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By Joyce Pangco Pañares
PBBM pays tribute to nation’s heroes
Artemis 1SPORTS / C1 REMEMBERING OUR
By Vito Barcelo, Vince Lopez and Maricel V. Cruz
By Alena Mae S. Flores
THE Commission on Audit has called the attention of the Department of Budget and Management Procurement Service (PS-DBM) for an unauthorized P3-billion high-yield investment in gov ernment banks outside its mandate. It cited the failure of the PS-DBM to revert the investment to the general fund of the Bureau of Treasury in viola tion of Executive Order No. 431 issued on May 30, 2004. The action was also against the De partment of Finance-DBM-COA Joint Circular No. 04-2012 issued on Sept. 11, 2012, mandating that all dormant ac counts and unnecessary special and trust funds be reverted to the general fund. The 2012 joint circular said dormant accounts refer to collections authorized by law to be deposited with an authorized government depository bank and have re mained inactive for more than five years. “Review of the cash in bank [such as] time deposits, local currency disclosed that the PS-DBM invested its funds in high-yield savings account with the LBP and the Development Bank of the
DepEd orders probe of 6 teachers in Cavite school for sexual offense
T HE Department of Social Welfare and Development said it is considering adopting an offsite payout system for indigent students who could not register online for the agency’s educational assistance program due to lack of access to internet or gadgets.
DSWD spokesperson Assistant Sec retary Romel Lopez said the depart ment will craft specific guidelines for the house-to-house distribution of the cash aid, possibly in coordination with the local government units. “If we still have the funds, we’re not
CHED lifts ban on unvaccinated to attend in-person college classes
OIL companies raised pump prices by P6.10 per liter for diesel and kerosene effective 6 a.m. Tuesday, one of the most significant increases this year to reflect surging world oil prices. The oil firms also raised the price of gasoline by P1.40 per liter.
Obiena bags gold, but goal to reach 6 meters continues HEROES. President Ferdinand Marcos Jr. talks to a member of the Veterans Federation of the Philippines during the commemoration of National Heroes Day at the Libingan ng mga Bayani on Monday. (Inset) In Davao City, Vice President Sara Duterte-Carpio leads the wreath-laying ceremony at Quezon Park.
THE Land Transportation Franchising and Regulatory Board will resolve next month pending fare hike petitions filed by jeepney operators as prices of petro leum products continue to soar. Federation of Jeepney Operators and Drivers Association of the Philippines (FEJODAP) national president Ricardo Rebaño, for his part, said they will file a petition for a P2 fare hike. “Our drivers have to survive, too.
Gov’t auditors flag PS-DBM for its P3b bank investment
“The allegations of sexual harassment in Bacoor National High School is very disturbing news and we are taking this very seriously. The DepEd, under the leadership of Vice President and Secre tary Sara Duterte, has zero-tolerannce for any form of abuse,” DepEd spokes man Michael Poa said in a text message.
PRESIDENT Ferdinand R. Marcos Jr., reminded the public not to forget Filipinos who fought for the nation as the country commemorated Nation al Heroes Day. In his message, Marcos remembered the “countless men and women of extraordinary courage and valor who fought and sacrificed to establish and preserve this nation.” He said that the public must never forget them
VICE President and Education Secre tary Sara Duterte-Carpio has ordered an investigation into allegations that six teachers in Bacoor National High School in Cavite sexually harassed students.
“The investigation is being handled by our Regional Office, in coordination
By Rio N. Araja
VOL. XXXVI • NO. 196 • 3 SECTIONS 12 PAGES • P20 • TUESDAY, AUGUST 30, 2022 •
House-to-house payout of aid to students eyed AREAS HIGH’ COVID POSITIVITY—OCTA
By Rio N. Araja
‘VERY
“Phoenix Petroleum Philippines will increase the prices of diesel by P6.10 per liter and gasoline by P1.40 per liter effective 6 a.m. of 30 August 2022,” the company said. PTT Philippines, Chevron Philip pines, Seaoil Philippines, and Cleanfuel also issued separate announcements of Diesel, kerosene up by P6.10/l, gas by P1.40/l
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LTFRB sees jeepney fare hike next month, says already due NASA calls off launch of moonArtemisrocketNEWS TOURISM BOOM. Baguio City is seeing an uptick in its tourist arrivals, with major attractions such as Burnham Lake abuzz with activities during the long weekend. Dave Leprozo
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“The strikes at Felixstowe are set to send some British businesses into a spin,” said Ed Winterschladen, execu tive vice president at Proxima, a logis tics
The Philippines logged some 19,262 additional COVID-19 cases in the past week, the Department of Health data showed Monday. From Aug. 22 to 28, the country re corded an average of 2,752 daily infec tions, which is 19 percent lower com pared to the previous week, according to the DOH’s latest bulletin. Of the new infections, 110 were se vere and critical, the DOH said. A total of 807 or 10.5 percent of COVID-19 patients in hospitals were in severe and critical condition as of Sun day, said the DOH.
vest and winter season.” Romero said threats of a Russian oil embargo by the end of the year also pushed up world oil prices. On Aug. 23, the oil companies im plemented a per liter increase of P0.70 for gasoline, P2.60 for diesel, and P2.80 for kerosene. These resulted in the total year-todate adjustments at a net increase of P18.15 per liter for gasoline, P31.70 per liter for diesel, and P27.10 per liter forDieselkerosene.prices in the National Capital Region currently range from P67.60 per to P82.25 per liter, while kerosene sells for P73.44 to P85.35 per liter. Gasoline ranges from P65.50 to P83.20 per liter. Prices vary depending on the brand, location, and market forces. OPEC leader Saudi Arabia’s energy minister said last week that the oil car tel and its allies have the means to deal with market challenges – including cut ting production.
AFP UK port
The dockers’ walkout mirrors simi lar action at the UK activities of US online giant Amazon and British post al operator Royal Mail. Those three strikes will together have a £1-billion ($1.2-billion) impact on trade and cause severe delays, ac cording to delivery firm ParcelHero.
Vice President Sara Duterte-Carpio, who led a wreath-laying ceremony in Davao City, urged Filipinos to con template on the country’s future while drawing inspiration from the profound sense of patriotism of national heroes. “The blood of our National Heroes is the same blood of bravery, selflessness, and love of country and fellowmen that continues to flow across the nation to day — now permeating into the minds and hearts of many Filipinos who have committed to the cause of rebuilding the nation from the rubbles caused by disunity, hatred, misunderstanding, and acts of hostilities perpetuated by antipeople, anti-government, and local ter ror groups that hostaged the progress of the country for a long time,” she said. Marcos Jr. also hoped everyone would follow in the footsteps of the country’s heroes and be inspired by them. He urged Filipinos to be an instru ment of unity and not of division. “Let us not be stuck in conflicts or disagreement and pulling each other down. Instead, let us become an instru ment of unity and peace,” he said. He enjoined the public to use their collective strength for the good of the entire nation. “I am hopeful that through the ex ample of our heroes, we will live by the love they’ve shown for the country and protect and fight for the promise of goodness,” the President said. Marcos said Filipinos will be able to face any challenges if there is unity and everyone will work together as one country.
7 Luzon areas ‘very high’ COVID rate
“The fund source of the P3.000 bil lion deposited with the DBP could not be specifically identified. Since the funds with the PS-DBM’s are fund transfers from client-agencies whose budgets are provided on an annual basis, any fund balance is to be re verted to the general fund. Also, the high-yield savings account has been established for more than five years and has remained inactive, with the incurrence of interest income as the only transaction,” it added. Given the findings, the COA has rec ommended that PS-DBM ask its head of Treasury Division to immediately remit the balance of the savings to the BTr.
with the Schools Division Office. It is the DepEd regional director that has disciplinary jurisdiction over teaching staff,” he added. Poa said the six teachers have been placed on “floating status.” “There is no estimate yet as to how many students are involved or have complained. We are encouraging stu dents to come forward,” the DepEd of ficial added.
“OPEC+ has the commitment, the flex ibility, and the means within the existing mechanisms... to deal with such chal lenges including cutting production at any time”, Prince Abdulaziz bin Salman said in an interview with Bloomberg, accord ing to Saudi state news agency SPA. The Saudi-led Organization of the Petroleum Exporting Countries (OPEC) consists of 13 members. OPEC and 10 allies led by Russia -- a group known as OPEC+ -- agreed last month to raise production by 100,000 bpd in September following Western calls for more output after Russia’s war in Ukraine and a post-pandemic surge in demand sent crude prices soaring. They had agreed to increases of almost 650,000 bpd in July and Au gust, but the cartel has struggled to meet its quotas. Oil prices have dropped from a peak in June due to growing supplies as well as concerns over the deteriorating eco nomic outlook. With AFP
DepEd... From A1 Diesel,... From A1 LTFRB... From A1 House-to-house... From A1 PBBM... From A1 Gov’t...
“This mission goes with a lot of hopes and dreams of a lot of people,” NASA Administrator Bill Nelson said. During the 42-day trip, the Orion capsule will orbit the Moon, coming within 60 miles (100 kilometers) at its closest approach, and then fire its en gines to shoot out 40,000 miles -- a record for a spacecraft rated to carry humans.
the latest oil price hike. Oil prices went up to as high as P9.40 per liter for kerosene, P8.65 per liter for diesel, and P3.40 per liter for gasoline on March 29 due to the Rus sian invasion of Ukraine and increas ing global demand. The Department of Energy said die sel prices surged to $150 per barrel last week, up $14.43 from $135.60 per barrel the previous week. Kerosene prices also went up to $143.43 per barrel, up $14.04 from $129.40 per barrel. Unleaded gasoline also increased to $109.73 per barrel, up $2.86 per barrel from $106.87 per barrel week-on-week.
They are just returning to the work force,” Rebaño said. LTFRB chairperson Cheloy Garafil said FEJODAP is welcome to make a petition, which will undergo evaluation. “They can always file a supplemental petition in our office and we will hear and evaluate it accordingly,” Garafil said. “As for the pending petitions, the National Economic and Develop ment Authority has already submitted its position. We are waiting for their memorandum on September 3 and then we will act accordingly. So, we can expect the rate hike resolution at the earliest in the first week of Sep tember or at the latest, by the second week of September,” she added. She said the increase in the fare for jeepneys was already “due.” Oil firms yesterday announced that pump prices of diesel and kerosene will increase by P6.10 per liter while gasoline will go up by 1.40 per liter ef fective today. In June, the LTFRB granted an in crease in the minimum fare for tradi tional jeepneys to P11 across all regions. Earlier this month, the LTFRB said it is keen on approving a petition to in crease the fares for public utility buses. Garafil noted the last bus fare in crease was in 2018, when diesel was just at P44 per liter. Bus groups earlier filed a P20 mini mum fare increase petition for the first five kilometers in air-conditioned buses from P13 and a charge of P3.40 per kilometer beyond five kilometers. The first hearing for their petition was held last July 28.
AFP NASA calls off Monday launch of Moon rocket
By Willie Casas
“Theconsultancy.portisnot just Britain’s larg est, it is the largest by quite some margin as the port of entry for almost half of ocean freight into the UK,” he said, warning that delays “will have a sustained pricing impact in an already inflationary market.”
A NUMBER of areas in Luzon still have a COVID-19 positivity rate above 20 percent, but Metro Manila’s rate has dropped to 12.9 percent, the independent monitoring OCTA Research Group said Monday.
“There’s always that possibility that hospital admissions will rise, and that those who will be admitted are the high-risk or the vulnerable popula tion,” he said. At the same time, Solante said calls for a lockdown after a fourth case of monk eypox was found were “overacting.” “Our current cases are not enough yet to say that we need to impose a lockdown,” Solante said. The US CDC had said that the high ly transmissible Omicron subvariant BA.5 has been said to be good at evad ing the immune protection afforded ei ther by vaccination or prior infection.
“The triple whammy of industrial actions at ports, postal networks and e-commerce giants means serious dis ruption,” said David Jinks, ParcelHero head of consumer research. “Home deliveries will be affected, as will retailers waiting for new stock and manufacturers needing key com ponents. Someone will have to foot the bill for all these increased transport costs and history tells us that it is usu ally the Felixstoweconsumer.”takes daily deliveries from nations such as China and Japan, with containers transporting every thing from bicycles and frozen food to household appliances like fridges and washing machines.
NASA called off the test flight on Mon day of its largest-ever Moon rocket be cause of a temperature issue with one of the four giant engines. “The launch director has called a scrub for the day,” the US space agency said. Alternative dates for launch of the Artemis 1 mission, an uncrewed flight around the Moon as part of an ambi tious program to eventually go to Mars, are Friday and next Monday. Blastoff had been planned for 8:33 am (1233 GMT) but was put on hold because of a temperature problem with one of the four engines on the 322-foot (98-meter) Space Launch System (SLS) rocket. Tens of thousands of people -- includ ing US Vice President Kamala Harris -- had gathered near the Kennedy Space Center in Florida to watch the launch, which comes 50 years after Apollo 17 astronauts last set foot on the Moon. The goal of the flight is to test the SLS and Orion crew capsule that sits atop the rocket. Mannequins equipped with sensors are standing in for a crew for the Overnightmission.operations to fill the or ange-and-white rocket with more than three million liters of ultra-cold liquid hydrogen and oxygen were briefly de layed by a high risk of lightning. Around 3:00 am, another hiccup emerged: a potential leak was detected during the filling of the main stage with hydrogen, causing a pause. After tests, the flow resumed. But NASA engineers later detected a problem with the temperature in one of the four RS-25 engines and put a hold on the countdown before eventually scrubbing the launch. The rocket’s Orion capsule is to orbit the Moon to see if the vessel is safe for people in the near future. At some point, Artemis aims to put a woman and a per son of color on the Moon for the first time.
Rodela Romero, director III of the Department of Energy’s Oil Industry Management Bureau, said last week that the oil price increase was “due to high demand brought about by the har
On Twitter, a thread that has since gone viral included screenshots of al leged Facebook Messenger exchanges between one of the teachers and his student, with the latter making inap propriate grooming comments with heavy sexual innuendo. Twitter user @eexpresso_o shared the screenshots, some as old as 2014. The user said the post was originally uploaded on Facebook but got deleted. The thread gained almost 20,000 retweets and over 30,000 reactions. One screenshot of the supposed con versation showed a student being asked if he has had experiences with a gay per son, and if he would like to “try” it. as their legacy of heroism lives on in the hearts of the country’s medical profes sionals, civil servants, uniformed per sonnel, “and ordinary citizens who toil daily to keep the Filipino dream alive.” “We remember and honor each of them for the sacrifices they made on our behalf so that we may live in peace, se curity, and liberty as well as realize our full potential as Filipinos,” Marcos said. “We can certainly overcome every challenge we face in this modern times if we become heroes in our own ways. Let’s use our might to contribute to the betterment of our surroundings for the good of all,” Marcos said.
Meanwhile, the Commission on Higher Education has revoked its direc tive to disallow unvaccinated students and faculty members to attend face-toface classes in colleges and universities. “Looking back at November 2021 and today, so much has changed. Vaccina tion rates went up. In many other coun tries, health and education authorities began to take back the requirement for vaccination since the risk is now easier to control,” CHED chairperson Pros pero de Vera III said. CHED earlier reported that over 3.1 million or 77 percent of college students are either partially or fully vaccinated against COVID-19, while 260,661 or 90 percent of higher educational institution personnel got partial or full vaccination. De Vera said CHED is also planning to coordinate with the Department of Health to roll out mobile COVID-19 vaccinations and organize counseling sessions among unvaccinated learners and teachers in schools. “We will talk again with the presi dents of the universities and let us now focus on vaccinating all those who are not yet vaccinated and those who need to receive booster shots. It will be done. It’s easier to do that in higher educa tion because a lot of universities have already done that in the past,” he said. The Department of Education has also allowed unvaccinated teachers to teach in classrooms during the resump tion of in-person classes on Aug. 22. From A1 A STRIKE over pay at Britain’s larg est container port threatens to spark fresh delays and rising costs for com panies and consumers alike, but lo gistics experts say there should be no productWorkersshortages.atFelixstowe port in south eastern England on Sunday began an eight-day strike, the first in 30 years, as decades-high inflation intensifies a cost-of-living crisis. UK workers are striking in vast numbers as runaway inflation erodes wages at a record pace and is set to plunge the economy into recession.
News
mst.daydesk@gmail.comTUESDAY,AUGUST 30, 2022A2
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Philippines (DBP), to earn interest at higher rates as compared to that of a current or savings account,” COA’s re port“Itsaid.isnot in PS-DBM’s mandate to make investments and it has no au thority to invest in a high-yield sav ings account. The practice of investing cash in a high yield savings account, therefore, deviates from its mandate of procurement of CSEs which requires the utilization of funds,” it said. The COA also said that while PSDBM’s high-yield savings account was terminated and the proceeds were returned to its LBP current account in 2020, the DBP high-yield savings account remained with a balance of P3.001 billion. “Out of the balance, P1.363 mil lion which represents interest income earned was automatically swept into the account of the BTr as evidenced by the credit advice issued by the DBP on March 18, 2022,” it said.
discounting the possibility of extending the payout periods for our kababayans,” Lopez said. As of yesterday, the DSWD has released P387.9 million educational assistance to some 153,000 students nationwide.Thedepartment is distributing P1,000 for elementary students, P2,000 for high school students, P3,000 for senior high school students, and P4,000 for college students or vocational courses. With a budget of P1.5 billion, the DSWD aims to cover at least 400,000 students across the country. Lopez said the DSWD, with the help of the Department of the Interior and Local Government (DILG), is also planning to add more payout centers in cities and municipalities to serve more students in crisis situations.
“Last Saturday when DILG Secretary Benhur Abalos visited one of our pay out areas, he promised us that he will be talking to more local government units to cater and help us with our education al assistance. Our possible agenda will be to really increase the number of our payout centers to better help our kaba bayans,” Lopez added. At present, the financial assistance is released through the DSWD central, re gional, provincial, and other local offic es every Saturday until Sept. 24, 2022. Those who want to receive the cash assistance were advised to register on line or email DSWD at ciu.co@dswd. gov.ph. The applicants can also visit the DSWD website and social media ac counts for other details.
OCTA Research fellow Dr. Guido David said the one-week positivity rates in Albay, Cagayan, Camarines Sur, Is abela, La Union, Nueva Ecija, and Tar lac all declined but were still more than 20 percent as of Aug. 27. The positivity rate refers to the per centage of people who were found positive for COVID-19 among the total number of individuals tested. The positivity rate was seen highest in Camarines Sur at 46.7 percent on Sat urday, which was slightly lower com pared to 47.6 percent on Aug. 20. It was followed by Nueva Ecija with 42.5 percent, Tarlac with 37.3 percent, Isabela with 30.1 percent, Cagayan with 29.7 percent, Albay with 21.2 percent, and La Union with 20.1 percent. Bataan posted the lowest positivity rate in Luzon at 8.8 percent from its previous 10.5 percent. “Nearly all provinces in Luzon had a decrease in positivity rate,” David said. In the NCR, meanwhile, David said the one-week positivity rate went down from 14.6 percent on Aug. 20 to 12.9 percent on Aug. 27. An infectious disease expert, meanwhile, said there is still a possibility that the num ber of COVID-19 cases in the country may increase, even as the number of the subvari ant BA.5 cases slowly declines. Dr. Rontgene Solante made the com ment when asked about the Department of Health’s (DOH) projection of at least 9,000 COVID-19 cases daily by the end of September to October if minimum health standards are not followed. “Yes, I fully agree with that. Because as we see with this BA.5, it’s decreasing slow ly, so there’s a possibility that it will still increase,” Solante said at a public briefing. “Especially with the increase in mo bility and gatherings and we know that BA.5 can still infect you even if you are vaccinated,” he said. Despite this, Solante said the pro jections could be prevented by getting the first booster shot or second booster shot against COVID-19. Solante said there is also a possibility that hospital admissions may increase.
Manny Palmero
Palace seeks to modernize ‘long-neglected’ salt industry
By Rey E. Requejo
POLICE have arrested two suspect ed drug dealers operating in south Metro Manila and seized more than P400,000 worth of shabu during a buy-bust operation late Sunday night in Taguig City. The latest police operation, accord ing to Southern Police District (SPD) director Col. Kirby Kraft, was part of a continuing crackdown on illegal drugs in the National Capital Region. Arrested were Itan Gampong Di kalnan, 36, and Mark Gonzales Sali pan, 37, both construction workers, who were described by the police as high value individual (HVI) and street level individual (SLI), respectively. Combined elements from the SPD Drug Enforcement Unit and District Mobile Force Battalion conducted the entrapment operation at MLQ Street in Barangay New Lower around 10 p.m.. Seized from the suspects were 60 grams of shabu worth ₱408,000 and two firearms, one black .45-cal. re volver loaded with seven live bullets and one Smith and Wesson .38-cal re volver with four live bullets. The money used in the buy-bust op eration was also recovered from the suspects’ possession. The suspects are now detained and will be charged with violation of Sec tions 5 and 11 under Art. II of Repub lic Act 9165 and RA 10591 while the recovered pieces of evidence were turned over to SPD Forensic unit for chemical analysis and ballistics ex amination. Joel E. Zurbano
“I just followed orders from them. Before, a delinquent taxpayer was not allowed to settle current taxes if he or she would not pay the back taxes,” Vil lanueva told the Manila Standard. Because of the old policy, the city government, not the delinquent taxpay ers, is at the losing end, he lamented.
THE Department of Foreign Affairs (DFA) has advised Filipinos in Trip oli to get out of harm’s way by taking shelter in safe places amid the ongoing clashes among militias in the Libyan capital.TheDFA issued the advisory even as no Filipinos were reported hurt in the armed hostilities.
The SMC is the concession-holder for the MRT-7 project and is fullyfunding construction of the 24-kilo meter mass transit system that links up with the existing MRT-3 and Light Rail Transit Line 1 (LRT-1) via a com mon station in North Avenue.
MALACANANG wants to modernize the centuries-old and “long neglected” Philippine salt industry to ward off a looming salt shortage and turn it into a viable trade.
Police arrest two, seize P400k shabu in Taguig buy-bust
‘Florita’ left P500m QCIlocos,damageinfrainCagayanrelaxesruleondelinquent tax
WORKERS ASSERT RIGHTS ON NATIONAL HEROES DAY. Leaders of the All Workers Unity, with fists raised, assert their right for stronger government protection and general recognition of their contributions to the overall task of nation-building. After laying a wreath at the monument of the national hero Andres Bonifacio, the group challenged President Marcos ‘to treat the workers with dignity if he really wants to achieve genuine unity.’
“As of this time, no report has been received on Filipinos hurt or injured in the clashes,” the DFA said in a statement.Nonetheless, the Philippine Embassy in Tripoli has issued two advisories urging Filipinos in Libya’s capital and nearby districts to avoid the battle areas. The embassy also urged Filipinos to get in touch with the embassy for as sistance.“TheDFA strongly urges our kaba bayans to take shelter at home or in other safe places while the fighting is ongoing and to contact our Embassy through its hotline numbers for imme diate assistance,” DFA statement said. The DFA said that the Philippine Embassy in Tripoli “is monitoring the situation and has reported to DFA the ongoing clashes in Tripoli and sur roundingAccordingareas.”to Libya’s health min istry, the ongoing clashes have left at least 32 people killed and 159 others wounded.Records showed that there are about 2,164 Filipinos in Libya, mostly nurs es and other hospital workers, as well as university instructors, and skilled workers in the oil and gas sector.
By Maricel V. Cruz
By Rio N. Araja THE Quezon City government has relaxed its policy on the payment of current business taxes by allowing the settlement of tax delinquencies over the past years through a staggered 12 months installment. City treasurer Edgar Villanueva, in an exclusive interview, said Mayor Joy Belmonte and city administrator Mi chael Alimurung have come up with the idea to ease the burden on taxpay ers by setting aside stringent rule pro hibiting acceptance of business taxes without the full payment of tax arrears. The city council backed the mayor’s position, he said, adding “I was con sulted by the mayor about it.”
“We submit to the expertise of the department of which for these op tions that Undersecretary Chavez is discussing,” said Bulacan Rep. Salva dor Pleyto Sr., a neophyte and retired undersecretary of the Department of Public Works and Highways, said.
By Vince Lopez
In a statement, the Office of the Press Secretary (OPS) said the Department of Agriculture, which is headed by President Ferdinand Marcos Jr. in con current capacity, will lead the initiative together with pertinent government agencies.PressSecretary Rose Beatrix “Trix ie” Cruz-Angeles hinted that the gov ernment will vigorously push the modernization of the Philippine salt industry.“TheNational Government is now working double time to beef-up sup port for the salt industry, to enhance the production of the local salt in the country,” Angeles said. She said the Department of Agricul ture (DA) and other concerned govern ment agencies have already drawn up some plans for the the DA to implement to boost the country’s salt production. On the other hand, the Bureau of Fisheries and Aquatic Resources would spearhead research and development programs for the benefit of small-scale and artisanal salt producers. The DA will also expand salt produc ing areas and hasten the development of technologies to accelerate salt produc tion.Other re lated government plans on the table, according to Angeles, included the de velopment of a project for salt makers in Regions 1, 6, and 9. The DA also eyes broadening the salt production areas along with the devel opment of technologies to accelerate salt production, as well as work with the Department of Environment and Natural Resources, the Department of Science and Technology, and the De partment of Trade and Industry (DTI) to develop the local salt Industry under Republic Act 8172 or the Act for Salt Io dization Nationwide. The Philippine Chamber of Agricul ture and Food Inc. earlier revealed that the country currently imports 93 per cent or 550,000 metric tons of salt an nually from Australia and China.
Stay away from battle zones, DFA tells Pinoys in Tripoli
THE Department of Transportation (DOTr) is open to the idea of extending the ongoing construction of the Metro Rail Transit-7 line to reach two more towns in Bulacan for the benefit of local residents frequenting Metro Manila.
“Third option, we can ask for PPP (public-private partnership) in the fu ture,” Chavez added.
News TUESDAY, AUGUST 30, 2022 A3
Danny Pata NEW INMATES TRANSPORT VEHICLES. Department of the Interior and Local Government (DILG) Secretary Benhur Abalos, uncorks a bottle of sparking champagne on one of 14 newly acquired for the Bureau of Jail Management of the Philippines. The new jail facility in Payatas, Quezon City also received 2,541 9mm pistols and 688 laptops to boost its operational capabilities.
“Compared to last year of the same pe riod, we have higher revenues,” he cited. He said he was expecting a half-billionpeso revenue collection from back taxes.
DRIED FISH AND WET DAYS. Having dried fish on the table during a rainy day is not exactly a bad idea, at least for those who cannot afford pricey meals. A market vendor in Balot, Tondo, Manila, tends to his commodities of assorted dried fish in anticipation of brisk sales over an extended weekend. Norman Cruz
PGH workers hit planned 2023 budget reduction
DOTr mulls extending MRT 7 to cover 2 more Bulacan towns payments
During a hearing of the House transportation committee chaired by Antipolo Rep. Romeo Acop, Under secretary for Railways Cesar Chavez aid the train system can be accessible in highly-populated towns of Santa Maria and Norzagaray in Bulacan. Chavez said they were actually looking at three options of extend ing the MRT 7 Line. “We can ask the MRT-7 developer to extend its project from San Jose del Monte to Norzaga ray and Sta. Maria probably,” Chavez told the Chavezlawmakers.saidthesecond option is to conduct “another study”—that is from the North-South Commuter Railway (NSCR). “Maybe from NSCR to Bal agtas connecting through your areas, which is also recognized as a very, very heavily dense, densely populated area.”
“I realized that tax collection is an art,” he Despitestressed.theCOVID-19 pandemic, the city government’s tax leniency has brought about the generation of P390 million in back taxes from delinquent business owners, he said.
TROPICAL storm Florita which hit northern Luzon last week, has left at least P500 million worth of damage to vital infrastructure, the National Disaster Risk Reduction and Manage ment Council (NDRRMC) reported onInMonday.a.situational report, the NDR RMC said a total of 102 infrastructures suffered varying de grees of damage in the Ilocos Region and the Cagayan Valley, Worst hit was the Ilocos Region where at least 93 infrastructures were destroyed to the tune of , was P474.5 million.Cagayan Valley had nine damaged infrastructures worth P24.4 million. According to the NDRRMC, the De partment of Agriculture reported P3.41 million in damage to the Ilocos Region’s agriculture sector due to Florita. Meanwhile, the National Irrigation Administration reported P10.8 million damage in the Calabarzon. Nine roads in the Cordillera Admin istrative Region (CAR) and Bicol Re gion were badly affected, while three bridges in Ilocos Region and Cagayan Valley also remained impassable. A total of 72 houses were also torn apart by the storm, 47 of which were in Cagayan Valley, 24 in Ilocos Re gion, and one in the CAR. At least 31,936 families or 129,768 people were displaced in 486 barangays in the Ilocos Region, Cagayan Valley, Central Luzon, Calabarzon, CAR, and the National Capital Region (NCR).
The Department of Budget and Man agement (DBM) has proposed a P2.5 bil lion budget cut for the entire University of the Philippines system, which runs the PGH.The DBM said it was “wrong, in a way” to compare the 2023 National Ex penditure Program (NEP) plan and this year’s national budget.
By Willie Casas THE Philippine General Hospital (PGH) workers’ union on Monday slammed the proposed budget cut for the hospital in 2023.Karen Faurillo, ALL UP Workers Union-Manila/PGH president, described the budget cutback as “unacceptable” and “worrying.”“Thefirst thing that will be affected by the UP budget cut is the service we give to patients,” Faurillo said in a broadcast interview.Basedon the government’s spending plan, the PGH’s proposed funding for next year will be slashed by P890 million, or from P6.3 billion to P5.4 billion. Faurillo said as the country transitions to new normal, the PGH, the country’s biggest COVID-19 referral facility, in stead needs more funding — at least P10billion for 2023. “We saw the need for PGH to be up graded in terms of facilities, and in hu man resource,” she said. The union, in a separate statement, said a budget increase would regularize more than 300 contractual and job order em ployees, upgrade Magna Carta benefits, and ensure safety and protection of PGH workers.“AP10-billion budget would translate to better health services to patients and help ensure our health workers’ benefits and welfare,” the union said. The group described the budget slash as “anti-poor” and “anti-health workers.”“Theunion vowed to opposed and ex haust all means to fight against the budget reduction,” the statement stated.
By Maricel V. Cruz
News
Minority leader wants higher cash aid for poor families
De Lima visit will need approval,courtsaysDOJofficial
DR. AGUILAR’S MONUMENT. Senator Cynthia Villar and officials of the most worshipful Grand Lodge of Free and Accepted Masons of the Philippines unveil the monument of Dr. Felimon Aguilar at the Kings Solomon’s Garden in Las Pinas City on Monday. Aguilar was former mayor and congressman. Danny Pata
Tulfo seeks decent wages for traffic aides, Senatesweepersmeasureseekshigherpensionforvets
“Ano mararating ng pensiyon na halagang P1,100 hanggang” P1,700 sa panahon ngayon? said Estrada, chairperson of the Senate Com mittee on National Defense and Security, Peace, Unification and Reconciliation, asked. He committed to pursuing the approval of proposed Senate Bill No. 683, which seeks to rationalize the disability pension of military veterans and their beneficiaries. The current pension rates, he said, are no longer realistic. “They have been made negligible given the rising cost of daily ex penses,” he said. The senator said it is the intention of this measure to support our veterans by increas ing the disability pension. This measure covers medical and hospi talization expenses, the economic and social ramifications of the COVID-19 pandemic, and the increase in the prices of oil, food, and other consumer goods. Under the existing provisions of RA 6948, or the Act Standardizing and Up grading the Benefits for Military Veterans and their Dependents, the pension rates for veterans who were disabled due to sickness, disease, wounds or injuries sustained in the line of duty are given a monthly disability pension that ranges from P1,000 to P1,700.
Lawmaker to appointees: Maintain SRA mandate
“The identity of the informant will ra main confidential for the person’s safety,” Barzaga said.
and unscrupulous traders, hoarding and sug ar importation utilizing recycled permits. She said her committee also wants to know the lack of foresight among SRA of ficials in dealing with sugar production; “I was told that in Tarlac and Pampanga, two major sugar producers in Luzon, small planters have already stopped planting sug arcane owing to the lack of government intervention, and have resorted to planting otherThecrops.”joint House panel investigating the botched sugar importation under SO4 will resume its probe on Thursday and will con centrate on other invited guests including SRA technical staff to shed light on whether there is really a need to import sugar in the meantime, and by how much. Over the weekend, mango exporter HiLas Marketing Corp. thanked President Marcos for moving to put a stop to the hoarding of sugar by a cartel of millers, traders, and retailers.
Duterte in particular told reporters that their proposed P2,000 cash allowance takes into account the rising prices of commodi ties, including teaching aids and other re lated“Publicmaterials.school teachers will have to cope with even more expenses to carry out their responsibilities once full face-to-face classes are implemented. Our proposal will help ease these financial woes,” Duterte said.
In a statement, Robes, chair of the House committee on local government and public accountability, said that based on its recent hearings of her committee together with the committee on agriculture headed by Quezon Rep. Wilfrido Mark Enverga, several panel members noticed that the SRA over the years veered towards sugar importation as the only measure to address the so-called supply glut which apparently was not on its original man date.She added that “Usec. Leocadio Sebas tian apparently misread the mind of Presi dent Marcos and jumped the gun on the importation by circulating SO4 and signed on behalf of the Agriculture Secretary. As for resigned SRA Administrator Hermene gildo Serafica, he did not consult the board with regard to SO4 and merely circulated a Board Resolution without consulting his technical staff.” She said the joint committee would dig deeper into the controversy which would in clude links of some officials to lobby groups
SAN Jose del Monte Rep. Florida Robes on Monday said she will ask the new appointees to the Sugar Regulatory Administration (SRA) Board to return their agency to its original mandate to protect sugar planters and to broaden its function by focusing on modernizing the industry.
THE Department of Justice (DOJ) on Monday said that a court order is needed to visit former Senator Leila De Lima who is detained at the custodial center of the Philippine National Police in Quezon City on illegal drugs charges pending before the Muntinlupa City Re gional Trial Court.
By Maricel V. Cruz
Reward for shooter of traffic enforcer
By Rey E. Requejo
By Macon Ramos-Araneta SEN. Raffy Tulfo on Sunday said the government should lead by example by complying with the labor standards which entitle employees to a minimum wage. If the government is serious about protecting workers’ rights and fight ing against unjust labor practices, Tulfo stressed that it must start by ensuring that people working for the government are earning a decent salary. He said local street sweepers and traffic aides, among other government employees are still being paid below the industryBecausestandard.ofthis, Tulfo said he is push ing for decent wages for government workers.Under Local Budget Circular No. 143 (s. 2022), he said the salary of street sweepers and traffic aides is dependent on the income classification of Local Government Units (LGUs). Street sweepers, as indicated in the LBC, can earn a maximum of P14,993 a month to as low as ₱8,648, which is equivalent to an estimate of P376 a day. Traffic aides, for their part, can earn a maximum of P17,899 a month to as low as P9,181.00 or P399 a day. He emphasized that street sweep ers and traffic aides are considered the country’s frontliners, especially at the height of the COVID-19 pandemic. Despite the dangers brought about by the global health crisis, he said they con tinued reporting to work. According to the neophyte lawmaker, the government should serve as a good example to encourage private compa nies to comply with the labor standards as stated by the law.
Two solons eye tax-free cash for school teachers
By Maricel V. Cruz TWO lawmakers have proposed the grant ing of a tax-exempt P2,000 allowance per month within the school year for every public school teacher to cover expenses for teaching supplies and materials. Reps. Paolo Duterte of Davao City and Eric Yap of Benguet filed House Bill 3543 to institutionalize the grant of this P2,000 “Teaching Supplies Allowance” which will cover public school teachers in the basic edu cationDutertesector.and Yap said that while “teach ing is a profession that serves as a founda tion of all other professions,” the salaries that educators receive, particularly public school teachers, are not commensurate to the sacri fices they make in helping shape the future of the country’s youth. “Teachers serve as the nation’s modernday heroes—tirelessly providing at par education to the youth and honing them to become valuable members of the society,” theyAddingsaid. to the rigors of teaching, are ex penses for supplies and materials that public school teachers frequently buy using their own money, Duterte and Yap pointed out.
SENATOR Jinggoy Ejercito Estrada is seeking to increase the disability pensions of military veterans to help them shoulder their medical and other pressing needs.
Earlier, two Muntinlupa courts hearing De Lima’s drug-related cases granted her plea to let the American legislators see her in detention.
MONITORING.COVID Manila City Mayor Honey Lacuna, with Manila Police District Director PBGen. Andre Dizon visit the Manila Covid-19 Field Hospital at the Luneta Grandstand. The Department of Health (DOH) reported that there are 2,318 new COVID-19 infections on Sunday, April 28, bringing the number of confirmed cases to more than 3.8 million in the Philippines. Norman Cruz
By Macon Ramos-Araneta
A CONGRESSIONAL leader has offered P100,000 reward for any information lead ing to the arrest of the motorcycle-riding gunman who shot in a broad daylight a traf fic enforcer in Dasmariñas City last Satur day.Rep. Elpidio Barzaga Jr. of Dasmariñas City in Cavite, chair of the House commit tee on natural resources, said the reward would encourage the public to cooperate with authorities and solve the crime. He offered the monetary reward on his Facebook post on late Saturday night. Barzaga, a former Dasmariñas City may or lamented the shooting of Edgard Qui roga. The victim is now being treated in a hospital.Based on a closed-circuit television (CCTV) footage, Quiroga was seen having a conversation with another motorist when the unidentified rider showed up and shot him in the head. “The male assailant was wearing a black and red helmet, long-sleeved grey shirt with blue denim pants and used a pink and black Yamaha Mio that had no license plates,” an informant said. He assured would-be informant that his or her identify would be kept confidential.
“Since the matter is with the courts, there must be a court order to visit,” DOJ spokesperson Jose Dominic F. Clavano IV said, in a text message. De Lima has been charged for her al leged involvement in the proliferation of illegal drugs trade at the New Bilibid Prison in Muntinlupa City when she was secretary of justice. Clavano noted that even the American delegation led by Sen. Edward J. Markey was not allowed to visit the former law maker without a court order. “Similar to US Senator Markey, they were denied at first but were granted visitation rights the day after they filed the motion,” he Accordingsaid.tohim, the PNP was “mere ly followed protocol” when it did not allow the visit of number of persons, who did not get a court order for the visit, during De Lima’s 63rd birthday celebration last Aug. 27.Senator Edward Markey and a delega tion of US lawmakers recently visited De Lima.Reports said the eight-man delegation spent over an hour at the Philippine Na tional Police Custodial Center in Camp Crame, Quezon City, arriving around noon and leaving around 1:15 p.m. Neither De Lima’s camp nor the US delegation gave any details on the meeting as of posting time, the report said. The vis it was scheduled for Thursday, but due to a lack of court authorization, the delegation was unable to enter the detention facility.
A4 TUESDAY, AUGUST 30, 2022
THE leader of the minority bloc in the House of Representatives on Monday pressed for higher cash grants to households listed under the government’s flagship Pantawid Pamily ang Pilipino Program (4Ps). “We would urge the government to quickly expand the coverage of the 4Ps to include a greater number of beneficiaries, and to augment the cash aid that they are receiving,” Rep. Marcelino Libanan, the bloc’s leader, said. The COVID-19 pandemic has left a big scar of growing poverty due to the destruc tion of jobs and income, and Libanan said “the fallout of rampant energy and food inflation from the Russia-Ukraine war threatens to further deprive many Filipino families.”“Marginal households with no cushion against economic shocks are falling back into survival, and are now extremely vul nerable to hunger,” Libanan, the 4Ps partyl ist nominee in Congress, warned. Libanan and fellow 4Ps partylist Rep. Jona than Clement Abalos II earlier filed House Resolution 184, calling for an increase in the amount of cash grants to help beneficiaries keep up with runaway inflation. In the proposed 2023 national budget, the government plans to spend P105.4 billion next year to pay for 4Ps cash grants, exclud ing the cost of personnel services and spot checks, administrative expenses, bank ser vice fees, and other incidental overheads.
By Maricel V. Cruz
YOUTH AND HEROES. On National Heroes Day, members of Akbayan Youth, SENTRO Youth, and Kalipunan Youth hold activities to honor heroes and urge government to defend the people’s rights to the West Philippine Sea. Manny Palmero
Throughout centuries, no one can deny that courage and self-sacrifice are virtues second na ture to us. Time and time again, we have demon strated this. I honor heroes from the early resistance to Spain and the Philippine Revolution as well as the Philippine American War. I honor heroes from the Ilocos to Mindanao, including my home city Cagayan de Oro. I honor writers and intellectuals, military gen erals and enlisted men, including medal of valor awardees, activists and human rights lawyers, priests and nuns, nationalist politicians, and yes NPA, MILF, and MNLF revolutionaries.
Addressing climate change
ONCE again, the Senate wants to tackle charter change, Santa Banana! And this time it will be under neophyte Sen ator Robin Padilla, chairman of the Committee on Constitutional Amendments and Revision of RecallCodes. that movie actor Robin Padilla, who topped the 2022 senatorial elections, is an advo cate for Federalism, which would require a new structure of government under the Constitution. When the Senate Committee on Constitu tional Amendments met last week, discussions centered on three points: First, is there a need to amend the 1987 Con stitution?Second, what means will be appropriate for revising or amending the 1987 Constitution? And third, for the amendment or revision of the 1987 Constitution, how would members of the Senate and House of Representatives meet—jointly or separately? On the need to update the 1987 Constitution, there is no argument that “it’s about time,” since there is no Constitution in the world that’s written in stone that cannot be amended or Besides,revised. there had been many changes glob ally in the last 35 years since the 1987 Con stitution that the charter must now be updated. But, before the issue of amending and revis ing the 1987 Constitution, both chambers of Congress, the Senate and the House of Rep resentatives must first agree on whether it will jointly or separately vote on it, considering that the House has over 300 members and the Senate only 24 members. My gulay, aside from this, there is the prob lem of how to go about it. Will it be by means of a constituent assembly or what modality. This is where the problem begins because the Senate would insist that the modality would be separate, while the House would want it jointly. I will not go into what amendments are need ed, since it would need a separate column. But, it’s time the 1987 charter be revised or amended to update any of its outdated provisions and make the charter in sync with the times. *** Once again, the existence of the Presiden tial Commission on Good Government and its relevance after 36 years has come up before the House of Representatives Committee on Justice.The PCGG was created by then President Cory Aquino under Executive Order 1 to run after the alleged ill-gotten and hidden wealth of Marcos and the cronies. A newspaper headline rightfully called the PCGG’s existence a paradox because of its continued existence under the presidency of Bongbong Marcos. But, let us decide whether PCGG’s exis tence is justified after 36 years of existence. First of all, what has PCGG done after 36 years? Is it still relevant? Considering the need for right-sizing the bureaucracy, cannot or should not other agencies, like the Department of Justice or the Solicitor General’s office take PCGG’s place ? Santa Banana, to me, these are the questions that urgently must be answered! The PCGG has on record recovered some P265 billion as of December 2021. My gulay, that amount for an existence of 36 Theyears?PCGG is reportedly still recovering P125 billion more. The PCGG’s function of recovering the alleged ill-gotten wealth of the Marcoses and their cronies has been expanded by the Supreme Court, my gulay, after graft and corruption in government. But, Santa Banana, isn’t that the function of other agencies like the Office of the Ombuds man, DOJ and OSG? As far as I am concerned, the PCGG has out lived its usefulness. That recovered amount after 36 years in ex istence, does it justify its continued existence? It would do well for the House Justice Com mittee to know how much the PCGG has spent for salaries of its commissioners and how much they have spent in their many trips abroad. Speaking of whether or not the PCGG is still relevant or not. I repeat, I believe it has out lived its usefulness. I have said several times before that it should already be abolished. There are government agencies that can eas ily take over the functions of the PCGG like the DOJ and OSG. What is important is that there is an urgent need to rightsize the bureaucracy. My gulay, aside from the urgent need to rightsize the bureaucracy, it would do well for the House Justice Committee to take note that there is the question of double compensation on the part of the PCGG commissioners who have taken over as nominees and board mem bers of the many sequestered corporations. Isn’t there a violation of the civil service rules against double compensation on the part of government officials? To me, this double compensation is graft and corruption in government. I can agree with the observation of House leaders that the PCGG had indeed outlived its usefulness after 36 years of existence. Considering the fact that the incumbent President is Marcos Jr., I believe it is time for the PCGG to be abolished. Nobody in his right mind can justify its continued existence. *** With the onslaught of typhoons and floods that have caused the suspension of classes that have hardly begun, the Marcos administration must realize the need for the Department of Di
Also recently the Philippines and Qa tar agreed to bolster their partnership for climate change mitigation, with both sides agreeing to focus cooperation on knowledge and technology sharing to minimize the con sequences of the global environmental issue. The Philippine side, as a state party to the UNFCCC (UN Framework Convention on Climate Change), Kyoto Protocol, and Paris Agreement renewed its commitment to ful fill its Nationally Determined Contribution to reduce by 75 percent the country’s green house gas emissions.
our heroic health workers continue to plod on, serving as our frontline warriors, keeping us safe and wellProgramNationalprogramsandchangebillionallocationcommitmentgovernment’ssaidMalacañangprotectedproofoftheistheofP453forclimateadaptationmitigationinthe2023ExpenditureIt’s time the 1987 Charter be revised or amended to update any of its withtheprovisionsoutdatedandmakecharterinsyncthetimes
It is well and good that tycoon Manuel V. Pangilinan has deferred the finalization of the agreement with the Lopez-owned ABS-CBN until all the issues brought about by the Na tional Telecommunications Commission and Congress have been threshed out. The agreement between Pangilinan’s TV-5 and the ABS-CBN is basically a buyout of 35 percent of the shares of TV-5 by ABS-CBN, but the NTC has raised some questions that must be answered. Does the deal between TV-5 and ABS-CBN need the consent of NTC and Congress because TV-5 has a franchise and ABS-CBN does not? Another question in this issue raised by some House leaders is the question of “Phil ippine Depository Receipts“ where foreigners are allowed to buy into the interests of mass media.There is also the question on how much ABS-CBN owed the government in taxes. Note that in the deal between TV-5 and ABS-CBN, free-TV will now be allowed for ABS-CBN which was discontinued when Congress did not renew the 25 year franchise of ABS-CBN.Thequestion is, can TV-5 and ABS-CBN answer all these issues to the satisfaction of NTC and Congress? As far as I am concerned, if there is com petition in mass media and entertainment, the better for the public.
mst.daydesk@gmail.com Honor Blanco Cabie, Editor TUESDAY, AUGUST 30, 2022 B1Opinion
sasterYes,Resilience.mygulay, we have the National Disas ter Risk Reduction and Management Council, but that’s only an ad hoc body that goes tyo work during disasters and calamities. What this country urgently needs is a per manent department like a DDR which not only handles rescue, relief and rehabilitation, but is a department that focuses and strategizes areas that are vulnerable in a calamity and disaster prone country like the Philippines. Oh yes, a department that can build evacu ation centers with all its amenities, instead of using school buildings like in the recent ca lamitous floods of Florita. Santa Banana, we have had that magnitude 7 earthquake in Abra that jolted Ilocandia, much of the landlocked province as well as Ilocos Sur and Ilocos Norte where heritage buildings and other landmarks collapsed. And still Malacanang procrastinates in pri oritizing a DDR, and instead President Marcos Jr. says he preferred the creation of an agency instead of a department. All right, let’s have that agency, but we have to be quick because we need it like yesterday. My gulay, Mister President, why all the pro crastination when the country is already being devastated with floods. To think that Florita is just a tropical storm. There will be more cyclones and real typhoons to come and more disasters and calamities that will hit us, a disaster-prone country like the Philippines.MisterPresident, we need permanent evacuation centers with all the amenities, instead of using school buildings and government buildings.
We have seen how disasters and calamities like cyclones and typhoons can cause loss of lives, devastate billions of pesos worth of in frastructure, livelihood, agriculture. Why all the procrastination, Mister Presi dent?Whether it’s a department or just an agen cy under the Office of the President, I cannot overemphasize the critical and urgent need for a permanent agency to handle all the disaster and calamities that hit the country. ***
EDITORIALTime to amend the 1987 Charter Published Monday to Sunday by Philippine Manila Standard Publishing Inc. at 6/F Universal Re Building, 106 Paseo de Roxas, corner Perea St., Legaspi Village, Makati City. Telephone numbers 8-5646225 and 8-5646229 (connecting all departments), (Editorial) 832-5554, (Advertising) 832-5550. P.O. Box 2933, Manila Central Post Office, Manila. Website: www.manilastandard.net MEMBER Philippine Press Institute The National Association of Philippine NewspapersPPI can be accessed at: manilastandard.net Former Chief Justice Reynato S. Puno Board Member & Chief Legal Adviser Anita F. Grefal Treasury Manager Baldwin R. Felipe Head—Ad Solutions Edgar M. Valmorida Circulation Manager Emil P. Jurado Chairman Emeritus, Editorial Board ManilaStandard ONLINE Chin Wong/Ray S. Eñano Associate Editors Joyce Pangco Pañares News Editor Jimbo Owen Gulle City Editor Rolando G. Estabillo Publisher Honor Blanco Cabie Opinion Editor Lino M. Santos Chief Photographer
Foreign Undersecretary Ma. Theresa Lazaro and Qatar Secretary General Ahmed Hassen Al Hammadi reviewed this month the progress of the two countries’ bilateral relations, including cooperation in the areas of culture, tourism, education, sports, trade, investment, and the economy. It is heartening to note that both sides also discussed opportunities and ways to enhance and expand partnerships, as well as exchange views on climate change mitiga tion and regional and international issues. During his first State of the Nation Ad dress, President Marcos Jr. outlined his plan to increase the country’s use of renewables as part of the country’s climate agenda. Although one of the top gas exporting countries in the Middle East, Qatar had re peatedly affirmed its commitment to sup port the transition to low-carbon energy and backed global efforts to assist countries most vulnerable to climate change. The Joint Consultation Meeting. formal ized with the signing of a 2019 memoran dum of understanding, will serve as the pri mary dialogue mechanism with Qatar at the vice-ministerial level. The Qatar Ministry of Foreign Affairs hosted the inaugural meeting in Doha, with the second expected to be held in Manila nextNowyear.we look up and see a sign of hope in an otherwise negative situation.
Heroes through the centuries until today THERE is a blue sky behind climate change thick clouds. Very recently, the government of Presi dent Ferdinand Marcos Jr. geared up, fol lowing up on his pledge on July 25 during his first State of the Nation Address, and scaled up its response to cushion the impact of global Malacanangwarming.said that climate change, which refers to long-term shifts in tempera tures and weather patterns, and its effects are major issues the 64-year-old President Marcos will address throughout his six-year term ending in June 2028. Simply put, “climate change” means a change of climate attributed directly or in directly to human activity that alters the composition of the global atmosphere which is in addition to natural climate variability observed over comparable time periods. Malacanang said proof of the govern ment’s commitment is the allocation of P453 billion for climate change adaptation and mitigation programs in the 2023 National Expenditure Program. In his letter to the House of Representatives before it started deliberations on the proposed national budget, the President said the country needed to “increase capacity building for natural disaster resiliency” and “disaster-proof planning of our communities.”
To this day,
By Dmytro Gorshkov IN CONTRAST to festive summer crowds around him in central Kyiv, Vladyslav Zhaivoro nok has a grim story to tell about the defense of Mariupol, the injuries he suffered and his weeks in captivity. The 29-year-old Azov Regiment soldier, who leans on his crutches as he lost his left leg in combat, spoke to AFP in front of a huge ban ner reading “Free Mariupol Defenders” on a city hall“Itbuilding.wasgetting worse and worse, harder and harder. We held the defense as long as it could be held,” he said of the fighting at the Azovstal steelworks—some of the fiercest in the last six months. Russian forces invaded Ukraine on February 24 and within days had surrounded Mariupol, a strategic industrial port hub on the Sea of Azov. Zhaivoronok said he and his comrades took up positions in the city’s sprawling Azovstal facility in March in a desperate attempt to fight on. Under constant shelling, he made his base in a half-ruined bunker, going out during the day to carry out his duties as a drone operator. He said that “the entire area was littered with fragments of buildings” and there was a desper ate lack of water, food and weapons. “It was consistently bad everywhere,” said Zhaivoronok.Ashespoke, passers-by looked back at the soldier, who wore military-style brown shorts with an empty left trouser leg. Stretchered out of Azovstal Despite the rapidly deteriorating situation at Azovstal, Zhaivoronok said the soldiers managed to keep up morale. “The last days I was anticipating a kind of the last battle. We were waiting for this and were ready for this,” he said. Then, on May 15, he was hit by an anti-tank missile.Rushed to the “medical bunker,” he found himself on an improvised operating table on the verge of death. His right eye was also badly wounded in the blast. On the morning of the following day, he had his leg amputated. He regained consciousness afterwards for just a few seconds before being taken out of Azovstal. He remembers being stretchered out and see ing the Russian soldiers’ patches bearing the “Z” symbol used by the invaders. Due to his heavy injury, he was spared the fate of his comrades who were sent to the notorious Olenivka prison in the occupied Donetsk region, where a blast last month reportedly killed dozens of Ukrainian prisoners. But the weeks that Zhaivoronok spent in cap tivity in one of the Donetsk hospitals brought him suffering of a different kind.
These include: Sultan Dipatuan Kudarat, Ra jah Buayan Silongan, Dagohoy, Gabriela and Di ego Silang, Jose Rizal, Marcelo del Pilar, Andres Bonifacio, Gregoria de Jesus, Apolinario Mabini, Melchora Aquino aka Tandang Sora; Teresa Magbanua, Emilio Aguinaldo, Arte mio Ricarte,Faustino Guillermo, Apolinar Velez, Tiano Brothers, Colonel Jesus Antonio Villamor, Josefa Capistrano, Elena Poblete, General Paulino Santos, Major Emigdio Cruz; Dr. Guedelia M. Pablan and nurses Carmen Lanot and Bruna R. Calvan known as Bataan An gels, Isabelo de los Reyes, Claro M. Recto, Cap tain Conrado Yap, Sgt Claudio Forrosuelo, Karl Misuari, Bomber Lucman, Salamat Hashim; Eman Lacaba, Billy Begg, Edgar Jopson, Bobby De La Paz, Lorena Barros, Fr Godofredo Alingal, Lorenzo Tañada, Ninoy Aquino, Pepe Diokno, Sr Christine Tan, Haydee Yorac, Briga dier General Teodulfo Bautista, Cory Aquino, Fr. Archie Intengan;; Fr Pops Tenoruo, Nido Nabong, Jorge Madlos, Menandro Villanueva (alias Bok), Kerima Tari man, Chad Booc and the New Bataan 5, PFC Ian O. Paquit, Captain Rommel Bigyan Sandoval, Nene Pimentel, Fidel V. Ramos, Emy La Viña, and many others. Finally, I honor our health workers. Almost three years after, as we continue to experience the ebb and flow of COVID-19 pan demic, the country is slowly opening up. To this day, our heroic health workers continue to plod on, serving as our frontline warriors, keep ing us safe and well protected. Thanks to their heroism, we are almost, if not already, out of the woods. That many survived, and are now beginning to reclaim their former normal lives, we owe it to the health workers and the millions of frontliners who sacrifice their comforts, safety and sometimes their lives so that others may live. They truly are our modern day heroes. That is why we must all condemn the at tacks and red tagging of doctors and health workers that continue even under the Marcos administration.Iamwiththe Health Alliance for Democ racy (HEAD), together with other health orga nizations, in coordination with several lawyers’ groups, who this morning will hold a protest march from Philippine General Hospital to the Department of Justice. The activity aims to call the attention of the public, the government and the Department of Justice to immediately act to investigate and stop the attacks and red tagging against health service providers and human rights defenders. Website; tonylavina.com. Facebook: deanto nylavs Twitter: tonylavs
“There was no contact with relatives, no ac cess to the phone,” he said. Medical care was “very low-grade” and medi cines were in short supply. “I was just dripping rotten meat because, after being seriously wounded, I did not start receiving antibiotics until the fifth day,” he said. He and three other soldiers from his ward were given just enough food “so that the heart would not“Andstop.”we were told every day that no one needed us, that they would not exchange us for anyone, that everyone had abandoned us.” ‘What presses from within’ His month-and-a-half of captivity ended with out“Wewarning.were awakened at 4:00 am, the lists were read out, we were taken outside, loaded onto buses and driven until evening,” Zhaivoronok recalls. He and over 100 other wounded Ukrainian prisoners left the hospital for a prisoner exchange. “I could not breathe out until I was on Ukrai nian territory, out of reach of (Russian) artillery.” Zhaivoronok tries to crack jokes, making light of his heavy injuries. “I’ve brought a lot of work to our medics,” he grins. As a career serviceman, he said he continues to fulfill certain military obligations despite his injuries.Thesoldier speaks very calmly. His voice slightly breaks only once--when he talks about the thousands of Ukrainian prisoners remaining in Russian captivity. “It does not give rest. This is what presses from within. When the guys are back, I’ll be able to breathe more freely.” AFP Under constant shelling, he made his base in a half-ruined bunker, going out during the day to carry out his duties as a drone operator
Released Azovstal soldier recounts his ordeal
WE NORMALLY associate National Heroes Day to commemorate the extraordinary virtues of Jose Rizal, Andres Bonifacio, Antonio Luna and scores of revolutionaries who gave up their lives or made extraordinary contributions to the struggle against Spain and liberate our people from the yoke of foreign oppressors. But in all phases of our national existence, whenever we are faced with existential crisis, there are extraordinary souls who went the extra mile to heed the call, so to speak, and take the less trodden path beyond what is required of them. Without regard for their safety and even the well being of their loved ones, they are ready and willing, despite impossible odds, to place all bets to fight and struggle against the enemies of op pression in whatever form. These are the people imbued with extraordi nary spirit and able to muster the courage to fight so that others will survive. By this standard, the Filipino resistance fight ers, like Luis Taruc of Pampanga, guerilla leader Wenceslao Vinzons of Camarines Norte and the thousands of guerillas who fought the Japanese invaders are heroes. Ninoy Aquino and thousands of nameless and faceless individuals who braved the full fury of the Marcos dictatorial rule are heroes. No amount of historical rewriting and disin formation can deny nor dilute their contributions to Philippine society and what they have given in the struggle for national survival. While most of the heroes written in history books are already dead, there are heroes who walk in our midst to this very day. We refer to the millions of our kababayans who continue to brave foreign lands, and live amongst strangers to eke out a living and keep the economy afloat, provide a decent life to their families de spite, sometimes, at the risk of discrimination and abuse.Ihave been in too many places and I tell you, beyond the facade of beautiful sceneries, the seemingly high standard of living of the locals, is an undercurrent of intolerance and discrimination against those who may be “different.” The Overseas Filipino workers do not often lead blissful existence but continue to suffer the loneliness and heartache of prolonged separation from loved ones.
trade jabs in Brazil debate
A SWISS woman faces trial Monday accused of having tried to slit the throats of two wom en in a department store in the name of the Islamic State jihadist group. The 29-year-old is accused of having committed a “terrorist act” in the attack in the plush Manor store in Lugano in southern Switzerland’s Ticino region on November 24, 2020.One of the two victims suffered a serious neck injury. The second sustained wounds on one hand and managed, with others, to con trol the assailant until the police arrived. The trial takes place at the Federal Crimi nal Court in Bellinzona in Ticino. According to the indictment issued by the Office of the Attorney General of Switzerland (OAG), the accused, who cannot be named for legal reasons, “acted wilfully and with particular ruthlessness”. She shouted “Allahu akbar (God is great est)” several times and “I will avenge the Prophet Mohammed,” and declared “I am here for IS,” it is alleged. “She brutally attacked her randomlyselected victims with a knife, with the aim of killing them and thereby spreading terror throughout the population on behalf of the ‘Islamic State’ (IS), triggering widespread reports in the media and thus propagating IS ideology,” according to the OAG. The woman was known to the police. After “falling in love” over social media in 2017 with a jihadist fighter in Syria, she had attempted to travel to the war-torn coun try to meet him, but was stopped by Turkish authorities at the Syrian border and sent back to Switzerland, it is alleged. Police said at the time that she was then admitted to a psychiatric clinic. AFP
“Your government was the most corrupt in Brazilian history,” said Bol sonaro, 67, rattling off figures from the scandal in a rapid-fire attack. “It was a kleptocracy, a government based on robbery... What do you want to come back to power for? To do the same thing to Petrobras again?” Lula fired back that Bolsonaro was spreading “untruths”—one of several exchanges in which they accused each other of lying. He in turn accused the incumbent of trashing his legacy of eco nomic growth and anti-poverty initia tives.“This country has been destroyed,” Lula said in his trademark gravelly voice, attacking Bolsonaro over in creased poverty and hunger, soaring prices and a surge in the destruction of the Amazon rainforest.
LOOK UP! A long exposure picture shows a view of the Milky Way galaxy in the sky above a derelict van in the town of Bcharre in the mountains of Lebanon, north of the capital Beirut. AFP
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The Zaporizhzhia plant, which has six of Ukraine’s reactors, has been oc cupied by Russian troops since shortly after Moscow launched its invasion on February 24, and has remained on the frontlines ever since. Moscow and Kyiv have traded blame for shelling around the complex, near the city of Energodar. Its Ukraine operator Energoatom warned on Saturday of the risk of radio active leaks and fire after new strikes. The United Nations has called for an end to all military activity in the area surrounding the complex. Ukraine initially feared an IAEA visit would legitimize the Russian occupa tion of the site before finally supporting the idea of a Ukrainianmission.President Volodymyr Zel ensky on Friday urged the watchdog to send a team as soon as possible. Between Thursday and Friday, the plant was cut off from Ukraine’s na tional power grid for the first time in its four-decade history due to “ac tions of the invaders,” Energoatom said.Itcame back online Friday afternoon. Russian President Vladimir Putin had agreed that a team of independent in spectors could travel to the Zaporizhzhia nuclear plant via Ukraine, the French presidency said on August 20 after a call with Emmanuel Macron.
Tens of thousands of people are on hand along the beaches of Florida to watch this launch that’s been decades in the making. They include Vice President Kamala Harris. Hotels around Cape Canaveral are booked solid with between 100,000 and 200,000 spectators expected to attend the launch. The goal of the flight, baptized Artemis 1, is to test the SLS and the Orion crew capsule that sits atop the rocket.
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JAMPACKED. Displaced people arrive on a tractor with their belongings at a makeshift camp after fleeing from their flood hit homes following heavy monsoon rains in Sukkur, Sindh province on August 29, 2022. The death toll from monsoon flooding in Pakistan since June has reached 1,061. AFP
SPARKS flew Sunday as far-right Presi dent Jair Bolsonaro accused leftist rival Luiz Inacio Lula da Silva of massive corruption—and drew accusations of “destroying Brazil” in return – as they faced off in their first election debate. The two front-runners, who waited until the last minute to confirm they would attend the first televised debate ahead of October’s elections, wasted no time in attacking each other. Bolsonaro called Lula a “thief” in his opening salvo of the three-hour clash, pummeling the 76-year-old ex-presi dent over the massive “Car Wash” cor ruption scandal centered on state-run oil giantThePetrobras.investigation landed Lula in prison from 2018 to 2019 on controver sial corruption charges—annulled by the Supreme Court last year.
NASA’s most powerful rocket yet is set to blast off Monday on the maiden voyage of a mission to take humans back to the Moon, and eventually to Mars. Fifty years after the last Apollo mission, the space program called Artemis is to get under way with the blast off of the uncrewed 322-foot (98-meter) Space Launch System (SLS) rocket at 8:33 a.m. (1233 GMT) from the Kennedy Space Center in Florida.
AFP Diamond
Detroit gunman who killed 3 nabbed POLICE in the US city of Detroit on Sunday caught a suspect believed to have shot four people at “random”, killing three of them, authorities said. The Midwestern city’s police chief, James White, told media that the first three victims – two women and a man – were found shot multiple times in separate locations around Detroit in the early hours of the morning. A fourth man spotted the suspect peering into car windows and told him to stop, White said. The suspect shot him once. Three of the victims died and one sur vived, police told local media. The shootings appear “to be very ran dom,” White told a press conference. “One was waiting on a bus, one was walking his dog, and one was just on the street,” he said. By around 9 pm local time (0100 GMT), Detroit mayor Mike Duggan announced that the suspect was found and detained “We got him,” Duggan said in a tweet. “With the help of critical information from the community and strong support from (law enforcement), Detroit police officers took the suspect into custody today without incident.” The Detroit shootings were not the only incident of deadly gun violence in the United States on AuthoritiesSunday.in the Texan city of Houston said that three people were shot dead there by a gunman who first set fire to their home.
AFP
IAEA chief leading team to Ukraine’s nuclear plant Relief
NASA shoots for the Moon, on its way to Mars
FRENCH-ISRAELI diamond magnate Beny Steinmetz will be back in court in Switzerland on Monday to appeal against a corruption verdict linked to mining rights in Guinea. The 66-year-old businessman was convict ed in January 2021 of setting up a complex financial web to pay bribes to ensure his com pany could obtain permits in an area estimated to contain the world’s biggest untapped depos its of iron ore. He was sentenced by a Geneva court to five years in prison and also ordered to pay 50 million Swiss francs ($52 million) in compensation. Steinmetz, who maintained his innocence throughout that trial, has changed his legal team for the “Weappeal.expect that the tribunal recognises that Beny Steinmetz did not bribe anyone,” his new lawyer Daniel Kinzer told AFP in an email. “I am confident the appeals court can be con vinced,” he said, adding a deeper look at the case revealed “a totally different picture than the one painted by the first verdict.”
AFP Woman on trial over ‘IS’ knife attack
The capsule will orbit the Moon to see if the vessel is safe for people in the near future. At some point Artemis will see a woman and a person of color walk on the Moon for the first“Thistime.mission goes with a lot of hopes and dreams of a lot of people. And we now are the Artemis generation,” NASA administrator Bill Nelson said Satur day.The massive orange-and-white rocket has been sitting on the space center’s Launch Complex 39B for a week. Its fuel tanks were to be filled overnight Sunday into Monday with more than three million liters of liquid hydrogen and oxygen. NASA said there is an 80 percent chance of acceptable weather for a liftoff on time at the beginning of a launch window lasting two hours. AFP
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INTERNATIONALAtomicEnergyAgencychiefRafaelGrossisaidMondayhewasonhiswaytoUkraine’sZaporizhzhianuclearplant,whichhasbeenthetargetofstrikesinrecentweeks.“Thedayhascome,IAEA’sSupportandAssistanceMissiontoZaporizhzhyaisnowonitsway,”Grossitweeted,sayingtheteamfromtheUNatomicwatch
Dressing the part in dark suits and ties—striped blue for Bolsonaro, bur gundy red for Lula—the front-runners had numerous fiery exchanges, but hewed to the rules and kept their de meanor relatively civilized. With no audience in the studio, the tension surrounding the debate was especially palpable in the next room, where journalists and politicians fol lowed the debate on a screen.
“This suspect unfortunately, and very sadly, and very evilly, set fire to several resi dences, laid wait for those residents to come out, and fired upon them,” Houston police chief Troy Finner told another press confer ence.Firefighters tackling the blaze also had to take cover from the gunman, he said.
Far from being corrupt, Beny Steinmetz Group Resources (BSGR) had legitimately obtained the mining rights in question, and had striven in diffi cult and complex circumstances to set up an opera tion that would have benefited Guinea’s national interests, his team said. Swiss prosecutors however accuse Steinmetz and two partners of bribing a wife of the then Guinean president Lansana Conte and others in order to win mining rights in the southeastern Simandou region. AFP
In a photograph accompanying his tweet, the IAEA chief posed with a team of 13 people wearing caps and sleeve less jackets bearing the nuclear watch dog’sGrossilogo.has for months been asking to be able to visit the site, warning of “the very real risk of a nuclear disaster.”
AFP
dog would arrive at Europe’s largest nuclear power plant “later this week.”
Pro-Lula lawmaker Andre Janones and Bolsonaro’s former environment minister Ricardo Salles got into a rau cous shouting match and came close to hitting each other before they were pulled away. In all, six of the 12 presidential can didates on the ballot were on the neonblue-lit stage in TV network Band’s Sao Paulo studios.
A HUGE relief operation was under way Monday and international aid began trickling in as Pakistan strug gled to deal with monsoon flooding that has affected more than 33 mil lionOfficialspeople. said 1,061 people have died since June when the seasonal rains began, but the final toll could be higher as hundreds of villages in the mountainous north have been cut off by flood-swollen rivers washing away roads and bridges. The annual monsoon is essential for irrigating crops and replenish ing lakes and dams across the Indian subcontinent, but it can also bring de struction.Officials said this year’s flooding has affected more than 33 million people – one in seven Pakistanis –destroying or badly damaging nearly a millionClimatehomes.Change Minister Sherry Rehman called it “the monster mon soon of the decade.” This year’s floods are comparable to 2010 – the worst on record – when more than 2,000 people died and nearly a fifth of the country was un derNearwater.Sukkur, a city in southern Sindh province and home to an age ing colonial-era barrage on the Indus River that is vital to preventing fur ther catastrophe, one farmer lament ed the devastation wrought on his riceMillionsfields. of acres of rich farmland have been flooded by weeks of nonstop rain, but now the Indus is threat ening to burst its banks as a result of torrents of water coursing down stream from tributaries in the north. “Our crop spanned over 5,000 acres on which the best quality rice was sown and is eaten by you and us,” Khalil Ahmed, 70, told AFP. “All that is finished.” magnate’s appeal of Swiss bribery verdict opens
Bolsonaro,deathPakistanunderoperationwayasfloodtollrisesLula
India razes illegal 100-meter ‘twin towers’ outside Delhi
neighboring Russia have already moved to bar or limit visas to Russians, but no EUwide ban is as yet in place. In February, the European Union restricted visas in certain categories for Russians linked to the Kremlin, in cluding for officials, diplomatic pass port holders and company bosses. But tourist visas were still permitted. Ukrainian President Volodymyr Zel ensky is now demanding the West shut its borders to all Russians, including tourists, saying they should “live in their own world until they change their philosophy.”
sank Monday and the dollar rallied af ter Fed boss Jerome Powell warned of more interest rate hikes to fight inflation and poured cold water on the prospects of a cut in the new year. The hefty selling tracked a painful day on Wall Street, where all three main indexes tanked between three and four percent as investors contemplated an extended period of monetary tightening.
AFP
Asian, European stock markets slump
Gas lifeline Among Egypt’s slate of measures to preserve foreign currency was a deci sion to let the pound slip 17 percent against the greenback in March. AFP
NOIDA, India—India demolished two residential high-rise buildings outside New Delhi on Sunday, in a dramatic spectacle carried live on television channels after days of excited media build-up. The destruction of the 100-meterhigh “Twin Towers” in Noida, home to a concrete forest of similar structures, was also a rare example of India get ting tough on corrupt developers and officials.The32 floors of “Apex” and the 29 of “Ceyane,” containing between them nearly 1,000 apartments that were never inhabited in nine years of legal disputes, were brought down in seconds, creating an immense cloud of dust and debris. The controlled implosions using 3,700 kilograms (8,160 pounds) of ex plosives were India’s biggest demoli tion to date, local media reported.
Japan eyeing ‘more developeconomiesresilient’toAfrica
EU ministers set to discuss ban on Russian tourists
The world’s fastest-growing major economy has seen a construction boom in the last two decades, which has also given rise to a nexus of corruption in volving politicians, bureaucrats and powerful builders. Developers often sidestep many con struction, urban-planning and environ mental regulations, usually with impunity.
AFP
TUNIS, Tunisia—Japan will cooper ate closely with African countries to promote “more resilient” economies, Prime Minister Fumio Kishida told the final session of an investment conference in Tunisia on Sunday. He also promised Japan would use its place on the United Nations Secu rity Council next year to push for a permanent African seat on the world body, a day after announcing $30 bil lion in public and private finance for the continent. Japan wants “to create an environ ment where African people can live in peace and security so they can develop,” Kishida said, speaking via live video from Tokyo after testing positive for COVID-19 days earlier. Senegalese President Macky Sall, chair of the 55-member African Union, backed Kishida’s call for the continent to have a seat on the UN Security Council. Conflicts “that destabilize us and prevent us from developing must be taken into account by the Security Council” whose mission it is to pro mote international peace and secu rity, Sall said. He also called for a greater role for African peacekeepers in resolving conflicts. “Without security there can be no development,” Sall said. The eighth Tokyo International Conference on African Development (TICAD) took place in Tunisia, one of many import-dependent countries battered by global supply disruptions and price spikes unleashed by the coronavirus pandemic and the war in Ukraine. Some 20 African heads of state and government took part in the summit in the North African nation, which brought together around 5,000 people from business and other sectors and shut down major roads across Tunis, causing week end traffic chaos.
“Restoring price stability will take some time and requires using our tools forcefully to bring demand and supply into better balance,” he told the sympo sium at Jackson Hole, Wyoming. The comments dealt a blow to mar kets, which had in recent weeks enjoyed a bounce from June lows as weak eco nomic data and a slowdown in price ris es fanned hopes the Fed would temper its interest rate hike drive. Analysts said the chances of a third successive 75 basis-point increase next month had risen, with US Trea sury yields—a gauge of future interest rates—surging.“Thegameof assessing the Fed out look has shifted from guessing how high the peak rate might be to also un derstanding how long it might stay there for,” Yanxi Tan, of Malayan Banking, said. In Asian trade, investors ran for the hills as they contemplated an era of high borrowing costs with Charles Schwab & Co’s Liz Ann Sonders saying that once the Fed gets to “whatever the final hike is, they’re going to stay there for a while.” “The market had trouble digesting that,” she told Bloomberg Television. Tokyo, Hong Kong, Sydney, Seoul, Mumbai, Taipei, Singapore, Bangkok, Jakarta and Wellington were all well down, though Shanghai eked out a small gain. Paris and Frankfurt were sharply low er in the morning. London was closed for a Theholiday.dollar jumped against its ma jor peers, closing in on the 140 yen mark not seen since 1998, while an energy crisis in Europe kept the euro depressed. With AFP
MOSTVOLUMEACTIVEVALUE (PHP) 1 ACEN 88,527,200 713,137,503 2 ALI 17,821,600 513,294,660 3 AC 488,150 350,047,585 4 BDO 2,627,810 341,928,002 5 SMPH 8,399,200 310,745,950 6 SPNEC 137,174,000 230,455,730 7 AEV 3,758,480 218,468,504 8 BPI 1,896,670 182,910,884 9 SM 194,080 170,364,815 10 CNVRG 9,094,000 169,892,076 TOP LASTGAINERS % PRICE CHANGE CHANGE 1 LODE 0.68 0.09 15.25% 2 MBC 7.5 0.99 15.21% 3 JAS 1.68 0.2 13.51% 4 TCB2D 55.75 4.25 8.25% 5 EEI 3.73 0.28 8.12% 6 CPM 2.7 0.2 8.00% 7 ASLAG 2.05 0.14 7.33% 8 ROX 1.23 0.08 6.96% 9 TFHI 114 6 5.56% 10 ACEX 16.94 0.88 5.48% TOPPRICELASTLOSERS%CHANGECHANGE 1 VVT 14.5 -1.5 -9.38% 2 ATNB 0.4 -0.035 -8.05% 3 PERC 4.71 -0.37 -7.28% 4 ACEN 8.04 -0.59 -6.84% 5 ATN 0.41 -0.025 -5.75% 6 GMAP 10.54 -0.64 -5.72% 7 TECHW 0.66 -0.04 -5.71% 8 V 0.79 -0.04 -4.82% 9 APL 0.04 -0.002 -4.76% 10 IPM 6.5 -0.3 -4.41% PSEi August 26, 2022
AFP
The outskirts of major cities like Mumbai, Delhi, Hyderabad and Banga lore have become traps for middle-class buyers who invest in projects that are never completed or get drawn into simi lar legal sagas.
MARKETS
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In a much-anticipated speech to glob al finance chiefs Friday, Federal Reserve Chair Powell said his priority was bring ing inflation down from four-decade highs, even at the expense of economic growth, adding that failure to act now would cause more pain later.
Inflation hit a three-year high of 14.6 percent in July after Egypt devalued the pound, pushing up the price of imports and depleting forex reserves by $7.8 billion since February to $33.1 billion in July. Capital flight Egypt is negotiating an IMF loan to help mitigate fallout from the Ukraine war on the country, where 30 percent of the 103 million population lives in poverty.Butthe talks have stretched out for six months, raising eyebrows among analysts. “The fact that talks with the IMF have dragged is probably a sign that some officials are reluctant to follow through on the Fund’s demands and would prefer to rely on support from the oil-flush Gulf economies,” Lon don’s Capital Economics said. “We need to speed up negotiations with the IMF,” said Hany Genena, an economist and lecturer at American University in Cairo. “Since last week, there has been a severe shortage of dollars provided to importers by banks in various sectors.” Cairo had previously secured a $12-billion IMF loan in 2016 that re quired it to slash subsidies and devalue the pound. In 2020, Egypt received two more loans, including $5.4 billion tied to re forms and $2.8 billion to tackle COVID. Genena said Egypt needed to under take more “drastic” reforms to restore its forex reserves, including a full float of the pound. Last week, as the currency plunged to a near all-time low of 19.1 to the dol lar, central bank governor Tarek Amer resigned. It was unclear why Amer quit, but Egyptian media suggested it was be cause of his reluctance to implement a full float. James Swanston of Capital Econom ics said the currency needed to depre ciate to 25 pounds to the dollar by the end of 2024 “to avoid external imbal ances rebuilding.” But $14.6-billion worth of invest ments has flown out of the country in the first quarter of 2022, reflecting con cerns over the Ukraine war. Capital Economics said, however, that investment pledges worth $22 billion from Gulf countries will “go some way to alleviating external financing concerns.”
RAILWAYS STRIKE. Travelers sit on a platform at the Schiphol Airport train station on August 29, 2022, during a Dutch Railways strike. Due to a 24-hour regional relay strike at the Dutch Railways, no trains are running in the Netherlands’ northwest region. AFP
Ukrainian Foreign Minister Dmy tro Kuleba has said: “Russians over whelmingly support the war, cheer missile strikes on Ukrainian cities and (the) murder of Ukrainians. Let Rus sian tourists enjoy Russia then.” A furious Kremlin has reacted by calling Kyiv’s appeal “irrational” and pledging retaliation. Finland, which has Europe’s longest border with Russia, will from Thurs day slash the number of Russian tour ist visa applications it handles to just 10 percent of the usual 1,000 received per day. A flat-out ban based on an ap plicant’s nationality is impossible un der Finnish law. That measure will have an impact. Because of EU sanctions closing Eu ropean airspace to flights from Russia, Russians had massively turned to land travel through Finland to reach other European countries. EU countries Latvia, Lithuania and Poland stopped issuing new tourist visas to Russians when the Kremlin’s forces invaded Ukraine in late February.
AFP
By Bassem Aboualabass CAIRO, Egypt—An economic crisis spurred by the Ukraine war is casting darkness upon Egypt’s streets, as the government dims lights to free up energy for export and bolster hard currency reserves. Russia’s invasion of Ukraine had an immediate impact on Egypt, the world’s biggest wheat importer which has relied on the ex-Soviet states for over 80 percent of its grain. Egypt, which turned to the Inter national Monetary Fund for a loan after the war erupted, is pumping more natural gas abroad to increase its foreign currency reserves—a move that has come in for criticism. And while the government an nounced electricity rationing this month, signs of wastage elicit scorn. “I see streetlights still working during daylight hours... and we’re suffering from high electricity bills,” said a disgruntled Cairo resi dent in his 30s who spoke on condi tion of anonymity. The country’s vital tourism sector has also been hit by the Ukraine conflict, cutting the flow of holiday-makers to a country still hurting from the 2011 revo lution and COVID-19 pandemic. Economic growth slowed to 3.2 percent in the fourth quarter of 2021-22 against 7.7 percent last year, although annual expansion was 6.6 growthannualDespitepercent.thebetter-than-expectedfigure,thegovernmentsaidhadtaperedoffinthewake of “global political and economic developments.”Egypt’smonetary policy has been caught between a rock and a hard place since Russia invaded Ukraine in February.
This picture taken on August 24, 2022 from the landmark Cairo Tower shows a night-time view of vehicles driving past lit-up billboards along the “October 6” highway running through the Zamalek district (right) of Egypt’s capital Cairo to the Agouza district (left) in its twin-city of Giza. Depleted foreign currency reserves are casting a shadow on Egyptian streets, with the government moving to dim lights to free up energy for export.
Egypt dims lights to boost foreign exchange reserves
BRUSSELS, Belgium—EU foreign ministers are to discuss this week an appeal led by Ukraine to ban Russian tourists from visiting Europe. The idea, to be studied in a two-day meeting starting Tuesday in Prague, has divided EU nations, with some wholeheartedly agreeing with it while others resist, fearing it would shut the door on dissident Russians fleeing theirSomehomeland.EUcountries
Thousands of people, as well as stray dogs, had to be evacuated before the blast, including from neighboring highrises, one of which was reportedly just nine meters away. There were no immediate reports of injuries or damage to nearby buildings but a local official told reporters that the operation had gone “largely as planned.” Indian media reported minute de tails of the demolition, including the number of holes drilled for the charges (9,642) and the volume of debris created (80,000 tons). TV news channel Times Now, which like others ran a countdown timer and showed little else on Sunday morning, called it the “mother of all demolitions” of the “towers of shame.” Police shut a busy adjacent express way, where on Saturday motorists stopped to take final selfies with the towers in the backdrop. The legal dispute over the towers went all the way to India’s Supreme Court, which ruled last year that the buildings breached safety regulations and that the developers colluded with corrupt authorities.
Ray S. Eñano, Editor Roderick T. dela Cruz, Assistant Editor
THE Department of Energy issued clear ances to four companies planning to put up power plants a combined generating capac ity of 1,758.7 megawatts to conduct a grid impact study. The projects include the proposed 1,500MW Mariveles offshore wind farm of Dom hain Earth Corp. in Bataan. It also granted clearance for an grid im pact study on the 83.316-MW Currimao solar power project of Nuevo Solar Energy Corp. in Currimao, Ilocos Norte The agency approved the 25.66-MW Dagohoy solar power project of PetroGreen Energy Corp. in Barangay San Vicente, Dagohoy, Bohol. It endorsed the 150-MW Bacolod solar power project of Negros PH Solar Inc. in Barangay Felisa, Bacolod City and Barangay Tabunan, Bago City, Negros Occidental.TheDOE said it continued to receive strong interest in renewable energy devel opment. Alena Mae S. Flores Malayan Insurance sustains B++ rating MALAYAN Insurance Co. Inc. maintained its AM Best financial strength rating of B++ (good) and the long-term issuer credit rating of “bbb+” (good) this year. The insurance unit of the Yuchengco Group also kept its “stable” credit ratings outlook despite the pandemic’s continuous impact on the economy. “These ratings reflect Malayan’s balance sheet strength, which AM Best assesses as very strong, as well as its adequate operating performance, neutral business profile and appropriate enterprise risk management,” it said. The ratings underscored Malayan’s finan cial solvency and claims-paying ability and capacity to meet debt obligations. Malayan Insurance president and chief executive officer Paolo Abaya said the cred it ratings were a testament of its stability and reliability. “Aside from providing rel evant insurance products, our organization remains robust and resilient so that we are always prepared to secure the lives and as sets of our countrymen,” he said.
By Darwin G. Amojelar NOW Group of the Velarde family secured a favorable decision from the Court of Appeals that will pave the way for the operation of its wireless broadband and interactive cable tele vision services nationwide. The special eleventh division of the Court of Appeals, in a 19-page deci sion dated Aug. 16, reversed and set aside the termination of provisional authority and the cease-and-desist order issued by the National Tele communications Commission against Newsnet, an affiliate of Now Corp. and Now Telecom.
PEZA to accept new investments in Metro Manila again
THE information technology and business process management industry is aiming for a 10-percent annual growth in export revenue and 8-percent increase in direct hiring that may result in additional 1.1 million jobs until 2028, a group said Monday.
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SEC provides list of investmentPERA-eligibleareas
IN BRIEF
STA. LUCIA Realty and Development Inc. of billionaire Exequiel Robles is set to file an appeal with the Quezon City Re gional Trial Court this week to prevent the forced eviction of 19 Vista Real Classica homeowners, a group said Monday. Sta. Lucia Realty, a subsidiary of pub licly-listed Sta. Lucia Land Inc. which reported a net profit of P2.84 billion in 2021, made the assurance during a meet ing with the 19 Vista Real Classica home owners on Sunday. 8990 Housing Development Corp., a wholly-owned subsidiary of publicly-list ed 8990 Holdings Inc., deployed its men to enforce the writ of execution issued by the Quezon City Regional Trial Court Branch 104 on June 7, 2022. Lawyers of 8990 Housing Develop ment also sent a letter to the affected residents of the reconstituted Lot 116 to inform them that 8990 non-uniformed guards were deployed on strategic points in the Thearea.affected homeowners of Vista Real Classica Village asked Sta. Lucia Realty, the seller of the properties, to defend their rights as homeowners, or relocate them to other subdivisions with equivalent values. “We should not be forcibly evicted un til we are properly compensated or given new homes to live in,” the homeowners said.Sta. Lucia Realty’s legal counsel made a commitment during the Sunday meeting not to abandon the 19 homeowners, who bought the properties in good faith. The affected homeowners requested that they be relocated to other Sta. Lucia properties with equivalent sizes or values as compensation for the fraudulent act committed against them. “We, the homeowners, are the ones made to suffer from this land dispute be tween two large property developers,” said a resident. Othel V. Campos
The Contact Center Association of the Philippines said it re-calibrated the industry’s output projections to align with the economic recovery goals set by the administration of President Fer dinand Marcos Jr. “There is a surge in global market demand, driving double digit growth prospects for Philippine IT-BPM. If we collectively support the industry to capitalize on this global demand, it can mean up to an additional 1.1 million more high-value, high-paying jobs for Filipinos over the next six years. This is clearly an exciting time for the in dustry,” said CCAP chairman Benedict Hernandez.Hernandez said the organization counts on government support to help reach the targets while the industry committed to being a partner for highvalue job creation and national eco nomic recovery. Data from global research firm Ever est Group showed that the local ITBPM industry’s headcount grew by 10 percent in 2021 or over 120,000 jobs from a year ago—its strongest since 2016. The industry’s labor force also managed to grow 5 percent in 2020 de spite the pandemic. The momentum is expected to be sustained this year, according to CCAP.Industry data showed that the indus try’s revenues expanded to $29.5 billion in 2021 from $26.7 billion in 2020 and $26.3 billion in 2019. The industry’s annual revenue steadily grew from just $8.9 billion in 2010. Hernandez said CCAP pledged to continue addressing the untapped ser vice opportunities, getting into new client markets and building more in frastructure targeting fast-growing tech companies more aggressively.
By Jenniffer B. Austria THE Securities and Exchange Commis sion on Monday released the list of eq uities, bonds, funds and other securities where Personal Equity and Retirement Account funds may be invested in. PERA, or Personal Equity and Re tirement Account, is a voluntary re tirement savings program that aims to provide Filipinos tax-exempt facility to supplement future pension benefits.
Globe put up 933 5G sites in first half GLOBE Telecom Inc. expanded the deploy ment of 5G wireless technology nationwide and built 933 sites in the first half. The telecom unit of the Ayala Group said its 5G network outdoor coverage reached nearly 97 percent of the National Capital Region and 86 percent of key cities in the Visayas and Mindanao. This allows more Filipinos to enjoy higher speeds, lower la tency and more reliable data services. “Globe has been ramping up its rollout amid rising demand for 5G connectivity. The drive to build more and faster is fueled by our desire to deliver more improvements in our customer service experience that are consistent and reliable,” said Joel Agustin, senior vice president and head of network planning and engineering at Globe. Globe said that as of end-June, it logged around 2.7 million devices in its 5G network, showing the growing popularity of 5G. Globe said it is also accelerating its 5G roaming rollout to more countries in Asia, the Middle East and Europe to bring seam less and world-class connectivity experience to travelers and overseas Filipino workers.
PSE INDEX CLOSING Friday, August 26, 2022 46.076,752.50PTS. F oreign e xchange r ate Bangko Sentral ng Pilipinas • FRIDAY, AUGUST 26, 2022 Currency Unit US Dollar Peso United States Dollar 1.000000 56.0080 Japan Yen 0.007327 0.4104 UK Pound 1.183900 66.3079 Hong Kong Dollar 0.127445 7.1379 Switzerland Franc 1.038314 58.1539 Canada Dollar 0.773635 43.3297 Singapore Dollar 0.719994 40.3254 Australia Dollar 0.697900 39.0880 Bahrain Dinar 2.653224 148.6018 Saudi Arabia Rial 0.266241 14.9116 Brunei Dollar 0.717412 40.1808 Indonesia Rupiah 0.000067 0.0038 Thailand Baht 0.027949 1.5654 UAE Dirham 0.272279 15.2498 Euro Euro 0.997700 55.8792 Korea Won 0.000749 0.0419 China Yuan 0.146049 8.1799 India Rupee 0.012522 0.7013 Malaysia Ringgit 0.223714 12.5298 New Zealand Dollar 0.622400 34.8594 Taiwan Dollar 0.033131 1.8556 Source: BSP TOTAL VOLUME 63,5061,468,666,930 TOTAL VALUE (IN PHP) ADVANCES 88 UNCHANGED 47
PAGCOR DONATION. Cagayan Provincial Social Welfare and Development Office head Helen Donato (fifth from left) receives relief donation from Philippine Amusement and Gaming Corp.’s community relations and services assistant community development and welfare officer Leonardo del Valle (sixth from left). PAGCOR donated 3,000 food packs and non-food items to the province of Cagayan to aid calamity victims.
CA rules in favor of NOW Group on Newsnet license Sta. Lucia Realty set to appeal order evicting Vista Real Classica residents
BPO industry expects to offer additional 1.1m jobs until 2028 Business
“The provisional authority of peti tioner [Newsnet] to operate and main tain 25.35 to 26.35 GHz spectrum Lo cal MultiPoint Distribution System to deliver interactive pay television and multi-media services in Metro Manila is reinstated and shall continue to be effective unless sooner suspended, can celled or revoked in accordance with applicable laws, rules and regulations,” the CA decision said.
The SEC issued Memorandum Cir cular No. 7, Series of 2022, which states that securities registered pursuant to the requirements of Republic Act No. 8799, or the Securities Regulation Code and Republic Act No. 2629, or the In vestment Company Act, are deemed to be eligible PERA investment products. These include newly-formed mutual funds, including any sub-fund of an um brella fund and exchange traded funds whose fund managers have a track record of at least five years and whose names contain the words “Personal Equity and Retirement Account” or “PERA”; real estate investment trust shares; corporate bonds with an investible rating issued by an accredited credit rating agency; and equity securities that form part of the Phil ippine Stock Exchange index. REIT shares, corporate bonds with an investible rating issued by an ac credited credit rating agency and eq uity securities that form part of the Philippine Stock Exchange Dividend Yield Index are also deemed eligible PERA investment products. Securities issued by the Bangko Sentral ng Pilipinas and corporate bonds issued by banks in compliance with BSP requirements are also eli gible PERA investment products. Equity securities included in the PSE index may also be classified as eligible PERA investment products, provided that the PSE certifies to the SEC that the equity securities met the requisites of being non-speculative, readily market able and with a track record of regular income payment to investors.
LANDBANK’S AWARD. Land Bank of the Philippines Balanga Branch head Nenita Lopez (fourth from left) receives the ‘Top Performing Bank-Hall of Fame’ award from Bataan Governor Jose Enrique Garcia III (third from left) for the bank’s valuable contribution to advancing local recovery and development amid the COVID-19 pandemic. With them are (from left) Balanga Sangguniang Bayan member Jowee Nisay-Zabala, Vice Governor Ma. Cristina Garcia, Balanga City Mayor Francis Anthony Garcia and Bataan Second District Rep. Albert Raymond Garcia.
“The contact center sector has dem onstrated tremendous agility and resil iency to effectively deliver world-class customer experience management ser vices to global and domestic clients throughout the pandemic,” Hernandez said.The group will unveil new measures to keep the growth momentum in the upcoming Contact Islands 2022, an annual event hosted by CCAP. The event will be held at the Crimson Re sort and Spa in Boracay Island from Oct. 19 to 21. It will also reiterate its call for clear government policy on flexible work arrangements, the strengthening of PEZA as true “one-stop-shop” for administration, compliance and reporting matters with respect to registered business entities.
Darwin G. Amojelar DOE clears 4 firms for grid impact study
By Othel V. Campos
THE Philippine Economic Zone Au thority said Monday it will accept ap plications from investors planning to open businesses in accredited econom ic zones in Metro Manila again. PEZA officer-in-charge Tereso Panga said the agency would resume its function to accept, evaluate and approve application for investments in ecozones in Metro Manila after a three-yearPresidentmoratorium.RodrigoDuterte issued Administrative Order No. 18 in June 2019 to encourage businesses to re locate to areas outside Metro Manila and spread economic activities in the countryside.Pangasaid PEZA now expects a del uge of investments from the IT-busi ness process management companies in Metro Manila after the three-year moratorium.“Wecannow process applications from IT-BPM companies who were earlier eyeing to locate their operations in Metro Manila. This means invest ments in PEZA will increase again,” hePangasaid. said there is no need to amend AO 18, the measure responsible for the moratorium on IT-BPM’s expansion in Metro Manila. “It has been superseded by CREATE [Corporate Recovery and Tax Incen tives for Enterprises Act] and its IRR [implementing rules and regulations]. Since it was the OP that promulgated the AO, it is better if they initiate the lifting [of the AO]” Panga said. AO 18 stripped PEZA of the au thority to accept, process or evaluate applications for the establishment of economic zones in Metro Manila until the moratorium is lifted to divert in vestments to the countryside. Locator companies, however, are free to set-up operations in existing ecozones in Metro Manila. PEZA reiterated its role in the cre ation of special economic zones in the countryside and the importance of ad dressing the efficiency factors which are necessary to complete the supply chain and lower the cost of doing busi ness in the Philippines. The development of economic zones falls under Tier 1 of the CREATE law which is granted four years of income tax holiday plus 10 years of enhanced deduction and special corporate in come tax rate. PEZA said the lifting of the mora torium on geographical restrictions would enable the creation of more jobs for the Filipino workforce. PEZA manages over 415 economic zones nationwide with about 4,665 lo cator companies that directly employ 1.6 million workers. Othel V. Campos
The NTC cancelled Newsnet’s PA and issued CDO to its Metro Manila and nationwide operations due to the expiration of the latter’s legislative franchise on Oct. 1, 2021. The CA said the NTC “commit ted reversible order in issuing the as sailed order of termination of provi sional authority of petitioner which is solely grounded on the expiration of the legislative franchise or Republic Act No. 8197 on Oct. 1, 2021. “Said order unduly limited the pe riod authority of petitioner to oper ate as a qualified CATV operator in contravention of the provisions of EO No. 205 which allows a maximum period of 30 years,” it said. Based on the provisions of EO No. 205, the maximum period of a certifi cate of authority that can be given to the CATV operator is 30 years. Records show that NTC granted Newsnet PA to operate a local multipoint distribution system in the 25.35Ghz to 26.35GHz band within Metro Manila from 1997 to Oct. 1, 2021, which is the date of expiration of its legislative franchise , or for a total period of 24 years.
THE Philippines put up a gallant stand before bowing to Chinese Tai pei, 26-28, 21-25, 21-25 to achieve a sixth-place finish in the AVC Cup for Women Monday before an apprecia tive crowd at the Philsports Arena.
Johnson brushed it off, however, saying that he just took advantage of the situation that presented itself.“Itwasn’t something we drilled,” Johnson said. “It was just [my] stance and how we [fought]. The biggest thing was just trying to be dynamic and be fluid and chill.“When I landed the right hand, I saw he was wobbling. I kept my distance, and I saw he was about to run into the cage. I was like, ‘OK, it’s a perfect time.’ And I threw the knee. Once I knew that it landed, it was like a kill shot. I was like, ‘OK, that’s game,’ and just walkedWhileoff.”Johnson is still very much on top of his game, he is already looking at things differently. His goal right now is to put on a show, regardless of outcomes and the accolades that come with them. “At the end of the day, I’m at the point in my career [where] I’m just here to have fun, and if I win, I win. If I lose, I lose,” Johnson said. “I’m not going to let the outcome of my wins or my losses dictate my life. If I was on the receiving end of another knee, I would have had the same demeanor and energy right now.”
MCLEEN Gomera and Judy Ann Padilla crushed their respective rivals to split the 16-and-under titles then matched runner-up finishes in the premier side to lead a mix of winners in the PPSPEPP national juniors tennis championships in Consolacion, Cebu over the weekend. The top-seeded Gomera warded off No. 6 Ariel Cabaral, 6-4, 6-3, in the semis then the Bacolod, Lanao del Norte rising star stopped unranked Juvels Velos in his tracks, 6-2, 6-2, to add the Consolacion leg to his growing 16-U tro phy collection in the Group 2 tournament wrap ping up the four-leg Cebu swing of the country’s longest talent-search that included stops in Man daue, Lapu-Lapu and Naga. Padilla, on the other hand, cruised to victory in her side of the battle, ripping Shara Paliwag, 6-0, 6-3, in the finals as the Ozamiz City bet made up for her three-set setback to absentee Kimi Brodeth in last week’s Naga leg of the circuit put up by Palawan Pawnshop president/ CEO Bobby Meanwhile,Castro.fierce action shifts to Mindan ao starting Thursday with the men’s Open in Tagum, Davao del Norte featuring the country’s leading players and rising stars. For details, contact event organizer and Sports Program Development director Bobby Mangu nay at John0915-4046464.DavidVelezof Ormoc City and LapuLapu City’s Tiffany Nocos kept their domina tion of the 18-U play, trouncing Gomera, 6-0, 6-0, and foiling Padilla, 6-4, 6-2, respectively, but the 16-U winners took the MVP honors with their two-medal feats at the Consolacion tennis clayThecourts.eight-category, week-long event produced seven winners from various cities and provinc es, including two reversals, to underscore the level playing field with Paliwag from Valencia, Negros Oriental and Velos from Danao, Cebu bagging the 14-U crowns, and Ormoc City’s Chrystell Laguna and David Sepulveda from Talisay, Cebu winning the 12-U trophies in the tournament backed by ProtekTODO, Palawan Pay, the Unified Tennis Philippines and UTR (Universal Tennis Rating). Paliwag frustrated last week’s surprise win ner Juliana Tenepre from Mandaue City, 6-2, 6-3; Velos upended second seed Frank Dilao from Laguna, 6-0, 6-1; Laguna stunned top seed Alexa Cruspero, 6-2, 6-2; and the top-ranked Sepulveda fended off surprise local finalist Chrislawrence Villarin, 6-1, 6-0.
The 26-year-old Obiena took the top honors on a better countback result after he cleared the bar at 5.81 meters. “I know what to work on and I ex pect 5.95 to come soon, with 6 meters to follow. Like anything in life, this is all about continual improvement,” said RutgerObiena.Koppelaar of the Nether lands and Kurtis Marschall of Austra lia also leaped to same height, but on their second Koppelaarattempts.claimed the silver medal on the countback after he earlier made the height of 5.73 meters on his second try.Marschall clinched the bronze after taking 5.73 meters in two attempts and 5.63 meters in three. The 6’2” Obiena said he later tried to go for 5.95 meters for a new nation al and Asian record. “I am very happy to bring home the gold medal against a great field. But on the other hand, I am frustrated by near-misses again at 5.95 meters,” saidSmith among PGA players set for LIV Golf transfer
Obiena bags gold, but goal to reach 6 meters continues
The Philippines won two pool matches against Iran and South Ko rea, before edging Australia in last Sunday’s first classification game, easily surpassing the country’s ninthplace run in the 2018 edition in Na khon Ratchasima, Thailand. “The team familiarity and chemis try is important in a tournament like this,” said Meneses. Ced Domingo came through with 12 points, while Michele Gumabao had two blocks for a nine-point out ing.Jema Galanza had eight kills, Jea nette Panaga also had eight points, including three blocks, while Tots Carlos tallied seven points. Chang, who scored nine of the match-best 18 points in the third set, praised the Philippines for giving her team a stiff challenge before captur ing fifth place.
Gomera, Padilla log key PPS Cebu honors Johnson on ‘Kill Shot’ KO win: It feels good
By Peter Atencio TECHNICAL difficulties confronted Ernest “EJ” Obiena in his bid to go higher, but he still grabbed the gold medal in the True Athletics Classics in Leverkusen, Germany on Sunday evening.
WASHINGTON—British Open champion Cameron Smith of Aus tralia is among several US PGA Tour players who will defect to the Saudibacked rival LIV Golf Series, accord ing to multiple reports. World number two Smith had been the subject of several reports about joining LIV Golf shortly after lift ing the Claret Jug last month, but has avoided discussion of the subject while playing in this month’s PGA FedEx Cup playoffs. Golf Channel, ESPN and Sports Illustrated cited unnamed sources in reporting that several big-name PGA players were waiting until after Sun day’s completion of the PGA’s Tour Championship in Atlanta to announce their plans to join LIV Golf. Smith will play in next week’s LIV Golf event in Boston along with compatriot Marc Leishman, India’s Anirban Lahiri, Chile’s Joaquin Nie mann and Americans Harold Varner and Cameron Tringale, according to Sports Illustrated and ESPN; while Golf Channel named all but Lahiri. Chilean Mito Pereira will also leave for LIV Golf but was uncertain for Boston, leaving his status up in the air for next month’s Presidents Cup in Charlotte, North Carolina. The team event, pitting a US squad against a non-European Internation als lineup, would not be open to any player banned by the PGA — and all players who have teed off in any LIV Golf event have been handed instant indefinite suspensions.
LIV Golf’s record $25 million purses and 54-hole format has attract ed several big-name players to the up start series, including Phil Mickelson, Bryson DeChambeau, Brooks Ko epka, Sergio Garcia, Henrik Stenson, Lee Westwood, Ian Poulter, Patrick Reed and Dustin Johnson. The Internationals lineup was al ready hit by defections to LIV Golf by South African Louis Oosthuizen and several countrymen, plus Mexico’s Abraham Ancer and Carlos Ortiz.
Sports
TUESDAY, AUGUST 30, 2022 C1 Riera U. Mallari, Editor; Randy M. Caluag, Assistant Editor
Obiena in a message to the Manila Standard.Obiena explained that he needs to make more adjustments in the 5.8 to 6.0 meter range. “We have boiled it down to some small technical adaptations, which at these heights, make the difference between a miss or a make,” said Obiena in his statement. It was Obiena’s sixth gold medal in the out door meet this year. Last week, he had a bronze-medal finish at the Athletissima meet in Lausanne, Switzerland and a gold medal when he jumped 5.81 meters to rule the Internationales Stab hochsprung-Meeting in Jockgrim Germany on Tuesday. Next for Obiena is the St. Wendel City Jump also in Germany on Wednes day, and the the Memo rial van Damme event in Brussels, Belgium on Fri day. Then, Obiena heads to the ISTAF 2022 in Ber lin, Germany on Sept. 4, and the Golden Fly event in Schaan, Liechtenstein on Sept.But11.Obiena stopped after he missed his clearing at 5.87 meters on three at tempts.
Ernest John Obiena Tots Carlos of the Philippines tries to keep the ball in play during their game PhilsportsMondayforinChineseagainstTaipeitheAVCCupWomenonattheArena.
PH bows to
settlesTaiwan,for6thplace
Demetrious “Mighty Mouse” Johnson Mcleen Gomera (left) and Judy Ann Padilla extend their 16-U domination in the country’s longest-talent search.
“The Philippines is a good team, they have good speed so we used strong service. Sometimes it is fast, sometimes it’s short ball. They are focused on reception,” said Chang. “They always give the ball to the outside spikers and we are ready. We practiced about their outside spikers,” the Taiwanese opposite hitter added.
WHEN Demetrious “Mighty Mouse” Johnson got knocked out last year for the first time in his career by Adriano “Mikinho” Moraes, he took that loss to heart and carried it with him as motivation. So imagine how elated he must have felt when he finally got back at his old tormentor. Not only did he even the score, he did so in the most poetic way, knocking Moraes out with the same knee that the Brazilian used to finish him a year ago. In doing so, Johnson also captured the ONE Flyweight World Title. “It feels good, man. It was a great fight against Adriano Moraes,” Johnson said after his main-event win at ONE Fight Night 1 this past Saturday, 27 August, at the Singapore Indoor Stadium. “I think the first fight we had against each other, he got me. Then when I came home and watched it, I was kind of a little irritated about a couple of things. But we got this one. I wish nothing but the best for The finish was similar to what Moraes did to him last year, as he got blasted with a punch before being finished with a knee in one of the biggest upsets in MMA history.So when he returned the favor this past Saturday – which happened with an overhand right and one huge walkoff knee KO –some people were wondering if finish.foractivelyJohnsonlookedthesame
AFP
The women’s national team showed no signs of fatigue after last Sunday’s thrilling 21-25, 25-19, 19-25, 25-18, 15-12 victory over Australia, giving the Taiwanese everything to handle in the extended first set before losing. Chinese Taipei took control of the next two with team captain Chang LiWen taking charge and was success ful in holding down the Philippines’ ace spiker Tots Carlos scoreless in the thirdWithset.three victories, the ranking was the host country’s best-ever in a continental competition since a fifthplace feat in the 3rd Asian Champion ship in Fukuoka, Japan in 1983. “The three wins are a blessing,” said coach Sherwin Meneses. “This is history. We are very thankful for the players who sacrificed because the games are played everyday.”
SPA-FRANCORCHAMPS, Belgium—World cham pion Max Verstappen blew away his rivals with a commanding performance at the Belgian Grand Prix on Sunday to take a significant step towards a second successive drivers’ title as Red Bull celebrated a 1-2 with Sergio Perez finishing a remote runner-up. The 24-year-old Dutchman, who started from 14th on the grid, scorched through the field with devastat ing pace and elan to deliver crushing proof of his and Red Bull’s superiority.
Scheffler birdied four of his last six holes Sunday morning to finish the light ning-halted third round and stretch his lead from one stroke to six. The big lead dwindled quickly with bogeys by Scheffler on three of the first six holes while McIlroy answered an opening bogey with a birdie at the third and made three birdies in a row starting at the fifth. “I just didn’t get off to a good start early, but after that I grinded as hard as I could,” said Scheffler. “My swing wasn’t where it had been the first few days.” away with 3YO Sprint title
Favorite Gomezian scoots
McIlroy wins 3rd FedEx Cup title
WASHINGTON—RoryMcIlroyralliedfromsixstrokesdownstartingthe final round to overtake topranked Scottie Scheffler and win his record third FedEx Cup title on Sunday by capturing the PGA’s Tour Championship.The33-year-oldfrom Northern Ire land fired a four-under-par 66 to fin ish on 21-under 263 at East Lake in Atlanta.Four-time major winner McIlroy took the $18 million top prize in the seasonending playoff showdown by one stroke over reigning Masters champion Schef fler, who fired a 73 on Sunday, and South Korean Im Sung-jae. “It’s great to end the season on a high note like this,” McIlroy said. “To do something no one else has done... and playing the golf when you needed to to get the job done -- incredibly satisfying.” Scheffler, who began the week on 10-under thanks to the season points lead and a staggered scoring system, lost out because McIlroy fired the week’s best 72-hole score, 17-under. “Just little mental errors,” Scheffler said. “I just wasn’t swinging it well. “I really fought hard. Rory just played a really good round of golf. He made some key putts there at the end and he definitely deserved to win.” Scheffler, a four-time winner this sea son, earned McIlroy’s respect. “I feel like Scottie deserves at least half of this,” McIlroy said. “I feel sort of bad that I pipped him to the post.” McIlroy, who has been a major ad vocate for the PGA Tour in its ongoing battle with the Saudi-backed LIV Golf Series, said victory was even sweeter given the tumult engulfing the sport this season.“Itmeans an awful lot,” McIlroy said. “This is an incredbly proud moment for
OVERCOMING a not-so-favorable jump out of the gate, Freddie Santos’ Gomezian showed the public he was sent off as the top choice by winning the P1.5 million 2022 Philracom 3YO Sprint last Sunday at the San Lazaro Business and Leisure Park in Carmona, Cavite. Starting the race in dead last, a no-no in a short trip such as 1000 meters, both horse and jockey (Oneal Cortez) remained calm and composed as Eazacky and Club Kensai tried to outmuscle each other for the win up front.But the last 600-meters became a totally different story as Gomezian made his move and clawed his way in to contention with eachVeteranstride.trainer
In front of a packed crowd at the spectacular SpaFrancorchamps circuit, including many fans from the nearby Netherlands, Verstappen came home 17.841 seconds clear of the pack with race pole-sitter Carlos Sainz finishing third for Ferrari. Charles Leclerc, Verstappen’s nearest challenger going into the race, struggled in the other Ferrari after starting 15th. He was handed a five-second penalty for speeding in the pitlane and had to battle past Alpine’s Fernando Alonso on the last lap to snatch sixth behind the Mer cedes of George Russell and Fernando Alonso. Lewis Hamilton retired on the opening lap after his Mercedes collided with Alonso’s car. - Flying VerstappenVerstappen was one of eight drivers to be relegated down the grid after taking new power-unit or gearbox components. In spite of being quickest in qualifying he started 14th but quickly carved his way through the field to install himself in the easy chair up front. The race began in bright and dry conditions follow ing official confirmation that Belgium’s place on the calendar was secure for next year at least with a oneyear contract extension. When the lights went out, Sainz made an excel lent start, while Perez was slow to move and passed by Alonso, Hamilton and Russell. Verstappen rose smoothly from 14th on the grid to eighth. As the field climbed through Les Combes, Ham ilton collided with Alonso as he attempted to com plete an impetuous pass, the Mercedes rising over the Alpine and falling violently. Both men continued, but Hamilton’s race was done. Alonso called Hamilton an “idiot” over the radio and the Briton later took full responsibility. “He was in my blind spot, I didn’t give him enough space. It is my fault,” Hamilton said. This unscripted exit left the seven-time champion still searching for a first win of the season.
Danilo “Dabe” de la Cruz in a post-race interview that he was not that concerned with the start as that became Go mezian’s norm for some time now. “Hindi talaga namin sinadyang panoorin ‘yung bak bakan sa harapan, kungdi ganu’n na talaga siya. Parang bumubuwelo,” De la Cruz said. Jockey Cortez when asked if he panicked when he was at the tail-end of the pack said, “Hindi naman kasi kilala ko na ng todo ‘yung kabayo ko na kapag hiningan ko na, hindi naman siya bumibitin. Kaya nu’ng pa glampas ng medya-milya at hiningan ko na siya ay naka-pwesto na kami for the win.” The Sakima out of Hot Yoga progeny bred by the Esguerra Farms stopped the clock at 59.4 seconds with clips of 11’-23-25 giving the connections the major chunk of the purse (P900 thousand). Second place went to Enigma Uno worth P337,500 for the effort, Eazacky took home third place honors for P187,500, while Roar ing Kanyon salvaged fourth and P75,000.me but it should also be an incredibly proud moment for the PGA Tour. They have had some hard times this year but we’re getting through it.” Fourth-ranked McIlroy, who won the 2016 and 2019 Tour Championships, roared back from 11 strokes back late in the second round and six shots down af ter 54 holes. ience to claw my way back,” McIlroy said.“I didn’t really give myself much of a chance teeing off today. I thought six behind, it was really going to be tough to make up. “But my good play and Scottie’s notso-great play and it was a ball game go ing into the back nine.” McIlroy sank a stunning birdie putt at the par-3 15th from just inside 32 feet, the ball breaking to the left and dropping into the hole, to match Scheffler for the lead on McIlroy21-under.blasted out of a bunker way beyond the 16th green but pitched inside eight feet and made the par putt while Scheffler missed a par putt from just inside nine to hand McIlroy the lead. Both parred 17 as the tension grew. At the par-4 18th, Scheffler found a greenside bunker while McIlroy bounced his second shot off the left grandstand and into deep rough. Scheffler went over the green out of the sand then pitched back onto the green while McIlroy chipped onto the green and two-putted for par and the vic tory.“If you’re willing to go out and earn it, this is what can happen,” McIlroy said. - Money wasn’t a thoughtScheffler said the $11.5 million differ ence in first and second was never on his mind.“The money definitely didn’t creep into my mind. I wanted to win the sea son-long title,” he said. “I’ve had a re ally great year and I wanted to finish it off with a win here and unfortunately I wasn’t able to do that.”
Shortly after, Nicholas Latifi went wide in his Wil liams and spun, taking out Valtteri Bottas’s Alfa Ro meo.Asafety car was deployed and the field settled with Sainz leading Perez, Russell and Alonso. Soon after the resumption, Verstappen cut his way through to reach third and a podium finish by lap eight.The impatient Dutchman surged past Perez on lap 12 as Alonso pitted, leaving the two Red Bulls leading ahead of Russell and Vettel, a near-perfect scenario for the Milton Keynes-based team that made light of Verstappen’s grid penalty. Perez pitted after 14 laps, re-joining third in front of Leclerc as Verstappen came in from the lead on lap 15. He came out ahead of Perez. The defending champion was in imperious mood and on lap 18, after following Sainz uphill from Eau Rouge, swept past to lead on the Kemmel straight. Remarkably, to the delight of the orange-clad hordes packed into the circuit, Verstappen had demolished the field before half-distance. Three laps later, Perez passed Sainz for second. Further pit-stops shuffled the pack briefly, but Red Bull reigned supreme. “It was quite a hectic first lap to stay out of trouble,” said a composed Verstappen. “But once we settled in after the safety car, the car was really on rails.” He added that he knew his car was ‘super-competi tive’ from the start of the weekend. “I could tell from the ‘get-go’ that we could get an amazing result.
“Now, of course, I am enjoying the moment, having a good time, but even with this amazing weekend, we are still focused on what we can achieve and we want more.”Hewill be counting on another big points pay day next weekend when the F1 circus pitches up at Zand voort for his home Dutch Grand Prix.
“It’s been a weekend that I couldn’t have imagined before,” said Verstappen, who pulled 93 points clear of Perez in the drivers’ standings. Among those blown away by Verstappen’s stun ning show of superiority was his teammate. “Max was flying – he was on another planet. He was untouchable,” said Perez. Verstappen has now won nine of this season’s 14 races - this was the 29th of his career and completed a hat-trick of summer victories in Europe.
TODAY (TUESDAY) (Paco Arena, Manila) 2:30 p.m. – Sta. Rosa vs Cignal 5:30 p.m. – VNS vs Fudgee Barr VOLLEY fans brace for fast, furious action as the Spikers’ Turf returns after a long hiatus with fancied Cig nal testing the young Sta. Rosa side’s mettle and VNS-One Alicia and At eneo-Fudgee Barr facing off in a pair of explosive matches kicking off the Open Conference today (Tuesday) at the Paco Arena in Manila. The HD Spikers set out for their 2:30 p.m. clash with the Lions, eager to flaunt their form on a team led by former league Most Valuable Players Marck Espejo and Ysay Marasigan and backstopped by former collegiate standouts Chu Njigha (Ateneo), Louie Ramirez (Perpetual), and Edward Camposano (National University).
PSA’s online forum to ofSeasontackle3PBA3x3
‘Untouchable’
Verstappen cruises in Belgium
THE Season 2 of the PBA 3x3 takes the limelight in the online Philip pine Sportswriters Association Fo rum on RichardTuesday.Bachmann, 3x3 chair man, will be gracing the weekly sports program together with tour nament director Joey Guanio and Samahang Basketbol ng Pilipinas 3x3 program director Ronnie Mag sanoc.The session starts at 10:30 a.m. The Forum is presented by San Miguel Corporation, MILO, Phil ippine Sports Commission, Philip pine Olympic Committee, Amelie Hotel Manila, Unilever, and the Philippine Amusement and Gaming Corporation (PAGCOR). It is being livestreamed via the PSA Facebook page itsPilipinasairedpineSportswritersAssociationfb.com/PhilipandonadelayedbasisoverRadyo2,whichalsosharesitonofficialFacebookpage.
SportsTUESDAY, AUGUST 30, 2022C2GAMES
Red Bull Racing’s Dutch driver Max Verstappen celebrates winning the Belgian Formula One Grand Prix at SpaFrancorchamps racetrack in Spa. AFP Gomezian wins from behind.
OFFICIAL PBA OUTFITTER. Top Filipino sportswear brand LGR Athletic Wears, Inc. has partnered with the Philippine Basketball Association. As the official outfitter of the league, LGR will be providing gameday personnel of the PBA, PBA D-League and PBA 3x3 with quality, custom shirts made of imported dry-fit material that the brand has been known for. In photo during the contract signing ceremony were (from left) Jo Francisco, marketing/PBAPI head, PBA Commissioner Willie Marcial, LGR Athletics Wears, Inc. CEO Rhayan Cruz and LGR account executive Samuel Celestino. Rory McIlroy of Northern Ireland displays the FedEx Cup after winning during the final round of the TOUR Championship at East Lake Golf Club in Atlanta, Georgia. AFP
“I’m excited that the Spikers’ Turf is back since this is the league where it all started for us,” said Espejo, whose vast talents had earned him a stint in the Japan V. League for Team FC To kyo last season. “We’ll do our best to defend our crown but we know that the competition will be tough this conference.”TheLions of Sta. Rosa City of coach Edward Lirio, meanwhile, hope to make the most of their young crew made up of players 18-years-old-andbelow.Ateneo-Fudgee Bar, meanwhile, launches its title drive with skipper Lance De Castro and rookie Matthew Salarzon all primed for their 5:30 p.m. encounter with the VNS hitters. Also helping in the team’s transition is assistant coach and former Spikers’ Turf best setter Vince Mangulabnan. But the VNS-One Alicia is also all geared up for its campaign with top setter and national team standout Ish Polvorosa spearheading their charge along with Mapua standouts Alfredo Pagulong and Ben San Andres. The three other squads in the sev en-team field are the National U-Sta. Elena, Army and Navy. Men’s volley takes spotlight as TurfSpikers’unwraps
IMPROVISATIONS, open mics, ourtopicsjokes.differences,culturalandfamilyThesearesomeofthewediscussedduringvirtualchatwith Joseph Glenn Herbert, Sr. (known professionally as Jo Koy) to promote his Funny is Funny World Tour happening tomorrow, August 31, at the Mall of Asia (MOA) Arena. One of today’s premier stand-up comics, the 51-year-old comedian has come a long way from his modest beginnings performing at a Las Vegas coffee house. The hugely relatable comic pulls inspiration from his family, specifically his son Joseph Herbert, Jr., and Filipino mom Lydia Gaston But did you know that Jo Koy doesn’t ask permission from them whenever he would use them as main subjects for his show?
FDCP celebrates Film Industry Month
GMA Network’s First Vice President for Program Management Jose Mari R. Abacan was tapped to be part of the prestigious ContentAsia Awards 2022 in Bangkok,AbacanThailand.waschosen as one of the judges to review and evaluate entries from three categories including Best Drama Series/Telefilm Made for a Single Asia Market, Best TV Format Adaptation (Scripted) in Asia, and Best Asian Feature Film or Telemovie. With more than 28 years of industry experience, he was instrumental in GMA’s introducing Koreanovelas, Lakorn, Turkish, and Indian series in the country. He also oversees all program acquisition initiatives from both local and foreign producers. Apart from heading Program Management, he is also the current Project Director of GMA Network Films, Inc. and leads the overall operations and programming of all GMA’s Digital Terrestrial channels: Heart of Asia, I Heart Movies, and HallyPop. This year, ContentAsia Awards held its first-ever face-to-face awards ceremony since the pandemic started. The milestone event happened at the Ballroom of Hyatt Regency Bangkok Sukhumvit last August 26 and was attended by the most reputable members of the industry. The ContentAsia Awards is operated by ContentAsia, a 15-year-old information platform curated to offer insights into Asia’s content environment. It offers print magazines, digital newsletters, online videos, and other materials that cover entertainment content creation, funding, financing, licensing, distribution, design and branding, and technology across the Asia-Pacific region.
Jo Koy first performed in the Philippines back in January 2020 for his Just Kidding Tour. He did live shows in Manila and Cebu. With new material, he’s back for another show to entertain his local fans. Tickets to his show are available on smtickets. com and its outlets. It is made possible by Live Nation Philippines.
IN THIS day and age of intermittent fasting, keto diet, and the clamor to become vegan, encountering a book with a title such How to Never Diet Forever is outright intriguing. The promise and premise it presents, is not only unthinkable but unworkable.Yogaexpert Clara Day Herrera is the author of the book that raises the collective eyebrows especially of those whose battle with bulge is aSaysconstant.theelegant looking and all powerful feminine Herrera: “The book is based on Ayurvedic and yogic principles combined with modern discoveries. It’s a holistic approach to health, beauty, longevity, and success.”Herrera carries on: “The aim is to give clarity to its readers when it comes to wellness. It’s not a one-size-fits-all thing when it comes to nutrition.”
A promise fulfilled and not broken
‘Funny is Funny World Tour’ has new material for Jo Koy to entertain his fans 2022 Korean Film Festival Programmer Kim Young Woo (middle) with Korean directors Hong Wonchan (left) and Lee Woo Jung H.E. Korean Ambassador Kim Inchul (center) with Korean Cultural Center (KCC) Director Im Young A (right) and SM’s Millie Dizon don’t know, or someone online who has nothing good to say about my performance when I’m getting good words from the likes of Steven Spielberg who appreciates my show,” heAsadded. a Filipino American, Jo Koy has been vocal about his early struggle with identity especially with his bi-racial appearance, a half white trying to make a name for himself in the comedy bar circuit. “I just did what I love to do,” he said, noting that everything he has now was a product of his continuous effort and dedication to improve his craft. Meanwhile, in one of his Netflix specials, he addresses the stereotype that all Asian people look alike. He does Korean, Vietnamese, and Japanese impressions to show the differences in accents.“Comedy is comedy, no matter the ethnicity or location of the audiences. Some people find it offensive because they don’t understand the joke. There were minorities who came up to me to thank me for putting them in the spotlight, for recognizing that they exist,” he said. Asked about his inspiration in producing a script for a show, Jo Koy noted that he loves doing improvisation, which reminded us of his previous show in Manila when he greeted the crowd with a joke about his short car ride to the venue – which took him 45 minutes.“Iadjust my material based on the venue or situation where I’m doing my show,” he said, adding that he used to do a lot of improvisations in open mics where he found himself more grounded. And he still randomly goes to open mics to test new material. “I’m in my element during open mics because the people there didn’t come to see me,” he shared.
IN CELEBRATION of the second Philippine Film Industry Month (PFIM), the annual month-long fete honoring the heritage and legacy of Philippine Cinema, the Film Development Council of the Philippines (FDCP) will be holding a wide array of local and international events for the whole month of September including free film screenings, networking events, book launch, workshops, and many more. This year’s PFIM theme “Tuloy Ang Kuwento: Ang Pagbabalik ng Pelikulang Pilipino,” aims to gather the different stakeholders, especially the film community and film audiences, and rally the nation behind the Philippine film industry as it regain its momentum upon the easing of pandemicrelated restrictions and as cinemas and theaters become fully operational. Most of the events will be held in-person. The month of September will consist of main events such as the Tuloy Ang Kuwento: PFIM Opening Ceremony, PFIM Gala, and the Filmmakers and Shakers Night: PFIM Closing Event, where special screenings of Filipino gems, live performances, and special announcements will take place. In honor of their significant contribution to the industry, films of National Artists for Film Fernando Poe, Jr. and the three new National Artists, Nora Aunor, Ricky Lee and late director Marilou Diaz-Abaya will be screened for free under the Archive Focus event and the FDCP banner Pista ng Pelikulang Pilipino (PPP) Classics in TriNoma Mall and Cinematheque Centres nationwide, respectively. PPP will also be returning for this year’s edition to offer fresh perspectives from the youth and regional narratives featuring the finalists from Sine Kabataan Short Film Lab and Festival and Sine Isla: LuzViMinda Short FilmSinceCompetition.itsinauguration last year by former President Rodrigo Duterte through the Presidential Proclamation 1085, s. 2021, declaring September as the Philippine Film Industry Month, the FDCP, as the lead agency in observing the PFIM, has organized programs and activities to recognize and celebrate the invaluable achievements of all the stakeholders and sectors of the film industry. September 12 marks the birth of Philippine Cinema as the first Filipino-directed and produced feature film Dalagang Bukid by Jose Nepomuceno was premiered on this day in 1919. For PFIM schedule, visit https://www.fdcp. ph/
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“That’s my story to tell. I’ve always been open to just letting people be inside my life,” he told Manila Standard Entertainment. “In doing my shows, I’m able to share my truth, my story.” Jo Koy finds sharing his story with the audience as the most rewarding part of what he does. More than making people laugh, it’s the feeling of accomplishment that he’s able to tell relatable stories that his audience can reflectWhileto.it’s true that his jokes are not for everyone, he appreciates feedback from people who matter, and brushes off comments from people who harshly criticize his performances.
Entertainment TUESDAY, AUGUST 30, 2022 C3 E-mail: lifeandshow.manilastandard@gmail.com
“I honestly don’t care when people talk about my jokes not being funny or culturally correct,” he said, citing that he gives more attention to reviews he gets from the likes of Steven Spielberg who even became the producer of his film Easter Sunday, which unspools in local theaters tomorrow as well. The feature film is loosely based on Jo Koy’s life experiences, and set around a family gathering to celebrate Easter Sunday.“Why would I listen to someone I Jo Koy still in his element Jo Koy, a comicsstand-uppremiertoday’sisAmerican,Filipinooneof
Clara is an international yoga and meditation teacher, global speaker and coach, and UK-certified vegan and vegetarian nutrition specialist
Nickie Taculao,
GMA exec chosen as judge in ContentAsia Awards 2022AbacanJoseManagementProgramFirstNetwork’sGMAVPforMariR.
Three years in the making, Herrera’s book will convince even the most doubtful of Thomases, that the title is not just a marketing ploy but it is also for real. Each page contains easy-to-read tips and techniques based on her aexperiences.personal“Iwasflight attendant for 15 years to many, it is an adorned life. What most are not aware of, I was having bouts of depression during the time,” the gracious lady admits.“There is no pill or candy for depression. It is not easy. Finding the answers to alleviate my sufferings took time, and cliché as it may seem, finding your strength in love, which is self-love, is how I made it through.” This is what she advocates now, selfcare activities, with yoga on top of her list. She explains: “One of the most actionable ways to find self-love is through yoga. I started practicing yoga from five minutes to an hour. I fell in love with the Herrerapractice.”fellso in love with meditation and yoga that she flew to India to formally study the practice. She also revealed that it was through a meditation session that she felt the urge to go back to the Philippines to serve. “An insight came to me to share this message of hope and healing. One of the easiest ways to do that is to write a book,” Herrera andWhileshares.self-doubtprocrastination
Wang, Editor Patricia
Korean Film Festival unreels in five SM Cinemas
MEMBERS of the Korean community in Manila, K-film enthusiasts, and cultural advocates recently gathered together for the launch of the 2022 Korean Film Festival at SM Aura Premier. The festival then unreeled seven films in five SM Malls in Metro Manila, giving mallgoers a glimpse of Korean culture through movies. A joint project of the Embassy of the Republic of Korea, the Korean Cultural Center in the Philippines, and SM Cinema, this year’s festival featured Korean films in different genres such as action, drama, mystery, comedy, and romance. The presence of two directors who flew in from Korea – director Hong Wonchan of the festival’s opening film, Deliver Us from Evil , as well as Lee Woo Jung ( Snowball) – highlighted the first in cinema film fest after two years. No less than H.E. Korean Ambassador Kim Inchul led the opening ceremony held at SM Aura PremierDuringCinema.theQ&A with the media, Hong said that he was “overwhelmed that my film, Deliver Us from Evil , was chosen to be the opening film of the festival.” He added that this was the first time to join a Korean Film Festival after two years of the pandemic, and was happy to see his movie again on the big screen. Lee, on the other hand, expressed that she was looking forward to collaborations with Filipino filmmakers and actors. “It’s my first visit here,” she said, “and Filipinos are very hospitable and friendly.”Korea’s booming film industry represents their country’s open-mindedness, nationalism, and creativity in storytelling, acting, and technological prowess. Apart from Deliver Us From Evil and Snowball , the other films in the 2022 Korean Film Festival included actiondrama film Escape from Mogadishu by Ryu Seung-Wan, drama films Miracle: Letters to the President by Lee Jang-Hoon and The Novelist’s Film by Hong Sang-Soo , drama-mystery The Day I Died: Unclosed Case by Park Jiwan , and comedy-romance film Perhaps Love by Jo EunJi A total of seven films were screened simultaneously in five SM Malls including SM Megamall, SM Mall of Asia, SM City North EDSA, SM City Grand Central, and SM Southmall during the festival’s run.
Clara Day Herrera is the author of ‘How to Never Diet Forever’ to bring clarity about health and wellness to readers
got in the way of publishing the book, Herrera powered through by practicing what she preaches in the chapters. What readers can expect from the book are valuable chapters about the power of mind, words, presence and the scientific approach to nutrition and other lifestyle game changers. How to Never Diet Forever is more than just a book on health and weight loss,” declares Herrera. “It’s an inspiring blueprint anchored on a wholehearted and holistic approach to life, for us to achieve contentment, peace, and happiness.” “It is perfect for people who have ridden diet bandwagons but never really reached their destinations. It is an eyeopener for those who have done weight loss initiatives but failed because of possible mistakes in their approach. This is an eye-opener for everyone, most especially to those who are so hard on themselves,” she says. The lovely Clara concludes: “This is a book about liberation and freedom. Freedom that comes with a price which is discipline. The benefits are rewarding and fulfilling.”Herrera is an international yoga and meditation teacher, CEO of CDH Wellness Corporation, global speaker and coach, and UK-certified vegan and vegetarian nutrition specialist. Her wellness and nutrition expertise backed by years of research allowed her to unlock the secrets to achieve health and beauty goals. She is behind the popular fat burn-anddigestive-reset cleanse programs under her brand Pillowbread PH. Celebrities and social media personalities have sworn by the effectiveness of her scientifically prepared cleanse plans. How to Never Diet Forever is now available on https://claradayh.com/shop
The Philippine Film Industry Month (PFIM) is an annual month-long fete honoring the heritage and legacy of Philippine Cinema
“The Family Expo is also our way of giv ing families a special bonding experience that’s different from their mundane mall visits. Since restrictions are easing up, we wanted to throw the biggest convention that all family members can enjoy. Of course, we also understand that some prefer to stay at home, so we’re offering the same access on our website. It’s the perfect place to be for those looking for ways to rewrite or simply refresh their bond as a family,” she closes.
The picturesque Amalfi Coast, lo cated in Italy’s Sorrento Peninsula, is where chemist and TV host Pinky To biano imagined it as the perfect vaca tion spot for her favorite people. Known for its stunning coastline beautifully set along the cobalt blue Tyrrhenian Sea, Amalfi has a mild climate that is perfect forBesidesget-togethers.itsnatural and cultural won ders, Amalfi is known for its variant of lemons developed as a cross between the local lemon and bitter orange, which makes it sweeter, juicier, and more aro matic than the regular lemon.
Pinky with hubby Juancho Robles
Pinky’s collaboration with West Elm made her tablescaping event possible. Her recent tablescape is the centerpiece of her exclusive shopping party with Wil liams–Sonoma brands in the Philippines.
The Family Expo prepared several activities for kids as a way of giving families a special bonding experience that’s different from their usual mall visits.
Hotel Sales and Marketing Association of the Philippines Board at the September Online Sale Media Launch
“We wanted to partner with an estab lished coffee brand in the country. We in tend to grow this partnership by coming up with more co-branded products and menu offering,” Auntie Anne’s Philippines chief operating officer Mikkel Parris said. Being a homegrown Filipino brand, FCG continues to be proud of its signature blend, finding ways to introduce its products to more customers nationwide through part nerships with brands like Auntie Anne’s. FCG is set to end the year with 150 branches nationwide, across its brands Fi garo Coffee, Angel’s Pizza, and Tien Ma’s Taiwanese cuisine, wanting to deliver its products to untapped yet high-demand are as in the country while Auntie Anne’s aims to have over 100 stores in the near future.
Patricia Taculao Assistant Joba
“Today’s shoppers have very distinct expectations and interests for things. The challenge with regular shopping in malls is that they offer a wide mix of choices that are rarely remarkable or spark joy now,” says Head of Brand & Community of Edamama PH Karla Suguitan “We’ve always wanted to change that by presenting parents a platform where they al ready have easy access to the best products and services that they need.”
vided tray full of hearty grains to factor more earthiness into the setup. To top it all off, she added lemons cut in half and squeezed one across the whole table for that extra olfactory treat. Lastly, to complete the overall look of her tablescape, Pinky used flute and wine glasses with modern angles. At its bases are coasters with a stone-like tone to elevate the whole look and re mind her of Amalfi’s rocky shores. Guests at the tablescaping event in cluded beauty queen Bianca Manalo, TV host Phoemela Barranda, actressentrepreneur Yanna Asistio, Corner stone’s Erickson Raymundo, actress Moi Bien, chef Florabel Co-Yatco, make-up artist Bambbi Fuentes, law yer Karen Jimeno, Gerry Sy, Petra Lim, Ruby Chua, Irene Montemayor, Mac Merla, Ann Murphy, Lara Vil lafuerte, and Dong Ronquillo
Pinky Tobiano, the queen of tablescaping who is known for her widely-followed “TablelovebyPinky,” saw inspiration from the coast and how the Amalfi lemons satisfy the senses
Re-engaging local travelers via month-long travel shopping spree
Pinky’s tablescape is the centerpiece of her exclusive shopping party with Williams–Sonoma brands in the Philippines.
“FCG and Auntie Anne’s share the same vision of delivering high-quality food products to every Filipino at fair prices. Our partnership, which started in Novem ber 2016, has since proved to be mutually beneficial and has resulted in customer de light across our markets,” FCG Chairman Justin Liu said. FCG first opened its doors to new part nerships in 2016, wanting to further pro mote its products and expand its market through different well-loved institutions. This resulted in a customized coffee blend exclusive to Auntie Anne’s, served in 61 pretzel stores and kiosks nationwide, from Metro Manila to Davao. The story of Auntie Anne’s began in 1988 in Pennsylvania, USA, with a mod est stall in a farmer’s market which soon turned into a pretzel empire. The iconic pretzel brand has been in the Philippines for more than 25 years and can be found in several major malls within the country. “We are excited to bring this venture to new heights. We are developing new joint products and more coffee concoctions that will cater to the different tastes of the wide customer base of both brands,” Liu stated. “We are excited to bring this venture to new heights. We are developing new joint products and more coffee concoctions that will cater to the different tastes of the wide customer base of both brands,” the execu tiveAuntieadded.Anne’s pretzels, whether sweet, salty, or savory, have proven to be a clas sic crowd favorite to enjoy at any time of the day. To better cater to the Filipino palette, Auntie Anne’s focused on intro ducing additional crowd-favorite flavors to its local menu. For Auntie Anne’s, FCG is the perfect partner to the “world’s most loved pret zels.” Freshly brewed coffee made from Figaro’s finest beans, paired with Auntie Anne’s classic golden brown, buttery pret zels is certainly a match made in heaven. As a result, FCG developed an exclusive blend that pairs best with the prestigious pretzels. Customers can enjoy a blend of high-mountain medium roast Arabica with a hint of Excelsa, for a smooth finish, with notes of chocolate, caramel, and nutmeg.
LOCAL travel industry players, led by the Hotel Sales and Marketing Association of the Philip pines (HSMA), are organizing the September Online Sale (SOS) to let your wanderlust kick in. With the theme “Eat. Stay. Love,” the event is an invitation for the traveling public to reengage with the world and live a fuller life by rediscovering the joys of travel. The online travel mart will showcase an ar ray of hospitality packages, which include room stays, weekend getaways, rejuvenating spa ex periences, enriching recreational offers such as packaged group tours, and delicious food and beverageTravelersdeals.can also look forward to planning more life milestones with the help of SOS, since the fair will also offer discounts on restaurants, meetings and conferences packages, and ban quet occasions, such as weddings, debuts, en gagement parties among many others. From the safety and comfort of home, travel ers can browse the SOS website https://www. hsma.org.ph/sos/ from September 1 to 30 with out having to deal with the rush, panic, or crowds of your typical travel bazaars. “From a 15-day event in our first year, we’ve planned a month-long travel mart. We are also including the ancillary services of the properties such as restaurants, bars, banquet packages, spa, gym and pool, and other facilities of the hotel, making this year’s campaign more thrilling and inviting,” says Benjie Martinez, HSMA Presi dent and Area Director of Sales & Marketing for Bayleaf Hotels. From Metro Manila to the Southern Tagalog region, to popular beach destinations in Bora cay, Palawan, Bohol, Cebu, and Davao, there’s a deal for everyone at this month-long travel fair that will showcase 78 resorts and hotels namely: (In Manila) Bayview Park Hotel, Diamond Hotel Philippines, Hotel Lucky Chinatown, The Bay leaf Intramuros, and Winford Manila Resort and Casino; in Pasay and Parañaque, Belmont Hotel Manila, Conrad Manila, Golden Phoenix Hotel Manila, Holiday Inn Express Manila Newport City, Kingsford Hotel Manila, Midas Hotel and Casino, Okada Manila, Savoy Hotel Manila, and The Heritage Hotel Manila; In Makati, BGC, and Alabang, Acacia Hotel Manila, Dusit Thani Manila, F1 Hotel Manila, New World Makati Hotel, Seda BGC, Seda Residences Makati, and The Bellevue Manila; in Ortigas/Pasig, Ace Hotel and Suites, Asto ria Plaza, Discovery Suites, Joy Nostalg Hotel & Suites Manila, Marco Polo Ortigas Manila, Richmonde Hotel Ortigas, The Linden Suites; in Quezon City and Clark, Pampanga, B Hotel Quezon City, Clark Marriott Hotel, Eastwood Richmonde Hotel, Park Inn by Radisson North EDSA, Quest Plus Conference Center Clark, and Seda Vertis North. In the Southern Tagalog region (Cavite, La guna, Batangas, and Tagaytay), Acuatico Beach Resort & Hotel, Inc., Acuaverde Beach Resort and Hotel, Anya Resort Tagaytay, Pico Sands Hotel, Quest Hotel Tagaytay, Seda Nuvali, Sum mit Ridge Tagaytay, Taal Vista Hotel, The Bay leaf Cavite, and Twin Lakes Hotel Inc.; in Bo racay, Astoria Current, Belmont Hotel Boracay, Crimson Resort and Spa Boracay, Discovery Shores Boracay, Feliz Hotel Boracay, Le Soleil de Boracay, Savoy Hotel Boracay, and The Lind Boracay; in Cebu, bai Hotel Cebu, Best West ern Plus The Ivywall Resort Panglao, Bluewater Maribago Beach Resort, Bluewater Sumilon Is land Resort, El Mar Resort, Marco Polo Plaza Cebu, Savoy Hotel Mactan, Waterfront Airport Hotel & Casino, and Waterfront Cebu City Hotel & Casino;InBohol, Leyte, and Iloilo, Bluewater Panglao Beach Resort, Mithi Resort and Spa, Modala Beach Resort, Richmonde Iloilo, The Bellevue Resort, The Oriental Leyte; and, fi nally, in Palawan and Davao, Astoria Palawan, Bacau Bay, Club Paradise Palawan, Dusit Thani Lubi Plantation Resort, Dusit Thani Residence Davao, dusitD2 Davao, El Nido Resorts - Pangu lasian Island, Huni Lio, Miniloc Island Resort, Seda Lio, and Waterfront Insular Hotel Davao. All vouchers bought during the sale will have no expiry date. Last year’s SOS sold over 5,100 vouch ers, or equivalent to P29.2 million in gross sales. All purchased vouchers have no expiration date. Packages may be availed of through se cured online payment platforms including Maya. The September Online Sale is made possible by HSMA’s event partners: The Department of Tourism, the Tourism Promotions Board, Atlan tis, and Media Meter. The event is also powered by resources from exclusive sponsors Maya and Megaworld International.
THE Figaro Coffee Group (FCG), one of the country’s rising food and beverage groups, and globally-renowned pretzel brand Auntie Anne’s are expanding their strategic alliance to develop new menu of ferings and co-branded products. Leveraging their six successful years of partnership, FCG and Auntie Anne’s are now looking at new beverage innovations, fresh concepts, and the latest trends in the industry to co-develop new products at af fordable prices.
By Patricia Taculao I TALY, the birthplace of the Renaissance, is known for many great things. The country’s history and culture are evident in its vast regions highlighted through its landscapes, cuisine, and arts, among other aspects.
Pinky gets her tablescaping essentials and furniture from WSI Brands, such as Pottery Barn and West Elm. West Elm boasts modern furniture and home decor, with new collections every season, an artist’s dream for every tablescape.
Botana, Associate Editor
Figaro Coffee Corp. chairman Justin Liu (left) and Auntie Anne’s COO Mikkel Paris
Editorial
Pinky Tobiano brings a piece of Italy to the table an expandable dining table made from solid, kiln-dried acacia wood. She chose it specifically for its walnut finish that will undoubtedly make the centerpiece and flowers pop. The tablescape artist paired it with chairs made from all-weath er wicker suitable for outdoor and indoor, giving the set a fresh and al fresco vibe. Pinky later focused her attention on the centerpiece. She used bouquets of baby blue hydrangeas towering over bright yellow lemons as glass vase fill ers. She added small branches filled with olives to evoke an Italian feel. In true TableLovebyPinky fashion, Pinky used the most unlikely things as tablescape elements. She filled Aaron Probyn Jiggers, a sleek, metallic vessel, with baby’s breath to give an element of surprise. She also used a wooden di
By Alena Mae S. Flores
Pinky, the queen of tablescaping known for her widely-followed “Ta blelovebyPinky,” saw inspiration from the coast and how the Amalfi lemons satisfy the senses. She translated her experience and put a piece of Italy on the tablet using various elements, giving her guests a memorable encounter. For beginners, she used fresh lem ons in her suspended tablescape, tak ing her art to another level. The citrusy aroma instantly filled the area, making her guests feel refreshed and excited to move on to the table underneath. Since Amalfi lemons aren’t available in the Philippines, Pinky used local var iants. After all, tablescape artists need to be resourceful and adaptable. Moving towards the table, Pinky used
LEADING online parenting shopping hub Edamama PH staged the biggest onsite and online event recently gathered top kids brands, parenting influencers, and other excit ing events and activities from August 26 to 28 at the SMX Convention Center Mall of Asia. Guests of the physical event were able to shop, explore, and have fun with the expo’s exciting mix of activities ranging from brand discounts to talks with parenting experts. The Family Expo gathered over a hun dred of the biggest mom and kids brands and offered up to 70 percent off on excit ing deals and discounts. Some of the names participated in were Pampers, Johnson’s, Cetaphil, Pigeon, Chicco, Bean, and Tiny Buds. Moreover, expert-led talks were also held during the three-day event, covering topics like “How to start with Play-based Learning at Home,” “Your Guide to Gentle Parenting,” and “Level Up Your Homemak ing Habits.” Mommy personalities and top influencers like Mommy Ciara of Mommy Diaries Julie Ann Septimo, and Connh Cruz of The Modern Nanay were also in vited as guests. The Family Expo also prepared lots of activities for kids like watercolor classes, bouncy castles, arts and crafts areas, and reading nooks so mom and dad could ex plore and enjoy the expo to their hearts’ content. A mascot parade featuring popular characters opened the event on August 26. Those who preferred staying at home were still able to watch the stream of the event and enjoy the same exciting discounts for a more hassle-free shopping experience on the hud’s website. There were family raf fle draws that excited guests for a minimum shopping purchase amount, gift bag givea ways, and donation drives. The Family Expo was in sync with edamama’s mission to bring everyday joy to parenting by simplifying their decisionmaking. The brand has always believed that raising a family is no easy feat so it aims to make life easier for mothers (and fathers) by curating the best parenting products and services chosen by fellow parents, too.
To stay updated on all things SOS, follow HSMA’s Facebook page at www.facebook. com/HSMAPH and Instagram account at @ HSMAPhilippines. Shop, explore, and have fun at biggest family expo in Manila
A stronger partnership to delight consumers’ taste buds
C4 TUESDAY, AUGUST 30, 2022 Nickie Wang Editor E-mail: lifeandshow.manilastandard@gmail.com Life
