Manila Standard - 2022 December 31 - Saturday

CAAP closes some air routes, warns pilots of possible rocket debris drops

By Joel E. Zurbano

THE Civil Aviation Authority of the Philippines on Friday issued a notice to airmen (NOTAM) informing them about the closure of several area navigation (RNAV) routes in anticipation of possible

debris drops from the rocket launch by China.

“Due to China's Long March 3B rocket that was launched yesterday afternoon (Dec. 29, 2022) from the Xichang Sattellite Launch Center in Xichang, Sichuan

Close watch on Chinese arrivals

Quaratine protocols intensify amid dramatic surge of COVID in China

By Willie Casas

HEALTH officials on Friday said they would intensify quarantine protocols in handling travelers from China as COVID-19 cases there continue to surge.

In a statement, the Department of Health (DOH) said it has ordered the Bureau of Quarantine to heighten surveillance of all respiratory symptoms in travelers coming from China.

Infected and symptomatic passengers should be reported during arrival, it said.

The DOH issued the statement after

President Ferdinand Marcos Jr. suggested requiring travelers from China to be tested for COVID-19.

The DOH said the Inter-Agency Task Force for the Management on Emerging Infectious Diseases (IATF) was discussing last night the guidelines on border control for travelers from China.

PBBM calls on Filipinos to emulate Rizal's virtues

THE Department of Health on Friday urged President Ferdinand Marcos Jr. to fast-track a measure in Congress creating the country's Center for Disease Control and Prevention (CDC).

The agency pressed for the swift passage of the bill after Marcos said he was "very hesitant" to extend the state of calamity for COVID-19.

The DOH also said the country’s COVID-19 vaccination program would be affected if the state of calamity—which ends today, December 31—is not extended by the Chief Executive.

In a message to reporters, the DOH said it already submitted recommendations to the President regarding the extension of the state of calamity due to COVID.

"If the extension will not be approved, we can still continue with the COVID-19 vaccination program using existing doses considering their validity is hinged

by

SWS polls 95 percent of respondents hopeful to face 2023

NINETY-FIVE percent of adult Filipinos are entering the New Year with hope, according to the latest survey released by Social Weather Stations (SWS) on Friday.

The poll was two percentage points

SIGN. Residents of Parola, Tondo in Manila take advantage of the low prices of products from the Kadiwa on Wheels of the Department of Agriculture (DA) and National Food Authority (NFA), where red onions were priced at just P170 per kilo compared to P720 plus in public markets.

higher than the 93% recorded in 2021 and was also comparable to the pre-pandemic figure of 96% in 2019.

Five percent of the 1,200 respondents said they would enter 2023 with fear,

down two points from 7% in 2020 and 2021.

The survey, conducted from December 10 to 14, found 73% of adult Filipinos expected Christmas to be happy, while 7%

expected it to be sad, and 19% expected it to be neither happy nor sad. "Hope for the coming New Year has always been higher among those who

By Alena Mae S. Flores

THE Department of Energy forecasts an increase in domestic pump prices of as much as P3.30 per liter effective Tuesday on increased global oil demand due to holiday travels and the European Union's ban on Russian oil products.

DOE director for the Oil Industry Management Bureau Rodela Romero said kerosene is seen to go up by P3 to P3.30 per liter, diesel by P2.30 to P2.50 per liter, and gasoline by P2.10 to P2.20 per liter.

Romero said the estimates are based only on the four-day trading and could still change.

agenda. "The traditional midnight gathering of family and friends for

Football legend Pele

dies at

SAO

seen next week OBRIGADO, O REI. In this file photo taken on October 31, 1990, Pele acknowledges cheers from a crowd of

The death of "O Rei" (The King) triggered a wave of tributes from around

File photo dated July 27, 2016 shows President Duterte during a National Security Council meeting attended by four former presidents including (from left) Joseph Estrada, Gloria Macapagal-Arroyo, Fidel V. Ramos and Benigno Aquino III. Presidential Spokesman Harry Roque says Malacanang is inclined to ask the four ex-presidents to attend a meeting on issues besetting the West Philippine Sea. NSC file

PAULO, Brazil—Brazil started three days of national mourning on Friday for football legend Pele, the three-time World Cup winner widely regarded as the greatest player of all time, who has died at the age of 82.

PRESIDENT Ferdinand R. Marcos Jr. urged Filipinos to continue to embody Dr. Jose Rizal’s virtues of excellence, patriotism, and perseverance as he led the 126th commemoration of the martyrdom of the national hero at the Rizal Park in Manila on Friday.

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your copy of Manila Standard? Call or text

during a

in Milan to celebrate his 50th birthday. He passed away Friday at the age of

legislative

Next page Next page Next page Next page Next page Next page NEWS / A2 ROMUALDEZ SEES SENATE PASSING MAHARLIKA BILL

Speaker Martin Romualdez

Speaker: Senators will pass MIF

By Maricel V. Cruz

“I have no doubt that our senators share our vision and purpose in advocating this fund, which aims to sustain our economic growth so we could generate more job and income opportunities for our people,” Romualdez said.

“Together, the Senate and the House, along with the executive

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“The IATF will discuss on the guidelines on how to deal with the COVID-19 resurgence in China, including our border control for Chinese travelers to the country, for recommendation and approval of the President,” the department said.

Currently, foreign travelers who are not fully vaccinated against COVID-19 are required to present a negative predeparture antigen or RT-PCR test results before travel or upon arrival.

In response to the surging cases in China, Spain, South Korea, the United States, Italy, Japan, India, and Malaysia have recently announced that they would increase health measures for travelers from China.

The lack of transparent data from China — particularly about viral genomic sequencing — is making it "increasingly difficult for public health officials to ensure that they will be able to identify any potential new variants and take prompt measures to reduce the spread," US officials said Tuesday.

India and Japan have already said they will impose mandatory PCR testing on all passengers from China.

Spain’s health minister on Friday said passengers arriving from China would be

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the globe to the man who both transformed football and transcended the sport.

Pele died Thursday at the Albert Einstein hospital in Sao Paulo after a long battle with cancer.

The football world—from current stars to his former teammates—honored the man who more than any other made football into the "Beautiful Game", scoring a world record 1,281 goals in 1,363 matches during a career spanning more than two decades.

Brazil star Neymar said Pele "transformed football into an art."

France's Kylian Mbappe said his legacy "will never be forgotten," and Portugal's Cristiano Ronaldo called him an "inspiration to millions."

Argentina's World Cup-winning captain Lionel Messi simply wrote: "Rest in peace."

Mario Zagallo, who won the World Cup alongside Pele in 1958 and 1962, said the King had "stopped the world several times" with his talent.

"He leaves an eternal, unforgettable legacy," the 91-year-old Zagallo said.

Brazilian President Jair Bolsonaro, who declared three days of national mourning, said Pele had made football an "art and joy", while president-elect Luiz Inacio Lula da Silva, who is due to take office Sunday, tweeted: "There had never been a number 10 like him."

Pele is the only footballer in history to have won three World Cups—in 1958, 1962 and 1970.

A wake will take place on Monday, followed by a funeral on Tuesday in Santos, the southeastern city where he played most of his career.

The city declared seven days of mourning as fans flocked to the team's stadium to leave flowers.

In Rio de Janeiro, the Christ the Redeemer statue which overlooks the

SWS...

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expected a happy Christmas than [among] those who expected a sad Christmas," the SWS said.

The survey also showed that 74% of the respondents vowed to better

Speaker...

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how grandiose or how simple—should always remind us to be thankful for the year that was, and be hopeful and steadfast in our pursuit of a better future," he said.

"The opening of a new year is an opportunity to start fresh, whether we set out goals for self-improvement, rekindle broken ties, embark on career

branch, can pave the way for more investments in our country through the MIF,” he said.

Romualdez was reacting to the statements of Senate President Juan Miguel Zubiri and Majority Leader Joel Villanueva that House Bill (HB) No. 6608, which seeks the creation of the MIF, is

screened for COVID-19.

Travelers from China will have to show "proof that they are negative... or a full vaccination list," Health Minister Carolina Darias told a press conference.

Coronavirus infections have surged in China, overwhelming hospitals as it unwinds hardline controls that torpedoed the economy and sparked nationwide protests.

A growing number of countries, including the United States, have imposed restrictions on all visitors from mainland China after Beijing decided to end mandatory quarantine on arrival, prompting many jubilant Chinese to make plans to travel abroad.

But the European Union's health agency said Thursday that such restrictions weren't warranted in the bloc.

Chinese citizens have been largely confined to their country since Beijing pulled up the drawbridge in March 2020.

South Korea took steps on Friday to limit travelers from mainland China, imposing visa restrictions and testing requirements and limiting flights as Beijing grapples with a surge in COVID-19 infections.

Seoul's decision comes after other countries announced their own measures, which they say are a bid to avoid importing new coronavirus variants from China.

"Until February next year, those entering (South Korea) from China will be

city was illuminated in homage to Pele, as was the legendary Maracana stadium.

He had been in increasingly fragile health, battling kidney problems and colon cancer -- undergoing surgery for the latter in September 2021, followed by chemotherapy.

In front of the hospital where he died, fans held up a banner which read: "Eternal King Pele."

In a testament to Pele's influence, international figures including US President Joe Biden and former leader Barack Obama, Brazilian music legends Caetano Veloso and Gilberto Gil, International Olympic Committee chief Thomas Bach and FIFA President Gianni Infantino also paid tribute.

"As one of the most recognizable athletes in the world, he understood the power of sports to bring people together," Obama wrote.

'Samba football'

Born on October 23, 1940, in the southeastern city of Tres Coracoes, Edson Arantes do Nascimento grew up selling peanuts on the street to help his impoverished family.

He was given the nickname Pele, for his mispronunciation of Bile, the name of a goalkeeper at Vasco de Sao Lourenco, where his footballer father once played.

Pele dazzled from the age of 15, when he started playing professionally with Santos. He led the club to a flurry of titles, including back-to-back Intercontinental Cups in 1962-1963.

He epitomized the Brazil national team's sublime style of play, called "samba football."

Pele set his scoring records playing for Santos (1956-74), the Brazilian national team, and the New York Cosmos (1975-77).

But beyond the many benchmarks he set, he will be remembered for revolutionizing the sport, his number 10 on the back of Brazil's yellow shirt one of football's most potent images. AFP (See full story online at manilastandard.net)

themselves in the coming year, 20% said they would not change anything, and the remaining 6% did not give an answer.

The survey was conducted using faceto-face interviews and had sampling error margins of ±2.5% for national percentages, ±5.7% each for Metro Manila, Balance Luzon, the Visayas, and Mindanao.

advancement, or just enjoy the simple pleasures of life. The beginning of the year should serve as a reminder to enjoy life and make the most of what we have," the Speaker added.

"As we share our meals and stories, let's also take the time to reflect on the past year. What were our successes and failures? What did we learn? What were our biggest accomplishments? How can we use these lessons to make the upcoming year even better?"

"In the short time that your

among the bills that the Senate will deliberate when Congress resumes its session next month.

Also part of the list, according to Zubiri and Villanueva, are several bills approved by the House, including one that would condone unpaid loans obtained by tens of thousands of beneficiaries of agrarian reform programs undertaken from the time of the late President Ferdinand Marcos Sr. in 1972.

President Ferdinand Marcos Jr. has expressed support for the MIF, admitting he was the one who floated the idea of creating a sovereign wealth fund.

“It’s very clear that we need added investments. This is another way to get

required to undergo a COVID test before and after their arrivals," Seoul's Prime Minister Han Duck-soo said Friday.

Travelers from China must provide a negative PCR test taken within 48 hours before boarding a plane to South Korea, or a negative antigen test within 24 hours before departure.

They will also be required to undergo a PCR test within the first day of their arrival, Han said.

South Korea will also restrict the issuing of short-term visas to Chinese nationals, excluding public officials, diplomats, and those with crucial humanitarian and business purposes, until the end of January next year.

Seoul is scaling back the number of flights from China and all flights from the country will now have to land only at South Korea's main Incheon International Airport, Han added.

South Korea's southernmost Jeju Island, which has its own international airport and separate visa entry regime, was a popular tourist destination for Chinese arrivals before the pandemic.

On Thursday, the DOH reported two cases of the Omicron subvariant BN.1.

The BN.1, a sublineage of BA.2.75, is considered a "variant under monitoring" by the European Center for Disease Control, the DOH said.

"The variant was initially flagged

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on their Emergency Use Authorizations (EUAs). But we cannot procure additional doses, including the (newer) bivalent vaccines," the DOH said.

On the CDC bill, the department said it was working with the Presidential Legislative and Liaison Office to fast track its passage through Congress.

"We have requested the same to be certified as urgent by the President," it added.

Once passed into law, the CDC Act will serve as legal basis for the continued and uninterrupted implementation of the government’s COVID-19 vaccination program and response for other future public health emergencies, without the need for the declaration of a state of calamity.

House Bill 6522 was approved on final reading in the House of Representatives. However, Congress went on Christmas recess on Dec. 17 and the Senate has yet to act on the measure.

The agency also warned that the number of vaccinators would decrease as other cadres, such as pharmacists, may no longer be tapped, and willingness to vaccinate may decrease as immunity from liability is not guaranteed.

Meanwhile, the DOH noted it is open

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China's demand recovery as restrictions loosened also drove world oil prices up, but this was dampened by the increasing COVID-19 infections and fears of renewed global COVID surge from Chinese travelers.

On Dec. 28, the oil firms cut the price of diesel by P0.20 per liter, while gasoline and kerosene prices increased by P0.95 and P0.50, respectively.

These resulted in the total year-to-date

Of those planning to change for the better in the coming year, at least 31% stated resolutions related to health, such as having a healthier diet and exercising more or being more active.

Twenty-seven percent plan to focus on social and attitudinal wellness, including having more patience and avoiding stress, and 16% plan to focus on their finances,

Representatives have been in office, the House of the People has exceeded its expectations in terms of approving remedial legislation and passing the budget," Romualdez said.

He attributed this "to the good working relationship among the Members of both Houses of Congress, who are responsive to the needs of the times."

"We understand the importance and necessity of our job, and we will always strive to fulfill our duty to the best of our

that…For sure, I would not have brought it up otherwise,” President Marcos told reporters on his trip to Belgium two weeks ago.

Romualdez has said HB 6608, of which he is the principal author, contains safeguards against corruption, abuse, and misuse of the MIF.

Among these are provisions that promote transparency and accountability in the fund’s management, which would include a strong public-private sector representation.

A nationwide survey conducted by data research firm Tangere last December 8 to 10 showed half of Filipinos support the proposed MIF.

by the researchers due to its increasing prevalence and mutations that may lead to enhanced immune evasion," the DOH's latest bio-surveillance report released Thursday said.

"However, currently available evidence for BN.1 does not suggest any differences in disease severity and/or clinical manifestations compared to the original omicron variant," the DOH added.

The DOH said the Omicron strain is still being reported under BA.2.75 by the World Health Organization.

The country has also recorded 342 additional cases of Omicron subvariants, the latest DOH report showed.

The samples were sequenced by the Research Institute for Tropical Medicine and the University of the PhilippinesPhilippine Genome Center.

While previous "variants of concern" like Alpha and Delta eventually petered out, Omicron and its sub-lineages have dominated throughout 2022.

All Omicron variants tend to have a milder disease course as they settle less in the lungs and more in the upper nasal passages, causing symptoms like fever, tiredness, and loss of smell.

The Philippines aims to have bivalent vaccines that target the newer Omicron variants and the original form of the virus available by the first quarter of 2023.

With AFP

to alternatives that can ensure an undisrupted vaccination program.

"For instance, we were informed that a special authority to purchase may be granted. Let us wait on the decision of the President," it added.

Marcos said Thursday he was not keen on extending the state of calamity as "we are not in a state of calamity anymore, technically speaking."

"And that is the wrong mindset to be approaching the new year with.

So, we’re still trying to find ways to continue to provide the benefits to our medical health workers, which is the main issue without the state of calamity," he said.

“If the extension will not be approved, we can still continue with the COVID-19 vaccination program using existing doses considering their validity is hinged on their Emergency Use Authorizations (EUAs),” the DOH said.

“But we cannot procure additional doses, including the bivalent vaccines. Also, it is expected that the number of vaccinators will decrease as other cadres such as pharmacists may no longer be tapped, and willingness to vaccinate may decrease as immunity from liability is not guaranteed,” it added.

The Health Department is also in discussion with vaccine manufacturers and COVAX facilities "to secure bivalent vaccines this coming year." Willie Casas

adjustments to stand at a net increase of P14.90 per liter for gasoline, P27.30 per liter for diesel, and P21.30 per liter for kerosene.

The US Department of Energy on Dec. 16 announced plans to purchase oil to begin replenishing its strategic reserves following the 180-million-barrel release over several months to combat energy price hikes due to Russia's invasion of Ukraine.

Meanwhile, DOE director Rino Abad said in a TV interview that liquefied petroleum gas or cooking gas may go down by as much as P4 per kilo starting Jan. 1.

such as finding a job and saving money. The remaining 2% gave other responses.

The survey firm said hope for the New Year started at 87% when the SWS first asked the question at the end of 2000.

"It was in the 90s at the end of 2002, 2003, 2006, 2007, 2008, and 2010 to 2022. It was in the 80s at the end of 2000, 2001, 2004, 2005, and 2009," the SWS said.

abilities. We will maintain the highest standards, adhere to the principles of law and justice, and protect the rights of all citizens," the Speaker said.

"We will not falter in our commitment to serve the public for the greater good and we resolve to make the necessary sacrifices to help each other in these challenging times," he added.

"As we usher in the New Year, I ask that you include in your prayers, the Members of the House of Representatives so that we may be guided in steering the

Circular extends service of OICs, gov't CES staff

MALACAÑANG has issued a circular authorizing the continued service of government officials and employees in the executive branch.

“In the exigency of the service, and to ensure continuity in government operations, while promoting competence, merit and fitness in the selection and appointment of government officers and personnel of departments, agencies, bureaus, and offices in the Executive Branch, officers-in-charge (OICs) and CES (Career Executive Service) eligibles occupying CES positions are ordered to continue to perform their duties and discharge their functions,” Memorandum Circular (MC) 12, released on Thursday, read.

The circular amends MC 1 issued on June 30 and MC 3 issued on July 27.

Under the circular signed by Executive Secretary Lucas Bersamin, OICs of departments, agencies, bureaus, and offices, including Non-Career Executive Service Officials occupying CES positions, shall continue to perform their duties and discharge their functions.

This is until a replacement has been appointed or designated, unless otherwise earlier terminated, in accordance with the specific needs and requirements of their respective departments, agencies, bureaus, and offices, and subject to existing civil service laws, rules, and regulations.

PBBM...

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It was followed by a flag-raising rite led by the First Family and some military and government officials, including National Historical Commission of the Philippines (NHCP) chairman Dr. Rene R. Escalante.

Marcos also offered a wreath at the Rizal National Monument after the flag-raising ceremony, which was held simultaneously in various historical sites nationwide.

He then greeted the members of the diplomatic corps, national and local government officials, lawmakers, non-government organizations, and descendants of Jose Rizal to wrap up his first Rizal Day commemoration as president.

In his message, Marcos said he is hoping that Rizal’s determination to achieve real changes would empower Filipinos to become vigilant of the “social ills that may threaten our liberty.”

“Despite the threat of persecution, Rizal helped enlighten Filipinos about the injustice, corruption, and oppression they suffered at the hands of their colonizers. He did this unflinchingly, not through a violent uprising but through a peaceful protest using the power of the pen,” he added.

He also called on Filipinos to take the commemoration of Rizal’s martyrdom “to reflect on the kind of life that we want to live.”

"After all, true heroism does not only mean offering your life for your country but also fighting your own silent battles and working within your capacities to bring about a better future we wish to see for the present and succeeding generations," he said. Vince Lopez and Maricel V. Cruz (See full story online at manilastandard.net)

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Provinces, China, CAAP has issued NOTAM B3736/22) for the aerospace flight activity effective 30 December 2022 at 12:00 p.m. until 02 January at 6 p.m,” said CAAP spokesperson Eric Apolonio.

Based on the advisory of Philippine Space Agency (PhilSA), the drop zone area is located within the vicinity of Recto Bank in the West Philippine Sea, approximately 137 kilometers from Ayungin Shoal and 200 kilometers from Quezon, Palawan.

“Though the debris from the rocket launch will unlikely fall on inhabited land, it may still pose danger to aircraft and seacraft,” it stated.

Upon confirmation of planned launch dates, PhilSA immediately issued the advisory to all relevant government agencies on the estimated drop zone area and proposed the issuance of appropriate warnings on air and marine access.

The unburned debris is designed to be discarded as the rocket enters outer space.

While not projected to fall on land features or inhabited areas within the Philippine territory, falling debris poses danger and potential risk to ships, aircraft, fishing boats, and other vessels that will pass through the drop zone.

country toward the right direction: The path to economic stability and a country where no one gets left behind. To realize the goal of poverty alleviation, food security, and sustainable development. Where Filipino workers will no longer leave the country out of necessity; rather, they will work overseas because their skills, talent, work ethics, creativity, and hospitality are renowned worldwide," the Speaker said.

"May the coming year bring peace, prosperity, and health to everyone.

SPEAKER Martin G. Romualdez on Friday welcomed the openness of the Senate to the measure approved by the House of Representatives seeking the creation of the Maharlika Investment Fund (MIF).

NPC, telcos tackle issues on SIM card registration

By Othel V. Campos

THE National Privacy Commission (NPC) has met with telecommunications companies (telcos) Thursday to address the public’s data privacy concerns in relation to the implementation of Republic Act No. 11934 or the Subscriber Identity Module (SIM) Card Registration Act.

NPC chief John Henry Naga called the meeting to tackle various concerns, including the notices and tickboxes that may be displayed on the telcos’ websites and mobile applications asking for the users’ permission or consent in using their personal data submitted for marketing, profiling, or sharing with third-parties.

“Telcos must ensure the secure, ethical, and responsible handling of data, especially in all data processing being conducted in compliance with the SIM Registration Act,” Naga said.

“Their obligation to comply with the SIM Registration Act comes hand-inhand with ensuring that data privacy and protection is upheld. Such includes the implementation of mechanisms that would allow the assurance to its data subjects that the data being collected are for the purposes of the SIM Card Registration,” he added.

During the meeting, Smart Communications Inc., (Smart) clarified that these are just optional and are being included to determine whether the SIM card is being used by an individual or a juridical entity.

Similarly, Globe Telecom (Globe) said the option for their clients to allow the receipt of commercial and promotional alerts, and third-party sharing, among others, were only optional.

For its part, Dito Telecommunity’s (Dito) SIM card registration which can be accessed through its application did not include other tick-boxes asking for consent on marketing, profiling, or sharing with third-party partners.

PNP cleansing nets 2,635 cops given penalties

THE internal cleansing process at the Philippine National Police (PNP) has been implemented without letup, resulting in more than 2,600 policemen either discharged from the service or meted disciplinary action.

PNP chief Gen. Rodolfo Azurin Jr. said in a statement that the purge was pursued with a keen eye on the so-called bad eggs and undesirable personnel who do not adhere to the norms of discipline and proper conduct.

Azurin cited a report of the Directorate for Personnel and Records Management (DPRM) which showed that 2,635 erring PNP personnel were meted with due penalties in 2022.

The punishments range from withholding of privileges to dismissal from the service, depending on the gravity of the offense.

Azurin said this hardline stance of the PNP against breach of discipline and misconduct among the ranks is the “most prominent manifestation of its genuine responsiveness and commitment to reform the organization and enable it to absorb further development and modernization.”

Those dealt with penalties included 584 dismissals from the service; 164 demotions, 1,225 who were suspensions, 456 reprimands; 117 salary forfeitures; 26 restricted to quarters, and 69 denials of privileges.

Those whose services were terminated included 321 who have gone on absence without leave (AWOL) 42 for drug use, 15 for failure to attend court duty, 20 for violence against women, and others for involvement in criminal cases for murder, homicide, carnapping, illegal drugs, robbery extortion and rape.

Xmas flooding deaths climb to 44; China donates P1m to Mindanao

THE reported death toll from the torrential rains and floods caused by the shear line in many parts of the country has climbed to 44, the National Disaster Risk Reduction and Management Council (NDRRMC) reported on Friday.

The NDRRMC said 13 deaths have been confirmed—four from the Davao region and three each from the Eastern Visayas, Zamboanga Peninsula, and Caraga regions.

The remaining 31 deaths are still being validated—24 from Northern Mindanao, six from Bicol, and one from Zamboanga Peninsula.

Of the 12 reported injured, two have been confirmed—one each from Zamboanga Peninsula and Davao region— while 10 from Northern Mindanao are

still being verified.

About 28 missing persons were also reported.

Of the number, three have been confirmed—two from Eastern Visayas and one from the Ilocos region.

Meanwhile, the remaining 25 are undergoing validation—12 from Bicol, 10 from Eastern Visayas, two from Northern Mindanao, and one from Western Visayas.

A total of 4,522 houses were reported damaged in Mimaropa, Western Visayas,

Eastern Visayas, Zamboanga Peninsula, Northern Mindanao, Davao region, Caraga, and the Bangsamoro Autonomous Region in Muslim Mindanao.

The figure includes 3,679 “partially damaged” houses and 843 “totally damaged” houses.

A total of 131,028 families or 509,340 persons were affected. Some 4,604 families or 15,800 individuals are being sheltered in 151 evacuation centers with the rest having returned home or being aided by relatives and friends.

The damage to agriculture and infrastructure has been placed at P234.78 million and P1.13 billion, respectively.

The Chinese Embassy in Manila has donated P1 million for the victims of flash floods in Mindanao.

“Help is on the way to our friends in

flood affected areas,” Chinese Ambassador to the Philippines Huang Xilian said.

The Chinese envoy revealed that the embassy partnered with a foundation to extend support and hoped that the help would reach the beneficiaries soon.

“We are sparing no effort to organize the relief operations around theclock,” Huang said.

“By working together hand-in-hand, China and the Philippines can overcome any hurdle,” the envoy added.

Meanwhile, the Metropolitan Manila Development Authority (MMDA) dispatched a special team to provide assistance to communities in Misamis Oriental and Misamis Occidental affected by the heavy flooding caused by a shear line in Mindanao. Joel E. Zurbano, Rey E. Requejo, PNA

IBP lauds PH envoy’s ascent to PCA prexy

THE Integrated Bar of the Philippines (IBP) has lauded the election of Philippine Ambassador to The Netherlands Jose Eduardo Malaya as president of the Administrative Council of the Permanent Court of Arbitration (PCA) for 2023 to 2024.

“As the first Filipino national to serve at the helm of the Administrative Council of the PCA, the IBP and the Philippine legal community express their pride and happiness in Ambassador Malaya’s election,” the IBP said, in a statement.

The Department of Foreign Affairs (DFA) said the PCA is one of the world’s foremost dispute settlement tribunals, alongside the International Court of Justice.

The awards and decisions of its tribunals and commissions have significantly shaped the development of international law and contributed to world peace, the DFA said.

Loyzaga cites DENR personnel’s work virtues

By Rio N. Araja ENVIRONMENT

Secretary Antonia Loyzaga on Friday commended officials and employees of the Department of Environment and Natural Resources (DENR) for their hard work and dedication to duty.

Loyzaga also acknowledged the DENR personnel for their solidarity and support that enabled her to “weather the transition” during her first five months in office.

“There has been tremendous work done even in the last five months in setting the foundation towards our goal to make a lasting impact of change towards a resilient Philippines,” Loyzaga said.

“Thank you so much for your coop-

eration, collaboration and all the efforts that you have put in order for us to weather the transition from one administration to another,” she added.

The Secretary described as “extraordinary example” the commitment, professionalism and solidarity shown by the DENR workers.

She vowed to pursue next year plans to restructure the agency’s present setup in order to improve its capability to fulfill its mandate.

“The transformation is underway,” she noted.

Loyzaga cited the need to make the most of the pledges of support from stakeholders that took part in the round of consultations designed to help the

DENR improve its service delivery to the public, particularly the environment and natural resources sector.

“We already have garnered so many pledges of support from different partners. Let’s make the most of it and let’s show our public how we really deserve the respect from our partners,” the DENR chief said.

The profession as DENR workers lies in the “shared responsibility for protecting our natural resources and also our connection with the spiritual” and called for this creed to be each one’s own mantra, she said.

“Our work is not easy, but we can make progress if we work together,” she emphasized.

It can be recalled that the PCA was the body that ruled on the disputes in the South China Sea between the Philippines and China in July 2016.

The Administrative Council provides general guidance on the work and direction of the PCA, and supervises its administration, budget, and expenditure. It shapes the policy of the organization in consultation with its Secretary-General.

“The IBP considers this as an opportunity to uphold its commitment to advance all interests in the preservation of the rule of law, and to safeguard the ideals of achieving justice and peace through law,” the organization said.

It noted that Malaya’s appointment is in “recognition of his exemplary record in diplomacy and government service.” Rey

E. Requejo

By Nash B. Maulana

Sinarimbo said development of the BARMM would have to evolve twice as fast in order for the region to rise above the ruins of armed conflict, through enhanced local governance, and economic enterprise.

“Having been through the ruins of war, we have been left behind by our neighbors… So we have to move on the fast lane through development: first via far-enhanced local governance, and second, through stronger economic enterprise activities, utilizing the corporate powers of the local government,” Sinarimbo said.

Lawmaker hails PBBM gains in attracting FDIs

By Maricel V. Cruz

PRESIDENT Marcos’ decisive initiatives on easing Covid-19 protocols and reopening the country to tourists and investors in the first semester of his presidency has begun generating more foreign direct investments (FDIs) and putting our economy on the mend, hence keeping it on its upward trajectory this 2023 despite an impending global recession.

Camarines Sur Rep. Luis Raymund Villafuerte, president of National Unity Party (NUP), offered this assessment Friday, stressing that “the most remarkable feat of President Marcos thus far comprise his decisive moves on the public health and economic fronts that sent a loud and clear mes-

sage to the world that the Philippines has reopened fully for business on his watch despite the lingering Covid-19 pandemic.”

“Complementing such initiatives,” added Villafuerte, “were the President’s aggressive pitch in his overseas trips for the Philippines as an Asian business hub with investorfriendly policies plus a young and dynamic labor force, leading to a whopping over $23.6 billion-worth of investment pledges that will for sure energize domestic economic activity in 2023, create a lot of jobs and improve the living standards of many of our people.”

Villafuerte said he is confident that the Marcos administration can keep the Philippines on high-growth mode in 2023 and onwards partly because of the President’s apt decision to sustain the unprecedented level of

mega investments of the past administration in public infrastructure, “considering that infra spending has the highest multiplier effect on the economy.”

Citing a Department of Budget and Management (DBM) report, Villafuerte said the Marcos government has allocated an amount equivalent to five percent to six percent of GDP to spending on infrastructure and other capital outlay projects.

Proof of the continued high infra spending under the Marcos administration was that completed infrastructure projects went up by 39.3 percent in September alone as National Government (NG) expenditures for this sector plus other capital outlay projects rose to P99.1 billion in September from the year-ago’s P71.2-billion disbursements.

THE fledgling Bangsamoro government in the south is pushing the autonomous region through a two-pronged approach to progress for an “irreversible long-term” development rollout.

Chief Minister Ahod Balawag Ebrahim of the Bangsamoro Autonomous Region in Muslim Mindanao (BARMM) said a stronger security had to be in place ahead of every big leap towards development, in order to keep criminality and brigandage at bay.

Ebrahim led the ceremonies Tuesday in handing over keys of brand new police cars to different municipal police stations.

Also together with Interior and interior and local government Minister Naguib Sinarimbo,

Senior Minister Abdulraof “Sammy Gambar” Macacua laid the cornerstone for a new legislative building in Mother Kabuntalan Municipality in Maguindanao del Norte, on Tuesday.

NOISEMAKER. A kid looks on as her mother chooses plastic horns at Divisoria Market in Tondo Manila a day before welcoming the year 2023 on Friday, December 30. The health department urges the public not to share with others their horn to avoid being infected with COVID-19. Danny Pata

HISTORIC FORT SANTIAGO. Foreign and l ocal tourists flock to the historic Fort Santiago where Dr. Jose P. Rizal was briefly detained in the walled city of Intramuros on Friday, Dec. 30, 2022, in conjunction with the 126th death anniversary of the national hero. Danny Pata

HOSPITAL TOUR. Department of Health o cerin-charge Undersecretary Maria Rosario Vergeire conducts an inspection of the East Avenue Hospital in Quezon City to ensure the facility’s readiness for reworksrelated injuries ahead of the New Year revelry.

Manny Palmero

BARMM boosts security, peace; cops get new cars

DMW report says more than 766k OFWs got gov’t aid News

Angara says Libreng Sakay will continue next year

By Macon Ramos-Araneta

SENATOR Sonny Angara said the government’s Libreng Sakay program which has benefitted commuters since the start of the pandemic more than two years ago will continue in 2023.

He noted that a substantial amount was included by Congress under the 2023 General Appropriations Act to ensure the continuous implementation of the program.

“The Libreng Sakay program has benefited hundreds of thousands of our commuters, who have been clamoring for its continuation as a way to ease their burden from the rising costs of fuel and basic goods and commodities,” Angara said.

“These days every peso counts and whatever little savings that could be

realized is highly appreciated,” he added.

Angara, chair of the Senate’s Committee on Finance, said the Libreng Sakay or the PUV Service Contracting program of the Department of Transportation was initially not funded under the National Expenditure Program or the version of the 2023 national budget that was submitted by Malacañang to Congress earlier this year.

Under the 2023 General Appropriations Act, a total of P2.16 billion was allocated for the PUV Service Contracting Program, through the initiative of Congress.

This includes the P1.285 billion in programmed appropriations and another P875 million lodged under unprogrammed appropriations.

What started out as a way to transport

Binay: Confiscation of drivers’ licenses in Makati suspended

By Joel E. Zurbano

THE confiscation of driver’s licenses of traffic violators is temporarily suspended in Makati City, Mayor Abigail Binay announced on Friday.

Binay thanked members of the City Council for their fast approval of City Ordinance 2022-A-167, noting its significance, especially during this time of the year when traffic is being experienced everywhere because of the holiday rush.

“I am very grateful to our hardworking city council for the fast passage of this ordinance. It gives respite to both our traffic enforcers and motorists, especially during rush hours,” she said.

The city chief executive, however, clarified that motorists should still follow traffic regulations to avoid being issued a violation ticket. “Non-confiscation of driver’s license does not clear errant motorists of their violation, hence, we encourage them to abide by the traffic rules,” she said.

Parole admin vows to improve services in 2023

By Rey E. Requejo

THE Department of Justice’s (DOJ) Parole and Probation Administration (PPA) has vowed to enhance its mandate of providing rehabilitation for first-time criminal offenders through community-based treatment programs in 2023.

PPA Officer-in-Charge and Deputy Administrator Allan B. Alcala expressed confidence that the PPA will be able to implement needed reforms in the treatment and rehabilitation of first-time criminal offenders.

“We are ecstatic about the prospects of the coming year when we are scheduled to implement noteworthy reforms in treatment and rehabilitation, management of caseloads, process improvements, and enhancement of staff competencies,” Alcala said.

“Our ideal of providing our probationers, parolees and pardonees with individualized treatment in the community needs to be pursued and rationalized in keeping with our mandate,” the DOJ official added.

Alcala stressed that while the agency intends to establish a more enlightened and humane correctional system and of providing a less costly alternative to the imprisonment of offenders, “we need to further promote the social reintegration and prevent the commission of offenses by our clients.”

Section 2 of City Ordinance No. 2022A-167 states that any person who shall violate any provision of City Ordinance No. 2003-089, otherwise known as the Traffic Management Code of the City of Makati, shall be issued an Ordinance Violation Receipt (OVR).

The person who has been issued an OVR has five days to pay the corresponding penalty. Failure to pay within the aforementioned period shall accrue corresponding penalties/interests pursuant to the provisions of the said Code, and other existing laws.

On Dec. 13, Public Safety Department officer-in-charge lawyer Michael Arthur Camiña issued a directive to all traffic enforcers to issue ordinance violation report to erring motorists without confiscating their driver’s license.

Just recently, the 17 mayors of Metro Manila agreed to suspend the confiscation of driver’s licenses of errant motorists to give way to the creation of the proposed single ticketing system in the region.

frontliners during the lockdowns, the Libreng Sakay program has become one of the more impactful initiatives of the government during the pandemic.

When the lockdowns were lifted, he said more people patronized the Libreng Sakay service, including students and other members of the labor force.

Angra said he believes it’s a big thing to continue with Libreng Sakay in these times, especially with the heavy burden to people due to the surge in prices.

For the September 1 to December 31, 2022 period of implementation of the Libreng Sakay, 628 buses were contracted to service the EDSA Busway Route that will accommodate up to 50 million passengers, based on data from the Department of Budget and Management.

By Vince Lopez

THE government has assisted almost 800,000 overseas Filipino workers (OFWs) in finding decent employment abroad and extended scholarships to their children in the Philippines, the Department of Migrant Workers (DMW) reported Friday.

In her welcome remarks during the gift-giving event at the Malacañan Palace Grounds, DMW Secretary Susan “Toots” Ople said that from July to December this year, DMW assisted some 766,290 OFWs find jobs abroad.

It also facilitated the repatriation of 6,341 distressed OFWs and has continued to give livelihood assistance and scholarships to the families of OFWs in the Philippines.

As of November 2022, the Overseas Workers Welfare Administration (OWWA) had 16,000 scholars, Ople said, noting the DMW and OWWA also have programs for talented OFW children.

“Next year, the DMW will be in full hiring mode because we need to fill up around 1,000 positions,” she said, adding that the DMW will also be opening 16 regional offices and four additional overseas labor posts or Migrant Workers Offices.

“The first OFW Hospital in Mabalacat, Pampanga, now benefits OFWs and their families,” Ople said, as she thanked President Ferdinand Marcos, Jr. for his assistance in approving the agency’s P15.871 billion budget.

She also said that the DMW and OWWA will continue to work to ensure the welfare of OFWs and their

families based on the President’s instruction.

The Malacañang Palace event coincides with the first anniversary of the creation of Republic Act No. 11641, the law creating the DMW.

The President greeted the officials and personnel of the DMW for the agency’s first anniversary, commending them for their hard work that benefits OFWs and their families.

“For the past years, we have seen the full potential of the workers of the department to ensure the interest and rights of our OFWs,” Mr. Marcos said.

Don’t overcharge motor taxi rides, operators told

OPERATORS under the government’s Motorcycle Taxi Pilot Study Program have been advised not to overcharge passengers.

The Motorcycle Taxi Pilot Study Program is a government-backed study for the viability of motorcycle taxis as a mode of public transport.

According to the Land Transportation Office (LTO), the reminder stemmed from complaints from commuters regarding motorcycle riders who charge excessive rates even for short distances, GMA News reported.

LTO chief Assistant Secretary Jose Arturo Tugade, quoted by the GMA News report, also warned unauthorized riders who offer “habal-habal” rides that they may be charged with colorum violation.

“There is no law that authorizes, recognizes, and regulates ‘habalhabal’ to be a mode of public transportation so what they are doing is illegal,” he said in a statement.

Tugade also urged the public to refrain from taking “habal-habal” rides and to report these immediately to the LTO.

For their part, the three MC taxi pilot participants said they will not allow their riders to overcharge passengers, GMA News reported.

The Department of the Interior and Local Government (DILG) meanwhile has warned erring motorists that they will be penalized for using unauthorized commemorative car plates.

DILG Secretary Benjamin Abalos Jr. tapped the Philippine National Police - Highway Patrol Group (PNP-HPG) to arrest violators and work with the LTO to ensure that motorists strictly follow regulations.

Salceda bares priority legislations under tax committee

By Maricel V. Cruz

ALBAY Rep. Joey Sarte Salceda on Friday shared the priorities of the House tax committee for the year 2023.

Salceda, chair of the House ways and means committee, emphasized that the committee will also focus on fighting smuggling, particularly in the agriculture sector.

“The House Ways and Means Committee is committed to these ten immediate priorities for the new year. We will focus strongly on our role in fighting smuggling and promoting investments and industries in the Philippines,” Salceda said.

Salceda bared top priorities, with an emphasis on fighting smuggling in the

agriculture sector.

“First, we will exercise oversight of the implementation of the DA’s and BOC’s task forces and regulations on agricultural smuggling. This is a key priority of President Marcos, and the tax committee takes to heart its role in achieving this priority. You will remember that it was also the House Ways and Means Committee that got these agencies to issue these tighter regulations last year,” Salceda said.

He also said “Second, we will follow up on the request to the DOF to fix the policy on VAT for indirect exporters. I want that issue settled once and for all. Third, we will intervene on behalf of BPO transferees from PEZA to BOI. This will protect

the work-from-home arrangements of many BPO companies.”

“Fourth, we will discuss taxation of alcohol products, especially alcomixes or alcopops. I am not yet fixed on higher rates for alcohol across the board, but I definitely want alcomixes to be taxed in parity with beer. They are consumed like beer, and they attract younger consumers. So, I want higher taxes there and fifth, we will discuss the report of the Technical Working Group on vape taxation. I think for now, we will go for stronger enforcement against illicit trade since the bigger vape companies appear to be paying the taxes we projected we will get from them,” he said.

The DILG came up with the warning after a picture posted on social media about a vehicle with a commemorative plate bearing “PNPA,” alluding to the Philippine National Police Academy. The photo went viral.

LTO officials said the agency did no allow nor approved any commemorative license plate that bears the letters “PNPA” and no such plate was approved by the Transportation department and endorsed to the LTO.

Abalos said under Malacañang Memorandum Order 405, series of 1996, commemorative plates must not be changed or placed on the back of the vehicle or in the space where the regular license plate is placed. It should also not be used for more than six months.

M ANILA Archbishop Jose Cardinal Advincula is asking the faithful to include Pope Emeritus Benedict XVI in their prayers and Mass intentions.

This came following Pope Francis’ appeal for prayers for his predecessor who is very ill.

“I request that we include Pope Benedict XVI in the intentions of our Masses, let’s join together in prayer, Holy Hour, and rosary for Pope Benedict,” he said in an interview over Church-run Radio Veritas on Friday.

The archbishop is hoping the former pope experience the protection of Jesus who came for the redemption of the world.

“May Pope Benedict XVI expe -

rience the presence of Jesus who is our Light and Savior during this holiday season. Let us entrust him to God and to the care of the Blessed Virgin,” Advincula added.

Pope Francis has asked for prayers for the recovery of Pope Emeritus Benedict XVI who is currently suffering from a serious illness at the age of 95.

Pope Benedict XVI resigned due to health problems in 2013, but he remained supportive of Pope Francis’ leadership in overseeing the 1.4 billion Catholics around the world.

The former pontiff was elected to the Catholic Church’s top post in 2005, succeeding the late St. John Paul II.

Catholics asked to pray for Pope Benedict

GIFTS FOR OFWs. President Ferdinand R. Marcos Jr., with First Lady Liza Araneta-Marcos, and their children William Vincent, and Joseph Simon honor overseas Filipino workers (OFWs) at the Kalayaan Grounds in Malacañan Palace on December 30. Family members of the country’s modern-day heroes also received gift packs from the President as ‘Pamaskong Handog Para sa Pamilyang OFW.’ Rey S. Baniquet.

RIDE FOR A SAFE NEW YEAR. Members of the Kapatirang Siklistang Pinoy pass by Delpan and Tondo to promote a safe celebration of the New Year by not using firecrackers while flashing flags with signage of ‘Paputok ay Iwasan, ng Daliri ay Wag Maputulan.’ Norman Cruz.

BEARS OF JOY. Students of the Rosario Ocampo Elementary School receive SM Bears of Joy at SM City Taytay.  SM Mall employees headed by SM Taytay mall manager Maureen Fernandez distributed the food and Bears of Joy. Norman Cruz

US not under obligation to defend the Philippines if attacked by China

First, the US has no territorial claim in the South China Sea where it could clearly be asserted that a territorial boundary has been violated.

The US cannot point to any area where the territorial boundary with China, with Spain or with any of the neighboring countries in the South China Sea has been violated.

The existing dispute between the Philippines and China is rather an indirect dispute between China and the US.

This dispute is the result of hegemonism where the two powers in the region slug it out to assert economic, political and even cultural control on the other.

There is no direct clash between the US and China in the South China Sea except that each is actively and openly supporting the other to advance their interests in the region.

The intensifying conflict between the Philippines and China is a budding case of fomenting proxy where countries in the region would end up in direct clash with either the US or China which it could manipulate, influence or put pressure to pursue or advance their interests in the concept of exercising hegemony over them.

Second, the US is not a signatory to the UN Convention on the Law of the Seas (UNCLOS).

This explains why then Secretary of State, Hilary Clinton, during the Obama administration issued a statement saying the US will not come to the rescue of the Philippines if it is attacked by China.

The bases should not be used to carry out any mission that would endanger the national security interest of the country

This means that as far as the US is concerned, it has no claim or territorial dispute arising from the treaty limitation signed in Paris on December 10, 1898.

The conflict with the People’s Republic of China first became apparent after the nationalist government headed by Chiang Kai Shek was booted out and settled in an offshore island called Taiwan.

To avoid and minimize the possibility of a continuing conflict, China sought to impose a oneChina policy before any country that might extend diplomatic relations with Taiwan.

The one-China policy was after the Shanghai Communique signed by Premier Chou En Lai and then US Secretary of State, Henry Kissinger.

That historic communique, in substance, demanded that countries opening diplomatic relations with China are advised to cut off diplomatic ties with Taiwan.

When the Philippines decided to open ties with China and subsequently cut off diplomatic ties with Taiwan which, as stated, was patterned after the Shanghai Communique, we all assumed that the Philippines has no territorial dispute with China or with Taiwan insofar as the boundaries demarcated in the Treaty of Paris is concerned.

The disputes that cropped up between the Philippines and Taiwan are disputes arising from the unresolved civil war between China and Taiwan, and not really between China and the US or with the Philippines as successor-in-interest to the Treaty of Paris in 1898.

Third, the country’s territorial dispute came about after Obama’s East Asian policy of “pivot to Asia.”

Therefrom, the US began to concoct many issues against China, beginning from alleged claim of wanting to occupy the whole of South China Sea.

From there, several issues have been raised against China like the issue of trade imbalance principally because of its failure to stop the unmitigated devaluation of its own currency, the unjustified formation of alliances in the IndoPacific of countries not geographically located in the region, the unilateral imposition of its so-

called “rules-based order.”

The assertion of US hegemony in the South China Sea was equally meant to give the US a wider room of power flexibility in the region.

The US is fully aware that China was expanding fast its naval power in the South China Sea.

The US alone might not be able to match this new emerging power in the region.

The US has encouraged the formation of various alliances in the Indo-Pacific with many countries invited to join even if they are not in fact located in Asia or the Pacific region.

It began in the early 70s when it created economic alliance, and later on military alliance to seemingly offset the balance of power that was hurtling fast against it.

Although the ASEAN was the first of such regional grouping, ASEAN was the first grouping to re-calibrate the association to one of a zone of peace, freedom and neutrality.

Next was the formation of APEC or the AsiaPacific Economic Council.

APEC has become somewhat converted into a military alliance that covered both rims of the Pacific Ocean in Asia to South America.

Member countries cannot get away from their conversion into a military alliance by the US.

The membership includes South Korea, Japan, Australia, New Zealand, and Canada.

Japan and South Korea cannot disengage themselves because of unresolved threat from North Korea, the dispute between North Korea and Japan, and the territorial dispute of Japan with China and with Russia.

These are interlocking issues the US cannot just set aside without jeopardizing the security of the region.

The US has complicated by adding some kind of racist tone to the alliance like the formation of the so-called “Five Eyes,” which is an intelligence cooperation among the “five English speaking states of UK, US, New Zealand, Australia, and Canada.

It formed an alliance that visibly divided the alliance itself like the decision to create AUKUS to speed up the delivery of eight nuclear power submarines from the US and UK.

And finally, the formation of the Indo-Pacific alliance which aims to stretch the US Navy to patrol in the South China Sea, westward to the Pacific and which accorded India the right to patrol beyond the Straits of Malacca onward to the Indian Ocean overstretching the geographical boundaries of the alliance.

Many are contesting the concept of an IndoPacific alliance because India is not truly an ally of the US. India has professed itself to be neutral. In fact, India is more of an ally of Russia especially in the imposition of energy sanction against Russia.

Worth noting is the leasing of the US military bases abroad like the US bases in the Philippines through EDCA.

The idea proposed by the Philippine ambassador to the US to lease those bases acquired by the US to any country considered an ally against China is the most despicable violation of our treaty with the US.

First, the US cannot have those bases leased to Japan, Taiwan, South Korea, Australia even by the US for the fact that they are not renting any of those bases.

It cannot even be assumed that they are here because of their alliance with the Philippines.

In the first place, there exists no alliance with the Philippines and with those countries.

There is a long process before the country can give permission to use the Philippines as their military base.

We have to have alliance with these countries similar to base agreement we signed with the US.

Any agreement we signed must comply with constitutional requirement like being ratified by our Senate as a treaty and not just through an executive agreement; not to allow the entry and storage of nuclear weapons.

The Philippines must have criminal jurisdiction committed by their servicemen inside the bases; that as lessee, it must pay the rent for the use of those bases.

The bases should not be used to carry out any mission that would endanger the national security interest of the country.

(rpkapunan@gmail.com)

Invasion of Ukraine revives nuclear warfare nightmare

By Cecile Feuillatre

BANISHED from public consciousness for decades, the nightmare of nuclear warfare has surged back to prominence with Russia’s invasion of Ukraine, highlighting the erosion of the Cold War global security architecture.

With Moscow on the back foot in its offensive, the military stalemate has raised fears Russia could resort to its nuclear arsenal to achieve a breakthrough.

Russia, along with Britain, China, France and the United States, are the five recognized nuclear weapons powers and permanent UN Security Council members.

“It’s the first time a nuclear power has used its status to wage a conventional war under the shadow cast by nuclear weapons,” said Camille Grand, a former NATO deputy secretary-general.

“One might have imagined that rogue states would adopt such an attitude, but suddenly it’s one of the two major nuclear powers, a member of the

UN Security Council,” he told AFP, insisting the actual use of the weapons remains “improbable”.

For now, the moral and strategic nuclear “taboo” that emerged after the US bombings of Hiroshima and Nagasaki at the end of World War II in 1945 still holds.

But rhetoric has escalated massively.

Russian TV broadcasts since the invasion of Ukraine have repeatedly discussed nuclear strikes on Western cities like Paris or New York.

One former Russian diplomat, asking not to be named, warned that if President Vladimir Putin felt Russia’s existence threatened, “he will press the button.”

The year’s events have been a harsh wake-up call for Europe, which spent decades in a state of relative ease in terms of nuclear security, enjoying the so-called Cold War “peace dividend.”

Across the Atlantic, US President Joe Biden warned in October of a potential “Armageddon” hanging over the world.

Disarmament ‘in ruins’

EDITORIAL

NCAP issue rages on

LEST we forget, the No Contact Apprehension Policy (NCAP) still rages on.

In the last oral argument at the Supreme Court on Dec. 6, proponents of the program found an ally in the Office of the Solicitor General Menardo Guevarra, who requested the lifting of the temporary restraining order against NCAP.

The OSG, on behalf of the Land Transportation Office and the Metropolitan Manila Development Authority, requested the lifting of TRO before the next oral argument on Jan. 24, 2024.

Individual petitioners and transport groups petitioned against the NCAP, questioning its constitutionality, readiness, heavy fines, and other loopholes in the hasty implementation of the program, especially by several Local Governments Units in Metro Manila.

In his argument, Gueverra said: “The right to use vehicles on public roads is a privilege. That privilege comes not only with a duty to ensure the safety of pedestrians and travelers but also with our collective obligation to ensure that our roads continue to serve the ends of our national economy and benefit every one of us.

“Our concerned national regulatory agencies and local governments have joined hands to

ensure this privilege is not abused. “Through the NCAP, they have established a mechanism to manage traffic and hold accountable those who abuse their privilege to use our roads. We, therefore, implore this Most Honorable Court to find the NCAP in accord with our laws.”

There is only one overall objective here: to make the road safer but not to the detriment of the motorists and poor riders who fall victim to faulty implementation of the program

Meanwhile, a private think tank StratbaseADRI has commissioned Pulse Asia to survey

the will of the people; it came up with a result that eight of 10 Filipinos favor NCAP.

The majority of responders to the survey believed that “NCAP will be effective in achieving its objective of disciplining motorists to improve road safety.”

Again, before we lost the objective of the TRO, let’s go back to the point of some who are against the hasty implementation of the NCAP.

They are not opposing NCAP as a whole, rather it is just questioning the lack of studies, abusive and hefty fines, and corrective infrastructure that should go alongside the program.

There is only one overall objective here: to make the road safer but not to the detriment of the motorists and poor riders who fall victim to faulty implementation of the program.

Imagine a poor rider having to pay P70,000 for NCAP fines because of huge interest.

While in suspension, are the LGUs making adjustments and corrections to their policy in question?

Is there any ongoing infrastructure like putting timers on traffic lights covered by NCAP?

Are the traffic lines being repainted?

Yes, we all support NCAP but let it serve its primary purpose of putting order on the road rather than just a money-making scheme for the few.

Lessons as a government official

Clinton called FVR to asked for our help in concluding a good agreement. Weeks after the Protocol was adopted, Clinton actually called Ramos to thank him for the role our delegation played in Kyoto.

Twenty-five years after Kyoto, what was known as COP 3, I continue to work on climate change.

THIS is the second of four columns where I share excerpts of my commencement speech last December 18, 2022 delivered at the Ateneo School of Government graduation ceremony.

As many of our graduates are government officials, including a plurality of military and police officials, I shared lessons from my stints in government, In 1996, I became a young undersecretary appointed by President Fidel V. Ramos to the Department of Environment and Natural Resources.

I had no political and not even personal connections to FVR and to then DENR Secretary Victor Ramos, who was also from Pangasinan but not related to the President.

But Secretary Ramos or VOR as we called him gave me an offer I could not refuse.

Join us at the DENR and you can implement your ideas about environmental protection and mainstreaming human rights, community based natural resources management, and the rights of indigenous peoples into government policies and decisions.

His offer came with a bonus – I would be assigned to lead the climate change response of the Philippines.

I had just finished my doctoral dissertation on climate change in Yale Law School and I was eager to try out my ideas on how to address globally and domestically what was then an emerging problem.

And so in December of 1997, I was the lead negotiator of the Philippines in the Kyoto Protocol negotiations in Kyoto, Japan. I was even appointed as a facilitator in one of the most contentious issues of the conference – on forest and land use emissions.

I worked with the great Filipina diplomat Bernaditas Muller, who died in 2018, and together with the right mandate from FVR and VOR, we positioned the Philippines to play an influential role in Kyoto.

While we were in Kyoto, US President Bill

For now, the moral and strategic nuclear ‘taboo’ that emerged after the US bombings of Hiroshima and Nagasaki at the end of World War II in 1945 still holds

“The most spectacular event of the past half century is one that did not occur,” Nobel-winning economist and strategy expert Thomas Schelling wrote in 2007.

But the framework that kept world leaders’ fingers off the button after 1945 had been crumbling for years before Putin’s order to invade. In 2002, the United States quit the critical Anti-Ballistic Missile Treaty it had signed with the Soviet Union in 1972, which maintained the nuclear balance of power.

Other important agreements fell away in the years that followed, including the IntermediateRange Nuclear Forces Treaty that Washington dropped in 2019, blaming Russia for not

Just last November, with Fr Jett Villarin, SJ, and a team from the Manila Observatory, we went to Egypt to attend COP 27 in Sharm El Sheikh. This was my 23rd Conference of the Parties, missing only four.

Today, the state of the climate has become a crisis, an emergency, with the Philippines one of the most affected.

We are still fighting to achieve climate justice and while we succeeded in COP 27 to win a decision on loss and damage funding, emissions continue to grow and we are hurtling to catastrophic scenarios for our planet and country.

The essence of good governance is that it is sustained and inter-generational

In my climate work, and in my governance work in general, I have learned that four Cs are paramount: competence, creativity, consensus building skills, and commitment over the long haul.

Whatever government office or field of work you are in, the dramatic moments are few and not so often. It’s the daily grind -- the patient progress you make on your assigned tasks and targets, and the knots you untie one problem at a time -- that matters.

Our governance problems are complex but they do not require rocket science to solve.

From FVR and from this school, you learned to do things thoroughly and excellently,

complying.

“Regarding disarmament, it’s all in ruins, apart from New Start,” Grand said, referring to the Barack Obama-era agreement with Russia to reduce numbers of warheads, missiles, bombers and launchers.

‘Very dangerous crisis’

India, North Korea and Pakistan, along with the five recognized powers, also have nuclear weapons, while Israel is widely assumed to do so while having never officially acknowledged it.

North Korea sharply stepped up missile testing this year, continuing its pursuit of an independent nuclear deterrent that began when it quit the NonProliferation Treaty (NPT) in 2003.

Washington, Seoul and Tokyo all believe a seventh nuclear weapons test by Pyongyang is imminent.

The isolated dictatorship announced in September a new nuclear doctrine, making clear that it would never give up the weapons and that they could be used pre-emptively.

“We’re going to see a very dangerous crisis in Asia,” Chung Min Lee, a researcher at the Carnegie Endowment for International Peace, recently told a Paris conference.

Non-nuclear countries in the region fear that the protection provided by the US nuclear umbrella is fraying.

“If you imagine extended deterrence as a water balloon, today the water balloon has some critical holes and water is seeping out,” he added.

China’s nuclear arsenal is also growing, with

with complete staff work and always uniting stakeholders to have a common goal. Do not forget either the basics of servant leadership. Lead by example. Be transparent and participatory. Be compassionate. Be innovative.

Stand up for what is right. I was red-tagged even then, accused of being a communist and an environmental terrorist

But FVR did not believe that and gave me many important assignments. Even after he left office, this best president we ever had treated me as a favorite, “bunso” (youngest) of his Cabinet.

One of the best things I have done when I was dean of the Ateneo School of Government was to help incubate in our campus great organizations like Ashoka Philippines, the Institute of Social Entrepreneurship in Asia, Government Watch, and the Affiliated Network for Social Accountability in East Asia and the Pacific.

I am especially proud that we supported and continue to support Tina Llamzon and Edgar Valenzuela in their work to grow the Ateneo LSE Of-Life global network.

This training program, which had its latest graduations in Russia, Germany, Spain, is now in more than 20 countries and we have around 4,000 alumni among our overseas Filipinos.

We are now in fact offering the program in Central America and the Carribean. Indeed, the LSE of Life is a gift of Ateneo de Manila to our diaspora.

In sum, we have had much success in the Ateneo School of Government.

I credit Dean Ron Mendoza with how he steered the school in the last six years. He has increased our student population and has succeeded in positioning the Ateneo Policy Center as an influential research organization.

Before me, there was our founding Dean -Dina Abad – who laid its foundations. We built on each other’s work.

I am sure our current Dean -- Randy Tuaño -- will do the same and bring the school of government to even greater heights of effectiveness and relevance.

The essence of good governance is that it is sustained and inter-generational.

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

Pentagon estimates putting it at 1,000 warheads -roughly on par with US bombs – within a decade.

And in the Middle East, the struggle to revive the 2015 nuclear deal with Iran, hobbled by its brutal repression of recent protests at home, has revived fears that Tehran could soon be a “threshold state” on the brink of building a bomb. Proliferation fears

In August, a UN conference on the future of the NPT saw a joint declaration by 191 countries blocked at the last moment by Russia.

One French diplomat reported “extraordinarily aggressive nuclear rhetoric” from Moscow and “disdain” for the treaty.

“We saw a break in Russia’s attitude, which had historically been in support of the NPT,” the diplomat added.

China was “very vocal”, offering a “very crude denunciation” of the US-UK-Australia AUKUS Pacific alliance that will deliver nuclear-powered submarines to Canberra, the diplomat said.

Beijing claimed that the alliance risked further nuclear proliferation, while failing to “lift doubts about the opacity of its own nuclear doctrine or the speed at which its arsenal is growing”.

The invasion of a state that willingly gave up nuclear weapons, Ukraine, by its nuclear-armed neighbor has increased fears of proliferation.

“Today, countries like Japan or South Korea might legitimately ask whether” they need a bomb of their own, said Jean-Louis Lozier, a former head of France’s nuclear forces.

“The same is true in the Middle East of Saudi Arabia, Turkey and Egypt,” he added. AFP

THE dispute between the US and China in the South China Sea is actually without factual and legal basis.

Ousted Myanmar leader Suu Kyi gets new 7-year jail term, total now at 33

San Suu Kyi was sentenced to another seven years in jail as her long series of trials ended on Friday, with the Nobel laureate now facing more than three decades behind bars.

A prisoner of the military since a coup last year, Suu Kyi, 77, has been convicted on every charge levelled against her ranging from corruption to illegally possessing walkie-talkies and flouting Covid restrictions.

On Friday she was jailed for seven years on five counts of corruption related to the hiring, maintaining and purchase of a helicopter for a government minister, a case in which she allegedly caused “a loss to the state”.

Suu Kyi -- sentenced to a total of 33 years following 18 months of court pro-

BURNED OUT. A rescue team walks through a burned-out part of the Grand Diamond City hotel-casino following a major fire at the complex in Poipet in Banteay Meanchey province, Cambodia on December 30. A rescuer described how victims hurled themselves from a ledge in a desperate bid to escape the flames. AFP

Ukraine repels Russian drone attack at night

KYIV—Ukraine said Friday it repelled a nighttime drone attack from Russia, a day after Moscow launched a new wave of missile strikes in the runup to New Year celebrations.

The attacks came 10 months into Moscow’s invasion of Ukraine. In recent months Russian strikes have targeted the energy grid, leaving millions in the cold in the middle of winter.

Ukraine’s air force said on Friday morning that Russia attacked Ukraine overnight using “Iranian-made kamikaze drones”.

A total of 16 drones were launched from the southeastern and northern directions and they were “all” destroyed by Ukraine’s air defence, it said.

The presidency said that Ukraine “withstood” the new drone attacks, which targeted infrastructure facilities.

In the capital Kyiv, city authorities announced an air alert shortly after 2:00 am local time.

Mayor Vitali Klitschko later said seven drones had targeted the capital. Two were shot down “on approach” and five over the city.

There were no casualties, but falling debris damaged windows in two buildings in southwestern Kyiv, he added.

One of the drones hit a four-storey administrative building, starting a fire that was later extinguished, said Kyrylo Tymoshenko, deputy head of the presidential office. AFP

ceedings that rights groups have dismissed as a sham -- appeared in good health, a legal source familiar with the case told AFP.

“All her cases were finished and there are no more charges against her,” said the source, who requested anonymity as they were not authorized to speak to the media.

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

The road leading to the prison holding

Suu Kyi in the military-built capital Naypyidaw was clear of traffic ahead of the verdict, said an AFP correspondent in the city.

Former Myanmar president Win Myint, who was co-accused with Suu Kyi in the latest trial, received the same sentence, the source said, adding that both would appeal.

Since her trial began, Suu Kyi has been seen only once—in grainy state media photos from a bare courtroom -- and has been reliant on lawyers to relay messages to the world.

Many in Myanmar’s democracy struggle, which Suu Kyi has dominated for decades, have abandoned her core principle of non-violence, with “People’s Defence Forces” clashing regularly with the military across the country.

Last week the United Nations Security Council called on the junta to release Suu Kyi in its first resolution on the situation in Myanmar since the coup.

It was a moment of relative unity by the council after permanent members and junta allies China and Russia abstained, opting not to wield vetoes following amendments to the wording. ‘Ridiculous’

The corruption charges were “ridiculous”, said Htwe Htwe Thein, an associate professor at Curtin University in Australia.

“Nothing in Aung San Suu Kyi’s leadership, governance, or lifestyle indicates the smallest hint of corruption,” she said.

“The question now will be what to do with Aung San Suu Kyi,” said Richard Horsey of the International Crisis Group. AFP

Putin tells Xi: Ramp up pact to counter West

MOSCOW—Russian leader

Vladimir Putin told Chinese President Xi Jinping on Friday he was keen to ramp up military cooperation and hailed the two countries’ efforts to counter Western influence.

Battered by unprecedented Western sanctions over Moscow’s assault against Ukraine, Putin has hoped to strengthen political and military ties with China.

Moscow’s offensive in Ukraine is a sensitive issue for Beijing.

China has sought to position itself as neutral over the conflict but has offered diplomatic backing to its strategic ally Russia.

“We aim to strengthen cooperation between the armed forces of Russia and China,” Putin told Xi by video link at the start of the talks, calling the Chinese leader a “dear friend”.

The Kremlin chief also hailed the efforts of Moscow and Beijing to counter “unprecedented Western pressure and provocations”.

“In the context of growing geopolitical tensions, the importance is growing of the Russian-Chinese strategic partnership as a stabilising factor,” Putin said.

“We share the same views on the causes, course and logic of the ongoing transformation of the global geopolitical landscape,” he added.

As the West seeks to cut reliance on Russian oil and gas, Putin has looked to energy markets in Asia.

“Russia has become one of the leaders when it comes to oil exports to China,” Putin said.

The Russian leader said he was expecting Xi in Moscow on a state visit next spring. AFP

Death toll from Cambodia casino fire up to 25; rescuers scour site

POIPET,

Hundreds

“The death toll now is around 25,” said Sek Sokhom, director of the information department for the province of Banteay Meanchey, adding that some of the bodies recovered were found in stairways.

Grieving families told AFP they were struggling to comprehend the scale of the incident, with one mother saying she was unable to eat because she was so “overwhelmed” by the loss

of her 23-year-old son.

Photos and video from the scene showed people huddling on windowsills to escape the flames, with one rescuer telling AFP he saw people desperately jumping from the roof as the blaze inched closer.

A Cambodian police officer told AFP they believed “there are many more bodies still trapped inside” as rescuers began entering the gutted complex.

Hundreds of Cambodian soldiers and police officers, along with volunteers from Thailand, are taking part in the search.

Smoke was still occasionally rising from the complex on Friday as rescuers prepared to enter the buildings at around 7 am, with fire trucks on standby at the scene. AFP

Kremlin says no New Year’s greetings for US, France, Germany

“We currently have no contact with

“And the president will not congratulate them given the unfriendly actions that they are taking on a continuous basis,” he added.

As

troops to pro-Western Ukraine on February 24.

While Kyiv’s Western allies refused to send troops to Ukraine, they have been supplying the ex-Soviet country with weapons in a show of support that has seen Moscow suffer humiliating setbacks on the battlefield. AFP

Putin shocked the world by sending

RSF: 1.7k journos slain over past 20 years

PARIS

The

“Behind the figures, there are the faces, personalities, talent and commitment of those who have paid with their lives for their information gathering, their search for the truth and their passion for journalism,” RSF secretary-general Christophe Deloire said.

Iraq and Syria were the most dangerous countries to work as a journalist, accounting for “a combined total of 578 journalists killed in the past 20 years, or more than a third of the worldwide total”, RSF said.

They are followed by Mexico (125 killed), the Philippines (107), Pakistan (93), Afghanistan (81) and Somalia (78).

The “darkest years” were 2012 and 2013, “due in large measure to the war in Syria”. There were 144 killings in 2012 and 142 the year after, the report said.

This peak was “followed by a gradual fall and then historically low figures from 2019 onwards”.

AFP

Syria attack blamed on jihadists kills 12 oil workers at al-Taim field

killed 12 oil field workers, a war monitor said on Friday, a day after Syrian Kurdish-led forces announced an offensive against jihadists.

The British-based Syrian Observatory for Human Rights, which draws on exten-

sive sources inside Syria, gave the toll of a dozen dead in the assault near an oil field west of Deir Ezzor.

It blamed cells linked to the Islamic State group (IS). The jihadists have previously carried out attacks in the area, and a similar deadly assault took place last year.

Syria’s state news agency SANA gave a toll of 10 dead in the “terrorist attack that targeted three buses transporting workers” from al-Taim oil field, which is under Syrian government control.

Despite the defeat of its “caliphate” in Syria by US-backed Kurdish forces nearly

four years ago, IS continues to claim attacks in Syria and across the border in Iraq.

“The attack began with explosive devices that went off as the buses drove by, and then the group’s militants shot at them,” Observatory director Rami Abdel Rahman told AFP. AFP

NAYPYIDAW—Ousted Myanmar democracy leader Aung

DUO VS. WEST. Russian President Vladimir Putin holds a meeting with Chinese President Xi Jinping via a video link at the Kremlin in Moscow on December 30. The Russian leader told his Chinese counterpart he was keen to ramp up military cooperation and hailed the two countries’ efforts to counter Western influence. AFP

Cambodia—Rescuers scoured the charred ruins of a Cambodian hotel and casino complex Friday as the death toll from a fire that forced people to jump from windows rose to 25.

of people are believed to have been inside the Grand Diamond City venue, located in the town of Poipet within sight of the Thai border, when the blaze broke out late Wednesday night.

-- Nearly 1,700 journalists have been killed worldwide over the past 20 years, an average of more than 80 a year, according to an analysis published by Reporters Without Borders.

two decades between 2003 and 2022 were “especially deadly decades for those in the service of the right to inform”, said the Paris-based media rights campaigners.

BEIRUT—An attack in eastern Syria

MOSCOW—US President Joe Biden, France’s Emmanuel Macron and German Chancellor Olaf Scholz will not be receiving New Year’s greetings from Russian leader Vladimir Putin, the Kremlin said on Friday.

the world gears up to ring in the New Year this weekend, Putin sent con-

gratulatory messages to the leaders of Kremlin-friendly countries including Turkey, Syria, Venezuela, and China.

But Putin will not wish a happy New Year to the leaders of the United States, France and Germany, countries that have piled unprecedented sanctions on Moscow over Putin’s assault on Ukraine.

them,” Kremlin spokesman Dmitry Peskov told reporters.

BACK ON TOP. Israeli Prime Minister Benjamin Netanyahu and his wife Sara attend a toast for the new Speaker of the Knesset Amir Ohana (unseen) after the new government is sworn in at the parliament, in Jerusalem on December 29. Netanyahu now heads what analysts call the most right-wing government in the country’s history. AFP

Asian stocks follow Wall Street’s rise

HONG KONG, China—Most AsiaPacific stocks rose on Friday as a Wall Street rebound brought some cheer to the region’s markets on the last trading day of the year.

Data on Thursday showed US jobless claims for the week ending December 24 rose more than expected, signaling some cooling in the economy.

That boosted hopes among investors that the Federal Reserve’s rate hikes will

South Korea sets restrictions on Chinese travelers

SEOUL—South Korea took steps on Friday to limit travelers from mainland China, imposing visa restrictions, testing requirements and limiting flights as Beijing grapples with a surge in Covid-19 infections.

Seoul’s decision comes after countries including Italy, Japan, India and the United States announced their own measures, which they say are a bid to avoid importing new coronavirus variants from China.

“Until the February next year, those entering (South Korea) from China will be required to undergo a Covid test before and after their arrivals,” Seoul’s Prime Minister Han Duck-soo said Friday.

Travelers from China must provide a negative PCR test taken within 48 hours before boarding a plane to South Korea, or a negative antigen test within 24 hours before departure.

They will also be required to undergo a PCR test within the first day of their arrival, Han said.

Seoul is “inevitably strengthening some anti-epidemic measures to prevent the spread of the virus in our country due to the worsening Covid-19 situation in China,” Han added.

China’s hospital have been overwhelmed by an explosion in cases after Beijing began unwinding hardline controls that had torpedoed the economy and sparked nationwide protests.

A growing number of countries have imposed restrictions on visitors from China after Beijing’s decision to end mandatory quarantine on arrival prompted many to book travel plans.

Chinese citizens have been largely confined to their country since Beijing pulled up the drawbridge in March 2020. AFP

EU welcomes US green subsidy scheme for EVs

European Commission said Thursday it “welcomes” US guidelines on a green subsidy scheme for commercial vehicles, after officials outlined their implementation under a landmark spending bill the country passed earlier this year.

The US Inflation Reduction Act contains around $370 billion in subsidies for green energy, as well as tax cuts for US-made electric cars and batteries.

European countries have been unsettled by parts of the policy, which lavishes benefits on US buyers of electric vehicles if they “Buy American” -- seeing the act as discriminatory against European carmakers.

But guidance released Thursday on commercial clean vehicle credits “reaffirms” that EU companies can still make some gains, the EU Commission said in a statement.

“EU companies that provide their customers through leases with cuttingedge clean vehicles can benefit from the incentives under the IRA,” the Commission said.

Companies will “immediately benefit from the new guidance,” the statement added.

But a separate segment of the act involving clean vehicle credits continues to contain “discriminatory provisions,” the EU Commission said.

In documents published Thursday, the Treasury Department outlined electric vehicle models that could qualify for a tax credit of up to $7,500 starting January.

Officials laid out how parties can comply with requirements on critical minerals and battery components, although saying the final rules would only come into play in March. AFP

ease. The US central bank’s aggressive campaign against inflation had sparked fears of a recession as higher borrowing costs slow down the economy.

Boosted by that optimism, the three main indexes on Wall Street ended higher on Thursday, and Asia-Pacific markets followed suit.

Hong Kong, Shanghai, Sydney, and Singapore were up on Friday, while Tokyo was flat.

Trading volumes have been thin in the last week of 2022, with investors in a low-risk mood looking ahead to next year, analysts said.

“Going into the new year, I think investors are going to be focusing on the

same things we were focusing on this year, and that’s where the central banks are going to take interest rates and are the inflation numbers going to force them to continue to be very aggressive,” Chris Gaffney, president of world markets at TIAA Bank, was quoted by Bloomberg News as saying.

Central bank policymakers have been particularly concerned about the jobs market, where demand for workers has exceeded supply, with wages picking up quickly.

Rising wages have fueled fears that the elevated cost of delivering services could become permanent, making it harder to bring down consumer prices.

But the latest jobless claims data injected some hope that the labor market in the world’s biggest economy was cooling.

“The key takeaway from the report is that the level of continuing jobless claims is the highest since February and up noticeably since September... suggesting that a very tight labor market is showing some signs of loosening up,” said Patrick O’Hare of Briefing.com in an analysis.

Markets are also concerned about the impact on global supply chains by the Covid surge in China—the world’s second-largest economy—which has rolled back much of its strict zero-Covid strategy in recent weeks. AFP

TOP GAINERS

LAST % PRICE CHANGE CHANGE

1 KEP 3.97 1.17 41.79%

2 LSC 0.58 0.13 28.89%

3 FAF 0.72 0.12 20.00%

4 PTC 119 19 19.00%

5 BCOR 7.92 0.88 12.50%

6 NOW 2.24 0.24 12.00%

7 MREIT 14.48 1.54 11.90%

8 CPM 3.5 0.36 11.46%

9 PXP 7.67 0.58 8.18%

10 DFNN 3.59 0.27 8.13%

TOP LOSERS

LAST % PRICE CHANGE CHANGE

1 VMC 2.59 -0.39 -13.09%

2 PPC 5.05 -0.68 -11.87%

3 LPC 0.13 -0.016 -10.96%

4 ATNB 0.35 -0.035 -9.09%

5 PRMX 2.11 -0.18 -7.86%

6 APL 0.033 -0.002 -5.71%

7 ACE 1.32 -0.08 -5.71%

8 LC 0.109 -0.006 -5.22%

9 MEG 2 -0.1 -4.76%

Taiwan’s TSMC starts mass production of advanced chips

the southwestern city of Tainan.

He added that the company plans to build even smaller 2nm plants in the Taiwanese cities of Hsinchu and Taichung.

The Taiwan Semiconductor Manufacturing Company operates the world’s largest silicon wafer factories and produces high-performance chips used in everything from smartphones and cars to missiles. It is also Apple’s primary chip supplier.

Its 3nm-process chips are expected to have more processing power while using less power, boosting battery performance.

“Our 3nm technology will be used massively in future state-of-the-art technological products, including super computers, cloud servers, high speed internet and many mobile devices,” chairman Mark Liu said at a ceremony announcing mass production at a plant in

TSMC’s South Korean rival Samsung began mass production of its 3nm chips in June.

Taiwan plays an outsized role in the global chip industry.

TSMC alone accounts for nearly 50 percent of the world’s production of chips below 10nm.

The concentration of such a crucial industry in one place has begun to cause geopolitical jitters, especially as China increasingly threatens Taiwan, a selfruled democracy that the Chinese Communist Party claims and has vowed to one day seize.

The global chip shortage during the coronavirus pandemic deepened those concerns.

TSMC has been lobbied by western powers to build more foundries overseas which it has agreed to do.

The company is constructing a huge $40 billion plant in Arizona which will eventually produce its own 4nm and 3nm chips, part of US efforts to ensure a stable supply of semiconductors on its soil.

President Joe Biden attended a ceremony earlier this month to announce a mammoth expansion of the Arizona plant, which is one of the largest foreign investments in the United States.

TSMC has also agreed to build foundries in Japan and is exploring Germany as a possible location.

At the same time, Taiwan’s tech companies and its government are keen to ensure the majority of state-of-the-art production remains at home, in part because the industry affords the island some protection. AFP

10 MAXS 4.88 -0.21 -4.13%

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1 SMPH 37,985,700 1,332,747,740

2 SM 623,110 563,146,580

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5 BDO 2,536,840 268,152,889

6 ICT 1,111,840 223,217,766

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10 ACEN 19,417,400 148,034,141

Tech billionaires see wealth shrink amid 2022 stock crunch

WASHINGTON—The fortunes of Silicon Valley billionaires took a beating in 2022 as share prices of the world’s tech giants plummeted.

Here are some of the worst-hit by this year’s tech stock downturn.

Elon Musk

After becoming the world’s richest person in 2021, the Tesla and SpaceX boss saw over half of his net worth evaporate this year, boosting France’s luxury goods mogul Bernard Arnault into the top spot.

Musk lost $140 billion in 2022 due to the collapse of Tesla’s share price, leaving his total net worth at $130 billion, according to Bloomberg’s index of the world’s richest people.

Once the darling of Wall Street investors, the future of the electric car company is now under question after Musk pushed through with a $44 billion buyout of Twitter that many observers see as an expensive distraction.

Musk largely financed his $44 billion buyout of Twitter by selling off shares in Tesla, putting the share price into an even steeper downward spiral.

Mark Zuckerberg

The Facebook founder has put all his efforts into promoting the so-called metaverse, but investors are not as confident that the world will be going completely virtual anytime soon.

The share price in Meta, Facebook’s parent company, has fallen off a cliff in 2022.

Wall Street’s lack of confidence has sliced $81 billion off of Zuckerberg’s fortune, leaving it at $44.4 billion as of December 28.

Meta has faced stiff competition from breakout app TikTok and—like

Since stepping down as CEO of Amazon in July 2021, Bezos has devoted much of his time to developing space

exploration projects through his company

His fortune however remains heavily tied to the online retail giant’s share price, which has fallen by more than 49 percent in 2022.

Bezos, who remains as Amazon’s executive chairman, has lost more than

$86 billion this year, leaving a fortune estimated at $106 billion.

The 58-year-old entrepreneur and owner of the Washington Post also told CNN in November that he planned to donate most of his wealth to charity during his lifetime.

Larry Page and Sergey Brin

The two Google founders have not helmed the company since 2019 but remain board members of the parent company Alphabet, which also owns health, artificial intelligence, and other subsidiaries.

Alphabet’s share price has declined 39 percent since January, punished by declining online advertising revenues and increased competition from Apple and Amazon.

Page’s wealth is down to $46.1 billion and Brin’s is down to $44.8 billion. They are still the 10th and 11th richest people on the planet, according to Bloomberg.

Zhang Yiming

The Chinese billionaire is an outlier to the tech debacle. The founder of TikTok-owner Bytedance saw his fortune rise by $10.4 billion in 2022.

His $55 billion net worth makes him the second richest person in China and 23rd richest person in the world.

But storm clouds are looming for TikTok as political pressure builds in Washington over accusations that the video-sharing app’s immense success leaves the United States vulnerable to Communist Party-led China.

Federal officials have already banned TikTok on government phones and are reportedly mulling whether to force Bytedance to sell its US version of the app. AFP

TAINAN, Taiwan – Taiwanese tech giant TSMC said Thursday it had started mass production of its 3-nanometre chips, among the most advanced to come to market.

WASHINGTON—The

This combination of file pictures created on Dec. 28, 2022, shows (from left, top to bottom) Facebook founder Mark Zuckerberg in Washington DC, on Oct. 17, 2019; Twitter and SpaceX CEO Elon Musk speaking near Boca Chica Village in South Texas, on Feb. 10, 2022; CEO of Bytedance Zhang Yiming speaking in Fuzhou, in China’s eastern Fujian province on April 22, 2018; and Amazon founder Jeff Bezos at a film premiere in London on Aug. 30, 2022. AFP

archrival Google—is plagued by a morose advertising market as the world economy faces a downturn amid high inflation.

Jeff Bezos

Blue Origin.

YEAREND TRADING. Japan’s Prime Minister Fumio Kishida hits the bell to mark the close of the end-of-year trading session in the Tokyo Stock Exchange on Dec. 30, 2022. AFP

Ray S. Eñano (on leave), Editor Roderick T. dela Cruz, Assistant Editor

Ayala unit set to handle waste of El Nido resorts

By Jenniffer B. Austria

TEN Knots Phils. Inc., the resorts subsidiary of Ayala Land Inc. in Palawan, tapped AC Logistics Holdings Corp.’s waste management company to handle waste across its El Nido resorts.

AC Logistics said in a statement Ten Knots signed an agreement with Integrated Waste Management Inc. for the transport, handling and management of hospital and hazardous waste across the island resorts of El Nido.

IWMI is one of the leading waste management companies in the Philippines specializing in the handling of hazardous waste that include industrial and hospital wastes. It serves 40 percent of medical establishments in Metro Manila.

“As our businesses grow and the tourism industry recovers, the challenge of managing different types of waste escalates, too. We at Ten Knots are only too glad to work with IWMI in addressing these challenges and meeting our sustainability objectives.” Ayala Land Hotels and Resorts Corp. president and chief executive Javier Hernandez said.

Ten Knots operates four island resorts in Palawan including El Nido Resorts Apulit, Miniloc, Lagen and Pangulasian Islands.

The company said the COVID-19 pandemic resulted in an increase in volume of hospital waste like face masks, hazmats, PPEs, vials and syringes, diluents and expired medicines that require proper handling and disposal.

IWMI president Chito Pacheco said the company would collaborate with the group’s El Nido Resorts and Lio Beach in exploring innovative solutions and practices that protect El Nido’s communities and natural environment.

“Through this partnership, we hope to encourage more organizations to institutionalize proper hazardous waste management and ensure longterm positive impact,” Pacheco said.

IWMI is in the forefront in ensuring the responsible handling and disposal of hazardous waste. It has been in the business of collecting and treating infectious and hazardous wastes for more than 30 years.

By Othel V. Campos

TRADE Secretary Alfredo Pascual vowed to promote the country’s potential exports to China as part of the business agenda of the President’s state visit on Jan. 3 to 5.

“The President’s visit to China is a recognition that it is an important trading and investment partner of our country. The visit will pave the way for further strengthening our trade and investment relations, particularly as we work to recover from the pandemic and position the Philippines as a regional hub for sustainable and innovative manufacturing and services industries,” Pascual said.

“The President’s visit to China also aims to build on our export gains and further strengthen relations with key partners in China to help the Philippines realize this additional export potential,” he said.

The DTI identified additional potential

Mindanao electricity market to start operations on Jan. 26

By Alena Mae S. Flores

THE Department of Energy said Friday the Wholesale Electricity Spot Market in Mindanao will start commercial operations on Jan. 26, 2023.

Energy Secretary Raphael Lotilla signed Department Circular No. DC 2022-12-0039 requiring Mindanao electric power industry participants and entities register as WESM members not later than Jan. 15, 2023.

The circular, dated Dec. 23 but posted on the agency’s website on Dec. 29, said the remaining requirements of unregistered participants, including Lanao del Sur Electric Cooperative and Maguindanao Electric Cooperative, should not impede the commercial operations of WESM Mindanao.

“The commercial operation of WESM Mindanao and the MVIP [Mindanao Visayas Interconnection Project] is expected to improve the reliability of electric power supply not only in the Mindanao grid, but also in the Luzon

and Visayas grids,” the circular said.

It said the MVIP was expected to be completed by March 2023, and its commercial operation would necessitate the implementation of WESM Mindanao to allow the efficient transfer of electricity exchanges.

The circular requires the market operator to facilitate registration in the WESM and authorize the disconnection of WESM participants and entities mandated to register, but are unable to comply with the rules.

The circular spells out the responsibilities of the National Electrification Administration, Power Sector Assets and Liabilities Management Corp., Philippine Electricity Market Corp., Independent Electricity Market Operator of the Philippines and National Grid

Corp. of the Philippines.

NEA will provide assistance to electric cooperatives in the completion of their registration in the WESM and coordinate with relevant agencies to fulfill compliance of the ECs with the financial and technical requirements relative to the WESM registration.

It will assist the ECs, particularly those unable to post the necessary prudential requirements, in securing supply contracts and a direct WESM member counterparty.

It will also continue to assist LASURECO and MAGELCO, particularly in facilitating arrangements for the timely payment of their obligations with PSALM and their other suppliers.

NEA will also formulate and implement action plans to address the viability problems of ECs to ensure the continuous supply of electricity to member consumers.

The circular says PSALM should continue to fully supply LASURECO and MAGELCO.

Early budget approval to boost 2023 growth prospects

By Julito G. Rada

FINANCE Secretary Benjamin Diokno said the early approval of the 2023 government budget will play a significant role in fueling optimism over next year’s growth prospects.

Diokno said the swift enactment of the 2023 General Appropriations Act is among the reasons for his optimistic view about the economy.

“This is especially relevant for public construction which is about onefifth of the P5.2 trillion national budget,” Diokno said in a statement.

He said the early passage of the 2023 spending plan would enable agencies to start implementing their programs and projects as early as January.

He said this is especially critical for infrastructure departments like the Department of Public Works and Highways and Department of Transporta-

exports in the field of electronic equipment; electrical machinery; metals; optical products, watches and medical instruments; fruits; motor vehicle parts; processed or preserved food products; and fish and shellfish.

The DTI organized a series of roundtable meetings for President Ferdinand Marcos Jr. with major Chinese companies with existing and planned investments in the Philippines in key sectors such as agribusiness, renewable energy, steel making, nickel ore processing and battery production, and electric vehicle manufacturing.

Chinese importers of tropical fruits from the Philippines will also participate in the meetings.

The DTI said that with the accession of the Philippines to the Regional Comprehensive Economic Partnership, Philippine stakeholders could enjoy wider sourcing of raw materials from 14 countries, including China.

tion because construction is best done in the first six months of the year or during the dry season.

“Ideally, public construction has to start in the first half of the year because of the favorable weather conditions: more sunny, less rainy days,” Diokno said.

The 2023 GAA is the fastest passage of the national budget the government has seen in recent years. President Ferdinand Marcos Jr. expressed gratitude for the legislature’s strong support, led by House Speaker Ferdinand Martin Romualdez and House appropriations committee chairman and Ako Bicol Party-list Rep. Elizaldy Co.

Marcos said the timely passage of the GAA would allow the country to position itself in the new economy.

Many institutions and experts predicted a global recession in 2023, and consequently, downgraded the Philippines’ gross domestic product growth

outlook to less than 6 percent.

The inter-agency Development Budget Coordination Committee expects the economy to grow by 6.0 percent to 7.0 percent in 2023 in the face of external headwinds.

Diokno also lauded Congress for the early adoption of the Medium-Term Fiscal Framework FY 2023-2028, which President Marcos unveiled in his State of the Nation Address in July.

He said the MTFF serves as the administration’s “North Star” as it pursues economic and social transformation within a regime of fiscal consolidation.

He said both the Executive and Legislative departments were on the same page, pursuing the same national aspirations, at least for the next three years.

He said this unprecedented achievement and display of unity may yet be the envy of all democratic governments in the world.

Hot money posted $794-m net inflow in first 11 months

FOREIGN portfolio investments or hot money yielded a net inflow of $489 million in November, higher than $109.56-million a year ago as fund managers remained confident in the country’s macroeconomic fundamentals, data from the Bangko Sentral ng Pilipinas show.

The November net inflow was also more than five times larger than the $83-million net inflow recorded in October. This resulted from the $1.1-billion gross inflows and $566-million gross outflows for the month.

Registered investments in November jumped 63.6 percent, or by $410 million, from $645 million in October.

Majority of investments, or 55.1 percent, went to Philippine Stock Exchange-listed securities mainly in banks, holding firms, property, food, beverage and tobacco and telecommunications.

The balance went to investments in peso government securities (44.8 percent) and other instruments (less than 1.0 percent).

Investments in November mostly came from the United Kingdom, the United States, the Netherlands, Luxembourg and Singapore.

Meanwhile, portfolio investments from January to November posted a net inflow of $794 million, a turnaround from the $570-million net outflow a year ago.

Registration of inward foreign investments delegated to authorized agent banks by the BSP is optional under the rules on foreign exchange transactions.

It is required only if the investor or its representative will purchase foreign exchange from authorized agent banks and/or their subsidiary/ affiliate foreign exchange corporations for repatriation of capital and remittance of earnings that accrue on the registered investment.

Julito G. Rada

BuhaWind Energy readies

Ilocos offshore wind project

BUHAWIND Energy, the joint venture of PetroGreen Energy Corp. and Copenhagen Energy of Denmark, will install wind turbine generators with a capacity of 15 megawatts to 20 MW each for the 2,000-MW North Luzon offshore wind power project.

PGEC’s parent firm PetroEnergy Resources Corp., a member of the Yuchencgo Group, said the project would involve the erection of wind turbines in the waters off Burgos, Bangui and Pagudpud towns, with commercial operation eyed in 2028 to 2030.

The project is one of the largest and earliest offshore wind service contracts granted by the Department of Energy in 2021.

Ilocos Norte Governor Matthew Marcos Manotoc led provincial officials in welcoming BuhaWind Energy’s investment to develop and operate the offshore wind project in the province in November. Manotoc expressed desire to prioritize the hiring of skilled and non-skilled residents in the province, protect local fishermen’s livelihood and contribute to more competitive power rates in the province through BuhaWind Energy’s project.

He said the transmission grid connection for the project site and port facilities should also be improved. Alena Mae S. Flores

Globe expects to sustain non-telco revenue growth

DIGITAL solutions platform Globe Telecom Inc. said Friday it expects to sustain the growth of its non-telecom revenues next year, driven by healthcare, financial technology and IT solutions businesses.

“We are glad to see our non-telco revenues continuing their rapid growth momentum. We believe that our decision to pivot and expand our growth opportunities through non-telco services have paved the way for us to remain relevant and competitive,” said Globe Group president and chief executive Ernest Cu.

“Being at the forefront of digital innovations, Globe is bringing the company closer to its vision of uplifting the lives of Filipinos,” he said.

Globe has diversified its offerings to include financial technology, healthcare, edutech, entertainment, adtech, e-commerce, manpower, information technology services and investments. Its non-telco revenues reached P2.8 billion in the first nine months, up 101 percent from the same period last year. Darwin G. Amojelar

Foreign currency loans decline 1% to $15.67b

OUTSTANDING loans granted by foreign currency deposit units of banks declined by 0.3 percent or $44 million to $15.67 billion as of end-September from $15.71 billion in June, the Bangko Sentral ng Pilipinas said Thursday.

“The decrease in FCDU loans may be attributed to gradual move in easing credit parameters and net tightening of overall credit standards of lender banks resulting in an unchanged or deliberate lending operations and credit activity amid uncertainty in the economic outlook,” the BSP said in a statement.

It also noted borrowers’ reduced demand for FCDU loans in light of foreign exchange volatility and rising borrowing costs.

Data also showed that outstanding FCDU loans decreased $164 million or 1.0 percent from $15.8 billion a year ago.

FCDU loans granted to residents comprised 63.7 percent of the total. Majority went to different sectors or industries, such as power generation companies ($2.7 billion or 27.4 percent); merchandise and service exporters ($2.4 billion or 24.4 percent); and management/holding and stock brokerage ($1.2 billion or 12.3 percent). Julito G. Rada

DTI vows to promote more exports to China in January presidential visit

GREENING PROJECT. The Aboitiz Group renews its partnership with the

for Social Progress for the Cebu

reformation of the

Reserve with the Central Cebu Protected Landscape. Joining the ceremony are (from left) Department of Environment and Natural Resources provincial environment and natural resources officer Sandra Lapinid, Visayan Electric Company president and chief operating officer Raul Lucero, Aboitiz Equity Ventures Inc. first vice president and chief reputation and sustainability officer Ginggay Hotiveros and PBSP head of finance Dennis Vitug. The Aboitiz Group, through its #OneAboitizSustainability program, is committed to mobilizing their resources and expertise to address the environmental challenges of the day.

LANDBANK’S ATM. Pamplona vice mayor Arnie Angelica Fernandez (four from left) and Land Bank of the Philippines Northern Luzon branches group head and senior vice president Ma. Belma Turla (fifth from left) lead the inauguration of the bank’s offsite ATM at the Municipal Hall of Pamplona, Cagayan on Dec. 12. With them are members of the Sangguniang Bayan, local officials and other LandBank officers. The new ATM will serve customers in all 18 barangays in the municipality, which included government employees, private citizens and beneficiaries of conditional and unconditional cash transfer programs.

Abando’s KBL team Anyang KGC routs Wonju

By Peter Atencio

ANYANG KGC, with Filipino import Rhenz Abando returning to action following an injury, got a lift from Omari Spellman as they routed Wonju DB, 92-74, in the resumption of action in the 2022-23 Korean Basketball League season on Thursday at the Anyang Gymnasium.

Spellman carried the cudgels for the league-leading Anyang, dropping 38 points and 13 rebounds and helping his side raise their win-loss slate to 18-8.

This kept KGC in the solo lead with their 18th win in 26 matches, with the RJ Abarrientos-led Ulsan Mobis Phoebus trailing in second with their 15-10 card, a record they share with the Changwon LG Sakers.

Abando, the National Collegiate Athletic Association’s Season 97 MVP, saw action for only 11 minutes due to a minor injury. He made only two points, two rebounds, and an assist.

Another Filipino cager, Ethan Alvano, had 11 points, 10 assists, and six rebounds for Wonju, which took backto-back losses and dropped to 10-16.

Abarrientos unloaded 29 points for Ulsan, which absorbed a 91-101 setback to Suwon KT Sonicboom.

The Sonicbooms, who are getting ready to bring in former Ateneo Blue Eagle Dave Ildefonso into their roster, improved to 10-15.

In other games, another ex-Blue Eagle, SJ Belangel, and his Daegu KOGAS lost to Jeonju KCC Egis, 73-82, over at Gunsan Wolmyeong Gymnasium,

Belangel knocked in two treys and tallied 10 points for the Pegasus, who dropped to 10-16 in the standings.

The Egis, who will get Fil-Canadian cager Calvin Epistola to suit up for them once he gets cleared, were led by Heo Ung, who pumped in 22 points, including five triples.

Espistola was signed up by Egis after negotiations to get Adamson cager Jerom Lastimosa did not push through.

Villanueva interested in La Salle coaching job

IF asked to coach the La Salle Green Archers men’s basketball team, women’s coach Cholo Villanueva would most likely accept it.

Villanueva is upbeat of this opportunity, with the school reportedly opting not to renew the contract of Derick Pumaren at the end of the year.

“Nothing really concrete, but it would be an honor for me serving my alma mater and give back to the La Sallian Community,” said Villanueva, who shared his thoughts to the Manila Standard

Villanueva is being considered to be part of the men’s program and changes are being planned after the Green Archers did not make it the Final Four of the 85th season of the University Athletic Association of the Philippines cagefest.

The 40-year-old Villanueva was part of the Green Archers’ squad, which won a UAAP championship. He claimed co-Finals’ MVP back in 2007, under coach Franz Pumaren.

He has been handling the Lady Archers since 2016.

“Winning championships as a player before, it would be an honor for me to give one to the school that honed me to who I am today,” added Villanueva.

As a coach, Villanueva was an assistant to Pumaren at La Salle and to Vergel Meneses at Jose Rizal University in the past.

The Green Archers are seeking to get back on their feet in Season 86, where they will be without Schonny Winston, Michael Phillips, and Kevin Quiambao.

The Green Archers finished Season 85 with a 7-7 win-loss record, losing to the Adamson Soaring Falcons in the playoff for the last semifinal berth.

Peter Atencio

Gone in 7 seconds: Fajardo logs fastest KO in pro boxing

By Randy Caluag

Club in Bangkok, Thailand.

Jiamthong may have not been counted out as the referee decided to wave off the count of three after seeing the Thai was not responding and was unfit to continue.

The win was listed as Fajardo’s ninth KO in 10 wins, against a loss on boxrec. com, the world’s most authoritative data in professional boxing.

However, boxrec.com put the clock at 10 seconds, and not 7 seconds as what actually transpired and showed on TV.

“We will send boxrec.com a formal letter and ask them to rectify its record. We see no problem because it was shown on live TV that when the referee signaled the end of the bout, the clock showed 2:53,” said the fight’s co-promoter Brico Santig.

Prior to Fajardo’s feat, the fastest

knockout recorded in pro boxing was 10 seconds by Phil Williams, who stopped Brandon Burke in June 2007 inside the Roy Wilkins Auditorium in St. Paul, Minnesota.

Once the boxrec set its record straight, Fajardo’s feat officially becomes the fastest knockout ever recorded in pro boxing history.

In the Guinness World Records, however, it only has the record of amateur boxing—the Golden Gloves tournament, where Mike Collins knocked out Pat Bronson in just four seconds on July 25, 2020.

Malixi storms ahead by 2 on a solid 69

now two shots clear of Morocco’s Sofia Essakali and Megan Meng of the US.

of the US in the third round of the Citrus Golf Trail Ladies Invitational in Sebring, Florida Thursday.

The young Filipina star matched her three-under card Wednesday, which featured four birdies against a bogey, in bogey-free fashion, birdying Nos. 4, 7 and 14 while salvaging a par on No. 6 for a 34-35 card as she rose from 40th to move into the threshold of another victory in a prolific season.

“I believe consistency was a great factor to today’s (Thursday) round. Just hitting fairways and greens was the goal, and if I had missed any of those, I just scrambled back with a par. I made all of my up-and-downs, so I didn’t drop a shot,” said Malixi, who battled back from five shots down off Vanessa Zhang and took command with a 216,

The ICTSI-backed ace was way off at mid-pack of the 96-player starting field with a dismal 78 start, nine strokes off Zhang, but climbed to seventh with a second round 69 and could’ve pulled away if not for four missed birdie chances inside eight feet in the third round.

But her even-par 216 aggregate proved enough to put her on top of the heap and closer to a seventh crown in a season that saw her post two AJGA (American Junior Golf Association) victories, sweep her three appearances on the Ladies Philippine Golf Tour, and clinch the Thailand Junior World trophy.

While majority of the rest found themselves beaten by tough conditions, including at the windy backside, Malixi picked up from where she left off, burying a long birdie putt on No.

4 and a downhiller from pin-length distance on No. 7 then making a tap-in birdie on the par-5 No. 14 after dumping her second shot into the greenside bunker.

Essakali and Meng took the challenger’s role as Zhang skied to a 78 after a 69 and 73 and tumbled to joint sixth at 220. Essakali shot a 71 while Meng carded a 73 for 218s, two strokes off Malixi. Brimming with confidence after bouncing back from a six-over card, Malixi missed a birdie chance on the first hole but banged in a 20-footer on No. 4, only to muff a six-footer on the next. She went up-and-down on No. 6, birdied the next and missed another chance on the par-5 ninth.

As the wind picked up at the back, Malixi kept her poise and stayed in control of her game although she flubbed birdie putts on Nos. 10, 13 and 15 that, however, failed to stymie her charge to the top.

Tolentino, POC hoping for cooperative PSC leadership

THE Philippine Olympic Committee looks forward to a similarly responsive and interactive Philippine Sports Commission, following the abrupt changing of the guard at the government sports agency.

“The sudden changing of the guard at the PSC is surprising for us [POC], although we have already built a good partnership with former chairman [Jose Emmanuel Noli] Eala,” Tolentino said on Thursday. “We, nonetheless, have the same expectation with the new leadership.”

Malacañang announced on Wednesday the appointment of former professional basketball player Richard “Dickie” Bachmann as chairman of the PSC, replacing Eala who headed the government sports arm for only four months.

“I fervently pray for the POC to have a good and honest relationship with the new chairman,” Tolentino added.

Bachmann and the PSC are staring at a challenging and busy 2023 marked with major international competitions—the Southeast Asian Games in Cambodia in May and Asian Games in Hangzhou in Sep-

tember, as well as the Asian Indoor and Martial Arts Games and World Beach Games.

Dozens of qualifying tournaments are also calendared in 2023.

“We cannot deny the fact how important the support of the PSC to all the athletes, especially now with the Olympic journey, we are very sensitive with the precious assistance and of course lessening the strenuous process of providing contribution of the PSC to our NSAs [national sports associations],” Tolentino said. “That is our utmost concern.”

Tolentino added: “We all have the same goal of having the chance to promote our country through sports, therefore, we should initially unite in helping them prepare for the Olympics.”

Also appointed as commissioners of the five-member PSC board were former national fencer Walter Francis Torres and Edward Lim Hayco, former head of the Cebu Sports Commission. They joined bowling great Olivia “Bong” Coo who was named commissioner in July.

The 23-year-old pride of Agusan del Sur wasted no time in unleashing a left hook that caught the jaw of his Thai opponent Sarawut Jiamthong to win the Asian Boxing Federation flyweight title at the SpacePlus Night

RIANNE Malixi kept the momentum of her big second round charge, putting in a second straight 69 to seize control by two over Morocco’s Sofia Essakali and Megan Meng

WORLD-RANKED Filipino boxer Miel

Fajardo needed only one punch in just seven seconds to score the fastest knockout in professional boxing history.

Riera

Randy M. Caluag,

Filipino boxer Miel Fajardo (center) has his hands raised after he won the ABF yweight title in record fashion.

Rep. Abraham Tolentino

Kvitova rips Pegula but USA wins United Cup

SYDNEY—Petra Kvitova upset world number three Jessica Pegula Friday, but the United States still won their United Cup tie against the Czech Republic in Sydney.

Two-time Wimbledon champion Kvitova clinched a thriller, saving seven set points in the first set before winning 7-6 (8/6), 6-4 at the Ken Rosewall Arena.

After the Americans won the opening two rubbers on Thursday, Kvitova’s victory gave her country hope in the inaugural tournament, which features two men’s and two women’s singles matches along with a mixed doubles.

But the US clinched the tie when Tomas Machac injured his ankle against 19th-ranked Francis Tiafoe and was forced to retire hurt while down 6-3, 2-4.

Kvitova, ranked 16, looked back to her best against Pegula, who burst into the top 10 in 2022 by winning the WTA 1000 tournament in Guadalajara for the biggest title of her career.

After a topsy-turvy first set that could

Bills, Eagles eye 1st-round byes in NFL playoff round

WASHINGTON—League-leading

Philadelphia and the Buffalo Bills will try to clinch first-round byes and home-field advantage for the NFL playoffs in the penultimate week of the regular season.

Five of the NFL’s 14 playoff berths remain up for grabs but both top seeds could be decided with the Philadelphia Eagles playing host to New Orleans on Sunday while Buffalo will visit Cincinnati on Monday.

The Eagles fell to 13-2 with a 4034 loss at Dallas last Saturday that snapped their five-game win streak but can capture the NFC East division crown and the NFC top seed simply by beating the Saints (6-9).

“Obviously, our motivation is to win the division and to get the first-round bye, which is all in our grasp now,” Eagles coach Nick Sirianni said.

Eagles quarterback Jalen Hurts, out with a right shoulder sprain, practiced Thursday for the first time since being injured two weeks ago.

“We’ll see what happens and how he progresses,” Sirianni said. “He’s feeling good... he’s better than he was last week.”

An Eagles loss would leave the door open for Minnesota, San Francisco and Dallas to overtake them for the top seed.

In the AFC, Buffalo (12-3) would need a victory at Cincinnati (11-4) plus a home loss by Kansas City (12-3) to Denver (4-11) to claim the top seed.

A Bills’ triumph would also provide a boost for Buffalo, which was struck by a massive winter storm that buried the city under more than four feet of snow, leading to at least 37 deaths.

“Really sad scenes right now coming out of Buffalo,” Bills quarterback Josh Allen said. “I’m praying for the city and for people that are being affected by it because it’s not very good.” AFP

have gone either way, she got a double break at the start of the second set and while the American got one back, Kvitova was able to hold on and take the match in two hours.

Tiafoe, a US Open semi-finalist this year, started brilliantly against Machac, racing through the first set with relative ease.

Machac fought back in the second and was a break up before rolling his ankle and retiring.

“He picked up his game and broke me twice—I was a little sloppy there,” Tiafoe said.

“At 3-2 he played a great game to break me and we were in the midst of a battle in that 4-2 game.

“Unfortunately that happened—you don’t want to see that and I hope he’ll be all good for the Australian Open.”

The Czech Republic will face Alexander Zverev’s Germany on Saturday while the US have two days off before they close out group play against the Germans. AFP

PARIS—His face appeared on televisions around the world and dominated the homepages of news outlets everywhere as global media bowed to the late, great Pele, the undisputed “King” of football.

News organizations across the planet hailed the legendary Brazilian, who died Thursday at the age of 82 and was widely considered the greatest footballer to ever play the game and stood alone as the only one in history to win three World Cups.

To the Brazilian daily O Globo, whose front page was packed with stories about the sporting legend, Pele may have died, but he remained the “immortal king of football”.

In the Folha de S.Paulo, journalist Juca Kfouri quoted the late Brazilian poet Carlos Drummond de Andrade, who said: “The difficulty, the extraordinary, is not to score 1,000 goals like Pele—it’s to score one goal like Pele.”

WORLD BOWS TO KING PELE

‘Better than Maradona, Messi, Ronaldo combined’

Concluding his obituary, Kfouri suggested that while Edson Arantes do Nascimento—Pele’s birth name—may have passed on, “it isn’t true that Pele is dead”.

In Argentina—home of Diego Maradona and Lionel Messi, both also contenders for the title of greatest of all time—the Clarin remembered Pele as “a supreme symbol of football’s spectacle” and a “great among the greats”.

The Argentine sport daily Ole wrote: “Beyond the rivalry that exists be tween Argentina and Brazil, no one can doubt that Pele was one of the greatest footballers in history, for many the best, on top of Diego Maradona and Lionel Messi”.

Writing in the German tabloid Bild, Alfred Draxler saw no need for such couching, declaring that “Pele was

better than Messi, Maradona and (Cristiano) Ronaldo combined.”

‘Global face of soccer’

In Mexico, meanwhile, the image of Pele celebrating his third world title win in 1970 at the country’s Estadio Azteca circulated widely, with El Universal declaring, “Football in mourning!”

The main story on the homepage of Ecuador’s El Universo was titled in part: “Goodbye to Pele, the ‘supernatural footballer’”.

In the far less football-mad United States, the New York Times called Pele the “global face of soccer” who “helped popularise the sport” stateside with his 1975-1977 stint with the New York Cosmos.

Japan’s Asahi Shimbun lauded Pele’s intelligence and his forays into business and politics—he was sports

minister of Brazil from 1995 to 1998 —calling him “a man of many talents off the pitch too”.

In France, L’Equipe ran 22 special pages on Pele, with Vincent Duluc writing: “Behind the sadness is hidden the happiness of having seen him play, seen him dance, even in old images, and of having seen him give another meaning to the most universal game on the planet.”

El Pais in Spain, meanwhile, headlined one of several stories on the legend’s passing: “Pele, global football in four letters”.

And in Italy’s La Stampa, Matteo Giusti began his article with a quote attributed to the Brazilian writer Jorge Amado: “If football hadn’t been called that, it should have been called Pele.” AFP

NBA suspends 11 players after Pistons-Magic scuffle

MIAMI—The NBA suspended Detroit Pistons guard Killian Hayes for three games and Orlando Magic center Moritz Wagner for two games on Thursday, with nine other players handed one-match suspensions following a mass scuffle during a game a day earlier.

Pistons guard Hamidou Diallo was given a one-game ban and eight Magic players will also serve suspensions of that duration.

Guards Cole Anthony, R.J. Hampton, Gary Harris and Kevon Harris; forwards Admiral Schofield and Franz Wagner; and centers Mo Bamba and

Wendell Carter Jr have each been suspended for one game.

Wagner, Hayes and Diallo were all ejected after a shoving match that had both benches fired up in the second quarter of the Pistons’ 121-101 victory over the Magic.

The Pistons were up by nine when the incident was sparked by Magic forward Wagner, who shoved Hayes off the court as he chased a loose ball down the sideline.

Diallo raced in and pushed Wagner from behind, then Hayes hit Wagner in the back of the head, sending him sprawling into the Pistons bench.

Hayes will begin his three-game suspension and Diallo will serve his onegame suspension Friday when the Pistons visit the Chicago Bulls at United Center.

Wagner’s two-game suspension will begin Friday when the Magic plays host to the Washington Wizards at Amway Center.

The one-game suspensions issued to the eight Magic players for leaving the bench area during an altercation will be served on a staggered basis to ensure, per league rule, that Orlando has eight healthy players available to play in its next two games. AFP

Dune, dusted as Dakar Rally tests limits of endurance

SEA CAMP, Saudi Arabia—When it comes to endurance races in motor sport, nothing can quite compete with the annual Dakar Rally which starts its 45th edition on the shores of the Red Sea on Saturday.

This year’s event stretches 8,549 km over 15 days of racing, including a four-day excursion into the as yet unexplored desert dunes of the vast Rub’ al-Khali, or Empty Quarter.

“’Be Afraid’ seems to be the message of the route for the 2023 Dakar,” said organizers when they revealed the course at the start of December.

The warning does not appear to have put anyone off: more than 800 riders, drivers and co-drivers will set off in an array of motorcycles, cars, quads, trucks and light vehicles when the race begins on Saturday.

Among them some well-known names, including nine-time World Rally champion Sebastien Loeb (BRX) who is relishing the prospect of competing in his sixth Dakar.

“It’s 14 stages, it’s very long, a proper endurance rally,” he said. “We need to find the right pace to get to the finish with as few mistakes as possible.”

The Frenchman, who has just won the 2022 edition of the Extreme E, has

a tough battle in front of him if he is to improve on his three podium finishes and chalk up that first win.

Notably, he will need to unseat defending champion Nasser Al-Attiyah (Toyota), a quadruple winner of the event, but he will also be up against another WRC legend Carlos Sainz (Mini) as well as the Dakar great Stephane Peterhansel (Audi) who has won the event 14 times—eight in a car and six on a bike.

On the motorcycle side, defending champion Sam Sunderland (GasGas) will face a stiff challenge from the likes of Daniel Sanders (GasGas), Pablo Quintanilla (Honda), Matthias Walkner (KTM) and Adrien Van Beveren (Honda).

Concerns

This year’s race takes place against a backdrop of concerns linked to Saudi Arabia’s human rights record and military intervention in neighbouring Yemen.

That ongoing war has left hundreds of thousands dead and millions displaced, with a large part of the Yemeni population close to famine, according to the United Nations.

Last year, preparations were rocked by an explosion two days before the start of the race which left French driver

Trocadero in Paris and ended in the Senegal capital but after 29 years in Africa, the threats became too great.

That meant moving the race to South American for 11 years before switching it to Saudi Arabia in 2020. Since then it has come under the spotlight of NGOs criticising the “sportwashing policy” of the Arab world’s largest economy.

“Sports fans should not indiscriminately believe the image fabricated and presented by the Saudi government through these events,” said Joey Shea, Saudi Arabia researcher at Human Rights Watch.

The NGO documented “widespread human rights violations in the kingdom, including arbitrary arrests of peaceful dissidents and human rights activists, some of whom were sentenced to decades-long prison terms simply for posting on the social media,” she said.

A host of other sports have, like the Dakar, shelved any such concerns, with high-profile football, cycling, Formula E, Formula One and boxing events all having been staged in the country.

The rally ends on January 15 on the kingdom’s eastern sea border. AFP

A man takes a picture of a mural depicting Brazil’s late football player Pele at Tijuca neighbourhood in Rio de Janeiro, Brazil, just hours after his passing at a Sao Paulo hospital. The Brazilian football icon Pele, widely regarded as the greatest player of all time and a three-time World Cup winner who masterminded the “beautiful game,” died on Thursday at the age of 82. The Albert Einstein hospital treating Pele said in a statement his death after a long battle with cancer was caused by “multiple organ failure.” AFP

France’s driver Ludovic Gherardi and co-driver Francois Borsotto ride during a training session by the Red Sea in Yanbu ahead of the 2023 Dakar Rally which this year will take place in Saudi Arabia from December 31, 2022 to January 15, 2023. AFP

Philippe Boutron seriously injured.

An “accident” according to Riyadh, although French investigators concluded in February that the explosion had been caused by an improvised explosive device.

Amaury Sport Organization, which

runs the event, says it has increased security around the bivouacs where the 2,700 people of the Dakar caravan will be accommodated.

The rally, of course, is no stranger to security issues. The first race in 1978 set off from the

Killian Hayes

Honda PH ends year on top with milestones, breakthroughs

FOR Honda Philippines, Inc.

(HPI), the past few years have been a string of highs and lows, with the drive to finish 2022 stronger than ever. From important milestones, launching new models, and opening more Flagship Stores in the country, these indicators position HPI as the ultimate choice of Filipino motorcycle riders.

“Despite the challenges and unpredictable economic condition, HPI is truly grateful for a year that was. With the support and partnership of our distributors, dealers, and customers, we’re confident that we can take the joy of mobility to greater heights. They serve as our inspiration to be better each year and we look forward to achieving more milestones with them in 2023 and beyond,” says HPI Vice President for MC Sales and Supply Chain Management Jomel Jerezo.

SEVEN-MILLION MANUFACTURED MOTORCYCLES LOCALLY

One of the proudest moments of HPI this year is the local production of its 7 - million production motorcycles in August. The company celebrated the innovation by manufacturing a TMX125 ALPHA. As an iconic display of this incomparable achievement, HPI builds units at its 20-hectare plant in Batangas with processes designed to ensure safe, efficient, economical, and environmentfriendly technology at the service of people and the community.

GROWING THE COMMUNITY THROUGH EDUCATION

HPI also extended its efforts to grow and strengthen the country’s motorcycle riding community through education with another meaningful partnership with JMS Motocross School. Under the group’s Ride Red campaign that aims to ride a Honda motorcycle, HPI announced that it will provide CRF FUN Bikes to JMS Motocross School. The idea is to give customers, students, and racers fulfilling the dream of each customer’s students, racers to access these champion bikes, allowing them to learn and ride competitively.

A YEAR OF EXCITING MODEL RELEASES AND STORE LAUNCHES

HPI likewise went full throttle in launching new motorcycle models and Flagship Stores. Among HPI’s releases, this year was the latest edition on strengthening model lineup in higher displacement to enjoy the fun through the Honda Big Bikes The New CB500F, The New CBR650R, The New CB650R, The New CBR1000RR-R Fireblade SP, The New X-ADV, The New Gold Wing also The Adventure bikes The All-New

NLEX shares holiday spirit, provides Noche Buena packs to communities

THE Metro Pacific-led NLEX Corporation lives up to its value of social responsibility as it provided Noche Buena packs and donated items to some residents of communities traversed by the NLEX-SCTEX.

Some employees and the NLEX Road Warriors distributed Christmas packages to 300 Aeta families and 200 children from Porac, Pampanga and 100 Tullahan River volunteer cleaners from Ugong, Valenzuela City and Talipapa, Quezon City.

NLEX also shared some assorted goods and sacks of rice to Munting Tahanan ng Nazareth, a home for the poor, surrendered, abandoned,

and mentally challenged people.

As part of its annual “Toys for Tots” project aimed at bringing cheer to children, the tollway company turned over 18 boxes of employeedonated toys as well as hygiene kits

and food supplies to Ephesus Home for Girls in Bulacan. It also fulfilled the essence of giving this holiday season by providing some funds to other charitable institutions in Metro Manila.

NRW players who joined the gift-giving activities include Asi Taulava, Anthony Semerad, Paul Varilla, Kris Rosales, Reden Celda, and Brandon Ganuelas-Rosser. Instead of sending out gifts to various stakeholders, NLEX and the other companies under the Metro Pacific Tollways Corporation (MPTC) used their Christmas gifts budget to assist and give joy to those in need.

To

of mobility, through this ultimate game-changer.

Widening the reach of HPI in offering these rides and more was the opening of groundbreaking Flagship Stores across the country. This includes Du Ek Sam Inc. in Tagbilaran, Bohol, Guanzon Group of Companies, in Tondo, Manila, Triumph JT Marketing Corporation in Caloocan, Solid Motorcycle Distributors Inc. in Aklan, the Honda Motorsports, Inc. in Angeles, Pampanga, and Motorista Motors in Mindanao Avenue, Quezon City.

“With all these accomplishments in the rearview mirror, HPI now turns its focus straight ahead to achieving more great things in 2023,”Jerezo adds.

For more information about all things Honda, visit www. hondaph.com. Stay updated on Honda’s newest products and promos by following Honda Philippines, Inc. on Facebook and Instagram (@hondaph_mc), or contacting (02)-8581-6700 to 6799, and 0917-884-6632.

2022

CALTEX

“We

Bacaoat shared, “I have been a user of Caltex products and services for almost 2 years now since there are a lot of Caltex stations in Baguio which are very convenient for me. I’m thankful to Caltex for this promotion and of course for winning the grand prize that we will surely make use of.”

Aside from the Toyota Fortuners, 200 lucky motorists won Php5,000 Caltex StarCash that they can use for fueling up.

Follow Caltex’s official Facebook page to be updated on upcoming and current promotions.

The

CB150X and The New CRF1100L Africa Twin, and the newest underbone model The All-New Wave RSX, and the introduction of Honda’s 160cc and improved performance such as The AllNew CLICK160, The All-New AirBlade160, and The All-New ADV160 and for the Fun Bikes Models The New CRF250RX The All-New CRF125F Big Wheel.

cater the market demand of the customers, before the year ends HPI released, The All-New CLICK125. This new model will certainly resonate with Filipinos, being locally produced. More Filipinos will experience the comfort of everyday life through the joy

Honda PH’s ‘Bike production number 7m’

Tech & Gadgets

WIKO to release smartphones developed by Huawei technology

Upson keeps prices uniform in all branches

UPSON International Corp. (“Upson” or the “Company”) is committed to maintaining uniform pricing at all of its branches nationwide, despite the current challenges of inflation, fluctuating foreign exchange rates, and logistics costs.

As the country’s leading retailer of personal computers (PCs) and information technology (IT) products, Upson owns and manages a number of well-known retail stores, including Octagon, Micro Valley, Gadget King, and Octagon Mobile. The company also operates specialty and concept stores featuring brands such as Acer, Brother, HP, and Silvertec in select locations.

Upson President and CEO Arlene T. Sy has stated that the company is dedicated to maintaining uniform prices for all of its PC and IT products in all of its branches nationwide. This means that customers will pay the same price for a particular product, regardless of where they are located in the Philippines.

“At Upson, we believe that providing consistent pricing at all of our branches is important for our customers and demonstrates our commitment to their satisfaction,” Sy said.

“Whether you are in Metro Manila, up North in Ilocos, or down South in General Santos, you can trust that you will pay the same price for the same product at any of our Upson retail stores. We are dedicated to providing the best possible customer experience and that includes keeping our prices uniform across all of our branches,” she added.

Upson plans to expand its retail presence by adding 250 stores with approximately 25,000 square meters of additional retail space over the next 3 to 5 years. Coupled with a developed infrastructure on logistics, warehousing, delivery arrangements, and supply chain management, the company adequately manages the logistical cost differentials.

“As a retailer with a nationwide network of over 200 branches to date, we are proud to offer a wide selection of over 13,000 PC and IT products, some of which are exclusively available at our stores,” Sy said.

“Our extensive and efficient supply chain infrastructure allows us to provide our customers with access to these products at uniform prices, no matter where they are located,” she further said.

FRENCH brand WIKO is officially licensed to release Huaweideveloped smartphones.

The new flagship supports 5G with 108MP Camera and Samsung HM2 sensor.

WIKO is a French-origin brand that strives to shape the future of entertainment through the amalgamation of aesthetic design and technology.

A few days ago, the French technology brand WIKO made its debut on Weibo, and its China official website was launched simultaneously.

According to the teasers, last December 27, WIKO released its flagship phone in China, which not only supports 5G, but also a device thats equipped with Harmony OS, with a 108-megapixel main camera, 66W super-fast charging and other familiar configurations.

The new flagship–WIKO 5G, uses a 6.78-inch 120Hz high-refresh screen, equipped with a Snapdragon 695 processor, a rear-mounted 108megapixel main camera + 8-megapixel ultra-wideangle + 2-megapixel macro + 2-megapixel depth-of-field lens, and the front camera is 16 million pixels, built-in 4000mAh battery.

It uses a 2.0GHz Octa Core CPU processor using a Qualcomm Snapdragon 695 5G chipset, an Adreno 619 graphics processor paired with 8GB of RAM, 128GB/256GB of internal memory and runs on the HarmonyOS operating system.

Equipped with 4 rear cameras, Quad Camera with LED flash consisting of ● Main camera, 108 megapixel resolution, Samsung HM2 sensor, aperture f / 1.9, 1 / 1.52) and PDAF system

Bayad, Peppermint Innovation relaunch pact to

Under the partnership, Bayad will continue to boost the bill payment services of Peppermint Innovation through its mobile application Bizmoto. The Bizmoto App can both be accessed by direct users as well as accredited agents who will enable a one-stop-shop bills payment solution in their respective communities.

As Bayad and Peppermint Innovation recalibrated to a more robust system integration, the number of billers is expected to increase in the Bizmoto app, and process real-time and seamless payment transactions.

Today, Bizmoto App already accepts payments for electric and water utilities, cable and internet, government contributions, loan payments, credit cards, school tuition fees, online shopping, insurance, and many others.

● The second camera, Ultra Wide lens, 8 megapixel resolution, f / 2.2 aperture

● 3rd camera, depth lens, 2 megapixel resolution, f / 2.4 aperture

● 3rd camera, macro lens, 2 megapixel resolution, f / 2.4 aperture

According to reports, WIKO is officially licensed to release smartphones developed by Huawei technology.

Later, the mobile phone business of this brand was jointly acquired by Tianyin Holdings and Dongguan Financial Holdings.

In addition, WIKO took the second place in the French mobile phone market in 2014, second only to Samsung in terms of local market share.

In the Philippines, WIKO recently released the WIKO 10, the smartphone for modern entertainment.

WIKO 10 aims to bring a smooth user experience with distinctive features and elegant designs to customers all over the world, together with the launch of WIKO Buds 10, providing users with a seamless music journey with its advanced Bluetooth 5.2 technology and up to 30 hours of playback time with a charging case.

The WIKO 10 is the inaugural smartphone of WIKO’s new digital series. Representing the fusion of aesthetic design and advanced technology, WIKO 10 offers a novel experience with its impeccable design that speaks French elegance in the language of technology and serves as the modern-day accessory for the Generation Z digital natives.

WIKO wants to make smartphones à la mode accessible to all.

Its users worldwide tell that they love the French aesthetics conveyed by WIKO products, and these phones help to showcase their favor in simplicity, elegance, freedom and enthusiasm.

For more information, please visit:https://world.wikomobile.com/

rector and CEO, Christopher Kain said “Through our strengthened partnership with Bayad, we are able to further deliver on our commitment of amplifying digital financial inclusion in the Philippines. We are thrilled to see the heights that we are yet to reach as we share the same commitment with Bayad in bringing convenient and reliable financial services for to more Filipinos.”

“Bayad’s endorsement of our Bizmoto App as an ‘easy, go to, 24/7 access platform’ reflects Peppermint’s objective of being a convenient and easy-to-use bills payment facilitator for Filipinos.”. added Kain.

Bayad President and CEO, Lawrence Y. Ferrer also shared, “We are one with Peppermint Innovation in enabling convenient and reliable financial products and services. We will further intensity our partnership as we scale up our real time bills payment services in the Bizmoto App. Ultimately, all our efforts in Bayad are anchored on our mission of providing quality of life by bridging people and businesses as we help accelerate the country’s economic recovery.”

For financial institutions and digital enterprise like Peppermint Innovation that are interested to be part of Bayad’s extensive channel network, you may send an email to partnerships@bayad.com. Bayad enables partners to attain nationwide presence and provides end-toend support services for efficient payment and collection processing.

Bitskwela’s Bull or Bear Web3 debates discuss cryptocurrencies, NFTs

AMID the perceived ongoing crypto bear market situated within a broader economic downturn, Filipino Web 3 thought leaders gathered by crypto edutech platform Bitswkela at the recent Bull or Bear Web 3 Debates, sponsored by leading digital platform GCash, remain bullish about the prospects of blockchain-based technologies in making a real-world impact while highlighting the regulatory and societal challenges that need to be addressed.

In terms of regulating cryptocurrencies, the Philippine government has been studying creating policies for digital assets aimed at consumer protection.

“Bitskwela created the Bull or Bear debate to educate Filipinos, the government, and partners about Web 3, crypto, and NFTs to make well-informed decisions that will influence the policies and investments for cryptocurrencies,” Jiro Reyes, CEO of Bitskwela, said.

From localizing content about crypto education to holding crypto debates

across the Philippines, Bitskwela has been developing programs to further Filipinos’ knowledge and help engage the

government

further efforts in supporting this industry, similar to how Dubai created its Crypto Center in the leading free zone Dubai Multi Commodities Centre to help regulate crypto activities and develop an ecosystem that fosters growth, development, and security,” Darlene Torres, Board Member of Bitskwela, said.

The debates discussed complex issues surrounding themes such as using Bitcoin as legal tender, storing personal data on NFTs, whether the Philippines is conducive to developing Web 3, cryptocurrencies and having a Peso Central Bank Digital Currency.

The Philippines ranked tenth in global crypto adoption according to the Australian-based financial technology website Finder in July 2022, where 16% of 7,514 internet users owned cryptocurrency, with Bitcoin as the most popular in the country.

The first Bull or Bear Web 3 debate at the recent Philippine Web 3 Festival tapped Jen Bilango, Growth Lead at Blockchain Space; Chris

Tan, a cryptocurrency investor; Patty Tiu, co-founder of Thompson Collective; Paul Soliman, Chief Executive Officer (CEO) of Hacktiv and Chief Technology Officer of BayaniChain; Mark Nunez, Senior Partnerships Manager of GCrypto, and Nelson Lumbres, Internet Protocol Manila.

The second debate held in Davao featured Gilbert Lazaro, owner of Tito Vlogs; JR Quilantang, owner of Crypto Pinas; Gilson Po, Director of Community Building at Blockchain Network Philippines; Patty Tiu; Ryan Morris, Community Manager of Breeder Dao; and Robbi Samson, Business Development Section Head of First Metro Securities Brokerage Corporation in Mindanao, who shared their opinions and perspectives on cryptocurrencies and NFTs in the Philippines.

The debates may be viewed on Bitskwela’s Facebook page (www.facebook. com/bitskwela), and to learn more about Bitskwela’s initiatives, visit www. bitskwela.com.

BAYAD, the pioneer and most trusted brand in the outsourced payment collection system in the Philippines beefs up its partnership with Peppermint Innovation, an Australian company with a fintech enterprise arm in the Philippines that provides innovative, convenient, and easyto-use payment technology platforms.

and crypto experts.

“We hope to collaborate with the government through our initiatives to

WIKO 5G

Shown here are Rosette Carrillo – Peppermint Innovation Philippines General Manager, Dennis S. Gatuslao – Bayad Chief Commercial and Marketing O cer, Bob Conrad B. Aquino – Bayad Commercial Group Head and AVP, and Christopher Kain – Peppermint Innovation Limited Managing Director and CEO.

In addition, Peppermint will also soon be able to issue a Visa or pre-paid Visa card directly linked to a Bizmoto wallet, thereby

empowering recipients to make regular ecommerce and online transactions.

Peppermint Innovation Managing Di-

The second debate held in Davao featured Gilbert Lazaro, owner of Tito Vlogs; JR

Quilantang, owner of Crypto Pinas; Gilson Po, Director of Community Building at Blockchain Network Philippines; Patty Tiu; Ryan Morris, Community Manager of Breeder Dao; and Robbi Samson, Business Development Section Head of First Metro Securities Brokerage Corporation in Mindanao, who shared their opinions and perspectives on cryptocurrencies and NFTs in the Philippines.