Manila Standard - 2023 March 7 - Tuesday

FEB. INFLATION LIKELY HIT 8.9%, SAYS MOODY’S

PPPBM: Degamo’s

BBM:Degamo’sslaypolitical

By Vince Lopez, Rey E. Requejo, and Maricel V. Cruz

PRESIDENT Ferdinand Marcos Jr. on Monday declared the March 4 murder of Negros Oriental Gov. Roel Degamo as “purely political” even as he ordered the police to dismantle private armies and round up all illegal firearms in hotspots around the country.

Degamo and eight other people were killed when gunmen fired on them at the governor’s house in Pamplona town as he was handing out assistance to poor families.

“The killing of Governor Degamo is entirely unacceptable, and it will not

stand. This cannot go unpunished,” the President said. Unlike other recent attacks on politicians where the motives were unclear, he said the murder of Degamo — a campaign ally during his presidential run in

Speaker says normalcy restored in Negros Or., Senate sets probe

By Maricel V. Cruz and Macon Ramos-Araneta

SPEAKER Martin G. Romualdez on Monday said that normalcy has been restored in Negros Oriental, which was gripped by tension following the assassi-

nation of Gov. Roel Degamo on Saturday.

Romualdez assured the public that the local government is in full control of the situation and that the delivery of government services is not disrupted.

“We have restored peace and order

Cops file murder raps vs. suspects in ambush on Gov. Adiong’s group

By Charles Dantes

MURDER and frustrated murder raps have been filed against several suspects in the ambush on the convoy of Lanao del Sur Governor Mamintal Alonto Adiong Jr., Philippine National Police chief Gen. Rodolfo Azurin Jr. said Monday.

Azurin said the case is now considered “cleared.”

“On March 2, 2023, SITG ‘Gov Adiong’ filed criminal complaints for four counts of murder, three counts frustrated murder, and multiple attempted murder against several sus-

By Joel E. Zurbano,

Vito Barcelo, and Vince Lopez

AS A nationwide transport strike got underway on Monday to protest the

government’s program to modernize public utility vehicles (PUVs), protesters claimed they were able to paralyze some routes in Metro Manila, even as the Palace and its agencies down-

played their impact across the country. Hundreds of commuters still had to wait longer in line for fewer jeepneys, as the Pinagkaisang Samahan ng mga

House passes resolution calling for ‘con-con’ mode for ‘Cha-cha’

By Maricel V. Cruz

tanker located off Mindoro

By Willie Casas and Maricel Cruz

THE Department of Environment and Natural Resources said it may have already located the sunken tanker, MT Princess Empress, that is leaking indus-

trial fuel and threatening nearby areas in Oriental Mindoro and the Visayas.

“We are pleased to report that through the efforts of BRP Hydrographer Ventura, we may have detected

PANAGBENGA BLAST. Fireworks erupt above Baguio City’s so-called ‘three corners’ -- Baguio City Hall, Baguio Country Club, and SM Mall Baguio – on Sunday night to mark the end of the monthlong Panagbenga Flower Festival, the first live celebration after the COVID-19 pandemic. Dave Leprozo

Bato eyes probe on ‘reward drugs’

By Macon Ramos-Araneta, Vince Lopez and Joel Zurbano

SENATOR Ronald Dela Rosa has filed a resolution seeking to investigate reports that the Philippine Drug Enforcement Agency has been giving 30 percent of confiscated drugs to assets or informants as reward for successful seizures.

In filing Senate Resolution No. 508, Dela Rosa said he wants his public order committee to conduct a hearing on the issue.

Dela Rosa recalled that during the House Committee on Dangerous Drugs public hearing, the new modus was revealed by PDEA Director Gen. Moro Virgilio Lazo.

Lazo said instead of paying cash re-

Seafarers oppose escrow provision in Magna Carta

A GROUP of Filipino seafarers yesterday expressed strong opposition to an escrow provision in the proposed Magna Carta for seafarers, saying the provision is “anti-seaman.”

Jacinto Rivera, spokesperson for the Association of Marine Officers and Ratings Inc. (AMOR Seaman) said the provision states that any monetary award for a sick or deceased seaman from the National Labor Relations Commission (NLRC) or National Conciliation and Mediation Board (NCMB) will not be immediately available to the seaman winning the case.

“The AMOR Seaman strongly opposes the proposal to put the monetary award that has already been won in the NLRC or the NCMB into the ESCROW account,” Rivera said.

“It will be placed in an escrow bank account while the case is in the Court of Appeals and up to the Supreme Court. Disability or death benefits can only be obtained if there has been a final decision in the Supreme Court which usually takes five to ten years,” he said.

Rivera also said the group strongly believes the provision regarding escrow is “pro-employers,” “pro-manning agencies,” “pro-ship employers,” and “pro-ship owners.”

The group said the escrow provision will put seafarers at a disadvantage and discourage them from filing claims for disability or death benefits because of the number of years they’ll have to wait before they can win the case.

“Where will they get the money to spend on the case, their medical treatment, and the food for their family while waiting for the outcome of the case?” Rivera said.

ward, PDEA gave informants or assets 30 percent of the total seized illegal drugs.

Dela Rosa branded as “disturbing” the alleged new policy of PDEA.

“This alleged new policy of PDEA is disturbing as this perpetuates the circulation of illegal drugs in the streets by the government agency that is tasked to fight against illegal drugs,” Dela Rosa said in his resolution.

“To continue our relentless fight against illegal drugs, there is a need to

PBBM:... From A1

2022 — was “purely political.”

“The usual thing to do there is to look for illegal firearms,” Mr. Marcos said.

“As long as there are… illegal firearms, there will be few such crimes. Those private armies -- [we] really [need to] dismantle all that.”

Meanwhile, Negros Oriental 3rd District Rep. Arnolfo Teves Jr. said Degamo’s killers were probably known to the people in the area, pointing to a video circulating on the internet that showed a dog not barking when the killers entered the area.

Teves, a political rival of Degamo, expects to be implicated in the assassination.

“How were the killers able to enter that easily, or rather, how were they let inside? Based on my personal analysis, it’s as if the people at the gate knew them, that’s why they were able to enter with no resistance,” said the congressman and brother of Henry Teves, the one declared winner in the previous election but was later unseated as governor in favor of Degamo.

“Even the dog knew the intruders. How could I say that the dog knew them? Look at the actions of the dog in the video. It didn’t even bark and instead wagged its tail,” he added.

“You know, this is what I’ve long

ensure that such fight must be imbued with integrity and honor, without compromising the values that our institutions and agencies stand for,” he added.

Meanwhile, PDEA agents have seized at least P592 million worth of illegal drugs in the first month of the year.

In its operational assessment report submitted to Malacanang and released on Monday, the agency also reported the arrest of 4,499 drug personalities and the filing of 7,720 drug cases.

Among narcotics seized during PDEA operations were shabu worth P403.4 million; cocaine powder, P15.9 million; ecstasy tablets, P19.9 million; kush, PHP19.8 million; and millions worth of marijuana in the form of dried leaves, bricks, plants, and stalks.

feared. Why? I expected to be implicated in this,” Teves said in a video message posted Monday morning, March 6, referring to Degamo’s death.

Citing his “many sources of intel,” Teves, who is out of the country for medical reasons, said someone was trying to pin him with the governor’s killing.

“Now I’ve just learned that some people out there want to pin me down. Maybe some of these just want to seek attention or want to be famous for their own benefit. I’m not pointing to anybody in particular, but you know who you are,” he said.

Former presidential chief legal counsel Salvador Panelo said the government must declare war on criminality in the wake of the recent attacks on local officials, saying “there appears to be a breakdown of law and order in places where the political feud is at its bloodiest.”

“The prime duty of the government is to serve and to protect the people. Let the people feel that service and protection,” he added.

The Philippine National Police (PNP) earlier said it is getting closer to identifying those behind the bloodbath in Degamo’s house.

PNP chief Gen. Rodolfo Azurin Jr. said four suspects have expressed willingness to cooperate with investigators.

The Department of Justice on Monday said complaints for multi-

Adiong’s staff, Ali Macapado Tabao, was also hurt in the attack.

pects before the Office of the Provincial Prosecutor, Samsodin Bedar, in Marawi City,” he said in a press briefing.

Azurin said Adiong was “already out of danger.”

Four of Adiong’s companions were killed when their convoy was ambushed on February 17 in Bukidnon.

ergy (DOE) for a three-year pilot program where Shell could deploy more Shell Recharge electric vehicle charging stations powered with renewable energy from SEPH.

Local oil firms raised the price of diesel by P1.50 per liter, kerosene by P1.25 per liter, and gasoline by P0.40 per liter.

Seaoil Philippines, Chevron Philippines, Jetti Petroleum, PetroGazz, and Cleanfuel issued separate advisories for their latest price hike. Other oil firms are expected to follow suit.

DOE director Rodela Romero last week predicted the oil price hike “due to a sign of a strong economic rebound of top crude importer, China; and easing worries of aggressive US interest rate increases.”

“Add also Russia’s plan to deepen oil production cut,” Romero said.

On Feb. 28, the country’s oil firms cut the price of kerosene by P1.80 per liter, diesel by P1.30 per liter, and gasoline by P0.70 per liter.

in Negros Oriental,” Romualdez said.

“The local government is fully functional and in control of the situation with the swearing-in of the new governor and vice-governor. The PNP, AFP, NBI and all law enforcement agencies are tasked to provide all assistance necessary for the new officials to carry out their functions,” Romualdez said.

He added that investigators were working round the clock to build up the case against the attackers and said it would not be long before all the gunmen are arrested.

“There will be no sacred cows in our fight against criminality,” he said.

the possible site where the vessel is actually located. That site is about 1,200 feet or approximately 400 meters below sea level,” the DENR said in its latest advisory.

It said the sunken tanker is located

Tsuper at Operator Nationwide (PISTON) reported that by midmorning, no jeepneys and UV Express services were plying routes from Malabon and Caloocan in the north to Las Pinas in the south, with passengers in Manila, Pasig, Pasay, Rizal, Cavite, and Laguna affected.

“The success of the strike is not measured on the extent of the mobilization,

Azurin reassured the public that the PNP is on top of the peace and safety situation as he downplayed the string of attacks on local executives as “isolated cases.”

He said the incidents that happened in the past weeks have no connection with each other and no pieces of evidence have been found to link them all.

The PNP chief also noted a decline of almost 20 percent in recorded crimes in

Meanwhile, Senator Francis Escudero said the government should distribute the P5.22-billion intelligence fund among several agencies to bring down gun-for-hire syndicates.

Degamo’s assassination, he said, was among the many signs that killing-forhire has become a cottage industry. He said an all-out war against the syndicates using the full might of intelligence funds can deter similar crimes.

“Only with the identification and dismantling of groups of hired killers can assassinations be stopped,” Escudero said.

Senator Risa Hontiveros filed a resolution calling for an investigation into the series of political killings in recent weeks.

Senate Resolution No. 518 stated that it was not the first time in the province,

about northeast of Pola, Oriental Mindoro but it is believed to have moved southeast from its last known position where it completely submerged. “This will, however, require verification which will be in the form of deployment of a remotely-operated vehicle (ROV) which will allow us to complete visualization should the currents and weather permit it. We

but the legitimate issue that the drivers and operators are presenting,” PISTON president Mody Floranda told reporters as their members joined drivers and operators from the group Manibela, counting around 100,000 nationwide.

On its Facebook page, Manibela said in Filipino: “We will push through with the second day of our strike today (Tuesday)! We feel that will be our last day (to protest) as they will be forced to talk to us, and we will win our fight (against PUV modernization). No to phaseout!”

PDEA data also showed shabu and marijuana are the two most frequently abused drugs in the country, with 4,258, or 94.6 percent of arrests shaburelated and 240 or 5.3 percent marijuana-related.

As this developed, government agents assigned at the Ninoy Aquino International Airport have intercepted smuggled shipments of ecstasy, shabu and kush worth more than P25 million from France and the United States.

A composite team from the Port of NAIA, PDEA and NAIA Inter-Agency Drug Interdiction Task Group foiled the smuggling attempts at the DHL warehouse, Central Mail Exchange Center, and Peoples Air Cargo Warehouse in Pasay City.

ple murders and illegal possession of firearms, ammunition and explosives have been filed against three of the suspects arrested in connection with Degamo’s assassination.

In a joint press conference, Justice Undersecretary Nicholas Felix Ty and Interior Secretary Benjamin Abalos Jr. said charges were filed against Joven Javier, Joric Labrador, and Benjie Rodriguez, who were arrested by police and Army troopers hours after the attack on Degamo.

They were found to be in possession of several high-powered rifles, a rocket launcher, ammunition, and explosives.

Complaints for violation of the Comprehensive Firearms and Ammunition Regulations Act and illegal possession of firearms and explosives were filed before the Office of the City Prosecutor in Bayawan City while the multiple murder complaints, for inquest, were lodged before the Office of the Provincial Prosecutor of Negros Oriental.

Charges were also filed for the injuries sustained by 16 people in the attack.

More charges are expected to be filed, Ty said, as DOJ will take over the cases from the local prosecutor.

He said the DOJ is working with the Philippine National Police and the Department of the Interior and Local Government for the transfer of the respondents to Metro Manila for protective custody.

the first two months of 2023 compared to the same period in 2022.

“Despite these recent shooting incidents involving elective government officials, in separate locations, there is no evidence that these incidents are connected with each other,” he said.

“From all indications, all these incidents stemmed from peculiar motivations of the assailants and does not reflect the whole peace and order situation in the country,” Azurin added.

citing a week-long killing spree in Negros Oriental in 2019.

“The violence happened in broad daylight. They have no shame nor fear. Even more disturbing, uniformed personnel are complicit or actively involved. This culture of impunity is a grave danger to the public,” she said.

Hontiveros also mentioned the attempted assassinations on Cagayan

Vice Mayor Rommel Almeda, Lanao del Sur Governor Mamintal Adiong Jr., and Mayor Ohto Caumbo Montawal of Datu Montawal, Maguindanao del Sur; and the killings of former Quezon vice mayor Danilo Amat, former Lobo, Batangas vice mayor Romeo Sulit, and former Lamitan City, Basilan mayor Rosita Furigay.

are now preparing to access an ROV in order to fully determine where the vessel actually is and to completely model the way the oil will be spilling from the vessel,” the DENR said.

Meanwhile, some of the residents in Oriental Mindoro are experiencing symptoms that can be associated with the recent oil spill, the Department of Health said Monday.

Marcos: KALAP to help produce profit for farmers

PRESIDENT Ferdinand R. Marcos Jr. on Monday lauded the Kapatid Angat Lahat for Agriculture Program (KALAP), saying this will help farmers and micro, small and medium enterprises (MSMEs) become “productive, profitable, sustainable and globally-competitive.”

He made this remark after witnessing the ceremonial signing of the memorandum of agreement (MOA) between the government and private sector on the implementation of KALAP at the Ceremonial Hall at Malacañan Palace.

The MOA was signed by officials of the Department of Agriculture, Department of the Interior and Local Government, Department of Environment and Natural resources, Department of Trade and Industry with heads of Go Negosyo, the National Tobacco Authority, Philippine Coconut Authority, National Irrigation Administration and National Commission on Indigenous Peoples.

In his speech, Marcos underscored the importance of public-private partnerships to address problems in the country’s agriculture and MSMEs sector.

“I have always said that in the difficulties that we are facing ahead, there is no sector of society that can manage the recovery by itself, and it cannot be done unless the different sectors of the society are working together and trying to implement a plan with a common understanding of what is needed to be done, with a common understanding of what people need, without forgetting every part of that sector or that area of the economy,” he said.

Vince Lopez

House...

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About 301 congressmen voted “yes” to the measure, against six “no” votes and one abstention.

According to Speaker Martin Romualdez, a principal author of the Resolution of Both Houses 6, lawmakers aim to limit the Charter rewriting initiative to the “restrictive” economic provisions of the basic law “in the hope that the changes would pave the way for the country to attract more foreign investments.”

“We need additional investments that would create more job and income opportunities for our people. We need increased capital to sustain our economic growth momentum,” he said.

The Speaker said reforms by way of tweaking the Constitution’s economic provisions could be the “final piece in the puzzle” of improving the country’s economic and investment environment.

The committee on constitutional amendments endorsed RBH No. 6 after conducting extensive public hearings and consultations in Luzon, Visayas and Mindanao.

Through the resolution, the House and the Senate resolve to call a con-con “for the purpose of proposing amendments to the economic provisions, or revision of, the 1987 Constitution.”

The resolution noted that among the three modes of proposing amendments to the Charter, the calling of a convention “would be the most transparent, exhaustive, democratic, and least divisive means of implementing constitutional reforms.”

DOH officer-in-charge Maria Rosario Vergeire said that while only a couple of residents have shown symptoms, the health hazards posed by the oil spill are undeniable.

“We’ve noted these kinds of symptoms already. Stomachache, vomiting, heightened heart rate, difficulty in breathing, nausea, coughing, and aggravated asthma,” she said.

But the Metropolitan Manila Development Authority (MMDA) said the drivers and operators failed to paralyze the transport system in the National Capital Region during the first day of their week-long protest against the phaseout of traditional jeepneys. MMDA Chairman Romando Artes said the protest had a minimal effect on the commuters on Monday. He attributed this to the government’s contingency measures in place to counter the effects of the strike.

The Land Transportation Franchise and Regulatory Board (LTFRB) also said the transport strike affected only 10 percent of the routes in Metro Manila.

In a press briefing at the LTFRB office in East Avenue, Quezon City, LTFRB Technical Division chief Joel Bolano said rescue buses and Libreng Sakay vehicles provided by different government agencies have been deployed in areas affected by the transport strike.

Another region with a similar situation to NCR is Region 4A, which was moder-

ately affected by the transport strike. In total, he said about 5 percent of transport routes nationwide have been affected by the strike.

“The President, through the Office of the Executive Secretary, organized this Inter-Agency Monitoring Team in response to the transport strike. Because of the unified efforts of concerned agencies, we were able to prepare and address the needs of the riding public,” said Artes, during a press briefing held in MMDA headquarters on Monday afternoon.

PCG: Chinese vessels ‘lingering’ in Pag-asa

THE Philippine Coast Guard (PCG) reported that about 42 Chinese maritime militia vessels lingered near Pag-asa Island on Monday after first being spotted in the area this weekend.

The vessels, first seen in the area on Saturday morning, were estimated at a distance of 4.5 to 8 nautical miles from the islands, the PCG, quoted by ABS-CBN News, said.

Commodore Jay Tarriela, PCG spokesperson for the West Philippine Sea, quoted by the report, said the vessels “are still there in the vicinity of Pag-asa, they haven’t left. In the videos, you can seen the Chinese maritime militia vessels anchored there despite the strong current and big waves. That’s all they’re doing these past days.”

Based on the 1982 United Nations Convention on the Law of the Sea (UNCLOS) and the 2016 South China Sea Arbitral Award, the observed location of the Chinese vessels is within Pag-asa Island’s 12-nautical mile territorial sea.

The PCG said that the vessels’presence in the area was a form of harassment.

“For PCG, we have sovereignty over the territorial sea around Pag-asa Island. The presence of these Chinese vessels... is a form of harassment of our sovereignty. They are doing nothing there,” the official further said.

BI: No-leave policy during Holy Week

THE Bureau of Immigration (BI) will be enforcing a no-leave policy for its employees this coming Holy Week break to ensure that adequate officers are available to serve the traveling public.

Immigration Commissioner Norman Tansingco said the ban on leaves, which starts on March 24 and ends on April 15, applies to BI employees assigned at the Ninoy Aquino International Airport (NAIA) and all the other international ports nationwide.

Tansingco said that during the said period all applications for vacation leaves and applications for authority to travel abroad by any BI employee assigned at the ports will not be entertained nor approved.

“We are constrained to implement this leave ban to make sure that our service to the traveling public are not interrupted or compromised during the Lenten break when there will surely be a sharp upsurge in the number of passengers who will enter and exit the country,” the BI chief stressed.

He added that the influx of international passengers is not only expected at the NAIA but in the other major ports such as Mactan, Clark and Kalibo. “We have to see to it that our immigration booths at the airports are fully manned in order to cope with the long queues of passengers who will be arriving from or leaving for abroad to spend time with their families and relatives,” Tansingco said. Vito Barcelo

Saudi OFWs with back pay set to get P10k ‘humanitarian aid’ each – DMW

By Angelica Villanueva

THE Department of Migrant Workers (DMW) announced on Monday that overseas Filipino workers (OFWs) who are claiming back wages from the Kingdom of Saudi Arabia are set to receive a P10,000 humanitarian package each.

Migrant Workers Secretary Susan ‘Toots’ Ople said in a statement that the financial aid will be funded through a joint undertaking between the DMW and its agency, Overseas Workers’ Welfare Administration (OWWA), and the Department of Social Welfare and

Development (DSWD). Based on OWWA records, an estimated 10,000 workers will be covered by the assistance of the government agencies which will each fund an amount of P5,000. A total of P50 million will be allotted by each agency to fund the aid for the claimants.

Since the bankruptcy of many Saudi construction firms in 2015 and 2016, more than 100 claimants have passed away while waiting to collect the accumulated back wages, according to the DMW.

President Ferdinand Marcos Jr. has tasked Ople to make full use of prudent diplomacy in discussing with the Saudi government the issue of unpaid back wages.

The government is committed to extending the financial assistance needed to the unpaid OFWs while waiting for the talks between the two governments set for this month.

Meanwhile, Ople thanked DSWD

Secretary Rex Gatchalian for extending assistance to the Saudi-based workers. She also said that the humanitarian package was approved during their meeting with the OWWA Board of Trustees.

OWWA Administrator Arnell Ignacio said that they will soon issue the implementing guidelines for the release of the funds.

The grant will be released directly to the claimants.

“OWWA has sufficient funds for this humanitarian program, and we are ready to help the claimants, as we have done in the past,” he said.

Hazing suspects to be included in immigration list

By Charles Dantes and Rio N. Araja

THE Philippine National Police (PNP) is seeking the assistance of the Department of Justice (DOJ) to place on the immigration watchlist the hazing suspects in the death of Adamson University student John Matthew Salilig.

PNP Chief Rodolfo Azurin, Jr., on Monday, said the PNP has formally requested to place the suspects in the immigration lookout to prevent those involved from fleeing the country.

“We already coordinated with the DOJ to put these suspects on the watchlist so that at least the Immigration will be alerted just in case these people try to flee outside our country,” Azurin said.

As of today, 18 people are considered persons of interest in the hazing of Salilig. Seven of them are under police custody and one of them allegedly committed suicide, according to reports from the Laguna police.

In another hazing case, the National Bureau of Investigation (NBI) on Monday meanwhile assured the Public Attorney’s Office (PAO) that it will conduct a fullblown investigation and digital forensics into the death of a 20-year-old student, supposedly a hazing victim in Cebu.

FREE RIDE IN MANILA. Manila Mayor Honey Lacuna and Manila Police District (MPD) director Brig. Gen. Andre Dizon lead the deployment of hundreds of vehicles that will provide free rides to commuters on Monday, the first day of a weeklong jeepney strike. At least 100,000 jeepney drivers and operators across the country began their strike today. Norman Cruz.

OPINION

Need to correct Philippine history

Other revolutionaries from Mindanao were likewise given honors and benefits by the Americans later on .

I believe that in fairness and in justice to the Mindanaon revolutionaries, history must be corrected by President Marcos Jr.’s administration in recognition of national heroes from Mindanao to be proclaimed as such.

Checking the culture of criminality

HAVE you ever wondered why our national heroes as written in history books all come from Luzon? Well, I have. Santa Banana! When I was teaching history to Ateneo de Manila students in the 50s, I used to remind my students that it appeared to me there were only national heroes from Luzon and nobody from the Visayas and Mindanao.

And the reason for this was all historians were from Luzon.

It’s for this reason that Cagayan de Oro

Representative Rufus Rodriguez filed a bill in the House of Representatives that a great injustice was done to Mindanaoans which must be corrected, filing House Bill 1461 to correct history, which would also recognize 12 revolutionaries from Mindanao who fought the Spanish and American colonizers.

The bill of Rodriguez proposed the Mindanao Heroes Declaration Act be enacted to correct the bias against the heroes from different regions of Mindanao who struggled and fought the colonizers.

Rodriguez listed them as follow: From CDO City and Misamis Oriental, General Nicolas Capistrano, Colonel Apolinar Velez, Captain Vicente Roa; From Misamis Occidental: Rufino Deloso, Simeon Ledesma, Capitan Daligdig;

Now that Ongpin is dead, it will have to be a posthumous acknowledgment

From Surigao: Simeon Gonzales, Wenceslao

Gonzales; From Zamboanga: General Vicente

Alvarez; From Cotabato: Datu Uto, Datu Ali ;

From Marawi: Amai Pakpak.

No doubt about it. My gulay, were it not for the “revolutionarios” from Mindanao, the Katipuneros from Luzon would have had to fight in full force the Spanish army only on the island of Luzon and also the full force of the American army only in Luzon.

But, with the revolutionaries from Mindanao, the American forces had to be dispersed also to fight in Mindanao.

Thus, for the sake of truth and for history, the Rodriguez bill should be prioritized not only for the sake of truth, but also to do justice to a lot of Mindanaoans who died so that the country would be free.

I am particularly interested in General

Nicolas Capistrano, the paternal grandfather of my wife, Trinidad Kapunan Capistrano.

My wife told me when she was a child, her family who were then living in Cotabato, used to go on vacations to Cagayan de Oro to visit her grandfather, an hacendero who lived in a mansion by the sea at Gusa.

My wife could never forget that when a big gong sounded, people would be trekking foot down from the hills nearby to have lunch cooked in big vats, and seeing her grandfather on horseback coming down from the hills.

Her grandfather was married to a mestiza, Cecila Castaneda, who she remembered was called “ La Estrella del Quiapo ‘’ and whose family lived in Evangelista, Quiapo.

Soon enough , after the Philippine-American Revolution, when Filipinos were given their birthright as Filipinos, her grandfather became a senator in the first Philippine assembly and later became a judge.

I am recounting this not for me to glorify my wife’s grandfather, but to rectify history.

In recognition of the revolutionaries from Mindanao, the Americans, I was told, gave them extra benefits. My gulay, a street in Cagayan de Oro City was even named after General Nicolas Capistrano.

EvEryman

By Edmund S. Tayao

LET’S say, finally, the House of Representatives and the Senate find enough reason and fortuitously agree to proceed with Constitutional amendments, what amendments should we now consider?

Some are of the thinking we should only amend the economic provisions and avoid political issues altogether.

This was the approach during the time of then President Joseph Estrada, amplified by the administration’s initiative being named

Constitutional Correction for Development or CONCORD.

Focusing on the economic provisions obviously makes the development argument palpable.

Not only have we been reading about the feat of many countries, including those of our neighbors who used to trail us in economic development who have now overtaken us, posting significantly higher per capita income than us.

We have seen first-hand the advantages of living abroad, enjoying the comfort and reliability of their public transportation and other more advanced infrastructure.

It therefore comes as no surprise that many would be more inclined to focus on the economic rather than the political provisions in the Constitution.

As we have discussed in the first part, however, the Constitution has a unique function and or purpose for the country, that is why the many names used to refer to it underscores its primordial function. It is called the “fundamental” law because all

Likewise, there were also heroes from the Visayas who struggled and fought the colonizers, and they should also be recognized in law. *** *** ***

My wife and I had searched for chronicles about heroes from Mindanao and we came across a three-inch thick book on the local historical sources of Northern Mindanao compiled and edited by Jesuit priest Francisco R. Demetrio from the library of Ateneo at Cagayan de Oro.

In recognition of the Muslim heroes, Rep. Rodriguez has this to say : “These heroic wars waged by our Muslim brothers greatly diminished the military strength and divided the attention of the Spanish authorities.

“The Muslim resistance led to the strengthening of the Katipunan because without the military campaign in Mindanao, there would have been more than enough Spanish forces in Manila to check the Katipunan.“

It would do well for the National Historical Commission to support the Rodriguez bill if only to correct and rectify Philippine history because generations who have been taught Philippine history should know there are so many forgotten heroes also from the Visayas and Mindanao.

Senate President Migz Zubiri and Senator Bato de la Rosa who are also Mindanaoans should support the Rodriguez bill and file their own bills to declare the Mindanao heroes as national heroes.

It is for this reason why I am also calling the attention of Vice President Sara Duterte as Education Secretary to have this great error of having only heroes from Luzon in Philippine history books.

The Vice President, a MIndanaoan from Davao City, owes it to her fellow Mindanaoans to support the Rodriguez bill. *** *** ***

President Marcos Jr. did well through the LTFRB or the Land Transportation Franchising and Regulatory Board to postpone the consolidation of franchises of jeepney operators in connection with the Modernization Program on Jeepneys to postpone it from June 30 to the end of the year, not only because of the nationwide threat of jeepney operators to go on a weekend long strike.

Santa Banana, the threat could well affect all government and private sector employees and workers, and could cause the suspension of classes as well.

My gulay, that could mean a national crisis, with the greater majority of our people already suffering from the high prices of almost everything because of soaring inflation.

In this connection, it would do well for the LTFRB to have all jeepneys inspected to check whether or not their engines are still roadworthy as part of the modernization program.

Jeepney operators can form cooperatives to have old and not roadworthy jeepneys modernized.

I am all for modernizing Philippine jeepneys, not only for the safety of passengers, but to have an effect on the public transport system.

Others may say since jeepneys are part and parcel of Philippine history, the old vintage type of jeepneys should be preserved.

But, the greater need is to have roadworthy types of jeepneys along our roads for the sake of the people needing them.

Thus, it is well and good the deadline of consolidation of franchises of all jeepneys is postponed to the end of the year, not at this time when the county has more important issues to attend to.

Survival for most of us Filipinos comes first.

The threat of jeepney groups to go on weeklong strikes against the modernization program on March 6 will proceed as scheduled, but there are also jeep factions nationwide who will not join the strike.

Good heavens for that, for the benefit of government and private sector workers and employees and workers. And students as well, my gulay!

Full text at www.manilastandard.net

GOOD reason stands alongside the suggestion of Senator Imee Marcos that Negros Oriental be placed under a state of emergency for justice to be swiftly served following the slaying of Governor Roel Degamo, 56, and eight others as well as wounding of 16.

Degamo’s weekend slay, while he was meeting villagers at his home in Pamplona, is the latest brazen-faced punch on local politicians in various parts of the country, according to law enforcement authorities.

Earlier on, Lanao del Sur Gov. Mamintal Adiong cheated death in an ambush in Maguing town, the recent ambush on Datu Montawal, Maguindanao del Sur Mayor Ohto Montawal in the metropolis, and the ambush-killing of Aparri, Cagayan Vice Mayor Rommel Almeda and five of his companions.

Degamo’s killing came more than two weeks after the Supreme Court upheld the Commission on Elections’ resolution recognizing Degamo as the winner of the contested 2022 Negros Oriental gubernatorial race. The high court junked former Gov. Pryde Henry Teves’ petition against the poll body on the gubernatorial dispute that resulted in a standoff at the Negros Oriental provincial capitol in Dumaguete City last October.

It is encouraging the investigation into this spine-chilling murder is developing rapidly

Police said at least six men armed with assault rifles and wearing military-style camouflage and bulletproof vests alighted from three SUVs and opened fire on Degamo, hitting him and at least eight other people in front of his home.

Sen. Marcos, who had worked with Degamo in the Governors League when she was still Ilocos Norte governor, added sugarrich Negros Oriental should be locked down so those behind the killing could not leave the province.

Saved in hope

BENEDICT XVI headed the Catholic Church and was sovereign of the Vatican City State from April 19, 2005 until his resignation on February 28, 2013.

During his papacy, he left remarkable sermons and messages that elucidated human sickness and suffering and what it means to us.

These messages are scattered throughout his brief pontificate.

Pope Benedict XVI extensively discussed the Christian perspective on suffering and death in his encyclical Spe Salvi (Saved in Hope).

According to him, although comprehending suffering could be challenging, it presents an opportunity for individuals to grow in faith and strengthen their relationship with God.

He also highlighted that Christian hope for eternal life could provide comfort and solace in the face of death.

During a Mass for the sick and suffering in 2011, Pope Benedict XVI stated that suffering, when united with the Cross of Christ, becomes a means of salvation and a path toward resurrection and eternal life. He added that suffering could be seen as a gift from God, a grace, and an opportunity to draw closer to Him.

According to the Holy Father was of the view that sickness inevitably brings with it a moment of crisis and sober confrontation with one’s own personal situation. Advances in the health sciences often provide the means necessary to meet this challenge, at least with regard to its physical aspects. Human life, however, has intrinsic limitations, and sooner or later it ends in death.

This is an experience to which each human being is called, and one for which he or she must be prepared.

Pope Benedict XVI’s teachings on suffering and death underscored the significance of faith and hope in challenging circumstances.

To those suffering from an incurable and terminal disease, the Holy Father encourages them to contemplate the sufferings of Christ crucified, and, in union with him, to turn to the Father with complete trust that all life, and your lives in particular, are in his hands. Trust that sufferings, united to those of Christ, will prove fruitful for the needs of the Church and the world.

Suffering is always charged with mystery, difficult to accept and to bear

On another occasion, the pope made it clear that it is from the Eucharist that pastoral care in health must draw the necessary spiritual strength to come effectively to man’s aid and to help him to understand the salvific value of his own suffering.

Mysteriously united to Christ, the one who suffers with love and meek selfabandonment to the will of God becomes a living offering for the salvation of the world.

The Holy Father also made special mention of the suffering of children who suffer due to conflicts and wars, and other innocent victims of the insensate hatred of adults.

The pope was also quoted as saying, “It is not by sidestepping or fleeing from suffering that we are healed, but rather by our capacity for accepting it, maturing through it and finding meaning through union with Christ, who suffered with infinite love”

According to the Holy Father, the Son of God suffered, and died, but rose again, and precisely because of this those wounds become the sign of our redemption, forgiveness, and reconciliation with the Father.

We support the senator’s call for the declaration of a state of emergency in the province which has a history of political rivalries.

Indeed, this culture of criminality, in any part of the country, must be checked, and the hitmen or the murderers in this latest act of violence, as in previous crimes, as well as the mastermind, their paymasters and whoever conspired to consummate the crime, should posthaste be arrested.

We give our hand to law enforcers who have been quick on the trail of suspects, arresting three and previously shooting to death a fourth in an encounter with pursuing police. We share the hope of Senator Marcos the arrested suspects will cooperate which could lead to the identification of other individuals responsible for the gun attack.

It is encouraging the investigation into this spine-chilling murder is developing rapidly.

At the same time, it is heartening President Ferdinand Marcos Jr. has raised the reprimand bar: “I am warning all those involved in this killing: you can run but you cannot hide. We will find you. If you surrender now it will be your best option.”

We are sure law enforcement agents as well as the suspects have heard the President loud and clear.

However they also become a test for the faith of the disciples and our faith: every time that the Lord speaks about his passion and death, they do not understand, they reject it, they oppose it.

For them, as for us, suffering is always charged with mystery, difficult to accept and to bear.

The two disciples of Emmaus walk sadly because of the events that had taken place in those days in Jerusalem, and only when the Risen One walks along the road with them do they open up to a new vision.

Even the apostle Thomas manifests the difficulty of believing in the way of redemptive passion: “Unless I see the mark of the nails in his hands, and put my finger in the mark of the nails and put my hand into his side, I will not believe.’

But before Christ who shows his wounds, his response is transformed into a moving profession of faith: “My Lord and my God!” What was at first an insurmountable obstacle, because it was a sign of Jesus’ apparent failure, becomes, in the encounter with the Risen One, proof of a victorious love: ‘Only a God who loves us to the extent of taking upon himself our wounds and our pain, especially innocent suffering, is worthy of faith.”

In his encyclical Spe Salvi (Saved in Hope), Pope Benedict XVI wrote extensively about the Christian view of suffering and death.

He argued that while suffering can be difficult to understand, it is ultimately an opportunity to grow in faith and deepen our relationship with God. He also wrote that the Christian hope of eternal life can provide comfort and solace in the face of death.

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Another attempt to revise the 1987 Constitution (2)

laws are based on it and therefore effective only as much as it is based from the Constitution.

It is a Constitution as it is supposed to “constitute,” to shape, the country’s public institutions.

All these therefore explain why the Constitution is also called a “charter” as it also “charts” the country’s direction, proclaiming the ideals and objectives of the country.

The Constitution is fundamental, that all laws are based on it, because it is the first law.

It is the first law, not necessarily because it is literally enacted first, but because it is the “comprehensive” law.

As is already mentioned, it encompasses the country’s ideals and objectives. These ideals and objectives however cannot be accomplished without establishing the means to realize the principles and objectives set therein.

Absent the mechanisms, that is effective mechanisms, the ideals and objectives proclaimed in the Constitution are nothing but empty words.

It goes without saying unlike all other laws, the understanding of the Constitution is only possible in its entirety.

Each provision is of course important, but such importance can all be made sensible only by understanding the whole Constitution, or in making sense of each provision in relation to the other provisions.

However exhaustive the provisions are in setting the country’s principles and objectives, if appropriate and effective mechanisms are not put in place, where our political system is not well crafted to effect a process that could institutionalize

vetting and in turn electing political leaders, including complementary provisions that will have them invariably accountable, we will still be having the same kind of politics and governance. These are fundamental so that we can also look forward to a more robust and professional civil service. After all, from the time we have established ourselves as a Republic, we have been making an effort to put in place a resolute public administration in place. The political system however has all but been a drag to this undertaking. So, as explained in the first part of this article, wail as much as we want, the critical legislations

we have been pushing all this time will not, as it cannot, possibly muster enough support from the current composition of the legislature.

The anti-political dynasty has always been the best example; who among those enjoying their current positions, together with their relatives, would be inclined to support a legislation that is antithetical to their interests?

In the same vein, who among our legislators would be inclined to push for, even at least support, more effective laws that will really address important issues like labor-only contracting?

Who among our leaders would not only support but, more so, advocate a more comprehensive initiative to support our farmers?

Who would support legislation to arrest rampant conversions of farmland to industrial, commercial or residential use?

There are so many possible effective initiatives to make farming worthwhile and make it integral to our development endeavors.

Other than dole out initiatives, however, we have not been seeing much interest from our policy-makers to push for and or support such type of legislations.

Now that the we have established the crucial significance of mechanisms or the capacity of public institutions, should we, or perhaps the more appropriate question is, can we just limit constitutional reforms with economic provisions?

If, example, economic restrictions are lifted, and now made to be subject to legislation, can we rely on the legislature to craft the appropriate legislation to effectively invite foreign capital and make the country as attractive to foreign

investments as other countries?

This is after all the main objective of lifting the restrictions.

For a comprehensive understanding of the urgency of amending the economic provisions of the Constitution, read the short paper on the topic of one of our well recognized economists, Gerardo Sicat. You can search his paper titled “Philippine Economic Nationalism.”

All in all, much as we’d like to make the difficult project of Constitutional reform less political, it is in itself political as the whole effort will just be inconsequential without it. There is no way we can avoid underlying political issues.

The political provisions in the Constitution, the electoral and party system, the overall political system, comprise the mechanism we have been trying to explain in this short paper. We can of course proceed with economic reforms but it has to include political reforms. Any and all purported needed reforms can be considered but all should, as it can only be worth the effort, be done together with political reforms.

(The author is currently a faculty at the San Beda University Graduate School of Law and Executive Director of the pioneer NGO on Local Governance, the Local Government Development Foundation or LOGODEF. He was also a member of the Consultative Committee to Review the 1987 Constitution convened by former President Rodrigo Duterte that drafted the ‘Bayanihan Federal Constitution of the Philippines.’)

Any and all purported needed reforms can be considered but all should, as it can only be worth the effort, be done together with political reforms

EU allows reentry of PH pili nuts

By Vito Barcelo

THE Philippines has regained entry of pili nuts into the European market, Malacanang announced on Monday.

In a statement, the Palace said the Philippine can now enter the 27-member states of the European Union (EU) following the issuance of the European Commission Implementing Regulation (EUIR).

The document signed on February 8, 2023 authorizes the inclusion of dried pili nuts in the EU’s list of novelty foods that may be placed on the EU market after it passed the food safety and labelling requirements.

In line with the directive of President Ferdinand Marcos Jr. to boost high value crops for export, the Department of Agriculture (DA) welcomed the EU issuance that opens market opportunities for the country’s pili industry.

The export of pili nut, which is considered a novelty food or those that have not been significantly used for human consumption in the EU before May 1997, has been temporarily stopped following new EU rules for novel foods in 2015.

The EU market opening will benefit local pili processors and exporters including thousands of pili farmers as this opportunity enables them to gain more income from higher value commodities such as pili.

The Bicol Region is the country’s top pili producer with about 90 percent or 1,796.38 hectares of pili production area and 84 percent or 4,932.60 metric tons of the total volume of production based on the Philippine Statistics Authority data in 2021.

TheBureauofPlantIndustry(BPI),along with the High Value Crops Development Program (HVCDP), the Agribusiness Marketing Assistance Service (AMAS), the Philippine Rural Development Project (PRDP), and the DA-Bicol Regional Field Office are involved in the pili industry development.

The DA’s attached agencies provide inputs, establish facilities for production, post harvest, processing, and marketing, and conduct research for development and capacity building activities including the adoption of good agricultural practices and food safety standards, among others.

By Joel E. Zurbano

THE Bureau of Immigration (BI) has arguably insulated its airport personnel from negative comments, criticisms, and complaints by disallowing air passengers from using their cellular phones while queued up before the BI counters at the Ninoy Aquino International Airport (NAIA).

“The use of cellular phones or video recording devices, and sharing of photos/ videos of any Immigration Personnel is STRICTLY PROHIBITED,” read a BI poster at the NAIA’s Immigration section.

“Any form of slander against the immigration Personnel is prohibited under the

By Rio N. Araja

A SIGNIFICANT financial relief is in the offing for agrarian reform beneficiaries (ARBs) saddled with loans that keep growing on account of interests, penalties and surcharges.

Agrarian Reform Secretary Conrado

Estrella III cited the Senate’s approval of Senate Bill 1850, saying it echoes President Ferdinand Marcos Jr.’s commitment to emancipate the farmer beneficiaries from agrarian reform debt burden.

This after the Senate on Monday approved on third and final reading a bill mandating the condonation of agricultural loans incurred by farmers over the acquisition of the land they till through the government’s Comprehensive Agrarian Reform Program.

The 23 senators unanimously approved the measure sponsored by Senator Cynthia Villar.

Villar earlier said the bill covers two types of loans acquired by the ARBs from

Villar eyes more empowerment for Filipino women

By Macon Ramos-Araneta

SENATOR Cynthia Villar eyes further empowerment of women, stoppage of gender bias and promotion of equality in the community as the country observes National Women’s Month.

“If half of the population of the Philippines are women and contribute to the betterment of the country, it will create a positive impact to our economy,” Villar said.In her inspirational message during the 2023 National Women’s Month Celebration at the Department of Agriculture Compound in Quezon on Monday, Villar underscored the need to empower and equip Filipino women to help us in food security and production.

A known advocate of women’s rights and welfare, Villar noted that when more women work or earn, the economy will grow.

For its celebration, the DA adopted the theme. “We for gender equality and inclusive society” and sub-theme: “Expanded Opportunities for Women Participation, Leadership and Benefits in Science, Technology and Innovation (STI), ICT, Infrastructure and Energy”.

Villar said RA No. 6949 declares 8th day of March of every year as a special working holiday to ensure meaningful observance of holiday to all government offices. The senator said heads of government offices shall encourage sufficient time and opportunities for their employees to engage and participate in any activity conducted within the premises of government offices or establishments to celebrate National Women’s Day.

Cyberbullying Law Posting of photos/ videos without the consent of the immigration Personnel is a direct violation of the Data Privacy Act,” the post stated.

Curiously, the prohibition was enforced amid a controversy over long lines in the airport’s the BI area that

the state-run Land Bank of the Philippines.

The first type involves ARBs who have Agrarian Reform Receivables Account with the Land Bank and have not paid or have incomplete payments of their amortization on the principal, interests, penalties, and surcharges of their lands under Presidential Decree 27, Republic Act 6657 and its subsequent amendments. This involves 409,206.91 hectares or debt amounting to P14.499 billion to be written off from the books of Land Bank

The other type covers Voluntary Land Transfer Scheme and Direct Payment Scheme as provided by RA 6657, which has 92,824 agrarian reform beneficiaries. The land area covers 178,063.95 hectares amounting to P119.61 million to be paid from Agrarian Reform Fund.

Villar’s bill also seeks to dismiss motu proprio all the cases related to the nonpayment of agrarian reform beneficiaries with the Department of Agrarian Reform and that they will be exempted from the

have reportedly caused dozens of travelers to miss their flights.

The Manila Standard tried but failed to get any statement from the Manila International Airport Authority (MIAA) and other pertinent agencies.

“Why not ask BI about it? I am sure they have an explanation to that,” said MIAA chief information officer Connie Bungag.

A Customs official also said “I tend to agree. But I will study it thoroughly because the airport is a public place and we are public officers.”

Over the past days, the BI came under fire from irate air passengers and netizens over the long lines at the Immigration booths, especially at NAIA termi-

payment of estate taxes.

The bill reiterates the provision of RA 6657 that the land cannot be sold, transferred, or conveyed within 10 years except through hereditary succession or to the government or the Land Bank of the Philippines or to other qualified beneficiaries through the DAR from the issuance of the Certificate of Land Ownership Award.

Upon approval of the bill, future beneficiaries shall be awarded lands without any additional costs or financial obligations on their part.

Undersecretary for Policy, Planning and Research Office Luis Meinrado Pañgulayan said apart from Senator Cynthia Villar, the co-authors of the bill included Senators Joel Villanueva, Francis Escudero and Imee Marcos.

He added that Senators Nancy Binay, Christopher Lawrence Go, Ronald dela Rosa, Robin Padilla and Loren Legarda moved to co-author Senate Bill No. 1850 or the New Agrarian Emancipation Act.

House ratifies bill creating the NIR

By Maricel V. Cruz

THE House of Representatives has unanimously approved on third and final reading a measure creating the Negros Island Region (NIR) in the Visayas.

House Bill (HB) 7355 titled, “An Act establishing the Negros Island Region, and appropriating funds therefor” garnered 290 affirmative votes during nominal voting on Monday.

The creation of the NIR has been advocated by lawmakers in the region, as they believe it would bring more progress and solidarity among their constituents.

The measure gained traction in the 19th Congress under the administration of President Ferdinand Marcos Jr.

It is one of the 12 priority measures of the Marcos administration that the House of Representatives under the leadership of Speaker Martin Romualdez vowed to pass this year.

Some of the principal authors of the bill are Negros Occidental Reps. Juliet Marie de Leon Ferrer, Alfredo Marañon III, and Francisco Benitez, and Abang Lingkod Party-list Rep. Joseph Stephen Paduano. Under HB No. 7355, the NIR will be composed of provinces, including the cities, municipalities, and barangays located in the provinces of Negros Oriental, Negros Occidental, and Siquijor, including Bacolod City. The measure provides for the creation of the Negros Island technical working group (TWG).

nal 3. There were also reports of missed flights due to the kilometric queues that reportedly took the passengers two hours or more to negotiate.

In January, more than 20 passengers of a local airline were unable to board their flight to Hong Kong due to long queues at the airport. The airline provided them with options such as free rebooking, full refund or travel fund.

MIAA general manager Cesar Chiong earlier said his office was working with the BI to ease congestion of departing passengers at the immigration counters.

“We are getting the commitment from the Bureau of Immigration to increase their manpower even before the surge of passengers comes during the peak hours

BI bans use of cellphones by travelers at NAIA Senate passes bill providing financial relief for ARBs

of the day in order to arrest the build-up of passengers,” he said.

“The processing time is critical here. If we can increase the processing rate of our immigration channels for each passenger, they should not have to wait too long even if the queue grows,” he added.

Chiong also said MIAA has already increased the number of immigration counters, specifically in Terminal 3, from 26 to 29 counters.

In addition to the existing electronic gates, or e-gates, installed by BI for arriving Philippine passport holders, MIAA is also advocating for the installation of new e-gates for departing passengers in order to reduce travelers’ processing time even further.

FOILED DRUG SMUGGLING ATTEMPT. Combined agents of the Bureau of Customs, the Philippine Drug Enforcement Agency, and the Inter-Agency Drug Interdiction Task Group stationed at the Ninoy Aquino International Airport intercept an estimated P25.4 million worth of prohibited drugs including ecstasy tablets and dried high-grade marijuana concealed in a balikbayan box declared as containing personal e ects from France, and the United States.

IN BRIEF

Lawmaker wants to stamp out child labor

THE chair of the House of Repr sentatives’ labor and employment committee has appealed to the government to “exhaust more measures and enlist more allies” in the fight to eradicate child labor in the country.

“More and more children are being forced to work since the pandemic. We need to exhaust more measures and enlist more allies so we can protect our children from the dangers of child labor and exploitation,” Rizal Rep. Fidel Nograles said.

Citing data from the Philippine Statistics Authority, Nograles said the number of child laborers in the country went up in 2021.

According to the PSA, he said there were 1.37 million working children aged five to 17 years old in 2021. This figure is higher than the 872,333 children of the same age range working in 2020.

The PSA added that 62.8 percent or 858,000 of these child laborers were boys, while girls had a 37.2 percent share or 508,200.

Agriculture accounted for the highest proportion of working children at 45.7 percent, followed by the services sector at 45.4 percent of the total working children.

Maricel V. Cruz

DOH cedes HTA functions to DOST

THE Department of Health (DOH) has officially transferred the operations of the Health Technology Assessment (HTA) to the Department of Science and Technology (DOST) through a ceremonial turnover of the HTA Council and HTA Division from the DOH to the DOST on Monday at the Philippine International Convention Center (PICC), Manila. DOH officer-in-charge Maria Rosario Vergeire and DOST Secretary Renato So-

lidum Jr., presided at the event which was in compliance with the UHC Law mandate on the transfer of the HTA Council as an attached agency to the DOST within five years after its establishment.

UHC legislators, Senator Pia Cayetano and former congresswoman-now Quezon Governor Quezon, Angelina Tan who chaired the Committee on Health of the House of Representatives for six years, also gave their messages of support as champions of UHC and HTA Council.

DOST Undersecretary for Scientific and Technical Services Maridon Sahagun and DOH Assistant Secretary for Health Regulation Charade MercadoGrande whose offices the HTA Division directly reports to, also participated in the turnover. Willie Casas

DENR cites BOC’s help in campaign vs. wildlife trade

THE Department of Environment and Natural Resources (DENR) has recognized the Bureau of Customs (BOC) for its assistance and support to the government’s campaign against illegal wildlife trade.

BOC port of Ninoy Aquino International Airport (NAIA) collector Carmelita Talusan and her team received plaques of commendation from the DENR - Biodiversity Management Bureau (DENR-BMB) over the weekend.

NAIA Customs agents foiled a series of attempts to smuggle wil life species such as poisonous spiders, tarantulas, snakes, marine animals, in coordination with the Enforcement Security Service—Environmental Protection and Compliance Division—NAIA (ESSEPCD-NAIA) and DENR

The awards were given in line with the celebration of the 2023 World Wildlife Day with the theme “Partnership for Wildlife Conservation” held at the BMB Training Center Ninoy Aquino Parks and Wildlife Center, Diliman Quezon City. Joel E. Zurbano

TIGIL PASADA. Members of the passenger jeepney organization Piston tote protest placards at Monumento Circle in Caloocan City on Monday, the rst day of a projected weeklong transportation strike to dramatize their opposition to the government’s public utility vehicle modernization program. Inset shows a stranded passenger about to board a “Libreng Sakay” bus provided by President Ferdinand Marcos Jr. and Speaker Martin Romualdez to cope with the acute shortage of mass transportation due to the protest action. Andrew Rabulan and Danny Pata

JAPAN, US HAIL COMPENSATION

S. Korea to pay forced wartime labor victims

SEOUL—South Korea announced plans Monday to compensate victims of Japan’s forced wartime labour, aiming to end a “vicious cycle” in the Asian powers’ relations and boost ties to counter the nucleararmed North.

Japan and the United States immediately welcomed the announcement, but victims’ groups said it fell far short of their demand for a full apology from Tokyo and direct compensation from the Japanese companies involved.

Seoul and Tokyo have ramped up security cooperation in the face of growing threats from Kim Jong Un’s North Korea, which is expanding its nuclear weapons program in defiance of UN sanctions.

But Seoul-Tokyo ties have long been strained over Tokyo’s brutal 1910-45 colonial rule of the Korean peninsula, with the nations unable to reach final agreements on the extent of compensation and apologies.

Around 780,000 Koreans were conscripted into forced labor by Japan during its 35-year occupation, according to data from Seoul. This does not include the Korean women forced into sexual slavery by Japanese troops.

Seoul’s plan is to take money from major South Korean companies that benefited from a 1965 reparations deal with Tokyo and use it to compensate victims and their families, Foreign Minister Park Jin said.

The hope is that Japan will “positively respond to our major decision today with Japanese companies’ voluntary contributions and a comprehensive apology,” he added.

“I believe that the vicious circle should be broken for the sake of the people at the national interest level,” Park added.

Japanese Foreign Minister Yoshimasa Hayashi welcomed the new plan,

Zelensky lauds troops in Bakhmut defense battle

KYIV—Ukrainian President Volodomyr Zelensky on Sunday paid tribute to his soldiers fighting in the “painful and difficult” battle for the country’s frontline eastern Donbas region. He was speaking after Ukraine’s general staff reported that its forces had fought off “more than 130 enemy attacks” the previous day, including in Kupiansk, Lyman, Bakhmut and Avdiivka.

“The enemy continues its attempts to encircle the town of Bakhmut,” it said early on Sunday, of the eastern city that Moscow has been trying to capture for months.

Ukraine has vowed to defend “fortress Bakhmut” which Russian troops seem determined to take. Analysts say the city, which has been virtually destroyed in the fighting, has little real

telling reporters it would help to restore “healthy” ties.

Hayashi reiterated that the government in Tokyo stood by a 1998 declaration that included an apology.

Japanese media have reported that Yoon could soon visit Tokyo, possibly even for a Japan-South Korea baseball game this week.

South Korea also said a few hours after the announcement it would halt a World Trade Organization complaint against Japan, as the two sides planned talks on economic disputes triggered by the issue.

The two sides imposed a raft of titfor-tat economic measures as relations soured after a 2018 South Korean Supreme Court ruling ordered some Japanese companies to pay compensation, infuriating Tokyo.

‘What Japan does next’

Washington hailed what it called a “groundbreaking new chapter of cooperation and partnership between two of the United States’ closest allies,” according to a statement from the White House.

But analysts were more cautious.

“The significance of today’s announcement will be measured in large part by what Japan does next,”

Benjamin A. Engel, research professor at the Institute of International Affairs at Seoul National University, told AFP.

At a minimum, some kind of apology from Tokyo and donations from two Japanese companies which have been ruled liable by Korea’s Supreme Court would help ensure the South Korean public accept the deal, he said. AFP

strategic value.

But, as what has become the longest and bloodiest battle of the conflict drags on, its fate has acquired a symbolic importance, surpassing its military significance.

“I would like to pay special tribute to the bravery, strength and resilience of the soldiers fighting in the Donbas,” Zelensky said in his daily address.

“This is one of the hardest battles. Painful and difficult.”

The Donbas is made up of Donetsk and Lugansk, which Russia claims to have annexed despite never fully having controlled it.

Ukraine’s troops, said Zelensky, had “repelled assaults, destroyed the occupier, undermined enemy positions and logistics, and protected our borders

Estonian premier’s party handily beats far-right opponents in national election

TALLINN—Prime Minister Kaja Kallas’s center-right Reform Party won Estonia’s general election by a wide margin on Sunday, according to nearcomplete results, beating out a farright rival that had campaigned against further arms deliveries to Ukraine.

Reform won 31.6 percent of the vote, with right-wing runners-up EKRE taking 16 percent. To stay in power, Reform will again have to form a coalition with one or more of the parties in the Baltic state’s 101-seat parliament.

The Centre Party secured 14.7 percent of Sunday’s ballot, Estonia 200 got 13.5 percent, the Social Democrats received 9.4 percent and the Isamaa (Fatherland) party 8.3 percent.

“This is much better than we expected,” Kallas said of the result. “We have ruled out a coalition with EKRE and I stand by my words.”

EKRE leader Martin Helme suggested on election night that Reform “stole” the election. “We didn’t do anything wrong. We did everything right and with honesty, unlike those who stole our well-deserved victory,” he said. Reform is a center-right liberal party that appeals to business owners and young professionals.

It has promised to raise military spending to at least three percent of GDP and ease taxes on business and wants to pass a law approving samesex civil partnerships.

EKRE, meanwhile, had campaigned against additional military aid to Kyiv, called for a halt in Ukrainian refugee arrivals and for lower immigration rates to protect local workers.

The electoral commission must still verify the results, but if confirmed, Reform will win 37 seats—three more than they did four years ago.

Escalating tensions

Estonia, a country of 1.3 million people bordering Russia, is a member of the EU and NATO, and has led international calls over the past year for more military aid to help Ukraine fight off Russia’s invasion.

Its military assistance to Ukraine amounts to more than one percent of GDP—the biggest contribution of any country relative to the size of its economy—and the ongoing war there was on many voters’ minds.

“It’s obvious that what is happening in Ukraine is very important for Estonia as well,” 35-year-old engineer Juhan Ressar told AFP at a polling station in the capital Tallinn. AFP

TV report: Future pope John Paul covered up child abuse while cardinal

WARSAW—The late Polish pope

John Paul II knew about child abuse in Poland’s Catholic church years before becoming pontiff and helped cover it up, private broadcaster TVN reported Sunday.

Michal Gutowski, the investigator behind the broadcast, said that Karol Wojtyla, as he then was, knew of cases of pedophile priests within the church while still a cardinal in Krakow.

He transferred the priests to other dioceses—one as far away as Austria—to ensure no scandal ensued, he said.

Wojtyla, who was pope for 27 years from 1978 until his death in 2005, wrote a letter of recommendation for a priest accused of abuse to Vienna cardinal Franz Koenig, without mentioning the accusations, says Gutowski. During his investiga -

tion, Gutowski says he spoke to victims of pedophile priests, their families and former church diocese employees. He cites documents from the former Communist-era SB secret police and rare church documents to which he manages to get access.

But Gutowski said the Krakow diocese had refused him access to its own documentary archives.

The Polish church has in the past refused to provide documents to the judiciary or a public commission of enquiry investigating cases of church abuse of minors. Similar accusations

One of Gutowski’s sources said on condition of anonymity that he had personally told Wojtyla about acts of pedophilia concerning one priest in 1973.

“Wojtyla first wanted to make sure it wasn’t a bluff,” the source said.

“He asked it not be reported anywhere -- he said he would deal with it.” The then cardinal had explicitly requested the alleged affair be kept strictly under wraps, he added.

Thomas Doyle, an American former Catholic priest, canon law scholar, and the author of one of the first reports of Catholic clergy abuse in the United States, said Gutowski’s investigation was groundbreaking. AFP

and cities.”

But on Saturday, the US-based Institute for the Study of War (ISW) warned that Ukrainian supply routes to Bakhmut were narrowing.

“The Russians may have intended to encircle Ukrainian forces in Bakhmut, but the Ukrainian command has signaled that it will likely withdraw rather than risk an encirclement,” it added.

Pro-Russian separatists in the Donetsk region posted a video purporting to show Wagner fighters in the suburbs north of Bakhmut, having taken control of the Stupki railway station.

Wagner, a private army headed by Yevgeny Prigozhin, has taken center stage in the fight for the city, which has exposed rivalries with Russia’s conventional forces. AFP

BRIEF

Biden: US must face ‘good, bad’ of history

SELMA—President Joe Biden on Sunday stressed the importance of knowing the whole of US history, both “good” and “bad,” as he commemorated the brutal suppression 58 years ago of a civil rights march in Selma, Alabama.

“History matters,” the president said during a speech at the Edmund Pettus Bridge, where a march of hundreds of peaceful activists was violently suppressed by police on March 7, 1965.

“Bloody Sunday” only catalyzed support for Black rights and led a few months later to the passage of the Voting Rights Act, a federal law prohibiting racial discrimination in voting. The marchers “forced the country to confront the hard truth,” Biden said, accusing today’s Republican opposition of trying to “hide the truth” of history.

“No matter how hard some people try, we can’t just choose to learn what we want to know and not what we should know,” he said, as debate rages over how US history is taught in America’s schools.

“We should learn everything. The good, the bad, the truth of who we are as a nation, and everyone should know the truth of Selma.” AFP

No women: Afghan universities reopen

KABUL—Male students trickled back to their classes Monday after Afghan universities reopened following a winter break but women remain barred by Taliban authorities.

The university ban is one of several restrictions imposed on women since the Taliban stormed back to power in August 2021 and has sparked global outrage -- including across the Muslim world.

“It’s heartbreaking to see boys going to the university while we have to stay at home,” said Rahela, 22, from the central province of Ghor.

“This is gender discrimination against girls because Islam allows us to pursue higher education. Nobody should stop us from learning.”

The Taliban government imposed the ban after accusing women students of ignoring a strict dress code and a requirement to be accompanied by a male relative to and from campus.

Most universities had already introduced gender-segregated entrances and classrooms, as well as allowing women to be taught only by female professors or old men.

“It’s painful to see that thousands of girls are deprived of education today,” Mohammad Haseeb Habibzadah, a student of computer science at Herat university, told AFP. AFP

New UK bills to curb migrant boat arrivals

LONDON—Britain’s Conservative government is expected to present on Tuesday a new bill providing for the detention and swift deportation of asylum seekers who illegally enter the country via small boats, according to media reports.

Despite Brexit-related promises to tighten control of its borders, Britain has seen a considerable uptick in such arrivals, logging a record 45,000 last year, and pressure has mounted on Prime Minister Rishi Sunak to tackle the situation.

The bill to be unveiled Tuesday includes measures facilitating the detention and deportation “as soon as reasonably practicable” of asylum seekers arriving in the country illegally, the Daily Mail reported on Monday.

According to the Mail, the legislation contains a “rights brake”, making asylum claims by those arriving on small boats inadmissible.

The government intends to send at least some deportees to Rwanda under a deal that was struck last year but which had never been applied after running into legal challenges. AFP

BAKHMUT BUNKER. A woman enters a basement shelter in the village of Chasiv Yar, near the city of Bakhmut, in the region of Donbas on March 5 amid the Russian invasion of Ukraine. AFP

HUGO’S 10TH. Supporters lay flowers at a monument dedicated to late Venezuelan President Hugo Chavez on the 10th anniversary of his death in Caracas on March 5.

CYAN MAGENTA YELLOW BLACK

Xi vows to lift manufacturing capacity, won’t rely on imports

BEIJING, China—President Xi Jinping vowed to boost the country’s manufacturing capacity and not rely on overseas markets, state media reported Monday.

Speaking at the annual gathering of the rubber-stamp parliament in Beijing on Sunday, Xi said China should be able to fend for itself.

“I’ve always said there are two critical areas for China: one is to safeguard our rice bowl, and the other is to build up a strong manufacturing sector,” Xi said, according to the state-run People’s Daily.

“As a great nation of 1.4 billion people, we must rely on ourselves,” Xi added. “We can’t depend on international markets to save us.”

The comments, during a meeting with delegates representing China’s economically advanced Jiangsu province, belie concerns in Beijing over an increasingly hostile international environment and lagging growth at home.

As China’s technology ambitions have been hit with a raft of restrictions by the United States and its Western allies, Beijing has doubled down on the need to build a self-reliant industry and shift away from imports for sectors perceived as vital to national security, such as semiconductors and artificial intelligence.

Washington has in recent months tightened sanctions on Chinese chipmakers, citing national security concerns and the ability for the technology to be used by China’s military.

The highly choreographed National Party Congress (NPC) kicked off with outgoing Premier Li Keqiang announcing an increase in military spending and modest economic growth.

The 2023 GDP growth goal of “about five percent” fell slightly short of market expectations and comes as Chinese authorities are grappling with how to stem the recent reorientation of global manufacturing chains to countries such as India and Vietnam. AFP

Stock market advances; ICTSI, Globe lead gainers

STOCKS rose for a fourth day over speculations the US Federal Reserve may loosen its monetary tightening and following Wall Street’s rally on Friday.

The PSE index, the 30-company benchmark of the Philippine Stock Exchange, gained 15 points, or 0.24 percent, to close at 6,671.12 Monday, as four of the six subsectors advanced.

The broader all-share index also went up 8 points, or 0.24 percent, to settle at 3,573.06 on a value turnover of P4.75 billion. Gainers led losers, 102 to 83, while 45 issues were unchanged. Seven of the 10 most active stocks ended in the green, led by International Container Terminal Services Inc. which

went up 3.50 percent to P207.00 and Globe Telecom Inc. which rose 1.30 percent to P1,874.00.

The peso was steady Monday and closed at 54.88 against the US dollar. Meanwhile, most Asian markets also traded higher. Traders in Tokyo appeared bullish about positive news flowing in from the United States, where Wall Street had rallied on Friday. An end-of-week slide in Treasury bond yields fortified beliefs the Federal Reserve was nearing the end of its ratehiking cycle.

The Nikkei 225 jumped more than one percent, with similar gains posted in Taipei, Seoul and Sydney. Federal Reserve Chair Jerome Powell is set to discuss monetary policy before the House and Senate committees on Tuesday, proceedings that will be scrutinized by investors seeking positive interest rate news.

TOP GAINERS

“Most important will be whether the Chair takes the opportunity to express a preference for sticking with a 25bp [basis points] hike in March or if he leaves the door ajar for returning to a faster pace this month,” said Stephen Innes of SPI Asset Management.

“If Powell does not slam the door shut on the potential for a larger hike, markets could put substantially more weight on a 50bp hike at the March meeting in response to last month’s hotter data.”

Traders are also awaiting US payroll data on Friday and the Bank of Japan’s two-day policy meeting from Thursday, which will be the last for governor Haruhiko Kuroda.

Hong Kong’s Hang Seng Index nudged up after a slow start, finishing the day slightly higher. Shenzhen also recovered to end flat, while Shanghai closed a shade lower after the uninspiring economic news from Beijing. With AFP

DURIAN FESTIVAL.

Participants parade with heaps of durians during the ‘Kenduren’ festival in Jombang, East Java on March 5, 2023. The annual festival, held as thanksgiving for the good harvest of the fruit, attracts many tourists from the region. Grown across tropical Southeast Asia, the durian is hailed as the “king of fruits” by its fans who liken its creamy texture and intense aroma to blue cheese, but many detractors liken their intense aroma to sewage or sweaty socks. AFP

State lender greenlights offer for Telecom Italia to counter US firm

MILAN, Italy—The board of Italian state lender CDP said Sunday it backed making a joint non-binding offer with Macquarie Asset Management for the fixed network of Telecom Italia. The offer will go up against a rival bid from US investment fund KKR, which last month made a 20-billion-euro ($21.2-billion) offer for a controlling stake. The CDP-Macquarie offer for TIM’s fixed business assets will expire on

March 31.

“The board has given its green light to the presentation of a non-binding offer,” CDP -- in which the Italian state has an 82.7-percent stake -- said.

Telecom Italia later confirmed it had received the CDP offer.

The offer outbids the one made by KKR, according to a source who spoke on condition of anonymity.

The rightwing government of Prime Minister Giorgia Meloni has signaled its

intention to create a publicly controlled nationwide network, regarding it as a strategic asset.

Telecom Italia is seeking to pare down a huge debt pile, which in December stood at some 25.4 billion euros.

CEO Pietro Labriola last June unveiled a strategic plan designed to achieve the splitting of the operator’s landline network and its service activities.

Telecom Italia’s board last month de-

MOST ACTIVE

manded KKR raise its bid by the end of March, as it sought out potential alternatives.

Telecom Italia’s main shareholder, French media giant Vivendi, had set the bid bar high in valuing the Italian company at 31 billion euros.

KKR is already an investor in TIM’s network, with a 37.5-percent stake in the Italians’ fiber optic network unit, FiberCop, for which it paid 1.8 billion euros in 2021.AFP

Britain’s fresh produce shortages, food rationing serve up blame game

By Véronique Dupont

LONDON, United Kingdom—

Shortages of fruit and vegetables—from broccoli, cucumbers, and lettuce, to tomatoes, peppers, and raspberries—have served up a blame game in Britain.

Are sparse shop shelves due to Brexit, bad weather in Spain, supermarket price wars, soaring energy bills on Ukraine war fallout, or the UK government?

Faced with low stock, an increasing number of retailers are rationing, with some allowing no more than three purchases per customer for certain items.

The weekly shop for millions of Britons has also been blighted for months by a lack of eggs because of bird flu.

The government insists bad weather hit harvests in southern Europe and northern Africa, while authorities and supermarket chains warn that shortages of fresh produce will continue for weeks.

Turnips row

London dismisses claims that Brexit is to blame, insisting it can gain control of agricultural policy after its departure from the European Union at the start of 2021.

Spain’s Agriculture Minister Luis Planas also told the Financial Times that Brexit was not the cause of shortages while conceding that rising costs had forced some smaller producers to curb exports.

Mark Spencer, Britain’s junior minister with responsibility for

A customer

at a

farming production, driving up prices in the long term.

UK food-price inflation soared above 17 percent last month, according to a survey from data provider Kantar.

Batters has called on the government to implement a strategy to help UK farmers boost production, protect the environment and manage volatility.

“We need a radical restructure of what these relationships look like from farm to fork,” Batters said.

‘Along came Brexit’

The Guardian newspaper’s influential food critic Jay Rayner has also condemned the UK government’s stance.

DOHA, Qatar—Only a third of people in the world’s poorest countries can connect to the internet, the UN telecoms agency said Sunday, but lowflying satellites could bring hope to millions, especially in remote corners of Africa.

Tech giants including Microsoft have pledged to help populations hobbled by poor internet services to “leapfrog” into an era of online connectivity, with satellites set to play a key role as rival firms send thousands of new generation transmitters into low-level orbit.

At the moment just 36 percent of the 1.25 billion people in the world’s 46 poorest countries can plug into the internet, the International Telecommunication Union said. By comparison, more than 90 percent have access in the European Union.

The ITU condemned the “staggering international connectivity gap” that it said had widened over the past decade.

The divide has been a key complaint at a UN summit of Least Developed Countries in Doha, where UN Secretary General Antonio Guterres told their leaders that “you are being left behind in the digital revolution”.

on Feb. 24, 2023. Some UK supermarkets introduced limits on customer purchases of some fruit and vegetables due to “sourcing challenges” blamed on weather conditions in southern Europe and north Africa, the industry said Feb. 21, 2023. AFP food, has urged supermarket bosses to explain what they are doing to replenish shelves.

Environment Minister Therese Coffey, called on Britons to eat more local seasonal produce such as turnips rather than imported foodstuffs in short supply.

That triggered a row over the suggestion that Britons—already facing a cost-of-living crisis sparked by rampant inflation—embrace turnips, generally considered a boring root vegetable.

Experts meanwhile believe the problem runs deeper than merely bad growing conditions in key fruit and vegetable producers Spain and Morocco.

‘Broken’ food system

“No one is really admitting that our current food system is completely broken,” chef Thomasina Miers told BBC

television.

“The way we farm is incredibly oil intensive and it contributes to 30 percent of global greenhouse gas emissions,” she added.

“So, the way we farm not only contributes to (global) warming but also it’s degrading our soils.”

Miers called on producers to use modern technology to help improve both output and biodiversity.

Minette Batters, president of the National Farmers Union (NFU) in Britain, heaped praise on the UK system that produces cheap food but warned it faced huge cost inflation -- particularly for vital elements such as animal feed, energy and fertilizers.

Record-breaking temperatures last summer also weighed heavily on UK

“It isn’t just a blip,” he said of the current crisis. “It’s a symptom of a dysfunctional food system.”

He blamed supermarket giants for having squeezed costs as they slash prices to compete for customers.

“For decades the supermarket sector had been given a free run at our food supply chain by governments of both stripes,” Rayner wrote in a comment piece.

“Our self-sufficiency... withered.”

The farming of much fresh produce had become “economically unviable” due to soaring energy costs and Brexit fallout -- including extra red tape and labor shortages, he argued.

Britons, he said, would have to accept paying more for their food. AFP

The digital dearth is particularly acute in some African countries, including the Democratic Republic of Congo, where barely a quarter of the population of nearly 100 million can connect.

While internet access is easy in major DRC cities such as Kinshasa, huge rural zones and swathes of territory battled over by rival rebel groups for more than two decades are digital deserts.

The launch of thousands of LowEarth Orbit satellites could bring speedy change and boost African hopes, tech experts promised at the Doha summit. ‘Leapfrog other nations’ Satellite coverage will play a key role in Microsoft’s vow to bring internet access to 100 million Africans by 2025, which was outlined ahead of the summit.

Microsoft announced a first phase for five million Africans in December and last week added a commitment to cover another 20 million people.

Satellites may beam poorest nations out of digital desert

walks past empty shelves

Sainsbury supermarket, in east London,

San Miguel Holdings collars Cavite-Batangas Expressway

By Darwin G. Amojelar

THE provincial government of Cavite awarded a 35-year tollway concession to San Miguel Holdings Inc. for the construction and operations of the P27billion Cavite-Batangas Expressway project.

The Cavite LGU signed on Feb. 27 this year the joint venture agreement and tollway concession for the implementation of the CBEX project with joint venture partner San Miguel. It involves the construction, financing, operation and maintenance of a 27.06-kilometer toll road traversing the municipalities of Silang, Amadeo, Tagaytay City, lndang, Mendez and Al-

fonso in Cavite and Nasugbu, Batangas.

The estimated cost of the project including financing is P27.01 billion, which will be implemented at no cost to the provincial government of Cavite for a concession period of 35 years.

The project aims to improve connectivity between the National Capital Region and Cavite, Laguna, Batangas, Rizal and Quezon and enhance the mo-

bility of people and goods in the area. It will also help mitigate road congestion in CALABARZON.

Cavite, through its public-private partnership selection committee, earlier said it did not receive a competitive proposal from other parties to challenge San Miguel’s offer.

The provincial government launched the competitive selection process for the CBEX project in November 2022 to seek comparative proposals for the selection of the joint venture partner to develop the project.

Metro Pacific Tollway’s Corp. in 2018 proposed to the Department of Public Works and Highways a similar project that would also connect Cavite and Batangas through Tagaytay City.

Petron sustains recovery with net profit of P6.7b

OIL refiner Petron Corp. said Monday it strengthened its recovery momentum in 2022 with a consolidated net income of P6.7 billion, up 9 percent from P6.1 billion in 2021 despite navigating a volatile industry environment.

The DPWH then granted the original proponent status to MPTC for CTBEX—a 50.4-kilometer toll road that will connect Cavite and Batangas, with a spur road to Tagaytay City and ultimately terminating in Nasugbu and another spur road to Tuy, Batangas.

MPTC confirmed that the P22.4billion Cavite-Tagaytay-Batangas Expressway Project would overlap some portions of SMC’s Cavite-Batangas Expressway project.

CTBEX is expected to decongest about 23,000 vehicles daily from the nearby thoroughfares. Cavite and Batangas are rapidly-growing provinces that host major industrial parks, commercial districts and residential projects.

Petron saw its sales volume from local and international operations rise for the second straight year to 112.81 million barrels last year. This was up 37 percent from 82.24 million barrels in 2021. The company sold 68.53 million barrels in the Philippines, higher than 2021’s 47.9 million barrels.

“We’ve been consistent in our recovery, with our profits already at pre-pandemic levels over the past two years. We continue to note an increased and growing demand for our products even as we contend with pricing challenges, heavy competition, and the lingering effects of the pandemic,” said Petron president and chief executive Ramon Ang.

Petron’s board also approved the public offer and issuance of preferred shares of up to P50 billion, with features to be determined by the management.

Alena Mae S. Flores

DTI supports changes to economic provisions

TRADE Secretary Alfredo Pascual said he supports efforts to tweak certain economic provisions in the 1987 Constitution.

“We have done a lot of liberalization. We have amended Public Service Act, Foreign Trade Act, Retail Trade Liberalization Trade Act and we have CREATE [Law] that has provided incentives to investment,” he said in a telecast interview.

“The thing is that these laws can be changed anytime. The Constitution sends a more permanent signal to our stakeholders and investors, since it is the foundation of government, so it is more credible. It can provide greater comfort in terms of permanence and reliability of the commitment of the government with respect to foreign investments,” he said. Pascual said among the provisions that needed to be improved is foreign ownership which could be a touchy issue. “The Constitution can provide a longer and clearer provision on leaseholds,” he said.

Othel V. Campos

SMIC prices tender offer for 2GO shares

BEST MOBILE INNOVATION. Metro Pacific Investments Corp.’s health technology platform mWell clinches the most coveted Global Mobile Award for the Best Mobile Innovation for Digital Life award during the Mobile World Congress in Barcelona, Spain. MPIC chairman, president and chief executive Manuel Pangilinan (left) says digitalization is pivotal in MPIC’s commitment to ushering national progress. In her acceptance speech, MPIC chief finance, risk and sustainability officer and mWell chief executive Chaye Cabal-Revilla (right) says as the country’s first and only health and wellness mega app, mWell’s innovative digital solutions continue to respond to the country’s needs, ensuring good health and enabling economic productivity and nation-building through a fully integrated, sustainable and future-proof digital platform.

Aboitiz Power’s profit climbed 32% to P27.5b on higher energy sales

By Alena Mae S. Flores

ABOITIZ Power Corp. said Monday

net income grew 32 percent in 2022 to P27.5 billion from P20.8 billion in 2021 on increased contribution from GNPower Dinginin Ltd. Co.

The company said in a disclosure to the stock exchange it recognized nonrecurring gains of P1 billion in 2022, versus the P57 million in non-recurring gains in 2021.

Aboitiz Power said this was due to the portion of commodity hedge gains that were not recognized in fuel costs. Without these

one-off gains, the company’s core net income last year reached P26.5 billion, or 27 percent higher than P20.8 billion in 2021.

Aboitiz Power attributed the increase in 2022 profit to fresh contributions from GNPD, which owns a 1,336-megawatt coal-fired power plant in Mariveles, Bataan, higher generation availability, gains from commodity hedges and higher water inflows.

“We have achieved another strong year in 2022, despite the challenges posed by the ongoing pandemic. Our pursuit of delivering reliable and sustainable power to our customers and our

strategic investments in renewable energy have enabled us to remain resilient and adapt to changing market conditions,” said Aboitiz Power president and chief executive Emmanuel Rubio.

“As we move forward, we will continue to focus on expanding our renewable energy portfolio and leveraging digital technologies to enhance our operations and customer service. We remain optimistic about the future and are confident in delivering long-term value to all our stakeholders,” Rubio said.

Aboitiz Power’s consolidated net income reached P8 billion in the fourth

quarter, or 56 percent higher than P5.2 billion it booked in the same period in 2021. Core net income in the fourth quarter was at P8.2 billion, up 61 percent year-on-year.

Aboitiz Power’s generation and retail supply business recorded earnings before interest, taxes, depreciation and amortization of P51.2 billion in 2022, or 18 percent higher than P43.4 billion recorded in 2021. Capacity sold in 2022 went up by 7 percent to 4,034 megawatts from 3,753 MW in 2021. Energy sold increased by 16 percent to 30,251 gigawatt-hours compared to 26,031 GWh in 2021.

ICTSI’s net income advances 44% to $618.46m on strong revenues

INTERNATIONAL Container Terminal Services Inc. said Monday said net income grew by 44 percent in 2022 on the back of higher operating income.

The port operator said net profit amounted to $618.46 million last year, up from $428.57 million in 2021. Revenue from port operations went up 20 percent to $2.24 billion from $1.87 billion.

“In a year marked by geopolitical unrest and inflationary pressures, we took clear and robust actions to focus on our cost initiatives and implemented a selective and disciplined capex [capital expenditures] program which has pleasingly created value for our stakeholders,” said ICTSI chairman and president Enrique Razon Jr.

International Container Terminal Services Inc. continues to go above and beyond its concession obligations with the Philippine Ports Authority, adding another berth at the Manila International Container Terminal—the Philippines’ premiere gateway for international trade. Currently under phase two development, MICT’s berth 8 has a design depth of 15 meters that will enable the terminal to handle foreign ultra large container vessels with capacities of up to 18,000 TEUs. MICT is capable of handling neoPanamax ships through berths 6 and 7, which are operated by five quay cranes. A sixth crane is scheduled to arrive in July and will be operational within the year. Berth 8 will operate with a minimum of four QCs – two of which will be delivered in 2025.

Strong

By Jenniffer B. Austria

FOOD manufacturer Universal Robina Corp. said Monday net income from continuing operations grew 12 percent in 2022 to P14.5 billion on the back of a double digit growth in sales for both domestic and international markets.

URC said in stock exchange filing unaudited sales in 2022 reached P149.9 billion, up 28 percent year-on-year, boosted

by strong fourth-quarter performance. Sales in the fourth quarter jumped 35 percent from the same period last year, on sustained reopening of economies.

“We have closed out the year strong, turning in a record performance across all our business units and surging well above pre-pandemic levels. The structural work we have done over the last few years has allowed us to capitalize on the growth opportunities from the

“While the weaker economic backdrop continues, our business fundamentals remain constructive and we remain strongly positioned to deliver sustainable growth. I would like to thank colleagues across the Group who have worked hard to deliver an excellent year of results during a choppy year and the strength of our financial and operational results is testament to their hard work and commitment,” he said.

reopening of the economy in 2022,” URC president and chief executive Irwin Lee said.

“In the coming year, we will continue to execute our plans to keep our margin recovery on track. We remain confident that the strength of our portfolio of ‘Products and Brands that People Love’ will continue to drive growth into 2023 and beyond, as we stay true to our purpose of providing good food choices

ICTSI handled consolidated volume of 12,216,190 twenty-foot equivalent units in 2022, or 9 percent more than 11,163,473 TEUs it registered in the same period in 2021.

It said the increase in volume was due to consolidation of Manila North Harbour Port Inc. in Manila starting September 2022; volume growth and improvement in trade activities as economies continued to recover from the impact of the COVID-19 pandemic and lockdown restrictions; and new shipping lines and services at certain terminals.

Excluding the volume contribution of MNHPI, International Container Terminal Services Nigeria Ltd.—the company’s new terminal in Port of Onne, Nigeria and Davao Integrated Port and Stevedoring Services Corp. in Davao which ceased operations on June 30, 2022, consolidated volume would have increased by 5 percent.

The company’s consolidated cash operating expenses in 2022 was 17 percent higher at $612.12 million compared to $523.33 million in 2021.

Darwin G. Amojelar

for consumers.” Lee said.

Branded consumer goods, which include domestic and international branded consumer foods but exclude packaging, registered sales of P105.9 billion last year, up 29 percent from 2021.

Sales of branded food group in the Philippines reached P 73.6 billion, up by 23 percent from a year ago, while overseas sales jumped 46 percent yearon-year to P32.3 billion.

CONGLOMERATE SM Investments Corp. said Monday it will buy out the shares held by minority stockholders in transportation and logistics firm 2GO Group Inc. at P14.64 apiece.

SMIC will spend P5.54 billion to acquire 378.817 million common shares in 2GO, representing 15.39 percent, owned by the public.

The tender offer is in line with the conglomerate’s previously announced plan to delist 2GO from the local bourse.

SMIC said the tender offer price was based on the independent and fairness valuation report prepared by BPI Capital Corp. The tender offer period will be from March 15 to April 28, 2023, while payment and settlement date will be from May 2 to 10, 2023.

The conglomerate appointed BDO Securities Corp. as tender offer agent. Since the announcing the tender offer on Feb. 28, the share price of 2GO jumped 50.7 percent to P11.64 on Friday. Jenniffer B. Austria

February inflation

likely reached 8.9% —Moody’s Analytics

By Julito G. Rada

MOODY’S Analytics, a division of

Moody’s Corp., said Monday inflation in the Philippines likely accelerated to 8.9 percent in February from a 14-year high of 8.7 percent in January, which may prompt the Bangko Sentral ng Pilipinas to again raise the interest rates in its next policy meeting.

The Philippine Statistics Authority will release the official inflation data on Tuesday.

Moody’s Analytics earlier said inflation in the country could be “stubbornly elevated” and odds were high that the monetary policy tightening cycle would run for longer in the Philippines than elsewhere in Asia.

BSP Governor Felipe Medalla said monetary authorities remained hawkish and were ready to act accordingly if inflation in February continued to accelerate.

“We are still hawkish… If the February inflation is bad, we will act. But we are hawkish for a reason…It is the data,” Medalla said last month.

He said the most likely scenario could be one more rate hike, but this could change depending on the trajectory of inflation.

The BSP on Feb. 16, 2023 raised the benchmark policy interest rate by another 50 basis points to 6 percent to rein in inflation that blew past the target range last year.BSP data showed the last time the policy rate hit 6 percent was in August 2008 during the global financial crisis.

The BSP’s Monetary Board noted that the latest baseline inflation forecast path had shifted higher relative to the previous assessment. Average inflation is projected to breach the upper end of the 2 percent to 4 percent target range at 6.1 percent in 2023, before returning to 3.1 percent in 2024.

fourth-quarter sales boosted URC’s net earnings to P14.5b last year

Malixi, WAAP field set for tough test at Singapore golf

WHILE she has tackled courses of varying characters back home and abroad, this will be Rianne Malixi’s first stint at the Singapore Island Country Club.

But the three-time winner on the Ladies Philippine Golf Tour is thrilled more than wary of the challenges in the Women’s Amateur Asia Pacific Championship, which gets going Thursday.

“I have not played in SICC, so it will be interesting on how we’ll play with the course,” said Malixi.

Plans to build new velodrome gain boost from world cycling

By Peter Atencio

Philippine Olympic Committee president and Integrated Cycling Federation of the Philippines president Abraham “Bambol” Tolentino said this after returning recently from a meeting of the Asian Cycling Confederation Congress in Bali, Indonesia.

While in Indonesia, Tolentino talked to UCI president David Lappartient and other top UCI officials about the construction of a modern velodrome while in Bali.

The one being planned in the Philippines can be built in either Tagaytay City

or New Clark City in Capas, Tarlac.

The budget of building a new one could reach a staggering P1.5 billion.

The UCI will provide the design of the velodrome so that it will surely be up to world-class standards.

“They (UCI) will help with technical matters and supplies. For instance, the wood used, is Siberian wood,” added Tolentino.

“The velodrome in the Philippines is more than 50 years old. Obsolete na siya,” said Tolentino, who is also the mayor of Tagaytay City, in an inter-

view with the Manila Standard during a meeting of the Athletes’ Commission at the Rizal Memorial Sports Complex in Manila.

Because of this, preparing and training national athletes at the Amoranto Sports Complex in Quezon City are no longer advisable. That’s because condition of the 5.8-hectare facility for more than 10 years, is no longer up to international standards.

Tolentino explained that the standard length of a velodrome now stands at 250 meters and no longer 350 meters, which is the size of the Amoranto facility.

The last time that the velodrome was seriously used for competition was back in the 2013, when the POC-PSC Philippine National Games were held.

The complex, which was inaugurated in 1966 by then President Ferdinand Mar-

cos, was used back in 2005 as one of the venues for the Southeast Asian Games.

It was last used seven years ago, when national cyclists were still quartered inside the sports complex, but rarely got a chance to practice in the steeply banked oval tracks.

Track cycling in the Olympics features five events—team sprint, keirin, sprint, team pursuit and omnium— which offer a combined 10 gold medals both for men and women.

The 57-year-old velodrome inside the Amoranto Sports Complex in Quezon City is the only venue in the country where track cyclists can hone their racing skills at the moment.

Last year, the Quezon City government began work on the renovation and construction of new facilities at the Complex.

For sure, it will be a question of length with the softened, hilly par-72 Island course that weaves through old trees expected to play longer with a forecast of another rainy week in the island state. It will also be about iron play and the ability to set up birdie chances on the receptive greens and make them.

After losing in the countback for the bronze in Queen Sirikit, Malixi buckled down to work and shuttled to and from two tough courses to polish her craft while keeping herself fit and in shape.

“I’ve been training at Royal Northwoods (in Bulacan) and at The Country Club (Laguna), so it was more practicing more under gusty conditions. I’ve also had my fitness sessions with my conditioning coach,” she said.

Emerging stars from the As-Pac region make up the 85-player field, all primed up for a four-day test of ball-striking with emphasis also on mental toughness with the weather likely to be a big factor the way it was in last week’s LPGA Tour’s Women’s World Championship marred by a number of rain delays and suspension due to threats of lightning.

But winning the championship and mirroring the exploits of Thai Atthaya Thitikul, who topped the inaugural staging in 2018 at nearby Sentosa Golf Club and went on to gain the world No. 1 ranking in one stretch last year, will be more than enough motivation for this crack set of bidders from 22 countries.

PhilCycling women’s road team joins Vietnam race

A 10-MEMBER women’s team of the PhilCycling arrived in Ho Chi Minh City on Monday morning for the 13th Biwase Cup—a 10-stage women’s road race that Vietnam hosts annually in celebration of the International Women’s Day.

THE Philippine College of Criminology squad pushed themselves to the limit to defuse Electron College, 82-75, in the opening game of the National Universities and Colleges Athletic Association recently at San Juan Gymnasium in San Juan City.

The Warriors from Novaliches, Quezon City, composed of young electronic student athletes, waxed hot in the early goings using speed, sticky defense and fluid offense, ignited by team triggerman Raymond Basilio to keep the powerhouse Serpent Eagles from Sta. Cruz in Manila at bay as they trailed majority of first two quarters.

The Criminologists, who came to the NUCAA warzone fully armed, however, flexed their muscles in the final half and grabbed the momentum, 42-37, in the first minute of the third, highlighted by treys from gunners Medrilic Loresto and Paul Bradley Villareal.

PCCr’s onslaught peppered the Warriors of Engr. Dennis Solis in the payoff period as it built a commanding lead, 69-52, with 8:24 remaining in the game.

Electron College put up a last-ditch resistance, but it was not enough to pull off a surprise against the superior troop of athletic director Gene Tumapat, who dedicated the victory to the Bautista clan of the country’s pioneer Criminology institution.

“May konting jitters lang sa simula pero nu’ng makuha na ang rhythm ng laro, ‘di na pinakawalan ng mga bata ang panalo,” said Tumapat. “The young team (Electron) is really a hard nut to crack”.

The team is composed of five members of the national women’s team and two other riders who subbed for national athletes who couldn’t join the race because of school duties.

“The goal is for our women’s team to get at least one foreign exposure ahead of the Southeast Asian Games,” said Philippine Olympic Committee president Rep. Abraham “Bambol” Tolentino, also head of the PhilCycling.

The team is composed of national athletes Mathilda Krog, Kate Yasmin Velasco, Avegail Rombaon, Marianne Dacumos and Mhay Ann Lina and additions Jelsie Sabado and Maura de los Reyes.

Marita Lucas, Alfie Catalan and Joey de los Reyes are coaching the team supported by the POC, Philippine Sports Commission, Tagaytay City, MVP Sports Foundation, Standard Insurance, Excellent Noodles and 7-Eleven.

The race starts Wednesday—right on the global celebration of the International Women’s Day—with a 66-km criterium around Binh Duong New City.

The race organized by the Vietnam Cycling Federation covers 1,101 kms and ends on March 17.

After this pre-Cambodia 32ND SEA Games prep race in Vietnam, the entire national team will head to training camp for both the road and mountain bike disciplines.

The race will be livestreamed on https://www.facebook.com/vcfchannel/ posts/pfbid0JWL3EfCcczQdEMuN7aZTHTpnDKxn8QG2dB7Y8Ur9VwC7NLw8yYkS8zKTxEWA54bcl.

Diaz, Maravilla shine in PPS Biñan tennis

JANA Diaz pulled off a two-title romp while Reign Maravilla posted a win and a runner-up finish as the rising Cavite stars shared the spotlight in the PPS-PEPP Rep. Len Naguiat National Junior Tennis Championships at the South City Homes Recreational courts in Biñan last Sunday.

The top seeded Diaz flashed top form coming off a victory in the Escudero Cup, crushing Joy Ansay, 6-2, 6-2, in the girls’ 16-U finals before the Bacoor, Cavite find blasted Sandra Bautista, 6-3, 6-0, for the 18-U crown in the Group 1 tournament presented by Dunlop and marked by a couple of reversals.

Maravilla, on the other hand, foiled Escudero Cup leg winner Kendrick Bona, 6-3, 6-3, in the boys’ 16-U championship although the Dasmariñas, Cavite bet came up short and bowed to Vince Serna of Butuan City, who hacked out a 6-1, 6-7(4), 10-8 decision in the premier 18-U finals of the week-long event hosted by Biñan City Mayor Len Alonte-Naguiat and part of country’s longest talent-search put up by Palawan Pawnshop president/CEO Bobby Castro.

Maristella Torrecampo of Los Baños likewise came away with a “double” in varying fashions, dispatching Ayl Gonzaga, 6-0, 6-1, for the girls’ 12-U diadem then surviving Erynne Ong, 3-6, 6-4, 13-11, in the 14-U finals.

Other winners were Tyronne Caro (10-unisex), Iloilo’s Bjorn Castigador (boys’ 12-U) and Cabanatuan’s Lexious Cruz (boys’ 14-U).

Caro upended top seed Naeem Serillo, 5-4(5), 4-2, in the semis then rallied past No. 2 Raven Licayan, 4-5(6), 4-2, 10-7; Castigador also stunned top ranked Gabrio Serillo, 7-5, 6-1, after repelling No. 4 Alexandre Coyiuto, 6-3, 2-6, 10-6, in the semis; and Cruz toppled Zachary Morales, 6-1, 6-0.

Meanwhile, Tristan Licayan and Cruz drubbed Castigador and Serillo to snare the boys’ doubles 14-U trophy; Maravilla and Bona took the 18-U title over siblings Frank and France Dilao; while Torrecampo teamed up with Jasmine Sardona to topple Gonzaga and Ong in the girls’ doubles 14-U finals; and Diaz and Ansay bested Anika Manalo and Bautista for the 18-U crown.

REBOUND BATTLE. Barangay Ginebra’s Christian Standhardinger beats Converge’s Justin Arana for the rebound in a PBA Governors’ Cup game on Sunday at the Philsports Arena in Pasig City. The Gin Kings zeroed in on a twice-to-beat advantage in the quarter nals following a 120-101 win.

Jana Diaz (second from right) and Reign Maravilla hoist their trophies as they pose with Luz Maestrado of South City Recreation Tennis Center (left) and Jonathan Bernardo, UTP (United Tennis Philippines) OIC for Calabarzon.

Members of the cycling team, (from left) coaches Al e Catalan and Marita Lucas, Marianne Dacumos, Jelsie Sabado, Mathilda Krog, Kate Yasmin Velasco, Avegail Rombaon, Maura de los Reyes and coach Joey de los Reyes, arrive at the Tân Sơn Nhất International Airport in Ho Chi Minh City on Monday morning.

Rianne Malixi

Arca, Largo win National Age-Group chess meet

CHRISTIAN Gian Karlo Arca and Franchesca Largo outshone the big guns to reign supreme in the premier open and girls Under-18 division of the Vice Gov. Athena Tolentino National Age Group Chess Championships in Tagaytay City over the weekend.

Faced against older, more experienced foes, the 13-yearold Arca played unfazed and smashed Jerish John Velarde to top the strongest section with six points, half a point ahead of top seed Cyrus Vladimir Francisco and Del Emerson Dela Cruz, who wound up second and third with 5.5 points apiece.

Largo, 16, for her part, turned back Cyhrea Ruth Atog in claiming the crown in her class with six points, a full point ahead of heavily favored Jerlyn Mae San Diego, who missed her chance to tie for first after losing to Shiela Mer Donoga in the seventh and final round.

Arca and Largo will lead the march to the grand finals slated April 2 to 10 in Dipolog City, Zamboanga del Norte.

John Cyrus Borce and Jersey Marticio lived up to their top billing in ruling the U16 class where they scored six and 5.5 points, respectively, in this event backed by the PSC, NCFP and Philippine Olympic Committee president Abraham Tolentino.

Also topping their respective sections were Keith Adriane Ilar and Kaye Lalaine Regidor (U14), Mar Aviel Carredo and Zhaoyu Capilitan (U12), and Steve Zacky Bolico and Mary Janelle Tan (U10).

Red Bull overwhelming F1 title favorite, Mercedes driver says S

AKHIR, Bahrain—Mercedes driver George Russell believes Red Bull have the 2023 title already “sewn up” after seeing Max Verstappen and Sergio Perez cruise to a one-two fi nish in the season-opener in Bahrain.

Verstappen, who is attempting to collect a third successive drivers title, won comfortably from pole position at Sakhir with Perez almost 12 seconds behind.

Evergreen former two-time world champion Fernando Alonso was third

in an Aston Martin, more than 38 seconds behind Verstappen.

“They have this championship sewn up. I don’t think anybody is going to be fighting with them this year,” said Russell, who was seventh, almost a minute off the pace.

“They should win every race is my bet with the performance they’ve got,” he told the BBC after only the first of a record 23 races this season.

Russell admitted Ferrari may still pose questions in qualifying but on race day, Red Bull have the speed, power and reliability to thwart their rivals on the grid.

“They have it easy at the moment and they can do what they like,” Russell said.

The second race of the championship, the Saudi Arabia Grand Prix, takes place in Jeddah on March 19. AFP

Hitters

THREE of the four leading teams and one trying to crash through the backdoor collide in a pair of matches that could clear or mess up the semifinal race in the Premier Volleyball League All Filipino Conference at the Philsports Arena in Pasig on Tuesday.

Creamline goes all-out for the first Final Four berth against a PLDT side hot on a four-game run while joint third-running F2 Logistics faces a Choco Mucho crew seeking to stay in the conversation heading to the final stretch of the single round elims.

The Cool Smashers rebounded from a tough five-set setback to the F2 Logistics squad with big victories over the Chery Tiggo Crossovers and the Army Lady Troopers as the defending champions regained the solo lead at 5-1 following a couple of reversals that stymied the bids of the Cargo Movers and the Crossovers.

But the High Speed Hitters silently but effectively put themselves in strong contention with a sweep of their last four matches after dropping a five-setter to the Cargo Movers last Feb. 7, making them the hottest squad among the chief semis contenders in the season-opening conference of the league organized by Sports Vision.

Abando, Anyang KGC claim EASL cage title

ANYANG KGC featuring Filipino import Rhenz Abando, claimed the East Asia Super League (EASL)

Champions Week title with a convincing 90-84 win over Seoul SK Knights in an all-Korea finals Sunday at the Okinawa Stadium.

Imports Darryl Monroe topscored with 21 points and 16 rebounds and Omari Spellman added 19 and 11 boards for Anyang, which pocketed the top prize of $250,000 (P14 million).

Abando, the Gilas Pilipinas training pool member and former NCAA Rookie-MVP from Letran, had 11 points and two rebounds and keyed a second quarter surge where Anyang outscored the Knights, 24-10, to take a 49-37 lead at the half.

The 24-year-old native of Santo Tomas, La Union, won his first championship as a pro after signing with Anyang last year prior to the

Smart brings fans closer to biggest basketball stars in final phase of FIBA World Cup 2023

FIBA global partner Smart Communications, Inc. (Smart) is all set to bring the world’s biggest basketball tournament and the brightest stars of the sport to the Philippines as the country plays host to the FIBA Basketball World Cup 2023 (FIBAWC 2023).

With Smart as a global partner, the Philippines will have a full homecourt advantage when it comes to epic basketball fan experiences lined up for the rest of the year, leading to the competition’s final phase in August 2023.

Representing one of the host countries, Gilas Pilipinas has already booked a slot at the FIBAWC 2023. Coming on the heels of their February 24 and 27 games at Philippine Arena, the Philippine team holds a 6-4 winloss record entering the final phase, ranking third in Group E of the Asian Qualifiers after New Zealand (8-2) at No. 1 and Lebanon (7-3) at No. 2. The biggest basketball event in Philippine history

For the first time in its history, basketball’s most prestigious international sporting competition will be hosted by multiple nations in Asia: the Phil-

ippines, Japan, and Indonesia. As the country prepares to welcome the best players from all over the world, every Filipino basketball aficionado can easily participate, show support, and enjoy a 360-degree, epic basketball fan experience powered by Smart.

“After nearly five decades since the country first hosted the FIBA Basketball World Cup in 1978, the world basketball stage finally returns to the Philippines. The biggest basketball event in Philippine history comes home and is within reach of every Filipino basketball fan. This is really for the supporters of the game. At Smart, we are thrilled to be part of the team that brings everyone closer to where it all happens,” said Alfredo S. Panlilio, President and CEO of PLDT and Smart, Head of the FIBA Basketball World Cup 2023 local organizing committee, and Second Vice President of the FIBA Asia Central Board.

“For Filipino basketball fans, this is the best time to be a Smart subscriber.

As a global partner of FIBAWC 2023, Smart will be raffling off game tickets, streaming FIBAWC games live on the

Smart LiveStream App, and providing an experience of a lifetime with perks and privileges leading up to the final World Cup games,” said Francis E. Flores, SVP and Head of Consumer Business Group – Individual at Smart.

Fans who want to witness Gilas Pilipinas up close and personal, experience the eagerly awaited matchups, and see some of the world’s best basketb all players in action may join ticket raffle contests to be announced with and through Smart’s official social media accounts. Smart subscribers can also stream all the upcoming FIBA games, as well as watch replays of the previous games , via the Smart LiveStream App, the go-to app for exclusive live sports and music events as well as ondemand video content.

Now downloadable on the Apple App Store and Google Play Store, the Smart LiveStream App is designed for optimized streaming wherever you are, transforming your smartphone into an electrifying sports arena, allowing fans to be virtually part of the large and live FIBA Basketball World Cup

KBL season.

The win was also payback time for Anyang after losing to SK Knights in the KBL finals last year.

Sun Hyung Kim finished with 25 points and import Jameel Warney 22 for Seoul, which battled back hard in the fourth quarter only to be stymied by key baskets courtesy of Monroe and Spellman to secure the win for Anyang.

SK Knights, reigning KBL champions, took home the runner up purse of $100,000 (P5.5 million).

In the battle for third, Bay Area Dragons routed the Ryukyu Golden Knights, 90-70, for a podium finish and the $50,000 (P2.7 million) prize money at the end of the five-day meet featuring top club teams in this side of the region.

The Dragons finished runner up behind Barangay Ginebra in the PBA Commissioner’s Cup just recently.

With both teams coming off a week-long rest, the CreamlinePLDT duel at 4 p.m. is expected to be tight and fierce although the Cool Smashers will most likely bank on their firepower to halt their rivals’ charge and formalize their stint in post-elims play.

But PLDT coach Rald Ricafort has whipped his squad, made up of Mika Reyes, Jovie Prado, Dell Palomata and Mean Mendrez and reinforced by Michelle Morente, into one fighting, cohesive unit with their new recruit norming 13.2 points in their last four games, Creamline, however, boasts not only of talents in Tots Carlos, Jema Galanza, Ced Domingo and Michele Gumabao but also of championship experience, having reigned in this conference, the former Open, the last three editions.

F2 Logistics, meanwhile, tries to recover from a stinging shutout loss to Petro Gazz last Thursday after shocking Creamline in five and thumping Cignal in three but the Cargo Movers will be as much

Set to compete at the fifth consecutive FIBA World Cup this year, Greece will likely rely on Milwaukee Bucks star and two-time NBA Finals MVP Giannis Antetokounmpo.

2023 crowd cheering at the Philippine Arena, Mall of Asia Arena, and Smart Araneta Coliseum. The Smart LiveStream App is available to all Smart Prepaid, Smart Postpaid, Infinity, TNT, and Smart Bro subscribers, who only need mobile data to access high-quality videos, anytime and anywhere. Non-Smart users may also stream the games live via their PLDT Home Wifi accounts.

Register your Smart and TNT SIMs now

To qualify for all Smart’s ticket pro-

mos and perks for the FIBA Basketball World Cup lined up for the rest of the year, subscribers must register their SIM cards in compliance with the SIM Registration Law. Smart Prepaid and TNT subscribers may register their SIMs at https://simreg.smart.com.ph/portal, while Smart Postpaid customers simply need to confirm the personal information and IDs they submitted for their postpaid plan application by texting YES to 5858 and wait for the confirmation message from Smart.

Cool Smashers seek semis vs. red-hot High Speed

Second place winner Red Bull Racing’s Mexican driver Sergio Perez (left) and third place winner Aston Martin’s Spanish driver Fernando Alonso (right) sprays with non-alcoholic champagne (rosewater) race winner Red Bull Racing’s Dutch driver Max Verstappen on the podium after the Bahrain Formula One Grand Prix at the Bahrain International Circuit in Sakhir. AFP

Anyang KGC celebrate their championship

By Patricia Taculao

OUNCILOR Alfred Vargas has shared several personalities in the entertainment industry because of his goal of challenging himself as an artist. Last February, he announced the fulfillment of his dream of working with Philippine cinema icons Nora Aunor and Gina Alajar in Pieta.

Upcoming drama movie

Cthe limelight with

star-studded cast ‘Pieta’ unveils

in

‘Creed III’ punches its way to top of box office

Still, the cast keeps shining brighter as other veteran actors join to complete the roster. These A-list actors include Jaclyn Jose Bembol Roco Ina Raymundo Angeli Bayani , and Tommy Alejandrino “‘ Yung concept pa lang talagang nagustuhan ko na ‘ yung kwento ng Pieta Hindi ko inexpect na magiging ganito siya kaganda with the cast members na ganito kahigante and I feel so humbled talaga ,” the councilor said during an intimate press conference held last February 26, Sunday, in Quezon City. When asked by the press how he feels about working with such veteran actors, Alfred admitted that he’s a novice among the cast in the project. His excitement about working with them has traces of nervousness, but his emotions are balanced because he’s open to learning new things from his costars. “ Alam ko naman marami pa akong bigas na kakainin pero ‘yun ‘yung nag-eexcite sa akin. For someone like me, tingin ko lang naman lahat ng artista ganito,

pangarap na magkaroon ng ganitong project,” Alfred said, also noting his excitement for the start of shooting and the outcome of the film.

Despite being the film’s producer, Alfred defers to the director’s creative perspective to allow a better outcome that brings out the best of each actor.

Ina shares the same sentiments as the councilor. She only knew about working with Nora and Alfred when she first accepted her role in Pieta. During the press conference, Ina admitted that the realization has just set in, and she’s both excited and nervous to share the spotlight with them in scenes.

She describes her role as minuscule yet relevant, making her a pivotal character in the movie’s progression.

Alfred plays Isaac, a man trying to reconcile with the past. After years of incarceration for patricide, Isaac returns to his mother, Rebecca (Nora), to discover the truth about his father’s passing since he believes he’s innocent of the crime. Unfortunately, Rebecca has Alzheimer’s and vision problems. She can barely remember her son let alone the past. Her loyal friend Beth (Gina) has devoted herself to caring for Rebecca.

Despite Isaac’s efforts to connect with his mother, Beth urges him to let go of the past and spend this new chance with Rebecca. Yet his past will catch up with him and cause unwanted trouble.

The film, written by Carlos Palanca awardee Jerry Gracio and directed by internationally acclaimed Urian Best Director Adolf Alix Jr. , follows an unconventional tale that will test the audience’s perception of love and its boundaries.

Alfred is grateful to Alix for assembling the star-studded cast and turning his dream of working with icons in Philippine cinema into reality. Alfred and Alix are also working together in the GMA drama series AraBella. Pieta begins filming this March.

Jake Cuenca in full monty?

and Beverly

Salviejo. Playing support are Diego Loyzaga, Cindy Miranda, Kyle Velino, and Franki Russell.

ACCORDING to Jake Cuenca, it would depend on the audience if he will do frontal nudity in the controversial stage play DickTalk, which will run from April 15 to 23, at the Carlos P. Romulo Auditorium in Makati City.

“I have the freedom to do it if I want to,” he avers. “Let’s see. I’ll cross the bridge when I get here. Let’s see how I’ll feel on that day!”

The competent actor explains that doing a full monty should not be the main selling point in the forthcoming stage play.

“For me, the main reason why I want to go back to theater is not because I want to do a skin or peep show. What I want to showcase is how I do theater. My main purpose here is to show that I’m different in films, television, and the legitimate stage.”

Interestingly, what does he love about theater?

“Well, for one, it’s dangerous – you don’t know what’s going to happen once you stepped foot on stage. You’re also in control. As I’ve said earlier, you can do whatever you want.”

MGM’s boxing drama Creed III scored an opening-round knockout this weekend, taking in an estimated $58.7 million to top North America’s box office in one of the biggest debuts ever for a sports film.

That made first-time director Michael B. Jordan – who again plays rock-hard boxer Apollo Creed – the “undefeated box office champion,” said industry analyst Exhibitor Relations.

In this ninth film in the Rocky franchise – the first without Sylvester Stallone in the Rocky Balboa role he created – Creed comes out of retirement for a dramatic showdown against an old friend played by Jonathan Majors

That makes this a pretty good weekend for Majors, the villain in Marvel and Disney’s Ant-Man and the Wasp: Quantumania, which placed second for the Friday-through-Sunday

period at $12.5 million. Paul Rudd stars as the title ant; Evangeline Lilly is the Wasp.

In third place was Universal’s Cocaine Bear at $11 million. The horror comedy is based loosely on the true story of a black bear that wreaks havoc in the Tennessee woods after consuming a cache of lost cocaine.

Keri Russell plays one of the locals caught up in the crazy.

Demon Slayer: Kimetsu no Yaiba –

To the Swordsmith Village, an anime sequel from Crunchyroll, placed fourth at $10.1 million. The previous Demon Slayer film in 2021 had a record debut for a non-English language feature, taking in $19.5 million, Variety reported.

And in fifth was Lionsgate’s Christian drama Jesus Revolution, a story of a 1960s religious movement in California. It took in $8.7 million. AFP

For Jake, the audience is a huge factor.

“If I feel that they want it, or the anticipation is there and this is the cherry on top of a good performance, then I might give it. Definitely, I won’t take that away from the audience.

“It’s not a very satisfying experience to go full monty in a theater without an audience, right? So, you have to feel it out. At the end of the day, it’s still a performance. I will just feel it from the connection that I built with the audience,” he ends.

* * *

Viva Films proudly presents its sequel to the mega-blockbuster Maid in Malacañang. Titled Martyr or Murderer, it is directed by the controversial Darryl Yap and is the second of his trilogy.

The movie boasts of a stellar cast led by Cesar Montano, Ruffa Gutierrez, Cristine Reyes, Isko Moreno, Ella

According to Cesar who plays the late President Ferdinand Marcos in the movie, he enjoys the story and script which gets deeper and deeper. He admits that the film brought him new discoveries. On Ruffa’s part who breathes life into Imelda Marcos she found it challenging to portray the former First Lady but is thankful for their director’s guidance. She believes that the cast is in good hands.

Meanwhile, Cristine reveals that it was challenging also to portray Senator Imee Marcos in the movie because she has a huge role in the family. For the pretty actress, the more challenging the role is, the more excited and game she becomes to portray it.

As an ender, Direk Darryl reiterates that his trilogy is not about politics but more of a family story. It would make the viewers think and assess their own family setting. While doing Martyr or Murderer , the acclaimed megger admits that he was not really thinking of breaking another box-office record but just simply to offer the viewers the continuation of the story.

Jake Cuenca is a competent actor who now enjoys performing in the theater

DonBelle leads ABS-CBN’s ‘Made for YouTube’ content lineup

As the leading YouTube channel in the media and entertainment category in Southeast Asia with over 42.7 million subscribers, ABS-CBN Entertainment houses Kapamilya Online Live, which offers on-demand streaming with a seven-day unlireplay of its shows, where fans continue to tune in to the thrilling and action-packed episodes of FPJ’s Batang Quiapo, The Iron Heart, and Dirty Linen. These three programs dominate primetime and amassed a combined total of 189,106,381 digital views for February 2023. Aside from the primetime shows,

ABS-CBN’s various YouTube channels will also have all-new “Made for YouTube” shows such as Pampered Pets where celebrity guests such as Catriona Gray, Sam Milby, Karen Davila, and Tim Yap talk about their fur babies, and Black Sheep’s latest offering Sparks Camp The Star Magic family also has exciting and exclusive YouTube shows in store for viewers with the “Star Magical Prom,” the talent agency’s first-ever prom night, and “Tatak Star Magic Celebrity Conversations” where viewers get up close and personal with Kapamilya stars Donny Pangilinan and Belle Mariano (DonBelle), Andrea Brillantes, KD Estrada, and more in one-on-one interviews.

Other “Made for YouTube” shows launching this year are fun Pinoy challenges in Paano Two, while viewers can go on a behind-the-scenes virtual tour in Metro’s Most Beautiful Homes and BGYO x BINI US Tour Meanwhile, viewers can continue to feel the ‘kilig’ in new episodes of Love Bites Season 2 Teen Clash Extras, and Dear MOR: Celebrity

Specials. Additionally, viewers can still watch episodes of GG-Han on CineMo’s YouTube channel where Joshua Garcia, Jane de Leon, Janella Salvador, and Macoy Dubs give their hot takes on trending topics.

On ABS-CBN Superview, viewers are treated every month to new titles of wellloved movies and series that are available for free. Movies available for binge-watching this month are To Love Somebuddy Just The Way You Are, Can’t Help Falling in Love, Always Be My Maybe, and more which are available on ABS-CBN’s various YouTube channels for a limited time only.

ABS-CBN’s efforts to continue to serve with entertaining and inspiring stories boosts the company’s transition into being an agile digital company where audiences on its YouTube channels can watch “Made for YouTube” exclusive shows, regularly updated titles of movies and series for free streaming via Superview, and on Kapamilya Online Live’s livestreaming and on-demand viewing of Kapamilya shows.

A first glimpse of Alfred Vargas as Isaac

Ina Raymundo has a small yet equally relevant role in the film

Michael B. Jordan returns as rock-hard boxer Apollo Creed in ‘Creed III’

New Gen Phenomenonal

Love Team Donny Pangilinan (left) and Belle Mariano, also known as DonBelle

By Jimbo Gulle

LILOAN town in Cebu province has a lot going for it these days. The first-class municipality is bouncing back strong from the COVID-19 pandemic and is on the verge of becoming a city itself – like its western neighbor, Cebu City – once a bill to that effect pending in Congress is signed into law.

Christina Garcia-Frasco, the town’s former mayor, also helped vault Liloan into the national spotlight once she became the campaign spokesperson of eventual Vice President Sara Duterte-Carpio. A few months later, the daughter of Cebu Governor Gwen Garcia did one better, as President Ferdinand Marcos Jr. appointed her as Tourism Secretary.

Thanks to the homegrown Duros Group of Companies, Liloan has one more reason to be proud of – One Tectona Hotel, the tallest structure in town that is billed as the first premium golf destination hotel in Northern Metro Cebu that aims to deliver five-star service.

Tectona philippinensis is the scientific name of the Philippine teak tree that abounds in Liloan, particularly in Barangay Yati (the Visayan name for the hardwood plant) where One Tectona Hotel is nestled, in the middle of the Woodlands Park Residences enclave also developed by the Duros Group.

But why the golf connection, you say? Duros Group founder and chairman Rafaelito “Lito” Berino is a certified linksman – so much that he designed and built the par-72 Liloan Golf Course and Leisure Estate five kilometers away

One Tectona Hotel Liloan’s tribute to teak

CEB’s latest promo allows travelers to go on more adventures

Leading airline launches more seats on anniversary month

CEBU Pacific is launching its latest passenger promo, P27 seat sale, in celebration of its 27th anniversary this month.

From 10:00 a.m. on March 6 until March 10, CEB travelers can book their flights to select domestic and international destinations for as low as P27 one-way base fare, exclusive of surcharges and fees. The travel period is from April 1 to September 30.

The airline is running a “March Pinabongga” month-long series of promos and seat sales as gratitude to its loyal customers over the past 27 years. Aside from the P199 seat sale all month long, CEB is also offering up to 27 percent off on select add-ons to make flying more convenient for its passengers. With CEB’s low fares now made more affordable by seat sales, you’ll have more chances to go on a water-rafting

adventure in Cagayan De Oro, satisfy your cravings with the delectable cuisines of General Santos and Davao, and enjoy the sights and scenes of Cebu, Clark, and Iloilo. Witness the blooming of cherry blossoms in Japan and Taiwan, and shop till you drop in Hong Kong, Singapore, and Dubai now more accessible with direct flights via Cebu Pacific.

Passengers with existing Travel Funds may use these to pay for flights and other add-ons. Apart from the Travel Fund, other payment options such as payment centers, credit or debit cards, and e-wallets may also be used.

CEB is set to restore 100 percent of its pre-COVID network and capacity in March 2023. It now flies to 34 domestic and 25 international destinations, spanning across Asia, Australia, and the Middle East.

Book your flights now via bit.ly/ CebuPacificSale

from the hotel, which in turn is meant to host golfers and their families before and after they hit the greens.

Unveiled in a soft opening ceremony last February 24, One Tectona is the flagship of the Duros Hotels arm of the group led by Berino and his wife, Duros Group president Fe M. Berino. They also built the Cebu Quincentennial Hotel and The Padgett Place Deluxe Suites in downtown Cebu City, and the Duros construction pedigree shows in every inch of the 14 floors and 102 rooms of One Tectona. (The Berinos also revealed they plan to erect a 100-room hotel near the airport in Panglao, Bohol).

shuttle service going to and from the hotel), as Woodlands Golf Academy’s driving range is just a few steps from One Tectona and offers experienced instructors to get the pesky hitch out of your, er, swing.

Group

Quincentennial and the One Tectona doubles down on its forest feel with well-appointed wood paneling, accents, and Liloan’s

products from the town’s other famous business, in But

Cuisine is more than up to its task of allday dining for hotel guests, serving a parade of

Even non-golfers, local tourists, and Cebuanos themselves who want to get away from the frenetic pace of Cebu City will appreciate the One Tectona experience. It feels very much like an expanded golf clubhouse, from the open layout of its dining and guest areas on the ground floor down to its dimpled golf ball-inspired cups we were gifted as a token of our visit. Going up to the Zen-inspired rooms, One Tectona doubles down on its forest feel with well-appointed wood paneling, accents, and furniture. Its balconies also open to the serene, verdant view of Magellan Bay, the Metro Cebu skyline, Liloan’s highlands, and the hotel’s two infinity swimming pools beside its clubhouse, which is open for events. A gift bag full of rosquillos and other baked products from the town’s other famous business, Titay’s, only enhances the rooms’ welcoming vibe (disclaimer: we’re not sure this comes standard with every room in the hotel). But when in-room snacking on Liloan’s famed rose-ring cookies and complimentary coffee and tea is simply insufficient, Teak Modern Cuisine is more than up to its task of allday dining for hotel guests, serving a parade of Filipino and continental dishes with fresh, locally grown ingredients. One Tectona certainly has a lot more to offer than just Cebuano delicacies, Duros Hotels managing director Adie Gallares stressed when

Duros Group founder and CEO Rafaelito Berino (left) and his wife, group President Fe M. Berino, speak during the soft opening ceremony at the hotel’s Teak Modern Cuisine restaurant on February 24

he sat down with our group of Manila-based journalists corralled by the inimitable Pete Dacuycuy (with big props to homegrown Cebu Pacific, of course).

The hotel rooms come in Deluxe, OneBedroom, and Executive Three-Bedroom variants, and those looking to stage their next meeting or convention will find its 80-seat Function Hall spacious and welcoming. The Executive Boardroom and Lounge will open soon for cocktails, date nights, and meetings or parties for 25 persons, Gallares added. Those who want to get in the swing of things need not go to Liloan Golf (despite the free

While Dad and Mom are “clubbing,” the kids could also try the pools, the state-ofthe-art fitness center, the game room, and soon a bike trail that underscores the hotel’s health and wellness goals. Of course, with the right transportation, all of Cebu’s traditional offerings are within reach of One Tectona, and its exquisite beds are sure to put even the most wearied tourist to a sound sleep.

Ultimately, Liloan’s refreshing environs and the chance to play a round of golf without needing a club membership is what will bring tourists – mostly Japanese, Koreans, Pinoys, and their balikbayan relatives, hotel management says – back and again to One Tectona. It certainly helps that Cebu Pacific flies from Manila to Cebu 13 times daily, as well as from other cities across the country.

But in One Tectona Hotel, the Duros Group did not make just another boutique hotel experience; as their company name (drawn from the Latin word for strength) and their affinity for the teak tree imply, the Berinos have built a masterpiece that stands tall, one that aims to outlast the test of time and for all Liloan and Cebu to be proud of.

Local coffee chain intensifies global expansion

BO’S Coffee has gotten everything going with its expansion to new store locations here and abroad with its operations well-organized, defined, and ready for a post-pandemic world.

A significant driver in the coffee shop industry is growing in the form of domestic and international expansions. With leading global coffee shops opening new stores in cities around the world, Bo’s Coffee responded to this challenge when it opened its first-ever international store in Bin Omran, Qatar in 2018 with Al Najed group, making a significant entry into the Middle East. Further critical growth drivers are collaborations and partnerships. Bo’s Coffee has become a platform for the growth of Filipino artisan brands and social enterprises like Anthill Fabrics, Tsaa Laya, Kalsada Coffee, Theo & Philo, and more recently, cacao brand, Cacaomistry. Bo’s Coffee has long been a proponent of Philippine Coffee, putting a spotlight on local coffee traders and farmers and carefully selecting social enterprises to collaborate with to develop world-class products.

Bringing this passion along in the international scene for geographical expansion, Bo’s Coffee partnered with UAE’s Al Mulla Group. These alliances allow for exponential growth, putting the Filipino forward in the quest to elevate Philippine Coffee and the unique brand of Filipino hospitality here and abroad.

Local stores expansion Stores depend greatly on customer traffic who not only drink coffee but also invest a significant amount of personal time. So most often, these stores are located in areas with convenient access for pedestrians or drivers.

Bo’s Coffee continues to expand locally opening 20 stores across the country in 2022 and 30 more stores in 2023.

This expansion included new drive-thru stores, a channel that’s significantly growing. Bo’s Coffee opened

its Banilad Town Center drive-thru store way back in 2011 before other coffee shop drive-thrus even began sprouting locally. The quick and convenient appeal of coffee drive-thru has become more apparent during the pandemic, that’s why Bo’s Coffee continues to place new drive-thru locations today to offer a more convenient way of getting a cup of Philippine Coffee. Following the opening of stores in the fast-growing Malolos City district earlier this year, Bo’s Coffee continues to open more drive-thrus that let you park, order, stretch, and relax as you enjoy your homegrown favorites.

Store format and size vary by location. Bo’s Coffee has strategically been opening locations in major thoroughfares, airports, and hospitals, and has opened its largest store in war-torn Marawi City with a grand 250-seater café set to not only serve its signature coffee and favorites, but also stake a long-term commitment to the city’s post-war rehabilitation.

Digital and online growth

Bo’s Coffee aims to grow its specialty operations further and has selectively pursued opportunities to leverage the brand through the introduction of new products and the development of new channels of distribution.

Expanding in various digital channels through its presence in delivery platforms such as GLife, Grabfood, GCash, and Foodpanda, and its own online ordering via messenger available in more than 100 stores nationwide.

Bo’s Coffee customers can also conveniently order Philippine coffee and baked products through its ecommerce website and popular shopping platform, Lazada and Shopee, for delivery nationwide and soon worldwide.

By offering an aggressive online sales operation, Bo’s Coffee has its eyes set on focusing on brand vitalization, product innovation, and consistency post-pandemic and

has been accelerating operational effectiveness.

Indeed, Bo’s Coffee has made its mission to deliver an omnichannel customer experience in-store and online. A growing international footprint Post-pandemic, the coffee industry is seen to bring in healthy gains with significant momentum to global growth. And those who are able to take advantage of forming partnerships will remain flexible enough to pivot around what comes next in the global coffee market and enjoy its continued growth.

With the local coffee industry growing in value, Bo’s Coffee reached an all-new high with the Middle East as the first region Bo’s Coffee is seeking to expand internationally, partnering with Dubai-based Al Mulla Group and Al Majed with the opening of a store recently. One thing that Dubai does exceptionally well is its cafe scene. Al Mulla and Bo’s Coffee just opened the perfect cafe vibe for an a]er-shopping coffee break, a fancy remote working place, or simply a hang-out hub to enjoy the city buzz.

Opening its first store in Dubai’s most prominent shopping mall, The BurJuman Mall, the Philippines’ homegrown brew brings Philippine Coffee and the unique brand of Filipino hospitality into the spotlight.

Opening about fifty stores across the seven emirates over the next decade, Al Mulla also recently opened the second Bo’s Coffee in the city at Sahara Centre in Sharjah soon.

Coffee shops like Bo’s Coffee may have had setbacks due to the global pandemic that disrupted the industry with supply issues, changing consumer habits, and new norms, but today, the coffee world is seeing a new light that the cafe culture is more resilient than ever and Bo’s Coffee’s growth will continue to put Philippine Coffee in the spotlight and the Filipino forward

A Deluxe Room setup at One Tectona Hotel

One of the lush greens at Liloan Golf Course

One Tectona Hotel’s outdoor lounge

The clubhouse of the Liloan Golf Course and Leisure Estate

The 14-story One Tectona Hotel with its twin infinity pools and clubhouse in the foreground