Manila Standard - 2022 October 22 - Saturday

PBBM meets agri cluster, digital farming ways eyed

By Vince Lopez

PRESIDENT Ferdinand Marcos Jr. on Friday met with the agriculture cluster of the Private Sector Advisory Council (PSAC) to discuss his administration’s priorities in the sector, specifically measures to ensure food security in the country.

During the meeting in Malacañang, the President, who is also the concurrent Agriculture Secretary, received recommendations from the PSAC on digital farming methods and supply chain improvement strategies that will boost the government’s food security program.

The PSAC also proposed the review of the policies and structure of the National Food Authority (NFA) to enable the agency to operate as a logistics hub and reduce losses for the

Pimentel says Marcos needs alter ego in DA

By Macon Ramos-Araneta

PRESIDENT Ferdinand Marcos Jr. does not have to let go of his focus on agriculture, even if he appoints a fulltime secretary to take over the portfolio, Senate Minority Leader Aquilino Pimentel III said Friday.

Pimentel said the President—who concurrently heads the Department of Agriculture (DA)—can have a secretary and still keep his eye on the sector.

Also reacting to the President’s statement that he would appoint a secretary at the Department of Health once the situation becomesnormal, Pimentel said he should appoint an “alter ego” who shares his views on how to fix the government.

"Get an outsider if necessary," said the Senate leader. "But shower him or her with all the support for us to be able to live with the virus.”

Pimentel’s colleague in the opposition bloc, Senator Risa Hontiveros,said the President has many jobs and needs a secretary at the DA working in tandem.

She said economists had warned that the country is in the midst of an impending food catastrophe.

The President said he will only let go of the DA if structural reforms are already in place at the department.

The President noted that the problems within the DA are so difficult that “it will take a president to change and turn it around.”

But Pimentel said by having a full-time secretary, the President gains a person who can help him with agricultural matters.

Earlier, Hontiveros also underscored the need for the President to appoint a new Health secretary, with a firm grasp of public health issues.

government.

Mr. Marcos also made clear his plan for the institutionalization of the Department of Science and Technology’s (DOST) digital platform Sarai which will provide agricultural stakeholders with sitespecific crop advisories based on data gathered from the “Diwata” (fairy) micro-satellite.

Through the DOST program, farmers and fishermen will be able to access real-time and updated information on farm conditions, including weather outlook, drought and flood forecasting, disease detection, and infestations.

To improve the income of Filipino farmers, Mr. Marcos ordered the acceleration of replanting of coconut trees and distribution of seedlings as

DOJ suspends BuCor chief

Over death of ‘middleman’ in Lapid slay

By Rey E. Requejo, Vince Lopez and Macon Ramos-Araneta P

RESIDENT Ferdinand Marcos Jr. on Friday ordered the preventive suspension of Bureau of Corrections (BuCor) chief Director General Gerald Bantag following the death of an inmate who had been tagged as the "middleman" in the killing of broadcaster Percival Mabasa.

and impartial investigation.

Remulla said he appointed former Armed Forces chief of staff Gregorio Catapang Jr. as officer-in-charge of Bucor.

Remulla said Bantag’s suspension is indefinite and will last as long as the investigation is ongoing.

He said it was the President that chose Catapang.

Bantag’s suspension came after

Oil price rollback less than P1/liter likely next week

PUMP prices of petroleum products are expected to roll back next week, oil industry sources told the Standard on Friday.

Citing oil trading results from October 17 to 20, a source told GMA News the price per liter of diesel may go down by P0.40 to P0.70.

Gasoline prices, meanwhile, may be slashed by P0.20 to P0.50 per liter.

“There is a high indication of a rollback next week,” Oil Industry Management Bureau (OIMB) Director Rino Abad also said in an interview on Super Radyo dzBB.

Abad said the expected price cut on fuel products will be less than P1 per liter.

The Energy official said the global market doubted that the Organization of Petroleum Exporting Countries (OPEC) will be able to cut oil production by 2 million barrels next month.

Oil companies usually announce price adjustments every Monday for implementation the following day.

Effective Tuesday, October 18, fuel firms increased prices per liter for gasoline by P0.80, diesel by P2.70, and P2.90 for kerosene.

The latest price movements brought the year-to-date adjustments at a net increase of P16.45 per liter for gasoline, P38.50 per liter for diesel, and P29.65 per liter for kerosene.

The P2.70 per liter price increase for diesel last week wiped out five consecutive weeks of rollbacks, Department of Energy data showed.

It was the second consecutive week of upward adjustment in domestic pump prices as the country’s net oil import bill more than doubled to $9.705 billion in the first six months.

Oil firms the week before raised the price of diesel by P6.85 per liter, kerosene by P3.50 per liter, and gasoline by P1.20 per liter.

Last week’s price increase offset the five-week rollback, resulting in a net increase of P.070 for diesel, and a net decrease of P3.10 for gasoline and P3.55 for kerosene.

Lettuce outlasts Liz Truss as UK Prime Minister

Instant noodle ban, price hike on Pinoy Bread still pending

THE Department of Trade and Industry (DTI) is ready to remove instant noodles from retail market shelves once the Food and Drug Administration (FDA) issues a recall order for such products that are found to have a high sodium content, an official said Friday.

The agency is also still reviewing

the petition of bakers to raise Pinoy Tasty and Pinoy Pandesal prices by P4 – at the same time when canned goods makers are also batting for a price hike -- as doing so will significantly burden consumers, DTI Undersecretary for Consumer Protection Ruth Castelo said.

In a televised public briefing,

DOH affirms local transmission of Omicron XBB, XBC variants

By Willie Casas

Castelo said Trade Secretary Alfredo Pascual already endorsed Senator Raffy Tulfo's concerns over salt content in noodles – a staple for millions of poor Filipinos -- to the FDA and the Department of Health (DOH).

At the Senate hearing of the DTI’s budget, Tulfo said that various brands

of instant noodles have more than 1,600 milligrams (mg) of sodium, while a person can only safely consume 2,000mg of sodium a day.

The FDA had the authority to issue a recall order against products found non-compliant to standards, Castelo said.

Lazo new PDEA head, Cordoba to COA

PRESIDENT Ferdinand R. Marcos has appointed retired police general Moro Virgilio Lazo as the new head of the Philippine Drug Enforcement Agency (PDEA).

Lazo's appointment was confirmed by Office of the Press Secretary officerin-charge Undersecretary Cheloy Garafil on Thursday night.

At the same time, the President has appointed National Telecommunications Commission (NTC) Commissioner Gamaliel Cordoba as the new chairman

of the Commission on Audit (COA).

Lazo will succeed Wilkins Villanueva as director general of the PDEA, which serves as the government's lead agency in the anti-narcotics campaign.

Villanueva, in a Facebook post, shared a copy of Lazo's appointment paper signed by Marcos on Oct. 19.

Lazo is a member of the Philippine Military Academy "Maharlika" Class of 1984.

After graduating from the PMA

LONDON—Outgoing UK Prime Minister Liz Truss on Thursday saw her political career wilt quicker than a lettuce, thanks to a tabloid stunt and a crisis-filled six weeks in office.

The Daily Star last Friday launched a video livestream simply featuring a round head of lettuce, dressed up with a wig and googly eyes.

FINDING FOOD SECURITY. President Ferdinand R. Marcos Jr. listens to recommendations from the agriculture cluster (inset) of the Private Sector Advisory Council (PSAC) during their meeting in Malacanang on Friday. Presidential Photo

SUSPENDED. Justice Secretary Crispin Boying Remulla holds up an image in a press conference regarding the death of the alleged middleman in the murder of broadcast journalist Percy Lapid, which led to the suspension of Bureau of Corrections Director Usec. Gerald Bantag (right). Norman Cruz

In a media briefing, Justice Secretary Jesus Crispin Remulla said the President ordered Bantag suspended in a meeting Thursday so that there could be a fair

Next page Next page

SC plan to give justice ‘in real time’

By Rey E. Requejo

CHIEF Justice Alexander Gesmundo has exhorted all trial court judges and personnel to support fully the judiciary’s five-year innovation plan aimed at providing all Filipinos “equal access to justice in real time.”

In his speech before the members of the Philippine Judges Association (PJA) during its convention last Thursday in Taguig City, Gesmundo said judges should be “force multipliers” in the Strategic Plan for Judicial Innovation 2022-2027 (SPJI) and help the Supreme Court (SC) to get the message across and be active agents of reform.

The SC formally launched its SPJI last Oct. 14. It said the innovation plan is aimed at dispensing justice “efficiently, effectively, and timely.”

In his message, the Chief Justice emphasized the role of the judges in the success of the SPJI which he described as “our blueprint for action in the next five years.”

Without the support of judges,

DOJ...

From A1

BuCor issued a certification to police investigators handling Mabasa’s case that there is no inmate by the name Crisanto Palana Villamor inside the New Bilibid Prison.

The self-confessed gunman who surrendered to the police, Joel Escorial, said it was Villamor, acting as a middleman, who promised to pay him and three of his cohorts P550,000 to kill Mabasa, who is also known by his radio name Percy Lapid.

Escorialidentified a certain Christopher Bacoto, also known as “Jerry Sandoval,” as the one who convinced his cohorts – brothers Israel and Edmon Dimaculangan and a certain Orly or Orlando – to help him carry out the assassination.

Escorial, the Dimaculangan brothers and “Orly” have all been charged with murder before the Department of Justice (DOJ).

Escorial will undergo preliminary investigation while his co-accused are still at-large.

DOH...

From A1 exposure from someone who has recently traveled outside the Philippines,” she said.

"They got infected here,” the Health official added.

De Guzman noted the transmission is still "localized" because the variants were detected in select regions.

"We cannot say that it's nationwide or wide-scale community transmission,”

Lazo...

“reforms will not last; they will not even take root,” he said.

“Our aim, then, is to raise awareness about our vision and strategies among the Judiciary, and to convert as many stakeholders as we can—turning them from acquiescent observers and passive beneficiaries into invested and proactive participants,” Gesmundo added.

The top magistrate stressed that attempts at judicial reform haveproven that the work does not end in changing tools and processes but can be sustained only if coupled with a “change in mindset, in attitude, in perspective of our people: our judges, our officials, our personnel, and our court users.”

Gesmundo said when he and the

Remulla recalled that investigators from the Muntinlupa City police went to the NBP on Oct. 19 or a day after Escorial surrendered to thepolice, to verify his claims.

He said the BuCor denied that Crisanto Palana Villamor was an inmate at the NBP.

But it turned out that Villamor’s records were under the name Jun Villamor, who was serving time for murder, attempted murder and violation of the gun ban.

Remulla said Bacoto, tagged as the “second middleman,” has been secured by the Bureau of Jail Management and Penology (BJMP).

Remulla said another person of interest, Villamor’s cousin, is now in the custody of the Philippine National Police at its Custodial Center.

Remulla lamented that the Justice Department could have immediately secured Villamor if there was proper coordination made by the police.

Despite the death of Villamor, the DOJ secretary expressed optimism that the investigation would lead to main culprits in the killing.

Remulla added that he has directed

she said.

Earlier this week, the DOH earlier reported the detection of the omicron XBB subvariant and XBC variant.

The XBB, first detected in India in August 2022, is a recombinant of 2 omicron subvariants.

At present, it has been detected in at least 24 countries and four continents and has been the primary cause of the recent spike in COVID-19 cases in Singapore, the DOH said.

Preliminary studies suggest that the XBB variant shows higher

From A1 in 1984, Lazo joined the Philippine National Police's (PNP) elite Special Action Force (SAF).

He served as SAF director in March 2015.

He was also a member of the Presidential Security Group during the term of the late President Fidel V. Ramos.

Lazo also served as chief of the PNP's Firearms and Explosives Office; provincial police director of Benguet and Cagayan; and regional director for Central Luzon.

Marcos vowed to continue the anti-illegal drugs campaign but emphasized the approach will be different, including focusing on the treatment and rehabilitation of drug users.

In a Facebook post, Villanueva expressed gratitude for serving at PDEA for two decades.

"It is with profound gratitude that I close my two decades of professional service to God and country in the field of drug law enforcement," he said.

"My profound thanks also to His Excellency President Ferdinand Romualdez Marcos, Jr. for allowing me to continue serving as theseventh Director General until my worthy successor was appointed as of October 19, 2022," Villanueva added.

The Supreme Court’s Public Information Office director, Brian Keith Hosaka on Friday confirmed that Cordoba took his oath of office earlier before Chief Justice Alexander Gesmundo at the Supreme Court.

Cordoba, who is also a lawyer, replaces former solicitor general Jose Calida, who stepped down from the post earlier this month due to health reasons.

Cordoba was appointed by former President Rodrigo Duterte as head of the NTC, the agency tasked to supervise, adjudicate and control all telecommunications services in the Philippines.

Also on Friday, the Army announced the appointment of Maj. Gen. Adonis Bajao as its new vice commander, replacing Maj. Gen. Camilo Ligayo, who was appointed as head of the Eastern Visayas-based 8th Infantry Division.

Before his appointment, Bajao served as the Internal Auditor of the Armed Forces of the Philippines (AFP).

He also held key positions throughout his career such as 9th InfantryDivision assistant division commander; commander of the 1002nd Infantry Brigade; commander Joint Task Force General Santos of the 10th Infantry Division; and 8th Infantry Division assistant chief-of-staff for civil-military operation.

He also held key posts in the AFP office of the chief-of-staff for operations. Vince Lopez

other SC justices travelled around the country to share their vision for reforms, they observed some pushback and apprehension “from those whom the words reorganization, digitization, and automation come across as euphemisms for downsizing and layoffs, and how this mindset strikes fear and harbors resistance.”

“When we talk of pushing the entire Judiciary forward through innovation, we mean exactly that—to propel the Judiciary, in its entirety, with everyone in tow, and no one left behind,” the Chief Justice assured.

“With the pandemic hopefully nearing its end, your theme for this year’s convention—‘PJA: Forging Ties for Humanity and Peace’—points to the task we must now take on as we look to rebuild and recover,” he said.

“As frontliners of the judiciary, you have so much to contribute to the attainment of this noble aspiration. Indeed, through your decisions, your actions, and your example, you have the power tofoster them from our courtrooms, and to grow them beyond

the National Bureau of Investigation (NBI) to conduct a parallel investigation to determine the motives and persons behind Mabasa’s killing.

Based on the initial report from the BuCor, Villamor was brought to the NBP hospital due to loss of consciousness and was pronounced dead at around 2 p.m.

Villamor’s body is being autopsied by the NBI-Medico Legal team at the Eastern Funeral Service in Alabang, Muntinlupa.

BuCor spokesman Gabriel Chaglag said initial findings showed no signs of physical or external injuries, but they were awaiting the final autopsy result, which will include a toxicology test.

Meanwhile, Senate Minority Leader Koko Pimentel III urged the PNP to be transparent in their investigation of the Mabasa case.

Pimentel made the appeal following the remarks of Remulla over the death of the "middleman" in the killing.

The brother of slain broadcaster Mabasa on Friday said he had a hunch the alleged middleman in his brother's death would die after a self-confessed gunman owned up to the murder.

immune evasion ability than the BA.5 variant, but there is no sufficient evidence that this variant causes more severe illness.

Of the 81 XBB cases in the country, 70 have recovered and 8 are stillundergoing isolation while the status of the remaining 3 cases is still being verified. None have died from XBB.

Meanwhile, the XBC variant is a recombinant of the omicron BA.2 and delta (B.1.617.2) variant.

As of October 3, the United Kingdom

Lettuce... From A1

The aim: to test whether Truss would still be prime minister "within the 10-day shelf-life of a lettuce".

She resigned after seven days.

The stunt was inspired by The Economist magazine, which wrote last week that Truss's effective period in power before unveiling disastrous new economic policies had been just seven days -- or "roughly the shelflife of a lettuce".

The Daily Star decided to count down to Truss's political sellby date-- and its slightly brownstreaked lettuce outlived her premiership Thursday.

Minutes after her Downing Street speech, the tabloid tweeted triumphantly: "The lettuce has officially outlasted Liz Truss and won.

All hail the lettuce."

The livestream showed the lettuce

PBBM...

From A1

well as intercropping for better land use.

our halls,” the top magistrate added.

He then urged PJA members to strengthen their bond and “help chart a clear course forward for our Second Level Courts, especially now as the judiciary strives to reform and innovate.”

The Chief Justice was joined by Court Administrator Raul B. Villanueva during the PJA convention.

Gesmundo and Villanueva were welcome by PJA officers led by President Danilo S. Cruz; Executive Vice-President Byron G. San Pedro; SeniorVice-President Acerey C. Pacheco; Vice-Presidents Gener M. Gito,Maria Paz R. Reyes-Yson, Caridad V. Galvez, Ma. Theresa E. De GuzmanAlvarez, Pablo C. Formaran III, Lily Lydia A. Laquindanum, and Mia Joy O. Oallares-Cawed; Secretary-General Elisa R. Sarmiento-Flores; Treasurer Hannah Cynara L. Cayton; Auditor Mary Jane B. Dacara-Buenaventura; Public Relations Officer Pia Cristina B. Bersamin-Embuscado; and Business Manager Tarcelo A. Sabarre, Jr.

Speaking to ABS-CBN's TeleRadyo, Roy Mabasa said the death of Villamor happened just four hours after Escorial confessed to killing his brother.

Mabasa, a commentator on radio dwIZ 882 KHZ and dwBL 1242 AM, was killed by motorcycle-riding suspects on Oct. 3 in Las Pinas City.

Fifteen days later, Escorial surrendered to the police and confessedto the crime, saying he and three accomplices carried out the murder in exchange for P550,000.

Mabasa’s family said the Bureau of Corrections (BuCor) should be held liable for the death of Villamor.

Police investigators on Friday said they are already working to unmask the person who deposited P550,000 to Escorial’s bank account for killing Mabasa.

Interviewed on Dobol B TV, Southern Police District (SPD) director Police Brig. Gen. Kirby Kraft said they were coordinating with the bank and even the Anti-Money Laundering Council.

Kraft said this action may help determine the mastermind behind Mabasa’s murder.

Health Security Agency classified the XBC variant as a variant under monitoring and investigation.

However, the World Health Organization and the European Centers for Disease Control have yet to determine the risk this variant poses.

Of the 193 XBC cases in the country, 176 have recovered, three are still undergoing isolation and the status of the remaining 9 cases is still being verified. Five people have died due to the XBC variant.

savoring the moment with a glass of bubbly, music, and disco lighting.

The lettuce "has so far refused to comment on its political future", the tabloid said.

Playing on the idea of Truss being politically "limp" and "wet", the stunt involving a quintessentially English salad vegetable was a perfect excuse for the tabloid to dish up veggie-related puns.

"How long can wet lettuce Liz romaine?" was one of its headlines, along with: "Lettuce Liz on Leaf Support".

On Thursday morning, as Truss's premiership appeared to be for the chop, Labour MP Chris Bryant told Sky News that "the lettuce might as well be running the country".

His colleague David Lammy tweeted: "Looks like the PM vs the Lettuce is going to the wire."

British journalist Jane Merrick added in a tweet: "When a lettuce outlasts a Prime Minister, we have truly reached the endive days." AFP

Red Ferrari car owner in trouble for bus lane use

By Rio N. Araja

THE Land Transportation Office has issued a showcause order against the foreigner-owner of a red Ferrari car that traversed the EDSA Bus Lane that is for the exclusive use of public utility buses, ambulances, and marked government vehicles for emergency purposes only.

The order also reminded the respondents that failure to submit the documentation required will be deemed by investigators and the LTO as a waiver of their rights to be heard and that their case will be decided based on existing evidence.

“We will not tolerate this kind of intrusion into road lanes that were assigned for the exclusive use of specific types of vehicles during the state of a national health emergency, which still exists today,” LTO chief Teofilo Guadiz III said.

The foreign national and the assigned van driver at the time of the incident were summoned by the office to appear at the LTO Intelligence and Investigation Division (IID) at the agency’s central office in Quezon City on Oct. 24.

“The LTO does not and will not condone this wanton disregard for traffic laws, so the owner and driver have a lot of explaining to do.

We will also make sure that the appropriate penalties are applied so this won’t happen again,” he added.

The driver was also directed to submit a written comment or explanation as to why he or she should not be administratively charged for Disregarding Traffic Sign (Sec. J (2), Title I, DOTC Joint Administrative Order No. 2014-01).

The driver’s license could also be suspended or revoked “for being an Improper Person to Operate a Motor Vehicle as per Sec. 27(a) or Republic Act 4136.”

Instant... From A1

“Once the FDA issues a recall order, the DTI will aid them in enforcing it,” she said. “One the recall starts, we will remove it from the (DTI) bulletin and we will ensure that these products won’t be sold in the retail market.”

“Actually, we are thankful to Senator Tulfo for bringing this up in the budget hearing… this alerted the DTI,” Castelo said.

Immediately after the hearing, Pascual endorsed it to FDA as well as DOH officer-in-charge Maria Rosario Vergeire “so the FDA and DOH can look into the sodium content of instant noodles because these are high in sodium as per Senator Tulfo,” the Trade official said.

Meanwhile, the DTI is carefully evaluating the request of several manufacturers of canned goods and bread products for a price increase, Castelo said.

“The DTI is studying this. We are requesting additional information from Philbaking, the makers of these products, to ensure that our decision on the request will be justified,” she added.

The affordable bread variants Pinoy Tasty and Pinoy Pandesal were created as part of a corporate social responsibility initiative between the DTI and Philbaking that began in 2010.

Members of Philbaking include top brands such as The French Baker, Gardenia Philippines, Julie's, among others.

The DTI is also evaluating the request of several manufacturers of canned goods to hike the prices of their products.

“We are requesting all data from manufacturers to ensure that the prices are right and reasonable for our consumers,” Castelo said.

The President also issued a directive to control the threat of African Swine Fever, particularly the strict implementation of all measures put in place to control ASF, including the ban on all trucks with pig and pork products from outside Panay region for 60 days.

The Chief Executive also told the Department of Agriculture to review the Act for Salt Iodization Nationwide (ASIN) law to revive salt farming as an additional livelihood for the fisherfolk to augment their income.

The ASIN Law, or the Republic Act 8172, is the requirement of the addition of iodine to salt intended for animal and human consumption in a bid to eradicate micronutrient malnutrition in the country.

She said canned goods manufacturers’ requests for price hikes range from 50 centavos to P5 to P20.

However, she said the DTI only allows a 10% increase in the prices of basic necessities and prime commodities.

Only 30% of products in its suggested retail price (SRP) bulletin can be adjusted, Castelo added.

PH, US experts meet on cyber security issues

By Nash B. Maulana

THE Office of International Narcotics and Law Enforcement Affairs (INL) of the U.S. Embassy has hosted a roundtable meeting in Manila for Filipino and American experts with a view to boosting bilateral cooperation on cyber security.

In a statement, the U.S. Embassy said the served as a venue for “exchange and sharing of knowledge on such issues as investigating the criminal use of cryptocurrency and responding to computer and network intrusions.

“We all have a clear interest in strengthening norms that mitigate cyber threats and enhance stability in cyberspace,” said INL director Kelia Cummins at the inaugural Law Enforcement Cybersecurity Awareness Month Roundtable Meeting and Networking Event

The U.S. Embassy organized the event on October 13 to mark U.S. National Cybersecurity Awareness Month.

Eight officials from the National Bureau of Investigation, the Cybercrime Investigation and Coordinating Center, and the Philippine Drug Enforcement Agency—all graduates of the INL-supported International Law Enforcement Academy in Bangkok—participated in the meet and committed to closer interagency collaboration to enhance the capacity of law enforcement personnel amid the increasingly advanced tools and technology used by cyber criminals.

Officials from the Department of Justice (DOJ) and the National Police Commission also attended the conference, while representatives from the U.S. Department of Justice-Office of Overseas

Prosecutorial Development, Assistance, and Training, the U.S. Federal Bureau of Investigation, and the U.S. Foreign Commercial Service were present as observers and advisory subject matter experts.

The statement said the roundtable participants agreed to reconvene in six months to assess progress in each agency’s cyber-related goals and to support open lines of communication across agencies.

90% of Pinoys favor public-private partnership for growth—Pulse Asia

ALMOST

nine in ten Filipinos agree that the private sector plays a crucial role in accelerating economic growth, and that public-private partnerships will fuel national economic growth.

These was indicated in a Pulse Asia survey, commissioned by the Stratbase Group, conducted September 17 to 21 this year.

“The sentiments of the people as reflected in this latest survey is a strong impetus for the administration of President Marcos Jr. to strengthen developmental engagements and further empower the private sector to drive economic growth and strengthen competitiveness,” said Stratbase Group founder and CEO, Professor

Victor Andres Manhit.

“A sustained, committed partnership between the government and the private sector will be a game-changer in our recovery and realize inclusive prosperity for our people,” Manhit said.

According to the Pulse survey, 46 percent of the respondents across the country “strongly agree” and another 41 percent “somewhat agree” that the private sector plays a crucial role in accelerating economic growth. Only three percent of disagree, while 11

percent were undecided.

Eighty-nine percent are convinced that the government and the private sector should be partners in economic recovery, with 62 percent strongly agreeing and 27 percent somewhat agreeing.

Only one percent disagree while 10 percent are undecided.

“We have always been pushing for a heightened, constructive and sustained engagement between the government and private sector because of their complementary roles, strengths, resources, and forward-looking perspectives,” Manhit said.

The survey was conducted a few weeks before the 100th day of the Marcos administration, and during his trip to the United States.

The survey covered 1,200 respondents based on a nationwide sample of 1,200 using face to face interviews and has ± 2.8 percent error margin at the 95 percent confidence level.

Survey respondents also believed that the private sector can help in boosting the Philippine economy in several ways, the most prominent of which are creating jobs (69 percent), helping uplift the lives of Filipinos out of poverty (65 percent), expanding livelihood opportunities (49 percent) and improving healthcare systems (37 percent).

“What is even more instructive here is that there was a significant increase in how respondents, notably nationwide and in the National Capital Region, perceive the importance of addressing unemployment and poverty,” said Manhit.

PBBM supports land assessment satellite project

By Vince Lopez

PRESIDENT Ferdinand Marcos Jr. on Tuesday showed his support to the development of the Multi-spectral Unit for Land Assessment (MULA) satellite to be developed and built by an all-Filipino team of engineers from the Philippine Satellite Agency (PhilSA).

“I am looking forward to the development of our MULA satellite and its subsequent launching sometime in 2025,” the President said during his meeting with Science and Technology Secretary Renato Solidum and PhilSA officials led by the agency’s director general Joel Joseph Marciano.

The MULA satellite is considered a game-changer in Philippine space technology because it will be the largest Filipinomade satellite that will be launched three years from now.

ASEAN, China rushing draft of code of conduct on SCS

By Macon Ramos-Araneta

PHNOM Penh, Cambodia—The Association of Southeast Asian Nations (ASEAN) and China reaffirmed their aspiration to hasten the second draft of the Code of Conduct (COC) in the South China Sea (SCS), said ASEAN Secretary General Dato Paduka Lim Jock Hoi.

Due to the COVID-19 pandemic, Lim said negotiations for the COC in the SCS, also known as West Philippine Sea (WPS), was delayed.

“Unfortunately, because of COVID-19, a lot of it have been delayed,” Lim said during

the 11th Editors’ Roundtable organized by the Economic Research Institute for ASEAN and East Asia (ERIA) and Khmer Times here.

Despite these challenges, Lim stressed that ASEAN member-states, as well as China have exerted efforts to resume the negotiation of COC.

The ASEAN official also cited initiatives to maintain the momentum of work including utilizing virtual platform and video conferences, among others.

He also said the ‘working group’ on COC has resumed in-person negotiations last May in Seem Reap, Cambodia.

He added that a post-minister conference

was held also in Cambodia last August.

COC negotiations and work, Lim said, was geared toward an early conclusion of an effective and substantive COC.

This is consistent with international law, including the 1982 UNCLOS.

“I think we are done with the first draft (of the COC in South China Sea). We are going to the second (draft), he said.

The one-day conference was attended by members of the media from ASEAN countries like Australia, Brunei, Cambodia, China Indonesia, Korea, Japan, Lao, Malaysia, Myanmar, Philippines, Thailand, and Vietnam.

Chinese Foreign Minister Wang Yi has

said that the ASEAN and China have completed the “first reading” of the COC negotiating text, which has been modified for smoother negotiations.

“We hope that negotiations on the COC’s 2nd draft will continue in physical manner as we are able to open our economy,” said the ASEAN leader.

“Work in progress and I hope that this can be done in expeditious manner,” he said.

In the meantime, the ASEAN official gave assurance that the group will continue to work with China with due attention to the confidence-building and preventive measures (to avoid conflicts among claimants).

Weighing approximately 130 kilos, the MULA satellite can cover 73,000 square kilometers in 24 hours, gathering data on all land, air and sea territory of the Philippines.

Once in orbit, the MULA satellite can detect air and water quality; determine abundant fishing grounds; zoom-in on traffic situations in cities and urban centers, and detectthe presence of ships in the county’s territorial waters.

The Filipino-made satellite also aims to improve the maritime domain awareness and surveillance as well as enable 24-hour territorial monitoring and security evaluation.

The funding for the MULA satellite is included in the 2023 National Expenditure Program (NEP) which, once approved by Congress, will be part of the General Appropriations Act of 2023.

CDO solon calls for immediate release of former Sen. De Lima

By Maricel V. Cruz

CAGAYAN de Oro City Rep. Rufus Rodriguez on Friday called for the immediate release of former Senator Leila de Lima, who has been detained in Camp Crame since 2017.

“The prosecution has failed to support with enough evidence the drug charges it has filed against the former senator. It’s time for it to withdraw the complaint so that former Senator De Lima could be freed immediately,” Rodriguez said in a statement.

Rodriguez said the decision of Muntinlupa Trial Court Judge Abraham Joseph Alcantara to allow former Bureau of Corrections (BuCor) chief Rafael Ragos to testify to formalize his retraction of his

QC mayor: More good, green jobs by 2030

By Rio N. Araja

QUEZON City Mayor Joy Belmonte on Friday vowed to create more “good, green jobs” for QCitizens by 2030.

Belmonte joined world leaders in calling concerted efforts to create 50 million “good, green jobs” by the end of the decade during the C40 World Mayors Summit in Buenos Aires, Argentina.

Good green jobs provide opportunities for residents, and at the same time address the concurrent climate and inequality crisis as well as rising poverty, toward a global green, just and resilient recovery by 2030.

“Quezon City’s vision of a livable, green, and sustainable city is centered on building an economy that ensures equitable access to environmental goods now and in the future. We believe that creating jobs that sustain a healthy environment provides equal

benefi ts to nature and people, especially the marginalized,” Belmonte said.

“Thus, programs on sustainable food consumption, clean energy, ecological transport, and circular economy, among others, are actively pursued, while climate financing to support more green investments and jobs are explored,” she added.

She said the city’s food security program, Grow QC, has provided relief to help residents recover from the effects of the COVID-19 pandemic and build resilience through nutrition and employment schemes.

Launched during the pandemic, Grow QC is a collective and multi-sectoral food security initiative that addresses food ineffi ciency that mostly affects vulnerable and indigent families.

It aims to increase the consumption of healthy, plant-based food, thus cutting emissions from inefficient supply chains while feeding the city’s population.

testimony against the respondent “is an embarrassment for prosecutors who have tried to block the appearance of the witness in court.”

“What is the prosecution afraid of? They should test Mr. Ragos’ retraction in an open hearing by grilling him. Do they fear that Mr. Ragos would survive their questioning and his recantation would be strengthened?” the former law dean asked.

He said the former BuCor official’s change of heart is the latest in a series of retractions by those who have accused De Lima of allegedly benefitting from the drug trade carried out by inmates in the New Bilibid Prisons.

Suspected drug lord Kerwin Espinosa and former De Lima aide Ronnie Dayan

earlier recanted their allegations against the former senator.

Rodriguez said the Department of Justice (DOJ) is obviously pursuing a losing proposition.

“Secretary Jesus Crispin Remulla would not lose face but would instead reap praises if he orders the immediate withdrawal of the complaint to allow Atty. De Lima to enjoy her freedom and her rights again.”

At the same time, Rodriguez urged Remulla to order a crackdown on illegal activities being carried out by drug convicts in the NBP.

He said the claim of the suspect in the killing of broadcaster Percy Lapid that their marching order came from a drug detainee in the NBP is proof of such illicit pursuits.

C E M E N T

A

information, written report, or sworn/ notarized complaints or oppositions to the above nominations in seven (7) copies to the CA Secretariat, 6th Floor, PNB Financial Center, D. Macapagal Blvd., Pasay City, Metro Manila.

For the schedule of the public hearings, the CA Secretariat can be reached through telephone numbers 8834-2713, 8831-1824, 88310527, 8832-9830, 8834-2706 and 8551-1989. 21 October 2022.

MYRA MARIE D. VILLARICA Secretary(MS-OCT. 22, 2022)

AGRARIAN PROTEST. Farmers and their supporters stage a protest rally on Mendiola Street near Malacanang to call attention on the 50th year of Presidential Decree 27 which mandates that reformation must start with the emancipation of the farmers from bondage of the soil. Norman Cruz

PH, US JOINT MILITARY EXERCISE. Combined elements of the Philippine Navy’s Special Operations Command, the US Navy’s famous SEALs, the Philippine National Police’s Regional Maritime Unit, and the Philippine Coast Guard’s Special Operations Group in Eastern Visayas engage in a joint military drill dubbed “Exercise SamasamaLumbas 2022.”

ROC N ROL. Riders of Christ N Rule of Law (RoC N RoL) hold a motorcade in Quezon City to drum up support for the implementation of the Ease of Doing Business and E cient Government Service Delivery Act of 2018. Manny Palmero

News

NCRPO to assist on ‘sabungeros’

THE National Capital Region Police Office (NCRPO) on Friday said it will fully cooperate with the National Bureau of Investigation (NBI) over the latter’s filing of kidnapping charges against 11 NCRPO anti-drug operatives and four civilians in connection with the disappearance of four sabungeros (cockfight enthusiasts) in Cavite last year.

“We respect the courses of action be ing undertaken by the NBI on this mat ter so long as it is within the bounds of existing laws, policies, rules, and regu lations. The NCRPO is open and will ing to cooperate in any investigation pertaining to this matter,” said NCRPO chief Brig. Gen. Jonnel Estomo in a statement.

“Rest assured that we will cooperate

and will not condone any form of law lessness committed by our men regard less of rank and designation should it be established following due investigation by competent authorities,” he added.

In a complaint dated Oct. 19, the NBI Task Force Against Illegal Drugs (TFAID) filed a complaint against NCRPO person nel over the disappearance of siblings Gio and Mico Mateo, Garry Matreo Jr. and

Ahead of ‘undas,’ police inspect Manila Cemetery

By Willie Casas

THE Manila Police District (MPD) on Thursday inspected the records of some 2,000 people living inside the Manila South Cemetery, in preparation for the observance of Undas.

The Manila International Air port Authority (MIAA) mean while has mapped out plans to ac commodate thousands of people going to and from Manila in time for the traditional observance of All Saints’ Day and All Souls’ Day, and Christmas celebration.

The Manila South Cemetery is owned and managed by the Ma nila City Government.

According to a report on GMA’s “24 Oras,” the cem etery’s management called the inspection as “Oplan Galugad” while the Sta. Ana Police Sta tion of the Manila Police District (MPD) dubbed it a “census.”

“We are verifying if they have a previous record, so we can know. Also, if they are on the list of residents here in South Cemetery,” P/Major Jake Arcilla,

chief of the Sta. Ana Police Sta tion said

The MPD said the inspection came after police served an ar rest warrant last week for one person living inside the cemetery for homicide. Three other resi dents were also caught in the act of using illegal drugs.

Asked why people are allowed to live inside the cemetery, Ma nila South Cemetery director Jonathan Garzo said that resi dents help a lot in maintaining peace and order.

“First of all, there are only a few city security forces and per sonnel here. Right now, there are around 12 city security forces. So now, we are asking residents to help us with peace and order,” he said.

MIAA acting general manager Cesar Chiong meanwhile said the eased travel restrictions and the successful vaccination pro gram of the government against COVID-19 brought confidence among air travelers as seen in the continuing increase in passenger statistics over the recent months.

Ronaldo Anonuevo on April 13, 2021 in Dasmariñas City during an anti-drug po lice operation.

NCRPO regional drug enforcement unit chief Col. Ryan Orapa; Lt. Jesus Me nez; Staff Sgts. Roy Pioquinto and Robert Raz; Cpls. Alric Natividad, Troy Paragas, Ronald Lanaria, Ronald Montibon, Rey naldo Seno, Ruscel Solomon and Christal Rosita; police assets Nicasio and Nicholes Manio, a certain Angelo Atienza, and a certain “Boss Mark” were named re spondents in the charges of kidnapping and serious illegal detention as well as violation of the Anti-Enforced or Invol untary Disappearance Act.

The Philippine National Police (PNP) meanwhile said it has deployed 2,174

to secure the highlights of the 43rd Masskara Festival from October 21 to 23 in Bacolod City.

The final batch of augmentation forces, comprising 863 policemen, arrived at the Bacolod City Police Office (BCPO) head quarters on Thursday. These included personnel of the Police Regional Office 6 (Western Visayas) in Iloilo City, as well as from the Iloilo, Guimaras, and Negros Occidental police offices.

Aside from the PNP personnel, troops of the Philippine Army, the Phil ippine Coast Guard, and the Bureau of Fire Protection, as well as force multi plier groups and rescue units are aug menting the security and emergency response operations.

Court denies Okada appeal on illegal takeover

THE Metropolitan Trial Court (MTC) of Paranaque Branch 91 has denied Japanese gaming tycoon Kazuo Oka da’s motion to quash the grave coer cion charges filed against him and his cohorts for the violent and illegal takeover of Okada Manila in May.

In a resolution dated 18 October 2022, Paranaque MTC Branch 91 Pre siding Judge Hon. Placido O. Garcia III ruled to deny Okada and his co hort’s motion, after finding that the al legations in the information are suffi cient to constitute the criminal offense of grave coercion.

“The information in this case is sufficient as regards both the offense charged and the alleged circumstance of conspiracy amongst the accused in committing the offense charged,” the resolution read.

All three elements of grave coercion were properly alleged in the informa tion, according to the resolution, cit ing Article 286 of the Revised Penal Code of the Philippines, as amended.

The elements of grave coercion are as follows: that a person is prevented by another from doing something not prohibited by law; that the prevention or compulsion is effected by violence, threats, or intimidation; and that the restraint is not made under the author ity of law or in the exercise of any law ful right.

Gomez thumbs down ban on Korean dramas

By Maricel V. Cruz

ACTOR turned legislator and Leyte Rep. Richard Gomez on Friday thumbed down the idea to “totally ban” Korean dramas (K-dramas) or foreign-produced programs in the Philippines.

Instead, he said, “let’s just limit the showing of these foreign shows to give more time to local shows.”

“Banning the foreign shows is dif ficult since the people would lose their freedom of choice,” Gomez said, at the sidelines of Leyte City’s Diamond Jubi lee or 75th-year celebration last Oct. 19.

The first-term legislator admitted however that controlling Filipinos’ craving for watch shows like K-dramas may be “impossible.” This is especially with the advent of streaming services like Netflix, which streams these for eign series on personal devices like mo bile phones.

“It’s really hard to control. On the other hand, it is about time for the Fili pino teledramas to step up the quality of their production so that they can com pete internationally,” Gomez said. “The talent is there, I don’t think we lack tal ent, Filipino actors are very talented, some even become congressmen.”

DPWH to investigate collapsed bridge in Pangasinan

By Vito Barcelo

THE Department of Public Works and Highways (DPWH) will investigate the old bridge in Pangasinan province that collapsed last Thursday, injuring four persons.

According to a report from the DPWH Region 1 office, the damaged Carlos P. Romulo Bridge is now closed to traffic

after an overloaded truck carrying sand crossed the bridge, causing a portion of the 77-year-old bridge to collapse.

The bridge was built in 1945, with a load capacity of 20 tons, the DPWH said.

The DPWH said the bridge was not able to hold the load of the truck filled with sand with an estimated load of more than 30 tons that tried to cross the bridge. A small truck behind the overloaded truck

also fell after the bridge collapsed.

Both trucks were heading for Camil ing, Tarlac. The bridge, formerly known as Wawa Bridge, is serving as the main link between Pangasinan and Camiling in Tarlac.

Reports from Col. Jeff Fanged, officerin-charge of Pangasinan Police Provincial Office, said the drivers and passengers of two trucks sustained injuries.

SM scholars of 2022 brave the challenges ahead

(First of two parts)

TENACIOUS and sedulous. These are words one utters when looking into the eyes of students who went through the dynamic educational land scape during the course of the pandemic.

When the world was caught off guard by COV ID-19, students armed themselves without knowing what would come ahead. Nonetheless, they braved the sudden shift to online learning. After roughly three years of adjustments, they once more pre pared for the resumption of face-to-face classes.

The same two words would also fit SM schol ars Harvey Diño and Cryzel Inovero.

Unparalleled persistence

Diño was born in a low-income household, making the rapidly changing learning modes more difficult. During the early years of the pan demic, his family relied on his father, who was a security guard. But he didn’t let this obstacle stop him from fulfilling his dream of becoming an educator.

He managed to juggle lectures, laboratory ac tivities, online exams, and preparations for faceto-face and became a consistent Dean’s Lister, all while taking advantage of the part-time Christ mas and summer jobs at SM—an opportunity extended to SM scholars.

While the weight is already heavy on the shoul ders of the aspiring teacher from Butuan City, his father died of a heart attack in 2021—just a year before he could make him proud by handing over

his diploma.

“My father ignored the symptoms—I think this is because he was more worried about our eco nomic situation. We just learned about it when he was hospitalized back in December 2021. That became one of the darkest moments in my life, but I didn’t lose hope,” he said.

“After my father’s death, we struggled finan cially. But I used my passion for teaching to sup port my mother and sibling. I worked as a tutor to earn extra income and provide for my family’s needs,” he added.

As a truly tenacious and sedulous student, he graduated magna cum laude with a Bachelor of Secondary Education major in Science from Fa ther Saturnino Urios University, where he is cur rently teaching while preparing for the Licensure Examination for Teachers (LET).

Through the various learning opportunities or ganized by SMFI, he developed good communi cation and leadership skills, team playing ability, and a strong work ethic. These are some strengths he maximized up to this point of his journey, and he aims to utilize them as he faces the real world.

“After graduating, many opportunities opened, but I still chose to teach. I believe that it’s my calling. Teaching allows you to mold future gen erations through the curriculum you set and the personal wisdom you impart, which will last a lifetime. It is one of the many ways I can give back to SM—to pass on their kindness, to pay it forward,” Diño said.

When asked why he wants to pay it forward, “When times were rough, I leaned on the help of others, of SM, on their scholarship, and their kindness. I believe that as a beneficiary of their scholarship, we are called to gratitude in the form of spreading social good. For me, life becomes

complete when we can give others what we, our selves, received in the past. When we pay it for ward, we can send ripples of kindness throughout communities,” Diño said.

SM SCHOLARS. Rising beyond the challenges, SM scholar Harvey Diño finishes a Bachelor of Secondary Education major in Science with flying colors. With her SM scholarship as her inspiration, cum laude graduate Cryzel Inovero makes it her mission to help her family achieve their dreams.

‘OPLAN GREYHOUND’. Persons deprived of liberty (PDLs) gather at the Bureau of Jail Management and Penology (BJMP). The BJMP and Manila Police District Command conduct “Oplan Greyhound” as part of efforts to eliminate contraband and illegal drugs inside the jail facility.

Danny Pata

DEVOTEE.

Danny Pata

A ‘brilliant, correct decision’

“acts of terrorism.”

The issues at the heart of the Petition are now clear: whether or not the CPP-NPA was organized for the purpose of engaging in terrorism and, if not, whether the acts alleged by the petitioner to be committed by them were for the purpose to coerce the government to give in to an unlawful demand.

A FEW weeks ago, we saw the resolution of the petition seeking the proscription of the Commu nist Party of the Philippines and the New People’s Army, jointly.

Judge Marlo Magdoza-Malagar’s decision on the case, even as it is controversial, will be hailed for decades to come for its brilliance and historic nature.

She is correct and would have been affirmed by the Supreme Court if the prosecution appealed the decision. This is based on an analysis I wrote and published with colleague Ally Munda.

The petition was filed on February 21, 2018 by the Department of Justice on behalf of the Repub lic against the CPP-NPA.

At the time, the relevant law was R.A. 9372, also known as the Security Act of 2007 or, in brief, HSA.

Though the HSA was expressly repealed in 2020 by R.A. 11479 or the Anti-Terrorism Act of 2020 (ATA) the court retained jurisdiction due to the saving clause in the repeal that dictated that all pending actions under the HSA remained valid and effective.

The Petition sought proscription against the CPP-NPA for having committed the following “terrorist acts:” Extortion in the collection of revo lutionary taxes; Ambuscades of the PNP and AFP personnel resulting in deaths and physical injuries; Atrocities against civilians; Attacks on business establishments resulting in destruction of property and seizure of firearms; and, Armed attacks on PNP stations.

Section 3 of the HSA enumerates the criminal acts punishable under the Revised Penal Code and other special laws which may be classified as ter rorist acts.

It was thus up to the Court to determine if, firstly, the evidence presented by the petitioner substantiates their claim that the CPP-NPA had even committed these alleged acts, and secondly, whether these acts if proven as a fact satisfy the definition of terrorist acts under the HSA and thus lead to the proscription of the CPP-NPA as a ter rorist organization.

It is important for laymen and those not familiar with the law to understand how terrorism, despite how intuitive it seems to identify, has not been giv en a concrete definition by either the international community or within the Philippine jurisdiction.

Prior to the enactment of the HSA, the word “terrorism” had appeared only once in our crimi nal laws in President Ferdinand Marcos’ PD 1835, which was enacted during the Martial Law Re gime to criminalize terrorism as a means to over throw the government.

The subsequent EO 167 enacted by President Corazon Aquino in 1985, which repealed PD 1835, similarly punished terrorism for its subver sion.

The same law outlawed the Communist Party of the Philippines.

However, both of these laws did not define

Was the CPP-NPA organized for the purpose of engaging with terrorism?

The Court turned to the definitional elements of “terrorism” under the HSA, which is through the commission of certain specified acts which by their doing would be “thereby sowing and creating a condition of widespread and extraordinary fear and panic among the populace, in order to coerce the government to give in to an unlawful demand.”

The Court has to answer not only the purpose behind the creation of the CPPNPA, but whether the acts committed by its members as alleged by the petitioner would qualify as ‘terrorist’ acts

The Court has to answer not only the purpose behind the creation of the CPP-NPA, but whether the acts committed by its members as alleged by the petitioner would qualify as “terrorist” acts.

Regarding the purpose of the organization, the Court relied upon the Constitution of the CPP, spe cifically the “The Program for a People’s Demo cratic Revolution” and “Our Specific Program” attachments.

The ultimate goal of the CPP is to achieve a People’s Democratic Revolution summed into a Ten-Point Program.

If the Program of the CPP is construed as the purpose for being of the CPP-NPA, then it is clear from the foregoing that it was not established for the reason of engaging in terrorism.

The Court, however, notes that the employ ment by the CPP-NPA of an armed struggle and violence o achieve their ideological purpose has given rise to the question at the very heart of the Petition.

The creation of the NPA by the CPP as its “mighty sword of the people in a protracted peo ple’s war against foreign and feudal domination” solidified the Party’s approval of violence as a means to achieve their purpose.

But the Court made clear that the means to meet a purpose are not equal to the purpose itself.

Judge Maldoza-Malagar also observed that ex perts believed guerilla warfare is not synonymous with terrorism. I will discuss why this is so in my next column.

Website; tonylavina.com.

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‘Inevitable’: Views on US bases shift in Japan’s Okinawa

By Mathias Cena

FOR decades, residents of Japan’s Okinawa have strongly opposed the US military bases that dot the region but a subtle shift is under way, driven by Chinese saber-rattling and eco nomic challenges.

The bases are often seen as a disproportionate burden for Japan’s sub-tropical southernmost re gion.

Okinawa comprises 0.6 percent of the Japanese archipelago’s territory but contains 70 percent of the land used for US bases, and over half the 50,000-strong troop presence.

Base-related crime, accidents and pollution are potent irritants for Okinawa’s 1.5 million residents.

But with Okinawa now a front line in the bur geoning confrontation between China and region al US allies, the bases are increasingly important for American and Japanese defense strategies.

“Okinawa has been given an excessive bur den,” said 39-year-old Ryo Matayoshi, a munici pal councilor in the Okinawan city of Ginowan.

But “if we think about the security of Japan and of east Asia, the presence of bases on Okinawa is inevitable in a way,” he told AFP.

“A lot of people of our generation recognize that reality.”

Japan has long been wary of China’s growing military, but the stakes have risen as Beijing hard ens its rhetoric on Taiwan and riles Tokyo with incursions around disputed islands.

In August, Chinese drills in response to US House Speaker Nancy Pelosi’s trip to Taiwan spot lighted the issue, with several missiles landing in waters near Okinawa.

“China’s reaction to the Pelosi visit and the Russian invasion of Ukraine... have elevated the threat perception,” said Yoichiro Sato, a professor and foreign affairs expert at Ritsumeikan Asia Pa cific University.

Crime, noise, pollution

Anti-base opposition is deeply rooted in Oki nawa, which was an independent kingdom before Japanese annexation in the 19th century.

Tokyo used it as a buffer to slow US forces dur ing World War II and over a quarter of the popula

tion died in the 1945 Battle of Okinawa.

US occupation only ended in 1972, under a mutual treaty that left American bases in place.

And persistent flight noise, pollution and crime have kept anti-base sentiment strong, according to 82-year-old politician and peace activist Suzuyo Takazato.

Between 1972 and 2020, Okinawa’s govern ment recorded 582 violent crimes involving base residents, and the kidnap and rape of a 12-year-old girl by three US soldiers in 1995 drew more than 80,000 protesters.

The treaty governing US forces limits Japanese legal oversight – a persistent sore point, said Taka zato.

(Councilor Ryo)

Matayoshi sees real ties being built, thanks to US military outreach and friendships between Okinawans and troops

“When a helicopter crashed in the Okinawa International University, US soldiers surrounded it and wouldn’t allow any inspection,” she said.

In recent years, opposition has crystallized around the planned relocation of Futenma air base in Ginowan, sometimes called the world’s most dangerous base because of its proximity to homes.

The government wants it shifted north to the less-populated Henoko, but base opponents want it removed altogether.

That is the position of governor Denny Tamaki, a prominent anti-base politician who was recently re-elected.

But at the local level, candidates backed by the pro-base Liberal Democratic Party, Japan’s ruling party, are gaining ground, including in the areas where Futenma and Henoko are located.

‘Economic realities’

The shift reflects security concerns, but also fi

DID the traffic situation in Metro Manila go from bad to worse since the suspension of the No Contact Apprehension Program last August 30?

Have motorists felt the dearth of dis cipline on the road due to the absence of the omniscient ‘”digital traffic en forcer?”

Some officials supporting the NCAP have proclaimed widespread chaos on the road if NCAP would be suspended. But lo and behold, the traffic situation has not gone from bad to worse, or so it seems.

While there are corners and areas that can be managed by digital monitoring, or robots if you will, physical enforcers who can thank and make rational deci sions are still the best to ensure smooth traffic on the road.

Take the case of the corners of Ara neta and Quezon Avenue, MMDA per sonnel direct left-turning vehicles from

EDITORIAL

Araneta to Quezon Avenue even if the red -light is still on because it effective ly reduces the volume of the vehicles, mostly delivery trucks and trailers, coming from C3.

For now, the NCAP remains suspended by the power of the Supreme Court’s temporary restraining order until the petitions by the transport group and a lawyer against these policies are heard

That is something the NCAP cannot decide on. Otherwise, motorists will be stuck waiting for their turn to get the green light.

Traffic enforcers manning the cross ing in Kawit and Bacoor create a oneway passing lane for vehicles coming from Centennial Roads going to SC TEX during the early morning when

No NCAP, no problem China’s greatness

people are going to work on weekdays. Again, that is something NCAP can not possibly do.

It goes to show that robots cannot re place man, especially in unusual cases like accidents and the like. Man can think and can decide with better ratio nale and solve problems right on the dot.

Most violations caught on camera by NCAP are actually puny infractions like touching the middle lane, or over lapping on the pedestrian lane (because most traffic lights have no countdown when going from green to yellow and to red) that impose prohibitive financial penalties.

For now, the NCAP remains suspend ed by the power of the Supreme Court’s temporary restraining order until the petitions by the transport group and a lawyer against these policies are heard.

The LGUs must use this period to correct their mistakes in the implemen tation of the NCAP.

One thing is sure while the NCAP is not in place, the city governments of Manila, Quezon City, Valenzuela, Para ñaque, and Muntinlupa and their private partners are losing millions in revenues.

THIS accolade extended to the president of the People’s Republic of China on the occasion of the 20th is in contrast to the traditional western ap proach of expressing support to the merits of one’s leadership or what was achieved.

The speech delivered by President Xi is not a litany of what he has accomplished which his people expected from him but more on his abil ity to overcome every political crisis that faced the nation.

The Xi’s approach being in the category of a Marxist ideologue instead focuses on what China should be in the years to come.

President Xi gives every Chinese an opportu nity to advance.

He is one leader who is full of optimism for his people.

He assesses the future for China, confident that history will be on its side.

The concept of collectivism, for instance, remains the guiding principle of the Chinese nation; that without it, there could be no China nor a nation striving to achieve what their nation has achieved.

Perhaps, it is self-conceited to say that the ides of national rejuvenation are unique to the historical origin of China because for once, China was the only country where the western world look at that country as their priceless booty.

A Chinese who knows much of his history would never admit that the period marked the era of China’s tribulation and misery. For them to omit that portion is to forget their past.

The combination of the yin and yang in Chi nese philosophical riddle is what adds color to the historical saga of the Chinese nation or in perspec tive of a modern Chinese historiographer.

China’s history reveals a civilization of a great nation.

It is a combination of great sacrifices and glory for the Chinese nation.

It is their historical past that made China a strong and resilient nation and, without this historical backdrop, China would not be as magnanimous at present to convey its wisdom and understand what is going on in our world today.

President Xi admitted, to quote: “Our Party has dedicated itself to achieving lasting greatness for the Chinese nation and committed itself to the no ble cause of peace and development for humanity.

“Our responsibility is unmatched in impor tance, and our mission is glorious beyond com pare. It is imperative that all of us in the Party never forget our original aspiration and founding mission, that we always stay modest, prudent, and hard-working, and that we have the courage and ability to carry on our fight.

nancial challenges, said councilor Matayoshi.

“More than just focusing on the question of the bases... people are concentrating on economic re alities.”

Okinawa is Japan’s poorest prefecture and its tourist-dependent economy was hit hard by the pandemic.

Polling before Tamaki’s re-election found the economy was most voters’ top concern, and the share calling the bases their main priority went

“We must remain confident in our history, ex hibit greater historical initiative, and write an even more magnificent chapter for socialism with Chi nese characteristics in the new era.”

Today, he said, “the Chinese nation commit (sic) itself to the noble cause of peace and devel opment for humanity. Our responsibility is un matched in importance, and our mission is glori ous beyond compare. It is imperative that all of us in the Party never forget our original and founding mission…”

President Xi in part said, “… that safeguarded our unity and core interest and kept ourselves well positioned for pursuing development and ensuring security.”

China has achieved a degree of moderate economic prosperity, the millennia-old dream of the Chinese nation, through persistent hard work

Ten years after President Xi assumed the lead ership of the Party, he resolved to eradicate abso lute poverty and finished building a moderately prosperous society in all aspects, thus completing the First Centenary Goal.

President Xi then enumerated China’s accom plishments over the years.

After that goal of achieving a moderately pros perous society, China embarked to balance the growth.

In that, a total 832 impoverished countries and close to 100 million poor rural residents have been lifted out of poverty, and among them, more than 9.6 million poverty-stricken people relocated from inhospitable areas.

In the past decade, China’s GDP rose from 54 trillion yuan to 114 trillion yuan to account for 18.5 percent of the world economy, up 7.3 percentage points.

China has remained the world’s top economy, and its per capita GDP has risen from 39,800 yuan to 81,000 yuan.

It ranks the first in terms of grain output, and has ensured food and energy security for more than 1.4 billion people.

The number of permanent urban residents has grown by 11.6 percentage points to account for 64.7 of the population.

China’s manufacturing sector is the largest in the world, as are its foreign exchange reserves.

China has built the largest network of highspeed railways and expressways and made major achievements in building airports, ports and water conservancy, energy, information and other infra structure.

China has accelerated efforts to build self-reli

from 45 percent in 2014 to 32 percent this year.

The bases contributed just six percent to Oki nawa’s GDP in 2017 but they bring lucrative gov ernment subsidies.

Conservatives woo Okinawan voters by tell ing them the LDP “brings those benefits from the mainland,” Sato said.

Politician Takazato points out that “three gen erations have grown up” with the US presence, which is now so established that some think “they

ance and straight in science and technology, with nationwide R&D spending from 1 trillion yuan to 2.8 trillion yuan, the second largest the world.

The country is now a home to the largest cohort of R&D personnel in the world.

It claims that China has grown stronger in ba sic research and original innovation, made break throughs in some core technologies, and boosted emerging industries.

It claimed to have success in multiple fronts, including manned spaceflight, lunar and martial exploration, deep sea and deep earth probes, su percomputers, satellite navigation, quantum infor mation, nuclear power technology, airliner manu facturing and biomedicine.

China also embarked on a pro-active strategy of opening up.

It worked on a globally-oriented network of high-standard free trade areas and the Hainan Free Trade Port.

As a collaborative endeavor, the Belt and Road Initiative has been welcomed by the international community both as a public good and a coopera tive platform.

Expectedly, China has become a major trading partner for more than 140 countries and regions, and it leads the world in total volume of trade in goods, and is the major destination of global in vestment and a leading country in outbound in vestment.

China’s average life expectancy has reached 78.2 years, its per capita disposable income has risen from 16,500 yuan to 35,100 yuan, and more than 13 million urban jobs have been created every year on average over the past 10 years.

It has built the largest education, social assis tance elderly care, housing and social assistance, an all-around improvement in people’s lives.

It made education universally available, brought 1.04 billion people under the overage of basic old-age insurance, and ensured basic medi cal insurance for 95 percent of the population.

More than 42 million housing units in rundown areas and more than 24 million dilapidated rural houses have been rebuilt.

Finally, China has achieved a degree of moder ate economic prosperity, the millennia-old dream of the Chinese nation, through persistent hard work.

With this, President Xi is proud to state, “we have elevated China to a higher historical starting point in development.

“By galvanizing the entire nation to carry out targeted poverty alleviation, we have won the larg est battle against poverty in human history.

“A total 832 impoverished counties and close to 100 million poor rural residents have been lifted out of poverty, and, among them, more than 9.6 million poverty-stricken people have been relo cated from inhospitable areas.

“We have, once and for all, resolved the prob lem of absolute poverty in China, making signifi cant contributions to the cause of global poverty reduction.”

(rpkapunan@gmail.com)

have no choice but to accept it.”

But Matayoshi sees real ties being built, thanks to US military outreach and friendships between Okinawans and troops.

“We are becoming good neighbors,” he said. Traditional anti-base sentiment makes it “hard in Okinawa to say publicly that you accept their presence”.

But “I think the opposition is gradually fad ing.” AFP

Emil P. Jurado Chairman Emeritus, Editorial Board

ManilaStandard

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

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

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

(From excerpts of President Xi Jinping’s speech at the 20th CPC National People’s Congress)

Don’t bust dam, Ukraine warns Russia

KYIV—Kyiv accused Russia of planning to destroy a hydroelectric dam in the eastern Kherson region, where Ukrainian soldiers have been steadily advancing and Moscow-installed authorities have begun evacuations.

Ukrainian President Volodymyr Zelensky said Russian forces had mined the Kakhovka hydroelectric power plant with the intent of blowing it up, in what would amount to a “catastrophe on a grand scale”.

Hundreds of thousands of people

NOTICE

around the lower Dnipro River would be in danger of rapid flooding if the dam was destroyed, Zelensky warned in a speech Thursday to European leaders.

He said cutting water supplies to the south could also impact the cooling sys-

tems of the Zaporizhzhia nuclear power plant, Europe’s largest.

And the North Crimean canal, which provides a crucial water supply to Crimea —occupied since 2014 by Russia—could be destroyed.

Russia’s goal is to halt the Ukrainian advance in the region and protect Russian troops, according to Zelensky’s adviser, Mykhailo Podolyak.

Energy battlefield Cities across Ukraine began curbing electricity consumption ahead of winter Thursday as authorities warned that heavy damage to the country’s energy grid by

LULA’S GIRL.

Russian attacks would spark a new wave of refugees from the country.

“Russia’s leadership has given the order to turn the energy system itself into a battlefield. The consequences of this are very dangerous, again for all of us in Europe,” Zelensky said in an address to the EU council

Energy-saving measures were put in place across the country after Russian missile and drone strikes destroyed at least 30 percent of the country’s power stations in a week, according to authorities.

Following blackouts in parts of Kyiv overnight, the city’s mayor Vitali Klitsch-

ko urged businesses to limit screens and signage lights “as much as possible”.

“Even small savings and a reduction in electricity consumption in every home will help stabilize the operation of the national energy system,” he said.

Ukrainians responded defiantly.

“It’s not going to change our attitude, maybe we will only hate them more,” said Olga, a resident of Dnipro in central Ukraine who declined to give her last name.

“I would rather sit in the cold with no water and electricity than be in Russia,” she said.AFP

and conditions of Lazada and their partner couriers.

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Supporters of Brazilian presidential candidate for the leftist Workers Party (PT) Luiz Inacio Lula da Silva attend a campaign rally in the Padre Miguel neighborhood in Rio de Janeiro, Brazil on October 20. Lula said he is keeping an eye on poll numbers showing his lead narrowing over far-right incumbent Jair Bolsonaro for Brazil’s October 30 presidential runo but is con dent he will win. AFP

Biden stumps in Pennsylvania ahead of midterm poll

PHILADELPHIA—US President Joe Biden touted the rebirth of American infrastructure and manufacturing Thursday in a Pennsylvania trip aimed at boosting Senate hopeful John Fetterman, whose closely watched race could be key to avoiding a Democratic wipeout in the midterm elections.

Biden touched down first in the western city of Pittsburgh, where he plugged his signature infrastructure package with a tour of a newly repaired bridge, before attending an evening fundraiser with Fetterman in Philadelphia.

The national spending spree that Biden’s Democrats got through the divided Congress is “the most significant investment” in US history, Biden said on a makeshift podium at the edge of Fern Hollow Bridge.

The bridge, which collapsed eight months ago on a day that Biden happened to be visiting, has almost been rebuilt, serving as a poster child for the White House’s policies, which

include restoring tens of thousands of bridges around the country.

“There’s no better place to talk about rebuilding the backbone of America, the middle class,” Biden said.

“I want you to feel the way I do—pride, pride in what we can do when we work together,” he said, referring to the pieces of heavy construction equipment lined up around the building site.

The speech aimed to buoy Democrats in the final run-up to the midterms in three weeks, with Fetterman in one of the key races to holding the Senate.

Fetterman, who greeted Biden on the tarmac in Pittsburgh, is known for his multiple tattoos and a love of hoodies and cargo shorts.

He was once a runaway favorite in the battle against Republican candidate Mehmet Oz, a celebrity TV doctor—but the race has tightened, reflecting sinking Democratic hopes of maintaining the party’s already fragile control of Congress. AFP

ACQUITTED. US actor Kevin Spacey leaves United Sates District Court for the Southern District of New York on October 20 in New York City after it dismissed a $40-million sexual misconduct lawsuit brought against Spacey by an actor who claimed the disgraced Hollywood star targeted him when he was 14. AFP

Sherman to Japan in US jab at N. Korea

TOKYO—US Deputy Secretary of State Wendy Sherman will visit Japan next week in a show of unity after North Korea’s slew of missile launches and exercises, officials said Thursday.

Sherman will visit Tokyo from Monday through Wednesday, meeting senior officials and holding joint three-way talks with the vice foreign ministers of Japan and South Korea, both US allies.

“Together with the international community, we call on the DPRK to refrain from further provocations and engage in sustained and substantive dialogue,” said a senior US official who is scheduled to travel with Sherman, using the North’s official name, the Democratic People’s Republic of Korea.

President Joe Biden has offered working-

level talks but has found little interest from North Korea, whose leader Kim Jong Un met three times with Biden’s predecessor Donald Trump, reducing tensions but resulting in no lasting agreement.

North Korea’s launches have included firing a missile over Japan. The United States has moved to tighten sanctions in response, although efforts at the United Nations have been blocked by Pyongyang’s main ally China.

The US official due to make the trip with Sherman said the United States remained ready to talk to North Korea “without any preconditions whatsoever.”

“Our goal remains the complete denuclearization of the Korean Peninsula. We remain prepared to engage in serious and sustained diplomacy to make tangible progress towards that end,” the official told reporters on customary condition of anonymity.

“It is unfortunate that the DPRK has not responded to our outreach, but we will continue.” AFP

IN BRIEF

SYDNEY—Rupert Murdoch’s eldest son Friday lost the opening skirmish of his defamation battle with a small Australian website, which published an article accusing the billionaire family of inflaming last year’s US Capitol riots.

Lachlan Murdoch, the chief executive of Fox Corporation and one of the world’s most influential media figures, is suing Crikey over an article written in June this year.

The article read: “The Murdochs and their slew of poisonous Fox News commentators are the unindicted co-conspirators of this continuing crisis.”

Thousands of Donald Trump supporters stormed the US Capitol building on 6 January, 2021, spurred on by widely shared conspiracy theories that Joe Biden had stolen the presidential election.

In a preliminary hearing setting the ground rules for an upcoming trial, Murdoch’s lawyers asked the court to throw out large parts of Crikey’s defence.

Justice Michael Wigney ruled against Murdoch.

“I’m not persuaded it’s appropriate to strike out any aspects of Crikey’s defence,” Wigney told the court.

Crikey will now be allowed to examine the influence of Fox News in America under its “public interest” defence. AFP

UN chides Vietnam’s ‘wave of repression’

HANOI—A “new wave of repression” in Vietnam is jeopardizing progress in tackling climate change, human rights groups told UN chief Antonio Guterres Friday as he began a visit to Hanoi.

Vietnam, which has an economy heavily reliant on coal, has committed to reaching net-zero carbon emissions by 2050.

But the authoritarian regime has also handed down prison terms to four environmental human rights defenders this year, sentencing them on “trumped-up” charges of tax evasion, the rights organizations said in an open letter to Guterres.

“These political prisoners are emblematic victims of a new wave of repression in Vietnam which, through a combination of threats and judicial harassment, is threatening progress in combatting climate change,” read the letter, signed by 15 rights groups including Amnesty International and Human Rights Watch.

Guterres, who is in the capital to mark the 45th anniversary of Vietnam joining the UN, warned in July that humanity was facing “collective suicide” over the climate crisis. AFP

MAGENTA YELLOW

Murdoch loses Rd. 1 in defamation ght

Business

Stock index falls below 6,000 amid sell-off

STOCKS

fell Friday in line with a global selloff fueled by recession fears as central banks ramp up interest rates to fight inflation.

The PSE index, the 30-company benchmark of the Philippine Stock Ex change, dropped 72 points, or 1.2 per cent, to close at 5,983.56 as four of the six subsectors ended in the red.

The broader all-share index also went down by 28 points, or 0.9 percent, to settle at 3,195.04 on a value turnover of P4.5 billion. Losers outnumbered gain

Japan inflation highest since 2014 on rising energy prices

TOKYO, Japan—Japan’s core con sumer prices rose 3.0 percent in Sep tember on-year, the government said Friday, the highest level since 2014 as the falling yen and rising energy costs hit households hard.

The data, which excludes volatile fresh food prices, bring inflation well above the Bank of Japan’s long-term 2.0 percent goal.

But excluding energy prices, the fig ure stood at only 1.8 percent, bolster ing the central bank’s argument that current increases do not yet meet its standard for sustained price growth.

The latest data was in line with market expectations, but the last time such figures were seen, prices had been artificially bolstered by an in crease in VAT.

Excluding years when tax hikes impacted the rate, September’s infla tion was the fastest pace in nearly 31 years.

“The bulk of the price increases at the moment are rises in raw material prices,” while service prices associ ated with wages have not seen mean ingful increases, Taro Saito, an econ omist at NLI Research Institute, said in a note released before the data.

He predicted it would take more time for Japan to achieve stable infla tion through wage increases and ris ing service prices.

While other central banks have opted to hike interest rates to fight soaring inflation, the BoJ views the current price increases as linked to exceptional events such as the war in Ukraine.

It has stuck with its ultra-loose mon etary policy and resisted hiking rates, arguing that the world’s third-largest economy has yet to reach the 2.0 per cent inflation target it views as neces sary to turbocharge growth. AFP

Stellantis may end vehicle production in China, says CEO

ers, 105 to 67, while 48 issues were un changed.

Two of the 10 most active stocks ended in the green. Ayala Corp. rose 1.5 percent to P659.00, while Ayala Land Inc. gained 1 percent to P25.95. Globe Telecom Inc., however, tumbled 6 per cent to P2,330.00.

Most Asian markets also traded lower. Hong Kong’s Hang Seng Index slipped 0.42 percent, or 69.10 points, to 16,211.12.

The Shanghai Composite Index edged up 0.13 percent, or 3.88 points, to 3,038.93, while the Shenzhen Compos ite Index on China’s second exchange eased 0.24 percent, or 4.74 points, to

1,966.93.

Tokyo shares fell, extending losses after falls on Wall Street as US Treasury yields rose, reflecting fresh rate hike worries.

The benchmark Nikkei 225 index slipped 0.43 percent, or 116.38 points, to end at 26,890.58, while the broader Topix index fell 0.71 percent, or 13.43 points, to 1,881.98.

The overall mood of global investors has soured as US yields head higher and the Federal Reserve continues its aggressive rate-hike campaign to fight inflation.

The Fed’s “strategic bias is for more rate hikes now and fewer later when

fighting inflation and will continue to bite so long as inflation remains sticky”, said Stephen Innes of SPI Asset Man agement.

“Risky asset uncertainty will loom large next week” as more major US firms release earnings, he added.

The market is also awaiting the de layed release of Chinese GDP data after pessimistic predictions from analysts, Innes said.

The figures may become available after the Communist Party Congress comes to an end this weekend.

“I do not think anyone is optimistic ei ther,” Innes added, pointing to Friday’s falling stocks. With AFP

TOP GAINERS

“Our strategy anticipates the possibility of geopolitical tensions,” Tavares told reporters at the Paris Motor Show.

“There have already been several times where we’ve been thrown out of a country when Western sanctions are imposed... can we be sure that the sta bility of relations between China and the world is guaranteed?” he added.

Stellantis has already dropped a joint venture that built Jeep SUVs in China after failing to take a controlling stake and is in talks with local partner Dongfeng about its Peugeot and Citroen brands.

Unlike German rival Volkswagen, which sold three million cars in Chi na last year, the historic mass-market French vehicles have never broken through there.

“We’re still selling Jeep and Alfa Romeo vehicles built outside China very profitably” in the world’s largest car market, Tavares said, suggesting the same model could work for Peu geot and Citroen.

“If we take our strategy all the way, we don’t need any factories in China. In a world of growing tensions, we don’t need to create vulnerabilities,” he added.

Japanese and German producers have largely stayed away from the Paris Motor Show.

But Asian manufacturers like Chi na’s Ora and BYD or Vietnam’s Vin Fast have turned out in force, hoping to bring lower-cost electric vehicles to European markets.

AFP

Indian watchdog fines Google $162 m on market abuse

NEW DELHI, India—Google has been fined more than $160 million by India’s anti-trust watchdog after a probe found the tech behemoth was abusing its com manding position in the local smart phone market.

The California-based company’s An droid mobile operating system is by far the dominant player in India and is run on 95 percent of all the country’s smart phones, according to research agency Counterpoint.

But the Competition Commission of India (CCI) said the operating system was configured to unlawfully crowd out rivals to YouTube, web browser Chrome and other popular Google apps.

Android had a suite of Google apps pre-installed on its phones, includ ing the company’s own search engine, “which accorded significant competi tive edge to Google’s search services

over its competitors”, a CCI statement said late Thursday.

“Markets should be allowed to compete on merits and the onus is on [Google] that its conduct does not impinge this competi tion on merits,” it added.

The commission levied a fine of 13.4 billion rupees ($162 million) and instruct ed the company to allow Android users to remove pre-installed Google apps.

It also told Google not to enter into any agreement with smartphone makers that would encourage them to only sell Android-based devices or exclusively use its software.

Google faced a similar anti-trust rul ing in the European Union that found the company had imposed “unlawful restrictions” on smartphone makers to benefit its search engine.

Last month the EU’s second-highest court upheld a $4.1 billion fine against

the company.

Global regulators have followed suit, with Google facing a barrage of cases in the United States and Asia based on similar accusations.

India is home to the second-highest number of smartphone users in the world, after China.

Its smartphone market grew 27 per cent year on year in 2021, according to Counterpoint, with annual sales exceed ing 169 million units.

More than 60 percent of phones sold in the country come from leading Chi nese manufacturers including Xiaomi and Oppo.

Apple remains a minor player in the budget-conscious market but has seen some inroads in recent years, and the company last month announced plans to locally manufacture its flagship iPhone 14. AFP

By Camille Camdessus

ATLANTA, United States—There is no such thing as a free lunch, econo mists chide, but one alternative store in the southern US city of Atlanta is offering the next best thing to those struggling with spiraling prices.

Locals load up on plantains, frozen meat and other ingredients free of charge at The Grocery Spot, a small, neon-lit outlet in the Georgia state capital.

In three weeks, Americans get to de liver their verdict on Joe Biden’s presi dency in the crucial midterm elections that decide whether his Democrats get to keep pushing through his agenda —or cede control of Congress to the Republicans.

The economy, and inflation in partic ular, are topping every nationwide poll of voters’ priorities, but householders have been struggling more than most in Atlanta—where a generation of the “newly poor” has been crushed by soaring costs.

The Grocery Spot -- which launched almost two years ago, around the time that President Joe Biden assumed of fice and the consumer price index be gan its vertiginous ascent -- says it has seen an explosion in patrons.

“Have you been to the supermarket recently?” asks Theresa McGhee, an entrepreneur in the medical industry, as she negotiates the cramped shelves at the charitable association’s premises in the northwestern Grove Park neigh borhood.

“You pick up a few things, it’s $100,” the mother, in her 50s, com plains as she fills up on potatoes, gra nola bars and tubs of ice cream.

With its 12 percent inflation rate, Atlanta is one of the US cities where

prices have increased the most this year.

McGhee is clear that “greed, greed, greed” is at the root of the crisis -- from the avarice of elected politicians to the excesses of big business.

Making ends meet

Price rises in the 97 percent-Black Grove Park neighborhood are fueling mistrust of the American political class, potentially imperiling Biden’s Demo crats in the November 8 election.

The party has relied heavily on the African-American vote in its bid to win the state, which was already hotly con tested in 2020.

One manager of the store, who goes

by the name Slugga, has already made up his mind that he won’t be voting in three weeks, however.

“I don’t see the point,” the 39-yearold African-American man tells AFP.

Slugga, who was raised nearby, sees politics as little more than a never-end ing drama of partisan squabbles.

“Who’s going to help our future?” he asks, the sleeves of his black hoodie bunching as he digs into the pockets of his blue jeans.

“You’d be surprised how many peo ple have worked all their life and can’t make ends meet,” chimes in a woman in a long black coat, preferring not to

TOP LOSERS

% PRICE CHANGE CHANGE

MOST ACTIVE

389,490 302,733,540

11,753,100 302,328,885

8,712,000 281,577,040

116,180 273,117,470

2,052,410 245,906,732

346,640 226,513,210

178,154,650

give her name. “They give you just enough money to remind you how screwed you are,” agrees a volunteer, putting away boxes.

‘Superheroes’

The Grocery Spot spends more than $400 a week on diesel to drive around Georgia looking for unsold goods, which it redistributes in its store.

Every day that it is open for business, almost 500 people walk through its doors before it runs out of stock.

“There is this newly poor demo graphic that no one is taking care of,” Matt Jones, the association’s founder, tells AFP. AFP

US superheroes: Meet the Robin Hoods battling inflation

PARIS, France—Car giant Stellantis may stop building vehicles in China, chief executive Carlos Tavares said, citing building tensions with the West as a deterrent to investment there.

Theresa McGhee gets food at the Grocery Spot, free grocery store in Atlanta, Georgia, on October 15, 2022. In Atlanta, an alternative supermarket has set itself the task of helping the ‘new population of the poor’ in the face of record inflation. AFP

Inflation likely to breach BSP target this year

By Julito G. Rada

INFLATION is expected to breach the upper end of the government’s target range of 2 percent to 4 percent this year and in 2023, the highlights of the latest policy meeting of the Bangko Sentral ng Pilipinas show.

The report released to the media Friday showed that inflation expectations rose further over the policy horizon.

Private sector economists surveyed in September reported a higher mean inflation forecast for 2022 at 5.5 percent, compared to 5.4 percent in the August survey.

The mean inflation forecasts for 2023 and 2024 also increased to 4.3 percent from 4.2 percent, and to 3.8 percent from 3.7 percent, respectively.

Results of the BSP’s third-quarter expectations survey on businesses and consumers indicated that both sectors were anticipating inflation to breach the upper end of the target range for 2022 and 2023.

“The latest baseline forecasts indicate that inflation could settle above the government’s target range of 3.0 percent ± 1.0 ppt at 5.6 percent for 2022 and at 4.1 percent for 2023,” the BSP said.

“Inflation is projected to decelerate back to the midpoint of the target range at 3.0 percent in 2024. The upward revision in the forecasts for 2022 and 2023 is driven by the higher inflation now cast for September, the continued depreciation of the peso and the recently-approved nationwide transport fare hikes,” it said.

Meanwhile, the impact of slower domestic and global growth outlook, lower assumptions for global crude oil and non-oil prices and the BSP’s 50-basis-point policy rate increase in August led to the downward adjustment in the 2024 inflation forecast.

The Monetary Board, the policymaking body of Bangko Sentral ng Pilipinas, raised on Sept. 22 the benchmark policy interest rate by 50 basis points to 4.25 percent to rein in the elevated inflation and support the depreciating peso.

The move came following an earlier 75-basis point hike by the US Federal Reserve to tame the persistently high inflation in the world’s biggest economy.

SMC vows to help power unit settle maturing debt

By Alena Mae S. Flores

SAN Miguel Corp. said Friday power subsidiary SMC Global Power Holdings Corp. will weather the financial challenges following the denial by the Energy Regulatory Commission of its petition for temporary relief from its fixed-rate power supply agreements with Manila Electric Co.

SOLAR-POWERED STORES.

KFC Philippines ramps pioneering efforts toward more sustainable and environment-friendly operations with the installation of solar power systems in nine more stores by the first quarter of 2023. KFC is the first quick-service restaurant in the country to launch an initiative to significantly lower its carbon footprint by mounting solar panels on the rooftop of the KFC branch in San Fernando, Pampanga in April 2019. Since then, it has installed solar panels on 45 free-standing drive-thru branches from Bataan in the north to Mandaue, Cebu in the south.

“We’re confident that we will be able to manage the company’s maturing ob ligations in 2023 and beyond. If neces sary, there will be SMC parent support. For our bondholders, SMCGP will continue to be fully-compliant with its financial covenants at all times,” SMC president and chief executive Ramon Ang said.

Ang said the company remained fun damentally strong, with a sound strat egy to manage all financial covenants and obligations, even as it pursues ex pansion and transition to battery energy storage system and cleaner power tech nologies.

He assured investors and bondholders of SMC’s power unit that the ERC deci sion, while significantly impacting two power facilities with fixed-rate PSAs,

would have no adverse implication on a consolidated basis for SMCGP.

Ang said the ERC decision was “un fortunate,” but “SMCGP remains in a stable position to navigate these circum stances.”

“We have never been more confident of the fundamental strength of our busi nesses,” Ang said.

Ang said that as of June 2022, SMCGP no longer needed to pay P12 billion per annum in capital lease payments under its independent power producer admin istration contract for the 1,200-mega watt Ilijan natural gas plant in Batangas. He said this would have a full-year posi tive impact on the company in 2023 and provides “a lot of financial flexibility” whether it opts for capital expenditure, refinancing, or paying down debt.

Metro Pacific launches integrated health app

METRO Pacific Investments Corp. on Friday launched the country’s first fully-integrated health app mWell PH to set new standards in digital health platform.

It said mWell PH offers doctor consultation, e-pharmacy, emergency services and home care, fitness and nutrition programs. It also offers clinic management system for partnerdoctors and electronic medical records.

MPIC chairman and chief executive Manuel Pangilinan said during the launch the program would complement the group’s healthcare business.

“Metro Pacific Group’s mWell is the Philippines fully-integrated health app which brings together experts in technology, medicine, wellness and healthcare in one sustainable living ecosystem,” Pangilinan said.

“This high-performing platform gives access to quality healthcare and empowers our countrymen to be in control of their health as they rebuild their lives coming out of the pandemic,” he said.

Jenniffer B. Austria

China agrees to import more PH tropical fruits

CHINA expressed interest to import more tropical fruits such as durian, mangosteen and frozen coconut meat from the Philippines.

China Ambassador to the Philippines Huang Xilian said the Chinese preference for food was evolving and demand for exotic fruits was on top of the Chinese food preference.

“In the field of agriculture, the Philippines has advantages in tropical agriculture. China has rich experience in agricultural science and technology. China can provide technology and equipment for agriculture development of the Philippines,” he said at the 48th Philippine Business Conference and Expo.

The Philippine Sino Center for Agricultural Technology project phase 4 helps the Philippines increase agricultural production and enhance resilience to climate change. China has been the Philippines largest trading partner for six consecutive years. Othel V. Campos

DOE to issue e-vehicle roadmap in first quarter

THE Department of Energy said Friday it plans to issue the Comprehensive Roadmap for the Electric Vehicle Industry by the first quarter of 2023.

It said the roadmap would further guide the EV Industry on the objective of Republic Act No. 11697 or the Electric Vehicle Industry Development Act.

The agency said it was working with the Department of Transportation, Department of Trade and Industry and Department of Science and Technology for the roadmap, which would provide an annual work plan to accelerate the development, commercialization and utilization of EVs in the country.

“We foresee further advances and development and encourage investments as we craft the national plan for the EV industry through the CREVI,” Energy Secretary Raphael Lotilla said in his message during the 10th Philippine Electric Vehicle Summit.

He said there were around 9,000 registered EVs in the country, including 378 public utility vehicles, while 276 charging stations were deployed nationwide. Alena Mae S. Flores

Megawide expects precast technology to boost profitability

By Darwin G. Amojelar

MEGAWIDE Construction Corp. expects its precast business to lift its profitability in the immediate to longterm with the construction of two un derground stations of Metro Manila Subway Project in Ortigas and Shaw Boulevard, a top executive said Friday.

The company’s precast solutions is an emerging growth segment, expand ing its share to 10 percent of Mega wide’s total construction revenues in the first six months of 2022 from 5 percent over the past three years.

The company said given the higher margins from this business, its increas ing contribution would further shore up its profitability.

DTI picks Quezon City as the most competitive nationwide

By Othel V. Campos

THE cities of Quezon, Manila and Pa say bagged the overall most competitive highly urbanized cities at the 10th Cities and Municipalities Competitiveness In dex Summit 2022 organized by the De partment of Trade and Industry.

Ranked based on the CMCI scoring system, Quezon City placed first, fol lowed by Manila and Pasay.

“CMCI constantly evolves to be a timely and relevant indicator of local competitive ness as it added the innovation pillar from the list of its convergent pillars, namely: economic dynamism, government efficien cy, infrastructure and resilience,” said Trade Secretary Alfredo Pascual during the award

ing ceremony on Oct. 20.

The DTI recognized the outstanding performance of local government units that endeavored and committed to pur sue quality and excellence and worked hard to improve their competitiveness scores in this year’s summit.

Pascual underscored the importance of CMCI which addresses the lack of a standardized system for compiling local indicators nationwide, while allowing LGUs to assess their relative level of competitiveness and derive insights for their local policymaking and planning.

The agency said that through the in sights that could be derived from the CMCI data analytics platform, the poli cymakers and LGU leaders could for

mulate concrete plans and programs to strengthen their competitiveness and promote local communities as viable in vestment destinations of choice for new and existing investors.

Pascual underlined the critical role of LGUs in nation-building and the pro motion of nationwide competitiveness.

“LGUs play a vital role as we strive for continuous development in our na tion’s competitiveness. You are our part ner in ease of doing business. As chair of the Ease of Doing Business-Anti-Red Tape Advisory Council, we support the streamlining of government operations. Let us work together to digitize your data and digitalize your operations to ward e-governance,” he said.

Prime Asset Ventures of Villar family aims to be a key player in infrastructure, public utilities

PRIME Asset Ventures Inc., the in vestment holding company of Manuel Paolo Villar, the eldest son of billion aire Manuel Villar, said Friday it aims to be a key player in the infrastructure and public utility sector.

PAVI recently added Premiere Island Power REIT Corp. to its list of subsid iaries to strengthen its energy assets.

The company’s diversified portfolio comprises of critical community infra structure in sectors such as water, pow

er generation and supply, retail electric ity, renewable energy, information and communications technology, broadcast entertainment, gaming and realty.

“PAVI aspires to continuously diver sify our portfolio to achieve our objec tives of becoming a key player in the infrastructure and public utility sec tor. We are also focused on ensuring returns to our stakeholders and, at the same time, finding a way to implement these initiatives in a way that contrib

utes meaningfully to nation-building and capacity-building,” said PAVI head of infrastructure and project lawyer TJ Mendoza.

PremiereREIT works to be among the leading diversified power and in frastructure REITs in the Philippines in terms of portfolio, profitability, growth, sustainability and dividend yield.

A real estate investment trust com pany, it will handle PAVI’s power gen eration assets to strengthen its perfor

mance and continue to grow.

PAVI’s diverse energy portfolio in cludes traditional and renewable power generation, retail electricity supply and missionary electrification.

PAVI’s subsidiaries S.I. Power Corp. and Camotes Island Power Corp. provide electricity to almost 60,000 households in underserved off-grid areas in Siquijor Island and Camotes Island in the Visayas.

Alena Mae S. Flores

“Precast and other innovative meth odologies are increasingly vital in our industry as we take on more and increasingly complex infrastructure projects. We are seeing the practical application of our vertical integration in large infrastructure projects such as MMSP and we are confident it can be replicated in other projects too,” said Megawide chairman and chief execu tive Edgar Saavedra.

Tokyu-Tobishima Megawide Joint Venture recently secured a contract from the government to build two underground stations and tunnels of MMSP or Contract Package 104.

Megawide said to serve the unique requirements of the MMSP, its existing precast plant would have an entirely new line dedicated to the production of CP-104’s tunnel lining segment and, prospectively, may also serve other portions of the MMSP.

The joint venture of Megawide and Tokyu Construction’s Tunnel Prefab Corp. will use the facility.

Megawide inaugurated its second precast plant to expand its capacity for more modular designs, such as walls and columns, required for vertical develop ments and affordable housing segments.

The original plant caters to more customized molds and is best suited for horizontal infrastructure projects, producing parapets and half slabs, which were used for LRT-1 and Sky way Stage 3, respectively.

JOLLIBEE’S AWARD. For the third straight year, Jollibee Group is named among the ‘World’s Best Employers’ by Forbes magazine. Jollibee Group is the highest-ranking restaurant company in the global listing and the top Philippines-based company, rising to 106th this year from 239th and 256th in 2020 and 2021, respectively. Shown are the executives and employees of Jollibee Group as they welcome their return to office.

Dragons hand Dyip 54-point thrashing

By Peter Atencio

FORMER NBA player Andrew Nicholson drilled in 31 points and 10 rebounds as the Bay Area Dragons struck down winless Terrafirma Dyip, 130-76, in another lopsided encounter on Friday in the Philippine Basketball Association Commissioner’s Cup at the PhilSports Arena.

The ex-Orlando Magic standout shot 19 points in the first period as the Dragons took charge right away with a 35-18 edge.

Qilong Zheng eked out 17 points for the Dragons, who picked up their sixth victory in seven outings.

Jian Hua Song added 15 points for the Dragons, whose 54-point win is biggest margin in a PBA game in the last 36 years.

No team has won this big since Utex crushed Great Taste, 154-99, back in 1980.

Nicholson gave credit to his teammates for making him look good.

“My teammates did a great job in moving the ball around and finding me in the right spot,” said Nicholson.

The 32-year-old power forward provided 12 points in the second quarter as the Dragons continued to stay in front and grab a 30-point spread at halftime, 67-37.

Juami Tiongson unloaded 21 points for Dyip, who are stuck to the bottom of the standings with their sixth straight loss.

Coach Brian Goorjian said his players refused to slow down following a two-week break from playing.

“They got a two week break. They wanted to finish this right because this is a danger game,” said Goorjian.

Sports

GAB to allow non-rated

PH boxers to fight abroad

By Randy Caluag

THE Games and Amusements Board will soon allow nonrated Filipino players to fight overseas.

After a recent consultation meeting with boxing stakeholders, the GAB has decided to resume issuing a letter of authority to Filipino fighters with lesser credentials, but only after a thorough evaluation of their conditions and opponents.

Although the GAB has made the interim guidelines stricter to help ensure the safety of boxers, it also has incorporated stakeholder inputs designed to allow Philippine boxing to thrive both locally and internationally.

Putting a premium on health and safety, the previous GAB leadership has temporarily halted sending boxers abroad following heavy losses suffered by Filipinos.

There were a few successes like that of Rey Loreto and Dave Apolinario, who despite their inferior cards, captured division titles in the International Boxing Organization.

But for economic reasons, Filipino boxers should fight abroad to earn more decent cash purses. The GAB is now looking to balance economic and safety issues.

Ikeda eyes OOM romp at Pradera Verde

With a P756,750 in total earnings, the Fil-Japanese has all but clinched the coveted overall individual trophy with three-leg winner and second running Avaricio, with P605,000 in winnings, pursuing her bid for an LPGA Tour card in the US.

Ikeda, whose game somewhat took a downswing while being hobbled by a wrist injury after emerging the circuit’s top money earner in 2016, has enjoyed a fine campaign this year despite the early surge of Chanelle Avaricio and amateur Rianne Malixi’s imposing presence in select tournaments. She scored victories at Mt. Malarayat and Eagle RidgeAoki while consistently posting Top 5 finishes in seven other events.

Harmie Constantino, who marked her LPGT debut with two victories and an OOM title in bubble setup last year, is at distant third with P579,000 followed by Sarah Ababa (P520,875), Pamela Mariano (P463,525), Marvi Monsalve (P440,850), Gretchen Villacencio (P422,200), Lovelyn Guioguio (P391,100), Highlands leg winner Sunshine Baraquiel (P380,650) and Apple Fudolin (P370,700).

Still, the Manila Southwoods and Asia Global Technologies-backed Ikeda is keen on closing out the season with a flourish, so do the rest of the field, ensuring another spirited charge for top honors in the upcoming 54-hole P1.5 million championship.

Keen competition is also seen in men’s play to be held side-by-side with the women’s with Eagle Ridge leg winner Michael Bibat back in the hunt after skipping the Riviera stop due to injury and multi-titled Tony Lascuña out to nail the elusive win after back-to-back runner-up efforts at Eagle Ridge and Riviera ruled by Juvic Pagunsan in sudden death.

In the LPGT, focus will also be on

Kim Seoyun, who shone in her Tour debut as an amateur at Riviera that saw her contend in the final round and finish second to Malixi with a tournamentbest 68 at the tough Langer layout.

The Korean will now compete as a pro at Pradera Verde where she will be as much tested as the rest of the pros next week with forecast of windy conditions at the long, challenging championship course made more daunting by its undulating putting surface.

Also in the fold are amateurs Eagle Ace Superal and Mafy Singson, who upstaged the pros at Splendido Taal last May. The ICTSI-backed Davaoeña is also coming into the event toughened up by her stint in the Thailand Amateur Open.

IronKids PH ushers in Alveo 5150 Subic meet

YOUNGSTERS take the spotlight today (Saturday) ahead of their seniors in short-distance endurance racing as they slug it out for top honors in various divisions in the IronKids Philippines Tri-Subic at Subic Bay Boardwalk.

Recent Vermosa IronKids winners Peter del Rosario and Celinda Raagas headline the crack field in the 13-14 age division of the swim (400m)-bike (8km)-run (3km) event, the junior version of triathlon that drew hundreds of participants from all over.

But Darrel Bada, who lost to del Rosario by two minutes, is all primed up for a payback with the Olongapo City bet seeking a second championship after winning the IronKids in Cebu last August.

Meanwhile, a huge international field is all geared up for tomorrow’s Alveo 5150 Subic, the final 1.5km swim, 40km bike and 10km run event for the season about to end. Held under the Olympic-style setup, the event serves as a venue for athletes wanting to do short-distance but challenging races and for those keen on reaching the IRONMAN level.

Aside from the individual overall championship, other titles to be disputed in Alveo 5150, sponsored by Alveo, SBMA, Finis, Rudy Project, Sante Barley, Lalamove, Active, Manila Bulletin and Tempo, are the relay all-male and all-female, the relay mixed and the Go For Gold Sunrise Sprint.

For details, log on to www.ironman.com. For the Sunrise Sprint, log on to www.goforgold.sunrisesprint.com.

Others tipped to contend for the crown in the premier category of IronKids, which also serves as a venue for families to bond, are Wax Quito, Carron Cañas, Prince Clark, Sebastian Pepino, Chadwick Baday, Yohann Suarez and Red Reyes.

Raagas is likewise going all-out for a twinkill in the girls’ side but Khiel Milla hopes to better her runner-up effort at Vermosa with the likes of Zab Eugenio, Princess Ilio, Vierra Lacuna, Yanxiel Ambat, Athena Gumaya and Jerlin Valencia also out to foil Raagas bid for a double.

PCA Open returns after 3-year hiatus

THE prestigious Philippine Columbian Association Open Tennis Championships will make a much-awaited return after a three-year pandemic hiatus as it stages its 39th edition starting today (Saturday) at the PCA indoor shell court in Plaza Dilao, Paco.

Veterans Johnny Arcilla and Marian Capadocia try to extend their respective reigns in the men’s and women’s singles events, where they are the heavy favorites.

The 42-year-old Arcilla owns the record with the most singles’ titles in the history of this annual event considered the richest tennis meet in the country after beating Jurence Mendoza in its last staging three years ago for

the former’s ninth crown.

The many-time David Cupper and Zamboanga native is expected to go at it again and shoot for a 10th title against a strong field that includes 2018 winner and seven-time champion Jeson Patrombon, fifth seed Indian Muthu Aashitiya Senthilkumar and former World No. 167 Guillermo Olaso of Spain.

Then, 27-year-old Capadocia, a two-time Southeast Asian Games bronze medalist, who hails from San Jose de Buenavista, Antique, will shoot for her eighth singles’ victory in this meet sponsored by Smart/ PLDT, official ball Dunlop, Manila councilor Jong Isip, San Jose Salt,

W. L. Food Products, Palawan Pawnshop and Pagcor.

Arcilla plunges into action against qualifier John Jeremiah Tomacruz at 2 p.m., while Capadocia faces off with Chloe Mercado at 11 a.m. on Monday hoping to set in motion their respective bids.

Patrombon, for his part, aims to close the gap with Arcilla as he shoots for an eighth triumph and will tackle qualifier Lawrence Quitara at 12 p.m.

“I’m excited because it’s been three years since the last event and this is the main and biggest tennis event in the Philippines,” said Arcilla. “And I’ve heard they increased the prizes and they invited some foreigners so I’m

sure it will be a tough tournament.”

The nine-day event stakes a total cash pot of 1.1 million, with the singles’ champions pocketing P200,000 and P100,000 and the doubles’ winners receiving P70,000 and P35,000, respectively.

Arcilla, meanwhile, will be teaming up with Ronard Joven in the men’s doubles, while Capadocia with Angeline Alcala in the women’s doubles.

Also backing the event are GAC Motors, GIMACA Convenience Store and Development Corp., Ourzen Chicken, HEAD, Ms. Rina Caniza, Mr. Benito Tan, Primo Dept Fuel Station, Kaizan Steel Trading, Cazneau, Inc. and Knaut Art Glass.

CHIHIRO Ikeda seeks a strong finish as she tries to formalize her claim on a second Order of Merit crown on the Ladies Philippine Golf Tour in the ICTSI Pradera Verde Challenge unfolding Tuesday at the sprawling Pradera Verde golf complex in Lubao, Pampanga.

GAB o cials in a consultation meeting with boxing stakeholders from promoters, matchmakers, trainers and boxers

“The sport is rapidly evolving, we cannot hope to grow in a vacuum just sitting on our past gains, techniques, and practices. Through these consul-

tations we can formulate policies that will deliver world-class professional athletes,” said GAB Officer-in-Charge

Johnny Arcilla

Andrew Nicholson of the Bay Area Dragons scores with a floater in a PBA Commissioner’s Cup game won by the visitors, a 54-point beating of winless Terrafirma.

Japanese hospitality in BGC

REAL estate developer Federal Land is set to open the first Mitsukoshi in the Philippines by the end of this year.

Located within Federal Land’s Grand Central Park community in Bonifacio Global City, Mitsukoshi BGC, a fourlevel mall, brings to the country premium commercial spaces that showcase Japanese design elements in a casual but elegant setting.

The mall features approximately 120 merchants of premium retail stores rich in Japanese culture and style. Mitsukoshi BGC will embody the world-famous Japanese hospitality called omotenashi.

This could mean a thoughtfully wrapped packaged, memorable food presentation or an efficient concierge that will cater to the needs of customers.

The mall will anchor residential development, The Seasons Residences, an upscale Japanese-inspired condominium project by Federal Land, Inc. in partnership with Japan’s leading firms Nomura Real Estate Development Co., Ltd. and Isetan Mitsukoshi Holdings Ltd.

EVENTS ARE BACK: RIDGEWOOD BGC WADES IN. Happy days are here again. With the gradual ease of restrictions due to COVID-19, many companies are now bringing corporate events and entertainment programs back on the menu. Marc Ngo, chief operating officer of Novel Residential Concepts Inc. and Ridgewood Premier Hotel, is eagerly anticipating the continued uptick of events held at Bonifacio Global City or BGC. “Already, Metro Manila is now staging big concerts and hosting international expos and conventions,” he observed. “In addition, many companies are now bringing back their annual sales conventions, awards programs, and conferences. As a result, we expect demand for affordable hotel rooms to explode by next year.”  Ridgewood Premier Hotel is located just across SM Aura and BGC, Ngo said that event organizers and corporate offices can get affordable rooms virtually next door to their events. “Ridgewood Premier Hotel will be there to fill in the demand,” he said.

FOR

Thriving in the rhythm of city life

Fisherfolk in Muntinlupa get boost from MPIC

INFRASTRUCTURE firm Metro Pacific Investments Corporation (MPIC), recently gave eight barangays in Muntinlupa a shot in the arm by providing fishing boats to boost their livelihood, as well as conduct clean-up drives in Laguna Lake.

Some 800 members of the City Fisheries Aquatic Resource Management Council (CFARMC), from barangays Sucat, Buli, Alabang, Cupang, Bayanan, Putatan, Poblacion, and Tunasan, received the ‘bancas’ from MPIC, Huawei Philippines,

Maynilad Water Services Inc. (Maynilad), the Laguna Lake Development Authority (LLDA), and the Muntinlupa LGU. Maynilad turned over three solar paddle wheels (aerator water treatment system) to improve the quality of water in rivers and lakes, to the City’s Lake Management Office.

Clean up drives, using the eight boats, were likewise planned for the lake, in coordination with MPIC, Maynilad, and LLDA’s Laguna de Bay Welfare

Delivering on a promise to Quezon youth

Awareness advocacy (LAWA). Under Gabay Kalikasan, one of MPIC’s six Gabay Advocacies for a Sustainable Philippines, LAWA will ensure the critical role that Laguna Lake plays in the social and economic development of the region. MPIC is currently working with LLDA to “transform Laguna Lake into a vibrant economic zone showcasing ecotourism by addressing the negative impact of watershed destruction, land conversion and pollution”.

ORTIGAS LAND, MASERATI PHILIPPINES TIE UP.

Ortigas Land recently collaborated with Modena Motorsports Inc., the official distributor and dealer of Maserati in the Philippines, putting a fresh spin on on-site tours and test drives. In an exclusive event, interested clients toured the grounds of The Galleon, one of Ortigas Land’s premier residential offerings set to rise in Ortigas Center, and Capitol Commons together with the help of a Maserati. Guests were given the opportunity to test-drive the car and tour around The Galleon. The Galleon is set to bring a luxurious lifestyle to its future residents. Maserati Philippines offered interested clients to test drive its two luxury vehicles, Levante GT Hybrid and Ghibli Hybrid, that were on standby at Capitol Commons to bring clients to The Galleon’s project site in Ortigas Center. At present, the exclusive address offers residential, commercial, and office spaces. Equipped with state-of-the-art technology, the two-tower mixeduse development is for modern city dwellers seeking a luxury lifestyle at the heart of the Ortigas Central Business District.

The construction was done in partnership with Kyushu Yaesu Inc. (“Kyushu Yaesu”), a real estate developer based in Fukuoka City, Japan.

Each school building has 8 classrooms in total, with each classroom accommodating up to 40 students. This is the school’s first infrastructure upgrade in more than 50 years. Ovialand and Kyushu Yaesu are joint-venture partners in Ovialand’s developments in Laguna and Quezon.

At the turnover rites were (from left to right)

Hisao Nakashima,president of Kyushu Yaesu; Kyoichi Ono, officer of Kyushu Yaesu; Akira Shiraishi, president of Ambitious Urban Development Philippines Inc.; Melanie Bonquin,Principal of Masin Elementary School; Pammy Olivares-Vital, chief executive of Ovialand Inc.; Mayor George Suayan; Nelson Punzalan, captain of Barangay Masin Norte; Reynaldo Cantos, captain of Barangay Masin Sur.

Former Sarangani Governor is new Alsons director

PROPERTY developer Alsons Development and Investment Corporation recently appointed former Sarangani Gov. Miguel Dominguez as its new director. As director, Dominguez oversees Alsons Dev’s business strategy and operations. Alsons Dev is the real estate arm of the Alcantara Group, one of the largest and most diversified conglomerates in the country comprising more than 20 corporations.

Dominguez is tasked with growing Alson Dev’s s existing properties and leading the development of upcoming projects. This includes expansion into the Soccsksargen region, where the company will be launching its first mixed-use development outside Davao City. For more information about Alson Dev’s projects, visit https://alsonsdev.com/.

At the turnover rites were (from left to right): Muntinlupa City Lake Management Office Department Manager III Herminio dela Cruz; Buli Barangay Captain Hon. Ronaldo Loresca; Muntinlupa City Mayor Hon. Rozzano Rufino “Ruffy” Biazon; LAWA and Gabay Kalikasan

Ambassador Dominic Roque; MPIC Chief Finance, Risk, and Sustainability Officer Chaye Cabal-Revilla; Huawei Philippines Senior PR Manager

and Program Lead Karrie Buenafe; Laguna Lake Development Authority Community Development Division Officer-in-Charge Jaime Mora; and Laguna de Bay Integrated Fisheries Aquatic Resources Management Council Chairman Lauro Protacio.

REAL estate developer Ovialand Inc. recently turned over two new two-storey elementary school buildings to Masin Elementary School, in Candelaria, Quezon.

Motoring

Manila Standard Motoring: A marriage of tradition, contemporary practice

By Ramon Tomeldan

abundance.

SOMETIME

in 1999, back when different publications were gearing for the new millennium, then president and publisher, the late Ambassador Alejandro del Rosario, formed a team that would handle special or topical pages of the Manila Standard. His avowed goal was to make these pages revenue-generating or at least “self-liquidating.”

One of these special pages came to be known simply as MOTORING. Del Rosario tapped an auto enthusiast and Business Reporter Ramon L. Tomeldan as the first Motoring editor. As the competition was heating up, he was joined by the late Dino Raymundo Directo III, a certified “gearhead” and “foodie,” whose strong urge to drive was matched only by his craving for epicurean delights. Together, they were an almost perfect

pair, producing results that justified their reason for being. Later on, MS Motoring was declared by Ford Motor Co.as first runner-up in the Best Motoring Newspaper category.

As the years went by, publications saw the mushrooming of motoring pages in almost all dailies, magazines, and even online websites. Add to this the Johnnycome-latelies — motoring vloggers who have flooded the internet in surprising

Maybe in the near future

been held captive for decades of the skyrocketing oil prices. Many options have been tried long before and yet the world is still thirsty for oil. We also believe that the EVs are one of the best options the whole world has in battling many problems it is facing.

A few years before the onset of vlogging, MS put up its own online Motoring channel which morphed into “Wheels and More”, giving emphasis to cars, motorcycles, accessories - pretty much anything mobility.

As things continued to evolve, so did MS Motoring. Manila Standard handed its “motoring keys” to Milo Rivera, a champion race car driver and a staple in Philippine motorsports, to steer the automotive section towards more winning ways. With a revamped helm came a revamped identity, thus the creation of Manila Standard On the Road.

Rivera kicked things off with the introduction of MS On the Road through a weekly talk show wherein insightful yet easy conversations were conducted to provide vital knowledge on what’s new and/or interesting in the motoring and motorsports industry. Along with his series

Chery Auto

of co-hosts that included MS sports writer Randy Caluag, the show also provided a quick roundup of trending news ranging from oil price hikes, brand-new car models, and mobility updates - to name a few.

The MS On the Road tree grew and bore fruit with the addition of MS Sunday Drive: a vlog-esque feature highlighting Rivera’s drives onboard various automobiles worth having or driving today. Incorporating a personal touch to things, Rivera shifted away from the hard sell car reviews as he wanted a more natural way to showcase the capability, durability, versatility, and beauty of each automobile he was in - by taking them into road trips or functional drives, and personally accounting his experiences.

Through his vast motorsports credentials, Milo has subsequently evolved and positioned himself as a formidable figure in the motoring industry as well.

Adding to the changes in the motoring section, MS On the Road also set its focus to give substantial information through tips, lists, and snackable videos to help commuters and motorists keep safe and secure wherever they may be.

With more than two decades of quality reportage, MS Motoring is keen on keeping up with advancements in car technology as the industry turns its head on the exemplary innovation of electrification, among others.

MS On The Road commits to continue its culture of brilliant reporting and featuring, which was solidly kick-started by-then Motoring Editor Ramon Tomeldan. Now with current editor Milo Rivera piloting in the front seat, contemporary practices are strategically applied, all whilst certain traditions are whole-heartedly kept.

Indeed, MS Motoring - now MS On The Road - has gone a long way. Charles Dantes and Angelica Villanueva

makes solid presence at

Vehicle Summit

A SUDDEN heavy downpour and a leg cramp while traveling along EDSA last Thursday afternoon made me take a detour to a nearby café in Makati; thus canceling my attendance at the opening of the 2-day electric vehicle show in Pasay City.

A friend, whom I was supposed to meet there, agreed to meet me at the said café to also give me some details of what he saw in the said event.

During our conversation, I gave him my own opinion on what has been transpiring these days in the auto industry - which is seeing an apparent transition from internal combustion engine cars (ICEs) into electric vehicles (EVs).

After the slow opening of the world from the killer Covid-19 pandemic, the entry of EVs has been a focal issue all over the world. With the emergence of Tesla as the prime mover of EVs in the United States and also in the world, various Chinese EV manufacturers suddenly sprouted left and right to compete and join the party.

Yet it can not be denied that the European EV manufacturers also have the right to be at the forefront of this transition since they actually have been into it more than 10 years back.

Surprisingly, the Japanese automakers are not keen on going straight to electric just yet as they are still slowly adopting it into their system. Actually, the majority of those major Japanese manufacturers are still promoting what they were inclined to develop several years back, which are the hybrid cars – those using both fuel and battery (remember the Toyota Prius?)

The continued rise in the cost of oil and the emergence of world-wide calls for the reduction of harmful emissions from vehicles apparently led to the march to electric vehicle production.

Yes, there’s no harm in looking into other alternatives since the world has

But looking at the Philippine setting, going fully electric in vehicles would take long years before it could be fully accepted by the consumers.

We were in Berlin in 2011 when a total of 150 fully electric vehicles – from Segways to cars, F3 speedsters, buses, and trucks – were paraded during a Bibendum event. Today, most European countries have already adopted the EVs wholeheartedly as infrastructures and continued development on batteries continued through the years.

It was very fascinating to see local car dealers and manufacturers presenting to the local consumers, through major car shows these days, the very best in the EV market all over the world. Many have already seen the pride of the Koreans – the Hyundai Ioniq5 that has been adjudged as the 2022 World Car of the Year and the Kia EV6 that competed with it very closely during the said New York car event, and even the BMW’s iX3 which is getting very popular these days.

But the cost of owning one of those EVs is not only the major roadblock in making them closer to the heart of the motorists in the near future. You can already buy one or more ICEs for the price of one EV in the market today. But recent news from around the world is promising for the lowering of their prices if and when new and affordable batteries (the heart and soul of every EVs) would be introduced soon.

To us, the big question mark for EVs to be embraced wholeheartedly - not only here but also around the world - is the full setup of its infrastructure. This means an easy access to charging stations any time of the day, just like ordinary oil stations that can be found all over the archipelago.

Yes, we haven’t included here yet the problem of the absence of a universal charger that can be used by those EVs and also the rising cost of electricity in the country which, we understand, is the highest in the Asian region.

WITH greener automotive choices becoming more widely available in the local automotive scene, CHERY Auto Philippines will showcase the all-new Tiggo 8 PRO Plug-in Hybrid Electric Vehicle (PHEV) at the 10th Philippine Electric Vehicle Summit (PEVS) on October 20-21 at the SMX Convention.

Unveiled last April at the biggest auto show in the country, Manila International Auto Show 2022, along with its other variant, the Tiggo 8 PRO 1.6 Turbo Gasoline Direct Interjection, the AwardWinning Tiggo 8 PRO PHEV is set to electrify the spirits of the Filipino motoring public with its impressive specifications and a complete suite of eco-friendly and safety features.

Electrified Performance

The all-new Tiggo 8 PRO PHEV boasts the right mix of performance and sustainability. It has an exceptional acceleration figure of 0-60 kilometers per hour in just 5 seconds, while also maintaining a fuel economy of 1.2 liters per 100 kilometers or 83 kilometers per liter. It has raised the bar among the PHEV segment in the market, with its breakthrough benchmarks for performance.

A great power measure for the Tiggo 8 PRO PHEV is its capacity to travel up to 95 kilometers in pure electric on a fully-charged battery. When in Hybrid Function, it can yield up to 3,400kms at average speeds of 40-60kms per hour, which are the ideal speeds for daily city driving. Another great addition is the three different driving modes—eco, sports, and normal modes—giving the option to customize drives for different terrains.

Sustainability also means cost-efficiency, which the Tiggo 8 PRO PHEV embodies with its minimal impact on transportation expenses. A complete charging cycle only costs approximately Php 173.43, which adds up to only Php 5,202.90 per month if charged to a full battery every day. These figures only add up to an estimated Php 1 per kilometer to run the vehicle on a full charge.

Award-Winning Plug-In Hybrid Functions

What seals the deal with the all-new Tiggo

8 PRO PHEV is its array of innovative plugin hybrid functions. It’s designed with a twin-powered engine, having both a 1.5-liter turbocharged 4-cylinder gasoline engine and permanent-magnet synchronous dual electric motors coupled with world-class quality batteries and a hybrid transmission gearbox.

These robust yet efficient machines generate centralized electricity more efficiently, resulting in less toxic emissions to the environment. Having both an electric motor and gasoline engine, the Tiggo 8 PRO PHEV enables the driver to enjoy the best of both worlds. It’s engineered to use the electric motor as much as possible and only switch to hybrid once the battery level drops.

Another excellent plug-in hybrid feature of the Tiggo 8 PRO PHEV is its standard battery life of up to 10 years. The battery can be charged from fully drained to 100% for only 3-5 hours by plugging the vehicle into a standard 220V household power outlet with a proper earth ground set-up.

Class-leading safety features

The driving experience with the all-new Tiggo 8 PRO PHEV is always safe and with advanced driving features. On the exterior, Tiggo 8 PRO PHEV has features such as side repeaters, dynamic turn signal, projector headlamps, daytime running light, and one-touch power windows with anti-pinch to protect you from the outside.

Safety also extends to the interior. Airbags

are installed in driver and passenger seats, plus 4-side airbags surrounding the cabin for ultimate protection. An electric 6-way power seat, autoclimate control (dual zone) air conditioner, and a multi-function steering wheel allow you to drive the Tiggo 8 PRO PHEV with utmost comfort as well.

Industry-leading warranty packages

To top these outstanding features, the allnew Tiggo 8 PRO PHEV is also covered with CHERY Preserv, an industry-leading warranty package of 7 years warranty on the engine, and general bumper-to-bumper, 3 years of FREE preventive maintenance, and 3 years of FREE roadside assistance.

10th Philippine Electric Vehicle Summit Catch the Tiggo 8 PRO Plug-In Hybrid Electric Vehicle at the 10th Philippine Electric Vehicle from October 20-21 at SMX Convention. On top of this, CHERY Auto Philippines will also open test drive activity to the public for its full electric Arrizo 5e and Tiggo 8 PRO PHEV.

MINI owners from the Queen City of the South enjoyed a fun and adventurous drive at the “MINI Cebu Getaway”, which traversed all the way to the City of Smiles—Bacolod City. The event was jointly organized by MINI Philippines and MINI Cebu.

The MINI Cebu Getaway began at the island province’s showroom, where over seventeen (17) vehicles and thirty-two (32) MINI owners met up in the morning before assembling a convoy bound for Negros Island. After crossing the seas, the group met up with the MINI owners of Bacolod and Iloilo for a sumptuous lunch, MINI parade and a day of camaraderie and conversations over their shared passion for MINI. A total of twentysix (26) vehicles and forty-four (44) MINI Owners from Cebu, Bacolod and Iloilo joined

the MINI Getaway adventure.

The Visayan group spent a night over at the City of Smiles, enjoying the locale’s food, accommodations, and sights before returning to the MINI Cebu Showroom the next day.

The MINI Cebu Getaway marks the second run of the British automobile brand in Cebu this year. Previously, twenty-nine (29) iconic MINI vehicles sped through the whole 8.5-kilometer stretch of the Cebu-Cordova Link Expressway, which links mainland Cebu to Mactan Island.

Over fifty attendees enjoyed a smooth ride over the island’s pristine seas and beautiful coastal views.

*The MINI Cebu showroom is located at 3722 Escario Tojong St. Brgy. Camputhaw Cebu City. *For a test drive appointment, please call 0917-306-6464 or 266-0966.

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IN CELEBRATION of its 32nd anniversary, Honda Cars Philippines, Inc. (HCPI) announces the official introduction of the All-New Honda BR-V come November 21, 2022 - an announcement that was made via HCPI’s official Facebook page.

Although there is still a month of waiting, reservations are now being accepted at any of the 37 Honda Cars dealerships nationwide.

The All-New BR-V gained positive feedback from spectators after an exclusive preview at the 8th Philippine International Motor Show held at the World Trade Center, Pasay City in September.

With the launch of the All-New BR-V, Honda will further enhance the already remarkable package of the current BR-V with the following features:

•Spaciousness: The All-New BR-V elevates its already spacious and comfortable cabin that provides better legroom and head clearance with its 7-seater SUV seating capacity that contains larger body dimensions and cargo space. With these upgraded features, this best-selling model is indeed purposely designed to serve the needs of the drivers and passengers, and provide comfort and utility space for the whole family.

•SUV Style: With its improved ground

The

clearance, and increased and newly designed sporty 17-inch alloy-wrapped 250/60R16 tires, this model features an enhanced rugged at the same time premium look for that SUV style and feel. Powering this 7-seater SUV is a 1.5L DOHC i-VTEC engine, mated with a Continuously Variable Transmission (CVT) to deliver a smooth, refined, and engaging driving experience.

•MUV Value: Interior-wise, the All-New BR-V features high-quality textures and functional approach to achieve comfort and practicality for both driver and passengers. Leather seats are available for the VX CVT and V CVT variants, while High Grade Fabric is available for S CVT and S MT variants. Furthermore, a first for this model, the All-New BR-V now features a Manual Height Adjuster and Adjustable Steering Wheel across all variants for added driver convenience.

The All-New Honda BR-V will be available in four (4) variants with the following colors: Variants: All-New BR-V 1.5 VX CVT, All-New BR-V 1.5 V CVT, All-New BR-V 1.5 S CVT, and All-New BR-V 1.5 S MT Available Colors: Premium Opal

Other advanced safety features such as the Anti-Lock Brake System, Electronic Stability Program, Electronic Brake Force Distribution, Hill Descent Control, Emergency Brake Assist, Traction Control System, Cruise Control, Daytime Running Lights, Dynamic Track

Reverse Image, Front and Reverse Radar, Tire Pressure Monitoring System, Parking Brake, Seat Belt Alarm, Mechanical Child Safety Lock are also installed to keep you and your passengers safe while on the road.

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Tech & Gadgets

LG introduces maintenance services for B2B customers

LG Electronics held the “2022 LG Air Solution Maintenance Seminar” for core clients at Edsa Shangri-La, Manila, Philippines on October 6 to introduce its differentiated service competitiveness, maintenance, and repair services.

LG Electronics engineers pay regular visits to the customers of LG system air conditioners to check and manage their operating status, improve their lifespan and performance, and increase their energy efficiency. The B2B customer care has incentivized customers to repurchase at a high rate.

Woojong Jang (Peter Jang), managing director of Hi-M Solutek Philippines Inc. said, “Using our Total Maintenance Service, we can do remote monitoring and controlling of all the LG Air-conditioning products”. “Providing value to customers through TMS has built trust with maintenanxce customers.” he added.

Laurence Buluran, Property Manager of Global One stated, “Originally, we asked for 1 year Preventive Maintenance Contract only. But since we are very satisfied with their service, I did the best that I can to have the service approved from 1 year to 3 years of preventive maintenance.”

Randolf P. Alba, Mall Head of Vista Mall Bataan mentioned, “You must all know that the greatest fear of a mall manager is the air-conditioning problem. When I was new to Vistamall Bataan, our chiller problem was very often that it became my headache until I found out about Hi-M Solutek. Ever since we got them as our service provider for our chillers, I am relieved.”

Laurence Buluran, Property Manager of Global On LG Electronics provides technical support for its maintenance service customers through Customer Information Center hotline 7902-5544. Its Real-time Care Service enables it to monitor the operating status of equipment remotely and detect faults in real time, even without or before a call from customers. In a move to respond to Voice of the Customer, LG plans to develop an upgradable control system and upgrade maintenance and repair service products. For more information, visit https://www.lg.com/ph/ business/about-lg-air-solution

Valuable yet affordable smartphone for Filipinos

By Patricia Taculao

SMARTPHONES have become a staple in everyday living as it provides entertainment, information, and access to some essential services. But with rising prices, Filipinos face the struggle of finding a top-quality smartphone at an affordable amount. That’s where narzo comes in.

The brand is a new smartphone that listens to its customer base. narzo Philippines aims to democratize technology by making it more affordable and accessible to all walks of life.

When people think of smartphones, one of their main concerns is the processor. A fast-paced world requires devices that can keep up with the demands of their users, even if it’s just how the unit responds to clicks.

One smartphone model worth looking at is the narzo 50i Prime, which the brand claims to be the fastest-moving performer of the narzo 50 Series. It has a Unisoc T612 Processor on a 12nm Octacore node with two Cortex-A75 and six Cortex-A55

cores, allowing a smooth operating experience.

Its smooth operating experience allows users to become more productive and explore the potential of technology within their grasp. It’s best for users who depend on their smartphones for their livelihood, run multiple or heavy-duty apps, or enjoy gaming on their units.

Besides the seamless operating experience, the narzo 50i Prime’s state-of-the-art processors also translate to clear visuals, especially with the help of its 6.5inch HD+ Large Display, ideal for work and play.

It also offers one of the cleanest and most intuitive operating systems in its range, the realme UI R Edition, which runs on Android 11. Realme is a well-known and trusted smartphone brand in the Philippines. Narzo’s shared heritage with realme ensures similar quality levels and an overall

user-friendly experience from a budgetfriendly perspective.

Another specification of the narzo 50i Prime model is an expandable memory of up to 1TB via MicroSD card in its Triple Card Slot, allowing users to store more media or information and use two nano SIM cards. Thanks to this feature, the brand edges its competitors in the sub-4k price segment as Filipinos opt for models that can store more memory for their contacts, photos, apps, and more.

The narzo 50i Prime also joins the aesthetic trend as it comes in two bracing colors, dark blue and mint green, accentuated by a vertical stripe design.

With affordable yet top-quality smartphones, it’s no surprise that Filipinos will find themselves gravitating toward the brand. Yet there’s more to narzo than just investing in its units. The brand also protects its consumers from purchase to aftersales through 20 active service centers shared with realme, which cater to repairs and warranty issues.

Having another option for a smartphone brand in the country gives Filipinos variety to determine which suits their preferences best. But unlike other tech brands, narzo promises that consumers don’t have to break their banks to acquire a noteworthy and competitive smartphone in the market.

The narzo 50i Prime, and other models in the narzo 50 series, are available on Shopee, TikTok Shop, and all 27 narzo stores and kiosks nationwide.

The narzo 50iprime’s promo price was ₱3,999.00 on September 30, 2022, but could be had at an even affordable P3,799 on Lazada.

The official price of the narzo 50i Prime in the Philippines now stands at ₱4,999.00, still a very good value for money for a smartphone this practical and useful.

Photo enthusiasts will love the TECNO CAMON 19 Pro

By Maria Michaela Nabaza

TECNO never stops pursuing excellence with “Stop At Nothing” as its brand essence. Committed to unlocking the best contemporary technologies for progressive individuals across global emerging markets, TECNO has once again provided consumers an elegantly designed product with the new CAMON 19 Pro.

If you’re looking for a smartphone that captures breathtaking night photos for a reasonable price, this smartphone is perfect for you. With various photography features and filters, you can take clear pictures of a fun night out with friends.

The TECNO Camon 19 Pro is under the TECNO Camon 19 Series, along with TECNO Camon 19 (base model), TECNO Camon 19 Pro Mondrian Limited Edition, and TECNO Camon 19 Pro 5G. This mid-range photography smartphone’s official price is P13,490.

Quick and clear captures

The CAMON 19 Pro is equipped with a triple rear camera, including an

RGBW+G+P Sensitive Lens in its 64MP Super Night Camera, a 50MP Portrait Camera, and a 2MP Bokeh Camera. You can also fill your smartphone with beautiful selfies with the 32MP Pro Selfie Camera.

The OIS+EIS Stabilization allows you to quickly capture bright and stable clips or portraits, even with large movements and with dark lighting. The CAMON 19 Pro also has an HDR

Video feature so you can take cleared and more detailed films. Blur video backgrounds for sharper portraits with Portrait Video Bokeh. Finally, take blockbuster shots with the help of the Professional Mode feature.

Photo optimization and editing

Optimize the background and portrait separately with the Dual-core 3D LUT technology. With this feature, you can make the skin tone more natural, the clothing more realistic, and the scenery more vivid in your photos.

Love taking photos angled to the sky? With CAMON 19 Pro sky shop, you can change the sky as you wish. You can also choose from various filters to take chic and stylish photos on a night out.

Premium design Designed to be the best, the CAMON 19 Pro has the industry’s slimmest bezel at 0.98mm. This smartphone’s

stunning backshell is delicate to the touch with premium texture, seemingly a “diamond coating of 200 million stars.”

The CAMON 19 Pro’s mid-frame platform is slightly curved with soft R-angles on both sides, creating a rounded feel to the touch. This work of art is available in Polar Blue, Eco Black, and Mondrian.

Performance and display

It runs on a MediaTek Helio G96 chipset and a HiOS 8.6 interface. With 128+6GB memory, you can store everything you want. You can also convert ROM memory to RAM with the memory fusion technology for enhanced smoothness.

ParityBit introduces privacy-enhancing technologies for stronger data privacy, protection

SINGAPORE-BASED ParityBit, a privacy-enhancing technologies (P.E.T.) company, was launched on Wednesday in the Philippines.

Some members of the company’s leadership team led by Dr. Zhen Luo, Founder and CEO; Dr. Lintao Zhang, Chief Scientist; Li Li, Head of Business Development and Alex Joo, Business Development Director, flew in from Singapore to meet with the press and potential clients.

Founded in 2021, ParityBit has subsidiaries in China, US and HK with over 360 employees worldwide.

It focuses on big data using AI and privacy-enhancing technologies to build an open data ecosystem and data-sharing collaborative environment based on data security and personal privacy protection.

It is developing IoDC based on technologies that protect data privacy and security, allowing data to be utilized with proper authorization and protection and is committed to facilitating

data-driven commercial opportunities to realize data value.

BaseBit, the China branch of ParityBit, is cited as a FedML Vendor in the Gartner Predicts 2022: Artificial Intelligence Core Technologies Report. Gartner further identifies that by 2024, 75% of the global population will have its personal data covered under Privacy Regulations. By 2025, 60% of large organizations will use at least one privacy-enhancing computation technique in analytics, business intelligence and/or cloud computing.

The Philippines is an important market for growth

ParityBit believes this is the right time to enter the Philippine market as opportunities in the fields of cybersecurity, data privacy and data protection abound globally and in Southeast Asia in particular. The company is seeking to expand worldwide.

“In the region, the Philippines is one of the key areas where we want to grow our business,” Dr. Luo said. “Singapore and the Philippines have a strong eco-

Princeton University, he performed a research in computer architecture and heterogenous parallel computing for which he was awarded the renowned Gordon Wu Fellowship. Earlier in his career, he proposed a new set of theories in data channel optimization and led R & D teams in the US, India and China to major breakthroughs in relevant technical fields.

Since most of the countries are now operating in a data-driven environment, Dr. Luo said it is important for countries like the Philippines to get more value from data and at the same time protect it for the benefit of the customers and business enterprises.

Moreover, ParityBit is developing the Privacy Enhancing Platform (XDP) to ensure data can be harnessed with the right degree of protection and authorization.

He added that ParityBit can provide the necessary needs of government and enterprise to promote data and at the time maximize the potential of data.

Woojong Jang, Managing Director, Hi-M Solutek Philippines Inc.

Lively colors

Shown here are Li Li, Head of Business Development; Dr. Zhen Luo, Founder and CEO; Dr. Lintao Zhang, Chief Scientist; and Alex Joo, Business Development Director. nomic relationship which is one of the reasons why we’re introducing ParityBit here. The other reason is that we have discovered, in the last two years, a strong demand in the area of cybersecurity tech-

nologies because of the compliance and the enforcement of the Personal Data Protection Commission.”

Dr. Luo has extensive experience in the industry. Armed with a PhD from

TECNO CAMON 19 Pro

Detailed photo

realme narzo 50i Prime

A splash of colors

Clear and bright