Manila Standard - 2022 November 8 - Tuesday

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Bantag charged with murder Separate rap filed vs. aide Zulueta, 10 others for Mabasa, Palaña slays

VOL. XXXVI • NO. 265• 3 SECTIONS 12 PAGES • P20 TUESDAY, NOVEMBER 8, 2022 • www.manilastandard.net • mst.daydesk@gmail.com

By Rey E. Requejo, Vito Barcelo, Macon Ramos-Araneta, and Maricel V. Cruz

OLICE on Monday filed two murder complaints against suspended Bureau of Corrections (BuCor) chief Gerald Bantag and several others for allegedly giving the order to kill radio commentator Percival Mabasa and the inmate who supposedly contracted the killers to do it.

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Murder complaints have also been lodged against BuCor Deputy Security Officer Ricardo Zulueta and prisoners linked to the murder of Mabasa, better known as Percy Lapid, and the alleged middleman, Cristito Palaña, earlier referred to as Jun or Crisanto Villamor

and Jun Globa Villamor. “[Bantag] will probably be the highest official of this land to be charged with a case of this gravity,” Justice Secretary Crispin Remulla said.

Bantag was suspended in October Next page

PBBM okays P4.16b deal to import China fertilizer

By Vince Lopez

PRESIDENT Ferdinand Marcos Jr. approved the importation of cheap fertilizer worth at least P4.16 billion from China that will be given to farmers for free as a subsidy in a bid to support them while lowering food prices.

Mr. Marcos on Monday met with officials of the Department of Agriculture,

which he concurrently heads, the Department of Trade and Industry and the Philippine Trade and Investment Center (PTIC), the Palace said in a press statement released by the Office of the Press Secretary.

PTIC President and Chief Executive Officer Emmie Liza Perez-Chiong said her agency plans to buy an initial 150,000

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ANATOMY OF A MURDER. Names of persons allegedly involved in the murder of broadcaster Percival ‘Percy Lapid’ Mabasa are flashed through a LED projector during a joint press conference at the Department of Justice office in Manila on Monday as Justice Secretary Crispin Remulla, Interior Secretary Benhur Abalos, police and National Bureau of Investigations officials look on. Norman Cruz and Danny Pata

Senate gives nod to Blue Ribbon sugar probe on second reading THE Senate has approved on second reading the Blue Ribbon Committee report that recommended administrative and criminal charges against a Department of Agriculture official and three former Sugar Regulatory Administration (SRA) executives over the controversial Sugar Order No. 4.

The Blue Ribbon panel has earlier

MARINES AT 72. President Ferdinand Marcos Jr. salutes the line as he attends the 72nd Marine Birthday of the Philippine Marine Corps on Monday at Fort Bonifacio in Taguig City.

Presidential Photo

FlorCruz named new envoy to China COVID cases seen

By Vito Barcelo and Vince Lopez PRESIDENT Ferdinand Marcos Jr. has appointed CNN’s former Beijing bureau chief Jaime A. FlorCruz as the country’s ambassador to China, and Luli ArroyoBernas, daughter of former President

and now Senior Deputy Speaker Gloria Arroyo, as ambassador to Austria.

The President also appointed former Armed Forces chief of staff Gen. Andres Centino as the country’s ambassador to India.

Former consul general to Vancouver Maria Andrelita Austria was also nominated Next page

Gas up P1.40/liter; Diesel, kerosene down

By Alena Mae S. Flores GASOLINE prices went up by P1.40 per liter—higher than the earlier forecast of P1.20 per liter—effective 6 a.m. today (Tuesday), but diesel and kerosene prices declined by P0.50 per liter and P0.35 per

SPEAKER: PH LEARNING FROM ‘YOLANDA’ STILL NEWS / A2

liter, respectively, local oil firms said in respective statements.

"Petron will implement the following price adjustments effective 6 a.m. on Nov 8: P1.40 per li increase for gasoline; P0.50/li rollback for diesel, and P0.35/li Next page

MARCOS JOINING APEC LEADERS IN THAILAND NEWS / A2

dipping to 500/day by end-November COVID-19 cases in the country may go as low as 500 per day by the end of this month if the downward trend of infection continues, the independent OCTA Research Group said Monday.

In a briefing, OCTA fellow Dr. Guido David said COVID-19 indicators in the National Capital Region (NCR) are going down, with its seven-day case average now at 210 per day.

He said this was the lowest count since the election period.

The positivity rate, or the percentage of persons testing positive for COVID-19, went down to 8.9 percent in the NCR, the lowest since July 4.

NCR's reproduction number also went down to 0.68. Its average daily attack rate was also at 1.46 and health care utilization at 28 percent.

He said he was confident the trend would continue because Filipinos have Next page

recommended charges before the Office of the Ombudsman against suspended Agriculture Undersecretary Leocadio Sebastian, former SRA administrator Hermenegildo Serafica, and former Sugar Board members Roland Beltran and Aurelio Gerardo Valderrama Jr. This developed after committee Next page

President to issue EO declaring all idle gov’t land for housing projects

By Vince Lopez PRESIDENT Ferdinand Marcos Jr. is set to sign an executive order (EO) that will put all idle government lands under the name of the Republic of the Philippines to enable the executive department to use these lands for government housing.

Mr. Marcos said he is set to meet with banks and financial institutions to assist the Department of Human Settlements

and Urban Development (DHSUD) in realizing its goal of building 1 million housing units per year or 6 million houses by the end of his term.

The EO will implement Section 24 of Republic Act No. 11201, which mandates several government agencies to jointly identify idle state lands suitable for housing and rural development.

President Marcos said the EO will Next page

RELIEF GOODS. Vice President Sara Duterte-Carpio hands a bag of relief goods to residents of General Trias and Imus cities in Cavite on Monday, as 3,000 food packs were given to people affected by Tropical Storm Paeng in the province with the assistance of Senator Ramon Revilla Jr. VPSD Facebook page

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News

TUESDAY, NOVEMBER 8, 2022

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Lessons from ‘Yolanda’ 9 years on N

“As we commemorate the ninth anniversary of Yolanda that battered the country, most especially Eastern Visayas, we honor and offer prayers to those who

perished during this unfortunate event, as we raise our glasses to the brave souls, our first responders, who put the lives of others above their own during

the onslaught of the super typhoon,” Romualdez said.

“This resilience is borne in part by the sacrifices of our first responders, our unity in the face of adversity, and our propensity for compassion toward our fellow citizens in times of calamities,” he added.

Yolanda, a Category 5 typhoon, was one of the most powerful tropical cyclones ever recorded, leveling most of whatever structure was standing in Eastern Visayas in 2013.

Romualdez, who represents Leyte, is from Tacloban, which has been hit hard by the typhoon.

“While it is very difficult to forget

Bantag...

she received from her brother through Facebook Messenger to investigators where he revealed the names of three prison gang leaders who should be held responsible in case he died.

Authorities immediately secured Batang City Jail commander Alvin Labra, Happy Go-Lucky commander Alfie Peñaredonda, and Sputnik commander Aldrin Galicia, who were mentioned by Palaña in his dying declaration.

Another suspect named by a confidential informant was also transferred to NBI custody.

“There, they revealed all,” the joint statement said.

In the Mabasa killing, named “principals by indispensable cooperation” were prisoners Denver Batungbakal Mayores, Alvin Cornista Labra, Aldrin Micosa Galicia, and Alfie Penaredonda.

For the killing of Palaña, charged as “principals by direct participation” were prisoners Christian Dizon Ramac, Ricky Lamigo Salgado, Ronnie Pabustan Dela Cruz, and Joel Alog Reyes.

“It was found through the investigation that both Director-General Gerald Bantag and DSO Ricardo Zulueta were behind the killing of both Percy Lapid and Jun Villamor,” the statement said.

It said the sworn statements of the inmates showed “a clear and direct line of communication” from Zulueta to Mayores, who communicated with Alvin Labra, who then coordinated with Aldrin Galicia “who then orchestrated and executed the killing of Percy Lapid through his gang members and his gang members’ contacts on the outside, ultimately ending with gunman Joel Escorial and his group,” it added.

The same direct line could be found in the killing of Palaña, the statement said.

It said Palaña was suffocated using a plastic bag while he was held down by his own gang members.

“This unique circumstance shows that the order came from a high official of the BuCor. One usually seeks refuge and protection from his own gang members.

The fact that they killed one of their own... indicates that there were instructions from the top and the gang simply had no choice but to execute,” it added.

“Director-General Bantag had a clear motive to effect the murders,” the statement continued.

It said Mabasa's exposé on Bantag on his show “Lapid Fire” was the motive for his murder.

Palaña, on the other hand, was killed to cover up the people behind Mabasa's murder.

“The self-confessed gunman stated that the reward for the murder of Percy Lapid was P550,000. According to the credible intelligence reports, within the period of Sept. 15, 2022 and Oct. 7, 2022 there were indeed cash deposits totaling the amount of P550,000,” it said.

“In sum, all the statements given by the [inmates] and gunman Joel Escorial, coupled with evidence, corroborate as to the material facts needed to prove the two (2) counts of murder,” the authorities said.

Mabasa, the tough-talking voice behind scathing commentaries aired on DWBL 1242’s “Lapid Fire,” was ambushed and gunned down near the gate of a Las Piñas City subdivision on Oct. 3.

In his confession, Escorial said a certain “Bantag” had ordered Mabasa's murder.

Mabasa's brother Roy, also a journalist, said he wanted to make sure there were no other people behind the killing.

“I have to be very, very careful in accepting that this is the end of the case. I want to make sure that there are no more people behind this. If this is the end, then we will accept it wholeheartedly,” Mabasa told radio dzBB. “Our issue here is our security. Because if the masterminds continue to walk free, our family will never be at peace,” he added.

Mabasa said their family hopes that the wheels of justice are grinding on the right path.

"We believe in the ability of [Justice] Secretary [Crispin] Remulla —and also the NBI, PNP — to lead this investigation

that they conducted. But nevertheless, let's remember that there are three more who escaped," he said, referring to Israel Dimaculangan, Edmund Dimaculangan, and a certain Orlando, whom Escorial identified as his accomplices.

Mabasa was an outspoken critic of former President Rodrigo Duterte as well as his successor's policies.

He also had been critical of "redtagging"—accusing someone of being a communist sympathizer—as well as online gambling operations and misinformation around martial law.

Lapid was the second journalist to be killed since Marcos took office on June 30.

While the Philippines is ranked as one of the most dangerous countries in the world for journalists, such murders rarely happen in Manila.

Eugene Javier of the NBI said the investigation into the murders had exposed "the institutionalization of a criminal organization within the government."

"This will be the cause of many reforms in government and the strengthening of current mechanisms to ensure that nothing of this nature will happen again," he said, describing it as a "war against impunity."

Malacanang expressed hope that justice will finally be served to the Mabasa family.

“The President is aware of the situation and hopefully it will pave the way and finally justice will be served to the family of Mabasa,” Office of the Press Secretary (OPS) officer-in-charge Undersecretary Cheloy Garafil said.

The House of Representatives condemned the killing of Mabasa in House Resolution 489 adopted Monday.

“Local and international journalists were outraged and deeply saddened by the killing of Mr. Percival ‘Percy Lapid’ C. Mabasa, and they considered this dastardly act as an attack on the freedom of speech and of the press that must be stopped in order to save and maintain democracy,” the resolution said. (See full story online at manilastandard.net)

Palace said in the statement.

Another requirement for PTIC’s fertilizer importation is a sovereign guarantee from the government-owned LandBank for a P1 billion credit line.

Mr. Marcos directed Finance Secretary Benjamin Diokno to extend the sovereign guarantee to PTIC’s credit line from the LandBank.

“I will also ask LandBank to allow DA to use its idle warehouses for the stockpiling of fertilizers,” the President said.

The PITC is the only state trading corporation in the country and has helped local businesses and agencies benefit from international trade since its establishment

in 1973.

The DA has allotted P4.1 billion for subsidies to buy fertilizers to be given for free to farmers.

With the much lower cost, DA will be able to buy around 2.277 million bags of urea to be given to farmers through farmers' groups and cooperatives.

The government plans to import around 300,000 MT of fertilizer to be used next year.

Aside from the PITC president and CEO, present during the meeting were DA Senior Undersecretary Domingo Panganiban and DTI Secretary Alfredo Pascual.

Earlier, the Department of Budget and Management said the 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.

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. (See full story online at manilastandard.net)

utilization rate was at 24.3 percent.

During the past week, the DOH has also verified 243 more COVID-related fatalities, citing late encoding of death information.

As of Nov. 3, almost 73.6 million people in the country are fully vaccinated against COVID-19.

Of the figure, more than 20.6 million have received their first booster while almost 3.4 million have gotten their second booster.

A former government adviser on Monday called on the DOH to allow the private sector to procure modified COVID-19 vaccines, or “bivalent vaccines” that target the Omicron variant and the original form of the virus.

Former presidential adviser for entrepreneurship Joey Concepcion said there is a plan from the government to purchase 10 million doses of bivalent vaccines, which would be administered mostly to vulnerable groups, including seniors and people with comorbidities.

Due to a supposed limited supply of bivalent vaccines, Concepcion said the private sector should be allowed to preregister employees who would qualify under the priority sector. (See full story online at manilastandard.net)

Senate... chairman Francis Tolentino introduced the following amendments to the committee report: Except for those in the military and the uniformed personnel services, those designated as officer-in-charge in all government agencies, including GOCCs, shall have a limited non-extendible tenure of not more than 60 days The committee report will be furnished to the Department of Justice, Commission on Audit, Office of the Ombudsman, and Bureau of Immigration Deportation for their information and appropriate action, including but not limited to the conduct of the necessary preliminary investigation, sectoral performance audit, and possible issuance of immigration lookout bulletin against the respondents if the case warrants.

The minority report shall be appended and made part of the committee report for purposes of transmittal to other government agencies and the public.

Senate Minority Leader Aquilino "Koko" Pimentel III and Senate Deputy Minority Leader Risa Hontiveros

indicated in the minority report that thenExecutive Secretary Victor Rodriguez played a part in the "unfortunate debacle."

Pimentel said the minority bloc would no longer propose individual amendments as it was "satisfied" with the inclusion of their report as an appendix in the committee report.

The report said "preliminary evidence on record" indicated that the four— all signatories to SO 4—committed administrative offenses of serious dishonesty, grave misconduct, gross neglect of duty, conduct prejudicial to the best interest of the service, and gross insubordination.

The criminal charges, the committee report said, involve graft and corruption, agricultural smuggling, and usurpation of official functions.

Sugar Order No. 4 mandated the importation of 300,000 tons of sugar, a move which Malacañang said was illegal, as it did not have the approval and signature of President Ferdinand Marcos Jr., the concurrent Secretary of Agriculture who is also the Sugar Board's chairperson.

Sebastian said during the hearings that he signed SO 4 on behalf of Marcos since a July 15 memorandum issued by Rodriguez authorized him to do so.

served as TIME Magazine’s Beijing Bureau chief and correspondent and Newsweek’s correspondent in China, will have concurrent jurisdiction over North Korea and Mongolia.

According to his biography posted on CNN, FlorCruz is considered as the “dean” of the foreign press corps in Beijing, being the longest-serving foreign correspondent in China to date.

He was a two-term president of the 200-member Foreign Correspondents’

Club of China and a member of the Edward R. Murrow Press Fellow at the Council on Foreign Relations in New York.

FlorCruz has studied, worked, and traveled in China for more than 40 years and reported on the country as a journalist since 1980.

The post of Philippine ambassador to China has been vacant since Chito Sta. Romana died last April.

FlorCruz, who is fluent in English,

Filipino, and Mandarin Chinese, has an undergraduate degree in advertising from the Polytechnic University of the Philippines and a degree in Chinese history from Peking University.

Arroyo-Bernas, for her part, will have concurrent jurisdiction over Slovakia, Croatia, and Slovenia.

She previously served as chairperson of the National Museum board of trustees.

Centino, a member of the Philippine

By Maricel V. Cruz

INE years after the onslaught of Super Typhoon Yolanda today (Tuesday, November 8), the lessons learned from the tragedy continue to guide the country’s response to calamities and highlight the Filipinos’ capacity to unite and help one another during times of crises, Speaker Martin Romualdez said.

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following the death of Palaña inside the New Bilibid Prison.

Bantag and Zulueta were charged as “principals by inducement.”

Self-confessed gunman Joel S. Escorial, who surrendered to the police, tagged Palaña as the middleman who offered him and his companions P550,000 to kill Mabasa, which they did on Oct. 3.

In his confession, Escorial admitted that he shot Mabasa three times.

Meanwhile, an autopsy on Palana's remains showed that the manner of his death was “homicide through asphyxiation,” which was consistent with testimonies gathered in a probe by the Philippine National Police (PNP) and the National Bureau of Investigation (NBI).

Remulla, on instructions from President Ferdinand Marcos Jr., had ordered the preventive suspension of Bantag.

During a joint press briefing, Remulla and Department of the Interior and Local Government Secretary Benajmin Abalos Jr. called on Bantag and Zulueta to surrender and assured them that they would be given due process.

Zulueta was believed to have gone into hiding.

Remulla also admitted that Bantag and Zulueta were not summoned by the investigating agencies to shed light on the two deaths but said they would be given a chance to answer the charges filed against them during the preliminary investigation.

“It wasn’t necessary, all possible witnesses have been questioned and we consider this an exceptional case. None of these people would have talked if General Bantag remained as the head of the BuCor,” Remulla said.

In a joint statement, the NBI and the PNP said a major breakthrough in its investigation into the death of Mabasa and Palaña came after the latter’s sister surfaced and revealed his dying declaration.

Villamor’s sister shared the messages

PBBM...

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metric tons of fertilizer this year from China at $470 per MT, for a total of $70.5 million or P4.16 billion, through a government-to-government arrangement.

The purchase is significantly lower from the current price of $650 per MT. A memorandum of agreement between the PTIC and DA is now being drafted– a requirement for the importation plan.

The President said he will sign the MOA between the Agriculture department and PTIC this week, the

COVID...

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learned to protect themselves against the virus.

Aside from NCR, David said positivity rates are also declining in Rizal, Bulacan, Pampanga, Cavite, Laguna, and Batangas.

David said most of the provinces were also seeing declines in COVID-19 cases, with the national average at 907 cases per day, and a growth rate of minus 30 percent.

The Department of Health (DOH) said the Philippines logged 6,346 COVID-19 cases in the past week.

From Oct. 31 to Nov. 6, an average of 907 daily infections were recorded in the country, which is 30 percent lower compared to the previous week.

Of the new infections during the week, two or 0.04 percent were severe and critical cases, the latest DOH bulletin said.

As of Sunday, 640 or 9.9 percent of COVID-19 admissions were in severe and critical condition.

At least 503 or 20.6 percent of 2,437 intensive care unit beds for COVID-19 patients were occupied. The non-ICU bed

FlorCruz...

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to be the country’s ambassador to Canada.

FlorCruz was among the list of nominees published by the Commission on Appointments as of October 27.

According to the document, he was appointed on October 19, but the Palace has yet to make an official confirmation.

The 71-year-old FlorCruz, who also

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the horrors we faced during Yolanda, the important thing is we learned from this harrowing experience. And if we learned from this tragedy, we continue to honor those who perished and those who willingly sacrificed their lives for the benefit of others,” the Speaker said.

“We have recovered fully from Yolanda, and this is a testament to the Filipinos’ resiliency. Whatever calamity we will face – and surely there will be in the future – we can overcome because of this resiliency and our sincere compassion toward our fellow Filipinos," Romualdez said. (See full story online at manilastandard.net)

PBBM to discuss economy, food, climate at APEC

By Vito Barcelo and Vince Lopez PRESIDENT Ferdinand Marcos Jr will join other heads of state for the annual Asia-Pacific Economic Cooperation (APEC) Economic Leaders’ Meeting (AELM) in Bangkok, Thailand from Nov. 18 to 19.

There, he will raise economic issues, food and energy security, and climate change during the 8th APEC Meeting next week, Malacanang said Monday.

In a media briefing, Office of the Press Secretary officer-in-charge Cheloy Garafil said the annual regional forum is n opportunity for the country to advance its economic agenda and priorities.

“The economic leaders from 21 APEC economies will discuss sustainable trade and investment, reconnecting the region and charting our pathstowards postpandemic recovery and inclusive and sustainable growth,” Garafil said.

“This will be an opportunity for the country to push for economic agenda and priorities including empowerment of the micro-, small- and medium-sized enterprises (MSMEs) and their inclusion in global value chains, recognition of the essential role of maritime crews and seafarers in ensuring stable and resilient supply chains and ensuring food and energy security as well as climate change mitigation and adaptation,” she said.

Garafil said Mr. Marcos will attend the APEC CEO Summit, a gathering of the region’s top business leaders, and meet with Thai businessmen to discuss investments and expansion plans.

The President will also meet with APEC leaders of economies to strengthen bilateral relations and explore avenues for mutual economic benefit, as well as with the Filipino community in Bangkok, she added. (See full story online at manilastandard.net)

President...

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not create new regulations but will just enforce the existing law.

The Chief Executive said putting all these government assets under the Republic of the Philippines will ensure flexibility in deciding which of these lands should be used for housing.

Under the issuance, an inventory will be conducted by the DHSUD and the departments of Agrarian Reform (DAR), Agriculture (DA), Environment and Natural Resources (DENR), Interior and Local Government (DILG), and the Land Registration Authority (LRA) to identify these lands, estimated to be more than 16,000 hectares, to be used for socialized housing.

RA 11201 paved the way for the creation of the DHSUD and vested the housing agency with the power to take and administer government lands that have been idle for 10 years and use these for urban development.

Under RA 11201, the housing department is empowered to own and administer government-owned lands that have not been utilized for the purpose they have been originally reserved or acquired for at least 10 years and identified as suitable for urban development.

Housing Secretary Jose Acuzar earlier told the President that it had acquired the commitment of the Development Bank of the Philippines (DBP) to the government's housing program.

Gas...

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rollback for kerosene. These reflect movements in the international oil market," Petron Corp., the country's biggest oil player, said in its advisory.

PTT Philippines, Chevron Philippines, Phoenix Petroleum Philippines, Seaoil Philippines, PetroGazz, and Cleanfuel also implemented mixed price adjustments this week.

Unioil Petroleum Philippines said over the weekend, diesel should go down

by P0.50 per liter to P0.50 to P0.60 per liter, but gasoline will go up by P1.10 to P1.20 per liter for the week of Nov. 8 to 14.

Rodela Romero, Director III of the Department of Energy's Oil Industry Management Bureau, attributed this week's oil price movement to the continuing effect of the Organization of the Petroleum Exporting Countries and its allies to cut production by two million barrels per day.

"Due to seasonality of demand, implementation of OPEC cut and COVID surge in China which pulled down demand," Romero said.

On Nov. 1, oil companies implemented a per liter decrease in gasoline by P0.25, diesel by P0.60, and P0.25 for kerosene.

These resulted in total year-to-date adjustments to stand at a net increase of P15.85 per liter for gasoline, P36.80 per liter for diesel, and P28.95 per liter for kerosene.

News

TUESDAY, NOVEMBER 8, 2022 mst.daydesk@gmail.com

‘DRAMATIC DECLINE’ SEES ONLY 5 ACTIVE FRONTS

AFP: CPP-NPA poised for collapse

By Francisco Tuyay

HE Armed Forces of the Philippines on Monday projected the eventual collapse of the Communist Party of the Philippines and its military arm the New People’s Army with its “dramatic decline” in strength, guerilla fronts, and firearms.

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In a press briefing, AFP Chief of Staff Lt. Gen. Bartolome Bacarro revealed that the NPA’s manpower has dropped to only 2,112 from a high of over 4,000 in recent years.

Presently, Bacarro said the NPA has only five active guerilla fronts left out of

24 total, from a high of 89 following relentless military operations.

The remaining active guerilla fronts are in the areas of Northern Samar and South Cotabato provinces.

“We foresee that these 19 guerilla fronts will be dismantled the soonest possible

time, so we are left with only five guerrilla fronts right now, so that is the challenge that we have right now,” Bacarro said.

According to the AFP, there are only around 2,100 communist rebels holding arms.

The communist insurgency movement in the country was established in 1969 and continues to be an internal security concern of the government, with its armed fighters attacking police stations, military outposts, other government facilities, and private companies.

The NPA strength reached more than 20,000 in the 1980s. While the number has dwindled over the years, various administrations failed to realize their

pronounced goals of crushing the armed movement. The military estimated the number of armed communist rebels at 3,500 as of November 2021.

Peace talks between the group and the government have been on and off, with President Rodrigo Duterte finally terminating the negotiations in 2019.

“Those are the things that we need to address right now and we do believe that with the collaboration of the different agencies we will be able to successfully address these problems,” Bacarro said.

He said that a thousand cadres have already yielded to the mainstream as he foresees a continued surrender of more NPA fighters.

CEZA cancels 25-year pact with FCDLC

By Macon Ramos-Araneta THE Cagayan Economic Zone Authority (CEZA) has canceled a 25year license agreement with Foremost Cagayan Development and Leisure Corporation (FCDLC).

The agency’s evaluation showed the agreement is “grossly disadvantageous” to the government with the firm’s failure to comply with its obligations to deliver on its investment commitments.

CEZA Administrator and CEO Jaime R. Escano terminated the FCLDC license after three years.

In a letter to FCDLC president Chan Wa Fai dated September 30, Escano said: “We are constrained to terminate the License Agreement effective immediately on the ground that the same is grossly disadvantageous to CEZA.” “Upon the conclusion of the audit and evaluation that was conducted on all licensees and registered enterprises engaged in interactive gaming activities, we found that Foremost Cagayan Development and Leisure Corporation (FCDLC) did not comply with its obligations under its License Agreement.”

Under the agreement, CEZA authorized FCDLC to establish and develop a smart city and industrial park, an international airport, generation and distribution facilities for power, water, or other public utilities, and residential complexes or township within the Cagayan Special Economic Zone and Free Port (CSEZFP).

This is all in connection with the development, operation, and conduct of interactive gaming facilities and landbased casino enterprises and facilities.

FCLDC was granted a 25-year license in 2019 to operate an online casino inside the freeport during the term of then-CEZA Administrator and CEO Secretary Raul Lambino.

AJEX PATCH. Armed Forces of the Philippines chief of staff Lt. Gen. Bartolome Vicente Bacarro (main photo and inset middle) attaches the patch for the AFP Joint Exercise (AJEX) ‘DAGIT-PA’ at Camp General Emilio Aguinaldo in Quezon City on Monday. Also in photo are AJEX 06-2022 Exercise Director Brig. Gen. Marvin Licudine (left) and DCS for Education, Training, and Doctrine, J8 RADM Donn Anthony Miraflor. Frankie Tuyay and Joey O. Razon

SC closes door on Pichay’s chances in gov’t FOLLOWING a decade of legal filings, delays, and harassment, the Supreme Court recently spoke with finality, perpetually disqualifying former Surigao del Sur Rep. Prospero Pichay from holding any elective or appointive government position.

This is following a guilty verdict against Pichay over a P780-million graft case during his stint as chairman of the Local Water Utilities Administration (LWUA).= In a two-page Entry of Judgment signed

by SC Deputy Clerk of Court and Chief Judicial Records Officer Basilia Ringol, the high tribunal stood by a resolution rendered by the Office of the Ombudsman against Pichay as final and executory.

The same “has on August 17, 2022 become final and executory and is hereby recorded in the Book of Entries and Judgment,” a copy of the judgment released on November 4, 2022 showed.

Docketed as GR No. 236288 (Pichay Jr. versus Sandiganbayan Fourth Division), the Supreme Court Second Division also denied the consolidated petitions filed by the former LWUA chairman.

“Wherefore, the consolidated petitions are DENIED. The decision dated October 23, 2013 and the Resolution dated February 24, 2014 rendered by the Court of Appeals in CA - G.R. SP 127341, subject of the petition in G.R. 211515, and

Resolutions dated October 18, 2016 and November 17, 2017 rendered by the Sandiganbayan in SB-16-CRM-0425, SB-16-CRM-0426, SB-16-CRM-0427 and SB-16-CRM-0432 subject of the petition in G.R 236288 are AFFIRMED.” With the ruling, Pichay has also been perpetually barred from holding any government position, elected or otherwise, for the rest of his life.

Before this, Pichay and LWUA deputy administrator Wilfredo Feleo Jr. were meted jail terms of six to 10 years for each of the three counts of graft by the anti-graft court’s 4th Division, as well as perpetual disqualification from holding public office.

Catholics set novena for COVID-19

By Ben Cal

BIKING FOR CLIMATE. About 3,000 cyclists and climate campaigners participate in a coordinated 20-kilometer bike ride in Quezon City and Manila on November 6, in time with other bike actions in nine countries across Asia, as the Climate Change Conference 2022Conference of Parties (COP27) opens in Egypt. Organized by Asian Peoples’ Movement in Debt and Development (APMDD) and dubbed ‘4th Pedal for People and Planet’, the event was held in more than 40 cities and towns in the Philippines and other countries. Jimmy A. Domingo

THE Catholic Church in the Philippines is calling its faithful to join the annual nine-day Novena to Nuestra Señora de la Salud (Our Lady of Health) starting Tuesday to ask the Blessed Virgin Mary’s intercession to stop the spread of the deadly coronavirus disease.

Rev. Fr. Robin Plata, the coordinator of the event, said that the center of the celebration will be at the shrine of Nuestra Señora de la Salud located at the San Nicolas de Tolentino Parish in Project 6, Quezon City.

Nuestra Señora de la Salud is the other title of the Blessed Virgin Mary whose powerful intercession has healed countless men and women around the world afflicted with various illnesses, including cancer and COVID-19, Fr. Plata said.

Among those who testified they were

Solon seeks HMO for teachers after Bataan bus crash

By Maricel V. Cruz A FIRST-TERM legislator has filed a bill seeking health insurance for public school teachers following the recent bus accident in Orani, Bataan on Saturday, which killed one teacher and injured 21 others.

Quezon City Rep. Patrick Michael Vargas said House Bill (HB) 4074, also known as the “Health Care for Public School Teachers Bill”, aims to provide health maintenance organization (HMO) insurance for all publicschool teachers under the Department of Education (DepEd).

“This unfortunate incident that befell

our QC teachers saddens all members of the community. As we pray for the recovery of the affected teachers and their families, it is imperative that we ensure further protection for the health and wellbeing of all our public-school teachers by institutionalizing better healthcare programs for them,” Vargas said in filing the bill.

The Department of Education (DepEd)-Quezon City has reported that 141 public elementary and high school teachers attending a gender and development activity at Sinagtala Resort, Bataan was ferried by three buses when one of the DepEd buses carrying 48 passengers lost its break in a sharp curve leading to the bus plunging into a 15-meter ravine.

The Quezon City school division officials, with the Quezon City local government, are now arranging the transport of the teacher’s remains and the recovery of the injured.

Vargas has noted that nine of the injured teachers are from District V, Quezon City and will be receiving medical assistance from his office. He has also offered his condolences and support to the family of the teacher who passed away.

“A healthcare program for our noble teachers will not only protect the health and wellbeing of our education sector but will also contribute to the general promotion of public health in our communities,” Vargas said.

healed after praying to the Blessed Virgin Mary was noted DZBB radio commentator Rene Sta. Cruz, Greg Montes, a retired bank employee, and Mrs. Fe E. Cal, wife of this writer, to mention a few.

In an interview, Sta/ Cruz said, “I was on the brink of death not once, but twice, but after praying to Mama Mary I was saved!”

“The first time I experienced near death was in 1969. I prayed when suddenly I saw the Blessed Virgin Mary and told me just say ‘Hesus iligtas mo ako!’

(Jesus save me) when I saw my parents crying beside me. I found myself completely healed!” Sta. Cruz said.

“The second time I almost died was last year due to appendicitis. As a devotee to Mama Mary, I again prayed for healing, and the Blessed Virgin Mary heard my prayer with a successful surgery of my doctors,” he added.

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Tacurong under tight security after bus blast THE city of Tacurong in Sultan Kudarat is now under tight security in the aftermath of an improvised explosive device (IED) attack inside a bus on Sunday that killed one and wounded 11 others.

In a statement Sunday night, Philippine National Police (PNP) chief Gen. Rodolfo Azurin Jr. said police and military security forces have been deployed across the city to find leads and step-up pursuit operations against the perpetrators of the attack.

“The PNP condemns in the strongest terms the shameful attack on civilians on board a passenger bus in Tacurong City this morning that killed one person and wounded 11 others in what can only be described as the handiwork of criminal minds,” he added.

First responders focused on immediate evacuation for medical care of the wounded, and disposition of the dead, he added.

“Police explosive ordnance disposal (EOD) responders are on-site to conduct post-blast investigation and ensure that there is no more threat of any secondary explosion,” the PNP Chief said.

“We do not want to make premature conclusions as to the motive and suspects behind this crime without the benefit of evidence-based investigation, but we are not discounting the possibilities of historical data of criminal motive behind similar attacks in the past,” Azurin said.

He also assured the people of Central Mindanao that the full might of the PNP and the government will be used to arrest these criminals so that justice will be served, and the rule of law prevails.

Meanwhile, Azurin commended the PNP-Explosive Ordnance Disposal and Canine Group along with Search-andRescue Police Service Dogs under the stewardship of acting director Col. Albert Magno on their deployment in Maguindanao last Nov. 5.

The 12-member search-and-retrieval teams extend police assistance, especially to the members of the Teduray ethnic community in Maguindanao who have been recently affected by Severe Tropical Storm Paeng.

SSS, RCBC launch UMID pay cards

By Rio N. Araja THE Social Security System and Rizal Commercial Banking Corp. have partnered to make every SSS member, including the farmers and fisher folk, become part of the financial system through the UMID pay cards at the SSS main office in Quezon City.

SSS President and Chief Executive Officer Michael Regino and RCBC president and CEO Eugene Acevedo led the signing ceremonies of a memorandum of agreement that shall authorize RCBC to issue UMID pay cards to SSS members.

SSS welcomed RCBC, one of the country’s leading universal banks, as its newest partner in producing UMID pay cards.

Regino said RCBC would start issuing the cards to SSS members in the first quarter of 2023.

“SSS and RCBC are already in the process of systems integration, and we are looking forward to rolling it out early next year,” he revealed.

Aside from being a valid government-issued ID, the UMID pay card would also serve as an ATM card since it would be linked to the member’s chosen Bank account, such as the RCBC savings account.

It does not require starting and maintaining balance and would be the default disbursement account where the proceeds of their SSS benefits, and loan, would be readily credited.

ORGANIC EXPO. Senator

Cynthia A. Villar joins Department of Agriculture Senior Usec.

Domingo Panganiban and other officials during the formal opening of Organic Agriculture Month on November 7 at the DA central office in Quezon City. Manny Palmero

News

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TUESDAY, NOVEMBER 8, 2022 E-mail: mst.daydesk@gmail.com

Admin makes significant steps in handling drug cases—DFA

N. Occidental cholera cases now 26: official CHOLERA cases in Negros Occidental have reached 26, a provincial health officer Dr. Ernell Tumimbang disclosed.

According to the official, the outbreak” could be due to poor sanitation.”

Tumimbang said authorities are monitoring local water sources in Talisay City, Silay, EB Magalona, Victorias City and Calatrava for possible contamination, ABS-CBN News reported.

The provincial government earlier said it did not record a single cholera case in 2019.

Tumimbang said authorities must also monitor water refilling stations to check if water being sold in these stations undergo proper treatment.

Cholera is caused by consuming food or drinking of water contaminated with human waste. Symptoms include diarrhea, vomiting, and rapid dehydration, according to the Department of Health.

The World Health Organization earlier said that it saw a “worrying upsurge of cholera outbreaks around the globe over the past year”, with at least 27 countries reporting outbreaks.

“Although cholera can kill within hours, it can be prevented with vaccines and access to safe water and sanitation, and can be treated easily with oral rehydration or antibiotics for more severe cases,” said WHO director-general Dr. Tedros Ghebreyesus, in another report.

An international stockpile of cholera vaccines was created in 2013. Last year, 27 million doses were shipped around the globe. But with the increasing number of outbreaks, the world body said “supply cannot keep up with demand.”

Reports said extreme weather events such floods, typhoons and droughts are inevitably reducing the access of vulnerable families to clean and potable water and instead create an ideal environment for cholera to further spread.

IN FORMATION. The Philippine National

Police (PNP) held a send-off of 21 members of the PNP Contingent to the UN Mission in South Sudan after a flag-raising ceremony at Camp BGen. Rafael T. Crame. Inset shows Philippine Coast Guard (PCG) recognizing 329 trainees under the Coast Guard Officer’s CourseClass 28 Bravo, in Bagac, Bataan. Manny Palmero / PCG photos

Government aid to victims of ‘Paeng’ reaches P236m

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HE government has so far provided P236 million in aid to victims of Severe Tropical Storm Paeng, the Department of Social Welfare and Development (DSWD) reported.

House Speaker Martin G. Romualdez meanwhile expressed gratitude to his colleagues in the House of Representatives and the private sector for responding to his call for cash and in-kind donations to assist victims of the storm DWSD Undersecretary for Special Projects Edu Punay said the agency also has stockpile funds amounting to P1.1 billion, ABS-CBN News reported.

“Based on our latest data, as of 6 a.m.,

the DSWD already distributed a total of over P236 million in humanitarian assistance to affected communities,” the official, quoted by the report, said.

Punay added that for its cash assistance program, beneficiaries receive between P2,000 to P10,000 depending on their needs.

The House of Representatives has pitched in by packing relief goods and sending the assistance to typhoon vic-

IN BRIEF

BABY VAX. A health worker administers vaccines to a toddler during the Department of Health’s “Vax-BabyVax routine catch-up immunization” in Lower Bicutan, Taguig City on Monday. About 110 babies were immunized with antipolio, anti-tuberculosis, diphtheria, pertussis, tetanus, hepatitis B, and influenza B, among others. Danny Pata

Cascolan takes oath as new DOH undersecretary FORMER Philippine National Police chief Camilo Cascolan took his oath Monday as undersecretary of the Department of Health (DOH), ABS-CBN News reported.

He was sworn into office before DOH officer-in-charge Maria Rosario Vergeire. “Specific assignment will be issued through a Department Personnel Order (DPO) in the coming days,” the DOH said in a statement.

Last month, Cascolan was appointed as undersecretary of the health department and his appointment to the DOH was met with criticism.

Cascolan served as top honcho of the police force from September to November 2020 under the administration of President Rodrigo Duterte. He was among those who crafted “Oplan Double Barrel,” which became the PNP’s flagship program in the war against illegal drugs.

The controversial “Oplan Tokhang,” which is linked to thousands of deaths of drug suspects, was implemented under this program.

Cascolan has defended his appointment to the DOH, saying that managing health is not just about medical knowledge.

LTO revokes truck driver’s license in massive road mishap THE Land Transportation Office (LTO) has revoked the driver’s license of a truck driver that caused a massive road mishap involving several vehicles and resulted in a huge traffic jam along Katipunan Avenue, Quezon City.

LTO Assistant Secretary Teofilo Guadiz III issued a resolution, directing Franklin Caramihan to pay a P2,000 fine for reckless driving.

Caramihan was found to drive under the influence of dangerous drugs and/or similar substances at the time of the incident and was also declared an improper person to operate a motor vehicle.

His driver’s license was ordered revoked by Guadiz, and that Caramihan would be perpetually disqualified from securing a driver’s license and operate a motor vehicle. He was directed to surrender his driver’s license to the Intelligence and Investigation Division of the LTO. The registered owner and operator of the truck, Sky Dragon Steel Center Inc., was also found liable for a employing reckless driver and was meted a fine of P5,000.

Last Sept. 27, while cruising along the Katipunan flyover in Barangay Escopa 3 in Quezon City, Caramihan told QCPD traffic policemen that he lost control of the truck. Rio N. Araja

tims. The repacking of relief goods is winding 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 affected communities.

Romualdez said the House of Representatives is “honored to be an instrument in helping those in need.” He earlier 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. Maricel V. Cruz

SC announces road closures near testing centers for ’22 Bar

By Rey E. Requejo

THE Supreme Court (SC) on Monday announced that road closures will be implemented within the vicinity of testing centers in the 2022 online and regionalized Bar examinations set on Nov. 9, 13, 16, and 20.

In an advisory issued by the Office of the 2022 Bar Chairperson Associate Justice Alfredo Benjamin Caquioa, the SC advised the public, particularly motorists, to follow the road closures to avoid

inconvenience.

For local testing center (LTC) at De La Salle University on Taft Avenue in Manila, Estrada Street (Taft southbound) to Quirino Street (Taft) will be closed to traffic from 2 a.m. to 7 p.m., Estrada Street (Taft northbound) to Quirino Street (Taft) from 3:30 p.m. to 7 p.m., and Fidel corner Noli Streets (back portion of DSLU) from 2 a.m.

To 7 p.m. during the four-day Bar exams.

San Beda University, also in Manila,

Concepcion Aguila Street and Mendiola Street (from C.M. Recto intersection to Concepcion Aquila Street).

Manila Adventist College in Pasay City — Corner of San Juan Street and Donada Street until Leveriza Street from 3:00 a.m. to 7:00 p.m.

University of the Philippines in Bonifacio Global City – no road closure but expect increased volume of traffic. Ateneo De Manila University in Katipunan, Quezon City – no road closure but expect increased volume of traffic.

THE administration of President Ferdinand R. Marcos Jr. has made significant changes in the handling of illegal drug cases in the Philippines, the Department of Foreign Affairs (DFA) said Monday.

Foreign Affairs spokesperson Ma. Teresita Daza made this remark after the United Nations Human Rights Committee (UNHRC) last week issued findings on the alleged grave human rights violations and the extremely high number of extrajudicial killings in the Philippines, particularly in the context of the government’s campaigns against illegal drugs.

“Contrary to what has been mentioned about the culture of impunity, I think there has been a shift in terms of the issue of how illegal drugs is actually being addressed,” Daza said in a Palace press briefing.

She said the Marcos administration has made “very clear pronouncements” about the seriousness of the government in terms of human rights obligations.

Daza cited how Justice Secretary Jesus Crispin Remulla had assured the UNHRC of the Philippines’ efforts to strengthen domestic human rights mechanisms during his meeting with UN Acting High Commissioner for Human Rights Nada AlNashif last Oct. 4.

“It has taken a very open and constructive approach to the issue of human rights and as a manifestation of this constructive approach, no less than the Secretary of Justice has actually participated in a series of dialogues with the Human Rights Council where he actually mentioned the reforms being undertaken by the government as well as updates on cases of interest,” she added.

Remulla led the Philippine delegation in the Enhanced Interactive Dialogue on the Philippines in the UNHRC on Oct. 5 and the revalida on the International Covenant on Civil and Political Rights on Oct. 10 and 11 in Geneva.

DOH launches vax campaign for infants in Taguig

By Willie Casas THE Department of Health (DOH) Metro Manila Center for Health Development launched on Monday the “Vax-Baby-Vax Routine Catch-up Immunization Campaign” at Lakeshore Hall, Taguig.

The DOH said in a statement that the Vax-Baby-Vax Routine Catchup Immunization Campaign aims to vaccinate 0-23 months old babies that will protect them from vaccinepreventable diseases.

The campaign also targets to increase the knowledge and awareness of the safety and efficacy of vaccines among family decision-makers to drive behavior change with the help of government agencies, local government units, organizations and the private sector, the DOH said.

The Taguig City government meanwhile has vaccinated more than 10,000 individuals at various schools through its One-Stop Shop COVID-19 Bakuna for children aged 5 to 17 years old.

The city also joined the Pinaslakas Immunization Campaign initiated by the DOH for the resumption of the face to face classes in the country.

Mayor Laarni Cayetano said at least 10,000 individuals have been vaccinated in the city with their first dose, second dose, and first and second booster through the vaccination drive conducted in 23 elementary and high schools.

She said teaching and non-teaching personnel of every school were among those who have received their COVID-19 vaccination. Joel E. Zurbano

School cancels classes due to bomb threat

By Joel E. Zurbano CLASSES in Taguig City’s Signal Village National High School have been suspended Monday after the school received a bomb threat.

Taguig police commander Col. Robert Baesa said a dummy social media account bearing the name Sofia Smith also commented on Signal Village National High School’s Facebook Live and threatened to kill all the students “like what happened in Thailand.”

The comment read: “Humanda na kyo mamya sa pagpasok ng mga panghapon. Binabalaan ko kayong lahat na humanda mamaya haha papsukin niyo lhat ng estudyante mamaya. Papatayin ko lahat g mga estudyante sa Taguig Signal Village. Kagaya ng nangyare sa Thailand humanda kayo magpapasabog ako dyan sa Signal papatayin ko kayong lahat.”

Local officials said the information has been circulated and it has been verified to be a hoax.

But according to Baesa, the police force is implementing measures to ensure the safety of the students amid threats and intimidation monitored on a Facebook live.

“We, the PNP Taguig together with the Local Goverment Unit are committed to undertake measures to protect the Taguigeños especially the students against threats, intimidation, and crimes, including those perpetuated through social media platforms,” said Baesa.

“We are currently conducting validation of the screenshot of the comment message circulating online and also an in-depth investigation with the PNPAnti Cybercrime Group on the immediate identification of the suspect,” he added.

‘PULUY-AN’ GALLERY. The Puluy-an Art Galley opened its doors on

Saturday with artworks from different Ilonggo artists. “Puluy-an” means home in Hiligaynon and the gallery will serve as the home of Ilonggo artists and art students who intend to pursue a vocation in the visual arts. Arnold Almacen

Opinion ‘Onli in da Pilipins’ I HAVE been following the day-to-day developments on the Percy Lapid killing by the self-confessed gunman, and, Santa Banana, this case on “whodunit” can beat all the crime novels that have been written with all its twists and turns.

The revelation by the self-confessed gunman that he and other henchmen got orders from socalled “middlemen” of inmates of the New Bilibid Prison in Muntinlupa. Santa Banana, how in the world can you beat that with inmates behind bars giving orders to people to kill.

“Onli in da Pilipins,” as they say.

How in the world can inmates of the New Bilibid Prison be able to order any killing, especially for the killing of a broadcaster journalist as the gunman revealed.

The twist that the so-called “middleman” suddenly died is another mystery when the first revelation was that he died of natural causes.

My gulay, this even beats all the murder story novels and crime “whodunits” I have read.

Then came the revelation by known pathologist Dr. Raquel Fortun that the second autopsy on the body seems to have revealed that the “middleman” was suffocated by somebody using a plastic bag.

Now, the questions that are asked, who did it and by whose order?

This leads to a lot of speculation that the mastermind must have ordered the killings of the first “middleman.”

Santa Banana, there’s only one person among the 161 “persons of interest who can do all these.

Another revelation is that the P550,000 paid to the gunman and his cohorts came from the inmates themselves. But, why should the inmates pay for the killing of somebody when they have nothing to gain?

We are told that the mastermind of this sordid affair will soon be revealed.

At this time, it would seem that all fingers are pointed to only one of the so-called “persons of interest,” since the questions seem to point to him alone, the mastermind.

Who had the power to order the killing from behind bars of a broadcaster journalist critic? And who was the object of criticism? Who had the power to order the killing of the “middleman?”

And who had the power to have prison inmates contribute to the killing?

As I write this column, while beating the Opinion Page deadline, we read that suspended Bureau of Corrections (BuCor) chief Gerald Bantag, a BuCor official, and 10 others are now facing murder complaints for the deaths of Mabasa and the alleged middleman Jun Villamor.

The Philippine National Police and the National Bureau of Investigation filed two separate complaints before the Department of Justice against Bantag, BuCor’s Directorate for Security and Operations Superintendent Ricardo Zulueta, and various persons deprived of liberty (PDL).

We give it to DOJ Secretary Jesus Crispin Remulla who vowed to furnish Bantag with the necessary documents to inform him about the charges and testimonies against him, so he can “defend himself […] and answer intelligently (and) we will give him due process. He will have the right to counsel as all people are entitled to the right to counsel.”

Remulla also disclosed that they are thoroughly looking into Bantag and Zulueta’s possible involvement in other prisoners’ deaths recorded under their watch.

I am sure there will be more developments in the coming days.

As I said, “Onli in da Pilipins” can all these things happen. *** *** *** With the many super and killer typhoons that have entered the country this rainy season costing the loss of hundreds of lives, devastating infrastructure worth billions of pesos and devastating agriculture, livelihood and properties, still for the nth time, the Senate has not enacted into law the long-pending bill creating a Department of Disaster resilience (DDR).

With so many bright minds (or so they think they are), I am at a loss why it seems only Senator Bong Go is pushing for the enactment of the DDR. Knowing full well that the Philippines is a disaster and calamity-prone country to super and killer typhoons, earthquakes, volcanic eruptions and all kinds of calamities, the DDR should have been enacted like yesterday.

Even President Marcos Jr. cannot seem to realize the imperative need for the DDR, even as he visits areas in the Philippines which have been devastated and where residents until now are crying out for relief and rehabilitation.

Instead, the President blames deforestation for landslides when there’s a need for a permanent government agency like the DDR to at least minimize all the devastation, destruction and loss of lives.

There’s an immediate need for the DDR, a permanent government department to handle or at least minimize all the devastation wrought by typhoons, earthquakes and all sorts of disasters and calamities.

The very fact that BBM himself has designated four regions—Calabarzon, Bicol, Western Visayas and the BARMM (Bangsamoro Autonomous Region in Muslim Mindanao) – as calamity areas denotes the clear and imperative need for a DDR. On his many visits to areas in the country reeling under the onslaught of recent typhoons, BBM laments the lack of coordination of government agencies that should be in the forefront during calamities and disasters.

I cannot understand why the President should prefer just an agency under his office to handle problems of disasters and calamities, dedicated and devoted solely to focus and strategize problems wrought by disasters and calamities.

It should be clear as day to BBM the need for a department solely focused to strategize problems on the ensuing landslides that accompany super and killer typhoons, to relocate people living in danger zones.

Landslides in the aftermath of super and killer typhoons had happened so many times before.

Santa Banana, there is need for permanent evacuation centers with all the necessary amenities for areas prone to calamities and disasters instead of making public school buildings and covered

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

EDITORIAL

‘Chronicle of climate chaos’

gymnasiums for this purpose!

Yes, there’s the NDRRMC or the National Disaster Risk Reduction Management Council, an ad hoc agency under the Office of Civil Defense which itself is an agency under the Department of National Defense which has since devolved to regions, cities and provinces.

But what is critically needed like yesterday is a DDR. Can’t President Marcos realize that? My gulay, obviously not, at the rate he is prioritizing other needs!

For the nth time, I appeal to Senate President Migz Zubiri and to the other senators to enact right away the DDR which should have its own budget for rescue, relief and rehabilitation and to strategize the need for the prevention of more loss of lives and devastation of infrastructure and agriculture, especially at this time.

Of all people, Santa Banana, doesn’t BBM realize this ? *** *** ***

There’s an immediate need for the DDR, a permanent government department, to handle or at least minimize all the devastation wrought by typhoons, earthquakes and all sorts of disasters and calamities

With the coming yearend, President Marcos Jr. should now prioritize the appointment of a permanent Department of Health secretary.

If BBM had time to appoint a retired police general to be undersecretary of the DOH, he should have more time to appoint a permanent DOH secretary, considering the fact that the country is still undergoing a health crisis amid the COVID-19 epidemic.

The appointment of a press secretary is another problem and a priority.

If BBM had occasion to appoint an officer-incharge of the press secretary’s office, I don’t see any reason why he cannot name his press secretary as soon as possible.

Many names have been considered. But to me, having been a journalist for over seven decades now, the name of a former press secretary -Mike Toledo -- during the incumbency of former President Erap Estrada is the best choice.

Toledo has the needed credibility and respectability for a press secretary a President needs at this time.

I’m certain if BBM will ask former Presidents Erap and Gloria Macapagal Arroyo their choice, certainly they would say Toledo.

The Malacanang Press Corps, I am sure, would prefer Toledo above all other names being mentioned and bruited around.

And, lastly, I believe it’s time Marcos Jr. resigns as agriculture secretary, having laid the groundwork the department needs to secure food security, which is the country’s foremost concern following rising inflation and soaring prices of basic commodities.

If, my gulay, there’s one thing more needed for BBM before he resigns as agriculture secretary, it is for him to crack down on vegetable smuggling of onions, of fish and meat.

This has been demoralizing farmers, fisherfolk and meat producers.

Mister President, there’s a need for you, my gulay, to show zero tolerance on smuggling, graft and corruption.

HE two-week high profile climate change summit of the United Nations is now on its second day in the Red Sea resort of Sharm el-Sheikh, Egypt with the echoes of a warning that Earth is “sending a distress signal” still loud and clear.

of implementation,” with at least 120 world leaders expected to to make speeches at the conference.

With the “distress signal” warning, UN Secretary-General Antonio Guterres has responded, saying the past eight years were on track to be the warmest on record.

COP27 president, Egyptian Foreign Minister Sameh Shoukry, has urged leaders to not let food and energy crises related to Russia’s invasion of Ukraine get in the way of action on climate change.

“It is inherent on us all in Sharm el-Sheikh to demonstrate our recognition of the magnitude of the challenges we face and our steadfast resolve to overcome it,” he said.

The need for action was laid bare in the latest report from the UN’s World Meteorological Organization.

Guterres sent a video message to the conference in which he called the the State of the Global Climate Report 2022 a “chronicle of climate chaos.”

In it, scientists estimate that global temperatures have now risen by 1.15C since pre-industrial times and said the latest eight years were on track to be the warmest on record.

The report also warned of the other wideranging impacts of climate change, including the acceleration of sea level rise, record glacier mass losses and record breaking heatwaves.

Guterres said in light of these findings, COP27 must be the place for urgent and credible climate action.

We have our eyes and ears on the COP27.

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The 27th edition of the Conference of Parties (COP27), which will end on the 18th, is an opportunity to get world leaders in the same space to discuss protecting the planet, with themes that include biodiversity, water, gender and transport.

In Egypt, COP 27 offers an opportunity to bridge the gap between NDCs – the nationally determined contributions – and the actions needed to avert the worst impacts of a rapidly changing climate.

NDCs, at the heart of the Paris Agreement and the achievement of its long-term goals, embody efforts by each country to reduce national emissions and adapt to the impacts of climate change.

The Paris Agreement, a legally binding international treaty on climate change, was adopted by 196 Parties at COP 21 in Paris on December 12, 2015 and entered into force on November 4, 2016.

Its goal is to limit global warming to well below 2, preferably to 1.5 degrees Celsius, compared to pre-industrial levels.

To achieve this long-term temperature goal, countries aim to reach global peaking of greenhouse gas emissions as soon as possible to achieve a climate neutral world by mid-century.

In this year’s summit, hosts Egypt called on countries to move from “pledges to an era

The (World Meteorological Organization) report warned of the other wide-ranging impacts of climate change, including the acceleration of sea level rise, record glacier mass losses, and recordbreaking heatwaves

‘Red tape’ not my style THOUSANDS of our fellow Filipinos in various regions are still reeling from the onslaught of tropical storm Paeng over a week ago; thus we at the Department of Social Welfare and Development (DSWD) continue our relief operations.

Unfortunately, it is inevitable that a few lapses may be committed here and there by any individual or group involved in joint relief operations as we are mere humans performing a gargantuan task to help our kababayans during times of widespread calamity.

Most importantly, we do our best to fulfill our mandate to serve the public, specifically to promote the people’s welfare and human condition in the marginalized sector of our nation.

Following our relief operations for Paeng victims, members of our DSWD staff in Noveleta, Cavite were called out by town Mayor Dino Chua for allegedly “giving beneficiaries a hard time” by requiring them to show documents before they could get government assistance.

Apparently, Mayor Chua last October 31 received some complaints that our staff required documents such as identification cards, residence certificates and the notorious “certificate of indigency.”

Upon the request of our DSWD IVA regional Field Office (CALABARZON), the local government unit (LGU) had provided a list of at least 500 beneficiaries.

As DSWD Secretary, I did not waste time to order an inquiry into the matter by my own staff to fairly address the complaint publicized by no less than the honorable mayor of the said municipality.

To ensure an objective and impartial investigation, I also ordered the immediate transfer of DSWD Regional Field Office IVA Director Barry Chua and Asst. Dir. Mylah Gutierrez to the Office of the Secretary, DSWD central office in Quezon City.

Please note that DSWD personnel involved in relief operations in areas severely affected by the storm worked continuously

enough for them to receive the much-needed food and cash assistance.

If the beneficiary could not provide any ID because of the urgency to evacuate his home or he simply misplaced it, being in the LGU or barangay list of beneficiaries will suffice.

Just like how it’s done at the Comelec, a relative or a neighbor with an ID can also attest, through a written note, stating one is a resident in the affected area.

We know that all agencies are always under the watchful eyes of the Commission on Audit (COA), especially our agency which has the fifth largest budget allocation of all executive departments.

In conducting a fair and impartial inquiry into the incident in Noveleta, Cavite, we gathered the statements of people on the ground.

The report submitted to me also showed that our staff in the payout site even went further, asking the barangay officials if they could verify whether the persons claiming to be beneficiaries were their residents.

Unfortunately, even the local officials could not attest whether those in their list were indeed residents of the area but, obviously, those people needed the food and cash aid.

I have informed Mayor Chua of the result of our investigation that found no fault or mistakes on the part of our Region 4A officials and staff.

They, in fact, did a good job in Noveleta.

I have also directed Director Chua and Asst. Dir. Guitterez to report back to their respective posts on Monday.

I will defend and fight for each and every DSWD servant all the way to the top if he or she does work properly.

Our mandate is clear and simple: Alleviate the suffering of the poor, the needy, the elderly, the vulnerable and the marginalized members of our country, especially during crisis situations.

However, make no mistake, I will not condone those members of our agency who treat our clients with disrespect, abuse their position, or get involved in corruption... in which case I guarantee you I will be “harsh and chilling.”

through the Undas weekend and did not take a break to observe All Saints Day/All Souls Day with their families.

After an honest and fair probe into Mayor Chua’s complaint, it turned out the at least 300 of the 500 beneficiaries that received DSWD assistance did not actually present supporting documents, such as IDs, proof of residence and the abominable certificate of indigency.

I will defend and fight for each and every DSWD servant all the way to the top if he or she does work properly With all due respect, the Noveleta town’s chief executive should have looked deeper into the allegations against the regional DSWD social workers before blabbering about “red-tape” publicly.

When I assumed as DSWD Secretary last July, I ordered our Standards and Capacity division, together with the Policy and Plans office, to remove unwanted requirements such as the residency and indigency certificates, which have been the root cause of the delays in the delivery of much needed assistance to our beneficiaries in the previous years.

I have said before that securing a Certificate of Indigency is simply stupid because, in most cases, the barangay officials do not actually know the real financial situation of every resident or household in the barangay.

Whoever conceptualized this certificate of indigency or “diploma of poverty” was out of his mind, especially amid the economic devastation of COVID pandemic.

Upon my instruction, any valid ID presented by calamity victims will be

‘Why are we here?’: Climate activists shunted to COP27 sidelines

By Bassem Aboualabass UGANDAN youth activist Nyombi Morris arrived in Egypt for the UN’s COP27 climate summit with high hopes of being part of the campaign for environmental justice.

But it didn’t take long for Egypt’s stiff security measures to shatter his dreams, as rights groups warn the North African country has stifled protests with “dozens” of arrests.

“I was so happy when they announced that COP would be in Africa,” said Morris, who founded the Earth Volunteers youth organization campaigning for “climate justice”.

“I thought maybe I would get a chance to be at the room where the negotiations are taking place.”

Instead, “with the questions we received at the airport, it will not be easy for us to continue with our plan,” the 24-year-old said.

In 2008, when Morris was 10, devastating flash floods hit Uganda’s eastern Butaleja district -- an area where the illegal extraction of riverbank sand for construction was common. Some 400 people, including Morris’s family, lost their homes.

Morris, who has said the digging “exacerbated flooding already made worse by climate change,” said they had to move to the capital Kampala.

“I am here to represent my mother who lost a farm, who lost a home,” he said. “I am here to ask

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Last year, at the COP26 in Glasgow, tens of thousands of demonstrators from all over the world marched to demand ‘climate justice’ for compensation for my community.”

‘Abusive security measures’ Activists wanting to demonstrate at COP27, held in the Egyptian resort town of Sharm elSheikh, must request accreditation 36 hours in advance, providing information such as the names of the protest organizers and details of the proposed march.

Approved demonstrations are only allowed during working hours, and in a specific purposebuilt area.

That accreditation process is risky, Morris fears.

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

“When they started asking about our locations, where we will be staying, our passports, our names, we were worried,” he said.

“What if they follow one of us and (we) get arrested?”

He cited the case of Indian climate activist Ajit Rajagopal, who was arrested after setting off to march from Cairo to Sharm el-Sheikh. He was later released after an international outcry.

Human Rights Watch on Sunday warned that “dozens of people” calling for protests had been detained.

“Egypt’s government has no intention of easing its abusive security measures and allowing for free speech and assembly,” the watchdog said.

Rights groups say at least 138 people have been arrested ahead of a rally slated for November 11 —planned nationwide but not in Sharm el-Sheikh —against what they decry as repression and sharp increases in the cost of living.

‘Watching online’ Africa is home to some of the countries least responsible for planet-heating emissions but hardest hit by an onslaught of weather extremes.

On top of security restrictions, Morris lamented that activists like him were excluded from the talks.

“I am watching online because our ‘observers’ badges don’t allow us to enter,” he said.

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

“I’m like ‘so, why are we here?’”

He said his hopes have faded that having the summit in Africa might make a difference—including in demanding wealthy nations responsible for emissions pay their dues.

“It is not an African COP, it is a polluters’ COP —because it is polluters dominating,” he said.

“Haven’t you seen Coca-Cola here?” he added, referring to one of this year’s official sponsors.

Campaign group Greenpeace has called Egypt’s choice of the soft drink giant “appalling,” blaming the company for much of the “plastic pollution in the world.”

Last year, at the COP26 in Glasgow, tens of thousands of demonstrators from all over the world marched to demand “climate justice.”

Swedish climate activist Greta Thunberg is skipping COP27, slamming it as a forum for “greenwashing” and saying the “space for civil society this year is extremely limited.”

On Sunday, ignoring the restrictions, a handful of activists waved banners at the entrance to the summit hall.

“We are trying to promote the veganism to help save the planet from the greenhouse gases.” said Tom Modgmah, a follower of Vietnamese “Supreme Master Ching Hai,” alongside colleagues waving banners.

“Be vegan, make peace,” they read. AFP

Rolando G. Estabillo Publisher Chin Wong/Ray S. Eñano Joyce Pangco Pañares Jimbo Owen Gulle

Associate Editors News Editor City Editor

Emil P. Jurado

Honor Blanco Cabie Opinion Editor Lino M. Santos Chief Photographer

Chairman Emeritus, Editorial Board

B2

World

TUESDAY, NOVEMBER 8, 2022 mst.daydesk@gmail.com

US ELECTIONS ON NOV. 8

Biden, Trump rally troops on eve of crucial midterms

W

ASHINGTON—Joe Biden and Donald Trump headline a frantic last day of campaigning Monday on the eve of a midterm election that will shape the rest of the US president’s term—and could pave the way for a White House comeback by his predecessor.

ASEAN SECURITY. A member of the elite Cambodian prime minister’s bodyguard unit BHQ stands guard near his vehicle as part of security measures for the upcoming ASEAN summit in Phnom Penh on November 7. AFP

Pope says Church fighting child abuse ‘as best we can’ POPE Francis said Sunday that the Catholic church was working “as best we can” to fight clerical child abuse but admitted there were shortfalls.

During a press conference on a plane, while returning from Bahrain, where he had been promoting dialogue with Islam, the pontiff said child abuse inside the Church was a “tragic thing.”

“We are working as best we can, but there are people within the Church who don’t see it clearly”, the 85-year-old Argentinian admitted on the return flight to Rome.

“It is an ongoing process that we are carrying out with courage,” he added.

The abuse scandal erupted in the second half of the 1980s, sparking an avalanche of allegations about pedophile priests around the world, from Australia to Chile, France, and the United States.

Pope Francis has insisted the Church will adopt a “zero tolerance” approach to abuse, but critics say many countries have yet to seriously confront the issue.

While before “some things were hidden”, the pope insisted Sunday that now “everything is clear, and we are moving forward.”

“The Church must be ashamed of the bad things, while thanking God for the good things.”

Francis used his four-day visit to Muslim-majority Bahrain to meet both senior Muslim officials and Catholic residents of the Gulf.

Meanwhile, Pope 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, 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.” AFP

Egypt dissident Ukraine occupied city of Kherson on ‘water strike’; sans electricity, water after strike UK vows support

CAIRO—Jailed Egyptian dissident Alaa Abdel Fattah has stopped drinking water, his family said Sunday, escalating his hunger strike as world leaders arrive in the country for the COP27 climate summit.

A major figure in the 2011 revolt that toppled longtime president Hosni Mubarak, British-Egyptian Abdel Fattah is currently serving a five-year sentence for “broadcasting false news”, having already spent much of the past decade behind bars.

After a seven-month hunger strike during which he consumed only “100 calories a day”, he has refused food altogether since Tuesday, and on Sunday launched a “water strike”, his sister Sanaa Seif said in a statement.

British Prime Minister Rishi Sunak told Seif in a letter Saturday that Britain would use the global summit in the Red Sea resort of Sharm el-Sheikh to lobby for her brother’s release.

Amnesty International chief Agnes Callamard on Sunday said “Alaa Abdel Fattah must be released”, warning his death in prison may be imminent.

“There is not a lot of time, 72 hours at best,” she said in Cairo. “If they don’t (release Abdel Fattah), that death will be in every single discussion in this COP.” - ‘Too late’ Tens of thousands of participants, including some 90 heads of state and government, are expected in the remote Egyptian resort town for the UN climate summit from Sunday through November 18.

Sunak, who is also due to attend the conference, “needs to understand the urgency” in securing Abdel Fattah’s release, Seif told Britain’s Sky News on Sunday.

“After the conference it could be too late.”

AFFIDAVIT OF SELF-ADJUDICATION BY SOLE HEIR In his letter, Sunak told Seif that her Notice is hereby given that the estate of the late GABRIEL brother “remains a priority thein BritRARAS JOSE who died on February 3,for 2021 the City of Taguig Philippines have been settledrights to Rizalina ish government, bothextrajudicially as a human Raras Jose. The deceased left a condominium unit at the Shore defender and as a British national.”

2 Residences, Seaside and Sunrise Drive MOA Complex, Pasay City and at The Florence, Florence Wayat St.,COP27 McKinley Hill, “The UK’s attendance is Fort Bonifacio, Taguig City and among others, before Notary Public another opportunity to as raise your ATTY. J’VEN MARC A. MAKILAN per Doc. No. broth58, Page No. 13, Book No. 1, Series of 2022. er’s case with the(MStandard-Oct. Egyptian leadership,” 25, Nov. 1 & 8, 2022) he added. AFP

KYIV—Ukraine’s Russian-occupied city of Kherson was cut off from water and electricity supplies Sunday after an air strike and a key dam in the region was also damaged, local officials said.

It is the first time that Kherson— which fell to Moscow’s forces within days of their February offensive—has seen such a power cut.

“In Kherson and a number of other areas in the region, there is temporarily no electricity or water supply,” the city’s Moscow-installed administration said on Telegram.

It said it was the “result of an attack organized by the Ukrainian side on the Berislav-Kakhovka highway that saw three concrete poles of high-voltage power lines damaged.”

Energy specialists were working to “quickly” resolve the issue, the Russian-backed authorities said, as they called on people to “remain calm.”

But the head of the regional administration, Yaroslav Yanushevych, blamed Russia for the power outages.

AFFIDAVIT OF SELF-ADJUDICATION BY SOLE HEIR Notice is hereby given that the estate of the late GABRIEL RARAS JOSE who died on February 3, 2021 in the City of Taguig Philippines have been extrajudicially settled to Rizalina Raras Jose. The deceased left a condominium unit at the Shore 2 Residences, Seaside and Sunrise Drive MOA Complex, Pasay City and at The Florence, Florence Way St., McKinley Hill, Fort Bonifacio, Taguig City and among others, before Notary Public ATTY. J’VEN MARC A. MAKILAN as per Doc. No. 58, Page No. 13, Book No. 1, Series of 2022.

(MStandard-Oct. 25, Nov. 1 & 8, 2022)

EXTRAJUDICIAL SETTLEMENT OF THE ESTATE OF THE LATE MARIO ANGELES SY

Notice is hereby given that the estate of the late MARIO ANGELES SY who died intestate on 21 June 2021 have been extrajudicially settled among heirs on August 22, 2022 before Notary Public Atty. Dennis Arvin Chan as per Doc. No. 138; Page No. 29; Book No. 15; Series of 2022.

(MStandard-Oct. 25, Nov. 1 & 8, 2022)

EXTRAJUDICIAL SETTLEMENT OF THE ESTATE OF THE LATE MARIO ANGELES SY

He said that in Beryslav city around 1.5 kilometers (just under a mile) of electric power lines had been destroyed —cutting off power entirely because the “damage is quite extensive.”

“Probably, there will be no light in Beryslav until the city is completely de-occupied,” he wrote on the Telegram social media platform.

“It is impossible to promptly repair the lines—there is a lack of specialists, equipment, and the Russian invaders will not allow this to be done.”

News of the outage followed reports that the Kakhovka dam in the Russiancontrolled region of Kherson was “damaged” by a Ukrainian strike.

“Today at 10:00 (0800 GMT) there was a hit of six HIMARS rockets. Air defense units shot down five missiles, one hit a lock of the Kakhovka dam, which was damaged,” Russian news agencies quoted local emergency services as saying.

The RIA Novosti news agency quoted a local Moscow-backed official saying the damage was not “critical.” AFP

Biden’s Democrats are facing a gargantuan struggle to hang on to Congress, after a race the president has cast as a “defining” moment for US democracy -though kitchen-table issues like inflation have largely dominated the campaign.

Republicans are comfortably placed to snatch a House majority on Tuesday, as many Democrats fear the Senate also slipping away in a defeat that would see Biden’s foes in near total charge of legislation during his last two years in the White House.

Polls show most Americans are anxious about the economy and feel the country is on the wrong track, emboldening Republican candidates in districts that once looked out of reach.

With all 435 seats in the House of Representatives up for grabs alongside a third of the 100-member Senate and a slew of state posts, Democrats were putting a brave face on their prospects.

“The party in the White House usually loses during midterms but the reality is we still have a very strong pathway, not just to keeping the Senate but really picking up seats,” New Jersey’s Cory Booker told ABC on Sunday.

Democratic candidates have been lent star power on the campaign trail by the party’s most popular elder statesmen, including previous presidents Barack Obama and Bill Clinton.

Republicans have tapped a narrower roster of their own political big hitters,

with the campaign spotlight turning in recent weeks to Trump -- who has been teasing a probable new run for the presidency in 2024.

Biden and Trump will go head-tohead on election eve: the president with a rally near the capital in Maryland, while Trump will be campaigning in a turbulent Senate race in Ohio.

‘Wake-up call’ The political landscape has been tilting away from Democrats since the summer, with polls showing Republicans odds-on for a double-digit majority in the House.

“This is going to be a wake-up call to President Biden,” was the bullish weekend prediction of Glenn Youngkin, the Republican governor of Virginia.

The Senate is more of a toss-up but Democratic hopes of keeping the upper chamber, which they control thanks to tiebreaking votes from Vice President Kamala Harris, hang in the balance.

Races in Pennsylvania, Nevada, Wisconsin, Georgia, New Hampshire, and Ohio have narrowed to projected photo finishes, and any one of them could swing the balance of power.

Democrats have focused their closing arguments on voting rights, protecting abortion access and welfare -- and in Biden’s case, on the threat posed by growing support among Trump’s Republicans for political conspiracy theories. AFP

SIKH DEMO. A Sikh youth performs ‘Gatka’, an ancient form of Sikh martial arts,

during a religious procession on the eve of the birth anniversary of Guru Nanak Dev, in Amritsar on November 7. AFP

Stand-off at Mediterranean port as Italy accepts only some rescued migrants ROME—Italy on Sunday took in families with babies and vulnerable migrants rescued in the Mediterranean as charities slammed Rome’s decision to order the others back into international waters.

As humanitarian vessels waited in the port of Catania to disembark those saved, a migrants rescue hotline said some 500 others had run into difficulty

on the perilous Mediterranean crossing.

A father carrying a baby in a purple beanie was among the first to get off Geo Barents, a ship run by the medical charity Doctors Without Borders (MSF). He kissed and hugged her tightly as they came down the gangplank.

He was one of the lucky ones.

Rome allowed 144 people including minors and the sick off the Germanflagged Humanity 1 earlier Sunday, but 35 adult male migrants were refused permission to set foot on Italian soil, charity SOS Humanity said.

The ship was then “ordered to leave the port of Catania”, it said in a statement.

“The captain of the Humanity 1, who

is legally responsible for the safety of all people on board, has refused,” it said.

The charity said Italian authorities had decided after a “brief medical examination” that the 35 adults were “healthy” but said there was “no translator present to assess their mental and physical condition, nor was there a psychological evaluation.” AFP

Nokor vows ‘overwhelming’ response to US-Sokor ‘Vigilant Storm’ exercises NAVAL EXERCISE.

This aerial image shows the South Korean Navy’s fast combat support ship Soyang as it participates in an International Fleet Review held by Japan’s Maritime Self-Defense Force with some 12 other countries, in Sagami Bay, off Kanagawa Prefecture, on November 6.

AFP

SEOUL—The North Korean military said its response to US-South Korean war drills would be “resolute and overwhelming”, state media reported Monday.

The warning came after a spate of North Korean weapons tests last week —including an intercontinental ballistic missile—as the United States and South Korea conducted their biggest-ever air force exercise.

The United States and South Korea have warned that such missile launches could culminate in a nuclear test by North Korea.

The North Korean military, formally known as the Korean People’s Army (KPA), said it was responding to Vigilant Storm—the US-South Korean exercise—describing it as “an open provocation”, according to the official Korean Central News Agency (KCNA).

Vigilant Storm was “aimed at intentionally escalating the tension in the region and a dangerous war drill of very

high aggressive nature directly targeting” North Korea, the KPA said.

North Korea will respond to all “anti-DPRK war drills” with “sustained, resolute and overwhelming” measures, it said.

The United States has dismissed criticism of the exercise as North Korean propaganda, saying it posed no threat to other nations.

The KPA said it conducted operations, including the launch of tactical ballistic missiles that simulated attacks on air force bases, and practiced shooting down enemy aircraft.

One ballistic missile was launched to test “a special functional warhead paralyzing the operation command system of the enemy”, the KPA said, without providing any further details about that weapon.

The North Korean air force also conducted a “large-scale all-out combat sortie operation”, involving 500 planes, according to KCNA. AFP

Business

B3

TUESDAY, NOVEMBER 8, 2022 || extrastory2000@gmail.com

Market rises; ICTSI, SM Prime top gainers S TOCKS surged Monday to track the movement of global markets on hopes that China may begin to roll back policies aimed at stamping out the disease within its borders.

The PSE index, the 30-company benchmark, gained 110 points, or 1.8 percent, to close at 6,295.58 as five of the six subsectors advanced, led by the property subindex which climbed 3.5 percent.

The broader all-share index also picked up 39 points, or 1.2 percent, to settle at 3,313.57 on a value turnover of P4.5 billion. Advancers outnumbered losers, 117 to 62, while 50 issues were unchanged.

Seven of the 10 most active stocks ended in the green, led by International Container Terminal Services Inc. which climbed 6.9 percent to P190.00 and SM Prime Holdings Inc. which went up 5.3 percent to P34.00. Ayala Corp. also added 5 percent to finish at P657.00.

The peso slightly declined to close at 58.58 against the US dollar Monday from 58.55 Friday. The local currency depreciated by 14.9 percent against the greenback this year as the Fed aggres-

sively increased its interest rates from near zero at the height of the pandemic to put inflation under control.

Meanwhile, Asian stocks made gains on Monday, with a fresh rally seen in Hong Kong even after China reaffirmed its commitment to its economically painful zero-Covid policy.

The Chinese government said on Saturday it would “unswervingly” stick to its current plan, which involves harsh lockdowns, with strict quarantine and testing regimens for even the smallest clusters of cases.

Despite the official stance, “there are still hopes in the market” that Beijing may relax Covid-19 restrictions in the coming months, Iris Pang, chief econo-

mist for Greater China at ING Wholesale Banking, told AFP. “Traders believe that the Chinese government cannot permanently hold these existing Covid measures, and therefore the only direction is... looser Covid measures,” she said.

Ongoing large-scale events, such as the China International Import Expo in Shanghai, are also seen by investors as “a kind of water-testing” by Beijing, to see if cases and deaths rise significantly, Pang added.

On Friday, Wall Street equities ended a volatile session higher after the latest US jobs data showed that hiring remained resilient and wages continued to rise, though at a slower pace. With AFP

Apple consumers face iPhone delays as production hit

by China lockdown BEIJING, China—Apple warned customers would face longer wait times for iPhones with the holiday season approaching after Covid restrictions in central China “temporarily impacted” production at the world’s largest factory producing the smartphone.

Foxconn, Apple’s principal subcontractor, locked down its massive factory in Zhengzhou last month after a spike in infections -- in line with China’s zero-Covid policy.

In a separate statement Monday, the Taiwanese firm said its fourthquarter earnings this year would take a hit from the coronavirus lockdowns.

Panicking workers last week had fled the site on foot in the wake of allegations of poor conditions at the facility, which employs hundreds of thousands of workers.

“Covid-19 restrictions have temporarily impacted the primary iPhone 14 Pro and iPhone 14 Pro Max assembly facility located in Zhengzhou, China,” California-based Apple said in a statement late Sunday.

“The facility is currently operating at significantly reduced capacity.”

Despite strong demand for Apple’s products ahead of the holiday season, “we now expect lower iPhone 14 Pro and iPhone 14 Pro Max shipments than we previously anticipated”, it said.

“Customers will experience longer wait times to receive their new products.”

Foxconn is China’s biggest private sector employer, with more than a million people working across the country in about 30 factories and research institutes. AFP

PSEi November 7, 2022

TOP GAINERS

1

ECP

LAST PRICE 3.94

% CHANGE CHANGE 0.81 25.88%

2 3 4

WIN PA ACE

0.27 1.99 1.62

0.035 0.17 0.12

14.89% 9.34% 8.00%

5 6 7

APC ICT ABSP

0.205 190 8.6

0.015 12.2 0.54

7.89% 6.86% 6.70%

8 9

GMAP HLCM

10.6 3.94

0.6 0.21

6.00% 5.63%

10

IPO

6.85

0.35

5.38%

TOP LOSERS

CHINA EXPORTS. This aerial photo taken on Nov. 7, 2022 shows cars that will be exported parked at a port in Lianyungang in China’s eastern Jiangsu province. China’s exports shrank in October, the first such decline since mid-2020, customs authorities said Monday, as a domestic slowdown and the threat of global recession hit international trade. AFP

COP27 seeks unity in tackling the global climate crisis CAIRO, Egypt—The 27th session of the Conference of the Parties to the United Nations Framework Convention on Climate Change started Sunday in the Egyptian coastal city of Sharm ElSheikh, with countries jointly seeking to combat the global climate crisis.

In the past year, in addition to climate change and the lingering impact of the COVID-19 pandemic, the world has been battered by multiple crises, such as geopolitical conflicts, higher energy and food prices, increasing inflation, and frequent extreme weather events.

Under such circumstances, the convening of the climate conference appears all the more important. Collective, complementary and collaborative actions by countries around the world to adapt to the effects of climate change, mitigate its negative repercussions, and provide climate finance have become the focus of

this year’s conference agenda.

Urgent need Since the beginning of 2022, heatwaves, torrential rains, floods, droughts, and other natural disasters occurred one after another around the world. Europe has experienced unprecedented high temperatures and heatwaves not seen in centuries, as well as frequent droughts and wildfires.

One-third of Pakistan has been completely submerged by historic flooding.

Powerful hurricanes have made thousands of families homeless in the United States.

Yet, Robert Stefanski, the World Meteorological Organization’s chief of Applied Climate Services, said 2022 may be the year with the best climate from now on. He warned that if the world does not take urgent action, extreme weather events such as heatwaves, droughts and floods may become the “new norm” in the world.

World population reaches 8 billion and still growing but at slower pace This picture taken on Oct. 22, 2022 shows people walking through a market in Allahabad. The global population will breach the symbolic level of 8 billion on Nov. 15, according to the UN. The milestone comes as questions are increasingly being raised about the measures needed to adapt to global warming, as well as about how humanity consumes Earth’s resources. AFP

By Amélie Bottollier-Depois UNITED NATIONS, United States - The United Nations estimates that the global human population will reach eight billion by mid-November and will continue to grow, albeit at a slower pace and with regional disparities, in the decades to come.

The UN Population Division estimates that the number of humans on Earth will grow to eight billion on November 15, more than three times higher than the 2.5 billion global headcounts in 1950.

However, after a peak in the early 1960s, the world’s population growth rate has decelerated dramatically, Rachel Snow of the UN Population Fund told AFP. Annual growth has fallen from a high of 2.1 percent between 1962 and 1965 to below 1 percent in 2020.

That figure could potentially fall to around 0.5 percent by 2050 due to a continued decline in fertility rates, the United Nations projects.

Peak Given the increase in life expectancy as well as the number of people of childbearing age, the UN projects the population to continue growing to about 8.5 billion in 2030, 9.7 billion in 2050, and a peak of about 10.4 billion in the 2080s.

Other groups have, however, calculated different figures.

The US-based Institute for Health Metrics and Evaluation (IHME) estimated in a 2020 study that the global population would max out by 2064 without ever reaching 10 billion and decline to 8.8 billion by 2100.

“We are lower than them (the UN), and I think we have a good reason,” lead author of the IHME study, Stein Emil Vollset, told AFP. The University of Washington professor says that under their “quite different fertility model,” the human population will only reach somewhere between nine and 10 billion.

Fertility rate drop In 2021, the average fertility rate was 2.3 children per woman over her lifetime, down from about five in 1950, according to the UN, which projects that number to fall to 2.1 by 2050.

“We’ve reached a stage in the world where the majority of countries and the majority of people in this world are living in a country that is below replacement fertility,” or roughly 2.1 children per woman, says Snow.

Graying globally A key factor driving global population growth is that average life expectancy continues to increase: 72.8 years in 2019, nine years more than in 1990.

And the UN predicts an average life expectancy of 77.2 years by 2050. AFP

Should global warming reach 3 degrees Celcius by 2100, according to a UN report, drought losses could be five times higher than they are today, with the largest increase in the Mediterranean and the Atlantic regions of Europe.

The UN Food and Agriculture Organization estimates that by 2030 Africa will lose two-thirds of its arable land if the march of desertification—the spread of arid, desertlike areas of land—is not stopped. Since the beginning of this year, many African countries are facing the risk of food shortages or supply interruption, even in countries with rich water resources.

The loss and damage caused by global climate change have become one of the top issues, said Egypt’s chief climate negotiator Ambassador Mohamed Nasr, adding that “the international response is still not up to the challenge of the impacts.” Xinhua

1

NRCP

LAST PRICE 0.61

2 3 4 5 6 7 8 9 10

FEU MEDIC ALCO NI X PHA SEVN BKR CEI

530.5 0.77 0.48 0.81 0.255 0.26 66.05 1.27 0.077

% CHANGE CHANGE -0.08 -11.59% -64.5 -0.08 -0.03 -0.05 -0.015 -0.015 -2.95 -0.05 -0.003

-10.84% -9.41% -5.88% -5.81% -5.56% -5.45% -4.28% -3.79% -3.75%

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

ICT BDO SMPH BPI SM AC JFC URC SCC ALI

VOLUME 3,465,610 3,815,710 7,211,800 2,162,910 214,730 269,020 732,880 1,312,260 4,622,100 5,469,300

VALUE (PHP) 645,291,432 491,224,275 240,707,135 209,745,009 178,839,685 175,226,205 167,320,214 166,503,921 155,529,225 141,016,125

Have you been called?

GROWING up, have you ever thought of your purpose? Have you ever heard a call from anything deep inside that resonates and lingers for quite some time, but you don’t know what that was?

I was one of the many people who did not know what I wanted after high school. I was only copying the decisions of the few successful people I know, but I wanted an easier path. Although in my younger years, I was too determined to be a doctor or teacher because of the usual things I see on television where every kid wants to be a teacher, doctor, priest or soldier when they grow up. When I got old, it was way different. I was lost for a few years before I could finally redeem myself for the career I wanted to pursue.

I didn’t know who I wanted to be when I was younger. I couldn’t find my purpose in life. I do not have an answer to my whys. Not that I don’t have guidance from my parents, but even their suggestions were something I didn’t like. I couldn’t even find that ground where even to start living. As a naïve youth, I was so lost. I just wanted to get an “easy” program to finish college and, right after, move out and get a life of my own. I was so stubborn and careless.

Little did I know that who I wanted to be already manifested when I was still a kid – be a corporate woman, working in the office looking professional.

But since I was distracted, thinking of many programs I would take for college, I didn’t know that.

I took a different path and enrolled in Hotel, Restaurant and Tourism Management instead when I should’ve taken Financial Management or any other Business program.

Before I knew what I wanted to be, I underwent many spiritual, mental and financial struggles. After graduation, I took the liberty to move out and tried jobs in the Hospitality industry, which I didn’t like.

I resigned and shifted to BPO because of the higher salary and benefits that this industry offers. I was 22 years old at that time, and I felt like I was going nowhere. I was not too fond of it too.

I took the chance to apply for a job/internship abroad. I was forcing myself to like working overseas even when I felt the opposite. I tried my best to mature and love working abroad and having a higher income. I stayed faithful, looking for jobs overseas and even went to different churches to pray that, hopefully, divine intervention would help me land a job on a cruise or land-based in Dubai, Singapore or an internship in the US.

KATHLEEN JOY BALISI

Green LiGht I had many interviews that I thought went well, but nothing happened. I have yet to get a follow-up call or an update about my application. I got tired of waiting. I returned to working in a BPO company because it’s the industry where you can find a job immediately as they have a one-day recruitment process.

I was so frustrated and felt like entering a quarterlife crisis since I was going 25 with nothing on my resume and credentials but only short job experiences from companies I never liked. I started questioning everything in my life, and that includes my Faith. I felt like the years were going too fast, and I couldn’t redeem myself. My life was a mess, and I did not have a path to follow until I experienced working in a bank. That’s when I found my calling as a banker and plan to spend my career in the same industry. Now, I already know who I want to be, what I want to be and where I want to be.

Working with the same company for four years, I still have no reason to leave. The culture is one of the finest I heard, coming from the experiences of my friends with other companies. I have never regretted choosing this industry. I got promoted to a supervisor level after 2.5 years of working here.

My experience was a lesson for me. It manifested the saying, “The best is yet to come.” It made me realize that the Lord will not put you somewhere He knows that is not your desire. He will make way for you to hear his calling. It would’ve been a disaster if I had fought and forced myself too much to go overseas, even if I didn’t like it. I know this is my vocation, the same company/industry that redeemed me, and I am taking my MBA to have a concrete education that I will soon use in my career progression.

The author is an MBA student at the Ramon V. del Rosario College of Business, DLSU. She can be reached at kathleen_balisi@dlsu.edu.ph.

The views expressed above are the author’s and do not necessarily reflect the official position of DLSU, its faculty and its administrators.

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

B4

TUESDAY, NOVEMBER 8, 2022

PSE INDEX CLOSING Monday, November 7, 2022 110.05 PTS. 6,295.58

TOTAL VOLUME TOTAL TRADES

337,751,441 55,686

TOTAL VALUE (IN PHP) ADVANCES

4,479,984,754.54 117

DECLINES UNCHANGED

62 50

F oreign e xchange r ate Bangko Sentral ng Pilipinas • MONDAY, NOVEMBER 7, 2022

Currency

Unit

US Dollar

Peso

United States

Dollar

1.000000

58.6220

Japan

Yen

0.006793

0.3982

UK

Pound

1.131000

66.3015

Hong Kong

Dollar

0.127395

7.4681

Switzerland

Franc

1.002707

58.7807

Canada

Dollar

0.738771

43.3082

Singapore

Dollar

0.712606

41.7744

Australia

Dollar

0.641600

37.6119

Bahrain

Dinar

2.652872

155.5167

Saudi Arabia

Rial

0.266134

15.6013

Brunei

Dollar

0.710076

41.6261

Indonesia

Rupiah

0.000064

0.0038

Thailand

Baht

0.026688

1.5645

UAE

Dirham

0.272287

15.9620

Euro

Euro

0.990800

58.0827

Korea

Won

0.000713

0.0418

China

Yuan

0.139030

8.1502

India

Rupee

0.012201

0.7152

Malaysia

Ringgit

0.210704

12.3519

New Zealand

Dollar

0.586700

34.3935

Taiwan

Dollar

0.031241

1.8314 Source: BSP

GIR rebounds to $94.1b to end 7-month slump

By Julito G. Rada THE country’s gross international reserves rebounded to $94.1 billion as of end-October from $93 billion in September to end a seven-month slump, data from the Bangko Sentral ng Pilipinas show.

Reserves were hovering at $107 billion in the first quarter before the figure began to decline in the second and third quarters as the BSP intervened in the foreign exchange market to prevent the rapid depreciation of the peso against the US dollar. The peso lost 15 percent of its value since the start of the year.

The BSP said the recovery of the GIR in October “reflected mainly the national government’s net foreign currency deposits with the BSP, which include proceeds from its issuance of ROP Global Bonds and upward valuation adjustments in foreign currency-denominated reserves [or non-gold reserves].”

It said the latest GIR level still represented a more than adequate external liquidity buffer equivalent to 7.5 months’ worth of imports of goods and payments of services and primary income.

It was also about 6.7 times the country’s short-term external debt based on original maturity and 4.0 times based on residual maturity.

Data showed that net international reserves, which refer to the difference between the BSP’s reserve assets and reserve liabilities (short-term foreign debt and credit and loans from the International Monetary Fund) increased by $1.0 billion to $94.0 billion as of end-October 2022 from the endSeptember 2022 level of $93.0 billion.

The GIR reached a record $110.11 billion in December 2020. The BSP expects GIR to settle at $99 billion by the end of the year.

Business ACEN secures P17.4-b deal to retire 246-MW coal plant

By Alena Mae S. Flores

CEN Corp,., the energy platform of the Ayala Group, announced Monday its full divestment from South Luzon Thermal Energy Corp.’s coal plant using the energy transition mechanism touted as the first deal in the world.

A

ACEN said the landmark transaction would enable the early retirement of the 246-megawatt coal plant in Batangas province.

The coal plant’s operating life of 50 years would be cut in half as part of the ETM structure, as ACEN commits to retire and transition the plant to a cleaner technology by 2040. This will help avoid or reduce up to 50 million metric tons of carbon emissions.

“ACEN continues to blaze the trail for energy transition in the Asia Pacific. As the company has successfully divested its coal asset, ACEN commits to a just energy transition.

We have established mechanisms to ensure that stakeholder interests, especially those of the people and com-

munities of SLTEC are effectively addressed,” ACEN president and chief executive Eric Francia said.

ETM is a concept developed by the Asian Development Bank to leverage low-cost and long-term funding geared towards early coal retirement and the reinvestment of proceeds to enable renewable energy projects.

“We commend the Ayala Group and ACEN for the successful closing of this pioneering ETM transaction. We hope that this sets the tone for others to pursue the just transition of thermal plants to cleaner technologies,” ADB vice president Ahmed Saeed said.

The ETM for the SLTEC plant involved P13.7 billion in debt financing provided by the Bank of the Philippine

Islands and Rizal Commercial Banking Corp. and P3.7 billion in equity investments from the Government Service Insurance System, The Insular Life Assurance Company Ltd. and ETM Philippines Holdings Inc., for a total deal value of P17.4 billion.

ACEN received P7.2 billion from the transaction for reinvestment in the company’s renewable energy projects. The balance would be used to refinance debt and transaction fees.

GSIS invested P2.2 billion in redeemable preferred shares issued by SLTEC. “Our priority is to find ways to grow and sustain our funds to ensure that we are able to provide our over two million members and pensioners their benefits.

We also fully support investments that prioritize optimal environmental, social and governance factors or outcomes consistent with our corporate social responsibility,”GSIS president and general manager Wick Veloso said.

InLife executive chairperson Nina Aguas said the company invested P1billion which, “means investing in cleaner air and environmental solutions for future generations.”

IN BRIEF

PSBank’s earnings surged 126% in three quarters PHILIPPINE Savings Bank, the thrift banking arm of the Metrobank Group, said Monday net income in the first nine months jumped 126 percent to P2.85 billion from P1.26 billion a year ago on the strength of core businesses.

The bank, in a statement, cited improvements in loan portfolio quality, increased noncore revenue streams, gains from operational efficiencies and improved loan volumes.

“Our retail proposition has been consistent.

We have remained steadfast in our commitment to make banking simpler for our customers. With the improving levels of consumer spending, we have managed to book higher loan volumes specifically for auto and home during the first nine months of 2022,” PSBank president Jose Vicente Alde said.

“We hope to see this momentum to carry through till year-end even as market conditions remain volatile. We will keep our digital service channels robust, reliable and secure, dedicated to consistently provide exceptional customer experience at every touchpoint,” he said.

Net interest income reached P8.21 billion, while revenues from net service fees, commissions and asset recoveries went up by 52 percent to P3.11 billion. Operating expenses remained in check, growing by 1 percent yearon-year. Julito G. Rada

PetroGreen, Danish firm eye 4,000-MW wind projects PETROGREEN Energy Corp. and Danish firm Copenhagen Energy announced Monday the joint development of offshore wind projects with a combined capacity of 4,000 megawatts.

PGEC and Copenhagen Energy will form three special-purpose vehicles to oversee the investment and development of offshore wind service contracts awarded by the Department of Energy in 2021.

The parties signed the incorporation documents on Nov. 4 for Buhawind Energy Northern Luzon (2,000 MW), Buhawind Energy Northern Mindoro (1,000 MW) and Buhawind Energy East Panay (500 MW to 1,000 MW).

“This investment and joint venture by Copenhagen Energy with PGEC testifies to Denmark’s strong belief in the potential of offshore wind in the Philippines and to our support for President Marcos Jr.’s high priority on renewable energy to increase power supply and to reduce carbon emissions in the country,” Danish Ambassador to the Philippines Franz-Michael Skjold Mellbin said.

PGEC is the renewable energy holding unit of Yuchengco-led and publicly listed PetroEnergy Resources Corp. Alena Mae S. Flores

Manila Water pilots microtunneling in PH MANILA Water Co. Inc. said Monday it piloted the first microtunneling technology in Mandaluyong City to construct the Mandaluyong West Sewer Network Package 1.

The project is part of the P785-million Mandaluyong West, San Juan South and Quezon City South Sewerage System that includes the Aglipay Sewage Treatment Plant complemented by a combined sewer network, which will cater to households in Mandaluyong, San Juan and a segment of Quezon City.

The Aglipay STP, with a daily capacity of 60 million liters per day, is expected to be completed by January 2024.

Representatives from the Mandaluyong local government unit, Manila Water’s project team and contractor EI Construction Development Corp. witnessed the arrival of the tunnel boring machine which will lay the 1,500-millimeter glass-reinforced plastic pipe for the Mandaluyong West Sewer Network Package 1.

This will serve as the influent line that will collect the wastewater from Mandaluyong City households going to the Aglipay STP. Alena Mae S. Flores

NEXT UNICORN. Katrina Chan (third from left), executive director IdeaSpace Foundation Inc. and QBO Innovation Hub,

believes that the next unicorn should come from the Philippines. The Philippines is filled with many startups and startup founders who have amazing ideas that can solve many problems and pain points in various industries, she says. With Chan during a media briefing in Makati City are (from left) IdeaSpace Foundation and QBO Innovation Hub community and ecosystem head Dave Del Rosario, startup development head Alwyn Rosel and partnerships head Ross Fallorina.

SM Prime’s third-quarter profit nearly doubled to P7.9b

By Jenniffer B. Austria PROPERTY developer SM Prime Holdings Inc. said Monday consolidated net income in the third quarter nearly doubled to P7.9 billion from P4 billion in the same period last year on strong rebound of mall and residential businesses.

SM Prime said in a disclosure to the stock exchange consolidated revenues in the third quarter reached P27.3 billion, up by 74 percent from P15.7 billion a year earlier.

Consolidated operating income also surged 142 percent to P13.3 billion from P5.5 billion. “We are happy to report very encouraging result of our third-quarter operations which is aligned with the improvement in the local economy,” SM Prime president Jeffrey Lim said.

“With this, we are ready to proceed with our business plans to continually deliver

value for our stakeholders,” said Lim. SM Prime said that in the first three quarters, consolidated net income jumped 41 percent to P22 billion from P15.6 billion in the same period a year.

Consolidated revenues climbed 30 percent in the nine-month period to P73.7 billion from last year’s P56.8 billion.

Mall revenues more than doubled to P33.9 billion in the first three quarters from P15.8 billion in the same period last year.

SM Prime resumed charging full rental fees across its local shopping malls in July after more than two years of providing rent concessions to tenants because of the pandemic.

SM Prime’s residential business led

by SM Development Corp. posed a 12-percent decline in revenues in the first three quarters to P28.1 billion from P32.1 billion on weaker sales in the first half of the year.

Third-quarter residential sales started to recover, registering a 32-percent increase in revenues to P10.1 billion from P7.6 billion in the same period last year.

SMDC’s reservation sales increased 15 percent to P24.5 billion in the third quarter from P21.2 billion a year ago.

The increase brought SMDC’s reservation sales to P83.9 billion in the first three quarters, up 10 percent year-onyear.

SM Prime’s other key businesses—offices, hotels and convention centers—generated P7.2 billion in revenues in the first three quarters, a 56-percent increase from a year ago.

The office business segment posted a 17-percent increase in revenues to P4.4 billion, while the hotels and convention centers business booked a 224-percent rise in revenues to P2.8 billion.

Gov’t expects new international airport in Bulacan to start operations by 2027

CEBU PACIFIC’S EXPANSION. Cebu Pacific receives its fourth Airbus 330NEO aircraft which used sustainable aviation fuel to fly non-stop from Toulouse, France to the Ninoy Aquino International Airport in Manila. CEB is the first lowcost carrier in Southeast Asia to incorporate the use of sustainable aviation fuel into its operations. Cebu Pacific will take delivery of one more A320NEO aircraft in December. As part of the airline’s sustainability efforts, CEB aims to transition to an all-NEO fleet by 2028 and incorporate the use of blended SAF for its entire commercial network by 2030.

THE Department of Transportation said Monday it expects the P735-billion New Manila International Airport in Bulacan province to start operations by 2027.

Transportation Secretary Jaime Bautista said land development works were being done at the airport’s 1,693-hectare site located 35 kilometers north of Metro Manila.

Works on the NMIA officially started on Sept. 18, 2019 when the government, through the DOTr, signed a concession agreement with San Miguel Aerocity Inc., a wholly-owned subsidiary of San Miguel Holdings Corp. which is the infrastructure arm of San Miguel Corp.

Bautista assured stakeholders that the new international gateway would soon be open for business. Airport operations are targeted to start in 2027, he said. Once built, the new international

airport will be fully owned by the government under a “build-operate-transfer” program.

The new gateway will not only help decongest the Ninoy Aquino International Airport as the capital’s main gateway, but will also be a “game changer” and catalyst of economic growth in Central Luzon, according to the project proponent.

Phase 1 of the airport will have a capacity of 35 million passengers per annum, generate more than a million jobs and rake-in increased foreign direct investments and higher exports.

Under the 50-year concession agreement, SMAI will undertake the financing, design, construction, supply, completion, testing, commissioning and operation and maintenance of the new international gateway.

Darwin G. Amojelar

ICTSI’s net income grew 47% to $465.1m in the first nine months

By Darwin G. Amojelar INTERNATIONAL Container Terminal Services Inc. said Monday net income climbed by 47 percent in the first nine months from a year ago on higher volume growth and the market recovery from the impact of the pandemic.

The port operator said net profit reached $465.1 million from January to September, up from $316.4 million in the same period last year.

ICTSI said in the third quarter, net income went up by 43 percent to $170.7 million from last year’s $119.7 million.

Gross revenues from port operations in the nine-month period increased 20 percent to $1.64 billion from $1.37 billion reported in the same period in 2021.

Revenues in the third quarter also went up by 20 percent from $482.4 million to $576.7 million.

“We have delivered seven consecutive quarters of double-digit consolidated revenue growth which has helped offset inflationary pressure with our excellent performance being driven by volume growth, cost control and operating discipline,” ICTSI chairman and president Enrique Razon Jr. said.

“We remain mindful of the macroeconomic environment and the potential impact this may have on our business but remain confident that we are well-positioned to navigate these headwinds through our agility, diversified portfolio and strong balance sheet,” he said.

“Our highly disciplined and talented team continues to work resolutely for the benefit of our stakeholders – all the time guided by our purpose, to make ports around the world a driver for positive and sustainable growth,” Razon said.

ICTSI handled consolidated volume of 8,856,303 twenty-foot equivalent units in the first nine months, or 7 percent more than 8,266,621 TEUs it handled in the same period in 2021.

HD Spikers undefeated in Champs League

Sports Riera U. Mallari, Editor; Randy M. Caluag, Assistant Editor

TUESDAY, NOVEMBER 8 2022

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Games Tuesday (Philsports Arena) 8 a.m. – Bulacan vs Aklan (Men) 10 a.m. – North Cotabato vs NU Pasay City (Men) 12 noon – UE Manila vs Santa Rosa (Men) 2 p.m. – Bacolod City vs Army Taguig City (Men) 4 p.m. – Cignal vs AIP Benguet (Men) 6 p.m. – VNS Quezon City vs Basilan (Men) 8 p.m. – NU Pasay City vs Imus City (Men)

CIGNAL recovered from a second-set loss to repulse Basilan, 25-18, 21-25, 2511, 25-12, and remain unbeaten in the Philippine National Volleyball Federation Champions League Monday at the PhilSports Arena.

Ysay Marasigan led the HD Spikers with 18 points, including three blocks and two service aces, Wendel Miguel had two blocks for a 10-point showing while Marck Espejo also tallied 10 points.

The HD Spikers went 2-0 won-lost in Pool A with coach Dexter Clamor looking forward for a better effort heading into in their last two pool assignments of the event supported by the Philippine Sports Commission, Rebisco, PLDT, Philippine Olympic Committee, Cignal HD, One Sports, Cignal Play, F2 Logistics and Amigo Segurado.

“The team is getting complacent if they feel that they can win easily,” Clamor said. “We have a lot of unforced errors during the first game and the second game. We are working out for those unforced errors. Hopefully in our next game, we could minimize our unforced errors so we can get good results.”

The Tennun Spikers, with Al-Nasi Amilbahar leading the charge with eight points, fell to 1-1.

PGJC-Navy later joined Cignal on top of the Pool A standings following a 25-15, 25-14, 25-20 conquest of VNS Quezon City.

Earlier, Jayrack De La Noche came through with two blocks and two service aces to finish with 14 points while Gadpray Aresgado chipped in 13 points on a 12-of-20 attacks as Bacolod also moved up to 2-0 in Pool B following a 25-14, 25-12, 25-21 romp of Bulacan.

In Pool B Sunday, North Cotabato used its balanced attack to sweep Aklan, 25-10, 25-13, 25-17, to improve to 2-0.

Jao Umandal, Kim Malabunga, Fauzi Ismail and Jayvee Sumagaysay each scored seven points while Arnold Bautista chipped in six points for the GSpikers, who fired eight service aces.

Imus City rebounded from its opening day loss to North Cotabato with a 25-14, 25-22, 25-19 sweep of Bulacan.

Madz Gampong had 15 points, Hero Austria chipped in 10 points while Ronniel Rosales added nine for the AJAA Spikers. The trio combined for nine of Imus’ 11 blocks.

2-time 5150 champ eyes IM 70.3 title WINNER of two Olympic distance races in Bohol and Subic, Bea Quiambao levels up this time, going for the half-triathlon championship in the inaugural IRONMAN Bea Quiambao 70.3 Puerto Princesa reeling off Sunday (Nov. 13) in Palawan.

While the upcoming 1.9 km swim, 90km bike and 21k run event poses a sterner test than the 5150 races (1.5km swim, 40km bike and 10k run), Quiambao is more than ready and eager to put on display her blend of skills harnessed through a series of competitions in such kind of exacting endurance races.

And her imposing victories in Bohol last July and in Subic last month should more than bolster her confidence heading to this weekend’s battle on a course spruced up to international standards.

In fact, the host LGU has guaranteed a safe and successful conduct of the event organized by The IRONMAN Group/Sunrise Events, Inc. serving as the final IM race in the year about to end that marked the return of the triathlon series following a two-year hiatus due to pandemic.

But while Quiambao, the Next Step Tri spearhead, is upbeat of her chances to cap a prolific campaign in the season, a slew of others are also all geared up to spoil her bid and fan their respective title bids, including Charlotte Jackson of FIT PH, Kath Lagunsad of Sante Barley Tri Team, Trinics’ Adah Valena and Bernadeth Bisoc of Judiciary Tri Team.

Over 1,200 triathletes are vying in the blue-ribbon event, including 895 in the individual competition with titles also to be disputed in various age-group categories. Spicing up the event are the relay men’s and women’s and relay mixed.

A UB Batangas player smashes one inside against a QC defender in the Philippine National Volleyball Federation Champions League at the PhilSports Arena. QC defeated UB Batangas, 25-20, 25-15, 25-20.

PH bags gold, 2 silver medals at world wakeboard tourney

By Randy Caluag

T

HE Philippine team came home with a gold, two silver and two bronze medals at the close of the 2022 Singha IWWF World Wakeboard & Wakeskate Championships at the ESC Thai Wake Park in Pathum Thani, Thailand.

Raphael Trinidad (Raph Trinidad FB)

Mark Griffin, the most experienced and decorated member of the team, stamped his mark with a gold-medal performance in the Men’s +40 Veteran category.

Griffin was a back-to-back bronze medalist in the 2015 and 2017 Southeast Asian Games, when the sport disciplines were still part of the biennial event’s calendar.

Carlo Dela Torre made it a 1-2 finish in the same division by placing second for the silver medal.

Raphael Trinidad took the second silver medal for the Philippines in the elite Men’s Open

division, while Susan Larsson and Jianna Lynn Dela Torre bagged a bronze medal each in the Ladies’ Open and Ladies’ Veteran categories, respectively.

“Super stoked to land the run I’ve always dreamed of and so thankful to bag another silver medal from the world championship.

The cheers from everyone in the crowd were unreal,” said Trinidad in social media post.

The Philippines sent five of six athletes to the finals in the tournament, which drew 250 riders from 33 countries around the world.

No gold for Yulo, just silver, bronze and lessons

By Peter Atencio CARLOS Yulo was almost there, close to snaring at least one gold medal in the 51st FIG Artistic Gymnastics World Championships at the M&S Bank Arena in Liverpool. Alas, it was not meant to be as he settled for a silver in the vault and bronze in the parallel bars when the tournament ended Sunday night (Monday morning).

The 22-year-old Yulo was unable to stick his landings in his two attempts in the vault where he was defending champion, but still had a great average score to make it to first place in the vault event.

But then Armenia’s Artur Davtyan took his turn at the mat, notching two 15plus scores to average 15.050, relegating Yulo to the silver medalt.

With his silver-medal finish, Yulo said he values the experiences that he learned

from his performances.

“Puro lessons iyung nakuha ko this time, kahit hindi man ako nakakuha ng (gold) medals. Siyempre, disappointed ako. Pero wala na po akong magagawa, ganu’n talaga,” said Yulo on Zoom after Davtyan became Armenia’s first world gymnastics’ champion.

Davtyan went on to become the second Armenian to stand on the podium in as many days following Harutyun Merdinyan’s pommel horse bronze on Saturday.

“Sobrang saya pa rin po ako kasi iyung vault ko pa kasi, bago lang siya. Hindi po kapareho ng Dragulescu. Pero super-happy ako na naitayo ko iyun,” added Yulo, who normed 14.95 points, with better execution in his second effort after getting a 0.1 point penalty on his first attempt.

Later, China’s Zou Jingyuan simply outscored Yulo with a near-flawless display to claim the parallel bars gold.

The 24-year-old Zou earned his third World Championship title, won with a score of 16.166 as he made a bid to raise the difficulty of his routine.

Zou placed ahead of Lukas Dauser, who collected 15.5 points and the silver that was Germany’s first medal of the week.

Yulo then earned the parallel bar bronze after tallying 15.366 points.

“May ganu’n times po na lumalabas sa practice ko na para akong mago-gold. Pero wala na ako magagawa sa kinalabasan ng performance. Kailangan ko na lang tanggapin at mag-move on sa mga next na competition. I’m really grateful na nakapasok ako sa ibang apparatus. Lalo na sa vault, ” said Yulo, who added that he never expected to make it this far in the parallel bars.

The Philippines’ Carlos Edriel Yulo celebrates on the podium with his silver medal after competing in the Men’s Vault final at the World Gymnastics Championships in Liverpool, northern England. AFP

Army Navy Club200 Endurance Race registration underway REGISTRATION for the Army Navy Club200 order to register.

200/50 Endurance Race—the Philippines’ biggest Step 1: Pay the entry fee (Individual P7,500 /Team motorsports spectacle in 2023—is now in full swing.

P21,000) at the Club200 Riders Association Inc.’s Each team in the novel motorcycle event, the first Unionbank, Magallanes Paseo Branch’s account no. of its kind in the Philippines, will be composed of 001470007566. three riders sharing one transponder and riding duties Step 2: Send a message to the event’s Facebook page in 50 adrenaline-pumping laps of approximately 200 (Army Navy Club 200 Endurance Relay Race) https:// kilometers. www.facebook.com/profile.php?id=100084886190715 It blasts off at the Clark International Speedway the copy of proof of payment (screen shot or photo of on Feb. 23, 2023, with a practice run slated on Dec. deposit slip).

11, 2022, in order to allow participants to familiarize STEP 3: Once organizer receives a copy of themselves with the rules and how the endurance proof of payment, it will send participant an Online race will play out.

Registration Form. Fill up the form, send back and The organizing Club 200 is planning to exclude receive confirmation. competitive racers currently riding in the National Step 4: Finally, DM your photo with white Superbike Series to level the playing field among background. regular everyday riders and weekend enthusiasts.

Morning schedule during raceday are the 50-Lap “This means it’s a free-for-all out there,” said A festival of brands: Shown here are (from left) Archie Garcia Endurance Relay Race for Adventure and Adventure Open and Karen Kennedy of BMW Motorrad; Manu Sandejas Bobby Unson, President of the Club 200.

Classes Open to 400cc-1300cc Adventure Motorcycles Event is limited to 50 teams per race in order to of KTM; Bobby Orbe of Wheeltek; Joy and Toti Alberto of with 21-19 inch Front Wheels and 2/3 Cylinder Engines Ducati; and Mike Bondoc and Nicco Antonio of Aprilla. The avail of the Dec. 11, 2022 Free Trackday for Demo event is also backed by Angkas, represented by Jon Corpuz, for the Adventure Class; and 19-17 Front Wheels with 4 and Tips in the endurance race presented by SMAC MerryMart (Ferdie Sia), Pirelli (Philip Ang), EVO Helmets (Jhek Cyl for the Adventure Open/Sport Touring Class.

BMW, Pirelli, KTM, Ducati, Angkas, Evo Helmets, Ripay) and JuanLife (Joyce Bautista).

Mid-day event is the 5-Lap Race for the First APRILIA, Juan Life, Hotel 101 and Merry Mart, and Ever Boxer Cup, featuring the BMW R Ninety Magazine as media partners. powered by Wheeltek, Triumph, Harley Davidson Motorcycles, while the premiere Sportbike/Sport Interested riders can just do the following steps in Naked 50 Lap Endurance Race will ensue after. of Manila and Motoworld, with Manila Bulletin and C!

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Sports

TUESDAY, NOVEMBER 8, 2022

Cargo Movers, Flying TItans seek vital wins

Arcilla tops PPS in San Carlos City JOHNNY Arcilla hoisted another men’s singles Open trophy in abbreviated fashion, clinching the PPSPEPP San Carlos City National Tennis Championships as Jose Maria Pague retired in the second set due to groin injury in Negros Occidental recently.

Arcilla used his veteran smarts to fashion out a 6-3 romp in the opening set marked by long baseline rallies and booked another championship following a 6-4, 6-4 victory over doubles partner Ronard Joven in the Puerto Princesa Open last September.

While the top-seeded Davis Cup campaigner advanced to the finals with a 6-4, 6-0 win over Jelic Amazona, the No. 2 Pague went through a wringer before subduing seventh ranked Nilo Ledama, 6-2, 5-7, 13-11, in the semis of the annual event sponsored by Mayor Rene Gustilo and held in conjunction with the city’s Pintaflores Festival celebrations.

Arcilla, a nine-time PCA Open champion, broke Pague right in the opener and kept the cushion by trading serves with the recent Buglasan Open winner in the next seven games. He then rallied from 0-30 in the ninth and swept the next four points to win the set and the highlight match of the week-long event held side-by-side with the juniors division put up by Palawan Pawnshop president/CEO Bobby Castro.

Arcilla, 42, later teamed up with Rodolfo Barquin and held off Ledama and Bryan Saarenas, 6-4, 6-2, to complete a twinkill in the men’s doubles while Espie Divinagracia and Joana Tan took the women’s plum over Rosalie Clelo and Maddy Thomas, 6-2, in the tournament backed by ProtekTODO, PalawanPay, the Unified Tennis Philippines and UTR (Universal Tennis Rating).

Johnny Arcilla (center) lifts another PPS-PEPP Open trophy. With him are Vice Mayor Criston Carmona (left) and SACATA Tennis Club president Atty.

Martin Carmona.

Games Tuesday

(Smart Araneta Coliseum) 2:30 p.m. – UAI-Army vs Choco Mucho 5:30 p.m. – Creamline vs F2 Logistics

Denmark’s Holger Rune celebrates after winning his men’s singles final tennis match against Serbia’s Novak Djokovic in the ATP World Tour Masters 1000 - Paris Masters at The AccorHotels Arena. AFP

Teenager Rune upsets Djokovic, wins Paris tilt P ARIS—Danish teenager Holger Rune shocked sixtime champion Novak Djokovic to clinch his first Masters title in Paris on Sunday after coming from a set down to win 3-6, 6-3, 7-5.

Rune, 19, became the youngest winner of the Paris tournament since an 18-yearold Boris Becker in 1986 after beating five top-10 players in as many days—the first to do so in the same tournament.

He is the fifth first-time Masters winner this season and will be the first Danish man to break into the top 10 on Monday.

“It’s probably the best feeling of my life, of my whole career,” said Rune.

“It’s kind of a small dream come true, even though I have bigger dreams.”

After winning the title in Stockholm either side of runner-up finishes in Sofia and Basel, Rune began his run to a fourth straight final by saving three match points in the opening round to

beat Stan Wawrinka.

He then took down Hubert Hurkacz followed by Andrey Rublev before seeing off Carlos Alcaraz as the world number one retired with injury while trailing by a set in the quarter-finals.

Rune snapped Felix Auger-Aliassime’s 16-match winning streak to set up the clash with Djokovic, who had not lost at Bercy since his defeat to Karen Khachanov in the 2018 final.

“It was also very important for me to beat Felix and Alcaraz and these guys,” said Rune.

“But still, to be able to beat Novak on such an occasion, and he’s probably one of the greatest we have ever had in this sport—it’s a crazy feeling to be able to beat him in this final.”

Serbia’s Djokovic came into Sunday’s final having won 21 of 22 matches since

the start of Wimbledon, which he won for the seventh time in July to match Pete Sampras.

“For somebody who is so young to show this composure and maturity in the big match like this is very impressive. He’s had a week of his life,” said Djokovic.

He broke for a 3-1 lead as Rune served back-to-back double faults in the biggest final of his career to date.

Djokovic comfortably held out to pocket the opening set and looked to have Rune on the ropes when he surged 40-0 ahead on his opponent’s serve in the first game of the second set.

Turning point But Rune battled back superbly to thwart Djokovic and then swung the momentum in his favour by immediately breaking to go 2-0 up the following game, which proved enough to force a decider.

The 16-year age gap between the pair was the biggest in a Masters final since Rafael Nadal, then 19, defeated 35-yearold Andre Agassi in Montreal in 2005.

THE Premier Volleyball League marks its maiden foray at the Smart Araneta Coliseum today (Tuesday) with F2 Logistics and Choco Mucho seeking to bolster their respective semifinal bids in the Reinforced Conference against rivals with contrasting rankings.

The Cargo Movers, tied with the idle Cignal HD Spikers at fourth with 2-2 slates, face the unbeaten Creamline Cool Smashers at 5:30 p.m. following the 2:30 p.m. clash between the Flying Titans and the winless UAI-Army Lady Troopers.

Creamline and Chery Tiggo booked the first two Final Four seats with 5-0 and 5-1 marks, respectively, with the Cool Smashers wresting control and staying on course for a record grand slam by repulsing the Crossovers in four in Sta. Rosa, Laguna last Saturday.

That leaves the race for the last two semis spots wide open although 2019 champion Petro Gazz looked poised to nail the third berth with a 3-1 record with four others still in the hunt and another still nurturing hopes to make it through the backdoor, guaranteeing a furious battle in the next two weeks.

That should make today’s matches so crucial for Choco Mucho and F2 Logistics.

But while the Flying Titans appear to have a lighter task against the luckless Lady Troopers, the Cargo Movers face a daunting challenge against the Cool Smashers, who seem not keen on slowing down despite securing a spot in the post-elims play.

Competing in a larger venue as the Smart Araneta Coliseum could also provide a different kind of playing atmosphere for the country’s top volleybelles that should further spice up the action heading to the last seven playdates of the single round robin elims of the season-ending conference of the league organized by Sports Vision.

The Big Dome will also host four of the next five PVL games, including Thursday’s matches pitting Cignal versus Petro Gazz, and Akari against PLDT, and Saturday’s games featuring Creamline against Army, and Petro Gazz versus Chery Tiggo.

Marikina Poseidon rules Manila Swim Fest THE Marikina Poseidon Swimming Club, under coach Mar Casas, captured the overall team championship in Manila Swim Fest over the weekend at the Philippine Columbian Association swimming pool in Plaza Dilao, Paco, Manila.

The Marikina tankers dominated most of the events in Class A, B, and C, garnering a total of 800.50 points to capture the coveted crown, while Casas was named most outstanding coach in the one-day event organized by the Swimming League Philippines as part of its pre-qualifying meet for the selection of swimmers who will be sent to tournaments in Singapore and Thailand.

International coach Bryan Estipono, who led the SLP-Killerwhale squad to a silver and four bronze medals in the recent Hamilton Swim Championship in Dubai, guided Sharpeedo Swim Team for the first

runner-up team honor with 635 points, while Solid Coaches Swim Team was second runner-up (534), followed by Elite Swim Team of Coach Paul Pablo (481), Angeles City Swim Team of Coach Bernardino Alindogan (249), Binangonan Athlete Swim Team of Coach Arthur Luzon (225.50) and Dinalupihan Swimming Team of Coach Romulo Sanchez (222).

“We’re really surprised with the huge number of participants (47 teams). Patunay ito na talagang ready na ang ating mga swimmers na magbalik aksyon after almost three years of isolation dahil sa pandemic. This is good for swimming and SLP under the guidance of our founder and chairman Joan Mojdeh, who is always a partner in grassroots sports development,” said SLP president Fred Ancheta.

In the Motivational Division, the Mabalacat City Flying Barracudas of coach

Lauro Dueñas captured the overall crown, while Aqua Athlete Swimming Club of Coach Cris Mariano and the Elite Swim Team of Paul Pablo completed the podium in the event presented by Langoy Pilipinas, Yingfa Pilipinas and the Manila Sports Council, in collaboration with the CNLCSCA and the Solid Coaches Association.

Shinloah Yve San Diego, a swimming protegee of the National Sports Academy, topped the list of Most Outstanding Swimmers in Division A, which included Loviell Lara Legaspi, Graexa Mhiel Larrazabal, Isablella Roan Ramirez, Gayle Ocampo, Chelsea Borja, Hanna Mikaela Lim, Reign Margaret Magnaye, Jastine Khloie Romales, Mund F. Garcia, John Dorer Rosales, Braeden Bien Gasal, Gideon Ancheta, Paul Vincent Ocampo, Anod Jose Padre, Mark Justine Africano, Master Janda, Seb Rafael Santos, Arvin Cedric Cantil, Lance Gadriel Lopez and

Members of Team Poseidon

Chris Jemuel Mallari.

Awarded highest pointers and most valuable swimmers were Seb Rafael Santos, Chris Jemuel Mallari, Carlo Gregorio, John Patrick Leo Hondrade, Sander Tan, Albert Sermonia II, Charles

De Guzman, Arvin Cedric Cantil, Jenn Albreicht Sermonia, Shinloah Yve San Diego, Reign Margaret Magnaye, Riza Nadunza, Jerlin Raumei Valencia, Jastine Khloie Romales, Hanna Mikaela Lim, Chelsea Borja.

UST completes Shakey’s Super League semis cast

UST’s Pierre Abellana soars for a kill.

UNIVERSITY of Santo Tomas banked on its young guns to outlast University of the Philippines in an exciting five-set marathon, 27-25, 26-28, 25-18, 22-25, 17-15, to advance to the semifinals of the Shakey’s Super League Collegiate Pre-season Championship at the Rizal Memorial Coliseum late Sunday.

The Tigresses completed an allUAAP Final Four cast along with unbeaten National University, Adamson University, and De La Salle University. UST set up an exciting semis showdown against the reigning UAAP champions Lady Bulldogs that have yet to drop a game after six matches.

The knockout semifinals of the tournament organized by Athletic Events and Sports Management, Inc. (ACES) is scheduled on Friday, November 11, while the winner-take-all championship is on November 19.

Earlier, NU booked the first semis ticket after sweeping Far Eastern University, 25-10, 25-17, 25-15; Adamson booted out University of Perpetual Help, 25-14, 25-16, 25-16; while La Salle decimated Ateneo de Manila University, 25-17, 25-23, 2510, to take the first three semis seats.

UST freshmen Xyza Gula and Regina Jurado stepped up in the absence of veteran, Eya Laure, to deliver 20 points apiece.

The duo delivered the back-to-back hits that wrapped up the grueling twohour, 50-minute encounter.

“We just held on, did our best and refused to give up,” said Gula, who pounded 17 attack points including the down the line kill that pushed UST to its third matchpoint advantage.

“We just want to prove that we’re not just rookies but super rookies.

That we won’t back down from anuy challenge,” she added.

Angeli Abellana put the Tigresses at first matchpoint advantage, 14-12, but a catch-and-throw violation of UST in the next play followed by a kill block by Fighting Maroon Ethan Arce on Gula forced a deuce.

Gula answered with a down the line hit but UP captain Jewel Encarnacion knotted the score at 15 with a through the block smash.

Gula again hammered a kill from the left side before Jurado nailed the piercing crosscourt hit from the right corner for the finishing blow.

Abellana posted 16 points while Athena Abbu had 10 markers for the Tigresses.

Alyssa Bertolano led the UP with 18 points including 14 attacks, Joan Monares had 14 markers while Encarnacion finished with 10.

The Fighting Maroons slid to the classification round joining Perpetual, Ateneo, and FEU.

Entertainment

Nickie Wang, Editor nickie.standard@gmail.com TUESDAY, NOVEMBER 8, 2022

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The EDDYS to hold in-person film awards show at historic Metropolitan Theater

By Patricia Taculao

The King of Talk Boy Abunda will use his gift of gab to host the mostawaited event from SPEEd

After staging a virtual awards show last year, the Society of Philippine Entertainment Editors (SPEEd) returns with a face-to-face celebration of the fifth EDDYS (Entertainment Editors’ Choice) on November 27, Sunday, at the Metropolitan Theater (MET).

SPEEd, an organization composed of entertainment editors from major broadsheets and top tabloids in the Philippines, previously held the fourth EDDYs last 2021 virtually.

Joining the well-loved entertainment editors in the festivities are OPM icon Ice Seguerra and the King of Talk, Boy Abunda, who both have vital roles in the film event’s fifth edition.

The singer-songwriter has the task of directing this year’s EDDYS, as he did the previous year. Meanwhile, Abunda will host the much-awaited annual awards event.

In this year’s EDDYS, critically-acclaimed Filipino movies released on various platforms in 2021 will vie for awards from 14 categories.

Nominees can take home awards for Best Picture, Best Director, Best Actress, and Best Actor, among other recognitions.

Eugene Asis, the entertainment editor for People’s Journal and newly-elect President of SPEEd, claims that the fifth EDDYS will be more exciting as the competition for the awards intensifies.

SPEEd will release the complete list of nominees for the acting and technical categories, along with the special awards, in the following weeks.

Among the recognitions is the Isah V. Red award, in commemoration of the late founding president of the organization, given to outstanding individuals from different fields.

There are also the EDDYS Icon Awardees.

Other special recognitions include the Joe

Quirino Award, Manny Pichel award, Rising Producers’ Circle, and Producer of the Year.

SPEEd celebrates the fifth edition of the EDDYS with the support of Fire and Ice Media and Productions, the company established by Liza Diño and Seguerra.

Also lending their assistance for the festivities as a partner sponsor is Globe Telecom, with kind support from JFV Rice Mill and Bataan Representative Geraldine B. Roman.

The auditing firm of Juancho Robles, Chan Robles & Company, CPAs, will serve as the votes auditor for the fifth EDDYS, as they did during previous editions of the event.

SPEEd, through the EDDYS, aims to encourage and raise the bar for Filipino filmmakers, producers, writers, actors, and other members who help create quality films that highlight their talent and creativity, sometimes on a global scale.

Premiere singer-songwriter Ice Seguerra brings his creativity to the table as the director of the 5th EDDYS

GMA Network unveils latest Christmas ID, holiday video with Kapuso stars trends online Ian Veneracion comes home to action drama

GMA News Pillar Mel Tiangco ‘Running Man PH’ cast (from left) Kokoy de Santos, Angel Guardian, Ruru Madrid, Mikael Daez, Lexi Gonzales, and Buboy Villar

From left: Kapuso stars Paolo Contis, Michael V, Manilyn Reynes, and Sef Cadayona

Christian Bautista lends his voice to ‘Love is Us this Christmas’

MA Network officially launches “Love is Us This Christmas,” a simple yet powerful 2022 Christmas Station ID (CSID) theme featuring Kapuso stars and personalities.

G Kapuso royalty Marian Rivera (left) and Dingdong Dantes

Khalil Ramos (left) and Gabbi Garcia

The much-awaited Kapuso holiday video was first seen last November 6 on All-Out Sundays which showcased the colorful ensemble of Kapuso artists and personalities bannered by Jessica Soho, Dingdong Dantes, Michael V, Heart Evangelista, Dennis Trillo, Alden Richards, Bea Alonzo, and Marian Rivera.

“It’s been two years of celebrating Christmas apart. We celebrated the happiest day of the year in our respective homes. Although the past holiday seasons were likewise joyful, remembering His birth while being together still hits differently. We’ll make up for it this year! We’ll make you feel our love and gratitude because we missed you all so much,” said the Kapuso celebrities as they open the station ID. In the six-minute video, the faces of the Kapuso Network were seen setting up a Christmas party and opening their homes for merrymakers to celebrate the most joyous time of the year with their family, friends, and fans – something that they haven’t done in the past few

years during the height of the pandemic.

Christmas station IDs have become an annual tradition for both GMA and the viewers. It encapsulates the network’s message of gratitude to the viewers for making GMA the Philippines’ leading broadcast network reaching millions of Filipinos through its growing list of 95 TV stations located nationwide.

Prior to the launch of the full-length 2022 GMA CSID, the Kapuso Network gave viewers and netizens a musical treat when it initially released the lyric video of this year’s newest holiday theme song.

“Love is Us this Christmas” was performed by Julie Anne San Jose, Christian Bautista, Aicelle Santos, Mark Bautista, Maricris Garcia, Garrett Bolden, Jeremiah Tiangco, Anthony Rosaldo, Thea Astley, Mariane Osabel, XOXO, Zephanie, and Vilmark Viray.

The jingle was composed and arranged by Ann Margaret Figueroa with lyrics by Emman Rivera and Jann Fayel Lopez.

SEASONED actor Ian Veneracion topbills the new six-part series One Good Day produced by Studio Three Sixty and directed

by Lester Pimentel-Ong. The action drama can be viewed on Amazon Prime Video starting this month.

The project is a homecoming of sorts for the actor, who, in his younger years, starred in various action-hit flicks. Some of these are Ben Balasador, Isa Lang ang Buhay Mo, Totoy Hitman Hitman, Zaldong Tisoy, Boy Praning: Utak Pulbura Pulbura, Pedrito Masangkay, and Alyas Baby Face Face.

How does it feel to be back in a genre which catapulted him to massive stardom?

“I’m happy and at the same time, excited considering that I’ve done a lot of action movies before. I can consider it as my home court. For one, I’m very comfortable with it both with its physical and emotional requirements,” he says.

Talking about his preparation for the project, Ian listed Martial Arts as one of the physical elements of the series that he is “really proud of.”

“I had to train rigidly with the stunt men and the camera works as well since it is part of the choreography. Actually, action buffs would surely enjoy watching it because it’s like a combination of the movies The Godfather, James Bond, and John Wick. I highly recommend it.”

Apart from One Good Day, Ian is also busy with the concert titled, Kilabotitos opposite Ogie Alcasid. It’s good he still has time to do it considering his hectic schedule.

“The reason why I am able to do the concert is that I don’t have an ongoing soap opera. It will definitely be hard if I have one. I can’t imagine myself doing all those things simultaneously. Although I enjoy the different entertainment platforms these days. The landscape is expanding on how I can creatively express myself and perform in various mediums,” Ian relays.

“I can say that it’s a good time to be an actor and to be alive, too because we have numerous channels where our works can be viewed. You can even create your own channel and content.

Like in the case of One Good Day, it can be viewed not only here in the Philippines but in other countries as well. Hopefully, we’ll be able to attract foreign audience,” he carries on.

He is currently celebrating his 40th anniversary in showbiz, which can be considered a major feat since until now, he’s still active and gets to headline his own

Ian Veneracion returns to the action genre with ‘One Good Day’

projects.

“Passion is very important for you to last long in this industry and so is professionalism.

I’m never in it for fame or money. If you’re going to be an actor just because you want to become rich and famous, I think you won’t succeed,” Ian concludes. *** In the recent media conference for the film Mamasapano: Now It Can Be Told produced

by Borracho Films Production, Atty. Ferdie Topacio (who is one of the film outfit’s main producers) said that it has been a long, hard battle. The movie was recently selected as one of the eight entries in the forthcoming 2022 Metro Manila Film Festival.

“Looking back, we fielded the script in 2020 but unfortunately, it was not accepted,” he reveals.

“I didn’t know any better. Now, we decided to give it another try though we already have a November 30 playdate fallback in case since it coincides with National Heroes Day.” Topacio believes that a festival should aim to uplift the quality of movies in any country.

He likens film festivals to fiesta.

“You don’t serve foods that are already common but rather, extraordinary ones. Last September, I traveled to San Sebastian, Spain to witness the Donostia Film Festival. Then, I flew to Switzerland to attend the Zurich Film Festival. All the entries are great.”

The controversial lawyer-producer hopes the same for the MMFF and he wants to contribute via Mamasapano: It Can Be Told, which stars Edu Manzano, Aljur Abrenica, and Paolo Gumabao.

“Of course, in film festivals, it’s important that all genres are present – from comedy to drama to action to horror. But they should be a cut above the rest. The level of entries should be elevated.”

Atty. Topacio remembers those days when Filipino movies are critically acclaimed abroad and considered world-class.

“During the ‘70s, we were the darling of Asian Cinema because of our films like Genghis Khan, Anak Dalita, Ora Pro Nobis, and Oro Plata Mata. I hope that we’ll be able to reclaim those glorious days by coming up with meaningful and quality potboilers,” he states.

‘Black Adam’ retains lead in box office race WARNER Bros.’ superhero film Black Adam held onto the top spot in North American theaters on a sleepy weekend, taking in an estimated $18.5 million, industry watcher Exhibitor Relations reported Sunday.

The Dwayne Johnson vehicle, a spinoff from 2019’s “Shazam!,” has now grossed $182 million internationally.

But its box-office dominance is not expected to survive the arrival next weekend of Marvel and Disney’s Black

Panther: Wakanda Forever. The release of that highly anticipated sequel will help return Hollywood “to world-class form,” said David A. Gross of Franchise Entertainment Research.

In second place for the weekend was Crunchyroll’s anime movie One Piece Film: Red, at $9.5 million.

The film, drawing warm response from fans of the long-running manga series, is already the ninth highestgrossing release ever in Japan,

Variety reported.

Universal’s rom-com Ticket to Paradise came in third, earning $8.5 million, behind the proven chemistry of stars Julia Roberts and George Clooney. It has earned $85 million abroad.

In fourth was Paramount’s horror movie Smile, at $4 million, still drawing viewers even after the Halloween holiday. Originally set for streamingonly release, it is now barely $1

million shy of the $100 million mark domestically.

And in fifth was supernatural horror film Prey for the Devil from Lionsgate, at $3.9 million. Jacqueline Byers plays a nun trained in exorcism who, with the help of a certain Father Dante, battles demonic forces.

Overall, the box office remains well below its pre-pandemic levels – down 33.8 percent so far this year compared to 2019, according to Gross. AFP

Dwayne Johnson, the star of superhero film ‘Black Adam,’ greets fans at an event October 13 in Toronto, Ontario, Canada

Life

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

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TUESDAY, NOVEMBER 8, 2022

I

F Indian cuisine is not your thing, saying enjoying it is more of an acquired taste, maybe you haven’t experienced tasting the best food that the South Asian country has to offer. Or maybe, you really haven’t been to a restaurant that offers authentic Indian cuisine.

I remember, living in the Middle East for a couple of years, I was able to make friends with the spiciest and most interesting food I ever had on my plate—traditional food of India has been widely appreciated for its generous use of herbs and spices that make its taste really distinct. It’s true that you can experience a whole palette of flavors all at once. You can taste sweet, sour, spicy, and tangy flavors in one bite. And if that doesn’t interest you, I don’t know what will.

I was also introduced to the intricate process of cooking their dishes before they are served on the table. Imagine, they have dishes that require five different cooking techniques and they can cook something completely different from people in other places with the same ingredients.

On October 27, I had a mini-reunion

A spread of Hilton Manila’s signature Indian dishes

Kusina Sea Kitchens’ signature Indian dishes

Tasting a whole palette of flavors all at once with Indian food. Hilton Manila’s all-day dining restaurant Kusina Sea Kitchens celebrated Diwali or Festival of Lights with the launch of “Treasures of India” as part of its daily buffet offerings.

Treasures of India buffet menu highlights include traditional favorites such as Golgappa pani poori, Prawn masala, Lamb Biryani, among others.

“We are delighted to present our loyal patrons with a vibrant spread of authentic Indian cuisine specially prepared by our new Senior Sous Chef Manish Thapa,” shares John Lucas, hotel general manager, adding, “Our team has curated a feast of rich and deep flavors that seamlessly blends with our other ‘open kitchen’ offerings such as the Japanese, Chinese,

Western, and even the Filipino Paluto stations.”

During the event Chef Manish presented diners with healthy, vegetarian options as well as mouthwatering desserts Gulab jamun, Rasmalai, and Mango lassi. Kusina Sea Kitchens’ buffet selection is available on weekdays for dinner, and on weekends for lunch and dinner, with prices from P2,480 net per person.

Kusina Sea Kitchens indulges patrons with a premium buffet featuring fresh and sustainably sourced produce and ingredients. The restaurant, located on the hotel’s third floor, is also known for its different ‘open kitchens’ where guests can freely interact with the chefs and team members while partak-

Hilton Manila’s Treasures of India Chef Manish Thapa

ing in the buffet offerings. The culinary team, which was recently hailed as the 2022 Philippine Culinary Cup Overall Champions—Professional Division, can also prepare select seafood and meats at the Paluto station a la minute, to the diners’ preference.

Hilton Manila observes stringent health and safety measures in line with local government guidelines and Hilton’s own CleanStay initiative and holds the Department of Tourism “Safety Seal”.

For inquiries and reservations, please call +632 7239 7788, send an email to MNLPH_ F&Binquiries@hilton.com or visit https://www.hiltonmanila.com.

Follow @hiltonmanila on Facebook and Instagram for more updates.

Create your dream desserts at Bakebe S Maison A CANDELABRA lighting up a rose buttercream cake…Honey Bee Bee cupcakes that are making a buzz …A Giant Monster chocolate sponge cake filled with hazelnut paste and fresh raspberry filling.

These are some of the delightful desserts first-timers, budding bakers, and even pros can whip up as Bakebe, a DIY baking studio, opens its second and newest branch at S Maison.

Founded by entrepreneur Venus Chi in Hong Kong, Bakebe is the first co-baking space that teaches one to bake with an app.

Bakebe teams up with talented pastry chefs who have worked in Michelin-starred restaurants to design the menu.

A modern wonderland, the co-baking space comes fully equipped with ovens, mixers, utensils, tools, and all the ingredients needed to bake like a pro. Guests can bake any pastry from the menu from scratch to finish with zero experience needed. Guests are given an iPad with the Bakebe app, which includes detailed instructions, graphics, videos, and a step-by-step guide for each baking project. In-house pastry chefs are also on hand for assistance.

The best part is that Bakebe makes it possible to bond over baking with the bae or your besties, or bake sweet memories together with the family. Bakebe also offers creative and fun packages: rent out the entire studio for a bridal shower, gender reveal party or a children’s birthday celebration. It’s also a great place to schedule your next teambuilding session or school group activity.

Each package includes your choice of cake to bake, exclusive use of the venue, party décor, party favors, plated meal or graze box, and more.

Plus, guests get to bring home their very own creations to enjoy in a beautiful signature box.

Gracing the opening of Bakebe S Maison

Honey Bee Bee cupcakes. These cute lemon and honey cupcakes are creating a buzz at Bakebe S Maiso

were Pasay City Government officials, Councilor Joey Calixto Isidro and Councilor Mark Calixto, who were welcomed by Bakebe coowners Kay Lacap, Regine Tecson Que, Tasha Reyes, and Joseph Moore. Guests were seen enjoying the cake and cupcake decorating activities, while others had fun taking snaps at the baking studio’s Instagram-perfect spots.

Book your baking session today at Bakebe located inside The Dessert Museum, Level 1, S Maison Mall in the SM Mall of Asia Complex.

Bonding over baking. Actress Janice de Belen (right) and granddaughter Anya Muhlach enjoyed decorating cupcakes

Make the relationship sweeter by taking bae on a bake date

Create sweet treats with your bestie at Bakebe S Maison

Cathy Doll Philippines 2023 Brand Ambassadors with executives from LifeStrong Marketing, Inc.

Raise your flag high and proud WHEN it comes to talking about underarms, what is ant. If my underarms can talk, feeling ko nagte-thank you na the first thing that comes to mind? Is it the worry of sila because of the natural deo I’m using now.” excessive sweating? Or maybe the discoloration of the To put a spotlight on the importance of underarm care, skin? Or better yet, the confidence to show off and be Dr. Bea Chan stated, “Underarm problems are normal! fearless to wear sleeveless?

Hence, it really requires special attention and a lot of TLC.” Most of the concerns boil down to the main thing that The Cathy Doll Mineral Deodorant Line can be used most of us fail to properly pay attention to—underarm in two ways! It’s your choice if you wanna spray it or roll care. In this day and age, we all need an underarm care it! Mineral Deodorant Spray offers a liquid non-sticky, routine that is all-natural, friendly, travel-handy and ad- alcohol-free, and paraben-free formula while the Mineral dresses every concern we have.

Deodorant Stick provides a non-staining and non-sticky At one of its successful events, the Cathy Doll Deo feeling after bath as well.

Launch Event Party was held at Luxent Hotel on October The spray is convenient to use because all you have to 20. It has accommodated guests of high caliber and undeni- do is spritz a few then you’re good to go slay your day able representation of how beauty is seen in every way. worry-free! The latter is handy and travel-friendly, so you The event was graced and emceed by beauty vlogger can bring it with you anywhere you are! With this, you can and host Nikki Tiu. The guests include Miss World 2021 freely explore and be adventurous as you want without worTracy Maureen Perez, Drag Race PH’s Divine Divas ries of excessive odor and sweat. as well as the grand champion Precious Paula Nicole, “I’ve tried the pink one, the Whitening & Smoothening Miss Supranational PH 2022 Alison Black, Dermatolo- variant. When I [applied] Cathy Doll Mineral Deo, I obgist Dr. Bea Chan, diversified influencers and Cathy served na medyo nare-reduce excessive sweating ko. And I Doll Brand Ambassadors Paula Pelaez, Dior Venera- feel light whenever I’m using the deo. Parang nakakahinga cion, Riri Ching, and Joshua Ronett. ng maluwag underarms ko without smell after a day,” says Cathy Doll’s newest Brand Ambassadors were also Miss World Philippines 2021 Tracy Perez. given the chance to show how they confidently express For more information about the Cathy Doll products, foltheir own beauty. low @cathydollphils on Instagram & Twitter and like Cathy For the next year’s campaign, Cathy Doll opted to high- Doll Philippines on Facebook. You can also learn more about light “Beauty In Every Way,” to promote inclusivity and Cathy Doll on our website at lifestrong.com.ph. diversity in giving meaning to every individual’s own way of what beauty is—a way of marking the question #WhatsYourWay? During the event, the co-founders of Lifestrong Marketing, the exclusive distributor of Cathy Doll, has also taken the opportunity to promote and raise awareness for Mental Health.

Margaret Lee, the General Manager shares, “With unwavering support for mental health, we hope and believe that the promotion of diversity and inclusivity through Cathy Doll’s campaign of beauty in every way, will serve as a stepping stone to help those who need a boost and a lift.”

Furthermore, in the course of the event, the Divine Divas, from Drag Race PH has performed ravishingly, ensuring the audience’s eyes feasted with glamor, elegance, and sophistication while flawlessly and confidently showing nothing but queen grandeur.

Investing in your skin is not as easy as it sounds; especially if the skin is delicate, like our underarms. Divine Divas performance with glamor, elegance, and sophistication As Drag Race PH’s Grand Winner Precious Paula (from left) Viñas DeLuxe, Precious Paula Nicole (‘Drag Race PH’ Winner), Nicole has said, “Glad I switched to natural deodor- and Brigiding