THE franchise of most traditional jeepneys will expire on June 30, the Land Transportation Franchising and Regulatory Board said. After extending four times the deadline for operators to form cooperatives for the purchase of modern jeepneys, the
LTFRB said there will be no more extension this time.
“The CPC [Certificate of Public Conveyance] will be reverted to the state... It will be awarded [to those who have consolidated],” LTFRB Technical Division head Joel Bolano said.
By Macon Ramos-Araneta, Vito Barcelo, Vince Lopez, and Othel Campos
BY A 20-1-1 vote, the Senate on Tuesday ratified the country’s membership in the Regional Comprehensive Economic Partnership (RCEP), which Senate President Juan Miguel Zubiri said would help create 1.4 million jobs, address longstanding issues in the agricultural sector, and encourage investments.
Most senators voted “yes” to the free trade agreement, but opposition Sen. Risa Hontiveros voted “no” and Sen. Imee Marcos – sister of President Ferdinand
DEPARTMENT of Justice prosecutors
will now recommend reduced bail at a maximum of P10,000 for indigent persons accused in bailable criminal cases filed before the courts as one of the measures to ease congestion in prison facilities nationwide.
Under Department Circular No. 011 issued on February 20, 2023, and signed by Justice Secretary Jesus Crispin Remulla, prosecutors may recommend 50 percent of the recommended bail or just P10,000, whichever is lower, under the DOJ 2018 Bail Bond Guide.
THE National Economic and Development Authority (NEDA) ruled out giving a onetime inflation aid of P50,000 to all workers, saying the country was already providing assistance to the poorest of the poor.
Socioeconomic Secretary Arsenio
Balisacan made the statement after a think tank on Tuesday blasted as patronage politics Senate President Juan Miguel Zubiri’s move to provide a P50,000 inflation assistanxe to each of the Senate’s 3,000 employees, adding that such help should
By Macon Ramos-Araneta and Rey E. RequejoSENATOR Jinggoy Estrada on Tuesday filed a resolution opposing the International Criminal Court (ICC) decision to resume its investigation of the Duterte administration’s bloody war on drugs.
It was the second Senate resolution after Senator Robin Padilla’s seeking to defend former President Rodrigo Duterte from the ICC investigation.
In his resolution, Estrada said the country’s Department of Justice and the Philippine National Police-Internal Affairs Service have in fact investigated the alleged crimes committed during the drug war, which claimed thousands of lives. These efforts, Estrada added, resulted in the filing of four criminal cases before the courts.
Next page
be given to everyone.
Balisacan said giving everyone the same inflationary assistance treatment would be "not feasible," citing the country’s “limited fiscal space.” He also said the government was also addressing inflation.
"It's not feasible for everyone to be given the same treatment, because as you know, our fiscal space is very, very limited. And so, we are taking a two-pronged approach. Make sure that we are able to address where the inflation is coming
INVESTIGATORS said Tuesday a drug syndicate could have been behind the February 17 ambush on Lanao del Sur Governor Mamintal “Bombit” Alonto Adiong Jr. and his security convoy, as the Philippine National Police announced they are focusing on seven suspects in the
attack that left four men dead. Meanwhile, police have identified the registered owner of the getaway vehicle used in the ambush of Aparri, Cagayan Vice Mayor Rommel Alameda and five others in Bagabag, Nueva Vizcaya, the PNP said.
TAIWAN will boost military exchanges with the United States to curb "authoritarian expansionism," President Tsai Ing-wen said Tuesday after meeting with visiting US lawmakers.
The five-day US Congressional visit comes after a top US defense official reportedly made a rare and highly secretive stopover to the self-ruled island as Washington-Beijing tensions flared over alleged Chinese spy balloons.
"Taiwan and the United States continue to bolster military exchanges," Tsai said after convening with the US delegation at her office in Taipei.
From A1
Marcos Jr., who has been pushing the regional pact as part of his administration's priority measures – abstained.
Sen. Marcos sought permission from the chamber to abstain, citing the legacy of her father, former President Ferdinand Marcos Sr., and noting in Filipino: “bigo pa rin ang nakararami sa bukid at sa parang” (the failure of many in the farms and the fields).
Hontiveros said 131 groups from various sectors believe the Philippines is not ready for the free trade agreement between the ten member states of the Association of Southeast Asian Nations (ASEAN) and its five FTA partners: Australia, China, Japan, New Zealand, and the Republic of Korea.
Since it involves ratification of a treaty, at least two-thirds of the 24-member Senate, or 16 senators, needed to concur for its approval.
Apart from Zubiri and Senate President Pro Tempore Loren Legarda, who defended the RCEP in the plenary, those who sustained the ratification were Majority Leader Joel Villanueva, Senators Jinggoy Estrada, JV Ejercito, Sonny Angara, Nancy Binay, Alan Peter Cayetano, Ronald dela Rosa, Christopher Go, Sherwin Gatchalian, Lito Lapid, Robin Padilla, Cynthia Villar, Mark Villar, Grace Poe, Ramon Revilla, Francis Tolentino, Raffy Tulfo, and Senate Minority Leader Aquilino "Koko" Pimentel III.
Sen. Chiz Escudero interpellated but
From A1 from and that is what we are addressing as of now," he said.
"(And) for those who are really affected adversely, especially the very poor and vulnerable groups, they will get the needed assistance from us," Balisacan said.
IBON Foundation’s executive director, Sonny Africa, told ABS-CBN’s TeleRadyo that increasing the inflation allowance for the Senate’s 3,000 employees was a political choice. He said both chambers of Congress increased their own budgets for 2023 while other programs such as the conditional cash transfer for the country's poorest families have suffered budget cuts.
From A1
Also, the Union of Local Authorities of the Philippines (ULAP) condemned the recent attacks against the elected local government officials, calling for the speedy administration of justice for the victims.
ULAP president and Quirino Governor Dax Cua denounced the crimes, saying these have no place in a democratic country. He also urged the government to swiftly act to apprehend the perpetrators to reassure the public that the rule of law continues to apply in the country.
"These acts of impunity have no place in a democracy. Immediate action from the government is needed to assure our countrymen that the rule of law still prevails in our society," Cua said.
GMA Regional TV One Mindanao reported that apart from being suspected syndicate members, the group shot Adiong's convoy “possibly due to his campaign against illegal drugs,” the regional police added.
Last Friday, authorities destroyed P5 million worth of marijuana in a plantation in Maguing town, Lanao del Sur. On the same day, unidentified gunmen attacked the governor’s convoy in Kalilangan, Bukidnon, and killed four of Adiong’s
From A1
On September 15, 2021, the pre-trial Chamber of the ICC authorized the Office of the Prosecutor to investigate crimes committed in the Philippines during Duterte’s bloody war on drugs.
In a letter to Prosecutor Karim Khan, the Philippine government informed the ICC that it is investigating its nationals and others for the alleged drug-related
"Going forward, Taiwan will cooperate even more actively with the United States and other democratic partners to confront such global challenges as authoritarian expansionism and climate change."
Tsai did not provide further details on what the future exchanges might entail.
Washington diplomatically recognises Beijing over Taipei, but is the self-governing island's most important interna-
was out of the session hall during the voting, while Sen. Pia Cayetano was absent.
Prior to the voting, the senators and the country's economic managershad a closed-door briefing. Before the ratification, the Philippineshad been the sole RCEP signatory yet to concur with the agreement.
Earlier in the day, Malacanang said the ratification of the free trade agreement will help the agriculture sector be competitive and productive, as it is “so crucial” in helping the economy.
“By being a member, we are saying to the world that we are ready for business, [you] are welcome here, we play the rules of the game well and your investment is safe with us,” National Economic and Development Authority (NEDA) Secretary Arsenio Balisacan said in a Palace press briefing.
Balisacan also refuted criticisms citing the reported dangers posed by RCEP for agriculture.
“It must be ratified. The future of our country depends so much on our ability to attract investors, particularly foreign capital because thedomestic capital is not enough… By being a member, we are saying tothe world that we are ready for business, we play the rules of the game well, and your investments are safe with us,” he said.
“With regards to the allegation that the agricultural sector will be hurt, there’s no truth to that… whether or not there is RCEP, we need to invest in agriculture. We must address these concerns,” the socioeconomic planning chief said.
By ratifying the free trade deal, the
“If you want to do it, there are many ways. If you don’t, there are many excuses,” Africa said in Filipino. “While they were increasing their own budget, they slashed the budget for social assistance programs. Even the flagship 4Ps was slashed by more than P4 billion and assistance to the poor has been cut.”
Zubiri's announcement, he said, was "institutionalized patronage on full display" and said the larger question was not how the Senate was able to get funds for its employees, but what the government is doing to help those who lost their jobs during the extended COVID-19 lockdowns and that are still struggling to make ends meet due to rising inflation.
“The government is there for everyone. If anyone has a right to assistance, it should be because they are poor, not because they
companions. The fatalities were identified as Police Staff Sergeant Mohammad Jurai Mipanga Adiong, 40; Police Corporal Johanie Lawi Sumandar, 39; Police Corporal Jalil Ampuan Cosain, 40, and a driver identified only as Kobi. Gov. Adiong and two of his staff were hurt in the attack.
In the Alameda case, despite the chassis and engine numbers of the getaway vehicle having been tampered with, the Highway Patrol Group (HPG) was able to lift them, PNP spokesperson Police Col. Jean Fajardo said.
“We already coordinated with the [Land Transportation Office]. Wealready have the name of the registered owner,” Fajardo said in an interview on CNN Philippines—but emphasized that authorities are still not sure if the listed owner was the current possessor of the vehicle.
The Special Investigation Task Group (SITG) is now coordinating with the local police to find the registered owner, she added.
The getaway vehicle was found burned in Solano, Nueva Vizcaya.
On Sunday, Alameda and five others —Alexander Agustin Delos Angeles, Alvin Dela Cruz Abel, Abraham Dela Cruz Ramos, John Duane Banag Almeda, and Ismael Nanay—were killed when their van was ambushed by gunmen in Bagabag, Nueva Vizcaya.
crimes which happened between July 1, 2016 and March 16, 2019.
Due to this, the government requested the deferral of the ICC investigations and proceedings.
The Philippine government has the first responsibility and right to prosecute crimes, it said.
Estrada's resolution stated that the ICC may exercise jurisdiction where the national legal systems fail--was not the case in the Philippines. Domestic institutions are fully func-
tional benefactor and supports Taiwan's right to decide its own future. Beijing, which claims Taiwan as part of its territory and has vowed toseize it one day, opposes any official exchanges with the democracy and has reacted with anger to a flurry of trips to the island by US politicians in recent years.
Meanwhile, the Philippine Department of Foreign Affairs said the country remains committed to diplomacy in resolving territorial disputes over the West Philippine Sea, which is part of the also highly-contested South China Sea, despite past and recent actions by China that are inconsistent with international law.
country will be “even more forced to pay attention to agriculture because only then can you fully maximize the benefits that RCEP can give to us,” he said.
“The current problems of (PH) agriculture have nothing to do with RCEP. The problems were outcomes of past neglect of the sector,” the NEDA chief pointed out.
President Ferdinand R. Marcos Jr. earlier said RCEP would be good for the country because of the increased trade it would bring to its different member economies.
The Philippines is going to continue increasing its investment in the agricultural value chain to make it more competitive, the Chief Executive said, adding RCEP will allow the country to further strengthen its agricultural value chain.
The Makati Business Club (MBC) also supports the RCEP ratification, urging senators to sign off on the deal “to help businesses expand abroad, strengthening the economy and accelerating job creation.”
“We believe joining RCEP is essential to this as it will comprise 15countries, 2.1 billion people, and around 30 percent of global GDP.
While RCEP would help us enter foreign markets, it would also expose our industries to more competition at home. We recognize that there are valid concerns about this. However, we believe that adequate safeguards have been included,” the influential business group said.
MBC also believes that friendly competition with fellow RCEP members will lead to better local players and better
know a senator, congressman, mayor or governor. Everyone should be equal. If they are in need, give them help,” he said.
Balisacan said the government was ramping up digitalization as a way of ensuring that the limited assistance is delivered to those who are really in need.
He said the government is doing its best to help the indigent badly affected by the soaring inflation.
Balisacan nevertheless noted that the Marcos administration is considering another round of annual salary increases for government employees.
However, talk about the planned salary hike is "still premature," he said.
He said the government is also optiistic that inflation will ease "in the coming months."
The country's headline inflation rate in
From A1
The DOJ adopted the Bail Bond Guide based on criteria and standards set under Rule 114 of the Revised Rules of Criminal Procedure.
With the reduced bail amount, many detained individuals—mainly indigent persons—would be released on bail, Remulla said.
Many criminal cases filed in courts against indigent persons are bailable, but Remulla stressed they “are unable to afford the amount set by the courts upon the recommendation of the prosecutors.”
In the circular, Remulla said prosecutors may indicate the lower amounts in the criminal information “after the conduct of inquest or preliminary investigation proceedings, (and) the investigating prosecutor finds probable cause with a reasonable certainty of conviction against the indigent respondent.”
“In all cases pending before the first or second level Courts, the trial prosecutor is duty-bound to ensure that only applications for release on recognizance by accused who are qualified and comply with the requirements of Republic Act No. 10389 or the Recognizance Act of 2012 shall be submitted for consideration of the
tional and more than capable to address the concerns raised in the Prosecutor's Notification, the resolution said.
President Ferdinand Marcos Jr. said on Saturday that the Philippines will not cooperate with the ICC because it has a “good” and working justice system.
Speaking to reporters in Fort del Pilar, Baguio City, Mr. Marcos said the ICC has no jurisdiction over the Philippines, which he emphasized is a sovereign nation. “My position has not changed. I
Foreign Affairs Secretary Enrique Manalo said “no conflict will ever be resolved when even the most basic norms are being violated with impunity.”
After meeting with German Foreign Minister Annalena Baerbock in Berlinon Monday, Manalo said the Philippines maintains the need for dialogue with other nations in addressing South China Sea-related disputes.
“This, in spite of recent actions or even actions which have been going on for some time which are inconsistent with the United Nations Convention on the Law of the Sea and the 2002 Declaration on the Code of Conduct in the South China Sea,” he said in a press conference. AFP with Rey Requejo
products and services for Filipinos.
“We welcome the effort that the administration, especially Secretary Alfredo E. Pascual and the DTI (Department of Trade and Industry), have exerted to further RCEP and encourage the Senate to give it positive consideration,” MBC said.
Zubiri and Senate President Pro Tempore Loren Legarda defended theRCEP agreement during the period of interpellations, elaborating on the expected benefits of the agreement to the country should the Senate grant its concurrence to its ratification.
The Senate leader said RCEP is expected to foster the creation of 1.4 million jobs by 2031—a conservative estimate cited from a study conducted by Dr. Caesar Cororaton, broken down into 308,000 jobs in agriculture, 77,000 jobs in industries, and 991,000 in services.
Zubiri also said that non-participation in the RCEP is expected to lead to a -0.26 percent decrease in real GDP (gross domestic product), according to a study by Dr. Francis Quimba.
Participation, meanwhile, is seen to lead to a 2.02 percent increase in GDP, the Senate President said.
“We would be left behind in foreign direct investments (without RCEP). Trade diversion would happen. If we don’t join RCEP, investors will go to other countries, because they will have broader markets,” Zubiri explained.
He noted that in the clothing industry, the Philippines used to be the biggest manufacturer in the region, but now has yielded to Cambodia and Laos – “especially now they are in RCEP.” (See full story online at manilastandard.net)
January 2023 ticked up to 8.7 percent from 8.1 percent in December 2022, according to the recent Philippine Statistics Authority (PSA) report.
Based on the PSA report, the January 2023 inflation was mainly driven by increases in housing rentals, electricity and water rates, as well as in the prices of vegetables, milk, eggs, fruits and nuts.
On Feb. 7, President Ferdinand R. Marcos Jr. said he hoped that the drop in the prices of fuel and imported agricultural products would help tame inflation.” (
Balisacan earlier said the government has identified measures to keep food price movements consistent with the government’s inflation and food security objectives, with higher agricultural productivity, food supply augmentation and energy security seen as priorities to temper upward price pressures.
courts,” he added.
“When accused is charged with crimes punishable by death, reclusion perpetua, or life imprisonment, he shall be deemed disqualified,” Remulla said.
These guidelines will be applied to all cases undergoing inquest or preliminary investigation proceedings, the DOJ chief said.
The circular, which was addressed to Prosecutor General A. Malcontentoand the DOJ’s National Prosecution Service (NPS), provides that “at the start of the inquest or preliminary investigation proceeding, the investigating prosecutor shall inquire from respondent whether or nothe or she claims indigency.”
Remulla added the respondent should also prove that he or she is not a habitual offender, delinquent, or recidivist.
Documents the indigent respondent should submit to prove indigency are the latest income tax return or pay slip, or other suitable proof of income; certificate of indigency from the Department of Social Welfare and Development; certificate of indigency or no income from the office of the Punong Barangay or Barangay Chairperson, who has jurisdiction over the residence of the person.
“This will help our countrymen who have been oppressed most of the time by the former system,” Remulla said. (See full story online at manilastandard.net)
have stated it often, even before I took office as President, that there are many questions about (ICC’s) jurisdiction, and what we in the Philippines regard as an intrusion into our internal matters and a threat to our sovereignty,” he said.
Meanwhile, Justice Secretary Jesus Crispin Remulla assailed the ICC, asking why it was investigating the government’s war on drugs and not the drug cartels. (See full story online at manilastandard.net)
From A1
The cooperatives are meant to help operators afford the purchase of modern jeeps worth at least P2.6 million each through loans from financial institutions.
Only operators who are in the process of transitioning into a cooperative or corporation will be allowed to ply their old jeepneys beyond June 30.
They have, however, until December to finish the consolidation process.
"We won't allow a situation where our commuters won't have any option for their transportation. The board will address that," Bolano said.
From A1
The RP-C2080 aircraft lost communication with the air traffic control a few minutes after take off at the Bicol International Airport on Saturday. The plane was last contacted while abeam the Camalig Bypass Road at 6:46 a.m. that day.
CAAP said the missing aircraft operated by the Energy Development Corp. is compliant with the airworthiness certification.
Rescue teams began climbing an active volcano Tuesday in a "very risky operation" to reach the wreckage of the small plane, officials said.
Four people, including two Australians, were on board the Cessna 340 aircraft when it went missing Saturday morning after taking off for Manila from Bicol International Airport in the central province of Albay, several kilometers from Mayon volcano.
Manila-based Energy Development Corp. said previously the missing plane belonged to the company. The Australians were technical consultants for the renewable energy company.
Rain, clouds and the risk of an eruption have hampered efforts to reach the crash site.
The CAAP said the plane was on the western side of the volcano, about "3,500 to 4,000 feet" above sea level.
Attempts to lower rescue teams to the crash site by helicopter were aborted Tuesday due to strong winds and cloud cover, officials said.
Instead, search and rescue teams, including veteran mountaineers, began making the steep climb on foot.
They were expected to camp overnight and reach the crash site Wednesday, said Carlos Baldo, mayor of Camalig municipality, which overlaps the crash site. Mayon is the most active volcano in the country and last erupted in 2018, spewing tons of ash, rocks and lava. Access to its slopes is restricted.
Philippine Institute of Volcanology and Seismology director Teresito Bacolcol warned there was a risk of a "steamdriven eruption or a rockfall".
"It's a very risky operation," Bacolcol said.
"If they are willing to take the risk, only professionally trained and experienced personnel should be involved."
George Cordovilla, one of the mountaineers involved in the rescue effort, has climbed Mayon several times in the past and said it was a difficult ascent. With AFP (See full story online at manilastandard.net)
From A1 imposition of ashes on foreheads is now allowed.
"We will revert to the imposition of ashes on the forehead of thefaithful," said Manila Archdiocese Vice Chancellor Fr. Carmelo Arada in Circular No. 2023-17.
The Archdiocese of Manila added that it will no longer sprinkle ashes on the crown as practiced during the observances of the start of Lent in the past years during the height of the pandemic.
He said the phrase "remember that you are dust and to dust you shall return" uttered before the imposition of ashes shall be done for every faithful and no longer en masse.
Arada also noted the self-imposition of ashes is being stronglydiscouraged by the Church.
"The imposition of ashes is always done in the context of a liturgicalcelebration. It derives its meaning from the proclamation of the Word and prayers," he said.
Arada, however, added they will allow the imposition of ashes outside the churches for the selected population.
"Priests and Extraordinary Ministers of Holy Communion may visit the sick and the elderly for the imposition of ashes," he said.
Meanwhile, Fr. Justy More, director of the Diocesan Liturgical Commission of the Kalibo diocese, also reminded the liturgical directives for the Ash Wednesday celebration, including the imposition of ashes on the forehead of the faithful.
“The practice of the celebration of Ash Wednesday is reverted to its usual manner. Our faithful are strongly encouraged to return to in-person liturgical celebrations and to receive ashes in the context of the Mass. Although the imposition of ashes on the foreheads of the faithful is already allowed, the sprinkling of the blessed ashes on the crown of the head remains an option,” the priest added.
THE Metro Manila Development Authority (MMDA), in collaboration with the Metro Manila Council and the Department of Trade and Industry, has started monitoring of retail prices of consumer goods in public markets within the National Capital Region to determine if they comply with governmentsuggested retail prices (SRP).
On Tuesday, the MMDA, together with local officials of San Juan City and DTI representatives visited the Agora public market.
The price monitoring team, headed by MMDA chairman Romando Artes, San Juan Mayor Francis Zamora and DTI assistant secretary for consumer protection Ann Claire Cabochan also looked at the vendors’ weighing scales.
Artes said the MMC, the governing board and the policy making body of the MMDA, will help ensure compliance with the SRP to protect consumers from unscrupulous retailers.
The MMC is composed of the 17 mayors in Metro Manila.
Mayor Zamora said he initiated the inspection in Agora market to assure consumers of protection from profiteering.
“I want to make sure that our constituents are not being sold overpriced commodities,” Zamora explained, adding that the city government has a Local Price Coordinating Council (LPCC) tasked to monitor the supply and prices of basic food items.
OFFICIALS of the Manila International Airport Authority (MIAA), the Civil Aviation Authority of the Philippines (CAAP) and the PNP-Aviation Security Group (PNP-AVSEGROUP) blamed one another over alleged lapses in protocols that led to smuggling of foreigners aboard a private plane that left NAIA on Feb. 13.
Senate Blue Ribbon Committee chairman Sen. Francis Tolentino pressed rep -
AUSTRALIAN Deputy Prime Minister and Minister for Defense Richard Marles will visit the Philippines and Thailand this week.
Australia and the Philippines are committed to elevating our relationship to a Strategic Partnership, as agreed by Prime Minister Anthony Albanese and President Ferdinand Marcos Jr. last November,” Marles said in a statement.
During his visit, Marles will meet with President Marcos Jr., National Defense officer-in-charge Carlito Galvez Jr. and other senior government officials to discuss the “already deep ties between the two countries, including our defense forces.”
After visiting Manila, Marles will go to Bangkok to meet with Prime Minister and Defense Minister Prayut Chano-cha.
“Australia and Thailand have a longstanding partnership, including deep defense ties and an ambitious trade and economic agenda< the Australian official said.
“Australia is committed to working with the Philippines and Thailand in support of a stable, prosperous and resilient Indo-Pacific region, with ASEAN at its core,” he added.
According to him, Australia’s relationships across the Asian region are “founded on history, personal connections and shared interests.”
resentatives from the MIAA, the CAAP, and the PNP-AVEGROUP, as well as the Bureau of Customs (BoC) and the Bureau of Immigration (BI) on how the chartered flight with Registry No. N9527E flew out of the NAIA without being inspected.
The chartered flight was able to leave the country supposedly without a proper immigration pre-departure inspection.
Even the exact number of passengers aboard the private plane was not estab -
lished during the committee hearing presided by Tolentino although a report from Dubai said seven passengers riding the said plane arrived there. Sen. Grace Poe who delivered a privilege speech on the issue said they were able to secure a copy of the flight’s General Declaration which showed that only three crew members and six individuals were on the manifest, but a BI General Declaration form showed there were three crew members and seven passengers—a
Malaysian, Korean, Chinese, Vanuata and three from Saint Kitts and Nevis.
She also received information that the seven passengers had a mix of visas from tourist, employment, and Special Resident Retirees’ visa.
Grilled by Tolentino, MIAA general manager Cesar Chiong, CAAP acting director Gen. Manuel Antonio Tamayo and PNP AVSEGROUP attempted to evade any liability by passing the responsibility to each other.
Based on the latest price monitoring, the SRP of imported red onions is ₱125 per kilogram, which covers medium and large-sized onions.
After the inspection, the authorities served two notices of violation against some of the retailers at Agora Public Market due to failure to comply with the SRP.
THE Department of Health (DOH) on Tuesday conducted a Philippine Genomic Surveillance Consortium Stakeholder Summit in Quezon City with support from the World Health Organization (WHO) Philippines and the United States Agency for International Development (USAID).
The meeting was in line with the WHO global genomic surveillance strategy for pathogens with pandemic and epidemic potential for 2022 to 2032.
SMUGGLED CIGARETTES.
Elements of the Philippine Coast Guard take stock of some P2.l million worth of smuggled cigarettes they seized during a raid at the waterfront of Dipolog City, along with the van transporting the contraband.
WITH help from Solaire Resort and developer and Manila Water Co. Inc.
owner Enrique Razon Jr., the Department of Environment and Natural Resources (DENR) will reforest a 1,800-hectare area of the Upper Marikina River basin protected landscape for water security, watershed protection, and forest carbon and biodiversity management.
A LAWMAKER has raised concerns over the increasing number of suicides and attempted suicides among students.
Anakalusugan Rep. Ray Reyes adverted to a Department of Health (DOH) study in 2021 which showed that 17 percent of children and adolescents reported having thought of committing suicide.
The DOH report further enumerated that the suicide ideation number has risen from 597,000 in 2013 to 1.5 million kids in 2021, with only seven percent of that number seeking help from their parents or guardians as opposed to 25 percent seeking advice from their
peers.
“This is alarming. Our children spend most of their time learning to navigate life from what they learn at school. Their young minds are still in their formative years, and with the data showing that our children prefer seeking help from their friends than their guardians only show that professional help is much needed,” said Reyes, vice chair of the House committee on health.
The Senate hearing earlier this month revealed that at the height of the COVID-19 pandemic more than four hundred students committed suicide, while over 2,000 attempted suicides in School Year 2021-2022 alone.
“We’re very glad for this new effort on the part of the public and private sector to address the very complexity that we are facing in terms of risks for the country. The private sector is among the leading engines of growth for the country, and we would like very much to continue exploring this type of multi-stakeholder partnerships to move the agenda of the department forward,” DENR Secretary
Antonia Loyzaga said.
The DENR chief and Razon of the Prime Infra-led WawaJVCo Inc. recently signed a memorandum of understanding, deemed a“a milestone partnership,” in line with the vision and mission of the DENR and the Environmental, Social and Governance (ESG) framework of Prime Infra integrating sustainability thinking in resource management and decarbonization strategies.
The establishment of the Consortium aims to support the agency in developing a roadmap to expand governance developed through the COVID-19 pandemic for genomic surveillance of other pathogens that could significantly impact public health, a statement from the DOH said.
The conference included consultative discussion on mapping current genomic capacities and capabilities, challenges and opportunities in the Philippines which underscore the governance arrangements within and across organizations, funding to support public health genomic activities, reporting of genomic data and use for public health decision making or implementation of activities, and the role of enablers and barriers.
Willie CasasTHE Bureau of Customs (BOC) has seized some P1.5 billion worth of counterfeit items during a raid at a warehouse in Pasay City.
Operatives of the Customs Intelligence and Investigation Service-Intellectual Property Rights Division (CIIS-IPRD) conducted the raid at the building situated at 127 F.B. Harison Street corner Fernando Street based on the Letter of Authority issued by Commissioner Bienvenido Rubio.
The confiscated items include several boxes of counterfeit products bearing the brands Gucci, Louis Vuitton, Nike, Adidas, Supreme, Tory Burch, Skechers, and Birkenstock, among others.
The operation was conducted with the assistance from the Philippine National Police - Criminal Investigation and Detection Group (PNP-CIDG).
Commissioner Rubio took note of the importance of coordinating with different government agencies, as well as the hard work of Customs officials in bringing success to every operation.
“Our people target, detect, intercept, and thereby prevent the entry of these contraband items before they can do any harm to our markets. Joel Zurbano
BI
BUREAU of Immigration (BI) officers have arrested a Sudanese man allegedly involved in human organ trafficking.
Operatives from the BI’s intelligence division (ID) nabbed Badreldin Elzaki Ibrahim El Habbib, 44, in Makati City.
He was apprehended pursuant to a warrant of deportation issued by BI Commissioner Norman Tansingco, following a Summary Deportation Order issued in 2013 against El Habbib for undesirability.
In 2009, the BI received a request from the government of the Kingdom of Saudi Arabia (KSA), informing the agency about El Habbib’s involvement in organ trafficking, victimizing patients in KSA.
He was said to have enticed and recruited Saudi nationals needing kidney transplants to have it in the Philippines, but ended up swindling his victims.
He was previously arrested in September 2009 but was released for posting bail, and had remained at large since.Vito Barcelo
EARTHQUAKE DRILL. Teacher Pavlina Romero of the Rafael Palma Elementary School in Manila teaches her pupils the basic safety protocols of duck, cover, and hold when an earthquake occurs. Danny PataSEN. RISA Hontiveros has identified three companies in the shipment of 440,000 metric tons of imported sugar, which she branded as “smuggled” since the shipment was not covered by any sugar order.
The sugar imports arrived at the Batangas port on February 15, before Sugar Order (SO) No. 6 was signed.
“It is clear that this importation was not covered by SO No. 6 and is not even covered by the past sugar orders,” she said, adding that the shipment of imported sugar is thus “smuggled.”
PRESIDENT Ferdinand R. Marcos Jr. has appointed Undersecretary Isidro Purisima as acting head of the Office of the Presidential Adviser on Peace, Reconciliation, and Unity (OPAPRU), Malacañang said on Tuesday.
Purisima’s latest designation was announced by Malacañang Press Briefer Daphne Oseña- Paez in a Palace briefing.
Malacañang has yet to release additional details about Purisima’s appointment.
Purisima’s appointment came more than a month after Mr. Marcos named then OPAPRU Secretary Carlito Galvez Jr. as the new head of the Department of National Defense. Prior to his new stint, Purisima served as Presidential Assistant for Local Conflict Transformation and Peace Sustainability.
Apart from Purisima, Mr. Marcos also promoted OPAPP chief of staff Wilben Mayor as the office’s Presidential Assistant 1, Oseña-Paez said. Also named were Gabriel Lagamayo as acting administrator of the National Dairy Authority (NDA) and member of the Dairy Industry Board.
The President also appointed Philippine Blue Cross Biotech Corporation CEO and president Benito Techico as the Special Envoy of the President to the People’s Republic of China for Trade, Investments, and Tourism last February 21.
Oseña-Paez also announced the appointment of Senando Santiago as acting general manager and chief executive officer of Laguna Lake Development Authority (LLDA), an attached agency of the Department of Environment Natural Resources tasked to promote and accelerate the growth of the Laguna Lake area and the surrounding provinces, cities and towns.
Mr. Marcos also appointed David Ero and Virgina Oroco as acting members of the Board of Directors of the Landbank of the Philippines, both representing the agrarian reform beneficiaries.
Emerico de Guzman and Rufino Margate Jr. were also tapped as members of the National Tripartite Industrial Peace council, both representing the employer sector, Oseña-Paez said. Vince Lopez
THE administration of President
Ferdinand Marcos Jr. is set to speed up the country’s Wi-Fi connectivity as it links up with Converge ICT Solutions, a telecommunication service provider in the Philippines that operates fiber optic broadband networks.
President Marcos met in Malacanang
Palace Tuesday with Converge founder and CEO Dennis Anthony Uy and proponent partner Thomas Pang Thieng Hwi, CEO and executive director of Keppel Telecommunications and Transportation Inc. on the plan.
The President was said to be elated upon hearing that the Philippines will soon have bigger bandwidth and faster internet connection.
“I just finished a meeting with the Converge group who have tied up with the Keppel group to put in a submarine fiber optic cable from the west coast of the United States; it will connect to the Philippines and it will also connect to Singapore and Indonesia and this will again give us bigger bandwidth,” Mr. Marcos said.
“This will give us a better communication system when it comes to all the online services that we are using globally.”
President Marcos said that the Bifrost Cable System Project, a joint undertaking of Converge and Keppel T’T, would include the Philippines in its fiber optic cable coming from the west coast of the United States.
“Our bandwidth will be increased and our internet speed will be much faster. This talk bears fruit when I went to Singapore, we talked about this and now they are applying and installing it, they will include the Philippines on their long fiber optic cables which will come from California, from the west coast of America up to the Philippines, up to Singapore and up until Indonesia.” the President said.
In a media briefing, Hontiveros named the companies as All Asian Countertrade, Sucden Philippines Inc. and Edison Lee Marketing Corporation. However, she did not name which among these sugar importers was flagged down earlier on another government sugar importation issue.
Hontiveros said that based on the information she got from producer organizations and independent sources, 260 20-foot containers imported by All-Asian Countertrade Inc. arrived in the country from Thailand on February 9.
According to Hontiveros, SO6 should have been signed first and once published, the award of allocation should be given to importers.
She said if the timeline will be followed, the imported sugar should arrive March 1, and that’s “not considering the transport time.”
The senator also showed a draft
undated memorandum order which indicated that the importers are to be given allocations even before the issuance of the said sugar order. She also showed a letter signed by DA Usec. Domingo Panganiban upon the order of Executive Sec. Lucas Bersamin giving 240,000 metric tons allocation to All Asian Countertrade January 13.
She questioned if this letter was legitimate. “I hope it’s not because if this is true, this will be governmentsponsored smuggling,” she said.
She also decried the indiscriminate importation of sugar, noting that the
Secretary Jesus Crispin Remulla on Tuesday revealed that the DOJ is working on a rule that will allow prosecutors to work with police personnel, similar to a district attorney.
“We also have a case build-up rule that arranges for the prosecutors and the police to work together,” Remulla said, in an ambush interview.
According to him, they intend to make this similar to the district attorney system.
“The aim is similar to a DA system. It will be like a blue-collared job,” Remulla stressed.
“Because sometimes you need to go out of the office and really look at what is happening and talk to people, see the scene of the crime so you can be assured of the information that you will file,” he said.
Remulla reiterated that he wants to
raise the evidence provided in court from probable cause to reasonable certainty of conviction.
He said this will be discussed during his lunch meeting with Chief Justice Alexander Gesmundo and other justices.
The Justice Secretary said he will also meet with the Department of the Interior and Local Government, the Department of Health, and the Department of Social Welfare and Development on Friday regarding incestuous rape.
shipment of All Asian Countertrade entered the country through the Bureau of Custom’s VIP lane. The use of the VIP lane ensures that papers can be processed within just two weeks. Except in the case of a misdeclaration, she said the BOC should have known that the shipment was sugar, which being classified as “agricultural product,” cannot pass the super green lane. According to Hontiveros, she also has information that another shipment for All Asian Countertrade arrived this weekend. The shipment has remained inside a ship.
By Macon Ramos-AranetaTHE Department of Health (DOH) failed to give the exact cost of the millions of doses of COVID-19 vaccines that were reportedly wasted.
During the Senate Blue Ribbon Committee hearing, Dr. Ma. Joyce Ducusin, OIC-Director IV of the DOH Supply Chain Management Service, revealed 12.1 million doses of expired COVID-19 were reported by local government units (LGUs) and DOH Centers for Health Development (CHDs) in the regions.
Ducusin did not disclose the vaccine
brands but clarified that the LGUs and CHDs failed to put the brands of the wasted vaccines in their reports.
The 12.1 million doses were included in the 44 million COVID-19 vaccines said to have been wasted and reportedly expired on December 2, 2022. In response to further questioning from senators, Ducusin enumerated the following wasted vaccines: 1.4 million doses-Sinovac;
11 million doses-Astrazeneca; 1.7 million doses- Gamaleya; 2.5 million doses-Pfizer for adults; 669,548 doses-Pfizer for pedia;
11 million doses-Moderna; 3.3 million
Comelec: Yamsuan 1st nominee of Bicol Saro
BRIAN Yamsuan is the first nominee of the Bico Saro party-list group.
In a certification dated February 17, 2023, the Commission on Elections recognized Yamsuan, former deputy secretary general of the House of Representatives, will represent the partylist group the lower house together with fellow Bicol Saro representative Nicolas Enciso VII. Yamsuan will serve for a term of three years or until June 30, 2025, said the Comelec Minute Resolution No. 23-0112.
The resolution was signed by seven Commissioners led by George Erwin Garcia and attested by the Commission’s exceutive director Teopisto Elnas Jr. Yamsuan represented the Lungsod Aasenso (LUNAS) partylist group in the last May 22 national elections. But the group failed to obtain the required two percent national votes cast under the party-list system to obtain at least one seat in Congress. Maricel V. Cruz
Gonzales bats for changes to media ownership
DEPUTY Speaker and Pampanga Rep. Aurelio Gonzales Jr. has proposed several amendments to the economic provisions of the Constitution, including one that would allow foreign investments in mass media.
Gonzales wants Section 11 of Article XVI on Mass Media to be rewritten to state: “The ownership of mass media shall be limited to citizens of the Philippines, or to corporations, cooperatives, associations, and entities organized under the laws of the Philippines at least sixty per centum of whose capital is owned by such citizens, provided that its management shall be exclusive only to citizens of the Philippines.”
doses-Janssen; 1.3 million doses-Sinofarm; and 2.9 million doses-Sputnik.
Senator Francis Tolentino, chair of the Senate Blue Ribbon Committee, also inquired about the proper disposal of the expired doses of procured and donated COVID-19 vaccines, citing potential risks to public health and safety.
“Any discussions on this? What do we do with these? What do we do with these because environmentally, these might not be safe… how do you dispose? Susunugin, ibabaon sa lupa, itatapon sa Pacific Ocean?
SPECIAL GUEST.
Vice President Sara Duterte is flanked by League of Municipality of the Philippines (LMP) national president JB Bernos (left) of Lapaz, Abra and Luis Chavit Singson, LMP president emeritus during the LMP National Assembly held at the Manila Hotel yesterday. Joseph Muego
He said his proposed amendment “means that mass media will remain to be majorityowned and controlled and run exclusively by Filipinos, with foreign ownership to be limited to 40 percent.” Maricel V. Cruz
Two more solons vow support for Lakas-CMD
TWO more members of the House of Representatives on Tuesday afternoon joined Lakas-Christian Muslim Democrats (LakasCMD).
Speaker Ferdinand Martin G. Romualdez, who is Lakas-CMD president, administered the oath to South Cotabato 2nd District Rep. Peter B. Miguel and Laguna 2nd District Rep. Ruth Mariano-Hernandez at the Speaker’s Office in Quezon City.
“It’s a great honor and pleasure to have all of you today (Tuesdsy) and it’s an auspicious day because you have joined Lakas-CMD. We thank you for coming and I am here personally to assure you that you have joined the right party,” Romualdez told the new Lakas-CMD members. Miguel and Mariano-Hernandez are the 69th and 70th House members, respectively, to join the party.
Other local government officials likewise took the oath before Romualdez together with Miguel and MarianoHernandez. Maricel V. Cruz
‘No estimate on cost of wasted vaccines’NEW LAKAS MEMBERS. Speaker Ferdinand Martin G. Romualdez (2nd left) administers the oath to Ilocos Sur Vice Gov. Ryan Singson (right), Laguna 2nd District Rep. Ruth Mariano-Hernandez (2nd right), and South Cotabato 2nd District Rep. Peter B. Miguel (center) as new Lakas-CMD members at the Speaker’s Office in Quezon City Tuesday afternoon. Witnessing the event is House Majority Leader Manuel Jose "Mannix" M. Dalipe (left). Ver Noveno.
They limit the public’s access to information, free speech, and basic civil liberties, while also attempting to control media outlets and silence critical voices (as the previous regime accomplished with its suppression of Rappler and ABS-CBN). Such oppressive control over its citizens strips them of their dignity, rights, and autonomy.
President said.
THE country celebrates the 37th anniversary of the People Power Revolution on Feb. 25 this year, and the event still remains an important and significant milestone for Philippine society.
It all began with a nonviolent protest in EDSA in 1986 that toppled the 21-year regime of President Ferdinand Marcos Sr. and eventually led to the installation of President Corazon Aquino.
It was a peaceful campaign that shook the foundations of the dictatorial government and allowed the Philippines to experience democracy and freedom after years of suppression and massive corruption.
The four-day bloodless revolution highlighted the power of the Filipino people to reclaim democracy and reassert the supremacy of human rights. Its nonviolent nature has since been a source of inspiration to many across the world.
It is also necessary to honor these accomplishments to better understand the way in which a society has achieved its positive outcomes, and to provide a source of motivation to keep striving toward the same successes in the future
It set the example for similar transformative, people-led protests with varying methods and results, such as the 8888 Uprising in Myanmar in 1988 that started as a student movement; 1989’s Tiananmen Square protest in Beijing, the Velvet Revolution in Czechoslovia, and the fall of the Berlin Wall; and the Arab Spring that took place across much of the Arab world in 2010 to 2012.
Looking back at the People Power Revolution in 2016, San Francisco Chronicle editor Jack Epstein described it as “the revolution that surprised the world.”
“People Power ousted a dictator and ushered in a vibrant democracy that still exists in the Philippines today — in spite of rampant corruption,” he said.
Why is it important to continue commemorating the People Power Revolution, decades later?
Regardless of who is in power, it is important for a nation to commemorate its milestones in democracy to recognize the progress made and to keep relevant lessons in mind to build upon this progress.
It is also necessary to honor these accomplishments to better understand the way in which a society has achieved its positive outcomes, and to provide a source of motivation to keep striving toward the same successes in the future.
The People Power Revolution in particular is a significant event that needs to be continuously renewed in people’s memories because present and future generations need to be vigilant against threats to democracy.
Dictatorships and autocratic governments are threats to freedom, democracy, and human rights.
Such governments oppress their people and deny them rights that they are entitled to.
Freedom of expression is a societal requirement for democracy because it provides the opportunity for the public to engage in critical dialogue on matters of public interest, to hold the government accountable, and to advance public debate.
Without freedom of expression, public discourse would be limited to whatever policy makers dictate, and the people would be stripped of their right to shape their own cultures, lives, and destinies.
In a democracy, the public must be able to dissent, criticize, protest, and assemble. Freedom of expression serves as the foundation of a vibrant democratic society, enabling citizens to express their values and beliefs so that others may hear and understand them, to initiate dialogues and debates, and to create a sense of community and collective power.
Through free expression, the people can communicate their will and collectively hold those in power to account.
Freedom of expression is an essential part of any democratic culture, and it is essential for a healthy, equitable, and prosperous society.
The People Power event was not only a manifestation of the freedom of expression, it also serves to remind us all that it is a duty to resist dictatorships and autocracies because everyone – regardless of their political views – should be able to exercise their basic human rights and freedoms and be assured that these will be respected by others, particularly those in authority.
Because when oppressive systems are normalized, this leads to further rights abuses and a subversion of what is true, right, and just.
By resisting dictatorships, we are standing up for what is right, protecting the freedoms and liberties of our fellow citizens, and ultimately striving for a better future for all.
In the decades since People Power, we have seen the need for constant vigilance as we continually work for political stability, economic prosperity, corruption-free governance, and a more vibrant democracy founded on justice, freedom, and equality.
The 1986 People Power Revolution is a reminder of what the Filipino people can do when they come together to fight against oppression and impunity.
After nearly four decades, it remains one of the most iconic and significant events in the Philippines and the world.
It reminds us of the power of the common man to reclaim power, create change, and inspire others to work for what is right.
* * *
Attention, fellow Gen Xers and music lovers of all ages: quintessential Filipino rock group The Dawn has released a new song – “Earth.”
The song asks the existential questions “Can we go on like this? Is this the way we’re supposed to deal with things? Is there a better way?” said band frontman Jett Pangan.
“We’re all hoping that after all these [adversities such as the pandemic] we become better people,” he said.
What’s interesting also about this song is it was recorded during the pandemic and every member of the group had to record individually and share the files with each other.
It’s also the last song that bassist Mon Legaspi recorded before he passed away.
Listen to The Dawn’s “Earth” on Spotify and YouTube, and tell me if it doesn’t make you miss “Enveloped Ideas” and the other hits of one of the country’s longest-lived rock bands (they were founded in 1985).
WE HAVE nagging notions and question marks on the insistence by the The Hague-based International Criminal Court to proceed with its investigation of former President Rodrigo Duterte for the alleged extrajudicial killings during his term.
The ICC can go at full throttle if the judicial system in the country is not working, but its arm-twisting, applauded by some in the Philippines, can only speak of its brand of blinders and imprudent partiality.
Instance, the country’s judicial system is on a roll, with more than 50 cases involving nearly 160 police officers charged with crimes related to Mr. Duterte’s war on illegal drugs, with two convictions on the bulletin board.
It would have been different if the Philippine judicial system has crashed and been paralyzed—but the situation is at odds with what advocates and the appearingly now partisan ICC are trying to project.
We add our sentiments to the statement made recently by President Ferdinand Marcos Jr. the ICC has no jurisdiction while insisting the Philippines has a “good” justice system.
Speaking to reporters on the sidelines of the Philippine Military Academy’s alumni homecoming in Baguio City, the President maintained the Philippines would not cooperate with the ICC
The President said he would not allow ‘former imperialists’ such as the ICC to control the Philippines, unless it could be proven the international court has jurisdiction over the country
investigation which, he said, would be an “intrusion into our internal matters” and “a threat to our sovereignty.”
“My position has not changed. I have stated it often, even before I took office as president, that there are many questions about (ICC’s) jurisdiction and what we in the Philippines regard as an intrusion into our internal matters and a threat to our sovereignty,” the
Mr. Marcos said he would not allow “former imperialists” such as the ICC to control the Philippines, unless it could be proven the international court has jurisdiction over the country.
“That is not something we consider to be a legitimate judgment. Until those questions of jurisdiction and the effects on the sovereignty of the Republic are sufficiently answered, we cannot cooperate with them,” he said.
We also see the point of Justice Secretary Jesus Crispin Remulla in calling ICC’s attempt as a political agenda, underscoring the ICC, while it is called a court, is a “political body in many ways.”
“It is not just a body for justice but it is meant to forward a political agenda for many people. Why do I say this? Because we are a country with a legal system that can function by itself and they want to take over some of our functions just to criticize the way we (had) run our country before,” Remulla said. Accordingly crafted.
Like him, we see nothing wrong with the resolution filed by former president and now Deputy Speaker Gloria Macapagal Arroyo who sought to defend Duterte from ICC’sstick-to-itiveness in running after Duterte. We wonder why drug cartels who have caused addiction, suffering and deaths for years are not being investigated by the ICC.
WITH the recent upward spiral in prices of basic goods, such as rice, sugar, onions, pork and chicken, Filipino consumers are increasingly finding it difficult to put food on the table and keep body and soul together.
The supply of a protein-rich source like pork is under threat, however, because of African Swine Fever or ASF, thus raising the dire prospect of shortages and higher prices for this commodity.
ASF is a viral disease causing hemorrhagic fever among domestic pigs and wild boars with a mortality rate reaching 100 percent, with a devastating impact on pig populations.
The Department of Agriculture reported that as of the start of this month, there were active ASF cases in 75 barangays in 42 municipalities in 12 provinces in seven regions.
The DA’s Bureau of Animal Industry has identified these provinces as Cagayan, Aurora, Bulacan, Nueva Ecija, Tarlac, Camarines Sur, Iloilo, Northern Samar, Zamboanga del Norte, Agusan del Sur, Surigao del Norte and Surigao del Sur.
The number of ASF-affected areas from 2019 to the present has reached 4,308 barangays in 788 municipalities in 59 provinces in 15 regions.
The ASF outbreaks have reduced the country’s hog population from 12 million pigs to nine million. It would take at least five years to repopulate the national inventory, according to estimates. While the government has carried out measures to help piggeries hard-hit by ASF, the possibility of future major outbreaks makes the entire hog industry jittery.
After China reported the first ASF outbreak in August 2018, the disease has since spread across 16 other countries, including the Philippines and Vietnam.
The Philippines reported its first outbreak in September 2019, and by June 2021, our total hog population had already declined by half to 6.6 million pigs from 13 million pre-ASF.
The Philippine Statistics Authority reported that total pork output decreased by almost 24 percent over the June-October 2022 period compared to the same period in 2021.
The ASF outbreaks in the Philippines resulted in loss of livelihoods of hog backyard raisers, the closure of large commercial pig farms, and the loss of revenues of allied industries with a projected economic value of some P100 billion yearly. What is urgently needed now is government assistance to ASF-devastated stakeholders, especially the backyard hog raisers. They are hoping Malacañang would have the same firm resolve in ending the ASF problem the soonest, and one of the effective measures available for the Palace do so is by vaccinating local hogs.
A massive vaccination drive like the one conducted in Vietnam could put an end to ASF in the Philippines
The BAI can actually do this by fasttracking field trials on an available and potent vaccine produced in Vietnam, so that this medicine can be used in a massive inoculation program for hogs in the local swine industry.
The BAI has yet to certify a vaccine, and conduct a vaccination drive.
But it has started tests on this Vietnamese vaccine known as AVAC ASF Live vaccine, and fast-tracking this process could clear the way to a mass vaccination drive for local hog raisers.
Vietnam is poised to begin this month a nationwide distribution of a vaccine whose efficacy rate, when administered to pigs between eight and 10 weeks old, has been proven at 95 percent.
This ASF Live vaccine, developed and produced by AVAC Vietnam Co. Ltd., is the world’s first and only commercially
available one proven to safely combat the highly contagious animal disease.
It was approved for circulation last year, and 600,000 doses have since then been administered under clinical trials and field tests in piggeries across Vietnam under the supervision of the Vietnamese government. AVAC is the first veterinary vaccine factory in Vietnam certified under the World Health Organization-Good Manufacturing Practices (WHO-GMP).
Local safety and efficacy trials using this vaccine are already being done locally under the supervision of BAI in four farms in our country. The trials are due to be completed by April 2023.
Reports indicate that AVAC partnered just recently with the Manila-based KPP Powers on the distribution of this vaccine in the Philippines.
To stop the spread of ASF in the country through a nationwide inoculation program for our hogs is an urgent task. This will prevent possible supply shortfalls in the future that could trigger price spirals.
We recall that spikes in pork prices in the past jacked up inflation, with meat accounting for about five percent of overall inflation over the quarter-century from 1995 to 2020. But when meat prices soared in the first quarter of 2021, it contributed nearly 20 percent of overall inflation in the JanuaryMarch period.
A massive vaccination drive like the one conducted in Vietnam could put an end to ASF in the Philippines.
It will be the best government move to assist ASF-hit hog raisers, restore pork production to its previous levels, and ensure adequate and accessible supply of this meat at more affordable prices in Metro Manila and elsewhere.
(Email: errnhil@yahoo.com)
AN OLD radio plays background music as Cira Madrid, 83, prepares coffee for a rare visitor to her small but spotless apartment in Caracas, where she lives alone.
Her face lights up at the arrival of Morella Russian, a volunteer with the Convite NGO whose projects include taking care of Venezuela’s elderly—thousands of them abandoned amid an exodus of younger people seeking better lives elsewhere.
“My good girl!” Russian, 66, greets the older woman with an affectionate hug. “How have you been? Are you sunbathing?”
Over coffee and cookies in the sitting room, Madrid, who walks bent over a cane, tells Russian about her life since the last time they met. She complains about joint pain, but insists she has been diligently doing the mobility exercises prescribed by a doctor.
“Sometimes it’s embarrassing to... call her because I know that she also has many things to do,” Madrid told AFP of her visitor, whom she described as “a light” and “a blessing.”
Her own son, she said with tears in her eyes, emigrated to Costa Rica in 2015, and “for years, he has not sent me a cent.”
Venezuela suffers grinding poverty and a political crisis that has pushed more than seven million of its citizens to flee the country in recent years, according to the United Nations refugee agency UNHCR.
Food, medicine and such basics as soap and toilet paper are often in short supply.
Many risk life and limb on a long, dangerous trek through Central America and Mexico in a bid to reach the United States.
But most—nearly six million—live in other countries in Latin America and the Caribbean in what the UNHCR describes as “one of the largest displacement crises in the world.”
Organizations such as Convite do what they can for those left behind and getting older alone with ever-diminishing purchasing power and a crumbling public health system.
According to the NGO, half a million old people among the country’s five million pensioners live completely alone, abandoned by what it describes as a “precarious” elderly care system.
Many rely entirely on help from family members, donations, informal work or humanitarian assistance.
The South American country’s government launched a social program for the elderly in 2011, but has no figures available on what it has achieved.
Convite launched in Caracas two years ago, and hopes to expand to other cities.
“Our function is not to bring them a plate
of food, but food for the soul,” said Maria Carolina Borges, a 58-year-old volunteer. Caregivers like her are trained to help the elderly with practical day-to-day needs, but also to cope with anxiety, sleep problems, loneliness or sadness.
Among Borges’s charges is Maria Dolores Jaimes, 76, who lives with two of her four children, two dogs and a parrot – but lacks enough money for some basics. Jaimes considers Borges as another of her daughters.
“Sometimes I feel important because she calls me almost every day,” Jaimes explained.
“She organized several gynecology consultations for me, and dental appointments too.” Borges, she said, takes care of her “unseen needs.” AFP
* * * 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
Half a million old people among the country’s five million pensioners live completely alone, abandoned by what an NGO describes as a ‘precarious’ elderly care system.
PRESIDENT Joe Biden’s surprise visit Monday morning to wartime Kyiv began in the dead of night at a military airport hangar outside Washington.
At 4:00 am (0900 GMT) Sunday— unbeknown to the world’s media, the Washington political establishment or American voters—the 80-year-old Democrat boarded an Air Force Boeing 757, known as a C-32.
The plane, a smaller version of the one US presidents normally use on international trips, was parked well away from where Biden would usually board. And a telling detail: the shade on every window had been pulled down.
Fifteen minutes later, Biden, a handful of security personnel, a small medical team, close advisors, and two journalists who had been sworn to secrecy, took off en route to a war zone.
The US president is perhaps the most constantly scrutinized person on the planet.
Members of the press follow Biden wherever he goes—whether to church or international summits. Every word he says in public is recorded, transcribed and published.
In this case, though, the usual pool of reporters, which for foreign trips would compromise 13 journalists from radio, TV, photo and written press organizations, was cut to one photographer and one writer.
The reporter, Sabrina Siddiqui from The Wall Street Journal, revealed—once allowed by the White House to publish details—that she and the photographer were summoned to Joint Base Andrews outside Washington at 2:15 am.
Their phones were confiscated—not to be returned until Biden finally arrived in the Ukrainian capital about 24 hours later.
They flew for about seven hours from Washington to the US military base in Ramstein, Germany, for refueling. Here too, the window shades stayed down and they did not leave the plane.
The next flight was to Poland, landing in Rzeszow–Jasionka Airport.
This may be a Polish airport, but since the Ukraine war it has also become an international hub for the USled effort to arm the Ukrainians, funneling billions of dollars of weaponry and ammunition. AFP
JOE Biden and Vladimir Putin are set to give duelling speeches Tuesday promising two starkly differing takes on Russia’s Ukraine invasion, a day after the US president’s surprise visit to Kyiv.
Biden met Ukrainian President Volodymyr Zelensky on Monday—pledging fresh arms deliveries and “unwavering” American support—days before the first anniversary of Russian tanks rolling over the border.
“One year later, Kyiv stands. And
Ukraine stands. Democracy stands,” he said at the Mariinsky Palace, the Ukrainian president’s official residence. And on Tuesday, from Warsaw’s historic Royal Castle, Biden will “make it clear that the United States will continue to stand with Ukraine... for as long as
it takes,” according to National Security Council spokesman John Kirby, who spoke to reporters last week.
In a visit to rally Washington’s eastern European allies, Biden will also meet Polish President Andrzej Duda on Tuesday. He will also speak by phone with the leaders of Britain, France and Italy, the White House has said. German Chancellor Olaf Scholz is due in Washington on March 3.
“You’ll hear messages in the president’s speech that will certainly resonate with the American people, cer-
sq.m. undivided shares in TCT No. 467764-R (Tax Dec. No. 09004-00308)
Bundagul, Mabalacat, Pampanga;
• 499.05 sq.m. undivided shares in TCT No. 467776-R (Tax Dec. No. 09004-00305)
Bundagul, Mabalacat, Pampanga;
• 454.38 sq.m. undivided shares in TCT No. 467777-R (Tax Dec. No. 09004-00306)
Bundagul, Mabalacat, Pampanga;
• Stock Cert. No. 175 (385 shares) in Carpa Realty Devt. Corp.
As per Doc. No. 269; Page No. 54; Book No. II;
Series of 2022 before Notary Public ATTY. SHEILA
C. CENIT-BELGICA. (MS-FEB. 8/15/22, 2023)
A 6.4-magnitude earthquake on Monday rocked Turkey’s southern province of Hatay and northern Syria, killing three people and sparking fresh panic after a February 6 tremor that left nearly 45,000 dead in both countries.
Turkish Interior Minister Suleyman Soylu said three people were killed and 213 were taken to hospital, while in Syria White Helmets said more than 130 people were injured and that some already damaged buildings had collapsed.
Monday’s quake hit the Turkish town of Defne at 8:04 pm (1704 GMT) and was strongly felt by AFP teams in Antakya city. It was also felt in Lebanon.
Turkey’s disaster management agency said on Twitter another 5.8-magnitude
quake followed three minutes later and its epicentre was Samandag district in Hatay.
The agency recorded two more tremors of 5.2 magnitude around 20 minutes after the first on Monday.
Images from the DHA news agency showed a hospital in Antakya being evacuated, while broadcaster NTV reported another hospital was evacuated in the city of Iskenderun.
DHA said patients in an intensive care unit were taken by ambulance to field hospitals to continue their treatment.
Soylu said rescue workers were trying to find people trapped under rubble.
An AFP journalist reported scenes of panic in Antakya, adding that the new tremors raised clouds of dust in
the devastated city.
The walls of badly damaged buildings crumbled while several people, apparently injured, called for help.
On a street in Antakya, Ali Mazlum, 18, told AFP: “We were with (disaster response agency) AFAD who were looking for the bodies of our family when the quake hit.
“You don’t know what to do... we grabbed each other and right in front of us, the walls started to fall. It felt like the earth was opening up to swallow us up.”
Mazlum, who has lived in Antakya for 12 years, was looking for the bodies of his sister and her family as well as his brother-in-law and his family. AFP
A SOUTH Korean court delivered a landmark ruling on Tuesday recognizing the rights of a same-sex couple for the first time, with activists hailing the verdict as a major victory for LGBTQ rights in the country.
The case—which will now go to the Supreme Court—was brought by a gay couple, So Seong-wook and Kim Yongmin, who live together and held a wedding ceremony in 2019.
It had no legal validity, however, as South Korea does not recognise samesex marriage.
In 2021, So sued the National Health Insurance Service because it terminated benefits for his partner – whom he had registered as a dependent -- after discovering they were a gay couple.
A lower court ruled in favour of the NHIS last year but in a significant turnaround, the High Court in Seoul overturned that decision on Tuesday, effectively ordering the insurance provider to resume benefits to So’s partner as a dependent.
“Today, we have our rights recognised within the legal system,” So’s partner Kim said after the ruling, according to the Yonhap News Agency.
“This represents a victory for everyone wishing for equality for samesex couples.”
The court did not give a detailed reasoning for its decision.
The NHIS told AFP it will appeal.
“This ruling is significant as the first decision legally recognising same-sex couples to be made by a court at any level in South Korea,” Jang Boram of Amnesty International said in a statement.
Though South Korea still has a “long way to
go to end discrimination... this ruling offers hope that prejudice can be overcome.”
While the country does not recognise same-sex marriages, gay relationships are not criminalized. LGBTQ people tend to live largely under the radar. AFP
tainly will resonate with our allies and partners, without question resonate with the Polish people,” Kirby said of the Warsaw address.
“And I would suspect that you’ll hear him messaging Mr Putin as well, as well as the Russian people.”
Putin will speak in Moscow a few hours earlier, according to the Kremlin, delivering a state-of-the-nation address that will be largely devoted to the conflict.
In previous addresses, he has railed against NATO’s perceived threat to Russia, and drawn on his country’s history to buttress his rationale for launching the invasion, and sticking with it in the face of unexpected Ukrainian resistance.
The Washington-based Institute for the Study of War has said Putin is “unlikely to announce measures for further escalation of the war in Ukraine, major new Russian mobilization initiatives, or any other significant policy” in the speech, which is delivered to the legislature and televised on national channels.
When it was launched, the so-called special military operation was planned to be a rapid conquest, leading to capitulation and the installation of a pro-Russian regime.
“Putin thought Ukraine was weak and the West was divided,” Biden said Monday. “He thought he could outlast us.”
“He’s just been plain wrong,” he added.
On Tuesday, China said it was “deeply concerned” about the war, which it said was “intensifying and even getting out of control.”
Foreign Minister Qin Gan said Beijing would “urge the countries concerned to stop adding fuel to the fire as soon as possible, to stop shifting the blame to China,” following US claims that Beijing may be considering sending arms to Moscow.
China’s top diplomat, Wang Yi, is due in Moscow on Tuesday for talks, in his final stop of a European tour.
The Kremlin has said Wang may meet Putin during his visit, according to the official TASS news agency.
According to the latest estimates from Norway, the conflict has wounded or killed 180,000 Russian soldiers and 100,000 Ukrainian troops.
Other Western sources estimate the war has caused 150,000 casualties on each side. AFP
THE United States on Monday denounced a “dangerous” lack of action by the UN Security Council on North Korea’s missile launches, accusing – but not naming – China and Russia of having “forced” the body “into silence.”
The reclusive North Korean state test-fired dozens of missiles in 2022, setting security postures in East Asia on edge. It fired two ballistic missiles Monday, 48 hours after it test-launched an intercontinental ballistic missile.
“In the face of unprecedented launches last year, two permanent members forced us into silence in spite of countless DPRK (North Korean) violations,” Washington’s UN Ambassador Linda Thomas-Greenfield said, referring to vetoes by China and Russia last May of a resolution that would have imposed new sanctions against Pyongyang.
“On this vital matter, silence leads to irrelevance,” she added at an emergency meeting of the Security Council.
The 15-member panel’s “lack of action is worse than shameful. It is dangerous,” Thomas-Greenfield warned, saying the “repeated failures to respond emboldens the DPRK,” the official acronym for North Korea, to conduct such destabilizing launches without fear of consequences. AFP
UN member states embraced “positive energy” Monday as they launched two weeks of negotiations aimed at finally reaching a treaty meant to protect and preserve vast areas of the world’s oceans.
After more than 15 years of formal and informal talks, this is the third time in less than a year that negotiators have converged on New York in what, yet again, is supposed to be a final and conclusive round.
But as the talks, set to run through March 3, opened on Monday, cautious optimism appeared to be taking hold.
“I hope we’ve come together here with a will to get us to the finish line,” conference chair Rena Lee said as the talks began, adding that “an agreement that is universal, that is effective, that is implementable and that is future-proof is within our reach.”
At the conclusion of the opening day, she added: “There is a lot of positive energy in this room. So it behooves us to enhance this positive energy, keep our focus, keep our eyes on the prize, and really work to make this (conference) final.” AFP
STOCKS rose Tuesday to end a three-day slump, with traders trying to gauge the outlook for the US economy as they price in more interest rate hikes than previously predicted.
The PSE index, the 30-company bellwether, climbed 56 points, or 0.84 percent, to close at 6,800.96, as five of the six subsectors advanced, with financial companies leading the way.
The broader all-share index also picked up 13 points, or 0.38 percent, to settle at 3,621.61, on a value turnover of P3.52 billion. Losers outnumbered gainers, 94 to 79, while 50 issues were unchanged.
Five of the 10 most active stocks ended in the green, led by Bank of the Philippine Islands which went up 4.11 percent to P108.80 and SM Investments Corp. which rose 2.92 percent to P897.50.
Meanwhile, the peso slightly weakened Tuesday to close at 55.08 against the US dollar from 54.95 Monday.
Asian markets were mixed Tuesday. With Wall Street closed Monday for Presidents’ Day, there were few catalysts for regional investors, with focus on the release later in the week of minutes from the Federal Reserve’s most recent policy meeting.
After data this month showed the jobs market continues to boom and prices continue to rise well above the Fed’s target, several Fed officials have lined up to warn borrowing costs will need to go much higher for longer than was previously expected.
Some have even suggested they were open to lifting rates by 50 basis points next month, twice as much as expected by markets.
That has dealt a blow to hopes the central bank would stop hiking soon and even begin cutting rates before the end of the year. The prospect of tighter policy has also fanned fears of a recession.
Chuck Cumello, of Essex Financial Services, told Bloomberg Radio: “We’re in for a more volatile ride and I think the market is finally waking up to [the idea that] rates are going to stay higher for longer.”
Hong Kong led losses, shedding more than one percent, while Tokyo, Sydney, Singapore, Jakarta and Wellington were also down.
Shanghai, Seoul, Taipei, Mumbai and Bangkok edged up.
After enjoying a strong January, markets stuttered this month as hopes for a rate cut subsided. SPI Asset Management’s Stephen Innes said dealers were also still assessing China’s reopening.
“Since the Chinese New Year holiday ended in late January, interest rates have been higher (and) the dollar has staged a modest rebound. As a result, regional equities have softened,” he said in a commentary. With AFP
PARIS, France—Years after Facebook quietly removed a slogan that declared the site was “free and always will be”, parent company Meta announced on Sunday a paid-for subscription service that has already been widely criticized.
Meta is following a well-trodden path to subscription services, with rivals from Reddit and Snapchat to Twitter and Discord already in the game. But critics raised deep concerns with the way Meta had chosen to structure its new offering, which will cost $11.99 for web or $14.99 for mobile.
The firm said subscribers would
“Resolution
It bears stressing that in so far as the TC Final Report is concerned, there is nothing novel in the above issues raised by the Movants in their respective Motions for reconsideration. In the case of Ortigas & Company Limited Partnership v. Hon. Velasco1, the High Court ruled:
“The filing of a motion for reconsideration xxx does not impose on the Court the obligation to deal individually and specifically with the grounds relied upon therefor, in much the same way that the Court does in its judgment or final order as regards the issues raised and submitted for decision. This would be a useless formality or ritual involving merely a reiteration of the reasons already set forth in the judgment or final order for rejecting the arguments advanced by the movant xxx”
Applying the foregoing principle, and considering that the points raised against the TC Final Report are mere repetitions of comments/position papers earlier submitted and were already exhaustively passed upon and duly resolved during the evaluation of the instant investigation, the TC finds no reasonable justification to reverse or modify the conclusions reached in its Final Determination/Decision (Chapter 10.2) of its Final Report.”
Resolution of issues Raised Against the DTI-DAO 22-17
xxx
The TC emphasizes that these issues are not related to the Final Determination/Decision as provided for in its Final Report. xxx
These are questions of law, which may only be resolved by a forum other than that of the Tariff Commission.”
WHEREAS, the Commission concluded as follows:
“Given the extensive evaluation and analysis made by the TC in deriving its findings, and considering that the arguments raised by the Movants are mere rehash of previously submitted arguments, the TC finds no cogent reason to deviate from its Final Determination/Decision as stated in toto in Chapter 10.2 of its Final Report dated 11 October 2022. x x x”.
WHEREAS, while we respect the recommendation of the Commission, the DTI in DAO No. 22-17, updated the period of investigation (POI) and recalculated the dumping margin considering that the Commission’s period of injury determination is from 2017- 2021. Thus, DTI adjusted the normal value and export price.
WHEREAS, Section 20(e) of the IRR of RA 8752 provides that “x x x, The Secretary shall issue a formal resolution on the motion for reconsideration based on the report of the Commission.”
WHEREFORE, IN VIEW THEREOF, the DTI hereby resolves the MR as follows:
1. Definitive anti-dumping duties shall be imposed for a period of five (5) years on imports of Ordinary Portland Cement Type 1 (AHTN 2017/2022 Subheading No. 2523.29.90) and Blended Cement Type 1P (AHTN 2017/2022 Subheading No. 2523.90.00) originating from Viet Nam in accordance with Annex “A.”
The “All Others’ Rates” shall be applied to foreign exporters who (1) did not make themselves known to the Commission, (2) did not cooperate sufficiently during the formal investigation, and (3) new foreign exporters who have not exported subject articles to the Philippines during the POI.
However, for those exporters or producers in Viet Nam who have not exported Type 1 and Type 1 P cement to the Philippines during the POI (2017-2021), their individual margins of dumping may be determined following a review pursuant to Section 3 (n) of RA 8752 and elaborated under Section 18 (g) of the IRR (New Shippers Review). The said review shall be initiated and carried out on an accelerated basis, provided that such exporters or producers can show that they are not related to any of the exporters or producers in Viet Nam who are subject to anti-dumping duties on their aforementioned product. An application must be submitted to the Commission in writing containing a description of the foreign exporter’s product and the basis of the request.
On the other hand, it should be noted that pursuant to Section 3(o) of RA 8752 and 19 (c) of its IRR provides that an interim review may be conducted to review the continued imposition of the anti-dumping duty.
2. Investigation on exporters determined to have a de minimis and/or negative dumping margins under Annex “B,” is hereby terminated.
With the termination of investigation on the exporters listed under Annex “B,” no anti-dumping duty, even at zero (0%) rate, shall be imposed on their exports of subject articles to the Philippines. The “All Others’ Rates” shall likewise, not be applied to them. The said identified exporters are thus, excluded from the scope of the instant Department Administrative Order imposing the anti-dumping duties.
3. Accordingly, cash bonds deposited/paid by exporters (Annex “C”) that are listed under Annex “B,” but with previously determined provisional anti-dumping duties under DTI DAO No. 21-07, Series of 2021, and BOC Customs Memorandum Order No. 38-2021, shall be returned immediately upon the effectivity of the instant Department Administrative Order.
4. Finally, with respect to the cash bond deposited/paid by Vicem Hai Phong Cement Company Limited as a provisional anti-dumping duty which is in excess of the anti-dumping duty assessed, the remainder or the amount of US$ 0.27/MT on its total exports from the effectivity of CMO No. 38-2021 until expiry on 20 April 2022 shall likewise, be returned immediately upon the effectivity of this Department Administrative Order. This Resolution can be accessed at the DTI website: https://bit.ly/adm-portland-cement.
get a verification badge, extra protection against impersonation, direct access to customer support, and more visibility.
Online safety expert Kavya Pearlman was unimpressed with the idea of paying for protection, which she said would create a “digital caste system” of haves and have-nots.
“Safety and security features must NOT be up for sale,” she tweeted, suggesting “dude bro CEOs” should charge the impersonators rather than squeezing money from customers who already pay with their personal data.
The Real Facebook Oversight Board, a lobby group highly critical
of Meta, tweeted: “Now Facebook wants you to fund the harmful model that fuels its whole business.”
Copying Musk
And there were wider concerns from Sinan Aral, a professor at Massachusetts Institute of Technology (MIT) who conducted a two-year experiment analyzing the effects that account labeling had on online behavior.
He said his study showed that “identity cues” like Twitter Blue or Meta Verified could lead to more “knee-jerk” reactions, a divide between “in groups and out groups” and an intensified focus on personalities over content. AFP
PARIS, France—Oil and gas companies are not doing enough to cut methane emissions the International Energy Agency said Tuesday, despite high energy prices making abatement measures mostly pay for themselves.
In its latest annual Global Methane Tracker report, the IEA found that emissions from the energy sector rose slightly last year to 135 million tons to just below the record set in 2019.
“Our new Global Methane Tracker shows that some progress is being made but that emissions are still far too high and not falling fast enough—especially as methane cuts are among the cheapest options to limit near-term global warming,” said IEA Executive Director Fatih Birol. “There is just no excuse.”
Methane is responsible for around 30 percent of the rise in global temperatures since the Industrial Revolution. As it has a faster and more powerful impact than carbon dioxide reductions, methane emissions may prove the best way to limit short-term global warming and rapidly improve air quality.
The energy sector accounts for around 40 percent of total methane emissions attributable to human activity, second only to agriculture, and cost-effective solutions are available.
“We estimate that around 70 percent of methane emissions from fossil fuel operations could be reduced with existing technology,” the IEA said in the report.
While fossil fuel operations are reducing the amount of methane emitted per unit of energy and leaks into the atmosphere, overall emissions are still rising.
This despite steps to reduce emissions which largely pay for themselves.
“Based on the record gas prices seen around the world in 2022, we estimate that about 80 percent of the options to reduce emissions from oil and gas operations worldwide could be implemented at no net cost,” said the IEA.
The IEA estimates that $100 billion—less than three percent of the income of oil and gas companies worldwide last year—would be enough to achieve a 75 percent reduction in methane emissions.
Meanwhile, the IEA said the most impactful measure countries can take to rein in emissions is stopping all non-emergency flaring and venting of methane.
The IEA also noted that the explosions last year which destroyed the Nord Stream pipelines that carried Russian natural gas to Germany released a huge amount of methane into the atmosphere.
“But normal oil and gas operations around the world release the same amount of methane as the Nord Stream explosion every single day,” it added.
The increased emissions come despite 150 countries have now joined the Global Methane Pledge to reduce methane emissions from human activity by 30 percent from 2020 levels by 2030.
The IEA believes that methane emissions from the fossil fuel sector need to drop by 75 percent by 2030 to reach net zero by 2050, the target seen as giving a chance at keeping the mean increase in global temperature at well below two degrees Celsius as enshrined in the 2015 Paris Climate Accords. AFP
This Resolution supersedes DTI-DAO No. 22-17, series of 2022, and shall take effect upon the issuance of the relevant Customs Memorandum Order by the Bureau of Customs.
PROPERTY developer Ayala Land Inc. said Tuesday it will launch P110 billion worth of projects in 2023, up 20.3 percent from P91.4 billion it started in 2022, as real estate demand continued to be resilient despite the high interest-rate environment.
ALI president and chief executive Bernard Vincent Dy said in a briefing the group was prepared to upsize the launches to P130 billion, “if the market comes in stronger than anticipated.”
Dy said the company also earmarked P85 billion in capital ex-
penditures for 2023, up 14 percent from the P72.4-billion actual spending last year.
“Despite ongoing challenges in the operating environment, we remain positive in our outlook for 2023 and look forward to introducing new offerings that will meet the
evolving needs of the market,” Dy said.
ALI said net income climbed 52 percent in 2022 to P18.6 billion from P12.2 billion in 2021 on the back of the strong recovery of residential and leasing businesses.
Consolidated revenues grew 19 percent to P126.2 billion from P106.1 billion.
Revenues from property development climbed 7 percent to P81.2 billion, boosted by strong fourthquarter sales which rose 24 percent to P27.6 billion.
Reservation sales in 2022 rose 14 percent to P104.9 billion on strong
demand from local and overseas Filipinos.
Office-for-sale revenues went down by 16 percent in 2022 to P3.2 billion with the completion of Alveo’s Park Triangle Tower at BGC and the moderate take-up on remaining limited inventory.
Sales from commercial leasing business rebounded by 62 percent year-on-year to P33.4 billion, with normalized mall rents and foot traffic, the contribution of new office spaces and higher hotel room rates.
Revenues from shopping centers and hotels doubled to P16.1 billion and P6.2 billion, respectively fol-
lowing the resurgence in foot traffic and mobility.
Revenues from office leasing improved by 13 percent to P11.1 billion, with the added contribution from One Ayala East and West Towers.
“We are encouraged by our solid performance in 2022, driven by the full reopening of the Philippine economy and the support of our customers,” Dy said.
ALI launched two new estates in 2022, including the 92-hectare Areza in Lipa City, Batangas and 83-hectare Crossroads in Plaridel, Bulacan.
LRT
LIGHT Rail Manila Corp. said Tuesday
it expects the first phase of LRT Line 1 Cavite Extension project to start operations by the fourth quarter of 2024.
LRMC spokesperson Jacqueline Gorospe said the overall progress rate of the project reached 80 percent as of end-June 2023. Gorospe said the company was targeting to start operations of the LRT Cavite Phase 1 by fourth quarter of 2024.
Phase 1 covers 7 kilometers of the 11km. LRT-1 Cavite Extension, including the Redemptorist Station, MIA Station, Asiaworld Station, Ninoy Aquino Station and Dr. Santos Station.
The remaining stations between Las Piñas and Niog are scheduled to become fully-operational by 2027.
The 11.7-kilometer, 8-station LRT-1 Cavite Extension Project will connect Baclaran in Parañaque City to Bacoor, Cavite. Darwin G. Amojelar
A BROWN Company, Inc. said Tuesday
it teamed up with GET Philippines Inc. to venture into green mass transport system in Cagayan de Oro City.
ABCI said in a disclosure to the stock exchange the parties would form a joint venture company to operate and manage the ABC Electric Shuttle Service as a clean, efficient, modern and green mass transport system.
The joint venture company will own 10 community-managed electric vehicles that will be used for the project.
ABCI said the partners would also offer the COMET electric vehicles as an effective marketing tool and platform for media and transit advertising for third parties. The joint venture company will have an authorized capital stock of P45 million, equivalent to 45 million common shares. Jenniffer B. Austria
THE Board of Investments and the provincial government signed a memorandum of agreement to facilitate the entry of P9.5 billion worth of pipeline projects and make it easier for investors to do business in the country.
“With this strengthened partnership, the province becomes more attractive to both foreign and local investors,” said Trade Undersecretary and BOI managing head Ceferino Rodolfo.
He said Cavite is one of the most progressive provinces in the country evidenced by more businesses locating in the area, in addition to its upward ranking in the 2022 Cities and Municipalities
Competitive Index.
Under the partnership, the Cavite provincial government will provide updated and relevant information to the BOI such as investment profiles, priority areas and other opportunities. It will also establish a green lane for BOI-registered firms to fast-track the processing of projects.
The BOI will provide Cavite with technical support on investment-related matters such as consultations and workshops and link up the province with potential local and foreign investors.
Othel V. CamposCONSTRUCTION MILESTONE. Manila Water Company Inc.’s Aglipay Sewage Treatment Plant project team together with its contractor, the consortium of Megawide Construction Corp. and Suez International, and their 300 workers celebrate onsite the milestone of achieving 1 million safe man-hours without lost time incident. The P4.18-billion Aglipay STP in Barangay Old Zaniga is part of the Mandaluyong West Sewerage System project. It will have a treatment capacity of 60 million liters per day, expandable to 120 MLD of wastewater to be collected from 2,115 hectares of catchment area spanning across Mandaluyong, San Juan and Quezon City.
ECONOMIC growth prospects remain bright as the government’s spending on infrastructure projects will offset any possible slowdown in employment in the first quarter, private sector economists said Tuesday.
Economists from First Metro Investment Corp. and the University of Asia and the Pacific said in a joint report the unemployment rate inched up slightly to 4.3 percent in December 2022 from 4.2 percent in November.
They said firms relied on more hours of input from workers in December from the previous month and employed less people by 707,000.
“The slowdown should continue in January although the resumption of in-
Manuel Pangilinan, the chairman, president and chief executive of Metro Pacific Investments Corp., expresses support for the GoDigital Pilipinas movement by aligning the group’s business strategies to help boost the country’s progressing digital pivot. The conglomerate is fortifying the GDP movement, recently launched by the Private Sector Advisory Council, through implementing technological advancements in the operations of all its subsidiaries. With investments in power, water, toll roads, light rail, healthcare and agriculture, MPIC seeks to digitalize the daily lives of all Filipinos, widen digital accessibility and help the country achieve progress.
frastructure spending in 2023 would provide a buffer,” they said.
Data showed that the purchasing managers index reached a seven-month high of 53.5 in January. The improvement from 53.1 in December suggested no letup in the key subsector and boosted business confidence, they said.
PMI is a measure of the prevailing direction of economic trends in manufacturing. It is based on a monthly survey of supply chain managers across 19 industries, covering both upstream and downstream activity.
“Despite the usual easing of employment levels in December, the economy still looks sufficiently robust to weather the global headwinds,” they said.
“The economy still showed signs of resilience despite the weakened global
THE National Telecommunications Commission will unlikely shut off analog television broadcasting this year because of the slow adoption of digital terrestrial TV among households in the provinces, a top official said Tuesday.
“We’re looking at this year [analog shutdown], but it’s still tentative,” NTC commissioner Ella Blanca Lopez said.
The government was planning to stop the analog TV broadcast in 2023, but Lopez said most of the households, particularly in the provinces, were not digital-ready.
The Department of Information and Communications Technology earlier estimated that more than 14 million households nationwide were still relying on free-to-air analog TV broadcast.
“It would be difficult to shut down, when not all were digital-ready,” Lopez said, adding digital TV penetration in the country remained below 50 percent.
“The penetration rate in Metro Manila is high, but not in the provinces. Networks rolled out their digital [systems], so we will get there,” she said.
GMA Network Inc. announced last year an additional investment of
more than P1 billion for the expansion of its digital TV coverage nationwide.
It rolled out GMA Affordabox—a plug-and-play device that can easily be connected to an analog TV in order to receive digital television broadcast.
TV5 Network Inc. in September 2021 launched its DTT set top box called Sulit TV Box, while ABSCBN Corp. introduced TVplus box in 2015. The NTC issued Memorandum Circular No. 05-11-2013 in November 2013, adopting Japan’s ISDB-T standard for the Philippines’ migration to digital TV.
economic outlook. Employment may ease in first quarter slightly but should recover as NG [national government] ramps up infrastructure spending with the early approval of its budget and the manufacturing sub-sector emitting positive signals in January 2023,” they said.
The 4.3 percent jobless rate in December was lower than 6.6 percent a year ago. Unemployment rate averaged 5.4 percent in 2022, near the pre-pandemic level of 5.1 percent in 2019. It also eased from 7.8 percent in 2021 and 10.4 percent in 2020.
FMIC and UA&P economists predicted that inflation—one of the persistent threats to economic growth— would likely remain elevated and average 8.1 percent in the first quarter this year.
Tuesday,
By Othel V. CamposKIA Philippines Motor Corp. said Tuesday its sales grew 34 percent in 2022 to 5,012 vehicles from 3,748 units in 2021.
“Kia Philippines achieved a record-breaking 34-percent sales increase as compared to 2021. This figure is higher than the auto industry’s 26 percent,” the automaker said in a statement.
The Korean brand is one of the six global brands distributed by AC Motors—a wholly-owned automotive unit of Ayala Corp. Since 2019 when Kia Philippines rebranded globally and locally, it outpaced the overall industry’s performance in terms of growth and rivaled the accomplishments of other leading brands.
The brand also achieved the highest growth rate in the Asia Pacific region and was the top independent distributor in retail sales in 2022. Customer satisfaction registered the highest improvement in the region, based on surveys conducted by Kia Asia Pacific.
Kia PH attributed the string of successes to the significant efforts pooled by dealer principals who have worked tirelessly to reach the milestones. From 30 dealers in 2018, Kia PH grew to 42 dealers in 2022.
The auto firm said dealerships nationwide were encouraged to launch rebranding schemes parallel to the rebranding efforts of Kia Corp. By end-2023, all Kia dealers will sport refreshed exteriors, and by next year, will share Kia’s revamped interior design aesthetic.
Kia will launch in March its first dedicated battery electric vehicle—the EV6 which along with its supporting charging ecosystem represent a pivotal shift into the electric vehicle market.
It noted that based on the report of Bank of Philippine Islands lead economist Jun Neri, auto sales would continue to grow at a hefty pace in 2023 after the industry showed signs of recovery in 2022.
Neri said the sustained economic recovery was expected in 2023 because of fewer international and domestic travel restrictions; easier access to consumer credit; a reduced unemployment rate boosting purchasing power and consumer credit scores; an inflation slowdown; and a more stable foreign exchange environment.
By Alena Mae S. FloresSAN Miguel Consolidated Power Corp. is building a 56-megawatt gas turbine power plant in Zamboanga City at a cost of P3.2 billion.
SMCPC, a wholly-owned subsidiary of SMC Global Power Holdings Corp., said in a report to the Department of Environment and Natural Resources it received an environmental compliance certificate for the project’s first phase involving a 28-MW gas turbine power plant in Sangali, Zamboanga City. The ECC-approved project is under
construction, but SMCPC decided to increase its power generating capacity to 56 MW because of the projected increase in power demand in the Zamboanga Peninsula.
SMCPC submitted the gas turbine power plant expansion project to the DENR’s Environmental Management Bureau for public scoping.
SMCPC said the deployment of modular, fast-start, high-speed, quickresponse, small-capacity, diesel-fired generating units would alleviate the power supply delivery and voltage stability issues in Zamboanga.
SPEAKER Martin G. Romualdez on Monday lauded Filipino ace surfer Rogelio “JayR” Esquivel, Jr. for bringing prid e and honor to the country by winning the men’s longboard surfing competition at the World Surfing League La Union International Pro Longboard Qualifying Series. Esquivel emerged as the champion in the event held in Urbiztondo Beach, San Juan, La Union in January this year after edging out Japanese rival Taka Inoue in the finals.
“With your victory, you have not only brought pride and honor to our country. Your remarkable feat has also shown that Filipinos can compete against the best in the world,” Romualdez told Esquivel, who paid him a courtesy call Monday afternoon.
“Your skills and talent have propelled you to the top, and your determination and perseverance have set an example for others to follow. Keep up the good work, and may you continue to ride the waves of success,” Romualdez added.
Tingog Party-list Rep. Yedda Marie K. Romualdez, who was also present during the courtesy call, also extended her congratulations to the Pinoy champion surfer.
Esquivel is set to compete again this year in two more surfing competitions in Bali, Indonesia, and in South Korea in his bid to qualify for the WSL World Tour.
The Speaker assured Esquivel that all the House members are “very supportive of the sport,” noting that not only does it help encourage the youth to engage in sports and athletics but also gives the country positive exposure to athletes here and abroad.
Ilocos Sur Rep. Ronald Singson, who was among those who accompanied Esquivel, also noted that surfing is a major driver of the country’s tourism industry.
United Philippine Surfing Association Secretary General Gino Canlas, and Quirino Rep. Midy Cua, also joined Esquivel in his courtesy call to the Speaker.
CEBU—The big guns are keeping their cards close to their chests with defending champion Canlubang shooting “just to keep it close” after the first day of skirmishes Wednesday in the 74th Philippine Airlines Interclub Seniors championship here.
The opening round will be at wellmanicured Alta Vista and Cangolf mainstay Tommy Manotoc refused to bare their opening four even as Luisita is having its practice round late Tuesday with non-playing skipper Jeric Hechanova deciding hours after.
“We just want to keep it close after the first round,” Manotoc said when asked of the type of lineup that will get Cangolf’s title defense under way.
“What I can tell you is that we can’t afford to fall behind big early, because Luisita is very, very strong.”
Hechanova, meanwhile, said that players who play well in the team’s practice round under heavy rain on the eve of the event will get the call as he emphasized his belief that there won’t be one course that will decide this year’s edition.
“We have to play well all four days,” Hechanova explained. “Our players know that wer can’t wait for the other teams to play bad. If they (opponents) play well, we need to play great.”
Manila Southwoods and Del Monte are the other teams in the Championship division, although Manotoc believes that Cebu Country Club, even if it is playing in the lower Founders class, is a contender for the overall title.
Club Filipino will host the next two rounds, and Manotoc sees this one as the tiring version of the two mountain layouts.
THE facilities of the New Clark City Sports Hub still holds a lot of potential in playing host to a lot of world-class events
Philippine Sports Commission chairm an Richard Bachmann said this following his visit to the National Government Administrative Center of the New Clark City in Capas, Tarlac.
Bachmann said he was impressed at what he saw, while visiting the National Swim Tryouts for the Cambodia 32nd Southeast Asian Games at the NCC Aquatics Center.
The PSC chief became upbeat at the facilities, which remained in top condition and looked well-maintained since it became operational in the months leading to the 2019 SEA
Games that the country hosted.
“This is my first time here. I am totally impressed,” said Bachmann, who has been going around to visit the ongoing training and preparation of athletes for the coming SEA Games.
Bases Conversion and Development Authority Senior Vice President for Corporate Services Group Arrey Perez, whose staff took care of the needs of the athletes, coaches and organizers, showed Bachmann around the PSC the facilities being utilized by numerous sports organizations in Central Luzon.
Construction of the Sports Hub, which included an athletics stadium, started on April 25, 2018, and was used in 2019 during the Philippines’ hosting of the SEA Games.
“There’s so much potential for other sports to be here,” added Bachmann, who met with the swimmers at the tryouts.
Bachmann said that bringing more world-class events to the complex makes a lot of sense, adding he will consider its future development as part of the agency’s plans.
The PSC chief believes that more facilities should be developed to make sports facilities more accessible.
The complex’s Athletes’ Village is still operational and can cater to the needs of numerous sports organizations and the events that they can hold.
CARMONA—South Korea got off to a flying start with two of its players breaking par at the tough Masters’ co urse to open up a onestroke lead over defending champion Japan and Thailand, while the Philippines kept pace and trailed by three in Tuesday’s first round of the 43rd Queen Sirikit Cup held at the Manila Southwoods Golf and Country Club here yesterday.
Seo Kyorim scored a three-underpar 69 and Yoo Hyunjo made a twounder-par 70 for 139.
New Zealand followed with the four-under-par 68 of Fiona Xu and even par 70 of Vivian Lu for 140, a score later matched by Thailand
in the late afternoon as Thitikarn Thapasit and Achiraya Sriwong each tallied a two-under-par 70.
Japan, seeking a back-to-back title and eighth overall, was in solo fourth with 141. World no. 5 Yuna Araki turned in a 70 and Mizuki Hashimoto a 71.
Team Philippines, meanwhile, was led by Rianne Malixi’s eagleaided 68 and Mafy Singson’s 74.
Lois Kaye Go’s 77 did not count in the three-to-play, two-to-count format of this international tournament also known as the Amateur LadiesAsia Pacific Invitational Golf Team Championships.
“We are not too far behind but
th ere are a lot of things that we can improve on. We’ll try to fix some and hopefully that will translate into good scores in the second ro und ,” said PH captain Ann Granada.
Malixi seconded the skipper’s assessment as she said that she could have done better.
“I scrambled for pars in the first few holes. I did not play competitive golf prior to Queen Sirikit and getting rid of the rustiness. But when I eagled the sixth hole, things turned around and I got back into the groove. I kinda figured out what was wrong and recovered just in time,” she said.
MORONG, Bataan—The Ladies Philippine Golf Tour kick-starts its new season in the most riveting fashion—pitting two LPGA Tour veterans and Taiwan’s No. 1 in the first round of the $100,000 Anvaya Cove Ladies International beginning today (Wednesday) here.
In a sprint race, this being a 54hole championship, every shot counts and PK Kongkraphan and Ya-Chun Chang have stressed the need for ball control on a well-kept, risk-and-reward Anvaya Cove course and local ace Bianca Pagdanganan expects to produce no less than stellar play while ranged against the best in the fold.
The three are the main talking points in the run-up to the kickoff leg of this year’s LPGT, which also serves as the second event of the 2023 LPGA of Taiwan (TLPGA), and they hope to deliver with the seasoned Thai looming large with
her talent and vast experience, having competed in the LPGA Tour for eight years, nearly three times over the Filipina’s abbreviated stint in the world’s premier ladies pro circuit. Chang, 22, is billed as the future of Taiwan women’s golf after emerging on top of her country’s pro circuit last year, barely five months after she turned pro that had her winning one and turning in at least three Top 10 finishes.
“I’m just doing what I’m supposed to do, step by step, and not paying too much about the results,” said Chang, who will be as much tested as Kongkraphan and Pagdanganan in their most-awaited 8 a.m. clash on No. 1.
“This course is really challenging with pretty narrow fairways,” said Chang, who at 15, relocated to Florida, joined the IMG Academy and competed in at least 10 pro tournaments. “So you have to be very smart
as to where you’re going to hit every single shot.”
While she also puts emphasis on driving, Kongkraphan, 31, feels it will most likely boil down to putting, saying: “I hope to keep the ball on the fairways but I need to make some putts because the greens are very challenging.”
The Thai, however, has gone through a lot of tests to be rattled off a bit and the Thai LPGA Tour Order of Merit winner last year is expected to use her experience to nail her second TLPGA leg win in her first local foray in a long while.
“I’ve been here a long time ago with the (Thai) national team and very excited to play. Actually, I’m very comfortable playing with Asian players,” said Kongkraphan, who topped the 2022 Thai LPGA Masters, which was part of the TLPGA, on her way to clinching the OOM trophy.
THE Philippine Sports Commission, through the Women in Sports program, is tapping the Provincial Government of Ifugao to host the WIS Laro ng Lahi slated on May 26 to 29, this year.
The PSC, as represented by the Office of Commissioner Olivia “Bong” Coo, conducted an ocular inspection and coordination meeting with the Office of Provincial Governor Jerry Dalipog, C.E represented by Executive Assistant IV Agustin Calya-en last February 17 held in Ifugao Provincial Capitol in Lagawe.
“Ifugao would like to strengthen their five regular sports, and we would like to help them,” expressed PSC Women in Sports program oversight Commissioner Coo.
“We are happy na pumunta ang PSC with regards to the program of Commissioner Bong Coo. The Province of Ifugao is really preparing for big events this year, with the PSC’s help and assistance especially the sports equipment, iyan ang gusto ni Gov. Dalipog, para ma-improve ‘yung sports program namin,” said Calya-en after the coordination meeting.
The PSC-WIS is preparing to include muay, weightlifting, boxing, taekwondo and wrestling as proposed by the province. This is to help the LGU further develop their grassroots sports program. Also, part of the Laro ng Lahi sportsfest are the 10 indigenous games of Ifugao like guyyudan, kadang-kadang sa bao, dopap dimanuk, munbayu, uggub, and among others.
“Majority of the games will be played by women and girls as we want to increase the number of female athletes and discover new talents to be part of our national training pool,” disclosed Coo, the PSC’s lone lady commissioner and a Philippine bowling icon.
In April, the PSC will have an alignment meeting with the Ifugao workforce such as the local secretariat, medical, security, and officiating teams, to ensure a smooth hosting of WIS Laro ng Lahi in Lagawe starting May 26 until May 29.
ALT LAKE CITY—NBA All-Star Game Most Valuable Player Jayson Tatum is turning his attention to the Boston Celtics’ bid for an NBA title after scoring an All-Star Game record 55 points.
Tatum made 22-of-31 shots from the floor, 10-of-18 from 3-point range, and added 10 rebounds and six assists to spark Team Giannis over Team LeBron 184-175.
But with the showcase showdown behind him, the 24-year-old forward who is averaging 30.6 points, 8.6 rebounds and 4.5 assists is now focused on sparking the NBA overall-leading Celtics to a crown.
“Now it’s go time,” Tatum said. “We’ve got to have one common goal and that’s to win a championship. This was a good break for us mentally and physically, but it’s time to get back to work.”
Tatum, in his sixth NBA campaign, lifted the Celtics to the NBA Finals last season for the first time since 2010, although Boston lost to the Golden State Warriors.
He has learned how important the final weeks of the regular season can be in
the overall championship chase.
“Since I’ve been in the league, the team that has kind of clicked in this last stretch -- has kind of peaked and played their best of the season going into the playoffs -- usually is the team that wins it all, so this stretch is important,” Tatum said.
“You want to be as healthy as possible going into the playoffs. You want to be playing your best basketball, individually and as a group, so that’s what we’re trying to do.”
At a league-best 42-17, the Celtics are just ahead of Milwaukee (41-17) atop the Eastern Conference with Philadelphia third at 38-19 followed in order by Cleveland and the Brooklyn Nets, who figure to sink after dealing away stars Kevin Durant to Phoenix and Kyrie Irving to Dallas.
Milwaukee star Giannis Antetokounmpo played only a moment due to a
right wrist sprain but hopes to return for the Bucks’ stretch run.
“Hopefully I can be available for my team when they need me,” the Greek star said.
In the Western Conference, the Denver Nuggets are just behind the Celtics for the overall lead at 41-18 with Memphis a distant second on 35-22 and Sacramento third on 32-35 followed closely by the Los Angeles Clippers, Phoenix and Dallas.
Serbian center Nikola Jokic, the NBA MVP each of the past two seasons who turned 28 on Sunday, is averaging a triple double for Denver with 24.7 points, 11.5 rebounds and 10.1 assists a game.
He said the Nuggets enjoy the fact that other clubs receive more attention than Denver even though they are at the top.
“We like it,” Jokic said. “We don’t need (attention). We know what we’re doing. We believe in the basketball system that we’ve built over the years, so it works.
“It’s still working. Nothing can affect us from outside. We are thinking about ourselves and just how to get better.” AFP
THE Universal Reality Combat Championship is bringing the Philippines-Korea MMA war for the first time in Mindanao.
Mayor Seth Frederick “Bullet” Jalosjos of Dapitan City in the province of Zamboanga del Norte, will host the the biggest mixed martial arts event in the city for a cause on March 4, 2023 at the Zamboanga del Norte Cultural Sports Complex.
Jalosjos said the historic sports event, billed as ‘Bloodline: URCC 83 Heritage Fight’ will continue the
legacy of national hero Dr. Jose Rizal, a martial arts teacher during his fouryear exile in Dapitan.
“Aside from the preservation and promotion of the life and works of our national hero Dr. Jose Rizal, we pay importance to the benefits of martial arts in promoting a healthy lifestyle and self-defense. Our city and the provincial government will host the Bloodline: URCC 83, the first and only professional mixed martial arts event to be witnessed by our people,” said Jalosjos, an MMA enthusiast
during his prime training alongside URCC founder and Philippine wrestling chief Alvin Aguilar.
“This event also aims to encourage the youth to get involved into sports and stay away from vices, such as illegal drugs. Furthermore, this event is expected to invite more tourist arrivals and would help in improving the livelihood and tourism sectors in Dapitan and the whole Zamboanga del Norte,” he added.
Highlight of the Bloodline fight night, supported by Team Play, Crazy
Win and Nuebe, is the grudge war, main event between welterweight fighters Chris Hofmann of the Philippines versus Kim Min Seok of South Korea.
“Chris (Hofmann), regarded as our Manny Pacquiao in MMA, is facing a very tough opponent, who is raring to fight our two-division champion. The Korean challenge was called even before pandemic. Now, it will come to reality. The moment of truth will be on March 4 in Dapitan City. Bakbakan na!,”URCC top brass Aguilar said.
ALVIN Morada and Christian Bernardo flexed their experience to set their men’s doubles’ title bid in style in the 2023 Philippine Badminton Open, Tuesday at the Dragonsmash Badminton Center in Makati City.
The recently crowned 31st Iran Fajr International Challenge champions took down Deon Omaña and Mark Adrian Banaag, 21-7, 21-12, to move into the second round against Jerome Varquez and Nathan Chiu in this tournament backed by Yamaha, Philippine Amusement and Gaming Corporation, MWell, Maynilad, Metro Pacific Tollways Corporation, and Meralco.
Elsewhere on the side of their draw, Allen Penute and Jeno Cariño pulled off an early upset over the duo of former national team standout Lanz Zafra and fellow National University student-athlete Zed Monterubio, 16-21, 21-16, 21-16. The action intensifies on the bottom bracket of the men’s doubles, paced by second-seeds Julius Villabrille and Solomon Padiz Jr. later in the afternoon.
In the women’s side, Shaynne Boloron and Palma Cruz of De La Salle University edged out Althea Fuentespina and Mica Airah Ibong of UP-Allied Badminton, 21-16, 21-17, to kick off women’s doubles action in their side of the bracket, which includes top-seeds Alyssa Leonardo and Thea Pomar.
Taking care of the other side’s start, Althea Princess Hernandez and Tia Kirsten Bualat of Whackers Badminton outlasted Jacqueline Pantoja and Katrina Togado of DLSU, 14-21, 21-15, 24-22.
Standing in their way if they go through are former UAAP standouts Airah Mae Nicole Albo and Lea Inlayo, and Andrea Hernandez and Susmita Ramos, as the second-ranked and third-seeded pairs, respectively.
Matches in the men’s and women’s doubles continue as of this writing in this tournament that is also supported by the Philippine Sports Commission and the Philippine Olympic Committee. Also on deck are the men’s singles third-round matches.
THE Quezon Huskers are managing the expectations heading into their debut in the Maharlika Pilipinas Basketball League on March 11. Huskers coach Eric Gonzales said they are still in the process of forming a team that can compete and advance to the playoffs of the country’s most prestigious regional league.
Right now, the squad that is owned by Quezon Rep. Keith Micah Tan and San Andres Mayor Ralph Edward Lim is holding its regular practice at the Epsilon Chi Center inside the University of the Philippines campus in Diliman, Quezon City.
“We’re still in the process of assembling the team,” the 50-year-old Gonzales said.
“While everybody is very excited about the Huskers, we have to manage our expectations because we are such a young team. Winning is not an overnight process. We have to take it one step at a time.” Gonzales is coming in with sterling credentials.
He coached National University in the University Athletic Association of the Philippines in 2010 before coaching Globalport in the Philippine Basketball Association in 2014 and 2016.
He also served as assistant coach of TNT Tropang Giga in 2018 before handling Iloilo United Royals in 2021 and formally accepting the offer laid down by team manager Atty. Donn Kapunan, assistant team manager Magnum Membrere and consultant Patrick Gregorio to coach the Huskers last month.
“We just conducted a very successful tryout in Quezon Province last week with the hopes of finding homegrown talents who can help us in our campaign,” Gonzales said.
“Unlike other teams who have been together for the past several years, our team is still being formed. With that, our goal is to win as many games as we can and—hopefully—make it to the playoffs.”
By Patricia Taculao
FILMS are more than just mediums for entertainment. With the ideal cinematic elements, it can become an art form or a platform for disseminating truth to its audiences. Veteran Filipina actress Cherry Pie Picache sees her latest movie, Oras de Peligro, as an agent of truth that aims to bring the facts to Filipino audiences about a crucial part of Philippine history.
The film follows the story of a family living during Martial Law and witnessing some of the horrors and abuse that many Filipinos experienced.
Produced by Attorney Howard Calleja and Alvi Siongco of Bagong Siklab Productions, Oras de Peligro also stars Apollo Abraham, Marcus Madrigal, Timothy Castillo, Elora Espano, Jim Pebanco, Mae Paner, Dave Bornea, Rico Barrera, Alvi Siongco, Gerald Santos, Crysten Dizon, Nanding Josef, Therese Malvar Allan Paule, and Allen Dizon
Each cast member plays a significant role in portraying the truth to the Filipino public at the time. The film also utilizes footage from news agencies from the decade to further emphasize its message.
“My only prayer is that you will
support us [to] tell the truth because I think it’s very vital nowadays, di ba, to be able to campaign for disinformation. At saka importante lalo na sa mga kabataan ngayon na malaman nila kung ano talaga totoong nangyari sa kasaysayan natin,”
Cherry Pie said. She added that this support benefits the actors, the film, and the everyday Filipinos who strives to get their perspective of the truth out.
Cherry Pie was 16 years old during the 1986 EDSA People Power Revolution, which she joined with her family. She recalled witnessing the military tanks and
the nuns giving away provisions to the attendees. For her, the movie isn’t challenging anybody, nor is it meant to be political. Oras de Peligro comes from the perspective of those who witnessed and lived during the EDSA Revolution. Hindi pwedeng i-edit, hindi pwedeng baguhin. That’s why it’s history. Hindi mo made-deny ‘yung actual na nangyari Let’s spread love and the truth,” the actress added. .
The actress also considers Oras de Peligro as a tool to encourage audiences to fight against disinformation, especially
with technology and social media as platforms that disseminate information with just a few clicks.
Kaya kapag nagpo-post tayo sa social media siguraduhin natin na responsible tayo Alam natin kung ano ang facts, kasi tayong may mga edad na okay alam natin kung ano ‘yung totoo sa hindi,” she said. However, Cherry Pie also expressed concern for the younger generations because of the abundance of disinformation in their environment.
“Paano nila maipaglalaban ang bansa na mahal na mahal natin kung mabubuhay sila sa disinformation or false facts? ‘Di
By Angelica Villanueva
AFTER the massive success of the 2022 Metro Manila Film Festival entry Deleter, awardwinning director Mikhail Red is set to work again with lead actress Nadine Lustre this year for another horror film.
Entitled Nokturno, the upcoming film will be under the newly-established subsidiary, Evolve Studios, headed by Red as the chief creative officer and co-founded by Valerie Del Rosario, Senior Vice President for Content Creation and Development of Viva Communications, Inc.
Nokturno is one of the two projects of Evolve Studios this year. The director described the film as “a very scary movie” and “a bigger film than Deleter. It will be followed then by Helel, a sci-fi thriller genre that will also be directed by Red.
Considered now the highest-grossing Filipino horror film of all time, the critically-acclaimed film Deleter was also produced under Viva.
After seeing the creativity and authentic works of the young director, Viva decided to form a more dynamic partnership with Red which was a dream come true for him.
“It’s always been a dream to make films and to keep telling stories. I’m grateful to be here to have this privilege and opportunity,” expressed Red. “Thank you to Viva for making this a reality.”
Del Rosario also revealed during the press conference that the partnership had already been planned even before the critical success of the film.
“I think before pa i-show ‘yung Deleter, there were talks already to form a partnership,” said Del Rosario.
“More than the concept, more than the idea of Deleter, ‘yung belief and trust kay Direk Mik, sa kanyang vision, ‘yung talent that he has, and ‘yung kuwento na gusto niyang ikwento, du’n kami naniwala,” she went on.
Meanwhile, Red shared the main reason why he said yes to the collaboration with
Viva.
“It was during the pandemic when we pitched Deleter. And ‘yung na-realize ko while talking to Viva, in the past kasi I’ve always had offers to start a studio or partnership. But what really attracted me to the whole partnership with Viva is they really give importance to the voice of the filmmaker and director. And may creative freedom,” Red explained.
“I feel like ito ‘yung best platform for me to continue making the films I want and making sustainable cinema. It’s really exciting to be working with them,” he added. When asked what to expect from Evolve
Studios, Red emphasized its aim to “tackle Filipino stories with exciting plots and imaginative ideas.”
“We will take wild swings, aim for spectacle and fresh concepts, yet ground them in sustainable and feasible production. Our films aim to be accessible and exciting to the everyday Filipino audience and will have the craft, production value, and sensibilities for international export as well,” he explained.
Red also shared the goal of distributing and partnering with international streamers “that are looking for strong genre titles in our region.”
LAUNCHING the title for the regional market, London/ Singapore-based international content investment studio 108 Media will produce a live-action television multi-series adaptation of the chart-topping young adult Fil-Am action-fantasy graphic novel Dreamwalker by pop culture blogger Mikey Sutton.
Sutton assembles a creative dream team of the 2022 Content Asia Award Best Director winner Treb Monteras II (Cinemalaya’s Respeto) as showrunner/director, the indemand Mikhail Red (Birdshot Eerie) as series director, who is just coming off his mega box-office Metro Manila Film Festival 2022 horror Deleter
Completing the dream team are Los Angeles-based genre maven Kaitlyn Fae Fajilan as headwriter, with GMA 7’s popular actress Kate Valdez in the much coveted lead role.
Based on an original concept by the Filipino American Sutton with his Manila-
based artistic director Noel Layon Flores, the Dreamwalker graphic novel about a monsterslaying vlogger reached the top of the local Filipino comics charts with 108 Media emerging as the eventual winner of the option to produce a premium series adaptation for regional and international audiences in mid2023 towards an early Q2 2024 delivery. Executive Producers for the series are Justin Deimen (President - 108 Media), Treb Monteras II, Kirstie Contrevida (Creative Producer – 108 Media), Abhi Rastogi (CEO – 108 Media) and Michael Sutton.
On seeing the potential of the series as a new touchpoint for Southeast Asian genre fare, executive producer Justin Deimen says: “The moment we heard about the concept, we knew how far this could travel. The project will be a focal point for Filipino talent across the globe and delivers cultural storytelling in a fresh and commercial way to young adult audiences locally and internationally.
“Mikey and Noel’s concept coupled with Treb and Mik’s vision and Kaitlyn’s scripts blends fantasy, horror, humor, and high-end action in a way never seen before in regional television,” Deimen added.
Season 1 will focus on the origin story of our Fil-Am protagonist Kat who returns to the Philippines under mysterious circumstances and survives a bus crash to find herself gifted with the ability to enter dreams of others and being able to extract weapons temporarily to wield against supernatural beings from Filipino folklore as she investigates the source of the monster wave while attempting to help those affected by the looming threat.
Sutton, who conceptualized and wrote the comics, is ecstatic about the attachment of Kate Valdez as his “Dreamwalker,” who
is currently starring in the local sci-fi drama Unica Hija on GMA. “I randomly discovered Kate Valdez in 2018 while recovering from a near-fatal stroke. I saw her on the GMA drama, Onanay, and her emotionally rich performance and timeless beauty made me declare her the Next Big Thing. I modelled and named ‘Dreamwalker’ after her. I am also thrilled and honored to work with 108 Media. They’ve been incredibly supportive and wonderful to me. They’ve chosen a top-notch crew to put this project together,” remarks Sutton.
Upon finding out that the ambitious screen adaptation was moving forward with 108 Media, Valdez leaned into her excitement.
“When Mikey told me that Dreamwalker would become a TV series and that I was chosen to be the one who will also portray Kat on screen, I was pinching myself because I had no expectations that I would be able to extend my role into a medium that I’m so passionate about in my life.
“I’m honestly so excited, nervous, and grateful to Mikey and everyone in the project for believing in me to do this major
TV project for the Philippines so global audiences can be more exposed to our culture and stories,” shares the Kapuso star.
108 Media recently struck a co-financing deal with BritBox International on “Inspector Singh” (3 episodes) that is currently in production and announced a showrunner partnership with horror maestro Neil Marshall on “Nightshade” (6 episodes), his first TV Series since Netflix’s Lost In Space reboot.
Adding to their local-international Fil-Am content stack, 108 Media is in pre-production on their feature adaptation of the hit novel Mango Bride with megastar Sharon Cuneta attached to executive produce and star.
As part of its integrated expansion in 2022, 108 Media acquired the formerly AIM-listed DCD Rights and its subsidiaries; invested in Singapore-based animation IP specialists Robot Playground Media.
The company also recently secured a majority stake in one of Asia’s top scripted production companies Revolution Media and purchased management control of one of the UK’s most prominent Film/ TV financing firms Piccadilly Pictures.
ba ang kabataan ang pag-asa ng bayan?” she said.
Fortunately, Therese assures everyone the younger generation uses technology and other available resources to discover the truth about Philippine history. Since working on the film, the young actress considers fighting disinformation as personal because of how it affects and polarizes society.
Directing the film is Joel Lamangan the visionary behind Himala, Mano Po, Rainbow Sunset, and many more. Oras de Peligro premieres in theaters on March 1, Wednesday.
THE epic culinary adventure never stops as GTV's Farm to Table marks its two years of discovering sustainable farms and sharing healthy food options by Filipino chef JR Royol
As part of its anniversary celebration, the program airs four special episodes beginning February 19.
Join Chef JR in another fun journey as he visits their ancestral home in the picturesque Barlig, Mountain Province. Together with his wife, son, and relatives, Chef JR will commemorate the traditions of their Igorot clan and explores the strong farm-to-table culture of the Barlig communities.
Learn how to prepare tapuey, the Igorot traditional rice wine, and etag, the well-known delicacy in Mountain Province that can be used in everyday cooking.
Chef JR and his family will also gather to prepare pinikpikan and perform the pattong, an Igorot expression of thanksgiving through gongs and dances.
Moreover, viewers will witness some of the best tourist spots in Barlig including the Karanag Falls and Lake Tufob.
Chef JR will also give the audience a taste of Mountain Province’s coffee culture and a glimpse of the famous Lias Ponkan. Tune in as he incorporates these in unique dishes like coffee chocolate chicken, coffee-rub barbecue, and braised citrus duck.
The exciting trip will continue as the host dives into one of the nearby streams to catch local fish and prepare kachiw salad, chalet rice bowl, and amti chalet soup.
Lastly, this anniversary special acknowledges the most precious produce of Barlig, which is rice. Chef JR will take the audience on a quick tour of his family’s rice terraces in Al-long and share more about the heirloom rice variety called chor-chor-os
Amid these appetizing food adventures, the host will meet various likeminded people with stories about their own farming journeys. It is indeed a meaningful experience to be surrounded by inspiring people, a relaxing environment, and hearty meals.
Farm to Table airs every Sunday at 7:00 p.m. on GMA Network’s GTV channel.
‘Farm to Table’ celebrates two years of heartwarming food journeyFrom left: Kate Valdez, Treb Monteras II, Key Art, Kaitlyn Fae Fajilan, and Mikhail Red Kapuso actress Kate Valdez is ecstatic to play the role of Kat in ‘Dreamwalker’ Nadine Lustre will again star in a horror flick by Mikhail Red Senior Vice President for Content Creation and Development of Viva Communications, Inc. Valerie Del Rosario (left) with award-winning director Mikhail Red Cherry Pie (second from left) with the ‘Oras de Peligro’ team
SINGAPORE Tourism Board (STB) has collaborated with National Geographic CreativeWorks to unveil Unseen/Singapore, a campaign that showcases Singapore as a travel destination from the perspective of intrepid photographers from Southeast Asia.
The virtual exhibition brings together award-winning Filipino conservation photographer, Gab Mejia, with five photographers from across Southeast Asia.
Through photography, the campaign includes a virtual exhibition which encourages travellers to explore the citystate’s cultural diversity and hidden spots, by taking a moment to observe the unseen beauty of destination Singapore.
Running this February, Unseen/ Singapore showcases a collection of photographic works through a virtual exhibition, captured and curated by six photographers. Unseen/Singapore features the works of Gab Mejia (Philippines), Amani Azlin (Malaysia), Tino Renato (Indonesia), Chanipol Kusolcharttum, better known as “Rockkhound” (Thailand), Phạm Gia Tùng (Vietnam), and Jayaprakash Bojan (Singapore).
In curating the Unseen/Singapore collection, each photographer visited Singapore in mid-2022, covering areas in Singapore that showcase nature, heritage buildings, cultural sites, and art. Each presented their vision of an Unseen/Singapore through ways that resonate with their passions and personal experiences.
The photographers ventured across Singapore, going beyond its famous attractions and iconic skyline,
to discover spots equally captivating –from charming neighborhoods, to lush and thriving offshore wetlands and a lighthouse at the island’s edge.
“We aim to inspire travellers to Singapore to rediscover the joy of travel once again. One way is to portray our destination in a
different light, by helping visitors to see it afresh through another person’s eyes. Unseen/Singapore set out to do this, through the lens of talented photographers from Southeast Asia, who tell their journey of discovery through photography. We hope they will inspire a new wave of visitors
to discover a Singapore reimagined,” said John Conceicao, Executive Director, Southeast Asia, STB.
“I think the best way to experience something is to have no expectations of the places you visit. To just really be open to the many facets of
Singapore and really just going out of your way to explore these unexpected, unseen places. I think that’s what truly brings out the real purpose of what travel is all about. Because nature, life, the places that you visit will surprise you all the time,” shared Mejia who is a National Geographic explorer and is passionate about wildlife photography and conservation.
In 2021, he was awarded the World Wildlife Fund For Nature International President’s Youth Award, and was also listed on the 2021 Forbes Under 30 List for The Arts in Asia for photography. His story started when his dad took him mountain climbing, sparking his interest in the natural world and the stories he could discover and capture behind it. His vision for this project is to show a different side of Singapore, capturing moments of the wild and pockets of nature.
Unseen/Singapore is part of STB’s efforts to boost travel recovery through “SingapoReimagine,” a tourism campaign that highlights new, innovative and unexpected experiences in Singapore to audiences worldwide.
Unseen/Singapore is open to the public on www.nationalgeographic. com/unseensingapore
The virtual exhibition will showcase each photographer’s ‘room’ based on their thematic-led collections. Viewers will be able to virtually visit many parts of Singapore including locations such as the Sim Kwong Ho shophouses, Pulau Ubin, Thow Kwang Pottery Jungle, Jurong Lake Gardens, Changi Chapel and Museum, and more.
THERE is no doubt that Tanghalang Pilipino’s Ang Pag-uusig, the Filipino adaptation of Arthur Miller’s The Crucible, is a must-watch.
The faithful translation of Jerry Respeto, the beautiful staging with minimal set design, the amazing direction by Dennis Marasigan, and the stellar ensemble performance of the actors – they all were woven intricately to bring to life the witch hunt in Salem Massachusetts that happened from February 1692 to May 1963.
It is no wonder the play brought home six major awards from the 10th Gawad Buhay, including the Outstanding Play for Tanghalang Pilipino, Outstanding Stage Direction for Marasigan, Outstanding Translation/Adaptation for Respeto, and had successful staging in 2017 and 2018.
But did the audience take away something from watching it? I hope so. I do so.
I admit that I have never seen the two previous runs. I’ve been told that each staging, including the current, have different feels. The staging in 2017 and 2018 consumed the political climate at that time, characterized by extrajudicial killings, violations of human rights, impunity, and what have you.
Jude, a media friend who watched it during those times, felt the tension; it was so palpable that one could probably touch it if he put his mind to it. He even felt scared for the theater
BAYANIHAN kicks off its 2023 season with performances at the prestigious Royal Opera House Muscat in the Sultanate of Oman. Together with top dance companies from Brazil, Romania, and hosts Oman, Bayanihan performed last January 26 and 28 to a sold-out audience.
Sentro Rizal Muscat, under the auspices of the Philippine Embassy in Oman led by Ambassador Imelda M. Panolong, likewise presented a special performance of the Bayanihan for the Filipino and diplomatic communities.
A first for the Philippines and a milestone for the Bayanihan as the first Philippine dance company to perform at the Royal Opera House Muscat, Bayanihan continues to bring the best of the Philippine culture and the artistry of the Filipinos to the rest of the world after their historical performance in Riyadh, Saudi Arabia last year.
This engagement was made possible through the generous support of the
Bayanihan is the first Philippine dance company to perform at the Royal Opera House Muscat National Commission for Culture and the Arts, in cooperation with the International Folklore Development Association and the Philippine Embassy in Oman.
Bilateral relations between the Philippines and Oman formally stared on October 6, 1980.
DRYBRUSH Gallery on the second floor of SM MoA Square at the Mall of Asia
Complex in Pasay City presents renowned visual artists Lander Blaza, Paul Dimalanta, Juno Galang, Al Perez, Fernando Sana, Fernando Sena, and Raul Isidro in an exhibit aptly called “Master’s Touch.”
Running until February 28, the artworks of the six artists on display at the gallery can also be viewed on drybrush.com (https://drybrush.com/exhibitions/masterstouch).
Dennis Marasigan Tanghalang Pilipino’s Nanding Josef
company because it was the time when those who opposed the power that be were condoned and persecuted.
With a powerful, political-laden play like The Crucible, with “the McCarthy communist witch hunt” becoming an allegory of the previous government’s massive “red-tagging,” I could understand the fear. But someone has to do it, and do it with a sound so loud that everyone who dared to listen won’t be able to ignore, and coupled with cries so silent, they are deafening.
With a new set of actors (except for the four senior actors Marco Viaña, Jonathan Tadioan, Lhorvie Nuevo, and Antonette Go taking the lead roles) and a new venue, it feels like a different production, and yet the same.
Still a heavy drama, but with the current political and social climate, it has a distinct flavor.
Watching it, one word came to my mind: kuyog or swarming. Or in contemporary settings, it could as well mean trolling. And we saw a lot of that
happening, especially on social media. How easily one can provoke arguments and emotional reactions in the cyber community with lies, and how a community who believes in those lies can swarm and instigate conflict and hostility. With the hysterics and drama, the truth got buried under the rug. And that happens a lot in real life –how a false accusation could blow out of proportion, with implausible consequences. I did feel the most gigil when Abigail Williams (portrayed by Go) lied through her teeth when Mary Warren (played by Aggy Mago) tried to tell the truth. A scene worth noting, I hope you don’t miss it when you watch it. I have to give it to the cast. They brought a myriad of emotions and thoughts out with their amazing acting.
I implore you. Do watch Ang Paguusig if you can. It is a classic tale, but it still resonates in today’s contemporary society.
Ang Pag-uusig runs until March 12, at the recently opened Tanghalang Ignacio Gimenez (CCP Blackbox Theater). For tickets, reservations and show-buying inquiries, email tanghalangpilipinomarketing@gmail.com, call 09479709618 or 09276035913 or go to www.ticket2me.net
The exhibit not only features a diverse range of visual artworks such as paintings, sculptures, and mixed media pieces. It also demonstrates the different techniques to art lovers, collectors, and enthusiasts. Through the artworks, the audience will “witness” the artists’ different journeys toward becoming the masters they are now.
On February 4, the gallery held their artists’ reception for the Master’s Touch art exhibition, wherein the six renowned artists graced the exhibit. City Councilor Arvin Laude Manguiat of Calamba, Laguna, also graced the exhibit.
The exhibition is a rare opportunity for art lovers and collectors to see the works of these six masters in an exhibit.
drybrush Gallery holds the artists reception for Master’s Touch last Saturday, February
You can view and purchase more than 1,500 artworks from more than 250 local artists on drybrush.com and also visit the two physical locations of the drybrush Gallery; one in SM Mall of Asia and one in SM North Edsa.
For viewing, payment, and other inquiries, you may contact drybrush via email at curator@drybrush.com or 0917 565 2917. To read full artists’ profile, visit manilastandard.net
