Manila Standard - 2022 September 27 - Tuesday

By Vince Lopez, Rio N. Araja, and Joel E. Zurbano

THE strongest typhoon to hit the Philippines this year left at least six people dead, authorities said Monday, after heavy rain and fierce winds battered Luzon.

Typhoon Karding (international name: Noru) toppled trees, knocked out power, and flooded low-lying communities as it swept across Luzon on Sunday and Monday.

By Maricel V. Cruz

PRESIDENT Ferdinand Marcos Jr. has certified as urgent the proposed P5.268trillion National Expenditure Program (NEP) for 2023.

In a letter to Speaker Martin G. Romualdez dated Sept. 26, 2022, Mr. Marcos cited “the necessity of the im

President Ferdinand Marcos Jr. rattled off orders to several departments and agencies to bring aid after he surveyed the affected areas -- mostly provinces in Cen

tral Luzon where the storm passed over on its way out to the West Philippine Sea -- via helicopter on Monday morning.

The Department of Agriculture said the storm damaged P141.38 million worth of crops, based on initial estimates.

There have so far been no reports of widespread severe damage from Karding, which hit the country as a super typhoon.

“We were ready for all of this,” the Presi dent told a briefing with disaster agencies.

“You might think that we overdid it. There is no such thing as overkill when it comes to disasters.”

Five of the fatalities were rescuers who were sent to help flooded residents in San Miguel municipality in Bulacan province (see related story on A1 – Editors).

The sixth death was an elderly man who was hit by a landslide in Burdeos municipality on the Polillo islands, part

mediate enactment” of the money measure contained in House Bill 4488. This, the President wrote, is “in order to address the need to maintain con tinuous government operations follow ing the end of the current fiscal year, strengthen efforts to respond more ef fectively to the COVID-19 pandemic,

By Orlan Mauricio

MALOLOS CITY—Tragedy struck the office of the Bulacan Provincial Disaster Risk Reduction Management Office (PDR RMO) after five of its responders were killed in Sitio Galas, Barangay Camias in

San Miguel, Bulacan at the height of Super Typhoon Karding Sunday evening.

“Five dead bodies were recovered in different places in Brgy. Kamias early this morning (Monday) by residents. They are from the PDRRMO who were

Karding wreaks havoc in Luzon Rey E. Requejo

THE Philippines has filed at least 405 diplomatic protests over China’s aggression in the country’s exclusive economic zone (EEZ) in the West Philippine Sea, the Department of Foreign Affairs (DFA) said Monday.

The DFA announced this through its budget sponsor, Manila Rep. Bienve

nido Abante, during the plenary delib erations on the department’s proposed P20.4-billion budget for 2023, GMA News reported.

“Since 2020, we have filed 405 pro tests, including diplomatic notes on the daily illegal presence of Chinese

AERIAL INSPECTION. President Ferdinand Marcos Jr. surveys the damage wrought by Super Typhoon Karding on the provinces of Nueva Ecija and Aurora, portions of which were still inundated and without power on Monday. Following the helicopter ride, Mr. Marcos ordered government agencies to send aid where it was most needed. Presidential Photos

VICE President Sara Duterte-Carpio arrived in Japan Monday to attend the state funeral of assassinated for mer prime minister Shinzo Abe today (Tuesday) at Nippon Budokan in Tokyo.

Duterte-Carpio paid a courtesy call on Japanese Prime Minister Fumio Kishida at Akasaka Palace State Guest House in Tokyo on Monday.

FALLEN HEROES. Veteran Bulacan rescue volunteers George Agustin, Troy Justin Agustin, Marby Bartolome, Jerson Resurrecion, and Narciso Calayag Jr. (from left) perished early Monday after their boat was sucked away by flash floods in San Miguel town following Super Typhoon Karding. Their death left their team chief, Liz Mungcal, in tears (below). Batang Malolos FB Page, ABS-CBN via Twitter

FOR ABE’S FUNERAL. Vice President Sara Duterte-Carpio shakes hands with Japan’s

Prime Minister Fumio Kishida prior to their bilateral meeting at Akasaka Palace State Guest House in Tokyo on September 26, ahead of the state funeral for the former Japanese prime minister Shinzo Abe. AFP

DOH: COVID cases on the rise again

By Willie Casas

THE number of COVID-19 cases in the country has increased anew after a period of decline, with 17,891 infections recorded from September 19 to 25, 2022 – at least 22 percent higher than the tally logged in the previous week.

According to the Department of Health (DOH) weekly case bulletin, the cases recorded in the past week climbed up from the 14,707 new infections logged the week prior from September 12 to 18.

Last week’s daily case average also increased to 2,556 from the previous week’s 2,101.

DOH data also showed that 790 se vere and critical cases were admitted to hospitals as of September 25, ac counting for 11 percent of the total COVID-19 admissions.

Of the 2,514 intensive care unit (ICU) beds, 576 or 22.9 percent were occu pied. Meanwhile, 5,851 or 27.8 percent of the 21,078 non-ICU COVID-19 beds were in use.

For its part, OCTA Research Group said Monday the new COVID-19 infec tions in the National Capital Region re corded on Sunday surpassed the peak of new cases in August, as most indicators were seen increasing.

OCTA Research fellow Dr. Guido David said Metro Manila logged 1,600 new COVID-19 cases on September 25, which was higher than last month’s peak of 1,502 new cases reported on August 7.

The one-week growth rate of COV ID-19 cases in the region also jumped to 25 percent on Sunday, almost double the 13 percent reported on September 18.

NCR’s seven-day positivity rate, meanwhile, also went up to 18.5 percent on September 24, from 15.7 percent on

September 17.

Over 73 million Filipinos or 93.49 percent of the government’s target population are now fully vaccinated against COVID-19, according to DOH.

Of this number, at least 119,850 were fully vaccinated from Septem ber 19 to 25.

At least 6.8 million senior citizens or 78.36 percent of the target A2 population have also received their primary vaccine series while 19.2 million individuals have received their booster shots.

Meanwhile, health experts are cur rently monitoring six additional COV ID-19 Omicron subvariants in different countries that could be more transmis sible and may evade the current vac cines, an infectious diseases expert said Monday.

According to the World Health Or ganization’s (WHO) website, the Omi cron subvariants under monitoring as of September 22, 2022, are BA.5.1, BA.5.2, BA.2.75, BQ.1, BJ.1, and BA.4.6.

“Although their rates are still low in other countries, these six subvariants

tion to grant a P15,000 production subsidy to farmers, especially in the wake of ty phoon Karding’s damage to farmlands.

are being monitored because they have a characteristic that may cause high mutation, high infection, and evade vaccines or the antibodies obtained from vaccines,” said Dr. Rontgene Solante in a public briefing.

The WHO, citing phylogenetic anal ysis, said these subvariants show “sig nals of transmission advantage com pared to other circulating VOC [variant of concern: Omicron] lineages and [have] additional amino acid changes that are known or suspected to confer the observed change in epidemiology and fitness advantage as compared to other circulating variants.”

The Philippines has so far detected Omicron subvariants BA.5, BA.4, BA.2.12.1, and BA.2.75.

Solante has pushed for a variant-spe cific booster to be given to the general population as it may be more effective against the more transmissible Omi cron variant.

The DOH earlier said it plans to pur chase second-generation COVID-19 vaccines by the first quarter of 2023.

Ease of Paying Taxes measure passes House

THE House of Representatives on Friday voted overwhelmingly to ap prove on third and final reading the proposed Ease of Paying Taxes Act and House Bill 5001, which mandates free college entrance examinations at private higher education institutions (HEIs) to deserving students.

There were no negative votes or ab stentions when 250 lawmakers voted to approve House Bill 4125 or the tax measure that would institutionalize simplified tax returns and processes for smaller taxpayers for ease of com pliance to tax rules and regulations.

It also introduces a medium tax payer classification and a correspond ing Bureau of Internal Revenue (BIR) special unit for better service and tax administration, according to the con gressional fact sheet prepared by the House Ways and Means Committee.

supposed to rescue residents trapped in the flash floods but unfortunately met their untimely death,” San Miguel Mayor Roderick Tiongson told mem bers of the media.

Lt. Col. Romualdo Andres, chief of police in San Miguel, said the rescu ers were wading through floodwaters when a wall beside them collapsed, sending them into the fast current.

The casualties were identified as George Agustin, 45, of Iba O’ Este, Calumpit; Troy Justin Agustin, 30, of Sta. Rita, Guiguinto; Marby Bar tolome, 36, of Bulihan, Malolos City; team leader Jerson Resurreccion, 32, of Brgy. Catmon, Santa Maria; and Narciso Calayag of Malolos City.

The provincial government has assured families of the victims of all help to defray the costs of the burial as well as the imme diate release of their insurance benefits.

“On behalf of the entire province of Bulacan, I sincerely thank and honor them for their heroism and faithful ness to their mission. They even sac rificed their own lives,” Bulacan Gov. Daniel Fernando said in a statement.

“Words are not enough to express my grief over the tragedy that beset our rescuers here in the Provincial Disaster Risk Reduction and Manage ment Office,” he added.

Some 5,239 people in the province had to take shelter in evacuation cent ers due to Karding, according to the provincial government.

Close to 1,500 people remain in 17 evacuation centers in towns badly hit by flash floods, including San Ilde fonso, San Rafael, Meycauayan City, San Jose Del Monte City, Malolos City, Bocaue, Sta. Maria, and Marilao.

of Quezon province, where the storm made landfall, said Garner Jimenez from the local civil defense office.

Marcos flew over disaster-stricken areas to see the extent of the damages brought by the typhoon after a situation briefing by the National Disaster Risk Re duction and Management Council (NDR RMC) held at the Office of Civil Defense.

The DA said its initial damage assess ment covers 16,229 hectares of land in the Cordillera Administrative Region (CAR), the Ilocos Region, Central Lu zon, and Calabarzon, as of noon Mon day, Sept. 26.

This translates to a volume of pro duction loss of 5,866 metric tons (MT) of commodities such as rice, corn, and high-value crops, affecting 740 farmers.

The province of Nueva Ecija on Mon day declared a state of calamity due to the devastation of Typhoon Karding.

In Resolution No. 82-S-2022, the Of fice of the Sangguniang Panlalawigan said the Provincial Disaster Risk Reduc tion and Management Council (PDR RMC) recommended raising the state of calamity in consideration of the “huge damage and destruction” sustained by the province from the typhoon.

Meanwhile, the Department of So cial Welfare and Development (DSWD) set aside P1.1 billion for its disaster re sponse and assistance to people affected by Typhoon Karding, its spokesperson Romel Lopez said Monday.

This was apart from the Government Service Insurance System saying it was ready to open its emergency loan pro gram to assist members affected by the storm, and Catholic charity arm Caritas Manila calling on the faithful to help the victims through donations.

House Assistant Minority Leader and Gabriela Partylist Rep. Arlene Brosas also appealed to the Marcos administra

At the NDRRMC briefing, Energy Secretary Raphael Lotilla said that aside from Nueva Ecija and Aurora, other provinces facing power supply problems are Tarlac, Zambales, Pam panga, and Quezon.

Although main generation plants were spared by the typhoon, Lotilla said several areas remain without power.

Marcos said until power is restored, the Department of Energy should put stopgap measures, such as generators, in place.

The President also told the National Irrigation Administration and the Met ropolitan Waterworks and Sewerage System to be cautious in releasing water from both Ipo and Magat dams to pre vent widespread flooding.

In the same briefing, Social Welfare Secretary Erwin Tulfo brought up this plan for permanent evacuation centers that are separate from schools to be built.

“We really need to have an evacua tion center in every municipality, espe cially in flood-prone areas,” he said (see related stories on A1 and A3 – Editors).

President Marcos pointed out that the early coordination between national and local governments, especially during evacuation efforts, was crucial to prevent untoward incidents from happening.

He said local officials did a good job, providing updates on the situation and identifying what steps needed to be taken.

“We found some areas that are still in undated,” said Marcos on Twitter, where he mentioned flying over the provinces of Bulacan, Nueva Ecija, and Tarlac.

Generator sets with fuel would be sent to Nueva Ecija and Aurora prov ince, he added.

“But generally, the damage to public and private infrastructure is manage able. Government services are almost at full function. Main road thoroughfares are passable, communication is up and running,” he said.

ees within the first week of October and hopefully, by mid-October, we can de port around 2,000 to 3,000,” he added.

Cleanfuel, Seaoil Philippines, PTT Philippines, Chevron Philippines, and PetroGazz issued separate advisories on the price rollback.

On Sept. 20, the oil companies im plemented a per-liter rollback in diesel prices by P4.15 per liter and kerosene by P4.45 per liter. Gasoline prices did not change.

The total year-to-date adjustments come to a net increase of P30.65 per liter for diesel and P25.45 per liter for kero sene. Gasoline remains at a net increase of P16.50 per liter. Alena Mae S. Flores

Secretary Mico Clavano said.

“What’s worrying are the videos cir culating which show POGOs involved in murder, kidnapping, and prostitution. That’s what’s being reported to the DOJ and that is why the Secretary called a meeting to put a stop to this,” he added.

Clavano said there are at least 281 workers under government custody in Pampanga.

“The direction of Secretary Remulla is to start the arrest of POGO employ

floor debates and moving for the ap proval of HB 4488.

Remulla earlier met with the repre sentatives from the Chinese Embassy in Manila to ensure that foreign POGO employees are deported humanely and with proper care.

“We want this done per batch so they will not overstay at establishments, and we make sure that they have adequate food,” Clavano said, adding that the government wants to avoid a “humani tarian crisis” in the mass deportation. He said the employees will stay at ho tels at their own expense.

Moments before the inspection, Pres ident Marcos said he would not land in any place so that local authorities can focus on relief efforts without having to welcome him.

The Philippines is regularly ravaged by storms, with scientists warning they are becoming more powerful as the world gets warmer because of climate change.

Karding smashed into the country Sunday after an unprecedented “explo sive intensification” in wind speeds, the state weather bureau said earlier.

It made landfall about 100 kilometers northeast of Manila, before weakening to a typhoon as it crossed a mountain range, coconut plantations, and rice fields.

Nearly 75,000 people were evacu ated from their homes before the storm hit, as the meteorology agency warned heavy rain could cause “serious flood ing” in vulnerable areas, trigger land slides, and destroy crops.

But on Monday there was no sign of the widespread devastation many had feared, as the storm moved over the South China Sea towards Vietnam.

Aerial footage taken during Marcos’s inspection flight over central Luzon showed rivers that were swollen or had burst their banks and patches of farm land under water.

Burdeos municipality on the Polillo islands bore the brunt of Karding.

Ferocious winds ripped off some roofs and brought down large trees while heavy rain flooded riverside houses, said Ervin Calleja, a 49-year-old teacher.

“It was really worrisome,” Calleja said by phone.

“The wind was whistling, and it had heavy rains. That’s the more danger ous part.”

Flimsy houses along the coast were damaged and some crops were wiped out.

“Here at the town center all banana trees were flattened, 100 percent,” said Liezel Calusin, a member of the civil de fense team in Polillo municipality. With AFP, Vito Barcelo, and Maricel V. Cruz

“If they can no longer pay for their lodging or food, that’s the only time the government will come in and spend for the food and lodging of the Chinese na tionals,” the Justice official added.

Clavano said the operation against overstaying POGO workers will continue until December this year in coordination with the Chinese Embassy in Manila.

Clavano said government estimates put the number of overstaying POGO workers in the country at 40,000.

He said law enforcement agencies will also continue their probe of POGOrelated crimes, including killings, kid nappings, and prostitution.

claiming what is part of the Philippines.

As for HB 5001, it mandates all pri vate HEIs at the undergraduate level to waive college entrance examination fees to underprivileged graduating high school students and high school graduates belonging to the top ten per cent of their graduating class.

It also mandates the Commission on Higher Education to reprimand any official or employee of the pri vate schools and other concerned in dividuals who violate Section 4 of the act, regarding the grant of the waiver and impose disciplinary sanctions on the private HEIs for a repetition of the same offense.

The proposed Ease of Paying Taxes Act also enhances the portability of tax transactions by removing restric tions on venue in the filing of returns and payment of taxes.

It removes the distinction between sales invoices and official receipts and makes the former the document to be used by taxpayers to substantiate value-added tax (VAT) transactions, whether for sale of goods or services.

It mandates the Commissioner of Internal Revenue to ensure the crea tion of registration facilities for nonresident taxpayers.

It removes the required annual tax payer registration fee payment worth P500, legislates a Taxpayer’s Bill of Rights, and designates a Taxpayers’ Advocate Office.

and support initiatives towards nation al economic recovery.”

In response, Speaker Romualdez said: “We are right on track with our sched ule. The certification from Malacañang will enable the House of Representatives to approve the 2023 GAB on second and third reading on the same day which we set on Wednesday.”

House Majority Leader and Rules Com mittee Chair Manuel Jose Dalipe said the chamber is expected to have approved the budget bill on Friday, Sept. 30.

He said the House approved the budget of at least 80 percent of all gov ernment agencies and is only left with 10 agencies before wrapping up the

Dalipe said that utilizing the various teams that he created to manage the flow of deliberations in the plenary, the House has approved the budget of a total of 54 departments, attached agencies, and con stitutional bodies, failing only to act on the budget of four agencies.

“The implementation of schedules and the flow of the plenary discussion has been executed flawlessly by our team of deputies in the Rules Committee and the Committee on Appropriations,” the so lon from Zamboanga City said.

“I see longer and more heated discus sions on the budget of some agencies this week but it is nothing we cannot handle. I’m confident we will terminate all de bates by September 28 and approve the budget bill by September 30,” Dalipe said.

vessels in Pag-asa island and Julian Fe lipe Reef, as well as Chinese illegal ac tivities in the West Philippine Sea such as radio challenges, dangerous maneu vers, among others,” Abante said.

“The DFA will continue to assert the Philippine sovereignty over the West Philippine Sea, and the best way to do it is to file a diplomatic protest,” he added.

Vowing not to surrender even a square inch of territory, President Fer dinand Marcos Jr. on Saturday asserted the country’s sovereignty in the West Philippine Sea, saying there is no “ter ritorial conflict” with China.

Instead, Mr. Marcos said what exists is a “territorial challenge” with Beijing

“The position that the Philippines takes is that we have no territorial conflict with China. What we have [is] China claiming territory that belongs to the Philippines,”

Mr. Marcos said in an interview with former Australian Prime Minister Kevin Rudd, who hosted the meeting with the Asia Society in New York on Saturday morning (Manila time).

Mr. Marcos told members of Asia So ciety that incursions in the West Philip pine Sea have become “an issue right at the gut of our people.”

Abante cited the protests after Albay Rep. Edcel Lagman countered the Pres ident’s statement that the Philippines has no territorial conflict with China.

Lagman, however, said the hundreds of protests were not enough to stop China’s defiance of the Hague ruling,

Kishida expressed his gratitude to Duterte-Carpio for attending the state funeral and said he was impressed with the fact that both houses of Con gress of the Philippines have respec tively adopted resolutions expressing sympathy on the passing of the former Prime Minister Abe.

“Prime Minister Kishida, acknowl edging Vice President Duterte as the first Cabinet-level dignitary of the Marcos administration to visit Japan, conveyed his commitment to further strengthening the Japan-Philippines relations under the Marcos presiden cy,” read a statement posted on the Of fice of the Prime Minister’s website.

“In particular, Prime Minister Kishi da informed Japan’s decision to facili tate the improvement of agricultural and fisheries value chains and the col lection of small arms and light weapons in Mindanao, as well as to render edu cational support for junior government officers of the Philippines to study in Japan, and stated that he would like to work together based on the Philippines’ needs toward the establishment of an au tonomous government in Bangsamoro in 2025,” it added.

the landmark July 2016 UN Permanent Court of Arbitration decision rejecting its expansive nine-dash line claim of the entire South China Sea.

The same ruling also declared the Spratly Islands, as well as the Pangani ban (Mischief) Reef, Ayungin (Second Thomas) Shoal and Recto (Reed) Bank are all within the Philippines’ EEZ.

Mr. Marcos promised to continue working with all claimant countries to solve the issues “through diplomacy and dialogue,” he said the Philippines will stand firm on its position in the West Philippine Sea.

“I will not preside over any process that will abandon even a square inch of the territory of the Republic of the Phil ippines to any foreign power,” he said.

Abante emphasized that DFA’s man date is to file a diplomatic protest.

Nograles eyes Sierra Madre dev’t agency

By Maricel V. Cruz

RIZAL Rep. Fidel Nograles has batted for the immediate passage of a bill creating an agency tasked with the conservation and management of the 540-kilometer Sierra Madre mountain range.

“Amid the threat of (typhoon) Karding, Sierra Madre has once again shown just how crucial it is in protecting us against extreme weather events. The Sierra Madre Development Authority (SMDA) will help us preserve this shield in the face of a worsening climate crisis,” Nograles said.

Nograles authored House Bill 1972, which proposes to establish the SMDA to protect the mountain range, which includes majority of the country’s sixtyeight Protected Areas.

The SMDA would also lead the government’s anti-illegal logging and reforestation campaigns, prevent construction of unwarranted and illegal infrastructure, enhance and develop indigenous resources in the areas that can be utilized for development, and educate people on the importance of the mountain range.

The proposed agency is also mandated to conduct a comprehensive survey of the Sierra Madre region’s physical and natural resources, and draft a comprehensive plan to conserve and utilize them to promote the region’s social and economic development.

The SMDA is also tasked to plan, program, finance and undertake infrastructure projects such as river, flood, and tidal control work, wastewater and sewerage work, dams and water supply, roads, irrigation, housing, and related work; and assess and approve all plans, programs, and projects proposed by local government offices/agencies within the region related to the development of the mountain range.

Sierra Madre plays a key role in Metro Manila’s major water supply demands, along with the provinces of Cagayan, Isabela, Nueva Vizcaya, Nueva Ecija, Quirino, Aurora, Quezon, Rizal, Laguna, and Bulacan.

Go refiles 3 bills addressing disasters

damage to life and property.

By Macon Ramos-Araneta

SENATOR

Christopher Lawrence Go has reiterated his calls for the creation of a Department of Disaster Resilience (DDR), establishment of mandatory evacuation centers, and amendments to the National Building Code.

Meanwhile, Senate President Juan Miguel Zubiri and Senator Jinggoy Estrada condoled with the families of five provincial disaster risk reduction and management office (PDRRMO) workers who died while conducting rescue operations in San Miguel, Bulacan.

Go made the call as super typhoon Karding on Sunday swept through a

large part of Luzon with heavy rains and strong winds, prompting the national government to suspend classes and work across the Luzon mainland on Monday.

As a result, the National Disaster Risk Reduction and Management Council issued the highest emergency preparedness and response protocol in a bid to ward off

The senator refiled Senate Bill 188 proposing the creation of the Department of Disaster Resilience.

The said bill shall unify and streamline all responsibilities related to disaster preparedness and response, functions that are currently scattered across various departments and offices.

Go refiled Senate Bill No. 1181, otherwise known as the Philippine Building Act of 2022 which seeks to protect lives and mitigate the impact of disasters by setting building standards and benchmarks, particularly the recommended structural stability and integrity designed to withstand disasters.

The measure mandates more effective regulation of planning, design,

construction, occupancy, and maintenance of all public and private buildings and structures, thereby promoting building resilience against natural and man-made disasters.

The bill also amends the National Building Code to ensure the integrity and strength of all buildings and structures under what the senator called “building back better.”

“‘Building back better’ requires that in the reconstruction of damaged structures, due consideration must be given to the possibility of the disaster repeating itself.

In making rules and regulations, and in the reference standards for planning, designing, and reconstructing new buildings and structures.

NIA wards off Karding-induced floods in Isabela

By Rio N. Araja

NATIONAL Irrigation Administration (NIA) chief Benny Antiporda on Monday gave assurance that there would be no floods in Isabela, including Aurora town as an offshoot of typhoon Karding.

Antiporda said the NIA was successful in addressing floods due to the release of raw waters at the height of super tyhoon “Karding” to the newly revised Magat Dam Protocol on dam discharge and flood warning operations.

“Promptness exceeds diligence,” he stressed.

The NIA Magat River Integrated Irrigation System had already opened a gate at Magat Dam two days before the landfall of “Karding,” he said. He added that the Bustos Dam was reported to have reached 17.08 meters or beyond its spilling level of 17 meters.

The agency in Region III deflated two of its rubber gates to regulate the releases from Ipo Dam in Bulacan, Antiporda said.

All nearby barangays in San Rafael and Bustos towns were given early warning as early as Sunday at 8 p.m.

Solon cites relevance of post-harvest infrastructure to farmers

A PARTY-list congressman on Monday cited the crucial role that post-harvest facilities such as storage for grain and seeds play in making farming communities more resilient to natural disasters.

“We must stop this vicious cycle where our farmers always register losses because of the lack of storage and other facilities to mitigate the effects of typhoons,” AGRI party-list Rep. Wilbert Lee said in a statement.

The Department of Agriculture (DA) warned on Sunday that more than half of standing or planted rice and corn

crops in the country stood to be affected by typhoon Karding.

“Based on the combined data of all regions in Luzon, the total land area of existing crops that may be affected by Karding was 1,469,037 hectares for rice and 281,322 hectares for corn,” the DA said in a bulletin.

The figures make up 75.83 percent of the national standing rice crops and 52.37 percent of the national standing corn crops, it added.

Last week, Lee questioned the DA on why the agency continued to propose low

budgets for post-harvest activities despite the recurring problems of farmers on this phase of the agriculture value chain.

During the period of debate in the plenary for the DA’s budget for 2023, it was determined that while P59.96 billion was proposed for pre-harvest activities, only P13 billion was allocated for post-harvest facilities.

“Even if the budget for post-harvest activities is doubled, the strategic problem remains. This is not to say that production is not important. Napakahalaga po niyan

dahil kung wala iyan, walang produktong papasok sa merkado. Kailangan talaga ng ating mga magsasaka at mangingisda ng tulong dahil patuloy na nagsisipagtaasan ang presyo ng equipment, fertilizer, at iba pang farm inputs,” Lee said.

“However, even if we assume that our agri inputs reach our farmers, which currently remains one of your agency’s challenges, and fortunately increase their productivity, we still have to deal with the problem of getting these products ready for the market and consumers,” he added. Maricel V. Cruz

Group seeks shift to renewable energy to avert super typhoons

By Willie Casas

A CAUSE-oriented group on Monday reiterated its call for the country to fully shift to renewable energy to avert the occurrence of national disasters due to strong typhoons.

The Power for People Coalition (P4P) issued the call in conjunction with the country’s commemoration of killer typhoon Ondoy which struck 13 years ago, and amid the current onslaught of super-typhoon Karding.

At the same time, the group hailed the cancellation of the projected 600-megawatt liquefied natural gas project in Leyte.

In 2009, Ondoy brought a record 17.9 inches of rain in just over 24 hours in Metro Manila, triggering floods even of enormous proportions.

Karding’s strength caused Polillo Islands and the extreme northern edge of Quezon province to be placed under Tropical Cyclone Wind Signal (TCWS) No. 5.

“Destructive typhoons, including those

described as ‘once in a century’ or ‘once in a decade’ in terms of their power, have become an almost annual occurrence in the Philippines due to the climate emergency. We know the climate emergency is happening because the world continues to use fossil fuels like coal and natural gas, despite warnings aired for decades that it would lead the world to disaster. Yet despite our country being a punching bag for super-typhoons, successive governments, including the current Marcos administration, continue to expand the use of fossil fuels for our country. How many more super-typhoons must hit us before our government wakes up to facts?

It’s time to act, and act quickly,” P4P convenor Gerry Arance said.

The Philippines generates 76.1 percent of its power from coal and natural gas, and the latter has seen a boost from President Ferdinand Marcos, Jr., who declared his support for it as a “transition fuel” to renewable energy.

THE Department of Human Settlements and Urban Development (DHSUD) and the Bataan provincial government have partnered for a modern township project in the municipality of Mariveles.

Housing czar Jose Rizalino Acuzar said the project is part of President Ferdinand Marcos Jr.’s “Pambansang Pabahay para sa Pilipino Program: Zero ISF (informal settler family) 2028” to arrest the 6.5 million housing backlog across the country.

“Our President is too hardworking. We have to thank him for his support to this program,” he said.

The DHSUD chief took with him the agency’s key officials, along with Pag-IBIG’s Home Development Mutual Fund executive officer Marilene Acosta.

Acosta and Bataan Gov. Jose Enrique Garcia III earlier signed a memorandum of understanding before the laying of capsule ceremony in Barangay Alasasin in Mariveles.

The provincial government will identify the project beneficiaries based on the eligibility re-

quirements to be set by the Pag-IBIG Fund.

Meanwhile, Acuzar inspected one of the four township sites in Orion town with ongoing land development projects to provide his insights to make the implementation faster.

Other towns with proposed 1Bataan Village project included Orani and Balanga City.

Acuzar also called on all stakeholders to actively play their role for the success of Marcos Jr.’s priority housing program for at least 3.7 million informal settler families.

“I personally received a tall order from PBBM himself to fast track the implementation of this program. Every day, we want to see development. We can only do that if we, at DHSUD, will multiply ourselves through collaboration. Admittedly, we need the help of everyone, particularly our partners in the local government units, private sector and other relevant government institutions. You will receive houses,” he said. Rio N. Araja

The heavy downpour spawned by “Karding” triggered floods in some parts of Dona Remedios Trinidad and San Miguel in Bulacan since Bulo Dam, considered as an open dam, could only contain up to 76 meters of water.

Antiporda said they had ensured that residents and all stakeholders were properly and immediately informed with the scheduled dam water release.

He said due to the structural integrity of NIA dams, “Karding” incurred no damages to the infrastructure projects based on the initial report from field offices.

He said the NIA has closely and intensively monitored the dams’ situations, and coordinated with local government units and other government agencies two days ago before “Karding” battered Luzon.

He asked the National Disaster Risk Reduction and Management Council to include the NIA in its situation briefing with President Ferdinand Marcos Jr. during calamities.

NIA continuously conducts field investigation and site visits to gather data about the infrastructure and crop damages, and closely monitors the status of all dams.

BI needs over 150 new officers, admin aides

By Vito Barcelo

THE Bureau of Immigration (BI) needs over 150 new immigration officers and administrative aides.

Immigration Commissioner Norman Tansingco said they will hire 147 immigration officers and 28 administrative aides for deployment to the country’s major ports and other offices nationwide.

“The manpower augmentation is part of the agency’s move to ensure improvement of our services to the travelling public, especially now that the country is on its way to recovery.” Tansingco said.

According to Tansingco, the bureau needs a new breed of officers who have the passion and patriotism for public service.

“This is how we evolve with the times changing. We need to keep our frontlines fervent so as to guarantee efficiency in our ports,” he said.

He said applicants would need to undergo several examinations and interviews before being officially hired.

“It’s a rigorous selection process, but this is how we make sure that we get the best officers to man our borders,” Tansingco said.

Interested applicants are requested to submit their applications via the BI’s career portal at careers.immigration.gov.ph not later than Sept. 30.

SPARED BY KARDING. Vegetable farmers in La Trinidad, Benguet attend to their crops with tender loving care, thankful that typhoon Karding which left a swathe of destruction elsewhere in Luzon, spared them and their farms from harm. Dave Leprozo

AFTER THE STORM. Department of Public Works and Highways (DPWH) personnel conduct a clearing operation at the Marikina Riverpark in Marikina City in the wake of typhoon Karding which caused the waterway to swell, prompting residents of low-lying areas to evacuate to higher ground. Joey O. Razon in Bataan

KARDING’S AFTERMATH. Metropolitan Manila Developoment Authority (MMDA) workers collect tons of trash washed ashore from the Manila Bay to the Dolomite beach along Roxas Boulevard in Manila at the height of typhoon Karding. Norman Cruz, Danny Pata

Binay to transform Makati into pilot resilience hub

MAYOR Abby Binay is determined to make Makati City a model for other local governments in formulating dis aster risk reduction and climate action plans.

She said Makati can become the first resilience hub in the Philippines and Southeast Asia.

CityNet, the largest association of urban stakeholders committed to sustainable development in the Asia Pacific region, recently chose Makati City to lead in the next four years.

Makati was previously First Vice President City since 2018 and Second Vice President since 2010.

“Makati is also lucky to have been elected as the Vice President of the CityNet for the years 2023-2026, with the city of Kuala Lumpur, Malay sia,” Binay said in her tabloid column #ProudMakatizen.

Makati City is likewise the National Cluster President of CityNet in the Philippines.

Binay said Makati City achieved such feats because of its frequent sharing of resilient and sustainable plans in international seminars and fora.

LTFRB memo allows standing in public buses, modern jeeps

By Rio N. Araja

THE Land Transportation Franchising and Regulatory Board (LTFRB) on Monday allowed standing passengers inside some public utility vehicles in areas placed under Alert Level 1 status.

LTFRB Chairperson Cheloy Garafil, Riza Marie Paches and Mercy Jane Leynes, and executive Robert Peig Memorandum Circular No. 2022-070 dated Sept. 23.

BARMM journo receives patent COR for energy utility model

BARMM Education Minister Mohaguer Iqbal lauded the project even prior to the grant of the patent, saying, “this is what we need: creativity in invention or innovation.”

The region’s Interior and Local Gov ernments Minister Naguib Sinarimbo said his office can host a forum where the patent may be presented, and the model explained and discussed.

Maulana, a correspondent of Manila Standard, said the T-MPG UM can be up graded to full-scale of his original design. The model is a downscaled version includ ing a direct current (DC) source composed of car batteries in the prototype, instead of costly industrial batteries.

He said T-MPG as a marine electric ity source conversion model for renew able energy “can be expanded” with a gearbox mechanism designed for a hydropower turbine or a wind turbine system, as established in a Research and Development (R&D) program on ma rine electricity conversion for renewable energy developed in Europe.

Maulana, however, added that any R&D efforts should “not extend” the design to ex ternal community looping distribution, just yet, so as not to create early “conflict” with power utilities on issues like “islanding.”

Engineer Chamlette Garcia, chief of the IPOPHL Utility Model Examination Division (UMED), said the Philippine patent regulatory agency is strict as ever on granting patent COR including those for utility models (UMs), under which the T-MPG is patented.

“The whole world, including US (inven tors), will get to see it (T-MPG) when it’s published on the IPOPHL e-Gazette,” Gar cia explained. The abstract of Maulana’s utility model had been published in a monthlong “period of opposition,” May 20—June 20, 2022. There was no opposition.

Nash B. Maulana studied BSEE at National University, Manila, and finished a Bachelor of Journalism at Polytechnic University of the Philippines, Manila.

“We are also helping other cities to start creating their own programs and plans to be prepared in disasters and emergencies,” Binay added.

She thanked CityNet for its trust in Makati to lead and serve the organi zation and vowed to continue helping other local government units to be dis aster-ready, sustainable, and resilient.

CityNet was established in 1987 with the support of the United Nations and gathered a network of 110 cities, 173 municipalities, non-governmental organizations, private companies, and research centers.

Under the Valley Fault System, a potential generator of a large magni tude of earthquakes in the National Capital Region is in the eastern part of Makati.

Six villages are identified as highrisk areas while in the western portion, there are seven flood-prone villages

The Makati City Disaster Coordi nating Council is the lead agency in disaster response, a specialized task group for the coordination of disas ter-reduction policies and strategies at the national, regional, and city levels.

Court upholds life term on 3 drug peddlers

By Rey E. Requejo

The memo states that public utility buses (PUBs) and modern public util ity jeepney (MPUJs) Class 2 types will be allowed to have standing passengers subject to the following conditions:

• For Low Entry/Low Floor PUBs, only a maximum of 15 standing pas sengers are allowed, with at least one person apart;

• For Coach-type PUBs, only a maxi mum of 10 standing passengers are al lowed, with at least one person apart and;

• For MPUJs-Class 2, only a maxi mum of 5 standing passengers are al lowed, with at least one person apart.

LTFRB said the move dovetailed with the order of the Department of Transportation (DOTr) to issue a policy to make use of PUVs without violating any public health safety protocols.

“Imposed existing policies on mini mum public health protocols inside PUVs shall be strictly observed at all times,” the agency said.

“Failure to comply with this MC shall be considered as a violation of the terms and conditions of their CPC, and appropriate penalties shall be imposed against the operator under the provi sions of Joint Administrative Order No. 2014-01,” it added.

At the height of the pandemic, the government prohibited standing passengers inside PUVs as they were only allowed to use their full seating capacity.

The LTFRB officials reminded the public to always follow the existing pol icy on minimum health protocols inside the PUVs, as the memorandum took ef fect yesterday.

THE Court of Appeals has sustained the life imprisonment imposed by a regional trial court in Tabuk City, Kalinga against three drug peddlers, even as it called on the government to continue its relentless campaign against illegal drugs.

In a 17-page decision, the CA’s Spe cial Ninth Division through Associate Justice Edwin Sorongon declared that the Court, as a staunch guardian of people’s rights and welfare, “cradles no compassion to peddlers of misery and death in our streets.”

Because of this, the appellate court denied the petition filed by Annabel Alverio Estrada, Marlon Cabilec Oli mos, and Jackielou Castillo Macaben ta seeking to set aside their conviction for the illegal sale of dangerous drugs issued by the Regional Trial Court of Tabuk City, Kalinga, Branch 25 on February 25, 2021.

Besides the life term, the CA also upheld the P500,000 fine imposed by the trial court against the accused.

The appellate court also af firmed the penalty of imprisonment of 12 years to 14 years and a fine of P300,000 imposed against Estrada for illegal possession of dangerous drugs.

“We can neither underestimate nor overemphasize the havoc brought about by the deleterious effects of prohibited drugs on the moral fiber of our soci ety, especially that of the youth. True enough, countless lives have been wast ed and many dreams lost, as a result of the upsurge of prohibited drugs in both the mainstream of high society and its grassroots,” the decision stated.

By Macon Ramos-Araneta

SENATOR Win Gatchalian is seeking to reinstate the cut in the National Bureau of Investigation’s (NBI) proposed P2.3-bil lion budget for 2023 to intensify the gov ernment’s cybercrime prevention efforts.

He aired his concern that the National Expenditure Program (NEP) trimmed the NBI’s 2023 budget to P1.8 billion from its actual budget this year of P2.3 billion.

This includes the lowering of the agen cy’s fund for its anti-cybercrime enforce ment unit to P21.2 million or a cut of al most 20 percent compared to this year’s P26.4 million.

“Cybercrimes are flourishing in many territories including the Philippines. I

CALLING ON THE SPEAKER. IN ACTION. the Typhoon

would like to see that the NBI is fully equipped and has the necessary resourc es, especially in its fight against cyber crimes,” said Gatchalian.

He noted that the reduction in the NBI’S budget could adversely affect its anti-cybercrime operations, especially at a time when illegal activities, such as identity theft, credit card fraud, and pro liferation of spam and phishing messages, continue to rise.

He added that it is crucial to reinstate the cut in the budget of the agency while the Senate awaits the passage of the SIM Registration bill.

Gatchalian guaranteed he would help rein state the proposed NBI budget for next year.

“We will do our best to reinstate the

amount that was cut in the budget pro posal,” he stressed in support of the NBI’s anti-cybercrime efforts.

In addition to reinstating the amount cut from the NBI’s budget, Gatchalian said the imminent passage of the manda tory registration of SIMs is also expected to enable the NBI to effectively imple ment its anti-cybercrime campaign.

He emphasized that a substantial re duction in the number of cybercrimes in the country would help enhance the digi tal revolution in the country and underpin economic recovery.

The senator underscored the need to give the needed support to the NBI to avert local criminals who have become sophisticated nowadays. Win wants NBI budget restored

Use of guarantee letters with private pharmacies pushed

A CONGRESSIONAL leader on Monday proposed that indi gent patients be allowed to obtain prescription drugs from pri vate pharmacies without charge.

House Deputy Minority Leader Bernadette Herrera prodded the Department of Social Welfare and Development (DSWD) to sign an agreement with private drug stores nationwide so indigent patients can buy prescription medicines. The patients would use guarantee letters from the agency under its Assistance to Individuals in Crisis Situations (AICS) program, Herrera said.

A guarantee letter is an assurance of payment offered by the Department of Health, DSWD, or other concerned government agencies and institutions including Congress, on behalf of a pa tient, for the portion of the hospital bill.

Bill for universal ‘beep card’ filed by QC lawmaker

A BILL has been filed at the House of Representatives proposing to cen tralize stored-value payments and transactions for public transporta tion in Metro Manila into a single “beep card”.

House Bill 4913, also known as the “Universal Beep Card Bill,” by Quezon City Rep. Patrick Michael Vargas aims to provide a one-cardfits-all system for public transpor tation in Metro Manila to address the inconvenience and unnecessary costs of paying for multiple contact less smart cards or “beep cards”.

Beep cards are reloadable contact less smart cards introduced in 2015 for the payment of fares for railbased rapid transit transportation through Metro Manila railway lines such as the LRT Line 1, LRT Line 2, MRT Line 3, and select bus lines among others.

The Beep card was created, im plemented, and operated by AF Pay ments Incorporated, and is also used in lieu of cash in some convenience stores and other businesses.

However, in 2016, a different con tactless smart card was issued for yet another public transportation project called the Bagong Jeep (BEEP) pro gram which was launched in Metro Manila coinciding with the imple mentation of the national govern ment’s PUVMP.

The BEEP Program has utilized the “BeepRides” card, a different contact less smart card from the “Beep” card used by rail-based rapid transporta tion systems.Maricel V. Cruz

COTABATO CITY—The Intellectual Property Office of the Philippines (IP OPHL) has granted patent registration to a prototype of renewable energy con version developed by a journalist based in the Bangsamoro Autonomous Region in Muslim Mindanao (BARMM).

Lawyer Lolibeth Medrano, IPOPHL patents director, wrote that a certificate of registration (COR) of patent has been issued to Nash B. Maulana, one year af ter he had applied for utility model (UM) patent of his Tri-Mode Power Generator (T-MPG) System, a set of self-charging battery-driven generator prototype.

The Bagong Henerasyon party-list lawmaker said her pro posal draws inspiration from her experience as a young Qu ezon City councilor in 2004, when she signed a memorandum of agreement with the DSWD and Mercury Drug for indigent patients from her district to avail of prescription drugs, bought using even her own personal money. Maricel V. Cruz

Garafil

STORM WEATHERED. Residents of Isla Puting Bato in Tondo, Manila who evacuated to the Delpan Sports Complex to avoid Typhoon Karding return home on Monday after Manila Mayor Honey Lacuna distributes relief boxes from the Manila Department of Social Welfare at the Baseco Evacuation Center and the Isabelo Reyes Elementary School (inset). Danny Pata and Norman Cruz

A big heart for the poor

Although LAM is a very private person, people in dire need go to her through friends, connections in the law practice or the academe, and she turned out to be a truly helpful person.

I learned that LAM has also asked the assis tance of the Philippine Charity Sweepstakes Office (PCSO) for “ayuda” or financial aid on hospitaliza tion costs of ailing poor kababayans.

A RETIRED colleague in the police beat recalled recently that the late President Ferdinand Marcos, Sr. used to have a meal with an ordinary family on his birthday.

“It serves as an indelible memory seeing every year Apong’s photograph on the front pages eating lunch with the ordinary man like a farmer and his family to mark his birthday September 11th,” recalls my Ilocano friend, now aged 62.

His reporter’s nostalgia came up over a cup of coffee following the birthday of President Ferdinand “Bongbong” Marcos, Jr. who celebrated his own birthday last September 13.

After having lunch with us, members of the Cabinet, BBM and First Lady Liza Araneta Marcos (LAM) proceeded to an orphanage in San Juan City, called the White Cross Orphanage.

Accredited by the Department of Social Welfare and Development (DSWD), the child-caring agency provides temporary shelter for children, aged 0–6 years born to unwed mothers, indigent families, men tally or physically-incapacitated parents, or victims of incest or rape.

At White Cross, the children are provided with medical assistance, early-childhood education and infant care.

The orphanage visit shows that President BBM takes after his father and he shares such qualities with the First Lady LAM, a big heart for the disadvan taged poor.

So, Christmas came early to the orphanage as the First Couple treated them to snacks from Jollibee, including spaghetti and Chicken Joy, and toys that brought smiles to the children there.

Actually, BBM and LAM ordered the same Jollibee foods for all the kids under the care of all DSWD reception centers all over the country.

At White Cross, BBM in casual clothes gestured to several kids to come near him and said hello. I heard him asking them in a fatherly voice, “Anong gusto nyo, anong kailangan nyo?”

One could see in the President’s eyes his genuine concern for the young who were either orphaned or abandoned, ending up at the shelter.

A law practitioner and professor known by her initials “LAM,” the First Lady shares BBM’s sym pathy for the poor. Charity is something they both have been involved in long before the idea of running for president came up. Before leaving with BBM for the United Nations General Assembly in New York last week, First Lady LAM discussed with me extending assistance to people who go to her personally for help with vari ous concerns, such as medical and burial assistance.

She has also inquired from me about visiting the Bahay Kalinga in Valenzuela City, a facility operated by the LGU in partnership with the DSWD provid ing a temporary shelter for street wanderers, found ling children and battered women recovering from spousal abuse.

Also concerned about the welfare of single parents or solo parents, LAM asked about the progress in the drafting of the Implementing Rules and Regulations (IRR) of the Expanded Solo Parents Welfare Act of 2022.

One could see in the President’s eyes his genuine concern for the young who were either orphaned or abandoned, ending up at the shelter

The new law aims to develop a comprehensive package of social development and welfare services for the growing number of solo parents and their chil dren to be carried out by the DSWD.

During the height of the pandemic crisis in 2020 and 2021, the government implemented the blended learning and holding of online classes as face-to-face schooling was suspended nationwide amid the CO VID-19 crisis.

Former senator BBM and his wife LAM knew many, many poor students lack the capacity to buy cellphones and tablets needed to use in their online classes and research to accomplish their modules and chat online with their teachers.

BBM was a regular guest on my tele-radyo pro gram Tutok Tulfo at PTV-4 and Radyo Pilipinas dur ing which he gave away tablets to hundreds of poor parents and children who called in.

During our Cabinet meetings, BBM never forgets to ask me about the status of the various DSWD as sistance programs for poor Filipinos.

To prove true to his first State of the Nation Ad dress promise, “Di namin kayo iiwan,” the President vowed to muster all available government resources to augment the financial aid to Filipinos in extreme difficulty.

Indeed, hope floats as BBM and LAM have a spe cial place in their common heart for the poor and the commitment to help the disadvantaged to overcome difficulties and hardships.

Never again a dictatorship

By virtue of Amendment 6, Marcos virtually became a one-man ruler. It granted him legislative power even after the formal lifting of Martial law on January 17, 1981.

What made it worse was that the Batasang Pam bansa was effectively a rubber-stamp legislature, always approving whatever the President proposed.

Quick response to Karding

government assistance to those affected.

IN MY column last Saturday, I detailed how the Philippines became what emerged as the US-Mar cos dictatorship. Unfortunately, the United States supported Marcos for most of his years in power and only abandoned him in 1986 during the EDSA revolution.

In the succeeding years from his declaration of martial law in 1972, Marcos consolidated his power through presidential decrees, Letters of Instruction and other presidential issuances.

The most controversial of these decrees and proclamations were Presidential Decree 86 calling for the cancellation of the plebiscite and instituted barangays’ citizens’ assemblies to ratify the new Constitution by a referendum from 10–15 January 1973, and Proclamation 1102 certifying and pro claiming that the 1973 Constitution had been rati fied by the Filipino people and thereby was in effect. By this time, martial law was in full force and the 1971 Constitutional Convention had finished draft ing the new Constitution, to be known as the 1973 Constitution, albeit under suspicious circumstances.

In the celebrated case of Javellana v. Executive Secretary, the Court stated in its dispositive portion that, “This being the vote of the majority, there is no further judicial obstacle to the new Constitution be ing considered in force and effect.”

In that case then, there was no Supreme Court ruling that the 1973 Constitution had been validly ratified because six out of 10 Justices held that there was no valid ratification in accordance with Article XV, Section 1 of the 1935 Constitution, which pro vides only one way for ratification, i.e., “in an elec tion or plebiscite held in accordance with law and participated in only by qualified and duly registered voters.”

Since then, the 1973 Constitution was amended a few times, October 16, 1977, January 30, 1980, and April 7, 1981, which changed the form of gov ernment from presidential to parliamentary, ostensi bly reducing the power of the president as head of state and transferring power to the prime minister. But with Congress, padlocked and the president acting as the legislature and ruling by decrees, the changes in the Constitution were mostly cosmetic. The most controversial of these decrees was the socalled Amendment 6. The 1976 amendments were ratified in the ref erendum-plebiscite in October 1976 and were pro claimed in full force and effect also that month. The most controversial yet was Amendment 6 granting the president concurrent legislative authority with the parliament.

The president exercised absolute power until he was ousted in 1986 and forced to live in exile until his death on September 28, 1989, living in his wake an economy in shambles, horrendous cases of hu man rights violations, damaged institutions, and a demoralized nation wallowing in poverty.

And so the nightmarish 14-year period of au thoritarian rule ended, which would include eight years of Martial Law (ending on January 17, 1981, through Proclamation 2045, followed by six more years where Marcos retained essentially all of his powers as dictator.

That Juan Ponce Enrile is now suggesting going back to the martial law provisions of the 1935 Constitution/1973 Constitution is to forget and deny the atrocities and abuses of the Marcos regime

Learning from the horrors of the Marcos des potic regime, the 1987 Constitution came up with more stringent safeguards and limitations for im posing martial law.

Section 18 of Article VII of the 1987 Constitu tion now provides for broad and specific limitations to the power of the President to proclaim a state of lawlessness, to suspend the privilege of the writ of habeas corpus, and to declare martial law.

Under the present set-up, the president can only declare martial law in an event of invasion or rebel lion, and the period of effectivity is set at a maxi mum of 60 days.

A mere state of lawlessness is not a Constitu tional ground to suspend the privilege of the writ of habeas corpus or to declare martial law.

In such a case, the remedy of the President, as Commander-in-Chief, is to invoke the “call out” clause, supra, that is, to mobilize the armed forces to restore peace and order.

Moreover, the president is required “within 48 hours” from the proclamation of martial law or the suspension of the privilege of the writ of habeas corpus to submit a report in person or in writing to Congress, who may revoke or extend such proclamation.

Finally, the political question doctrine cannot stop the Supreme Court from determining the “fac

RUTHLESSLY

exhaling its anger on the population at the start of the week, Super Typhoon Karding punched Luzon with fierce winds and heavy rain which forced hundreds of people on the eastern seaboard to flee their homes.

The weather disturbance packed maxi mum sustained winds of 195 kilometers an hour, on the heels of President Ferdinand Marcos Jr.’s return home from a six-day of ficial visit to the United States, high in the hope there would soon be a rebound in the domestic economy.

Karding, the strongest typhoon to hit the country this year, hit land on Quezon’s Po lillo islands at half past five Sunday, 20 min utes before sundown, and quickly moved westward, pummeling the Sierra Madreshielded Quezon province and Cagayan Valley, the Bicol Region including Metro Manila and the nearby provinces.

If this was any indication of Karding’s ruthlessness, videos posted on social me dia and officially verified by the military showed images of trees busted up by strong winds after swaying wildly in parts of Que zon and other provinces. Residents in Quezon, Aurora and even

those in low-lying areas of the metropolis were forced to evacuate from their homes for temporary shelters on higher ground.

We are sure the ready response is deeply appreciated by those on the typhoon’s trackway – although the off-color weather quickly stormed out of Luzon as speedily as it marched in the day before

But as the typhoon barreled through the country’s heavily populated Luzon island, the Department of Social Welfare and De velopment, through its field offices in Lu zon, was prompt, if impulsive, in extending

This, after DSWD Secretary Erwin Tulfo met the concerned DSWD Regional Directors in Northern, Central, and South ern Luzon; Cagayan Valley, Cordillera Administrative Region, Bicol Region, and National Capital Region.

During the meeting, the Directors re ported to the Secretary their Field Offices’ preparedness efforts including their avail able standby funds and stockpiles of food and non-food items, as well as preposi tioned goods in the different LGUs along Karding’s monitored path.

It is good that the FOs assured Secretary Tulfo they were ready and have strategically prepositioned adequate food and non-food items (FNIs) for immediate distribution to the areas affected by the super typhoon.

We are sure the ready response is deeply appreciated by those on the typhoon’s trackway – although the off-color weather quickly stormed out of Luzon as speedily as it marched in the day before, forcing suspension of classes and work hours in offices in the affected areas, cancellation of incoming and outgoing flight, and af fecting an estimated 1.7 million hectares of crops in Luzon.

ML under 1987 Charter a toothless tiger

Read these too: “The state of Martial Law does not suspend the operation of the Constitution, nor supplant the functioning of civil courts or legislative assemblies, nor authorize the conferment of jurisdic tion on military courts and agencies over civilians where civil courts are able to function, nor automati cally suspend the privilege of the writ.

LAST September 21, the nation marked the 50th an niversary of Martial Law when then President Ferdi nand E. Marcos, the father of President Ferdinand R. Marcos Jr., proclaimed the emergency nationwide.

As usual, as they have always been doing, mili tants, activists and leftists have been crying out, “Nev er Again, Never Again!”

Obviously, those crying out against another Mar tial Law proclamation are not aware that under the 1987 charter Martial Law is a toothless tiger.

Bongbong Marcos’ late father based his proc lamation under the 1935 Constitution, which actu ally gave the President almost an absolute power as commander-in-chief of the armed forces to declare martial Law.

But, under the 1987 Charter framed by a Consti tutional Commission handpicked by the late Cory Aquino herself, the commission overreacted by virtu ally emasculating the provision under which Martial Law could be declared “to suppress lawless violence, invasion or rebellion” and removed the prerequisite “IN IMMINENT DANGER THEREOF,” which actually made the proclamation of Martial Law meaningless.

Santa Banana, under the 1987 charter, the Presi dent, in cases of invasion, cannot declare Martial Law unless actual invasion occurs. Isn’t that crazy, and even stupid?

How can a President declare Martial Law when an invasion occurs when the military is already trained to defend the territory when an actual rebel lion occurs.

There would be no need to declare Martial Law since it is the duty and responsibility of the Armed Forces to defend the country. That’s the reason why “imminent danger thereof” is necessary to declare Martial Law, my gulay, or when public safety re quires it.

Another stupid overreaction to Marcos’ Martial Law is the limitation not exceeding 60 days. My gulay, suppose invasion or rebellion occurs beyond 60 days, how can you limit them?

To limit Martial Law to only two months is crazy and even stupid, but that’s what Section 18 of Article VII under the Cory constitution wants!

Now read these: “Within 48 hours from the proc lamation of Martial Law or the suspension of the privilege of the writ of habeas corpus, the President shall submit a report in person or in writing to the Congress.

“The Congress, voting jointly, by a vote of at least a majority of all its members in regular or special ses sion, may revoke such proclamation or suspension, which revocation shall not be set aside by the Presi dent.

“Upon the initiative of the President, the Congress may, in the same manner, extend such proclamation or suspension for a period to be determined by the Congress, if the invasion or rebellion shall persist and public safety requires it.

“The Congress, if not in session, shall within 24 hours, following such proclamation or suspension, convene in accordance with its rules without need of a call.

“The Supreme Court may review, in an appropri ate proceeding filed by any citizen, the sufficiency of the factual basis of the proclamation of Martial Law or the suspension of the privilege of the writ of or extension thereof, and must promulgate its decision thereon within 30 days from its filing. “

tual basis” for the proclamation of martial law or the suspension of the privilege of the writ or the exten sion thereof.

These safeguards are in place for a compelling reason -- to prevent a repeat of the experience of the Marcos dictatorial rule.

“The suspension of the privilege of the writ shall apply only to persons judicially charged for rebellion offenses inherent or directly connected with invasion.

“During the suspension of the privilege of the writ, any person thus arrested or detained shall be judicially charged within three days, otherwise shall be released.”

Under the 1987 Charter, the President, in cases of invasion, cannot declare Martial Law unless actual invasion occurs. Isn’t that crazy, and even stupid?

Thus if you analyze carefully all the overreactions to the Marcos Martial Law, any President would be crazy or even stupid to proclaim Martial Law under these circumstances because the frame of the 1987 charter, obviously upon the instruction of Cory Aqui no, has made Martial Law a toothless tiger and even meaningless.

So, what are the anti-Marcos activists and the left ists crying about Martial Law?

“NeverAgain” they cried out as the nation marked the anniversary of Martial Law.

But, as I said, if any President will proclaim Mar tial Law under the 1987 Constitution, he must be re ally crazy or even stupid because it is a toothless tiger.

I believe that those crying out “Never Again” for Martial law are truly more stupid because the 1987 Constitution makes Martial Law meaningless. So, doesn’t that make those crying out against Martial Law more stupid?

• • • As we marked the 50th anniversary of Proclama tion 1081, which imposed a nationwide Martial law by President Ferdinand E. Marcos, I have my own story to tell.

A week before that date, Sept 21, 1972, there were rumors all over town that President Marcos would declare Martial Law because of the growing threat of the Maoist communists, led by Joma Sison, head of the Communist Party of the Philippines.

On the night of Sept 21, I went to bed early. I was tired since at that time, aside from being vice presi dent of Kanlaon Broadcasting System (KBS), then owned by the sugar magnate Roberto S. Benedicto, I had a daily column at the Philippine Daily Express, also owned by Benedicto, a daily radio program and a twice a week television program over Channel 9, also operated by KBS.

At about one o’clock the next morning, my tele phone rang and the voice at the other end said franti cally, “Sir, you better come to the station.”

Channel 9 was then along Roxas Boulevard, a short distance from the defunct Savoy Hotel (now the Midas Hotel) .

Santa Banana, on my way to Channel 9, I had to pass through three checkpoints manned by heavily armed soldiers.

Luckily, I had my ID tag as an official of Chan nel 9.

When I reached the station, the chief of security met me and showed me a big sheet of paper saying that Proclamation 1081 was declared by Marcos na

That Juan Ponce Enrile is now suggesting going back to the martial law provisions of the 1935 Con stitution/1973 Constitution is to forget and deny the atrocities and abuses of the Marcos regime. Who would not be? Enrile was the chief imple menter of martial law during the time of the dictator

tionwide and that Channel 9, being a media outlet, was closed. I stayed with the crowd until six o’clock in the morning and decided to go home.

On my way home, as I was cruising along EDSA, I decided to drop by the Hotel Intercontinental cof feeshop for a cup of coffee.

When I entered the hotel, I saw sitting together at a large table Makati Mayor Nemesio Yabut with a big duffle bag, noted columnist Doroy Valencia, businessman Jesus Dayrit, BIR Commissioner Joe Viterbo and Brigido Sibug, assistant to Yabut.

When I asked them why they were there, Yabut told me that he expected to be picked up because he was suspected to have killed a certain labor leader reportedly close to Marcos, adding he had Valencia with him to en sure that he (Yabut) would not be killed summarily. I joined them anyway, and at 10 o’clock I decided to go home.

When I reached home, my wife told me that I had a call from Channel 9. So I rushed back to the station where I was told to accompany a TV crew to Malacanang to cover the announcement of Marcos proclaiming Martial Law nationwide.

Broadcaster Jose Manuel “Babe” Romualdez was with me because he was supposed to announce the presence of Marcos to explain Proclamation 1081. At Malacanang, as soon as Romualdez made the announcement, then Press Secretary Kit Tatad appeared to introduce Marcos and, out of sheer ner vousness, over television Tatad was seen scratching his head. Then Marcos came and made the announcement of Proclamation 1081 nationwide.

That meeting with Yabut, Valencia, Dayrit, Vit erbo and Sibug started the 365 Club, a gathering of people who would just like to talk.

The 365 Club started when Doroy Valencia told me to invite all the media people who lost their jobs because of Martial Law and to tell them that they could have free breakfast every day at the Hotel In tercontinental.

Yabut was just smiling because he knew he would be the one paying for all those free breakfasts.

But a month later, Yabut was already complaining that his treasurer was paying too much because the media people and their families were not only taking breakfast, but also lunch and dinner.

Doroy Valencia had no choice but to issue what he called Proclamation 1082.

Henceforth, those going to the 365 Club at Hotel In tercontinental would have to pay KKB (Going Dutch). That is what started the 365 Club, which just cel ebrated its 50thAnniversary together with Martial Law.

Today, the 365 Club remains a non-structural gathering of people from media, business, govern ment past and present and plain citizens who want to express their opinions about anything on business and politics.

Since I am the only living co-founder of the 265 Club, I also proclaimed myself as Chairman Emeritus.

The fact that the 365 Club has lasted this long is proof that free speech could never be suppressed in the Philippines, even under Martial Law.

Another event, which I hate to recall, was our take over of ABS-CBN.

We were told that our station, Channel 9 , would take over ABS-CBN because the Lopezes had left Manila, and that ABS-CBN would be taken over by KBS.

Santa Banana, we were like the Japanese Occupa tion forces entering the Old City of Manila.

We took over every room where there were cam eras and facilities.

And aside from my work as television manager of Public Affairs, I was told to take over as manager of GTV-4, the government station.

This lasted until Marcos was ousted from power in 1986.

and is now the chief legal counsel for the dictator’s son and namesake, President Ferdinand “Bongbong” Marcos.

Website: tonylavina.com.

Facebook: deantonylavs Twitter: tonylavs

Honor

Pound hits record low; Asian stocks fall

HONG

KONG, China—The pound hit a record low against the dollar Monday on surging fears about the UK economy after the government unveiled a huge tax-cutting budget.

The selloff came as equity markets across Asia and Europe fell again ow ing to a growing expectation that cen tral bank interest rate hikes to fight run away inflation would lead to deep and painful recessions. Oil also suffered

Macau casino shares soar on mainland China travel hopes

HONG KONG, China—Casino stocks surged in Macau on Monday after authorities announced plans to gradually welcome back tour groups from the Chinese mainland, the de mographic that makes up the vast majority of punters.

Macau is the only place in China where casinos are legal and the for mer Portuguese colony used to dwarf Las Vegas for the scale of bets placed each month.

But China’s strict zero-COVID con trols have laid waste to the gaming sec tor, hammering the city’s economy and its main source of revenue.

Some much-needed relief came on Sunday when city leader Ho Iat-seng said Macau would start allowing group tours from mainland provinc es, as well as easier e-visa rules for mainlanders, from November.

Gaming stocks surged the most in six months on Monday morning, with a Bloomberg Intelligence gauge of the city’s six licensed casino opera tors showing overall gains of more than 10 percent.

Sands China led the pack, soaring more than 18 percent, SJM hold ings rose more than 14 percent while Wynn Macau was up 10 percent.

Ho said tour group rules would initially be eased for the neighboring mainland province of Guangdong, followed by other major population centers including Shanghai, Zheji ang, Jiangsu and Fujian.

Daily visitation numbers, he add ed, could rise to 40,000, compared with just 11,000 in August.

But Macau will not, for now, fol low Hong Kong which last week announced it was finally scrapping mandatory hotel quarantine for inter national travelers. AFP

more hefty selling.

Officials in several countries includ ing the United States, Britain, Switzer land and Sweden announced more in creases in the cost of borrowing.

The moves sent equity markets deep into the red again after officials reiterat ed their focus on fighting inflation, even if that means causing a recession.

The collapse in sterling came as mar kets across the world are sent into a spin by recession worries caused by a sharp tightening of monetary policy by central banks fighting decades-high inflation.

New York’s three main indexes ended well down, with the Dow at a two-year low, and Asia followed suit.

Tokyo shed more than two percent as traders there returned from a long week end break, while Seoul was off more than three percent, with Sydney, Shang hai, Mumbai, Singapore, Taipei and Ja karta also tanking.

Hong Kong was also down having reversed early gains that came after the city said it would relax strict hotel quar antine measures for international travel ers.

But the biggest casualty of the week was the pound, which fell below $1.10 for the first time since 1985 as new finance minister Kwasi Kwarteng announced his controversial mini-budget.

It then extended the losses Monday to briefly touch an all-time low of $1.0350 in Asian trade after he said he intended to unveil further reductions, despite his budget causing ructions on London’s markets.

It also fell to a two-year low against the euro, though the single currency re mains under pressure against the dollar, sitting at 2002 levels.

Now, observers are warning that the pound could fall even further.

“The pound’s crash is showing mar kets have a lack of confidence in the UK and that its financial strength is under siege,” said Jessica Amir, of Saxo Capi tal Markets. AFP

TOP GAINERS

LAST % PRICE CHANGE CHANGE

1 MED 0.275 0.025 10.00%

2 LOTO 1.48 0.11 8.03%

3 VITA 0.59 0.04 7.27%

4 MAXS 5.6 0.36 6.87%

5 SSP 1.73 0.11 6.79%

6 T 0.66 0.04 6.45%

7 LR 2.41 0.14 6.17%

8 ANI 6.42 0.37 6.12%

9 MAH 0.89 0.05 5.95%

10 CEI 0.083 0.004 5.06%

TOP LOSERS

LAST % PRICE CHANGE CHANGE

1 ABSP 8.5 -1 -10.53%

2 FEU 531 -53 -9.08%

3 LBC 19.02 -1.88 -9.00%

4 CAB 40 -3.7 -8.47%

5 OPMB 0.011 -0.001 -8.33%

6 APVI 13.6 -1.02 -6.98%

7 ROX 0.97 -0.06 -5.83%

8 DITO 3.21 -0.18 -5.31%

9 PRMX 2.47 -0.13 -5.00%

OECD: World economy to slow, ‘paying the price of war’

PARIS, France—The world economy will take a bigger hit than previously forecast next year due to the effects of Russia’s war in Ukraine, the OECD said Monday.

In a bleak report titled “paying the price of war,” the Paris-based organiza tion noted that the conflict aggravated inflationary pressure when the cost of living was already rising quickly.

COVID outbreaks are still hav ing an impact on the global economy while growth has also been affected by rising interest rates as central banks scramble to cool red-hot prices, the OECD said.

“A number of indicators have taken a turn for the worse, and the global growth outlook has darkened,” the Or ganization for Economic Co-operation and Development said in the report.

Global growth stalled in the second

UAE agrees to supply diesel and natural gas to Germany

quarter of this year and data in many economies “now point to an extended period of subdued growth,” the OECD said.

The organization slashed its 2023 growth forecast for the global economy to 2.2 percent, down from 2.8 percent in its previous estimate in June.

The outlook for nearly all nations in the Group of 20 top economies was cut, except for Turkey, Indonesia and Brit ain, though the latter is forecast to have zero growth.

Growth in the United States—the world’s biggest economy—is forecast to slow to 0.5 percent in 2023.

The growth forecast for China, whose economy has been hit by strict COVID lockdowns, was cut sharply for this year to 3.2 percent while it was slightly low er to 4.7 percent for 2023.

Germany is now expected to go into

recession next year with Europe’s big gest economy now seen shrinking by 0.7 percent—a 2.4-percentage-point drop from the previous forecast.

The country’s economy has been hit the hardest in Europe as it has relied heavily on Russian supplies of natural gas, which Moscow has cut significant ly in suspected retaliation to Western sanctions.

The eurozone as a whole will post meager growth of 0.3 percent, a sharp downgrade from 1.6 percent.

The OECD kept its 2022 global growth forecast unchanged at three per cent after previously lowering it.

To highlight the impact of Russia’s invasion of Ukraine, the OECD said global output in 2023 is now projected to be $2.8 trillion lower than previously estimated before the conflict in Decem ber 2021. AFP

10 MRC 0.196 -0.009 -4.39%

MOST ACTIVE

VOLUME VALUE (PHP)

1 ALI 28,786,000 714,022,080

2 SMC 4,161,630 406,338,474

3 ICT 2,093,720 380,398,797

4 SM 349,440 281,510,315

5 MBT 4,896,760 254,326,749

6 SMPH 5,900,000 200,506,360

7 BPI 2,085,500 194,752,215

8 CNVRG 9,969,100 150,656,726

9 GLO 68,305 148,236,640

10 SCC 3,380,600 139,314,260

By Sam Reeves

FRANKFURT, Germany— Germany luxury carmaker

Porsche is gunning for a blockbuster IPO on the Frankfurt Stock Exchange this week. Here are five facts about the automobile giant:

Scholz signed the deal while on a Gulf tour that took him to the UAE, Saudi Arabia and Qatar hunting for new energy sources.

He met with Emirati President Sheikh Mohamed bin Zayed Al-Nahyan, who said on Twitter they had dis cussed “cooperation in areas including energy security, emissions reduction and climate action.”

The German leader said he “welcomed” the “energy security” agreement, WAM said.

UAE state oil company ADNOC completed its first direct diesel delivery to Germany this month, and will “supply up to 250,000 tons of diesel per month in 2023,” it reported.

The first delivery of 137,000 cubic meters of liquefied natural gas will be made in December at Germany’s new floating LNG import terminal at Brunsbuettel, near Ham burg, the RWE energy firm said in a statement.

ADNOC will make more LNG deliveries to Germany in 2023, WAM said.

Scholz’s two-day Gulf tour aimed to seal new energy deals to replace Russian supplies and mitigate the energy crisis resulting from Moscow’s invasion of Ukraine.

On Saturday, he met Saudi Crown Prince Mohammed bin Salman in Jeddah.

On Sunday afternoon, following his trip to the UAE, he held talks in Doha with Qatari Emir Sheikh Tamim bin Hamad Al-Thani on energy and investment, according to an official statement.

No deals were announced in Qatar however. The two countries are locked in tough talks on the length of con tracts for LNG supplies, according to German media, and Scholz said he wanted to see progress.

Scholz said Qatar’s controversial rights record was im proving but did not commit to attending the World Cup in the Gulf state that starts in November.

AFP

Dial 911 Porsche made waves at the Frankfurt international motor show in 1963 when it unveiled a new car with a six-cylinder engine de signed to succeed its 356 model.

The manufacturer origi nally intended to call it the 901—but Peugeot had al ready laid claim to all the three-digit numbers with a zero in the middle, prompt ing Porsche to settle for 911.

The number is now strongly linked to the brand—to call the company, 911 is on every phone number after the local dial code. The company’s capital amounts to 911 million shares, and its shares will be traded under the code P911.

Electric car pioneer Volkswagen, the parent company of Porsche, has launched a well-publicized drive to dump combustion engines—but in fact, it produced its first electric vehicles over a century ago.

At the Porsche museum in Zuffenhausen, southern Germany, a kind of old stage coach described as the first Porsche in history is on display.

Built in 1898 by the company’s founder Fer dinand Porsche, the “Egger-Lohner C.2 Pha eton” ran on electric power.

Two years later, Porsche unveiled a new model the “Lohner-Porsche,” a petrol-electric hybrid.

On screen

Porsches have made regular appearances on the silver screen over the years. One of the bestknown instances is the 1971 movie “Le Mans,” starring Steve McQueen as Michael Delaney, an American driving a Porsche 917 against a German rival in a Ferrari at the famous 24-hour race in France.

In the 1995 cop film “Bad Boys,” Will Smith’s character drives a 911 Turbo, as he and a fellow detective investigate the theft of a massive haul of heroin from a police vault.

One of Hollywood star Tom Cruise’s earliest hits, 1983 teen comedy “Risky Business,” fea tures a Porsche 928. Cruise’s character is for bidden from driving the car while his parents are away—but he does just that, and it ends up sinking into a lake.

In “Scarface”, Al Pacino—playing a Cuban immigrant who becomes a powerful drug lord in Miami—also drives a Porsche 928. And in motorsports Porsche is one of the world’s biggest race

car manufacturers. After enjoy ing moderate success with early models on long-distance races in the 1950s and 60s, the 917 drove the manufacturer to a coveted first victory at the Le Mans 24 Hour Race in 1970, an event it has tri umphed in repeatedly since.

The iconic 911 has done partic ularly well in rallies, including the Monte Carlo rally.

The manufacturer has also raced in Formula One. They had a team from 1957-62, although they only raced in two complete seasons 1961/62, with their only victory Dan Gurney’s in the 1962 French Grand Prix.

They returned to the circuit in 1983 providing the engines for the McLaren team and enjoyed great success—McLaren won two suc cessive constructors champion ships in 1984 and 1985.

However, its negotiations with Red Bull for a partnership that would have al lowed them to return to F1 failed earlier this month.

Porsche and Piech

The Porsche-Piech family are the main share holders of the Volkswagen group, and have roots in Germany’s auto industry stretching back decades.

An Austrian-born engineer, Ferdinand Porsche was founder of the luxury car brand that bears his name. In addition, he created the Volkswagen Beetle and designed the iconic, open-top Mercedes-Benz SSK sports car.

During World War II, he contributed to the German war effort by helping produce weapons systems, and was a member of the Nazi party.

He died in 1951.

Ferdinand Piech was the grandson of Fer dinand Porsche. Chief executive of VW from 1993 to 2002, he helped to transform the group into a global auto giant in the face of fierce com petition, particularly from rivals in Asia. AFP

Porsche, luxury carmaker with storied history, readies

ABU DHABI—The United Arab Emirates agreed Sun day to supply natural gas and diesel to Germany as part of an “energy security” deal to replace Russian supplies.

Emirati industry minister Sultan Ahmed Al Jaber called it a “landmark new agreement” that “reinforces the rapid ly growing energy partnership between the UAE and Ger many,” at a signing attended by German Chancellor Olaf Scholz, the UAE’s state news agency WAM reported.

A

BANKING

DTI says PH exports to hit $110b in 2023

By Othel V. Campos

THE Department of Trade and Indus try expressed confidence that exports of goods and services will reach $110 billion in 2023, making up for unmet pre-pandemic targets.

The agency said during the Con gressional hearing on the agency’s 2023 budget that it was working hard to sustain exports’ growth.

Government data showed mer chandise exports dropped to $6.2 billion in July, on slower demand for electronics products.

Total merchandise exports in the first seven months rose 5.4 percent to $44.7 billion from a year ago despite the decline in July.

These figures exclude services ex ports, which cover international tour ism receipts, information technology, business process outsourcing rev enues, transportation and logistics, financial services and others.

The DTI is drafting a new set of ex port targets under the multi-sectoral Philippine Export Development Plan 2023-2028.

It underscored the need to fund a num ber of programs under the 2023 budget as the lead agency in the implementation of the Innovative Startup Act and the Philip pine Creative Industries Act.

Programs for micro, small and medium enterprises were slashed by P1.2 billion, while funds for Go Ne gosyo Centers suffered cuts of 12.78 percent, despite clear policy pro nouncements from the President to support these industries.

Other programs that were given lower funding were the One Town, One Product program with 5-percent decrease, while the Shared Services Facilities would have zero capi tal outlay for 2023. The Livelihood Seeding Program-Negosyo, Serbisyo sa Barangay was also defunded.

Budget for DTI’s attached agencies and/corporations declined by 22 per cent to P1.71 billion from P2.19 billion.

Under the 2023 National Expendi tures Program, the DBM approved a P22.196-billion budget for the DTI, including automatic appropriation.

This represents a 10-percent decrease from the approved budget of P24.59 billion in 2022.

SEC cautions public vs. investing in Sophia

THE Securities and Exchange Commission on Monday cautioned investors from putting their hard-earned money into Sophia Francisco Holding OPC, which it said was not authorized to solicit investments from the public.

It said in an advisory posted on its website, Sophia Francisco and its related entities, in cluding Sophia Francisco Trading and Finan cial Consultancy Services Sophia-Francisco, did not secure prior registration and license from the corporate regulator.

The SEC said the company was offering in vestments to the public with a minimal amount of P500 per account. It promises investors they would earn 3 percent daily or a total of 60 per cent in 20 days. A 5-percent referral fee is also given to investors who would be able to recruit new clients.

By Julito G. Rada

FITCH

Solutions, a unit of the Fitch Group, said Monday it expects the Bangko Sentral ng Pilipinas to increase the benchmark interest rate by another 75 basis points to 5 percent before the end of 2022 to manage the elevated inflation rate.

Fitch Solutions said in a report the country’s strong economic recovery would provide more room for the BSP to normalize its monetary policy.

“Following the Bangko Sentral ng Pilipinas’ decision to raise its policy rate by 50 bps to 4.25 percent on Sept. 22, we now expect the benchmark policy rate to be hiked further to 5.00 percent by end-2022 from 4.50 percent previously,” it said.

“Inflation is likely to remain elevated relative to the BSP’s target range of 2 percent to 4 percent and we expect the central bank to tighten monetary poli cy further to anchor inflation expecta tions,” it said.

The BSP already raised the policy rate by a total of 225 bps since the start

of its hiking cycle in May.

Fitch Solutions said that over the coming months, the elevated inflation ary backdrop and a continued hawkish US Fed would prompt the BSP to tight en its monetary policy setting further.

The BSP said last week it recognized the need for follow-through action to anchor inflation expectations and pre vent further price pressures from be coming further entrenched.

“With the US Fed likely to hike inter est rates by a further 75 bps, after de livering its third straight rate increase of 75 bps on Sept. 21, we at Fitch So lutions now expect the BSP to hike its policy rate to 5.00 percent by end-2022, up from our previous forecast of 4.50 percent,” it said.

Fitch Solutions said inflation was ex pected to average 5.6 percent in 2022, higher than the average of 5.0 percent from January to August. Latest data showed that inflation remained high in August although it slightly eased to 6.3 percent from a four-year high of 6.4 per cent in July.

Upward price pressures came mainly from food and transport which saw an increase of 6.3 percent year-on-year and 14.6 percent year-on-year, respectively, in August.

Fitch Solutions raised its 2022 growth forecast for the Philippine economy to 6.6 percent from 6.1 per cent previously, following the betterthan-anticipated average of 7.8 per cent in the first half.

“While we expect growth to likely slow in H222 [second half of 2022] due to an array of economic headwinds stemming from a softening global eco nomic outlook, tightening monetary conditions and elevated energy prices, the 2022 economic performance would still be a substantial improvement over the 5.6 percent recorded in 2021,” it said.

The SEC said Sophia Francisco allegedly earns through crypto trading. “The public is advised not to invest or stop investing in any investment scheme being offered by any indi vidual or group of persons for or on behalf of and to exercise caution in dealing with any in dividuals or group of persons soliciting invest ments for on behalf of it,” it said.

Jenniffer B. Austria

Filipinos spend more on hygiene—study

A STUDY conducted by Packworks Sari IQ showed that Filipinos spend more on hygiene and self-care essentials in the event of disasters or emergencies.

Data analytics platform Packworks discov ered that Filipinos cared most about their hair, as they purchased more shampoo and condi tioner in sari-sari stores in the aftermath of Ty phoon Odette in Leyte in December 2021, Taal volcanic eruption in Batangas/Cavite in March 2022 and Abra earthquake in June 2022.

“The Philippines is a regular target of natu ral disasters because of its location at the Pa cific Ring of Fire. Residents at the epicenter opt to buy their immediate necessities from a nearby ‘sari-sari’ store rather than go to big su permarkets,” Packworks’ head of data Andres Montiel said.

The study said 18 percent of sari-sari stores’ sales went to hair care products. Laundry sup plies saw the second highest sales with 16 percent, while the “others” category, which included oral care, body care, beverages and canned goods came in third with 15 percent. Othel V. Campos

BDO joins top banks on energy transition

BDO Unibank Inc. joins other leading Asian banks in advancing energy transition finance with the publication of the Asia Transition Finance Guidelines and the Asia Transition Finance Ac tivity Report, which are aimed at helping Asian economies achieve a “just and orderly transition” toward a more sustainable future.

BDO is a member of the Asian Transition Finance Study Group that drafted the guide lines in pursuit of an Asian version of transi tion finance that is more realistic and achiev able for Asian nations. The reports, the Asia Transition Finance Guidelines and the Asia Transition Finance Activity Report, were cre ated after months of discussion among the core bankers, joined by development banks, export credit agencies, public agencies and finance as sociations.

Led by MUFG Bank of Japan, the ATF Study Group was set up in recognition of the important role that transition finance will play in helping Asian economies move toward netzero emissions and the challenges they will face. expects BSP to increase interest rate to 5% pursuing P22.4-b Cavite-Tagaytay-Batangas road

By Darwin G. Amojelar

METRO Pacific Tollways Corp. reiter ated its proposal for the P22.4-billion Cavite-Tagaytay-Batangas Express way to the government after rival San Miguel Corp. submitted a similar proj ect to the provincial government of Cavite.

MPTC president and chief execu tive Rodrigo Franco said the company submitted a letter to the Department of Public Works and Highways to “reiter ate” its proposal to build an express way from Cavite to Batangas.

“We were worried about the news,” referring to the awarding by the Cavite provincial government of original proponent status to San Miguel Corp. on the proposed Cavite-Batangas Ex pressway.

The SMC project is a 27.06-kilometer toll road from the municipalities of Silang, Amadeo, Tagaytay, Indang, Mendez and Afonso in Cavite to

Nasugbu, Batangas.

Franco said the DPWH and the Na tional Economic and Development Authority were communicating about the MPTC proposal.

The department earlier granted the original proponent status to MPTC for the construction of CTBEX in 2018. CTBEX is a 50.4-kilometer ex pressway that will connect Cavite and Batangas, with a spur road to Tagay tay City and ultimately terminating in Nasugbu and another spur road to Tuy, Batangas.

CTBEX is expected to decongest about 23,000 vehicles daily from the nearby thoroughfares.

The project will start at Silang East Interchange of the Cavite-Laguna Ex pressway. The alignment will traverse the towns of Silang, Amadeo, Mendez, Alfonso and Tagaytay in Cavite and Nasugbu in Batangas.

MPTC also proposed to construct NLEX-Cavitex Port Expressway

Link―a 15-kilometer, six-lane ex pressway with elevated and tunnel portions from NLEX Segment 10 to Cavitex. This is expected to provide an ideal truck route to and from Manila Port Area.

The company also submitted an unsolicited proposal to build the C-5 Expressway―a 20 kilometer, six-lane elevated expressway from the end of NLEX Segment 8.2 in Quezon City to Cavitex C5 South Link in Taguig City.

It will complete the missing segment of the C5 Circumferential Expressway alignment, a crucial component of the Metro Manila Urban Expressway Network.

MPTC is now building the P23billion NLEX Connector Road, which is expected to provide 35,000 motorists better access to Manila ports and airports. This will also enable faster transport of goods and services between Metro Manila and Luzon provinces.

GCASH, the mobile wallet of Globe Telecom, said Monday it disbursed more than P40 billion worth of loans as it expanded its lending products. GCash said with GCredit, GLoan and GGives, it logged one million ac tive borrowers as of end-June.

“The company’s good performance has been driven by continuous inno vation. The services that have dis rupted the payment space have fur ther undergone innovations, whether in savings, investing, insurance and lending,” GCash president and chief executive Martha Sazon.

“We partner with and are trusted by the most innovative and biggest mar ket players as we continue to pursue financial inclusion,” she said.

GLoan provides pre-approved ac cess to P25,000 cash loans instantly. It does not require any collateral and allows borrowers to choose their payment terms of between 9 and 12 months.

GGives is a buy now, pay later solu tion with affordable installment terms of up to 24 “gives” in 12 months. Us ers may shop up to P125,000 worth of items at partner merchants to enjoy flexible payments with low interest rates.

GCredit is a revolving mobile cred it line on the GCash app that can also be used to pay for goods and services.

By Alena Mae S. Flores

THE Department of Justice issued an opinion allowing state-run National Power Corp. to draw on other funding sources aside from the universal charge for missionary electrification.

Energy Secretary Raphael Lotilla said the favorable ruling would help NPC fulfill its mandate of energizing the areas in the country that are not connected to the main grid, and en sure a stable and reliable power sup ply.

The DOJ issued Opinion No. 20 Se ries of 2022 on Sept. 23 giving NPC the legal authority to borrow funds or contract loans to fulfill its missionary electrification function in the off-grid areas under its Charter and the mandate established under Section 70 of Repub

lic Act No. 9136 or the Electric Power Industry Reform Act of 2001.

Section 70 of the EPIRA gives NPC the mandate to perform the mission ary electrification function through the Small Power Utilities Group and pro vide power generation and associated power delivery systems in areas that are not connected to the transmission sys tem.

The DOE said NPC-SPUG is now supplying 229 missionary areas throughout the Philippines, most of which have yet to attain a 24-hour elec tric power service.

“The favorable opinion will allow the NPC to establish a credit line with local banks that would enable it to manage the fuel price increase that has signifi cantly affected the NPC’s financial po sition,” Lotilla said.

GCash has other financial products such as GSave, GInsure and GInvest.

GSave accounts reached more than 3.3 million, with one in five banked Filipinos already having a GSave ac count as of the first semester.

Insurance provider GInsure sold more than 2 million policies to date. It has more than 24 product offerings, from health and online shopping to vehicles and pets, as it teamed up with more than 10 reputable names in the industry.

Investment marketplace GInvest registered more than 3.4 million in vestors in the first half, with around one out of five mutual fund inves tors already on the GInvest plat form. It also has seven local and global funds. Darwin G. Amojelar

DOJ issues opinion authorizing NPC to borrow money, fund electrification

GCash extends over P40-b worth of credits, loans

PSC venues, facilities safe from super typhoon wrath

By Peter Atencio

Agency officials said this on Monday after the country felt the effects of Typhoon “Karding” (international name Noru) following its landfall Sunday evening on Eastern Luzon.

The typhoon has also not affected the repairs and rehabilitation being done inside the Rizal Memorial Sports Complex, including two major facilities, the Rizal Memorial Coliseum and Ninoy Aquino Stadium.

Inspections are currently being done to double check for damages.

So far, the RMSC and the NAS

EASL Champs Week tourney to be held in Manila in 2023

HONG KONG—East Asia Super League announced the format for Season 1 competition is under discussion with each league to take place in a tournament format, taking into account ongoing COVID19-related issues throughout the region.

EASL’s focus is on operating Season 1 of game play in a responsible manner that allows for partner leagues to carry on with their domestic leagues uninterrupted by precarious travel situations.

Discussions regarding a ‘Champions Week’ in Manila are currently ongoing. Details of the tournament format will soon be announced and shared with EASL fans.

“Our mission remains to create the premier basketball league and entertainment experience in Asia, elevating the sport in the region. Controlling variables and operating our season in the most responsible manner reduces uncertainty for all our stakeholders as international travel throughout the region rebounds incrementally,” said EASL CEO Matt Beyer.

EASL will shift to the originally anticipated home-and-away format in Fall 2023.

EASL remains on track that by 2025 the league will become one of the world’s top three professional basketball leagues in terms of fan base and commercial revenue.

For more information about EASL, please go to www.EASL. basketball or EASL’s social media channels.

served as government quarantine facilities and medical centers for COVID-19 patients for two years

The PSC, through chairman Noli Eala, is slowly opening up the RMC for use as venues for volleyball leagues and other tournaments.

On the other hand, the Teofilo Ildefonso swimming pool inside the Rizal Memorial Sports Complex hosted the Novice Swim Championship of the Congress of the Philippine Aquatics, Inc. recently.

Availability of the RMC became possible after the Armed Forces of the

Philippines gave back control of the facilities to the government sports body last July 19.

So far, the Philsports Arena, which was the venue of international volleyball games last month, finally held games of the Philippine Basketball Association last Friday, and the Rizal Memorial Football Stadium has already hosted an international meet in women’s football two months ago.

The University Athletic Association of the Philippines will soon use the Philsports Arena to host some of the men’s basketball matches.

The track oval at the Philsports Com-

plex in Pasig is already being used as the venue of the Philippine Athletics Track and Field Association weekly relays.

Other venues like the RMSC baseball and softball field, the tennis center, the swimming and diving pool, the wushu and wrestling gyms, the billiards and judo hall are already available for use by members of the national team.

The RMFS is also hosting the games of Philippine Football Federation-sanctioned Philippine Football League.

The venues at the National Training Camp in Baguio have not been affected as well, according to initial assessments.

NorthPort’s Tolentino is Cignal best player

IT did not take long for Arvin Tolentino to feel right at home at NorthPort. A day after his transfer from Barangay Ginebra in a huge trade that centered on sophomore big man Jamie Malonzo, the sweet-shooting gunner quickly made his presence felt in a smooth transition under his new team early in the 2022 PBA Philippine Cup.

The 6’5” wingman from Far Eastern University stepped up to the plate and provided a much-needed firepower for the Batang Pier, who came seconds away from slaying the PBA powerhouse guest team Bay Area Dragons in a thriller over the weekend.

Tolentino was everywhere in his first two games with the Batang Pier, scattering averages of 19.0 points, 8.0 rebounds, 4.0 assists, 2.5 blocks and 2.0 steals as the team split its first two games on opening week.

His all-around numbers included a an impressive 47-percent accuracy (7/15) from downtown, thus earning a unanimous nod as the tournament’s first Cignal Play-PBA Press Corps Player of the Week for the period Sept. 21-24.

Tolentino said it’s a product of his readiness to step up whenever his name is called and the desire to simply perform for his new team.

“‘Ang iniisip ko, gusto ako ni coach Pido (Jarencio). Gusto ako ng NorthPort. I don’t want to think na ayaw sa akin ng Ginebra,” said Tolentino, the 10th pick of the Gin Kings in the 2019 draft.

“I want to prove to them na hindi sila nagkamali. ‘Yun ‘yung mentality na nilalagay ko.”

Tolentino, indeed, proved his point with a roaring debut for Northport.

With little time to adjust, he posted 16 points, six rebounds, seven assists, two steals and four blocks as the Batang Pier pulled off a 92-89 comeback win versus Phoenix Super LPG.

Tolentino did not shy away even against the taller Dragons the next game, hauling down a double-double of 22 markers, 10 boards and three steals, though the Batang Pier fell just short, 105-104, after a Myles Powell’ gamewinning trey at the buzzer.

Letran, Mapua clash in rematch of NCAA finals

INTRAMUROS rivals Letran and Mapua collide in a rematch of last season’s championship as the NCAA men’s basketball tournament resumes Tuesday at the Filoil EcoOil Centre.

A victory in the 3 p.m. game will allow the Knights to gain a piece of the lead, with coach Bonnie Tan acknowledging how intense the competition is right from the get-go.

“Almost lahat, crucial games dito, lalo na sa start. Ang sabi ko nga sa mga players, magiging trending ang mga panalo at talo natin sa each team. Sana papunta tayo sa pataas, sa win column, hindi sa losing column sa standings namin,” said Tan.

The Knights have won all of their three meetings against the Cardinals last season capped by a twogame Finals sweep to complete a perfect 11-0 championship run.

Letran’s close victories over Jose Rizal University and College of Saint Benilde are sandwiched by a loss to Arellano University that ended a 14-game winning streak that dates back in 2019.

The Knights will turn on their veterans Fran Yu, Mark Sangalang and Brent Paraiso to post their first winning streak of the season.

After a big win over San Beda that cemented itself as one of the title favorites,

Game today (Filoil EcoOil Centre) 3 p.m. – Letran vs Mapua

Mapua has lost three straight games to drop to ninth place.

The Cardinals will bank on Warren Bonifacio, Rence Nocum and Arvin Gamboa to arrest the slide.

The Letran-Mapua is the only game scheduled today as the San Sebastian-Emilio Aguinaldo College 12 noon match was moved to a later date due to health and safety protocols.

Japan: Emerging Asian power in FIBA 3x3

MONGOLIA has been the recognized Asian power in FIBA 3x3 basketball for the past couple of years. It is the 4th ranked country in the world in the FIBA 3x3 standings. The highest ranked Asian team in the FIBA 3x3 World Tour is Ulaanbaatar, which sits at the 8th spot.

There are other countries that are threatening Mongolia’s position as the preeminent Asian team in the FIBA 3x3 World Tour. One of them is the Philippines with Cebu Chooks secure at the 25th spot in the world ranking. The other one is Japan which has seen two of its teams perform creditably in the World Tour.

These two teams, the Utsunomiya Brex and the Saitama Alphas, will be in action in the Chooks-to-Go FIBA 3x3 World Tour Cebu Masters which will happen on October 1-2 at the SM Seaside City Cebu.

The Utsunomiya Brex is the highestranked Japanese team in the world at 28th. In the opener of the World Tour, the Utsunomiya Masters, which the team hosted last May, the Utsunomiya Brex dropped close decisions to Liman of Serbia, the 2nd ranked team in the world, and to Sakiai of Lithuania, 6th in the world. Utsunomiya finished 9th in the tournament.

The team also finished 9th in the Ulaanbaatar Challenger. They had their best performances in the 3x3 tour during the Energy Sukhbaatar Challenger where

International Quest held last September 16 in Sta. Rosa, Laguna.

The Alphas have been active in the FIBA 3x3 tour and is challenging Utsunomiya Brex’s claim as Japan’s top team.

In the Penang Challenger, Saitama made it all the way to the quarterfinals despite having just three players on the roster and going through the qualifying draw. The Alphas earned a slot in the main draw after defeating Penang of Malaysia and Lusail of Qatar.

In the main draw, the Alphas pulled the upset rug from world number 10 Lausanne of Switzerland, 22-20. Saitama eventually placed 7th in the competition, even higher than Cebu Chooks which finished at 8th place.

Saitama will be fielding in the same roster that won the in Sta. Rosa. Expected to lead is Tomoya Ochia, who at 176th in the world is the third highest ranked Japanese 3x3 player. Ochia is a long-time member of the Japan national 3x3 team and played in the Tokyo Olympics, the 2022 FIBA 3x3 World Cup, and the 2022 FIBA 3x3 Asia Cup.

Six-foot-six Serbian Marko Milakovic, who starred in their title conquest, and compatriot, 6-foot-9 Teodor Atanasov, plus Japanese-Australian Ryo Ozawa complete the Saitama squad that wants to show in the Cebu Masters that they are the real Alphas of 3x3 basketball.

NO damages were reported on any of the venues and facilities that are under the management of the Philippine Sports Commission.

NorthPort’s Arvin Tolentino had averages of 19.0 points, 8.0 rebounds, 4.0 assists, 2.5 blocks and 2.0 steals in his first two games as a Batang Pier.

PSC chairman Noli Eala

they copped 5th place and in the Penang Challenger where they finished 6th.

The Utsunomiya Brex is bannered by a pair of Japanese veterans, 6-foot1 Yosuke Saito, the second highest ranked Japanese in the world at 166th, and 6-foot-2 Yasui Iijima. The two are complemented by a duo of outstanding Serbian reinforcements. 6-foot-4 Dusan

Popovic is ranked 117th in the world. His namesake, 6-foot-4 Dusan Samardzic is 107th in the world and was the star of the Serbian national team that placed 3rd in the FIBA 3x3 U23 World Cup.

The Saitama Alphas, on the other hand, are coming back to the Philippines just two weeks after reigning supreme in the Chooks-to-Go Pilipinas 3x3

The Saitama Alphas (from left) Marko Milakovic, Teodor Atanasov, Tomoya Ochiai and Ryo Ozawa.

Sports

HD Spikers, Sealions dispute 2nd finals berth

CIGNAL and Navy brace for an explosive showdown of teams backstopped by seasoned campaigners as they face off today (Tuesday) in a good-or-bust duel for the second championship berth in the Spikers’ Turf Open Conference at the Paco Arena.

The match is set at 5:30 p.m. with the HD Spikers hoping to ride the momentum of their three-set romp over the ousted VNS-One Alicia Griffins last Saturday and the Sealions out to rebound from a straight-set defeat to the Sta. Elena Nationals in their clash for the first finals seat last Saturday.

Navy, however, is coming into the crucial setto with a big psychological edge, having toppled Cignal in four in their elims meeting last Sept. 13.

The win spiked a fiery closing run of four victories in the qualifiers with the Sealions repeating over Griffins in the semis, only to bump into a resolute Sta. Elena side and fall into a must-win over

Marinduque Governor’s Cup chess tourney set

ALL roads lead to Boac for chessplaying Marinduqueños and visitors this November.

Philippine Executive Chess Association member-players Engr. Lauro Bautista and Giovanni Buhain, co- founders of Boac Chess Knight League, have joined hands in organizing the 1st Marinduque Governor’s Cup Chess tournament to be held at the Boac Convention Center slated on November 19, 2022.

The highly anticipated and exciting one-day chess event welcomes participants in the open division, young, adult, unrated and pro executive woodpushers in the province that is considered as one of the biggest sports events held at the provincial capital to be presented by no less than Marinduque Governor Presbitero Velasco, Jr. and fully supported by lone District Representative (former Speaker) Lord Allan Velasco, according to Buhain, a known government project contractor in the region.

“It’s an early Christmas treat by our beloved Governor (Velasco) for his sports-loving constituents with wholehearted backing of our Congressman Lord Allan,” said event coordinator Buhain, a comebacking executive chess player and provincemate of PECA President Dr. Fred Paez.

“We organized this momentous sports event to help our youth to be disciplined in their way through playing chess,” he added.

Buhain extended his invitation to the country’s first lady grandmaster WGM Janelle Mae Frayna to grace the historic event as special guest and speaker to motivate and share her inspirational journey and success in the international scene.

“BCKL is here to promote chess in the grassroots. Having the support of our local government unit is a great move indeed,” Bautista added.

At stake in the the tournament are trophies and cash prizes from champion to 10th placer with special prize for top kiddie, female, senior and executive.

the back-to-back defending champions for a crack at the championship.

The HD Spikers also found themselves in a do-or-die spot after failing to prick the growing Sta. Elena bubble but remained confident of hurdling and getting back at the Sealions for a shot at redemption against the Nationals.

While health issues continued to hound both teams, the Sealions hope to show up with the core of the squad that stunned the HD Spikers in the elims, including Jao Umandal, Chris Marcelino, Peter Quiel, Ron Rosales, playmaker EJ Casana and the hard-hitting skipper Greg Dolor.

Cignal top hitter Marck Espejo opted to sit out the last two sets against VNS while trying to shake off a heel injury as the former Ateneo stalwart seeks to start anew with JP Bugaoan, Ysay Marasigan, Edmar Bonono, Rex Intal, Chumason Njigha and rising star Louie Ramirez, who unloaded 16 points to spearhead the team’s win over the Griffins.

Rihanna to headline ‘23 Super Bowl show

WASHINGTON —Superstar Rihanna will headline the Super Bowl halftime show in February, the main event sponsor Apple Music announced Sunday.

The move marks a long-awaited return to performing for the singer, who had previously turned down the gig in protest.

“IT’S ON. @rihanna will take the stage for the first ever Apple Music Super Bowl Halftime Show on 2.12.23,” Apple Music said in a tweet featuring a photo of the musician’s raised hand holding a football.

Rihanna, 34, and the NFL tweeted

the same image.

The Barbadian-born Robyn Rihanna Fenty in recent years has become a billionaire, parlaying her music achievements into successful makeup, lingerie and high-fashion brands.

She made history by becoming the first Black woman to head a fashion house for the French powerhouse LVMH, which owns legacy brands including Fendi and Givenchy.

For the past few years, the singer behind the hits “Diamonds” and “Umbrella” has put music aside, at least publicly, to focus on her various businesses.

In January, she and rapper A$AP Rocky, 33, announced they were expecting a child with a set of glamorous snow-dusted images taken in Harlem.

They reportedly welcomed the baby, a boy, in May. No other details, including the child’s name, have been made public.

USA sets basketball World Cup record thumping of South Korea

SYDNEY—A rampant United States set a new all-time women’s basketball World Cup scoring record Monday with a 14569 demolition of South Korea, while Belgium booked their place in the quarterfinals.

Eight of the Americans’ 12-strong roster hit doubles figures, led by Brionna Jones with 24 points, eight rebounds and one assist in Sydney.

A’ja Wilson drilled 20 points and Breanna Stewart 18 as the three-time defending champions ran riot, with Shakira Austin netting a field goal with just seconds left to ensure the record.

It was previously held by Brazil, who crushed Malaysia 143-50 in a group game at the 1990 tournament.

“I thought we got off to a bit of a slower start than we wanted, but we had a group that came in that really changed things for us,” said USA coach Cheryl Reeve, whose team are gunning for an 11th title overall.

“We got more pressure and I think our

size, the number of points we got in the paint was 90 or something. So our size was a problem for them and I thought we shared the ball well.”

The United States, who had already qualified for the quarter-finals, were on another level both offensively and defensively, passing 30 or more points in all four frames against a Korean team that has struggled without marquee star Park Ji-su.

Defeat left the Asian side facing a crunch Group A game on Tuesday against Puerto Rico with a quarter-final slot at stake.

“I try to focus on how we played rather than the result of the game. I wanted our players to show their best ability and confidence on the court,” said Korean coach Jung Sun-min. “Individually I think we played very hard and very well today.”

Point guard Hind Ben Abdelkader poured in 18 points for Belgium as they ended Bosnia and Herzegovina’s tournament dreams.

Aiming to better their fourth place

in 2018, they swept home 85-55 to join the United States in the last eight from Group A. Kyara Linskens and Julie Vanloo both chipped in with 13 points for their third straight win of the 10-day competition after an opening day loss to Reeve’s United States.

Defeat ended any hope the Bosnians

Return to music

Rihanna’s fierce fan base has been clamoring for her ninth album, “R9,” which she has said will be “reggaeinfused” and has hinted since 2019 is nearly finished.

Performing at the Super Bowl is an about-face for the singer, who in 2019 confirmed reports to Vogue that she had turned down the NFL’s offer to play the coveted halftime show in solidarity with former player Colin Kaepernick.

Kaepernick, who has not played in the NFL since opting out of his contract with the San Francisco 49ers in March 2017, began kneeling in protest of social injustice and racial inequality during pre-game renditions of the US national anthem six years ago.

“I couldn’t dare do that. For what? Who gains from that? Not my people. I just couldn’t be a sellout. I couldn’t be an enabler,” she told the magazine in an interview.

Rihanna’s Super Bowl performance will follow an impeccably choreographed 2022 halftime show that featured rap legends including Dr. Dre, Snoop Dog and Eminem.

The 2021 halftime show featured Canadian artist The Weeknd, while Jennifer Lopez and Shakira performed the year before.

The halftime show has since 2019 been produced by Roc Nation, founded by New York rapperturned-businessman Jay-Z. AFP

had in a hugely disappointing debut tournament, where they leaked 364 points over four consecutive defeats with Belgium successfully blunting the threat posed by dangerwoman Jonquel Jones.

“We played a very good defence on Jones and as a team we were very focused,” said Belgium coach Valery Demory. AFP

MILO champions share stories of hard work

MILO® Philippines has extended its partnership with Jamie Lim, Coach Rio de la Cruz, and Japoy Lizardo. Adding another chapter to their years-long relationship, the beloved nutritious beverage brand is excited to tell each Champion’s unique story of pagpupursige that will inspire the next generation of young athletes to persevere in their own Champion journeys.

Breaking stereotypes

Being the daughter of a professional basketball legend and growing up in a family of athletes, it seemed destined for Jamie to become a star karateka. However, from an early age, both her father and mother - who is also a seasoned lawyer - taught Jamie the importance of choosing her own path and instilled in her the belief that she can always be more than your stereotypical jock. Choosing to not limit herself, Jamie decided to pursue goals in both sports and

academics. The journey was not without its challenges as she had to learn how to balance the many responsibilities she had as a student while keeping up with the discipline of an athlete.

“I remember, in my preparation for the SEA Games back in 2019, I only had 5 months of real training as I was already in the last months of my senior year. On top of that, I was out of Karate for 4 years so training was twice as rigorous. Although it was difficult, I was able to power through it because I knew that the stakes were also high,” shared Jamie.

With her family’s continuous support, she was inspired to break past the mold and prove that she can indeed excel on and off the mat. Still one of her proudest achievements was winning both a gold medal in Karate during the 2019 SEA Games and graduating Summa Cum Laude in UP Diliman with a degree in BS Mathematics. Today she is fo-

cused on furthering her studies in London while awaiting for the start of training for the next SEA Games in 2023.

“Coming from being a part of MILO® AAK and now with my extended partnership with the MILO® family, I hope to inspire kids who are faced by the same barriers as mine to be brave in breaking out of those stereotypes and in paving their own paths. Their time to prove themselves will come,” added Jaime.

Running through life’s obstacles

Before Coach Rio became an international marathoner and one of the top running coaches in the country, his road to success was paved from humble beginnings. Coming from a big family that struggled in putting food on the table, Coach Rio sorely lacked the financial support that most young runners his age needed to pursue a professional career.

PH TEAM. The core of the 39-triathlete Philippine contingent to the IRONMAN World Championships, set Oct. 6 and 8 in KailuaKona, Hawaii, poses during send-o rites at Uptown Mall in Bonifacio Global City in Taguig. This year’s cast, which made it to the world’s premier endurance race through the full IRONMAN Philippines in Subic last March, nearly triples the 14-athlete delegation which took part in the 2018 edition of the annual event.

South Korea’s Park Hye-jin (center) competes with Shakira Austin (right) and Ariel Atkins of the USA during the Women’s Basketball World Cup group A game between South Korea and the USA in Sydney on September 26, 2022. AFP

Barbadian singer/actress/designer Rihanna will headline the Super Bowl halftime show in February, the main event sponsor Apple Music announced Sunday. AFP

Shown here are (from left) Veronica Cruz, MILO Business Executive O cer, Senior Vice President, Nestle Philippines, Inc., coach Rio de la Cruz, karate champion

Jamie Lim and Milo Sports Executive Carlo Sampan. Taekwondo champion Japoy

Lizardo (center) joined the four virtually.

‘Don’t Worry’ tops box office amid reported cast conflict

IT TURNS out that, all the noise aside, Olivia Wilde didn’t need to worry. The actor/director’s new film Don’t Worry Darling topped the North American box office this weekend, taking in an estimated $19.2 million, industry watcher Exhibitor Relations reported Sunday.

It was unclear whether middling reviews and reports of off-screen cast dissension –including between the director and actress Florence Pugh – had helped or hindered ticket sales.

Regardless, the Warner Bros. film had “a very good opening, above average for an original romantic mystery,” according

to analyst David A. Gross of Franchise Entertainment Research.

Last weekend’s top film, Sony’s The Woman King, sold $11.1 million in tickets but saw a 42 percent drop-off from its opening to place second. Oscar winner Viola Davis stars in the history-based tale of an all-female army of African warriors.

In third was the re-release of super-hit Avatar from director James Cameron The 20th Century film took in an estimated $10 million – most of it on big Imax screens – for the Friday-through-Sunday period.

Gross said that was only a “fair”

opening, but he noted that the film was a slow starter in 2009 before going on to set an all-time record of $2.8 billion in global ticket sales.

The studio hopes the re-release will build a head of interest big enough to offset the huge $250 million budget of the highly anticipated sequel Avatar: The Way of Water, due in December.

Fourth place went to another 20th Century film, Barbarian, at $4.8 million. The horror film stars Georgina Campbell and Bill Skarsgard. And in fifth was A24’s blood-soaked slasher film Pearl, at $1.9 million, Mia Goth stars. AFP

Kapuso personalities, programs honored at Gawad Pilipino Icon of the Year 2022

TELEVISION gets a well-intentioned shaking up, especially in terms of content and offerings, with NET 25’s beefed-up programming.

The network is more than gung ho to create quality TV content for Filipinos with a firm resolve to offer its viewers something fresh, innovative, entertaining, and relevant new shows and formidable staples, daily and nightly programs, for all Filipinos.

Content is truly king in NET 25 as various programs from news and public service to entertainment are ready for the public’s taking and enjoyment.

In its sophomore season, Ano Sa Palagay N’yo sizzles anew as the dynamic duo of Ali Sotto and Pat-P Daza bring the truth behind the news. These two powerful feminine personalities present the nitty-gritty of today’s headlines adding their maternal touches and views to matters of national and personal importance.

Year 2, Sotto declares: “We are continuing our commitment to become the public’s open line with government agencies, non-government organizations, and the private sector so that issues that directly affect all of us, will be explained to the viewers. Nothing beats getting factual information. Of course, it has become our trademark to discuss important matters in the lightest manner.”

The forever matinee idol to many, Aga Muhlach holds court in Tara Game AgadAgad Level Up

The mere mention of Aga’s name as the master of a game show, guarantees fun and excitement knowing the fact that the little boy and duwende in Mulach has never left him.

Two bubbly and lovely co-hosts Tik Tok star Yukii Takahashi, and our favorite Brazilian actress Daiana Menezes, will

surely satisfy the game show craving of all Pinoys. Of course, Aga Muhlach’s legendary dimples, puppy eyes, and laugh-out-loud moments are irresistible.

Turning sweet 16 is NET 25’s longest-running talk show, Moments with Gladys Reyes who shows a totally different side of her as a host who engages her guests in not only pleasant but meaningful conversations.

Reyes enumerates what audiences can look forward to in her show’s 16th year: “Naku ang dami nilang aabangan. Andiyan ang Chikat kung saan ang mga kausap ko talaga ay the most sikat. There will be challenges, there’s ‘Kusina Moments’ with easy to cook and delicious dishes. May kitchen tips para mas panalo ang pagluluto at paghahanda ng food. May reveal ngayon kung ano ang aking wellness habits kaya maintained ang maayos na katawan at happy attitude.”

Seasoned broadcast journalist Korina Sanchez-Roxas will be the queen in Korina Interviews, a lifestyle show that promises to be intimate, insightful, and informative as the host brings out the best anecdotes and exciting tidbits on the public and private lives of prominent personalities.

Guests will talk about their childhood,

their victories and defeats, their love and passion, and their secrets to success.

The casting coup of this programming season, having the two living legends of comedy, Joey de Leon and Vic Sotto lord their respective laugh-out-loud triggering programs.

Joey de Leon is the ultimate prankster in Oh No! It’s BO (Biro Only) now in its third year. Assisting De Leon in this comic quest are Niko Badayos, E.L Mendoza, and Jai Gonzales

And yes, the heir to Dolphy’s Comedy King title, Vic Sotto brings a whole new meaning to quality time with your family in Love, BosLeng and Tali

The Sottos, composed of Bossing Vic, wife Pauline, and daughter Tali pay it forward, as they address and concerns of a lucky letter sender dealing with everyday issues.

And finally, Ano’ng Meron Kay Abok with the millennial’s favorite funny man Empoy Marquez (Abok) and Alexa Miro (Juliet) gives a whole new spin on the sayings “opposites attract” and “you should never chase an old love”.

With this set of entertainment programming, NET 25’s shaking up will not only arouse the curiosities of many but will hook the public with quality television offerings.

VARIOUS Kapuso personalities and shows were recognized at the Gawad Pilipino Icon of the Year 2022 held last September 17.

GMA News and Public Affairs pillars Jessica Soho, Mel Tiangco, Enriquez led the list of Kapuso personalities who were conferred with the “Media Industry Icon of the Year” awards.

Soho won as “Outstanding Magazine Show Host of the Year” for the top-rating Kapuso Mo, Jessica Soho Tiangco and Enriquez, anchors of GMA primetime newscast 24 Oras named “Outstanding Female Anchor of the Year” and “Outstanding Male Anchor of the Year,” respectively.

Several Kapuso broadcast journalists were each recognized as “Media Industry Icon of the Year” as well.

Unang Hirit host and broadcast journalist Susan Enriquez “Outstanding Morning Show TV Host of the Year.” Reporter Mariz Umali in turn, was named “Outstanding Field Reporter of the Year.”

Dapat Alam Mo! anchor and reporter Emil Sumangil recognized as “Outstanding Male News Magazine Host of the Year.” Meanwhile, fellow reporter Cata Tibayan won “Outstanding Showbiz Correspondent of the Year.”

The Kapuso Network also took home awards in the Entertainment Icon of the Year category.

Glaiza de Castro won as “Outstanding Composer of the Year.” Yasmien Kurdi was conferred the “Iconic Artist of the Year.” Mavy Legaspi and Kyline Alcantara won as “Best Young Love Team of the Year.” Maine Mendoza was also named “Iconic Artist of the Year.”

GMA Public Affairs’ adventure series Lolong, bannered by Ruru Madrid, was hailed as “Best Primetime Serye,” while long-running TV program Eat Bulaga won as Noontime Show.”

The Gawad Pilipino Awards, held annually to recognize

personalities who have contributed to society through their demonstrated passion for work and exceptional work ethics, introduced the “Icon of the Year” to recognize people with advocacy that helps Filipinos, especially during times of disaster.

Earlier this month, GMA News & Public Affairs’ daily digital newscast Stand For Truth won the “Best Agriculture Television Program or Segment” at the 15th Bright Leaf Agriculture Journalism Awards.

The award-giving body recognized the episode “Bakit wala pa ring pag-usad sa buhay ng maraming magsasaka sa Pilipinas?” for its exemplary reportage on the plight of farmers in the Philippines during the pandemic. The Bright Awards are given to most outstanding and relevant agriculture stories in print, radio, and television.”

you should be happy because you’re healthy and fit. That way, your road to fulfilling your dreams will be smooth,” she states.

When the pandemic struck, the 45-year-old actor opted to engage in other endeavors and started away from TV projects for the health and safety of his family. Now, he is happy that everything went well during his talk with the management.

“GMA cut my contract short,” he averred. “Supposedly, I still have oneand-a-half years more with them. What’s good is that they understood and granted my wishes that as of now, I don’t want to do acting stuff. We both have much

PUREGOLD Channel’s first romantic comedy digital series, Ang Babae sa Likod ng Face Mask, recently concluded its 13-episode run on YouTube with over 16.7 million views across multiple platforms online.

The kilig-tawa story of Malta, played by Herlene Budol, and her sweet but quirky romance with the incredibly handsome Sieg, portrayed by Joseph Marco, sent romcom fans in frenzy throughout the series. Many could relate to the twists and turns a woman’s heart goes through in learning to love herself and be open to the love of another.

Ang Babae increasingly appealed to young and young-at-heart viewers and morphed into a massive online sensation. After all, it was a feel-good series with

respect for each other.”

Derek, however, discussed that he’s not allowed to talk about whether or not he bought out his contract.

“We have respect for each other. I can’t disclose the details. They clearly understood my position. It’s not like, I have anything against them or they have something against me. No, none of that. They see how happy I am with my life now and my priorities have really changed.”

It’s public knowledge that Derek tied the knots with Ellen Adarna on December 11, 2021. He treats her son Elias (with former boyfriend John Lloyd Cruz) as if he were his own. He also takes care of his own son Austin (with his first wife Mary Christine Jolly).

“I have my family and that’s what I

really want to take care of. It’s not just me anymore.”

At this point, his sights are set on a new path. He’s looking at his new career building homes and vacation houses.

“Perhaps, if I find the right script for a film, I might do it. I love my craft. It’s just that everything comes with territory which is very tiring and taxing. I was very vocal then in saying that when I enter married life, I cannot focus on

cliffhanger moments, racking up more views and leaving heady fans wanting more after each exciting episode.

On top of their effusive support gleaned from each episode’s comments, fans also drove ‘Ang Babae’ content to hit status on TikTok. As seen in all the videos labeled under the #angbabaesalikodngfacemask hashtag, followers expressed their own creativity and enthusiasm on TikTok.

Fan edits of lead characters Malta and Sieg, as well as clips of their favorite scenes garnered over 11 million views on TikTok, spreading the kilig and laughter to more enthusiastic fans and potential viewers who eventually latched on to the show.

The TikTok trend backs up the numbers as

it shows the amazing dedication Ang Babae fans display. They might as well brace for a second season, considering the finale’s last scene: just when Sieg proposed marriage to Malta, her childhood ‘crush’ pops up in her life.

Vincent Co, president of Puregold Price Club, Inc., is justifiably proud of the company’s unique retailtainment initiative.

“We are very happy with the success of Ang Babae sa Likod ng Face Mask.”

“We could not have done this without the wonderful cast as led by Herlene Budol and Joseph Marco; the entire production crew; and the followers that viewed Ang Babae week after week and spread the word about this mini-series,” he affirms.

• •

•

According to Beauty Gonzalez, it is essential to always aspire to be beautiful inside and out.

“It’s important that you feel good about yourself. Upon waking up in the morning,

As a celebrity, the actress knows that physical allure is one key to the longevity of her showbiz career.

“Of course, with the influx of new faces on the scene every day, you have to keep up. Talent is not the only weapon. Your looks matter a lot as well. It’s your responsibility to be beautiful inside and out if you want to stay long in the business.”

Interestingly, does she believe in beauty enhancement or will she go for natural beauty?

“As much as possible, if I can do it in a natural way, why not, right? But if I need a little help from dermatology experts, I’m open to it. I don’t see anything wrong if you seek their help. But of course, it should not reach the extent where I won’t be recognizable to people anymore. Just a little adjustment will do,” she says.

SCREEN actor and entrepreneur Derek Ramsay recently announced that he no longer has a contract with GMA Network. For the record, he just did one soap opera under his contract with the Kapuso and this was the well-received The Better Woman

my showbiz career anymore since my priority would be my family. And that’s what I’m standing for right now,” Derek said.

Florence Pugh (left) and Harry Styles in ‘Don’t Worry Darling’

Derek Ramsay (leftmost) with wife Ellen Adarna and stepson Elias

Joseph Marco (left) and Herlene Budol in ‘Ang Babae sa Likod ng Face Mask’ Jessica Soho Soho wins Outstanding Magazine Show Host of the

Mavy Legaspi (left) and Kyline Alcantara take home the Best Young Love Team of the Year award

Gladys Reyes-Sommereux celebrates

IT’S safe to swim with whale sharks or butanding in the local dialect, but do listen to your guide for instructions because these gentle giants, despite being generally harmless, also need respect since we are, in essence, in their natural territory.

It was my second day in Bluewater Sumilon Island Resort, my home on the island located just a short boat ride around from Oslob – a small coastal town right at the southern tip of Cebu. Our group huddled early morning feeling optimistic because the skies were clear and there were no signs that the rains and ranging winds that visited us the night before would make another surprise appearance.

It was 9:00 in the morning and the weather was cooperative as if it knew we were having a rendezvous with the world’s largest fish.

Yes, whale sharks are fish, they are not whales despite their intimidating size –they grow up to 15 meters long (think of a passenger bus for size reference) and live to over 100 years of age, reaching maturity at around 30 years. It’s gener ally safe to swim with them because they are placid creatures moving slowly and can neither bite nor chew, and they only feed on small shrimp, fish, and plankton by using their gill rakers as a suction fil ter. Thus, getting your legs or arms ac cidentally getting stuck in their mouth is highly unlikely, not to mention that they

Swimming alongside Oslob’s gentle giants

have no appetite for humans, too.

Upon our arrival, we were led to a pavilion for a compulsory briefing. We were oriented on what to do and not to do while swimming with these majestic creatures. Five meters is the minimum distance from the sharks if you’re wear ing gears like fins, four meters is safe if you’re diving into the water without any. Touching the whales or using flash pho tography when taking snaps are not al lowed. Tourists are not allowed to swim with the sharks while cloaked in a thick film of sun lotion. If you have already ap plied sunscreen on your skin, you would be asked to take a quick shower to rinse it off. The explanation given was, tour ists normally leave trails of white fluid as they dive into the water, it contaminates the water and is bad for the fish.

The last instruction given to us during the briefing was to stay calm and enjoy the experience of interacting with the whales.

From the shore, I could already see the whale sharks (there were at least five juve nile whale sharks swimming in the area)

and it’s pretty interesting that this sight un less it’s raining or there’s a storm, is visible in the area 365 days a year from 6:00 am until noontime. No wonder whale shark tourism is one of, if not the main key source of income to the island of Oslob.

“The water in Oslob is very clean and very salty. They like it,” the sea warden that joined us in our boat told me. “If there’s a sudden downpour, they will not show up on the surface, they can already sense the water temperature and its salin ity when it rained.”

I also inquired about how the community is able to manage its waste and makes sure that it won’t reach the ocean. And I was right, I was asking the wrong person.

As we jumped into the water, sea war dens were present at all times, though it was kind of difficult to maintain the fivemeter minimum distance from the sharks, it’s good to see that the people organizing it were strict and kept on reminding us of the dos and donts.

It’s true that the experience is differ ent seeing these gentle giants up close. I felt emotional for so many reasons. Our

guide asked me if I wanted to have my pictures taken underwater. And I said yes to this once-in-a-lifetime moment.

I felt a little nervous when I saw one of the five whale sharks approaching me, but I got reminded that they are gentle, and it’s true. They look majestic. It’s like seeing a harmless dinosaur gradually moving toward me with an intention to befriend his visitor.

Back to my room at Bluewater Sumilon, I contemplated whether or not swimming with the whale sharks was an incredible ex perience. One thing I have noticed though, the boatmen were hand-feeding the sharks giving me the impression that these creatures keep on coming back to this coastal town be cause they have already associated boats and tourists with food, being fed. And if that’s the case, can we still call it sustainable tourism?

I would still consider going back to Oslob to swim with the whale sharks, and probably in a manner that swimming with them seems and feels natural. No boatmen throwing food to lure them.

And for sure, I would still stay at Blue water Sumilon Island Resort, which is built on a 24-hectare coral island. The

exclusive resort has 14 spacious deluxe rooms with private veranda; 10 premier deluxe rooms; and three Villas with pri vate dipping pools.

The resort is popular for its sandbar that changes shapes and shifts locations around the island, depending on the sea son. There is a natural lagoon teeming with high mangroves and an area where visitors can enjoy hours of snorkeling at a marine sanctuary, paddle boarding, kaya king, and trekking while enjoying the spectacular panoramic view of the ocean and mainland Cebu.

From the resort, going to Oslob is just a 15-minute boat ride.

Tourists can visit the resort via Duma guete. Cebu Pacific currently flies to Du maguete from Manila 24x weekly, and from Cebu 10x weekly. The airline con tinues to offer its guaranteed low fares to stimulate travel across its network while it implements a multi-layered approach to safety to encourage “everyjuan” to fly once more. Visit www.cebupacificair.com to learn more about their latest offerings, safety protocols, and travel reminders.

THERE’S a fun, new place with a cool vibe in the metro, with world-class cocktails crafted by awardwinning bartenders using top-shelf spirits, and a cre ative menu that celebrates the freshness of Aklan oys ters flown in every day, always fresh, never frozen.

Salt & Ice has truly been a passion project. The goal was to create not just a bar, but a space that celebrates the freshness of Aklan oysters, and the world-class skills of their award-winning roster of bartenders.

Salt represents the sea and its fresh oysters; Ice rep resents its amazing craft cocktails. Its cocktails are crafted with the latest tools and equipment only a few bars in Manila have. Its bartenders create forwardlooking, whimsical cocktails, each with their own stories, beautifully served and presented, the kind you look forward to after a long day.

No detail is too small — from the interiors to the music They aim to be a space where one can enjoy a chill night with friends, enjoying good food, amazing oysters, and inventive cocktails.

“It is, in a nutshell, an oyster bar that serves cocktails, from the classics to imaginative concoctions developed for discerning guests who want to have an interactive bar experi ence,” says Abigael Quilal-lan, Salt & Ice’s operations manager who has competed and won local and international bartending competitions.

“It’s a passion project of our president and CEO, John Michael “Mike” Hilton He loves oyster bars and premium, well-thought-out cocktails. He married these two in one space,” Quilal-lan narrates. “He’s very hands-on at Salt & Ice. He shared his ideas when we were de veloping our cocktails, and he led a team of chefs in conceptualizing our main menu selection.”

Hilton’s extensive experience in F&B was put to good use when he founded Visum Ventures in 2019, bringing the now widely-popular Koomi (a natural drinking yogurt from Australia) to the Philippines. He has since expanded the brand portfolio with Oh My Greek, Zig, Sante by Zig, and is also the exclusive distributor of T2 loose-leaf teas and tea wares in the country.

Salt & Ice is located on the ground floor of Uptown Parade in Uptown BGC, Taguig. It is open from 4:00 p.m. to 1:00 a.m. from Sunday to Wednesday, and from 4:00 p.m. to 3:00 a.m. from Thursday to Satur day.

For more information, call 0969 141 4688. It also recently opened at Bldg 7, Molito Commercial Com plex, Alabang.

DAHAN Specialty Coffee is a third-wave cafe that just opened its doors in mid-June. Its interiors are minimalist, yet modern and chic. Colors are calming to the eyes, and the entire cafe is extremely well-lit, but somehow manages to exude a calm, laid-back vibe.

Instagram is abuzz with stories of the cafe’s delicious espresso-based blends and third-wave coffee offer ings, as well as a curated collection of pastries, such as hojicha puffs and burnt basque cheesecakes from Sadie’s and brownies from Buckys.

The cafe’s name is inspired by the Filipino word “dahan-dahan,” which means slowly, carefully, or to take things easily.

The concept originated from the calm weekend escapes of Sarah Tolentino David during the pan demic.

“I previously worked in eCom merce and had a brief stint in fin tech, and everything was extremely fast-paced. I wanted to take a break from everything,” says Sarah.

According to the entrepreneur, weekends were more calm. There was no rush to accomplish too many tasks. “On weekends, I al ways had enough time to drive to a decent coffee shop, in a calm neigh borhood to enjoy a cup of coffee.”

The weekends gave her the op portunity to reflect, unwind, and

just experience everything slowly. At the start of 2022, she took the opportunity to pursue starting a cafe; she also left her corporate job to do Dahan Specialty Coffee fulltime. She reached out to multiple roasters and eventually decided to work with a champion barista, and former owner of Need Coffee, Dan iel Roque, to consult for her new venture.

Sarah wanted a different design perspective so she reached out to Knu Kim and Paco Fernandez of Re-union Collective, based in Madrid, Spain, to develop and vi sualize the branding for Dahan Spe cialty Coffee.

“Knu conducted numerous work shops and brand sessions for us. In one session, he showed me multiple illustrations of different building ar chitectural styles and asked which one best represented Dahan Spe cialty Coffee. I had to explain my answer, and I dug deep to articulate my thoughts. That session helped me actualize what elements best vi sualize and represent Dahan”.

Knu and Paco (who both worked at Fjord) became inspired by cir cles, because they represented a bird’s eye view of a cup of coffee, but also signified community, and how friends can gather at Dahan as a meeting point. The colors they chose represented calmness

and serenity. Baristas at Dahan are a mix of both new and experienced in the (coffee) field. They are mostly fe male and are led by Dahan’s Head Barista, Misha Salud. Customers know that these people are knowl edgeable and passionate about cof fee and are friendly too. You may ask them more about the shop’s specialties and they’ll be happy to share with you their recommenda tions or personal favorites. It’s a safe space for beginners and con noisseurs of coffee alike but also for non-coffee drinkers.

Dahan Specialty Coffee’s menu, meanwhile, revolves around clas sics and contemporary espres so-based drinks (hence, classi cally new). The drinks are created through a La Marzocco Linea Clas sic, supplied by Yardstick. You can also enjoy pour-overs at Dahan. Chat with the baristas as they make a cup in front of you from Dahan’s slow bar which features a curated selection of single-origin beans from local and foreign roasters.

Dahan Specialty Coffee is locat ed at President’s Grove, President’s Avenue, Parañaque City. Opening hours are from 8:00 a.m. to 8:00 p.m., Tuesday to Thursday, and 8:00 a.m. to 9:00 p.m., Friday to Sunday.

Swimming with whale sharks is generally safe despite their intimidating size

From this infinity pool of the resort, one can enjoy a panoramic view of the ocean and mainland Cebu

The author swimming with gentle giants of Oslob, south of Cebu