Manila Standard - 2022 August 31 - Wednesday by Manila Standard

Customs to charge agri smugglers, protectors

Next page Palace vows to protect press freedom

THE country’s sugar shortage is not artificial, and stakeholders were consulted on the issuance of Sugar Order No. 4 which sought the importation of 300,000 metric tons of sugar, Philippine Sugar Millers Association, Inc. (PSMA) President Pablo Lobregat said. Lobregat made the disclosure in a Senate Blue Ribbon Committee hearing on Tuesday, adding he did not believe sugar was being hoarded. "I do not believe that this is artificial," Lobregat told Senator Risa Hontiveros, who asked his opinion on the country’s sugar “fiasco.” "I cannot say none. Maybe there might be some," the sugar group head added of

THE Bureau of Customs (BOC) is preparing charges against the alleged protectors and smugglers of agricultural products tagged in a previous Senate report, Acting Commissioner Yogi

By Vince Lopez PRESS freedom is guaranteed under the watch of President Ferdinand Marcos Jr., Malacañang said on Tuesday.Press Secretary Trixie CruzAngeles issued the statement in celebration of National Press Freedom Day.

By Rey E. Requejo and Maricel V. Cruz T HE Supreme Court on Tuesday stopped the several cities in Metro Manila from carrying out the no-contact apprehension program (NCAP), which enables them to capture traffic violations using cameras and impose hefty fines on motorists. in effect in Metro Manila months oral arguments

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Filemon Ruiz told senators on Tuesday. Customs officials are “thoroughly gathering evidence” against the personalities identified in a Senate Committee of the Whole report regarding the investigation on the alleged proliferation of smuggled vegetables in theIncountry.June, the Senate panel said a copy

PH to study oil talks revival with China

SC stops NCAP traffic rule

Next page WHO replaces W. Pacific chief over bullying,allegedracism

TRO

THE Procurement Service of the Department of Budget and Management (PS-DBM) has expressed its intention to return to the state treasury over P3 billion in high-yield investments in government banks, which was flagged by the Commission on Audit (COA) as unauthorized.Inastatement, PS-DBM Executive Director Dennis Santiago said: “The amount of P3 billion is intact.” “I am for the return of the money to the National Treasury as soon as we have properly clarified the nature of the funds with COA,” Santiago said. The COA, in a management letter to PS-DBM, ordered the agency to During their regular en banc session, the SC justices voted to issue a temporary restraining order (TRO) against NCAP and pertinent ordinances issued by the local government units (LGUs) to implement the NCAP. It also barred traffic authorities from making apprehensions under the NCAP programs until further orders from the Court. The Court issued the order after it consolidated the petitions filed by several transport groups such as the

The WHO said Tuesday it had sent its number two to step in for its Western Pacific chief, who has been accused by staff of abusive, racist and authoritarian behaviour.TheWorld Health Organization has dispatched Deputy Director General Zsuzsanna Jakab from its Geneva global headquarters to temporarily replace Japanese doctor Takeshi Kasai at the regional office in Manila. A slew of accusations against Kasai emerged in January from staff past and present. Next page

KASAITAKESHI

Samahang Plaridel president and Manila Standard publisher Rolando Estabillo (second from right) is joined by (from left) Nelly Lumbaca, former Malacañang Press Corps president Evelyn Quiroz, and lawyer Hector Villacorta. Samahang Plaridel was founded in 2003 by veteran journalists led by Max Soliven, Neal Cruz, Adrian Cristobal, Isagani Yambot, Carmen Guerrero-Nakpil, Jullie Yap Daza, Jun Icban, and Estabillo, among others.

By Macon Ramos-Araneta

EXECUTIVE AGENDA. President Ferdinand Marcos Jr. leads the 6th Cabinet meeting at the Palace on Tuesday, with the Department of Science and Technology and the Department of Environment and Natural Resources presenting their priority programs.

for beyond 5

after

THE government will study the proposed revival of the joint oil exploration between the Philippines and China in the resource-rich West Philippine Sea (WPS), Malacañang said on Tuesday. Press Secretary Trixie Cruz-Angeles issued the statement after former Chinese ambassador to the Philippines Liu Jianchao expressed optimism about the revival of negotiations on China’s possible joint oil and gas exploration with the Philippines in WPS. Liu, the current minister of the International Department of the Communist Party of China’s (CPC) Central Committee, said Sunday he hoped the Marcos administration will consider joint oil and gas development in the busy waterway.Cruz-Angeles said the Department of Foreign Affairs (DFA) will look into the proposal. “With regard to our foreign relations, especially if these involve contracts, the Department of Foreign Affairs needs to be notified,” she said. Chinese Ambassador to the Philippines Huang Xilian on July 27 said China is ready to restart talks on oil and gas exploration with the Philippines.

SEARCH AND RESCUE EXERCISE. Members of the Philippine Coast Guard welcome the USCG Cutter Midgett as it docks at Pier 15 at the Port of Manila on Tuesday, August 30, 2022. The vessel will participate in a Search and Rescue (SAR) exercise with the PCG. Danny Pata

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PS-DBM open to return P3b invested in banks to Treasury Sugar millers insist low supply real, no stocks being hoarded

PLARIDEL'S 172ND BIRTHDAY. The Association of Philippine Journalists-Samahang Plaridel marks the 172nd birthday of Marcelo Del Pilar, recognized as the father of Philippine journalism and founder of the first bilingual newspaper Diariong Tagalog in 1882. The National Press Freedom Day, under Republic Act. No. 11699, is a working holiday that coincides with Plaridel's birthday.

VOL. XXXVI • NO. 196 • 3 SECTIONS 12 PAGES • P20 WEDNESDAY, AUGUST 31, 2022 • www.manilastandard.net • mst.daydesk@gmail.com

By Othel V. Campos P HILIPPINE goods bound to the United Kingdom may experience temporary delays due to the ongoing strike at the Felixstowe Port in Southeastern England, the Department of Trade and Industry said Tuesday.

“Please allow the new administration to reform and transform the agency and provide efficiency and economy in the acquisition of common-use supplies and equipment (CSE), which we intend to focus on as part of our mandate,” Santiago said in a statement. On August 16, the PS-DBM suspended the procurement of non-CSE “effective immediately” as part of efforts to improve their processes. During the suspension, the PSDBM shall not accept new requests for non-CSE procurement until further notice. The COA also said the PS-DBM not returning the investment is contrary to Department of Finance-DBM-COA Joint Circular No. 04-2012 dated September 11, 2012, which states that all dormant accounts, as well as unnecessary special and trust funds, shall be reverted to the general fund.

Sugar... From A1 hoarding, explaining that stashing and smuggling the commodity are "symptoms" and not causes of a supply deficit.Inthe same hearing, Blue Ribbon committee chairman Senator Francis Tolentino said the resigned officials of the Sugar Regulatory Administration (SRA) merely “presumed” the signals from President Ferdinand Marcos Jr. in allowing the 300,000-ton shipment under SO4.Later, Mr. Marcos, as concurrent Agriculture Secretary and SRA board chairman, declared the sugar order illegal.

“Since the strike had been anticipated, our Post in London informed us that some shipments have been re-routed to mini mize the impact of the port strike on PHUK trade,” he said. He added the strike may disrupt sup ply chains and may increase operational costs of exporters due to the diversion of shipments. As the largest container port in the United Kingdom, the Felixstowe Port handles more than a third of cargo enter ing the UK, including those from Asia. The main products that pass through this port include food, electronics, gar ments, and automotive parts. The strike adds to the supply chain is sues and port congestion that the UK has already been facing since its withdrawal

PH... From A1 In November 2018, the two countries signed a memorandum of understanding (MOU) on joint oil and gas development in WPS. Under the Duterte administration, the Philippines terminated the talks before Marcos assumed the presidency on June 30 because of constitutional constraints and issues on the country’s sovereignty. The Philippines on July 12, 2016, won its petition against China before the Permanent Court of Arbitration (PCA) in

Dormant accounts refer to collections authorized by law to be deposited with an authorized government depository bank (AGDB) and have remained inactive for more than five years, the same 2012 Joint Circular also states. The COA also noted that it is not the PS-DBM’s mandate to make investments and invest in a high-yield savings account. Santiago said PS-DBM is already reviewing the audit observation on the high-yield savings account and shall revert to COA to address the Audit Observation Memorandum. “To allow us to focus on the fulfillment of our primary mandate, which is to procure CSEs, I issued a directive on August 16 suspending the procurement of non-common use supplies and equipment. During the suspension, the PS-DBM shall not accept new requests for Non-CSE procurement until further notice,” he added. PS-DBM is mandated to procure common-use office supplies, materials, and equipment such as, but not limited to, ballpens, papers, staplers, paper clips, folders, and the like for all government agencies. The PS-DBM is once again in the spotlight due to its flagged procurement of laptops for the Department of Education (DepEd) for the implementation of distance learning amid the COVID-19 pandemic.The procurement agency was also linked to alleged irregularities surrounding the purchase of face masks, face shields, and other pandemic supplies with Pharmally Pharmaceutical Corp. in 2020.PS-DBM has sought the National Bureau of Investigation’s (NBI) assistance in investigating the acquisition of laptops for the DepEd. . (See full story online at manilastandard.net)

Palace... From A1 “The administration, under the leadership of President Ferdinand R. Marcos Jr., recognizes and respects press freedom in the country, as guaranteed by the Constitution," she said in Filipino in a Facebook post. Cruz-Angeles said the Office of the Press Secretary is joining the entire country in marking National Press Freedom Day, which coincides with the birth anniversary of Marcelo H. del Pilar. Cruz-Angeles said the Palace would work closely with media organizations to protect and uphold the rights of journalists. Republic Act (RA) 11699 signed by former President Rodrigo Duterte declared Aug. 30 of every year as National Press Freedom Day in honor of Del Pilar, the father of Philippine Journalism. Del Pilar, who wrote under the pen name "Plaridel," was born on Aug. 30, 1890.Under RA 11699, Aug. 30 of every year is declared a working holiday. RA mandates all government agencies and instrumentalities, as well as the private sector, to engage and participate in the meaningful observance and celebration of National Press Freedom Day. The directive covers the Armed Forces of the Philippines, the Philippine National Police, government-owned and -controlled corporations, and the local government units. The law also orders the Department of Education, the Commission on Higher Education, and the Technical Education and Skills Development Authority to lead public and private schools at all levels in organizing activities on the importance of the press and their rights and social responsibilities.ThePhilippines’ ranking in the World Press Freedom Index further dropped this year, nine places to end 147th among 180 countries. This is the fifth time that the country dropped in ranking in the list by Reporters Without Borders (RSF). In 2021, the country ranked 138th, then 136th in 2020, 134th in 2019, and 133rd in 2018.

The DCTS will replace the UK Gener alized Scheme of Preferences (GSP) and will allow the Philippines to save nearly P1.4 billion from tariffs each year, once the scheme comes into force in early 2023.The Felixstowe row presents a major headache for international freight. Shipping giant Maersk said three of its ships have so far been diverted to other North European ports, before seeking to transfer cargo back to Britain. Dockers want a 10-percent pay rise with inflation currently running at a 40year high of 10.1 percent. The Port of Felixstowe described as "fair" its offer of salary increases of an average eight percent. "The port regrets the impact this action will have on UK supply chains," it added. With AFP SC... From A1 Kilusan sa Pagbabago ng Industriya ng Transportasyon Inc. (KAPIT), Pangkalahatang Sagguniang Manila and Suburbs Drivers Association Nationwide (Pasang-Masda), Alliance of Transport Operators and Drivers Association of the Philippines (ALTODAP), and Alliance of Concerned Transport Organization (ACTO) and lawyer Juman B. Paa. Paa’s petition questions the constitutionality of the NCAP being implemented by the Manila City government after he was forced to pay huge fines and penalties for four traffic violations (obstruction of the pedestrian lane) before he could register his vehicle. The lawyer named the Manila City government and its Mayor Honey Lacuna-Pangan as respondents. The TRO comes two weeks after the Court told the respondents Metropolitan Manila Development Authority (MMDA), Land Transportation Office, the City of Manila, Quezon City, Valenzuela City, Paranaque City and Muntinlupa City to comment on the petitions filed against the program within 10 days. SC Public Information Office chief and spokesman Brian Keith Hosaka said the magistrates decided to set the petitions for oral arguments on Jan. 24, 2023 before deciding on the merit of the petitions. Hosaka did not say why the Court would wait five months before hearing oral arguments. The transport groups have assailed the legality of the NCAP, saying it has no basis either in the Republic Act 7924 that serves as the enabling charter of the MMDA or RA 4136, which created the LTO. They added that the ordinances of the LGUs allowing NCAP are invalid since there are no existing laws passed by the Congress that allows the implementation of such regulation. The petitioners argued that RA 4136 allows only face-to-face apprehension of traffic violators and that traffic violations are the liability of the erring drivers and not the registered owners. The petitioners are also complaining against provisions of the NCAP, including the non-renewal of the vehicle registration until all fines are settled. Paa, on the other hand, said Manila’s NCAP should be declared unconstitutional for being violative of the motorists’ constitutional right to due process; for being oppressive and confiscatory; and for violation of privacy rights under Republic Act 10173 or the Data Privacy Act of The2012.petitioner noted that the NCAP lacks the technical capability to ensure that notices of violations are received by thePaamotorists.alsonoted that the traffic fines and penalties being imposed by the Manila City government for obstruction of pedestrian lanes is 100 percent to 300 percent higher than the fines being imposed by the MMDA and LTO. Besides, Paa said the 56 percent penalty imposed on the unpaid fines by the Manila City government is “unconscionable” compared to the legal interest of 12 percent. The lawyer also asserted that NCAP violates the provisions of Data Privacy Act of 2021 as it can be used to conduct unlawful surveillance and monitoring of people’s movements by private individuals. Albay Rep. Joey Sarte Salceda on Tuesday welcomed the Supreme Court decision. “There were obvious flaws of legality from the very start. Policing is not something that can be subject to PPP, or can be conducted without informing the citizen of his rights or allowing him or her adequate methods of redress. That violates due process,” Salceda, chairman of the House committee on ways and means, said. He said the TRO would prevent the policy from doing any harm until its legality and constitutionality are resolved. Salceda is principal author of House Bill 3423, which pushes for a Motorists' Bill of Rights, including the right against arbitrary apprehension and the right to due process in traffic enforcement. Rep. Marvin C. Rillo, vice chairman of the House committee on Metro Manila development, also welcomed the TRO. “The temporary halt will compel local governments to rethink the way they are recklessly enforcing the NCAP at the expense of motorists,” he said. “We would urge local governments to use the pause to conduct more extensive public consultations on the NCAP, and to heed the complaints and concerns of motorists,” Rillo added. Rillo earlier filed House Resolution No. 237, which called for the suspension of the NCAP’s implementation. Besides the MMDA, the cities of Manila, Muntinlupa, Parañaque, Quezon, and Valenzuela are enforcing the NCAP. San Juan City also recently signed an agreement to put the policy into effect.

The staff, who wished to remain anonymous "for fear of retaliation," accused him of making "derogatory remarks to staff of certain nationalities," in particular local Filipinos. "The regional director for the Western Pacific region, Dr. Takeshi Kasai, is on leave," the WHO said Tuesday. "During the regional director's absence, the WHO's Deputy Director General Dr Zsuzsanna Jakab will ensure business continuity," the UN health agency told AFP. Headquartered in the Philippines' capital Manila, the WHO's Western Pacific region covers almost 1.9 billion people across 37 territories. Appointed by the WHO executive board, Kasai has been in the post since February 2019. He was previously the region's number two and has worked for the WHO for more than 15 years. Jakab is the second in command at the WHO in Geneva behind director general Tedros Adhanom Ghebreyesus. The Hungarian public health administrator previously ran the WHO's European regional office from 2010 to 2019, and before that the European Centre for Disease Prevention and Control. Jakab was due to arrive in Manila on Tuesday or Wednesday to temporarily take over Kasai's duties, a source told AFP."She is there to ensure continuity," the source said. (See full story online at manilastandard.net)

WHO... From A1 Kasai, who denied the allegations, was accused of presiding over a "toxic atmosphere" at the WHO's Western Pacific headquarters with a culture of "systemic bullying and public ridiculing."

"You merely presumed.... the signs," an unconvinced Tolentino told ex-SRA administrator Hermenegildo Serafica and Department of Agriculture Undersecretary Leocadio Sebastian, who signed SO4 as the President’s representative on the sugar board. Executive Secretary Victor Rodriguez, who Serafica and Sebastian said did not object to the sugar order along with Mr. Marcos, skipped the Blue Ribbon’s second hearing into the sugar importation controversy due to a Cabinet meeting in Malacañang. Rodriguez was present in the first hearing where he testified that the issuance of SO 4 was not authorized by the President. The plan to import around 150,000 metric tons (MT) of sugar will still be subject to review by the Chief Executive, Malacañang said on Tuesday. In a press conference, Press Secretary Trixie Cruz-Angeles said Mr. Marcos has yet to receive a copy of the sugar import plan. “He will review the [proposed sugar] order prior to signing,” Cruz-Angeles said.Mr. Marcos, in his recent vlog, announced that the government is eyeing importing 150,000 MT of sugar if the country’s supply dwindles by October.

Senator Robinhood "Robin" C. Padilla also raised a point on the seeming violation of the law in the appointment of some officials of SRA, as they did not go through the shortlist of the Governance Commission for Government-Owned and Controlled Corporations (GCG). Padilla revealed this after GCG Chairman Alex Quiroz affirmed that the appointees were not yet included in a shortlist as mandated by Republic Act 10149."Under RA 10149, the GOCC Governance Act of 2011, Section 15 on the appointment of the board of directors and trustees of GOCCs indicates that an appointive director shall be appointed by the President from a shortlist prepared by the GCG. Now, the Blue Ribbon Committee is probing what happened to the SRA," Padilla said. . (See full story online at manilastandard.net)

PS-DBM... From A1 “immediately remit the balance of the savings” to the Bureau of Treasury (BTr). State auditors said PS-DBM's failure to revert the investment to the general fund of the BTr is in violation of Executive Order No. 431 dated May 30, 2004. Amid mounting calls to abolish the procurement service, Santiago on Tuesday appealed to Congress to give the administration of President Ferdinand Marcos Jr. a chance to reform the agency. The PS-DBM Executive Director echoed the appeal made by Budget Secretary Amenah Pangandaman in allowing them to institute reforms.

from the European Union. However, these impacts are consid ered to be relatively minor and temporary because there are other ports of entry into the UK such as the Southampton Port and London Gateway, which are also main en try points for shipments coming from Asia.

Meanwhile, the Philippine Exporters Confederation, Inc. (Philexport) said it has yet to hear complaints from member companies regarding the port strike. Total bilateral trade between the Philippines and UK was about £2 bil lion each year, or approximately P135 trillion.The UK has recently announced that the Philippines is eligible for duty free access for over 99 percent of total ex ported goods to the UK under UK’s new Developing Countries Trading Scheme (DCTS).

RSF described the Philippine media as “extremely vibrant despite the government’s targeted attacks and constant harassment, since 2016, of journalists and media outlets that are too critical.” RSF said radio and TV are the most popular media in the country, with networks continuing to grow their presence online. Meanwhile, print media are losing momentum, with some regional newspapers struggling to survive as they lack online presence.

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Trade Secretary Alfredo Pascual said the Philippine Trade Office in London has advised Filipino exporters to use other routes to have their products reach their destination in the UK.

The Hague, Netherlands after the court invalidated Beijing’s supposedly historic rights over nearly the entire South China Sea, including the WPS. China has refused to recognize the 2016 PCA ruling. Liu earlier met with Foreign Affairs Secretary Enrique Manalo, House Speaker and Lakas-CMD president Martin Romualdez, and Senate Minority Leader and PDP-Laban chairman Aquilino Pimentel III. Liu also expressed hope the Philippines will proceed with Chinafunded railway projects so that Filipinos “will have access to the convenience of railway transportation as soon as possible.” “I hope that the two sides will have a serious, pragmatic, and reasonable discussions and consultations on these projects so once agreed upon, once consensus is reached, the projects will be carried forward,” China’s former ambassador to the Philippines said. President Ferdinand Marcos Jr. earlier ordered the Department of Transportation to renegotiate the loan agreements for three railway projects, namely the Philippine National Railways Bicol project,Subic-Clark Railway Project, and the first phase of the Mindanao Railway Project. The DOTr said the Chinese bank that will finance the projects was asking for a 3-percent interest on the loans, much higher than the 0.01-percent rate charged by Japan. As for the oil and gas exploration talks, Liu said maritime disputes should not overshadow the bilateral ties between the two Asian neighbors. “It seems there are legal barriers or factors standing in the way, but I hope that both sides will move about these issues in a way that is feasible, in a way that is practical, so that cooperation could be realized,” Liu said.

UK port strike may lead to shipping delays

Senator Joseph Victor “JV” Ejercito assailed the SRA for failing to respond to the country’s sugar crisis, saying the agency focuses more on importation instead of strengthening the local industry. Ejercito said the SRA’s supposed efforts to implement the Sugarcane Industry Development Act were not felt by local sugar planters and refiners, then grilled Serafica for being unprepared after being asked on the status of the SIDA’s implementation.

Customs... From A1 of the 63-page document, which included former Customs and Agriculture officials, was already submitted to the Office of the Ombudsman.Severalofficials have since denied the allegations. “I've already directed our Customs Intelligence and Investigation Service to review the investigations that we have against them. If there's a need and the evidence is strong enough, we will file cases against them,” Ruiz told the Senate Blue Ribbon committee. He explained the BOC was gathering evidence to avoid “wasting the time” of the Department of Justice (DOJ) and to ensure the “prosecution and conviction” of the involved personalities. Apart from the suspected smugglers, the official also said Customs had stopped 125 cases of agricultural smuggling since 2018. Criminal charges have been filed against the erring individuals before the DOJ, he Lawmakersadded. are conducting a series of legislative inquiries into the alleged unauthorized issuance of Sugar Order No. 4, which would have allowed the importation of 300,000 metric tons of sugar into the country. The Duterte administration urged the Senate to file charges against previous Customs Commissioner Rey Guerrero and 21 other personalities who were tagged as alleged protectors and smugglers of agricultural products worth hundreds of millions of pesos. The Senate report said the amount of smuggled agri-fishery commodities from 2019 to 2022 was estimated at P667.5 million. Filing charges before the Ombudsman would also allow those accused to defend themselves, the Palace said then. On May 17, then-Senate President Vicente "Tito" Sotto III, chair of the Committee of the Whole, received a "validated" list that identified customs and agricultural officials allegedly protecting smugglers of agricultural products. (See full story online at manilastandard.net)

News A3WEDNESDAY, AUGUST 31, mst.daydesk@gmail.com2022

THE Gabriela women’s party-list on Tuesday sought a congressional inquiry into the alarming reports on cases of sexual abuse in Meanwhile,schools.Vice President and Education Secretary Sara Duterte-Carpio has ordered an investigation into allegations that six teachers in Bacoor National High School in Cavite sexually harassed students. Assistant Minority Leader and Gabriela Rep. Arlene Brosas called for a review of Republic Act 11313, or the Safe Spaces Act, amid reports on social media pertaining to faculty members accused of sexually harassing students. Brosas issued the call following recent social media posts that went viral, involving some students and alumni of Bacoor National High School in Cavite= who shared their experiences regarding teachers allegedly making sexual advance= s on their Brosasstudents.pointed out that Article V Section 21 of the Safe Spaces Law stipula= ted that all educational institutions shall address gender-based sexual harassment and online sexual harassment in accordance with the rules and procedures in their Committee on Decorum and Investigation (CODI) manual.

SOME 80 families were left homeless while an estimated P150,000 worth of property were destroyed when a fire of still unknown origin struck a residential barangay Tuesday morning in Pasay City. No one was reported injured based on the initial reports from the Pasay City Central Fire Station. The fire reportedly started at the ground floor of the house occupied by a certain Amelia on 16 Airlane Road, Aeroville, Barangay 198,ArsonPasay.investigator

PESO has identiﬁed 25 repatriated OFW beneﬁciaries. The initiative is a first of its kind in the country as the local government emphasized the importance of labor as the main driver of the economy and to pave the way for economic rehabilitation and recovery. Rio N. Araja

By Rio N. Araja

A UNIVERSITY of the Philippines-based fraternity will have a week-long celebration next month of its 50th founding anniversary, capped with a homecoming and grand ball on Oct. 15, 2022 at the historic Manila Hotel in Manila. As part of the observance, the Tau Omega Mu (TOM) and Ladies Circle will also conduct a medical mission on Oct. 8-10 for three underprivileged communities of indigenous people in Pampanga, providing free medical and dental clinics. The Pampanga free clinics will be in Sapang Bato, Porac (Oct. 8); Madapdap, Mabalacat (Oct. 9); and Santa Lucia Resettlement Area, San Fernando (Oct. 10). After the free clinics, visiting TOM International members from around the world will host a night of fun and free drinks for all Omegans on Oct. 13 during the “Blue Jeans Night” at the Baluarte de San Diego in Intramuros, Manila. The Oct. 15 grand ball will mark the culmination of all school and community activities that TOM members here and abroad have mobilized as part of their year-long golden anniversary celebration. They earlier donated medical supplies and equipment for treating COVID-19 patients to some hospitals; mounted a fund drive for the beneﬁt of selected charitable institutions; mobilized food distribution runs for indigents; and organized a bloodletting drive, aside from holding internal activities for its members.

30-minute Pasay fire leaves 80 families homeless

QC to charge Skyway 3 P50m yearly

In an interview, city treasurer Edgar Villanueva disclosed he has formed a team to start negotiations with the project proponent, Citra Central Expressway Corp. “We want to let them know that we 900,000 students transferred from private to public schools

T HE Quezon City government eyes P50 million yearly revenue from the Metro Manila Skyway Stage 3 meant to decongest trafﬁ c along Epifanio delos Santos Ave. (EDSA) and other arterial roads in the north and south portions of Metro Manila.

will impose the corresponding business taxes (on the project),” Villanueva said. “We expect to collect P50 million per annum or more than that,” he told the Manila Standard, The Skyway stage 3 project is an 18.30-kilometer elevated expressway from Buendia Ave. in Makati City to the North Luzon Expressway (NLEX), with 2x3 lanes from Buendia to Sgt. Rivera St. corner A. Bonifacio Ave., Quezon City, 2x2 lanes from Sgt. Rivera corner A. Bonifacio to NLEX, Balintawak, Quezon City; and 2x3 lanes elevated roadway to the NLEX-South Luzon Expressway Connector Road project in the vicinity of the Polytechnic University of the Philippines.

The ﬁrst batch of beneﬁciaries included 25 displaced workers from Colegio de San Lorenzo, formerly faculty members, administrative staff and utility workers who were directly affected by the school’s recent closure due to the low turn-out of enrollees and the pandemic’s aftereffects.

SOME 900,000 private school students have transferred to public schools since the start of the pandemic in 2020, posing a new challenge for government-run educational institutions.TheDepartment of Education (DepEd) conﬁrmed this ﬁnding saying that in Western Visayas alone, 76 private schools ceased operations for this school year. “Based on what we’ve gathered, around 900,000 students have transferred. Unfortunately, they’re congesting further our public school system, which is another bad consequence of this closure of schools,” Dr. Anthony Tamayo, chairman of the Coordinating Council of Private Educational Associations, said in an interview on ANC’s “Headstart”.LawyerJoseph Noel Estrada, the group’s managing director, said 60 percent of private schools saw a decline in enrollment. “Magkakaiba ‘yung decline ng enrollment. Pero base doon sa aming survey, 60 percent ang nakaranas ng pagbagsak ng kanilang enrollment in varying degrees. Meron talagang halos magsara na, at ‘yung iba naman ay kaya pa,” he said in a separate interview.

(The decline in enrollment levels differs from school to school. But based on our survey, 60 percent of private schools saw a decline in enrollment in varying degrees. There are those that almost closed down, and those that can still carry on.) Amid reports of permanent closures of many private schools nationwide, Tamayo appealed to government to consider private schools as complementary to the public school system. “I think the private sector should be seen as a, not as a competition but complements to each other. And should there be vacant spaces, instead also of constructing buildings, maybe the students should be given vouchers so the empty classrooms in the private sector be ﬁlled up. That would also help in preventing closure,” he said. Estrada added, “Like, now, there’s a shortage of classrooms in public schools, 91,000 daw. So if you look at it, then why do we have many private schools closing down also? And unused spaces. So, I think, we really have to look at the resources available to us, to be able to help each other and improve our Philippine education system.”

MMDA turns over newly rebuilt park to San Juan

Dimayuga also attended the 126th anniversary of the Battle of San Juan del Monte, otherwise known as the Battle of Pinaglabanan, held at PinaglabananFlag-raisingShrine. and wreath-laying ceremonies were held to commemorate the 126th Battle of Pinaglabanan, highlighted by a 21-gun salute.

Gabriela seeks probe on cases of sexual abuse against students

THE Quezon City government on Tuesday launched its Alagang QC for Displaced Workers, a ﬁnancial assistance program for unemployed residents. Mayor Joy Belmonte spearheaded the cash aid program for employees or workers who had been jobless over the last six months prior to their application, and are now actively looking for new employment.

ASSISTANCE.FINANCIAL Needy QCitizens await their turn for nancial aid help from the “Alagang QC Program” being spearheaded by the local government unit under the leadership of Mayor Joy Belmonte (inset, left). The assistance is meant to enable workers and their families displaced by the COVID-19 pandemic restart anew in their struggle for a better quality of life. Manny

“This program is our way to help our QCitizens who have been badly affected by the (COVID-19) pandemic and the economic crisis. They can use the ﬁnancial assistance to support their family while looking for a new job or while retrieving the requirements being asked of them,” Belmonte said. Workers who has been unemployed for the past six months is eligible for a P500-ﬁnancial assistance per week for a maximum of eight weeks, for a total of P4,000. For this year alone, the city allotted P60 million for the program. The Public Employment Service Office is the implementing agency with the responsibility of facilitating online applications through the Quezon City e-Services Website (http://qceservices. quezoncity.gov.ph).

By Maricel V. Cruz and Joyce Pangco Pañares

“The growing trend of sexual harassment perpetrated by faculty members= against young students is alarming. While we have an existing law regarding handling cases of sexual harassment, it is clearly not enough. There is a need to review the Safe Spaces Act and ensure that policies are being implemented properly in schools,” Brosas said. Last July 2022, former students of Philippine High School for the Arts also spoke about their experiences of sexual abuse in the prestigious state art school.

By Joel E. Zurbano THE Metropolitan Manila Development Authority (MMDA) on Tuesday inaugurated and turned over to San Juan City government the El Polvorin Linear Park in San Juan Elementary School in line with the agency’s Adopt-A-Park project. The park was built in memory of the martyrs of the Himagsikan sa San Juan del Monte, who valiantly fought with their bolos and machetes against the better armed Spaniards on August 30, 1896, igniting the Philippine revolution that led to the country’s Independence on June 12, 1898. MMDA acting chair Carlo Dimayuga III and San Juan City Mayor Francis Zamora led the inauguration of the park. “We hope to develop or rehabilitate existing open spaces into functional green parks and recreation areas in partnership with each LGU (local government unit) of Metro Manila to further strengthen initiatives on urban renewal,” said Dimayuga. Zamora expressed his gratitude to the MMDA for the rehabilitation of the El Polvorin Linear Park. “I thank MMDA for funding the linear park. I want San Juan to be known for its historical signiﬁcance,” Zamora said. The El Polvorin Linear Park has fountains, koi ponds, greenwalls, and landscaped-sitting areas such as benches and potted plants. Under the Adopt-A-Park project, which started last year under former MMDA chair and now Department of Interior and Local Government Secretary Benjamin Abalos, Jr., the LGU would propose the location, design, and cost estimate, while the MMDA sets the criteria for site selection, provides funding, and implements the construction of the project.

“If you remember, the Skyway project did not operate at once because of its testing period. We are now trying to mark when its operation started. We through our legal team will send a communications,” Villanueva said. Parts of Quezon City have been used as the entrance and egress of the Skyway project, he cited.

QC launches cash aid for idle workers

PalmeroARAW

NG PINAGLABANAN. San Juan City Mayor Francis Zamora leads the observance of the 126th anniversary of the Battle of San Juan del Monte, also known as the Araw ng Pinaglabanan, together with Metro Manila Development Authority chair Carlo Dimayuga III and other city o cials. Manny Palmero

Other ofﬁcials present during the event were Congresswoman Bel Zamora, San Juan Vice Mayor Warren Villa, and National Historical Commission of the Philippines chairman Rene Escalante. UP-based frat set to goldenobserveyear

Arnel Cadaro said the ﬁre which started around 11:07 a.m., reached the second alarm and was placed under control about 30 minutes later. Eight ﬁre trucks from the Bureau of Fire Protection (BFP) and 24 others from volunteer groups in Southern Metro responded to the incident. Fire officials have not yet determined the cause of the blaze happened in the said compound, which is a stone throw away from the Ninoy Aquino International Airport. The BFP stated that most of the structural fires were due to faulty electrical wirings, unattended gas lamps, exploding cooking stoves, and overheating appliances. The bureau also warned against using illegal power connections and improper use of outlets and extensions. Joel E. Zurbano THIS IS JUST A DRILL. Operatives of the Manila Police District’s Special Weapons and Tactics hone up their expertise through a simulated exercise in responding to extreme emergency situations such as active shooting incidents in vulnerable places like shopping malls. Norman Cruz

Manila Rep. Irwin C. Tieng, panel chair, led the approval of several meas ures to strengthen the capacity of the Land Bank of the Philippines (LBP) and the Development Bank of the Phil ippines (DBP) in providing the needed assistance to micro, small, and medium enterprises (MSMEs), and other strate gically important companies.

The seven-day average of new COVID-19 cases in NCR also de creased by 19 percent from 1,062 cases on August 22 to 862 cases on August 29, David said. The region’s reproduction num ber, meanwhile, went down from 0.99 on August 19 to 0.95 on August 26. The reproduction rate refers to the number of people infected. A reproduction number that is less than 1 indicates that the transmis sion of the virus is slowing down. The NCR’s one-week positivity rate—or the percentage of people who were found positive for COV ID-19 among the total number of individuals tested—-also declined from 14.6 percent on August 18 to 12.7 percent on August 25. The healthcare utilization rate for the coronavirus disease also re mained low at 33.3 percent, while its intensive care unit occupancy was also low at 25.8 percent.

SENATOR Win Gatchalian is urging government financial institutions to create a bank account for every un bankedGatchalianFilipino.said this will hasten the distribution of public and social ser vices to beneficiaries. He said under this process, the giv ing of aid would be expedited as this would be directed to the bank ac counts of beneficiaries.

THE House of Representatives committee on banks and financial intermediaries on Tuesday approved a consoli dated measure, including Speaker Martin G. Romual dez’s House Bill (HB) 1 which proposes to expand the gov ernment’s lending programs to help small businesses recover from the COVID-19 pandemic.

Lee said there is still no exact num ber of PWDs. The Department of Social Welfare and Development (DSWD) said their number is similar to the DOH. Because of this, Marcos sought to hasten the registration of PWDs, which according to the law, should be done by the NCDA. In also admitting the discrepancy in the number of registered PWDs, Ra mos said this is due to the fact that offloading data to national database is not done in real time as of the moment. She said there are stiill forms from Local Government Unit where some PWD filed their application. The NCDA should make the central database, Marcos said. Ramos said the NCDA is committed to act on this and promised to give a list of all registered PWDs by December.Withregards to the proposed monthly pension for Indigent Persons with Disability, representatives from the DBM, NEDA and DOF admitted their hands are tied to support this due to limited funds although they admire its intention. They said there are pro grams and laws for PWDs

‘PH has no central database for persons with disabilities’

“We also do not know what such doc uments can be used for. It can cause not just confusion but other crimes. So with this in mind he ordered an investiga tion),” she Cruz-Angelessaid. said it is too early to point fingers at any parties pending investigation. “We are not presuming anything right now. Let’s see the result first, at least pre liminarily in the investigation. We can’t say that we have someone to target. Let’s look at the evidence,” she said. She the President has not set a time line to release results of the probe. Meanwhile, she said media outlets which published the report are in a “unique position” to give information about the source of the fake document.

“Wini-welcome natin ang kahit na anong impormasyon tungkol sa pag-prosecute sa kaso na ito kung susuportahan ito ng ebidensya through the investigation (We welcome any information regarding the prosecution of this case if evidence supports it),” she said, clarifying that the Palace is not trying to “scare” journalists, but give them an opportunity to cooperate in the probe.

A TOTAL of 118,785 dengue cases have been logged from January 1 to August 13, 2022, which is 143 percent higher than those recorded during the same period last year, the Department of Health (DOH) saidBasedTuesday.on the DOH’s national dengue data as of August 13, there were 48,867 cases logged from January 1 to August 13, 2021. Cumulatively, most of the den gue cases this year or 18 percent were reported in Central Luzon at 21,247. It is followed by Cen tral Visayas with 11,390 cases (10 percent), and the National Capital Region (NCR) with 11,064 (9 per cent).Atotal of 19,816 dengue cases were also recorded from July 17 to August 13 alone. Central Luzon also topped the list of regions with the most den gue cases in the recent period with 3,457 cases or 17 percent. This was followed by the NCR with 3,131 (16 percent), and the Cordillera Administrative Region (CAR) with 2,106 (11 percent). The death toll nationally due to dengue has now jumped to 400, posing a 0.3 percent case fatality rate.Of these deaths, 35 occurred in January; 31 in February; 37 in March; 47 in April; 62 in May; 74 in June; 100 in July; and 14 in Au gust.The DOH said that six out of 17 regions exceeded the epidemic threshold for dengue in the past four weeks or from July 17 to Au gustThese13. regions were Cagayan Valley, Central Luzon, Calabar zon, Mimaropa, CAR, and NCR. Of these regions, it was NCR that showed a “sustained increas ing trend” of dengue cases over the same period, the DOH pointed out. Willie Casas Dengue cases in PH continue to rise, says DOH report

THE weather bureau PAGASA said a “super typhoon” may enter the Philippines on Wednesday. PAGASA said Hinnamnor reached “super typhoon” category at 2 p.m. Tuesday and is the first super typhoon to enter the Philip pines this year. The tropical cyclone was spotted off northeastern Luzon on Wednesday, and “may still intensify,” PAGASA said. Hinnamnor reached the super typhoon category at 2 p.m. Tues day. It is the first super typhoon that enter the Philippines this year. In its 5 p.m. bulletin, the weather bureau said Hinnamnor was packing 185 kph maximum sustained winds and up to 230 kphPAGASAgusts. said it is possible that the super typhoon will continue to intensify over the sea south of Japan and may reach a peak in tensity of 195 kilometers per hour. Accordin to PAGASA, it is “not ruling out the possibility of hoisting tropical cyclone wind signals over extreme northern Lu zon as Hinnamnor may continue to expand in the coming days as it moves towards the northern Philippine Sea.” PAGASA meanwhile said that a low-pressure area (LPA) in Northern Luzon developed into tropical depression “Gardo.”

“There is a motion duly seconded, the bills on GUIDE by virtue of Sec tion 48 of the rules of the House of Representatives are hereby approved. The secretariat is directed to prepare the committee report,” Tieng said, add ing that the consolidated measure will be referred to House committees on appropriations, and ways and means DISAPPEARED. An activist puts on a mask for performance art to commemorate International Day of the Disappeared at the Monument of Heroes in Quezon City on August 30. Jam Sta. Rosa/AFP Former Ver

Noveno.

‘Unbanked in PH should have bank accounts’

By Macon Ramos-Araneta

By Vince Lopez MALACAÑANG on Tuesday ordered the National Bureau of Investigation (NBI) and Philippine National Police (PNP) to investigate the release of a “fake” document supposedly announcing the appointment of a new commissioner of the Bureau of Immigration (BI).

COVID attack rate now ‘low,’ says OCTA

By Willie Casas THE coronavirus disease 2019 (COVID-19) average daily attack rate (ADAR) in the National Capi tal Region (NCR) is now considered “low” at 5.98, independent monitor ing OCTA Research Group said Tuesday.ADAR refers to the average num ber of new COVID-19 cases in a pe riod per 100,000 people. OCTA Research fellow Dr. Guido David said that an ADAR below 6 is deemed low based on their metrics. On August 22, the NCR had an ADAR of 7.32 per 100,000 individuals.

MEETING.SPEAKERS’

Representatives.inSpeaker’sRomualdezSpeakeraBelmonteFelicianoSpeakerJr.payscourtesycalltoMartinattheOfficetheHouseof

FUN RIDE. More than 400 individuals joined a funbike ac tivity led by Mayor John Rey Tiangco and the Navotas Funbik ers Association at the Marikina Riverbanks. Andrew Rabulan

PAGASA says new super typhoon Hinnamnor soon to enter Philippines

THE Philippines still has no central database for persons with disabilities (PWDs), as indicated in yesterday’s hearing of the Senate Committee on Social Justice, Welfare, and Rural De velopment.Committee chairperson Sen. Imee Marcos earlier questioned the Na tional Council on Disability Affairs (NCDA) on the number of registered PWD in the country. Atty. Rhealeth Krizelle Ramos of NCDA said the country has about 670,000 registered PWDs in a national database handled by the Department of MarcosHealth. said “that’s a very small number 670,000 lang. We all know that the number of our PWDs is more thanNCDAthat.”Deputy Executive Director Mateo Lee Jr. noted that based on the Philippine Statistics Authority, PWDs in the Philipines number about 1.44 millionMarcos said everybody is in the process of developing a central da tabase for PWD, but “we have none so far.”

By Maricel V. Cruz

The Palace earlier said no document for the said position has been issued by the Presidential Management Staff, Of fice of the Executive Secretary, or the Office of the President. Press Secretary Trixie Cruz-Angeles said those found to have forged the great seal of government, signature, and stamp of the president in the fake document could be punishable with reclusion tem poral, or between 12 to 20 years in prison. She said President Ferdinand Marcos Jr. called for the probe over concerns that the forging his signature could cause in stability and lead to further crimes.

In filing Senate Bill No. 808 or One Filipino One Bank Account Act, he said it would also be easier for Filipi nos to learn to use banks and other on line facilities in their different trans actions.Theproposed measure, which the senator refiled this 19th Congress, seeks to mandate government finan cial institutions, such as Landbank of the Philippines and Development Bank of the Philippines (DBP), to open and maintain a bank account for every Filipino to access financial services provided by the government including educational assistance and other forms of subsidy. Gatchalian said the measure will work side by side with the Communi ty-Based Monitoring System (CBMS) Law, a system that gathers informa tion from all households in the com munity that is local government unitbased, starting at the barangay level. While the Philippine National ID addresses an individual’s lack of doc umentary requirements for opening a bank account, Gatchalian said the government still needs to facilitate and strengthen the financial inclu sion landscape in the Philippines and to promote seamless, efficient, trans parent, and targeted delivery of public and social services. Macon Ramos-Araneta

House panel approves new measure for COVID recovery

Palace orders probe on ‘fake’ appointment of BI chief

for funding and tax provision require ments, respectively. “As a matter of procedure, we have to submit our approved committee re port to the appropriations for funding and of course for ways and means for tax provision,” Tieng said. Romualdez, Representatives Yed da Marie K. Romualdez of party-list group Tingog, presidential son Fer dinand Alexander Marcos of Ilocos Norte and Jude Acidre, also of Tingog, are the principal authors of HB 1. Under Rule 10, Section 48, it au thorizes the committees to dispose of priority measures already filed and ap proved on third reading in the immedi ately preceding Congress. Rule 10 provides: “In case of bills or resolutions that are identified as prior ity measures of the House, which were previously filed in the immediately preceding Congress and have already been approved on third reading, the same may be disposed of as matters already reported upon the approval of the members of the committee present, there being a quorum.” Acidre sponsored the measure. “The pandemic has placed a severe strain on our economy. The previous Congress successfully passed several versions of the Bayanihan to Heal as One Act to cushion the economic impact of the COVID-19. Nevertheless, our micro, small and medium enterprises remain struggling to survive the deleterious effects of the pandemic. In view of the foregoing, it is our humble but firm be lief that we need to create a more ena bling environment for financial access for our MSMEs,” Acidre said.

Rolando G. Estabillo Publisher Honor Blanco Cabie Opinion Editor Lino M. Santos Chief Photographer

I am sure BBM and his Cabinet and all the 331 congressmen and 24 senators do not suffer from learning poverty

ManilaStandard ONLINE Chin Wong/Ray S. Eñano Associate Editors Joyce Pangco Pañares News Editor Jimbo Owen Gulle City Editor

EDITORIALtax

sodiumrecommendedOrganization2gramsofperday.WhichputSenateMajorityLeaderJoelVillanuevaoutrightinapiquantmoodandhassincesoughtaSenateinquiryintowhythePhilippinesimportsthatmuch–550,000metrictons–ofitssaltrequirements.Villanueva,likemanyothers,isconcernedwiththerecentstatementfromtheDepartmentofAgriculturethatthePhilippinescannotproduceenoughsaltforitsownneedsbecauseofgovernmentneglectoverthepast15yearsandnowimports93percentofitssaltrequirements.Thehumanbodyrequiresasmallamountofsodiumtoconductnerveimpulses,contractandrelaxmuscles,andmaintaintheproperbalanceof

Former Chief Justice Reynato S. Puno Board Member & Chief Legal Adviser

Anita F. Grefal Treasury Manager

water and minerals. It is estimated that we need about 500 mg of sodium daily for these vital functions. Let’s get it from Villanueva: “This is quite shameful for an archipelagic country with more than 36,000 kilo meters of shoreline. Let’s not waste further the potential to provide jobs for Filipinos in every island in the country by reviving the salt produc tionVillanuevaindustry.”noted this is a stark contrast from 1990 when the coun try was only importing 15 percent of its salt requirements, adding point edly “I am quite salty about the state of our salt production industry. It’s not too late for the country to be come a net exporter of salt.” Given this scenario, the govern ment needs to immediately address the major hurdles to the develop ment of the country’s salt production industry, which include the need for proper storage facilities, and lack of equipment such as water pumps and boats for hauling and storing salt. The announcement of the Depart ment of Labor and Employment to develop a roadmap for the salt in dustry, as introducing new strategies and providing training can generate up to 100,000 new jobs according to the agency, deserves the support of theQuickauthorities.onthe trigger, Malacanang said the other day “The national government is now working double time to beef up support for the salt industry to enhance the production of local salt in the country.”

Press Secretary Trixie Cruz-Ange les said the Department of Agricul ture and other government agencies have drawn up some early plans and the DA would implement programs and initiatives to increase salt pro duction and supply. In addition, the Bureau of Fisher ies and Aquatic Resources would lead in research and development programs to benefit small-scale and artisanal salt producers while the DA will expand salt production ar eas and push for the development of technologies to accelerate salt pro duction.Now,please pass the salt. In Soviet times Ukraine was the site of history’s worst nuclear disaster Chernobyl

While proposals for a wealth tax have been introduced in both houses of our Congress, the group suggests that legislators should undertake bold action towards progressive taxation

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,

BBM’s priority is not education actually, but roads, railways and ports. A total of P1.196 trillion has been allocated for the government’s 2023 infrastructure. This is P485.4 billion or 68 percent more than DepEd’s P710.6 billion budget. The Department of Public Works and High ways itself has a budget of P718.4 billion, still P7.8 billion higher than DepEd’s P710.6 billion allocation.“President Marcos earlier said that this ad ministration shall continue to implement infra structure projects and refocus to Build, Better, More. These projects-- subway, regional air ports, railways and farm-to-market roads-- will surely benefit the Filipino people,” says Budget Secretary Amenah Pangandaman. Major transportation infrastructure projects include the North-South Commuter Railway, the Metro Manila Subway Phase 1, the LRT-1 Cavite Extension, and the PNR South Long Haul. If you ask me, all the P1.196 trillion infra budget of BBM should be poured into educa tion.Of what used are roads, railways and ports if our kids cannot read the road and traffic signs, do not know how to follow directions, nor are able to compute how much fare they should pay. Rats, dogs and pigs would probably do better riding in public transport and using public roads because they simply use their sense of smell. Human infrastructure (the brain) is the most important infrastructure of all. Our young are the most stupid people on earth.Three years ago, before the pandemic, our young were already third from the last in com petency tests in reading, math and science. Today, they are the last in the world. And the world has 220 countries. Our young cannot read and, even if they can read, they cannot understand what they can read. They cannot compute beyond two digits. And of course, not being able to read nor compute, they cannot understand science nor are they able to explain the how and why of things.Inthe last international exams (conducted by TIMSS in 2019) participated in by our Grade 4 students (the 10 to 11 year olds), Filipinos fin ished last in math, with a score of 297, down 61 points from 358 in 2003. The Pinoy kids were beaten by the next to the last, Pakistan, which had a score of 328 (31 points higher than Ph’s), and the third to the last, South Africa, with a score of 374 (77 points higher than Ph’s). No. 1 in the TIMSS exams was Singapore with a score of 625, up from 594 previously. In the TIMSS exams of 2019, the lowest benchmark score was 400, for one to be func tionally be able to do simple math and explain it in simple English. Yet, our kids even scored lower than the al ready low 400 benchmark—an astronomical 103 points lower. Only 19 percent of our pupils who took the TIMSS exams passed the 400 benchmark for low achievement in math. So if we add the P1.196 trillion budget of BBM for infra and the P710.6 billion DepEd budget, we get P1.9 trillion. This is only 45 per cent of the P4.2 trillion annual losses in GDP terms due to learning poverty. I am sure BBM and his Cabinet and all the 331 congressmen and 24 senators do not suffer from learning poverty. They can read BBM’s budget message and understand it. They can count up to trillions –which is 12 digits, (stupid ones can count only up to two Therefore,digits).our government people, who eat up 31 pesos of every 100 pesos of the national budget as salaries, and steal another 30 pesos of every 100, understand our crisis in our learning poverty.

thoughts haunt

“We know the results of radiation, and what the consequences will be if something hap pens.” AFP

Baldwin R. Felipe Head—Ad Solutions Edgar M. Valmorida Circulation Manager

taxes such as Value Added Tax (VAT) and excise taxes have long been known to hit those with smaller incomes harder, and have thus helped to widen the gap between poor and rich, women and men, marginalized sectors and influential elites.” The group asserts that while governments across Asia have relied on a combination of anti-people taxation and austerity measures that have reduced funding for public services every year. When public funds for healthcare, educa tion, green infrastructure, and other basic public goods are needed to sustain the lives and liveli hoods of billions, the continuation of regressive taxation and austerity is unacceptable. Wealth inequality has risen to historic levels around the world within the past decade. This trend has been encouraged by govern ments that have pursued neoliberal policies to accelerate growth on the simplistic assumption that the bigger the economic pie, the more peo ple will benefit. “The failure of this assumption has been made glaringly evident time and time again, most re cently in the World Inequality Report 2022, where the richest 1 percent of individuals all across the globe have raked in a whopping 38 percent of the world’s total economic growth since the 1990s. In the same timeframe, the bottom 50 percent have received just 2 percent of economic growth. To call these crumbs is an insult.” The APMDD believes that the COVID-19 pandemic has further widened the global eco nomic divide. “If governments across Asia and the world want to build back better from the pandemic, if they want to ensure sustainable development in the coming years, if they want to adapt to cli mate change, if they want to make good on their promises to their citizens, then they must end their dogged dependence on neoliberal austerity and regressive taxation.”

MEMBER Philippine Press Institute The National Association of Philippine NewspapersPPI can be accessed at: manilastandard.net

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

Learning and poverty: The real crisis

THE biggest crisis of our time is not inflation, not stagnation, not even corruption. It is what the World Bank calls learning poverty. All children by age 10 must be able to read and understand a simply text. If a 10-year-old cannot do that, then he is in deed very poor. He suffers from the worst form of poverty, stupidity. Siya ay mangmang at tanga (He is uneducated and stupid).

Explains the World Bank: “Learning pov erty means being unable to read and understand a simple text by age 10. This indicator brings together schooling and learning indicators: it begins with the share of children who haven’t achieved minimum reading proficiency (as measured in schools) and is adjusted by the pro portion of children who are out of school (and are assumed not able to read proficiently).” Before COVID, in 2019, 90 percent of our 10-year-olds already suffered from learning poverty. After the peak of the pandemic, 97 percent became learning poor. The Philippines’ learning poverty is the high est in Asia, meaning our young are the most stupid people in Asia where 60 percent of the world’s population lives. If you cannot read and write by age 10, you cannot possibly attain higher education. If you cannot have a modicum of education, you can not find a job. Such a situation can cripple a nation’s economy. Per World Bank estimates, lost income due to learning poverty is about 17 percent of GDP or a year’s worth of economic production. The Philippines has a GDP, in nominal dol lars, of $450.34 billion. And 17 percent of that is $76.55 billion. Multiplied by 55, $76.66 billion is P4.2 trillion or 4,200 billion pesos.

President Bongbong Marcos’s education budget for 2023 is P852.8 billion, up 8.2 percent from 2022, and 16.19 percent of next year’s P5.268 trillion budget described as his Agenda forSaidProsperity.President BBM in his Budget Message to Congress: “Ascertaining the future of the Filipino youth, we follow the Constitutional mandate of giving Education the biggest por tion of the budget and further increased this by 8.2 percent. To ensure access to education for all, especially the poor, the budget for Education Assistance and Subsidies has been practically doubled, jumping from P30.4 billion to P54.9 billion.”TheP852.8 billion education budget consists of the allocations for the Department of Educa tion (DepEd), State Universities and Colleges (SUCs), Commission on Higher Education (CHED), and Technical Education and Skills Development Authority (TESDA). “While this is consistent with the Constitu tional mandate to assign the highest budgetary priority to Education, it also reflects my com mitment to invest in human capital develop ment and empower the youth,” BBM explains in his budget message. The budget of the Department of Education (DepEd) proper is P710.6 billion, an increase of 12.3 percent from P633.3 billion in 2022.

Wealth

By Joe Stenson A HARD wind blows through the Ukrainian town of Marganets. It is coming across the Dni pro river, from the Zaporizhzhya nuclear power plant occupied by Russian troops. Kyiv and Moscow accuse each other of shelling near the facility, with rockets striking a radioactive material storage area and the global atomic watchdog warning of a “grave” crisis. Marganets is just 13 kilometers away. The leafy hilltop town remains in Ukrainian con trol, but between the thickets and across the shimmering river are foreboding glimpses of the Soviet-era station. “You know, if we die, then it’ll happen with in one second, we won’t suffer,” 30-year-old Anastasiia told AFP on Friday. “It calms me down that my child, and my family will not be in pain,” she said, continu ing her daily shopping with morbid noncha lance. ‘Terrible things happen’ The Zaporizhzhya power plant -- Europe’s biggest -- has been on the frontline since it was captured by Russia at the start of March, just days after Kremlin sent troops into Ukraine in a full-scale invasion. In Marganets, the military warns against vis iting the shore of the Dnipro, for fear enemy troops may take aim from opposite banks six kilometers in the distance. The southern town -- home to 50,000 before the war -- has a bustling, lively centre belying the dark thoughts and swirling rumors about the condition of the plant’s six reactors. “I’m scared for my parents, for myself. I want to live and enjoy life in this town,” said 18-year-old Ksenia, serving customers from a coffee kiosk along the main shopping strip.

Dark Ukrainians shadow nuclear crisis

Opinion

“There is constant fear. And the news says the situation at the plant is very tense, so it becomes more terrible with every passing second.”“You’re just afraid to go to bed, because at night terrible things happen here.” In Marganets and Nikopol -- a short distance down the Dnipro riverbank -- 17 people have been killed in strikes this week, officials say. On Friday evening the sound of the air raid siren cut above the blustering wind as the sun began to fall once more. Ukraine claims Russia launches weapons across the river from inside the nuclear com plex, with Ukrainian forces unable to return fire for fear of triggering catastrophe. President Volodymyr Zelensky has deemed the situation “nuclear blackmail.” “I think the Russians are using the plant as a trump card for their own ends,” speculated 37-year-old Anton, stirring his coffee. “A rocket hit near our house about two weeks ago,” he said. “I myself am a calm person, but one can soon become a stutterer.” Memories of fallout In Soviet times Ukraine was the site of histo ry’s worst nuclear disaster at Chernobyl -- 530 kilometers northwest of here. In 1986 one atomic reactor exploded and spewed huge amounts of radiation into the at TAX the rich, not the poor. It’s a bold idea that I first heard from Walden Bello earlier this year, even before he decided to run for vice-president under the banner of the Laban ng Masa coalition. Last month, we received via email a state ment from the Asian People’s Movement on Debt and Development (APMDD) with the sameThecall.group believes that as inequality and poverty grow in the Philippines, in Asia, and across the globe, so too does the call for a wealthTheytax.explain the nature of a wealth tax thus: “A wealth tax is a potent tool for equality and justice. A wealth tax is a tax on the market value of assets owned by an individual taxpayer rather than on his/her income. “Taxable assets may include cash, bank de posits, shares, land, real property, cars, and fur niture. By taxing the wealth of high net worth individuals and not just income, governments will be able to raise more domestic revenues for funding essential public services that are needed so urgently today.” A wealth tax is “one of the most direct ways to stem inequality by reversing the highly re gressive tax system that governments across Asia have long depended on to sustain basic public“Regressiveservices.

The government needs to immediately address the major hurdles to productionthedevelopmenttheofcountry’ssaltindustry 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

WEDNESDAY, AUGUST 31, 2022 B1

Emil P. Jurado Chairman Emeritus, Editorial Board

R ATHER alarming, to put it mildly, that while the Philippines, an archipelago surrounded by water, has to import 93 percent of its salt requirements – 4.10 grams per day for adult Filipinos, or more than twice the World Health

While proposals for a wealth tax have been introduced in both houses of our Congress, the group suggests that legislators should undertake bold action towards progressive taxation, and heed people’s demands to ensure that revenues collected will be used to fund crucial public ser vices, such as health and education services as well as social protection for the poorest sections of society.Wealth taxes can be “vital policy instruments for economic and social recovery from CO VID-19” and “a test of governments’ political will and capacity to reduce social inequality and realize socio-economic justice.” There are concrete benefits from the imposi tion of a wealth tax. One, it will help governments raise more domestic revenues to fund public services, and make health and education more accessible and available for all, and ease the tax burdens that fall most heavily on marginalized sectors. Two, it will help curb inequalities by sharply taxing the wealth of the very rich and help curb the continuing amassing of wealth, profits and power in the hands of an elite minority at the expense of the majority. Three, it will help generate public finances so urgently needed for a just, inclusive, transfor mative and sustainable people’s recovery. And four, it will help build stronger, resilient, sustainable economies away from aid and debtdependence.Byadopting progressive tax policies such as a wealth tax and fixing the fundamental flaws in national and global tax systems that are cur rently marked by elite biases, national govern ments and the international community will be in a better position to reduce inequalities and fulfill their sustainable development commit ments and human rights obligations. The institution of a wealth tax is a major part of the broader call for tax and fiscal justice, and the goal to “make taxes work for people and the planet.”Itisonly fair and practical for the burden of working households and of small-to-medium enterprises—of those who have suffered the most under the pandemic—be lifted, and that the wealthiest individuals and corporations who have profited immensely during the pandemic and even before then should contribute their fair share to the wellbeing of the whole of society. All this makes sense, from where we sit, but will the ruling elites in the Philippines and other countries who hold the reins of political and economic power even listen? (Email: ernhil@yahoo.com)

mosphere. Some 600,000 people were enlisted as “liquidators”, working to decontaminate vast tracts of surrounding land. Debate over the long-term effects of radiation exposure on liquidators is one of the reasons the Chernobyl death toll is still deeply contested de cadesThelater.official toll is just 31, but some estimates put mortalities in the tens or even hundreds of thousands.InMarganets there stands a monument to the liquidators, imprinted with a few lines of verse. It reads: “Many years have passed since then, but the pain is still rife. We gave a rebuff to the atom at the cost of a young life.” Standing at the edge of a rocket crater inflict ed on Marganets overnight, 54-year-old Sergey Volokitin muses the past as a man knocks the jagged remains of nearby windows out of their panes with the back of a hatchet. “After my graduation I worked at the mine, and in my team there were two people who were liquidators,” he recalls. “We knew everything that happened there.”

With a grain of salt

A NURSING home in southern Japan is “hiring” babies for a very important job— to keep its elderly residents company and make them smile. The salary? Nappies and milk formula. New recruits at the facility in Kitaky ushu must be under four years old, and their guardians have to sign a contract stipulating that the babies and toddlers can show up for work “whenever they feel like it.” They are allowed to take a break “when they feel hungry, sleepy or depending on their mood”, the contract says. More than 30 babies have been signed up so far, tasked with lifting the spirits of more than 100 residents who are mostly in their 80s, said Kimie Gondo, head of the nursing home. “The mere sight of babies makes our residents smile,” she told AFP, adding with a chuckle that “there is no shift roster or Aanything”.jobadvert pinned to the wall at the facility says “We’re hiring!” in large char acters and informs would-be workers they will be compensated for their services in diapers and powdered milk. Successful candidates’ main—and per haps only—responsibility will be to “take a stroll” around the nursing home while accompanied by their guardians, it says. “The babies stay with their mothers all the time. It’s just like they’re being taken for a walk in a park,” Gondo said. The residents appear delighted by the young recruits and have been greeting them, striking up conversations, or offer ing them hugs. AFP

In a day-long judicial review hear ing last week, Lai’s lead lawyer Philip Dykes warned that the lack of safe guards for journalistic materials would cause a chilling effect.

AFP FOGGING. A worker dispenses insecticide with a fogging machine to kill mosquitoes spreading dengue fever in Banda Aceh, Indonesia on August 30, 2022. AFP

HARD WORK. Laborers push a handcart loaded with baskets of fish from a port in Mumbai, India on August 30, 2022. AFP

Taiwan lives under constant threat of invasion by China, which claims the self-ruled democratic island as part of its territory to be seized one day – by force if Dronenecessary.incursions over Kinmen have increased at the same time Beijing em barked on a show of force in retaliation for US House Speaker Nancy Pelosi’s visit to Taiwan earlier this month. For a week after Pelosi’s visit, China sent warships, missiles and fighter jets into the waters and skies around Tai wan, its largest and most aggressive ex ercises since the mid-1990s. It is not clear who is flying the drones from the Chinese mainland. Kinmen lies just a few kilometres off China’s coast meaning a civilian could feasibly fly a commercial drone that distance. However China has also stepped up socalled “greyzone” tactics against Taiwan in recent years to pressure the island. Greyzone is a term used by military analysts to describe aggressive actions by a state that stop short of open war fare and can use civilians. Civilian Chinese fishing and sand dredging vessels, for example, have in creasingly entered into waters around Taiwanese outlying islands in recent years.

Tensions have soared in Iraq amid a political crisis that has left the coun try without a new government, prime minister or president for months, and escalated sharply after Sadr’s support ers on Monday afternoon stormed the government palace following their leader’s announcement that he was quitting politics.

Taiwan, China trade barbs over string of island drone incursions TAIPEI and Beijing have traded barbs over a recent string of drone sorties that have flown from the Chinese mainland to an outlying Taiwanese island, some surveilling military outposts.

AFP WorldWEDNESDAY, AUGUST 31, 2022B2 mst.daydesk@gmail.com

TWO phones owned by jailed prodemocracy media tycoon Jimmy Lai can be searched on national security grounds and are not protected by jour nalistic privilege, a senior judge ruled Tuesday in Hong Kong. Lai, owner of the now-shuttered Ap ple Daily tabloid, will soon go on trial for “collusion with foreign forces,” an offense that carries up to life in prison under the sweeping national security law Beijing imposed on Hong Kong two years ago. Two smartphones were seized when hundreds of police officers arrested

At least seven shells fell in the highsecurity Green Zone, the security source said on condition of anonymity, but it was not immediately clear who wasTheresponsible.securitysource said Sadr’s sup porters opened fire at the Green Zone from the outside, adding security forc es inside “were not responding”. After a lull in violence, fresh clash es between Sadr’s supporters and the army and men of the Hashed al-Shaa bi, former Tehran-backed paramili taries integrated into the Iraqi forces, erupted again on Tuesday morning. The rattle of automatic gunfire and heavier explosions of rocket-propelled grenades could be heard from the Green Zone, AFP correspondents reported. The United Nations mission in Iraq warned of “an extremely dangerous escalation” and called on all sides to “refrain from acts that could lead to an unstoppable chain of events”. “The very survival of the state is at stake,” it warned. But amid an army-imposed nation wide curfew that continued Tuesday, Baghdad was otherwise quiet, with shops shuttered and few cars venturing out on the streets. On Tuesday morning, medics up dated the toll of Sadr supporters killed to 23, with some 380 others injured —some with bullet wounds and others suffering tear gas inhalation.

The size and scale of the fraud dealt an unprecedented blow to public confi dence in China’s financial system, ana lysts have said, with the banks involved allegedly operating illegally for more than a Beijingdecade.isdesperate to avoid disrup tions to social stability just months away from a major meeting of the rul ing Communist Party, where President Xi Jinping is expected to secure an un precedented third term in power.

AID efforts ramped up across flooded Pakistan on Tuesday to help tens of mil lions of people affected by relentless monsoon rains that have submerged a third of the country and claimed more than 1,100 lives. The rains that began in June have un leashed the worst flooding in more than a decade, washing away swathes of vi tal crops and damaging or destroying more than a million homes. Authorities and charities are strug gling to accelerate aid delivery to more than 33 million people affected, a chal lenging task in areas cut off because roads and bridges have been washed away.Inthe south and west, dry land is lim ited, with displaced people crammed onto elevated highways and railroad tracks to escape the flooded plains. “We don’t even have space to cook food. We need help,” Rimsha Bibi, a schoolgirl in Dera Ghazi Khan in cen tral Pakistan, told AFP. Pakistan receives heavy – often de structive – rains during its annual mon soon season, which are crucial for agri culture and water supplies. But such intense downpours have not been seen for three decades. Pakistani officials have blamed cli mate change, which is increasing the frequency and intensity of extreme weather around the world. “To see the devastation on the ground is really mind-boggling,” Pakistan’s cli mate change minister Sherry Rehman told“WhenAFP. we send in water pumps, they say ‘Where do we pump the water?’ It’s all one big ocean, there’s no dry land to pump the water out.” She said “literally a third” of the country was under water, comparing scenes from the disaster to a dystopian movie. Planning Minister Ahsan Iqbal said Pakistan needed more than $10 billion to repair and rebuild damaged infra structure.“Massive damage has been caused... especially in the areas of telecommu nications, roads, agriculture and liveli hoods,” he told AFP Tuesday. The Indus River, which runs along the length of the South Asian nation, is threatening to burst its banks as tor rents of water rush downstream from its tributaries in the north. Pakistan as a whole had been deluged with twice the usual monsoon rain fall, the meteorological office said, but Balochistan and Sindh provinces had seen more than four times the average of the last three decades. AFP

AFP

Photos and video taken by Chinese drones of the Kinmen islands have been circulating on both Taiwan and Chinese social media, with one video showing Taiwanese soldiers hurling rocks at one to drive it Chineseoff.foreign ministry spokes man Zhao Lijian said it was not “any thing worth making a fuss about” as the drones were “flying around Chinese ter ritory” when asked to comment on the videos on Monday. But that response triggered an angry riposte from Taipei which compared the drone harassment to the acts of a “thief.” “Those who come uninvited are called thieves, whether they are break ing through the door or peeping from the air, the people of Taiwan do not welcome such thieves,” Taiwan’s foreign ministry said in a statement late Monday. “The authoritarian expansionist gov ernment of the Chinese Communist Party has always made harassing other countries a daily routine, and therefore its title of a ‘regional troublemaker’ is well-deserved.”

FIGHTING between rival Iraqi forces raged for a second day Tuesday with rocket fire echoing from Baghdad’s Green Zone where 23 supporters of powerful Shiite leader Moqtada Sadr have been shot dead, medics said.

AFP CHINESE police have arrested more than 200 suspects linked to one of the country’s biggest banking scandals that triggered rare mass protests and dealt a major blow to confidence in the coun try’s financial system. Four banks in China’s central Henan province suspended cash withdrawals in April as regulators cracked down on mismanagement, freezing the funds of hundreds of thousands of custom ers and sparking protests that at times ended in violence. Police in the city of Xuchang said Monday they had now arrested 234 people in connection with the scandal and that progress was being made in re covering stolen funds. They said in a statement that a “gang” had taken control of a number of local banks, attracting depositors with inter est rates as high as 18 percent. Large amounts of funds, they said, were then “exploited by financial bro kers.” Authorities previously said the gang had effectively controlled the banks sinceChina’s2011.rural banking sector has been hit hard by Beijing’s efforts to rein in a property bubble and spiraling debt, in a financial crackdown that has had ripple effects across the world’s second-larg est economy.

China arrests hundreds over bank scandal that sparked rare protestsFighting in Iraqi capital leaves 23 dead as Shiite leader Sadr quits HK court orders search of media tycoon Jimmy Lai’s phones

We’re hiring: Babies, toddlers wanted for Japan nursing home

Lai and raided the newsroom of Apple Daily, which eventually collapsed after its assets were frozen under the security law Lai’s legal team claimed the content of the phones was covered by journal istic privilege, which is recognised by case law in Hong Kong, as well as legal privilege that protects conversations between lawyers and their clients. Last month, police applied for a war rant to search the phones under the na tional security law. Wilson Chan, one of the High Court judges handpicked by the government

‘Third’ of Pakistan under water, over 1,100 dead

to try security cases, on Tuesday ruled that police could search Lai’s phones, including journalistic materials. He ex cluded content covered by legal privi lege.“Press freedom simply does not equate (to) any blanket prohibition against the seizure, production or dis closure of journalistic materials,” Chan wrote in his judgement. Chan ruled the warrant covers all types of materials so long as they con tain or are likely to contain evidence of a national security offence, including journalistic materials.

The violence pitches backers of Sadr against rival Shiite factions backed by neighbouring Iran. Overnight, shelling targeted the high-security Green Zone that houses government buildings and diplomatic missions, a security source said, amid angry protests after Sadr’s surprise an nouncement.

“Confidential journalistic materials are an essential feature and a corner stone of a healthy and functioning free press,” Dykes told the court. Dykes, a former chairman of the Hong Kong Bar Association, ar gued that the national security war rant “abrogated the protection of journalistic materials” under Hong Kong law. AFP

LIKE A WATERWORLD. Aerial view shows a flooded residential area after heavy monsoon rains in Balochistan province.

The death toll from monsoon flooding in Pakistan since June has reached 1,136, according to the country’s National Disaster Management Authority.

Elon Musk subpoenas Twitter whistleblower in buyout battle

China’s banks last week lowered their benchmark lending rates, includ ing on mortgage loans, for the second time this year. Beijing also announced last week that it would allow local governments to issue more bonds. But Ting Lu, an analyst at Nomura, wrote these measures would likely not be “game changers” due to the continued zero-COVID policy and the persistent distress affecting the property sector. AFP

Britain’s cost of living crisis has seen inflation soar to 40-year highs, with a widening number of strikes over pay offers that fail to keep pace with rising prices. Last week energy regulator Ofgem announced an eye-watering 80-per cent increase in gas and electric ity prices for the average household from October, with even higher bills expected from January. But the energy price cap does not apply to businesses. The companies—Greene King, JW Lees, Carlsberg Marston’s, Admiral Taverns, Drake & Morgan and St Austell Brewery—urged the govern ment in an open letter to extend the cap to businesses.

The British Beer and Pub Asso ciation, an industry body, said energy price rises, caused by hikes in whole sale costs and a squeeze on supplies due to the war in Ukraine, could dam age the sector more than the pandem ic if nothing is done. Independent restaurants and take aways including those selling another British mainstay—fish and chips— have also voiced concern. The war in Ukraine has forced up the price of the deep-fried delicacy, because of increased tariffs on the import of white fish from Russia and a reduction in the supply of vegetable oil from Ukraine.

The Philippine Stock Exchange In dex sank 62.23 points, or 0.9 percent, to 6,690.27 on a value turnover of nearly P6 billion. Losers overwhelmed gainers, 124 to 58, with 51 issues unchanged. ACEN Corp., a unit of the Ayala Group, slumped 3.9 percent to P7.73, while fiber broadband provider Con verge ICT Solutions Inc. dropped 3.4 percent to P17.96. Bank of the Philippine Islands, the third-biggest lender in terms of assets, fell 2.6 percent to P94.40, but noodles maker Monde Nissin Corp. rose 2.6 per cent to P16.42. The rest of Asian markets mostly rose Tuesday on bargain-buying following the latest sell-off, but confidence remains at a premium as traders contemplate the pros pect of more Federal Reserve interest rate hikes and a possible recession. Wall Street suffered another day in the red after Friday’s capitulation in re sponse to a warning from Powell that more tightening was needed to bring inflation down from four-decade highs. Bets on a third successive threequarter-point increase next month have surged since his comments, which blew a hole in a recent rally across markets from their June lows. Now there is a growing fear that the Fed’s priority of beating inflation at any cost will damage the world’s top econ omy, which is already in a technical re cession following two straight quarters of “Thecontraction.markets are spooked because they are afraid that the Fed could cre ate a hard landing—that they’ll raise rates into a recession, and that will be really painful for the economy and for corporate profits,” Terri Spath, of Zuma Wealth, told Bloomberg Television. After Monday’s retreat, Asian equi ties fared a little better, as bargain buy ers jumped back, though sentiment was still weak. Tokyo, Sydney, Seoul, Singapore, Mumbai, Taipei, Bangkok, Jakarta and Wellington all rose. But Hong Kong and Shanghai fell. In light of the sell-off in response to the Powell speech, Minneapolis Fed President Neel Kashkari said it appeared traders had now accepted the fact that policymakers were focused on fighting price“Peoplerises. now understand the serious ness of our commitment to getting infla tion back down to two percent,” he said. And Michael Hewson of CMC Markets added: “The effect of higher interest rates as well as the rising cost of living has al ready started to manifest itself in the most recent lending data. With AFP BEIJING, China—State support for China’s economy this year is now greater than it was in 2020, Beijing’s premier has said, surpassing help given at the height of the coronavi rus pandemic as the country grapples with the impacts of its zero-COVID policy and a property sector crisis. Economists have widely predicted that China will fail to meet its 5.5- percent GDP growth target, blaming record youth unemployment, ballooning developer debt and manufacturing disruptions from frequent COVID lockdowns.

Business WEDNESDAY, AUGUST 31, 2022 || B3 extrastory2000@gmail.com Stock market slumps; ACEN and Converge lead decliners MOSTVOLUMEACTIVEVALUE (PHP) 1 BDO 3,967,550 518,056,661 2 ALI 12,611,000 362,932,330 3 CNVRG 19,476,700 351,778,406 4 ICT 1,654,180 303,756,766 5 AC 403,290 285,544,730 6 MONDE 16,811,300 275,000,398 7 BPI 2,782,200 262,441,624 8 ACEN 33,606,400 261,203,334 9 SM 241,390 210,162,515 10 ABA 77,441,000 168,825,900 TOP LASTGAINERS % PRICE CHANGE CHANGE 1 BCOR 7.08 0.78 12.38% 2 WPI 0.52 0.055 11.83% 3 ABG 4.1 0.35 9.33% 4 LOTO 1.48 0.11 8.03% 5 PERC 5.01 0.3 6.37% 6 MRSGI 1.39 0.07 5.30% 7 BALAI 1.05 0.05 5.00% 8 APL 0.042 0.002 5.00% 9 APVI 15.16 0.68 4.70% 10 PHR 1.14 0.05 4.59% TOPPRICELASTLOSERS%CHANGECHANGE 1 MJIC 0.74 -0.28 -27.45% 2 OPMB 0.01 -0.001 -9.09% 3 MFC 920 -88 -8.73% 4 PRIM 2.18 -0.19 -8.02% 5 EEI 3.51 -0.22 -5.90% 6 TECH 2.75 -0.17 -5.82% 7 GREEN 1.61 -0.09 -5.29% 8 PBB 7.7 -0.4 -4.94% 9 MM 1.39 -0.07 -4.79% 10 BRN 0.8 -0.04 -4.76% PSEi August 30, 2022

“In response to new challenges, (we have) decisively launched a package of policies to stabilize the economy. Their strength surpasses those of 2020,” Pre mier Li Keqiang said during a Monday State Council conference. China’s economy has also been battered by the two-month lockdown of Shanghai, a nationwide mortgage boycott, and a severe drought and heatwave which shut down manufac turing hubs and severely impacted the agricultural sector. The grim economic outlook under scores the difficulty of balancing eco nomic growth with the country’s strict zero-COVID policy, with targeted lockdowns, travel restrictions and mass testing depleting fiscal revenues and causing disruption to everyday life. Li hinted at this fact earlier in August, telling officials “the number of people in difficulty has seen an increase” due to the virus and recent natural disasters.

On Monday, more than 750 outlets signed an open letter to the govern ment warning that food price and energy inflation, as well as a lack of staff and supply chain delays, were now making hospitality “unsustain able.”

Musk’s attempt to back out of buying Twit ter has struggled for momentum in court. Twitter won some early battles in the case, including a fast-track trial date, and its stock had risen as analysts predicted the platform would prevail over the mercurial Musk. AFP

LONDON, United Kingdom—Brit ish pubs could be forced to close be cause of massive increases in energy prices, leading industry figures said on Tuesday, urging the government to step in. Six of the country’s biggest pub and brewing firms said some pubs had seen a more than three-fold hike in bills this year, as part of a wider cost of living crisis. “We have publicans who are expe riencing 300-percent-plus increases in energy costs and some energy companies are refusing to even quote for supply,” said William Lees Jones, managing director of the JW Lees pub“Ingroup.some instances, tenants are giv ing us notice since their businesses do not stack up with energy at these costs.” One pub tenant in the 2,700-strong Greene King group has seen a £33,000 ($38,600) increase in their energy bill this year, said chief execu tive Nick Mackenzie. “While the government has intro duced measures to help households cope with this spike in prices, busi nesses are having to face this alone, and it is only going to get worse come the autumn. “Without immediate government intervention to support the sector, we could face the prospect of pubs be ing unable to pay their bills, jobs be ing lost and beloved locals across the country forced to close their doors, meaning all the good work done to keep pubs open during the pandemic could be wasted.”

AFP

Real estate sales, a major economic driver, fell 22 percent in August, year on year, while new home prices have fallen for 11 months straight, according to data released earlier this month. China’s economic growth came in at just 0.4 percent on-year in the second quarter—its slowest rate since the pan demic began in 2020. Beijing has taken a number of steps

LATEST.NORWAY’S

STOCKS retreated Tuesday as traders played catch-up to the losses of Asian markets the other day following a warning from US central bank boss Jerome Powell.

Increasing costs could force British pubs to close

Energy crunch pushes global nuclear revival

NEW YORK, United States—Elon Musk has formally subpoenaed a Twitter whistleblower to share information about spam accounts at the social network, as the billionaire fights in court to back out of a massive buyout deal. Musk has tried to pull out of the $44-billion agreement by saying Twitter misled him on the number of false accounts, or bots, prompt ing strong denials and a lawsuit from the so cial media firm. The Tesla boss hopes that allegations made by the former Twitter security chief Peiter Zatko, about major security gaps and prob lematic practices at the firm, will bolster his case. According to court documents made public on Monday, Musk’s attorneys served Zatko with a subpoena Saturday demanding he share any documents or messages regarding the im pact of spam and false accounts on Twitter’s activity, dating back to January 2019. Zatko was also ordered to answer questions on the record for Musk lawyers on September 9. His lawyers told AFP that their client would comply with the subpoena—but said that his appearance at the deposition would be“He“involuntary.”didnotmake his whistleblower disclo sures to the appropriate governmental bodies to benefit Musk or to harm Twitter, but rather to protect the American public and Twitter shareholders,” the lawyers said in a state ment.

to help revive its economy, including a ramping-up of infrastructure investment, tax credits and loan facilities for SMEs.

China state support for economy this year exceeds 2020, says premier

Hospitality fears Pubs—a mainstay of British social life for centuries—have faced a torrid few years, with a slump in business due to coronavirus lockdowns and so cial distancing restrictions. The number of pubs in England and Wales plunged below 40,000 for the first time ever in the first six months of this year, down more than 7,000 in a decade.

“If we lose these our local favorites, we risk losing part of what makes us British,” they added. The British Takeaway Campaign said some shops were now being quoted an eightfold increase in en ergy prices. It called for grants for small busi nesses, a temporary cut in sales tax (VAT) and business rates plus a freeze on the introduction of new regulations bringing increased red tape. AFP

PARIS, France—As the costs of im porting energy soars worldwide and climate crises wreak havoc, interest in nuclear power is on the rise with nations scrambling to find alternative sources. Investment in nuclear power de clined after Japan’s 2011 Fukushima disaster, the world’s worst nuclear accident since Chernobyl in 1986, as fears over its safety increased and governments ran scared. But following Moscow’s inva sion of Ukraine in February, the subsequent squeeze on energy sup plies and Europe’s push to wean it self off of Russian oil and gas, the tide is now turning back in favor of nuclear. Governments face difficult deci sions with rising gas and electricity bills and scarce resources threatening to cause widespread suffering this winter.

Some experts argue that nuclear power should not be considered an option. But others argue that, in the face of so many crises, it must remain part of the world’s energy mix. One of the countries reconsidering nuclear energy is Japan, where the 2011 accident led to the suspension of many nuclear reactors over safety fears. This week Japan’s Prime Min ister Fumio Kishida called for a push to revive the country’s nucle ar power industry, and build new atomic plants. Other countries that were looking to move away from nuclear have dis carded those plans—at least in the shortLessterm.than a month after Russia’s attack on Ukraine, Belgium delayed by a decade its plan to scrap nuclear energy in 2025. AFP

2022 marks the 15th anniversary of Google Maps’ Street View. AFP

GOOGLE MILESTONE. Steven Silverman, Senior Technical Program Manager and Manager of Imagery Solutions for Google, shows off past Google Street View Camera devices at the Google Street View Garage in Mountain View, California on August 29, 2022.

Crown Prince Haakon of Norway (left) arrives at the Offshore Northern Seas 2022 (ONS) meeting in Stavanger, Norway on August 29, 2022. The meeting, held in Stavanger from August 29 to September 1, 2022, presents the gastointernationallyindevelopmentslatestNorwayandrelatedtheenergy,oilandsector.

AC LOGISTICS Holdings Corp. of the Ayala Group said Tuesday it completed the acquisition of a 60-percent stake in logistics provider Air21 Holdings Inc. for P6ACbillion.Logistics said in a statement the acquisition would enable it to build an end-to-end logistics platform capable of serving the supply chain requirements of multiple industries in high-growth mar kets.AHI, owned by businessman Alberto Lina, has controlling interests in eight op erating companies that include Airfreight 2100 Inc., Air 2100 Inc., U-Freight Philip pines Inc., U-Ocean Inc., Cargohaus Inc., LGC Logistics Inc., Waste & Resources Management Inc. and Integrated Waste Management Inc. The firms are engaged in a broad range of logistics services that include express door-to-door service, international and domestic freight forwarding, warehousing and waste logistics management. The acquisition was done through the issuance by Lina of an exchangeable note to AC Logistics and AC Logistics’ sub scription to primary shares in AHI. “AC Logistics is a realization of Ayala’s commitment to create shared value with our stakeholders. I have full confidence that the vision we created together with Mr. Lina will come to life through our teams’ shared experiences and unique ex pertise,” said AC Logistics president and chief executive Rene Almendras. AC Logistics said the addition of the Air21 Group to its portfolio, together with Entrego, would create synergies to potentially generate greater operational efficiency and more efficient asset utilization.“Thecombination of their respective capabilities puts the Ayala Group in a bet ter position to provide technology driven end-to-end logistics services that can help address some of the challenges related to pharma and healthcare aides access, food preservation, and proper waste manage ment,” AC Logistics said. Jenniffer B. Austria

toAboitizPowerCamposwantsprepayP7.7-bbonds

Economist sees August softeninginflationto6.3%

THE Chamber of Automotive Manufacturers of the Philippines Inc. said Tuesday the lifting of exemption of pickup trucks and similar vehicles from excise tax will result in higher unit cost of those vehicles in the country.CAMPI president Rommel Gutierrez said the proposed tax measure by the House Ways and Means Committee would add to the concerns faced by the local automotive industry. “We are definitely concerned about additions in taxes. So this will definitely impact the prices and we are still recover ing, and we have not yet recovered fully to pre-pandemic levels,” Gutierrez said at the launch of the 8th Philippine International Motor Show. The PIMS will be held on Sept. 16 to 18, 2022 after a four-year hiatus. Gutierrez said subjecting pickup trucks to excise tax would dampen demand for the vehicle which is a vehicle of choice of many corporations and enterprises. Industry data showed that sales of light commercial vehicles went up 3.4 percent to 2,813 units in the first half from 2,721 units in the same period in 2021. Othel V.

INFLATION rate in August likely eased slightly to 6.3 percent from 6.4 percent in July ago on lower oil pric es, an economist said Tuesday. “The rollback in local fuel pump prices since July 2022 could still be felt into early August 2022, as global oil prices eased to four-month lows, thereby could still help ease infla tion and inflationary pressures in the coming months,” Rizal Commercial Banking Corp. chief economist Mi chael Ricafort said in an emailed re sponse to Manila Standard’s query. Ricafort said lower prices of other global commodities such as wheat at new 6-month lows “could also help ease inflationary pressures, going for ward”. He said second-round inflationary effects after higher minimum wages and minimum transport fares since June and July could still lead to high er prices of other goods and services such as Ricafortsugar.said the petitions for higher minimum jeepney fares to P15 from P11 and for higher taxi flag down rates to P60 from P40 could lead to additional infla tionary pressures in the coming months. Inflation could still peak by Octo ber at below 7 percent and ease in the succeeding months, he said. “Thus, further local policy rate hikes could still be possible for the coming months, as supported by gen erally strong economic data, also as a function of future Fed rate hikes as well as the behavior of the peso ex change rate,” he said.

MANILA Electric Co. warned Tuesday that consumers will shoulder an addi tional P25.8 billion in power costs if it is forced to secure a new power supply con tract to replace San Miguel Corp.’s two power supply agreements. Meralco said consumers would have to bear an additional P1.6 billion for one month if the supply deals with SMC were terminated and if the utility was forced to buy from the spot market.

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

SMC subsidiaries South Premiere Pow er Corp. and San Miguel Energy Corp., administrators of the 1,200-megawatt Ili jan natural gas and 1,200-MW Sual coalfired power plants, sought approval from the ERC for temporary relief.

B4 WEDNESDAY, AUGUST 31, 2022 PSE INDEX CLOSING Tuesday, August 30, 2022 -62.236,690.27PTS. F oreign e xchange r ate Bangko Sentral ng Pilipinas • TUESDAY, AUGUST 30, 2022 Currency Unit US Dollar Peso United States Dollar 1.000000 56.0380 Japan Yen 0.007210 0.4040 UK Pound 1.170800 65.6093 Hong Kong Dollar 0.127431 7.1410 Switzerland Franc 1.033271 57.9024 Canada Dollar 0.768935 43.0896 Singapore Dollar 0.716640 40.1591 Australia Dollar 0.690100 38.6718 Bahrain Dinar 2.652661 148.6498 Saudi Arabia Rial 0.266276 14.9216 Brunei Dollar 0.714082 40.0157 Indonesia Rupiah 0.000067 0.0038 Thailand Baht 0.027552 1.5440 UAE Dirham 0.272279 15.2580 Euro Euro 1.000100 56.0436 Korea Won 0.000744 0.0417 China Yuan 0.144730 8.1104 India Rupee 0.012509 0.7010 Malaysia Ringgit 0.222816 12.4862 New Zealand Dollar 0.615300 34.4802 Taiwan Dollar 0.032953 1.8466 Source: BSP 87,2851,258,386,071 TOTAL VALUE (IN PHP) 5,975,892,149.46 ADVANCES 58 DECLINES 124 UNCHANGED 51

By Julito G. Rada

Business

PIAT HUB.ONESTORE

Inflation in July accelerated to a 45-month high of 6.4 percent from 6.1 percent in June, driven by faster increases in the prices of food, nonalcoholic beverages and higher trans port fares. This brought the average inflation in the first seven months to 4.7 per cent, above the target range of 2 per cent to 4 percent.

The Keepers confirmed the plan in a disclosure to the stock exchange Tues day, but did not provide the value of the transaction.Bodegas Williams & Humbert is a Spanish company with over 140 years of history producing alcoholic beverag es. The company, owned by the Medina family, is the producer of “Alfonso,” a leading brandy brand. The Keepers distributes Alfonso brandy in the Philippines and accounts for 60 percent of the company’s rev enues.Itsboard of directors appointed Isla Lipana & Co. (PricewaterhouseCoo pers) to conduct a fairness opinion on the planned acquisition. John Haoa, investor relations head of The Keepers, said the 50-percent stake that the company plans to acquire would include the 30 percent that the Co family directly owns in Bodegas Williams & Humbert. The company expects to close the deal before the end of the year. Co became a shareholder in Williams & Humbert in May 2018 when he ac quired a 30-percent stake in the Jerez winery owned by the Medina family. The investment allowed Williams & Humbert to strengthen its business and put it in a position to pursue expansion. Williams & Humbert, founded in 1877 by Alexander Williams and Ar thur Humbert, has one of the longest histories and traditions in making Sherry wine and brandy with the Jer ez/Xeres/Sherry designation of origin, and other fine spirits and products in the food industry. It has more than 30 proprietary brands marketed in over 70 countries.

By Jenniffer B. Austria

URC INDONESIA’S AWARD. Universal Robina Corp. is named Indonesia’s Most Trusted Company by the Indonesia Award Center. Receiving the award are URC Indonesia executives (from left) Johannes Lie, finance head; Rachmawati Sutarto, marketing director; Taufiq Basthami, country general manager; Wiliana Rahayu, integrated supply chain director; and Fajar Indrianto, country HR manager. The Indonesia Award Center recognizes Indonesian companies that have a proven good track record in producing highquality products and services and contributed to Indonesia’s development and advancement.

Lucio Co eyes 50% stake in Spanish brandy maker

The Monetary Board, the policymaking body of Bangko Sentral ng Pilipinas, on Aug. 18 raised for the fourth time this year the benchmark interest rate by 50 basis points to 3.75 percent to tame the accelerating inflation.

Developer questions PRA’s approval of Waterfront-led reclamation project Meralco warns of higher rates with cancellation of SMC deals

IN BRIEF

Tax on pickup trucks to hurt auto industry

THE Keepers Holdings Inc., the liquor holding company of businessman Lucio Co, plans to acquire a 50-percent stake in wine and brandy producer Bodegas Williams & Humbert SA based in Jerez de la Frontera, Spain

A PROPERTY developer controlled by the F.F. Cruz Construction Group on Tuesday questioned the decision of the Philippine Reclamation Author ity to allow Waterfront Manila Premier Development Inc. to defer the payment of fees and start the mobilization of its reclamation project in Manila Bay. Asian Seas Resources and Construc tion Development Corp., through legal counsel Jose Bernas, said in a letter to Joseph John Literal, assistant general manager of PRA’s Reclamation and Regulation Office dated Aug. 23 that the agency’s board members, who were on an “acting capacity, do not have the authority to issue the approvals of WMPDIsAssercorequest.”saidLiteral, as assistant gen eral manager, does “not have the au thority to issue such approvals.”

tion to the Energy Regulatory Commis sion that consumers would also need to shell out an additional P12.6 billion if it conducted a competitive selection pro cess for a one-year replacement of the SMC deals and a total of P25.8 billion if the contract covered a period until 2029.Meralco is looking at a rate of P7.9881 per kWh under the one-year emergency procurement compared to SMC rates of P6.0691 per kWh. The long-term PSA is expected to increase rates to P6.8959 per kWh compared to SMC’s P6.3340 per kWh.SMC’s rates already include the CIC or change in circumstances claims. Meralco said it might be forced to immediately procure supply from the Wholesale Electricity Spot Market if the PSAs were terminated or the petitions of SMC were not approved by Oct. 4.

AC Logistics completes acquisition of 60% stake in Air21 for P6b

By Darwin G. Amojelar

The Department of Science and Technology Region 2 seals a tripartite memorandum of agreement for the establishment of oneSTore Hub with the local government unit of Piat, Cagayan headed by Mayor Leonel De Guzman and Susan Pagulayan, owner of Susan’s Bakeshop. The partnership supports DOST Region 2’s and Piat’s mission to help MSMEs in the municipality expand their market by allowing them to sell and deliver products through the online platform and the hub.

The power retailer said in a presenta

The PRA earlier approved the request of WMPD to defer the payment of regulatory fees and start the mobiliza tion of its P34.3-billion reclamation and horizontal development of 318 hectares along Manila Bay after a Makati court issued the greenlight to the project. Asserco said the awarded project to Waterfront overlapped the former’s project award issued in 1991 by PRA. Asserco said the conditions set in the memorandum from the Executive Sec retary issued to the chairman and gen eral manager of the PRA dated Nov. 23, 2021 for mobilization and reclamation “has not been ensured.” Sought for comment, WMPDI coun sel Ma. Julieta Santos said the recla mation project complied with the re quirements of the PRA and the City of Manila.“Atty. Literal is the AGM of PRA and did not approve the project in his per sonal capacity. It was the PRA which issued the notice to proceed and notice to mobilize to the city of Manila,” she said.“Manila also issued its NTP knowing that the project is beneficial to the city and the Filipino people at no cost to the government. Government has a 51 per cent share in the project once there is reclaimed land,” Santos added. PRA representatives were unavail able for comments as of press time. Asserco said it would seek injunctive relief to restrain the reclamation proj ect, which was not allegedly preceded by a public bidding or the necessary ap proval by the National Economic and Development Authority. Asserco also asked PRA a copy of the minutes of the board meetings and OGCC opinion in approving the re quests of Waterfront to mobilize and reclaim, and compliance with the con ditions imposed by the memorandum of the Executive Secretary dated Nov. 21, 2021.

By Alena Mae S. Flores

ABOITIZ Power Corp. said Tuesday it will exercise its right to redeem its outstanding 5.25-year fixed-rate retail bonds totaling P7.7 billion issued on Oct. 25, 2018 ahead of the January 2024 maturity. Aboitiz Power said in a disclosure to the stock exchange it would prepay the 2018 Series B bonds at an optional redemption price of 100.25 percent of their face value on Oct. 25, 2022. The company said it was coordinating with BDO Unibank Inc. Trust and Invest ment Group and Philippine Depository and Trust Corp., the trustee, registrar and pay ing Agent, respectively for the correspond ing notices and computation of the amounts due to the bondholders of the 2018 Series B bonds.Aboitiz Power posted a net income of P10 billion in the first half, a slight decline from the P10.1 billion recorded in the same period of 2021. Core net income in the first half reached P9.2 billion, or nine percent lower than P10.1 billion it booked in 2021. Alena Mae S. Flores DITO’s subscribers hit 12m in August DITO Telecommunity Corp. said Tuesday its subscriber base reached 12 million this month, attaining its full-year target four months ahead of schedule. The third-ranked mobile company said it attained the target in less than a year and a half, consistently surpassing set milestones since it began commercial operations in March“The2021.overwhelming reception we get from DITOzens has always served as in spiration. Their unwavering support has continued to motivate us to remain com mitted to our promise of providing every Filipino better, stronger, and more afford able connectivity they deserve,” said to DITO chief administrative officer Adel Tamano.Thecompany also pointed to the speed of its network rollout as contributing to the rapid subscriber growth. With more than 5,500 cellular towers built, DITO Telecom munity increased its coverage to over 600 cities and municipalities and effectively breached the 70-percent population cover age“Astarget.we continuously ramp up our pres ence throughout the archipelago, we also are deploying with continuous testing of our 5G capability coupled with high impact and high value retail offerings based on consum er demand,” said DITO chief commercial officer Evelyn Jimenez. Darwin G. Amojelar

MARINERONG Pilipino and EcoOilLa Salle go at it for one final time as they dispute the 2022 PBA D-League Aspirants’ Cup crown in a winner-takeall Game 3 on Wednesday at Smart Araneta Coliseum. Game time is at 12 noon, with both the Skippers and the Green Archers expected throw everything including the kitchen sink for the right to claim the throne. EcoOil-La Salle forced this winnertake-all affair after a 70-63 Game 2 win last week, and coach Derick Pumaren wants his players to finish the job after a 72-67 Game 1 hiccup last Aug. 21. “We know what’s at stake. We can’t play tentative again because that’s not who we are. We’ve got to be better,” he said. Michael Phillips imposed his will down low for the Green Archers in that game which tied the best-of-three series to a one-all deadlock, and is expected to remain at his best while also gaining contributions from the likes of Kevin Quiambao and Schonny Winston. But Marinerong Pilipino is just as driven. Failing to close the series out last week, coach Yong Garcia has implored the Skippers to set everything aside in their quest for glory. “Natuto na kami sa mga pagkakamali namin at importante sa amin ‘yung good start. Tiwala pa rin naman ako sa players ko,” he said, as he’ll once again lean on the duo of MVP Juan Gomez de Liano and veteran Jollo Go in hopes of finally getting the job done.

The shot-clock confusion created problems for the Saudi squad, which made only 16 of its 68 field goals. NBA Sixth Man awardee Jordan Clarkson played the lead role for Gilas, rallying them from the bench and tallying 23 points, 6 assists, and 5 rebounds as the Philippines improved its Asian Qualifiers record to an even 3-3. Youssef could only admire the Philippines’ arsenal with a world-class player in the lead role. “Jordan clearly made a great addition to the team, he’s one of the best players in the world, very high quality. And you have great quality (Gilas) players and great IQ. For us, it’s our first time to qualify to the finals of the World Cup, hopefully, the future is bright for us.”

“That’s the plan. We don’t want to bother the PBA 5x5 anymore,” said Bachmann, adding the PBA already as it is has its hands full with its heavy three-conference schedule and providing players for Gilas Pilipinas. Magsanoc believes there is no shortage of 3x3 players in the country for local leagues like the PBA as well as international tournaments like FIBA events, Southeast Asian Games, Asian Games, and even the Olympics. “We will build our own and create a national pool. We’re optimistic in building homegrown talents and eyeing talents from abroad. So far, so good naman,” said the former PBA superstar. “What’s most important is to sustain the program and the execution,” he added during the forum presented by San Miguel Corporation, MILO, Philippine Sports Commission, Philippine Olympic Committee, Amelie Hotel Manila, Unilever, and the Philippine Amusement and Gaming Corporation.Bachmann said they are trying to convince local players that the PBA 3x3 is a “very viable option” for them when it comes to livelihood and especially once they play internationally. Guanio said PBA 3x3 will have three conferences this year with the second conference set in November and the third in January. There will be six legs and one grand finals for each conference.Guaniosaid they have also opened the possibility of inviting foreign teams to join the PBA 3x3, and admitted that they’ve had initial talks with representatives from Singapore and“We’reVietnam.also discussing adding a women’s tournament and that might happen in the third conference. It looks like we will be able to get eight teams. It will be upon the approval of the PBA board. Hopefully, it will push through,” said Guanio.

THE PBA 3x3 is trying to stand firmly on its own when it comes to game schedules and even the formation of teams that will represent the country in international competitions. Richard Bachmann, chairman of PBA 3x3, on Tuesday announced the staging of Season 2 beginning on Sept. 10 at Robinson’s Malls in Antipolo, Novaliches, and Malabon. “We will now have our own schedule which is separate from the PBA schedule,” Bachmann told the online Philippine Sportswriters Association Forum. PBA 3x3 games will be held Saturdays and Sundays with 12 teams on deck, including in-house teams Ginebra, Blackwater, Cavitex, Meralco, NorthPort, Purefoods, San Miguel Beer, Terrafirma and TNT, and guest teams Pioneer Elasto Seal, Platinum Karaoke, and new guest team J&T Express.Bachmann, who was joined in the forum by tournament director Joey Guanio and Samahang Basketbol ng Pilipinas 3x3 program director Ronnie Magsanoc, said they are also planning to be as independent as possible with the formation of national teams. ploy of the hometown fans?

Jose Emmanuel

“Noli” Eala

Richard Bachman with fellow 3x3 execs Joey Guanio and Ronnie Magsanoc

SPORTS broadcaster and former Philippine Basketball Association commissioner Jose Emmanuel “Noli” Eala is the next chairman of the Philippine Sports Commission. Eala, who has a weekly program “Power and Play” on TV5, was confirmed on Tuesday following the signing of his appointment papers in Malacañang.PressSecretary

Peter Atencio and Vince Lopez

Sports

Chot forthatcombinationsfindingmayworkGilasPH

P HILIPPINE basketball’s Sixth Man played its role to the hilt once again as Gilas Pilipinas turned back a fighting Saudi Arabia squad on Monday at the FIBA World Cup Asian Qualifier.

Atty. Trixie CruzAngeles officially informed Eala of hisConfirmationappointment.of the appointment of Eala is expected to arrive on Wednesday at the PSC offices in Vito Cruz. Aside from being a former commissioner of the PBA from 2003 to 2007, Eala was the first executive director of the Samahang Basketbol ng Pilipinas.

More than just the boos and jeers, the 15,298-strong hometown crowd at the Mall of Asia Arena found a more effective way to disrupt the offense of the Saudis, who led for the most part of the first half. One small group at the upper box started doing the countdown of the Saudi shot-clock, but they did it faster, ahead of what was really left of the remaining time to shoot the ball. “Five, four, three, two, one…,” they barked in unison as the Saudi shotclock was still alive. “Clang!” a Saudi attempt bounces off the ring, with the crowd erupting in laughter and continuing to do it repeatedly in the game--with big dividends. So every time a Saudi player was in possession of the ball, the crowd hollers the fake countdown, “three, two,Theyone!”were all missed shots. Why did they fall for the countdown

Saudis fall for fake shot-clock countdown of loud PH crowd

The coaching staff also noted the 6’4” Clarkson’s assist to Dwight Ramos, whose basket gave them a 27-23 lead. Clarkson’s leadership on the floor was also seen, as he passed on to teammates who had open shots, like with Jamie Malonzo, who had scoring chances during the second period.

“President Marcos has continuously recognized sports victories early in his term, a testament to his commitment to sports,” said Malacanang in a statement.

Game 3 of Best-of-3 Finals (Smart Araneta Coliseum) 12 p.m. - Marinerong Pilipino vs EcoOil-La Salle

By Peter Atencio GILAS Pilipinas coach Chot Reyes had the luxury of finding great combinations that work during his team’s 84-46 demolition of Saudi Arabia on Monday evening at the Mall of Asia Arena.First, Reyes learned how well Utah Jazz star Jordan Clarkson clicks with the 7’3” Kai Sotto and other players who had opportunities to score. Then, Reyes took note of what it would be like to put two big guys like Sotto and Japeth Aguilar underneath to protect the boards. “Yes, there’s still some guys we’d like to look at,” said Reyes after Team Philippines demolished the visitors in their final game in the 2023 FIBA World Cup Asian Qualifiers’ fourth window. Reyes added that the combos that he was observing will help the squad be more versatile in the future. “Our offense and defense is being predicated by what the opponent is giving us,” added Reyes in a postgame huddle. It was the first time that he was able to look into such combinations in a game situation, with Clarkson around and many newbies blending in. “We have a lot of first timers in the team. It was important for us to see the new guys,” added Reyes, referring to the presence of Calvin Oftana and Roosevelt Adams. Fans adored Clarkson, who struck with 23 points, hauled down five rebounds and had six assists for Team Philippines.ForReyes, getting Clarkson to join up and play together with the rest of Gilas was important, after they were done with their games with Lebanon and Saudi Arabia. Among the memorable moments seen during the Saudi game was when Clarkson assisted Sotto for a dunk and Gilas tied the count at 18-all.

Riera U. Mallari, Editor; Randy M. Caluag, Assistant Editor WEDNESDAY, AUGUST 31, 2022

Saudi Arabia head coach Mohammed Mounir Youssef said that his players are not used to playing before a large crowd, more so against a loud throng of fans, who rattled them no end in the game that was cut wide open in the third quarter. “This is a good experience for us because in the Saudi Arabia league, there’s not a lot of fans, so (that what happens) when they come here to play against a team with full-house fans. It’s a good experience for them (Saudi players) for the future,” said the visiting team“Forcoach.thefans of the Philippines, it’s natural to do these, they are supportive of their team, these happen and there’s no problem for us,” added the Saudi coach.

One of Eala’s visions is to make basketball a global undertaking, aside from helping Filipino athletes and Philippine sports in general. Eala will be the 11th chairman of the PSC, replacing William “Butch” Ramirez.Since Ramirez stepped down last June, executive director Atty. Guillermo Iroy and commissioner Bong Coo have been handling the PSC reins.

Former PBA commissioner Eala is new PSC chairman

EcoOilMarinero,clashindeciding3rdGame C1

PBA 3x3 to be independent from pro league

By Randy Caluag

NBA star Jordan Clarkson, 7’2” Kai Sotto and the rest of the Gilas Pilipinas players got a huge boost from home fans (inset) at the Mall of Asia Arena on Monday. (fiba.basketball)

“We are all excited and we have prepared an excellent racecourse and a safe race for everyone,” said Neville Manaois, race director of the event organized by The IRONMAN Group/ Sunrise Events, Inc. and backed by Lightwater, Finis, Rudy Project Sante (Barley), Manila Bulletin and Tempo.. The opening swim leg will be a counter-clockwise route starting at the Banana Beach at Hijo Resorts, featuring a 270-meter stretch with participants turning left to the 630-meter part of the course before heading to the final turn for the last 600 meters. the cutoff is one hour. The 40km bike race will start upon exiting Hijo Resorts towards the main highway and heading to Daang Maharlika to Tagum City. It is a two-loop course ending at the Lanikai Hiro Estate Resort with a cutoff time of three hours and 30 minutes while the closing 10k run part, also made up of two loops, will start as they exit the transition area and head south inside the Hijo Resorts property across the bridge with the finish line set at the baseball field.

Qualifier Galan stuns Tsitsipas at US Open

Getting the pivotal points from Jaycee Marcelino, Zamboanga Family’s Brand Sardines thwarted Muntinlupa, 80-77, while Marikina banked on Antonio Lorenzo Joson to subdue Makati, 81-70, in the single round-robin elimination phase of the 22-team tournament.

NEW YORK—Serena Williams said she is “staying vague” over her expected retirement from tennis after reaching the US Open second round on Monday. “I have been pretty vague about it, right? I’m going to stay vague because you never know,” said the 40-year-old after beating Danka Kovinic 6-3, 6-3. Williams, a 23-time Grand Slam title winner, said earlier this month that she was “evolving away” from tennis and that “the countdown” was on for her retirement after 27 years as a professional. Before Monday, the former world number one had won just one match on tour all year and seen her ranking slip to 605. That kind of form prompted her to reveal that she was on the brink of retirement and hinting that this US Open would be her farewell. However, the guessing game over her concrete plans over her future continued Monday with mixed messages delivered on court and then in her post-match news conference.“Itwassuch a hard decision,” Williams told her on-court interviewer when asked about her original announcement revealed in a essay for Vogue magazine. “I think when you are passionate about something it is always hard to walk away,” she said. “I have been trying to decide what to do. I love this game. She added: “I think now’s the time. I have a family and there’s other chapters in life. I call it evolution.”“It’slikeSerena 2.0. I will still be crazy, I’ll still be intense. I’ll still be around. But I look forward to waking up and not having to run onto a tennis court.” On Monday, Williams, who arrived on court in a diamondencrusted black dress and jacket which sparkled under the lights, overcame a nervy first game for a hold of serve. AFP

Nueva Ecija’s Jonathan Uyloan scored 15 points and Byron Villarias posted 11 to become the 7th member of the 1,000-point club.

Alonso admitted “I was angry”, adding: “The radio, anyway, when you talk, you talk to your engineer and to your team. ‘Won’t stop pushing’ “It’s a shame that sometimes everything is broadcasted, because if it’s broadcasted, it is what you say now (in the moment), this (right now) is how you behave in the media. “When you’re talking on the radio, it’s only a comment to your team, normally.” “I was frustrated there, for sure,” he continued.

Chito Jaime rediscovered his touch and led Zamboanga with 18 points, followed by Marcelino with 15 and Ralph Tansingco withMuntinlupa12. got 18 points from Domark Matillano and 17 each from Max Morilla and John Cantimbuhan Jr. but still dropped to 2-9. Joson drilled in 9 points of his gamehigh 24 in the last 4 minutes and 50 seconds to power Marikina to a 4-10 card. Other Shoemaster in double digits were Jason Opiso with 16 plus 11 rebounds, Ryan Isaac Sual with 14 and Dexter Mescallado with 12. Makati, which fell to 1-15, drew 17 points from Kenz Rei Diokno and 12 from Mark Lester Sta. Maria. The MPBL returns to the Orion Sports Complex on Tuesday with another triple-bill featuring Caloocan against Imus at 5 p.m., Batangas against Bacoor at 7 p.m. and Quezon City against Bataan at 9 p.m.

“Every time we started in the first couple of rows of the grid there is something going on, unfortunately, and I felt that way. “But, you know, it was a normal incident, and unfortunately Lewis had to retire the car after the incident.” Alonso was seen wagging a finger at Hamilton on lap two before he settled down and finished fifth in the race. The two have had a colourful history since being team-mates at McLaren in 2007, Hamilton’s rookie season, when they fell out. Alonso left the team after one year of a three-year contract. The crash capped a disappointing weekend for the 37-year-old Hamilton who had qualified 1.8 seconds adrift of pace-setting world champion Max Verstappen who won the race from 14th on the grid, after taking a penalty, for Red Bull. “We’re not where we want British driver, ing for his of the season,

Galan, ranked 94 in the world, won 6-0, 6-1, 3-6, 7-5 as Tsitsipas’s miserable record in New York continued with the Greek having never got past the thirdGalan,round.making his main draw debut at the tournament, will face Australia’s Jordan Thompson for a place in the last 32. “I am super happy,” said the 26-yearold“WhenGalan.he started to play better, I became more nervous. “But I managed to regain my composure and, even though I lost the third set, I felt that I was playing better and Meanwhile,better.” Wu Yibing on Monday became the first Chinese man in 63 years to win a singles match at a Grand Slam when he knocked 31st seed Nikoloz Basilashvili out of the US Wu,Open22,triumphed 6-3, 6-4, 6-0 in the opening round, firing nine aces in his 31 winners past his Georgian opponent.MeiFuChi, at Wimbledon in 1959, was the last Chinese man to win a match at the majors. Wu, ranked 174 and who came through qualifying, is also the first Chinese man to win a US Open singles match since Cheng Guy in 1935. “It’s happy and exciting but still more matches to come,” Wu

ZAMBOANGA and Marikina struggled past their opponents, while Nueva Ecija tallied another easy victory in the OKbetMPBL (Maharlika Pilipinas Basketball League) 4th Season Presented by Xtreme on Monday at the Santa Rosa Multi-Purpose Sports Complex in Laguna.

SportsWEDNESDAY, AUGUST 31, 2022C2 5150 biddersDavaobraceforfastrace

Mercedes’ British driver Lewis Hamilton, Haas F1 Team’s Danish driver Kevin Magnussen, Ferrari’s Monegasque driver Charles Leclerc, Alpine’s Spanish driver Fernando Alonso and Alfa Romeo Chinese driver Zhou Guanyu attend a press conference ahead of the Formula One Belgian Grand Prix at the Spa-Francorchamps motor racing circuit in Liege. AFP ShoemastersforJosonLorenzoAntonioshinesMarikina Zamboanga, Marikina subdue foes; Nueva Ecija claims win No. 16

told“Theatptour.com.thirdset,I don’t know if he was hurting or something, I just tried to make all the balls and tried to stay in the game, not thinking about winning or “That’slosing. why I guess I didn’t show much emotions. I feel pretty calm.” Wu was the 2017 junior champion in New York but his professional career has been dogged by injuries and he was sidelined completely from March 2019 until January 2022. He was ranked a lowly 1,869 in March but has now won 14 successive matches.Wunext faces Portuguese qualifier Nuno Borges who defeated US wildcard Ben Shelton 7-6(8/6), 3-6, 7-6 (5/7), 6-7 (8/10), 6-3. Zhang Zhizhen squandered a golden opportunity to join Wu in the next round when he saw seven match points slip away in a fiveset loss to Tim van Rijthoven of the Netherlands. AFP Daniel Elahi Galan of Columbia returns a shot against Stefanos Tsitsipas of Greece during the Men’s Singles First Round on Day One of the 2022 US Open at USTA Billie Jean King National Tennis Center in the Flushing neighborhood of the Queens borough of New York City. AFP

Mercedes’ seven-time world champion and his one-time McLaren teammate crashed on the opening lap with Hamilton forced to retire after an airborne ride over his rival’s Alpine car. In the heat of the moment the veteran Spaniard blasted the British driver as “an idiot”. Hamilton revisited the incident on social media, writing: “First I want to apologise to my fans and especially those who came out to support me. “After almost 30 years of racing, the feeling left from a mistake cuts just as deep as the first. “My team, who work so hard, deservedAlonso,more.”41,was also more composed in his comments after the race and distanced himself from the impact of his original outburst on team radio when he said: “What an idiot! Closing the door from the outside. “I mean, we had a mega-start, but this guy only knows how to drive and start in first.” Hamilton accepted full blame for the collision but was clearly put out by Alonso’s initial fury. He suggested he had intended to speak to the Spaniard until he “heard what he said. I know that’s how things feel in the heat of the moment, but it’s nice to know how he feels about me”.

SPA-FRANCORCHAMPS, Belgium—Lewis Hamilton and Fernando Alonso eased off to avoid a prolonged war of words on Monday following their acrimonious collision in Sunday’s Belgian Grand Prix.

Those who made it ahead of Villarias were John Wilson, formerly of San Juan, Mark Yee of Bacolod Bingo Plus, Yves Sazon, who got released by Marikina, Juneric Baloria of Batangas City and Nueva Ecija’s Michael Juico and Jay Collado. Marcelino poured 9 points in an 11-3 run to push Zamboanga ahead, 75-67, in the fourth quarter on the way to its 11th win against three losses.

retirementvague’‘stayingSerenaon

WHILE Penong’s 5150 Davao will be Tagum City’s first crack at endurance racing hosting, the racecourse which conforms to international standards guarantees a fast, exciting race when it is fired off Sunday (Sept. 4) in Davao del Norte. Bohol’s Jonathan Pagaura and Team Next Step Tri spearhead Bea Quiambao will set out as the triathletes to beat in their respective sides in the Olympic distance 1.5k swim, 40k bike and 10k run race at The Wrec, Hijo Resort Davao given their recentPagauraperformances.isoutto top the 2:07:40 clocking posted by absentee Satar Salem of Lanao del Norte in the Sun Life 5150 Bohol where he placed second last July while Quiambao seeks to improve on her time of 2:27:13 in pursuit of back-to-back 5150 crowns. But the fancied bets will be in for a tough, demanding challenge with the rest of the 445 bidders of various skills and talents all primed in both the age-group categories and the overallMeanwhile,championship.registration is ongoing. For details, log on to penong’s.5150philippines.com or follow us on social media accounts: Penongs5150Davao with Hashtags (Facebook, Instagram, Twitter): #Penongs5150 and #5150Davao.

N EW YORK—Fourth seed Stefanos Tsitsipas was knocked out of the US Open in the first round on Monday, defeated by Colombian qualifier Daniel Elahi Galan on a dramatic ninth match point.

Hamilton, Alonso back off in war of words over Spa crash

The powerhouse Nueva Ecija Vanguards opened with eight straight points and were never headed en route to an 83-64 dumping of the Rizal Xentromall Golden Coolers that pushed them to a 16-0 card.

The hit animated comedy series ‘Rick and Morty’ will bring an immersive experience to viewers

In the heat of the moment, Bad Bunny shares a kiss with his female andmale backup dancers unleashes global ‘Rick and Morty’ experience

“My new show is a rom-com. It has a bit of drama but is not that heavy. So, our acting here is just natural. It’s a feel-good project I’m sure the youth can very much relate to.” Many find him sexy and this is evident in the pilot week of What We Could Be where viewers will see his prized abs in some scenes. “Yes! I really prepared for my role as Lucas. I have topless scenes, but it’s as far as that.”

ACTRESS and former beauty queen Ruffa Gutierrez recently inked a contract with Viva Artists Agency as the latest addition to the talent arm’s roster of stars. In an interview, the 48-year-old screen star said she’s simply honored to be part of Viva family. Ruffa used to be a Regal Baby, Viva’s main rival during the ‘80s.

Ellen plans to return to showbiz when her son, Elias, turns seven

‘Adult Swim’

andpandemicnew protocols in television production, tapings still require a longer time according to her.

For those who don’t know yet, Yasser auditioned for the movie Lockdown directed by Joel Lamangan last year. The controversial role went to Paolo Gumabao During the audition, he didn’t have inhibitions in some scenes which required him to show some skin. “That’s right! But Sparkle told me not to pursue it because I was doing Bilangin ang Bituin sa Langit then and they were pushing my love team with Kyline Alcantara. I guess it was still too early at that point.”

Ellen confessed that apart from leading a healthy lifestyle, being active and taking food supplements is part of her preparation to get pregnant. She and her husband Derek Ramsay wanted to have a baby by 2024, which is the Year of the “Hopefully,Dragon.it’sgoing to be easy [pregnancy] because I didn’t have any problem when I had Elias. That’s why I take care of my health. And since Derek and I were both born in the Year of the Dragon, we wanted to have a baby born under the same Chinese zodiac sign,” she ended.

Anything she touches turns into gold,” ends Ruffa.

POSTING double-digit ratings each episode and with an estimated 13 million viewers glued to their screens every night, Lolong is 2022’s most-watched TV show in the Philippines.Sinceits TV debut last July, viewers of all ages can’t get enough of the action-packed yet values-laden series bannered by Kapuso Action-Drama Prince Ruru Madrid Based on Nielsen Philippines’ TAM data from January 1 to August 14, GMA Network’s biggest adventure series recorded a combined average people rating of 15.6 percent (GMA and GTV) in Total Philippines to secure the topKapusospot. programs 24 Oras, Kapuso Mo, Jessica Soho, First Lady, Happy Together, The World Between Us, Magpakailanman, Bolera, I Left My Heart in Sorsogon, and Jose & Maria’s Bonggang Villa completed the list of the top ten most watched programs in Total Philippines during the said period. FPJ’s Ang Probinsyano, which recently aired its finale episode, was at the 11th spot. And there’s no stopping Lolong from dominating Philippine TV. From August 15 to 19 alone, Lolong recorded a combined (GMA and GTV) average number of more than 13 million viewers per episode in Total Philippines.

The show also continues to post recordhigh numbers, hitting a combined (GMA and GTV) people rating of 18 percent in National Urban TV Audience Measurement overnight ratings last Tuesday (August 23). And just last Wednesday (August 24), Lolong tallied its highest rating to date with a combined people rating of 18.3 percent. Its rival show, Darna only managed a combined people rating of 9.7 and 9.4 percent for the said dates (TV5, A2Z, Kapamilya Channel, and Cinemo). On top of its impressive TV presence, ‘Lolong’ has become a household name, with Filipinos here and abroad being able to relate to Ruru’s character. Viewers praised the show for promoting values of family, friendship, and the environment. Kids are looking up to Lolong as the hero they can emulate.Outside the small screen, Lolong has been drawing crowds in various Kapuso Mall Shows and festivals around the Philippines. Its popular crocodile character, Dakila, has been visiting key cities in Mega Manila and select provinces in Luzon, Visayas, and Mindanao–much to the delight of Lolong fans. A tale of a man’s extraordinary friendship with a giant crocodile named Dakila, Lolong is produced by the award-winning team of GMA Public Affairs. The show’s powerhouse cast includes Shaira Diaz, Arra San Agustin, Christopher de Leon, Jean Garcia, Bembol Roco, Malou de Guzman, Rochelle Pangilinan, Paul Salas, Marco Alcaraz, Mikoy Morales, and Maui Taylor As the show entered a new chapter this August, viewers were able to meet new characters portrayed by Vin Abrenica, Thea Tolentino, Alma Concepcion, Rafael Rosell, and Lucho Ayala Directed by Rommel Penesa Conrado Peru, the crocodile-themed drama series stemmed from the idea of awardwinning broadcast journalist and GMA News pillar Jessica Soho and Assistant Vice President for GMA Public Affairs LJ Castel Catch Lolong weeknights on GMA Telebabad, 8:00 p.m. after 24 Oras, and 9:40 p.m. on GTV.

2022YearArtistBunnysingerRicanPuertoBadwinsoftheattheVMAs

“I thought the pandemic changed that but no, it’s the same. So, I don’t miss location shoots and be away for days. But I’m not entirely going to take a break from showbiz, doing endorsements and attending events are still part of showbiz. I would still be pretty much around,” she explained.

Actress and former beauty queen Ruffa Gutierrez joins Viva Artists Agency as its new addition to its roster of talents is PH’s most Boy Abunda keen on TV return, Ellen Adarna extends showbiz hiatus

Ruffa Gutierrez enters new career chapter

‘Lolong’

While Abunda is ecstatic over his television return, actress Ellen Adarna confessed that she’s not going back to acting anytime soon. “Nobody misses coming home at 5 in the morning,” the 34-year-old Ellen said in jest. “I promised myself that I’d return to acting when my son turns seven. And I do have plans to get pregnant again. So, it’s another seven years.”

“Regal offered me a contract first during that period when I just came back from the States. But you know, the showbiz industry is just small and we just move in circles, so after two decades, I’m here now with Viva,” she says. Ruffa recalls that her closeness with Viva dates back to the early ‘80s when she was just a teenager.“Forthose who don’t know yet, I’m close to Boss Vic Del Rosario and his late wife. In fact, it was her who took me to shopping after my arrival from America. She was convincing me then to sign up with them. All these years, they’ve been asking me to join their talent arm. I would just smile every time. But when I did Maid in Malacañang with them, I think that sealed the deal,” she admits. “The good thing with Viva is that all the movies I did with them, particularly, Ang Pinakamagandang Hayop sa Balat ng Lupa Ngayon in 1995 became blockbusters. I believe it just comes with timing and for me, this is the right time,” she carries on. For the longest time, it’s her mom Annabelle Rama who’s managing her career. Under Viva, her mom will still co-manage her career. “She’s my mom, she’s never going to go away I honor her. The doctor advised that she should not get tired or get stressed out. That’s why she lied low on managing artists. I think the situation now is much better since apart from my mom, Viva is there to handle my career. My mom will always be a part of my life and career, not just because she’s my mother but I think she also has a lucky streak.

By Khrystyn Andaya PUERTO Rican singer Bad Bunny made history as the first Latin artist to win the Artist of the Year award at this year’s MTV Video Music Awards held Sunday, August 28, at the Prudential Center in Newark, New“FromJersey.my heart, I don’t have words to describe what I feel and the pride of receiving this at the Yankee Stadium,” he said, in Spanish. “I always knew that I could become a huge artist without changing my culture, my slang, and my language. I am Benito Antonio Martinez Ocasio, from Puerto Rico, to the world.”

T ELEVISION host Boy Abunda was firm when he said that he was going back to the small screen. Though he was tightlipped on which network he is going to be part of, he said his return is 100 percent certain.

The Puerto Rican singer is also a supporter of LGBTQIA+ rights. In 2019, he actively supported protests against former Puerto Rican Governor Ricardo Roselló’s homophobia and corruption.Inprevious years, Bad Bunny received nominations for Song of the Summer 2018 and Best Latin Video for 2019 to 2021.

Television host Boy Abunda feels ready to return to the small screen

Ellen (left) and Boy are endorsers of Rana Pharmaceutical

The King of Talk Boy Abunda (right) with Ellen Adarna at Luxent Hotel

• • • AFTER the top-rating afternoon soap Bilangin ang Bituin sa Langit Yasser Marta has a new regular program as he is part of GMA’s latest drama series titled, What We Could Be starring Miguel Tanfelix and Ysabel Ortega where he completes the love triangle with the two. The actor is grateful for the fact that he was handled by the awardwinning Laurice Guillen in Bilangin ang Bituin sa Langit which helped him approach his character well in his new show under the helm of another critically-acclaimed director, Jeffrey Jeturian “I’m proud to be a product of Direk Laurice. I can’t get relaxed in my new show considering that I got trained under her. After Bilangin ang Bituin sa Langit, the more I valued my craft. Because of the training I got, I didn’t feel awkward or nervous. I developed confidence,” states Yasser. How different is What We Could Be from Bilangin ang Bituin sa Langit?

The King of Talk also admitted that he has been entertaining talks with GMA Network and his mother studio, ABS-CBN, is aware of these professional conversations. “There’s no reason why my ties with ABS-CBN should be affected by these talks. I do my work whenever they call me. But at the same time, I have a very good relationship with the bosses and staff of GMA-7,” Abunda told the press during an event organized by Rana Pharmaceutical Inc. at Luxent Hotel, Quezon City. Abunda, along with Ellen Adarna is an endorser of the company that distributes food and health supplements. affirmed. Television has been orientedGMA’swhenhappenedtelevisionnow.threeplaygroundAbunda’sfordecadesHisdebutin1994hehostedshowbiz-program Show & Tell with Gretchen Barretto, Ai-Ai delas Alas, and Lolit g rhythm, yung kinang, yung mga ilaw TV. I don’t experience those things on social media where I can do a show even when I’m alone. It’s a different fulfillment when you do TV,”

Bad Bunny’s other iconic VMA moment was kissing a female and male backup dancer in his performance of the song, “Titi Me Pregunto,” from his 5th album, Un Verano Sin Ti This act led to a frenzy of support on the internet.

watched TV show in 2022 Ruru Madrid as Lolong

Entertainment WEDNESDAY, AUGUST 31, 2022 C3 E-mail: lifeandshow.manilastandard@gmail.com Nickie Wang, Editor Patricia Taculao, Editorial Assistant

LEADING into the season six premiere of Adult Swim’s Rick and Morty on HBO GO, fans around the world are invited to participate in an immersive adventure that brings to life the two-time Emmy Award-winning animated hit comedy series.#WORMAGEDDON is a global “living episode” and treasure hunt that features 14 unique and immersive scenes that bridge the events from the season five finale episode with the recently announced season six premiere. Reaching every continent except Antarctica, spectacular new custom scenes will unfold nearly every day until #WORMAGEDDON concludes with the season six global premiere of Rick and Morty on September 5, the same time as the US. Fans in the Philippines can also stream Seasons 1 to 5. Facing a threat of complete global destruction, the heroes and antiheroes of Rick and Morty will team up against #WORMAGEDDON. Between the destruction of the Citadel of Ricks at the end of season five and the beginning of season six, a new threat lands on Earth in the form of a mysterious alien worm that aims to take over the planet.

“To celebrate the new season, we are inviting fans around the globe to take part in an immersive experience that allows them to go on a real-life Rick and Morty adventure,” said Tricia Melton, chief marketing officer for Warner Bros. Discovery Kids, Young Adults, and Classics group.“Our world is being invaded by alien space worms so menacing that #WORMAGEDDON has been declared on nearly every continent. The first fan to find the hidden battle scenes around the world will nab a golden Rick head, clearly one of the most collectible items in the universe,” Melton added. Fans can follow along as the beloved characters from Rick and Morty battle to save Earth from #WORMAGEDDON by visiting the show’s official social channels and on RickandMorty.com

Bad Bunny breaks the internet with VMA win and kiss

THE Nayong Pilipino Foundation (NPF) underscored the need to preserve local languages, emphasizing the importance of diversity to our sense of nation through a roundtable discussion entitled “Umpukan sa Nayon: Wikang Nagbubuklod” held on August 12 at the IVC Teatro in Fort Santiago, Intramuros, Manila. During the opening remarks, NPF executive director Gertie Duran-Batocabe reiterated that the history of every language reflects not only the history of the people but the most important stages of its cultural development as well as its importance in shaping national identity. Among the resource speakers during the roundtable discussion were University of the Philippines (UP) Professors Jesus Federico “Tuting” Hernandez and John Carlo Santos, UP researcher and editor Christine Marie Lim Magpile, and Gemma Arella-Suguitan of the Southern Luzon Association of Museums. The discussion was moderated by Roy Rene Cagalingan, Senior Language Researcher of Komisyon ng Wikang Pilipino (KWF). During the discussions, Magpile encouraged Gen Z and young millennial writers to use the Filipino language that fits the audience and matches the Arella-Suguitan,purpose. on the other hand, sees the diversity of languages as an opportunity to learn more things from otherProfessorcultures. Hernandez supports the call for the government to provide the Filipino translation of records. Santos stresses that the public should use the Filipino languages in their day-to-day lives. He also reminds the youth that English is not a measure of intelligence or success. The NPF Umpukan sa Nayon Project is under the Heritage Space Program. It was designed as a series of multi-sectoral consultations for the development of programs for the future NPF Cultural Park and Creative Hub. Through the Umpukan sa Nayon Project, the Nayong Pilipino Foundation was able to foster multi-sectoral partnerships and expand its network.

Design for Marxie Maolen Fadul and Special Jury Prize); and TM Malones’ Kargo (Audience Choice Award).People of Dapitan will also have a chance to watch the award-winning short films such as Gabriela Serrano’s Dikit (Best Direction and Special Jury Prize) and Arlie Sweet Sumagaysay and Richard Jeroui Salvadico’s Mga Handum Nga Nasulat sa Baras (Audience Choice Award). The Dapitan art council also selected some films which they thought would resonate with their people – Raz de la Torre’s Kwits Xeph Suarez’s City of Flowers, and Mark Moneda’s See You, George Leonor Will Never Dies, which opened the Cinemalaya in CCP, will also have its Dapitan screening. Theodore Boborol’s Iska, 2019 Cinemalaya’s Best Screenplay, will close the Dapitan edition. For those who don’t know, director Boborol is from the Shrine City of the Philippines.Iheardthat the City of Dapitan has been positioning itself as an emerging heritage, arts, and tourism destination. With their hosting of the largest indie film festival in the country, they hope to introduce the city as a premiere film production location in Mindanao and stimulate film and art appreciation in various communities in ZaNorte, especially among the youth. I’m excited to see how the people from Dapitan and neighboring towns would receive Cinemalaya. I remember hearing about the heart-warming reactions when Cinemalaya brought Arden Rod Condez’s John Denver Trending (Cinemalaya 15’s Best Film) to Antique in 2019. With how the direction of the artistic wind has been changing lately, I hope the Balanghai will reach more shores in the coming days.

Spotlights on linguistic diversity as the essence of Filipino culture

Pineapple beaded statement earrings from Flutter Jewelry are among the curated finds from over 50 brands and designers at Kultura’s first ever Filipino Design Studio

A TRIBUTE to the hit epic space opera Star Wars, Newport Mallseum’s latest exhibition Far, Far Away features a unique toy and art collection by Imagine Nation Studios (INS). See blockbuster characters reimagined as toys, decked out in street culture. Among the figures are Trooper Boy, Vader Boy, Fett Boy, C-3PBoy, and Spray2-D2. These creations come in large sizes made of fiberglass, while their smaller counterparts are created from resin. Adding to the intergalactic experience are the contemporary paintings displayed such as Trooper Money Vader Money, and Dog Day After The Far, Far Away exhibition runs until September 4 at GF Newport Mall. It is a thrilling treat for fans of all ages, and even to the most avid collectors. Selected art pieces are available for purchase through the INS contact person at 09054109411 or email ins.designteam@ gmail.com For more information on the latest entertainment thrills, NWR has to offer, visit www.newportworldresorts.com and follow @ newportworldresorts on Facebook and Instagram, and @nwresorts on Twitter.

Life C4 WEDNESDAY, AUGUST 31, 2022 Nickie Wang, Editor Joba Botana, Associate Editor Patricia Taculao, Editorial Assistant E-mail: lifeandshow.manilastandard@gmail.com

Known for its printed scarves inspired by our people, culture and heritage, Jim Weaver collaborates with Francis Libiran in an exclusive collection

A gallery far, far away lands at Newport World Resorts

Homegrown brand celebrates local craftsmanship in first design studio

KULTURA, as its way of celebrating Filipino artistry and craftsmanship, launches its very first Filipino Design Studio, which will run for the whole month of September at Kultura Store, Level 3 of The Podium. The studio aims to be a space of inspiration and community showcasing a specially curated selection of over 50 premium guest brands and designers alongside Kultura. The month-long event will immerse customers in fine Filipino craftsmanship from across the regions, featuring a luxurious, beautifully curated collection of modern Filipiniana, statement jewelry, unique accessories, and stylish home décor highlighting the finest local brands and artisans. Modern Filipiniana from Rhett Eala and Ilaya Couture as well as Nuevo Ystilo, Raffaella, and En Barong Filipino are just some of the exquisite fashion finds. Jim Weaver’s stylish silk scarves inspired by our people, culture, and heritage include the Jim Weaver x Francis Libiran Collection Make a statement with Flutter Jewelry’s pineapple and crab earrings using traditional beadwork techniques; Matthew and Melka accessories inspired by local flora and fauna; chic copper wire jewelry with precious stones by Mjoiran. There are also beautiful hand fans from the oldest fan maker in the Philippines, Casa Mercedes, and contemporary knitwear from Chill by Nooks. Kultura’s Filipino Design Studio also works with communities and highlights sustainability. There are hand-loomed embroidered fabrics crafted by communities in Abra for Strong Mina; beautiful bags and accessories made from colorful upcycled single-use plastic grocery bags and other disposed plastics by Virtucio; eco-fashion statement bags made from ethically-sourced Carabao horns by Kara de Juan; and natural personal care products by Shepard. The Filipino Design Studio also showcases items for the home. Haspe’s handcrafted furniture innovative design using wood and solihiya; Art of Gold’s hand-painted home accessories; Millie Monday’s home décor inspired by nature in the tropics; Atin’s decorative plates and diffusers inspired by Filipino culture; Maison Grid Plus’s rattan and bamboo dinnerware and décor; and The Fine Life Market’s linens, kitchenware, and other home products.

Baseball Player and Zig Dulay’s Black Rainbow – both named Best Film in their categories – will open the Dapitan edition. Cited for “its sheer poignance and quiet power, for its subtle but trenchant storytelling, and for its penetrating take on the Mindanao conflict and the sad wreckage it has made of young innocent lives,” The Baseball Player follows the story of a Moro child soldier who dreams to become a baseball player amid the raging war in Mindanao.Asidefrom Best Film, Obispo’s fulllength film won Best Screenplay, Best Actor for Tommy Alejandrino, and Best Editing for Dulay. Dulay also took home two Balanghai trophies – Best Film and Best Screenplay – for his film Black Rainbow. It was singled out for its “being a bright jewel of a short film, for being a cross-cultural masterpiece that touches the heart and reveals the determination of children to pursue their bright young dreams.”

Aside from the Best Films, other fulllength awardees premiering in Dapitan are Anna Isabelle Matutina’s 12 Weeks (NETPAC Jury Prize, Best Actress for Max Eigenmann), Ma-an L. AsuncionDagnalan’s Blue Room (Best Direction for Dagñalan, Best Cinematography for Neil Daza, Best Supporting Actor for Soliman Cruz, Best Production

Zig Dulay’s Black Rainbow Carlo Obispo’s The Baseball Player

Balanghai sails to DapitantrophyBalanghai

I’d say, if there is revenge travel, then this is definitely the revenge performance of the artistic communities.

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Among the figures on display at the Newport Mall are Trooper Boy, Vader Boy, Fett Boy, C-3PBoy, and Spray2-D2, which come in large sizes made of fiberglass, while their After.Money,TrooperpaintingsareAlsocreatedcounterpartssmallerarefromresin.ondisplaycontemporarysuchasMoney,VaderandDogDay

Uniquely designed Cabbage Dinner and Salad Plates by Maison Grid Plus Eco-fashion statement bags from ethically-sourced Carabao horns by Kara de Juan

Dubbed Cinemalaya 18 in Dapitan: Festival of Winners, this iteration showcases this year’s winning films and selected titles. Carlo Obispo’s The

• • • It’s gonna be a busy September in the artistic arena. Events are happening left and right, which is definitely a good thing because it means the live event industry is slowly bouncing back from the negative effects of the pandemic. In CCP alone, we have the Special Concert Series, featuring soprao Stephanie Quintin, on September 7. Then, there’s Gawad CCP Para sa Sining, where the Center will finally be able to confer awards to deserving individuals and organizations. There is also the opening of the retrospective exhibit, titled Imelda Cajipe-Endaya: Pagtutol at Pag-Asa happening on September 3, at the CCP Main Gallery. Better to visit because this is the last exhibit at the Main Gallery before the Main Building closes its door for renovation and rehabilitation. And finally, the CCP will inaugurate the Tanghalang Ignaco Gimenez on September 8. While this event is invitational, you can already start planning your schedule to watch the shows at the new Black Box Theater. I swear that the artistic season of this new structure in the CCP Complex is truly exciting.Don’tforget the 53rd CCP Anniversary Gala, dubbed Musikal II, featuring excerpts from original Filipino musicals from 2015 to 2021, in vignettes to be performed by leading artists from various theater companies in the country.

WITNESSING the thatcrowdtrooped to the Cultural Center and watched the films competing in the 18th edition of Cinemalaya, I could say that the country’s biggest and most influential indie film festival has succeeded with itsWhilecomeback.theCCP run has ended, the cinematic fever continues with extended screenings at Iloilo Cinematheque, Davao Cinematheque, and even at Cinema 76, featuring the 11 full-length and 12 short films in competition. And good news to those from the southern regions of the Philippines because the Balanghai sets sail to the City of Dapitan in Zamboanga del Norte from September 9 to 13.