Manila Standard - 2023 January 24 - Tuesday

Mr. Marcos to cut back on travel in 2023 to assess earlier trips

By Vince Lopez and Maricel V. Cruz

No money laundering in MIF

Assures wealth fund being crafted carefully to keep dirty money out

By Vince Lopez and Macon Ramos-Araneta

PRESIDENT Ferdinand Marcos Jr. assured the country on Monday that public funds to be invested in the proposed Maharlika Investment Fund will be protected and will only be used on very specific and accountable projects.

He also invited the Senate, which began deliberating its versions of the sovereign wealth fund bill on Monday, to carefully study the proposal already passed by the House of Representatives, stressing he preferred that the law emerging from it is well thought out rather than hastily passed. In a televised one-hour interview with

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President: Inflation to slow down starting Q1

By Alena Mae Flores, Othel Campos, and Vince Lopez

PRESIDENT Ferdinand Marcos Jr. on Monday said the country’s inflation rate -- which hit a 14-year-high of 8.1 percent in December -- is keeping him awake

every night even as he expressed confidence it will begin to ease by the first quarter of the year.

“This year, truly, that is the problem that is keeping me awake -- inflation. That’s what I lose sleep every night over -- how to bring down inflation,” Mr. Marcos said.

business

“We

PH to continue protest vs. Chinese ‘shadowing’ in WPS

By Vince Lopez and Maricel Cruz

PRESIDENT

mechanism he proposed with China during his state visit to Beijing this month following reports of the Chinese Coast Guard driving away Filipino fishing boats in Ayungin Shoal last week.

Asked about the timing of the incident, which happened right after he returned from Beijing where he met with Chinese President Xi Jinping, Mr. Marcos acknowledged that both countries

tenure of service’ pushed for AFP top brass, says Defense chief

INSTEAD of a fixed term of three years, the Department of National Defense has recommended an “extended tenure of service” for key officials of the Armed Forces of the Philippines (AFP).

Defense Secretary Carlito Galvez Jr. on Monday said the DND put forward its proposal to the Senate, which is eyeing to amend Republic Act 11709 or the Act Strengthening Professionalism in the AFP.

“We are very thankful that the Senate, headed by our Senate President [Miguel Zubiri], made a statement that they will support our recommendation, which we will already remove the term ‘fixed term.’ Instead we will use the term ‘extended tenure of service,’” Galvez said.

Under the DND recommendation, key military officers would have a

DOJ: Catapang replacing Bantag

By Rey E. Requejo

JUSTICE Secretary Jesus Crispin Remulla on Monday said retired Armed Forces chief Gregorio Pio Catapang Jr. will soon be appointed as director-

at

general of the Bureau of Corrections (Bucor), replacing the agency’s suspended boss, Gerald Bantag.

Interviewed by reporters at BuCor’s office in Muntinlupa City, Remulla said Catapang’s appointment

haven’t come to a compromise yet. “So, we have immediately used that thing, that mechanism that I talked about where we can even immediately

Tech, R&D, crop skills a must for next Agri chief

PRESIDENT Ferdinand Marcos Jr. said identifying non-traditional suppliers, improving research and development, and adopting new crop varieties are on his bucket list as Agriculture Secretary.

“In terms of production, we have to help the farmers. We are trying to adopt new techniques for farming that will actually, I think, be able to use new technology, new varieties of crops. We have to start with the R&D,” Mr. Marcos said in a televised interview.

The President said he is coordinating with several other countries as he tries to develop non-traditional suppliers, particularly for the supply of fertilizer, wheat, rice, and corn.

“Hopefully, down the road, we no

BuCor by today

papers may be released in “a matter of hours” or at the Cabinet meeting today, on Tuesday.

Catapang was appointed as officer-in-charge of the BuCor after

By Maricel Cruz, Vince Lopez, and Othel Campos

Ferdinand R. Marcos Jr. on Monday said the Philippine government had already used the hotline

DINAGYANG GUESTS. ‘Exhilarating and exceeding expectations’ was how local and foreign tourists described the Iloilo Dinagyang Festival over the weekend. The annual celebration was the first after a two-year hiatus and was co-presented by SM City Iloilo, the Iloilo City local government, and the Iloilo Festivals Foundation, Inc. (IFFI). In photo from left are Speaker Martin Romualdez, SM Supermalls President Steven Tan, First Lady Liza Araneta Marcos, and Iloilo City Mayor Jerry Trenas.

‘Extended

PRESIDENT Ferdinand Marcos Jr. said Monday he will reduce his overseas trips this year as his government will collate and review all the agreements with other nations, organizations, and

groups they made since he came to power last year.

will cut back our trips for the rest of the year. We need to review everything we started at the ASEAN, at APEC, in China, in the EU, in Brussels,

FACING THE ISSUES. President Ferdinand Marcos Jr. answers questions from a panel of broadcast journalists (inset) during a televised interview Monday at Malacanang.

PBBM: I’m not ‘grooming’ Sandro

PRESIDENT Ferdinand Marcos Jr. is not grooming his eldest son, Ilocos Norte Rep. Sandro Marcos, to be a future Chief Executive, and the third from their clan after his father Ferdinand Sr.

The President also clarified that First Lady Liza Araneta Marcos has power over appointments in his administration, saying he “does not talk policy” with his wife but does ask her about her opinions on legal and organizational issues, being a veteran lawyer herself.

Mr. Marcos chuckled when asked about his son during a televised panel interview with journalists, saying: “No. We are not grooming him for anything. There is not some long-range plan that one day Sandro

is going to be President.”

“He (Sandro) will laugh at your face if you tell him that,” the President added, noting the younger Marcos’ entry into politics last year was not a family decision.

“He is grooming himself. He has decided on this career, politics and he will handle it the way he does,” the Chief Executive said. “I think he has the same attitude as I do. I’ll work as hard as I can… I’ll take this as far as I can.”

Rep. Marcos joined several presidential trips as co-author of the proposed Maharlika Sovereign Fund, the President said.

Meanwhile, Mr. Marcos denied allegations the First Lady is an influential figure when it comes to appointing officials in key government posts.

“Zero. She really has no input on that,” he told journalists regarding allegations that Mrs. Marcos was involved in the upheavals in the military sector.

“We don’t talk policy together. She’ll comment, ‘That looks good. That doesn’t look good. I don’t know why you’re doing that… but not political decisions,” he said.

While he has the “best legal represen-

tation of any President” — with former Chief Justice Lucas Bersamin as his Executive Secretary and former Senate President Juan Ponce Enrile as his chief presidential legal adviser — Mr. Marcos said he still seeks his wife’s advice on legal issues in some occasions.

“She doesn’t come to the office and sit with us. It’s usually legal definitions… That’s the kind of questions I ask,” he said, stressing the First Lady’s experience as a lawyer and a professor.

“The First Lady helps me in terms of the organization because she is very, very good at that: the office, how the workflow goes, where the documents go through. She’s a well-trained lawyer,” he said. Vince Lopez

President eyes private firm to manage NAIA

even in Davos. We need to detail everything we talked about. We haven’t done this since we were busy traveling,” he said in Filipino in a one-hour televised interview with a panel of broadcast journalists last night.

On his personal video broadcast over the weekend, the President talked about the benefits the country reaped as a result of the recent Philippine participation in the World Economic Forum (WEF) held in Davos, Switzerland.

In his latest YouTube vlog, President Marcos said the government projection of growth was far more than what the International Monetary Fund (IMF) had in mind.

“Our strong macroeconomic fundamentals, fiscal discipline, structural reforms, and liberalization of key sectors instituted over the years have enabled us to withstand the negative shocks caused by the pandemic and succeeding economic downturns and map a route towards a strong recovery,” he said.

In reply to a question about the expenses the government incurred during his eight trips over the last seven months – and the huge entourage accompanying him with each trip -the President stressed that the public should view the return on investments for the country, and not just the cost of the trip.

Mr. Marcos said Malacañang would release a breakdown of expenses for his foreign trips once the Palace is done with the accounting.

“There will be accountability and transparency in everything we do. That’s the axiomatic, who can argue with that,” he said.

“This (accountability) has not been an issue that private businesses bring up. They bring up ease of doing business, they bring up the cost of energy, legislative guarantees… That’s what they complain about on the Philippines,” he said.

“Critics will have their say but those who are actually contemplating putting good money to the Philippines, transparency and accountability is not an issue,” Mr. Marcos said.

“I don’t know the exact figures of the cost and everything, but for example we came back from China with pledges of P22 billion. Let’s say we get actual out of that P1 billion. Bawing bawi lahat ng (We’d easily recover the) cost of the eight trips, finished,” the President said.

“The measure of success will be cost-benefit. How much effort did you put into it? It’s not just the money, it’s the time, the effort that goes into it is really,” Mr. Marcos said.

WHILE denying rumors of turning the Philippines’ busiest gateway over to the private sector, the Marcos administration is looking to hire a private company to manage traffic and increase movement at the Ninoy Aquino International Airport (NAIA).

President Ferdinand Marcos Jr. on Monday said he and other government officials met with the undisclosed company during their trip to New York last year.

“A private firm cannot own an airport,” Mr. Marcos told journalists in a

televised interview. “At most, we will have a management contract… without changing anything.”

“They said that without new equipment, without building a new runway, they can increase the traffic from what is presently they refer to as 35 movements per hour to 45 movements per hour. We want that,” the President said.

“They have a huge experience in running ports and running airports,” Mr. Marcos said.

Representatives of the company were

broadcast journalists, the President allayed fears of possible money laundering being caused by the proposed bill, saying while private money will be involved in the fund, the MIF is not a savings account where people park money and where it stays.

The multibillion-peso Maharlika Fund will serve as the seed money for the country’s sovereign fund, Mr. Marcos explained.

“Now, whenever we come into partnership, we do a G2G (Government-toGovernment) with Japan, for example, or we do a PPP (public-private partnership) with some big outfit, then that is only the time that the money has come into the fund to be used for the program,” he pointed out.

“It’s not like, OK give me a billion dollars then we’ll put it carelessly anywhere. It’s not like that at all. And in fact, even on our end, we will only deploy funds when there is a very specific project to be paid for. So, money laundering just won’t come into it,” Mr. Marcos said.

The President also responded to comments by some lawmakers about the use of money coming from governmentowned and controlled corporations (GOCCs) for the sovereign fund, saying it is not allowed under the law.

“I agree with that. You cannot use funds from the GOCC; it is a government fund. What will the government spend? It was a proposal. It’s not something that we have adopted,” the President told the press.

According to Mr. Marcos, every single GOCC has its own charter, and the government has to revise all of those charters to align them with the Maharlika Fund, noting this is not the purpose of the government company.

“This is a lot of income that goes to the national government that will go into the Maharlika Fund and cannot be used for the budget of the national government. And we have many things... that we would like to appropriate in the coming years, and we will need those funds,” Marcos said.

“So, I don’t think that’s a viable proposition, at least not for us... I know that there are other sovereign wealth funds

the safety of Filipino fishers.

in Manila “last week to look at the operation of the airport,” the President said. Marcos did not disclose how much the Philippines is expected to shell out for the outsourced service from the foreign company.

Earlier this month, hundreds of flights were canceled and delayed after a power outage in NAIA grounded flights and paralyzed Philippine airspace. It happened again over the weekend, with a handful of flights affected.

Vince Lopez

that have been in that way. But it’s like, it’s not compatible with us. that is why we are a little lukewarm about that idea,” Mr. Marcos said.

Meanwhile, the President told senators: “Suriin ninyo nang mabuti para magandang-maganda ‘yung batas natin. Suriin niyo nang mabuti (Examine it carefully so the law comes out beautifully. Examine it).”

He said it would be good for the MIF bill to be passed sooner but said it should not be rushed since “every word that you put into it is so important.”

“For me, it’s more important that the law is correct rather than hastily formed,” he said in Filipino.

Meanwhile, an opposition congressman on Monday said the version of the MIF that the President presented before the World Economic Forum (WEF) last week was not the bill that was passed by the House of Representatives and must be recalled.

Albay 1st District Rep. Edcel Lagman said the version of the MIF bill presented to global leaders and top business executives in Davos, Switzerland had been “re-engineered” to remove provisions that were controversial.

Marcos reveals plans for Tulfo, Naida Angping

PRESIDENT Ferdinand Marcos Jr. considered the “personal decision” and situation of former Presidential Management Staff Secretary Naida Angping before appointing her as Ambassador to France and Monaco, he said in a televised interview with a panel of broadcast journalists on Monday.

The President also said he would not turn former Social Welfare Secretary Erwin Tulfo into one of his advisers, noting he had other plans for the former TV and radio anchor.

“Well, the situation with then Secretary Naida Angping was that it was a personal decision in her part. She had some personal issues that she had to work through, and she said ‘I cannot do my work while I’m having to go through this. And that’s why I need to go and think about it,’” Mr. Marcos said in the interview in Malacañang Palace yesterday afternoon.

“(Angping) came back, and she said maybe I can just find something that will not – that I will be able to handle. And I said, ‘What do you think?’ And she said, ‘If you could appoint me to a diplomatic position?” the President added.

Mr. Marcos cited the accomplishments of the former PMS Secretary and his history for her new position in his administration.

“She has not held formally a diplomatic position, but she has been working with the foreign service for years, and years, and years. She’s a former staff member of my Uncle Kokoy,” the President said, noting Angping was a staffer of his uncle, former Leyte Governor and US Ambassador Benjamin Romualdez. Vince Lopez

“I’m determined to bring down, to make sure inflation starts to come down in the first quarter,” he added. December’s inflation rate brought the annual average up to 5.8 percent, according to the Philippine Statistics Authority.

Albay Rep. Joey Salceda, for his part, said headline inflation rates could ease to 4 percent by mid-year. “2023 inflation should hit the 4.0 level by mid-year. And that will boost consumer demand further,” he said.

Go Negosyo founder Joey Concepcion said prices of basic and prime commodities are bound to stabilize by mid-2023 amid efforts of the government to stem inflation and reduce to cost of consumer goods.

contact the Chinese government, and hopefully our counterparts on the other side can bring it to President Xi’s attention. We have done that,” the President said.

“But it does not preclude us from continuing to make protest and continuing to send note verbales concerning this [shadowing],” he added.

The Philippine Coast Guard has already increased the number of its patrol vessels in the West Philippine Sea after Chinese vessels drove away the Filipino fishing boat in Ayungin Shoal on Jan. 9.

In a statement, the PCG said the increase in patrol vessels would ensure

said, noting the sector is a very complicated subject.

Ayungin Shoal is some 100 nautical miles off Palawan and is likewise near Mischief Reef, an area in the West Philippine Sea reportedly occupied by China.

The PCG said the fisherfolk’s statements will be forwarded to the National Task Force-West Philippine Sea and the Department of Foreign Affairs (DFA) in case the country would file a diplomatic protest.

Meanwhile, a bill advocating environmental protection and preservation of the West Philippine Sea has been gaining ground among key government agencies.

House Bill 6373 of Palawan Rep. Edward Hagedorn aims to declare all low-tide elevations and high-tide features, and an area of three nauti-

cal miles around the Kalayaan Island Group and Scarborough Shoal as a Marine Protected Area.

This amid heightened tensions in the West Philippine Sea, where a Chinese coast guard ship recently blocked a Filipino fishing vessel.

As of press time, Hagedorn has met with officials of the Department of Environment and Natural Resources-Biodiversity Management Bureau (DENRBMB), Department of the Interior and Local Government (DILG), and Department of National Defense (DND).

CIBAC Rep. Eddie Villanueva also expressed his full support for the bill, calling it an “important and timely initiative that could provide a common ground and shared interest for all contending states.”

“We must remember that the high cost of commodities is a result of global supply disruption, from the RussianUkraine war. It is not internal. I expect that by the middle of this year, we will start seeing a drop in the prices of commodities,’ he said at the Laging Handa public briefing Monday.

Meanwhile, the country’s oil firms raised pump prices by as much as P2.80 per liter – a bit higher than projected prices last week -- effective 6 a.m. today (Tuesday) to reflect the movement of prices in the world market.

The oil firms raised the price of gasoline by P2.80 per liter, kerosene by P2.40 per liter, and diesel by P2.25 per liter.

On Jan. 17, the oil companies increased the price of gasoline by P0.95 per liter and diesel by P0.50 per liter but cut the price of kerosene by P0.15 per liter.

longer have to worry about non-traditional supply because we will be able to produce enough for ourselves,” Mr. Marcos said.

The President also acknowledged that scheduling importation is critical for both sugar and onion, among other agricultural produce.

“We are not producing as much as we consume, and therefore, we still have to import,” the Chief Executive said.

Mr. Marcos said that once he has addressed these items, “then, we will have a [DA] secretary who will then take my place and will implement that plan,” he said.

The President said he would appoint a permanent Secretary of Agriculture who is an expert in the field, stressing he wants to do the “old, hard things” at the department.

The DA chief should be an agriculture expert who understands the science and the solution, Mr. Marcos

The President’s “dreams” for the country’s agriculture sector are attaining sustainable livelihood for farmers, having affordable food for all, as well as food security.

Meanwhile, Sultan Kudarat Rep. Horacio Suansing Jr. on Monday asked Congress to summon “in due time” several individuals and consignees to shed light on the issue of agricultural smuggling.

At the hearing conducted by the House ways and means committee, Suansing made the call in the wake of reports of underdeclared or misdeclared agriculture products entering the country.

“Given these alarming reports, and in the interest of forging and building credibility and confidence in our government processes and institutions, I believe that it is incumbent upon this Chamber to exercise its oversight functions to scrutinize data reported by our own government agencies,” he said.

“flexible” term that can be extended by the President even if the official has already reached the mandatory retirement age.

These key AFP officers can also be replaced at any time if they no longer enjoy the trust and confidence of the President “without the restrictions of the law.”

“So, there is no such thing as fixed term already. If our recommendation

is adopted, at least the career management of our key officers would not be absolute but flexible,” Galvez said.

“We see that the flexibility would be good,” he added.

Zubiri on Sunday said the bill limiting the coverage of the fixed three-year term in the AFP will receive “strong support” from senators.

Galvez earlier admitted “rumblings” within the military due to Republic Act 11709, which grants a three-year fixed term for the AFP Chief of Staff and other key officials.

Villamor, an inmate at the New Bilibid Prisons (NBP).

The Defense chief revealed the unrest among some AFP members as they have not been promoted, especially officers who belong to the Philippine Military Academy Classes of 1990 and 1994.

The “unintended consequences” of the retirement law affected 14 key positions, Galvez said, and not resolving it “will greatly affect the dynamism of the organization.”

He noted that some officers “were very much qualified” to be promoted, but due to their age, they were deprived of a higher rank and retired.

Bantag was placed under preventive suspension in October 2022 pending investigation of his alleged involvement in the killing of veteran broadcaster Percival Mabasa a.k.a. Percy Lapid and alleged middleman in the latter’s killing, was identified as Jun

Remulla said Catapang’s appointment was discussed with Executive Secretary Lucas Bersamin on Saturday, following the arrival of President Ferdinand Marcos Jr. from Davos, Switzerland.

Asked why it took several months before the President officially appointed Catapang as BuCor chief,

Remulla said: “That’s how it should be. We are not in the business of just replacing people just like that. We have to study everything and wait for the developments to come in for us to really be sure of what we are doing. We need to assess everything.”

Bantag was suspended for 90 days in October last year while being investigated for the deaths of Mabasa and Villamor.

US extends P118-m grant for 5G digital infrastructure study in PH

By Rey E. Requejo

THE United States has partnered with a telecommunication company and provided P118 million ($2.15 million) funding to conduct a feasibility study in the Philippines for the development of a reliable and secured nationwide 5G mobile network.

US Ambassador to the Philippines MaryKay Carlson, US Assistant Secretary of State for East Asian and Pacific Affairs Daniel Kritenbrink and Department of Information and Communication Technology (DICT) Undersecretary Angelo Nuestro witnessed the signing of the funding agreement.

The deal was signed by NOW Telecom and Nokia Bell Labs Consulting during the recently concluded 10th USPhilippines Bilateral Strategic Dialogue in Manila on January 20.

NOW selected the New Jersey-based Bell Labs Consulting, part of Bell Labs, the research arm of Nokia, to conduct the study.

“This 5G grant demonstrates the US commitment to developing quality digital infrastructure and increasing access to affordable connectivity in the Philippines,” Kritenbrink said in his speech as the US aims to promote secure digital infrastructure in the Indo-Pacific region to strengthen economic growth and facilitate open digital societies.

Under the accord, the feasibility study will provide NOW Telecom with the necessary analysis, designs and plans for the phased implementation of the project.

It will also include the establishment of a 5G pilot network at multiple sites in Metro Manila to val date network performance, test 5G use cases, and provide data to inform larger scale deployment.

The project also aims to support the digital transformation of the Philippines by helping to meet the growing demand for high-bandwidth, reliable and secure digital services from the country’s households and various industries, the US Embassy in Manila said.

11 of 953 PNP officials have not submitted courtesy resignations

ALMOST all of the senior police officials have submitted their courtesy resignations save 11 who are still weighing their options, said Philippine National Police (PNP) chief Gen. Rodolfo Azurin Jr.

Meanwhile, the PNP is further boosting its anti-subversion campaign even as the strengthen of the Communist Party of the Philippines (CPP) and its armed wing, the New People’s Army (NPA), is declining following the recent death of CPP founder Jose Ma. Sison.

Eight colonels and three brigadier generals have until Jan. 31 to submit their courtesy resignations, Azurin told reporters in Camp Crame, Quezon City.

“Maybe they are still trying to discern whether ‘I will still submit because I am nearing retirement.’ But to us, we also still encourage them to just submit so that at least somehow you will be totally cleared whatever the outcome of this evaluation and review of the individual involvement of everyone in illegal drugs),”Azurin said.

A five-man committee has been formed to conduct life style checks on the PNP officials who were asked to tender

their resignations. The panel will submit their findings and recommendations to President Marcos.

Former police general and now Baguio City Mayor Benjamin Magalong was earlier named as one of the members of the panel. The names of the four other members are yet to be announced.

The National Police Commission would also review the names of police officers whose resignations will be accepted.

Azurin said as of Jan. 20, the Directorate for Personnel and Records Management discipline, law and order divisio has received the courtesy resignation of 942 senior PNP officers out of a total of 953 third-level police officials.

“Definitely, the PNP will look

into this. If they did not submit, we don’t have any record. The PNP will study if there are indicators of them being involved in illegal drugs during their incumbency as third level officers and (even) after reaching retirement,” he said.

In the press briefing in Camp Crame, Azurin also said the ] PNP is off to a strong start in the national campaign against illegal drugs \ this year with encouraging results.

He said the first 16 days of 2023 were highlighted by the seizure of more than P81 million worth of illegal drugs during 1,831 police operations.

During the same period, he said 2,518 drug suspects were arrested, among them 146 considered high-value targets.

Sandigan convicts Bohol ex-mayor for falsifying expense documents

By Maricel V. Cruz

THE Sandiganbayan has sentenced a former mayor of Cortes, Bohol to 48 years imprisonment for falsifying documents to liquidate her expenses in 2010.

Conversely, the anti-graft court dismissed a graft case against a former mayor of Maasin City, Southern Leyte, and other officials over for alleged irregularities in the purchase of P10-million communication devices in 2007.

In a 39-page decision promulgated on January 20, the anti-graft court’s Fifth Division ordered Apolinaria Balistoy jailed for six years to eight years for violation of the anti-graft law. Balistoy was also permanently banned from holding public office.

She was also ordered to indemnify the town of Cortes P20,779 with annual interest of six percent until fully paid.

For each count of falsification, the Sandiganbayan sentenced her to four years and two months to up to 10 years of imprison-

ment. This totals up to 40 years of imprisonment for four counts of falsification.

The court also ordered Balistoy to pay a fine of P10,000 for each count.

The case stemmed from Balistoy’s utilization of falsified Certificates of Appearance for her unauthorized travels in Cebu City.

The Certificates of Appearance dated January 5, 20, and 21 in 2010 and February 4 and 5 in 2010 included the signature of Dr. Loreno Canapi of the Civil Service Commission. Ho ever, the court noted that Canapi had already retired in 2009.

According to the Court, each of the certificates also only indicated that it is issued for “whatever purpose” it may serve Balistoy.

“By using these Certificates of Appearance, the putative assumption is that the accused is the author of the falsification. The settled rule is that in the absence of satisfactory explanation, one found in possession of and who used a forged document is the forger,” the ruling stated.

MMDA plans to establish Metro Manila motorcycle riding academy

By Joel E. Zurbano

THE Metropolitan

Development

Manila

Authority (MMDA) on Monday announced it will establish a Motorcycle Riding Academy in the National Capital Region designed to reduce motorcycle-related accidents and to make the roads safer. Under the project, the MMDA will create

a technical working group for the formulation of a safety training course module that would give both beginners and experienced riders proper training and basic knowledge such as different types, characteristics, basic parts, basic control and operation of motorcycles; various road safety laws, rules and regulations pertaining to the operation of motorcycles; necessary driving skills on how to avoid

hazardous situations, and; understanding risk awareness and risk taking.

The Academy will also provide basic emergency response training for the motorcycle riders.

MMDA chairman Romando Artes said the planned academy will provide motorcycle riders the necessary riding and basic emergency response skills.

“The academy would provide riders with

formal training on both theoretical and practical aspects of motorcycle riding,” Artes said “Through this Motorcycle Riding Academy, we aim to further promote road safety, particularly to our motorcyclists who are very much at risk to road mishaps. It’s a good opportunity for them to refresh and hone their riding skills and to provide first aid to people who will encounter unexpected road accidents,” he added.

BI intercepts 3 human tra cking victims; nabs Japanese fugitive

By Vito Barcelo

BUREAU of Immigration (BI) officers at the Ninoy Aquino International Airport (NAIA) have intercepted three suspected victims of human trafficking who attempted to leave the country disguised as tourists.

Meanwhile, BI operatives also arrested a Japanese fugitive wanted by authorities in Tokyo for robbery, extortion and involvement in telecommunications fraud.

Immigration Commissioner Norman Tansingco said the three passengers were apprehended before they could board an Air Asia flight to Bangkok, Thailand at the NAIA 3 terminal.

“There will be no letup in our campaign against human trafficking. We are sending a strong

notice to these syndicates that we have doubled our vigilance in seeing to it that our poor Kababayans do not fall prey to theiractivities,” Tansingco said.

He said the trio later admitted that their finaldestinationwas Vientiane, Laos where theywere allegedly hired to workas customer service reresentatives and promisedsalaries of P30,000 to P40,000 a month

“The modus operandi employed here by the syndicate is fortheir victims who were disguised as tourists to initially fly toThailand where they would laterboard a connecting flight to Laos,”Tansingco said.

The passengers’ names werenot divulged as the law prohibitspublic disclosure of human trafficking victims.

According to BI travel controland enforcement unit (TCEU)

head Ann CamilleMina, the victims gave iconsistent statements duringthe interview and presented fake employment documents.

They admitted however, thatthe documents were merelyhanded over to them at the airporthours before departure

The victims were laterturned over to the Inter-AgencyCouncil Against Trafficking (IACAT)for investigation and filing ofcharges against their recruiters.

The captured fugitive was identified as Yohhei Yano, 43, whowas arrested in Guimbal Port,Iloilo by operatives from the BI’sfugitive search unit (FSU).

Tansingco said Yano was arrested at the request of the Japanese authorities in Manila which sought the BI’s help in locating the fugitive.

WHIZ KID. Manila Police District (MPD) director Brig. Gen. Andre Dizon and his predecessor, Maj. Gen. Roberto Rosales, confer a plaque of recognition to precocious Grade 8 student Dwight Kyle Albajeso of Dr. Juan Nolasco High School in Tondo, Manila who has already manifested vast knowledge in the eld of law and has served as a model for his fellow students.

Group seeks Palace rules on setting up internet infra

A CONSUMER advocacy group calls for the immediate issuance of an executive order that would spell out the guidelines on the setting up of te ecommunication towers and other internet infrastructures in the country.

“Two Joint Memorandum Circulars (JMCs) have enabled us to achieve respectable progress in the past two years,” said Orlando Oxales, co-convenor of CitizenWatch Philippines.

“But these JMCs will expire in July 2023, and we cannot afford to lose momentum in our pursuit of greater connectivity and digital transformation,” Oxales said.

The Private Sector Advisory Council (PSAC) and the Anti-Red Tape Authority (ARTA) earlier expressed similar concerns over the JMCs.

“In just a span of 18 months, the results of the JMCs became evident,” Oxales said.

“They were able to significantly improve the processing time to secure permits: for telco towers from 8 months to 16 days, and for other internet infrastructure from 2.5 years to just 2.5 months,” he added.

The JMCs were able to cut down the number of permits from 13 to eight, and the number of other documentary requirements from 86 to 35, Oxales noted.

“Telco coverage substantially improved. A total of 7,000 towers were erected in just a span of 18 months, bringing the total number to 29,700 from 22,700,” he said.

The advantages did not take long to follow. From 71st place globally in October 2021, the Philippines climbed to 45thplace in terms of the speed of fixed broadband in November 2022. Ranking in terms of mobile internet speed also improved from 93rd in October 2021 to 80th in November 2022.

“The direct results of the JMCs are undisputable,” Oxales said. “This shows we only needed to do things more efficiently in order to see a drastic improvement.”

The JMCs were an offshoot of directives from President Rodrigo Duterte to improve telco services.

Norman Cruz

DISPLAY OF UNITY. Members of the militant Kilusang Mayo Uno troop to Makati City in support of fellow workers who are to sit at a dialogue with the International Labor Organization for the High-Level Tripartite Mission (ILO-HLTM). The day, which marks the opening of the ILO-HLTM to the Philippines, has been designated as the Global Day of Action for Filipino Workers’ Right to Decent Work and Freedom of Association. Norman Cruz

Poe dismayed with CAAP over another NAIA shutdown

By Macon Ramos-Araneta

SENATOR Grace Poe said the Civil Aviation Authority of the Philippines (CAAP) should have issued a prior announcement and rescheduled some flights following the second (Lunar) New Year’s Day Philippine airspace shutdown.

“It seems obvious they were not anticipating a possible shutdown of the uninterrupted power supply (UPS) while they were doing maintenance work,” Poe, chairperson of the Senate committee on public services, said.

Because of this, she also questioned the CAAP if it is truly equipped to repair and recalibrate their Communications, Navigation and Surveillance/Air Traffic Management system (ATM/CNS) without the help of a competent maintenance provider like Thales and Sumitomo.

“Chinese New Year pa nangyari. It seems ominous,” Poe said.

At least 47 flights were canceled yesterday due to some technical problems which were related to the recent airport shutdown

Flights at the Ninoy Aquino International Airport (NAIA) were affected Sunday morning as the CAAP carried out the maintenance of one of its power equipment that has been identified as a factor in the New Year’s Day airport mess.

The CAAP said 28 departing flights and one arriving from Jakarta scheduled from 4:20 a.m. to 5:23 a.m. on January 22 -- accounting for some 3,500 passengers -- were affected by the maintenance activity.

The agency said its engineering team and maintenance provider replaced the cooling fan of its second UPS or uninterruptible power supply.

“No congestion was reported at the four NAIA terminals,” the CAAP said.

Lawmakers approve Religious Freedom Act on third reading

By Maricel V. Cruz

VOTING 256 against one and three abstentions, the House of Representatives on Monday passed on third reading the proposed Magna Carta on Religious Freedom Act or House Bill (HB) 6492.

HB 6492 prohibits the government or any person to burden, curtail, impinge or encroach on a person’s right to exercise his/her religious belief, freedom, and liberty of conscience except if the act results in violence or if it is necessary to protect the public.

“It is the declared policy of the State to protect and uphold the fundamental and inalienable right of every person to

freely choose and exercise one’s religion and beliefs and to act and live according to one’s conscience,” the lawmakers said.

The solons noted that such right is guaranteed under Section 5, Article III of the Constitution and other international human rights instruments to which the State is a party or that it adheres thereto, including the Univer-

sal Declaration of Human Rights, the International Covenant on Civil and Political Rights and the Declaration on the Elimination on All Forms of Intolerance and Discrimination Based on Religion and Belief.

“The right of every Filipino to profess, practice, and propagate religious beliefs must always be recognized, respected, allowed, and protected,” they added.

HB 6492 was among several bills the House, under the leadership of Speaker Ferdinand Martin G. Romualdez, passed on the first day of the resumption of its session after a month-long Christmas break.

The proposed law seeks to operationalize Section 5, Article III of the 1987 Constitution which provides that “No

law shall be made respecting an establishment of religion, or prohibiting the free exercise thereof. The free exercise and enjoyment of religious profession and worship, without discrimination or preference, shall forever be allowed. No religious test shall be required for the exercise of civil or political rights.”

Section 6 of HB 6492 states that the right to freedom of religion can be denied, regulated, burdened, or curtailed only if it can be demonstrated that (1) the free exercise of religious freedom or conscience results to violence; and (2) it is necessary to protect public safety, public order, health, property, and good morals. The bill does not apply to the act of the Government in enacting laws in the exercise of its police power.

SENATE Committee on Agriculture and Food chairperson Sen. Cynthia A. Villar yesterday exhorted the public and all concerned government agencies to continue supporting the local seed industry, saying it is the foundation of a productive agriculture.

“Continuous production and development of seeds is necessary because the availability of quality seeds are the key to successful farming,” Villar said, during the 5th National Seed Summit at Great Eastern Hotel / Aberdeen Court Exterior in Quezon City.

“In return, quality seeds results in increased production and income for the farmers,” she added.

The summit was initiated by the Bureau of Plant Industry – National Seed Industry Council (BPI- NSIC) with the theme, “Sustaining the Gains of the Seed Industry towards Productivity and Food Security”.

The event aims to gather stakeholders in the seed sector such as farmers, seed growers, seed dealers, and technical experts to discuss issues confronting the seed industry.

THE Office of the President has commended the Department of Agrarian Reform (DAR for swiftly and timely addressing all issues and concerns raised by its stakeholders and advocates.

DAR Undersecretary for Strategic Action and Response Rogelio Peig II, in a letter, lauded DAR through Agrarian Secretary Conrado Estrella III, for acting with dispatch on all 491 issues and concerns referred to the agency in 2022, under the government’s 8888 Citizens’ Complaint Center for a 100 percent accomplishment rating.

“We are pleased to inform you that of the 491 citizens’ concerns referred to your office from Jan. 1, 2022, to Nov. 30, 2022, 491 tickets or 100 percent were acted upon. We would like to commend your efforts in ensuring that all citizens’ concerns referred to your office are acted upon on time,” he said.

The 8888 Citizens’ Complaint Center was established in June 2007 to serve as a mechanism where citizens may report their complaints and grievances on acts of red tape, as defined under Republic Act No. 9485 or the Anti-Red Tape Act.

Peig said he is looking forward “to our continued partnership in the fight against red tape and corruption.”

On the other hand, the DAR chief expressed his deep appreciation for the compliment while assuring all officials and staff of the 8888 Citizens’ Complaint Center as well as the public, that the DAR would continue exerting and exhausting all efforts in a timely manner to address issues and concerns affecting the stakeholders. Rio N. Araja

The

Under

The UNODC donated to PDEA 35 Acer tablet computers each

Agencies sign agreement on open spaces

By Willie Casas

THE Department of Health (DOH), and other government agencies, signed a policy Monday providing guidance on the use and creation of healthy public open spaces amid the COVID-19 pandemic.

During the ceremonial signing of the Joint Administrative Order (JAO) for Healthy Open Spaces, DOH Health Promotion Bureau officer-in-charge director Rodley Desmond Daniel Carza said the policy specifically aims to provide guidance on the risk-based opening of public open spaces, and provide standards for their creation in order to promote physical and mental health and well-being for Filipinos.

The JAO was inked by representatives from the DOH, Department of the Interior

and Local Government, Department of Tourism, Department of Environment and Natural Resources, Department of Human Settlements and Urban Development, Department of Public Works and Highways, Philippine Commission on Women, and the National Commission for Culture and the Arts.

Carza added that healthy public open spaces should be open and accessible to all; are child, elderly, persons with disabilities (PWDs), and pet-friendly; are safe space for all genders; are smoke, vape, alcohol, and drug-free; are promotive of handwashing and sanitation, are eco-friendly, sustainable, and non-polluting; are climate and disaster-resilient; are promotive of local culture, arts, and heritage; and should be well-staffed, managed, and maintained.

In her speech, Villar also cited the UN - Food and Agriculture Organization, which stated that seed system is one of the pillars of agricultural development and food security.

“They make an important contribution to ensure and support food security and nutrition. Good seeds play an important role in maintaining the resistance to pests, diseases, and climate change,” Villar said.

Macon Ramos-Araneta

DOH hospitals in Quezon team up to establish public health care network

‘Let us continue supporting PH seed industry’ PDEA, UNODC join forces in efforts against drugs

By Rio N. Araja

THE Philippine Drug Enforcement Agency (PDEA), and United Nations Office on Drugs and Crime (UNODC) have signed a declaration of cooperation in the areas of health, counter-illicit drugs, counter-terrorism, transnational organized crime, anti-corruption, human rights, and criminal justice.

joint cooperation was signed by the PDEA director general, Undersecretary Moro Virgilio Lazo, and UNODC

senior national program officer Jo-Ann de Belen represented by senior resident policy advisor Olivier Lermet.

the arrangement, the PDEA and UNODC have mutually expressed common interests to co-develop; institutionalize trainings and education; and research projects on human rightsbased approaches on drugs, transnational crimes, cybercrimes, and financial crimes.

containing

80 training modules on human rightsbased approaches against illegal drugs.

The portable devices would surely boost the training capabilities of the PDEA Academy, the institution responsible for the recruitment and training of future PDEA officers, and active administrative and technical personnel.

The UNODC is a global leader in promoting global peace and security, human rights, and development by making the world safer from drugs, crime, corruption, and terrorism.

THE Department of Health (DOH), through the leadership of its Officer-inCharge Maria Rosario Singh-Vergeire and the Provincial Government of Quezon headed by Governor Angelina Helen Tan, on Monday led the ceremonial signing of Joint Memorandum of Agree -

ment between 15 DOH Health Facilities and Hospitals and the provincial government of Quezon to pave the way for the establishment of a Health Care Provider Network (HCPN) Along with the Province of Quezon, the following hospitals signed the agree -

ment: Amang Rodriguez Memorial Medical Center; Dr. Jose Fabella Memorial Hospital; Jose R. Reyes Memorial Medical Center; National Children’s Hospital; Philippine Orthopedic Center; Quirino Memorial Medical Center; Rizal Medi-

cal Center; San Lazaro Hospital; Tondo Medical Center; Lung Center of the Philippines; National Kidney and Transplant Institute; Philippine Children’s Medical Center; Philippine Heart Center; East Avenue Medical Center, and Batangas Medical Center. Willie Casas

COURTESY CALL. Barangay chairpersons and councilors from the Municipality of Lobo Batangas, with Batangas 2nd District Rep.Gerville Luistro (9th left) pay a courtesy call to House Speaker Ferdinand Martin G. Romualdez (center) Monday afternoon at the Speaker’s office in the House of Representatives. Also in the photo are presidential son William Vincent Araneta Marcos (10th left) and House Majority Leader Manuel Jose Mannix Dalipe (12th right). Ver Noveno

SEED SUMMIT. Sen. Cynthia Villar, chair of the Senate Committee on Agriculture and Food, delivers her speech during the 5th National Seed Summit in Quezon City. The event is organized by the National Seed Industry Council (NSIC) of the Bureau of Plant Industry (BPI) in collaboration with the Philippine Seed Industry Association (PSIA). Manny Palmero

FOR HEALTHY OPEN SPACES. Officials from various government agencies with Taguig City Mayor Maria Laarni Cayetano signed a joint administrative order seeking to promote healthy parks and public open spaces and raise awareness of the health and environmental benefits of parks and open spaces. Danny Pata

Gigi Reyes and everyone’s right to speedy trial

I FULLY support the decision by the First Division of the Supreme Court to release Attorney Gigi Reyes from detention by granting her petition for the writ of habeas corpus.

This was the right decision for Reyes and should be applied equally to others who have been deprived of their liberty under similar circumstances.

Reyes was the former chief-of-staff of then Senate President Juan Ponce.

She has been in detention since July 2014 after the Sandiganbayan ordered her arrest after she was charged with the crime of plunder in connection with the P172.8-million kickbacks allegedly received from Janet Lim Napoles who was herself convicted of plunder, for the same scheme in a separate case.

Her co-accused, former Senator Enrile, has since been granted bail on humanitarian grounds and is now the presidential legal counsel of President Marcos, a testament to his political endurance and longevity.

Meantime, in detention for nine years, Reyes went to the Supreme Court, via a petition for habeas corpus, insisting she had been in detention for so long without any sign of being freed soon.

The SC said while Reyes’ detention is based on a court order, her prolonged detention, without any progress on the case against her, is considered ‘vexatious, capricious, and oppressive’

In her petition, Reyes argued she is entitled to the privilege of writ of habeas corpus by reason of delay and alleged violation of her constitutional right to speedy trial.

Reyes also reasoned she has been in detention “longer than any other accused similarly charged.”

She cited the following government officials and the days they spent behind bars: Gloria Macapagal-Arroyo (1,387 days); Senator Bong Revilla (1,643 days); Senator Jinggoy Estrada (1,188 days and released on bail); Enrile, Reyes’ co-accused (413 days and released on bail).

Reyes also pointed out she had filed various petitions before the High Court for her release on multiple grounds but none was granted. She, therefore, invoked the writ of habeas corpus.

Ruling in favor of Atty. Reyes, the Supreme Court reasoned that Reyes’ confinement “has become oppressive, thus, infringing upon her right to liberty.”

The SC said while Reyes’ detention is based on a court order, her prolonged detention, without any progress on the case against her, is considered “vexatious, capricious, and oppressive.”

The Reyes decision is a novel approach to habeas corpus.

EAGLE EYES

TONY LA VIÑA

The ultimate purpose of habeas corpus is to relieve a person from unlawful restraint.

The writ exists as a speedy and effectual remedy from unlawful restraint and as an effective defense of personal freedom.

Hence, in previous instances, habeas corpus was granted where a person was subject to physical restraint, such as arbitrary detention, or even by moral restraint.

Thus, a prisoner may secure his release if convicted by a court without jurisdiction; or if a person is deprived of liberty due to mistaken identity.

However, habeas corpus may no longer be availed of when a person allegedly deprived of liberty is restrained under a lawful process or order of the court.

In the latter case, the remedy is to pursue the ordinary course and exhaust the usual remedies like a motion to quash the information or warrant of arrest based on one or more of the grounds enumerated under Rule 117, Section 3 of the Rules of Court.

The Reyes decision provides a new way of applying the writ but also shows how temporary liberty may be secured other than bail.

Notice that Reyes, being legally detained for plunder, a non-bailable offense, may not be eligible for the grant of habeas corpus under the normal and ordinary sense and application.

In fact, her previous bids to secure temporary release or dismissal of the case proved futile.

Previously, she filed a Petition to challenge the resolution by the Sandiganbayan denying her petition for bail.

The Sandiganbayan resolution was affirmed by the Supreme Court in August 2020 and Reyes remained in detention for the last nine years awaiting trial.

In its decision, the SC noted the Sandiganbayan detailed across 194 pages the testimonies of the 19 witnesses on direct, re direct, and crossexamination at the bail hearing.

It then quoted the parts of the discussion of this Court in Napoles v. Sandiganbayan that pertained or referred to the petitioner.

However, it also explained in full the basis of its findings that there is strong evidence of the guilt of the petitioner.

As such, petitioner Reyes failed to establish that the Sandiganbayan acted with grave abuse of discretion in concluding that there is strong evidence against the petitioner. Thus, her bid for bail on humanitarian grounds failed.

Reyes then took on a new tack via a petition for habeas corpus, this time invoking a violation of her right to a speedy trial. citing Section 14, Article III of the Constitution, which entitles those facing criminal charges to “a speedy, impartial, and public trial.” This time she succeeded when the SC agreed with her.

As earlier pointed out, the SC, her prolonged detention, without any progress on the case against her, is considered “vexatious, capricious, and oppressive.”

Elite Davos forum ‘sitting target’ of conspiracy theorists

By Anuj Chopra

A SWISS Alpine town where heads of state and business titans huddled for a week of debate—the World Economic Forum in Davos—was an ideal target for conspiracy theorists pushing the idea of an elite cabal running the world.

Celebrities, billionaire tycoons and world leaders gathered in Davos last week to discuss the knottiest issues facing humanity—from the Ukraine war to climate catastrophes and even the threat of disinformation.

But the annual gathering itself had become a magnet for wild falsehoods such as the WEF wants people to eat bugs instead of meat to fight food insecurity.

What gives oxygen to such farcical theories is what observers call behind-the-scenes dealmaking between business leaders, a WEF fixture that fuels the notion that it is led by a shadowy cabal working for private gain under the garb of solving public issues.

“The World Economic Forum is a target of misinformation and disinformation because it occupies a singular space in the public consciousness: a gathering of the world’s most powerful and influential economic actors in a forum that showcases and celebrates both,” said Michael W. Mosser, executive director of the Global Disinformation Lab at the University of Texas at Austin.

“The WEF’s opacity, coupled with its conviction that economic globalization is a net positive for humanity, lends itself to charges that it is out of touch with ‘everyday’ people,” Mosser told AFP.

‘Lightning rod’

AFP’s factcheckers recently debunked social media posts claiming the WEF issued a statement

endorsing pedophilia, which its spokesperson called “completely made-up.”

Posts also falsely claimed that the WEF called for “millions of cats and dogs worldwide to be slaughtered” to fight climate change. AFP found no trace of such an initiative.

The wave of misinformation, which observers say was once restricted to a radical fringe, has gained traction online amid stark indications of worsening global inequality.

Since 2020, the fortune of billionaires has surged by $2.7 billion a day even as inflation depleted the wages of at least 1.7 billion workers worldwide, the NGO Oxfam said in a report published on the opening day of the Davos forum.

“Davos is among the most high profile of assemblages in the world, and so it’s naturally going to be a lightning rod for anyone with a gripe against the current status quo, whether real, like wealth inequality, or imagined, like vaccines,” Danny Rogers, cofounder of the nonprofit Global Disinformation Index, told AFP.

The false narratives “often tap into a variety of pre-existing conspiracies rooted in similar mistrust of government, science, and other democratic institutions.”

‘Sitting target’

The elitist nature of the forum that many business titans pay tens of thousands of dollars to attend, with some flying in on emissions-spewing private jets, perpetuates that mistrust.

“WEF is a sitting target (of misinformation)— very expensive to attend, invitation only,” Claire Wardle, co-director of the Information Futures Lab at Brown University, told AFP.

“It’s playing out the foundation of every conspiracy theory, which is that the world is being controlled by a secret elite and you’re not part of it.”

Hear ye, NCAP debates resume

THE public, particularly motorists, their kin and local government units in Metro Manila, will be listening as from today when the Supreme Court resumes deliberation on the controversial No Contact Apprehension Policy.

The high court stopped the implementation of the NCAP temporarily on August 30, 2022, then conducted oral arguments last December 6, pending case resolution.

Two petitions are before the high court, questioning the alleged unconstitutionality of the policy for traffic violations in the metropolis.

The first petition was filed by the Kilusan sa Pagbabago ng Industriya ng Transportasyon, Inc., Pangkalahatang Sanggunian Manila and Suburbs Drivers Association Nationwide, Alliance of Transport Operators and Drivers Association of the Philippines, and Alliance of Concerned Transport Organization.

A second petition, filed by lawyer Juman B. Paa who also pleaded for the issuance of a TRO against the NCAP being implemented in the City of Manila, has since been consolidated with the first.

Paa said most NCAPs in the National Capital Region are also operated by a private firm through a profit-sharing agreement, stressing the Manila Traffic and Parking Bureau has access to the database of the LTO relative to the details of the vehicle,

including the name of the owner and address.

“If a private company is performing the function of the MTPB, their access to the close circuit television footage might be used for other purposes like surveillance of a particular person, thus exposing citizens to risks against safety and privacy,” Paa said.

Petitioners told the SC the implementation of NCAP is unconstitutional and thus invalid.

At the time the first petition was filed, the NCAP was being implemented in Metro Manila by the local governments

of Quezon City, Manila, Valenzuela City, Muntinlupa City, and Parañaque City through their ordinances based on the 2016 resolution of the Metropolitan Manila Development Authority which ordered the re-implementation of NCAP.

In their petition, the transport groups told the SC the local ordinances violated existing statutes, which do not establish, authorize and even mention any no-contact apprehension; the wordings of Republic Act 4136 or the LTO law is clear, and any that includes NCAP is void; the NCAP implementation violates due process; the NCAP provisions imposes unreasonable conditions that include non-renewal of the vehicle registration until such time the fines are settled; and the NCAP implementation makes innocent third persons liable for traffic violations.

They added the NCAP implementation violates due process and the policy’s provisions impose unreasonable conditions like the nonrenewal of the vehicle registration “until such time that the fines are settled.”

According to Solicitor General Menardo Guevarra, the failure of the petitioners in the cases to raise the issue on data privacy violation before the National Privacy Commission should be a ground to deny their petitions.

We join the interested public in watching and listening to this compelling court hearing, as any result will affect thousands who use the road arteries.

The poor and Leila can benefit from Gigi’s release from jail

The lawyers of de Lima are now asking for bail.

But, my gulay, I am more interested in the release of thousands of poor litigants from detention, almost always detained because of their inability to hire a lawyer, and the fact that the wheels of justice grind so slowly in this country.

*** *** ***

With no resolution of her plunder case in sight, JPE’s longtime chief of staff was literally rotting in jail when the Supreme Court ordered her release last weekend, saying she suffered “vexatious restraint of her inherent right to liberty.”

The Sandiganbayan had decided to commit “Gigi” Reyes along with pork barrel mastermind Janet Lim Napoles. The highest court said the prosecution continued to delay her right to liberty for almost nine years.

“Gigi” Reyes was charged with plunder with JPE in connection with the scandal of the misuse of the pork barrel given to members of Congress.

In that scandal, members of the Senate got P250 million each while members of the House got P70 million each.

It is basic in law that the right of liberty and the presumption of innocence is as precious as the air you breathe.

Thus, when the lawyers of “Gigi” filed a writ of habeas corpus, the Supreme Court had no choice but to allow “Gigi” to go free from her almost nine years of detention, Santa Banana!

As a lawyer myself, the case of “Gigi” Reyes has far-flung implications, not only in the case of former Senator Leila de Lima, in detention for six years, but also on thousands of poor litigants who have been literally rotting in jail because of the snail-paced wheel of justice in the Philippines, primarily because of their inability to hire good lawyers who can file the writ of habeas corpus in favor of their client.

All lawyers, I am sure, realize the aftermath of the temporary release of the long-time chief of staff of JPE who had already suffered enough in the almost nine years in detention.

There is no doubt the release from detention of “Gigi” Reyes can also apply to poor litigants who have suffered prolonged detention, and more especially to the former Senator Leila de Lima going through “vexatious restraint of her inherent right to liberty and capricious and oppressive incarceration”.

We know it was then President Duterte who had accused her in the trade of illegal drugs.

It was de Lima who had exposed the “Davao Death Squad,” implicating Duterte, then mayor of Davao City, when she was the head of the Human Rights Commission.

And we know the prosecution witnesses who testified against de Lima as having links with well-known illegal drugs personalities had since recanted their testimonies against her.

Following the soaring prices of sugar and onions driven by inflation and price adjustments of gasoline, diesel and kerosene, Santa Banana, now comes the looming high prices of basic goods that the greater bulk of Filipinos need for their existence!

President must walk on a tightrope to do both— attract more foreign investors to create more jobs so that people can make both ends meet and stop a looming food crisis. *** *** ***

The Senate did not get an assurance from officials of the Civil Aviation Authority of the Philippines that the communication, navigation and surveillance system will not break down again as it did last Jan. 1, New Year’s Day, canceling 361 incoming and departing domestic and international flights, and stranding more than 65,000 domestic and international passengers. There are two issues in this case which must be resolved.

One is accountability and the finger points directly to the CAAP board. While investigations are going on about what really happened during that 9-hour glitch, Santa Banana, the CAAP members must be suspended outright to keep them away from the investigation to find out what really happened.

According to the CAAP officials, it was just a breakdown of the circuit breaker which produced a glitch in the communication, navigation and surveillance system.

Manufacturers of canned sardines, a main part of the daily fare, along with milk, bread and instant noodles, and personal care necessities like toilet paper, have started petitioning the government to adjust prices because of increasing costs of production.

My gulay, what next?

Let’s just hope and pray that it won’t escalate to the point that rice, the staple of Filipinos, will be in short supply.

The need for more rice appears inevitable, and the government has no choice but to import.

If there’s something that President Marcos Jr. must avoid it’s a rice crisis, Santa Banana, when people must fall in line for a ganta of rice. A rice crisis in the Philippines should never happen.

I can still recall years back when we had to fall in line to get a ganta of rice for our next meal.

Can we avoid a food crisis in the Philippines following looming increases of our grocery items?

The greater bulk of our people are now groaning over the ever-increasing prices of grocery items.

Bongbong Marcos must listen to the voice of the people and assure them that there will always be food on our tables.

Following outcries from the people to attend to the looming food crisis, I believe it’s now time for Marcos Jr. to appoint a permanent secretary of the Department of Agriculture.

But, while BBM continues to “sell” the country to foreign investors, since we urgently need more capital to create more jobs, the

That was evident in sarcastic memes including one that depicted a typical meal at Davos—a person hunched over a bowl full of coins, a large spoon in hand.

Fanning those memes were comments that scoffed at news reports that said prostitution flourished in Davos during the week-long WEF.

Many conspiracy theorists referenced “The Great Reset,” the WEF’s 2020 Covid-19 theme, which they see as shorthand for the global elite’s plot to control the world.

One WEF session on the “clear and present danger of disinformation,” which was attended by media including the publisher of the New

Santa Banana, with such a breakdown rendering communication, navigation and surveillance impossible, there could be a tragedy in the Philippine skies with incoming and departing flights.

Thank God, nothing of that sort happened.

The Senate found out in its series of probes the CAAP board members displayed sheer incompetence, mismanagement and plain stupidity.

Can you imagine, my gulay, a system on which everything depends broke down without CCTV to show why.

Santa Banana, that’s not only incompetence and mismanagement, but plain stupidity in capital letters.

And would you believe that the CAAP has only five radars to observe navigation and communication.

Santa Banana, that’s a national security threat.

The Senate also found out there was no assurance from the CAAP that such a glitch will not happen again.

Santa Banana, such a glitch in the main gateway at NAIA could happen again!

The lack of reassurance that such a glitch will not happen again worries me because my family and I are also passengers of domestic and international flights.

With no reassurance that such a glitch will not happen again demands not only a new system, and at the moment a backup system, and that’s now the responsibility of Transportation Secretary Jaime Bautista and even the President.

For these reasons suspension is too kind a word for the CAAP board members.

I’d say that they should be relieved of duty so we won’t be expecting a possible glitch again.

York Times, itself became the target of conspiracy theorists.

Discussing disinformation, according to one conservative podcast, was meant to take a swipe at the public’s right to criticize the agenda of the WEF.

“Like many other high-profile organizations, we’ve seen baseless statements and conspiracy theories replace reason with fantasy,” Yann Zopf, head of media at WEF, said in a statement to AFP.

“With increasing fears about the cost of living —exacerbated by the pandemic and the energy crisis—it is now more critical than ever to tackle disinformation head-on.” AFP

THE release of the ex-chief of staff of former Senate President Juan Ponce Enrile, now almost 99 years old and now Chief Presidential Legal Counsel of President Marcos Jr., Jessica Lucila “Gigi” Reyes from detention almost 9 years now, brings to fore how the Philippine justice system works, often depriving people of their civil liberties and right to justice.

Chin

Rolando G. Estabillo Publisher

Let’s just hope and pray that it won’t escalate to the point that rice, the staple of Filipinos, will be in short supply

What gives oxygen to such farcical theories is what observers call behind-the-scenes deal-making between business leaders...

We join the interested public in watching and listening to this compelling court hearing, as any result will affect thousands who use the road arteries

France, Germany seek to reset strained ties

PARIS—German

With pressure growing on Berlin to supply Ukraine with highly regarded German Leopard tanks, Scholz stopped short of any pledge, instead insisting all allies must work together.

But Macron, whose country is already sending light tanks to Ukraine, made clear “nothing is excluded” regarding the possible delivery of French-made Leclerc heavy tanks.

German Foreign Minister Annalena Baerbock however later made clear that Germany would not block Poland fron sending Leopard tanks from Polish stocks.

Scholz was visiting Paris to celebrate 60 years of postwar cooperation at a time when the Franco-German relationship, often described as the motor of Europe, has hit unusually turbulent waters.

In addition to reported French impatience with Germany’s caution on Ukraine, differences on nuclear power, budget issues and a possible lack of personal chemistry between the two men have caused tensions.

But in a speech at the capital’s Sorbonne University, Scholz said upholding strong ties was key for the continent.

“The future, like the past, rests on cooperation between both our countries as the

driving force of a united Europe,” he said.

Macron said that “Germany and France, because they cleared the path to reconciliation, must become pioneers to relaunch Europe.

“We are two souls in the same body,” he added, describing the nations as the “locomotive of a united Europe”.

Germany has so far resisted Ukrainian pleas for the Leopard 2 tanks, with reports suggesting it would only agree if the United States followed suit with a similar move.

Scholz said at a joint news conference that the country had always in the past acted “in close coordination with our friends and allies”.

He refused to be drawn on the request for the tanks.

“We fear that this war is going to last for a long time,” he said. “We are only going to act in close coordination.”

But Macron, who earlier this month agreed to send French-made AMX-10 RC light tanks to Ukraine, indicated that France was by contrast considering sending the Leclerc heavy tanks to Ukraine.

“As for the Leclercs, I have asked the defence ministry to work on it. Nothing is excluded,” he said. AFP

‘Russia tally 180k dead, wounded in Ukraine’

OSLO—Russia has suffered 180,000 killed or wounded in Ukraine so far, while the figure for the Ukrainians is 100,000 military casualties and 30,000 dead civilians, according to estimates released Sunday by Norway’s army chief.

“Russian losses are beginning to approach around 180,000 dead or wounded soldiers,” Norwegian Chief of Defence Eirik Kristoffer-

sen said in an interview with TV2, without specifying how the numbers were calculated.

Norway, a country bordering Russia, has been a member of NATO since its founding in 1949.

“Ukrainian losses are probably over 100,000 dead or wounded. In addition Ukraine has about 30,000 civilians who died in this terrible war,” said the Norwegian general.

Moscow and Kyiv have not provided reliable accounts for their losses for months.

In November, US army joint chiefs of staff chairman Mark Milley said the Russian army had suffered more than 100,000 dead or wounded, with a “probably” similar toll on the Ukrainian side. These figures cannot be independently verified. AFP

IN BRIEF

Burkina Faso asked French troops to quit PARIS—Burkina Faso asked France to move its troops out of the country within a month, according to a diplomatic letter from the authorities there to Paris obtained by AFP Sunday.

President Emmanuel Macron on Sunday said Paris was awaiting clarifications from Burkina Faso after the African country’s military regime said it wanted French troops to leave within a month.

Macron urged “a lot of prudence”, saying there was “great confusion” over the remarks reported in the media and said military junta leader Ibrahim Traore needed to take a public stance.

“We are waiting for clarifications on the part of Mr Traore,” he told reporters.

The foreign ministry letter, dated last Wednesday, ends the 2018 agreement under which French troops were stationed there, and sets a deadline of a month for their departure.

AFP obtained the letter from a Burkinabe diplomatic source, who was not able to say whether or not France had acknowledged reception of the letter.

Asked about the letter, the French president’s office said it was still waiting for confirmation of the Burkinabe position at “the highest level”, reiterating Macron’s statement earlier Sunday. AFP

Erdogan says Turkey elections set May 14

ISTANBUL—President Recep Tayyip Erdogan has announced that Turkey’s elections will be held on May 14 -- a month earlier than scheduled -- as the opposition still searches for a unified candidate to stand against him.

This could prove to be the most challenging election in Erdogan’s two-decade rule; which has seen economic booms, giant development projects as well as disputes with neighbours, wars and a failed coup.

“I will use my authority ... (to) bring the election date forward to May 14,” Erdogan said in a video from his meeting with young people in northwestern city of Bursa this weekend.

living. I mingled socially with Filipinos and have evinced a sincere desire to learn and embrace the customs, traditions and ideals of the Filipino people. I have all the qualifications and none of the disqualifications under Republic Act No. 9139.

I am not opposed to organized government or affiliated with any association or group of persons who uphold and teach doctrines opposing all organized governments. I am not defending or teaching the necessity or propriety of violence, personal assault or assassination for the success and predominance of one's ideas. I am not a polygamist nor a believer in the practice of polygamy. I have not been convicted of any crime involving moral turpitude. I am not suffering from mental alienation or from any incurable contagious disease. The country of which I am a citizen or subject is not at war with the Philippines and grants to Filipinos the right to be naturalized citizens or subjects thereof.

13. It is my true and honest intention to become a citizen of the Philippines and to renounce absolutely and forever all allegiance and fidelity to any foreign prince, potentate, state or sovereignty, and, particularly, to REPUBLIC OF CHINA of which at this time I am a citizen or subject. I will reside continuously in the Philippines from the date of the filing of

Turkey’s next general election was officially due on June 18. Erdogan’s pick of May 14 is seen as a gesture to the conservative electorate.

“This is not an early election but bringing it forward,” Erdogan said during the video broadcast shared by his office.

The Turkish leader said that they had agreed on an adjustment to the timetable with its junior right-wing coalition partner to avoid disrupting the school exam schedules. AFP

Chancellor Olaf Scholz and French President Emmanuel Macron on Sunday sought to underline the importance of their nations’ postwar alliance, despite strains created by Russia’s invasion of Ukraine.

CYAN MAGENTA YELLOW BLACK

CYAN MAGENTA YELLOW BLACK

GOLDEN DRAGON. A 238m-long dragon dance is performed in front of the A-Ma Temple during celebrations on the first day of the Chinese lunar new year in Macau on January 22. AFP

WINNING PASTRY. Team South Korea’s Kim Jeong-Bin prepares a creation as he competes in the 2023 Bocuse d’Or pastry competition at the SIRHA (Salon International de la Restauration, de l’Hôtellerie et de l’Alimentation) in Chassieu Eurexpo hall near Lyon, southeastern France, on January 21. AFP

Market rises; Converge ICT tops gainers

TOCKS rose Monday ahead of the release of gross domestic product data later this week and as investors lowered their expectations for US interest rate hikes.

The PSE index, the 30-company benchmark of the Philippine Stock Exchange, rose 13 points, or 0.19 percent, to close at 7,069.68, as three of the six subsectors advanced, led by holding firms. It was also up 7.7 percent since the start of the year.

Ecuador’s free trade talks with Mexico hit ‘dead end’

QUITO—Ecuadoran President Guillermo Lasso said Sunday that negotiations for his nation to reach a free-trade accord with Mexico are at a “dead end.”

Such a free-trade deal would have been a stepping stone for Ecuador to enter the Pacific Alliance, a broader trade bloc.

But Mexican President Andres Manuel Lopez Obrador “has told me that the banana and shrimp producers in Mexico don’t want shrimp and plantains or bananas from Ecuador arriving there,” Lasso said. “We are at a dead end.”

Ecuador warned in December that it would be “impossible” to sign a freetrade accord with Mexico unless a deal included shrimp and bananas, its major exports after petroleum.

Lasso, speaking to a local reporter in an interview later released by his government, said that the failure to get a trade accord with Mexico “is not so serious” since Ecuador has expanded and intensified trade talks elsewhere.

Mexico is one of the founding members of the Pacific Alliance, which also includes Chile, Colombia, and Peru.

Lasso said Ecuador sought entry to the Pacific Alliance “in order to access Asian markets” but that “today we are doing so directly,” noting that Ecuador is expected to sign a free-trade accord with China imminently.

Ecuador is also pursuing trade talks with South Korea, Canada, Costa Rica, and the United States. AFP

The broader all-share index also went up by 8 points, or 0.23 percent, to settle at 3,691.25, on a value turnover of P8.35 billion. Gainers outnumbered losers, 99 to 92, while 55 issues were unchanged.

Five of the 10 most active stocks ended in the green, led by Converge ICT Inc. which climbed 2.87 percent to P19.38 and GT Capital Holdings Inc. which went up 2.06 percent to P506.00.

Meanwhile, Asian markets were mixed in holiday-thinned trade Monday. Tokyo was the standout performer, rallying more than one percent following a blockbuster performance on Wall Street, where all three main indexes enjoyed a strong end to last week thanks to a tech rally.

Comments from top Federal Reserve

officials provided support to equities after they indicated the bank could lift rates at a much slower pace as inflation gradually comes down.

Governor Christopher Waller said he was open to a 25-basis-point lift at the next policy meeting, though he did point out that the market’s view on inflation was “very optimistic”.

Meanwhile, Philadelphia Fed boss Patrick Harker again called for slower increases.

And Kansas City boss Esther George said she was optimistic the world’s top economy could still achieve a soft landing, despite worries that a series of big rate hikes last year would tip it into recession.

Adding to the positive mood is China’s re-emergence from years of zero-

Covid measures that essentially cut the country off from the rest of the world, hammering growth.

With most of the region closed for the Lunar New Year holiday, trading was thin.

Still, Tokyo led gains, while Sydney and Mumbai were also in positive territory.

However, there were small losses in Bangkok and Wellington.

“Although most Asian markets are closed for Chinese Lunar New Year celebrations, Japanese and Australian stocks are picking up on the better mood from US investors and on expectations of China’s economy returning to some semblance of a pre-pandemic trend,” said SPI Asset Management’s Stephen Innes. With AFP

TOP GAINERS

LAST % PRICE CHANGE CHANGE

1 MJC 1.6 0.22 15.94%

2 TCB2C 51 5.4 11.84%

3 MAH 0.84 0.07 9.09%

4 DIZ 3.9 0.29 8.03%

5 CEU 7.55 0.55 7.86%

6 MM 1.5 0.09 6.38%

7 ALLDY 0.28 0.015 5.66%

8 WPI 0.485 0.025 5.43%

9 ACPB1 525 27 5.42%

10 PAL 6.07 0.26 4.48%

TOP LOSERS

LAST % PRICE CHANGE CHANGE

1 BCOR 6.1 -0.95 -13.48%

2 ECP 3.89 -0.48 -10.98%

3 JAS 1.48 -0.18 -10.84%

4 DWC 1.65 -0.09 -5.17%

5 T 0.57 -0.03 -5.00%

6 LFM 17.98 -0.9 -4.77%

7 ORE 0.8 -0.04 -4.76%

8 MWIDE 3.16 -0.14 -4.24%

9 KEEPR 1.37 -0.06 -4.20%

10 SSI 1.61 -0.07 -4.17%

Spain says Germany will join hydrogen pipeline project

sition away from fossil fuels to cleaner energy.

Madrid, Paris, and Lisbon agreed in December to build by 2030 a major undersea pipeline to transport hydrogen from Spain and Portugal to France and eventually the rest of Europe.

The pipeline linking the northeastern Spanish port of Barcelona to France’s Marseille—dubbed H2Med—comes as Europe scrambles to reduce dependence on Russian energy following Moscow’s invasion of Ukraine.

It is also seen as helping Europe tran-

Spain’s energy ministry said the deal reached Sunday “for Germany to join H2Med” follows “talks between the governments of Spain, Germany, France and Portugal, which were favored by their deeply European vision.”

The agreement “reinforces the panEuropean dimension of H2Med” and positions Spain to “become a leading hub of green energy from the Iberia Peninsula to central and northern Europe,” the ministry added in a statement.

The pipeline under the Mediterranean Sea will carry green hydrogen, which

Macau ponders gambling future even as tourists return

Mainland Chinese tourists filled winding passages leading up to the historic Ruins of Saint Paul’s, and stores selling local snacks like almond cookies and meat jerky had trouble keeping up.

“We don’t have enough goods for this Lunar New Year as we didn’t expect this,” a business owner surnamed Li told AFP.

Tourists may now be back, but Beijing wants the former Portuguese colony to diversify its casinos-reliant economy.

President Xi Jinping has led a years-long anti-corruption campaign that clamped down on money laundering and gambling.

Yet quitting gambling—and the huge tax revenues casinos generate—will be a hard habit to break.

“The government has an inherent conflict,” gaming consultant David Green told AFP.

“It needs to be seen by the central government to be promoting non-gaming, but... it has to be cognizant of maintaining its revenue stream.”

The city of some 700,000 is the only place in China where casinos operate legally and for years has relied on mainland Chinese gamblers as its economic lifeline.

Last year Macau saw gaming revenues plunge to a record low of 42 billion patacas ($5.2 billion) after the government shut down most businesses at the height of a coronavirus wave.

In December, the government awarded new decade-long concessions to all incumbents, effectively keeping the status quo but adding new requirements for non-gaming investment.

The firms have since pledged a total of $14.9 billion on projects including theme parks, convention and exhibition centers, fine dining, and performance venues.

Former lawmaker Sulu Sou said it was “a step forward” for Macau to set clear demands for diversification, instead of relying on vague slogans as it had for years.

“Changes in the industry and shifting attitudes toward gambling in mainland China forced the [Macau] government to spell these requirements out in black and white,” he told AFP.

Sou pointed to the downfall of “junket king” Alvin Chau, who was sentenced to 18 years in jail last week for hosting illegal gambling on a vast scale.

“It was a major signal to society that even as we return to normality, we can’t use the old ways to make a fortune anymore,” Sou said.

Chau was the figurehead of an industry that thrived on enticing high rollers from mainland China to gamble in Macau, by running VIP rooms and extending credit for bets.

VIP guests contributed around 15 percent of industry earnings before the pandemic, but the majority of this would be “permanently gone” due to regulatory concerns, according to Credit Suisse analysts. AFP

is made from water via electrolysis in a process using renewable energy.

The Spanish government estimates H2Med will be able to supply some two million metric tons of hydrogen to France annually—10 percent of the European Union’s estimated hydrogen needs. The project is expected to cost 2.5 billion euros ($2.6 billion).

It was proposed in October as a substitute for the so-called MidCat gas pipeline project across the Pyrenees, which had been championed by Spain and Portugal.

MidCat was abandoned in 2019 over profitability issues and objections from Paris and environmentalists. AFP

MOST ACTIVE

VOLUME VALUE (PHP)

1 GLO 199,735 409,883,950

2 GTCAP 577,740 290,296,307

3 URC 1,828,400 256,433,371

4 BDO 2,060,230 252,580,652

5 TEL 162,365 240,932,995

6 ALI 7,089,400 230,637,895

7 CNVRG 9,893,300 189,805,476

8 JFC 684,260 166,243,362

9 RLC 9,865,700 147,145,730

10 DMC 10,446,000 130,597,176

MADRID—Spain said Sunday agreement has been reached for Germany to join an ambitious hydrogen pipeline that will bring the “green” gas from the Iberian Peninsula to the rest of Europe.

By Holmes Chan

MACAU, China—Macau’s streets were packed in the run-up to the Lunar New Year after pandemic controls were abruptly lifted but it is far from business as usual as the Chinese casino hub wrestles with questions about its future.

‘Can’t use the old ways’ Macau issues just six operating concessions for a multi-billion-dollar industry that, until the pandemic hit, generated six times the gaming revenue of Las Vegas.

Philex signs deal to buy 90-year-old mining company

By Jenniffer B. Austria

PHILEX Mining Corp. said Monday it signed an agreement to acquire a 90-year-old mining company to expand its existing Padcal mine in Itogon, Benguet.

Philex said in a stock exchange filing the term sheet agreement outlines the company’s intention to explore commercial, financial and technical avenues for possible shares acquisition in Macawiwili Gold Mining and Development Co. Inc.

It said it would conduct of due diligence and scout drilling activities on the property of MGMDCI covered by a mineral production sharing agreement in Itogon which is adjacent to the company’s Padcal mine.

MGMDCI has over 800 hectares of contract area under its MPSA. It has been exploring various mineral deposits including gold and copper for several decades.

Philex president Eulalio Austin Jr. said the proposed acquisition of MGMDCI is a part of the company’s business direction this year to broaden interest in ‘green metals’ through mergers and acquisitions.

“We need to hit the ground with this at the soonest possible time considering that this property is adjacent to our Padcal mine and would go a long way in fulfilling company plans for expansion and extension of the life of mine of Padcal,” Austin said.

Philex chairman Manuel Pangilinan said the acquisition is a good addition or extension to the Padcal mine.

“I hope that this is the start of something good, and that it would ride the wave of higher metal prices in gold and copper,” Pangilinan said. He said that “any addition, expansion or extension to the Padcal mine would greatly benefit not just our employees and their families, but also our host and neighboring communities and our nation as a whole.”

Philex, one of the oldest and largest copper and gold producers in Southeast Asia, announced in December 2022 it would extend the operation of its underground mine in Padcal until the end of 2027, after it identified additional mineable reserves.

Business

Nido expects Cadlao oilfield to resume production in 2024

By Alena Mae S. Flores

“As part of its service contract commitment to the DOE, Philodrill Corp. and Nido Petroleum are planning to conduct exploration activities within the SC [Service Contract] 6B block in the first or second quarter of 2023 to determine the oil field’s potential for commercial oil production,” Nido Petroleum said in a report to the Department of Environment and Natural Resources

Nido Petroleum said the SC 6B consortium was planning to conduct exploration activities including a site survey, geotechnical survey, exploration and appraisal drilling and extended well test.

Nido Petroleum is the technical operator of SC 6B responsible for the implementation and supervision of the environmental impact assessment

study, the application for a certificate of non-coverage and environmental compliance certificate with the DENR.

It will also secure the strategic environment planning clearance from the Palawan Council for Sustainable Development.

SC 6B is located southeast of the Malampaya gas field and southwest of the Galoc oil and gas field. It covers 533 square kilometers at water depths of 20 to 90 km.

“Nido Petroleum’s asset portfolio is the pursuit of smaller, lower-risk pinnacle reef plays in the shallower waters of SC 6B. Each target well in the shallow water portion of SC 6B is estimated to hold two to 20 million barrels of oil,” the company said.

Exploration prospects in SC 6B in-

clude Bonita Field discovered in 1989 which produced around 765 to 2,107 barrels a day during testing, the Cadlao field which was explored for oil and gas in the 1970s and commenced commercial production on Aug. 25, 1981 (Cadlao-1 and Cadlao-3 wells) at 11.1 million barrels of oil over ten years and East Cadlao which will be a good prospect that could be developed and tied back to the Cadlao field production facilities.

The company said the estimated capital expenditure for the development of three to four wells in the Cadlao field would be $8 million per well.

The planned drilling activities will involve the installation of a rig about 600 meters south of the Cadlao-1A location at a water depth of about 18 meters. A floating, storage and offloading unit will be moored about 600 meters away from the rig location.

Phase 1 will involve the extended well test, with one well using a mobile offshore production unit and FSO unit.

The estimated oil production capacity under phase 1 is 20,000 barrels of oil a day while the estimated liquid capacity is 30,000 barrels of fluid per day.

PH commits to ratifying fisheries subsidies accord

THE Philippines is in the process of ratifying the World Trade Organization’s Agreement on Fisheries Subsidies, Trade Secretary Alfredo Pascual said in Davos, Switzerland.

“We affirm our country’s commitment to contribute to the second wave of the fisheries negotiations. I would like to emphasize that one of the top priorities of the Philippines is to advance agriculture negotiations. There is also an urgent need to restore the 2-tier dispute settlement system and unblock the impasse in the selection process of the appellate body,” said Pascual.

Pascual, alongside 22 ministers and senior officials representing a broad spectrum of the WTO membership, joined the informal WTO ministerial gathering hosted by the Swiss government.

The meeting provided an opportunity to discuss priorities for the next stages of collaboration following the successful outcomes of the 12th Ministerial Conference held in Geneva in June 2022. It also offered a platform to provide political direction and motivation in preparation for the 13th Ministerial Conference, which will take place in Abu Dhabi, United Arab Emirates in February 2024. Othel V. Campos

Credit card group supports higher ceiling on charges

THE Credit Card Association of the Philippines, the umbrella organization of 17 major credit card companies in the country, welcomed the decision of the Bangko Sentral ng Pilipinas to raise the monthly interest rate ceiling on credit cards to 3 percent from 2 percent imposed in November 2020.

CCAP said in a statement it continued to support the BSP’s mandate of maintaining monetary stability and the overall soundness of the Philippine financial system. It said the recent Monetary Board decision to ease the monthly interest rate cap on credit cards is part of the BSP’s calibrated responses to the present economic situation.

“CCAP backs the BSP in pursuing various options using monetary tools to help many Filipinos, particularly the micro, small and medium enterprises, cope with rising consumer prices; boost consumption and tourism; and ultimately aid in the country’s economic recovery,” it said.

“With the pandemic spurring the rapid adoption of consumers of new virtual payment technologies, credit cards serve as an effective, safe and convenient payment tool that drives and contributes to the overall digitization goal of the country,” it said. Julito G. Rada

4 Jollibee brands named among favorite US chains

THE Jollibee Group said four of its brands were named among America’s favorite restaurant chains for 2023.

Jollibee said in a statement Newsweek, a premier news magazine and website, together with global data firm Statista, named Jollibee, Chowking, Smashburger and The Coffee Bean & Tea Leaf among the best in their selected categories.

“We are honored that our brands are included in this list of most favorite restaurant chains in the United States. We thank our customers for their continued support, resulting in this citation that inspires us even more in our mission of serving great-tasting food, bringing the joy of eating to everyone,” said Jollibee Group president and chief executive Ernesto Tanmantiong.

The 2023 ranking was determined based on the results of an independent survey among over 4,000 customers and employees of restaurant chains in the United States. The respondents were asked to indicate which restaurant chains they would recommend among three ethnic cuisines and 13 dish categories.

The three ethnic cuisines include Chinese, Italian and Tex-Mex; while the 13 dish categories consist of BBQ, burgers, chicken, coffee/tea/ baked goods, ice cream/frozen yogurt, juice and smoothies, noodles and ramen, pizza, sandwiches, seafood, soup, steak and sushi.

Jenniffer B. Austria

By Julito G. Rada

FINANCE Secretary Benjamin Diokno said Monday the Philippine economy likely ended 2022 strongly despite the domestic and global headwinds that threatened to stifle growth.

Diokno said in a speech during the Philippine Economic Briefing in Frankfurt, Germany economic growth in the first three quarters of 2022 surpassed expectations.

“The economy grew 7.7 percent in the first three quarters of 2022, overtaking bigger economies in the region and surpassing the target range of 6.5 to 7.5 percent [for the year],” Diokno said.

“We expect [the economy] to finish the year strongly,” he said.

Diokno underscored the country’s

strengths such as the improving labor market, sustained inflows of foreign direct investments and increasing revenue collections.

The Philippine Statistics Authority reported that unemployment rate fell to a 17-year low of 4.2 percent in November, which was lower than the pre-pandemic level of 4.5 percent. Net foreign direct investments in the first 10 months reached $7.6 billion.

“We are poised to overshoot our revenue targets… From January to November 2022, revenue collections hit P3.4 trillion, 18.1 percent higher year-onyear. This is 99.2 percent of our full-year target in 2022,” Diokno said.

Diokno said the country’s strong macroeconomic fundamentals enabled it to weather the impact of the COVID-19 pandemic at its worst. He said global in-

vestors should take a look at the Philippine economy.

“We invite the German investment community to explore opportunities in telecommunications, airports, shipping, renewable energy [among others],” Diokno said.

The Philippine Economic Briefing, led by the Department of Finance and co-organized by the Bangko Sentral ng Pilipinas, is an integral part of the overall economic communications campaign of the government.

It serves as a platform for key economic officials to brief international business and financial communities on the latest developments concerning the country’s robust economic performance, investment opportunities and the Marcos administration’s development plan.

PRIME Integrated Waste Solutions Inc., a subsidiary of Prime Infrastructure Capital Inc., said Monday it completed the acquisition of Cebubased ARN Central Waste Management Inc.

“We are excited about this acquisition which marks Prime Infra’s entry into the waste business. Prime infra established PWS as a response to the market demand for modern waste recovery facilities to accommodate the rapid year-on-year increase in solid waste output,” Prime Infra president and chief executive Guillaume Lucci said.

“Through PWS, we plan to deliver world-class waste management services that will create a positive impact on both the environment and the surrounding communities,” said Lucci.

ACI is the first waste management business that Prime Infra is developing and upgrading to bring it at par with world-class materials recovery facilities in developed countries like Singapore.

ACI receives around 1,000 tons of Cebu province’s municipal solid waste daily.

By Darwin G. Amojelar

THE Department of Transportation moved the completion date of the P150billion Philippine National Railways Clark Phase 2 Project to June 2025 from an earlier target of October 2024 because of some “issues.”

Transportation Secretary Jaime Bautista said the agency was working with the contractor of the Malolos-Clark segment to thresh out issues and complete the project on time.

“This is a very important part of the NSCR [North-South Commuter Railway], considering the operations control center of the project will be located here. The operations control center is the heart of the operations,” Bautista said during a site visit at PNR Clark Phase 2 in Mabalacat, Pampanga.

Bautista underscored the importance of working with the contractor to complete the project “on time” and prevent further delays.

POSCO Engineering & Construction, the project contractor, cited the delayed turnover of land as a cause for the revised completion date of the project.

It said that before the 36-hectare site was turned over by the government to POSCO, several fruit-bearing trees had to be cut down, causing the delay. POSCO said it would construct 48 buildings and facilities at the depot site.

Clark Depot will have 33 stabling tracks to serve as parking area for the trains and 12 other tracks to access the maintenance facilities.

The contractor said that as of December 2022, more than 33 percent of the planned construction was completed.

“The transaction is also part of Prime Infra’s overall strategy to establish an integrated waste management and sustainable fuels solution that will help tackle the solid waste problem in the Philippines,” said Lucci.

PWS aims to develop two more MRFs in Luzon within the next two years, he said.

PWS and WasteFuel Philippines, another Prime Infra subsidiary, make up the company’s waste business which aims to convert organic waste and agricultural feedstock into green methanol and sustainable aviation fuel.

It plans to put up its first biorefinery in Cebu City.

The parties signed the share purchase agreement on Jan. 20, 2023 at the Prime Infra office in Pasay City. Alena Mae S. Flores

PH economy likely performed strongly in Q4, says Diokno

NIDO Petroleum Philippines Pty. Ltd. is looking at oil production of 20,000 to 25,000 barrels a day from the Cadlao oilfield off northwest Palawan by 2024 or upon declaration of commerciality by the Department of

Energy.

DOTr works closely with contractor to ensure Malolos-Clark Rail’s completion by June 2025

Prime Infra unit takes over Cebu’s waste business

performance by

Holdings board advisor and

independent director Honorio

and

senior vice president and chief

officer

Tabor.

Holdings and SMPC have been ASEAN

awardees since 2019.

LUNAR NEW YEAR TRADING. The Philippine Stock Exchange Inc. ushers in the Year of the Water Rabbit with a lion and dragon dance at the PSE Tower in Taguig City. Joining the ceremony are (from left) PSE corporate secretary Aissa Encarnacion, treasurer Omelita Tiangco, chief operating officer Roel Refran, president and chief executive Ramon Monzon, chairman Jose Pardo and director Ma. Vivian Yuchengco.

2 UAAP bets shoo-ins for PH team to SEA Games

By Peter Atencio

TWO collegiate standouts, sprinter Alrhyan Labita and triple jumper Abcd Agamanos, could find their spots in the national athletics’ team being assembled for the 32nd Southeast Asian Games in Cambodia.

National head coach Jojo Posadas said the two have good chances following their impressive showings in the recent University Athletic Association of the Philippines Season 85 Athletics Championships.

The 21-year-old Labita, a student of University of the Philippines, showed a lot of promise with his fivegold sweep of his events, after he topped the 100-meter, 200-meter and 400-meter sprints.

PSC chief commits better facilities for national teams

That has been his determined focus in the short weeks he has been at the helm of the PSC.

Over the weekend, the sports chief visited the PSC’s training camp in Baguio City and met national athletes from boxing, muaythai, and athletics.

“I can say that there are a lot of improvements to be done. We have a lot of work to do, but I know we will be able to accomplish it slowly but surely,” said Bachmann when he gave an update to the PSC workforce during the agency’s flagraising ceremony this Monday at the Rizal Memorial Sports Complex in Manila.

The national boxing team, led by Tokyo Olympics silver medalists Carlo Paalam and Nesthy Petecio, Asian Games silver medalist Rogen Ladon, and SEA Games medalist Irish Magno had the chance to discuss their training and competition

plans with Bachmann when the latter stayed to watch them train.

“Masaya po kami na mabisita ni Chairman Bachmann dito sa Baguio. Dagdag encouragement po ito sa amin na mapanood at ipakita kung paano talaga ang training ng isang atleta arawaraw,” said Paalam, who recently won gold at the 2022 ASBC Championships in Jordan.

The boxing team is currently housed in PSC Baguio where national athletes and coaches train to ensure that they are competition-ready coming to various international tournaments this year like the 32nd Southeast Asian Games in Phnom Penh, Cambodia, and the 19th Asian Games in Hangzhou, China, among others.

The sports agency chief concluded his Baguio visit by meeting with 31st Southeast Asian Games (SEAG)

Basketball legend Samboy getting better

By Randy Caluag

BASKETBALL legend Samboy Lim is slowly getting into full recovery, nine years after falling into a comatose state following a cardiac arrest during an exhibition game with friends and former colleagues in the Philippine Basketball Association.

“Samboy’s condition is stable,” said in a post on his official Facebook page.

“His family, led by Atty. Lelen Berberabe, and daughter Jamie Lim, family members, incredible team of doctors led by Dr. Luigi Segundo, devoted nursing team led by CG Rona Celino and other health professionals, are taking excellent care of him.”

The page admin said the 60-year-old Lim will “continue to undergo routine

occupational and physical therapy.”

Lim’s official Facebook page became active again on Jan. 12, with the admin promising to provide more updates about his recovery.

“After losing access and not posting for so many years, we are back on Facebook! Please follow for content and updates. Salamat po at Maligayang bagong taon!.”

In November 2014, Lim collapsed after briefly seeing action in an exhibition game at the Ynares Center in Pasig City.

He lost consciousness and was brought to the hospital where he was revived. He was in a coma at the hospital’s Intensive Care Unit and was brought home after two months although he was not yet able to see and speak.

He showed emotions for the first time during the graduation of her daughter Ja-

Pros set for grand return in IM 70.3 Davao

THE IRONMAN 70.3 Davao gears up not just for a grand comeback on March 26 at Azuela Cove but also for the pros’ return to one of the highlight events of each triathlon season.

The organizing IRONMAN Group/ Sunrise Events, Inc. expects a banner cast in the upcoming event, this being the lone pro-laced race in a busy season with a slew of top foreign endurance racers from all over tipped to dispute top honors in the 1.9k swim-90k bike-21k run distance race set over a championship course.

Mauricio Mendez of Mexico stunned multi-titled Tim Reed of Australia in the first IM 70.3 race held in Davao in 2018 while Germany’s Markus Rolli foiled another Aussie legend Craig Alexander the following year.

The IM 70.3 Davao, expected to boost the city’s economy and the tourism sector, will also serve as a qualifying race to the World Championship in Finland in August.

mie Lim, a karate national athlete, at the University of the Philippines attended by the former San Miguel star and her former wife Berberabe.

Berberabe said tears fell from Lim’s eyes.

Lim’s sister Maricor Lim Wicklund expressed gratitude for his estranged wife Berberabe, and daughter Jamie for continuously taking care of the cage legend nicknamed “The Skywalker” for his acrobatic, high-flying style of basketball in the late 1980s until the ‘90s.

Lim, a four-time PBA All-Star and two-time Mythical Second Team selection, was part of San Miguel Beer’s Grand Slam team of 1989 in the PBA. He was named in the PBA’s 25 Greatest Players and also won a gold medal for the Philippines in the 1986 FIBA Asia Championship.

Davao was actually slated to hold a third IM 70.3 race last year after a twoyear hiatus due to pandemic but the event was put on hold due to developments in Mindanao’s premier city. The wait, however, only gave the organizers and the hosts more time to prepare and guarantee a bigger, talent-laden race, which offers $30,000 for the winners in both the men’s and women’s divisions.

“We are thrilled and excited to be starting out the new triathlon season with a comeback race in one of the country’s top triathlon hubs,” said Princess Galura, general manager of the IRONMAN Group/Sunrise Events, Inc., whose vision is to put the Philippines in the world sports tourism map through its staging of world-class endurance races.

Spicing up the IM 70.3 Davao is the Girls’ Run on March 24 and the IronKids on March 25.“After the challenges we had faced during the pandemic, we have coordinated with the local authorities not only to stage a safe race experience for the athletes but also to put up the best possible IM 70.3 in Davao,” added Galura.

For details/listup, log on to ironman. com/im703-davao-philippines.

Labita also had first-place finishes for UP in the 4x100 meter relays, and in the 400-meter hurdles.

The 5’6” Labita came close to matching the SEA Games’ bronze medal standard of 10.56 seconds when he ran the 100-meter sprints at 10.94 seconds, and 10.99 seconds in the heats and finals, respectively, in the UAAP trackfest.

On the other hand, Agamanos, a prized find from La Salle, settled for a silver with her 11.89- meter feat in the triple jump, behind Faith Gonzales (12.10 meters).

Posadas said they are evaluating their performances, together with national mainstays, men’s triple jumper Harry Diones, Clinton Bautista (100-meter hurdles), women’s 100-meter hurdles’ standout Jelly Paragile and javelin thrower Melvin Calano.

The evaluation process is expected to start by the end of the month, when all members of the national team arrive from their respective provinces to report for training.

“Ilan pa lang sila na nandito. But, we’ll be going full blast with our training and preparations by the end of the month. As for new faces, we have Labita and Agamanos, who could possibly join the pool for the SEA Games,” said Posadas.

Posadas will be looking into the performances of the national pool with the help of Dario De Rosas and Sean Guevarra (multi-event), Jeoffrey Chua (sprints and hurdles), Emerson Obiena (pole vault), Joebert Delicano (jumps), Arniel Ferrera (shot put, discus throw and hammer throw), Danilo Fresnido (javelin throw), Isidro Del Prado (middle sprint), John Lozada (middle distance) and Eduardo Buenavista (long distance).

He said the training of the national pool was stopped last Dec. 15 to give way to the holiday season, but it is slowly resuming after a month.

PSA Forum tackles PH’s World Cup bid, Asian Games

WHAT is expected to be a historic year for Philippine football will be lengthily tackled in the Tuesday session of the Philippine Sportswriters Association Forum.

Philippine Football Federation secretary-general Atty. Ed Gastanes is going to be at hand to talk about the Filipinas’ momentous campaign in the FIFA Women’s World Cup and the preparations being made by the team of coach Alen Stajcic heading to the July-August event to be co-hosted by Australia and New Zealand.

Also expected to be talked about are the campaigns of both the men and women’s football teams to the coming 32nd Southeast Asian Games in Cambodia and the 19th Asian Games in Hangzhou, China.

The Forum is set at 10 a.m. at the ground floor of the Rizal Memorial Sports Complex.

The weekly session is presented by San Miguel Corporation, MILO, Philippine Sports Commission, Philippine Olympic Committee, and the Philippine Amusement and Gaming Corporation and livestreamed via the PSA Facebook page fb.com/PhilippineSportswritersAssociation and aired on a delayed basis over Radyo Pilipinas 2, which also shares it on its official Facebook page.

PHILIPPINE Sports Commission chairman Richard Bachmann, from the onset of his administration, has committed to enhance facilities for national athletes as well as PSC’s offices.

Riera

Randy M. Caluag,

MAULED.

Converge’s Maverick Ahanmisi drives against NorthPort’s Joshua Munzon in a PBA Governors’ Cup game won by the FiberXers via a huge 30-point blowout, 122-92.

medalists Islay Erika Bomogao (gold) and Rudzma Abubakar (bronze) from Muay, together with athletics’ 30th SEAG bronze medalist Joida Gagnao, and training pool athlete Daniel Delatado. Aside from the training facilities in Baguio City, Bachmann has also visited other

national teams in the past two weeks including windsurfers in Anilao, Batangas; the gymnastics squad in Intramuros, Manila; squash, soft tennis, table tennis, water polo and para-athletics teams during their training sessions at the RMSC in Manila and Philsports Complex in Pasig City.

Members of the Philippine boxing team who are currently training in PSC Baguio facilities were visited by PSC chairman Richard Bachmann during his ocular inspection last January 20.

The premier city in the south is rolling out the red carpet for the leading local and foreign triathletes in a weekend of top-caliber and fun-filled race at Azuela Cove.

Pintakasi derby set Feb. 16-23 at Roligon cockpit arena

PHILIPPINE cockfighting ‘sabong’ is back with the highly-anticipated Pintakasi International Challenge slated February 16 to 23 at the Roligon Mega Cockpit Arena in Parañaque.

Rolando ‘Ka Lando’ Luzong, considered as the‘Godfather’ of local cockfighting, started organizing the largest event in history in June of 2022, also dubbed “The Bloodline Challenge.”

However, on September 11, 2023, the well-known cockfighting guru passed away.

In his honor, the Pintakasi International Challenge continues, now organized by Nicholas “Mang Nick” Crisostomo, his partner in organizing the event, and Ka Lando’s daughter Babam Luzong-Camina.

“A Tribute to Ka Lando Luzong” Pintakasi International Challenge 10Cock Derby is aimed at featuring not only the Philippines’ veteran and upcoming rooster-raisers, but also the best gamefowl propagators from roosterfighting countries of the world.

The 3-cock eliminations are set on February 16 and 17; the 3-cock semis is on February 20 and 21; and the 4-cock championship is on February 23, with an entry fee of P22,000 and a minimum bet of P11,000.

The event is open to everyone. For added information and inquiries, contact Crisostomo at mobile no. 09053571100 and Bam LuzongCamina at 09071116220 for

Local and foreign participants and guests also get the chance to attend the 2023 International Gamefowl Festival and Hobby Expo at the SMX Convention Centre in Pasay City, featuring the biggest and most exciting Gamefowl Show, Hobby Expo and Pet Convention.

The IGF 2023 Hobby Expo and Pet Convention, slated on February 17, 18, and 19, will feature leading gamefowl breeders, pigeon raisers, exotic animal and pet hobbyists, veterinary and nutrition suppliers, gamefowl suppliers, pigeon suppliers, pigeon fanciers, incubators, feed manufacturers, and related products and services catering to gamefowl, pigeon raising, exotic animals and pet hobbyist.

Vekic ends Fruhvirtova’s fairytale Aussie Open run

MELBOURNE—Donna Vekic ended the fairytale Australian Open of Linda Fruhvirtova in the fourth round on Monday, eventually overcoming the 17-year-old 6-2, 1-6, 6-3.

Croatia’s unseeded Vekic plays fifth-seeded Aryna Sabalenka of Belarus for a place in the semi-finals at Melbourne Park.

The last-16 match was uncharted territory for the Czech Republic’s Fruhvirtova, the youngest player left in the draw.

The teenager reached the second round of the 2022 US Open on her Grand Slam debut and her run in Melbourne was more proof of her rich promise.

But in the end it was 64th-ranked

Vekic who is into a maiden Australian Open quarter-final after a terrifically entertaining 2hr 7min tussle at Margaret Court Arena.

“I didn’t really feel like I had much control in the second set to be honest, but I just had to keep fighting and hoping and believing that I will win,” said the 26-year-old Vekic.

Vekic said she had been hoping to play Belinda Bencic in the last eight, but the Swiss was overpowered in straight sets by the ominous-looking Sabalenka.

“Really sad it’s not Belinda,” said Ve-

kic, who is good friends with the Swiss world number 10. “But I’m sure she’ll give me some tips.”

Vekic extended her win streak to start the season to seven matches, after being unbeaten in three matches at the United Cup. She was quickest out of the blocks, taking an emphatic first set in 39 minutes.

But the 82nd-ranked Fruhvirtova struck back, showing all the fighting spirit and talent that has earmarked her as a future Grand Slam champion, romping to the second set in 35 minutes.

But it was the more experienced Vekic who was able to stay the distance, although she needed to battle the neversay-die Fruhvirtova another 53 minutes to edge to victory. AFP

Fourth-ranked Rahm holds off rookie to win US PGA crown

LOS ANGELES—Fourth-ranked Jon Rahm endured a frustrating day on the greens, but his four-under-par 68 was enough to hold off rookie Davis Thompson and claim a second US PGA Tour title in as many weeks at the American Express tournament.

Spain’s Rahm, who opened the year with a victory in the Tournament of Champions in Hawaii, had five birdies on the Stadium Course in La Quinta, California, finishing with a 27-under-par total of 261.

Thompson, who started the day tied with Rahm for the lead, carded a three-under 69 for 262.

“Ball-striking was great, I hit a lot of great putts—it’s just golf,” Rahm said of a multitude of putts that didn’t drop. “I was burning edges all day.”

Rahm led much of the day after backto-back birdies at the first and second— both from about two feet. He rolled in a seven-foot birdie at the ninth and picked up another stroke at 11—but it was far from smooth sailing from there.

A bogey at 13, where he missed the green and his five-foot putt to save par lipped out, Rahm was tied with Thompson for the lead.

He got his nose in front again with a birdie at the par-five 16th, where his second shot from the fairway avoided a steep drop off to a greenside bunker and his eightfoot birdie putt agonizingly circled the cup before falling in.

Thompson, meanwhile, was in a tough lie in a fairway bunker on the way to a par at 16.

“The turning point was 16,” Rahm said. “He missed that tee shot and I put it in the fairway. That’s pretty much a half-stroke penalty right there.

“I knew if I did what I could do I was mostly likely going to have a one-shot lead going to the last two holes.”

Thompson, a former amateur standout at the University of Georgia and a winner on the Korn Ferry developmental tour, had followed his first birdie of the day at the fourth with a bogey at the fifth, where he was in the water.

AFP

Kingad plans to test Eko’s feared wrestling skills

“The King” Kingad knows that he has his work cut out for him when he takes on Eko Roni Saputra at ONE Fight Night 7: Lineker vs. Andrade II on 25 February at Lumpinee Stadium in Bangkok, Thailand.

Saputra has been on a red-hot run in the ONE Circle, winning his last seven fights by finishes. One thing that Kingad needs to look out for is the Indonesian’s wrestling, an aspect of the game that has given the Evolve MMA representative one of the most impressive active streaks in the promotion today.

But the Team Lakay star is unfazed, as he even plans to try and out-wrestle his foe.

“I’ll meet him in the middle of the Circle. I’ll try his wrestling, and if he can’t impose his will on me, then I’ll be the one taking the fight to him and trying to take him down,” he said.

“If he can’t take me down, then it will be me doing the takedowns.”

While Kingad is confident that he can hang with Saputra in wrestling, he knows that the Indonesian has no chance elsewhere.

“If this remains on the feet, I believe that I’m really at an advantage. He’s a wrestler, [but] I know my striking is better. So more or less, expect me to try and strike with him,” Kingad said.

Kingad believes that save for his opponent’s grappling, there’s really nothing that can trouble him in this match.

“For me, I have to focus on my wrestling defense. Should he get me down, I have to make sure I can get back up and take advantage of my striking,” he said.

“I really don’t know where he’ll challenge me. I think at the end of the day he’ll have a hard time wherever this match goes.

“I’ll be aiming for the knockout, but the most important thing is to win. I have to win this fight.”

Toyota Motor Philippines is taking part in this year’s FIBA Basketball World Cup as a local major sponsor. In line with that, it has also entered into a partnership with the Samahang Basketbol ng Pilipinas (SBP) and Gilas Pilipinas as well.

“It is with great appreciation and warmth that we welcome Toyota Motor Philippines to the FIBA Basketball World Cup 2023 family,” said SBP Chairman Emeritus Manny V. Pangilinan.

Toyota Motor Philippines’ participation goes a long way in ensuring the success of the country in hosting this momentous global sporting event. Its partnership with SBP goes deeper than just the FIBA Basketball World Cup 2023. They are working together with the national association to support local athletes and improve the level of basketball in the country.

One way Toyota Motor Philippines is doing that is by supporting Gilas Pilipinas during their FIBA Basketball World Cup 2023

campaign.

FIBA Asia Board and SBP president Al

“Even as we thank Toyota Motor Philippines for agreeing to be part of this once in a lifetime experience, we are inviting as well others who wish to also share in this global activity, this journey which in a sense is truly a merger of world caliber sports and big business,”

Atsuhiro Okamoto, President of Toyota Motor Philippines stated that “By being part of the FIBA Basketball World Cup 2023 journey, one of the biggest global sports event this year, we aim to further inspire and encourage more Filipinos to use the power of movement to reach their full potential. This is the spirit of our START YOUR IMPOSSIBLE global sports campaign. With this partnership with FIBA through SBP, and unity basketball brings to Filipinos, we are always moving closer to our goal of producing happiness for all ”.

Toyota Motor Philippines is also integral to the SBP’s build-up heading into this FIBA Basketball World Cup 2023. The Filipino automotive company is assisting in various basketball clinics and coaches camps, which aim to share knowledge at the grassroots level.

All of these activities by Toyota Motor Philippines highlight the significance of this major event that the SBP is undertaking, as well as the importance of championing the national team and other local athletes.

THE Samahang Basketbol ng Pilipinas is welcoming a key partner that will help move them forward in the FIBA Basketball World Cup 2023 journey.

They are fully behind the national team as they play on the biggest stage of basketball in 2023, in front of thousands of Filipino fans.

Panlilio expressed the value of attaining high- profile sponsors.

THIRD-RANKED flyweight contender Danny

Croatia’s Donna Vekic hits a return against Czech Republic’s Linda Fruhvirtova during their women’s singles match on Day 8 of the Australian Open tennis tournament in Melbourne. AFP

Jon Rahm

Danny Kingad

By Patricia Taculao

AFTER

AVATAR: The Way of Water gave no sign of relinquishing its box office domination, taking in an estimated $19.7 million in its sixth weekend out in North America, industry watcher Exhibitor Relations said Sunday.

The James Cameron scifi epic thus sailed past the $2 billion mark globally, the best in the pandemic era, with accumulated ticket sales of $598 million domestically and $1.42 billion internationally.

That makes the Disney/20thCentury film only the sixth movie ever to surpass the $2 billion mark (not adjusted for inflation), though it still trails

Ang

kundi realistic. Kung ano ‘yung nangyayari noon at hanggang ngayon ay nasasalamin pa din doon,” Doctolero added.

This thought process encouraged the creative team to add the tandem of Fidel (David Licauco) and Klay (Barbie Forteza), collectively known as FiLay. But when choosing parts to portray on television, Doctolero shared that they don’t follow the book chapter by chapter. Instead, they pick particular scenarios that remain relevant today.

However, the creative team isn’t the only one preparing for a different approach to the series. The cast of Maria Clara at Ibarra will also portray a new depth to their characters, especially with El Fili set some years after the first novel.

Dennis Trillo, who plays Crisostomo Ibarra, will continue his portrayal of the lead character. Although, as many Filipinos know, Ibarra’s role will take a darker turn in El Fili as he hides under the guise of a wealthy jeweler named Simoun.

However, the team behind Maria Clara at Ibarra had limited time to prepare for the story’s continuation on the small screen. Nonetheless, Dennis made sure he

“It’s a first for Philippine TV and I’m sure it’s

the

this collaboration. We’re very excited to be working with ABS-CBN on TV for the first time,” said Gozon at the story conference held on the same day.

“This is a milestone in the industry. We’re thankful for this opportunity and we’re very happy to work with GMA to serve our audiences. We unite as one team. We

this was going to

happen,” said Vidanes.

“Today, we are able to proudly showcase that on our platform with premium Filipino content not just for Filipino audiences but also for global audiences to appreciate and enjoy. This is with a vision of bringing the best of the Filipino talent on-cam and off-cam to the world,” said Garcia of Viu Philippines.

Joining the ensemble cast of Unbreak My Heart are Maey Bautista, Will Ashley, Bianca de Vera, Nikki Valdez, Eula Valdes, and Laurice Guillen, and directed by Emmanuel Q. Palo and Dolly Dulu Viewers can expect an exciting collaboration as the teleserye marks the first project of Sta. Maria with young stars Joshua Garcia and Gabbi Garcia, who will also be paired together for the first time ever. Meanwhile, Sta. Maria reunites with Yap, her former on-screen partner.

“This collaboration will really bring in opportunities not only to the networks, but for the people working in the network, for the people in the industry,” said Sta. Maria.

“I’m really proud, honored, and excited to be part of this show which is history in the making since this is the first time that two network giants will be working with each other. Of course, I’m also excited to be working with Jodi again and all the other people in the cast,” said Yap.

“I’m really honored talaga na makasama dito, na pinili nila ako na maging parte ng proyektong ‘to. Excited ako na gawin ‘yung character,” said Joshua Garcia. While Gabbi Garcia shared, “It’s my first time doing this kind of role. Grabe ‘yung growth and ‘yung depth ng character ko dito sa show na ‘to.” Unbreak My Heart is set to air this 2023.

Besides the returning cast, like Dennis,

Anne San Jose (Maria Clara), David, Barbie, and more, the second book of Maria Clara at Ibarra will also introduce new characters to coincide with the novel’s events. Among them is Khalil Ramos, who will portray the titular role of Basilio.

Although Khalil admits to feeling the pressure during his first day on set because of the series’ relevance and popularity among audiences, he remains excited to be a part of the awardwinning cast and show.

“Gusto ko magampanan ‘yung role ni Basilio ng tama. I’m super excited na ma-fill in ‘yung truths ng ilang character na ilang beses na nating napanuod,” Khalil said.

With

the

many

will be the beautiful Jamie Robinson. – Danny Pata

at Ibarra,

No such thing as an old song on TikTok. Just ask Nadine Lustre

That’s exactly the case when the singer-actress’s old hit “Paligoy-ligoy” resurfaced and is now going viral on the popular app. To date, the TikTok Dance Challenge version of the track has already gained 41 million hashtag views with more than 701,000 video variations and uploads using the song and the hashtag #PaligoyLigoyChallenge.

The trend started just as the Nadinestarrer Deleter went on record as the topgrossing movie of the recently concluded Metro Manila Film Festival. The “Paligoyligoy” suddenly sprouted and immediately went viral.

Sung and recorded by a young Nadine, “Paligoy-ligoy” was originally released back in 2014 as part of the soundtrack of her movie with former flame James Reid Diary Ng Panget

The movie was a breakout hit for both Nadine and James that eventually launched the JADINE love team that lasted for several years.

Nickie Wang, Editor Patricia Taculao, Editorial Assistant

GMA Network and ABS-CBN Corporation have sealed a new historic partnership for the co-production of a groundbreaking television series titled Unbreak My Heart with a stellar cast led by Joshua Garcia, Gabbi Garcia, Richard Yap, and Jodi Sta. Maria.

The romantic-drama series, which will be filmed in Switzerland, will air on GMA this

2023 and stream in 15 territories outside of the Philippines on Viu, PCCW’s leading panregional over-the-top video streaming service.

The partnership was made official during a contract signing and story conference event held at ABS-CBN with top officials from the three companies led by GMA Senior Vice-President for Programming, Talent

a successful run throughout 2022, Maria Clara at Ibarra continues to capture the imagination and interest of its audiences. The unique and modern retelling of Jose Rizal’s thought-provoking novel, Noli Me Tangere, highlighted its core messages in a way that the younger generations would understand and appreciate.

CARETAKER Julyn Delegencia cleans the two feet tall action figure Voltes V in a toy store in Lucky Chinatown Mall in Divisoria on Sunday, January 22. The Voltes V action figure is for sale at P40,000 to P60,000, depending on the size.

Voltes V is a Japanese anime television series produced by Toei Doga and animated by Nippon Sunrise. It was first broadcast on GMA Network with English dubbing on May 5, 1978. On August 27, 1979, the late President Ferdinand Marcos banned its airing citing harmful effects on children, but after People Power Revolution in 1986, the anime was reaired.

A live-action television series adaptation, titled Voltes V: Legacy, is set to air in the Philippines on GMA Network Channel 7 this year. The cast and characters are Miguel Tanfelix as Steve Armstrong, Radson Flores as Mark Gordon, Big Bert will be played by Matt Lozano, Raphael Landicho as Little Jon Armstrong, while Isabel Ortega

Barbie Forteza (right) with Julie Anne San Jose

million for the Friday-through-Sunday period.

Down one spot was scary-doll thriller M3GAN from Universal and Blumhouse Productions, at $9.8 million. The film’s title doll, created as a companion to a young orphan, gradually takes on a creepy life of her own.

In fourth spot was Sony’s new release Missing, at $9.3 million. Storm Reid stars as a teenager desperate to find her mother (Nia Long) after she disappears during a vacation in Colombia. AFP

Julyn Delegencia cleans the two feet tall action figure Voltes V

From left: Lauren Dyogi, Joy Marcelo, Cory Vidanes, Annette Gozon-Valdes, Joey Abacan, Vinchi Sy-Quia, Rick Tan, Garlic Garcia, and Deo Endrinal

‘Unbreak My Heart’ lead stars (from left) Joshua Garcia, Gabbi Garcia, Jodi Sta. Maria, and Richard Yap

Management, Worldwide, and Support Groups Atty. Annette Gozon-Valdes, ABS-CBN COO of Broadcast Cory Vidanes, and Viu Philippines Deputy Country Manager Vinchi Sy-Quia GMA officials who were welcomed at the signing event were First Vice-President for Program Management Department Joey Abacan and Assistant Vice-President for Sparkle Joy Marcelo Representing ABS-CBN in the historic event were Group CFO Rick Tan, TV Production and Star Magic Head Lauren Dyogi International Sales and Distribution Head Pia Laurel, and Dreamscape Entertainment led by its Head Deo Endrinal, Creatives Head Rondel Lindayag, Creatives Manager Joel

Mercado, and Business Unit Head Carlina Dela Merced

The momentous event was also graced by Viu Philippines Senior Project Manager Mil Alcain and Content Partnerships Head Garlic Garcia

the audience that will be

winners in

never imagined that

Now that the series covered the first half of Rizal’s novels, Maria Clara at Ibarra will soon tackle the more serious world of El Filibusterismo, the sequel to Noli Me Tangere. Fortunately, the writers behind GMA’s hit series came prepared as they will embark on the following chapters.

Sa pag-conceptualize pa lang ang unang-unang inisip namin ay paano

ihahanda ihahain ang Maria Clara at Ibarra sa audience sa parang hindi sila mabo-bore, hindi nila makikita na masyadong seryoso,” said Maria Clara at Ibarra screenwriter Suzette Doctolero during an online media conference.

soap opera kasi, by nature, ay napaka-eskapismo. ‘Yung Noli at El Fili, kahit na siya ay fiction, hindi siya escapist

was ready to take on his role. Nandoon ‘yung pagre-research. Inalam ko ‘yung itsura niya [Simoun]—kung ano ‘yung magiging itsura ko dito, ‘yung itsura niya sa libro, ‘yung itsura niya sa mga ibang pelikula na ginawa Kinuha lang namin yung common factor. Pero syempre pinagbasehan pa din namin ‘yung libro para mas maging accurate ‘yung depiction ko ng character ni Simoun,” the Kapuso actor said.

Julie

so

expectations for

team behind Maria Clara

they promise to deliver on the second book of the series and share the relevant messages from Rizal’s critically-acclaimed novels.

Contrasting colors, visual drama in COS Spring collection

AS Lunar New Year marks the arrival of Spring, the COS Lunar New Year 2023 campaign is a nod to the auspicious belief that flowers in full bloom bring good luck in the new year, injecting an overall sense of freshness and optimism into the imagery.

Featuring supermodel Ju Xiaowen, bright contrasting colors further enhance these visuals by adding drama, while showcasing luxurious material details, and inventive layering.

Consisting of looks for women and men, the edit puts forward a palette of vivacious pastels the likes of lavender, cornflower blue, and muted teal, accompanied by a range of elevated wardrobe staples for more dressed-up occasions.

Bold, tonal suiting acts as a stylish day-to-night solution while graphic stripes are here to make a colorful statement. Smart padded pieces are introduced to provide warmth and style in the transitional months; light enough to wear as a buildable layer or as outerwear when the weather gets warmer.

Shop the collection at the COS Store in SM Aura, 26th Street, corner McKinley Parkway, Taguig City.

By Jen Ambanta

IT HAS been a happy six months for me and my 155-cc Yamaha-XSR— cruising between stoplights in the metro, meeting the sunrise on breakfast rides, and enjoying the moonlight for late-night coffee hangout.

What was originally intended to be a commuter ride to bear with the unforgiving Manila traffic, has turned out to be one of the greatest adventures of my life.

At 33 years old, I thought I had been happy and content with how I shake my stress away and drown my adulting issues by the sea. But a motorbike shows you that there is more to life than eating, sleeping, going on a vacation, and repeating the cycle.

Getting on my motorbike meant meeting new friends, joining new communities, discovering new ways to travel, and unlearning many things I know about vacation.

One of my most memorable rides is the winding, twisting roads of Real, Quezon.

Our three-hour ride began at 6:00 a.m. in Antipolo, City; from there, we are greeted by the lazy Friday morning sun and cold October breeze.

We took the Teresa, Rizal road going to Morong, Rizal. And to my surprise, there are windmills in the East planted in the mountains of Pililla, Rizal.

By the time we reach Famy, Laguna, we are all famished and craving hot coffee and the all-time favorite si-log meals.

After finishing our breakfast at 9 a.m., we ride out to Real, Quezon.

This is where the adrenaline starts to kick in. Riding at 60 kmph, I am the

SUN, SEA, SKY, and a motorbike in between

slowest of the bunch of three riders.

Oh wait, I forgot to introduce the group! On this trip, I am with Brant and his official back-ride Mika, and our good friend Alex. It is also the first time my partner is joining me on a trip, so he’ll be on my tail in our Jimny.

It took us another hour and a half to get to Real, Quezon. We headed straight to Real Coast and Surf resort where we will be staying for the night.

What awaits us is a white cabana that fits six people, a hammock, a beach chair, and an outdoor table setting. Our mattresses were on the floor and we are given one huge electric fan.

We did not mind that the cabana is not air-conditioned, the room opens on two sides which allows air to properly circulate and more light to come in—the set-up actually added more energy to the ambiance.

Once settled, my friends started hanging their hammocks by the tree, removing their boots, and walking barefoot on the sand.

They took a quick nap under the tree while I rested my eyes in the cabana for an hour.

But today is not for sleeping, so up we

go to visit one of the waterfalls nearby called Nonok Falls. It’s a five-minute ride from the resort and a good 10-minute trek to the falls from the foot of the camp.

Nonok falls is a narrow split atop huge black rocks that delivers cold and refreshing bath water to the community. A good 15-minute dip is enough to wash off the fatigue of an almost four-hour ride to Quezon.

By the time we left, the sun is almost setting. We hurried back to the resort, hung our wet clothes, and ordered dinner— Si-Log.

Real Coast and Surf is a 10-cabana resort that boasts beachfront access and wonderful staff. This resort can be a home away from home. A place recommended for people who want to rest from the noise of the city and the connectivity of technology—yes, there is no Wifi here.

Our silog meals have come and gone, so our beers and liquor are up next. We

finished a bottle of whisky, and some bottles of coke and then off to bed for the tired happy bunch. But just as we are ready to hit the sack, we heard a rather familiar sound of a muffler— one of our friends dropped by and his name is Pete

He did not stay long, just had his dinner and exchanged stories with us, and off he went on a three-hour ride back to Antipolo.

We slept.

Real, Quezon is known for its sunrise and while I wish to attempt to describe how beautiful it was, my description might seem pale to comparison. But, I will try anyway.

At around 5:30 a.m., we started preparing to greet the morning sun. Unlike the Sunrise in Manila, we see the sun happily shining in the sky covered by clouds.

In Real, Quezon, the sun rises from the Pacific Ocean as it gently paints the sky pink, then a little rust, and slowly bright-

Trusting the newest logistics player to deliver

EVERY Filipino dream of providing their loved ones with a better life. With the help of technology and ingenuity, these dreams become more achievable. Companies that want to survive the competition understand these dreams and will create innovative ways to be part of making dreams come true.

In the Philippines, genuine care and empathy, or the ability to tap into people’s dreams and tune in to how people feel is a unique strength. Pudo Express, the latest playmaker in delivery and logistics, knows this ability yields power and it’s putting it to good use.

Launching Pudo Express during the season of giving is clever, and so is tapping into the essence of delivery with Pick Up, Drop Off or PUDO as your brand.

The brand pulls the stops on how they roll. Pun aside, at the core of Pudo is the very essence of why people deliver. More than the why, the answer lies in who and what. People deliver items important for work and daily life to run smoothly, food, and home supplies to family and loved ones to show care and

cheers. Whatever the item, there is a deep meaning and purpose attached to it. Especially for Filipinos where every delivery comes from the heart.

And this is where the strength of empathy kicks in. Every time you use Pudo Express you can be sure that all riders deliver your items to the hands of the

ens to happy yellow. The clouds did their job and made sure it was a romantic morning for a couple seeing the sunrise after getting engaged.

After saying our morning greetings to the sun, we woke up Ate Alona for breakfast. Kidding.

Ate Alona is among the friendliest staff of Real, Quezon. It is people like her that make the place warm and happy.

Yes, we had another round of silog for breakfast. But, the trip won’t be complete without a bit of a stroll to the town. So off with our gears and rode to town “ lokal ” style.

Should people ask me one day how I would describe Quezon, I’ll probably say it is green. With mountains covered in thick forests and well-maintained community roads, it is a place that invites rest—pretty much what color green ignites in me.

By 10:00 a.m., we are back in the resort and started preparing to ride back home to Manila.

It’s all about that word: trust. At Pudo Express the goal is to get the trust of every person, business, and community. Every time a Pudo Express rider delivers a package they understand that the package is entrusted to them.

“In Pudo Express, we will deliver for you in any weather, rain or shine. Ganun kayo kahalaga, kasing halaga ng inyong padala. Everyone everywhere is out to look after each other. We all have this sense of community. Companies make sure that we’re reaching out the best way we can to help our customers. Our Filipino culture is really all about kapwa at kawang-gawa. It’s all about coming together to achieve something good and bigger than all of us, adds Ralph Torres, Managing Director of Pudo Express.

Nickie

recipient with the same love and care, the same reliable and safe delivery as if you sent it in person.

“Lessons learned from two years of uncertainty include resilience and innovation. To survive, we

at Pudo Express know that we must constantly earn the customers’ trust. That’s the only way to continue bringing services that make them experience how much we care for them, and how much we believe in taking part in their daily life, and what they want to achieve,” says Jennifer Marfil, Chairman and CEO of Pudo Express.

Smart

Bright contrasting colors and luxurious material details are key elements in the latest collection

The author with her bike

The author (leftmost) with her riding group

A hearty plate of silog

Guests can unwind in Real Coast and Surf resort’s cabanas

Pudo Express is the latest playmaker in delivery and logistics

From left: Michael Mendoza, Technical Devt., Jennifer Mar l, CEO, and Ralph Torres, Managing Director