Manila Standard - 2022 November 4 - Friday

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PBBM vows to end traffic woes Gov’t eyes more big infra works to cut Pinoys’ road ‘terrible stories’

By Vince Lopez

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HE government is pursuing key railway projects seen to address the “terrible stories” about lack of quality time for many Filipinos due to traffic congestion, President Ferdinand Marcos Jr. said on Thursday.

Mr. Marcos also vowed to pursue more ambitious projects, especially in the infrastructure sector, for his countrymen.

The President made the remarks during the signing of the Metro Manila Subway Project (MMSP) Contract Packages (CP) 102 and 103 in Malacañang.

The Chief Executive said the project is seen to reduce the stories of woe from those who come home late due to heavy traffic.

"We will reduce the terrible stories that we hear of people who no longer see their children because they come home at 1:30 in Next page

MORE INFRA PACTS.

President Ferdinand Marcos Jr. (center) applauds as Filipino and Japanese officials complete the Contract Signing of the Metro Manila Subway Project - Contract Packages CP102 (Quezon Avenue Station) and CP103 (Anonas and Camp Aguinaldo Stations) in Malacanang on Thursday.

Presidential Photo VOL. XXXVI • NO. 261• 3 SECTIONS 12 PAGES • P20 FRIDAY, FRIDAY NOVEMBER 4, 2022 • www.manilastandard.net • mst.daydesk@gmail.com

Paeng deaths bloat to 150 (and counting) PH debt hits a record P13.52t mainly to fund budget deficit THE death toll from Severe Tropical Storm Paeng, which triggered flooding and landslides across the country, has reached 150, disaster officials said Thursday, as more rain was forecast in some of the hardest-hit areas.

Of the 150 deaths the national disaster agency recorded, 63 were in the Bangsamoro Autonomous Region in Muslim Mindanao (BARMM), where flash floods and landslides destroyed villages.

At least 128 people were injured and 36 are still missing across the country, the National Disaster Risk Reduction and Management Council (NDRRMC) said.

Authorities said there is no hope of finding more survivors.

In its latest update, the NDRRMC reported that 1,131,409 families, consisting of 3,963,555 persons, were affected by Paeng across the country.

Of the total, 43,996 families or 173,957 individuals are being aided Next page

SPARE MY LIFE, BEGGED MAN IN MABASA SLAY NEWS / A2

CPJ: PH STILL 7TH WORLDWIDE IN JOURNO KILLINGS NEWS / A2

DOJ DEPORTS 21 MORE CHINESE POGO WORKERS NEWS / A4

SC: BAR EXAMS TO PUSH THRU THIS MONTH NEWS / A4

By Julito G. Rada

STEADY STREAM OF AID. House of Representatives employees and police officers load a truck with 200 five-kilo bags of rice, 40 bundles of bottled water, and 100 sacks of relief goods for storm victims in various areas of Quezon, which 3rd District Rep. Reynante Arrogancia will distribute. The House is on its fifth day of relief operations initiated

by Speaker Martin G. Romualdez. Ver Noveno

THE country’s total outstanding debt ballooned to a record P13.52 trillion as of end-September 2022 from P13.02 trillion at the end of August as the government borrowed more and the peso weakened against the US dollar, the Bureau of Treasury said Thursday.

Rizal Commercial Banking Corp. chief economist Michael Ricafort said the national debt might still increase to new record highs in the coming months as the government looks for additional sources to finance the budget deficit.

“For the month, NG’s [national government’s] total debt increased by

P495.54 billion or 3.8 percent primarily due to peso depreciation against the US dollar and the net issuance of government securities to support the budget,” the Treasury said in a statement.

Of the total debt stock, 31.2 percent was sourced externally while 68.8 percent were domestic borrowings. At the current level, the national government debt was P1.79 trillion, or 15.2 percent higher than it was at the end of December 2021.

Domestic debt amounted to P9.30 trillion, which is P357.27 billion or 4 percent higher than the end-August 2022 level.

“For September, the increase in domestic debt resulted from the net Next page

Coronas win P134m forfeiture Tulfo sacks execs over aid release case, court rules deposit legal

By Rio N. Araja and Joel E. Zurbano SOCIAL Welfare Secretary Erwin Tulfo has relieved Region 4A director Barry Chua and Assistant Regional Director Mylah Gatchalian and transferred them to the Department of Social Welfare and Development central office in Quezon City This is while the DSWD investigates the complaint of Noveleta, Cavite Mayor

Dino Chua about stringent requirements that its regional office sought from typhoon victims before releasing assistance to them on Oct. 31.

Assistant Secretary Maritess Maristela of the Special Concerns Division will temporarily take the place of Barry Chua, the department said in a statement.

“The DSWD (regional office) was asking for too many requirements. How can people produce such when they were severely affected by the storm?

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By Maricel V. Cruz CITING a lack of evidence, the Sandiganbayan has dismissed the P134 million forfeiture case against the late Chief Justice Renato Corona, his widow Cristina, and their children.

In a 48-page decision, the anti-graft court said Corona’s P134 million worth of peso and dollar bank deposits, as well as his real estate properties worth P17.5 million, were legally acquired, and that the non-declaration of these in his

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DOLE policy on workplace mask use out

More expensive ‘Noche Buena’ for Pinoys this X’mas PRICES of culinary milk, cream, canned fruits, and cooking oils have increased in sari-sari stores, Packworks Sari IQ analytics platform showed, signaling a more expensive Noche Buena for most Filipinos this December.

Andres Montiel, Chief Data Officer of Packworks, said the price of milk and cream went up by 11.84 percent.

He said a 250-milliliter pack of

Statement of Assets, Liabilities and Net Worth (SALN) had been rectified.

The dismissal came eight years after the then 67-year old Corona succumbed to cardiac arrest at The Medical City in Pasig City on April 29, 2016, after years of battling diabetes.

The case was an offshoot of an impeachment trial against him over his alleged misdeclarations in his Statements of Assets, Liabilities, and Net Worth.

In 2012, the Senate, sitting as an

By Vito Barcelo and Willie Casas

SPARKLING THINGS. Colorful Christmas decorations are seen on display for sale along Tabora Street in Divisoria, Manila, on Thursday, as holiday bargain shopping starts for many Filipinos with just 53 days until Christmas Day. Norman Cruz

THE Department of Labor and Employment (DOLE) has issued guidelines on the optional wearing of face masks in workplaces following President Ferdinand Marcos Jr.’s issuance of Executive Order No. 7 easing mask mandates for both indoor and outdoor settings.

The Labor Department said the wearing of face masks shall remain mandatory in the following workplaces:

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FRIDAY, NOVEMBER 4, 2022

mst.daydesk@gmail.com

Mabasa middleman: Spare my life T

HE alleged middleman in the plot to kill broadcaster Percival “Percy Lapid” Mabasa asked four of his fellow inmates to spare his life before they suffocated him to death with a plastic bag used to carry vegetables, GMA News reported Thursday.

This developed as another person of interest who may hold the key to the solution of the October 5 murder of radio commentator Mabasa enplaned in Manila from Palawan Wednesday night.

Officials said the person was escorted by jail officers during the flight and was taken into custody by the National Bureau

of Investigation (NBI).

The officials said the man was also being investigated in connection with the death of Cristito Villamor Palaña or Jun Villamor, the alleged middleman in the gunslaying of Mabasa.

In the GMA TV report on "24 Oras", one of the inmates said a prison mayor

named alias May-may ordered the killing of Palaña, who reportedly facilitated the Lapid slay.

In one of the sworn statements, alias “Jocon” narrated how he and three other inmates killed Villamor at noon on Oct. 18.

“Don’t kill me please. Are you killing me now?” Palaña was said to have asked calmly in Filipino his would-be killers, according to Jocon's sworn statement.

"Kalma mo lang sarili mo kosa (Calm yourself inmate)," one of them told Palaña in the GMA report.

Jocon's statement indicated that it was he who held the plastic bag that suffocated Palaña. His three companions held

PBBM...

Station (at Barangay Project 4, Quezon City) and Camp Aguinaldo Station (inside Camp Aguinaldo), including the connecting tunnels. The Anonas subway station will interconnect with the LRT2 Anonas Station.

Mr. Marcos expressed gratitude to the Japan International Cooperation Agency (JICA) for providing financial support for CP102 and 103.

"The world recognizes Japan for having a very efficient rail transport system, which the Philippines aspires to one day emulate. We thank you for your continued support and I hope to further advance our cooperation in other areas for the mutual benefit of our peoples," he said.

Aside from the subway project, the President said his administration is pursuing key railway projects, such as the Metro Rail Transit (MRT)-7, the Light Rail Transit (LRT) -1 Cavite Extension, and the Philippine National Railway (PNR) Clark Phases 1 and 2, to make the country’s rail transit system a more viable option for Filipino commuters.

“We owe it to the Filipino people to build major roads and critical infrastructure that will not only spur progress and social change but also promote interconnectivity, ease traffic, and reduce their travel time,” he said.

The President also expressed confidence that the country can move “full speed ahead” toward building better and more infrastructure projects for the Filipino people.

“Let me assure you that the government remains dedicated to maximizing its resources to pursue even more ambitious endeavors that will bring comfort and progress to Filipinos all over the country,” he said.

Once completed, the MMSP is expected to significantly reduce travel time between Quezon City and Pasay City from one hour and 30 minutes to just 35 minutes and is also projected to benefit more than half a million passengers a day from Valenzuela City to Parañaque City.

It is also seen to create millions of jobs for Filipinos.

Expected to be finished in 2028, the

Metro Manila Subway can accommodate more than half a million commuters per day and will lessen the travel time from Quezon City to the Ninoy Aquino International Airport to just 45 minutes.

The Quezon City government has committed to working closely with stakeholders in facilitating the processing of all needed documents for this project such as permits, as well as to provide all manpower resources needed.

"We are positive that when operational, the MMSP will improve the productivity of citizens by minimizing travel time. It will likewise enhance the mental health of people via a reliable and predictable mass transit system, which will give them more quality time for themselves and their families," Quezon City Mayor Joy Belmonte said in her message.

Transportation Undersecretary Cesar Chavez earlier said the subway project would be resilient to earthquakes and floods because it will have the same technology similar to Japan, which frequently experiences earthquakes.

after President Mr. Marcos signed Proclamation 84 placing the regions of Calabarzon, Bicol, and Western Visayas, as well as the BARMM under a state of calamity for six months in the aftermath of Severe Tropical Storm Paeng.

This, he said, would enable the government and the private sector to hasten the rescue, recovery, relief, and rehabilitation efforts.

Mindanao is rarely hit by the 20 or so typhoons that strike the Philippines each year, but storms that do reach the region tend to be deadlier than in Luzon and the central parts of the country.

With more rain forecast Thursday, disaster agencies in the BARMM were preparing for the possibility of further destruction in the poor and mountainous region.

"The soil is still wet in areas where flash floods and landslides occurred so further erosion could be instantly triggered," said Naguib Sinarimbo, regional civil defense chief.

"Waterways and rivers that were in the path of the flash floods are blocked by debris and boulders so they could easily overflow."

President Ferdinand Marcos Jr. has blamed deforestation and climate change for the devastating landslides in the Bangsamoro region.

He has urged local authorities to plant trees on denuded mountains.

"That's one thing that we need to do," Mr. Marcos told a briefing this week.

"We have been hearing this over and

over again, but we still continue cutting trees. That's what happens, landslides like that happen."

Mr. Marcos has declared a state of calamity for six months in the worstaffected regions, freeing up funds for relief efforts.

Scientists have warned that deadly and destructive storms are becoming more powerful as the world gets warmer because of climate change.

The weather bureau said several areas in the country will continue to experience scattered rain showers and thunderstorms caused by a low-pressure area (LPA) that was formerly Tropical Depression “Queenie.”

The LPA was last tracked 420 kilometers east of General Santos City, the Philippine Atmospheric, Geophysical and Astronomical Services Administration (PAGASA) said in its latest weather update.

Eastern Visayas, Northern Mindanao, Caraga, Davao Region, Soccsksargen, Bohol, Lanao del Sur, and Maguindanao provinces may experience flash floods or landslides due to moderate, with at times heavy, rains. The rest of the country will have isolated rain showers caused by localized thunderstorms.

Moderate to strong winds and moderate to rough seas will prevail over Northern Luzon, where rough to very rough seas are forecast over its northern seaboard.

PAGASA advised fishing boats and other small sea vessels not to venture

into the sea, and larger sea vessels were alerted against big waves.

With an average of 20 tropical cyclones a year entering the country, the government needs to pump more funds into aid, relief, and rehabilitation programs for the victims of calamities, Senate Minority Leader Aquilino “Koko” Pimentel III said.

Pimentel expressed support for raising the government’s proposed budget for calamity response for 2023.

Under the proposed National Expenditures Program for 2023, the National Disaster Risk Reduction and Management Fund (NDRRMF) or calamity fund is allocated P31 billion.

“Given these 20 tropical cyclones a year and the fact that the Philippines is in the Pacific Ring of Fire, it is imperative to pump more funds into disaster and calamity response and recovery programs,” Pimentel said.

While the proposed budget for the calamity fund is already 55 percent higher than this year’s allocation of P20 billion, Pimentel said “it could easily be proven insufficient.”

He called for channeling funds from non-essential projects and programs to the calamity fund to enable a speedy and efficient response to disasters and calamities.

“Let us cut confidential and intelligence funds (CIFs) and re-channel this much-needed allocation to strengthen our disaster response capabilities,” Pimentel said. AFP with Macon RamosAraneta

properties in their names and earn a substantial amount of cash assets. At most, respondent Chief Justice Corona may be held guilty of simple negligence for having failed to ascertain that his SALNs were accomplished properly, accurately, and in more detail. Such an administrative case could have been imposed upon him, however, it was preempted by his death,” the Sandiganbayan said.

“Such innocuous mistakes [of failure to declare assets] may be addressed by the customary corrective action enabled

by Section 10 of RA No. 6713, as in this case. While the SALN is an instrument that ensures accountability, the review and compliance procedures work as a buffer that prevents the haphazard filing of actions against public officials and employees,” the court added.

As for the failure to declare these assets, the anti-graft court: “Such non-declarations or misdeclarations are innocuous mistakes that do not signal the accumulation of unexplained wealth, though they may signify a degree of carelessness." (See full story online at manilastandard. net)

Tulfo...

They were asked to present identification cards, an indigence certificate, and a residence certificate. The President has already spoken not to make things difficult for the people,” the Noveleta mayor said.

Moreover, he said, the food packs provided by the DSWD in his area were not enough, and that only 200 out of 500 families were able to receive the aid.

Mayor Chua said he shouldered the cost of the other food packs for the 300 families that were not able to receive government help.

Records from the DSWD showed that a total of 1,600 food packs were delivered by its National Resource Operation Center to the municipal hall of Noveleta on Oct. 30, a day before the relief distribution.

“I don’t know why. Mayor Chua claimed the food packs were not sufficient when we had delivered 1,600 packs to the municipal hall,” Tulfo said.

He also said the DSWD needs to verify the identities of beneficiaries, especially those who would receive cash assistance

as this is a requirement of the Commission on Audit.

“We really ask for the IDs from the beneficiaries. If they have none during a calamity, the barangay has a list of the names of the residents,” he said.

“What happened in Noveleta was that the (remaining) 300 residents did not have IDs and were not in the barangay list,” he added.

He said Mayor Chua should investigate if the complaints reaching him are legitimate since fake news has been spreading around.

Lawmakers from Cavite—Senator Ramon Revilla Jr. and District 1 Rep. Jolo Revilla—thanked the DSWD for their quick action in the distribution of food and cash aid to their constituents.

In less than 24 hours after severe tropical storm Paeng hit Cavite, Barry Chua and Gatchalian responded and distributed at least 4,000 family food packs in Bacoor, Kawit, Noveleta, and Tanza, they said.

Meanwhile, the Department of Public Works and Highways (DPWH) said repairing roads and bridges damaged by the storm could take two to three weeks. (See full story online at manilastandard.net)

fluctuations.

External debt, meanwhile, amounted to P4.22 trillion, which was P138.27 billion or 3.4 percent higher than it was at the end of August 2022.

“The increment in the level of external debt was due to the P179.69 billion impact of local currency depreciation against the US dollar.

This was partially offset by the P30.62-billion effect of third-currency depreciation against the US dollar and net repayment amounting to P10.80 billion,” it said.

Year-to-date, external debt increased

by P658.30 billion or 18.5 percent primarily due to local- and third-currency fluctuations that increase the peso value of foreign-denominated obligations.

As of end-October 2022, data show that the peso depreciated by 13.7 percent or P6.97 against the US dollar since the start of the year.

The peso settled at a record low of 59 per US dollar four times last month, on Oct. 3, 10, 13, and 17, 2022.

Total national government-guaranteed obligations increased by P4.46 billion

or 1.1 percent month-over-month to P397.22 billion as of end-September 2022.

For September, the increment in guaranteed debt was primarily due to the impact of local currency depreciation amounting to P9.27 billion, offsetting the net repayment amounting to P1.43 billion and P3.48 net depreciation effect on third currency-denominated guarantees.

However, from the end of December 2021, the national government’s guaranteed debt decreased by P26.7 billion or 6.3 percent.

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the morning and the children are asleep,” Mr. Marcos said.

"They have to wake up at four o’clock in the morning to get back on the bus to fight with the traffic coming back to work.

And that the subway and all our public transport systems will be able to help and remedy this.”

CP102, with a total contract of about P21 billion, was awarded to the joint venture of Nishimatsu Construction Co., Ltd. and D.M. Consunji Inc. It involves the construction of the Quezon Avenue Station (located inside the former Manila Seedling Bank, EDSA corner Quezon Avenue) and the East Avenue Station (along V. Luna Avenue), including the connecting tunnels.

CP103, with a total contract of approximately P28 billion, was awarded to Sumitomo Mitsui Construction Co., Ltd. It includes the construction of Anonas

Paeng...

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in 2,094 evacuation centers with the remainder being helped by relatives and friends.

A total of 12,968 houses were damaged while 2,194 were destroyed.

Infrastructure damage from the tropical cyclone has been estimated at P2.8 billion.

More than 355,400 people fled their homes as Paeng pounded swathes of the archipelago late last week and over the weekend.

Paeng has also affected more than 74,900 farmers and fishers, an official of the Department of Agriculture (DA) said Thursday.

The total damage to the agriculture sector was pegged at P2.74 billion, with at least 101,831 metric tons of production loss.

As for the poultry and livestock industry’s estimated total value affected was P9.49 million.

The Department of Budget and Management (DBM) said Thursday that government agencies involved in disaster response may use the P6.8-billion calamity fund that is still available for this year.

The DBM explained that the remaining PHP6.8 billion is part of this year's total P20 billion budget allocated for disaster risk reduction and management.

The statement came a day

Coronas...

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impeachment court, convicted Corona for betrayal of public trust and culpable violation of the Constitution over the non-declaration of several assets, including real estate properties in his SALNs, causing his removal from the Supreme Court.

The Sandiganbayan, however, said the Corona family was able to prove that the former Chief Justice had been gainfully employed for almost 45 years and that he had funds other than his lawful income in government service.

At the same time, the former Chief Justice's wife, Cristina was a former salaried employee and one of the owners of Basa-Guidote Enterprises Inc. (BGEI) and now its inheritor, the Sandiganbayan said.

It added that the Corona couple received in trust for BGEI the total purchase price of the expropriation proceedings held in 2001.

"These funds were then pooled with their children," it said.

“These enabled them to acquire real

PH...

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issuance of government securities amounting to P352.09 billion and the P5.18 billion impact of local currency depreciation against the US dollar,” the Treasury said.

Since the beginning of the year, the domestic debt has increased by P1.13 trillion or 13.8 percent due to the preference for domestic financing to mitigate the effects of currency

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Palaña to keep him in place as he was being killed.

Jocon said he didn't refuse May-may's order because he knew that he himself would be killed if he didn't follow, noting he had witnessed how other inmates had been killed after they rejected the order of May-may and other former mayors.

A mayor in Philippine prisons is an inmate recognized as the leader among prisoners in a community of cells.

Roy Mabasa, the victim’s brother, said earlier Wednesday that authorities have identified the alleged masterminds in the killing of the radio commentator. (See full story online at manilastandard.net)

CPJ: PH still 7th among countries in journo killings

By Rey E. Requejo and Willie Casas THE Philippines maintained its unenviable position as seventh worst country where enemies of journalists get away with murder, a report from the Committee to Protect Journalists (CPJ) said.

Meanwhile, the Department of Justice (DOJ said the government will continue to investigate and prosecute cases involving work-related killings and harassment of Filipino journalists.

In another development, the Presidential Task Force on Media Security (PTFoMS) noted with concern the Global Impunity Index (GII) released by the CPJ, a US-based media advocacy group, where the country retained in 7th place ranking since 2020.

The CPJ said this is the Philippines' 15th year in the index, where the country was lumped with Somalia, Syria, South Sudan, Afghanistan, Iraq, Mexico, Myanmar, Brazil, Pakistan, and India.

According to CPJ’s 2022 Global Impunity Index, there were 14 unsolved killings of journalists in the last decade and retained its ranking for the second year in a row.

(See full story online at manilastandard.net)

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purpose cream, 300-milliliter pack of condensed milk, and 370-milliliter pack of evaporated milk now cost P10 to P15 more than the previous price.

Montiel quoted information from Sari IQ, which monitors information from Packworks’ network of almost 200,000 sari-sari stores across the country.

The price increase is because “culinary milk and creams are normally imported from other countries. The increasing dollar rate over the peso affects the commodity prices since these are imported,” he said.

Prices of palm, vegetable, and canola oils went up by 5.95 percent and nare now sold for approximately P80 more per liter.

Prices of spreads such as mayonnaise and peanut butter increased by 5.77 percent and now cost P40 more per kilo, while dairy products like cheese, margarine, and chilled ice cream became more expensive by around 5.28 percent.

Canned goods also grew costlier by 5.26 percent. Prices of canned nata de coco, whole and cream-style corn, kaong (sugar palm), pineapple chunks, and fruit cocktails jumped by P8 to P20. Prices of other canned products such as corned beef, tuna, meatloaf, and sardines also rose by P5.

“These prices could go up further through the 'ber' months, and the demand will definitely be higher. Our local households may be able to skimp on other items, such as clothing or gas, but they have to eat,” Montiel added.

Earlier, the Department of Trade and Industry admitted the cost of some Noche Buena items will increase ahead of the Christmas celebration, with some ham manufacturers already seeking a P40 hike. (See full story online at manilastandard.net)

DOLE...

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healthcare facilities, including, but not limited to, clinics, hospitals, laboratories, nursing homes, and dialysis clinics; medical transport vehicles, such as ambulance and paramedic rescue vehicles; and public transportation by land, air, or sea.

The department also encouraged all the elderly, immunocompromised, unvaccinated, and symptomatic individuals, individuals with comorbidities, and pregnant women to continue wearing a face mask.

“Employers and their workers have a shared responsibility to ensure safe and healthful working conditions in accordance with the provisions of the Labor Code of the Philippines, as amended, Republic Act No. 11058, and minimum public health standards,” the DOLE advisory read.

Employers, however, may still implement a policy requiring the wearing of face masks if they wish to do so, provided they consider “among others, the hazards and risks (e.g., enclosed space and poor ventilation), industry requirements (e.g., food safety), and incidence of other communicable diseases (e.g., flu and tuberculosis), including measures to address noncompliance thereto pursuant to the existing company policy, rules, and regulations.”

For its part, the Department of Health said the responsibility of keeping workers safe from COVID-19 infection lies heavily on employers. (See full story online at manilastandard.net)

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FRIDAY, NOVEMBER 4, 2022

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MARINA: Pinoy seamen not losing jobs aboard European Union ships

By Vince Lopez and Maricel V. Cruz

T

FIREWORKS FRACTORY BLAST. These are shots of a fireworks plant in Manggahan, Pulong Buhangin in Sta Maria Bulacan which exploded for still unknown reason. Authorities are still trying to determine the extent of damage and number of people injured. Sta Maria Bulacan FB page

8 hurt in Bulacan fireworks factory blast STA. MARIA, Bulacan—Eight workers were injured during an explosion on Thursday, Nov. 3, inside a fireworks manufacturing site in this town, a police report said.

Sta. Maria police chief Colonel Christian Alicod said the incident happened in Barangay Pulong Buhangin at 1 p.m.

All eight victims were taken to the Rogaciano

Mercado Hospital, also in this town, for treatment of their injuries.

Alicod said one worker was in critical condition while the seven others were out of danger.

Investigators were still determining the cause of the explosion. They said they were also trying to identify the factory owner and if it has a license to operate.

IN BRIEF LTO imposes sanctions on 2 erring car drivers in P’que THE Land Transportation Office (LTO) has issued resolutions against two car drivers involved in separate traffic incidents in Paranaque City that caused injuries to two persons and the death of a three-year-old child.

The LTO’s Intelligence and Investigation Division, in collaboration with the agency’s National Capital Region-West, ruled after the investigations that the two drivers, Raymond Zapirain and Rodolfo Cudiamat, were both liable for reckless driving and improper person to operate motor vehicles.

They drivers were fined P2,000 each for the reckless driving infraction.

The resolutions also revoked the driver’s licenses of Zapirain and Cudiamat who were also permanently disqualified from securing a driver’s license and driving a motor vehicle.

Both drivers were ordered to turn over their licenses to the LTO NCR-West Traffic Adjudication Section.

Zapirain is the registered owner and driver of the Mitsubishi Pajero van (UXO-295) that sideswiped and seriously injured 63-year-old street sweeper Doreen Bacus on Sept.

24 along Elizalde Avenue corner Aguirre Avenue, Barangay BF Homes, Parañaque City.

Cudiamat was the driver of a motor vehicle (NCV-4752) registered in the name of Visitacion Hugo. Rio N. Araja

Solon wants Benham Bank declared as protected area CAGAYAN de Oro City Rep. Rufus Rodriguez has asked Congress to declare a large part of the Philippine Rise, a vast undersea region east of Luzon, as a protected area so it could be managed and explored for its marine resources.

Rodriguez filed House Bill 5687 proposing that the area known as Benham Bank and its neighboring waters, be designated as a protected area to be known as Philippine Rise Marine Resource Reserve under the Expanded National Integrated Protected Areas System Law. The bill indicates the geographic coordinates of Benham Bank, which is composed of 352,390 hectares. The Philippine Rise is believed to be more than 24 million hectares.

Rodriguez said most of the Philippine Rise, including Benham Bank, is within the country’s 200-mile exclusive economic zone.

He said while the undersea region is 3,000 to 3,500 meters beneath the ocean’s surface, Benham Bank, the tallest seamount, is lying just 48-70 meters below the sea. Maricel V. Cruz

Solon tells DOT to liquidate P34-b Bayanihan 2 budget CAMARINES Sur Rep. Luis Raymund Villafuerte on Thursday demanded from the Department of Tourism an accounting of the agency’s disbursements under the P34billion bailout package of tourism-oriented businesses it was given under the Bayanihan 2 law or Republic Act 11519.

“Amid the assertion then by DOT officials and certain industry players that tourism infrastructure was not a priority at the time, the P10-billion intended by the House for TIEZA ended up being allotted to government financial institutions (GFIs) for bailing out COVID-affected businesses, including those in the tourism industry,” according to Villafuerte, the lead author in the House of both Bayanihan 2 and the Bayanihan to Heal as One Act (RA 11494 or Bayanihan 1).

Such relief funds in 2021 for pandemic-hit enterprises and businesspersons included a P10-billion outlay that the House of Representatives had originally allotted for infrastructure projects of the Tourism Infrastructure and Enterprise Zone Authority (TIEZA) in its version of the Bayanihan 2 bill.

Maricel V. Cruz

HE Maritime Industry Authority (MARINA) has denied reports ted claiming that Filipino seafarers might lose their jobs aboard European Union (EU) ships for non-compliance with EU maritime standards.

Meanwhile, Department of Migrant Workers (DMW) Secretary Susan Ople asserted that contrary to false reports, President Ferdinand Marcos Jr. has not stripped MARINA of its authority to train and accredit Filipino seamen.

In a related development, Albay Rep. Joey Sarte Salceda assured European Ambassador to the Philippines, Luc Veron, of Congress’ full support to raise the training standards for Filipino seafarers.

The MARINA said the Philippines has submitted a report in March on its “full compliance” to the European Commission’s grievances on the country’s implementation of the Standards of Training, Certification and Watchkeeping (STCW) Convention for Seafarers 1978.

The report contained a response and strategic action plan to address the EU’s concerns.

“It was the result of close collaboration among government agencies and maritime industry stakeholders representing maritime education and training, ship management and manning, and seafarers,” the agency said in a statement posted on its Facebook page.

It stressed that reports alleging that the Philippines was not compliant with the European Maritime Safety Agency (EMSA) were untrue.

Ople also debunked a report that President Ferdinand R. Marcos Jr. has “stripped” MARINA of any role in the training and accredita-

tion process due to the country’s failure to pass EMSA evaluations.

She said Marcos directed the various agencies of the Department of Transportation to come up with a joint implementation plan to address the concerns raised by EMSA. “The directive of the President was for various agencies led by the DoTr to come up with a joint implementation plan to address the concerns raised by EMSA,” the DWM said in a statement.

“The DMW, as well as MARINA, as an attached agency of the DoTr, were included in that directive.” it added.

The issue pertained to the continuous failure of the Philippines to pass the standards for seafarers set by the European Maritime Safety Agency (EMSA) audit.

“The President never ordered MARINA to be removed as an implementing agency nor did I ever say this in any interview.” According to Secretary Ople on the statement released to the media.

“The DMW fully supports the actions being taken by the DoTr and MARINA to ensure compliance with international maritime standards particularly on the education, training and certification of Filipino seafarers.” It added.

“We at the DMW thank the President for his continuing guidance and overwhelming concern for the well-being of all Filipino seafarers,” the DMW said

A4

SC: Bar exams to push through amid ‘Paeng’ hit

FRIDAY, NOVEMBER 4, 2022

News

HELPING OUT. Biñan Mayor Arman Dimaguila and members of the Sangguniang Panlungsod visit the bridges being built in Brgy. Dela Paz and Brgy. Malaban. These bridges are placed in low-lying parts of the city that still experience flooding. The Biñan LGU also distributed free soya milk and bread. Roy Tomandao

Petition filed to keep poll results

By Rey E. Requejo

T

HE Supreme Court (SC) has been asked to prevent the erasure of the transmitted results of the May 9, 2022, national and local elections.

In a 100-page petition for mandamus, former Department of Information and Communications Technology (DICT) undersecretary Eliseo Rio Jr., National Citizens’ Movement for Free Elections acting chairperson Augusto Lagman, and lawyer Franklin Ysaac asked the High Court to issue a tem-

porary restraining order to prevent respondents-Commission on Elections (Comelec), Smartmatic TIM and telecommunications companies Globe, Smart and Dito Telecommunity-from committing any act that “may modify, erase, or delete any part or whole of the subscriber, cyber traffic data log

DOJ deports 21 more Chinese working in illegal POGO outlets

By Rey E. Requejo THE Department of Justice (DOJ) has deported the second batch of 21 Chinese nationals working in illegal gaming outlets.

In a statement, the DOJ said the Bureau of Immigration conducted another deportation operation involving a group of 21 Chinese nationals who left the country aboard a Philippine Air Lines flight to Wuhan, China.

Immigration Commissioner Norman Tansingco said the group comprised 21 Chinese nationals who left the country on board a Philippine Air Lines flight to Wuhan, China.

“We will ensure that those involved in illegal activities will be deported and blacklisted. This is to create a safe space for foreign nationals who comply with immigration policies are here in

the country legally,” Tansingco said.

Tansingco said another batch of Chinese illegal POGO workers will also be deported soon.

“We are in close coordination with the Chinese Embassy for the expeditious release of the deportees’ travel documents,’ he added.

An initial batch of six Chinese nationals was deported last October 19.

Last month, Justice Secretary Jesus Crispin Remulla said the BI had already canceled the visas of 1, 424 Chinese nationals working in illegal POGO outlets.

Remulla said the BI is set to cancel the visa of 48, 782 Chinese nationals working in illegal online gaming outlets.

Those who refused to voluntarily leave the country after 59 days will be “summarily deported.”

integrity, or call record details corresponding to the elections that were transmitted from 7 p.m. to 9 p.m. of May 9.”

The petitioners also asked the SC to direct the telecommunications companies to deliver “faithful copies” of their respective records and or details of the said data directly and exclusively to the Court.

“A petition for mandamus is proper for petitioners that invoke their Constitutional rights to suffrage and to information in compelling the poll body to explain fully the complete details of its

preparations in view of the unraveling of alarming events of late,” they said.

“The period of six months from the May 9 elections is soon to expire within a few days from today, or on the 9th of November,’ they added, referring to the period under the Election Automated Law which mandates the Comelec to submit a report on the election results.

The petitioners also cited the Cybercrime Prevention Act of 2012 which requires the preservation of data and subscriber information for at least six months.

THE Supreme Court on Thursday said the 2022 Bar Examinations will proceed as scheduled this month amid calls for postponement from some examinees after severe tropical storm Paeng ravaged parts of the country.

In a Bar bulletin, the SC said it was aware of the appeals aired mostly on social media to postpone the examination set on November 9, 13, 16, and 20.

The High Court said the office of Associate Justice and 2022 Bar Exams Committee Chair Alfredo Benjamin Caguioa has assessed and surveyed the 14 local testing centers to check if these are capable and ready to still hold the exam as scheduled.

The SC said all the local testing centers as well as the local government units where these are located categorically indicated that they remain prepared and ready to participate in the Bar exams as scheduled.

The LTCs are at San Beda University, De La Salle University, Manila Adventist College, Ateneo Junior High School Complex, Ateneo de Manila University, and the state-run University of the PhilippinesDiliman campus for Metro Manila.

Three schools in Luzon will also host the exam for areas outside Metro Manila, namely the University of St. Louis in Baguio City, De La Salle Lipa City, and University of Nueva Caceres in Naga City.

In the Visayas, these are University of Cebu, University of San Jose Recoletos in Cebu City, and Dr. Vicente Orestes Romualdez Education Foundation in Tacloban City while the Mindanao schools serving as LTCs are Xavier University in Cagayan de Oro, Ateneo de Davao, and Ateneo de Zamboanga in Zamboanga City.

The High Court said it also considered the sentiments of those keen on taking the exam as scheduled as well as the hundreds of personnel and volunteers who will serve in the conduct of the exam before it decided to proceed. Rey E. Requejo

ENVOY’S VISIT. Japan Special Advisor to the Prime Minister (SAPM), Mori Masafumi with Philippine Coast Guard officials visits the US-Japan Joint training inside the BRP Melchora Aquino (MRRV 9702) at Pier 13 in the Port Area of Manila on November 3.

Norman Cruz

Catapang vows Ex-Justice chief says nobody forced Ragos to testify in De Lima trial to clean BuCor of corruption

By Rey E. Requejo

By Gabriellea Parino and Chelsea Din BUREAU of Corrections (BuCor) Officer-In-Charge Director General Gregorio Pio P. Catapang Jr. vowed to reform the country’s correctional system amid reports of corruption, following the confiscation of thousands of illegally-obtained contraband within the New Bilibid Prison last week.

In an interview with DZMM Teleradyo, the BuCor OIC said he plans to initiate a reformation in the country’s correctional system after smuggled items were found within inmates’ cells.

The official said BuCor is set to initiate an investigation.

“Our commanders have also been given orders to search the prisons [for smuggled items]. We have a one-strike policy. A new case will surely be filed against the inmate who will be found guilty of possessing the said items,” Catapang said, adding that “this will prolong their sentences causing a lifetime of imprisonment. It’s contradictory to our program which aims to release inmates who have done their time to decongest our prisons.”

FORMER Justice Secretary Vitaliano Aguirre II on Thursday debunked the claim of erstwhile Bureau of Corrections (BuCor) officer-in-charge Rafael Marcos Ragos that he was forced to testify against detained ex-Senator Leila De Lima on illegal drugs charges.

“It’s all lies and no truth,” Aguirre

said, in an interview at the DOJ compound in Manila.

Aguirre issued the denial after Ragos returned to the witness stand last October 28 before the Muntinlupa City Regional Trail Court (RTC) Branch 204 where he affirmed his recantation.

De Lima still has a pending illegal drugs case before the Muntinlupa City RTC in connection with the alleged

proliferation of dangerous drugs trade at the New Bilibid Prison when she was Justice secretary.

Ragos had testified that he personally delivered drug money to De Lima.

However, last April 30 Ragos recanted his earlier testimony and stated that “there is no truth whatsoever to any of these affidavits or House and court testimonies or any other state-

DOH says new booster shots not yet available

GLOBE INNOVATION LAUNCH.

(From left to right) Anna Baldos, Globe prepaid portfolio head; Jed ReyesCuevas, portfolio manager for Globe Games and Esports; and Erben PilapilTuazon, Globe portfolio director, answer questions from the press during the launching of the Globe Innovation Fest 2022 at The Globe Tower, Bonifacio Global City on November 3.

Manny Palmero

By Willie Casas

60 peace corps volunteers set to return to PH

By Ronald O. Reyes AT LEAST 60 U.S. Peace Corps volunteers are set to return to the Philippines by January 2023 following the resumption of the US government’s top volunteer program in the country after it was suspended in 2020 due to the coronavirus disease (COVID-19) pandemic.

“This group will be one of the largest that the U.S. Peace Corps has organized since resuming overseas

ment made in the media or other investigatory proceedings, including the Senate and the DOJ, on the delivery of monies to Secretary De Lima or Ronnie Dayan in whatever.”

Aguirre stressed that he has video footage of Ragos that was taken by the Public Attorney’s Office when the former BuCor OIC executed one of his affidavits.

operations in March 2022. By September 2023, I expect more than 120 volunteers will be working alongside community members in the Philippines,” Carol Spahn, U.S. Peace Corps CEO, said.

She added the 60 volunteers “will arrive and work for two years at the invitation of host communities across Luzon and the Visayas in the project sectors of education, youth development, and coastal resource management.”

BIVALENT vaccines that target newer variants of concern may not be available in the Philippines until the first quarter of 2023, the Department of Health (DOH) said Thursday.

The DOH statement comes after an official of vaccine manufacturer Moderna said in a television interview that their bivalent vaccines will be available for the Philippines in November.

“So tayo naman, the earliest time possible that we can be able to procure, that is our goal. But we have to understand that we go through different processes for regulating these products,” said DOH Officer-InCharge Maria Rosario Vergeire in a press conference in Cabanatuan City.

Vergeire stressed the importance of making sure that the new COVID-19 vaccines will be safe for the public.

“November, I think might not be feasible for us.

That’s why we are targeting the first quarter of 2023 when all of these mechanisms or clearances are already there, nakuha na natin,” she said.

Opinion Congress should repeal law creating martial law museum

CONGRESS should repeal Republic Act 10368, the law creating the Human Rights Violations Victims’ Memorial Commission. Under that law, the Commission is tasked to build a martial law museum, euphemistically called the “Freedom Memorial Museum.”

The museum will cost P520 million and will be built on 1.4 hectares of prime land inside the University of the Philippines campus in Diliman.

News reports indicate the UP donated the lot to the Commission. Another account has it that the UP merely lent the land to the Commission for a 15-year period.

There is nothing in the UP charter that allows UP to use its real estate to host non-UP political structures. UP President Danilo Concepcion and Carmelo Crisanto, the executive director of the Commission, have some explaining to do.

In 2019, the Commission spent P1 million in taxpayers’ money for the museum’s architectural design prepared by amateurs.

The museum will be a hybrid of an unsightly imitation of the Sydney Opera House, and a giant sandal. It will consume plenty of electricity for air-conditioning. The grotesque structure actually wastes a lot of valuable real estate.

Republic Act 10368 was enacted in 2013 during the term of President Benigno Aquino III. His father, the late ex-Senator Ninoy Aquino, is portrayed by the Liberal Party as the most famous “casualty” of martial law.

A newspaper report said the museum will be “the first state-sponsored museum that officially recognizes the atrocities committed during martial law.” If that is so, what the museum will be about is predictable.

The display will begin with the decision of President Ferdinand Marcos Sr. to place the entire country under martial law in September 1972. It will be made to appear that Marcos resorted to martial law to perpetuate himself in power, and to enrich himself and his family.

This will be followed by photographs and accounts of alleged human rights victims. Communists and red sympathizers will be hailed as victims and, therefore, heroes.

The assassination of Aquino at the tarmac of the Manila International Airport in August 1983 will be blamed on President Marcos Sr. and highlighted as the impetus for the 1986 EDSA People Power mutiny that led to Marcos’ouster from Malacañang.

Ultimately, Corazon Aquino and Jaime Cardinal Sin will be portrayed as saviors of the people from the “Marcos dictatorship.”

Most certainly, the museum will be conveniently silent on certain important facts which do not sit well with the communists and anti-Marcos groups.

These facts include — (1) Jose Ma. Sison’s Communist Party of the Philippines (CPP) was already stirring civil unrest

in the Philippines as early as August 1971 when its cadres bombed the proclamation rally of the opposition Liberal Party at Plaza Miranda in Quiapo, Manila.

(2) Ninoy Aquino, then a Liberal Party senator, arrived at Plaza Miranda only after the bombs exploded.

(3) Prior to the proclamation of martial law, the New People’s Army (the military arm of the CPP) had been receiving firearms and explosives from Red China for the purpose of preparing the Philippines for a communist takeover.

(4) The 1935 Constitution, the charter in force in 1972, authorized President Marcos Sr. to resort to martial law to save the country from communism, and that the Supreme Court upheld the validity of the proclamation of martial law.

The museum will cost P520 million and will be built on 1.4 hectares of prime land inside the University of the Philippines campus in Diliman (5) Actually, the 1973 Constitution was the product not of President Marcos Sr. but of the 1971 Constitutional Convention headed by ex-President Diosdado Macapagal, a known Marcos foe, who took over after the first elected president pf ConCon, Carlos Garcia, died.

(6) Newspapers and news magazines like We Forum, Ang Pahayagang Malaya, Who, Veritas and Mr. & Ms., as well as Radio Veritas were critical of martial law, but they were allowed to operate without censorship.

(7) Although a military tribunal sentenced Aquino to death by musketry in 1977, President Marcos Sr. stayed the execution and allowed Aquino to seek medical treatment in the United States in 1980.

(8) In 1984, the Agrava Board, the body which investigated the Aquino assassination, indicted the soldiers who escorted Aquino at the airport tarmac, but found absolutely no evidence to link President Marcos Sr. to the assassination.

(9) The 1986 EDSA People Power mutiny was peaceful because President Marcos Sr. ordered his troops not to shoot or hurt any of the protesters.

(10) President Marcos Sr. wanted to go back to the Philippines to answer the charges against him, but the government of Corazon Aquino refused to give him a passport, and the Supreme Court sided with Aquino.

(11) The criminal cases against Marcos were decided when he was prohibited from returning to the country, or when he had already passed away.

In both scenarios, Marcos was unable to defend himself in court.

(12) Soldiers whose abuses were made known to President Marcos Sr. were tried and thrown in the military stockade.

It’s time for Congress to repeal Republic Act No. 10368.

Water security

IN THE the aftermath of Severe Tropical Storm ‘Paeng’ whose torrential rain led to monstrous floods in all but one of the regions in the country, water is a subject that those adversely affected by the extreme weather disturbance would rather not talk about.

But it’s a valid topic nonetheless, since our people need to be protected from severe flooding that causes death and destruction and huge losses in agriculture, not to mention the displacement of thousands from their homes.

Amid the rains that led to water, water everywhere but in some places, not a drop of water from household faucets, we should be glad that, at least in Metro Manila, we can rely on efficient water services for our daily needs.

Recent news reports indicate that East Zone concessionaire Manila Water Company is seeking a rate increase starting January 2023 for the next six years. The rate hike is said to augment the company’s P181 billion for capital and operating investments, beginning 2023 to 2027.

At the rate the inflation is going through the roof, the petition for a rate increase is not unexpected, perhaps even inevitable.

The water concessionaire emphasized that the rate adjustment would be used to build more water sources and wastewater facilities, as well as fulfill its service improvement plan to continuously meet its service obligations to supply water 24/7 to more than 7.4 million residents in its concession area.

Those are valid reasons for the rate hike petition, from where we sit. After all, the water concessionaire should be able to maintain its uninterrupted 24/7 water supply with adequate pressure (something the West Zone concessionaire is said to be lacking) and carry out its programs for water security both in the medium- to long-term.

The inflation outlook for the remainder of the year, said National Statistician Dennis Mapa, is not so good, given the discernible trend in food prices.

We therefore need to brace ourselves for what’s

to come. It shouldn’t come as a surprise if other business more sectors will announce price adjustments in the coming months to sustain their operations.

If the rate hike petition is granted, Manila Water customers will have continuous water supply day in and out.

What about those who don’t enjoy the 24/7 service? Aren’t you spending more? As they say, the costliest water is having no water at all, right?

Security from scalawags While we’re on the subject of security, it’s only proper to give credit where credit is due.

We’re talking about the efforts of the Philippine National Police (PNP) to cleanse its ranks of misfits and scalawags who give the entire institution a very bad – but surely undeserved – reputation

A handful in the nearly 200,000-strong police force think that their badges and uniforms entitle them to trample on the basic rights of the citizenry and do whatever they please Last month, six police officers who robbed and injured a sidewalk vendor in Caloocan City in April were ordered dismissed from the police service after being found guilty of administrative charges and grave misconduct.

The National Capital Region Police Office (NCRPO) said the six officers, all police corporals, were removed after the Philippine National Police’s Internal Affairs Service (PNP-IAS) found them unfit and unworthy of the police service.

The six erring cops, who were members of the Caloocan City Police Station’s Drug Enforcement Unit, were said to have accosted the sidewalk vendor sometime in April while the latter was on his way to a fast food restaurant to buy food for his children.

The incident was recorded by closed-circuit television (CCTV) cameras, with the footage showing the officers as they were hitting the vendor’s head.

The footage spread like wildfire on social media

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

EDITORIAL

T

HE good news is that after its poor showing in upholding the rule of law under the previous administration, the Philippines has posted improvement in this important gauge of democratic governance.

Rule of law

According to the 2022 World Justice Project (WJP) Rule of Law Index, the country’s overall rule of law score increased 1.4 percent in the 2022 index, with an overall score of 0.47 out of 1.

The Philippines is now ranked 97th out of 140 countries worldwide, rising five positions since 2021. But it remains one of the worst in the region – 13th out of 15th in East Asia and the Pacific.

While the WJP found that adherence to the rule of law fell in 61 percent of countries in 2022, the Philippines emerged among the minority of countries to see its Rule of Law Index score increase this year.

In 2015, the Philippines ranked No. 51 but dropped to 70 when Rodrigo Duterte became president in 2016. By 2021, his last full year in office, the Philippines dropped even fur-

ther to 102 in the WPJ index.

Worldwide, the index data showed that authoritarian trends from the pre-COVID-19 pandemic, including weaker checks on executive power and increased attacks on the media – continued to weaken the rule of law.

Worldwide, the index data showed that authoritarian trends from the pre-COVID-19 pandemic, including weaker checks on executive power and increased attacks on the media – continued to weaken the rule of law The WJP noted that COVID-19 restrictions disrupted justice systems and governments also exercised emergency powers that curtailed civic freedoms and bypassed transparency mechanisms.

The WJP reported that the Philippines posted an improvement in maintaining order

and security.

This measures how well a society ensures the security of persons and property. The Philippines also improved in upholding fundamental rights and in criminal justice.

However, the country’s score for upholding civil justice registered a decline.

The WJP said that globally, the most dramatic rule of law declines have been factors associated with rising authoritarianism.

Freedom of opinion and expression was down in 81 percent of countries. While this factor rose slightly in the Philippines in 2022, dissenting voices continue to feel a chilling effect.

We share the view of the WJP that “rule of law is about fairness – that is, accountability, equal rights, and justice for all – and a less fair world is bound to be a more volatile one…

Rule of law is also a key underpinning of democracy, which is faltering in many countries around the world.”

From our own perspective, the rule of law simply means that all citizens and those in government, including lawmakers, law enforcement officials and judges, are accountable to the same laws.

Hence, it prevents the arbitrary use of power and stands in contrast to tyranny where the rulers consider themselves beyond the reach of the law.

Building on the land of another FOR a country with vast expanses of land but with ownership limited to a few, it is inevitable to have to build, plant, or sow on the land of another.

While this economic disparity is undeniable, it is not an excuse for someone to perform acts of ownership in the land of another.

Some build, plant, or sow under the wrong notion that they are the owners of the land, or that they have been authorized by the owner to introduce improvements, or that they have an existing contract of lease with an option to buy the property.

The most common problem is the overlapping of land or encroachment of one piece of land on the land of another.

In the case of Princess Rachel Development Corporation (PRDC), et al. v. Hillview Marketing Corporation (Hillview), et al., it was undisputed that PRDC is the registered owner of several parcels of land in Kalibo, Aklan; and that Hillview, which owns the adjoining property, encroached on the aforementioned pieces of land and built condominium units known as the Alargo Residences (G.R. No. 222482, June 2, 2020).

However, the Supreme Court concluded that Hillview was a builder in bad faith, “[g]iven that such encroachment is substantial, visible to the naked eye, and not merely negligible, Hillview could not feign ignorance thereof.”

In fact, Hillview was also informed of its intrusion, but proceeded nevertheless with the construction (G.R. 222482, June 2, 2020).

“Hillview also took advantage of the fact that PRDC’s adjoining property was vacant, thus, it proceeded with the construction which remained unhampered as PRDC knew nothing thereof. [H]illview was given the opportunity to… dispute the… encroachment [but] instead of doing so, Hillview submitted a mere consolidated sketch plan… without… an actual physical survey,” (G.R. 222482, June 2, 2020).

Significantly, Hillview is not an ordinary landowner, but a property developer engaged in largescale property development projects.

The nature of its business requires it to “exercise a higher degree of diligence” since there was no noticeable mark or boundary which delineated the adjoining properties (G.R. No. 222482, June 2, 2020).

On the other hand, the registered owner, “PRDC, enjoys the indefeasibility of its titles and, thus, ‘may rest secure without necessity of waiting in the portals of the court sitting in the ‘mirador de su casa’ to avoid the possibility of losing his land. Thus, PRDC had the right to eject any person illegally occupying its property…”(G.R. 222482, June 2, 2020) “[I]n relation to possession, a landowner may be in good faith or may be deemed in bad faith depending on the landowner’s knowledge of the fact of encroachment [see Article 453, Civil Code]. A landowner is deemed in bad faith when there are circumstances indicating that he had become aware of the encroachment and had chosen not to act on it,” (G.R. 222482, June 2, 2020).

“The circumstances of the instant case show that PRDC had become aware of Hillview’s encroachment only in 2007… because of the contemplated sale to Boracay Enclave.” x x x. “From PRDC’s platforms.

As a result, the PNP Internal Affairs Service resolved to recommend the dismissal of these former police officers for being unfit and unworthy of the trust and confidence of the people.

The NCRPO has vowed to continue removing scalawags from the service, assuring the public that rogue cops would be punished.

We’re glad that the police leadership in Metro Manila is determined to rid the organization of bad elements who abuse their authority to harass, intimidate and even file trumped-up charges of possession

Former Chief Justice Reynato S. Puno Anita F. Grefal Baldwin R. Felipe Edgar M. Valmorida

Board Member & Chief Legal Adviser Treasury Manager Head—Ad Solutions Circulation Manager

discovery of Hillview’s encroachment in 2007…

PRDC lost no time in asserting its right and protecting its interest by sending Hillview notices to vacate which unfortunately went unheeded… Thus, PRDC is a landowner in good faith,” (G.R. 222482, June 2, 2020).

Hence, the Supreme Court declared that PDRC has the right to appropriate what has been built on its property, without any obligation to pay indemnity therefor.

Due to its bad faith, Hillview forfeits what it has built without any right to be paid indemnity (G.R. No. 222482, June 2, 2020, see Article 449, Civil Code).

A builder must check the title and tax declaration of the land upon which buildings or improvements are to be constructed, or secure the authority to build from the owner While necessary expenses of preservation of the land shall be refunded to the builder, whether he built the same in good faith or in bad, PRDC’s properties were in fact not preserved but used, and were consequently damaged, for the construction of Hillview’s project.

Hillview also does not have the right of retention over the encroached portions as the right of retention is afforded only to a possessor in good faith (G.R. 222482, June 2, 2020, see Articles 452 and 456, Civil Code). “[If PDRC] choose not to exercise its right to appropriate the improvements as granted to it under Article 449 of the Civil Code, it may exercise either… (a) to demand the removal or demolition of what has been built at Hillview’s expense; or (b) to compel Hillview to pay the price or value of the portions it had encroached upon, whether or not the value of the land is considerably more than the value of the improvements,” (G.R. 222482, June 2, 2020, see Articles 450 and 451).

In the case of Padilla v. Malicsi, et al., Spouses Padilla discovered that Leopoldo Malicsi, Lito Casino, and Agrifino Guanes (Malicsi, et al.) constructed houses on their lot.

They made repeated verbal and written demands for Malicsi, et al. to vacate the premises and pay a monthly rental of P2,000.00, but Malicsi, et al. refused to heed Spouses Padilla’s demands (G.R. 201354, September 21, 2016).

Spouses Padilla filed a complaint for recovery of possession against Malicsi, et al., along with three others: Larry Marcelo, Diosdado dela Cruz, and Rolando Pascua.

In their Answer, Malicsi, et al. alleged that they believed in all honesty and good faith that the lot belonged to Toribia Vda. De Mossessgeld (De Mossessgeld) (G.R. 201354, September 21, 2016).

They claimed that they possessed the land and built their houses on the lot only after receiving De Mossessgeld’s permission; they also claimed that they agreed that De Mossessgeld would sell them of illegal drugs against citizens who happen to be in the wrong place at the wrong time.

The motto of the PNP is “to serve and protect.”

Unfortunately, a handful in the nearly 200,000-strong police force think that their badges and uniforms entitle them to trample on the basic rights of the citizenry and do whatever they please.

That should stop, and the police leadership is taking the right step in dismissing all misfits in the organization.

the areas occupied by their houses, provided that pending full payment, they would pay her P40.00 per month as rent (G.R. 201354, September 21, 2016).

Malicsi, et al. stated that they first found out about Spouses Padilla’s claim of ownership sometime in 2002. They admitted to receiving the demand letters to vacate and pay rent, but they refused to leave the premises (G.R. 201354, September 21, 2016).

Malicsi, et al. said “that they believed De Mossessgeld when she told them that the lot belonged to her. Yet, the records show that De Mossessgeld was a complete stranger to them.”

If Malicsi, et al. had looked into the ownership of the lot, they would have easily discovered that it was titled to Pablo M. Padilla, Jr.’s mother as early as 1963 (G.R. 201354, September 21, 2016).

Malicsi. et al. likewise failed to present evidence that they entered into an agreement to sell with De Mossessgeld, or that they paid her P40.00 per month as rent, pending full payment of the areas they were occupying.

They could then have presented statements from disinterested third parties that De Mossessgeld owned the lot and that they had to believe her claim of ownership (G.R. 201354, September 21, 2016).

Failing to substantiate their claims, Malicsi, et al., cannot be considered as builders in good faith.

Being in bad faith, they have no right to recover their expenses over the improvements they have introduced to Spouses Padilla’s lot.

As a result, Spouses Padilla became the owners of the improvements on the lot, including the residential buildings, if they choose to appropriate the accessions (G.R. 201354, September 21, 2016).

However, they could instead choose the demolition of the improvements at Malicsi, et al.’s expense or compel them to pay the price of the land (see Article 450, Civil Code).

Whether Spouses Padilla choose to appropriate the improvements, compel their demolition, or compel the respondents to pay the price of the land, they are entitled to damages under Article 451 of the Civil Code (G.R. 201354, September 21, 2016).

In summary, the landowner has three alternative rights: (1) to appropriate what has been built without any obligation to pay indemnity thereof; (2) to demand that the builder remove what he had built; or (3) to compel the builder to pay the value of the land.

In any case, the landowner is entitled to damages under Article 451 (G.R. 201354, September 21, 2016, citing Heirs of Durano v. Spouses Uy).

With the clear provisions of the Civil Code of the Philippines and the jurisprudential pronouncements on the consequences of building on the land of another, a builder must check the title and tax declaration of the land upon which buildings or improvements are to be constructed, or secure the authority to build from the owner.

These documents will apprise the builder whether or not to proceed with the intended construction.

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Seoul: N. Korea flubs ICBM launch SEOUL — North Korea unsuccessfully fired an intercontinental ballistic missile during a new salvo of launches Thursday, the South Korean military said, with Washington urging all nations to enforce sanctions on Pyongyang.

The launches prompted South Korea and the United States to extend their ongoing joint air drills, the largest-ever such exercises, citing North Korea’s “provocations”.

People in parts of northern Japan were ordered to seek shelter during the North’s latest launches, which included two shortrange missiles and followed a blitz of projectiles fired Wednesday.

The largest of Thursday’s launches, however, “is presumed to have ended in failure”, the South Korean military said.

The United States condemned the

ICBM launch despite its apparent failure.

“This action underscores the need for all countries to fully implement DPRK-related UN Security Council resolutions,” US State Department spokesman Ned Price said, using the North’s official name of the Democratic People’s Republic of Korea.

Washington also confirmed information provided by the South Korean military, which said earlier it had detected the launch of the long-range ballistic missile at around 7:40 am (2240 GMT Wednesday) in the Sunan area of Pyongyang.

Seoul’s Joint Chiefs of Staff said the ICBM appeared to have failed during “second-stage separation”.

“The range of the long-range ballistic missile is around 760 kilometres, altitude of 1,920 kilometres at speed of Mach 15,” the military said. AFP

ALL SOULS DAY MASS. Pope Francis (second from left) takes part in the All Souls Day Papal mass in memory of the cardinals and bishops deceased during the year on November 2 at the Vatican. AFP

Russia rejoins deal to ship vital Ukraine grain via Black Sea port M OSCOW — Russia on Wednesday rejoined a deal to allow Ukrainian grain exports through the Black Sea, but President Vladimir Putin warned Moscow could again pull out of the agreement.

The revival of an arrangement aimed at easing fears of global food insecurity came as Washington said it was (increasingly concerned) Russia could use nuclear weapons in its campaign in Ukraine.

Moscow had said on Saturday that it was temporarily pulling out of the grain

deal, accusing Ukraine of using a safe shipping corridor established under the agreement to launch a drone assault on its Black Sea fleet.

Russia’s defense ministry said it had now received sufficient guarantees from Kyiv that it would not use the maritime corridor to carry out attacks.

UN Secretary-General Antonio Guterres welcomed Russia’s decision to resume participation in the agreement, which was brokered by the United Nations and Turkey in July and allows for joint inspections of ships.

President Volodymyr Zelensky said on Twitter that he had thanked Turkish President Recep Tayyip Erdogan for his role in preserving the grain deal. The Ukrainian leader later hailed its resumption as «a significant diplomatic result for our country and the whole world».

But Putin said Russia could leave the

deal again if Ukraine violates its guarantees, though Moscow would not interfere with any grain deliveries even if it did.

Moscow had warned the route was dangerous for shipments without its participation in the agreement but some deliveries from Ukraine still went ahead on Monday and Tuesday.

‘Real guarantees’ A Turkish security source said the corridor was open again from 0900 GMT although no departures from Ukraine were planned Wednesday.

Russia’s Deputy Foreign Minister Andrei Rudenko said Moscow has yet to decide if it would remain part of the deal after November 18.

The agreement comes up for renewal on November 19, but the extension is a separate issue and that decision will be made «taking into account all the accompanying factors,» state news agency

RIA Novosti reported him as saying.

US State Department spokesman Ned Price called Wednesday for the deal to be renewed, saying this «will ultimately inject even more predictability and stability in this marketplace and, most importantly, apply downward pressure to the prices» of global food.

The deal, overseen by the Joint Coordination Centre in Istanbul, has allowed more than 9.7 million metric tonnes of grain and other foodstuffs to leave Ukrainian ports.

This has brought much-needed relief to a global food crisis triggered by the conflict between Russia and Ukraine, both major global grain exporters.

World grain prices, which had soared earlier this week, began to ease on Wednesday after Russia announced it was returning to the deal, despite doubts over its future. AFP

Italy’s far-right PM Meloni meets EU leaders, energy crisis high on agenda ROME — Italy’s new far-right Prime Minister Giorgia Meloni will meet European Union chiefs in Brussels Thursday for the first time since her election, with the energy crisis expected to dominate the agenda.

Nationalist Meloni has vowed to put Italy’s interests first, and the trip will be closely watched amid fears of turbulent relations ahead between the populist government in Rome and the bloc’s powerhouses.

“Brussels should not do what Rome can do best,” Meloni was quoted as saying in a book to be published Friday, slamming “a Europe that is invasive in small things and absent in big matters”.

In her first international trip since taking office, Meloni meets European Commission President Ursula von der Leyen,

European Council chief Charles Michel and European Parliament speaker Roberta Metsola.

It will be the first face-to-face encounter since von der Leyen angered Italy’s rightwing parties ahead of the September general election by warning of consequences should the country veer away from democratic principles.

But Italy’s first woman prime minister, head of the most far-right government since World War II, will land in the Belgian capital on a diplomatic rather than war footing, political analyst Lorenzo Codogno told AFP. “Meloni is pragmatic and wants to be perceived as a moderate and mainstream leader,” he said. AFP

PEACE PACT. Redwan Hussein (2nd left), representing the Ethiopian government, and Getachew Reda (2nd right) of the Tigray People’s Liberation Front (TPLF) sign a peace agreement during a press conference on the African Union-led negotiations to resolve conflict in Ethiopia at the Department of International Relations and Cooperation (DIRCO) offices in Pretoria on November 2. AFP

Republican denial of election results a ‘path to chaos,’ Biden warns voters WASHINGTON — President Joe Biden warned US voters Wednesday that the future of democracy was at stake in next week’s midterms, with the steadfast refusal of some Republican candidates to accept election results opening a “path to chaos in America.”

With conservatives hammering his ad-

ministration over the state of the economy, the 79-year-old Democrat aimed squarely at Republicans who have cast their lot with former president Donald Trump in denying Biden’s 2020 election victory.

“There are candidates running for every level of office in America... who won’t commit to accepting the results of the elections they’re in,” Biden said in a televised address to the nation.

Their goal, he said, was to follow Trump’s lead and try to “subvert the electoral system itself” — noting there are more than 300 Republican election deniers on the ballot in races across the country this year.

“They’ve emboldened violence and intimidation of voters and election officials,” he charged — less than two years after a mob of Trump supporters ransacked the US Capitol to try to overturn the 2020 result.

“That is the path to chaos in America,” he said. “It’s unprecedented. It’s unlawful. And, it is un-American.”

Biden’s dire warning of threats to democracy comes six days ahead of Tuesday’s vote, in which Republicans are heavily favored to capture the House of Representatives and possibly the Senate.

In the wake of a violent attack on the husband of the Democratic House speaker, Nancy Pelosi, which dramatically height-

ened concerns about heated political rhetoric, Biden urged Americans to unite in defense of democracy.

“We must with an overwhelming voice stand against political violence and voter intimidation, period,” he said.

“We have to face this problem,” he said.

“We can’t pretend it’s just going to solve itself.”

But nearly 22 months after the Capitol insurrection, polling shows that American voters are more concerned with the economy.

More than half say the price of gas and consumer goods is the economic issue that worries them the most in a new Quinnipiac University national poll. AFP

Troops deployed in Ecuador after spate of crime attacks in cities GUAYAQUIL — Police and soldiers on Wednesday patrolled the terrorstricken streets of two Ecuadoran cities after a spate of attacks blamed on organized crime groups waging a deadly drug war.

Two inmates were killed and six wounded in clashes inside the Guayas 1 prison, the SNAI prison authority said.

Following a wave of strikes Tuesday in which five police officers were killed, a state of emergency and nightly curfew has taken effect in the western provinces of Guayas and Esmeraldas.

A civilian who suffered a gunshot wound to the head on Tuesday died of the injuries the next day, health officials said, bringing the death toll from the attacks to eight.

Two police officials were also injured.

Groups armed with guns and explosives, including car bombs, hit more than 18 targets Tuesday in the cities of Guayaquil and Duran in Guayas province and in Esmeraldas along the border with Colombia.

Targets included police and gas installations, a clinic and a bus terminal.

President Guillermo Lasso declared a 45-day state of emergency in response, with a nightly 9pm-to-5am curfew for the two provinces and special powers to limit freedom of movement and assembly.

Classes in some areas were suspended.

On Wednesday, the streets of Guayaquil — scene of much of the street and prison violence to have hit Ecuador since last year — were unusually quiet. And nervous.

Jorge Arguello, the 36-year-old head of a publishing company, told AFP there was “fear on the streets” and he himself was afraid to leave home after spotting motorcycles — associated with gangs and hitmen — doing the rounds.

Anti-crime operations in the city of 2.8 million people, capital of the Guayas province, yielded 28 arrests early Wednesday, according to Interior Minister Juan Zapata.

Arms, ammunition and explosives were seized.

“It is scary to go out,” said Guayaquil resident Elizabeth, 37, who did not want to give her full name for fear of reprisal.

“The nation is astonished by the actions of drug trafficking mafias, which in tandem with hired killers and common criminals are attempting to scare Ecuadorans,” Defense minister Luis Lara said. AFP

Parkland shooter jailed for life, rapped by victims’ kin MIAMI — The gunman who murdered 17 people in a 2018 high school rampage was formally sentenced to life in prison Wednesday in a Florida court, where he was verbally confronted by furious parents.

Nikolas Cruz, now 24, avoided the death penalty last month when a jury could not unanimously agree that he deserved capital punishment for his shooting spree at Marjory Stoneman Douglas High School in Parkland.

Family members wept and held hands as Broward Circuit Judge Elizabeth Scherer read out the 17 sentences of first-degree murder, saying after each victim’s name that “the court imposes a mandatory life sentence without the possibility of parole.”

Cruz also received life sentences for each of the 17 people he wounded in the shooting.

The failure to mete out the death penalty shocked and angered several of the victims’ relatives last month.

But over a two-day hearing that ended with Wednesday’s sentencing, multiple parents and

other relatives of those killed were allowed to express their grief and anger by addressing Cruz directly.

“My hope for you is that the pain of what you did to my family burns and traumatizes you every day,” said Lori Alhadeff, whose 14-year-old daughter Alyssa was killed, in comments reported

by National Public Radio.

Cruz pleaded guilty in October 2021. In the subsequent three-month penalty phase of the trial earlier this year, the jury saw graphic footage of the attack in which Cruz used an AR-15-style semiautomatic rifle, and they listened to harrowing testimony from survivors.

During the trial, relatives and survivors were not allowed to speak directly to Cruz. On Tuesday and Wednesday, they called him a monster and a “murdering bastard” who deserved to “burn in hell,” according to NPR. In unadorned rage, some of them also excoriated the criminal justice system for sparing Cruz’s life, speaking to him from a lectern about 20 feet (six meters) away from the convict. AFP

‘BOLSONARISTAS.’ Supporters of defeated Brazilian President Jair Bolsonaro take part in a protest to ask for federal intervention outside the Army headquarters in Brasilia on November 2. AFP

Business

B3

FRIDAY, NOVEMBER 4, 2022 || extrastory2000@gmail.com

Fed delivers another steep rate hike with more to come

PSEi November 3, 2022

TOP GAINERS 1 2 3 4 5 6 7 8 9 10

EURO MVC RCB COAL ALCO ICT MAH DMC SCC DFNN

LAST PRICE 0.91 6.5 23.95 0.225 0.51 172 0.79 9.7 35.25 3.2

CHANGE 0.09 0.5 1.65 0.015 0.03 9.5 0.04 0.4 1.45 0.13

% CHANGE 10.98% 8.33% 7.40% 7.14% 6.25% 5.85% 5.33% 4.30% 4.29% 4.23%

TOP LOSERS 1 2 3 4 5

MJIC APVI ACE ARA NOW

LAST PRICE 1 11.6 1.5 1.08 0.85

6 7 8 9 10

PAL ATI BRN MWIDE DITO

5.65 12.92 0.7 3.28 2.82

CHANGE -0.1 -1.1 -0.14 -0.08 -0.05

% CHANGE -9.09% -8.66% -8.54% -6.90% -5.56%

-0.29 -0.58 -0.03 -0.14 -0.12

-4.88% -4.30% -4.11% -4.09% -4.08%

MOST ACTIVE 1 2 3 4 5 6 7 8 9 10

ICT BDO SMPH ALI SCC BPI URC GLO SM TEL

VOLUME 3,571,420 3,714,050 9,396,000 10,651,000 6,859,300 2,397,870 1,690,060 70,300 184,260 75,330

VALUE (PHP) 608,118,897 472,083,569 300,672,645 282,150,025 236,986,820 225,418,508 202,420,940 159,587,190 150,072,000 121,429,430

Canada orders three Chinese firms to exit deals on rare minerals MONTREAL, Canada—Canada on Wednesday ordered three Chinese companies to divest their stakes in Canadian rare earth minerals companies, citing “national security” reasons.

The companies ordered to divest their holdings are Sinomine (Hong Kong) Rare Metals Resources Co Ltd, Chengze Lithium International Limited, and Zangge Mining Investment (Chengdu) Co. Ltd., a statement said.

Canadian national security and intelligence agencies conducted “rigorous scrutiny” of the companies before the decision was made, said FrancoisPhilippe Champagne, minister of innovation, science, and industry.

“While Canada continues to welcome foreign direct investment, we will act decisively when investments threaten our national security and our critical minerals supply chains,” Champagne said.

Rare earth minerals are considered essential for green technologies of the future and already are used in electronics, aerospace, automotive, and defense industries.

The announcement came five days after Canada tightened its rare minerals investment regulations for foreign state-owned enterprises, allowing investment only “on an exceptional basis.”

Ottawa has created a list of 31 socalled “critical minerals” it deems vital to its own economic prosperity, including cobalt, lithium, and manganese used in solar panels, wind turbines, and electric vehicle batteries.

Over the past two decades, China, the world’s largest producer of rare earth minerals, has invested billions of dollars in Canada to secure a supply of rare metals. AFP

TECHNOLOGY SUMMIT. Web Summit attendees gather at Filecoin stand during the Europe’s largest tech conference, the Web Summit, in Lisbon on November 2, 2022. The Web Summit would run until Nov. 4, 2022. AFP

Stocks and peso retreat on US Fed interest hike S

TOCKS fell Monday after the US Federal Reserve raised interest rates and Chairman Jerome Powell suggested they would go higher than expected, blowing a hole in hopes for a more dovish pivot in its fight against inflation.

The PSE index, the 30-company benchmark of the Philippine Stock Exchange, lost 50 points, or 0.8 percent, to close at 6,156.11 as four of the six subsectors declined.

The broader all-share index also gave back 19 points, or 0.6 percent, to settle at 3,257.83, on a value turnover of P4.5 billion. Losers outnumbered gainers, 114 to 61, while 37 issues were unchanged.

Four of the 10 most active stocks ended in the green, led by International Container Terminal Services Inc. which climbed 5.8 percent to P172.00 and Semirara Mining and Power Corp. which rose 4.3 percent to P35.35.

The peso also depreciated to 58.80 against the US dollar Thursday, from Wednesday’s 58.47 following the Fed’s announcement. The Bangko

Sentral ng Pilipinas said it would match the Fed’s 75-basis-point adjustment in its own overnight borrowing rate.

Asian and European markets also sank Thursday. Equities have rallied for more than a week on speculation the US central bank would join others in tamping down its monetary-tightening campaign as the economy showed signs of slowing.

The Fed bank unveiled a fourth straight 75 basis-point increase— the sixth hike this year—and opened the door to a smaller increase at future meetings, giving a boost to Wall Street.

But Powell soon after sent traders scattering when he told a news conference that while it would be appropriate to lessen the size of the hikes, “incoming data since our last meeting suggests that ultimate level of interest rates will be higher than previously expected”.

He added that “we still have some ways” until borrowing costs were at the necessary level and that it “is very premature to be thinking about pausing”.

And while there is a building fear that the increasingly tight monetary conditions will send the world’s top

economy into a recession, the Fed boss said it would take time for the effects of the measures to kick in.

“The historical record cautions strongly against prematurely loosening policy,” he warned. “We will stay the course, until the job is done.”

Investors now expect rates to top out at more than five percent, compared with four percent currently.

The comments hammered the narrative that had supported stocks, sending Wall Street’s three main indexes tanking – led by rate-sensitive tech giants—and pushing the dollar up against its peers.

“Every time the market gets a little bit of dovish hope, it gets smacked on the nose with a rolled-up newspaper,” Scott Rundell of Mutual Ltd said. “There’s a lot of volatility still ahead.”

Hong Kong led the losses as the city’s central bank hiked rates in line with the Fed, owing to their policy link via the dollar peg.

Traders gave back a chunk of the previous two days’ gains, which came on the back of speculation China was planning to roll back some of its painful zero-Covid policies. Adding to the selling was confirmation from Beijing’s health authority that it intended to stick to the strategy. With AFP

WASHINGTON, United States—The Federal Reserve delivered another steep interest rate increase on Wednesday, as expected, with its move to cool red-hot inflation taking on more weight amid the political maelstrom of key US midterm elections.

With high inflation squeezing American families of all political stripes, President Joe Biden faces a battle to avoid losing control of both chambers of Congress.

The Fed’s aggressive rate hikes this year so far have not had a noticeable impact on prices, but they have stoked fears of an impending recession even as the job market remains strong.

The US central bank raised the benchmark lending rate by 0.75 percentage points—the fourth straight increase of that size and the sixth hike this year—in its allout battle to tame inflation not seen since the 1980s.

The latest three-quarter percentage point increase takes the benchmark lending rate to 3.75-4.0 percent, the highest since January 2008.

By making it more costly to borrow, policymakers aim to put the brakes on spending and bring demand more into balance with supply that has been battered by global supply issues and the ongoing Russian war in Ukraine.

While the US housing market has cooled sharply amid higher interest rates, key inflation measures show prices continue to rise and the labor market remains tight, with job openings rising and private hiring accelerating in October.

The policy-setting Federal Open Market Committee (FOMC) said more rate increases would be needed to tamp down rising prices, but it will take into consideration the impact on the economy when deciding on the pace of future move— opening the door to the possibility it will implement smaller steps in coming months.

But Fed Chair Jerome Powell cautioned that policymakers are not yet ready to halt their efforts.

“It will take time, however, for the full effects of monetary restraint to be realized, especially on inflation,” Powell told reporters.

“It’s very premature, in my view, to be thinking about or talking about pausing our rate hike. We have a ways to go.”

But he said the committee could begin discussing the possibility of slowing the aggressive pace of rate increases at the December meeting, but ultimately might have to increase the level higher than expected to achieve the goal of bringing inflation down to two percent. AFP

A quarter of Australians under major financial stress on rising inflation Manila

Standard

TODAY

CANBERRA—A growing number of Australians are under financial stress, a report has found.

According to a survey of nearly 3,500 adults published by the Australian National University on Thursday, 25.1 percent of Australians are struggling to make ends meet on their current income.

It is the highest portion of the population since the start of the coronavirus pandemic.

More than half of the participants in the lowest income bracket said they were struggling financially compared to 5 percent of those in the highest income bracket.

The survey found Australians work more hours on average than prior to the pandemic. Participants in the survey are now working 22.6 hours every week on average - up from 21.9 hours in February 2020 and 18.5 hours amid COVID-19 restrictions in

May 2020.

However, despite working more, incomes have fallen. In October, the average household income of participants was 1,629 Australian dollars (1,034.8 U.S. dollars) per week—a 3.1 percent decline from April.

“These levels are much lower than before the pandemic,” Matthew Gray, co-author of the study, said in a media release.

“For example, in February 2020, the average household income was almost 1,800 Australian dollars [US$1,143.4].”

“Despite Australians working more on average, they have told us that what they earn now buys them less in the face of rising inflation and living costs. This is putting them under increasing financial stress.”

The Australian Bureau of Statistics (ABS) reported in October that the consumer price index

Young people look at the central business district of Sydney, Australia.

Xinhua

(CPI) rose by 7.3 percent in the 12 months to the end of September - the highest annual inflation figure since 1990.

According to the ANU survey, 56.9 percent of people consider rising prices a very big problem—up from 37.4 percent in January.

“Clearly, the cost of living is making

(MS-OCT. 28, NOV. 4 & 11, 2022)

it tough for many Australians despite our economy and society coming out of lockdowns and opening up,” co-author Nicholas Biddle said.

“As the government aims to increase the wellbeing of all Australians with its first budget, cost of living and financial stress should be high on their agenda.” Xinhua

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

B4

FRIDAY, NOVEMBER 4, 2022

PLDT’s income increased by 45% to P27.4b in nine months

By Darwin G. Amojelar PLDT Inc. said Thursday net income grew by 45 percent in the first nine months from a year ago amid toughening economic headwinds.

The company said it posted a net profit of P27.4 billion from January to September, up from P18.84 billion it booked in the same period last year.

It said that net profit in the third quarter amounted to P10.64 billion, also up from P5.92 billion a year ago.

Telecom core income, excluding the impact of asset sales and Voyager Innovations, went up by 10 percent to P25.4 billion in the nine-month period.

“Our third-quarter performance has shown that the business continues to do well amidst external challenges—first COVID-19, then inflation and high interest rates, not to mention the everpresent typhoons’ and the indication so far is that the full year performance will be ahead of last year especially as the fourth quarter is typically a good one. We must focus and execute well,” said PLDT and Smart Communications president Alfredo Panlilio.

“Ultimately, PLDT’s main advantage is having three revenue engines with strong competitive and complementary positions. This has made the PLDT Group resilient in challenging times,” he said.

PLDT’s revenues amounted to P152.93 billion in the first nine months, higher by 6 percent than P143.85 billion in the same period last year.

The company’s enterprise business recorded P35.2 billion in revenues, up 9 percent year-on-year, while revenues of PLDT Home reached P42.7 billion, up by 21 percent year-on-year.

PLDT’s Individual wireless segment posted P61.7 billion in revenues, down from P65.1 billion last year.

“Enterprise seems to be our bright spot as we continue to empower businesses in their digital transformation and help promote the Philippines to be the next major ASEAN digital hub,” Panlilio said.

Sumitomo Mitsui buying additional P27-b RCBC shares SUMITOMO Mitsui Banking Corp., one of the largest financial companies in Japan, will increase its shareholdings in Rizal Commercial Banking Corp. from 4.999 percent of the total outstanding common stock to 20 percent in a transaction valued at more than P27 billion.

RCBC said in a disclosure to the stock exchange Thursday its board in a meeting on Nov. 2 approved the sale of 382,057,224 common stock to the Japanese bank.

“The transaction involves the sale to SMBC of 213,437,248 common stock held as treasury shares in the bank and the issuance to SMBC of 168,619,976 new common stock at the price of P71.00 per share,” RCBC said.

SMBC’s strategic investment would bring in P27.126 billion or $460.78 million of new core equity tier 1 capital to RCBC. RCBC said SMBC’s investment is part of its capital-raising plan to support long-term sustainable asset growth and investments in technology and cyber security and human resources.

“The proceeds from the investment will allow the bank to expand the core business in key customer segments – corporate, SME and consumer segments and retail markets such as high-net worth customers, mass affluent and mass market segments,” it said.

RCBC said both parties were working expeditiously towards the signing of definitive transaction documents. The completion of the transaction will be subject to the terms of the transaction documents, customary closing conditions and relevant regulatory approvals.

SMBC is one of the largest banks in Japan and is the commercial banking arm of Sumitomo Mitsui Financial Group with 269.7 trillion yen in total assets and consolidated total capital ratio of 16.02 percent as of June 30, 2022.

The investment in RCBC is in line with SMFG’s strategy to expand in select key Asian markets including the Philippines, Indonesia, Vietnam and India. Julito G. Rada

Business

BSP announces plan to raise policy rate by 75 basis points

By Julito G. Rada

T

HE Bangko Sentral ng Pilipinas is set to increase its benchmark interest rate by 75 basis points in the next policy meeting this month to match the US Federal Reserve’s adjustment of its policy rate Wednesday to rein in inflation in the world’s largest economy, Governor Felipe Medalla said Thursday.

“As expected, the Fed increased its policy rate this morning [Manila Time] by 75 bps. This supports the BSP’s stance to hike its policy rate by the same amount in its next policy meeting on Nov. 17,” Medalla said in a Viber message.

Medalla said the BSP deemed it necessary to maintain the interest rate differen-

tial prevailing before the most recent Fed rate hike, in line with its price stability mandate and the need to temper any impact on the country’s exchange rate of the most recent Fed rate hike.

“By matching the Fed’s rate hike, the BSP reiterates its strong commitment to its mandate of maintaining price stability by aggressively dealing with inflationary pressures stemming from local and global factors,” Medalla said.

The peso fell to 58.80 against the US dollar Thursday from 58.47 Wednesday.

The Fed’s latest rate increase brought the benchmark federal funds rate to a range of 3.75 percent to 4 percent. Rates are expected to peak at 4.5 percent to 4.75 percent in 2023, according to the US central bank’s own projections.

Medalla said the local interest rate hike would be “effective after the Nov. 17 meeting, so it is not ‘off cycle.’”

He said the BSP would remain vigilant in monitoring all risks to the inflation outlook and was prepared to take necessary policy actions to bring inflation toward a targetconsistent path where the average year-onyear headline inflation would be within the target band of 2 to 4 percent in the second

half of 2023 and in the full year of 2024.

Rizal Commercial Banking Corp. chief economist Michael Ricafort told Manila Standard in an email the latest 75-bps jumbo Fed rate hike for the fourth straight meeting was “widely expected by the US/ global/local financial markets.”

“The latest signals/reiterations on a local policy rate hike of as much as +0.75 on the next rate-setting meeting on Nov. 17, 2022 would help stabilize the peso, actual inflation and inflation expectations, on top of other measures in the policy tool kit,” Ricafort said.

He said the clear and specific signals from local authorities were unprecedented in a positive manner, in terms of greater transparency and forward-looking in nature, thereby promoting greater certainty for the economy and financial markets.

He also said this would create an environment more conducive for better planning and preparations for businesses/industries, consumers, other institutions and the general public.

The Monetary Board, the policymaking body of the BSP, raised on Sept.

22 the benchmark policy interest rate by 50 basis points to 4.25 percent.

PSE INDEX CLOSING Thursday, November 3, 2022 -50.13 PTS. 6,156.11

TOTAL VOLUME TOTAL TRADES TOTAL VALUE (IN PHP)

430,745,551 57,096 4,453,687,914.78

ADVANCES DECLINES

61 114

UNCHANGED

37

F OREIGN E XCHANGE R ATE Bangko Sentral ng Pilipinas • THURSDAY, NOVEMBER 3, 2022

Currency

Unit

US Dollar

Peso

United States

Dollar

1.000000

58.2240

Japan

Yen

0.006767

0.3940

UK

Pound

1.139300

66.3346

Hong Kong

Dollar

0.127397

7.4176

Switzerland

Franc

0.997307

58.0672

Canada

Dollar

0.729554

42.4776

Singapore

Dollar

0.705517

41.0780

Australia

Dollar

0.635300

36.9897

Bahrain

Dinar

2.653505

154.4977

Saudi Arabia

Rial

0.266134

15.4954

Brunei

Dollar

0.703037

40.9336

Indonesia

Rupiah

0.000064

0.0037

Thailand

Baht

0.026438

1.5393

UAE

Dirham

0.272279

15.8532

Euro

Euro

0.981800

57.1643

Korea

Won

0.000708

0.0412

China

Yuan

0.137193

7.9879

India

Rupee

0.012090

0.7039

Malaysia

Ringgit

0.211149

12.2939

New Zealand

Dollar

0.582300

33.9038

Taiwan

Dollar

0.031028

1.8066 Source: BSP

IN BRIEF ChinaBank’s net income hit P14.7b in 3 quarters CHINA Banking Corp. said Thursday net income jumped 31 percent in the first nine months to P14.7 billion from a year ago on higher top line revenues and core fee income.

ChinaBank said in a disclosure to the stock exchange the cumulative net profit translated into an improved return on equity and return on assets of 15.6 percent and 1.6 percent, respectively.

ChinaBank president William Whang said this demonstrated the bank’s strong business franchise and focused growth strategy. “We will continue to efficiently use our resources to fuel the bank’s growth, support our customers, and further drive economic recovery,” he said.

Net interest income went up 17 percent to P33.7 billion from higher volume of earning assets, offsetting the higher interest expense amid a rising interest rate environment. Net interest margin was maintained at 4.2 percent.

Fee-based income grew 6 percent to P8.3 billion supported by the continued recovery in core revenue streams, including service charges, fees and commissions, income from the sale of acquired assets and bancassurance. Julito G. Rada

TC to discuss MFN tariff rates on rice, pork THE Tariff Commission is set to hear the petition of Foundation for Economic Freedom Inc. to extend the effectivity of Executive Order No. 171 which cut the most favored nation tariff rates on imported pork, corn, rice and coal.

The trade measure, set to expire on Dec. 31, 2022 allows for the importation of key consumer goods at less tariff.

Farmers groups said, however, this put local produce at a disadvantage.

The public hearing, scheduled on Nov. 8, seeks to gather the comments and positions of affected industries.

The United Broilers and Raisers Association and the Federation of Free Farmers opposed the EO when it was approved by the Duterte administration in May 2022, following a spate of local and global incidents that led to supply disruption and rise in prices.

FFF said EO 135 reduced tariffs on rice imports from non-ASEAN countries from 50 percent to 35 percent for a year to reduce the country’s dependence on Vietnam and other ASEAN rice exporters. Othel V. Campos

GSIS IN CAMARINES NORTE. Government Service Insurance System president and general manager Wick Veloso (right)

awards the certificate of appreciation to Camarines Norte Governor Ricarte Padilla for donating a 500-square-meter land to be the site of the GSIS Camarines Norte Branch Office that will be constructed soon. A total of 10,000 members and 3,000 pensioners of GSIS based in Camarines Norte will soon experience greater convenience when they transact with the fund.

ERC asks power companies, grid operator to explain outages

By Alena Mae S. Flores THE Energy Regulatory Commission issued show-cause orders to two power companies and the transmission operator as part of the investigation on the unplanned outages of power plants with a combined capacity of 3,401 megawatts on Sept. 12.

It issued the show cause orders to Team Sual Corp., Masinloc Power Partners Co. Ltd. and the National Grid Corp. of the Philippines.

ERC commissioner Floresinda Digal said five other power plants that went offline in the period gave sufficient explanation, “per initial evaluation of the submission.”

The ERC said its task force determined that on Sept. 11 at 7:52 p.m., the

Bolo-Nagsaag 500-kilovolt transmission line tripped, caused by the breach of line clearance between Towers 138 and 139.

It said the task force found that a bamboo shoot helped cause the tripping of the power transformers in the Bolo substation and the Bolo-Nagsaag 400-kV Transmission Line 2.

The tripping then resulted in the overloading of the Bolo-Balingue 230-kV line, which triggered the implementation of the Northwestern II System Integrity Protection Scheme to prevent the grid from further degradation.

The ERC said TSC unit 2 tripped because of the actuation of the Northwestern II SIPS, where the unit was part of the designed action to mitigate system imbalance. However, TSC unit 1 also tripped

during the grid incident.

“As directed, we will reply to the ERC order to explain our side on this matter,” TeaM Energy said.

Meanwhile, the ERC said MPPCL’s generating units are connected to NGCP’s 230 kV Bolo substation.

The regulator said MPPCL’s unit 2 recorded a system voltage of up to 250 kV, which was within the allowable voltage variation and should have remained online.

The ERC said the PGC prohibits gencos from disconnecting from the grid during disturbances unless certain circumstances exist.

Meanwhile, the ERC said the bamboo shoot issue should have been prevented if NGCP had complied with the AntiObstruction of Power Lines Act.

Now is the best time to buy stocks—BDO unit DROPPING share prices might keep a lot of investors in the sidelines these days, but for stock market beginners, now is actually a good time to seriously consider buying stocks, according to BDO Securities Corp.

Data showed that from a high of 9,078.37 in January 2018, the 30-stock Philippine Stock Exchange index has plunged 32 percent as of October 2022 market close. The index was not able to get away with the global markets sell-off due to looming concerns of high inflation, the hawkish stance of global central banks and a strong US dollar against other major currencies.

“If you start accumulating blue chip shares now when its current value is lower than its medium-term historical average, just imagine the potential earnings upside should the index return to the 9,000 level as a result of our country’s unique business prospects,” said BDO Securities chief operating officer Bernhard Tsai.

“The PSEi may finally carry out a more significant rally once a successful re-test of the 5,700 support area is done. Once confirmed, take advantage of this unique opportunity to buy good valued stocks at levels lower than its medium-term historical average. Because in the long run, good companies like these blue chip stocks are expected to rise,” he said.

PSE clears LFM Properties’ listing by introduction

By Jenniffer B. Austria THE Philippine Stock Exchange said Thursday it approved LFM Properties Corp.’s listing by way of introduction or without an initial public offering.

It said in a notice posted on its website LFM Properties would list 25 billion common shares on the small and medium enterprises board of the local bourse tentatively on Nov. 9.

The shares will have an initial listing price of P0.107 apiece.

LFM Properties is eligible for listing by way of introduction after the board of parent firm Liberty Flour Mills Inc. declared for distribution 10.3 billion LFM Properties common shares to shareholders.

The property dividend declaration resulted in the distribution to LFM shareholders 69 LFM Properties common shares for every LFM common share they own.

Under Section 1(b) of PSE’s Amended Rules on Listing by Way of Introduction, listing may be appropriate where the se-

curities of an unlisted issuer are distributed by way of property dividend by a listed issuer to shareholders of the listed issuer.

LFM Properties will have P2.675 billion in market capitalization after the listing.

BDO Capital & Investments Corp. is the financial adviser on the transaction.

LFM earlier said its subsidiary would serve as a vehicle for possible real estate ventures and opportunities.

LFM is engaged in the business of manufacturing flour, utilization of its by-products and the distribution and sales of its produce.

Its subsidiary LFM Properties owns and operates the Liberty Plaza Building and Liberty Center Building at H. V. dela Costa in Salcedo Village, Makati City.

Rockwell Land Corp., Integrated Micro-Electronics Inc. and Altus Property Ventures Inc. were among the companies that also took the same listing route.

Companies that were listed in the local bourse by way of introduction are required to undertake the public offer within a year from listing.

MPIC DONATION. Metro Pacific Investments Foundation Inc., the corporate social responsibility arm of infrastructure conglomerate Metro Pacific Investments Corp., distributes 50 bicycles to members of the Aeta Community in Sapang Uwak, Porac, Pampanga. Through a beneficiary partnership with Neo Zigma Cycle Corp. and Interval Gear Events Management, MPIF mobilized the fifth leg of its Puhunang Pangkabuhayan program for alternative livelihood, with the help of the Pinatubo Eco-Adventure and Cultural Enclave Katutubong Anak ng Mount Pinatubo (and Alagang Kapatid Foundation Inc.

Sports

Riera U. Mallari, Editor; Randy M. Caluag, Assistant Editor FRIDAY, NOVEMBER 4, 2022

Nadal stunned by no. 31 Paul in opening tiff at Paris meet

NADAL BOMBS OUT.

Rafael Nadal of Spain returns the ball during the men’s singles second round match against Tommy Paul of the United States at the Rolex Paris Masters tennis tournament in Paris, France. Nadal lost, 3-6, 7-6 (7/4), 6-1. (Xinhua)

Former beauty queen Custodio crowned jiu-jitsu world champ

By Randy Caluag Kimberly Anne Custodio, left, in action Custodio FB

T

HE Philippines has another world champion in the fastest-growing martial arts sport of jiu-jitsu as former Ilongga beauty queen Kimberly Anne Custodio topped the women’s -45kg division of the 2022 JJIF Jiu-Jitsu World Championship late Wednesday night in Abu Dhabi, UAE. Custodio of Carpe Diem Brazilian Jiu-jitsu Manila, barely beat tough Kacie Pechrada Tan of Thailand in the finals, 6-4, after blanking all her previous three opponents.

With tears of joy on her face, she hugged her teammates after the electrifying gold-medal win.

Earlier, Custodio blanked another Thai in Sakaew Tadaporn, 14-0, in the semifinals; dominated Hamdah Al Shkeili of host UAE, 14-0, in the quarters and beat Romanian Adina Iulia Mi-

IM 70.3 Puerto Princesa girds for fast race THE IRONMAN 70.3 Puerto Princesa international field braces for a blistering race on a course positioned as a sprint distance and at the same time exacting when the premier endurance event is held Nov. 13 in Palawan.

Over 1,200 bidders from 26 countries are all geared up for the top triathlon event marking its first foray in what has been billed as a City in a Forest so rich in natural wonders and widely regarded as the “Gateway to Paradise.”

In nine days time, however, it could become a place of trial for the merry mix of triathletes all primed for the grueling test of speed and staying power in the 1.9km swim, 90km bike and 21.1k run on a course set up to international standards.

“We have a very fast, challenging and scenic racecourse and we are so delighted to share what we have been working on for a very long time,” said race director Neville Manaois.

The 1.9km (1.2-mile) swim course will fire off at the Puerto Princesa Bay Walk Park with the field next tackling a challenging 90km (56-mile) three-loop ride from the southern part of Puerto Princesa to the Iwahig Bridge. The closing 21.1km (13.1-mile) run will be held along the bay to the city center all the way to the finish line at the Ramon Mitra Jr. Sports Complex, according to the organizing The IRONMAN Group/Sunrise Events, Inc. Maynard Pecson clocked 4:45:28 in winning the IM 70.3 Subic last March, the first IRONMAN Asia event in two years while Germany-based August Benedicto timed 4:29:16 in topping the IM 70.3 in Cebu last August with Manaois confident of besting those times by the Puerto Princesa winner.

“For such a long time, we have dreamed of bringing the IRONMAN 70.3 to Puerto Princesa and now it’s here, we can’t help our excitement,” added Manaois, who also cited the host city’s all-out support through Mayor Lucilo Bayron.

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haila,9-0, in the Round of 16.

Pechrada took the silver while Tadaporn and Shkeili settled for a bronze medal.

Two other Filipino bets were not as fortunate as Philip Cristopher Alegre and Ashley Jeraine Baluyot lost their opening matches in the men’s -77kg and women’s -52kg divisions, respectively.

Custodio, who was crowned Miss Iloilo Dinagyang in 2004, was the silver medalist in the 2016 IBJJF World Championship in California, USA. Other female members of the eight-member Philippine team include multi-titled Meggie Ochoa, who will compete in the -48kg, and Jenna Kaila Napolis (-57kg) in the women’s side.

Other members of the men’s squad are Jan Vincent Cortez (-62kg), Brendon Max Pudan (-69kg), and Myron Myles Mangubat (-62kg.)

Ochoa, a back-to-back SEA Games champion, was a three-time world champion and two-time Asian Championships winner. She also bagged the bronze medal at the 2018 Asian Games in Indonesia and the gold at the 2016 Asian Beach Games in Vietnam.

Napolis was a silver medalist at the 2019 and 2022 SEA Games, 2018 Abu Dhabi World Tour Grand Slam (United Kingdom) and the 2017 Asian Indoor and Martial Arts Games (Turkmenistan), and a bronze-medal winner at the 2016 Asian Beach Games (Vietnam).

PARIS—Rafael Nadal crashed out of the Paris Masters in the second round on Wednesday after losing in three sets to American and world no. 21 Tommy Paul, 3-6, 7-6 (7/4), 6-1, and boosting Carlos Alcaraz’s hopes of finishing the year as world number one.

Nadal, who received a bye as second seed, was playing his first singles match in two months after spending time at home in Mallorca with his wife and newborn son.

The 22-time Grand Slam champion shook off an early break in the opening set by winning five of the next six games.

But Paul recovered from dropping serve in the third game of the second set to win a tie-break, having failed to convert a set point with Nadal serving at 4-5.

The Spaniard’s lack of match practice told as Paul dominated the final set, breaking three times to seal the biggest win of his career.

“I had the match (in my hands) in that second set with a set and break. I played a terrible game there. I didn’t deserve the victory playing that bad in that key moment,” said Nadal.

Nadal is a 14-time French Open champion but has never won the title at Bercy.

“A lot of things have been going on the last couple of months, without a doubt. But we are always ready to find excuses. At the end, it’s always the same. You play well, you win; you don’t, you lose,” he added.

Nadal said he expected to compete at the Tour finals in Turin from November 13-20.

“If nothing happens, I hope to be there. I’m excited about playing, even if it hasn’t been the perfect couple of months for me.”

Paul goes on to play Pablo Carreno Busta for a place in the quarter-finals.

Alcaraz, the reigning US Open champion, will play Grigor Dimitrov in the last 16 after defeating Japan’s Yoshihito Nishioka 6-4, 6-4.

The 19-year-old smacked 30 winners including nine aces despite a heavilytaped left knee, an issue he had downplayed on Monday.

“I tried to find my best level. I think I played really well. I don’t think about the pressure of being world number one,” said Alcaraz. AFP

Top Filipina fencer getting ready for US NCAA regionals

By Peter Atencio WITH improvements in her style, top Filipina bet Samantha Catantan is getting ready to compete in coming regionals of the US NCAA Fencing Championships.

Catantan got to know where she is in her preparations after snaring a bronze medal in the 42nd Temple Open Fencing Championship recently in Philadelphia, Pennsylvania.

“I’m happy with the way I fence as of now and I think I have enough time to actually be ready for December,” said Catantan, a former University of the East High School star under coach Amat Canlas.

The 20-year-old Catantan recently finished in a share of third and fourth places with Maia Weintraub of Princeton.

No. 1 fencer Zander Rhodes of Columbia

won the gold, while No. 15 Sabrina Cho of University of Pennsylvania settled for the silver.

Catantan lost to Rhodes, a former world champion in the cadet category, 15-8, in the semifinal round.

She was ahead, 7-5 at one point in the second round of her semifinal bout, but struggled the rest the match when she accidentally stepped on the foot of Rhodes while trying to initiate an attack.

Catantan believes that she is now ready for the regionals.

“For now, I’d say I’m around 85 percent in terms of being ready for the NCAA,” she said.

Catantan only had one win out of five bouts during the pooling, which resulted in her being ranked 37th going into the direct eliminations of the tournament.

From there, Catantan disposed of no. 28 Lee Bethany of JHU, 15-2, in the roundof-64, before turning back Penn State teammate Arianna Proietti, 15-7, in the round-of-32.

She got past Rowan Park of Northwestern, 15-12, in round-of-16 and Evelyn Cheng of Columbia, 15-10, in the quarterfinals.

The Garrette Open at Penn State, a dual meet later this month, will be up next for Catantan.

A stint in the World Cup in Serbia is also in the pipeline, before Catantan plunges into action in the regionals for the US NCAA. The US NCAA will have its national championship on March 24 to 27 at Duke University in Durham, North Carolina.

Samantha Catantan

De Ridder-Malykhin world title bout is main event at ONE PH ONE Championship promised a massive return to the Philippines, and the organization has kept its promise.

ONE Fight Night 5 just got a whole lot more exciting after the announcement that two-division king Reinier “The Dutch Knight” De Ridder will defend his ONE Light Heavyweight World Title against ONE Interim Heavyweight World Champion Anatoly “Sladkiy” Malykhin at the Mall of Asia Arena in the Philippines on December 3.

De Ridder, 16-0, has been one of the most active World Champions in ONE today. In fact, this will be the fourth time he’ll compete this year and, to no surprise, it will be against another champion.

This past February, De Ridder submitted ONE Welterweight World Champion Kiamrian Abbasov before jumping into a submission grappling bout where he faced multi-time

Reinier “The Dutch Knight” De Ridder

BJJ World Champion Andre Galvao in a MMA where he finished former ONE match that ended in a draw.

Middleweight World Champion Vitaly “The Dutch Knight” then returned to Bigdash in the first round via an inverted-

triangle choke to keep a stronghold on that weight class.

Facing another World Champion in Malykhin, De Ridder promises yet another banger.

“I run through champions. Watch me close out the year big,” De Ridder said in a social media post.

He won’t have it any easier against Maykhin, 11-0, who stormed through The Home of Martial Arts with much gusto over the past year.

After winning his first two fights via knockout, the Russian faced Kirill Grishenko in February to become the ONE Interim Heavyweight World Champion, and he’s been chasing a fight with current ONE Heavyweight World Champion Arjan Bhullar ever since.

While that fight hasn’t materialized yet, Malykhin’s position isn’t that bad now, as he is setting his sights on becoming a two-division World Champion and giving De Ridder his first loss.

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Sports

FRIDAY, NOVEMBER 4, 2022

From sickly child to world no. 1, golf’s Atthaya chases Tiger’s tail T

OKYO—Atthaya Thitikul took up golf as a sickly six-yearold to improve her poor health. Now she has joined Tiger Woods as one of the sport’s youngest world number ones.

Thai teenager Atthaya reached the top of the world women’s golf rankings this week after a stunning debut year on the LPGA Tour.

The 19-year-old from Thailand’s western Ratchaburi Province has won two tournaments on the US-based elite women’s tour and has 12 other top-10 finishes.

She became the second-youngest world number one in women’s golf history this week after New Zealand’s Lydia Ko, who was 17 when she first topped the rankings in 2015.

Atthaya also joined Ko and Woods in becoming the only golfers, male or female, to achieve the top ranking before their 22nd birthday.

“Being number one is pressure -- I don’t know how long I’m going to be number one in the world, but at least it’s just a ranking,” she told reporters at the LPGA Japan Classic, where she shot a one-under par 71 on Thursday in her first round since rising to the pinnacle.

“But what you have to do is improve yourself a lot. No matter where I am -- number one, 10, 20 or 100 -- I’m just trying to improve myself and be myself every day that I play, as a person and as a competitor as well.”

Atthaya might never have taken up golf if her grandfather had not recommended spending more time outdoors as a way to prevent the frequent illnesses that affected her as a child.

He suggested playing either golf or tennis, and after watching videos of both sports, the six-year-old Atthaya

Nineteen-year-old Atthaya Thitikul of Thailand tees off on the 9th hole during the final round of the BMW Ladies Championship golf tournament at Oak Valley Country Club in Wonju. Thai teenager Atthaya Thitikul will be looking to celebrate her stunning rise to the top of the women’s golf world rankings with another win at the LPGA Japan Classic which begins on November 4. AFP

thought that golf would be the least strenuous option.

Coming from a family of non-golfers, Atthaya had to push herself to succeed, but it did not take long before she was turning heads.

Record breaker In 2017, at the age of 14 she became the youngest player to win a professional tour event when she triumphed at the Ladies European Tour’s Thailand Championship.

Unable to turn professional until reaching the age of 18, she honed her game as an amateur over the next three years.

After earning her LPGA Tour card at qualifying school a year ago, she wasted no time in rising to the top.

“I didn’t think I would be number one in the world that fast, and I didn’t think I would achieve this in my first year on the LPGA as well,” she said.

“Overall, I’m feeling great, feeling grateful that this has happened this year.”

Nicknamed “Jeeno”, Atthaya is the daughter of a car wash business owner father and a hairdresser mother.

She enjoys the life of a normal teenager, and her Instagram page is full of photos of her fishing, sightseeing, relaxing with friends and working on her game.

She prefers visiting the mountains of Chiang Mai to lounging on the beach, and describes herself as a foodie.

She says she tries not to take golf too seriously, and thinks having a bad round is “not the end of your life”.

“I’m the one who takes it relaxed, smiling,” she said in an interview last year about her attitude on the course.

“I always think taking things in a positive way is best for golfers. You play on the course for four or five hours and your

Serena, Hamilton investors

investors, as were NFL quarterback Josh Allen and soccer stars Gareth Bale and Alex Morgan.

International investors included Andy Murray, Japanese baseball player Shohei Ohtani and Canadian ice hockey star Sidney Crosby.

Justin Timberlake was also named among TMRW Sports backers.

“We’ve been intentional about diversity of expertise, thought and backgrounds as we mobilized this strategic group,” McCarley said.

The golf venue will feature large screens for virtual tee shots and approaches and an on-site green area for chipping and putting.

McIlroy indicated that Woods, who turns 47 next month, planned to be among the players in the new league.

The tech-golf hybrid would do away with the walking issues that have been a major concern for Woods since suffering severe leg injuries in February 2021. He came back at this year’s Masters and also played the PGA Championship and British Open but struggled over 72 holes.

“Who knows where we’re going to see

MCLEEN Gomera endured a couple of quarterfinal scares and went on to string a pair of victories to dominate the PPS-PEPP San Carlos City national juniors championships at the SJRI Centermall courts in Negros Occidental last Monday.

Gomera repelled Herman Illusorio, 4-5(1), 4-1, 10-7, in the Last 8 phase of the boys’ 16-and-under play then trounced Carl Miasco, 6-2, 6-3, before beating Kenzo Brodeth via the same scoreline in the finals of the Group I tournament held in conjunction with the Pintaflores Festival celebrations.

The Bacolod, Lanao del Norte ace, who also swept two titles in the recent Buglasan Festival in Dumaguete, likewise needed to fight back from a set down to defuse Alekzander Po, 2-4, 4-2, 12-10, in the 18-U quarters. He then subdued Illusorio, 7-6(4), 6-3, before whipping Hans Cabellon, 6-2, 6-3, to complete another twinkill and bag the MVP honors in the country’s longest talent-search put up by Palawan Pawnshop president/CEO Bobby Castro.

Ormoc City’s Kimi Brodeth, meanwhile, failed to complete a third straight “double” after sweeping the 16- and 18-U titles at home and in Baybay, ruling the premier division with a 6-3, 6-4 victory over Bacolod City’s Hannah Divinagracia but yielding a 5-7, 4-6, 9-11 decision to the latter in the 16-U finals.

Other winners were Valencia, Negros Oriental’s Shara Paliwag and Kenzo Brodeth of Ormoc in 14-U, and Ma. Caroliean Fiel, also from Ormoc, and Matthew Morris, from Valencia, in 12-U class of the event presented by Dunlop and hosted by San Carlos City Mayor Renato Gustilo and Vice Mayor Christopher Carmona.

Paliwag hacked out a pair of tough three-setters, nipping Therese Gauran, 6-4, 6-7(4), 10-4, in the semis then edging Kate Imalay, 1-6, 6-0, 10-8, in the finals, while Kenzo Brodeth held off Kurt Barrera from Tayasan, Negros Oriental, 6-2, 7-5; and Fiel racked up another crown via a 6-4, 2-6, 11-9 win over Mae Castro, while the third-ranked Morris upended top seed David Sepulveda, 7-6(1), 6-4, in the tournament backed by ProtekTODO, PalawanPay, the Unified Tennis Philippines and UTR (Universal Tennis Rating).

Bucks rout Pistons for 7-0 slate; Cavs win

in Tiger-McIlroy tech golf venture NEW YORK—Serena Williams, Lewis Hamilton and Stephen Curry were among the global high-profile investors named Wednesday as backers of Tiger Woods and Rory McIlroy’s technology golf venture to start in 2024.

Woods and McIlroy unveiled plans in August for their new company, TMRW Sports.

TGL will feature golf shots by top players at a virtual layout in a custom-made venue in 18-hole, two-hour made-for television matches. Six three-man teams will compete in a regular season and playoffs starting in January 2024.

“Over the past year we’ve assembled a team of investors who will help deliver on the TMRW Sports’ mission to positively impact how sports are experienced in the future,” said Mike McCarley, TMRW Sports cofounder and chief executive officer.

Sports and entertainment icons who have invested in TMRW Sports include Williams, who moved on from tennis after the US Open in September, and seven-time Formula One world champion Hamilton.

Curry and fellow NBA stars Chris Paul, Jayson Tatum and Andre Iguodala were

brain is working hard already.”

Atthaya says she has struggled with other people’s expectations of her, but she has realised that “you should just be yourself” and play with freedom.

She is the second Thai player to top the women’s world rankings, after Ariya Jutanugarn, who was number one for 23 weeks between June 2017 and March 2019.

Atthaya is also the second player to reach the top ranking in her LPGA Tour rookie year, after South Korea’s Park Sung-hyun in November 2017.

Atthaya is trying to maintain a level head despite her rapid rise.

“Every day that you play golf, you can’t expect anything with it,” she said.

“You have to enjoy every single moment that you’re on the course because if you play bad today, you always have tomorrow.” AFP

Gomera scores twinkill in PPS

Tiger Woods of the United States and Rory McIlroy of Northern Ireland walk on the 14th hole during the second round of the 2022 PGA Championship at Southern Hills Country Club in Tulsa, Oklahoma.

Serena Williams, Lewis Hamilton and Stephen Curry were among the global high-profile investors named as backers of Woods and McIlroy’s technology golf venture to start in 2024. AFP

Tiger Woods play golf next, right?” McIlroy said. “We don’t know what his schedule is going to be. We don’t know how his body is going to be. AFP

LOS ANGELES—Giannis Antetokounmpo delivered another dominant performance Wednesday with 32 points as the Milwaukee Bucks extended their unbeaten start to the season with a 116-91 rout of the Detroit Pistons.

Milwaukee, the only undefeated team left in the NBA, improved to 7-0 courtesy of an impressive all-round offensive effort against an outgunned Pistons team.

Antetokounmpo hauled down 12 rebounds and provided four assists with five steals while Jrue Holiday provided offensive support with a 26-point salvo that included four three-pointers.

The outcome at Milwaukee’s Fiserv Forum was settled well before the end, with the Bucks taking a double-digit lead into the fourth quarter and increasing their advantage to 33 points late in the game.

Jordan Nwora (12 points), Brook Lopez (11) and Bobby Portis (10) also cracked double figures for Milwaukee while Saddiq Bey led the Detroit scorers with 22 points. The Pistons fell to 2-7 with the defeat.

In other games on Wednesday, Darius

Garland returned from a five-game injury absence to produce a sparkling performance as Cleveland notched their sixth straight win with a thrilling 114-113 overtime victory over the Boston Celtics.

Garland poured in 29 points with 12 assists and five rebounds while Donovan Mitchell once again underscored his value to the Cavs with a 25-point performance which included 11 points in the closing minutes of regulation and overtime.

Garland had not played since suffering a lacerated eyelid during Cleveland’s season-opening defeat to Toronto.

But the 22-year-old rising star showed no lingering after-effects from the injury as he teamed with Mitchell on Wednesday to clinch a victory which was confirmed when Boston’s Jaylen Brown missed a two-pointer on the buzzer.

“We came out really aggressive in the last five minutes and really happy we got the win,” said Garland after a victory that takes Cleveland to 6-1.

“After the first shot went through I felt good, the eye didn’t affect me or anything.

It’s good to be back.” AFP

Not because they are silent, there is nothing going on

IN most football fora that I’ve seen lately, there were so many negative comments about the Philippine Azkals. The apparent silence on the team’s preparation for the forthcoming 2022 Mitsubishi Electric Cup set in late December until early January next year seems to be the issue that most fans, especially those who identify as such only when the team is winning and when it is convenient, are bashing team manager Dan Palami and the Azkals management staff. There were toxic comments, too, comparing the men’s national football team to the success currently enjoyed by the women’s team.

Even the funding of the Azkals has been questioned when some individuals who subtly, meaning mema lang, inserted themselves into the discussion that the funding for the Azkals is not being diverted to other

national teams. Galing mo Boy! Magkano na ba nagastos mo sa team?

But moving on, the comments are valid, most of them anyway. And I share the frustrations of most of the fans, especially those who have done at least one good thing for the team. The Designated Kit Man caught with Palami a few days back and despite the bashers and the unsolicited advice that he has been hearing from know-it-all individuals and experts of Philippine football, he has this to say.

“Well right now, we are trying to determine who among the foreign-based players would be committed to join the Mitsubishi Electric Cup and from there, we will know the positions and the players that would occupy the rest of the squad.”

Palami said there is a current list of players but then again, this means nothing without their commitment when called up to the national training pool.

“Whoever is free and then we will check their schedules so that we can set friendlies. We intend to set friendlies this November and December,” he said.

Palami revealed that tuneup games against two countries are being ar-

ranged. He refused, however, to name the countries that will play tune-up games against the Azkals.

But one thing is for sure, the Azkals will have a camp before the Mitsubishi Cup and it will be in the Philippines. Palami said some players from the Azkals Development team will be called along with those coming from overseas. Some players who play for other clubs in the Philippines Football League are also being eyed to join the national pool. So fitness will not be an issue when the competitions begin. Palami says they are eyeing to set up the camp on November 13 until December 18.

“When confirmation is made on their availability to play for the country, then we will make the formal announcements [on who will be invited to the camp]. Indeed, we are talking to new players as well,” Palami said.

The Designated Kit Man saw the initial list of those who are being eyed to join the national pool, but unlike those who know it all, I will let Palami make the announcements soon.

At least 34 local-based players are on the list, coming from five teams playing in the

domestic league. But then again, this is just the initial list.

Palami then dropped another bombshell.

“We are in the last stages of shortlisting, choosing from a short list of coaches that are being considered to lead the Azkals in the Mitsubishi Cup. Shortlist meaning three to four names,” Palami added. Palami, however, gave no clue on who these coaches were being considered. “Basta lahat sila coaches,” he said.

Some moral lesson here: You don’t bite the hand that feeds you because the foot, whether the left or the right, will kick you out.

“Like what I have said before, we are doing a revamp of the Azkals. Expect some changes at the same time. The fact that we have been silent doesn’t mean that we have not been doing anything.

We just choose to keep our cards close to our chest. At the same time, we wanted the fans to focus on our women’s team who are doing very well. We are very happy for them,” Palami explained.

Just like most fans, Palami says the impact of the success of the women’s team means so much for Philippine

football in general.

“I think full support should be given to the women’s team and we wanted to give this time to bask in their achievement. And it serves also as an inspiration for the men’s team to hopefully do as well as our women’s team has gone,” he added.

While we are at it, has someone asked Dan Palami how much he has spent for the Philippine Azkals the past few years, to be more specific this past decade?

Baka barya lang nagastos mo Boy! On a personal note, please watch the next episode of 3PTS-Pambansang Tambayan ng Sports this Sunday, November 06, 2022, 2 to 3 p.m. at DZME 1530 kHz and the station’s FB page with The Designated Kit Man, Dennis Principe and Rommel Miranda. Interesting discussion is expected with Commissioner Bong Coo of the Philippine Sports Commission regarding her plans to advance sports in the country. Guests also include Veronica Litton and Chelsea Marie of the Manila Wrestling Federation, and the people behind the Philippine Ladies Tennis League.

Stay safe. Stay happy peeps!

Entertainment

Nickie Wang,, Editor Patricia Taculao, Editorial Assistant E-mail: lifeandshow.manilastandard@gmail.com FRIDAY, NOVEMBER 4, 2022

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DonBelle

headlines Star Cinema’s theatrical comeback A FTER making their loveteam debut in 2019 and starring in iWantTFC’s #1 Original Series, He’s Into Her, and Love is Color Blind – the highest-grossing Filipino film of 2021 – Donny Pangilinan and Belle Mariano reunite on the screen. The new project also serves as Star Cinema’s big screen comeback.

Donny (left) and Belle describe their roles in the film as something they’ve never done before

Belle (right) plays Ayef, an employee in a convenience store, while Donny plays Manny, the owner of a plant boutique shop

As Donny and Belle displayed their acting prowess, they became the “New Gen Phenomenal Loveteam.” In An Inconvenient Love, expect Donny and Belle to step into more mature and relatable roles that depict the sentiments of this age.

“It’s our honor to star in a movie that serves as Star Cinema’s comeback on the big screen. Here, you will see us portray characters that we’ve never done before,” the love team chimed during the movie’s grand media launch.

In Star Cinema’s comeback movie, Ayef (Belle) and Manny (Donny) reflect the view of this generation: a need for convenient love.

Ayef works in a 24-hour convenience store while striving to have an animation career in Singapore. On the other hand, Manny runs HalaManny, a plant boutique shop, and is also a secret social activist. After an unexpected meeting, they get along because of their shared belief in love – it is just another inconvenience. With the many sacrifices they already have on their plates, they agree to a contractual relationship but can they truly love with an expiration date?

After years in the pandemic, Star Cinema is finally making its cinematic comeback with An Inconvenient Love. Star Cinema has graced the theaters with its heartfelt stories touching Filipinos from different walks of life. With this generation growing up watching its films, Star Cinema movies feel like a homecoming.

It expresses the narratives and dreams of the Filipino people across film genres.

Its latest movie, An Inconvenient Love, promises to give a fresh and new take on our familiar romcoms especially since this is Petersen Vargas’s debut movie with Star Cinema.

Petersen previously directed the feature 2 Cool 2 Be 4gotten and Hello Stranger: The Series. His work revolves around authentically capturing the stories of the youth. While exuding the same warmth that Star Cinema films are known for, he goes out of the box in An Inconvenient Love as it explores the thrill of love with an expiration date. Truly perfect for the first theatrical release of Star Cinema this year.

An Inconvenient Love unspools in the cinemas on November 23.

‘An Inconvenient Love’ explores this generation’s need for a convenient love in their relationships

Donny Pangilinan (left) and Belle Mariano step into more mature and relatable roles in ‘An Incovenient Love’

…are talking about

PEOPLE

CJ Navato Graduating from school isn’t a race. Some people find it more rewarding to achieve milestones according to their volition. So when former Goin’ Bulilit star CJ Navato received his diploma, he smiled from ear to ear. Although CJ started his showbiz career early in his life, he pursued his dreams of higher education when the time was apt. May he inspire others to take time with their journey, enjoying it as much because some good things take time.

Viy Cortez During the onslaught of Typhoon Paeng, victims struggled for shelter from the heavy rains and high floods.

While most celebrities called for help with financial and physical donations, Viy, a famous local YouTuber, dedicated an entire’s day worth of income to buying rescue boats and materials to aid provinces in danger. She sets an example that when you have the means to do something good for others, you should use them without hesitation.

...are not talking about

Martin Del Rosario Halloween parties were all the rave during the previous week, with almost everyone donning their best costume to impress and enjoy the event. However, it seems that Martin went out of line by dressing as Jeffrey Dahmer, an American serial killer featured in a recent Netflix series. Unlike Freddy Krueger, Jason Voorhees, or Chucky, who are all fictional, Dahmer did irreparable damage to human lives, and Martin’s portrayal, even though done in the spirit of Halloween, is tactless.

Barbie Imperial After her altercation with sexy actress Debbie Garcia, Barbie now faces multiple complaints, including physical injury with grave defamation and slander. Many speculate that the conflict between the two actresses stemmed from Barbie’s jealousy of Debbie for being intimate with her ex-boyfriend, Diego Loyzaga. It’s the perfect example of why we shouldn’t let our emotions get the better of us because it can lead to more problems if left uncontrolled.

Riza Oben Dormiendo bags 1st FAME Best Icon Performance award RIZA Oben Dormiendo, Mrs. woman of Cabugao, Ilocos Sur, Amelia “Amytony” Sunio Philippines Face of Beauty Abarquez has since continued to pursue her advocacy of International 2019, won Best helping promote local tourism through her role as founder and ICon Performance by a Female chairperson of the Miss Tourism Philippines and Miss Tourin Anthony Brillantes’s The ism Queen Worldwide pageants.

Well-known for public and humanitarian service, Amytony, Power of An Icon at the 1st Manila International Fashion Film who is also a licensed nurse, operates several board and care Competition, held at The Cove, Okada Manila on Friday.

The inaugural Manila International Fashion Film Competi- homes for people with developmental disabilities for more tion or FAME Awards, presented by Maggie Garduque and than 20 years. She also heads the newly formed Global EnGANAP Magazine, had eight local and two international en- tertainment and Events Management, Inc. which presents the Asia Pacific Excellence Awards and the World Class Exceltries in the competition.

Lito Ordano’s Patayak Rutay, which starred Mrs. Universe lence Awards, among others.

Philippines 2019 Maria ChaThe Miss Tourism Philro Calalo, won Best Fashion ippines search is ongoing Film honors and awards for with the finals set in January editing, cinematography, and 2023, while the Miss Tourvisual effects, while Synthesis ism Queen Worldwide 2022 from the United Kingdom, just recently held at the won Best International FashWorld Trade Center Center ion Film honors. Best Director in Kuala Lumpur, Malaywent to Dave Cecilio for the sia. Miss Vietnam Lê Trần film Alas Kuatro, which also Bình An bagged the crown won best musical score and while runners-up were Miss makeup.

Philippines Lucky Faye ••• Angelie Erese (1st), Miss Ex-Cabugao Chile (2nd), Miss Nethercouncilwoman pursues lands Anastasia Fridman tourism advocacy (3rd) and Miss Thailand Mrs. Philippines Face of Beauty International 2019 AFTER serving as councilSamita Saejiw (4th).

Riza Oben Dormiendo

‘I-Witness’ features life-changing docus to mark its 23 years on air

‘I-Witness’ documentarists (from left) Howie Severino, Kara David, Atom Araullo, and Sandra Aguinaldo

THIS month, I-Witness invites viewers to take a journey with Kara David, Atom Araullo, Sandra Aguinaldo, and Howie Severino as they continue the legacy of sharing life-changing documentaries with four powerful stories to mark the show’s 23rd year on air.

In what can be considered a fitting conclusion to his two decades of documenting Jose Rizal’s life for television, Severino goes to Dapitan in “Ang Huling Pag-ibig ni Rizal” this November 5.

After years of living in the biggest and most glamorous cities in the world, Rizal was exiled to the remote town of Dapitan in Mindanao.

Like anywhere else, Rizal found love there. Howie and his team tell the touching and tragic story of a romance that both Rizal’s family and the church rejected.

The documentarists learn that amid this personal drama, Rizal produced grand feats in Dapitan that few remember today, including his biggest work of art seen only from a tall tower.

“Throughout my 20-year career as a documentarist at I-Witness, I’ve mined Rizal’s short but compelling life for stories again and again,” shares Severino. “Rizal’s four years in Dapitan was the last stage of his life when he put into practice all that he learned and left us a vision for what our nation could be. In the twilight of my own career, finally going to Dapitan to produce a story about Rizal’s remarkable years there is an appropriate and also sentimental way to cap my own years of telling stories about him on television,” he adds.

The following Saturday (November 12), Araullo delves into reclamation projects with his documentary “Hiram na Lupa.”

“We’re investigating a huge issue that has been hiding under our noses for

years,” Araullo explains. “More than a hundred reclamation projects are being planned, have been approved, or are ongoing all over the archipelago. These are major projects that have social, environmental, and even political dimensions. Affected communities have been sounding the alarm for a while. Now, we want to take a comprehensive look at the issue. Who gains from these projects? And do the benefits outweigh the costs?”

Meanwhile, David embarks on a different expedition in her story, “400 Kilometro,” airing on November 19.

“Matagal na akong nagbibisikleta.

Marami kang matututuhan – lumalakas ka, tumatatag, humahaba ang pasensya, nagiging mas considerate ka sa iyong kapwa, tapos nakatutulong ka pa sa pagbabawas ng polusyon. ‘Yung dokyu namin follows the journey of three cyclists. For one, it is in a way a personal challenge to prove that it’s never too late to cycle. For another cyclist, it’s a homecoming. And for the last cyclist, it’s her way of thanksgiving and giving back. It’s a celebration of life, strength, and camaraderie,” shares David.

Finally on November 26, Aguinaldo presents an eye-opening documentary about corneal transplants with “Sa Mata ni Joel.”

“The documentary opened my eyes to the fact that many Filipinos need a corneal transplant but there are not enough people who are willing to donate,” shares Aguinaldo. “I believe there’s a need to launch a campaign to spread awareness among Filipinos that they can donate their organs when they die so they can help others either live or lead better lives.”

Catch these four documentaries all Saturdays of November in I-Witness, 10:30 p.m, on GMA.

Life

Nickie Wang, Editor Patricia Taculao, Editorial Assistant E-mail: lifeandshow.manilastandard@gmail.com

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FRIDAY, NOVEMBER 4, 2022

MALLGOERS stepped into an out-of-this-world experience when SM Megamall recently launched its Christmas In Space-themed centerpiece to welcome the holidays.

Beside the mall’s 60-foot Christmas tree is Astro, a giant interactive astronaut with an LED face that displays different facial expressions - like happiness and playfulness, as it welcomes everyone to a unique intergalactic experience.

Also in the centerpiece is Mega Space Odyssey, an immersive LED space tunnel that takes shoppers to a new world where they can have a glimpse of the universe, explore spaceships, discover new galaxies, and meet cosmic friends.

The launch began with the lighting of SM Megamall’s 60-foot Christmas tree adorned with a shower of lights in nebula and shooting star designs. Mandaluyong Mayor Benjamin Abalos, Sr. led the tree lighting, and was joined by his granddaughter Ms. Universe Philippines 2021 - Mandaluyong Corrine Abalos, SM Supermalls President Steven Tan, SVP for Marketing Joaquin San Agustin, and AVP for Operations Christian Mathay.

It concluded with a special presentation depicting the journey of Santa and his new friends – the intergalactic heroes called Space Guards, to protect Christmas from invaders who wanted to halt Christmas.

Experience Christmas in space Step into outer space at the Mega Space Odyssey immersive LED space tunnel located at the Mega Fashion Hall of SM Megamall

Santa, together with intergalactic heroes Space Guards, help protect Christmas in Space

Emerging smartphone brand makes holiday season sparkle with flagship handset

The new realme 10 boasts unparalleled power efficiency among other features

WITH the highly successful realme 9 Series, the country’s leading smartphone brand for six consecutive quarters (based on IDC’s Q2 2022 sell-in report), is at full force once again to end 2022 with a bang.

Joining the realme Global for the first time, realme PH confirmed its local launch. This marks realme PH as one of the first countries to debut the realme 10.

The realme 10 is equipped with a MediaTek Helio G99 Processor, 90Hz Super AMOLED Display, and a 5000mAh Battery with 33W SUPERVOOC Charge.

These highly battery-efficient specs are complemented by a 50MP Color AI Camera, 200 percent Ultra Boom Speaker and an eye-catching 7.95mm Ultra-Slim Light Particle Design.

“As a brand that aims to be the tech lifestyle companion of every Filipino, we’ve always adapted to the needs of our consumers. Now that we have seen an increasing demand for battery and storage, we are introducing the realme 10 which will bring in #EpicPerformanceNewVision experience to our users,” shares Austine Huang, realme Philippines’ VP for Marketing Starting the number 10 series with unparalleled power efficiency, the realme 10 boasts the flagship-tier MediaTek Helio G99 Processor, the best 4G chip from MediaTek as of current. This allows for longer battery life for all-day entertainment, faster display, and overall reliable connectivity.

Pairing this powerful processor is a 90Hz Super AMOLED Display so users can enjoy a smoother scrolling and streaming experience when bingewatching their fave Christmas movies. To really feel that Christmas spirit, the realme 10 has a 200 percent UltraBoom Speaker that produces louder and clearer audio for that surreal audio experience when bopping to Christmas songs.

With the festivities during the holiday season, phone battery life and storage would be non-negotiable. With the realme 10, users don’t need to worry about their battery being drained because it has a 5000mAh Battery with 33W SUPERVOOC Charge that can power the phone from 0 percent to 50 percent in only 28 minutes.

In terms of storage, the realme 10 also comes with expandable RAM via Virtual RAM technology up to 5GB with Dynamic RAM Expansion for better multitasking and seamless performance.

The realme 10 also features a dedicated high-resolution 50MP Color AI Camera paired with Nightscape and Street Mode 2.0, catering to different mobile photography styles that can capture holiday memories anytime and anywhere. Like its predecessor, the realme 10 houses a minimalistic design with its 7.95mm Ultra-Slim Light Particle Design. realme PH launches the realme 10 together with realme Global Joining hands with realme Global, the realme 10 will make its official debut in the Philippines on November 9 at 3:30 p.m. (PHT). The launch will be streamed live on the brand’s official Facebook page.

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SM Megamall celebrates Christmas in Space with a 60-foot Christmas tree adorned with a shower of lights in nebula and shooting star designs

Press Play and ReWINEd

YEAR ago, I received an all-pink press kit filled with ‘90s-popular treats like ChocNut bars, Peter’s Butterball candies, PomPoms, Sweet Corn, Sailor Moon, and Barbie paper dolls, and a bottle of fine wine. The kit for the launch of ReWINEd: A Throwback Podcast was personalized with a note for “Tita Kate.”

‘ReWINEd’ always has funny stories or joytriggering memories

Yes, as a Tita in my late 30s, I find joy in listening to Jimpy Anarcon’s throwback podcast. As promised, it unpacks a lot of memories that will give you a nostalgic whiplash and take you back to the ‘80s, ‘90s, Jimpy Anarcon, media practitioner and content or early 2000s. Whether you are a Gen-Z, a creator behind ‘ReWINEd A Throwback Podcast’ millennial, or a boomer, the podcast offers a feel-good experience that makes you feel like served with a glass of wine, hence, the podcast you are part of the conversations. Just like in name.

Jimpy, a 26-year-old TV and pop culture real life, memories and conversations are best junkie knows his stuff, and is a naturally gifted conversationalist.

His years of experience as a media practitioner interviewing celebrities and hosting an online program for the country’s top entertainment website honed him to be the reliable host that he is today. With how the podcast episodes are structured, you wouldn’t think the podcast project is just a side hustle. He lovingly records and edits episodes at home, treating each like a baby.

While Jimpy is a legend when it comes to local teleseryes (name it, he has probably seen it), youthoriented shows, reality shows, sitcoms (like the timeless Friends series), and other celebrity tidbits, ReWINEd: A Throwback Podcast also takes us on a deep dive into Pinoy childhood, high school, and college memories. Even without social media years ago, it is ‘ReWINEd: A Throwback Podcast’ talks about nostalgic interesting to discover how many memories during the 80s, 90s, and early 00s

memories have been shared by Filipinos from all over the Philippines. In one of the episodes, I got the chance to chat with Jimpy and some friends about our toys growing up. There is richness in experience and memories that a good conversation can uncover. You can catch that in the early part of his playlist.

What I like most about ReWINEd is how each episode is packed with funny stories or joy-triggering memories. I thoroughly enjoyed eavesdropping on Jimpy’s conversations with the brains and creatives behind the country’s hit TV programs and being fed a lot of interesting anecdotes behind the scenes.

Reminiscing, as often mentioned in psychology features, helps us recall important moments in our life and bask in the positive emotions they bring. Sharing our thoughts and reflecting upon our feelings and experiences have the potential to help us recalibrate and redefine our identities. In my case, my curiosity as a 12-year-old kid was satisfied by ReWINEd’s episodes. My questions from more than two decades about the production and filming of teen-oriented anthologies T.G.I.S. and G.I.M.I.K. were answered. I also feel like I am part of reunions when Jimpy brings together stars from different shows or holds one-on-one exclusives with icons.

Jimps, as he is fondly called, by his friends and celebrities, works his magic each time. His sit-down interviews often include spilled secrets and never-before-heard trivia from his guests. I feel that more podcast listeners deserve to know about his platform.

Powered by Pipe Network, ReWINEd: A Throwback Podcast drops a new episode every Saturday on Spotify and Apple Podcasts. Grab that glass of wine and get ready for some Senti Sabado feels. Just press play and ReWINEd.

Pioneering spa boutique celebrates ‘National Pampering Day’ with focus on mental health IN OCTOBER 2022, specialized nail salon and spa boutique Nailaholics celebrated its seventh year coinciding with National Pampering Day. In the past celebrations, Nailaholics had supported several meaningful advocacies, mostly geared towards environmental preservation.

This year, the salon aims to tackle and support an issue that is relevant to one of society’s concealed predicaments today – our mental health.

As the country attempts to bounce back from three grueling years of the pandemic, Nailaholics purposely strives to pay more attention to something we have been taking for granted all those years – our health. Our health is not just physical but in totality includes our mental wellbeing.

“After three years of uncertainty and fear, we are finally gaining back a sense of normalcy and more courage to go on with our usual lives, or should we say, the ‘new normal’. However, with all the learnings and experiences, we also realize that there have been major effects on our mental health,” explained Abby Borja, Head of Marketing for R2 Group of Exclusive Brands.

“Whether you’re a CEO or an entrepreneur

bearing so much losses, a mother with so much to think about, a burnt-out healthcare worker, a new graduate full of doubt, a teenager who can’t have a social life – we all had our fair share of anxiety that developed through the course of the pandemic.

Some even lost loved ones unexpectedly or had a hard time recovering from illness themselves.

We just could not deny the unfortunate fact that we all bred some form of mental health concern, and there is a serious need to address this,” Borja added.

And so this year, as Nailaholics continues its annual legacy of promoting pampering for a good cause, the brand will support Mental Health Awareness through its chosen beneficiary – Hopeline Philippines.

HopelinePH by the Natasha Goulbourn Foundation provides free 24/7 suicide prevention and crisis intervention hotlines.

On October 27, Nailaholics invited its regular patrons and new clients to participate in its advocacy of making mental health a priority.

Ten selected Nailaholics branches participated nationwide. Free “Hope Manicure” was given when patrons donated at least P100 to HopelinePH.

Nailaholics celebrates its seventh anniversary by focusing on mental health by promoting pampering for a good cause