very early in the third quarter.” The so-called asset purchase program, or APP, is the last in a series of debt-purchasing measures worth a total of around five trillion euros ($5.4 trillion) deployed by the ECB since 2014. Lagarde then went on to reveal ECB policy through the second half of the year, predicting a “lift off” in rates at the governing council’s next meeting in July, with the central bank bringing an end to negative interest rates by the end of September. Of the ECB’s three main interest rates, the so-called deposit rate—which is normally the interest commercial banks would receive for parking their cash with the ECB overnight—has been negative since 2014. ‘Benchmark pace’ Still up for discussion in Amsterdam, where the governing council is meeting instead of at its usual venue in Frankfurt, is the size of the first step. Some members have called on the ECB to follow the US Federal Reserve and bring the curtain down on negative interest rates with a single half-point hike. The head of the Dutch central bank, Klaas Knot, said in May that such a move was “clearly not off the table.” But the ECB’s chief economist, Philip Lane, pushed back against suggestions of a big hike, calling 25 basis points—or a quarter of a percentage point—the “benchmark pace.” ECB followers will be listening carefully to Lagarde’s press conference at 2:30 pm (1230 GMT) for some indication of the prevailing thinking among policymakers. Lagarde could “give a nod to the hardliners” by leaving the door open to a steeper rise, said Franck Dixmier, head of fixed income at Allianz Global Investors. The decision will depend to a large extent on how the outlook for the economy changes. The ECB is scheduled to publish new economic forecasts alongside its policy decisions on Thursday. Its previous estimates--published in the immediate aftermath of Russia’s invasion of Ukraine—cut projected growth in the eurozone in 2022 to 3.7 percent and saw inflation rising to 5.1 percent. AFP

Sanctions wiping out 15 years of economic progress in Russia, says report WASHINGTON, United States—Sanctions imposed on Moscow over the invasion of Ukraine are rolling back more than a decade of economic progress and three decades of integration with the West, according to an analysis Wednesday. But economists at the Institute for International Finance caution that the impact is a “moving target” since more sanctions are being added, and Russia could retaliate, notably on energy. The damage will make it more costly

for Russian president Vladimir Putin to continue the war, but sanctions do not work like “flipping a switch,” IIF economist Elina Ribakova told reporters. In its latest analysis, IIF forecasts Russia’s economy will contract by 15 percent this year and another three percent in 2023. The projections “mean that current developments are set to wipe out the economic gains of roughly 15 years,” the report said. Financial sanctions including cutting

off Moscow’s ability to pay its foreign debt, rising prices and the exit of foreign companies are slowing the domestic demand, thus “dimming economic prospects in the short as well as medium and long term.” The “economic warfare” is “unraveling its economy,” and the report authors note that “some of the most meaningful consequences have yet to be felt.” Ribakova said sanctions are ripping apart global value chains in a “disintegration of 30 years of investment and

connections with Europe.” IIF Executive Vice President Clay Lowery said gauging whether the penalties imposed on Russia are effective depends on what governments are trying to achieve. “If success is damaging the economy... then it’s definitely some impact,” and that is likely to increase, he told reporters. But sanctions do not have “a great track record” of driving big policy shifts, he said. AFP

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

FRIDAY, JUNE 10, 2022

Bangko Sentral says PH on track to full recovery By Julito G. Rada BANGKO Sentral ng Pilipinas Governor Benjamin Diokno said Thursday the country is on its way to “full recovery” despite the lingering COVID-19 pandemic and the prolonged Russia-Ukraine conflict in Eastern Europe. Diokno said during the launch of the World Bank’s Philippines Economic Update June 2022 Report the economy grew 5.7 percent last year and sustained its robust momentum with an 8.3-percent expansion in the first quarter of 2022 after the pandemicdriven recession in 2020. “We expect the economy to grow much faster in the second quarter, making the growth target for this year of 7 percent to 8 percent doable,” Diokno said. Diokno said the country’s strengths supporting full recovery include rising employment, surging foreign direct investments, a vibrant manufacturing sector, improving business and consumer outlook and a rebound in domestic economic activity. He said the employment rate was close to its pre-pandemic level. From a peak of 17.6 percent in April 2020 at the early onslaught of the pandemic, the unemployment rate fell to 5.8 percent in March this year. Foreign direct investments reached an all-time high last year, growing by 54.2 percent. In the first two months, FDIs went up by 8.0 percent to $1.7 billion. Manufacturing strongly rebounded, with the purchasing managers’ index at 54.1 in May. This represents nine months of expansion in factory activity. Diokno said the strong rebound in domestic economic activity and labor market conditions in the first quarter provided scope for the BSP to start rolling back its pandemic-induced interventions. The BSP reduced the provisional advances to the national government from P540 billion in 2020 and 2021 to P300 billion in January 2022. The national government fully settled its loans on May 20, 2022 ahead of the June 11, 2022 schedule.

Phoenix banking on brand franchise to sustain growth By Alena Mae S. Flores PHOENIX Petroleum Philippines Inc. is banking on franchising to support its growth, a top executive said Thursday. Phoenix president Henry Albert Fadullon said franchising is a proven business model, especially for small and medium enterprises. “By being our business partners, we provide a readily available and proven business model that will help our franchisees—whether it’s through access to information and market studies, business development aspects and strategies, training sessions, stateof-the-art technology and access to rewarding Phoenix business portfolio,” Fadullon said. He said Phoenix’s wide range of products, services and business opportunities guarantee success because of profitable investment returns and the creation of jobs and opportunities to communities. He said as Phoenix continued to grow as a multi-industry consumer brand, it solidified its newest retail concept called the Phoenix Block. Phoenix Block is a multi-purpose retail complex featuring a Phoenix gas station, FamilyMart convenience store, Phoenix SUPER LPG Hub, an Autoworx Plus automotive care shop, Posible digital payments and Limitless digital transactions. “We have been a staunch supporter of PFA [Philippine Franchise Association] in nurturing businesses, supporting franchisees and enabling SME growth,” said Fadullon. The company helps aspiring entrepreneurs bring their best ideas into successful business ventures. It provides various franchising opportunities ranging from gas station lubricants to convenience retail stores.

Business ADB okays $4.3-b loan for Manila-Calamba rail T HE Asian Development Bank said Thursday it approved a $4.3-billion loan to help finance the construction of nearly 55 kilometers of modern suburban railway line connecting Metro Manila and Calamba City in Laguna province.

It said the investment in the South Commuter Railway Project, which is part of the North–South Commuter Railway network, is the multilateral lender’s largest infrastructure financing in the Asia and Pacific region to date. Once completed, the South Commuter Railway will offer commuters fast public transport, help ease road traffic congestion and contribute to a reduction in greenhouse gas emissions in line with the Philippines’ climate change agenda.

The project follows ADB’s financing of the ongoing Malolos-Clark Railway line. “The South Commuter Railway Project will provide affordable, safe, reliable and fast public transport for commuters,” said ADB vice-president for East Asia, Southeast Asia and the Pacific Ahmed Saeed. “This project represents ADB’s biggest infrastructure investment and reflects our commitment to helping the Philippines attain its goals of reducing poverty, improving the lives of Filipinos and achieving green, resilient and high economic growth,” said Saeed. Under the multitranche financing facility, the ADB will make available first tranche of $1.75 billion for the construction of the project. It said the release of the second and third tranches is expected in 2024 and 2026, respectively. ADB said it will finance civil works for the railway viaduct, stations, bridges, tunnels and depot buildings. The Japan International Cooperation Agency is funding the rolling stock and railway

systems. The project is one of the Philippines’ infrastructure flagship projects and is part of the government’s “Build, Build, Build” infrastructure development program. It includes the construction of 18 stations to provide safe access for all, including the elderly, women, children and people with disabilities; and a connecting tunnel to allow the operation of direct trains from Calamba to stations on the future Metro Manila Subway system. The project proponents will design the structure to be disaster-resilient and able to withstand typhoons and earthquakes. The project is expected to reduce travel time between Manila and Calamba by over half from 2.5 hours by road at present. The NSCR is also seen to strengthen the Philippines’ economic recovery from the devastating impact of the COVID-19 pandemic as it is expected to create more than 35,500 jobs during construction and over 3,200 permanent jobs during operation.

PSE INDEX CLOSING Thursday, June 9, 2022

-11.03 PTS. 6,758.59

TOTAL VOLUME

827,764,418

TOTAL TRADES TOTAL VALUE (IN PHP) ADVANCES

69,883 5,290,655,391.23 79

DECLINES

UNCHANGED

F oreign E xchange R ate Bangko Sentral ng Pilipinas • THURSDAY, JUNE 9, 2022

Currency

Unit

US Dollar

Peso

United States

Dollar

1.000000

52.8990

Japan

Yen

0.007451

0.3942

Pound

1.253800

66.3248

Hong Kong

Dollar

0.127416

6.7402

Switzerland

Franc

1.022286

54.0779

Canada

Dollar

0.796559

42.1372

Singapore

Dollar

0.726956

38.4552

Australia

Dollar

0.719000

38.0344

Bahrain

Dinar

2.653294

140.3566

Saudi Arabia

Rial

0.266581

14.1019

Brunei

Dollar

0.724323

38.3160

Indonesia

Rupiah

0.000069

0.0037

Thailand

Baht

0.028986

1.5333

UAE

Dirham

0.272287

14.4037

Euro

1.071800

56.6971

Korea

Won

0.000796

0.0421

China

Yuan

0.149589

7.9131

India

Rupee

0.012873

0.6810

Malaysia

Ringgit

0.227687

12.0444

New Zealand

Dollar

0.644400

34.0881

Taiwan

Dollar

0.033971

1.7970 Source: BSP

IN BRIEF

ICTSI unit investing $101m in Argentina TECPLATA, a unit of International Container Terminal Services Inc. Buenos Aires, Argentina, said Thursday it is ready to invest more than $101.6 million to expand its capacity and build various terminal infrastructure. ICTSI, citing a recent technical study by Argentina’s National Technological University, said ports in La Plata and Dock Sud could fully support container volumes and flow of trade in the metropolitan areas of Greater Buenos Aires and Greater La Plata. Both terminals at La Plata and Dock Sud, operated by TecPlata S.A. and Exolgan S.A., respectively, can absorb about 86 percent (or 1.5 million twenty-foot equivalent units) of Argentina’s total cargo volume estimated at around 1.7 million TEUs. It said the capacity may exceed 3.6 million TEUs over the next three years if planned investments for both terminals – around $361 million – started today. TecPlata chief executive Bruno Porchietto said the metropolitan areas of Buenos Aires, Argentina’s capital, and La Plata, Buenos Aires Province’s capital, are geographically contiguous and the combined markets make Buenos Aires-La Plata an economic powerhouse. Darwin G. Amojelar

Manufacturing grew 3.4% in April—PSA

PH-ISRAEL TIES. Trade Secretary Ramon Lopez (right) and Israel Economy and Industry Minister Orna Barbivay sign a memorandum of understanding on economic and technical cooperation after discussing ways to strengthen trade and economic relations between the two countries. The MOU, an outcome of President Rodrigo Duterte’s visit in 2018, seeks to establish a bilateral consultative mechanism that will develop and strengthen trade, enhance investments and advance economic ties between the Philippines and Israel.

April trade deficit reached $4.8b as imports outpaced exports THE country’s trade deficit widened by 54.1 percent in April to $4.773 billion from the $3.097-billion gap a year ago, as the 22.8-percent growth in imports outpaced the 6-percent expansion in exports, data from the Philippine Statistics Authority show Thursday. Merchandise exports rose 6 percent in April $6.128 billion from $5.78 billion a year ago, while imports jumped 22.8 percent to $10.90 billion from $8.878 billion. The figures brought total export earnings from January to April to $25.55 billion, up 8.9 percent from $23.457 billion a year earlier. Imports in the fourth-month period climbed 26.7 percent to $44.22 billion from

$34.90 billion. The trade deficit in the first four months also jumped 63 percent to $18.667 billion from $11.442 billion in the same period last year. Coconut products contributed $164 million or 47 percent of the incremental export sales in April, driven by exports of coconut oil which grew 2.5 times from a year ago, according to the Department of Trade and Industry. The DTI said coconut products also accounted for a quarter of the incremental $2.1-billion export sales in the first four months. It said based on the PSA’s preliminary data, the April exports were 14.5-percent higher than the prepandemic average from 2017 to 2019.

Electronics remained the country’s biggest export, accounting for 59.8 percent of total exports in the first four months. Top imports in April were electronic products amounting to $2.56 billion; mineral fuels, lubricants and related materials valued at $2.01 billion; and transport equipment amounting to $916.80 million. Michael Ricafort, chief economist of Rizal Commercial Banking Corp., said that on a monthly basis, the growth of exports and imports slowed down from the March level due to higher input costs/prices and some lockdowns in China over the past three months that reduced global trade activities. Julito G. Rada

MANUFACTURING posted slower growth in April because of base effects and higher inflation that resulted in additional expenses in production. Data from the Philippine Statistics Authority showed the volume of production index rose 3.4 percent year-on-year in April. The annual rate, however, was slower than the 352.3-percent increase recorded in March. In April 2021, VoPI accelerated 157.8 percent. “The upturn in VoPI was brought about by the expansions in production of 14 industry divisions. Of these, the manufacture of textiles was the major contributing factor with a 45.6-percent annual growth rate,” the PSA said in a statement. The value of production index also posted a slower increment of 9.7 percent in April from an annual growth of 375.1 percent in March. In April 2021, the VaPI grew at an annual rate of 150.1 percent. The PSA said that of the 22 industry divisions, 16 reported positive growth led by manufacture of textiles with 51.1 percent. Julito G. Rada

IFC infuses $8.3m into Edgepoint Infra INTERNATIONAL Finance Corp. said Thursday it infused an additional $8.3-million indirect equity investment into Edgepoint Infrastructure to support its entry into the growing Philippines tower market. IFC’s investment involves the acquisition of more than 2,900 towers from PLDT Inc. through a sale-leaseback transaction and the construction of additional new build-to-suit towers. “This equity investment in EdgePoint marks a significant milestone in digital development in the Philippines, paving the way for more people and businesses to have access to mobile services,” said IFC regional industry director for infrastructure in Asia and the Pacific Isabel Chatterton. “With the Philippines poised to grow, strong consumer demand and a vibrant labor market will undoubtedly lead to even greater calls on telecom services. This investment will help meet future needs, which is vital as digital connectivity is so fundamental to helping ensure people and businesses can flourish,” she said. Darwin G. Amojelar

Growsari raises P4b from Series C funding By Othel V. Campos BUSINESS-TO-BUSINESS startup Growsari said Thursday it plans to triple the number of store partners after raising P4 billion from a Series C round of funding, or capital raising activity. Growsari co-founder and chief executive Reymund Rollan said the expansion is part of the plans to accelerate the transformation of small physical retail stores, such as sari-sari stores, carinderias, eateries, pharmacies and other roadside shops into comprehensive service hubs. “We are proud to share that we are on track in fulfilling our mission of creating a positive socio-economic impact to the lives of more MSME owners and the communities they serve nationwide,” he said. The platform aims to grow the number of store partners to 300,000 by 2023. Growsari’s expansion in Visayas and Mindanao include key cities such as Iloilo, Bacolod, Cebu, Davao, and General Santos. Growsari’s presence is now in

20 key cities and 400 municipalities nationwide. Rollan said aside from gaining a nationwide footprint, the expansion to Visayas and Mindanao is also strategic in terms of helping in the digital transformation of the small stores they serve. “As we get farther out into the provinces, a lot of sari-sari store owners are underserved given the challenges of FMCG distributors to physically reach them. Digital inclusion in these areas has also been slower. So we see this as a huge opportunity where Growsari can come in to make a difference in the lives of small physical retail store owners,” Rollan said. Growsari added services that store partners can have access including telco credits, money remittance, bills payment, e-commerce, WiFi and other e-services. The platform gives store owners access to new revenue streams which allow them to maximize their capital, while Growsari improves the overall customer experience and look to provide access to credit and basic financial services.

DISASTER PREPAREDNESS. Light Rail Manila Corp., operator of Light Rail Transit Line 1, teams up with the Department of Science and Technology through the Philippine Institute of Volcanology and Seismology on the Rapid Earthquake Damage Assessment System training among LRT-1 employees and partners. Leading the initiative are (from left) DOST-PHIVOLCS supervising science research specialist volcano monitoring and eruption division head Dr. Winchelle Sevilla, LRMC president and chief executive Juan Alfonso, Pasay City chief of staff Peter Eric Pardo, Pasay City Environment and Natural Resources Office supervising administrative officer Ronald Rae Salvador and LRMC head of health, safety, environment and quality department Dr. Louernie De Sales.

Sports

Riera U. Mallari, Editor; Randy M. Caluag, Assistant Editor FRIDAY, JUNE 10, 2022

Pain on foot forces Curry out in Dubs’ loss to Celtics

Stephen Curry of the Golden State Warriors drives to the basket against Marcus Smart and Jayson Tatum of the Boston Celtics in the second quarter during Game 3 of the 2022 NBA Finals at TD Garden in Boston, Massachusetts. The Boston Celtics won 116-100. AFP

Obiena aiming higher at world athletics meet AFP

By Peter Atencio

ILIPINO star pole vaulter EJ Obiena hopes to do better in the 2022 World Athletics Championships, which is slated to be held next month in Eugene, Oregon The 26-year-old Obiena, who remains at no. 6 in the world athletics rankings, said this after earning his second gold medal in a month when he cleared 5.85m to claim the gold in the Golden Fly Series at the Sport City Stadium in L’Aquila, Italy on May 30. Earlier, Obiena defended the men’s pole vault title at the Southeast Asian Games in Hanoi, Vietnam, where he set

Esports body eyes more players for PH team

A NATIONAL grassroots program in esports is now under way. Philippine Esports Organization president Joebert Yu said this after Team Sibol finished third in the 31st Southeast Asian Games rankings with two golds and two silvers. “Locally, we now have a national national program. We will try to get more players to join and form another team,” said Yu, adding they are sending athletes to the Asian Games once it pushes through. Last April, PESO began focusing its efforts on developing esports talents with their National Grassroots Program. On its first season, NGP will be organizing amateur tournaments and setting up webinars. It has held two Dota2 tournaments so far to seek out prospective talents, who can join international meets. And PESO hopes that DOTA 2 will be among the titles that will added in the Asiad. But while awaiting word on the Asiad, PESO is assembling groups of players who can join the 14th World Esports Championships slated from Dec. 1 to 12 in Bali, Indonesia, under the auspices of the International Esports Federation. “We are preparing to join in Bali. And there are three titles that will be played,” said Yu. The world’s best esports athletes competing across multiple games will seek medals in Mobile Legends: Tekken 7, and PUBG Mobile: Counterstrike Globe Offensive. The development and formation of the national teams in the world championships is now in the hands of PESO executive director Marlon “Lon” Marcelo, according to Yu, who added that they now have Dota2 tournaments that were initially planned with the Asian Games. Peter Atencio

a new games’ record with a height of 5.46 meters. “At the moment, it’s promising, very promising. Me and my coach are working on mistakes that I make on higher heights. We are on that path,” said Obiena on Power and Play as he prepares in his Formia, Italy training camp. “We are on the path of doing better. Hopefully, we get good results,”

Ernest John Obiena: We are on the path of doing better.

added Obiena. His performance in L’Aquila was so far his best this season. But he is working improving his personal best and national mark of 5.93 meters he did during a meet in MariaTheresien-Straße, Innsbruck, Australia in September last year. Coach Vitaly Petrov is still coaching Obiena, constantly working on his approach to towards the jumping pit. Obiena said his approach in L’Aquila was close to his usual of 16 steps, since he was able to clear the 5.85 meters on his 14th stride. And he hopes to perfect the jump at the World Athletics Championships to be held in Eugene, Oregon in the United States slated on July 15 to 24.

BOSTON—The Golden State Warriors were left sweating on the fitness of Stephen Curry after the team’s bruising NBA Finals gamethree defeat to the Boston Celtics on Wednesday. Curry left the Warriors’ 116-100 loss to the Celtics with two minutes remaining in the fourth quarter after being buried in a scrum of players tussling for a loose ball. The 34-year-old star grimaced in pain after the incident in which he appeared to hurt his foot. Warriors coach Steve Kerr said he removed Curry from the game once it was clear Boston were assured of a victory which leaves the Celtics 2-1 up with four games remaining. “The injury didn’t force him out of the game,” Kerr told reporters. “I took him out down 14 with two minutes left because we weren’t going to catch up. We’ll know more tomorrow.” Curry, who once again led the Warriors scorers with 31 points, said the pain felt similar to the foot sprain he suffered in March. However he said he is optimistic of recovering in time for game four on Friday. “I’ll be all right,” Curry said. “Obviously in some pain, but I’ll be all right. See how it feels tomorrow and get ready for Friday. “Hopefully it responds well over the next couple days.” Team-mate Klay Thompson said Curry’s fitness would be crucial to the Warriors’ chances of clawing their way back into the series. “We need him if we want to win this thing,” Thompson said. “I know Steph is going to do everything he can in his power to play. “I am really hoping he’s okay because he’s our identity, and without him, it will be very difficult.” Warriors enforcer Draymond Green picked up a foul for hauling Boston’s Al Horford off Curry during the clash which left the Golden State player hobbling. AFP

UE belles end season with 1st, only win

UE’s Dara Nieva celebrates the victory.

UNIVERSITY of the East made sure it won’t end its UAAP Season 84 women’s volleyball tournament without a win, downing fellow also-ran team Far Eastern University in four sets, 25-22, 22-25, 2521, 25-21, Thursday at the SM Mall of Asia Arena in Pasay City. It was a sweet, sweet win for the Lady Red Warriors, who ended their tournament on a high note by snapping a grueling 17game losing streak dating back to 2019. The last time that UE scored a win in the UAAP was in Season 81 via a three-set conquest of Adamson University. “Masaya na may konting panghihinayang, but I’m very happy kasi at least we ended the season on a high note,” said first year UE head coach Ronwald Dimaculangan. “At least nakuha talaga ‘yung elusive win na ‘yan, medyo nanghihinayang because

there are games that could have gone our way.” Janeca Lana and Dara Nieva dropped 21 points each in the victory with the latter also contributing 14 excellent receptions to help UE end the season at seventh place with a 1-13 standing and score its first win over FEU since 2010. With the scores locked at 15 in the fourth set, Lana fired three consecutive points in a 7-2 run that gave the Lady Red Warriors a 22-17 lead. Both teams exchanged points from there before Nieva put UE at match point, 24-19. Chen Tagaod and Shiela Kiseo kept FEU afloat with a kill and an ace, respectively, but Lana made sure to end the game to give the Lady Red Warriors their first win of the season. “Si Ja [Lana] kasi siya talaga ‘yung anchor ng team since we started because siya ‘yung isa sa

mga naiwan na players from before nag stop ‘yung UAAP. Si Dara kasi I already saw the potential na meron na makakatulong siya sa amin,” added Dimaculangan. Team captain Rhea Manalo added 10 points while Erin Navarro chipped in eight points. Meanwhile, Jasckin Babol also made her presence felt on the defensive end with 15 excellent digs and 10 excellent receptions. UE stole the opener by erasing a five-point deficit while FEU equalized the game by maintaining its composure late—the same thing that the team failed to do in the first frame—in the second set. The Lady Red Warriors, led by Nieva, then pulled away in the latter part of the third set and built a five-point cushion, 24-9, to take a 2-1 advantage over the Lady Tamaraws.

Redemption is Baraquiel’s goal at ICTSI Pradera Verde HER bid for a second Ladies Philippine Golf Tour crown dimmed by a backside meltdown at Splendido Taal, Sunshine Baraquiel goes all-out for redemption, seeking no less than a top podium finish in the ICTSI Pradera Verde Classic, which gets going on June 15 in Lubao, Pampanga. Baraquiel, who scored her first LPGT triumph in wicked conditions at Tagaytay Highlands last November, was on her way to nailing a second championship when she took charge in the second round of the ICTSI Splendido Taal Championship last month. But late back-to-back double bogeys ruined her bid, enabling amateur Mafy Singson to snatch victory from her, Chanelle Avaricio and Harmie Constantino. But the lady pilot is so resolved to rebound from the slip, confident her vastly-improved game will hold at the well-

kept Pradera layout noted for its length and sleek, undulating putting surface. “I haven’t played Pradera Verde before so I’m just making sure my ball striking is predictable enough to hit my yardages,” said Baraquiel. “I think if I’m able to do that next week, I’ll have a good chance.” She’s also putting premium on putting, saying: “I’m working on my (putting) stroke as well so I can just focus on visualization next week.” The rest of the cast are also so motivated vated heading to the 54-hole championship ip serving as the sixth leg of this year’s Pilipinas Golf Tournaments, Inc.-organized circuit under new normal with Avaricio and Constantino likewise out to strike back and fuel their respective title drive with strong starts. Avaricio is actually coming into the P750,000 championship with the best

record in the last four stops, winning the Hallow Ridge and Caliraya Springs legs and posting runner-up finishes at Mt. Malarayat and Splendido. Constantino, who won two tournaments and posted a couple of runner-up efforts to clinch the LPGT Order of Merit title last year, is slowly but surely regaining her form, finishing third to Chihiro Ikeda and Avaricio at Mt. Malarayat and tying for second with Avaricio and Baraquiel at Splendido. Others tipped to contend are Pamela Mariano, Marvi Monsalve, Florence Bisera, Apple Fudolin, Gretchen Villacencio, Sarah Ababa, Martina Miñoza, Kristine Fleetwood and Lesley Icoy. Next up for the touring ladies is

the ICTSI Eagle Ridge at Aoki Invitational on July 5-7 to be held simultaneously with the PGT, which will be holding its fourth leg on July 5-8.

Sunshine Baraquiel

Sports

FRIDAY, JUNE 10, 2022

ORONTO—Multiple major winners Rory McIlroy and Justin Thomas declared the Saudi-backed LIV Golf Invitational Series “a shame” and “a bummer” on Wednesday for fracturing the sport at its peak. Along with top-ranked Scottie Scheffler, the pair spoke at the US PGA Tour’s Canadian Open, which starts Thursday in competition LIV Golf’s debut event outside London. “It’s a shame that it’s going to fracture the game,” McIlroy said. “The professional game is the window shop into golf. If the general public are confused about who is playing where and what tournament’s on this week and oh, he plays there and he doesn’t get into these events, it just becomes so confusing. “Everything needs to try to become more cohesive and I think it was on a pretty good trajectory until this happened.” The upstart series, offering a combined $255 million total prize money for its eight events, has lured such stars as Phil Mickelson, Dustin Johnson and Sergio Garcia. Multiple reports Wednesday said that US major winners Patrick Reed and Bryson DeChambeau will join LIV Golf next month for its first US event. In the meantime, the PGA has said there will be consequences for those who play in England since the tour refused releases for PGA players to compete in an event opposite this week’s stop at par-70 St. George’s Golf and Country Club in Toronto. “It’s a bummer,” said Thomas, an American who won his second PGA Championship last month. “The decision is theirs, but I just wish it wouldn’t be taking away from the great

Loman on collision course with Andrade

Shown here are (from left) Asian Tour’s CEO Cho Minn Thant, US golf player Phil Mickelson, Newcastle United’s Saudi Arabian chairman Yasir Al-Rumayyan and English golf player Lee Westwood pose during the Pro-Am round of the LIV Golf Invitational Series event at The Centurion Club in St Albans, north of London. AFP

Loyal PGA players: LIV Golf is a shame story lines and things that are going on, on a tour that has been around for a very long time and is in one of the best places it has ever been. It’s just a bummer those guys won’t be a part of it.” Five of the world’s top 10 are set to tee off at the Canadian Open, which was wiped out the past two years due to Covid-19 issues. “I would say stuff here’s pretty unaffected,” Scheffler said. “We got the best players in the world. I’m looking forward to competing against them. I don’t really

know what’s going on over there.” Eighth-ranked McIlroy, a four-time major winner, repeated his US PGA support and warned that choices made only for money tend not to work out. “It’s not something I want to participate in,” he said. “There’s nothing about my schedule or my life or earning or anything I would change. “Any decision you make in your life purely for money usually doesn’t end up going the right way. “It’s a weird time in professional golf.

Smart presents world-class action via FIVB Volleyball Nations League, live on GigaPlay FILIPINO volleyball fans are in for a big treat as mobile services provider Smart Communications, Inc. (Smart) is bringing the much-anticipated FIVB Volleyball Nations League (VNL) right at their fingertips via GigaPlay App starting June 14. A major international competition, the FIVB VNL gathers the top 16 volleyball nations to compete in a round robin tournament across six cities in the world. The Philippines is set to host the second leg of FIVB VNL for the Women’s Division from June 14 to 19, and the Men’s Division from June 21 to 26, with all the games to be streamed on Smart’s GigaPlay App. Competing under the Women’s Division are volleyball league teams from the USA, Japan, Italy, Thailand, China, Canada, Bulgaria and Belgium, while the Men’ s Division include teams from Japan, Argentina, Slovenia, Netherlands, France, China, Italy and Germany. Team PH Exhibition Matches in

PNVF International Challenge Volleyball National Teams will also The Philippine Women’s and Men’s get in on the action as they face off

Biles, Raisman, top gymnasts file $1B claim against FBI WASHINGTON—Simone Biles, Aly Raisman and other star US gymnasts filed a $1 billion claim against the FBI on Wednesday for mishandling of the investigation into sexual abuse by predatory former team doctor Larry Nassar. Nassar, 58, is serving a life sentence after pleading guilty in late 2017 and early 2018 to sexually assaulting athletes while working as a sports medicine doctor at USA Gymnastics and Michigan State University. Hundreds of women—including Olympic gold medalists Biles, Raisman and McKayla Maroney—have accused Nassar of sexually abusing them during his more than two-decade career. Biles, Raisman and Maroney are among the more than 90 women who have filed the federal tort claim against the Federal Bureau of Investigation, the law firms handling the case said in a joint statement. “The majority of claimants consists of over 90 young women and girls who were abused after 2015 due to the FBI’s failure to take required steps to protect them,” they said. The claim against the FBI comes just days after the Department of Justice announced it was not bringing any charges against two now retired FBI special agents who mishandled the Nassar investigation. “My fellow survivors and I were betrayed by every institution that was supposed to protect us—the US Olympic Committee, USA Gymnastics, the FBI and now the Department of Justice,” Maroney said in a statement. “I had some hope that they would keep their word and hold the FBI accountable,” she said. “It is clear that the only path to justice and healing is through the legal process.” ‘Grossly derelict’ The law firms said the FBI received credible complaints in July 2015 of Nassar’s sexual assaults and was “then able to immediately end Nassar’s predation.” “However, the FBI was grossly derelict in their duties by declining to interview gymnasts who were willing to talk about the abuse,” they said. AFP

The stat line that matters THE Philippine Azkals opened their bid in the 3rd and final qualifiers of the 2023 Asian Cup in Ulaanbaatar, Mongolia with a 0-0 draw against Yemen. Our side controlled 63% of ball possession, had more passes – 478 to 256, and had one more attempt as compared to their opponents. Despite much hope and effort against the Yemenis, the Azkals failed on one important stat line: goals made. A fact that even team manager Dan Palami was quick to point out after the game. Palami says the team was up in almost every statistical aspect of the game, even on offsides, but simply couldn’t make the breakthrough goal against Yemen. “It was a tough first game for the Azkals. We did play well. We had most of the possessions and we controlled the game. Of course, there were some instances where we got caught in the counters, but overall, it was a good game. But there’s only one stat that matters in this game – that is the scoreline, which we could not exploit. It clearly shows that we need more firepower on top if we want to be successful in this tourna-

We’re just going to have to see how this season plays out and if any other guys decide to go another direction than the established tours and see what the consequences are.” ‘I’m disappointed’ Thomas, ranked sixth, said he was disappointed in the players who have chosen the new tour. “I don’t dislike DJ now. I don’t think he’s a bad dude. I’m not going to treat him any differently. He’s entitled to choose as he wishes,” Thomas said. AFP with other high-caliber national teams for must-watch exhibition matches in the PNVF International Challenge - also to be streamed on Smart’s GigaPlay App. The Philippine Women’s National Team will play against Asia’s Queens of Volleyball Thailand and Japan on June 11 (6 p.m.) and 12 (4 p.m.) respectively, while the Philippine Men’s National Team will compete with Germany and Japan on June 16 (4 p.m.) and 27 (4 p.m.), respectively. To watch all the FIVB VNL action on GigaPlay, Smart subscribers must simply download the app on the Apple App Store or Google Play Store, set up an account, and watch while connected to Smart mobile data or PLDT Home WiFi. Philippines’ fastest 5G mobile network Smart’s VNL coverage further boosts GigaPlay App’s lineup of topnotch sports content, which includes the streaming of the UAAP, NBA, PBA, PVL, and FIBA games. GigaPlay is powered by Smart, the country’s fastest 5G mobile network, as reported by Ookla, the global leader in mobile and broadband network intelligence. To learn more about GigaPlay, visit www.smart.com.ph/Pages/GigaPlay

ment or in the future,” Palami said. Palami is hoping that the arrival of Gerrit Holtmann, the VfL Bochum winger in the German Bundesliga, yesterday will help address this concern for the Azkals. That is, if he can adjust fast to the the current conditions in Ulaanbaatar. “The adjustment will be difficult for him. It’s always difficult for international players to play in inferior conditions. Not necessarily [with] the team, but more on the pitch itself because it’s not ideal and the players find it difficult. I hope he will be able to adjust easily,” Palami added. Palami is also not surprised that Azkals’ coach Thomas Dooley started youngsters Oliver Bias, Jefferson Tabinas, Sandro Reyes and Oskari Kekkonen against Yemen. He says Dooley is not afraid to use young players especially in big games. “In my experience with him that’s how (Daisuke) Sato and Amani (Aguinaldo) made their debuts— they were 17 and 18, I think, at that time. I know already, having worked with them in ADT (Azkals Development Team), how well they play. The good thing really is we could say that the new generation of players have stepped up and are ready to take on senior level matches,” Palami explained. Palami expects better results from the team in its next two games, which would be quite challenging after Palestine took a close 1-0 win, courtesy of a penalty, against Mongolia last Wednesday. While Palami is optimistic about the Azkals’ chances against the host team, Dooley, on the other hand, remains cautious against the Mongolian side. He admits not knowing much about the team except of what

he has seen in their game against the heavily-favored Palestine squad. “It was a very interesting game to watch. Mongolia, so to speak, parked the bus the infant of the penalty box. They played with five defenders. In back line, they had sometimes three most of the time for players in front of the back five and they had one play up front. It is a very, very physical team and they are 100% fit. They are running like crazy and and fighting there. They did a god job. They were very dangerous,” Dooley said. Except for minor adjustments, Dooley says he might stick to the same lineup that he used against Yemen tomorrow against Mongolia. “I will change maybe a little bit on one or two positions, but it’s not 100% clear,” Dooley said. As of now, Dooley is keeping his cards close to his chest knowing that the Azkals need to win against Mongolia to keep their hopes of advancing to the Asian Cup tournament proper alive. Just like Palami, Dooley is elated that Holtmann is with the team at last. He says his team is complete despite not having all the players he wanted to be in Ulaanbaatar. Dooley says he has already spoken to Holtmann yesterday, while the team was having breakfast. And the newest Azkal and current Bundesliga star is every excited to play for the Philippines. Dooley says knowing this is very amazing. While the anticipation for Holtmann to finally play with the Azkals is great and fans’ hopes are sky-high, Dooley is again asking everyone to manage their expectations. “That we are going to score a lot of goals because he is a Bundesliga

WHEN Stephen Loman joined ONE Championship in 2021, his primary goal was to become a World Champion with the organization. For the Baguio City native, that means he’s willing to face anybody in his path keeping him from holding the belt. Whether that’s reigning ONE Bantamweight World Champion John “Hands of Stone” Lineker, former kingpin Bibiano “The Flash” Fernandes, or even the streaking Fabricio “Wonder Boy” Andrade, who recently collected his fourth straight knockout victory last week at ONE 158: Tawanchai vs. Larsen. For Loman, it doesn’t matter. Andrade stopped #2-ranked Kwon Won Il in just over a minute in the first round with a thunderous kick to the liver that instantly dropped the South Korean. The victory may have punched a ticket to a shot at the World Title for Andrade, although nothing is official as of yet. “Wonder Boy” is certainly fixated on fighting for the belt next, but also mentioned in previous interviews that should he become champion, his first title defense could come against Loman. For his part, “The Sniper” is more than game, and the 26-year-old Filipino unsurprisingly employs the same mindset as his younger Brazilian counterpart. “In any case, from Lineker or from Andrade, I have a firm goal to bring the belt home to Philippines,” said Loman. “We are aiming at the same target and that’s to face John Lineker and be the World Champion in the Bantamweight division. Surely Andrade is a tough one and if he will get the chance to fight Lineker before me and if he aces out Lineker then I am all up to grab the belt from him, if given the opportunity.” Loman is a perfect 2-0 in ONE Championship since making his promotional debut late last year. He stopped former top-five fighter Yusup Saadulaev in his first fight in the Circle in December, and then decisioned highly regarded Shoko Sato in January. Loman’s victory over Saadulaev allowed him to gain entry into the bantamweight top five, earning a berth at the #3 spot in the rankings. Conversely, Andrade has no doubt been as impressive, if not even more, and now appears to be on a collision course with Loman. For his part, “The Sniper” believes a fight against Andrade is inevitable, and one that could come sooner rather than later.

player, that is wrong. Because he needs time like everyone else. The players don’t know him. He doesn’t know his teammates. There is a time change and he just arrived from a 14 to 15 hour flight,” Dooley explained. Dooley, however, will start Holtmann against Mongolia if plans push through. “That is for sure. That’s why he is coming , he wants to play for us and even if he is not 100%, I want him to play and maybe he can decide on how he feels on how long he wants to play,” Dooley added. Palami is confident Dooley and the rest of the team will be able to make the necessary adjustments come game time against the unpredictable host. He says he expects a better offensive attacking plan from the team with Holtmann around. “That would be tragic if we can’t exploit the talent of Gerrit but I’m sure they have a plan now,” he said. The Philippine Azkals will face Mongolia, 12.30 p.m. tomorrow, Saturday, June 11 at the MFF Stadium in Ulaanbaatar. If it is not asking too much, please include the team in your prayers tonight. We need the full 3 points tomorrow because at the end of the day, it is the stat line that matters. On a personal note, I would like to greet Boss Dan—yup, the beloved Azkals manager and all-weather friend to all—a Happy Birthday! May your passion and dedication to advancing football never cease. Stay safe. Stay happy peeps! For comments or questions, you can reach The Designated Kit Man at erel_cabatbat@yahoo.com or follow his account at Twitter: @erelcabatbat

Entertainment

Nickie Wang,, Editor Patricia Taculao, Editorial Assistant E-mail: lifeandshow.manilastandard@gmail.com FRIDAY, JUNE 10, 2022

Louis Tomlinson’s PH tour moves to the Big Dome

English singer-songwriter Louis Tomlinson

LOUIS Tomlinson’s Philippine concert on July 16, originally scheduled to be staged at New Frontier Theater, will be moved to the Araneta Colesium after tickets sold out on June 5. In an announcement posted on its official Facebook page, Live Nation Philippines shared that due to public demand, additional tickets will be on sale starting Monday, June 13, 10:00 a.m. via TicketNet and its outlets.

“Yes, we heard you!” the organizer said on Facebook. For fans who already purchased New Frontier Theater tickets, they may have them exchanged from June 10 to 12. Tickets will be assigned with the equivalent seats at the Smart Araneta Coliseum. For fans who purchased online, New Frontier Theater tickets will be voided and a new electronic ticket for the Smart Araneta Coliseum

show will be emailed. For fans who bought thru Box Office and Outlet/s, New Frontier Theater tickets must be surrendered at the Ticketnet Box Office and will be exchanged with a new Smart Araneta Coliseum ticket. Ticketnet Box Office is open daily from 10:00 a.m. to 8:00 p.m., including weekends. For more ticket info and inquiries, visit www. ticketnet.com.ph.

BPCI gives support to Operation Smile Philippines, holds glam shot exhibit (From left) President and CEO of AQ Prime Attorney Aldwin Alegre, Danny Seo, Lee Kwang Rok, and AQ Prime’s Chief Operating Officer Melanie Honey Quiño at the grand launchof AQ Prime

The new streaming platform will also offer Korean entertainment as a part of AQ Prime’s multicultural partnerships

Daring movies banner lineup of new streaming platform AQ Prime

Operation Smile Philippines in Rosario Memorial Hospital, Pampanga

THE Bb. Pilipinas Charities, Inc. (BPCI) recently brought cheers to children beneficiaries of Operation Smile Philippines, a non-profit medical services organization helping underprivileged children and young adults with cleft disabilities by providing free reconstructive surgery and comprehensive care. Two groups of Bb. Pilipinas 2022 candidates visited Operation Smile Philippines in Sta. Ana, Manila, and Rosario Memorial Hospital in Pampanga. The Binibinis had an amazing time distributing hand sanitizer and coloring books. They also shared stories and played games with the little patients A Glam Shot Photo Exhibit has also been organized by BPCI at Gateway Mall activity area. Fans have trooped to the mall exhibit to see the glamorous photos of their favorite candidates displayed in seven-foot-tall installations. Shot by Raymond Saldaña and Owen Suarez, the well-conceptualized portraits are all winners. The photo exhibit will be opened in other Araneta City malls until the pageant’s grand coronation night. Meanwhile, preliminary activities of this year’s search continued with the Ever Bilena Beauty Tour concluding with the announcement of seven special awards, Chelsea Fernandez, Ms. Ever Bilena 2022; Nicole Borromeo, Ms. Careline Cosmetics 2022; Herlene Budol, Ms. Blackwater 2022; Karen Laurrie Mendoza, Ms. Hello Glow 2022; Diana Mackey, Ms. Ever Organics 2022; Roberta Tamondong, Ms. Spotlight Cosmetics PH 2022; and Nyca Bernardo, Ms. Hyaloo 2022.

…are talking about

PEOPLE

Sassa Gurl, Awra Briguela, and Mimiyuuuh June is Pride Month, and what better way to celebrate it than to recognize the LGBTQIA+ community in our society. Sassa Gurl, Awra Briguela, and Mimiyuuuh graced the issue of Preview and are thriving under that spotlight. They served all kinds of different outfits and visuals, making them look “kabog.” This opportunity also allowed them to speak about the hurdles of their community in the Philippines despite some progress. Fans, however, are advocating that Pipay should be part of the mix.

Moira Dela Torre Her split with her husband, Jason Hernandez, left the country abuzz about the reason for their breakup. Although Jason admitted to cheating, others within their circle also accused Moira of the same thing. She dismissed allegations of her cheating but remained dazed about what happened. The public, on the other hand, expressed their full support for Moira and slammed Jason. No matter the reason, he still cheated and left her in shambles. So much for the love and respect that he declared.

HEN there’s market saturation, the competition becomes stiffer. And this is the scenario in the world of online streaming for entertainment where viewers are offered a number of streaming options. AQ Prime, the latest streaming service to rival Netflix and other local companies that provide similar services, is entering the market with a lineup of original content including foreign titles. It’s able to acquire Korean shows via its groundbreaking link with South Korea’s Sun Mobile Commerce (SBT). In an interview with Manila Standard Entertainment, the executives behind the new streaming app believe that they are not an alternative option. “We really see a high demand for local entertainment so we’re not here to compete but be just one of the players. Filipino entertainment consumers

...are not talking about Tom Rodriguez

After months of being absent on social media, Tom is back with cryptic posts that people assume are referring to his relationship with his estranged wife, Carla Abellana. While Carla’s father weighed in on their situation some time ago, Tom and Carla have yet to address the issue themselves. However, Tom is hinting that there’s a gag order on him, preventing him from speaking his truth. Nobody knows for sure about the full story, and hopefully, the celebrity couple will come clean about it soon.

Enchong Dee It seems that the case against actor Enchong Dee caught up with him. He attended the mediation hearing of the P1B libel case in Davao del Sur. Congresswoman Claudine Bautista-Lim doesn’t seem keen on forgiving Enchong either, making the entire process more cumbersome for the actor. May this serve as a lesson for him and everyone else to mince their words on social media and in real life because every action has an equal, opposite reaction, like a P1B fine.

need to have more options,” Atty. Melanie Honey Quiño, AQ Prime’s Chief Operating Officer, said. The new streaming app will go live and will be available for download in the app stores before the end of the month of June. During the launch period, AQ Prime will offer P1 subscription for the first month and as low as P99 per month for the regular service. Subscribers will be able to access thousands of hours of streaming entertainment on all smartphones and TVs across the Philippines, Southeast Asia, the Middle East, South Korea, and North America. “We are excited to provide Filipinos across the world the most complete access to entertainment content a streaming platform has to offer,” said Atty. Aldwin Alegre, President, and CEO of AQ Prime. He adds, “This exciting undertaking will be aided by multi-cultural partnerships with the Korean entertainment industry and other foreign filmmakers for a

unique and diverse programming experience.” Atty. Quiño adds, “We are focused on delivering high-quality entertainment Filipino families know and love. With these tenets in mind, we at AQ Prime will also provide a talent development company in collaboration with our Korean film and entertainment partners. Our very own Filipino talents have a chance to showcase their talents in Korean films, K-dramas, and the like.” As the Philippines’ new streaming platform, AQ Prime highlights topical and compelling content like LGBTQIA+, music, game, and talent shows through reality programs. As part of AQ Prime’s mission, it aims to promote and uplift the local film industry. In addition to movies and shows, a subscription gives customers access to pay-per-view live sporting events, shows, and festivals, rentto-view adult movies, and Filipino independent films. AQ Prime also takes pride in another platform called Director’s Cut by AQ, which is a separate app dedicated to sexy and mature content — both teeming with original titles produced by AQ as well as acquired titles from Korea and other territories.

Help reaches Sorsogon families through ABS-CBN Foundation Families from Sorsogon receiving the donations from ABS-CBN Foundation

ABOUT 260 families received help in Sorsogon as ABS-CBN Foundation made its way to the province after Mt. Bulusan’s recent steam-blast explosion. Led by the ABS-CBN News Public Service team, the ABS-CBN Foundation delivered food packs, hygiene kits, water, and vitamins to residents of Brgy. Puting Sapa, Juban whose lives were disrupted as ash from the volcanic eruption covered their homes and entire villages. Meanwhile, the hope of farmers from Bucas Grande Island in Socorro, Surigao

del Norte was strengthened with the arrival of home repair kits early this month as they continue to recover from the destruction caused by Super Typhoon Odette more than five months ago. Purok Chairman Romero Henson Ajoc thanked ABS-CBN for extending help and delivering the construction materials even after the shutdown of its broadcast operations, including its regional stations. “Even if it’s no longer on air, ABSCBN still continues to help. Thank you so much,” he said.

Gabbi Garcia-Khalil Ramos miniseries captivates audience on pilot airing LOVE You Stranger, the latest primetime offering produced by GMA Public Affairs, has piqued the interest of viewers – with its enthralling storyline and cinematography not only earning praises from viewers but winning the ratings as well. Based on Nielsen Philippines’ National Urban TV audience measurement overnight ratings data for June 6, the Gabbi Garcia-Khalil Ramos miniseries posted 6.5 percent people rating – winning against other programs on its timeslot. Describing their experience as ‘watching a film on TV,’ netizens noted the “worldclass” treatment of the mystery-romance

younger LJ and her mother joined miniseries, with most of them excited the ritual. for the upcoming episodes where the But that night, Lorraine was story of LJ (Gabbi) and Ben (Khalil) believed to be taken away by Lilom. further unravels. Fast forward to the present. LJ In its pilot episode, viewers saw and Lorraine have since moved how LJ has dedicated her life to to Manila, where LJ is now a taking care of her mother Lorraine film designer struggling to make (Andrea del Rosario) who has an ends meet. As LJ desperately unexplained fear of shadows and seeks ways to help Lorraine get aversion to strangers. better, she serendipitously lands The first scene was set in Sta. LJ and Ben’s first meeting isn’t smooth-sailing a major movie project that could Castela, where residents gather for bring her closer to understanding a ritual. Locals believe that every mysterious creature, a dance should be full moon, the shadow creature called offered by women clad in long dresses her mother: a film based on the Lilom Lilom takes a human soul. To pacify the and adorned with floral headdresses. A folklore itself helmed by a charming

young director named Ben. What happens when LJ agrees to work with Ben for his film set in the same place where LJ “lost” her mother? Love You Stranger also stars Gil Cuerva, Carmi Martin, Tonton Gutierrez, Lexi Gonzales, Kim De Leon, Maey Bautista, Angelli Sanoy, Alex Medina, Nor Domingo, Ces Quesada, Lui Manansala, Bodjie Pascua, Soliman Cruz, and Dindo Arroyo. The show airs Monday to Thursday at 9:35 p.m. on GMA Telebabad. Kapuso abroad can catch it via GMA Pinoy TV.

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

FRIDAY, JUNE 10, 2022

Life

The new Tindahan Ni Aling Puring app offers exclusive services and rewards to Puregold’s partner sari-sari stores across the country

Transforming the lives of ‘sari-sari’ store owners through technology By Patricia Taculao WHENEVER Filipinos need something, like a bar of soap, canned goods, or filling snacks, they know that the place to go is to their nearest sarisari store. No barangay around the country is complete without a reliant sari-sari store to provide for their everyday needs. Sari-sari stores also vary in their products. While some only have toiletries, snacks, and beverages, others offer cooked meals, condiments, sacks of rice, and freshly baked bread. Nonetheless, these stores serve as a source of livelihood for many Filipinos. For years, Puregold has supported sari-sari stores around the country as their partner in keeping their establishments well-stocked. They established a customized holistic program, called Tindahan Ni Aling Puring, to allow sari-sari store owners and other business owners to increase the potential for their net earnings. Yet as the world continues to and customers’ demands shift to a digital space, small to medium enterprises (SMEs), like sari-sari stores, feel the pressure to adapt to their market.

“Puregold is equipping Tindahan Ni Aling Puring members with an app that will allow them [to] take advantage of e-negosyo opportunities. Sari-sari store owners can now become the community’s hub for essentials and paying bills or telco load,” said Puregold president Vincent Co. Cash-in options are also available through the Aling Puring App to help entrepreneurs further grow their businesses. Antonio De Los Santos, Puregold’s Vice President of Operations, shared that the Aling Puring app, along with the brand’s other innovations, is a result of Puregold’s constant communication with their partners and program members. He added that Puregold consistently listens to SME owners, so they know how to tailor their programs according to their needs. (From left) Puregold Executives Ivy Piedad SM for Marketing, Antonio De Los Santos Despite the pandemic, Puregold VP Operations, and Jenny Jacintos SM for Merchandising at the Puregold Negosyo saw an increase in their Aling Puring Convention 2022 at the World Trade Center program members since most of the public needed to find another source of In response, Puregold developed a The move strengthens Puregold’s income due to displacement or a reliable solution to this problem through its commitment to helping sari-sari stores source of necessities, like food and Aling Puring App that aims to transform and small business owners promote toiletries. Another feature of the Aling Puring its partner stores into one-stop shops. entrepreneurship in the country.

Taking Pride

App is its connection to the Puregold mobile app, where SME owners can easily access services to order and replenish their stocks. Puregold launched the Aling Puring App during their Negosyo Convention 2022 held at the World Trade Center in Pasay City from May 19 to 21. The convention also celebrates its return after two years of absence due to the pandemic. With over 600,000 members in the Philippines, Puregold’s Aling Puring program provides them with opportunities to earn points equivalent to rebates they can use to shop at any Puregold branch. Members also enjoy other services, like free delivery, business financing assistance, and even free insurance. Other perks include access to Dealskarte and Ka-Asenso promo packs for more savings and points, exclusive events, and businesses, like loading and food-to-go under Puregold’s KAINdustriya program. The Aling Puring app is available for download in the Google Playstore. For more information, visit Puregold on Facebook.

Celebrating Pride Month with a purpose

Art by Portia Nemeño. ‘Pedicab’ is

one of the works that will be featured in the upcoming art exhibit

ITH the rise of LGBTQIA+ themes on mainstream media like television and movies, Filipinos have never been more open to themes embracing the community. However, there is still an observable need to spread awareness and initiate conversations about important issues the LGBTQIA+ community faces. Understanding the SOGIE bill, enjoyment of basic rights, and protection against discrimination are some of these.

In line with its purpose, the Humanist Alliance Philippines, International (HAPI) is once again championing human rights, particularly those of the LGBTQIA+ community, by presenting a series of activities celebrating Pride Month this June. The event’s theme is “over•coming.” This represents gaining control over one’s body, freedom, rights, and destiny (among others). HAPI will be hosting an art exhibit and an eight-day series of nationwide talks that will feature a lineup of international artists and speakers headed by lead organizer Roma Jane Hechanova (HAPI-Dumaguete) with co-organizer for art exhibit Shyndel May Sastrillo (HAPI-Dumaguete), co-organizer for nationwide series of talks Junius Dale

Capus (HAPI-Bacolod) and HAPI Pride Universalist LGBTIQA Fellowship will be team as co-facilitators. The activities facilitating a round-table discussion on why aim to encourage members of society religion is not in the way of being queer on to come together and discuss issues that June 25 (Friday); this will be moderated by are significant to the lives of the queer Paula Maria Gregg, with Lui Sayre, May Gimang, Coriander Gunn, Rev. Leslie community and humanity in general. The art exhibit to be held at Dakong Minasalvas, and Bernadette Jumuad as Balay Art Gallery, Dumaguete, Negros speakers. Oriental– which will be launched on June Young Humanists International 19, – features 23 artists from all over the European Regional Coordinator Andrea Philippines and one based in the US and Ruggeri from Italy will talk about the will showcase various forms of medium struggles of men in modern society and from photographs, to fabric, digital, oil why feminism is also FOR men on June on canvas, installation art, film, etc. It 26 (Sunday). will run until June 30; poetry written To cap off the eight-day series of talks, by Hechanova will also accompany the Queer Safe Spaces Founder Roanne artworks. Carreon will explore the topic of “Inclusive The eight-day series of talks will feature Future: How to achieve a more equal society various advocates and for all people through feminist movements” experts from all over the on June 27 (Monday). Philippines and one from The two-day Pride Walk is one of the Italy. It will be done via event’s highlights. The first part to be held video call and is open to on June 18, dubbed the Negros Oriental all interested participants Pride Walk, is a province-wide, inclusive worldwide. rural, and multicultural gathering open HAPI-Bacolod Deputy to all members and allies of the LGBT Head Rayd Espeja will community. talk about “Curating HAPI aims that through these major Prism: Leveling our events, the struggle for equality and equity understanding of SOGIE that will grant people – regardless of sex and human rights” on and gender – the same respect, privileges, June 20 (Monday). This will be followed and rights would reach more audience and by human rights activist Atty. Luke garner more allies. Espiritu’s discussion on “Debunking SOGIE Myths: Time to know you’re HAPI is partnering with local and part of the spectrum and covered by the national organizations to make this event SOGIE Bill” on June 21 (Tuesday). possible. Gender Justice Advocate Rev. Kakay For more information about the Pamaran will focus on “Unearthing activities, visit hapihumanist.org. (His)tory to (Her)story: the evolution of queer history in the Philippines” on June 22 (Wednesday) which will be followed by Negrosanon Youth Leaders Institute Member Jomar Borromeo’s talk titled “Let’s talk about sex, baby!: Sex Education and Awareness” on June 23 (Thursday). Human rights lawyer and HAPI member Atty. Jesus Falcis will be shedding light on the feasibility of legislating same-sex marriage in the Philippines and the limitations of the Family Code pertaining to marriage and divorce; this will be done on June 24 (Friday). The participants of the Humanist Alliance Philippines, Members of the Unitarian International (HAPI) celebration of Pride month

Whether it’s back to the office or a WFH zoom meeting, this Blazer Shorts set is a smart option

Leather loafers from Salvatore Mann add a sleek finishing touch to any look

How to reboot your return-to-office fashion and still look professional NOW that more offices are opening up, there is a real want for returning employees to chat in real life, work next to their colleagues, and go back to work events again. With work from home – as well as hybrid – arrangements still very much in practice, it’s time to give your working wardrobe a reboot with a little help from The SM Store. The pandemic has fast-tracked the move towards smart/casual dressing once reserved for dress-down Fridays. That’s because companies have realized that you don’t have to dress strictly corporate to look professional and do your jobs properly. Now it is acceptable to bring some personality and self-expression to work. This means having a wardrobe full of smart separates, key pieces that will get you spoton and enjoy dressing in a more creative and interesting way. While it’s clear dress codes have relaxed, it’s still important to look professional at work. It is really part of your tool kit for success as well as showing you mean

Shop now and add to cart: https://bit.ly/ SMEverydaySummer or order now from The SM Store Personal Shopper at thesmstore. com/PS or Facebook Messenger bit.ly/ TSSOrder and get it as early as same day.

Bomber Jackets from The SM Store’s Men’s Department are great for the work commute

Parisian Darma Shoulder bag with houndstooth design

business, and taking your job seriously. Working girls can inject a hint of something fresh into their look – online or offline – with short suits, with a more relaxed take on tailoring from SM Woman. The basic white top remains a mainstay as do relaxed pants for casual codes. These go well with Slip-on Sandals and flat mules from Parisian Woman and flat pumps from Solemate and trendy and functional shoulder and sling bags from Parisian and Secosana. For guys, there are Jusi barongs for more formal occasions, button-down tops, smart casual pants, and bomber jackets for the office commute. These can be worn with classic leather loafers from Milano’s and Salvatore Mann and Herschel’s Little America backpacks and Salvatore Mann Armon sling bags.

San Miguel Beer launches new Hard Seltzer brand San Miguel’s new hard seltzer in the Citrus Mix flavor

SAN Miguel Brewery Inc. (SMB) serves up a new drink that offers simple enjoyment and flavorful refreshment with San Mig Hard Seltzer. Concocted on a base of sparkling water, the drink mixes in spirits and natural fruit flavors for drinkers looking for a fresh experience. An emerging flavored alcoholic beverage, hard seltzers can be

simply described as alcoholic bubbly water or boozy soda. It is made from carbonated water with alcohol and added flavors. The outcome is a refreshing swig with a bit of a buzz. San Mig Hard Seltzer, is a naturally fruit-flavored sparkling water with alcohol content of 5 percent. It has just the right sweetness, without

lingering bitterness that makes it easy to drink. It is available in citrus mix flavor which offers a fusion of orange and dalandan zests that results in a light and refreshing drink. In addition to the pleasant mouthfeel, it has low calories, zero sugar, and no preservatives. Whether out for a good time with friends or for a relaxing time

at home, San Mig Hard Seltzer is an easy-going, versatile drink that can fit any fancy. This new drink is sure to delight any happening. Order now from your favorite supermarkets, groceries, and convenience stores, or through SMB Delivers via 8632-BEER (2337) or www.SMBDelivers. com.