Manila Standard - 2022 December 21 - Wednesday

US, China spar over WPS

for weighing in on Chinese boat swarm in PH EEZ

By Rey E. Requejo

ASHINGTON and Beijing on Tuesday traded barbs amid reports that Chinese vessels were monitored to be swarming in areas belonging to the Philippines’ exclusive economic zone in the South China Sea.

In a statement, US Department of States spokesman Ned Price reiterated Washington’s message to Beijing to abide by the United Nations Convention on the Law of the Sea (UNCLOS) “and its legal obligations pursuant to the 2016 arbitral

AFP nixes ceasefire with headless CPP

THE military sees no need for a holiday ceasefire with the Communist Party of the Philippines-New People's Army, saying there is no guarantee that rebels would reciprocate given the “leadership vacuum” in the underground movement following the death of CPP founder Jose

Ma. Sison.

"We are confident there’s no need for a ceasefire because we don’tknow who to talk to. Many of their leaders have been neutralized," AFP spokesperson Col. Medel Aguilar said in a television interview.

"Second,

Inflation seen to peak in Dec. but rate hike likely early 2023

By Julito G. Rada

BANGKO

Sentral ng Pilipinas

Governor Felipe Medalla said Tuesday he expects the rate of inflation to peak this month, after it hit a 14-year high of 8 percent in November.

“I’m very sure that the peak [of inflation] will be in December,” Medalla said. “We thought inflation was going to peak in October 2022 but [then the ]

By Rey E. Requejo

THE Department of Justice has issued an Immigration Lookout Bulletin Order against suspended Bureau of Corrections director Gerald Bantag and former deputy security officer Ricardo Zulueta, the two alleged masterminds in the deaths of broadcaster Percival Mabasa, also known as Percy Lapid, and middleman Jun Villamor.

In an urgent memorandum, Justice Secretary Jesus Crispin Remulla clarified that the DOJ said the lookout

typhoons came.”

Inflation in November accelerated to a 14-year high of 8 percent from 7.7 percent in October due to faster increases in the prices of food and nonalcoholic beverages.

This was significantly higher than the 3.7 percent in the same month a year ago and brought the average inflation from January to November 2022 to 5.6 percent.

Speaker assures House okay of 12 other PBBM priority bills

By

V. Cruz

He

to pass pro-people measures, including the Maharlika Investment Fund (MIF), the P5.268-trillion national budget for 2023, and 20 other priority bills of the Marcos administration, 19 of which were listed under the Legislative-Executive Development Advisory Council’s (LEDAC) Common Legislative Agenda (CLA).

Palace names ‘news briefer,’ PAF chief

Patricia Taculao

By

briefing on Tuesday.

“Starting

Oseña-Paez

HIGH-TECH. President Ferdinand Marcos Jr. visits the Philippine Space Agency on Monday. The office houses Diwata-1, the country's first microsatellite. The President said he wants various agencies to have access to satellite data that could be used in agriculture, business, and environmental protection.

Vince Lopez

PRESIDENT Ferdinand R. Marcos Jr. has named lifestyle TV host and entrepreneur Daphne Oseña-Paez as his new “press briefer.”

Undersecretary Cheloy Garafil, officer-in-charge of the Office of the Press Secretary (OPS), formally introduced Oseña-Paez to reporters in a Palace press

today, we will have someone new with us at every briefing that will be held here at the press working area. She will be the bearer of news and information about the activities and projects of President Ferdinand Marcos Jr.,” Garafil said.

said she will hold Palace

Maricel

SPEAKER Martin G. Romualdez on Tuesday vowed to pass the remaining 12 priority measures of President Ferdinand Marcos Jr. when Congress resumes sessions on Jan. 23, 2023.

also announced that the House of Representatives fulfilled its promise

if we are going to have a bilateral ceasefire with the CPPNPA-NDF, how can they impose that provision of the ceasefire when there is a leadership vacuum within the underground organization?" he added.

Rio N. Araja

Daphne Osena-Paez

Maj. Gen. Stephen Parreño

US,...

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ruling”—referring to the decision handed down by the Permanent Court of Arbitration that dismissed China’s claim to vast areas of the South China Sea.

The Chinese Embassy in Manila, however, accused Washington of using the SCS issue to “attempt to stir up troubles and drive a wedge between China and the Philippines.”

“We strongly deplore and firmly oppose this...We urge the US to stopusing the South China Sea issue to stir up troubles, sow discord between China and the Philippines and undermine stability in the South China Sea,” the embassy said in a statement posted on its Facebook page.

“As the Chinese proverb goes, 'the sea desires calmness but the waves keep rolling.' The US keeps meddling in the South China Sea disputes and trying to drive wedges between countries in the region, creating tensions and harming regional peace and stability. What the US has done is not to help anyone but to serve its own geopolitical interests.”

“China’s stand on the South China Sea issue is consistent and clearcut. The Chinese and Philippine peoples have the will and capability to properly handle maritime disputes through friendly consultation, and jointly maintain peace and stability in the South China Sea,” the embassy added.

Price issued the statement after

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What the AFP can recommend, Aguilar said, is a SOMO or suspension of offensive military operations.

The CPP Central Committee on Monday said there is “absolutely no reason” to implement a ceasefire for the holidays and the group's 54th anniversary on Dec. 26.

The CPP also ordered the NPA to carry out tactical offensives to honor the 83-year-old Sison, who died in The Netherlands last week where he has lived under a self-imposed exile since 1987.

But even as the military downplayed the strength of the communist rebels –claiming that guerilla fronts have been “reduced” from 89 to 23 – the Philippine National Police is not taking any chances and has beefed up its security measures.

“Of course, we anticipated that the CPP would celebrate its anniversary. That's why we have intensified our security measures in areas where we have previously monitored their atrocities, in cooperation with our Armed Forces of the Philippines contingents,” PNP spokesperson Col. Jean Fajardo said in a separate radio interview.

The AFP, Aguilar said, believes that the remaining rebel ranks are no longer

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bulletin is for “monitoring purposes only."

“[I]t is not, in and of itself, a sufficient prohibition for a subject’s departure from the Philippines,” the memorandum stated.

The DOJ said there is a possibility that Bantag and Zulueta may leave the country.

“Considering the gravity of the offense charged in the criminal complaints, there is a strong possibility that respondents may attempt to place themselves beyond the reach of the legal process by leaving the country,” the memorandum read.

“Thus, this Department deems the issuance of an ILBO against the abovesubject individuals prudent in order to at

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for Good,” the diamond-sapphire headpiece is a result of world-renowned luxury jeweler Mouawad’s handicraft.

“It has been an honor to craft a new crown for The Miss Universe Organization and to create a new sparkling chapter in the story of Mouawad Miss Universe crowns,” said Mouawad co-guardian Fred Mouawad.

Crown Number 12 is pear-shaped, adorned with blue sapphires and surrounded by diamonds.

It is worth almost $6 million and will serve as the winning piece of the 71st Miss Universe Competition on January

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of Ping-Ping’s Native Lechon and Restaurant Inc., told the public to brace

several Chinese vessels swarmed in the Iroquois Reef and Sabina Shoal in the Spratly Islands, and after Chinese coast guard personnel seized rocket debris from the Philippine Navy in the West Philippine Sea.

The US official said the swarming of the Chinese vessels ”interfere[s] with the livelihoods of Philippine fishing communities, and also reflect[s the] continuing disregard for other South China Sea claimants and states lawfully operating in the region.”

“Furthermore, we share the Philippines’ concerns regarding the unsafe encounter that the PRC (People’s Republic of China) Coast Guard initiated with Philippines naval forces in the South China Sea, as documented before the Senate of the Philippines on Dec.14,” it added.

China earlier denied that it forcibly took the debris and said that it instead had a “friendly consultation” with the Philippine Navy. But a video played in the Senate in one of its sessions proved otherwise.

Since then, China has not commented on the incident.

Price said the United States stands with the Philippines,which it considers as one of its allies, “in upholding the rules-based international order and freedom of navigation in the South China Sea as guaranteed under international law.”

In her recent historic trip to Palawan, the province closest to the South China Sea, in November, US Vice President Kamala Harris called on the Philippines to “stand

capable of conducting any tactical offensives against government troops as their numbers and leadership have been steadily whittled down in the past months.

"We believe that a significant part of the CPP-NPA has lost the capability to conduct tactical offensives as many of their ranking leaders have either been killed in encounters, arrested or have voluntarily surrendered,” he said.

However, Aguilar said the military is prepared to meet the NPA's tactical offensives head-on should they conduct it.

"Even if the CPP carries out their threat of tactical offensives, the whole AFP is prepared to deal with them,” he said.

The PNP said it will be deploying around 115,000 of its personnel to ensure safe holiday celebrations.

“In total, we will deploy more than 115,000 PNP personnel nationwide to make sure that we will have a safe Christmas this year, especially that we expect the influx of people,” Fajardo said.

Fajardo said 9,000 policemen have already been stationed in major transportation hubs, including ports and airports, to help check passengers’ luggages. Explosive detection dogs and narcotics detection dogs were also put in position.

least monitor the itineraries of their flight travel, and/ or whereabouts,” it added.

The Bureau of Immigration has implemented the lookout bulletin orderstarting on Dec. 9.

Both Bantag and Zulueta are facing two complaints for murder for the killing of Mabasa and Villamor. They have since denied any role in the deaths of the two and have refused to surrender to the authorities.

Mabasa was shot dead in Las Piñas City on Oct. 3 while Villamor died at the New Bilibid Prison.

An autopsy by forensic pathologist Dr. Raquel Fortun showed Villamor's remains to have "a history of asphyxiation by plastic bags.”

On Tuesday, Remulla said he would direct the National Bureau

14, 2023 in New Orleans, Louisiana, United States.

At the center of the crown is a royal blue pear-shaped, 45.14-carat sapphire. It represents a sense of goodness made possible through action and hope for a brighter future.

The Mouawad Miss Universe Force for Good Crown also marks the second headpiece crafted by the luxury jeweler.

Mouawad added that the Miss Universe Force for Good Crown “is a work of extraordinary craftsmanship, completely crafted and set by hand [with a] total [of] 993 stone settings, featuring 110.83 carats of blue sapphires and 48.24 carats of white diamonds.”

Besides the beauty in action, symbolized by the stunning gems, the

for higher prices of the traditional native lechon by Dec. 24.

“We will expect prices to go up on Christmas eve,” said Chua, a former village chairman and president of the Samahan ng La Loma Litsonero.

up” against illicit activities and harassment experienced by Filipino fishers in the disputed waters.

Harris said the US is ready to stand with the Philippines ”in the face of intimidation and coercion in the South China Sea” as it supports the 2016 UN arbitral tribunal ruling,” which delivered a unanimous and final decision” firmly rejecting China’s expansive South China Sea maritime claims.

”We will continue to rally our allies and partners against unlawful and irresponsible behavior. When the international rules-based order is threatened somewhere, it is threatened everywhere,” Harris said.

Western Command chief Vice Admiral Alberto Carlos earlier confirmed that dozens of Chinese vessels have been moving closer to Palawan in recent months.

In a statement on Dec. 14, the Department of National Defense said it views the swarming with "great concern" and maintained that the Philippines would not give up a single square inch of its territory.

The Chinese Embassy in Manila has yet to respond when asked for comment.

Senator Francis Tolentino said President Ferdinand Marcos Jr. should exert diplomatic pressure on Beijing during his upcoming state visit to China.

Tolentino issued the remark in a television interview when asked what should the government do to ward off the around 20 Chinese vessels that were reportedly spotted in Sabina

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Romualdez was referring to the 12 priority measures under the CLA of President Marcos and Congress: 1. The Enactment of an Enabling Law for the Natural Gas Industry; 2. Amendments to the Electric Power Industry Reform Act (EPIRA); 3. The Unified System of Separation, Retirementand Pension; 4. The E-Governance Act and E-Government Act; 5. The National Land Use Act; 6. The National Defense Act; 7. The National Government Rightsizing Program; 8. The Budget Modernization Bill; 9.

The Department of Water Resources; 10. Establishing the Negros Island Region; 11. Magna Carta Filipino Seafarers; and 12. The Establishment of Regional Specialty Hospitals.

“You can count on the House to work harder next year to do our part in improving the lives of our people. I truly believe it is the best way to express our gratitude for the greatest gift all public officials have received--the opportunity to serve our country,” Romualdez said.

“The House leadership reiterates its unwavering commitment to support

ofInvestigation to investigate the allegations made by two inmates atthe New Bilibid Prison in Muntinlupa City that they were stabbed by Bantag.

Remulla said while he learned of the inmates’ allegations from published news reports, “the allegations should be investigated properly so that there will be a build-up of evidence against the perpetrators.”

“That’s the job of the National Bureau of Investigation and the Department of Justice,” he said.

On Monday, BuCor Officer-InCharge Gregorio Pio Catapang Jr. presentedto media inmates Jonathan Canete of the “Batang Cebu” gang and Ronald Usman of the “Batang Mindanao” gang, who claimed Bantag stabbed them on Feb. 1.

crown also features wave-like curls at its base, emulating a serpent’s head.

“The Miss Universe 2022 Force for Good Crown stands for a graceful reincarnation of The Miss Universe Organization's long-standing values and heritage as a guiding light, shining bright to the future glory,” said JKN Global Group Public Company Limited Chief Executive Officer Anne Jakapong Jakrajutatip. She is also the new owner of The Miss Universe Organization.

Jakrajutatip also shared that the new crown illustrates the challenges and rewards when young women advocate for causes close to their hearts and strive to leave a positive impact on the world.

He said the smallest lechon weighing five kilos priced at P7,000 could easily reach P10,000.

The sale of lechon this Christmas season is at its peak now, Chua said.

He, however, said there is no

Shoal near Palawan.

"One, the diplomatic pressure should be pursued in Beijing when the President [visits the country]. We don't want to jump the gun on the President, he is the chief architect of foreign policy," Tolentino said in an interview on the ANC news channel.

Tolentino said the government must also increase the presence ofPhilippine Coast Guard, and the Bureau of Fisheries and AquaticResources (BFAR) must also be involved to establish research programs in the area.

Tolentino last week delivered a privilege speech and showed footage ofan incident near Pag-asa Island in November in which the Chinese Coast Guard could be seen taking suspected rocket debris retrieved by Philippine Navy personnel.

Earlier this week, the President told the military to prepare forsecurity challenges “that do not recognize borders” to boost efforts to protect and defend the country’s sovereignty.

“New security challenges do not recognize borders and we must continueto work with our neighbors, our allies, partners, and friends to address mutual security concerns,” Mr. Marcos said during the 87th anniversary of the Armed Forces of the Philippines.

"And aside from these partnerships, the Armed Forces needs to have in its arsenal the capabilities to effectively combat threats and to secure the country — all its more than 7,000 islands and all its features," he added.

the Agenda for Prosperity of President Marcos. And we have backed that commitment with tangible results,” he said.

“I must also cite the record swift passage of the historic P5.268-trillion 2023 national budget that President Marcos signed just last Friday, giving his administration the resources to sustain our economic expansion momentum and keep the country on the high-growth path,” Romualdez said.

Citing the report of House Majority Leader and Zamboanga City 2nd District Rep. Manuel Jose M. Dalipe, Speaker Romualdez said the House of Representatives processed a total of 1,150 bills and resolutions or an average of 28 measures per session during its 41 session days from July 25 to Dec. 15, 2022.

In his report to Romualdez, Dalipe said a total of 7,402 measures were filed in the House of Representatives, 6,716 were bills, 685 were resolutions and 263 were committee reports.

Dalipe said the chamber approved 173 bills on third and final reading, passed 21 measures on 2nd reading, and adopted 43 resolutions, including Concurrent Resolution No. 2, which supported the 2022-2028 Medium Term Fiscal Framework of the Marcos administration.

“If there are laws violated, cases should be filed,” Remulla said.

Catapang had said he will ask the Commission on Human Rights (CHR) to assist Canete and Usman.

“Even if they are persons deprived of liberty, they still have rights, they shouldn’t be hurt,” he said.

Usman and Canete said they intend to press charges against Bantag.

“I will file charges because my hand has been paralyzed,” said Usman.

Usman showed to journalists that he could no longer move the middle finger of his right hand which, he said, was stabbed by Bantag by a double-edged bladed weapon.

Canlas, on the other hand, showed the scar on his left thigh which, he said, was stabbed by Bantag.

“As we are stepping into the new era of women's empowerment, The Miss Universe Organization will continue to be a global organization run by women for women with a promise to serve as an inspirational platform that celebrates diverse women, supporting them to realize their ambition and build selfconfidence, while evolving the brand over time to be more relevant and appealing to the next generation. Our new ambition is to instill the passion for transformational leadership among us all, with a firm belief that everyone can lead, be successful, and achieve their life goals,” Jakrajutatip added.

Celeste Cortesi will represent the Philippines in the upcoming globallyrenowned pageant.

shortage of pig supply despite the previous spread of the African swine fever, noting the “repopulation” of the hog industry in the aftermath of the “culling” of the affected pigs.

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Medalla also did not rule out the possibility of more rate hikes in early 2023.

“A rate hike is a likely event but things might change,” Medalla said, acknowledging external factors such as a rate adjustment by the US Federal Reserve.

The BSP raised the overnight borrowing rate by 350 basis points this year to match the US Fed rate adjustment.

The Monetary Board raised the benchmark interest rate in the middle of this month by 50 basis points to 5.5 percent to prevent the second-round effects of inflation that may accelerate further this month.

Interest rates on the overnight deposit and lending facilities were set to 5.0 percent and 6.0 percent, respectively.

“The BSP’s latest baseline forecasts show that average inflation is still projected to breach the upper end of the 2-4 percent target range for 2022 and 2023 at 5.8 percent and 4.5 percent, respectively,” Medalla said.

However, the forecast for 2024 fell to 2.8 percent due mainly to the further easing in oil prices, the peso’s appreciation, and theslightly lower domestic growth outlook resulting in part from the BSP’s cumulative policy rate adjustments.

“The Monetary Board arrived at its decision after noting the further uptick in headline and the sharp rise in core inflation in November amid pent-up demand. Moreover, upside risks continue to dominate the inflation outlook up to 2023 while remaining broadly balanced in 2024,” Medalla said.

He said the expected upside risks to inflation stem mainly from higher international food prices due to high fertilizer prices and supply chain constraints.

On the domestic front, trade restrictions, increased prices of fruits and vegetables due to weather disturbances, higher sugar prices,pending petitions for transport fare hikes, as well as potential wage adjustments in 2023 could push inflation upwards. Meanwhile, the impact of a weaker-than-expected global economic recovery continues to be the primary downside risk to the outlook.

Earlier, the inter-agency Development Budget Coordinating Committee slightly increased the average inflation rate assumption for 2022 to 5.8 percent from the previous estimate of 4.5 to 5.5 percent, given the persistent high prices of food and transport costs.

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press briefings every Tuesday after Mr. Marcos presides over Cabinet meetings. She clarified that her role was different from that of a presidential spokesperson.

“The President will speak for himself. I’m just here to support the Office of the Press Secretary for now and I look forward to learning a lot about the programs,” she said.

“My role here is to amplify and to communicate the message of President Marcos and the Cabinet and the government and you are my partners in this,” she added.

She said it is both an “honor” and “challenge” to work with the Marcos administration.

While Oseña-Paez is better known as a lifestyle TV host, she also used to cover the Palace beat during the time of the late President Fidel Ramos.

In 2019, she was named UNICEF National Goodwill Ambassador for supporting and promoting children’s rights.

Meanwhile, President Marcos on Tuesday named Maj. Gen. Stephen Parreño as the 39th commanding general of the Philippine Air Force.

Parreño, who replaced Lt. Gen. Connor Anthony Canlas Sr., is a member of the Philippine Military Academy Class of 1991.

Parreño said he takes command of the PAF at a crucial point in the country's history as the Philippines now has a new president guiding in the "shift to a new normal."

“Let me call on my fellow airmen and women to join me as we collectively reaffirm our commitment to serve and let us continue to be open to changing mindsets, paradigm shifts, and evolving environments. The transformation will not happen in a snap. We will have to work hard and work together to achieve our common goals and aspirations," he said.

As this developed, three ranking cops were included in the latest reorganization of the Philippine National Police.

PNP chief Gen. Rodolfo Azurin Jr. designated Police Regional OfficeCentral Visayas (PRO 7) chief, Brig. Gen. Roderick Alba as the deputy chief of the Directorate for Human Resource and Doctrine Development (DHRDD) in Camp Crame, Quezon City.

Alba replaced DHRDD director Brig. Gen. Alexander Tagum, who will be headed to PRO 11 (Davao Region) while Brig. Gen. Fornaleza Bearis from PRO 3 (Central Luzon) will take over as PRO 7 director.

MMDA, DOTr conduct inspections of bus terminals for holiday travel

By Joel E. Zurbano

METROPOLITAN Manila Development Authority (MMDA) and Department of Transportation (DOTr) officials have inspected the Parañaque Integrated Terminal Exchange (PITX) and other bus terminals to ensure the roadworthiness of buses and the safety of passengers this holiday season.

BARMM begins construction of public market, brgy buildings

By Nash Maulana

Senior Minister Abdulraof “Sammy Gambar” Macacua of the Bangsamoro Autonomous Region in Muslim Mindanao (BARMM) then a young dissident, this time led the ground-breaking ceremonies for the infrastructure projects together with regional interior and local government Minister Naguib Sinarimbo.

They were hosted here and joined by Mayor Phamia Manalao and Vice Mayor Abolais Manalao in the ceremonies that signaled the continuity of government development programs long stalled by armed conflict.

Development of conflict-affected areas formed part of the Comprehensive Agreement on the Bangsamoro (CAB) signed in 2014 which the succeeding administrations of former President Rodrigo Duterte and now President Ferdinand Marcos Jr. have upheld.

Sinarimbo said the projects—a public market building and four two-story barangay hall buildings—were a part of BARMM’s program on strengthening local governance from the village level in the region.

He said the projects under this program are funded by the Office of Chief Minister Ahod Balawag Al-Hadj Murad Ebrahim, and are implemented by the Ministry of the Interior and Local Government (MILG).

“We want to make sure the transport vehicles are roadworthy and the riding public going to and from provinces are safe during their trips this holiday,” Artes said.

He also assured that the traffic management plan to be implemented by the agency is ready in preparation for the influx of passengers.

The MMDA advised the passengers to tell the bus company management if they encounter problems during their trip.

Aside from this, clearing operations continue on the main streets in Metro

Manila, even in the nearby transport terminals, to keep them obstruction-free.

The MMDA also urged the people to do their Christmas shopping early and try to avoid the holiday rush and suggested that shoppers to visit commercial centers nearest to their homes to avoid being trapped in traffic jams.

The increase in traffic volume can also be attributed to the influx of people and vehicles coming from Southern Tagalog and Central Luzon to go shopping, visit and spend the holidays with friends and relatives.

MIAA to airlines: Ensure staff on holiday rush

MANILA International Airport Authority (MIAA) general manager Cesar Chiong on Tuesday asked airline operators and their ground handlers to ensure they have enough personnel this holiday season.

“So we can be assured that they have the numbers, I have directed our head of operations to make the airlines submit their manpower schedules and deployment vis-avis their number of flights in a day, making sure that there are enough ground staff especially check-in agents, loaders, and ramp agents,” Chiong said.

The official made the appeal following reports that a number of air travelers were forced to return to the Ninoy Aquino International Airport (NAIA) to claim their baggage that arrived late.

Chiong tapped the agency’s operations and engineering teams to ascertain the reliability of all facilities and equipment that will highly impact on flight operations. Chiong also ordered a thorough inspection of the baggage handling system in NAIA Terminal 3 following a report that it encountered some issues for about an hour on Saturday.

While contingency measures put into place follow the MIAA’s Manual for Irregular Operations (IROPS), the airport authority emphasized that the aim should always be “no system failure”.

In this light, Chiong urged airlines to also plan for contingencies to complement airport mitigating measures for irregular operations.

He said airlines must always keep passengers aware if their bags were not loaded onto the flight and give them the necessary compensation per day of delay based on the Air Passenger Bill of Rights (APBR).

Chiong stressed that the MIAA and the airlines should always work together so that the people can be provided with a pleasant airport experience. Joel E. Zurbano

LANDBANK-funded ‘Cocohub’ boosts Cebu farmers’ income

TUBURAN, Cebu—When Super Typhoon “Yolanda” devastated parts of the country in 2013, coconut farmers from this town struggled with lower productivity and income. They were left with damaged coconut farms, making it even harder to earn a living for their families.

This dire situation pushed the Lamac MultiPurpose Cooperative (LMPC) to support its farmermembers by establishing a production center for diverse products made from coconuts, which provides farmers with higher income from selling all parts of their produce to LMPC at a competitive price, instead of relying solely on producing copra.

The Coconut Hub or ‘Cocohub’ facility, the firstof-its-kind in Cebu, commenced operations in 2020. Today, the center processes 15,000 seed nuts a day for the production of virgin coconut oil, coco sugar, coco baskets, ropes, mats, and anti-soil erosion nets, among others.

The Cocohub project benefits over 500 farmers from Tuburan and neighboring towns, while generating employment opportunities for women in the community who work full-time in the hub.

The operations of the Cocohub is backed by financial support from the Land Bank of the Philippines (LANDBANK)—a long-time development partner of the LMPC. Loans from the Bank are used as working capital for the purchase of furniture and fixtures, payment of raw materials to suppliers, and salary of the cooperative’s workers.

“Malaki ang naitutulong ng LANDBANK upang mapanatili ang operasyon ng Cocohub, lalo na at hindi ganon kabilis ang return of investment dito. Parang pamilya na namin ang LANDBANK dahil lahat ng pangangailangang pampinansiyal ng LMPC ay sila talaga ang tumutugon,” said LMPC general manager Ma. Elena C. Limocon.

The Cocohub is a joint project with the Philippine Coconut Authority (PCA), which provides the LMPC infrastructure support and essential equipment, including a decorticating machine.

SURALLAH, South

a

The financial support is expected to boost the production of pineapple farms managed by LMPC, with a combined area of over 1,400 hectares in the Municipalities of T’boli, Surallah, Lake Sebu and Banga.

“LANDBANK remains committed to empowering agricultural cooperatives nationwide via accessible financing. Through co-ops like LMPC, we are able to extend a wide range of services and opportunities to farmers and fishers, while contributing to advance local food security,” said LANDBANK president and chief executive officer Cecilia C. Borromeo.

Of the total LANDBANK loan, LMPC will utilize P200 million as working capital to support the production requirements of its 445 pineapple farmer-members, including the purchase of farm inputs, while P7.8 million will finance the purchase of two (2) farm tractors and one (1) monitoring vehicle.

The vehicles will be used for land preparation and field monitoring to effectively respond to urgent farm needs. The remaining P5-million will be allocated for LMPC’s cassava and corn trading activities.

LMPC dealt with financial difficulties due to the unexpected closure of its anchor firm and primary pineapple produce buyer in 2003, but was able to recover with LANDBANK’s credit assistance in 2017.

“Sa lahat ng pagsubok na dumating sa LMPC, hindi kami iniwan ng LANDBANK. Kami ay muling nakabangon mula sa pagkalugmok at ngayon ay mayroon na kaming mahigit sa

P200 million na loan line para patuloy na maserbisyuhan ang aming mga miyembro at makapagbigay ng hanapbuhay sa komunidad,” said LMPC Chairperson Rhoda O. Pecadizo.

LMPC was able to post steady growth in net income and grow its membership with LANDBANK’s timely assistance. The co-op likewise successfully paid 100% of its previously restructured loan with the Bank in 2021 amounting to P32.5 million.

During the loan signing event, LANDBANK, LMPC and Dole Philippines, Inc. (Dolefil) also renewed their pineapple growership tie-up covered by a Tripartite Memorandum of Agreement, which was initially implemented in 2017.

Under the agreement, LANDBANK will provide credit assistance and other loan support services to LMPC, with Dolefil serving as the exclusive market of the co-op’s pineapple produce while extending technical assistance throughout the whole production cycle.

DEVELOPMENT PARTNER IN THE COUNTRYSIDE

The LMPC has been a consistent development partner of LANDBANK in the Visayas region since 1992. It is mainly engaged in credit extension through its 56 branches, assisting more than 120,000 farmers and fishers from the provinces of Cebu, Bohol, Negros Occidental and Leyte for their livelihood and agricultural projects.

LANDBANK’s unwavering support to LMPC has also allowed the co-op to take on other meaningful projects and initiatives in support of various local communities.

The LMPC has participated in the Milk Feeding Program of the Department of Education (DepEd) that benefits thousands of undernourished students from Cebu and Negros Occidental. The co-op has an existing loan line from LANDBANK to augment its working capital for dairy production.

The LMPC is also instrumental in bringing basic banking services to underserved areas by equipping most of its branches with point-of-sale (POS) terminals under LANDBANK’s Agent Banking Program (ABP), to facilitate banking transactions for local residents, especially in remote communities.

LANDBANK is the second largest universal bank in the country that is committed to serve the development requirements of cooperatives, thereby empowering them to become catalysts for inclusive growth in the countryside.

As of end-October 2022, LANDBANK’s outstanding loans to the cooperative sector have reached P61.4 billion, helping over 1,300 co-ops nationwide.

BULDON, Maguindanao del Norte—Bangsamoro officials laid cornerstones on Monday for the construction of a public market building and four barangay hall buildings in this town where armed conflict began in 1969.

The Coconut Hub of Lamac Multi-Purpose Cooperative (LMPC) at Barangay Colonia in Tuburan, Cebu produces various products made from coconuts, that has been helping increase the income of local coconut farmers while providing livelihood opportunities among women in the community. (Photos courtesy of LMPC)

Other government agencies and local government units (LGUs) are likewise supporting the project to help sustain its operations. These include the Department of Science and Technology (DOST), Department of Trade and Industries (DTI), Bureau of Fisheries and

Aquatic Resources (BFAR), and the Cebu Technological University (CTU), which provide information resources, product innovations, and relevant trainings to capacitate farmers as well as for marketing of the goods.

“LANDBANK is a proud partner of the LMPC

Cocohub designed to uplift the lives of coconut farmers and communities in Cebu. This project is a shining example of how government partners working under a whole-of-nation approach can build a sustainable and inclusive agricultural value chain,” said LANDBANK president and chief executive officer Cecilia C. Borromeo.

Cotabato—The Land Bank of the Philippines (LANDBANK) and the Laconon 100 Multi-Purpose Cooperative (LMPC) have signed

P212.8-million loan to finance the co-op’s pineapple production and agricultural modernization efforts, to help sustain the growth of the local pineapple industry in the province.

LANDBANK, South Cotabato co-op join hands anew to boost pineapple production

LANDBANK senior vice president Charlotte I. Conde (second from left) and Laconon 100 Multi-Purpose Cooperative (LMPC) chairperson Rhoda O. Pecadizo (third from left) lead the signing of a P212.8-million loan agreement in Surallah, South Cotabato, on Nov. 25, 2022 to finance the co-op’s pineapple production and other agri projects. Joining them from Dole Philippines, Inc. (Dolefil) are vice president Reynaldo C. Doria (fourth from left) and finance and supply chain director Jesusa Natividad-Rojas (rightmost) for the renewal of another pineapple growership tie-up agreement.

HOMEWARD BOUND. Passengers wait for a bus that will transport them to Matnog in Sorsogon at the Paranaque Integrated Terminal Exchange on Tuesday, December 20 to spend Christmas with their families. Danny Pata

MMDA chair Romando Artes and Transport Undersecretary for Road Transport and Infrastructure Mark

Steven Pastor started the inspections on Monday, six days before Christmas day.

B.

Pursuant to the provisions of Section 28 of Republic Act No.11904, otherwise known as the “Philippine Creative Industries Development Act”, the Department of Trade and Industry (DTI) hereby adopts and promulgates the following rules and regulations: Chapter 1 Preliminary Provisions Rule 1 General Provisions

Section 1. Short Title. -This Implementing Rules and Regulations shall be known as the “Implementing Rules and Regulations of the Philippine Creative Industries Development Act” (“PCIDA IRR”).

Sec. 2. Purpose. -The purpose of this IRR is to operationalize the “Philippine Creative Industries Development Act” (“PCIDA”)

Sec. 3. Declaration of Policy. -It is the policy of the State to promote and support the development of Philippine creative industries by protecting and strengthening the rights and capacities of creative firms, artists, artisans, creators, workers, indigenous cultural communities, content providers, and stakeholders in the creative industries as defined in the PCIDA and PCIDA IRR. To this end, the State shall establish a creative industries development council mandated to implement a long-term plan for the development and promotion of the Philippine creative industries, with programs aimed at creating opportunities and employment, nurturing human resources, ensuring financial-enabling mechanisms, and providing incentives to encourage and sustain Filipino excellence in the creative industries.

Sec. 4. Relation of other Laws and Regulations on Creative Industries. -The PCIDA IRR recognizes the existing policies of the State on creative industries insofar as the provisions of these policies were not amended or repealed by the PCIDA.

Sec. 5. Construction and Interpretation. -The PCIDA IRR shall be interpreted in light of the declaration of policy under Section 2 of PCIDA and Section 3 of the PCIDA IRR. Any doubt in the interpretation of the PCIDA IRR shall be resolved in a manner consistent with the policy of the State under Article XIV, Section 17 of the Philippine Constitution, and other applicable constitutional provisions, to give priority to arts and culture, foster patriotism and nationalism, accelerate social progress, and promote total liberation and development.

Rule 2 Definition of Terms

Section 1. Definition of Terms. -All terms in the PCIDA shall retain their respective meanings in the PCIDA IRR. In addition, the following shall mean:

(a) Creative Industries. -Creative industries, as used in the PCIDA or this PCIDA IRR, are trades involving persons, whether natural or juridical, that produce cultural, artistic, and innovative goods and services originating in human creativity, skill, and talent and having a potential to create wealth and livelihood through the generation and utilization of intellectual property.

Creative industries include those directly or indirectly involved in the creation, production and manufacturing, performance, broadcasting, communication and exhibition, or distribution and sale of works and other subject matter and all other ecosystem players that are involved in creative content development, in accordance with existing laws, rules and regulations on intellectual property rights protection.

Creative industries include the following domains, with a non-exhaustive list of industries covering both goods and services, whether physical or digital, in all value chain activities from conceptualization of a product or service through delivery to the market and after-sales service, belonging under each:

(i) Audiovisual Media Domain refers to recorded and live audio and audiovisual content that is distributed via broadcast media such as television, radio, cable, satellite broadcasts, digital streaming platforms, or exhibited in cinema theaters, including films, television content, animated film productions, vlogs, and other content that utilize motion graphics, two dimensional, and three-dimensional design technology and animatronics, recorded music, music scores, compositions ready for recording, and other musical compositions, with or without music or words, podcasts, and entertaining audio or audiovisual material or content developed for educational purposes or edutainment content;

(ii) Digital Interactive Media Domain refers to digital software programs, mobile applications and games created for and operated on interactive digital devices where user input is essential to the experience, including software and mobile apps, video games, computer games, mobile games, virtual augmented or mixed reality games, and digitalized creative content;

(iii) Creative Services Domain refers to demand-driven commercial creative service work done on behalf of commissioning clients for complete creative output or partial outsourcing work, including advertising and marketing, creative research and development, cultural and recreational services, and live creative experiences, which refer to predesigned, real-time artistic performances and experiences aimed at specific audiences, with management and technical services provided to enhance the delivery of the performance and experience;

(iv) Design Domain refers to the process of envisioning, planning, creation, and manufacturing of symbols, images, and products, whether for industrial or aesthetic purposes, spaces and systems, whether static or for interactive experiences, at the heart of which is creating solutions that address a need or a problem in various fields such as architecture, urban landscaping, interior and spatial planning, fashion and accessory making, textile development, furniture making, jewelry making, footwear making, and toy making;

(v) Publishing and Printed Media Domain refers to the creation, publication, and distribution of artistic, journalistic, and commercial literature in traditional print and digital format, including books, audiobooks, blogs, comics, graphic novels, editorials and commentaries, magazines, and other published media;

(vi) Performing Arts Domain refers to all activities involved in the training of performers, the creation, promotion, distribution, exhibition, and preservation of artistic shows, performances, and such other art forms including live music, theatre, musical theatre, dance, opera, circus, spoken word , and puppetry;

(vii) Visual Arts Domain refers to all activities pertaining to the creation , promotion, distribution, and preservation of works that are primarily visual in nature, including paintings, drawings, sculptures, photographs, antiques, performance art, art toys, multimedia art collages, or other similar material;

(viii) Traditional Cultural Expressions Domain refers to tangible products and intangible customs, practices and expressions of traditional Filipino culture and heritage, including arts and crafts, gastronomy and culinary practices, cultural festivals, and celebrations;

(ix) Cultural Sites Domain refers to the physical human-made locations, sites, and monuments that are of vital significance to the objective of promoting Philippine culture, including historic buildings and town sites, important archaeological sites, and works of monumental sculptures or paintings. This domain encompasses the strategic role and activities of museums, libraries, creative cities, performing arts venues, and cultural exhibitions to promote the country’s cultural assets; and

(x) Other such domains and industries as the Council may determine, subject to guidelines and criteria issued by the Council.

(b) Creative Cities refer to cities that have identified creativity as a strategic factor for sustainable urban development, placed creativity and cultural industries at the heart of their developmental plans at the local level, and commits to cooperating actively at the international level.

(c) Creative Economy refers to direct, indirect, or induced jobs and businesses within creative industries as well as the economic system where cultural and creative products and services are transformed into economic value based on the interplay between human creativity, ideas, intellectual property, knowledge, and technology that shape the creation, production, distribution, and consumption of goods and services produced by the cultural and creative sectors.

(d) Shared service facilities refer to machinery, equipment, tools, systems, accessories, and other auxiliary items, skills, and knowledge that are being provided by the DTI or other NGAs under a combined and collective system to its target beneficiaries.

(e)

Creative Industry Players include the following:

(i) Creative Firms are organizations involved in the Creative Industry such as but not limited to advertising firms, independent and mainstream production studios and/or houses, publishing firms, and the like.

(ii) Artists are persons practicing any of the creative arts; performers; producers of paintings or drawings such as but not limited to painters, performing artists, theater artists, motion picture artists, talents, and the like.

(iii) Artisans are workers in a skilled trade, especially involving making things by hand such as but not limited to craftspeople, sculptors, make-up artists, textile maker;

(iv) Creators are persons bringing something into existence such as but not limited to book writers, novelists, authors, filmmakers, animators, game developers, software developers, composers, lyricists, and costume designers.

(v) Creative Workers are those involved in non-executive work that helps achieve the industry’s goals such as but not limited to stuntpeople, editors, directors, film crew, and cinematographers.

(vi) Content Providers are persons or firms who supply information for use in other media such as but not limited to periodical writers, syndicated cartoonists, journalists, news and broadcast firms, bloggers, vloggers, and social media content creators.

(f) Intellectual Property (IP), refers to intangible assets or property rights resulting from the creative work of an individual or organization . It refers to

creations of the mind, such as inventions, literary and artistic works, and symbols, names, images, and designs used in commerce.

(g) Micro, Small, and Medium Enterprises, or MSMEs, as defined by Republic Act No. 6977, as Amended by Republic Act No. 8289 and 9501 , is any business activity or enterprise engaged in the industry, agribusiness and/or services, whether single proprietorship, cooperative, partnership or corporation whose total assets, inclusive of those arising from loans but exclusive of the land on which the particular business entity’s office, plant and equipment are situated, have the values and the number of employees as determined by the Micro, Small, and Medium Enterprise Development Council.

CHAPTER II ORGANIZATION OF THE PHILIPPINE CREATIVE INDUSTRIES DEVELOPMENT COUNCIL

Rule 3

Creation of the Creative Industries Development Council

Section 1. Composition and appointment of the Ex Officio members of the Creative Industries Development Council. -The Philippine Creative Industries Development Council, herein referred to as the Council, is hereby created to spearhead the development and promotion of the creative industries of the Philippines.

The Council shall be composed of nineteen (19) members: ten (10) ex officio members and nine (9) regular members from the private sector.

Rule 4

Composition and appointment of the Ex Officio members of the Creative Industries Development Council

Section 1. Composition and appointment of the Ex Officio members of the Creative Industries Development Council -The ten (10) members who shall be ex officio members of the Council are:

(1) The Secretary of the Department of Trade and Industry (DTI), as Chairperson;

(2) The Secretary of the Department of Education (DepEd);

(3) The Secretary of the Department of Science and Technology (DOST);

(4) The Secretary of the National Economic and Development Authority (NEDA);

(5) The Secretary of the Department of Tourism (DOT);

(6) The Secretary of the Department of Information and Communications Technology (DICT);

(7) The Secretary of the Department of the Interior and Local Government (DILG);

(8) The Chairperson of the Commission on Higher Education (CHEO);

(9) The Chairman of the National Commission for Culture and the Arts (NCCA); and

(10) The Director General of the Intellectual Property Office of the Philippines (IPOPHL).

The ex officio members of the Council may designate their respective next-in-rank officials as permanent alternates, as expressly designated in an endorsement letter, whose acts are considered as the acts of their principals.

Rule 5

Composition and appointment of the regular members of the Creative Industries Development Council

Section 1 Composition and appointment of the regular members of the Creative Industries Development Council. -The nine (9) regular members of the Council are the following:

(1) Private sector representative of the Audiovisual Media Domain;

(2) Private sector representative of the Digital Interactive Domain;

(3) Private sector representative of the Creative Services Domain;

(4) Private sector representative of the Design Domain;

(5) Private sector representative of the Publishing and Printed Media Domain;

(6) Private sector representative of the Performing Arts Domain;

(7) Private sector representative of the Visual Arts Domain;

(8) Private sector representative of the Traditional Cultural Expressions Domain; and

(9) Private sector representative of the Cultural Sites Domain.

Every regular member shall be appointed by the President of the Philippines from a list submitted by the DTI Secretary who, upon consultation with the other ex officio members of the Council and which the stakeholders engaged in each respective domain, shall nominate at least three (3) nominees for every regular member seat; Provided, That each of the nominees shall come from the private sector and must have at least ten (10) years of experience in the development of the creative industry domain which the nominee belongs to; Provided, further, That each of the nominees shall have been endorsed by a business support organization or creative workers association relative to the creative industry domain sought to be represented.

The Council shall elect a co-chair among the nine (9) regular members. The Council can designate the qualifications and manner of recommending the regular members by issuing Guidelines, Memorandum Circulars, and other similar issuances, as it may deem fit.

Rule 6

Term and Compensation of the Members of the Creative Industries Development Council

Section 1. Term of office of the members of the Creative Industries Development Council. -The regular members of the Council shall serve for a term of six (6) years, unless sooner terminated due to death, resignation, or removal for cause, in which case their replacements shall serve only the unexpired portion of their respective terms.

Of the first set of regular members, five (5) shall hold office for a term of three (3) years and the remaining four (4) for a term of six (6) years to be determined by the President of the Philippines.

Sec. 2 Compensation of the Members of the Creative Industries Development Council. -The regular members of the Council shall receive per diem every meeting in accordance with existing rules and regulations including but not limited to those found in Department of Budget and Management (DBM) Budget Circular (BC) No. 2003-6 dated 29 September 2003 which contains the rules and regulations on the grant of per diems to the members of collegial bodies.

Rule 7

Creative Workers’ Welfare Standing Committee

Section 1 Creation of the Creative Workers’ Welfare Standing Committee There is hereby created a Creative Workers’ Welfare Committee, hereinafter referred to as the Committee, which shall be a standing committee of the Council.

Sec. 2 Purpose and Powers. -The Committee shall ensure that creative freelancers and creative workers have access to sustainable and dignified work in the creative industries.

The Council can issue Guidelines on the appointment, term of office, compensation, functions, responsibilities, and tasks of the Committee as it may deem fit.

Rule 8 Meetings

Section 1 Meetings. -The Council shall meet at least once every quarter or as often as necessary at the call of the Chairperson or majority of the members. Working group meetings may be called by members of the council as they may deem fit. The Chairperson may also call a meeting, should it be necessary or upon request.

Sec. 2. Attendance at Meetings. -Members of the Council who cannot physically attend or vote at Council meetings can participate and vote through remote communication technologies, including videoconferencing, teleconferencing, or other alternative modes of communication that allow them reasonable opportunities to participate.

Sec. 3 Quorum. -A majority of the incumbent nineteen (19) members of the Council shall constitute a quorum to do business. A majority vote shall consist of six (6) out of ten (10) votes from the ex officio members and five (5) out of nine (9) votes from the private sector representatives.

Rule 9

Mandate, Powers, And Functions Of The Council And Committees

Section 1. Mandate, Powers, and Functions of the Council. -The Council shall exercise the following powers and functions:

A. PLANNING AND POLICY FORMULATION

(1) Formulate and implement a Philippine Creative Industries Development Plan that shall define economic goals and key performance indicators for the creative industries, including value creation, contribution to the gross domestic product, job creation, market creation, and expansion, whether domestic or international, investment targets, and creative intellectual property targets, and such other strategies and activities provided under Section 8 of the PCIDA;

(2) Review all existing policies, plans, programs, and projects of the government and formulate, in coordination with government agencies, nongovernment organizations, business support organizations, and creative workers associations, national policies, plans, and programs that support the creative industries; and

(3) Create a classification of the creative industries into subsectors based on strategic considerations, and create technical panels, working groups, or task forces that will assist the Council in the performance of its functions in coordination with the Philippine Statistics Authority (PSA) for its integration in the Philippine Standard Industry Classification.

PRIVATE SECTOR PARTICIPATION

(1) Issue guidelines and criteria in identifying the persons and stakeholders in the creative industries who may receive aid from the State in times of national emergencies;

(2) Issue guidelines for the accreditation of business support organizations and creative workers associations that may be entitled to the programs of the Council under the PCIDA, as well as create programs that will assist the creative industry stakeholders in establishing such business support organizations and creative workers associations;

(3) Encourage persons in the creative industries to join business support organizations and/or creative workers associations in their respective fields ; and

(4) Establish and promote a culture and mechanism of continuing dialogue between government, business support organizations and creative workers associations within the creative industries, and the academe on proper planning and evaluation of policies, programs, and projects affecting its stakeholders.

C. MARKETING AND PROMOTION

(1) Develop and sustain cooperative exchanges, partnerships, and collaborations with and among government agencies, creative entities, organizations, and associations, locally and overseas, whether from the public or private sector, and coordinate with the Department of Foreign Affairs (DFA), its embassies, and its Philippine foreign service posts, and other pertinent government agencies for overseas cooperative exchanges, partnerships, and collaborations;

(2) Endorse to the DTI and to the DFA prospective multi-and bilateral international trade agreements that will benefit the Philippine creative industries, as well as the United Nations Conference on Trade and Development (UNCTAD) and the United Nations Educational, Scientific, and Cultural Organization (UNESCO) creative economic activities, conferences, and events for possible country representation, in coordination with the Philippine National Commission for UNESCO (UNACOM);

(3) Ensure the promotion, marketing, distribution, export, and consumption of creative industry outputs in both local and international markets in coordination with the Board of Investments (BOI), Export Marketing Bureau (EMB), Foreign Trade Service Corps (FTSC), and the Center for International Trade Expositions and Missions (CITEM), among other pertinent government agencies: Provided, That the programs dealing with cultural properties shall be coordinated with the NCCA, pursuant to Republic Act No. 10066 or the “National Culture Heritage Act of 2009”;

(4) Support local and international creative festivals, exhibitions, trade shows, and other similar activities for the purpose of promoting the broadest dissemination and consumption of Filipino creativity as a tool for socio-cultural and economic development; and

(5) Assist the DOT pertaining to the integration of the Philippine creative industries in the national tourism development plan.

D.

CAPACITY-BUILDING

(1) Assist in the monitoring and protection of intellectual property rights of Filipino creative industry stakeholders;

(2) Assist in the protection of the indigenous traditional cultural properties that are being utilized for commercial, tourism, or advertisement purposes, in coordination with the National Commission for Indigenous Peoples (NCIP); (3) Coordinate with the NCIP on all proposed plans and programs involving ICCs/IPs and their indigenous culture, knowledge, systems, and practices; and

(4) Provide training, capacity-building, and support to stakeholders in the Philippine creative industries in areas such as business development, financial literacy, ethics, digital skills, taxation, design thinking, contracts, negotiations, and entrepreneurship, in partnership with the private sector.

E. OTHER FUNCTIONS

(1) Generate and mobilize resources from domestic and foreign sources, receive and accept donations and other conveyances by gratuitous title, including funds, materials and services, and rationalize the use and the equitable distribution of such resources to the various creative industries through mechanisms including competitive grants;

(2) Enter into and carry out contracts of every kind and description with any person, firm or association or corporation, domestic or foreign, and sue or be sued relative to the contracts entered into;

(3) Acquire, utilize or dispose of, in any manner recognized by law, real or personal property in the Philippines or elsewhere necessary to carry out the purposes of this Act;

(4) May raise or borrow, subject to the mandatory evaluation, review, and approval of the Secretary of Finance pursuant to Republic Act No. 245 and the Monetary Board of the Bangko Sentral ng Pilipinas (BSP) pursuant to Republic Act No. 1000, adequate and necessary funds from domestic or foreign sources, to finance its projects and programs under this Act through bonds, promissory notes and other forms of indebtedness, and secure the same by a guarantee, pledge, mortgage, deed of trust or an assignment of all or part of its property or assets;

(5) Adopt, alter, and use a corporate seal;

(6) Delegate, from time to time, any of the powers of the Council which may be lawfully delegated pursuant to existing laws, to the Executive Director or, in the absence of the Executive Director, to any of the Deputy Executive Directors, upon such terms as may be deemed fit;

(7) Create ad hoc committees or technical working groups representing different creative industries and appropriate government agencies to discuss specific issues relative to each creative industry, provide sound advice, and recommend policies or programs to the Council; Provided, that this power of the Council is understood to include the power to invite other agencies as resource persons, as necessary; and

(8) Promulgate such rules and regulations and exercise such other powers and functions as may be necessary to effectively carry out the attainment of the purposes and objectives of the PCIDA.

In the exercise of its powers and functions, the Council shall, at all times, coordinate and synergize its plans and programs with the national government agencies (NGAs) that have existing mandates in the various creative industry domains that are defined in Section 3 of the PCIDA, as well as with NGAs that may be similarly mandated under future legislation or government reorganization, including but not limited to the following:

(a) Film Development Council of the Philippines;

(b) National Council for Children’s Television;

(c) Design Center of the Philippines;

(d) Cultural Center of the Philippines;

(e) National Museum; and

(f) National Book Development Board .

To this end, the Council may invite the NGAs to present their plans, proposals, and programs during its regular meetings.

The Council can issue specific Guidelines on the constitution , appointment, and functionalities of the working groups as well as on the specific programs or projects to be undertaken, as it may deem fit.

Rule 10

The Secretariat to the Creative Industries Development Council

Section 1 Secretariat to the Philippine Creative Industries Development Council. -A Secretariat to the Council shall be established within the DTI , herein referred to as the Secretariat, to be headed by an Executive Director IV (Salary Grade 29), who shall be appointed by the President of the Philippines. The Secretariat shall be under the control and supervision of the DTI Secretary.

The initial staffing structure and complement of the Secretariat shall be submitted by DTI to the DBM for funding immediately after the effectivity of the PCIDA IRR. Pending the creation of the approved plantilla positions, the DTI shall constitute an interim Secretariat within one (1) month from the effectiveness of the PCIDA IRR, through the detail of personnel from the DTI.

Sec. 2 Composition of the Secretariat. -The Secretariat shall be composed of the Executive Director IV, who shall be assisted by two (2) Deputy Executive Directors IV (Salary Grade 28) and an Administrative Staff consisting of at least one (1) of each of the following officers and employees:

(a) Policy Development Manager (Salary Grade 24);

(b) Research and Analytics Manager (Salary Grade 24);

(c) International Trade Development Manager (Salary Grade 24);

(d) Domestic Creative Industries Development Manager (Salary Grade 24);

(e)

(f)

(g)

Project Manager: Creative Zones (Salary Grade 24);

Project Manager: Digital Shared Services (Salary Grade 24);

Project Manager: Training and Development (Salary Grade 24);

(h) Intellectual Property and Legal Specialist (Salary Grade 22);

(i) Financial Services (Salary Grade 22); and

(j) Administrative Secretariat (Salary Grade 18).

Within one hundred twenty (120) days after the effectivity of the PCIDA and the PCIDA IRR, the Council shall determine the organizational structure, staffing pattern, and compensation system of the Secretariat, including the duties, qualifications, responsibilities, and functions of its officers and staff members, and submit the same to the DBM for approval.

The officers and employees of the Secretariat shall be appointed in accordance with civil service laws, rules, and regulations. Guidelines can be issued by the Council to organize the Secretariat.

The Secretariat shall also assist the Executive Director with his or her duties and functions and perform all other tasks as may be required by the Councilor its working groups.

Rule 11

The Office of the Executive Director

Section 1. Qualification of the Executive Director. -The Executive Director IV shall be at least thirty (30) years of age at the time of appointment; must possess good moral character; be a person of proven integrity; is a holder of a college degree in a related field of discipline; a person of proven administrative proficiency, independence, experience, knowledge, and commitment to the promotion and development of the Philippine creative industries; and who has served in a position of leadership in at least one (1) creative industry domain prior to the date of appointment.

Sec 2. Qualification of the Deputy Executive Director. -The Deputy Executive Directors shall have the same qualifications for appointment as the Executive Director.

Sec 3. Appointment of the Executive and Deputy Director. -The President of the Philippines shall appoint the Executive Director and the Deputy Executive Directors from a list of at least five (5) nominees submitted by the Council.

Sec 4. Term -The Executive Director and the Deputy Executive Directors shall serve for a term of three (3) years, with reappointment for another term. In case of death, resignation, or removal for cause, their replacements shall serve only the unexpired portion of their respective terms.

Sec 5. Duties and Functions. -The Executive Director shall exercise the following duties and functions:

(a) Direct and manage the affairs of the Secretariat in accordance with the policies of the Council;

(b) Establish the internal organization of the Secretariat under such conditions that the Council may prescribe;

(c) Submit an annual budget and necessary supplemental budget to the Council for its approval;

(d) Maintain and regularly update a database of all relevant data and information regarding the creative industries in conjunction with the PSA and such other agencies that maintain any related database;

(e) Maintain and regularly update a database of accredited business support organizations and creative workers associations in the creative industries, in coordination with the Local Culture and Arts Council (LCAC), pursuant to Section 22 of this Act;

(f) Conduct nationwide information dissemination campaigns to promote the PCIDA and to build awareness of creative industries;

(g) Submit within thirty (30) days after the close of each fiscal year an annual report and other reporting requirements to the Council;

(h) Submit to the Council for its approval, policies, systems, procedures, rules and regulations that are essential to the operation of the Secretariat; and

(i) Perform such other duties as may be assigned by the Councilor which are necessary or incidental to the Office.

CHAPTER III

THE PHILIPPINE CREATIVE INDUSTRIES DEVELOPMENT PLAN

Rule 12 Creation and Timeline of the Plan

Section 1. Creation and Timeline of the Plan. -The Council, in coordination with the NGAs, referred to in the preceding section, shall formulate the Philippine Creative Industries Development Plan, hereinafter referred to as the Plan, that sets forth the objectives, targets, strategies, and activities on the development and promotion of Philippine creative industries. The Plan must be submitted to the President of the Philippines for approval within one (1) year after the effectiveness of the PCIDA and the PCIDA IRR, and is subject to mandatory review every three (3) years.

The Plan shall include a three-year, six-year, and ten-year development timeline for its vision, mission, goals, and milestones. The Council shall ensure alignment and harmonization of the Plan with existing development plans and roadmaps such as the Philippine Development Plan, Harmonized National Research and Development Agenda, National Innovation Agenda and Strategy Document (NIASD), and other similar documents.

Rule 13 Components of the Plan

Section 1. Components of the Plan. -The Plan shall include the following components, among others, as may be later determined by the Council:

(a) Well-defined and measurable economic goals and key performance indicators for the creative industries, including value creation, contribution to the gross domestic product, job creation, market creation and expansion, whether domestic or international, investment targets, and creative intellectual property targets;

(b) A review of the existing governance and policy framework under which the Plan may be implemented;

(c) Current data and findings of scientific, interdisciplinary, and policyoriented research on technological advancements, methodologies, distribution models, product lines, and value chains pertaining to creative industries in aid of the implementation of the Plan;

(d) Analyses of current and emerging trends and changes in technology, trade, consumption, demography, the environment, and health that impact the labor market for creative talent, and identification of skills gaps, in coordination with the private sector;

(e) Areas of possible strategic investments in the creative industries which will provide an enabling environment for micro, small and medium enterprises (MSMEs) to compete and sustainably grow and scale their businesses;

(f) Financial assistance programs, investments schemes, loan programs, and guarantees for MSMEs in the creative industries;

(g) Technical, technological, and financial assistance programs for the development, processing, commercialization and marketing of goods and services generated by the creative industries;

(h) Programs that promote stronger linkages and collaborations among stakeholders in the creative industries and government;

(i) Programs and areas of investment to incubate, encourage, and promote the development of original creative content and talent in the relevant creative industry domains;

(j) Strategies that allow creative industries to develop greater capacity and greater access to both national and international markets and harness their talents, skills, and know-how in the creative industries;

(k) Programs that promote the hiring and employment, occupational safety, and welfare of workers in the creative industries, in coordination with the Department of Labor and Employment (DOLE) and creative workers associations;

(I) Policies that ensure access of workers in the creative industries to sustainable and dignified work, and protection of their rights and welfare in accordance with law;

(m) Programs that promote a stronger intellectual property ecosystem among and across creative industries;

(n) A comprehensive digital acceleration plan for Philippine creative industries;

(o) Strategies towards the creation of a creative cities network to promote an avenue of mutual support and exchange of ideas among local government units (LGUs);

(p) Programs that establish a coordinative relationship with the leading national agency on disaster risk management and resilience to ensure that players of the creative economy are covered, involved, and included in all aspects of disaster management and resilience from planning to implementation; and

(q) Guidelines, programs, and strategies for the proper management of the Creative Industry Development Fund as provided for under Section 19 of the PCIDA.

Rule 14 Review of the Plan

Section 1. Periodic Review. -The Council shall, every three (3) years, review the components of the plan vis-a-vis the needs of the creative industries or as may be determined by the Council.

Rule 15

Issuance of Guidelines and Strategies for the Implementation of the Plan

Section 1. Issuance of guidelines and strategies for the implementation of the plan. -The Council may, at its discretion, issue guidelines or strategies to operationalize the Philippine Creative Industries Plan or identify priorities, sectors, or components of creative industries that need further development or assistance.

CHAPTER IV SUPPORT FOR THE CREATIVE INDUSTRIES

Rule 16 Infrastructure support

Section 1. Infrastructure support. -Entities from the creative industries may avail of shared service facilities from the DTI and the infrastructure support programs under Republic Act No. 11293, otherwise known as the “Philippine Innovation Act.”

Further, the Council shall create subsidized rental schemes for studios and venues and provide co-working spaces and other similar facilities and hardware that may be utilized by multiple creative industry stakeholders towards the creation,

cultivation, and promotion of their goods and services: Provided, That a preference for MSMEs shall be observed and practiced in the provision of such support.

Shared service facilities refer to machinery, equipment, tools, systems, accessories, and other auxiliary items, skills, and knowledge that the DTI provides under a combined and collective system to its target beneficiaries.

The DTI shall, in coordination with the Council and the Philippine Innovation, Startup, and MSME Development Councils, promulgate guidelines that will govern the availability of shared service facilities by members of the creative industries, including the manner of selecting the beneficiaries.

Rule 17 Research and Development (R&D) and Innovation Support

Section 1. Research and Development (R&D) and Innovation Support. -The DOST, in coordination with the Council, shall identify priority areas and evaluate projects for funding in alignment with the DOST Harmonized National Research and Development Agenda and/or Philippine Creative Industries Plan. Eligibility for R&D support, including the size of funding , shall be determined by the DOST depending on its funding availability. All approved projects shall abide with the provisions of the DOST Administrative Order No. 11 Series of 2020 or the Revised Guidelines for the Grants-in-Aid Program of the DOST and its Agencies, including its amendments. Guidelines may be enacted and memoranda of agreement may be entered into in order to access the relevant government grants, such as but not limited to Startup Fund and Innovation Fund, and other relevant funds.

Rule 18 Digitalization of the Creative Industries

Section 1. Digitalization of Creative Industries. -Entities from the creative industries shall be granted access to digital services and digital training platforms. Technical and financial assistance programs shall also be provided to Filipino entities that endeavor to create digital content distribution platforms and other digital innovations benefitting the creative industries. Dedicated high-speed infrastructure and bandwidth shall be provided by the DICT and the National Telecommunications Commission to the entities to ensure that such services, platforms, and programs are delivered efficiently to create industry enterprises.

Sec. 2. Guidelines. -The DICT shall promulgate guidelines or incorporate the provisions of the PCIDA and the PCIDA Rules to existing digitalization strategies, to implement this program, including the manner of selecting its beneficiaries within ninety days from the effectivity of the PCIDA IRR, in coordination with the Council.

Rule 19

Creative Industries Voucher System

Section 1. Creative voucher system. -A Creative Voucher System shall be established to systematize the granting of support, aid, and other incentives to creating industry entities, with a preference towards MSMEs. To this end, creative vouchers shall be issued to stakeholders from business support organizations and creative workers associations in the creative industries, which entitle them to receive support, aid, and incentives from the various government agencies.

Sec. 2. Guidelines. -The Council shall promulgate guidelines to implement the Creative Voucher System.

Rule 20

Creative Industries Investment Priority Plan

Section 1. Creation of the Creative Industries Investment Priority Plan. -The Council shall create a Creative Industries Investment Priority Plan (CIIPP) that contains a list of specific activities in the creative industries that may qualify for fiscal and non-fiscal incentives. The CIIPP must be duly supported by the studies of existing and prospective demands for such products and services in light of the level and structure of income, production, trade, prices and relevant economic and technical factors of the regions as well as existing facilities.

Sec. 2. Incentives. -Enterprises engaged in creative industry activities listed in the CIIPP may be entitled to applicable fiscal incentives as provided for under Republic Act No. 11534, otherwise known as the “Corporate Recovery and Tax Incentives for Enterprises Act”, and contained in the Strategic Investment Priority Plan (SIPP), subject to the requirements and limitations set and determined by the BOI, in coordination with the Fiscal Incentives Review Board ; Provided, That activities listed in the CIIPP must likewise be listed in the Strategic Investment Priority Plan (SIPP) to be eligible to incentives under the CREATE Act, subject to the requirements provided in Title XIII of the National Internal Revenue Code of 1997, as amended by the CREATE Act and its Implementing Rules and Regulations, as amended; Provided, further, that the projects or activities to be included shall be subject to BOI’s general and specific guidelines to implement the SIPP; Provided, finally, That projects or activities not listed in the CIIPP and SIPP shall not be eligible for incentives under the CREATE Act.

Sec. 3. Guidelines. -The Council shall coordinate with the BOI in identifying segments of the creative industries that should be included in the Philippine Investment Priorities Plan (PIPP); Provided that the specific guidelines for the nonfiscal support as contained in the SIPP should be provided within one (1) year of the promulgation of the PCIDA IRR.

The Secretariat shall create and update the CIPP yearly, which shall be reviewed and approved by the Council. The CIPP shall contain a list of specific activities in the creative industries that may qualify for incentives.

The Council shall closely coordinate with the Board of Investments (BOI) in the identification of creative activities eligible for fiscal incentives.

Rule 21 Access to Credit and Financial Instruments

Section 1. Access to Credit and Financial Instruments. -Government-owned, controlled , or -supported financial institutions shall give priority to creative industries in providing credit assistance and guarantee schemes, subject to the rules and regulations of the concerned financial institutions.

Guidelines can be issued and memorandum of agreements may be entered into by the Council with financial institutions in order to give credit assistance to creative firms.

The guidelines can further provide clarity on relevant de-risking mechanisms to incentivize financial institutions to provide credit, with a monitoring and evaluation framework.

Rule 22 Creative Instruction and Education

Section 1. Creative Instruction and Education. -The following NGAs, in coordination with other appropriate NGAs, shall establish a Creative Educational Plan and other policies, programs, and strategies geared towards human resource development, audience capacity-building, and consumer empowerment in the country’s creative industries, in partnership with the private sector and academe:

(a) DepEd and the CHED shall, among others, support and develop relevant programs related to creative industries and provide scholarships to deserving basic education and college and post-graduate students, respectively, enrolled in programs and courses related to the creative industries: Provided That priority shall be given to underprivileged students. The CHED shall also identify Creative Centers of Excellence and establish criteria for such identification, in partnership with the private sector and the academe;

(b) The Technical Education and Skills Development Authority (TESDA), among others, shall provide skills and technical-vocational training through scholarship programs in courses related to creative industries for entrepreneurs, workers, trainees, and stakeholders in the creative industries, as well as provide continuous education, skills training, and capacity-building for other stakeholders in the creative industries; and

(c) Non-formal learning modalities provided by the government and the private sector shall be entitled to technical and financial assistance from the Council, including Filipino-made online learning platforms, workshops and other capacity-building programs, whether physical or online, creative arts residences, and schools of living traditions.

The DepEd, CHED, and TESDA shall also extend incentives to academic institutions that provide funds and/or grants for the research of their students and faculty, including those studying graduate and/or doctoral degree programs pertaining to cultural and creative industries, on matters relating to the development and promotion of Philippine creative industries.

Rule 23

Creative Industry Data and Information Management

Section 1. Creative Industry Data and Information Management. -The Council and the Secretariat shall be in close coordination with the PSA and other relevant NGAs in the setting up of the Creative Industries Satellite Account (CISA), a satellite account for the creative economy, including the different creative industries, as well as its data collection and management, which shall include direct and indirect economic benefits derived from all the creative work done by creative content ecosystem players and value chain actors. The collection and management of data must be conducted diligently to maintain the accuracy of the country’s national income accounting. The satellite account shall be known as the Creative Industries Satellite Account (CISA).

The Secretariat shall also develop and maintain a website that shall serve as the primary source of information on statistics, events, government programs, and benefits for Philippine creative industries. This shall involve the integration of any existing websites and content on programs implemented by the government for all creative industry domains in the country, among others.

The Secretariat shall also maintain a database of statistics and indicators in support of the compilation of the CISA.

Rule 24

Creative Industry Development Fund

Section 1. The Creative Industry Development Fund. -There is hereby established a Special Account in the General Fund with the National Treasury to be called the Creative Industry Development Fund, herein referred to as the Fund. The purpose of the Fund is for research and development, trade and investment promotion, human resource development in the creative industry, and for the welfare of artists, workers and other stakeholders through business support organizations and creative workers associations. The Fund shall be capitalized and administered by the Council in accordance with existing government budgeting, accounting and auditing rules and regulations. The Fund shall be sourced from the loans, contributions, grants, bequests, gifts, and donations, whether from local or foreign sources: Provided, That acceptance of grants, bequests, contributions, and donations from foreign governments shall be subject to the approval of the President upon recommendation of the DFA Secretary: Provided, further, That such grants, bequests, contributions, and donations shall be deductible for income tax purposes in accordance with the provisions of the National Internal Revenue Code, as amended.

The Fund shall also involve a revolving mechanism to recover costs and other such features to increase its long-term sustainability.

The program of expenditure for the programs, projects, and activities to be funded by the Fund shall be itemized on a project-to-project basis and submitted annually to Congress. In the identification and prioritization of specific programs, projects, and activities, the Council shall conduct prior consultation with the representatives of the creative industry.

Guidelines can be issued by the Council for the use and management of the Creative Industry Development Fund.

Rule 25 Public-Private Partnership

Section 1.-Public-private partnerships shall be promoted towards infrastructure development for creative industries, subject to the provisions of Republic Act No. 6957, as amended, otherwise known as the “Philippine Build-Operate-Transfer (BOT) Law.”

Rule 26 The Philippine Creative Cities Network

Section 1. The Philippine Creative Cities Network. -There is hereby established a Philippine Creative Cities Network (PCCN), which is a permanent program of the Council that shall serve as an avenue of mutual support, exchange of ideas, and collaboration among the country’s cities. The PCCN shall have the following objectives:

(a) To incubate cities that want to explore their creative resources and opportunities for growth in the creative field ; and

(b) To accelerate cities that are emerging as creative cities towards accreditation by UNESCO to form part of the UNESCO Creative Cities Network.

The PCCN shall be implemented in coordination with the OFA, UNACOM, the League of Cities of the Philippines, the League of Municipalities of the Philippines, DTI, and DILG.

The Council can issue Guidelines on the establishment, roles, and functions of the PCCN.

Rule 27 Local Culture and Arts Council

Section 1. Local Culture and Arts Councils. -All LGUs, in coordination with the Council, the NCCA, and the OILG, shall establish a Local Culture and Arts Council (LCAC). The LCAC shall exercise the following functions and powers in addition to those provided under existing statutes, memoranda, and other issuances:

(a) Support the Council in all of its functions as provided for in Section 7 of the PCIDA;

(b) Report to the Council the development and status of the implementation of programs at the local level;

(c) Regularly maintain a database of business support organizations and creative workers associations within the territorial jurisdiction of the LGU where the LCAC is located and transmit such data to the Council;

(d) Formulate, plan, coordinate, implement, and assess policies, programs, activities, and projects that promote and develop the locality’s creative industries, in coordination with the Council and other culture and arts-related councils under LGU (i.e., local film commissions); and

(e) Perform such other duties and functions as the Council may direct.

The Council can issue Guidelines on the establishment, roles , and functions of the LCAC.

Rule 28

One-Stop Registration Center

Section 1. One-Stop Registration Center. -The Negosyo Centers in LGUs and other locations established nationwide under Republic Act No. 10644, otherwise known as the “Go Negosyo Act,” shall extend its services as a one-stop shop to assist creative industry MSMEs or entrepreneurs in availing government services that are applicable to the creative industries, including the processes in intellectual property registration, product and business registration and licensing with different government agencies, loans, grants, and benefits programs. There shall be a special lane in all Negosyo Centers for this purpose.

The Negosyo Centers shall provide electronic means of access and registration for creative industry MSMEs or entrepreneurs, in accordance with the provisions of Republic Act No. 9485, as amended by Republic Act No. 11032 or the “Ease of Doing Business and Efficient Government Services Delivery Act of 2018”. * Rule 29

Philippine Creative Industry Month

Section 1. Philippine Creative Industry Month. -To promote the goods, products, and services of the Philippine creative industries and to raise awareness of their role in nation-building and socioeconomic advancement, the celebration of “Philippine Creative Industries Month” shall be held for the whole month of September of every year.

The Secretariat is hereby mandated to ensure the successful annual celebration of the “Philippine Creative Industries Month” throughout the country, in partnership with the private sector and the academe. The mechanism, programs, and activities for the celebration shall be laid down by the Council by issuing the appropriate guidelines with the following minimum criteria:

(a) The Council shall examine the themes and priorities of particular creative industries or domains and choose a theme for the year which will guide all activities and programs to be undertaken during that year’s celebration;

(b) To the extent possible and practicable, the Council shall request all participating agencies and organizations to ensure inclusivity for the different celebratory events by providing both online and face-to-face programs and/or activities; and

(c) The Council shall ensure the timely announcement of each year’s theme, programs, and activities to allow the public appropriate time to prepare for the annual celebrations.

All departments, agencies, and instrumentalities of the national government, including government-owned and -controlled corporations, LGUs, and the private sector are directed to extend their full support and active participation in the programs and activities for this purpose.

CHAPTER V Final Provisions

Rule 30 Annual Report

Section 1. -The Council shall submit to the President of the Philippines and both Houses of Congress, not later than the 30th of April of every year following the effectiveness of the PCIDA, a report giving a detailed account of the implementation of the PCIDA, including recommendations for legislation, if necessary.

Rule 31

Mandatory Review

Section 1. -The PCIDA shall be reviewed at least once every five (5) years or as often as may be deemed necessary by the Congress of the Philippines, with the primary objective of enacting necessary reforms to respond to emerging needs and d

Rule 32

Appropriations

Section 1. Appropriations. -The amount necessary for the immediate implementation of the PCIDA and the PCIDA IRR, including any and all amounts needed by the Council, Secretariat, and other government agencies for the programs, capital outlay, and other related expenses, shall be included in the annual General Appropriations Act.

Sec. 2. Agency Funding. -All amounts required by the different agencies implementing projects under the PCIDA shall be taken from the amounts appropriated for the implementation of the PCI DA, as well as those obtained by the Council pursuant to Section 7 E (1) and (4) of the PCIDA, and those which form part of the Creative Industry Development Fund , without need for any further government approval.

Rule 33

Separability clause

Section 1. -If any provision of the PCIDA and the PCIDA IRR is held invalid or unconstitutional, the other provisions not affected thereby shall remain in full force and effect.

Rule 34

Repealing Clause

Section 1. -All laws, presidential decrees, executive orders, rules and regulations, and other issues or parts thereof which are inconsistent with the provisions of the PCIDA are hereby repealed , amended, or modified accordingly.

Rule 35

Effectivity Clause

Section 1. -The PCIDA IRR shall take effect fifteen (15) days after its publication in the Official Gazette or in at least two (2) newspapers of general circulation in the Philippines and from the filing of three (3) certified copies at the Office of the National Administrative Register (ONAR) of the University of the Philippines Law Center.

Approved on November 11, 2022.

EDITORIAL

WILL wonders never cease?

According to industry sources, on June 23, 2022, the South Premier Power Corporation (SPPC), a unit of San Miguel Corporation (SMC), signed a gas supply and purchase agreement worth $1.2 billion with the Philippine National Oil Co. (PNOC).

The deal involved the sale of 70 petajoules of natural gas from the Malampaya field that’s described as “banked” gas because it would be set aside for the specific purpose of running power plants.

One petajoule is equivalent to more than 30 million cubic meters of natural gas. This means 70 petajoules equals more than 2 billion cubic meters of gas.

The PNOC, the SMC said in a statement, is “under the direct supervision of the DOE, the PNOC Board and the Office of the Government Corporate Counsel.”

Note that the deal was signed on June 23, 2022, or one week before the end of the term of Rodrigo Duterte as president and the start of the new administration of Ferdinand ‘Bongbong’ Marcos Jr. Duterte’s appointees are by law coterminous with the president.

Would that make it a ‘midnight deal’ or not?

But there are other questions that have been raised by keen observers.

How was the amount $1.2 billion arrived at? How was the computation done?

Industry experts estimate that the huge volume of natural gas could have fetched up to $4 billion in the open market if there was competitive bidding.

It appears, however, that no bidding was done at all, with the deal consummated only through negotiations.

That only raises more questions. Who were involved in the talks? Were there any potential buyers other than SMC?

Based on estimates done by industry experts, the government lost as much as $2.8 billion in the transaction which is easily more than P100 billion in foregone revenues that could have been used for other purposes.

Let us not forget that the government is facing a record 13 trillion (and counting) pesos in debt and is trying to raise funds for social amelioration, or ayuda, to sectors which are still struggling to make ends meet after being battered by the COVID-19 pandemic.

These sectors include those working in public transport and those engaged in the delivery of parcels for online sellers, who are all now reeling under the weight of atrociously high fuel prices.

The questions don’t stop there.

Why didn’t officials and SMC representatives allow the transition from one administration to the next be completed first before concluding the $1.2 billion sale of banked Malampaya gas?

Was there undue haste in consummating the deal? If so, why?

What was the formula used in com-

puting the cost of the banked gas, considering that 70 petajoules are enough to keep several power plants running for more than a year?

Why was there no competitive bidding? Were there any other interested buyers who could have offered a higher price?

And finally, was the transaction designed to provide so-called “golden parachutes” to those involved in the deal?

In short, this is a public interest issue that should be looked at by the concerned agencies, including the House of Representatives and/or the Senate.

Hmmm. And we continue to be amazed no end why wonders never cease in this country of ours.

Decriminalization of libel

We support Sen. Risa Hontiveros’ move to file a bill seeking the decriminalization of libel. Senate Bill 1593 seeks to repeal portions of the Revised Penal Code on libel and the provision on cyberlibel in the Cybercrime Prevention Act of 2012.

She has compelling reasons to do so:

“Our libel laws have been weaponized to stifle very basic fundamental rights. These laws have been used to constantly attack many of our freedoms, but particularly the freedom of the press. We need to decriminalize libel if we are to truly defend press freedom.”

The bill wants to remove the criminal aspect of libel, but will allow people to sue for damages.

The opposition senator said cyberlibel has been weaponized to silence journalists, whom she said were only doing their jobs: “If we don’t correct this, libel will continue to be used to kill our freedom.”

In 2012, the United Nations Committee on Human Rights declared that the continuing criminalization of libel in the Philippines violated the country’s obligations under the International Covenant on Civil and Political Rights.

Journalists in the country have long called to decriminalize libel, along with the more serious cyberlibel offense stipulated in the Cybercrime Prevention Act of 2012.

The cyberlibel provision is more pernicious as the allegedly offensive published material could be spread in various social media platforms here and abroad by the malevolent and the wicked and keep well-intentioned investigative journalists behind bars for hundreds of years and forced to pay millions in exemplary and moral damages if found guilty by the courts.

(Email: ernhil@yahoo.com)

From battlefield to glampsite: The tale of Saudi’s Khaybar

By Robbie Corey-Boulet

A SAUDI town best known for a fierce battle between the Prophet Mohammed and Jewish tribes is remodelling itself as an upscale tourist draw in line with the kingdom’s rebranding efforts.

Situated in an oasis amid a volcanic field north of Medina, the settlement of Khaybar was once home to thousands of Jews, who were defeated in a decisive seventh-century battle with the Prophet’s army as Islam expanded across the Arabian Peninsula.

The chant “Khaybar, Khaybar, o Jews, the army of Mohammed will return” can still sometimes be heard at present-day anti-Israel demonstrations, drawing objections from groups such as the AntiDefamation League, which says it “can be perceived as a threat of armed violence.”

Last month, Saudi Arabia inaugurated a new visitors’ center in Khaybar, which takes a longer view of the area’s history by highlighting references in ancient texts to its conquest by Babylonian-era King Nabonidus.

At the centre, displays avoid mentioning the seventh-century battle and tourists can arrange hikes to nearby volcanoes, strolls through lush palm springs or helicopter tours over ancient tombs and desert kites, which are dry stone walls that served as animal traps.

The project is part of a broader push in the conservative Sunni Muslim country, which only began issuing tourism visas in 2019, to attract some 30 million foreign visitors annually by the end of the decade, up from four million last year.

Khaybar tour guide Enass al-Sharif said it was important to shine a light on features of the area that go beyond its significance to Islam.

“Khaybar has a strong relationship with religion and it has a close relationship with the Prophet,” she told AFP.

However, “it also has a strong relationship with history and civilization. All these things were collected in one place, which is why it is attracting many tourists.”

‘Quantum leap’

Archaeologists believe Khaybar has been inhabited for over 200,000 years, and it once served as a vital stop along the so-called Incense Route that linked it to Medina to the south, and the desert city of Al-Ula to the north.

But in the 1970s, the Saudi government began pushing residents to leave the old settlements for new structures with modern plumbing and electricity.

“We wanted some civilization and development... so we left,” recalled Saifi alShilali, a Khaybar native who was in his early 20s when his family moved away.

Since then, the old settlements have been abandoned, and Shilali, now in his 60s, is among those who have been agitating for a revival.

The transformation of Khaybar into a potential tourism draw “is something we have been waiting for for a long time,” he told AFP.

“With my interest in research in Khaybar and in tourism... we have been waiting for this moment, so we consider it a quantum leap.”

Like other Saudi attractions such as AlUla, a budding arts hub located among ancient Nabataean tombs, Khaybar is largely geared toward well-heeled travelers.

The Khaybar Volcano Camp promises an “exclusive stay” that “takes glamping to another level”, with 10 rooms surrounded by imposing mountains.

The focus lies squarely on the setting rather than the historical events that took

Keeping the peace this Yuletide

WITH the many developments in the country in the run up to the Christmas season, we must endorse the need to have peace for everyone as we welcome before too long the year 2023.

This week we heard the 170,000-strong Philippine National Police as saying the command was “not inclined” to recommend a Suspension On Police Operations against communist insurgents this Yuletide.

It followed the death in The Netherlands on Friday of the 83-year-old Communist Party of the Philippines founder Jose Maria Sison and the demise of six soldiers of the Army 20th Infantry Battalion in a landmine attack by the New People’s Army in Barangay Quirino, Las Navas, Northern Samar last Sunday.

The communist guerrillas detonated booby traps in an area where the soldiers were securing a water system project.

Timing of the attack appears intended to draw attention to the founding anniversary of the CPP on December 26, and a statement from the central Committee of the CPP, NPA and the National Democratic Front that it ill not declare a ceasefire to mark Christmastime.

It added that while the local communists join the Filipino people in solidarity with their holidays and in marking the 54th anniversary of the rebel party, “the NPA is authorized to launch tactical offensives against the fascist enemy of the people.”

We look down on activities that sow fear in our countrymen who have on their minds this season and in others unanimity in spirit for peace in their families, their communities and their homeland

As PNP chief Gen. Rodolfo Azurin Jr. said, the latest hostility launched by the CPP-NPA “only describes the insincerity, wanton disregard for human lives and International Humanitarian Law by the local communist terrorist movement, further aggravated by the use of internationally outlawed anti-personnel landmines to inflict injury to persons.”

Azurin said Sison, put on a US terrorist list in 2002, who had been living in self-exile for 15 years, stood accused in 17 criminal cases, nine cases of rebellion, seven cases of murder, and one case for Crimes Against International Humanitarian Law, Genocide and Other Crimes Against Humanity.

“Although Sison’s death extinguishes his criminal liability under Philippine laws, all other accused in the same cases shall continue to undergo prosecution under the Philippine criminal justice system,” he said. Azurin added: “The darkest secrets of the CPP-NPA reign of terror that he has held all along will be buried with him to his grave, but his hands remain stained with the blood of over thousands of Filipinos who died in communist insurgency-related incidents since 1969.”

We find Azurin’s appeal to the remaining insurgents – about 2,000 armed, by military count, down from 25,000 at their peak -- to surrender to the government up-to-the-minute.

“The olive branch of peace and reconciliation offered by the government is still the best option and should be accepted by the remaining CPP-NPA members especially now that they are leaderless and as their ideology become more obsolete in the modern times,” he said.

We look down on activities that sow fear in our countrymen who have on their minds this season and in others unanimity in spirit for peace in their families, their communities and their homeland.

We wish for nothing less.

Decriminalizing cyberlibel

courses in school, journalists provide a check-and-balance among the different social institutions, particularly those that abuse their power.

JUST last week on December 13, Baguio journalist Frank Cimatu was convicted of cyberlibel because of a Facebook post he’d written about former Agriculture Secretary Manny Piñol.

Philippine libel laws have been found by the United Nations Human Rights (UNHR) Committee to be in violation of an international treaty, the International Covenant on Civil and Political Rights (ICCPR) that the country signed in 1986.

Its Article 19 provides that “everyone shall have the right to freedom of expression,” and that “this right shall include freedom to seek, receive, and impart information and ideas of all kinds.”

Last July, UN special rapporteur on freedom of opinion and expression Irene Khan criticized the Philippines Court of Appeals’ decision to uphold the 2020 cyber libel conviction of Nobel Peace Prize-winning journalist and Rappler CEO Maria Ressa and Rappler former researcher-writer Reynaldo Santos Jr.

Cimatu also writes for Rappler.

“The criminalization of journalists for libel impedes public interest reporting and is incompatible with the right to freedom of expression. Criminal libel law has no place in a democratic country and should be repealed,” Khan said.

The Center for Media Freedom and Responsibility (CMFR) called criminal libel “one of the most abused means to suppress free expression and press freedom in the Philippines.”

Media and writers groups see libel and cyberlibel as a way of silencing voices and as indicators of a culture of impunity that punishes those who speak truth to power.

In a statement condemning the weaponization of the cybercrime law against Cimatu, the Likhaan: UP Institute of Creative Writing (UP ICW) slammed the prevailing “culture of punishing writers and academics who are branded as criminals in their pursuit of truth.”

The Baguio Writers Group (BWG), in a statement supporting Cimatu, also pointed out that “one given case, such as this one, does not stand in isolation but is part of an ever-increasing trend to intimidate and constrict the space afforded to free public expression and association that can currently be seen across a number of domains in the nation.”

The UP ICW added that the role of journalists is very important in society.

As we learned in our communication

“In a time of disinformation,” the UP ICW wrote in its statement, “scrutiny of civil servants and healthy discourse among the citizenry is crucial in ensuring that power is distributed evenly in our democratic society. It is more urgent now that we gather information from as many sources as possible.”

As the BWG pointed out, “It is the right of journalists, writers and individual citizens more widely to comment on, communicate their opinions about, and in some cases even satirize public figures, including public officials. Such freedoms, and the allowance of space for such freedoms, are the foundations of a democratic and healthy society.”

The NUJP noted that “A powerful politician such as Piñol crying foul over a Facebook post of a community journalist is ironic in a supposed democratic country.

“ Under the comments on the same post, Piñol himself issued threats and derogatory remarks against Cimatu. Online trolls flooded Cimatu’s Facebook account with vitriol. Cimatu’s case is proof how government officials use libel as a weapon to harass and intimidate journalists.”

PEN Philippines also mentioned that Senator Rita Hontiveros “has filed Sen. Bill 1593, which aims to decriminalize libel and stop the weaponization of libel laws against journalists and writers. PEN Philippines supports all measures that seek to decriminalize libel.”

The project, backed by the French government and expected to last through the end of 2024, has yielded a deeper understanding of neolithic campsites, canals and rock art

The success of the Fourth Estate’s efforts at check-and-balance hinges on freedom of speech and expression, rights granted under the Constitution.

Sec. 4 provides that “No law shall be passed abridging the freedom of speech, of expression, or of the press, or the right of the people peaceably to assemble and petition the government for redress of grievances.”

In relation to this, the National Union of Journalists of the Philippines (NUJP), in a statement, “reiterate[d] its position that libel laws should be decriminalized as these are not compatible with the Bill of Rights stated in the Philippine Constitution and with the International Covenant on Civil and Political Rights, of which the Philippines is a state party.

“Even worse is the fact that penalties for cyberlibel are stiffer compared to ordinary libel. This makes cyberlibel a Damocles’ sword hanging above our head, and reinforces the chilling effect that Filipino journalists need to confront every day in this benighted land.”

In its own statement, PEN Philippines pointed out that “the Cybercrime Prevention Act of 2012 metes out stiffer penalties than ordinary libel, allowing persons to use the law to terrorize writers and journalists.”

Referring to the Cimatu case in particular, NUJP wrote it “maintains that the right to free expression and press freedom is paramount especially when exercised in relation to public officials.”

place there.

The camp even features a reiki energy healing master named Chamuel who conducts sound meditation sessions, inviting guests to enter “your own magical garden, a place beyond time and space.”

Unsolved mysteries

All the while, an archaeological survey and excavation project continues to unearth new details about human activity in the area as well as how its climate has evolved.

The project, backed by the French government and expected to last through the end of 2024, has yielded a deeper understanding of neolithic campsites, canals and rock art.

Among the most intriguing finds are the “pendant tombs,” rock formations that

Similarly, the UP ICW wrote, “We support the calls of journalists to decriminalize cyberlibel. Its broad application can be easily abused to suppress press freedom, and is a threat to the freedom of speech in a time when many take to social media to express their opinions.”

Freedom of expression is a fundamental human right that should be respected and protected.

It is an essential part of a vibrant and open democracy that allows citizens to express their ideas without fear of censorship or retribution.

It enables citizens to participate in the political and civic process and ensure their opinions and are taken into account when decisions are made.

Decriminalizing libel is also essential, because as it is, it is libel laws are being abused to repress healthy dissent.

“Our libel laws have been weaponized to stifle very basic fundamental rights,” Hontiveros said in a statement upon filing the “Decriminalization of Libel Act” the same day Cimatu was convicted of cyberlibel.

“These laws have been used to constantly attack many of our freedoms, but particularly the freedom of the press. We need to decriminalize libel if we are to truly defend press freedom,” she said.

(* * * Dr. Ortuoste is a board member of PEN Philippines, member of the Manila Critics Circle, and judge of the National Book Awards. FB and Twitter: @DrJennyO )

when viewed from above resemble a pendant hanging from a chain.

The story behind them “remains a mystery,” according to the visitors’ centre, though archaeologists believe they date back 5,000 years.

Khaybar residents like Shilali are eager to learn more about the people who constructed them as part of rounding out a picture of the region’s past -- including the Prophet Mohammed’s seventh-century victory, but also everything else.

“I think we are supposed to shed light on Khaybar as a historical region whose roots go back to prehistoric periods, including the Jewish period,” he said.

“I believe that the history should be known in its true form, without any exaggerations.” AFP

Rolando

Freedom of expression is a fundamental human right that should be respected and protected

GSIS chief urges members to pay loans on time

‘DOH needs to use up vax before buying more’

By Willie Casas

THE Alliance of Health Workers (AHW) has urged the Department of Health (DOH) to use up its remaining stores of COVID-19 vaccines before procuring bivalent vaccines to the Philippines.

AHW president Robert Mendoza warned that procuring COVID vaccines is “becoming a business” noting that the government continues to procure more jabs despite existing stock and high vaccine wastage.

DOH officer-in-charge Maria Rosario Vergeire earlier said the Philippines may have lost lost P22 billion after 44 million of its COVID-19 vaccines went to waste due mainly to short shelf life.

“It’s like becoming a business...Let’s not waste our money. Maybe the bivalent vaccines are no longer needed because the current vaccines are effective,” Mendoza said in a TeleRadyo interview. “Consume that first before buying bivalent vaccines,” he added.

Mendoza also confirmed nearly 600,000 of some 1.1 million health workers in the country have yet to receive a second COVID-19 vaccine booster.

Mendoza said many health workers are confident with the protection given by two COVID-19 vaccine doses plus a booster shot since many health workers are no longer getting sick.

“Maybe the two vaccines they received are okay,” he said.

Mendoza also backed a proposal to distribute booster shots to the general population particularly senior citizens and those with co-morbidities.

“Even at home, it should be used correctly. It would be a shame if it wasn’t available,” he said.

As of December 12, 603,905 individuals under the A1 population or workers in frontline health services have availed of the second boosters.

Latest DOH figures show the country has provided second boosters to 3,691,412 eligible Filipinos.

STATE pension fund Government Service Insurance System (GSIS) president and general manager Wick Veloso reminded GSIS members and pensioners to pay their loans promptly and accurately to keep their benefits safe and secure.

“We urge our member-borrowers to pay the correct loan amortizations on time in order to avoid compromising their hard-earned future benefits and other privileges,” Veloso said.

He stressed that interests and penalties stemming from unpaid loans will be deducted from their retirement or separation benefits, which might leave them with little or no proceeds at all.

The GSIS chief added that gov-

ernment agencies have an important role to play in keeping the benefits of members safe and secure. Deducting the correct monthly amortization and remitting it on time will go a long way in protecting their benefits. Veloso also recommended the GSIS Multi-Purpose Loan (MPL) Plus for members with overdue loan accounts to help them settle their obligations. MPL Plus waives penalties and surcharges

on the members’ existing salary loan accounts, enabling them to pay their outstanding loan balances.

The credit limit is P5 million depending on the members’ salary and period of paid premiums. It offers a low interest of 7% and payment period of up to ten years.

Wick Veloso

Qualified for the loan are regular and special members who are not on leave of absence without pay; have at least three monthly premium contributions; and have no pending administrative or criminal case.

Borrowers should also belong to an agency whose status is not suspended and who has executed

b. For the second violation

c. For the third violation

SEC Memorandum Circular No. 10 Series of 2022

TO : ALL CONCERNED CORPORATIONS AND REPORTING PERSONS

SUBJECT : AMENDMENTS TO SEC MEMORANDUM CIRCULAR NO. 15, S. 2019 (THE 2019 REVISION OF THE GIS) INCREASING THE PENALTIES AND IMPOSING ADDITIONAL NON-FINANCIAL PENALTIES AND PROVIDING FURTHER GUIDELINES FOR SUBMISSION

WHEREAS, Section 73 of Republic Act 11232 otherwise known as the Revised Corporation Code of the Philippines CRCCP) requires all corporations to keep and carefully preserve all information relating to the corporation including but not limited to the current ownership structure and voting rights of the corporation, lists of stockholders or members, group structures, intra-group relations, ownership data and beneficial ownership;

WHEREAS, it is well-settled in Philippine jurisprudence that corporations are to be organized and used only for legal purposes and should not be used to defeat public convenience, justify wrong, protect fraud or defend crime or confuse legitimate issues;

WHEREAS, it is well established that the risk of misuse of corporate vehicles for purposes contrary to law such as money laundering and terrorist financing arises from the lack of transparency of beneficial ownership of such corporate vehicles;

WHEREAS, to effectively guard against the misuse of such corporate vehicles, competent authorities must have access to adequate, accurate, and timely information on their beneficial ownership and control;

FOR GOOD LUCK. Round fruits such as apples, oranges, grapes, persimmons, pears, and longan are being sold at a stall in Quiapo, Manila. Round fruits are believed to usher in good fortune for the coming New Year. Jess M. Escaros Jr.

CBCP joins Pope’s calls to grant PDLs clemency

THE Episcopal Commission on Prison Pastoral Care (ECPPC) of the Catholic Bishops’ Conference of the Philippines (CBCP) has joined Pope Francis’ call for heads of state to grant clemency to deserving persons deprived of liberty (PDLs).

“We urge our local civil authorities, especially our Executive Branch headed by our President (Ferdinand R. Marcos Jr.), to heed His Holiness’ call by granting executive clemency and to set free those deserving persons deprived of liberty. This will enable them ( PDLs) to start a new life as free and potentially productive citizens of the country,” ECPPC chair and Legazpi Bishop Joel Baylon said in a statement Monday night.

Baylon also asked the courts in the country to immediately decide on cases so that those who are found not guilty will be released.

“We also appeal to our Judiciary composed of the different Courts

on all levels to hasten the wheels of justice to enable especially those unjustifiably detained to be released from detention,” he said.

He said through the grant of clemency, qualified PDLs can build their lives anew “in the spirit of a true restorative and transformative justice system in our country”.

The Holy Father recently released a letter addressed to the heads of state calling for the release of prisoners who are held “to be eligible to benefit from such a provision.”

The Pope also has asked for a “gesture of clemency” for inmates in the spirit of Christmas.

“He believes that prisoners should not be deprived of hope and instead be given the chance to redeem themselves,” Baylon added.

On Monday, the Bureau of Corrections (BuCor) said a total of 328 PDLs have been released from its facilities in December, bringing to nearly 6,000 the total number of PDLs freed this year.

WHEREAS, it is a declared policy of the State to ensure that the Philippines shall not be used as a money-laundering site for unlawful activities;

WHEREAS, promoting the transparency of beneficial ownership of legal persons such as corporations is consistent with the country’s commitment to implement international standards and best practices in combating money laundering and terrorist financing as recommended by the Financial Action Task Force and other international standard-setting bodies;

WHEREAS, the concealment or non-disclosure of the beneficial owner/s of the corporation would be in contravention of the policy embodied in pertinent provisions of the RCCP;

WHEREAS, it has been observed that despite the promulgation of the 2019 Revision on the GIS to include Beneficial Ownership Information, a significant number of corporations have yet to declare their beneficial owners with the Commission;

WHEREAS, there is a need to increase the penalties imposed and include additional non-financial sanctions in MC No. 15, S. 2019 to make them proportional, effective, and dissuasive for non-compliance, in line with the recommendations of the Financial Action Task Force and other international standard setting bodies;

WHEREFORE, by the authority vested in the Commission as Supervising Authority by the Anti-Money Laundering Act (AMLA), as amended, and its Implementing Rules and Regulations (IRR), the Securities Regulation Code (SRC) and the Revised Corporation Code of the Philippines (RCCP), and as approved by the Commission En Banc, the following amendments to SEC Memorandum Circular No. 15, Series of 2019 (MC No. 15, S. 2019) are hereby promulgated:

SECTION 1. Section 3 of MC No. 15, S. 2019 is hereby amended to be read as follows:

Section 3. Disclosure of Beneficial Ownership Information -To ensure timely access to adequate, accurate, and current information on the beneficial ownership and control of SEC registered corporations by competent authorities, all SEC registered corporations are required to take reasonable measures to obtain and hold up-to-date information on their beneficial owners as defined herein and to disclose the same in a timely manner in the GIS. Accordingly, the GIS is hereby revised to include such information.

The following information on the beneficial owner shall be provided, to wit: a. Complete name which shall include the surname, given name, middle name and name extension (i.e., Jr., Sr., III, etc.);

b. Specific residential address c. Date of Birth d. Nationality e. Tax identification number (TIN) or passport number for foreign individuals who do not have a TIN; and f. Percentage of ownership, if applicable.

Such information, however, shall not be uploaded to the Commission’s publicly accessible electronic database. Said information shall, nonetheless, be made accessible or available in a timely manner to competent authorities for law enforcement and other lawful purposes.

SECTION 2. Section 7 of MC No. 15, S. 2019 is hereby amended to be read as follows:

THE Philippine Drug Enforcement Agency (PDEA) on Tuesday destroyed dangerous drugs and controlled precursors and essential chemicals (CPECs) worth more than P7 million at the Integrated Waste Management Inc. in Barangay Aguado, Trece Martires City, Cavite.

drugs with a total net weight of

SECTION 7. Updating of Beneficial Ownership Information -The SEC shall be timely apprised of relevant changes in the submitted beneficial ownership information as they arise. An updated GIS shall be submitted to the SEC within thirty (30) calendar days after such change occurred or became effective.

SECTION 3. Section 11 of MC No. 15, S. 2019 is hereby amended to be read as follows:

SECTION 11. Penalties

I. Failure to Disclose. If after due notice and hearing, the Commission finds that the reporting corporation has committed a violation of this Circular by failing to disclose, without any lawful cause, its beneficial ownership in accordance to the provisions thereof, the reporting corporation shall be penalized based on retained earnings (whether appropriated or unappropriated) or fund balance, as follows:

For Stock Corporations with retained earnings of less than Php500,000.00:

a. For the first violation

b. For the second violation

a memorandum of agreement with GSIS on MPL or GSIS Financial Assistance Loan. In addition, they should have a resulting net take-home pay of Php5,000 after the required monthlyobligations have been deducted. Veloso pointed out that GSIS has made paying loan amortization more convenient with additional payment channels for its borrowers. GSIS members may now pay their loan amortization through Bayad centers or M. Lhuillier branches and through online applications of its partner banks, Union Bank of the Philippines and Land Bank of the Philippines.

Php50,000.00

Php100,000.00

d. For the fourth and subsequent violations ...................... Php250,000.00

For Stock Corporations with retained earnings or Non-Stock Corporations with fund balance of Php500,000.00 or more but less than Php5,000,000.00, the penalties shall be twice the amount of the penalties imposed for those with retained earnings or fund balance of less than Php500,000.00.

For Stock Corporations with retained earnings or Non-Stock Corporations with fund balance of Php 5,000,000.00 or more but less than Php10,000,000.00, the penalties shall be thrice the amount imposed for those with retained earnings or fund balance of less than Php500,000.00.

For Stock Corporations with retained earnings or Non-Stock Corporations with fund balance of Php10,000,000.00 or more, the penalties shall be four times the penalties imposed for those with retained earnings or fund balance of less than Php 500,000.00.

The reporting corporation shall also be imposed an additional fine of Php 1,000.00 for each day of delay in the submission of beneficial ownership information as a continuing violation, but the additional fine for the continuing violation shall in no case exceed Php 2,000,000.00.

I-A. False Declaration. The Commission, upon its finding motu proprio or upon referral by a competent authority that a corporation submitted false beneficial ownership information, shall send a Notice and Order to the reporting corporation stating that:

1. The fact of false disclosure of beneficial ownership information; and 2. Giving the corporation fifteen (15) calendar days to comply and submit complete and accurate beneficial ownership information and a written explanation for the false disclosure.

If after fifteen (15) days from receipt by the Corporation of the Notice and Order from the Commission has lapsed without compliance with the abovementioned, or after a finding by the Commission through its Resolution that the corporation indeed submitted false Beneficial Ownership Information, the reporting corporation shall be penalized with a fine of up to Two Million Pesos (Php 2,000,000.00), and shall subsequently be dissolved.

II. Liability of Directors/Trustees and Officers of the Corporation. If the Commission, after due notice and hearing, finds that the directors/trustees and/or officers of the reporting corporation, without any lawful cause, failed to exercise the due diligence required in ensuring compliance with the requirement to disclose beneficial ownership information in accordance with Section 8 hereof resulting in no beneficial owner(s) as defined herein being timely disclosed in the GIS or in the non-submission of the GIS containing such information within the prescribed period, the following penalties shall be imposed upon such directors, trustees and/or officers: a. For the first violation ...................................................... ..Php10,000.00 b. For the second violation ................................................. Php20,000.00 c. For the third violation

Php50,000.00 d. For the fourth and subsequent violation .........................Php100,000.00

Provided, that if the violation pertains to False Declaration under Section 11 (I-A) of this Circular, the directors, trustees, and officers, found responsible in the commission thereof or in the non-compliance of the related Notice and Order issued therefor shall, after due notice and hearing, each be penalized with a fine of up to Two Hundred Thousand Pesos (Php 200,000.00) and shall be disqualified to be directors, trustees, and officers of any corporation for a period of five (5) years.

The absence of written procedures and policies for obtaining, updating and recording beneficial ownership information and for the timely disclosure thereof to the Commission, as provided in Section 8 hereof, or the lack of Board or Senior Management Oversight to ensure compliance with such policies and procedures, shall be prima facie proof of failure to exercise the due diligence required. Every submission of the GIS without the required beneficial ownership information or every instance of non-submission or late submission of the GIS, arising from the failure to exercise the due diligence required, shall be considered as a prima facie violation of the duty to exercise the due diligence required by said directors/trustees and/ or officers.

III. Other imposable penalties. If, after due notice and hearing, the Commission finds that there is a willful violation of this Circular or related orders of the Commission, or that any person has refused to permit any lawful examination into its affairs, the Commission may, in its discretion, and subject to existing laws and regulations, impose the penalty of suspension or revocation of the certificate of incorporation of the reporting corporation along with other penalties that is within the power of the Commission to impose.

In imposing the foregoing penalties, the Commission shall be guided by the principles of effectiveness, dissuasiveness, and proportionality.

The foregoing penalties are without prejudice to the imposition of other applicable penalties as provided under the Revised Corporation Code of the Philippines, the Securities Regulation Code, and other rules and regulations of the Commission.

IV. Criminal Actions and Criminal Liability -The imposition of administrative sanctions shall be without prejudice to the filing of criminal charges against persons responsible for violation of Title XVI of the Revised Corporation Code of the Philippines as well as other applicable laws, rules, and regulations.

SECTION 4 Application to Foreign Corporations. Pursuant to SEC MC No. 30, S. 2020, the pertinent provisions of MC No. 15, S. 2019 and the amendments thereto shall remain applicable to Foreign Corporations. The penalties as provided in the preceding section shall be applicable to foreign corporations.

SECTION 5 Submission of the GIS in the Electronic Filing and Submission Tool (eFAST). All Corporations are required to file their annual reportorial requirement through the Commission’s Electronic Filing and Submission Tool (eFAST). Submission of reports Over-the-Counter (OTC) and/or through mail/courier via SENS shall no longer be accepted.

SECTION 6 Amendment/Repealing Clause. All rules, regulations, orders, circulars, and issuances ofthe Commission that are inconsistent with this Memorandum Circular, unless otherwise herein indicated, are hereby amended and/or repealed accordingly.

SECTION 7 Separability Clause. If any portion or provision of this Circular is declared unconstitutional or invalid, the other portions or provisions hereof, which are not affected thereby shall continue in full force and effect.

SECTION 8 Effectivity. This Memorandum Circular shall take effect on January 01, 2023 subject to its publication in two (2) national newspapers of general circulation and posting on the Commission’s website. Makati City, Philippines, 06 December 2022.

The pieces of drug evidence were destroyed through thermal decomposition or thermolysis that involves breaking down chemical compounds with the use of tremendous heat.

Php50,000.00

Php100,000.00

c. For the third violation .................................................... Php250,000.00

d. For the fourth and subsequent violations ...................... Php500,000.00

For Non-Stock Corporations with fund balance of less than Php500,000.00:

a. For the first violation

Php25,000.00

THE

FOR

By Rio N. Araja

The total amount of dangerous

1.4 kilos and a total net volume of 101,811,553.20 milliliters were pieces of drug evidence seized from various anti-drug operations conducted by PDEA, along with counterpart law enforcement and military units. Based on a consolidated report of the PDEA Laboratory Service, the quantity of the destroyed pieces of drug evidence and their estimated value were 1,060,824.2884 grams of shabu (P7,213,605,160.85), 317,489.4685 grams of marijuana (P38,098,736.22), 230.4580 grams of cocaine (P1,221,427.40), 9,169.7344 grams of ecstasy (P15,588,548.48), 1,037.8671 grams of ketamine (P4, 047,681.69), \379.0000 milliliters of GBL (P563,762.50); .3600 grams of Diazepam, 34,900.00 grams of methylephedrine, 2,849.20 milliliters of liquid marijuana, 258,324.00 milliliters of Toluene, 101,550,000.00 milliliters of MEK, 1,808.8200 grams of ephedrine, .6500 grams of amphetamine, 1,015.8400 grams of codeine, and 1.0000 milliliters of Meth HCl.

House anticipates Senate approval of SUCs bill

By Maricel V. Cruz

THE House of Representatives awaits the Senate approval of a House measure strengthening the mental health services of state universities and colleges (SUCs) and appropriates budget for it.

The lower chamber approved the House Bill 6416 on third and final reading before it went on Christmas break on December 15.

The House leadership led by Speaker Martin Romualdez stayed true to its commitment to the needs of SUCs passing the bill on final reading.

The proposed SUCs Mental Health Service Act was approved on Monday by 227 affirmative votes during the last week of plenary sessions of the chamber.

“It is hereby declared the policy of the State to uphold the basic right of every Filipino to sound mental health and ensure access to appropriate interventions, therapy, and treatment as needed. Pursuant to this mandate, the State shall institute policies to promote the mental health and wellness of students, faculty, teaching and non-teaching staff, and other personnel in the campuses of SUCs through, among others, the establishment of a Mental Health Office in all SUCs, and the hiring,

deployment, and training of additional SUCs-based mental health service personnel,” the lawmakers noted.

Under Section 4 of HB 6416, the Commission on Higher Education (CHED) shall require all SUCs to establish a Mental Health Office (MHO) in all their campuses, subject to the rules and regulations of the Civil Service Commission 3 (CSC) and the Department of Budget and Management (DBM), and the policies, standards, and guidelines of the CHED.

The MHOs shall set up campus hotlines with dedicated and trained guidance counselors to provide assistance to the whole SUC Community, especially the students. Special attention shall be given to those identified to have mental health problems or conditions, especially those at risk of committing suicide.

The CHED and the SUCs, through their MHOs, shall initiate and sustain a heightened campaign to raise the collective consciousness about mental health. The awareness campaign shall give special emphasis to the issues of suicide prevention, stress handling, mental health and nutrition, and guidance and counseling. The campaign shall ensure that the whole SUC community, especially the students, is aware of incampus mental health services.

IN BRIEF

Villars sustain charity project for poor kids

OVER the past 13 years, the Villar Family through the Villar- Social Institute for Poverty Alleviation and Governance (SIPAG) has been giving Christmas joy and blessings to the children of Barangay Irusin in Tagaytay, Cavite and Baseco in Tondo, Manila by bringing them to the Christmas Village in Britanny-Crosswinds, an idyllic residential property in Tagaytay.

The tradition was repeated last Sunday when 150 young children were fetched from the two blighted communities and taken to the Swiss-inspired and pine-scented Crosswinds in Tagaytay.

The party and the merry-making at the Banguet Hall turned out to be their first face-to-face gathering after a two–year COVID-19 pandemic.

Happiness and intense excitement were already transparent on the innocent faces during their bus ride to the Crosswinds as they were treated to scrumptious food and drinks.

In Tagaytay, the youngsters were greeted by the cold December breeze, as well as the breath-taking panoramic view of the place.

Crosswinds has been all decked up for Christmas—where the Villar Foundation prepared more fun activities and games.

The children played with various toys at the Christmas Village , built for children and adults to enjoy. They also had their pictures taken at the Christmas Village and around the area.

Aside from the gifts from the Villar Family, they also brought home with them the loving times spent with Sen. Cynthia Villar and husband former Senate President Manny Villar. Macon Ramos-Araneta

SSS justifies increase in premium rates

AN increase in the 2023 contribution would help fund higher benefit disbursements to its members, according to the Social Security System.

SSS president and chief executive officer Michael Regino said the four-stage contribution rate hike readies the SSS fund for the future needs of its members.

Starting Jan. 1, 2023, the new contribution rate will be pegged at 14 percent, up by one percentage point from the current 13 percent.

“We have already expanded the benefits to our members such as the unemployment benefit, and maternity benefit under the Expanded Maternity Leave Law (EMLL). Both these benefits however have no particular source of funding but since 2019, we have continuously given these benefits to our members,” Regino said.

From 2019 until October 2022, the SSS has already disbursed P3.78 billion in unemployment benefits to over 287,000 members.

On the other hand, the annual maternity benefit disbursement rose by 78 percent from P7.07 billion in 2018 to P12.54 billion in 2022.

Regino said the previous contribution increases boosted benefit disbursements for its members.

“From January 2019 to October 2022, we have released P822.86 billion benefits to our members, which is 38 percent higher than the P596.30-billion benefit disbursements from January 2015 to December 2018 prior to the amendment of the Social Security Law,” he cited. Rio N. Araja

5 cops sacked for alleged kidnapping of e-sabong agent in Laguna in 2021

By Rey E. Requejo

FIVE policemen implicated in the disappearance of an online cockfighting agent last year have been dismissed from the service who were involved in the case of a missing online cockfighting master agent in Laguna last year have been dismissed.

However, only three of them how were indicted for kidnapping and robbery, while the remaining two were cleared of the criminal charges.

Meanwhile, Justice Secretary Jesus Crispin Remulla lamented the investigators have not identified the brains behind the multiple disappearance of e-sabong aficionados.

Philippine National Police (PNP) chief Gen. Rodolfo Azurin Jr. signed the dis-

missal order against SSgt. Daryl Panghangaan, Pat. Roy Navarete, Lt. Henry Sasaluya, MSgt. Michael Claveria and Pat. Regil Brosas who were tagged as the abductors of e-sabong agent Ricardo Lasco in San Pedro City, Laguna last year.

In a press briefing in Camp Crame, PNP spokesperson Col. Jean Fajardo said the dismissals were based on the recommendation of the PNP Internal Affairs Service (IAS) that established substantial

evidence on the administrative charges against the suspects.

Fajardo said the five policemen are currently under restrictive custody at the Calabarzon regional police headquarters.

“Once they receive the official copy of their dismissal order, then the PNP will let go of them because the PNP no longer has jurisdiction over them. They really need to receive it officially so that at least they will be given the opportunity, as part of the due process to appeal the recommended penalty to them,” Fajardo said.

In a Nov. 25 resolution made public on Monday, the Department of Justice (DOJ) found probable cause to indict Panghanggan, Navarette and Brosas on charges of robbery and kidnapping. On the other hand, the DOJ cleared Sasaluya and Claveria.

The Criminal Investigation and Detection Group (CIDG), meanwhile, welcomed the indictment of three police officers.

“This just proves that justice never sleeps. We are happy with the release of this recommendation and we hope that we will also be able to resolve the other cases that we hold for this missing victims,” CIDG chief Brig. Gen. Ronald Lee said in a separate statement.

State prosecutors considered the testimonies of all the witnesses, as well as the closed circuit television (CCTV) footage of the kidnapping of Lasco to be sufficient to establish the case.

The suspects were positively identified by the witnesses based in their sworn statements and pieces of evidence indicating that the group entered Lasco’s house, introduced themselves as agents of the National Bureau of Investigation (NBI), then arrested the victim by virtue of a purported arrest warrant for large scale estafa on Aug. 30, 2021 in Barangay San Lucas 1, San Pablo City, Laguna.

Goma cautions DILG on using LGUs for SIM info campaign

MOVIE actor-turned politician Richard Gomez on Tuesday cautioned the Department of Interior and Local Government (DILG) for tasking local governments in the information dissemination campaign on the mandatory registration of SIM cards.

Win urges BOC to ramp up modernization

By Macon Ramos-Araneta

SENATOR Sherwin Gatchalian on Tuesday urged the Bureau of Customs (BOC) to ramp up its modernization program, achieve full digitalization, and invest in technology such as x-ray machines, to arrest incidents of smuggling, including technical smuggling.

He said the reforms would also rid the agency of corrupt employees, and further improve revenue collection.

Gatchalian, chairman of the Senate

Ways and Means Committee, recently conducted an ocular inspection and a walkthrough of the agency’s modernization program in its main office in Port Area, Manila.

“The BOC should work earnestly to complete its digitalization program, modernize the facilities, and invest in newer technologies, including the purchase of appropriate x-ray machines, and should vigorously pursue an investigation of corrupt employees,” Gatchalian said.

“We know that corruption in any govern-

ment agency could have a negative impact on public trust. It will also prejudice the nation’s coffer,” the senator said.

“Corrupt officials of different government agencies should be thoroughly investigated” he stressed.

“I earnestly hope for the completion of the agency’s modernization program as soon as possible as this will lead to full automation of its operations which will significantly reduce leakages and improve revenue collection,” Gatchalian added.

Bato says Joma’s remains must be allowed to come back home

to save their dying cause, or the fake advocacy being pushed by the CPP.

According to the senator, the forces of the communist rebels continue to weaken as several barangays have already been cleared or neutralized of Reds.

Gomez, who was a two-term mayor of Ormoc City, reminded the DILG that the primary mover of the implementation of Republic Act 11934 or the Subscriber Identity Module (SIM) Registration Act is the Department of Information and Communication Technology (DICT) and the telcos.

“It is the responsibility of the DICT and the telecommunication companies to implement the registration of SIM cards, including informing the public the WHYs and the DOs,” Gomez said in a statement.

“Why give the burden of letting the public know about the pros and cons of the measures, and the registration methods, to the LGUs when these already have so much task at hand?” he said.

“The telcos should not burden the LGUs since they are the ones which earn hundreds of millions of pesos a day from mobile phone users, they are much richer than most LGUs. They should take care of their own business and their own problems because their profit are all theirs to keep and enjoy,” Gomez added.

The DILG on Monday said the LGUs are responsible for letting their constituents know about the need to register their SIM cards and where they can avail of the registration services.

Dela

He also cited humanitarian consideration as a reason for the permission since Sison has his loved ones, relatives and friends who want to pay him last respect.

He pointed out that Sison lived in the Netherlands on his own free will, not because of the Philippine government.

Dela Rosa pointed out that anybody who will replace Sison as the leader of the left-leaning organization will find it hard

He said the insurgents also benefit from the government’s barangay development program.

For next year, some P10 billion has been allocated to the program to bankroll the establishment of school, roads and other infrastructure projects.

Meanwhile, Sen. Jinggoy Estrada expressed belief it is not the end for the CPPNPA which has been waging a guerilla war since 1969 to overthrow the government, but the death of its founding chair may further weaken it. Macon Ramos-Araneta

But local government units, the lawmaker said, already have a lot in their plates especially amid the continued threat of the coronavirus disease, the onslaught of natural calamities such as typhoons and earthquakes, and implementing local peace and order policies as the country celebrates the holidays under a less restrictive mobility policy.

He added that telecommunication firms can easily tap their distributors and thousands of retail stores to do the registration where they sell their SIM cards.

Maricel V. Cruz

SENATOR Ronald Dela Rosa on Tuesday said the Philippine government should allow the return to the country of the remains of Communist Party of the Philippines (CPP) founder Jose Maria Sison.

Rosa, a former police chief, said he does not see any problem if Sison’s body is transported back home since he (Joma) was a Filipino.

TRAVEL AT YOUR OWN RISK. This Mt. Data Halsema Cli stretch of the Baguio-Bontoc Road in Bauco, Mt. Province remains dangerous even as the Department of Public Works and Highways took signi cant time to clear it of rocks and other debris that cascaded from the mountains since the earthquake last July 27th and succeeding typhoons that loosened the earth and triggered rockslides. The DPWH

FLOWERS FOR JOMA.

Supporters and followers of Communist Party of the Philippines founder Jose Ma. Sison who died last Dec. 16 of heart failure at the Netherlands while on self-imposed exile in The Hague lay owers in his memory at the University of the Philippines campus in Diliman, Quezon City. He was 83.

Manny Palmero

WHAT’S CHRISTMAS WITHOUT TOYS? With only ve days in the run up to Christmas Day, a toy vendor attend to here wares in her stall along the Marikina Riverbank. Manny Palmero

Business

WEDNESDAY, DECEMBER 21, 2022 B1

Tuesday, December 20, 2022 43.85 PTS.

6,458.12

F

United States Dollar 1.00000055.4390 Japan Yen 0.0073060.4050 UKPound1.21530067.3750 Hong KongDollar0.1285137.1246 SwitzerlandFranc1.07712259.7146 CanadaDollar0.73303040.6385 SingaporeDollar0.73713740.8661 AustraliaDollar0.66990037.1386 BahrainDinar2.652801147.0686 Saudi Arabia Rial 0.26595714.7444 BruneiDollar0.73443040.7161 IndonesiaRupiah0.0000640.0035 Thailand Baht 0.0287071.5915 UAE Dirham0.27230115.0961

THE share price of PLDT Inc., one of the country’s largest publicly-listed companies, fell 2 percent Tuesday, extending its losses to more than 31 percent in the past eight trading days.

PLDT’s stock moved in the opposite direction of the Philippine Stock Exchange index which rose 43 points, or 0.7 percent, Tuesday.

PLDT, with a market capitalization of P257 billion and a free float of 42 percent, had suffered heavy losses over the past several days on rumors of an impending management shakeup. The company confirmed on Dec. 16 that it incurred P48 billion in cost overrun in a span of four years.

The company announced that it would hold a briefing on Wednesday to clarify the issue.

The company said in a disclosure to the stock exchange that PLDT and subsidiary Smart Communications Inc. embarked on a massive network transformation program.

It launched large multi-year capital expenditure projects which included LTE and 5G rollout, FTTH rollout, transport network transformation, fiber rebuild and fiber to the BTS, submarine cable expansion, core network transformation and towers upgrade.

“These multi-year investments were designed to regain and sustain network and technology leadership as well as provide the best customer experience,” it said.

PLDT said these projects resulted in Smart’s network superiority, expansion of fiber footprint, increased revenue market share, enhanced connectivity and better customer experience.

“While these substantial capex investments were key to meeting PLDT’s goals, they came at a price— capex investments for these four years aggregated to P379 billion, including an estimated budget overrun of no more than P48 billion,” it said.

The company said the P48-billion capex budget overrun represents about 12.7 percent of total capex spend over the period. It said the estimate was based on ongoing internal forensics mandated by the board and its audit committee and discussions with principal vendors.

DOE set to launch renewable energy market next year

By Alena Mae S. Flores

THE Department of Energy will likely launch the commercial operations of the Renewable Energy Market next year, an official said Tuesday.

Energy assistant secretary Mylene Capongcol said the department was preparing the readiness criteria for the REM.

REM is a venue for buying and selling renewable energy certificates—a market-based instrument representing the property rights and other non-power attributes of renewable electricity generation.

The Philippine Electricity Market Corp. launched the interim commercial operations of the REM in August.

“The REM will incentivize the harnessing of our wealth of natural resources, bringing in additional, more sustainable sources of electricity. We welcome this diversification that will safeguard our energy supply security,” said PEMC vice president Leonido Pulido III.

PEMC is the designated RE registrar, which will issue, keep and verify RE certificates corresponding to energy generated from eligible facilities under Section 8 of the Renewable Energy Act.

The certificates will be used for compliance with the renewable portfolio standards—a policy mechanism that requires electric power industry participants such as generators, distribution utilities and suppliers to source or produce a specified fraction of their electricity from eligible RE resources.

PEMC, as the DOE-designated RER, issues one REC for every megawatthour of actual generation from eligible RE facilities to REM participants.

PEMC commenced the REM participant registration in early 2020 and processed and approved about 96 percent of the applications upon completing all the requirements.

PEMC is the governing body of the WESM, the centralized venue for buyers and sellers to trade electricity as a commodity where its prices are determined based on actual use (demand) and availability (supply).

PEZA: Investment pledges jumped by 103% to P140.7b

By Othel V. Campos

INVESTMENT pledges approved by the Philippine Economic Zone Authority jumped 103 percent this year to P140.7 billion from P69.31 billion in 2021 following the approval of more than a dozen major projects in December.

“Despite the 29.85-percent decline in the first semester of the year 2022 compared to the first semester of 2021, we never lost hope that we would recover. With the big-ticket investments that were prequalified by the board for endorsement to the [Fiscal Incentives Review Board], we were able to record a positive increase in investments in 2022,” said acting PEZA

ICTSI’S NEW LEASE.

International Container Terminal Services Inc. and the Port Authority of Gdynia SA sign a new 30-year lease for Baltic Container Terminal in Gdynia, Poland. The new lease extends the tenure of BCT under the management and operation of ICTSI until 2053. Attending the signing ceremony are ICTSI senior vice president and regional head-EMEA Hans OleMadsen (seated, right), BCT chief executive Wojciech Szymulewicz (standing, right), with Port Authority of Gdynia S.A. representatives.

director-general Tereso Panga.

The leading investments promotions agency said it had approved 198 projects since January this year.

Actual employment and exports at economic zones under PEZA reached 1,850,842 direct jobs and about $54.23 billion in exports as of October 2022.

The agency said this year’s investment pledges exceeded the previous peak of P140.2 billion in 2018. The PEZA board approved on Dec.15 some 13 big ticket projects that contributed over P83 billion investments.

Among the new batch of approvals were three new ecozone developments, four export manufacturing enterprises and six IT service enterprises.

PEZA said the investments commitment came mostly from Japan, Singapore, the Netherlands, the United Kingdom, the United States, India, South Korea, China, the British Virgin Islands and Taiwan.

“With the increasing GDP growth rate of the Philippines, we can expect more foreign direct investmentsto register with PEZA,” said Panga.

“What is important is we keep building and sustaining the confidence of investors and the country’s competitiveness in investment promotions and facilitations. Indeed, the economic and political climate are improving under the PBBM administration and we hope to sustain very good performance as we prepare for the upturn in the economy and our transition to upper-middle income status,” he said.

Panga underscored the importance of economic zones in the country’s revenue generation and industrialization program.

“We cannot register productivity-enhancing investments if we do not have the ecosystems to provide our investors so that they can be viable with their operations in the Philippines. At this time of crisis, ecozones can be shields to soften the landing of the headwinds, the external headwinds and all these global disruptions happening. The other side to this is that ecozones can be economic drivers. We are in that unique opportunity to contribute to countryside development and accelerate our economic growth,” he said.

EuroEuro 1.06090058.8152 Korea Won 0.0007680.0426 ChinaYuan0.1432307.9405 IndiaRupee0.0120990.6708 MalaysiaRinggit0.22614212.5371 New Zealand Dollar 0.63650035.2869 TaiwanDollar0.0325011.8018

Source: BSP

PLDT stock fell 31% in 8 trading days IN BRIEF

Globe commits to good corporate governance

GLOBE, the country’s mobile leader and digital solutions platform, on Tuesday assured the public that it has consistently upheld the highest standard of good corporate governance across its organization amid the controversial P48-billion budget overruns incurred by its rival telecom company.

Globe said its management is responsible for providing, in a timely manner, complete and accurate financial information on operations as a publicly-listed company following the Philippine Financial Reporting Standards.

“Globe is committed to best practices in corporate governance to deliver continuous value for our customers, employees and stakeholders. Good corporate governance is central in the way we do business and serves as our North Star in making business decisions,” said Globe chief finance officer, treasurer and chief risk officer Rizza ManiegoEala.

Globe’s statement came after PLDT incurred a P48-billion cost overrun, representing about 12.7 percent of the total capital expenditures amounting to P379 billion from 2019 to 2022. Darwin G. Amojelar

Megawide optimistic on precast business

ENGINEERING and construction firm Megawide Construction Corp. is bullish on its pre-cast and construction solutions business as it expects this unit to deliver higher margins.

Megawide said in a disclosure to the stock exchange Tuesday the business segment was proving to be an emerging growth area for the group not only as a pure complementary service but also as a separate income-generating business catering to a wide array of residential, commercial and industrial uses.

“As ancillary businesses, these legs can benefit from the company’s healthy order book as part of the value chain. Externally, they can also look for their own clients outside of Megawide to increase their customer base and diversify their revenue stream to leverage on the usability of precast as a natural progression in the construction industry,” said Megawide chairman and chief executive Edgar Saavedra.

Saavedra said the segment is more scalable and could deliver better margins. “Precast production follows a manufacturing model, where economies of scale can be achieved, thus resulting in higher margins. Operating the largest and most advanced precast facility in the country gives us an opportunity to maximize our unique advantage,” he said. Jenniffer B. Austria

DOE issues warning on energy-saving devices

THE Department of Energy warned the public against the rampant selling and promotion of energy-saving devices to reduce electric bills.

“We would like to inform everyone that these activities tend to deceive our energy consumers and promote their personal interests,” the DOE said in its advisory.

“To verify their claim for efficiency, consumers should ask from these sellers a test result coming from the DOE regarding their ESD products,” the agency said.

It said the DOE had yet to find an energysaving device that could satisfy its claim for efficiency.

PH incurred $7.9-b BOP deficit in 11 months; GIR rose to $95.1b

By Julito G. Rada

THE country’s balance of payments position yielded a deficit of $756 million in November, wider than the $123-million shortfall a year ago after the government settled some of its foreign debts, the Bangko Sentral ng Pilipinas said Tuesday.

“The BOP deficit in November 2022 reflected outflows arising mainly from the national government’s payments of its foreign currency debt obligations and

the Bangko Sentral ng Pilipinas’ net foreign exchange operations,” the BSP said in a statement.

The BOP deficit in November brought the 11-month BOP level to a $7.9-billion deficit, a reversal from the $353-million surplus recorded in the same period last year.

“Based on preliminary data, this cumulative BOP deficit was due to the widening trade in goods deficit as goods imports continued to surpass goods exports on the back of the increase in inter-

national commodity prices and resumption in domestic economic activities,” the BSP said.

Meanwhile, the gross international reserves increased to $95.1 billion as of end-November from $94.0 billion in October.

The BSP said the latest GIR level represented a more than adequate external liquidity buffer equivalent to 7.2 months’ worth of imports of goods and payments of services and primary income.

“We advise consumers to be cautious and report these unscrupulous practices through our consumer welfare and promotion’s office official contact information,” the DOE said.

One of the DOE’s key priorities to implement energy efficiency and conservation measures pursuant to Republic Act No. 11285 or the Energy Efficiency and Conservation Act and its implementing rules and regulations in 2019 institutionalized EE&C measures in the country.

“The efficient use of energy is one of the main cornerstones of our energy transition strategy. We recognize it as one of the most cost-effective approaches to lower our overall energy demand and, as a result, the emissions that come with it,” Energy Secretary Raphael Lotilla said. Alena Mae S. Flores

Mining employees find another source of income following onslaught of typhoon Odette

A GROUP of employees from Cagdianao Mining Corp. harvested hundreds of kilograms of bangus as the province of Dinagat Islands marked the devastation wrought by typhoon Odette exactly a year ago.

A people’s organization―Valencia Regular-Seasonal Workers Association―composed of employees of CMC, a subsidiary of Nickel Asia Corp., collaborated with the Bureau of Fisheries and Aquatic Resources and the Department of Labor and Employment to embark on a fish farming project for extra income for employees.

BFAR provided the trainings, DOLE contributed the farm inputs and CMC gave logistical and operational funds including the cover for the cost of the Nor-

wegian cage, estimated at P800,000 including accessories, which was sourced through the mining company’s yearly Social Development and Management Program budget.

“This project was stalled, first because of the pandemic, and then when Odette destroyed the cage and the fish nets, so this is our first partial harvest since and interestingly on the anniversary of Odette,” said Lorenzo Cuares Jr., president of VARSWA.

VARSWA has about 50 members, all regular-seasonal employees of CMC. The mining company assisted in forming this people’s organization and provided seed capital.

For VARSWA members, bangus farming is a natural choice as the inland coastal waterway provides the best condition for cage culture and, according to BFAR, suitable for bangus farming as to water quality and that there are no strong waves because of the surrounding mountains.

Cuares said they were expecting to account at least 3,000 kilos of bangus in this particular harvest from just one cage. He said the members of VARSWA would get a 70-percent dividend share out of their net income which they would divide equally.

sell between P180 to P220 per kilo depending on size.

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

The bangus

TOP PASAY TAXPAYERS. Seven SM companies are recognized as top business taxpayers by Pasay City in an appreciation ceremony on Dec. 7, 2022 at the Conrad Manila. The awards are among the highlights of the 159th founding anniversary of the city.

Attending the event are (from left) Pasay business permits and licensing office head Michelle R. Talavera-Pardo, assessor Fernando Fandino, treasurer Emelito Tecson, councilor Joey Calixto Isidro, vice mayor Waldetrudes Del Rosario, Mayor Imelda Calixto-Rubiano, SM Investments Corp. vice president for contollership Helen Grace Dela Cruz and senior assistant vice president for corporate tax Ma. Cristina Agbunag.

Jojo Cuares shows off the newly harvested bangus from the Norwegian fish cage in the background provided by Cagdianao Mining Corp.

of total domestic production (eight cement manufacturers) of subject articles in 2020. This satisfies the domestic industry requirement.

2. Locally manufactured Ordinary Portland Cement Type 1 is a “like product” to Portland Cement Type 1 imported from Viet Nam. Both have similar material composition and production process, fall under the same tariff classification, conform to the chemical and physical requirements of PNS 07:2018, are used for similar applications, and have similar distribution channels.

Locally produced Blended Cement Type 1P is a “like product” to Blended Cement Type 1P imported from Viet Nam. Both products have similar material composition and tariff classification, are used for similar applications, have similar distribution channels and production process, and conform to the chemical and physical requirements of PNS 63:2019.

3. Portland Cement specified in TCVN 2682:2009 Standard and sold in the domestic market of Viet Nam (PC30, PC40, and PC 50) has characteristics closely resembling the Ordinary Portland Cement Type 1 exported to the Philippines. Both have similar material composition, chemical and physical requirements, and production process. Said products also have similar uses and distribution channels.

Blended Cement Type 1P specified in TCVN 6260:2009 Standard and sold in the domestic market of Viet Nam (PCB30, PCB40, and PCB50) has characteristics closely resembling the Blended Cement Type 1 P exported to the Philippines. Both have similar material composition, chemical and physical requirements, manufacturing process, uses, and distribution channels.

4. In July 2019 to December 2020, the POI for dumping determination, there were price differences between the normal values and export prices to the Philippines of Ordinary Portland Cement Type1 and Blended Cement Type 1P originating from Viet Nam.

5. The volume of imports of Ordinary Portland Cement Type 1 and Blended Cement Type 1P at dumped prices is not negligible, accounting for 53% of total Philippine cement imports from July 2019 to December 2020.

6. An evaluation of the economic factors having a bearing on the state of the domestic cement industry during the POI of 2017 to 2021, when taken together, shows that the domestic industry is not materially injured by dumped Ordinary Portland Cement Type 1 and Blended Cement Type 1P from Viet Nam.

7. The existence of threat of material injury to the domestic industry is imminent in the near future as indicated by the significant rate of increase of dumped imports into the Philippines capturing substantial market share; presence of price undercutting, price depression and price suppression during the POI; the substantial available production capacities of Viet Nam that can accommodate increasing exports to the Philippines, its top export market; and the openness of the Philippine cement market.”

Thus, the Commission, having established that the threat of material injury to the domestic cement industry is imminent in the near future from dumped imports from Viet Nam, ordered that anti-dumping duties be imposed on imports of Ordinary Portland Cement Type 1 (AHTN 2017/2022 Subheading No. 2523.29.90) and Blended Cement Type 1P (AHTN 2017/2022 Subheading No. 2523.90.00) originating and exported from Viet Nam, for a period of five (5) years.

WHEREFORE, IN VIEW THEREOF, the DTI reviewed the recommendation of the Commission and hereby issues the following:

1. Definitive anti-dumping duties shall be imposed for a period of five (5) years on imports of Ordinary Portland Cement Type 1 (AHTN 2017/2022 Subheading No. 2523.29.90) and Blended Cement Type 1P (AHTN 2017/2022 Subheading No. 2523.90.00) originating from Viet Nam in accordance with Annex “A”.

The “All Others’ Rates” shall be applied to foreign exporters who (1) did not make themselves known to the Commission, (2) did not cooperate sufficiently during the formal investigation, and (3) new foreign exporters who have not exported subject articles to the Philippines during the POI and updated period.

However, for those exporters or producers in Viet Nam who have not exported Type 1 and Type 1P cement to the Philippines during the POI (2017-2021), their individual margin of dumping may be determined following a review pursuant to Section 3 (n) of RA 8752 and elaborated under Section 18 (g) of the IRR (New Shippers Review). The said review shall be initiated and carried out on an accelerated basis, provided that such exporters or producers can show that they are not related to any of the exporters or producers in Viet Nam who are subject to anti-dumping duties on their aforementioned product. An application must be submitted to the Commission in writing containing a description of the foreign exporter’s product and the basis of the request. No anti-dumping duties shall be levied on imports from such exporters or producers while the review is being carried out.

2. Investigation on exporters determined to have a de minimis and/or negative dumping margins under Annex “B,” is hereby terminated.

With the termination of investigation on the exporters listed under Annex “B,” no anti-dumping duty, even at zero (0%) rate, shall be imposed on their exports of subject articles to the Philippines. The “All Others’ Rates” shall likewise, not be applied to them. The said identified exporters are thus, excluded from the scope of the instant Department Administrative Order imposing the anti-dumping duties.

3. Accordingly, cash bonds deposited/paid by exporters pursuant to BOC CMO No. 38-2021 (Annex C), shall be returned immediately upon the effectivity of the instant Department Administrative Order. The Commission determined that said exporters have a de minimis and/or negative dumping margins (Annex B).

4. Finally, with respect to the cash bond deposited/paid by Nam Phuong Imex Import and Export JSC and those deposited/ paid by exporters under the “All Others’ Rate” as provisional anti-dumping duty under CMO No. 38-2021 which are in excess of the anti-dumping duty assessed, the remainder shall likewise, be returned immediately upon the effectivity of this Department Administrative Order.

This DTI Department Administrative Order can be accessed at the DTI website: https://bit.ly/antidumping-cement The Order shall take effect after the lapse of the period to file a Motion for Reconsideration in case no Motion for Reconsideration has been filed or upon a negative resolution of the motion in case one is filed, in accordance with Sections 16 and 20 of the IRR of RA 8752. The BOC shall issue the relevant Customs Memorandum Order after the lapse of such period. Let this Order be published in two (2) newspapers of general circulation and let individual notices

Trial of Suu Kyi enters final phase

AJUNTA court will hear the final arguments in the 18-monthlong trial of Myanmar’s Aung San Suu Kyi next week, a legal source said Tuesday, before reaching its final verdicts against the Nobel laureate.

Suu Kyi has been a prisoner since the military toppled her government in February 2021, ending the Southeast Asian nation’s brief period of democracy.

She has been convicted on 14 charges, ranging from corruption to illegally possessing walkie-talkies and flouting Covid restrictions.

The junta court will hear “final arguments” from both sides related to five remaining charges of corruption on December 26, according to a source with knowledge of the case.

“The verdict will be given after that stage,” the source said, adding a date had not yet been set.

Suu Kyi, 77, appeared in good health, the source said.

Each corruption charge carries a maximum jail term of 15 years.

Journalists have been barred from attending the court hearings and Suu Kyi’s lawyers have been banned from speaking to the media.

In June, she was transferred from house arrest in military-built Naypyidaw to a prison compound, where her trial continues at a special court.

The military alleged widespread voter fraud during the November 2020 election, won resoundingly by Suu Kyi’s National League for Democracy party, although international observers said the poll was largely free and fair.

Myanmar has been in turmoil since the coup, with over 2,500 killed in the military’s crackdown on dissent, according to a local monitoring group. AFP

Jury finds Harvey Weinstein guilty of rape, sexual assault

DISGRACED US movie titan

Harvey Weinstein was convicted Monday of the rape and sexual assault of a woman a decade ago, in what prosecutors said was part of his “reign of terror” over aspiring young actresses in Hollywood.

The 70-year-old “Pulp Fiction” producer, who was once one of the most powerful men in the film industry, faces up to 24 years in jail, in addition to a sentence he is already serving for sex crimes in New York.

His victim in the Los Angeles case said Monday she hopes he “never sees the outside of a prison cell during his lifetime.”

“Harvey Weinstein forever destroyed a part of me that night in 2013 and I will never get that back,” the woman, identified during the trial as Jane Doe #1, said in a statement.

A weeks-long trial heard graphic descriptions of encounters between the once-powerful producer and women who were trying to make their way in the world of movies.

Prosecutors painted a picture of a predatory ogre, who for years used his physical size and his professional prowess to rape and abuse women with impunity.

His victims were left terrorized and afraid for their careers if they spoke out against a man who dominated Tinseltown, prosecutors said.

Rumors of Weinstein’s impropriety had circulated in Hollywood for years, but his position at the apex of the industry meant few were prepared to challenge him.

That all changed in 2017 with the publication of bombshell allegations against him, ushering in the #MeToo movement and opening the floodgates for women to speak out against sexual violence in the workplace.

Dozens of women have since alleged they were victims of Weinstein.

His convictions in New York, which landed him with a 23-year jail term, were followed by charges in Los Angeles, ultimately relating to four women. AFP

Survivor rescued as Thai navy continues search for 29 sailors

ONE sailor was found alive Tuesday in the Gulf of Thailand after two nights at sea following the sinking of a naval vessel, giving hope to the families of the dozens of others still missing.

In total so far, 76 sailors from the HTMS Sukhothai have been hauled from the sea after the vessel went down late Sunday roughly 37 kilometres (22 miles) off the country’s southeastern coast.

Rescuers in helicopters, two planes, and four vessels – the HTMS Kraburi, HTMS Angthong, HTMS Naresuan and HTMS Bhumibol Adulyadej – were scanning the turbulent waters for 29 missing sailors, the navy said.

Naval commander Pichai Lorchusakul confirmed on Tuesday afternoon they had found a survivor in “good health”, naming him as 23-year-old Chananyu Gansriya, from Loei province.

“I believe that this is good news that we could find more people,” he said, but did not release any further information about the rescue.

Earlier, another naval officer, Narong Khumburi, expressed hope that survivors would be discovered as they have “life vests.”

“But I imagine they must be exhausted.”

The navy had initially reported that 106 people were aboard the vessel, but revised that figure down to 105 on Tuesday. AFP

IN BRIEF

Kim’s sister defends Nokor’s spy satellite

NORTH Korea has developed advanced technologies to take images from space using a spy satellite, the powerful sister of leader Kim Jong Un insisted Tuesday, after experts mocked black-and-white images supposedly taken from space in a weekend launch.

Kim Yo Jong’s defense of North Korea’s satellite capabilities comes after the isolated country said it conducted an “important final-stage” test for the development of a reconnaissance satellite.

But experts in Seoul quickly raised doubts, saying the quality of the photos – presumably taken from the satellite – were too poor.

In a lengthy, vitriolic statement carried by the official Korean Central News Agency, Kim said it was “too inappropriate and careless” to evaluate Pyongyang’s satellite development progress and capability based on the two images.

She insisted a camera installed on the satellite had the “reliability of ground control including attitude control and shooting control command in a suitable space flight environment.”

Kim also said the satellite’s data transmission devices and encryption processing technology were reliable.

“We carried out a necessary test and reported the significant and satisfying result, which was not lacking,” she said.

The development of a military reconnaissance satellite was one of Pyongyang’s key defense projects outlined by her elder brother leader Kim Jong Un last year.

North Korea is under biting international sanctions for its nuclear weapons programs, but peaceful satellite launches are not subject to the same level of restrictions. AFP

King Charles banknotes to enter circulation 2024

THE first banknotes bearing the image of King Charles III are set to enter circulation by mid-2024, the Bank of England said on Tuesday as it unveiled their designs.

“The portrait of The King will appear on existing designs of all four polymer banknotes (£5, £10, £20 and £50), with no other changes to the existing designs,” the central bank said.

“The King’s image will appear on the front of the banknotes, as well as in a cameo in the see-through security window.”

Charles, 74, became king after the death in September of his mother Queen Elizabeth II.

The first coins bearing his likeness entered circulation earlier this month, the Royal Mint has previously announced.

The new banknotes feature an engraved portrait of Charles based on a photograph owned by the royal household and made available in 2013, the Bank of England told AFP. The design was “finalized in the recent months” and approved by the king, it noted, with the notes to be mass produced from the first half of 2023.

Current polymer banknotes – which have been gradually replacing paper money in the UK since 2016 – carrying the queen’s portrait will remain legal tender which can continue to be used.

The new notes will only be printed to replace worn predecessors and to meet any overall increase in demand, the central bank said, adding that would minimise the environmental and financial impact of the change.

That means from mid-2024 onwards, notes featuring both monarchs will cocirculate. AFP

Diaz to move up to 59 kgs in Paris Olympics

By Randy Caluag

WEIGHTLIFTING

queen Hidilyn

Diaz finally confirmed her plan to move up in weight—from 55 kgs to 59 kgs—if and when she competes in 2024 Paris Olympics.

Diaz said this as she was given a warm welcome by Philippine Sports Commis-

Baldwin: Eagles had to work harder this time

THE Ateneo Blue Eagles may have won their 12th men’s basketball championship in the 85th University Athletic Association of the Philippines.

But coach Tab Baldwin said their title conquest against University of the Philippines was a surprise this time around.

“It was a surprise. The team had to work harder than the previous versions of the Blue Eagle championships,” said Baldwin after Ateneo came away with a 75-68 victory in Game 3 of the finals at the Araneta Coliseum.

This allowed Ateneo to regain the title it lost last May to UP.

The Zavier Lucero-less UP squad could not overtake Ateneo in the final moments in front of 21,814 fans.

“A lot people doubted these guys. And there were times that it was kinda easy to doubt them,” said Baldwin.

Finals’ MVP Angelo Kouame finished his collegiate stint with 19 points, 12 rebounds and four blocks, averaging 17.66 points, 11.0 rebounds, and 3.0 blocks in the series.

Dave Ildefonso, one of two Ateneans to reach the Mythical Five after averaging 12.07 points and 8.29 rebounds per game in the elimination round, did a lot of work in the shaded lanes as well.

Now that his collegiate career in done, Ildefonso is planning to take his talents to the Korean Basketball League with Suwon KT SonicBoom.

Ildefonso becomes the second Blue Eagle to play in the KBL after SJ Belangel, who chose to forfeit his final season of eligibility to sign with the Daegu KOGAS Pegasus. Peter Atencio

sioner Bong Coo at the airport upon her arrival from the New York, where she stayed for more than a week for her PT sessions and post-training following here gold-medal conquest in the recent World Championship in Bogota, Colombia.

Diaz reigned supreme in the 55-kg division in the 2022 Olympics and the recent World Championship in Colombia. In Paris, however, that category has been scrapped, leaving Diaz to choose between going down to 49 kgs or move up to 59 kgs, which she eventually chose.

Diaz shared her team watched the 59-kg competition in Colombia

and identified the top rivals from Colombia, Canada, Chinese Taipei and Japan.

“Pinanood namin ‘yung 59-kg na labanan sa Colombia and nakita namin na kakayanin,” she said.

“Mahirap pero kaya, basta naka mindset na ako for that. Sa pagkuha ng weight madali. Pero ‘pag develop sa strength, ‘yan talaga paghandaan namin,” said the pride of Zamboanga.

There will be no long Christmas holiday for Diaz, who will continue training at a gym in Greenhills, San Juan before going to Jala-jala, Rizal to train with her young wards at her HD Academy.

Coo has provided transport for

Diaz, who endured a 26-hour flight from New York.

She and husband coach Julius Naranjo returned to their condominium residence in Eastwood, which was part of the gifts she received as a Tokyo Olympics’ gold medalist.

“Hidilyn is a jewel na dapat natin alagaan, on behalf of the Filipino people, we profusely thank Hidilyn, who continuously makes our country proud,” said Coo, herself World Hall of Famer in Bowling before becoming a top sports official.

“And she has no plans of slowing down. She vows to again carry our flag n Paris,” Coo added.

CIGNAL BEST PLAYER. San Miguel Beer’s June Mar Fajardo helped the defending champion avert a Bay Area sweep in their PBA Commissioner’s Cup best-of- ve semi nal duel. The Fajardo-led Beermen won Game 3, 98-96, to keep their hopes alive. The 6’10” Fajardo averaged 22.3 points, 11.3 rebounds, 2.3 assists, and 1.7 blocks to earn the Cignal Play-PBA Press Corps Player of the Week for the period December 14 to 18.

Coach tells ward: Run like being chased by rabid dog

By Peter Atencio

VIGAN, Ilocos Sur—Palarong Pambansa elementary champion Leonalyn Compuesto enjoyed her first taste of competitions at the secondary level of the athletics meet at the Philippine Sports Commission’s Batang Pinoy National Championship, with still a day left at the Quirinto Stadium in Bantay here.

The 15-year old Compuesto gave it her best shot to rule the girls’ 400-meter run, by quickly taking the lead, before she fainted and collapsed in exhaustion moments after reaching the finish line in one minute and 63/100ths of a second.

This gave Compuesto her third gold medal, lifting Masbate to seven gold medals, six silvers and five bronzes on the Day 3 of the track and field meet.

“Sinunod ko lang iyun sinabi ni coach. Kailangang maging mabilis ako sa umpisa, na parang hinahabol ng asong baliw (run like being chased by a rabid dog),” said Compuesto, who also took the gold medals in the 4x400 meter relays and the 200 meter sprint.

Compuesto, who last competed in the Palarong Pambansa, noted that her times are faster this time

around. She seeks to become one of the most productive athletes in the weeklong meet.

She bested Emelyn Balunan of Bohol and Wella Mae Coronado (Olongapo City).

Masbate’s other gold-medal efforts came from Jireh Rance (boys 800-meters), the 1-2 finish of former Palaro elementary standout Leonelyn Compuesto and Realyn Lanuza in the 200-meter girls’ sprints, Courtney Trangia in girls’ discus throw, and Prince Branzuela in the boys’ discus throw.

Ninth grader Alessandra Capellan settled for second place to Pangasinan’s Marjorie Ragudos in the girls’ high jump, with Ragudos clearing 1.30 meters, and Capellan leaping to 1.25 meters.

“This is very impressive dahil naibigay nila ang best nila at nakuha nila ang target time and distance nila,” said athlete-turned coach Regine Batoy-Librando, a triple gold medallist in the 2018 Philippine National Games in Cebu.

Earlier, swimmer Julian Lowers De Kam and Kristian Cabana of Lucena collected their fourth gold medals for Lucena City, which now has 10 golds, four silvers and a bronze.

Arcilla seals Naga Open title clash vs. Seno

JOHNNY Arcilla kept his domination of Charles Kinaadman, hacking out a 6-4, 3-6, 6-1 decision in the semifinal round to earn a crack at a third straight crown in the Naga Open National Tennis Championships at the City of Naga tennis courts in Cebu yesterday.

But the veteran campaigner, who foiled Kinaadman in the finals to clinch the Brookside Open and Zentro Open crowns in Cainta and Pampanga, respectively, faces a new challenger in wild card Jan Godfrey Seno, who ripped Eric Tangub, 6-3, 6-1, in a duel of unranked bets in the lower half of the 32-player draw of the Group A tournament presented by Dunlop.

Arcilla and Seno dispute the championship at 1 p.m. today (Wednesday).

On his way to the finals, the 23-yearold Seno, a product of St. Francis Brooklyn, toppled a couple of seeded rivals after disposing of qualifier Juan Pablo Gonzaga, 6-1, 6-0, in the first round. He routed No. 8 Stephen Gjuia, 6-1, 6-0, then stunned fourth-ranked Eric Jed Olivarez, 6-3, 6-3, in the quarters of the event put up by Palawan Pawnshop president/CEO Bobby Castro and serving as part of the Dagitab Festival celebrations.

Tangub, on the other hand, clipped No. 6 Norman Enriquez, 6-2, 6-2, in the first round, survived Jeremiah Tomacruz, 4-6, 6-1, 11-9, before upending second seed and Buglasan Open winner Jose Maria Pague, 6-2, 3-6. 10-8.

But the Zamboanga bet succumbed to Seno’s superb all-around

game after trading breaks in the opening set, yielding the third and ninth games and the second and sixth in the next frame.

Arcilla, a 10-time PCA Open champion who also won the Puerto Princesa Open last October and the Pintaflores Festival Open last month, remained hungry for a crown, dropping just eight games in beating wild card Juvels Velos, 6-1, 6-1; top qualifier Noel Salupado, 6-2, 6-3; and Israel Abarquez, Jr., 6-1 6-0.

Rekindling his rivalry with Kinaadman, Arcilla broke the Cebuano right in the second game but surrendered the eighth to set up a thrilling finish in the opening frame. But after holding serve in the ninth, Arcilla broke the Gov. Jubahib Cup Open winner in the next, snaring the set by battling back from three points down with a sweep of the next five points.

But Kinaadman started out strong in the second frame, breaking his fancied rival in the first and fifth games en route to forcing a decider, which, however, only brought out the best from the veteran Davis Cupper, who rode on a break in the first game to rout the former with decisive breaks in the fifth and seventh games while holding his service turns.

With partner Vicente Anasta, Arcilla also poised himself for another twinkill as they trounced Elvin Geluz and Tomacruz, 6-3, 6-3, to reach the semis of the men’s doubles in the tournament backed by ProtekTODO, PalawanPay, the Unified Tennis Philippines and UTR (Universal Tennis Rating).

are all valid and authentic; that the petitioners has sincere intention and the adoption shall inure to the best interest of the child. In the preparation of Child and Home Study Reports, Ms Mae B Pillo is required to have this properly coordinated with the then Social Worker of the Court Madam Mariebec Cariaga considering that Ms Cariaga made initial study and examination of the subject, the petitioners and their family in the original petition.

If after the conduct of the case studies, the social worker finds that there are grounds to deny the petition, she shall make the proper recommendation to the court furnishing a copy thereof to the petitioners.

The counsel for the petitioner is given ten (10) days from receipt of a copy of this ORDER to furnish the Office of the Solicitor General, the City Prosecutor of Quezon City, DSWD, NSO, the City Civil Registrar of Quezon City and the Philippine Statistics Authority copies of the Amended Petition complete with annexes and to show compliance thereof soonest time possible. Let copies of this Order be furnished the Office of the Solicitor General, the City Prosecutor of Quezon City, Assistant City Prosecutor Arnel F. Pabellar, DSWD, the NSO, the City Civil Registrar of Quezon City, the Philippine Statistics Authority and the petitioners/counsel for their perusal and immediate reference.

The City Civil Registrar of Quezon City, whereby the proposed adoptee is registered, and any one/offices who wishes to oppose instant petition including the Civil Registrar General are likewise ordered to appear on the above mentioned scheduled hearing to show cause why this petition should not be granted.

The petitioners and the proposed adoptee must personally appear and they must testify before the undersigned presiding Judge of this Court.

SO ORDERED. Quezon City, Metro Manila, Philippines 10th day of October, 2022. (Sgd.) FERNANDO T. SAGUN, JR. Presiding Judge (MStandard - Dec. 14, 21 & 28, 2022)

notice is hereby issued requiring all persons having money claims arising from contracts, express or implied, whether the same be due, not due or contingent, all claims for funeral expenses, and expenses of the last sickness of the aforenamed decedentspouse, and judgment for money against them to file them in this Court not more than twelve (12) nor less than six (6) months after the date of the first publication of this notice.

The appointed regular administrator is ordered to cause the publication of this notice for three (3) consecutive weeks in a newspaper of general circulation chosen by raffle, and its posting for the same period in four (4) public places in the province where the properties of the decedent-spouse lie as well as in two (2) public places in the city where the decedent-spouse last resided.

Within ten (10) days after the notice has been published and posted, the appointed regular administrator is directed to file before this Court a printed copy of the notice accomplished with an affidavit setting forth the dates of the first and last publication thereof and the name of the newspaper in which the same is printed.

Let herein notice be posted for the same period at the Bulletin Boards of this court, the Office of the Clerk of Court, RTC, Quezon City, and City Assessor’s Office, main entrance of the Quezon City Hall Building and at the Barangay Hall of the the barangay where the decedent-spouse resided immediately prior to their demise.

The appointed regular administrator is required to render a true and just account to the Court within one (1) year from the appointment, and at any time when so required by the Court pursuant to Section 8 Rule 85 of the Rules of Court.

SO ORDERED.

(Sgd.) MARIA LUISA LESLE G. GONZALES-BETIC Presiding Judge

Copy Furnished: Atty. Portia Flores-Diesta/Atty. Eliseo S. Calma, Jr. –Padilla Adaza Diesta Calma & Associates (PADCA) Law Office, AFPIC Padilla Bldg., G/F No. 77 Anahaw St., Veterans Village, 1105 Quezon City (tonike77@yahoo.com)

August 30, 2022, Quezon City, Metro Manila (MStandard - Dec. 7, 14 & 21, 2022)

Atty. Maria Karla Soleil Rosal-Jacosalem – No. 5030 Hernandez Ave., San Antonio Valley 5, Parañaque City (rosaliacosalemlawoffice@gmail.com) REPUBLIC OF THE PHILIPPINES

09760968624/8660-1763

Weightligting superstar Hidilyn Diaz with PSC commissioner Bong Coo

Johnny Arcilla

Seventeen makes K-pop history at the Philippine Arena

OVER 50,000 fans trooped to the Philippine Arena, the world’s largest indoor arena, as Korean supergroup Seventeen returned to the Philippines with Seventeen Be The Sun World Tour Bulacan in what was considered the biggest K-pop event in the country this year.

Tickets to the event were sold out in minutes, both offline and online, just like for Seventeen Be The Sun in Manila on October 8 and 9 in Mall of Asia Arena.

To make the live experience even more epic for Hallyu lovers, Smart, the Philippines’ fastest and best mobile network as recognized by Ookla, and Viu, PCCW’s leading pan-regional OTT video streaming provider, were at the Philippine Arena with blimps, tents, and immersive booths for Carats.

A Smart blimp was at the entrance leading to the Philippine Arena and Smart Live was at the outdoor lobby, where Carats got to have fun and pose for pictures at the booth before entering the concert venue.

Those who had the Smart GigaLife App on their smartphones also got to strike a power pose at the Smart SVT Booth on the second floor to get a Powered Up Holographic Memento. Carats also got to power up their smartphones at the charging stations. They also got to bring home concert souvenirs and exclusive merch like sticker packs and Caratbong lanyards.

Smart Live provides Smart Prepaid, Smart Postpaid, Smart Infinity & TNT subscribers with exciting ticket raffles, offers, and discounts fun on-ground booths and activities, and many more during events.

The concert was made possible by Pledis Entertainment, Hybe, and Live Nation PH, in partnership with Smart Communications, Inc. and Viu Philippines.

Enjoy the best K-Life experience with Smart! Watch out for more epic concerts and events by following Smart on its official accounts.

A tapestry of talents

I’VE never felt the true meaning of the expression “The show must go on” until I saw SB19, Bayanihan, The National Dance Company of the Philippines (or simply called Bayanihan), the Nightingales, and the Male Ensemble of the Philippines (MEP) continued their performances despite being drenched by the heavy rains during the CCP holiday concert and facade lighting held recently.

Dubbed Binurda, the CCP Christmas offering centered on the Philippine embroidery heritage, highlighting the warp of cultural traditions interwoven with the weft of the Filipino people’s stories.

Director Dexter Santos sewed a concert like no other, with different suites – from Tanglaw ng Hiraya to Pagmamapa sa Padron at Pinagmulan, Pagtatahi ng Ugnayan, Pagbubuhol at Pagbibigkis to Paglaladlad at Pagdiriwang – that bound the audience in one festive tapestry.

Each suite featured varying music genres that encompass different periods and milieus. The first suite brings audiences on a journey to the land of the dream weavers in the Southern Philippines; stitching the second suite, focusing on Muslim Filipino culture, music, and dance.

The third suite highlights the universality of faith, highlighting ecumenical elements; while the fourth suite puts the spotlight on familial ties and relationships. The concert culminates with communal celebrations.

The show kicked off with Bayanihan performing “Intertwining Dreams,” a dance suite focusing on the Mindanoan cultures. It was followed by vocal treats from the Nightingales and MEP, with beautiful renditions of Jocelynang Baliuag and Isang Dugo, Isang Lahi at Musika, respectively. The two amazing groups did a duet of “Noypi” and “Bagong Umaga” medley.

And boy, did we hear loud screams from the A’Tin (the collective name of SB19 fans) when the intro of “What,” one of the most popular songs by the Pinoy pop sensation.

Bayanihan showed us why they were the grand prize winner at the Cheonan World Dance Festival held in South Korea with their inspired Mindanaoan Mosaic, featuring the folk dance by the Maranao people called Singkil

I’ve seen their Alitaptap Dance before. But during the Binurda, they danced to the live singing of “Sa Ugoy ng Duyan” and “Ili Ili Tulog Anay” by MEP and Nightingales, giving it a more magical and dreamy vibe.

SB19 returned on the stage with their song “MAPA,” accompanied by MEP and Nightingales. I particularly liked the dynamics of the three groups when they sang the pop-rock ballad, with the Bayanihan dancers and their alitaptap in the background. The finale featured the facade lighting, which is on view until January 2023.

Conceptualized by CCP Production Design and

Technical

Through creative metalwork characterizing the pulling and tying of the warp and weft, the CCP travertine façade turns into a fabric embroidered with a distinct Sampaguita motif, complemented with other Philippine flora and fauna patterns and indigenous geometry designs.

Indigenous to the Philippines, and considered one of its national flowers, sampaguita is often offered to welcome, send off, and show appreciation to family, friends, and guests. For CCP, it is a fitting “grand facade” gesture of appreciation to our audiences who have supported the premiere arts institution for the past 53 years.

The tone-on-tone design of the CCP holiday decoration provides an understated elegance to the façade during the day, and seamlessly transitions to a dazzling light spectacle at night.

At that point, the rain got heavier. But the Bayanihan continued with their “Mga Parol ng Pasko,” followed by “Payapang Daigdig” and “Munting Sanggol” by MEP and Nightingales. SB19 returned to the stage with “Ligaya.”

Despite the heavy rains, the performers rocked the finale of a Christmas medley, “Pasko Na Naman/ Noche Buena.” Truly, the night was “Kumukutikutitap” with such wonderful performances from the

country’s biggest and most talented artists.

The five-member group, composed of Pablo, Josh, Justin, Ken, and Stell, definitely lived up to their P-pop royalty status with their amazing performance. I’m no A’Tin, but I definitely enjoyed SB19’s performance at Binurda. This was the second time I saw them perform live; the first was at the Acer Day 2022 last August.

And watching them perform despite the heavy rains during the finale of the show for the crowd, for their A’Tin, was truly a gift worth receiving.

As the CCP Main Building undergoes its much-needed renovation and rehabilitation, Binurda symbolizes the people’s anticipation and the artistic promise of the blossoming of a new culture and arts institution.

As the intro spiel enthused: “The CCP Main Building will undergo rehabilitation starting 2023. But it doesn’t mean the Cultural Center of the Philippines will cease operations. We will continue to be the leading art institution in the country.

In 2023 and beyond, we will continue to soldier on. We have curated an artistic program for 2023 that corresponds to the needs of the times. We will continue to make arts and culture relevant, and still bring quality productions and performances even with our Main Building going through renovations.

Tuloy pa rin ang paglikha. Tuloy na tuloy ang sining. Buhay na buhay ang CCP.”

)

A day at the atelier

In A Day at the Atelier,

–

’s paintings.

After all, when it comes to nurturing an appreciation for art, it’s never too early to start.

Likewise, parents can cultivate their kids’ sense of style from an early age. This belief is at the core of Vares Jeune’s brand philosophy.

Santos’s little clients come to him for all kinds of special occasions – whenever they’re celebrating their birthdays, going to parties, or attending Halloween and Christmas events. Fashion is self-expression, and Santos takes his junior clients’ wishes as seriously as he would for any adult client.

“Because we are custom-made-to-order, we make anything to the child and their parents’ delight,” Santos says. “For the child who wishes to have unique and special clothes, we are the brand that can help them achieve that.”

As someone whose art revolves around kids, Migs Villanueva is the perfect collaborator for this collection. A woman of many talents, the three-time Palanca Award winner ventured into visual art under the iconic artist Mauro “Malang” Santos’s tutelage. Her work is instantly recognizable thanks to her signature depiction of children’s faces using only three dots for the eyes and mouth. Nevertheless, she is able to convey the nuances of emotion through body language and the shape of the dots themselves, from a shy, guileless stare to a delighted smile.

This approach instantly gives her work a “kawaii” quality – whether it’s rendered in colorful pastels or muted tones, Villanueva’s paintings never fail to convey the joy, exuberance, and innocence of childhood.

When asked who her subjects are, Villanueva says, “I really don’t paint specific children, unless it’s commissioned work. The kids in my painting are a composite of all the children I have known, including myself, from what I remember as a child. Through the years I’ve depicted all sorts of personalities of kids in my art, and the moods and attitudes somehow mirror my own at the time of doing the work, or what I dig up from my memory bank.”

Small wonder then, that each of Villanueva’s paintings takes the audience back to their own childhoods, or brings young loved ones to mind. Her aesthetic lends itself perfectly to kids’ fashion, and Villanueva is delighted to work with this new medium.

Given the paints Villanueva used, the pieces in the collection are somewhere between wearable and mixed-media art.

“The clothes the artist and I collaborated on may be worn, but they have to be washed delicately due to the painting on the garment,” Santos explains.

“I think the clothes have to be worn and photographed on the child once, then have it stored or framed for posterity and for its added value.”

The exhibit and the show were also a collaborative effort between Art Lounge Manila and IMPRINT Media Group. Art Lounge Manila’s Cindel Tiaussas curated the exhibition while Tedrick Yau of IMPRINT Media Group directed the fashion show.

On the day of the event, Art Lounge Manila worked with One Hundred Ways Atelier and Early Learning Center to provide the kid models a fun time while getting ready for the show. This establishment is a beautiful learning environment for children and families located here in Molito Lifestyle Center, Alabang.

Nickie

ART LOUNGE Manila is once again working with the celebrated designer Robbie Santos to bring high fashion and fine art together. And this time, they’re producing an exhibit with younger fashionistas in mind.

pieces from Vares Jeune

Robbie Santos’s couture line for kids – serve as wearable canvases for artist Migs Villanueva

Division chief Ricardo Eric Cruz and his team, the Christmas façade décor features callado, the intricate embroidery, and needlework detailing on piña jusi textile.

( Photos by Kiko Cabuena

for net

Smart Live powers ‘Seventeen Be The Sun World Tour’ at the Philippine Arena

Fifty thousand Carats troupe to the ‘Seventeen Be The Sun World Tour’ at the Philippine Arena. Smart subscribers were treated to concert perks at the venue.

Bayanihan performs Singkil

SB19 hyping up the crowd with their song ‘What?’

CCP BINURDA weaves a festive tapestry of talents

Artist Migs Villanueva (left) and Vares Jeune’s Robbie Santos

Migs Villanueva (left) and Vares Jeune’s Robbie Santos posing with the young models