Manila Standard - 2022 November 29 - Tuesday

SolGen steps into power issue

By Alena Mae S. Flores

THE Office of the Solicitor General is working with the Energy Regulatory Commission (ERC) on ways to get the Court of Appeals (CA) to lift its temporary restraining order (TRO) that the government fears will drive up electricity costs for millions of consumers.

The ERC had earlier denied a peti tion by a San Miguel Corp. (SMC) sub sidiary, SMC Global Power Holdings Corp. (SMCGP), to raise the price of the power it sells to the Manila Electric Co.

85% of Pinoys in OCTA survey say country on right track under PBBM

By Vince Lopez

MAJORITY of Filipinos believe the country is headed in the right direction under the administration of President Ferdinand Marcos Jr., according to the latest survey re sults released by OCTA Research

on Monday.

Based on the 4th quarter 2022 ‘Tu gon ng Masa’ survey of OCTA, 85 percent of Filipino adults said the Philippines is headed in the right di rection, with only 6 percent express ing disagreement. Next page

Seaoil Philip pines, Chevron Philippines, Clean fuel, and PetroGazz.

(Meralco), noting that the 2019 supply agreement between the two companies does not allow it.

But SMCGP took its case to the CA,

Over 500 families new ‘graduates’ of 4Ps DSWD conditional cash transfer program

A TOTAL

Employers bat for gov’t creating more jobs over wage increases

BUSINESS

Speaker proposes sovereign wealth fund, bullish on internet speed boost

By Maricel V. Cruz

PH hopes UN exec sees gains vs. child exploitation

‘Gaslighting’ Merriam-Webster’s word of year

“GASLIGHTING” has emerged as Merriam-Webster dictionary’s word of the year.

Described as an “act or practice of grossly misleading someone es pecially for one’s own advantage,” gaslighting had a 1,740% increase in lookups throughout the year.

WHO:

Merriam-Webster also said that the term, which drives disorientation and mistrust, can apply in both personal and political contexts.

Psychologist Dr. Anna Tuazon, in a previous interview with GMA News Online, said gaslighting is

Monkeypox to be renamed just ‘mpox’

GENEVA — Monkeypox is to be re named mpox in English, the World Health Organization announced Mon day, in a bid to avoid stigmatization stemming from the existing name.

Monkeypox received its name be

cause the virus was originally identi fied in monkeys kept for research in Denmark in 1958, but the disease is found in a number of animals, and most frequently in rodents.

OWWA RESCUE. The family of Cheska Manio (second from right), the overseas Filipino worker abused and maltreated by her police-military employers in Abu Dhabi, has expressed their thanks and gratitude to OWWA Administrator Arnell Ignacio (right) for his quick action that expedited her swift repatriation to the Philippines.

The family sought the help of Ignacio through former Candaba Mayor Normita L. Evangelista and her friends from media. Others pictured (from left) are Shela G. Sarmiento of the Bulletin; Alice H. Reyes, columnist and Aliw Awards Foundation founding president; Evelyn “Kleng” Diao; lawyer Edelyn Claustro; and Normita “Babes” Evange lista of Medialine Advertising. Not in picture are lawyer She Malonzo and OWWA Region 3 Director Falconi Millar.

DFA

A

group has urged the gov ernment to focus instead on job crea tion, not wage increases, to pluck Fili pinos out of poverty, a position which clashes against the stand taken by the labor sector.

Employers Confederation of the Phil ippines (ECOP) President Sergio Ortiz-

Luis was commenting Monday on the pitch by Association of Democratic Labor Organizations (ADLO) president Duds Gerodias that they were support ing the push for an increase in the na tional minimum wage.

COURAGE national president

SPEAKER Martin G. Romualdez has proposed the creation of a sovereign wealth fund (SWF) to maxi mize the profitability of investible government as sets for the benefit of all Filipinos.

A SENIOR Department of Foreign Af fairs official is hopeful the visiting UN Special Rapporteur, who will be in the Philippines until December 9, will ac knowledge the government’s efforts to

fight online sexual exploitation. The Presidential Human Rights Com mittee Secretariat told GMA News On line that Mama Fatima Singhateh, UN Special Rapporteur on the Sale and

Sexual Exploitation of Children, ar rived on Sunday and called on the DFA officials Monday.

Undersecretary for Multilateral

588 families, or about 2,940 individu als, have gone out of the government’s conditional cash transfer program 4Ps, carrying with them certificates of recognition from the Department of Social Welfare and Development.

GRADUATION DAY. SOME of the 588 families, or about 2,940 individuals, listen to the program of the Department of Social Welfare and Develop ment as they get certificates of recognition for graduating from the government’s conditional cash transfer program or 4Ps on Monday in a cer emony at the Cuneta Astrodome in Pasay City.

a form of

NEW FAST CRAFT. Philippine Navy person nel salute Executive Secretary Lucas Bersamin, Armed Forces Chief Lt. Gen. Bartolome Vicente Bacarro, Navy Flag Officer in Command Rear Adm. Toribio Adaci Jr. (inset from right), and others as the BRP Nestor Acero (PG901), a fast attack inter diction craft-missile (FAIC-M) gunboat acquired from Israeli shipyards (pictured), is commissioned during a ceremony at the Navy headquarters in Manila on Monday. Norman Cruz with AFP

In the major areas, 91 percent of Fil ipino adults in the Visayas believe the chief executive is steering the country well, while 87 percent in Balance Lu zon and 84 percent in Mindanao af

firmed this.

Meanwhile, 70 percent of Filipino adults in the National Capital Re gion believe the country is headed in the right direction under the Marcos administration.

According to the socio-economic classes, Class D or the lower middle class registered the highest agreement

that the country is headed in the right direction, registering 86 percent.

On the other hand, 81 percent of those under Class E, or the “poorest of the poor,” and 79 percent of Classes ABC, composed mostly of upper middle class, believe the country is on the right track under the current administration.

The OCTA survey was conducted on

Oct. 23-27 with 1,200 adult respondents.

Filipino respondents were asked the question: “Based on the policies and programs presented and implemented by the current administration, do you think the country is leading in the right way?”

According to OCTA, the margin of error of the survey is ±3 percent.

No coding for Bonifacio Day, says MMDA

THERE will be no number coding on Wednesday, according to the Metropoli tan Manila Development Authority.

Sources said cooking gas, or lique fied petroleum gas, is expected to go up on Dec. 1, but they have yet to pro vide a computation.

The final rollbacks on diesel and kerosene this week were higher than that projected by the Department of Energy but was lower for gasoline.

DOE director for the Oil Industry Management Bureau Rodela Romero said last Friday there would be roll backs for gasoline from P1.00 to P1.20, diesel from P3.50 to P3.70, and kerosene from P2.20 to P2.40 per liter.

Over the weekend, Unioil Petro leum Philippines said consumers could expect a price cut of P3.95 per liter for diesel and P0.85 per liter for gasoline.

Romero also said last week the price rollback was due to the COVID-19 surge in China, the increase in the fuel inventory data of the US, and the higher price cap for Russian crude by the European Union.

On Nov. 22, 2022, the oil companies cut gasoline prices by P0.40 a liter, diesel by P2.15 a liter, and kerosene by P2.10. This resulted in a total yearto-date net increase of P17.75 per liter for gasoline, P33.85 per liter for diesel, and P27.85 per liter for kerosene.

Meanwhile, the Philippine Amal gamated Supermarkets Association Inc. said prices of basic goods have increased by 2 percent to 13 percent in the last few weeks as the Christmas season approaches.

The group’s president, Steven Cua, said most of the items with price in creases are sugar-related like readyto-drink beverages, chocolate, jelly, and peanut butter.

He added that more than 20 manu facturers already requested price in creases, including non-essential items.

Also on Monday, the Department of Agriculture said consumers could buy cheaper-priced onions at P170 per kilo at Kadiwa stores nationwide.

DA Assistant Secretary and spokes person Kristine Evangelista said dur ing the Laging Handa briefing that the agency continues to open more Kadiwa stores to help ease the burden of consumers amid the steep increase in onion prices.

“Based on our market monitoring, we saw a spike in the price of red on ions.,” she said, noting that they have seen onions sold for P300 a kilo.

which imposed a TRO on the ERC, ef fectively suspending the implementa tion of the 2019 supply agreement.

Energy Secretary Raphael Lotilla said President Ferdinand Marcos Jr.’s foremost concern was the welfare of Filipino consumers.

He said the 60-day TRO issued by the CA, which took effect immediately, did not provide the distribution utilities and other parties concerned adequate time for preparation.

Lotilla said the ERC believed that the Power Supply Agreement (PSA) between the two parties would have required prior notice from SMCGP in case of a pre-termination.

“The solicitor general has been in com munication with the ERC on the steps to be taken to lift the TRO,” he said.

Senator Sherwin Gatchalian said that pending the case’s final resolution, energy stakeholders, including DOE, ERC, Meralco and SMC, “must see to it that a steady supply of electricity is maintained and that there are no signifi cant power interruptions.”

erating companies, along with distribu tion utilities, could revise power supply contracts with fixed prices. We hope that at the end of the day, consumer in terest will be protected,” he said.

The ERC’s decision stemmed from a contract entered signed in 2019 by SMC and its subsidiaries for two fixed-price agreements to supply 1,000 megawatts to Meralco consumers.

Supply was to come from the 1,200MW Sual coal-fired power plant in Pan gasinan and the 1,200-MW Ilijan natu ral gas plant in Batangas.

SMC sought a temporary relief with the ERC from the high coal prices and thinning supply from the Malampaya gas project in northwest Palawan. When the deal was made, coal prices were around $65 per metric ton, which had since risen to over $400/MT.

SMCGP said the thinning supply from the Malampaya natural gas field resulted in San Miguel buying power from the spot market.

SMCGP said the ERC had knowingly exposed the public to much higher power rates by not approving its joint petition with Meralco for a temporary rate hike.

ies, saying the agreed price in the power supply agreement was fixed in nature, and the grounds for the increase were not among the exceptions that would al low for price adjustment.

SMCGP said it is the ERC’s responsibil ity to ensure the least cost of power for con sumers, and it should have taken this into consideration when reviewing the merits of the petition and issuing its decision.

SMGCP said Meralco provided the commission with in-depth computa tions and projections showing that granting the temporary rate hike would have been the least costly option for power consumers.

It would also be beneficial in the long term, as it would preserve the fixed-rate PSAs, it said.

SMCGP said the ERC decision forced the company to continue to absorb losses and essentially prevented it from exercis ing its legal options, clearly laid out in the PSAs, to preserve its financial standing.

It also noted that two other commis sioners had strong dissenting opinions.

“The implementation of the Ex panded Unified Vehicular Volume Re duction Program (UVVRP) or num ber coding scheme is suspended from 7 a.m. -10 a.m. and 5 p.m. - 8 p.m. on November 30, Wednesday, Bonifacio Day,” the MMDA stated in its advi sory Monday.

“On this day, vehicles with license plates ending in 5 and 6 covered by coding every Wednesday can travel on the main streets of Metro Manila dur ing the said coding hours,” it added, In August, the MMDA started the reimplementation of the UVVRP in the National Capital Region from 7 a.m. to 10 a.m. and 5 p.m. to 8 p.m. on weekdays except holidays.

This after members of the Metro Manila Council (MMC), composed of the 17 mayors in NCR, approved Res olution No. 22-14 Series of 2022, amid the expected increase in the volume of vehicles upon the resumption of faceto-face classes.

The MMC is the governing board and the policy-making body of the MMDA.

The scheme was devised to keep vehicles out of major thoroughfares on certain days based on the last digit of the license plate.

Under the scheme, vehicles with li cense plates ending in 1 and 2 are pro hibited on Monday, 3 and 4 on Tues day, 5 and 6 on Wednesday, 7 and 8 on Thursday, 9 and 0 on Friday during the said coding hours.

The MMC stated the reimplementa tion of the scheme will reduce traffic volume by twenty percent (20%) dur ing the morning and afternoon/even ing peak hours. Joel E. Zurbano

WHO:...

From A1

“Following a series of consultations with global experts, WHO will begin using a new preferred term ‘mpox’ as a synonym for monkeypox. Both names will be used simultaneously for one year while ‘monkeypox’ is phased out,” the UN health agency said in a statement.

“WHO will adopt the term mpox in its communications, and encourages others to follow these recommenda tions, to minimize any ongoing nega tive impact of the current name and from adoption of the new name.”

abuse. One sign is when you start to doubt and no longer trust your own memory and experience.

Ways to help those who have been gaslighted include giving support and empowerment, Tuazon added.

Merriam-Webster’s words of the year for 2020 and 2021 were “pan demic” and “vaccine,” respectively.

Merriam-Webster, which logs 100 million page views a month on its site, chooses its word of the year based solely on data. Its team weeds out evergreen words most commonly looked up to gauge which word received a significant bump over the year before. AFP

Gatchalian said he would closely monitor the resolution of the case as it would determine whether fixed price contracts of PSAs could be changed.

“This case will set a precedent for the energy sector as to whether power-gen

Romualdez also said Monday he expects the country’s internet speed to go up a notch next year once the Department of Informa tion and Communications Technol

Levels, respectively.

“We believe the ERC decision, which forces us to continue absorbing billions in losses in the face of a continuing war in Ukraine and escalating global fuel prices, is against its mandate,” the com pany said in a statement.

The regulator rejected the joint peti tion of Meralco and SMCGP subsidiar

ogy (DICT) implements its National Broadband Plan (NBP) that has been allocated P1.5 billion in the pro posed 2023 national budget.

The proposed Maharlika Wealth Fund (MWF) is patterned after the SWFs of 49 countries, including Singa pore, China, Hong Kong, South Korea, Malaysia, Indonesia, Taiwan, Vietnam,

It said the ERC was made aware of the looming power rate hikes and how it could ensure that the public would get the lowest possible rate, “while energy players contin ue to supply power viably amid rising geo political risks beyond anybody’s control.”

“Yet, it still chose to look the other way,” it said.

But the ERC said Monday that about 7.5 million Meralco customers would be hurt by the court’s decision.

and East Timor.

The proposal is contained in House Bill (HB) 6398 that seeks the estab lishment of the MWF, which would draw resources primarily from con tributions from the Government Service Insurance System (GSIS), Social Security System (SSS), Land Bank of the Philippines (Land

exploitation of children.”

The disease was first discovered in humans in 1970 in the Democratic Republic of Congo, with the spread among humans since then mainly lim ited to certain West and Central Afri can countries where it is endemic.

But in May, cases of the disease, which causes fever, muscular aches and large boil-like skin lesions, began spreading rapidly around the world, mainly among men who have sex with men.

Some 81,107 cases and 55 deaths have been reported to the WHO this year, from 110 countries. AFP

Bank), and Development Bank of the Philippines (DBP).

Meanwhile, Romualdez said the P1.5 billion allocation to the NBP is part of the P77-billion institutional amend ments made by the lower chamber to augment the budget for education, health, transportation, and other critical social services.

According to witnesses, the familybeneficiaries have completed at most five years receiving cash grants from the government and received their cer tificates in a ceremony at the Cuneta Astrodome in Pasay City.

4Ps National Program Manager Gemma Gabuya said some 400,000 beneficiaries were still in the program but stopped short of announcing any graduation timeline.

According to DSWD, a family-ben eficiary will be considered as a selfsufficient household if it has enough in come at the time of graduation; is able to cope with the family’s daily needs; and has achieved the first two levels of Social Worker Development Indicators, which are Survival and Subsistence

The graduates will also be monitored by their respective local government units for possible provision of other ap propriate assistance to enable them to sustain or further improve their eco nomic status.

The Pantawid Pamilyang Pilipino Program (4Ps) is a poverty alleviation program of the national government that provides conditional cash grants to extremely poor households to improve their health, nutrition, and education particularly of children aged 0-14.

Earlier on, the DSWD said at least 93,600 of the 1.3 million households deemed “non-poor” by the agency could be delisted from the 4Ps.

At the public briefing on PTV, DSWD spokesperson Assistant Secre tary Romel Lopez said that at least 22 percent of these 1.3 million households had been validated as “non-poor.”

and International Economic Affairs Carlos Sorreta was hopeful Singhateh would “recognize the achievements and best practices of the Philippine Government to eradicate online sexual

He cited Republic Act 11930 or the Act Punishing Online Sexual Abuse of Children, and the creation of the Na tional Coordination Center as among the government’s programs aimed at preventing any form of child sexual abuse or exploitation.

Sorreta stressed “international co

wage of P12,517, way below IBON Foundation’s P1,119 estimated daily living wage needed by a family of five to live decently as of September 2022. But Ortiz-Luis noted that increasing employee salaries might force micro, small, and medium enterprises to raise the prices of goods and services that they offer.

operation and shared responsibility among countries is required to address external demand factors that fuel on line exploitation of children.”

He said the Philippines was com mitted to safeguarding all Filipino children and upholding its obligations under the Convention on the Rights of the Child.

only about 10 percent of the 50 millionstrong labor force, he said.

He said the government must go for “inclusive” solutions to economic prob lems, meaning a comprehensive mix ture of things to do.

He said state workers at the lowest salary grade were paid a minimum

Wage increases benefit only those in the formal labor sector, who make up

Inflation in October further acceler ated on the back of higher food prices including vegetables and meat, the Philippine Statistics Authority said (see related story on A1 – Editors).

Santiago Dasmariñas Jr. earlier urged the national government to set the minimum wage of state workers at P33,000 per month to offset sky rocketing inflation.

‘PRRD’ AND ‘PULONG’. Former President Rodrigo R. Duterte visits his parents’ graves at the Roman Catholic Cemetery in Davao City last week with his son, Davao City 1st District Rep. Paolo “Pulong” Duterte, in this photo released by the lawmaker’s office on Monday. It has been the tradition of the Duterte family to visit the grave of their loved ones during their respective death anniversaries and on their occasions.

DOH: Dengue cases go up by 191% this year

THE incidence of dengue in the Philippines nearly doubled this year compared to last year, according to the Department of Health (DOH).

DOH data showed a total of 196,728 dengue cases were recorded from January 1 to November 5, 2022, indicating 191 percent rise compared to last year’s figure.

The DOH’s latest dengue surveillance report said the cases logged from January 1 to November 5, 2021 were 67,537, almost one-third of the dengue caseload this year.=

The dengue death toll also went up this year at 642 from 247 in 2021. Still, the case fatality rate remained at 0.3 percent, the DOH report said.

Central Visayas topped the regions with most dengue fatalities at 98, followed by both Central Luzon and Western Visayas with 83 each, and the National Capital Region with 50.

Cumulatively, most of the dengue cases this year were reported in Central Luzon at 38,640.

Coming in second was the NCR with 22,666 cases, and Calabarzon with 16,575 cases.

A total of 602 dengue cases were also recorded nationwide from October 30 to November 5 alone.

During this period, NCR logged the highest number of cases at 222, followed by Central Visayas with 116, and Cagayan Valley with 71.

Willie Casas

Navy eyes 15 more Israeli missile craft

THE Philippine Navy (PN) is eyes at least 15 more Israel-made Shaldag Mark V missile gunboats to boost its border security capability.

“We are planning to get 15 additional ‘Acero’-class gunboats (in addition to the nine presently on the pipeline), newly appointed PN chief Rear Adm. Toribio Adaci Jr. told reporters during the commissioning and send-off ceremony for the fast attack interdiction craft missiles (FAIC-Ms) BRP Nestor Acero (PG-901) and BRP Lolinato ToOng (PG-902) on Monday.

Adaci said the additional “Acero”class gunboats would help them to meet their requirements in patrolling Philippine waters.

He disclosed that the FAIC-Ms will be assigned to the Littoral Combat Force.

According to Adaci, four more FAIC-Ms, the other name of the “Acero” class in the PN service, will be delivered sometime next year.

“I don’t know the exact delivery dates, but this shall be throughout the year, he said.

The last batch of three, to be built at the PN shipyard in the Naval Station Pascual Ledesma in Cavite, is scheduled for 2024.

Adaci said Israel Shipyard Limited will help the PN rehabilitate and modernize the old shipyard to allow for the production of modern seacraft.

“In that way, our people can learn how to do it, maintain these ‘Acero’ class boats and that will be the start of the transfer of technology,” he said.

The 32-meter high-speed vessels are equipped with quick intercept ability, remote stabilized weapons, and shortrange missiles that are capable of delivering precision strikes against larger hostiles and high-value targets on land and sea.

Four of the FAIC-Ms will be armed with non-line-of-sight (NLOS) missiles with pinpoint accuracy and a range of 25 kilometers while the other five will be armed with Typhoonmounted 30mm main cannons and .50 caliber heavy machine guns.

PROTEST DEMO

AT CONGRESS.

With crowd control policemen in place, civil society groups hold a protest action in front of the House of Representatives in Quezon City to urge the lawmakers to look into tax dodging practices, as well as the harmful environmental impact of companies in the extractives sector.

The rally is part of the observance of the annual Global Day of Action for Tax Justice in the Extractives Sector.

NCR posts hike in COVID positivity rate

By Willie Casas

METRO Manila and certain provinces in Luzon have registered slight increases in COVID-19 positivity rate over the past week, but other areas showed slight decline.

Meanwhile, medical experts disclosed that Omicron BQ.1, a new sublineage of the highly transmissible Omicron subvariant, has been detected in the country.

According to the independent OCTA Research Group which conducted the study on Nov. 29-26, this year, the positivity rate in the National Capital Region went up to from 7.5 percent to 11.1 percent during the week in review.

OCTA fellow Dr. Guido David, explained that positivity rate refers to the number of people who were found positive for COVID among a group who were tested for the virus.

The OCTA research also indicated that positivity rates in other Luzon provinces such as Batangas, Benguet, Bulacan, Cagayan, Ilocos Norte, Ilocos Sur, Kalinga, La Union, and Pangasinan also went up.

Isabela recorded the recent highest positivity rate in Luzon with 44.4 percent, although down from 49.4 percent on November 19.

Luzon provinces that showed a decline in positivity rates over the same period were Albay, Bataan, Camarines Sur, Cavite, Isabela, Laguna, Nueva Ecija, Pampanga, Quezon, Rizal, Tarlac, and Zambales.

In the larger picture, the Philippines on

Sunday recorded 1,326 new COVID-19 cases—the fifth straight day that more than 1,000 new cases were logged.

The Department of Health (DOH) said that NCR recorded the most cases in the last two weeks with 3,874, followed by Calabarzon with 1,961, and Western Visayas with 1,293.

Currently, 14 cases of BQ.1 have reportedly been found in the Philippines based on the latest genome sequencing.

Dr. Rontege Solante, an infectious disease expert, said COVID-19 vaccinations should be intensified following the detection of the BQ.1 sub-variant.

On Friday, the DOH reported that 14 cases of BQ.1 have been detected based on the latest genome sequencing of UP-Philippine Genome Center, Research Institute for Tropical Medicine, and San Lazaro Hospital from October 28 to November 18.

“The longer you are from getting the vaccine, the earlier you got your primary dose, and you still don’t have a booster, the more vulnerable you are to COVID-19

mutations,” Dr. Rontgene Solante told TeleRadyo.

Solante said the number of COVID-19 cases in the country is now manageable because a huge number of the people have been vaccinated.

“We still have vulnerable populations, those with comorbidities, or those who got the primary vaccine but not the booster, we encourage you to get the vaccine for a happy Christmas, so there won’t be virus transmission at home, and also to protect yourselves against severe infection,” he said.

The physician said the public should take advantage of the two-day special vaccination drive that will take place in December.

“The government will be having the National Vaccination Day, I think December 5-7. This is our chance, we need to encourage everyone to get the booster if they haven’t gotten it for us to prepare so that when Christmad comes around, we are better protected against severe infection,” he said.

Salceda assures workers RITM is here to stay

By Maricel V. Cruz

ALBAY Rep. Joey Sarte Salceda has allayed apprehensions of workers of the government-owned Research Institute of Tropical Medicine (RITM) that there will be no abolition or layoffs in the outfit as the Center for Disease Control (CDC) moves closer to becoming law.

Salceda, chair of the House Committee on Ways and Means, gave the assurance as workers in the RITM protested recently over possible layoffs with the creation of the CDC.

Salceda ruled out abolition of the RITM.

Environment experts cite value of risk management

TO address environmental vulnerabilities, use a risk-management approach in empowering communities, experts said.

The challenge to be stewards of the environment is a responsibility shared by all sectors of society, and this includes adopting a risk-management approach to dealing with disasters and incorporating sustainability measures in corporations’ business models.

Environment and sustainability experts agreed on this during a panel discussion on Day 1 of the Pilipinas Conference, organized by The Stratbase ADR Institute on November 21-22.

“The risks we face are complex, dynamic, and systemic. These compound and cascade across sectors and skills,” said Department of Environment and Natural Resources (DENR) Secretary Ma. Antonia Yulo-Loyzaga in her keynote address during the conference.

Even as she warned that the planet was way off its emission cutting targets that would limit global warming to 1.5 degrees Celsius, every effort would still count as moving forward.

“For the welfare of our people, it is incumbent upon us to prevent and mitigate factors that contribute to the people’s vul-

nerability to the impact of climate change,” Loyzaga said.

She advocated an integrated risk governance approach, which emphasizes evidence-informed prevention and disaster risk recovery planning over emergency response, not just by the whole of government but by the whole of society.

“Lessons from past disasters need to be made part of our survival DNA,” she said.

Stratbase ADR Institute president Prof. Victor Manhit emphasized on the close relationship between governance and economic development, national security, and the demands of addressing the climate crisis that seeps into every sphere and facet of our nation’s life, and the ultimate goal of ending intergenerational inequality through inclusive and sustained growth.

Philippine Disaster Resilience Foundation president Rene Meily recounted his organization’s efforts in disaster recovery and said that while their members, mostly large companies, compete with each other commercially, they work together in times of disaster.

“The one thing we learned is that we are all connected,” he said. “So, the only

Analysts nix setting up US bases in PH

A GROUP of analysts including a former National Defense Security adviser have rejected proposals to set up five new American military facilities in the Philippines under the bilateral Enhanced Defense Cooperation Agreement (EDCA) between the two countries.

The consensus emerged during Monday’s Pandesal Forum at Kamuning Bakery Café in Quezon City.

The discussants included former National Security adviser Gen. Victor Corpus, former Education Secretary and Katipunan ng Demokratikong Pilipino (KDP) founder Butch

Valdes, Philippines Asian Century Strategic Studies (PACSS) vice-president Prof. Anna Malindog-Uy, PACSS president Herman Laurel and economist Wilson Lee Flores.

The group called on the government and civil society groups to reject the proposal for five new US facilities in the Philippines.

Corpus and Valdes warned of national security dangers in allowing American military facilities in the Philippines, especially since the US has on-going geopolitics rivalries with other countries like China, Russia and North Korea which now have missile capabilities to strike at American military facilities.

Corpus, Valdez, and Malindog-Uy pointed out that Taiwan which is closest to the Philippines is “a possible flashpoint of superpowers conflict.”

They said the Philippine economy needs long-term stability and peace in Asean region, not heightened tensions.

Corpus warned of the Philippines becoming a Ukraine-like pawn of the U.S. in its rivalry with China or other countries.

For his part, Valdes said the country is not a possible pawn but “is in danger of becoming a huge American military base due to all the EDCA facilities nationwide.”

way we are going to beat these different issues is if we work together—government, civil society, the private sector, and the public at large.”

Chamber of Mines of the Philippines vicechairman Gerard Brimo said that Philippine laws and regulations on the environment are complete and provide the basic framework, but they do not tell companies how to take care of the community and the environment.

“This is where sustainable mining comes in,” he said. “It is what we call going beyond compliance,” he said.

Meralco’s chief sustainability officer Raymond Ravelo talked about his company’s Powering the Good Life campaign which reflects their sustainability agenda and allows it to engage its employees more broadly.

“Our focus continues to be on the UN Sustainable Development Goal 7, or the drive to deliver affordable and clean energy,” he said.

In the ensuing discussion, Meily and Ravelo pointed out the need for more fiscal incentives to companies undertaking environmental projects. Brimo said there was a need to see stability in policies to attract large, responsible mining firms.

Salceda, principal author of the measure, was the first to propose the creation of the new agency as early as January 2020. He said that “that is not the intention, the objective, the letter, or even the execution of the law.”

“I don’t know where it comes from. but let me categorically say, on record, that the RITM will stay, it will continue to perform most of its functions, and there will be no layoffs.”

The CDC charter has been approved by the House committees on Health, Ways and Means, and Appropriations, and is now ready for deliberations in the plenary. The measure was a priority of the Duterte administration and was also a SONA bill of President Marcos.

Salceda said “the CDC will be primarily a national health emergency management, public policy, and research center.”

“The RITM is, and will continue to be, its own research center with a hospital, a testing center, the country’s central reference laboratory, and will continue to perform its existing role over many diseases, including perennial ones like tuberculosis and malaria.”

Salceda added that under the CDC, the RITM will be part of a “total disease prevention ecosystem, rather than an island of epidemic prevention under the current health governance structure.”

“Simply put, it will be a tree that’s part of a forest, rather than something more solitary as it currently stands.”

10 more LGUs sign up for Pambansang Pabahay

By Rio N. Araja

AT least 10 more local government units have signed up for President Ferdinand Marcos Jr.’s Pambansang Pabahay para sa Pilipino program eyeing to build one million houses every year, according to the Department of Human Settlements and Urban Development (DHSUD).

Housing Secretary Jose Rizalino Acuzar said the overwhelming support of the LGUs indicates that the housing program is on the right track.

“With the President’s Pambansang Pabahay para sa Pilipino program, I know we are off to a good start. I can see this program as the embodiment of the dream

of every Filipino family wanting to have a house of their own,” he said.

“We aim to make this dream a reality in the next six years of this administration,” he added.

There are 28 LGUs that have already signed the memoranda of understanding with DHSUD to formalize their intent to pursue housing projects in their areas.

Out of the 28 LGUs, 11 have already broken ground, including the cities of Quezon and Marikina in the National Capital Region.

The latest LGU-enrollees are Bohol, the cities of Mandaue and Tagbilaran; Panglao, Bohol, and six towns from the provinces of Oriental and Occidental Mindoro.

The housing czar believes that local gov-

ernments play a very important role in the program from the planning stages up to the actual turn over and maintenance.

The LGUs also play an active role in identifying idle government lands that can be tapped for the government’s housing program.

“Under this program, we are introducing an innovative framework which will ease the burden brought by two major bottlenecks in housing production and finance – affordability and access to funds. We are now exploring out-of-the-box concepts and financial structures which could potentially be the breakthrough strategies to arrest the homelessness woes in the country,” he said.

Jimmy A Domingo

COURTESY CALLS. PhilHealth acting president Emmanuel Ledesma Jr. pays a courtesy call on Speaker Martin Romualdez at the House of Representatives Monday afternoon. Inset shows Republic of Belarus Ambassador to the Philippines Valery Kolesnik also visiting with the Speaker. Ver Noveno

THE JOY OF GIVING. Female inmates, also called Persons Deprived of Liberty, give stu ed toys they personally handcrafted to French Ambassador Michele Boccoz and Quezon City Mayor Joy Belmonte during the launch of a mural paintinb y Filipimo and French artists at the female dormitory of the Quezon City Jail. Manny Palmero

Finance chief welcomes tax imposed on single-use plastics

By Julito G. Rada

DEPARTMENT of Finance (DOF) Secretary Benjamin Diokno on Monday welcomed the recent approval of a bill in Congress that imposes an excise tax on single-use plastics (SUP).

The House of Representatives approved on third reading House Bill 4102 or the Single-use Plastic Bags Tax Act, imposing an excise tax of PHP100 for every kilogram of single-use plastics removed from the place of production or released from custody of the Bureau of Customs.

“I thank the House under the leadership of Speaker Ferdinand Martin Romualdez for exercising swift and careful judgment on the approval of the single-use plastic bag tax act. This is our contribution to the global movement to reduce pollution while raising revenues needed to manage economic risks and rehabilitate the country—like hitting two birds with one stone,” Diokno said in a statement.

The price of a pack of labo bags is estimated to increase by around 75.0 percent during the first year of implementation, with an estimated decline in volume by around 24.7 percent. While the retail price of sando

Makati distributes Christmas incentives to senior citizens

By Joel E. Zurbano

THE Makati City

government has started distributing year-end cash incentives to 83,857 senior citizens as part of the city’s Blu Card program.

Mayor Abigail Binay said the early distribution of cash incentives to the beneficiaries aims to spare them from the holiday rush and give them more time to plan on what or where to spend their cash incentives.

“We want our senior Makatizens to be happy and feel that they are loved and cared for, that is why we made sure that

Bill against erring PEAs gets solons’ approval

By Maricel V. Cruz

WITH an overwhelming 246 votes, the House of Representatives on Monday approved on the third and final reading a measure to establish greater responsibility and account ability of private employment agen cies (PEAs) that hire and deploy do mestic workers.

House Bill (HB) 4477 amends sec tion 36 of Republic Act (RA) 10361, otherwise known as the “Batas Kasambahay,” mandating the De partment of Labor and Employment (DoLE) to ensure the protection of both the domestic workers hired through PEAs and their employers through a system of licensing and regulation.

Aside from the existing protec tion for domestic helpers under Section 36 of RA 10361, HB 4477 introduced subsection 36-A mak ing PEAs “subsidiarily liable in any criminal act committed by a domes tic helper against their employer in the course of their employment.”

Such accountability shall cease after one year from the first day of such employment.

The measure requires PEAs to “conduct a diligent background check and actual verification of the identity, personal circumstances and family background of the domestic helper.”

For verification, the PEAS should use, to the extent possible, relevant documents such as clearances from the Bureau of National Investiga tion, police, and barangay, as well as the birth certificate of the domestic helper.

“The bill aims to safeguard the persons of the employers and their family in their abode against those who might use PEAs as vehicles in executing their criminal intention by imposing greater responsibility and accountability from PEAs,” the authors of the bill said in filing the measure.

they receive their cash incentives from the city government early,” she said.

The cash incentives are directly sent to the GCash accounts of the recipients to ensure safe, convenient, and fast de livery of their Christmas gifts.

Under the expanded benefits pro gram for senior citizens, Blu Card hold ers receive their cash incentives twice a year: every July and December. For the year-end, seniors 60-69 years old will receive P1,500; 70-79 years old, P2,000; 80-89 years old, P2,500; and 90-99 years old, P5,000.

Centenarians aged 101 and above will also receive P5,000 year-end cash incentive provided that he/she has been a Blu Card holder for at least 5 years. If not, the beneficiary will only be receiv ing P2,500 year-end cash incentive.

The city will be distributing a total of P158,655,500 to 83,857 Blu Card hold ers registered as of October 31, 2022.

Early this month, the local govern ment also distributed gift bags to thou sands of families as early Christmas presents for residents this year.

Binay said the “Pamaskong Handog” bags is part of her administration’s com mitment to ensure that residents can en joy a meaningful and happy Christmas.

The city chief executive said the local government moved up the distribution of the gift bags so that families need not worry about preparations for the tradi tional family meal at Christmas time.

“In light of the rising prices of goods, this is our way of helping Makati’s families enjoy a merrier Christmas this year,” she said.

PAL opens Cebu-Baguio commercial flights

ALL systems go for the opening of Philippine Airlines commercial flight service between Cebu and Baguio next month.

This after PAL Test Flight PR-6230 made a successful landing at the Loa kan Airport in Baguio City on Monday.

“This is no ordinary day for PAL. This flight is proof that it’s all systems go for the official opening of PAL’s Cebu - Ba guio route on December 16, 2022,” said PAL spokesperson Cielo Villaluna.

Villaluna said the test flight touched down at the Loakan Airport at 11:30

PARK DECORATIONS.

a.m. from Manila. In command of the flight, she added, were Captain Antho ny Larena, Captain Vincent Almeda, and Cabin Crew team members Dawn Andrade, Sharon Francisco and Mi chelle Mariano.

She said the successful test flight is the culmination of months of prepara tion among all industry stakeholders to make the return to Baguio by the flag carrier a reality.

“The PAL management have been working with officials of the Depart ment of Transportation and Civil Avia

tion Authority of the Philippines, and the local government in Baguio to make this test flight happen and it was indeed a smooth journey,” Villaluna said.

PAL is scheduled to launch its first flight between Cebu and Baguio on Dec. 16 to coincide with the reopening of commercial flight operations in Loa kan Airport.

The Department of Tourism sees the move as an introduction of Baguio to the international market noting that Cebu is an international gateway.

E. Zurbano

Joel

BI warns vs. fake order on crackdown of ‘illegal’ aliens

By Rey E. Requejo

THE Department of Justice (DOJ) on Monday said the Bureau of Immigration (BI) has not issued any order to inspect enter tainment establishments in Manila to determine if there are “aliens illegally working.”

In a statement, the DOJ stressed that BI Commissioner Nor man Tansingco had denied that an order had been issued by him.

The BI further warned foreign nationals about the fake op erations order circulating in chat groups on the internet.

“No such order has been issued by the BI. Our operatives are not authorized to randomly inspect establishments, but instead are required to secure a mission order to conduct an arrest,” the DOJ statement said, quoting Tansingco as saying.

Tansingco said that a mission order “is only issued upon thor ough investigation and confirmation that the subject foreign national has indeed violated immigration laws.”

The DOJ said the BI, which is under the DOJ’s administra tive supervision, issued the advisory after having received re ports concerning the fake order. With Vito Barcelo

bags will increase by 79.3 percent, which is expected to result in a 26.1-percent decline in volume.

The proposed excise tax will increase yearly by 4 percent beginning 2026, and incremental revenues collected will be allocated to programs of the Department of Natural Resources for the implementation of Republic Act 9003, otherwise known as the Ecological Solid Waste Management Act of 2000.

A 70-percent assumption in collection efficiency will translate to estimated revenues of P38.06 billion for five years (2023-2027) of implementation.

If passed into law, the bill will address the long-standing issue of plastic waste management by promoting the use of recyclable packaging, and ending the “throw-away culture”. Studies have shown that marketbased instruments, such as taxes aimed at discouraging the use of SUPs, have proven to be effective in curtailing plastic waste generation.

In the ASEAN region, Brunei and Vietnam have already imposed taxes on SUP bags. As a result, Vietnam saw a 23-percent reduction in daily plastic consumption—from 746 tons a day in 2014 to 577 tons in 2017.

IN BRIEF

Charges filed vs. cop in accidental firing

THE Philippine National Police (PNP) reported that a complaint has been filed against the policeman who accidentally fired his gun that killed one of his col leagues in Laguna

“We have already filed a case and gave police assistance,” PNP officer-in-charge Police Lieutenant General Rhodel Sermo nia, quoted by a GMA News report, said.

PNP spokesperson Police Colonel Jean Fajardo told GMA News Online that the complaint filed against suspect Police Cor poral George Mervin Cañete Duran is for reckless imprudence resulting in homicide. Duran is also facing an administrative case, she said.

“Reckless imprudence resulting in ho micide is the case filed against the police who accidentally shot his fellow SWAT member. He will also face an administra tive case,” Fajardo said.

Duran said on November 23, they were cleaning their service firearms for an in spection when another person approached him and said they exchanged guns.

Upon the return of his gun, he exam ined it. However, when he was about to remove the load from the chamber, the gun accidentally went off and hit Police Corporal Fhrank Aldene Yasay Dela Cruz in the right chest.

PNP reminds public on firecracker use

THE Philippine National Police (PNP) said it is reminding the public to observe regulations and laws regarding the use of firecrackers and pyrotechnics.

At a public briefing, PNP spokesper son Police Colonel Jean Fajardo said the use of huge firecrackers is still prohib ited, GMA News reported.

“When it comes to weight, the cor responding weights should be followed. With regard to imported firecrackers and pyrotechnic devices, those deemed too explosive are still prohibited,” the offi cial said.

Based on the information provided by Fajardo, firecrackers with the follow ing characteristics are prohibited: over weight (not more than 0.2 gram or not more than one third of teaspoon); over sized like super lolo, giant whistle bomb, among others; fuse should not burn less than three seconds but not more than six seconds; imported finished products; and mixture of phosphorus or sulfur with that of chlorate.

She also reminded that every com munity should designate a firecracker display zone and community display area where these items may be used and displayed.

Among the types of firecrackers that may be used in fireworks display areas are the following: baby rocket; bawang; el diablo; Judas’ belt; paper caps; pulling of strings; sky rocket (kwitis); and small “triangulo”.

Meanwhile, the PNP said all pyro technic devices or “pailaw” can be used outside the designated community areas or at home except for Type 4 pyrotechnic devices.

DOH, USAID team up on info drive in Tondo

DEPARTMENT

Covering the seven priority areas of DOH’s Health Promotion Framework Strategy, the DOH and USAID led the conduct of various health and wellness activities such as nutrition programs, free medical consultations, information dis semination on TB prevention, and mo bile van check-ups, among others.

“We extend our gratitude to the USAID and the local administration of Tondo, Manila for helping the DOH push forth initiatives that promote health and well ness to families. Truly, with efforts like these, we are on the road to a Healthy Pil ipinas where Filipinos are health-literate and health-seeking individuals striving to

said Vergeire in a statement Monday.Willie

of Health (DOH) Offi cer-in-Charge Maria Rosario Singh-Ver geire, together with United States Agency for International Development (USAID) Missions Director Ryan Washburn and USAID officials led the “Healthy at Happy sa Barangay 20: A walkthrough in slums of Tondo” event in Tondo, Manila, to hold activities that promote health and wellness in the community.

achieve optimum health,”

Casas

CHRISTMAS VILLAGE. An aerial shot of the Tabaco Christmas Village during a lighting ceremony on November 26. The village Christmas lighting was headed by Mayor Krisel Lagman-Luistro. Emman Camu

SBMA AT 30. SBMA chair and administrator Rolen C. Paulino (extreme from left) led the lightning of the Christmas tree as part of the 30th SBMA anniversary celebration and to officially launch the yuletide season in the Subic Bay Freeport. (Inset) Paulino assists a child for a ship tour at the BRP Hydrographer Presbitero, a research and survey vessel docked at the Riviera Pier of Subic Bay Freeport zone.

Joseph Muego

A worker of the Quezon City Parks Development puts Christmas decorations on a Christmas tree placed in a park in Quezon City. The local government is decorating different parks in the city to spread Christmas cheer.

Manny Palmero

Mayor Abigail Binay

Climate justice heroes

THIS week, we celebrate Bonifacio Day as we do every November 30. Time was when it was also celebrated as National Heroes Day – which has been moved to the last Sunday of August since 1987.

Andres Bonifacio is known as the “Father of the Philippine Revolution” as the founder and leader of Katipunan.

With many others, he fought for Philippine independence during colonial rule.

While his leadership and death have nuances, it is only right to say that he is one of our national heroes, equal in my eyes to Jose Rizal, Apolinario Mabini, Gregoria de Jesus, and Melchora Aquino.

Ninoy Aquino, Edgar Jopson, Lorena Barros, Macling Dulag, Liliosa Hilao, Cory Aquino, and more recently Dinky Soliman, Chad Booc, and Kerima Tariman are in my view also heroes.

Likewise political detainees Leila De Lima and Myles Albasin are heroes.

And with how often I’ve gone and how slow progress has been all this time, it is easy to succumb to despair.

However, as I found myself walking at Sharm El-Sheikh amongst tens of thousands of climate justice advocates from the youth, I found myself clinging onto hope.

How wonderful it is to witness young people join the fight against the worsening climate crisis. In a space where grievance is easier to feel, they reintroduce perseverance and resistance.

In fact, during my time in Egypt, I met with some of the youth from the Philippine delegation–Atty. Joy Reyes, Atty. Hazel Acero and Tonichi Regalado from our very own Manila Observatory team, Mitzi Tan and Alab Ayroso from Youth Advocates for Climate Action Philippines (YACAP), and Jeff Estela from Youth Strike 4 Climate Philippines.

Thanks to the Youth for Climate Justice in Mindanao, a new group, we even included other young Filipino climate justice advocates like Bernadette De Belen and Dinah Faye Balleco through Zoom.

We discussed what topics they have been following throughout COP 27 such as indigenous peoples, women, loss and damage, youth, and adaptation.

I also shared with them that frustrations in conferences like this are inevitable.

Tonichi shared that COP 27 proved to be a struggle when it came to the unification of vulnerable countries–what each country is willing to accept in terms of negotiation.

Each country has a different set of priorities and vision when it comes to the climate crisis.

So is Nobel Prize Awardee Maria Ressa and my friend Eva Galvey -- both of whom have been recognized recently by the Ateneo de Manila University for their contributions.

Indeed, when we think of heroes, we usually think of big names, past revolutions, martyrdom, and renowned awards. However, as they say, not all heroes wear capes.

A classic example of this are the diverse indigenous peoples in the Philippines who have been environmental defenders before the term was even born.

Many have become martyrs in fighting for their ancestral homelands, the most well known of whom is Macli-ing Dulag in the Cordillera who led the resistance against the Chico River Dam Project during Marcos Sr.’s martial law.

(Editor’s Note: Macli-ing Dulag, who led the opposition to the Chico Dam project, was a respected elder of the Butbut tribe in the mountain village of Bugnay, on a hillside above the rice terraces near Tinglayan town in Kalinga. He was murdered on April 24, 1980)

Another one I remember as an environmental hero is Chad Booc who I lawyered for.

Before his unjust death, he was a volunteer teacher for ALCADEV and the Lumad Bakwit schools in Cebu and Diliman. Chad was only 26 when he was executed with a fellow Jurain and three others in Mindanao.

I had been red-tagged for my love and support for Chad and his fellow teachers and the administrators and students of the Lumad schools but I am not cowed by this. Chad is my hero as Macling Dulag is.

Finally, I saw a different kind of hero when I attended the 27th Conference of the Parties this month in Sharm El-Sheikh, Egypt and witnessed many Filipino climate justice heroes at work.

COP 27 as my 23rd COP.

But these frustrations and struggles are exactly the reason why we keep doing what we do.

Mitzi also says, in a youth panel she attended, there is resistance in caring for one another, in love, in community. And these, despite hardships, are at the core of our advocacy.

Aside from the group I met, I also note there were many other young (and older) Filipinos in Sharm, from very diverse backgrounds.

It was the biggest group I have seen in the 30 years I have participated in conferences of parties.

I am particularly proud to see so many of my long-time colleagues, mentees and former students who were there fighting for climate justice.

These included among others climate process veterans Lidy Nacpil, Ateng Ballesteros, Rodne Galicha, Albert Magalang, Baby Supetran, and Gerry Rances, scientists from MO like Fr. Jett Villarin, Rosa Perez, Faye Cruz, and Lau Jamero, lawyers Vice Yu, Anna Teh, Gia Ibay, Avril De Torres, Joyce Tan, and Cristina Mundin, local government experts Marvin Lagonera and Jimmy Castillano, and young activists like Krishna Ariola and Chad Sadorra.

To see that I am fighting alongside these Filipinos whom I see as modern-day heroes gives me a sense of certainty that all will be well.

They convinced me to continue doing this work.

Most specially, the courage and hope that the youth tirelessly bring are contagious.

To work with them is to be convinced that they deserve to look forward to a future where climate justice is achieved.

Yes, we struggle together. We owe it to them to keep going. After all, real heroes don’t and can’t work alone.

Website: tonylavina.com. Facebook: deantonylavs Twitter: tonylavs

In a devastated Ukrainian village, winter brings more misery

By David Stout

AS THE the temperatures plunge in eastern Ukraine, Sergiy Khmil says he has little choice but to use the stacks of ammunition boxes left by the retreating Russians forces as firewood this winter.

Without the wood, Khmil says he will prob ably freeze amid the ruins of his destroyed vil lage of Kamyanka.

“The most difficult thing is to get enough chopped wood,” Khmil explains. “There’s a huge queue to get the donated wood from vol unteers.”

With his home largely destroyed by shelling, Khmil is still hard at work converting his sum mer kitchen into impromptu winter lodging – now filled with blankets, ammunition crates and a fur nace pieced together from Russian shell casings.

“I need to cover the walls with another layer of insulation,” Khmil adds, while scanning the modest room that he hopes will see him through the winter.

In March, the village was shelled and strafed by helicopters before infantry and tanks stormed the area as Russian forces advanced south from Izyum during the early days of the invasion.

After occupying the area, the Russians settled in—commandeering buildings, looting homes, stealing booze and driving drunk, according to residents.

“They started to break into garages and hous es and partying drunk overnight,” says resident Volodymyr Tsybulya, 53, during a break from repairing the roof of his sister’s home.

“They used to throw grenades for fun. I came to my place and found my bathroom destroyed by a grenade.”

And on it went for months, until a lighting offensive by Ukrainian forces in September crushed the Russian’s northeastern flank, rout ing its troops and sending them further east in disarray.

In the retreating army’s wake, a trail of de stroyed villages was left in ruin, including Ka myanka on the outskirts of Izyum.

In the weeks since retaking control of the area, Ukrainian officials have scrambled to pick up the pieces, while uncovering mass graves and taking stock of the damage to the formerly oc cupied territories.

‘War is chasing us’

Izyum deputy mayor Mykhaylo Ishyuk says the situation is stark at the onset of winter, with nearly 30 to 40 percent of the roofs in the city destroyed from the fighting.

In the weeks since retaking control of the area, Ukrainian officials have scrambled to pick up the pieces, while uncovering mass graves and taking stock of the damage to the formerly occupied territories

A lack of building materials and construction equipment, and a labor shortage has made the much-needed repairs all the more unlikely as the cold sets in. Temperatures are forecast to drop below freezing in the coming days.

The situation in Kamyanka is even worse, he admits. Nearly all the roofs on the 550 homes and buildings in the village have been damaged or outright destroyed.

“We’re watching the situation carefully,” he adds.

He points to the increase in power cuts fol lowing waves of Russian attacks on infrastruc ture sites across Ukraine that have left Izyum and surrounding areas with less and less elec

EDITORIAL

Is clime credo in high gear?

THE two-week 27th edition of the Conference of the Parties in Sharm El Sheikh, Egypt has ended – with new heroes among participants from 190 countries, including the Philippines, hopeful something positive was pushed for global climate justice.

The summit, held annually since the first UN climate agreement in 1992, concluded on Novem ber 20, with a decision to establish and operation alize a fund to compensate vulnerable nations for ‘loss and damage’ from climate-induced disasters.

The UN Secretary-General , Antonio Guterres, was upbeat and welcomed the decision, calling it “an important step towards justice” and called, in the same breath, for “a giant leap on climate ambi tion” as he stressed the need to “drastically reduce emissions now.”

The COP27, under the United Nations Frame work Convention on Climate Change, has taken

what Guterres called “an important step towards justice.”

How this step will be given flesh and bones in the next few months before the 28th episode of COP, in the United Arab Emirates from Novem ber 30 to December 12, 2023, bears watching.

The worst effects of the climate crisis – for example extreme heat, flooding and crop failures – are disproportionately felt by countries and communities in the Global South

The UN chief has underlined the aspirations of participants and the countries they represented when he said “Together let’s not relent in the fight for climate justice and climate ambition. We can and must win this battle for our lives.”

The ways in which we talk about the climate crisis have changed a lot in recent years.

For a long time, global warming was primarily

understood as an environmental concern – imprint images of wildfires, floods, a frightening and dev astating sight in the Philippines and elsewhere, and extreme weather, along with various calls to “save the planet,” “save the rainforest” and “save the polar bears.”

Today, we concede that climate change is very much a human crisis; that ‘the environment’ isn’t some niche issue that can be easily separated from human concerns; that it’s not just the polar bears that are in danger, but us who inhabit the continents.

With this shift has come the recognition indeed that the solutions to the climate crisis are not just a scientific matter, but a political one too – which raises the call on governments to shift the gear to higher level of commitment.

Our discussions on the climate must include more than just data and statistics on degrees of warming and atmospheric carbon concentration, but also concepts like power, access to resources, and justice.

Since the climate setback is a human crisis and a political crisis, that means its solutions need to take into account the messy and complex world of global politics.

‘Climate justice’ as a hypothesis grants that, although global warming is a global crisis, its ef fects are not felt evenly around the world. The worst effects of the climate crisis—for ex ample extreme heat, flooding and crop failures— are disproportionately felt by countries and com munities in the Global South. We are affected.

EJK accountability

with extra-judicial killings, wants the police to concentrate on drug lords and big traders of illegal drugs.

FINALLY, it is coming out how bloody and brutal was former President Duterte’s war on illegal drugs.

They may have been “drops in the bucket” as seen by families of the victims of extra-judicial killings during the six-year term of Duterte, but it simply goes to show how the culture of impunity was during Duterte’s war on illegal drugs.

Official police records revealed only 6,000 killings, but unofficial records by independent researchers account for over 8,000 killings when the Philippine National Police, then under Police Chief Rogelio “Bato” dela Rosa, now a senator, with the approval of Duterte, launched what was called “Operation Tokhang.”

This brutal police operation would just knock at the doors of suspected people involved in illegal drugs, and would simply take them away to be killed.

The police were seen planting evidence on them, claiming later on, Santa Banana, that the suspect “nanlaban” or resisted.

The first conviction was for the killing of Kian delos Santos, as many had seen over television, when three police officers dragged the teenager into a street corner and killed him, alleging that the suspect was involved in peddling shabu.

My gulay, that was a clear case of extra judicial killing. The three policemen were soon dismissed and meted out life imprisonment sentences.

The second conviction was in November 2022 by a Caloocan Regional Trial Court against two police officers sentenced to life imprisonment, but one of them died while on trial.

The court, with the testimonies of witnesses, testified that the police tortured and framed the victims by planting evidence. The victims, two minors, were soon found dead.

Santa Banana, these two convictions may have just been a “drop in the bucket,” but it should show to everybody to what extent Duterte’s mandate to police to “kill, kill, kill” all those who are involved in the illegal drug trade and to what extent extrajudicial killings went.

My gulay, Duterte’s war on illegal drugs was not only truly bloody and brutal, but developed a culture of impunity.

Santa Banana, the public may never know to what extent Duterte’s war on illegal drugs went, but these two convictions are clear examples on what extent extrajudicial killings had gone.

Torture and planting evidence are just one example what went on during Duterte’s war on illegal drugs.

But, it appears to me that there’s some kind of pattern in them.

It is for this reason why the ICC (International Criminal Court) wants to probe deeper into accusations that the Duterte administration violated human rights to the extent of committing a war against humanity.

But, since the Philippines is no longer a member of the Rome Statute that created the ICC, the latter can no longer exercise jurisdiction on the Philippines, Santa Banana. President Marcos Jr. had rejected the return of the country as a member of the ICC.

But, if there’s anything we can learn from just the two convictions of police officers in the war on illegal drugs, it’s that the two cases are a clear proof that Duterte’s war on illegal drugs needs looking into.

President Marcos Jr., fully aware to what extent Duterte’s war on illegal drugs went

tricity and heating.

In Kamyanka, Lyubov Perepelytsya drifts between recounting the horrors experienced dur ing the Russian occupation and sharing her fears about the coming winter.

“They looted literally everything. It’s such vile behavior,” the 65-year-old resident says

The government’s new anti-drug campaign has even taken a step back under the Marcos administration which now focuses on demand reduction and drug user rehabilitation, instead of the killing of drug users.

This is what I have been saying all along in my previous columns.

The presence of drug users and drug addicts in the Philippines, which is still over 6 million, is a matter of supply and demand.

This is the reason why I believe that rehabilitation of drug users and drug addicts is imperative nationwide.

It would do well for President Marcos Jr. to have a deeper study on the need for communitybased drug rehabilitation centers, which would well be his legacy when his six-year term ends

The illegal drugs trade worldwide is a multibillion dollar industry that can only be reduced or minimized, since cartels and syndicates can always bribe corrupt public officials.

This accounts for the continuing entry of illegal drugs into the country through Customs because we all know how corrupt Customs is.

It would do well for President Marcos Jr. to have a deeper study on the need for community-based drug rehabilitation centers, which would well be his legacy when his sixyear term ends.

Why community-based rehabilitation centers ? Because drug users and drug addicts need their families’ support . *** *** ***

The country marked the 13th anniversary recently of the gruesome 2009 massacre of 58 people , 38 of them members of the media, by the Ampatuan family called the “Maguindanao Massacre.”

But, unfortunately, final justice has evaded the victims and their families.

Since the perpetrators of the gruesome massacre were already convicted by the lower courts, final justice for the victims of that unprecedented crime remains elusive.

The case was elevated to the Court of Appeals, and may even reach the Supreme Court.

Santa Banana, I saw photos of the families and friends of the victims visiting the gravesites at Barangay Salman, Ampatuan town of the now Maguindanao del Sur province – to remember and continue their quest for justice – and I can only commiserate with them!

Another problem with our justice system is that final justice often takes so long, while the lower courts may render justice, our justice system enables appeals that take so long to get finalized.

I admire that the National Union of Journalists in the Philippines (NUJP) is pursuing the case, going to the extent of visiting the gravesite of the media worker victims, which have been covered by grass, but that’s all the NUJP can do.

through tears as she describes the destruction of her home and the looting of her valuables.

“How could you treat people in such a bad manner?”

Most of the village’s 1,200 population have left the area but Perepelytsya and her ailing husband will join a few dozen others who are

Until final justice is rendered, we can only hope that it will be for the victims of the gruesome massacre., *** *** ***

At the end of November, which will be this week, President Marcos Jr. ‘s administration would be in office for five months, and, sad to say, people, including myself, are still wondering when all Cabinet positions will be occupied.

Yes, BBM is still secretary of agriculture, which is expected to end soon and the position will be occupied by a permanent secretary. But, what about a press secretary after the first press secretary resigned?

By next month, BBM will be going to China and perhaps to the United States and Japan , where a Press Secretary is needed.

I know because in many instances when I accompanied past Presidents in their state visits, the presence of a press secretary was urgent.

Santa Banana, a permanent Department of Health secretary is imperative since the COVID-19 pandemic crisis is still with us.

BBM may have appointed a retired AFP chief as acting secretary of National Defense with the rank of senior DND undersecretary, but, my gulay, when will we have a National Defense secretary?

Mister President, the people are wondering why all these vacancies in the Cabinet? It can’t be a dearth of qualified people because there are so many qualified.

So, what’s the problem?

As for the Department of Agriculture, resign now, and appoint one to take your place because there are so many challenges and myriad problems that you must attend to right away.

By the way, the appointment of Erwin Tulfo as Secretary of Social Welfare and Development is on the verge of getting nonconfirmation by the Legislative Commission on Appointment after Tulfo’s confirmation was deferred on two reasons.

First, his citizenship is under question for his being a member of the US military. When you become a member of the US military, if you are a Filipino, you renounce your Filipino citizenship..

And there was Tulfo’s conviction of libel which carries moral turpitude. And moral turpitude is an element to disqualify one in public office.

OCTA, the research arm of the University of the Philippines, has noted an uptick in COVID-19 cases in the National Capital Region and, with the onset of the Christmas and New Year holiday season when people go partying and vacationing, the number of COVID-19 cases will surely surge, especially after the mandate on having to wear masks indoors and open spaces was lifted.

In fact, hospitals are already preparing for another COVID-19 surge.

While the uptick of COVID-19 cases is not yet cause for alarm, people should be cautioned against another surge of COVID-19.

We have seen the surges many times before, and we should not take this unseen enemy for granted.

As for me and my wife, both of us now in our 90s, we’d rather stay home.

And if we must go out, we wear our masks and avoid places where there are too many people.

We’d rather be cautious.

In fact, the only place outside home that my wife and I go to eat is the City Club at Alphaland, of which I am a member.

We avoid shopping malls and restaurants where there are no private rooms.

planning to hunker down for the winter in Ka myanka, come what may.

“I have cried a river. This is our sixth place (during the war). It looks like the war is chasing us everywhere we go,” says Perepelytsya.

“I just don’t know how we can make it through this. I don’t know.” AFP

Rolando

Honor

How wonderful it is to witness young people join the fight against the worsening climate crisis

A

China moves to curb, censor protests

SHANGHAI—China’s security forces detained people Monday at the scene of a rare demonstration as authorities worked to extinguish protests that flared across the country calling for political freedoms and an end to Covid lockdowns.

Agence France-Presse witnessed po lice leading two people away from a site in Shanghai where demonstrators gath ered over the weekend, while China’s censors worked to scrub signs of the social media-driven rallies.

People took to the streets in major cit ies and gathered at university campuses across China on Sunday to call for an end to lockdowns and greater political freedoms, in a wave of protests not seen since pro-democracy rallies in 1989

were crushed.

A deadly fire last week in Urumqi, the capital of northwest China’s Xinjiang re gion, was the catalyst for the public anger, with many blaming Covid lockdowns for hampering rescue efforts.

But protesters also called for greater political freedoms -- with some even demanding the resignation of China’s President Xi Jinping, recently re-ap pointed to a historic third term as the country’s leader.

Large crowds gathered Sunday in the capital Beijing and the economic hub of Shanghai, where police clashed with protesters as they tried to stop groups from converging at Wulumuqi street, named after the Mandarin for Urumqi.

Hundreds of people rallied in the same area with blank sheets of paper and flowers to hold what appeared to be a silent protest on Sunday afternoon.

The BBC said one of its journalists had been arrested and beaten by police while covering the Shanghai protests.

In the capital, at least 400 people gathered on the banks of a river for several hours, with some shouting: “We are all Xinjiang people! Go Chi nese people!”

AFP journalists at the tense scene of the Shanghai protests Monday saw a substantial police presence, with blue fences in place along the pavements to stop further gatherings.

Two people were then detained by police at the site, an AFP journalist saw, with law enforcement preventing passersby from taking photos or video of the area.

When asked why one of the people was taken away, a policeman told AFP “because he didn’t obey our arrange ments” before referring the reporter to local police authorities.

Shanghai police had not responded on Monday to repeated enquiries about how many people had been detained. AFP

Four dead in hotel siege in Somali capital

MOGADISHU—At least four people were killed in an ongoing attack by Al-Shabaab militants who laid siege to a popular hotel in Somalia’s capi tal Mogadishu overnight, a security agency official told AFP on Monday.

Gunfire and explosions could still be heard more than 12 hours after the militants stormed the hotel near the presidential palace in a hail of bullets.

Mohamed Dahir, an official from the national security agency, told AFP the gunmen were holed up in a room at the Villa Rose surrounded by government forces.

“So far we have confirmed the death of four people”, he said, adding that others had been rescued from the besieged venue.

“Very soon the situation will return to normal.”

Government officials were among others injured, he added.

The Villa Rose is frequented by MPs and located in a secure central part of the capital just a few blocks from the office of Somalia’s President Hassan Sheikh Mohamud.

Al-Shabaab, a militant group af filiated with Al-Qaeda that has been trying to overthrow Somalia’s central government for 15 years, claimed re sponsibility for the attack.

Police said the gunmen rushed into the hotel in Bondhere district at around 8:00 pm (1700 GMT) on Sun day and an operation was under way to “eliminate” them.

More than 12 hours later, witnesses near the scene described still hearing loud explosions and gunfire.

“I saw several military vehicles with special forces heading towards the ho tel, and a few minutes later, there was heavy gunfire and explosions,” said local witness Mahad Yare.

In a statement late Sunday, the Af rican Union Transition Mission in Somalia (ATMIS), a 20,000-strong military force drawn from across the continent, praised the “swift” security response to the attack. AFP

Italy in state of emergency over landslides

LONDON—Britain must do more to defend its values of freedom and open ness on the world stage, Prime Minis ter Rishi Sunak will argue Monday in his first major foreign policy speech since taking office a month ago.

In speeches over the summer, Sunak identified China as the number one threat to global and domestic security, vowing to crack down on its influence if he became prime minister.

“Freedom and openness have al ways been the most powerful forces for progress,” Sunak will tell digni taries gathered at the Guildhall for the annual Lord Mayor’s Banquet, ac cording to extracts released by Down ing Street.

“But they have never been achieved by standing still.”

Britain’s “adversaries and competi tors plan for the long term”, he will say in the speech, referring in particular to China and Russia.

“In the face of these challenges, short-termism or wishful thinking will not suffice”, he will add.

“So we will make an evolutionary leap in our approach. This means be ing stronger in defending our values and the openness on which our pros perity depends.” AFP

S. African leader King Charles III’s first state visitor

London for a mile stone first state visit of his reign.

Gun salutes were fired across London as Charles and Queen Consort Camilla were joined by heir to the throne Prince William and his wife Catherine to greet Ramaphosa for a ceremonial welcome at Horse Guards Parade.

The monarch and Ramaphosa, both dressed in dark overcoats against the

November chill, inspected the guard of honour together.

The parties then travelled to Buck ingham Palace in a carriage procession escorted by mounted soldiers from the Household Cavalry.

The route along The Mall was dec orated with the British and South Af rican flags with the band of the Scots Guards playing the national anthems of both countries as the king and his guest arrived at the palace.

Pressure Myanmar junta, journo tells Japan

TOKYO—A Japanese journalist re leased from Myanmar in a prisoner amnesty called on Monday for Tokyo to put more pressure on the junta and accept refugees fleeing the Southeast Asian country.

Toru Kubota spent three-and-ahalf months in prison after being detained near an anti-government

rally in Yangon in July along with two Myanmar citizens.

Thousands of people have been jailed during a bloody crackdown on dissent in Myanmar since a military coup in February 2021.

Kubota, 26, was sentenced to seven years in jail for filming an anti-coup protest and also received a three-year

sentence for violating Myanmar’s im migration laws.

He was released on November 18 along with thousands of other pris oners, including former British am bassador Vicky Bowman and Aus tralian economist Sean Turnell, an adviser to ousted leader Aung San Suu Kyi. AFP

Mexico’s AMLO rallies supporters in show of strength

MEXICO CITY—Mexican President Andres Manuel Lopez Obrador led huge crowds of supporters on a march through the capital Sunday in a show of political strength by the left-wing populist.

The rally came as allies of Lopez Obrador, known by his initials AMLO,

jockey for position ahead of the next presidential election in 2024, in which he cannot run.

Lopez Obrador, 69, was mobbed by supporters as he spent more than five hours walking a few kilometers (miles) through the crowds to Mexico City’s

main square, amid cries of “it’s an hon or to be with Obrador.”

An estimated 1.2 million people joined the rally, according to presiden tial spokesman Jesus Ramirez, although there was no independent confirmation of that figure. AFP

The two-day visit sees Charles finally presiding over proceedings after decades playing a supporting role to his mother Queen Elizabeth II, who died in September.

For Ramaphosa, a protege of antiapartheid icon Nelson Mandela, how ever, it comes amid political difficulties and a threat of impeachment at home.

In the last state visit of Elizabeth’s re cord-breaking 70-year reign, the queen hosted US president Donald Trump and his wife Melania in June 2019. AFP

CASAMICCIOLA TERME, Italy—It aly declared a state of emergency on the southern island of Ischia on Sunday af ter a landslide killed at least seven peo ple and left several others missing.

A wave of mud and debris crashed through the small town of Casamic ciola Terme on Saturday morning, en gulfing at least one house and sweep ing cars down to the sea, local media and emergency services said.

“The toll of victims from the land slide in Casamicciola has risen to seven dead, while five are missing,” Naples city prefect Claudio Palomba announced late Sunday.

A first tranche of two million eu ros ($2 million) of relief funds was released at the end of an emergency cabinet meeting, which declared the state of emergency, said Minister for Civil Protection Nello Musumeci.

Italian media had earlier reported that four bodies had been found by Sunday afternoon.

More than 200 rescuers were still searching for missing people, while hundreds of volunteers, up to their knees in mud, were busy cleaning the town’s streets. AFP

Sunak: Britain must do more to promote its values abroad

LONDON—King Charles III on Tues day welcomed South African President Cyril Ramaphosa to

TWO-WHEELED RALLY. Motorcyclists gather to protest the decision of France’s Council of State to impose technical control on motorized two-wheelers in Paris on November 27. AFP

RAGING PROTESTS.

Protesters rally for the victims of a deadly fire and against China’s harsh COVID-19 restrictions in Beijing on November 28.

deadly fire on November 24 in Urumqi, the capital of northwest China’s Xinjiang region, has become a fresh catalyst for public anger, with many blaming COVID lockdowns for hampering rescue efforts, in a rare outpouring of public anger against the state. AFP

SUN BITE. A camel looks on as it stands in the wilderness outside Iraq’s southern city of Nasiriyah in Dhi Qar province at sunset on November 27. AFP

Stocks extend rally; ICTSI tops gainers

STOCKS rose for a fifth day, as investors look ahead to the release of US jobs data at the end of the week, which could provide clues about the Fed’s next moves.

The PSE index, the 30-company benchmark of the Philippine Stock Ex change, gained 74 points, or 1.1 percent, to close at 6,681.47 Monday, as five of the six subsectors advanced.

The broader all-share index also went up 28 points, or 0.8 percent, to settle at 3,481.17, on a value turnover of P8.7

Central bank poll shows S. Korea faces high chance of a financial crisis

SEOUL—Six of 10 South Korean fi nanciers saw a high possibility for a financial crisis to occur in the country in the near future, a central bank poll showed Monday.

According to the Bank of Korea survey of economic and financial experts at home and abroad, 58.3 percent said the possibility is high for the financial system crisis to be caused by a certain shock within a year.

It more than doubled 26.9 percent tallied in the previous survey in May.

The November poll was conducted between Nov. 2 and 9.

The percentage of respondents who saw a high possibility for a cer tain shock to affect the financial sys tem stability in the next 1-3 years was 40.3 percent in the November survey, up from 32.9 percent in the previous poll.

The percentage of those who held high credibility on the South Korean financial system slipped from 53.2 percent to 36.1 percent in the cited period.

Of the total, the highest 27.8 per cent, picked the worsened corporate financing conditions as the biggest risk factor to the South Korean finan cial system.

It was followed by 16.7 percent who selected the massive household debt and the higher debt-servicing burden as the biggest risk factor.

The BOK began to tighten its mon etary policy stance in August last year, raising its benchmark interest rate from a record low of 0.50 per cent to 3.25 percent. Xinhua

Bangladesh bares plan to raise tariffs on luxury products

Sheikh Hasina, however, stressed the need for importing more essentials. She gave the directives at a secretarylevel meeting held in the Bangladeshi capital Dhaka on Sunday.

Bangladeshi cabinet secretary Khandker Anwarul Islam briefed jour nalists about the premier’s directives after the high-profile meeting.

Hasina asked the country’s com merce ministry to increase import tar iffs on 40 luxury goods to discourage the import of such products and im prove the dollar liquidity in the forex market earlier this month.

Bangladesh’s forex reserves reached 34.10 billion U.S. dollars on Nov. 23, declining from 34.30 billion dollars on Nov. 17, showed the latest Bangladesh Bank (BB) data.

Against this backdrop, the cen tral bank of Bangladesh is reportedly contemplating changing the exchange rate of the Bangladeshi currency taka, against the U.S. dollar. That would mean a U.S. dollar will be traded at 100 taka, up from the existing 98 taka by the end of the calendar year.

To cope with the odds posing a se rious threat to the macroeconomic stability, the Bangladeshi government has already approached global lenders, including the International Monetary Fund (IMF) for loans to build a buf fer amid dwindling foreign exchange reserves. Xinhua

billion. Gainers outnumbered losers, 112 to 77, while 40 issues were un changed.

Eight of the 10 most active stocks ended in the green, led by International Container Terminal Services Inc. which surged 7.1 percent to P198.90. PLDT Inc. rose 2.7 percent to P1,710, while GT Capital Holdings Inc. added 2.6 per cent to finish at P470.00.

Meanwhile, most Asian stocks and oil prices sank Monday on concerns about protests across China calling for po litical freedoms and an end to the gov ernment’s hardline zero-Covid policy, fueling uncertainty in the world’s num ber-two economy.

Hundreds of people took to the streets at the weekend in the country’s biggest demonstrations since pro-democracy rallies in 1989 were crushed.

A deadly fire in the Xinjiang region on Thursday served as the catalyst for the public anger, with many blaming virus lockdowns for hampering the rescue ef fort.

People have taken to the streets in Bei jing, Shanghai, Guangzhou and Cheng du calling for an end to lockdowns, after an easing of some measures had fuelled hopes of a lighter pandemic approach.

China-linked stocks took the brunt of selling, with Hong Kong’s Hang Seng Index down 1.8 percent and Shanghai

off 0.8 percent. The yuan slipped more than one percent.

There were also losses in Tokyo, Syd ney, Seoul, Singapore, Taipei, Jakarta, Bangkok and Wellington.

“Sentiment has turned sour as unrest across China grows,” said SPI Asset Management’s Stephen Innes. “Protest of this extent is rare in the country and raises many uncertainties.

“The best scenario is further easing and reopening, but the speed at how things deteriorated over the weekend suggests the government needs to act fast. The risk of the situation escalating from here and short-term volatility re mains high.” With AFP

Gold, gray and blue Twitter account badges unveiled

SAN FRANCISCO,

be launching differently colored badges to distinguish between accounts.

“Sorry for the delay, we’re tenta tively launching Verified on Friday next week,” he tweeted.

“Gold check for companies, grey check for government, blue for indi viduals [celebrity or not] and all verified accounts will be manually authenticated before check activates.”

In another tweet, Musk said that all verified individual accounts would have the same blue check, but some would eventually be able to display a “second ary tiny logo showing they belong to an org(anization) if verified as such by that

org(anization)”.

The Tesla and SpaceX boss’ proposal for users to be able to pay to be “verified” and obtain a blue badge on their profiles has caused confusion since he acquired the social media giant last month.

Musk proposed a subscription fee of $8 a month to allow users to obtain the blue check -- which was previously free but reserved for organizations and pub lic figures in an attempt to avoid imper sonation and misinformation.

The first rollout of Musk’s subscrip tion plan in early November quickly went south, with many accounts paying for the blue check and then impersonating world leaders, celebrities or companies.

Responding to the backlash, Musk initially postponed the launch date to

Nov. 29, before delaying it once more. It now appears the feature will launch on Dec. 2.

Musk has said that he wants to charge users for subscriptions to the social media platform to diversify its income stream. Twitter currently depends on ad vertising for 90 percent of its revenue.

Several major brands have withdrawn from advertising on the platform since Musk bought it, fearing that his prom ised relaxation of content moderation could open their companies up to being associated with objectionable content.

According to the NGO Media Matters, half of Twitter’s top 100 advertisers have announced that they are suspending or “have apparently suspended” their spend ing on the social network. AFP

4 V 0.81 0.08 10.96%

5 SCC 33.6 2.95 9.62%

6 OPMB 0.012 0.001 9.09%

7 CEU 6.53 0.49 8.11%

8 BCOR 8.5 0.6 7.59%

9 LR 2.71 0.19 7.54%

10 ICT 198.9 13.1 7.05%

TOP LOSERS

LAST % PRICE CHANGE CHANGE

1 DIZ 3.14 -1.3 -29.28%

2 CIP 100 -25 -20.00%

3 PAX 1.6 -0.27 -14.44%

4 RLT 0.181 -0.028 -13.40%

5 OPM 0.01 -0.001 -9.09%

6 UPM 0.0051 -0.0004 -7.27%

7 HOME 1.58 -0.12 -7.06%

8 VLL 1.46 -0.1 -6.41%

9 MEDIC 0.78 -0.05 -6.02%

10 FJP 1.99 -0.11 -5.24%

MOST ACTIVE

VOLUME VALUE (PHP)

1 SM 610,210 564,972,975

2 AC 622,140 433,512,265

3 ALI 12,573,800 371,998,035

4 BDO 2,752,240 361,758,980

5 GTCAP 749,800 351,247,406 6 ICT 1,432,720 279,726,922

BPI 2,512,820 256,897,928

TEL 151,695 256,860,910

MBT 4,409,090 250,039,976

JFC 974,870 243,813,646

COVID lockdowns shut China delivery workers out of their homes

By Matthew Walsh

BEIJING—Overworked, underpaid and thoroughly fed up, Wang’s trou bles deepened even further when au thorities abruptly locked down the delivery driver’s Beijing apartment block earlier this month.

Officials in the Chinese capital have doubled down on the country’s hallmark zero-Covid policy in re cent weeks, one of an array of cities to impose sweeping shutdowns, mass testing, and teleworking mandates as caseloads have hit all-time highs.

Wang is not alone in feeling frus trated.

The ruling Communist Party’s un compromising zero-Covid strategy— now in force for about three years— has stoked anger and resentment, with widespread and sometimes violent protests kicking off across China’s major cities.

Pandemic fatigue has been on the rise for some time, as a recent lighten ing of virus curbs has coincided with record infection tallies, prompting a patchwork of onerous restrictions in multiple major cities.

China is the last major economy wedded to a zero-Covid strategy but maintaining relatively low numbers of cases and deaths have constrained its economic recovery, disrupted supply chains, and hammered employment.

‘I have no choice’

Demand for deliveries has soared under the tightening curbs as millions of housebound urbanites have turned to an army of low-paid couriers— mostly migrants from other provinc es—to supply takeaway lunches and grocery orders.

But this time, the restrictions have crept deep into places where drivers

live, shutting many inside without pay and forcing others to choose between having a place to sleep and earning enough money to survive.

Wang, who scoots back and forth across a wealthy financial district de livering food orders for internet giant Meituan, said his housing compound was cordoned off on November 7 after two Covid cases were discovered.

Desperate not to lose his income —about 250 yuan ($34) a day—the 20-year-old broke lockdown rules by vaulting a fence to make his shifts, sneaking back in under cover of dark ness.

“I have no choice. If I don’t make money, I can’t pay rent,” said the na tive of the industrial northern province of Shanxi.

“Lots of delivery guys don’t have anywhere to live at the moment,” he

told AFP outside a deserted office block on a cold winter afternoon last week.

“I’m really dissatisfied with the Chinese government because other countries aren’t strict about Covid any more,” he said.

“We’re going to such great lengths... and I don’t feel it’s necessary because nobody is dying from it.”

AFP withheld Wang’s full name to protect him from potential repercus sions for breaking lockdown and criti cizing the state.

Sleeping rough

When a shutdown loomed over Gu Qiang’s housing compound last week, the Meituan driver chose to sleep in his car.

“Spending 30 yuan to keep the en gine running all night is still cheaper than getting a hotel,” the gruff northeast China native said.

“Some of my friends are living out side—they dare not go home.”

Several couriers interviewed by AFP described heavier workloads in recent weeks as lockdowns have left their companies short of labour.

While some said they were happy to take on money-spinning extra orders, most said they had endured longer working hours, extra stress and more negative interactions with customers.

They also said they had not received any additional support from Meituan or the companies to which delivery ser vices have been outsourced.

Authorities last year launched an investigation into food delivery platforms following claims of exploitative labour practices including algorithms that effectively forced couriers to drive dangerously to meet tight delivery times. AFP

United States— Twitter’s billionaire owner Elon Musk announced Friday that the platform would

DHAKA—In an apparent bid to con serve eroding forex reserves, Bangla deshi prime minister Sheikh Hasina has directed the country’s relevant au thorities to squeeze imports of luxury items.

MARKET SLUMP. Pedestrians pass a sign showing the numbers for the Hang Seng Index in Hong Kong. Hong Kong and Chinese shares kicked the week off with steep losses on Nov. 28, 2022, as the mainland was rocked by protests against the strict zeroCovid policies and calling for more political freedoms. AFP

Protesters march along a street during a rally for the victims of a deadly fire as well as a protest against China’s harsh Covid-19 restrictions in Beijing on Nov. 28, 2022. A deadly fire on Nov. 24, 2022 in Urumqi, the capital of northwest China’s Xinjiang region, has become a fresh catalyst for public anger, with many blaming Covid lockdowns for hampering rescue efforts, as hundreds of people took to the streets in China’s major cities on Nov. 27, 2022 to protest against the country’s zero-Covid policy in a rare outpouring of public anger against the state. Authorities deny the claims. AFP

PSE INDEX CLOSING

Monday,

NEDA

Japan Yen 0.0071830.4077

UKPound1.20750068.5292

Hong KongDollar0.1279927.2639

SwitzerlandFranc1.05786560.0370

CanadaDollar0.74626942.3530

SingaporeDollar0.72579541.1910

AustraliaDollar0.67190038.1323

BahrainDinar2.652872150.5584

Saudi Arabia Rial 0.26613415.1039

BruneiDollar0.72317041.0421

IndonesiaRupiah0.0000640.0036

Thailand Baht 0.0279211.5846

UAE Dirham0.27228715.4531

EuroEuro 1.03900058.9664

Korea Won 0.0007490.0425

ChinaYuan0.1395977.9225

IndiaRupee0.0122420.6948

MalaysiaRinggit0.22346412.6823

New Zealand Dollar 0.62160035.2777

SMC SLEX’s 9-month profit rose to P2.49b

By Darwin G. Amojelar

SMC SLEX Inc. said Monday net in come acclerated 41 percent in the first nine months from a year ago, on the back of higher vehicle traffic.

The operator of South Luzon Ex pressway said net income amounted to P2.49 billion from January to Sep tember, up from P1.76 billion it regis teredin the same period last year.

Revenue grew 19 percent to P4.73 billion from P3.98 billion last year and was 1 percent higher than the pre-pan demic figure of P4.68 billion in 2019.

SLEX recorded an annual average daily traffic of 372,471 vehicles this year, higher by 16 percent than 321, 323 AADT last year.

“This is higher by 1 percent than the pre-pandemic figures of 368,119 due to the continuing implementation of lowest mobility restriction of Alert Level 1 beginning March 1, 2022,” the company said.

It said vehicle volume increased across all classes with the highest increase in class 1 and class 2 by 17 percent and 11 percent, respectively.

The company said the average trans action mode for the period was 80 per cent for RFID and 20 percent for cash.

SMC SLEX said it budgeted P14.19 billion for 2022 capital expenditures, higher than its earlier announcement P9.49 billion.

It said it would use the amount to fund TR4 projects and other enhance ment and expansion projects along SLEX, which includes preventive replacement of equipment to ensure that the toll collection system, traffic control and surveillance system and other critical systems of tollway oper ation are in good working condition.

The company in March 2019 start ed the construction of the 66.74-kilo meter SLEX Toll Road 4 that would connect Sto. Tomas, Batangas to Lu cena City, Quezon.

The toll road will shorten the travel time from Sto. Tomas to Barangay Mayao in Lucena City from the usual three hours to just 45 minutes.

The P26.1-billion project is expect ed to be completed by 2026. TR4 is a part of SLTC’s 30-year concession which will last until 2036.

THE National Economic and Development Authority said Monday it is now nearing the completion of the Philippine Development Plan 2023-2028 and will submit it to President Ferdinand Marcos Jr. and his Cabinet in early December.

NEDA Secretary Arsenio Balisacan, in a forum with government information and communication officers in prepa ration for the PDP’s completion next month, underscored the importance of effectively communicating the poli cies and strategies of PDP 2023-2028 to meet the Marcos administration’s goal of reinvigorating job creation and speeding up poverty reduction.

“As government information of ficers, you perceive the pulse of the Filipino people. Through various media and channels, you are the heralds who are crucial in ensuring that the link be tween the public and the government remains strong, truthful, and unbroken.

As the launch of the PDP 2023-2028 approaches, we seek your thoughts and efforts to guarantee not only its effec tive implementation but also its suc cessful communication to the public— our fellow Filipinos, for whom the Plan is formulated,” said Balisacan.

NEDA said the government should always ensure the communication of accurate and timely information to the public, especially on socioeconomic policies that have significant impli cations. It said that alongside public consultations, effective communica

tion could enable useful feedback from stakeholders such that programs and policies are adjusted to become more impactful.

The forum is a continuation of NE DA’s PDP forums held in September, which convened stakeholders from the youth, private and government plan ning sectors.

The latest forum’s goal is to collect insights from the communication teams of various government agencies and units, which will be useful for the up coming release of the new PDP.

Baliscan said that as NEDA was final izing PDP 2023-2028, the agency was also working on a six-year evaluation agenda that would serve as the roadmap for fostering a culture of evaluation in the Philippines.

“In the next six years, we will en deavor to build the capacity of organi zations to undertake high-quality evalu ations for the public sector and initiate efforts to boost the public’s confidence in the evaluation process, results, and institutions of the government,” Bali sacan said during the 9th Annual Moni toring and Evaluation Network Forum.

NEDA and the Department of Budget and Management launched the forum in

2015 to foster evidence-based decisionmaking in government.

“Over the years, concrete actions have been taken towards promoting M&E practices in the public sector,” said Balisacan.

“We will also aim to produce rel evant data and evidence in a timely and responsive manner and communicate these more effectively to aid decisionmaking and encourage knowledge sharing. Accordingly, we firmly com mit to deliberately seek out and act on evidence to better design, manage, and deliver government programs and ser vices,” he said.

“While we recognize the challenges of creating a vibrant culture of evalua tion in public policy, it is our firm belief that our persistent efforts to strengthen and invest in our M&E systems will ul timately result in smarter and more ef fective actions and initiatives that ben efit the Filipino people,” he said.

Mining executive Ramos passed away on Saturday

MINING businessman Alfredo Ramos, who chairs several listed firms and whose family owns National Bookstore Inc., passed away on Saturday. He was born in 1943.

The Philodrill Corp. confirmed his death in a disclosure to the stock exchange Mon day.

“It is with profound sorrow that The Philo drill Corp. announces the passing of its chair man and president, Mr. Alfredo Ramos. Mr. Ramos provided insightful guidance to the company’s management and led Philodrill towards resiliency. His contributions to the company will forever be remembered,’ Philo drill said.

Aside from Philodrill, Ramos was also the chairman of Shang Properties Inc., Anglo Philippine Holdings Corp., United Paragon Mining Corp. and Atlas Consolidated Mining and Development Corp.

Ramos and his family were included in Forbes Philippine richest with a net worth of $120 million in 2015.

His family owns the country’s largest cop per and nickel mines. The family also runs a privately held printing and publishing busi ness, which was started by his parents. Jenniffer B. Austria

PLDT’s Asia Direct Cable lands in Nasugbu, Batangas

PLDT Inc. said Monday it completed the landing of the shore-end segment of the Asia Direct Cable System at its western cable landing station in Nasugbu, Batangas.

“We are grateful to the local government of Batangas for working with us to land an other subsea cable system that will not only cement Batangas’ position as a crucial land ing point of global data in the Philippines but more so propel the country’s digitalization,” said JoJo Gendrano, PLDT senior vice presi dent and head of enterprise and international business group.

“We remain resolute to our commitment to building the country’s hyperscale ecosystem that will further the country’s position as the next digital destination in Asia Pacific,” he said.

Once completed, ADC will boost PLDT Group’s unmatched international capacity by up to 36 terabits per second, bringing it to nearly 100 Tbps by end-2023.

Commencing in the Philippines, the sec ond stage of the marine installation will continue to link six other international cable landing points in Asia including Tuas, Sin gapore; Chung Hom Kok, Hong Kong; Quy Nhon, Vietnam; Sri Racha, Thailand; and Shantou, China. Darwin G. Amojelar

NGCP places Luzon under ‘yellow alert’

GRID operator National Grid Corp. of the Philippines placed the Luzon grid on red and yellow alerts on Monday after 2,648 mega watts of total capacity became unavailable to the grid.

NGCP placed the Luzon grid on red alert from 5 p.m. to 6 p.m. and raised yellow alert for interval hours between 10 a.m. 5 p.m. And 6 p.m. to 9 p.m.

This followed the forced outages of six power plants, while three others ran on de rated capacities.

Available capacity was placed at 10,708MW on Monday compared to the peak demand of 10,246 MW.

The DOE said power plants on forced out ages included Calaca 2, GNPower Mariveles 1, Sual 1, Sta. Rita Module 20, Masinloc 3 and San Buenaventura Power Plant.

Those running on derated capacities were Masinloc 1, Masinloc 2 and Magat. Sual 1 and Masinloc 3 went back online at 10:19 a.m. and 11:19 a.m., respectively. Alena Mae S. Flores

By Jenniffer B. Austria

SUPERMARKET chain operator

Puregold Price Club Inc. said Monday its unit acquired PSMT Philippines Inc. for P112.5 million.

Puregold said in a disclosure to the stock exchange wholly-owned unit Kareila Management Corp., which owns and operates S&R Shopping, approved the purchase of 100-percent interest in PSMT.

PSMT owns a property in Paranaque City where S&R Aseana is located.

The Co family, the majority share

holder of Puregold, also owns PSMT.

Puregold did not provide other de tails including the timetable for the completion of the deal and terms of the purchase.

The purchase will enhance the op erations and efficiency of S&R.

Puregold reported a net income of P6.47 billion in the first nine months, up 12.9 percent from P5.73 billion it booked in the same period last year on the back of the continued rise in traffic and increased business activities.

Nine-month revenues rose 11 per cent to P 127.6 billion from a year ago,

despite the headwinds caused by infla tion and commodity supply pressures. Total traffic to all stores increased by 12 percent from the same period last year.

Puregold said that as of end-Septem ber 2022, the group had a total of 513 stores nationwide.

These included 443 Puregold stores, 22 S&R membership shopping ware houses and 48 S&R New York Style quick service restaurants.

The share price of Puregold retreat ed 0.14 percent Monday to close at P34.80.

By Julito G. Rada

METROPOLITAN Bank & Trust Co., the second-largest lender in terms of assets, remains strong de spite the global headwinds such as the rising interest rates and inflation, its top executive said Monday.

The financial publication The Asian Banker named Metrobank “The Strongest Bank in the Philippines” for the second consecutive year.

The Asian Banker said Metrobank continued to outperform its peers in the country in terms of capitalization and liquidity. Its Tier 1 capital ratio, total capital adequacy ratio and liquid assets to total deposits and borrow ings ratio remained high.

“Moreover, the bank grew its lowcost CASA deposits, reflecting its solid deposit franchise. Meanwhile, with its prudent management of cred it risk, the bank demonstrated stron ger asset quality than its peer banks in the country,” Asian Banker said in its citation for choosing Metrobank as the Philippines’ strongest bank by balance sheet for 2022.

Metrobank president Fabian Dee attributed the award to the bank’s 14,000 strong Metrobankers.

Driven by the strong collection of home loan payments in the last 10 months, PagIBIG Fund’s performing loans ratio climbed to 89.96 percent in October, exceeding the agency’s yearend target by 196 basis points, top executives said Monday.

Data from the fund showed that from January to October, home loan payments amounted to P57.58 billion, up by 30 per cent or P13.31 billion from P44.27 billion it collected in the same period last year. The amount was a record high in terms of home loan payments collected by the agency for any January to October period.

“We are happy to report that the amount of home loan payments we have collected so far this year is the highest in our history. This is good news as it reflects the continued recovery of our borrowers from the financial difficulties caused by the pandemic,” said Secretary Jose Rizalino Acuzar, who heads both the Department of Human Settlements and Urban Development and the 11-member

Pag-IBIG Fund board of trustees.

“Our strong collections is key in main taining our financial sustainability, as the amount we collect are ploughed back to our housing portfolio so that more mem bers can avail of affordable home loans from Pag-IBIG Fund. This is one of our ways of heeding President Ferdinand Marcos, Jr.’s call in solving the coun try’s housing backlog within the next six years,” Acuzar said.

Pag-IBIG Fund chief executive Marilene Acosta said because of the record-high col lections, the agency had exceeded its year end target on its performing loans ratio ear lier than projected.

Pag-IBIG Fund’s PLR stood at 89.96 percent as of end-October, surpassing its yearend target of 88 percent, while gaining 1,028 basis points from September 2021 figures when the agency’s PLR dipped to 79.68 percent following the effects of the pandemic.

“Since our beginnings 60 years ago, the goal has always been to live up to our promise, to keep our clients in good hands, while delivering con sistent results for our shareholders. We could not have done this with out the support of our employees. We therefore dedicate this award to them,” he said.

The award is given to financial in stitutions that have exhibited strength based on their financial performance, which covers their ability to scale, balance sheet growth, risk profile, profitability, asset quality and liquid ity, according to Asian Banker.

Dee said the strong commitment of Metrobank employees resulted in a strong performance in the last two years.

Puregold acquires PSMT from Co family for P112.5m

Pag-IBIG Fund home loan payments reach P57.58b; PLR climbs to 89.96%

Metrobank gets award for strong 2022 balance sheet

FIRST CLARK GROUNDBREAKING. Executives of Udenna Land Inc., Myung Dang Plus Development Inc. and FineTME Inc. hold a groundbreaking ceremony for First Clark Serviced Residence, the first service apartment building in Clark Global City—a 177-hectare master-planned, mixed-use estate envisioned to be the next business center of excellence in Central Luzon. First Clark Serviced Residence, a 16-story building, will have 286 units and is targeted to be completed by the end of 2024.

FOOD TRADE SHOW. Filipino delegates actively participate in China’s largest import-themed trade show—China International Import Expo in Shanghai. Trade Secretary Fred Pascual says the Philippines’ participation in CIIE has become not only a practical response to opportunity, but an imperative to expand its international market, cement the Philippines’ reputation as a reliable sourcing destination for food and introduce more quality food products into China’s mainstream markets.

NEDA Secretary Arsenio Balisacan

Lyceum takes 2nd straight Mobile Legends esports crown

IT wasn’t the dominant run that Lyceum of the Philippines University had in the inaugural season of the Collegiate Center of Esports, but the Pirates remained kings in the Land of Dawn nonetheless.

The Pirates ruled the second season of the CCE Mobile Legends Bang Bang tournament following a masterclass, reverse sweep in the grand finale of the season against the Letran Cyberknights in four games last Saturday at the Mall of Asia Music Hall.

“Lagi kong sinasabi sa team ko na kahit kami nag-champion sa season one, kailangan alisin namin sa utak ‘yun para hindi kami makampente,” Lyceum team captain Paul “Fae” Huang said after ruling the tournament presented by Galaxy Racer and Smart, with SM Mall of Asia, Cyberzone, Legion by Lenovo, Mountain Dew, Hawk Bags, Fantech, Huawei AppGallery as sponsors, and MPL-Philippines serving as an official partner.

“Pumasok kami sa season 2 na ‘to na hindi iniisip na kami ang malakas, na lahat ng makakalaban namin rerespetuhin namin, so hayun ang pinaka-importanteng mindset para sa amin,” he added.

Unlike their first season, the Pirates had to grind through the lower bracket before being bested by the Cyberknights in the first game of the finals, sending doubts into the minds of the Lyceum faithful.

Behind the newly-buffed Carmilla of Kurt “Xeero” Pugao, who finished with a 7-1-14 KDA, and the damage of Jade “ImbaDeeJade” Mercado’s Beatrix which amassed a whooping 121,713 damage dealt in the game, Letran took the first game and was poised to continue its mastery over the Pirates.

But that was the last time the Pirates stumbled as the now two-time season MVP Mark Kenneth “Mark” Delos Reyes started stamping his class against the Cyberknights to swing the favor their way.

Seeing how the Carmilla - Beatrix combo blasted them in game one, Lyceum stole those two heroes from Letran with Mark taking Carmilla (3-0-7) and Remarch “LUST” Eusebio playing the deadly marksman for an MVP performance following a 7-0-5 outing and lead Lyceum to a breezy game two win.

Letran tried to go ahead in the third game as they finally banned the Carmilla hero, and up until the second lord-take of the game, they looked like they were going to go ahead.

But Mark, playing Akai as Lyceum’s main jungler, secured two crucial kills while winning the retribution war against Xeero to turn the tide around in the 13th minute of the game.

Yulo siblings to train overseas after dominant Bangkok show

By Randy Caluag

WHAT started as child’s play has now become a serious game for the Yulo gymnastics’ siblings.

With Caloy Yulo already at the top of his game and winning medals in the world stage, his younger brother Karl and sister Elaiza are looking forward to following in his footsteps.

In the recent JRC Artistic Gymnastics Stars Championships in Bangkok, Thailand, the younger Yulos combined for a 10-gold medal haul, with Elaiza winning four golds after topping the Individual AllAround, Floor Exercise Vault, and Uneven Bars in the women’s juniors competition.

The 14-year-old Karl, a Grade 9 student at Adamson University, collected six medals, including gold in the Floor Exercise. He took three silver medals (Pommel Horse, Vault, and Parallel) and the bronze in the Still Rings.

The Yulos’ mother, Angelica, who has been providing updates on her social media page, said Elaiza is now preparing for her overseas training in Kansas, USA, to further hone her skills. Elaiza, 13, is currently in Grade 8, also at Adamson University.

“Naghihintay na lang po ng kanyang visa for a three-to-six-month traing,” the Yulo matriarch told Manila Standard in an interview.

The training is supported by Elaiza’s home club, Alpha Gymnastics of the Philippines.

Meanwhile, the Gymnastics Association of the Philippines has previously announced that Karl will follow his older brother Caloy in Japan for training starting in December.

“Unti-unti na po nilang natutupad ang kanilang mga pangarap at darating ang araw na ang lahat ng paghihirap at sakripisyo nila ay magbubunga ng maganda,” added Angelica, who once told the story about Caloy playing at a playground near their house, which is just a stone’s throw away from the Rizal Memorial Sports Complex.

Gutierrez, Castillo top NPC golfest House approves bill imposing sti er penalties for game-fixing

INQUIRER’ Musong Castillo carded a four-over 76 to claim the low gross trophy, while actor Tonton Gutierrez took the net crown with a 68 as they shared top honors in the National Press Club golf tournament at Wack Wack’s West course last Friday.

Conrad Banal scored a net 70, Alex Magno shot a net 71 and Roger Garcia turned in a net even par 72 to rule their respective divisions in the 18-hole fun tournament that served as highlight to NPC’s milestone 70th anniversary celebrations. It was also held to generate funds for the country’s top media organization’s projects and programs, including scholarship grants for deserving children of NPC members.

Castillo spiked his superb round with two birdies while Gutierrez put in a gross 79 for an 11-handicap under the System 36 scoring format.

Banal, with a 13-handicap, shot a gross 83 and claimed the Class A crown with a lower handicap over Rey Madrid, who also shot a net 70 from a gross 84; Magno carded a gross 91 and clinched the Class B trophy, edging Romeo Lerit Jr., who ended up with a net 72 from a gross 88.

Dodo Catacutan placed third in Class A with a gross 81 and a net 71.

Lerit also nipped Ely Saludar for runner-up honors after the latter also finished with a net 72 from a gross 90.

Garcia snared the Class C crown with a net 72 from a gross 95, foiling Ding Marcelo, who also shot a net 72 from a gross 96 while Ronald Verceles placed third with a gross 95 and a net 73.

Glydel Mercado topped the ladies division as she completed the celebrity couples’ romp in the tournament backed by Megaworld, San Miguel Corp., Converge, APEX Mining Company president and CEO Louie Sarmiento, the PBA (Philippine Basketball Association), the PSC (Philippine Sports Commission), PCHLC 1st vice president Jay Pena Son, Sammay Yuquico of K-Plast, Pasay City Host Lions Club president Frederick Cabalbag and International Container Terminal Services, Inc. (ICTSI). She shot a net 72 from a gross 92.

By Maricel V. Cruz

WITH an overwhelming 249 votes, the House of Representatives on Monday approved on the third and final reading the measure that expands the elements of game-fixing and provides stiffer penalties for such offenses in professional and amateur sports contests.

House Bill 4513 defines game-fixing as “any arrangement, agreement, scheme, or act or series of acts, wherein any person or persons, maliciously conduct or cause to be conducted any professional or amateur sports other than on the basis of the honest playing skill or ability of the players or participants or even deliberately limiting the skill or ability of any player or participant in a game, race, or sports competition in order to influence the process or to produce a pre-determined result for purposes of gambling, betting, or as part of a scheme to defraud

Caloy and his grandfather stumbled upon the gymnastics’ gym located inside the historic complex and the rest is history.

the public on the conduct and outcome of the game.”

Proof of actual payment or receipt of money or any valuable consideration is not a requirement to constitute the crime of game-fixing, but it shall be deemed a prima facie evidence of its commission.

“This proposed measure seeks to expand the elements constituting the crime of game-fixing and prescribe stiffer penalties to arrest the widespread illicit practice, and by so doing, to promote the true spirit of sportsmanship,” the authors of the bill said.

The measure was authored by House Majority Leader Manuel Jose M. Dalipe and Reps. Faustino Michael Carlos III T. Dy, Michael L. Romero, Noel N. Rivera, Paul Ruiz Daza, France L. Castro and Arlene D. Brosas.

Other forms of game-fixing such as point-shaving, game machination, and the act of wilfully abetting, aiding, or inducing any person to commit game-fix-

ing and profiting from it, are also penalized under the measure.

Point-shaving refers to any such arrangement, combination, scheme, or agreement by which the skill or ability of any player or participant in a game, race or sports competition to make points or scores shall be deliberately limited to influence the result in favor of one or the other team, player or participant therein.

On the other hand, game machinations refer to any other fraudulent, deceitful, unfair or dishonest means, method, manner or practice employed for the purpose of influencing the result of any game, race, or sports contest. Under the measure, game-fixing is deemed committed by a syndicate if carried out by a group of three or more persons conspiring or confederating with one another to perform the prohibited acts specified in Sections 3 and 4 of the measure.

PANGILINAN: SPORTS IS A METAPHOR FOR LIFE

PLDT/MVPSF chairman on sports, creating a culture of empathy on and o the court

AMID his busy schedule, PLDT Inc. Chairman Manuel V. Pangilinan sat down for #BetterToday conversations, a video series under this year’s Power Move Project—an initiative of PLDT Inc. and Smart Communications, Inc. (Smart) to promote mental resilience through sports.

The multi-awarded executive has been recognized not only for his business acumen, but also for his contribution to nation-building through civic advocacies, particularly in sports development. He serves as a leader in various sports organizations and as the chairman of the MVP Sports Foundation (MVPSF), which backs 17 national sports agencies and hundreds of Filipino athletes.

“Aside from the sheer joy

that we get from sports, it’s a metaphor for life. There are many valuable lessons one can learn from being engaged in sports: hard work, discipline, focus, passion, all the elements that are important to being successful in life,” he said.

For Pangilinan, sports can build a sense of community—within and outside of the court. “The success of the team depends on their collective effort. Sports also engage the whole nation, it’s a universal activity that fetches the attention of everyone.”

The Chairman also underscored the importance of creating a culture of empathy and a healthy mental state for athletes and employees alike.

“It intersects with many aspects of how you live. Look at Hidilyn Diaz and EJ Obiena. There’s a lot of hard work to being successful in their respective endeavors.

You could see that they’re physically and mentally fit, they can focus on what they are doing, they are passionate about their goals. These are the things that really make a successful athlete,” he shared.

“And that’s something we at PLDT and Smart should know. Our work requires the physical and mental well-being of our people because we must be in our A-game. Your ability to empathize enhances your EQ in terms of being identified in the community that you’re serving and the team that you belong to, and in achieving your aspirations and dreams,” Pangilinan added.

Watch MVP’s episode on #BetterToday Conversations here. The #BetterToday Power Move Project is part of the PLDT group’s broader program to help ensure the digital wellness of Filipinos particularly the youth.

Riera U. Mallari,

Randy M. Caluag, Assistant

Elaiza (left) and Karl Yulo

Members of the Lyceum esports team display their championship trophy after a repeat title triumph in the Collegiate Center of Esports.

Innovations, new shooting products lure enthusiasts

By Peter Atencio

NEW types of shooting competitions are being developed in the pistol calibre carbine format.

Because of this, new innovations in red dot optical sights for these types of guns, known as PCCs, continue to draw a lot of interest from civilian consumers in the second edition of the fourday Association of Firearms and Ammunitions Dealers, Inc Defense and Sporting Show.

“Right now, there’s a lot of new products. Most of the importers here were able to bring in newer products. Especially in terms of the firearms,” said AFAD president Hagen Topacio after the defense show began Thursday at the Megatrade Hall of the SM Megamall in Mandaluyong City.

The competitions, which dabble heavily in tweaks on optical sight attachments on the PCC platform, are mostly being organized by the Philippine Practical Shooting Association.

A red dot sight, a type of nonmagnifying reflector or reflex sight for firearms, is useful when aiming at a target.

A PCC is a shoulder-mounted long gun that is chambered in a pistol caliber cartridge. Most long guns are traditionally chambered in dedicated rifle rounds.

Lately, Topacio said popular brands like Smith&Wesson, Sig Sauer and Ruger have PCC variants that excited the community.

“Maraming pong variants na dumating in this time frame, mainly because nag-start na rin ang shooting season,” added Topacio.

Categories in events are being cooked up for targets at the short, medium or long ranges, and this is what attracts a lot of enthusiasts.

Among the modifications is the 1X prism over a red dot.

There’s optics involving an etched reticle, which functions in case the batteries die. There are reticles that offer illuminations that can be eyecatching and fast on targets.

There are those that are black in color with no built-in illumination and are great for daytime use.

Ateneo wins 7th straight UAAP swimming crown

ATENEO de Manila University annexed a seventh consecutive title in UAAP men’s swimming after finishing strong on the final day of the Season 85 Championships, Sunday at Teofilo Yldefonso Swimming Complex in Malate, Manila.

It was Ateneo’s second title of the season—and its eighth title overall for men’s swimming—after collecting 411 points, a mere 37 markers ahead of De La Salle University’s 374.

In the women’s side, Since taking backto-back titles way back in Season 65 and 66, the De La Salle University women’s swimming team has endured a 19-year drought. Finally, the drought ended after being proclaimed champions of the UAAP Season 85 Women’s Swimming Championships with 418 points.

This is the Lady Green Tankers’ fifth overall title in women’s swimming. The title is also La Salle’s second one this season in the collegiate ranks.

Three UAAP collegiate division debutants led by eventual Most Valuable Player Philip Joaquin Santos led Ateneo to the men’s crown.

Santos closed his rookie season with silvers in the men’s 1500-meter freestyle in 16:57.72, just behind teammate and eventual Rookie of the Year Joshua Del Rio’s 16.49.61, and in the 200-meter butterfly with 2:10.03 -second to University of Santo Tomas’ Mervien Mirandilla’s 2:09.98.

Santos, the Season 82 Boys’ MVP,

amassed 93 points ahead of fellow Ateneans Rafael Barreto (86 points) and Del Rio (64 points).

Barreto made a run for the ROY-MVP race and further boosted the Blue Eagles’ bid for the championship. The rookie grabbed golds in the 50-m backstroke with a 27.49-second performance and in the 50-m freestyle finishing in 24.06 seconds.

“I was very happy and proud. Kasi coming from the pandemic, a lot of uncertainties talaga not just for us, I’m sure for others din,” Ateneo swimming program director Archie Lim.

“But ‘yun nga, I think it’s the spirit of positiveness, and then they really performed and really give their all. ‘Yun lang hiningi ko -- the championship is just a bonus for us,” Lim continued.

La Salle’s final day was highlighted by EJ Jayme’s gold-medal finish in the 200-meter breaststroke with 2:26.87.

University of the Philippines closed the men’s competitions with a new UAAP record in the 4x100-m medley relay as swimmers Gian De Guzman, Pepi Mapa, Anton Dela Rosa, and Keane Ting erased the old mark set by the UST quartet of Kevin Dagum, Jay Cabulit, Reynald Cul-

lentas Jr., and Renz Gawidan in Season 82. The Fighting Maroons rounded out the podium in the Men’s Division with 284 points.

Meanwhile, in the women’s division, Xiandi Chua closed her much-awaited UAAP maiden run with the Most Valuable Player award after amassing 102 points to lead La Salle into the drought-ending women’s tiara. Chua collected six golds and one silver medal to go with four new UAAP records to take the top swimmer plum.

Chua wrapped up her stint with the silver in the 200m breaststroke finishing in 2:39.43, behind the new Philippine record of 2:30.42 set by Ateneo’s Thanya Dela Cruz.

Chloe Isleta also made her one-anddone stint count, taking two golds on the final day in the 50m backstroke and 50m freestyle. The 31st Southeast Asian Games gold medalist clocked 30.07 seconds in the backstroke event for a new UAAP record and 26.49 seconds in the freestyle sprint.

“The team, we were all very proud; we were all crying tears of joy, and really cheering our hearts out. So we all felt like our hard work for the past months really paid off... and we’re very happy,” MVP Chua shared on winning the crown.

Rookie of the Year Camille Buico also made a rousing UAAP debut with 84 points to lead the Fighting Maroons to a second-place finish with 382 markers.

Buico ended her season in style after taking the gold in the 200-meter butter

WGM Frayna starts defense of Women’s Chess title

WOMAN Grandmaster

Janelle Mae Frayna opens her title defense in Tuesday’s start of the Philippine National Women’s Championships, presented by Nova Wellness Store, at the PACE in Mindanao Ave., Quezon City.

The 25-year-old Frayna looms as the early favorite to reign supreme anew, having won last year’s edition of this nine-day tournament staking a total cash purse worth P140,000 with the lion’s share of P50,000 going to the champion courtesy of Nova president Travis Vincent Chua.

The event, sanctioned by the National Chess Federation of the Philippines, headed by Prospero Pichay, Jr., will also be part of the selection process for the national team seeing action in several international meets, including the Hangzhou Asian Games and the Asian Indoor Martial Arts Games in Thailand next year.

Expected to give Frayna a run for her money are fellow Olympiad veterans Woman International Masters Jan Jodilyn Fronda, Bernadette Galas and Marie Antoinette San Diego and Woman FIDE Master Shania Mae Mendoza.

Also in the fold are Vic Glysen Derotas, Mary Joy Tan, Franchesca Largo, April Joy Claros, Ayana Usman, Bea Mendoza and Kate Nicole Ordizo with NCFP CEO GM Jayson Gonzales as tournament director and Reden Cruz as chief arbiter.

“I’m well prepared but it will be a rough road for me because the competition is tough,” said the 25-year-old first Filipina WGM.

Chua, a former mainstay of Ateneo in the UAAP, said his vision is produce future national team members.

“I will continue to support chess so we can produce future national team players and perhaps another WGM,” said Chua.

The tournament will implement a single-round robin format using standard time control.

Manila, Bautista shine in PPS Brookside netfest

IVAN Manila chalked up a win and a runner-up finish while Sandra Bautista took the top honors in the girls’ division of the PPS-PEPP Brookside Open national juniors championships at the Brookside Hills Tennis Club’s clay courts in Cainta, Rizal over the weekend.

The fourth-ranked Manila trounced No. 5 Tristan Licayan, 6-0, 6-2, in the finals of the upset-marred boys’ 16-and-under division while Bautista from Imus, Cavite lived up to her top billing in the girls’ 14-U class, holding off second seed Joy Ansay from Sta. Rosa, Laguna, 7-5, 6-3.

Manila, however, failed to complete a “double” as the San Jose, Nueva Ecija bet dropped a tough 4-6, 5-7, de-

Alpha Phi Omega leads Fil-Am seniors’ play by 12 points

BAGUIO—After two difficult days at the short but tricky Baguio Country Club course, Alpha Phi Omega Golfers scored 181 to erect a 12-point lead over Srixon-IMG in the Am-Championship Division Seniors play of the 72nd Fil-Am Men’s Invitational.

The APO’s Team Alpha opened with an 85 Sunday as Demy Saclot scored 28, Raul Lambino 22, Querubin Alcantara 18 and Antonio Florida 17.

They charged even more on Monday as Demetrio led a balanced scoring attack with 30 and was backed up by Reynaldo Talatala’s 24, Alcantar’s 23 and Lam-

bino’s 19.

Srixon-IMG occupies the next spot with 169. Bernard Chang, August Cruz and Francis Telan each shot a 22 and Efren Leonardo added 19 for an 85. They slowed down with 84 on Telan’s 24, Cruz’s 21, Leonard’s 20 and Chang’ s 19.

Defending champion Manila Southwoods is at third with 167 (87-80), followed by Dugong Bughaw 166 (80-86) and former champ Megafiber 164 (88-76).

The Fil-Championship Division is still ongoing as of press time.

feat to third ranked Zhul Pantaran from Pagadian City in the premier 18-U category of the Group I tournament presented by Dunlop.

Bautista, on the other hand, came up short in 16-U play after romping off with the 14-U diadem, yielding a hard 4-6, 6-4, 4-10 loss to Chloe Mercado from QC in the semis of the event backed by ProtekTODO, PalawanPay, the Unified Tennis Philippines and UTR (Universal Tennis Rating).

After hurdling Licayan, Manila looked all set for a twinkill after dropping just five games to reach the 18-U finals, including a 6-2, 6-3 romp over Samuel Da-

came

Other winners in the event, which served as prelude to the

Open, put up by

Castro, were Licayan (14-U), Quezon City’s Zachary Morales (boys’ 12-U), unranked Alexa Milliam from La Carlota (girls’ 18-U), and Maristella Torrecampo from Los Baños (girls’ 12-U).

Licayan, also from Imus, ripped Paranaque’s Gavin Kraut, 6-1, 6-2; Morales foiled QC’s Yñigo Naredo, 6-3, 6-3; Milliam dominated Kaye Mustaza from Bulacan, 6-0, 6-1; and Torrecampo crushed Cadee Dagoon from Olongapo City,

out fresh from a 1-0(ret.) win over Alfonso Infante in the Last 4 and repulsed Manila in a baseline duel.

PPS Brookside

Palawan Pawnshop president/ CEO Bobby

Members of the Ateneo men’s swimming team celebrate their title run.

Ivan Manila (center) and Sandra Bautista (right) pose with PPS Sports Program Development director Bobby Mangunay after sharing MVP honors in the Brookside Juniors tilt.

Demetrio Saclot awaits his birdie putt to drop on the 9th green of the Baguio Country Club.

‘On The Job: The Missing 8’ big winner at 5th EDDYS

The full list of awardees is as follows:

By Patricia Taculao

Alcazaren for Kun Maupay Man It Panahon

Best Supporting Actor: Mon Confiado for Arisaka

ERIK Matti

’s crime thriller film On The Job: The Missing 8 took was the big winner at the 5th EDDYS (Entertainment Editors’ Choice) held at the historic Manila Metropolitan Theater on Sunday night.

Presenting the award were Eugene Asis, SPEEd (Society of Philippines Entertainment Editors) President and People’s Journal Entertainment Editor, and Charo Santos-Concio, who also won Best Actress for Kun Maupay Man It Panahon.

Although Matti wasn’t around to accept the award himself, a representative from ANIMA and On The Job: The Missing 8 executive producer received the recognition in his stead.

“Entertainment editors selected this award for us, and I appreciate that. Because it’s a film about journalism, and it’s really important today when you see art imitate life,” said Joseph Caliro, the film’s executive producer.

It took the team four years to finish On The Job: The Missing 8, even experiencing challenges due to the COVID-19 pandemic. The award recognizes their efforts in creating a film of such caliber. Matti also won the Best Director award for his masterful work on the film.

Other awards for On The Job: The Missing 8 include Best Support Actress for Lotlot de Leon, Best Sound Design for Corinne de San Jose, Best Musical Score for Erwin Romulo, Best Visual Effects for Mothership, Best Editing for Jay Halili, and Best Cinematography for Neil Derrik Bion

Besides On The Job: The Missing 8, Big Night by Jun Lana also won major plums in the prestigious annual event. It took home Best Musical Score, Best Screenplay, and Best Actor for Christian Bables

“The EDDYS is our group’s humble offering to the entertainment industry whose story and histories, kasama na din yung mga history nila Philip Salvador, Alma Moreno, that we in SPEEd continue to write about sa aming newspapers and other platforms,” said Asis.

Asis added that the EDDYS is born of SPEEd’s passion and admiration for Philippine cinema and the immense artistry of those who kept the 102-year tradition alive through good and bad times.

The fifth edition of The EDDYS was presented by SPEED and Fire and Ice Media and Productions, in partnership with GLOBE, in cooperation with Beautederm, National Commission for Culture and the Arts, and Metropolitan Theater.

The event’s sponsors include Nathan Studios, Rep. Arjo Atayde, UNILAB, and Tanduay.

The EDDYS is supported by Live Stream Manila, Dr. Carl Balita Foundation, Federation Of Filipino Chinese Chambers of Commerce & Industry, Inc. (FFCCCII), JFV Rice Mill, Bataan Rep. Geraldine B. Roman, Mayor Joy Belmonte, Jinkee Pacquiao, Bernard Cloma, MullenLowe Treyna Inc., Browne Communications, Cetaphil, Avon, Dermclinic, and Watsons.

Best Supporting Actress: Lotlot de Leon for On The Job: The Missing 8

Best Sound Design: Corinne de San Jose for On The Job: The Missing 8

Best Musical Score: Erwin Romulo (On The Job: The Missing 8), Cesar Francis Concio (Love is Color Blind), Teresa Barrozo (Big Night)

Best Cinematography: Neil Derrik Bion for On The Job: The Missing 8

Best Screenplay: Jun Robles Lana for Big Night

Best Director: Erik Matti for On The Job: The Missing 8

Best Actor: Christian Bables for Big Night

Best Actress: Charo Santos for Kun Maupay Man It Panahon

Best Original Theme Song: “Maghihintay” for More Than Blue (Words, music, and performance by Marion Aunor)

Best Visual Effects: Mothership for On The Job: The Missing 8

Best Editing: Jay Halili for On The Job: The Missing 8

Best Production Design: Whammy

Best Film: On The Job: The Missing 8 Special awards: Joe Quirino Award: Mario Dumaual Manny Pichel Award: Eric Ramos

Rising Producers’ Circle: Rein Entertainment Producer of the Year: Viva Films Isah V. Red Award: Gretchen Barretto,

Toni Gonzaga marks 20th year in the business

people’s lives because of my job.”

The talented actress-host-singer is thankful to her fans who continue to support her all these times.

January 20. Titled, I Am Toni, it will highlight the actress-singer-host’s twodecade showbiz career.

“Actually, it will be a recollection of everything that happened in those 20 years: how I started, what happened in between, and where I am today. The concert is like a journey, more of a story of everything in my life,” she states.

Why is the concert titled as such?

“I opted for ‘I Am Toni’ because, during the pandemic, I realized the power of affirmation. I read a book that says that anything that you say after ‘I am’ follows you and you become. You have to say out loud what you want to become,” Toni shares saying that she’s been doing that “words of affirmation” for almost two years now.

“I look at myself in the mirror and say the things I want to hear like, ‘I am beautiful, I am blessed, I am grateful, I am confident!’ There are so many things that I recite to myself. But overall, what I always say in the morning is that I’m blessed and grateful. Grateful that I’m still here, grateful that I am still alive, grateful that I can still do what I love to do. And I’m grateful that every morning I’m given another chance and opportunity to change

“Most definitely. I want to express my gratitude to them for their love, support, and belief in me. I consider them as one huge blessing in the showbiz industry. It gives you a different high knowing that people believe in you.”

What can she say to her detractors?

“To my bashers, I just want to keep quiet.

Silence is the best answer. I just don’t want to comment on negative things. As I’ve said, I’m not a fighter but a lover. I just want to speak about the things I love. I don’t like to speak about hate. The energy you give is the energy you will receive. In the end, love always wins!” ends Toni.

* * *

Mel Tiangco’s drama anthology show Magpakailanman is celebrating its 20th anniversary and the veteran broadcasterhost is happy and proud of this.

Asked as to what’s the secret of the show’s success, she says: “I think, it’s the sincerity of the program more than anything else. The viewers see the sincerity of the show, that we really dedicate each episode to them. For one, we present true stories. It’s the story of each and every one of us.”

“All of you, your story can be featured in Magpakailanman. Why? Because each of us has our own story. We have our own challenges and personal triumphs. We all go through something. So, I think that’s what viewers see,” the seasoned broadcast journalist added.

Interestingly, why is the popular drama anthology titled as such and the background is the sea?

“Because the body of water never ends. When the show came back on air after five years, we brainstormed on what’s the apt background. I suggested that apart from water, the only thing I can think which is forever is the sky. So, that’s how it is. We are forever looking at the body of water!”

Posthumous

‘Wakanda’ still reigns at the tills

$5.2

Disney

But the dropoff was sharp after that popular superhero tale, despite the holiday weekend. Overall, the weekend’s top dozen films had 12 percent less in ticket sales than the top 12 of a year earlier.

And in third was another new release, Sony’s Devotion, which took in $6 million for three days ($9 million for five).

David A. Gross of Franchise Entertainment Research called that “a weak opening for a war action movie.” The story about the friendship of two US fighter pilots during the Korean War had a $90 million budget.

Fourth place went to Searchlight’s horrorcomedy The Menu, at

BLACK Panther: Wakanda Forever again ruled the North American box office this weekend, while two new high-budget releases had “weak” openings, analysts asaid.

and Marvel’s Wakanda took in an estimated $45.9 million for the Fridaythrough-Sunday period, or $64 million for the full Thanksgiving weekend starting Wednesday, industry watcher Exhibitor Relations reported Sunday.

million ($7.3 million). Ralph Fiennes plays a celebrity chef with some dark surprises on the menu. And in fifth was superhero film Black Adam from Warner Bros., which took in $3.4 million ($4.7 million). Dwayne Johnson stars.

Netflix has not released numbers for another much-anticipated film, Glass Onion: A Knives Out Mystery, but Gross said the sequel to 2019’s Knives Out took in an estimated $9 million in limited release over just three days – “a terrific result.” AFP

TONI Gonzaga will be staging an anniversary concert at the Araneta Coliseum on her 39th birthday on

Kris Aquino, Alfred Vargas, Kapuso Foundation, and Sagip Kapamilya.

Award: Susan Roces and Cherie Gil Beautéderm Male and Female

Faces of the Night: Sean de Guzman and Alexa Miro Images by Noel Orsal

Zephanie serenading the attendees of the fth EDDYS

Ice Seguerra, who is also the director of the EDDYS, singing a heartfelt piece dedicated to entertainment icons who passed

Boy Abunda, The King of Talk, hosting the prestigious event by SPEEd

EDDYs Icons awardees (from left) Philip Salvador, Roi Vinzon, Alma Moreno, and Divina Valencia with singre Jona

Regine Tolentino giving a sizzling performance during the awards night

Charo Santos-Concio takes home the Best Actress award for ‘Kun Maupay Man It Panahaon’

Christian Bables receiving the Best Actor award for ‘Big Night!’

The cast of ‘Black Panther: Wakanda Forever’

Actress-singer-host Toni Gonzaga will celebrate two decades in showbiz with an anniversary concert

One-stop denim boutique continues to take over fashion market

Experience luxury Italian living through Fendi Casa

FENDI Casa, the Italian-made home line of House of Fendi, has evolved throughout the years establishing a brand that is a product of “intense and fruitful operation which strives for elegant style, the result of excellence in craftsmanship and continuous experimentation.”

Just recently, the brand announced that it is planning to open at least 40 stores in the next three years. From its flagship store in Milan and another in Miami, Fendi Casa is expanding its presence in Asia by opening its first store in the region.

Yes, Fendi Casa in Bonifacio Global City is the third store of the luxury home label. The brand chose the Philippines as the third location because of Filipinos’ growing fondness for luxury fashion and interior design.

In partnership with Focus Global Inc., the renowned interior and home lifestyle retailer in the Philippines, Singapore, and Malaysia, Fendi Casa is housed at Twenty-Four Seven McKinley, 24th Street corner 7th Avenue McKinley Parkway, in the heart of Bonifacio Global City, Taguig’s financial and lifestyle district.Showcased in a dedicated space of 220 square-meters, the new Fendi Casa collection is strategically displayed to create a masterful and immersive experience, uniting fashion, architecture, craftsmanship, and design.

According to the brand, the Fendi Casa in BGC was designed by the same team behind Fendi Casa’s Milan and Miami. The boutique store fuses the famous brand’s most iconic codes and signature features endow the space with an elegant grandeur enshrined

in a masterful interplay of solids and voids, light and shadows, contrasting materials, and elegant details.

“Except for the floor, everything that you see here is similar to what you can find in its flagship stores in Milan and the recently opened one in Miami. The idea is to maintain the same kind of luxury feels whenever you enter any of the showrooms,” a representative from the brand told Manila Standard Life during the showroom opening attended by local media, celebrities Raymond Gutierrez, Sarah Lahbati , and Alberto Da Passano , Fendi Casa Chief Executive Officer, the former President of FENDI for Europe and Middle East.

The distinctive motifs of the Maison are also amplified in the arches, reflecting the emblematic sequence of the Palazzo Fendi in Rome, FF and Karligraphy logos, Pequin stripes, and meticulous tailoring, all echoed through the collection.

Seven rooms, in a game of mix and match of colors, materials, and inspirations, present the iconic pieces of the new collection, all designed by a community of established international designers and architects, selected by Silvia Venturini Fendi, who will contribute with their own take on the iconic Fendi values.

Built by top independent labels trusted in the Philippines – Stylistic Mr. Lee, Rough Rider Jeans (RRJ), Petrol, and Bobson, DenimHub aggressively pursues widening its presence by expanding of branches while keeping up with the rapid change of demands for fashion trends.

One of the brand’s grand culmination this year was the opening of its 14th store located in Glorietta 1 on November 25. This headline event was graced by DenimHub’s owners, Melinda and Eddie Sia alongside television personalities Amy Perez and Anthony Taberna together with his wife, Rossel Taberna. Also present at the event are retail and bank partners namely, Mark

Senate Spouses play Santa at SM Store Megamall

The clothing industry leisurely finds its way back up once again as faceto-face activities are back after the pandemic. People are now back to feeling free and ecstatic about in-store shopping, especially this Christmas season. Clothing and accessories are one of the sought-after products that people buy which makes DenimHub the perfect go-to store.

Before the year comes to a wrap, more DenimHub branches are expected to open as part of the brand’s commitment in providing the latest and fad merchandise that suits every person’s fashion and style; watch out for these upcoming stores in Gapan, SM Center Las Piñas, Robinsons Roxas, and other malls nationwide.

Visit the DenimHub Glorietta branch on the Ground floor of Glorietta Mall, Makati City. Shop online at www. denimhub.com

Senate

Emmeline Villar; as well as Maricel Tulfo-Tungol daughter of Senator Raffy Tulfo, who took the kids around the store for a fun-filled shopping spree dur

only

DENIM textile never goes out of style. It has been ever-present in anyone’s closet, making it an essential part of our everyday lives. The one-stop denim boutique DenimHub matches and fulfills the markets’ need for this basic textile wear by bringing its products to every local and major mall in the country.

DenimHub has found its new “hub” in the metro as it opens its first branch in Glorietta Mall. Since its first store opening in 2018 at Starmall Alabang, this innovative denim brand continues to produce its multiculturally-diverse array of clothing and accessories closer to all fashion enthusiasts and even to those looking for basic clothing designs for their everyday complete casual wear.

Sablan, Assistant VP of Ayala Land Inc., Francis Santiago, VP for Business Development of Denim Hub, Raymond Co of BPI, Chris Reyes of Metro Bank, and Jose Osmeña, Jr. from China Bank who all led the ribbon cutting.

Social Media personalities Cris Lomotan, Loren Burgos-Lomotan, Kat Lacanialo, Just Jmeeh, and Sheila

Tan attended the event to do a denim hub shopping experience for thousands of social media followers to fondly appreciate. Mall Goers nearby the store on the day of the branch opening were also welcomed at this public event.

CHRISTMAS came early to 60 children from the Tahanang Mapagpala Center and the Social Devel opment Center in Caloocan City when members of the Senate Spouses Foundation, Inc. (SSFI) recently played Santa in Christmas in November, the group’s annual gift-giving event at SM Store Megamall.

A joint project of the Senate Spouses Foundation, Inc. and SM, the event – which began with lunch at Wendy’s - was a day of fun for the kids many of whom experienced the joys of shopping for the first time after more than two years of the COVID-19 pan demic. No less than the spouses and their represen tatives took them around the SM Store to shop for clothes, school supplies, toiletries, toys, and more.

Spouses Foundation President Audrey Zu biri led the group of spouses who played moms and dads for a day. These included Nancy dela Rosa, Te odoro “Neil” Llamanzares, Precy Ejercito, Gladys Cruz-Villanueva, Kathryna Pimentel, and Atty.

ing the yearly Christmas outreach program.

They were warmly welcomed and assisted by SM’s Millie Dizon and SM Store Megamall staff led by VP for Operations Maribel Sibayan, as well as SM Megamall AVP for Operations Ian Mathay.

The “Christmas in November” project of Senate Spouses Foundation, Inc. and SM started way back in 1998 by Eloisa Nolasco-Fernan, wife of then Senate President Marcelo Briones Fernan

“We are thankful to SM for the many years of helping us bring joy to these children,” shares Senate Spouses Foundation President Audrey Zubiri.

This year’s activity became a happy reunion of sorts for the spouses and SSFI staff when Jimboy, a special child they met at the shelter 12 years ago, performed a dance number together with two other special kids. Showing their appreciation through their live and festive dance number and spreading more of the spirit of sharing, love, and thanksgiving, was not

enjoyed by the guests but also by SM Store shoppers. Before returning to Tahanang Mapagpala Center, the kids were treated to a sumptuous early

Among the featured pieces, atelier oï’s Fun Fendi seating system, Marcel Wanders Studio’s Five sofa, and armchairs, Toan Nguyen’s Marrakesh coffee tables and Sandia sofa and armchairs, as well as the Ford dining table and Doyle chairs, both designed by FENDI Casa Design Studio, and Thierry Lemaire’s Parsifal sofa and armchairs.

Fendi Casa’s presence in the Philippines, through the exclusive distribution by Focus Global Inc., marks another important step in the strategic expansion of Fendi Casa embarked upon by Fendi and Design Holding in 2021 as part of the Fashion Furniture Design (FF Design) joint venture.

Senate Spouses Foundation, Inc. (SSFI) President Audrey Zubiri (middle) with fellow spouses Neil Llamanzares, Nancy dela Rosa, Kathryna Pimentel, and SM’s Millie Dizon during the annual SSFI giftgiving event

The Children from Tahahang Mapagpala Center and the Social Development Center are ready for their shopping spree at SM Store with their Santa hats and SM shopping bags dinner at Chowking.

The Tahanang Mapagpala Center and the Social Develop ment Center are shelters for the abandoned, foundlings, and orphans of Caloocan City.

The Christmas in November is one of the ways that SM Store Megamall spreads cheer to the less fortunate during the Christmas season.

From left: Amy Perez, Rossel Taberna, Anthony Taberna, Mark Sablan, assistant vice president Ayala Land Inc., and Melinda Sia, owner of DenimHub

Anthony Taberna (right) with his wife, Rossel

The new Fendi Casa collection creates a masterful and immersive experience, uniting fashion, architecture, craftsmanship, and design

Fendi Casa brings luxurious and stylish items to Filipinos with its first store in the country

Fendi Casa is known for its excellence in craftsmanship and continuous experimentation

Fendi Casa is accessible at the heart of Bonifacio Global City, Taguig’s financial and lifestyle district