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BBM: Stop agri-smuggling As DA reviews Rice Tariffication Law, studies reviving NFA importation

By Maricel Cruz

P

RESIDENT Ferdinand Marcos Jr. has ordered the officials at the Department of Agriculture (DA) to crack down on smuggling even as the government begins reviewing a law that liberalized rice importation.

In a statement, the DA said the President, who is concurrently the Agriculture secretary, said vegetable smuggling and illegal importation of other agricultural products must be addressed in coordination with the Bureau of Customs and Congress.

At the same time, the DA is reviewing

the Rice Tariffication Law (RTL), which allowed private traders to import rice and barred the National Food Authority (NFA) from doing the same.

Before the law was passed under the Duterte administration, the NFA was responsible for regulating the rice trade and was the only agency allowed to import

rice shipments.

But Agriculture Undersecretary Kristine Evangelista said the department is studying if the NFA can be allowed to import rice again, even under a liberalized trading regime.

“That is something being studied and Next page

New Customs chief named, Lhuillier still envoy to Spain PRESIDENT Ferdinand Marcos Jr. appointed former Philippine Drug Enforcement Agency (PDEA) director Filemon Ruiz as the new Bureau of Customs (BOC) acting commissioner, and retained veteran diplomat Philippe Jones Lhuillier as the country’s ambassador to Spain.

Press Secretary Trixie CruzAngeles said Ruiz would take over the position previously occupied by Rey Guerrero.

She said Ruiz took his oath before President Marcos in Malacañang on Wednesday, July 20.

On the other hand, the President said he recognizes the excellent performance of Lhuillier so he is keeping him as

VOL. XXXVI • NO. 156 • 2 SECTIONS 12 PAGES • P18 FRIDAY, JULY 22, 2022 • www.manilastandard.net • mst.daydesk@gmail.com

MISTING. A member of the Manila Disaster Risk Reduction and Management Office (MDRRMO) conducts fogging and misting as part of its anti-dengue operation in Barangay 672 Zone 73 in Paco, Manila on 21 July 2022. The country has logged 65,190 dengue cases from January 1 to July 2 this year, 83 percent higher than the figures recorded for the same period in 2021, according to the Department of Health. Norman Cruz

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YOGI FELIMON RUIZ

Is Monkeypox global health emergency? WHO to decide

Experts push boosters vs. ‘Centaurus’ variant

By Willie Casas COVID-19 booster doses could be effective in fighting off the BA.2.75 subvariant, a member of the Advisory Council of Experts said Thursday.

An infectious diseases specialist

said Wednesday that it is only a matter of time before the subvariant, nicknamed "Centaurus," will enter the Philippines.

“So far, experts are seeing that booster doses can help fend off this more transmissible subvariant,

because boosters expand, broaden a person's immune response, like it boosts antibodies that can fight off variants,” said Advisory Council of Experts member Dr. Nina Gloriani, speaking in Filipino.

THE World Health Organization will reconvene its expert monkeypox committee on Thursday to decide whether the outbreak now constitutes a global health emergency—the highest alarm it can sound.

A second meeting of the WHO's emergency committee on the virus will be held to examine the evidence on the worsening situation, with nearly 14,000 cases reported from more than 70 countries.

A surge in monkeypox infections has been reported since early May outside the West and Central African countries where the disease has long been endemic.

On June 23, the WHO convened an emergency committee of experts to decide if monkeypox constitutes a so-called Public Health Emergency of International Concern (PHEIC) – the UN health agency's highest alert level.

But a majority advised the WHO's chief Tedros Adhanom Ghebreyesus that the situation, at that point, had not met the threshold.

Now a second meeting will be held, with case numbers rising and spreading to six more countries in the past week.

If the committee advises Tedros that the outbreak constitutes a PHEIC, it will propose temporary recommendations on how to better prevent and reduce the spread of the disease and manage the global public health response.

But there is no timetable for when the outcome will be made public.

Ninety-eight percent of reported cases "are among men who have sex with men (MSM) – and primarily those who have multiple recent anonymous or new partners," Rosamund Lewis, the WHO's technical lead for monkeypox, told a press conference on Wednesday.

They are typically of young age and chiefly in urban areas, according to the WHO. The committee will look at the latest trends and data, how effective the countermeasures are and make recommendations for what countries Next page

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Big biz groups bat for passage Delisted 4Ps of 24 bills for ‘inclusive growth‘ beneficiaries face no raps

By Othel V. Campos, Maricel V. Cruz, Macon Ramos-Araneta, and Joel E. Zurbano

MAJOR business groups and foreign chambers have recommended the passage of 24 priority measures for the incoming 19th Congress to consider and enact as it commences on July 25.

Meanwhile, legislators look forward

to President Ferdinand Marcos Jr. expounding on his vision for the Philippines in the next six years in his first State of the Nation Address on Monday.

Senators Sonny Angara and Loren Legarda also expect to hear the “preamble of every new administration” through the SONA, particularly the President’s plan to assist the economic sectors that need help.

In a letter sent to Marcos on July 20, the business groups and foreign chambers endorsed the following legislative reforms:

THE Department of Social Welfare and Development will not file charges against the 1.3 million beneficiaries that might be delisted from the government's cash assistance program.

DSWD Secretary Erwin Tulfo clarified Thursday the delisted beneficiaries would not be criminally liable just because they will no longer be eligible for Pantawid Pamilyang Pilipino Program (4Ps) benefits.

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IN A HUDDLE. Justice Secretary Jesus Crispin Remulla speaks with Interior Secretary Benhur Abalos during a joint press conference of the DILG and DOJ at Camp Crame in Quezon City on Thursday, July 21, 2022. Manny Palmero

DOJ to drop cleared cases from drug list

By Rey E. Requejo

PIA CAYETANO

CAYETANO URGES VAPE BILL VETO NEWS / A4

ROMEO JALOSJOS JR.

MARIA ROSARIO VERGEIRE

SC: JALOSJOS JR. CAN'T ASSUME POST

DENGVAXIA VICTIMS CHALLENGE VERGEIRE

NEWS / A4

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JUSTICE Secretary Jesus Crispin Remulla on Thursday said there is a need to clear those who have been named in the drug lists of former President Rodrigo Duterte but have been found to not be involved in the illegal drugs trade.

“We need to clear those who have to be cleared,” Remulla said during a joint press conference of the Department of Justice and the Department of the Interior and Local Government. “It is unjust if they are not cleared.”

This developed as 77 percent of drug cases filed from 2016 to July 2022 are still pending, Interior Secretary Benhur Abalos Jr. said Thursday, with the Justice Department taking steps to improve the conviction rate.

Owing to this, Remulla called for a re-training of law enforcers in remedial and substantive laws and closer collaboration with state prosecutors to improve their conviction rate.

The Justice chief noted that Duterte’s drug lists were considered “part of the intelligence information within the system.”

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is for further discussion and recommendation,” she said in an interview on ANC. Although the law sets aside P10 billion a year from tariffs paid to help farmers mechanize their farms and gain access to seedlings, critics of the RTL say the law has failed to lower the cost of rice and hurts farmers by allowing the untrammeled entry of cheap imported rice.

Evangelista said the DA is focusing on “strengthening the NFA to buy more palay from... farmers” as the government pushes for a better yield.

“Our priority will be increasing local production,” she said.

Part of this effort could be an additional subsidy for fertilizers and ways to improve their distribution.

The DA said an additional subsidy is reasonable, especially since the current amount—about P3,000 per farmer—is barely enough as the fertilizer prices continue to shoot up.

Evangelista said a cropping calendar

that local government units would follow would significantly prevent production wastage, such as an oversupply of onions from Mindoro or tomatoes from Bukidnon.

“A cropping calendar will also tell us that at this time of the month, this is the expected harvest volume of our farmers. We can work with the municipal agriculturist also to guide them on what the demand is, not only the demand in their area, [but] the demand in the region also. Then overall, the national demand and international demand, if there is one for a certain product,” she said.

This would involve engaging with LGUs to get them to be more active in agriculture.

The department is also doing an inventory of existing post-harvest facilities, to extend the shelf life of agricultural products, Evangelista said.

“Proper storage facilities are important because they will also extend the shelf life of our produce. Not only storage facilities but other facilities involved in post-harvest, our trading post, processing centers, and even slaughterhouses. We are trying to make an inventory and check if it’s still

operational. And make sure that if we are to add more, it will be strategic. Strategic in the sense that it's [in close] proximity to producers which are the source and also the accessibility to buyers,” she said.

Evangelista said the DA is also looking at a “Masagana 150” program that aims to produce 150 cavans of harvest per hectare.

Masagana 99 was a program of President Ferdinand Marcos Sr. designed to increase rice production by giving farmers high-yielding rice varieties through loans.

The policy was discontinued as it left farmers in deeper debts.

But the Masagana 150 program will employ new technology to increase yields, Evangelista said.

Meanwhile, the chairman of the House committee on ways and means stressed the importance of cheaper fertilizers in the government’s efforts to lower food prices.

Rep. Joey Sarte Salceda, the panel's chairperson said that “fertilizers will almost certainly be mentioned” in the President’s State of the Nation Address.

“One of his quickest victories as Agriculture secretary can be fertilizers. I commend his effort to pursue government-to-

government procurement of fertilizers.

That gets rid of a lot of middlemen margins,” Salceda said.

He said apart from G2G procurement, he urged the President to release fertilizer discount coupons, backed by the national government.

“We used this system heavily in the province of Albay, when I was governor.

It will have immediate consequences to food yield during the ongoing rainy season planting time,” Salceda said.

Salceda said he particularly sees it “being most useful in palay, which is fertilizer-intensive, and in corn, which has cascading effects on the prices of feeds, and therefore of poultry and pork.”

“The tradeable coupons are very strategic at this point, because regardless of whether the farmer beneficiary actually uses them or trades them to another farmer, the end result will be that the discounted fertilizer will find its way into the land. And that will bring higher yields for key crops, while also helping address high fertilizer prices.”

Citing the World Fertilizer Price Index, Salceda said current prices are 75 percent higher year-on-year.

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the country’s envoy to Spain.

“We recognize the excellence of Mr. Philippe Lhuillier, which is why we reappointed him. I am sure that he will fulfill his role wholeheartedly and will give his expertise for the country,” the President said.

Lhuiller has also served as Philippine Ambassador to Italy from 1999 to 2010 and Portugal from 2012 to 2016 before being appointed as the country’s envoy to Spain in 2017.

He was awarded the Ordine Della Stella Della Solidarieta Italiana for his significant achievement in fostering goodwill between Italy and the Philippines, the highest Italian award given to foreigners as well as Italians living abroad, a fact sheet from the Philippine embassy in Spain said.

Lhuillier is a graduate of De La Salle University – Manila and speaks fluent Spanish and French. Vito Barcelo and Vince Lopez

Liberalization of foreign equity restrictions in the Constitution; Open Access in Data Transmission; Ease of Paying Taxes; Promotion of Digital Payments; CREATE and PEZA Act Amendments for Hybrid/ Flexible Work Schedules; Freedom of Information; Property Valuation and Assessment Reform; Capital Income and Financial Taxes Reform; the BuildOperate-Transfer Law Amendments/PPP Act; and the Secrecy of Bank Deposits Law amendments.

The groups also proposed the enactment of the National Unemployment Insurance, Department of Disaster Resilience Creation, E-Commerce Act amendments, Pandemic Protection Act, Holiday Rationalization Act, Philippine Airports Authority Creation; Philippine Ports Authority (PPA) Charter amendments, Intellectual Property Code amendments, Philippine Pension System Portability and Strengthening Apprenticeship Program Reform, Agricultural Lands Ownership Easing, Commonwealth Act 138 (Flag

Act) Repeal, International Maritime Trade Competitiveness Act, and the Satellitebased Technologies Promotion Act. The letter said the business groups “look forward to working closely with the Marcos-Duterte administration and the 19th Congress to pursue the advocated reforms and others that will generate substantial impact in achieving inclusive growth.”

Signing the letter were the American Chamber of Commerce of the Philippines, Australian-New Zealand Chamber, Canadian Chamber, European Chamber, Japanese Chamber, and Korean Chamber.

The business groups who called for the passage of pending legislative bills were the Financial Executives Institute of the Philippines, IT and Business Process Association of the Philippines, Makati Business Club, Management Association of the Philippines, Philippine Association of Multinational Companies Regional Headquarters, Inc. and the Semiconductor and Electronics Industries in the Philippines Foundation, Inc. In the House of Representatives, Rep. Joey Sarte Salceda of Albay asked Marcos to articulate “grand national ambitions that

are as large and as historic as his mandate from the people” in his first SONA. “The first SONA is an opportunity for PBBM to show that his mandate to effect big changes will be used to accomplish exactly that – big changes,” Salceda said.

Rep. Ron Salo of the Kabayan party-list group wishes Marcos to convey his vision and action plans on “any of the following that will positively impact the welfare of our people,” such as the reiteration of the President’s campaign promise to lower the price of rice and the specific strategy in achieving it.

Salo also expects the President to expound on his strategy to address the excessive increase in oil prices and its domino effect on the cost of basic goods and services.

Rep. Bernadette Herrera of Bagong Henerasyon would like the President to lay down his plans to rebuild the economy post-COVID-19, address rising inflation, and improve internet connectivity.

The party-list lawmaker said she is also interested to know the new sources of revenue for the government to fund the country’s economic recovery. (See full story online at manilastandard.net)

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contagious than smallpox, which was eradicated in 1980.

Monkeypox, so called because it was first discovered in a monkey, is related to the deadly smallpox virus, which was eradicated in 1980, but is far less severe.

The strain currently circulating outside Africa is the milder of two known versions.

1970: First case in humans Human monkeypox was first identified in 1970 in Zaire (now the Democratic Republic of Congo) in a nine-year-old boy. It becomes endemic in the tropical rainforests of central and west Africa, where 11 countries report cases. The virus is transmitted through close contact with infected animals, mostly rodents, or humans.

2003: First outbreak outside Africa In June 2003, the disease surfaced in the United States – the first time it had been detected outside Africa. The illness is believed to have spread after rodents, imported into the US from Ghana, infected prairie dogs. The US Centers for Disease Control and Prevention (CDC) reports 87 cases but no fatalities.

2017: Epidemic in Nigeria 2017 brings a major outbreak in Nigeria, with more than 200 confirmed

cases and a fatality rate of around three percent, according to the WHO. Over the next five years, sporadic cases are reported around the world in travellers arriving from Nigeria, notably in Britain, Israel, Singapore and the United States.

May 2022: Surge outside Africa In May 2022, a flurry of cases was detected in countries outside Africa, in people with no travel links to the region.

Most of those affected are gay men. Europe is the epicenter of the new outbreak. By May 20, Britain has recorded 20 cases, mostly among gay men. On the same date, the WHO counts 80 confirmed cases around the world, including in Australia, Belgium, Canada, France, Germany, Italy, Portugal, Spain and Sweden.

Late May: Vaccinations start On May 23, the United States said it is preparing to administer smallpox vaccines, which are effective against monkeypox, to people who have been in close contact with monkeypox patients. Three days later, the European Union says it is working on centralizing purchases of vaccines, as it did for COVID-19.

June: More than 1,000 cases In early June, WHO chief Tedros

Adhanom Ghebreyesus says that more than 1,000 confirmed cases of monkeypox have been reported to WHO from 29 countries where the virus is not usually present. On June 21, Britain announces plans to offer vaccines to gay and bisexual men with multiple sexual partners. WHO experts meet on June 23 to discuss the threat but decide that monkeypox does not constitute a global public health emergency.

July: 14,000 cases, 70 countries On July 8, health authorities in France also launches pre-emptive jabs for people considered at risk, including gay men, trans people and sex workers.

On July 14, the US CDC reported more than 11,000 confirmed cases in some 60 countries where monkeypox is not usually found. Most of the cases are in Europe, the United States and Canada. The number of infections in New York doubles in under a week to several hundred. People stand in line for vaccines, which are in short supply. On July 20, Tedros announced that almost 14,000 confirmed cases have been reported to the WHO this year, from more than 70 countries, with five deaths, all in Africa. AFP

got better, or they could now sustain themselves.

"Either the parents may have already found work, or they have their own small business already. Those are the qualifications so they could be removed from the poor category," said Tulfo.

This developed as Sen. Risa Hontiveros advised the DSWD to go slow on its plan to remove some families from the 4Ps program.

"Let us be careful with this process.

The DSWD should ensure that these 1.3 million families that would be removed indeed graduated," said Hontiveros.

Tulfo said the government would be able to save P15 billion that could then be reallocated to other poor families

who will be identified as eligible under the 4Ps. The opposition senator said the list of beneficiaries should be updated since the information for this was collected in 2019 – and many Filipinos have lost their jobs and their savings consumed since.

Some of them, Hontiveros said, have been wanting money due to the increasing prices.

Once the list is confirmed and updated, she said the agency can then enlist new beneficiaries through the National Household Targeting System for Poverty Reduction or the “Listahanan” program.

Meanwhile, Tulfo said his department would look into its supposed failure to roll

out nearly P2 billion worth of financial aid based on a Commission on Audit report.

The COA annual audit report flagged the agency for failing to distribute P1.9 billion of cash assistance under the Social Amelioration Program.

Tulfo confirmed that some P1.7 billion has been returned to the Bureau of Treasury.

"I will have this investigated. What happened? But initially, I received a report on this, and there seemed to be some confusion. It is so far unclear, but I will keep on investigating," he said.

"The money has already been returned to the Bureau of Treasury. It was not lost, but it's sad that this was not distributed to those who needed it," Tulfo added.

“In fact, other countries are rushing the jabbing of the second booster to help beat the new subvariant,” she said.

Gloriani said her group has recommended the giving of second COVID-19 boosters to more Filipinos. At present, only elderly Filipinos, the immunocompromised, and health workers are eligible for the jab.

“We have said that those 50 years old and below can already receive the booster shot since a lot in that age group already have comorbidities,” she said.

Gloriani said, however, that it is the Health Technology Assessment Council of the Department of Health (DOH) that makes the final decisions on matters like these.

The BA.2.75 subvariant first emerged in India in May and has since spread to around the United States, Britain, Germany, Australia, and several other countries.

The World Health Organization's chief scientist Soumya Swaminathan said last week that the UN agency was closely tracking the strain, but there were "limited sequences to analyze."

"This sub-variant seems to have a few mutations on the receptor binding domain of the spike protein... so we have to watch that," she said in a tweeted video.

She added that it was "too early to know" how well the strain can evade immunity or how severe it was.

The Netherlands announced on Wednesday it has become the latest country to detect a case of the Covid Omicron subvariant BA.2.75, as experts expressed concern about the strain's rapid spread.

It "has also now been identified in the Netherlands," the Dutch National Institute of Public Health said in a statement.

"Little is known about BA.2.75," the institute said, but it "appears to more easily bypass the defenses built up against SARS-CoV-2 through small, specific changes."

Antoine Flahault, director of the Institute of Global Health at the University of Geneva, said BA.2.75's spread in India indicated it could be more transmissible than the BA.5 Omicron subvariant, which has been driving waves in Europe and the US. "It seems to be becoming the dominant strain in India -- the question is will it become the dominant strain all over the world?"

Flahault added that previous dominant strains, like Delta, had first taken over the country they emerged in before spreading across the world.

But he said there was a "margin of unpredictability," pointing to how BA.2.12.1 became dominant in the US but BA.5 "succeeded" when the two came in direct competition.

Flahault added that successive variants made developing a vaccine to fight them more difficult, because by the time one jab targeting them was ready to be rolled out, newer strains had taken over.

It was far too early to know about the severity of BA.2.75, he added.

The Department of Health (DOH) on Thursday recorded 2,828 new COVID-19 infections, bringing the nationwide total to 3,741,987.

The country's active case count jumped to 22,207 from 20,678 on Wednesday.

The National Capital Region registered 10,636 new cases in the last two weeks, followed by Calabarzon with 6,167, Central Luzon with 2,821, Western Visayas with 2,232, and Central Visayas with 1,101. With AFP

Abalos said the Interior department is seeking to reassess police investigators and review how they are recruited. Of the 22,774 police investigators in the country, only 123 are law graduates, he added.

“We will hold seminars. We will have a reassessment of what’s happening on the ground. We will retrain, we will supplement, we need to see who is qualified,” he said.

“It shouldn’t be just because you volunteered even though the job of being an investigator is not for you. That’s my personal point of view. There should be a reassessment of those who were chosen,” Abalos added.

He stressed that a probe conducted by an investigator would determine the conviction of cases in courts.

“For me this is very, very important.

Because this single, important data, or act done by an investigator would determine,

again, I emphasize, the result not only in the Department of Justice, but likewise, whether the case would be for conviction or acquittal in courts,” Abalos said.

Meanwhile, Remulla said retraining law enforcement units in remedial and substantive law would improve the country’s 25% conviction rate for criminal cases filed in court.

“Remedial meaning procedure. From surveillance to effecting and arrest, preserving the scene of the crime, processing a scene of the crime, and processing the evidence. All of this must be restudied, reincorporated, and of course, reinjected into the system in a more widespread manner,” he said.

Abalos said so many cases are dismissed due to the lack of witnesses.

To prevent this, he suggested assigning an employee to the Department of Justice to join drug raids and serve as a witness,

similar to what they did in Mandaluyong City during his term as mayor there.

He said he would appeal to the League of Cities of the Philippines to assign witnesses to the DOJ. “I will be requesting from the mayors and from other public officials that they might copy the same to help the cases.

This could help because a lot of cases are dismissed,” he said.

On Duterte's drug list, both Abalos and Remulla vowed that those truly innocent would be eventually cleared.

“We are clearing those that we can clear. But if you are validated, what can we do? They are in the intelligence and there is a case build-up. But for those that we can clear, we clear them.

It will be unjust if we don’t,” Remulla said.

"In looking for ways at how we can improve the justice system, what we re-

ally saw is the certainty of punishment for those who commit crimes, so we look at what has to be done," he added.

Nonetheless, the DOJ chief acknowledged that there is also a need to clarify the quasi-judicial function of state prosecutors under Rule 112 of the Rules of Court considering that the DOJ is part of the Executive department.

State prosecutors are under the National Prosecution Service (NPS), currently headed by Prosecutor General Benedicto Malcontento.

"Quasi-judicial functions should not take precedence over our mandate," he said.

"The prosecutors are working closely with the police, that's what we want to happen. They are on the same side and should not be blaming each other. Our emphasis is on the prosecution as an executive function," Remulla added.

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and communities should do to tackle the outbreak.

Regardless of the committee's PHEIC decision, the "WHO will continue to do everything we can to support countries to stop transmission and save lives," Tedros told the press conference.

He said the WHO was validating, procuring and shipping tests to multiple countries, but said one of the most powerful tools in the fight against monkeypox was information.

"That's why WHO is continuing to work with patients and community advocates to develop and deliver information tailored to the affected communities," Tedros said.

WHO emergencies director Michael Ryan said the LGBTQ community was one of the most engaged and responsible, having worked hard over decades to combat HIV, "so therefore we have full confidence that this community can, and will, and is, engaging very closely."

A viral infection resembling smallpox and first detected in humans in 1970, monkeypox is less dangerous and

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“They are not criminally liable because that would be unfair,” Tulfo said in a televised briefing.

“They have 'graduated' or they no longer meet the conditions for being poor.

They cannot be charged just for that reason alone.”

Tulfo earlier said the department’s hotlines received complaints regarding "undeserving" 4Ps beneficiaries, prompting him to offer a P1,000 reward to those who would report such incidents.

But being disqualified from the program, he said, only means that their life

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“There are some persons in the list who were found to be innocent or had no drug links. If their narcotics trade involvement has been validated, what can we do? Intelligence has validated it and there is case buildup,” he said.

During his term, Duterte released lists of persons reportedly involved in the illegal drug trade, including politicians, government officials, and law enforcement agents.

Abalos said of the total 291,393 cases, some 22,000 ended with convictions, 5,753 were dismissed, and 223,579 are pending.

“We have a lot of drug cases… and these should be monitored,” he said in the joint DOJ-DILG press conference.

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News

FRIDAY, JULY 22, 2022

Congress urged to refile SIM card bill A

N ADVOCACY group urges Congress to refile and immediately pass a bill mandating SIM card registration that was vetoed by then President Rodrigo Duterte.

“We need this law because of the proliferation of scammers, fraudsters, trolls and disinformation agents who are emboldened by anonymity to do their dark deeds,” said lawyer Tim Abejo, co-convenor of CitizenWatch Philippines.

The SIM Card Registration Act requires telecommunication companies (telcos) to register SIM cards at the point of sale and before activation. Existing and active subscribers must register their SIMs within 180 days from the

law’s effectivity, with a possible extension of 120 days.

Upon expiration of the deadline, the telcos are authorized to deactivate unregistered SIMs. “Our lawmakers need to step in and correct this unfettered anonymity,” Abejo said. “Too many Filipinos are falling prey to these fraudsters and online goons. Technology should make our lives better, not worse,” he stressed.

According to Abejo, the ratified ver-

sion of the SIM Card Registration Law will protect consumers from internet or electronic communication-aided crimes like terrorism, text scams, unsolicited indecent or obscene messages, bank fraud, libel, anonymous online defamation, trolling, and the spread of digital disinformation or fake news.

“Requiring the registration of SIM cards establishes the identity of users and makes them accountable for everything that they do with their number,” Abejo explained.

“That, then, deters perpetrators from committing cybercrimes because they can no longer hide behind false identities.”

Telco giant Globe said implementation of the law, when it finally takes ef-

Over 1m Odette victims receive UN assistance

fect, is extremely vital.

In an earlier statement, Globe president Ernest Cu expressed full support for the SIM Card Registration Act, but pointed out how easily fake identification cards (IDs) are obtained in the country.

He emphasized the need for the speedy rollout of the National ID system and called on the government to hasten the implementation of APIs into the national ID system that allows checks once registration has been implemented.

“We lack reliable IT (information technology) systems. We don’t want anyone to think that the silver bullet of registration will solve all fraud, terrorism, and crime-related identification,” Cu said.

SIX months after Typhoon Odette (international name: Rai) left a trail of devastation in 11 of the country’s 17 regions, the United Nations (UN) and its humanitarian partners in the Philippines have provided life-saving assistance to over a million Filipinos.

Since April, following the announcement by the Philippine government of the end of the response phase, the humanitarian community has since been supporting local governments in implementing early recovery activities.

UN Philippines on Thursday launched the Typhoon Odette Six Months On Photo Exhibition at the Instituto Cervantes in Intramuros.

This exhibition, hosted by the Embassy of Spain, the Instituto Cervantes and AECID, in coordination by the UN Office for the Coordination of Humanitarian Affairs (OCHA) on behalf of the Humanitarian Community, seeks to bring the public closer to and raise awareness on the increase in the occurrence of disasters as a direct impact of climate change and its effects on the development of societies.

The exhibits will be open to the public until 20 August, to mark World Humanitarian Day on 19 August.

UN resident and humanitarian coordinator in the Philippines Gustavo Gonzalez said; “The humanitarian community will continue its support to the affected communities to ensure that progress made in the last six months is not rolled back.”

Gonzalez cited a recent report of the UN Office for the Coordination of Humanitarian Affairs (OCHA), which stated that damaged houses still number over 2.1 million.

SPOOKY EXHIBITS.

Students of the University of the PhilippinesManila view human skeletons currently on display at the National Museum of the Philippines. The bones, believed to date back to the Spanish colonial era, were unearthed at the Metropolitan Theater in Lawton, Manila two years ago.

Danny Pata

LWUA focus: Disaster-hit areas THE Local Water Utilities Administration (LWUA) continues to ramp up efforts to speed up the completion of water development and rehabilitation projects in areas devastated by both natural and man-made disasters.

According to LWUA officer-in-charge Eileen Dela Vega, the agency continuously coordinates with the local government units, water districts and affected residents in Typhoon Yolanda-hit areas, as well as those ravaged during the siege of Zamboanga City in 2013 and Marawi City in 2017.

“Works on these projects have not stopped as LWUA has been in constant communication with the intended beneficiaries to expedite project procurement, implementation, and liquidation and utilization of remaining funds,” Dela Vega said.

However, she said, the last two years had been more challenging due to the physical restrictions imposed by the

COVID-19 pandemic, which slowed down the work pace.

For Yolanda rehabilitation, Dela Vega said a P371-million project under the Tacloban City Yolanda Comprehensive Rehabilitation and Recovery Program (YCRRP) has been completed. Also, the implementation of the P660 million NHA-YPHP, while still ongoing, is fast –tracked through clustering scheme of project implementation.

Another P77-million project was essentially completed save for a few projects with ongoing project savings utilization.

In the case of the P575-million Zamboanga City Z3R Project, LWUA acting deputy administrator for engineering service Jocelyn Guce said start-up delays were caused initially by multiple failures of bidding and later on by sites of wastewater treatment plants that prevented further construction as local government units were yet to find appropriate relocation sites.

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Transfer of regional offices to Pagadian eyed THE mayor of Pagadian City has appealed for support among regional leaders in Western Mindanao to the proposed transfer of regional government offices from Zamboanga City to Pagadian City.

“Local governments in Western Mindanao should strive for unity and focus on the welfare of the general public,” said Pagadian City re-elected Mayor Samuel Co. The transfer of regional government offices to Pagadian was mandated under Memorandum Circular 78 is-

sued by then President Rodrigo Duterte in 2020.

As a result of the creation of the Autonomous Regions in Muslim Mindanao (ARMM) which gave rise to the need to reorganize the administrative regions in Mindanao, Pagadian was identified as the regional government center of the Zamboanga peninsula as embodied in Executive Order No. 429 signed in 1990 by the late President Corazon Aquino. This was backed by former President Gloria Macapagal-Arroyo’s Executive Order 352 issued in 2004.

LANDBANK assisted the operations of A.R. Santiago Fish Farm, owned by Arnel Santiago (left photo) in San Mateo, Isabela, which now produces 300,000 to 500,000 tilapia fingerlings monthly that are sold regularly to fish pond operators, government agencies, and other buyers in the Cagayan Valley and Cordillera Administrative Region (CAR).

Isabela fish farm reels in success with LANDBANK support

STUDENT COOKFEST. Grade schoolers in Tabaco City, Albay pit their culinary talents during

an on-the-spot cooking contest spearheaded by the 4H Club in observance of Nutrition Month. The affair, dubbed Healthy Snacks Hatid ng 4H Club, had the theme “New Normal na Nutrisyon, SamaSamang Gawan ng Solusyon,” seeks to drum up public awareness on healthy foods. Norman Cruz

Mayor’s first order stirs row in council MANGALDAN, Pangasinan – An executive order (EO) issued by Mayor Bonafe De Vera Parayno allowing tricycles and pedicabs to pass along national roads in Poblacion here could make her administratively liable and could cause her suspension or removal from office.

Councilor Aldrin Soriano made this observation on the heels of Parayno’s issuance of Executive Order No. 01 that enabled tricycle and pedicab drivers to travel along the Rizal Avenue national road, a portion of the Pangasinan-La Union highway, and a major artery connecting the municipalities adjoining this town.

Soriano pointed out that under Department

of the Interior and Local Government Memorandum Circular No. 2020-036, all local chief executives are ordered to strictly implement the ban on tricycles, pedicabs, and motorized pedicabs on national highways.

Local governments are also tasked to create a tricycle task force that would draw up a tricycle route plan in their locality.

“The Poblacion business district here has several well-cemented municipal roads constructed during the administration of former Mayor Marilyn Lambino that can be used as alternative routes for tricycles and pedicabs,” Soriano noted.

SAN MATEO, Isabela—When Cagayan Valley, one of the country’s largest tilapia-producing regions, faced a region-wide shortage of tilapia fingerlings in 1993, business graduate Arnel Santiago decided to establish his own fish hatchery to help boost local production and earn additional income.

With no prior experience in aquaculture but armed with determination to learn about fish farming, Arnel completed trainings on fish pond operations and established A.R. Santiago Fish Farm. He was able to sustain his operations until 2002, when running his business became a challenge due to lack of capital.

It was then that Arnel availed of his first loan from the Land Bank of the Philippines (LANDBANK) to purchase feeds and modern equipment such as water pumps and a backhoe, as well as a 2.4-hectare agricultural land to expand his fish farm.

Through LANDBANK’s continuing credit assistance over the years—which has since amounted to P6.4 million—Arnel’s fish production increased from an average of 100,000 tilapia fingerlings to

300,000 to 500,000 fingerlings per month.

“Isang taos-pusong pasasalamat sa LANDBANK. Dahil sa tulong nila ay umasenso at napalawak ko ang aking negosyo. Nakatulong rin ako na mapunan ang kakulangan sa produksyon ng tilapia dito sa aming rehiyon,” said Arnel.

A.R. Santiago Fish Farm now supplies fingerlings to various fish pond operators and buyers in Cagayan Valley and the Cordillera Administrative Region (CAR). The farm is also tapped by the Bureau of Fisheries and Aquatic Resource (BFAR) Region II and other local government units to supply fingerlings for their distribution activities to fish farmers.

With his increased income, Arnel was able to purchase a solar irrigation system to power his water pumps during daytime. This has since reduced monthly operational expenses by 30%.

“Consistent with the country’s continuing recovery, LANDBANK remains committed to catering to the financial requirements of the fisheries sector. We are assisting fishers and other key players to boost

their production and income,” said LANDBANK President and CEO Cecilia C. Borromeo.

To support the local fishing industry in Isabela, Arnel offers technical assistance to new fish breeders who want to venture into the tilapia breeding business. The A.R. Santiago Fish Farm is now accredited as a ‘Learning Site for Agriculture’ by BFAR, the Agricultural Training Institute (ATI), and Technical Education and Skills Development Authority (TESDA).

Arnel has also reaped various awards for his accomplishments as a fish farmer from the Department of the Agriculture (DA) and the Local Government of San Mateo.

“Gusto kong ibahagi ang aking expertise at technical knowledge sa bagong henerasyon, para masiguro ang tuloy-tuloy na paglago ng aquaculture industry sa ating bansa,” Arnel added.

LANDBANK remains to be the biggest lender to the agriculture sector, with a total agri loan portfolio of P257.94 billion and having assisted more than 3.2 million small farmers and fishers nationwide as of 31 May 2022.

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News

FRIDAY, JULY 22, 2022

SC order says Jalosjos can’t assume post

EARLY QUEUE. Residents wait in line outside the SM Manila mall as

they wait for the opening of the Commission on Elections satellite voter’s registration on Thursday early morning, July 21, a few days before the deadline. Norman Cruz

By Rey E. Requejo

‘Provide data on Dengvaxia deaths’

By Rio N. Araja

R

ELATIVES of children who died due to the complications of the Dengvaxia vaccine, along with the Public Attorney’s Office, on Thursday challenged Department of Health (DOH) officer in charge Dr. Maria Rosario Vergeire to disclose the complete lists of vaccine recipients and 700 other deaths.

At a media briefing in Quezon City, Sumachen Dominguez,Samahan ng mga Magulang, Anak at Biktima ng Dengvaxia president, urged Vergeire to identify those who died or suffered after the vaccine inoculation.

She also called on ex-health chief Janette Garin, now Iloilo representative, to stop from endorsing the return of Dengvaxia.

“We appeal to Vergeire not to follow the suit of then Health Secretary Francisco Duque III, who hid the information using the Data Privacy Act as an excuse,” Dr. Erwin Erfe said.

Vergeire earlier said the DOH would “thoroughly” study and gather evidence on any available anti-dengue vaccine.

Erfe slammed Garin, whom he said

is applying as the next DOH secretary.

“The no. 1 candidate is Garin,” PAO chief Persida Acosta said.

The others are Dr. Rontgene Solante and Dr. Edsel Salvana, who claimed that the Dengvaxia vaccine is effective if properly administered.

The DOH earlier it is open to reviewing again the possible evidence presented by the vaccine Dengvaxia amid the continuing increase of dengue cases in the country.

Vergeire said the certificate of product registration of Dengvaxia was revoked in 2018 following the announcement of Sanofi Pasteur that the vaccine may lead to “more severe” symptoms for those who have never been infected by dengue prior to vaccination.

“Our government, along with the DOH, is always open to new technology especially if the evidence shows that it can really protect our population. We just need to study it thoroughly again, get inputs from our experts, and have the manufacturer be compliant with our regulations here in the country,” she said.

The dengue vaccination program started during the term of then-Health Secretary Garin in 2016. It was then put on hold when health concerns on the vaccine were raised.

Around 800,000 schoolchildren aged 9 years old and above were, however, able to receive the said vaccine before it was halted. With Willie Casas and Macon Ramos-Araneta

Court: Former Samar mayor guilty of graft

Duterte donates laptops to two public schools

By Maricel V. Cruz A FORMER mayor in Samar faces up to eight years imprisonment after the Sandiganbayan found him guilty of graft.

In a 30-page decision, the anti-graft court sentenced former San Sebastian Mayor Arnold Abalos to a minimum of six years and one month and a maximum of eight years of imprisonment.

The Sandiganbayan also perpetually disqualified Abalos from any government position.

Records of the case show that in March 2012, the complainant and then Municipal Planning and Development Coordinator (MPDC) Roberto Rebosura, together with other town officials filed a complaint against Abalos for the non-remittance of their GSIS contributions.

Abalos then issued a memorandum designating Municipal Social Welfare and Development Officer Alma Llanitas as MPDC to replace Rebosura.

Rebosura argued that he was discriminated against by Abalos as he was the only one removed from his position among all officials who complained.

In addition, he said that the former mayor neglected to act on his motion for reconsideration for Abalos to set aside his memorandum designating Llanitas as his replacement.

Abalos justified Rebosura’s replacement saying he conducted a staff meeting to discuss the motion for reconsideration but was unable to discuss the issue further “due to his absence.”

THE Supreme Court (SC) has issued a status quo ante order that effectively prevents Romeo Jalosjos Jr. from assuming the post of Zamboanga del Norte representative.

In a four-page en banc resolution released to the media on Thursday, the SC granted the plea of the camp of Roberto “Pinpin” Uy, Jr., Jalosjos’ rival in the last election for the post, to stop the Commission on Elections (Comelec) from crediting the 5,424 votes of Frederico Jalosjos to Jalosjos Jr. after declaring the former as a nuisance candidate.

Uy maintained that the results of the elections showed him garnering 69,591 votes while Jalosjos Jr. got 69,109 votes but his proclamation was stopped by the Comelec, pending the resolution of the latter’s petition to declare Frederico as a nuisance candidate.

The Comelec ruled to declare Frederico as a nuisance candidate last June 7, 2022 and credited Frederico’s votes to Jalosjos Jr., that led to the latter’s proclamation as the duly-elected representative of Zamoboanga del Norte.

“Acting on the (i) petition for certiorari, prohibition and mandamus… (with Urgent Prayer for the Issuance of a Temporary Restraining Order [TRO] and/or Status Quo Ante Order [SQAO]/Writ of Preliminary Injunction…the Court resolved without giving due course to the petitions to …

Issue a Status Quo Ante Order requiring parties to observe the Status Quo prevailing before the issuance of the order dated May 12, 2022 and resolution dated June 7, 2022 of respondent Commission on Elections (Comelec)…,” the resolution stated.

The high court also directed respondents Comelect and Jalosjos Jr. to comment on Uy’s petition within a non-extendible period of 10 days.

By Maricel V. Cruz

SHIELD FROM THE RAIN. People use umbrellas as

protection from rain as they cross Taft and UN Avenues in Manila on Thursday morning. The easterlies will bring rains over several parts of the country including parts of Luzon and the Eastern Visayas, according to the weather bureau. Norman Cruz

Lawmaker asks govt to deploy frontliners in schools

By Maricel V. Cruz A PARTY-LIST lawmaker on Thursday asked concerned government agencies to start deploying healthcare frontliners to the campuses in preparation for inperson school opening in August.

Rep. Natasha Co of Barangay Health Workers party-list group said barangay health workers should help school principals protect students and teachers from the many health risks.

“As this would be another responsibility in addition to their current responsibilities, it would be fair for the DOH to make sure that BHWs deployed to schools will get additional honorarium or stipend for their deployment there on short duration,” Co said in a statement.

“Schools and barangays will have to work together more now. Some kids going back to school would probably have difficulties involving social skills, mental health, undernourishment, lacking

mandatory vaccines, on top of learning deficiencies because of two years of pandemic,” she added.

At the same time, Co appealed to the Health officials, mayors and barangay officials to strengthen its COVID response with much emphasis on the schools and campus communities as classes are resuming with face-to-face contact.

“Best defense would be primary doses and booster shots. The goal should be all students vaxxed and boosted,” Co said.

A LAWMAKER from Mindanao has distributed laptops to at least two public schools in Davao City.

Rep. Paolo Duterte of Davao City distributed 14 laptops to Soledad R. Duterte National High School and 15 laptops to Governor Vicente Duterte National High be School in Bangkal, this city.

A total of 29 laptops were provided by the lawmaker, which will be used by the teachers “to ensure that proper education will be given to the students of the two schools.”

Prof. Romeo Camilotes, principal of the Vicente Duterte National High School, thanked Duterte and his office as the laptops would be of great help for their teachers and students.

Prof. Roderic Gambong, principal of the Soledad Duterte National High School, also expressed his gratitude, in behalf of the school, to the lawmaker and his office for the educational support.

The Department of Education (DepEd) earlier sought assistance from the Congress to provide public school teachers with laptops needed to support remote teaching.

Cayetano urges President Marcos to veto vape bill

By Macon Ramos-Araneta SENATOR Pia Cayetano has sent a letter urging President Ferdinand “Bongbong” Marcos Jr. to veto the Vape Bill which lapsed into law on July 24.

A copy of the letter dated July 20,

2022, was provided to members of the Senate Media on July 21.

“I am submitting this letter ad cautelam (with caution for safety sake) to raise substantial and procedural issues arising from the enrolled bill of the “Vaporized Nicotine and Non-Nicotine Products Regulation Act,” also

referred to as the “Vape Bill,” said Cayetano in her letter to the President.

She warned that the failure of former President Rodrigo Duterte to sign or veto the bill before the end of his term would create a serious constitutional issue on the validity of a “law” enacted by a Congress without official authority.

DAR chief open to talks on moratorium on land fees

By Rio N. Araja ALONG with Christian Monsod, one of the framers of the 1987 Constitution, various farmers and advocates’ groups have welcomed the response of Agrarian Reform Secretary Conrado Estrella III on their policy propos-

als of a moratorium in the payment of monthly amortizations on lands placed under the Comprehensive Agrarian Reform Program and free land distribution.

Lanie Factor, deputy national coordinator of Task Force Mapalad, in an interview, told the Manila Standard that

they have met with Estrella at the central office of the Department of Agrarian Reform in Quezon City, and have laid down their “demands” to suspend the amortization payment to enable the farmers recover from the adverse impact of the COVID-19 pandemic and to make land distribution free.

PARTNERSHIP FOR THE ARTS. The Bank of the Philippine Islands (BPI) partners

with Ayala Foundation, Inc. (AFI) for a donation drive to promote arts and culture. The two institutions were represented (left to right) by Ma. Elizabeth L. Gustilo, senior director of Arts and Culture, AFI, and Jenelyn Z. Lacerna, SVP at BPI in a signing ceremony. Manny Palmero

Opinion UN misinformed on PH press freedom I AM amazed how so-called special rapporteurs of the United Nations can be so stupid and ignorant on what’s happening in the Philippines and yet so quick to condemn alleged “crackdown” on press freedom. They are also misinformed on the law of libel.

I could not believe it when I read a report the United Nations special rapporteur Irene Kahn urged the Marcos administration to bring an end to a crackdown on press freedom and to stop criminalizing libel.

She took special attention to the case of the American “darling” of the Western Press, Maria Ressa, as an example, after the Securities and Exchange Commission issued a closure order on Maria Ressa’s Rappler for a violation of the 1987 Constitution where mass media is reserved 100 percent to Filipino ownership.

This, after the SEC found out that Omidyar Network bought what is called PCRs or Philippine Depository receipts and made it a donation to escape the fact that Rappler cannot issue PDRs. The SEC found out that, more than the Filipino stockholders, Omidyar must be consulted first on important decisions, a clear violation of the 1987 Constitution.

Irene Khan, the special rapporteur of the UN on the promotion and protection of the right to freedom of opinion and expression urged the Marcos administration to withdraw the charges against Ressa and Rappler and Rappler’s ex-researcher Reynaldo Santos.

existing. The Cybercrime Law was enacted in response to the modernization of the laws on communication. Santa Banana, how stupid can the UN rapporteur get!

Ressa, who has become a “darling” of the American press, seems, as far as the West is concerned, to do no wrong.

She was one-time the cover of Time Magazine and soon became a Nobel Peace Prize laureate, defying Philippine laws and justice.

As a veteran journalist, I don’t see any crackdown on press freedom. My gulay, I’d be among the first to fight against any crackdown on press freedom.

But what concerns me is the stupidity of the Western Press which comments on something they are totally ignorant about.

The UN should fire Khan for commenting on something she is ignorant about and how she is displaying utter stupidity. With special rapporteurs like Khan, no wonder the UN is losing credibility.

If I sound mad at this stupid and idiotic statement coming from a UN special rapporteur, it is because, like the the rest of the Western Press, they make it appear that only Maria Ressa is fighting for press freedom and that the rest of us, even myself, are so submissive and cowardly when it comes to fighting for press freedom and the right to free expression.

In the first place, except when Martial Law was declared in 1972 when local media were closed down but resumed operations eventually, there has always been press freedom and the right for free expression in the Philippines.

It is for all these reasons why I call the demand of the UN special rapporteur urging President Marcos to end what she calls “crackdown” on the free press, taking as example the libel case against Ressa and the SEC closure orders on Rappler for violating the mandate of the 1987 Constitution that mass media should be 100 percent owned

by Filipinos. *** This coming Monday, July 25, President Marcos will give his first SONA or State of the Nation Address.

It would be interesting to know what really is the state of the nation from the new President’s point of view, since every Filipino, including myself, knows what is the state of the nation, with prices of almost everything going skyhigh as a result of the domino effect of the of soaring prices of gasoline, diesel and petroleum.

Above all, every Filipino knows that with the COVID-19 pandemic still with us and escalating, everybody has his or her share of suffering.

And with the problem of a looming food security or crisis upon us, what we would like to know is how BBM is going to address it.

That’s why he took over the Department of Agriculture, fully aware of the biggest problem of food security and high prices affecting even public transport -- the jeepneys, taxis, buses and airlines.

Next to high prices comes inflation, which happens when the circulation of money is faster than the movement of products and services.

That’s the reason why the Bangko Sentral ng Pilipinas is raising interest rates to curb excess money supply that also makes the prices of food escalate as a result.

In the case of a food crisis, will BBM tell the nation how he can make the prices of rice more affordable knowing that rice production this year isn’t enough?

Will BBM resort to more rice importations and imports of other food like poultry, meat and fish?

Another problem that BBM will certainly raise is the looming energy crisis and what he intends to do about it.

Certainly, BBM will cite the nation’s victory at the arbitral court at The Hague in answer to China’s claim of almost all of the South China Sea, which includes the East Philippine Sea. where we also have our claims.

But, will China listen and more importantly, stop incursions into the WPS? Another challenging problem of the nation are jobs and low wages. Will BBM give us hope that jobs will be available under him and higher wages will happen?

These are but the few problems that the people expect BBM to talk about in his SONA.

The latter wrote a libelous article in connection with the Senate investigation on then Chief Justice Renato Corona, on his alleged violation of the Constitution, linking Chinese businessman William Teng to something anomalous with Corona and even calling Teng a “smuggler,” despite an attempt of Teng to have Rappler correct the article, which led him to file a libel case against Ressa, Santos and Rappler.

The Court of Appeals, reiterating its 2018 ruling finding Ressa and Rappler guilty of libel and the conviction of Ressa and Santos, in its latest ruling convicted Ressa and Santos to six years and six months jail.

This is how stupid and ignorant of the facts of the case against Ressa and the ex-researcher Santos Irene Kahn is, who called on President Marcos to take the opportunity “to bring an end to the crackdown on press freedom in the Philippines and to decriminalize the law on libel on journalists.”

She added resorting to libel “impedes public interest reporting and is incompatible with the right of freedom of expression, and adding that criminalizing the libel law has no place in a democracy like the Philippines.” Santa Banana, how stupid and ignorant of Phillippine law and the law of libel can she be.

As a veteran journalist, I cannot believe there are special UN rapporteurs like Khan who open their mouths without knowing the facts about Ressa, an American more than a Filipino and without knowing the facts about the law of libel.

My gulay, it seems the UN just opens its mouth through special rapporteurs like Khan, who needs to be educated to know why there are laws of libel in the Philippines, which protect the reputation of people from slander.

Clearly, Khan is typical of UN special rapporteurs who ask about things they are totally ignorant about.

Khan, who was appointed by the Human Rights Council, also expressed concern that the 2012 Cybercrime Prevention Act, signed into law by then President Noynoy Aquino on September 12, 2012, had been applied retroactively in the Ressa case.

But, the case against Ressa and ex-writer Reynaldo Santos were committed before the law on cybercrime was signed.

In other words, there was already a law of libel crime.

The libel law under the revised Penal Code was already

The inexcusable silence of DFA’s Enrique Manalo

THE late President Ferdinand Marcos Sr. was right. Sabah, also known as North Borneo, belongs to the Philippines by historic right and legal title.

For starters, the Sultanate of Sulu has owned Sabah since the 15th century. In 1878, the sultanate leased the area to a British enterprise, the British North Borneo Company. The annual rental was to be paid by the company to the sultanate.

The British North Borneo Company sold Sabah to the British government in 1946. That sale is void because the company does not own Sabah, and merely leased it. One cannot validly sell what one does not own.

In 1962, the heirs of the Sultanate of Sulu signed an agreement with the Republic of the Philippines which officially made Sabah Philippine territory. Then President Diosdado Macapagal signed the agreement, and it remains valid to this day.

Before 1963, Malaysia was a British colony. In 1963, the British turned over Sabah to the newly independent Malaysia. That turnover is illegal because the British cannot give away land which never belonged to them in the first place.

Under British management, Sabah was called North Borneo. The Malaysians later changed its name to Sabah.

Prior to its independence from the British, the anticipated Malaysian leader, Tunku Abdul Rahman, signed the Manila Accord of 1963. That accord was also signed

by President Diosdado Macapagal, and by President Sukarno of Indonesia.

Under the Manila Accord, Malaysia categorically agreed that the incorporation of Sabah into Malaysian territory is subject to the Phliippine claim to Sabah. After that, Malaysia reneged on its obligations under the accord.

While Malaysia insists that Sabah is Malaysian territory, it continued to pay the Sultanate of Sulu the annual rent for Sabah as stipulated in the lease contract executed in 1878 by the sultanate and the British North Borneo Company.

In 2013, as a scheme to make it appear that Sabah is really Malaysian property, Malaysia unilaterally and selfservingly stopped paying the Sultanate of Sulu the annual rental for Sabah.

Earlier in 1967, President Ferdinand Marcos Sr. attempted to retake Sabah from Malaysia through the efforts of a secret commando unit. That plan, called Operation Merdeka, did not push through after Senator Ninoy Aquino exposed it in Congress in early 1968.

Later that year, Congress enacted Republic Act 5446 which officially declared Sabah a part of Philippine territory.

The position taken by President Marcos Sr. that Sabah belongs to the Philippines by historic right or legal title found recognition in Section 1, Article I of the 1973 Constitution. This provision defines the national territory of the Republic of the Philippines.

Unfortunately, the 1987 Constitution sponsored by President Corazon Aquino stirred confusion. Article I of the 1987 Constitution, which defines the national territory, deleted the phrase “by historic right or legal title” found in the 1973 charter.

Jesuit priest Joaquin Bernas, a member of the 1986 Constitutional Commission which drafted the 1987 Constitution, explained in his treatise on the charter that the said deletion notwithstanding, the Philippine claim to Sabah remains unabandoned. Bernas said the Commission deleted the phrase only so as not to offend Malaysia.

Can you imagine that? The 1986 Constitutional Commission, which includes ex-Chief Justice Hilario Davide Jr. and lawyer Christian Monsod among its members, was afraid of offending Malaysia even if that country illegally occupies Philippine territory!

Fortunately, the Supreme Court categorically stated in a ruling in 2011 that the Philippines has not abandoned its claim to Sabah.

With no help from the Department of Foreign Affairs in sight, the heirs filed the pertinent suit for damages against Malaysia before a Parisbased international arbitration court In 2013, a private commando unit organized by the Sultanate of Sulu attempted to invade Sabah for the purpose of retaking it from the haughty Malaysians. The attempt was unsuccessful. Commandos captured by the Malaysians were jailed.

Then President Noynoy Aquino took the side of the Malaysians and publicly scolded the Filipino commandos. He also ordered that criminal charges be filed against those who managed to return to the Philippines. Albert del Rosario, his Secretary of Foreign Affairs, openly sided with Malaysia.

With no help from the Department of Foreign Affairs (DFA) in sight, the heirs filed the pertinent suit for damages against Malaysia before a Paris-based international arbitration court.

Last month, the arbitration court ruled in favor of the heirs, and awarded them the amount of US$14.9-billion, enforceable against Malaysian assets worldwide.

Surprisingly, incumbent DFA Secretary Enrique Manalo refuses to comment on this welcome development, on the pitiful excuse that the Philippines is not a party to the arbitration case.

So what if the Philippines is not a party to the case?

The case involves Philippine territory illegally held

by Malaysia since 1963. The arbitration ruling is a longsought Philippine victory in the Sabah issue, and this weakling Manalo opts to remain silent.

Manalo’s silence is an insult to the Filipino people. The Commission on Appointments should reject outright his nomination as DFA Secretary.

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Honor Blanco Cabie, Editor mst.daydesk@gmail.com

EDITORIAL

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And with the problem of a looming food security or crisis upon us, what we would like to know is how BBM is going to address it

FRIDAY, JULY 22, 2022

ADB’s economic warning

HE economic growth prospects in this part of the world are far from upbeat. The economic conditions, as the Asian Development Bank views them, could worsen as the war in Ukraine and global supply chain disruptions inflate prices.

The financial institution, as a result, lowered its 2022 growth forecast to 4.6 percent from the estimate of 5.2 percent it made in April and the 6.9-percent expansion registered by developing Asia in 2021. The ADB also raised its inflation forecast for the region this year to 4.2 percent from 3.7 percent because of soaring food and fuel prices.

The ADB is wary over the impact of the slowdown in global growth on Asia’s economies. Reduced demand from the developed economies, such as the US, Europe and China, will hurt exports and the manufacturing sector of poorer nations in Asia.

High prices are buffeting Asian consumers from Central Asia to the southern part of

the continent as the Ukraine conflict continues to disrupt the flow of commodities, like oil and wheat.

High prices are buffeting Asian consumers from Central Asia to the southern part of the continent as the Ukraine conflict continues to disrupt the flow of commodities, like oil and wheat The bank warned: “A worsening fallout from the war in Ukraine could lead to a further surge in global energy and commod-

ity prices, with likely knock-on effects on growth and inflation in developing Asia.”

The COVID-19 lockdowns in China, the second biggest economy in the world, are not helping the rest of Asia. Nations relying on exports to China will see reduced foreign exchange earnings due to lower demand from Chinese consumers.

The strong US dollar will also subsequently increase further the cost of imports, including oil, in this side of the world and worsen the inflation rate in the region.

Fortunately, the Philippines is not facing a bleaker economic outlook than most of Asia.

The ADB even raised its growth estimate for the Philippines this year to 6.5 percent from an earlier target of 6 percent.

It noted that the relaxation of COVID-19 mobility restrictions in the country and the expansion of the COVID-19 vaccination program had led to more economic activities.

But the Philippines cannot entirely avoid the economic weaknesses of its Asian neighbors. Commodities, exports and imports are dictated by market forces that influence global trading. The Philippines should be ready for any market eventuality.

UP proposal on public transportation policy SO YOU think the current public transportation crisis defies easy solutions?

Obviously not for the University of the Philippines Diliman. As far as I know, it is the only institution of higher learning in the country that has established a National Center for Transportation Studies (NCTS) within its campus.

According to its website, the NCTS strives to be “an internationally recognized center of excellence in the field of transportation studies.”

It has four key programs: (1) to actively promote the development and greater use of sustainable modes of transport, including the Bus Rapid Transit (BRT), to address the ever-worsening problems of traffic congestion, road accidents, air pollution and Greenhouse Gas (GHG) emissions from the transport sector.

It conducts research activities that tackle the social, economic, as well as environmental dimensions in the transport sector; (2) to actively cooperate with concerned government agencies towards the development of a wellintegrated national transportation system. Ongoing research activities are focused on multi-modal transportation, land use and transport interaction, planning and decision support systems, and other cross-cutting policy issues; (3) to help improve existing government processes in relation to the transport sector.

Here, the NCTS has come up with the Philippine Transport Strategy Study (PTSS) that highlights the need for a clear strategy for the sector and the need for institutional change and reforms and conducts training programs aimed at enhancing the capacities of the institutions in the transport sector.

And (4), with about 1,000 lives lost every year due to road accidents, NCTS wants to promote safety on the streets.

It conducts fora involving different concerned agencies, LGUs and NGOs to discuss and formulate solutions in preventing and reducing accident occurrences.

The UP Diliman Task Force on a Blueprint for Building the Nation has tackled as well public transportation policy in addition to political, economic and social reforms.

The Governance Agenda crafted by the Task Force recognized the stark reality that traffic congestion and the inefficiency in the management of the country’s public transport system have both led to economic losses as high as P 3.5 billion worth of potential income per day in Metro Manila alone.

If the problem is left unattended, losses may rise to

as high as P 5.4 billion per day by 2035.

Public transport is necessary to reduce traffic congestion, pollution, and unequal access among socioeconomic classes to the means of mobility.

A good public transport system leads to more efficient use of urban space.

It is also the key to moving our economy forward as it facilitates the transportation of goods and people around our archipelagic country, linking producers to consumers, connecting communities, and facilitating interaction among individuals.

The Marcos administration must address the key challenges in the public transport sector The Marcos administration must address the key challenges in the public transport sector.

These are: one, the poor implementation of the National Transport Policy that prioritizes public transport over private transport; two, the focus on the “visible” aspects of public transport such as infrastructure instead of focusing on “invisible” aspects such as institutional mechanisms and capacity; three, too many agencies handling public transport concerns and thus the imperative to make them work together; and four, the difficulty in creating a harmonious relationship among key players in the sector such as the government, operators, financiers, private users, and commuters.

The Department of Transportation (DOTr) has moved to reform and modernize the public transport system via the Public Utility Vehicle Modernization Program (PUVMP), which has reportedly consolidated about 54.39 percent of all public utility vehicles (PUV) as of September 2021.

While the objectives of the program are promising, there is a lack of legislation that supports the institutionalization of the program.

The UP Governance Agenda believes, however, that the modernization of the public transport system requires more than the introduction of new technology, important as this is, to make it work. Improving public transport needs a multi-level, multi-stakeholder, and multi-perspective approach that could be achieved through collaborative governance, crowdsourcing, and co-production.

To do this, the government and other stakeholders must identify interventions that will prioritize mass public transport over private vehicles and will improve public transport services.

Having several agencies involved in the planning, supervising, and monitoring of the public transport system also creates a fragmented system of implementation.

To address this, collaborative governance is necessary to consistently implement policies, from the national government to the local government units, and from the PUV operators and drivers to the commuting public.

The UP Governance Agenda suggests the creation of a unified agency that has the capacity to oversee and address public transport concerns and work towards a more efficient, effective, and inclusive implementation of public transport programs.

The creation of a single agency that could consolidate and address the concerns of public transport should be considered, according to the UP Task Force.

This agency should have the capability to address different concerns related to the planning, operations, and monitoring of public transport.

This agency, in collaboration with different stakeholders, should be able to identify gaps in the implementation of the PUVMP in particular and address the structural concerns that cripple its current implementation.

To further improve public transport, this agency should focus on industry consolidation, fleet modernization, and a just transition that supports the welfare of transport industry workers and operators.

What do you think of these recommendations?

Are they realistic and doable? (Email: ernhil@yahoo. com)

Corpus delicti CORPUS delicti is a Latin phrase that means “body of the crime.” It is the objective proof that the crime has been committed (Barron’s Law Dictionary).

It is sometimes mistakenly thought of as the body of a victim of homicide, but it is differently applied in courts.

In People v. Torres et al., the accused contended that the evidence is insufficient for his conviction since the weapons used in the stabbing of Espino, the victim, were not presented.

In other words, he asserted that it was improper to convict him because the “corpus delicti” [weapons] had not been established.

However, corpus delicti “does not refer to the ransom money in the crime of kidnapping for ransom or to the body of the person murdered or, in this case, the weapons used in the commission of robbery with homicide” (G.R. No. 189850, September 22, 2014).

Since the corpus delicti is the fact of the commission of the crime, the Court has ruled that even a single witness’ uncorroborated testimony, if credible, may suffice to prove it and warrant a conviction of the accused.

Corpus delicti may even be established by circumstantial evidence (People v. Torres, et al., G.R. No. 189850, September 22, 2014).

Where proof of corpus delicti consists of circumstantial evidence, the circumstances proven should constitute an unbroken chain which leads to one fair and reasonable conclusion; which in turn points to the defendant, and to the exclusion of all others, as the guilty person (Evidence, Francisco citing People v. Ong Chiat Lay, 60 Phil. 788).

In Torres, the corpus delicti was established by the evidence on record. The prosecution eyewitnesses testified that the appellant and his cohorts used knives to perpetrate the crime.

Their testimonies on the existence and use of weapons in committing the offense was supported by the medical findings of Dr. Salen who conducted the post-mortem examination (G.R. No. 189850, September 22, 2014).

Corpus delicti is essentially made up of two elements: (a) that a certain result has been produced (for example, a man has died or a building has been burned); and (b) that some person is criminally responsible for the act (Evidence, Francisco).

The corpus delicti in arson is not merely the burning of the house, but the fact that it was burned by the willful act of some person criminally responsible for this act.

This act cannot be accidental, nor can it be a consequence of natural events (Evidence, Francisco citing 20 Am. Jur. 156).

Similarly, in the crime of abortion, corpus delicti consists of the pregnancy of the woman, and that the miscarriage was brought about by the criminal act of another.

In criminal adultery, it consists of the alleged prohibited intercourse between a man and a woman (Evidence, Francisco citing 20 Am. Jur. 156).

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

In Tan v. People, complainant Rosita Lim (Lim) was engaged in the business of manufacturing propellers or spare parts for boats. Complainant Lim noticed that some of the welding rods, propellers and boat spare parts worth P48,000.00 were missing (G.R. No. 134298, August 26, 1999).

The corpus delicti in arson is not merely the burning of the house, but the fact that it was burned by the willful act of some person criminally responsible for this act Manuelito Mendez, a former employee, admitted that he and his companion Gaudencio Dayop stole some spare boat parts from the complainant’s warehouse; Mendez later asked for complainant’s forgiveness.

He pointed to Ramon C. Tan as the one who bought the stolen items and paid the amount of P13,000.00 (G.R. No. 134298, August 26, 1999).

Ramon Tan was charged and prosecuted for violation of Presidential Decree No. 1612 (Anti-Fencing Law), for acquiring several spare parts and items, all belonging to Complainant Lim, for fishing boats, which he knew or should have known were derived from the proceeds of the crime of theft (G.R. No. 134298, August 26, 1999).

In theft, corpus delicti has two elements, namely: (1) that the property was lost by the owner, and that (2) it was lost by felonious taking. In this case, the theft was not proved because the complainant did not complain to the public authorities of the felonious taking of her property (G.R. No. 134298, August 26, 1999).

Furthermore, Mendez confessed to stealing the articles from the complainant and was forgiven by the latter. Such a confession is insufficient to convict without evidence of corpus delicti or the commission of the crime.

Besides, an admission or confession may be given in evidence only against the person making the admission or confession (G.R. No. 134298. August 26, 1999).

An extrajudicial confession made by the defendant or accused does not warrant a conviction unless corroborated by independent evidence of corpus delicti (Section 3, Rule 133,

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

Rules on Evidence). This means that there must be some evidence tending to show the commission of the crime apart from the extrajudicial confession (Evidence, Francisco).

In People v. Relato, the Court explained that in a prosecution of the sale and possession of dangerous drugs prohibited under R.A. No. 9165, the State not only carries the heavy burden of proving the elements of the offense, but also bears the obligation to prove the corpus delicti, failing in which the State will not discharge its basic duty of proving the guilt of the accused beyond reasonable doubt (cited in Tolentino v. People, G.R. No. 227217, February 12, 2020).

It is settled that the State does not establish the corpus delicti when the prohibited substance that is the subject of the prosecution is missing or when substantial gaps in the chain of custody of the prohibited substance raise doubts about the authenticity of the prohibited substance presented as evidence in court (Tolentino v. People, G.R. No. 227217, February 12, 2020 citing People v. Relato).

In Rimorin v. People, Rimorin argued that he cannot be convicted of smuggling under the Tariff and Customs Code, because the People failed to present the seized contraband cigarettes in court.

Equating the actual physical evidence of 305 cases of blue seal cigarettes to the corpus delicti, he urges the Supreme Court to rule that the failure to present it was fatal to the People’s cause (G. R. No. 146481, April 30, 2003).

The Supreme Court disagreed with Rimorin. On several occasions it has explained that corpus delicti refers to the fact of the commission of the crime charged or to the body or substance of the crime.

Both the RTC and the CA ruled that the corpus delicti had been competently established by the People’s evidence, which consisted of the testimonies of credible witnesses and the Custody Receipt issued by the Bureau of Customs for the confiscated goods (G. R. No. 146481, April 30, 2003).

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Italy’s Draghi resigns as coalition implodes I TALIAN Prime Minister Mario Draghi resigned Thursday after efforts to bring the country’s fractious parties to heel failed, kicking off a snap election campaign which could bring the hard right to power.

The internationally respected 74-year-old formally handed his resignation to President Sergio Mattarella, whose role it is to now guide the country out of the crisis.

Mattarella is likely to dissolve parliament and call early elections for September or October, according to political analysts.

Draghi may stay on as head of the government until then.

“Italy betrayed”, the Repubblica daily frontpage cried, while the Stampa ran with “For Shame.”

Based on current polls, a rightist alliance led by Giorgia Meloni’s post-fascist Brothers of Italy party would comfortably win a snap election.

Draghi, a former head of the European Central Bank, was parachuted into the premiership in 2021 as Italy wrestled with a pandemic and ailing economy.

On Wednesday, he had attempt-

Draghi that it would fatally undermine the coalition.

His downfall comes in spite of recent polls suggesting most Italians wanted Draghi to stay at the helm until the scheduled general election next May. Anxious investors were watching closely as the ed to save the governcoalition imploded. ment, urging his squabThe European bling coalition to put Central Bank was aside their grievdue Thursday to ances for the sake unveil a tool to of the country. correct stress in “Are you ready?” bond markets for he asked the Senindebted eurozone ate four times. Now members, such as was not the time for Italy. uncertainty, amid a The spread—the myriad of challenges, difference between 10from a struggling economy Mario Draghi year Italian and German and soaring inflation to the treasury bonds—widUkraine war, he said.

Three parties—Silvio Berlus- ened to 215 points by market coni’s centre-right Forza Italia, close on Wednesday.

Milan’s stock market dropped Matteo Salvini’s anti-immigrant League and populist Five Star 2.0 percent on opening Thursday.

Supporters of Draghi had Movement—decided they were not. They opted to sit out the vote, warned a government collapse saying it was no longer possible could worsen social ills in a period of rampant inflation, delay the for them to work together.

The crisis was sparked when budget, threaten EU post-pandemFive Star snubbed a key vote ic recovery funds and send jittery last week, despite warnings from markets into a tailspin. AFP

Republic of the Philippines 4th Judicial Region REGIONAL TRIAL COURT Siniloan, Laguna ASC Bldg., Manila East Road National Highway, Brgy. Mendiola Siniloan, Laguna rtc1snlo33@judiciary.gov.ph 0997-622-3409 IN RE PETITION FOR ISSUANCE OF SECOND OWNER’S DUPLICATE COPY OF THE CERTIFICATE OF TITLE NO. 059-2015000001, IN THE NAME OF JANE ALISON TAN LEELIM, OF THE REGISTER OF DEEDS OF SINILOAN, LAGUNA

SIMPLE PETITION NO. S-333-22

JANE ALISON TAN LEE-LIM

Petitioner x-------------------------------------------------x

ORDER Before this Court is a Petition for Re-Issuance of Owner’s Duplicate Copy of Certificate of Title No. 059-2015000001, in the name of Jane Alison Tan LeeLim, of the Register of Deeds of Siniloan, Laguna, filed by petitioner Jane Alison Tan Lee-Lim. The Petitioner prays that after due notice, posting and hearing, an order or decision be issued declaring null and void the owner’s duplicate copy of Transfer Certificate of Title No. 059-2015000001, which was lost and directing the Register of Deeds for Laguna, Siniloan Branch, after payment of the prescribed fees by law to issue in lieu thereof, a new owner’s duplicate copy of Transfer Certificate of Title No. 059-2015000001 which shall in all respects to be entitled to like faith and credit as the original duplicate kept in the Registry of Deeds for Laguna, Siniloan Branch, in accordance with the applicable laws to this effect.

FINDING THE PETITION TO BE SUFFICIENT IN FORM AND SUBSTANCE, the same is hereby set for hearing on August 19, 2022 at 8:30 in the morning, before this Court, at which date, time and place, the petitioner must appear and be ready to present the jurisdictional requirements for this petition while all other interested parties are to present their opposition, if any.

Let this Order be posted in conspicuous places in the bulletin boards of the Municipality of Siniloan, Laguna, Register of Deeds of Laguna, Siniloan Branch RTC Branch 33, Siniloan, Laguna and in Barangay Halayhayin, Siniloan, Laguna, where the subject property is located for at least thirty (30) days before the date of hearing.

Furnish a copy of this Order and Petition to the Provincial Prosecutor of Laguna, the Land Registration Authority, Quezon City, the Register of Deeds of Laguna, Siniloan, Laguna Branch, and a copy of the Order to the Sheriff of this Court, the Petitioner and Atty. Grebert Karl T. Sision, counsel for the petitioner, for their information and guidance.

SO ORDERED Siniloan, Laguna, June 28, 2022.

(MS-JULY 15,22 & 29, 2022)

Republic of the Philippines National Capital Judicial Region REGIONAL TRIAL COURT Quezon City, Branch 229

rtc1qzn229@judiciary.gov.ph/09326132733 IN THE MATTER OF VOLUNTARY DISSOLUTION AND LIQUIDATION OF THE CONJUGAL PARTNERSHIP OF GAINS, JORGE JOHN B. BANAL, JR., Petitioner, -versus-

Civil Case No. R-QZN-22-06817-CV For: Dissolution and Liquidation of the Conjugal Partnership of Gains

CARMELA M. CRUZ-BANAL Respondent. x-------------------------------------------------x

NOTICE

Before this Court is a Joint Verified Petition for Voluntary Dissolution and Liquidation of the Conjugal Partnership of Gains filed by Petitioner Jorge John B. Banal, Jr. and Respondent Carmela M. Cruz-Banal on July 4, 2022 praying that after due notice and hearing, an Order be issued; 1. Allowing the dissolution, partition and liquidation of the assets (real and personal) of the present conjugal partnership of gains community regime; 2. Granting the Agreement for Voluntary Dissolution and Liquidation of the Conjugal Partnership of Gains for not being to law, public policy, and public morals; 3. Ordering the appropriate Registry of Deeds for the annotation of the Decision in the certificates of titles of the Parties; 4. Declaring that the community property relationship of Petitioner JORGE JOHN B. BANAL, JR., and Respondent CARMELA M. CRUZ-BANAL is now governed by the Complete Separation of Property community regime.

Other reliefs just and equitable under the premises are likewise prayed for.

In their Petition, the Spouses allege that they were married in Las Vegas, Nevada, USA on April 23, 1988. They celebrated their marriage for the second time on October 17, 1990 at the Christ the King Parish in Green Meadows, Quezon City, Philippines.

Their marriage begot four (4) children namely: 1) 2) 3) 4)

Katherine Anne C. Banal (born on August 17, 1983); Korinne C. Banal (born on April 17, 1987); Kristine C. Banal (born on August 23, 1995); Jorge Paolo Francisco C. Banal (born on February 1, 1997).

The Spouses likewise allege that they have been separated since 2016. An agreement was entered into by the Spouses for the voluntary dissolution of Conjugal Partnership of Gains pursuant to Article 136 of the Family Code of the Philippines.

WHEREFORE, let this Notice to Creditors be published in a newspaper of general circulation in the Philippines once a week for three (3) consecutive weeks at the expense of both Parties, upon coordination with the Office of the Clerk of Court, Regional Trial Court of Quezon City. Hearing on the joint verified petition is set on October 26, 2022 at 8:30 o’clock in the morning at Hall of Justice Annex Building, Quezon City, at which time and place, any person having interest in the petition may appear.

SO ORDERED. July 7, 2022, Quezon City, Metro Manila

(Sgd.) CLETO R. VILLACORTA III Presiding Judge Copy furnished: Teddy T. Soliman c/o Sardillo Sardillo Salom Law Office, Unit 802 The Taipan Place,

F. Ortigas Jr., Road, Ortigas Center, Pasig City; teodorosoliman@gmail.com 09209702176

Jorge John B. Banal, Jr. – No. 8-B Rivera Street, St. Ignatius Village, Quezon City Carmela M. Cruz-Banal – No. 8-B Rivera Street, St. Ignatius Village, Quezon City RTC-OCC, QC (MStandard - July 15, 22 & 29, 2022)

SILHOUETTE. People walk inside a shopping mall in Beijing on July 21, 2022. AFP

New Sri Lanka president eyes unity gov’t SRI Lanka’s six-time prime minister Ranil Wickremesinghe was sworn in Thursday as president of the crisis-hit South Asian nation, as officials said he was looking to form a unity government to manage the turmoil.

The 73-year-old veteran politician, who was overwhelmingly elected as head of state in a parliamentary vote Wednesday, took his oath of office before Chief Justice Jayantha Jayasuriya, his office said.

Live coverage of the swearing-in at the tightly-guarded parliament complex was cut off just as Wickremesinghe and his wife Maithree walked into the building after reviewing a military parade.

“An investigation was launched to figure out why the broadcast was interrupted,” a top defense official told AFP.

Longest-living male giant panda An An dies at 35 THE world’s longest-living male giant panda under human care, An An, has died at the age of 35, the Hong Kong zoo where he spent most of his life said Thursday.

An An’s health had deteriorated in recent weeks, with a severe decrease in physical activity and appetite, and he was euthanized by veterinarians early Thursday morning, a statement from the amusement park and zoo Ocean Park said.

The park said he was equivalent to 105 in human years, and that “the difficult decision” to put him down had been made for welfare reasons in consultation with Chinese experts.

Born in the wild of mainland China’s Sichuan province, An An was one of a panda pair gifted to Hong Kong by Beijing to celebrate the second anniversary of the city’s handover from Britain in 1999.

He and his mate Jia Jia spent the rest of their lives in Ocean Park.

They were a venerable pair—Jia Jia held the Guinness World Records for the oldest living panda and oldest panda ever in captivity when she died at the age of 38 in 2016.

A panda’s average life span in the wild is 14-20 years, according to the World Wildlife Fund.

After Jia Jia’s death, her surviving mate led a rather solitary life —in 2021, he celebrated his 35th birthday alone with a Haagen-Dazs fruit and bamboo ice cake, surrounded by a number of handmade birthday cards from the Park’s staff.

Pandas are a top choice of diplomatic gift from Beijing, and An An and Jia Jia enjoyed a fair degree of political clout for zoo-dwellers. AFP AUCTION SALE ACME PAWNSHOPS INC. Auction sale on August 05, 2022, 10:00 a.m. MJ Holding Bldg., Almanza Las Piñas; 12:00 noon Alabang Town Center Stall 2074 U/L, 2:00 pm G/F Majalco Bldg.

Benavidez St., Legaspi Village, Makati and L&R Bldg., 1018 Pasay Road, Makati and 4:00 pm Circle C G14, #17 Congressional Ave. Bahay Toro D1, Quezon City All items Pawned March 01 - 31, 2022 (MS-JULY 22, 2022)

Sri Lanka’s police chief and top military brass stood behind the new president as the oath was administered.

Official sources said he was expected to shortly form a Cabinet not exceeding 30 ministers to steer the country out of its worst economic crisis since gaining independence from Britain.

A foreign exchange crisis triggered by the coronavirus pandemic and exacerbated by mismanagement has left Sri Lanka suffering lengthy power blackouts and the country’s 22 million people enduring shortages of fuel, food and medicines for months.

Public anger over the hardships boiled over when tens of thousands of protesters stormed the home of then-president Gotabaya Rajapaksa, forcing him to step down and clearing the way for Wickremesinghe’s election.

Wickremesinghe is widely expected to invite his schoolmate and former public administration minister Dinesh Gunawardena to be the prime minister in the unity government.

But political sources said at least two other candidates were also in the running.

Gunawardena and Wickremesinghe have known each other since the age of three and studied together at the prestigious Royal College of Colombo.

Gunawardena is a trade union leader and represents a small nationalist party allied with the ousted Rajapaksa’s SLPP party.

“There will be a few MPs from the main opposition joining the cabinet,” a source close to Wickremesinghe said, adding that he was keen to ensure a rainbow coalition. AFP

FAREWELL, GENTLE GIANT. File

photo shows giant panda An An eating snacks in his enclosure at the currently closed local theme park Ocean Park in Hong Kong. An An, the world’s longest-living male giant panda under human care, has died at the age of 35. AFP

Nine dead after ferry sinks off Indonesian isle AT least nine bodies have been found after a ferry sank off the coast of an Indonesian island due to bad weather, a search and rescue official said Thursday.

The KM Cahaya Arafah capsized in waters off Indonesia’s Ternate island on Monday evening, prompting a search and rescue operation for 13 missing people.

Rescuers found four bodies on Wednesday evening and five bodies on the fourth day of the search, the Ternate search and rescue agency said in a statement.

Four people remain missing.

The boat was carrying 77 passengers and crew on board as it traveled to nearby Halmahera island.

Sixty-four people were evacuated to a nearby village after the sinking.

Local villagers had sailed out in their longboats to help authorities in a vessel with the search operation.

Marine accidents are common in Indonesia, a Southeast Asian archipelago of around 17,000 islands, where people rely on ferries and small boats to travel around despite poor safety standards.

In May, a ferry carrying more than 800 people ran aground in shallow waters off East Nusa Tenggara province and remained stuck for two days before being dislodged. No one was hurt in that accident.

In 2018, more than 150 people drowned when a ferry sank in one of the world’s deepest lakes on Sumatra island. AFP

Smoke without fire? Researchers question heated tobacco products HEATED tobacco products have soared in popularity as a “smoke free” alternative to cigarettes in recent years, but a peer-reviewed report has suggested their emissions could be considered smoke— a claim strongly rejected by the tobacco industry.

Heated tobacco products, or HTPs, are often confused with e-cigarettes, which heat liquid that can contain nicotine but do not involve tobacco leaf.

HTPs instead use a high heat to decompose tobacco, via a process called pyrolysis, which does not set it on fire or burn it, therefore avoiding creating smoke.

The most popular and widely available HTP, Philip Morris International’s IQOS, is an electronic device that heats a tobacco-filled, paper-wrapped, cigarette-like stick at a temperature of up to 350 de-

grees Celsius (662 degrees Fahrenheit).

Last month a review of the available research by experts in pyrolysis from Britain’s Nottingham University found “chemical evidence that IQOS emissions fit the definition of both an aerosol and smoke.”

The paper, published in the American Chemical Society’s Omega journal, was funded by the STOP anti-tobacco initiative.

Its lead author Clement Uguna said that IQOS emissions contain chemical compounds that are “in normal tobacco smoke, bush burning and wood smoke.”

“Hence smoke arises simply by heating organic substances and does not necessarily involve fire,” he told AFP. The paper also found that previous research on IQOS – the majority of which has been funded by the tobacco industry – had

compared a stick to a typical cigarette.

However IQOS sticks are much smaller, containing around 200 milligrams of tobacco compared to 645 milligrams for a standard cigarette, it said.

Because research by Philip Morris International (PMI) did not use a “like against like” comparison, it “underestimated” the levels of harmful and potentially harmful constituents (HPHCs) from IQOS, the review added.

PMI said the level of HPHCs in IQOS emissions—per stick—was “reduced on average by 90-95 percent compared to cigarette smoke.”

However that level fell to 68 percent when comparing the tobacco content of the two products, the Nottingham University experts said, calling for more research. AFP

Iran charges 20 over deadly building collapse IRAN has issued indictments against 20 people after the deadly collapse of a building that triggered widespread anti-corruption protests, the judiciary said on Thursday.

The 10-storey Metropol building that was under construction in the city of Abadan in southwestern Khuzestan province collapsed on May 23, leading to the death of 43 people.

It took emergency services almost two weeks to recover the bodies of those killed in the di-

saster, one of Iran’s deadliest in years.

The tragedy sparked a series of demonstrations across the country against authorities accused of corruption and incompetence.

At the time, the provincial judiciary said it had arrested 13 people, including Abadan’s mayor and two former mayors in connection with the case.

“Considering the importance of the matter... the case has been carefully evaluated and indictments have been issued against 20 people,”

said the judiciary’s Mizan Online website.

“All the defendants in this case are currently in custody with applicable warrants,” it said, without identifying them or specifying what charges they faced.

The judiciary also confirmed the death of the building’s owner, who many had wanted to be held responsible for the collapse.

Iranian media outlets had earlier reported that he was among those who died in the disaster. AFP

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Bank of Japan sticks to easing, raises forecast on inflation rate

PSEi July 21, 2022

TOP GAINERS

LAST % PRICE CHANGE CHANGE

1

SOC

0.65

0.185

39.78%

2 3

LFM ANS

20 8.98

2.4 0.88

13.64% 10.86%

4 5 6 7

SLI AXLM MEDIC WPI

3.03 2.3 0.69 0.455

0.29 0.21 0.05 0.03

10.58% 10.05% 7.81% 7.06%

8

HOUSE

10.64

0.66

6.61%

9 10

WEB MAH

3.72 0.89

0.22 0.05

6.29% 5.95%

TOP LOSERS

1 LOTO 2 JAS

LAST PRICE CHANGE 1.38 -0.12 1.6 -0.13

% CHANGE -8.00% -7.51%

3 4

CROWN CIC

1.57 18.24

-0.11 -1.26

-6.55% -6.46%

5

URC

111

-5.4

-4.64%

6 7

X WLCON

0.32 22.35

-0.015 -1

-4.48% -4.28%

8 9 10

MA APO ZHI

0.0091 0.74 0.153

-0.0004 -0.03 -0.006

-4.21% -3.90% -3.77%

MOST ACTIVE

1 ALI 2 SMPH

VOLUME 17,087,900 8,758,300

VALUE (PHP) 439,670,190 318,880,715

3 4 5

BPI EMI BDO

3,291,180 14,735,100 2,268,670

293,896,770 281,184,826 272,612,184

6 7 8 9 10

SM TEL ICT CNVRG SCC

325,740 146,055 1,230,920 8,631,600 4,324,400

254,978,885 245,252,870 223,440,943 179,865,790 178,235,060

AUTONOMOUS CAR. This picture taken on July 20, 2022 shows journalists looking at Baidu’s Apollo RT6 next-generation autonomous vehicle during its unveiling in Beijing. The Apollo RT6 is designed for fully autonomous driving with detachable steering wheel, and is set to join the Apollo Go ride-hailing service starting in 2023. AFP

Stocks decline; BDO and Ayala Land climb

T

HE stock market closed lower Thursday in cautious trading as investors continued to consolidate their positions and ignored Wall Street’s rally overnight.

The Philippine Stock Exchange Index slipped 18.63 points, or 0.3 percent, to 6,256.17 on a value turnover of P6.1 billion.

Gainers, however, outnumbered losers, 107 to 69, with 60 issues unchanged.

SM Investments Corp. of the Sy Group fell 1.8 percent to P774, while unit SM Prime Holdings Inc., the biggest mall operator, also declined 1.8 percent to P36.10.

BDO Unibank Inc., the biggest lender in terms of assets, however, rose 2.5 percent to P121, while major property developer Ayala Land Inc. of the Ayala Group climbed 1.2 percent to P25.50.

The euro, meanwhile, rose Thursday after Russia resumed gas supplies to Europe, while traders await a crucial European Central Bank policy meeting, with the continent’s equiManila Standard ties struggling.

TODAY The news helped Asian markets, which recovered from an early sell-off to end mixed following news that the Nord Stream 1 pipeline’s taps had been switched back on after 10 days of maintenance.

The announcement removed a measure of uncertainty

People in this file photo taken on July 2, 2021 walk past the headquarters of Chinese ride-hailing giant Didi Chuxing in Beijing. China has fined ridehailing giant Didi 8 billion yuan (US$1.2 billion), regulators announced on July 21, 2022, concluding a yearlong investigation.

AFP

Chinese ride-hailing giant Didi hit with a fine of $1.2b BEIJING, China―China has fined ride-hailing giant Didi 8 billion yuan ($1.2 billion), regulators announced Thursday, concluding a yearlong investigation into alleged data security violations.

The probe found “conclusive evidence” that Didi had committed violations of an “egregious nature,” the Cyberspace Administration of China (CAC) said in a statement.

It accused Didi of illegally storing the ID information of more than 57 million drivers in plain text instead of a more secure format.

The regulator said the firm also analyzed passenger details without their knowledge―including photos on their mobile phones and facial recognition data.

“Didi’s illegal operations have brought serious security risks to the security of the country’s key information infrastructure and data security,” CAC said.

“Even when regulatory authorities ordered corrections, comprehensive and in-depth corrections were not carried out,” it added.

Didi’s violations took place over seven years starting June 2015, according to the regulator.

CAC also accused Didi of unspecified national security violations in its data processing activities.

The firm was also found to have violated the Cybersecurity Law, Data Protection Law and Personal Information Protection Law–-a landmark code introduced last year that is modeled on the European Union’s GDPR legislation.

Tech crackdown Didi has been one of the highest-profile targets of a widespread clampdown on China’s tech sector, which saw years of runaway growth and the emergence of super-sized monopolies before regulators stepped in.

The fine amounts to more than four percent of its $27.3 billion total revenue last year.

“We sincerely accept this decision (and will) resolutely obey it,” Didi said in a statement on social media.

“We sincerely thank the competent authorities for their inspection and guidance... We will take this as a warning... (and) further strengthen the construction of network security and data security.”

Didi’s fine is the largest imposed by Chinese authorities since e-commerce behemoth Alibaba was ordered to pay around $2.75 billion in April 2021 for anti-competitive practices.

The ride-hailing firm got into hot water in June last year after it pressed ahead with an initial public offering in the United States, reportedly against Beijing’s wishes.

Days after it raised $4.4 billion in New York, Chinese authorities launched a cybersecurity probe into the company, sending its shares plunging. AFP

Manila

TOKYO, Japan—The Bank of Japan dug its heels in on its easy-money policies Thursday while raising its inflation forecast, even as other countries hike interest rates to tackle soaring prices.

Policymakers have refused to move away measures put in place a decade ago as the BoJ battles to achieve sustained price rises in the world’s third-largest economy.

But the decision leaves it increasingly alone as its peers raise rates, sending the yen tumbling to a 24-year low against the dollar.

Highlighting the different approaches, the European Central Bank is later Thursday expected to announce its first rate increase since 2011.

Prices are rising in Japan, and the BoJ raised its inflation forecast for fiscal 2022-23 to 2.3 percent, up from 1.9 percent in April, “due to rises in prices of such items as energy, food, and durable goods.”

“Thereafter, the rate of increase is expected to decelerate” as energy prices stabilize, it said.

The BoJ added that it would hold rates at minus 0.1 percent and continue buying unlimited government bonds to maintain a low cap on long-term yields.

These monetary easing policies are intended to achieve sustained two-percent inflation, a target the bank considers key for stable growth.

The central bank views current price increases, driven by pandemic supply snarls and higher commodity prices linked to the war in Ukraine, as temporary.

So while its counterparts elsewhere are moving to tame inflation, it sees no need to change tack. AFP

among traders Standard who had feared Moscow would keep gas flows TODAY cut in retaliation for Brussels’ sanctions imposed after Vladimir Putin’s invasion of Ukraine.

Putin had said the Nord Stream 1 pipeline would be turned back on, but added that supplies would be limited unless a row over some elements of the sanctions is resolved.

Western leaders remain cynical regarding Putin’s plans ahead of the northern hemisphere winter, and the European Commission has urged European Union members to reduce demand for natural gas by 15 percent over the winter to counter Russia’s “blackmail.”

After a negative start, Asian and European equities mostly rose, with the more upbeat mood following another rally on Wall Street thanks to healthy earnings.

Tokyo, Sydney, Seoul, Mumbai, Taipei, Bangkok and Wellington EDUCATIONAL RESOURCES CORPORATION advanced but Hong Kong, Shang11-B Sunrise Drive, Brgy. Bagong Lipunan hai and Singapore fell, while Lonng Crame, Cubao, Quezon City don, Paris and Frankfurt retreated in early exchanges.

NOTICE OF STOCKHOLDER’S MEETING Analysts remain cautious about the near-term outlook for the To All ERC Stockholders: global economy as it is rattled by a range of issues including the Please be informed that the Annual Stockholders’ Ukraine war, an energy crisis, and Meeting of the Educational Resources Corporation China’s slowdown and supply (ERC), shall be held on July 30, 2022 Saturday, at 12:00 noon at Cafe Cucina Marco Polo Hotel, Ortigas chain snarls. With AFP

Center, Meralco Avenue, Sapphire Rd. San Antonio Pasig City.

NOTICE OF THE 6TH ANNUAL STOCKHOLDERS’ MEETING 14 AUGUST 2022 TO ALL STOCKHOLDERS: On its meeting held on 05 April 2022, the 2021 Board of Directors had decided to postpone the Regular Annual Stockholders’ Meeting of Asia-Pacific Medical Center Bacolod, Inc. (Formerly Allied Care Experts Medical Center - Bacolod Inc.) to 14 August 2022 at 9:00 o’clock in the morning.

The following is the agenda.

1. Election of new directors for the incoming fiscal year.

2. Report of the President 3. Other matters.

Please be guided accordingly (Sgd.) Jonimo C. Bilasano Corporate Secretary (MS-JULY 22, 2022)

The meeting will be conducted via remote communication through a Zoom conference.

The Revised Agenda for the said meeting shall be as follows: I. II. III. IV. V. VI. VII. VIII. IX. X. XI. XII. XIII. XIV.

Call to Order Proof of Notice of Meeting Certification of Quorum Approval of the Minutes of the Previous Annual Stockholders’ Meeting (24 July 2021) Presentation and Approval of the 2021 Annual Report and Financial Statements Management Report Amendment of Articles of Incorporation Amendment of By-Laws Ratification of all Acts, Proceedings and Resolutions of the Board of Directors, Corporate Officers, Board Committees and Management from the date of the Last Annual Stockholders’ Meeting up to 14 August 2022 Appointment of the External Auditor Election of the Board of Directors including the three (3) Independent Directors to serve for 2022-2023 Other Matters Open Forum Adjournment

Only Stockholders of Record as of 5:00 PM of 25 July 2022 shall be entitled to participate and vote at this meeting. Stockholders who intend to attend by remote communication shall inform the Company by email to acemcbacolod@gmail. com on or before 01 August 2022 subject to procedure set in the Information Statement which will be posted in the Company’s website www.apmcbacolod. com If you wish to cast your vote as a stockholder, you may vote remotely or in absentia or through proxy voting. Voting by remote communication or in absentia may be done using the Online Voting Portal. Voting will be available to all stockholders who registered through the link sent to their emails starting 8:00 AM of 07 August 2022 until the adjournment of the 14 August 2022 Meeting. The requirements and procedure of the Online Voting and Election can be found in the ANNEXES Menu of our website at www.apmcbacolod.com Stockholders who cannot attend the virtual meeting may execute a PROXY in favor of another stockholder. PDF Proxy Form can be downloaded from the ANNEXES Menu of our website www.apmcbacolod.com and must be received and validated by the Corporate Secretary not later than 5:00 PM of 07 August 2022 through email at acemcbacolod@gmail.com and hard copies at Asia Pacific Medical Center Bacolod, Inc. (Formerly: Allied Care Experts Medical Center Bacolod Inc.), Room 4, Ground Floor, MC Metroplex Bldg., BS Aquino Drive, Bacolod City 6100.

For ASM-related queries and concerns regarding shareholdings, you may send an email to the Corporate Secretary, Dr. Ma. Ivy V. Malata at acemcbacolod@ gmail.com or at (63)917-709-5659, (63)917 188 4699, (034) 703-1637.

During the meeting, the Company shall entertain questions and comments from the stockholders during the open forum.

Lastly, there will be a visual and audio recording of the Meeting in compliance with the requirements of the Securities and Exchange Commission.

For your guidance.

NOTICE TO OBTAIN STOCKHOLDERS’ APPROVAL

BY WRITTEN ASSENT TO ALL STOCKHOLDERS: NOTICE is hereby given that on May 31, 2022, the Board of Directors approved the resolution to amend the By Laws, subject to the written assent of stockholders representing at least 2/3 of the outstanding capital stock of the Corporation.

Stockholders as of record date, June 15, 2022, are entitled to notice and to vote by written assent which will be secured starting from August 1, 2022 until August 5, 2022, 12:00 p.m. Within five (5) business days from the start of the voting period, stockholders entitled to vote shall submit a written request indicating therein their full name, e-mail address, and contact number together with a valid government-issued ID showing the full name, signature, and photograph. For those with proxies, a notarized power of attorney or secretary’s certificate/board resolution evidencing appointment and authority of the designated proxy is required.

Written request may be transmitted at this address: The Corporate Secretary SPC POWER CORPORATION 7th Floor, BDO Towers Paseo, 8741 , Paseo de Roxas Makati City, 1209 info@spcpower.com cc: mraguiualdo@spcpower.com Upon validation of the requirements, the official assent form will be transmitted by electronic mail. All assent forms must be returned before the close of the voting period on August 5, 2022, 12:00 p.m.

Electronic copies of the Information Statement and other related documents are posted on www.spcpowergroup.com and on PSE Edge.

Makati City, June 24, 2022.

By MISHELLE ANNE R. RUBIO-AGUINALDO Assistant Corporate Secretary

SGD. Ma. Ivy V. Malata, MD Corporate Secretary (MS-JULY 22 & 23, 2022)

(MS-JULY 21 & 22, 2022)

CYAN MAGENTA YELLOW BLACK

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

A8

FRIDAY, JULY 22, 2022

BPI’s net profit surged by 73% to P20.4b in 1st half BANK of the Philippine Islands, the third-largest private lender in terms of assets, said Thursday first-half net income jumped 73 percent year-onyear to P20.4 billion on higher revenues and lower provisions.

The bank said in a statement the result included a net gain on sale of property and tax adjustments with the implementation of the Corporate Income Tax and Incentives Reform Act. It said excluding the impact of the asset sale and tax adjustments, net income reached P16.7 billion in the first six months, up 24 percent from a year earlier.

BPI said revenues grew 19.8 percent in the first half to P57.6 billion driven by the growth in net interest income of 16.2 percent to P39.3 billion, 14.4-percent loan growth and a 15-basis point expansion in net interest margin to 3.46 percent.

Non-interest income also rose 28.4 percent to P18.3 billion as fee income increased 42.2 percent year-on-year, slightly tempered by lower securities trading gains which came off a high base last year.

Total operating expenses went up 7.3 percent in the first half to P25.8 billion, with investments in technology as the main accelerator. Cost-to-income ratio was 44.8 percent. Excluding the income from asset sale, cost-to-income ratio stood at 49.1 percent.

The bank said it recognized provisions of P5 billion in the first half of the year, a 23.1-percent reduction from the P6.5 billion it booked over the same period last year.

NPL ratio improved to 1.99 percent, while NPL coverage ratio stood at a comfortable 170.7 percent.

“The sustained strong metrics in asset quality resulted in a continued decline in credit cost to 66 basis points towards pre-pandemic levels.

Return on equity was 13.98 percent, while return on assets was 1.71 percent,” it said.

The bank said it recorded the highest quarterly net income of P12.5 billion in the second quarter, up 82.9 percent year-on-year. Revenues reached P32.3 billion in the second quarter, up 35.6 percent on robust performances from net interest income and non-interest income. Julito G. Rada

PSE names two new directors to its 15-man board

By Jenniffer B. Austria THE Philippine Stock Exchange said Thursday two new directors will join its 15-man board.

Government Service Insurance System executive vice president Diosdado Ebdane Jr. and Armstrong Securities Inc. executive Anthony Te were nominated as board of directors of the PSE. Ebdane was nominated as a non-broker director of the PSE, replacing former GSIS president and general manager Rolando Jose Macasaet, while Te was nominated as a broker-director of the exchange.

PSE chairman Jose Pardo, president and chief executive Ramon Monzon and the rest of the board of directors were also nominated and would likely be re-elected.

Former Supreme Court Chief Justice Teresita De Castro, Consuelo Garcia, Vicente Panlilio and Gilberto Teodoro Jr. were also nominated as independent directors.

Anabelle Chua was nominated as a non-broker director representing issuers, while Ferdinand Constantino was nominated a non-broker director representing investors while Tomas Alcantara as non-broker director representing other market participants.

PSE broker-directors Diosdado Arroyo, Eddie Gobing, Wilson Sy and Ma. Vivian Yuchengco were also nominated to the board.

The PSE, one of the oldest bourses in Asia, will hold its annual stockholders meeting on Aug. 13 via remote communication.

The Securities and Exchange Commission’s Memorandum Circular No. 20, Series of 2020, states that independent directors should constitute at least one-third of the members of the board of directors of exchanges and other organized markets.

Business ADB upgrades 2022 PH growth forecast to 6.5% T

By Julito G. Rada

HE Asian Development Bank on Thursday raised its 2022 growth projection for the Philippines to 6.5 percent from the previous estimate of 6 percent amid the reopening of the economy and the expansion of the government COVID-19 vaccination program.

The revised forecast was contained in the Asian Development Outlook 2022 Supplement released by the Bank.

It said the Philippine economy would grow faster than initially expected in 2022, “following the relaxation of COVID-19 mobility restrictions in the country, the expansion of the COVID-19 vaccination program and a rebound in investment and household

consumption”.

The multilateral lender said the Philippine economy would grow by at least 6.5 percent in 2022, up from the bank’s April forecast of 6.0 percent. The growth projection for 2023 remained at 6.3 percent.

“The Philippine economy’s growth momentum has accelerated close to its ideal growth path,” ADB Philippines country director Kelly Bird said.

“Strong domestic demand supported by a pick-up in employment and remittance inflows, private investment expansion, and large public infrastructure projects will underpin the country’s recovery from the economic impact of the pandemic,” Bird said.

The bank said downside risks to growth in the second half might come from sharper-than-expected slowdowns in major industrial economies, possible sustained elevated global commodity prices and tighter financial conditions.

It said the wider COVID-19 vaccination coverage, with adolescents among those getting inoculated, and relatively mild health impacts from the Omicron

variant allowed the government to relax restrictions starting in the first quarter of the year.

This in turn spurred resumption in expanded operations for most private businesses, with the unemployment rate falling to near pre-pandemic levels. The unemployment rate was at 6.0 percent in May, down from 7.7 percent a year earlier.

Inflation is forecast to quicken to 4.9 percent and 4.3 percent in 2022 and 2023, respectively, on the back of higher global commodity prices. These are up from ADB’s April forecast of 4.2 percent in 2022 and 3.5 percent for 2023.

The ADB said it expects the government to sustain public spending on priority infrastructure projects under the “Build, Build, Build” program. Among the projects receiving ADB financing are the Malolos-Clark Railway Project and South Commuter Railway Project, both part of the North–South Commuter Railway System that will provide safe, fast and efficient transportation to link Metro Manila to northern and southern Luzon provinces.

PSE INDEX CLOSING Thursday, July 21, 2022

-18.63 PTS. 6,256.17

TOTAL VOLUME

807,094,398

TOTAL TRADES TOTAL VALUE (IN PHP) ADVANCES

64,065 6,092,731,889.99 107

DECLINES

69

UNCHANGED

60

F oreign E xchange R ate Bangko Sentral ng Pilipinas • THURSDAY, JULY 21, 2022

Currency

Unit

US Dollar

Peso

United States

Dollar

1.000000

56.2770

Japan

Yen

0.007234

0.4071

UK

Pound

1.198200

67.4311

Hong Kong

Dollar

0.127393

7.1693

Switzerland

Franc

1.029654

57.9458

Canada

Dollar

0.776217

43.6832

Singapore

Dollar

0.717669

40.3883

Australia

Dollar

0.688600

38.7523

Bahrain

Dinar

2.653224

149.3155

Saudi Arabia

Rial

0.266134

14.9772

Brunei

Dollar

0.715103

40.2439

Indonesia

Rupiah

0.000067

0.0038

Thailand

Baht

0.027267

1.5345

UAE

Dirham

0.272279

15.3230

Euro

Euro

1.018200

57.3012

Korea

Won

0.000762

0.0429

China

Yuan

0.147995

8.3287

India

Rupee

0.012503

0.7036

Malaysia

Ringgit

0.224719

12.6465

New Zealand

Dollar

0.622700

35.0437

Taiwan

Dollar

0.033480

1.8842 Source: BSP

IN BRIEF Semirara bags four awards in mag survey

INTEGRATED energy company Semirara Mining and Power Corp. won four awards in the 12th Institutional Investor Corporate Awards 2022 of Hong Kong-based Alpha Southeast Asia magazine.

Based on a poll of over 500 investors and analysts across Southeast Asia, the United States and Europe, SMPC emerged as one of the eight best-managed companies in the Philippines for having the Most Organized Investor Relations (3rd place), Best Senior Management Investor Relations Support (2nd place), Most Consistent Dividend Policy (3rd place) and Most Improved Investor Relations (sole winner).

“We thank all those who voted for our company. These awards reflect and reaffirm our strong commitment to the investment community and investing public,” said SMPC president and chief operating officer Maria Cristina Gotianun.

The poll included fund managers with investment interests in Southeast Asia, large institutional investors, insurance companies, pension funds, funds of hedge funds, private banks, equity and fixed income brokers and buy and sell-side analysts.

Alpha Southeast Asia said 43 publiclylisted companies from across the region were ranked this year, representing the crème-de-la crème of best practices.

UnionDigital Bank secures BSP license

THE Bangko Sentral ng Pilipinas granted UnionDigital Bank a certificate of authority to operate as a digital bank on July 12, 2022.

UnionDigital Bank said in a statement this certificate is the final stage in the three-stage digital bank license application process.

UnionDigital Bank, a subsidiary of Aboitiz-led Union Bank of the Philippines, aims to empower the country’s journey toward a fully digital economy, enabling Filipino communities, businesses and regulators to leverage on financial technology, Blockchain and open finance technologies to achieve inclusive prosperity.

UnionDigital Bank said its app is now live to a limited set of customers. The app is available by invitation only.

GSIS elects Veloso as general manager

Quezon City Mayor Joy Belmonte (fourth from left) and Vice Mayor Gian Sotto (third from left) lead the inspection of the collection kiosk at Quezon City Hall, along with executives of Basic Environmental Systems and Technologies Inc., bXTRA Philippines Inc. and San Miguel Yamamura Packaging Corp. The Quezon City local government, with the help of SMYPC, added glass to the list of recyclables it collects via its trash-to-cashback initiative. SMYPC is represented by vice president and business manager for glass Jonathan Aquino.

SMC packaging unit supports QC ‘trash-to-cashback’ program SAN Miguel Yamamura Packaging Corp., a unit of San Miguel Corp., signed on to boost Quezon City’s trash-to-cashback program to help divert garbage away from landfills and, along with waste solutions and technology partners, plans to expand the program to Metro Manila and nearby provinces.

SMC president and chief executive Ramon Ang said SMYPC is joining the program to lend its expertise on circular economy—in particular, recycling of glass, which had been the missing component of the ongoing initiative.

The “Trash-to-Cashback” program, implemented by the Quezon City government in partnership with waste management solutions firm Basic En-

vironmental Systems and Technologies Inc. and technology partner BXTRA Philippines, utilizes the firms’ “My Basurero” app which accepts requests for waste collection, including recyclables.

It encourages citizens to be more conscientious about waste segregation. Through the program, they are able to exchange their recyclables and single-use plastics for “environmental points’ which they can use to pay for utility bills such as electricity, water, and internet services through the Bayad App; avail grocery items through the Trash to Cashback Mart, and order food deliveries from the partner merchants.

Quezon City Mayor Joy Belmonte and Vice Mayor Gian Sotto, along

with QC Climate Change and Environmental Sustainability Department Head Andrea Villaroman, welcomed the addition of SMYPC as a partner to the program.

“We are honored to be welcomed by the QC local government as a partner in this important and truly innovative project that teaches and incentivizes citizens to minimize their impact on the environment, and segregating their household wastes,” said Ang. “I’m more than confident that SMYPC’s world-class expertise and long experience in zero-waste or circular economy practices will contribute significantly to the realization of our shared goal of addressing solid waste pollution, and promoting sustainability in our communities,” he said.

THE Government Service Insurance System board of trustees elected Jose Arnulfo Veloso, who has 36 years of banking experience under his belt, as new president and general manager.

“After three decades of working in banks, it’s now time for me to use what I have learned in international finance and banking to contribute to nation building,” Veloso said.

“I now carry the responsibility of making sure that the retirement benefits of government employees are well managed,” he said.

Veloso was warmly welcomed by outgoing GSIS chief Rolando Ledesma Macasaet, executives and employees during the turnover at the GSIS headquarters in Pasay City.

Under Section 18 of the GOCC Governance Act of 2011 or Republic Act 10149, “the CEO or the highest-ranking officer provided in the charters of the governmentowned or controlled corporations shall be elected annually by the members of the board among its ranks.”

Veloso was the president and chief executive of Philippine National Bank prior to his appointment to GSIS. During his watch, PNB was recognized by the Asian Banker as the “Best Managed Bank” for demonstrating excellence in its response to the COVID-19 pandemic in 2020. He was also recognized as the “Best CEO” during the Asian Banker’s annual Leadership Achievement Awards.

ICTSI ranks 8th among global terminal operators

By Darwin G. Amojelar INTERNATIONAL Container Terminal Services Inc. emerged as the eighth largest wholly-independent global terminal operator with a portfolio that spans all six continents, an independent maritime research and consulting firm said Thursday.

Drewry said in its Global Container Terminal Operators Annual Review and Forecast for 2021-2022 that ICTSI ranked 8th among GTOs as it handled a total of 10.1 million twenty-foot equivalent units in 2020.

GTOs handled 66 percent of the global port volumes in 2020. ICTSI’s consolidated throughput in 2021 increased 10 percent to 11.1 million TEUs amid the reopening of markets and improvements in trade.

The report also ranks the company as the largest wholly-independent port operator with a presence across six continents.

ICTSI operates 33 terminals in 20 countries, mostly in emerging markets, standing with Hutchison Ports and DP World as the

most geographically diverse among GTOs. ICTSI is also considered a Philippine economic transnational, moving knowhow, investments, goods, people and technology across borders.

ICTSI’s continuing expansion is anchored on its core strategy of acquisitions and greenfield developments of small- to mediumsized terminals through government partnerships while maintaining majority ownership across its global operations.

Drewry cites ICTSI and German logistics giant Hamburger Hafen und Logistik AG for having the highest equity level across their portfolios.

ICTSI continued to expand its operations with the addition of two new multipurpose terminals in Nigeria and Cameroon despite the slowdown of global trade in the past two years.

The company also expanded its operation in Rio de Janeiro, Brazil by adding rail logistics to its services through the long-term lease of an intermodal terminal in Barra Mansa.

From its humble roots as one of the first successful port privatization stories in the Philippines and in Asia, International Container Terminal Services Inc. emerges as the top wholly-independent global terminal operator with a portfolio that spans all six continents. Leading independent maritime research and consulting firm Drewry, in its Global Container Terminal Operators Annual Review and Forecast for 2021-2022, ranks ICTSI 8th among GTOs in terms of equity TEU based on the consolidated 10.1 million twenty-foot equivalent units it handled in 2020. ICTSI’s consolidated throughput in 2021 increased 10 percent to 11.1 million TEUs, due to the reopening of markets and improvements in trade.

Sports

Bolts make quarterfinals; Dyip winless in 11 games THE Meralco Bolts are in the quarterfinals of the 2022 Philippine Basketball Association Philippine Cup. Big games from Chris Newsome and four other teammates helped propel the Bolts to a 105-89 swamping of the winless Terrafirma Dyip Thursday night at the Araneta Coliseum.

Newsome tallied a game-high 19 points for the Bolts, who finished the elimination round with a 7-4 win-loss card. They will either occupy the fourth or fifth seed in the quarterfinals.

The 6’2” Newsome struck hardest in the first two quarters, first making six points apiece with Raymund Almazan as the Bolts broke free from a 9-all deadlock and never looked back after taking a 27-15 edge at the end of the first 10 minutes.

The 31-year-old Newsome added eight points in the second period, with his triple allowing the Bolts to enjoy a 41-30 edge in the 6:08 mark.

“Moving forward, we are there. We are in the playoffs,” said Bolts’ assistant coach Luigi Trillo.

Aaron Black made 16 points, with his three-pointer in the final 5:58 of the third giving the Bolts at 67-53 spread.

Aldrech Ramos fired 24 points for the Dyip, who are winless after 11 outings, the same ignominy suffered by Blackwater in the PBA’s last all-Filipino tournament.

Almazan and Allein Maliksi shot 14 points, while Bong Quinto chipped in 13 for the Bolts, whose inclusion into the quarterfinals will put them in a best-of-three clash with either Ginebra San Miguel or the Magnolia Hotshots.

Ginebra and Magnolia currently share third and fourth positions with similar 7-3 win-loss slates.

Peter Atencio

Malixi 2nd at Northfield, Illinois golfest RIANNE Malixi failed to match Sadie Englemann’s hot finish in their spirited duel for medal honors, ending up second after the 36-hole stroke play elims with a second straight 70 in the Women’s Western Amateur in Northfield, Illinois Wednesday.

Malixi equaled her three-birdie, two-bogey round Tuesday after 13 holes in another windy day at the par-71 Sunset Ridge Country Club course and tied for the lead after Englemann bogeyed the 15th.

But the Austin, Texas native bounced back with birdies in the next two holes on her way to a 68 and a 138 while the ICTSI-backed Malixi ran off five pars to close out her elims campaign for a 140.

Still, it was a fine two-day showing by the 15-year-old two-time American Junior Golf Association champion, who is coming off a victory in team play in the Wyndham Cup, also part of the AJGA tour, last week.

Thirty others made it to the knockout phase beginning Thursday with emphasis on endurance with two rounds slated in the day.

The morning Round of 32 matches pit Malixi against No. 31 Megan Furtney of St. Charles, Illinois, while Engleman faces Indiana’s Annabelle Pancake. Winners will advance to the Sweet 16 set in the afternoon.

The quarterfinals and the semifinals are also both slated on Friday with the survivors disputing the championship on Saturday.

Nicole Abelar, the other Filipina bet in the fold, groped for a 78 and missed the cut at 151 with a 155 total.

Malixi, seeking to become the first Filipina to win in one of the oldest and most prestigious annual championships in women’s amateur golf, birdied No. 2 but gave up the stroke with a second straight bogey on the tough par5 seventh. She struck a solid iron tee-shot and birdied the par-3 No. 8 but bogeyed No. 11 which she birdied in the first round.

She, however, made the most of the last par-5 on No. 13 to give herself a shot at medal honors, only to yield in the face of Englemann’s hot finish.

Mikha Fortuna made it to the championship in 2016 but lost to Jillian Hollis while Dottie Ardina settled for back-to-back runner-up finishes to Taylore Karle and Jaclyn Jansen in 2010 and 2011, respectively.

Riera U. Mallari, Editor; Randy M. Caluag, Assistant Editor

FRIDAY, JULY 22, 2022

B1

Meralco’s Cliff Hodge loses the ball to the doubleteaming defense of Terrafirma Dyip’s Eric Samson and Joseph Gabayni in the PBA Philippine Cup. The Bolts won, though, 105-89.

Underdogs no more: Filipinas eyeing Asian domination next

By Peter Atencio

I

N future tournaments and friendlies, the Filipinas will no longer be playing as underdogs.

Philippine national women’s football coach Allen Stajcic said this a day after the Filipinas were honored in Malacanang by President Ferdinand Marcos Jr. “We love to be the underdogs. But we proved it wrong. And we’re heading down that path,” said Stajcic in a television interview after returning to Australia, four days after the Filipinas won their first-ever title conquest in the 2022 ASEAN Women’s Football Championship.

“This group of players is an evolving and emerging team. And I think we have shown that we can be a threat in Southeast Asia. And our goal now is to become a powerhouse of Asia as well,” added Stajcic.

Stajcic said the title win of the Filipi-

nas is a special and memorable moment for the squad.

“You just can’t replace it. I can’t use words to describe the feelings of everyone on the field, the noise. It just gives you an extra dose of adrenaline,” Stajcic said.

Team skipper Tahnai Annis agreed with Stajcic, saying the squad will continue to show their best as they prepare for next year’s World Cup. “Definitely, we’re putting targets in our games. We’re not coming in as underdogs and just hoping for the best. When we show up, we’re there

Allen Stajcic

to win,” said the 33-year-old Annis, one of the attacking midfielders of the team.

Annis believes that their hard work in getting ready for the 2023 World Cup for Women is now bearing fruit, after preparing for it since November last year.

And their time together as a team has helped each member of the squad develop their trust and confidence in each other.

“I think we’re really starting to believe in ourselves, to really trust in what we’re doing, trust the process on the hard work that we’ve put in,” added Annis, who is from Zanesville, Ohio.

And so far, the Filipinas seem to be emerging as a new threat in Southeast Asia following their great showing in the AFF competition.

The Filipinas have taken a onemonth break, before resuming their preparations for the 2023 FIFA World Cup for Women.

Fast race looms in IRONMAN 70.3 Cebu WITH a new race course modified to stir up the chase for top honors, the upcoming IRONMAN 70.3 Philippines takes shape to be a fast, furious battle when it is staged Aug. 7 in Mactan, Cebu.

Twelve titles will be up for grabs in various age-group categories from 1824 to 75-and-above with the fight for the overall championship tipped to go down to the last stride or push, given the new race routes in the 1.9 km swim, 90km bike and 21k run event.

“The new race central and swim course at The Mactan Newtown make it an exciting racecourse. From Lapu-Lapu City to the municipality of Cordova, to the newly-opened CCLEX bridge to Cebu, the bike will be fast, exhausting and exhilarating

course while the run course has been re-configured to a fast and more exciting route,” said race director Neville Manaois.

That makes IRONMAN 70.3’s return to the country’s top triathlon hub after a two-year hiatus doubly exciting with close to 2,000 bidders, including bets from at least 40 countries, all geared up for a test of speed, power and endurance in the race put up by Megaworld and The Mactan Newtown.

It will start and end at the Mactan Newtown in Lapu-Lapu City.

The winning time isn’t expected to breach but is likely to at least approximate the four-hour, oneminute, 22-second clocking posted by Aussie ace Tim Reed in winning his fourth IM title in Cebu in 2019 in the

light of the makeup and condition of the new racecourse.

Registration is ongoing and will last up to the race week. For details, visit www.ironman.com/philippines70.3 with official hashtags: #IM703Philippines and #IMasia, social media (Facebook) Megaworld IM703 AIA Vitality and im703ph (Instagram).

Spicing up the event are the relay (male and female) and relay mixed while a CEO trophy will also be disputed in the individual competition of the event backed by Athletic Brewing Co., Hyperice, Santini, Wahoo, Fulgaz, City of Lapu-Lapu, CCLEX, Municipality of Cordova (Cebu) and City of Cebu.

Other event’s supporters are Lalamove, Alaska, Lightwater, Prudential Guarantee, RLC Residences,

Regent, Rudy Project, Sante and Teresa Marble Corp. and media partners Cignal, the Philippine Star and Sportograf.com.

Meanwhile, the swim leg is a single loop clockwise course starting and ending at the Mactan beach, while the bike part is a 3-loop course flagging off at Mactan Newtown to the ML Quezon National Highway to Lapu-Lapu City and to the Municipality of Cordova, exiting at CCLEX bridge to Cebu City and back to the Mactan Newtown.

The closing run part is also a 3-loop course from Mactan Newtown to Punta Engano Road to Amisa, passing by Magellan cross in the third turnaround and taking a right at ML Quezon National Highway and back to the finish line at Mactan Newtown Blvd.

Fernandez: Just an exhibition bout, but Pacquiao must be in top shape

By Peter Atencio JUST like in his regular fights, Manny Pacquiao needs to take his coming showdown against Youtube sensation and mixed martial arts fighter DK Yoo with some amount of preparation.

Pacquiao’s long-time trainer and fight buddy Buboy Fernandez said this as the 43-year-old ring icon gets ready to fight Yoo this December in South Korea.

“Nu’ng nalaman ko na may laban siya, hindi na ako nagdalawang isip na lumuwas ng Maynila,” said Fernandez, who packed his bags on Wednesday and left Polangui, Albay to join up with Pacquiao.

Fernandez, who lost in his reelection bid as vice mayor of Polangui, said that Pacquiao needs to be in top shape when

he faces Yoo. “Exhibition match ito. Pero hindi biro ang ganito,” said Fernandez. “Kahit sabihin na special match lang, kailangan pa rin nating magpakundisyon.”

Pacquiao retired from boxing last September 29 to pursue his presidential bid after losing to Yordenis Ugas via unanimous decision on August 21. He finished third among the presidential candidates during the May 9 polls won by now President Ferdinand ‘Bongbong’ Marcos Jr. Pacquiao said he won’t be coming out of retirement anytime soon.

The 42-year-old Yoo, who has 654,000 followers on Youtube, vows to put on a show when he confronts Pacquiao.

Yoo had his first big fight—a 6-round payper-view boxing match with former UFC fighter Bradley Scott last year.

Buboy Fernandez (left) with ring icon Manny Pacquiao and DK Yoo Peter Atencio

B2

Sports

FRIDAY, JULY 22, 2022

Ohtani beats Curry, Rodgers for ESPY Award as top athlete in men’s sports Apex blasts EcoOil for 3rd straight D-League win Games Tuesday

(Ynares Sports Arena, Pasig) 11 a.m. - Marinerong Pilipino vs AMA Online 1 p.m. - EcoOil-La Salle vs Wangs Basketball @26-Letran 3 p.m. - CEU vs Apex Fuel-San Sebastian

APEX Fuel-San Sebastian blasted error-prone EcoOil-La Salle,73-51, for its third straight victory Thursday in the 2022 PBA D-League Aspirants' Cup at Smart Araneta Coliseum.

Ichie Altamirano had seven steals to lead the Golden Stags with 15 points, six assists, and five rebounds as Apex climbed to a 3-1 card.

His hounding ways sparked Apex Fuel-San Sebastian's breakaway as it used a 20-point third quarter to build a 53-34 advantage that further grew to 26 points, 73-47, courtesy of an Altamirano three with 3:26 remaining.

"Surprising talaga, but I have to give credit to the boys kasi alam ko kung gaano kahirap 'yung ginagawa na depensa," said coach Egay Macaraya.

Romel Calahat chipped in 13 points and seven boards off the bench, while Rafael Are and Raymart Escobido scored nine each.

EcoOil-La Salle was just too careless with the ball, committing 30 turnovers that led to 20 points for the opposition.

Michael Phillips paced the Green Archers with 11 points and eight rebounds as they dropped to 2-2.

In the first game, Johnsherick Estrada powered Adalem Construction-St. Clare to an 87-86 escape win over Builders Warehouse-UST. The NAASCU MVP fired 13 of his 21 points in the payoff period to lead the Saints to their third win to be the first team to clinch a playoff spot at 3-2. He also grabbed eight rebounds and five assists in the victory.

"Humanap kami ng go-to guy para ma-seal namin ng maayos 'yung game," coach Jinino Manansala said of Estrada, who was supported by Joshua Fontanilla's 17 points and seven assists and John Rojas' 16 points, three dimes, and two boards.

The Scores: First Game: Adalem-St. Clare 87—Estrada 21, Fontanilla 17, Rojas 16, Ndong 8, Sablan 7, Estacio 6, Sumagaysay 5, Gamboa 4, Lopez 3, Tapenio 0, Manacho 0.

Builders Warehouse-UST 86— Concepcion 19, Santos 17, Baclaan 14, Pangilinan 11, Stevens 7, Manalang 5, Mantua 5, Cabanero 4, Wilson 4, Escobido 0, Crisostomo 0, Canoy 0, Herrera 0.

Quarters: 16-21, 34-40, 59-60, 87-86.

The support they deserve ONE of the perks of being a champion is you get to be invited to see the Chief Executive in Malacañang. In the case of the Philippine National Women’s Football Team, it happened last Wednesday when they made a courtesy call to President Ferdinand Marcos Jr. at the Heroes’ Hall in the Palace by the Pasig River.

The Filipinas or the Malditas are the current toast of the sporting world, not only in the Philippines but in the region as well for winning the country’s first ever title in the ASEAN Football Federation.

Last Sunday, the team beat perennial tormentors Thailand, 3-0, to end decades of futility and frustrations, especially for long suffering football fans. In winning the title, the Philippines dropped just once match and two goals overall throughout the entire tournament. The Filipinas domi-

L

OS ANGELES—The Los Angeles Angels’ two-way star Shohei Ohtani was named best male athlete of the year at the ESPY Awards on Wednesday, beating out luminaries including NBA star Stephen Curry and Green Bay Packers quarterback Aaron Rodgers.

Japan’s Ohtani, the reigning American League Most Valuable Player, also won the Best Major League Baseball Player trophy over Bryce Harper of the Philadelphia Phillies, Aaron Judge of the New York Yankees and Jorge Soler of the Atlanta Braves.

Ohtani was the unanimous winner of the AL MVP award last fall, amassing 46 home runs and making 23 starts on the mound for the Angels.

This season the 28-year-old was again named an All-Star as both a pitcher and

batter. He’s hit 19 home runs as a designated hitter and as a right-hander on the mound has a 2.44 earned-run average in 14 pitching starts.

“Congratulations to my fellow nominees, it’s an honor to be in the same category as all of you, you are the best at what you do,” Ohtani said in a pre-recorded ESPYs speech.

“Thank you again ... and enjoy your afterparties.”

While Ohtani didn’t appear live, Curry hosted the ceremony for the

ESPN-created awards at the Dolby Theater in Hollywood—and took home a couple himself.

Curry won the ESPY for Best NBA Player and for Best Record-Breaking Performance for passing Ray Allen for most three-pointers made in NBA history during the past season.

After he accepted the recordbreaking performance statue from actor Simu Liu and skier Lindsey Vonn, Curry quipped that the only reason he wanted to host was that he thought he’d be able to hand the statue to himself.

“Definitely a great honor,” Curry added. “In the same way I looked up to my dad, Reggie Miller, Ray Allen, the guys who came before me, all records are meant to be broken, so I know there’s a lot of young kids that are out there that are working hard. I can’t wait to be in the arena when you break this record.”

Curry’s teammate on the NBA champion Warriors , Klay Thompson, won the award for Best Comeback. He made his triumphant return to action Jan. 9 after being sidelined for more than two years while rehabbing a pair of careeraltering injuries.

“It’s just an incredible honor,” Thompson said.

Curry also joined WNBA players Nneka Ogwumike and Skylar DigginsSmith and others in calling attention to WNBA star Brittney Griner, considered “wrongly detained” by the United States in Russia.

Footballer Megan Rapinoe, who also scooped an ESPY, invoked the collective power of sports in calling for Griner’s release.

“Every time we say her name, it puts pressure on everyone—puts pressure on the administration, puts pressure on Russia,” Rapinoe said.

“The most striking thing is that BG isn’t here. BG deserves to be free. ... We can support her more and let her know that we love her so much.” AFP

Shohei Ohtani of the Los Angeles Angels plays during the 92nd MLB All-Star Game presented

by Mastercard at Dodger Stadium in Los Angeles, California. AFP

Emana out to sustain run in PPS Apalit meet MICA Emana seeks to bring her winning act to Pampanga, all primed for another crack at not just one but two titles in the PPS-PEPP national age-group tournament which begins Friday at Zentro tennis courts in Apalit.

While she remains ranked at No. 3 in both 16- and 18-and-under divisions, the rising Quezon City star is all focused on the task at hand, expecting a fierce challenge from the top guns but hopeful of matching her two-title romp in last week’s Olivarez Cup. The country’s longest talent-search put up by Palawan Pawnshop president/CEO Bobby Castro heads to the north after another successful run in Mindanao, the Visayas and in south Luzon with close to 200 entries all geared up for a week-long battle of power and style for top honors in eight age categories and ranking points.

For details, contact Bobby Mangunay at 0915-4046464.

Emana, who posted a win and a runner-up finish in Sta. Rosa, Laguna two weeks back, repelled Marielle Jarata to claim the 16-U title in the Olivarez Cup. She then got back at sister Kaye-Ann in 18-U finals to come into this week’s battle the marked player.

But Jarata, Kaye-Ann Emana and Glaiza Corpuz, among others, are going all-out to stop her in the premier class while Jana Diaz, Sandra Bautista and Jarata try to take charge in 16-U play of the Group 2 tournament presented by Dunlop and backed by ProtekTODO, PalawanPay, the Unified Tennis Philippines and UTR (Universal Tennis Rating).

A tight battle also looms in boys’ play, which drew full-packed 32-player rosters in four divisions, with Marc Jarata, Exequiel Jucutan, Thomas Bernardo, Darwin Cosca, Mateo Rivas and Ivan Manila headlining the 18-U field and Kendrick Bona going for back-to-back in 16-U that also features siblings Frank and France Dilao, Cosca, Rivas and Manila.

The Dilao brothers also lead the 14-U cast that includes Reign Maravilla, Gabriel Cruz, Pablo Olivarez III and Zachary Morales, the last two also tipped to dispute the 12-U crown while Adriana Lanza also seeks a second straight title in girls’ 12-U as well as Jelena Diaz in 14-U side.

PH 144-man roster finalized for ASEAN Para Games RARING and eager to spring into action, 144 athletes in 11 sports aim to make the flag and country proud in the 11th ASEAN Para Games scheduled July 30 to Aug. 6 in Surakarta, Indonesia.

The list of the national squad bound for Indonesia was finalized last weekend, according to Philippine Paralympic Committee president Mike Barredo in announcing the composition of the contingent yesterday.

“This is a hungry team, a fighting team that is eager to showcase their skills and talent after being deprived of international competition for over two years due to the COVID-19 pandemic,” noted Barredo.

“I would not be surprised at all if many of our national para athletes will strive harder than ever before in making the most of this opportunity to bring honors to our country in the 11th Asean Para Games,” he stressed.

The PPC chief was grateful for the Philippine Sports Commission in enabling the national para athlete to train intensively inside a bubble for over a month at the Philsports Complex in Pasig City to gird themselves for the regional meet.

“We would like to thank the PSC’s support for our national para athletes in their bubble training at the Philsports Complex for over a month without any distrac-

nated erstwhile champion Vietnam in the semis, 4-0, before humbling and exacting revenge on Thailand in the finals.

“The win is the greatest gift that you have given your country,” the President said during the courtesy call.

He was aware of the impact of what the Filipinas have accomplished after years of being the favorite whippings girls in ASEAN football, and they accomplished the feat, while the world is fighting the COVID-19 pandemic. More importantly, President Marcos promised to give more government support not only to the women’s football team but to all national athletes as well.

“We have to do better in terms of government support when it comes to our athletes. Medyo nabawasan nu’ng nawala ‘yung sports sa eskuwelahan, when DECS (Department of Education, Culture and Sports) became Department of Education alone, the emphasis on sport became a little bit less,” the President said.

“But that is something that we really should encourage because sport means more than just playing games. It means developing discipline, learning how to sacrifice, learning to be gracious in victory, learning to work with other people as a team,” he added.

The Filipinas have been riding a winning streak, so to speak. They have qualified for the 2023 FIFA World Cup in Australia and New Zealand, bagged a bronze medal in the SEA Games after more than three decades

of not having a podium finish and now the won the AFF Championship 2022 in a very dominating form. And the team can only get better as we look forward to the biggest event for women’s soccer in July next year.

The team is eyeing to have more friendlies as part of their continuing buildup for the World Cup. A tuneup game against Costa Rica was mentioned. The coaching staff is indeed bent on having the best possible line up once the team arrives in Australia or in New Zealand.

What they have accomplished hopefully will help gain more fans and support not only for football but to other sports in general. The Filipinas have shown that we, too, can excel in football, where patience, hard work and sound program can deliver the gold in the long run.

The Filipinas deserve all the accolades, the support and the love they have been getting the past few days. It is just proper that they reap what they sow for all the sacrifices and hard work they did since they received a call-up for the national team.

For The Designated Kit Man, what the Filipinas did more, however, is to give the spotlight not only to football but to other sports as well. These sports deserve the support and love we show to our basketball teams. Filipinos can be champions in other sports disciplines as well whether be in football, gymnastics, weightlifting, kurash or even in pole vault. The Filipi-

tions,” Barredo noted.

“This training has armed them well for the action ahead in Indonesia,” said Barredo, who was optimistic that the PH campaigners would be able to surpass their 20 gold, 20 silver and 29 bronze medals, good for fifth overall, in the last 2017 edition held in Kuala Lumpur, Malaysia.

The track and field team has the biggest number of entries with 24, led by Tokyo Paralympic Games veterans, thrower Jeanette Aceveda, and wheelchair racer Jerrold Mangliwan, who was named skipper of the PH athletic contingent.

Next is the 22-man chess team, bannered by 2017 Malaysia Asean Para nas also showed that other sports, too, are worthy of our love and support and maybe, just maybe, we can spare some love and passion that we always give to basketball.

And, most especially, the resources, too.

The Filipinas are a good investment, even the Azkals, too, and the rest of other national teams not having the Gilas word on their jerseys. The kurash team, by the way, sent 10 players in the Hanoi SEA Games in Vietnam last May and nine of them came home with at least a bronze medal.

All they need is love and support, even just a 10th of what we give to basketball will go a long way in their campaign to bring more honor and fame for the country with less drama, ego and excuses. Let the attendance of the championship game last Sunday in every game of the Filipinas or any national team competing against other countries be the norm and not the exception. Let more corporate support be there for all national teams. Let us be there for our national athletes as they compete. They should be in our thoughts and prayers at the bare minimum.

Several national sporting associations can learn from the women’s football team. Heck, even my beloved Azkals can learn a thing or two from the Filipinas’ template on how to mount and even win a massive campaign.

Incidentally, the Azkals, composed mostly of players based in the country, quietly slipped to Bali, Indonesia for a tune-up game against

Games triple gold medalist and FIDE Master Sander Severino, while the 12man swimming team is spearheaded by Ernie Gawilan, who has won seven golds in the regional showcase for para athletes.

Archery has nine members, badminton eight, boccia 4, goalball 6, judo five, powerlifting eight, sitting volleyball 10, table tennis 13, while men’s and women’s wheelchair basketball has 12 and 11 members, respectively.

Fully funded by the PSC, Barredo will head the 212-man delegation scheduled to leave on a chartered flight for the Java provincial capital of Surakarta on July 26.

Timor Leste last July 16. The team won 4-1.

I think the move to bring more local-based players is a good move. At least we have a ready team just in case foreign-based Azkals can’t play during non-FIFA dates.

Which brings us to the current outrage on what is happening to the national men’s basketball team. We can’t blame the diehard fans of Gilas Pilipinas for calling out for blood after a string of dismal performances in international tournaments. I, too, share their disappointment. After all, basketball is the number sport in the country and also the number one disappointment of late, too.

Reality is we can’t just assemble a team to compete in an international tournament on a few weeks’ notice and expect to win titles or even just a few games. Then, after the team loses, we hear “pabebe” excuses and promise to do better. We have seen these many “palusot” for the last few years already and they are no longer funny. I don’t want to add more salt to the injury that is Gilas now. But the truth is, we can’t even beat Japan nowadays, and even Indonesia for crying out loud.

Enough of the hype, the drama and heart please. We need brains, now.

Stay safe. Stay happy peeps!

For comments or questions, you can reach The Designated Kit Man at erel_cabatbat@yahoo.com or follow his account at Twitter: @erelcabatbat

Entertainment

Nickie Wang, Editor E-mail: lifeandshow.manilastandard@gmail.com FRIDAY, JULY 22, 2022

B3

The cast of ‘Maid in Malacañang’ with Director Darryl Yap and Senator Imee Marcos (sixth and seventh from left) during the film’s Grand Media Conference

Christine Reyes takes on the challenging role of Imee Marcos-Manotoc, the eldest among the three siblings

Ruffa Gutierrez as former First Lady Imelda Marcos in ‘Maid in Malacañang’

GETTING INTO CHARACTER

How the cast of

Ella Cruz prepares for her role as Irene Marcos-Araneta by researching about her

By Patricia Taculao

P

LAYING a role in any movie or series requires preparation from the artists, no matter how big or small the part is. But since Maid in Malacañang is a controversial movie that prompts its cast to portray the Marcos family to a tee, conducting research was a step towards efficiency.

The lead role of former President Ferdinand Marcos, Sr. went to Cesar Montano. During the grand media conference for the film, he shared that he only had a limited time to prepare for the role and received a different image of the late president from the press. Still, he channeled his energy from his other history-centric films, like José Rizal and El Presidente, to match his character efficiently.

Meanwhile, Ruffa Gutierrez, who plays former First Lady Imelda Marcos, didn’t need to prepare much since she knows Imelda personally. Simply put, Ruffa had a good idea of how Imelda is with her family because of their interactions throughout the years.

‘Maid in Malacañang’ prepared for their roles

Darryl Yap takes the helm as the director of Maid in Malacañang. He shared that the inspiration for the film started from his usual banters with Senator Imee Marcos-Manotoc during the elections.

They worked together during the campaign period to post online satirical content. Now that’s over, Yap wanted to keep working with the senator and came up with creating a film about the lives of the former first family, especially now that another Marcos is back in the Philippine presidency.

Yet the story of the Marcoses’ last day in Malacañang isn’t a warm memory for Imee, as she recalls being traumatized by the chain of events that happened more than three decades ago.

Still, Yap encouraged the senator to share the story through the movie. He believes it’s time for Filipinos across the country and the world to see history through the eyes of the controversial first family. Throughout the film’s production, she became a source of information from the cast on her family’s history and mannerisms.

Diego Loyzaga, who plays incumbent President Ferdinand “Bongbong” Marcos, Jr., looks to Imee for directions on what her

brother was like during his younger years.

Eventually, Imee can find similarities between Diego and her younger brother.

Ella Cruz, tasked with the role of Irene Marcos-Araneta, also asks Imee about their youngest sibling. Unlike the rest of the Marcos family, Irene has minimal media exposure and is “very mahiyain,” according to Ella.

The young actress relied on documentaries and interviews with Irene, although the available material is scarce. However, she feels grateful that many of her TikTok followers provided her with some references she can use in portraying Irene.

Among all the significant roles in the film, Yap considers Christine Reyes’s the most challenging because she portrays a young Imee. Christine learned most of Imee’s mannerisms, from her walk and speech to how she flips her hair, and also mentally prepared to take on the role of the eldest Marcos as they navigate a political storm.

Other actors included in the cast are Karla Estrada, Elizabeth Oropeza, Beverly Salviejo, Kiko Estrada, and Kyle Velino.

Maid in Malacañang will premiere on August 3, Wednesday, in local and international theaters.

Hidilyn Diaz and Julius Naranjo

Kapuso stars treat VisMin fans to fun-filled in-person events and activities

GMA Regional TV kicked off the second half of 2022 by bringing back its series of in-person events featuring some of the country’s biggest stars, much to the delight of Kapuso in the regions.

The regional arm of GMA Network organized various events across the Philippines featuring some of the country’s biggest stars.

Last June 25, Bolera lead actress Kylie Padilla flew to Zamboanga City to meet with her Zamboangueño fans. During the Kapuso Fans Day at the KCC Mall de Zamboanga, Kylie was joined by her special guest, Gardo Versoza.

Kylie also went to Davao City last July 9 for another Kapuso Fans Day with XOXO’s Mel Caluag at the Ayala Malls Abreeza.

Meanwhile, First Lady stars Rocco Nacino and Maxine Medina went to Davao City to thank the Davaoenos for their warm support of the recently concluded primetime series. Rocco and Maxine met with their fans during the Kapuso Mall Show at Ayala Abreeza Mall in Davao City last June 26.

Tacloban City’s Sangyaw Festival was made extra special with Lolong leading lady Arra San Agustin headlining the Kapuso Fiesta last June 28. Bannered by Ruru Madrid, Lolong is GMA Network’s latest adventure series which had its pilot airing last July 4.

Real-life couple Gabbi Garcia and Khalil

Real-life Kapuso couple and ‘Love You Stranger’ stars Khalil Ramos (left) and Gabbi Garcia spreading love in General Santos City for their Kapuso Mall Show in KCC Mall of GenSan

Bong Revilla files bill which aims to revive local movie industry

Cesar Montano channels the late President Ferdinand Marcos Sr. despite having a limited time to prepare

PEOPLE

…are talking about ‘Bolera’ lead actress Kylie Padilla (left) with her co-star Gardo Versoza in Zamboanga City for a Kapuso Fans Day at the KCC Mall de Zamboanga

Diego Loyzaga surprises Imee with his portrayal of her younger brother.

FROM gold to diamond, Hidilyn gave fans a glimpse of her fairytale love story with her fiancé and coach, Julius. While many celebrities astound the public with well-curated or extravagant photoshoots, the couple decided on a more natural approach. Hidilyn and her partner were all smiles as they enjoyed each other’s company while basking in nature and indulging their athletic side. It resonated deeply with the public because they see the couple’s happiness without the unnecessary flair.

Gina Pareño

IN Ogie Diaz’s vlog last Monday, Gina admitted to being a member of the LGBTQIA+ community and named late ‘50s actress Nenita Vidal as a significant person in her life. It’s been years since Vidal passed, but Gina still keeps the urn with her ashes inside close. It’s rare to see a love that spans decades, but like in the movie Hintayan ng Langit starring Gina, she proves it does exist and will always be worth preserving.

...are not talking about Paul Desiderio

AFTER his ex-wife, Agatha Uvero, released a statement on social media about his alleged abuse, the PBA player “vehemently” denied these accusations with a post of his own. Netizens likened the situation to the controversial Johnny Depp-Amber Heard case because of the “he said, she said” scenario. The issue is still under investigation, but people are already analyzing Paul and his cousin’s statements for gaslighting.

Maggie Wilson

THE beauty queen-turned-entrepreneur isn’t getting any breaks from her estranged husband, Victor Consuji. After having barangay officials and other members of the Victor Consunji Development Corporation (VCDC) allegedly enter her home “illegally,” she’s now facing adultery charges with her good friend Tim Connor. Guess she was wrong in saying that they parted ways without any animosity. Maybe this time, the truth behind their relationship and falling out will come to light without brute force or unnecessary developments to strain it further.

AS ONE of the industries severely affected by the COVID-19 pandemic, the Philippine movie industry plunged deeper as it became harder to produce and market Filipino movies due to the restrictions in place that affect the film producers, movie theater operators, and patrons. And in spite of the recent reopening of cinemas in the country, many are still hesitant Senator Bong to watch films inside Revilla’s recent movie theaters due to bill aims to the long stay inside the provide fiscal enclosed venue. incentives to This challenge is the proprietors, compounded by the lessees, and existing decline of operators of movie ticket sales in theaters and the country due to cinemas the various online platforms that evolving technology made available.

In order to help resuscitate this dying industry so that it can get back on its feet, Senator Bong Revilla filed Senate Bill No. 28 which aims to revive the Philippine movie industry by providing fiscal incentives to the proprietors, lessees, and operators of theaters and cinemas.

“We have nursed back many businesses and establishments back to life in the last few years. And as we do so, we should not forget the movie industry and the thousands in its employ who have been so badly hit by the pandemic. Many do not realize that in one way or another, they too are frontliners because of the entertainment they continue to produce for the Filipino people. For this industry and its art to keep living and thriving, we must offer swift assistance,” Revilla

explained.

Meet celebrities’ crypto influencer First Lady stars Maxine Medina (left) and Rocco Nacino with their fans during the Kapuso Mall Show at Ayala Abreeza Mall in Davao City Ramos spread love in General Santos City last July 16 for their Kapuso Mall Show in KCC Mall of GenSan. The stars of Love You Stranger treated their fans to a kilig-filled afternoon as a way of thanking them for their continued support of their show.

“We are happy that we can again mount inperson events – following safety protocols – and bring our Kapuso stars closer to their fans. As we begin the second half of 2022, expect more events and activities from GMA Regional TV and GMA Network as we continue to give back to our loyal Kapuso viewers across the Philippines,” said First Vice President and Head for GMA Regional TV and Synergy Oliver Victor B. Amoroso.

Catch Lolong, Bolera, and Love You Stranger weeknights after 24 Oras on GMA Telebabad.

IT’S a great plus that coach Marvin Favis happens to be a person who has developed a pretty reputation among the colorful people he meets along. He has celebrity friends and connects himself with other influencers all around the world who are into his specialty —NFTS and crypto trading.

He said, “More and more people are now diving into crypto because of its beauty and big returns in earnings. This technology is not only for crypto holders, but for artists like painters, singers, and others into arts.”

Favis is a celebrity himself who has embraced the new world and definitely thinks before he clicks.

He has this effective way of speaking to netizens, as proven by how he gets traction and trust.

Now the country’s leading crypto influencer, Favis shares his key to getting his message across.

It’s not something you haven’t heard before but certainly one you’d believe in especially if coming from someone like him.

“My secret is people. They probably love me because I can explain complicated things like crypto in layman’s terms—very easy to understand,” said Favis, one who has made a name for himself

Marvin Favis (left) with Marco Gumabao through crypto trading.

Cryptocurrency as you may have heard is a digital or virtual currency secured by cryptography which makes it almost impossible to counterfeit.

This new paradigm for money promises to streamline existing financial architecture to make it faster and cheaper. Let Favis explain that further and you only have to check his social media accounts to understand.

Emphasizing the need to see through people and make them feel comfortable about something that appears intimidating initially, he stressed, “I treat people as my students and family. We grow

Marvin Favis (right) with social media darling Ivana Alawi together, with ups and downs. We are a family in my channel. I give all the information I gather and we learn together. This is my passion and they feel it.”

Life

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

B4

FRIDAY, JULY 22, 2022

Celeste Cortesi’s ‘uniquely beautiful’

journey

Aside from winning Miss Universe Philippines 2022, Celeste Cortesi is also Miss PLDT Home

O

How it happened

Kyla and her mom, who goes beyond giving her moral support and helps out with logistics on weekends, have always been into fine-smelling things.

Their home, the entrepreneur said, never runs out of incense and perfume. When she dabbled in candle-making to keep herself busy during the lockdown, her love language of giving gifts proved beneficial. She gave her limited supply of finished products as gifts to friends and things have since snowballed from that. Requests for Kyla to sell the candles led Halina to where it is now. The brand name could not be more perfect for how enchanting the scented candles must be.

The brand name Halina randomly popped up in one of Kyla’s conversations with her best friend. “When you say Halina in Filipino, it means to be fascinated or it also means, halika or come on,” Kyla shared and went on to explain how the intentional wordplay became the basis for her brand identity. She wanted Halina to be welcoming and unintimidating.

The smell of success

Through the years, we have often been told to “do more of what we love.” Kyla did exactly that and surprisingly gave birth to something beautiful. Her handHalina Candle Studio founder and CEO Kyla Paler

Celeste Cortesi (left) and her mom, Maria Luisa

PLDT Chairman Manny V. Pangilinan Jeremiah de la Cruz (fifth from right) with the Miss Universe Philippines queens

NE cannot talk about Miss Universe Philippines 2022 Celeste Cortesi and her “uniquely beautiful” journey without mentioning her supportive family.

At a young age and more so now as she steps on to the bigger stage, Celeste looked to her family for strength and i nspi rat ion.

In her most ner vewracking moments, the Filipino-Italian beauty q u e e n would just have to hark back to her youth when her father used to read her and her sister nighttime poems. In her most downhearted, she would draw encouragement from her mother — who had managed to raise two children as a single mother in a foreign country, following the passing of Celeste’s father.

“My family truly is my anchor and lodestone. Without them,

THE sense of smell evokes a lot of emotions. A whiff of perfume can bring back memories and trigger feelings.

That is where the success of Halina Candle Studio, a rising business born during the pandemic, relied heavily on – the power of scents. It brought back memories of better times to consumers at the height of strict lockdowns.

Who would have thought that Kyla Paler, a former TV network publicity specialist, who reluctantly bought a small batch of candle-making materials in 2020 is now the CEO of a competitive brand? For someone who was initially clueless about business, she has amazingly grown her passion project in such a short time. “I didn’t,” Kyla replied when asked if she had a business precedent in the family to take after.

“That is why it never occurred to me that I will be a full-time entrepreneur. I always tell people I started and ended 2020 as two completely different people.”

Celeste during her childhood

I will not find the strength or the confidence to pursue my dreams. With them, I am able to do better and be my uniquely beautiful self,” Celeste said.

Dreaming bigger

For Celeste, no dream is too big, and no step is too small to start off the journey.

Born in Pasay City, The Philippines’ Miss Universe bet moved to Italy with her family at 11. In Rome, she shuffled different jobs and modeling. She bravely moved back to Manila alone to pursue her pageant dreams.

“Celeste’s relationship with her family is very inspiring and so is her drive and willingness to work hard not only as a beauty queen but also as an advocate for indigenous people and women empowerment,” said PLDT Chairman Manuel V. Pangilinan, who met with the beauty queen and other PLDT executives at an exclusive gathering last June 30.

“Celeste’s values truly coincide with what PLDT Home stands for — that families, with the help of the brand’s fastest broadband connections, can pursue their passions better and dream bigger. Her unassuming attitude and laser-focus determination make her an excellent PLDT Home ambassador.”

the Lyceum of Alabang in pursuit of a Philippine real estate license. She also keeps busy advocating for indigenous people and their land rights, hoping to use her Miss Universe platform to further bring attention to their plight.

Prior to the pageant, Celeste used her time locked down at home to learn, study, and work toward achieving her pageant dreams. Before the MUP coronation night, she would train every day for the Q&A portion, reading up on global and local news and political and environmental situations around the world to be ready for anything the judges might throw at her. A go-getter, she would even have mock-up Q&A sessions with her trainer during the weeks leading to the pageant.

“The lockdowns limited how much time I spent face-to-face with my team preparing for the pageant, but I knew Soaring higher that by having a good internet I could Presently, the 24-year-old Celeste brush up on my knowledge and still is studying real estate management at keep up with what’s happening with

the world. Because that’s what a beauty queen is — someone who uses their talent and voice to further their causes and advocacies,” Celeste shared.

“PLDT Home was instrumental in that regard because having that connection allowed me to learn and improve myself — and it made all the difference during the coronation.”

Braving the bigger stage with PLDT Home

With the fastest broadband connections provided by PLDT Home, Celeste was able to not only further her advocacies and reach more communities.

She was also able to connect deeper with her Filipino roots.

The journey obviously is just the tip of the iceberg for Celeste, set to take on the biggest competition of her life this December. Her formula toward success, however, shall remain the same: Heart, hard work, and a loving home supporting her through and through.

Halina: A closer look behind the scents One of Halina’s bestsellers, the accidental blend Wishing Star

Halina continues to expand its availability

poured candles made out of premium ingredients and encased in eco-friendly packaging now reach more homes and warm more hearts. “I still think of this as a community more than a business,” Kyla indirectly talked about how she stays grounded.

A self-confessed introvert, Kyla is learning to come out of her shell and enjoys nurturing and fostering a community of like-minded people. Her personal business mission of making people happy is very much aligned with the pass-on rate of happiness Halina is currently enjoying. “When you smell a scent that you like, it instantly uplifts your mood,” Kyla giddily said. “You get to share this feeling with friends. A lot of Halina customers give the products as gifts to friends. Their friends eventually become my friends, too!” Laughter ensued.

Having recently launched two new candle variants, Kyla is now working on a new line. “I’ve started working on a holiday collection and a few other fun candles on the side because Christmas here starts on September 1,” she excitedly shared. Her candle collections are consistent in having interesting themes that speak of faith, hope, and self-love. Some offer a bit of nostalgia with pop culture references. Among the numerous scents though, Kyla recommends Wishing Star for starters, an accidental blend with notes of black cherry, amber, and light musk that turned out to be a pleasant citrus surprise.

The business is indeed full of surprises.

Kyla, herself, is inspired by personal stories from her patrons that emerge through time. One she cannot forget was how customers unpacked deep-seated memories of their dad. “She purchased a candle from us blindly and told me that she and her sister cried when they first sniffed it. They were

so grateful; they never thought they’d be able to smell him again,” Kyla shared.

The satisfied business owner also added, “There was also a time before, I released paghilom (healing) and it had the message on the label, ‘muling susubok’ (will try again). There was this girl who told me that she cried upon seeing it.” Apparently, the lady customer failed the bar exams the previous year and was feeling hopeless until she read the message. “When she saw it, she was reminded to keep going,” Kyla ended.

That is what Kyla also hopes to impart to aspiring and budding entrepreneurs. She summed up her advice with three points, “First would be to just start.

It’s so scary to put yourself out there, but just make do with what you have, do your research, and create something you are proud of. Two, don’t be blinded by the success of others. It’s so easy to get lost in envy or the spirit of competition, but remember to stay in your lane and stay true to your brand. Inspiration is good; imitation is not. And three, don’t let the pressure of succeeding take the fun of your passion away from you. To this day, I still make candles that are just for me. There are certain scents that are made because I love them, not because someone asked me to make them. There will be days when the business side of it all will get too heavy and overwhelming.

On these days, take a step back and remember why you started.”

Kyla’s journey is inspiring proof of endless possibilities when you show up and put in the work. Halina invites us to light up our dreams and keep our passions burning.

Learn more about Halina: The Candle Studio’s success story by eavesdropping on The ReWINEd Podcast by Jimpy Anarcon on Spotify, Apple, and other digital streaming platforms. You may also visit halinacandlestudio.com.

For your random thoughts, e-mail the author at randomrepublika@gmail.com.

Newport is rebranding into Newport World Resorts, presenting itself as the country’s innovative, dynamic, and comprehensive casino, hotels, and entertainment complex

Ushering in a new beginning ON WEDNESDAY, the country’s premier lifestyle and entertainment destination, Resorts World Manila (RWM) set a new milestone in the company’s continuing history by rebranding into Newport World Resorts. Having successfully pioneered the integrated resort concept in the Philippines back in 2009, the well-established brand is taking a bold step into newer and bigger things.

The name change reflects a shift in perspective for the brand to present itself as the most innovative, dynamic, and comprehensive casino, hotels, and entertainment complex in the country. Newport World Resorts (NWR) is reinventing the brand to bring together its pioneering integrated resorts and the best of its community within the sprawling Newport City complex.

Making the most of its two main wings, the Newport Grand Wing and the Newport Garden Wing, NWR’s casino offers a wide array of gaming thrills.

International hotel brands, Marriott Manila Hotel, Sheraton Manila Hotel, Hilton Manila, Hotel Okura Manila, and Holiday Inn Express Manila - Newport City continue to provide premium stays for every type of traveler. The Newport Mall and Newport City’s retail and dining outlets are a dream destination for the family. From the Newport Performing Arts Theater to The Grand Bar and Lounge to Bar 360 and El Calle Food and Music Hall, entertainment options are endless.

For more information, visit www.newportworldresorts.com and follow @newportworldresorts on Facebook, Twitter, and Instagram.