Manila Standard - 2022 November 7 - Monday

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HERO VS GIANT.

A kid holding a sword and a shield walks by a giant made of paper-mache or Higante during the opening of National Commission for Culture and the Arts (NCCA) Filipino Values month celebration at the Luneta Park on Sunday.

Danny Pata

VOL. XXXVI • NO. 264• 2 SECTIONS 12 PAGES • P20 MONDAY, MONDAY NOVEMBER 7, 2022 • www.manilastandard.net • mst.daydesk@gmail.com

P206.5b set for inflation ayuda Gov't subsidies, cash support to vulnerable sectors amid rising prices

By Vince Lopez

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HE government will be doling out P206.5 billion in subsidies and cash support to the most vulnerable sectors next year amid surging commodity prices brought about by global inflation.

The Department of Budget and Management (DBM) said this amount under the proposed 2023 national budget covers cash transfers and other subsidy programs of various agencies.

The Department of Social Welfare and Development (DSWD) will get a big chunk of the budget, with P165.40 billion allocated to various social assistance programs.

About P22.39 billion will also be provided for to provide medical assistance to indigent and financially incapacitated patients through the Department of Health (DOH).

The Department of Labor and Employment (DOLE), meanwhile, will get P14.9 billion next year for Tupad, a program that provides emergency employment for displaced, underemployed and seasonal workers.

The Department of Transportation (DOTr) will get P2.5 billion for fuel subsidies for the public transport sector.

The Department of Agriculture (DA) will get P1 billion to provide fuel assistance to corn farmers and fishers.

The DA recently issued updated guidelines to provide fertilizer vouchers Next page

House to ratify budget, okay 16 Palace pet bills

By Rio N. Araja and Macon Ramos-Araneta THE House of Representatives is set to ratify the proposed P5.268-trillion 2023 national budget and approve, on third reading, at least 16 to 18 priority measures of the Legislative-Executive Development Advisory Council (LEDAC) before Congress goes on

Christmas break on Dec. 17, Speaker Martin Romualdez said Sunday.

Congress will resume today its thricea-week plenary sessions after a monthlong recess to deliberate on important measures.

“Of course, on top of our priority list is the final approval or ratification of the proposed P5.268-trillion national budget.

We will have a budget before the end of the year,” Romualdez said.

Next page

Yulo takes silver in vault at world championships CARLOS YULO

CARLOS Yulo settled for a silver medal in the men's vault finals of the 2022 World Gymnastics Championships in Liverpool, United Kingdom late Sunday night (Manila time) Yulo, who finished with 14.950, relinquished the world title in the apparatus to Artur Davtyan of Armenia who garnered 15.050.

Ukraine's Igor Radivilov, who scored an average of 14.733, was at third place.

Yulo will still compete in the parallel bars in a bid to land on the podium.

AGRI SOLUTIONS. President Ferdinand Marcos Jr. meets with officials of Chen Yi Agventures to hear their suggestions on how to help farmers affected by the increase in fertilizer prices. This is part of government engagement with the private sector to hear the voices of those in the agricultural sector, the President added. Presidential photo

Search may stop for 17 still missing in Paeng’s wake

By Rio N. Araja THE Maguindanao provincial government will decide on Monday whether to continue looking for the 17 people who went missing in the aftermath of Severe Tropical Storm Paeng.

In an interview on radio dzBB Sunday, Maguindanao Provincial Administrator Cyrus Torreña said Paeng left at least 63 dead and 17 missing in the province amid floods and landslides.

Torreña said he scheduled a meeting with the Provincial Disaster Risk

Reduction Management Office to decide on their next move regarding the 17 people as the Philippine Coast Guard (PCG) already advised them to give up the search and rescue operations and shift to retrieval operations.

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1 dead, 10 hurt Bacoto junks link to Lapid slay, in bus bombing denies knowing killer Escorial in S. Kudarat TACURONG CITY, Sultan Kudarat—A passenger was killed and at least 10 others were injured when an improvised bomb went off inside a bus here at noon Sunday.

The Yellow Bus Lines (2588) was approaching the Tacurong City Integrated Transport Terminal in Barangay New Isabela City when the bomb exploded.

“It occurred at the rear portion of the bus while it was heading toward the bus terminal shortly before noon,” Col. Christopher Bermudez, Sultan Kudarat police director said in a radio interview.

The injured were rushed to St. Louis Hospital, less than 400 meters away.

Bermudez said extortion is one of the angles that they are looking into at the Next page

THE alleged second middleman in the killing of broadcaster Percival “Percy Lapid” Mabasa, Christopher Bacoto, denied knowing confessed gunman Joel Escorial, his lawyer said Sunday “He was surprised, he did not know him. But so far he also does not know the reason (behind it),” said lawyer Salvador

Quimpo, legal counsel of Bacoto, who is also known as Jeric Sandoval.

The denial came a day before the National Bureau of Investigation is set file cases against more people involved in the killing of Mabasa.

Justice Secretary Jesus Crispin Remulla Next page

COVID infection in NCR at 5-month low

By Willie Casas THE COVID-19 positivity rate in the National Capital Region (NCR) has gone down to 8.9 percent, the lowest positivity rate in the region since July 4, according to the independent monitoring OCTA Research Group.

According to OCTA fellow Dr. Guido David, the seven-day positivity rate in the NCR decreased to 8.9 percent as of November 2 from 10.7 percent on October 26.

The positivity rate refers to the percentage of people who were found Next page

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MONDAY, NOVEMBER 7, 2022

mst.daydesk@gmail.com

Paeng toll at 156, damage at P4.3b

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HE death toll due to typhoon “Paeng” has risen to 156, the National Disaster Risk Reduction and Management Council (NDRRMC) said in its bulletin released on Sunday.

As of 6 a.m. November 6, 141 people have been injured, while 37 others are

still missing, the NDRRMC said.

Damage to infrastructure is pegged at P4.3 billion, while agricultural damage is now at P3.08 billion, the report showed.

Of the 1 million affected Filipinos, 954 individuals are still in evacuation centers.

The government has released P167.49-million worth of assistance, the NDRRMC said.

At least four regions have been placed under a state calamity for six months to allow the government to hasten its relief and recovery efforts in areas badly-hit by the typhoon.

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investigation conducted by the agency’s main office.

“There was no question about the distribution of food packs to 500 people who queued the line on that day because all of them received the food,” he said.

“What Mayor Chua was complaining about is that the DSWD personnel would ask for various documents from those seeking help,” he added.

He stressed it is the agency’s policy that during calamities, the ones asking for aid must have be able to present an identification card, or if not, they must be in the list of the local government unit or the barangay has endorsed the beneficiary.

He maintained that their personnel in Region 4A just followed the correct policies.

“The problem arose when out of the 500 people from the LGU, only 200 of them were on the list, while the barangay officials could not identify the remaining 300 at the payout site,” he said.

“We need to present to the Commission on Audit a proof if we are asked who the beneficiaries or where the cash aid went to,” he added.

In July, Tulfo directed the removal of the indigency and residency certificate, barangay ID and other documents as requirements for receiving aid from the DSWD in times of calamity.

“They (LGU) brought the people to the payout site but out of the 500 supposed beneficiaries, 200 had IDs or had been identified by the barangay.

The rest were not listed (at the LGU) or not known by village officials,” he added.

“I’m sure, Mayor Chua knows that and he understands all these COA rules.

Last Friday, we explained to him, and everything was already settled for all parties,” he said.

Meanwhile, some towns and cities in Samar and Leyte, including Tacloban, have declared a suspension of classes and work on Tuesday, Nov. 8, to commemorate the 9th anniversary of Super Typhoon Yolanda.

In separate executive orders, Mayors Alfred Romualdez, Ed Ong, Remedios Petilla, and Percival Ortillo Jr. suspended classes in all levels and work in government offices in Tacloban City, Carigara, and Palo in Leyte, as well as in Marabut town in Samar.

HELP FOR MARINDUQUE.

Volunteers from the House of Representatives and Philippine National Police (PNP) on Friday morning load a truck with 47 sacks of assorted goods,100 sacks of rice, and 50 boxes of corned beef, for Severe Tropical Storm Paeng victims Sta Cruz, Marinduque. Rep. Lord Alan Velasco will distribute the relief goods. The House of Representatives is on its sixth day of relief operations initiated by Speaker Martin G. Romualdez. Ver Noveno

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to farmers to boost production under the National Rice Program.

Under Memorandum Order 65, the project will cover regions planted with inbred and hybrid rice seeds except for the National Capital Region (NCR) and the Bangsamoro Autonomous Region of Muslim Mindanao (BARMM).

The DA will provide fertilizer vouchers to eligible beneficiaries which will be used in acquiring urea fertilizers in a bid to cushion the potential impact of “under application of urea fertilizer to palay production and ultimately food security.”

“The use of fertilizer vouchers offers an alternative to farmers with lowered purchasing power to buy a sufficient volume of urea recommended for their rice area,” the DA said.

A supplemental fund from an unprogrammed regular agency fund, over and above the 2022 General Appropriations Act (GAA) budget has been released to enable rice farmers to meet the recommended urea fertilizer “thereby, securing rice production in the country,” the agency added.

Other budget allocations in specific programs under the 2023 National Expenditure Program include P115.6 billion for the Pantawid Pamilyang Pilipino Program (4Ps); P 25.3 billion for Social Pension for Indigent Senior Citizens (SPISC); P19.9 billion for Protective Services for Individuals and Families in Difficult Circumstances (PSIFDC); and P4.4 billion for Sustainable Livelihood Program (SLP).

Meanwhile, the Universal Access to Quality Tertiary Education (UAQTE) Program will receive P 47.4 billion to

subsidize higher and technical-vocational education while about P100.2 billion will be allocated for implementing the National Health Insurance Program (NHIP) of the Philippine Health Insurance Corp. to ensure affordable and inclusive health care.

The DBM said about P1 billion was also set aside for the COVID-19 compensation package that will cover an estimated 65,293 health care workers and PHP 19.0 billion for the public health emergency benefits and allowances of 526,727 health care workers.

Earlier, President Ferdinand Marcos Jr. ordered continued support to the most vulnerable sectors in the form of distribution of cash transfers and fuel discounts to help cushion the impact of rising inflation.

The President made the directive after inflation in October shot up to an almost 14-year high of 7.7 percent from 6.9 percent in September, driven by faster increases in the prices of food and nonalcoholic beverages.

“These (cash transfers and fuel discounts) will be part of the government's key response to rising inflation even as we continue to build on climate action and food security,” Office of the Press Secretary officer-in-charge Cheloy Garafil said.

Garafil said Mr. Marcos also committed to support farmers and other stakeholders in agriculture in post-disaster recovery, while improving the value chain and investing in climate-smart technologies remain a priority in the medium and long-term.

“The President has also directed concerned agencies to invest in innovations and technologies to make our communities and businesses resilient amid extreme weather challenges,” Garafil added.

1 dead,...

angle is among the possible motives the police are taking into consideration,” he said.

From A1 In the past, the bus firm plying the Davao-General Santos-Koronadalmoment while they are still determining Tacurong-Kidapawan route had been the identities of the attackers. repeatedly subjected to bomb attacks “We are still investigating, the extortion and arson.

Bacoto...

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said investigators are still planning to talk to two or more people who are “very high in the chain of the Percy Lapid case."

He said the masterminds of the murder may also soon be unmasked.

Based on his supplemental affidavit, Escorial said Bacoto was his childhood friend in Leyte. He said Bacoto is also called “Yoyoy” in the province.

Escorial said he found out that Bacoto was also using another name “Jerry Sandoval” after he watched a report that he had an encounter with the Philippine Drug Enforcement Agency Escorial said Bacoto was calling him every night using a different

cellphone number. Last September 28, Bacoto called Escorial to get updates on the alleged contract killing.

Escorial said there was nothing to report, as they were still trying to figure out how to get to Mabasa.

He said he also gave Bacoto P70,000 from the P550,000, which was paid to him for killing Mabasa.

Asked how he gave the money to Bacoto since he was in prison, Escorial said Bacoto had the money deposited in an account of a certain woman.

Escorial also presented a transaction slip dated October 5 that allegedly showed the deposit.

The investigators and officials of the National Bureau of Investigation (NBI) held a meeting to finalize the complaints that were to be filed against the people behind the killing of Lapid and the other middleman Cristito Villamor-Palaña.

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He said taking this advice would mean they expected no more survivors.

Torreña said fewer than 4,000 people remained in evacuation centers.

Meanwhile, Speaker Martin Romualdez on Sunday thanked his colleagues at the House of Representatives and the private sector for responding to his call for cash and in-kind donations to assist victims of Severe Tropical Storm Paeng.

The repacking of relief goods in Congress wound down as nearly all donated items were dispatched and delivered to communities requesting aid.

The relief operations, however, will continue and incoming donations will just be moved to a nearby warehouse for safekeeping prior to delivery to communities affected by Paeng since the House of Representatives will resume its regular sessions today.

The Speaker previously made an appeal on his Facebook page for aid of whatever kind on behalf of Paeng victims, to which many representatives and donors from the private sector responded with an outpouring of donations.

The relief drive has accumulated a total of over P26 million worth of “in-kind” donations and pledges such as blankets, food items, and toiletries, as well as over P49 million in cash donations and pledges.

The Speaker also thanked Department of Social Welfare and Development Secretary Erwin Tulfo for helping his colleagues whose constituents were affected by Paeng through the department’s Assistance to Individuals in Crisis Situation program.

Tulfo on Sunday said the officers and personnel in Region 4A have done nothing wrong in the distribution of cash aid to typhoon victims Paeng in Noveleta, Cavite amid complaints of Mayor Dino Chua.

He ordered Region 4A director Barry Chua and Assistant Director Mylah Guitterez to go back to their posts after they were temporarily transferred to the DSWD central office on Nov. 3.

His decision was the result of an

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positive for COVID-19 among the total number of individuals tested.

“The peak positivity rate in this current wave was 19.1 percent on October 4,” David said in a tweet.

David said the COVID-19 reproduction number in the region was at 0.65 as of October 31, with a one-week growth rate of -35 percent.

The OCTA research fellow said the seven-day average of new cases in the

NCR also went down from 411 to 269 as of November 3.

David said this is equivalent to the average daily attack rate (ADAR) of 1.87 per 100,000 population.

ADAR is the number showing the average incidence of new cases in a period per 100,000 people.

Healthcare utilization remained low at 27.8 percent, while ICU occupancy was at 21.6 percent.

“If current trends continue, this would project to less than 100 new cases per day in the NCR by end of November,” David said.

PCUP inks pact with DOLE, aids effort for poor

By Rio N. Araja THE Presidential Commission for the Urban Poor and Department of Labor and Employment are set to sign a memorandum of agreement to strengthen their partnership in providing genuine service to the country’s marginalized and underprivileged sectors.

PCUP chairperson Elpidio Jordan Jr. discussed with DOLE workers’ welfare and protection cluster Assistant Secretary Dominique Rubia-Tutay and labor employment officer Erickson Magisa pointers on how to expand their partnership.

This would give broader access for urban poor groups to avail of livelihood and employment opportunities.

Under its mandate, PCUP serves as a link to government agencies in fulfilling its responsibility of promoting and protecting the rights of urban poor organizations and communities, including informal settler families, and providing them with assistance aimed at improving the plight of the poor.

Jordan vowed to stand firm in their mandate to support the pro-poor initiatives and poverty alleviation program of President Ferdinand Marcos Jr. “We will not leave a single stone unturned in helping our urban poor,” he said.

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The budget, Romualdez said, would provide social safety nets for the people and help them recover from the economic displacement caused by COVID-19.

“We will work harder for our economy to recover with agriculture as the major engine for growth and employment,” he said.

He also said 16 to 18 measures of the Common Legislative Agenda listed by the LEDAC would likely be passed.

“We will also speed up the passage of LEDAC-priority bills, including the E-Governance Act and E-Government Act, in response to the appeal of President Ferdinand Marcos Jr.,” he said.

Other LEDAC measures considered as priority by the House are the Medical Reserve Corps, Virology Institute of the Philippines, National Disease Prevention Management, Mandatory Reserve Officers’ Training Corps and National Service Training Program, Amendments to the Build-OperateTransfer Law, Condonation of Unpaid Amortization and Interests of Loans of Agrarian Reform Beneficiaries, Valuation Reform, Passive Income and Financial Intermediary Taxation Act, Internet Transaction Act, Government Financial Institutions Unified Initiatives to Distressed Enterprises for Economic Recovery, Department of Water Resources, The New Philippine Passport Act, Waste-to-Energy Bill, The Magna Carta of Barangay Health Work, and National Government Rightsizing Program.

Senate President Juan Miguel Zubiri said they will continue deliberations on the proposed P5.268-trillion budget when the 19th Congress resumes Monday.

He said he expects the bicameral approval finished by the second week of December.

“With the hard work and commitment of all our fellow senators, we expect to have two weeks of marathon plenary deliberations, and hopefully we can have it approved on third reading in the Senate as early as the third week of November,” he said.

Zubiri said the sub-committees carefully combed through the agencies' programs and spending even after the session adjourned on Oct. 1.

Senate Minority Leader Aquilino Pimentel III said in a radio interview that he and Senator Risa Hontiveros will be “friendly” during deliberations, although they still have questions regarding intelligence and confidential funds.

He was referring to those of the Office of the President, Office of the Vice President, Philippine Drug Enforcement Agency, Philippine National Police, Department of the Interior and Local Government, Energy Regulatory Commission, and the Department of Public Works and Highways.

If slashed, Pimentel said, these funds can be realigned to food production, senior citizen benefits, and housing.

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ith a deep sense of pride, I am happy to report to our people that on our first 100 days, your House of Representatives manifested unwavering commitment to pass pro-people measures, particularly those in support of the legislative agenda of our beloved President, Ferdinand “Bongbong” R. Marcos, Jr.

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We rolled up our sleeves and worked hand in hand to ensure collective and responsive action on all pending bills and resolutions, including priority bills in the legislative agenda of our President.

From day one, our mission was clear: Help resuscitate the pandemic-battered economy and make economic transformation the main engine to uplift the lives of our people.

House officials witness signing of SIM Registration Act. President Ferdinand “Bongbong” Marcos, Jr. signed on October 10, 2022, RA 11934, or the Subscriber Identity Module (SIM) Registration Act, to effectively counter the proliferation of cybercrimes in the country, including identity theft and online fraud. The House contingent who witnessed the signing was led by Speaker Ferdinand Martin Romualdez, a staunch proponent of the anti-cybercrime measure. RA 11934 is the first legislative measure signed by the Marcos, Jr. administration.

Towards this end, before we adjourned our session last September 28, we approved on second reading as well as on third and final reading the proposed P5.268-trillion “Agenda for Prosperity” 2023 national budget, the most important legislative proposal Congress is tasked to tackle every year.

Driven by a deep sense of urgency, combined with the detailed scrutiny from our colleagues in the minority, and the tireless and unceasing cooperation of our fellow civil servants from various agencies in the Executive Department, we were able to hammer out in no time, the best possible version for approval on third reading of HB 4488, or the proposed spending plan for 2023.

I am confident that our good senators would also act with dispatch in order for both houses to ratify the budget bill in time for the signature of the President before the end of the fiscal year.

Shortly after the 19th Congress convened, the House adopted Concurrent Resolution No. 2, which supported the 2022-2028 Medium Term Fiscal Framework of the national government.

To my knowledge, this is the first time our legislators fully committed themselves to a medium-term fiscal plan that would serve as the anchor for the annual spending and financial plan of the national government.

On our last session day on September 28, we also ratified two bicameral conference committee reports: the proposed Subscriber Identity Module (SIM) Registration Act as well as the postponement of the December 2022 barangay and Sangguniang Kabataan elections, which are included in the 32 Common Legislative Agenda (CLA) of the Legislative-

Speaker’s Report: The first 100 days of the House of Representatives Executive Advisory (LEDAC).

Council the 218 tackled by the 18th Congress and 104% higher than the 209 measures discussed On behalf of the House of during the 17th Congress.

Representatives, I have extended my gratitude to President Data from the House Marcos for signing into law Committee on Rules showed that last October 10, 2022 the SIM the House of Representatives Registration Act (Republic Act passed on third and final reading No. 11934), the first Congress- 37 national bills, a 106-percent approved measure enacted into increase over the 18 measures law under his administration. approved on final reading by the 18th Congress and 517 percent This Act signifies the higher compared to six measures President’s recognition of approved on third reading the need to put in place mea- during the 17th Congress over sures that would protect the same period. Likewise, the Filipino consumers against House adopted 20 resolutions, cybercriminals and online approved 11 bills on second scammers. reading, and reported out 63 committee reports.

Similarly acting with dispatch, the President subsequently The number of bills the signed into law on the same House handled per session day the measure to postpone day averaged 19, versus 11 in the barangay and Sangguniang the previous Congress, or an Kabataan elections (Republic improvement of 70 percent Act No. 11935). and 246 percent better than the 5 recorded during the 17th Record Number of Measures Congress.

Processed Also within that period, a Within the 23 session days, greater number of measures— the House of Representatives totaling five thousand six processed a total of 427 hundred and ninety-six (5,696)— measures, 96 percent more than were filed by our members,

Speaker Romualdez spearheads swift passage of 2023 budget. Speaker Ferdinand Martin Romualdez helmed the swift passage on Sept 28, 2022 of the proposed 2023 national budget amounting to a record Php5.268-T. The appropriations measure was structured to bolster the economy’s fundamentals amidst a depreciating Peso against the US Dollar as well as rising inflation.

Speaker Romualdez commits House support to Malacanang’s legislative agenda. Speaker Ferdinand Martin Romualdez vowed the expeditious passage of bills certified as urgent by Malacañang during the Marcos, Jr. administration’s first Legislative-Executive Development Advisory Council (LEDAC) Meeting on October 11, 2022. Among the measures tackled were the newly-signed RA 11934, or the SIM Registration Act, the proposed E-Governance Act, amendments to the EPIRA Law, national government rightsizing, and a number of healthcarerelated measures to better address the ongoing COVID-19 pandemic, among others.

showing clear passion and of Congress and we aim to work dedication to their constituents equally hard for the additional 10 measures under the CLA. and their advocacies.

Priorities for Recovery and Progress

As Speaker of the House, I am inviting stakeholders from the Executive and Judicial Branches as well as all private sector stakeholders to join us in deliberating and scrutinizing these measures to ensure that only the best possible version is reported out by the House of Representatives.

During the first meeting of the LEDAC that President Marcos convened on October 10, the House of Representatives committed to pass with dispatch the remaining 30 vital measures for job creation, health, and economic recovery to protect What we have accomplished the country’s most vulnerable at the House of Representatives people. is indicative of our members’ On the part of the House positive response to the clarion of Representatives, we can call of President Marcos for invoke Rule 10, Section 48 of unity. our House rules of procedure, I am confident that by authorizing the committees to dispose of priority measures working together we can pass already approved on third and the priority legislation necessary final reading in the immediately to realize our shared aspirations preceding Congress, to hasten for a better life for all our people. approval of any covered bill.

Bills on the 20 priority measures enumerated by President Marcos in his State of the Nation Address (SONA) have already been filed in both houses

Ferdinand Martin G. Romualdez Speaker House of Representatives 19th Congress

Speaker Romualdez joins quake relief efforts in Abra. Speaker Ferdinand Martin Romualdez joined President Ferdinand “Bongbong” Marcos, Jr. and other national government officials in Abra shortly after a magnitude-7 earthquake hit the province on July 27, 2022. Speaker Romualdez pledged the House’s support for the reconstruction and rehabilitation of Abra’s infrastructure as well as financial assistance to affected residents.

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Body parts found

by US cops belong to missing Pinay

MARIAN PROCESSION.

A religious procession dubbed “Walk with Mary” is being held at dawn from LapuLapu City hall to the Nuestra Señora de Regla Parish National Shrine in Barangay Poblacion, participated in by thousands of devotees.

Alan Tangcawan

THE Amador County Sheriff’s Office in Plymouth, California has confirmed that body parts found over a wide area on Jackson Road belonged to missing Filipino-American Alexis Gabe.

The sheriff’s office, in a statement, said they received an anonymous tip in the afternoon of November 3 about the discovery of the remains in the county’s west end.

Forensic examination showed that the remains matched the dental records of Gabe.

“After the search was completed, a board-certified forensic odontologist, utilizing known dental records from the victim, was able to identify the remains as belonging to the missing Gabe.

All pieces of evidence collected by the Amador County Sheriff’s Office were turned over to Oakley Police Department detectives, as well as to the Contra Costa County Coroner’s Office to determine the manner and cause (of death of the victim),” the sheriff’s office said.

Crime scene investigators, assisted by a K-9 unit and local authorities combed through the area and collected more evidence.

Authorities said they believe the killer scattered the other body parts in several areas.

Gabe was reported missing last January.

She was last reported to be going to the house of her ex-boyfriend Marshall Curtis, 27, in Oakley, California.

Curtis became a suspect in the case.

Based on CCTV footage and digital forensic examination, it appears that the victim was killed by a suspect who was eventually killed by a US marshal serving arrest warrant on him over Gabe’s murder.

Gabe’s family meanwhile appealed for privacy.

Solon urges DOH to address sloppy anti-leptospirosis drug allocations F

ORMER Health Secretary now Iloilo Rep. Janette Garin has expressed grave concern over the shortage of antileptospirosis drugs in areas hit by the recent typhoons.

Garin urged the Department of Health (DOH) to make doxycycline, an anti-biotic prophylaxis that prevents infection, readily available for leptospirosis patients particularly those staying at evacuation centers in typhoon-hit localities.

Garin, a physician by profession, noted that local government units LGUs) in the municipalities gravely affected by tropical storm Paeng were having difficulty securing doxycycline because the medi-

cines were stored in the regional offices.

“Leptospirosis is a preventable disease, pero ang nangyayari sa atin huli na yung prophylaxis na para sana sa prevention (...but what is happening, prophylaxis which is supposedly for prevention is coming late) Doxycycline should be initiated as soon as possible for it to be effective,” Garin said.

She said the drug should be given to barangays and schools as a preventive meas-

ure against leptospirosis, which usually occurs in dirty flood waters during calamities.

She said while the government has prepared a total of P31 million worth of medicines and other supplies, the drugs remained inaccessibly for the masses.

“When the typhoon hits, roads become impassable, bridges are damaged making it impossible for the LGUs to get the doxycycline supplies.

Kaya paano na ma-pickup yung gamot? So nawala na ang importansya nito para sana sa prevention (So how can they get the medicine? We lost the importance of this drug which is supposedly for prevention),” she lamented.

In her district alone, Garin said it took them six days to get doxycycline for individuals affected by Paeng.

Garin expressed hopes the DOH will review its policy on storing drugs like doxycycline which she said was extremely vital in preventing leptospirosis during calamities.

“We are proposing a more practical and responsive solution to prevent leptospirosis. We should target zero leptospirosis post-flooding.

We are after the protection because leptospirosis easily reaches an irreversible stage. Prevention is still the best,” she said.

Pagadian residents seek police protection amid political killings PAGADIAN City residents are asking for heightened police visibility in Zamboanga del Sur to check alleged political violence in the province.

The people cited in particular the recent killing of former municipal administrator Richard Camanian Cabilan who was shot dead inside the Department of Agriculture (DA) compound in Dumingag town.

Cabilan’s murder was reportedly the second shooting incident inside a government compound in the province in less than a month, the first being at the Zamboanga del Sur provincial complex.

The two incidents have instilled fear among government officials and employees in the province, notably in Pa-

CA junks motion to quash by Vhong accuser Cedric Lee COMEDIAN and television host Ferdinand “Vhong” Navarro scored a legal point after the Court of Appeals (CA) denied a motion by businessman Cedric Lee to quash the serious illegal detention charge lodged against him by Navarro.

In a 12-page decision penned by Associate Justice Angelene Mary Quimpo-Sale, the CA’s Seventeenth Division affirmed the 2019 order issued by the Regional Trial Court of Taguig City denying Lee’s motion to dismiss Navarro’s complaint.

Lee filed a motion to dismiss the case after the trial court denied his demurrer to evidence in an order issued on May 27, 2019.

The trial court junked Lee’s appeal after e4stablishing that it was essentially a second demurrer to evidence which cannot be entertained and that the Rules of Court does not provide for a remedy of a motion to dismiss.

According to the appellate court, Lee failed to substantiate his claim that the trial court committed grave abuse of direction in denying his motion.

“Petitioner, in his motion to dismiss before the trial court also argued that even assuming the information is complete, the case must still be dismissed for failure of the prosecution to prove all the elements of the crime charged,” the CA ruled.

“This argument was already raised in his demurrer to evidence, therefore, the trial court correctly treated the motion to dismiss as a second demurrer to evidence,” the CA said. Rey Requejo

INSTILLING NATIONALISM AMONG THE CHILDREN.

Young learners take a closer look at a miniature replica of the national hero Dr. Jose Rizal’s monument, during the opening of their art and craft workshop organized by the National Commission for Culture and the Arts to mark the observance of Filipino Values Month, held at the Luneta Park in Manila. Danny Pata

gadian City.

Sen. Risa Hontiveros has urged Philippine National Police chief Gen. Rodolfo Azurin to investigate the political killings, stressing the need to protect civil servants and residents of the province.

Cabilan, who was the Municipal Environment and Natural Resources Officer (MENRO) of Dumingag, was attending a meeting at the Agriculture Training Center when he was dead by three unidentified gunmen.

The victim was the former municipal administrator of ex-Mayor Nacianceno Pacalioga Jr. who ran but lost to incumbent Gov. Victor Yu in the latest local elections.

DOH report: Dengue on the rise in Central Visayas Region

By Willie Casas DENGUE is rising in Central Visayas Region, the Department of Health (DOH) reported on Sunday.

Based on latest DOH data, Central Visayas has logged 15,636 dengue cases January to October this year, indicating an increase of 2,000 cases compared to

the January-September 2021 figure.

Cebu province still topped the dengue statistics at more than 6,398, followed by Cebu City with 2,696 cases.

Bohol came in third with 2,334, followed by Negros Oriental with 1,814.

Lapu-Lapu City has 1,455 cases while Mandaue has 800.

Siquijor has the least number with 139.

Ninety-five dengue patients reportedly died in the entire region this year.

“We are now reiterating to our constituents, the 4 o’clock habit. Manglimpyo ta (we have to clean) and search and destroy possible breeding places,” said Dr. Liland Estacion, head of the Provincial Health Office in Negros Oriental in a press briefing on Friday.

No local government unit has so far declared an outbreak, with the DOH saying that the incidence was still manageable.

Meanwhile, DOH-7 also reported more cases of measles last month.

The agency has registered 267 measles cases in the region since last January year with all patients fully recovered.

Bataan hosts 2-day global blockchain conference

By Butch Gunio

CHRISTMAS IS FOR KIDS, INDEED. A family spends a leisurely Sunday watching and taking selfies with a 30-foot Christmas tree in the background that serves as the centerpiece of SM Taytay’s Yuletide presentations, the launching of which featured prizes galore for the kids. Danny Pata

BATAAN Gov. Joet Garcia predicted “tremendous opportunities” in digital technology with the province’s hosting of a two-day First Global Blockchain Summit.

The governor said blockchain technology would pave way for the promotion of digital economy.

A known modern technology user and proponent of cashless transactions, the governor said Bataan “is ready to be a leader in the government sector in promoting the blockchain technology.

He said the province was also prepared to host companies engaged in the technology.

Resource speakers at the summit defined blockchain technology as a “structure that stores transactional records, also known as the block, of the public in several databases, known as the ‘chain’ in a network connected through peer-to-peer nodes.”

Garcia saw the event as auspicious to gather in one place key players in the field to apprise the public on how the emerging technology can offer new economic opportunities and uplift the people’s quality of life.

Information and Communication Technology Sec. Ivan Uy, Bataan Rep. Abet Garcia, AFAB Administrator Emmanuel Pineda, and Balanga City Mayor Francis Garcia joined local and foreign technology experts attending summit.

Opinion Everyman

Central and Northern Luzon facing Luzon Bay. Particularly with the four-lane per direction 89km plus Tarlac Pangasinan La Union Expressway (TPLex) separated by Jersey barriers, sections by exits and toll plazas, viaducts and their approaches illuminated at night.

Travel has been largely reduced by at least three hours.

Some historians consider Bonifacio, often called “the great plebeian,” a de facto national hero of the Philippines, colonized by Spain for nearly 400 years while others describe him as the first President, although he is not officially recognized as such.

Some critics find it ironic the monument of Bonifacio in Caloocan is better known than the one in Tondo, his birthplace – in front of Tutuban Center mall on C.M. Recto Avenue or the old Azcarraga in the waterfront district of Manila.

Bonifacio is depicted in the usual – but false – bolo and trousers outfit, with historical critics suggesting Bonifacio was not stupid enough to wear red trousers and be an easy target of his Spanish enemies.

Students of history have learned for decades the Caloocan City “Monumento” – now a major landmark of the city – was designed and completed in 1933 by the country’s National Artist for the Visual Arts (Sculpture) in 1973, Guillermo Estrella Tolentino.

Historical critics say the three steps leading to the monument represents the three centuries of Spanish rule (333 years).

The octagonal base with the eight rays of the sun from the Philippine flag symbolizes the eight key provinces (as written on the surrounding pavement) where Martial Law was first declared by the Spanish governor-general.

It was also the place when the Katipunan held major uprisings there against the Spanish authorities – the very location of the monument actually depicting the place of the first such encounter by Bonifacio and the Katipunan with the Spanish colonial army on Aug. 30, 1896.

Some historians theorize the Bonifacio Monument must have been placed in Caloocan – the third most populous city in the country with a population of nearly 1.5 million, according to the 2010 census – because the area was the center of activities for the Katipunan, the secret militant society that launched the Philippine Revolution during the Spanish occupation of the Philippines.

They say it was in a house in Caloocan where secret meetings were held by Bonifacio and his men, and it was within the city’s perimeters where the very first armed encounter took place between the Katipunan and the Spaniards.

Today, Caloocan, one of the cities and municipalities that comprise the Metro Manila region (National Capital Region) in the Philippines, has become a major residential area inside Metro Manila.

The word Caloocan comes from the Tagalog root word “lo-ok;” “kalook-lookan” (or kalooblooban) means “innermost area.”

The city borders many other cities such as Quezon City, Manila, Malabon, Navotas, Valenzuela and San Jose del Monte Bulacan in the north.

On the wall of Pamitinan Cave in Rodriguez, Rizal, where a reburial of his bones was done years back, was the line Bonifacio wrote in May 1896: “Sumapit dito ang mga anak ng bayan.

Humahanap ng kalayaan.” [The sons of the Country came here, searching for freedom.”]

Historians say that when the Katipuneros launched the revolution on Aug. 24, 1896, Bonifacio said to his fellow Katipuneros: “Kalayaan o kamatayan? Mga kapatid! Ang Kalayaan ay kinukuha sa dulo ng patalim!

[Freedom or Death? Brothers, freedom is secured by force!”]

But enemies of the revolution denied Bonifacio the opportunity to fulfill his vision for the country.

They killed him in early 1897.

A few years after his death, his kin and friends began to honor Bonifacio and observed his death anniversary on April 23, 1901, at his birthplace in Meisic, Tondo, Manila.

On this occasion, the poet laureate Cecilio Apostol delivered his poem “Un Heroe del Pueblo,” extolling Bonifacio as one of the true heroes of the Filipino people. This annual celebration of Bonifacio’s death anniversary was capped by the launching of a fund-raising campaign to erect a monument in his honor.

Today, Bonifacio’s monument in Caloocan, now known as “Monumento” has become a historical treasure, after its inauguration in 1929 attended by Mrs. Aurora Aragon Quezon as guest of honor.

Today, many remember what Bonifacio declared: “Mapalad ang bayang linitawan ng mga bayani, sapagka’t ang bayang iya’y walang kamatayan (Fortunate is the country where heroes emerge because that country will live on).”

ON THE 30th of this month, Filipinos will once more mark what is called Bonifacio Day in simple ceremonies across the country – on the day of his birth in 1863.

Andrés Bonifacio y de Castro (Nov 30, 1863May 10, 1897) was a Filipino Freemason and revolutionary leader and is oftened referred to as “The Father of the Philippine Revolution” and considered one of the national heroes of the Philippines.

He was one of the founders and later the Kataastaasang Pangulo (Supreme President, Presidente Supremo in Spanish, often shortened by contemporaries and historians to just Supremo) of the Kataastaasan, Kagalanggalangang Katipunan ng mga Anak ng Bayan or more commonly known as the “Katipunan” – a movement which sought the independence of the Philippines from Spanish colonial rule and started the Tagalog Revolution.

Bonifacio Day ceremonies are usually held at the Bonifacio Monument in Caloocan, one of the rising cities ofg the metropolis, and is usually led by the incumbent president.

The octagonal base with the eight rays of the sun from the Philippine flag symbolizes the eight key provinces (as written on the surrounding pavement) where Martial Law was first declared by the Spanish governorgeneral On November 30, 1941, days before the Japanese invasion of the Philippines, president Manuel L. Quezon warned of the impending war against the Japanese in a speech at the University of the Philippines Manila.

In the 1950s to the early part of the 1960s, many northerners traveling to Manila, on a business trip or educational stopover, became all too familiar with the welcoming monument of Bonifacio in Caloocan City, part of the province of Rizal until 1975.

The area had in fact been known to many as Monumento, a euphemism for the 45-foot pylon and figures cast in bronze at the intersections of Samson Road, MacArthur Highway, Rizal Avenue and Epifanio de los Santos Avenue (Edsa), heretofore known as Highway 54.

Road travelers then from the Ilocos, Baguio, Cagayan Valley, the Central Luzon provinces of Bulacan, Bataan, Zambales, Pampanga, Nueva Ecija, and Pangasinan – the last now a part of the Ilocos Region – always hit the MacArthur Highway which snakes through the country’s far northwest and were always welcomed by the Monumento.

In 21st century Metro Manila, the place has become also the start of the line for the Light Railway Transit (LRT) that begins at the Monumento Station on the north end of Edsa and leads all the way up to the Baclaran Station in Pasay City on the southside.

With the 85-km North Luzon Expressway (NLEx) now a major highway for travelers from the north since the 1960s, not as many as decades back have been given the opportunity to wake up from their speeding buses to see the silhouette of the monument of Bonifacio, the Filipino nationalist and revolutionary.

The expressway begins in Quezon City, formerly the country’s capital, at a cloverleaf interchange with EDSA: a continuation of the Andres Bonifacio Avenue.

It then passes through Quezon City, Caloocan, and Valenzuela in Metro Manila. Meycauayan, Marilao, Bocaue, Balagtas, Guiguinto, Malolos, Plaridel, and Pulilan in Bulacan, San Simon, San Fernando, Mexico and Angeles in Pampanga.

The expressway currently ends at Mabalacat and merges with the MacArthur Highway, which continues northward into the rest of rice-rich

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

EDITORIAL

Bonifacio Monument: A treasure trove

By Honor Blanco Cabie

MONDAY, NOVEMBER 7, 2022

E-Governance Act

H

OW do you ensure fast, transparent and efficient government services?

For the new administration, the key is getting Congress to swiftly pass the proposed E-Governance Act to allow the country to catch up with other nations in building a digital economy.

But how do you build a digital economy?

You do that by (1) enhancing the country’s digital infrastructure; (2) improving the regulatory framework for innovation; and (3) ensuring cybersecurity and developing the country’s digital workforce.

Here’s what President Marcos Jr. recently said on the subject: “We have the tools. We have the knowledge. And most importantly, we have the people. All that is left to do is to have the will and the resolve to achieve it. I therefore call on all our fellow servantleaders in Congress to help accelerate the approval of these bills once again.”

But the optimism is also tempered with a note of caution: “This assessment of our performance is, at the very least, worrying.

We experienced actually a regression.

In other words, other countries have progressed. We have not progressed quite as much and therefore have fallen down, fallen

Digital connectivity can help the government ensure the efficient delivery of vital social services such as education and health to the masses, reduce poverty incidence, and ultimately bridge the gap between the rich and the poor down the list of e-governance in different member-countries of the UN.” The Chief Executive is convinced, however, that rapid digitalization could be accelerated in the country as our ICT professionals are among the best in the field and Filipinos are among the most tech-savvy people in the world.

“There is, essentially, nothing holding us back,” he pointed out.

The reality now is that the Philippines ranks 89th out of 193 countries in a recent United Nations E-Government Survey that assessed the digital connectivity landscape across member-states.

That rank tells us very clearly that we do need to hasten the pace of digital connectivity.

That dismal situation can actually be reversed by allowing the private sector to enter into more partnerships with the government in the area of information and communications technology or ICT. In fact, the government-private sector partnership can optimize the opportunities provided by ICT for nation-building.

It is true that as the rest of the world recognizes the value of digital connectivity in nation-building, the Philippines must accelerate efforts in forging digital connectivity to transform the lives of Filipinos, particularly those living in remote municipalities.

Information and communications technology has the power to transform the lives of Filipinos for the better.

Digital connectivity can help the government ensure the efficient delivery of vital social services such as education and health to the masses, reduce poverty incidence, and ultimately bridge the gap between the rich and the poor.

Amend the National Building Code to integrate digital connectivity CAN you imagine living in this world without the internet?

Back in the 70s and even in the 80s most people were still living an analogue and paper-based life, no smart phones nor laptops that nowadays are virtual extensions of our bodies for communications and every kind of transaction.

Since then, the pace of innovations in information and communications technology has been exponentially accelerating and its extensive integration as a vital tool to survive the global pandemic has established accessibility to digital technologies as an indispensable economic enabler.

The pandemic sparked a societal shift to digital technologies and exposed our unreadiness in terms of digital infrastructure and accessibility to fast and reliable broadband internet connectivity.

Unlike other economies in the region where governments aggressively spend to upgrade and expand their telecommunications networks, here in the Philippines, investments are left to the private telcos.

To be fair, the telcos have been ramping up their capital spends to expand their networks and have been improving quality and coverage of services despite the myriad of bureaucratic challenges and obsolete policies that need to be updated to become more compatible to the dynamic and fast evolving nature of digital innovations.

One important policy reform that’s connected to expanding connectivity is the difficulty in installing last mile connectivity to the homes and workplaces of privately owned property developments such as gated subdivisions, high rise commercial offices and residential condominiums, and even malls.

Apparently, telcos and Internet Service Providers have been encountering difficulties in installing their wireless and high-speed fiber optic networks to service consumer demand in these privately owned areas because of so many restrictions imposed by the property administrators.

Telcos are even being charged to pay for lease space that their equipment needed to connect the homeowners or tenants needing the wireless or wired connection to connect

to the internet.

As a consumer advocate, having access to fast internet connection is as indispensable as water and electricity.

Broadband services should be considered a basic utility and a standard facility in any property development.

In an earlier statement of our co-convenor in consumer advocacy group CitizenWatch Philippines, Atty. Tim Abejo rightly pointed out that internet connectivity must be accessible to all and at least at par with global speed standards.

Making things harder for telcos to do their mandate to expand their services is a disservice to the people that property management is supposed to serve “To keep up with all our online activities —fast broadband services are now a basic necessity. If deprived of this, the quality of life and the productivity of entire communities, not just individuals, organizations or households, will be seriously stymied,” Atty Abejo said.

The Department of Information and Communications Technology (DICT) is already responding to this issue and is supporting House Bill 4472, or the Housing Development Digital Connectivity bill sponsored by Isabela Rep. Faustino Dy V. The proposed legislation will require developers to provide space for future infrastructure and other digital amenities just like adequate and rent-free space is provided for water and poser connections.

In a published statement, DICT Secretary Ivan Uy said that he fully supports amending the National Building Code to ensure the provision of telecommunications by

allocating space for network infrastructure in housing and high-rise building projects across the Philippines.

“You won’t have instances where when you go inside the building, you go inside the elevator, and you have no signal. You go to the parking underground; you have no signal. Those buildings were never designed for telco. I think that should be included from the very onset. When you design the building, it should be integrated there,” Secretary Uy said.

The integration of digital infrastructure by aligning with the telcos so that there are no dead spots in a real estate project is actually a strong marketing selling point.

No one wants to stay in a place where you cannot connect to the internet wirelessly either via a local wi-fi network or mobile data service.

Whenever we go out to a bar or restaurant, the first thing we check is if there is good mobile phone signal. Business and leisure travelers all require fast internet access in hotels.

For older buildings that were built when the dial-up land line was the only telco service available, it would be best to just work with the telcos so the residents of their properties can be quickly connected to the best broadband service of their choice.

Making things harder for telcos to do their mandate to expand their services is a disservice to the people that property management is supposed to serve.

As convenor of CitizenWatch Philippines, we express our strong support for the DICT’s legislative initiative to address this last mile deployment issue by amending the National Building Code to become responsive to the demands of consumers in this emerging digital economy where we must endeavor together not just to survive but to inclusively thrive.

‘Robbing women’: Japan’s sperm donation law spurs controversy

By Tomohiro Osaki SATOKO Nagamura, a woman, and her girlfriend conceived their son with donated sperm, but new legislation in Japan could effectively outlaw the procedure for lesbian couples and single women.

For decades, anonymous sperm donation has existed in a legal grey zone in Japan, with no law explicitly prohibiting it, but no framework to govern it either.

Legislation expected to be presented this year would regulate the procedure, including protecting the rights of children to know their biological parents and capping recipients from a single donor.

But a draft seen by AFP shows the law would only authorise the process for legally married couples, mostly those affected by male infertility. Japan does not recognise same-sex marriage, so lesbian couples and single women would be excluded.

To Nagamura, the draft is “tantamount to robbing women—whether same-sex couples or single—of their reproductive rights, and their desire to give birth to and raise children”.

For nearly two decades, the 39-year-old dreamed of being a mother and the chance to “give birth with my body.”

She and her partner Mamiko Moda, 42,

initially considered overseas sperm banks, before turning to a male friend, encouraged by his willingness to have a relationship with the future child.

They are now the proud parents of a 10-month-old son, who smiles freely as his parents spoonfeed him with encouraging exclamations of “well done”, as the family’s two dogs look on jealously.

Institutions that offer sperm donation and insemination generally follow the guidelines of the Japan Society of Obstetrics and Gynaecology (JSOG) -- which serve as the basis for the new legislation restricting the process to married couples.

JSOG’s guidelines are non-binding, but already carry enough weight that only a handful of doctors defy them to accommodate lesbians and single women.

If the law is enacted, “the few hospitals that have accepted us will no longer be able to do so”, said Nagamura.

“There is a big difference between just going against the guidelines and doing something illegal”, added Moda.

The couple also fears the new legislation could mean their child, conceived through artificial insemination using a sperm donor, could be stigmatised.

“Even though the way we achieved our pregnancy was not illegal at the time, the

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Social media sperm donation raises health and safety issues in terms of verifying donor profiles impression that we did something wrong, that this kid is somehow ‘illegal’, could emerge if that’s how the law sees it,” Moda said.

‘Double-edged sword’ Kozo Akino, a ruling-coalition lawmaker involved in drafting the legislation, argues that children’s rights are most easily protected by “legally married parents with joint custody.”

“Assisted reproductive technology should not be pursued at the expense of the well-being of children,” he told AFP. And some doctors think the law could help make the unregulated treatment more socially accepted, despite being limited to heterosexual married couples.

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

“My hope is that with the law, our treatment will be seen as more legitimate and become mainstream,” said Mamoru Tanaka, an obstetrics professor at Tokyo’s Keio University Hospital.

Keio is thought to have been the first medical institution in Japan to perform donor insemination in 1948, but it is no longer accepting new patients because of a donor shortage that followed an internal policy shift.

Since 2017, it has warned donors that their anonymity could be waived if children conceived from their sperm file legal suits.

The resulting shortage of applicants means it carried out just 481 procedures for existing patients in 2019, down from 1,952 in 2016.

Patients would “hopefully be able to benefit from (a legal framework), but it’s easier said than done”, Tanaka said.

“There is a possibility that more people will be pushed underground, and in that sense, it’s a double-edged sword,” he told AFP. ‘Whatever it takes’ Already, some women and couples turn to unvetted sperm donors to avoid the complexities and restrictions of the existing system.

A casual Twitter search turns up hundreds

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

Chin Wong/Ray S. Eñano Joyce Pangco Pañares Jimbo Owen Gulle

of accounts touting the handsomeness, college degrees and athletic talent of wouldbe donors, who typically offer recipients either cups of semen for self-insemination, or impregnation via intercourse.

Many do not expect payment beyond transport costs, which has helped fuel debate over their motives, including claims they are simply after sex.

One man advertising his services online told AFP he considered it like donating blood.

“I happen to have a healthy body, so why not put it to good use?” said the 34-year-old freelance illustrator, declining to be named.

The man’s wife, a 32-year-old doctor, told AFP she supported her husband’s donations, in part because as a bisexual person she wants to help others in the LGBTQ community conceive.

But social media sperm donation raises health and safety issues in terms of verifying donor profiles.

And Nagamura fears that these riskier donations will only become more common if legislation excludes single women and lesbians.

“There will be those who do whatever it takes to have children,” she said.

“It’s not that easy, giving up on childbirth.” AFP

Rolando G. Estabillo Publisher Honor Blanco Cabie Opinion Editor Associate Editors Lino M. Santos Chief Photographer News Editor City Editor

Emil P. Jurado Chairman Emeritus, Editorial Board

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News

MONDAY, NOVEMBER 7, 2022

SC commits to rule of law in ASEAN meet

GIANT XMAS TREE.

Shoppers stop and look at a giant Christmas tree displayed at the activity center of Farmers Plaza in Cubao, Quezon City.

Manny Marcelo

By Rey E. Requejo

PBBM housing can ‘spur economy’ P

RESIDENT Ferdinand R. Marcos Jr.’s Pambansang Pabahay para sa Pilipino Program can spur economic activities in 80 allied industries of the housing sector once it is fully implemented.

In a recent Senate hearing for the 2023 budget of the Department of Human Settlements and Urban Development (DHSUD), Secretary Jose Rizalino Acuzar stressed the economic pump-priming potentials of the housing and real estate sector.

He said there are about 80 industries allied to housing construction.

Among the top 10 out of 80 allied industries that will benefit from the housing program once fully implemented

include steel and metal manufacturing, cement, veneer and plywood, refined petroleum producers, sawmills, and wood and wholesale/retail businesses.

“The housing and real estate industry is a vital economic pump-primer due to more than 80 allied industries attached to the housing sector,” Acuzar said.

“Once tapped, the potential of these industries can contribute to the economic growth of our country,” he added.

Acuzar emphasized the need for P36 billion in funding to jumpstart the construction of the first one million housing units under the program.

The program is also believed to have a significant contribution to the Marcos administration’s eight-point economic agenda specifically on job creation.

Earlier, the DHSUD also estimated that 1.7 million jobs would be generated when the national housing program goes full blast with construction.

This is based on the estimate that about eight workers are needed to build a housing unit within a certain period of time.

Mr. Marcos’ Pambansang Pabahay para sa Pilipino Program aims to build

Embassies told: Look for model plans for PH

THE GOLFER AND THE SPEAKER.

Nick Faldo (left), an English retired professional golfer and television commentator who was a top player of his era, and House Speaker Martin G. Romualdez (right) pose for a picture for posterity during a short meeting Saturday at the Clark Marriott Hotel in Pampanga.

Ver Noveno

By Rio N. Araja CAMARINES Sur Rep. LRay Villafuerte, Commission on Appointments majority floor leader, wants Philippine embassies to study up on well-run state programs in their host countries that could serve as models for priority initiatives that the government is set to carry out.

In the committee hearing prior to the recent confirmation of several presidential appointees, he suggested to the appointed ambassadors to the Federative Republic of Brazil and the Kingdom of Belgium to find out more about projects in these countries that the Marcos administration has counterparts to, and then to inform Malacañang and the Congress on how the government could possibly replicate the success of these overseas endeavors.

For Brazil, he urged Ambassador Joseph Gerard Bacani Angeles to study the zero-hunger program that was launched in that South American country in 2003 and to see what features in this Brazilian initiative could likely be adopted in the implementation of President Marcos’ food security and poverty reduction agenda.

one million housing units every year in the next six years to address the country’s housing backlog pegged at more than 6.5 million.

To date, the DHSUD has conducted groundbreaking ceremonies in several areas in Luzon, Visayas and Mindanao and engaged local government units to support the program.

The President has inspected the Bagong Sibol Housing Project in Barangay Nangka, Marikina City which is targeting 10,000 government employees and low-income earners.

The Chief Executive also hosted a dinner to rally the support of government financial institutions and even private banks for the program.

Jinggoy files bill to probe cholera outbreak

By Macon Ramos-Araneta ALARMED by an outbreak of cholera in several regions in the country, Sen. Jinggoy Ejercito Estrada has sought a Senate inquiry into the matter.

“More than ascertaining the whys and the wherefores, the situation strongly calls for a review of existing policies to prevent and mitigate the outbreak of the disease,” Estrada said, in the explanatory note of his proposed Senate Reso-

lution No. 266.

Estrada cited the need to review existing policies and programs on sanitation. He also said immunization must be looked into in order to enhance emergency response mechanisms and preventive measures against the transmission of the disease and to promote public health.

A disease of inequity, disproportionately affecting the poorest and most vulnerable sectors, Estrada noted the Global Task Force on Cholera Control

(GTFCC) report saying that deaths due to the disease are preventable with today’s arsenal of tools as it can be controlled with a multi-sector approach through the provision of basic water, sanitation, and hygiene (WASH) services, and oral cholera vaccines.

“There is a need to protect the population, especially the children and the underprivileged, against this debilitating yet preventable illness through a coordinated approach among government agencies.

CHIEF Justice Alexander Gesmundo has reaffirmed the Supreme Court’s (SC) commitment to the rule of law and it “stands in unity” with members of the Association of South East Asian Nations (ASEAN) “in its quest for the best possible future for our region.”

“At this point in our history, I lead a strong and united Court that is firmly committed to protect the rule of law, to guarantee the rights of our people, and to honor our obligations to the larger community of nations,” Gesmundo said, in his speech before his ASEAN counterparts during the 10th Council of ASEAN Chief Justices meeting held in Kuala Lumpur Malaysia last November 4.

“The Philippine Supreme Court stands in unity with our ASEAN neighbors in our common quest for the best possible future for our region,” he added.

After two years of meeting with the member states virtually, the annual meeting was finally conducted in person this year in Kuala Lumpur, Malaysia with the Judiciary of Malaysia as host from November 4 to November 5, 2022.

Gesmundo also highlighted the procedural rules promulgated and the projects undertaken by the Philippine Supreme Court in 2022, namely: the Amendments to Rule 140 of the Rules of Court, the Rule on Facilitated Naturalization of Refugees and Stateless Persons, the Rule on Expedited Procedures in the First Level Courts, the Benchbook for Family Courts, the Benchbook for Commerical Courts, and the Rule on International Child Abduction Cases.

Likewise, the Filipino top magistrate discussed the recently launched Strategic Plan for Judicial Innovations 2022-2027 (SPJI), the Supreme Court’s blueprint for action in the next five years.

‘NEDA should be independent planning agency’

By Macon Ramos-Araneta SEN. Win Gatchalian wants to institutionalize the National Economic and Development Authority (NEDA) to be an independent economic and planning agency.

He believes that with this, NEDA’s economic development goals will be sustained for the long haul.

Gatchalian said that the “prioritization of the country’s development goals tends to vary depending on a sitting administration’s political commitments.”

NEDA was originally created by Presidential Decree No. 107 dated January 24, 1973, and subsequently reorganized by virtue of Executive Order No. 230 series of 1987.

Gatchalian’s Senate Bill 1060 seeks to strengthen the current setup of the agency by implementing continuing integrated and coordinated long, medium, and short-term development plans to achieve full employment towards sustainable and inclusive economic growth; equitable distribution of opportunities, income, and wealth; and increased productivity to raise the quality of life.

According to Gatchalian, the vision of the proposed measure is to instill a culture of planning in the formulation and implementation of the country’s economic and development policies that calls for the participation of public and private sectors at the national and sub-national levels.

Poe: Consultations still needed in SIM registration

By Macon Ramos-Araneta SEN. Grace Poe on Sunday urged wide-ranging consultations involving concerned stakeholders in the drafting of the implementing rules and regulations (IRR) of Republic Act 11934 or the Subscriber Identity Module (SIM) Registration Act. “We await an IRR that will embody the spirit of the law to provide the people a defense in fighting text scams and misinformation,” Poe said.

A noncommissioned nationwide Social Weather Station survey conducted from Sept. 29 to Oct. 2 showed that the majority of Filipinos

approved of the law which makes SIM registration mandatory.

She noted the rules will get the ball rolling to provide secure and safe mobile phone use in the country while protecting the right to privacy.

The government has 60 days to come up with the IRR from the effectivity of the law on Oct. 28, 2022.

Section 12 of the SIM Registration Act states that the National Telecommunications Commission, in coordination with the Department of Information and Communications Technology (DICT), National Privacy Commission, telcos, and major consumer groups, shall promulgate the IRR.

The landmark legislation requires all mobile users to register their SIM as a prerequisite for activation. All existing SIM holders must register with their respective telcos within 180 days from the law’s effectivity. The DICT may extend the registration for 120 days.

The registration of SIMs may be done electronically through a platform or website to be provided by the telcos.

In remote areas with limited telecommunication or internet access, relevant government agencies and telcos will facilitate SIM registration.

The registration process under the law is free.

DAMAGED MATERIALS. Elementary school teacher Kristine Castro sifts through modules, books, and cabinets that were damaged by flood waters brought by Tropical Storm Paeng at Wakas Elementary School in Kawit, Cavite. The school will resume classes on November 10. Danny Pata

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Twitter starts rolling out new paid subscription

PAPAL AUDIENCE. Pope Francis listens to a speech read by a nun during his visit to the Sacred Heart school to meet the youth in Isa Town, south of the capital Manama, on November 5. AFP

TWITTER began rolling out a controversial new paid subscription system on Saturday that the social network’s unpredictable new owner, billionaire Elon Musk, ordered staff to build after taking over last week.

Days into the Tesla boss’s stewardship of one of the world’s leading platforms for discourse and activism, his promises and provocations are prompting a wave of reactions – including warnings from the United Nations and an apology from Twitter’s co-founder.

His plan to dial back content moderation on the site is causing such concern that UN rights chief Volker Turk on Saturday urged him to make respect for human rights central to the social network.

“Twitter has a responsibility to avoid amplifying content that results in harms to people’s rights,” Turk said in his open letter.

Reports of Musk laying off the platform’s entire human rights team were “not, from my perspective, an encouraging start,” he said.

Jack Dorsey, who co-founded Twitter in 2006 and stepped down as CEO last year, tweeted to apologize for growing the site too quickly a day after roughly half the company’s 7,500 employees were fired by Musk.

“I realize many are angry with me,” he wrote.

The remaining employees are witnessing an upheaval in their company’s culture. As early as last Friday, Musk launched his first flagship project, the redesign of the Twitter Blue subscription option.

He has reportedly told his team the redesign must be ready for potential activation by November 7 – the day before the US midterm elections – or their jobs will be on the line. AFP

ON FINAL DAY IN GULF

Pope prays for ‘suffering peoples’ P

OPE Francis said Sunday he was praying for “suffering peoples of the Middle East,” at the end of a Bahrain visit promoting dialogue with Islam but marked by accusations of rights abuses in the Gulf state.

In a final address before boarding a flight to Rome, he also urged congregants to pray “for Ukraine, which is suffering so much,” and for an end to the war.

He told Lebanese congregants he was praying for “your beloved country, so weary and sorely tried, as well as (for) all peoples suffering in the Middle East.”

The 85-year-old Argentinian used his four-day visit to Muslim-majority

Bahrain to meet both senior Muslim officials and Catholic residents of the Gulf, home to a large migrant laborer community.

On Saturday he held an open-air mass for about 30,000 people, many of them moved to tears by the occasion.

Bahrain, which established formal ties with the Holy See in 2000, has around 80,000 Catholic residents. Most

are workers from the Philippines and other Asian countries.

On Sunday, the final morning of the first ever papal visit to the island nation, Francis visited Sacred Heart church in Manama and urged Catholics to be “tireless promoters of dialogue” with other faiths.

“Let us seek to be guardians and builders of unity... in the multi-religious and multi-cultural societies in which we find ourselves,” he said, at the Gulf’s oldest church which opened in 1939.

His words came a day after police briefly detained relatives of Bahraini prisoners on death row who had pro-

tested and asked to meet with the pontiff, according to a London-based rights group—although authorities denied there had been “apprehensions.”

Rights groups have long cited discrimination, repression and harassment by Bahrain’s Sunni Muslim rulers against Shiite opposition figures and activists.

Human Rights Watch has accused Bahraini courts of issuing death sentences based on “manifestly unfair trials.”

In his first speech, on Thursday, the pontiff had spoken of the “right to life” and the “need to guarantee that right always, including for those being punished, whose lives should not be taken.” AFP

Taiwanese man dies fighting in Ukraine war A TAIWANESE man who volunteered to fight in Ukraine has died on the battlefield, Taipei’s foreign ministry said, believed to be the first person from the island killed in the conflict.

The ministry said a Ukrainian field commander had confirmed the death of 25-year-old Tseng Sheng-kuang, who was serving with a battalion of volunteer soldiers.

A cause of death was not given by the ministry but Taiwan’s semi-official Central News Agency (CNA) said he was injured during combat in the eastern city of Luhansk and died from blood loss.

“We express our sincere condolences for our countryman who sacrificed his life in the war in Ukraine, and pay tribute to his spirit of assisting the Ukrainians in defending freedom and democracy,” the ministry said in a statement late Saturday.

Tseng is thought to be the first Taiwanese casualty of the war in Ukraine.

Italy lets minors, sick off migrant rescue vessel ITALY let minors and sick people off a German-flagged rescue vessel Sunday but refused to let 35 male adult migrants off, to the rejected survivors’ despair.

Interior Minister Matteo Piantedosi earlier said those who do not “qualify” would have to “leave territorial waters,” as three other humanitarian vessels pleaded with Rome for a safe port.

The Ocean Viking, Geo Barents and Rise Above are carrying 900 migrants between them.

Three female minors and a baby were the first off the Humanity 1 in Catania port in the early hours, followed by male minors, SOS Humanity’s press officer Petra Krischok told AFP. After that, male adults with medical issues were allowed off. In all, 144 people disembarked.

“Thirty-five male adults are still on board. For now, we stay here and wait,” she said.

“The mood among the survivors is extremely depressed. One person just suffered a breakdown,” she added.

The Humanity 1 had been requested

by Italian authorities to come to the Sicilian harbor, but not assigned a safe port. It was not immediately clear whether it would be ordered to leave.

Italy’s new far-right government, which was sworn in last month, has vowed to crack down on boat migrants coming from North Africa to Europe. AFP

The ministry said it would help Tseng’s family with arrangements to travel to Ukraine to identify the body.

CNA said Tseng was an army veteran from Taiwan’s indigenous Amis minority.

His wife told the news agency that Tseng travelled to Ukraine in June and they had last been in touch on October 23 when Tseng said he was about to begin a five-day mission.

She then received a message on Wednesday sent from his mobile phone by a colleague saying he had been injured in fighting and died en route to hospital.

She described her husband as “an honest man with a strong sense of justice.”

There has been an outpouring of sympathy for Ukraine across Taiwan, with the war-torn nation’s plight resonating with many on the island because it faces the constant threat of invasion by neighboring China. AFP

PROPAGANDA POSTER. A pedestrian walks past a poster showing a Russian

soldier with the slogan “Glory to Russia’s heroes” displayed on a bus stop in Moscow on November 6. AFP

Passenger plane plunges into Lake Victoria in Tanzania A PLANE carrying 43 people plunged into Lake Victoria in Tanzania early on Sunday due to bad weather shortly before it was due to land in the northwestern city of Bukoba, police said, with efforts under way to rescue those onboard.

“There was an accident involving a Precision Air plane which... crashed into water about 100 meters from the airport,” regional police commander William Mwampaghale told reporters at Bukoba airport.

Regional commissioner Albert Chalamila said 43 people, including 39 passengers, two pilots and two cabin crew, were aboard the flight from financial capital Dar es Salaam to the

lakeside city in Kagera region.

“As we speak, we have managed to rescue 26 people who were taken to our referral hospital,” Chalamila said.

“The rescue operation is still ongoing and we are communicating with the pilots,” he said, adding that more details would be shared later.

Precision Air, which is Tanzania’s largest private airline, released a brief statement confirming the accident.

“The rescue team has been dispatched to the scene and more information will be released in 2 hours’ time,” the airline said.

Video footage broadcast on local media showed the plane largely submerged as rescuers waded through wa-

ter to bring people to safety.

Emergency workers attempted to lift the aircraft out of the water using ropes, assisted by cranes.

President Samia Suluhu Hassan expressed her condolences to those affected by the accident.

“Let’s continue to be calm while the rescue operation continues as we pray to God to help us,” she said on Twitter.

Precision Air, which is partly owned

by Kenya Airways, was founded in 1993 and operates domestic and regional flights as well as private charters to popular tourist destinations such as the Serengeti National Park and the Zanzibar archipelago. AFP

Japanese PM pledges to hike military capacity PRIME Minister Fumio Kishida pledged Sunday to beef up Japan’s naval and military capacity, warning that nations must prepare to face aggressors.

Kishida also condemned Russia’s war in Ukraine and denounced North Korea’s recent blitz of missile tests, one of which flew over Japan for the first time since 2017 and prompted a rare evacuation warning.

“We must prepare ourselves for an era when actors emerge to disobey rules and use force or threats to destroy the peace and safety of other nations,” Kishida said as he addressed Japan’s international fleet review.

The leader’s remarks come as Tokyo is drafting security plans that may call for doubling the nation’s defense spending within five years.

That would represent a sea change in Japan, where the pacifist constitution limits its military capacity.

“We will accelerate realistic discussions on what’s needed to defend our people by keeping all options on the table,” Kishida said.

“The enhancement (of Japan’s naval capacity) cannot wait, including construction of new naval ships, bolstering our missile defence capacity and improvement of the work conditions and compensations for our (military) personnel,” he said.

He did not name China but said that “the national security environment surrounding our nation is growing more severe including the East China Sea and South China Sea,” where Beijing has taken assertive positions in territorial disputes with countries including Japan.

Kishida added that Japan will ensure transparency of its military spending.

“Japan will maintain our way as a pacifist country as we have done so since the end of (World War II),” he said.

The fleet review gathered ships from Japan and 12 other countries —including Australia, India and the United States—at Sagami Bay, south of Tokyo. AFP

4 injured in new mine accident in Turkey FOUR miners were injured, two of government of failing to take the necthem seriously, after an explosion at a essary measures to prevent the disaster. mine in northwest Turkey, media reTurkey suffered its deadliest coal ported on Sunday, three weeks after a mining disaster in 2014 when 301 blast at another pit in the area killed 42. workers died in a blast and ensuing fire The blast occurred overnight at a that brought down a mining shaft in the privately-owned mine in the Kilimli western town of Soma. AFP district, the DHA news agency reJob Vacancy ported.

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Submit your applications thru email at Twenty-five people, including the manila.careers@webbeds.com director of the mine, have been deDOTW SHARED SERVICES, INC. CityNet 1 – Unit G10, 183 EDSA, Barangay Wack-wack, tained.

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RESCUE SHIP. This photo taken overnight on November 6 and obtained from Italian news agency Ansa, shows the rescue ship ‘Humanity 1’ of German organisation SOS Humanity, which carries 179 rescued migrants, after it arrived at the port of Catania, Sicily as 144 rescued migrants have been allowed to disembark to be medically examined from ‘Humanity 1’, which has been waiting for a safe harbour for two weeks. AFP

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

A8

MONDAY, NOVEMBER 7, 2022

IN BRIEF Share prices to remain at 6,000 level—analysts SHARE prices are expected to consolidate above the 6,000 level this week despite the lingering risks to economic and financial stability amid an elevated interest rate environment.

Analysts said interest rates were expected to remain high as the Bangko Sentral ng Pilipinas would likely continue with its tightening measures to cool down inflation. The inflation rate shot up to an almost 14-year high of 7.7 percent in October from 6.9 percent in September, fueled by fast price hikes in food and beverages.

The US Federal Reserve last week increased the policy rate by 75 basis points. The BSP said it would match the Fed’s rate hike in its next policy meeting this month.

Online brokerage firm UTradeph.com said while the inflation rate soared above expectations and the Fed’s rate outlook was upgraded, several catalysts could support the index above the 6,000 level. Utrade said the BSP’s move to match the US Fed rate hike would help fight rising inflation and support the Philippine peso.

“We see robust support at the 6,000 level support despite the corrective pressures as the earnings season progresses,” Utrade head of research Gabryle Aguila said.

Jenniffer B. Austria

MGen wants Atimonan to secure Meralco deal

Business Aboitiz Group sets sights on more regional airports

By Darwin G. Amojelar THE Aboitiz Group plans to participate in the privatization of more regional airports under the government’s publicprivate partnership program, after sealing a landmark deal to acquire shares in GMR Megawide Cebu Airport Corp., the developer and operator of Mactan Cebu International Airport.

Aboitiz InfraCapital Inc., the infrastructure arm of the group, said it would look at other airports that would be offered to the private sector, aside from the projects in Cebu, Bohol, Misamis Oriental and Albay provinces.

“We still have the OPS [original proponent status] for Bohol, Laguindingan and Bicol airports. We are submitting additional requirements to the government to move forward on our OPS. If other airports will also be offered for

PPP or for privatization, yes, we certainly want to look at those airports,” Aboitiz InfraCapital president Cosette Canilao, who used to head the PPP Center under the administration of the late President Benigno Aquino III. The company earlier secured an OPS from the Duterte administration on unsolicited proposals for the new Bohol-Panglao International Airport, Bicol International Airport in Albay and the Laguindingan Airport in Misamis Oriental.

Transportation Secretary Jaime Bautista earlier said 10 regional airports would be upgraded, expanded and operated under the PPP scheme.

These include airports in Bohol, Laguindingan, Bicol, Iloilo, Puerto Princesa, Davao, Bacolod, Kalibo, Busuanga and Siargao.

Bautista said the government would also build more regional airports in Dumaguete, Zamboanga and Masbate.

MERALCO PowerGen Corp. expressed hope that its planned 1,200-megawatt ultra-supercritical power plant in Quezon province would secure a contract with parent company Manila Electric Co. Atimonan One Energy Inc., a subsidiary of Meralco PowerGen, is developing the project.

Meralco PowerGen is the power generation arm of Meralco.

“We are currently preparing. There will be a bidding hopefully by Meralco by the first quarter. We plan to build that project, and hopefully, we will be able to secure a contract to proceed with the project,” Meralco PowerGen president and chief executive Jaime Azurin said.

The company wanted to secure a power supply agreement before proceeding with project construction. Company executives earlier said the project was not covered by the coal ban imposed under the term of former Energy Secretary Alfonso Cusi.

The company said the moratorium would not affect the Atimonan project as it secured the Department of Energy’s approval as a committed coal project. It was also certified as an energy project of national significance and secured an environmental compliance certificate and connection agreement from the National Grid Corp. of the Philippines.

Alena Mae S. Flores

CEBU PACIFIC’S AWARD. Cebu Pacific chief commercial officer Xander Lao (right) receives the award for Asia Environmental Sustainability Airline/Airline Group of the Year from the Centre for Asia Pacific Aviation in Singapore on Nov. 3, 2022 for the company’s leadership in sustainability performance in the regional aviation industry. CEB was recognized for the integration of various sustainability programs across day-to-day business and continuous collaborations with industry stakeholders to drive adoption of green initiatives with the regional industry.

Philmico focuses on R&D to expand food business PILMICO Foods Corp. is focusing on research and development capabilities to expand its product portfolio in the food business, a top executive said over the weekend.

“We are giving this an extra level of focus in the group in 2022 through the expansion of our R&D capabilities across the region. We believe this to be another growth area in 2023,” said Pilmico president and chief executive Tristan Aboitiz.

Aboitiz said the company recognized the significance of adding value to customers through a diverse set of products and services.

He said another growth area for the company is the thriving pet food segment which responded to a spike in demand for pet foods during the pandemic.

The company introduced its premium pet food brand for cats early this year. The company’s dry pet food brands are available through virtual stores and selling platforms.

A new line of pet food products, such as treats and wet food options, is also in the pipeline for 2023. “While volumes remain minimal to date, they are growing at a healthy clip, and we look forward to bigger contributions from the category in 2023 and beyond,” Aboitiz said. Othel V. Campos

Canilao said Aboitiz InfraCapital was expecting to complete the P25-billion deal with Megawide Construction Corp. and GMR Airports International B.V. to acquire GMR-Megawide Cebu Airport Corp., the operator of Mactan-Cebu International Airport by end of the year.

“We are going to jointly manage and operate the Mactan Airport once we close the deal, and we are looking at closing the deal by end of the year,” Canilao said.

“Right now we are working on the integration. We’re being helped by our advisors to understand the current operating SOP within Mactan, and we’re preparing for the entry of AIC into GMCAC,” she said.

Meanwhile, AIC diversified into data centers with a partnership with US-based EdgeConneX, the pioneer in global hyperlocal to hyperscale data center solutions.

Banked gas sales lifted PNOC’s nine-month net income to P2.33b

By Alena Mae S. Flores STATE-RUN Philippine National Oil Co. said over the weekend net income soared to P2.328 billion in the first nine months from P855.38 million in the same period last year, driven by revenues from the sale of banked gas.

Banked gas refers to the remaining uncontracted Malampaya natural gas reserves which PNOC agreed to sell to a unit of San Miguel Corp. in June.

PNOC said unaudited revenues went up to P4.419 billion in the nine-month period from P1.29 billion a year ago.

Service and business income also increased to P4.357 billion from P505.65

million.

“Increase in income is because of income from the banked gas. That’s the main revenue source of PNOC and also [there is] increasing revenue from other sources such as leases and the operation of ESB [energy supply base] and industrial park,” PNOC senior vice president for energy business Graciela Barleta.

PNOC manages and operates the ESB in Mabini, Batangas which covers 19 hectares. It also owns 476 hectares of an industrial park in Bataan province.

PNOC signed a gas sale and purchase agreement with San Miguel-owned South Premiere Power Corp. in June for

70.26 petajoules of banked gas at a daily dispatch volume sufficient to run the 1,200-megawatt Ilijan combined cycle power plant at 45-percent to 75-percent plant factor.

The volume is adequate to support Ilijan plant’s fuel requirements until February 2024.

PNOC said expenses also increased to P1.35 billion from P189 million, driven by direct costs amounting to P1 billion.

The company posted gains of about P61.272 million from P594 million in the same period last year.

PNOC’s subsidiaries include PNOC Exploration Corp. and PNOC Renewables Corp.

PSE INDEX CLOSING Friday, November 4, 2022

29.42 PTS. 6,185.53

TOTAL VOLUME TOTAL TRADES

304,786,956 52,641

TOTAL VALUE (IN PHP) ADVANCES DECLINES

3,972,884,856.37 93 66

UNCHANGED

54

F oreign E xchange R ate Bangko Sentral ng Pilipinas •FRIDAY, NOVEMBER 4, 2022

Currency

Unit

US Dollar

Peso

United States

Dollar

1.000000

58.6610

Japan

Yen

0.006749

0.3959

UK

Pound

1.116500

65.4950

Hong Kong

Dollar

0.127392

7.4729

Switzerland

Franc

0.987069

57.9025

Canada

Dollar

0.727431

42.6718

Singapore

Dollar

0.703532

41.2699

Australia

Dollar

0.628700

36.8802

Bahrain

Dinar

2.653576

155.6614

Saudi Arabia

Rial

0.266064

15.6076

Brunei

Dollar

0.701066

41.1252

Indonesia

Rupiah

0.000064

0.0038

Thailand

Baht

0.026354

1.5460

UAE

Dirham

0.272279

15.9722

Euro

Euro

0.975100

57.2003

Korea

Won

0.000702

0.0412

China

Yuan

0.136986

8.0357

India

Rupee

0.012087

0.7090

Malaysia

Ringgit

0.210859

12.3692

New Zealand

Dollar

0.577500

33.8767

Taiwan

Dollar

0.031113

1.8251 Source: BSP

Japan renews commitment on PH development

By Julito G. Rada JAPAN renewed its commitment for development cooperation with the Philippines in a high-level meeting between the two countries at Ayuntamiento de Manila on Nov. 4.

“Let me emphasize that this administration’s commitment to the Philippines remains unchanged under the Marcos presidency,” Special Advisor to the Prime Minister of Japan Mori Masafumi said during the 13th Philippines-Japan High-Level Meeting of the Joint Committee on Infrastructure Development and Economic Cooperation.

Japan is the Philippines’ leading official development assistance partner, whose support has contributed to projects in infrastructure development, investment readiness, disaster risk mitigation and management, food security, education, health, maritime safety and peace and development in Mindanao.

Finance Secretary Benjamin Diokno said the Philippines and Japan had built strong economic, political and cultural ties that spanned generations.

Japan and the Philippines have cooperated on the timely implementation of major infrastructure projects such as the North-South Commuter Railway Projects and the Metro Manila Subway Project Phase I since 2017.

The Japanese government followed through on the completion and inauguration of ten loan-assisted projects from the previous administration amounting to P93.071 billion or $1.58 billion.

Diokno briefed the Japanese government delegation on the Philippines’ Medium-Term Fiscal Framework, which outlines the government’s plan to reduce fiscal deficit, promote fiscal sustainability and enable robust economic growth.

He said the Philippines would focus on high public infrastructure spending to stimulate growth, maintaining expenditure at 5 percent to 6 percent of gross domestic product annually.

Representatives from Philippine government agencies also presented updates on proposed key infrastructure development projects.

San Miguel Brewery’s profit rose 15% to P16.2b on higher sales in 3 quarters

By Jenniffer B. Austria

PHILEXPORT’S ANNIVERSARY. The Philippine Exporters Confederation Inc. honors its president Sergio Ortiz Luis Jr. (9th from left) as part of the celebration of the group’s 30th anniversary. Ortis Luiz receives the plaque of appreciation for his vision, invaluable contributions and leadership in the development and growth of Philippine exports from board of trustees led by chairman George Barcelon (eighth from left) and vice chairman William Co (seventh from left). With them are (from left) Apolinar Suarez, Oscar Barrera, William Tiu Lim, corporate treasurer and consul Bernardo Benedicto, Ferdinand Ferrer, corporate secretary Apolinar Aure, consul Enunina Mangio, Myrna Bituin, Cecile Ramos, Diana Santos, Mina Gabor, Mila Lacson and Robert Young.

BEER producer San Miguel Brewery Inc. said Sunday net income grew 15 percent in the first nine months to P16.2 billion from the same period last year on the back of higher sales.

SMB said in a statement nine-month consolidated revenues reached P99 billion, up by 21 percent from a year earlier as mobility restrictions eased and domestic and international markets reopened.

Operating income rose 22 percent year-on-year to P22.2 billion.

The Philippines’ largest brewery, which has a market share of more than 95 percent, is a joint venture of San

Pag-IBIG makes available P5b in calamity loan for members affected by typhoon Paeng PAG-IBIG Fund allocated P5 billion in calamity loan funds to help members affected by typhoon Paeng, according to top executives.

“We are ready to help our members affected by typhoon Paeng with our calamity loan program. We have initially identified a total of 344,000 affected members in Regions IV-A [CALABARZON], V [Bicol Region], VI [Western Visayas], the Bangsamoro Autonomous Region in Muslim Mindanao and other areas where a state of a calamity has been declared by

the local government unit, who are eligible to borrow under the program,” said Department of Human Settlements and Urban Development Secretary Jose Rizalino Acuzar who is also the chairperson of the 11-member Pag-IBIG Fund board of trustees.

“That is why we have set aside P5 billion in calamity loan funds to help them recover from the damage caused by the typhoon. This is in line with the directive of President Ferdinand Marcos Jr. to provide Filipinos in affected areas with

immediate relief and all the necessary assistance,” said Acuzar.

Under the Pag-IBIG calamity loan, eligible members may borrow up to 80 percent of their total Pag-IBIG savings which consist of their monthly contributions, the counterpart employer’s contributions and accumulated dividends earned.

Pag-IBIG said that in consideration of the plight of the members, the loan is offered at a rate of 5.95 percent per annum, making it the lowest rate in the market.

The loan is payable over a period of up to

three years, with a grace period of three months so that initial payment is due only on the fourth month after the loan is released.

Qualified borrowers may apply for the calamity loan within 90 days from the date when an area has been declared under a state of calamity.

Pag-IBIG Fund chief executive Marilene Acosta said the agency already released P2.03 billion in calamity loans to help 149,773 members in calamity-hit areas as of September this year.

Miguel Corp. and Kirin Holdings Co. of Japan.

SMC president and chief executive Ramon Ang said the beer business was affected by the pandemic because of restrictions not only in the country, but also in the international markets.

Ang said SMB had remained resilient and managed to sustain its growth momentum because of its strong, iconic brands and ability to respond to rapidly-changing market conditions.

“This reflects the fundamental strength of not just the beer business, but overall, SMC’s diversified portfolio which has allowed us to weather challenges. With our economy back in full swing and our major markets reopened, we’re even more upbeat and positive about our full-year prospects heading into the holidays,” Ang said.

Total domestic revenues reached P88.4 billion, up 19 percent from 2021 on further easing of restrictions which paved the way for the re-opening of on-premise outlets.

The implementation of volume-generating and marketing programs across traditional and modern trade channels also helped boost domestic sales, the company said.

SMB’s international operations also sustained its positive performance, registering higher volumes in the first nine months of the year.

Sports

Riera U. Mallari, Editor; Randy M. Caluag, Assistant Editor MONDAY, NOVEMBER 7, 2022

Mendoza basket at buzzer lifts TNT to title

Gryann Mendoza flashes the no. 1 sign after hitting the game winner that carried the TNT Tropang Giga to the Leg 1 title of the PBA 3x3 Season 2 Second Conference.

Catantan wins Garret Penn State foil gold, carries Lions to sweep T

By Peter Atencio

OP Filipino fencer Samantha Catantan ruled the foil finals to lead the Penn State Nittany Lion Fencing Team to a three-gold sweep in the women’s division on Day 1 Saturday (Sunday in Manila) of the Garret Penn State Open.

The 20-year old Catantan retained the Garrett Open title with a masterful 15-9 victory over teammate Arianna Proietti.

“Overall, I am very thankful with the way I fenced and that I’m able to do fencing actions I’ve been practicing on,” said Catantan in a statement.

Kateryna Chorniy also took home gold for Penn State women’s epee, alongside Jaclyn Khrol.

Their teammate Ola Strzalkowski took the gold for the Nittany Lions in the sabre action.

“I’d say it’s a good sign to start the season. I was able to figure out things I need to improve and focus on,” added Catantan, who won for the Philippines a gold medal in fencing during the 2021 Southeast Asian Games in Vietnam.

Samantha Catantan

Catantan is the first homegrown Filipino fencer to earn an athletic scholarship in the US and play in the NCAA. She hurdled three tough rounds of pooling action to reach the direct eliminations.

“It was really tough because we had to play three rounds of pooling. In the first two rounds I played seven bouts, and in the third round, I played six bouts,” said Catantan.

The third-ranked Catantan made it past the knockout stage after beating Annie Lin of Yale University 15-8 in the round-of-16.

She then outpaced Renee Oymann of Temple University 15-7 in the quarterfinals, and Emme Zhou of Yale University 15-13 in the semifinals.

Yulo tries to bounce back in vault, parallel bars CARLOS Edriel Yulo, one of the favorites to win the gold, was disappointed on Saturday night (Sunday morning in Manila) of his seventh-place finish in the finals of his pet event, the men’s floor exercise at the 51st FIG Artistic Gymnastics World Championships at the M&S Bank Arena.

The finals of two more events in the vault and parallel bars are up next and Yulo quickly brushed off his bad feelings, as he seeks to bounce back with better finishes on Sunday evening (Monday morning in Manila).

“I feel a bit down because of what happened today, but I’m going to review what I did today and build my motivation again,” said Yulo.

The Philippines’ top gymnast did not have a great landing, as he dismounted with his bottom hitting the mat first after performing a two-and-a-half front double pike.

Carlos Yulo

“I didn’t kick like I do in in practice. It was a bit too soft. I felt I couldn’t make it, but I tried to correct it on the landing. It was affected by my first stumble, and then it is like a chain, you can’t stop it,” added Yulo.

This earned him 13.300 points and put him out of contention for a podium finish.

The gold went to British star Giarnni Regini-Moran, who came out of years of injuries to win a gold medal.

The 24 -year-old Regini-Morani, who has fully recovered from MCL and ACL injuries that he got from a training accident at age 17, found a chance to win the gold when Yulo, a pre-event favorite, fell on his first pass and Japan’s Ryosuke Doi stepped off the floor.

“I didn’t believe I would be strong enough to be with the world’s best because of what I went through. My knee is never going to be 100% again, but I’ve learned to live with it,” said

Regini-Moriani.

The Great Yarmouth-born bet then executed the joint, a very difficult routine ever done by a gymnast in the finals, and then perfected all of his landings to score a superb 14.533.

Newly-minted men’s all-around champion Daiki Hashimoto of Japan settled for the silver (14.500), while his compatriot, Doi grabbed the bronze (14.266).

Last year. Yulo also missed a chance at podium in the floor exercise, ending up fifth among the eight finalists after tallying a score of 14.566 points. Yulo then took the vault gold before ending with a silver in the parallel bars.

“Yesterday was okay—I hit it. But today I had a feeling that I lost myself.

But maybe I will gain experience from here despite my performance. I want to come back stronger next year,” said Yulo. Peter Atencio

Lady Falcons sweep Perpetual belles, nail semis berth ADAMSON University clinched a semifinal seat after sweeping University of Perpetual Help, 25-14, 25-16, 25-16, behind the duo of May Ann Nuique and Ayesha Juegos in the Shakey’s Super League Collegiate Preseason Championship at the Rizal Memorial Coliseum on Sunday.

The Lady Falcons, who won their seventh straight match, will face in the knockout semis the winner between De La Salle University and Ateneo de Manila University in the other quarterfinal pairing being played as of press time.

Nuique finished with 11 points off eight kills, two kill blocks and an ace while Juegos got 10 markers anchored on eight spikes and two service winners for Adamson, which came off a morale-boosting win over La Salle to end the second round Saturday.

“The team played more relaxed today compared to yesterday. My second unit also stepped up to help our starters who I think were a bit tired after our game against La Salle,” Lady Falcons coach Jerry Yee said.

Adamson overpowered the Lady Altas on attacks, 4325, and even received 20 free points off Perpetual’s errors.

Antonette Adolfo added nine points while Rochell Lalongisip registered six for the Lady Falcons.

The Lady Altas were relegated to the classification round.

Rookie Shaila Omipon and Winnie Bedana paced Perpetual with seven points each.

Meanwhile, National University punched the first semifinal ticket with a dominating sweep of Far Eastern University, 25-10, 25-17, 25-15, in the knockout quarterfinal.

The unbeaten Lady Bulldogs pounced on the stunned Lady Tamaraws early to build momentum and dictate the pace of the match that lasted for only 79 minutes to advance into the Final Four.

“We prepared really well coming into this game.

I think that helped us a lot in this game,” said NU coach Karl Dimaculangan, whose wards won their sixth straight in as many starts in the tournament organized by Athletic Events and Sports Management, Inc. (ACES).

NU will face in the knockout semifinal the survivor between University of Santo Tomas and University of the Philippines in the other quarterfinal pairing being played as of press time.

The Final Four is slated on Friday, November 11, while the winner-take-all championship match is set on November 19.

Erin Pangilinan and veteran Alyssa Solomon did most of the damage for NU, which rained down 53 attack points and exploited the problematic reception

B1

The Adamson Lady Falcons celebrate a score.

game of FEU to land 22 aces.

Pangilinan accounted for eight of the total service winners scored by the Lady Bulldogs as she finished with 13 points. Solomon had 10 attacks, an ace and a kill block for 12 markers.

The Lady Tamaraws showed little resistance throughout the match and were tentative on their attacks with only 16 hits penetrating the defensive wall of NU.

GRYANN Mendoza saved the day for TNT, hitting the game winner as the Tropang Giga repeated over Platinum Karaoke, 17-15, for the Leg 1 title of the PBA 3x3 Season 2 Second Conference on Sunday.

Mendoza nailed the winning deuce at the buzzer to cap the thrilling finish at Robinsons Place Antipolo.

Nico Salva earlier knotted the count at 15-all with seven seconds left, before Mendoza delivered in the clutch to help TNT secure the P100,000 prize money.

It was the second major victory by TNT against Platinum after winning the First Conference grand finals last week.

Platinum took home with the runner up purse of P50,000.

Despite playing undermanned, Barangay Ginebra salvaged a podium finish after a 21-13 stunner of Cavitex to take third place.

Donald Gumaru finished with 10 points for the Kings, who took home P30,000.

Vosotros again delivered for the Tropang Giga, who eliminated the Cavitex Braves, 20-19, in the semifinals.

The 32-year-old Vosotros had nine points and six rebounds in leading the team to the win just a week removed after TNT ruled the First Conference grand finals at the expense Platinum Karaoke.

Brandon Bates went 6-of-7 from the field for six points and seven rebounds as Platinum Karaoke downed Barangay Ginebra to earn another crack at TNT. In the first round of the knockout stage, Cavitex toppled top seed J&T Express, 22-19, while Lervin Flores finished with 13 points and nine rebounds in the Tropang Giga’s thrilling 20-18 win over Purefoods TJ Titans.

Barangay Ginebra also extended its winning ways by upending San Miguel Beer, 19-18, behind the game-high 11 points of new recruit Ralph Cu. Platinum Karaoke meanwhile, made short work of Terrafirma, 17-10.

The two classification results saw Meralco salvaging a win in the first leg at the expense of NorthPort, 12-9, while Blackwater kept Pioneer winless in the campaign, 22-15.

Error-prone Lions hang on to frustrate Stags, 82-79 JB Bahio made up for his miscues while Peter Alfaro came up with big plays in the extra period as they powered the San Beda Red Lions past a gritty San Sebastian Stags’ side, 82-79, on Sunday in the 98th National Collegiate Athletic Association men’s basketball tournament at the FilOil-EcoOil Arena in San Juan.

Their heroics in overtime allowed the Red Lions to redeem themselves from the 25 turnovers they committed throughout the contest as they pulled off their third straight win at third spot.

Alfaro, who only had five points, pushed the Lions out of a 76-all regulation period tie with a triple in the last 3:57 as San Beda stormed to its ninth triumph in 13 matches.

Bahio, who committed the most turnovers in the game with six, drilled in two of his 11-point output in the last five minutes, with his putback in the remaining 2:31 off James Kwekuteye’s miss pushing the Red Lions further ahead, 81-76.

The Stags, who slipped behind in the standings at 5-7, tried to stay within range off Jessie Sumoda’s trey, 79-81, in the final 1:08.

But a split charity from Kwekuteye in the last 15 seconds, followed by a missed triple by Stags’ cager Itchie Altamirano in the next play allowed San Beda to secure the win.

“We have to play strong with the ball.

We have to be able to handle pressure and get rebounds,” said Red Lions’ coach Yuri Escueta.

The Stags sent the contest into overtime when Rafael Are knocked in a jumper with seven seconds remaining, 76-all, after hauling the rebound off Kwekuteye’s missed trey. Peter Atencio

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Sports

MONDAY, NOVEMBER 7, 2022

Top firms back NPC golf at Wack Wack TOWNSHIP developer Megaworld and long-time golf patron International Container Terminal Services, Inc. (ICTSI) head the early roster of companies from the private sector throwing their full backing to the National Press Club anniversary golf tournament slated Nov. 25 at Wack Wack’s West course in Mandaluyong City.

Close to 100 participants are set to see action in the 18-hole fun tournament staged to highlight NPC’s milestone 70th anniversary celebrations and at the same time generate funds for the country’s top media organization’s projects and programs, including scholarship grants for deserving children of NPC members.

Other supporters of the event are DSWD Secretary Erwin Tulfo; National Irrigation Authority (NIA) Administrator Benny Antiporda; Negros Occidental Rep. Arnie Teves, Davao City Rep. Paolo Duterte, 1PACMAN Party List Rep. Mikee Romero and Benguet Rep. Eric Yap; Cagayan Economic Zone Authority (CEZA); Atty. Dhalia Salamat and RICH Corp.

For details, contact Ms. Mae Briones, NPC Secretariat, at 09274759116.

The NPC golf field will include players and representatives from private and government sectors, the big business and the media. Play will be under the Stableford scoring system with titles and trophies up for grabs in Classes A, B and C. There will also be special awards staked on designated fun holes, including the most accurate drive, longest drive and nearest to the pin.

The organizing NPC, made up of journalists and photo-journalists from various media platforms such as print, TV and radio, will cover the green fees, food and drinks with big prizes to be raffled off during awards rites.

Chihiro Ikeda

Pros gear up for ICTSI Villamor Match Play

Michael Brantley of Houston celebrates with the Commissioner’s Trophy after the Astros defeated the Philadelphia Phillies 4-1 in Game 6 of the 2022 World Series at Minute Maid Park in Houston, Texas. AFP

WORLD SERIES

Not a tainted title this time as Astros win it all W ASHINGTON—Yordan Alvarez smashed a three-run homer and the Houston Astros captured their second World Series in six seasons on Saturday with a 4-1 victory over Philadelphia.

The Cuban slugger’s sixth-inning blast off Phillies relief pitcher Jose Alvarado gave Houston the lead for good as the Astros took Major League Baseball’s best-of-seven championship final four games to two.

“I just tried to stay a little calm and get a good pitch to swing at and that’s what I did,” Alvarez said of his third game-winning playoff homer.

“It was amazing. When I was rounding second base I felt the whole stadium moving.”

The home victory brought 73-year-old Astros manager Dusty Baker his first World Series crown in 25 seasons as an MLB bench boss.

“That’s the final chapter to the movie,” Baker said. “They told me in spring training they were going to win. Now what’s next? Party.”

Baker, whose 2,093 wins were the most for any manager

without a World Series title, quickly enjoyed the long-sought title.

“It hit me all right,” Baker said. “It hit me as soon as Yordan hit that ball over the moon out there.”

The Astros, in their fourth World Series in six seasons and fifth overall, won their only prior title in 2017.

Many MLB fans see that as a tainted title after the Astros were found to have used an electronic sign stealing system, allowing Houston batters to know what pitch was coming.

Baker took over in January 2020 after A.J. Hinch was fired over the scandal and helped the Astros put the shameful episode behind them.

“All the stuff we’ve been going through the last three years, hopefully it’s over,” Baker said. “You’ve got to let it ride.”

The Astros, who lost the 2019 World Series to Washington and 2021 Series to Atlanta, were emotional about winning the crown for Baker.

“He means everything,” said Astros star Jose Altuve, among five players from 2017 still on the roster. “He came here at the right time with the right team.”

Houston’s Jeremy Pena became the first rookie position player to be named World Series Most Valuable Player and only the second rookie MVP of a league final and World Series.

The 25-year-old Dominican became the first rookie with a hit in each of the first six games of a World Series. AFP

THE pro golf circuit caps its big bounceback season with a novel head-to-head tournament at the Villamor Golf Club in Pasay with the top finishers in the justconcluded Philippine Golf Tour and the Ladies PGT all prepped to mix it up for top honors in the ICTSI Villamor Match Play Invitational unfolding Nov. 15.

Spread over four days at the flat but tight, challenging military layout, the top 32 in the PGT Order of Merit rankings after six tournaments and the top 16 in the LPGT prize money list after 11 legs make up the cast disputing not only the top P280,000 purse in both sides but also the bragging rights as the first Match Play champions in the country’s premier pro tour put up by ICTSI. The North and South duel, which pits the top players from Luzon against their counterparts from the Visayas and Mindanao, used to highlight each PGT and LPGT season before the pandemic with the organizing Pilipinas Golf Tournaments, Inc. opting to shift from team play to individual competition that will put to test the competing field’s skills in head-to-head clashes.

The first round will be played on Nov. 15 for the Round of 32 (PGT) and Round of 16 (LPGT) with the winners advancing to the next round on Nov. 16 – Round of 16 (PGT) and quarterfinals (LPGT).

The PGT survivors will then face off in the morning quarterfinals on Nov. 17 and then in the semis in the afternoon together with the LPGT with the winners disputing the titles on the Nov. 18.

A pro-am tournament will be held on Nov. 14.

Dutch Guido Van der Valk, who captured two of the six PGT events at Splendido Taal and Pradera Verde, and three-leg runner-up Tony Lascuña lead the chase in the P2 million PGT match play while LPGT top money earner Chihiro Ikeda, who won at Mount Malarayat and Eagle Ridge-Aoki, headlines the cast in their side of the P1.5 million event.

Tigresses clinch Final 4 playoff spot UNIVERSITY of Santo Tomas clinched a playoff for a Final Four slot in the UAAP Season 85 Women’s Basketball Tournament after staving off a determined Adamson University, 73-66, Sunday at the UST Quadricentennial Pavilion.

The Growling Tigresses notched their eighth win of the season against two losses to move on verge of a top-four slot while dropping the Lady Falcons to a 3-7 slate.

But UST needed to fend off Adamson to take this one.

Despite being down by as much as 54-37 courtesy of a Joylyn Pangilinan three at the 4:01 mark of the third period, Adamson came back strong in the fourth quarter.

The Lady Falcons were able to trim the deficit to just 63-68 off a Cris Padilla basket with 2:05 remaining in the contest.

Pangilinan and Eka Soriano though had other plans, restoring order with big baskets

to stretch the lead to 73-63 at the 1:28 mark of the fourth quarter to seal the victory.

“Of course, a win is a win but I told the girls after the one-week break, uphill games talaga - Ateneo and NU,” said Growling Tigresses coach Haydee Ong. “We have to work on our turnovers. We had 34 today. We’ll keep working hard for the next few games,” the former national team head coach continued.

Pangilinan led UST with 17 points behind five-out-of-11 shooting from the three-point line followed by Soriano’s 13 points, eight rebounds, six assists, and six steals.

Agatha Bron had 11 points and six rebounds for the Growling Tigresses.

UST relied on its bench mob to win the game as they produced 37 points to Adamson’s 20. The Growling Tigresses also had 27 points off turnovers against the Lady Falcons’ 15.

HYDRATION PARTNER. Healthy & Pure Water has committed to expand its partnership with the PBA. As the official hydration partner of the PBA 3X3 since its inaugural season, H&P Water’s sponsorship now also covers the PBA’s 47th Season and the much-awaited All-Star Week. PBA Commissioner Willie Marcial and MPC president and CEO Michael Chanco also agreed to work together in future endeavor. Shown in photo are (from left) Armel Salazar, Quality Assurance Analyst; Jenny Sabino, MPC Sales Executive; Jo Francisco, Marketing/PBA Properties head; PBA commissioner Willie O. Marcial; Michael Chanco, MPC president and CEO; and Irenne Medina, MPC Sales Executive.

Imus gals, Basilan spikers in hot Champions League start

Basilan’s Mark Dela Pena in action against UB Benguet’s Aldrin Lucido and Adriene Mostaza.

IMUS City AJAA rallied from a set down to beat UB Batangas City, 21-25, 25-12, 25-23, 25-16, for a winning start in the Philippine National Volleyball Federation Champions League women’s pool play Sunday at the PhilSports Arena.

Julie Catindig hammered the setclinching kill in the third set to give the Cavite-based lady spikers a 2-1 advantage before coasting in the fourth to prevail in the opening Pool A match.

With veteran setter Gyzelle Sy orchestrating the offense, Catindig led Imus with 12 points while Monica Guibao added 10 markers.

Kylie Macatangay paced the Lady Brahmans with 14 points.

In the other Pool A match, Judith Abil scattered seven of her 15 points in the third set and fired three service aces, while Justine Dorog had five of her eight points in the third as Quezon City

Games Monday (Philsports Arena)

8 a.m. – Baguio vs Bacolod City (Men) 10 a.m. – Basilan vs Cignal (Men) 12 noon – VNS Quezon City vs PGJC-Navy (Men) 2:30 p.m. – Quezon City vs UB Batangas (Women) 4:30 p.m. – Imus City vs ICC Caloocan (Women) 6:30 p.m. – UE Manila vs Davao City (Women) 8:30 p.m. – Bulacan vs CPS Antipolo City (Women)

defeated ICC Caloocan, 27-25, 25-18, 25-17.

The Lady Vikings tallied three blocks, all came from Sheeka Espinosa.

Ednelle Maniquis topscored for Caloocan with eight points.

In men’s action on opening day Saturday, Nico Almendras and Kenry Malinis each had 11 points as National UniversityPasay opened its campaign with a 25-19, 25-20, 25-22 romp of One Bulacan Republicans in Pool B. Cignal, with Marck Espejo leading the

charge with 18 points, also set in motion its title aspirations with 22-25, 25-12, 2515, 25-17 conquest of VNS-Quezon City in Pool A. In the other Pool B match, Pikit North Cotabato AMC G Spikers overcame a second set loss to beat Imus City-AJAA Spikers, 25-22, 20-25, 25-20, 25-18.

Basilan Tennun Spikers and PGJC Navy later joined Cignal for the early Pool A lead with victories of AIP Benguet.

The Mindanao-based side scored a 2517, 25-23, 25-19 victory over their counterparts from Northern Luzon. The Sea Lions pinned Benguet a second straight loss with a 25-13, 25-16, 20-25, 25-22, in the nightcap.

Pool C action saw TARAG-Lolek Bacolod outlast Santa Rosa City, 23-25, 2520, 18-25, 25-18, 15-10, and Baguio City turning back Army-Taguig City, 25-23, 28-26, 25-19.

Entertainment

Nickie Wang, Editor Patricia Taculao, Editorial Assistant E-mail: lifeandshow.manilastandard@gmail.com MONDAY, NOVEMBER 7, 2022

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Lovi Poe endears primetime viewers in ‘Flower of Evil’ ACTRESS Lovi Poe is on a roll these days. The reason for this is the inclusion of highly acclaimed series, Flower of Evil, in Primetime Bida block beginning today.

When the series first aired on Viu channel, Lovi received glowing reviews for portraying Iris Castillo-del Rosario in the Philippine adaptation of the Korean hit show. The series was Lovi’s first series for the Kapamilya network. It also marks Lovi’s first entry in the suspense—mystery and action genre.

“At least for the duration of this series, I fulfilled my dream of being an Action Queen,” says Lovi.

The actress and singer could not forget the fact that the people on the set started calling her “LPJ” or “DA Queen” in reference to her father, Fernando Poe, Jr. “I really enjoyed having that illusion, even if it was just the duration of the taping of the series,” the actress jokingly confesses.

As a police detective, Lovi was required to do a lot of stunts in the action sequences, fight scenes, and chase scenes, and instead of a handbag or a purse, her accessory this time was a handgun.

“I’m really proud of our show, and I hope that the television viewers will love

it as well. I am truly grateful for having the best production staff, directors, and a wonderful cast,” admits Lovi.

“I truly loved working with all my co-actors in the show because they were all extremely dedicated to the project.

Piolo Pascual, my leading man, who did his best and was very supportive and encouraging, and so was Paulo Avelino who delivered a great performance as the root of all evil, the same goes for the rest of my co-stars,” the actress relays.

Lovi will return from the US soon because she will show another side of her personality with her musical skills to our fellow kababayans abroad, as she takes

part in Asap Natin ‘To at the Orleans Arena in Las Vegas.

Watch Flower of Evil on Primetime Bida starting tonight at 9:30 p.m. on Kapamilya Channel, Jeepney Tv, A2Z, and TV 5.

Completing the cast of Flower of Evil are JC De Vera, Denise Laurel, Agot Isidro, Joem Bascon, Joross Gamboa, Rita Avila, Jett Pangan, and Edu Manzano.

Kate Valdez

Singer Aaron Carter dead at 34

essays challenging role in small screen comeback I

By Patricia Taculao

N 2020, young actress Kate Valdez made headlines with her role in Anak ni Waray vs. Anak ni Biday. Although she enjoyed the experience and working with the cast on the show, she faced challenges with her acting because of the heavy emotions she portrayed on the small screen.

This month, Kate returns to acting with a different approach with Unica Hija. Unlike her previous projects, the actress undergoes an experimental role because, for the first time, she will play two characters in the series. But Unica Hija is more than the run-of-the-mill drama series about two identical characters raised in opposing conditions as it also adds sci-fi elements.

Unica Hija explores the potential of cloning technology as Kate brings life to Bianca at Hope.

“Si Bianca, the original one, siya ‘yung pinagkunan ng DNA para kay Hope which is ‘yung clone. Si Bianca ay anak ng isang scientist,” Kate shared.

Although the concept of actors playing dual roles in a series isn’t foreign, it’s Kate’s first time to experience such a feat. During an online press conference, she admitted that it was challenging for her to play two different characters who have opposite personalities.

“I’m not going to lie, challenging siya, may kahirapan din. I guess nagkaroon lang ng difference because si Bianca ay laki sa yaman, ‘yung pamumuhay niya, ibang-ibang sa pamumuhay ni Hope,” the Kapuso actress said. Meanwhile, Hope will grow up in a family with financial struggles.

Kate added that Unica Hija diverts from her usual kontrabida roles from other series. This time, she’s the oppressed character, making it a significant adjustment from her approach as an actress.

Kate’s role in ‘Unica Hija’ diverts from her usual ‘kontrabida’ roles

her as a baby. Unfortunately, Hope will experience abuse from his wife and biological child.

Other cast members include Sparkle talents Faith Da Silva, Athena Madrid Madrid, and Jennie Gabriel Gabriel. Also joining them is former child actor Jemwell Ventenilla Ventenilla.

Unica Hija premieres today on GMA Afternoon Prime.

Kate (left) and Kelvin pair up for the first time on-screen in ‘Unica Hija’

From left: Biboy Ramirez, Kate Valdez, and Maricar De Mesa play Hope and her adoptive family

On the other hand, Kate explained that playing Hope didn’t require her to act as a robot because the character is a clone—still human. “‘Di naman gano’n kateknikal ang ginawa kong preparation kasi hindi naman siya robot, tao pa rin s’ya. Nakakaramdam siya ng lahat ng emotions ng tao,” she said.

Speaking of firsts, Unica Hija also marks the first teleserye team-up between Kate and Kelvin Miranda (The Lost Recipe, Stories from the Heart: Loving Miss Bridgette).

Joining the pair are Alfred Vargas and Katrina Halili, who will play the roles of Christian and Diane, respectively, Bianca’s parents. The series will also serve as Alfred’s comeback to showbiz as his role is a special participation.

As for Katrina, who’s known for her kontrabida characters but has shown she can efficiently portray the role of a nurturing mother in Prima Donnas, she’s thankful that the network saw that side of her and gave her a similar role in Unica Hija.

Meanwhile, playing Hope’s parents are Biboy Ramirez and Maricar De Mesa. Biboy’s character has treated Hope like his own child since he adopted

Actress and singer Lovi Poe is happy to fulfill the role of ‘Action Queen’ in ‘Flower of Evil’

Katrina Halili, Alfred Vargas, and Kate Valdez play the family of Bianca

A A R O N Carter, the Carter American singer who soared to fame at the turn of the millennium with his hit album Aaron’s Party (Come Get It), It died Saturday, TMZ said. He was 34 years old.

The entertainment outlet reported that the brother of B a c k s t r e e t American singer Aaron Carter Boys’ Nick Carter was found dead in his tub at his residence in Lancaster, California.

A police spokesperson told AFP that officers responded to Carter’s home at 10:58 a.m. and found a deceased body, but were not yet able to publicly identify the person.

Carter’s manager did not immediately respond to an AFP query.

The artist born December 7, 1987 in Tampa, Florida began performing at age seven, releasing his debut album at age nine in 1997.

His sophomore effort Aaron’s Party (Come Get It) sold three million copies stateside, propelling him to teen heartthrob status. He became a regular on preteen Nickelodeon and Disney shows, including an appearance on the popular Lizzie McGuire.

Carter toured with the boy band The Backstreet Boys—his elder brother is a member—as well as Britney Spears, and saw his next album, Oh Aaron, go platinum.

As he aged the musician’s star began to fade but Carter remained in the public eye, appearing on a number of reality shows and off-Broadway productions, and releasing some new music online.

But his personal life struggles became tabloid fodder, including apparent strife among the five Carter siblings and family fights over money.

In 2011 it was revealed that Carter had entered a treatment facility, with the star telling his fans that “the main thing in life is not to be afraid of being human.”

After leaving rehab the artist began doing oneoff shows, and later a Canadian tour. He released another album in 2018.

He had filed a bankruptcy petition in 2013 over millions in debt, much of it tax-related. Carter also faced several run-ins with the law primarily over possession charges and reckless driving.

In 2017 he began to discuss publicly his arrests and skinny appearance that had fueled rumors of illness or illegal drug use.

He admitted himself to another treatment center over prescription drug use aimed at anxiety and sleep issues, reporting improvement in 2018.

Earlier this year he told the Daily Mail he vied to no longer be seen as a “train wreck.” AFP

Marianne Beatriz Bermundo and her little girl dreams THE Philippines is a beauty pageant powerhouse. In the four most important pageants, we have four Miss Universe titleholders namely Catriona Elisa Gray, Pia Wurtzbach, Maria Margarita Moran, and Gloria Maria Diaz plus two first runner-ups, Janine Tugonon and Miriam Quiambao.

For the second most important title Miss World, we have our very own Megan Lynne Young, as the first Filipina to grab the crown. Sharmaine Ruffa Gutierrez was declared second princess. Evangeline Pascual became first runner-up.

We have six Miss International winners and the most beloved are Kylie Verzosa, Bea Santiago, Precious Lara Quigaman, Mimilanie Marquez, Aurora Pijuan, and Gemma Cruz.

The last most coveted pageant title, Miss Earth, our winners include Karla Henry, Jamie Herrel, Angelia Ong, and Karen Ibasco.

These ladies, as described in the most iconic pageant song lyrics are “The perfect symbol of a nation rich in heritage and love,” and yes, we can no longer deny the fact that becoming a beauty title holder is a dream that the majority of young misses and kids want to achieve.

One fine example of a kid who has become

a title holder is Marianne Beatriz Bermundo, crowned Little Miss Universe a year ago, which happened at the transcontinental country at the intersection of Eastern Europe and Western Asia, Georgia.

The Little Miss Universe pageant happened during the celebration of the 16th season of the Children’s International Festival of Culture, Style & Arts which transpired during the last week of October. The organizer of the event is the international production company, Universal Productions.

Per its official Facebook page, the motto of the competition is: “Beauty without any standards!” The organizers give the opportunity to everyone who wants to be a representative of their country, who wants to stand out and show their best side, learn to work on themselves, share invaluable experience and grow internally, overcome complexes and become better—the best version of themselves!

This Grade 9 student, an academic achiever at the Pasay City Adventist school says: “Being in a pageant, which was held at Georgia, was an amazing experience. We

were more than 30 candidates, bright-eyed misses who were absorbing all the amazing experiences like sponges. It was a new path and journey for me and the rest of my co-candidates and I must be lucky, I guess, to be able to bring home the crown.”

What made her win?

Bermundo answers “I think more than the physical beauty, what made me win is the kindness in my heart. That desire to make a difference in the world and the lives of others is not lip service to me. Ginagawa ko po talaga ang pagtulong sa kapwa ko at sa aking komunidad in the best way I can.”

With her great facility in English and her winsome smile and charisma, it is no longer bafflement why she bested the competition in the postcard-perfect country of Georgia.

She carries on: “To become a beauty queen has been a little girl’s dream of mine. Realizing it did not happen overnight. It was a product of determination, hard work, prayers, of course, the love and support from my parents.”

For fun, Marianne likes: “Reading is fun for me since it transports to another place and time. I like to read classic books and

other contemporary stuff. It is also my way of improving my vocabulary. I know this seems so old-fashioned. When I encounter a word for the first time, I immediately search for its meaning in the dictionary. I also look for its synonyms or antonyms para mas madali ko siyang ma-grasp at maunawaan.”

Of the many stars in showbusiness, she idolizes Daniel Padilla, “Because he is kind and I love the way he interacts with his fans.

And the way he acts, magaling po siya, he is one of my idols talaga, one of my favorite actors,” and of course, Kathryn Bernardo, “I find her beautiful po and napaka-sincere niya po, especially in giving the right emotions of the characters or roles that she portrays.”

To become part of the showbiz industry is also Marianne’s aspiration: “I want to give it a try and if opportunities come my way, I believe I must grab it. I always put my heart and passion into what I do. Kaso, after my reign, I want to do teenage stuff po muna and concentrate on my studies. There is a right time and season for everything. When the time is ripe, and right, to become an actress is another little girl’s dream that hopefully, I realize.”

The future is indeed bright for our very own Little Miss Universe Maureen Beatriz Marianne Beatriz Bermuno shares that Bermundo. In a few more seasons, she might being a beauty queen is one of her childhood dreams be the Philippines’s fifth Miss Universe.

Life

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

B4

MONDAY, NOVEMBER 7, 2022

The Holidays come alive at Nuvali N

UVALI, a 2,400-hectare mixed-use development that encompasses the cities of Sta. Rosa, Cabuyao, and Calamba in Laguna, is touted to be the country’s first and largest ecocity development, built on the principles of sustainable design.

This year, it is bringing back the water show which is now dubbed The Nuvali Fountain of Lights. It is a water show featuring the works of GA Fallarme – a Manila-based projection and video designer with a diverse body of work ranging from theatrical productions and concerts to advertising and corporate events and large-scale video installations. His work has been featured throughout Asia, Australia, London, and the United States.

There will be three show contents: Parol ng Pasko, featuring the iconic Filipino Christmas symbol – the parol (lantern). It will showcase colorful 3D parol elements with distinct and elaborate designs in a vivid spectacle of movement; Philippine Biodiversity / Bioluminescence – highlighting the water fountain showing the rich biodiversity of the Philippines, using neon and glowin-the-dark underwater creatures creating stunning images and visuals; and Constellation, a visual journey through a host of splendid constellations and the mythical creatures they convey. The visual spectacle will be accompanied by

a lively musical arrangement specially made for the show.

The Nuvali Fountain of Lights will be shown at the Lakeside Grounds of Nuvali, Santa Rosa Laguna. It will open from Friday to Sunday, 6:00 p.m. to 9:00 p.m., with a show playing every 30 minutes. Admission is free.

On November 18, Nuvali is excited to share the news that it will be home to Uniqlo’s third Roadside Store, giving its residents and guests more reasons to come, live, and explore this thriving ecocity. Uniqlo’s stand-alone branch will be a welcome treat to its residents and neighboring cities as it is a refreshing choice for Christmas presents this holiday season.

Being the best place for multi-activities, fun outdoor pursuits also abound in Nuvali.

Its Lakeside area offers diverse recreational activities. Families and friends could enjoy a Nuvali Boat Ride during the day, fish feeding, or jogging by the Lakeside.

In addition to the various dining choices within the estate, McDonald’s is also set to launch its 700th store in Nuvali - a standalone restaurant that will be located in front of Qualimed hospi-

The Nuvali Fountain of Lights returns this year to dazzle visitors with its water show

An overhead view of Nuvali’s thriving community

tal. Aligned with the estate’s sustainability efforts, they will be building a green-and-good store that will feature sustainable solutions.

Other stores that are set to open are Landers, Coffee Bean & Tea Leaf, and MerryMart Grocery while Seda Hotel will launch its second building with 200 additional rooms.

Uniqlo’s third Roadside Store will open in Nuvali to welcome residents and neighboring cities

sustainable ecological living, allowing residents to live side-by-side with nature.

More commercial lots are available in its recently unveiled Central Bloc. A commercial area with amenity retail that will directly serve the residents.

Nuvali will even be more accessible upon the completion of major tollway projects, from the SLEX Expansion, Skyway Extension, and Cavite Laguna ExpressIndulge, Invest, Explore way. Furthermore, access from the CavSince its launch in 2008, it has become ite-Laguna Expressway (CALAX) will a leading growth center that supports be enhanced as soon as the West Service

Road Flyover, Ayala Land’s first flyover project, is completed.

Its commercial lot sales in its Business Districts (Lakeside Evozone and East Bloc) have stayed solid because of the estate’s priming activities and its high land value appreciation of up to 650 percent.

With the Future Business District situated across the Lakeside Evozone, Nuvali looks forward to a more promising and productive future as its goal is to constantly develop more office, commercial, and lifestyle locations.

Ormoc City’s tree of dreams

Robert ‘Bobby’ Lim Joseph (left) with his wife, Ida Manalo

A place for healing and giving Teach a man to fish and you feed him for a lifetime. – Chinese philosopher Lao Tzu, founder of Taoism.

WITH the same ideology and goal, Paraiso Village Farm was born. Founded by a social entrepreneurship champion and Gawad Kalinga founder, Anthony “Tony” Meloto, together with Robert “Bobby” Lim Joseph, pioneer of the micro travel agency cooperative and chair of Philippine Wine Merchants, Paraiso Village Farm became a haven in San Jose, Batangas that aims to build a pedestal of hope and unite the rich and marginalized.

A tourism and healing 8.8 hectares farm with villa-style accommodations, recreational facilities, and a chapel, Paraiso Village Farm was established in 2018. Inspired by the purpose of promoting sustainability and uplifting farmers, they make sure that the place will be an outlet for unity among everyone.

Paraiso Village Farm helps the local community earn income through integrated farming while promoting social tourism among its stakeholders and guests. The place offers a farm tour where guests are taught about crop production and animal breeding.

Beyond its endeavor for social tourism, PVF also serves its purpose of connecting with the elders who are lonely and indigent and giving them new hope and purpose. The first-inthe-world celebration of Seniors Hope Expo gathered over a thousand senior citizens from 18 towns and cities of Batangas.

A whole day filled with feasting, fun, and fellowship.

Hoping for a domino effect, they are open to collaborations with other organizations and groups with similar ideologies – uplifting farmers and empowering local communities in the country. Appreciate the beauty of Paraiso Village Farm and immerse in a life-changing experience.

Paraiso Village Farm connects with the elders by giving them new hope and purpose

WHEN the youthful, good-looking Lucy Torres-Gomez was sworn in earlier this year as mayor of Ormoc City, she ended her inaugural speech with the exciting and hopeful promise, “The best is yet to come!”

As a young boy who spent my summers in that city, my mother’s hometown, listening to Mayor Lucy’s assurance got me so thrilled, revved up, and very optimistic about the city’s future.

A few weeks ago, Ormoc City celebrated its 75th Charter Day with a week-long series of festivities. There were all kinds of fun events – beauty competitions, basketball exhibition games, concerts, etc.

– but what I was looking forward to was Mayor Lucy’s State of the City Address (SOCA) as I was very interested to hear the details of “the best” that was in store for the city and its residents. And, I was not disappointed!

Mayor Lucy pictured her plans for the city as a steadfast, strong, and tall Tree of Dreams, which embodies her vision for her constituents’ wellness, health, prosperity, and abundance. This tree, she will continue to nurture so that it will bear fruits that always benefit her constituents and visitors alike, towards making Ormoc a beautiful city.

She wants a cultural transformation by exposing the residents to the arts, which is one reason why she and her spouse, Congressman Richard Gomez, converted the old City Hall into a beautiful museum with dozens of art masterpieces on display, including Congressman Richard’s personal collection of Amorsolos. Plans include art appreciation tours for grade schoolers and high school students to, hopefully, develop their valuing of fine art at an early age.

One of the events during the weeklong Charter Day celebration was the performance of the entire Philippine Philharmonic Orchestra at the plaza, which overflowed with residents who enjoyed the beautiful contemporary, classical, and OPM music played to perfection

by the illustrious group. Speaking of the Mayor Lucy Torres-Gomez delivering plaza, the mayor already contracted a her State of the City Address well-known architect and design expert to convert it into an architectural wonder for the residents to take a leisurely stroll move was for the residents to enjoy all in, any time of the day. the benefits due them. Much to the deMayor Lucy plans to make Ormoc light of Mayor Lucy, the plebiscite took a wellness destination, to make yoga a place on her 100th day in office and popular activity among the Ormocan- the affected residents delivered overons. She wants everyone to be mindful whelming support for Congressman of their health, towards making the city Richard’s earlier proposal. The city a Blue Zone, much like Okinawa in Ja- now only has 85 barangays, streampan, Sardinia in Italy, Nicoya in Costa lined for easy management for the city Rica, and others where many residents government. live to be a hundred years old or more.

The former Mayor Richard also Of course, she attributes the present started an intensified campaign against development illegal drugs and transforand crime in the mation of the city, resulting YOUR MONDAY city to her bein the city now CHUCKLE loved, former being declared mayor and one of the safAn ad for a church has a picture now congressest and drugof two hands holding stone man, Richard free cities in the tablets on which the Ten Gomez.

Just country. Mayor Commandments are inscribed like the very reLucy bannered and a headline that reads: “For cent, first-of-athe city’s “Best fast, fast, fast relief, take two kind plebiscite City Mobile tablets!” in the country Force” and her which asked for putting together voters’ consent a second SWAT to merge 29 barangays in the city, all of Team to ensure pegging the city’s which were too small and too scarcely crime rate at near-zero. funded to deliver benefits to its resiShe has also put up a Natural Redents. sources Office to protect and care for The then Mayor Richard took the the environment, especially because cudgels of doing the dirty job, trying the city is the first carbon-neutral, to convince his constituents that such a climate-resilient city in the country.

One of the events celebrating the city’s 75th Charter Day is the unveiling of the Commemorative Stamp, attended by President Ferdinand Marcos, Jr.

Ormoc’s First Family, the main reason why the city has earned the tag, ‘The City of Beautiful People’ Mayor Lucy recalled that forty years ago, former President Ferdinand E. Marcos inaugurated the Geothermal Power Plant in Tongonan, a barangay of Ormoc, and this is still in operation until now, providing much-needed power to the entire region with its 232.5 MW capacity, making it the world’s largest capacity geothermal power plant.

Plans are afoot to build an Ormoc City Community College which will help develop the skills and capabilities of the Ormocanons, focusing on youth training for leadership skills. I’m confident that all these projects can easily materialize because the local government has the political will to really make the city match international standards. After all, it is the first ISO-certified Local Government Unit in the country.

There are many other exciting plans the lady Mayor has laid out and it all boils down to one thing – as I mentioned earlier, she wants Ormoc to be a beautiful city because she knows that Ormocanons are beautiful inside and out. I guess the whole world agrees because if you google “The City of Beautiful People,” “Ormoc City” is the only thing that comes out.

Nobody can contest that. Just look at the city’s First Family.

For feedback, I’m at bobzozobrado@gmail.com

The massive Tongonan Geothermal Power Plant has become a popular tourist attraction (File photo)