Manila Standard - 2023 February 1 - Wednesday

LPG price up by P11.18/k

By Alena Mae S. Flores

THE country’s oil firms raised the price of liquefied petroleum gas or cooking gas by P11.18 to P11.50 per kilo effective today (Feb. 1) to reflect the higher contract per metric ton of LPG in the world market.

The amount is higher than the previ-

ously projected P9.50 per kilo increase and translates to an additional P126.50 per 11-kilo tank used by most households. Liquified Petroleum Gas Marketers’ Association president Arnel Ty said LPG contract price went up by $191 per MT from $599 per MT in January, which translates to an increase of up to

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PBBM vows affordable housing

To set P1b fund to subsidize amortization for gov’t low-cost homes

By Vince Lopez, Rio N. Araja and Maricel V. Cruz

PRESIDENT Ferdinand Marcos Jr. said he is looking at a P1 billion subsidy to reduce monthly amortizations for recipients of the government’s low-cost housing units.

President Marcos made this pronouncement during the groundbreaking ceremony of a housing project under the Pambansang Pabahay Para sa Pilipino Housing (4PH) Program.

The President said that he and Department of Human Settlements and Urban Development (DHSUD) Secretary Jose Rizalino Acuzar are studying the creation of the fund to subsidize beneficiaries who cannot afford the monthly amortization on the housing units.

“We are still left with the fact that many of our beneficiaries will still not be able to afford the monthly

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A DECENT HOUSE FOR EVERY PINOY FAMILY. President Ferdinand Marcos Jr. leads the groundbreaking ceremony for the National Pabahay Para sa Pilipino Housing (4PH) Project – Batasan Development and Urban Renewal Plan on Tuesday, January 31, 2023. According to the President, this will be the government’s largest flagship housing program, which will fulfill the goal of providing every Filipino family with a proper and decent house. He is joined by Speaker Martin Romualdez (left), Quezon City Mayor Joy Belmonte (2nd from right) and Human Settlement and Urban Development Secretary Jose Rizalino Acuzar (right).

President names Gatchalian as new DSWD head

By Vince Lopez

PRESIDENT Ferdinand Marcos Jr. has appointed Valenzuela Rep. Rex Gatchalian as the new head of the Department of Social Welfare and Development.

Gatchalian, who took his oath of office at the Palace yesterday hours after Mr. Marcos graced the 72nd founding anniversary of the DSWD, succeeded former journalist Erwin Tulfo.

Tulfo was bypassed by the Commis-

Diokno assures no recession if MIF fails

By Macon Ramos-Araneta

THE country’s economic managers assured senators that the proposed Maharlika Investment Fund (MIF) will not be big enough to bring down the Philippine economy even if it fails, Senate President Juan Miguel Zubiri said in a media briefing Tuesday.

Zubiri and 14 other senators were briefed on Monday by Secretaries Benjamin Diokno of Finance and Amenah Pangandaman of Budget, Bangko Sentral ng Pilipinas Governor Felipe Medalla and National Economic and Development Authority chief Arsenio Balisacan on the proposed MIF and how it would help accelerate the country’s economic growth.

“He said our economy is a P19 trillion economy. So, a P100 billion to P150 billion economic fund will not make a big enough dent to put us in recession,” Zubiri said.

Diokno made the assurance after Senator Robinhood Padilla asked if the economy would collapse if the MIF fails.

Zubiri said a worst-case scenario would be a global economic crisis that may put the MIF at risk.

sion on Appointments last year following questions on his US citizenship and his previous libel convictions. He was not reappointed by the President.

“I just took my oath as head of DSWD. Mr. President, thank you for giving me the opportunity to be able to serve the country in a much larger capacity,” Gatchalian said on Twitter as he assured his constituents in Valenzuela it will be “business as usual” and that “a caretaker will be appointed by the

Vergeire ‘ready’ to take DOH top job if offered

By Willie Casas and Macon Ramos-Araneta

DEPARTMENT of Health (DOH)

officer-in-charge

Maria Rosario Vergeire said Tuesday that she is now ready to be the next secretary of the agency, if she is offered the position.

Vergeire confirmed this in a press conference, saying that her experience as OIC in the last six months have let her see areas in which she could lead reforms.

Envoys asked to back PH bid in UNSC

By

INFLATION in January 2023 likely accelerated to as high as 8.3 percent from the 14-year high of 8.1 percent in December on the back of higher prices of electricity, fuel and food items, the Bangko Sentral ng Pilipinas said Tuesday.

In a statement, BSP projected the January 2023 inflation to settle within the range of 7.5 to 8.3 percent.

“Upward price pressures for the month are expected to emanate from higher electricity rates, approved water rate rebasing, higher domestic petroleum prices, uptick in the prices of key food items, and the annual increase in sin taxes,” it said.

The BSP, however, said Filipinos might have found relief last month from lower LPG prices and the strengthening of the Philippine peso.

The BSP said it is prepared to “adjust its monetary policy stance at the

Inflation in Jan. seen to heat up further to 8.3%

Vince Lopez PRESIDENT Ferdinand Marcos Jr. on Tuesday rallied members of the diplomatic community to support

bid

a seat in the United Nations

his remarks during the Vin d’Honneur he hosted in Malacañang, the President said he counts on the support of allies for the Philippine candidature for a non-permanent UNSC seat for the

DSWD Sec. Rex Gatchalian

Department of Health OIC Maria Rosario Vergeire

TOAST FOR THE NEW YEAR. President Ferdinand Marcos Jr. makes a toast during the Vin d’ Honneur at the Palace attended by members of the diplomatic corps, led by its dean, Archbishop Charles Brown (right), the Papal Nuncio to the Philippines.

‘P5m for removal from BI blacklist’

AN ANTI-CRIME watchdog on Tuesday bared reports of a new modus involving online offers for the removal from the Bureau of Immigration’s (BI) blacklist in exchange for as much as P5 million.

“We received reports of advertisements offering to lift immigration blacklist for a fee of P1 million to P5 million were circulating in Chinese social media platforms,” Movement for Restoration of Peace and Order (MRPO) Chairperson Ka Kuen Chua said during a hearing of the Senate Public Order and Dangerous Drugs Committee yesterday.

“When I saw that, I saw the opportunity. I think this would convince me to really take on the position,” she said in a mix of Filipino and English.

“Now with all these things happening and with all the work that needs to be done, for us to really improve on our health care system, I think this is the appropriate time for me to help the country,” she added.

Vergeire had expressed reservations about being appointed DOH secretary, saying she wanted to continue serving the public even after six years.

She had also said that she will leave it up to President Ferdinand Marcos Jr. whether or not he will appoint her as DOH secretary.

Marcos previously said that he would only appoint a DOH secretary if the country’s situation returns to normal in the wake of the COVID-19 pandemic.

Malacañang announced Vergeire’s appointment as DOH OIC on July 14, 2022.

The post of secretary at the DOH has remained vacant since Marcos took his oath as President in June 2022.

Vergeire also said the Philippines is no longer under a state where there should be strict COVID-19 restrictions, noting that cases have remained manageable.

She said she held this view, despite the World Health Organization (WHO) decision to maintain its declaration of a public health emergency of international concern due to COVID-19.

“We understand all the points for this WHO declaration and I think we are at the point where we are all cautious. Although we know the situation is manageable, we remain vigilant because of the different variants that are detected and the increases in cases in different parts of the world,” she said.

The United States said Monday that the national and public health emergencies declared just as the COVID-19 pandemic took grip three years ago will officially end May 11.

“These kinds of anomalies in the Bureau of Immigration must be investigated and those responsible must be removed from service,” Chua said.

Chua said based on the information they have gathered, illegal safehouses and slave labor dens were “under the protection of authorities.”

“There are claims that dens of iniq-

uity, especially those in Cavite and Pampanga, are under the protection of police officials. Furthermore, victims that we have assisted claimed that police personnel served as their guards, but we have yet to confirm the veracity of their claims,” Chua said.

“Also, in some instances, victims we assisted who were so eager to file a case, later on wanted to retract their case. And it is claimed that their affidavits of desistance were prepared either by the police or by the prosecutors themselves,” he added.

The Cavite Police public information

office denied the allegations.

“The Cavite Police vehemently deny the alleged involvement of any police personnel posting as security escorts of the POGO facilities more so influencing any victim/s to withdraw their charges on any POGO related incident,” the Cavite Police told GMA News Online in a message.

The BI said at least 255 of the over 360 POGO workers that were turned over to them from September to October 2022 had already been deported.

The remaining POGO workers were still undergoing the process for deportation.

Dela Rosa alarmed over high-caliber guns of Chinese syndicates

By Macon Ramos-Araneta

SEN. Ronald dela Rosa raised alarm over the use of high-caliber guns and grenades by Chinese syndicates involved in POGO-related crimes, which have reached over a 100 cases to date since 2017, with the majority of the suspects Chinese nationals.

During yesterday’s resumption of the POGO hearing, Dela Rosa, chairperson of the Committee on Public Order and Dangerous Drugs, said these are no longer ordinary organized criminals.

“Basing on the firearms – imag-

House OKs bill setting optional retirement age in gov’t at 56

By Maricel V. Cruz

VOTING 268 against one, with one abstention, the House of Representatives on Tuesday approved on third and final reading a bill lowering the optional retirement age for government personnel from 60 years old to 56 years old.

Speaker Martin Romualdez said the proposed law gives the more than one million workers in the bureaucracy the choice to retire early.

amortization of these units,” Marcos said, reiterating his vow to provide “decent and affordable housing for every Filipino family.”

“Perhaps, if we find a funding source, we will allot P1 billion to start with the distribution of subsidies for our future tenants,” he said.

President Marcos thanked the DHSUD for leading the national government’s flagship housing program, and the Quezon City local government for its allocation of land and financial resources for the housing project.

He also urged Congress to include housing interest support as part of the regular appropriations in succeeding years.

President Marcos then emphasized that the development of sustainable human settlements would help his administration realize its bid to build “better, more resilient, and more equitable communities.”

The Batasan Development Urban Renewal Master Plan, spearheaded by the DHSUD, will see the completion of three main sites at the Batasan Road Development, NGCWest Controlled Economic Zone, and the Manotoc Property.

The first phase of the Batasan area’s redevelopment will include the con -

necessary pace” to temper inflation.

The December outturn was significantly faster than the 3.1 percent in the same month in 2021. It brought the fullyear average to 5.8 percent in 2022, well beyond the government’s target range of 2 to 4 percent and faster than the average of 3.9 percent in 2021.

In an open letter to President Ferdinand Marcos Jr. on Jan. 24 that explained why inflation in 2022 hit 5.8 percent, the BSP said any further monetary policy actions would always depend on pertinent economic data.

“The BSP will continue to adjust its monetary policy stance as necessary to keep further second-round effects at bay and to prevent inflation expectations from becoming disanchored,” read the letter signed by Deputy Governor Francisco Dakila Jr. as officer in charge.

“Our approach to monetary action will remain data-dependent and contingent on the inflation outlook, along with other available macroeconomic information at a given point in time,” the BSP said.

Headline inflation started to rise in March last year as domestic fuel pump prices increased, reflecting the uptrend in international crude oil prices. Global crude oil prices increased significantly in 2022 amid concerns over tighter supply arising from the geopolitical conflict in Eastern Europe and from major oilproducing countries’ decision to lower production targets, the letter said.

Meanwhile, as inflation began to spike across countries and central banks responded with tighter monetary policy, investor concerns over global demand also tempered further price increases, it said.

and our membership. The Philippines’ bid stands on the strong foundation of our well-recognized contributions to the shaping of a global rules-based architecture that places people and human dignity at the center and respects the sovereignty of nations,” Mr. Marcos said.

“The legacies of the Philippines as a responsible global citizen, I dare say, are solid,” he added.

The Philippines has been a nonpermanent member of the powerful UNSC several times before – in 1957, in 1963, from 1980 to 1981, and from 2004 to 2005.

The President likewise called on the

“They still guaranteed that the way it is going now, the trajectory of our economy will continue to improve in 2023 despite headwinds in the international, external forces,” he said in a mix of English and Filipino. The Senate committee on banks, financial institutions and currencies chaired by Senator Mark Villar, will start the discussions on the MIF on Wednesday.

“Senator Mark Villar needs a good strategy in explaining this not only at the committee level but also in the plenary to be able to get 13 votes,” Zubiri said.

ine some had Kimber, and that is the most expensive handgun that I have bought. Another had a CZ 75 which is really for shooting,” said the senator, who is also a former chief of the Philippine National Police.

“These syndicates are awash in cash. Their guns are very expensive. How were they able to buy these guns without any record at the PNP Firearms and Explosives Office? Did they smuggle these high-caliber firearms?” Dela Rosa said.

Former Pasay City Police Chief Col. Byron Tabernilla testified they arrested

struction of two 33-story buildings with a total of 2,160 housing units planned to become both commercial and residential.

The plans include the use of the lot’s ground floor for the improved terminal for the Batasan Tricycle Operators and Drivers Association (BaTODA).

The BaTODA members will be among the priority beneficiaries of the project.

President Marcos said that the groundbreaking of the first phase of the Batasan Development Urban Renewal Plan is “only the beginning of one of the largest projects” under the government’s flagship housing program.

“Slowly but surely, we will be able to achieve our greatest aspirations for the nation, including the dream for decent and affordable housing for every Filipino family,” he said.

“Those living here in the surrounding areas will have complete access to markets, to schools, to hospitals and various means of making income so they will prosper and get to see their goals and dreams come to life,” Marcos said.

Acuzar said the monthly amortization could be lowered with the help of an interest subsidy. With such a subsidy, instead of P8,000, a family could pay P3,500 to P4,000, he said.

“We are looking for ways to include an interest subsidy in the housing program. This is very important as this could lower monthly amortizations,” he

diplomatic community to work with his administration in achieving the goals of recently launched Philippine Development Plan (PDP) 2023-2028, which will serve as the country’s blueprint for its economic and social transformation in the next six years.

“I urge our friends in the diplomatic community to work with us in achieving our development goals as laid out in the Plan through partnerships and cooperation with your respective governments and also your business sectors. Let us discuss opportunities where our countries can participate,” he said. Post-COVID-19 realities, President Marcos said, “demand recalibrating strategies and focusing on urgent concerns that really matter to the people – that is, food security, job generation, poverty reduction

The House of Representatives passed the bill to establish the MIF late last year, but the Senate has yet to begin debates on it. Zubiri suggested that Villar allow the economic managers to explain the MIF first and follow it up with consultations with the different sectors concerned. Zubiri said he was convinced more about the benefits of the MIF after the briefing with the economic managers.

“What they told us was ‘it is up to you Mr. Senator... because you will be doing the final version of the bill. So, if it needs to have more safeguards, put some in,” he said.

President Ferdinand R. Marcos Jr. has asked Congress to thoroughly review the proposed MIF, saying that getting it

three Chinese nationals tagged in the December 2022 abduction and kidnap for ransom of a Malaysian woman.

Tabernilla then showed the photos of the arrested Chinese nationals – Yun Gao and Jia He Zhang – and a photo of the firearms seized in the operation.

PNP Director for Investigation and Detective Management Maj. Gen. Eliseo Cruz told the Senate panel that his office would direct the Pasay police to request a macro etching procedure for the recovered firearms to determine if the serial numbers of the handguns were tampered with.

said in Filipino. “It’s not free but people will pay at a lower price.”

“This project is proof that we do not just aim to bridge the housing gap—we also exhaust all efforts to ensure that we renew our urban spaces to help improve the lives of our countrymen,” Acuzar said.

“We are trying our best to see what we can do to reinvent Metro Manila’s landscape… Our problem does not stop at providing quality and affordable homes, we also need to ensure that all projects lean toward urban development,” he added.

Speaker Ferdinand Martin G. Romualdez on Tuesday expressed confidence that President Ferdinand Marcos Jr.’s target of building 6 million housing units during his six-year administration is attainable.

“Our target: one million housing units every year. This is an ambitious target, but I am very confident we can achieve this through our unity in purpose and the cooperation of all stakeholders in the program,” he said.

“President Marcos is addressing the country’s woes on all fronts almost simultaneously: food security, foreign investments, jobs and livelihood, public order and safety, health and social protection, and now social services like housing,” Romualdez added. He promised that Congress would support the President’s programs.

“This is how we move forward, this is how we move mountains,” he said.

and managing inflation.”

“And these strategies entail ‘new thinking’ in doing things in the bureaucracy, in a way that puts a premium on operational efficiency, sound fiscal management and good governance,” the President said.

The President expressed high hopes in the Philippines’ continued positive economic performance, which he said cushioned the effects of the COVID-19 pandemic on the economy.

“Our growth assumptions remain reasonably ambitious. We are looking to the same growth rate-- that of 2022 and between 6 to 7 percent for this year,” the President said.

“With the current growth momentum, the Philippines is poised to reach upper middle-income status very soon,” Mr. Marcos added.

wrong would be “a very bad mistake.”

“(Review it carefully. Of course, it is better to finish it as soon as possible, but it should not be rushed because it is very important,” Marcos said in a recent interview.

The MIF will come from the investible funds of select government financial institutions (GFIs) contributions of the national government, declared dividends of the Bangko Sentral ng Pilipinas and other funding sources.

The proposed MIF will be used to invest on a strategic and commercial basis in a manner designed to promote fiscal stability for economic development and strengthen the top-performing GFIs through additional investment platforms that will help attain the national govern-

“They can opt to quit working, receive their benefits, do other activities, and enjoy life in retirement with their loved ones even before they become senior citizens,” he said.

He said for many employees, retiring early would enhance their well-being.

“It’s surely more fun to live life without work-related stress,” he added.

House Bill 206 is a consolidation of 13 related measures.

The measure states that a government worker-GSIS member would be entitled to retirement benefits if he is at least 56 years of age at the time of retirement, has rendered service for at least 15 years and he is not receiving a monthly pension for permanent total disability.

Under RA 8291, a retiring member could opt for a five-year lump sum of benefits, with his monthly pension to be paid after five years, or cash equivalent to 18 months, with the payment of his pension taking effect immediately.

Retirement is compulsory at 65 years old.

Authors of the consolidated bill said their proposed lower optional retirement at 56 years would put the rest of government workers at par with members of the military and the police, whose mandatory retirement age is 56.

President...

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House of Representatives in the coming days.”

The Palace lauded Gatchalian’s achievements as a local chief executive, noting the inclusion of Valenzuela in the Top 10 Outstanding Local Governance Programs in Galing Pook in 2021. As this developed, President Marcos urged the DSWD to continue calibrating the Pantawid Pamilyang Pilipino Program (4Ps) as well as developing the other government’s social protection initiatives.

“Continue calibrating the Pantawid Pamilyang Pilipino Program and strengthening the government’s social protection initiatives, especially since one of the measures we undertake to address poverty is through the grants that we provide for the health needs of every household and education of our children,” Marcos said in his speech during the DSWD’s anniversary program.

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P11.50 per kilo.

“The price last January is $599 per MT. Now February $790. Still China demand drove the increase in price,” Ty said. Petron Corp., Isla LPG and Phoenix LPG announced the latest price increase.

Petron will implement a P11.20 per kilo increase (VAT-inclusive) in LPG prices effective while Isla LPG, which markets the Solane brand, increased its LPG by P11.18 per kilo (VAT inclusive).

ment’s priority plans, the bill states.

Certified by Marcos as urgent, the bill was approved by the House of Representatives on Dec. 15, 2022 and was transmitted to the Senate four days later.

Earlier, Villar said he was upbeat about the briefing, saying it would answer questions that have been asked about the fund, including how it would be funded, and how it would be controlled and managed.

The senators also want to guarantee transparency over several suggestions to sell the government’s non-performing assets to fund the MIF.

Earlier, Senators Grace Poe and Juan Edgardo Angara aired their support for the recommendation to sell some government properties.

IN BRIEF

Diesel smuggling bid foiled in Tawi-Tawi

ZAMBOANGA CITY—composite team of Marines and policemen has apprehended in Tawi-Tawi two vessels loaded with some 400,000 liters of diesel worth P29.6 million believed to be smuggled from Malaysia.

Brigadier Gen. Romeo Racadio, Joint Task Force (JTF)-Tawi-Tawi commander, said the vessels were caught illegally loading diesel Saturday in Lihiman Island in the municipality of Turtle Islands.

Prior to the apprehensions, Racadio said the police in Turtle I lands received information about the alleged suspicious loading of diesel taking place in Lihiman Island.

Racadio said joint marines and police forces conducted the raid on the foreign boats, Marnia Penang, loading diesel to Jaslyn StacyLegazpi, a Filipino-owned motor tanker.

Investigation showed that Marnia Penang with 16 crewmen sailed from Deojor, Malaysia, to illegally unload 400,000 liters of diesel to Jaslyn Stacy Legazpi, a vessel from Navotas City with a 13-man crew.

Rodrigo Sarol, the boat captain of Jaslyn Stacy Legazpi motor tanker, also told police they linked up with Marnia Penang in Lihiman Island to load the diesel fuel.

Operatives intercept

P1.7-m shabu at NAIA

GOVERNMENT agents assigned at the Ninoy Aquino International Airport have intercepted a shipment of shabu being smuggled into the country from France.

The contraband worth more than P1.7 million reportedly arrived at DHL Cargho Warehouse in Pasay City.

Based on the import manifest, the parcel was declared as “Antique French Phone” but Customs examiners found 255 grams of shabu concealed in an antique telephone assembly.

The parcel shipped by one Bleu Griotte, of Marceau Leandres 17 Grande Rue 69110 Ste Foy Les Lyon, France, is consigned to one Angeline Claire Nacua, a resident of Makati City.

Also recovered from the shipment was one antique French phone containing a black sack.

The Customs - Ninoy Aquino International Airport, with help from the Philippine Drug Enforcement Agency and the NAIA Inter-Agency Drug Interdiction Task Group has strengthened its campaign against smuggling of drugs and other dangerous items.

In 2022, the BOC-NAIA led the task force in intercepting drug shipments worth a total of P451.8 million. There were also 31 drug-related busts in 2019, 43 in 2020, and 57 seizures in 2021. Joel E. Zurbano

Binay cracks down on fixers at city hall

MAKATI Mayor Abigail Binay has ordered the local police force to go after fixers and their cohorts at the city hall.

On Monday, the city government conducted an entrapment operation resulting in the arrest of three suspects, including two city hall employees.

“The city government will not tolerate fixers. We will continue to aggressively implement our antired tape initiatives to ensure that all transactions with the government are done in a transparent and fair manner,” Binay stressed.

The suspects Aisheen Mana-ay, 27, Wilfreda De Leon, 59, and Merlin Balbuena, 46, were arrested in Barangay Poblacion. De Leon works as an administrative assistant while Balbuena is a casual employee under the Makati Health Department’s Sanitary section. Mana-ay works at a private establishment.

Binay said De Leon will no longer receive her benefits following her arrest.

Joel E. Zurbano

His motion ultimately denied, Bantag to file counter-a idavit

THE Department of Justice’s (DOJ) panel of prosecutors has upheld a resolution denying the motion to inhibit it from investigating the two murder complaints filed against suspended Bureau of Corrections (BuCor) Director General Gerald Bantag.

Senior Assistant State Prosecutor Charlie Guhit, a member of the group, revealed that during the hearing held at the DOJ on Tuesday, “the panel issued an order denying the motion for reconsideration filed by respondent Bantag.” With the denial of his motion, Bantag was directed to submit his counter-affidavit on the two murder complaints on or before Feb. 8, the resumption of the preliminary investigation.

Bantag has been named as “principal by inducement” in the deaths of radio commentator Percival “Percy Lapid” Mabasa and inmate Cristito Villamor Palana who was tagged by a self-confessed killer of the broadcaster as his “middleman.”

Guhit warned Bantag that “failure to

submit counter-affidavits will constrain it (the panel) to submit the case for resolution, given the limited period for the conduct of preliminary investigation under the Rules of Court and Revised Manual for Prosecutors, 2017 Edition.”

Percy Lapid’s brother, veteran journalist Roy Mabasa, expressed hopes that Bantag would no longer submit a counter-affidavit on Feb. 8.

“Hopefully, on our side, Bantag would no longer file a counter-affidavit so that the panel will be able to swiftly decide whether there is probable cause to file murder charges in court,” Roy said.

The denied motion for reconsideration was filed by Bantag’s legal counsel, lawyer Rocky Thomas Balisong, before the panel last Jan. 24.

It sought to overturn the Jan. 17 order of the panel that denied Bantag’s motion to have the DOJ prosecutors inhibited from conducting the preliminary investigation of the murder complaints against him. Rey E. Requejo

DOJ: 2 Japanese crime ring members to be deported soon, others to follow

By Rey E. Requejo

Remulla said one of the unwanted Japanese nationals may be deported today, February 1, while another may be shipped out on Friday, February 3.

Remulla indicated however, that completion of the deportation proceedings on the remaining two Japanese in Immigration custody depended on how fast the courts can resolve the pending cases against them.

“Hopefully, we can deport two by the end of this week. But the other two, we

will see how fast we can act on these matters. Because we will look at the cases pending before the different bodies in the other parts of the country,” he said, in a media briefing. He later committed to immediately repatriate those that may be deported.

“But my commitment to everybody is: we will deport who we can deport immediately,” Remulla said.

On Monday, the Japanese Embassy for-

mally requested the Philippine government to deport the four individuals wanted by the law in their country. The embassy declined however, to provide further details, not even the names of the suspects.

Remulla said the Bureau of Immigration eyes to finish the deportation proceedings before President Ferdinand Marcos Jr.’s visit to Japan this February.

“Well, we’re trying to settle the case, to finish these cases prior to the President’s trip so this will not be the focus of media when he goes to Japan because this will be a distraction,” he said.

Remulla also said he was sure that alias Luffy, the alleged mastermind in the series of robberies in Japan, is among the four Japanese suspects.

Meanwhile, the Justice chief said he believes that some of the pending

cases filed against the Japanese nationals were contrived to prevent them from being deported.

According to him, this was because the country cannot deport anyone with a pending criminal case in the Philippines.

Remulla noted that three of the Japanese nationals have pending cases in the cities of Taguig, Pasay, and Bacolod.

“Most of the cases, if not all, involved violence against women and children (VAWC)… but we are under the impression that these cases were invented or are not real cases. They were contrived cases filed against them just to keep them in the Philippines,” he said.

Remulla admitted that the cases of the two nationals have been dismissed. He said one of the cases was filed by a girlfriend of one of the suspects.

House passes LUCs governance bill calling for quality education

By Maricel V. Cruz

THE House of Representatives on Tuesday approved on third and final reading the proposed Local Universities and Colleges (LUCs) Governance Act which provides guidelines on the establishment of new local colleges and the conversion of existing ones into universities to achieve a standard and integrated system of higher education.

With an overwhelming 271 votes on Tuesday, the House of Representatives approved House Bill (HB) No. 6630, which also seeks to provide the appropriate direction in LUCs’ governance, and ensure that they will deliver quality and relevant education to students.

Under the measure, certain mandatory requirements for the establishment of LUCs are provided such as the conduct of a feasibility study that will look into the necessity for a local HEI in the area, the requirements of the industry to determine

the proposed program offerings, target offerings, and financial capacity of the LGU.

The bill also proposes the following requirements: a certification of availability of funds by the Treasurer of the concerned LGU, a project development plan, and a five-year institutional development plan duly approved by the Sanggunian.

In the interest of efficient control and supervision by the CHED, all LUCs existing at the time of the effectivity of the measure, shall be allowed to continue their operation, subject to compliance with the requirements within a non-extendible period of three years. Non-compliance with the requirements of this will result in the phaseout of the programs being offered by the concerned LUCs.

The bill also requires that before a local HEI or Dalubhasaan could be established and operated by an LGU, it must be enacted through an ordinance by the Sanggunian concerned.

DMW to blacklist errant Kuwaiti recruiters in wake of Ranara slay

By Macon Ramos-Araneta

THE Department of Migrant Workers (DMW) on Tuesday said it is looking at blacklisting problematic recruitment agencies in Kuwait following the murder of overseas Filipino worker Julleebee Ranara.

Meanwhile, DMW Secretary Susan Ople said they are set to discuss the

weaknesses in the bilateral labor agreement with their Kuwaiti counterparts.

No definite date of the talks however, has been set.

“We also need to discuss, marami e (so many), actually ‘yung reporting mechanisms, tracking of welfare cases, and the possible whitelisting and blacklisting of recruitment agencies as what we have now in Saudi Arabia. We will explore all possibili-

ties,” Ople said in an interviewwith CNN Philippines.

The DMW has issued an order for the preventive suspension against the employer of slain Ranara.

On January 22, Ranara’s burned body was found in the middle of the desert. She was reportedly raped and impregnated by the 17-year-old suspect, a son of her employer.

The victim was also reportedly beaten and ran

House okays bill granting insurance for ARBs

THE House of Representatives on Tuesday approved on third and final reading a measure that mandates full insurance coverage to farmer-beneficiaries of the Comprehensive Agrarian Reform Program (CARP) in order to provide aid and relief for them in times of natural calamities, pest infestations, or even death.

With an overwhelming 271 votes, the chamber approved House Bill (HB) No. 6680, which consolidated and harmonized HB Nos. 3178 and 3839 introduced by Reps. Ralph Recto and Kristine Singson-Meehan, respectively.

“This measure, if enacted into law, is envisioned to help farmers recover from the adverse effects of circumstances that are beyond

their control, such as natural calamities, the infestation of plant diseases and pests, or even death and injury of the beneficiary,” Speaker Martin Romualdez said.

“This is part of our legislative commitment to ensure food security by helping the hands that feed the nation— our farmers—and make sure they bounce back from any event that may affect their ability to produce the food we have on our tables,” he added.

HB 6680 amends Republic Act No. 6657, as amended by Republic Act No. 9700, otherwise known as the “Comprehensive Agrarian Reform Law of 1988.”

The measure aims to provide immediate financial assistance

to agrarian reform beneficiaries (ARBs) in the event of natural calamities to make their losses more bearable and to mitigate the effects of these occurrences by providing full insurance coverage to these farmers.

Under the approved bill, full insurance coverage is granted to all qualified agrarian reform beneficiaries who are actually tilling the land for compensable losses that are also defined under the measure.

HB 6680 also defined who the qualified agrarian reform beneficiaries are, and they are those mentioned in Section 3(b) of Republic Act No. 10000, otherwise known as the “Agri-Agra Reform Credit Act of 2009.”

over twice by the suspect’s car.

The suspect is now under the custody of the Kuwaiti police.

On Monday, President Ferdinand Marcos Jr. said he wants toknow if there are “weaknesses” in the labor agreement between the Philippines and Kuwait.

He said a bilateral meeting is being scheduled with Kuwait to check the present agreement between the two countries.

JUSTICE

Secretary Crispin Remulla on Tuesday said at least two of the four Japanese nationals suspected as leaders of a crime syndicate in Japan will be deported within the week.

THAT’S THE WAY. President Ferdinand Marcos Jr. seems to indicate the direction for the Department of Social Welfare and Development, which marks its 72nd founding anniversary to move forward. The President also graces the opening of the agency’s newly constructed multi-purpose building in Batasan Hills, Quezon City. Rey S. Baniquet

NEW MARKET DEVELOPMENT. San Juan City Mayor Francis Zamora and Ilocos Norte Gov. Matthew Marcos Manotoc check out various Ilocano products after signing of a memorandum of agreement on the Producers 2 Consumers (P2C) Program of the Ilocos Norte provincial government. The accord opens San Juan City as a new market for Ilocanomade agricultural products pursuant to the P2C program’s vision of helping accredited MSME enterprises and farmers nd new markets across the country. Manny Palmero

PNP set to deploy more cops in schools

THE Philippine National Police (PNP) said it will deploy more police personnel near schools following reports of violence on campuses.

PNP spokesperson Col. Jean Fajardo, quoted by an ABS-CBN report, said field commanders are now tasked with assessing how many policemen to send to some schools and what time to send them there.

The official said more PNP personnel will be visible outside campuses before the start of classes and during dismissal.

PNP chief General Rodolfo Azurin Jr. urged public and private schools to allow the presence of police officers inside their premises as a “crime deterrent” measure even envisioning the increased presence of police officers to prevent acts of bullying among students within and beyond school grounds.

IN BRIEF

Austin visit to strengthen Phil-US pact

THE upcoming visit of United States Defense Secretary Lloyd Austin to the Philippines would strengthen the two nations’ alliance and existing defense agreements, Philippine Ambassador to the US Jose Manuel Romualdez said Tuesday.

Romualdez said Austin is expected to arrive in Manila after a stop in South Korea by Tuesday night or Wednesday morning.

Austin will pay a courtesy call on President Ferdinand R. Marcos Jr. and hold meetings with the Department of National Defense (DND) Secretary Carlito Galvez Jr., Armed Forces of the Philippines chief of staff Gen. Andres Centino, and Foreign Affairs Secretary Enrique Manalo.

“It’s an ongoing relationship that we’ve had with the United States. As President Marcos has pointed out, it’s evolving. So our military alliance, our Mutual Defense Treaty, our Visiting Forces Agreement are obviously part and parcel of that entire relationship that we have with the United States so obviously that visit will reinforce all of these agreements that we have,” Romualdez said in a press conference in Makati.

He, however, deferred to the DND when asked if an agreement on the five additional facilities under the Enhanced Defense Cooperation Agreement (EDCA) would be ripe when the US official arrives in the country. Manila and Washington DC are expected to discuss “speeding up the implementation” of the EDCA during Austin’s trip, the US Department of Defense said in an article dated Jan. 29.

Tolentino bill seeks to abolish PS-DBM

SENATOR Francis Tolentino has filed a bill seeking to abolish the Procurement Service of the Department of Management and Management (PS-DBM) amid a series of controversies hounding the said agency.

Under Tolentino’s Senate Bill No. 1802, “all procurement of goods, including common-use supplies, materials and equipment, and infrastructure projects shall be undertaken by the respective departments, bureaus, offices, agencies, state universities and colleges, government-owned and / or -controlled corporations, and local government units.”

In his explanatory note, Tolentino, who chairs the Senate Blue Ribbon Committee, cited several observations found by the Commission on Audit (COA) in recent years, documenting how the bidding process became disadvantageous to the national government, especially when such procurement process was channeled through the said government agency.

Some of the notices of disallowances issued by state auditors include the unexpended/ unutilized fund transfers totaling P1.976 billion from the Department of Health (DOH) intended for COVID-19 supplies and equipment which remained unremitted to the National Treasury despite the lapse of the validity periods, as well as the anomalous procurement of overpriced laptops public school teachers of the Department of Education (DepEd).

Macon Ramos-Araneta

House OKs renewal of IBC-13 franchise

WITH an overwhelming 272 votes, the House of Representatives on Tuesday approved on third and final reading the measure renewing for another 25 years the franchise granted to Intercontinental Broadcasting Corporation (IBC-13).

House Bill (HB) No. 6505 seeks to renew the franchise granted to IBC-13 under Republic Act 8954, authorizing it “to construct, install, establish, operate and maintain for commercial purposes and in the public interest, radio and television broadcasting stations in the Philippines.”

IBC-13 has five provincial TV stations, with four relay stations, and 11 provincial radio stations.

“The role of broadcasting organization in serving the needs of the public and clients in information, education and entertainment for the Filipino viewers should be given the utmost recognition since the services they perform to all classes of viewers, in general, is beyond qualification,” authors of HB 6505 noted.

Authors of the bill include Reps. Joey Sarte Salceda, Gus S. Tambunting, Shernee A. Tan-Tambut, Kristine Singson-Meehan, Noel “Bong” N. Rivera, and House Majority Leader Manuel Jose “Mannix” M. Dalipe. Maricel V. Cruz

PH to get fresh $600-m loan for COVID recovery

THE Philippines will get a $600-million policy loan from the World Bank for the government’s COVID-19 recovery efforts.

The World Bank said it has approved the loan to assist the country to boost resiliency and the sustainability of its financial sector following the impact of the pandemic.

The program is dubbed the Philippines Second Financial Sector Reform Development Policy Financing, which will support three policy areas —the financial sector; micro, small, and medium enterprises (MSMEs); and climate and disaster risk finance, GMA News

reported.

The latest loan seeks to support reforms on strengthening the legal and institutional framework to improve oversight and integrity, boost crisis management and resolution framework, and improve long-term finance availability.

It will also support the financial sector’s resilience to climate-related shocks through encouraging banks to incorporate sustainability principles into their investment activities, and reforms promoting financial services which utilize digital technologies.

“Policy actions that strengthen the

stability of the financial sector— including banks and insurance companies — will help Filipino families, businesses, and investors withstand financial shocks and enhance their resilience by ensuring that problems in these financial institutions are detected at an early stage without severe disruptions to the economy,”

Ndiamé Diop, World Bank country director for the Philippines, quoted in the GMA News report, said.

The World Bank cited that only 51% of Filipinos aged 15 and above having a transaction account with a financial institution, lower than the 80% regional average in East Asia and the Pacific.

LAST DAY.

Residents of Quezon City troop to SM North Edsa on the last day of the Commission on Elections registration for this year’s Barangay and Sangguniang Kabataan Elections. Manny Palmero

Maritime expert warns PH of China’s political ‘warfare’

By Rey E. Requejo

A MARITIME security expert has warned the Philippine government about China’s political warfare, which involves coopting key officials of the Department of National Defense (DND), senior officers of the Armed Forces of the Philippines (AFP), and other government officials to establish a secure foothold in the Philippines at the expense of the country’s maritime interests.

Retired Rear Admiral Rommel Jude Ong made the warning in a closed-door

forum organized by the Stratbase ADR Institute on Tuesday, where the strategic position of the Philippines in the geopolitics of the Indo-Pacific was discussed.

“Former President Duterte’s pivot to China did not gain traction because of the pushback from the DND and the Navy. Beijing realized this, which explains why the CCP (Chinese Communist Party) is pushing President Marcos Jr. to set up talks with the AFP and to strengthen defense cooperation between the two countries,” Ong said in his study.

Speaker calls for closer US-PH ties

By Maricel V. Cruz

SPEAKER Martin G. Romualdez on Tuesday afternoon called for closer economic ties with the United States to capitalize on the Philippines’ recordbreaking economic growth in 2022 amid a gloomy global outlook.

Romualdez aired the call when he spoke before a luncheon caucus of the US-Philippines Society – whose membership includes top US business leaders and former government officials held at the Manila Peninsula Hotel in Makati.

“I am hoping today’s dialogue will help us identify more areas of cooperation to assist us in this mission. I am confident that the long and extensive relationship between the United States and the Philippines will continue

to bring economic gains that are beneficial for peoples of both countries,” Romualdez said.

“The US and the Philippines have a long history of collaboration and cooperation when it comes to global issues. From trade and investment to security and defense, our countries have shown that much can be achieved if we continue working together,” he added.

Prior to his call for increased economic ties with the US, Romualdez gave a short overview of the Legislative Agenda of the Philippines’ 19th Congress, and how President Ferdinand Marcos Jr.’s “Agenda for Prosperity” is responsible for the country’s record-high Gross Domestic Product growth of 7.6%, the fastest recorded since 1976.

“The Chinese embassy fired the operating salvo by hosting an alumni event for AFP officers trained in China. Referencing the Chinese playbook on influence operations, in their mind, the only way they can establish a secure foothold in the country Is by coopting key officials of the DND and senior officers in the AFP,” he added.

Ong’s warning came amid a recently reported incident, where a Chinese Coast Guard vessel drove away a Filipino fishing boat in Ayungin Shoal on January 9, just several days after President Ferdinand Marcos Jr’s state visit to China.

Earlier reports said a 13-year-old student was stabbed to death by his classmate at Culiat High School in Quezon City last Jan. 20. Recently, a 12-year-old student accidentally shot himself with his father’s gun, which he brought to school in San Jose del Monte, Bulacan.

The Commission on Human Rights (CHR) meanwhile raised concerns over the reported violent incidents in schools, following the said stabbing and shooting incidents.

“While we acknowledge the intent of the PNP in protecting the welfare of the students, CHR underscores the need to uphold the best interest of child in these instances — consistent with the Philippine government’s obligations as a signatory to the Convention on the Rights of the Child and as embodied in our domestic laws — and seek balance in upholding safety in educational institutions by further studying the implications of this proposal,” the CHR said. cited.

BOC intercepts smuggled onions worth P18.6m

By Vito Barcelo

THE Bureau of Customs (BOC) seized smuggled red onions worth P18.6 million in Brgy. Ayala, Zamboanga City.

The BOC intercepted 5,611 mesh bags of imported red onions with an estimated market value of P8.5 million and 2,249 mesh bags of imported white onions valued at P10.1 million during a maritime patrol operation.

In a press statement, the contrabands were loaded in a sea vessel “MV Princess Nurdisza,” which came from Taganak, Tawi-Tawi bound for Brgy. Baliwasan in Zamboanga City.

The onions were ordered seized after its crew failed to provide a Sanitary and Phytosanitary Import Clearance from the Department of Agriculture (DA)-Bureau of Plant Industry for the goods in violation of Section 1401 of Republic Act (R.A.) 10863, known as the “Customs Modernization and Tariff Act of 2016”, concerning R.A. 10845 or the “Anti-Agricultural Smuggling Act of 2016.”

The onions were transported to the Department of Agriculture’s (DA) Research Center in Barangay Talisayan, Zamboanga City, for safekeeping. District Collector Segundo Sigmundfreud Z. Barte, Jr. reported that this apprehension is the third successful seizure of imported onions this week, after the January 22 and 23 operations.

WARM WELCOME. House Speaker Ferdinand Martin G. Romualdez (center), Tingog Partylist Rep. Jude Acidre (3rd from right seated) and Sorsogon 2nd District Rep. WoWo Fortes (4th from left seated) welcome to the House of Representatives government officials from Sorsogon Province. Ver Noveno

AN APPEAL TO JAPAN. Two ‘comfort women,’ accompanied by Teresita Ang See, convenor of the Flowers for the Lolas Campaign, went to the Japanese Embassy in Pasay City to deliver flowers and a statement urging Japan to acknowledge its war crimes against Asian nations. Danny Pata

Stop delaying the SOGIE bill at the Senate

It protects all Filipinos regardless of their gender identity, including cisgender heterosexual (cishet or straight). Everyone will benefit from the bill.

WORD is there are attempts made by a certain senator to delay the reading of Senate Bill 1600, the proposed Sexual Orientation, Gender Identity and Expression, and Sex Characteristics (SOGIESC) Equality Act.

Last December, two Senate committees— the Committee on Women, Children, Family Relations and Gender Equality and the Committee on Finance—wfiled a report on the bill, signed by 19 senators including the bill’s advocate, Sen. Risa Hontiveros.

The five other senators expressed their reservations about the proposed law.

There have been various versions of the SOGIE bill in the Senate since January 2000. It’s been 23 years, but still the bill has not found enough support to pass. If the SOGIE bill were human, it would be graduating from college this year.

It is downright inhuman that some perhaps fanatically religious and certainly closeminded people who happen to unfortunately be in positions of authority are blocking the bill that will benefit the many gay and queer Filipinos.

The Festival is a multi-arts celebration of not only literature but other art forms such as dance, theater, music, and visual arts

While I can find no estimates as to the size of the LGBTQIA community, the 2002 Young Adult Fertility and Sexuality Survey found that 11 percent of sexually active Filipinos between the ages of 15 and 24 have had sex with someone of the same sex. The study does not include other age groups, so it can be surmised just how many Filipinos have actually experienced or are practicing this.

While some of the same-sex sexual activity is experimentation, especially in the younger age ranges, yet this activity is related to queerness and the fluidity of sexual identity.

Times are changing and strict cisgender roles are no longer written in stone, particularly for the millennials and Gen Z who are the generations more attuned to and accepting of lifestyles not considered traditional.

Why should the huge LGBTQ sector in the Philippines continue to have their rights and safety be held hostage by these individuals in the Senate?

The House of Representatives has passed their version of the bill. And to think there are more congresspersons than there are senators.

That means these five holdouts must be made of some pretty powerful stuff to have their antediluvian agendas hold sway over the Senate, which is supposed to support the interests of all Filipinos.

The bill, in case people have been misinformed, is not about same sex marriage. All it does is protect against discrimination and violence based on people’s SOGIE identity. The bill is not only for the LGBTQIA, but for everyone.

It prohibits and punishes discriminatory practices on the basis of a person’s SOGIESC, such as refusing admission to or expelling a person from a school, refusing them emergency and necessary health services, imposing disciplinary sanctions that are harsher than customary that infringe on the rights of students, and refusing or revoking accreditation of organizations, groups, political parties, or institutions, among others.

What do its detractors say?

One of the common arguments against the bill is that it espouses a culture that is not Filipino.

As Sen. Joel Villanueva said in a news briefing in 2019, “Ang kultura ng Pilipino ay sapat para maging great nation ang Pilipinas. Bakit kailangan pa nating umimport ng template from Western countries just to drastically change the system ng ating bansa?”

Actually, protecting the rights of and uplifting the LGBTQIA community is not a move toward a foreign culture.

It is in fact a return to pre-Hispanic culture, where the babaylan, who were women and gender-fluid and gay men, held positions of authority and power as wisdom bearers and shamans.

Indigenous mythologies include the transgender deity Lakapati, who presided over fertility and the harvest, and homosexual gods such as Bulan of the moon, who was said to be the lover of the male god of death Sidapa.

The SOGIE bill is long overdue.

Kudos to Hontiveros and the 18 other senators who support this bill. Boo and cries of “shame!” to the other five who refuse to see reason and logic about human rights being applicable to everyone, regardless of gender identity.

I hope they see just how important this is.

To pass this bill sends a message that the Philippines recognizes human rights, and protects and supports all Filipinos.

Don’t let it take another 23 years to bring the country out of its colonial past into the modern age.

* * *

The Cultural Center of the Philippines Intertextual Division, headed by writer and copyright advocate Beverly Wico Siy, invites everyone to participate in the Pasinaya 2023 literature program.

After three years of being held online, the Pasinaya Festival will now be conducted face-to-face from Feb. 3-5.

There will be workshops, performances, film screenings, exhibitions, and art market, and other activities, to take place at the CCP complex and selected museums in Metro Manila.

For the Pasinaya literature program on Feb. 4, literary workshops (storytelling, short stories, plays, and others) will be held, along with literary performances such as poetry readings and storytelling sessions.

On Feb. 5, a literary performance and conference will take place. Tickets are at P50 as the “suggested donation for every session.”

The Pasinaya literature program 2023 aims to showcase different ways of staging literature, and to promote a book reading culture.

The Festival is a multi-arts celebration of not only literature but other art forms such as dance, theater, music, and visual arts. Check out the CCP website and Facebook page, as well as the CCP Intertextual Division’s FB page, for more details about the event.

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

Watching nervously

THE world continues to be on tenterhooks following reports that Russian forces have fired yet again dozens of missiles at Ukraine in a ferocious wave of strikes targeting energy infrastructure.

That, only a day after Germany and the United States pledged to send modern tanks to Kyiv. Ukrainian civilians raced for cover with a barrage of missiles and drones, killing at least 11 people, after Moscow reacted with fury to the German and American announcements although Ukraine has said all drones and most missiles were shot down.

Ukraine’s president Volodymir Zelensky has hailed the tank pledges as “fist of freedom” following the invasion of his country in February last year by Russian troops. Ukraine said it had shot down all 24 drones sent overnight by Russia, including 15 around the capital, and 47 of 55 Russian missiles -- some fired from Tu-95 strategic bombers in the Russian Arctic. Air raid alarms had sounded across Ukraine as people headed to work. In the capital, crowds took cover for a time in underground metro stations. A 70-year-old woman who gave her name only as Valentyna said she managed to survive by scrambling out of her damaged house over glass splinters. “Everything was in rubble,” she said.

Prime Minister Denys Shmyhal said electricity substations had been hit as Russia continued to target energy facilities.

In the meanwhile, countries west and east of Ukraine have their eyes and ears on the war zone, which has triggered several crises that include rising cost of petrol

The Kremlin said it saw the promised delivery of Western tanks as evidence of growing “direct involvement” of the United States and Europe in the 11-month-old war, a statement both countries deny.

Ukraine’s largest private energy producer had said it was conducting pre-emptive emergency shutdowns in Kyiv, the surrounding region and the regions of Odesa and Dnipropetrovsk.

In Odesa, the Black Sea port designated a

Garbage crisis in the city

METRO Manila spews out tons of garbage in any given day, and it is up to local government units to perform the job of regular and efficient garbage disposal to keep our surroundings clean and green. But what if LGUs come up short in providing this important function, with city residents left to fend for themselves as tons of smelly uncollected trash assault the nostrils and send us reeling from the big stink?

Over in Parañaque City, we’ve been told, concerned citizens are urging members of the city council to conduct another public hearing on the P414-million contract awarded to a new private garbage hauler that reportedly did not have the proper permit when it took part in the bidding.

Barangay officials have informed Parañaque Vice Mayor Joan Villafuerte that tons of garbage remained uncollected in their respective areas for almost a month now despite promises from Metrowaste Solid Waste Management Corp., the new garbage contractor.

Parañaque Mayor Eric Olivarez awarded the contract to Metrowaste last December 27 with a contract price of P400,000, higher than that offered by the previous contractor, Leonel Waste Management Corp.

Last January 24, the city council started a probe of the controversial P414-million contract the city mayor entered into with an apparently inexperienced trash collector.

Two councillors, namely Marvin Santos, chair of the rules and oversight committee, and Jomari Yllana, chair of the committee on environment, natural resources and waste management, led the inquiry. Villafuerte expressed concern over the manner Olivarez entered into a garbage collection deal without consulting the 18-member city council.

She said Olivarez violated Sec. 22 (c) of the Local Government Code (Corporate Powers):

“Unless otherwise provided in the code, no contract may be entered into by the local chief executive in behalf of the local government unit without prior authorization by the Sanggunian.”

Meantime, an official of a homeowner’s association in Barangay Don Bosco told members of the city council a public hearing should be conducted because Metrowaste had no business

permit when they participated in the bidding last December 22.

The resident, who preferred to remain anonymous for fear of reprisal, disclosed that Metrowaste failed again to secure a city business permit when Olivarez signed the multi-million contract last December 27.

At the time, the 2022 contract with Leonel had not yet lapsed as it was supposed to end only on December 31.

It was learned that Leonel did not participate in the bidding on December 22, for unknown reasons, leaving Metrowaste as the lone bidder.

The new garbage hauler from Pasig City only secured their business permit last December 29, two days after the contract was awarded by Olivarez, according to the resident from Barangay Don Bosco.

The UNICEF stressed the need for the country to ‘harness the potential’ of early childhood education

The business permit is a key document that allows a business enterprise to legally operate in the area where it is registered. It is considered the license to operate within a specific area.

The experience with Metrowaste was the diametrical opposite of that with Leonel, residents from Barangay San Dionisio explained.

“Metrowaste has failed to comply with the new garbage collection schedule that was released to the public. There are plenty of areas where the big trucks could not enter the small streets.”

City councilors who conducted the first hearing said Metrowaste performance has been sub-par since the new garbage contractor failed to fulfil its promise of “zero backlog” garbage by January 19.

The judiciary’s battle cries: Efficiency, innovation, access

THE Manila Overseas Press Club chaired by me hosted the Judiciary Night on Jan. 27, Friday, with Supreme Court Chief Justice Alexander G. Gesmundo as guest of honor and speaker. He gave us the Judiciary’s vision in the next five years.

MOPC had 250 guests for the invitation-only gala event and they included luminaries in law, media, business, and the professions.

“Both media and the Judiciary occupy an important place in the democratic firmament of the country. Both serve as a check on government power,” the Chief began his 35-minute speech. Gesmundo noted: “The Judiciary interprets the law, ensures that the executive and the legislative departments act within the bounds of law, protects the rights and freedoms of the citizens, and ensures that the rule of law is upheld, while media provides the people with information and serves as a platform for public discourse.

“It fosters public debate, enables the people to reach an informed decision on issues, and serves as a watchdog on government abuse. Both must depend solely on truth for the effective discharge of their functions.

“Media, as an institution, may be viewed as dynamic and progressive, and the Judiciary perceived as conservative and traditional, both similarly had to face the challenges of modern times and, in their respective ways, cope and respond to changing public demands and expectations”

He explained: “The Supreme Court is the visible embodiment of the Philippine Judiciary – one of the co-equal branches of the national government.

“It supervises all lower courts in the country and exercises administrative disciplinary powers over them. True enough, having existed for 121 years, it is an institution steeped in formalistic tradition.”

However, “the digital age has arrived and it has altered not only the landscape of our professions, but also the needs of the people we serve. And in order for us to continue to be relevant in our role in a democratic society, we need to reassess our age-old practices and traditions.”

Comes in the Supreme Court’s Strategic Plan for Judicial Innovations 2022-2027 or SPJI, which the Supreme Court launched late last year.

This institutional blueprint for judicial reforms has, as its overarching goal, the delivery of responsive and real-time justice.

The Chief Justice explained: “The SPJI is a plan powered by an Innovation Agenda to review and assess the organizational structure and operations of the various offices of the Judiciary, and to develop and establish an information and communication technology infrastructure for the Philippine Judiciary.

“It is a plan anchored on four guiding principles: Timely and Fair Justice, Transparent and Accountable Justice, Equal and Inclusive Justice, and Technologically Adaptive Management. These principles will propel us towards achieving three outcomes: Efficiency, innovation, and access.”

Excerpts from Chief Justice Gesmundo’s speech:

Under efficiency, “court systems, both adjudicative and administrative shall be streamlined and performance of Justices, Judges, and court officials and personnel shall be effectively monitored and evaluated. We will undertake a judiciary-wide organizational review and restructuring to guide our policy directions.”

“To drive performance excellence, we will institutionalize a socialized health insurance system for officials and employees, and mandate

subsidized annual physical and mental health examinations for everyone. Mental Health Units will also be established in all court levels and in our offices.”

For the women in court operations, “we will strengthen and multiply the child-minding centers throughout our courts.” “We will also step up our campaign to reinforce their ethical responsibility through the revision of the Code of Professional Responsibility under a Campaign for Ethical Responsibility.”

Launched last year, the Ethics Caravan aims to inform and consult members of the bar from every region of the country about the proposed amendments to the CPR “to ensure that the new Code of Professional Responsibility and Accountability will not be a moral edifice incapable of real-world application but a product of a broader consensus on what it means to be an ethical Filipino lawyer.” The Ethics Caravan has reached Manila, after

coming from Cebu, Davao, Baguio, and Naga.

“We will also review and update the Code of Judicial Conduct. Recently, we have revised Rule 140 of the Rules of Court on the discipline of members, officials, employees, and personnel of the Judiciary.”

Under innovation, “we will shift and run all our adjudicative and administrative processes to digitalized platforms using the most appropriate and secure technologies, including artificial intelligence for legal research and court operations.

“Our trial courts will continue to transform as electronic courts using the much improved eCourt system version 2. All of these and more will be part of the Judiciary Enterprise ICT Governance Framework, which will be accompanied by a 5-year ICT Plan.”

Meanwhile, “remote appearances and testimonies in court proceedings from individuals within and outside the country have been allowed.

…In line with our thrust towards a technologydriven Judiciary, to allow the conduct of all court proceedings through videoconferencing even after the end of the global crisis.

“At the moment, we are using the platform Philippine Judiciary 365, which allowed our continued administration of justice despite the pandemic.”

Last year, “we conducted the first ever localized and digitized bar examinations. In line with our Strategic Plan’s drive towards running all the judiciary’s adjudicative and administrative systems digitally, we have decided to pursue the conduct of all succeeding bar examinations in a digitized format.”

In March 2021, the Supreme Court signed an agreement with Union Bank to develop

“World Heritage in Danger” site on Wednesday by the UN cultural agency UNESCO, Russian missiles damaged energy facilities, according to authorities, just as French Foreign Minister Catherine Colonna was arriving. Colonna was due to meet her Ukrainian counterpart, Dmytro Kuleba, to discuss humanitarian and military aid and potentially whether France might join its NATO allies in supplying Ukraine with battle tanks, in this case its own Leclerc model.

Both Moscow and Kyiv, which have so far relied on Soviet-era T-72 tanks, are expected to mount new ground offensives in spring.

Ukraine has been asking for hundreds of modern tanks in the hope of using them to break Russian defensive lines and recapture occupied territory in the south and east. Zelensky has said the key now is speed and volumes. “Speed in training our forces, speed in supplying tanks to Ukraine. The numbers in tank support,” He added “We have to form such a ‘tank fist,’ such a ‘fist of freedom’.”

He has maintained a rat-a-tat of requests, saying he had spoken to NATO Secretary General Jens Stoltenberg and asked for long-range missiles and aircraft.

Ukraine’s allies have already provided billions of dollars in military aid, including sophisticated US missile systems that have helped turn the tide of the war.

In the meanwhile, countries west and east of Ukraine have their eyes and ears on the war zone, which has triggered several crises that include rising cost of petrol.

The councilors said their offices have been flooded with complaints from residents that the new garbage collector is incompetent despite being paid millions of pesos by the city government. So how will the city mayor deal with this garbage crisis?

Education crisis

Meanwhile, there’s another crisis in our midst, and it’s in education.

We wrote recently about three World Bankfunded studies that showed Philippine basic education in distress.

Proof? One in every four Grade 5 students does not have the reading and mathematics skills for Grade 2 or 3, and four in every five 15-yearold students do not understand basic mathematical concepts that should be mastered by fifth graders.

The international lending institution’s bleak assessment of basic education in this country is also validated by another study, this time by the United Nations Children’s Fund (UNICEF).

The agency found that most Grade 5 students in the Philippines and its poorer neighbors do not have the minimum reading and mathematical skills expected at the end of primary education. Grade 5 students in the Philippines received an average score of 288 in reading assessment, behind Vietnam (336), Malaysia (319), Myanmar (292) and Cambodia (290).

The Philippines was ahead only of Laos, where students got an average score of 275.

The average score of Filipino Grade 5 students in mathematics assessment was also 288, indicating that they can generally apply number properties and units of measurement, but only 17 percent had the ability to perform mathematical operations, including fractions, and interpret tables and graphs. Based on these findings, the UNICEF stressed the need for the country to “harness the potential” of early childhood education (ECE).

Our question: Is our Department of Education listening?

(Email: ernhil@yahoo.com)

an ePayment Solution for the Judiciary.

“Subsequently, we launched the Judiciary ePayment for Small Claims which is aimed at streamlining the processes of assessment and payment of court fees, increasing accessibility of the public to judicial services, increasing transparency and accountability, and providing the Supreme Court with efficient accounting and auditing mechanisms.”

Under innovation “is the revision of the Rules of Procedure. We have recently reorganized the technical working groups to review the writs of Kalikasan and continuing mandamus, and the writs of amparo and habeas data. Also, a compilation and revision of all the Rules on Pleadings, Practice and Procedure will be the capstone project under this objective.”

Under access, “we will work towards bringing our services faster, closer, and more efficiently to the people. We will start with enhancing public access to information and legal services by strengthening our legal initiatives.”

Last year, the SC conducted a National Summit on Legal Aid which showcased its 2- pronged approach of revitalizing the Integrated Bar’s legal aid program and reinforcing the Clinical Legal Education Program or CLEP under its Revised Rule 138-A.

To enhance CLEP, in December, the SC participated in the Legal Education Board National Summit on Clinical Legal Education. More in our next column. biznewsasia@gmail.com

MOPC had 250 guests for the invitationonly gala event and they included luminaries in law, media, business, and the professions

Over 80 killed in mosque blast

PAKISTAN AUTHORITIES SAY AT LEAST 150 MORE WOUNDED

BODIES were still being pulled Tuesday from the wreckage of a mosque blast that targeted police officers in northwestern Pakistan, killing more than 80 people and wounding 150 more.

The attack happened Monday during afternoon worship in the provincial capital of Peshawar, close to areas along the Afghan border where militancy has been steadily rising.

Overnight, at least nine bodies were recovered as rescuers sifted through the rubble of the mosque’s collapsed wall and roof.

“This morning we are going to remove the last part of the collapsed roof so we can recover more bodies, but we are not hopeful of reaching any survivors,” Bilal Ahmad Faizi, a spokesperson for the rescue organisation 1122, told AFP.

Muhammad Asim Khan, a spokesman for the main hospital in Peshawar, told AFP that 83 people had been killed, with the death toll rising as more bodies arrived from the scene.

At least 20 of the slain police officers were later buried after a prayer ceremony, with coffins lined up in rows and draped in the Pakistan flag.

They were laid to rest with a guard of honour, a police official told AFP.

Shahid Ali, a policeman who survived, said the explosion took place seconds after the imam started prayers.

“I saw black smoke rising to the sky. I ran out to save my life,” the 47-yearold told AFP.

No group has yet claimed responsibility for the attack, amid a worsening

security situation in the country.

The police headquarters in Peshawar is in one of the most tightly controlled areas of the city, housing intelligence and counter-terrorism bureaus, and is next door to the regional secretariat.

Provinces around the country announced they were on high alert after the blast, with checkpoints ramped up and extra security forces deployed, while in the capital Islamabad, snipers

Myanmar junta plans elections, raising fears of more bloodshed

TWO years after a coup snuffed out Myanmar’s short-lived democratic experiment, the country’s military is planning elections that analysts warn could spark further bloodshed as opposition to junta rule rages on.

Observers also say the planned poll cannot be free and fair under the present circumstances, with one analyst characterising it as a mere “performance” aimed at justifying the junta’s hold on power.

Allegations of voter fraud in the last election in November 2020 – won resoundingly by democracy figurehead Aung San Suu Kyi’s party – were the army’s excuse for seizing power on February 1, 2021.

Biden rejects F-16 jets for Ukraine use

PRESIDENT Joe Biden said Monday the United States would not provide F-16 fighter jets to Ukraine, as Kyiv expands the list of weaponry it needs to be better able to drive Russian forces from occupied territories.

Fighting continued at key points along the long front as Russian forces sought to expand their hold on territory in the Donetsk region of eastern Ukraine.

The Kremlin-appointed Donetsk leader, Denis Pushilin, claimed Russian forces were advancing near Vugledar, a strategically valuable town southwest of Donetsk city.

“Now we can say that units have established positions in the eastern part of Vugledar, and work is also being carried out in the vicinity,” Pushilin said, according to Russian news agencies.

But Kyiv rejected the claim, while conceding that the fighting there was tough.

“There are constant attempts to break through our defence,” Ukraine’s President Volodymyr Zelensky said late Sunday.

“The enemy... maintains a high intensity of attack.”

were deployed on buildings and at city entrance points.

“Terrorists want to create fear by targeting those who perform the duty of defending Pakistan,” Prime Minister Shehbaz Sharif said in a statement.

The drastic security breach came on the day United Arab Emirates (UAE) President Mohamed bin Zayed Al Nahyan had been due to visit Islamabad, although the trip was cancelled at

the last minute due to bad weather.

Pakistan is also preparing to host an International Monetary Fund (IMF) delegation on Tuesday as it works towards unlocking a vital bailout loan to prevent a looming default.

UN Secretary-General Antonio Guterres on Monday condemned the blast as “abhorrent,” and US Secretary of State Antony Blinken extended his condolences for the “horrific attack.” AFP

Last week, Western countries including the United States and Germany approved the delivery of heavy battle tanks to Ukraine.

The move is a departure from a previous position that tanks were considered a step too far in their support for Ukraine and could risk a widening backlash from Russia.

But Biden on Monday appeared to draw the line on supplying American fighter jets to Ukraine. AFP

NATO

Though the claims were never substantiated, the generals arrested Suu Kyi and other top civilian leaders in a series of pre-dawn raids.

With the political opposition now decimated, and the junta buttressed by tacit backing from close allies Russia and China, the military is expected to hold a new election later this year – no later than August, according to the constitution.

But with resistance raging from the hilly jungles of the borderlands to the plains of the army’s traditional recruiting grounds, people across swathes of the country will be unlikely to vote – and run the risk of reprisals if they do. AFP

YELLOW BLACK

IN BRIEF

US, Sokor defense chiefs vow more drills to counter N. Korea

US DEFENSE Secretary Lloyd Austin met his counterpart in Seoul on Tuesday, pledging to beef up joint drills and security cooperation as South Korea seeks nuclear reassurances in the face of growing North Korean threats.

Seoul is eager to convince its increasingly nervous public of America’s so-called extended deterrence commitments, after a year in which North Korea declared itself an “irreversible” nuclear power and conducted a banned weapons test almost every month.

Austin and South Korean Defense Minister Lee Jongsup agreed to “expand and bolster the level and scale” of joint military exercises, in light of “continued provocations” from Pyongyang, including a recent drone incursion, they said in a statement.

Military tensions on the Korean peninsula intensified sharply in 2022 as the North conducted a record-breaking number of weapons tests, including firing its most advanced intercontinental ballistic missile.

Pyongyang sent five drones across the border on December 26, the first such incident in five years, prompting Seoul to scramble warplanes. AFP

China angered by new Czech president’s Taiwan phone call

CHINA criticized Czech president-elect Petr Pavel on Tuesday for holding a telephone call with Taiwan’s president and foreign minister the day before.

Beijing is trying to keep Taiwan isolated on the world stage and opposes countries having official exchanges with Taipei. It claims self-ruled, democratic Taiwan as part of its territory to be seized one day, by force if necessary.

“Pavel... trampled on China’s red line,” said Chinese foreign ministry spokeswoman Mao Ning.

“This severely interferes in China’s internal affairs and has hurt the feelings of the Chinese people,” she added. Beijing has urged Prague to “immediately take effective measures to eliminate the negative impact of this incident and avoid irreparable damage being sustained to ChinaCzech relations,” Mao said.

Pavel, who won the presidential election on Saturday, will replace pro-Chinese incumbent Milos Zeman on March 9.

FATALITIES. Rescue workers carry the remains of the blast victims from the debris of a damaged mosque after a blast inside the police headquarters in Peshawar, Pakistan on January 30, 2023. AFP

TOUGH POSE.

Secretary General Jens Stoltenberg gets into the cockpit of an F-2 fighter plane during an inspection at the Japanese Air SelfDefense Force Iruma Air Base in Sayama, Saitama Prefecture on January 31, 2023. AFP

Stocks sink ahead of Fed policy decision

By Jenniffer B. Austria

STOCKS fell for a second day following a big selloff on Wall Street ahead of a key Federal Reserve policy decision later in the week and on projections of slower corporate earnings growth this year.

The PSE index, the 30-company benchmark, tumbled 177 points, or 2.55 percent, to close at 6,793.25 Tuesday, as all six subsectors declined, with mining and oil showing the biggest loss.

The broader all-share index also lost 69 points, or 1.90 percent, to settle at 3,590.40, on a value turnover of P11.27

PSEi January 31, 2023

TOP GAINERS

billion. Losers overwhelmed gainers, 147 to 50, while 27 issues were unchanged.

All ten most active stocks ended in the red, with PLDT Inc. going down 6.09 percent to P1,342.00 and DMCI Holdings Inc. dropping 5.98 percent to P11.00.

A leading online stock brokerage said

TOP LOSERS

MOST ACTIVE

that revenge spending, which boosted profits of many listed companies in 2022, would likely dissipate this year, leading to possible slowdown in corporate earnings growth.

COL Financial chief equity strategist April Lee-Tan said in a press briefing corporate earnings growth could slow down to 13 percent in 2023 from 26 percent in 2022. Tan said that aside from the high-base effect, the threats of higher prices and interest rates could eventually hurt consumer spending growth. She said while there was also pessimism in the market because of rising commodity prices last year, this was offset by revenge spending angle

as people wanted to go out after having been deprived of mobility for two years.

“Potentially revenge spending will end this year. That is why we really need to address the issue of higher inflation,” Tan said.

COL Financial, however, expects the stock market index to reach 7,500 to 8,250 towards the end of this year’s trading. Tan said the market was anticipating the US Fed and the Bangko Sentral ng Pilipinas to start cutting rates which could lead to lower bond rates and weaker dollar.

Expectations the US would avoid a “hard landing” and foreign funds returning to emerging markets including

IMF lifts 2023 growth forecast after China’s reopening

WASHINGT0N—Global growth is set to be higher than expected this year, the IMF said Monday, raising its forecast on surprisingly strong consumption and investment while China’s lifting of zero-Covid restrictions provides another boost.

World growth has been bogged down by fallout from Russia’s invasion of Ukraine last year, economic downturns and efforts to rein in spiraling costs of living.

Against this backdrop, the International Monetary Fund expects the global economy to expand 2.9 percent this year, slowing from 2022 to a rate that remains weak by historical standards.

But “adverse risks have moderated” since last October’s forecast, said the IMF in the latest update to its World Economic Outlook report.

“The year ahead will still be challenging... but it could well represent a

China factory output recovers following zero- COVID relaxation

BEIJING—China’s factory activity expanded in January after months of contraction, official data showed Tuesday, as the world’s second-largest economy stirs back to life after Beijing ended strict Covid curbs.

The Asian giant posted just three percent growth last year as its economy was hammered by stringent lockdowns and a deepening crisis in the key property sector.

But it is now showing signs of a rebound, with a key gauge of factory output rising this month and the International Monetary Fund (IMF) upgrading its 2023 growth forecast to 5.2 percent.

Pandemic prevention measures have “entered a new stage” that is allowing “a gradual return” to normal life, National Bureau of Statistics (NBS) statistician Zhao Qinghe said in a statement.

He added that the official manufacturing purchasing managers’ index (PMI) rose to 50.1 this month, from 47.0 in December -- the first time since September the index has been above the 50 point mark which indicates growth.

The non-manufacturing PMI, which includes the services and construction sector, rose to 54.4 in January, well above the 52 points forecast by economists surveyed by Bloomberg.

Authorities have said the soaring virus case numbers that accompanied China’s reopening have now passed their peak, with a travel surge prompted by the country’s biggest Lunar New Year holiday in years offering a muchneeded boost to business.

“The official PMIs add to evidence of a rapid rebound in economic activity this month as disruption from the reopening wave faded,” Sheana Yue, China economist at Capital Economics, said in a note.

“More shoppers returned to the street boosting services activity while easing labor shortages supported industry,” Yue said.

“And with zero-Covid in the rearview mirror, the recovery should remain robust in the near-term.”

Adding to the good news, IMF chief economist Pierre-Olivier Gourinchas told reporters that pent-up demand accumulated during three years of strict pandemic controls would feed into a fast rebound in the country’s economic activity.

The country has in the past contributed up to 40 percent of global growth, IMF chief Kristalina Georgieva previously noted.

But deep-seated issues in China’s economy remain, with problems in the property industry still weighing on growth.

The sector, which along with construction accounts for more than a quarter of China’s GDP, has been hit hard since Beijing started cracking down on excessive borrowing and rampant speculation in 2020.

“Fundamentally, Beijing appears unwilling to do much more beyond lifting zero-Covid to buoy growth,” Houze Song, a fellow at the MacroPolo think tank, said. AFP

turning point with growth bottoming out and inflation declining,” IMF chief economist Pierre-Olivier Gourinchas told reporters.

In particular, the IMF sees Germany and Italy avoiding recessions this year, shifting from earlier predictions, as European growth proved “more resilient than expected” despite shocks from war in Ukraine.

And the fund does not expect global GDP to shrink, with Gourinchas noting “we’re well away from any sort of global recession marker.”

While the outlook has not worsened this time around, there are still challenges to overcome to reach sustainable recovery, he said.

Surprising resilience

Most advanced economies are expected to slow this year, driving the global growth decline, said the IMF. Yet, many countries have shown sur-

prising resilience.

“The forecast of low growth in 2023 reflects the rise in central bank rates to fight inflation -- especially in advanced economies -- as well as the war in Ukraine,” the IMF said.

But although US growth is projected to fall to 1.4 percent in 2023 and euro area growth is set to slump to 0.7 percent, both figures reflect upward revisions from last October.

“Economic growth proved surprisingly resilient in the third quarter of last year, with strong labor markets, robust household consumption, and also business investment,” said Gourinchas.

Countries adapted better than expected to the energy crisis in Europe too, he added, with the region seeing lowerthan-anticipated gas prices and having enough resources to make shortages unlikely this winter. AFP

the Philippines were expected to boost investor sentiments, she said.

“Philippines is seen to benefit from fund flows into emerging markets due to a weak dollar, relatively stronger fundamentals, underperformance or cheaper valuations, underinvestment by foreign investors and China’s reopening with expectations of more stimulus,” Tan said.

Tan said the local equities market remained attractive because of cheap valuations. She said most stocks were still trading below their 10-year average. However, there are also risks to market’s strong performance, particularly if the Fed would not cut rates, she said.

IMF grants $4.7-b loan package to help Bangladesh

DHAKA—The International Monetary Fund has signed off on a $4.7 billion support loan package for Bangladesh to help it cope with soaring energy and food costs that have sparked huge protests.

Bangladesh and other South Asian countries dependent on fossil fuel imports were hit hard by sharp costof-living increases following Russia’s invasion of Ukraine.

Nationwide blackouts of up to 13 hours a day hit the electricity grid last year and the government extended food relief for households unable to afford rice and other staples.

The IMF package makes $476 million immediately available to the government but commits it to tax hikes and bringing down the number of bad loans in the banking sector.

“Multiple shocks have made macroeconomic management challenging in Bangladesh,” the lender’s active chair Antoinette Sayeh said in a statement released on Tuesday. “Authorities need to accelerate their ambitious reform agenda to achieve a more resilient, inclusive, and sustainable growth,” she said.

Bangladesh plans to use the IMF loan to prop up its foreign exchange reserves, which have nosedived from $46 billion to $34 billion.

The local currency has depreciated around 25 percent against the US dollar since last May, driving up costs for petrol distributors and power utilities that have rippled across the rest of the economy.

Bangladesh’s official inflation rate is around 8.7% but independent economists say the true figure is substantially higher.

The opposition Bangladesh Nationalist Party has blamed the government for the crisis, accusing it of squandering cash on multibillion-dollar vanity projects.

It has organized a series of rallies demanding Prime Minister Sheikh Hasina’s resignation and a general election. AFP

High energy bills—a blow to Belgian glassware business

By Raziye Akkoc

SERAING, Belgium - When energy prices blew up last year in the wake of Russia’s war in Ukraine, Belgian glassblower Christophe Genard had no other option but to close for three months.

The 45-year-old’s gas bill had hit a whopping 6,000 euros ($6,500) a month.

Faced with the prospect of giving up his beloved 20-year career as a glassblower, he was forced to adapt to survive by using a smaller oven to produce his glassware.

“While I was closed, between July and September 2022, I thought about how I could keep earning a living, so I merely changed what tool I used,” Genard said at his studio in Liege, where he also hosts classes.

Genard told AFP that he now uses propane gas cylinders to fire up his smaller oven for a couple of days a week.

“That comes to around 3,000 euros a month, half the cost, but I no longer work every day,” Genard said, adding that he produces half of what he used to.

Late last year, the Walloon regional government announced measures worth around 175 million euros to support businesses with rising energy costs, but some worry it might not be enough.

“We’ll see if it will be sufficient in terms of amount,” Walloon Union of Companies chief Olivier de Wasseige

He called on Belgium’s federal government to have a “structural energy policy” that matches neighboring countries and take serious measures including a transition to renewable energy.

Belgium has allocated just 4.3 billion euros to help households and businesses with the energy crisis -equivalent to 0.8 percent of its gross domestic product, according to a study published by the Bruegel think tank in November.

It was the fourth lowest level within the 27-nation EU, well behind other nations such as the neighboring Neth-

erlands, which spent 43.9 billion euros, or more than five percent of GDP on such aid.

Even smaller economies have spent bigger shares of their GDP on such assistance, with Romania earmarking 8.5 billion euros (3.5 percent).

Businesses feel the heat Genard is one of many independent business owners in Belgium forced to change how they work to meet soaring energy costs, even if it means producing less.

The Federation of Belgian Enterprises (FEB) warned this month of spiraling costs for businesses because of higher energy prices and inflationrelated wage hikes. AFP

IMF chief economist and director Pierre-Olivier Gourinchas (center) and division chief of the research department Daniel Leigh (right) attend a press briefing for the World Economy Outlook update in Singapore on Jan. 31, 2023. AFP

This photograph taken on Jan. 18, 2023, shows Belgian glassblower Christophe Genard forming glass at his workshop in Seraing. AFP said in an LN24 channel interview on January 22.

BUSINESS

IMF sees PH growth easing to 5% in 2023

By Julito G. Rada

ECONOMIC growth in the Philippines is expected to soften to 5 percent in 2023 from the actual expansion of 7.6 percent in 2022 amid global headwinds, the International Monetary Fund said in its World Economic Outlook Tuesday.

It predicted that the country’s gross domestic product growth would pick up to 6.0 percent in 2024, although still below the government’s medium-term growth target range of 6.5 percent to 8.0 percent.

“Global growth is projected to fall from an estimated 3.4 percent in 2022 to 2.9 percent in 2023, then rise to 3.1

IN BRIEF

Bank loans grew 13.4% in December

BANK loans grew 13.4 percent year-on-year in December, slower than the 13.9-percent expansion in December, latest data from the Bangko Sentral ng Pilipinas show.

The BSP said that on a month-on-month seasonally-adjusted basis, outstanding universal and commercial bank loans also decreased marginally by 0.04 percent.

Michael Ricafort, chief economist of Rizal Commercial Banking Corp., told Manila Standard the pace of bank lending in December remained among the fastest in nearly three years.

He said the slight slowdown “may have to do with higher US/global/local interest rates that increased borrowing costs that somewhat dampened demand for loans, higher inflation and risk of US recession.”

Ricafort said the risk factors were still overshadowed by measures to further reopen the economy towards normalcy that increased demand for loans amid more jobs, sales and income or livelihood. “Businesses and industries can also plan better with new investments and expansion plans, which entail more demand for loans,” he said. Julito G. Rada

Fisheries output rose 2.2% last year

FISHERIES output increased 2.2 percent in 2022 to 4.33 million metric tons from 4.248 million MT in 2021 on improved performance of aquaculture and municipal fisheries.

The Philippine Statistics Authority reported that the output of commercial fisheries in 2022 slightly dropped 0.2 percent to 8.6 million MT in 2022 from 8.7 million MT in 2021. Production of inland municipal fisheries also declined 14.7 percent to 175,350 MT from 205,540 MT.

The aquaculture subsector posted a 4.6-percent growth to 2.3 million MT from 2.24 million MT in 2021. The subsector constituted the biggest share of 54.1 percent to the total fisheries production.

The PSA noted increases in seaweed production by 15 percent, skipjack by 5.6 percent, yellowfin tuna by 14.1 percent and squid by 22.9 percent.

It said production of milkfish decreased by 12.6 percent, bali sardinella by 12.3 percent and tilapia by 10.6 percent. Othel V. Campos

percent in 2024,” the IMF said. The IMF said the rise in central bank rates to fight inflation and Russia’s war in Ukraine continue to weigh on economic activity.

Its growth forecasts for the Philippines are faster than the average of 4.3 percent for ASEAN 5 in 2023 and 4.7 percent in 2024. ASEAN-5 refers to In-

donesia, Malaysia, the Philippines, Singapore and Thailand.

Growth in emerging and developing Asia is expected to rise in 2023 and 2024 to 5.3 percent and 5.2 percent, respectively, after the deeper-than-expected slowdown in 2022 to 4.3 percent, attributable to China’s economy.

Growth in China is projected to rise to 5.2 percent in 2023, reflecting rapidly improving mobility, and to fall to 4.5 percent in 2024 before settling at below 4 percent over the medium term amid declining business dynamism and slow progress on structural reforms, the IMF said.

Meanwhile, Standard Chartered Bank said GDP growth in the Philippines was expected to moderate to 5.3 percent

from the 46-year high of 7.6 percent in 2022 because of elevated inflation that would impact consumer spending.

Standard Chartered economist for Asia Jonathan Koh said growth in the Philippines would pick up to 6 percent in 2024.

“I do see that there are headwinds [affecting the economy], such as [high] inflation that will dampen [the] purchasing power [of Filipinos]... This will affect consumer spending,” Koh said in an online presentation.

The Philippine economy gained mainly from the strength of the industry and services sectors last year. The growth was the fastest since 8.8 percent in 1976.

It was also the fastest among Asian

CA suspends SPPC-Meralco power supply deal

By Alena Mae S. Flores

THE Thirteenth Division of the Court of Appeals issued a writ of preliminary injunction in favor of South Premiere Power Corp. stopping Manila Electric Co. from implementing the order of the Energy Regulatory Commission to honor their fixed-rate power supply agreement signed in 2019.

“To be clear, the grant of the WPI suspends the continued implementation of the PSA but does not terminate the same.

This is to allow the parties to negotiate the terms of the PSA,” according to the CA ruling, signed by Associate Justice Mary Charlene Hernandez-Azura and concurred by Associate Justices Victoria Isabel Paredes and Florencio Mamauag Jr. on Jan. 25.

prevents SPPC, a subsidiary of SMC Global Power Holdings Corp., from terminating its power supply agreement with Meralco.

The CA said the injunction is an ancillary remedy sought by SPPC in its petition for certiorari to question the ERC order denying its joint motion with Meralco for a price adjustment dated May 10, 2022.

SPPC and Meralco sought a temporary rate hike adjustment for their 670-megawatt PSA because of the Malampaya gas constraints, which the ERC rejected.

SPPC owns the 1,200-MW Ilijan natural gas power plant in Batangas.

strated that all the requisites for the grant of a valid WPI are present,” it said.

The court said SPPC stands to suffer irreparable injury through the ERC order and since the same was issued, its continued supply to Meralco had caused it to suffer millions in losses every day.

The CA said SPPC was forced to sell on a negative margin, which produces an “untenable situation because the more the petitioner sells, its business losses become greater.”

economies that have so far released their 2022 GDP data, followed by Vietnam’s 5.9 percent and China’s 2.9 percent.

Koh said higher food prices would remain a key concern for monetary authorities. He said the Bangko Sentral ng Pilipinas might hike the policy rate by another 50 basis points to 6 percent in the first quarter of 2023 and pause after that.

Koh said the BSP might cut the interest rates starting the fourth quarter of 2023.

“Even though GDP is very strong in 2022 [at 7.6 percent], growth will moderate this year… I do expect inflation to moderate below 4 percent by the end of the third quarter [and] I don’t see the BSP keeping the policy rate,” Koh said.

PSE INDEX CLOSING

By Othel V. Campos

THE Chamber of Mines of the Philippines said Tuesday the world’s five largest mining companies expressed keen interest to pursue mining projects in the country with the lifting of the ban on open pit projects.

BNI set to hold ‘CONNECT

The ERC order dated Sept. 29, 2022

MNL’

BUSINESS Network International Manila will hold a one-day conference on Feb. 10 at Dusit Thani Manila in celebration of the 16th International Networking Week.

Dubbed “CONNECT MNL. Connections

That Work”, the conference aims to create awareness on the role that networking plays in the development and success of businesses around the world. The event is also an opportunity to further expand BNI’s philosophy in knowledge-sharing and opening the gateway to more connections for BNI members in the Philippines.

The BNI conference aims to provide strategic content that will guide and inspire BNI members and small businesses towards a journey of learning and growth in 2023.

It will feature resource persons and business leaders who will discuss different topics concerning business matters in the “new normal.” These include private analyst Jonas Ravelas, business expert Ricky De Vera, advertising executive Lucien Dy Tioco, marketing executive Edwin Mapanao, banker Jaypee Soliman, communications director Miguel Lindo and businessman Robert Yupangco.

BNI is the most successful organization of its type in the world. It has over 10,000 chapters and more than 290,000 members in 76 countries.

14 groups plan to join bidding for Casecnan

SEVERAL Japanese and Korean companies are joining the bidding for the 165-megawatt Casecnan Hydroelectric Power Plant, state-run Power Sector Assets and Liabilities Management Corp. said Tuesday.

PSALM said 14 bidders had shown interest in the bidding for the power plant including Fresh River Lakes Corp., Neptune Hydro Inc., Sta. Clara International Corp., GigaAce 11 Inc., Pan Pacific Renewable Power Phils. Corp., Semirara Mining & Power Corp., Global Hydro Power Corp. and Romero-owned Belgrove Power Corp.

Other interested bidders are Axia Power Holdings Philippines Corp., Panasia Energy Inc., Hansan Solar Corp., San Roque Power Corp. and the joint

“After considering all the pleadings and the respective arguments/submission of the parties, this court grants the application for the WPI for the reason the petitioner has sufficiently demon-

hydroelectric plant

venture of Yuchengco-owned EEI Power Corp., Soosan ENS Co. Ltd., Soosan Industries Co. Ltd. and Peakpoint Inc.

Fourteen groups, including Japanese and Korean companies, are joining the bidding for the 165-megawatt Casecnan Hydroelectric Power Plant, staterun Power Sector Assets and Liabilities Management Corp. said Tuesday.

PSALM held its second and third prebid conferences for the CHEPP on Jan. 25 and 27 where the interested bidders inquired and clarified the terms and conditions of the sale.

“We envision that the sale of the Casecnan plant will be successful, efficient and judicious for PSALM and the winning bidder who will take over its management. This second pre-bid con-

“The continued implementation of the PSA where petitioner is compelled to bear the cost of energy supplied to the public on its own without expectation of a reasonable return on its investments not only deprives the petitioner of its property without due process of law but also takes its private property for public use without just compensation,” it said.

SKILLS TRAINING CENTER. Officials of Mines and Geosciences Bureau and executives of Nickel Asia Corp. and subsidiaries Rio

Tuba Nickel Mining and Coral Bay Nickel Corp., inaugurate a P42-million safety and skill training center in Barangay Rio Tuba, Bataraza, Palawan—the first of its kind in the province and in the local mining industry. The center, financed through the combined social development and management program and corporate social responsibility funds of RTN and CBNC, is part of the company’s commitment to creating a sustainable future for its mining communities.

ference paves the way for a good return on investment for the winning bidder, starting with a more market-responsive price and on an “as-is, where-is” and “cash” basis sale for the Casecnan plant,” PSALM president and chief executive Dennis Edward Dela Serna said. CHEPP is a “run-of-river” type of power plant with limited impounding area located at Sitio Pauan, Barangay Villarica, Pantabangan, Nueva Ecija. It was covered by a build-operate-transfer agreement which ended on Dec. 11, 2021.

The two conferences enlightened bidders on the bidding process and the potential concerns attendant to managing the Casecnan plant. Alena Mae S. Flores

A NEW York-based bank denied that it issued bank certification to a third-party audit firm chosen by state-run Philippine Amusement and Gaming Corp. to handle financial matters with Philippine Offshore Gaming Corporations. Soleil Chartered Bank issued the statement after PAGCOR said in a Senate hearing that with the assumption of new leadership, the contract of third-party auditor Global ComRCI was put under review in September 2022. Global ComRCI won a 10-year contract from PAGCOR in 2017 to audit offshore licensees. “We have been in contact with Global ComRCI and are currently assessing the contract’s terms and conditions and the company’s

“They have shown interest regardless of taxation and the issue of flipflopping of policies. These are some of the issues being discussed between the Department of Finance and the mining industry,” CMP chairman Michael Toledo said at the sidelines of the US Philippines Society briefing at the Manila Peninsula Hotel in Makati City.

Toledo said the mining companies, while concerned over anti-mining sentiments, were looking at the Philippines as the fifth highly-mineralized country in the world. Opportunities for mining outweigh other adversities, he said.

He said this interest from global mining firms bodes well for the Philippines as the shift to renewable power sources like the green batteries gain ground.

Nearly 100 percent of the metals used for renewable power and green batteries come from mining, especially for electric vehicles, he said.

“You can just imagine if we will be the supplier,” Toledo said.

Toledo said there are new developments in the mining industry, as the government reviews the existing revenue sharing scheme among the national government, the host communities and the mining companies.

The chamber said mining companies were asking the national government to take measures not to overtax the sector which is already heavily taxed.

performance,” PAGCOR said in a statement.

The issue arose from recent investigations by the Senate committee on ways and means headed by Sen. Sherwin Gatchalian that looked on the country’s benefits from the POGO operations. The investigation showed that Global ComRCI submitted documents, including a bank certification, in compliance with the requirements of its contract with PAGCOR.

Gatchalian asked PAGCOR on Global ComRCI’s compliance with the P1-billion capital requirement. PAGCOR legal counsel Roderick Consolacion then presented a bank certificate reportedly issued by Soleil Chartered Bank showing Global ComRCI $25-million deposit.

REACTIVATED A380. Trade Secretary Alfredo Pascual (left) and Lufthansa Technik Philippines president and chief executive Elmar Lutter welcome Mike-Kilo, a reactivated A380 aircraft at the Lufthansa Technik Philippines maintenance repair operations facility in Villamor Airbase. This is in support of the collaboration between the Department of Trade and Industry and LTP in promoting the MRO industry. The Lufthansa aircraft that arrived from Frankfurt, Germany is the first reactivated A380 aircraft of Lufthansa to undergo extensive C-Check in preparation for the increased travel demand.

DEPARTMENT ORDER NO. 006 - 2023

years.

By virtue of said authority and after the conduct of public hearing on July 28, 2022, the Commissioner of Internal Revenue has determined the zonal values of real properties in the Cities of Marikina and Antipolo, and the Municipalities of San Mateo, Rodriguez and Teresa, Rizal, all within the jurisdiction of Revenue District Office No. 45 - Marikina City, Revenue Region No. 7B - East NCR.

This Order is therefore issued to implement the revised schedule of zonal values of real properties for purposes of computation of any internal revenue tax due on sale/ transfer or any other disposition of real properties. The zonal values established herein shall apply provided the same is higher than (1) the fair market value as shown in the schedule of values of the City Assessor and (2) the gross selling price/consideration as shown in the duly notarized document of sale or transfer of real property. This Order shall take effect immediately.

BENJAMIN E. DIOKNO Secretary of Finance

RECOMMENDED BY:

ROMEO D. LUMAGUI, JR.

Commissioner of Internal Revenue

DEFINITION OF TERMS

RESIDENTIAL LAND/CONDOMINIUM PRINCIPALLY DEVOTED TO HABITATION.

COMMERCIAL LAND DEVOTED PRINCIPALLY TO COMMERCIAL PURPOSES AND GENERALLY FOR THE OBJECT OF PROFIT.

INDUSTRIAL DEVOTED PRINCIPALLY TO INDUSTRY AS CAPITAL.

AGRICULTURALDEVOTED PRINCIPALLY TO RAISING OF CROP SUCH AS RICE, CORN, SUGARCANE, TOBACCO, ETC. OR TO PASTURING, INLAND FISHING, SALT-MAKING, AND OTHER AGRICULTURAL USES INCLUDING TIMBERLAND AND FOREST LAND.

GENERAL PURPOSERAWLAND, UNDEVELOPED AND UNDERDEVELOPED AREA WHICH HAS POTENTIAL FOR DEVELOPMENT INTO RESIDENTIAL, COMMERCIAL, INDUSTRIAL, INSTITUTIONAL, ETC. MUST NOT BE LESS THAN 5,000 SQUARE METERS.

VICINITY MEANS AN AREA, LOCALITY, NEIGHBORHOOD OR DISTRICT ABOUT, NEAR, ADJACENT PROXIMATE OR CONTIGUOUS TO A STREET BEING LOCATED.

AVE-F BALTAZAR RR7,500.00

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CM Recto East Drive - Tanguille St RR8,500.00

CORNER STONE RESIDENCES Along champaca St. (CCT) RR11,000.00

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DAMA DE NOCHE ST ** Orchids to Champaca (La Colina Subd)RR8,500.00

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TO Santan St. RR8,500.00 I10,000.00

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JAVIER COMPOUND ** along Santan St. RR7,500.00

JUANCHO PACHECO COMPOUND **along Santan St. RR7,500.00

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KUI BI COMPD ** along Santan St. RR7,500.00

LA COLINA SUBDIVISION TANGUILE RR8,500.00

LAWAAN ST ** Brgy. Parang Boundary RR8,500.00

MAGNOLIA ST. ** Tanguile - Santan I8,500.00 RR7,500.00

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MONTEREY HILLS ROLLING HILLS RR7,500.00

MONTEREY PHASE I SUBD Rolling Hills - part RR7,500.00

MOUNTAIN HILLS ** CHAMPACA EXT. RR7,500.00

PERMALINE HOMES SUBDIVISIONalong East Drive RR8,500.00

PLEASANT LANE ** Champaca - San Mateo boundary RR7,500.00

RICHTONE VILLAGE ** along Champaca St. RR8,500.00

RIVARA’S COMPOUND ** Along Santan St. RR7,500.00

RODEANNA COMPOUND BALAGTAS St RR8,500.00 SAN MIGUEL REALTY Birmingham Heights RR8,500.00

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LADAO **

LANGKA ST ** PARADISE PUROK II RR7,000.00

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LOYOLA GRAND VILLAS 3,4,& 5 part

LUZON ST

MAGDALENE ** Fatima Drive - Lourdes

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MAJOR DIZON MARCOS HIWAY-LAUREL CR27,000.00 MARCOS HIWAY-LAUREL RR21,000.00

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PRES J P LAUREL

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COCO PALM ST (Palmera Homes) **beside Ayala Malls RR16,000.00

DAO ST ** B BAYANAN WEST DRIVE CR18,500.00 RR16,000.00

LIAMSON STREET

G. GUEVARRA ST, E.ROD.HIGHWAY -F.SAN JUAN ST.

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Cedo, See rule JPGT skills golf challenge

ANYA Cedo topped the drive and putt contests while Rico See posted two runner-up finishes as they clinched the top honors in the premier division of the inaugural Junior Philippine Golf Tour Skills Challenge at The Country Club in Laguna last Sunday.

Cedo, daughter of golf coach Jun Cedo, earned the top-scoring 48 and 60 points in Drive and Putt, respectively, and gained 31 points in the Chip side to reign in girls’ 1517 age bracket of the one-day, four age category competition under the points system put up by ICTSI and organized by Pilipinas Golf Tournaments, Inc.

Cedo pooled 139 points to edge Reese Ng, who assembled 133 points built around 55 points in putting (second place) and 43 points in driving (third place) while Anna Fernandez placed third overall with 112 points, including 37 points in a third-place effort in putting.

See, on the other hand, snared the boys’ 15-17 trophy with 124 points, including 60 and 40 points in putt and chip, respectively, nipping Alonso Espartero, who made 122 points, including a top-scoring 60 points in putting. John Bernis finished third overall with 119 points, including a winning 44-point output in driving and 50 in ending up third in putting.

Other division winners in the event, which drew top players in the ranks and siblings and offsprings of former and current touring pros, were Rafa Anciano and Enzo Cham (1314), Precious Zaragosa and Matthias Espina (11-12), and Georgina Handog and Jose Luis Espinosa (9-10).

Anciano pooled 115 points to foil Celine Abalos, who scored 113 points, and Jiwon Lee, who finished with 104 points, while Cham scored 126 points to thwart Shinichi Suzuki, who made 123 points, and Tristan Padilla, who placed third with 106 points.

Zaragosa dominated her side with 100 points, 16 points clear of Kendra Garingalao, who had 84 points, with Erythrina Padilla winding up third with 77 points, while Espina routed the boys’ field with 121 points, trouncing John Gomez, who assembled 101 points, and Mico Ungco ended up third with 89 points.

PSC finding ways to fast-track training of PH SEAG athletes

By Peter Atencio

WITH four months to go before the 32nd Southeast Asian Games, the Philippine Sports Commission is finding ways to fast-track the preparations of national athletes competing in the biennial meet in Cambodia.

PSC chairman Richard Bachmann said he is working closely with chef de mission Chito Loyzaga on making things happen more quickly as the playdate of the Games gets closer.

“The chef de mission Chito Loyzaga is like family. I’m working together with him as the point person on the SEA Games,” said Bachmann as he talked about his current responsibilities as the new top executive of the government sports agency.

Bachmann discussed the situation that he and the PSC are in during Tuesday’s weekly Philippine Sportswriters Association Forum at the Rizal Memorial Sports Complex.

An 800-athlete Team Philippines has been listed and presented to the agency, to go with a total delegation of 1,200. The PSC chief said that he continues to visit their training for the past week to learn and find out from their needs. And he has come to an agreement

with Philippine Olympic Committee president Rep. Abraham Tolentino because both of them have taken a handson approach when it comes being aware of what’s going in the preparations.

“Cong. Bambol is hands on. And that’s perfect for me, because I am also hands on,” added Bachmann.

The PSC has allocated from general appropriations a P250-million budget for Cambodia and an initial funding of P110 million.

The PSC chief said that nutrition of those in the national pool is one of his main concerns as members of the national delegations focus on having the proper diet.

Bachmann said he has also been seeking funds to get national athletes be properly nourished and this should be done in the first month that he has assumed office. PSC chief Richard Bachmann

Converge’s Ahanmisi is Cignal Player of the Week

BEHIND an impressive showing from import Jamaal Franklin, Converge is off to a rousing 3-0 start for the early lead in the PBA Governors’ Cup.

But while Franklin made quite an impression in his debut in Asia’s pioneering pro league, an array of local stalwarts teamed up with him in the FiberXers’ fast start led by ace guard Maverick Ahanmisi.

The 6’2” gunner shone the brightest for coach Aldin Ayo in their first three games so far, averaging 22.3 points on 55-percent shooting clip, including a 38-percent accuracy from downtown.

An eight-year pro, the Fil-Am veteran also posted 6.7 rebounds, 4.0 assists, and 1.0 steal a game as Converge took down Northport, Rain or Shine, and Magnolia one after the other.

The numbers were enough for Ahanmisi to claim the first Cignal PlayPBA Press Corps Player of the Week citation this conference covering the period Jan. 22-29.

McIlroy edges bitter rival Reed in Dubai Dessert Classic

DUBAI—Rory McIlroy prevailed in a nail-biting finish over Patrick Reed, the man he “prefers not to acknowledge” after a spat between the two, in the rain-delayed Dubai Desert Classic on Monday.

It was the first time McIlroy has won the first start of his new season and is his 15th DP World Tour victory in 231 starts.

His one-stroke victory was also his third Dubai Desert Classic success in 13 appearances.

He will remain world number one, after Spaniard Jon Rahm failed to win the Farmers Insurance Open on the PGA Tour on Saturday.

McIlroy and Reed went into the tournament after a row when Reed reportedly threw a tee towards McIlroy on the practice range in Dubai.

The incident, caught on camera, turned out to be a lot milder than reported but the two have been at odds since McIlroy criticised players, including Reed, who joined the rival Saudi-backed LIV Golf circuit.

Relations were not helped by McIlroy receiving a sub-

poena from Reed’s lawyer on Christmas Eve to appear as a witness in a case.

McIlroy had fallen behind Reed after a bogey on the 15th hole but he made amends with birdies on the 17th and 18th in a round of four-under par 68.

The Northern Irishman finished on 19-under par, while Reed, starting the day four shots behind McIlroy, made a crucial bogey on the 16th and a par on the drivable par-4 17th hole in his round of 65.

“I think, mentally, today was probably one of the toughest rounds I’ve ever had to play because it would be really easy to let your emotions get in the way,” said McIlroy, who won $1.53 million for his effort.

“I just had to really concentrate on focusing on myself. I had to forget who was up there on the leaderboard, and I did that really well.”

McIlroy blew his chances last year when he hit his second shot into the water on the final hole—and he almost repeated the scenario with his tee shot on the 18th. AFP

Ahanmisi, the third overall pick in the 2015 draft, opened his week with a 29-point eruption in Converge’s 122-92 win over Northport, with Kiwi Ethan Rusbatch still serving as the team’s import.

He added six rebounds, nine assists, a steal, and a block in the biggest winning margin in the franchise’s young history.

Ahanmisi followed it up with a 166-9-2 line in the FiberXers’ 130-115 victory over Terrafirma featuring Franklin as Converge’s new import.

Against debuting Magnolia, Ahanmisi joined forces with Franklin at crunch time as the FiberXers averted a meltdown from a 14-point lead to hack out a narrow 111-109 win.

He had 22 points and five rebounds in the triumph that allowed Converge a getaway drive from a three-way tie with TNT (2-0) and NLEX (2-0) on top of the season-ending conference.

Ahanmisi eclipsed TNT’s Roger Pogoy and NLEX’s Kevin Alas for the weekly honor handed out by print and online media regularly covering the PBA beat.

MILO to energize national sports with Active Pilipinas

THE road race series of the Milo Marathon national finals is coming back following a threeyear absence.

But for now, it won’t be similar to the last time when it was done back in 2020 when Christine Hallasgo and Jerald Zabala ruled the local women’s and men’s divisions, respectively, in the 42nd National Milo Marathon Finals in Tarlac City.

This time, organizers won’t be sending the winners to compete in prestigious road races abroad just yet.

“This year, what we can assure everyone is that the excitement and the bigness of this event will be the same or even better,” said Carlo Sampan, Head of MILO Sports, during Saturday’s launch of MILO® Active Pilipinas at the Philsports Arena in Pasig.

The race has been shelved for three years after the country went into lockdowns due to the COVID-19 pandemic.

But organizers promised to bring back the excitement of the footrace in its full glory by 2024.

Sampan said they are coordinating with the

During the launch of Milo Active Pilipinas, organizers reactivated its involvement in grassroots sports, including sports clinics in basketball, taekwondo, swimming, and tennis, among

others, while instilling discipline, confidence, and teamwork.

And then there’s the Champ Camp, which was co-created with the Department of Education, a nationwide school tour that teaches students the basics of sports without disrupting their classes, since parents also play a role as we teach them proper nutrition.

Another one on the table is MILO Home Court, a digital portal launched in partnership with the Philippine Olympic Committee and the Philippine Sports Commission. It will continue to help kids pursue sports even at home by providing video tutorials and online sports classes.

On the other hand, the Barangay Liga is a grassroots basketball tournament that will be launched in March this year, with teams from barangays joining.

“We’re very excited to energize the national scene once again, and get Filipino kids back into sports,” said Senior Vice President of Nestlé Philippines, MILO Business Unit Veronica Cruz. Peter Atencio

Rory McIlroy of Northern Ireland plays a shot during the nal round of the Dubai Desert Classic 2023 Golf Championship at the Emirates Golf Club in Dubai. AFP

Philippine Athletics Track and Field Association on the technical aspects of the races involved. The race series of the Milo Marathon is slated to start in Metro Manila by March 26.

Caron Cruz, Nestle Milo Vice President is shown with Carlo Sampan, Head of Nestle MILO Sports during a press conference announcing the launching of MILO Active Pilipinas at the Philsports Arena in Pasig City. Norman Cruz

Volleyball star Alyssa Valdez takes a photo with the MILO group. Norman Cruz

Reviving an OPM classic with a unique instrument

By Patricia Taculao

ORIGINAL Pinoy Music, or OPM, has numerous notable pieces from equally talented musicians. Through the years, we heard unique compositions and various renditions of well-loved songs through masterful handling of instruments. But now and then, some artists wow their audiences by bringing something new to the music industry.

Abby Clutario, a local artist, has a unique take on amplifying and broadening OPM—using a Chapman Stick. She’s the only female Chapman Stick player in the Philippines and has been using the instrument for a decade.

The Chapman Stick is an electric musical instrument devised by Emmett Chapman in the early 1970s. As a member of the guitar family, the Chapman Stick usually has ten or twelve individually tuned strings to play bass lines, melody

lines, chords, or textures.

Before her genuine interest in the Chapman Stick, Abby heard the instrument at play by a foreign band, which features fusion and progressive rock elements.

Kaya ko ‘yun napapakinggan kasi ‘yun din ang roots ng aking unang unang banda na independent ‘yung fuseboxx Nung time na ‘yon, siyempre marami kaming pinapakinggan and I think that was the first,” Abby shared during an online media conference.

Eventually, Abby fell in love with the Chapman Stick when she heard Greg Howard work his magic on the instrument. “New age ‘yung tipo ng music na tinugtog niya using the Chapman Stick. That kind of genre is really what I like. Tapos nangibabaw rin kasi doon ‘yung tunog at saka ‘yung timbre ng Chapman Stick at sobrang na-in love ako,” the musician shared.

According to Abby, the Chapman Stick is a custommade instrument available in the United States. Ordering can be difficult because of its exclusivity and logistics. But a decade or so ago, when music forums were still frequent, someone was selling one. Long story short, Abby acquired one and learned how to play it.

Fortunately, she found active communities composed

COCO MARTIN continues legacy of SUSAN ROCES

THE country’s leading pharmaceutical brand RiteMed has officially unveiled its new brand ambassador with the launch of its latest TV commercial (TVC) featuring the well-loved and highly respected actor-director Coco Martin

Martin graciously accepted the challenge of continuing the legacy and advocacy of the Queen of Philippine Movies, Susan Roces, of empowering the masses in opting for quality and affordable healthcare.

Martin rightfully opened the TVC with the line “Ang sabi ng lola ko, ‘wag mahihiyang magtanong...at hanapin ang check”, which not only gives honor to Roses but also reminds the people of the Filipino culture of listening to the advice of their elderly loved ones.

Filipinos remember the wife of the late Fernando Poe, Jr. (FPJ), the King of Philippine Movies, for her famous lines in TV and radio commercials that espoused affordable medicines such as: “Bawal ang Mahal” and “Huwag Mahihiyang Magtanong”. Ms. Roces passed away in May 2022. Since then, RiteMed conducted a long and thorough selection process to be able to choose “The Rite One” to take the place of the late actress.

Martin, who became a hero of the masses for his role in FPJ’s Ang Probinsyano, one of the longest-running and most successful soap operas in Philippine TV’s history, emerged as the hands-down choice.

The actor-director even suggested the adaptation of Roces’s famous tagline, Huwag Mahihiyang Magtanong, wellaware that everyone should have the right to ask questions. “Una, para hindi tayo magkamali. Pangalawa, ang mga ang mga Pilipino po ay likas na mahiyain; tinuturuan tayo dito na may alternatibo. Pag naiisip natin na ‘mahal yan’, tinuturo sa atin ng RiteMed na may alternatibo na mas mura,” Martin stressed.

“Maraming maraming salamat po sa pagtitiwala. Napakalaking obligasyon po itong ipinasa po sa akin,” Martin said in his speech during the contract signing with RiteMed. “Naikwento ko nga po na kapag dumadaan ako sa Quiapo at pag nakikita ko yung overpass doon, ang laki laki ng billboard ni Tita Susan. Pumasok sa isip ko, ‘sino kaya ngayon ang papalit kay Tita Susan?’ kasi iba po talaga. Hindi lang bilang apo niya sa ‘Ang Probinsyano’ o sa mga proyekto naming. Alam na alam ko po kung anong klaseng tao si Tita Susan. Hindi po siya basta basta nagtitiwala sa mga produkto ng hindi niya nasusubukan dahil ayaw niyang masira ang kanyang pangalan.

The actor-director emphasized the impact and the legacy that Roces left and how she became the voice of every Filipino especially when it comes to affordable health care.

“Sobrang laki po ng naging impact. Alam naman po natin na mahirap ang buhay, lagi tayo nag-iisip kung paano makakamenos at paano pa rin natin maitatawid yung pangangailangan, lalo na yung kalusugan. Kasi si Tita Susan, silang mag-asawa ni FPJ, parang sila yung simbolo ng bawat Pilipino eh, na kapag may sinabi sila o may ginawa sila, lahat nakikinig. Napakalaking impluwensya nila sa mga Pilipino, kaya ingat na ingat si Tita Susan talaga sa mga paggawa niya ng mga proyekto at kung ano man ang mga ineendorso niya, lalo na po itong RiteMed.

Atty. Joey Ochave, RiteMed President, welcomed the new brand ambassador with great honor.

“It was 11 years ago when we had Ms. Susan and it was one of the best

MTRCB summons ‘Mang Kanor’ producers over unauthorized public exhibition

THE Movie and Television Review and Classification Board (MTRCB) issued

“Notices to Appear” to the producers of Mang Kanor after the film was exhibited without the consent of the government’s film review board.

MTRCB) has summoned A&Q Entertainment and Prime Stream Inc., Uniprom Inc. (Gateway Cinemas), and CIGNAL TV INC. (ONE PH).

“The Board reiterates that as businesses engaged in the provision of motion picture content to Filipino viewers, they carry a civic and moral obligation to comply with the law. To this end, MTRCB shall uphold its mandate to provide a safe-viewing experience for all Filipinos,” MTRCB said in a statement sent to Manila Standard Entertainment

MTRCB, led by chair Lala Sotto Antonio, wanted A&Q Entertainment and Prime Stream Inc. to explain why it released the movie without the required MTRCB permit.

Uniprom Inc. (Gateway Cinemas) was also questioned for exhibiting the motion picture at the Gateway Cineplex without the necessary permit.

MTRCB also identified

CIGNALTVINC.(ONEPH) for “showing video excerpts from the motion picture Mang Kanor, featuring torrid kissing, apparent nudity, threesomes, and sexual intercourse.”

decisions that we’ve made. She was not just a face and a voice. She was a co-creator of the brand. The sudden shift on the lighter tone of ‘Huwag Mahihiyang Magtanong’ was her idea,” recalled Ochave.

“From then on, RiteMed took this advocacy to heart.”

“Just a brief history, RiteMed was launched upon the request of the government then. Before, people had the impression that generics are sub-standard. Because of this, we strived to change that perception as people still wanted to associate themselves with a brand, because a brand is a badge of trust.

Parang pangalan iyan, ang hirap magtiwala sa hindi mo kilala, sabi nga ni Ms Susan.”

RiteMed, thus, worked hard to make quality healthcare more affordable.

“We want to assure everyone that [RiteMed] is a brand that you can trust. It’s a company branding and not just a product brand,” Ochave highlighted.

RiteMed General Manager Guerrero said Martin possesses the traits that they are looking for in a brand ambassador.

of Chapman Stick players from the US and Europe. They showed her the first things she needed to learn about the instrument. Abby also researched the Chapman Stick, like buying books and participating in lessons. She even got to study under Howard’s supervision.

“It took me siguro about three months to get to know the Chapman Stick from the day I purchased it from my bandmate,” Abby shared.

Her first experience playing the instrument was using it to play bass notes for their band. As Abby’s familiarity with the Chapman Stick increased and her talent in playing it improved, she began playing it as a solo instrument.

One of the recent pieces Abby played on the Chapman Stick was a rendition of Up Dharma Down’s “Tadhana.” As many OPM enthusiasts know, “Tadhana” features the soothing yet powerful vocals and poetic lyricism of UDD’s vocalist, Armi Millare, accompanied by a mellow rhythmic jam that’s easy to catch up on.

In Abby’s version, the music and vocals for “Tadhana” gained more depth and sounded richer. Abby Clutario’s “Tadhana” is now available on iTunes, Spotify, Apple Music, YouTube Music, and other digital stores worldwide.

Actor-director Coco Martin is the new ambassador for RiteMed

Lee

‘Taxi Driver’ star Lee Je Hoon announces Manila fan meet

actually represents the aspirations of the

“Coco not only understands but actually represents the aspirations of the masses, which is why he is esteemed by the common people for advocating what is right,” Guerrero said. “As the new face of the brand, we believe he will be a good reflection of RiteMed’s continuing thrust to provide affordable quality healthcare to our people.”

Martin acknowledges the weight of being the new face of a trusted brand. “Alam kong ang laki ng responsibilidad bilang brand ambassador ng RiteMed. Ito po ay legacy ni Tita Susan at iyon po ang panghahawakan ko.”

LEE Je Hoon, heartthrob star of the TV series Taxi Driver jets into Manila for Fan Meet at Lee Je Hoon Vacation Fan Meeting in Manila 2023, on March 3, 8:00 p.m. at New Frontier Theater, Manila. Lee Je Hoon has already established himself as one of Korea’s top actors with an impressive body of work that includes movies and TV series. He got his start with roles in indie films before achieving major recognition by playing the role of Gi-Tae in the 2011 movie Bleak Night. He continued to star on the small screen and big screen as well as co-founding his own production company Hard Cut, and is the founder and chairman of Company On, a management company for actors. This year, Lee Je Hoon returned to the small screen as cab driver Kim Do-Gi, in the smash hit series Taxi Driver 2 and starred in the film Escape Get up close and personal with one of the most dynamic stars to emerge from Korea at Lee Je Hoon Vacation Fan Meeting in Manila 2023. Tickets are priced at P7,500 (Floor A), P6,500 (Floor B), P5,500 (Loge), P2,500 (Balcony 1), and P1,750 (Balcony 2) and start going on sale on January 31 via Ticketnet.com.ph and its outlets.

Country’s leading content provider honored at 5th Gawad Lasallianeta

ABS-CBN was recognized by the administrators, faculty, staff, students, and parents of De La Salle Araneta University (DLSAU) as the Most Outstanding Media Company at the 5th Gawad Lasallianeta held on January 30. Vice Ganda and Kathryn Bernardo were the most awarded Kapamilya personalities, scooping up four and three awards, respectively. Vice was voted as the Most Outstanding Social Media Personality, Most Influential Multimedia Filipino Celebrity, Most Outstanding Twitter Influencer, and Outstanding Entertainment Show Host.

Meanwhile, Kathryn was named Most Influential TV Filipino Celebrity, Most Outstanding Brand Endorser, and Most Outstanding Actress in a Drama Series for 2 Good 2 Be True. Her leading man in the hit series, Daniel Padilla, nabbed the award for Most Outstanding Actor in a Drama Series. It’s Showtime received a stamp of approval from the DLSAU community, bagging the award for Most Outstanding Variety Show.

Anne Curtis was also named Most Outstanding Variety Show Host.

In the news and current affairs category, TeleRadyo was voted as Most Outstanding Digital Radio Station, while ABS-CBN journalist and “Sakto” host Jeff Canoy was hailed as the Most Outstanding Male News Correspondent.

TV Patrol anchors Karen Davila and Noli de Castro were also big winners at the 5th Gawad Lasallianeta. Karen won as Most Outstanding Female News Anchor, while Noli was hailed as the Most Outstanding Public Affairs Show Host for KBYN: Kaagapay ng Bayan ABS-CBN’s digital presence was also loved and felt by the DLSAU community as they chose ABS-CBN Entertainment as the Most Outstanding YouTube Channel and Most Outstanding Facebook Page. As of this writing, ABS-CBN’s Facebook page has 35 million followers, while its YouTube channel remains the most subscribed channel in Southeast Asia with 42.1 million subscribers. Gawad Lasallianeta is the DLSAU awarding ceremony for the most outstanding media and public communicators in the Philippines. A university-wide survey among all DLSAU administrators, staff, faculty members, parents, and students was conducted in November 2022 to determine the awardees of the various categories.

Nickie Wang, Editor; Patricia Taculao, Editorial Assistant

Abby Clutario clutching her Chapman Stick

Kapamilya actress Kathryn Bernardo

Rez Cortez brings life to Mang Kanor

Furniture exhibit encapsulates diverse Filipino art and tradition

STUDENTS at the De La SalleCollege of Saint Benilde Interior Design recently showcased their exquisite and meaningful works during the Value+Able: Exalting Filipino Values Through Furniture Exhibit at the 3rd Level Atrium of SM Aura Premier.

The Filipino values interpreted through the furniture are based on the National Commission for Culture and the Arts’ (NCCA) study on Philippine values as part of the government’s Filipinos Values Formation Program. According to the research, Filipinos uphold 19 main values. The furniture pieces were strategically grouped into clusters that represent parts of a home where different values are instilled and flourished in every Filipino.

The “Komunidad” cluster highlights a sense of community with the values of Kapuwa, Love for Country, Human Rights, Peace and Development, and the Environment. Leading the way, this cluster included Sandra Aloran and Natalie Kyle Ongpeng’s “Hinahon” lounge chair which represents the pacifism a society needs to reach prosperity, as well as Mari Andrea Abad and Katrina Faye Marciano’s Eno sofa that aims to bridge the connection between human life and nature to enhance the experi-

ence of a certain space.

The second cluster, “Kabuhayan” portrayed a family room characterizing the values of Family, Education, Health and Wellness, Basic Needs, and Work and Livelihood. Patrice Mabborang and Paolo Madarang exhibited their “Ugnayan” center table while Jihanne Chrisia Petiluna and Paola Erica Demition displayed their “Dunong” easy chair.

The “Paglinang” cluster on the other hand showed a foyer – an entryway to one’s individual growth and cultiva-

Around the museum

Paseo Museo Loop trains spotlight on communal artistic spirit and collaborations

“IS THAT a new component?” asked a media friend when we did the Paseo Museo media tour recently, featuring the five new museum partners of this year’s CCP Pasinaya Open House Festival.

He was referring to the museum tour component of the country’s largest multiarts festival, slated on February 3 to 5, at various outdoor venues in the CCP Complex, as well as the Tanghalang Ignacio B. Gimenez (CCP Blackbox Theater).

Since day one, the museum tour has always been part of Pasinaya. It used to be called Museum Miles, with colorful jeepneys ferrying festival-goers from CCP to different museums.

This year, it has been rebranded as Paseo Museo, and partnered with 13 museums, five of which are new.

In partnership with the Museum Foundation of the Philippines, which would provide shuttles that enable audiences to visit the participating museums and galleries, the Paseo Museo Loop puts the spotlight on communal artistic spirit and collaborations.

This year, there will be 15 vehicles that will ferry the Pasinaya Paseo Museo viewers to Routes A, B, and C* (*Saturday only) on February 4 and 5. For two days, the visitors can hop on, hop-off the vans to visit the museums included in the specific route. Or they can try all the routes.

The participating museums and galleries, who have been Pasinaya’s regulars, include the National Museum of Fine Arts, the National Museum of Anthropology, the National Museum of Natural History, the Museum of Contemporary Art and Design, Casa Manila, Museo de Intramuros, Fort Santiago, and Museo Pambata.

While the new partners are: AIMS Museo Maritimo, GSIS Museum, the Philippine Women’s University (PWU) School of Fine Arts & Design (SFAD) Jose Conrado Benitez (JCB) Gallery, Adamson University Art Gallery, and the Manila Clock Tower Museum. Located at the Asian Institute of Maritime Studies (AIMS) Lighthouse along Roxas Boulevard corner Arnaiz Avenue, Pasay City, AIMS Museo Maritimo put the spotlight on Philippine maritime history, maritime trade routes, and the contributions of Filipino seafarers in the global seafaring industry.

Launched in 2012, the maritimethemed museum is dedicated to Filipino seafarers and pays homage to their contribution to nation-building from the distant past to the present; utilizing imaginative exhibitions and displays to illustrate what the Philippine seafaring, training, and manning history is and who its pioneers and leaders are. Furthermore, it serves as a repository for valuable collections of marine art, ship models, and nautical artifact.

AIMS Museo Maritimo highlights Philippine maritime history, maritime trade routes, and the contributions of Filipino seafarers in the global seafaring industry

Established in 1996, the GSIS Museo ng Sining is home to some of the best artwork collections in the country. In 2012, however, GSIS turned over the management of the GSIS Art Collection to the National Museum, with around 100 pieces, the majority of which were done by National Artists Fernando Amorsolo, Carlos “Botong” Francisco, Vicente Manansala, HR Ocampo, Jose Joya, Ang Kiukok, Bencab, and Federico Alcuaz

They also have pieces by visual artists Diosdado Lorenzo, Jose Blanco, Juvenal Sanso, and Rodolfo Ragodon. The collection is currently on display at the 3/F National Art Gallery. Filipino painter Juan Luna’s Parisian Life is also entrusted to the management of the National Museum.

On display for the weekend at the GSIS are some of the retained works of other renowned artists as well as the winning entries of the annual GSIS Art Competition.

These pieces are now on display at the GSIS Art Gallery, including the largest mural publicly on display done by Amorsolo entitled “History of Music” that used to adorn the Metropolitan Theater Lobby wall.

Commemorating its 75th anniversary last year, GSIS put on display some of its memorabilia items on view at the museum

entrance hallway. These items are now re-displayed and re-exhibited at the lower gallery of the museum. The space allocated for these items is renamed the GSIS Gallery of Institutional Memory.

The GSIS Museo ng Sining also handles other artworks and artifacts (antiques, decorative items, pieces of furniture, etc.) from foreclosed and important properties of GSIS such as Puerto Azul, Coconut Palace, and the Metropolitan Theater. Some of these items are also put on display.

First opened in 2012, the PWU’s SFAD JCB gallery has mounted visual art exhibitions featuring the works of PWU SFAD alumni, students, and faculty, as well as visiting artists. Managed under the Office of the University President, with the supervision of the Dean of SFAD, the gallery provides the confident affirmation of PWU as an avenue for art, culture, and heritage that contributes to the expansion of the visual art language. It enjoins other schools within the university, and visiting cultural producers to engage with the gallery to avail its facilities for exhibitions and scholarly discourse related to art, culture, and heritage.

Located at the left side of the AdU Theater, the Adamson University Art Gallery first opened on September 27, 2005, but was

tion towards opportunities of Arts and Sciences, Culture, and Creative Excellence. Reayenne Hernandez got inspiration from the art of tattooing by the Kalinga indigenous group as seen in her Kalinga stool.

The “Kapakanan” cluster served as a common space where a sense of wellbeing blossomed – demonstrating the values of Faith, Self, Peace and Development, Life and Purpose, and Happiness.

The “Tiwala” rocking lounge chair by Jadey Gutierrez conveys balance within instability, symbolizing the equilibrium of what we feel and believe, and the perfect love that we receive from God.

Finally, the “Budhi” cluster showcased a backyard – a natural holistic space where the values of Honesty, In-

GLAZING LIFE

BY GLAIZA LEE

tegrity, and Resilience are developed. Maria Beatrice De Vega’s “Dalisay” occasional table, a creation that represents the two virtues, is a captivating furniture piece that touches one’s inner being.

Students Sofia Rodrigueza and Ma. Lucia Baltazar’s “Crystal Oasis Center Table” received the People’s Choice Award. Likewise, “Bu-Ko” Swing Chair by Sheina Balayo got the Professors’ Choice Award, while “Kapuwa” coffee table by Patricia Malijan bagged the NCCA’s Choice Award. The exhibit also included furniture pieces such as “Usad “lounge chair, Concio lounge chair, “Pangangailangan” nesting tables, and “Dominion” accent chair, among others.

Antipolo-based artist holds nature-inspired exhibit at Gateway Gallery

THE crashing of ocean waves on stolid rocks; the swaying grass on the windy hill; and the dripping of myriad hues on the daybreak sky. Artworks that extol nature and the human experience are the main theme of the third art exhibit of Antipolo-based artist Joseph Espino at the Small Room of Gateway Gallery in Gateway Mall.

Titled Live Dreams: from Quartz to Mountains, Espino’s art exhibit is an assembly of works in various media that unravels God’s palpable handiwork, the natural world. Espino says that this incredible vision of wonder happens anytime and anywhere. We only need to listen and see intently.

renovated in 2013 following the brutalist design with modernists and de-constructivist elements, by Arch. Sylvester Seño a faculty member of the AdU College of Architecture. From being a part of the St. Theresa’s Auditorium and its surroundings, the art gallery has mounted several arts and photo exhibits and serves as a holding area for special guests of the theater.

The Manila Clock Tower Museum features a variety of multi-sensory exhibits of the historical Battle of Manila highlighted by the Wall of Heroes. Launched in 2022, the museum initiated the adaptive reuse of the Manila City Hall’s clock/watch tower.

Under the management of the Department of Tourism, Culture and Arts of the City of Manila, the museum has five levels, designed and curated by Ohm David and Elba Cruz, with light design by Meliton Roxas, Jr.

Paseo Museo is part of the Pasinaya 2023: The CCP Open House Festival, the largest annual multi-arts festival in the country, featuring a wide variety of exciting activities. Audiences can experience all-you-can, pay-what-you-can with over a hundred shows, workshops, and other various activities in music, theater, dance, visual arts, film, and literature.

Following the theme “Piglas Sining,” the biggest multi-arts festival returns live with other various components (aside from Paseo Museo), including Pagtitipon, a gathering of regional partners to share plans and programs; Palihan or workshop-all-you-can in various art forms to be conducted by experts in their field, Palabas, see-all-you-can performances and film screenings featuring the CCP resident companies, professional, amateur and community-based artists and arts organizations in all the art genres; and Palitan, art market where artists and art groups can pitch to prospective producers and content buyers.

With four outdoor venues at the CCP Complex and at the Tanghalang Ignacio Gimenez, this will surely be the biggest comeback to live events after the pandemic.

Follow the official CCP social media accounts on Facebook, Twitter, Instagram, and Tiktok for the latest updates on CCP Pasinaya 2023.

To acknowledge God and help in spreading the gospel, Espino signs his artwork with “John 3:16.”

“I remember one afternoon going home when I saw this Bible verse in one of the nondescript walls along EDSA. It is one of the greatest messages of the Bible. Suddenly, at that moment, the spiritual experience became my source of inspiration for painting. All the things that we have, we owe to God: our wealth, our jobs, our family, and yes, even our talent,” said Espino.

A full-time artist, Espino is working as a web and graphic artist for almost 30 years. He is a Cultural Center of the Philippines Grantee in Poetry, a two-time third-placer in GSIS Art Awards, and an honorable mention in the Sculpture Category.

Unlike other artists, Espino’s process in artmaking is a bit quirky and disorganized as he developed a habit of doing various routines before facing the canvas such as puttering in the garden or simply meandering and waiting. From there, he gets motivated to start painting.

Joseph Espino’s Live Dreams: from Quartz to Mountains solo art exhibit was on view at the Gateway Gallery on Level 5 of Gateway Mall in Araneta City.

De La Salle-College of Saint Benilde Furniture Design 1 class of AY 2022-2023 Term 1 during the presentation for their furniture pieces during the exhibit at SM Aura Premier

The Sinag Center Table

The Manila Clock Tower Museum features a variety of multi-sensory exhibits of the historical Battle of Manila

The PWU’s SFAD JCB provides the confident affirmation of PWU as an avenue for art, culture, and heritage

The Kiss (oil on canvas, 2023)

Antipolo-based artist Joseph Espino portrays the natural beauty of the world through his paintings