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Solon sees 40% budget increase of DA to help attain food security
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VICE President and Education Secretary Sara Z. Duterte-Carpio on Monday ordered the country’s security sector to “show no mercy against criminals and terrorists.” In a speech during her meeting with security officials, Duterte-Carpio noted that although they have not discussed specific matters on insurgency, the se curity sector was clearly instructed on the treatment of law and state violators. Duterte-Carpio, who was designated as the country’s officer-in-charge (OIC) while President Ferdinand Marcos Jr. is on a state visit to Indonesia and Sin gapore, led the meeting on the current security status and efforts to maintain peace and order in the country. “Our objective was to strengthen ex isting coordination and enhance intera gency cooperation on issues concerning By Rey E. Requejo A PHARMACEUTICAL firm chief executive officer who reportedly went missing in July has been abducted and killed by a group of at least 11 men, the Philippine National Police Anti-Kid napping Group said.
PESO STILL FALLING. A man counts dollar bills at a local money changer as the peso fell to a new all-time low against the US dollar Monday, on the possibility of more US Federal Reserve interest rate hikes. The peso touched the P57 to $1 level at one point before closing at P56.99 against the greenback -- down from 56.77 on Friday. Contribut ing to the peso depreciation were the “hawkish signals from some US Fed officials in an effort to bring down elevated US inflation from among 40-year highs recently.” Norman Cruz (Full story on Business page B4)
PRESIDENT Ferdinand Marcos Jr. and Indonesian President Joko Widodo on Monday described the role of the As sociation of Southeast Asian Nations (ASEAN) as a “lead agent” in bringing peace in the Southeast Asian region and worldwide amid global issues. “We agreed that ASEAN is going to be the lead agent in the changes that we would like to see in continuing to bring peace to our countries,” Mr. Marcos said in a press statement from the Bogor Presidential Palace in West Java, Indo nesia.He said the Southeast Asian union’s role in the regional security architecture is vital to attaining peace and security. “We also spoke at length about the role that we believe ASEAN should play while we face the difficulties in this very volatile time in geopolitics not only in our region but also in the rest of the world,” said Mr. Marcos.
PH, Indonesia seal 4 pacts
OIL firms slashed pump prices by as much as P2.60 per liter effective 6 a.m. Tuesday – a little lower than the forecast of the Department of Energy – as the OPEC+ oil cartel agreed yesterday to OPEC sets production cut, to upend fuel price rollback
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DOH sets drive for booster shots on Sept. 26-30
THE Marcos administration has pro posed an almost 40-percent hike for the agriculture sector in its 2023 budget as it works to attain food security by in creasing local food supply and lowering food prices.
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By Willie Casas and Maricel V. Cruz THE Cebu City government on Monday announced that its voluntary face mask policy will be on trial period until De cember 2022, and will be automati cally lifted should there be a surge in COVID-19 infections in the city. In reading Executive Order (EO) No. 6, Cebu City Mayor Michael Rama’s spokesperson Karla Henry-Ammann
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During the budget hearing of the agency at the House of Representatives on Monday, Ako-Bicol Rep. Elizaldy Co, chairman of the committee on ap propriations, said the P46.5 billion or 39.62-percent increase in the agricul ture sector’s budget from 2022 to 2023
The case of Tolosa -- whose identity the PNP withheld then -- was first re ported in the media last month after a photo of his burnt Toyota Land Cruiser surfaced on social media. Obar filed a complaint before the De partment of Justice yesterday against 11
COMMAND CONFERENCE. Vice President Sara Duterte sits at a long table with the heads of the major command services at the Bulwagan ng Karunungan, Department of Education Central Office in Pasig City on Monday. Manny Palmero Next page Next pageNext page Next page Next page Next page Next page Next page
THE Department of Health an nounced Monday that a special vac cination campaign against COV ID-19 will be carried out from Sept. 26 to 30 to administer at least 5 mil lion booster shots. DOH officer-in-charge Maria Rosario Vergeire said the in oculation will be conducted simultaneously nationwide, focusing on regions with low vaccine coverage. “We have computed that if we make an intensive effort during this campaign, we can be able to achieve at least 5 million to 21 million (booster shots),” she said in a press briefing. The DOH is already in talks with local governments, medical societies,
By Alena Mae S. Flores
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By Maricel V. Cruz
City on trial period to Dec.
By Vince Lopez and Vito Barcelo T HE Philippines and Indonesia signed four agreements on economic cooperation, culture, and defense on Monday during the second day of the state visit of President Ferdinand Marcos Jr. The agreements were presented to Mr. Marcos and his host, Indonesian President Joko Widodo, before they is sued statements from Bogor Palace in West Java. In his statement, the President said he and Jokowi talked “at length” about the lead role the Association of Southeast Asian Nations (ASEAN) should play “while we face the difficulties in this very volatile time in geopolitics, not only in our region but also in the rest of the world.”
PBBM, President Widodo stress stronger economic, defense, cultural ties
GUARD REVIEW. President Ferdinand Marcos Jr. (left) and Indonesia’s President Joko Widodo review honor guards prior to their bilateral meeting at the Presidential Palace in Bogor, West Java on September 5. The leaders later joined their wives, First Lady Louise Araneta Marcos and Indonesian First Lady Iriana Widodo at the palace balcony (inset). AFP
Policeterroristsidentify killed pharma exec, KFR members 203 12 PAGES • P20 TUESDAY, SEPTEMBER 6, 2022 www.manilastandard.net
Sara orders ‘no mercy policy’ vs. criminals,
Manila, Jakarta to push peace role of ASEAN
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Optional mask use in Cebu
PNP-AKG Luzon Field Unit Chief Col. Frederick Obar identified the vic tim as Eduardo G. Tolosa Jr., president and chief executive officer of Iraseth Pharma Inc.
AUTHORITIES led by the Bureau of Customs found P1.8 billion worth of goods, including local and imported sugar, in another inspection at a warehouse in Batangas.
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JAKARTA — Foreign Affairs Secre tary Enrique Manalo has taken up the case of jailed Filipino overseas worker Mary Jane Veloso with his Indonesian counterpart Retno Marsudi, Press Secretary Trixie Cruz-Angeles con firmed on Cruz-AngelesMonday.said the Department of Foreign Affairs continued to look for solutions for Veloso, who was convicted of drug trafficking after she was caught with 2.6 kilos of heroin in her luggage at Yogyakarta airport in 2010. “On that, we can confirm because Secretary Manalo did announce that. That’s the only thing we can con firm,” Cruz-Angeles said when asked if Manalo had discussed Veloso’s case with Marsudi on Sunday. Asked for details, Cruz-Angeles said, “Wala po, eh (None, sorry). They’re very sensitive issues. As you know it is a public matter that she has been convicted but our DFA continues to look for solutions.”
THE Philippines and China have had “initial and general discussions” on the possibility of joint oil and gas explo ration in the West Philippine Sea, but there are “no working-level talks” yet, the Department of Foreign Affairs dis closed Monday. In a statement, the DFA said the discus sions were made during the visits of State Councilor and Foreign Minister Wang Yi and International Department Central Committee of the Communist Party of Chi na (IDCPC) Minister Liu Jianchao in the country in July and August, respectively. But the DFA clarified the discussions did not go beyond initial talks. China earlier expressed hopes that the Marcos administration would con sider joint exploration in the West Phil ippineMalacañangSea. did not make a stand on the matter but said it will study the matter. Foreign Affairs Secretary Enrique Manalo even said the Philippine govern ment is open to restarting talks with Chi na about joint oil and gas exploration “so long as discussions fall within the limits stipulated in the 1987 Constitution of the Republic of the Philippines.” In case new talks regarding the matter are pursued, the DFA said it will approach it “with our national interest in mind.” “We wish to build on the gains that have been reached in principle by our pre decessors under a new, mutually-agreea ble framework. As in all negotiations with our bilateral partners, the Philippines ap proaches these matters with our national interest in mind, as embodied in the Phil ippine Constitution. All our endeavors on this issue will respect international law, including the 1982 United Nations Con vention on the Law of the Sea, and the 2016 Arbitration Award,” the DFA state ment said. Rey E. Requejo
DFA: No working-level talks on WPS oil and gas yet
Customs finds P1.8-b sugar stash
A police investigation found the victim left his home in Marikina City aboard his white Toyota Land Cruiser at around 11:08 am on July 19 and, later that day called Iraseth Pharma Vice President for Finance Delia Taboniag to get from his vault US$102,700; 2,800 euros; 186 Singaporean dollars; a Rolex watch, and a Hublot watch. The money and the watches were brought by his driver, Christopher Rancho, to the victim in South of Mar ket Tower in Bonifacio Global City in Taguig City that same day. our national security and the country’s development... Our policy against criminals and terrorists and those that support and espouse their ideologies of violence should be hardline,” she said. Targets to strengthen interagency link ages were also set during the meeting. Among the topics discussed was the rape of four teachers in Camarines Sur, and how to speed up the investigation and arrest of the person responsible, said Duterte-Carpio, who concurrently heads the Department of Education. Last month, four teachers were pre paring for the upcoming class reopening when an armed man entered the prem ises of an elementary school in Ocampo, Camarines Sur, on Aug. 9 and allegedly raped them in broad daylight. The DepEd had earlier assured the victims of assistance and increased se curity at the school. Among the attendees were Armed Forces of the Philippines (AFP) chief of staff Lt. Gen. Bartolome Vicente Bacarro, Philippine Army chief Lt. Gen. Romeo Brawner Jr., Philippine National Police deputy chief for ad ministration Lt. Gen. Jose Chiquito Malayo, Bureau of Fire Protection Fire Director Louie Puracan, Philip pine Coast Guard commandant Adm. Artemio Abu, Philippine Air Force acting commanding general Maj. Gen. Arthur Cordura, Philippine Navy vice commander Rear Adm. Caesar Bernard Valencia, and Bureau of Jail Management and Penology chief Jail Dir. Allan Iral. Vito Barcelo
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Widodo told reporters that the Phil ippines will be buying two landing platforms and as yet unspecified air assets from Indonesia as part of the border security agreements between the two Signedcountries.agreements on cultural, eco nomic and defense and security coopera tion were presented to the two presidents by members of their respective Cabinets. The plan of action, which will cover the cooperative efforts between the Philippines and Indonesia from 2022 to 2027, was presented by Foreign Af fairs Secretary Enrique Manalo and his counterpart, Indonesian Foreign Minis ter Retno Marsudi. At the same time, Widodo said the Philippines and Indonesia have agreed to speed up negotiations on the delimi tation of continental shelf based on the United Nations Convention on the Law of the Sea (UNCLOS). The Philippines and Indonesia are parties to the 1982 UNCLOS and are entitled to an EEZ (exclusive economic zone) of 200 nautical miles. Widodo thanked Mr. Marcos for “his full support” for Indonesia’s 2023 chairmanship of the ASEAN. After his meeting with Widodo, the President was expected to have a roundtable meeting with Indonesian business leaders and will visit some of Jakarta’s landmarks before departing Tuesday for Singapore. The Philippine presidential entourage arrived at the palace at 10 a.m. local time (UTC +7) and was welcomed by the pres idential cavalry and marching band. At the Palace ground, President Widodo welcomed President Marcos by shaking hands, while First Lady Iriana Widodo welcomed First Lady Liza Araneta-Marcos by presenting a flower bouquet. The two heads of state then attended the welcoming ceremony where the national anthems of Indonesia and the Philippines were played, followed by a troop inspection.
“The President’s pronouncement, to gether with this unprecedented budget increase for agriculture, acknowledges the many challenges that the sector faces and affirms his support for the sector. This recognition from the highest official of the land should facilitate the recovery from the food crises that abound in the agriculture sector,” said Co. The DA itself will get a budget of P102.15 billion in 2023 – a 44-percent in crease from its capital outlay this year of P71 billion, Deputy Speaker and Batan gas Rep. Ralph Recto earlier said. “You can say that this is the begin ning of the end of a funding drought,” he said, adding that the department will “finally reap a budget increase.” Prices of sugar, salt, onion, and gar lic have been on the rise due to supply chain issues as well as insufficient lo cal production. The war in Ukraine has also caused a continuing spike in oil and wheat prices, creating an uptick in the cost of other goods and services.
Mr. Marcos thanked Indonesia for its assistance and involvement in infra structure programs in the Philippines, and its commitment to continue with these programs. He expressed optimism that his first state visit would result in a stronger alli ance with Indonesia. “This partnership between Indonesia and the Philippines... will be of critical importance so that we remain stable as we grow out of the pandemic economy and we work together and help each other to develop regional peace and re gional development,” Mr. Marcos said. Indonesia for him and many other Fili pinos is “not only a neighbor, not only a friend, but kin”, the Chief Executive said. He expressed gratitude to the Indo nesian leader for inviting him to visit Indonesia, saying this was only the be ginning of many things to come for the two“Oncountries.thatbasis, we spoke about the difficulties that we as members of ASE AN face after the pandemic, and this is why trade is such an important part of what we spoke and what we have agreed upon,” Mr. Marcos said. Widodo, meanwhile, called for a sig nificant increase in trade and invited the Philippines to continue developing potential trade deals and to improve connectivity in border areas.
The PNP-AKG conducted an investi gation based on the report of the victim’s nephew, Carl Allan Tolosa, who reported that his uncle went missing last July 19.
From A1 Sara... From A1 Optional... From A1 PH,... From A1 OPEC... From A1 Police... From A1 Manila,... From A1 Solon... From A1
DOH...
Compared to last year, trade between Indonesia and the Philippines increased by almost 50 percent, the Indonesian leaderWidodosaid.said shipping routes between Bitung and Davao should be revitalized and said he looked forward to the reopen ing of the Manado-Davao flight route. Jokowi also said he and Mr. Marcos agreed to review two border security agreements so that they remain relevant for communities in border areas. “In the field of defense and security, we encouraged strengthening coopera tion and safety and security of waters in border areas. I highly appreciate the signing of the Agreement on Coopera tive Activities in the Field of Defense and Security,” he said. “I’m glad that we have renewed the Trilateral Cooperative Arrangement or TCA between Indonesia, the Philippines, and Malaysia, which is very important to secure our waters from threats of hostagetaking and kidnapping.”
DFA chief pleads Veloso case with Jakarta minister
Macon Ramos-Araneta
cut production for the first time in more than a year as it seeks to lift prices that have tumbled due to recession fears. OPEC+ said in a statement that it de cided to reduce output by 100,000 bar rels per day in October, returning to the production level of August. Oil prices rose by more than three percent following the announce ment, with the international bench mark, Brent, exceeding $96 per barrel while the US contract, WTI, reached almost $90. Earlier in the day, Petron said will implement the following price roll backs: P2.60/li for gasoline; P1.55/li for diesel, and P1.60/li for kerosene. Other oil firms also cut pump prices, namely Phoenix Petroleum Philippines, PTT Philippines, Seaoil Philippines, Chevron Philippines, Cleanfuel, Petro Gazz, and Flying V. Rino Abad, director of the DOE’s Oil Industry Management Bureau, last week said gasoline prices are expected to go down this week by P2.80/li, diesel by P1.82/li, and kerosene by P1.80/li. Oil companies last raised pump prices by P1.40 per liter for gasoline and P6.10 for diesel and kerosene on Aug. 30. DOE said these resulted in total year-to-date adjustments at a net in crease of P19.55 per liter for gasoline, P37.80 per liter for diesel, and P33.20 per liter for kerosene. With AFP and stakeholders for the special week of Vergeirevaccination.also clarified that the DOH has not given expired COVID-19 booster shots, citing that the shelf life of some vaccines has been extended by their “Everybodymanufacturers.knowsabout this be cause when these vaccines were expir ing already, we coordinated with the FDA (Food and Drug Administration) so they can coordinate with manufac turers to determine if the shelf life can be extended,” she said. In other developments: * The Philippines has logged some 656 additional cases of highly conta gious offshoots of the Omicron COV ID-19 variant, the DOH said Monday. * The Philippines recorded a total of 17,145 new COVID-19 cases from Au gust 29 to September 4, a 10 percent low er tally than the cases reported the previ ous week, the DOH said. Willie Casas persons for murder, kidnapping for ran som, and arson charges in connection with Tolosa’s death. The respondents were identified as Carlo G. Cadampog, Ceasar G. Cad ampog, David Z. Gundran, John Ben edict V. Dumalanta, Melvin Leonor Andes, Melchor P. Andes, Victor Ra godon Ferrer, Adrian Joseph Mendez, Richmeld Ignilan, a certain “Tomtom,” and a still unidentified male person.
To bolster partnerships with the Phil ippines’ close neighbor, the President said he and Widodo agreed to organize task forces “at the technical level” to take advantage of the opportunities for both Manila and Jakarta. “We continue to work on growing our relationship to make it stronger. So much so that, in actual fact, our discus sions progressed so rapidly that we, the (Indonesian) President and I, have agreed to organize task forces already,” heThesesaid. groups are no longer at the political or the diplomatic level “so as to be able to take full advantage of the opportunities that we feel are avail able to us and that we will need to exploit to succeed in the near future,” said Mr. Widodo,Marcos.forhis part, underlined the importance of bolstering ASEAN cen trality and unity. Vince Lopez said the trial period of EO 5, which lifted the mandatory face mask use in the city, was set from Sept. 1 to Dec. 31,“The2022.same period is hereby referred to as the trial and observation period,” sheAmmannadded. said the EO will be au tomatically lifted and the wearing of face masks in the city will be manda tory again if there is a surge of COV ID-19 cases in Cebu City, as verified by the Ramagovernment.signedtheEO on Monday dur ing the city government’s flag ceremony. Department of Health (DOH) of ficer-in-charge (OIC) Maria Rosario Vergeire on Wednesday said they were not consulted regarding the lift ing of the mandatory face mask policy in Cebu VergeireCity.stressed there will be a higher risk of infections in an area if the safeguards against COVID-19 are not in place, stressing that a face mask provides up to 80 percent protection against the coronavirus. To loosen restrictions, Vergeire said certain conditions must be met, such as high vaccine booster uptake and low virus infections. She said the Inter-Agency Task Force for the Management of Emerg ing Infectious Diseases (IATF) was expected to convene Monday after noon to discuss Cebu City’s voluntary face mask policy.
“His non-appearance tomorrow will have to be dealt with by the commit tee,” Committee chairman Francis To lentino said. “So we’ll decide that collegially if he is going to be required to be in the suc ceeding hearings or if there’s gonna be a move or what, within the bounds of the rules coming from the committee members,” he added. Tolentino said it is important for Rodriguez to attend the Senate inves tigation as this will show respect to a co-equal branch of government. “It’s vital to showcase a vibrant and healthy system of democracy... He should attend. As a lawyer, he should explain,” Tolentino said.
The former adviser of the National Task Against COVID-19 said the gov ernment could also monitor and see the outcome of the optional face mask policy in Cebu City, but supported the DOH’s advice for the continued use of face masks.
On whether President Ferdinand Mar cos Jr. brought up the matter with Indo nesian President Joko Widodo when they met on Monday, Cruz-Angeles said, “No, I cannot confirm that.” Veloso was sentenced to death in 2010 after she was convicted of drug trafficking. She denied the charges and insisted that her recruiters tricked her and gave her a suitcase that con tained illegal drugs in its seams. Veloso’s recruiters, Maria Cristina Sergio and Julius Lacanilao, were charged with human trafficking, il legal recruitment, and estafa cases.
In a statement, the BOC said its team arrived at the warehouse inside the Cen tral Asucarera Don Pedro in Barangay Lumbangan in Nasugbu town on Sun day where they found the items. The inspecting team found at least 181,299 sacks of imported MITR PHOL brand of pure refined sugar from Thai land and some 197,590 sacks of the local Don Pedro white sugar. Each sack con tains 50 kilograms of sugar. The BOC said it may be one of the agency’s “biggest operations to date” since inspections of sugar storage facili ties began in August. An inventory of the imported goods and sugar found in the ware house will be conducted by the as signed Customs examiners and will be witnessed by the Customs Intelli gence and Investigation Service, and warehouse representatives. The team has temporarily padlocked, sealed, and placed caution tapes on the entrances and exits of the warehouse. The BOC is leading surprise in spections nationwide, resulting in the discovery of stockpiles of sugar, which may or may not have been im portedMeanwhile,legally. the Senate blue ribbon committee said it will decide whether or not to ExecutivecompelSecretary Victor Rodri guez to attend the succeeding hearings on the alleged unauthorized issuance of Sugar Order 4 that would have allowed the importation of 300,000 metric tons of sugar into the country.
Vince Lopez
is Theunprecedented.agriculture sector includes the budget of the Department of Agricul ture and its attached corporations and the Department of Agrarian Reform. “The increase is from P117.29 billion in the 2022 GAA (General Appropriations Act) to P163.75 billion in 2023 National Expenditure Program (NEP),” Co said. “This budget increase should ensure the country’s food security — mean ing, as per President Marcos’ directive, local food supply should increase and, by the law of supply and demand, result in lower food prices,” he stressed. President Ferdinand Marcos Jr., who is concurrently DA Secretary, has em phasized in his first State of the Nation Address, that agriculture will be the main driver for economic growth and job creation.
By Vito Barcelo and Maricel V. Cruz
AGRARIAN Reform Secretary Conrado Estrella III has vowed to speed up the distribution of support services to farmer-beneficiaries of the Comprehensive Agrarian Reform Program (CARP) to ensure the continued productivity of awarded farmlands and discourage the farmers from pawning or selling their lands. One of the agency’s major priorities is to keep the flow of food smooth and orderly since it is the best way to keep the prices of basic farm goods at affordable levels, he said. “Remember, when the supply of goods is abundant, the price is likely to go down,” he added.Amid the skyrocketing prices, he said to keep the unhampered food supply to the market would help stabilize the prices.
Group urges PBBM to focus on governance
By Rio N. Araja
SUSPECTED COP RAPIST. Valenzuela Mayor Wes Gatchalian and police chief Col. Salvador Destura Jr. present to the media the arrested policeman facing two counts of statutory rape of his live-in partner’s daughter.
PRESIDENT Ferdinand Marcos Jr. must focus on governance if he wants the country to recover from the economic crisis, shift from a consumption-led economy to an investment driven one to generate more jobs, narrow the poverty gap, and provide a better quality of life forThisFilipinos.wasthe main takeaway in “Philippine Governance: Lessons and Prospects for the Marcos Jr. Administration,” during a recent forum organized by top think-tank Stratbase ADR Institute and advocacy group DemocracyWatch. “To build the Filipino nation, we need a three-way trusting relationship among the government, private sector, and civil society,” said Professor Victor Andres Manhit, president of Stratbase Group. Edwin Santiago, a non-resident fellow for the Institute and associate professor at De La Salle University, suggested “we chart our progress through things we can measure, and stressed the importance of watching the Philippine performance in various global indices.” Specifically, we should watch the World Governance Index, Ease of Doing Business, Global Competitiveness Index, Index of Economic Freedom, Rule of Law Index, Corruption Perceptions Index, and the Open Budget Index, Santiago said. How the Philippines fared in these indicators vis-a-vis other countries will guide on the aspects of governance we need to focus on, he added. According to him, the Philippines registered only marginal improvement in the World Governance Index, specifically in political stability and absence of violence, and government effectiveness, and in only three of 10 indicators in ease of doing Performancebusiness.inthe remaining four indices all worsened or is worsening, he added. “In the final analysis, what is important is that the evaluation of any administration should be done objectively and that it comes with a forward-looking perspective,” Santiago said.
The PHilMech and the DA are conducting separate probes into the matter, saying it will file administrative cases against other PhilMech personnel involved in the questionable purchase of the tractors.
THE reason for the unexpected retirement of Commission on Elections (Comelec) director James Jimenez’s is “deeply personal,” Comelec chair George Garcia said onTheMonday.pollbody has reportedly accepted Jimenez’s request for optional retirement, effective on September 16. Garcia said the Comelec en banc tackled Jimenez’s request for two weeks before deciding to accept it.
“First, processes must be simplified. Complex processes with multiple leakages, overlaps, and inefficiencies should first be rationalized before digitalization. Otherwise, one will merely migrate such inefficiencies. Worse, because the digital space has a compounding effect, digitalization can multiply inefficiencies unless resolved at the process level first,” Salceda said. Maricel V. Cruz
Meanwhile, a congressional leader has recommended that the Philippine Coconut Authority (Philcoa) and the Department of Agriculture (DA) designate a project preparation office to help implementing national government agencies, local governments, and other proponents formulate viable project proposals to access the P75 billion Coconut Industry Development Trust Fund, created under Republic Act 11524. According to PHilMech director Dr. Dionisio Alvindia, the Department Budget and Management (DBM) approved the procurement of 1,800 units of four-wheel tractors valued at P2.116 billion under the Rice Competitiveness Enhancement Fund (RCEF)-Mechanization Program.
Poll chief: Jimenez’s reason for retirement ‘deeply personal’
ALBAY Rep. Joey Sarte Salceda on Monday reminded government agencies to simplify government processes and reduce their documentary requirements first as a prerequisite to digitalizing their Salceda,services.chairof the House Committee on Ways and Means, made the statement in remarks to the House Committee on Information and Communication Technology, which was tackling two measures he sponsored—House Bill 2963, or the EGovernance Act, and House Bill 2902, or the E-Government Act—both presidential priority bills mentioned in the 2022 State of the Nation Address. Salceda warned that if processes remain complex and tedious for citizens accessing government services, efforts to digitalize government services “will merely migrate such inefficiencies.” Salceda also said that “digitalization or electronic governance is not a magic word. It requires internal reform and efficiency. Digital inefficiency is still inefficiency.” He cited issues such as government websites that are difficult to navigate, websites that are not privacy-secure, supposedly digitalized processes that still require face-to-face transactions such as TIN registration, and other supposedly electronic government services that remain inefficient, lengthy, complex, or requiring physical processes. Salceda outlined five key principles before government agencies pursue digitalization.
“As a consequence, Jallorina was relieved by then President Rodrigo Duterte on the recommendation of Agriculture Secretary William Dar last year,’ he said. Based on documents provided by PHilMech, a letter issued by Cristina Clarassa addressed to Dar, stated that adjustments on the price of tractors were made on the recommendation of the Bureau of Agriculture and Fisheries Engineering for the inclusion of hydraulic ports. “The Adjustment resulted in the increase of the approved budget contract (ABC) from P1.2 million to P1.3 million, a P100,000-increase for the initial approved value,” Alvindia stated. But Alvindia asserted that despite the absence of an amendment to the APMV already approved by Dar, the transaction entered into by the former PHilMech head to buy tractors at a higher price pushed through.
The decrease in the number of purchased tractors was purportedly due to the adjustments of the original contract price, from P1.2 to P1.3 million for each unit, but without the approval of the DBM, Alvindia said in a statement.
COMELEC TO HAVE NEW HEADQUARTERS. Commission on Election (Comelec) chair George Erwin Garcia, accompanied by director Julius Thaddeus Hernan, executive director Bartolomeo Sinocruz Jr., Commissioner Rey Bulay, incoming Commissioner Nelson Celis, and Commissioner Soccoro Inting, inspect the proposed location for the construction of a new building for the poll body in Pasay City. (Inset) Comelec chair George Erwin Garcia conducts an ocular Inspection of a lot in Pasay City the proposed new Comelec main o ce will rise. Norman Cruz, Danny Pata
“Director Jimenez’s reasons for retiring are too personal, but that includes concerns about his health. Actually he told us of his intention to retire two weeks ago. The en banc mulled its acceptance for two weeks; we didn’t want to accept it until we spoke with him,” Garcia said in a televisionGarciainterview.alsosaid the retirement of Jimenez would not affect their fact-finding investigation on the former Comelec spokesman’s role in the controversial deal with Halalan 2022 debate organizer Impact Hub Manila. The last leg of the presidential and vice presidential town-hall debates—supposed to take place April 23 and 24—was canceled after the management of venue Sofitel Philippine Plaza said Impact Hub failed to fulfill its payment obligations, amounting to P14 million. Sofitel said Impact Hub repeatedly issued them bouncing checks. Garcia noted that the Comelec’s investigation was not focused on Jimenez.
THE bark and branch wood of the critically-endangered Narra trees have antioxidant properties that can help improve the lives of millions of Filipinos, a study conducted by the De La Salle University (DLSU) Dasmariñas College of PharmacyTheindicated.research paper, disclosed during a recent media presentation at a hotel in Quezon City, was aimed at determining the different production processes that would be most efficient to the Narra sample without sacrificing the efficacy of the product in improving consumer health andUsingwellness.theOxygen Radical Absorbance Capacity (ORAC), a method developed by scientists at the National Institute of Health and Aging to measure the antioxidant capacity of different foods, the research team decided to measure and compare the ORAC scores of each processThecombination.ORACscore is also the unit of measure of antioxidants which is the body’s natural defense versus harmful compounds that are linked to multiple illnesses, including weakened immunity, diabetes, heart disease, and cancer. The study revealed that the ORAC scores of all methods tested displayed similarly high levels of antioxidant potency.“There is a list by the United States Department of Agriculture and the Narra extract, based on the ORAC score, ranks among the 10 percent foods that have antioxidant properties. That means to say that the Narra extract is number one in the Philippines when it comes to antioxidant properties if we look at the ORAC score,” said Sigfredo Mata Professor Contributing Editor of the Narra research.
Andrew Rabulan
“The probe is centered on different individuals and the Comelec’s processes. Was the problem created on purpose? What was the problem, where did it come from? Was there a mistake in the process that the Comelec can change? Must someone be held responsible, or is it the fault of more than one person?” Garcia said. He said the results of the inquiry may be tackled by the Commission en banc in its meeting this week. “We may tackle the results of the investigation in our Wednesday en banc meeting. Hopefully, we’ll have an initial report about it soon,” Garcia said.
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Salceda: digitalprocessesSimplekeytoservices
The DAR chief earlier directed DAR Undersecretary for support services Milagros Isabel Cristobal to prioritize the construction of roads that would connect bridges that were constructed under the ”Tulay ng Pangulo para sa Kaunlarang Pang-agraryo” to the main roads, leading to the market.
THE Commission on Human Rights (CHR) on Monday asked the government to apply the human rights standards for all persons deprived of liberty (PDL) or prisoners, including its ex-chairperson-turned Senator Leila de Lima as a testament of commitment to the rule of law and the basic principles of good governance. “As sworn duty bearers, we must let fairness and social equality, at all times, prevail,” CHR executive director Jacqueline Ann de Guia said. In 2012, a petition was filed with the Supreme Court (SC) seeking to thwart the implementation of Commission on Elections Resolution No. 9371 allowing the participation of PDLs in the national and localTheelections.HighCourt partially granted the petition in 2016 and issued a temporary restraining order for its application on localLastelections.Aug.26, the SC publicly released a nine-page ruling unanimously dismissing the petition against the Comelec resolution, thereby effectively lifting the TRO. The decision, penned by Associate Justice Jhosep Lopez, explained that the petitioner failed to present a substantive case that warranted a judicial review. The CHR “fully welcomes and lauds the SC’s decision. We echo the High Court’s assertion that the Comelec Resolution— contrary to the petitioner’s arguments that it was “unconstitutional” and that it “violates the equal protection of laws by favoring PDL voters over other classes of voters”— does not pose a conflict of legal rights,” De Guia said. Rio N. Araja
DLSU study shows Narra trees have anti-oxidant properties
However, former PHilMech executive director Baldwin Jallorina allegedly decided to buy only 1,364 tractors worth P1,770,930,870 contrary to the 1,800 units based on the approved Authority to Purchase Motor Vehicle (APMV) issued by the DBM on May 20, 2021.
He said he is also eyeing the construction of more post-harvest facilities to help keep farmer-beneficiaries from being shortchanged by providing them safe storage facilities where they can store their harvests when prices are low and sell them when prices are high. Estrella lamented that the lack of storage facilities makes farmers vulnerable as they are often forced by unscrupulous traders and middlemen to sell their harvests at a very low price instead of seeing them rotting in their backyard.
HAPPINESS IS A BAG FILLED WITH SCHOOL SUPPLIES. A pupil of the Cabagnan Elementary School in Tabaco City shows o her new school bag containing school supplies, courtesy of the Tabaco City government under Mayor Krisel Lagman who gave away the bags to the young learners;. Norman Cruz DAR vows to boost services to CARP farmers
THE Philippine Center for Postharvest Development and Mechanization (PHilMech) has suspended payment for 1,364 units of agricultural equipment worth P1.7 billion due to some technicalities in the procurement process.
PhilMech holds payment for tractors
CHR: toprisoners’Respectrightsurage
act version approved in the last Con gress,” Tiangco said who led in approv ing the consolidated measure. This developed as Romualdez, Rep. Yedda Romualdez, Marcos and Acidre said the affordability and accessibil ity of SIM cards “have resulted in the democratization of mobile commu nications, possibly contributing to a more leveled playing field in terms of employment, education and access to public information.”
START OF YULE SEASON. Prison inmates make Christmas lanterns, to be sold ahead of the December festive season, and the profits to be distributed to family members of the incarcerated in San Juan, Metro Manila. The Philippines boasts one of the world’s longest Christmas seasons, kicking off in September. Manny Palmero with Jam Sta. Rosa/AFP
THE Philippines is capable of test ing samples for Legionnaires’ dis ease (Legionella), which has already been identified as the cause of a cluster of pneumonia cases in Ar gentina, the Department of Health (DOH) said Monday. The agency is also closely moni toring developments through the International Health Regulations, DOH officer-in-charge Maria Rosa rio Vergeire said. “We have the capacity to do sur veillance for that and RITM or Re search Institute for Tropical Medi cine is very much capable of doing laboratory surveillance for this type of disease,” she said. Legionella is associated with out breaks of severe pneumonia. The dis ease, known as Legionnaires’ disease, has a variety of symptoms ranging from cough, shortness of breath, mus cle aches, headaches and fever. The US Centers for Disease Con trol and Prevention (CDC) has said the disease is serious but can be treated with antibiotics. “Most healthy people do not get Legionnaires’ disease after being exposed to legionella. Being 50 years or older or having certain risk factors can increase your chances of getting sick,” the CDC said. Some of the risk factors include be ing a current or former smoker, having chronic lung disease like emphysema or chronic obstructive pulmonary dis ease and having a weakened immune system either through illness or im munosuppressant drugs. The bacteria, which grows in wa ter if not properly maintained, is usually spread through water drop lets in the “Outbreaksair. are commonly asso ciated with buildings or structures that have complex water systems, like hotels and resorts, long-term care facilities, hospitals, and cruise ships,” the CDC said. Sources of infection include water used for showering, cooling towers, decorative fountains and hot tubs.
The excluded evidence includes the testimony of Josephine Relampagos, department head of the Human Resources Man agement and Development of the Bohol provincial government that is meant to substantiate Yap’s service record in govern ment.
The court ruled to allow the “tender of excluded evidence” by Yap and “to make the excluded evidence form part of the case records in order to preserve a record of these pieces of evi dence for appeal,” according to the decision published online on September 1. Yap is being prosecuted for signing a Memorandum of Agreement between the Department of Agriculture and Na tional Agribusiness Corp. (Nabcor), as well as the addendum which eventually led to the release of the Priority Development Assistance Fund (PDAF) allocation of former Misamis repre sentative Marina Clarete to Flerida Alberto of the Kabuhayan at Kalusugang Alay sa Masa Foundation (KKAMFI).
Sandiganbayan allows excluded evidence in Yap malversation rap
Rio N. Araja
By Willie Casas
News A4 TUESDAY, SEPTEMBER 6, 2022
AFP: Son of rebel leader, wife slain in encounter IN BRIEF
PH is capable of testing ‘Legionella,’forsaysDOH
By Joel E. Zurbano
‘Poblacion Girl’ pleads guilty to breaking COVID-19 rules
THE alleged son and wife of slain rebel leader George “Ka Oris” Madlos were killed during an encounter in Impasugong, Bukidnon on Saturday, the mili tary said Sunday. In a statement, the Philippine Army’s 4th Infantry Division (4ID) identified the fatalities as Vincent Isagani Madlos and Angie Polandres Salinas. The two reportedly died following an encounter with troops belonging to the 8th Infantry Battalion under the 403rd Infantry Brigade (IB) in Barangay Ka pitan Bayong.
Police have established the following timeline:•Chua was transported to the hotel and checked in on December 22 at 11:23 p.m. • At about 11:40 p.m. of the same night, Chua was fetched from the hotel by her father with an SUV and drove off; • Investigators confirmed the presence of Chua in one of the restaurants on December 23, through CCTV footage and witness accounts; and • On December 25 at 9 p.m., Chua returned to the hotel assisted by her mother. Investigators said Chua was seen dining with several acquaintances at the Kampai Bar and Mijo Comfort Food, both located in Poblacion, MakatiThey,City.however, said they “did not find sufficient evidence” to charge any of the individuals in the company of Chua the night after she skipped quarantine.
THE Sandiganbayan anti-graft court has allowed the lawyers of former agriculture secretary and Bohol governor Arthur Yap to attach excluded evidence to court records in the graft and malversation case against him and a former congressman.
THE House of Representatives committee on infor mation and communications technology on Mon day approved a consolidated measure requiring the registration of all postpaid and prepaid mobile phone subscriber identity module (SIM) cards.
ELPIDIO Jordan Jr., chair of the Presidential Commission for the Urban Poor (PCUP) has vowed to back to the advocacy of President Ferdinand Marcos Jr. to reduce the country’s poverty rate to 9 percent by the end of his term in 2028.Helimmediately initiated efforts to inten sify PCUP’s programs and activities to fulfill its mandate of promoting the welfare of the urban poor across the country, particularly in the National Capital Region, where most of the marginalized families have flocked in the hope to find better opportunities.
Jordan met recently with representatives of beleaguered residents of Pangarap Village, Caloocan City, led by village executive Ber nardo Quiboy to discuss the current situation of the informal settler families (ISFs) who have reportedly been experiencing harass ment from security personnel sent by property owner Carmel Development Inc. Commissioner for the NCR Rey Galupo offered to facilitate the speedy resolution of the issue by personally meeting with the de veloper, local police, and other stakeholders to ease the prevailing tension between the land owners and ISFs. Jordan welcomed Galupo’s offer, saying that Galupo’s initiative could pave the way for a peaceful settlement that would end in a win-win situation for all parties concerned.
The panel, chaired by Navotas Rep. Toby M. Tiangco approved several measures under House Bill (HB) 14, 59, 116, 506, 794, 841, 951, 1528, 2113, 2478, 2819, 2923, 3299, and 3327 intro duced by Speaker Martin G. Romual dez, Representatives Yedda Marie Romualdez (Tingog Party-list), Sandro Marcos, Jude Acidre, Jaime Fresnedi, Roy Loyola, Edvic Yap, Eric Go Yap, Paolo Duterte, Rex Gatchalian, Chris tian Tell Yap, Roman Romulo, Luis Raymund Villafuerte, Jr., Miguel Luis Villafuerte, Virgilio Lacson, Keith Mi cah Tan, Tiangco, Rufus Rodriguez and Edwin Olivarez, respectively to require SIM card registration to lessen scams and criminal activities. “The mother bill is HB No. 14 filed by Speaker Martin Romualdez, the ex DSWD reports P649m in educational aid THE Department of Social Welfare and Devel opment (DSWD) reported that more than P649 million worth of educational assistance has been distributed to beneficiaries DSWD spokesperson Assistant Secretary Romel Lopez said that a to tal of 257,285 students have already received the cash aid, GMA News reported. “The DSWD is glad to report that around 257,265 students or beneficiaries have already been reached by our program. The total of the distributed cash assistance is now at P649 mil lion,” the official, in the GMA News report, said. Of the total beneficiaries who received cash assistance, 85,000 were college and vocation al course students; 79,000 were elementary students; 56,000 were high school students; and 36,000 were senior high school students, LopezLopezadded.said the DSWD still has P900 mil lion funds for the educational cash aid pro gram. According to him, the P1.5 billion bud get for the program can cover around 400,000 beneficiaries. The DSWD has already received around 2 million applications for the educational assis tanceUpprogram.tothreestudents per indigent family can receive a cash aid worth P1,000 for elemen tary students, P2,000 for high school students, P3,000 for senior high school students, and P4,000 for tertiary students. Solon urges support for ‘kadiwa’ project AGRI party-list Rep. Wilbert Lee to his fellow legislators to support a measure establishing Kadiwa Agri-food Terminals in every city and municipality in the country. “In line with the clear direction of the cur rent administration to prioritize helping our ag riculture and fisheries workers and make food products affordable, it is clear how scaling up the Kadiwa initiative in many regions across the country can be a concrete and immediate inter vention to the food crisis we face,” Lee said. Lee’s House Bill 3957 or the “Kadiwa Ag ri-Food Terminal Act,” proposes institutional ize a program for the creation of a nationwide system of agricultural and fisheries food ter minals.According to Lee, this is an endeavor for the higher mobility of locally produced prod ucts to the whole country at a cheaper cost and also to alleviate the high prices of basic com modities amid the problem of inflation. The “Kadiwa ni Ani at Kita Program” is the agribusiness and marketing initiative of the Depart ment of Agriculture (DA) to help link local farm ers and fishermen directly to consumers. Prices in Kadiwa are cheaper by 10 to 20 percent. Under this measure, the DA, in close co ordination with the Local Government Units (LGUs), is mandated to establish and manage Agri-food terminals and shall select among the following modes: a) Kadiwa Retail or Direct Selling - estab lishing physical food terminals to accommo date farmers and fisherfolks products for sale to customers and food suppliers; b) Kadiwa on Wheels - using rolling stores in vehicles to bring agri-fishery products to barangays and villages; c) Kadiwa sa Pamahalaan - establishing trading centers within the proximity of the government’s property/office through part nership with DA or other government agency within the LGU. Maricel V. Cruz PCUP chief backs PBBM poverty plan
Colonel Ted Dumosmog, 4th IB officer-in-charge, said the two were members of the Communist Party of the Philippines-New People’s Army (CPPNPA) Central Committee. He added that Madlos and Salinas were heads of the National Technical Bureau and the National Communica tions Bureau of the National Operations Command,“Additionally,respectively.Madlos had multiple warrants of arrests for the crimes com mitted from different areas in Caraga and Northern Mindanao regions,” Du mosmog said. The firefight lasted for 15 minutes, according to Dumosmog. Among those recovered from the en counter site were two AK47 rifles, assort ed war materiel and personal belongings. Ka Oris was killed during a combined operation of the JTFD in the same town on October 30, 2021. According to the military, Ka Oris was a leader of the communist rebel group’s National Operations Command and spokesperson of its Komiteng Mindanao.
The consolidated bill was approved on third and final reading in the previ ous 18th Congress. It was Deputy Speaker and Pampan ga Rep. Aurelio Gonzales who moved for the consolidation of the several measures on SIM card registration. Albay Rep. Joey Sarte Salceda in voked Rule 10, Section 48 in swiftly approving the consolidated bill that au thorizes the committees of the House of Representatives to dispose of priori ty measures already filed and approved on third reading in the immediately preceding Congress. At present, only SIM cards for post paid mobile or cellular phone subscrip tions are required to be registered. Lawmakers cited a 2020 World Bank report showing that there were 137 cel lular phone subscriptions per 100 Fili pinos, indicating many Filipinos had more than one subscription or mobile phone.Under HB 14, every public telecom munications entity (PTE) or authorized seller shall require an end user to ac complish and sign in triplicate a num bered registration form issued by the PTE.
FIRE IN QC. extinguishFirefightersa fire that engulfed a row of houses at Sitio Pajo, Brgy fire.thestillauthoritieshomelessofleft5.onQuezonBaesa,CitySeptemberThefirehundredsfamilieswhilearedeterminingcauseofthe Manny Palmero
By Maricel V. Cruz
HUGE WAVES AND RAIN. Huge waves and heavy rains are seen in Pangasinan caused by super typhoon Henry. The weather bureau said the super typhoon has left the Philippine area of responsibility but is still causing heavy rains. W. A. Clamor Gwyneth Chua
GWYNETH Anne Chua, the so-called Poblacion Girl, entered a guilty plea before the Makati City metropolitan trial court in connection with the incident in December when she violated government’s COVID-19 quarantine policy. Chua, who was accused of violating Republic Act 11332 or the Mandatory Reporting of Notifiable Diseases and Health Events of Public Health Concern Act, was penalized by the court with a fine of AssistantP20,000.City Prosecutor Rafael Rodrigo Esguerra said Chua apologized for what she did. Chua and her lawyer refused to give any comment to members of the media. The woman was also with her parents during Monday’s arraignment. Records showed that Chua’s father picked her up from Berjaya Hotel, where she was supposed to go under quarantine period, at about 11:40 p.m. on December 22.
Lawmakers throw support for bill on SIM registration
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Working as one for the global good
Website; tonylavina.com. Facebook: deantonylavs Twitter: tonylavs ROBERT V. Ongpin, international businessman, once the Trade and Industry Minister of f President Ferdinand R. Marcos Jr.’s father, President Ferdi nand E. Marcos, continues to amaze me. Bobby, as his friends and associates call him, RVO to those who work with him , was once my student at the old Ateneo High School at Loyola Heights. He was a bright student, and I am glad that all his achievements and accomplishments have made him what he is today, a taipan and tycoon. I am also glad I touched him during his early years. The reason why I say that Bobby continues to amaze me is that, as chairman of Alphaland, a highend property developer, despite the fact that he has made Balesin Island Club a resounding success, he continues to build more high-end properties and keeps on improving Balesin Island Club, which has become an island destination that can compete and even surpass the well-known resort destinations all over the Whenworld.Isaythat Balesin Island Club has surpassed and excelled over other well-known resort destina tions, I am not exaggerating. The more than 2,300 members of Balesin know what I am saying, and I am not exaggerating, my gulay.Everyone who is anybody in the Philippines is already a Balesin member. The success of Balesin has even prompted Ong pin to tap the international market, having 30-second commercial spots on CNN. The invitation of Ongpin to the Balesin Island Club membership has been a resounding success, so much so that Alphaland will be appointing interna tional sales agents to sell Balesin to the international market, which Ongpin calls BIMs or Balesin Interna tionalPreparatoryMemberships.tothe influx of international members to Balesin Island Club, Ongpin continues to improve Balesin by acquiring 750 hectares of land on Patna nungan Island. This is only 21 nautical miles from Balesin proper, will be Balesin’s International Gateway (BIG) to serve as the landing place for international visitors bypassing congested Ninoy Aquino International Airport.BIG will have a championship golf course, 5 to 10 hotels, averaging 200 rooms each and about 3,000 homeBIGsites.will not be an exclusive club like Balesin, but open to the public, aimed at being the gateway to Balesin via a helicopter or via hydrofoil, like the hydrofoil from Hongkong to Macau. BIG, is a big project that will take some 10 years to fullyNowdevelop.takenote of this -- Ongpin’s most interest ingKnowingproject. that soccer is the most popular sport worldwide, specially in Europe, Ongpin plans to put up soccer fields in Balesin for training of athletes dur ing the winter months in Europe. As I said, soccer is hugely popular in Europe so much so that Ongpin is putting up a Balesin Football CenterBalesin(BFC).actually already has a soccer pitch for sometime now, but only with Bermuda grass. All of the top football coaches in the world have FIFAapproved artificial turf surfaces. However, since March, Balesin has been replac ing its football pitch with superior FIFA-approved artificial turf. To complement everything, a grandstand is being built and a BFC lounge at the Sports Center. Surprisingly, in the Philippines, basketball is the most popular sport. But, in soccer, height doesn’t matter. The soccer legend Lionel Messi is only 5’6” tall. For this purpose, Ongpin has been in contact with famous soccer leagues, like La Liga in season, and their families can enjoy Balesin resorts with all its amenities.Ongpin also has been in contact with Bundes liga in Germany, the Premier League in the UK, and many teams from France, Italy and Japan, and they are very keen. The BFC will be operational before theBeforeholidays.Iforget, Alphaland’s first project at Balesin International Gateway is Alpha Beach Club (ABC): a clubhouse, swimming pool and about 30 nipa ca banas along the beach. The concept is for Balesin guests to have daytime visits to ABC where they can view Patnanungan Is land, have a nice lunch and then return to Balesin via Alphaland’s 12-seater helicopter that takes only 10 minutes.While Ongpin is building, he is also improving his other projects like the Alphaland Baguio Moun tain Lodges where he is putting up the new ThreeBedroom A-Frame Lodges. Santa Banana, did you know that the Baguio Alphaland Mountain Lodges, which is called the “Forbes Park of Baguio,” has already 74 constructed log homes and Alpha land has sold a total 110, Like what I said, Bobby Opngpin continues to amaze me. He keeps on building and improving. Well, I guess that’s what makes him a tycoon and a taipan. Well done, Bobby !
The mother of two was convicted of illegally importing heroin into Indo nesia, but she has maintained she was thumbed by drug traffickers and had no knowledge of her role. Fact has been her recruiters had been arrested, brought to court, jailed and fined.
wan plays a key role in global supply chains. And as a defender of democracy, Taiwan is work ing to safeguard the status quo and support the rulesbased international order. While China is using coercion to export its brand of authoritarianism abroad, Taiwan lets its free and open society lead by example. Sadly, Taiwan is unable to participate in the largest and most important forum of global cooperation due to the relentless suppression by the People’s Republic of China.Bydeliberately conflating its “One China” princi ple with the UNGA Resolution 2758—the resolution that determined who represents “China” in the organi zation some 50 years ago—Beijing is misleading the world by spreading the fallacy that Taiwan is a part of theContraryPRC. to these false claims, the resolution does not take a position on Taiwan, nor does it include the word “Taiwan.” The long-term status quo is, the ROC (Taiwan) and the PRC are separate jurisdictions, with neither subordinate to the other. The people of Taiwan can only be represented in the international community by their free and demo cratically elected government. The wrongful interpretation of UNGA Resolution 2758 has long deprived Taiwan of the right to participate in the United Nations and its specialized agencies, and it has also denied the international community of an oppor tunity to benefit from Taiwan’s contributions. Worse yet, the PRC’s efforts to rewrite Taiwan’s status at the UN further undermine global peace and stability. Beijing’s recent dangerous military maneu vers surrounding Taiwan is a case in point. The UN Charter states clearly that the purposes and principles of the United Nations are to main tain international peace and stability, and that inter national disputes should be resolved by peaceful means.However, Beijing continues to conduct military exer cises in areas around Taiwan, undermining the status quo in the Taiwan Strait, escalating tensions, impacting in ternational trade and transportation, and putting regional peace and security at risk. Such irresponsible actions need to be condemned and brought to a halt. Given the current circumstances, it is even more important that UN and its member states stop allow ing such a member, which ironically is a member of the UN Security Council, to dictate the positions of the organization to suit its own political agenda.
The Ramon Magsaysay Award was conceived to honor greatness of spirit shown in service to the peo ples of Asia—regardless of race, gender, or religion. According to its official page, from 1958 to 2008, the Award was given in six categories annually: Gov ernment Service, to recognize outstanding service in the public interest in any branch of government, in cluding the executive, judicial, legislative, or military; Public Service, to recognize outstanding service for the public good by a private citizen; Community Leadership, to recognize leadership of a community toward helping the disadvantaged have fuller oppor tunities and a better life; Journalism, Literature, and Creative Communica tion Arts, to recognize effective writing, publishing, or photography or the use of radio, television, cinema, or the performing arts as a power for the public good; Peace and International Understanding, to recog nize contributions to the advancement of friendship, tolerance, peace, and solidarity as the foundations for sustainable development within and across countries; and Emergent Leadership, to recognize an individual, 40 years of age or younger, for outstanding work on issues of social change in his or her community, but whose leadership may not yet be broadly recognized outside of this community. The category of Emergent Leadership was inau gurated in 2000 and is supported by a grant from the FordHowever,Foundation.since 2009, the Ramon Magsaysay Award is no longer being given in fixed Award cat egories, except for Emergent Leadership. For 2022, the four Ramon Magsaysay laureates are:First, Dr. Sotheara Chhim of Cambodia. Dr. Sot heara has been working in Mental Health since 1998. He was among the first generation of Cambodian psychiatrists to graduate after Cambodia’s Civil War and Khmer Rouge period.
• • • It’s well that Mike Toledo, the new president of the Chamber of Mines, has brought to the attention of the Department of Environment and Natural Resources Secretary Toni Yulo-Loyzaga the state of the coun try’s largest water sources: the Laguna de Bay. According to Toledo, the Laguna de Bay has de teriorated through the years, considering that Metro Manila has Laguna Bay as its major source of its do mestic water supply. Laguna de Bay is in jeopardy as it faces problems, including pollution from untreated sewage and in dustrial waste, overfishing and illegal reclamation.
An emotive issue which may be tack led – although no official confirmation has been made – is the case of 37-yearold Mary Jane Veloso, the Filipino Over seas Filipino Worker from Nueva Ecija who was sentenced to death on drug traf ficking charges and has been in prison for the past 12 years.
High hopes for Veloso
Heroism in Asia BY
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THE global community is confronting several un precedented crises: from the ongoing challenge of COVID-19 variants and stalled efforts on climate change, to supply chain disruptions and Russia’s un provoked invasion of Ukraine. Now more than ever, China’s increasing rhetori cal and military intimidation is jeopardizing regional peace and stability. All this will impact security and well-being of the world. As the UN members meet again in New York this year, it is worth reminding these leaders that all peo ple—including the people of Taiwan—deserve to have their voices heard and to be part of the collaborative effort to tackle these challenges for the global good. A beacon of democracy in Asia and a force for good in the world, Taiwan is a valuable partner that can help overcome these global challenges. Since the outbreak of the COVID-19 pandemic, Taiwan has provided humanitarian support across the globe, including much-needed masks and medical supplies, as well as developing and sharing its home grownTaiwanvaccine.alsosent over 550 tons of relief supplies to the people of Ukraine following the Russian invasion of their country, in addition to making over US$40 million in donations for Ukrainian refugees.
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I cannot agree with observations and fears from some sectors that the aborted deal between TV5 of taipan Manuel V. Pangilinan and the Lopezowned ABS-CBN...had twin negative effects
EDITORIAL
Acquiescing to China’s wrongful claims over Taiwan will only destabilize the region, which is also against the very purpose of the UN. Taiwan will resolutely defend its sovereignty and security.Asa responsible member of the international community, Taiwan will also continue to exercise re straint in response to China’s provocations, and work together with like-minded countries to uphold peace and stability in the region. And as we have shown the world over the years, we will continue to fulfill our international responsi bilities by actively engaging with and contributing to the international community.
Further, Taiwan is committed to combating cli mate change, with a blueprint for net-zero carbon emissions by 2050 and policies in place to help achieve the UN Sustainable Development Goals. As the world’s 22nd-largest economy in terms of GDP and a major semiconductor manufacturer, Tai
Emil P. Jurado Chairman Emeritus, Editorial Board
He obtained his MD at the University of Health Science (Phnom Penh) and is a certified psychiatrist from the University of Health Science and Oslo Uni versity, Norway. Dr. Sotheara’s research interests and areas of clini cal expertise include post- traumatic stress disorder and cross-cultural psychiatry. He is the recipient of the Leitner Center for In ternational Law and Justice’s Human Rights Award 2012 in recognition of his work and that of his TPO team to address the needs and rights of those suffering from poor mental health in Cambodia. In 2013, he testified as an expert witness at the Extraordinary Chambers in the Courts of Cambodia (ECCC), also known as the ‘Khmer Rouge Tribunal.’ He testified on the psychological impact of the various traumatic experiences described by Khmer Rouge survivors he has observed in his work as a clinical psychiatrist and academic researcher. Second, Tadashi Hattori of Japan. Over the past two decades, Japanese doctor Tadashi Hattori has be come a friend to many visually-impaired patients in remote and disadvantaged areas of Vietnam, particu larly those in Quang Ninh, Thai Nguyen, Bac Kan, Binh Phuoc and Ca Mau. A Japanese ophthalmologist Dr. Hattori was named Wednesday one of the four recipients of the 2022 Ramon Magsaysay Awards for his humanitari an work that has helped many people in Vietnam and other Southeast Asian countries access eye treatment. He was recognized for his “extraordinary generos ity as a person and a professional” and “his skill and compassion in restoring the gift of sight to tens of thousands of people,” the Ramon Magsaysay Award FoundationAccordingsaid.to the Foundation, Dr. Hattori showed that “one person can make a difference in helping kindness flourish in the world.” Third, Bernadette Madrid of the Philippines. A pediatrician, Madrid has led the Philippine General Hospital’s Child Protection Unit (PGH-CPU), said to be the first emergency unit for abused children in the country, for over two decades. “She has been at the forefront in providing medical, legal, and psychosocial care to children and women who are victims of abuse,” Ramon MagsaysayAward Foun dation ChairmanAurelio Montinola III said. “We are honoring her for her admirable commit ment in championing the rights of the most vulner able and for her transformative work in integrating child protection into the health infrastructure in the Philippines,” Montinola III further said. And, last but not the least, Gary Bencheghib of In donesia, an anti-plastic pollution warrior. Bencheghib, 27, was given the award for his efforts to clean up In donesia’s polluted waterways. Bencheghib and his brother have built kayaks made of plastic bottles and bamboo to pick up trash in the Citarum river, one of the most polluted rivers in the world. The Ramon Magsaysay Award is presented in formal ceremonies in Manila, Philippines on August 31st, the birth anniversary of the much-esteemed Philippine President whose ideals inspired the Award’s creation in 1957.
Ongpin keeps on building, improving
We are thankful that countries worldwide are beginning to realize what Taiwan can offer and many support Taiwan’s robust participation in the UN system
The award was first established in April 1957 by the trustees of the Rockefeller Brothers Fund based in New York City with the concurrence of the Philippine government
Honor Blanco Cabie, Editor mst.daydesk@gmail.com
The 64-year-old President Marcos and President Widodo, 61, were booked to witness the signing of a “Plan of Ac tion” – which sketches an ultrapractical roadmap for bilateral cooperation over the next five years ending 2027. The agreement was to be signed by the Philippines’ Department of Foreign Affairs and the Ministry of Foreign Af fairsTheIndonesia.Department of National Defense and the Ministry of Defense Indonesia would also sign the renewal of the 1997 Agreement on Cooperative Activities in the Field of Defense and Security. And the two countries, both members of the 43-year-old Association of South east Asian Nations – were expected to enter into a memorandum of understand ing on cultural cooperation, with signa tures from the National Commission for Culture and the Arts and the Ministry of Education and Culture Indonesia.
• • I cannot agree with observations and fears from some sectors that the aborted deal between TV-5 of taipan Manuel V. Pangilinan and the Lopez-owned ABS-CBN ,wherein the latter was supposed to buy 35 percent of TV-5’s shares for P2.16 billion and per haps to increase it to 50 percent at a later date, had twin negative effects. That the continuous interference of the govern ment and some legislators could have a chilling effect on press freedom is carrying it too far. I cannot see how press freedom could be violated. They also say it could also affect the investment cli mate of the country. My gulay, I also cannot see this adverseWheneffect.government and its regulatory agencies like the National Telecommunications Commission (NTC) start asking questions, Santa Banana, that ABS-CBN still has tax obligations to the government and had violations in its franchise, which was not re newed because of the law on foreign investments. When some legislators from the House of Rep resentatives start asking questions on alleged viola tions of ABS-CBN on its franchise which was not renewed in 20220, Manuel V. Pangilinan naturally started having doubts about the deal between TV-5 andInitially,ABS-CBN.itwas reported that TV-5 and ABS-CBN were taking a “pause” from their deal until both an nounced that they decided to abort it. On the issue that the termination of the deal could have a chilling effect on press freedom, I cannot see it. This is purely a business transaction, and in my opinion, it has no effect on press freedom. On its negative effect on the investment climate, I also can not see it. Some anti-administration critics obviously are carrying the aborted deal too far.
Toledo told the new DENR secretary that the Chamber of Mines is committed to weed out and stamp out illegal miners and he also expressed commitment to improve the state of the mining industry.
Manila and Jakarta were to enter into crucial agreements aimed at enhancing their defense capabilities and strengthen cultural ties during President Marcos’ three-day state visit – his first overseas since his presidential oath on June 30 — to Jakarta starting on Sunday.
THE time we go offstone, President Ferdinand Marcos Jr. will have met up with his Indonesian counterpart, Joko Widodo, where they were scheduled to witness the signing of major bilateral agreements.
We understand the Veloso narrative is a sensitive matter, with officials Press Secretary Trixie Cruz-Angeles and Mi grant Workers Secretary Susan Ople stressing at a media briefing in Jakarta they cannot comment on it beyond say ing President Marcos is aware of the is sue.“By agreement, it will be the DFA that will be taking the lead,” Ople said, adding the department has the institu tional memory on the case and because of the “importance of speaking with one voice on a case that has such very sen sitive dimensions as the case of Mary JaneSheVeloso.”saidthe matter has been brought to Foreign Secretary Enrique Manalo, who is with the president’s delegation.
“I’m sure that he will be, at the appro priate time, open to saying more about this,” Ople added, noting although the Philippines can pursue the diplomatic track on the case, Filipinos can also turn to the “divine track” and pray that Ve loso be allowed to come home. In his remarks on Sunday, President Marcos said of Overseas Filipino Work ers the country is “always so proud of them” and thanked Indonesia and Sin gapore, his next stop tomorrow, for welcoming Filipino workers to their countries.Wehold high expectations for Ve loso, a victim of exploitative recruiters, who jumped on her naivete.
Jaushieh Joseph Wu is Minister of Foreign Affairs of Republic of China [Taiwan] Full version on www.manilastandard.net EvEryman
Santa Banana, clearly, Pangilinan has fears that the negative image of the Lopez-owned radio-television network could affect his TV-5, considering the fact that he has so many other businesses to protect, like power, water, tolls, infrastructure, mining, hospitals and lately ice cream.
We understand the Mary Jane Veloso narrative is a sensitive matter, with officials... stressing at a media briefing in Jakarta they cannot comment on it beyond saying President Marcos is aware of the issue
The award was first established in April 1957 by the trustees of the Rockefeller Brothers Fund based in New York City with the concurrence of the Philip pineThegovernment.Awardees, annually selected by the RMAF board of trustees, are presented with a certificate and a medallion with an embossed image of Ramon Mag saysay facing right in profile.
Opinion
TUESDAY, SEPTEMBER 6, 2022 B1
THE Ramon Magsaysay Awards is Asia’s premier prize and highest honor. Often referred to as Asia’s nobel prize, the Award, in over six decades, has been bestowed on 344 out standing individuals and organizations whose selfless service has offered their societies, Asia, and the world successful solutions to some of the most intractable problems of human development.
Rolando G. Estabillo Publisher Honor Blanco Cabie Opinion Editor Lino M. Santos Chief Photographer
By Jaushieh Joseph Wu
“We hope to acquire in the future the so-called fourth generation of Su-35 fighter jets,” he added. In 2007, the two countries concluded a contract for the purchase of Russia’s S-300 anti-missile system, but Moscow suspended the sale in 2010 in compli ance with a United Nations Security Council resolution against Iran’s nuclear programme. AFP Solomons to lift ban on foreign navy ships
AFP
Rishi Sunak (left) and Liz Truss Truss told the Daily Mail that as prime min ister she would “do ev erything in my power to make sure everyone, no matter where they are from, has the opportu nity to go as far as their talent and hard work takesHowever,them”. she faces a tough task in winning over general public opinion. AFP
CAMO NETS. Volunteers make camouflage nets for the Ukrainian military at The Lviv Art Palace in Lviv on September 4 amid the Russian invasion of Ukraine. About 500 volunteers gathered for the ‘The biggest camouflage network of Ukraine’ action. They plan to do make in excess of 2,000 square meters of camouflage nets for the Ukrainian army during the weekend.
The James Smith Cree Nation, with a population of 2,500, declared a local state of emergency, while many resi dents of Saskatchewan province were urged to shelter in place. Prime Minister Justin Trudeau called the attacks “horrific and heartbreaking” in a tweet, offering condolences and urging residents to heed authorities’ instructions. Blackmore said authorities believe “some of the victims were targeted by the suspects and others were attacked randomly.” “To speak to a motive would be ex tremely difficult at this point in time,” she added. No information was released about the Televisionvictims.images showed a few rural homes in fields of tall grass and trees, cordoned off with police tape, while on social media locals shared images of the attacks’ aftermath, such as the broken door handle to a burgled home. AFP
The alleged attackers fled in a vehicle and have been identified as Myles and Damien Sanderson, aged 30 and 31 respectively, both with black hair and brown eyes.
KABUL—At least six people were killed and nine others injured after an earthquake in eastern Afghanistan overnight, an official said on Monday. The 5.3-magnitude temblor hit districts along the eastern border with Pakistan. It comes less than three months after a powerful quake killed more than 1,000 people, also along the sameThefrontier.provinces of Kunar, Laghman, and Nangarhar, and the capital Kabul felt the latest Meanwhile,quake.a 6.6-magnitude earthquake struck southwestern China on Monday, according to the US Geological Survey, shaking buildings in the megacity of Chengdu where a COVID-19 lockdown has confined millions of residents to their homes. The quake hit around 43 kilometers (26 miles) southeast of the city of Kangding in Sichuan province at a depth of 10 kilometers, the USGS said. There were no immediate reports of any casualties.Tremors were felt in the nearby provincial capital Chengdu and the megacity of Chongqing, residents told AFP.“We are collecting information from other areas regarding casualties and damages,” Afghan deputy minister for disaster management Sharafuddin Muslim told AfghanistanAFP.is frequently hit by earthquakes—especially in the Hindu Kush mountain range, which lies near the junction of the Eurasian and Indian tectonic plates. On June 22, the country’s deadliest earthquake in over two decades -- of magnitude 5.9 -- killed more than 1,000 people and injured thousands. In 2015, about 380 people were killed in Pakistan and Afghanistan when a 7.5-magnitude earthquake ripped across the two countries. In recent months Afghanistan has also been hit by flash floods that have killed about 200 people and destroyed thousands of homes. Such disasters pose a huge logistical challenge for Afghanistan’s Taliban government, which has isolated itself from much of the world by introducing hardline Islamist rule.
At least 10 dead, 15 wounded in Canada stabbing rampage
Germany, Israel mark 50 years since ’72 Munich Olympics killings 6 killed in Afghan quake; temblor hits China
MUNICH—Germany and Israel’s presidents will on Monday lead com memorations marking 50 years since the Munich Olympics attack, with hopes that a long-awaited compensa tion deal for bereaved families will help them finally begin healing from the painful episode. A row over the financial offer pre viously made by Berlin to victims’ relatives had threatened to sour the ceremony, with family members planning a boycott. But a deal was finally agreed on Wednesday for Berlin to provide 28 million euros ($28 million) in com pensation. It also -- for the first time -- sees the German state acknowledg ing its “responsibility” in failings that led to the deaths of 11 Israelis. Germany’s President Frank-Wal ter Steinmeier admitted on Sunday it was “shameful” that it had taken such a long time for Berlin to reach the agreement with victims’ families. “For far too long, we have refused to acknowledge the pain of the be reaved,” said Steinmeier at a state banquet for his Israeli counter Isaac Herzog. “And for far too long, we have not wanted to acknowledge that we also bear our share of responsibility. It was up to us to ensure the safety of the Israeli athletes,” he said. Ahead of Monday’s ceremony at the Fuerstenfeldbruck air base where the hostage-taking reached its tragic climax, Germany’s official in charge of fighting anti-Semitism, Felix Klein, said it was “time for an apol ogy”.“And I think the president will find the right words at the commemora tion event on Monday,” he told the Funke newspaper group. On September 5, 1972, eight gun men of the Palestinian militant group Black September stormed into the Israeli team’s flat at the Olympic vil lage, shooting dead two and taking nine Israelis hostage.
AFP
Iran weighs buying Russian Sukhoi jets
“It is horrific what has occurred in our province today,” she said. “We are ac tively looking for the two suspects.”
AFP
LONDON—The next British prime minister will be announced Monday (Tuesday in Manila) with Liz Truss the favorite to succeed Boris Johnson and take charge as the nation battles a spi raling cost-of-living crisis. The result will be unveiled at 12:30 pm (1130 GMT), after foreign minis ter Truss and her rival, former finance minister Rishi Sunak, spent the summer rallying support among Conservative Party members who cast the final vote. If she wins, Truss will become the UK’s third female prime minister fol lowing Theresa May and Margaret Thatcher.The47-year-old has consistently led 42-year-old Sunak in polling among the estimated 200,000 Tory members eli gible to vote. The leadership contest began in July after Johnson announced his departure following a slew of scandals and resig nations from his government. Postal and online voting closed Fri day after eight weeks of campaigning that Truss described to the BBC as “the longest job interview in history”.
FLOWER CARPET. Parishioners walk in a street decorated with colored carpets made of flowers, colored sawdust, and recycled plastic, for the procession of the Virgen de Los Angeles, in Cartago, Costa Rica, on September 04. During the procession, the image of the Virgen—Costa Rica’s patron saint, which spent a month in the Cathedral of Our Lady of Mount Carmel—is carried to the Basilica of Los Angeles.
SANTIAGO—President Gabriel Boric vowed to continue working to reform the political landscape after Chileans on Sunday emphatically rejected a proposed new constitution to replace the one adopted during the Augusto Pinochet dicta torship.With more than 99 percent of votes counted, the reject camp led with almost 62 percent compared to just over 38 percent for those in favor, in a result that exceeded the expectations of the conservative opposition.
Damien Sanderson (left) and Myles Sanderson
WorldTUESDAY, SEPTEMBER 6, 2022B2 mst.daydesk@gmail.com
TEHRAN—Iran is weighing plans to buy Sukhoi Su-35 fighter jets from Rus sia, Air Force chief Hamid Vahedi was reported as saying by local media. “The purchase of the Sukhoi 35 from Russia is being considered by the Air Force” of Iran, Vahedi told Borna news agency which affiliated to the sports ministry, on Sunday. It comes after the United States mili tary said last week that Russia began receiving Iranian combat drones to be used in the Ukraine war, with many of them having already proven faulty. Both Iran and Russia are targeted by stringent sanctions -- Iran after the US unilaterally pulled out of the 2015 nuclear deal between Tehran and world powers, and Russia since it invaded Ukraine in February. The two countries have responded to the sanctions by boosting cooperation in key areas to help prop up their economies. Tehran and Moscow have for years been in talks for the purchase of Sukhoi 30 jets, a prospective deal that drew a sharp rebuke from Washington. But Vahedi said on Sunday that “the pur chase of Sukhoi 30s is not on the agenda.”
WELLINGTON—A snap ban on for eign military vessels docking in Solo mon Islands is poised to be lifted, the Pacific nation’s leader told parliament Monday.Prime Minister Manasseh Sogavare said a review of the makeshift ban was “progressing very well. We do not ex pect the temporary moratorium to last for a long time”. Two weeks ago, US Coast Guard ship Oliver Henry opted to turn away from Honiara, capital of the Solomons, after a lengthy delay to their request to dock. The HMS Spey, a British naval pa trol vessel, also left Solomons waters before getting a late answer to their dockingSogavare’srequest.office then confirmed a snap ban on military vessels from “all countries” while naval approval pro cesses were reviewed. When asked on Monday about the Oliver Henry incident, Sogavare said it had not been refused permission but instead opted to leave “our waters prior to being informed of approval” to dock. He said the “temporary” ban was because the Pacific nation had seen “a sudden increase” in requests for visits by military vessels. “In many cases, service requests are made at short notice and there is expec tation that all requests will always be ap proved,” Sogavare added. “Each request needs proper assess ment, including of the benefits and risks to Solomon Islands.” AFP
Chileans soundly reject new constitution
OTTAWA—A stabbing spree in an Indigenous community and a nearby town in Canada’s Saskatchewan province left at least 10 people dead and 15 wounded on Sunday, police said, as they launched a manhunt for two suspects in one of the nation’s deadliest incidents of mass violence.
He said the people had demonstrated “that they want and value democracy, they are counting on it to overcome our differences and to progress.” He then called on “all political forces to put Chile ahead of any legitimate dif ferences and agree as soon as possible on the deadlines and parameters for a new constitutional process.”
Leftist Boric, who supported the new text, accepted the defeat but pledged to “do everything on my part to build a new constituent itinerary.”
The result is a far greater margin of victory than was predicted by opinion polls, which had suggested the constitution would be rejected by up to 10 per centage“Presidentpoints.Boric: this defeat is also your defeat,” said far right leader Jose An tonio Kast, an outspoken admirer of Pinochet who last December lost an election run-off to Boric.
HORSE PLAY. Riders mount ‘Criollo’ horses during the Freio de Ouro competition, at the Expointer agricultural show, in the Assis Brasil State Park, in Esteio, Rio Grande do Sul, Brazil, on September 4. The Freio de Ouro competition judges riding skills of the ‘Criollo’ horse breed, to reproduce characteristics of the work in the field and also to evaluate the rider’s control of the animal. AFP
AFP Truss or Sunak? Tory party to reveal new UK prime minister IN BRIEF
AFP Police responding to emergency calls found 10 dead in the remote Indigenous community of James Smith Cree Nation and the nearby town of Weldon, Sas katchewan, Royal Canadian Mounted Police Assistant Commissioner Rhonda Blackmore told a news conference. She said at least 15 other people had been wounded and transported to hospitals.
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OPEC+ to meet amid downturneconomicfears
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Market falls slightly; ACEN, SM Prime down THE stock market slipped Monday along with the rest of Asia on growing fears about the European outlook as well as Chinese COVID lockdowns and geopolitical tensions.
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By Sebastien Ash FRANKFURT, Germany―After raising interest rates for the first time in over a decade at their last meeting, European Central Bank policymakers are poised to deliver another bumper hike on Thursday in a show of determination to tame soaring inflation. Steep increases in the price of energy in the wake of the Rus sian invasion of Ukraine have heaped pressure on households and sent the pace of consumer price rises to new highs. Eurozone inflation hit 9.1 percent in August, a record in the history of the single currency and well above the two-percent rate targeted by the ECB. The “only question” for the ECB’s meeting was “whether it will be a 50 or 75 basis point hike,” said Carsten Brzeski, head of macro at the ING bank. Speaking at the annual Jackson Hole central banking sympo sium at the end of August, ECB board member Isabel Schnabel said the ECB needed to show “determination” to tame price rises. Under this approach, the central bank would respond “more forcefully to the current bout of inflation, even at the risk of low er growth and higher unemployment,” she said.
4.12% 9 DMC 10.12 0.39 4.01% 10 SEVN 77 2.9 3.91% TOPPRICELASTLOSERS%CHANGECHANGE 1 CA 39.4 -5.6 -12.44% 2 APL 0.038 -0.003 -7.32% 3 BCOR 7.48 -0.52 -6.50% 4 VUL 0.95 -0.06 -5.94% 5 EURO
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Notice is hereby given that the estate of the late deceased ALFREDO A. DELA CRUZ has been extrajudicially settled among his heirs WITH WAIVER OF RIGHTS consisting of TCT No. T-28543 and TCT No. T-28544 both situated at Bayabat, Amulung, Province of Cagayan before Notary Public ATTY. JOE F. MAGPILI, Doc. No. 178; Page No. 37; Book No. IX; Series of 2022 (Quezon City). (MS SEPTEMBER 6/13/20, 2022)
ECB poised for big rate hike in the face of record inflation
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VIENNA, Austria—Faced with reces sion fears, the OPEC+ countries are expected to agree a modest increase in oil production at a meeting on Mon day, with some experts even forecast ing a cut to support prices. The 13 members of the Organization of the Petroleum Exporting Countries (OPEC) cartel, led by Saudi Arabia, and their 10 partners, led by Russia, are meeting to adjust their quotas for October. Talks are due to start at 1100 GMT.Far from their highs near $140 a barrel, Brent North Sea crude and US WTI crude prices suffered their third consecutive monthly decline in August amid a gloomy global economic out look.That’s enough to fuel speculation. “It is not entirely clear whether OPEC+ will agree another 100,000 barrels per day increase,” as in Sep tember, Caroline Bain of Capital Eco nomics wrote in a note. “In light of the recent slide in oil prices... we wouldn’t rule out no change or even a cut.” Saudi Energy Minister Abdulaziz bin Salman last month appeared to open the door to the idea, which has since received the sup port of several member states and the cartel’s joint needed”.clarityatnalserroneousliquiditytilitycommittee.technicalHesaid“volaandthinsendsigtomarketstimeswhenismost
The headquarters of the European Central Bank is pictured prior to the news conference on eurozone monetary policy following the meeting of the governing council of the ECB in Frankfurt am Main, western Germany. AFP
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SECURITY BANK CORPORATION, Mortgagee, FRE-MC22-1480 EXTRA-JUDICIAL FORECLOSURE OF REAL ESTATE MORTGAGE UNDER ACT 3135 AS AMENDED BY ACT 4118 VANDAM C. PERALTA, x----------------------------------------------------------xMortgagor-Debtor, NOTICE OF SHERIFF’S SALE Upon Extra-Judicial petition for sale under Act 3135 as amended by Act 4118 filed by SECURITY BANK CORPORATION, Mortgagee, against VANDAM C. PERALTA with given address at Burbank 2, Unit 8E, California Garden Square, D.M. Guevarra Street, Barangay Highway Hills, Mandaluyong City, Metro Manila and Unit A, 2nd Floor, California Garden Square Condominium, El Dorado, Tower 2, Domingo Guevarra Street, Barangay Highway Hills, Mandaluyong City, Metro Manila, to satisfy the mortgaged indebtedness which as of August 12, 2022, amounts to ONE MILLION SEVEN HUNDRED THIRTY FIVE THOUSAND FOUR HUDRED THIRTY-EIGHT PESOS & 43/100 (Php 1,735,438.43)
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AbaCore Capital Holdings Inc., a company that holds an exclusive right to lease online lottery equipment for the lotto operations of the Philippine Charity Sweepstakes Office in Visayas and Mindanao, however, advanced 5.5 percent to P2.49, while Jollibee Foods Corp., the biggest fast-food chain, rose 1.2 percent to P248.80. Meanwhile, European markets tum bled Monday and the euro hit a fresh 20year low on growing fears about an en ergy crisis after Russia said it would not restart gas flows to the continent, while traders are also preparing for another in terest rate hike this week. The selling came after a mixed day in Asia, where the positive vibes from a US jobs report were offset by grow ing fears about the European outlook as well as Chinese COVID lockdowns and geopolitical tensions. Hong Kong was the biggest loser, with tech firms hit by reports that the United States was considering imposing fresh limits on investments in Chi nese firms. Tokyo, Seoul, Taipei, Bangkok and Wellington also fell but there were gains in Shanghai, Sydney, Mumbai Singapore andParis,Jakarta.Frankfurt and London all sank sharply at the open after Russia’s Gaz prom said it would not restart gas sup plies to Europe, citing problems with a pipeline.Theannouncement came the same day as the G7 nations said they would work to quickly implement a price cap on Russian oil exports, a move that would starve the Kremlin of critical rev enue for its war effort. The news ramped up an energy crisis in the continent caused by sanctions on Moscow for its invasion of Ukraine in February. With AFP
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PSEi September 5, 2022
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AFP REPUBLIC OF THE PHILIPPINES REGIONAL TRIAL COURT NATIONAL CAPITAL JUDICIAL REGION OFFICE OF THE CLERK OF COURT & EX-OFFICIO Email:MANDALUYONGSHERIFFCITYrtc1mdlocc@judiciary.gov.phHotline:639952598147
The ECB’s 25-member governing council surprised with a 50-basis-point hike at its last meeting in July, bringing an end to eight years of negative interest rates in one fell swoop. In her speech in the United States, Schnabel stressed the need for the people to “trust” that the ECB will restore their purchas ingThepower.Frankfurt-based institution is already playing catch up with other central banks in the US and Britain that started raising rates harder and faster in response to inflation. So-called forward guidance issued by the ECB, which limited its scope for action, has been ditched. Policymakers would now take their decisions “meeting-by-meeting,” the ECB President Christine Lagarde announced in July. With that, the door has been opened for the ECB to follow in the footsteps of the US Federal Reserve and raise rates by a 75 basis points. Following August’s red-hot inflation numbers, the influential head of the German central bank, Joachim Nagel, said the ECB needed a “strong rise in interest rates in September.” “Further interest rate steps are to be expected in the following months,” the Bundesbank president predicted. But the ECB’s chief economist, Philip Lane, has counseled colleagues to follow a “steady pace” of interest rate rises. Hiking at a rate that was “neither too slow nor too fast” was important due to the “high uncertainty” around the economy and the future path of inflation. AFP
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POWER.SOLAR Solar panels are pictured on the surface of a 2022.SeptemberSyria,borderonGolanannexedthereservoirwaterinIsrael-Heightsthethewithon4, AFP Manila Promo period; September 6, 2022 – December 31, 2022 available to DITO subscribers of DITO 5G Home WiFi only. 3. The promo with Autopay offers the following below and exclusively available via DITO app.
The Philippine Stock Exchange Index decreased 16.61 points, or 0.2 percent, to 6,676.04 on a value turnover of P4.2 billion. Losers beat gainers, 101 to 75, with 54 issues unchanged. ACEN Corp., a unit of the Ayala Group, sank 4.7 percent to P7.28, while SM Prime Holdings Inc. of the Sy Group fell 1.2 percent to P36.05.
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ONLY Philippine Currency, representing total obligation secured by the Mortgage, inclusive of interest, penalty and other charges, the Ex-Officio Sheriff of Mandaluyong City or his duly authorized deputy will sell at PUBLIC AUCTION to the HIGHEST BIDDER FOR CASH OR MANAGER’S CHECK and in Philippine Currency on the 11th day of October 2022 at 9:00 A.M. or soon thereafter in front of the main entrance of the Hall of Justice Building, Maysilo Circle, Mandaluyong City, the condominium unit together with all the improvements existing thereon to wit: CONDOMINIUM CERTIFICATE OF TITLE NO. -008-2018001329Registry of Deeds – City of Mandaluyong CLUSTER : EL DORADO TOWER : 2 LEVEL : 2/F UNIT : A TYPE : 2BR AREA (SQ.M.) : 57.50 PERCENT PARTICIPATION (%): 0.03% OF THE CALIFORNIA GARDEN SQUARE CONDOMINIUM PROJECT In the diagrammatic floor plan appended to the enabling or master deed of the condominium project annotated on which embraces and describes the land located at MANDALUYONG CITY with an area of THIRTY-THREE THOUSAND FOUR HUNDRED NINETY-TWO (33, 492) Square Meter more or less xxxxxxxx.“Allsealed bids must be submitted to the undersigned on the above stated time and date.” “In the event the public auction should not take place on the said date, it shall be held on October 26, 2022 at 9:00 A.M. or soon thereafter without further notice.” Prospective bidders or buyer are hereby enjoined to investigate for themselves the title of the said real property and the encumbrances thereon, if any there be. Mandaluyong City, Philippines, September 1, 2022. FOR THE EX-OFFICIO SHERIFF (Sgd.)By: LUCY LILIBETH A. ALCABA Sheriff IV Copy furnished: LARIBA PEREZ MANGROBANG MIRALLES DUMBRIQUE FULGENCIO SALAS and REGONDOLA Counsel for the Applicant-Mortgagee Security Bank Corporation 4th Floor, Security Bank Centre Building 6776 Ayala Avenue, Makati City VANDAM C. PERALTA Burbank 2, Unit 8E, California Garden Square, D.M. Guevarra Street, Barangay Hills, Mandaluyong City, Metro Manila Unit A, 2 Floor, Calinfornia Garden Square Condominium, El Dorado, Tower 2, Domingo M. Guevarra Street, Barangay Hills, Mandaluyong City, Metro Manila WARNING: It is absolutely prohibited to remove, deface or destroy this Notice of Sheriff’s Sale on or before the date of Auction Sale under penalty of the law. (MStandard - Sep. 6, 13 & 20, 2022)
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IN BRIEFBusiness
EXPERIENTIAL TOUR. Metro Pacific Tollways South, in partnership with the Department of Tourism CALABARZON and the Department of the Interior and Local Government Region 4-A, joins the celebration of the National Tourism Month in September through ‘Biyaheng South’ Experiential Tour. Co-presented by Millennial Resorts Corp. and with sponsors GAC Motor Philippines and The Adventure, MPT South brought ‘Ka-Biyaheros’ who comprised of online content creators and lifestyle media partners for a two-day ultimate road trip experience in the different tourist destinations in the progressive provinces south of Metro Manila via the Cavite-Laguna Expressway toll road network. Roy Tomandao
THE government is seeking a $1-billion loan from the Asian Development Bank to finance the planned mass transport system that will run from San Juan City to Taytay in Rizal province.
Peso falls to 57 vs. dollar before closing at 56.99 ICTSI unit tying up with Prime Alta to venture into freight and logistics Group investing P1b on 7 micro-gridPalawantowns
The port operator said the joint venture company between Abbotsford and Prime Alta would be named Fortune Logistics Corp. It will primarily operate, engage in and carry on the business of domestic and international ocean, air and land freight forwarding and logistics.
It will also maintain the high-econom ic growth and inclusive urban develop ment of eastern Manila, the Ortigas CDB, Pasig City and the neighboring Rizal province, the ADB said. The Department of Transportation said the project’s design stage was slat ed this year, while early works would start in 2024, with completion likely in 2028.Once fully operational by 2028, the P59.3-billion MRT-4 trains could run 80 kilometers per hour at maximum speed and a commercial speed of 25 kilome ters to 40 kilometers an hour. The railway will cut across the cities of Mandaluyong, San Juan, Quezon, Pa sig and the municipalities of Cainta and Taytay in Rizal, addressing the massive traffic problem and limited road capaci ties in the densely populated areas of eastern Metro Manila. It is expected to serve 4,464 passen gers an at peak and 2,678 passengers an hour off-peak with an estimated travel time of 27 minutes from N. Domingo in San Juan City to Taytay, Rizal. The daily ridership is expected to reach 328,804 by 2030.
ECONOMIC Planning Secretary Arsenio Balisacan said the growth targets this year remain achievable despite the effects of several inflationary pressures, the country’s limited fiscal space and the slowdown in globalBalisacandemand.said in a speech at the Fellows Meeting of the Foundation for Economic Freedom that domestic consumption and in vestment on the demand side and the services sector on the supply side propelled the econo my forward as consumers and businesses were already adjusting their economic decisions and expectations to the new normal. “The most recent data show us that household consumption contributes a sig nificant 85 percent of economic growth on the demand side, while the services sector contributes about 67 percent to growth on the supply side,” he said. “Both components are growing faster than the overall economy, indicating that their shares in GDP are expected to increase further. Gross fixed capital formation or investment is also exhibiting a solid perfor mance,” he said.
First Metro Investment Corp. is the issue manager, lead underwriter and bookrunner for the transaction, and RCBC Capital Corp. will act as joint lead underwriter.
PSE INDEX CLOSING Monday, September 5, 2022 -16.616,676.04PTS.
DOE issues IRR of E-vehicle Act ENERGY Secretary Raphael Lotilla signed the implementing rules and regulations on Republic Act No. 11697, or the Electric Ve hicle Industry Development Act. Lotilla said he signed the IRR on Sept. 2. It was published on Sept. 5 and would take effect on Sept. 20. The new law identified the need to reduce the country’s reliance on imported fuel by developing an enabling environment for electric vehicles. It called for creating a Comprehensive Roadmap for the Electric Vehicle Industry to serve as a national de velopment plan for the EV industry. RA 11697 also recognizes the need for intervention measures to spur the industry’s growth and potential, including incentives, demand generation and industry develop ment and roles and functions of government offices. “Other challenges remain in implement ing and issuing additional implementing rules and regulations. Still, I am sure, and I am confident that we will be able to move on those,” Lotilla said. Alena Mae S. Flores Shipping startup raises over P125m SHIPMATES, a Philippines-based shipping platform backed by Y Combinator and It erative, raised $ 2.2 million, or over P125 million, in a seed funding round supported by Cathexis Ventures, Wavemaker Partners, Taurus Ventures, Capital X, Sketchnote Partners and other prominent investors. The company said it plans to scale up its platform as the preferred shipping tool of all the merchants in the Philippines and improve the shipping infrastructure by helping both on line businesses and shipping companies. Founded by chief executive Josh Supan and chief technology officer David Mar quez, the startup helps e-commerce busi nesses grow by making their shipping pro cess easier and faster. “When talking to online sellers, their big gest pain point has always been how manual shipping still is in our country. We built Shipmates to automate this, we built Ship mates for them and we are very glad to be joined by our amazing investors in making this vision a reality,” Supan said. Othel V. Campos 2022 growth achievable—NEDAgoals
EXPORTERS’ MEETING. Trade Secretary Alfredo Pascual (center, front row) is the keynote speaker at the third-quarter general membership meeting of Philippine Exporters Confederation Inc. at the Philippine International Convention Center. With Pascual are some of the private sector members of the Philexport board led by vice chairman Ambassador William Co (left) and Philexport president Sergio Ortiz-Luis Jr. (third from right).
The 15.56-kilometer MRT4, with 11 stations, two other provisional stations in the future and a barrier-free design to allow inclusive access, is expected to address the transport bottleneck along Ortigas Avenue. “In the Philippines, substantial un derinvestment in infrastructure has led to chronic capacity constraints in the transport sector, resulting in economic losses due to road congestion and in significant air pollution, as 98 percent of passenger transport and 55 percent of freight transport are by road, mak ing Metro Manila one of the most dense and congested natural cities in the Asian region,” the ADB said. It said that with insufficient public transport options available and no ca pable public mass-rapid-transit systems in place, travel times during peak hours along this corridor can take an average of three hours for the 11.5 kilometer journey from Tikling in Taytay, Rizal to the Ortigas CBD in Mandaluyong City,” it said. The ADB said the MRT4 project would provide a reliable, rapid, af fordable and safe public transport and would reduce traffic congestions and commute/travel times from Taytay to the Ortigas CBD from one to three hours by road to less than half an hour by rail.
By Julito G. Rada
Upson plans to list the shares on the main board of the Philippine Stock Ex change on Oct. 14, 2022. The public offer will run from Oct. 3 to 7. Upson plans to use the proceeds from the offering to expand its store network by 250 branches over the next three to five years from 183 stores as of Theend-2021.company will not receive any proceeds from the sale of the second ary shares by the selling shareholder. “Upson aims to continuously adapt to the rapid growth of digital technol ogy. We shall consistently provide the most relevant and latest IT prod ucts through our network expansion across the country,” Upson president and chief executive Arlene Sy said in a statement.Afterthe IPO, the public will own 30 percent of the company assuming the over-allotment is exercised.
Documents from the ADB showed the Metro Rail Transit Line 4 project would be a fully-elevated railway masstransit system serving the eastern side of Metro Manila and the highly-popu lated areas of Rizal.
Ray S. Eñano, Editor Roderick T. dela Cruz, Assistant Editor extrastory2000@gmail.combusiness@manilastandard.net SEC approves Upson’s P4.88-b initial public offering plan
ARCHIPELAGO Renewables Corp., a group formed by local and foreign companies, is investing P1 billion to put up micro-grids in Palawan province. ARC, the special purpose vehicle of WEnergy Global Pte Ltd., Maha rlika Clean Power Holdings Corp. and CleanGrid Partners Pte Ltd. or the Maharlika Consortium, plans to energize 7,100 households and 300 small local businesses in seven mu nicipalities across the service area of Palawan Electric Cooperative. ARC emerged as the winner of the recently-concluded qualified third party tender of PALECO to support its mandate for rural electrification. The consortium is investing $18 million to build a distribution net work of 175 kilometers of primary and secondary power lines energized by 3,800 kilowatt sof solar PV, 2,000 kW of diesel generators and batteries with a total capacity of 4,200 kilo watt-hours.Itmetthe stringent eligibility and re newable energy smart microgrid capa bility requirements set by PALECO and the Department of Energy in a competi tive selection process held last year. “The consortium partners were se lected by PALECO through our bids and awards committee and approved by our board of directors because of their high-quality proposal, compliance, re sponsible ownership of off-grid power infrastructure and excellence in plan ning, design, engineering and technol ogy selection, which are commercially viable and with the highest levels of so cial impact,” said PALECO chairman Jeffrey“TheyTan-Endriga.havealso met the high est standards of clean power supply, transmission, distribution and smart billing and collection services pro vided to households and businesses to support our mandate of total rural electrification in Palawan,” said TanEndriga.
THE peso fell to a new all-time low against the US dollar Monday on the possibility of more US Federal Re serve interest rate hikes. The local currency touched the 57 level at one point before closing at 56.99 against the greenback, down from 56.77 on Friday. Total volume turnover reached $976.45 million Monday, up from $936.95 million Friday.Rizal Commercial Banking Corp. chief economist Michael Ricafort said contributing to the peso depreci ation were the “hawkish signals from some Fed officials, especially since the Fed’s yearly Jackson Hole Sym posium more than a week ago, that signaled higher Fed rates for longer in an effort to bring down elevated US inflation from among 40-year highsRicafortrecently.”said the greenback re ceived an additional boost after the release of stronger-than-expected US non-farm jobs data that could support any further Fed rate hikes. He also said the peso weakened after the Philippine government re leased data showing that outstanding debt hit a new record high of P12.89 trillion as of end-July. Bangko Sentral ng Pilipinas Gover nor Felipe Medalla said last Friday that the movement in the exchange rate was due mainly to a “stronger dollar.” “The peso is [actually] one of the least depreciated currencies... There is no peso problem, but a dollar prob lem,” Medalla said. Medalla, citing latest available data, said the peso was only the “third least depreciated currency” in the region, after the BSP hiked the local policy interest rates by 75 basis points and 50 bps in the middle of this year.When asked to give any new exchange rate outlook, Medalla said it was hard to give guidance “when you are having a hard time looking forward.” He said there were some uncertain ties on what the US Federal Reserve would do next in its succeeding meet ing. “Things are just so fluid... ,” he said. By Jenniffer B. Austria THE Securities and Exchange Com mission said Monday it approved the P4.88-billion initial public offering of Upson International Corp., the largest retailer of personal computers and in formation technology products in the country.Upson International is a retailer of information technology-related mer chandise including hardware and soft ware products. The company operates under the brand names Octagon Com puter Superstore, Micro Valley and Gadget King. The SEC said in a statement it cleared Upson’s public offering of 888.157 million common share at a maximum of P5.50 each. They include 789.473 million in primary shares and 98.684 in secondary stocks, with an over-allotment option for another 98.684 million. Including the over-allotment shares, total proceeds from the IPO could go up to P5.43 billion.
Gov’t eyes $1-b ADB loan to fund MRT Line 4 project
B4 TUESDAY, SEPTEMBER 6, 2022
1.8546 Source: BSP TOTAL VOLUME 59,878822,652,508 TOTAL VALUE (IN PHP) ADVANCES 75 UNCHANGED 54
By Alena Mae S. Flores
F oreign e xchange r ate Bangko Sentral ng Pilipinas • MONDAY, SEPTEMBER 5, 2022 Currency Unit US Dollar Peso United States Dollar 1.000000 56.7910 Japan Yen 0.007135 0.4052 UK Pound 1.148800 65.2415 Hong Kong Dollar 0.127410 7.2357 Switzerland Franc 1.018434 57.8379 Canada Dollar 0.761267 43.2331 Singapore Dollar 0.713318 40.5100 Australia Dollar 0.677800 38.4929 Bahrain Dinar 2.652731 150.6512 Saudi Arabia Rial 0.266064 15.1100 Brunei Dollar 0.710783 40.3661 Indonesia Rupiah 0.000067 0.0038 Thailand Baht 0.027241 1.5470 UAE Dirham 0.272287 15.4635 Euro Euro 0.992300 56.3537 Korea Won 0.000735 0.0417 China Yuan 0.144896 8.2288 India Rupee 0.012544 0.7124 Malaysia Ringgit 0.223115 12.6709 New Zealand Dollar 0.608200 34.5403 Taiwan Dollar 0.032657
Upson had 188 store branches across the country and six warehouses in Ma nila, Cebu, Cagayan de Oro and Davao City as end-March 2022. Upson International reported a net income of P403.6 million in 2021, up 95 percent from P206.7 million re corded in 2020 as revenues expanded 5 percent to P8.56 billion from P8.15 billion.This was equivalent to a compound ed annual growth rate of eight percent for revenues and 78 percent for net in come over the last four years.
It expects to obtain the Securities and Exchange Commission approval and other standard regulatory permits and li censes within one to two 2 months.
“The rationale for the transaction is to reduce costs and improve operational ef ficiency associated with the processing of cargo that are intended to be used by ICTSI for its various operations in the Philippines,” ICTSI said.
ABBOTSFORD Holdings Inc., a subsid iary of International Container Terminal Services Inc., formed a joint venture with Prime Alta Holdings Inc. for freight and logistics businesses.
The joint venture company set the ini tial capitalization at P25 million, with Abbotsford owning 51 percent and Prime Alta holding the balance of 49 percent. ICTSI earlier reported a net income of $294.5 million in the first half, up from $196.7 million it earned a year ago. Revenues in the first half grew 20 per cent from $882.6 million reported in the first six months of 2021.
By Darwin G. Amojelar
ICTSI said its terminals handled con solidated volume of 5,752,582 twen ty-foot equivalent units in the first six months, up 5 percent from 5,459,523 TEUs handled in the same period in 2021. ICTSI is a leading global developer, manager and operator of container ter minals in the 50,000 to 3.5 million TEU/ year range. It operates in six continents and continues to pursue container termi nal opportunities around the world. Darwin G. Amojelar
Julito G. Rada
FOUR newcomers are competing for spots in the Philippine national women’s football team. Their presence in an ongoing training camp in Irvine, California will help strengthen the roster of the Filipinas as they continue their buildup for the FIFA Women’s World Cup 2023. National Coach Alen Stajcic said this as they get ready for friendlies with World Cup co-host New Zealand at Cal State Fullerton’s Titan Stadium on Sept. 6 (Sept. 7 in Manila). The match will test the Filipinas’ strength as the Football Ferns are positioned at No. 22 in the FIFA rankings.“Thecamp is going well. There’s lot of familiar faces,” said Stajcic in a Zoom huddle with Filipino scribes onTheMonday.four who will try to make an impression are goalkeeper Kaiya Rose Jota from Elite Club National League LA Breakers FC, defender Reina Bonta from Yale University, midfielder Reinna Gabriel from Cornell University and midfielder Meryll Serrano of Norwegian club ArnaBjørnar.Most of the players, who played when the Filipinas took the bronze medal in the 31st Southeast Asian Games and claimed the Philippines’ first ever 2022 ASEAN Football Federation Women’s Championship areAmongback. the veterans in the current roster are Isabella Flanigan, Katrina Guillou, Sarina Bolden, and Quinley Quezada, goalkeepers Kiara Fontanilla, Olivia Davies-McDaniel and Kiara Fontanilla. On the defensive side are Malea Cesar, Jessika Cowart, Sofia Harrison, Hali Long, Eva Madarang, Dominique Randle and Tara Shelton. In midfield are Tahnai Annis, Anicka Castaneda, Sara Eggesvik, Carleigh Frilles, Kaya Hawkinson, Jessica Miclat, Camille Rodriguez and Jaclyn Sawicki. “It’s very exciting to see how they (four new players) will fill in spots in the team and compete for positions,” said Stajcic. Peter Atencio
The new PSC chief said he had a discussion with Ramirez when he first learned that he was going to be the chairman.Ramirez said he will be available if his advice is sought. “Four years of working, two years disturbed by the pandemic. It was a meaningful journey. Chairman Noli Eala needs our help, our support. For, if he succeeds, Philippine Sports Commission will succeed and Philippine sports will succeed,” said Ramirez before turning over the reins of the PSC to Eala. For now, Eala said that the PSC needs to have a complete set of board members for things to work out. “Completing the board is important. We have to have a full board that will work. Of course, it doesn’t mean that nothing is being done,” said Eala, who met with Philippine Olympic Committee officials and its president Abraham “Bambol” Tolentino later in theTheevening.PSCis awaiting the appointment of three more members to its fiveman board, which has one member in bowling great in Olivia “Bong” Coo.
Playoff games gave Beermen winning character, says Austria It’s anybody’s ballgame in NCAA Season 98, coaches agree
“When you look at the formula for success, I think we’ve seen it in Hidilyn. I think that’s the blueprint we need to follow,” added Eala.
NAVY and National U-Sta. Elena set out for a fiery duel on Tuesday, each looking for a second straight victory and a share of the early lead with idle Cignal and VNS-One Alicia into the second week of the Spikers’ Turf elims at the Paco Arena in Manila. The Sealions swept the hard-luck Ateneo-Fudgee Barr side while the Nationals needed an extra set to subdue the Army-Katinko Troopers, both last Thursday, in victories that all the more spiced up the early showdown of two of the fancied teams in the Open Conference. They tangle at 2:30 p.m. with the winner joining the HD Spikers and the Griffins in the lead in the single round elims among seven teams where every match counts. The top four will advance to the semis. That also makes the 5:30 p.m. faceoff between Ateneo and Sta. Rosa crucial as the Eagles and the young City Lions shoot for the all-important win that would keep them in the hunt for one of the Final Four berths. The two teams have dropped their first two games in varying fashions with the Eagles yielding a five-set result to the Griffins and a three-set defeat to the Sealions. The City Lions also bowed in three to the powerhouse HD Spikers but nearly shocked the Griffins in a sorry five-set defeat. Sta. Rosa actually surprised VNS with its superb all-around game by seizing a 2-1 set lead but cracked under pressure, and yielded too many points off their flawed service game, enabling the Griffins to mount a comeback and escape with a scary win last Saturday.
Incoming PSC chairman Jose Emmanuel “Noli” Eala said this following a simple turnover ceremony with outgoing PSC chief William “Butch” Ramirez on Monday at the Rizal Memorial Sports Complex in Vito Cruz, Manila. In August last year, Ramirez and members of the board crafted a playbook that mapped out the future of the 19 Filipino athletes, who competed in the Tokyo Olympics. The program the PSC designed is up to four Olympic cycles, set for as long as 16 “I’veyears.read only a couple so far. I will be meeting with him and find out,” said Eala.Executive director Atty. Guillermo Iroy and former national training director Marc Velasco joined Ramirez and Eala in the ceremonies. The guidelines crafted by the government sports agency can be used for the next two decades as the country seeks to sustain the leadNationalsSealions,clashforshare
Incoming PSC chairman Jose Emmanuel “Noli” Eala receives the PSC flag in a simple turnover ceremony with outgoing PSC chief William “Butch” Ramirez (right) on Monday.
Eala: We need to follow ‘Hidilyn Diaz’ blueprint
Coach Cholo Martin of Arellano University said it’s “anybody’s ballgame” because the teams’ rosters are almost the same as the last season’s. “You’ll be surprised,” he said during the media launch on Monday. College of St. Benilde’s Charles Tiu agreed that all teams have become “contenders.”That’sbecause of the long preparation in the off-season, according to coaches Louie Gonzales of Jose Rizal College and Gilbert Malabanan of Lyceum. “Tumaas talaga ang level of competition,” said Gonzales. From the words of coach Mike Saguiguit of Perpetual Help, “the ball is momentum that was gained during the Tokyo Olympics. But for Eala, he believes that the formula for success that Ramirez and the board members created can be seen in what weightlifter Hidilyn Diaz went through in claiming the country’s first Olympic gold medal.
HE plans and programs contained in a playbook that was prepared by the past administration of the Philippine Sports Commission will be put under review by the present set of officials of the government sport’s body.
Games today (Tuesday) 2:30 p.m. – Navy vs Sta. Elena 5:30 p.m. – Ateneo vs Sta. Rosa
4 footballaimnewcomersforspotsinFilipinas’team
By Randy Caluag COACHES are one in saying that competition in the basketball tournament of the National Collegiate Athletic Association is more balanced and evenly matched in the coming 98th season, even as Letran, as defending champion, remains the focus of everyone’s attention.
By Peter Atencio T
At left is PSC commissioner Bong Coo. Peter Atencio Coaches from various colleges and universities competing in the NCAA Season 98 link hands. They are (from left) Cholo Martin of Arellano U, Charles Tiu of CSB, Louie Gonzales of JRU, Bonnie Tan of Letran, Randy Alcantara of Mapua, Oliver Bunyi of EAC, Gilbert Malabanan of LPU, Yuri Escueta of San Beda, Egay Macaraya of SSC and Michael Saguiguit of Perpetual Help. Danny Pata up. Lahat ‘yan may chance umangat.” Coach Oliver Bunyi downgraded his Emilio Aguinaldo College team’s chances, though, on paper, but Mapua’s Randy Alcantara mentioned the Generals as among those who could pull off a surprise.TheEAC Generals will be pitted against the Arellano University Chiefs, while Mapua takes on the San Beda Red Lions in the other game on Saturday’s star-studded opening. “Parehas, lahat naman makakalaban, ganu’n pa din pagbabago, little adjustments lang,” said Martin. Tournament commissioner Tonichi Pujante also revealed that the coming season will start adopting FIBA rules. He said that he will meet with the coaches before the tournament opening. Pujante also stressed that violence has no place in the league. “Heavy sanctions await misbehaving players,” he added. GMA Network will cover the opening live at the Araneta Coliseum and simulcast at 2:30 p.m. on GMA and GTV.
ONLY three veterans have remained since the San Miguel Beermen won the sixth of their seven titles in the Philippine Basketball Association Philippine Cup under coach Leo Austria, who is thankful that their playoff games gave his “motley” cast of players the winning character to go all the way. The veterans are 6’10” Junemar Fajardo, who has earned the league’s fourth Finals MVP, Marcio Lassiter and Chris Ross, who are all now beaming with pride after going this far with the Beermen. Austria showed his appreciation for the three after the Beermen struck down the undermanned Talk N Text Tropang Giga, 119-97, on Sunday night in Game 7 to claim the 2022 Philippine Cup crown at the Araneta Coliseum. Austria came aboard eight years ago and steered San Miguel to its first title -- the 2014–15 PBA Philippine Cup championship by beating Alaska in seven games. Back then, Arwind Santos was named Finals“MostMVP.ofour players, galing sa ibang team and they do not have experience in a championship. I think nakabuti sa amin ang mga playoff games namin, dahil we were able to develop a winning character,” added Austria. The Beermen went to a best-of-seven semifinal clash with the Meralco Bolts, and Austria believes that this toughened up the likes of “newcomers” Simon Enciso, Robbie Herndon, Mo Tautuaa, Jericho Cruz, CJ Perez, Vic Manuel and Rodney Brondial. Their many contributions in the finals kept the Beermen in the thick of things and made their fightback with the Tropang Giga an interesting one. “The coaching staff and the management knew how to win a championship. And we’re lucky that the players realized that this is the way. That’s why San Miguel was successful in its campaign,” said Austria. In taking the Philippine Cup honors, San Miguel weathered the big showing of Jayson Castro, who carried TNT with 32 points, 10 rebounds and eight assists. But Castro’s performance was not enough without a COVID 19-stricken Chot Reyes calling the shots. Manpower woes were felt as well by TNT later
TUESDAY, SEPTEMBER 6, 2022 C1 Riera U. Mallari, Editor; Randy M. Caluag, Assistant Editor
SMB veterans (from left) Chris Ross, Marcio Lassiter and JuneMar Fajardo, with CJ Perez. when it lost Poy Erram, who was ejected with 55 seconds left in the first half following an F2 on Moala Tautuaa. Peter Atencio
Nick Kyrgios of Australia throws his racket to the ground during his battle against Daniil Medvedev of Russia on Day 7 of the 2022 US Open at USTA Billie Jean King National Tennis Center in New York City. AFP Sports Medvedev was deposed as US Open champion on Sunday by Kyrgios as the fiery Australian stormed to an electrifying 7-6 (13/11), 3-6, 6-3, 6-2 win to reach his first quarter-final in New“NickYork.today played kind of at the level of Novak and Rafa,” said the 26-year-old Medvedev after seeing 21 aces and 53 winners speed past him.“He has a little bit different game because he’s not a grinder. At the same time he can rally. He’s tough to play. He has an amazing serve. “But from baseline it’s not like when the point starts, you know that you have the advantage. He plays good. He has every shot.
AFP TUESDAY, SEPTEMBER 6, 2022C2
NEW YORK—Danill Medvedev said Nick Kyrgios is playing at such a high level that he merits comparison with Grand Slam heavyweights Novak Djokovic and Rafael Nadal.
PSC chair Eala, NCAA execs grace PSA Forum
She has had cracks at a second championship this year, including a tied for second at Splendido Taal, but just couldn’t unleash a strong finishing kick to get into the winning act again.But she remains upbeat of her chances this week, hopeful of hitting her target in the P750,000 tournament put up by ICTSI. “My goals are the same, I want to be able to shoot my target score and play consistently,” she added. Emphasis on the tight Valley South course will also be on precision and putting, thus giving no one a distinct advantage on the up-and-down layout with Harmie Constantino also seeking to snap a long spell after a surprise early two LPGT feats at Eagle Ridge Aoki in her rookie season lastLikeyear.Baraquiel, the former national champion toughened abroad last week although her 30th place effort in the SAT-TWT Open Road to World Ranking in Thailand was something she wouldn’t like to crow about. Still, the experience of slugging it
NEW Philippine Sports Commission chairman Noli Eala graces the Philippine Sportswriters Association Forum for the very first time in a face-to-face session at the groundfloor of the Rizal Memorial Sports Complex. Eala will be joined by officials of the NCAA Management Committee, led by chairman Estefanio Boquiron in the weekly sports program that starts at 10 a.m. Eala is expected to bare his plans and programs for the government sports agency after succeeding William ‘Butch’ Ramirez at the helm. The NCAA officials, meanwhile, will discuss the league’s coming Season 98 which officially kicks off this Saturday at the Smart Araneta Coliseum. The weekly sports program is presented by San Miguel Corporation, MILO, PSC, Philippine Olympic Committee, Amelie Hotel Manila, and the Philippine Amusement and Gaming Corporation. The session is livestreamed via the PSA Facebook page fb.com/PhilippineSportswritersAssociation and aired on a delayed basis over Radyo Pilipinas 2, which also shares it on its official Facebook page.
“If he plays like this until the end of the tournament, he has all the chances to win Medvedev,it.” who will lose his world number one ranking following his defeat, was attempting to become the first man to defend the US Open title since Roger Federer in 2008. Instead, he ends the Grand Slam year with a runners-up spot at the Australian Open, where he was defeated by Nadal, and last-16 exits at the French and US Opens. Along with other Russians, he was banned from Wimbledon due to the invasion of MedvedevUkraine.saidhis physical condition began to deteriorate as the match went on, a legacy of picking up a fever during the“Intournament.theUSA,I get sick for sure in the hardcourt swing because the AC is just crazy,” he said.
Brooks, however, is seen as the biggest threat to the strawweight status“Thequo.Monkey God” is 3-0 in ONE Championship and his debut win was a second-round submission of Pacio’s Team Lakay teammate Lito Adiwang at ONE: NextGen III in November 2021. Denice Zamboanga is hyped up for ONE Championship’s Philippine returnThe Philippines has been a favorite destination for ONE Championship. The organization usually held several shows in the country these past few years but that had to change when the COVID-19 pandemic swept across the globe. Now that the Philippines has eased its restrictions, it’s practically inevitable that ONE Championship return to one of its strongholds. Just like any other fight fan, Zamboanga is ecstatic to finally have ONE Championship back in Manila. “I’m really excited that there will be another event in the Philippines, especially now that we’re going back to how it was back then before the pandemic. I’m really happy that ONE Championship will be back in the country after more than two years.”
THOUGH she came home emptyhanded from a couple of months’ stints abroad, Sunshine Baraquiel is coming into the ICTSI Valley Golf Ladies Challenge beginning tomorrow (Wednesday) at the Valley Golf Club in Antipolo rich in experience.
Zamboanga throws full support behind Pacio
Sunshine Baraquiel Pilipinas Kristine That should win in the pro circuit and pros Lucy Landicho, Apple Fudolin, Majorie Pulumbarit and Eva Miñoza out to score a breakthrough.
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DENICE Zamboanga may not be from the famed Team Lakay, but she’s throwing her full support behind fellow Filipino fighter Joshua Pacio.Pacio will defend the ONE Strawweight World Championship against Jarred Brooks at ONE 164: Pacio vs. Brooks, the first event that ONE Championship will stage in Manila in more than two years. Mall of Asia Arena will be the site of ONE Championship’s Philippine return on December 3. Zamboanga, the #3-ranked women’s atomweight contender, said Brooks will be Pacio’s toughest challenger yet and their upcoming fight has all the makings of an instant classic. “This fight will surely be an amazing one. This will be an intense match for sure and this could be the biggest challenge for our world champion but, still, I’m rooting for him to win!” Zamboanga said. Pacio is arguably the greatest strawweight in ONE Championship history having held the ONE StrawBaraquiel rarin’ to shine again on LPGT stage
out with Thailand’s best should give Constantino the boost she needs to go for a third crown in the 54-hole championship organized by Pilipinas Golf Tournaments, Inc. But the other top pros, led by this year’s two-leg winner Chihiro Ikeda along Marvi Monsalve, Sarah Ababa, Gretchen Villacencio, Lovelynn Guioguio and young guns Martina Miñoza, Kristine Fleetwood and Pamela Mariano are also primed up for the battle, ensuring another spirited chase in all three days at one of the country’s toughest courses. The pros, however, will also have to deal with a slew of amateurs out to make another title run in the circuit, led by Rianne Malixi and Mafy Singson, who have won an LPGT leg each this year, who like Baraquiel and Constantino, have also campaigned abroad the last threeThatmonths.should make this week’s battle doubly exciting with amateurs Eagle Ace Superal, Abigail Abarcas, Alethea Gaccion and Julianna Go also going all-out to nail their first
“I got so much exposure from competing abroad and playing with many different players,” said Baraquiel, who vied in a number of tournaments in the US, including on the East Coast Women’s Pro Golf Tour where she posted tied for 10th and 12th in Mizuno Cali Q-School Prep Series #1 and #2, respectively, in California.“Hopefully my learnings from the past months help me play well this week,” added the 30-year-old lady pilot, who soared to her first pro career victory at Tagaytay Highlands lastButyear.she struggled in pursuit of a follow-up win, finishing tied for fourth and eighth at Riviera Couples and Langer, respectively, then settling for joint third at Midlands at the close of the 2021 season.
AFP
Denice Zamboanga weight World Title for more than 1,200 days across three separate reigns. The 26-year-old has also defeated every former world champion in the division during his celebrated run.
NEW YORK—Dustin Johnson rattled in a monster eagle putt at the first playoff hole to win the LIV Golf Invitational Boston, upstaging the raft of newcomers to the breakaway circuit. Johnson emerged triumphant from a three-way playoff that also featu red Chile’s Joaquin Niemann and India’s Anirban Lahiri, both making their debuts in the controversial Saudi-bac ked series. All three finished 54 holes at International Golf Club on 15-under par. World number two and reigning British Open champion, Cameron Smith, finished a shot back on 14-under in his LIV Golf debut, tying for fourth with England’s Lee Westwood, who charged into contention with an eight-under par 62 but bogeyed his last hole to miss the playoff. Johnson carded a five-under par 65 on Sunday, his sixth birdie of the day at the 13th, putting him atop the leaderboard at He15-under.wouldn’t make another birdie, however, needing par saves at the par-three 17th and 18th to make the playoff.Johnson didn’t hold back on his playoff putt, sending it racing up the hill. The ball hesitated when it hit the lip, then hit the back edge of the cup and bounced in. “Yeah, it was going a little fast, but it was a good line,” said Johnson, adding he felt the 18th “owed me one” after his second shot in regulation ended up in the underbrush alongside the giant scoreboard behind the green. Lahiri was first in the clubhouse on 15-under, and could have sealed the win at his final hole of regulation, the 18th, where his six-foot eagle putt circled the cup but didn’t drop. His six-under 64 featured an eagle and six birdies, but after finding the fairway at the first playoff hole, he missed the green with his second shot. He chipped to five feet for a birdie chance only for Johnson to seal the win.Niemann booked his playoff spot with his fifth birdie of regulation at the 18th. But his tee shot in the playoff hit a spectator before settling in the right rough, and he was in a greenside bunker from there. Johnson, who finished eighth in the inaugural LIV Golf event in London, fourth in Portland and third at Bedminster, became the first American to lift the individual trophy in the series. He pocketed a $4 million first prize along with $750,000 as his share of the team first prize for his 4 Aces outfit, which finished two strokes better than Lahiri’s Crushers. The massive purses, along with reported signing bonuses to top players, have the established PGA Tour and DP World Tour scrambling to retain their talent—the PGA Tour promptly banning any player who tees it up in LIV Golf even as they move to create more lucrative events on their own circuit. LIV Golf, backed by the almost unlimited resources of Saudi Arabia’s sovereign wealth Public Investment Fund has also been accused of “sportswashing” the kingdom’s human rights record.
High praise from Daniil: Kyrgios at same level as Djokovic, Nadal
Nickie Wang, Editor Patricia Taculao, Editorial Assistant
OPM band Up Dharma Down ENTREPRENEUR and television host Grace Lee has a perfect vision to elevate movie and series production in the Philippines. She believes in Filipino talents which is why her company, Glimmer Inc., has been pulling all stops for local talents to learn from South Korean productions.
A US federal judge has again dismissed the child pornography lawsuit filed by the man who as a baby was photographed naked for the cover of Nirvana’s Nevermind album. Spencer Elden was seeking $150,000 in damages from defendants including the surviving former members of the band, Dave Grohl and Krist Novoselic, as well as the estate of the late lead singer Kurt Cobain, and the photographer, Kirk Weddle. In dismissing the suit on Friday, Judge Fernando Olguin said the plaintiff failed “to allege that he knew of a violation that occurred while he was a minor or an injury that forms the basis of the claim within 10 years of filing this action,” as required by the statute under which he“Becausesued. plaintiff had an opportunity to address the deficiencies in his complaint regarding the statute of limitations, the court is persuaded that it would be futile to afford plaintiff a fourth opportunity to file an amended complaint,” the judge wrote. Olguin had previously dismissed the case in January 2022 after Elden’s attorneys missed a deadline, but they refiled it later that month. In 1991, when he was four months old, Elden was photographed naked in a swimming pool reaching for a dollar bill on a fish hook, an image that became one of the most iconic album covers of all time. The album went on to sell 30 million copies, with songs such as “Smells Like Teen Spirit” becoming American pop cultural touchstones. But neither Elden nor his legal guardians “ever signed a release authorizing the use of any images of Spencer or of his likeness, and certainly not of commercial child pornography depicting him,” the lawsuit said. The suit said Elden had suffered “extreme and permanent emotional distress,” as well as “lifelong loss of income earning capacity.”
IN ITS continuous effort to expand its catalog, Viva Records has recently acquired Up Dharma Down’s original sound recordings (OSR). With the acquisition, Viva Records now officially owns the master recordings of Up Dharma Down. This includes the four albums Up Dharma Down released with Toti Dalmacion’s Terno Recordings: Fragmented Bipolar Capacities, and the self-titled UDD. The albums have established Up Dharma Down as one of the most influential bands of the mid-to-late aughts and onward. Toti Dalmacion, head of Terno Recordings, said that the deal with Viva Records was a natural one. “The Viva deal happened smoothly because of my long association with Boss Vic del Rosario,” said Dalmacion. “There was the ‘Hotdog’ connection (Dalmacion is related to the Garcia brothers of said band) and I’ve also worked with Viva before.” “And there’s also the trust,” Dalmacion said, adding “I trust that Viva will know what to do with original sound recordings that Up Dharma Down (has built through the years).”UpDharma Down, a.k.a. UDD, was the leading indie pop rock band of its time. The group – with lead singerkeyboardist Armi Millare, lead guitarist Carlos Tanada, drummer Ean Mayor, and bassist Paul Yap established themselves as darlings of the alternative pop scene with memorable hits such as “Unti Unti,” “Sana,” and “Indak.” But it is with “Tadhana” and “Oo” that UDD solidified itself as a major creative unit. These aforementioned songs took UDD from being just an alternative rock band to being an influential music artist whose works have influenced its generation and beyond.VivaRecords’ top man, Del Rosario, said that the UDD acquisition “is in line with Viva’s thrust in expanding its catalog and in making sure that great music, like that of UDD, will be heard by a new generation of listeners.” He mentioned that he plans to use the music of UDD on “appropriately themed films on our growing streaming service Vivamax, as supporting music.” “The Up Dharma Down catalog is a treasure trove of great music,” he said. “I’m sure that we can rediscover a new hit or two in there.” Speaking of new hits, Dalmacion is also excited at “what Up Dharma Down can offer its legion of listeners in the future.” Here he shares that the band has “also reached a two-album deal with Viva Records,” ensuring that there will be new music from the band in the foreseeable future. The Up Dharma Down catalog now joins those of Sarah Geronimo, Arthur Nery, This Band, Bandang Lapis (to name a few), and the still growing list of recordings under Viva Records.
Entertainment TUESDAY, SEPTEMBER 6, 2022 C3 E-mail: lifeandshow.manilastandard@gmail.com
Judge again dismisses Nirvana baby album cover lawsuit
Viva Records acquires Up Dharma Down’s recorded works
to Manila Standard Entertainment, the 39-year-old TV personality talked about her ultimate dream for Glimmer including her plans to put the Philippines on the map of world-class TV and movie making. “Through Glimmer, my vision is for us to develop the production level of the Philippines through cultural and talent exchange.
Top Thai stars of ‘KinnPorsche’ to visit Manila
Korea is so ahead of us when it comes to content creation and development. I hope that with the help and mentoring of Korean production teams, Filipinos will be able to create their own content that will be recognized worldwide,” Lee stated. She saw the opportunity to do movie licensing, co-production, and distribution – which happened a year before the pandemic closed all international borders – and believed that it was a perfect avenue to make a difference in the industry.
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Entrepreneur and television host Grace Lee’s Glimmer Inc. aims to bring Korean entertainment collaboration to the Philippines and Southeast Asia Lee Jung-jae (left) and Jung Woo-sung in ‘Hunt’
The ‘KinnPorsche The Series World Tour 2022’ will bring the stars of the BL-action series to Manila in October Singer and TV host Billy withoutthehappilyCrawfordworksfortopTVnetworksconflict
“At the same time, Filipinos are smart, we’re driven. I think it’s only a matter of time until we catch up,” she carried on. Lee revealed that Glimmer already has big-ticket projects in the pipeline. She is now overseeing co-production agreements between Filipino and Korean film companies. “We just finished a movie project that utilized 200 Filipino crew members and more than 30 well-known on-cam Filipino talents. Around 70 percent of the film was shot here,” she said. “Next year, we’re also planning to remake a Korean movie. This will utilize a Filipino cast, but the director and producer will be Korean. Postproduction will also be in Korea.” As part of her effort to put the Philippines on the world map of international entertainment, Glimmer will be bringing top Korean stars to the country for a grand event happening by the end of the“Iyear.can only say so much about this project but what I can share is that top Korean leading men are coming to the Philippines to promote their movie,” she said adding that it is something that has not happened before. in Japan or China. Now, Filipino fans will be able to see their movie idols up close,” she went on. Meanwhile, after the successful bringing The Round (No. 1 South Korean film for 2022) to the local cinemas, Glimmer recently held another successful premiere for the actionpacked movie Hunt, the directorial debut Squid Game actor Lee Jung-jae Hunt has been recognized by Cannes FestivalFilm and Toronto International Film Festival. Taking place in the ‘80s against the backdrop of a cold war between the two Koreas, Hunt tells an engrossing spy tale of agencies conducting a smoke-out operation to root out a mole. Although the circumstances surrounding the film are based on actual events in history, the story itself is a work of fiction in its entirety. Two high-ranking agents Park Pyong-ho (Lee Jung-jae) and Kim Jung-do (Jung Woo-sung) are pitted against each other to find the mole first. The psychological tension rises as they attempt to hunt down each other. The story unfolds at break-neck speed, and you will be sitting on the edge of your seat until the very moment the spy is revealed. Park’s crucial mission to bring in a high-profile defector goes awry due to a leak by the mole while Kim is given a mission to investigate everyone within the agency without prejudice. His prime suspect is none other than Park and his unit. Both agents suspect each other, and tension fills up the screen as they duel it out revealing mind-blowing secrets along the way. The psychological warfare between the two leads to a massive plot involving the assassination of the South Korean president which pulls the audience along with the lead actors’ deep dilemma over their own principles. Hunt opened in 100 theaters in the Philippines on August 31.
SINGER and TV host Billy Crawford is so elated with the fact that he can work on the country’s three leading TV networks namely GMA-7, ABS-CBN, and TV 5. Apart from being one of the main hosts of TV 5’s noontime offering Tropang LOL, which is also simulcast on various Kapamilya platforms like A2Z Channel and Kapamilya Online, he was also tapped to host The Wall Philippines, which just started airing on GMA.“Ican’t be more thankful for it. Imagine, television buffs can now watch me daily. It’s such an amazing feeling,” heBillyavers.can’t complain about the packed workload he has right now. He swears that he won’t stop working since he loves this job. “This brings food to the table. Wherever work takes me, that’s where I’m going,” he carries on. Billy had been with ABSCBN for twelve years where he honed his hosting skills. He admits he was also worried when he left its stable. “You see, when you’re comfortable and confident in life that you’ll not commit a misstep or blunder, then you’re perfect. But based on my perspective, no one is perfect. So, feeling worried is just normal. There’s that feeling of uncertainty. We can’t be sure where the road will take us. There were decisions that needed to be made considering that in the first place, I didn’t step on anyone’s toes,” he“Iclarifies.had no contracts with any networks at the time of the pandemic. So, I was open to the idea of working with anyone and everyone. Looking back, I believe that everything was orchestrated by God,” heOnadds.his return to GMA after a long period of time, Billy says that it’s a “surprising feeling.”“Oh, yes! It’s knowledgepublicthat I started with them when I was four years old. I was part of “Before, we were able to just work, learn, enjoy and create content through audience feel. This time around, I was given the opportunity after more than 30 years to come back to where I really started. I personally believe that if you know how to look back to where you came from, you will be successful in life,” ends Billy. • • • Kylie Padilla reveals that at first, she felt guilty upon accepting the project Bolera her comeback showbiz project on GMA. “I felt I might not be able to successfully play the role of a single working mother. There’s guilt especially when you think that you’re not present as a mom because you chose to work over taking care of your children,” she “Butadmits.as a mom, I see the rewards as they come. Of course, I can provide for their needs and give them a stable future if I work. There’s real sacrifice. I’m happy that now, I know better,” Kylie goes on. The sultry actress is proud of what she has becauseachievedof her decision to pursue work. She considers it a learning experience, especially as a single mom. “It’s a blessing to be able to work because not all mothers can do that. Now I know why I’m doing it. Like now, I dream of buying a house for my children. I see the bigger picture now,” she says.
‘KinnPorsche’ stars during their recent concert
Lee’s company aims to bring the best Korean entertainment collaboration to the Philippines and Southeast Asia while it continuously works to produce Korean and localized content for regional audiences, ultimately bridging the cultural and production gap between the twoSpeakingcountries.
Lee, who considers herself as a Korean with a Filipino heart, established Glimmer by giving Filipino talents international in mind. “We almost closed down the company because of the pandemic but we were able to sustain the business because of numerous inquiries. Korea sees the Philippines as a good partner in doing co-productions and distributions,” she revealed.
Billy Crawford takes pride in his partnership with top TV networks
Spencer Elden holding the iconic aswithalbumNirvanacoverhimababy
LIVE Nation has recently announced that KinnPorsche The Series World Tour 2022 is making a Manila stop on October 8 at the Mall of AsiaPresentedArena. by Be On Cloud and Live Nation, KinnPorsche will be bringing its shows to Singapore, Korea, Vietnam, and Taiwan this October.With the unprecedented response to both KinnPorsche The Series and the KinnPorsche The Series World Tour 2022 concerts in Bangkok, Thailand, the stars from the series are now taking their concert tour to their fans across Asia. The BL-action series – starring Phakphum (“Mile”), Nattawin (“Apo”), Wichaspas (“Bible”), Jakapan (“Build”), Worakamol (Jeff), Tinnasit (“Barcode”), Thanayut (“Tong”), Asavapatr (“Bas”), Yosatorn (“Job”), Nititorn (“Us”), Chalach (“JJ”), Nannakun (“Ta”), Nutthasid (“Nodt”), Nakhun (“Perth”), Touchchavit (“Ping”), and Pongsakorn (“Pong”) – has been a phenomenon across the region since its release in April this year and the cast and production have received acclaim from fans far and wide. Each week’s episode has driven the online community wild and the hashtag #kinnporschetheseries has continued to trend since the show’s debut. KinnPorsche The Series World Tour 2022 debuted with two sold-out shows at Bangkok’s Impact Arena with more than 20,000 fans in attendance. Live Nation Philippines Members Pre-sale begins on September 12 (Monday) from 10:00 a.m. to 11:59 p.m. General public tickets are available starting from September 13 (Tuesday) from 10:00 a.m. onwards.
Grace Lee ’s Glimmer Inc. bridges Korean production outfits and local talents
Imagine waking up to sunshine streaming through large window panels that highlight an open layout plan. Or visualize yourselves moving around a clutter-free environment that is accent ed by clean and minimal lines and the healing vibes of greenery. Indeed, Primrose Parks is a happy place for ‘plantitos’ and ‘plantitas’— from hobbyists to hardcore. All garden ing enthusiasts, in fact, will be drawn to this residential haven’s 41 percent of open space, while its tranquil suburban air will keep residents enthralled.
The brand also clarified that they don’t use ethylene oxide when pro cessing food. They added that al though ethylene oxide is also present in some processed food, it shouldn’t cause any alarm because it quickly dissipates.Before,most of the raw ingredients went to their factory in Sta. Rosa, La guna for production. Monde Nissin now proudly opens the doors to its Malvar, Batangas plant, which just became operational in August 2021. The new plant is highly efficient and agile. It also follows a flow-through design and flow-to-work organiza tion, resulting in a smoother process throughout the production with less human intervention. More impor tantly, it implements automation and solutions through technology and IT resources.Oneof the recent developments from Monde Nissin is the Lucky Me! Pancit Canton is their limited edition flavor that mixes two of the public’s favorites, resulting in the Extra Chili man Hot and SweetSpicy Mansi vari ants.For more than three decades, Lucky Me! provided Filipinos with acces sible yet filling dishes. Its new facili ties and staunch dedication to quality show why the brand is known as the Philippines’ “pambansang noodles.”
familiarPhilippineshouseholdeveryintheiswithLuckyMe! and its various instant noodle products. The brand has become a staple dish for every Filipino, young or old, looking for a quick yet filling meal. Kantar’s latest Brand Footprint Report awarded Lucky Me! as the Brand of the Decade since the brand has consistently been part of the Top 10 Most Chosen Brands in the Philippines for the past decade.Monde Nissin developed several variants of Lucky Me! Pancit Canton instant noodles cater to everyone’s flavor preferences. Yet despite the ac cessibility, since Lucky Me! products are affordable and available almost everywhere, but few people know the truth behind their production. The process begins with wheat sourced from fields located overseas. A barge then ships these natural in gredients to a port in the Philippines, where trucks from Monde Nissin re trieve batches to bring to their noodle factories. Once in the noodle facto ries, the wheat becomes the flour. First, machines mix the wheat flour with water to create a dough with the right consistency. Afterward, it moves on to the following process, flattening. Once the dough is ready, it’s curled to become the iconic noo dles Filipinos know today. The curly noodles are more than just for design or distinction. The curls allow steam to enter the noodles for faster cook ing.After curling the dough, it’s steamed and then cut before fry ing to maintain its shape and main tain lengthy shelf life. Lucky Me! noodles can last for six months after manufacturing. Afterward, the noo dles pass through another machine for cooling. Its last process involves packaging, where noodles are put in their distinctive wrappers and added flavor packets before going in boxes forNissinshipping.Monde prides itself on us ing high-quality ingredients in mak ing its Lucky Me! noodles. It has a NAPA seal, which means “no artifi cial preservatives added.” The only preservative they use is a green tea extract, which serves as an antioxi dant to prolong the noodles’ shelf life.
For those who wish to pursue a healthy, active lifestyle, modern recre ational facilities are within reach, with a pool and pavilion exclusively for Primrose Parks’ homeowners and their guests. These amenities are designed to complement the lushness of the commu nity’s park setting all around, presenting its would-be residents with a year-round summer-themed lifestyle. Finally, the charming community of Primrose Parks is assured of privacy and 24-hour security, which lives up to the Highlands’ well-deserved recogni tion for various achieve ments.For instance, Tagay tay Highlands has been awarded the Safety Seal of the City Government of Tagaytay for continu ously providing safe and secure facilities for its members, residents, and theirTagaytayguests.
SUMMER of 2022 brought pleasurable times to city folks who spent endless days reclaiming the sun, and heading for beaches, farms, and mountain aeries to revel in it. With the onset of the ‘Ber Months,’ outdoorsy Filipinos remain unfazed, knowing that summer in these tropical isles lingers, albeit intermittent ly, throughout the year. Tagaytay Highlands, the country’s premier leisure and residential develop ment, shares in this buoyant outlook as it presents to property seekers a unique living experience: a ‘perfect modern summer’ in Primrose Parks, the newest residential enclave in Tagaytay Mid lands.The word ‘primrose’ is taken from the Latin word primus, which means ‘first’, making this bright orange and yellow bloom symbolical of youth, lasting freshness, and new beginnings. Primrose Parks is thus so aptly named as it aspires to give prospective resi dents a distinct new lifestyle—one that allows them to enjoy a seamless flow of indoor-to-outdoor life in posh, park-like settings.Located in the heart of the Mid lands, Primrose Parks is an exclusive, low-density community that spans 6.3 hectares of verdant greenery, with 99 lots spread at only 16 lots per hectare. Given the luxury of so much refresh ing green space, Primrose Parks lives up to its theme of a ‘modern summer’ with close-to-nature facilities and a lush linear park oriented towards the east so that a picturesque sunrise jump-starts everyone’s day. Primrose Parks is envisioned to be dis cerning homeowners’ refuge from daily stress, indulging them with 365 days of summer vibes that permeate the entire residential development. For one, Prim rose Parks is primed to have elements of nature not just outdoors but indoors as well. Through creative landscaping, resi dents will be encouraged to incorporate the luxuriance of park settings, both in their home and garden designs. Primrose Parks likewise enables resident families to forge a deeper con nection with nature through a biophilic architectural theme. This simply means blurring the lines between indoors and outdoors, providing a multi-sensory, oxytocin-boosting experience.
Tagaytay Highlands’ competent prop erty management team ensures that all facilities and personnel will continue to adhere to strict sanitation procedures and safety protocols including disinfec tion, hand sanitation, wearing of face masks, and social distancing in public spaces for residents, guests, and staff. Apart from complying with health and safety precautionary measures, property management will remain effi cient in delivering quick crisis respons es during adverse natural and high-risk events.Tagaytay Highlands is a private re sort of themed residential communities with a holistic leisure environment that defines an exclusive lifestyle set amidst breathtaking views of nature. For inquiries and other information, interested buyers may access Tagay tay Highlands’ Facebook facebook.com/Tagaytayhighlands);(https://www.In stagram (@tagaytayhighlandsofficial); and website www.tagaytayhighlands. com.
AFTER two years, mallgoers had a “re venge food trip” during the recent opening of the SM Hypermarket Street Food Festival at the SM Mall of Asia Music Hall. This award-winning festival is the big gest celebration of arguably the richest street food culture in the world gathering the tasti est street grub, biggest food brands, and the hottest chefs and stars. The revenge food fest literally comes back bigger and better with larger-than-life food: a 6-foot veggie lumpia expertly cooked by the Kusina Master himself, Chef Boy Logro, and a 6-foot wide giant sushi platter. Joining him were social media icons “Cooking Ina” Hazel Cheffy and Chef Marky, who shared deliciously easy recipes on stage. The giant food will then be shared to be enjoyed by the children of Nayon ng Kabataan in Mandaluyong. Tawag ng Tanghalan’s Rachel Gabreza, Conyoboy Jiconyo, Tiktok’s favorite doc tor Krizzle Luna, and Philippine basketball legend Benjie Paras also took part in the fun. Off-stage was a wide array of food stalls offering everything yummy from BBQ, Ilo cos empanada, and Kakanin to Takoyaki, burgers, bimbimbap, and UP’s famous isaw Visitors had a lot of fun taking lots of pho tos and selfies at the creative photo booths or playing the super fun SM By the Bay carni val games Ring Toss or Lobster Pot. Of course, it wouldn’t be a full-fledged festival without the exciting event-exclusive promos and discounts on popular food brands. These included getting extra gifts with ev ery purchase, free shabu-shabu balls when you reach P1,000, and savings up to P50 for SMAC and Prestige card holders. Food fans can also enjoy free delivery when they shop for SM Hypermarket Street Food Festival items at shopsm.com until September 15. The SM Hypermarket Street Food Festi val is made possible by favorite food brands Nestle Magic Sarap, Nestle All Purpose Cream, Knorr Seasoning, Knorr Cubes, Knorr Soup, Purefoods Hotdog, Purefoods Heat & Eat, Lucky Me, Alaska Crema All Purpose Cream, 555 Sardines, 555 Tuna, CDO Hotdog, CDO Tocino, CDO Chicken Franks, Bounty Fresh Chicken, and Farm Fresh Liempo and more. After the SM Mall of Asia launch, the event will continue to satisfy food and shop ping cravings at SM Hypermarket Fairview from September 16 to 18 and the SM Clark Skyline from September 30 to October 2. The best part is that a satisfying bulk of SM Hypermarket Street Food Festival’s deals and promos are also available in all SM Hypermarket branches and on shopsm. com. Join in the foodie fun!
Award-winning food fest makes a big comeback KrizzleandBenjiePBAendorsersChooks-to-GoLegendParasTiktokDoctorLunaChefBoyLogrowithhisShrimpandPomeloSaladinMangoDressing.Withhimare“CookingIna”HazelCheffyandChefMarky Pinoy street foods isaw,chickenfavoritescrablets,skin,calamares,chicharonbulaklakandalotmore Live in a ‘perfectdestinationsummer’modern Primrose Parks is envisioned to be a community that will afford its would-be residents with 365 days of solstice vibe through the modern summer concept articulated in the entirety of the residential development. An artist’s vision of one of Primrose Parks’ pocket recreational grounds These variants of Lucky Me! Pancit Canton instant noodles cater to everyone’s flavor preferences The last process involves packaging before going in boxes for shipping. Lucky Me!Pancit isCantonmade? Machines for creating and flattening the dough before it is steamed and cut to maintain shelf life
By Patricia Taculao N EARLY
Do you want to know how Life C4 TUESDAY, SEPTEMBER 6, 2022 Nickie Wang, Editor Joba Botana Associate Editor Patricia Taculao Editorial Assistant E-mail: lifeandshow.manilastandard@gmail.com
Highlands’ developer, Highlands Prime, Inc., a subsidiary of SM Prime Holdings, has also been named by the Department of Human Settlements and Urban Development as one of CALABARZON’s 2021 Outstanding Developers for Open Market Projects.
