Manila Standard - 2023 February 28 - Tuesday

China nixes US Energy Dept. claim that COVID-19 came from lab leak

BEIJING—China on Monday rejected claims that the COVID-19 pandemic arose from a leak at one of its laboratories, following media reports that the US Department of Energy has determined that was the most likely cause of the outbreak.

The conclusion—noted in a classified report by Director of National Intelligence Avril Haines’s office, The Wall Street Journal reported -- marks a shift by the Energy Department, which had previously said it was undecided on

‘Sea issue recasts AFP task’

PBBM tells troops PH faces more complex problems over boundaries

By Vince Lopez and Macon Ramos-Araneta

THE mission of the Armed Forces of the Philippines has evolved amid the “most difficult and complicated” issue on the South China Sea in this part of the world and the “intensification of the competition of superpowers,” President Ferdinand Marcos Jr. said in his talk to the troops before the Visayas Command in Cebu on Monday.

“If before, we had what we say to be clear boundaries of our country, now that is being questioned and several things are happening... We are facing a more complex foreign situation in the Philippines. As they say, in this part of the world, here in the Philippines, the South China Sea is the most complicated geopolitical situation in the world,” the President said.

“If there is a war in Ukraine, here the South China Sea is said to be the most difficult and most complicated problem.”

“This is why I say that the mission of the AFP has changed. And now we have effectively watched over matters that before we did not have to think much about. There was a time when we did not have to worry about these

Transport strike set vs. sector’s modernization

By Maricel Cruz

TRANSPORT groups on Monday announced they will hold a weeklong transport holiday in the National Capital Region and Region 3 from March 6 to 12 to protest the government’s Public Utility Vehicle (PUV) Modernization Program.

Transportation Secretary Jaime Bautista immediately appealed to transport groups to hold a dialog first with concerned officials before holding the strike.

“You know, we should seriously think about stopping operations. There should be a dialogue first,” Bautista said in a statement.

“Let’s understand what the issues are because we might just be misunderstanding each other. I think the problem is that the DOTr had no representative during the discussions to clarify the issues,” he added.

The PUV modernization program aims to replace traditional jeepneys with vehicles powered by more environment-friendly fuels.

The Land Transportation Franchising and Regulatory Board said

Speaker vows House support in bigger campaign vs. crime

By Maricel V. Cruz and Rey E. Requejo

SPEAKER Martin G. Romualdez on Monday night committed the solid support of the House of Representatives for the authorities’ intensified campaign against crime “to ensure the safety of our citizens.”

Romualdez made the announcement following a closed-door meeting at the House with Interior Secretary Benhur Abalos and Philippine National Police Chief Gen. Rodolfo Azurin Jr. that he sought amid recent incidents of gunrelated violence against certain local officials and hapless civilians.

“I talked to the President (Ferdinand Marcos Jr.) earlier (in Cebu) and he was pleased that we are giving more attention to recent crimes,” Romualdez said during the meeting.

Abalos and Azurin reported to the Speaker that the country’s crime rate went down despite the recent high-profile incidents.

“We gave Sec. Abalos and Gen. Azurin our assurance that the House of Representatives would be open to pro -

Lawmakers OK hybrid Con-con for Charter edit

viding the PNP with adequate funding support and other resources -- as well as new legislation if necessary -- to buttress the campaign against crime, which is our shared concern,” Romualdez said.

Other leaders who attended the meeting include House Majority Leader Mannix Dalipe, House Minority Leader Marcelino Libanan, Ako Bicol party-list Rep. Zaldy Co, Deputy Speaker Aurelio Gonzales, Navotas Rep. Toby Tiangco, Camiguin Rep. Jayjay Romualdo, and Agusan del Norte Rep. Joboy Aquino II.

Abalos and Azurin were joined by PNP Chief of Directorate for Investigation and Detective Management Maj. Gen. Eliseo Cruz, National Capital Region Police Chief Maj. Gen. Edgar Alan Okubo, and PNP Deputy Chief for Operations Maj. Gen. Jonnel Estomo.

Meanwhile, Abalos Jr. has ordered the PNP to intensify its campaign against loose firearms in the wake of three separate attacks on locally elected officials.

“There is a need to dismantle these private armed groups and confiscate

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30k housing units

AT LEAST 30,000 housing units will be built for Cebu City residents under the flagship project of the current administration, the Pambansang Pabahay Para sa Pilipino Program (4PH), President Ferdinand Marcos Jr. said Monday.

During the groundbreaking ceremo-

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Bus Rapid Transit

THE President also led the groundbreaking ceremony of the Cebu Bus Rapid Transit (CBRT) project, which aims to decongest traffic in Cebu City and give commuters a faster and safer mode of transportation.

The ceremony officially kicked off the civil works for the four stations under

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Kadiwa ng Pangulo

THE President also launched the “Kadiwa ng Pangulo” in Cebu City following the success of the “Kadiwa ng Pasko” during the Christmas season to provide consumers with fresh and affordable agricultural and fishery products.

The President said he was elated

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Makati orders Smart telco HQ shut over P3.2b tax, biz permit problems

By Rey E. Requejo and Darwin G. Amojelar

THE Makati City government has ordered the closure of Smart Communications Inc. headquarters for operating without a business permit since 2019. The city government issued the closure order on Feb. 23 against the headquarters, located at 6799 Ayala Avenue in Barangay San Lorenzo, Makati City, for violating Section 4A.01 of the Revised Makati Revenue Code or City Ordinance No. 2004-A-025.

“You are hereby commanded to cease and desist from further operating your business establishment until such time compliance with the said ordinance is made,” stated the order.

The company said its legal and tax teams are in talks with the Makati City local government over the alleged P3.2 billion tax deficiencies and for operating without a business permit since 2019.

“Smart remains committed to complying with Makati City’s local tax ordinances, and with applicable national

and

government units in Mandaue City, Cebu on Monday. With him are (from left) Trade Secretary Alfredo Pascual, Cebu Governor Gwen Garcia, and Speaker Martin Romualdez. Rey S. Baniquet

CLOSURE ORDER. Officials of the City of Makati place a sign over the main doors of the Smart Communications office along Ayala Avenue in the city’s central business district on Monday, marking its closure over what the LGU said was for operating without a business permit since 2019. Lino Santos

VP Sara rated ‘excellent’ in survey

MAJORITY of the Filipinos are satisfied with the performance of Vice President Sara Duterte, who received an “excellent” overall grade, according to a Social Weather Stations (SWS) net satisfaction survey.

The Dec. 10-14, 2022 survey showed that 83 percent of the respondents said they were satisfied with the performance of Duterte against 5 percent dissatisfied, resulting in a net satisfaction rating of +77.

The December 2022 rating of the Vice President is higher than the

Senate moves

Maharlika Fund gab to plenary

By Macon Ramos-Araneta

THE debates on the proposed Maharlika Investment Fund bill (MIF) will now move to the Senate plenary floor following the conclusion of committee hearings on it.

After the third hearing on Monday, Committee on Banks, Financial Institutions and Bank Currencies chairperson Sen. Mark Villar said there are many things to be clarified in the recommended bill pushing the country’s first sovereign fund.

Villar then directed the Senate Technical Working Group to meet on Wednesday to tackle the bill.

Based on Senate policy, Villar, who filed the bill, will draft the committee report on the MIF Bill before being routed for the signature of other senators.

Once most senators sign the bill, it will then be submitted for plenary debates.

In the last hearing, National Treasurer Rosalia de Leon related that during the planned ten-year investment in the MIF, 6.5 percent will be earned in conservative investments like the money market. This will even reach 10.78 percent if placed in sectoral investments like power, real estate, infrastructures and logistics, she added.

October 2022 rating of +73, but it is also “excellent”. The SWS noted that Duterte’s net satisfaction rating was excellent in all areas.

It was highest in Mindanao at +96, followed by the Visayas at +74, Metro Manila at +73 and Balance Luzon

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threats and the intensification of the competition between the superpowers,” the President added.

The commander-in-chief said the military “must adjust accordingly” to the changing security situation.”

“For many, many years, we were able to maintain that peace and maintain that understanding with all of our neighbors. Now things have begun to change and we must adjust accordingly,” he said.

For its part, the Philippine Coast Guard said Monday it would make public all incidents of Chinese incursions in the West Philippine Sea.

PCG adviser for maritime security Commodore Jay Tarriela said this would compel China to react and acknowledge its actions.

“The National Task Force [for the

Lawmakers...

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chaired by Cagayan de Oro City Rep.

Rufus Rodriguez adopted the committee report containing the substitute bill that includes amendments such as the P10,000 per day salary for Con-con delegates. Under the measure, the Con-con will be composed of at least 304 delegates, the majority of which will be elected by the public. Of the said number, 20 percent will be reserved for qualified sectoral representatives to be appointed by the President.

at +71.

Meanwhile, the performance rating of Senate President Juan Miguel Zubiri slightly rose from “good” +44 (56 percent satisfied, 12 percent dissatisfied) in October 2022 to “good” +47 (58 percent satisfied, 10 percent dissatisfied) in December 2022.

Speaker Martin Romualdez also obtained a performance rating of “good” +37 (49 percent satisfied, 12 percent dissatisfied), up from “good” +35 (50 percent satisfied, 15 percent dissatisfied) in October 2022.

West Philippine Sea] believes that it is the obligation of the task force to make all these incidents publicized in a way that the public would be made aware of it,” he told ANC’s “Headstart.”

“Secondly, we also note that every time that we publicize those incidents, that’s the time the Chinese make reactions, even the Chinese embassy right now,” he added.

Earlier, Tarriela said at least 30 Chinese maritime militia and coast guard vessels that were spotted earlier in Ayungin and Sabina Shoals remain inside the country’s maritime domain.

He said it is now up to the Department of Foreign Affairs to decide on whether to lodge another diplomatic protest over the presence of Chinese vessels inside the country’s exclusive economic zone.

Beijing claims nearly the entire South China Sea and has refused to acknowledge a 2016 arbitral ruling invalidating

Rodriguez said the committee report would then be referred to the House committee on appropriations chaired by Ako-Bicol party-list Rep. Zaldy Co for budget-related deliberations.

House Assistant Minority Leader Arlene Brosas opposed the Con-con bill’s approval as she questioned the P10,000a-day compensation for each delegate.

She said such high pay is “a punch in the gut for ordinary workers.”

Chief Justice Alexander Gesmundo’s rating dropped from a “moderate” +28 (43 percent satisfied, 15 percent dissatisfied) to a “moderate” +24 (37 percent satisfied, 13 percent dissatisfied) in the recent survey.

The Fourth Quarter 2022 Social Weather Survey was conducted using face-to-face interviews with 1,200 adults (18 years old and above) nationwide.

SWS interviewed 300 respondents each in Metro Manila, Balance Luzon, the Visayas and Mindanao.

its nine-dash-line maritime claim.

During the MDA flight, the PCG aircraft received “inaudible” English radio challenges from the Chinese Coast Guard vessel CCG-5304, prompting the PCG to issue a radio challenge.

Earlier this month, a CCG vessel also “shadowed” and pointed a military-grade laser toward the PCG patrol vessel BRP Malapascua, temporarily blinding some of its crew

Meanwhile, Senator Risa Hontiveros on Monday urged the Department of Foreign Affairs to broker updated security agreements with different countries that can help defend the Philippines from China’s continued aggression.

“We have to exhaust all possible ways to defend the Philippines from China’s shameless actions,” Hontiveros said.

A security agreement, she said, can serve as a defensive framework that would provide for joint patrols and training of Filipino troops.

will not directly address the urgent economic concerns of Filipino women and people,” she said

Last week, the Rodriguez panel adopted the Resolution of Both Houses No. 6 calling for a Constitutional convention to effect the proposed economic Charter change.

This developed as Camarines Sur Rep. Luis Raymund Villafuerte on Monday appealed to the senators to give Charter change a chance.

PBBM to host Malaysian PM on Wednesday

PRESIDENT Ferdinand Marcos Jr. will hold talks with the Malaysian Prime Minister Anwar Ibrahim at the Malacañan Palace during the latter’s one-day official visit to the country on Wednesday.

Mr. Marcos and his Malaysian counterpart will discuss strengthening bilateral relations between Manila and Kuala Lumpur.

This will be Anwar’s first visit to the Philippines in his current capacity since he was sworn in as Malaysia’s 10th prime minister on November 24, 2022.

He is also scheduled to deliver a public lecture and have other engagements during his visit.

Prime Minister Anwar will leave Manila on March 2, Thursday.

Mr. Marcos was among the first to congratulate Anwar in a telephone call last year, expressing his hope to work with the neighboring nation’s new leader particularly as the Southeast Asian region tackles various challenges.

“I am sure this will make Malaysia and the Philippines even closer because we will be in touch with one another,” President Marcos said.

On his Twitter account, Anwar thanked Mr. Marcos for the call, saying: “As founding fathers of ASEAN, our two nations have always enjoyed strong cooperation in bilateral, regional, and multilateral forums.”

Mr. Marcos said a strong partnership between the Philippines and Malaysia is important because of the problems the two nations are facing.

“We have to really work together, otherwise, we will not be able to get over this crisis of the inflation, of the agricultural commodities, all of that,” he told Anwar during their phone conversation. Vince Lopez

Brosas added the country does not need Charter change.

“We are firm in our belief that amending or revising the Constitution

Transport...

Senators Win Gatchalian and Nancy Binay questioned how foreigners will be enticed in the fund to invest since there are no positions for them in the board of the Maharlika Investment Corporation that will manage the sovereign fund.

De Leon responded that foreigners will not be allowed to sit in the Board and their investments will only be limited.

If there’s no limitations in their investments, De Leon noted foreigners might get the majority shares of the Maharlika firm.

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laws, in respect of local taxation,” the company said.

“Smart has filed the appropriate cases to resolve outstanding legal issues; these cases remain pending,” it added.

The company also assured the public that its services will remain available and accessible to its subscribers.

The local government said Smart “failed to settle or obtain any relief from the courts over its franchise tax deficiency worth over P3.2 billion covering the period January 2012 to December 2015.”

In 2016, the Office of the City Treasurer (OCT) launched an examination of the company’s tax payments and documents.

Makati City Administrator Claro Certeza said the city asked the company to submit a breakdown of paid revenues and business taxes for all of its branches nationwide but it refused to present documents.

Smart Communications filed a petition for review at the Makati Regional Trial Court (RTC) Branch 133 in 2019 seeking to nullify the OCT’s notice of assessment.

The RTC granted the Makati government’s motion for the production and inspection of Smart’s documents.

On May 31, 2019, Smart Communications opposed the city government’s motion and challenged the RTC’s decision before the Court of Tax Appeals (CTA).

However, the CTA denied the company’s petition and affirmed the RTC’s approval of the Makati government’s motion in 2022.

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their loose firearms that they use in their unlawful activities,” Abalos said.

Targets of assassination attempts this month were Lanao del Sur Gov. Mamintal Alonto-Adiong, Jr., ViceMayor Rommel Alameda of Aparri, Cagayan, and Mayor Ohto Montawal of Tunggol, Datu Montawal, Maguindanao del Sur. Adiong and Montawal survived the ambuscades, but Alameda was killed in an attack along with five other people.

Adiong’s four security personnel, including three policemen, also died in the attack.

PNP spokesperson Col. Jean Fajardo said the attacks did not seem related.

“As of now, we have not established

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how the virus emerged.

People who read the classified report were quoted in the Journal and The New York Times as saying the department made its judgment with “low confidence,” highlighting how different

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Package I of the project, which involves the construction of a 2.38-kilometer segregated bus lane with four bus stations.

It will also include a 1.15-kilometer pedestrian improvement, which will link the CBRT System to the Port of Cebu.

The nearly P1 billion Package I was awarded to the Chinese contractor Hunan Road and Bridge Construction Group Co.Ltd. In November last year.

Aside from the Chinese government, President Marcos also thanked the World Bank and the French Development Agency “for being active partners in the realization of modern public transport systems in the Philippines.”

The entire CBRT system—which comprises three packages—is designed to accommodate 83 12-meter buses by its opening year, the President said.

Vito Barcelo and Vince Lopez

or seen any link with respect to the three cases,” Fajardo told the ANC news channel.

“Nonetheless, we are beefing (up) our security, particularly the personal security detail of not only our elected officials but also appointed officials, because of these recent attacks,” she added.

Earlier, PNP chief Gen. Rodolfo Azurin Jr. ordered regional police commanders to conduct threat assessments of their local chief executives. Romualdez agreed on the necessity of an intensified drive against criminality that includes a sustained crackdown on illegal firearms and increased police visibility across the country along with ongoing programs for improved intelligence-gathering capability and training of policemen. He said the effort to curb the inci-

agencies remain divided over the origins of Covid-19 and the pandemic that swept the globe in early 2020.

The conclusion, reportedly the result of new intelligence, is nevertheless significant because the department works with a network of national laboratories, including some that do advanced biological research.

The department now joins the Feder-

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ny of a housing project in Cebu, he challenged the Department of Human Settlements and Urban Development (DSHUD) to build around 1 million housing units each year during his term of office.

The President said he was confident that such a target was attainable.

“With the help of DHSUD, under the stewardship of Secretary Jerry Acuzar,

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over the expansion of the ‘Kadiwa caravan’, noting that it would not only help Filipinos cope with the effects of the ever-rising food prices but also increase the income of local farmers, fishers, and small enterprises.

“We appeal to members of the Senate to have an open heart and mind about this issue,” Villafuerte said in a television interview.

dence of crimes, especially gun-related violence, should start with strict enforcement of the law.

“Let us ensure that the law is carried out strictly, without fear or favor,” Romualdez said. “We are here to address all possible threats to public order and safety. We agreed to work together to reduce all forms of criminality and violence.”

However, the Speaker stressed the critical importance of continued collaboration between local communities and the government to ensure the success of the campaign against crime.

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As part of the anti-illegal firearms campaign, Romualdez said they sought a stricter licensing system for firearms by requiring additional training on gun safety and stringent background checks on anybody who is purchasing a firearm.

al Bureau of Investigation in believing that the pandemic, which has left nearly seven million people dead, was the result of a mishap in a Chinese laboratory.

Beijing again denied the claim, with a foreign ministry spokesperson telling people to “stop stirring up claims about laboratory leaks, stop smearing China, and stop politicizing the origin-tracing issue.” AFP

I believe that we could meet the target under my term,” the President said.

“I am challenging the DHSUD to be steadfast in your duty to provide lowcost housing for our people who need shelter,” he said.

The Chief Executive said the project is an excellent example of the whole-ofgovernment approach, with all sectors of society contributing to the betterment of the people.

At the same event, House Speaker Ferdinand Martin Romualdez

The Kadiwa program is a farmto-consumer market chain that eliminates intermediaries, allowing local producers to generate higher incomes by selling their produce directly to consumers.

President Marcos, who also serves as the concurrent Department of Agriculture Secretary, earlier vowed to

the franchise of most traditional jeepneys will expire on June 30.

Operators and drivers can apply for new franchises but as part of transport cooperatives.

Bautista said he has directed the Undersecretary for Road Sector to coordinate with the Land Transportation Franchising and Regulatory Board (LTFRB) and with the PUV operators.

He said the government is “giving ample time to transport groups to muster enough funds to buy new units for their operations in line with the government’s PUV modernization program.”

“In areas where we know the drivers would have a hard time getting new equipment, we will give them a chance to join cooperatives that can assist them,”

Meanwhile, Albay Rep. Joey Salceda urged the Marcos administration to “expedite the cooperativization and provide subsidies” for the PUV modernization program of the government.

Salceda, chair of the House committee on ways and means, made the call as some 50,000 traditional PUJs have not yet been consolidated and may lose their franchises.

“Totally, I oppose it without the government providing concrete assistance to help PUJs cooperativize or to provide ample seed funding for their cooperatives,” Salceda said.

“Even the end-2023 extension is not enough,” he added.

assured the public there was sufficient funding for the President’s housing program.

Romualdez, along with other local officials of Cebu, including Gov. Gwendolyn Garcia and Cebu City Mayor Mike Rama, also attended the groundbreaking rite.

The housing project in Alumnos, Basak San Nicolas, Cebu City is being carried out under the Marcos administration’s 4PH. Vito Barcelo, Rio N. Araja, Vince Lopez

extend the Kadiwa program beyond the Christmas season to continue to help Filipinos amid the rising cost of basic commodities.

The President said there are more than 500 Kadiwa stores throughout the country, adding that the government’s plan to launch Kadiwa Para sa Manggagawa will be led by the Department of Labor and Employment (DOLE). Vince Lopez

OCTA: Rising COVID rate in S. Cotabato and Misamis

By Willie Casas

THE COVID-19 positivity rate in South Cotabato and Misamis Oriental has increased significantly last week, data shared by independent monitoring OCTA Research Group said Monday.

In a tweet, OCTA Research fellow Dr. Guido David said that the positivity rate in South Cotabato rose from 2.8 percent on February 18 to 13 percent on February 25.

Meanwhile, the positivity rate of Misamis Oriental rose from 4.3 percent to 6.5 percent during the same period.

The positivity rate refers to the percentage of people who were found positive for COVID-19 among the total number of individuals tested.

Upticks were also observed in other provinces like Batangas, Bulacan, Cavite, Davao del Sur, Iloilo, Pampanga, and Pangasinan.

A “negligible decrease” in positivity rate, on the other hand, was recorded in the National Capital Region (NCR) from 1.7 on February 18, to 1.6 percent on February 25.

NCR still had the highest number of cases in the past two weeks with 431, the Department of Health (DOH) said.

This was followed by the Davao region with 239, Calabarzon with 172, Western Visayas with 95, and Soccsksargen with 80.

On Sunday, the Philippines logged 117 new COVID-19 cases, while the active cases fell to 9,327.

DBM releases P500m fund vs. cancer; DOH asked to hasten new treatments

By Macon Ramos-Araneta

THE Department of Budget and Management (DBM) has released the 2023 Cancer Assistance Fund (CAF) amounting to P500 million to the Department of Health (DOH).

The amount is part of the DBM’s comprehensive fund releases at the start of the year.

According to DBM Secretary Amenah F. Pangandaman, this is an affirmation of the government’s commitment to boosting the health and welfare of Filipinos suffering from cancer.

The CAF aims to complement and supplement existing financial support mechanisms for various cancer care and control services that are not yet covered by the Philippine Health In-

No salaries yet for 200 workers of Maguindanao del Norte LGU

MORE than 200 employees of the newlycreated province of Maguindanao del Norte (MDN) have yet to be paid their salaries due to unsettled political differences between officials of the province and the Bangsamoro Autonomous Region in Muslim Mindanao (BARMM).

The row has denied the provincial government access to the P1.8 billion fund allotted by the national government for its operational and maintenance expenses for the current year.

According to acting provincial administrator lawyer Mohajiroe Lauban, the province could not secure the release of its funds to support its operations and delivery of basic services to the prejudice of the people.

Lauban explained that to secure the release of funds, a provincial treasurer must be appointed. To comply with the requirement, the provincial leadership has

requested the Bureau of Local Government Finance (BLGF), Regional Office XII in Koronadal allow the provincial treasurer of the defunct Maguindanao province to perform the duties of the said office during the transition period.

“The BLGF, however, required the submission of ‘appropriate legal documents’ relative to the commencement of the MDN which were then duly submitted but the said office still did not act on the request, claiming that the transitory provisions of RA11550 may no longer be applicable and sought the clarification and guidance of other offices on the matter,” he added.

Lauban stressed that the problem needs to be addressed urgently as the continuous delay on the designation of a provincial treasure in MDN was already causing havoc on the day-to-day operations of the provincial government

surance Corporation and only partially covered by Malasakit Program.

The fund will defray outpatient and inpatient cancer control services, including but not limited to, diagnostics, therapeutic procedures, and other cancer medicines needed for the treatment and management of cancer and its carerelated components.

Dr. Kenneth Samala, a practicing oncologist, meanwhile called on the DOH to expedite the inclusion of new medicines, including injectables, to treat

cancer patients.

Speaking during the Kapihan ng Samahan Plaridel at the Manila Hotel, Samala lamented that these medicines have been difficult to include in the Philippine National Formulary.

He said this is one of the roadblocks they are facing to use new anti-cancer drugs for patients. New cancer medicines, including injectables, have been proven effective against cancer in other countries.

More than infrastructures to address the needs of cancer patients, he emphasized that the government should also hasten the inclusion of new medicines, part of the new technology, in the Philippine National Formulary.

He also mentioned oral medicines which can be a replacement to chemotheraphy. However, he cited the need to hire more experts to further study the new cancer medicines.

IN BRIEF

More support needed for PH carbon cut

DEPARTMENT of Environment and Natural Resources (DENR) Secretary Antonia Loyzaga on Monday called for a whole-of-society approach to accelerate the decarbonization of industries.

The country’s commitments in the Nationally Determined Contribution (NDC) and the Paris Agreement can only be achieved if all stakeholders work together by using nature-based solutions for carbon reduction as the primary strategy in achieving net-zero targets, she said.

The Philippines pledged to reduce greenhouse gas emissions by 75 percent by 2030 under the NDC, while it committed to help limit global warming to less than 2°C under the Paris Agreement of the United Nations Framework Convention on Climate Change.

“Every fraction of a degree counts. And so, we must all work together to achieve what we must envision as our common goal for a safe and sustainable planet,” Loyzaga said. Rio N. Araja

Ocular of housing projects continues:

Lawmakers seek to institutionalize Philippine bamboo industry

NORTHERN Mindanao representatives on Monday pushed for the institutionalizing of the Philippine bamboo industry which will represent key regional bamboo industry players.

Bukidnon’s first district representative Jose Manuel Alba said that he filed House Bill 7292 for the institutionalization of the said industry.

HB 7292 is an act promoting the development of the bamboo industry by strengthening the Philippine bamboo industry development

council, creating the bamboo industry research and development center, providing incentives for bamboo plantation development, and appropriating funds.

“What we have right now is Executive Order 879, issued by President Gloria MacapagalArroyo issued in 2010. We need an enabling law that will put our bamboo industry at the forefront that we can call really ours,” Alba said.

Leyte 3rd District Representative Anna Victoria Veloso, who co-sponsored Alba’s HB said that at present, there are eight bam-

boo bills pending in the 19th Congress: Veloso, addressing the private sector said that with their help and support, “We can work towards nurturing and harnessing bamboo as a construction and design material that will not only give our rural communities and farmers’ organizations the alternative income streams they need, but also help us tell stories of innovation, heritage, and climate change advocacy: stories that build pride of place.”

Data from the Department of Science

and Technology showed that the Philippines is 6th among the largest exporters of bamboo in the world.

Ed Manda, president of the Philippine Bamboo Foundation Inc. said that the government should step-in and help develop the industry. “we need enabling policies and support from the government to be able to develop our bamboo industry. We need to improve the recognition of Bamboo as a potential for the next generations,” Manda said. Bobby Lagsa

Panel OKs P5,000 ‘ayuda’ for fresh grads

By Maricel V. Cruz

DEPUTY Speaker and Las Pinas Rep. Camille Villar has expressed gratitude to her fellow legislators for supporting her bill that grants P5,000 in financial assistance to fresh graduates looking for employment.

Villar made the statement after the House committee on technical and higher education chaired by Baguio Rep. Mark Go approved Villar’s House Bill 6542.

The bill provides fresh graduates of Philippine tertiary education, universities, colleges and training institutions, of a one-time cash grant of P5,000 which they can utilize for job application, initial employment and settling-in.

“This is an assistance to graduates, an encouragement as they become part of the workforce which is very relevant at this time. They can also utilize the amount, small it may

be, in commencing a micro business or a start-up enterprise,” Villar said.

Representatives from various state agencies who attended the hearing expressed no objection to the measure, and suggested only minor amendments to improve the bill.

Nueva Ecija Rep. Mikaela Angela Suansing, for her part, suggested to include a provision that the method to disperse the cash grant should be coursed through ATM.

A Commission on Higher Education official said there were some 345,000 graduates in both public and private higher educational institutions in the 2020-2021 school year.

To avail of the cash aid, a copy of diploma or any valid proof of graduation issued by the educational institution shall be presented to the government agency or local government concerned.

NHA

NATIONAL Housing Authority general manager Joeben Tai on Monday continued the conduct of ocular of various projects nationwide, including relocation sites in Valenzuela City and Malabon City.

Among the projects visited by Tai was the Disiplina Village in Bignay, Valenzuela, an in-city resettlement project for informal settler families living in danger areas and those affected by government infrastructure projects.

The Disiplina Village is one of the flagship housing programs of NHA and is the first in-city resettlement project in the country, consisting of 104 low-rise buildings benefitting 3,702 families.

He also visited the NHA TELOF housing in Valenzuela City.

Under Presidential Proclamation 770 of 1996, NHA shall cover the project’s land development for 114 officials and employees of the Telecommunications Office (TELOF), formerly the Bureau of Telecommunications. Rio N. Araja

Masungi seeks PBBM intervention

THE Masungi Georeserve Foundation said it is seeking the intervention of President Ferdinand Marcos Jr. to address plans of the Bureau of Corrections (BuCor) to put up a facility in the protected area.

Ann Dumaliang, Masungi Georeserce co-founder, quoted by ABS-CBN News, said “we hope for our president’s intervention, (DENR) Secretary Yulo’s intervention.”

Their plea comes after the BuCor announced its plans to put up its headquarters, training centers and housing facility in the Masungi Georeserve, alarming environmentalists.

Department of Justice (DOJ) Secretary Jesus Crispin Remulla earlier clarified that the facility plan is not yet final.

But for Dumaliang, facing these issues is already affecting their work on the georeserve, particularly on their efforts in reforestation, putting up livelihood programs, and other projects, ABS-CBN News reported. She hoped that the DENR would help them in their efforts to conserve Masungi.

NEW CLINIC. Santa Rosa City Mayor Arlene B. Arcillas (2nd from left) graces the launching of a school clinic at the Macabling School. With the mayor are school o cials and representatives of the Department of Education. Roy Tomandao

‘NO’ TO JEEPNEY PHASEOUT. Various transport groups led by Manibela express their grievances and opposition to the Land Transportation Franchising and Regulatory Board’s phaseout of jeepneys and UV Express vehicles beginning June 30 of this year. (See story on A1) Manny Palmero

RECLAMATION PROJECTS. Photo shows workers at a reclamation area in Manila Bay in Pasay City. The Philippine Reclamation Authority has at least 22 approved reclamation projects of reclamation along Manila Bay’s coastline. Danny Pata

Manila lawmaker wants MMDA abolished

By Maricel V. Cruz

MANILA Rep. Joel Chua

on Monday called for the abolition of the Metro Manila Development Authority (MMDA).

In a privilege speech, Chua said a council of mayors of the National

BuCor exec asks DOJ to junk slay raps against him

By Rey E. Requejo

BUREAU of Corrections (BuCor) deputy security officer Ricardo Zulueta has asked the Department of Justice (DOJ) to dismiss the criminal complaints filed against him, even as he denied allegations that he was ordered by suspended BuCor director general Gerald Bantag to kill radio broadcaster Percival Mabasa and New Bilibid Prison (NBP) inmate Cristito Villamor Palana.

In a counter-affidavit filed before the DOJ’s panel of prosecutors, Zulueta stressed that “DG Bantag never ordered me to commit a crime.”

“I am a professional and if he (Bantag) ever makes such a suggestion, I will never follow it” Zulueta declared.

Bantag, Zulueta and several persons deprived of liberty (PDLs) have been charged in two murder complaints for the deaths of Mabasa, also known as Percy Lapid, and Palana.

Bantag and Zulueta were charged as “principals by inducement.”

Lapid was shot to death on Oct. 3, 2022 in Las Pinas City.

Fifteen days later on Oct. 18, 2023 Palana, earlier identified as Villamor, was found dead at the NBP.

Palana had earlier been tagged by Lapid’s selfconfessed killer Joel Escorial as his “middleman” in the killing of the radio commentator.

The DOJ’s panel of prosecutors has submitted the two murder complaints for resolution.

Zulueta’s counter-affidavit was filed on his behalf by lawyer Lauro Gacayan.

Based on the complaints, Zulueta allegedly received instructions from Bantag to arrange with some NBP Bilibid inmates the killing of Mabasa and Palana.

In his counter-affidavit, Zulueta refuted the allegations made in the sworn statements of three co-respondents — NBP’s PDLs Denver Mayores, Aldrin Galicia, and Alvin Labra.

“I never called for the inmates to instruct them to commit a crime.

That would be foolhardy on my part not only since I cannot trust them as well as I know for a fact that they have an ax to grind against me and DG Bantag for stopping their undeserved privileges,” Zulueta said.

“Trusting an inmate for such an act, if it has to be done, is so unbelievable, to say the least. Such claim is so unbelievable and contrary to common human experience. The same shall be discarded since it is not entitled to any weight. It is too fantastic to inspire belief,” he also said in his counter-affidavit.

Capital Region is enough to effectively discharge the mandate and functions of the MMDA.

“Dismantling the MMDA would align with the current Marcos administration’s national government rights-sizing program,” Chua said.

He said “the MMDA has encroached upon the jurisdiction of local government units and the national

government agencies, violated the Local Government Code, duplicated the roles of national agencies, has become a bloated bureaucracy, and wasted billions in public funds from projects not implemented.”

He also said the Supreme Court had long settled that MMDA has no legislative power, nor police power. Chua said metro-wide concerns,

issues, and situations can be addressed by a council of NCR mayors, who can have some of their decisions ratified by the legislative councils in NCR to have legislative character and effect.

The lawmaker, who had also served as Manila councilor, said “the MMDA has been disrupting the lives of Manila residents through MMDA operations involving demolition of homes, clearing

of roads and sidewalks, and traffic management and enforcement.”

In his speech, Chua also noted how the MMDA bureaucracy has grown from 6,812 in 2011 to 9,767 in 2021 and that its total annual budget of about P10 billion from the General Appropriations Act and local sources is much larger than most budgets of national departments.

PCC presses total refund by Grab of P25.45m to riders

By Othel V. Campos and Macon Ramos-Araneta

THE Philippine Competition Commission (PCC) on Monday said it will continue to press Grab Holdings Inc. to reimburse the remaining 25 to 30 percent of the P25.45 million refund to eligible passenger-victims of pricing violations by the firm.

Meanwhile, Senator Joseph Victor Estrada sought the passage of a law legitimizing motorcycle taxis as public utility vehicles (PUVs), citing the demand by commuters for a cheaper mode of transportation.

“There still remains about P5 million to P6 million that should be refunded to the passengers. We have been in constant communication with Grab about this,” said PCC chairman Michael Aguinaldo in a briefing.

He hinted that Grab remained obstinately stubborn and kept looking for ways to challenge the refund order, even claiming that many of the passengers involved did not have digital wallets.

listens to Interior Secretary Benhur Abalos, Jr. as they discuss ways to cooperate in the fight against crime during a meeting Monday night at the House of Representatives. Also present were Philippine National Police Chief Gen. Rodolfo Azurin Jr. (2nd from left), PNP Chief of Directorate for Investigation and Detective Management Maj. Gen. Eliseo Cruz, NCRPO chief Maj. Gen. Edgar Alan Okubo, and PNP Deputy Chief for Operations Maj. Gen. Jonnel Estomo. The Speaker assured Abalos and the PNP that the House will support their intensified drive against crime. Ver Noveno

Solons nix call to abolish party-list system

PARTY-LIST lawmakers have resisted Senator Robinhood Padilla’s proposal to abolish the party-list system.

In a statement, the Partylist Coalition Foundation Inc. (PCFI) disagreed to Padilla’s observations on the party-list system.

“Under the party-list system, an ideologybased or cause-oriented political party is clearly different from a sectoral party. A political party need not be organized as a sectoral party and need not represent any particular sector. There is no requirement in R.A. No. 7941 that a national or regional political party must represent a “marginalized and underrepresented" sector. It is sufficient that the political party consists of citizens who advocate the same ideology or platform, or the same governance principles and policies, regardless of their economic status as citizens,” the PCFI said in a statement released through former congressman Alfredo Garbin Jr of Ako-Bicol.

For her part, House Deputy Minority leader

and ACT Teachers party-list Rep. France Castro said that “the party-list system should not be abolished but the law should be amended to ensure that it is genuine party-list groups from the truly marginalized and under represented are the ones who get registered and elected.”

Garbin, a lawyer, said the phrase “marginalized and underrepresented” should refer only to the sectors in Section 5 that are, by their nature, economically “marginalized and underrepresented.” These sectors are: labor, peasant, fisherfolk, urban poor, indigenous cultural communities, handicapped, veterans, overseas workers, and other similar sectors. For these sectors, the PCFI explained a majority of the members of the sectoral party must belong to the “marginalized and underrepresented.” The nominees of the sectoral party either must belong to the sector, or must have a track record of advocacy for the sector represented.

Belonging to the “marginalized and underrepresented” sector does not mean

Chiz eyes broader Tertiary Education Subsidy

SENATOR Chiz Escudero has sought the passage of Senate Bill 1360 to expand the coverage of the Tertiary Education Subsidy (TES) by amending Republic Act 10931, or the Universal Access to Quality Tertiary Education Act to cover private higher learning and technical-vocational institutions.

Escudero, chairman of the Senate Committee on Higher, Technical and Vocational Education, said there was a need to amend RA 10931 to make the law more responsive to the needs of the times.

“Laws are like apps. They have to be updated to retain their effectiveness when such has been degraded by developments, either new or unforeseen at the time the laws were passed,”

the Bicolano legislator said at the plenary.

“Some laws are victims of their own success, that the demand to expand the benefits they provide surge, putting pressure on Congress to amend them so that more people gain from the social good they create,” he added.

“The Universal Access to Quality Tertiary Education Act is one of those.”

According to Escudero, SB 1360 is the answer to the pleas of those who have been left out and left behind by the promise of RA 10931.

He described the proposed measure as the 2.0 version of the TES component of RA 10931 as it provides a raft of provisions whose common denominator is expansion—more beneficiaries, more financial help for students,

one must “wallow in poverty, destitution or infirmity,” Garbin stressed.

“It is sufficient that one, or his or her sector, is below the middle class. More specifically, the economically “marginalized and underrepresented” are those who fall in the low income group as classified by the National Statistical Coordination Board,” the PCFI stated.

“Moreover, the minority maintained that the Party-List System Act and the deliberations of the Constitutional Commission state that major political parties are allowed to coalesce with sectoral organizations for electoral or political purposes. The other major political parties can thus organize or affiliate with their chosen sector or sectors, provided that their nominees belong to their respective sectors. Nor is it necessary that the party-list organization’s nominee “wallow in poverty, destitution, and infirmity,” as there is no financial status or educational requirement in the law,’ the PCFI said. Maricel V. Cruz

The PCC also cited the difficulty of looking for the passengers entitled for the refund which might be as small as P20 per, such that the cost of tracing could be bigger than the actual amount to be given to a particular passenger.

Meantime, the PCC has yet to arrive at a decision on how to proceed with the refund.

The antitrust agency penalized Grab for a total of P63.7 million since 2018 for violations of its price and service quality commitments. It was in late 2019 when the Commission imposed on Grab the penalty to return portion of its commissions to Grab’s passengers for violating its price monitoring commitment.

The PCC has since ordered Grab to issue refunds in the amounts of P5.05 million in November 2019, P14.15 million in December 2019, and P6.25 million in October 2020.

Grab’s takeover of Uber in 2018 raised competition concerns and was subjected to a PCC decision committing the merged entity to a standard as if it had a rival.

Part of its voluntary commitments was ensuring it will not undertake unreasonably different pricing behaviors preand post-transaction.

During the monitoring period, the PCC found out that the ride-hailing company committed irregular pricing deviations, which resulted in the three sets of penalties.

BOC seizes P5.7m worth of shabu

By Vito Barcelo

THE Bureau of Customs (BOC) has seized some P5.7 million worth of methamphetamine hydrochloride, commonly known as shabu in a shipment declared as “dress buttons”.

The contraband arrived on Feb. 14 from Harare, Zimbabwe, and was subjected to K9 sniffing and X-ray scanning procedures. A physical examination of the shipment revealed 838.6825 grams of white crystalline substances inside 255 dress buttons and in the side walls of the carton box.

Samples were then taken to the Philippine Drug Enforcement Agency (PDEA) for chemical laboratory analysis, which confirmed the presence of Methamphetamine Hydrochloride or Shabu, a dangerous drug under the Republic

Act (R.A.) No. 9165 or the Comprehensive Dangerous Drugs Act of 2002. The shipment was immediately confiscated in violation of Sections 118 (g), 119 (d), and 1113 par. f, i & l (3 & 4) of R.A. No. 10863 in relation to Section 4 of R.A. No. 9165.

Commissioner Bienvenido Rubio vowed to stop the entry of illegal drugs into the country under the directive of President Ferdinand Marcos, Jr. as he ordered the bureau to reinforce antiillegal drug measures.

“With the enhanced measures that we are currently implementing, we will not let these illegal drugs enter our borders and reach the public,” Rubio said.

“The Bureau of Customs continues its commitment in curbing illegal drug smuggling, and we aim to prevent all attempts of illicit importations,” he added.

and more schools under the state program. SB 1360 also expands the TES coverage to students in private higher educational institutions (HEIs) and private technicalvocational institutes (TVIs). The bill is a harmonized version of the measures filed by Senators Ramon Revilla Jr. and Jinggoy Estrada.

It further establishes a system of prioritization in identifying TES beneficiaries and brings under the program students who are enrolled in private HEIs and TVIs in cities and municipalities where there is no established State Universities and Colleges (SUC), Local Universities and Colleges (LUC), or public TVI. Macon Ramos-Araneta

Villafuerte to diplomats: Study about host countries

Appointments’ foreign affairs committee on the posting of Foreign Affairs Assistant Secretary Kira Christianne Danganan-Azucena as ambassador to New Zealand.

Villafuerte noted at the committee hearing that whenever an ambassador is appointed, most of the issues that he or she has to deal with in the host country involve the concerns of migrant Filipino workers.

Zeland with concurrent jurisdiction over the Cook Islands, Fiji, Samoa

and

hearing that two of

in

whether these can be adapted or practiced here (Philippines),” he said. The CA en banc later on confirmed Danganan-Azucena’s appointment as ambassador to New CALL TO SAVE THE SHARKS. Members of the Marine Wildlife Watch of the Philippines and the Philippine Dragon Boat team hold a fluvial parade at the Manila Bay to drum up broader public support to the advocacy to save Philippine sharks as spearheaded by the Sharks Network Philippines. Norman Cruz

(right)

STREET DANCING. Pupils of the Sta Cruz Elementary School in Tanza, Cavite perform street dancing as part of the commemoration activities for the town’s 109th anniversary. Joseph Muego

OPINION

Pagbilao LNG soon to begin operations

news and swap files.)

I brought this up because of the fear of many that if Congress were to succeed in the plan to have charter change and with the proposed Constitutional Convention (Con-Con) there is no assurance that only the economic provisions of the charter would be taken up.

With bated breath

SANTA Banana, following so much bad news with the unabated inflation rate of basic commodities that keeps President Marcos Jr. awake at night, as well as the majority of Filipinos who are also worried, coupled with political violence on the upsurge as well as the incursion of China in the West Philippine Sea, a bit of good news is most welcome!

There’s for instance the welcome news that an energy plant in Pagbilao in Quezon, located on the northern shore of Tayabas, east of Lucena City, will soon commence operations, which will bolster the Luzon grid, all under BBM.

The Pagbilao Liquified Natural Gas venture built by Australian power giant, Energy World Corp. is nearing completion and could well be among the first big-ticket projects that President Ferdinand Marcos Jr would inaugurate under his watch.

I have it on good information, my gulay, the President is very excited about this particular project because it could boost the country’s power supply which remains shaky to this day, what with the expected depletion of the Malampaya natural gas contribution to the country’s energy mix!

Former Quezon governor Eduardo Rodriguez, who remains one of those committed to the economic development of his province, said the Australian company is committed to completing the plant despite delays which are beyond the EWC’s control.

Yes, I agree, Santa Banana, in the proposed Con-Con, nobody can force the duly elected delegates to stick only to amending the economic provision of the charter, my gulay!

Even Cagayan de Oro Rep. Rufus Rodriguez admits that in Con-Con the delegates would even take up, Santa Banana, the revision of the charter’s political provisions.

I believe if the 1987 charter must be amended, the political provisions may as well be amended because, as I said earlier, the 1987 charter is not only antiquated, but even jurassic.

Take for instance, the enactment of party-list representatives who are supposed to represent the marginalized sectors of society is incompatible to the kind of government system we have which is Republican.

The multi-party system presumes a Parliamentary system.

In fact, according to the record of the 1987 charter, when the party-list system, patterned after the German party-list system, was discussed, the Parliamentarians in the ConCon—who were fighting for the retention of the Parliamentary System which the country was then under the incumbency of Ferdinand E. Marcos Sr.—lost only by one vote to advocates of the Republican System.

I heard that then President Cory was behind the Republican System because she wanted the participation of the friends of her late husband, Ninoy Aquino, the Left, disguised as a party-list.

That gave birth to the Makabayan Bloc, who are actually the communist Left, who like to call themselves progressives.

Thus, we have an anomaly of a party-list system under a Republican form of government.

This anomaly must be corrected. If there’s a Cha-Cha, the economic provisions must also give way to the political provisions.

I can cite more, but I’m just sticking to this anomaly, Santa Banana! *** *** ***

I believe with Senator Robin Padilla as Senate Committee chairman of the Senate Committee on Constitutional Amendments and revision of Codes he will succeed in convincing more senators for charter change.

The last remaining piece before the commencement of its operations is the completion of its own sub-station—a crucial component for power transmission—which is in its final stages.

Rodriguez, who owns the real estate where the plant is being built, expressed confidence the Philippine economy will recover and eventually reach its growth targets as it gets back to its prepandemic levels and the project would be one of the biggest contributors.

Even in its pre-operating stages, my gulay, the company has become a major economic contributor to the province and to the country as a whole.

It has employed thousands and has religiously paid its taxes. Considering the multiplier effect, EWC has done its fair share in the country’s economic development.

Rodriguez echoes the statement of Australian Ambassador Steven Robinson who recently revealed that many Australian companies are keen to invest in the Philippines!

The Ambassador says one of the reasons is the passage of economic reforms that are geared towards attracting foreign investment, my gulay!

“There’s an enormous opportunity here in the Philippines and some of the reforms that have just been signed recently really made a step forward for the Philippines and will encourage phenomenal foreign investment,” Robinson said.

“We’ve got Australian companies coming here, really keen to invest and to partner with Philippine companies because they see the Philippine economy bouncing back from the pandemic and the rate of growth back to where it was in 2019 by the end of this year, beginning next year and then advancing further,” he added.

The amended PSA redefines what are considered public utilities, which are subject to a 40 percent foreign ownership cap.

Other sectors not listed under public utilities, such as telcos, airlines, railway, among others, will be liberalized, Santa Banana! *** *** ***

There had been studies on the 1987 Constitution that 37 years after it was framed it had become antiquated and even jurassic because of the advancement of communication technology.

Like me I have become jurassic (I am still pounding on this manual typewriter simply because I never learned to use the computer, although I tried hard, but I could not.)

The fact is the charter was framed before the cell phone was invented and before the internet was known.

(Editor’s Note: The invention of Domain

Name System, the common use of Transmission Control Protocol/Internet Protocol, a set of standardized rules that allow computers to communicate on a network such as the internet. Between 1986 and 1987, the network grew from 2,000 hosts to 30,000. People were now using the internet to send messages to each other, read

Right now, the Senate is evenly divided between those for and those against charter change.

As Padilla said, despite the fact that President Marcos Jr. said charter change is not a priority, whether or not it’s not his priority, the wheels of charter change have started rolling.

And for this, I believe Padilla will succeed in convincing more of his fellow senators to side with him.

As Padilla said, he would rather resign than not pursue charter change.

Charter change and a Parliamentary system were his advocacy in the 2022 polls, when he ranked No. 1 among the Senators.

As I said, right now there’s a clear division among the senators who are for or against charter change.

If Padilla will be able to convince two or more to join him, he will succeed.

It’s for this reason why I believe in Padilla, a dedicated and committed senator who sticks to his convictions. Go for it, Robin ! *** *** ***

I have been invited to the dinner-tribute for Roberto “Bobby” Velayo Ongpin tonight and I will go to the City Club to attend it with my wife, daughter and son, being also admirers of Bobby Ongpin, who passed away in his sleep at the early hours of February 5.

Ongpin’s projects will surely continue with his nephew Eric O. Recto as the new chairman/ CEO of Alphaland Corp.

Bobby, the tycoon, billionaire, technocrat and visionary that he was, had a few unfinished projects.

But with Eric O. Recto, Alphaland chairman/ CEO and Rodolfo Ma. Ponferrada as president/ COO, debt-free Alphaland will continue.

Bobby Ongpin must be smiling now from where he is.

EvEryman

By Melandrew T. Velasco

WHEN a group of environmentalists founded the Million Trees Foundation, Inc. (MTFI) in 2021, their primary objective was to ensure the sustainability of the Annual Million Trees Challenge initiated by the Metropolitan Waterworks and Sewerage System to rehabilitate six critical watersheds.

Beyond this, however, is MFTI’s commitment to support the government’s Enhanced National Greening Program to arrest a major environmental concern in the country—deforestation.

Simply defined as the clearing of forests by humans, deforestation destroys the habitats of important species, disrupts weather patterns and the water cycle, and contributes to climate change.

An average of 20 typhoons enter the Philippine area of responsibility annually and the country has witnessed flooding, mudslide, destruction of property, and even loss of lives because of these tropical cyclones.

Tree-planting has become more urgent to address deforestation.

When tropical storm Paeng (international name Nalgae) battered the country in November last year, President Ferdinand Marcos Jr. pushed for tree-planting to prevent future flooding.

He added it is not just to save the environment but also to save lives.

Aside from its environmental benefits such

EWJOIN the world in watching developments in the Ukraine war after China offered recently a 12-point proposal to end the fighting, which passed its first year last Friday.

More than 8 million Ukrainians have been forced to flee Ukraine since the invasion began on February 24, 2022, according to the UN Refugee Agency which described this as the largest crisis in Europe since World War II.

Earlier this month, President Ferdinand Marcos Jr. told his Ukrainian counterpart Volodymyr Zelenskyy in a telephone call ““we in the Philippines are watching with admiration, the bravery and the nationalism that has been displayed by the Ukrainians during this crisis.

“We join you in your effort to reach a peaceful resolution to the ongoing conflict in your country. Mr. President, we are with you in your search for peace,” Marcos added. Between 500,000 and one million Russians have also left their country, not to mention at least 20,000 arrested for protesting the war.

While there is a vast gulf between the reporting from Russia and Ukraine, Western intelligence agencies estimated recently that some 200,000 Russian soldiers had been killed or wounded since the war began.

The Ukrainian toll is believed to be lower – but still more than 100,000 dead or wounded troops.

Officials round the world have joined Zelenskyy in his hopeful message, releasing statements underlining their support for Ukraine

These are staggering figures for both countries; beyond the grief and loss, the numbers have raised questions about how long the two armies can sustain this pace of fighting.

On Friday, China’s foreign ministry published a 12-point position paper which laid out how it thinks peace can be restored to Ukraine. The proposal, which coincided with a security conference in Munich, Germany, follows China’s

Hope in sickness and suffering

IN 2014, on the occasion of the Twenty-second World Day of the Sick, Pope Francis again addressed the sick and all those who provide them with assistance and care.

According to the Holy Father, the Church recognizes the sick as a unique manifestation of the suffering Christ. In our pain, we are not alone, as Christ shares in our suffering and illuminates its significance.

By taking upon himself illness and suffering, the incarnate Son of God transformed them and provided them with new meaning.

They need no longer be negative, but positive, when in union with Christ.

Through faith in God and the crucified Christ, we find the strength to love, even our enemies, and to give of ourselves for the good of others.

The proof of our genuine faith in Christ is our selflessness and our love for our neighbors, especially the suffering and marginalized.

According to the Holy Father, the Son of God incarnate did not eliminate sickness and hardship from the human experience.

However, he transformed them by taking them upon himself and giving them a new significance. This new significance stems from the fact that they no longer have the final say in our lives; instead, abundant life is now the ultimate outcome.

Furthermore, he transformed them by making them positive rather than negative, through union with Christ.

Jesus is the path we follow, and we can do so with the help of his Spirit.

As the Father gave us the Son out of love, and the Son gave himself to us out of the same love, we can love others in the same manner by giving our lives for them. Faith in God leads to goodness, and faith in the crucified Christ gives us the strength to love, even to the point of loving our enemies. The demonstration of authentic faith in Christ is in the act of self-sacrifice and the spreading of love for our neighbors, especially those who do not deserve it, as well as for the suffering and neglected.

Jesus’ words, “Come to me, all you who labor and are burdened, and I will give you

rest” (Mt 11:28) point to the mysterious path of grace that is revealed to the simple and gives new strength to those who are weary and tired.

These words of Christ express the solidarity of the Son of Man with all those who are hurt and afflicted. How many people suffer in both body and soul!

Through

Jesus urges everyone to draw near to him —“Come to me!”—and he promises them comfort and repose.

According to Frances, “When Jesus says this, he has before him the people he meets every day on the streets of Galilee: very many simple people, the poor, the sick, sinners, those who are marginalized by the burden of the law and the oppressive social system... These people always followed him to hear his word, a word that gave hope! Jesus’ words always give hope!”

The Pope, repeating the words of Jesus, said that the sick, the oppressed, and the poor realize that they depend entirely on God and, beneath the burden of their trials, stand in need of his healing.

According to the Holy Father, Jesus does not make demands of those who endure situations of frailty, suffering, and weakness, but offers his mercy and his comforting presence. He looks upon wounded humanity with eyes that gaze into the heart of each person. That gaze is not one of indifference; rather, it embraces people in their entirety, each person in his or her health condition, discarding no one, but rather inviting everyone to share in his

recent announcement it is trying to act as mediator in the war that has re-energized Western alliances viewed by Beijing and Moscow as rivals.

But while the 12-point proposal, may be felt as whiff of fresh air, it is unlikely that it would find much favor in Kyiv, Washington or European capitals, largely because it avoids explaining how territory that Russia has seized would be handled.

US President Joe Biden dismissed China’s proposed peace plan, suggesting its implementation would only benefit Russia.

Zelenskyy, who has described the invasion as “the hardest day of our modern history,” has pledged victory over Russia, downplaying the possibility of near-term peace talks.

Zelenskyy has said Russian President Vladimir Putin “is no longer the same person” he once was.

The United States and other allies also rallied behind Ukraine, and the Biden administration announced some $10 billion in financial assistance, in addition to $2 billion in military aid. In the meanwhile, the world watches how things would develop after Zelensy shared messages of hope as anxiety and resolve filled the air throughout Ukrainian cities.

The 45-year-old Zelenskyy, 25 years Putin’s junior, has declared 2023 as the year of Ukraine’s victory over Russia and expressed confidence in his country’s ability to fend off attacks, but stopped short of offering a timeline on how soon the fighting could end.

Officials round the world have joined Zelenskyy in his hopeful message, releasing statements underlining their support for Ukraine.

life and to experience his tender love.

Why does Jesus have these feelings?, the Pope asks. Because Jesus himself became frail, endured human suffering, and received comfort from his Father.

Indeed, only those who personally experience suffering are then able to comfort others. There are so many kinds of grave suffering: incurable and chronic diseases, psychological diseases, situations calling for rehabilitation or palliative care, numerous forms of disability, children’s or geriatric diseases.

At times human warmth is lacking in our approach to these.

What is needed is a personalized approach to the sick, not just of curing but also of caring, in view of integral human healing.

In experiencing illness, individuals not only feel threatened in their physical integrity but also the relational, intellectual, affective, and spiritual dimensions of their lives.

To the Holy Father, serious illnesses can bring human existence to a crisis point and trigger profound questions. Initially, one may react with resistance, questioning why such misfortune has befallen them.

Despair may set in, leading to a sense of hopelessness and loss of purpose. However, in such circumstances, faith in God can be tested and simultaneously provide a source of positivity, the Pope noted.

This is not to say that faith eradicates illness, pain, or the associated questions, but rather it offers a means to comprehend the underlying significance of these experiences. Through faith, we can unlock a gateway that enables us to perceive how illness may facilitate our proximity to Jesus, who shares in our struggles and carries his own burden of suffering.

In addition, Mary, our Mother, has firsthand knowledge of this path and provides us with the key to navigate it.

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

Maynilad’s one million trees and more

as decreasing air pollution, improving soil and water conservation capacity, increasing forest coverage and enhancing forest ecosystems, reforestation also has economic and health benefits.

From 2015 to 2020, forest cover increased by 3.03 percent. For a successful reforestation program, collaborative effort between the government and private sector is essential.

And, being an environmentalist, I am happy that many from the private sector are committed to help re-green the country.

MTFI has forged ties with different agencies including the concessionaires of MWSS to reforest denuded watersheds essential to the water supply of the metropolis and neighboring provinces.

In 2007, West Zone concessionaire Maynilad Water Services, Inc. was reprivatized. Its concession area consists of the cities of Manila (certain portions), Quezon City (certain portions), Makati (west of South Super Highway), Caloocan, Pasay, Parañaque, Las Piñas, Muntinlupa, Valenzuela, Navotas and Malabon all in Metro Manila; the cities of Cavite, Bacoor and Imus, and the towns of Kawit, Noveleta and Rosario, all in Cavite Province.

In the same year, it launched its Plant for Life watershed reforestation program. Plant for Life is Maynilad’s environment stewardship program originally aimed to reforest the watersheds in Angat, Ipo and

Maynilad’s watershed monitoring activities were also intensified, thereby boosting the survival rate of the planted trees

La Mesa. When AMTC was launched in 2017, Maynilad actively supported the program. Today, it has evolved into a multi-site reforestation and afforestation program whose coverage includes the areas along the coastlines of Laguna Lake and Manila Bay in Cavite and Muntinlupa.

“One of the best steps we can take to protect our water sources is to plant trees on denuded lands. Trees help with the soil’s water retention, thus preventing the soil erosion that causes high turbidity levels in our raw water supply,” Maynilad President and CEO Ramoncito S. Fernandez said. Maynilad’s watershed monitoring activities were also intensified, thereby boosting the survival rate of the planted trees.

Recently, Maynilad planted its one millionth tree at the La Mesa Watershed in Quezon City.

The activity was witnessed by MWSS Administrator Engr. Leonor Cleofas and Maynilad President Ramoncito Fernandez along with Department of Environment and Natural Resources NCR Assistant Regional Director for Technical Engr. Ignacio Almira, Jr. Through Maynilad’s Plant for Life program around 755.3 hectares have been planted with indigenous trees to include narra, cupang, acacia, alibangbang, apitong, and mangroves. Likewise, it enabled Maynilad to reduce its carbon emissions by around 25,000 tons per year.

Maynilad and the other companies in the MVP Group are ramping up their reforestation initiatives to attain ‘net-zero carbon’ by 2040. Maynilad is also an institutional partner of MTFI. It supported the construction of the Million Trees Nursery and Eco Learning Center. Information about environment protection programs are featured in a kiosk dedicated for Maynilad inside the nursery compound. Maynilad has been steadfast in its support to MTFI, the most recent was a Php1-million institutional support.

(The author is a book author who has at least 40 titles to his credit. He is also the president of the Million Trees Foundation Inc., a non-government outfit championing tree planting in mostly denuded watershed areas).

faith in God and the crucified Christ, we find the strength to love, even our enemies, and to give of ourselves for the good of others

The fact is the charter was framed before the cell phone was invented and before the internet was known

CALLS TO CONDEMN MOSCOW

Russia in firing line of top UN rights meeting

GENEVA—Russia’s war in Ukraine looms large as the UN Human Rights Council meets Monday, with calls for unity in condemning Moscow and extending a probe into war crimes in the conflict.

Days after the United Nations General Assembly in New York voted overwhelmingly to demand Russia immediately withdraw from Ukraine, Moscow’s war is expected to dominate the opening of the top UN rights body’s main annual session in Geneva.

“We’re looking for this session to show, as the UN General Assembly showed... that the world stands side-byside with Ukraine,” British ambassador Simon Manley said at an event Friday marking the one-year anniversary of Russia’s full-scale invasion.

The meeting, which is due to last a record six weeks, will be the first presided over by new UN rights chief Volker Turk, who kicks the session off early Monday.

UN chief Antonio Guterres will also address the council on the first day, while nearly 150 ministers and heads of state and government will speak, virtually or in person, during the four-day high-level segment.

Among them will be the top diplomats of the United States, China, Ukraine and Iran. Walkout?

Moscow will send Deputy Foreign Minister Sergey Ryabkov to address the council in person on Thursday.

Despite calls from NGOs, observers said it was unlikely there would be a walkout like the one many diplomats took part in when Russian Foreign

Minister Sergei Lavrov’s video played in the council last year.

Several diplomats suggested, though, that other measures might be taken to convey their disapproval.

“We believe that Russia does not deserve to sit in the room,” Ukrainian ambassador Yevheniia Filipenko told reporters. “We will act accordingly.”

There is no shortage of other pressing human rights issues for the council to address, with Iran, Afghanistan, Myanmar, Syria and Israel among the country situations on the agenda.

Diplomats and rights activists voiced particular concern over efforts to thwart the council’s scrutiny of the situation in Ethiopia.

The Ethiopian government has rejected the findings of a council-appointed team of investigators that violations committed in the two-year Tigray war could amount to crimes against humanity.

Dangerous precedent

Now Addis Ababa is working to end the team’s mandate prematurely, saying it is no longer needed following a peace agreement signed last year.

Diplomats and rights groups argue that there is still a dire need for investigation of and accountability for the crimes committed and warn that ending the probe early would create a dangerous precedent for other investigations ordered by the council. AFP

2 Israelis, Palestinian killed in West Bank attack

HUWARA, Palestinian Territories—

Two Israelis living in a West Bank settlement were killed Sunday in a “Palestinian terror attack”, officials said, sparking violence in which a Palestinian man was killed, while settlers torched homes in revenge.

The latest deaths came amid talks in Jordan to discuss worsening violence in the occupied territory, and days after Israeli forces launched their deadliest West Bank raid in nearly 20 years, which left 11 Palestinians dead in the northern city of Nablus. Sunday’s attack on the two settlers -named as brothers Yagel Yaniv, 20, and Hallel Yaniv, 22 -- took place just south of the city, targeting a car on the main road through the town of Huwara.

A joint statement from Prime Minister Benjamin Netanyahu and his national security minister, Itamar Ben-Gvir, confirmed “two Israeli civilians were killed

in a Palestinian terror attack”, which has not been claimed by any group.

They were residents of Har Bracha, a religious Jewish settlement close to Nablus, a statement from the community said.

Late Sunday, Israeli media reported clashes between Palestinians and settlers seeking revenge near Huwara. Palestinian news agency Wafa reported that settlers “set fire to several Palestinianowned houses” in villages near Nablus.

A 37-year-old Palestinian, Sameh

Aqtash, was shot dead in Zaatara village near Nablus, the Palestinian health ministry said.

The Israeli army did not immediately comment, but said it had evacuated dozens of Palestinians from their homes threatened by fires in Huwara.

Netanyahu calls for calm

Abdullah Al-Huwari, 36, an eyewitness, reported that “large numbers of

Japan buying 400 Tomahawk missiles from US, says Prime Minister Kishida

TOKYO—Japan will purchase 400 Tomahawk missiles from the United States, Prime Minister Fumio Kishida said Monday, as his government beefs up the country’s defenses with eyes on threats including China.

“Our country’s plan is (to acquire) 400 units” of the cruise missile, Kishida told the lower house budget committee without elaborating, citing the military sensitivity of the purchase.

Earlier this month, the defense minister said Japan has set aside 211.3 billion yen ($1.5 billion) to buy the missiles in the coming fiscal year, rather than dividing the procurement over several years.

Kishida’s government wants to dramatically expand Japan’s defense capacity in the face of China’s growing military clout and nuclear-armed North Korea’s unpredictable missile tests.

Russia’s invasion of Ukraine has also stoked fears that China may move to take over Taiwan, a self-governed democracy claimed by Beijing.

Japan has a pacifist post-war constitution, which limits its military capacity to ostensibly defensive measures.

But last year it updated key security and defense policies, explicitly outlining the challenge posed by China and setting a goal of doubling defense spending to the NATO standard of two percent of GDP by 2027.

Meanwhile, a magnitude 6.1 earthquake struck off Hokkaido in northern Japan on Saturday night, the US Geological Survey and the Japan Meteorological Agency said.

No tsunami warning was issued after the offshore quake, which shook the coastal cities of Kushiro and Nemuro.

Major Japanese media outlets carried no immediate reports of damage or injuries.

The quake hit at 10:27 pm (1327 GMT) at a depth of around 43 kilometres (27 miles), the USGS said.

An expert speaking on public broadcaster NHK warned residents to be vigilant against quakes for about a week. AFP

Elon Musk calls US media ‘racist’ after newspapers stop Dilbert comics

WASHINGTON—Billionaire Elon Musk has called US media “racist” after multiple American newspapers announced they would stop publishing a popular comic strip whose creator called Black people a hate group.

Musk, who owns electric car company Tesla and social network Twitter, tweeted Sunday in response to an article about a rant by Scott Adams, creator of the long-running “Dilbert” -- a satirical take on office life.

“For a *very* long time, US media was racist against non-white people, now they’re racist against whites & Asians,” Musk wrote on the social network, where he has reinstated users banned for hate speech.

“Same thing happened with elite colleges & high schools in America. Maybe they can try not being racist.”

Under Musk’s leadership, Tesla has been hit with multiple lawsuits alleging racism and researchers say Twitter has seen a rise in hate speech.

Adams, like Musk, has increasingly stoked controversy with his views on social issues.

But a video posted on Wednesday

-- in which Adams referred to Black people as a “hate group” -- proved to

be the last straw for many “Dilbert” publishers.

“That’s a hate group and I don’t want anything to do with them,” he said. “Based on the current way things are going, the best advice I would give

to white people is to get the hell away from Black people.”

His rant was prompted by a recent poll by conservative-leaning Rasmussen Reports, whose results he said showed a slim majority of Black respondents agreed with the statement “It’s okay to be white.”

The USA TODAY Network, which operates hundreds of papers across the United States, said Friday it “will no longer publish the Dilbert comic due to recent discriminatory comments by its creator.”

Chris Quinn, the editor of The Plain Dealer in Cleveland, Ohio, said it “was not a difficult decision” for his paper to drop the comic strip.

“We are not a home for those who espouse racism,” Quinn added.

MLive Media Group—which runs eight Michigan-based publications— said it had “zero tolerance for racism,” and would drop Adams’s strip because of his “unapologetically racist rant.”

The Washington Post said Saturday it would drop the cartoon from its pages “in light of Scott Adams’s recent statements,” though it was too late to stop the strip from being published in the weekend’s print editions. AFP

settlers attacked the village of Huwara”, setting fire to homes and cars.

“I see in front of me flames,” he said. “Wherever I turn my eyes, I see the flames of a burning house.”

Israeli President Isaac Herzog issued a “forceful condemnation”.

“Taking the law into one’s own hands, rioting, and committing violence against innocents -- this is not our way,” Herzog said.

The Palestinian Red Cross said 98 people were treated, most after inhaling tear gas, while Israeli emergency services reported three Israelis injured after being hit by stones.

Netanyahu, in a video released by his office, called for calm.

“I ask—even when the blood is boiling—not to take the law into one’s hands,” Netanyahu said, calling for the security forces to “be allowed to carry out their work.” AFP

HONG KONG—The ex-husband and two former in-laws of a Hong Kong model were charged on Monday with her murder, after police revealed they had found more body parts during a weekend search.

Abby Choi, who had appeared in fashion magazines and attracted more than 100,000 followers on Instagram, was reported missing on Tuesday, the prosecutor told the court.

On Saturday, police said that partial remains had been discovered in the fridge and soup pots of a seaside house.

After a later examination of materials seized at the property, police uncovered what they believe to be Choi’s skull, hair and several ribs.

The 28-year-old’s ex-husband Alex Kwong, as well as his father Kwong Kau and brother Anthony Kwong, were charged with murder on Monday and face up to life in prison.

Choi’s former mother-in-law, Jenny Li, was charged with perverting the course of justice by destroying evidence.

The property where police found bodily remains was equipped with an electric saw and a meat grinder that had been used to mince human flesh, according to superintendent Alan Chung.

A forensic examination found a hole at the back of the skull that could be evidence of a fatal attack.

“We believe the victim had been attacked when she was in the vehicle (that took her to the house) and that she was already unconscious when she arrived,” Chung told reporters on Sunday night.

According to police, Choi had financial disputes with her ex-husband and his family involving a luxury property.

The mother of two had divorced Kwong and remarried Chris Tam, the scion of a wealthy Hong Kong family. Kwong, 28, was arrested on Saturday at a Hong Kong pier after what police described as a failed attempt to flee by speedboat.

A fifth suspect connected to Choi’s former father-in-law was arrested on Sunday on suspicion of “assisting criminals”.

Chung said all suspects in the case had been arrested and the force would continue to search for missing body parts. AFP

CYAN MAGENTA YELLOW BLACK

CYAN MAGENTA YELLOW BLACK

Ex-hubby, in-laws charged with slay of HK model Choi

TORCHED IN PALESTINE.

This picture taken on February 27 shows an aerial view of a scrapyard where cars were torched overnight,

in the Palestinian town of Huwara near Nablus in the occupied West Bank. Two Israelis living in the Har Bracha settlement near Nablus were killed on February 26 in a ‘Palestinian terror attack,’ officials said, sparking violence in which a Palestinian man was killed, as settlers torched homes in revenge. AFP

IMMIGRANT TRAGEDY. This photo obtained from Italian news agency Ansa, taken on February 26, shows bags containing the bodies of deceased migrants in Steccato di Cutro, south of Crotone, after their boat sank off Italy’s southern Calabria region. More than 30 migrants, including a tiny baby, died after their overloaded boat sank in stormy seas off Italy’s southern Calabria region. AFP

Elon Musk

China ramps up coal plant approvals despite push for emission reduction

BEIJING—China last year approved the largest expansion of coal-fired power plants since 2015, according to a study published Monday, despite its vow to begin phasing down use of the fossil fuel in just three years.

The coal power capacity that China began building in 2022 was six times as much as that in the rest of the world combined, the report by the Centre for Research on Energy and Clean Air in Finland and the Global Energy Monitor added.

“China continues to be the glaring exception to the ongoing global decline in coal plant development,” GEM research analyst Flora Champenois said.

“The speed at which projects progressed through permitting to construction in 2022 was extraordinary.”

China is one of the world’s biggest emitters of the greenhouse gases driv-

Stocks, peso sink on hawkish US Federal Reserve’s signals

By Julito G. Rada

THE local stock market and the peso sank

Monday following a Wall Street selloff, as forecast-beating US inflation data reinforced expectations the Federal Reserve would continue to ramp up interest rates for some time.

The PSE index, the 30-company benchmark of the Philippine Stock Exchange, shed 86 points, or 1.29 percent, to close at 6,599.34, as five of the six subsectors declined, with only the financial stocks registering gains.

The broader all-share index also went down 39 points, or 1.12 percent, to settle at 3,532.25 on a value turnover of P7.5 billion.

Losers outmatched gainers, 149 to 55, while

34 issues were unchanged.

Data showed that three of the ten most active stocks ended in the green, led by Manila Electric Co. which gained 1.81 percent to P314.80. Ayala Land Inc. rose 1.60 percent to P28.50, while BDO Unibank Inc. inched up 0.08 percent to P124.10.

The peso also declined to a near twomonth low against the US dollar on the possibility of more rate hikes.

The peso lost P0.64 to close at 55.51 Monday from 54.87 on Feb. 23. It was the local currency’s weakest level since it finished at 55.64 on Jan. 6, 2023. Trading volume reached $1.332 billion, up from $1.109 billion previously.

Rizal Commercial Banking Corp. chief economist Michael Ricafort said the depreciation of the peso was also triggered by stronger-than-expected US economic data such as new home sales, personal income and spending.

Ricafort said these data “could support further Fed rate hikes in the quest to bring down elevated US inflation to the target of 2 percent.”

“The US currency also corrected to new 1.5-month highs vs. major global currencies recently after the recent geopolitical risks on the increased US-China tensions recently,” he said.

Ricafort also noted the decline in the local stock market as one of the reasons for the peso’s depreciation.

Bank of the Philippine Islands said in a report the movement of the peso this year would largely hinge on the actions of the Fed on its key policy rates.

BPI said with demand continuously improving, the peso might continue to weaken in the near term given the Philippines’ sizable import requirements to stabilize prices.

“But the behavior of the local currency in 2023 may largely depend on what the Federal Reserve will do. If a recession in the US happens, the US central bank may cut interest rates eventually,” BPI said.

BPI said a rate cut by the Fed would diminish the strength of the US dollar and provide support to other currencies like the peso. With AFP

Far-reaching UN treaty needed to stem global plastic use

By Linnea Pedersen

PARIS, France—Only a bold and ambitious UN treaty with sweeping reforms of the entire plastic life cycle can stem the world’s waste crisis, experts said Monday.

Even if measures thought to have the greatest potential for reducing plastic consumption are implemented, they would still fail to prevent a substantial rise in plastics production and use, they warned in a report.

A year ago 175 nations agreed to end plastic pollution by crafting a binding UN treaty, which could come into being as soon as the end of 2024.

Among the key actions under negotiation are a global ban on single-use plastic items, a “polluter pays” scheme and a tax on new plastic production.

But even with these policies, there is a “considerable” possibility the treaty “will be too weak to bend the consumption curve downward”, the authors said in a statement.

On current trends, plastic use will nearly double from 2019 across G20 countries by 2050, reaching 451 million tons each year, according to the report, jointly produced by Economist Impact and The Nippon Foundation.

In 1950, only two million tons of plastic were produced worldwide.

“The findings highlight the level of ambition and the sense of urgency needed at the negotiation table,” co-author Gillian Parker told AFP.

an impossible problem’

The report modeled the three policy approaches—all under discussion at the UN talks —covering the entire life cycle of plastic, from production to disposal.

A global ban on unnecessary single-use plastics, including plastic sachets, cotton buds, and balloon sticks, would by 2050 slow the growth in plastics consumption by only 14 percent.

So-called extended producer responsibility schemes, which put the onus on the industry, would barely dent the projected increase in plastic use, reducing it from 451 to 433 million tons.

And even a substantial tax on “virgin” plastic resin, the raw material for making plastics, would only shave 10 percent off the baseline projection out to 2050.

Combined implementation of all three measures would still allow plastic consumption to grow by a quarter.

Manila Standard TODAY

Even these inadequate measures face stiff headwinds: producers, retailers, industry bodies, and consumer groups are likely to oppose some or all of them, according to the report.

“Industry has been very clear in saying

they do not think taxes are productive,” said Parker. Manufacturers are even less enthusiastic about production cuts.

Recycling, the report showed, has not lived up to expectations, even if it remains part of the solution. It’s like “closing the door after the horses bolted”, said Parker.

It is more efficient to intervene at the beginning of the plastics pipeline than at the end when we’re throwing everything away, she suggested.

Many countries lack the infrastructure to handle the scale of plastic waste generated and it remains cheaper to produce virgin plastic than recycle it.

Parker and her team, however, are still optimistic. “This is not an impossible problem,” she told AFP.

With the right binding and enforceable interventions and economic incentives, plastic pollution is “solvable”, she said. AFP

NOTICE OF SPECIAL STOCKHOLDERS’ MEETING

TO ALL STOCKHOLDERS:

NOTICE IS HEREBY GIVEN that the Special Stockholders Meeting (“SSM”) of Leisure & Resorts World Corporation (the “Corporation”) will be held on Monday, 27 March 2023, at 2:00 p.m. The meeting will be conducted virtually via Zoom Teleconference with the following details: Link: https://us06web.zoom.us/j/84717414511?pwd=QlNjZzdEQmtOZDNkNHFJS 0FPSG5DZz09 Meeting ID: 847 1741 4511 Meeting Password: 076736 The agenda of the meeting will be as follows:

1. Call to Order

2. Proof of Notice

3. Determination of Quorum

4. Approval of the Employee Stock Option Plan (“ESOP”)

5. Other Matters

6. Adjournment

For the purpose of the meeting, only stockholders of record at the close of business on February 27, 2023 will be entitled to notice and vote thereat.

In light of the COVID-19 global pandemic, the Company will not be conducting a physical SSM. The conduct of the SSM will be via Zoom Teleconference, and stockholders may attend the meeting by registering on or before 1:00 p.m. on 27 March 2023. Due to the limitations of available technology, voting will not be possible during the Teleconference, but participants may send in questions or remarks via Zoom chat, and vote through the submission of their respective signed proxy forms with the specific votes per item in the agenda that is subject to the shareholders’ approval.

If you wish to cast your votes as a stockholder, you may vote remotely or in absentia, or through proxy. Voting by remote communication or in absentia, may be done by sending your respective votes by e-mail to investorrelations@LRWC.com.ph on or before 12:00 p.m. on March 20, 2023. The procedures for attendance and voting during the SSM will be posted in the Company’s website at https://lrwc.com.ph/ stockholders-meeting/.

Stockholders who cannot attend the meeting in person may designate their authorized representative by submitting a Proxy instrument in accordance with Sec. 57 of the Revised Corporation Code. Validation of the proxies shall be done on March 20, 2023 at the office of the Corporation’s transfer agent, Stock Transfer Services, Inc., Unit 34-D Rufino Pacific Tower, 6784 Ayala Avenue, Makati City. WE ARE NOT SOLICITING PROXIES

To facilitate your registration of attendance, please have available some form of government-issued identification such as passport or driver’s license. Thank you. Pasig City. 2 February 2023.

(MS-FEB. 28 & MAR. 1, 2023)

ing climate change, such as carbon dioxide.

President Xi Jinping has pledged that China will peak its CO2 emissions between 2026-2030 and reduce them to net zero by 2060, moves seen as essential for keeping global temperature rise well below two degrees Celsius.

The report warned that even if Beijing sticks to those commitments, the current coal power expansion will make meeting them “more complicated and costly”.

A total of 106 GW of new coal power projects were approved in 2022— the equivalent of two large coal plants per week—it said. Plants accounting for around a third of that capacity have already begun construction, with some gaining permits, securing financing and breaking ground “within a matter of months.” AFP

‘Not

NEW NOKIA LOGO. Nokia president and chief executive Pekka Lundmark, flanked by president of mobile networks Tommi Uitto (right) and chief strategy and technology officer Indian Nishant Batra, presents Nokia new logo at the Mobile World Congress, the telecom industry’s biggest annual gathering, in Barcelona on Feb. 26, 2023. AFP

PLASTIC PHASEOUT. This file photo taken on June 5, 2020 shows a garbage collector gathering recyclable plastic at the Ban Tarn landfill site in the northern Thai province of Chiang Mai. The Thai government is moving to phase out the import of plastic waste into the kingdom by 2025 after cabinet signed off on the measure. AFP

BDO Unibank set new record with over $1-b income in 2022

By Julito G. Rada

BDO Unibank Inc. set a new record among private companies in the Philippines with a net income of over $1 billion in 2022 despite the challenging business environment highlighted by higher interest rates and elevated inflation.

The banking unit of the Sy Group said Monday profit climbed 33.4 percent last year to a record P57.1 billion from P42.8 billion in 2021 on the sustained strength of core businesses. The peso closed at 55.51 against the US dollar Monday.

“While macroeconomic challenges remain with persistent inflation and foreign exchange and interest rate volatility, BDO believes that its established business franchise and strong balance sheet will allow

the bank to surmount near-term risks and capitalize on structural growth opportunities to attain long-term sustainable growth,” BDO said in a disclosure to the stock exchange. The 2022 results led to a return on average common equity of 13 percent, improving to 15.3 percent for the fourth quarter, from 10.5 percent in 2021 and 12.8 percent in 2019 before the onslaught of the pandemic.

The economic reopening triggered a 9-percent growth in gross customer loans. Total deposits also climbed 14 percent, with net interest income growing by 14 percent to P149.2 billion.

Non-interest income rose 17 percent to P71.5 billion on the strong performance of fee income, foreign exchange and fixed income client-flow businesses.

Asset quality improved, with nonperforming loan ratio declining to 1.95 percent and NPL coverage strengthening to 167 percent.

Total capital expanded to P461.5 billion, with capital adequacy ratio and common equity tier 1 ratio both comfortably above regulatory minimum levels at 14.5 percent and 13.4 percent, respectively. Book value per share rose 9 percent to P86.20 year on year.

BDO’s board of directors approved an increase in the regular quarterly cash

Cebu Pacific acquiring 3 aircraft for expansion

CEBU Pacific said Monday it is acquiring three new aircraft as it beefs up operations in Clark International Airport

The airline unit of the Gokongwei Grouyp said the three aircraft are on top of the 10 new Airbus NEO aircraft that would be delivered in 2023 to expand the airline’s fleet.

dividends on common shares to P0.75 per share beginning in the first quarter of 2023, payable on March 31, 2023. The bank said this would be the new dividend policy of BDO going forward.

“This higher dividend payout compares favorably with the P0.30 per share quarterly dividend in the past, as the bank recognizes the importance of providing a stable and sustainable dividend stream consistent with its commitment to shareholders, and its financial performance,” it said.

BDO is a full-service universal bank that provides a wide range of corporate and retail services such as traditional loan and deposit products, treasury, trust banking, investment banking, private banking, rural banking, cash management, leasing and finance, remittance, insurance, cash cards, credit cards, and online and nononline brokerage services.

Meralco posts P28.4-b net profit as sales surpass pre-pandemic levels

By Alena Mae S. Flores

POWER retailer Manila Electric Co. said Tuesday consolidated core net income grew 10 percent in 2022 to P27.1 billion from P24.6 billion in 2021 on the back of a 6-percent sales volume growth which exceeded pre-pandemic levels.

Consolidated reported net income increased 21 percent to P28.4 billion from P23.5 billion in 2021.

Reported net income is adjusted to exclude the effect of foreign exchange gains or losses, impairment charges, mark-to-market adjustments and other

one-time, exceptional transactions.

Meralco declared cash dividends of P11.028 a share to all shareholders of record as of March 29, 2023, payable on April 26, 2023. This brings the total dividend declared out of 2022 CCNI to P16.834 a share or an equivalent 70 percent of core earnings per share.

“Meralco’s exceptional operational and financial performance last year reflects our consistent efforts to deliver stable and reliable electric service to help power the Philippine economy,” Meralco chairman Manuel Pangilinan said.

“I think 2022 was a very good year for Meralco. Record high in revenues and billed volume as well. It was a good accounting for major portion of the national power system and power demand in the country,” Pangilinan said.

He said Meralco’s service area accounts for about half of the country’s gross domestic product, which grew 7.6 percent last year, its fastest in four decades.

“This highlights the crucial role we play in powering the continued recovery efforts of our country, especially with persisting challenges that include soaring inflation and anticipated global

slowdown this year,” Pangilinan said.

Pangilinan expressed confidence that 2023 would be “another productive year for Meralco” as the company continued to pursue service improvements and achieve sustainability milestones, which include the scheduled commercial operations of new renewable energy projects.

“We hope to improve on those profit, financial numbers this year, but it’s too early to provide any guidance. But first month was quite good and certainly better than the last year’s first month,” Pangilinan said.

DOTr breaks ground on 1st phase of Cebu Bus Rapid Transit project

By Darwin G. Amojelar

THE Department of Transportation on Monday broke ground for the construction of the Cebu Bus Rapid Transit Project-Package 1 in Fuente Osmeña Circle, Cebu City.

“We break ground today to launch an innovative urban passenger transport system that will raise the level of service, safety and environmental efficiency in this part of the country,” Transportation Secretary Jaime Bautista said.

“This P16.3-billion project will bring multiple benefits to residents of Metro Cebu,” he said.

and reduce vehicle and pedestrian accidents” he said.

The Cebu BRT Package 1 consists of a 2.38-kilometer segregated bus lane and 1.15 kilometers of pedestrian improvement from Link to the Port.

It will have four bus stations at Cebu South Bus Terminal, Cebu Normal University and around Fuente Osmeña Circle and Cebu Provincial Capitol.

Bautista said Cebu BRT would be fully operational by the second quarter of 2025.

The project received financing support from the World Bank and the French Development Agency.

Cebu Pacific said it is adding a combined

13 domestic and international destinations from Clark.

“We are excited to reestablish our presence in such an important gateway that will boost accessibility and connectivity for the traveling public,”said Cebu Pacific president and chief commercial officer Xander Lao.

“Furthermore, it allows us to boost our third operating hub in the Philippines that will help generate economic opportunities to support the country’s growth agenda,” he said. Darwin G. Amojelar

RCBC’s earnings grew 71% to P12.1b last year

RIZAL Commercial Banking Corp. said

Monday it posted a record net profit of P12.1 billion in 2022 and became the fifth biggest privately-owned bank with total resources of P1.2 trillion.

RCBC said in a statement the P12.1billion net profit was 71 percent higher than P7.1 billion it booked in 2021, supported by a double-digit increase in core business income.

Fee income showed a marked improvement of 19 percent from 2021 on higher retail, bancassurance and digital transactions. Return on equity reached 11.2 percent, and return on assets improved to 1.2 percent in 2022.

“We continue to work hard and smart to accelerate our transformation journey. Delivering best-in-class customer experience remains our main thrust. And so we are excited to develop more digital innovations and disruptive solutions that can reshape the way we do banking,” RCBC president and chief executive Eugene Acevedo said. RCBC became the fifth-biggest privatelyowned bank in the country as of end-2022. This was driven by the substantial 23-percent increase in earning asset volume, while maintaining above-industry net interest margin at 3.7 percent. Julito

G. Rada

DMW in the top quintile of sustainability ranking

PROPERTY developer D.M. Wenceslao & Associates Inc. ranked in the top quintile in the real estate industry of the S&P Global Corporate Sustainability Assessment with an 88-percentile rank (100 being the highest), among a global universe of S&P-assessed real estate companies, as of February 2023.

The S&P Global Corporate Sustainability Assessment is an annual evaluation of companies’ sustainability practices. It covers over 10,000 companies from around the world. Sustainability is defined as meeting the needs of the present without compromising the ability of future generations to meet their own needs.

“We firmly believe that it is our collective responsibility to create a resilient and equitable world for future generations. As one of the biggest property companies in the Philippines, DMW strives to create city-scale real estate products which will contribute to sustainable local and national development,” the company said.

AREIT gets board approval to hike capital to P40.5b

By Jenniffer B. Austria

REAL estate investment trust pioneer

AREIT Inc. said Monday its board of directors approved the increase in the company’s authorized capital stock to P40.5 billion from P29.5 billion in preparation for future asset infusion.

AREIT said in a stock exchange filing the capital hike is in line with its thrust to grow its portfolio through asset infusion and other allowable investments under the REIT law.

The company earlier committed to further growing its asset portfolio at an average of 100,000 square meters in gross leasable area from 2023 to 2025, translating into an increase of P10 billion to P15 billion in asset under management annually.

KADIWA CARAVAN. Department of Trade and Industry Secretary Fred Pascual expresses support for the Kadiwa ng Pangulo caravan held in Cebu Provincial Capitol. Kadiwa ng Pangulo is a farm-to-consumer program that ensures Filipino consumers’ access to low-priced and guaranteed high-quality produce from local consumers. The initiative is part of the Philippine government’s ongoing efforts to stabilize the prices of manufactured and agricultural basic necessities and prime commodities following the spike in prices of goods.

Bautista said the 13.18-kilometer Cebu BRT would not only reduce travel time between Cebu’s north and south districts but also boost economic productivity in various communities through the efficient mobility of passengers, goods and services.

“The project likewise promises to provide better job security and working conditions for the PUV drivers

Once completed, the Cebu BRT would have 13.18 km. of segregated lanes with 17 stations, 1 depot and 1 trunk terminal from South Road Properties in Cebu City’s south district to the IT park in the north district.

Around 60,000 passengers will be accommodated a day during its first year of operations. At its full operations, it will cater to around 160,000 passengers daily.

Pag-IBIG members’ savings under MP2 rose 54% to all-time high of P39.84b in 2022

PAG-IBIG Fund members continue to show preference in the MP2 Savings program in 2022 as total savings reached nearly P40 billion, setting yet a new record-high for the amount saved voluntarily by members under the program in a year, top executives said Monday.

Members’ savings under the Modified Pag-IBIG 2Savings Program reached P39.84 billion last year, achieving an impressive 54-percent increase from the

P25.95 billion collected in 2021.

“Pag-IBIG Fund has again set another record, this time in the amount saved by members under the MP2 Savings Program. This shows the unwavering trust of our members in our capability to excellently and prudently manage their hardearned peso,” said Secretary Jose RizalinoAcuzar, who heads the Department of Human Settlements and Urban Development and the 11-member Pag-IBIG Fund board of trustees.

“With our strong collections, we can continue to finance the loans of our members and keep our interest rates low. These are in line with our efforts of supporting the call of President Ferdinand Marcos, Jr. to provide a better life for all Filipinos,” he said.

The MP2 Savings Program is a special voluntary savings facility of PagIBIG Fund that comes with a maturity period of five years. With a low entry point of P500 as minimum savings, it

is designed for active Pag-IBIG Fund members who wish to save more and earn higher dividends, in addition to the mandatory Pag-IBIG Regular Savings they save every month.

It provides members the option to claim the earnings of their MP2 Savings annually or compounded at the time of its maturity. The program is also open to pensioners and retirees who were once Pag-IBIG members and had at least two years worth of savings prior to retirement.

It also aims to grow and diversify its asset portfolio by sector, location and income contribution and achieve a total shareholder return range of 10 percent to 12 percent.

AREIT said the proposed capital hike would be presented to the stockholders during the company’s annual meeting in April.

AREIT had P64 billion worth of assets with gross leasable area of 673,000 sq. m. as of end-2022.

The Securities and Exchange Commission approved in December 2022 the company’s acquisition of six office buildings from parent Ayala Land Inc. through a property-for-share swap.

AREIT reported a net income of P2.9 billion in 2022, up 19.3 percent from P2.43 billion in 2021 on the back of strong rental revenues.

Revenues grew 52 percent year-onyear to P5.1 billion as leasing occupancy remained stable at 98 percent.

AREIT’s board of directors also approved the declaration of P0.52-pershare dividends for the fourth quarter of 2022. The dividends will be distributed on March 24 to shareholders as of record date March 10.

BEST IPO. Citicore Energy REIT Corp.’s initial public offering is recognized as the Best IPO for the Philippines in The Asset Triple A Country Awards for Sustainable Finance 2022. Receiving the award at the Four Seasons Hotel in Hong Kong on Feb. 23, 2023 are CREIT chairman Edgar Saavedra (third from right), president and chief executive Oliver Tan (second from right) and director Manuel Louie Ferrer (fourth from left).

Lillard erupts for 71 points as Blazers crush Rockets

LOS ANGELES—Damian Lillard

erupted for a career-high 71 points as the Portland Trail Blazers thrashed the Houston Rockets on Sunday.

In a breathtaking performance in front of a rapturous Portland crowd, Lillard etched his name into NBA folklore to drive the Blazers to a 131-114 victory.

It was the first time in Lillard’s glittering career that he has scored more than 70 points in a game, and the second time this season he has breached the 60-point barrier.

Only three other players in NBA history—Wilt Chamberlain, Kobe Bryant and David Thompson—have scored more points in a single game.

Chamberlain holds the record with 100 points, followed by Bryant’s mark of 81. Thompson scored 73 points for Denver against Detroit in 1978.

Lillard also threatened to beat Klay Thompson’s record of 14 three-pointers in a single game.

In the end however the 32-year-old seven-time NBA All-Star fell just short, draining 13 threes from 22 attempts.

Overall, Lillard made 22 of 38 from the field, including a perfect 14 of 14 from the free-throw line.

As the final buzzer sounded at Portland’s Moda Center, Lillard was mobbed by team-mates and showered with confetti in recognition of a superb performance that eclipsed his previous best single-game scoring performance of 61 points.

Afterwards, Lillard said he had simply been motivated by securing victory for Portland.

The Blazers are just outside of the play-in places with a 29-31 record in the Western Conference.

“I think we’ve got 22 or 23 games after this and we need to win as many as possible,” Lillard said. ‘Attack mode’

“I know it’s a team effort but I feel like I’ve got to do my best to be aggressive and do what I can to make sure we get some wins.

“That’s what the case was tonight ±I wanted to be in attack mode, I got it going e arly on and I stayed aggressive.”

Lillard’s remarkable shooting performance saw him amass 41 points in the first half alone.

“I came out and saw it go in (the basket) a few times and I just stayed aggressive,” Lillard said. AFP

Loman eyes next world

ONE title shot vs Andrade

IF there was one individual who closely monitored the grueling rematch between Fabricio “Wonder Boy” Andrade and John “Hands of Stone” Lineker for the then-vacant ONE Bantamweight World Championship over the weekend, it was none other than Stephen “The Sniper” Loman.

Loman, who currently occupies the No. 3 spot in the rankings, is believed to be next in line for a shot at the division’s top prize.

But like anyone else, the 27-year-old Ifugao native tuned in as a fan when both Andrade and Lineker engaged in a war of attrition for four whole rounds in the main event of ONE Fight Night 7 as they traded their best offense throughout the contest.

“They went at it from the very beginning. They had no feeling-out process in the first round,” Loman said of the thrilling encounter.

Lineker engaged mainly in the standup but also sought to stifle his younger Brazilian compatriot with eye-catching takedowns early in the fight.

However, Andrade stood his ground and found his groove, bombarding Lineker with long jabs and delivering his signature knees to the midsection.

“They were able to absorb the damage well. John showcased his wrestling, but he also tried to knock Andrade out so he stayed on his feet at times. For Andrade, he fully utilized his straight hands and beautifully set up his jabs and knees,” the Filipino later added.

Near the closing moments of the fourth frame, Andrade proceeded to batter Lineker with a myriad of shattering punching combinations that horrifically rearranged his opponent’s facial features.

San Miguel Beer, TNT to carry PH flag at Champions’ Week in Japan

REIGNING Philippine Basketball Association Philippine Cup champion San Miguel and TNT leave for Japan on Tuesday to carry the Philippine flag and pride in the East Asia Super League Champions’ Week in Japan.

Led by six-time MVP June Mar Fajardo, the Beermen depart Manila for the Japanese prefecture of Okinawa, while veteran guard Jayson Castro and the Tropang Giga head for the city of Utsunomiya for their respective campaigns in the March 1-5 tournament featuring champion teams from top basketball leagues in this side of Asia.

The Tropang Giga of coach Jojo Las-

timosa kicks off the country’s bid in the regional meet on opening day against host team Utsunomiya Brex.

Towering Daniel Ochefu and Jalen Hudson, a replacement for Governors Cup regular import Rondae Hollis-Jefferson will reinforce the team. HollisJefferson failed to secure his Japan visa in time for the tournament.

TNT is in Group B along with Utsu-

nomiya, Seoul SK Knights, and recent PBA Commissioner’s Cup guest team and runner up Bay Area Dragons.

On Thursday, the Beermen make their debut against a Ryukyu Golden Kings side that features three-time PBA Best Import Allen Durham and young Gilas Pilipinas stalwart Carl Tamayo.

Cameron Clark and Jessie Govan serve as imports for San Miguel, coached by Jorge Gallent.

San Miguel is in Group A together with Ryukyu, Taipei Fubon Braves, and Anyang KGC.

The Tropang Giga return to action on Friday against the Knights, while the

Beermen face former NCAA RookieMVP and Gilas member Renz Abando and Anyang the following day.

The top two teams to emerge in Group A and B will dispute the championship and the $250,000 prize purse that comes with it, while the no.2 teams in each group battle for third place. Runner up will receive $100,000 and third place $50,000. The championship round will be played in Okinawa.

San Miguel and TNT earned the right to represent the Philippines in the tournament after making the finals of the last Philippine Cup.

PH jiu-jitsu bets garner 3 golds in Asian tourney

By Peter Atencio

ANNIE Ramirez scored the first takedown, following a scoreless encounter with three-time titlist Kazakh rival Galina Duvanova, allowing her to lead the Philippines to three golds and a bronze medal over the weekend in the 2023 Asian JiuJitsu Championships in Thailand.

Ramirez, a former judoka, went on to rule the women’s -57 kg finals in a dramatic match and upset win over Duvanova.

Duvanova, who won the Asian crown in 2018 in the 52-kg category, went into a deciding third round with Ramirez.

The 23-year-old Duvanova, who has gone up in weight when she fought and settled for a silver in the 57-kg contest of the 2022 World Games, struggled in her exchanges with Ochoa in the regular first two rounds.

Neither side scored at least two points and ended up with no points earned,

Dylan Valmores was also victorious after she claimed the top honors in wom-

en’s +70-kg category and so was Meggie Ochoa in the -48 kg class.

Ochoa outscored Singapore’s May Yong, a 29-year-old blue belter, 15-0,

in the finals.

Yong was coming out of an almost fouryear layoff when she took on Ochoa after turning back Abdullah Abdo of the United Arab Emirates, 50-0, in the semifinals.

Ochoa arranged a finals showdown with Yong after she hurdled Korean Kim Na Hyun, 7-0, in the semifinals, and Vietnamese Le Thy Hien, 50-0, in the quarterfinals.

The 19-year-old Valmores dominated Chansonthi Pornthip of Thailand, 50-0, for the top honors in the +70kg.

She arranged a title match with Pornthip following her 50-0 triumph over Alia Al Nahawi of Palestine in the semifinals.

Valmores also dominated her matches with Pinki Sangwan of India, and Kabdygalymova Assel of Palestine with similar 50-0 scores.

Marc Lim settled for the silver in the men’s -69 kg matches, after bowing to Elbegsaikhan Chinzorig, 0-2, in the semifinals.

Diaz, Bona bag PPS Escudero juniors’ crowns

TOP seed Jana Diaz thwarted Chloe Mercado, 6-3, 6-4, while No. 2 Kendrick Bona halted third ranked Lexious Cruz, 6-3, 6-1, as they ruled the 16-and-under division of the PPS-PEPP Escudero Cup National Tennis Open Championships in San Pablo City last Sunday. Diaz kicked off her title drive with a shutout win over Ave Policarpio then turned back Sandra Bautista, 6-1, 7-5, before holding off Mercado, who barely escaped with a 3-6, 7-5, 10-7 win over Joy Ansay in the semis, to clinch the crown at the Aera Tennis Club. The Bacoor, Cavite find

and Mercado, from Quezon City, later shared the top honors in 18-U play after heavy rains washed out the finals of the girls’ premier division of the Group 1 tournament presented by Dunlop.

Bona’s straight-set romp over Cruz spiked the Puerto Princesa bet’s dominant run that had him dropping just three games in three matches on his way to the finals. Cruz from Cabanatuan, meanwhile, stunned top seed Reign Maravilla, 6-1, 4-6, 10-8, in the semis of the country’s longest talent-search put up by Palawan Pawnshop president/ CEO Bobby Castro. Ivan Manila, on the other

hand, wore down Bona in the decider as the second ranked bet from Nueva Ecija spoiled the latter’s “double” bid with a 6-0, 1-6, 10-7 win in the 18-U class of the event backed by Rep. Loreto Amante, Rep. Edwin Olivarez, Rep. Sonny Lagon, Arman Santos, Converge, Mitsubishi Motors and Slazenger.

Other winners in the tournament that capped a twoweek long tennis festival ushered in by the Open championship topped by Johnny Arcilla were Sta. Rosa, City’s Jaekob Palaroan and Maristella Torrecampo from Los Baños, Cru z and Ansay, and Caleb Villeno.

Damian Lillard of the Portland Trail Blazers drives to the basket during the game against the Houston Rockets at the Moda Center Arena in Portland, Oregon. AFP

Jana Diaz and Kendrick Bona pose with Aera Tennis Club president Raul de Vera (left) and Arnel Escudero after clinching the 16-U titles and the MVP honors.

Meggie Ochoa sings the national anthem at the podium. forcing them to a faceoff for an additional round.

Bill Shaw Golf Classic returns after 3-year break

AFTER a three-year hiatus, the much awaited Bill Shaw Golf Classic tees off on March 6 to 11 at the Wack Wack Golf and Country Club, which has prepared the grandest edition of its member-guest tournament and eagerly awaits hosting nearly a thousand participants signed up to join the action.

There will be 17 hole-in-one prizes up for grabs over two courses.

The fabled East course will give away a Lexus IS 300h, Hino Utility Truck, Suzuki S-Presso and Gransportivo golf cart on hole no. 8, while a Mercedes-Benz CLB will be offered on hole no. 16.

Over at the West course, the prizes are Mercedes-Benz C-Class on Hole 3; K&G gift certificate worth 200,000; 2 bottles of Opus One wine and Get Go golf cart on Hole 8; a Texas Eagle golf cart and Chery Tiggo on Hole 11; P100,000 PAGCOR gift certificate, Triumph Motorcycle, Airtrav roundtrip seaplane tickets for 3 to Boracay and Gransportivo Motorcycle on Hole 14.

The four-day tournament is presented by San Miguel Corp., Shell, Yakult and The Orange Platform.

Wack Wack will have a bevy of raffle prizes including a brand new Ford Ranger and two golf carts on the grand raffle as well as 150 major items.

There will be fun all throughout the Bill Shaw tournament week with good food, drinks, music and exciting raffle items during the daily evening cocktails sponsored by City of Dreams, The Plaza, Bizu and Food Details.

Boysen is platinum sponsor; Emirates, CWC are diamond sponsors; Go for Gold and VMJ Evergreen are gold sponsors; while Converge Business and GG&A Clubshares are green side supporters.

Hole-in-one sponsors are Lexus, K&G, Cork, Get Go, Casino Filipino, Airtrav, Suzuki, Hino, MG, Mercedes-Benz, Chery, PGA Clubshares, Turf Company, Gransportivo and Autohub.

Chinabank, Ayala Land Premier, Pacific Union Insurance, Philippine Business Bank, Stradcom, Ortigas Land, Akari, G&W Clubshares, Beyond Sight, R. DY Automobile, Mikey Macapagal Arroyo, Cibeles Insurance, Likha Residences, SMDC, Boysie Soriano, BDO, GGC, Prime Homes, Fortune Hill, Ninno Rios, Club 30, Run Run Group, Orocan, Parkway Corp Center, Gardiola Group, Tanduay and AUB Bank are also supporting the event.

Djokovic: ‘Surreal’ to break Graf’s world rankings record

DUBAI—Novak Djokovic says breaking Steffi Graf’s record of 377 weeks at number one in the rankings on Monday is “surreal” and that he is proud to surpass one of the sport’s all-time greats.

The Serb will spend his 378th week at the top of men’s tennis competing in Dubai, where he will play his first tournament since capturing a 10th Australian Open crown and record-equalling 22nd Grand Slam title last month.

“I still want more achievements,”

Djokovic told reporters in Dubai on Sunday.

“I’m driven by the goals. I’m as dedicated to the sport really as anybody else.

“Of course, it’s surreal in a way to be that many weeks world number one, to match Steffi Graf, who is one of the all-time greats of our sport, both men and women. Just being amongst these legendary names is flattering. I’m very proud of it.”

Undefeated in all 12 matches he has contested so far this season, Djokovic says he has been pain-free for the past week, having recovered from a muscle tear in his left hamstring he had sustained in Australia.

“I’m getting closer to a hundred percent. Still not there in terms of the game itself, how I feel on the court. But the important thing is that there is no pain. I don’t have a hindrance to the way I move on the court,” declared the 35-year-old.

Djokovic will begin his Dubai cam-

Cool Smashers, High Speed Hitters chase vital PVL wins

RANGED against a pair of struggling rivals, expect Creamline and PLDT to still go all out in pursuit of victories that will bolster their respective semifinal drive in the Premier Volleyball League All Filipino Conference at the Philsports Arena in Pasig today.

The Cool Smashers rebounded from a heart-breaking five-set setback to the F2 Logistics Cargo Movers with an imposing 3-1 romp over the Chery Tiggo Crossovers last weekend, keeping them in step with their tormentors in the lead going to the last eight playdates of the single round elims of the seasonopening conference organized by Sports Vision.

And barring any major disaster and slip, the defending champions look to nail their fifth win in six games against the Army Lady Troopers in the 4 p.m. opener and move a win away from securing the first Final Four seat.

PLDT is at third with 3-1 slate, while Chery Tiggo is just behind at 3-2 and Petro Gazz and Choco Mucho match 2-2 cards as six teams brace for what looms to be a wild, wooly chase for berths in post-elims play.

paign against Czech qualifier Tomas Machac on Tuesday, where the likes of Daniil Medvedev, Felix Auger-Aliassime and Andy Murray are also expected to take the court.

Last year, Dubai played host to Djokovic’s first event of the season after he had been deported from Australia over his vaccination status.

A five-time champion in Dubai, he was defeated in the quarter-finals by Jiri Vesely.

Murray, who is one week older than Djokovic and has been the Serb’s rival since their early teen years, is coming off a stunning week in Doha, where he battled through four three-setters before losing to Medvedev in the final.

It has been a theme for the British former world number one, who also put on heroic displays at the Australian Open last month.

“What is happening now this year with his match points saved in literally every match he plays, the amount of hours he spent on the court since the beginning of the year, particularly in Australia, is just something you must admire and say ‘chapeau’ because of everything he has gone through with his hip,” said Djokovic of Murray.

‘Great guy Murray’

“You have to note that he has an artificial hip and he’s moving the way he does. He’s constantly looking to improve and to get back to the highest level, which it seems like he’s been doing. He’s just rising in the rankings. The level is better and better.

“I’m very happy for him because he’s a great guy, respects the sport, works very, very hard. So very committed, he deserves his success.”

Djokovic has also been paying attention to the recent exploits of Chinese players on the ATP tour. AFP

But winless in four games, the Lady Troopers are due for a victory after barely clinching it the last time out, losing steam in the stretch and dropping a five-set defeat to the Choco Mucho Flying Titans last Thursday.

It was indeed a sorry loss for Army, which drew double-digit outputs from five players – Jeanette Villareal (19 points), Honey Royse Tubino (17) Nene Bautista (12), Lut Malaluan (12) and Ivy Perez (10) –with Mary Anne Esguerra scoring nine points.

But they still fell short and the Lady Troopers will need a whole lot of everything to topple a solid Creamline side bannered by Jema Galanza, Tots Carlos, Michele Gumabao, Ced Domingo, Pangs Panaga, ace playmaker Jia de Guzman and defense specialist Kyla Atienza.

The High Speed Hitters, on the other hand, seek to nail their fourth straight victory after an opening game loss to the Cargo Movers as they battle the Chargers, who snapped a three-game skid with a four-set victory over the Lady Troopers.

Bangsamoro Sports Commission lays out 12-point agenda to PSC

A DELEGATION of the Bangsamoro Sports Commission met with the Philippine Sports Commission board on Monday, seeking to work hand-in-hand with the national sports agency in terms of strengthening its grassroots program in the Bangsamoro Autonomous Region in Muslim Mindanao.

The BSC, headed by chairperson Arsalan Dimaoden, presented a 12-point agenda with the PSC which include close cooperation on sports facilities development, health and wellness in BARMM, grassroots and youth sports, sports education, human resource development, continuation of Sports for All program through the conduct of PSC’s Laro’t Saya sa Parke, elite sports identification and support, traditional

sports and games preservation and promotion, ensuring gender and equality in sports, sports linkages and collaboration, sports tourism and sports competitions.

“It is our earnest understanding that we can utilize sport as a realization for the development of Mindanao and the country,” said Dimaoden, who was accompanied by his commissioners and consultant during the hour-long meeting in the PSC Conference Room at the Rizal Memorial Sports Complex in Manila.

PSC chairman Richard Bachmann expressed his support for the proposal, and batted for unity between the two sports agencies saying, “I would like to consider us as one group as we are focused on the Filipino athletes. Let us find the athletes

sa bawat parte ng Pilipinas. This is what I want to push in my term together with our Board of Commissioners.”

“Let us work together to build facilities not only for popular sports but also for other sports throughout the country. We also need to align the grassroots programs for the stakeholders such as the NSAs, BSC and other individuals who have ideas regarding grassroots sports development in the country,” added the PSC chief.

PSC commissioners Walter Torres and Olivia “Bong” Coo also expressed support and possible collaborations with the BSC.

“The PSC can send a team to conduct a feasibility study for the sports facilities development in the region and ask that accessibility for para-athletes

be observed for the building of the facilities,” said Commissioner Torres.

“I offer our programs Laro ng Lahi and Women in Sports programs to be conducted in BARMM. There is a need to increase the inclusion of more girls in grassroots programs,” commissioner Coo said.

Aside from Dimaoden, the BSC was represented by commissioner of Maguindanao Nu-man C. Calutiag, Tawi-Tawi commissioner Abdulkhabir Musa, Basilan commissioner Yushoup Sario, Executive Director Salihwardi Alba, Consultants Prof. Henry Daut of the Mindanao State University and Ateneo de Davao University Athletics Director and Mindanao Peace Games Founder and Convener Noli Ayo.

Junior Warriors no. 1 volley team after UAAP 1st round

UNIVERSITY of the East made quick work of University of Santo Tomas, 25-22, 25-18, 25-19, to finish as the top-ranked team in the first round of the UAAP Season 85 high school boys tournament Monday at the Paco Arena.

Jan Macam led the way in the Junior Warriors’ one-hour, 12-minute conquest of the Junior Golden Spikers.

UE rose to 5-1 in a tie with Far Eastern UniversityDiliman, a 25-16, 18-25, 25-19, 25-15 winner over Adamson University.

The Baby Tamaraws settled for second place, as they have fewer match points than the Junior Warriors in the first round.

Defending champion Nazareth School of National

University needed only 43 minutes to beat De La SalleZobel, 25-8, 25-4, 25-8, to level with UST at 4-2.

The Bullpups secured the No. 3 ranking by virtue of superior match points than the Junior Golden Spikers, who settled for fourth.

The Baby Falcons and the Junior Green Spikers ended up in fifth and seventh at 2-4 and 0-6 records, respectively. Ateneo, which drew a Monday bye, had a 1-5 slate in sixth.

Action in the second round begins at 12:30 p.m. on Tuesday at the same Manila venue with the DLSZFEU, Ateneo-NSNU, and Adamson University-UST match-up.

UE drew a bye and will set in motion its second round campaign against NSNU at 8 a.m. on Thursday.

PAL MEN’S INTERCLUB ON. Shown here after the ceremonial tee-o s ushering in the 74th Philippine Airlines Men’s Interclub golf team championships on Sunday are (from left) Dina May Flores of the PAL Interclub executive committee, Cebu Country Club president Jose Soberano, Cebu City Mayor Michael Rama, CCC golf chairman Roberth Booth, Club Filipino de Cebu’s Ellie Espinosa, Club Filipino de Cebu team captain Calvin Gothong and Bong Velasquez, PAL assistant vice president for sales.

Novak Djokovic

IN A recent media conference, Judy Ann Santos admitted that she asked permission from ABS-CBN before she started taping for a series produced by Reality Entertainment whose production is ongoing and is under the helm of award-winning megger Erik Matti

“I called up Tita Cory Vidanes (ABSCBN’s Chief Operating Officer) to inform her that I’m doing a project outside ABS. For me, it’s very important. Even if I don’t have an existing contract with them, I felt that they still needed to know,” she averred.

The popular actress highly values her business relations with the Kapamilya.

“All my life, I’ve been doing all my soap operas with them. This is the first time that I’m doing one outside their umbrella so, I’d feel guilty if I won’t tell the management.”

Santos said that her conversation with Vidanes turned out well. The ABS-CBN executive told her that they appreciated her gesture so much even if she thinks that asking permission from them is not needed.

“I’m the type who doesn’t want to hurt anyone along the way, especially when it comes to work. I believe that it’s not worth stepping on other people’s toes just for the sake of receiving a huge talent fee or something. Not that I’m saying that I have a huge paycheck. It’s just that I feel that you have to give respect to people who made you whole or reach your present stature.”

Santos revealed that she doesn’t have any existing contract with ABS-CBN. Her contract with the Kapamilya ended in 2019.

“When I was doing Starla, I didn’t have a contract with them already. Then, the pandemic struck. They still made me host ‘Paano Kita Mapasasalamatan’ which I’m

BROADCAST media giant, GMA Network, makes all its shows here and abroad available in widescreen format. Flatscreen TV viewers can now enjoy their favorite programs in a wider scope in terms of what can be seen on screen. The 16:9 widescreen format is now made available on GMA and GTV, as well as on digital channels Heart of Asia, Hallypop, I Heart Movies, and Pinoy Hits. Kapuso abroad can have the same viewing experience via GMA international channels GMA Pinoy TV, GMA Life TV, and GMA News TV.

“Recognizing that a majority of TV homes in the country have already shifted to wider flat-screen TVs from the traditional box-type, and more importantly that our viewers deserve the best that we can offer, GMA will now provide its viewers with a true widescreen viewing experience for all its TV channels,” shares GMA Network’s First Vice President and Head of Post Production Paul Ticzon

VILMA SANTOS gears up for movie comeback

TAR for All Seasons Vilma Santos has given her reaction to fans who wish she’d be the next National Artist for Film and Broadcast Arts following the conferment of Superstar as one of the National Artists in 2022.

In a media junket held yesterday for her newest endorsement, Ate Vi, as she is fondly called in showbiz, was positive that if the award was meant for her, things will align for her to receive the highest recognition given to any artist in the industry.

“If it’s meant for you, it’s meant for you. , [that means] it’s not duon sa mga nabigyan Ate Guy, it’s really meant for them. And if I have a space for that [award], darating ang panahon na yan kung para ,” was her response that elicited loud applause from the members

In the same event, the 69-year-old former

Sgovernor and member of the House of Representatives (Batangas’ 6th District) also confirmed that she is doing three film projects this year including a reunion project with Christopher de Leon “We’re leaving anytime this month.

I’m doing a movie with Erik Matti as well. We’ll finalize the script on March 13. And I’m also excited to do another movie for Star Cinema,” she revealed.

“The independently produced film will be shot in Japan and it’s a love story of an OFW. I like this project because it’s a romantic film but it’s for our age,” she added.

Meanwhile, Santos was named the new face of Angkas, a homegrown Filipino motorcycle taxi company. During a press conference, the former public servant said she has been looking forward to this project because it will help uplift and support the country’s motorcycle taxi industry.

This is not the first time Santos is helping push for jobs creation and additional livelihood opportunities. During the 18th Congress where she served as the Representative of the 6th District of Batangas, she served on the Committees on Poverty Alleviation and Labor and Employment

Judy Ann Santos entertains idea of working with other networks

very grateful for considering that I didn’t have a contract with them at that point.

“I can say that contract is not the sole basis of my relationship with my home network for almost three decades. With ABS, I have a very honest and open relationship when it comes to the projects they offer me.”

Interestingly, will she be open to working with other TV networks, especially with GMA-7?

“Well, I’m open to the possibility of working with other networks. There are inquiries but more than anything, my deep relationship with ABS matters. If ever there will be an offer from GMA, I still have to communicate that with ABS.

* * *

Alfred Vargas couldn’t hide his excitement and pride with his new film project opposite Nora Aunor titled Pieta. It will be directed by Adolf Alix, Jr. from a script by Jerry Gracio

“This is a dream come true for me. It is part of my bucket list to work and walk the red carpet with a Superstar and National Artist like Ms. Nora Aunor!” he states.

The actor-politician vows to do his best in this very promising movie.

“Ate Guy and I have already met. It’s heartwarming to know that she chooses her projects wisely and it’s fortunate that she found ‘Pieta’ worth doing. I will do my best here. I will show all my acting skills to the hilt because the Superstar deserves nothing less!”

Alfred didn’t have second thoughts about accepting the project.

“The plot enticed me so much. It’s about an ex-convict and his mother. Wow!

The character I’ll be portraying –the material in general. And when I learned that Ms. Nora Aunor is the female lead, I said, ‘Game!’ It’s hard to let this golden opportunity slip away,” he ends.

facilitates the 16:9 widescreen format delivery through our existing analog and digital terrestrial broadcast network nationwide, as well as re-distribution partners here and abroad,” adds GMA Network’s Senior Vice President and Head of Engineering Group Elvis Ancheta According to Ancheta, the 16:9 widescreen format can display 33 percent more distinct picture information than what viewers are used to seeing with the traditional screen format.

“We have chosen to utilize the full height anamorphic process or FHA to make this possible,” Ancheta further says.

“The 16:9 widescreen format allows content creators of GMA to provide better storytelling which translates to a more immersive viewing experience for our audiences. Through a higher spatial resolution, there is more freedom in composition and visual expression,” Ticzon added.

“GMA Network budgeted over P139 million in capital expenditure for the acquisition of attendant electronics equipment that

GMA gives TV audiences an enhanced viewing experience with this latest format.

The widescreen format further complements the Network’s

where she worked on legislation to address widespread national concerns about unemployment and poverty.

Santos conveyed the practicality of booking an Angkas in various situations.

These include getting home early to spend quality time with family as well as saving on transportation costs since motorcycle taxis are cheaper compared to four wheels, “Masaya talaga ako sa project na ito. Alam kong malaki ang matutulong nito para i-angat ang sektor ng motorcycle taxis sa ating bansa,” the Star for All Seasons said after sharing the teaser video of her project with the press.

Angkas Co-Founder and CEO George Royeca is grateful to Santos for her continued support to help create jobs and livelihood opportunities in the country.

“It is amazing that Ms. Vilma Santos-Recto and Angkas share the same beliefs and hopes for our country in terms of providing jobs for Filipinos and alleviating poverty. Kaabangabang po talaga ang project na ito dahil sigurado akong pag nakita ninyo, mas lalo pa ninyong mamahalin ang ating nag-iisang Star for All Seasons,” Royeca said.

ABSURDIST sci-fi comedy Everything Everywhere All At Once continued its dominance of this year’s Hollywood award shows by earning top honors from the Screen Actors Guild on Sunday. The film about a ChineseAmerican family undergoing a tax audit who end up fighting a universe-hopping supervillain also won best actress for Michelle Yeoh, best supporting actor for Ke Huy Quan, and best supporting actress for Jamie Lee Curtis

The movie’s 94-year-old patriarch James stole the show at Sunday’s gala, collecting the night’s final prize of best cast in a motion picture – the star-studded ceremony’s equivalent of best film. The SAG prizes from the actors’ union round out a month in which Everything Everywhere has won best film from directors’ and producers’ groups too, making it firm favorite for the Oscars next month.

Voted on by more than 120,000 members of Hollywood’s acting union, the SAG awards are an important precursor for the Academy Awards, whose largest voting bloc is also actors. The Oscars will take place this year on March 12.

Other winners from the mainly Asian cast of Everything Everywhere also referred to Hollywood’s long struggle with diversity.

“This isn’t just for me, this is for every little girl who looks like me,” said Yeoh. Brendan Fraser, who won best lead actor, was the only performer from a film other than Everything Everywhere to win a movie prize Sunday.

Fraser, one of Hollywood’s biggest stars in the late 1990s and early 2000s with hits like The Mummy, endured a long fallow period, before being cast as a morbidly obese teacher in The Whale

In the television sections, The White Lotus won the top drama prize, and Abbott Elementary was named best comedy ensemble. AFP

iWantTFC is putting the spotlight on women empowerment to celebrate Women’s Month with a special selection of movies and series that are streaming for free this March.

In the special selection titled “In Celebration of International Women’s Day,” viewers can follow the inspiring journeys of how the strong female characters played by Cherry Pie Picache, Angel Aquino, Lovi Poe, and Janine Gutierrez exemplify their womanhood, grit, selflessness, and resiliency by streaming their series such as Call Me Tita and Sleep with Me, and movies Glorious and Malaya

Some of the most remarkable performances of stellar actresses Bea Alonzo, Angelica Panganiban, Bela Padilla, and Angel Locsin are also featured in the “Queens of Philippine Movies” selection. Learn how to mend a broken heart or how to be independent in love by streaming The Unmarried Wife, One More Chance, Camp Sawi, and Unofficially Yours, among others. Additionally, the “Movies by Female Directors” collection highlights the acclaimed work of the likes of Olivia Lamasan, Antoinette Jadaone, Mae Cruz-Alviar, and Cathy Garcia-Molina. Among their well-loved movies available on iWantTFC are Milan, That Thing Called Tadhana, She’s The One, and Hello, Love, Goodbye

In the Philippines, viewers can get easy access to iWantTFC’s content library with its “watch now, no registration needed” feature. In other select countries, watch iWantTFC on a larger screen with select devices, including VEWD, ROKU, and Amazon Fire streaming devices, Android TV, select Samsung Smart TV models, Telstra TV (in Australia), and VIDAA.

The widescreen format further complements the Network’s cutting-edge shows, such as the award-winning public affairs program 'Kapuso Mo, Jessica Soho'

Vilma Santos (left) with Angkas Co-Founder and CEO George Royeca

PREMIER brand Hoka, an athletic shoe company that originated in Annecy, France, finally opened its first concept store in the Philippines.

With established stores in the UK and USA, Hoka has been pursuing its plans of global expansion by setting up stores in Singapore, South Korea, Indonesia, and now in the Philippines.

More than a shop, it has become a hub for hardcore and leisure runners. Known to be highly cushioned, amazingly lightweight, and impressively breathable, Hoka has been making waves in the running community, both for professional and recreational runners for their comfortable fit and support.

Top athletic shoe company opens first concept store in PH

Patrons can now enjoy running, jogging, or even their casual walks around town like Bella Hadid, Adam Sandler, Britney Spears, Gwyneth Palthrow, Cameron Diaz, and Reese Witherspoon Located at Ayala Malls Manila Bay (2nd Floor, Bldg B), the store houses the fashion-forward shoes and apparel the brand is known for.

Moved by its line #flyhumanfly campaign, the Hoka store offers a unique experience of this high-performing brand. Choose from the wide array of shoe models they offer; catego-

The Carbon X3 from Hoka features a specially-engineered carbon fiber plate and an aggressive Meta-Rocker for a more empowered run

rized into SKY, GLIDE, and FLY. Each with unique features and purposes to fulfill. At the store, shoppers will be greeted by Hoka specialists, ready to answer questions. They could also help shippers know more about their feet, their movement, and which Hoka model suits them best.

There’s an available feet scanner and gait analysis (treadmill) in the store so shoppers can get to try the shoes before purchasing. They can also complete their look with the equally stylish Hoka apparel and accessories displayed in the store. There’s a wide range of products shoppers can choose from to help complement both their lifestyle and running experience.

Globe, Rotary Club of Makati Business District seal partnership for Hapag Movement

HSMA eyes robust PH tourism in 2023

By Patricia Taculao

AFTER two years of being confined indoors and a year of revenge travels across the globe, the Philippine Department of Tourism (DOT) announced that the country welcomed more than two million foreign tourists in 2022. As restrictions continue to ease this year, the DOT hopes to revitalize the tourism and hospitality sector.

Newly-elected Hotel Sales and Marketing Association (HSMA)

Philippines President Loleth So (Belmont & Savoy Hotel Manila Area Director of Sales and Marketing) is optimistic that there’ll be continuous growth in the industry within the year.

“Domestic tourism is very strong right now. Although inbound, I would say, is starting to come in. It’s not as strong as pre-pandemic levels yet. But we are hopeful,” the HSMA President for 2023 to 2024 said.

This year, they’re focusing on driving revenues toward their hotels and resorts while building a sense of community among their members. So shared that the tourism industry is an immense sector, with the hotel only a minimal part of the equation, which is why the HSMA and its members must work together.

Coincidentally, the pandemic prompted hotels and travel agencies to focus on the domestic market, which supported the industry.

“Based on our January numbers, we’ve already gone over pre-pandemic levels. That’s how positive it’s looking,” So shared.

HSMA’s first revenue-generating event for 2023 is the Philippine Tour Operators Association-Hotel Sales and Marketing Association Travel Exchange (PHILTOA-HSMA TravEx) on March 28 and 29. The two-day event features over 150 HSMA properties

engaging in tabletop business with more than 100 PHILTOA members to boost domestic travel through destinations and services.

Travelers can also look forward to HSMA’s signature event, the September Online Sale (SOS), which is the organization’s response to the impact of the pandemic on travel and tourism in 2020. So promises a more holistic experience for travelers as SOS is now open to HSMA’s operators and airlines.

Also leading the charge alongside So

is HSMA Chair Margarita Munsayac (Bluewater Resorts VP of Sales and Marketing) and newly-elected members, including Vice President Cristina Carreon (Manila Marriott’s Marketing Director of Sales and Distribution), Secretary Amie Villena (Four Points Sheraton Palawan Director for Sales and Marketing), Treasurer Desiree Rose de Guzman (Astoria Hotels and Resorts Corporate Director of Sales and Marketing), Public Relations Director Cielo Reboredo

(Okada Manila Vice President of Sales and Marketing, Hospitality and Entertainment), Director for Membership Tet Romualdo (General Manager of the Linden Suites), Director for Education Lynette Ermac (Megaworld Hotels and Resorts Group Director of Sales and Marketing), Director for Ways and Means Wenie Maligaya (Newport World Resorts’ Director of Sales and Marketing), and Director for Programs Jennylyn Santillan (City of Dreams Manila Director of Sales and Marketing).

The HSMA is a premier organization of hotel sales and marketing leaders in the Philippines, composed of heads of sales and marketing executives of accredited hospitality properties in the country. It currently has 150 members nationwide.

With HSMA’s innovative ideas and persistence in keeping Philippine tourism globally competitive, 2023 might just be the year for domestic tourism to promote local culture.

LEADING digital solutions platform Globe signed a four-year partnership with the Rotary Club of Makati Business District (RCMBD) on Tuesday to raise funds for its hunger alleviation program The Hapag Movement, marking a milestone in the initiative.

In ceremonies at The Globe Tower in BGC, Taguig City, Globe Group Chief Sustainability and Corporate Communications Officer Yoly Crisanto, Rotary Club of Makati Business District (RCMBD) Charter President Mache Torres Ackerman, and Rachel Harisson Spokesperson and Hapag Movement Project Manager for RCMBD sealed the partnership, along with Kate Bellosillo, General Manager of Kyäni Philippines, a health and wellness company, and renowned chef Jessie Sincioco, President and CEO of The Manna Cuisine Corporation.

RCMBD committed to raise a total P10 million in funds for the Hapag Movement through various initiatives involving the different Rotary Clubs and its District, individual, and corporate members nationwide. With its commitment, the club is now one of Hapag Movement’s longest-term fundraising partners.

At the event P3 million was turned over to the Hapag Movement– the single largest donation it has so far received. This amount includes P1 million each from RCMBD, Kyäni, and Ackerman, who made the donation in her personal capacity.

“It has been three years since the pandemic struck and disrupted our way of life, including our livelihoods. Millions of Filipinos experience involuntary hunger until today, as they reel from the impact of the health crisis and recent economic shocks. Our partnership with

Rotary comes at a crucial time as we hope to support more Filipinos in dire need. Together, we’ll be able to deliver life-enabling help to our kababayans,” said Crisanto.

“The Hapag Movement, led by Globe, is a noble initiative that aims to address a lingering and fundamental problem afflicting thousands of Filipino families. Its goals are aligned with the Rotary’s mission to advance better health and help alleviate poverty, and so it was such a natural choice for us and our district membership to support,” said Ackerman. Under the partnership, the Rotary chapter will be tapping its corporate and individual members, alongside their vast network as drivers of the program.

The Rotary Club of Makati Business District chapter is also tapping Rotary members in Cebu and Davao to help drive fundraising efforts in the Visayas and Mindanao, through Eric Le Cain, past RCMBD president who is now based in Cebu, and Ralph Ogui Bon Cambronero from Rotary Club, Davao. Together, they will push the Hapag Movement in the South.

The Hapag Movement is a united fight against involuntary hunger led by Globe that leverages partnerships to raise funds and deliver critical support for affected families. It aims to rally Filipinos behind a collective effort to feed the hungry and provide empowering livelihood training, as an estimated 15 million Filipinos continue to suffer from involuntary hunger.

The initiative, which aims to benefit 100,000 families through its four-year course, is in line with Globe’s commitment to the United Nations Sustainable Development Goals, particularly UN SDG No. 9, which highlights the roles of infrastructure and innovation as crucial drivers of economic growth and development.

COS, Linda Farrow launch debut eyewear collab

COS celebrates the launch of sunglasses for the first time in the Philippines through a pioneering collaboration with eyewear designer Linda Farrow – offering a collection that delivers an iconic array of styles for now and forever.

Established in 1970, Linda Farrow eyewear rose quickly to acclaim. A pioneer in showcasing glasses as true fashion accessories, Linda Farrow redefined

eyewear, tirelessly experimenting with new shapes and styles that later became classic designs. Co-creating an iconic new range for the modern woman, Linda Farrow’s renowned expertise as an iconic maker is translated through the lens of COS.

The nine-piece collection is a harmonious expression of craftsmanship, representing an understated approach to luxury. Paying close attention to detail, the collection contains five iconic styles, from aviator to wayfarer which elevate the everyday. Featuring cut-outs, gold accents, and a spin on contemporary color ranges, unwavering quality sits at the forefront of design while all lenses provide 100 percent UV protection.

The collection is available globally on cos. com and in the COS Store at SM Aura for a limited time only.

The HSMA hopes to strengthen domestic tourism this 2023

Luzon

The Hapag Movement is a noble initiative that addresses a lingering and fundamental problem afflicting thousands of Filipino families

The nine-piece collection is a harmonious expression of craftsmanship

The collection is a pioneering collaboration with eyewear designer Linda Farrow

Hoka offers comfortable fit and support for runners