ORIENTAL Mindoro Governor Hu -
merlito Dolor said a claims office has already been established in the region to help residents affected by the oil spill crisis caused by the sunken MT
Princess Empress.
Dolor announced in a media briefing that four claims processors have arrived in Oriental Mindoro and a physical office in the capitol was set up to cater people filing for compensation.
THE family of suspended Negros Oriental Rep. Arnolfo Teves Jr. has appealed to him to return to the Philippines and face the charges against him.
“While I cannot decide for him, we are of the opinion and we are hoping that he will really decide to come home,” said the lawmaker’s younger brother, former Negros Oriental governor Pryde Henry Teves on Monday.
“Maybe to stop all this and shed light on everything, maybe it’s about time he comes home. One way or another he would have to face all of this. And he has to come home,” he added.
The younger Teves said he is confident his brother will be safe once he returns home given the promise made by President Ferdinand Marcos Jr. to beef up his security.
“If it’s the President himself who guarantees his safety, I think he will be safe enough,” Pryde said.
As this developed, the Department of Justice (DOJ) on Monday said Rep.
KEROSENE led the latest oil price rollback across all petroleum products at P1.90 per liter effective 6 a.m. today (Tuesday) to reflect the softening of prices in the world oil market.
Oil firms also cut the price of diesel by P1.30 per liter and gasoline by P0.85 per liter.
“Phoenix Petroleum Philippines will
INTERCONNECTED ROAD NETWORK. President Ferdinand Marcos Jr. inaugurates the first section of the North Luzon Expressway (NLEX) Connector from Caloocan to España, Manila on Monday, March 27, 2023. With him are Public Works Secretary Manuel Bonoan and MPIC/MPTC
By Vince Lopez and Vito Barcelo
PRESIDENT Ferdinand Marcos Jr. on Monday vowed that his administration will continue to push for more in -
frastructure projects that will improve the interconnectivity of the country’s road networks. The President also committed to use idle government land to build more
THE
ing March 31, Friday until April 10, including weekends, in line with “Oplan Biyaheng Ayos: Semana Santa and Summer Vacation 2023.” LTO chief Jay Art Tugade said this is
part of measures to ensure the safety of the public and motorists for the coming Holy Week and summer vacation. He said the agency is focused on the
interview after he took
his oath before Justice Secretary Jesus Remulla yesterday. “I don’t want to preempt it, I will
housing projects.
Mr. Marcos on Monday led the inauguration of the North Luzon Expressway (NLEX) Connector from Caloocan to España Section and the groundbreak-
ing of the Disiplina Village in Arkong Bato Park in Valenzuela City.
“We will not stop here, and we will continue to develop a highly interconnected
THE National Grid Corp. of the Philippines (NGCP) on Monday asked the Department of Energy to step in to prevent “avoidable” power interruptions after the Energy Regulatory Commission (ERC) denied its request for a monthon-month extension of its ancillary services agreements that have expired.
Ancillary services are deployed by grid operators to maintain grid stability and reliability in response to changes in power supply and demand. These services can include frequency regulation, reserve power, reactive power and black start capability.
In a letter to Energy Secretary Raphael Lotilla, the NGCP said unless the ERC withdraws its order, the
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Teves is among those being considered as a mastermind in the killing of Negros Oriental Gov. Roel Degamo.
Justice Secretary Jesus Crispin Remulla said Teves, who has sent him text messages, could be among two to three masterminds behind Degamo’s killing.
Degamo and eight others were killed while several others were injured after gunmen fired on his home in Negros Oriental on March 4 while he was distributing aid to his constituents.
Last week, Remulla said Teves, who is out of the country, reached out to him through a text message. He said he did not respond to the text as he received the message after finding out that four more suspects in the killing of Degamo had surrendered.
Teves’ legal counsel Ferdinand Topacio described Remulla’s statement as “nebulous.”
“Actually, Secretary Remulla did not say anything new. Also, the statement itself is quite nebulous. I’ll comment when there is something coherent to comment on,” Topacio said.
Topacio said earlier that there is no direct evidence linking Teves to Degamo’s murder. Teves, who refuses to return to the country due to fears for his safety, earlier denied involvement in the killing. He also appealed for authorities for fairness and for investigators to look at all angles in the Degamo killing.
Nonetheless, Topacio earlier said Teves is ready to face the allegations of murder against him.
Some of the 11 suspects in custody
Oil...
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decrease the prices of gasoline by P0.85 per liter and diesel by P1.30 per liter effective 6AM of 28 March 2023,” the company said in its advisory.
Jetti Petroleum, Seaoil Philippines, Cleanfuel, Chevron Philippines and PetroGazz issued separate advisories of the oil price rollback and more companies are expected to follow.
This is the third consecutive week of oil price rollback for diesel and kerosene and the second consecutive week of price cut for gasoline.
The Department of Energy last week confirmed the price rollback, “primarily due to the concerns that risks in the global banking sector and potential increase in the US interest rates could spark recession thereby cutting fuel demand.”
The build up in US crude inventories and slide of the US dollar also impacted on oil prices.
On March 21, the oil companies also cut pump prices of P1.20 per liter for gasoline, P1.85 per liter for diesel and P2 per liter for kerosene.
These resulted in a year-to-date net decrease for diesel at P2.85 per liter and kerosene at P3.65 per liter.
Gasoline on the other hand, has a net increase of P5.50 per liter.
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have a command conference (today, Tuesday). I will announce the reshuffling of personnel within BuCor,” he added.
Remulla on Monday directed Catapang to prevent abuses against persons deprived of liberty (PDLs).
“We don’t want abuses to happen again,” Remulla said.
He said the marching orders he gave Catapang were the same as those he instructed the latter to do when he assumed the position of acting BuCor director in October 2022 when then director Gerald Bantag was preventively suspended.
In particular, Remulla said he instructed Catapang to “help clean up jails” and “make the detention facilities a better place” for inmates.
“Make the jails function as a correction measure rather than a punishment. To make the jails a more humane place for us, for our PDLs because that is our commitment, our obligation under the law,” Remulla said.
Catapang said he already has a plan but will keep it confidential for now so as not to telegraph his punches.
“I don’t want to disclose it because personnel movement makes people uneasy,” he said.
said a certain “Cong Teves” ordered the hit on Degamo.
Remulla also said that items seized during their investigation, including improvised explosive devices (IEDs), were consistent with statements from the arrested suspects.
When asked if the suspects mentioned the Teves brothers when they talked about the IEDs, Remulla said there was no mention of names.
But he said he believed the safehouse the suspects stayed in was owned and controlled by the Teves family.
Remulla said Teves’s brother, Pryde, may also be implicated in the crime.
In an interview with CNN, Remulla also said that one of the suspects in the Degamo killing was also involved in two failed assassination attempts against the governor.
Remulla said the suspect was among the “major players” in the killing.
“That person was involved not only in the last assassination attempt he succeeded but in two other failed assassination attempts on Governor Degamo,” Remulla told CNN.
Remulla said Degamo was the object of an assassination plot since December 2022.
The Justice secretary said they were planning to file charges against the 11 suspects by Thursday or Friday, but said Teves would not be among the respondents.
“His being named in the case would depend on the decision of the panel of prosecutors if it is timely already to file a case against him based on the evidence we have on hand,” Remulla said.
He added, however, that there was already enough direct evidence pointing to Teves.
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Employees of the capitol will undergo training to further assist the locals in processing of their application, the governor said.
The claims processors will also est ablish offices in different towns so residents would not have to travel to the capitol to file their claims.
A claims officer said that on Friday, the first established office will be open to the public and will be ready to accept forms for claiming insurance.
Residents who will file for compensation will need to bring a government ID, while registered fishermen, fish vendors, boat owners, tourism-related business owners are asked to bring in
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road network that will facilitate our country’s rapid, inclusive, and sustained economic growth,” President Marcos said.
The latest NLEX connector will pass through the cities of Caloocan and Manila, with the Caloocan Interchange Connector Road in Balintawak, Caloocan City and the España Interchange Connector Road in Manila.
Highlighting the synergy between the public and the private sector, President Marcos also called on the DOTr and private contractor NLEX Corp. to work closely with their partners in accomplishing the government’s objectives to improve the country’s road infrastructure.
“Try very hard, as we all do, to stay within the target time frame – although your success rate in this regard is exemplary – avoid unnecessary delays, and finish the project as scheduled, so that the Filipino people will be able to reap
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grid will be vulnerable to automatic load dropping caused by the “artificial lack of reserves.”
NGCP issued the warning as many of its ancillary agreements have expired and the competitive selection process is still ongoing.
“We have resorted to month-tomonth extensions of our existing agreements to ensure the sufficiency of services while the procurement process is ongoing. With ERC’s denial of this interim arrangement, our hands are tied,” the transmission grid operator said.
“The Philippine transmission grid shall be vulnerable to power interruptions resulting from an artificial lack of AS (ancillary service). Without an existing ASPA (ancillary service procurement agreement), NGCP cannot nomi-
In a press conference, Justice department spokesperson Assistant Secretary Mico Clavano said DOJ prosecutors recommended the filing of nine counts of murder against the six individuals for the killing of Degamo, Jessie Boy-ay, Jose Marie Ramirez, Jomar Canseco, Crispin Vallega, Jerome Maquiling, Florence Quinikito, Joseph Renada, and Michael Fabugais.
He said the suspects will also be charged with 13 counts of frustrated murder and three counts of attempted murder.
Meanwhile, police said they confiscated another batch of firearms on Sunday inside the sugar mill owned by former Negros Oriental governor Pryde Henry Teves.
For three straight days, the Philippine National Police-Criminal Detection and Investigation Group (PNP-CIDG) conducted raids in the Teves compound.
The PNP-CIDG reported that a short arm with 24 live bullets, three magazines, a disassembled pistol and a shotgun with 29 bullets were seized in the operation.
More than 2,000 assorted bullets were also recovered in the area.
PNP-CIDG chief legal officer P/ Col. Thomas Valmonte said that “it’s a vast area” when asked why the search took days.
The compound is 50-hectare land with more than 200 houses inside where employees of the sugar mill and relatives of Teves live.
Valmonte also said an informant has been helping the authorities locate the buried iems.
Improvised explosive devices (IEDs), guns, and components for making explosives were found in the compound
their registration papers.
Dolor said registered fisherfolks are the top priority in claiming insurance.
A claims officer explained that everyone can file for compensation as long as they are legitimate claimants with the right forms and requirements.
A claims officer said that it is possible that a claim could be processed in 30 days but there is no definite time on when claimants will receive compensation.
The officer assured Dolor that progress will be made in three months.
The officers said that for residents to claim their compensation, they will need to sign an agreement that they will not pursue a case against the tanker.
The officers also clarified that the agreement is not a form of bribery but rather a choice for an
the benefits as soon as possible,” the President said.
“Ultimately, the positive effects of this project will speed up mobility and transactions, and will spur economic productivity of the country,” Marcos said.
Under the “Build, Better, More” development agenda of the Marcos administration, the President vowed to continue pushing for the interconnectivity of major roads and expressways, as well as build even more roads and bridges in strategic places within the archipelago.
He said the newly constructed Caloocan-España Section of the NLEX Connector, together with the EspanaMagsaysay Section of the connector, will finally connect the North Luzon Expressway (NLEX) with the South Luzon Expressway (SLEX).
The road project, with a total cost of P23.3 billion, including right-of-way (ROW) acquisition costs, will form an integral part of the Luzon Spine Expressway Network, which will be
nate power plants to provide the critical services,” NGCP said.
“NGCP considered these extensions as a middle ground strategy to remain compliant with the relevant DOE Circulars, while at the same time preserving the integrity of the transmission grid with the continuous provision of AS (ancillary service), especially during the summer months, when it is needed most,” NGCP said.
NGCP is responsible for determining, acquiring, and dispatching the needed AS levels required to maintain power quality and the reliability and security of the nationwide grid.
The company recently opened the AS bids and is conducting the evaluation with awarding of contracts to winning bidders scheduled no later than April 18, 2023.
The resulting ancillary services procurement agreements from the bidding will still be subject to the approval of the ERC.
since the PNP-CIDG started to implement a search warrant on Friday.
Some P18 million worth of cash was also found in a vault inside the compound.
The former governor said he was innocent and said he was willing to work with the authorities to investigate the discovered weapons.
Also on Monday, the Office of the Speaker transmitted to the House ethics committee the formal request from Degamo’s widow, Pamplona town Mayor Janice Degamo, that Teves be expelled from the chamber.
The chairman of the committee, party-list Rep. Felimon Espares, said his panel would act on the matter when Congress resumes session in May.
The House has slapped a 60-day suspension on Teves for refusing to heed its order to return to the Philippines to face murder charges filed against him.
Speaker Martin Romualdez has yet to assign a caretaker for Teves’ legislative district, Majority Leader and Zamboanga City Rep. Manuel Dalipe said.
Teves’ camp on Monday asked the House leadership to lift the suspension imposed against him.
Topacio, in a letter to the House Committee on Ethics and Privileges, said the threat against his client’s life falls under “unavoidable circumstances which prevent his physical presence in the sessions of the House, hence, an exempting circumstance under Sec.71, Rule IX of its Rules.”
“A belief that one’s life is threatened does not always come with demonstrable proof. It could be by inference from circumstances that are not susceptible to tangible proof, as in this case,” Topacio said.
amicable settlement.
There are more than 170,000 people affected by the crisis, with over 13,000 fisherfolks as reported by the government.
Meanwhile, more than 9,000 liters of oily water mixture have been collected by the Philippine Coast Guard during its offshore oil spill response.
In a statement released on Monday, PCG said that more than 900 liters of oily water mixture was collected on March 26, bringing the total collected contaminated mixture to 9,463 liters and 115 sacks of contaminated materials in its offshore clean-up efforts.
The ill-fated tanker was carrying 800,000 industrial fuel when it sank off the waters of Oriental Mindoro on February 28.
a component of the Philippine High Standard Highway Network.
Once completed, the eight-kilometer, four-lane (two lanes each direction), allelevated toll expressway NLEX Connector project will provide another alternate route that will reduce travel time for motorists. It will also contribute to the ease of movement of cargo and goods from north to south and vice versa, especially those coming from the Port of Manila, providing great relief to the logistics sector.
As of March 23, the NLEX Connector Section 1 has been completed while Section 2 was 42 percent accomplished and is targeted to be completed by June 2023, provided that the ROW for the section is delivered to the contractor by the end of March.
Once completed, the project built through public-private partnership (PPP), will reduce the travel time from SLEX-Alabang to NLEX-Balintawak from two hours to just 20 minutes and will benefit 35,000 motorists daily.
NGCP said the provisional approval for the new ASPAs may not be expected earlier than June 2023.
Ancillary services support the transmission of power from generators to consumers to maintain reliable operations. These are necessary for NGCP to manage power fluctuations to ensure the quality and reliability of power flowing through its system.
If not managed properly, fluctuations can cause damage to sensitive equipment, or even automatic load dropping if the fluctuations are severe enough to pose a danger to the transmission system as a whole.
“We have always conducted the procurement of AS with good faith, with the best services for the least cost as a primary motivating factor. We have done much to improve the procurement process, but above all else, we must be able to provide these services,” NGCP said. NGCP said the ERC decision leaves
overall road safety, including the roadworthiness inspection of public utility vehicles, and will conduct inspections on land transport terminals and provide assistance to motorists.
Random drug testing will also be conducted among PUV drivers and conductors.
Aside from monitoring the major roads heading north and south of the National Capital Region, LTO personnel will also monitor all strategic locations and terminals in all regions of the country.
Meanwhile, a seminar will be held on March 28 for PUV drivers and conductors as part of the LTO’s campaign on overall road safety for the Holy Week season.
Tugade said the LTO aimed to ensure the smooth and safe observance of the Holy Week and summer vacation. He also called on the public and motorists to cooperate with the government in terms of complying with traffic rules.
Meanwhile, some 1.2 million passengers are expected to troop to the Parañaque Integrated Terminal Exchange for trips for the Holy Week, PITX management said.
Some regular bus trips to Bicol and Visayas are already fully booked for Holy Week.
The Land Transportation Franchising and Regulatory Board has already issued special permits to 22 units for additional trips to Bicol.
For his part, Oriental Mindoro Governor Humerlito Dolor on Monday appealed to tourists not to skip Puerto Galera in preparing their vacation plans, saying the area is “safe” from the threat of the oil spill caused by the sunken tanker MT Princess Empress off Naujan town.
Dolor said that based on the reports of the Department of Environment and Natural Resources and Coast Guard, no traces of oil were found in Puerto Galera.
Puerto Galera, known for its white sand beach and diving sites, is a major contributor in the economy of Oriental Mindoro.
The Provincial Tourism Office of Oriental Mindoro reported a loss of P200 million worth of damage caused by the oil spill.
Tourism Secretary Christina Frasco said the government is already seeing “the momentum for recovery for tourism” after more than 1.3 million foreigners have arrived in the Philippines so far in 2023.
“This is indeed another achievement and undoubtedly will significantly improve the mobility of people, of goods, and of services not only within Metro Manila but also within its environs,” the President said.
President Marcos also acknowledged the efforts of the DOTr and the Department of Public Works and Highways (DPWH), and thanked the NLEX Corp. and the Metro Pacific Tollways Corp. for completing the project.
At a groundbreaking of the Disiplina Village in Arkong Bato Park in Valenzuela City, Marcos said he has been studying ways to use idle government land for decent housing projects.
“Right now, our government continues to work hard so that we can build more housing for our beloved countrymen,” Marcos said.
“We continue to study how to identify and use vacant government land that can be built for housing, according to our laws and regulations,” President Marcos noted.
the company with no other option.
“If we sign interim extensions, we expect the ERC to issue us yet another show cause order. If we do not, we will be unnecessarily subjecting consumers connected to the grid to avoidable and damaging fluctuations or worse, interruptions,” NGCP said.
Also on Monday, a congressional leader supported the call of Senator Sherwin Gatchalian for the ERC to penalize erring power distributors who contract for too much power.
“The call to penalize power distributors that overcontracted power supply and imposed the costs to consumers is a good call,” Surigao del Norte Rep. Robert Ace Barbers said.
But imposing fines on their mismanagement, Barbers said is not enough.
“They should be made to refund to the consumers who paid for electricity that they never used. The refund can come as discounted billings spread over a certain period,” Barbers said.
Comelec sets filing of COCs for BSKE on Aug. 28-Sept. 2
THE filing of certificates of candidacy (COCs) for the forthcoming Barangay and Sangguniang Kabataan elections (BSKE) will be from August 28 to September 2, the Commission on Elections (Comelec) announced on Monday.
In an updated calendar of activities for the BSKE set on October 30, 2023, the Comelec said the official campaign period will be on Oct. 19 to 28, while the gun ban will be from August 28 to November 29.
Starting September 3 until October 18, campaigning is prohibited, the poll body said. then again on October 29-30, along with the ban on selling, buying, or taking intoxicating drinks.
On Election Day on October 30, casting of votes will be from 7 a.m. to 3 p.m.
Counting and canvassing of the votes and eventual proclamation of the winners will immediately follow the closing of the polls.
The last day to file Statement of Contributions and Expenditures (SOCE) is set on November 29.
The BSKE has been repeatedly postponed since 2016. In October 2022, President Ferdinand Marcos Jr. enacted the law moving the December 2022 BSKE to the last Monday of October 2023.
PRESIDENT Ferdinand Marcos Jr. has appointed Marine Commandant Maj. Gen. Charlton Sean Gaerlan as the new deputy chief of staff of the Armed Forces of the Philippines (AFP).
The Presidential Communications Office (PCO), in a social media post, said Gaerlan’s appointment was effective on Mar. 21, 2023.
Gaerlan served as the Philippine Marine Corps commandant and head of the AFP Education, Training and Doctrine Command. He was also a member of the Philippine Military Academy “Makatao” Class of 1989, the PCO said.
Gaerlan also served as deputy commander of the 2nd Marine Brigade; deputy commander for marine operations of the Naval Forces Western Mindanao; Inspector General of the Philippine Marine Corps; and commander of the 3rd Marine Brigade in Western Command, Palawan.
Gaerlan replaced AFP Inspector General Lt. Gen William Gonzales who was the designated acting deputy chief of staff of the AFP following the retirement of Vice Admiral Rommel Anthony Reyes last March 15. Vince Lopez
PRESIDENT Ferdinand Marcos Jr. on Monday vowed to fulfi ll and enforce the government’s peace agreements over the Bangsamoro region.
The President Marcos made the pledge during the 9th anniversary of the signing of the Comprehensive Agreement on the Bangsamoro (CAB).
“We in the national government will do our part to fulfill our commitments under the peace agreements and see its full implementation. We shall not waver from this,” Mr. Marcos said in a video message.
“As we have said before, the path to lasting peace is always under construction, but we shall build and walk this path together so that our children and the generations that will follow shall live lives of prosperity and of peace,” he added.
The Chief Executive expressed belief that under his governance, the “political and normalization tracks
By Joel E. Zurbano
THE Metropolitan Manila Development Authority (MMDA) has started penalizing motorists violating the exclusive motorcycle lane policy along Commonwealth Avenue in Quezon City.
As of 12 noon Monday, at least 1,200 motorists were apprehended and given citation tickets by MMDA traffic enforcers. Of this number, 482 were motorcycle riders while 757 were drivers of private vehicles.
Implementation of the exclusive motorcycle lane aims to reduce the number of serious road accidents involving motorcycles, and to improve traffic flow on Commonwealth Avenue from Elliptical Road to Dona Carmen and vice versa.
Based on the MMDA guidelines, the first
lane of the road is dedicated for bicycles, second lane for public utility vehicles, third for motorcycles, while the fourth, fifth, sixth, seventh, eighth, and ninth Lanes are for all all other vehicles.
Under the guidelines, vehicles entering or exiting side streets or intersections should only deviate from their lanes using the transition lines or pavement markings installed at a minimum of 100 meters from the solid line (depending on the road width) of their respective lanes giving adequate and advance warning of their intention to enter or exit such side street or intersection.
“The driver should give adequate and advance warning by turning the vehicle’s signal or turning lights on and slowly veering towards the painted transition lines,” the rules stated.
“U-turning vehicles are allowed to de-
viate from their dedicated lanes 200 meters from their intended U-turn slot. The corresponding transition lines or pavement markings shall be installed to serve as guide for that purpose. The same care and diligence as drivers of right turning vehicles are expected of drivers of vehicles intending to make use of a U-turn slot along Commonwealth Avenue.” PUV violators will be fined P1,200, while motorcycles and private cars will be penalized with P500 fine.
Based on MMDA’s Metro Manila Accident Reporting and Analysis System, a total of 1,686 or five cases a day of motorcycle-related road accidents along Commonwealth Avenue were recorded for the year 2022. Of that figure, 13 cases resulted in deaths, 930 in non-fatal injuries,
THE COVID-19 positivity rate in Misamis Oriental went up to a “high” of 26.8 percent within one week, data from independent monitoring OCTA Research Group on Monday showed.
The province’s positivity rate—-or the percentage of people who were found positive for COVID-19 among the total number of individuals tested—-jumped from a “moderate” 17.1 percent on March 18, to 26.8 percent on March 25, said OCTA Research fellow Dr. Guido David.
Upticks were also logged in other provinces such as Batangas, Bulacan, Cebu, Davao del Sur, Laguna, and Negros Occidental. The National Capital Region’s positivity rate remained at 3.2 percent during the same period.
The Philippines on Sunday registered 227 new COVID-19 cases, bringing the active cases to 8,611.
Most cases in the last 14 days were still recorded in the NCR at 657, followed by the Davao region with 311, northern Mindanao with 260, Calabarzon with 249, and Soccsksargen with 179.
of the peace agreement continue to gain momentum.”
“Our partners in the BARMM (Bangsamoro Autonomous Region in Muslim Mindanao) continue to deliver on their commitments in both tracks, with the recent passing of the critical Bangsamoro Electoral Code,” Mr. Marcos said.
Acting Presidential Adviser on Peace, Reconciliation, and Unity Secretary Isidro Purisima said fulfilling peace commitments would include the decommissioning process and developing the areas in the Bangsamoro region.
“It’s one of the things that we will do in the Bangsamoro, we will continue
THE Commission on Elections (Comelec) has announced that the plebiscite for the conversion of the Carmona, Cavite into a component city will be held on July 8.
The Comelec also set the campaign period for the exercise on Jun3 8 to July 6.
During the campaign, it is prohibited to remove, destroy, deface, and tamper legit plebiscite propaganda materials; appointment. Hiring of new employees, promoting, or giving salary increases, releasing public funds; vote-buying and vote-selling; and construction of public works are also banned during this period.
The plebiscite period in Carmona, Cavite will be from June 8 to July 15, during which the carrying of firearm and other deadly weapons; maintenance of reaction forces; transfer of officer or employee in the civil service; suspension of local elective officials; and illegal release of prisoners are likewise disallowed.
A liquor ban would be implemented while campaigning is prohibited on July 7, the eve of plebiscite day. On plebiscite day, voters may cast their votes from 7 a.m. to 3 p.m.
The canvassing of votes by the plebiscite board of canvassers starts at 6 p.m., to be followed by the proclamation of the plebiscite results.
IMMIGRATION agents have arrested an overstaying Nigerian who has been on the bureau’s wanted list for more than a year.
BI Commissioner Norman Tansingco identified the alien as Felix Briggs, 32, who was cornered inside a condominium
the decommissioning process as well as developing the socioeconomic aspects of the areas in the Bangsamoro.” Purisima said in a separate public briefing.
The Office of the Presidential Adviser on Peace, Reconciliation, and Unity (OPAPRU) earlier said that the decommissioning of the Moro Islamic Liberation Front members is set to be finished by the year 2024.
The CAB was signed during the administration of late President Benigno Simeon Aquino III. It paved the way for the establishment of the Bangsamoro, a new political entity to replace the Autonomous Region in Muslim Mindanao.
in Pasig City by operatives of the bureau’s intelligence division.
Tansingco said Briggs was arrested 15 months after he was ordered deported by the BI board of commissioners for overstaying. “We call on other foreigners who are wanted for deportation by our bureau. Stop hiding because the long arm of the law will catch you sooner or later,” the BI chief said in a statement.
It was learned that the arresting agents were armed with a warrant of deportation that Tansingco issued pursuant to a summary deportation order the BI issued against Briggs on Dec. 21, 2021.
The deportation order also directed that Briggs be included in the bureau’s blacklist of aliens, effectively banning him from reentering the country.
Vito Barcelo
AT least 296 agrarian reform beneficiaries in Pigcawayan, North Cotabato have received their certificates of land titles covering a total area of 696 hectares.
The grant of the land ownership titles was in keeping with a commitment of Ferdinand Marcos Jr. to provide agricultural lands for the landless farmers.
Evangeline Bueno, provincial agrarian reform program officer, said the distributed lands were located in Barangay Payongpayong, Pigcawayan town.
“We are doing our best to fast track the distribution of lands as mandated by our Secretary and provide them with support services as a way of bringing the government closer to the people,” she said.
She added the support services will be intensified in the area to capacitate the farmer-beneficiaries and provide them with enterprise development and economic support interventions to make their lands productive, increase their income, and improve their quality of life.
Rio N. ArajaSENATE President
Migz Zubiri on
Monday condemned the kidnapping and murder of businessman Mario Uy, by four foreign nationals—three Chinese and one Vietnamese— who are now under Philippine National Police (PNP) custody.
He said these suspects may be connected to the gangs involved in the Philippine Offshore Gaming Operators (POGO) industry.
“The horrific torture-slay of Mr. Uy is certainly not far from accounts of violence that have transpired in the POGO industry, and so I urge the PNP to look into this possibility,” Zubiri said.
According to Zubiri, it has long been their fear that the violence perpetrated by foreign gangs on POGOs will eventually graduate to violence against the public.
He said victims of human trafficking and the killing of Uy seem to point that these fears have very much become an alarming reality.
“I join the bereaved family in seeking justice for Mr. Uy’s death, and calling for stronger protection and prosecution against foreign organized crime syndicates such as this,” said Zubiri.
Sen. Risa Hontiveros meanwhile said she is sure that the PNP is already looking
into the possibility that this gruesome murder is POGO-related.
Hontiveros said as the Senate Committee on Women previously uncovered, POGOs have been responsible for numerous criminal activities, such as prostitution, tax evasion, and illegal detention.
“In fact, our office assisted a Taiwanese national, alias Ivy, who escaped from a POGO company, after being illegally detained and sexually harassed, among others,” she said.
“Should this incident be proven to be POGO-related, it will only strengthen our longstanding call to kick POGOs out of the country,” said Hontiveros.
Hontiveros also said the committee she leads also found that kidnapping is one of the ways some POGO actors use to generate more income.
“Ang iba nangingidnap for ransom lalo na kung may mga hindi pagkakasunduan sa mga POGO players o sa POGO company. Kaya hindi malayong mangyari na POGO-related itong nangyaring kidnap-slay sa isang Chinese Filipino.” Napatotohanan narin ng napakaraming imbestigasyon sa iba’t ibang kumite sa Senado na puro krimen lang ang dala ng online gambling kaya hindi kagulat-gulat kung ang patayang ito ay kaugnay nga sa POGO.
Should this incident be proven to be POGO-related, it will only strengthen our longstanding call to kick POGOs out of the country,” she said.
“I also urge Malacañang to support the Senate’s proposal to ban POGOs now,” Hontiveros said.
SENATE Minority Leader Aquilino “Koko” Pimentel III on Monday said senators will be forced to conduct a hearing on the looming water crisis to know the plans of concerned agencies.
If the water companies will continue to remain silent about it, Pimentel said will be willing to file a resolution for the conduct of a Senate investigation, adding that all in the government should be anticipatory and not just passive. Pimentel also said the government has “specialist agencies” on water and that “we
SKILLS
COMPETITION
OPENING.
SENATE Majority Leader Joel Villanueva sponsored in plenary Senate Bill No. 2035 seeking to establish the “Trabaho Para sa Bayan Plan,” which will serve as the country’s long-term employment generation and recovery masterplan.
Villanueva said the landmark legislation, known as “Trabaho Para sa Bayan (TPB) Act,” aims to promote job-led economic growth and enhanced industry collaboration, and to provide overall services for worker development and support and incentives to businesses.
He noted that the measure is included in the priority measures of the Marcos administration.
“We are humbled and thankful to President Bongbong Marcos for personally asking us to lead in the passage of this measure,” he said The TPB Act shall provide the employment policy that is comprehensive, coherent, and future oriented, to be able to address the dynamic changes in the labor market.
“Employment should not just be an incident to economic development. Generating more decent and permanent employment should be the objective of economic growth, to make growth inclusive and a reality for all,” he said.
Villanueva rued the Philippines has yet to overcome the “seasonality” of jobs, wherein more workers are hired during peak months.
Macon Ramos-Araneta
THE chairperson of the House committee on dangerous drugs on Monday urged the Philippine National Police (PNP) to fast-track its ongoing investigations on the case of a PNP intelligence officer arrested and implicated in the storage of nearly a ton of shabu worth P6.7 billion in October last year in Manila.
Surigao del Norte Rep. Robert Ace Barbers, chair of the House Committee on Dangerous Drugs, said Mayo could
have not acted alone in his illegal activities and there is an urgent need to ascertain who were his coddlers, protectors or financiers.
“The current investigations being conducted by a PNP special investigation task group (SITG) created for the purpose have not come out with any substantial evidence or leads on Mayo’s case six months after he was arrested,” he said.
“Why is it that said PNP SITG is footdragging or dilly-dallying on their probe?
Are they covering up for something we don’t know or are they still trying to make up a different script about his arrest and involvement in shabu stockpiling and possibly for recycling?”
Barbers said that while Mayo has a right to due processes of the law, he has not heard an update from the PNP about the status of his administrative or criminal cases except saying “the case is still under investigation” – six months after it transpired.
Maricel V. Cruz
Salceda warns El Nino can be ‘hotbed’ for epidemics
HOUSE Ways and Means Chair and Albay Rep. Joey Sarte Salceda on Monday warned that the coming El Nino season could be a “hotbed for epidemics” even as he urged the Department of Health to beef up its contingencies to respond to diseases typically accompanying a hot season, such as cholera, Chikungunya, and Zika virus, on top of “usual preparations for COVID-19.”
“Tropical diseases can be particularly problematic. Global studies indicate a spike of between 2.5 percent to 28 percent in cases during El Nino activities. El Nino is a hotbed for epidemics – climate is warmer than usual, and people have less water available.”
“So, we should be working on adaptations such as mandating LGUs to clean up, hospitals to probabilistically allocate resources among probably tropical diseases, and the DOH to do the coordination work and provide close guidance.”
“We can anticipate what will happen more or less, because the models teach us when, how long, and how bad it can be.”
“But the presence of a full-time, dedicated staff for disease control and prevention would help ensure that this doesn’t get buried in bureaucratic gobbledygook,” Salceda added. Maricel V. Cruz
THE Armed Forces of the Philippines (AFP) has the upper hand in its ongoing campaign to eliminate the security threat posed by the New People’s Army (NPA) insurgents with the dismantling of 67 guerrilla fronts.
“This brings to a total of 67 guerrilla fronts dismantled, about three this year and that is from a total of 89 since 2016 so 67 guerrilla fronts dismantled leaving now the CPP (Communist Party of the Philippines) with 21 guerrilla fronts – three active and 18 are weakened,” AFP spokesperson Col. Medel Aguilar said during the online press conference conducted by the National Task Force to End Local Communist Armed Conflict (NTF-ELCAC) Monday. This comes ahead of the 54th founding anniversary of the NPA, the CPP’s armed wing, on Wednesday. Medel also said AFP units have also neutralized 9,818 NPA members, of which 358 are key leaders of the insurgent organization.
The military has also recovered 11,013
should be hearing from them now. They are very quiet.”
Sen. Nancy Binay added that the issue of a water crisis and El Nino are all issues that the public is involved in.
However, she said addressing the water crisis “does not lie on the shoulder only of one sector, institution, agency or company.”
She said everybody should be prepared for this. “While we have always been affected by El Nino, we were however always surprised by the lack of water supply during summertime,” she said. On the part of the government, she said it would be much appreciated if the National
Water Regulatory Board (NWRB) can share its holistic and comprehensive water resource plan, their water allocation and reuse policy down to the LGUs so that it can be implemented in the community level. She said we also want to know how many rainwater collection system (RWCS) in the more than 42,000 barangays nationwide were built or are being built by the government since RA 6716 was enacted into law in 1989, She also questioned who’s in charge of the project’s maintenance, how many were not functioning, or how many of these needed rehabilitation.
SENATE Minority Leader Aquilino “Koko”
Pimentel III has thumbed down what he called a rider provision in the so-called economic charter change that will allow foreigners to own land in the Philippines.
He also earlier questioned the timing of the proposed economic “cha-cha.”
“Although they call it economic provisions, there is one rider that it’s not necessarily connected to economic provisions,” Pimentel said.
“They (proponents of cha-cha) want to open up land ownership to foreigners. Why is it there?” Pimentel said.
The Senate leader said the rider provision will only add to controversy and resistance from the public.
“I think this will result in more opposition to the call for the cha-cha right
now. Bakit nasisingit yang land ownership na iyan,” Pimentel said.
In a separate statement, Pimentel said Section 7 of Article XII of the Constitution states that “Save in cases of hereditary succession, no private lands shall be transferred or conveyed except to individuals, corporations, or associations qualified to acquire or hold lands of the public domain.”
Pimentel warned that cha-cha will get rid of this constitutional provision, saying that “land ownership is sacred and a very personal issue to many Filipinos.” Pimentel also said his party has long been advocating for cha-cha to change the country’s system of governance from presidential to federalism. However, his party acknowledges that the time is not yet ripe for the Philippines to shift to federalism.
By Rio N. Araja
firearms and liberated 3,340 barangays so far from the influence of the CPP-NPA.
For 2023 alone, Aguilar said the military has so far neutralized 189 CPPNPA members, 26 of which are killed in encounters, with 22 arrested and 141 surrendered.
He also pointed out that 606 supporters also withdrew their support and membership from the different mass organizations established by the CPP with the AFP recovering 206 firearms for the first few months of this year.
“So these are (the) accomplishments that enabled the AFP to achieve strategic victory. With only 21 guerrilla fronts remaining, the strength of the CPP is reduced to more or less 2,000 with 1,817 firearms operating in 409 remaining conflict-affected areas, mostly in Negros and Samar provinces,” Aguilar said.
He also pointed out that around 43,000 party members or supporters of the insurgent movement’s underground mass organizations withdrew their support to the CPP.
THE Land Transportation Franchising and Regulatory Board (LTFRB) on Monday urged public utility vehicle (PUV) operators to observe laws related to gender-based public space sexual harassment acts. Its board issued Memorandum Circular No. 2023-016 calling on PUV operators “to ensure that no acts of gender-based sexual harassment acts are committed inside PUVs, or that any commission thereof be properly attended to and reported to the proper authorities.”
The memorandum circular covers all PUV operators who were granted certificates of public convenience (CPC), provisional authority (PA) or special permits by the LTFRB, including their drivers, conductors, and employees, but excluding truck-for-hire services.
Republic Act 11313 or the Safe Spaces Act defines “gender-based sexual harassment in streets, public spaces, online, workspaces, educational or training institutions, and provided protective measures and prescribed penalties therefor.”
Under the memorandum circular, specific acts of gender-based sexual harassment defined under Section 11, Article 1 of RA 11313, are deemed punishable actions and are meted penalties. In cases where the PUV operator, driver, conductor and employee themselves that would commit gender-based sexual harassment acts, a fine of P5,000 and suspension of the involved vehicle for six months shall be imposed for the first, a P10,000 fine and one-year vehicle suspension for the second offense, and a P15,000 fine and revocation of the vehicle’s CPC for the third offense.
If the PUV operator, driver, conductor and employee fail to prevent the commission of the act and report it to authorities, a P5,000 fine shall be imposed for the first offense, P10,000 fine and suspension of the involved vehicle for three months for the second offense, and finally a P15,000 fine and vehicle CPC revocation for the third offense. The
may also recommend to the Land
SANTA Banana, with the refusal of Negros Oriental Rep. Arnolfo Teves Jr. to comply with the House of Representatives’ ultimatum to come home and appear before the House Ethics Committee, the Negros Oriental congressman is a fugitive in flight!
But, can he run and hide? is the big question. Not with the Interpol now watching his every movement, my gulay!
With Speaker Martin Romualdez bringing the Interpol into the picture to follow through Negros Oriental Gov. Roel Degamo’s killing together with others whose only fault was to be there with Degamo who was giving them financial assistance, the case is now an international concern.
Even if Teves will hide in other countries without extradition treaties with the Philippines, like Canada, the long arms of Interpol can still catch him.
My gulay, that is now the problem of Teves.
With all those suspects in the killing of Degamo, some of them discharged members of the military, Teves has nowhere to run and hide.
There are also some 17 killings that allegedly involve Teves, the cases are getting worse. With Teves on the run, the House of Representatives by virtue of the findings of the House Ethics and Privilege panel, the House plenary had imposed on Teves a 60day suspension.
If and when after the two month suspension and Teves is unable to come home and attend sessions, for sure, the House will expel Teves.
The question now is whether Teves will continue to be a fugitive on the run.
President Marcos Jr. had guaranteed Teves’ safety if he returns in an attempt to entice the Negros Oriental congressman to return.
Teves is rich and has his own private jet plane and, indeed if he wants to come back, he can easily do so.
But Santa Banana, does Teves want to come home and face the music?
*** *** ***
I keep on wondering why a Mafia-like cartel composed of Chinese importers seems to continue with their nefarious activities, smuggling and hoarding agricultural products and still the Marcos administration has not done anything to stop them.
Malacanang knows who the culprits are and yet smuggling continues unabated and inflation continues with high prices of rice, corn, sugar and onions, and fish.
A farmer’s group, SINAG, has identified them.
And still BBM appears reluctant to crack down on them, Santa Banana!
As acting agriculture secretary, it’s time
THE roosters of the remote barangay of LumbaanBicbica in the eastern outskirts of Pinili, Ilocos Norte in northern Philippines have been intermittently crowing for the past two hours.
It’s four o’clock, almost two hours before the sun rises across the forested hills of Lumbaan-Bicbica, 10 kilometers from the town proper from whose municipal hall lounge one can have a glimpse of the rugged Ilocos shoreline.
National Living Treasure Magdalena GalinatoGamayo, 98, is ready for breakfast, prepared by Marjoe Galinato, son of her brother, and his wife, before the weaving routine begins.
Fifteen hours later, nearly two hours after the sun is gobbled up by the Ilocos shoreline, the 135 centimeter-Mrs. Gamayo will be retiring to bed, after relishing her favorite endemic risek fish, native chicken meat and vegetables.
That, after taking her losartan, at times omeprazole since 2019, when she started taking in maintenance only during the coronavirus pandemic when she slowed down stepping on her loom’s pedals.
She also takes in revicon for vitamins.
The Gawad sa Manlilikha ng Bayan was conferred on Mrs Gamayo in 2012 for her excellent contribution to the cultural heritage of the country as a master textile weaver.
Republic Act 7355 or Manlilikha ng Bayan Act of 1992 was enacted to preserve and promote Philippine traditional arts, whether visual, performing,
Marcos Jr. showed to the people what he is expected to do and show zero-tolerance on corruption and smuggling.
Mister President, you have been acting secretary of agriculture for close to nine months.
Show to the people that they have a President who will not tolerate corruption and smuggling of food products by a mafia-like cartel, which also keeps on hoarding goods to create shortages resulting in high prices.
I know, you can and should do right away what you are expected to do.
Have all smugglers jailed and the keys thrown to the polluted Pasig River. They deserve it.
*** *** ***
I have been asked by some friends and colleagues in the media why I continue supporting Senator Robin Padilla in his push for charter change, knowing that Cha-Cha is not in the priority list of the President and Senate President Migz Zubiri.
To be frank about it, I admire and commend Padilla for his commitment and dedication to charter change, especially on the economic provisions of the 1987 Constitution, which have allowed the Philippines to remain in the bottom of the list of foreign investments because of the restrictive and oppressive provisions on foreign investment.
But I believe it is time to amend the charter to give permanence to foreign investors.
According to Trade Secretary Alfredo Pascual, the nine official trips of BBM over the past eight months have yielded P3.48 trillion in investment pledges.
Reports say a total 116 projects, worth $62.926 billion or P3.48 trillion, were generated from his foreign trips.
The Philippine government reaped $8.48 billion (P468.96 billion) in Indonesia, $6.54 billion ( P361.67 billion ) in Singapore, $3.847 billion (P212.74 billion) in the United States, $4.62 billion (P255.53 billion) in Thailand, $2.20 billion ( P121.68 billion) in Belgium, $24.239 billion (P1.34 trillion) in China and $13 billion (P719 billion) in Japan.
It is for all these reasons why President Marcos Jr. believes there is no need for charter change on the economic provisions of the 1987 Constitution.
Even if only one third of all the MOU and LOIs will materialize, I’d say BBM has succeeded in his promise to the people that he will not stop from working to attract foreign investment to the Philippines.
Yes, I agree, my gulay.
But, I also believe there’s nothing like amendments to the economic provisions of the charter, not only to assure foreign investors, but to give them permanence. *** *** ***
Another senator who continues to amaze me is Christopher Lawrence Bong Go, Chair of the Senate Committee on Health, who is always there to help victims of fire disasters, floods, landslides, earthquakes.
Santa Banana, did you know that Bong Go has put up 156 Malasakit Centers nationwide to serve as a one-stop shop for the indigents and the needy?
Instead of the poor and needy going to Philippine Sweepstakes Office, Pagcor and the Philhealth separately to seek assistance, these Malasakit centers are a one-stop shop.
Another advocacy of Bong Go is to bring healthcare to the poor and needy, and for this, he has filed numerous bills in the Senate creating health centers for them.
What amazes me about Bong Go is that he always finds time to attend to the needs and assistance for the poor and the needy.
While some senators just talk and talk, Bong Go is always there when needed.
MANY are hoping that before much longer, even while security authorities have their eyes on the angle of terrorism in Negros Oriental, the villainous murder of Governor Roel Degamo and eight others on March 4 will find a satisfactory resolution.
Interesting to note is that Represenative Arnolfo Teves, Jr., in the United States for stem cell treatment with clearance from the House of Representatives to travel there from February 28 to March 9, has not returned. His request for a 60-day extension of his leave from the House has been denied by the leadership.
At the same time, the plenary on March 22 unanimously voted 292-0-0 (yes-no-abstain) to uphold the recommendation against Teves, considered absent without official leave.
Committee Senior Vice Chairperson and Nueva Ecija 3rd district Rep. Ria Vergara is confident the ethics committe’s actions would pass the Supreme Court scrutiny –should it get to the highest court as the camp of Teves studies its options.
“The Committee on Ethics and Privileges is the body of the House that has authority to give sanctions in a recommending capacity. The plenary either supports it or not,” she noted. Pointing to the unanimous decision of the House members to carry the 60-day suspension, Vergara said: “I’m confident the committee did its job and I think the [SC]
IN HIS third sermon for Lent 2023 to Pope Francis and Roman Curia, Cardinal Raniero Cantalamessa, the Preacher of the Papal Household, speaks about the love of God for His people. Cardinal Cantalamessa’s Lenten meditation was entirely and exclusively centered on God.
According to the Papal Preacher, the discourse on God, that is, theology, “cannot remain extraneous to the reality of the Synod, just as it can’t remain extraneous to any other moment of the life of the Church.”
This was in reference to the ongoing Synod on Synodality, formally opened by Pope Francis on October 10, 2021, a meeting of bishops for the entire Church to discern how the Spirit is moving through and with the Body of Christ – inside and outside the Church—so that the Church may continue to fulfill its mission to evangelize in the world. Without theology, the Franciscan Cardinal continued, “faith would easily become dead repetition and would lack the main tool for its “inculturation.”
However, to fulfill this task, theology itself, he suggested, “needs a profound renewal.”
“What God’s people need is a theology imbued with life, which does not always speak of God ‘in the third person,’ with categories often borrowed from the philosophical system of the moment, incomprehensible outside the small circle of ‘insiders.’”
Instead, he urged, we must see God in a close, relatable way.
How can theology contribute to present the Gospel message in a significant way to today’s humanity and to give new life to our faith and our prayer?
In his sermon, Cantalamessa emphasized the most beautiful news that the Church has the task of proclaiming to the world, the one that every human heart expects to hear, is: “God loves you!”
This certainty, he underscored, must eradicate and take the place of the one we have always carried within us: “God is judging you!”
The truth that “God is love,” he insisted, must accompany, like a bass note, every Christian proclamation, even when the practical demands
Ilocandia’s National
or literary, for their cultural value and also honors and supports traditional artists for their contribution to the national heritage.
The work of a Manlilikha ng Bayan is presumed to be an Important Cultural Property, second to National Cultural Treasure, the highest category of cultural property through Republic Act 10066, also known as the National Heritage Act of 2009.
At the Gawad Manlilikha ng Bayan Cultural Center at the bosom of her barangay, Mrs. Gamayo, first and only recipient thus far of the National Living Treasures Award in Ilokandia – Pangasinan, La Union, Ilocos Sur and Ilocos Norte – is already up.
The widow – she will be 99 on August 13 – is up and shaking a leg at the center, established for her and her throng of understudies by the government which conferred on her the recognition for her outstanding work as a traditional folk artist.
She looks after the younger trainees who get her punctilious mentorship and counsel.
To date, Mrs. Gamayo is one of 16 individuals given the Gawad sa Manlilikha ng Bayan or National Living Treasures Award.
A recipient of the award is “a Filipino citizen or group of Filipino citizens engaged in any traditional art uniquely Filipino, whose distinctive skills have reached such a high level of technical and artistic excellence and have been passed on to and widely practiced by the present generations in their community with the same degree of technical and artistic competence.
In a weekend interview, arranged through a common niece, master teacher Neclyn Galinato, we were able to get a better glimpse of the woman who
Living
will look at the records and will find that we did not transgress any rules.”
Now law enforcers are looking at possible “terrorist-related” activities in Negros Oriental following the confiscation of improvised explosive devices and
of this love must be recalled, as the Gospel does.
He then elaborated on mysteries of faith, and on the depth and meaning behind the Trinity, Incarnation, and Passion, and said we have to see what the truth that we have contemplated in these mysteries changes in our lives.
This transforming of our lives, through the mysteries, he argued, constitutes the “good news” that is “never missing when we try to deepen the treasures of the Christian faith.”
He added that “The good news, thanks to our incorporation into Christ, is that we too can love God with a love worthy of Him!”
“The good news, thanks to our incorporation into Christ, is that we too can love God with a love worthy of Him!”
During his sermon, Cantalamessa emphasized the Church’s responsibility to proclaim the most beautiful news to the world - that God loves us.
He stressed that this truth must replace the notion that God is judging us, and that the message of God’s love should accompany every Christian proclamation.
Cantalamessa delved into the mysteries of the Trinity, Incarnation, and Passion, emphasizing that contemplating these truths should transform our lives.
This transformation, he argued, is the good news that is revealed as we deepen our understanding of the Christian faith.
He highlighted that through our incorporation into Christ, we can love God with a love worthy
components during raids at a sugar mill in Sta. Catalina town last weekend.
Col. Thomas Valmonte, legal counsel of the Criminal Investigation and Detection Group told a press briefing at DumagueteSibulan airport they would do a trace on the IEDs, in his belief the presence of these IEDs would indicate possible “terroristic” activity.
“If you possess that, there is an indication of an act of terrorism so we are looking at the angle of terrorism here and we will submit these explosives to our forensic group of the Explosives Ordnance Division to determine if this is the signature of the communist or some terrorist groups from central Mindanao,” he said.
The CIDG led the raids at HDJ Bayawan Agri-Venture Corp. sugar mill compound in Barangay Caranoche, Sta. Catalina on Friday and Saturday, by virtue of a search warrant issued by the Mandaue City court.
On the first day, the operatives seized firearms, ammunition, and cash amounting to about P18 million.
The second day yielded IEDs and components and a rocket-propelled grenade ammunition, among other things, buried and retrieved with the aid of a backhoe, said Valmonte.
While the security authorities have our hand in these raids, we hope there will be more than the press briefings as the government wants to move with forward strides to crush this culture of criminality that is sowing fear in the various rungs of society.
of Him. This love is an overflow of divine love from the Trinity to us, and the Holy Spirit is the very love that enables us to love God as the Son and the Father love each other.
Cantalamessa stressed that our love for God is not merely a bouncing back of His own love, but rather an expression of our freedom and filial gratitude.
He noted that this is exemplified in the Eucharist, where we offer to the Father what He has given us -- His Son, Jesus.
In our prayer, we can say to the Father, “I love you with the love with which your Son Jesus loves you,” and to Jesus, “I love you with the love with which your heavenly Father loves you,” knowing that this is not a mere figment of our imagination, the Cardinal added. This Lenten Season, it is wise to remember the extent of God’s love for humanity – love that is unchanging and unwavering.
It is a love that knows no boundaries or limitations, and it is a love that has been demonstrated to us through the gift of His Son, Jesus Christ. God’s love for us is not based on our worthiness or our actions, but rather it is a free and gracious gift that is offered to us regardless of our shortcomings.
May we always remember that we are loved by the Creator of the universe, and may that love empower us to love and serve others as we are called to do
This Lenten Season it is well to relive the Good News and to remember how Jesus made the supreme sacrifice on the cross; an act of love beyond measure, an act that demonstrated His desire to redeem and reconcile us to God the Father.
In the world of weaving, “inabel” is particularly used to refer to textile distinctly Ilokano in origin.
With her at the center are 12 women and a male weaver – relatives and neighbors -- who are perpetuating and institutionalizing her winning design described as “Inubon a Sabong.”
Loosely translated, it means “A String of Flowers” – a quick reminder of the 1941 song “A String of Pearls” composed by violinist Jerry Grya with lyrics by Eddie DeLange and set into music by trombonist Glenn Miller and His Orchestra which became #1 hit, a big band and jazz standard.
thanks to the government, 18 looms and a wider space used for the GAMABA Cultural Center, funded by the provincial government.
There are other extra looms because of the rising number of trainees in the center, with one loom occupying 2 x 1 ½ square meter area.
There are times the weavers attend trade fairs sponsored by the National Commission for Culture and the Arts, especially those in the capital.
started weaving at age nine after finishing grade 3 in nearby barangay Sacritan, in efforts to help her siblings – three girls and five boys – and her parents.
Which suggests she has been on the loom pedal for nearly 90 years.
Born in Pinili two years after the erstwhile barangays of Paoay, Badoc and Batac became Ilocos Norte’s 17th municipality, the imperturbable Magdalena watched her paternal aunts, whose roots are from Paoay, the town heretofore known across the region for its distinct woven fabric.
Pinili is also known as the place where warriors walked during the Philippine-American War at the turn of the 20th century and during the Second World War when Japanese troops occupied the arboraceous northern hills. There is a word called “abel” which is the Ilokano word for weave, and “inabel” can be interpreted to mean any kind of woven fabric.
Mrs. Gamayo’s understudies are also weaving other designs called in Ilokano bola bola, tawwatawwa, pinilian,, binakol, kusikos and sinan paid.
And she is ultracareful in her coaching to ensure comparative durability, which has become known in the region.
Buyers travel to Lumbaan-Bicbica through the cemented road from the town proper, only four kilometers from the MacArthur national highway that cuts through the Ilocos region from the TarlacPangasinan-La Union Expressway.
Her backup members don’t get any wage, but she says each gets two-thirds of their sale from their respective woven fabrics – bought in Vigan, Ilocos Sur or in Metro Manila – one third of which would be given to the center for its maintenance.
None to the government.
One fill-in can weave more or less 60 yards in a month, depending on the design of the fabric.
From a small place of loom weavers prior to receiving her GAMABA, Mrs Gamayo now has,
On a rather morbid topic, which is among benefits GAMABA recipients are entitled to – burial at the Libingan ng mga Bayani in Metro Manila –Mrs. Gamayo, is clear: “I do not want to be buried there. I much prefer our place (in Pinili.)”
While she has slowed down in her daily shuffle, she feels she is still physically strong and her eyesight is clear, hardly using her eyeglasses, when she sits on her loom.
In 1988, the National Folk Artists Award was organized by the Rotary Club of Makati-Ayala. The distinctions were given by the organization until it was replaced by the GAMABA Law in 1992.
The recipients of the National Folk Artists from 1988-1992 are not recognized by the government as the award was given by a private organization.
The National Living Treasures Award (Gawad sa Manlilikha ng Bayan) was institutionalized in 1992 through Republic Act 7355.
The NCCA, which is the highest policy-making and coordinating body of the country for culture and the arts, was tasked with the implementation and awarding.
This is in line with UNESCO’s criteria of Living National Treasures.
I do not want to be buried (at the Libingan ng mga Bayani). I much prefer our place (in Pinili)
TUESDAY, MARCH 28, 2023 B1 OPINIONHonor Blanco Cabie, Editor mst.daydesk@gmail.com
WASHINGTON—The United States on Tuesday opens its second Summit for Democracy with its eyes firmly on the rest of the world, seeking a united front against authoritarianism as Russia attacks Ukraine and as China launches a diplomatic offensive.
President Joe Biden took office pledging to champion democracy, and in his first year made good with the inaugural summit, which sought to reaffirm US leadership after his predecessor Donald Trump eroded democratic norms and the attack on the Capitol.
This time round, in a nod to concerns that the first edition was too much about US navel-gazing, Biden has tapped co-
hosts on each continent -- the presidents of Zambia, Costa Rica and South Korea and prime minister of The Netherlands.
In total he has invited 121 leaders for the three-day, mostly virtual summit— eight more than in 2021.
The summit comes as threats to democracy evolve “from what was seen as an important issue, albeit sort of a slow-moving threat, to one that is now
both important and extremely urgent,” said Marti Flacks, director of the human rights initiative at the Center for Strategic and International Studies. The sessions will bring in civil society representatives for discussions on a range of challenges to democracy including surveillance technology, which the United States sees as a growing threat as China makes rapid technological advances.
“In the absence of pending congressional action in that space, it is important that the administration is engaging bilaterally with other countries and also with companies on voluntary actions that can be taken in the interim,” Flacks said.
The summit will open Tuesday with a virtual conversation on peace in Ukraine featuring President Volodymyr Zelensky.
Not only the message but the setting will be a striking contrast from the first summit where Zelensky, now a wartime leader in military fatigues, was cleanshaven and wearing a crisp black suit.
While Biden has kept his campaign pledge on the democracy summit, he has disappointed some human rights activists by easing his earlier vows to shun autocratic leaders.
Biden last year visited both Saudi Arabia, acknowledging the kingdom’s role in oil markets, and Egypt, the host
of a climate summit and US partner in regional security, and has increasingly worked with Turkish President Recep Tayyip Erdogan on Ukraine.
None of those three countries are being invited to the summit, a backhanded criticism especially of Erdogan, who faces reelection on May 14 after two decades in power in which he is accused of creeping authoritarianism.
Uniquely among European Union states, Biden is not inviting Hungary, where Prime Minister Viktor Orban won a fourth term last year but has been accused of deviating from liberal values by clamping down on the press, denouncing non-European refugees and speaking favorably of Moscow. AFP
A verified Petition was filed before this Court on December 20, 2022 by petitioner, Jenelyn Matunding Tomiyama, praying that the following: a) that the Divorce Decree or Notification and all the documents in relation thereto be judicially recognized and enforced in the Philippines; b) to declare that petitioner’s records in the Local Civil Registrar be changed, especially her marital status and family name; c) that she be allowed to remarry; d) that the concerned Office of the Civil Registrar be ordered to cause the recording/and or annotation of the petitioner’s divorce obtained in Japan in the official records of the Civil Registry; and e) such further or other reliefs, which the Court may deem just and equitable.
Finding the verified Petition to be sufficient in form and substance, the Court gives due course thereto.
WHEREFORE, let a copy of this Order be published in a newspaper of general circulation in the Philippines once a week for three (3) consecutive weeks at petitioner’s expense, upon coordination with the Office of the Clerk of Court, Regional Trial Court, Quezon City.
Hearing on the verified Petition is hereby set on April
24, 2023 at 9:00 in the morning before this Court sitting at Room 608, 6/F, Hall of Justice-Annex, City Hall Complex, Quezon City, at which date, time and place all interested persons are required to appear and show cause why the petition should not be granted.
Let copies of this Order be posted by the Branch Sheriff thirty (30) days before the hearing date at the following places at the expense of the petitioner:
1. At the main entrance of the City Hall Building, Quezon City;
2. On the Bulletin Board of the Court, Hall of Justice Bldg., Quezon City; and 3. At the Barangay Hall of the barangay where the petitioner resides.
Likewise, let a copy of this Order be furnished the Office of the Local Civil Registrar of Quezon City; the Office of the Solicitor General, Makati City; the Office of the City Prosecutor, Quezon City; the Consulate General of Japan; the Department of Foreign Affairs; and the Philippine Statistics Authority. Further, petitioner through counsel is ordered to furnish respondent Akiyo Tomiyama a copy of this Order together with the Petition and its annexes thereto at his given address, and to show proof of compliance hereof before the hearing date.
they gather around a bonfire during a rally against the Israeli government’s judicial reform in Tel Aviv, Israel on March 27. Israeli Prime Minister Benjamin Netanyahu on March 26 fired Defence Minister Yoav Galant a day after he broke ranks, citing security concerns in calling for a pause to the government’s controversial judicial reforms. AFP
JERUSALEM—Israeli President
Isaac Herzog on Monday called for an immediate halt to the government’s controversial judicial reforms, a day after Prime Minister Benjamin Netanyahu sacked his defence minister for similar demands.
Herzog, who has a largely ceremonial role, made the call following large demonstrations in Tel Aviv overnight where protesters again charged that the judicial overhaul package threatens Israel’s democracy.
“For the sake of the unity of the people of Israel, for the sake of the necessary responsibility, I call on you to halt the legislative process immediately,”
Herzog said in a statement.
The plan to hand more control to poli-
ticians and diminish the role of the Supreme Court has ignited a wave of protests and been questioned by Israel’s top allies including the United States, which expressed concern Sunday.
The government argues the changes are needed to rebalance powers between lawmakers and the judiciary.
Yoav Galant, the former defence minister and long-time ally of Netanyahu, earlier called for a halt to the reforms -- with lawmakers due to vote this week on a central part of the proposals, which would change the way judges are appointed.
On Sunday, moments after Netanyahu sacked Galant, demonstrators seized a central highway cutting through the coastal city of Tel Aviv,
BERLIN—Transport staff across Germany are set to stage a major strike on Monday to push for wage hikes in the face of brisk inflation, as passengers brace for serious disruptions.
Workers at airports, ports, railways, buses, and metro lines throughout much of Europe’s top economy are expected to heed a call by the Verdi and EVG unions to the 24-hour walkout.
“A labour struggle that has no impact is toothless,” Verdi chief Frank Werneke told public broadcaster Phoenix. He acknowledged that it would inflict pain on many commuters and holidaymakers, “but better one day of strain with the prospect of reaching a wage agreement than weeks of industrial action”.
To prevent supply gaps, Transport Minister Volker Wissing has ordered states to lift restrictions on truck deliveries Sunday, while asking airports to allow late-night takeoffs and landings “so stranded passengers can reach their destinations”.
Verdi represents around 2.5 million public sector employees, while EVG represents 230,000 workers on the railways and at bus companies.
The rare joint call for a strike in Germany marks an escalation of an increasingly ill-tempered dispute over a pay packet to blunt the impact of surging inflation. Employers, mostly the state and public sector companies, have so far refused the demands, instead offering a rise of five percent with two one-off payments of 1,000 ($1,100) and 1,500 euros, this year and next. AFP
blocking traffic and burning tyres.
Some threw metal barricades at mounted officers while police deployed water cannon.
“Last night we witnessed very difficult scenes,” Herzog said.
“The entire nation is rapt with deep worry,” he added, in an appeal to the government. “Our security, economy, society -- all are under threat.
“The whole people of Israel are looking at you. The whole Jewish people are looking at you. The whole world is looking at you.”
Herzog also appealed to politicians on all sides “to place this country’s citizens above all else and to act with courage and responsibility without further delay.” AFP
Ramadan meet
RIYADH—The Saudi and Iranian foreign ministers have vowed to meet before the end of the holy month of Ramadan to implement a landmark bilateral reconciliation deal, Riyadh said on Monday.
Saudi Prince Faisal bin Farhan and his Iranian counterpart, Hossein Amir-Abdollahian, held their second phone call in less than a week and discussed “a number of common issues... in light of” the surprise agreement brokered by China and announced on March 10, the officials Saudi Press Agency reported.
“The two ministers also agreed to hold a bilateral meeting between them during the current month of Ramadan”, which this year ends in the third week of April, SPA said.
The report did not specify the exact date or location of the meeting.
Saudi officials have said the meeting is the next step in restoring ties seven years after they were severed.
Riyadh cut relations after Iranian protesters attacked Saudi diplomatic missions in 2016 following the Saudi execution of Shiite cleric Nimr al-Nimr—just one in a series of flashpoints between the two longstanding regional rivals.
The deal is expected to see Shiitemajority Iran and mainly Sunni Muslim Saudi Arabia reopen their embassies and missions within two months and implement security and economic cooperation deals signed more than 20 years ago. AFP
SEOUL—North Korea fired two shortrange ballistic missiles on Monday, South Korea’s military said, the latest in a flurry of weapons tests that Pyongyang says are in response to major US-South Korea defence drills.
The two allies were conducting a joint amphibious landing exercise on Monday, days after concluding Freedom Shield, their largest combined military drills in five years.
North Korea views such exercises as rehearsals for invasion, and has repeatedly warned it would take “overwhelming” action in response.
“Our military detected two short-range ballistic missiles fired from around Chunghwa area in North Hwanghae province from 07:47 am (2247 GMT) towards the East Sea,” South Korea’s Joint Chiefs of Staff (JCS) said, referring to the body of water also known as the Sea of Japan.
The missiles each flew around 370 kilometres (230 miles), it added, calling their launch a “serious act of provocation damaging peace and stability of the international community as well as the Korean peninsula.”
The Japanese defence ministry also confirmed the launch, with Japanese media citing officials as saying both missiles fell outside the country’s exclusive economic zone.
North Korean state media last week said the US-South Korean military drills called for “stronger war deterrents”, including a “multi-faceted and offensive nuclear attack capability.” AFP
NAYPYIDAW—Flanked by tanks and missile launchers, Myanmar’s junta chief Monday vowed no let up in a crackdown on opponents and insisted the military would hold elections -weeks after admitting it did not control enough territory to allow a vote.
Myanmar has been in turmoil since the military deposed Aung San Suu Kyi’s civilian government over two years ago after making unsubstantiated claims of electoral fraud.
The putsch sparked renewed fighting with ethnic rebels and birthed dozens of anti-junta “People’s Defence Forces” (PDFs), with swathes of the country now ravaged by fighting and the economy in tatters.
The military will take “decisive action” against its opponents and ethnic rebels supporting them, Min Aung Hlaing told an audience of around 8,000 service members attending the annual Armed Forces Day parade in
the military-built capital Naypyidaw.
“The terror acts of NUG and its lackey so-called PDFs need to be tackled for good and all,” he said, referring to the “National Unity Government,” a body dominated by ousted lawmakers working to reverse the coup.
The junta would then hold “free and fair elections” upon the completion of the state of emergency, he said.
Last month, the military announced an extension of a two-year state of emergency and postponement of elections it had promised to hold by August, as it did not control enough of the country for a vote to take place. “Serenity and stability are vital” before any election could go ahead, Min Aung Hlaing told the parade. Planes flew overhead spewing smoke in the yellow, red and green of the national flag and a flight of five Russian-made Sukoi Su-30 jets roared past.
Women lined the streets leading to the parade ground to garland marching soldiers with flowers, images on state media showed.
Armed Forces Day commemorates the start of local resistance to the Japanese occupation during World War II, and usually features a military parade attended by foreign officers and diplomats. AFP
WASHINGTON—The United States will likely enter a recession this year and face high inflation well into 2024, a majority of economists predicted in their response to a semiannual survey.
More than two-thirds of respondents to the National Association for Business Economics (NABE) Policy Survey also see inflation remaining above four percent at the end of this year.
The survey summarized the responses of 217 NABE members, and was conducted between March 2 and March 10, the organization said in a statement.
The US Federal Reserve has raised rates 4.75 percentage points in a bid to tackle rising inflation, which reached its highest level in decades last year.
Price rises slowed slightly to an annual level of 6.0 percent in February, which is well above the Fed’s long-term target of two percent.
Amid the gloomy economic forecast, there was also some good news, with just five percent of respondents believing the US is currently in the midst of a recession, “far fewer” than the 19 percent in its previous economic survey, the NABE president Julia Coronado said in a statement.
Economists also slightly raised the chances of the Fed achieving a so-called “soft landing”—bringing down inflation while avoiding a recession— from 27 percent in August to 30 percent in March this year. AFP
THE local stocks and the peso headed to different directions at the start of what could be another rocky week for global markets, thanks to lingering uncertainty about the banking sector.
The PSE index, the 30-company benchmark of the Philippine Stock Exchange, lost 7 points, or 0.11 percent, to close at 6,595.03, as two of the six subsectors retreated.
The broader all-share index went down 2 points, or 0.08 percent, to settle at 3,514.07, on a value turnover of P3.63 billion. Losers edged gainers, 87 to 82, while 46 issues were unchanged.
Only three of the 10 most active stocks ended in the green, led by SM Investments Corp. which rose 1.44 per-
cent to P918.00. ACEN Corp. gained 0.78 percent to P6.47, while Bank of the Philippine Islands added 0.49 percent to finish at P102.00.
Meanwhile, the peso sustained its strength this year, as it closed at 54.29 against the US dollar Monday, up from 54.35 on Friday. It was also up 2.63 percent against the greenback since the start of this year’s trading.
Asian stocks were mixed Monday, while European stocks were mostly up at the open, with troubled Deutsche Bank surging 4.5 percent after its shares nosedived on Friday. London and Paris also climbed.
Hong Kong and Shanghai dipped, while Tokyo, Sydney and Singapore rose following a positive finish on Wall Street last week.
The US Federal Deposit Insurance Corporation announced during Asian trade that First Citizens had agreed
to buy Silicon Valley Bank, whose collapse this month had sparked fears of a global contagion in the banking sector.
Deutsche Bank had returned to financial health last year following a major restructuring after years of problems.
But concerns about its current state roiled markets last week, prompting US President Joe Biden, German Chancellor Olaf Scholz and other European officials to try and calm investors about the banking sector.
Clifford Bennett, chief economist at ACY Securities, said Monday it was unlikely the German government would allow Deutsche Bank to collapse or face restructuring.
But it showed “the continuing and growing pressure on the banking system among the major Western economies”, he wrote in a note. With AFP
WASHINGTON—US bank First Citizens said Monday it agreed to purchase much of Silicon Valley Bank, whose collapse this month sparked global fears about the sector.
SVB, a key lender to the tech industry since the 1980s, became the biggest US bank to fail since 2008.
Regulators seized it after a sudden run on deposits, creating Silicon Valley Bridge Bank. That entity will be taken over by First Citizens from Monday.
First Citizens said it had agreed to purchase “substantially all loans and certain other assets, and assume all customer deposits and certain other liabilities of Silicon Valley Bridge Bank.”
It said the 17 former branches of SVB will open on Monday as “Silicon Valley Bank, a division of First Citizens Bank.”
The transaction includes the sale of $72 billion in assets at a discount of $16.5 billion, the US Federal Deposit Insurance Corporation said in a statement.
Depositors of SVB will “automatically become depositors of First Citizens Bank,” added the FDIC, which will continue to insure deposits.
All of the entity’s loans and deposits will now be managed by First Citizens, while the FDIC will retain some $90 billion in securities and other assets.
SVB’s collapse sparked a crisis of confidence among the customers of similarly sized US banks, with many withdrawing their money and depositing it
THE COVID-19 outbreak has had an unprecedented impact on many businesses worldwide. As a result, many organizations were forced to quickly adapt to a work-from-home setup to ensure the safety and well-being of their employees.
Now that vaccines and booster shots were already distributed and infection rates are beginning to stabilize in the country, the Philippine Economic Zone Authority decided for all ecozone-registered firms to return to office starting April 1, 2022. This short notice to return to onsite work exacerbated the employees’ resistance to the sudden change in work arrangement.
An action research project was initiated to address the issue of employee resistance to the sudden transition to onsite work. Albeit the company has been very generous in supporting employees during the work-from-home setup, it is also imperative for the company to help their workforce prepare for the return to onsite work. As stated under the Occupational Safety and Health law, employers are responsible for providing safe workplaces for employees to perform their jobs.
An intervention program was developed to help explain the reasons for returning to onsite work. Likewise, the primary goal was to prepare employees to return to the physical office and reduce resistance to the sudden change in work arrangement. The collaborators applied the Work Adaptation Theory by Petrini and Hultman (1995) to address issues that caused resistance to change.
After the intervention, the collaborators were pleased that their concerns and questions were answered. They were delighted that the company would support a hybrid workforce instead of full onsite work. Some even said they could not wait to return to the office and hang out with their teammates again. Although the collaborators should have paid more attention to why PEZA was imposing such an order, they agreed that working side by side is important. They were more concerned about achieving our organizational goals as we will benefit from them.
The team was happy to know that we would not be working for five days in the office, but instead, the company will support a hybrid workforce wherein we will only be required to work in the office three days a week. One of their concerns was our work-from-home allowance for consuming electricity and internet at home. Everyone was happy to know that it will not be withdrawn from our benefits since there will still be days that we will still be working at home. Another question they raised is when the hybrid workforce will be supported, as they hoped it would be permanent. We relayed the information from the management that it would last until September and that they would reevaluate the situation again after that.
Even though resistance to change developed over time, even after the intervention was implemented, the team felt that the intervention helped them understand the company’s objectives more. However, we realized that there needs to be more than just a competitive benefits package and other perks for an employee to avoid resisting any change happening to the organization. It may motivate them and deter them from leaving the company. However, not having adequate explanations regarding any change and not being able to satisfy the employees’ needs for personal security and belonging may result in resistance to change, especially if it will hurt their current status. With the intervention using the Work Adaptation Theory, open communication, and detailed explanations are keys to reducing resistance to change.
When dealing with employee resistance, we must understand those adjusting to the change. The framework we used, the Work Adaptation Theory, helped us understand their beliefs, feelings, and reasons for resistance. The importance of clear and effective communication: providing all the facts—what, why, who, and when—and answering all employee questions thoroughly was also highlighted. The company’s employees resisted the RTO order because we did
into bigger institutions seen as too big for the government to not bail them out in a crisis.
The FDIC said it estimates the cost of SVB’s failure to its Deposit Insurance Fund (DIF) to be approximately $20 billion.
“This has been a remarkable transaction in partnership with the FDIC that should instill confidence in the banking system,” Frank Holding Jr, chief executive of First Citizens, said in a statement according to Bloomberg. AFP
not know the reason behind it initially. The team’s mood suddenly shifted when we discovered that the company was supporting a hybrid workforce. We realized that we must listen and reflect before reacting in all situations. The action research conducted focused on reducing resistance to the Return-to-Office setup. Resistance is a function of disruption, an inherent part of any change, often an emotional response to change and an indirect response to an underlying concern. This organizational issue identified does not only exist in the workplace but also in different settings where change is implemented. Change is inevitable. If we are not changing, we are not moving forward. Even if the change is for the better, many prefer the status quo that is safe and predictable. Additionally, our need for more understanding is one of the reasons for resisting any change. Hence, the Work Adaptation Theory framework used was beneficial in explaining the sudden change in work arrangement.
Through this action research, my team and I appreciated the reasons for the company’s decision to return to the office. It was not only because the company is required to comply with the government requirements but also to ensure we continue to foster a strong and rewarding culture within our organization.
The authors presented this Action Research project during the 10th National Business and Management Conference held in November 2022. The proceedings of the conference can be accessed through this link: https:// drive.google.com/file/d/10Q5si-aPzR4h_ qIBorY1oNYCN5Jnup-H/view?usp=drive_web.
The views expressed above are the authors’ and do not necessarily reflect the position of De La Salle University, its faculty and its administrators.
NEW YORK, United States—Elon Musk has put the current value of Twitter at $20 billion, less than half the $44 billion he paid for the social media platform just five months ago, according to an internal email seen by American news media.
The email to employees referred to a new stock compensation program in the San Francisco-based company and the allocation of shares to employees of X Holdings, Twitter’s umbrella company since Musk purchased it in late October.
The compensation plan values the platform at $20 billion, slightly more than Snapchat’s parent company Snap ($18.2 billion) or Pinterest ($18.7 billion), both of which are publicly traded, unlike Twitter.
Musk, who is also the chief executive of Tesla Inc. and aerospace group SpaceX, said that Twitter would allow its employees to cash in shares every six months.
A query from AFP emailed to Twitter’s communications department generated an automatic response in the form of a poop emoji.
In the internal email, Musk describes the brutal contraction in Twitter’s value. He says the platform faced such grave financial difficulties that at one point it was on the verge of bankruptcy.
“Twitter was trending to lose ~$3B/ year,” Musk said in a message posted Saturday on the platform.
He cited a revenue drop of $1.5 billion a year and a debt-servicing burden of the same amount -- leaving it with “only 4 months of money.”
Musk, Twitter’s majority shareholder, added simply: “Extremely dire situation.”
But he then said that “It looks like we will break even” in the second quarter of the year, with advertisers— many of whom fled the platform after the mercurial billionaire bought it -now beginning to return. AFP
Elon Musk puts Twitter’s value at $20b, half of what he paid for
INTERNATIONAL visitor arrivals in the Philippines grew by more than 10 times in the first quarter to 1.32 million from 102,031 in the same period last year, the Department of Tourism said Monday.
The DOT said of the total arrivals, foreign tourists accounted for 1.227 million, while visiting overseas Filipino workers represented 105,568. Arrivals increased as more countries lifted their border restrictions and the Philippines reopened its top destinations to local and foreign travelers.
South Korea continued to drive Philippine tourism with 346,192 arrivals in the first three months of 2023, rep-
resenting 25.97 percent of total visitor traffic in the period.
Meanwhile, the US accounted for 241,334 or 18.11 percent of the total arrivals, while Canada and Australia accounted for 66,699 and 63,468 or 5 percent and 4.76 percent, respectively.
Japan ranked fifth with 61,415 arrivals from January to March, with a share of 4.61 percent of the total. Taiwan, China, the UK, Singapore and Malaysia rounded
up the list of the top 10 country source. Taiwan had 40,922 visiting nationals to the Philippines in the first three months of 2023 and a share of 3.07 percent. China placed 6th with 40,817 tourists; the UK, 39,147; Singapore, 33,687; and Malaysia, 24,117 tourists.
Visitor arrivals in the Philippines reached 2.65 million in 2022, surpassing the DOT’s target of 1.7 million by nearly 1 million. Tourism revenues also reached P208.96 billion or $3.68 billion, up 2,465.75 percent from 2021 revenues.
Data showed that of the total 2.65 million international arrivals last year, 628,445 were returning Filipinos while the bulk of 2.02 million tourists were tourists from top markets. Arrivals from the United States reached 505,089 in 2022; South Korea, 428,014; Aus-
MREIT adds four office buildings worth P5.3b
MREIT Inc., the real estate investment trust company of Megaworld Corp., said Monday the Securities and Exchange Commission approved its P5.3-billion asset-for-share swap worth P5.3 billion.
tralia, 137,974; Canada, 121,413; the UK, 101,034; Japan, 99,557; Singapore, 53,448; India, 51,542; Malaysia, 46,805; and China, 39,627.
Arrivals in the Philippines averaged 257,669 from 1991 to 2022, reaching an all-time high of 796,164 in January 2020 and a record low of 948 in April 2020 at the start of the pandemic.
Tourism Secretary Christina Frasco said the agency was targeting 4.8 million international visitors in 2023 but expressed hope that it would surpass the target.
Meanwhile, CEMEX Philippines president and chief executive Luis Franco paid a courtesy visit to Frasco and discussed ways to work together to build a better and more sustainable industry.
MREIT said in a stock exchange filing the SEC approved its acquisition of four prime office buildings with gross leasable area of 44,567 square meters that would increase its asset portfolio by 16 percent to 325,000 sq. m. These properties include Festive Walk 1B and Two Global Center in Iloilo Business Park and One West Campus and Five West Campus in McKinley West, Taguig City. As of end2022, the four prime office properties had an average occupancy rate of 96 percent, above the industry level of 80 percent to 81 percent. MREIT said that in exchange for the four office towers, it would issue 263.7 million primary common shares to Megaworld. The shares will be issued at P20 per share, which represents a 41-percent premium over MREIT’s price of P14.20 per share.
“The SEC approval of our property-forshare acquisition results in the recognition of income from the new assets by MREIT from Jan. 1, 2023, which will help drive our growth.
The high occupancy rate of these buildings is a clear proof of the quality of our assets and their strategic locations,” said MREIT president and chief executive Kevin Tan. Jenniffer B. Austria
THE board of Semirara Mining and Power Corp. on Monday approved a cash dividend payout totaling P14.88 billion.
SMPC said its board held a special meeting and approved a regular cash dividend of P1.80 per share and a special cash dividend of P1.70 per share, which total P3.50 per share.
“The total cash dividend for April is more than double [133-percent] the P1.50 declared in April last year,” the company said in a disclosure to the stock exchange.
It said the dividend declaration translates to a total payout of P14.88 billion, which would be sourced from the company’s unappropriated retained earnings for the period as of Dec. 31, 2022. SMPC shareholders on record as of April 13 are entitled to the regular and special cash dividends.
Ex-dividend date will be on April 5 due to the declared holidays. Payment will be made on April 25. SMPC said its total dividend translates to a cash dividend yield of 12 percent percent based on its March 24 closing price of P30.25. Alena Mae S. Flores
COMM&SENSE’S AWARDS. Public relations agency Comm&Sense emerges as one of the big winners in the year’s Anvil Awards, taking home seven trophies and its first nomination for Agency of the Year from what is considered the Oscars of the Philippine PR industry. Receiving the awards are (from left) Comm&Sense video director Alex Abordo, senior video editor Herald Hagos, business development officer Marvin Ramos, accounts executive Klyde Basco, senior accounts executives Trisha Pili and Mikaela Calilong, business relations and development manager Khristine Claveria, communications director Toteng Tanglao, managing director Charlotte Fabian-Reyes, senior accounts executive Renz Lalic, ROAR Agile senior media relations officer Arizon Antonio, accounts director Ayesha Sta. Ana, ROAR Agile relationship manager Nancy May Lugatiman, art director Pol Villanueva and creative director Eric Cabahug.
BDO Unibank Inc., the country’s largest bank, said Monday it is buying out the entire equity interests of its joint-venture partners in SM Keppel Land Inc., a company engaged in developing, operating and managing the property known as the Podium Complex along ADB Ave. in Ortigas Center, Mandaluyong City.
“In view of Keppel Philippines Properties Inc.’s and Opon-KE Properties Inc. decision to divest its investment in SM Keppel Land Inc., BDO Unibank Inc., as
Keppel’s joint venture partner, has agreed to buy out Keppel’s 50-percent direct equity ownership in SMKL,” the bank said in a disclosure to the stock exchange.
BDO’s board of directors approved on March 25, 2023 the purchase, which consists of 217,910,000 common shares and 36,401,500 redeemable preferred shares equivalent, to 50 percent of the outstanding capital stock of SMKL at adjusted net asset value at closing.
“By this acquisition, BDO will consolidate its ownership of the Podium Complex, presently 50-percent owned by
SMKL, consisting of BDO’s Corporate Center Ortigas, the West Tower and the Podium Mall,” the statement said.
The Podium Complex houses BDO’s offices in Ortigas. BDO occupies about 63 percent of the office spaces in the Podium Complex.
The parties also signed the share purchase agreement covering the transaction. Completion is subject to, among others, customary closing conditions applicable to transactions and regulatory approvals.
BDO solidified its industry leadership following a 33.4-percent increase in net income last year to a record P57.1 billion
THE Department of Energy on Monday reported total savings of 62.69 megawatts for the entire country during the one-hour switch-off to celebrate Earth Hour on Saturday.
It said the largest savings of 33.29 MW came from Luzon, followed by 20.5 MW from Mindanao and 8.9 MW from the Visayas. Citizens across the world, including the Philippines, turned their lights off for an hour between 8:30 p.m. and 9:30 p.m. on March 25, a symbolic demonstration of unity to reverse nature loss and achieve a climate-resilient future.
from P42.8 billion a year ago. The bank managed to sustain its profitability amid a very challenging business environment due to higher interest rates and inflation.
The 2022 results led to a return on average common equity of 13 percent, improving to 15.3 percent for the fourth quarter, from 10.5 percent in 2021 and 12.8 percent in 2019 before the onslaught of the pandemic.
Non-interest income rose 17 percent to P71.5 billion on the strong performance of fee income, foreign exchange and fixed income client-flow businesses.
GLOBAL Ferronickel Holdings Inc. said Monday it expects nickel ore production to increase 20 percent this year with the start of its Palawan mine’s commercial operations.
The Palawan mine will have an annual production capacity of 1.5 million wet metric tons. The project will complement GFNI’s Surigao mine which has an annual capacity of 7.5 million WMT.
more consistent profitability throughout the year,” GFNI president Dante Bravo said in a statement to the stock exchange.
“It will also allow us to benefit from higher nickel prices and China’s ongoing reopening, which is expected to prompt a rebound in stainless steel production and in the new energy vehicle supply chain,” he said.
The company earlier said the Palawan mine would address the seasonality constraint of the Surigao mine.
The DOE said the electricity demand reduction from the Earth Hour celebration is a testament that collectively, “we could generate a great impact on our daily energy consumption.”
“This also illustrates how purposeful behavior could achieve something big and worthy. Imagine when individuals, businesses, government and communities unite not only during Earth Hour but in making energy conservation their everyday way of life, the overall impact would be even much bigger,” Energy Secretary Raphael Lotilla said. Alena Mae S. Flores
UNION Bank of the Philippines said Monday it will increase the size of its peso bond program by P11 billion to P50 billion from P39 billion to have flexibility in funding size in the future.
UnionBank said in a statement to the stock exchange the plan was approved in a board meeting on Friday.
“Please be informed that the board of directors of Union Bank of the Philippines at its regular meeting held on March 24, 2023, approved the increase in the bank’s PHP bonds program from P39 billion to P50 billion and the issuance of up to P30 billion out of the bonds program,” UnionBank said.
MRF AGREEMENT. The Filipino Inventors Society Producer Cooperative, Department of Science and Technology and the local government unit of Cauayan City sign a contract for a material recovery facility at the International Smart City Exposition & Network Engagement in the Isabela Convention Center in Cauayan City, Isabela. DOST Secretary Renato Solidum Jr. (fourth from left) witnesses the signing of the agreement by (seated, from left) FISPC Chairman Francisco’Popoy’ Pagayon, Cauayan City Mayor Caesar Dy Jr. and FISPC director and Suki Trading Corp. chief executive Victoriano Ocon. With them are DOST Undersecretary Sancho Mabborang, BauerTek Corp. chief executive Richard Nixon Gomez, Publishers Association of the Philippines Inc. president Nelson Santos, and FISC director Davis Pagayon.
BUREAU of Internal Revenue Commissioner Romeo Lumagui Jr. declared a war against all those who profit from propagating a culture of tax evasion using ghost receipts.
The agency launched the Run After Fake Transactions program of the BIR, the brainchild of Lumagui, and the first in the history of the agency that follows the issuance of Revenue Memorandum Circular No. 38-2023.
GFNI said its acquisition of a 20-percent interest in Chinese firm Guangdong Century Tsingshan Nickel Industry Co. Ltd. was also expected to boost the company’s operations in 2023.
“The start of commercial operations at the Palawan mine along with the acquisition of 20-percent interest of GCTN, both in the fourth quarter, should enable us to carry out production all year-round and generate improved financial growth as we scale and integrate the business. We believe this positions us to achieve
The Cagdianao mine in Surigao operates only from April to October, while the Palawan mine would operate from November to July.
GFNI said it was on track with its medium-term strategy, which includes the construction of a steel processing plant in Mariveles, Bataan and its commercial production, and the development of a nearby port.
The nickel miner reported a net income of P2.2 billion in 2022, up 9 percent year-on-year as lower revenues was offset by higher foreign exchange rate.
Ghost receipts are fictitious receipts/ invoices where transactions did not take place. Its main purpose is to reduce the income tax and VAT liabilities of the purchaser by claiming false deductions/ expenses and claiming input VAT on the basis of fictitious transaction, ultimately resulting in defrauding the government of taxes, according to the BIR.
Lumagui said the war against ghost receipts would be on on three fronts-
-buyers, sellers and certified public accountants.
“Buyers of ghost receipts will likewise be audited by the BIR. CPAs will have their licenses revoked for abetting and advising their clients to avail of a tax evasion scheme. Buyers, sellers and CPAs will be imprisoned for 6 to 10 years due to tax evasion. This is an all-out war. All available BIR forces will be deployed, this is the top priority program for our en-
forcement activities,” he said.
Lumagui led the raid of a condominium unit in Quezon City in December 2022, resulting in the confiscation of thousands of ghost receipts. He filed criminal cases before the Department of Justic against the sellers of the ghost receipts on March 16, 2023. He also filed a case for revocation of the license of the CPA involved in the syndicate before the PRC on March 21, 2023.
“With the growth in UBP’s balance sheet and increased capital base, the bank’s bond program is being increased… This provides flexibility on funding size in the future…,” UnionBank president Edwin Bautista told Manila Standard through a text message when asked for a comment.
“The bank has not yet established a timetable for future issuance,” Bautista said.
UnionBank completed its P12billion stock rights offering that was well-received by shareholders. It offered 210.97 million common shares priced at P56.88 apiece.
The newly-issued shares were listed on the Philippine Stock Exchange on Feb. 6, resulting in total outstanding shares amounting to over 2.35 billion.
Proceeds from the SRO will be used to solidify the bank’s capital adequacy and financial strength and to execute its strategic growth initiatives by expanding its balance sheet to meet growing demand from its target markets.
The bank will deploy additional capital to UnionDigital, support loan availments by customers of both retail loans and corporate and commercial loans. Julito G. Rada
DESPITE fielding a relatively overhauled all-Filipino line-up and losing Philippine no. 2 and prized big man Brandon Ramirez early in the tourney due to a knee injury, the Manila Chooks! 3x3 squad passed its initial test with flying colors.
Chooks-to-Go President and team owner Ronald Mascariñas gave the charges of head trainer Chico Lanete plaudits after their campaign in the FIBA 3X3 Pro League Netherlands 2023 Winter Edition in Amsterdam.
“This all-Filipino line-up exceeded all expectations, and they rallied behind Brandon (Ramirez) when he got injured which showed how much this team has developed as a unit,” Mascariñas said.
“CJ (Payawal) and Matt (Salem) proved that they deserve to play for the country together with Mac (Tallo) and Dennis (Santos),” he added.
More importantly, Chooks’ sustained efforts moved the country one spot higher from world no. 20 to no. 19 with 1,046,227 points, gaining 80,210 points from the Amsterdam joust, to boost its bid to make history— qualify for the Paris Olympics next year.
It was also a historic run for Manila Chooks! after it became the first team in Philippine 3x3 to advance to three straight quarterfinals in an international FIBA 3x3 Pro Quest tilt.
Payawal amassed 20,930 ranking points in the meet that had four stops to become Philippine No. 12, while Salem totaled 12,870 points to make it to the top 30.
For Mascariñas, the best is yet to come for the squad, which is set to hit the ground running anew for the Super Quest in Ulaanbaatar from April 22 to 23.
THE spirit and festivity of the Southeast Asian Games returned to Tagaytay City on a cool and breezy Monday morning with athletes and sports and foreign dignitaries taking turns at celebrating the Torch Relay for Cambodia’s hosting of the Games’ 32nd edition in May.
From Cambodia’s Tourism Minister Hor Sarun to Cambodian Ambassador to the Philippines Phan Peuv, the torch was passed on to Philippine Olympic Committee president Abraham “Bambol” Tolentino, who’s back as mayor of Tagaytay City, which in 2019 hosted the cycling and skateboarding competitions of the 30th SEA Games.
“We warmly welcome the SEA Games Torch which is now celebrating Cambodia’s first-time hosting of
ILAGAN, Isabela—Fil-American pole vaulter Elijah Cole won a battle of nerves with SEA Games silver medalist Hockett delos Santos, while middle-distance runner Alfrence Braza redeemed himself on the fifth and final day of the ICTSI Philippine Athletics Championships at the windswept Ilagan Sports Complex on Sunday evening.
The San Diego, California-based Cole, whose mom is from Nueva Ecija, battled strong winds and his unfamiliarity with a new pole to outperform an injured Delos Santos with a 5.05-meter leap right on his first attempt for the gold.
Cole’s jump eclipsed the five-meter, silver medal performance of De los Santos in the previous Southeast Asian Games, thereby earning him the right to be part of the national team in the 32nd SEA Games in Cambodia.
“It was the first time I used a 4.90-meter pole. Before this, I jumped on a 4.75 pole. I was nervous because I never jumped on this pole,” said Cole, who got his Philippine passport last August.
De los Santos, who is from Isabela, was still recovering from a strained left calf when he settled for the silver medal at five meters during the competitions, slowed down by strong winds, which kept toppling the cross bars.
Long jumper Janry Ubas, who also saw action in the decathlon meet, netted the bronze in clearing 4.65 meters in the men’s pole vault.
the games,” Tolentino said. “Just like in our SEA Games hosting in 2019, we value this celebration not only for sports but for peace and camaraderie in the region.”
The Torch Relay began on De los Reyes Avenue in front of the Tagaytay City BMX and Skate Park, traversed Mahogany Road and back to the same Start/Finish area via Isaac Tolentino Avenue.
Athletes in cycling, taekwondo, foot-
ball, kickboxing and boxing carried the torch along with Philippine Paralymic Committee head Mike Barredo and Commissioner Walter Torres of the Philippine Sports Commission.
Chito Loyzaga, Team Philippines’ chef de mission to the Cambodia SEA Games, then carried the torch at the penultimate 14th station before the Cambodian delegation completed the ceremony to festive music provided by the Tagaytay City drum and bugle band.
The Cambodia SEA Games are set May 5 to 17 with the country fielding a slightly reduced delegation composed of 840 athletes competing in 608 events in 38 sports.
Cambodia’s motto for the Games
“Live in Peace” jives with Tolentino’s outlook on the regional event.
“Everybody will be competing for
medal, but that’s secondary. Building friendship among Southeast Asian nations is the primary objective of the Games,” Tolentino added.
Cambodia kicked off the Torch Relay last Wednesday at the World Heritage Site Angkor Wat in Siem Reap and passed on the flame to last year’s host Vietnam.
After the Philippines, the torch will travel to Brunei, Timor Leste, Malaysia, Singapore, Thailand, Myanmar and Laos before returning to Cambodia on April 27.
The torch is 75 cms tall and weights slightly over one kilo. The top of the torch was designed to reflect the symbol of Romdoul, the Kingdom of Cambodia national flower and it’s plated with gold color to show that the Kingdom of Cambodia and it’s people has risen to the top.
JAILANI Lamama of Tri-SND Barracuda churned out a 4:01:21 clocking to top the 25-29 age-group category while Great Britain dominated the 30-34 division of the IRONMAN 70.3 Davao at Azuela Cove marred by the passing of a participant and a road mishap Sunday.
Abdul Rahman Toroganan clocked 4:04:08 to finish second behind the 26-year-old Lamama while Mohammad Hanin Maruhom came in third in 4:07:16, while the Britons ruled their side of the competition with Chris Weeks topping it in 3:34:54, followed by Christopher Keyes (3:43:07) and Alex Woodman (3:43:23), respectively.
Kenneth Bonda clocked 3:59:09 to rule the 18-24 class over Loris Millot (4:03:56) and Jacob Rodriguez (4:06:49).
Meanwhile, the IRONMAN Group mourns the passing of swim coach Jerry Kasim, who succumbed to heart attack during the swim course. He was 49.
“We are deeply saddened to confirm the death of a race participant at IRONMAN 70.3 Davao. The athlete required medical attention during the swim por-
tion of the race and was transported to a nearby hospital where he was treated. Our condolences go out to the athlete’s family and friends, whom we will continue to support,” said the organizing IRONMAN Group/Sunrise Events, Inc. in a post.
Kasim’s younger sister Sanita Kasim Soreny, a former national dragon boat team now based in the United Kingdom, said her family was left surprised by his untimely passing since they were not aware of any heartrelated disease he might have had.
American triathlete David Smith also reportedly hit an
18-year-old spectator, who was allegedly picking up empty water bottles dropped by the other participants, during the
the premier pro division.
The other top finishers were (35-39) China’s Chen Li (3:45:18), Filipino Reagan Nabua (3:56:41) and Kuwaiti Abdullah Alrefae (4:05:18); (40-44) Thai Dane Cantwell (3:50:50), Czech Petr Lukosz (3:54:26) and Hong Kong’s Chun Kit Tsang (3:55:22); (45-49) Luxembourg’s Olivier Godart (3:34:25), Siu Yuen Wong of Hong Kong (4:10:57) and American Stephen Quance (4:21:08); (50-54) Mark Jansen of Australia (4:13:13), Claudio Fabbri of Monaco (4:23:18), Filipino Edward Luna (4:38:50), (55-59) Craig Weymouth of Guam (4:35:13), Andreas Goros of Greece (4:45:01) and American Joseph Kelleher (4:45:40); (60-64) Koji Muroya of Japan (4:46:19), Eric Battisti of France (4:50:51) and American Robert Shannon (6:01:41); (65-69) Singapore’s Dale Mcallister (6:08:22), Hong Kong’s Lawrence Webb (6:25:10) and Martin Buchholz of the US (6:31:06); and (70-74) Japanese Kiko Hashikawa (6:16:52), Filipino Edgardo Villar (6:52:02) and Masashi Watanabe of Japan (7:06:26).
KIMI Brodeth scored an expected sweep of the girls’ two top crowns but brother Kenzo upended top seed Cyd Villamar in 16-U play to likewise complete a two-title romp in the Mayor Lucy Torres-Gomez National Junior Tennis Championships at the Ormoc Midtown Tennis Club over the weekend.
The in-form Kimi continued her dominant run in the three-leg Leyte swing of the PPS-PEPP junior circuit, shutting out Kate Imalay, 6-0, 6-0, in the 16-U finals then crushing Corazon Lambonao, 6-1, 6-4, in the premier 18-U side of the Group 2 tournament presented by Dunlop.
The 16-year-old rising star from Ormoc earlier swept the Maasin and Baybay legs with her latest pair of victories underscoring her fierce form and readiness to level up in pursuit of more junior honors.
For his part, Kenzo ripped Christian Laguna, 6-0, 6-3, to claim the 14-U trophy then
rallied from a set down to repulse Villamar with a gutsy stand in the decider, 3-6, 6-4, 106, as the Brodeths became the first siblings to share MVP honors in the country’s longesttalent search put up by Palawan Pawnshop president/CEO Bobby Castro.
While Kimi sustained her top form, Kenzo’s win over Villamar made up for his failed bid in Baybay when he yielded to Gio Manito, 7-9, in a tight third set battle in 16-U finals, thus missing clinching the MVP trophy.
Sharing the spotlight in the event, hosted by Mayor Lucy Torres-Gomez and which served as part of the OMTC’s youth sports program through president Dr. Bingcol Rodriguez, were Bogo, Cebu’s Claudwin Toñacao and Ormoc’s Ma. Caroliean Fiel (12-U), Gerald Gemida, also of Ormoc (boys’ 18-U), Cebu City’s James Estrella (10-unisex), and Danao, Cebu’s Imalay (14-U).
AN extensive list of prizes, including a brand-new Toyota Raize, a Mitsubishi Xpander and a cruise package, is at stake for hole-in-one feats when the Southwoods Invitational is fired off Wednesday at the Masters and Legends courses in Carmona, Cavite. Toyota Silang, Cavite and Alpine Motors Corp. are putting up a Toyota Raize 1.2 M/T and Mitsubishi Xpander GLS 1.5G 2WD A/T cars, respectively, while Royal Caribbean/Baron Travel is offering a seven-night Eastern Mediterranean Cruise onboard the Odyssey of the Seas, including two round-trip Manila-Rome-Manila tickets, for aces on designated holes of the Jack Nicklaus-designed courses.
Klio International Marketing Corp. is also staking a round trip ticket for two (Manila-Taipei-Manila) with hotel accommodation, while a smart vogue plus urban massage chair from Ogawa, and P100,000 worth of free bet certificates from Pagcor Casino Filipino are also up for grabs for hole-in-one feats in Manila Southwoods’ flagship tournament spread over four days.
A record cast is vying in this year’s edition of the annual member-guest tournament, backed by year-round sponsor Royal Caribbean/Baron Travel, hole-in-one sponsors Ogawa, Alpine Motors Philippines, Toyota Silang, Pagcor Casino Filipino and Klio International, with 325 teams composed of 650 players clashing for top honors in various divisions.
To accommodate the huge number of participants, organizers will conduct sequential tee times on both courses tomorrow and Friday at 6:20 a.m. and a shotgun start on Thursday and Saturday at 7:30 a.m. on Legends and 8 a.m. on Masters.
Play is Aggregate format at the Legends and Best Ball format at the Masters under the Stableford Points scoring system with applied course handicaps.
Other sponsors are (Platinum) The Turf Company, Inc., CWC International Corp. and Newport World Resorts; (gold) Agrexplore Corp., Alpha Quality (GFX) Leads Agriculture/ Malveda Properties Development Corp., Mikro-Tech Capital, Inc./Capital One Energy, Inc., The Manor and The Forest Lodge at Camp John Hay; and (silver) Abomar Equipment Sales Corp., Club Leisure Management Corp., First Global Conglomerate, Camaya Coast, Le Chef, Inc., MitAir, Inc. and Prestige Golf Access & Clubshares, Inc.
The bronze backers are Absolute Sales Corp., Ayala Land Premier, Boeing Material Handling Corp., Camp John Hay Golf Club, Castillo Laman Tan Pantaleon & San Jose Law Offices, Coca-Cola Beverages Phil., Escala Tagaytay, Federal Management & Maintenance, Inc., Forest Hills Golf and Country Club, Gamboa & Sons, Inc. (GranSportivo), GG&A Clubshares, G&W Clubshares, Golforce, Inc., GolfX; Hydrotech Irrigation and General Services, Mitsukoshi Motors Phils., Inc., MRT Dev’t. Corp., Nozomi Providers, Inc., RFM Corp., PBR Law Offices, PNOEZ Golf Accessories Shop (Southwoods Clubfitter), Smart Probe, Inc., Sojitz Fuso Philippines Corp., Suijin Restaurant, TimeCargo Logistics Corp., Triframe, Inc. and Warbird Securities.
Games Tuesday 4 p.m. – F2 Logistics vs PLDT
6:30 p.m. – Petro Gazz vs Creamline
WITH limited time to prepare and make adjustments, Petro Gazz and Creamline agree it will boil down to which side will set out for Game 2 of the Premier Volleyball League All Filipino Conference Finals with the right frame of mind.
LOS ANGELES
—Celine Boutier birdied the first playoff hole to edge Georgia Hall for the LPGA Drive On Championship title on Sunday at Superstition Mountain, Arizona.
Boutier’s third LPGA title is the most of any French golfer on the tour, surpassing Patricia Meunier-Lebouc and Anne-Marie Palli.
“It’s unbelievable,” Boutier said.
“I mean, I don’t really know how to express it. Anne Marie is here today watching, and so I think it’s very special.
“I definitely feel like I was trying not to think about it just because it’s so crazy to think that I’m making history in any way.”
Former Women’s Open winner Yuka
Saso, now representing Japan after spending her amateur years playing for the Philippines, ended up tied for 23rd place with 10 at 13 under, seven shots off the champion. Boutier had taken a one-stroke lead into the final round and carded a fourunder par 68 to join Hall on 20-under 268.
England’s Hall had climbed up the leaderboard with a seven-under par 65 that featured an eagle at the par-five 13th and seven birdies.
Hall had launched her day with backto-back birdies at the first and second and birdied the par-five 18th for a oneshot clubhouse lead.
But Boutier got up and down for birdie at the 18th in regulation to force the playoff, and birdied it again for the win.
Boutier admitted the playoff against her European Solheim Cup teammate was “not enjoyable.”
“I just feel like I’m not really confrontational and I really like Georgia,” she said. “We were partners, like you said. So I feel like it was
definitely a little bit sad that I had to go against her.
“She had a great round today and it was great that she had such a low round and (was) able to go in the playoff.”
In the playoff, Boutier was again right of the green with her second shot while Hall’s approach found the back bunker.
Boutier chipped to about four feet while Hall fired out of the bunker 20 feet past the hole. After Hall’s long birdie attempt missed, Boutier closed out her first playoff victory.
Japan’s Ayaka Furue finished alone in third after a 65 for 269.
American Gina Kim notched the LPGA’s first hole-in-one of 2023 when she aced the par-three eighth.
“At first I was scared because I was like, ‘Oh, crap. It probably hit the pin and went down the hill or something like that,’” said Kim, who finished tied for 66th.
“Then I heard my mom screaming and everyone screaming and then that’s when I realized, holy cow.” AFP
“Prepare the mindset, prepare the body, and everything follows,” said Petro Gazz coach Oliver Almadro after steering the Angels to a classic 25-22, 24-26, 25-23, 26-24 victory in the opener of their best-of-three series before 11,532 fans at the Pasay arena last Sunday.
“One day lang ang pahinga, kaya mindset sa next game,” said Creamline mentor Sherwin Meneses, who vowed to strike back in today’s match set at 6:30 p.m. and force a decider on Thursday.
“Mahirap mag-adjust (sa schedule ng training), pero dapat malakas ang mindset (for Game 2),” added Meneses. “Kailangan namin na mas gumalaw ng tama. Gustong manalo ng Petro Gazz, grabe yung laro nila ngayon.”
The multi-titled mentor rued his wards’ erratic outing and stressed the need for them to focus on avoiding committing basic errors in service and net touch, among others.
The Angels pounced on the Cool Smashers’ 22 miscues, including the match-clinching net violation that somewhat gave the thrilling duel, spiked by fierce exchanges of attacks, digs and everything, an anti-climactic ending.
Meneses, however, downplayed their last error, a crucial point that Petro Gazz gained on a net touch challenge, saying: “Breaks of the game, pero hindi kami natalo dahil doon, marami kaming lapses, marami kaming errors.”
“Hindi base doon yung pagkatalo namin. Breaks talaga yun kasi napunta sa kanila, kasi net touch, so kasalanan namin. Siguro yung from 1 to 24, doon kami nagkulang,” added Meneses.
BINGOPLUS, the first live-streaming bingo in the Philippines and official bingo partner of the Philippine Basketball Association’s 47th season, added fun and value to the recently held PBA All-Star Week in Passi, Iloilo by engaging fans and live audiences in games with fun prizes.
BingoPlus was Event Partner of the All Star Week and also donated P150,000 to the Passi One Elementary School, a beneficiary of the PBA, to help in the ongoing improvements of the school.
To contribute more fun to the basketball celebration, BingoPlus awarded P30,000 to the Most Valuable Player of the Greats vs. Stalwarts game participated in by the pro league’s rookies, sophomores and juniors. Adrian Wong of the Magnolia Timplados Hot Shots won the award for his stellar play.
During the highlight event of the
THEY say basketball is a religion in the Philippines, and the devotees are never without their prayers, many of them praying to win. Victory, however, is not the only plea heard by the gods of basketball.
Players with teammates notorious for not showing up pray that they have enough bodies before jump ball so that they avoid losing by default. Those made to bear with insouciance ask the gods for resourceful, diligent, and responsible teammates, who will not make paying their share for the cost of uniform and league fees a burden for the team.
And while some pray with the team’s welfare in mind, some pray for selfish ends; a good shooting night for ‘pogi’ points, the player of the game award, and
one or more romantic interests present in the audience, and yes, to having aforementioned wishes granted, please.
Among fans, there is a supplication for good weather, from those living in communities without the luxury of a covered court. Where electricity is unreliable and brownouts inevitable, the prayer takes the tone of bargaining: we will endure fanning ourselves to sleep in hot, humid darkness, just let the basketball game finish first.
That’s the barangay basketball landscape for you, in the province or the city; oftentimes spartan and subject to the limitations of inadequate resources, but always enough to be competitive and entertaining. If turning pro and playing in the PBA or abroad is the summit, this is what happens at the foot of the mountain, especially during the liga season: summer and Christmas break.
Repurposed plywood backboard painted with the same thin coat of paint as the one used on the court’s potholed concrete floor. Early birds get to have the few available seats, but the fans don’t mind watching the game on their feet, from tipoff to final buzzer. Sometimes,
there isn’t enough light on the court, but players who are used to playing in neardark conditions find the bottom of the net just fine.
Everything is makeshift and everyone will make do. Here, where basketball fans gather to be entertained by their kin, by their neighbors and friends, or by strangers, who are just as passionate about basketball. Here, where the best barangay basketball players are venerated.
Most of the players here learned basketball through their peers and persistence. They probably grew up chasing after the loose ball during shootaround so they can get shots in when the game or the players are idle, before they scamper away at the sight of older basketball players or the referee asking them to leave the court. These kids will frequent places where there is a hoop -- no matter the size, no matter the condition. Skins and shirts doesn’t just mean someone is playing without a top; the exposed skin also includes the sole of the feet for those choosing to play barefoot, because flipflops are slippery and not sturdy enough for kids playing basketball morning, afternoon, and night. They will practice and attend tryouts and will join local neighborhood basketball tournaments
and they will progress through different divisions, from mosquito division, where only a handful know how to shoot and dribble, all the way to senior division which is the main event and the reason fans come to watch.
And even then, despite the loud cheering, the personal career best, the game-winning moments—very, very few of these amateurs will be scouted.
It is a rarity for someone here to be invited to try out for collegiate basketball, and smaller still are the chances of turning pro or wearing the national colors.
An unfortunate reality: there are so many talented Filipino basketball players and a lot of them go unnoticed in a country populated by basketball citizens.
It does not help that there are people, who stopped caring. I, for one, haven’t watched a PBA game in years. So it came as a surprise when I noticed I had been watching local basketball action for hours. Not PBA. Not MPBL. Not collegiate basketball. Not Gilas.
Barangay basketball. One video was viewed 135,000 times. The next one I watched? Viewed 383,000 times. A one-month-old video already had 909K views. Wow. This is not the summit, but this is
week—the All Star Game between Team Japeth and Team Scottie—BingoPlus let fans experience the fun and entertainment value of the brand by letting them play the BingoPlus freethrow game where winners received 1,500 BingoPlus credits. BingoPlus also awarded Paul Lee, the MVP of the All Star Game, with P30,000. Always driven by its mission to support sports, entertainment, cultural events and other leisure activities that reflect the fun nature of the brand, BingoPlus also participated in the highly anticipated PBA out of town basketball extravaganza to pay tribute to the famous Pintados de Pasi Festival. The cultural and historical festival commemorates the cityhood anniversary of Passi City and is a thanksgiving for bountiful blessings received during the year. For more fun and entertainment visit www.bingoplus.com and download BingoPlus App.
how barangay basketball players start climbing to the top, on the back of basketball citizens with cellphones and good quality video cameras and the commitment to showcasing what they see in their corner of the world.
Basketball is a shared, collective experience, but the actual games we see differ—isolated, exclusive, and local. Not anymore.
These barangay basketball videos on the internet will elevate the appreciation for barangay basketball, and eventually, the quality of ‘paliga’ and the status of talented amateur basketball players, who weren’t given the chance to be seen on TV.
Many will still remain amateur. But more basketball players will become appreciated by more people, enjoying the same level of popularity previously enjoyed by a select few only. A humble consolation for those relentless in the pursuit of their hoop passion even if bereft of resources, connections, formal training, and opportunities.
Basketball is a religion in the Philippines, and the real proof of devotion is Filipino basketball citizens relying not just on prayers alone, but on action, which, according to many, speaks louder than words, even words said as a prayer.
Blackpink continues to make their fans feel connected despite their massive attendance
A sea of pink as Blinks (Blackpink fans) show their support to the group
By Juliana Maxine VasquezTHE Philippine Arena in Bocaue, Bulacan was a sea of black and pink outfits as Jisoo, Jennie, Rosé, and Lisa performed for their Filipino fans again on Saturday for Day 1 of Blackpink World Tour [Born Pink] Manila (Bulacan)
The group behind hits “Ice Cream,” “How You Like That,” and “Shut Down,” among others, performed in the country for the first time since its 2019 In Your Area tour. In turn, Blinks spent their “best weekend ever” filling up the world’s largest
indoor arena maximum seating capacity of 55,000 Blackpink opened the show with fireworks as they performed “How You Like That” and followed with “Pretty Savage” and “Whistle.” Making their fans feel more connected
to them despite the massive size of the venue, Blackpink went on to talk to the hyped-up crowd.
“We are excited to be back here,” said Lisa.
“I think this is one of the loudest crowds,” said Rosé. The group also performed “Kill This Love,” “Crazy Over You,” “Playing With Fire,” and “Tally.” One of the crowd favorites, of course, was “Pink Venom.”
For the following set, Jisoo, who will release a solo album and a single “Flower” on March 31, performed a cover of Camila Cabello’s “Liar.”
Meanwhile, Jennie performed her yetto-be-released solo song “You and Me.”
Rosé also wowed the crowd with two of her solo songs, “Hard To Love,” and “On The Ground” while Lisa performed “LALISA” and “Money.”
The K-Pop ground continued to send the crowd into a rabid frenzy as they performed “Shutdown,” “DDU-DU DDU-DU,” and “Forever Young.” For the encore set, the quartet performed “Yeah Yeah Yeah,” “Stay,” and “As If It’s Your Last.”
“I’m pretty sure the Philippines did not forget about us,” said Rosé.
There is no doubt that this was one of the year’s most awaited concerts. Jisoo, Jennie, Rosé, and Lisa are not only popular artists as a group and individually, they are also ambassadors for some of the world’s luxury fashion houses. Their popularity is so mainstream that they’re loved by kids and adults alike.
It is also worth noting that Blackpink is the first K-pop group to hold a two-day concert in the Philippine Arena. Organized by Live Nation Philippines, the K-pop girl group’s highly anticipated concert brought together fans from different parts of the Philippines and even the world.
energy into positive and I think it worked for me. I don’t know if there’s a sense in that but I’ve lasted this long in the ‘biz not just because of the fans’ support but also due to people’s criticisms or pessimistic remarks like, ‘He’s not good!’ or ‘He won’t make it!’ It’s kind of weird but I am able to translate those into positivism,” he said. Sharing a piece of advice with the new crop of showbiz wannabes, Gerald stated that one should not feel afraid and be brave enough to face bashers.
“It’s rampant nowadays. People will bash you in everything that you do so just stay positive all the time,” Gerald ended.
‘John Wick: Chapter 4’ promises clean and well-choreographed action scenes
LIONSGATE’S neo-noir action thriller
John Wick: Chapter 4 opened this weekend with North American ticket sales estimated at an impressive $73.5 million, industry watcher Exhibitor Relations reported Sunday.
Analyst David A. Gross called it “a superb opening,” noting that each Wick sequel has managed to outdo its predecessors. Reviews have been mostly positive: “Would that all action films were so well and cleanly choreographed,” the Washington Post gushed; but some reviewers saw the body count – more than 100 per bloody Wick movie – as a bit much.
“Chapter 4” owes its choreography largely to director Chad Stahelski, himself a former stuntman. Starring along with Keanu Reeves, in a tale that has the titular hitman fighting a powerful international crime group – are Donnie Yen, Bill Skarsgard, and Laurence Fishburne
Last weekend’s box office leader, Shazam! Fury of the Gods took in just $9.7 million, slipping to second place, in what Variety called “one of the worst turnouts for a modern superhero movie.”
The DC/Warner Bros. film stars Zachary Levi, Asher Angel, and Adam Brody In third spot was Scream VI from Paramount and Spyglass Media, at $8.4
million for the Friday-through-Sunday period. Melissa Barrera, Jenna Ortega, and Skeet Ulrich star in the horror flick. In fourth was yet another sequel, United Artists’ boxing drama Creed III, at $8.37 million. Michael B. Jordan directs and plays the title character; his co-star Jonathan Majors was arrested Saturday for allegedly assaulting a woman in a domestic dispute. And in fifth, down one spot from last weekend, was sci-fi thriller 65 from Sony and Columbia Pictures, at $3.3 million. Adam Driver stars in a time-travel saga that juxtaposes spaceships and dinosaurs. AFP
MEDIA giant GMA Network, through GMA Regional TV (RTV), launched its 12th regional station in the Philippines with GMA Ilocos Norte last March 17.
Set to further strengthen the network’s presence in Northern Luzon, GMA Ilocos Norte can be accessed by viewers via GMA TV 5 on free TV, GMA Affordabox, and GMA Now. It is GMA Network’s fifth regional station in Luzon after GMA Dagupan, GMA Ilocos Sur, GMA Bicol, and GMA Batangas.
“With the launch of GMA Ilocos Norte Station as one of the key hubs of GMA Regional TV, this strengthens our local news coverage in North Central Luzon, and solidifies GMA Integrated News’ position as the ‘News Authority of the Filipino,” said First Vice President and Head of GMA Regional TV and Synergy, and Acting Head of GMA Integrated News Oliver Victor Amoroso.
“Recently, as part of our 2023 initiatives, we have also introduced our morning news program Mornings with GMA Regional TV which perfectly complements our top-rating afternoon newscast GMA Regional TV One North Central Luzon,” Amoroso added.
IN a recent interview, actor Gerald Anderson admitted that he’s already entertaining the thought of getting married at this point.
“Well, everything that I’m doing right now is geared towards that,” he averred.
“I’m no longer 25 years old who will focus more on my career. Everything that I’m doing for my showbiz career and my venturing into various businesses is leading to that point,” he added.
Asked if the lucky girl is current girlfriend Julia Barretto, the 34-year-old actor answered: “Yes, I’m definite that she is!”
What made him think that Julia is already “The One”?
“I guess you will feel it. If your relationship is working. For one, you will discover that something’s changing in you. You feel that your priorities are changing or your priorities became clearer to you.
You know the old saying: ‘You just know.’ You’ll feel extremely different. It’s hard to explain it. But the feeling is different.”
Gerald clarified though that he and Julia are not yet engaged.
Since he admitted his relationship with Julia in March 2021, bashers relentlessly hit them. How does he handle such predicament?
“It may sound cliché but I turn such negative
Joining Amoroso at the station inauguration and blessing were Rizalina D. Garduque, consultant for sales, Sales and Marketing Group; Ann Marie O. Tan, senior assistant vice president for Local Sales, and concurrent station manager for Central and Eastern Visayas; Sheila Marie R. Medina, senior station manager for GMA Ilocos Sur and Norte Stations; Jennevieve Ocaña, station manager, Zamboanga along with other GMA RTV Head Office managers.
Also present were Ilocos Norte LGU heads led by Vice Governor Cecilia Araneta Marcos, Laoag City Mayor Michael Marcos
Keon, and Vice Mayor Carlos Fariñas
As part of the activities for the station launch, Kapusong Ilocanos were treated to a fun-filled Kapuso Mall Show in Robinsons Ilocos featuring Sparkle artists and TikToClock hosts Rabiya Mateo, and Jayson Gainza. Joining them last Friday were All-Out Sundays’ Hannah Precillas and Garret Bolden. GMA Synergy’s Game On! host Martin Javier hosted the Kapuso Mall Show.
In 2022, GMA Network continued its dominance in key regional cities. Data from Metro Cities TV Audience Measurement
* * * Bela Padilla reveals that she pretended not to feel nervous directing and sharing the screen with acting stalwart Lorna Tolentino in Libro sa Napanood Ko, which is Viva’s official entry to the maiden Summer Metro Manila Film Festival that will run from April 8 to 18. In the potboiler, LT plays the role of Bela’s mother.
“I talk to her on the set before we shoot scenes,” she states. “I just don’t show my nervousness because I want to be professional. But you know what? Ms. LT is so wonderful! She made life easy for me as the director.”
The multihyphenate actress recalls one time when she was talking to the veteran actress before a scene. She thought that the setting-up would take long.
“When the Director of Photography (DOP) announced that it was okay to shoot and let Ms. LT do the scene, I remember asking her if she wanted a moment, if she wanted music to be played. She said ‘No, it is okay!’ When the cameras started to roll, presto! Her tears also started to roll instantly. Unlike the other actors who really prepared for the scene. This only shows how good she is as an actress,” Bela ends.
(MCTAM) cited that GMA reached 99 percent or an estimated 344,000 viewers in Metro Dagupan; 93 percent (two million viewers) in Metro Cebu; and 96 percent (two million viewers) in Metro Davao for full year 2022. At present, GMA has five regional stations in Luzon, three in Visayas, and four in Mindanao.
Moreover, GMA RTV introduced its newscast ‘GMA Regional TV One North Central Luzon,’ in September last year. The newscast services the provinces of Pangasinan, Benguet, La Union, Nueva Ecija, Tarlac, Pampanga, Tuguegarao, Isabela, Baler, Olongapo, Ilocos Norte, Ilocos Sur, Abra, and Batanes. Earlier this year, GMA RTV also launched its morning news show Mornings with GMA Regional TV GMA Regional TV remains steadfast in the Network’s mission of enriching the lives of Filipinos everywhere with the responsible delivery of news and information in various communities across the Philippines. It was recently conferred its sixth Regional TV Network of the Year award at the 2023 Platinum Stallion National Media Awards.
GMA Network launches 12th regional station, GMA Ilocos Norte
Horizon Terraces Garden Villas is also close to the Midlands Golf Course and offers myriad challenges for resident golfers and unobstructed vistas of Taal Lake and Mt. Makiling.
Allowing for a dynamic and wellrounded lifestyle, homeownership at Horizon Terraces Garden Villas also comes with membership rights to The Country Club at Tagaytay Highlands (TCCATH), which means access to topnotch sports and leisure facilities. Casual and fine-dining restaurants are within reach for families who like bonding over food and drinks.
A glimpse of a complete model unit of the Glendale townhouse of Horizon Terraces’ Garden Villas
FILIPINO home seekers are increasingly dreaming of alternative primary residences situated amid sweeping, lush naturescapes under a clear blue sky. Imagine waking up to a generous dose of mountain views, chilling on a spacious balcony, and enjoying the fresh breeze without the unwelcome chaos of the metro.
On any clear day, heralded by a spectacular sunrise, these are yours for the taking at Scottsdale, Horizon Terraces Garden Villas’ newest cluster of townhouses. Completing the Garden Villa clusters, Scottsdale is nestled at the highest point within Horizon Terraces, a prime residential location that makes it a cut above the rest. Here, surrounding vistas of Taal Lake, the Highlands’ own peaks, and Mt. Makiling are sure to take your breath away.
At the Horizon Terraces Garden Villas, part of Tagaytay Highlands’ vast estate,
ARTIST’S IMPRESSION. Completing the Garden Villa clusters, Scottsdale is located at the highest point within Horizon Terraces, offering panoramic views of stunning sceneries enjoyed from its balconies and terraces, while serving as a safe alternative
Scottsdale features well-appointed threebedroom townhomes of 140 to 172 square meters each in total floor area, making it an ideal home for growing families. Each townhouse unit comes with a ground-floor den, a multifunctional space that may be converted into a separate bedroom for extended family members and visiting friends. The second floor serves as a convergence point for family and guests to appreciate nature’s view – a unique home living feature at Scottsdale. Upper levels, on the other hand, are for owners to enjoy their own private space. Situated
at the highest point of the Horizon Terraces Garden Villas, Scottsdale offers an even better vantage point for enjoying nature’s bounty. Perched at the heart of this enclave is the Central Garden, an expansive hectare of recreational and open garden space exclusively for residents of Horizon Terraces. They can relax or do stretches at the Garden Courtyard with Sundial, or let their children frolic and play at the Sensory Garden. At any time of the day, seniors may spend quiet moments at the Pocket Gardens, while those so inclined may take dips in the Central Garden’s resort-inspired pools. Residents
Horizon Terraces Garden Villas poses to be the ideal home for growing families
who have known the metro’s polluted atmosphere will find Horizon Terraces Garden Villas’ clean and fresh mountain air to be a revitalizing welcome change.
For the convenience of Garden Villas residents and homeowners, the surrounding locale of Tagaytay City is likewise just a quick driving distance away. Essential services and support facilities abound, such as hospitals, schools, shopping areas, industrial and technological parks, churches, banks, and gasoline stations. Interested buyers and property investors will be glad to note that flexible payment terms are available, bringing individuals and families a step closer to an idyllic lifestyle in safer and healthier environs.
Because Tagaytay Highlands is committed to providing safe and secure facilities for all its residents, guests, and staff, it has been awarded the Safety Seal of the City Government of Tagaytay.
Likewise, the Department of Human Settlements and Urban Development has named Tagaytay Highlands developer Highlands Prime, Inc., a subsidiary of SM Prime Holdings, as one of CALABARZON’s 2021 Outstanding Developers for Open Market Projects.
HILTON has been honored once again for its outstanding workplace culture in the Philippines by global research and consulting firm Great Place to Work. This is the second consecutive year that Hilton, with its Philippine properties Conrad Manila, Hilton Manila, and Hilton Clark Sun Valley Resort, was listed as the top-ranked hospitality company to work for in the medium-sized business category, achieving an overall #4 position across all industries.
By Patricia TaculaoFORTUNATELY, a work-life balance is what TaskUs, a BPO services and digital solutions provider, offers to its employees. As it officially opened its 10th site in the Philippines last March 23 at Molino, Cavite, the company opted for a refreshing workspace to promote a healthier and greener lifestyle for its workers.
“We aim to continuously reimagine workplace culture and the employee experience. From building functional and inspiring spaces to providing benefits that are beyond the norm, TaskUs is committed to building an environment that empowers people to thrive and create a positive impact in and outside of work,” shared Dean Van Ormer, TaskUs Senior Vice President of Operations for Southeast Asia.
The new site, aptly named Greenhouse, features environment-friendly elements and designs that give people the feeling of being inside a greenhouse. It also features
a distinct architectural design that sports “daytime-bright” lighting and uses nonharmful, environment-friendly finishes and materials for interior decorations, fixtures, and wall paints.
It also features large open spaces to allow natural sunlight to enter and conserve energy. Meeting rooms like the boardroom and interview rooms have motionsensor lights that turn off automatically when unoccupied. The site also has heat emission films that lessen the heat inside the building, making air conditioning units more efficient. Other items, like carpets, vinyl floors, office chairs, and workstations, come from suppliers committed to lessening their carbon footprint. The newly minted site in Molino sits in more than 34,000 square feet of commercial space, occupying two whole floors. Like other TaskUs sites, Greenhouse has dynamic color themes, vibrant walls, well-designed production and lounge areas, and incredible amenities.
Yet besides new sustainable features in their Greenhouse site, TaskUs also offers services and amenities to increase employees’ productivity and protect their well-being. For instance, the cafeteria provides a free, healthy meal that workers can claim during their breaks. A game area equipped with a pool table, foosball, and video game consoles is also
available for de-stressing.
Employees can also access nap rooms during breaks or before or after their shifts to get much-needed rest. Trained professionals are also available at facilities like the clinic and gym to cater to workers’ needs or engage them in holistic activities. TaskUs executives often hold surveys to discover what their employees need to increase productivity. It led to a daycare center and a mother’s room in the Greenhouse for working mothers and parents.
“We also want to bring jobs closer to Filipinos, allowing them to spend more quality time for themselves and their loved ones,” said Lana Delos Reyes, Vice President of Operations - TaskUs Greenhouse.
As a vital player in the outsourcing space for over a decade, TaskUs has established itself as a company that provides positive experiences, outstanding benefits, learning and career development opportunities, and people-first programs to its employees. Learn more about TaskUs at www. taskus.me/TaskUsPR.
The list, which was a result of Great Place to Work’s annual workforce study in the country, recognizes metrics such as trust as well as the provision of opportunities for all employees to reach their full potential.
“Our Team Members are at the heart of our business and always go above and beyond to deliver the most reliable and friendly stays to our guests. Cultivating a diverse and inclusive workplace
environment that empowers and enables our Team Members to thrive professionally and personally is a key focus for us at Hilton.
Receiving this accolade for the second year running is testament to the faith and confidence our Team Members have in us and the exceptional culture we have built together,” said Alexandra Murray , area vice president & head of South East Asia, Hilton.
To be certified as a Great Place to Work, companies must meet the minimum quantitative threshold on the Great Place to Work Trust Index Employee Survey, which gathers feedback from employees on how credibility, respect, fairness, camaraderie, and pride are expressed in the workplace. With the requirements met, companies are certified as a Great Place to Work in the countries for one year.
For more information about joining the Hilton team, visit jobs.hilton.com
