THE military should not just be "warfighters" but also "peacemakers," President Ferdinand Marcos Jr. said Thursday amid the government’s new approach toward communist rebels.
The President said this to the Philippine Army's 9th Infantry "Spear" Division in Camarines Sur. According to the Chief Executive, the government has been offering communists a "life after their life as rebels."
Ferdinand Marcos Jr. on Thursday said he is still hopeful that his dream of P20 per kilo of rice for Filipinos will come true.
"You can see that the price of rice, my dream of lowering its price to P20, we are not yet there... but we are already at P25. We are close to further reducing its price," the President said in a speech at the launch of the Kadiwa Ng Pangulo in Pili, Camarines Sur
The Kadiwa market aims to provide farmers and fishers as well as micro, small, and medium enterprises a direct market for their products.
In 500 Kadiwa stores across the country, rice sells for P25 a kilo.
As of March 15, the price of wellmilled rice in the markets in Metro Manila ranges from P40 to P46 per kilo, according to government data.
It was President Marcos' campaign promise to bring down the price of rice in the Philippines to as low as P20 per kilo.
He said the aspiration hinges on fixing the value chain, or the series of stages involved in producing a product or service
SPEAKER Martin G. Romualdez on Thursday renewed his appeal – and ultimatum—to Negros Oriental 3rd District Rep. Arnolfo Teves Jr. to return to the country and report to work in Congress immediately.
This was as Negros Oriental Governor Roel Degamo, who was gunned down along with eight others at his home by heavily-armed men who claimed a certain “Cong Teves” was the mastermind of the brazen assassination, was laid to rest yesterday in his hometown of Siaton.
FAREWELL, GOV.
bear the
of slain Negros Oriental Gov. Roel Degamo toward the family mausoleum in Bonawon, Siaton, as supporters, relatives, and close allies of the governor shout for justice for his assassination last March 4. PIA
THE Supreme Court has declared that the statutorily mandated 20 percent discount for senior citizens covers funeral and burial expenses.
In a decision, the SC ruled that the mandatory discount is provided for under Republic Act No. 7432, the Senior
Citizens Act of 1992, as amended by RA Nos. 9257 and 9994,
By Rey E. Requejo, Vince Lopez, Macon Ramos-Araneta and Charles Dantes
The leadership of the House of Representatives also said it will leave it up “to the sound discretion” of the House Committee on Ethics and Privileges to investigate Teves over his failure to return to the country despite the Speaker’s appeal and the expiration of his travel clearance last March 9.
House Majority Leader and Zamboanga City Rep. Manuel Jose Dalipe said it will let the House ethics committee decide on the imposition of appropriate disciplinary action against Teves.
The Negros solon’s legal counsel, Ferdinand Topacio, requested a private meeting with the Speaker Wednesday night.
"In that meeting, I reiterated my stand that Cong. Arnie should return to the
THE oil tanker MT Princess Empress that sank and caused an environmental crisis off Oriental Mindoro was already so old it had already been scrapped—but was rebuilt and passed off to the Philippine Coast Guard as brand new, Justice Secretary Jesus Crispin Remulla said on Thursday.
By Rey E. RequejoTHE Philippines has interposed no objection to the development of the trilateral security pact among Australia, Britain, and the United States (AUKUS), including Canberra’s plan to purchase nuclearpowered submarines.
In a statement, the Department of Foreign Affairs noted the assurances made by the three countries' heads of government that AUKUS will contribute to the preser-
Owing to this, Remulla said the government is eyeing both criminal and civil cases following the sinking of the tanker and the resulting oil spill that is threatening the vital ecosystem of the Verde Island Passage north of where it capsized.
“It is a rebuilt scrap... It was not built to be a tanker from the very beginning,” Remulla said. “The PCG had been told that it was brand new. But it turned out that it was already old—rebuilt scrap that
vation of regional peace and stability.
The DFA expressed support for the deal as Manila "remains committed to strengthening our existing bilateral security arrangements in the region."
"The Philippines appreciates the efforts of the AUKUS parties to provide information and developments on AUKUS, and in this regard, notes their recent announcement," the DFA said.
Amid Chinese aggressive behavior in
IN SOLIDARITY with earthquake-hit countries
Türkiye and Syria, SM Foundation Inc. (SMFI) sent aid through the Philippine Red Cross (PRC) on Feb. 27.
Represented by SM Foundation Health and Medical Programs Executive Director Connie Angeles, SMFI handed over 200 units of gasoline generators to PRC to provide power to areas in both quake-stricken countries.
Policemen
casket
PRESIDENT Ferdinand Marcos Jr. on Thursday led two groundbreaking ceremonies for the construction of more than 20,000 housing units for residents of Camarines Sur as part of the government’s Pambansang Pabahay Para sa Pilipino (4PH) Program.
“This is one of the projects of my administration that is anchored on our goal of providing a comfortable, orderly, and decent life to all our countrymen,” President Marcos said in his speech during the groundbreaking for the construction
From A1 that is sold to consumers, with each state adding to the value of the product or service.
Albay 2nd District Rep. Joey Salceda previously said that while thisis not impossible, lowering rice prices to P20 would be at the expense of other sectors in the country.
According to the National Food Authority, the average retail price ofwell-milled rice in 2022 was P43.77 per kilogram, up by P1.33/kg from the previous year. Regular milled rice, on the other hand, averaged P39.43/kg last year, up by P1.83/kg.
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"But now, the situation is beginning to evolve. And that evolution means that not only are you meant – they still train to be warfighters, and, on some occasions, you have to go and fulfill your primary mission of defending the people or the communities here inBicol," Mr. Marcos said.
"Also now, we are asking you to be peacemakers because we have changedour approach to the communist, terrorist groups that we have been encountering," he added.
"We are now not only presenting them with a military force—we are presenting them with other options. We are presenting them with a life after their life as rebels," Mr. Marcos said at Camp Elias Angeles, San Jose in Pili, Camarines Sur. Also, the President said the military has not let the country down despite tremendous challenges.
From A1 was used as an LPG (liquefied petroleum gas) carrier. It was again rebuilt to become a tanker.”
The oil slick caused by the tanker may reach as far north as the resort town of Puerto Galera and Batangas by today, and thus local governments there should prepare, University of the PhilippinesMarine Science Institute (UP-MSI) associate professor Dr. Irene Rodriguez said in a radio interview.
Rodriguez said the oil slick may reach ”very close” to the waters of Puerto Galera and Calapan by Thursday or Friday.
”The local government units in areas covering the Verde Island Passage in Calapan, Puerto Galera, and some areas in Batangas should prepare,” Rodriguez said.
Meanwhile, the national government and the private sector haveprovided P43 million worth of assistance to 74 areas in the Mimaropa and Western Visayas regions that were affected by the oil spill in Oriental Mindoro.
Senator Ramon Revilla Jr. also said RDC Reield Marine Service Inc., the owner of the sunken MT Princess Empress, must take fullresponsibility for causing a spill of 800,000 liters of industrial fuel, saying it should be at the forefront of clean-up efforts.
He said the ship company should not pass the responsibility for the problems which they created.
"Do not use as an excuse your insurance," he said.
The tanker “could be 50 years old already,” Remulla added, noting there may already have been an intent to deceive authorities about its status from the start.
“The utterances after the occurrence of the fact, there may be an intent to deceive after the PCG's claimed that it was a new vessel. We have to look into it,” the Justice chief said.
Remulla said the Department of Justice has an affidavit from a person who knew what happened with the MT Princess Empress, and how everything started. However, he said the person’s identity remains confidential for now.
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the Indo-Pacific, particularly in the South China Sea, the Philippines found it significant that partnerships or arrangements, such as AUKUS, support Manila's pursuit of deeper regional cooperation and sustained economic vitality and resilience, the department said.
of housing units on Panganiban Drive in Naga City.
“Having their own house is the dream of all Filipinos who want to have a place where they can start a new chapter of their lives," the President said.
The average ex-farm price of palay or unhusked rice in 2022 was P17.43/kg, up 4.06 percent from the previous year’s P16.76/kg.
Twenty exhibitors or Kadiwa partners are expected to sell their products during the two-day trade fair at Barangay Palestina in Pili town.
Aside from three farmers' cooperatives, four MSMEs, and three individual young farmers who will sell their food and non-food products, the National Food Authority will also sell rice at a lower price while the Bureau of Fish and Aquatic Resources (BFAR) will also offer seafood products.
The BFAR on Thursday assured the public of adequate fish supply despite
“I said during the command conference very quickly earlier, I see thatthe actions here, the violent instances of encounters et cetera, have slowly come down and looking at that, all I can say is that once again—I have always said that of all the sectors of society, it is only the military that has never let the Filipino down,” the President said.
“So, keep up the good work. Continue your service. We expect you all and you are not – you have no experience that you did not accept your duty and you did not fulfill your mission,” he added.
The President also asked the personnel of the 9th ID to become peacemakers under the government’s whole-of-nation approach and actively guard the nation’s borders from external threats amid the current geopolitical tension in Asia.
Asia’s situation, Mr. Marcos said, is becoming more complicated and the country is now facing difficult external threats.
“And with the geographical location of
“The NBI is already on it. They have the statement. They have a person who knows where the scrap was placed and where it was built. We have the details,” he said.
The Justice department is also looking at the angle of an insurance claim “because it’s a hefty sum,” Remulla said.
The Coast Guard has yet to reply about the issue as of press time, while representatives of the company that owns MT Princess Empress declined to comment.
“We will run after them. We can assure you that we will not stop. We will run after them... It's not just a civil case. Criminal cases will also be filed against the perpetrators,” Remulla said.
According to the DOJ chief, the tanker’s owners were informed about gale warnings on February 27 before sailing. He said that on the midnight of February 28, they were again told that it would be difficult to sail as the waters were somewhat turbulent.
“They ignored the warning until it was already too late. It was an accident waiting to happen,” Remulla said.
Defense Secretary Carlito Galvez Jr., who is chairman of the National Disaster Risk Reduction and Management Countil (NDRRMC) said 31,497 families or 143,713 individuals were affected in 122 barangays, while the livelihood of 13,654 fishers were also affected.
At least 169 individuals were reported to have been injured or fell ill due to the oil spill.
A state of calamity has been declared in the towns of Bansud, Bongabong, Bulalacao, Gloria, Mansalay, Naujan, Pinamalayan, Pola, Roxas in Oriental Mindoro and in Caluya, Antique.
A total of 894 sacks of oil contaminated debris and 77.5 drums of waste for treatment were collected during the continuous shoreline clean-up activities.
President Marcos has instructed government agencies to intensify their cleanup operation and assured the affected communities that the government will extend assistance, particularly through the cash-for-work program. (See full story online at manilastandard.net)
The DFA said they "are essential to our national development and to the security of the region."
Meanwhile, there is a possible quadrilateral military patrol in the South China Sea between the Philippines, the US, Australia, and Japan.
"We consider it important for these arrangements to uphold ASEAN's central role in the regional security architecture and reinforce an interna -
This is the first housing project under the 4PH program that was entered into by the Department of Human Settlements and Urban Development (DHSUD) with a provincial government.
Camarines Sur’s 4PH Project aims to build five residential towers with 11,880 housing units on a 6-hectare land on Panganiban Drive, Naga City. Four commercial buildings surrounding the residential towers will also be built.
President Marcos said his administration’s goal is to build 1 million houses each year under his six-year term as the President to provide Filipinos with decent housing and address the 6-million-unit housing backlog in the country.
demand peaking as the Holy Week approaches.
BFAR spokesperson Nazario Briguera said the bureau is confident of sufficient production since fishing grounds in the country have reopened after their periodic closure.
“Since we are in the peak season of fishing activity, we expect to meet the high demand for fish during the Holy Week,” he said.
Briguera noted some factors that may affect local fish production, including the unprecedented oil spill in Mindoro that could possibly lower fish output in Oriental Mindoro and nearby provinces. He also pointed out that expensive fuel costs and post-harvest lossescontinue to be among challenges in strengthening the
the 9th ID, we can see that it is very close to some of the disputed areas where various ships enter.
We also need to watch that. So, this is another new mission of yours," the Commander-in-Chief told the troops.
The Philippines must have a sophisticated and well-trained military and the administration has been working very hard to attain that, the President said, as he described the Philippine military as a capable and well-prepared force.
In the past, the President said the government neglected the militaryand failed to develop its capabilities by providing soldiers with modern equipment.
“Now, that has all changed. And we in the civilian government are determined to make sure that when we ask you to do your duty, that then you are fully prepared, you are fully trained and you are complete in the equipment that you need to fulfill that mission,” Mr. Marcos pointed out.
"Also now, we are asking you to be peacemakers because we have changed
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The SC “emphasized that the Senior Citizens Act is a law created to grant a bundle of benefits in favor of senior citizens or those at least 60 years old, giving flesh to the declared policy of motivating senior citizens to contribute to nation building and encouraging their families and communities to reaffirm the Filipino tradition of caring for the senior citizens.”
The Court decision granted the petition filed by the Office of theSolicitor General (OSG) and the Department of Social Welfare and Development (DSWD).
The petition challenged the 2018 ruling of the Cagayan de Oro City Regional Trial Court (RTC), which excluded funeral and burial services from the coverage of the senior citizens’ discount.
The RTC ruling was handed down on the case filed by Pryce Corporation, Inc., a firm that sells memorial lots and offers interment services.
It claimed that interment service is not among the services entitled to the 20-percent senior citizens’ discount.
The RTC ruled that the IRR of RA 9994 only mentioned the services of purchase of a casket or urn, embalming, hospital morgue, and transport of the body to the intended burial site.
Specifically, the RTC held that the digging of land for the grave of the deceased, the concreting of the gravesite, and the other services done during the actual burial are not subject to the discount.
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The social good arm of SM also donated P5 million to help address the needs of both countries’ earthquake victims.
The aid comes after a 7.8 magnitude earthquake hit southeast Türkiyeand
tional rules-based order that underpins regional security and development," it said.
While officials of AUKUS members said the new deal involving the purchase of submarines is all about contributing to the peace and stability in the region, China criticized the move taken by the three countries.
"The three countries have gone further and further down a wrong and dangerous
Residents in the new housing projects could also have easy access to basic and vital facilities such as schools, markets, medical facilities as well as livelihood infrastructure.
The President called on different government agencies, construction companies, private financial institutions, and other partners to adhere to government rules and regulations in carrying out their projects.
Housing officials reported that as of March 13 this year, the DHSUD has signed 83 memoranda of understanding (MOU) and four memoranda of agreement (MOA) with local government units (LGUs) nationwide. (See full story online at manilastandard.net)
fishing industry.
The fishery sector is looking forward to the construction of 11 morecold storage facilities on top of ongoing construction in variousports in General Santos and Cagayan de Oro, that should be operational by the end of 2023.
BFAR said fish spoilage is between 25 percent to 40 percent because ofthe shortage in post-harvest equipment like blast freezers, ice making machines, cold storage warehouses, and fish landing sites.
The Philippine Statistics Authority reported that the country hadproduced about 4.34 million metric tons (MT) of fish in 2022, 2.16 percent higher than the 2021 output and 0.16 percent higher than the DA’s target of 4.33 million MT.
our approach to the communist, terrorist groups that we have been encountering," he added.
“And that I think has become the reason why we have slowly succeeded in the so-called whole-of-society, whole-ofnation approach in terms of our dealings with these groups that originally would like to bring down the government by armed struggle,” the President added.
The President also acknowledged the role of the whole-of-nation approach when it comes to dealing with these rebel groups who want to bring down the government through armed struggle.
"And now I think even the – although they technically have not abandoned the concept of armed struggle, I think they –efforts of those dissidents had been redirected in another way," Mr. Marcos said.
"And that’s why your role as the Philippine military continues to be as warfighters, but now there is the additional mission that we are asking of you to be peacemakers," he added.
In granting the government’s petition, the High Court found that the RTC’s exclusion of interment services from the coverage of the 20 percent senior citizen discount is not provided under the law and that the IRR, which does not explicitly exclude interment services, cannot be interpreted to support the lower court’s resolution.
“A law cannot be amended by a mere regulation, and the administrative agency issuing the regulation may not enlarge, alter, or restrict the provisions of the law it administers,” the SC said.
The Court noted that both RA 9257 and RA 9994, in amending RA 7432, do not provide an exact definition of the term “funeral and burial services.”
“Notably, the said laws likewise do not limit the scope of the services falling under ‘funeral and burial services,’” it said.
The Court added that as pointed out by Justice Amy C. Lazaro-Javier in her concurring opinion, it would be unreasonable to infer that Congress intended to differentiate between the deceased’s final solace for the purpose of granting the 20% discount absent a clear legislative intent to the contrary.
Based on the definition of the term “burial,” the tribunal emphasized that it is commonly understood that “burial service” pertains to any service offered or provided in connection with the final disposition, entombment, or interment of human remains.
Because of this, the SC held that it follows that burial services necessarily include interment services, such as digging the land for the deceased person’s grave, its concreting, and other services being done during the actual burial. Rey
E. Requejo (See full story online at manilastandard.net)
northwest Syria. The disaster was followed by a magnitude 6.3 earthquake, hitting southern Turkiye, which led to additional casualties and damages.
To learn more about SM Foundation’s social good programs, visit www.smfoundation.org or follow its social media accounts (Facebook, Twitter, Instagram, and YouTube) @ SMFoundationInc.
road for their own selfish political gains, in complete disregard of the concerns of the international community," Chinese Foreign Ministry spokesperson Wang Wenbin said recently.
The Philippines said AUKUS should cooperate with the InternationalAtomic Energy Agency (IAEA) to ensure that its activities observe the relevant international nuclear safeguards and nonproliferation standards.
MALACAÑAN Palace on Thursday denied the claim of former newsman Jay Sonza that former senator and Interior secretary Manuel "Mar" Roxas III has been appointed by President Ferdinand Marcos Jr. to a Cabinet position.
According to Presidential Communications Office Secretary Cheloy Velicaria-Garafil, Sonza’s story on social media that Roxas—who ran for the presidency but lost to Rodrigo Duterte in 2016 under the Liberal Party banner—was appointed as Agriculture Secretary by President Marcos was "not true."
Sonza had posted on his Facebook account a congratulatory message to Roxas, calling the former DILG official "Secretary" together with his wife, Korina Sanchez-Roxas—a former TV colleague of Sonza at ABS-CBN.
Netizens then speculated that Roxas –a cousin of First Lady Liza Araneta-Marcos—had been appointed to the Cabinet, but the PCO said it was just “a rumor that has been lingering around for some time since the assumption of Mr. Marcos to the Presidency.”
Agriculture, the Cabinet portfolio concurrently held by the President, was also one of Roxas’ advocacies as a senator. He then led the Interior department under President Benigno Simeon “Noynoy” Aquino III before being anointed as his successor in the 2016 polls, teaming up with eventual Vice President Maria Leonor "Leni" Robredo.
Vince LopezFrom A1 country and report for work at once," Romualdez told reporters yesterday.
"I strongly urge Cong. Arnie to reconsider his decision not to return. It does not sit well for a House Member to flee the country ratherthan avail himself of all the legal remedies available to him," he said.
Topacio sought the meeting with Romualdez "to personally relay some concerns of his client," the Speaker said.
Romualdez said he informed Topacio of the decision of the House Committee on Ethics to investigate Teves’ apparent refusal to abide by the Speaker’s order from the Speaker to return to the country.
"The Committee on Ethics has already acquired jurisdiction on Cong.Arnie’s case. I will act accordingly after the Committee wraps up its investigation and submits its recommendation to the House leadership," Romualdez said.
"I also reiterated the assurance that the Speaker and the entire House leadership will exert all means necessary to pave the way for Cong. Arnie’s safe return to the country," he added.
Teves has refused to return home, saying he fears for his life and that of his family.
Last week, suspects in the killing of Degamo tagged “Cong Teves” as the mastermind behind the assassination.
The suspects said the person who hired them financed and served as the mastermind behind the group that carried out the attack on Degamo.
Teves is also facing three murder charges for his alleged involvement in the killing of Negros Oriental Board Member Miguel Dungog and two others in 2019.
He has denied that he and his brother, Henry Pryde Teves, whom Degamo unseated, had something to do with the governor’s slay. (See full story online at manilastandard.net)
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the Philippines sought remedies online because they were cheaper and easier to access.
During the pandemic, AFP's Fact Check team saw an explosion of misinformation about untested cosmetic products and quick-fix treatments for chronic illnesses.
The majority appear as free posts or paid advertisements on Facebook, the most popular social media site among the 76 million internet users in the Philippines.
They can circulate for weeks or even months without detection as Facebook struggles to keep up with the torrent of misinformation flooding its platform.
While there is no vetting of posts before they go live, Facebook has a multistage, largely automated, review system to check ads before they are published.
Many of the products are promoted in videos that have been doctored to make it look like real medical professionals are endorsing them.
Others appear in falsified news reports, while some are touted by vloggers such as Demasudlay.
AFP fact-checkers have debunked dozens of claims, including a manipulated Philippine news report that appeared to promote a herbal supplement for diabetics as an alternative to insulin.
A single post of the false video was viewed more than three million times, shared more than seven thousand times, and attracted almost ten thousand comments from people, many wanting to buy it.
AFP (See full story online at manilastandard.net)
THE Metropolitan Manila Development Authority (MMDA) on Thursday inaugurated its new solid waste management warehouse in Taguig City and distributed tools and equipment to nine barangays that are part of the Flood Management Project (MMFMP) Phase 1.
The Labasan Warehouse, located at the Labasan Pumping Station, will serve as a secured holding area and stockyard for solid waste management tools and equipment.
MMDA general manager Procopio Lipana said the new facility will help streamline the process of solid waste management collection. Joel E. Zurbano
JESSICA “Gigi” Reyes, one of the accused in the plunder and graft cases involving the alleged misuse of at least P172 million in discretionary or pork barrel funds, has been allowed to skip her trial for one day on March 28.
Sandiganbayan Third Division
Associate Justice Bernelito Fernandez granted Reyes’ urgent motion on March 16, GMA News reported.
“On the motion filed by accused Reyes requested that she be excused from attending the hearing on March 28, 2023 trial setting as she is to attend the wedding of her son in Boracay on March 27.
THE Department of Science and Technology is setting up a 21st Century Learning Environment Model (CLEM) classroom at the Balanga City National Science High School (BCNSHS).
DOST Bataan Director Catalina
Cruz said BCNSHS is the first adopter of the CLEM in Central Luzon. She also said the science model classroom is currently being established in a building provided by the city science high school.
The 21st CLEM will be equipped with an interactive projector and smartboard; visualizer; laptops; wireless printers; and wi-fi connectins. Available creative technologies include 3D printer, robotics, and virtual and augmented reality. Butch Gunio
PARANG, Maguindanao Norte—A prospect of a city within a city shapes up here with the Bangsamoro government’s plan to move its seat of government to 400-hectare corporate estates it has acquired in Barangay Landasan here, officials said.
This old port town founded in 1910 will soon be elevated to cityhood, Mayor Kahar Ibay said at the groundbreaking ceremonies here for the construction of five Bangsamoro barangay hall buildings, on Tuesday.
BARMM Interior and Local Governments Minister Naguib Sinarimbo, whose office implements the two-storey Bangsamoro barangay hall projects, said Barangay Landasan will be the nucleus of a long-term development of the 150-hectare Sarmiento industrial estate already acquired by the regional government.
Sinarimbo and Ibay joined barangay officials laying the cornerstones for the construction of six barangay hall buildings here. Five more barangay hall buildings are to be constructed in neighboring Barira town, where the BARMM official also turned over a fire truck to local authorities.
By Rey E. Requejo
THE Bureau of Internal Revenue (BIR) on Thursday filed tax evasion complaints before the Department of Justice against four “ghost” corporations who were earlier caught in possession of thousands of fictitious receipts believed to be being sold to various business establishments and individual taxpayers resulting to an estimated P25.5 billion revenue losses for the government in the past three years.
BIR Commissioner Romeo D. Lumagui, Jr. said the agency is now hot on the trail of the individual taxpayers and businesses who were using the fictitious receipts and vowed to also file charges against them soon.
“We have a list of both buyers and sellers of these fictitious receipts. Our
main goal here is to put these fraudulent activities into a halt with the high hopes of increasing voluntary tax compliance,” Lumagui said in an interview. According to him, the fictitious receipts were being used by businesses as corresponding deductions in their expenses and value-added tax (VAT).
Lumagui said the said corporations have been operating for more than three years already.
The BIR expressed belief that other groups are operating as a syndicate that are engaged in selling fictitious receipts.
“This illegal scheme has been in place for a long time already and there are other groups possibly involved. We will also be launching a ‘Run After Fake Transactions’ in order to stop the selling of fictitious receipts or these ghost corporations,” Lumagui said. The case against these four corporations stemmed from the December 2022 raid conducted by Lumagui himself together with the bureau’s legal and revenue officers and himself at a condominium unit in Quezon City.
MASSIVE DRUG HAUL.
Agents of the Philippine Drug Enforcement Agency (PDEA) destroy the largest recorded quantity of dangerous drugs and controlled precursors and essential chemicals worth P19.9 billion on Thursday in a waste disposal facility in Trece Martires City in Cavite. (See story on A4) Danny Pata
By Maricel V. CruzTHE House of Representatives is poised to pass on third and final reading next week a bill that aims to address unemployment, underemployment, and jobskills mismatch through the creation of a multi-sectoral council.
This came after House Bill 7370 was approved on second reading Tuesday. The lower chamber is expected to have the bill approved on final reading before it goes on Lenten recess starting next week.
The bill mandates the creation of a Tripartite Council composed of representatives from the government, academe and industry that will formulate and implement policies and programs specific to address jobskills mismatch.
One of the bill’s authors, Baguio City Rep. Mark Go, chairman of the House Committee on Higher and Technical Education, said the creation of the council will allow educational institutions to better understand the labor market, help them identify where the jobs are, and what skills and competencies are required to fill these vacancies.
“It would focus not only in ensuring that graduates were able to land jobs, but more so on whether they were able to truly utilize their particular set of skills and competencies,” Go said.
“It would help the country identify the specific industry needs in terms of manpower requirements, and develop policies that would direct the youth towards these fields of study and profession.”
He said there must be established open and continuous communication lines between learning institutions and the business sector in order to sustain a “mutually edifying symbiotic relationship” between them.
SEN . Raffy Tulfo has filed a measure seeking to stop the discrimination of motorcycle riders by policemen during checkpoints.
While checkpoints are being put up to check on suspected lawless elements, Tulfo said they are being used by un-
scrupulous policemen to extort money from hapless motorcycle riders.
In filing Senate Bill (SB) No. 1977, Tulfo lamented police officers who often stop riders at makeshift checkpoints and demand several documents like license and registration and inspect their motorcycle’s compartment. Riders are
‘RELEASE POLITICAL DETAINEES.’
Members of various women’s groups call for the urgent release of sick and/or elderly political detainees on the anniversary of the signing of the Comprehensive Agreement on Respect for Human Rights and International Humanitarian Law. The groups use butterfly origami and cut-outs to symbolize their call.
Danny Pata
also subject to body search without explaining the reason for the checkpoint, SB 1977 noted.
Tulfo also said four-wheel vehicles are often allowed to pass through these checkpoints without any hassles, which seems to be a clear-cut case of profiling and discrimination.
In some cases, Tulfo said cops would
plant evidence, like contraband, drugs, firearms, and the likes so that they can extort money from the riders. Under Tulfo’s SB No. 1977, the guidelines for checkpoints must be implemented uniformly for all motor vehicles to further prevent the profiling and discrimination of motorcycle riders.
SENATOR Christopher “Bong” Go has co-sponsored Senate Bill No. 1964 or the “Kabalikat sa Pagtuturo Act,” which seeks to institutionalize teaching supplies allowances for public school teachers.
Senator Ramon Revilla Jr. is the principal author of the said measure.
In his co-sponsorship speech, Go emphasized the importance of providing a sufficient allowance for teachers to sustain their teaching supply needs, especially as the country continues to recover from the pandemic.
“Schools are now open, and most are now back to face-to-face classes,” he said.
He said this also means the return of the longtime problems of teachers- the absence of funds for purchase of chalks and other teaching supplies.
He expressed concerns for the teachers, stating that a significant number of them lack the essential resources and materials required for effective teaching because the government does not provide them with adequate allowance.
“This also forced most of our teachers to dip into their own pockets just to ensure that their students have the resources they need to learn,” he said.
“It is essential to recognize that teachers are the backbone of our educational system. They work tirelessly to impart knowledge and skills to our children, preparing them for the future,” Go said.
According to the committee report, the proposed measure seeks to raise the allowance for teaching supplies from P5,000 to P7,500 for the academic year 2023 to 2024, and P10,000 for the academic year 2024 to 2025.
Magnitude 4.7 quake shakes Zambales
A MAGNITUDE 4.7 earthquake jolted Zambales province, and was felt in some other parts of the National Capital Region at 12:21 p.m. Thursday.
The Philippine Institute of Volcanology and Seismology (Philvolcs) said the tremor’s epicenter was 14 kilometers northeast of Masinloc town with a depth of 22 kilometers. The quake was felt at a “weaker” intensity 3 in Quezon City and intensity 2 in Baguio City.
Phivolcs recorded the following instrumental intensities: intensity 3 in Infanta, Pangasinan; Lucena City, Quezon; Santa Ignacia, Tarlac, and Iba, Cabangan, Zambales.
SENATOR Robinhood Padilla on Thursday said he would not curry favor from President Ferdinand Marcos Jr. just to win presidential support for his advocacy on constitutional amendments.
Padilla, chair of the Senate Committee on Constitutional Amendment and Revision Codes, stressed that he wanted to maintain the independence of the legislature.
Meanwhile, Padilla’s counterpart at the House of Representatives, Cagayan de Oro Rep. Rufus Rodriquez took exceptions to statements attributed to Senate President Juan Miguel Zubiri blaming the Lower House for alleged delay in the implementation of certain laws on account
THE Philippine Drug Enforcement Agency (PDEA), in collaboration with other pertinent government agencies, on Thursday burned some P19.9 billion worth of dangerous drugs, considered the largest recorded quantity of prohibited substances and essential chemicals.
The prohibited drugs were destroyed in Trece Martires City in Cavite through thermal decomposition or thermolysis involving breaking down chemical compounds with the use of tremendous heat.
At 1,000 degrees centigrade, all dangerous drugs are totally decomposed or broken down, the PDEA said.
The incineration of the dangerous drugs was in compliance with the guidelines set on the custody and disposition of seized dangerous drugs under Section 21, Article II of Republic Act 9165 or The Comprehensive Dangerous Drugs Act of 2002, and Dangerous Drugs Board Regulation No. 1 of 2002.
PDEA director general Moro Virgilio Lazo presided at the activity.
Representatives from the Department of Justice, the Department of the Interior and Local Government, the Philippine National Police, nongovernment organizations and other concerned entities witnessed the destruction of the dangerous drugs.
of the congressmen’s preoccupation with Charter change or Cha-cha.
Padilla said Cha-cha was not within the mandate of the President, adding it was the Filipino who would decide if they want to rewrite the Constitution. During yesterday’s public hearing, Padilla criticize the government for welcoming American soldiers taking part at the Enhanced Defense Cooperation Agreement (EDCA) exercise,
but being strict on foreign investors. Padilla said he and Sen. Ronald dela Rosa would not waver on their pro-Chacha for the national economic growth.
Thursday’s public hearing in Cebu was the third and final of such activity by Padilla’s committee on the Cha-cha issue.
The first hearing was held March 2 in Davao City followed by Baguio City last March 9.
Padilla said he will discuss the issue with their counterparts from the House of Representatives this coming week.
According to Padilla, his legal team will prepare the committee report, along with Energy Sec. Alfonso Cusi.
Padilla also set on Monday his committee’s hearing on the constitutional convention (Concon) being
pushed by the House as a mode of amending the Constitution.
House members were invited to the Senate hearing to explain their side on the Concon issue which Padilla strongly opposed.
The senator has stood pat that constituent assembly is much cheaper and more practical than the constitutional assembly.
According to Padilla, he is duty-bound to pursue this despite criticism from some sectors - for the sake of giving Filipinos a better life in the long term.
In another development, Rodriguez cried foul over Zubiri’s remark that the delay in the enforcement of three laws may have been due to the House’s proposal to amend the economic provisions of the Charter.
Intensity 2 was felt in Orani, Bataan; Santol, La Union; Bamban, Tarlac City, Tarlac, and Olongapo City, Zambales, while intensity 1 was recorded in Dinalupihan, Abucay, Bataan; Obando, Malolos City, Plaridel, Calumpit, San Ildefonso, Bulacan; Roxas City, Capiz; Tagaytay City, Cavite; Vigan City, Ilocos Sur; Pasay City, Marikina City, Metro Manila; San Jose, Gapan City, Nueva Ecija; Guagua, Magalang, Pampanga; Urdaneta, Bolinao, Pangasinan; Ramos, Tarlac, and Subic, Zambales. Rio N. Araja
PAL extends to Mar. 19 anniversary sale promo
THE Philippines Airlines has announced the extension of its Anniversary Seat Sale promo until Sunday (March 19).
The country’s flag carrier made the decision to allow more air travelers to enjoy “great deals” for as low as P182 one-way base fare for domestic flights and $99 roundtrip base fare for international destinations, available on all PAL routes.
“Travelers may explore new destinations and travel experiences as PAL continues to expand its global flight route network to serve growing passenger demand and support the recovery of tourism and business,” said PAL spokesperson Cielo Villaluna. Joel Zurbano
BUDGET carrier Air Asia Philippines on Thursday welcomed the reduction of the fuel surcharge cost (FSC) from level 7 to 6 for the month of April, saying it was timely as demand for the Holy Week and summer travels pick up.
“This will encourage more people to experience the various tourist destinations in the Philippines and abroad,” said Air Asia spokesman Steve Dailisan.
Dailisan said at Level 6, travelers who will book their flights next month will only be charged P185 to P665 for domestic flights and from P610.37 to P949.51 for international flights, depending on their destination. Joel Zurbano
DAVAO City Rep. Paolo Duterte has filed
a bill allowing aspiring lawyers to finish their course for free in state universities and colleges (SUCs) in exchange for working in the government for two years after they pass the bar exams.
Duterte said House Bill (HB) 7433 aims to address the shortfall of practic-
ing lawyers in the country, which, according to him “undermines the legal representation of every Filipino, and overall, the national justice system.”
Duterte filed the measure with Benguet Rep. Eric Yap and ACT-CIS partylist Rep. Edvic Yap as co-authors.
Under the bill, SUCs with a law pro -
A PARTY-list congressman representing the health sector on Thursday called on the Philippine Health Insurance Corp. (PhilHealth) to include psoriasis in its coverage.
ANAKALUSUGAN Rep. Ray Reyes said they were disappointed by the admission of PhilHealth officials that the skin ailment is not on the list
gram accredited by the Legal Education Board (LEB) are qualified to offer free legal education, but should create mechanisms to ensure that this does not apply to students with the financial capacity to pay for their studies.
The bill’s authors pointed out that graduate studies, such as medical and
legal education, are excluded from the coverage of the Universal Access to Quality Tertiary Education Act (Republic Act 10931) which institutionalizes free tuition and exemption from other school fees in SUCs and local universities and colleges (LUCs). Maricel V. Cruz
of covered diseases.
“Psoriasis is a chronic autoimmune skin disease that affects millions of Filipinos and can have a significant impact on productivity and quality of life. PhilHealth should move towards its coverage now,” Reyes said.
Citing a growing field of peerreviewed research demonstrating
the medical and economic urgency of providing coverage for psoriasis, Reyes also said the World Health Organization (WHO) already raised the alarm by tagging psoriasis as a “global health concern” affecting up to 3% of the world’s population, with more than 1.2 million cases reported in the Philippines alone. Maricel V. Cruz
THE Public Attorney’s Office (PAO) welcomes the recruitment of lawyers and other personnel who are members of the LGBTQIA+.
“I have opened the door to the members of the LGBTQIA+. Many of my assistant public lawyers are its members. May be, that could be a reason why I am not get-
ting old. They are loving. They are good friends,” PAO chief Persida Acosta told the Gender and Development Forum of the Department of Public Works and Highways.
In her official Facebook account, Acosta said “I am very fair to my employees regardless of their sexual orientation. Do not oppose (me).
I do not care if they are lesbians or gay. People would say I am tolerant. No, I just want to give them the freedom to choose their orientation based on our Constitution, the laws and the United Nations convention that there must be gender equality, and that there must be no discrimination.” Rio N. Araja
UNDER the Rules on Evidence, only “persons who can perceive, and, perceiving, can make known their perception to others, may be witnesses.”
For purposes of testifying in court, the most important points of a witness’ perception are: (a) the appreciation of the events or circumstances as they occur; and (b) his or her ability to testify on his or her perception.
These qualifications and points of perception are easily applied to a witness who is sane and in full control of his mental faculties.
However, if a witness has difficulty perceiving or has a distorted perception of events, circumstances, conditions, or behaviors, then the competency of the witness may be put in question.
It is also possible the witness accurately perceived the events or circumstances but he or she may not be able to effectively communicate his perception in court. If there is a defect in the perception and recollection of the witness, he or she may be excluded from testifying or the testimony given may be stricken off the records.
For this particular issue, the author will discuss the competency of a mental retardate to testify.
If a witness has difficulty perceiving or has a distorted perception of events, circumstances, conditions, or behaviors, then the competency of the witness may be put in question
The Webster Dictionary defines mental retardation as a “mild or severe impairment in intellectual ability equivalent to IQ of 70 to 75 or below that is accompanied by significant limitations in social, practical, and conceptual skills necessary for independent daily functioning and that has an onset before age 18.”
While “[t]he terms, ‘mental retardation’ or ‘intellectual disability,’ had been classified under ‘deprived of reason’,… the terms, ‘deprived of reason’ and ‘demented,’ however, should be differentiated from the term, ‘mentally retarded’ or ‘intellectually disabled’” (People v. XXX, G.R. 243988, August 27, 2020).
“An intellectually disabled person is not necessarily deprived of reason or demented. This court had even ruled that they may be credible witnesses. However, his or her maturity is not there despite the physical age” (G.R. 243988, August 27, 2020).
“He or she is deficient in general mental abilities and has an impaired conceptual, social, and practical functioning relative to his or her age, gender, and peers. Because of such impairment, he or she does not meet the “socio-cultural standards of personal independence and social responsibility” (G.R. 243988, August 27, 2020).
“Thus, a person with a chronological age of 7 years and a normal mental age is as capable of making decisions and giving consent as a person with a chronological age of 35 and a mental age of 7. [However], [b] oth are considered incapable of giving rational consent,… especially on matters involving sexuality” (G.R. 243988, August 27, 2020).
In the case of People v. XXX, the 23-yearold victim, AAA, reached only grade six and was suffering from epilepsy and mild mental retardation.
She was raped on two separate occasions by the accused (XXX) because he told her “[AAA] para gumaling ang epilepsy mo, may gagawin lang ako sa iyo” (G.R. 242684, February 17, 2021).
GGG, sister of AAA, testified she noticed AAA’s belly and hips becoming bigger.
‘NPA-free’
Thus, GGG brought AAA to Dr. Lucila Gatchalian (Dr. Gatchalian) who performed a pregnancy test using AAA’s urine sample, which yielded a positive result.
GGG was shocked to discover AAA was actually pregnant (G.R. 242684, February 17, 2021).
During trial, the credibility of the victim, AAA, was questioned. The appellant argued “that AAA’s competence as a witness, by reason of her mental retardation, is impaired.”
The Supreme Court declared the credibility and competence of AAA cannot be disregarded merely by reason of her mental retardation (G.R. 242684, February 17, 2021).
In the 2010 case of People v. Castillo, the Supreme Court upheld the credibility of a person suffering from mental retardation:
“[Emphasis must be given to the fact] that the competence and credibility of mentally deficient rape victims as witnesses have been upheld by this Court where it is shown that they can communicate their ordeal capably and consistently. Rather than undermine the gravity of the complainant’s accusations, it even lends greater credence to her testimony, that, someone as feeble-minded and guileless could speak so tenaciously and explicitly on the details of the rape if she has not in fact suffered such crime at the hands of the accused…” (cited in G.R. 242684, February 17, 2021)
In the case of People v. de la Paz, the victim, a 31-year-old woman with the mental capacity of a child six years and six months old positively identified the accused.
“That she had sexual intercourse with him was sufficiently established by her testimony… though a mental retardate, was able to describe how she was ravished by the appellant” (G.R.
177294, February 19, 2008).
“[H]aving the mental age level of a six-yearand-six-month-old normal child would even bolster her credibility as a witness, considering that a victim at such tender age would not publicly admit that she had been criminally abused and ravished unless that was the truth.
“For no woman, especially one of tender age,… would concoct a story of defloration,… if she were not motivated solely by the desire to have the culprit apprehended and punished…” (G.R. 177294, February 19, 2008).
“Moreover, the trial judge’s assessment of the credibility of witnesses’ testimonies is, as has repeatedly been held by this Court, accorded great respect on appeal in the absence of grave abuse of discretion on its part, it having had the advantage of actually examining both real and testimonial evidence including the demeanor of the witnesses“ (G.R. 177294, February 19, 2008).
In the case of People v. Rosales, a psychologist working with the National Bureau of Investigation testified on the victim AAA’s mental condition. She examined AAA, a 39-year-old victim of rape, and concluded in her Neuro-Psychiatric Examination and Evaluation that AAA has been found suffering from moderate mental retardation with a Mental Age of six years and eight months and an IQ of 41 (G.R. 197537, July 24, 2013).
The Supreme Court observed “[t]he fact of AAA’s mental retardation did not impair the credibility of her testimony. Mental retardation per se does not affect credibility.
“A mentally retarded [person] may be a credible witness. The acceptance of her testimony depends on the quality of her perceptions and the manner she can make them known to the court” (G.R. 197537, July 24, 2013).
In the case of People v. Alipio, the Supreme Court said “it is not fair to judge a mentally-retarded person, one who does not have a good grasp of information and who lacks the capacity to make a mental calculation of the events unfolding before her eyes, according to what is natural or unnatural for normal persons” (cited in G.R. 197537, July 24, 2013).
NOT too long ago, the Department of National Defense announced the Armed Forces of the Philippines had, for all intents and purposes, achieved “strategic victory” over the New People’s Army (NPA).
On March 12, for instance, the police in Quezon province reported that 10 out of 41 municipalities there had been freed from the clutches of the Maoist rebels.
Real town in the northern part of the province was the latest to be declared as having a “Stable Internal Peace and Security” (SIPS) or insurgency-free status. On Feb. 27, the towns of Infanta and General Nakar, also in the northern part of the province at the base of the Sierra Madre mountain ranges, were declared by the police, military and local government officials as insurgency-free.
Before 2022 ended and early this year, the towns of Macalelon, Unisan, Gumaca, San Narciso and the island-municipalities of Alabat, Perez and Quezon located in Alabat island in the Pacific Ocean had also been declared NPA-free localities. Macalelon, Unisan and San Narciso municipalities are located in the province’s 3rd district (Bondoc Peninsula), a known former NPA bailiwick in the Southern Tagalog region since the 1980s. In August last year, Davao Occidental was
EVERY new administration faces the daunting task of effectively communicating its policies, programs and projects to the whole nation as well as to the outside world.
This responsibility falls on the shoulders of the Presidential Communications Office (PCO), the latest incarnation of what has essentially functioned as the Office of the Press Secretary (OPS) under various administrations.
In fact, what is now the PCO started as the Office of the Press Secretary when the Marcos Jr. administration assumed office on June 30 last year. A recent reorganization not only renamed the OPS but will also streamline the overall communications structure of the national government to better reach out to the people.
At the helm of the PCO is Secretary Cheloy Velicaria-Garafil, whose interim appointment was confirmed last Wednesday (March 15) by the bicameral Commission on Appointments (CA).
After her confirmation, Garafil, who is a lawyer, issued a brief statement: “I am honored and humbled by the show of support for my confirmation as PCO Secretary. Special thanks to the members of the Commission on Appointments for their vote of confidence.
“It is truly an honor. Also a profound expression of gratitude to my former colleagues, and now partners in media for their kind words.
“Tunay kayong inspirasyon upang mas lalo ko pang pagbutihin ang aking sinumpaang tungkulin. At sa ating mahal na Pangulo, Ferdinand R. Marcos Jr., maraming salamat sa napakalaking karangalan na makapaglingkod sa inyo at kasama niyo para sa sambayanang Pilipino.”
Garafil completed a Communication Arts course in 1992 from the University of Santo Tomas, where she obtained a law degree four years later. She also holds a Masters in National Security Administration degree from the National Defense College of the Philippines (NDCP). She is a Philippine Air Force reservist, with the rank of Lieutenant Colonel.
Before joining government, Garafil was a journalist who wrote for several broadsheets, including Malaya and the Philippine Daily Globe, covering various beats, including the Commission on Elections and the health sector. For a time, she also worked for the Taiwanbased China News Agency (CNA.) Her work experience outside of journalism includes stints as Director of the Committee on Rules of the House of Representatives,
If what the AFP is saying is true, will we see the NPA rebellion withering on the vine in the foreseeable future, especially now that Jose Ma. Sison... has already passed away?
also declared insurgency-free by the Philippine Army and the local government unit. Army officials said in 2016, NPA’s Guerilla Front Tala operating in the province had a total of 43 rebels, 89 firearms and five barangays
prosecutor at the Department of Justice (DOJ), and state solicitor at the Office of the Solicitor General (OSG).
Prior to her appointment as interim Press Secretary in October last year, Atty. Garafil was designated to head the Land Transportation Franchising and Regulatory Board (LTFRB) in July. There she hit the ground running, holding dialogues and consultations with various public transportation groups—buses, jeepneys, UV Express, Transport Network Vehicle Services (TNVS)— to ask them what their problems were and how the agency could help them render better services to the riding public.
The challenge before the PCO with Secretary Cheloy Velicaria-Garafil at the helm is to bring the government closer to the people
That brief stint at the LTFRB served her in good stead recently when she helped broker talks between the government and two jeepney drivers’ groups that had planned to hold a week-long transport strike in protest against the proposed traditional jeepney phaseout.
If the week-long strike had gone on as planned, that would have certainly paralyzed public transportation and adversely affected the economy that was just beginning to recover from lockdowns due to the COVID-19 pandemic.
On the first day of the jeepney strike, she initiated a dialogue with the leaders of the two jeepney drivers’ groups and managed to convince them to call off their protest action after the first day, thus averting what could have been a full-blown mass transportation crisis that would have unduly tarnished the image of the fledgling administration.
But even before this, Secretary Garafil had already proven her capability to lead the PCO when she joined the various foreign trips of the President from October to February.
Under her direction, the PCO facilitated access by local media to Philippine participation in the ASEAN Summit in Phnom Penh; APEC
under its influence. But all these are now gone, according to the military.
Earlier, the army also declared the province of Davao de Oro freed from the armed communist insurgency after eight full-blown NPA guerrilla fronts were either dismantled or destroyed.
Military authorities cited the death of the highest ranking NPA leader in Mindanao and two guerrilla front secretaries as factors in dismantling the insurgency in the area.
From 2016 to 2022, the 10th Infantry Battalion units in Davao de Oro figured 1in 59 armed encounters which resulted in 42 NPAs killed, 619 surrendered, 103 captured, and 776 firearms recovered.
In September 2019, Laguna was declared insurgency-free, making it the second province in the Calabarzon to be declared a SIPS area. Aside from Laguna, Cavite had also been declared SIPS in December 2018, followed by Romblon in February 2019 and Marinduque in March the same year. Under the AFP’s phases of normalization, a province is given the SIPS status if no NPA attack on government forces has taken place for at least one year.
The question is: If what the AFP is saying is true, will we see the NPA rebellion withering on the vine in the foreseeable future, especially now that Jose Ma. Sison, founder of the Communist Party of the Philippines which leads the NPA, has already passed away?
Summits in Bangkok; EU-ASEAN Dialogue in Brussels; and the World Economic Forum in Davos, Switzerland, as well as the visits of the Chief Executive to China and Japan.
With the active support of the PCO, local media were able get timely and accurate information on the President’s efforts to drum up support from the international community for the country’s economic development programs by encouraging them to commit to invest in various economic sectors in the country.
Thus far, these foreign trips have drawn investment pledges amounting to billions of dollars from foreign businessmen that would translate to more jobs for our labor force.
The challenge before the PCO with Secretary Cheloy Velicaria-Garafil at the helm is to bring the government closer to the people to such an extent that they directly take an active role in attaining political stability, sustained economic growth and social harmony.
This is what the whole-of-society approach to development seeks to achieve, and the PCO will most certainly be at the forefront of this effort in the years ahead.
(Email: ernhil@yahoo.com)
(www.manilastandard.net)
THE 37th anniversary of the February 25, 1986 EDSA Revolution was virtually ignored by everybody, save for a few who stayed for a minute or two at two monuments along EDSA in Quezon City. One is at the church beside Robinson’s Galleria along Ortigas Avenue, and the other is at the People Power structure near Camp Aguinaldo.
To accommodate anyone who wished to mark the anniversary at the said sites, President Ferdinand Marcos Jr. even declared February 24 a holiday, considering that February 25 was a Saturday.
Incidentally, that measure spoke much about the magnanimity of President Marcos Jr., considering the EDSA Revolt marked the end of his father’s incumbency as President of the Philippines. Despite the holiday, the fact that remains is the anniversary was a non-event.
Even the dilawans and pinklawans associated with the Aquino family and the very unpopular Liberal Party were hardly seen at either of the sites.
Probably, the pinklawans are still struggling with their embarrassing defeat in the May 2022 presidential and vice presidential elections, the polls that installed President Marcos Jr.
and Vice President Sara Duterte in office by an unprecedented, overwhelming majority, unheard of for the past 36 years.
Conspicuously absent at the sites were the likes of Liberal Party diehards Mar Roxas and Bam Aquino.
Ex-Senator Antonio Trillanes IV and exSupreme Court Chief Justice Hilario Davide Jr., known minions of the Aquino family, weren’t there, either.
A cable television channel known for featuring selected documentaries praising the EDSA event and Mrs. Aquino every February and August yearly, has also ceased with the practice for almost five years now.
Even the newspapers do not bother featuring anything newsworthy about EDSA 1986 anymore.
I only noticed one newspaper columnist in another newspaper devote column space to Aquino on the occasion of the EDSA event.
That’s understandable because the columnist got a juicy post in the Aquino administration.
I guess it’s just a case of paying a debt of gratitude, considering the columnist never got another high government post after the stint with Mrs. Aquino.
To the majority of young Filipinos today, EDSA 1986 is a thing of the forgettable past.
As for the elders, EDSA 1986 only marked that awful moment in Philippine history when Corazon Aquino seized power through a military mutiny, and thereafter ruled first, as an absolute ruler (through her exercise of both executive and legislative power); then as a vindictive political leader (she encouraged the demonizing of the Marcos family); then as an unaccepted commander-in-chief of the Armed Forces of the Philippines (she had to face frequent coup attempts); then as a foe of press freedom (as President, she filed libel
raps against journalists Maximo Soliven and Louie Beltran); then as a protector of her family’s vested interests (she got her family’s Hacienda Luisita exempted from the coverage of her own agrarian reform program); and then as an incompetent President (she made the Philippines the brownout capital of the world).
In short, whatever historical significance EDSA 1986 had at the beginning steadily deteriorated during the rest of the Cory regime.
Why Benjamin Diokno, the extremely overpaid ex-Governor of the Bangko Sentral ng Pilipinas, even allowed Mrs. Aquino to join her late husband Ninoy on the P500 money bill is a mystery to me.
Adding to the growing insignificance of the EDSA revolt is the lackluster administration of Mrs. Aquino’s son, President Noynoy Aquino.
Noynoy Aquino was just as vindictive as his mother, as seen in the way he publicly insulted then Supreme Court Chief Justice Renato Corona, whom he saw as the reason why the Aquino family’s Hacienda Luisita may have to be ultimately covered by the agrarian reform law.
Many observers believe Noynoy Aquino took personal interest in seeing to the impeachment and ouster from office of Corona in 2012.
It was also during the Noynoy Aquino presidency when China was able to slowly
but surely build its naval bases in the West Philippine Sea, in areas which, under International Law, fall within the exclusive economic zone of the Philippines. Public disenchantment with EDSA 1986 and the Aquinos became obvious in the May 2019 elections.
There, the electorate refused to re-elect Senator Bam Aquino (Cory’s nephew and Noynoy’s first cousin), and instead voted Imee Marcos as senator. Mar Roxas, the Liberal Party prime bet for senator in 2019, was also clobbered at the polls. Roxas was Noynoy Aquino’s publicly acknowledged personal choice to succeed him in the presidency.
The final nail on the coffin came in 2022 when the pinklawan, and therefore pro-Aquino, pro-Liberal Party) tandem of Leni Robredo and Francis Pangilinan were ignominiously defeated in their bid to become president and vice president, respectively.
Obviously, the anniversary of the 1986 EDSA mutiny was ignored this year because nobody likes to remember bad times.
Bringing government closer to the people
the 1986 EDSA mutiny was ignored this year because nobody likes to remember bad times
EDSA Revolution anniversary was ignored
AROUND 50,000 teachers in New Zealand went on strike on Thursday, after union talks with the Ministry of Education aimed at improving salaries and conditions stalled.
Teachers demanding better pay waved placards declaring “can’t afford the dentist” and “too poor to print good signs” as the one-day strike forced kindergartens as well
as primary and secondary schools to close across the country.
Trade unions argued that the government’s latest pay offer did not match inflation and that the education sector is at a “crisis point” due to teacher shortages.
“A quality education is a fundamental human right,” Chris Abercrombie from the Post Primary
REPUBLIC OF THE PHILIPPINES FOURTH JUDICIAL REGION REGIONAL TRIAL COURT BRANCH 85 Hall of Justice, Lipa City Hall Compound Barangay Marauoy, Lipa City, Batangas Cellphone No. 0977-792-1491
Email address: rtc2lip085@judiciary.gov.ph
BANGKO KABAYAN INC. (formerly
IBAAN RURAL BANK, INC.)
REPRESENTED BY ITS EXECUTIVE
VICE PRESIDENT LIZA V. MERCADO, Plaintiff. -versus-
ADELIA C. MENDOZA, Defendant. x
DECISION
CASE SUMMARY: Plaintiff, Bangko Kabayan Inc. formerly Ibaan Rural Bank Inc. (“BKI” for brevity), is a domestic corporation created under Philippine law, with office address at Poblacion, Ibaan, Batangas, Philippines, and represented herein by its authorized Executive Vice President, Liza V. Mercado, filed a complaint for the revival and enforcement of judgment after the lapse of five (5) years from the date of its entry against Defendant Adelia C. Mendoza, who is of legal age, and a resident of Bago, Ibaan, Batangas.
The Plaintiff’s cause of action rests on the following Decision11 rendered by this Court on December 29, 2011 on a case for judicial foreclosure with application for writ of preliminary attachment filed by BKI against the same defendant, Adelia
C. Mendoza, under Civil Case No. 98-0195 which became final and executory on May 18, 2012, as per Certification from the OIC-Branch Clerk of Court, Gerald F. Rabena, of Lipa City Office of the Clerk of Court2
“WHEREFORE, premises considered, the proposed Compromise Agreement is hereby approved with the following terms and conditions:
1. That the defendant acknowledges and admits her outstanding loan obligation to the plaintiff arising from Promissory Note 114647/97 dated September 4, 1997 which to date amounted to a total of ELEVEN MILLION ONE HUNDRED
FIFTY-EIGHT THOUSAND SEVEN HUNDRED (P11.158,700.00), inclusive of principal interests, penalty and other charges.
2. That in full payment and complete satisfaction of her above-mentioned indebtedness, the defendant does hereby ASSIGN, TRANSFER and CONVEY unto the plaintiff the several real properties situated in Lipa City and Solo, Mabini, Batangas, of which the defendant is the registered owner, her title thereto being evidenced by Transfer Certificate of Title hereunder indicated, and more particularly described as follows:
(followed by the description of the land under the TCT)
3. That the plaintiff does hereby accept the foregoing assignment in full payment of the above-mentioned debt of the defendant;
4. That plaintiff hereby by these presents forever RELEASE and DISCHARGE that certain mortgage of that real estate covered by Transfer Certificate of Title No. T-95636 (Lot 1-F) which real estate mortgage was executed on October 1, 1997 by said defendant (Exhibit B)
5. That plaintiff, by these presents, hereby forever RELEASE and DISCHARGE the ten (10 parcels of land in favor of the defendant subject of the Writ of Attachment dated July 23, 2001 issued by this Honorable Court in the instant case and more particularly described under Transfer Certificates of Title Nos. T-81227, T-81228, T-81340, T-81242, T-81324, T-81332, T-81245, T-81363, T-81262, T-81271:
6. That the properties RELEASED and DISCHARGED in favor of the defendant by virtue hereof, shall be exempt from any further attachment, distraint and/or levy whatsoever, resulting from any other claim by the Plaintiff;
7. That PARTIES have satisfied themselves as to the current situation/condition of the properties respectively adjudicated to them by virtue hereof and acknowledge that each make no further representations/warranties. The PARTIES. However, will cooperate in good faith, in order that this agreement be given full effect;
8. That except from the foregoing, the parties hereto hereby waive their respective claims and counterclaims against each other” In the complaint, the Plaintiff stated that five (5) years after the above decision became final and executory on May 18, 2012, the Plaintiff has yet to execute and enforce the above decision of the Court.
The prayers of the Plaintiff in its Complaint are:
1. The action for the revival of judgment and enforcement of the judgment be granted,
2. Decision dated December 29, 2011 in the Civil Case No. 98-0195 be revived and enforced in accordance with the approved Compromise Agreement;
3. An Order and Writ of Execution be issued directing the concerned Register of Deeds of Lipa City and Province of Batangas to assign, transfer and convey to Plaintiff the real properties under TCTs subject of the Decision.
4. A Writ of Execution be issued ordering the Branch Sheriff to enforce the decision of December 29, 2011 in accordance with the Compromise Agreement.
The summons together with the complaint was personally served to Defendant, Adelia C. Mendoza at her address at Bago, Ibaan, Batangas, but the same was returned unserved on the ground that the said Defendant could not be located at the given address3. In view of the amendment of the Complaint, the Court ordered the personal service of alias summons to the Defendant at her other address at 25 Dalisay Street, West Triangle Homes, Quezon City, but again returned unserved as the Defendant no longer resides at the given address.4
The Plaintiff then filed a Motion for Leave of Court to Serve Summons by Publication which was granted by the Court.5 Thereafter, Plaintiff filed a Motion to Declare Defendant in Default and to Set Case for Pre-trial Conference, which the Court granted on October 24, 2022. As such, herein Defendant was declared in default and Plaintiff was allowed to present its evidence ex-parte.
The ex-parte presentation of the evidence and testimony of the witness was held on December 19, 2022.
PLAINTIFF’S EVIDENCE:
During the ex-parte presentation of its evidence to support its Complaint, Plaintiff, thru its authorized representative,6 Executive Vice President, Liza V. Mercado, testified on the following facts and identified pertinent documents to support the Complaint:
1. That in a civil case for Judicial Foreclosure with Application for Writ of Preliminary Attachment filed by the Plaintiff against the Defendant, under Civil Case No. 98-0195, a judgment7 was issued on December 29, 2011 by RTC Branch 85, Lipa City based on the approved compromise agreement submitted by the two parties;
2. That the judgment became final on May 18, 2012 as certified by the OIC Branch Clerk of Court, Gerald F. Rabena8 ;
3. That all thirty-one (31) TCTs subject of the Compromise Agreement, where the Defenders shall assign, transfer and convey to the Plaintiff, are in the possession of the Plaintiff who is also the Plaintiff of this Complaint;
4. That the contents of the Judicial Affidavit she prepared and signed are true and correct; and
Teachers’ Association said.
“Tragically, as teachers we are seeing that right being slowly, and surely, undermined.”
Improvements to teacher salaries and working conditions are essential to keep experienced staff and recruit graduates, he said.
Teachers “want to send a message to the government about
how serious we are about needing change,” said Mark Potter, president of the New Zealand Educational Institute.
“We all want the best for our students but without changes to the system we can’t give it to them.”
Education Minister Jan Tinetti said she was disappointed to see teachers
of Incorporation. Decision dated December 29, 2011, Certification of the OIC-Branch Clerk of Court, were identified by the witness. After
strike and wanted the dispute resolved quickly.
The cost of living has become a major political issue in New Zealand, as the government struggles to keep a lid on inflation.
Recent figures have suggested that New Zealand’s economy is shrinking, fuelling fears of a looming recession. AFP
ISSUE: Whether or not the prayers in the Complaint for the revival and enforcement of judgment after the lapse of five (5) years from the date of its entry in the Book of Judgment shall be granted.
OF THE COURT:
DECISION
1. Upon a written contract
2. Upon an obligation created by law.
3. Upon judgment (underscore supplied)
The above article is supported by Article 1152 of the name Code which provides that “the period for prescription of actions to demand the fulfillment of obligation declared by a judgment commences from the time the judgment became final.”
Under Section 2, Rule 36 of the Rules of Court. Entry of judgments and final orders. – If no appeal or motion for new trial or reconsideration is filed within the time provided in these Rules, the judgment or final order shall forthwith be entered by the clerk in the book of entries of judgments. The date of finality of the judgment or final order shall be deemed to be the date of its entry. The record shall contain the dispositive part of the judgment or final order and shall be signed by the clerk, with a certificate that such judgment or final order has become final and executory.
Lastly, Section 6, Rule 39 of the Rules of Court Execution by motion or by independent action. – A final and executory judgment or order may be executed on motion within five (5) years from the state of its entry. After the lapse of such time, and before it in barred by the statute of limitations, a judgment may be enforced by action. The revived judgment may also be enforced by motion within five (5) years from the date of its entry and thereafter by action before it is harrod by the statute of limitations. (6a)
An action to revive a judgment is an action whose exclusive purpose is to enforce a judgment which could no longer be enforced by mere motion.9
Section 6, Rule 39 of the Rules of Court is clear. Once a judgment becomes final and executory, the winning party, the Plaintiff in this case, can have it executed as a matter of right by a mere motion within five (5) years from the date of entry of judgment which would be from May 19, 2012 to May 19, 2017. If the winning party fails to have the judgment enforced by a motion within the five years period, the judgment is reduced to a right of action which must be enforced by the filing of a complaint in a regular court within ten (10) years from the time the judgment becomes final which would be from May 19, 2012 to May 19, 2022. The records of this case indicate that the complaint to revive the judgment was filed with the Court on November 15, 2021, well within the ten (10) years from the day the judgment to be revived became final on May 18, 2012.
Section 6 of Role 39 and Section 2 of Rule 36 of the Rules of Court which an action for revival of judgment, such as this case, should be guides, are simple and clear to apply. Once a judgment becomes final and executory, the prevailing party, the Plaintiff in this case, has two remedies:
1. To have the judgment executed as a matter of right by mere motion within five (5) years from the date of entry of judgment; or
2. If the Plaintiff fails to have the judgment enforced by motion after the lapse of five (5) years, to have the judgment enforced as a right of action by the institution of a complaint in a regular court within ten (10) years from the time the judgment become final.
From the date of finality on May 18, 2012, more than five (5) years had clearly elapsed, hence, under Section 6 of Rule 39, the court decision in Civil Case No. 98-0195 issued on December 29, 2011 can no longer be implemented by a mere motion. Therefore, a revival of the judgment is necessary before its execution. The reason is that after the lapse of the five (5) year period, the judgment is reduced to a right of action which judgment must be enforced by filing a complaint in a regular court.
Accordingly, the Court finds the complaint, as supported by facts and documentary evidence, in compliance with the law and Rules of Court when the complaint, as a right of action, was filed on November 15, 2021, well within the ten (10) years period from May 19, 2012 to May 19, 2022, hence, the Count could validly grant Plaintiff’s prayer for the revival and enforcement of the RTC Branch 85. Lipa City Decision on Civil Case No 98-0195.
Finally, this Decision needs to be published at the expense of the Plaintiff, the prevailing party in this case, considering that Defendant, Adelia C. Mendoza, did not file an answer nor appear during the entire proceedings, and summons were served upon her by publication. The Rules provide for three modes of service of judgments first, personal service, second, service by registered mail; and third, service by publication. The case at bar calls for the application of the third mode. Section 13, Rule 13 of the Rules of Court explicitly provides Section 13. Service of Judgments, Final Orders or Resolutions. – Judgments, final orders, or resolutions shall be served either personally or by registered mail. Upon ex parte motion of any party in the case, a copy of the judgment, final order. or resolution may be delivered by accredited courier at the expense of such party. When a party summoned by publication has failed to appear in the action, judgments, final orders or resolutions against him or her shall be served upon him or her also by means of publication at the expense of the prevailing party.
WHEREFORE, above premises considered, the Court finds the Complaint meritorious, thereby, judgment is rendered in favor of the Plaintiff granting its prayer for the revival of the Decision of RTC Branch 85, Lipa City dated December 29, 2011 in Civil Case No. 98-0195. Upon finality of this Decision, a Writ of Execution of the revived judgment shall be issued.
Lipa
(Footnotes) 1 Exhibit “C” 2 Exhibit “D” 3 As per Process Server’s Return dated December 9, 2021 4 As per Process Server’s Return dated March 7, 2022 5 Order dated April 22, 2021. 6 Exhibit “B” 7 Exhibit “D” 8 Exhibit “E” 9 Caiña vs. C.A., G.R. No. 114393, December 15, 1994, 239 SCRA 252, 261. Manila Standard | March __, 2023 CIVIL CASE NO 11-2021-1220 FOR: REVIVAL AND ENFORCEMENT OF JUDGMENT AFTER THE LAPSE OF FIVE (5) YEARS FROM THE DATE ITS ENTRY p. TCT No. T-81315 same q. TCT No. T-81312 same r. TCT No. T-81305 same s. TCT No. T-81289 same t. TCT No. T-81290 same u. TCT No. T-8/281 same v. TCT No. T-81282 same w. TCT No. T-81283 same x. TCT No. T-81270 same y. TCT No. T-81272 same z. TCT No. T-1266 same aa. TCT No. T-81248 same bb. TCT No. T-81222 same cc. TCT No T-81216 same dd. TCT No. T-81217 same ee. TCT No. T-81400 same
AN INDONESIAN court jailed a police officer for 18 months on Thursday over negligence contributing to one of the worst stadium disasters in the history of football.
Last year’s crush in the city of Malang killed 135 people— including more than 40 children – after a 3-2 defeat for Arema FC by their fierce East Javan rivals Persebaya Surabaya.
When supporters invaded the pitch of the Kanjuruhan Stadium, police fired tear gas, causing a deadly stampede.
The man jailed on Thursday, Hasdarmawan – who like many Indonesians goes by one name —was a commander for East Java police’s mobile brigade unit.
“(The court is) sentencing the defendant, Hasdarmawan, to one and a half year in prison,” presiding judge Abu Achmad Sidqi Amsya told the court in Surabaya, capital city of East Java.
“The defendant failed to predict a situation that was actually quite easy to anticipate. There was an option not to fire (the tear gas) to respond to the supporters’ violence.”
The sentence was shorter than the three years prosecutors
had asked for.
Hasdarmawan had previously denied ordering his subordinates to fire tear gas toward the supporters. Wearing a white shirt and a face mask, Hasdarmawan listened quietly as the judge delivered the sentence. He has seven days to file an appeal.
Moments later, Bambang Sidik Achmadi, a Malang police officer also accused of ordering his subordinates to shoot tear gas, was found not guilty by the court.
Judge Amsya said the charges had “not been proven,” and the defendant was free to go.
The court was scheduled to pass verdict on one more Malang police officer for negligence.
Last week, the court sentenced the head of the match organising committee, Abdul Haris, and security official Suko Sutrisno to 18 months and one year in prison respectively. AFP
STARTING THEM YOUNG. Schoolchildren plant a seedling at an Islamic elementary nature school in Banda Aceh, Indonesia on March 16, 2023, ahead of the International Day of Forests which falls on March 21. AFP
TIKTOK confirmed Wednesday that US officials have recommended the popular video-sharing app part ways with its Chinese parent ByteDance to avoid a national ban.
Western powers, including the European Union and the United States, have been taking an increasingly tough approach to the app, citing fears that user data could be used or abused by Chinese officials.
“If protecting national security is the objective, calls for a ban or divestment are unnecessary, as neither option solves the broader industry issues of data access and transfer,” a TikTok spokesperson told AFP.
“We remain confident that the best path forward to addressing concerns about national security is transparent, US-based protection of US user data and systems, with robust third-party monitoring, vetting, and verification.”
The Wall Street Journal and other US news outlets on Wednesday reported that the White House set an ultimatum: if TikTok remains a part of ByteDance, it will be banned in the United States.
“This is all a game of high stakes poker,” Wedbush analyst Dan Ives said in a note to investors. AFP
MALAWI’S president appealed Wednesday for global support to tackle “a national tragedy” after Cyclone Freddy pummelled the southeast African nation, causing flooding and mudslides that have killed hundreds.
The storm returned to the African coast at the weekend for a second time in less than three weeks, leaving a trail of death and destruction, but it had largely spared Malawi the first time around.
“The level of devastation we are dealing with here is greater than the resources we have at our disposal,” President Lazarus Chakwera said in declaring two weeks of national mourning.
The government has promised 1.6 billion kwacha ($1.5 million) to assist the tens of thousands of Malawians affected by the storm, which authorities say has killed at least 225 in the country and wounded hundreds.
Rescuers scrambled to reach survivors in southern parts of Malawi, mostly around the commercial capital of Blantyre, after Freddy smashed into the country and neighboring Mozambique, triggering floods and landslides that have killed nearly 290 people in both countries AFP
STOCKS retreated Thursday with contagion fears hitting banks following the collapse of two regional US lenders and news of trouble at Switzerlandbased Credit Suisse.
The PSE index, the 30-company benchmark of the Philippine Stock Exchange, shed 61 points, or 0.95 percent, to close at 6,404.91 as all six subsectors ended in the red.
The broader all-share index also lost 34 points, or 1.0 percent, to settle at 3,443.82, on a value turnover of P6.59 billion. Losers outnumbered gainers, 145 to 41, while 42 issues were unchanged.
Only one of the 10 most active stocks ended in the green. International Container Terminal Services Inc. picked up 0.15 percent to finish at P198.00.
The Philippine peso slightly gained Thursday to close at 54.86 per dollar from 54.95 Wednesday. Meanwhile, Asian markets slipped as investors have been in panic mode since the collapse of two regional US banks over the weekend sparked a sell-off across equities and ramped up concerns of a global recession.
While commentators have said the crisis should be contained and most major lenders had little exposure to the firms—Silicon Valley Bank and Signature Bank—news of trouble at Credit Suisse once again sent traders running for the hills.
Switzerland’s second-biggest bank tanked nearly 25 percent Wednesday after Saudi National Bank—its main
shareholder—said it would “absolutely not” up its stake in the firm.
That came a day after its annual report cited “material weaknesses” in internal controls at the firm, which has been hit by a series of scandals in recent years.
The Swiss central bank insisted that capital and liquidity levels at the lender were adequate, but stressed it was ready to make liquidity available to Credit Suisse.
Credit Suisse later announced it would borrow nearly $54 billion to “support” the group.
The news sent shares in the firm surging 32 percent at the start of business Thursday.
And European markets rallied, with London up 1.5 percent while Frankfurt and Paris each gained 1.7 percent—a day after all three lost more than three percent. With AFP
CHIP MAKERS. Taiwan Semiconductor Manufacturing Company founder Morris Chang (center), flanked by Taiwan Vice President William Lai (left) and Chris Miller (right), author of ‘Chip War: The Fight for the World’s Most Critical Technology’, arrives to attend the CW Semiconductor Forum in Taipei on March 16, 2023. AFP
SEOUL—South Korea said Wednesday it would build the world’s largest chip center using $230 billion of private investment mostly from Samsung Electronics, as it seeks an edge in the global industry.
The plan is part of the South Korean government’s drive to invest heavily in six key technologies, including chips, displays and batteries, all areas where the country’s tech giants are well-established already.
South Korea will “build the world’s
largest scale system semiconductor cluster in the capital areas using massive private investments worth 300 trillion won,” President Yoon Suk Yeol said at an economic policy meeting.
“Speed is important. The government will do its best to realize the cluster project,” he added, according to a transcript provided by his office.
Separately, Samsung said in a statement sent to AFP that it plans to invest 300 trillion won in the cluster area over the next two decades.
South Korea’s Industry Ministry said the cluster plan is due to be completed by 2042.
The vast majority of the world’s most advanced microchips are made by just two companies: Samsung and Taiwan’s TSMC. In May 2022, Samsung announced a massive 450 trillion won investment blueprint over the next five years aimed at making it a frontrunner in key sectors from semiconductors to biologics. Securing supplies of advanced chips
TOKYO—Japan will end export controls on materials for semiconductors destined for South Korea, and Seoul will withdraw a complaint filed with the World Trade Organization, the countries announced Thursday.
Trade ministries from the two sides made the announcement as South Korean President Yoon Suk Yeol arrived in Tokyo for a summit with Japan’s prime minister intended to rebuild ties between the two neighbors.
Tense relations between Japan and South Korea reached a nadir in 2018 after a South Korean court ordered Japanese firms to compensate victims of wartime forced labor and their families “special general blanket permit... as was the case prior to July 2019”.
“We confirmed that the Korean side will announce the withdrawal of a petition to the WTO regarding Japan’s export controls,” it said, a provision that was confirmed by the trade ministry in Seoul.
Japan rejected the 2018 South Korean court ruling, arguing that colonial-era disputes were settled in 1965. Diplomatic ties were normalized that year and Tokyo gave Seoul loans and economic aid worth some $800 million, the equivalent of several billion dollars now.
The two sides imposed tit-for-tat trade measures and halted cooperation on several fronts as ties frayed.
South Koreans also mounted a widespread boycott of Japanese goods, including beer, cosmetic products and cars.
Yoon is visiting Japan after announcing a plan to compensate victims of forced labor without any direct involvement by Tokyo.
has become a crucial issue internationally, with the United States and China locked in a fierce battle for control of the chips market.
The geopolitical significance of advanced chips were demonstrated last May when US President Joe Biden kicked off a South Korea tour by visiting Samsung’s sprawling Pyeongtaek chip plant.
At the plant, Biden underscored the importance of bolstering technology partnerships among “close partners who do share our values.” AFP
NEW YORK, United States—Fearful
Twitter posts and anxious WhatsApp exchanges coupled with online banking ease are seen as helping power an internet-age run on a pair of now-collapsed American lending institutions.
Both Silicon Valley Bank and Signature Bank were hit with massive withdrawals by customers fearful of losing their money, but the speed was dizzying in an age when rumors spread like wildfire on social media and apps make moving funds with the click of a button simple.
Congressman Patrick McHenry, chairman of the US House Financial Services Committee, referred to the recent turmoil as “the first Twitter fueled bank run.”
Some messages that caused cold sweats among financial customers proved to be misleading, prompting calls to focus on facts not speculation. Gone is the time when a “run on the bank” meant mobs of customers banging on bolted doors and demanding deposits back.
Now, as rumors of dwindling bank reserves ricochets about social media, customers can make them real by tapping into online accounts to transfer money. Federal authorities took over Silicon Valley Bank (SVB) last week less than 48 hours after it first announced bad news. The forced closure of Signature Bank came just two days later.
In between, high-profile entrepreneurs sounded an alarm and fired off advice on Twitter.
Investor Bill Ackman tweeted during the weekend that if federal regulators didn’t quickly step in and guarantee all deposits, runs on other banks would start Monday.
“You should be absolutely terrified right now,” investor Jason Calacanis tweeted, using all capital letters for
A Silicon Valley Bank office is seen in Tempe, Arizona, on March 14, 2023. With hindsight, there were warning signs ahead of last week’s spectacular collapse of Silicon Valley Bank, missed not only by investors, but by bank regulators. AFP emphasis.
“That is the proper reaction to a bank run and contagion.”
Meanwhile, startup founders shared bank trouble rumors in WhatsApp groups.
“The mix of technology and fast-moving rumors fueled a crisis of unprecedented speed,” researcher Jonathan Welburn of the Rand Corporation think tank told AFP.
Online banking was around during the 2008 financial crisis, but “the adoption of these technologies is definitely increasing,” he said.
Circuit breakers?
Banking regulators need to put in place “circuit breakers” that could quickly suspend banking transactions in the event of cyber attacks, weather disasters, or customer panic, said Hilary Allen, a specialist in financial technologies at American University in Washington.
This is a “very political” undertaking, Allen said.
“Banking regulators need to think about what this kind of technological circuit breaker would look like, and in which circumstances they would be ready to deploy it.”
Markets have seen the power of online platforms trigger surges in the prices of “meme stocks” like video game retail chain Game Stop and AMC Theaters due to endorsements in chat forums at Reddit.
“The flip side is that social media can also exacerbate panic and loss of confidence,” Allen said.
In the case of SVB, fears which spread on social media resonated loudly with the bank’s customers, who tended to be tech-savvy entrepreneurs keenly tuned in to online chatter.
The collapse of SVB was the second largest bank failure in the United States but played out in barely two days.
The largest bank failure in the country, that of Washington Mutual in 2008, took place over the course of eight months.
At that time, Twitter and iPhones were fledgling products; there were no WhatsApp groups, no Slack chat threads, Welburn noted.
“What happens when bankers are drowning their sorrows in the social media age?” Welburn wondered. “Viral posts, retweets and shares could deprive regulators of precious time.” AFP
The rapprochement between the Asian neighbors, both key US allies, has been welcomed internationally but the forced labor compensation deal has spurred opposition inside South Korea. AFP
and hereinafter the “Corporation’) that on its meeting held on 28 January 2023, the Board of Directors had approved to postpone to 04 June 2023 the Annual Meeting of the Stockholders for the year 2023 of the Corporation which is supposed to be held on the 1st Sunday of April pursuant to the Corporation’s by-laws. The meeting was postponed to give the Company ample time to prepare the documents necessary for the Annual Stockholders’ Meeting.
A separate notice containing the details of the said Annual Stockholders’ Meeting will be posted at a prescribed period before the meeting, taking into consideration the requirements of the law and its implementing rules. Please be guided accordingly.
Bacolod, 15 February 2023
SGD. MA. IVY V. MALATA, M.D. Corporate Secretary
THE Lopez Group is selling Sky Cable Corp. to PLDT Inc. for P6.75 billion, six months after both companies agreed to terminate the transaction.
ABS-CBN Corp., the broadcast arm of the Lopez Group, said in a disclosure to the Philippine Stock Exchange Thursday its board of directors approved on March 16 the sale of its interests directly or indirectly representing 58.7 percent of the outstanding capital stock of Sky Cable which would cease its pay TV services.
ABS-CBN said it would receive
By Jenniffer B. Austria
DIVERSIFIED conglomerate San Miguel Corp. said Thursday net income declined 44 percent in 2022 to P26.76 billion from P48.15 billion in 2021 despite the 60-percent surge in revenues to a record P1.5 trillion from P941 billion.
Core net income, which excludes the impact of unrealized losses on the revaluation of foreign currency-denominated long-term debts and tax gains from the CREATE Law, went down by 8 percent to P43.2 billion.
Consolidated revenues also surpassed the 2019 pre-pandemic result of P1 trillion. Income from operations rose 10 percent to P134.5 billion.
“Our strong top line performance is a clear indication of our economy’s continuous recovery as well as the strong consumer demand for our products and services,” SMC president and chief executive Ramon Ang said.
“While challenges remain, we’re confident in the measures and programs we’ve put in place to weather these. We remain strongly committed to executing on the long-term growth strategy we’ve laid out for our company, that will also significantly benefit our country,” said Ang.
SMC’s food and beverage unit posted consolidated revenues of P58.9 billion, a 16-percent increase over the previous year’s level, driven by sustained volume growth and better selling prices across the beer, spirits and food divisions.
Net income of San Miguel Food and Beverage Inc. jumped 10 percent to P34.7 billion, while operating income grew 11 percent to P48.7 billion.
San Miguel Global Power Holdings Corp. recorded consolidated revenues of P221.4 billion, higher by 66 percent than P133.7 billion in the previous year due to increase in average realization prices, higher spot sales prices and improved power nominations.
Offtake volumes reached 27,402 gigawatt-hours, higher by 181 Gwh from the year prior.
Oil refiner Petron Corp. saw its net income increase by 9 percent year-onyear to P6.7 billion on higher sales volumes from its Philippine and Malaysian operations. Petron’s consolidated revenues jumped 96 percent to P857.6 billion from P438.1 billion in 2021, on the back of the fuel demand growth and higher crude prices.
about P4 billion in gross proceeds from the sale of shares.
Other stockholders of Sky Cable, Lopez Inc. and Sky Vision Corp. also agreed to sell their shares in Sky Cable to PLDT.
ABS-CBN said PLDT would pay about P6.75 billion for all the issued and outstanding capital stocks of Sky Cable.
“The proceeds to be received by Sky Vision will be used, among others, to settle its obligations, including its obligations to ABS-CBN,” the company said.
“The closing of the proposed transaction shall be subject to compliance with certain conditions precedent, which includes, among others, Sky Cable engaging exclusively in the broadband business, with the termination or cessation of operations of its pay TV and cable businesses and obtaining all applicable government approvals and clearances,” it said.
ABS-CBN said the sale of Sky Cable to PLDT was a “strategic decision resulting from, among other things, the significant capital expenditure
requirements of Sky Cable to maintain its competitiveness.”
The company said the sale of its ownership in Sky Cable would allow ABS-CBN to focus its resources on content creation.
“While awaiting the required regulatory approvals, Sky Cable’s broadband and cable TV services will continue.
Once approvals are obtained, Sky Cable is committed to working with all its cable TV subscribers to ensure a transition to their preferred service,” ABS-CBN said. PLDT said in a separate disclosure the proposed transaction is aligned with its mission to narrow the digital divide by expanding broadband connectivity and support the government’s push to expand the nation’s digital infrastructure.
CONVERGE ICT Solutions Inc. reported Thursday a 4-percent increase in net income last year despite higher depreciation and financing costs.
The country’s only pure-play high-speed fixed broadband operator said it booked a net income of P7.43 billion in 2022, up from P7.15 billion in 2021.
Converge said fourth-quarter net income amounted to P1.33 billion, down from P1.96 billion in the same period last year.
Christine Renee Blabagno, deputy chief finance officer of Converge, blamed the decline in the fourth-quarter bottomline to the “poor quality subscribers acquisition” in early part of 2022 and higher financing costs.
BMAP BOARD. The Bank Marketing Association of the Philippines 2023 officers and board of directors meet with the Bangko Sentral ng Pilipinas Governor Felipe Medalla (seated, fifth from left) for their oath taking and courtesy call at the Executive Business Center of BSP Complex in Manila. With Medalla are (seated, from left) BSP assistant governor Lyn Javier, BMAP director for programs Judith Songlingco of Philippine Business Bank, director for membership Janette Abad Santos of Robinson’s Bank, president Mai Gacilo-Sangalang of Standard Chartered Bank, vice president Eric Montelibano of CityState Savings Bank, secretary Edelyn Castro of Maybank, director for publicity and digital marketing Tanya Ansaldo-Deakin of Security Bank, director and election chair Maria Luz Javier of Avanza Inc. and BSP senior assistant governor Edna Villa.
By Alena Mae S. FloresACEN Corp., the listed energy platform of the Ayala group, said Thursday it signed an agreement for the purchase of eight operating wind projects in the US with total capacity of 136 megawatts.
ACEN said in a disclosure to the stock exchange its joint-venture company, UPC Power Solutions LLC, signed a purchase and sale agreement with GlidePath Power Solutions LLC for the acquisition of eight wind projects in northern Texas.
The wind projects will generate about 360 gigawatt-hours of wind energy per year, enough to power around 24,000 households and avoid about 127,000 metric tons of carbon dioxide emissions.
The latest milestone marks ACEN’s anticipated entry to the fast-growing US renewables market as it expands its
geographic footprint beyond the Asia Pacific region.
“We’ve long set our sights on the US as our next market following our sustained success in the Asia Pacific. We are committed to enact the accelerated green energy transition globally, and these new partnerships ensure that ACEN is well-placed to harness the vast opportunities in the US renewables space,” ACEN International chief executive Patrice Clausse said.
ACEN announced in April last year that subsidiary ACEN USA LLC formed a strategic partnership with Pivot Power Management and UPC Solar & Wind Investments LLC to pursue opportunities to acquire operating wind projects in the US and explore strategies for extending their useful life through preventative maintenance and repowering.
PivotGen is a developer of wind and solar energy projects throughout the United States.
“Our aspiration is for the US to become a priority market for ACEN outside of Philippines over time,” Clausse said earlier.
ACEN said the partners share the same vision of building a sustainable energy future to maximize economic impact while providing environmental benefits for all stakeholders.
“We are excited to announce this acquisition. We look forward to successfully repowering the portfolio so that these projects can continue to deliver clean, renewable power and provide jobs and economic opportunity in local communities,” PivotGen chief executive and co-founder Tim Rosenzweig said.
CONSUMER finance company Home
Credit Philippines expects its user base to increase 7.5 percent this year to 10 million customers from 9.3 million in 2022.
“Our goal of a financially-empowered Philippines comes true every year, one customer at a time. In our 10 years of service in the country, we aim to empower 10 million customers by the end of 2023 and continue to serve more Filipinos in the years to come,” Home Credit Philippines chief executive David Minol said in a news briefing during the company’s 10th anniversary in Taguig City.
“More than delivering innovative and accessible financial services, we celebrate the relationships we have built with our stakeholders and customers
FRANCHISING STALWARTS. Officials of the Philippine Franchise Association hold a media launch for Franchise Asia Philippines 2023 Conference and Expo that carries the theme ‘Fun. Friendship. Franchising’ with four components: The International Conference on June 7 and 8; the International Franchise Expo on Oct. 27 to 29; the two-day Certified Franchise Executive Program on June 5 and 6; and seminars and other learning sessions for aspiring franchisors and franchisees and entrepreneurs. Joining the launch at Crowne Plaza Galleria Manila are (from left) PFA chairman emeritus Samie Lim, FAP 2023 conference chair Joey Garcia, overall chair Joseph Tanbuntiong, PFA chairman Sherill Quintana, PFA president Chris Lim, FAP 2023 overall co-chair Richard Sanz, FAP 2023 Expo chair Steve Benitez and PFA vice chair Ma. Alegria Sibal Limjoco.
over the past decade, and this we choose to continue above and beyond,” said Minol.
“I believe we are delivering more rewarding life to Filipinos. We have served more Filipinos this year, more than the number of credit card holders in this country. Last year was a really a good year for us,” he said.
About 73 percent of Home Credit’s customer base is outside the National Capital Region and is a mixture of young adults and mature clients. The company said about 50 percent of its product loans are mobile phone loans. The firm bridged about 10.5 million mobile phone loans in nearly 10 years with phone prices averaging P13,000 to P14,000 a unit.
Home Credit Philippines director and treasurer Zdenek Jankovsky said mobile
phone loans represented over 50 percent of all product loans.
The company said with the introduction of more high-value commodities like home appliances, customers were beginning the see the value of using Home Credit for more important purchases other than mobile phones.
Cash loans disbursed by the company amounted to P1.8 billion since its introduction in 2015. Home Credit offers the fastest cash loan approval and disbursement in 1 minute, with cash loan offers of P3,000 to P150,000 and repayment terms from six to 48 months.
It said about 90 percent of existing loans were approved digitally and 20 percent of applications were processed through the My Home Credit App. Customers with good payment histories have the privilege to avail of cash loans.
The company recorded a high churn rate of 2.49 percent in the second quarter and 1.96 percent in the third quarter.
Converge’s consolidated revenues grew 27 percent to P33.69 billion last year from P26.47 billion in 2021. Darwin G. Amojelar Pilipinas Shell signs bitumen supply deals
PILIPINAS Shell Petroleum Corp. said Thursday it signed agreements with three construction companies for bitumen solutions that can help reduce their carbon footprint.
PSPC said it signed memoranda of understanding with Cemex Holdings Philippines Inc., Roadex Construction Corp. and Green Antz Builders.
PSPC aims to leverage its strong bitumen business, expertise in low-carbon fuels and cleaner energy solutions to help these companies solve their unique decarbonization challenges.
“These collaborations are in line with our aim of putting sustainability at the heart of our strategy which is powering progress for the nation,” said Shell Companies in the Philippines country chair Lorelie Quiambao-Osial.
Department of Public Works and Highways undersecretary for information management and technical services Maximo Carvajal said the agreements would help the country “achieve our common goals of providing quality, safe and environment-friendly public infrastructure facilities that will improve the lives of every Filipino.” Alena Mae S. Flores
Jollibee hiking 2023 capital spending to P19b JOLLIBEE Foods Corp.is beefing up its 2023 capital expenditures to P19 billion as it plans to open 600 stores here and abroad.
JFC’s aggressive spending plan comes amid a strong performance in 2022 when net income reached P7.55 billion, up 26.4 percent from P5.98 billion in 2021.
Consolidated sales went up 38 percent year-on-year to P211.9 billion from P153.57 billion despite the high-inflation environment.
The company reported a 40.2-percent increase in system-wide sales―a measure of all sales to consumers, both from companyowned and franchised stores.
Jollibee said in a stock exchange filing Thursday the increase in system-wide sales and revenues was driven by strong same-store sales growth amid the easing restrictions in various markets where it operates, menu price adjustments and global store network expansion.
Same-store sales of the Philippine business increased 40.6 percent year-on-year. International business also grew by 7.7 percent, with sales from North America rising by 7.1 percent and Europe/Middle East and other parts of Asia by 10.2 percent. Jenniffer B. Austria
THE Board Investments said Thursday it approved tax incentives for a P50-billion telecommunications infrastructure project aimed at providing faster internet nationwide.
It said the project is a joint venture between Macquarie Capital, one of the leading mergers and acquisitions and public-private partnership advisors in the Philippines and Phil-Tower Consortium Inc., one of the fastest-growing independent tower companies in the country.
The project involves the construction and operations of shared telecommunications infrastructure facilities to provide coverage and internet connectivity to Filipinos in remote, unserved and underserved areas.
Phil-Tower, as an enabler of 4G and 5G coverage for smart cities, will provide innovative outdoor solutions
through camouflage sites, micro poles, green towers and smart poles as a regional pioneer of in-building solutions.
The telecommunications firm rolled out more than 200 telecommunication towers as of 2022 with plans to construct more in 2023.
Project proponents asked the BOI to step up the provision of investment facilitation services to hasten the implementation of the project.
The BOI assured the joint venture officials that the government is committed to providing assistance from the processing of business permits and licenses to facilitating investment-related concerns.
The agency’s support services for investors are part of the BOI’s reinforced commitment to support investors through its Strategic Investments Aftercare Program.
The BOI also pushed for the approval of Executive Order No. 18 which constitutes green lanes for strategic investments. The EO designates the BOI as the single point of entry for the endorsement of strategic investments qualified for green lane services.
It aligns with the government’s effort to create a more business-friendly environment and provide ease of doing business to attract more strategic investments.
“Through these efforts, the BOI ensures the success of investments in the Philippines,” said BOI director for investments assistance service Ernesto Delos Reyes Jr.
Phil-Tower chief executive Devid Gubiani said the EO would help the firm carry out its time-bound business plans in the country. Othel V. Campos
DEFENDING champion National University Nazareth School fashioned out a come-from-behind 20-25, 25-16, 27-29, 25-16, 15-11 win over Adamson University to take Game 1 of the UAAP Season 85 High School Girls’ Volleyball Finals, Thursday at the Paco Arena in Manila.
The Bullpups, who captured their 25th straight win dating back to Season 82 when they swept the season at 140, closed the fifth and final frame on a 4-0 tear to move a win shy of a second straight title.
Kianne Olango fired back-to-back spikes in the fifth set in between two Adamson timeouts, before Robielle Silla closed the match with a kill off an overpassed ball.
Despite the win, NUNS coach Vilet Ponce-De Leon believes the Bullpups are still far from the expected form even as it is already the postseason.
“We’re going to strive for consistency. Ang game nu’ng mga bata, hinihintay pa rin naming lumabas until now, and it’s already the Finals. Hindi siya ‘yung dire-diresto nd they know that,” De Leon said after the thrilling two-hour, 27-minute contest.
THE Letran Squires made sure to put away the La Salle Green Hills Greenies in an emphatic fashion, romping off with a big 77-61 Game 2 victory at the packed San Andres Sports Complex Thursday to end a 22-year title drought in the National Collegiate Athletic Association junior basketball tournament.
Jovel Baliling led the assault with 19 points as the Squires, who took Game 1 with an 85-81 triumph, claimed their first crown since 2001. For Squires’ coach Allen Ricardo, it was an awkward moment, since he spent eight years as an assistant coach of the Greenies and was around when LSGH won their first high school plum back in 2017.
“Ang tagal ko rin sa LSGH. Eight years po ako doon. But I’m thankful and grateful. Dahil doon po ako nag-grow,” said Ricardo. Letran focused their defense on newlycrowned season MVP Luis Pablo, who was held to two of his game-high 20 points in the second period.
The Squires took the lead by 10, 38-28, at halftime, following a 10-2 blast off Al-
vin Silorio’s jumper, Baliling’s rebound and pass to June Silorio and Andy Gemao’s drive off a turnover.
From there, the Squires never relinquished their advantage, taking a 13-point spread, 45-32, with 6:46 left in the third period off Gemao’s jumper.
Syrex Silorio, who came away with 27 points in Game 1, scored back-toback baskets for a 15-point 63-48 edge in the final 4:37.
“Sobrang saya po namin. Halos isang taong namin na pinaghandaan ito,” said Gemao, who was hailed as the Finals’ MVP.
Jonathan Manalili tallied 16 points, six rebounds and seven assists for the Squires while Gemao shot 14 and Silorio fired 12.
Rod Alian and Seven Gagate contributed 13 and 11 points for the Greenies.
Joining Pablo in the Mythical Team were his teammate Seven Gagate, Gemao, Matthew Rubico of Lyceum of the Philippines University, Amiel Acido of University of Perpetual Help System Dalta and Chris Hubilla of San Beda.
Rubico was named this season’s Rookie of the Year in his one-and-done stint for the Junior Pirates, while Gagate claimed the Most Improved Player plum.
The Defensive Players of the Year awards were shared by PE Enal of Jose Rizal University and George Diamante of Letran. Completing the All-Defensive Team were Pablo, Gagate, Acido, Diamante and Ivan Panapanaan of Arellano University.
The Red Cubs, meanwhile, won the Sportsmanship Award.
FRESH from a spectacular 12-round stoppage win, Filipino top prospect Charly Suarez is assured of a crack at the International Boxing Organization super featherweight title, but his camp is looking at the more prestigious International Boxing Federation belt.
“Ang sure, IBO world title. Pero ‘pag in-offer sa amin ang IBF, ‘yun ang kukunin namin,” said Suarez’s coach-manager Delfin Boholst, moments after his ward scored a technical knockout victory over formerly unbeaten Paul Fleming on Wednesday night in Sydney Australia. Suarez, 34, is expected to improve his no. 8 ranking in the IBF’s junior lightweight (130 lbs) division, which could give him another title eliminator for the chance to meet champion Shavkat Rakhimov of Tajikistan.
“Aakyat kami sa magandang ranking sa IBF,” added Boholst, a former teammate of Suarez in the Philippine national team, where the winner spent most of his
BACOLOD—Sarah Ababa took a step closer to ending a tedious pursuit of a second career win on the Ladies Philippine Golf Tour as she padded her overnight four-stroke lead to six over Pamela Mariano despite a four-over 74 at the Marapara course here Thursday. But her chief rivals likewise struggled in another wind-blown day in the ICTSI Negros Occidental Golf Classic, enabling the Davaoeña shotmaker to virtually drive a wedge between her and her pursuers for a clear shot at the top P105,000 purse in the 54-hole championship.
“I just tried to be patient – fairways, greens and make the most of my birdie chances, if not, just go for two-putt par,”
said Ababa, whose 143 total and a huge six-shot lead over Mariano moved her 18 holes away from scoring a follow-up to her breakthrough win at Sherwood Hills in 2015.
Mariano assumed the challenger’s role despite a birdie-less 74 for a 149 as Daniella Uy faded with a double bogey-bogey finish for a 77 and a 150, and Chanelle Avaricio skied to a 78 and fell from second to joint fourth at 151 with Chihiro Ikeda and amateur Rianne Malixi, who matched 73s, and Florence Bisera, who limped with a 76.
Ikeda and Malixi’s three-over cards proved to be the day’s best as the women of the Tour fumbled and stumbled while facing the challenges and quirks
of the short but difficult par-70 layout, enabling Ababa, who seized control with a superb first round 69, to build a huge lead and head to the final day with less pressure.
“I’m not pressured at all. I’ll just play my own game and try to play steady,” said Ababa on how she would handle the final day challenge. “Because if you hit the fairways, it gives you a chance to attack the greens.”
Ababa cushioned the impact of her bogey on No. 2 and double bogey on the sixth with birdies on Nos. 7 and 9 but she yielded three straight strokes from No. 10.
Unlike her pursuers, however, she held away with a run of pars for a 36-38.
boxing career that gave him stints in two Olympics, the last of which was in Rio de Janeiro, Brazil in 2016.
Lagging in all the judges’ scorecards, Suarez sent Fleming to the canvas with a right uppercut.
The Australian beat the count, but the barrage of punches in the succeeding action prompted the referee to stop the fight in favor of Suarez, who logged his 15th win, eight of which ended via the short route.
Fleming absorbed his first loss in 30 professional bouts.
Without giving details, Boholst lamented the challenges they encountered going into the fight.
“Marami kaming pinagdaanan dito sir,” he told Manila Standard.
But he was thankful for the compact, but supportive Filipino community that boosted the morale and provided help to Team Suarez.
Among them was former world women’s champion Gretchen Abaniel, who has long been residing in Australia.
Adamson leaned on its service game in the opening set and capitalized on NUNS’ passing woes to get ahead in transition with Shaina Nitura clicking. The Baby Falcons eventually closed the set for a 1-0 lead scoring three of its last six points at the serve, 25-20.
The second set, though, was a different story as the reigning champions fortified their first-ball deliveries to get better chances at the attack. Olango came alive in the frame, extending the lead Bullpups’ at 16-10 with a crosscourt kill, before firing the equalizing kill in nearly the same fashion.
It was a back-and-forth battle in the third that needed an extension as setters Abegail Pono and Ghail Cuenca outsmarted each other. Eventually, an attack error from the Bullpups gave the Baby Falcons the set point, which Rojo gladly finished with a huge attack from the middle.
AFTER two stints in the quarterfinals, head trainer Chico Lanete swore Manila Chooks! 3x3 will get over the hump— and that includes beating world No. 11 Utrecht of the Netherlands if they cross paths anew.
“Siyempre naman (if Manila Chooks! can beat Utrecht). Naniniwala ako na darating tayo diyan,” Lanete said. “Iyan ang goal natin at nakikita naman natin iyong improvement ng team at iyong effort na ipinapakita ng mga players natin sa bawat laro dito.”
“Alam nating hindi madali dahil isa sa mga world’s top 3x3 teams iyan at talaga namang makikita mo ang lalaki nila pero walang imposible. Mas malaki pa rin ang puso ng mga Pinoy,” he added.
Eager to bounce back, the resilient Filipino 3x3 cagers try to lick their wounds fast when they do battle March 17 in the FIBA 3X3 Pro League Netherlands 2023 Winter Edition Stop 3 at the Amsterdam Velodrome.
The quartet of Philippine No. 1 Mac Tallo, No. 3 Dennis Santos, CJ Payawal, and Matt Salem, still filling in the shoes of injured big man Brandon Ramirez (knee), take on Toronto of Canada at 2:05 a.m. and Dutch side Ijmuiden at 3:45 a.m.
Manila Chooks! fell to Utrecht 11-22 for the second straight time in the Last 8 of Stop 2 last Tuesday.
But Lanete is not one to lose faith in his charges.
“Basta focused on the task at hand lang lagi,” he said. “They have to have the presence of mind at iyong energy from start to finish dapat consistent iyan lahat.”
The Letran Squires celebrate their rst title in 22 years in the NCAA junior basketball tournament.
BACOLOD—Frankie Miñoza kept on dishing out vintage performances even when his rivals—‚a blend of young and old —hobbled in blustery conditions and tough greens, coming away with a one-under 69 to wrest a three-stroke lead over erstwhile co-leader Albin Engino halfway through the ICTSI Negros Occidental Golf Classic presented by MORE Power here on Wednesday.
Two birdies in a solid frontside windup enabled the former Asia’s No. 1 to overcome a shaky backside 36 and buck the wind that bedeviled the games of majority of his pursuers, leaving him as the only player from the starting field of 66 to put in back-to-back under-par rounds at the challenging Marapara course.
“Like in the first round, I played very good, driving almost perfect. My irons are good and though my putting was not as good, it was acceptable,” said Miñoza, who was as surprised as the rest of the stellar cast to be on top of the heap with a 137 aggregate he spiked with a first round 68.
After birdying No. 10 where he teed off, Minoza failed to get up and down on No. 13 then three-putted the 17th from 25 feet, flubbing a six-footer for par. But he tapped in for birdie on the par-5 No. 2 and drained
a 25-footer for another birdie on the fourth then parred the rest for a 33.
But two fine rounds do not make a champion golfer, and Minoza, 62, knows fully well that it would take him more than superb shotmaking and putting to end a long title spell in a checkered pro career.
“Fatigue will be a big factor, I’m getting old. There are still two more days, so I can’t talk about my chances,” said Minoza, who edged Miguel Tabuena in sudden death here to nail his last victory in 2016. “But I’ll do my best – hit the ball good and be patient – and let’s see what happens.”
Don Petil actually tried to make things happen, threatening to grab the lead with a sterling four-under card after 15 holes in the heat and wind. But like the other pursuers, the 29-year-old shotmaker, who turned pro last October, cracked when the going got tougher, closing out with a disastrous bogey-double bogey-bogey finish.
“When I looked at my scorecard (4-under), I thought I could still go lower with three holes to play. But I hit the greenside bunker on my tee-shot on No. 16 (par-3) and missed a par-saving putt from 8 feet,” said Petil.
After hitting the fairway on the par-4 17th, he shanked his approach shot from 160 yards and overshot the green from the rough. He chipped and two-putted for 6 then missed the par-5 18th green, hit his fourth shot way past the hole and ended
up with another bogey.
“The course is in good condition. It just went bad in the last 3 holes,” added Petil, who settled for a 70 and tumbled from second to joint 10th at 142, five strokes behind Minoza in the P2.25 million event
TEAM Philippines will be 1,233-strong—905 athletes and 257 officials—in the 32nd Southeast Asian Games that Cambodia is hosting from May 5 to 17.
Philippine Olympic Committee president Rep. Abraham “Bambol”
Tolentino made the announcement during the General Assembly on Wednesday at the East Ocean Garden Restaurant in Pasay City.
The General Assembly also approved the suspension of the Philippine Swimming Inc. (PSI) as a regular POC member. There was no objection.
“I’m confident these are all fighting
athletes,” Tolentino said. “They will be competing in all the events despite the odds.”
Cambodia has programmed a 608-event, 38-sport first-time hosting of the Games—but has also set unique rules particularly in combat sports where except for the host, the other countries couldn’t field full teams in certain events.
Filipino athletes will compete in all sports in Cambodia.
Team Philippines to Cambodia exceeds the 656 athletes who competed in 38 sports in last year’s 31st SEA Games where the country finished fourth with 226—52 gold, 70 silver and 104 bronze—medals out of the possible 1,759.
The team to Cambodia also approximates the 2019 Philippine hosting where 1,119 Filipino athletes competed in the 56 sports.
The POC also scheduled a formal sendoff ceremony for Team Philippines on April 15 at the Philippine International Convention Center.
PSI’s suspension was prompted by the World Aquatics’ suspension on the na-
tional federation which the POC Executive Board in turn offered to the General Assembly for a decision.
“THE POC just followed the order of World Aquatics,” Tolentino said. “If the World Aquatics lifts the suspension, then we will lift the POC suspension.”
“We never wanted the suspension on the PSI but it’s the national sports association which created its own problem,” he added.
The World Aquatics has also ordered for an election of a new set of board members of the PSI and approved the composition of a POC Electoral Committee that will conduct and supervise the election process.
IT’S all systems go for the second staging of the Philippine University Volleyball League, which opens on April 28, 2023, at the newly-built Polytechnic University of the Philippines stadium.
The tournament, which is sanctioned by the Federation for School Sports Association of the Philippines, the only university sports federation in the country that is recognized by the International University Sports Federation, will have eight universities taking part in both the men’s and women’s divisions.
The 2nd PUVL is the official qualifying tournament for the 21st ASEAN University Games to be held in Surabaya, Indonesia in July 2024. The confirmation came following an Executive Secretariat meeting held in Kuala Lumpur, Malaysia last March 11.
As per tradition, FESSAP president Edwin C. Fabro has been invited to grace the opening ceremony on April 28.
Moreover, FESSAP Chairman of the Board Alvin Tai Lian and Executive Vice President Prof. Robert Milton A. Calo will also be in attendance to give citation plaques to the champions in the men’s and women’s divisions of the 1st PUVL Championship.
Others expected to attend the opening ceremonies are FESSAP Vice Presidents Dr. Jesus Rodrigo Torres, Col. Ariel Querubin, Commissioner Felix Tiukinhoy Jr., and members of the PUVL Board of Trustees.
TWO more names were added in the Philippine Azkals’ squad that will face Kuwait a week from now for a tuneup game. Heard that Jarvey Gayoso of Kaya Iloilo FC and Julian Schwarzer of Kuching City FC in the Malaysian Super League were the latest to receive call-ups to join the Middle East camp, which also includes another friendly against the 84th-ranked Jordan in Doha, Qatar.
Early this week, the Azkals’ management announced an initial 23-man squad, led by Birmingham City FC goalkeeper and veteran Neil Etheridge. Joining him on the squad are Kevin Ray Hansen of Kuala Lumpur City, Amani Aguinaldo of Nakhon Ratchasima, Jesse Curran on loan to Chonburi, Michael Kempter of St. Gallen, John Lucero of Worthing FC, Carli De Murga and Christian Rontini of Kelantan FC, Jesper Nyholm of Muangthong United, Daisuke Sato of Persib Bandung, and
Jefferson Tabinas of Mito HollyHock. Midfielders Oliver Bias and Dennis Chung of the Azkals Development Team, Lloyd Ignacio of Lysekloster IL, Kevin Ingreso of Sri Pahang, Manny Ott of Kedah Darul Aman and Patrick Strauss of Hansa Rostock also were called up. Rounding out the squad are forwards Mark Hartmann of Nakhon Si United, Bienvenido Marañon of Villarrubia CF, OJ Porteria of Kelantan United and Patrick Reichelt of Kuala Lumpur City.
Last Wednesday, fan favorite Sandro Reyes officially begged off from the team due to club commitments. In a message to the team, Reyes said there is nothing like playing for the national team but his club is currently fighting relegation in Germany’s Regionalliga Bayern.
“Unfortunately, these are the most important months for my new team, which means I can’t join the Azkals this window.
I wish them luck and hope to be available for future camps,” Reyes said.
Reyes is playing for Greuther Fürth, which is currently in 16th place, or just above the relegation zone.
Reyes, who will turn just 20 this month, will surely have more chances to be with the Azkals in future competitions. And earning his spurs with Greuther Fürth will definitely
The first PUVL competitions saw the University of Perpetual Help System Dalta romp away with the men’s title and Mapua University take home the women’s crown.
Both Mapua and the University of Perpetual will be back to defend their respective titles in the 2nd PUVL, hoping to qualify for the 21st ASEAN University Games in Surabaya next year.
The competing teams in the both the men’s and women’s divisions are Asian Institute of Maritime Studies, University of Perpetual Help System Dalta-Las Piñas, Mapua University, Polytechnic University of the Philippines, Dela Salle University-Dasmariñas-Cavite, Cavite State University, Bataan Peninsula State University and Technological University of the Philippines.
The FESSAP, which has been sending university athletes to the biennial Summer Universiade since 2011, bringing home two gold medals and two silvers overall in five editions, is an active member of the ASEAN University Sports Council, whose office is located in Kuala Lumpur Malaysia. The AUSC has been the organizer of the ASEAN University Games since 1980.
The College Center of ESports is being considered to do the Live Streaming of the games in the 2nd PUVL via the YouTube Channel.
help him improve his play and skills set so that when he will be called up for matches that really matter, he will be ready.
Here’s hoping that no more injuries or other reasons will prevent those, who were invited from playing for the sun and the three stars. But then again when it comes to the Azkals, nothing is certain, except perhaps more changes, until the whole team arrives in Kuwait on or before the 21st.
With the addition of Julian, the bond between the Schwarzers and Etheridge comes to a full circle.
Mark, Julian’s father, used to be a goalkeeper too. In fact, he won the Premier League with Leicester City FC. But what is more interesting is the fact that Mark had Etheridge under his wing as his understudy in Fulham FC. With Julian joining the squad, Etheridge will return the favor to the former ADT goalkeeper as one of his understudies.
In another interesting fact, both Etheridge and Julian had former Azkals goalie Roland Müller as their goalkeeping coach. Which in a way, is a continuation of the bond of several Azkals coming from different generations. This bond goes deeper than just playing football. Which brings us to another little, but important matter when it comes to the Middle East camp. Who will coach the Azkals?
In a quick chat with Dan Palami, the Azkals’ Team Manager, he said that the incoming Azkals coach is highly regarded
by almost everyone, especially by several football associations in the Middle East.
“He has been the mentor of a lot of coaches here in Asia, those who wanted to get their pro license and those who already have their pro license. He is also recommended by the Qatar Football Association, which in a way strengthens further the relationship between the Philippine Football Federation and QFA,” Palami said.
While he refused to name the coach, Palami gave a clue regarding his identity.
“Although he is not a Qatari, he is one of the highly-rated coaching instructors. He also has experience in running clubs and coaching clubs,” Palami added.
When asked about his tenure on the team, Palami had this to say: “Hopefully, maging effective siya. Magaling naman siya ayon sa aming mga sources. And they say he is up to the task.”
On to the lighter side, congratulations are in order for former Olympian Charly Suarez! Suarez scored a sensational 12th TKO win over erstwhile unbeaten Australian champion Paul Fleming in their International Boxing Organization title eliminator for the super featherweight crown.
Suarez was down by a mile in the scorecards, when he came up with the big punches to stun Fleming and the hostile home crowd in Sydney, Australia yesterday. In fact, Suarez was just seconds away from tasting his first defeat as a professional until he dropped Fleming with
put up by ICTSI. Engino also reeled back with a frontside 38 marred by poor putting but he recovered with two birdies against a bogey in the last seven holes to salvage a 72 and lift him back to second at 140.
EJ Obiena lived up to his lofty billing as one of the world’s finest pole vaulters as the prized Filipino athlete made a lot of heads turn anew during his torrid European indoor campaign in the month of February.
In such a short span, Obiena, 27, bagged two gold medals and a silver and bronze medals each while touring Poland, Germany, Sweden and France, making him the undisputed choice by the Philippine Sportswriters Association as the month’s top performer.
The Italy-based Obiena kicked off February, finishing third overall behind first-placer Armand Duplantis and silver medalist KC Lightfoot of the United States, in the Mondo Classic in Sweden. A couple of days later, it was Obiena’s time to lord it over as he topped the Orlen Cup in Lodz, Poland, with a 5.77 meters effort, further boosting his stock as one of the country’s best athletes.
His second gold also took place on Polish soil when Obiena did 5.87 to rule the Orlen Copernicus Cup. Obiena would then run into Duplantis in the ISTAF Indoor in Berlin where he wound up second to the US-born Swede world outdoor and indoor record holder and Olympic champion. Obiena, third-placer during last year’s world championships in Eugene, Oregon, is revving up for a gold medal when Paris hosts the 2024 Olympics.
The PSA’s monthly citation of top performing Filipino athletes is being backed by San Miguel Corporation, Philippine Sports Commission, MILO, Philippine Olympic Committee and the Philippine Amusement and Gaming Corporation.
a left hook. Fleming somehow managed to rise up, after tasting the canvas, but further punishment from Suarez prompted the referee to end the showdown of unbeaten fighters in Mount Druitt with just 62 seconds left on the clock. Coming to the fight against his fellow Olympian, Fleming was unbeaten in 28 bouts.
Suarez’s win exemplified the never-saydie spirit of the Filipino athlete, showed how patience and calm, when everything seemed to be lost, can be the best weapons in the face of overwhelming odds, including the prospect of a hometown decision. It is not over until the final bell.
The win was Suarez’s 15th straight, with nine coming by knockouts. But more importantly, it gave the Private First Class of the Philippine Army a step closer to his dream of winning a world title.
Good job, Charly!
Please don’t forget to join us this Sunday, March 19, 2023 from 2 to 3 p.m. for your weekly fix of 3PTS–Pambansang Tambayan ng Sports aired live over at DZME 1530 khz.
Lastly, I would like to greet my good friend, former PNP Chief Nick Bartolome, a Happy Birthday! Cheers and enjoy your day, Pre! Stay safe. Stay happy peeps!
For comments or questions, you can reach The Designated Kit Man at erel_cabatbat@yahoo.com or follow his account at Twitter: @erelcabatbat
ObienaFrankie Minoza knows fully well that it would take him more than superb shotmaking and putting to end a long title spell in a checkered pro career. Manny Marcelo FESSAP chief Edwin C. Fabro
I HAVE lost count of the number of times that I encountered someone saying radio is dead or it is a dying medium. But with the advent of multi-platform broadcasting, I believe radio is able to adapt and evolve into something much more amazing than
While many radio stations have slimmed down their operations, some even have already shut down, it is clear that the industry is still strong, and I say, “It’s been doing better than ever.”
At the launch of Radyo5 held at the Quezon Memorial Circle on March
1, I asked seasoned broadcaster Ted Failon and Radyo5 Operations and Programming Manager Cherry Baile about their thoughts on radio’s status as a broadcast medium.
“They said radio was a dying medium when the billboards came out. They said no one will place them on radio anymore. That was in the ‘80s. Then dumating ang digital media and yet radio is still here. We’re a hybrid medium now. We’re working with print, we’re working with television, we’re working with digital media, and billboards as well. So, I think radio is a versatile medium and we’re here to stay because we’re always able to reinvent ourselves,” Baile pointed out.
Through its hosts, 92.3 Radyo5 TRUE FM aims to provide audiences with a fresh and dynamic listening experience
“Radio is the most affordable medium, especially in a third-world country like ours. During emergency situations, calamities, yung wala ang lahat ng ibang medium, nandyan ang radyo. Definitely, radio will be here to stay,” Failon added.
Radyo5 unveiled its new look and identity as 92.3 Radyo5 TRUE FM,
now revolutionizing the radio broadcasting landscape with its diverse line-up of programs that feature news, information, magazine-format, and entertainment shows.
92.3 Radyo5 TRUE FM aims to provide audiences with a fresh and dynamic listening experience that caters to a wide range of interests and preferences. Bannering the tagline “Dito tayo sa totoo!,” the station presents its new logo with the word TRUE, which articulates its tenets for responsible and communitycentered broadcasting, with each letter signifying a principle to show its dedication to becoming the leading news and public service goto radio station of the Philippines.
The T for Truth in journalism is evident with the radio shows Bangon Bayan with Mon of Mon Gualvez Ted Failon & DJ Chacha Frontline Pilipinas, and the flagship news program for local and provincial news Radyo5: Balita Pilipinas. These programs bring the latest news and information to listeners, making sure they are informed and up-to-date on the most important issues of the day.
R represents Real people and Real stories as reflected in the shows Sana Lourd of Lourd De Veyra Power and Play of Noli Eala, Pinoy Konek of Danton Remoto, and Dr. Love of Bro. Jun Banaag. These programs feature real-life stories that are
Radio broadcasting can evolve and adapt to modern times
relatable and will resonate with listeners, ensuring that they can connect with the issues and events that matter most to them.
U stands for its Unwavering commitment to public service, as exemplified by Wanted sa Radyo of Sen. Raffy Tulfo Sagot Kita of Cheryl Cosim, and Healing Galing of Dr. Edinell Calvario. These programs provide a platform for listeners to voice their concerns and grievances, and the station’s hosts and experts provide them with the assistance and advice they need.
Finally, E is for the station’s line-up of Entertaining shows such as Cristy Fermin’s Cristy Ferminute and Good Vibes with Stanley Chi and Laila Chikadora. These programs offer a well-deserved break from the day’s news, allowing listeners to unwind and relax.
With this new identity, 92.3 Radyo5 True FM is committed to delivering quality programming that engages, informs, and entertains listeners. The station’s programming lineup illustrates this overall with its news programs that feature up-to-
Maine Mendoza
The five lady CEOs of beauty and wellness clinics and jewelry shops power of investments.
IN TIME for Women’s Month, five lovely lady CEOs of beauty and wellness clinics and jewelry shops were among the recipients of the recent Global Trends Business Leaders Awards Year 2.
Held recently at Okada Manila in Parañaque, the awards recognized leaders who create and sustain entrepreneurial initiatives and carve out powerful businesses in the global economy.
Anne Barreto, CEO/owner of Hey Pretty Aesthetic Center and Hey Pretty Skin, was awarded the Admired Business Leadership Achievement in Aesthetics and Wellness. With 16 branches, Barreto’s success story exemplifies how anyone can rise to the top.
China Roces, CEO of Glamoroces Coffee health product, received the Social Media Influencer/Content Creator and Entrepreneur award. Roces’ key to success is the willingness to go the extra mile and do whatever it takes.
Jonah Sison-Ramos, CEO of Dear Face, won Outstanding Business Leadership Achievement in Beauty and Skincare. A woman entrepreneur who has created a name for herself and cultivated her own brand.
Jelly Laurel, CEO of Love of Pearls, received the Woman of Outstanding Business Leadership in Quality Pearl Jewelry. Laurel leads by example and inspires others to make an impact in her field and community.
Haena Sia-Foo, CEO of Jhaena Jewels, won the Global Excellence Award in Quality Gold and Diamond Jewelry. With a strong faith in God, Laurel has made people believe in the
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* * Country’s bets in global teen pageants named
It’s time for the teenage version of Miss Universe, Miss World, Miss Earth, and Teen Model International pageants with the naming of the country’s representatives during a crowning and sashing ceremony, presented by Archipelago Tourism Consultancy, ProFit Universal, and Miss Teen International Philippines.
Brimming with confidence for their global competitions this year are Maria Socorro Luz Aspe, 16, a Grade 11 student at UST Angelicum College, who will compete in Miss Teen Universe in Puerto Rico; Meredith Breña Anota, 15, a Grade 9 student at Pasay City South High School, for Miss Teen Earth in India; Ancient Trinity Tabora, 19, for Miss Teen World in Ecuador; and Princess Jasmine Estanislao, 18, tourism student at Far Eastern University, to compete in Teen Model International, to be held in Peru.
* * * Environment advocate vies for Miss Ecology International title
Meleah Moreno is now competing in Miss Ecology International 2023 in Valencia, Carabobo, an industrial city in Venezuela. Moreno, 24, an environment and mental health advocate and member of the Rotaract Club of Marilao Primero, is a graduate in Broadcasting and worked as a news reporter at Euro TV
Philippines and talent director in New York.
Miss Ecology International is a new pageant, organized by Portafolios, a leading entertainment company in Venezuela, and has the support of the First Lady of Carabobo state through her ecological project. The finals night is set on March 24.
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* * Pageant to boost local tourism
Mrs. Face of Tourism Philippines 2023, which aims to help boost the tourism industry, kicked off with the presentation of its candidates at Winford Manila Resort & Casino. Marie Karen Pallasigue, aka 90s actress Sabrina M, created a buzz among the press and placed third as Darling of the Press, topped by Susan Villanueva of Baguio City, with former Bb. Pilipinas Janina San Miguel, in second place.
Mrs. Face of Tourism Philippines, headed by founder Annie S. Refrea, in partnership with National Association of Independent Travel Agencies (NAITAS), headed by secretary-general Florence Rivera, will have five titles at stake on its May 30 coronation night, namely, Mrs. Face Tourism Philippines, Mrs. Face NAITAS, Mrs. Face Heritage & Culture, Mrs. Face Eco Tourism and Mrs. Face Health & Wellness. The other candidates are Jean Babon, Pamela Forte, Ghette Legg, Jennifer Bastarriche, Nean Baguioro, Michelle Toledo, Jeanny Canales, Mira Madrigal, Lorna Teaño, Marimel May Ocaña, Jenny Gaviola, Jannith Romantico, Venus Almari, Jesa Mae Baroy, and Rowena Almocera
the-minute local and international news as well as in-depth analysis and commentary.
92.3 Radyo5 TRUE FM also features a variety of informative programs that tackle relevant topics and issues, including business, health, and lifestyle.
“We are excited to launch 92.3 Radyo5 TRUE FM and introduce our listeners to our diverse programming lineup,” said Raul M. Dela Cruz, General Manager at National Broadcasting Corporation (NBC). “We believe that radio remains a powerful medium that can inform, inspire, and entertain. With our new identity, we are committed to providing our audiences with a listening experience that is relevant, engaging, and entertaining.”
92.3 Radyo5 TRUE FM is now on-air and broadcasting live nationwide. Tune in every day to hear the true of public service and take the new era of Philippine radio.
THE public already holds Maine in high regard because of her bubbly and approachable personality. Yet, in a recent episode of Eat Bulaga, she shared a gem of advice by encouraging a young mom to break the cycle of toxicity by placing the responsibility of supporting their family on her child’s shoulders. As a modern woman, Maine proves that it’s time we break generational traumas that could hinder a child’s development as they strive for happiness in their own ways.
IT’S been an eventful time in Ice’s life as he celebrated his anniversary with Liza Diño and fulfilled his dreams outside of showbiz. Despite
his busy schedule, he takes the time to interact on social media. Thanks to his bubbly personality, Ice often laughs off negative comments. But one social media user named Nora caught his attention by defending Ice against a basher who criticized his looks. Nora, on other hand, said Ice looked just right. We all need a Nora in our lives.
Maegan Aguilar
AS the daughter of OPM icon Freddie Aguilar, Maegan’s not exempted from the public’s gaze, specifically when her family airs their dirty laundry. Yet it seems Maegan isn’t interested in reconciling with her parents anytime soon. She even shares that going to rehab would allow her with a better support system than with them. Their feud is no secret to the public and has been going on for years. Despite prayers and well-wishes for Maegan, they aren’t expecting family reunions anytime soon.
Ogie Diaz
IT’S been weeks since Liza Soberano spoke about her truth and desire to rebrand herself in the industry after being “boxed in” particular roles throughout the years. Yet it wasn’t an easy confession as the public, with other known showbiz personalities, contradicted her statements, citing quotes she said earlier in her career. Among them was her former talent manager Ogie. Their back-and-forths are getting cumbersome, so maybe Ogie’s decision to stay mum about Liza’s claims will finally extinguish the flames.
GMA Regional TV is making the festive celebration of 86th Araw ng Dabaw more vibrant as it brings the stars of “Voltes V: Legacy” to Davao City today, March 17.
The cast of the highly-anticipated live-action series Voltes V: Legacy –
Sparkle stars Miguel Tanfelix, Ysabel Ortega, Radson Flores, Matt Lozano, and Raphael Landicho – will ‘volt in’ and treat their fans to a thrilling Kapuso Mall Show at Gaisano Mall of Toril.
The fun begins at 4:00 p.m.
The multi-cultural city of Davao
is definitely back to celebrating its founding anniversary with in-person month-long festivities after a three-year hiatus due to COVID-19 pandemic.
“We are very excited to have the cast of the Voltes V: Legacy joining us for the 86th Araw ng Dabaw celebration. This is our early summer treat to our Kapuso viewers who remain loyal to GMA. Like the rest of the country, we are looking forward to the Philippine TV debut of this highly-anticipated liveaction series. We hope our Kapusong Dabawenyos will enjoy the surprises
we have in store for them,” said First Vice President and Head of GMA Regional TV and Synergy, and Acting Head of GMA Integrated News Oliver
Victor B. Amoroso Ahead of its much-awaited debut on Philippine TV, Voltes V: Legacy has been making rounds all over the country. Miguel and Ysabel were warmly welcomed by their fans during the celebration of Ati-Atihan Festival in Kalibo, Aklan last January 12. Miguel, Ysabel, Radson, Matt, and Raphael were in full force as they graced the
Sinulog Festival of Cebu City last January 14, the Kaisa Festival of Tarlac City last January 17, and the Dinagyang Festival of Iloilo City last January 21.
The Kapuso stars also made February regional festivities extra special as they participated in the celebration of Kannawidan Festival in Ilocos Sur last February 12 and the 86th Dia de Zamboanga in Zamboanga City last February 18. Moreover, Voltes V: Legacy stars treated their fans during their Kapuso Mall Show in Angeles City, Pampanga last February 25.
THE public was invited to the Philippines’ biggest and most star-studded bakery industry event, the “Bakery Fair 2023” from March 2 to 4 at the World Trade Center in Pasay City. the event was organized Filipino Chinese Bakery Association, Inc. (FCBAI) led by President Gerik Chua and other officers.
Vice-President Sara Duterte Carpio
Senator Imee Marcos, Senators Loren Legarda Mark Villar Mark Villar Koko Pimentel, former Manila Mayor Isko Moreno, and other leaders congratulated FCBAI for organizing Bakery Fair 2023, which supports the revival of the Philippine bakery industry and the Philippine economy. Leaders of various Asian and
Asean bakery associations and business leaders also attended the grand event. Bakery Fair 2023 had 136 exhibitors covering 10,000 square meters or one hectare of the World Trade Center. Educational technical seminars by different top bakery industry-related companies, bakers, chefs, and experts were also held during the three-day event, which served as the comeback of the Bakery Fair after four years due to the pandemic. It signaled the revival of the Philippine baking industry despite inflation and other challenges.
The biennial civic project of the FCBAI
YOUR favorite creative studio concept for your social media content is back at SM City Fairview. This time, your pet is the superstar at the Creator Studio for Pets at the Mall’s Upper Ground Level, Central Walk.
Snap a PAWs, enjoy the FURRY fun moment, or showcase your pet’s amazing personality in a fun, unique, interactive, and creative space for your FUR babies and buddies at the Creator Studio for Pets PAWtraction.
The PAWtraction features four different unique themed studios: the Beach Studio, Celebrate with Me Studio, sPAWtlight Studio, and Bath Time Studio.
the
One of the highlights of Bakery Fair 2023 is the Angel Cup.
aims to promote and uplift the Philippines bakery industry and support socioeconomic development.
One of the exciting events of the Bakery Fair 2023 was the “FCBAI Bakers Cup Wedding Cake Competition 2023”, which showcased exciting and awesome wedding cake creations with “Kasalang Pinoy” theme. Attendees were mesmerized by the bakers’ amazing creations using fondant, royal icing, gum paste, and many more.
Another important aspect of the Bakery Fair was the “Angel Cup 2023,”
by Teddy Pelaez
which highlighted the making of Bread Showpiece, Artisan Bread, Healthy Bread, and Sweet Dough with dough filling. FCBAI is part of the Federation of Filipino Chinese Chambers of Commerce & Industry, Inc. (FFCCCII), the umbrella business and civic organization of 170 Filipino Chinese chambers of commerce and trade organizations from Aparri to Tawi Tawi. History records showed that Chinese migrants were the earliest bakers in the Philippines during the Spanish colonial era, bringing also flour here.
With summer on the horizon, The Beach Studio brings summer to the city as pets bask in the sun in a giant chair. Don’t forget to dress up your pals’ summer-perfect OOTD fashion. Get the party started and surround
your FUR babies and buddies with aweSM gift boxes and colorful party balloons in the Celebrate with Me Studio during their BARKday. Capture that memorable milestone and special pet love moment. Choose a PAWfect color background and cute fun props at the sPAWtlight Studio to unleash the unique FURsonality of your PAW babies and buddies. Let your pet take the sPAWtlight and shine like a superstar. Show your followers their trending tricks and moves. Take a quick dip in a big tub to create a PawSM photo shoot experience at the Bath Time Studio.
Each studio is equipped with fun props, a camera stand, a ring light, lightbox so you can capture the PAWfect moments of your adorable FUR-pets and create the perfect Instagram-worthy photos or entertaining TikTok videos. Access to the studios is free for as long you are a member of SM SUPER PETS CLUB.
Be a member of the SM SUPER PETS CLUB at www.smsuperpetsclub.com
LAST Sunday, five aspiring writers received their laptops from film and television writer-director Benedict Mique. It was a heartwarming moment to witness how a random act of generosity in the late ‘90s by National Artist for Film and Broadcast Arts, Ricky Lee, spawned numerous acts of kindness.
or head writer.
“Usually, the writers are struggling,” Lee added but clarified that he was speaking about the writers’ status years ago. “Another good thing about what Benedict is doing aside from addressing the writers’ lack of
giving and helping industry. While there are a lot of generous and helpful people in the industry, there are also ones who are greedy and selfish,” Mique shared. “I think this is a good opportunity to give to others and if they will feel good about this, then maybe, they will also help
Shania Vonzel Legaspi (center), one of the recipients, is the daughter of a bit actress in ‘Darna’
In case you missed it, Lee helped jumpstart Mique’s career when he lent him P21,000 more than two decades ago so he can purchase a personal computer for his writing jobs. Mique, with Lee as a mentor, has since produced award-winning TV projects and films.
In late November 2022, Direk Benedict, his industry name, launched the giveaway by seeking entries from writing enthusiasts in need of the devices. He chose the winners based on their stories and sample writing pieces. Justine John Delima, Nicole Audrey Co, Kenneth Paul Mendiola, Nazarine Manuelle Gonzales, and Shania Vonzel Legaspi turned out to be the deserving recipients of the laptops.
“It feels good how your single act of kindness multiplies. I think it’s also more satisfying because Benedict is a very good friend. Of course, you would want your friends to operate with the same mindset of not just thinking of one’s self but also of others,” Lee said in the vernacular when asked for his reaction to the giveaway. The multi-awarded screenwriter was present last Sunday in the awarding of prizes.
When asked if he remembers lending Mique the money to buy a desktop computer, Lee admitted, “Actually, Hindi.” The softspoken national artist continued to explain how he became a go-to lender by colleagues back in the day. He explained matter-of-factly that it was possibly because he had a more stable job as a creative manager
resources is empowering them because a lot of them are shy and do not assert themselves. It’s a big thing that there are people in positions like Benedict who reach out to them.”
“One reason I also did this giveaway is to project a more
others as well.” It was revealed during the interview that both Lee and Mique have been helping people for years without anyone knowing.
“Benedict is not only giving a laptop, but he’s also giving a part of himself,” Lee enthused. He added that offering to mentor the five young aspiring writers makes Mique’s pay-it-forward move even more special.
“In this industry, it is so difficult to give yourself and easier to gatekeep,” Lee explained. “Beyond the laptop, the message he’s sending out to these young people is that they are not alone and will get support.”
Mique formed an online group for the winners and he is keeping his line open to guide them through their writing journeys.
These days, following his stint as a unit director for the recently concluded Mars Ravelo’s Darna Mique is busy with Lonewolf Film, a production company he owns. It is the one behind Kim Molina and Jerald Napoles’s Girlfriend Na Pwede Na project and is currently part of an international movie to be shot aabroad and the production of at least two upcoming series.