Manila Standard - 2022 September 15 - Thursday by Manila Standard

House Minority Leader and 4Ps party-list Rep. Marcelino Libanan said that while some opposition lawmakers wanted to pose some questions on the budget, these would be asked

31%

the 5.3 percent actual unemployment rate in 2018 and 5.1 percent in 2019.

By Maricel V. Cruz

with the first quarter survey of SWS, the number of Filipinos who said their lives worsened slightly went down by three percentage points from 34% in April. LOT LIFE.INFile photo shows a couple playing with their pet dog on their wooden cart along España Boulevard in Manila. A recent SWS survey show 31% of pastworsenedsayingrespondentsFilipinotheirlivesinthe12months. Danny Pata SWS: Mixed views on how life was in last 12 months NEWS / A2 END OF

DILG Secretary Benjamin Abalos, Jr. called on local officials to exercise due prudence when purchasing motor vehicles and observe strict compliance with budgetary, procurement and audit ing laws, regulations and standards at all times.

FILIPINOS had mixed views on how life was in the past 12 months, the second quarter survey released by the Social Weather Stations (SWS) yesterday showed.

to 12... I am trying to push the curriculum and instruction strand to do it in one year. We will update you on that if we will be able to implement a new curriculum in a year or two,” she told lawmakers.

A week before the anniversary of the declaration of martial law on Sept. 21, Marcos echoed his father, the late former President Ferdinand E. Marcos Sr., in maintaining that martial law was declared to suppress the armed rebellion from two fronts.

Some of

the Chinese national, whose last known location was Clark City, Pampanga.

The volume would be divided equally between industrial users and

consumers, or 75,000 tons for each sector, according to a copy of the or der posted on the SRA website and signed by Mr. Marcos as secretary of the Department of Agriculture and chairman of the Sugar Board.

Compared COVID PANDEMIC

PBBM says ML painted as dark chapter in history by the ‘victors’

IN SIGHT, SAYS WHO CHIEF

THE Metropolitan Manila Development Authority (MMDA) on Wednesday added its voice to calls for people to continue masking up outdoors, despite a new policy that makes face masks optionalMMDAoutdoors.acting chairman Carlo Dimayuga III said the wearing of face masks protects individuals not only against coronavirus but also from pollution. He said his agency strongly enjoins

SRA to boost local supply with 150,000 MT of refined sugar from abroad

By Joel E. Zurbano and Willie Casas

He said military rule was needed to prevent rising disorder caused by the nascent Communist Party of the Philippines-New People’s Army (CPP-NPA) and the Muslim separatist movement of the Moro National Liberation Front (MNLF).

SHOULDER TO SHOULDER. Vice President and Education Secretary Sara Duterte-Carpio pays a courtesy call on Speaker Martin Romualdez at his office in the House of Representatives on Wednesday ahead of the budget hearing for the OVP and DepEd. Deliberations for the OVP's proposed budget was terminated immediately in less than 13 minutes without any interpellation as lawmakers expressed 'full confidence' on Duterte-Carpio's performance as Vice President.

THE Department of Education (DepEd) will come up with a new basic education curriculum in two to three years, after the ongoing review of the K to 12 Basic Education program, Vice President and Education Secretary Sara Duterte-Carpio saidAtWednesday.abudget hearing for her department and the Office of the Vice President (OVP) in the House of Representatives, Duterte-Carpio said the review of K to 10 has been completed, while work continues on Grade

Sugar Regulatory Administration, the President signed Sugar Order No. 2, detailing the country’s sugar import program for the crop year 2022 to 2023 and setting the maximum volume for bringing in refined sugar.

NATIONAL Economic and Development Administration (NEDA) Secretary Arsenio Balisacan said the country’s unemployment rate will go down to prepandemic levels by 2024.

said it was the same compared to a year ago.

MMDA joins calls for public to still mask up

“The kidnap rescue operation stemmed from information provided by our foreign police counterparts based on complaints of the family of the kidnapped Chinese who was held for a P1 million ransom

INTERIOR Secretary Benhur Abalos said some 43 Chinese nationals who were alleged human trafficking victims have been rescued by the Philippine National Police-Anti Kidnapping Group (PNPAKG)Theyesterday.operation was triggered by a message that Abalos received Tuesday afternoon from his friend whose Chinese assistant was kidnapped.

THE Department of the Interior and Local Government (DILG) on Wednesday reminded governors, town and city mayors they are not allowed to acquire or use luxury vehicles for their operations.

NEDA chief sees jobless rate pre-pandemic level by 2024

Press Secretary Trixie Cruz-Ange les confirmed the issuance of SO2

Cops rescue 43 kidnapped Chinese nationals

39%

adult Filipinos said their quality of life got worse, while at least 29% said their life got better and

The House appropriations committee swiftly approved the OVP's proposed P2.3 billion budget for 2023, ending the hearing in under 13 minutes, with no questions asked.

DILG tells local execs: No luxury vehicles for ops

“We are making sure there will be more stimulus for job creation in the next quarter. More economic activities, particularly among small and medium enterprises,” Balisacan said during the Senate Finance committee's first briefing on the national expenditure program based on next year's P5.628-trillion national budget.

Senate Majority Leader Joel Villanueva earlier asked Balisacan about the country's employment projections, citing

“We are pleased to announce the successful rescue of another kidnapped Chinese shortly after midnight this morning in Angeles City,” he said.

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The figure rose to 10.3 percent in 2020, and then dropped to 7.8 percent in 2021, Villanueva said.

New basic curriculum for K to 12 up—DepEd

By Joel E. Zurbano

The Development Budget Coordina tion Committee's (DBCC) data indicated the projected unemployment rate at 5.1 percent to 6.5 percent in 2022; 5.7 per cent to 6.8 percent in 2023; 5 percent to 5.3 percent in 2024; and 5.5 percent to 5.8 percent in 2025.

NEDA Director-General Arsenio Balisacan

MARTIAL law was painted as a dark chapter in Philippine history because the “victors wrote it,” President Ferdinand Marcos Jr. said Tuesday in an exclusive interview with ALLTV Channel.

On another front, Mr. Marcos believes that his chief legal counsel, Juan Ponce Enrile, would not withdraw support from him the way he did with his father

Next page Next page Next page Next page Next page Next page

More sugar, this time imported

Abalos said he then requested the PNPAKG to conduct an operation to rescue

By Vito Barcelo

Missed your copy of Manila Standard? Call or text our Circulation Hotline at 0917-8848655 or email: circulation@manilastandard.netMlaStandardtwitter.com/ ManilaStandardPHfacebook.com/ manilastandard.netS

RESIDENT Ferdinand Marcos Jr. has approved the importation of 150,000 metric tons of refined sugar to address the shortage of the commodity in theThroughcountry.the

"We have made an exercise on that. Here, for 2023, we are expecting unemployment to reach 5.7 to 6.8

Mr. Marcos recounted past conversations he has had with Enrile, the former Senate President, Defense Secretary, and Justice minister, whom he calls “Tito Johnny,” and how they have reconciled.Enrile,most known for being martial law administrator, helped oust the older Marcos in 1986. The President named “JPE” as his chief legal counsel in June and described him as “one of the three best lawyers” that he knows in the country, citing his brilliance as the main reason for appointing him.

Speaker Martin Romualdez thanked Duterte-Carpio for showing up before the House appropriations hearing to defend the budget of the OVP and the DepEd.

and/or with an engine exceeding four cylinders; passenger vans or pick-up type vehicles with an engine displacement ex ceeding 2,500 cc, if gasoline-fed or 3,000 cc if diesel-fed and/or with an engine exceeding four cylinders; and multipur pose vehicles and vans with an engine displacement exceeding 2,500 cc, if gas oline-fed or 2,800 cc if diesel-fed and/or with an engine exceeding four cylinders.

"I described our classroom shortage as a situation of a quicksand, where due to the meager budget given to classroom construction annually we cannot even address the requirements due to enrollment increase and shortage that keeps piling up year in and year out," Duterte-Carpio said.

Following the relaxed mask rule, Gloriani urged Filipinos to assess their risk against COVID-19.

Lawmakers pushing for stricter SIM card registration and regulation hope their efforts will bear fruition this time because recent spam text messages have contained even the private information of mobile phone users, such as their names.

David said the province earlier recorded a one-week growth rate of 8 percent.The positivity rate in the province increased to 10.9 percent on Sept. 12 from 6.9 percent on Sept. 10, David said.

"If we don't take this opportunity now, we run the risk of more variants, more deaths, more disruption, and more un certainty." AFP (See full story online at manilastandard.net)

the government had to defend itself. The second front was the secessionist movement down in the south led by MNLF and chairman Nur Misuari at the time, he started that uprising, the secessionist movement, and that eventually turned into violence and essentially war that was even supported,” he told Gonzaga in Malacanang.“Mostpeople do not realize, the rebels, the communist rebels, how close they came to Manila and how close they came to large urban centers and slowly gained control. That’s why it was necessary to, in my father’s view at that time, declare martial law because there was really war already,” he added.

Onold.martial law, which was declared in 1972 or five decades ago this year, the President said it was declared “because of the two wars we’re fighting on two fronts and that is in the countryside, the CPPNPA was fomenting revolution.”

She added the confidential fund for the DepEd is “essential to address problems of the education Duterte-Carpiosector."made the statement in response to a query from House Assistant Minority Leader Arlene Brosas of Gabriela party-list group on why the OVP needed a P500 million confidential fund, and the DepEd, P150 million.

“We can't say that there is a wall of immunity because it is likely that our first vaccine that was given has almost no effect,” he said, adding that many Filipinos have yet to receive booster doses.

"Why don't we just impose an auc tion fee for those who want cheaper sugar from Thailand or India?" he said.

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THURSDAY, SEPTEMBER 15, 2022

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“Days from assuming office, the OVP has been very active. Within that short period, various satellite offices have been established all over the country which enabled the government to expand the reach of its social services,” Co said.

Sports utility vehicles are considered

"The OVP and the DepEd are two separate entities with separate mandates. The success of the programs, activities and projects [of an agency] depends on very good intelligence [reports] and surveillance because you want to target specific issues and challenges," DuterteCarpio told the committee during her presentation of the proposed P710 billion

To bring down sugar prices, Salceda proposed auctioning off the shortage of sugar supply to farmers.

OCTA Research fellow Guido David, in a tweet, said the seven-day average of new cases in Pangasinan increased from 36 on Sept. 6 to 69 on Sept. 13, with a one-week growth rate of 92 percent.

The second quarter figures led to a -2 net gainer score, classified as “fair” by SWS and the same figure as in the April survey.“The steady national Net Gainer score between April 2022 and June 2022 was

of the SIM Registration bill will frustrate the goal of scammers and other criminal elements victimizing cellphone users. In passing the proposed law on SIM card registration on second reading, the House approved the recommendation of

Brosas also complained about unfunded programs in DepEd such as the construction of some 167,000 classrooms and repairs of at least 149,000 classrooms.

Abalos said like luxury cars, the pur chase of secondhand or reconditioned vehicles, except for aircraft and seacraft, regardless of the source of funds and ap proving authority, is also not allowed. (See full story online at manilastan dard.net)

From A1

He said the procurement of motor ve hicles should be done in the most efficient and economic manner with due consider ation on vehicles that are cost-effective, fuel-efficient, environment-friendly, and at par with improvements and develop ments in the automotive industry and rel evant“Let'stechnology.bewise in choosing our vehicle especially since we have not yet recov ered from the bad economic effects of the COVID-19 pandemic.

due to increases in Metro Manila and Luzon outside Metro Manila (or Balance Luzon), combined with decreases in the Mindanao and Visayas,” SWS said in its report.

Romualdez's co-authors of Bill No. 14 are Reps. Ferdinand Alexander A. Marcos of Ilocos Norte, and Yedda Marie K. Ro mualdez and Jude Acidre, both of Tingog party-list.Senator Grace Poe, chairperson of the Senate on public services, stressed this will deter ill-intentioned scammers and crimi nals from further hiding under the shadow of anonymity."Thisbill is a concrete step towards making our telecommunications and digi tal system a safer environment for all, as had been the hope of the 18th Congress when it previously passed the measure," she added. (See full story online at ma nilastandard.net)

that comes on the heels of Sugar Order No. 1, signed last month but made public just last SO1,Tuesday.alsosigned by the President and the new Sugar Board, allocates the pro jected domestic raw sugar production of 1.88 million metric tons from September 2022 to August 2023 solely for local con sumption.SO2,on the other hand, mandates that sugar traders participating in the import program “shall ensure that their respec tive allocated volumes shall arrive in the Philippines no later than November 15, 2022.”Each participant shall be given one month from Nov. 15 to completely dis tribute their allocations to their respec tive clients for industrial use and/or di rect consumption and submit to the SRA within 30 calendar days written proof of compliance to the actual distribution.

the public, particularly those who are not fully vaccinated, immune-compromised, and senior citizens, to continue wearing face masks whether indoors or outdoors to minimize the risk of getting infected with the virus and stops its further transmission.TheMMDAalso released a memorandum to all its employees emphasizing the need to still strictly adhere to the minimum health protocols. In the memorandum, all employees are urged to wear masks even outdoors for their own protection.

Duterte-Carpio said the classroom shortage could not be solved because the government fails to give sufficient funds while the number of learners continues to increase yearly.

From A1 (percent). By 2024, 5.0 to 5.3 (percent)," Balisacan said.

"It is a state-sponsored monopsony. In other words, all you have to do is to get SRA (Sugar Regulatory Administration) out of the way [and] prices will collapse to P40," he told ANC's "Headstart".

"We have never been in a better posi tion to end the pandemic," he told report ers. "We are not there yet, but the end is in sight."Butthe world needed to step up to "seize this opportunity," he added.

Panel chairman Ako Bicol party-list Rep. Elizaldy Co said he fully supports the proposed P2.31 billion budget of the OVP for next year, the bulk of which will go toward good governance, projects, and socialTheservices.committee also backed the 12 percent increase in the proposed 2023 budget for the DepEd, from P633 billion this year to P710 billion next year.

She said the country must be innovative in dealing with the classroom shortage, noting that learning can be done outside of the Duterte-Carpio,classroom.whohad been adamant about complete face-to-face classes by October, said the administration will invest in “flexible learning.”

its committee on information and com munications technology chaired by Navo tas Rep. Tobias Tiangco to adopt Speaker Romualdez's House Bill (HB) 14 “without amendments” as the mother bill, in consoli dation with 15 other related measures.

“I don’t see any reason for him to betray me. The times are just too different for us to be able to say that you know that he would return to what he was before. And also you see, it’s the time of his life now,” Mr. Marcos said of Enrile, now 98 years

Villanueva asked Balisacan if the government sees the unemployment rate going back to the pre-pandemic level by 2024, to which the NEDA chief answered in the affirmative.

“Traffic enforcers and street sweepers face the risk of acquiring respiratory illnesses in the performance of their duties. To protect their well-being, we highly encourage them to continue wearing face masks because their health is of utmost priority for the agency,” Dimayuga said.

More...

MMDA...

We must be an example to our constit uents in the prudent use of public funds,” the DILG chief said.

End is in sight for —WHOpandemicchief

New...

From A1

Cops...

Sugar importation recently made headlines after the previous SRA board authorized the importation of 300,000 metric tons of sugar, which the Palace said lacked Marcos' approval and was il legal. It also prompted legislative probes and the resignation of several SRA offi cials.The high cost of sugar in the country is a result of a "state-sponsored monopso ny," Albay 2nd District Rep. Joey Salceda saidAWednesday.monopsony is a market situation where there is only one buyer of a prod uct, or there is one buyer that dominates the market and can control the price of a product.According to Salceda, the retail price of sugar, which is being sold in some mar kets at P120 per kilo, is "artificially high".

PBBM...

Sugar prices have soared to almost P100 a kilo at retail outlets in recent weeks due to a supposed supply shortage. According to the SRA’s monitoring report

Speaker Martin G. Romualdez is the principal author of the approved consoli dated bill. A similar measure was first in troduced more than 12 years ago in the 15th Congress.Senators, meanwhile, said the passage

From A1

as of Sept. 2, the retail prices at supermar kets are now at an average of P74.16 for raw sugar, P75.85 for washed, and P94.82 for refined sugar.

Newly reported cases of the disease, which has killed millions since appearing in late 2019, last week fell to the lowest level since March 2020, said WHO chief Tedros Adhanom Ghebreyesus.

Vergeire said that wearing of face masks was “still our default” in any public

The President and Agriculture Under secretary Domingo Panganiban signed both SO1 and SO2 along with Alba and SRA board members Ma. Mitzi Magwag and Pablo Azcona.

SWS:...

“That’s fake news, the claim saying she’s using a chopper bound to Davao City on a daily basis. VP Sara Duterte now lives in Manila, with her family, even her kids are studying here,” Munsayac said.

In a Viber message, OVP Spokesperson Reynold Munsayac debunked the matter, labeling it as fake news, following the Vice President’s birthday greeting to President Ferdinand Marcos Jr. on Tuesday posted on her official Facebook account.

“It’s much too early to lift the mask mandate because we still have a lot of infections,” he said in Filipino in a TeleRadyo interview.

Also on Wednesday, the independent OCTA Research Group said it observed a spike in COVID-19 infections in the province of Pangasinan.

They said the leaking of such informa tion violates the Data Privacy Act.

At present, only SIM cards for postpaid mobile subscriptions are required to be reg istered.

She said she hoped that their risk assessment would lead them to continue wearing masks.

THE number of newly reported CO VID-19 cases have dropped dramati cally, the World Health Organization said Wednesday, urging the world to seize the opportunity to end the pandemic.

At the hearing, Duterte-Carpio defended the P650 million total in confidential funds for the OVP and DepEd.

According to acting SRA Administra tor David John Alba, the Sugar Board passed the importation program to serve both industrial users and consumers in the country."This import program is just a stopgap measure because we expect supply from the mills to flow into the market, as refin eries are expected to be in full operation by next month," he said, adding some lo cal mills have already started milling.

DepEd budget.

Earlier, Department of Health OIC and Undersecretary Maria Rosario Vergeire said optional masking should be done only by “low risk individuals” which does not include senior citizens, people with comorbidities, children, and those who have symptoms of COVID-19.

in 1986, which led to the EDSA People Power Revolution.

Theplace.head of the country’s vaccine expert panel, Dr. Nina Gloriani, said the Philippines has not yet seen stability in the number of COVID-19 cases.

since late evening of Monday, September 12,” he Duringadded.the operation, Abalos said 42 other Chinese nationals were also found and rescued in a Philippine Offshore Gaming Operators (POGO) establishment.Hesaidthe police arrested a suspect, identified as 33-year-old Chen Yi Bien, a human resource manager of a POGO establishment.“Therescued kidnap victim is now undergoing debriefing by the AKG to dig deeper into the circumstances surrounding the kidnapping and to build a strong case against all persons involved in the crime,” Abalos said.

"A marathon runner does not stop when the finish line comes into view. She runs harder, with all the energy she has left. So must we. We can see the finish line. We're in a winning position. But now is the worst time to stop running," he warned.

The number of Filipinos who said their lives improved slightly went down as well by three percentage points from 32% in ThoseApril.who said their lives remained largely unchanged went up by five percentage points from 34% in April.

“At the same time, the 42 rescued POGO workers are undergoing documentation and records verification,” he added.Abalos said he would recommend the closure of the POGO establishment if it is proven that it is involved in illegal activities.“Wewon't just close this down -- we will haul a lot of people behind bars, I assure you that,” he said.

The picture in her FB post showed Duterte-Carpio smiling while seated be side the Bell helicopter with the seal of the Office of the President.

House set to approve SIM card bill

not off the hook yet," Gloriani said in an interview with ANC's "Headstart.”

By Maricel V. Cruz and Macon Ramos-Araneta

OVP: forchopperPresidentialusedonly‘officialwork’

luxury vehicles when the engine displace ment exceeds 2,700 cc, if gasoline-fed or 3,000 cc if diesel-fed and/or with an en gine exceeding four cylinders.

"Nextforce.year, we don't expect a sharp decline in unemployment, but still the number of additional jobs created would be quite significant especially if we continue the progress in opening up the economy," he said. (See full story online at manilastandard.net)

For 2023, Balisacan said they expect more Filipinos, particularly those who will finish the K to 12 program, to join the labor

The second quarter 2022 SWS survey was conducted from June 26 to 29, using face-to-face interviews of 1,500 adults nationwide.Thesampling error margins are ±2.5% for national percentages, ±5.7% each for Metro Manila, the Visayas, and Mindanao, and ±4% for Balance Luzon.

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NEDA...

The allegations surfaced online after Duterte thanked the chief executive for allowing her to fulfill both her official and maternal duties by lending her a 250th Presidential Airlift Wing (PAW).

Co also congratulated Duterte-Carpio and the entire DepEd team for the successful resumption of face-to-face classes after two years of online classes as a result of the COVID-19 pandemic.

The SRA, an attached agency of the Department of Agriculture, is tasked to issue permits for the importation of sugar.

“They wanted to bring down the government through violent means so

“Thank you, PBB, and your 250th PAW (presidential airlift wing) for en suring that wherever I may be found in the country during the day, I am home in time to tuck my children to bed. Thank you for putting a premium on the desire of a working mother to be present in her children’s lives,” the VP said in her greet ing to Mr. Marcos. (See full story online at manilastandard.net)

It also noted that the figure is still 20 points below the pre-pandemic level of “very high” +18 recorded in December 2019.

Luxury vehicles include cars with an engine displacement exceeding 2,500 cc, if gasoline-fed or 3,500 cc if diesel-fed

THE Office of the Vice President (OVP) refuted on Wednesday accusations and remarks circulating online about Vice President Sara Duterte-Carpio’s alleged daily use of a presidential chopper to and from her hometown of Davao City.

De Grano denied that the Philippines has almost attained a socalled "wall of immunity" against the virus after more than 72 million Filipinos received a second completed dose of the vaccine.

Under Executive Order No. 3, wearing of face masks in open spaces and non-crowded outdoor areas with good ventilation is now optional or voluntary provided that physical distancing will be observed at all times.

Dr. Jose Rene de Grano, president of the Private Hospitals Association of the Philippines, Inc, said COVID-19 remains a threat with 2,000 to 3,000 infections being recorded per day. The number does not include people who might be infected but do not take antigen or RT-PCR tests despite COVID symptoms, he added.

Mr. Marcos, however, claimed that this side of history was barely taught in schools because it is the winners' interpretation of them that prevails, particularly that of the “opposition”.

She said the country needs to think outside the box when it comes to education.

Newsmst.daydesk@gmail.com A2

It was the death of Senator Benigno “Ninoy” Aquino, Jr., chief opposition leader, that became a contributing factor in galvanizing opposition to the Marcos Sr. “Becausegovernment.the victors write history, don’t they? It is the victors in a conflict that will write history. The government fell, so the victors wrote this history and that’s what is being taught in schools and that’s what you heard and learned,” the President said. (See full story online at manilastandard.net)

HE House of Representatives on Wednesday approved on second reading a bill requiring the registration of all postpaid and prepaid mobile phone Subscriber Identify Module (SIM) cards to lessen mobile phone-enabled illegal activities.

"Wear masks. This is more important, better protection against not only COVID but other respiratory diseases," he said in a mix of Filipino and English.

"We would like to present to you our plans for the succeeding years… and that is to invest heavily in flexible learning options. Of course, we will still pursue the building of classrooms... but we will innovate and look for other solutions," Duterte-Carpio said.

DILG...

Co noted that in less than 100 days, the OVP has launched programs on burial assistance, medical assistance and free bus rides.

For example, sugar can be bought at P16.67 per kilo in Thailand, the solon added."World sugar prices are coming down, but domestic prices are rising and the dif ferential has been growing," Salceda said, adding the country has a 400,000 metric ton shortage of sugar this year.

"I have been saying this all along. For as long as we have people going out, transmitting the infection, the mutation of this virus continues, and we expect the emergence of variants. So, we are

Agencies, departments, and LGUs are judged based on four criteria of accountability: performance results, process results, ﬁnancial results, and citizen/client satisfaction results.

This was disclosed by NBI director Medardo De Lemos during a House Justice committee hearing that inquired about the bureau’s accomplishments and administrative agenda.

De Lemos assured Barzaga that the NBI has taken steps to address this concern.

MAKATI City hall employees will be receiving an additional bonus this year as a reward “for their exemplary work and dedication as civil servants, ”Mayor Abigail Binay said on Wednesday.

He said the SOSIA, in coordination with police districts in the National Capital Region and other police regional ofﬁces in areas with POGO operations, is also directed to inspect all private security personnel in these establishments, including watchmen, security guards, and protective agents or bodyguards.

Malacanang released earlier the list of the appointed Members of Parliament (MPs) of the Bangsamoro Transition Authority (BTA).

Numerous former or alleged conﬁdential agents have been implicated in

“The performance-based bonus for city hall employees is well-deserved.

x x x”

During the hearing, De Lemos also batted for more powers for the bureau under the NBI Modernization Law of 2016.

ments of the Presidential Security Group (PSG) briefed members of the BTA Parliament and ofﬁcials on the security and diplomatic protocols that are normally in place during a presidential visit.

A SEQUEL to the coffee-table book about the booming megacity of Paranaque will be launched at 3 p.m. today at the Forum, Solaire Resorts & Casino in Parañaque city.

marked that conﬁdential agents were not part of the NBI’s organic structure.

CHAPTER III Meetings Of The Commission

the Committees “SECTION 1.

Book on Parañaque to be launched today

“I have directed the PNP Civil Security Group (CSG) and the Police Regional Ofﬁces to conduct an inventory and accounting of all private protective agents providing security services as ‘bodyguard’ to some VIPs (very important persons), including foreigners engaged in business activities in the country,” PNP chief Gen. Rodolfo Azurin Jr. said in a statement.

POLICE have rescued a Malaysian woman who was kidnapped and held for ransom by a ChineseMalaysian national and his Filipino accomplice, the Philippine National Police (PNP) said on Wednesday.PNPchief Gen. Rodolfo Azurin Jr. identiﬁed the suspects as Justine Alaraz, 28, and Chan Yong Howe,Azurin29.said the victim, Lim Voon Phei, 35, arrived in Manila on Sept. 9 and was supposed to meet a certain Jerry whom she knew on a datingHowever,app. she was met by one of the suspects at the airport and took her to a house in Carmona, Cavite where she was detained.

Binay said Makati was the “only local government unit in Metro Manila” that has been qualiﬁed to receive a performance-based bonus (PBB) from the national government.

force

RULES OF THE STANDING COMMITTEES

COTABATO CITY—President Ferdinand Marcos, Jr. will grace today’s opening of the Second Bangsamoro Parliament here.

The Ofﬁce of the Solicitor-General of the Bangsamoro Autonomous Region in Muslim Mindanao (Sol-Gen BARMM) conﬁrmed that the President has reappointed MP Ahod Al-Hadj Murad B. Ebrahim as BTA chief minister.

Cops save Malaysiankidnappedwoman

of the LGU’s targets and commitments for the ﬁscal year. It was introduced in 2012 to reward and encourage exemplary performance among public servants.

The President has appointed 41 MPs among nominees of the Moro Islamic Liberation Front (MILF), and 39 MPs nominated by the Philippine Government through the Ofﬁce of the Presidential Adviser on the Peace Process, Reconciliation and Unity (OPPAPRU).

Cavite Rep. Elpidio Barzaga, Jr. re-

Nineteenth Congress FIRST REGULAR SESSION

News A3THURSDAY, SEPTEMBER 15, mst.daydesk@gmail.com2022

By Willie Casas

Mr. Marcos will address the Second Parliament of the Bangsamoro Transition Authority (BTA) which now has new appointees joining other ﬁrst-term members who have been reappointed by the President during ceremonies in Malacañang on

ARTICLE of MEETINGS AND NOTICES.

Each Committee shall hold meetings, on such days, times, and places as may be determined by the Chairman or by at least one-third (1/3) of the members of the Committee in coordination with the Committee on Rules and Resolutions while Congress is in session or during any voluntary recess. Notice, together with the agenda of such meeting, shall be given at least FIVE (5) DAYS in advance to every member of the Committee UNLESS MAJORITY OF THE MEMBERS OF THE COMMITTEE AGREES FOR A SHORTER PERIOD. “x x x” “Notice, together with the agenda of such meeting, shall be given at least FIVE (5) DAYS in advance to every member of the Committee through electronic means UNLESS MAJORITY OF THE MEMBERS OF THE COMMITTEE AGREES FOR A SHORTER PERIOD.” LUISAdopted,RAYMUND “LRAY” F. VILLAFUERTE JR. Majority Floor Leader Chairman, Committee on Rules and Resolutions Commission on Appointments RAMON N. GUICO JR. Vice CommissionChairmanon Appointments JUAN MIGUEL “MIGZ” F. ZUBIRI CommissionChairman on Appointments The Amendments to The New Rules of the Commission on Appointments and Its Standing Committees were adopted on 07 September 2022. MYRA MARIE D. VILLARICA CommissionSecretary on Appointments(MS-SEPT.14, 2022) LUIS RAYMUND RAMON Chairman

THE NEW RULES OF THE COMMISSION

August 12.

Ofﬁcials said part of the ceremonies slated for the inaugural session would be amass oathtaking of the BTA Parliament members.Manyof the MPs expected the President to administer their oath of ofﬁce.

The Parañaque city government and Media Touchstone Ventures, Inc. will lead the launching for the 304-page coffee-table book titled ”Parañaque: A Mega City by the Bay.”

Hedirector.likewise asked Congress to increase the NBI’s clearance fund from P150 million to P300 million to boost the agency’s modernization efforts.

He also proposed that only the NBI director and the two deputy directors should be appointed by the President, while other personnel should be appointed by the Justice Secretary and the NBI

“We have directed all the conﬁdential agents who were issued Ids before to surrender the same to the NBI,” he said.

Initially designated as NBI ofﬁcer-incharge in July, De Lemos was appointed NBI director in August.

THE Philippine National Police (PNP) on Wednesday said it will go after unauthorized security personnel of the Philippine Offshore Gaming Operators (POGO) and other areas that have become notorious for violence and other illegal activities.

The announcement was released by the Inter-Agency Task Force on the Harmonization of National Government Performance Monitoring, Information, and Reporting Systems. A total of 366 LGUs nationwide are eligible to receive the PBB for ﬁscal year 2021.

Appointees SECTION 24. INFORMATION OR DOCUMENTS REQUIRED OF NOMINEES OR APPOINTEES. “x x x” “Failure to substantially comply with the submission of the documentary requirements upon the expiration of the PRESCRIBED period shall be a ground for the rejection of the nomination or appointment.” “x x x”

This prompted then-Justice Secretary Vitaliano Aguirre II to direct the NBI to conduct an inventory of its conﬁdential agents.In2012, then-Justice Secretary Leila de Lima also ordered the NBI to revoke and recall IDs, appointments and badges issued to conﬁdential agents, consultants and civilian security volunteers.

IV Meetings

He said the NBI, apart from the Office of the President and the DOJ, should be authorized to conduct a direct investigation on issues that are of public interest.

AMBASSADORS IN A ROW. The Consular Corps of the Philippines headed by Dean Sergio Ortiz-Luis, Jr., who’s also the Honorary Consul General of Romania, hosted a welcome fellowship dinner for the new ambassadors at Conrad Hotel. Photo shows Ortiz-Luis, (center) with the new eight ambassadors (from left) Marco Clemente of Italy, Argentina, Ricardo Luis Bocalandro of Argentina, Tull Traisorat of Thailand, MaryKay Carlson of the United States, Annika Thunborg of Sweden, Phan Peuv of Cambodia, Niyazi Evren Akyol of Turkey, and Ahmed Shehabeldin Ibrahim Abdullah of Egypt.

By Nash Maulana

Mayor Binay said that more than the monetary value of the bonus, she was glad that Makati has been recognized as a model LGU in terms of good governance and public service.

“Protection agents must be covered by an Authority to Deploy Protection Agents issued by the Chief PNP (valid for one year) or the TDO (The Director for Operations) which is valid for up to six months and SDDO issued by CSGSOSIA,” Azurin clariﬁed.

“The appropriate complaint against the suspects was already referred to the proper authority and with the identiﬁcation of the majority of them, this case is considered as cleared,” National Capital Region Police Ofﬁce (NCRPO) chief Brig. Gen. Jonnel Estomo said in a separate statement.

“This is a strong validation of our efforts to promote clean, honest, and efﬁcient government. We will continue to uphold these values as we work towards making Makati an inclusive, livable, and sustainable city for all,” Binay

To qualify for the grant, the LGU must attain a total score of at least 70 points, and achieve at least a rating of 4 for at least three criteria based on the PBB scoring system.

the

“When the new Secretary of Justice (Remulla) assumed office, he directed us to recall all confidential agents. So as of the moment, technically and legally, we have no confidential agents,” De Lemos said.

De Lemos said the NBI will submit a letter detailing his proposals to the committe

mindful of the enumerated criminal violations under the different laws in the country, we would like to increase the same considering that some of these jurisdictions have been removed from the NBI,” De Lemos told the lawmakers.

The Commission on Appointments, during its Plenary Session on 07 September 2022, approved the following amendments to the New Rules of Commission and Its Standing Committees, to read as follows:

“SECTION 10. PLACE OF MEETING AND QUORUM. The Commission shall meet at either the session hall of the Senate or the House of Representatives upon the call of the Chairman x x THE NOTICE, TOGETHER WITH THE AGENDA OF SUCH MEETING, SHALL BE GIVEN AT LEAST FIVE (5) DAYS IN ADVANCE TO EVERY MEMBER OF THE COMMISSION UNLESS MAJORITY OF THE MEMBERS OF THE COMMISSION AGREES FOR A SHORTER PERIOD. case of declared national emergency, majeure, and other unforeseeable events

This is a nod to our hardworking and dedicated public servants who have always put the interests of our constituents ﬁrst. I am proud of what we have achieved and I am conﬁdent that we will continue to do our best to serve the people of Makati,” Binay said.

Thesaid.PBB is a top-up bonus given to employees based on their contribution to the achievement

He is the agency’s most senior ofﬁcer, having served for 37 years.

NBI recalls all confidential agents PNP to go POGObodyguardsunauthorizedafterofoperators

Barzaga expressed concern that there are individuals who could be introducing themselves as NBI confidential agents to local officials and law enforcement operatives, using identification cards issued by the agency.

A veteran writer and publisher, Melandrew Velasco, authors the sequel to the previous book “From Pueblo to Mega City by the Bay.” He has authored 42 books among them historical biographies, institutional coffeetable books and books for local government units.

By Joel E. Zurbano

Azurin said as a general rule, licensed protective agents must be covered by Special Duty Detail Order (SDDO) from the PNP’s Supervisory Ofﬁce for Security and Investigation Agencies (SOSIA), authorizing them to carry ﬁrearms and perform bodyguard duties for civilians.

WHERE THERE’S SMOKE. Thick black smoke bellows from a burning residential house in Manila. AFP

Manila Standard TODAY REPUBLIC OF THE PHILIPPINES COMMISSION ON APPOINTMENTS

crimes, among them, Jerry Omlang, a former NBI volunteer who admitted involvement in the killing of South Korean Jee Ick-joo in 2017.

The crackdown comes on the heels of a video that went viral, showing a shooting and stabbing incident involving two groups of Chinese nationals backed by Filipino bodyguards at an apartment building in Marina Bay, Barangay Don Galo, Parañaque City last July 22.

Makati city hall workers get added bonus for job well done

“With the use of an internet chat application, the victim was able to send messages to her family asking for 26,000 Malaysian Ringgit (roughly P300,000) in ransom for her release. At the same time, she was able to send descriptions of her captors and the vehicle used by the suspects,” Azurin said.

All Nominees

Through this information, members of the PNP’s anti-kidnapping group and the Aviation Security Group (AVSEGROUP) intercepted the vehicle used by the suspects and rescued the victim in an operation at the Ninoy Aquino International Airport Terminal 1 in Pasay City on Monday.

In closed-door meetings, ele-

HE National Bureau of Investigation (NBI) on Wednesday said it has recalled all conﬁdential agents as directed by Justice Secretary Jesus Crispin Remulla.

PBBM to open 2nd Bangsamoro Parliament

“On our legislative agenda, we would like to propose amendments to our new charter. First, in the area of jurisdiction,

“During my watch, I have never issued a conﬁdential ID to anyone,” De Lemos told the House panel.

IN BRIEF

CHAPTER VI Mandatory Requirements For Or

On Wednesday, Manila and regional ofﬁcials also met with journalists on security and accreditation for media coverage.

ALBAY

DOH reports 1,770 leptospirosis cases, 36% higher than ‘21

Almeda added that the Luzon grid is currently “running normal,” GMA News reported.Senate Energy panel chair Senator Raffy Tulfo in the said hearing asked if the consuming public can expect outages in the next few days. Almeda said that the Red Alert status experienced on Sep tember 12 “are normal disturbances.”

FINANCE Secretary Benjamin Diok no yesterday clarified that the govern ment’s “targeted” financial assistance should continue, but not the general “ayuda” given by the government un der the Bayanihan 1 and 2 laws.

Wednesday.plenaryRemullaJesusJusticeAbalosSecretaryLocalofappointmentstheInteriorandGovernmentBenjaminJr.andSecretaryCrispinduringitssessionon

Manny Palmero

THE Sandiganbayan has turned down the motion for reconsideration filed by former justice secretary Hernando “Nani” Perez and his brother-in-law, businessman Ramon Arceo, asking the court to stop state lawyers from present ing more evidence in the forfeiture case against them.

METER INSPECTION.

“So I just like to clarify with Secre tary Diokno if my interpretation is cor rect that we don’t want dole outs, but the targeted can be an effective tool?” CayetanoCayetanosaid.stressed that if the gov ernment will target the right fami lies and the right businesses such as sari-sari stores, eateries as well as the public utility vehicle drivers, the assistance can be an “effective tool” for recovery.

By Macon Ramos-Araneta

He disclosed that he has started instituting drastic reforms that are intended to improve the condition of services in the justice sector.

Diokno was quizzed during a Senate briefing of the Development Budget Coordination Committee (DBCC), particularly by Senator Alan Peter Cayetano who noted Diokno’s state ment at the House of Representatives that “the giving out of ayuda in relation to the pandemic is already a waste of public funds.”

“I brought up the concern about having stranded ARB lands due to non-payment of amortization during discussions of the first Land Administration and Management Project (Exec. Dir. of LAMP was then Asec. Mylene Garcia-Albano, our former colleague),” he said.

Meralco lineman examine the electric hanging meters at a post along Quezon Ave in Quezon City. The power provider has announced an increase in its power rates this month due to higher fuel costs and a weaker peso.

THE Supreme Court (SC) has ap proved the exemption of Bar exam iners and personnel who will be en gaged in the conduct of the 2022 Bar examinations this November from the Mandatory Continuing Legal Education (MCLE) requirements for lawyers.Lawyers are required to complete at least 36 credit hours of continuing legal education activities every three years to enhance their knowledge and be updated on issues regarding the legal profession.TheSC said the move was based upon the recommendation of As sociate Justice and 2022 Bar Exams Committee Chair Alfredo Benjamin Caguioa.“Now, therefore the Court resolved that Bar Examiners and Bar Personnel engaged in the 2022 Bar examinations are granted MCLE exemption under Rule 7, Section 3 of Bar Matter No.850 as follows: Bar Examiners are exempt ed for one compliance period, mem bers of the Office of the Bar Chairper son are exempted for one compliance period, and other Bar Personnel are exempted for one compliance period if they render actual service for four Bar examination days, or partial credits of nine units for each Bar examination day that they render actual service,” the SC en banc resolution stated.

PNP needs 5k body cameras to comply with SC directive

SC exempts ’22 Bar workers from MCLE lawyer requirements

By Macon Ramos-Araneta

The case seeks the recovery of $2 mil lion which the late Manila congressman Mark Jimenez claimed was received by Perez from him in 2001 in exchange for being excluded in the plunder charges against then President Joseph Estrada.

Salceda recalled that as early as February 2003, he was already argu ing for condonation of agrarian re form debts.

Salceda, chair of the House ways and means committee, gave the assess ment during his sponsorship speech of the New Agrarian Emancipation Act, President Marcos’s flagship measure for the condonation of unpaid amortiza tion and interest payments on some 1.18 million hectares of agrarian reform land. “CARP without adequate support ser

“Then in May 2007, the PGMA cabinet formed a task force to study PCOS propos al to condone ARB loans. In March 2020, our ARISE economic stimulus package included a provision on ARB debt condo nation but was not considered in final Bay anihan law,” he said, adding that this was before President Marcos declared condona tion state policy in his first State of the Na tion Address (SONA).

vices and with limited capital or entrepre neurship among farmer-beneficiaries is shown to have reduced agricultural pro ductivity in CARP lands by as much as −34.1 percent compared to baseline. This has resulted in almost P418 billion in lost productivity for all CARP lands every year (for the 10.3 million hectares of CARP land),” Salceda wrote.

The tribunal said procedural lapses may be allowed by courts under the rules for “the full ventilation of the merits of the case” which it said, “would give more efficacy to the constitutional mandate (of the Sandiganbayan) on the accountabil ity of public officers and employees”.

IN BRIEF

AID TO FIRE VICTIMS. Quezon City District 1 (QCD1) Representative Arjo Atayde joins forces with the Department of Social Welfare and Development (DSWD) and Quezon City Mayor Joy Belmonte in aiding the victims of the recent fire in 224 Don Manuel, Barangay Balingasa. The fire incinerated the homes of 700 families on

through the powerful CA while Laguesma was bombarded with ques tions by opposition Sen. Risa Hon tiveros on his alleged partiality to the cause of workers and the labor sector.

A4 THURSDAY, SEPTEMBER 15, 2022 News

Senate Majority Leader Joel Villanue va said the government should look into the cause of the simultaneous, forced, and unplanned outages of several power plants in the Luzon Grid.

He said this led to the “Red Alert” in power supply and the rotating brown outs. He also lamented that this hap pened despite the assurance from the Department of Energy. He added that the Executive branch can initiate short-term adjustments to prevent similar shortages from happening in the next year or so.

THE Department of Health (DOH) on Wednesday said 1,770 cases of leptospirosis were logged from Janu ary 1 to August 27 of this year.

THE Commission on Appointments (CA) on Wednesday confirmed the ad interim appointment of Justice Sec. Crispin Remulla and Interior Sec. Benhur Abalos, but put on hold the confirmation of Labor Secretary Benjamin Laguesma due to lack of materialRemullatime.and Abalos breezed

In a statement, the DOH said this is 36 percent higher compared to the reported cases in the same period last year with 1,299 cases recorded.

From July 31 to August 27, the Health Department said 327 cases were recorded. The NCR, Davao Re gion, and Western Visayas had the highest number of cases during that period.TheDOH said 244 fatalities were recorded. Meanwhile, Cagayan Val ley, Bicol Region, Central Visayas, Eastern Visayas, Davao Region, and Cordillera Administrative Region have breached the “alert and epidem ic threshold” within the past morbid ity weeks from July 31 to August 27.

Diokno insists ‘ayuda’ waste of public funds

tion of justice.”

Sen. Sonny Angara cited the need to incentivize and hasten the building of new power plants, while Sen. Win Gatchalian recalled that the DOE under the past administration gave eight solu tions to address “Red Alert” or brown outs. Macon Ramos-Araneta and Alena Mae S. Flores

NGCP exec says no rotational outages despite ‘red alert’

Avito Dalan

Solon: Agri sector losing P418b due to lack of support, capital

Sandigan declines motion by Perez lawyers

CA clears Remulla, Abalos; Laguesma on hold

Facing the Justice and Judicial and Bar Council presided by Sen. Fran cis Tolentino, Remulla guaranteed that he is a man of action, who is “willing to ignite several reforms for the improvement of the administra

The Commission on Appointments led by Senate President Juan Miguel Zubiri confirmed

The anti-graft court’s Third Division, in a resolution dated Sept. 9, has denied the motion for reconsideration filed by the accused’s lawyers last month ques tioning Sandiganbayan’s July 28, 2022 ruling to allow state lawyers to present additional evidence in the case, which the defense said had been filed beyond the period allowed by the rules.

September 8

“According to our chief, we have a lack, siguro mga 5,000 body cameras pa po ang kulang namin (perhaps we lack around 5,000 body cameras),” Abalos said, when asked by Senator Risa Hontiveros during a Commission on Appoint mentsAbalos,hearing.quoted in a GMA News report, also said the purchase of body cameras will be done in phas es considering that it would require hugeThefunding.police organization said it would need 33,000 to 34,000 bodyworn cameras to cover all the po lice units in the country, with 16 of the device per police station.

APPOINTEES.CONFIRMED

THE Philippine National Police (PNP) needs an estimated 5,000 body cameras to comply with the directive of the Supreme Court (SC), Department of the Interior and Local Government (DILG) Secretary Benhur Abalos said.

Rep. Joey Sarte Salceda, chair of the House ways and means committee disclosed that the country’s agricultural sector is losing P418 billion annually due to the lack of sup port, capital, and capacity among agrarian reform beneficiaries who farm some 10.3 million hectares of land distributed under the Com prehensive Agrarian Reform Program.

The state lawyers’ pieces of evidence consist of a request for authentication

Rey E. Requejo

sent by former Ombudsman Conchita Carpio Morales in 2012 to then Depart ment of Foreign Affairs (DFA) secretary Albert del Rosario and communications between the prosecution and DFA assis tant secretary Jaime Victor Ledda.

THERE are no indications that rotation al power outages can be expected in the next few days following the placing of the Luzon Grid under “Red Alert,” which triggered rotating power interruptions in severalNationalareas.Grid Corporation of the Phil ippines (NGCP) CEO Anthony Alm eda made the comment during a Senate Committee on Energy hearing.

“It is a commitment that I make before you and our people that are stand by the rule of law and exercise, nothing but the rule of law, as I lead the Department of Justice, and it’s at tached procedure,” he said.

By Maricel V. Cruz

Willie Casas

Among the regions with the most leptospirosis cases were National Capital Region (NCR), Western Visayas, and Cagayan Valley, ac cording to the DOH.

The operations of these vehicles must be more orderly than it currently is.

Despina Mogogiannis said her refugee mother and grandmother met with an “icy” welcome in Athens.“We have always been perceived as the ‘seed of Turks’ in whom mainland Greeks could not have complete confidence,” the 72-year-old told AFP.Her grandmother, whose husband was killed and whose six-month-old daughter died on the journey to Greece, “always believed that she would return home. She kept the key to her house until her death,” said Mogogiannis, fighting back tears.“This story has troubled me all my life, my children too. Four generations have borne the weight of this tragedy,” she added. AFP

By Marina Rafenberg

In this manner, political parties may opt to choose in a convention a highly popular presi dential candidate regardless of experience or par ticular expertise, and team him up with a highly capable vice president cum prime minister. This will nurture party discipline as well as political maturity.

Another step the MMDA should do which I strongly recommend – while waiting for the five months TRO zone – is for the MMDA Chair man, with a team maybe from DOTr to make ar rangements with the Brazilian Embassy, to visit the city of Curitiba in Brazil.

To keep memories alive, the Christian refu gees from Asia Minor often gave their new set tlements in Greece the names of their old home

According to the agency, the govern ment has been forced to resort to the ex treme measure because most of those who availed themselves of the program were not able to get jobs after graduation, there fore could not make enough money to pay off their loans.

Across the Aegean Sea in Turkey, the same momentous events are cause for celebration, marked by Armed Forces Day on August 30 that hails the creation of modern Turkey.

The Senate will be composed of 34 members, two each representing their administrative re gion. This was an idea proposed by 2022 presi dential candidate Isko Moreno Domagoso and Cebu Rep. Pablo John Garcia.

whose grandmother fled the killing and destruc tion with eight children in tow.

gram.”Werecall

NO.Did Sebastian go beyond the authority grant ed to him by Malacanang as Agriculture Secre tary PFM Jr’s COS and SRA Chairman’s repre sentative? NO.

Given our current situation, with voter education quite sparse, dynasties entrenched all over, and the lack of ‘mature’ political parties, I vote for retention of the presidential form of government

I suspect, however, that this new study was affected by the pandemic due to the long lock downs in major cities around the world.

So for the first time in our political history, there will be two senators elected by the people

The GSIS loan program has a term of 10

This study is saying that 98 hours or about four days are lost to traffic every year in the NCR which to me is too low.

that back in 2020, the state pension fund Government Service Insur ance System (GSIS) opened a P20-billion study-now, pay-later loan program for the college education of children of GSIS members.Thiswas intended to help families fac ing hard times because of the effects of the COVID-19 pandemic to continue the edu cation of their college-level children.

If we prefer a presidential system similar to the present, I propose that the VP, elected in tan dem with the president, be automatically Senate President, similar to the US model. Not a mere spare tire, and at the mercy of the president’s ap pointive power in his Cabinet.

So great was the upheaval that in 1928 a fifth of Greece’s population were registered refugees, some 1.22 million people.

Fall guys to prove what? Nothing.

We already have a template for this. In 1980, then President Ferdinand Marcos Sr. established the Metro Manila Transit Corporation and re duced bus ownership by forming 10 bus coop eratives with specific assigned routes, thereby eliminating destructive competition that is going on Itnowadays.workedpretty well then because the govern ment had control of public transportation unlike the way it is Unfortunately,today.this program was eliminated by the new administration after 1986. This is the reason why we now have hundreds of bus com panies operating in the NCR.

towns, adding the prefix “nea” for “new”, such as Nea Smyrni or Nea Filadelfia.

Sen. Risa Hontiveros is right, when she called Sebastian et al. mere “fall guys.”

With Erdogan and his officials questioning the sovereignty of some of Greece’s Aegean islands as well as the Lausanne Treaty, Greco-Turkish relations are at their lowest point in three decades.

pay their loans?”

Team work, not the current system of “checks and balance” kuno, where the VP merely waits for the president to die or resign, factually or “constructively” (as in the Supreme Court deci sion on Erap and GMA).

Let us simplify the choices, like our favorite sabong past-time of choosing between the mer on and wala, or cara y cruz, or the pula’t puti of the carnivals of yore.

NCR, 8th most congested Metro

“A hundred years ago, the body of our nation lost a precious part,” Prime Minister Kyriakos Mitsotakis said this weekend as the country prepared to mark the Asia Minor Di saster — a trauma so raw many simply call it theAs“Catastrophe.”theOttoman Empire crumbled at the end of World War I, the Greek army took parts of Anatolia that the Byzantines had lost to the Turks 500 years before.

In which case I propose a hybrid system where the public elects by tandem voting a president and a prime minister, similar to our nationally elected vice president, except that his powers are properly defined.

Across the Aegean Sea in Turkey, the same momentous events are cause for celebration, marked by Armed Forces Day on August 30 that hails the creation of modern Turkey

since I prefer the retention of the presi dential form, I also propose that we go back to the two-party system.

This means the buses, traditional jeepneys, tricycles, taxis and UV vans. These are basically the vehicles that need rationalization so we can put order in the streets.

The loan proceeds are directly paid to the school under the student’s account ev ery semester or trimester until the benefi ciaries finish their courses.

of the Cordillera Autonomous Region, just as the predominant Metro Manila will elect the same number.OurMuslim population will always have two members in the highest policy-making body of government, just as the Warays and Bisaya of Region 9 will have two senators, their first op portunity to be so represented since the time of the late Sen. Decoroso Rosales in the fifties.

stir up hatred between peoples who lived well together.“Tensions are fuelled by leaders. But the peo ple understand and respect each other,” she said. ‘Seed of Turks’ Landing in a country shattered by war and de feat, the Anatolian refugees were ostracized by their fellow Greeks, sheltering in shanty towns on the outskirts of Athens, Piraeus and Thessaloniki and other cities for decades.

Before the 1987 Constitution, we had effec tive and respected congressmen who were elect ed until their deaths, but their constituents kept voting for them.

Up to 400,000 Muslims from Greece were sent the other way.

“After 1922, Greece is no longer the same,” said Glavinas, who has curated a commemora tive exhibition at Technopolis, the city of Athens industrial museum.

Rena Zalma, 74, whose family once lived in Anatolia said Erdogan’s words “can only cause sadness among the descendants of refugees and

The surprise was that there are now seven Metro areas around the world that are more con gested than our own NCR.

As I mentioned in an earlier column, the gov ernment must start thinking in investing funds to provide public road transportation.

As we know, the government relies heavily on private investment to provide public transporta tion but this is one of the causes of the chaotic traffic in the NCR.

That seems to be what the agency has done with its decision to stop its Study Now, Pay Later Program.

Considering the land area of the National Capital Region and population density, 8th is not really the worst place to be if this study is accu rate.Perhaps, what this tells us is that there can still be room for improvement. That is if we really put all our best efforts into it.

Reason: the “extremely low” payment rate for student loans.

Did the government lose a single centavo out of SO 4, where no import permits were granted?

And if no sugar was imported, and govern ment did not lose a single centavo, did Sebastian, Serafica, et al. gain pecuniary benefits? NO, un less the senators or Malacanang can prove that money changed hands.

This is one reason why it is in 8th place now instead of fourth which was its place in the last available traffic congestion study before the pan demic.Aswe have been reading in the past few weeks, the MMDA has been grappling with the problem of traffic congestion.

“The wound remains open,” said Roula,

In that recent study, Istanbul came out the worst with Bogota and Mumbai coming in sec ond and third respectively.

years but it does not require beneficiaries to pay anything in the first five years.

Why, even populous Cebu and Region 7 have no senator since Serge Osmena seven years ago, a political anomaly, just as Caraga (Region 13), has never had one.

But wait. Senator Risa Hontiveros re cently asked the Senate to investigate CHEd for P7 billion “questionable releas es” under Unifast.

To do this, the government should concentrate its attention on public road transportation because that is where the huge part of the problem is.

One of the plans that was supposed to be im plemented to reduce traffic congestion, however, was stopped by the Supreme Court thru a Tem porary Restraining Order.

Maybe they can learn something about how public transportation and land use in that city evolved to what it is today.

The CHEd has stopped the Study Now, Pay Later Program, he said, because it had turned into a “Study Now, Pay Never Pro

As difficult as it is to all, the public has shown remarkable patience which I think is now run ning thin.

We do not know if the GSIS student loan program is succeeding in achieving its ob jectives two years later.

So much so that the Greek parliament will also hold a special session dedicated to the tragedy on Wednesday, the official remembrance day for the Asia Minor Disaster.

language.Again,

The practice of shifting parties, a.k.a. turnco atism, should be absolutely banned.

The president alone will have a term limit of sixAllyears.other elected officials will have no term limits to their similarly six-year elected term of office. This strengthens the party system, just as it prevents family dynasties from perpetuat ing themselves through otherwise incompetent bloodlines.Ifarepresentative is doing well by his con stituents, why replace him as term limits expire?

Greece still reels from its ‘Catastrophe’ a century on

I do not know the methodology used in this study or its accuracy.

If such elections can be held this year, the con vention can organize and begin work as early as January 2023. No Smartmatic machines need be employed. Comelec can do manual voting, where voters need write only four names.

IT WAS Greece’s most disastrous military gam ble that led to massacre and defeat, leaving an open wound in relations with Turkey that festers to this day.

Given our current situation, with voter educa tion quite sparse, dynasties entrenched all over, and the lack of “mature” political parties, I vote for retention of the presidential form of govern ment.Iactually prefer the French semi-parliamenta ry system, where the nationally elected president as head of state retains powers over defense, na tional security and foreign affairs, while day-today affairs are handled by a prime minister from the same party appointed by the president.

Traffic congestion has become a fact of life in the NCR for the past few decades with no signifi cant relief in sight.

After all, what we have right now are virtu ally two coalitions: the pro-administration, and the opposition, the latter having been decimated to virtual insignificance during the term of who ever is elected president.

Thus do we propose this hybrid where the people choose their top leaders, but the party winnows in convention the chaff from the grain.

But even if CHEd has decided to stop its Study Now, Pay Later Program that it concedes has turned into a bottomless money pit for the government, there’s still the P1 billion that it has allocated for cash-strapped students under the Unified Student Financial Assistance System for Tertiary Education or Unifast.

We hope CHEd can adequately explain this.After all, funds intended to help students from poor families finish their studies should be judiciously used in keeping with the constitutional injunction for the State to “establish and maintain a system of scholarship grants, student loan programs and other incentives which shall be made available to deserving students in both public and private schools, especially to the underprivileged.”

A good mayor or governor will have time to implement his programs, and see them through fruition, or plan some more according to re sources, and implement the same.

Kicked out of school for being poor Opinion

If a politician wants to resign from his party for reasons of principle, he will have to apply with the opposing party, or remain an indepen dent, but forfeit the rest of his elected term.

that had lived there for centuries had to flee for theirGreecelives. and Turkey later signed the Treaty of Lausanne to set new borders and carry out the world’s first mass population exchange.

As CHEd chair Prospero de Vera ex plained it during a recent hearing by the Senate Committee on Higher, Technical and Vocational Education: “The payment rate was extremely low. It was less than 10 percent.“The government was unable to col lect because after the students graduate, government has been unable to go after them anymore because if they don’t get jobs after they graduate, how can they

Greece forever changed

instructions, traffic congestion as we are seeing is worsening going back to pre-pandemic level

mst.daydesk@gmail.com THURSDAY, SEPTEMBER 15, 2022 B1

Last Monday, we proposed the election of three to four delegates by regional voting, to comprise a convention of 51 or 68 members purposely to review and revise the 1987 charter.

This year Turkey’s President Recep Tayyip Erdogan has repeatedly hammered at Greece’s painful defeat in speeches designed to shore up support ahead of a difficult re-election bid next year.Athens formally complained to the EU, NATO and the UN last week after Erdogan warned in a speech: “We have one thing to say to Greece: Remember Izmir.”

In one day alone, at least a minimum of one hour is lost by motorists due to traffic congestion in the AndNCR.ifwe multiply that by 280 working days a year, that is about 280 hours lost or about 11 days and not just four days as the study is telling us. Nonetheless, for this article, let us assume that the results of the study are accurate.

The MMDA has not announced whether it would put an interim program in place or wheth er it would just wait for the five months and hope the Supreme Court would allow NCAP to pro ceed.With schools going back to face-to-face in structions, traffic congestion as we are seeing is worsening going back to pre-pandemic level.

IN A recent traffic and transportation congestion study, it came as no shock that Metro Manila was adjudged as the 8th most congested metropolitan area in the world.

Curitiba has been touted by Brazil as its show window in transportation management and still attracts officials from cities all over the world grappling on how to improve their own public transportation.Iamsurethat the trip will be educational and worthwhile for them.

What we do know, based on CHEd’s admission, is that its own loan program has failed miserably as only 10 percent of the recipients of the loan program have defaulted for one reason or another, but quite possibly due to their dire economic circumstances even after graduation.

Now, on to our series.

The average Filipino will want to retain his power to elect the head of state and head of gov ernment, and not delegate the same to his elected representative in Congress or parliament, as in a full parliamentary form.

The NCR, for instance, has had one of the longest lockdowns which unavoidably must have affected whatever congestion study that was made.

“The stories of our grandparents from Asia Minor, the memories of their lost paradise, were our lullabies,” said Roula Chatzigeorgiou, head of the Museum of Hellenism in Asia Minor in Nea Filadelfia, now an Athens suburb.

It is, therefore, fair to say that the President who will be able to significantly improve traf fic flow and public transportation will earn the undying gratitude of the public and earn a just reward.

DID the Commission on Higher Education (CHEd) just slam the door shut on poor students eager to enter college or continue their studies after finishing the K-12 basic education program?

• • •

Now to go to my proposals: First, do we go presidential or parliamentary?

And abolish the party list system, which is a mockery, as presently operationalized, and which will remain so if we retain them.

The majority of our senators are from Metro Manila, though some claim they are descendants of ancestors from other ethno-linguistic parts of the country, even if they are not conversant in the

(To be continued)

But by 1922, Ataturk — the founder of mod ern Turkey — reversed the tide in a stunning counterattack.TheGreek army’s frantic retreat ended with the burning of the coastal metropolis of Izmir — Smyrna to the Greeks — and the massacre of its inhabitants. The prosperous Greek community

The Anatolian refugees — who included the young tycoon-to-be Aristotle Onassis — changed Greece forever, argued historian Gi annis Glavinas, bringing their business acumen, progressive ideas, rembetiko folk music and Anatolian cuisine with them.

The CHEd has stopped the Study Now, Pay Later Program, chair Prospero de Vera said, because it had turned into a ‘Study Now, Pay Never

Let them join any of the two parties, and fight it out in party conventions. Or they can choose to run as independents, minus the campaign fi nancing which we also propose for the two-party system.This is one reason why revising the charter should be done by a convention elected for the purpose, and not by Congress as a constituent as sembly, almost a third of which are current partylistTandemrepresentatives.votingmust likewise be the rule in all executive positions, whether the president and his/her vice president, the governor and his/ her vice-governor, the mayor and his/her vicemayor. Teamwork is always more efficient than the current system of cross-voting.

THIS is our second article on the subject of the 1987 Constitution, and our proposals for politi calButreform.first, to be au courant, let me give short shrift to the Senate Blue Ribbon Committee’s recommendations regarding Sebastian, Serafica, et al.Was a single grain of sugar imported under the scuttled SRA Order 4? NO.

EDITORIALTime to revise the Constitution (2) Published Monday to Sunday by Philippine Manila Standard Publishing Inc. at 6/F Universal Re Building, 106 Paseo de Roxas, corner Perea St., Legaspi Village, Makati City. Telephone numbers 8-5646225 and 8-5646229 (connecting all departments), (Editorial) 832-5554, (Advertising) 832-5550. P.O. Box 2933, Manila Central Post Office, Manila. Website: www.manilastandard.net MEMBER Philippine Press Institute The National Association of Philippine NewspapersPPI can be accessed manilastandard.netat: Former Chief Justice Reynato S. Puno Board Member & Chief Legal Adviser Anita F. Grefal Treasury Manager Baldwin R. Felipe Head—Ad Solutions Edgar M. Valmorida Circulation Manager Emil P. Jurado Chairman Emeritus, Editorial Board ManilaStandard ONLINE Chin Wong/Ray S. Eñano Associate Editors Joyce Pangco Pañares News Editor Jimbo Owen Gulle City Editor Rolando G. Estabillo Publisher Honor Blanco Cabie Opinion Editor Lino M. Santos Chief Photographer

backWithProgram’schoolsgoingtoface-to-face

Honor Blanco Cabie, Editor

Google insisted that downloading rival apps was only a click away and that customers were in no way tied to Google products on Android.

• Monthly Service Fee (MSF) Proration Formula: MSF x { (Remaining days of the month) / (Total Days in the current month) }

“Among the victims, a father was dead and his son was taken to surgery,” he said on Twitter.

In a statement, the EU’s General court said it “largely conﬁrms the commission’s decision that Google imposed unlawful restrictions on manufacturers of Android mobile devices” in order to beneﬁt its search engine.

Crowds gather as Queen’s coffin on display in London

Since then, global regulators have followed suit, with Google facing a barrage of cases in the US and Asia based on similar accusations.

The Android case was the third of three major cases brought against Google by the EU’s competition czar Margrethe Vestager, whose legal challenges were the ﬁrst worldwide to directly take on the Silicon Valley giants.

DITO 5G Home WiFi Postpaid Promos Promo Mechanics: 1. Promo period: September 15, 2022 up to October 15, 2022. 2. DITO 5G Home WiFi Postpaid services may only be offered to the owners and tenants of the NCR residential developments detailed in hereto ANNEXES A and B. Only credit-approved applicants from these areas shall be eligible to apply and subscribe to DITO 5G Home WiFi Postpaid plans. a. Owners and tenants shall be made aware of the DITO 5G Home WiFi Postpaid plans through selling booths in these selected areas, as well as SMS and/or email blasts with the help of these developments’ management offices. b. Interested owners and tenants may apply by submitting their application form and requirements to the selling booths as well as the DITO Experience Stores. c. The list of requirements includes the following: i. Unit Owners: Property Title, Association Due Statement of Account (SOA), Electricity Bill ii. Tenants: Lease Contract (Remaining Lease ≥ 6 Months) iii. Standard Credit Evaluation documents include: - Valid ID, Proof of Billing, Payslip, Employment Certificate, ITR, Audited Financial Statements, SARO (Gov’t. Agencies), Credit Card Statement, Bank Document, SOA from other telcos 3. The DITO 5G Home WiFi Postpaid offers the following: • Inclusive of BONUS DATA for the first 3 months of subscriber’s subscription. • Inclusive of Free three (3)-month HBO Go subscription. • Support DITO Rewards. • Support data rollover. 4. The DITO 5G Home WiFi Postpaid Service shall only be used in the designated address in the subscriber’s approved application, which has been duly vetted by DITO staff or fulfillment partners to be within coverage range of the DITO 5G Network. 5. Once subscribed to any DITO 5G Home WiFi Postpaid plan, monthly data allocation will be replenished based on the subscriber’s billing cycle (example, every 10th of the month). A summary of the billing cycle is below: Activation Period Bill Cut-off PeriodBilling Payment Due Date 1st-5th 5th 6th – 5th30th 6th-15th 15th16th – 15th10th 16th-20th 20th21st – 20th15th 21st-30th/31st30th/31st1st – 31st25th

Six days after her death in Scotland, Queen Elizabeth’s body will be borne on a horse-drawn gun carriage from her Buckingham Palace home to Westminster Hall where she will remain for four days until her funeral on Monday.

“Death toll raised to 10,” Kibrom told AFP via text message, after earlier reporting six killed and more than 10 injured in the two blasts around 7:30 a.m. (0430 GMT).

The government on Wednesday released the map of the full route for the queue, which could snake back up to ﬁve miles (eight kilometers) along the river Thames, terminating in Southwark Park.

The court, however, said the ﬁne should be slightly reduced to 4.125 billion euros ($4.1 billion), instead of the 4.3 billion euros decided by the commission in 2018 after reviewing the duration of theTheinfringement.levyremains the EU’s biggest ever despite Google’s argu-

• 95 % Consumption (DITO App only) • 100 % Consumption (SMS and DITO App) 8. Once the monthly data allocation of a postpaid plan is fully consumed, subscriber will no longer be able to enjoy the service at the committed speed until the next data replenishment based on the subscriber’s billing cycle or once subscriber loads a DITO 5G Home WiFi Postpaid Booster Promo (see item 9). 9. DITO 5G Home WiFi Postpaid plan subscribers may, at any time, avail of the booster promo below: DITO 5G Home WiFi Postpaid Booster Promo (with DITO rewards & data rollover) PRICE DATA ALLOCATION VALIDITY ₱190 20GB 30 days • The Postpaid Booster Promo may be purchased from the Buy Promo section of the DITO App • The Postpaid Booster Promo is valid for 30 days • Multiple stacks can be availed as long as these are supported by subscriber’s credit limit (note: the standard credit limit assigned per subscriber is equal to 1.5 x Monthly Service Fee (MSF) • If multiple Postpaid Booster Promos are availed, the data validity of the older DITO 5G Home WiFi Postpaid Booster Promo will extend to the end of the validity of the newer one • Any Postpaid Booster Promo availments will be charged directly to the subscriber’s monthly bill 10. DITO shall send the subscriber an Electronic Statement of Account (eSOA) free of charge through the valid and active email address provided by the subscriber on upon application. Subscriber shall pay the entire amount billed on or before the due date specified. Subscriber’s failure or refusal to pay the fee, in whole or in part, shall entitle DITO to exercise the right to subscriber’s service without liability on the part of DITO. 11. Data wallet rules for DITO 5G Home WiFi Postpaid are as follows: • Data subscription can be monitored in the DITO APP Data Tracker • There are separate wallets for the DITO 5G Home WiFi Postpaid plans (in Item 3) and the DITO 5G Home WiFi Postpaid Booster Promo (in Item 9) • Unused data from the DITO 5G Home WiFi Postpaid plans can be carried over to the next billing cycle only (i.e. Unused data from July can be carried over to the end of August only) • Data from the DITO 5G Home WiFi Postpaid Booster Promo will be consumed first before the Main Promos (monthly data allocated with the P990, P1,490, P1,990 and P2,490 postpaid plans) 12. Should a subscriber be unable to finish their contract, the subscriber shall either surrender their 5G Home WiFi modem/router for collection or pay a pre-termination fee based on DITO policy: • Pre-termination Fee (PTF) = MSF x remaining number of months 13. Once the contract term ends, the subscriber may choose to voluntarily terminate the service without any penalty, or continue to use the service at the same monthly rate. 1. Data usage may be monitored via the DITO App and myDITO. 2. For any concerns and/or inquiries regarding the promo, information may be sent to customerservice@dito.ph. All matters and disputes will be subject to the final decision of DITO Telecommunity. All decisions made by DITO Telecommunity pertaining to the promo will be deemed final and irrevocable, with the prior concurrence of DTI. (MS-SEPT. 15 2022)

KING Charles III leads a procession of the cofﬁn of his mother Queen Elizabeth II through London on Wednesday before hundreds of thousands of people pay their ﬁnal respects.

The company also pushed the case that the EU was unfairly blind to the strength of Apple, which imposes or gives clear preference to its own services such as Safari on iPhones.

• 90 % Consumption (DITO App

2 dead in Thai Army o ice shooting

Sergeant Major Yongyuth Mungkornkim, a clerk at the Royal Thai Army War College, shot three other soldiers around 8:45 a.m. (0145 GMT), the military said in a statement.

TEN people were killed in a second day of air strikes on Ethiopia’s Tigray region Wednesday, a hospital ofﬁcial said, in attacks that came after authorities there expressed readiness for a ceaseﬁre.

“Google can no longer impose its will on phone makers. Now they may open their devices to competition in search and other services, allowing consumers to beneﬁt from increased choice,” he added.

“The army would like to offer condolences to the families of the deceased soldiers and the wounded. This incident was a loss for both the families and organisation. It is something that wasn’t expected to happen,” deputy army spokesperson Senior Colonel Sirichan Nga-thong said in a statement.

The government has advised people to wear “suitable clothing” and to bring portable battery packs to keep their mobile phones charged—an indication that some people will need to wait overnight for a glimpse of the casket. AFP

WorldTHURSDAY, SEPTEMBER 15, 2022B2 mst.daydesk@gmail.com

• Data Proration Formula: (Data Allocation) x { (Remaining days of the month) / (Total Days in the current month) }

The king and other senior royals are expected to walk in silence behind the hearse as it winds through the capital’s streets and then hold a vigil upon its arrival at the cavernous 12th-century hall in the Westminster parliament complex.

The decision by the General Court is not necessarily the end of the story. Both sides can turn to the EU’s highest court, the European Court of Justice, for a ﬁnal say on the ﬁne, which was the equivalent of $5 billion when levied.

Google loses appeal vs. $4.1b antitrust fine

Last year, South Korea ﬁned Google nearly $180 million for abusing its dominance in a similar case. AFP

CYAN MAGENTA YELLOW BLACK

“The cause and motivation for the incident is under investigation.”

10 killed in twin air strikes on Tigray

Earlier a spokesman for the Tigray People’s Liberation Front (TPLF), which has been ﬁghting Ethiopia’s government for nearly two years, said civilians had been killed and wounded in the strike but did not provide further details.

ON HER MAJESTY’S SERVICE. Police o cers patrol along the Mall ahead of a procession of the co n of Britain’s Queen Elizabeth II from Buckingham Palace to the Palace of Westminster in London on September 14, 2022. Queen Elizabeth II will lie in state in Westminster Hall from Wednesday until a few hours before her funeral on Monday, with huge queues expected to le past her co n to pay their respects. AFP

6. The first billing of the subscriber shall be calculated in proration based on the following calculation rules:

o For example, a subscriber who has subscribed to plan 990 (180GB on their first 3 months, 90GB thereafter) signed up on July 16 but their bill is due on the 21st of each month. Their consumption from July 16 to July 20 will be added to their first monthly bill as follows: 180GB x (5/31) = 29GB. Therefore, an additional 29GB will be charged to their bill on August 21st on top of the 180GB they would have been allocated from July 22 to August 21.

Fasika Amdeslasie, a surgeon at the same hospital, said the ﬁrst bombing injured two women, followed by a second “drone strike on the people gathered to help and see the victims.”

“It’s our duty to say thank you. It’s going to be prayers from the heart. It’s going to be very sombre, quiet and overwhelming.”

IN BRIEF

administration assistant originally from Sri Lanka, who took her place at the head of the queue on Monday evening.

Strict rules and airport-style security measures have been put in place, with “far more” people expected than the 200,000 who ﬁled past the cofﬁn of the queen’s mother when she died in 2002, according to Prime Minister Liz Truss’s spokesman.

In the aftermath of the shooting, police ofﬁcers and soldiers guarded the gates of the facility, part of a large complex of military buildings in the north of the capital. AFP

HE European Union’s second-highest court on Wednesday overwhelmingly upheld the EU’s record ﬁne against Google over its Android operating system for mobile phones, slightly reducing the fee for technical reasons.

The EU and complainants responded that Google used contracts with phone makers in the early days of Android to stiﬂe rivals.

• 80

• 85 % Consumption

The public will be let in from 5:00 p.m. (1600 GMT), with mourners already warned they will face an endurance test in round-the-clock queues.

The 59-year-old tried to ﬂee the scene but surrendered himself around 10 a.m., deputy national police spokesman Kissana Phathanacharoen told reporters.

A THAI soldier killed two people and wounded one other in a shooting at a military facility in Bangkok on Wednesday, police and army ofﬁcials said.

ments that the commission’s case was unfounded and falsely relied on accusations it imposed its search engine and Chrome browser on Android phones.

Manila Standard TODAYNOTICE TO THE PUBLIC

Twin drone attacks hit a residential neighbourhood in the regional capital Mekele, killing 10 people and injuring others, said Kibrom Gebreselassie, a senior ofﬁcial at Ayder Referral Hospital, the biggest in Tigray.

“It’s going to be emotional and I don’t know how I’ll feel going in there as the ﬁrst one,” said Vanessa Nanthakumaran, a 56-year-old

“This shows the European Commission got it right,” said Thomas Vinje, a lawyer representing FairSearch, whose original complaint launched the case in 2013.

o For example, a subscriber who has subscribed to plan 990 signed up on July 16 but their bill is due on the 21st of each month. Their time from July 16 to July 20 will be added to their first monthly bill as follows: P990 x (5/31) = P159.68. Therefore, an additional P159.68 will be charged to their bill on August 21st on top of the P990 they would have been charged from July 22 to August 21. Subscribers will receive SMS and DITO App. notifications once they have reached the following consumption percentages: % Consumption (SMS and DITO App) (DITO App only) only)

AFP

The hearings last week remained fo cused on the pre-bidding aspect of the procurement deal, with several senators raising many questions that require an swers from officials of the DepEd and PS-DBM.

Another LDLA project is benefiting motorists and com muters alike. Its Road Safety Interactive Center for the Land Transportation Office (LTO) utilizes innovations in audio, video and technology to heighten public awareness about road safety, traffic laws and best practices. Another project of LDLA with the LTO is the Information Tech nology Hub aimed at expand ing LTO’s technical database and IT infrastructure to im prove drivers’ training and other aspects of its functions.

8. In support of her Petition, Petitioner attached copies of the following:a.Civil Code of Japan duly translated in English as ANNEX “D” hereof; Certification issued by the City Civil Registry Office of Manila certifying that a divorce certificate between Petitioner and Ito was issued by the of the Consulate of Japan, Pasay City dated January 5, 2012 bearing Certificate No. 1B11-00106-11 has been filed and recorded in the former’s office is likewise hereto attached as ANNEX “E”; Certificate of Acceptance of Notification of Report of Divorce issued by the Philippine Consulate General certifying acceptance of registration purposes and the dissolution of Petitioner’s Marriage respondent through divorce, as ANNEX “F and F-1”; with 9. Article 26 of the Family Code provides: Thus, the Judgment of Dissolution of Marriage having been validly obtained by respondent Ito capacitating him to remarry, the same shall likewise be valid in this jurisdiction, subject to recognition and enforcement by Philippine Courts pursuant to Section 48, Rule 39 of the Rules of Court, to wit: Pursuant to the Philippine Statistics Authority Memorandum Circular No. 2007-2008, Judgments/orders

Analie MatobatoPlaintiff,Bellen,Spec.

Butpriority.heacknowledged Tuesday that it will take longer to slow inflation pres sures.“Today’s data show more progress in bringing global inflation down in the US economy. Overall, prices have been es sentially flat in our country these last two months,” Biden said in a statement. AFP

A SENATE investigation normally fer rets out possible anomalies or irregulari ties in government transactions. It delves into the circumstances that may have led to overpriced contracts and possible mis use of public funds.

The United States and other econo mies have been battling sky-high price increases for months, with US yearly inflation hitting a 40-year high of 9.1 percent in June.

following dates:Friday,

DepEd officials present during the last hearing, meanwhile, stressed that the laptops delivered to the teachers did not consist of the units alone. The pro curement involved add-ons, such as the operating system, security and other soft ware, and nationwide technical support covering a three-year period. The pro curement also included a condition that the supplier provide a replacement laptop if any of the units need repair within the extended warranty period. The supplier held the responsibility of delivering the units nationwide through the DepEd’s re gional offices.

negativelyasUnitedtrackingwithWednesdayslumpedalongtherestofAsia,lossesintheStatesandEuropetradersrespondedtohigher-than-

produce

Kinvs. Gi Ito, The Local Civil Registrar of Pasay City, Civil Registrar General of the Statistics Administration (PSA), Office of the Solicitor General, x------------------------------------------------------------------------xRespondents.

ent firm SM Investments Corp. de clined 2.8 percent to P859.50.

1 SMPH 11,180,400 404,394,385

9 URC 1,337,610 166,363,763

expected US inflation data that raised fears of a prolonged period of interest rate hikes.

Business THURSDAY, SEPTEMBER 15, 2022 || B3 extrastory2000@gmail.com

likewise be valid in this jurisdiction, subject to recognition and enforcement by Philippine Courts pursuant to Section 48, Rule 39 of the Rules of Court, to wit: 11.xxx Pursuant to the Philippine Statistics Authority Memorandum Circular No. 2007-2008, Judgments/orders rendered by foreign courts must be passed upon judicially by Philippines to prove its validity: 12. Petitioner therefore comes before this Honorable Court for the recognition and enforcement of the Decree of Divorce, evidenced by the Divorce Certificate made on the basis of the Official Family Register issued by the Mayor of Kaizu City, Gifu Prefecture, Japan on December 9, 2011 having jurisdiction to issue the same. xxx” Notice

For: In re: Petition for the Recognition of Foreign Judgment (MARRIAGE) CASE IS NOW 79 Days Today - 0.22 Years

2 Respondent LOCAL CIVIL REGISTRAR OF PASAY CITY, is the custodian of all records of birth of persons born in Pasay City, and may be served with notices, orders, and other court processes at Room 114/115, Pasay City Hall, F.B. Harrison Street, Pasay City;

interested

The Senate probe, however, may also inflict harm on the reputation of a person or entity at the center of the controversy, especially if the facts are blurred or the information are lacking during the initial stages of the inquisition. The public may already render judgment on the subject person or company based on the raw and incomplete facts gathered during the course of investigation. Reputations are built overtime but they can be tarnished overnight by impetuous actions.

3 SMC 3,139,330 298,445,239

on the following dates:Friday,

Notice is hereby given that at the Building, Quezon City August 19, 2022 Wednesday,October 05, 2022 Thursday, September 01, 2022 Tuesday, October 18, 2022 all at 9:30 a.m., unless sooner terminated, at which date and time, all persons may and show cause in writing why the petition should not be Cancelled dates will be automatically replaced by the subsequent dates.Let a copy of this Order be published once a week for three consecutive weeks in a newspaper of general circulation in the Philippines chosen by raffle. shall be further sent by registered mail, together with a copy of the petition and its annexes to the last known address of private respondent Local Civil Registrar of Pasay Civil Registrar General of the Philippine Statistics Administration (PSA), Office of the Solicitor General who must file answer or comments within 60 days from receipt thereof or from last date of publication whichever comes earlier. Send also a copy to The Office of the City Prosecutor of QUEZON CITY.

Wall Street shares plunged follow ing the CPI news, with the Dow losing nearly 1,300 points and the S&P 500 falling 4.3 percent on Tuesday.

1.“xxxPetitioner ANALlE MATOBATO BELLEN, is of legal age. Filipino, and a resident of B16, Lot II, Blueridge Avenue, Northwind Subdivision, Novaliches, Quezon City Metro Manila where she may be served with notices, orders and other legal processes of this Honorable Court.

rendered by foreign courts must be passed upon judicially by Philippines to prove its validity: 12. Petitioner therefore comes before this Honorable Court for the recognition and enforcement of the Decree of evidenced by the Divorce Certificate made on the basis of the Official Family Register issued by the Mayor of Kaizu City, Prefecture, Japan on December 9, 2011 having jurisdiction to issue the same. xxx”

slightly in

The data will have dashed hopes of a slowdown in the US Federal Reserve’s campaign of increasing interest rates to cool the overheating economy. With AFP

as high prices continue

10.xxx

c. Certificate of Acceptance of Notification of Report of Divorce issued by the Philippine Consulate General certifying acceptance of registration purposes and the dissolution of Petitioner’s Marriage respondent through divorce, as ANNEX “F and F-1”; with 9. Article 26 of the Family Code provides:

Americans.Theconsumer price index (CPI), a key measure of inflation, actually rose 0.1 per cent in August compared to July, when prices were flat, the Labor Department said Tuesday, a disappointing result amid widespread expectations that inflation would fall in the month.

tion being around eight percent, with a decrease in prices compared with July.

Tokyo led the day’s losses in Asia, with the Nikkei 225 plunging 2.8 per cent.In Hong Kong, stocks closed down more than two percent, with Chinese conglomerate Fosun seeing billions wiped off its value as jittery investors reacted to media reports that the group was under regulator scrutiny.

The public may not have heard of LDLA, but well-known corporate brands in the ICT industry such as Microsoft, Dell, Cisco, FireEye, Darktrace and In formatica have long been teaming up with the firm in executing its moderniza tionLDLAprojects.continues to make its mark in the industry through ambitious projects such as the Smart Campus of the Min danao State University (MSU). Over 10,000 students and almost 5,000 teach ers have benefited from the ICT mod ernization program of MSU, fueled by LDLA’s innovative digital solutions and distribu tion of almost 20,000 com puters for the project.

ORDER The Petitioner Analie Matobato Bellen filed the instant petition for In re: Petition for the Recognition of Foreign Judgment on April 11, 2022, praying, “after due notice, publication and hearing, that judgment be rendered xxx 1. Recognizing the Divorce declaring the dissolution of Marriage between ANALIE MATOBATO BELLEN and KINJI ITO; and 2. Ordering the respondents Local Civil Registrar of Pasay City and the Civil Registrar General - Philippine Statistics Authority to recognize the said judgment and accept it for registration in their offices.”

Inflation has become a hot political is sue just weeks away from key midterm congressional elections, and Biden has made fighting high prices his top domes tic

CYAN MAGENTA YELLOW BLACK

4 BDO 2,101,220 266,346,180

the petition should not be granted. Cancelled

STOCKS

REPUBLIC OF THE PHILIPPINES TRIAL COURT CAPITAL JUDICIAL REGION BRANCH 98, QUEZON CITY 0920266rtc1qzn098@judiciary.gov.ph8365(02)8518-0393

Petitioner alleged that:

FERDINAND T. RAFANAN Acting Presiding Judge Copy Publicfurnished:Atty.Jeffrey Ontangco (Defense Counsel) 6th Floor, Office of the City Prosecutor, Justice Cecilia Munoz Palma Hall, DOJ Building, Quezon City Hall Complex Diliman, Quezon City Analie Bellen Block 16 Lot II, Blueridge Avenue. Northwind Subdivision, Novaliches, Quezon City, Metro Manila KINJI ITO aka “ITO”2-31-107 Shirohata Dori, Ichinomiya City, Aichi, Japan; PSA Complex, 174 East Avenue, Diliman, Quezon City, Metro Manila Local Civil Registrar of Pasay City. Administrator And Civil Registrar, Rm. 114/115, Pasay City Hall, F.B. Harrison Street, Pasay City (MStandard - Sep. 1, & 15, 2022) Manila Standard TODAY Notice is hereby given to the public that an EXTRA JUDICIAL SETTLEMENT OF THE ESTATE OF THE LATE ALBERTO VILLAREAL AND CONSOLACION ANDRES VILLAREAL WITH ABSOLUTE SALE, who died on 03 January 1943 in Las Pinas, Rizal and on 18 October 1960 in Las Pinas, Rizal was made and entered into by and between the heirs and do hereby sell , transfer, convey and deliver unto the buyer, as per Doc. No. 251, Page No. 20, Book No. XI; Series of 2022 before Notary Public Atty. Andrew A. Belgica. (MS-SEPT. 14, 2022) NOTICE TO THE PUBLIC

8 AC 231,660 168,514,050

3. Respondent ADMINISTRATOR AND CIVIL REGISTRAR GENERAL of the Philippine Statistics Authority is impleaded as the central custodian of all records of births in the likewise country and may be served with notices, orders and other processes of this Honorable Court at the PSA Complex, 174 East Avenue. Diliman, Quezon City, Metro Manila 1101:

Proc. No. R-QZN-22-03903-SP

LDLA Marketing, one of the compa nies in the JV, appears to be an unknown entity to many unfamiliar with the play ers in the information and communica tions technology (ICT) sector. This lack of awareness has resulted in erroneous and unfair speculations about LDLA.

7 MONDE 11,489,700 171,579,088

4. Respondent KlNJI ITO a.k.a. “Ito”, is of legal age, Japanese citizen and may be served with notices orders and other process at 2-31-107 Shirohata Dori, Ichinomiya City. Aichi, Japan;

Stock market falls; BDO, Monde Nissin top losers

a 99

Analie MatobatoPlaintiff,Bellen,Spec. Proc. No. R-QZN-22-03903-SP 11, 2022, praying, “after due notice, publication and hearing, that judgment be rendered xxx 1. Recognizing the Divorce declaring the dissolution of Marriage between ANALIE MATOBATO BELLEN and KINJI ITO; and 2. Ordering the respondents Local Civil Registrar of Pasay City and the Civil Registrar General - Philippine Statistics Authority to recognize the said judgment and accept it for registration in their offices.”

ORDERED in Chambers,

REPUBLIC OF THE PHILIPPINES REGIONAL TRIAL COURT NATIONAL CAPITAL JUDICIAL REGION BRANCH 98, QUEZON CITY 0920266rtc1qzn098@judiciary.gov.ph8365(02)8518-0393

Since the start of the probe, the repre sentatives of the joint venture (JV) that won the bidding for the laptop contract were always around ready to answer any questions from the senators. They just need a longer time to reply to questions addressed to the DepEd and the PS-DBM that surfaced during the inquiry.

Noodles maker Monde Nissin Corp. sank 3.2 percent to P15, while San Miguel Corp., the largest beer producer, dropped 3.1 percent to TheP95.rest of Asian markets dropped on Wednesday. Tokyo, Hong Kong, Shanghai, Seoul, Taipei and Sydney were all lower, reversing gains made in recent days due to positive mar ket expectations from the US labor department’s consumer price index (CPI) report.

WASHINGTON, United States—US an nual inflation slowed slightly in August, largely thanks to falling gasoline prices— but likely not enough to satisfy the Fed eral Reserve and President Joe Biden, as high prices continue inflicting pain on

A woman shops for at Cents store in Santa Monica, California, on September 13, 2022. US annual inflation slowed August, largely thanks to falling gasoline prices—but likely not enough to satisfy the Federal Reserve and President Joe Biden, inflicting pain on Americans. AFP

5 ALI 9,334,100 266,122,520

REGIONAL

(Sgd.) FERDINAND T. RAFANAN Acting Presiding Judge Copy Publicfurnished:Atty.Jeffrey Ontangco (Defense Counsel) 6th Floor, Office of the City Prosecutor, Justice Cecilia Munoz Palma Hall, DOJ Building, Quezon City Hall Complex Diliman, Quezon City Analie Matobato Bellen Block 16 Lot II, Blueridge Avenue. Northwind Subdivision, Novaliches, Quezon City, Metro Manila KINJI ITO aka “ITO”2-31-107 Shirohata Dori, Ichinomiya City, Aichi, Japan; PSA Complex, 174 East Avenue, Diliman, Quezon City, Metro Manila Local Civil Registrar of Pasay City. Administrator And Civil Registrar, Rm. 114/115, Pasay City Hall, F.B. Harrison Street, Pasay City (MStandard - Sep. 1, 8 & 15, 2022) Manila Standard TODAY Notice is hereby given to the public that an EXTRA JUDICIAL SETTLEMENT OF THE ESTATE OF THE LATE ALBERTO VILLAREAL AND CONSOLACION ANDRES VILLAREAL WITH ABSOLUTE SALE, who died on 03 January 1943 in Las Pinas, Rizal and on 18 October 1960 in Las Pinas, Rizal was made and entered into by and between the heirs and do hereby sell , transfer, convey and deliver unto the buyer, as per Doc. No. 251, Page No. 20, Book No. XI; Series of 2022 before Notary Public Atty. Andrew A. Belgica. (MS-SEPT. 14, 2022) NOTICE TO THE PUBLIC CYAN Manila Standard TODAY CYAN

6 SM 253,300 218,354,580

a.m., unless sooner terminated,

Hall of Justice, Annex

10.xxx Thus, the Judgment of Dissolution of Marriage having been validly obtained by respondent Ito capacitating him to remarry, the same shall is that at the Building, City the August Wednesday,October 05, 2022 Thursday, September 01, 2022 Tuesday, October 18, 2022 at 9:30 at which date why dates will automatically replaced by the subsequent dates.Let a copy of this Order be published once a week for three consecutive weeks in a newspaper of general circulation in the Philippines chosen by raffle. It shall be further sent by registered mail, together with a copy of the petition and its annexes to the last known address of private respondent Kin Gi Ito, The Local Civil Registrar of Pasay City, Civil Registrar General of the Philippine Statistics Administration (PSA), Office of the Solicitor General who must file answer or comments within 60 days from receipt thereof or from last date of publication whichever comes earlier. Send also a copy to The Office of the City Prosecutor of QUEZON CITY.

E-mail: rayenano@yahoo.com or extrastory2000@gmail.com

6. Petitioner and private respondent contracted marriage on June 24, 2009 in Ichinomiya City, Aichi, Japan as evidenced by the Report of Marriage issued by the Philippine Consulate General, copy attached hereto and forms an integral part hereof as ANNEX “A”;

TOP

Kin Gi Ito, The

the petition shall heard before this Court sitting

NATIONAL

The Philippine Stock Exchange In dex tumbled 118.95 points, or 1.8 per cent, to 6,582.86 on a value turnover of P5.3 billion. Losers overwhelmed gainers, 137 to 41, with 46 issues un changed.BDOUnibank Inc. of the Sy Group, the biggest lender in terms of assets, fell 3.7 percent to P125.10, while par

105 5 5.00% 4 FPI 0.26 0.01 4.00% 5 HOUSE 10.5 0.4 3.96% 6 FB 45.55 1.7 3.88% 7 WLCON 30.5 1.05 3.57% 8 ROCK 1.54 0.05 3.36% 9 RLC 19.2 0.52 2.78% 10 APL 0.037 0.001 2.78%

2 ICT 1,892,110 349,329,216

Quezon

Reputable laptop supplier gets unfair treatment

The JV of Sunwest Construction and Development Corp., LDLA Marketing and Trading Inc. and VST ECS Philip pines Inc. secured the contract to supply the laptop units.

A few weeks ago, LDLA’s name surfaced anew in the media, but not because of the current controversy. Vertiv, which news reports described as “a global provider of criti

Analie Matobato Bellen, Kinvs. Gi Ito, The Local Civil Registrar of Pasay City, Civil Registrar General of the Philippine Statistics Administration (PSA), Office of the Solicitor x------------------------------------------------------------------------xGeneral, The Petitioner Analie Matobato Bellen filed the instant petition for In for the Recognition of Foreign Judgment notice, publication and hearing, that judgment be rendered xxx 1. Recognizing the Divorce declaring the dissolution of Marriage between ANALIE MATOBATO BELLEN and KINJI ITO; and 2. Ordering the respondents Local Civil Registrar of Pasay City and the Civil Registrar General - Philippine Statistics Authority to recognize the said judgment and accept it for registration in their offices.” ANNEX “B,CA respectively; 8. In support of her Petition, Petitioner attached hereto, copies of the following:a.Civil Code of Japan duly translated in English as ANNEX “D” hereof; b. Certification issued by the City Civil Registry Office of Manila certifying that a divorce certificate between Petitioner and Ito was CYAN MAGENTA Manila Standard TODAY Notice is hereby given to the public that an EXTRA JUDICIAL SETTLEMENT OF THE ESTATE OF THE LATE ALBERTO VILLAREAL AND CONSOLACION ANDRES VILLAREAL WITH ABSOLUTE SALE, who died on 03 January 1943 in Las Pinas, Rizal and on 18 October 1960 in Las Pinas, Rizal was made and entered into by and between the heirs and do hereby sell , transfer, convey and deliver unto the buyer, as per Doc. No. 251, Page No. 20, Book No. XI; Series of 2022 before Notary Public Atty. Andrew A. Belgica. (MS-SEPT. 14, 2022) NOTICE TO THE PUBLIC CYAN Manila Standard TODAY CYAN

The Senate blue ribbon committee be gan its investigation two weeks ago into the government’s procurement of laptop units for public school teachers during the pandemic. The probe was triggered by a Commission on Audit (COA) re port describing the laptops purchased by the Procurement Service of the Depart ment of Budget and Management (PSDBM) for the Department of Education (DepEd) as “pricey and outdated.”

US August—butrateinflationeasedinnotenough

SO QUEZON CITY, Metro Manila on June 24, 2022.

10 ABA 69,299,000 156,662,390 LASTGAINERS BRNP

% PRICE CHANGE CHANGE 1 MFC 999 99 11.00% 2 MB 0.37 0.02 5.71% 3

On Tuesday, US government data showed the annual increase in CPI had slowed slightly in August to 8.3 per cent, but that prices continued to rise month-on-month, increasing by 0.1 percent.Thenews shook equity markets, where there had been widespread ex pectations of US year-on-year infla

all

5. ALL OTHER PERSONS WHO HAVE OR CLAIM ANY in the instant Petition are likewise impleaded;

MOSTVOLUMEACTIVEVALUE (PHP)

19, 2022

cal digital infrastructure and continu ity solutions,” named LDLA as among its outstanding partners and 2021 SEA (Southeast Asia) Business Develop ment awardee (government), along with Northgate Technologies Inc. (retail) and Machine & Computerworld Inc. (e-com merce).Theawarding ceremony for Vertiv’s partners were held last month in Bang kok. Aside from LDLA, Northgate and Machine & Computerworld, six other ICT companies from the Philippines were recognized by Vertiv as among its outstanding partners.

SO ORDERED in Chambers, QUEZON CITY, Metro Manila on June 24, 2022. (Sgd.)

1 KPH 7.5 -1.37 -15.45% 2 ACEX 16.22 -1.18 -6.78% 3 ATNB 0.375 -0.025 -6.25% 4 PHR 0.94 -0.06 -6.00% 5 AEV 56.2 -2.9 -4.91% 6 PX 3 -0.15 -4.76% 7 TECHW 0.61 -0.03 -4.69% 8 APX 1.67 -0.08 -4.57% 9 IMI 6.29 -0.3 -4.55% 10 PGOLD 33.3 -1.5 -4.31% PSEi September 14, 2022

7. On March 21, 2011, respondent Ito was able to legally obtain Divorce in Japan with respect to his marriage with herein Petitioner, copies of the Authentication Certificate and Divorce Certificate, duly translated by the Embassy of Japan, are hereto attached and made integral parts hereof ANNEX “B,CA respectively; In support of her Petition, Petitioner attached hereto, copies of the following:a.Civil Code of Japan duly translated in English as ANNEX “D” hereof; Certification issued by the City Civil Registry Office of Manila certifying that a divorce certificate between Petitioner and Ito was issued by the Consul of the Consulate of Japan, Pasay City dated January 5, 2012 bearing Certificate No. 1B11-00106-11 has been filed and recorded in the former’s office is likewise hereto attached as ANNEX “E”;

For: In re: Petition for the Recognition of Foreign Judgment (MARRIAGE) CASE IS NOW 79 Days Today - 0.22 Years Kinvs. Gi Ito, The Local Civil Registrar of Pasay City, Civil Registrar General of the Philippine Statistics Administration (PSA), Office of the Solicitor General, x------------------------------------------------------------------------xRespondents. ORDER The Petitioner Analie Matobato Bellen filed the instant petition for In re: Petition for the Recognition of Foreign Judgment on April

1.“xxxPetitioner ANALlE MATOBATO BELLEN, is of legal age. Filipino, and a resident of B16, Lot II, Blueridge Avenue, Northwind Subdivision, Novaliches, Quezon City, Metro Manila where she may be served with notices, orders and other legal processes of this Honorable Court.

The annual inflation pace improved to 8.3 percent, higher than expected but slightly below the prior months and con firming a slowdown from the blistering 9.1-percent rate in June—the highest in 40Pricesyears. have been soaring for months, exacerbated by the Russian invasion of Ukraine, which has impacted energy and food costs, as well as ongoing supply chain snarls amid COVID lockdowns in China.

hereby given

Hall of Justice, Annex

TOPPRICELASTLOSERS%CHANGECHANGE

and time, all persons interested may appear and show cause in writing

the petition shall be heard before this Court sitting

11.xxx

Petitioner alleged that:

Priding itself as a “future-ready” tech nology firm, Vertiv is a publicly listed company in the New York Stock Ex change. It reported revenues of about US$5 billion in 2021. Vertiv employs

4. Respondent KlNJI ITO a.k.a. “Ito”, is of legal age, Japanese citizen and may be served with notices orders and other process at 2-31-107 Shirohata Dori, Ichinomiya City. Aichi, Japan;

over 24,000 people worldwide and has headquarters in Ohio in the USA, and re gional offices in China, India, the Philip pines and Italy. Inarguably, being recog nized by a corporation as prestigious and expansive as Vertiv is nothing to sneeze at.Vertiv, which does business in over 130 countries, was apparently impressed by LDLA’s track record when it chose the firm as among its trusted Philippine partners.

5. ALL OTHER PERSONS WHO HAVE OR CLAIM ANY INTEREST in the instant Petition are likewise impleaded;

“We are checking now on the valua tion based on Waterfront’s submission of value engineering on the detailed en gineering design to answer ASSERCO’s allegations,” said PRA assistant general manager for reclamation and regulation

THE Philippine Reclamation Author ity said Wednesday it is reevaluating the reclamation project of Waterfront Manila Premier Development Inc. after Asian Seas Resources and Construction Development Corp., a property devel oper controlled by the F.F. Cruz Con struction Group, questioned the valua tion of the project.

IN BRIEF Business

By Julito G. Rada

Maya Bank got 650,000 clients in just 3 months

By Darwin G. Amojelar

“Manila also issued its NTP know ing that the project is beneficial to the city and the Filipino people at no cost to the government. Government has a 51-percent share in the project once there is reclaimed land,” Santos said. are (from left) Mandaluyong City health officer

The company’s 2020 Sustainability Re port underscores the power distributor’s commitment to embedding sustainability into its strategy and operations by provid ing accessible, affordable, reliable and clean power to all it serves, while protecting and preserving the planet and helping bring prosperity to stakeholders.

Joseph John ASSERCOLiteral.legal counsel Jose Ber

By Alena Mae S. Flores

The lower market price also result ed in an uptick in customer purchases in the spot market, averaging about 14 percent of the energy consump tion, compared to the 8.3 percent pur chases in the preceding month.

Filipino consumers continued to pre fer commercial vehicles, encouraging assemblers and importers to offer more SUVCumulativemodels. sales of passenger cars were down 4.3 percent in the eightmonth period to 52,082 units from 54,042 units a year ago, while sales of commercial vehicles went up 39 percent to 160,790 units from 115,710 units.

Jollibee Philadelphiaopensstore

Eton PRAreestablishbullishPropertiesasPOGOsinPHcheckingvaluation of Waterfront’s reclamation project

It said of the five fundamental digital life pillars, the Philippines’s worst score was for internet affordability (ranking 98th glob ally), while its best score was for e-security (44th).Itranked 45th in internet quality ser vices, 62nd in e-government and 65th einfrastructure.ThePhilippines’ weakest spot was in ternet affordability, which should improve by 4300 percent to match the best-ranking country’s result (Israel).

The pioneering digital bank provides wider financial access to unbanked and underserved consumers and micro, small and medium enterprises through the all-in-one money app Maya.

MONTHLY vehicle sales returned to the pre-pandemic levels of more than 30,000 units in August, underscoring the recovery of the automotive industry and the road transport sector from the pandemic.

The eWestPod office building has four floors of spacious offices wellsuited for multinational companies, local corporate headquarters or global support servicing. It also has direct ac cess to the complete range of amenities and close to the modern conveniences of the Makati CBD.

Vehicle sales in August jumped 90% to 30,185

This brought total sales in the first eight months to 212,872 units, up by 25.1 percent from 170,112 units regis tered in the same period last year.

Only three digital banks publicly launched in the Philippines, including Maya Bank.

Gutierrez said CAMPI remained hopeful for the continuing recovery of the industry.

Eton Properties signed a three-year contract with a construction firm for lease of more than 1,000 sq. m of space in August.

THE Philippines’ ranking in the digital qual ity of life fell seven notches in 2022, accord ing to a global research by information tech nology firm Surfshark Ltd.

ETON Properties Philippines Inc. is bullish on the office leasing sector as Philippine Offshore Gaming Operators are slowly re-establishing presence in theEtoncountry.Properties said in a statement Wednesday it started seeing an in crease in demand for office space from the POGO sector in the second half.

Sr.,

IEMOP said electricity prices dropped in August by P1.66 per kWh to P7.26 per kWh on increased supply margin equivalent to 844 MW.

SBCORP. BOARD. The governing board of Small Business Corp. welcomes Robert Bastillo (seated, second from left) as acting president and chief executive and member of the board of directors. With Bastillo are (from left) SBCorp OIC-secretary Atty. Livian May Sanchez-Llorito, Trade Undersecretary and SBCorp. governing board acting chairperson Blesila Lantayona and director Elvira Go. Standing are (from left) directors Jacob Vasquez, Avelino Andal, Arnulfo Galdo, Voltaire Magpayo and Joe Jay Doctora. Not in the photo are directors Manuel Bendigo and Annie Candelaria.

WESM prices surged by P2 in first 10 days of September

PayMaya Group chief executive and Maya Bank co-founder Orlando Vea said the strong growth validated the market and people’s preference for the digital“Throughbank. disruptive offerings, bold marketing, and our extensive ecosys tem, we are bringing progressive finan cial services closer to consumers, en terprises, and communities,” Vea said.

Labor

Tan said aside from POGOs, there is also a healthy demand for office space from various sectors.

Dr. Arnold Abalos, SMC chief finance officer Ferdinand Constantino, Metro Manila Development Authority acting chairman Carlo Dimayuga III, Mandaluyong Mayor Benjamin Abalos Department of Interior and Local Government Assistant Secretary Elizabeth Lopez De Leon and Department of and Employment director Alvin Curada.

The property firm said it finalized a deal with one of the biggest POGO companies from Southeast Asia to lease over 6,000 square meters of of fice space in eWestPod building inside the mixed-use development Eton Wes tEnd Square near the Makati central business district.

The spot market operator said peak demand continuously increased start ing“SoJuly.far, our peak demand in Luzon increased by 187 MW [megawatts] to 11,459 MW, while in the Visayas, the demand peaked at 2,225 MW, higher by 34 MW. The recent planned and forced generator outages have also resulted in an increase in spot market prices and, very recently, an issuance of red and yellow alerts in the Luzon grid,” the agency said in a statement.

PSE INDEX CLOSING Wednesday, September 14, 2022 -118.956,582.86PTS. F oreign e xchange r ate Bangko Sentral ng Pilipinas • WEDNESDAY, SEPTEMBER 14, 2022 Currency Unit US Dollar Peso United States Dollar 1.000000 56.8570 Japan Yen 0.006911 0.3929 UK Pound 1.149600 65.3628 Hong Kong Dollar 0.127393 7.2432 Switzerland Franc 1.039393 59.0968 Canada Dollar 0.759474 43.1814 Singapore Dollar 0.711035 40.4273 Australia Dollar 0.673700 38.3046 Bahrain Dinar 2.653294 150.8583 Saudi Arabia Rial 0.266134 15.1316 Brunei Dollar 0.708516 40.2841 Indonesia Rupiah 0.000067 0.0038 Thailand Baht 0.027319 1.5533 UAE Dirham 0.272279 15.4810 Euro Euro 0.996700 56.6694 Korea Won 0.000718 0.0408 China Yuan 0.143493 8.1586 India Rupee 0.012566 0.7145 Malaysia Ringgit 0.221926 12.6180 New Zealand Dollar 0.599900 34.1085 Taiwan Dollar 0.032134 1.8270 Source: BSP TOTAL VOLUME 66,108821,230,810 TOTAL VALUE (IN PHP) 5,285,044,580.54 ADVANCES 41 UNCHANGED 46 SMC VACCINATION. San Miguel Corp. throws its full support behind PinasLakas, the government’s intensified booster vaccination drive to help sustain the country’s recovery and growth. SMC president and chief executive Ramon Ang (second from right) and Health officer-in-charge Undersecretary Maria Rosario Vergeire (fifth from left) lead the ceremonial booster vaccination of 130 employees at the company’s head office complex in Mandaluyong City. With them

Jenniffer B. Austria

IEMOP said in its latest monthly briefing the average market price rose to P9.02 per kilowatt-hour as of Sept. 10 from P7.26 per kWh in August.

nas alleged that the reclamation proj ect cost of WMPD should be at least three times more, or about P100 bil lion, compared to the latter’s P34.3billon reclamation and horizontal de velopment of 318 hectares on Manila Bay.Literal, however, said the P34.3-bil lion project cost of WMPD was “pre liminary, and full determination and adjustments of fees will be done during implementation and final completion of the project.”

regulatory fee would be assessed and collected quarterly until the completion of the WMPDIproject.counsel

Ray S. Eñano, Editor Roderick T. dela Cruz, Assistant Editor extrastory2000@gmail.combusiness@manilastandard.net B4 THURSDAY, SEPTEMBER 15, 2022

Maya is the only financial technol ogy brand serving all segments of con sumers and enterprises with a widely used consumer e-wallet app, the lead ing enterprise payment processing business and the most extensive onground agent network, Maya Centers (formerly Smart Padala).

“One of the primary effects we see is the confidence of POGOs to return to the Philippines. These operators are not just from China, but within our neighboring countries in Southeast Asia as well,” Tan said.

“The recovery of the industry is in deed on track, as we reached monthly sales of above 30,000 units—a pre-pan demic monthly performance level last recorded in 2019,” said CAMPI presi dent Rommel Gutierrez.

Meralco’s 2020 SR also secured Awards of Excellence at the 2022 Gold Quill Awards and at the 19th Philippine Quill Awards— both in the publications category.

Maya’s crypto feature is backed by a Virtual Asset Services Provider license from the Bangko Sentral ng Pilipinas.

Literal said the 80-percent balance of

The BSP last year granted licenses to six digital banks before a three-year moratorium for new digital bank ap plications took effect in August 2021.

Live Life, in the first half of 2022, re ceived a Gold Stevie from the Asia-Pacific Stevie Awards under the Innovation in An nual Reports category and a Silver Anvil from the 57th Anvil Awards under the Public Relations Tool category.

Data from industry groups Chamber of Automotive Manufacturers Philip pines Inc. and Truck Manufacturers Association showed that vehicle sales reached 30,185 units in August, up 90.5 percent from 15,847 units in the same

PH slips 7 places in digital ranking

It is also near the major thorough fares of Ayala and Buendia Avenues and major commercial centers.

“As such, IEMOP reiterates the im portance to save up and efficiently man age our electricity consumption which will not only save on our electricity cost but also immediately help in mitigating reduced supply margins,” it said.

IEMOP said the recent planned and forced power generator outages and the issuance of red and yellow alerts in the Luzon grid also led to increased spot market prices.

RESTAURANT chain operator Jollibee Foods Corp. opened its first store in Phila delphia, its 85th branch in North America. Jollibee said in a statement Wednesday it launched on Sept. 2 its first store in the state of Pennsylvania at 7340 Bustleton Ave., Philadelphia.“TheJollibee Philadelphia store is very special to us because it is our first location in the whole of the state of Pennsylvania, and we are deeply grateful for the appreciation of Philadelphians who came and made our opening day memorable. Serving new mar kets has always been an exciting mission for us and it has been integral to achieve our goal of becoming among the top five res taurants in the world,” said Jollibee Group North America president Maribeth Dela CruzJollibeesaid. Philadelphia drew a crowd on the opening day with customers lining up in the early hours of the morning waiting for the store to open. “It has been a goal of ours to open a location in Philadelphia for some time and we are honored to be a part of this extraordinary city,” said Dela Cruz.

Sales of passenger cars also increased 6.2 percent from July’s 5,346 units, while commercial vehicle sales went up 9.2 percent from 21,467 units a month earlier.

Data showed passenger car sales by category climbed 37.6 percent to 7,733 units in August from 4,894 units sold in the same month last year, while com mercial vehicle sales surged 114.1 per cent to 23,452 units from 10,953 units a year ago.

The country ranked 55th of 117 countries in the 2022 Digital Quality of Life Index, pulled down by its worst scores in Internet affordability. The Philippines ranked 48th out of 110 countries in 2021.

“With the perceived stability and confidence of a new administration and the market starting to normalize, Eton Properties gradually felt an increase in the demand for leasing spaces this sec ond half of the year,” said Eton Proper ties executive director Kyle Tan.

THE Independent Electricity Market Operator of the Philippines reported an increase in the average prices at the Wholesale Electricity Spot Market by P2 per kilowatt-hour in the first 10 days of September on increased demand.

Darwin G. Amojelar

Tan said the re-entry of POGOs would have a positive effect on the company’s other real estate businesses as some of POGO employees were looking for residential units and com mercialChina’sspaces.heightened crackdown on online gambling and imposition of new taxes drove POGOs away from the Philippines in 2020. From a peak of 1.7 million sq. m. of footprint, at least 500,000 sq. m. of office space were vacated by POGOs.

Ma. Julieta Santos earlier said her company paid PRA the regulatory fees and social environment fund in the amount of P800 million as part of the condition to mobilize the project.Santos also said the reclamation proj ect complied with the requirements of PRA and the City of Manila.

By Jenniffer B. Austria

“Cost will be computed upon final assessment after completion of the proj ect, taking into consideration cost over runs, e.g. fuel costs and others affected by peso depreciation, etc.,” he said.

SIX local and international award-giving bodies recognized Manila Electric Company for excellence in sustainability communica tions, particularly the company’s 2020 Sus tainability Report entitled “Live Life”.

Maya Bank is also the fastest digital bank in the Philippines to go to market, receiving its certificate of authority to operate just six months after securing the BSP Monetary Board’s approval to establish a digital bank in Septem ber 2021. It launched its services to the public on April 29, 2022.

Live Life was hailed in 2021 at the Asia Sustainability Report Rating Forum where it was conferred a Gold Rank under the International Companies category. It also brought home a Silver Stevie from the Inter national Business Awards in the Best Annual Report category.

MAYA Bank Inc., the digital banking arm of Voyager Innovations, became the fastest-growing digital bank in the Philippines three months after its launch, as it posted over 650,000 cus tomers and P5 billion in deposit bal ance as of end-July.

Meralco bags awards for sustainability report

month last Automotiveyear.sales also rose 8.5 per cent from 27,183 units in July, break ing the traditional expectation of slower sales in the so-called “ghost month.” CAMPI and TMA said in their joint monthly report the increasing sales drew the industry closer to achieving its sales target this year.

By Othel V. Campos

“Today’s evolving automotive market is driven by several key areas, most notably connectivity and electrification. To this end, we are unveiling the third

And now, we would like to introduce a new breed of POWER that will not only excite your senses but will increase your heart’s “BEATS per MINUTE” even in your daily drive—the new Tiggo 8 PRO 2.0 Turbo AllWheel Drive!” exclaimed CHERY Auto Philippines/UAAGI Vice President for Sales and Marketing Luigi Ignacio.

Visit the CHERY booth at the 2022 PIMS in World Trade Center to take a closer look at the game-changing Tiggo 8 PRO lineup and test drive activities.

CHERYdistributor,Philippines’AutoUnited Asia Automotive Group Inc. (UAAGI), redefines Filipino motorists’ concept of automotive luxury, electrification, and performance, with its theme “Innovation Revolution” at the 8th InternationalPhilippineMotor Show (PIMS) at the World Trade Center in Pasay City from September 15 to 18, 2022.

Proponents of the 8th PIMS are shown here during the event’s press conference

electrified Tiggo 8 PRO Plug-in Hybrid Electric Vehicle (PHEV), and now with the powerful Tiggo 8 PRO 2.0 Turbo, we have a formidable stable of luxury, electrification, and performance,” DueñasCHERYadded.Tiggo 8 PRO 1.6 Turbo and Tiggo 8 PRO PHEV have been receiving rave reviews, including awards from the respected C! Magazine that were bestowed during PIMS. The Tiggo 8 PRO 1.6 Turbo has been awarded the best midsize crossover, while the Tiggo 8 PRO PHEV has been recognized as the best hybrid vehicle. This shows the brand’s commitment to bringing heightened driving experiences with memorable and worry-free customer journeys.

variant of our competitive flagship Tiggo 8 PRO lineup at 2022 PIMS—Tiggo 8 PRO 2.0 Turbo. Together with the luxurious Tiggo 8 PRO 1.6 Turbo, the

CHERY has started the innovation movement that brings the experience of advanced automotive technologies previously available only to a few, now to a broader Filipino motoring public. The brand focuses on the fast-growing number of buyers who want value but desire more luxury, fuel-savings performance, and technology in a crossover.“Weare thrilled to showcase our new flagship with the all-new CHERY Tiggo 8 PRO at 2022 PIMS. Our participation this year at the prestigious PIMS is yet another milestone for the brand as we celebrate the entry of CHERY into the premiere industry organization, the Chamber of Automotive Manufacturers of the Philippines Inc. (CAMPI). With the aggressive local introduction of our crossovers, we are planting the seeds of an innovation movement that disrupts long-established customer beliefs on who can only enjoy the latest automotive technology,” says CHERY Auto Philippines/UAAGI President Erroll Dueñas.

Experience innovation revolution with CHERY Auto PH at PIMS 2022

Part of the CHERY 4.0 Full-Field Power Architecture that harnesses the power of various forms of energy including fuel, hybrid, pure electric, and hydrogen, the new Tiggo 8 PRO 2.0 Turbo AWD features a state-of-theart engine that has maximum power and torque outputs of 254 Hp and 390 Nm. It adopts CHERY’s second-generation i-HEC combustions system, the new generation thermal management system, and 350-bar ultra-high-pressure direct injection technologies.

For more info, follow CHERY Auto Philippines on social media: CHERY Auto Philippines (Facebook) and @ cheryautophilippines (Instagram). You may also call the 24/7 CHERY Auto Philippines hotline at (0917) 552 4379 or email chery@ uaagi.com for more inquiries.

THURSDAY, SEPTEMBER 15, 2022 8TH THE COUNTRY’S MOST EXCITING MOTOR SHOW PHILIPPINE INTERNATIONAL MOTOR SHOW

“We have started shifting gears by making your daily drive more memorable through the POWER of a luxurious design and advanced driver assistance technologies in the Tiggo 8 PRO| 1.6T. Your journeys have become more sustainable through the POWER of electrification in the Tiggo 8 PRO PHEV.

Members of CAMPI promised to continue spreading the word about hybrid vehicles in the country for a more sustainable future.

Catch all these at the Toyota Motor Philippines booth in the 8th PIMS on September 15-18, 2022, 10AM to 8PM at the World Trade Center, Main Hall and don’t miss a very special perfor mance by OPM icon Ely Buendia at the opening on the 15th at 5:30PM. You can buy tickets for only P200 at the World TradeVisitCenter.toyota.com.ph and follow Toy ota Motor Philippines and TOYOTA GAZOO Racing PH on Facebook and Instagram, ToyotaMotorPH on Twitter and join us at ToyotaPH on Viber for more updates and information.

CAMPI, manufacturers unite to bring PIMS back to its full glory

TOYOTA GAZOO Racing line up of pure performance cars, the GR Su pra, GR Yaris and the All-New GR 86 will definitely add some heart-pumping thrill to the PIMS and further fuel the country’s growing passion for motor sports. Visitors can also expand their thrilling experience by visiting the GR Garage, where GR GT Cup racing rigs will be installed for them to enjoy sim racingContinuinggames. its commitment to help communities improve their quality of life, the recently inaugurated Toyota Mobility Solutions Philippines Inc. will also have its booths to exhibit mobility products and services it offers like Kin

need and what’s good for the people as well,” he added.

After the successful introductory motor show, CAMPI hosted its 2nd PIMS at the World Trade Center.

Building a more sustainable future for Filipinos thru mobility

As Filipinos continue to adapt to the “new normal,” the auto motive industry is expected to step up more than ever now that

This year marks the highly-anticipated 8th PIMS with the theme “Mobility + Humanity: Innovating for the Common Good” and will take place on September 15 until September 18.

to One and myTOYOTA shuttle. Still part of Toyota’s goal of empow ering local MSMEs, the All-New Lite Ace, particularly the Lite Ace FX Van and Lite Ace Food Truck, will be on display at the outdoor area of the World Trade Center to showcase your newest “kasosyo sa asenso”—the Toyota Lite Ace.“We are proud to support and be part of PIMS as it has always been a per fect avenue for Toyota to showcase its latest innovations and affirm its com mitment to shape the future of mobil ity together with the passionate com munity of customers, brand fans and car enthusiasts.” TMP First Vice Pres

they have to meet the demands of a post-pandemic society.

As the Philippine International Motor Show raised its curtain again, CAMPI always believed in the power of the motoring industry’s role not only in contributing to economic growth and progression, but also to the sustainable future for the common good of Filipinos through mobility.

Former President Gloria MacapagalArroyo was the keynote speaker and commended CAMPI’s theme Drive The Future Towards Safer and Cleaner Motoring.

“This year’s motor show introduces the theme Mobility + Humanity: Innovating for the Common Good, in other words, we do not consider not just the innovation (of mobility), but we are also mindful of what the customers

However, despite the COVID-19 lockdowns, which spanned almost two years affecting the overall public mobil ity, Guttierez noted a resurgence in demand for company vehi cles now that employees are finally returning to offices again.

The 4th Philippine International Motor Show, on the other hand, revolved around distinctive vehicles, unlike previous PIMS, where the general thrust was eco-friendly machines. CAMPI’s decision to focus on driving excitement led to that year’s motif of Drive the Fun.

around sustainability and electrification as the main themes of the event.

Like all the previous editions of PIMS, this year’s motor show will feature exclusive car launches and car displays in different brand booths and presentations from the manufacturers.

“The show must go on, regardless of supply or limitation…It’s not a reason for us not to proceed with PIMS. The industry has to show its vibrancy amid the pandemic. Like any other industry, we have to show our resiliency in terms of adapting to the changes,” said Atty. Rommel Gutierrez, president, Chamber of Automotive Manufacturers of the Philippines, Inc. (CAMPI)

Luciano emphasized that these policies and programs not only maximize the automotive industry’s role in the coun try’s economic growth and development but its leading ef forts in providing mobility solutions that cater to the everchanging needs of the Filipino market.

ident for Vehicle Service Operations, Sherwin Chualim said. “This year, we are delighted to be at the forefront of yet another shift in the automotive in dustry—one that gives car owners the power to make a realistic contribution to creating a more sustainable world through a choice of accessible and practical electrified vehicles ready to make a difference today.

A quick historical ride CAMPI first launched its first-ever Philippine International Motor Show on August 9, 2007, at the same venue. With the theme “Shifting to Higher Gear,” it aimed to “reaffirm the local auto industry’s strength as an integral part of the growing regional automotive landscape.”Fromthen on, every two years, the auto show opened its doors to car enthusiasts and buyers for exclusive car launches and car displays from respective brands.

“We aim to unite and drive our collective efforts towards a united mission of building a better and more sustainable future for Filipinos through mobility. We will accomplish this by coming together to showcase the positive impact of sustainable and future-ready innovations on our day-today lives,” CAMPI President Attorney Rommel Gutierrez said during the event’s press conference.

8th PH INTERNATIONAL MOTOR SHOW

C2 || THURSDAY, SEPTEMBER 15, 2022 THE COUNTRY’S MOST EXCITING MOTOR SHOW

AFTER four years away from the spotlight, the CAMPI’sfour-yearlargestandGood.”Humanity:oftheautoPhilippines,Automotivemotoring.newthis(PIMS)InternationalPhilippineMotorShowismakingacomebackyeartoshowcasethegenerationofPhilippinePresentedbytheChamberofManufacturersoftheInc.(CAMPI),thebiennialshowkicksofftoday(Thursday)atWorldTradeCenterinPasayCity.Initseighthedition,PIMSboaststhisyear’stheme,“Mobility+InnovatingfortheCommonItwillfeaturethelatestcarinnovationstechnologiesfromthecountry’smanufacturersanddistributors.Aimingtobouncebackfromitsbreakduetothepandemic,upcomingmotorshowcenters

According to Guttierez, although the pandemic brought setbacks to various industries in the country, it also showed the resilience of each sector through advanced technologies emphasizing that the automotive industry is no exception.

Keeping up with the greener theme, the third installment of PIMS, Drive the Greed Road, gave manufacturers a chance to display their all-green technologies in front of former president and car enthusiast Benigno Aquino Jr.

Through the Comprehensive Automotive Resurgence Strategy (CARS) program, car companies that produce in the Philippines receive fiscal support in completing the pro duction of 200,000 units of high-volume car models in over sixToyotayears. Motors Philippine Corp. and Mitsubishi Motors Philippines Corp. are among the automotive manufacturers which participated in the CARS program.

PHILIPPINE INTERNATIONAL MOTOR SHOW8TH

Thirteen automotive brands, namely Kia, BMW, Foton, Mazda, Honda, Isuzu, Suzuki, Mitsubishi, Nissan, and Toyota, will showcase their latest vehicles and technologies during the four-dayCAMPI’sevent.newest members Chery, Geely, and Hyundai, will also be joining for the first time.

THE Philippine International Motor Show (PIMS) made a comeback after four years amid the country’s ongoing battle against the socio-economic setbacks caused by the COVID-19 pandemic that hit various sectors, including the automotive industry.

Experience best of Toyota at PIMS with special performance from Ely Buendia

“There is an increasing demand for private vehicles due to health and safety reasons heightened further by the challenges in our public transportation system. Private and public compa nies are also more interested in purchasing company shuttles as employees return to office or hybrid setup,” he said.

By Angelica Villanueva and Charles Dantes

TOYOTA Motor Philippines (TMP) supports the Chamber of Automotive Manufacturers of the Philippines Inc. (CAMPI) for the 8th Philippine International Motor Show (PIMS), happening on September 15 to 18 at the World Trade Center in Pasay City, MetroGuidedManila.bythis year’s theme, TMP is joining PIMS to exhibit its wide selec tion of products and services, which are innovations made not only to move people from one destination to another, but more importantly to help improve the human experience. This is part of TMP’s continuous commitment of pro viding happiness and mobility to all. As the leader of electrified mobility in the country, TMP will exhibit its wide variety of Hybrid Electric Ve hicles (HEVs) as part of its commitment to sustainability towards carbon neutrality. Test drive units of Toyota Hybrid cars like Camry, Corolla Altis, Corolla Cross and RAV4 are available to give visitors the chance to experience the beauty of sustainable driving. Other Toyota units such as Vios GR-S, For tuner GR-S, Avanza, Veloz and Raize will also be made available for those interested to drive Toyota’s best-selling and recently launched models.

CAMPI President Atty. Rommel Gutierrez (right) with MS Motoring Editor Milo Rivera, discussing what to expect throughout the fourday motor show. Taken during the PIMS pre-event press conference held last August 30 at the Okada Manila Grand Ballroom.

By Stephanie Caesar

The fifth edition of the Philippine International Motor Show highlighted the growth of the national economy as it bode well for the automotive industry and the total GDP of the country, hence the name of the theme “Progress in Motion.” The automotive sector gained more than P120 billion in investments and provided jobs for almost 500,000 workers in the auto, ancillary, and supportTrailingindustries.thetracks of the last roundabout, the 6th staging of the Philippine International Motor Show called “Steer the Future” with the tagline “CAMPI: Driving Progress, Empowering Society,” put the spotlight on the automotive industry’s valuable contributions to the advancement of the country and its economy.

Based on the data report by CAMPI and the Truck Manu facturers Association (TMA), the Philippine automotive in dustry witnessed a plunge in vehicle sales in 2020, bearing a 39.5 percent sales decrease.

PIMS brings together 13 of the top automotive brands in the industry, including long-term partners BMW, Foton, Honda, Isuzu, Kia, Mazda, Mitsubishi, Nissan, Suzuki, and Toyota, and new members Chery, Geely, and Hyundai to showcase their latest vehicles and spotting-edge technologies.

‘THE SHOW MUST GO ON’:

“In line with our road to recovery, we are happy to bring back the muchawaited Philippine International Motor Show, gathering the industry’s biggest car manufacturers to showcase how the latest vehicles and mobility innovations can drive us towards a better and more sustainable future,” added Gutierrez.

FREE RIDE FOR EVERYONE. Motor enthusiasts attending the 8th Philippine International Motor Show are offered a free shuttle service by FOTON Motor Philippines, Inc., the official mobility partner of the event. Free ride taking the routes from World Trade Center to SMX Convention Center and World Trade Center Main Hall to North Wing.

The event is celebrated every other year and highlights the country’s biggest motoring manufacturers and distribu tors to showcase their latest vehicles combined with spot ting-edge“Throughouttechnology.theyears, CAMPI had remained steadfast in its commitment to push the automotive industry forward by working with the government and private sector alike in creating policies, programs, and other activities,” said Elvin Luciano, Assistant Vice President for Marketing Services, Toyota Motor Philippines.

Before the unprecedented challenges brought by the COVID-19 pandemic and eventual hiatus, CAMPI opened the 7th PIMS in 2018 with the concept of ‘Future Mobility’ while looking to promote a dynamic interaction between the arts and positive technology.

Cua, Aquino capture PPS Digos MVP honors

For the 2022-23 season, Matthew Wright, Greg Slaughter, Roosevelt Adams, Jay Washington, and Jordan Heading also headed to Japan, along with Jay Washington.LastJune, B. League chairman Shinji Shimada met PBA chairman Ricky Vargas and commissioner Willie Marcial.Vargas and Marcial will lead a delegation of PBA officials going to Tokyo . Peter Atencio

THE Philippine Kiteboarding Association is all geared up and thrilled to bring another adrenaline-filled Amihan season as it holds again a spectacular installment of the 8th ICTSI Philippine Kiteboarding Tour.

This year, the group is bringing these extreme athletes to four exotic and pristine beaches, that will definitely give a boost to local tourism, by showcasing these spots to the kitesurfing world.

Formed in early 2013, and with the full support of International Container Terminal Services Inc., the PKA has been conducting national kiteboarding tour competitions across the country in some of the best destination spots for the Sincesport.itsinception in 2013, the PKA has already spearheaded more than 20 kitesurfing events across the country, with over 200 participants including both local and international kiteboarding superstars joining the tour.

The top-seeded Cua, 14, dropped just three points in three games to dominate her age group, capping her romp with a 6-2, 6-0 rout of Aika Salahuddin in the finals. But the rising Kidapawan City star fell short against

Tagum City’s Chelsea Bernaldez, yielding a 6-4, 3-6, 14-12 result, in the 16-UThechampionship.seventh-ranked Aquino, also from Tagum, repulsed No. 2 Randy Pausanos, 6-2, 6-2, in the semis then crushed top seed Josh Lim, 6-1, 6-0, to snare the boys’ 16-U plum in the country’s longest talentsearch put up by Palawan Pawnshop.

John Amores banged in 19 points for JRU, which took in their second straight loss.

banned for life from the NBA after he was recorded using racist language in a private conversation.

The NBA commissioned the independent investigation of Sarver, who also owns the WNBA’s Phoenix Mercury, in November of 2021 after ESPN published an article citing more than 70 Suns employees who alleged Sarver had created a “toxic” work environment in 17 years as owner of the club.

in the youngest age category of the event hosted by Gov. Cagas and backed by ProtekTODO, PalawanPay, the Unified Tennis Philippines and UTR (Universal Tennis Rating).

“Seeing the players’ playing standards improving and fresh faces emerging only inspires us to continue providing these youngsters a regular circuit to develop and harness their

Stephen Fuertes, another local campaigner, also repulsed the top-ranked Lim in 14-U semis, 6-4, 6-3, then foiled No. 4 Jason Battad, 6-1, 7-5, to snatch the crown, while No. 4 Angel Vosotros from Lanao del Norte scored a 7-5(ret.) win over third seed Juliana Carvajal, also from the host city, in the finals of the premier girls’ division.

Last year, Kiefer Ravena and Bobby Ray Parks were the former PBA pros who went on to sign with B.League clubs.

But Sarver escaped the fate of former Los Angeles Clippers owner Donald Sterling, who in 2014 was

Brent Paraiso of Letran extricates himself out of a double-team put up by JRU’s John Amores and William Sy in an NCAA game won by the Knights,101-97, in overtime.

Unranked Princess Placa also recorded a resounding 6-0, 6-0 win

“While I disagree with some of the particulars of the NBA’s report, I would like to apologize for my words and

Pirates, Knights crush foes

on nine of the team’s 31 three-point attempts, made five points in the last period, including one of three treys unloaded by the Pirates in the final canto, handing Lyceum a 14-point, 67-53 edge, with 6:27 to go.

actions that offended our employees. I take full responsibility for what I have done. I am sorry for causing this pain, and these errors in judgment are not consistent with my personal philosophy or my values.”

The LetranFirstscores:Game(101)

NEW YORK—The NBA has suspended Phoenix Suns owner Robert Sarver for one year and fined him $10 million dollars after a probe of claims of racism and misogyny, the league said Tuesday.

Barba, who has been playing for the school since he was in high school with Guadana, knocked in 16 points for the Pirates, who picked up their first win in two outings in the 98th National Collegiate Athletic Association men’s basketball tournament.Guadanaunloaded 13 points for the Pirates, who bounced back from a 6986 loss they suffered at the hands of the College of St. Benilde Blazers.

“Good leadership requires accountability,” Sarver said in a statement on Tuesday released through the Suns.

NBA suspends Suns owner for 1 year after racism probe

More than 80,000 documents and other materials, including emails, text messages and videos were also scrutinized and the league said Sarver and the clubs cooperated fully with the process.

For details, contact event organizer and Sports Program Development director Bobby Mangunay at 0915-4046464.

Quarterscores: 19-27, 49-41, 74-71, 89-89, 101-97

The 5’11” Guadana, who connected

“It’s a very big win for us. Mapua is a very strong team,” said new Lyceum coach Gilbert Malabanan, who commended the aggression of the team on both ends of the floor.

“It’s about heart and suwerte. Kurt Reyson played a good game, ipinasok niya iyung tira sa three-points. Wala akong masabi sa bata. For me it’s time for me step up,” said Knights’ coach Bonnie Tan on how Letran fought it out in overtime.

Cua and Aquino, however, missed completing a double victory each as they came up short in the 16- and 18-U finals, respectively, but clinched the MVP honors with 1-2 finishes in the Group 2 tournament at the Digos City Tennis Club’s hard courts.

The investigation found that Sarver on at least five occasions during his tenure “repeated the N-word when recounting the statements of others”.

Earlier, veteran Fran Yu knocked in three of four free throws in the endgame to lift the defending champion Letran to a 101-97 overtime triumph over the Jose Rizal University Heavy Bombers.KurtReyson, who topscored for 31 points, forced the extra period at 89all with a three-pointer in the final five seconds of regulation.

“This conduct included the use of racially insensitive language; unequal treatment of femal employees; sexrelated statements and conduct; and harsh treatment of employees that on occasion constituted bullying.”

In announcing the punishment, the league said the independent investigation found that Sarver “engaged in conduct that clearly violated common workplace standards, as reflected in team and League rules and policies.

skills and talent,” said Palawan Pawnshop president/CEO Bobby Castro.

bungled a triple as time expired.

The Philippine Kiteboarding Association is under the umbrella arm of the Philippine Sailing Association, headed by Ernesto Echauz and supported by the Philippine Sports Commission.

DHEA Cua lived up to the hype in girls’ 14-U play while James Aquino bucked the odds in boys’ 16-U as they led the winners in the upsetmarred PPS-PEPP Rep. John Tracy Cagas national age group tennis championships in Digos, Davao del Sur last Sunday.

Talks between the leagues are being arranged after many players in the PBA have decided to see action in the B. League.

ICTSI TourKiteboardingPHslated

JOHN Barba and Mclaude Guadana took charge in the third quarter for the Lyceum of the Philippines University Pirates and their leadership carried them to a 76-67 stopping of the Mapua University Cardinals on Wednesday at the EcoOil Center in San Juan.

Phoenix Suns and Mercury owner Robert Sarver

PBA execs to hold cooperation talks with B. League

In one instance cited in the report, Sarver told a pregnant employee that she would be unable to do her job upon becoming a mother because she would be “breastfeeding” and a baby “needs their mom not theirThefather.”probealso substantiated instances of workplace misconduct by other Suns employees and “a lack of proper organizational policies and controls.” AFP

Sports THURSDAY, SEPTEMBER 15, 2022 C3

He also “engaged in instances if inequitable conduct toward female employees, made sex-related comments in the workplace, made inappropriate comments about the physical appearance of female employees and other women, and on several occasions engaged in inappropriate p hysical conduct toward male employees.”

The venues for the 2022-2023 season Ilocos Norte (Oct. 15 to 17), Iloilo (Jan. 13 to 15, 2023), Cebu (February 10 to 12) and Aklan (March 3 to 5).

But Aquino wavered in the boys’ 18-U finals, bowing to fellow unranked Jude Padao from Digos, 6-3, 6-7(4), 10-6. The local bet stunned No. 1 Vince Serna, 2-6, 6-0, 10-4, in the semis, while Aquino upended No. 6 Derek Napala, 0-6, 6-3, 10-8.

Each leg features three main competition disciplines, namely, Race, Hangtime (longest on air trick) and Freestyle.

OFFICIALS of the Philippine Basketball Association are headed for Japan on Thursday and will be in talks with the B.League on ways to strengthen the relationship of the two organizations.

Meanwhile, action shifts to Puerto Princesa City on Sept. 20-30 for the Juniors and Open championships, along with the Legends tournament at the Karawatan PPS tennis courts.

46, on Paolo Hernandez’s trey in the finalBut4:20.Barba’s assist to JM Bravo, followed by his layup allowed the Pirates to gain some distance at 50-46, before two three-pointers from Guadana with 1:17 to go saw LPU enjoying a 10-point edge,The56-46.Pirates’ aggressive plays midway in the third canto allowed them to move out of range at the end of the period, 59-49.

Dhea Cua (second from left) and James Aquino hold their trophies as they pose with Ray Loyola (left) of Tennis on Wheels and Rep. John Tracy Cagas’ Chief of Sta Wilfred Rosello during awards rites. over No. 1 and fellow Digos native Clausxie Flores in girls’ 12-U with Pigcawayan, Cotabato’s Julius Otoc held off Carl Eduarte from Kidapawan, 6-1, 7-6(5), to claim the boys’ crown

Sarver denied the allegations and said at the time he welcomed the investigation, which was conducted by the law firm of Wachtell, Lipton, Rosen & Katz.

“We are excited to bring back the tour after two years of absence due to the global pandemic. Since our Silver Medal win in the 2018 Youth Olympic Games at Buenos Aires, we have set our eyes on other global events. Our aim is for this tour to again put into track our Olympic Program for training local athletes and talents as Kiteboarding will be a permanent event beginning with the 2024 Paris Olympics,”Jay Ortiz, the current PK A President, said.

The race is further subdivided between Men, Women, Masters Class (40 to 54yrs old) and Grand Masters Class (55 and Above), plus a Novice division for new participants of the sport, while the Freestyle and Hangtime competitions, are subdivided to two classes, Men and Women.

“For the Suns and Mercury organizations, that begins with me.

The NBA said the $10 million fine is the maximum permitted by the league’s constitution and by-laws and will be donated “to organizations that are committed to addressing race and gender-based issues in and outside the workplace.”

The Cardinals last threatened at 45-

By Peter Atencio

The Heavy Bombers missed their winning chance when Jason Celis

—Reyson 31, Caralipio 14, Paraiso 13, Yu 12, Sangalang 9, Monje 9, Santos 6, Olivario 3, Go 2, Miclat 2, Ariar 0, Guarino 0.

The league later forced the sale of the team to newTheowners.NBAsaid the investigation included interviews with 320 people, including current and former employees of the Suns as well as Sarver himself.

JRU (97)—Amores 19, Miranda 18, Celis 14, Dela Rosa 14, Guiab 10, Dionisio 7, Arenal 7, Medina 5, Sy 3, Delos Santos 0, Abaoag 0.

Papersustainably.products like tissue and diapers, which the world consumes a lot of, are made

ALLTV also signed a content license agree ment with CNN Philippines for news content.

“ALLTVviewers.isfor the Filipino viewers. Gusto natin masaya lahat ng viewers natin. Saya All.

Lumina as Revillame returns to national TV with his popular program, Wowowin

There are plenty of activities to be had in this nature park. One can take a cable car from Mount Faber to Sentosa Island and enjoy the breathtak ing view of the city from above. For those like us who love to walk, and I mean monumental walk, the place offers stunning panoramic views of the southern part of Singapore via overlooking points strategically situated within the park. There are plenty of stairs and walking paths can be slippery during the rainy season, so one has to mind the path and wear proper shoes.

AMBS, which runs ALLTV, is under Prime

North Luzon’s beautymecca finds its muse

restaurants where you can have your meals. My first visit to the Gardens didn’t allow me to see all the areas it covers, so I made a pact with myself to revisit the place.

, Editorial Assistant E-mail: lifeandshow.manilastandard@gmail.com

What to expect from this island aside from a very calming union with nature, wild animals included are former granite quarries, historical sites, fish farms, coconut rubber plantation, and the last re maining traditional kampongs or villages. At the Jejawi observation tower, you will be treated to the beautiful views surrounding the island includ ing parts of Malaysia. Walking on looped board walks, do not be surprised if you are greeted by bulbul birds and kingfishes that inhabit the tidal flats and mangroves of the Chek Jawa Wetlands.

As a wellness enthusiast, one of Beauty’s top priori ties is to take care of herself by living a balanced life as an actress, wife, and mother.

ALLTV is giving out two units from Bria and

The Gardens, a 163-year-old tropical garden located at the periphery of the Orchard Road district and has been inscribed as a UNESCO World Heritage Site in 2015, is easily a go-to for many wherever they may be in Singapore. Cur rently, this 82-hectare beauty within the city is an important botanical institute. One can go right in the morning, as it is open free of charge daily to the public from 5:00 a.m. to 12:00 midnight, and enjoy the rest of the day there since there are a few

New network treats Filipino viewers with star-studded variety show The newly launched ALLTV features a star-studded variety show for a more exciting brand of entertainment sustainablemakeconsumersHelpingmorechoices Retailers like Watsons are engaging their customers to live more sustainably through the products they choose Ingredients that buyers should avoid in products that they purchase A well-trodden path on Pulao Ubin Calming water feature within the Singapore Botanic Gardens The lawns at Fort Canning Park draw picnic goers as well as other gatherings

“Watsons not only motivates its custom ers to choose more sustainable products but through our information campaign, we have also shared with them how to live more sus tainably by being aware of how our purchas ing habits affect the world around us,” said Watsons Public Relations and Sustainability Director Viki Encarnacion

Beauty Gonzalez as the newest face of BeautéHaus

The first time I went to Fort Canning Park, for merly known as Government Hill, one of Singa pore’s most historic landmarks, I was out to meet a former colleague for coffee. We walked from the coffee place to this park to see the Fort Canning Tunnel. We aren’t the best navigators even with Google Maps in hand and so it took a while for us to find it, which turned out to be located at the fringe of the park by the road. But we enjoyed the hike around this park which is located right at the heart of the city. If you are a history junkie, you’ll enjoy the heritage walk in this historic landmark that has witnessed Singapore’s golden era, tracing back to the time when Malay Kings ruled and Singapore transformed from being a sleepy fishing village to a vibrant trading hub in the 19th century and now as the Aisan Tiger. Today, its lush lawns are one of the favorite spots for picnics, concerts, theatre produc tions, and festivals.

Rhea Anicoche-Tan, founder of Beautéderm Group of Companies with endorser Beauty Gonzalez

The center boasts one of the best medical teams in Northern Luzon that specializes in dermatology as well as the latest top-of-the-line, cutting-edge machines, and equip ment in the field of aesthetic medi cine.For the past six years, Beau téHaus has been attracting thou sands of patients because of such procedures as its signature Beauté drip, Snow White Laser, CO2 Re

Nature parks of Singapore

At the highest point in the park is this mural wall depicting local historical scenes, if you want a bit of education while taking a break.

Pulao Ubin

new Laser, and Exilift as well as its latest and popular Ultherapy among many other fabulous and life-alter ingBeautytreatments.embodies the ideals that BeautéHaus is ad vocating to a tee – love for one’s self that empowers a person with the grace and confidence to love others back abundantly.

We have prepared an exciting and breathtaking show for all of you,” said AMBS President Ma ribeth Tolentino “We have outlined programs that will give the Filipinos a new TV experi ence.”

Walking on boardwalks on Pulao Ubin one might see various bird species and kingfishes that inhabit the island A high point in Faber Park where visitors can see a stunning view of the southern part of the city (Image by Joana Salcedo)

Here are some that I was fortunate to visit along with my nature-lover friend Joana in this country that is sometimes known as The Garden City.

blackheads, and clogged pores in maintaining clear skin.“I’m very happy now that I’m part of the Beau téHaus family that is doing wonders to the lives of many people by making them feel more beautiful and confident,” says Beauty. “I feel so blessed to be a part of BeautéHaus because the center is helping me to age gracefully since I’m not getting any younger.”

LAST December 2021, I wrote about the healing power of nature (link at the end of the article) because, in many ways, nature al lows one’s weary body to rest and heals a wounded soul.In Singapore, I found myself looking for nature parks where I can spend the entire morning or af ternoon walking around, breathing positivity in and breathing negativity out. Thankfully, the country has plenty of it – all of which are easily reachable and accessible via public transport, and some are dab right smack in the middle of this fine city.

Perhaps one of my favor ite places so far for nature therapy when in Singapore is Pulao Ubin originally known as Pulao Batu Jubin in Malay or Granite Stone Island, a 1,020-hectare island north east of mainland Singapore. Nature meets history is the kind of experience this place has to offer. You can opt to follow the welltrodden paths on foot or rent a bike and ex plore the island. Best perhaps to go there with a buddy or in a group, especially if an encounter with wild boars and monkeys isn’t your favor ite part when communing with nature. This is, after all, home to diverse habitats and a variety of wildlife.Allotatleast a full day if you wish to visit this tranquil island sanctuary. To get there, take a mo torized boat from Changi Point Ferry Terminal, roughly about a 10-minute ride, to Pulao Ubin jet ty. As of last week, the ride costs S$4 per person.

Fort Canning Park

And the admiration is quite mutual as Beauty is so expressive of how grateful she is to Rhea who warmly welcomed her to the family.

“I am really grateful to Ms. Rei for trusting me to represent BeautéHaus. She is such an inspiration to a lot of women like me because of her genuinely kind heart. She is so blessed because she is truly beautiful inside and out. She is actually a role model of mine and I sincerely thank her from the bottom of my heart.”

Mount Faber Park

Read my previous story about the healing power of nature on this link power-of-nature.htmltandard.net/lifestyle/314024109/the-healing-https://manilas ), Botana Taculao

Consumers who want to make a differ ence on the planet should look for products that contain palm oil with RSPO (Roundtable on Sustainable Palm Oil) certification. The RSPO, a group brought together by the World Wildlife Fund in 2004, is responsible for the production of more than half of the palm oil in the world. The non-profit organization in cludes farmers and small growers, retailers, environmental groups, bankers and investors, traders, and manufacturers who have one goal—to make palm oil harvest and produc tion more sustainable. An RSPO certification on a bar of soap or shampoo means you are getting a product with palm oil that was pro duced

Mount Faber is covered by secondary rainfor est or second-growth forest, and here and there this time, you will notice some covered or enclosed areas in which repairs and improve ments are being done.

If you get the chance to visit this place, be ing insect repellent, sunblock, and water, or alternatively, try the fresh young coconut fruits being sold at the stalls near the ferry terminal. Also, take snaps of your favorite areas on the island for posterity. If you still have a bit of time, make a side trip to Changi Food Village for what might just be the best satay you’ll get in this side of town.

ALLTV airs on Channel 2 on free TV and Planet Cable; Channel 35 on Cignal TV and Sky Cable, Channel 32 on GSAT, Channel 23 on Cablelink, and Channel 2 on other cable TV providers.

Singapore Botanic Gardens

Said to be one of the oldest parks in Singa pore, this 56-hectare park and reserve located at the junction of Kampung Bahru Road and Telok Blangah Road, is a popular destination for locals and tourists as it is easily accessible via buses or Mass Rapid Transit (MRT). Mount Faber is part of the Southern Ridges, compris ing 10-kilometer trails connecting Telok Blan gah Hill Park, HortPark, Kent Ridge Park, and Labrador Nature Reserve.

JOB WELL DONE BY JOBA BOTANA

, Associate Editor Patricia

Inside you will find the National Orchid Gar den, which houses about 1,200 to 2,000 collec tions of hybrids. I also enjoyed taking a stroll at the Healing Garden with its varieties of herbal and medicinal plants, many of which were famil iar to me. If you ever find yourself just wanting to get lost in the beauty of nature, The Gardens is an excellent choice. Do not worry, literally getting lost inside is unlikely as there are many people, staff included, inside. The Gardens receives about 4.5 million visitors annually.

many visitors in this park on any given day, runners, hik ers, and tourists included.

These are just some of the many nature parks the country has to offer. There are still many more islands and nature reserves to visit, but I’ll save those for next time.

LifeC4 THURSDAY, SEPTEMBER 15, 2022 Nickie Wang Editor Joba

Established and founded by Rhea Anicoche-Tan in 2016, BeautéHaus is a subsidiary of the Beautéderm Group of Companies.

Some of her favorite BeautéHaus procedures and treatments include Exislim – a machine that combines the technology of RF and ultrasound for body slim ming that is also ideal for skin tightening; M-Shape –a non-invasive, body sculpting and slimming machine with no downtime; Snow White Laser – a skin light ening treatment best for uneven skin tone, dark spots and marks, and other pigmentations; BeautéDrip –a supplementation for wellness and beauty administered via IV (intravenous route) that contains a high dose of glutathione, collagen, and vitamins for boosting the immune system, increasing energy, and is antiaging while giving the skin a brighter tone; BeautéTox – an injection procedure to improve or diminish wrinkles and fine lines for a more youthful look; and Lite Facial – a basic facial procedure for removing whiteheads,

At Watsons, Clean Beauty is not just a buzzword. Customers are highly encouraged to read labels and avoid products with ingre dients like hydroquinone, triclosan, quaterni um-15, chloroacetamide, triclocarban, phthal ates, o-phenylphenol, borates, methylene glycol, and microplastic beads. Potentially toxic chemicals can get absorbed into your body through the skin, which is the body’s biggest organ, and may lead to irritation, red ness, sensitivity, or even health issues.

Multi-media star Toni Gonzaga also gave the audience an exclusive interview with President Ferdinand Marcos, Jr. during the pilot episode of her show, followed by more surprises from the new TV network.

from trees. Every day, trees are chopped down to manufacture these paper products. Consumers should look for an FSC (Forest Stewardship Council) certification on the packaging of their paper products. Forest Stewardship Council is an organization that makes sure harvesting trees for wood prod ucts is done responsibly and that all living things involved in the harvest – humans and animals – are not mistreated. The goal of the council is for the world’s forests not to be de pleted of wood, which are used to manufac ture the paper products we buy. Other than RSPO and FSCcertified products, customers can also consider products that are more caring for the environment. As the world’s largest international health and beauty retailer, A.S. Wat son Group embraces sustain ability by making available more sustainable product choices to its customers. In the Philippines, Watsons has over1,291 sustainable SKUs (as of June 2022) that consum ers can choose from. These Sustainable Choices, which are displayed prominently in Watsons stores and featured on the website and app, are anchored on the pillars of Clean Beauty, Refills, Better Pack aging, and Better Ingredients.

The new TV network launched a star-studded variety show to give viewers a more exciting brand of entertainment to be hosted by popular TV host, singer, and comedian, Willie Revil lame

a brand new season for BeautéHaus as it enters the next phase of its prodigious run as one of the most trusted dermatological centers in Angeles City, Pampanga with screen star Beauty Gonzalez as its newest face.

FILIPINO viewers had a whole new TV expe rience during the soft launch of ALLTV, the pre miere television station of the Advanced Media Broadcasting System (AMBS) on Sept. 13.

READING labels on the packaging of health, wellness, and beauty products helps you make informed decisions. That’s be cause a label can tell you what ingredients are contained in the product, how to use it effectively, and how caring it is for the en vironment.Manyretailers are now more conscious of their roles as more than purveyors of products but also as stewards of making greener choices. All over the world, retail ers like Watsons are making efforts to be more sustainable and engaging their cus tomers to live more sustain ably through the products they choose, through using reusable bags, or participat ing in recovery and recycling efforts by the retailer or the community.Sowhat should customers look for in the health, wellness, and beauty products that they purchase?Palmoil, the most widely used vegetable oil in the world, is found in many of the prod ucts we use like soap, lipstick, and shampoo. Palm oil, which comes from oil palm trees, which grow in tropical rainforests, is mostly produced unsustainably these days and the uncontrolled clearing of these forests has led to the loss of these forests, pollution, and deaths of animals.

Although it can be a long stretch to cover, you can do the hike or run by yourself and it will be unlikely for you to get lost if you only follow the trails and pathways. Establishments offering food and refreshments can be found in the park, and so do toilets. Normally, there are

The BeautéHaus founder, on the other hand, openly admits that although she admires the body of work of Beauty, she really fell in love with the actress’ kind heart, humility, and professionalism. “Working with Beauty is such a lovely experience. I have always been drawn to hard-working women who value friendship and family like Beauty. She is not only a stunningly beautiful and talented woman but she has one of the most beautiful hearts as well.”

To add more fun and excitement, there will be a variety of extravagant dance show and song numbers, in addition to cash and big prizes which will also be given every hour to lucky television

Assets Ventures, Inc. led by businessman Man uel Paolo Villar Revillame joins showbiz couple, Gonzaga and multi-awarded director/scriptwriter/produc er Paul Soriano, and accomplished theater, TV, and movie actress, Ciara Sotto, and TV host/ endorser Mariel Rodriguez as contract stars of the new TV network.