Manila Standard - 2022 July 8 - Friday

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File photoon datedA4) July 27, 2016 shows President Duterte during a National Security Council meeting attended by four former presidents (Story including (from left) Joseph Estrada, Gloria Macapagal-Arroyo, Fidel V. Ramos and Benigno Aquino III. Presidential Spokesman Harry

PESO FALLS TO LOWEST LEVEL IN NEARLY 17 YEARS AT P56:$1

BUSINESS / B4

Roque says Malacanang is inclined to ask the four ex-presidents to attend a meeting on issues besetting the West Philippine Sea. NSC file

Rollback: Diesel P4, gas P3

DoE says price cuts due to world fuel cost drop by as much as $10

By Alena Mae S. Flores and Macon Ramos-Araneta

P

UMP prices are likely to go down by P4 a liter for diesel and P3 a liter for gasoline next week after world oil prices declined by as much as $10 per barrel, the Department of Energy (DOE) said Thursday.

BORIS JOHNSON

Johnson quits Party post, on way out as PM

VOL. XXXVI • NO. 142 • 3 SECTIONS 12 PAGES • P18 FRIDAY, FRIDAY JULY 8, 2022 • www.manilastandard.net • mst.daydesk@gmail.com

RISKY WORK.

A worker mounts steel at an ongoing construction work in Paranaque City. The country's unemployment rate rose to 6 percent in May—or about 2.93 million jobless Filipinos—from April's 5.7 percent. Danny Pata

BORIS Johnson resigned on Thursday as leader of Britain's Conservative party, paving the way for the selection of a new prime minister after dozens of ministers quit his scandal-hit government.

"It is clearly the will of the parliamentary Conservative party that there should be a new leader of that party, and therefore a new prime minister," Johnson said outside 10 Downing Street.

Johnson, 58, announced that he would step down after a slew of resignations Next page

Jobless Pinoys in May up 6% to 2.93 million

By Julito G. Rada and Maricel V. Cruz THE unemployment rate for May 2022 has increased to 6 percent from 5.7 percent in April, translating to about 2.93 million jobless Filipinos, up from April’s 2.76 million.

The Philippine Statistics Authority said May’s jobless rate was lower than the 7.7 percent recorded in the same Next page month last year.

Next page

BBM scraps PACC, reshuffles PCOO, adds appointees

By Vito Barcelo, Vince Lopez and Macon Ramos-Araneta

Commission (PACC) and transferred its jurisdiction, powers and functions to the Deputy Executive Secretary for Legal Affairs, the Palace said Thursday.

PRESIDENT Ferdinand Marcos Jr. has Executive Order No. 1 also abolishes abolished the Presidential Anti-Corruption the Office of the Cabinet Secretary and the

Office of the Presidential Spokesperson— all agencies formed by President Rodrigo Duterte in 2017.

“In order to achieve simplicity, economy and efficiency in the bureaucracy without... disruptions in internal

management and general governance, the administration shall streamline official processes and procedures by reorganizing the Office of the President proper and the various attached agencies and offices, and

Next page

DOH: Booster not mandatory, but there's need to ramp it up

By Willie Casas

AHEAD OF THE -BER MONTHS. Salvador Catarining, 42, assembles Christmas lanterns made of capiz shells at a shop along Emilio Aguinaldo Highway in Dasmarinas City, Cavite on Thursday, July 7, 2022. He has been making different types of lanterns for 14 years now. Gil Calinga

THE administration of COVID-19 booster shots, as well as the primary vaccine series, are still not mandatory in the country, the Department of Health (DOH) clarified on Thursday.

This came after it was earlier reported (not Manila Standard) that President Ferdinand Marcos Jr. had agreed to the proposal of the Health Department to require the first booster dose against COVID-19 before a person could be deemed fully vaccinated against the disease.

“We also did not give any statement that boosters will become mandatory.

'Marcos mulling 3 EU nations out warning on 'Lucky Me!' speech at UNGA, may meet Biden' PRESIDENT Ferdinand Marcos Jr. is mulling over attending the United Nations General Assembly in New York in September, where he may deliver a speech, Philippine Ambassador to the United States Jose Manuel Romualdez said Thursday.

A side meeting with US President Joe Biden is possible at the UN, butRomualdez said he prefers a separate Next page

Rino Abad, DOE director for the Oil Industry Management Bureau, said the decline in world oil prices will likely to offset the impact ofthe peso’s depreciation against the US greenback.

From June 27 to July 1, the Philippine peso depreciated week-on-week against the US dollar by P0.56 to P54.97 from P54.41 the previous week.

The peso further depreciated to P56.06 versus the US dollar on Thursday.

Abad attributed the drop in world oil prices to ongoing concerns over US interest rate hikes.

Meanwhile, concerns of a slowdown in global economic demand also affected oil prices.

The DOE said world oil prices remained volatile amid concerns of supply tightness and recession fears.

On July 5, the oil companies cut diesel prices

by P3 a liter and kerosene by P3.40 a liter. Gasoline prices did not move.

These adjustments brought net increases of P42.90 per liter for diesel, P36.35 per liter for kerosene and P30 per liter for gasoline since the start of the year.

President Ferdinand Marcos Jr. met with key Energy officials Thursday to address the continued rise in oil prices. No details of the meeting were released, however.

THE governments of Ireland, Malta, and France have recalled several variants of the popular Filipino noodle brand Lucky Me!, particularly the noodle soup and pancit canton variants manufactured between 2021 and 2022.

In separate advisories, the European Union (EU) countries warned their consumers due to supposed high levels of ethylene oxide, a gas commonly used as a pesticide, in the noodles.

"This pesticide (gas) is not authorized for use in foods sold in the EU. Although the consumption of the contaminated

product does not pose an acute risk to health, there may be health issues if there is continued consumption of ethylene oxide over a long period of time.

Therefore, exposure to this substance needs to be minimised," the Irish government said in its advisory.

The variants in question include the original, hot chili, kalamansi, and ‘chilimansi’ flavors of Lucky Me! Pancit Canton, as well as Lucky Me! beef mami flavor.

Next page

That is not in our directive and pronouncements,” Health Undersecretary Maria Rosario Vergeire said at the DOH briefing.

“We are saying that we really need to increase the level of booster uptake here in our country because we can see, and even our experts are saying, that our immunity for our population is already waning.

So, we need to raise the level of our vaccinations, specifically our boosters,” she explained.

Meanwhile, the DOH said it detected 140 additional cases of COVID-19’s Omicron subvariant BA.5 from various Next page

RECALLED. Several variants of Lucky Me! Noodle soup and pancit canton were recalled by Ireland, Malta and France for supposed high levels of ethylene oxide.

UN: 71m poor due to soaring food, oil prices SOARING global food and energy prices have forced 71 million people into poverty in the world's poorest countries, according to a United Nations Development Program report published Thursday.

The rise in the developing world's poverty rates over the past three months "is drastically faster than the shock of the COVID-19 pandemic," said the UNDP in a press release, blaming the price surges in part on the war in Ukraine.

To address the growing issue, the UNDP said "targeted cash transfers to households are more equitable and more cost-effective than blanket energy subsidies," but the UN agency added that governments will "need support from the multilateral system to make ends meet."

The UNDP also warned in its report that as central banks raise interest rates to tackle inflation, "there is a risk of triggering further recession-induced poverty that will exacerbate the crisis even more, accelerating and deepening poverty worldwide."

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A2

News

FRIDAY, JULY 8, 2022

mst.daydesk@gmail.com

2 tropical cyclones could enter PH T WO tropical cyclones could enter the Philippine Area of Responsibility (PAR) after the next three days, the state weather bureau said Thursday.

cloudy skies with isolated rain showers or thunderstorms.

The La Niña phenomenon will bring scattered rainfalls in several parts of the country and is expected to last until the end of this year, Malano of the Philippine Atmospheric, Geophysical and Astronomical Services Administration said Thursday.

He said frequent rainfall will likely prevail in parts of Mindanao, Eastern Visayas, as well as Central and Eastern Luzon due to the La Niña episode.

In the last few days, Malano said the low-pressure area has brought rains in parts of the Zamboanga Peninsula and Northern Mindanao, especially in

Cagayan de Oro City.

Scattered rain showers and thunderstorms are likewise expected to persist in parts of Eastern Visayas, Central Philippines, Bicol Region, Palawan, and Mindanao.

“This is because of the LPA inside the ITCZ (Intertropical Convergence Zone) and it is expected that we will continue to experience it in the presence of the so-called La Niña. And this La Niña phenomenon is expected until the end of this year,” Malano said.

Light to moderate rains will most likely prevail in Visayas, Bicol Region, Palawan, and other parts of Eastern Mindanao, he added. Rio N. Araja

At a Laging Handa public briefing, PAGASA Administrator Undersecretary Vicente Malano said in the next three days, no tropical cyclone was forecast to enter PAR. "We are, however, expecting that after three days, a tropical cyclone will enter the Philippine Area of Responsibility," Malano said.

“The characteristics of these two tropical cyclones are similar to weather

disturbances ‘Caloy’ and ‘Domeng,’ which entered PAR recently. Domeng headed towards the northern part of the country while the other one traversed the direction going to China," he added.

PAGASA has said the Intertropical Convergence Zone (ITCZ) will bring inclement weather over Southern Luzon, Visayas, and Mindanao.

It said Metro Manila and the rest of the country would have partly cloudy to

Rollback:...

The Land Transportation Franchising and Regulatory Board (LTFRB) began releasing cash subsidies for other public transport operators and drivers in March.

The President has yet to name an Energy secretary.

Also on Thursday, Senator Sherwin Gatchalian expressed reservations about suspending the excise tax on oil products to cushion the effects of skyrocketing fuel prices brought about by the Russian invasion of Ukraine.

Gatchalian said the government stands to lose P160 billion in revenue if the

excise tax on fuel is suspended.

"We really need to study the proposal carefully because if we look at the news, it seems that there is no end to the situation in Ukraine,” he said.

Senator Grace Poe has refiled a bill seeking to amend the National Internal Revenue Code (NIRC) and providing rules for the automatic suspension of the excise tax on gasoline and diesel.

Under her proposal, the collection of excise taxes on gasoline and diesel will be automatically suspended when the average Dubai crude oil prices based on

the Mean of Platts Singapore exceeds $80 per barrel over a period of three months.

She said the suspension of excise tax will immediately bring down the cost of gasoline by P10 per liter and diesel by P6 per liter.

"Taking off P6 from the price of diesel per liter during critical times can help our drivers ply their routes again. At the same time, it will lower the cost of transporting goods," she said.

Senator Aquilino Pimentel III has also filed a bill to suspend the imposition of the value-added tax on fuel.

Corp., the National Printing Office, the News and Information Bureau, and People’s Television Network, Inc. Under EO 1, all personnel affected by the abolition of both the PACC and OCS and OPS may be eligible for benefits provided under existing laws.

EO No. 1, signed on June 30, also creates an Office of the Presidential Adviser on Military and Police. It will be under the administration of the Office of the Special Assistant to the President (OSAP).

Former Davao congressman Anton Lagdameo is the current Special Assistant to the President.

The OPS shall be headed by a Press Secretary who will have an assistant secretary with support staff of not more than 20 personnel.

The issuance of EO 2 came the same day when Marcos, as well as Press "There is a need to rationalize and consolidate the communications arm of the administration for a more efficient delivery of public policy to the general public," EO No. 2 said.

The OPS personnel will be appointed

by Cruz-Angeles and approved by Executive Secretary Victor Rodriguez.

In addition, there shall be undersecretaries for operations, plans and policies; administration, finance and procurement; legal affairs; media accreditation and relations; digital media services; print media services, and related government-owned and -controlled

corporations and attached agencies; and special concerns.

Each undersecretary will have assistant secretaries and support staff.

APO Production Unit, Bureau of Broadcast Services, Intercontinental Broadcasting Corporation, National Printing Office, News and Information Bureau, and People's Television Network will be attached to the OPS for purposes of supervision, control, and budget clustering, the EO states.

Radio Television Malacañang, previously under the supervision of the then PCOO, will be placed under the direct supervision and control of the Presidential Management Staff.

On the other hand, the Philippine Information Agency will be under the direct supervision of the OP. "The PIA shall absorb the following offices previously under the control and supervision of the PCOO: Bureau of Communications Services; Freedom of Information-Program Management Office; and Good Governance Office," EO 2 said.

The PIA, the EO provides, will continue to be headed by a director-general, with the rank of undersecretary, and will be entitled to four deputy directors-general with the rank, salary, and emoluments of assistant secretary, and four assistant directors-general with the rank, salary, and emoluments of director IV. Senator Francis Escudero, meanwhile, said he supported the abolition

and revamp of some offices in the executive department that were found to be duplicating the functions of other government agencies, saying it would save the administration scarce resources that could be used to fund more programs for the poor.

“Less bureaucracy is always better so we can have more money for projects and programs that directly benefit our people instead of just being spent on salaries and wages of government officials and employees,” Escudero said after Executive Order No. 1 was issued by Marcos in a bid to trim the bureaucracy.

“Any initiative to make the government more effective and efficient in responding to the current needs of the people is always welcome and commendable,” Escudero said.

Also on Thursday, Marcos picked former Defense secretary Delfin Lorenzana to be the chairman of the Bases Conversion and Development Authority (BCDA).

Marcos also appointed former Quezon City councilor Diorella Maria "Lala" Sotto-Antonio as chairperson of the Movie and Television Review Classification Board (MTRCB).

Film Development Council (FDCP) chairperson and chief executive officer (CEO) Liza Diño-Seguerra will continue to head the film body in a holdover capacity while the papers of her replacement, actor Tirso Cruz III, remain pending, the Palace also said.

and recommended strategies to further improve the government’s pandemic response.

Pressed on what was discussed during the meeting, Vergeire said the topics were only technical and there were no discussions on who the next Health chief will be.

Despite the rising COVID-19 and dengue cases in the country, Marcos has not yet named a DOH leader to replace former Health Secretary Francisco Duque III. Vergeire, however, said Marcos “fully supports” the DOH and the COVID-19 response and vaccination program.

“Our President was able to provide instructions and guidance for the Health department on how we can implement and increase the level of our response for COVID and at the same time improve coverage for our vaccinations here in our country,” Vergeire said.

The DOH earlier announced that adolescents aged 12 to 17 may already receive their booster shot against the viral disease.

Marcos expressed his desire to raise the level of protection of the public against COVID-19 and to prepare for the resumption of full face-to-face classes in schools by November.

De Grano reminded the public the Omicron COVID-19 variant remains “highly contagious” even though the infected only show mild or moderate symptoms.

Marcos on Tuesday likened Omicron to the flu, saying it may be “a little contagious but [it] does not hit as hard” as other variants.

Johnson...

They included Greg Clark, an arch "remainer" opposed to Britain's divorce from the European Union, which Johnson had championed.

Johnson had been clinging on to power despite a wave of more than 50 government resignations, expressing defiance late Wednesday.

But Thursday's departure of education minister Michelle Donelan and a plea to quit from finance minister Nadhim Zahawi, only in their jobs for two days, appeared to tip the balance along with warnings of a newno-confidence vote by Tory MPs. Defense minister Ben Wallace and Rishi Sunak, whose departure asfinance minister on Tuesday sparked the exodus, were among the early frontrunners to succeed Johnson, according to a YouGov survey of Conservative party members.

Those members will decide the new leader once Tory MPs have whittled down the contenders to a final two.

Northern Ireland minister Brandon Lewis kicked off Thursday's frenzied events, becoming the fourth cabinet minister to resign and writing that Johnson was "past the point of no return."

Johnson late on Wednesday defiantly responded to calls from his loyalists and cabinet colleagues to step down by sacking minister Michael Gove, with a Downing Street source telling media that his former Brexit top ally was a "snake." (See full story online at manilastandard.net)

spices and seeds to control microbial growth typical in agricultural products.

These materials, when processed into seasoning and sauces, may still show traces of ethylene oxide," the company said.

All Lucky Me! products are registered with the Philippine Food and Drug Administration (FDA), complying with local food safety standards and "even the US FDA standards for ethylene oxide," Monde Nissin assured.

The FDA is looking into the matter, according to Health Undersecretary Maria Rosario Vergeire.

"We have yet to put anything on hold

as we are still verifying the report and getting details. The incident was from Europe, our FDA now is verifying the report so we can issue further information to the public," she told reporters.

Only certain batches and lot numbers of the product containing the component or chemical may be removed from the market under FDA guidelines, Vergeire said.

"We will await the results of the FDA's investigation. Whatever would be affected, specifically batches and lot numbers for this specific product, those are what will be removed from the market," she said.

From A1

The meeting came two days after Marcos said he planned to expand the coverage of the government’s fuel subsidy to public transport operators and drivers by including tricycle drivers.

The Department of the Interior and Local Government (DILG) earlier announced that over 600,000 tricycle drivers nationwide will be receiving a fuel subsidy.

BBM...

From A1

by abolishing duplicated and overlapping official functions,” the EO reads.

The Office of the Cabinet Secretary will be placed under the directcontrol and supervision of the Presidential Management Staff.

Marcos also signed EO 2, abolishing the Office of the PresidentialSpokesperson, and reorganizing and renaming the Presidential Communications Operations Office (PCOO) as the Office of the Press Secretary (OPS).

The OPS will pronounce, on behalf of the President, matters pertaining to his actions, policies, programs, official activities, and accomplishments.

The OPS is also tasked to develop and implement necessary guidelines and mechanisms pertaining to the delivery and dissemination of information in policies, programs, official activities, and achievements of the President and the executive branch.

It is also mandated to establish and maintain rapport with private media and other similar entities and stakeholders, as well as supervise and coordinate with agencies and government-owned and controlled corporations attached to the OPS. Agencies and offices attached to the OPS include the Bureau of Broadcast Services, Intercontinental Broadcasting

DOH:..

From A1

regions. Vergeire said 99 persons tested positive from Western Visayas, 21 were from the National Capital Region (NCR), seven from Calabarzon, and five from the Ilocos Region.

One BA.5 case each was also identified in Central Luzon, Bicol Region, Central Visayas, Eastern Visayas, Northern Mindanao, Mimaropa, and Cordillera Administrative Region (CAR).

One returning overseas Filipino also tested positive for the BA.5 Omicron variant.

Vergeire said there were also 20 more BA.2.12.1 cases recorded in the country, and almost all of them have recovered.

The Private Hospitals Association of the Philippines Inc. (PHAPI) on Thursday supported the push to make the first COVID-19 booster dose a requirement before an individual could be deemed fully vaccinated against the disease.

During the Laging Handa briefing, PHAPI president Dr. Jose de Grano said booster shots are necessary, as the immunity of those who received their primary vaccine series may have waned already.

“We really need to boost our previous vaccines. I think when you’re fully vaccinated, you need to have at least one booster dose,” De Grano said.

Several Health officials on Wednesday morning met with Marcos to discuss the current COVID-19 situation and vaccination coverage in thecountry,

3 EU...

From A1

Ireland also noted that some of the Lucky Me! products being recalled were manufactured in Thailand.

The French government also told consumers to stop consuming the products, return them to where they were bought, and even destroy them.

In a statement issued Thursday, Lucky Me manufacturer and brand owner Monde Nissin said it was not adding ethylene oxide to its noodle products.

"It is a commonly used treatment in

From A1

from his top team in protest at his leadership but would stay on as prime minister until a replacement is found.

The timetable for a Tory leadership race will be announced next week, he said, after three tumultuous years in office defined by Brexit, the COVID pandemic and non-stop controversy over his reputation for mendacity.

The leadership election will take place over the summer and the victor will replace Johnson by the party's annual conference in early October, the BBC and others reported.

He said he was "sad... to be giving up the best job in the world" and justified fighting on in the final hours to deliver the mandate he won in a general election in December 2019.

In the frenzied hours building up to Johnson's announcement, opposition Labour leader Keir Starmer had welcomed his impending departure.

But Starmer said "a proper change of government" was needed and demanded a no-confidence vote in parliament, potentially triggering a general election, rather than Johnson "clinging on for months and months."

Even while eyeing the exit, Johnson on Thursday sought to steady the ship with several appointments to replace the departed cabinet members.

Jobless...

From A1

The underemployment rate also increased to 14.5 percent, higher than May 2021’s 12.3 percent and the 14 percent in April 2022.

The PSA said 94 in every 100 individuals in the labor force were employed in May 2022, higher than the recorded 92.3 percent employment rate from the previous year, but lower than the 94.3 percent in April 2022.

The top five sub-sectors in terms of month-on-month increase in employment from April 2022 to May 2022 are wholesale and retail trade (1.12 million), construction (232,000), fishing and aquaculture (104,000), manufacturing (90,000), and transportation and storage (70,000).

The top sub-sectors on unemployment are agriculture and forestry (-732,000), public administration and defense; compulsory social security (-159,000); arts, entertainment and recreation (-109,000); education (-95,000); and professional, scientific, and technical activities (-51,000).

The wholesale and retail trade, repair of motor vehicles and motorcycles industries had the highest increase in the number of employed individuals with 708,000 employed persons.

The agriculture and forestry industry had the highest decline in employment from May 2021 to May 2022.

In a statement, PSA said 46.08 million out of 49.01 million Filipinos in the labor force 15 years old and over were employed in May 2022, posting an increase of 1.37 million from the 44.72 million employed persons in May 2021.

Economic Planning Secretary Arsenio Balisacan said increasing the employability of the current and future workforce will translate to more job creation and better employment outcomes in the medium term.

However, as the number of selfemployed and unpaid family workers increased, the underemployment rate increased to 14.5 percent in May 2022 from 12.3 percent in May 2021, or an equivalent of 1.2 millionadditional underemployed. (See full story online at manilastandard.net)

Marcos...

From A1

inaugural bilateral summit between Marcos and the American leader within the year in Washington, D.C. Marcos may also have bilateral meetings with other leaders at the UNGA, which Romualdez described as "a very important occasion."

“You can be sure that [with] the kind of publicity in the past weeks [since] he was inaugurated as [the] 17th president, a lot of people are very interested to hear him, to see him, to meet him. So that’s why very early on, even before the elections, I told him that I hoped one of the first trips that he would have in the Western world would be [to] the United Nations," Romualdez told journalists.

The envoy said there is no definite date for Marcos' bilateral meeting with Biden at the White House but hopes it will push through "before the end of the year or before November."

Biden has extended an invitation to Marcos to visit Washington at a mutually agreed date, he said.

Romualdez said Marcos may have the chance to address the UN assembly as Philippine president in the early part of the two-week meeting.

"I think that he sees that as a valuable reason for him to be at the United Nations, that he will speak at the UN. It’s a very important occasion and a lot of heads of state will be there for sure," the ambassador said.

Vice President Sara DuterteCarpio is also scheduled to attend an education summit in New York in September before the UNGA, Romualdez said.

“On the bilateral, we have not yet gone there because personally, I would like to see President Marcos go to Washington, D.C. for a meeting with President Biden, and hopefully we can do that sometime before the end of the year, before November. But we have to look at the right timing for it, the invitation is open-ended," he said.

Marcos' predecessor, Rodrigo Duterte, received invitations to visit Washington from then US President Donald Trump and Biden but never went.

Marcos faces a potential legal issue in the US, where a district court has cited him and his mother, Imelda, for contempt for violating a court injunction.

UN:...

From A1

The report examined 159 countries, and found the situation to be most critical in the Balkans, the Caspian Sea region and sub-Saharan Africa, particularly in the Sahel.

"Unprecedented price surges mean that for many people across the world, the food that they could afford yesterday is no longer attainable today," said UNDP head Achim Steiner.

"This cost-of-living crisis is tipping millions of people into poverty and even starvation at breathtaking speed and with that, the threat of increased social unrest grows by the day," he warned.

Among the countries facing the most severe consequences of surging prices, according to the report, are Armenia, Uzbekistan, Burkina Faso, Ghana, Kenya, Rwanda, Sudan, Haiti, Pakistan, Sri Lanka, Ethiopia, Mali, Nigeria, Sierra Leone, Tanzania and Yemen. AFP

CYAN MAGENTA YELLOW BLACK Manila

Standard

FRIDAY, JULY 8, 2022

TODAY

v.

REPUBLIC OF THE PHILIPPINES DEPARTMENT OF FINANCE BUREAU OF INTERNAL REVENUE Quezon City JUN 29 2022

REVENUE REGULATIONS NO. 10-2022

vi.

SUBJECT : Prescribing the Guidelines and Procedures for Requesting Mutual Agreement Procedure (“MAP”) Assistance in the Philippines

Usually, the recourse of a taxpayer whose income is subjected to double taxation or to taxation not in accordance with the provisions of the relevant DTA is to litigate such case in court or to file an administrative appeal. With MAP, the affected taxpayer is now given another avenue, independent from the ordinary legal remedies, to resolve disputes resulting from the inconsistent and improper application or interpretation of treaty provisions.

ix.

If the attachments are in a foreign language, the MAP Office will require the taxpayer to submit an English translation thereof.

4.

Venue

Subject to the provision of the relevant DTA, the MAP request may be presented to the following:

While the competent authorities may resort to MAP, they are, however, not obliged to reach an agreement and resolve their tax disputes. What the MAP article requires is that they shall endeavor to resolve by mutual agreement any difficulties or doubts arising as to the interpretation or application of the relevant DTA.

a.

competent authority of the Contracting State of which he is a resident;

b.

competent authority of the Contracting State of which he is a citizen; or,1

c.

if the case falls under the Non-Discrimination article of the DTA, to the Contracting State of which the taxpayer is a national.

Generally, the DTAs require that the MAP request be presented to the competent authority of the Contracting State of which he is a resident. In the case of the Philippines, however, where the MAP request relates to attribution of profits and transfer pricing adjustments, taxpayers are strongly encouraged to ensure that the associated enterprise in the other contracting state also contacts its Competent Authority. To facilitate the expeditious resolution of a MAP case, the taxpayer should submit all supporting documents promptly and simultaneously to both Competent Authorities.

Section 2. Objective This Regulations is being issued to set out the process through which taxpayers can request MAP assistance from the Philippine Competent Authority to resolve disputes arising from taxation not in accordance with the provisions of the relevant DTA. It outlines the procedures for initiating a MAP request and the specific information and documentation that a taxpayer is required to submit in support thereof, and provides guidance in the implementation of a MAP agreement that has been reached, if any.

Section 3. Typical scenarios requiring MAP Assistance The following are some typical examples of taxation not in accordance with a tax convention that would necessitate a MAP assistance: 1.

The withholding tax rate imposed on an item of income earned by a domestic corporation or resident citizen is beyond the maximum rate fixed under the tax treaty.

2.

A taxpayer is deemed a resident of the Philippines and of the other contracting state based on their domestic laws. This triggers the application of the tiebreaker rules under the applicable tax treaty.

3.

A domestic corporation or a resident citizen is taxed in the other country on the business profit or income from independent services despite not having a permanent establishment or a fixed based in that country under the tax convention.

4.

A resident citizen or domestic corporation has been or will be subject to taxation not in accordance with the provisions of the applicable tax treaty regarding the amount of profit attributable to the permanent establishment or fixed base.

5.

A taxpayer is uncertain whether the convention covers a specific item of income or is unsure of the characterization or classification of the item related to a cross-border issue.

6.

A taxpayer is subject to additional tax in one country because of a transfer pricing adjustment to the price of goods or services transferred to or from a related party in the other country.

Section 4. The Composition of the MAP Team The MAP Team of the Bureau of Internal Revenue (BIR) shall be composed of the following: 1.

The Competent Authority for the Philippines

To implement the MAP article, the Commissioner of Internal Revenue (CIR) is hereby designated as the Competent Authority for the Philippines (Philippine CA).

Where it is not possible for the CIR to deal directly with MAP cases, he/she shall delegate his/her functions and powers to other competent officials of the BIR via a Revenue Delegated Authority Order (RDAO).

2.

Offices under the Competent Authority

If the taxpayer is intending to submit the same MAP request to the other competent authority, the two (2) requests should be submitted at the same time.

5.

In cases where the DTAs do not provide a time limit, the MAP request must be submitted to the relevant competent authority within three (3) years from the first notification of the action resulting in taxation not in accordance with the provisions of the DTA. The filing period shall be reckoned from the date of receipt of the Final Assessment Notice or of a ruling denying the claim for treaty benefit, or any equivalent document which contains the action that results in double taxation.

6.

i.

ii. b.

With respect to manpower, the Personnel Division shall revisit the organizational structure and staffing pattern of ITAD and accordingly plan the staff augmentation for the MAP function, taking into consideration the number of case officers handling MAP cases, the average case load of each case officer, whether the case officers are handling MAP cases only or are also assigned to any other tasks, the complexity of cases handled by these case officers and the years of experience of the case officers handling MAP cases, among others. The Chief of ITAD shall be allowed to request more personnel to handle increasing inventory of MAP cases if the circumstances so warrant.

Adequate funding shall also be allocated to the MAP function for travelling expenses to conduct face-to-face negotiations where necessary.

The proposed resolution or action of the ITAD on the MAP cases shall be subject to review by the Assistant Commissioner for Legal Service, the Deputy Commissioner for Legal Group and finally, by the Competent Authority or his/her authorized representative. In the interest of time, the Competent Authority may introduce streamlining procedures, taking into account the inventory of MAP cases and the number of handling officers.

Section 5. Initiating a MAP Request 1.

Pre-filing Consultation

A taxpayer may, prior to making a formal request for MAP assistance, request for a pre-filing consultation following the procedures outlined below: a.

the request for a pre-filing consultation should be addressed to the Chief of ITAD, Attention: Section Chief, Rulings and MAP Section;

b.

supporting documents shall be attached to such request, when necessary; and

c.

if so requested, the taxpayer or his authorized representative shall attend and make a presentation of the issues that require competent authority assistance.

The taxpayer shall be informed of the outcome of the pre-filing consultation. If the Chief of ITAD believes that the issues may be resolved through MAP, it shall advise the taxpayer to submit a formal request for MAP assistance.

2.

A Valid MAP Request

To request for MAP assistance, a taxpayer must submit a request in writing, which must be signed by the taxpayer or its/his/her authorized representative. The request should contain and include the information and documentation as specified in subsection 3 hereof and should be submitted to the following address: Office Address:

International Tax Affairs Division Room 811, BIR National Office Building BIR Road, Diliman, 1100 Quezon City

Email address:

map_itad@bir.gov.ph

Where the MAP request has been mistakenly submitted to another office of the BIR, the receiving office shall immediately forward the same to ITAD without delay and shall notify the taxpayer of such fact.

3.

Specific Information and Documentation to be Submitted with the MAP Request a.

Minimum Information In order for a MAP request to be considered valid under the DTA, it should contain the following information: i.

identity of the taxpayer(s) to which the MAP relates (name, address, taxpayer identification number, contact details and the relationship between the concerned taxpayers, if applicable);

ii.

the tax convention article(s) that the taxpayer asserts is(are) not being correctly applied, and the taxpayer’s interpretation of the application of the article;

iii.

relevant facts of the case, the taxation years or period involved and the amounts involved (in both the local currency and foreign currency);

iv.

the name of the foreign tax administration involved and, if possible, identification of the regional or local tax administration office that has made, or is proposing to make, the adjustment;

v.

analysis of the issue(s) involved, including its interpretation of the application of the specific treaty provision(s);

vi.

whether the MAP request was also submitted to the competent authority of the other Contracting Party, together with the date of such submission, the name and the designation of the person or the office to which the MAP request was submitted;

vii. whether the issue(s) involved were previously dealt with; viii. a statement indicating whether the taxpayer has filed a notice of objection, notice of appeal, refund claim, or comparable document in either of the relevant jurisdictions;

b.

ix.

a schedule of the time limitations in each jurisdiction (domestic as well as tax convention time limits) in respect of the years for which relief is sought (in cases of multiple taxpayers, a schedule for each); and

x.

a statement confirming that all information and documentation provided in the MAP request is accurate and that the taxpayer will assist the competent authority in its resolution of the issue(s) presented in the MAP request by furnishing any other information or documentation required by the competent authority in a timely manner.

Documentation A certified true copy of the following documents, if relevant, shall be attached to the MAP request: i.

Final Assessment Notice, rulings duly issued by the competent officials of the BIR or any equivalent document which contains the action that results in double taxation;

ii.

copies of tax assessments, audits conducted by the foreign tax authority leading to the incorrect application of the tax treaty provision;

iii.

Audited Financial Statements and Income Tax Return duly filed with the BIR together with the latter’s attachments (e.g. BIR Form No. 1709), transfer pricing documentation, advance ruling, advance pricing arrangement (APA);

iv.

decisions of a competent court or tax tribunal on a similar case involving the same factual and legal issues;

Manner of Submission

a.

access to MAP is denied (i.e. not an admissible request or denied for any other reasons);

b.

objection is not justified;

c.

objection is resolved via domestic remedy;

d.

unilateral relief will be granted;

e.

competent authority agreement for full or partial elimination of double taxation;

f. competent authority agreement stating that there is no taxation not in accordance with the tax treaty; g.

no competent authority agreement is reached including agreement to disagree; and

h.

any other outcome.

MAP Cases shall be resolved within an average time frame of 24 months from receipt of a complete MAP request. This is dependent, however, on the complexity of the case, and the cooperation of the taxpayer and of the competent authorities.

8.

Competent Authority Agreement

Any agreement reached between the competent authorities shall be communicated to the taxpayer within 30 days after the consultation or meeting. The Philippine Competent Authority shall give the taxpayer another 30 days within which to convey its/his/her acceptance or disapproval to the mutual agreement reached. If the competent authority agreement has been rejected and a valid notice of objection or an appeal has been lodged under applicable domestic procedures, the taxpayer typically has the option to proceed through the appeals process and/or to court, if applicable. If the other redress mechanism (appeal or court decision) does not reverse the judgment in its entirety, double taxation may remain.

9.

Timely implementation of MAP Agreements

If the taxpayer confirms in writing its acceptance of the mutual agreement reached by the competent authorities, the Philippine Competent Authority shall give effect to such mutual agreement and ensure its implementation without delay.

In cases where a refund is due to the taxpayer, the taxpayer should begin the process of obtaining the refund following the procedures prescribed under existing revenue issuances. In case there is a provision in the MAP Article of the relevant DTA on the implementation of the MAP Agreement, then, the MAP Agreement may be implemented pursuant to the provision of the DTA notwithstanding any time limits in the National Internal Revenue Code of 1997 (Tax Code), as amended. However, in case the relevant DTA is silent as to the period of implementation of the MAP Agreement, then the MAP Agreement shall be implemented pursuant to the domestic statute of limitation under the Tax Code.

Where during the MAP process, the domestic statute of limitations will expire which may then affect the possibility to implement a MAP agreement, the Philippine Competent Authority shall immediately notify its treaty partner of such fact.

10. Competent Authority Agreement has not been reached If the competent authorities are not able to reach an agreement, the Philippine competent authority will notify the taxpayer in writing within 30 days after the consultation or meeting, citing the reasons therefor. The taxpayer may pursue any available domestic remedies after receiving such notice.

11. Interaction with Domestic Remedies a.

Judicial or other administrative appeals versus MAP

A MAP request may be filed manually to the competent authority or his/her authorized representatives, or electronically via an encrypted mail. Where voluminous documents are attached to such request, the documents shall be sent to the designated address via a registered mail or a courier.

MAP assistance may be requested irrespective of the remedies provided by the domestic laws of the Philippines. Thus, a taxpayer can request MAP assistance from the Philippine Competent Authority even in situations where there is a pending judicial or administrative appeal and even where a decision, ruling or final assessment has already been rendered by the competent officials of the BIR.

7.

It must be emphasized, however, that a MAP case cannot proceed simultaneously with the determination of judicial or other administrative appeals. Depending upon which process is chosen, the other process should be held in abeyance pending the outcome of the first process.

Thus, if a judicial or administrative proceeding is ongoing, the taxpayer is duty-bound to notify the Competent Authority of such fact and of its decision whether to suspend the resolution of the MAP case or the judicial or administrative proceedings. If the taxpayer does not want to suspend the administrative or judicial remedies, the Competent Authority will have to hold in abeyance the MAP process pending the outcome of the former.

Fees

Fees associated with the negotiation of bilateral or multilateral APAs2 or with the hiring of independent experts or mediators shall be shouldered by the party initiating the MAP request.

In all other cases, no fees shall be charged by the competent authority for the resolution of MAP cases.

Section 6. The MAP Process 1. Preliminary Assessment During the preliminary assessment, the responsible officer should determine whether the following requisites are present:

The Rulings and MAP Section of the International Tax Affairs Division (ITAD) (hereinafter referred to as the “MAP Office”) shall commence the analysis and resolution of MAP cases. The recommendation of the MAP Office shall be reviewed by the Chief of ITAD. In order to enable ITAD to carry out its mandate to resolve MAP cases in a timely and effective manner, adequate resources (e.g. personnel, funding, training, etc.) shall be provided to the MAP function.

Period within which to File the MAP Request

The MAP request must be submitted within the time limit specified in the applicable DTA. Depending on the provision of the DTA, the MAP request may be presented to the relevant competent authority within two (2) or three (3) years from the first notification of theaction resulting in taxation not in accordance with the provisions of the DTA. The taxpayers should always consult the relevant DTA at an early stage to ensure that they submit a request for MAP assistance within the specified time limit.

To effectively implement the MAP functions, the receipt, detailed analysis, and initial review of the MAP cases shall be conducted by the following: a.

a copy of the complaint or appeal filed in court or with the tax authorities, if any;

duly authenticated (consularized or apostilled) Special Power of Attorney authorizing the taxpayer’s representative to file the request for MAP assistance and to do such other acts leading to the resolution of the MAP case.

Resolution of a MAP Case The following are the possible outcomes of the MAP process:

viii. proof of payment of tax resulting from the transfer pricing adjustment made in the foreign country; and

Section 1. MAP and its Legal Basis The Mutual Agreement Procedure (“MAP”) article in the Double Taxation Agreements (DTAs) or tax treaties of the Philippines with other jurisdictions allows the competent authorities of the contracting states to resolve disputes arising from differences or difficulties in the interpretation or application of the tax treaty through mutual agreement. These disputes involve cases of double taxation, juridical and economic, which oftentimes result from inconsistencies in the interpretation and application of treaty provisions and from transactions not conducted at arm’s length.

7.

vii. a copy of any settlement or agreement reached with the other jurisdiction which may affect the MAP process;

: All Internal Revenue Officers and Others Concerned

TO

a copy of any other request for MAP assistance and the associated documents filed, or to be filed, with the competent authority of the other contracting state, including copies of correspondence from the other tax administration, copies of briefs, objections, etc., submitted in response to the action or proposed action of another tax administration (if applicable, translated copies are helpful and where documentation is voluminous, a description of the documentation may be acceptable);

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a.

the request contains the minimum information and documentation set out in Section 5(3) hereof;

b.

There is a DTA in place between the Philippines and the foreign jurisdiction which contains a MAP article; and

c.

the MAP request was filed with the proper Competent Authority within prescribed time limit.

If any of the aforesaid requisites is missing, the MAP request shall not be considered valid and admissible. Where only the first requisite is missing, the competent authority shall return the documents submitted by the taxpayer and notify him/her in writing of any deficiencies that need to be clarified, completed and submitted.

MAP requests originating from a foreign jurisdiction shall comply with the MAP Guidelines set by the said jurisdiction. The Philippine Competent Authority shall not, however, be precluded from either requesting clarification or requiring the foreign Competent Authority to submit additional documents, if warranted.

The receipt of a valid request will determine the start date for a MAP request or the commencement of the MAP process. This start date is relevant for the purpose of computing the time taken to resolve a MAP request and in determining whether the request was presented within the time frame stipulated in the DTA. For this purpose, a MAP request will not be regarded as initiated until all the relevant information requested has been provided.

If the MAP request was presented beyond the prescribed time limit or the MAP request utterly lacks legal basis, the MAP request shall be closed, and taxpayer shall be notified in writing of the result and action taken by the BIR within thirty (30) days from receipt thereof.

2.

If, on the other hand, the taxpayer opts to suspend the administrative or judicial proceedings, he/she/it shall submit a proof of such suspension to the Competent Authority, such as a duly issued order or resolution of suspension from the BIR or the court. If the Competent Authorities cannot reach an agreement through the MAP process or if the taxpayer rejects the agreement between the Competent Authorities, the taxpayer can then pursue and proceed with any available domestic administrative or judicial remedies. b.

Court decisions cannot be overruled through MAP

Section 8 of the Civil Code of the Philippines states that judicial decisions applying or interpreting the laws or the Constitution shall form a part of the legal system of the Philippines.

Such interpretations constitute part of the law as of the date it was originally passed, since the Supreme Court’s construction merely establishes the contemporaneous legislative intent that the interpreted law carried into effect.5 However, when a doctrine of the Court is overruled and a different view is adopted, and more so when there is a reversal thereof, the new doctrine should be applied prospectively and should not apply to parties who relied on the old doctrine and acted in good faith.6 Thus, once a taxpayer’s liability has been finally determined by the court, the BIR shall be bound by the said decision and shall no longer provide further relief through MAP. In no case shall the Philippine Competent Authority be allowed to deviate from a domestic court decision. Simply put, only issues not decided by the court with finality will be discussed in the MAP proceedings. c.

Effect of decisions rendered by foreign courts

While the BIR is bound by the decision of Philippine courts, it is not, however, bound by a decision given by a foreign court or administrative tribunal. The Philippine Competent Authority may choose to unilaterally provide relief if requested by the taxpayer and to the extent deemed appropriate based on the merits of the case. d.

Analysis of a MAP Case

Suspension of Tax Collection

Once a case that meets the requirements of the treaty has been accepted, the MAP Office must determine whether the taxpayer’s objection is justified. It is at this stage that the MAP Office should commence a detailed analysis of the MAP request. As the case progresses, it is likely that there will be further information requests. Taxpayers are expected to cooperate fully with the MAP Office by providing complete and accurate information without delay when requested. As treaty partners, mutual cooperation and assistance between competent authorities on this matter is highly encouraged. Without proper information and documentation, the MAP Office may be unable to resolve disputes.

In addition to the minimum information mentioned in Section 5(3)(a), a taxpayer seeking further recourse through MAP shall indicate in the MAP request, if there is a tax assessment involved, the suspension of the collection of such taxes. The Competent Authority, in acting upon such MAP request, may grant the requested suspension of collection pursuant to the Tax Code and its relevant rules and regulations.

After establishing that the taxpayer’s objection is justified, the MAP Office shall then determine whether the Philippine Competent Authority could resolve the case unilaterally or without the involvement of the other Competent Authority. Where the action that results in taxation not in accordance with the provisions of the DTA is due in whole or in part to a measure taken in the Philippines, the Philippine Competent Authority may decide to resolve it unilaterally.

In doing so, the MAP Office shall coordinate with the office of the BIR that issued the ruling or assessment, if necessary.

12. Withdrawal of a MAP Case

On the other hand, if the MAP case is justified but the Philippine Competent Authority cannot arrive at a unilateral solution, the MAP case will move to the bilateral stage where both competent authorities shall endeavor to resolve the case by mutual agreement or should strive to find a solution on how the provisions of the tax treaty should be applied in the given situation.

They are not, however, obliged to enter into an agreement for each individual MAP case.

Transfer pricing adjustment refers to the corresponding adjustment of profits resulting from international dealings between associated enterprises which were not conducted at arm’s length.

This may occur, for example, where a taxpayer settles a dispute unilaterally with the foreign tax administration without involving the Philippine Competent Authority, i.e. the taxpayer has agreed to the adjustment that was raised by the foreign tax authority and has paid the additional foreign tax resulting from such adjustment.

3.

Consultations between the MAP Team and other offices of the BIR

The MAP Office may exchange opinions with the relevant office of the BIR whenever necessary. The latter is expected to coordinate and comply with the request for information in a timely manner so as not to obstruct the smooth implementation of the MAP process.

Where relevant, the MAP Office may require the office that rendered the assessment to forward the case docket, or to share the relevant documents explaining the details of the taxation.

4.

Consultations between the Competent Authorities

If the taxpayer’s claim is justified and cannot be resolved unilaterally, the Philippine Competent Authority shall endeavor to resolve the case with the Competent Authority of the other contracting state in a timely manner. To set in motion the bilateral stage of the MAP process, the former shall then notify the latter of its receipt of the MAP request and its intention to conduct bilateral consultations with the latter within thirty (30) days from its determination that unilateral resolution is not possible.

Actual discussions leading to the resolution of the MAP request shall be between the competent authorities of the concerned contracting states only. The competent authorities may bring along their MAP Teams including the tax auditors who made the adjustments. The role of the tax auditors shall, however, be limited to clarifying the facts of the case and providing other background analysis to assist the Competent Authorities in understanding the case. They should not be involved in the decision-making process.

It shall be the duty of the Competent Authorities to notify each other of the envisaged presence of the tax auditor. If a Competent Authority prefers to resolve the MAP case without the tax auditors, such request should be respected by the other Competent Authority.

On the other hand, the involvement of the taxpayer shall be limited only to presenting its views to the proper competent authority and providing the relevant information. Where appropriate, taxpayers may be invited to make a presentation before the Competent Authorities to ensure a common understanding of the facts of a particular case.

5.

Negotiation of Bilateral or Multilateral APAs

The BIR shall subscribe to a commercial database for determining external comparable in order that the MAP Team will be able to effectively negotiate bilateral or multilateral APAs with the competent authority(ies) of other jurisdictions through the MAP process. However, if the MAP Team finds that the internal comparables provided by the taxpayer or the external comparables lifted from proprietary databases are reliable, it may then review the APA request and proceed with the MAP consultation.

Commercial databases3 are developed by editors who compile accounts filed by companies with the relevant administrative bodies and present them in an electronic format suitable for searches and statistical analysis, while proprietary databases4 are developed and maintained by advisory firms developed and maintained by advisory firms.

If the taxpayer used a proprietary database to support its transfer prices, the MAP Team shall be given access to the said database for review and verification purposes.

A separate Regulations will be issued for the APA Program.

6. Authority of the MAP Team

If the decision in the MAP (MAP Decision) case upholds the tax liability of the taxpayer, the enforcement of tax collection shall begin to run again after the date the MAP Decision had been released, mailed or sent by the BIR to the registered address of the taxpayer.

Where a taxpayer wishes to withdraw a MAP request, he/she/it shall promptly notify the Competent Authority to which the request was submitted of the withdrawal of its MAP request.

This notification should include the reason for the withdrawal (e.g. resolution of the issue through domestic remedies).

13. Appropriate Transfer Pricing Adjustment under the DTAs

The Philippines considers that economic double taxation resulting from the inclusion of profits of associated enterprises is not in accordance with the object and purpose of tax treaties and falls within the scope of the MAP article. Therefore, if the article on associated enterprises of the relevant DTA contains a provision on transfer pricing adjustment, the Philippines will make corresponding adjustments or grant access to MAP with respect to the economic double taxation that may otherwise result from a primary transfer pricing adjustment. In cases where the objection of the taxpayer is justified, the Philippine Competent Authority may provide for corresponding adjustments unilaterally. The purpose of such adjustment is to provide the Philippine taxpayer with relief from double taxation resulting from an adjustment initiated by the foreign tax administration and accepted by the taxpayer.

MAP requests involving transfer pricing adjustments will be reviewed extensively based on the information and documentation provided by the taxpayer, and a correlative adjustment to the profits of the taxpayer shall be made only to the extent that the Philippine Competent Authority considers the adjustment to be at arm’s length. Where, following the review, the Philippine Competent Authority agrees to the whole or part of a transfer pricing adjustment made by the foreign tax authority, the former must obtain a confirmation from the latter that tax has been paid on the said adjustment.

Where refund is due, the taxpayer shall be guided by the discussion on paragraph 8 of this Section.

Section 7. Audit Settlement Audit settlements reached between the tax authority and the taxpayers do not preclude access to MAP. If a MAP request has been initiated after such audit settlement, the Philippine competent authority should independently consider whether such settlement would result in taxation not in accordance with the provisions of the Convention.

After all, the competent authority must ensure that taxpayers entitled to treaty benefits are not subjected to taxation by either of the Contracting Parties which is not in accordance with the provisions of the DTAs. Section 8. Confidentiality The information provided and documents submitted in support of the MAP request shall be treated with utmost confidentiality pursuant to Section 270 of the Tax Code, as amended.

Any exchange of information between the competent authorities shall be carried out in accordance with the provisions of the relevant DTA. Information exchanged pursuant to the effective DTAs of the Philippines is confidential and shall only be used and disclosed in accordance with the provisions of the relevant DTA. Section 9. Repealing Clause All existing revenue issuances or portions thereof inconsistent herewith are hereby revoked and/or amended accordingly.

Section 10. Effectivity This Regulations shall take effect after fifteen (15) days following its publication in a newspaper of general circulation.

The MAP Team shall have the authority to resolve MAP cases in accordance with the terms of the applicable and effective DTA with the view of eliminating taxation not in accordance with the provision thereof. This is, however, without consideration to the policy or policies that the Philippines would like to adopt in future negotiations and renegotiations of DTAs. In regard to transfer pricing issues, the MAP Team shall resolve the MAP case independently and objectively, i.e., without being influenced in any manner by the tax auditor or examiner who made the adjustments. In other words, the approval or direction of the examiner who made the adjustments at issue is not required to resolve a MAP case resulting from transfer pricing adjustments.

1 2 3 4

For MAP requests invoking the provision of Article 25 of the Convention between the Government of the Republic of the Philippines and the Government of the United States of America with Respect to Taxes on Income.

APAs in which two or more jurisdictions concur.

OECD Transfer Pricing Guidelines for Multinational Enterprises and Tax Administrations (2022), paragraph 3.30, page 159.

Id. at paragraph 3.34, page 158.

CARLOS G. DOMINGUEZ Secretary of Finance JUN 29 2022 Recommending approval: CAESAR R. DULAY Commissioner of Internal Revenue 052135

5 6

Roque Senarillos vs. Epifanio Hermosisima, et. al., G.R. No. L-10662, December 14, 1956.

Columbia Pictures, Inc. v. Court of Appeals, G.R. No. 110318, August 28, 1996.

M. Standard – July 8, 2022

CYAN MAGENTA YELLOW BLACK

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FRIDAY, JULY 8, 2022

4 execs of LTO plate maker face arrest for large-scale theft

News

SC: Mayors can discipline employees

By Rey E. Requejo

T

HE Supreme Court (SC) has upheld the power of municipal and city mayors and provincial governors to discipline erring officials and employees under their jurisdictions.

In a decision, the SC stressed that the authority of local government chief executives is derived from Section 87 of the 1991 Local Government Code (LGC).

The High Tribunal also cited a civil service law governing sexual harassment cases involving public servants.

Section 87 of LGC states that “except as otherwise provided by law,

the local chief executive may impose the penalty of removal from service, demotion in rank, suspension for not more than one year without pay, fine in an amount not exceeding six months’ salary, or reprimand and otherwise discipline subordinate officials and employees under his jurisdiction.”

On the other hand, Section 7, Rule VI of CSC Resolution No. 01-0940

mandates that a Committee on Decorum and Investigation (CODI) must be created in all national or local government agencies, and if the committee has not been constituted, the head of office or agency should immediately create one.

With the ruling penned by Associate Justice Ramon Paul Hernando, the SC granted the petition filed by then Valenzuela City Mayor and now Sen. Sherwin Gatchalian who assailed the rulings of the CSC and the Court of Appeals (CA).

The CA sustained the CSC’s ruling that voided the formal charge for sexual harassment and preventive suspension

UNESCO: 84-m students out of school by 2030 SOME 84 million pupils and students worldwide may drop out of school by 2030 unless developing nations undertake measures to ensure universal access to quality education, according to the UNESCO. A UNESCO study published on Thursday indicated that only one in six countries is able to meet the Sustainable Development 4 that aims to ensure inclusive and equitable quality education for all,.

The publication came a week after the call for mobilization launched by UNESCO chief Audrey Azoulay at the Transforming Education Pre-Summit in Paris, attended by more than 150 ministers, The report, titled ‘Setting commitments: National SDG 4 benchmarks to transform education’, is based on data provided by nine in 10 UNESCO memberstates. It came as a new stark reality check for political and civil society leaders.

According to the UNESCO report, based on data provided by nine in ten UNESCO member-states, countries anticipate that the percentage of students achieving basic skills in reading at the end of primary school will increase from 51 percent in 2015 to 67 percent in 2030. Despite this progress, an estimated 300 million children and young people will still not have the basic numeracy and literacy skills they need to succeed in life.

order against a certain Romeo Urrutia, records officer IV in the council secretariat, Sangguniang Panlungsod ng Valenzuela City, and chairperson of the Board of Directors of the Valenzuela City Employees Cooperative.

Urrutia was charged with sexual harassment by a female on-the-job (OJT) student-trainee in 2011.

The trainee filed her complaint in 2012 before Valenzuela City’s Women’s Desk of the Human Resources and Management Office (HRMO) which forwarded the case to the Personnel Complaints and Ethics Board (PCEB).

The PCEB ordered Urrutia to submit his counter-affidavit under oath.

ANTI-GUN CAMPAIGN.

Eastern Police District director Brig. Gen. Orlando Yebra, Jr., assisted by crime investigator, conducts an inventory of over 120 firearms seized in raids staged from January 2021 to June 2022 in connection with their continuing anti-gun drive dubbed Oplan Kontra Boga. Manny Palmero

By Rio N. Araja THE Quezon City Regional Trial Court (RTC) has ordered the arrest of at least four executives of German biometrics company Dermalog, the service provider of driver’s license system of the Land Transportation Office (LTO), for qualified theft involving P797,505,023.

Due to the enormity of the amount, the prosecutor recommended no bail for the temporarily release of the respondents from detention.

RTC Judge Zita Marie Magundayao Atienza-Fajardo directed the Philippine National Police and the National Bureau of Investigation to arrest Gunther Mill, Randolf Sitz, Michael Schutt and Lynne Ocampo with address at the Calleja Law Office, No. 904-C West Tower, PSE Center, Ortigas Center, Pasig City.

Citing a Supreme Court order, the Quezon City judge required the arresting authorities “to use at least one body-worn camera and one alternative recording device, or a minimum of two devices, or such number as may be necessary to capture and record the relevant incidents in the execution of this warrant.”

On May 30, Quezon City Prosecutor Vimar Barcellano issued a resolution, indicting Mull, Sitz, Schutt and Ocampo for the crime of qualified theft and submitted it to the RTC, “with no recommended bail.”

The prosecutor junked the estafa case against the four accused for lack of probable cause.

In 2021, the Verzontal Builders Inc., Dermalog’s local partner and a licensed contractor, filed the estafa suit before the Quezon City Prosecutor’s Office.

In 2018, Verzontal entered into a joint venture with Dermalog, Holy Family Planning Corp. and Microgenesis Software Inc. to qualify and participate as an unincorporated joint venture for the public bidding of the Department of Transportation’s road transportation information technology infrastructure project with the LTO.

Sandiganbayan postpones ill-gotten wealth hearing vs. Marcoses THE Sandiganbayan on Thursday suspended its hearing on the ill-gotten wealth case filed against President Ferdinand “Bongbong” Marcos Jr. and his family in 1987.

In resetting the trial to early next month, the anti-graft court’s Second Division granted the defendants’ motion in connection with a pending civil case.

The civil suit accuses the Panlilio

couple Rebecco and Erlinda , reputedly cronies of the President’s parents, the late President Ferdinand Marcos Sr. and former First Lady Imelda Marcos, of acting as dummies in acquiring ownership of several companies by securing financial assistance from state institutions on liberal terms “for their financial and pecuniary interests.”

These companies included the Terna-

te Development Corp., Monte Sol Development Corp., Olas del Mar Development Corp., Fantasia Filipina Resort, Inc., Sulo Dobbs, Inc., Philippine Village, Inc., Silahis International Hotel, Inc., and Hotel Properties, Inc. The complaint also alleges that the Panlilio couple, as well as Modesto Enriquez, Trinidad Diaz-Enriquez, Leandro Enriquez, Guillermo Gastrock,

Ernesto Abalos and Gregorio Castillo took advantage of their close ties with the Marcos couple to plot schemes and “in order to enrich themselves “at the expense of the Philippine government.”

“We asked the court for more time to look at our records,” lawyer Manuel Plaza, legal counsel for the Marcoses, told reporters following the day’s proceedings.

Solon wants to overhaul, modernize Immigration CDC: Reconsider proposed pay scale not acceptable to workers

By Maricel V. Cruz

A PARTY-LIST lawmaker on Thursday filed a bill seeking to reorganize and modernize the Bureau of Immigration (BI).

Rep. Marcelino Libanan of 4PS partylist group cited the need for Congress to review the existing immigration laws, and come up a new one.

“As the government agency in charge of controlling the entry and admissions of foreigners and migrants within our

borders, it is crucial that the BI is in tune with the modern times in the interest of our national security and economic development,” Libanan said.

He described the existing immigration law as “very restrictive.”

“The BI remains to be governed by Commonwealth Act 613 otherwise known as the Philippine Immigration Act 1940 – an eighty-decade old legislation which has been outdated by the constant evolution of international migration,” In the proposed immigration law

under House Bill 1069, the Philippine immigration policies, rules and regulations shall be applied and administered as instruments for the promotion of domestic and external interests of the Philippines in recognition of the necessity for encouraging and enhancing capital investments, trade and commerce, cultural exchanges and other forms of friendly relations and cooperation.

“We will transform the Bureau of Immigration into an investor and touristfriendly office,” Libanan added.

CLARK FREEPORT—The Clark Development Corp. (CDC) has filed an appeal to the Governance Commission for Government Owned and Controlled Corporations (GCG) to rethink its proposed salary scale, called the Compensation and Position Classification System (CPCS), saying it is unjust and has brought demoralization among its employees.

In a resolution by referendum is-

sued by the CDC Board of Directors led by Edgardo Pamintuan, the board approved the authority of the management to defer the implementation of the CPCS and maintain status quo on the basic monthly salary, benefits and allowances of the employees.

The resolution also authorized the CDC management to submit a motion for reconsideration to GCG regarding the CPCS.

Opinion PARTIESs who disagree with a judgment, order, or resolution made by the court may file a motion for reconsideration in the same action or appeal the decision to the next level court. They cannot question the judgment, order, or resolution by commencing another action in a co-equal court.

This is known as the doctrine of judicial stability, or non-interference in the regular orders or judgments of a co-equal court: “[N]o court can interfere by injunction with the judgments or orders of another court of concurrent jurisdiction…” (Cabili v. Balindong, A.M. RTJ-10-2225, September 6, 2011) The rule is founded on the concept of jurisdiction. It means that a court shall have jurisdiction over its judgment, excluding all other coordinate courts. This jurisdiction extends to the execution of the judgment and all of its incidents, including ministerial acts of officers implementing the judgment (A.M. RTJ-10-2225, September 6, 2011).

To allow the breaking down of the incidents of an execution is to split the jurisdiction of courts.

Splitting of jurisdiction is not allowed by our courts. In one case, a court in Cebu City entertained a motion and issued an order involving the Manila Golf and Country Club, Inc. (Manila Golf) share in custodia legis, by virtue of a writ of attachment issued by a co-equal court in Makati City (Yau v. Manila Banking Corporation, G.R. No. 126731, July 11, 2002).

In the case of Coronado v. Rojas, Judge Rojas was administratively sanctioned when he enjoined a final and executory decision of the HLURB, a co-equal body.

His excuse that the temporary restraining order (TRO) and the writ of injunction he issued were not directed against the HLURB’s writ of execution but only against the manner of execution, was too shallow and facetious (Coronado v. Rojas, A.M. No. RTJ-07-2047, July 3, 2007).

Similarly, the Court penalized two judges for issuing a TRO against the execution of a demolition order issued by another co-equal court.

The Court stressed that “when the respondentsjudges acted on the application for the issuance of a TRO, they were aware that they were acting on matters pertaining to a co-equal court” (Heirs of Simeon Piedad v. Estrera and Villarin cited in Cabili v. Balindong).

In another case, the Supreme Court declared that the Makati court cannot entertain the habeas corpus case on account of a pending action in a Cavite court designating the minor’s grandparents as his guardians ad litem.

All these cases aim to illustrate that “the judgment of a court of competent jurisdiction may not be opened, modified, or vacated by any court of concurrent jurisdiction” (Panlilio v. Salonga citing 30-AAm Jur 605, G.R. No. 113087. June 27, 1994).

Furthermore, in the case of Barroso v. Omelio, et al., a complaint for a sum of money, damages and attorney’s fees was commenced by Edgar Barroso against Dennis Li in Branch 16, Regional Trial Court (RTC) of Davao City. The complaint included a prayer for the issuance of a writ of attachment which was granted upon posting of a bond (G.R. No. 194767, October 14, 2015).

In turn, defendant Dennis Li filed a counterattachment bond issued by Travellers Insurance & Surety Corporation (Travellers). Subsequently, there was a compromise between the parties that

Forum shopping is when a party repeatedly avails of several judicial remedies in different courts, simultaneously or successively, but which are all substantially founded on the same transactions and the same essential facts and circumstances, and are all raising substantially the same issue either pending in, or already resolved adversely by, some other court Applying Cabili v. Balindong, the Supreme Court said “[I]t is quite clear that, in this case, the issuance of the subject writ of preliminary injunction was improper and, thus, correctible by certiorari”. Herein, the respondent judge (Omelio) does not have jurisdiction to hinder the enforcement of an order of a co-equal court (G.R. No. 194767, October 14, 2015).

A violation of the doctrine judicial stability impacts on forum shopping.

Forum shopping is when a party repeatedly avails of several judicial remedies in different courts, simultaneously or successively, but which are all substantially founded on the same transactions and the same essential facts and circumstances, and are all raising substantially the same issue either pending in, or already resolved adversely by, some other court (G.R. No. 126731, July 11, 2002).

In Yau v. Manila Banking Corporation, Yau, having intervened in the RTC Makati City case to protect his interest in the Silverio (Manila Golf) share, should have desisted from pursuing a similar remedy before RTC Cebu City since it will preempt the authority of RTC Makati City to decide upon his intervention (G.R. No. 126731, July 11, 2002). Here, Yau is evidently shopping for a forum to obtain a favorable outcome.

Determining whether a case pending in one court interferes with the jurisdiction of a co-equal court goes back to the judge’s judicial competence.

Being in the frontlines of the judicial system, they are given the important task of ascertaining which cases filed before them may initially prosper and be heard in court.

A competent Marcos Cabinet ONE of the first acts of an incoming president before he assumes his post is to form his Cabinet.

The choice of who will compose the Cabinet is a critical step in every administration.

The Supreme Court, in the case of Philippine institute for Development Studies v. Commission on Audit, explains the necessity of the Cabinet and the role its members play in government.

Thus, “The doctrine of qualified political agency acknowledges the multifarious executive responsibilities that demand a president’s attention, such that the delegation of control power to his or her Cabinet becomes a necessity.”

The delegated authority of the members of the Cabinet is further explained in Joson v. Torres, where the Court said that it has been established that “[t]he [p]resident shall have control of all the executive departments, bureaus, and offices” under the idea of the “establishment of a single executive[.]” Since the president cannot do and exercise his or her power of control alone, he or she has to delegate some of his or her powers to the Cabinet members.

Marcos will be his own agriculture secretary.

This is reassuring since achieving food self-sufficiency and security in the face of the current food crisis requires the president’s undivided attention.

Another sector facing severe crisis as a result of the pandemic is education as the country continues to reel from the impact of school closures because of the COVID-19 pandemic.

Vice-President Sara Duterte’s local governance experience should help her in the role. But she will have to give up the idea of a mandatory military service as that is a big distraction and is divisive.

Benhur Abalos served as Metropolitan Manila Development Authority Chair of the Duterte administration before being appointed secretary of Interior and Local Government. I have worked with Abalos when he was Mandaluyong Mayor, and I can vouch for his competence and ability to do things.

Although Jesus Crispin “Boying” Remulla won as representative of Cavite’s 7th district in the last elections, he will serve as justice secretary.

Although a politician, I think Secretary Remulla is a lawyer’s lawyer and will be good for the rule of law. His choice of a deputy, Undersecretary Raul Vasquez, a fellow professor at the University of the Philippines College of Law, reflects that,

The Supreme Court, in the case of Philippine institute for Development Studies v. Commission on Audit, explains the necessity of the Cabinet and the role its members play in government The Executive Secretary, often referred to as the “Little President” is Vic Rodriguez, a lawyer and the spokesperson for the Marcos campaign.

Based on his performance in the elections, Rodriguez is the perfect alter ego of President Marcos.

Antonio Lagdameo Jr., Special Assistant to and a close friend of the President, should complement him.

Secretary Trixie Angeles will run the communications operations of Malacañang. She knows social media well and will be able to help communicate the Marcos directly to the people. One

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Maintaining judicial stability was approved by the court and was the basis of the judgment on compromise.

Unfortunately, Defendant Dennis Li failed to pay the sums of money under the judgment on compromise. Hence, complainant Barroso filed a Motion for Execution in Branch 16 which issued a writ of execution against Dennis Li. Because the writ of execution cannot be satisfied, Barroso then filed a motion for execution upon Travellers’ counterbond.

Instead of appearing before Branch 16, Travellers filed a separate case in Branch 14, RTC Davao City, praying, among others, for: (a) the issuance of a TRO and preliminary injunction against Sheriff Anggot and Barroso, to prevent them from implementing the writ of execution; and that (b) Travellers’ counterbond be declared null and void.

FRIDAY, JULY 8, 2022

Housing backlog

T

HE new administration should take a second look at the housing problem in the Philippines. A huge housing backlog in the nation is impeding economic growth and making life for the underprivileged harder.

A host of problems besets the housing sector. For many, owning a house in the Philippines remains prohibitive, given the rising cost of materials, the lack of affordable financing mechanisms and the inaccessibility of land.

But a group of housing developers has offered solutions to President Ferdinand Marcos Jr. through a legislative agenda that proposes a comprehensive public housing program and a homebuyer financing assistance plan.

Chamber of Real Estate and Build-

ers Associations Inc. national chairman Charlie Gorayeb says his group is finalizing the legislative proposals as part of a five-point housing agenda that aims to build 500,000 housing units year, or a total of 10 million homes in 20 years.

For many, owning a house in the Philippines remains prohibitive, given the rising cost of materials, the lack of affordable financing mechanisms and the inaccessibility of land The housing backlog has worsened in the Philippines despite a Constitutional mandate on the state to implement an urban land reform and social housing program for the underprivileged 35 years ago. The backlog is now affecting around 6.7 million poor families.

The housing sector is a critical link in the economy. Studies show it has a 3.4 output multiplier effect to and supports 80 allied industries.

In addition, the sector encompasses virtually all other areas, including women, children, vulnerable groups and health.

Housing also generates substantial direct employment, with an average of 120 and more man-days for the construction of each basic housing unit.

It is an economic driver—revenues and income generated from construction find their way into the national budget, which funds social services and other infrastructure projects.

The government’s poor housing record is evident on the rows of informal settlers dotting the nation’s rivers and other waterways, as well as railways and government properties.

These shanties and poorly-built structures are a reflection of government’s failure in the past to provide basic shelter to the underprivileged and poorest of the poor.

Do not believe Beijing’s lies about the Philippines THE People’s Republic of China (PROC) is a communist state. Its totalitarian government does not tolerate dissent.

Although it claims to be a republic, the PROC is a dictatorship run by the Communist Party headed by its President, Xi Jinping.

Being a communist state, the PROC depends on well-crafted propaganda not only to control the minds of its own people, but to propagate its version of the truth. Lies are alright for Beijing, as long as they suit its own interests.

Beijing never means what it says. When Hongkong reverted to Chinese sovereignty in 1997, Beijing promised that free speech and assembly will be tolerated there. Today, those rights are inexistent in Hongkong.

While Beijing professes to respect the sovereignty of other nations, it refuses to condemn Russia’s invasion of Ukraine.

Beijing’s public statements are punctuated with mantras (peace, regional stability, cooperation, etc.) which are nothing more than rhetoric.

Take the letter of President Xi to President Ferdinand Marcos Jr. on the latter’s recent inauguration as the new, democratically elected leader of the Philippines.

In that letter, Xi said he is looking forward to “good neighborly friendship” between the Philippines and the PROC. He also talked about Manila and Beijing “joining hands for common development.”

Xi likewise said he hopes to “continue to write a great chapter of the China-Philippines friendship and cooperation for the new era, so as to benefit the two countries and their people.”

If Xi really meant what he wrote to President Marcos, why then does the Chinese navy continue to bully Filipino fishermen in what is ac-

hopes she will develop a healthy and non-antagonistic relationship with traditional media as that would be good for the country.

The new National Economic and Development Authority chief is Arsenio Balisacan. served as former Philippine Socioeconomic Planning Secretary under the administration of President Benigno S. Aquino III and in other capacities with previous presidents.

He just finished a stint as the first Chair of the Philippine Competition Commission. Balisacan is one of the few policy makers I know who understand poverty and inequality and what is needed to address these structural evils of our society.

Balisacan will be joined as among Marcos economic managers by Benjamin Diokno as Finance secretary, ex-UP President Alfredo Pascual as Trade and Industry, Budget Secretary Amenah Pangandaman, and Felipe Medalla as Central Bank Governor.

They all have solid reputations. The same can be said of the incoming Transportation Secretary Jaime Bautista, Public Works and Highways Secretary Jaime Bautista, and my UP Law contemporary Department of Information and Communications Technology Secretary Ivan Uy. Incoming Labor and Employment chief Bienvenido Laguesma has worked for Corazon Aquino, Fidel V. Ramos, and Joseph Estrada. He will partner with Susan “Toots” Ople who will head the Department of Migrant Workers. A long-time migrant rights

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

tually Philippine maritime territory in the West Philippine Sea? Evidently, Xi’s pompous statements are nothing more than nice-sounding but insincere words designed to deodorize Beijing’s illegal expansionist activities in the West Philippine Sea. Xi’s language is the stuff the cosmetic atmosphere of “friendship” in the diplomatic community the world over is known for.

Beijing’s public statements are punctuated with mantras (peace, regional stability, cooperation, etc.) which are nothing more than rhetoric Yes, I say Beijing’s activities are illegal because the international arbitration tribunal at The Hague in The Netherlands has ruled that the Chinese claim to the disputed maritime area has no legal basis.

Here’s more.

Right after Xi’s letter reached the press, a paid advertisement appeared in a number of local newspapers. The advertisement is a one-sided commentary composed of several paragraphs, and written by Mme. He Tiantian, who claims to be an academic at the Institute of International Law of the Chinese Academy of Social Science.

Although the material is written in poor English, He describes herself as an expert in International Law, particularly on the United Nations Convention on the Law of the Sea (UNCLOS).

In sum, He criticizes Manila’s claim to the West Philippine Sea, discredits the ruling of the international arbitration tribunal which ruled in favor of the Philippines, and even suggests that a decision of the Supreme Court of the Philippines impugns the validity of the

arbitration ruling.

I’ve read He’s discourse carefully and it is filled with contradictions and self-serving conclusions.

For one thing, He claims that the arbitration tribunal has no jurisdiction over the case lodged

by Manila against Beijing, but she ends up citing passages from the tribunal’s ruling to support the PROC’s alleged “traditional” sovereignty over large maritime areas off the coast of Palawan.

How can a ruling, which He says is void for want of jurisdiction on the part of the tribunal that rendered it, be the source of her arguments in support of the PROC’s “traditional” sovereignty which she mentioned?

Further, the issue in the decision of the Supreme Court of the Philippines cited by He concerns a local government’s share of tax revenues. Local taxes in the Philippines have nothing to do with Beijing’s unjustified insistence on claiming Philippine maritime territory as its own.

If He truly believes in the PROC’s “traditional” sovereignty over Philippine waters, then He should explain why it took centuries before Beijing decided to press its claim to the disputed maritime area. It’s very obvious that China got interested in the West Philippine Sea only after the United States closed down its military bases in the Philippines in 1992.

The PROC’s claim to the disputed maritime area is based on its dubious “nine-dash line” argument, derived in turn from ancient Chinese maps which purportedly indicate that the area had always been Chinese territory.

That argument is groundless because there are authenticated maps, older than the oldest Chinese maps with the “nine-dash line,” which show nothing about the Chinese claim.

At any rate, that “nine-dash line” argument has been rendered meaningless by the UNCLOS, which recognizes Philippine rights over the disputed maritime area. Somebody should tell He that the PROC is a signatory to the UNCLOS. In sum, Filipinos should not believe what Beijing says. The PROC says one thing, and does something else.

advocate, Ople is the best choice for this new agency.

Marcos appointed career diplomat Enrique Manalo to the foreign affairs portfolio. His diplomatic experience is invaluable if we are to navigate today’s complex world.

On the social welfare front, it would be interesting to see how Secretary Erwin Tulfo will perform. With the pandemic, he should work in tandem with the health secretary who is still to be named.

The heads of the energy and environment departments as well as the chairs and members of the Commission on Human Rights are also not yet announced.

These are crucial positions.

Former military chief Jose Faustino as defense chief is one of the few appointees of Marcos with a military background. That is one of the best characteristics of the Marcos Jr cabinet, making it the least militarized cabinet in recent years and especially in comparison to the Duterte cabinet. I have nothing against military officials, but they should not be appointed to civilian positions where they are not qualified.

In this context, one of the best appointments of Marcos is Professor Clarita Carlos. Brilliant, visionary, and independent minded, she will be a very different National Security Adviser than her predecessor who wrong and foolishly reduced national security to anti-insurgency and a distorted understanding of terrorism.

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Navy defense ship now ready for deployment

COAL POWER PLANT. Photo shows a coal-fired power plant as people ride past on a wooden boat in Oyon Bay in Masinloc town, Zambales province. AFP

SC suspends trial judge for ‘slurs’

By Rey E. Requejo

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HE Supreme Court (SC) has ordered the suspension of a Metropolitan Trial Court (MeTC) judge in Manila City for uttering homophobic slurs in court.

In a decision, the SC ordered MeTC Judge Jorge Emmanuel Lorredo of Manila MeTC, Branch 26, suspended for 30 days. He was also fined P50,000 for simple misconduct and conduct unbecoming of a judge.

The case arose from the 2019 complaint filed by litigants Marcelino Espejon and Erickson Cabonita against the judge alleging that during a preliminary conference, the judge “showed bias and

partiality” against their sexual orientation by asking them if they are homosexual and telling them that it is a sin.

Espejon and Cabonita are parties to an unlawful detainer case. An unlawful detainer is a case that is filed when one unlawfully withholds possession of real property despite the expiration or termination of any contract.

Complainants said during the prelim-

inary conference, the judge showed bias and partiality against homosexuals.

Some of the utterances cited by the Supreme Court include: “xxx pagka-bading, tomboy, lesbian, ayaw ng Diyos yun xxx (Gays, lesbians, God doesn’t like that).”

“So pag meron kang lesbian relationship, paparusahan yung anak mo. Dengvaxia, di ba? [Kayo din] kasi may may kasalanan kayo sa Diyos eh (If you have a lesbian relationship, your child will be punished, Dengvaxia, right? Because you have sinned against God).”

The 18-page SC decision penned by Associate Justice Alfredo Benjamin Caguioa stressed that such remarks are homophobic slurs, “which have no

place in our courts of law.”

“The fact that they were made by no less than a magistrate should rightfully upset the Court and must perforce be penalized...

It should come as a matter of course for all judges to desist from any word or conduct that would show or suggest anything other than inclusivity for members of the LGBTQUIA+community,” the SC said.

For making such statements, the high court said the judge violated the New Code of Judicial Conduct which imposes on judges the duty to ensure equal treatment of all before the courts and to understand diversity arising from race, sex, religion, age, sexual orientation, and social and economic status, among others.

THE Philippine Navy’s offshore patrol vessel BRP Andres Bonifacio (PS-17) is now ready to perform its territorial defense functions while assigned to the Puerto Princesa, Palawan-based Western Command (Wescom).

“She is ready to perform her territorial defense functions at WESCOM. PS-17 is indeed very mission-capable and I am confident that she will significantly strengthen our naval presence in the West Philippine Sea and secure our oil platforms,” Wescom chief Vice Admiral Alberto Carlos said in a statement late Wednesday.

He was aboard the ship when it passed by the Galoc Oil Field which is located 60 kilometers northwest of Palawan. Galoc Field is one of the Department of Energy’s service contracts which is being secured by Wescom, as well as the Malampaya Gas Fields and the Nido and Matinloc Oil Platforms.

Carlos was very satisfied with the performance of the vessel from Sangley Point in Cavite City to El Nido, Palawan.

Wescom covers the Palawan area and the West Philippine Sea. The ship was undergoing repairs to its mission-critical pieces of machinery before its deployment.

Carlos visited BRP Andres Bonifacio on July 4 and boarded the ship before the ship set course to the Wescom area.

The visit was also an opportunity for the Wescom chief to ensure the mission-readiness of all assets being deployed in the country’s last frontier.

The ship arrived at Wescom joint operation area around 1:04 a.m. Wednesday after departing 1 p.m Tuesday off Sangley Point, Cavite.

Foundation aims a million trees by ‘30 in seven watershed areas GROWING 10 million trees by 2030 to protect and nurture the seven watersheds that supply potable water to Metro Manila, Cavite, Bulacan and Rizal is achievable.

This was the message of Million Trees Foundation, Inc. (MTFI) Chairman Emeritus Gen. Reynaldo V. Velasco (Ret.) during the pledging session attended by stakeho lders and partners of the Annual Million Tree Challenge (AMTC) recently.

Velasco, the former Metropolitan Waterworks and Sewerage System (MWSS) Administrator and Chairman based his statement on the successful AMTC project launched in 2017 during his stint with the water agency. After five years, AMTC recorded over 5.2 million trees or at least a million trees annually planted in critical watersheds vital to potable water supply in Metro Manila, Cavite, Rizal and Bulacan.

Held at the Million Trees Foundation, Inc. (MFTI) Nursery and Eco learning Center at the La Mesa Watershed last June 29, partners and stakeholders of the Annual Million Trees Challenge committed to plant a total of 1,710,005 trees that will reforest a total of 3,278 hectares of land in different watersheds.

Angat watershed will be planted with 494,005 new trees that will reforest 671 hectares; Upper Marikina with 432,000 saplings that will benefit 691 hectares; and Ipo with 264,000 that will involve 660 hectares. The watersheds of La Mesa and Umiray will be the recipients of 220,000 and 25,000 saplings, and that will reforest 550 and 63 hectares, respectively.

The remaining pledged saplings will be planted at the watershed of Kaliwa, in Manila Bay and other parts of the country.

COMELEC REGISTRATION. A crowd lines up at the Commission on Elections Office in Arroceros, Manila on Thursday to register for the Sangguniang Kabataan and barangay elections in December. Norman Cruz

‘Mt. Kanlaon is Department of Agrarian Reform distributes lands to Capiz farmers showing some signs of activity’

By Rio N. Araja

By Rio N. Araja

THE Department of Agrarian Reform has distributed 142.32 hectares of agricultural land in Capiz to improve the economic lives of 150 farmer-beneficiaries.

Lucrecia Taberna, assistant regional director, spearheaded the distribution

of 196 certificates of land ownership award to the agrarian reform beneficiaries from Cuartero, Dumarao, Mambusao, Panit-an, Roxas City, Tapaz, Sigma and Maayon.

“With the awarded lands, comes greater responsibilities. We trust in your commitment to cultivate and make your

KANLAON Volcano in Negros province and Bulusan Volcano in Sorsogon, Bicol had been showing signs of sudden steam-driven or phreatic eruptions, according to the Philippine Institute of Volcanology and Seismology.

Phivolcs officer in charge Renato Solidum Jr. said the agency was able to record “tornillo type volcanic earthquakes” around Kanlaon Volcano in past days.

“The quake has a screw-shaped pattern on a seismograph, which is a cause of concern,” he said, adding such an event is usually followed by an explosion,” he said.

“Just like Kanlaon, we see a possible steam-driven explosion in Bulusan,” he added.

The edifice of both volcanoes has slightly inflated, and that entry into the four-kilometer radius permanent danger zone is prohibited.

land productive to be able to fulfill your responsibilities as landowners,” she said.

She lauded the unwavering efforts of the DAR officials and employees who faced challenges in the implementation of the agrarian reform program.

“Do not sell or lease your lands and fulfill your obligations of pay-

CHILDREN AND PETS.

Kids play with their pet dogs at the window of their house in Paco Manila.

Vice President and concurrent Education Secretary Sara Duterte announced that the new administration is eyeing to impose full faceto-face classes in November.

Danny Pata

Cops arrest two suspects, seize P6.8m shabu in Makati City raid

By Joel E. Zurbano POLICE in Makati City seized shabu worth P6.8 million in an anti-narcotics operation and rescued a minor involved in the drug dealing.

Two suspected drug dealers, tagged by the authorities as high value targets, were

arrested in the buy-bust operation conducted by operatives of the Makati City Police - Drug Enforcement Unit late Wednesday night along Kalayaan Avenue in Barangay West Rembo.

City police commander P/Col. Harold Depositar identified the suspects as Moda Rinandang

Mimbalawag, 60, and Aslanie Mimbalawag, 23, both residents of Imus Cavite.

Investigation showed that the suspects were using a 16-year old high school student in their illegal activity. The minor is now in the protective custody of the Makati City Police.

ing the amortization of compensable lands and real property taxes. The DAR would continue to help you enrich your land by providing you with necessary support services,” provincial agrarian reform program officer II Anthony Arostique Emmanuel Ojacastro said.

BoC gets another ISO for quality management

By Joel E. Zurbano THE Bureau of Customs - Ninoy Aquino International Airport on Thursday announced it has received its first International Organization for Standardization (ISO) - quality management system - surveillance audit approval.

The Bureau of Customs said this is part of its commitment to promote efficiency and transformation within government service.

The BOC said “starting with 21 ISO-certified processes, Customs NAIA added six more processes to be ISO certified bringing the port’s total to 27 ISO certified processes which is the most among all BoC Ports.”

Those processes were focused on Clearance of Goods in other NAIA warehouses and express shipments; Processing of Special Permit to Load, and the Issuance of Access Pass to stakeholders entering the port.

The audit also revealed favorable findings toward Port of NAIA in terms of initiatives as its Performance Governance System Gold Trailblazer Award and the newly installed i-Declare online baggage declaration form systems were identified as programs with positive impact to the public.

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UN ‘failure’ over war in Ukraine hit T

HE UN Security Council has failed in its response to Russia’s invasion of Ukraine, New Zealand’s Prime Minister Jacinda Ardern said Thursday, describing Moscow’s role as “morally bankrupt.”

RED LIKE BLOOD. Fake blood covers the steps to City Hall as abortion-rights activists protest in Los Angeles, California, demanding the Federal Government restore nationwide abortion rights now. AFP

Ardern, who has long argued against the Security Council veto powers held by the five permanent members Britain, China, France, Russia and the United States, reiterated her call for reform of the body.

The UN’s “failure” over Ukraine was caused by Russia’s position with a veto in the Security Council, she said in an address to the Sydney-based Lowy Institute thinktank during a trade visit to Australia.

Russia had used its place on the council to take a “morally bankrupt position in the wake of a morally bankrupt and illegal war,” Ardern said.

New Zealand would seek reforms to the UN Security Council to ensure that its value and relevance does not diminish, she said.

“We must reform the United Nations so that we don’t have to rely on individual countries imposing their own autonomous sanctions,” Ardern said.

Russia must be held to account for its invasion, she said.

Ardern called for the International Criminal Court in The Hague to get the resources it needs to probe and prosecute war crimes.

N e w Zealand would intervene as a third party in Ukraine’s c a s e against Russia at the court, she added.

B u t the prime m i n ister warned

against taking a “black and white” view of the world, casting the Ukraine invasion as a war between the West and Russia or democracy against autocracy, and pushing away important players such as China.

“Let’s not assume that China as a member of the Security Council does not have a role to play in placing pressure in response to what is the loss of territorial integrity at the hands of Russia,” the New Zealand leader said. AFP

Hong Kong suspends ‘not effective’ virus flight ban HONG KONG’S new government on Thursday suspended a longstanding flight route ban that penalized airlines for bringing in coronavirus cases and severely impeded travel into the city, saying it was “not very effective.”

The financial hub has become increasingly isolated under harsh pandemic restrictions as it mirrors a lighter version of China’s strict zero-COVID policy, with the once busy Hong Kong airport now a relative aviation graveyard.

On Thursday, new city leader John Lee’s government said the “circuit breaker” rule was being suspended to “achieve the most in fighting the pandemic with the minimum cost on the society.”

“At the current stage, continued implementation of the ‘circuit breaker’ mechanism is not very effective in preventing imported cases,” the government said.

“Large number of passengers will have their itineraries disrupted due to the mechanism, and as the supply of seats on planes and quarantine hotel rooms fall short, the social costs generated will be remarkably high.”

Traveling to Hong Kong will still pose a challenge as the city holds on to its mandatory seven-day hotel quarantine for all arrivals.

Rooms at the designated hotels are booked up for months in advance. AFP

Australia offers 4th vaccine shot for COVID to over-30s AUSTRALIA will offer a fourth COVID-19 vaccine to everyone over 30, health authorities said Thursday, as hospitals bulge with patients in a winter wave of infections.

The government said it is recommending a fourth jab for over 50s – but also offering it to everyone over 30 despite benefits to the younger age group being unclear.

It followed a recommendation by the top immunisation advisory body, which said it recognized younger people might want a win-

ter booster dose, even though its impact for them “is uncertain but likely to be limited.”

Australia had previously recommended a fourth COVID shot only to people over 65 as well as to vulnerable groups, including those with weakened immune systems.

As new, more infectious Omicron variants BA.4 and BA.5 race through the population, the number of Australian hospital patients with COVID has jumped by more than 1,000 in a month to about 3,900, with 140 people now in intensive care. AFP

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IN BRIEF UNSC to vote on extending Syria aid THE United Nations Security Council votes Thursday on extending its authorization of aid transfers across Syria’s border without approval from Damascus, with Russia seeking a sixmonth prolongation while Western nations want a full year.

The UN resolution permitting aid deliveries across the Syrian-Turkish border at Bab al-Hawa has been in effect since 2014, but is set to expire on Sunday.

Norway and Ireland, two non-permanent members of the 15-country Security Council, have drafted a resolution that would extend the authorization until July 10, 2023.

Nearly 10,000 trucks loaded with humanitarian aid passed through Bab al-Hawa last year, bound for the rebel-held Idlib region in northwestern Syria. It is the only crossing through which aid can be brought into Idlib without navigating areas controlled by Syrian government forces.

The resolution, which was obtained by AFP, calls on “all parties to ensure full, safe and unhindered access by all modalities, including cross-line, for deliveries of humanitarian assistance to all parts of Syria.” AFP

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Boris clings to power amid resignations BRITISH Prime Minister Boris Johnson was clinging to power Thursday, despite more than 50 resignations from his government, including Northern Ireland minister Brandon Lewis.

Lewis on Thursday became the fourth cabinet minister to resign, writing in a letter published on his Twitter account that Johnson was “past the point of no return.”

The Conservative leader on Wednesday defiantly responded to calls from his loyalists and cabinet colleagues to step down by sacking minister and former top ally Michael Gove.

The Communities Secretary was reportedly the first to tell him that he must resign for the good of the Tory party and country, with a source close to Johnson telling the BBC that Gove was “a snake.” AFP

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Business

PSE INDEX CLOSING Thursday, July 7, 2022

-92.69 PTS. 6,352.32

T

HE Bangko Sentral ng Pilipinas said Thursday it is prepared to raise the benchmark interest rate by 50 basis points next month, as the peso pierced the 56-a-dollar barrier and the gross international reserves declined to a 21-month low.

“BSP is strongly committed to maintaining price stability. In this regard, the BSP is closely monitoring developments in the financial markets, particularly the recent hawkish stance of the Fed, which has put strong depreciaEXTRA-JUDICIAL SETTLEMENT OF ESTATE Notice is hereby given that the estate of the late JESUS ISIDRO M. CONSUNJI and MINA C. CONSUNJI have been extra-judicially settled among their heirs as per Deed of Extrajudicial Settlement of Estate dated: 1. April 12, 2022 at Los Angeles, California by Secretary of State, State of California, No. 11949 before Notary Public Jennifer Arevalo, CaliforniaLos Angeles County Comm.# 2290091.

2. April 7, 2022 at Sacramento California, No. 44293 before Notary Public J.A. Taylor California-San Mateo County Comm.# 2304700.

3. May 2, 2022 at Bacolod City, Philippines Doc; No. 170; Page No. 34; Book No. XV, Series of 2022 before Notary Public Atty. Manuel O. Cardinal, Notary Public # 0001-23.

4. April 29, 2022 at Manila, Philippines, Doc. 308; Page No. 62; Book No. CVIII; Series of 2022 before Notary Public Atty. John Edward Trinidad Ang Notary Comm. # 2020-033.

"NOTICE OF LOSS” Notice is hereby given that the Transfer of Certificate of Title with TCT No. RT-65314) (336137) under the name of FRANCISCO M. LOS BAÑOS were declared lost, as per Doc. No. 310; Page No. 63; Book No. II; Series of 2022 under Notary Public Atty.

Markneil S. Collado.

tion pressures on global currencies, including the Philippine peso. If such pressures are left unchecked, these could add to the already high domestic inflationary pressures,” said BSP Governor Felipe Medalla in a statement.

“And because of this, the BSP is prepared to be more aggressive in raising its policy rate, compared to its initial gradualist stance. In particular, BSP is prepared to raise its policy rate by 50 bps [basis points] by August,” Medalla said.

“The BSP is ready to take further policy actions, if needed. It will also continue to support and advocate for non-monetary actions by other government agencies to contain any further inflationary pressures that may spill over to 2023,” he said.

Data from the Bankers Association of the Philippines showed the peso shed P0.39 to close at 56.06 against the

Bangko Sentral ng Pilipinas • THURSDAY, JULY 7, 2022

NOTICE Please be informed that CASSIOPEIA MARINE SERVICES, INC. has a new set of Board of Directors and Shareholders.

As adopted by its Board of Directors and Shareholders on June 13,2022.

Mark Henrick Hilvano – Chairman Kareen Fe Pioquinto – Member Edizer Enriquez – Member Arnold Mendoza – Member Simos Varias – Member

Please be informed that CROSSWORLD MARINE SERVICES, INC. has a new set of Board of Directors and Shareholders.

As adopted by its Board of Directors and Shareholders on June 10,2022.

Mark Henrick Hilvano – Chairman Kareen Fe Pioquinto – Member Edizer Enriquez – Member Liberato Capayas – Member Simos Varias – Member The Company holds office at 7th Floor Sage House Bldg. 110 V. A. Rufino ManilaLegazpi Village Makati City, 1229 Street,

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NOTICE OF ANNUAL STOCKHOLDERS’ MEETING DEAR STOCKHOLDERS: Please be informed that the Annual Stockholders’ Meeting of Allied Care Experts (ACE) Medical Center- Legazpi, Inc. (“ACE-LEGAZPI”) will be held on July 28, 2022 (Thursday) at 8:00 o’clock in the morning, via Zoom Webinar, in light of the COVID pandemic.

For the conduct of the Webinar, please register on or before July 1, 2022, through the following link: https://us02web.zoom.us/webinar/register/WN_ IiPJa0jsQXKlwjbYXWhI_g

PSE-BANK OF CHINA TIEUP. The Philippine Stock Exchange Inc. and the Bank of China (Hong Kong) Limited-Manila Branch sign a memorandum of understanding to provide financial services in support of bilateral investment and trade through capital market linkages between the Philippines and China. Signing the agreement at the Department of Foreign Affairs Office are (seated, from left) PSE president and chief executive Ramon Monzon and BOCMNL country head Deng Jun, in the presence of Foreign Affairs Secretary Enrique Manalo, Republic of China State Councilor and Foreign Minister Wang Yi and Ambassador of the People’s Republic of China to the Philippines Huang Xilian.

By Darwin G. Amojelar

ALFAMART EXPANSION.

The partnership of former overseas Filipino worker Cecilia Ventura with Alfamart Philippines in Bulacan province as a lessor is now a steady source of income for her family.

Alfamart Philippines, SM Retail’s first super minimart grocery chain, has built a legacy of purposeful expansion since it opened its first store in the Philippines in 2014. Alfamar chief operating officer Harvey Ong says the goal is for every Alfamart store to help the local community through employment and opportunities for the local MSMEs. Alfamart has opened over 500 new stores in the past two years since the pandemic started in 2020.

The meeting shall be recorded (visual and audio) for future reference.

The Agenda: I. II. III. IV. V.

The Information Statement and Management Report and SEC Form 17-A are available at the Corporation’s website at www.acemclegazpi.net You may contact the undersigned via email acemclegazpi@gmail.com at mobile number: 09753729932/09257800974 if you have inquiries/ concerns regarding the meeting.

Very truly yours,

RICO D. MADLANGBAYAN Corporate Secretary (MS-JULY 7 & 8, 2022)

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ORCA Cold Chain Solution Inc., a pioneering cold storage company owned by businessman Michael Cosiquien, plans to raise up to P1.5 billion through an initial public offering scheduled in November.

ORCA, based on a registration statement filed with the Securities and Exchange Commission Thursday, will sell up to 1.48 billion common shares with 222 million in over-allotment shares at a maximum price of P0.88 apiece.

ORCA plans to use the proceeds to expand existing facilities to accommodate other value-added services, develop new cold storage facilities and new business initiatives, and general working capital.

The company has two operating facilities with a combined capacity of 34,342 pallet positions, equivalent to over 34.3 million kilograms. These are located in Barangay Bagumbayan, Taguig, and Barangay Poblacion, Caloocan.

ORCA plans to offer the shares from October 20to 24 and list them on November 3.

The shares will be listed on the Small, Medium and Emerging Board of the Philippine Stock Exchange. Jenniffer B. Austria

Emerging Power OKs P8.5-b capitalization

EMERGING Power Inc., the renewable energy subsidiary of Nickel Asia Corp.

(NAC), and Shell Overseas Investments B.V. approved an authorized capital stock of P8.5 billion for their joint venture into renewable energy.

Bonoan, a former president and chiefCYAN ex- MAGENTA NAC disclosed to the BLACK Philippine Stock YELLOW Exchange on Thursday the investment ecutive of San Miguel Corporation Tollways, company would have an initial subscribed has an extensive career as a public servant capital of P2 billion and a paid-up capital that started at DPWH in 1966, spanning four of P500 million. EPI and Shell will initially decades until his retirement in 2010 as senior subscribe to 60 percent and 40 percent, respectively, of the initial capitalization undersecretary. of the investment company.

His practice as a professional civil engiNAC, which holds an 86.29 percent neer continued when he joined the private equity in EPI, last week announced the sector and became top executive of one of joint venture with Netherlands-based the leading companies engaged in the conShell, which will pursue renewable energy projects in the country. EPI and struction, management and operation of exShell will have representatives on the pressway network. investment company’s board in proporTransportation Secretary Jaime Bautista eartion to their equity ownership. lier said his department would continue the “The joint venture has the full support of EPI’s parent company, NAC. This part“Build, Build, Build” program with focus on nership would allow both companies to moving passengers and goods. boost the supply of renewable energy in Bautista, former president of Philippine Airthe Philippines and is in line with NAC’s lines, said the Marcos administration would vision to become the premier ESG investprovide “accessible, affordable, comfortable ment in the country,” said NAC president and CEO Martin Antonio Zamora earlier. and safe transport service throughout the counAlena Mae S. Flores try” through the use of the transport systems.

PRESIDENT Ferdinand Marcos Jr. asked the Department of Public Works and Highways to pursue big-ticket infrastructure projects under the “Build, Build, Build” program Public Works and Highways Secretary Manuel Bonoan said the president ordered the prioritization of infrastructure that would help in the food security program amid the rising inflation and the interconnectivity of regions and convergence programs with other agencies.

He said the DPWH would continue to tap the private sector for the country’s road network improvement through public-private partnership program.

Bonoan assured the public that he “will lead by example” in instilling professionalism among colleagues and welcomes insightful public feedbacks and comments.

“As discussed during my initial meeting “We encourage the public to reach out and with President Bongbong, we will transform help in nation-building. Any issue or complaint may be coursed through our social media pag- the Philippine transport industry and elevate it es, email, and hotline numbers,” Bonoan said. to global standards,” Bautista said.

The link will provide you the process for the registration. You will receive a confirmation email once you have successfully registered in the platform, including the details and procedures in the conduct of the meeting.

Voting will be done via the online tool which you can access once you have logged in to the Webinar; voting in the election of directors may also be done in absentia through the above link.

Only stockholders of record at the close of business on July 11, 2022, Monday, shall be entitled to notice of and to vote at the meeting. If you cannot personally attend the meeting, you may opt to send your proxy to attend in your behalf. Kindly submit your duly executed proxy form with the undersigned, via email, at acemclegazpi@gmail.com not later than 5:00 p.m. on July 20, 2022 to enable your proxy to register in the Zoom Webinar. A sample proxy form is available at the Corporation’s website for your reference [NOTE: Management is not soliciting proxies.]

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Marcos orders DPWH to pursue infra projects

Once you have successfully registered, you will receive a confirmation email containing information about the webinar meeting.

Call to Order Invocation Determination of Quorum Welcome Message from the Chairman of the Board Reading and Approval of the Minutes of the Y2021 Annual Stockholders’ Meeting VI. Audited Financial Report 2021 VII. President’s Report VIII. Ratification of the Acts and Proceedings of the Board of Directors, Officers, and Management of the Corporation IX. Election of the Board of Directors 2022-2023 X. Appointment of External Auditor for the year 2022 XI. Other Matters XII. Adjournment

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Currency

Indonesia greenback on Thursday, down fromMAGENTA 55.67 on Wednesday.

CYAN YELLOW BLACK Thailand Michael Ricafort, chief economist of Rizal CommerUAE cial Banking Corp., said in an emailed message that it Euro was the local currency’s weakest level in nearly 17 years Korea or since it settled at 56.295 a dollar on Sept. 27, 2005.

China Total volume turnover reached $1.114 billion, down from India $1.245 billion on Wednesday.

Malaysia New Zealand “This is largely due to the stronger US dollar vs. maTaiwan jor global currencies, amid increased global risk aversion/risk off mode recently as the markets price in the possibility of US economic slowdown or even recession in view of more aggressive Fed rate hikes/monetary tightening in an effort to bring down inflation towards the long-term target of 2 percent [from the current new 40-year high of 8.6 percent],” Ricafort said.

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BSP eyes bigger rate hike as peso falls

By Julito G. Rada

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

Pascual cites role of PH retail sector TRADE Secretary Alfredo Pascual cited the rebound of the retail sector after posting over P600 billion in gross values added ( GVA) in the first quarter of 2022, up from P500 billion year-on-year Pascual said the industry has been and will continue be an economic catalyst linking consumers to manufacturers, apart from its contribution to job creations.

“You hold the important role of connecting manufacturers to consumers, co-creating an environment where empowered consumers can choose what they need and want for themselves, and helping enable a healthy and fair competition that we hope will bring quality products at good prices to consumers,” he said during the second membership meeting of the Philippine Retailers Association Thursday.

He said the DTI was looking at generating at least P56 billion in fresh retail investments in the next five years following the enactment of the Retail Trade Liberalization Law. Othel V. Campos

ACEN investing P17b in two Ilocos Norte wind projects

By Alena Mae S. Flores

ACEN Corp. said Thursday it is developing two wind projects with a combined capacity of 230 megawatts in Ilocos Norte province at a cost of P17 billion following its winning bid under the Green Energy Auction Program.

ACEN’s two wind projects— the 70-megawatt Caparispisan II of unit Amihan Renewable Energy Corp. and 160-MW Balaoi and Caunayan wind projects of Bayog Wind Power Corp.—participated in the recently concluded GEAP. “Bayog is under construction. We will start construction of Caparispisan this year,” ACEN president and chief executive Eric Francia said.

Francia said the Balaoi wind project was

expected to be completed by 2023, while the Caparispisan wind project expansion would be finished by 2024 or within the 2025 deadline under the GEAP. “For wind, those are the two projects that we’re confident will be completed by December 2025. Of course, we have other projects, but expected completion will be beyond 2025, or at least it’s too tight; we don’t want to risk it,” Francia said.

ACEN owns a 67 -percent economic stake in the 81-MW Caparispisan wind project in Pagudpud, Ilocos Norte of project company North Luzon Renewables Corp. ACEN’s partners in NLRC are UPC Renewables and Diamond Generating Asia Ltd., an affiliate of Mitsubishi Corp.

Francia said ACEN would participate in the next GEAP with other projects.

“By our estimation, the Philippines would need more than 2 gigawatts of renewables every year for the next decade. We need close to 20 GW of renewables, if we are to achieve the 35-percent RE share and also address the demand growth,” Francia said.

Francia said the company did not offer a bid for the solar capacity offered under GEAP. “[For] solar, we struggled to get the economics right, especially because the capex increased, forex and interest rates as well.

We think that the wind GEAR price is okay.

It’s significantly higher than solar, so there’s more room. Plus, our projects have a good capacity factor,” he said.

Ikeda rules Aoki with 2-shot win despite 77 GEN. TRIAS, Cavite—Chihiro Ikeda banked on a huge overnight lead as she survived a horrendous final round meltdown to claim her second championship in the last four legs of the Ladies Philippine Golf Tour, beating Sarah Ababa by two despite a fiveover 77 here yesterday.

Ikeda had built a six-shot cushion over Harmie Constantino and amateur Mikha Fortuna after 36 holes of the P1.5 million championship but went through some anxious moments before pulling through in the ICTSI Eagle Ridge at Aoki Invitational on a performance that was in stark contrast to her blistering second round 68 Wednesday.

“I played bad but still won,” said Ikeda, who banked P202,500 in a victory that came after she reigned at Mt. Malarayat last May, then fought back from a share of fifth at Splendido with a joint runner-up effort at Pradera Verde last month.

“I was a little bit tired and failed to play steady,. But I just kept on fighting” added the Manila Southwoods and AsiaGlobal Technologies-backed pro, who honed her skills under swing coach Bong Lopez.

She did birdie the opening hole to pad her lead but bogeyed three of the next four for a 38. She yielded two strokes on the daunting par-4 No. 13, bogeyed the next before wrapping up her 38-39 in a birdie-bogey fashion for a 216 total.

But through her struggle, her rivals had failed to pounce in, although Ababa, who started the last 18 holes seven shots off Ikeda, came in threateningly close in the other flight with a birdie on No. 13 for a running two-under card against Ikeda’s four-over output.

But Ababa, winner at Sherwood Hills in 2016, failed to get up-and-down on No. 14, matching Ikeda’s mishap, then dropped another stroke on the 18th to finish second at 218.

Fortuna pulled to within two with two birdies in the first six holes, only to fade with four bogeys in the last 12 for a 74.

She ended up third at 219 while running away with the low amateur honors in the 54-hole championship organized by Pilipinas Golf Tournaments, Inc. Constantino’s bid for a third straight victory at Aoki ended with a woeful 78 as she tumbled to fourth at 223 while Chanelle Avaricio finally snapped a pair of over-par rounds of 77 and 78 but her 72 could only net her a share of fifth at 227 after winning three of the last five tournaments of the LPGT, including the last at Pradera Verde.

Mid-year bonus for medalist PH athletes in 30th SEA Games THE competition was in May but cash incentives totaling P11.150 million from the Philippine Olympic Committee through its dedicated partners came in as a midyear bonus for the 417 athletes who clinched medals—individual and team—in the Vietnam 30th Southeast Asian Games.

“The medalists in Hanoi are in for a surprise,” POC President Rep. Abraham “Bambol” Tolentino said on Thursday. “Most of these medalists may not know it yet, but once they check their LandBank accounts, they’ll find out about the bonuses from the POC.” John Derick Farr was unaware that the POC—through Tolentino’s deputy secretary general for international events, Bones Floro—has already deposited his P10,000 bonus for the bronze medal he clinched in cycling’s men’s downhill.

“I haven’t check my bank account yet, but I’m thankful to the POC, especially Cong. Bambol, for the bonus,” said Farr, one of three cycling bronze medalists in the Vietnam SEA Games staged last May 12 to 23.

The MVP Sports Foundation of telco tycoon Manuel V. Pangilinan, San Miguel Corp. of president and CEO Ramon S. Ang and Charlie Gonzales’s Ulticon Builders Inc. were the major benefactors of the bonuses which the POC, under Tolentino, has given to medalist athletes for the second time.

National sports association presidents Tom Carrasco (triathlon) and Ting Ledesma (table tennis) thanked the POC for the bonuses, adding their medalist athletes would be in for a surprise.

“Kim [Mangrobang] and Fernando [Casares] have flown to the US to train and compete and on their behalf, we would like to thank the POC for the bonuses,” Carrasco said.

Riera U. Mallari, Editor; Randy M. Caluag, Assistant Editor FRIDAY, JULY 8, 2022

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Chihiro Ikeda displays her trophy after pulling off a big escape (Manny Marcelo)

Filipinas take on Malaysians, rd eye 3 straight win in AFF tilt

By Peter Atencio

W

GAMES TODAY (Rizal Memorial Stadium) 4 p.m. – Australia vs. Indonesia 7 p.m. – Malaysia vs. Philippines (Biñan Stadium) 7 p.m. – Thailand vs. Singapore

ITH three games left in the elimination round, many members of the Philippine team needs to contribute and share in the workload of their campaign in the ASEAN Football Federation Women’s Championships 2022.

Coach Allen Stajcic said this after Team Philippines came up with a 7-0 rout of Singapore Wednesday at the Rizal Memorial Football Stadium in Manila.

“Everyone has to contribute. We are a big squad. It is important that everyone from this squad contribute to this tournament,” remarked Stajcic.

The Philippines, which is currently ranked no. 53rd in the world, will go for their third straight triumph when they play Malaysia on Friday at 7 p.m.

Thailand clashes with Singapore over

in Biñan, Laguna. The Thais, who have a 1-1-0 win-draw-loss card, will try to maintain their hold on second spot.

Stajcic noted that many new players in the squad were able to show their capabilities during their encounter with Singapore.

This included defender Maya Alcantara, a St. Mary’s College of California standout, who made her debut at central defense and played alongside Halli Long.

Fil-Norwegian Sara Eggesvik also made a good start in the left wing and with a goal in the 46th minute.

Fil-Am Kaya Hawkinson, who is from Cal State-Fullerton, made a good adjustment at central midfield and capped off her effort with a goal in the 55th minute.

“I am pleased that we can rotate a lot of new players, and we will continue to do that,” added Stajcic.

The newbies were able to score with skipper Tahnai Annis creating opportunities with her all-around presence.

Annis pushed teammates to goals and their Singaporean rivals into crucial errors all evening.

“Maximizing the bench shows the discipline within the team, shows the unity, shows the alignment we have in

the group. Regardless of who comes on, we will maximize them well. It is important that everyone contributes. We have a big squad,” Stajcic said.

“Obviously it is important to be at the top of the table and that’s where everyone one to be. We are pleased to be here right now, but there is still a lot of work to be done,” added Stajcic.

Midfielder Jessica Miclat, who was pivotal in controlling the ball for the Filipinas that resulted in several scoring opportunities, also underscored that it was “a great team performance and we were able to do what we were not able to do (in the game against Australia).

“It’s a good thing to build on in the next three games.”

She added that the result was a great confidence booster before the match against the Malaysians, whom they beat 3-0 in the 2019 edition of the tournament held in Chonburi, Thailand.

Fil-Canadian Olympic swim medalist to represent PH OLYMPIC medalist and Filipino-Canadian swimmer Kayla Sanchez has decided to represent and compete for the Philippines.

The Philippine Swimming Incorporated made the announcement in a press conference held at the Philippine Olympic Committee Office on Thursday at the PhilSports Complex in Pasig, City.

“The Philippine Swimming, Inc. welcomes Sanchez with open arms and is committed to helping her achieve her goals in the next few years, including a possible stint at the Paris Olympics in 2024,” said PSI president Lani Velasco, who was with POC deputy secretarygeneral Bones Floro during the welcoming of the new national team member.

Sanchez already made a name for herself, representing Canada since 2016.

The reigning world junior record holder in 50-meter freestyle also claimed multiple medals in the 2020 Tokyo Olympics, bagging silver in the 4x100-meter freestyle relay and bronze in the 4x100-

Kayla Sanchez

meter medley relay.

Just recently, she took two silvers and two bronzes in the 19th FINA World Championships in Budapest, Hungary.

She also bagged three golds in the 15th FINA World Swimming Championships (25m) in Abu Dhabi, UAE. The University of British Columbia commit, who is a daughter of a Pampanga-born father and Baguioborn mother, arrived on Wednesday and is now in the process of making her transition to competing for the Philippines.

And Sanchez can’t wait to represent her country.

“It was a matter of timing and a question of timing and now is a good time to bring what I do and what I love here in the Philippines,” the 21-year-old Sanchez said of her decision.

“I think it’s a bigger picture of and a bigger meaning of using what I do and what I love to inspire Filipinos like me to commit to sports and show what they are capable of.”

Bibat, Lascuña charge back, catch Go at the top GEN. TRIAS, Cavite—Michael Bibat and Tony Lascuña closed out in scorching fashions in separate flights and forced a three-way tie for the lead as Lloyd Go slowed down with a 72 yesterday in the ICTSI Eagle Ridge at Aoki Invitational heading to a gripping finish here.

Bibat sustained a late frontside rally with three birdies in the last seven holes in dark skies as he bounced back from a second round 72 with the day’s best six-under 66 while Lascuña checked an impending fold-up by going four-under in the last five, spiked by an eagle on No. 16, for a 68.

The veteran pair with contrasting records on the Philippine Golf Tour thus pooled a 54-hole aggregate of nineunder 207, catching Go at the helm after the young Cebuano find, who led the elite field by two halfway through the P2 million championship, settled for a onebirdie, one-bogey round after posting the first six-under card in his big, surprise charge Wednesday.

But Go proved his worth while enduring shaky putting, at least against seasoned and multi-titled Angelo Que

and Dutch Guido Van der Valk in the featured flight, rescuing a couple of pars to keep himself in the mix of things for a shot at a breakthrough win after a joint fifth place finish at Splendido last month.

“I didn’t putt good, and that’s the difference between the first two days and today (yesterday),” said Go, who gunned down 12 birdies against three bogeys in the first 36 holes but could only shoot one birdie on No. 6 against a bogey on the 13th in moving day.

But ranged against a hungry Bibat, still in pursuit of a second victory after winning at Rancho Palos Verdes way back in 2015, and a multi-titled Lascuña, who flashed vintage form to put himself among the frontrunners, Go said he’d try to make it simple in a bid to complete a top podium finish in this fourth leg of this year’s tour put up by ICTSI. “Target the fairways, hit it close and make the putt,” he added.

His veteran rivals also have their own schemes in their chase for the whopping P360,000 top purse.

“It’s going to boil down to putting,” said Lascuña, many-time winner here

at Eagle Ridge and the Order of Merit champion from 2012 to 2014 and in 2016 and who last at Riviera Couples under the bubble setup in 2020.

While admitting he has given away considerable length off the tee to younger players the last few years, the 51-year-old ace, who blew a frontside 33 with a bogey and a double-bogey in the first four holes at the back, said the final round battle will not all be about power but putting.

“Putting will be the key tomorrow (today),” said Lascuña, whose birdie on No. 15 fueled a fiery windup that included a four-foot eagle on No. 16 and an eight-footer for birdie on the next. “I can make up for my lack of length with my irons and I’m more confident now with my putting.”

Bibat, however, is putting premium on precision and position, given the wet conditions and the dangers lurking on every corner of the risk-and-reward layout.

“Most holes require precision shots, some you have to go for positioning,” said Bibat, who birdied three of the last four holes at the front then knocked down putts from 10-12 feet on Nos. 12, 14 and 16.

Tony Lascuna is back in the title hunt Manny Marcelo

CYAN MAGENTA YELLOW BLACK Manila

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Nadal unsure of fitness vs. Kyrgios in semis PH jins bag 2 golds, L 8 silvers in Korea tilt ONDON—Rafael Nadal admits he does not know whether he will be fit to face Nick Kyrgios in Friday’s Wimbledon semi-finals after an abdominal injury nearly forced him to quit against Taylor Fritz.

The second seed had to take a medical time-out in the second set but battled through to win 3-6, 7-5, 3-6, 7-5, 7-6 (10/4) in a gruelling contest lasting four hours and 21 minutes.

Earlier, Australian maverick Kyrgios cruised past Chile’s Cristian Garin with relative ease 6-4, 6-3, 7-6 (7/5).

Nadal, the 2008 and 2010 champion, said in his postmatch press conference that he was unsure over his ongoing participation in the tournament as he targets the third leg of a rare calendar Grand Slam.

“I can’t give you a clear answer because if I gave you a clear answer and tomorrow another thing happens, I will be a liar,” said the 36-year-old.

Nadal, who was given pain

relief during the match, said he would have tests before deciding whether to play on at the All England Club.

The Spaniard admitted his father and sister had been gesticulating for him to quit his quarter-final match against Fritz but said he “hated” the idea.

“I fought,” he said.

“Proud about the fighting spirit and the way that I managed to be competitive under those conditions.”

Kyrgios, ranked 40th in the world, is a major threat, even to a fully fit Nadal.

The 22-time Grand Slam champion leads 6-3 in their head-to-head meetings but Kyrgios beat the Spaniard on his way to the quarter-finals in 2014 before Nadal gained revenge three years ago.

Spain’s Rafael Nadal reacts as he plays against US player Taylor Fritz. AFP

Time-out A pumped-up Nadal raced out of the blocks on Centre Court to take a 3-1 lead but then lost five straight games to drop the first set.

The players swapped breaks in the second set but Nadal was not moving freely and when leading 4-3 he took a medical time-out.

When he returned, American 11th seed Fritz served out to love, with Nadal’s movement still looking hampered.

But the Spaniard twice held serve comfortably to lead 6-5 and a backNOTICE TO THE PUBLIC hand volley into the open court sealed the DITO 5G Home WiFi Starter Kit second set, to roars from the crowd.

Price: 12,990.00 PHP Nadal, 36, was Features: now moving more ● One (1) DITO 5G Home WiFi CPE with DITO 5G Home WiFi SIM card ● 1GB for DITO App download, valid for 7 days easily but was bro● 50GB Open Access Data valid for 30 days and supports data rollover ken twice as he lost ● One (1) 3-month subscription to HBO Go the third set.

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costs ₱12,990 the following:

One (1) DITO 5G Home WiFi CPE with DITO 5G Home WiFi SIM card 1GB for DITO App download, valid for 7 days 50GB Open Access Data valid for 30 days and supports data rollover One (1) 3-month subscription to HBO Go

● ● ● 3)

Starter Kit includes

Prerequisites for purchasing the DITO 5G Home WiFi Starter Kit: ●

Customer must use the DITO 5G Home WiFi CPE included in the kit in a location confirmed to have 5G coverage Customer is not allowed to use the DITO 5G Home WiFi CPE in a location that has not been confirmed to have 5G coverage as DITO cannot guarantee the performance of the device in such locations

●

4) Promos shall only be made available to DITO 5G Home WiFi numbers and shall only be offered in the following areas listed in Annex A. If potential customer lives in an area covered by DITO Telecommunity’s 5G signal (according to promotional materials), they may approach the following DITO Experience Stores: ● ● ● ● ● ● ●

Greenhills – San Juan, Metro Manila Robinsons Galleria – Quezon City, Metro Manila SM Manila – Manila, Metro Manila SM North EDSA – Quezon City, Metro Manila Glorietta – Makati, Metro Manila SM Southmall – Las Pinas, Metro Manila Udenna Tower – Taguig, Metro

● ●

6)

THE SMART/MVP Sports Foundation National Taekwondo Team captured a total of two gold, eight silver and nine bronze medals in two prestigious tournaments recently in Chuncheon City, South Korea.

The nationals are composed of Arven Alcantara, Coaches Christian Al Dela Cruz, Rani Ann Ortega, Raul Samson (Team delegation head) Dindo Simpao, and Paul Romero.

Also with the team are Israel Cesar Cantos, Justin Kobe Macario, Rodolfo Reyes, Jr. Joaquin Dominic Tuson, Patrick King Perez, Jeordan Dominguez, Enrico Raphael Mella, Kurt Bryan Barbosa.

The women members of the team are Laila Delo, Janna Dominique Oliva, Angelica Joyce Gaw, Juvenile Faye Crisostomo, Jocel Lyn Ninobla, Laeia Simoune

NOTICE TO THE PUBLIC Promo Mechanics 1)

Promo period is from July 1 to September 30, 2022. The promo must be activated within the promo period. Promos activated after the promo period shall not take effect.

2)

The promo name, pricing and inclusions are indicated below: PROMO NAME

PRICE

DATA ALLOCATION

INTRODUCTORY PROMOS – DOUBLE DATA DITO 5G Home WiFi 590

₱590

100GB

DITO 5G Home WiFi 990

₱990

200GB

DITO 5G Home WiFi 1490

₱1490

340GB

DITO 5G Home WiFi 1990

₱1990

500GB

• • •

Manila

This warranty is granted only to original purchaser of the DITO 5G Home WiFi Starter Kit Warranty may be availed of at any of the following DITO Experience Stores: ● Greenhills – San Juan, Metro Manila ● Robinsons Galleria – Quezon City, Metro Manila ● SM Manila – Manila, Metro Manila ● SM North EDSA – Quezon City, Metro Manila ● Glorietta – Makati, Metro Manila ● SM Southmall – Las Pinas, Metro Manila ● Udenna Tower – Taguig, Metro Manila To avail of product warranty, customer must show proof of purchase that the product was purchased from a DITO Store or an authorized DITO 5G Home WiFi Starter Kit Dealer.

Warranty does not apply if the DITO 5G Home WiFi Starter Kit has been altered, repaired or otherwise tampered with by unauthorized persons and/or is used or subjected to the unintended usage of a product of its nature.

By availing of the DITO 5G Home WiFi Starter Kit, the subscriber confirms that he/she has read, understood, and agreed to the DITO 5G Home WiFi Starter Kit mechanics, its terms, and conditions. Subscriber also agrees not to use the DITO 5G Home WiFi Starter Kit for illicit or illegal means.

7) For any concerns and/or inquiries regarding the DITO 5G Home WiFi Starter Kit, information may be sent to customerservice@dito.ph.

All matters and disputes will be subject to the final decision of DITO Telecommunity. All decisions made by DITO Telecommunity pertaining to the promo will be deemed final and irrevocable, with the prior concurrence of DTI. DITO 5G Home WiFi Starter Kit

• •

All promos are data-only All promos are valid for 30 days All data promos support data rollover Must have a valid and working prepaid DITO 5G Home WiFi SIM card installed in a DITO-compatible CPE. The list of DITO Stores selling DITO 5G Home WiFi CPEs will be detailed in targeted communications.

Promos are available via DITO App only -- requires installed and working DITO App in mobile device.

Must have an existing DITO load value that is at enough to cover the cost of the desired promo.

4) How to avail of the promos: • • • •

Log-in on the DITO App using the DITO 5G Home WiFi number On App Home Page, select “Buy Promo”.

Subscriber must select desired promo and click on the confirmation button to proceed with the purchase of the offer.

Subscriber will receive confirmation via APP and SMS.

5) Promos shall only be made available to DITO 5G Home WiFi numbers and shall only be offered in the following areas listed in Annex A. 6)

Promo resubscription is allowed even if the current subscription is active. The remaining data from the previous subscription will be carried over to the latest subscription.

7)

Once availed, the promo is non-refundable / non-replaceable / non-exchangeable. Promo is only valid for the DITO 5G Home WiFi CPE that contains the DITO 5G Home WiFi SIM.

8)

Promo cannot be converted to cash, credit, or other goods and services.

9)

By availing of the promo, the subscriber confirms that he/she has read, understood, and agreed to the promo mechanics, its terms, and conditions. Subscriber also agrees not to use the promo for illicit or illegal means.

10)

For any concerns and/or inquiries regarding the promo, information may be sent to customerservice@dito.ph. All matters and disputes will be subject to the final decision of DITO Telecommunity. All decisions made by DITO Telecommunity pertaining to the promo will be deemed final and irrevocable, with the prior concurrence of DTI.

DITO 5G HOME WIFI PROMOS CITIES/ MUNICIPALITIES COVERAGE “ANNEX A”

CITIES/ MUNICIPALITIES COVERAGE “ANNEX A”

#

REGION

PROVINCE

City/Municipality

1

NCR

NCR

Caloocan

2

NCR

NRC

Las Piñas

3

NCR

NCR

Makati

4

NCR

NCR

Malabon

5

NCR

NCR

Mandaluyong

6

NCR

NCR

Manila

7

NCR

NCR

Marikina

8

NCR

NCR

Muntinlupa

9

NCR

NCR

Navotas

# 1

REGION NCR

PROVINCE NCR

City/Municipality Caloocan

2

NCR

NRC

Las Piñas

3

NCR

NCR

Makati

4

NCR

NCR

Malabon

5

NCR

NCR

Mandaluyong

6 7 8

NCR NCR NCR

NCR NCR NCR

Manila Marikina Muntinlupa

9 10 11 12

NCR NCR NCR NCR

NCR NCR NCR NCR

Navotas Parañaque Pasay Pasig

10

NCR

NCR

Parañaque

11

NCR

NCR

Pasay

12

NCR

NCR

Pasig

13

NCR

NCR

Pateros

13

NCR

NCR

Pateros

14

NCR

NCR

Quezon City

14

NCR

NCR

Quezon City

15

NCR

NCR

San Juan

15

NCR

NCR

San Juan

NCR

NCR

Taguig

NCR

NCR

Valenzuela

16

NCR

NCR

Taguig

16

17

NCR

NCR

Valenzuela

17

-end-

(MS-JULY 8, 2022)

-end-

Soria, and Baby Jessica Canabal.

The team collected five silver and three bronze medals in the Asian Taekwondo Championships on June 22 to 27, before plunging to action in the Chuncheon Korea Open Taekwondo Championships slated June 29 to July 5, winning two gold, three silver and six bronze medals.

The Filipino jins competed against the best Asian counterparts, which included fighters from host Korea, Iran, Chinese Taipei, Japan, Thailand, Vietnam, Kuwait, Afghanistan, Nepal, Qatar, Pakistan, Malaysia, Cambodia, Sri Lanka, Singapore, Mongolia and Saudi Arabia.

The nationals’ participation is supported by the Philippine Sports Commission, Philippine Olympic Committee and MILO.

To RMS!

DITO 5G HOME WIFI DATA PROMOS

•

5) Warranty. The DITO 5G Home WiFi CPE in the DITO 5G Home WiFi Starter Kit is covered by a product warranty on all parts, valid for one year from the date of purchase.

●

Members of the PH taekwondo team

3) Prerequisites:

Once store specialist assesses that customer’s address/location is covered by DITO Telecommunity’s 5G network, customer will be allowed to purchase a DITO 5G Home WiFi Starter Kit.

●

fourth set but Nadal came out on top to level the match.

The fifth set went to a tiebreak and Nadal seized control, racing into a 9-3 lead and sealing the win on his second match point.

Nadal, who has already won the Australian Open and the French Open this year, is half way to the first calendar Grand Slam by a man since Rod Laver in 1969.

He is also bidding to win his 23rd Grand Slam title and equal Serena Williams in second place on the all-time list for most Grand Slam singles titles. Margaret Court is the leader on 24 titles.

Kyrgios canter Kyrgios’s match on Court One contained none of the drama of Nadal’s match.

The 27-year-old was broken just once by Garin and hit 35 winners as he reached his first Grand Slam semi-final.

“I never thought I’d be in the semi-final of a Grand Slam,” said the Australian. “I thought that ship had sailed, that I may have wasted that little window in my career.

“I am really happy I was able to come out here with my team and able to put on a performance.”

Kyrgios is the first Australian man into the semi-finals at Wimbledon since Lleyton Hewitt in 2005.

But he went into the match under a new cloud of controversy after it emerged he faces an Australian court next month to answer an allegation of assault. AFP

THE Philippine National Women’s Football Team remains undefeated after two starts in the ongoing AFF Women’s Championship 2002 here in the country.

The team shocked Australia, 1-0, in their opening game and followed it up with a 7-0 demolition of Singapore last Wednesday night at Rizal Memorial Stadium (RMS) to grab the solo lead in group A with six points. At least six Filipinas scored a goal each against the helpless Singaporeans. The team’s offense was in full throttle that Bai Mike Limpag said the team was scoring even if it is not trying to do so—courtesy of an own goal by the Lionesses in the 10th minute. The team was on point on defense as well throughout the whole game.

Thailand is currently at second place with four points, Malaysia at third with 2 while Australia, Indonesia and Singapore have a point each.

Up next for the Filipinas is Malaysia tonight, 7 p.m. at RMS and Indonesia on Sunday, July 10, same time and venue before ending their group fixtures against Thailand on Tuesday, July 12.

If the team keeps its winning ways against Malaysia and Indonesia, then it can qualify to the last four even before meeting Thailand, but then again, we are getting ahead of the story.

Can’t blame The Designated Kit Man though. The two wins gave the Filipinas the momentum, and barring any upsets, the team is in control of their destiny and even their opponents, so far, in the tournament.

Despite this, the team can’t afford to lose sight of its goals against Malaysia and Indonesia. They still need to beat them to avoid complications going to the game against Thailand.

Unlike the Filipinas, the country’s team in the AFF U19 Championship 2022 in Jakarta, Indonesia is in a bind. The boys are currently mired in a three-game losing streak and remains winless and pointless after losing to to Thailand, 1-0, in their opening game; dropped a 4-1 loss to Vietnam and went down 3-1 against Myanmar in their last game.

With two more games left, the boys have formally bowed out of the tournament but they can still play for respect and experience against Indonesia and Brunei. If the boys are playing on home turf, it is possible that we might have a different result.

For the Filipinas, topping their group will be big, no doubt, and somehow taking on the number 2 seed in group B may be a good strategy rather than facing the top team. But no matter which teams come out in Group B, the Filipinas will be ready.

And the fans should be too.

The Filipinas are very impressive in their first two games. And they are peaking at the right time. That is why expectations are very high that the team’s campaign will run deep in the tournament. And the presence of more fans at RMS rooting for the Filipinas will be big factor as the tournament goes on.

The team will not disappoint the fans braving the traffic, the rains and the excuses just to see them play.

Which football loving fans in the country should not pass. This rare opportunity to see the Filipinas play live at RMS should not be wasted. No time difference. No need to search for live streaming as compared when the team is playing abroad. Just a challenging hop to Rizal. The Philippine Football Federation moved heaven and earth to have the tournament here. It even had a major TV network air the games live but nothing beats watching the game in Rizal.

So I encourage everyone to come and watch our team play. If you have extra cash come and see them live. Let your voices and cheers be heard. Don’t shy away from the seeing our football heroines shine and deliver their best for flag and country. Lose your mind by watching the games, forget about work or your worries for at least 90 minutes.

Reconnect with your football buddies you haven’t seen for more than two years. Lose your voice, lose your head, heck even lose your soul for a bit while soaking with the atmosphere only football can give.

And more importantly, make the most of the chance to give your time and energy to support the best football team that we have right now.

The tournament has just started and there are three more games for the Filipinas in the group stage and hopefully two more in the knockout phase.

Be part of the experience, not the bandwagon because it is not, and will never be, the same.

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

(MS-JULY 8, 2022)

CYAN MAGENTA YELLOW BLACK

Entertainment

Nickie Wang,, Editor Patricia Taculao, Editorial Assistant E-mail: lifeandshow.manilastandard@gmail.com FRIDAY, JULY 8, 2022

‘Oldboy’ director returns with ‘pure’ love story FILMMAKER Park Chan-wook, known for his ultra-violent thrillers that helped catapult South Korean cinema onto the global stage, is back with an altogether different work – a restrained yet deeply emotional love story.

Decision to Leave arrives after the world-smashing success of South Korean entertainment, including Bong Joon-ho’s Parasite and Netflix’s Squid Game, and has been the top-grossing domestic film in South Korea since opening last week.

It stars Chinese star Tang Wei and Korean actor Park Hae-il, who plays a detective investigating a man’s fatal plunge from a mountain. He falls for the victim’s mysterious wife, whom he

suspects of being behind her husband’s death.

The film has already won Park the Best Director prize at this year’s Cannes Film Festival, which had previously awarded him the Grand Prix for his 2003 cult-classic revenge thriller Oldboy.

However, unlike many of his previous works, Decision to Leave contains almost no adult or graphically violent scenes.

IndieWire has called it “the most romantic movie of the year (so far),” while early reviews praised it as a gorgeously rendered love story marked by elegance and restraint.

“I agree that it’s a romantic film, and I wanted to make such a movie,” Park

said in an interview with reporters in Seoul last month.

The 58-year-old said he started thinking about the project while working on the BBC’s English-language miniseries The Little Drummer Girl.

Set against the backdrop of the IsraeliPalestinian conflict, Park found himself yearning to do something different – away from politics and disputes.

“I wanted to make a film that’s pure – pure in the sense that it is faithful to the basics of cinema as an art form while no elements other than the theme of love get in the way,” he said.

The result is a poetic exploration of time, loss and longing, combining Park’s signature lush cinematography with

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A scene from Park Chan-wook’s ‘Decision to Leave’

the audience-arresting sexual tension simmering between the well-mannered detective and beguiling murder suspect.

The two characters are a departure from Park’s previous, more extreme

characters – like the repressed Catholic priest-turned-vampire in the horror flick Thirst and a man held captive for 15 years in Oldboy. AFP, Read full story on manilastandard.net

‘Hipon Girl’ rocks Bb. Pilipinas 2022 Ma. Christina Gonzaga, Rodsaller Tagumasi, Jessica Manaay, Adelaida Buniel, Thelma Joy Aquino, Katlyn Juanson, Rosevielyn Angeles, Maria Lailani Cuyno, Jennica Javes Cadeliña, Mariyim Santos, Leonie Cruz, Annievi Delos Santos, Melgie Reyes, Rosa Pantila, and Nova Grace Unidad.

•••

The 2022 candidates of Ginang Angono posing with the event’s officers.

(Inset) Herlene Budol’s mother

In perfectly top shape

Nicole Herlene Budol represents Angono, Rizal in the Bb. Pilipinas 2022 competition

Leading network extends dominance to Facebook, TikTok GMA Network further strengthens its the most Facebook users worldwide, delivery of world-class entertainment according to Meta’s advertising beyond the traditional media as it resources.

GMA Network likewise rules on dominates Facebook and TikTok – two of the country’s favorite social media TikTok with 1.1 million followers. platforms.

Some of its top posts are from On Facebook, GMA Network is the the daily showbiz news updates top Philippine media organization with ‘Kapuso Showbiz News’ and the 22,126,213 likes as of June 2022. #GMAPaNoticeChallenge, an acting Facebook Help Center defines likes challenge where fans can make their as a user “showing support for the Page own versions of scenes from GMA and that they want to see content from shows with the best ones getting it. The Page will show up as being liked featured on the GMA Network in the About section of that person’s account.

Meanwhile, the Philippines ranks profile.” On the other hand, “when someone follows a Page, it means they 7th among countries with the most may receive updates about the Page in TikTok users globally. Figures from their News Feed.”

ByteDance’s advertising resources According to Sprout Social, for the indicate that the country has 40.4 first half of 2022, GMA Network’s million active TikTok users aged 18 Facebook page similarly leads in terms and above, as of April.

The extensive influence of the of Public Engagements by 72 percent against its closest media competitor. Kapuso Network on both Facebook and Public Engagements refer to the TikTok suggests that a large number number of times users engaged with a of audiences choose to be entertained page’s posts through clicks, reactions, on social media by GMA’s top-notch comments, and shares. It gives a content that Kapuso fans continue to significant measure of how compelling engage with. the content of the page is.

Some of GMA Network’s content with high engagements include Kapuso ArtisTambayan, Kapuso Watchfest, Kapuso Exclusives, Program Online Exclusives from GMA programs, Kapuso Stream, and Kapuso Covers.

Facebook has 86.6 million active users in the country in April 2022—reaching the 6th Watch behind-the-scenes blunders of the hit GMA spot among countries with show ‘First Lady’ on social media

Kapuso ArtisTambayan also receives high engagements from social media users

N

ICOLE Herlene Budol, better known as “Hipon Girl,” is creating a buzz in the ongoing Binibining Pilipinas 2022 search.

The 22-year-old former cohost of Willie Revillame’s game show is dead serious about making her dream to become a beauty queen come true.

“Any of the titles. I hope it would come true. I would stop acting, if I get a crown,” said the 5-foot-8 rising TV comedienne during a recent meet-andgreet occasion.

Budol, who is in the cast of GMA’s romance-comedy False Positive, has chosen Autism Awareness and Detection as her social platform for the competition.

She temporarily stopped her studies at the College of St. John Paul after getting a break in entertainment.

Born and raised in Angono, Rizal, the

YouTube top vlogger is under the tutelage of beauty queen maker Rodgil Flores and managed by Wilbert Tolentino.

Meanwhile, Rosario Policarpio Timbol, Hipon Girl’s mom, is one of 18 hopefuls in Ginang Angono 2022, a project of the Angono Business Club, headed by Michelle E. Lucas and the Municipality of Angono.

Ginang Angono 2022, a pageant for married and single moms, will give out five titles, namely, Ginang ng Edukasyon, Ginang ng Kabuhayan, Ginang ng Kalusugan, Ginang ng Kalikasan and the top title Ginang Angono 2022. The pageant also serves as search for the Ambassadress and Face of Angono Tourism and Angono Business Club.

Coronation Night is set at the Angono Gymnasium on August 25.

The rest of the candidates are Lorna Quinay, Janice Dele Peña,

YLLANA Marie Aduana will sure give her fellow Bb. Pilipinas 2022 candidates a run for their money. The 23-year-old native of Siniloan, Laguna is not the reigning Miss Fit Philippines 2021 for nothing.

Aduana, a Medical Technology graduate from Centro Escolar University and currently working as a clinical reviewer, was a top ten finalist in Miss Philippines Earth 2021.

“It’s always been my dream to become a Binibini and share to the world my advocacy, to champion education for the youth, particularly, for the marginalized sector of our community,” said the ProMedia-beauty who loves to write poems.

Yllana Marie Aduana is also the reigning Miss Fit Philippines 2021

PEOPLE

…are talking about

...are not talking about

Pokwang Tens of thousands of netizens and professionals chimed in when young actress Ella Cruz likened history to tsismis (rumors). Among those who reacted was seasoned comedienne Pokwang. She made it clear, in her usual humorous way, that history isn’t something to be taken lightly. And being the unbothered queen, Pokwang even poked fun at Ella and suggested throwing her back to sea.

Now that’s something a lot of people would want to see.

Cong Velasquez and Viy Cortez

Much to the excitement of their fans, popular Pinoy vloggers Cong and Viy finally welcomed their firstborn son Kidlat to the outside world. The couple is known for their antics on YouTube, but they impressed netizens with their preparation for their child. Aside from financial security, Cong and Viy also ensured they were mentally and physically ready to become parents. It’s this mindset that makes people think they’ll be great parents.

Senator Ronald “Bato” dela Rosa All eyes are on the elected and recently sworn-in government officials, and it’s no surprise that some netizens kept a close watch on what these heads did, said, and wore. For Bato, his Seiko watch received much attention from the public. Many assumed it was a Patek Philippe piece, amounting to almost P360 million, but in reality, it was just a Seiko watch worth P14,000. Bato is ecstatic for duping the public, but many remain unimpressed with his antics.

Nash Aguas The former child star is now a councilor in Cavite, much to the surprise of many. But with the lax requirements for running for a government position and the history of former actors turning to politics, Nash quickly secured a spot in the local government. Hopefully his age and inexperience won’t get in the way of his duty to serve the public.

ABS-CBN Entertainment hits 40-m subs on YouTube, remains most subscribed channel in Southeast Asia ABS-CBN Entertainment is still the most subscribed YouTube channel in all of Southeast Asia as it achieved another milestone by hitting 40 million subscribers on the popular video streaming platform.

The YouTube channel currently has over 53.5 billion lifetime views as of June 2022, according to Tubular Labs, one of the most trusted global video measurement and analytics platforms.

As the country’s biggest content provider, ABS-CBN is now offering its Made for YouTube exclusive shows on a special weekend primetime block via Kapamilya Online Live on YouTube.

One of its offerings is Maris Racal and Carlo Aquino’s How to Move On in 30

Days, the first YouTube co-production in the Philippines, which has already garnered over 20 million combined views since its premiere. Catch the series every Saturday at 9:00 p.m.

Join Alora Sasam at 10:30 p.m. for the fun roving quiz show IQ Ang Nagwagi, where she visits ABS-CBN shows and surprises Kapamilya stars by quizzing them about random tricky questions.

Go behind-the-scenes with the It’s Showtime family at 10:45 p.m. for It’s Showtime All Access, where the hosts and staff play fun games, raid each other’s dressing rooms, and ask Maris Racal (left) and Carlo Aquino in ‘How to Move On in 30 Days’ amusing questions.

Get relatable love and life lessons in Dear MOR: Celebrity Specials at 11:00 p.m., featuring the voices of Karina Bautista and Aljon Mendoza, Kiara Takahashi and Benedix Ramos, and Vivoree Esclito and Zach Castañeda.

Meanwhile, cap off the weekend by enjoying a night full of music in One Music Play PH. Watch intimate live performances from The Music Room and Gold School, where multi-talented Filipino artists perform and share the stories behind their songs, and feel the concert vibes in Yeng Constantino: Salamat sa Sampung Taon and Double Hearts Digital Concerts at 9:00 p.m. every Sunday.

Kapamilya Online Live also continues to give viewers access to free livestreaming and on-demand viewing of ABS-CBN series. Tune in to the Philippines’ longestrunning action-drama series FPJ’s Ang Probinsyano, KathNiel’s 2 Good 2 Be True, the sizzling romantic drama A Family Affair, and Loisa Andalio and Ronnie Alonte’s Love in 40 Days.

ABS-CBN’s efforts to continue to serve with entertaining and inspiring stories boost the company’s transition into being an agile digital company with the biggest online presence among all media companies, and a growing list of digital properties that appeal to a wide array of audiences.

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

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FRIDAY, JULY 8, 2022

Life

Young girl racers enjoying the track

New home for karting fans and enthusiasts LOCATED on the 3rd floor of SM City North EDSA’s City Center, the EkartRaceway is the country’s first allelectric indoor go cart racing experience.

With a circuit covering an area of 2,091 square meters, the multi-level 300-meter track was designed by seasoned professional drivers and designers from around the world to ensure racers have the best experience possible.

It has 13 high-speed straightaway and technical corners with different turning radius, speed, and elevations giving an awesome competitive karting experience to its racers.

“EKartRaceway was inspired by many race car passionate drivers and aficionados,” shares EKartRaceway founder David Hsu. “We had decided this venue will not just be another entertainment center with safe, serious fun for the whole family and motorheads, but also a sifting ground to discover the hidden gems of many young Pinoy natural talents. These are those that never had the chance to become a race car

Whether you are first-time or regular racing professional, the track is accommodates everyone to have a great racing experience

driver due to the lack of opportunity and easy access to a track.”

EKartRaceway offers the latest in electric go-karting technology with a fleet of 24

The first and only Shure store in Southeast Asia is in Ayala Malls Manila Bay

Shure Southeast Asia’s executives during the store’s launch

state-of-the-art BSR (Blue Shock Race) karts. These feature many proprietary advanced safety systems, with speed up to 90 km/h. Every kart is equipped with

Why are you still single?

a safety harness and a roll bar. All karts use the latest innovations in technology to deliver the best go-karting experience in the world.

Indoor Go Karting is safer than most sports. EKartRaceway supplies every racer with a DOT-approved helmet. Tracks are professionally designed to maximize speed and safety, and are accompanied by “Impact absorbent” proprietary barrier systems.

If needed and in case of emergency, EKartRaceway management has the ability to stop all the karts remotely with the touch of a button. EKartRaceway is committed to excellence and to providing a venue of safe and serious fun assuring that all racers are in good hands.

Watching the action is free of charge at

the perimeter bench and viewing the whole track is best at the center bleachers. Due to the safety protocols are still in place, only scheduled drivers, their companions, and guardians will be allowed in the reception and mezzanine viewing deck areas.

Mallgoers can also view the action from the comfort of the mall hallway.

The EkartRaceway is open daily from 10:00 a.m. to 9:00 p.m. Admission costs P650.00 (six-minute session) for JRkarts.

The max weight limit for JRkarts is around 60kg and the max height is 5’9. All ages are welcome. Larger adult BSR karts and double-seater karts will be available soon.

EkartRaceway also recently launched its driving school for beginners or for kids ages 4 to 10. Follow www.facebook.com/ EKartRaceway for updates.

Find someone you connect to on a deeper level

‘All the Good Ones AREN’T Taken (Change the Way You Date and Find Lasting Love)’has insights and highly relatable points on relationships

Leading audio products brand launches flagship store in PH FOLLOWING their virtual unveiling early this year, Shure, in partnership with Audiophile Components Inc., celebrated the grand launch of the first and only Shure store in Southeast Asia – in Ayala Malls Manila Bay last June 28.

Attended by Shure Southeast Asia’s executives – Eric Ong, director for sales; Jamie Quah, manager for sales; Vic Teoh, senior specialist for market development; Weiting Yeo, senior specialist for marketing; and Audiophile’s Gary de Guzman, general manager; and Tia de Guzman, marketing communications manager – they greeted the attendees with a program highlighting the wonders of Shure’s top of the line products that you can find in the store.

Tia de Guzman led the demo of the featured products namely Shure’s SM7B Vocal Microphone, MV5 Digital Condenser Microphone, the AONIC Series, and SE215 Sound Isolating Earphones. Through the demo, Tia underlined how these

products can help transform one’s banal experience in sound and audio, into a world-class one.

“Being the first and only offline Shure store here in Southeast Asia, we want to showcase how Shure delivers their promise of worldclass quality sound. So once you drop by here at our store, you’ll see a complete lineup of multi-channeled audio products from earphones, headphones, and microphones that you can freely try and test as we want you, our customers to experience it first-hand,” De Guzman added.

Shure has been the pioneer of engineering world-class quality audio and sound products that immerse its customers. From microphones and headphones to conferencing gears, Shure helps its customers define their sound that will lead them to an extraordinary experience.

The Shure Store is located on the fourth level Tech & Gadgets Zone of Ayala Malls Manila Bay in Parañaque. To know more, visit www.audiophile.ph.

Furniture designer Kenneth Cobonpue shares inspiring journey in docu-series WORLD-RENOWNED furniture designer Kenneth Cobonpue headlines the next episode of Smart Infinity’s Infinite Legacies documentary series on July 10, 7:00 p.m. on Cignal, Cignal Play, or Smart GigaPlay.

Cobonpue also banners an Infinity Exclusives event happening today, July 8, at 5:00 p.m. at the Interior Crafts of the Islands, Inc in Cebu City where the design Kenneth Cobonpue is a multientrepreneurship advocate will talk about awarded furniture designer his life-changing experiences as an Infinity and manufacturer Changemaker and how his advocacies have become part of his journey.

Through the Infinite Legacies series, Smart Infinity recognizes and honors changemakers, Filipinos who are principled, passionate, and purpose-driven.

More than leading a successful life, these individuals generate a positive impact on society as the embodiment of the Smart Infinity lifestyle.

A multi-awarded furniture designer and manufacturer whose clients include royalty and Hollywood celebrities, Cobonpue has constantly opted to give back to Filipino design entrepreneurship and has kept his base in his hometown in Cebu.

Watch his story unfold in the next episode of Infinite Legacies or catch episode replays highlighting the advocacies of Bea Valdes, Len Cabili, and Stephanie Kienle-Gonzalez on Smart’s GigaPlay App. For more details, follow Smart Infinity’s official Instagram account @smartinfinity or visit http:// smart.com.ph/infinity.

Kenneth Cobonpue headlines the next episode of Smart Infinity’s ‘Infinite Legacies’documentary series

GE does not matter. Yes, this concept applies to almost anything, including the discomfort and awkwardness it brings when asked the perennial question, “Why are you still single?”

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While many of us are fully aware that being in a relationship is not the measure of one’s worth, there is no denying that a large part of society (e.g. the neighborhood Marites and meme-able Titas in family reunions) still equates happiness and success not only to a stable career but also to a steady romantic relationship.

On a personal note, I have lost count of the times the question has been thrown at me. In my early 20s, what gives more discomfort than revealing I am unattached is answering the follow-up query, “Why?” Flashing a shy smile or keeping mum when accused of being picky and idealistic served me well.

Looking back, given the numerous discussions about how hard it is to find “The One,” the lingering question did make me think things through. What are the possible reasons a person longing for a relationship is still single?

A random find at a local bookstore ten years ago helped shed light on this. Titled All the Good Ones AREN’T Taken (Change the Way You Date and Find Lasting Love), the book was quick to catch my attention, not to mention it had a chocolate truffle on the cover. Packed with insights and highly relatable points, what kept me reading was the author’s interesting classification of unhappy single ladies.

It takes thorough reading of Dr. Debbie Magids and Nancy Peske’s analyses

Check if your personal connections are lacking depth to develop intimate relationships

are lacking in depth?

The standstill?

This classifica-tion pertains to the one who rarely dates and finds it difficult to relate to others on an intimate level. Are you overly shy or too conservative to interact with others?

The forbidden fruit hunter?

From the name itself, it is easy to identify that this person gets involved with emotionally unavailable or attached individuals. Do you find yourself attracted to people who are already taken? Do you find it thrilling to sneak into a secret relationship with an unattainable person?

The compassionate rescuer?

This one dates a partner who has problems, channeling her energy into “fixing” someone else. Do you find yourself hoping a person would change for you or believe that you are good enough to have your partner turn problems around?

The wanderer?

For this person, just one partner is not enough to fill the void, so she always has an extra one on the side. Do you find it difficult to stick to one or do you feel that different needs or wants can be fulfilled by multiple partners?

The uptown girl?

This one is attracted to someone with money, prestige, and looks.

Are your standards based on trophy material? Are you easily impressed when showered with expensive gifts?

The runaway bride?

This classification is described as someone good at relationships until asked to commit. The person finds a way to escape. Are you a commitment- or label-phobe? Do you find it suffocating to commit to a single person?

According to the book, we consciously or Did any category resonate with unconsciously affect relationship status with our you? I suggest you take your pick actions and try your best to avoid excuses, especially if finding love is something you aim for. No matter which classification you belong to, there are basic steps that can be done. The book offers a number of ideas to conquer the issues and the listing above just paves the way for us to get to know ourselves better.

It is likely that you do not fit into any one of them and simply belong to a category of your own. And that is fine.

Based on observed patterns, the book simply mirrors what we are doing (consciously or unconsciously) that possibly affects our relationship status.

It sends out the message that the key to changing our fate largely depends on acceptance of truth, openness to change, and willingness to reverse recurring behavior. We remain in control.

As long as we live a life of purpose and we find joy in what we do, there is no space for societal pressure in our lives. If there is one thing that has been hammered into my head in recent years, it is the fact that the best relationship we will ever have is the Learn to let go of past relationships to create one we have with ourselves. new and meaningful ones

and examples to best pin down which type of behavior you are engaging in that influences your relationship status.

Eight classifications based on behavioral patterns were laid out. Before you head out and purchase the book with practical tips on how to address dating mistakes and repetitive barriers, check out if you can relate to any of these personalities.

Identification alone may possibly spark ideas on ways to address your issues. Let me briefly recapitulate the categories.

Are you: The old faithful?

This person always longs for the unattainable ones and is unable to move forward.

Do you seek the ones you cannot have or feel fixated on the attachment that you find it hard to open yourself up to new relationships?

The whirlwind dater?

This one is described as the one who constantly dates but never finds a fulfilling and permanent relationship. You may want to check, is your dating and social life active and yet your personal connections