Manila Standard - 2023 April 4 - Tuesday

‘Teves is main mastermind’

DOJ: Suspended solon ‘in the middle’ of Degamo murder

By Rey E. Requejo and Charles Dantes

SUSPENDED Negros

Oriental Rep. Arnolfo Teves Jr. has emerged as the “main mastermind” behind the killing of Negros Oriental Gov. Roel Degamo, Justice Secretary Jesus Crispin Remulla said on Monday.

Using movie terms, Remulla said Teves appeared to be an “executive producer” while Marvin Miranda, one of the alleged masterminds arrested last week, was the “director or casting director.”

“I said if it was a movie, Congressman Teves would be the executive producer and the producer,” Remulla told reporters.

When asked if this means the congressman is the main mastermind behind the killing, Remulla said: “He is. He appears to be.”

Last week, Remulla said Teves was “in the middle of everything,” even as he declared that the Degamo case was already “99 percent solved.”

Remulla said he believes that Miranda was a mastermind and not a middleman.

PENITENTS. Devotees wearing morion masks to depict Roman soldiers gather around Sta Cruz Plaza in Marinduque as part of the town’s Holy Week tradition. Joven Cagande

PH bares 4 new EDCA sites—one near SCS, another near Taiwan

By Vince Lopez and Charles Dantes

THE Palace on Monday identified four new bases—one near the hotly disputed South China Sea and another near

Taiwan--where American troops and weapons could be temporarily stationed under a treaty between the Philippines and the United States. These sites, covered by the Enhanced

Defense Cooperation Agreement (EDCA), are the Naval Base Camilo Osias in Sta Ana, Cagayan; Lal-lo Airport in Lal-lo, Cagayan; Camp Melchor Dela Cruz in Gamu, Isabela, and Bala-

bac Island in Palawan.

The US and the Philippines agreed in February to expand cooperation in “strategic areas” of the country as they

“He was the one recruiting people, he retrieved the firearms, and he was also involved in getting other people for the plan as well as coordinating the movements,” Remulla said.

Remulla also said a person claiming to be Miranda’s lawyer tried to talk to him but Miranda said he did not know him.

Former Justice undersecretary Reynante Orceo, who claimed to be Miranda’s

over maritime dispute

Malaysia’s Anwar ready to dialog with China

PRIME Minister Anwar Ibrahim said Monday that Malaysia was prepared to negotiate the South China Sea dispute with Beijing to safeguard the country’s energy exploration efforts. China claims sovereignty over almost the entire South China Sea – a strategic waterway through which trillions of dollars in trade pass annu-

ally -- despite an international court ruling that Beijing’s assertion has no legal basis.

The Philippines, Vietnam, Malaysia and Brunei all have overlapping claims in the sea, while the United States sends naval vessels through it to assert freedom of navigation in

PBBM to attend coronation of King Charles III next month in London

By Vince Lopez

PRESIDENT Ferdinand Marcos Jr. will attend the coronation of Britain’s King Charles III in May, the Palace and Philippine Ambassador to the United

Alena Mae S. Flores

Kingdom Teodoro Locsin Jr. confirmed on Monday. “President Ferdinand R. Marcos Jr. and First Lady Louise Araneta-Marcos have accepted the invitation to attend

HEIGHTENED ALERT. A K-9 dog sniffs the luggages of passengers waiting to enter the Manila North Port on Monday, April 3, 2023. The Philippine Coast Guard on Holy Monday recorded more than 100,000 passengers traveling around the country as the weeklong celebration of the Lenten season began. Norman Cruz

DOH issues guidelines for safe, peaceful Holy Week observance

THE Department of Health (DOH) on Monday called on the public to make their observance of the Holy Week safe and peaceful by following a set of guidelines.

For devotees who will do the “penitensya” or acts of penance, the department urged them to get the tetanus vaccine and ensure that any materials that will be used are thoroughly cleaned.

People should assess themselves first before trying any type of fasting, the DOH added.

Those who will do the traditional Visita Iglesia (church visits) were also reminded to bring their own water, umbrellas, and fans, and use sunblock,

if possible, to avoid sunburn amid the warm season.

Pregnant women, the elderly, and those who are sick were also advised by the Health Department to remain at home and make sure the people they interact with are vaccinated against COVID-19.

Those who will stay at home throughout the Holy Week are encouraged to eat healthy food, exercise, and use the long weekend to rest and meditate.

Meanwhile, the Bureau of Immigration (BI) placed its personnel on heightened alert at the Ninoy Aquino International

BGC complex part of Taguig—SC

By Rey E. Requejo

THE Supreme Court has upheld with finality its decision issued in 2021 which ruled that the disputed 729-hectare Bonifacio Global City complex and several other barangays in Makati actually belong to Taguig City.

In a two-page resolution, the SC’s Special Third Division denied the motion for reconsideration filed by the Makati City government seeking the reversal of its December 1, 2021 favoring the Taguig City government in the territorial dispute case.

“Acting on petitioner’s omnibus motion for reconsideration of the decision promulgated on December 1, 2021, which denied the petition for review on certiorari, the Court resolves to deny the motion with finality, the basic issues therein raised having been duly considered and

‘Teves...

the coronation of His Majesty King Charles III and Her Majesty The Queen Consort at Westminster Abbey on Saturday, 6th May, 2023,” Malacanang said in a statement.

“Furthermore, the President and the First Lady have accepted the invitation of the Master of the Household, upon command of His Majesty, to a Reception to be given at Buckingham Palace in advance of the Coronation of Their Majesties The King and The Queen Consort on Friday, 5th May, 2023 at 5:00 p.m.,” it added.

Locsin, the former Foreign Affairs secretary now envoy to the UK, said Mr. Marcos confirmed his attendance to the coronation during the wake of former Trade secretary Roberto Ongpin last February.

“He said: ‘Teddy Boy, I’m coming in, but we have to leave at once because we have to catch the (ASEAN) Summit (in Indonesia).’ He is going to be here,” Locsin was quoted as saying by the online news site ABS-CBN.com.

Locsin added that President Marcos and King Charles know each other personally as “they used to play polo together.”

Months earlier, British envoy Laure Beaufils told CNN Philippines the United Kingdom would send an invitation to Mr. Marcos for his attendance.

Beaufils said the UK had sent the President a “save the date” notice for the coronation of King Charles, who succeeded his mother, the late Queen Elizabeth II, at Westminster Abbey.

“We would love to see the president in the UK, and he will be getting an invitation,” the British ambassador to the Philippines said.

Beaufils also revealed there were key interests in the country that had been rising among British businessmen, adding the UK wants to be among the Philippines’ top investors.

Mr. Marcos missed Queen Elizabeth II’s funeral, attended by many world leaders. Representing the President was his sister, Irene Romualdez Marcos Araneta, accompanied by her husband, Gregorio María Araneta III.

Buckingham Palace earlier announced that the coronation weekend will consist of three days of ceremonial, celebratory, and community events.

lawyer, said he was prevented from meeting his client when he went to the National Bureau of Investigation (NBI), where Miranda is being held.

The NBI has yet to comment on Orceo’s claims. Degamo and eight others were killed while several others were injured when gunmen opened fire on the governor’s home in Negros Oriental on March 4 while he was distributing aid to his constituents.

Teves is being linked to the crime after suspects in the killing pointed to a certain “Cong. Teves” as the one who ordered the hit.

The congressman, who refuses to return to the country due to fears for his safety, earlier denied involvement in the killing of Degamo. He also appealed for investigators to consider all angles in the killing and not just focus on him.

Over the weekend, Teves’ lawyer, Ferdinand Topacio said his client made

passed upon by the Court in the aforesaid decision,” the resolution read.

In its 2021 decision, the SC also made permanent the writ of preliminary injunction issued on August 2, 1994 by the Regional Trial Court of Pasig City enjoining the Makati City government “from exercising jurisdiction over, making improvements on, or otherwise treating as part of its territory” Parcels 3 and 4, Psu 2031, comprising Fort Bonifacio, including the so-called Inner Fort comprising of Barangays Pembo, Comembo, Cembo, South Cembo, West Rembo, East Rembo and Pitogo.

certain requests to ensure his safe return to the country. He also said it was “too early” for Remulla to claim that the case was already 99 percent solved.

Remulla earlier identified Miranda as a military reservist with “a very strong connection” with Teves.

Remulla said the Public Attorney’s Office (PAO) would act as Miranda’s lawyer in the meantime.

Miranda, who was arrested by the NBI on March 31, has been the subject of hot pursuit operations since March 4, Remulla said.

He said that Miranda is still under interrogation and no decision has been made if he will be placed under the government’s Witness Protection Program (WPP).

Four suspects were arrested immediately after the Degamo killing and they have been charged before the regional trial court (RTC) in Negros Oriental.

Six other suspects who surrendered have been presented for inquest before the DOJ, which has yet to issue its resolution. The Supreme Court (SC) had earlier ordered the Degamo case transferred to the Manila regional trial court.

be used as storage and warehouse facilities for military logistics.

The Philippine Army headquarters, Navy installation, Marines’ headquarters, Consular area, Jusmag area, Heritage Park, Libingan ng mga Bayani, AFP Officers Village and the so-called six villages are situated in the said areas.

“Considering the historical evidence adduced, cadastral surveys submitted, and the contemporaneous acts of lawful authorities, we find that Taguig presented evidence that is more convincing and worthier of belief than proffered by Makati. Consequently, we rule that Taguig has a superior claim to the disputed areas,” the SC said.

Interior and Local Government Secretary Benjamin Abalos Jr., head of the special task force on the Degamo killing, said on Monday that the arrest of Miranda proved crucial in determining the name of the mastermind.

Reports said Miranda worked as part of the security team and as a bodyguard of Teves. Miranda also was previously arrested for the illegal possession of firearms.

Abalos said that Miranda, upon instruction of a certain “boss idol,” “big boss,” and “kalbo,” recruited the gunmen and provided them material support during the assassination.

Remulla later named Teves as “boss idol,” “big boss,” and “kalbo.”

Remulla also said that Teves was the one who relayed instructions to Miranda.

As of April 3, 11 suspects were under the custody of the NBI while one died during an encounter with police in Negros Oriental.

“We are now at the tail-end of our quest for justice and hunt for the masterminds behind the death of Governor Degamo and eight others, and the wounding of many more victims,” Abalos said.

P1.40 per liter and diesel by P0.50 per liter effective 6 AM of April 4, 2023,” the company said in its advisory.

Seaoil Philippines, Jetti Philippines, PetroGazz, Caltex Philippines, and PTT Philippines also issued separate advisories of their increases.

Rodela Romero, Department of Energy director for the Oil Industry Management Bureau, forecasted this week’s hikes “due to an ease of tension brought about by the banking crisis and supply disruption in Turkey.”

“Inventory of US fell down more than expected especially for gasoline and distillates and last a sign of strong demand in Asia due to China’s recovery,” Romero added.

On March 28, the oil companies applied a price rollback of P0.85 per liter for gasoline, P1.30 per liter for diesel, and P1.90 per liter for kerosene.

These resulted in a year-to-date net decrease for diesel at P4.15 per liter and kerosene at P5.55 per liter. Gasoline, on the other hand, has a net increase of P4.65 per liter this year.

On April 1, oil firms also cut the price of cooking gas or liquefied petroleum gas due to the lower LPG contract price in the world market.

Petron Corp. announced a P9.20 per kilo price cut for LPG, which translates to a rollback of P101.20 per 11-kilo LPG tank used primarily by households.

“AutoLPG prices will likewise rollback by P5.14 per liter at the same time. These reflect the international contract price of LPG for the month of April,” Petron said.

Solane LPG also announced a price cut of P9.18 per kilo VAT inclusive effective April 1. Prior to the rollback, household LPG in Metro Manila was estimated to range from P934 to P1,118 per 11kilo cylinder.

seek to counter China’s growing assertiveness over self-governed Taiwan and its aggression in the South China Sea.

Last month, President Ferdinand Marcos Jr. said that Filipino and American officials had already identified and agreed on the four new military sites and would make a formal announcement soon.

The four extra EDCA sites will be scattered around the Philippines, but the main goal is to defend the country’s eastern coast, the President said.

To overcome opposition from some local government units (LGUs) not keen on hosting US forces and equipment, the President said he talked to local officials from these areas and explained the importance of the EDCA sites in their jurisdictions.

Department of National Defense (DND) spokesperson Arsenio Andolong earlier said the EDCA sites would not be American military bases.

The sites mentioned, he said, would

In February, President Marcos granted US troops access to four more Philippine military camps on top of the five existing locations under the EDCA.

Filipino and American troops are also scheduled to hold their largest-ever military exercise this April.

US troops are already conducting live-firing drills using their High Mobility Artillery Rocket System (HIMARS) and AT-4 anti-tank weapons together with the Philippine Army troops in Fort Magsaysay in Cabanatuan, Nueva Ecija.

The Pentagon announced that the United States and the Philippines have agreed to review the full range of their maritime cooperation in the 2 + 2 meeting in Washington this month.

Defense Senior Undersecretary Carlito Galvez Jr. said he was instructed by the President to immediately start the construction of the new sites, but they are still waiting for proper budget allocations from both sides, and for the United States to make the necessary recommendations.

Galvez said that selected areas are sig-

nificant and very strategic, especially the areas near the hotly contested West Philippine Sea and the country’s trade route.

The new EDCA locations will also be used for faster deployment during disasters due to their placement on the outside portion of the country.

Galvez said the selected sites were collectively decided and agreed upon by both parties and not requested by the United States.

Asked about reports that Subic was eyed as the fifth EDCA site, Galvez said “political sensitivities” in the area forced them to remove it.

A formal announcement on EDCA sites will come from the Defense Department, Galvez said.

Three of the sites are in the northern Philippines, including a naval base and airport in Cagayan province and an army camp in the neighboring province of Isabela, the Palace statement said.

The naval base at Cagayan province’s Santa Ana is about 400 kilometers from Taiwan.

Another site will be on Balabac Island, off the southern tip of Palawan Island, near the South China Sea.

Cagayan Gov. Manuel Mamba has publicly opposed having EDCA sites in his province for fear of jeopardizing Chinese investment and becoming a target in a conflict over Taiwan. But Galvez told reporters recently the government had “already decided” on the sites and that Mamba had agreed to “abide with the decision.”

EDCA allows US troops to rotate through the bases and also store defense equipment and supplies at them.

The pact stalled under former president Rodrigo Duterte, who favored China over the country’s former colonial master. But Marcos, who succeeded Duterte last June, has adopted a more USfriendly foreign policy and has sought to accelerate the implementation of the EDCA.

Beijing has been critical of the agreement, which its embassy in the Philippines said recently was part of “US efforts to encircle and contain China through its military alliance with this country.”

The Chinese embassy did not immediately respond to a request for comment. With AFP

international waters.

Anwar -- who was on a visit to Beijing recently -- said the “sensitive” issue was raised at a meeting with Chinese President Xi Jinping as Malaysia’s state energy firm Petronas has its largest oil platform in the disputed area, as well as several exploration projects.

“I said, as a small country we need the resources, (like) oil and gas, we have to continue (exploration projects),” Anwar said during a monthly speech to staff at the Prime Minister’s Office.

“But if the condition is that there must be negotiations, then we are ready to negotiate.”

The premier did not provide further details on the conversation with Xi.

While asserting their claims in the South China Sea, Chinese authorities in recent years have ramped up their development of artificial islands, including outfitting some with military facilities and runways.

Regional nations have also accused Chinese vessels of harassing their fishing boats.

In 2021, Malaysia summoned Beijing’s envoy to the Southeast Asian country in protest after Chinese vessels entered its maritime economic zone in the disputed sea.

Earlier that year, it scrambled fighter jets to intercept 16 Chinese military aircraft that appeared off Borneo over the South China Sea. AFP

Airport (NAIA) and in other international ports nationwide in anticipation of a large influx of passengers from abroad during the Lenten break.

“We are bracing for a surge in the volume of passengers who are expected to travel in and out of the country during the Holy Week, thus we have to alert our border control officers for any eventuality that may arise during this period,”

Immigration Commissioner Norman Tansingco said in a statement.

Tansingco said the BI has also fielded more than 100 additional immigration officers to the NAIA to augment the manpower at immigration booths in the arrival and departure areas of the premier port.

“This will ensure that our services to the traveling public are not interrupted or compromised even if there is a sharp increase in passenger volume. That is why we have banned our port personnel from going on leave during the Lenten break,” he added.

The BI chief instructed the bureau’s terminal heads to implement stricter measures in screening passengers and deter any attempts by human trafficking syndicates to take advantage of the occasion and spirit their victims out of the country.

Immigration port personnel were also ordered to be vigilant in screening arriving foreigners to make sure no unwanted or illegal aliens could slip into the country.

The Philippine Coast Guard on Holy Monday recorded more than 100,000 passengers traveling around the country as the week-long celebration of the Lenten season began.

As of noon Monday, PCG listed 52,334 outbound passengers and 47,680 inbound passengers in all seaports in the country.

The Coast Guard placed its districts, stations, and substations on a heightened alert from April 2 to 10 to manage the influx of travelers during the Holy Week.

The heightened alert will also cover the length of summer vacation in anticipation of local tourists traveling by sea for recreational purposes until May 31.

About 2,644 frontline personnel of the Coast Guard were deployed in 15 PCG districts and inspected 648 vessels and 449 motorbancas.

With the expected influx of travelers this Holy Week, a legislator from Northern Luzon said students who are forced to pay the full transport fare when buying their tickets online should be refunded at terminals.

“The students deserve a refund. They are forced to pay the full transport fare when purchasing their tickets online. Otherwise, this would be an uneven application of the law which excludes those who by choice or circumstance purchase their tickets online,” Isabela Rep. Inno Dy said.

Under Republic Act 11314 or the Student Fare Discount Act, which was signed into law in 2019, students are entitled to a 20-percent discount on domestic regular fares for all public

transportation.

Dy lamented, however, that some transport companies have not been extending the discount to students who avail of online tickets.

“In fact, some companies even explicitly state that tickets that have been bought online are not eligible for a discount,” the solon said.

The lawmaker said that nowhere is it stated in RA 11314, that tickets purchased online are exempt from the mandated 20 percent discount.

Dy earlier filed House Bill 1142, which seeks to amend Section 5 of RA No. 11314, to explicitly state that tickets purchased online shall also be entitled to the discount.

In another development, the Taguig City government on Monday announced the opening of The Life of Christ Park at the TLC Village Lakeshore in Barangay Lower Bicutan, where residents can take their time to reflect and meditate this Holy Week.

Mayor Laarni Cayetano said the sixhectare area located at the TLC Village Lakeshore along the Laguna Lake Highway will be embellished with Stations of the Cross, photo exhibits, art installations, and prayer boxes.

“The City of Taguig officially launches The Life of Christ (Park) as we all reflect and embrace our faith and remember the passion, death, and resurrection of Jesus,” said Cayetano.

The city chief executive said the Life of Christ will be opened to the public on Holy Tuesday until Easter Sunday from 8 a.m. to 10 p.m.

Tansingco revealed that BI’s elec-

tronic gates are fully operational at the airport, which allows digital processing of arrivals for as fast as eight seconds per passenger.

The BI foresees a far bigger number of travelers who will enter and exit the country during this year’s Lenten break amid the country’s reopening of its borders after the lifting of COVID-19 travel restrictions.

Statistics show that passenger arrivals at airports now average between 30,000 to 32,000 daily, compared to only 5,000 to 6,000 a year ago. They said that they project that the number will rise to around 40,000 from Maundy Thursday onwards.

The BI also fielded 36 new immigration officers that concluded their training recently at the Philippine Immigration Academy in Clark, Pampanga.

PCG Commandant Admiral Artemio Abu also joined Department of Transportation Assistant Secretary for Maritime Julius Yano to inspect Manila North Harbor Port in Tondo, Manila earlier.

DOTr ordered port managers to always ensure the security and safety of all port passengers and to keep maritime operations safe and secure.

PCG encouraged passengers to contact them through their official Facebook page, or the Coast Guard Public Affairs (0927-560-7729) for inquiries, concerns, and clarifications regarding sea travel protocols and regulations during the Lenten season. Willie Casas, Vito Barcelo, Charles Dantes, Joel E. Zurbano, and Maricel V. Cruz

Solon seeks passage of DWRM measure

AGRI party-list Rep. Wilbert Lee on Monday renewed his call for the urgent passage of a measure creating a Department of Water Resources Management (DWRM), as the country braces for the impact of the El Niño phenomenon.

Lee was referring to House Bill 2880 which was among some measures seeking to create a particular department which will consolidate all agencies concerning water resources.

The bill provides that among the tasks of the proposed DWRM was the implementation of necessary policy and resource reforms with respect to the management of all water resources including irrigation, sewage, and sanitation; the monitoring and evaluate compliance with the national goals relating to water, irrigation, sewage, and sanitation; formulation of a national updated road map to address the water, sewage, and sanitation requirements of the State; and improvement of conservation of water and increase system efficiencies.

This measure was in line with President Ferdinand Marcos Jr.’s pronouncement on his administration’s “overall plan” to improve the country’s water resources management, Lee said. Maricel V. Cruz

FIVE of 10 detainees who escaped from a police substation in Malibay, Pasay City on Monday have been recaptured hours after they bolted their cells.

Meanwhile, Metro Manila police director Maj. Gen. Edgar Alan Okubo ordered the relief of Maj. Jerry Sunga as Malibay Police Substation 6 commander following the incident.

In a press conference, Pasay Mayor Imelda Calixto-Rubiano urged the families of the detainees still at-large to encourage them to surrender.

The police identified those stillmissing as Richard Dela Cruz, Carlo Magno Benavidez, Norman Deyta, and Joseph Osorio, all for illegal drugs; and John Michael Cabe (carnapping).

The five who were back in jail were identified as Eden Garcia, Joey Hernandez, Christian Salvatierra, Joshua Panganiban, and Tirzo Galit.

Sana po sumuko na po kayo. Huwag na po ninyong gawin ‘yan kasi baka mamaya mapaano pa po kayo sa labas. Eh mas maganda po bumalik na kayo at binibigyan naman kayo ng pagkakataon (Please surrender. Don’t do that because later something might happen to you. It is better that you return and you will be given a chance),” Mayor Rubiano assured. Joel E. Zurbano

Senators make alterations in MIF bill

SENATORS have made major alterations in Senate Bill No. (SBN) 2020 or the Maharlika Investment Fund (MIF) Act of 2023 to address issues and concerns raised over the measure.

“We have made important changes brought about by the committee hearings, public consultations, and technical working groups,” Senator Mark Villar, chairperson of the Committee on Banks, Financial Institutions and Currencies, said in a statement.

Among the changes introduced in the bill was meant to allow the proposed Maharlika Investment Corp. to issue bonds, as well as provisions detailing the authorized and subscribed capital stocks to be generated.

The amendments also involved limitations in real estate investments specifically major capital projects as endorsed by the National Economic and Development Authority (NEDA) Board to ensure that these are in line with the socioeconomic development programs of the government.

Other changes included new provisions with the forms of joint ventures and co-

investments on the issuance of bonds, and the reduction of the composition of the board of directors from 15 to just nine. The provisions on tax exemptions and exemption from the salary standardization law were also deleted.

Up for interpellation when the Senate resumes in May, Villar gave assurance that the MIF bill could stand further scrutiny.

“We are ready to shed light on the matter and make necessary amendments to further enhance the proposed legislative measure. At the end of the day, we all want a bill that is responsive to the needs of the Filipino people,” Villar said.

Senator Francis Escudero also confirmed over the weekend that he already signed the committee report with major amendments, noting that this new version of MIF Bill has better chances of approval by the Senate.

“As I stated from the beginning when we started to review the original bill filed by Senator Villar, we will provide a better version. I said then that the Senate counterpart will not be in the same shape, size, color or form because, as it was passed in the House (of Representatives), it clearly will not pass the Senate,” Escudero said on Saturday.

Villafuerte eyes P1,000 monthly seniors’ pension

By Maricel V. Cruz

CAMARINES Sur Rep. Luis Raymund Villafuerte on Monday appealed to the Department of Budget and Management (DBM) to source out enough funds in the national budget to be able to enforce this year the law mandating the law doubling to P1,000 the monthly pension of the country’s over four million indigent senior citizens.

“In the face of the still elevated inflation, the doubling of the P500 monthly pension of our indigent elderly Filipinos to P1,000, as provided for in a new law, will spell added financial relief for these seniors who have to contend with the endlessly spiralling cost of living,” Villafuerte said.

The Bicolano lawmaker was one of the lead proponents of Republic Act (RA) 11916 that doubled their monthly pension of the elderlies from P500 to P1,000.

“RA 11916, which lapsed into law last July, need not end up being a great but unfunded program for the benefit of our indigent seniors who are in dire need of state subsidies to help them cope with incessantly soaring commodity prices and recover from the economic scarring caused by the nearly three-year pandemic,” Villafuerte said.

ANOTHER FACE OF PASSION. More

stage their annual

urban

and

from the Dumagat-Remontado

or calvary of the poor in Quezon City, emulating Jesus Christ’s carrying of the cross to dramatize their call on the government to give attention to their needs for decent homes. Manny

He made this appeal as Franklin Quijano, chairman and chief executive officer of the National Commission of Senior Citizens (NCSC), dismissed a report that the NCSC is handing out the higher monthly stipend of P1,000 to all of the 12.2 million senior citizens in the country.

than 3,000

poor

25 indigenous peoples

tribe

“Kalbaryo ng mga Maralita”

Palmero

OPINION

Different passions of Holy Week

THE term “Triduum” originates from the Latin word for “three days”.

This period, spanning from the evening of Holy Thursday to the evening of Easter Sunday, is considered the most sacred time of the year in the Catholic Church.

Although it lasts for three days, it is considered a single day in liturgical terms, representing the unity of Christ’s pascal mystery.

During the Triduum, Christians remember and honor Christ’s life, death, and resurrection, which are the three pillars of the Catholic faith: the sacrament of Holy Communion, the priesthood, and the Mass.

This period is an opportunity for Christians to reflect on the central events of their faith and to acknowledge the sacrifice of Jesus Christ.

The Triduum is marked by solemnity, but it also represents hope, as Christians anticipate the joy of Christ’s resurrection on Easter Sunday.

On Holy Thursday, the Chrism Mass is celebrated, during which the local bishop consecrates the holy oils that will be used throughout the year for sacraments such as baptism, confirmation, holy orders, and the anointing of the sick.

I am ready to go with Jesus to

The Mass of the Lord’s Supper, traditionally held after sundown, commemorates the institution of the sacrament of the Eucharist and recalls the last supper of Jesus Christ.

It was during this last supper that Christ, after being betrayed, offered his body and blood to God the Father in the form of bread and wine. He gave these to the apostles and instructed them and their successors in the priesthood to continue this offering at the Mass of the Lord’s Supper.

There is perhaps no other part of the human body as humble as our feet.

They’re literally at the bottom of everything we identify as our physical self.

Our feet are our connection with the soil of the earth and carry us through our life’s journey.

To touch the feet of another is an intimate gesture in many cultures. In our culture we entrust such touch to those who love us most.

In Jesus day, walking was the usual means of transportation.

Foot washing was frequently needed.

It served as both a gesture of hospitality in domestic settings and as a means of ritual purification.

Before entering both domestic and sacred spaces those who perform the actual foot washing were at the bottom of the social hierarchy.

How significant is it that Jesus voluntarily takes up this lowest of tasks at the Last Supper with his disciples.

This act and its meaning could not have been clearer or more shocking to them so much so that Peter refused at first to allow the Lord to debase himself.

In this way all the themes of our

Let’s brace for El Niño

Lenten season are powerfully captured in our imitation of Jesus’ foot washing.

During our worship on Holy Thursday this act expresses all that preceded this moment for Jesus and all that follows his utter self-emptying on the cross of Good Friday and the vindication of that offering in his Easter resurrection.

The image of Jesus washing his disciples’ feet is a powerful symbol of selfless love and service.

Jesus is demonstrating a radical form of service and leadership.

In his culture, it was the job of the lowest servant to wash the feet of guests who entered a home.

But Jesus, who was their teacher and leader, took on this menial task as an act of love and service.

The humble gesture of Christ also speaks of our own mission as Christians.

We are called to follow in Jesus’ footsteps and to serve others with the same self-emptying love that he demonstrated.

In doing so, we help to make those we serve more whole and we also rediscover our own brokenness and God’s healing touch.

Service and humility are two key values emphasized in the teachings of Jesus Christ, and they are integral to the Christian faith.

Christians believe that service and humility are important for several reasons:

Jesus showed us the real meaning of service and humility.

He demonstrated his love for others by serving them and washing their feet, and made the ultimate sacrifice by willingly dying on the cross for the sins of humanity.

True Christians strive to follow his example by serving others and putting their needs above their own.

The Jesuit magazine America published an article last week on how Jesus and his disciple Peter went through different passions.

James and John and the other apostles, Joseph of Arimathea, Nicodemus, Simon of Cyrene, Jesus’ mother Mary, the women of Jerusalem, and even Judas, Pontius Pilate, Herod, and Caiaphas surely had their own passion too even as they made the wrong choices.

The America article concludes: “As the church enters into Holy Week, the faithful endure and relive the passion narrative of Christ.

In our own Lenten journey, as we have fasted and prayed, we may have encountered moments of generosity when we were ready to go with Jesus to the very end and die with him.”

The question to my readers: did you say yes to carry your cross, to be raised up in crucifixion? Are you ready for the resurrection?

As for me, my near death encounter last year and my carrying the cross of my illness have prepared me for these moments of generosity.

I am ready to go with Jesus to the very end and die—and be resurrectedwith him.

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WITH the likelihood of a transition to El Niño in the third quarter this year – July-AugustSeptember – the government has started bracing for this weather phenomenon, last experienced in 19971998.

The Philippine Atmospheric, Geophysical and Astronomical Services Administration (PAGASA) has warned the country, a basically agricultural economy, may experience below normal rainfall in the coming months.

And the days are warning the population – with 33 degrees C or 91.4 degrees F on the average during the past few days including today.

Meanwhile, President Ferdinand Marcos Jr. said the Department of Agriculture has to hurdle structural challenges and adopt new technology in its operations to enhance farm production in the Philippines with the challenge of El Niño.

Mr. Marcos, also the agriculture secretary, admitted the department has been busy carrying out emergency measures designed to lower commodity prices, citing the need to consolidate the assets of farmers.

“What we are doing is we have coordination with the CDA (Cooperative Development Authority) to strengthen cooperatives so we can bring the policies to farmers faster,” the Chief Executive said.

By Adam Plowright

El Niño can deplete water supplies and cause significant losses in agricultural production

The strongest and most devastating in the past almost half a century was the 1982-1983 El Niño, perhaps the worst in recorded history.

During that period, trade winds not only collapsed – they reversed and its effects were long lasting as well.

Twelve years later, a wave of warm water from the 1982 El Niño lived on in 1994, and measured only eight inches high and traveled about 8 kilometers an hour.

That caused weather-related disasters on almost every continent: Australia, Africa and Indonesia suffered droughts, dust storms, and brush fires. Peru was hit with the heaviest rainfall in recorded history --11 feet in areas where 6 inches was the norm.

Some rivers carried 1,000 times their normal flow. During the past two decades, the Philippines has experienced unusual droughts and floods due to the climatological phenomena called El Nino which occurs approximately once every five years, while La Nina is less frequent.

The El Niño in the 80s was blamed for between 1,300 and 2,000 deaths and more than $13 billion in damage to property and livelihoods.

During this period, the thermocline off the South American coast dropped to about 500 feet.

On September 24, in just 24 hours, sea-surface temperatures along the coastal village of Paita, Peru shot up 7.2 degrees F. El Niño can deplete water supplies and cause significant losses in agricultural production.

In 2019, Metro Manila and neighboring provinces experienced water shortage as the El Niño contributed to a massive decline in rainfall. The damage brought by the phenomenon to agriculture reached around $8 billion.

“We have a window for anticipation. One good anticipatory action is capturing what is available during the rainy season,” Thelma Cinco, weather services chief of PAGASA’s climatology and agrometeorology division, said in a briefing.

Le Pen lies in wait as Macron’s pension reforms roil France

AS VIOLENT protests sweep crisis-hit France, the prospect of far-right leader Marine Le Pen coming to power is being taken more seriously than ever -- to her evident delight.

“At least I’ve succeeded in winning over my political opponents,” she told AFP with a smile during an interview last week. “They seem to spend their lives telling everyone that I will be the next president.

“Now it’s up to me to convince a majority of the country.”

President Emmanuel Macron’s proposal to raise the minimum retirement age to 64 has triggered the biggest demonstrations in a generation and a fierce backlash against the government and politicians in general.

Le Pen has condemned the change but has kept a low profile since January, seeking to project an image of sobriety compared with the government’s raucous and outraged opponents on the hard-left.

While MPs from the France Unbowed (LFI) party have repeatedly broken parliamentary rules and backed protesters during the violent clashes, Le Pen’s National Rally lawmakers have appeared disciplined in comparison. The leader of Macron’s party in parliament, Aurore Berge, complained last month that all Le Pen’s MPs needed to do was “stay quiet and they look respectable.”

Interior Minister Gerald Darmanin on Thursday accused LFI leader Jean-Luc Melenchon “of making the election of Madame Le Pen possible”.

While researching a new politics book entitled “We will have tried everything...”, author and pollster Chloe Morin noted that “almost all” French politicians she spoke to said they feared Le Pen coming to power.

Macron’s nightmare?

The prospect of the far-right leader succeeding Macron at the next election in 2027 is said by allies to keep the 45-year-old president awake at night. He will be ineligible to run in 2027 after completing two terms.

“It’s the issue that haunts Emmanuel,” a senior lawmaker who knows the president well told AFP recently on condition of anonymity. “He doesn’t talk about it, but he thinks about it.”

Macron positioned himself as a bulwark against populism and far-right nationalism when he first ran for office in 2017, promising voters he would address the anti-elite anger that has fed support for the political extremes in France for decades.

Opinion polls underscore the pro-Le Pen dynamics underway in French politics—but need to be interpreted with care

Seeking a second term in April last year, the former investment banker used the same arguments again, but he defeated Le Pen by a much smaller margin of 58.5 percent to 41.45 percent, while abstentionism hit its highest level since 1969.

Le Pen welcomes the idea of disturbing Macron’s dreams.

“I’m sorry if I feature like this in his nightmares,” she told AFP with a laugh. “He’s right to be worried. The way he is ruling will enable political forces with the exact opposite approach to his to gain power.”

France ‘governed against its wishes’

The twice-divorced former lawyer has run for president three times since taking over her father’s National Front party in 2011.

Although always positioned as anti-immigration, tough on Islam and eurosceptic, she has moderated her message over the years and looked to banish overtly racist party figures from the public eye.

In last year’s elections, she focused on the

rising cost of living—and was rewarded with her highest ever score in the presidential election and a 10-fold increase in MPs in the National Assembly.

Macron’s decision to ram the pensions reform through parliament without a vote on March 16—a lawful but contested move -has also given Le Pen the chance to revive other parts of her long-standing pitch to voters.

She has proposed a referendum to settle the pension reform argument and, if elected, promises to organize other votes on issues ranging from immigration to electoral law.

“France is not an ungovernable country. It’s a country that has been governed against its wishes,” Le Pen said in the interview. Big winner?

Opinion polls underscore the pro-Le Pen dynamics underway in French politics -- but need to be interpreted with care, experts say.

She is currently slightly more popular than Macron, but the margin is small.

Thirty percent of respondents had a positive view of the president, according to a poll this week from Odoxa, while 32 percent viewed Le Pen favorably.

She also lags behind Macron’s first prime minister, Edouard Philippe, a conservative from northern France who is the country’s most popular politician and is likely to run for president in 2027.

Other polls show that if Macron were to dissolve the hung parliament, Le Pen’s party would be the biggest winner.

Some experts warn against jumping to conclusions about her prospects, however, given that she still unsettles many people and is perceived as weak on the economy as well as inconsistent on foreign policy.

“Everyone has lost (over the pensions reform), except for Marine Le Pen,” concluded Stephane Zumsteeg, head of polling in France for the Ipsos group.

“She’s continuing her work to improve her respectability, to institutionalize her party, to make it a constructive opposition. She’s working on her policies,” he told AFP.

“But we don’t have a tangible sign at this point that she is the big winner from what’s happening.” AFP

THREE elderly, all retired and enjoying their retirement years—one a magazine editor for 27 years and two off their elementary classrooms already—are one in saying they are proud of reaching their age.

One of them, 67-year-old Dr. Zita Fagaragan from the coastal town of Calape, Bohol, feels splendid having reached her age, adding “whether we like it or not, we all grow old, and all of us will grow old, that’s where we are going.”

That pride is shared by fellow retired master teacher 2 Eden Cachola, 76, from Narvacan, Ilocos Sur, who said “getting old is natural...I am proud to say my true age, because I always feel young,” the mother of three and grandmother of two says. Retired magazine editor Dionisio Bulong, a 1968 journalism graduate from Lyceum of the Philippines and editor in chief of the Ilokano language weekly Bannawag (now fortnightly) for 27 years himself has no qualms about his age. “So proud to tell I have reached the age of 83. Never ashamed of telling my true age,” the prize-winning novelist adds.

Bulong, who had spinal column surgery in recent years, admits there have been changes

in his lifestyle as a retiree, given that he is now free to go anywhere, take care of his gamecock red-plumed Texas, and just take a lounge anytime. There has been no change in his diet, although he takes eight tablets and capsules per day as maintenance for high blood as well as vitamins, and gobbles up between two and three liters of water daily.

When he has the opportunity, after intermittent meditation, he continues writing novels in Ilokano, short stories and features for possible eventual publication.

Bulong started feeling weaker when he turned 80 in the Gregorian calendar, not helped any by the coronavirus health emergency which swept across the country in mid March of 2022.

Walking every now and then, daily, is part of his retirement years regimen.

Fagaragan herself wakes up at 4:00 a.m.— does exercise for 30 minutes, her skin touched by the beams of sunrise at the rooftop of her three-story residence in the toxic and fumesfilled metropolis—has slowed down in her daily activity.

“I was active in the classroom,” the doctor of education degree holder tells us, after retiring as master teacher 2. Today her concern is on her family, her siblings and third civil degree relations, including her plants.

She admits while she had her diet in abandon before reaching 60, doctor’s advice had made her go on a falloff: no maintenance medicines, only vitamins essential for nerve health which can help with the healing of nerve damage and relieve nerve damage symptoms like numbness and tingling—they are called ‘neurotropic’ vitamins. Fagaragan is active in the Legion of Mary, apart from teaching children in Bible studies and a daily rosary brigade, among others she has found herself in within their parish.

She consumes eight glasses of water daily and admits she no longer has the physical strength of years back, although she rationalizes she does not feel old. Stress is something she admits cannot be

avoided, particularly when anyone in her family gets sick – but admits to just laugh off stress, adding she is careful now a out her diet – not much rice, meat, just fish, vegetables and fruits and no sodas as well as cold water.

If she has any fear at all, it is getting too old, admitting “the one who may be taking charge of me may just lose patience.”

In Cachola’s case, since 1977, she admits to having blocked arteries and has since been taking a lot of maintenance medicines after she refused to undergo bypass heart surgery.

“I refused to undergo bypass heart surgery and chose to take a more expensive maintenance medicines instead, that almost my monthly pension is for medicines and laboratories,” Cachola says

She adds “I have been taking a lot of maintenance medicines; thank God I am still alive.”

Since slamming shut the classroom door behind her for good, what has been her daily regimen?

Cachola admits, “reading the Ilokano magazine Bannawag or any book, collecting writeups with her husband for possible publication, chatting with neighbors, writing, gardening, cooking, housekeeping, FB chatting/texting and sewing, if not in the real estate business, and walking to and from the market, helped by up to eight glasses of water, and enough of soup, dinengdeng/inabraw,

kaldo (broth) and sinigang (stewed dish)

Dinengdeng is classified as a fish anchovy soup-based dish. Unlike pinakbet, dinengdeng contains fewer vegetables and contains squash and more anchovy the Ilokanos call boggoong soup base.

Pinakbet is made from mixed vegetables sautéed in fish or shrimp sauce.

Cachola acknowledges that at 76 she is weaker than when she was six years ago, aggravated by the sweeping COVID-19 emergency.

Being the oldest among her siblings, she declares growing up in a less privileged environment, but finds space to thank the Lord: “Gracefully aging, filled with satisfaction in life and thanking the Lord that our prayers were heard.”

Like Fagaragan, Cachola says “getting old is natural. Just feel and do what you want as long as you have strength.”

Cachola is like Bulong who likes eating vegetables, fish and fruits and just a piece of meat, coffee with milk.

Bulong himself misses the times he says he was quick at thinking and now has slowed down to to a cruising flow of journalistic writing.

He has a word of counsel: “Save for your retirement age and avoid asking support from your children.”

the very end and die— and be resurrected—with him

Revilla wants to bring back death penalty

By Macon Ramos-Araneta

SENATOR Ramon “Bong” Revilla Jr. yesterday renewed his call for the restoration of capital punishment following the death of a Dela Salle student who was stabbed 14 times in Dasmariñas, Cavite.

Revilla, who condemned the killing, reiterated his position on the restoration of capital punishment for heinous crimes, saying that “in these cases, the

Duterte files bill seeking P10b fund for cancer care

By Maricel V. Cruz

A BILL has been filed at the House of Representatives proposing the establishment of a P10-billion fund to finance the treatment and care of indigent cancer patients.

Davao City Rep. Paolo Duterte filed House Bill (HB) 7687 which aims to strengthen the existing cancer assistance fund mandated under the National Integrated Cancer Control Act (Republic Act 11215).

Duterte, who filed the bill along with Benguet Rep. Eric Yap and ACT-CIS Partylist Rep. Edvic Yap pointed out that despite the enactment of RA 11215 and the creation of this assistance fund, cancer patients from low-income households continue to bear the financial burden of their medical care and treatment.

Under the bill, their proposed P10 billion Cancer Medicine and Treatment Fund will be administered by the Philippine Health Insurance Corporation (Philhealth) through its accredited government hospitals.

Mayors back housing plan in Quezon

By Rio N. Araja

QUEZON Gov. Angelina Tan and 31 mayors have signed up for the Pambansang Pabahay para sa Pilipino Housing (4PH) program, “the biggest memorandum of understanding on the flagship program,” Department of Human Settlements and Urban Development (DHSUD) Secretary Jose Rizalino Acuzar on Monday said.

The partnership is a historic signing, the biggest in terms of the total number of local government units signing up in a single day.

Acuzar cited the efforts of the officials, led by Tan, who yesterday went out of her way to go to the DHSUD’s main office in Quezon City. He also expressed his confidence that the province’s LGUs in the province would be able to build decent and affordable housing units for their constituents, highlighting the housing interest support from the national government.

“In this signing, we are answering the call of our beloved President (Ferdinand Marcos Jr.) for a whole of-government approach to address the country’s backlog now pegged at more than 6.5 million housing units,” he said.

To date, there 122 LGUS that have partnered with DHSUD.

“This is the beginning of our cooperation to help our countrymen in Quezon province,” Acuzar said. He assured Tan and the mayors of the accessibility of funds from various government financial institutions. Tan vowed to mobilize the province’s resources to fast-track the implementation of the housing program.

“The role of our LGUs in the implementation of Pambansang Pabahay is very vital—from the project conceptualization, identification of beneficiaries up to the sustainability of our housing projects. We really need your support,” the housing czar said.

“The program shall be limited to indigent and underprivileged cancer patient beneficiaries to be identified by PhilHealth in close coordination with the Department of Social Welfare and Development (DSWD), the Department of Health (DOH), and the Department of the Interior and Local Government (DILG),” the bill states.

Following the creation of the Fund and the initial appropriation of P10 billion, the national government shall subsequently include the necessary amount necessary to continue and carry out the fund’s objectives in the annual budget of the Department of Health (DOH), according to the bill.

A study done by the University of the Philippines Manila’s Institute of Human Genetics found that 189 of every 100,000 Filipinos have cancer. In comparison, four Filipinos die of cancer every hour, or 96 cancer patients every day.

Cancer, which affects all age groups, is now the second leading cause of mortality in the country after diseases of the heart and the vascular system, according to the UP study.

suspect should be killed.”

He also commended authorities on the immediate arrest of the suspect, who was identified as Angelito Erlano, 39, in Dasmariñas, Cavite.

Erlano is the principal suspect in the robbery and murder of Queen Leanne Daguinsin, a graduating computer science student of De La Salle University - Dasmariñas.

Daguinsin was found dead in her dor-

mitory in Barangay Santa Fe, Dasmariñas last March 28. She bore multiple stab wounds in her body and arms.

Revilla, who gave P300,000 as reward money, cited the Philippine National Police (PNP) and the Dasmarinas city government of Dasmariñas for the speedy investigation and apprehension of the perpetrator.

“We recognized our Provincial Director Col. Christopher Olazo and Mayor Jenny Barzaga who didn’t stop until the

suspect was apprehended,” Revilla said. He also challenged the police that this kind of crime will no longer happen. Aside from Revilla’s P300,000, Cavite fourth district Rep. Elpidio Barzaga Jr. and Dasmariñas Mayor Jennifer Barzaga contributed 100,000 each while the city government offered P300,000. Cavite Gov. Jonvic Remulla also offered a reward of P300,000, bringing the reward total to P1.1 million.

OBLATION RUN. Members of the Alpha Phi Omega (APO) fraternity hold the annual advocacy-driven Oblation run (o cially called the Ritual Dance of the Brave), which serves as a protest for the end of hazing culture, against mandatory ROTC, and other social issues at the University of the Philippines (UP)

Estrada says legislation needed for military, police pension plan

SENATOR Jinggoy Estrada said legislation is needed to address the “fiscal hemorrhage” that the current pension system for military and uniformed personnel retirees is causing government coffers.

“Indeed, we are facing a ballooning pension requirement without viable funding sources,” Estrada said.

He said the pensions of military and unformed personnel are way higher than the budgetary requirement for the base pay of active soldiers and policemen.

Due to this, Estrada said they had laid down a proposal to provide a mechanism for our government to balance and sustain financial flexibility.

He said it will also guarantee that the state will continue to provide suitable benefits and remuneration to men and women in uniform.

Estrada’s Senate Bill No. 284, which seeks to provide a unified system for separation, retirement, and pension of the those in the service was filed in July last year.

Similar bills were likewise introduced by Senators Sonny Angara and Ramon “Bong” Revilla Jr. These measures are pending in my Committee on National Defense and Security and will be taken

up when the Senate resumes its plenary work next month.

He also said a bill rationalizing the disability pension of veterans is still on the table.

“We have just concluded the period of interpellation before we went on recess two weeks ago,” Revilla said.

Sen. Ronald “Bato” dela Rosa has remained hopeful that the bill seeking to introduce a new pension system for incoming men and women in uniform will be approved in the 19th Congress.

Earlier, Finance Secretary Benjamin Diokno disclosed that President Ferdinand “Bongbong” Marcos Jr. is “okay” with the proposal to reform the pension system for the MUP as he warned that failure to address the ballooning cost of pensions for retirees could lead to a “fiscal collapse.”

Dela Rosa, a former polcie chief, recalled that these reforms had already been discussed during the 18th Congress but they failed to approve the measure introducing a new pension system. He remembered that addressing the fiscal deficit had already been tackled during the time of Pres. Duterte. Macon Ramos-Araneta

SYMBOL OF UNITY. Junior Chamber International (JCI) Quezon City Capitol

President Patrick Maglinao; Philippine Army Maj. Gen. Roberto Capulong; officers of the Philippine Army and Philippine Navy Reserve Command; and Philippine Navy reservist and ambassador Kristine Lim unveil the Soar on Selah monument at Camp General Mateo Capinpin in Tanay, Rizal. The monument symbolizes the bond between the Philippine Army and the Philippine Navy. Norman Cruz

IN BRIEF

COVID positivity rate in NCR spikes 4.4%

THE seven-day COVID-19 positivity rate in the National Capital Region (NCR) increased to 4.4 percent Saturday, based on the latest data from independent monitoring OCTA Research Group.

OCTA Research fellow Dr. Guido David said Monday that NCR’s positivity rate, or the percentage of people who were found positive for COVID-19 among the total number of individuals tested, increased from 3.2 percent on March 25 to 4.4 percent on April 1.

The latest data also showed that the positivity rate also increased in the provinces of Batangas, Bulacan, Cavite, Cebu, Iloilo, Laguna, Negros Occidental, Pampanga, Pangasinan, and Zamboanga del Sur.

Meanwhile, in Misamis Oriental, the positivity rate remains “high” after recording 27.4 percent in the past week.

‘SENAKULO.’ The local government of Taguig City has put up a photo exhibit on the traditional “Senakulo” or the re-enactment of the Passion of the Christ at the Lake Shore in Taguig City, where devotees can also pray at the station of the cross at the “The Life of Christ’s Village”. Danny Pata

No illegal tree-cutting in

CLARK Development Corporation (CDC) said it would continue its strict adherence and compliance to environmental laws in view of recent reports on two incidents of alleged illegal tree-cutting inside the Freeport Zone.

The CDC said the tree-cutting activities were closely monitored and supervised by the technical staff of DENRPENRO and CDC-Estate Preservation and Recovery Division (EPRD).

A representative from DENR was also present during the cutting to ensure that the trees which were cut and to be earth

in

Freeport Zone, CDC says

balled were the same as those specified in the permit.

The CDC further said the DENR Regional Office issued a Tree Cutting Permit (TCP) No. 2022-92 last December 2022. The official release was made last March 28, 2023 after CDC completed the delivery of 20,900 bamboo and narra seedlings to DENR’s Clonal Nursery in Arayat, Pampanga as replacement for the 209 affected trees.

The CDC also said Miguel de la Rosa, CDC Vice President for Engineering Services (ESG) has already conducted an in-

quiry and has submitted a report on the tree cutting. The first item involves 209 mango trees and other species located on the proposed connector road from McArthur Highway to New Clark City Airport Road, according to the CDC report. The said area, which is within the Clark Special Economic Zone, is being cleared for the construction of an access road whichwill be connected to the extension of the Clark-Mabalacat -Angeles Road (CMAR) and the Dolores portion of Macarthur Highway.

On the other hand, Isabela and Benguet’s numbers moved from “low” to “moderate” level after registering 6.2 percent (from 2.9%), and 5.5 percent (from 3.3%) positivity rates, respectively.

The Positivity rate in Camarines Sur, Davao del Sur, and South Cotabato, meanwhile, is still under the “moderate” category. Willie Casas

Vistan named new UP Diliman chancellor

COLLEGE of Law Dean Edgardo Carlo

Vistan has been selected by the University of the Philippines Board of Regents (BOR) as the new chancellor of UP Diliman.

UP President Angelo Jimenez announced that Vistan will replace outgoing chancellor Fidel Nemenzo, who served his three-year term from 2020 to 2023.

The other candidates vying for the position were Nemenzo and Archaeology Professor Victor Joaquin Paz.

Prior to his appointment, Vistan served

as one of the pioneer faculty members of the Angeles University Foundation School of Law in 2006. He transferred to the UP College of Law in 2015 before shortly taking a study leave for his Masters of Law program in Yale Law School in 2016. He was then admitted to the university’s Doctor of the Science of Law program in 2017. Vistan was designated director of the UP Office of Legal Aid in 2019.

Meanwhile, tension arose on campus as some students converged on Quezon Hall to ask the BOR to explain their decision to select Vistan, according to a report by dzBB Super Radyo’s Glen Juego.

The students demanded transparency on the voting and said there was no democracy in the selection process. They also said the BOR did not heed the voice of the UP Community as several student groups and faculty members expressed support for Nemenzo’s reappointment. Rio N. Araja

BOC exceeds target for the rst quarter

THE Bureau of Customs (BOC) has exceeded its collection target for the first quarter of 2023 and surpassed its revenue target by P16.6 billion or 8.43%.

The BOC collected a total of P213.619 billion for the period of January to March, compared to the revenue target of P197.020 billion for the same period.

The BOC’s collection for March 2023 alone was P80.133 billion, exceeding its target of P72.282 billion by P7.851 billion or 10.86%.

Commissioner Bienvenido Y. Rubio attributed the strong collection performance to the BOC’s 5-point priority programs, which focus on digitizing Customs processes, simplifying procedures, curbing smuggling in all forms, and uplifting employee welfare and development.

“Our positive collection performance for the first quarter of 2023 is a testament to the hard work and dedication of our men and women at the Bureau. We will continue to implement our priority programs and introduce new initiatives to sustain this positive momentum,” said Rubio.

Manila on April 3. Norman Cruz

War crimes trial of Kosovo ex-president Thaci to start

FORMER Kosovo president Hashim Thaci goes on trial at a Hague war crimes tribunal Monday accused of a bloody campaign of murder and torture in the 1998-1999 independence war with Serbia.

The one-time guerrilla hero, who denies the charges, allegedly targeted perceived enemies of the ethnic Albanian Kosovo Liberation Army (KLA), including Serbs and Roma, as the rebels sought to seize power.

Prosecutors say Thaci, who went by the nickname “Snake” during the war, is jointly responsible for more than 100 murders by the KLA ranging from executions to deaths of mistreated detainees.

The trial of Thaci, 54, and three other men starts at 0700 GMT on Monday and will hear opening statements from the prosecution and lawyers for the victims. Defense lawyers will speak from Tuesday.

They each face six counts of crimes against humanity and four counts of war crimes, including murder, torture, forced disappearances, persecution and cruel treatment.

The other defendants are former KLA spokesman Jakup Krasniqi, Thaci’s closest political ally Kadri Veseli and key KLA figure Rexhep Selimi.

Thaci pleaded not guilty at a hearing in 2020. He had resigned as president by that time and handed himself in to the EU-funded Kosovo Specialist Chambers in the Netherlands after he was charged.

The indictment accuses Thaci and his co-defendants of being “part of a widespread and systematic attack against persons suspected of being opposed to the KLA,” the court said in a statement. AFP

HISTORIC ARRAIGNMENT SET

Trump faces unknown territory in New York

Donald Trump is expected to fly Monday to New York for his historic arraignment on criminal charges, taking the United States and the office of the presidency into uncharted and potentially volatile territory.

The 76-year-old billionaire was indicted last week by a grand jury on a series of counts related to a hush-money payment made to an adult film star during the 2016 election campaign.

The Republican Party provocateur, who has already started a 2024 White House bid, is the first sitting or former

US president ever charged with a crime.

His aides say Trump will decamp from his Mar-a-Lago home in Florida and fly Monday to New York, his former base of operations.

There, as part of his arraignment scheduled for Tuesday afternoon, he will undergo the standard booking procedure

UK workerspassportlaunch five-week walkout

UK passport office workers launched a five-week stoppage Monday, the latest walkout in strike-hit Britain as the country reels from the worst cost of living crisis in a generation.

German minister makes surprise trip to Kyiv for post-war reconstruction

GERMAN Economy and Energy Minister Robert Habeck made a surprise visit to Kyiv on Monday to discuss Ukraine’s post-war reconstruction.

A ministry spokeswoman confirmed to AFP that Habeck had arrived in the Ukrainian capital but declined to give further details, citing “security reasons.”

It is the first time Habeck, who is also Germany’s vice-chancellor, has visited Ukraine since Russia’s invasion just over a year ago.

Many other German officials have made the trip already, including Chancellor Olaf Scholz and Foreign Minister Annalena Baerbock.

of being fingerprinted and photographed, likely to result in one of the most famous mugshots of the modern era.

Trump, who plans to make public remarks Tuesday at 8:15 p.m. (0015 GMT Wednesday) from Florida, denounced the legal proceedings as a “witch hunt” and “political persecution,” and assailed the judge assigned to hear it.

It remains to be seen whether the famously unpredictable Trump will follow the script, or find a way to upend events.

The New York Police Department is on high alert ahead of the extraordinary arraignment, with a potential for street protests by Trump supporters and detractors. AFP

IN BRIEF

Headmistress guilty of sexual assault

A FORMER headmistress was on Monday found guilty of sexually assaulting two girls at an ultra-orthodox Jewish school in Australia, 15 years after she escaped arrest by fleeing to Israel.

A jury found Malka Leifer guilty on 18 charges, including rape and indecent assault, but cleared her on nine other charges.

Leifer was the principal of the Adass Israel School in Melbourne when she was first accused in 2008 of sexually assaulting her female pupils.

A dual Israeli-Australian citizen, Leifer bolted to Israel before her arrest, sparking a drawn-out court battle spanning more than 70 extradition hearings.

The fugitive mother-of-eight was finally marched back to Australia in 2021, and was put on trial in February this year.

Leifer was living in Israel in 2001 when she was recruited to teach at the Adass Israel School, part of a reclusive Jewish sect on the city’s outskirts.

After a seven-week trial – and seven days of deliberations – the jury found Leifer guilty of sexually assaulting the two students in a series of incidents between 2003 and 2007. AFP

Fears over Marseille rival gangs: 3 dead

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.

The Public and Commercial Services union (PCS) accused the government of failing to deal even handedly with public sector workers.

The UK has been hit by a wave of industrial action across the economy in recent months ranging from ambulance staff and rail staff to doctors, teachers and dock workers.

Unions say their members have been hit by a combination of decades-high inflation and stagnating wages that has left them struggling to pay their bills.

Ministers had failed to “hold any meaningful talks” with civil servants despite negotiations having been opened with unions representing health workers and teachers, PCS general secretary Mark Serwotka said.

“They’re treating their own workforce worse than anyone else. They’ve had six months to resolve this dispute but for six months have refused to improve their two percent imposed pay rise, and failed to address our members’ other issues of concern,” he said.

“They seem to think if they ignore our members, they’ll go away. But how can our members ignore the cost-of-living crisis when 40,000 civil servants are using foodbanks and 45,000 of them are claiming the benefits they administer themselves?” he added.

The union wants talks about pay, jobs, pensions and conditions.

More than 1,000 members of the PCS civil servants union are due to take part in the walkout with picket lines mounted outside eight sites.

A nationwide walkout of more than 130,000 civil servants is also planned for April 28.

Prime Minister Rishi Sunak has rejected demands for big pay hikes saying they are unaffordable and will fuel inflation. AFP

German media reported that Habeck travelled by train, accompanied by a small business delegation.

According to Germany’s top-selling Bild newspaper, Habeck told reporters at Kyiv’s train station that he was there to signal to Ukraine “that we believe it will be victorious, that it will be rebuilt.” Ukraine will be “an economically strong partner in the future,” Habeck was quoted as saying.

Among those travelling with Habeck was Siegfried Russwurm, head of the Federation of German Industries (BDI).

He said the trip was “a signal to Ukrainians that the German economy stands by them,” Bild reported.

The World Bank estimates that Ukraine will need at least $411 billion (380 billion euros) for its recovery and reconstruction.

The highest expected needs are in transport, followed by housing and energy. AFP

AT LEAST three people died and another eight were injured after a flare up in gang violence in the crime-plagued French port of Marseille overnight on Sunday-Monday, police said.

Three separate shooting incidents have increased fears that tit-for-tat violence between rival drugs gangs is spiralling higher after a spate of fatal shootings over the last month.

All three fatalities overnight were young men in their 20s who suffered gunshot wounds, two of them in the high-rise housing area known as Le Castellas in the notorious northern suburbs.

A third man died just north of the historic centre of the city in the La Joliette district, while two others with him are fighting for their lives in intensive care, local police and the fire brigade said.

Last year, 32 people were shot dead in gang violence in France’s second-biggest city, a record high, according to the Marseille prosecutor’s office.

So far this year 13 have died, including the latest victims, according to a toll from AFP.

While Marseille is renowned for its spectacular Mediterranean setting, its densely populated northern districts are some of the most deprived urban areas in France and serve as the hub for the narcotics trade.

French President Emmanuel Macron unveiled a 1.5-billion-euro ($1.6-billion) plan to help Marseille tackle crime and deprivation in September 2021, calling such efforts a “duty of the nation.”

During a three-day visit to the city, Macron called drug networks “parasites” and promised that traffickers would now be “harassed” by the authorities. AFP

Thai PM touts experience ahead of tough election

THAI Prime Minister Prayut Chan-OCha, facing a tough battle to win a new term, said Monday the kingdom needs an experienced leader, as candidates began registering for next month’s general election. The former army chief, who came to power in a coup in 2014, faces a difficult challenge from a resurgent opposition fronted by Paetongtarn Shinawatra, daughter of billionaire former PM Thaksin Shinawatra.

Prayut, 69, arrived on an open-top truck with prospective MPs and supporters from his United Thai Nation party in lively scenes at a Bangkok sports hall.

Thailand “needs people who know how to do the job. If they have never done it,

they can’t do it,” Prayut told Thairath TV.

Thais go to the polls on May 14 for the first election since the kingdom was rocked by major youth-led pro-democracy protests in 2020.

Prayut and his party are lagging in the polls behind Paetongtarn’s Pheu Thai and the pro-reform Move Forward Party led by Pita Limjaroenrat.

Under Prayut, the kingdom has struggled to bounce back from the economic impact of Covid-19.

Thailand is the only country in Southeast Asia – apart from coup-hit Myanmar—where GDP has not yet recovered to pre-pandemic levels, according to the World Bank.

While opposition parties are riding high

in the polls, Thailand’s junta-scripted 2017 constitution gives army-favoured parties a big advantage when it comes to forming a government.

To become prime minister, a candidate must win a majority of the 500 elected lower-house MPs as well as 250 militaryappointed senators.

Pheu Thai has said it is targeting a landslide victory in the election to prevent the military establishment from blocking its route to power, as happened in 2019 when it won most seats but was shut out of government.

Paetongtarn—who is eight months pregnant—came to support Pheu Thai candidates as they registered, though neither she nor Prayut is running as an MP. AFP

MEMORIAL. A portrait of Russian military blogger Vladlen Tatarsky, whose real name is Maxim Fomin, who was killed in the April 2 bomb blast in a cafe, is seen among flowers at a makeshift memorial by the explosion site in Saint Petersburg on April 3, 2023. AFP

ORAL VAX. A health worker gives a polio vaccine to a child at a Healthcare Center in Bogor, West Java, Indonesia on April 3, 2023. AFP

The Making of an EntrepenHER*

*Copyrighted by Yan Abeledo

“Kababae mong tao, bakit ganyan ang ginagawa mo?”

“Sigurado ka ba dyan? Ayaw mo bang sa bahay ka na lang at mag-alaga ng bata?”

“Qualified ka ba para gawin yan?”

Parang hindi mo naman kayang lumusong sa burak, bakit ka mag-business sa crabs?”

Stock market rises; Upson surges over 20% after listing

By Jenniffer B. Austria

GREEN LIGHT

CHONA

These are just some of the statements I’ve heard throughout my career―questions that my male peers did not have to answer. Our society has gone far in trying to achieve gender equality, and yet we still encounter many fields where if we wear a skirt or make-up or we menstruate, our value is viewed as inherently less than our counterparts.

The lack of gender equality in business and entrepreneurship is still a significant issue globally, although there have been some improvements over the years. Women, unfortunately, continue to face various obstacles and barriers that hinder our success in these fields.

Studies have shown that women entrepreneurs are underrepresented in the business world, and we often struggle to access funding, mentorship and networking opportunities compared to our male counterparts. This disparity can be attributed to cultural and social biases, a lack of role models and inadequate policies and regulations.

The Philippines is not that different. Despite being recognized as one of the most gender-equal countries in Asia, Filipina entrepreneurs still face many challenges. The 2020 report of the Global Entrepreneurship Monitor, for example, found that only 33.3 percent of early-stage entrepreneurs in the Philippines are women. This percentage is relatively low compared to other countries, indicating a significant gender gap in entrepreneurship.

Women entrepreneurs in the Philippines often struggle to access capital, technology and markets. And we still have cultural and social norms that place more value on men’s business leadership, and this contributes to the gender disparity in entrepreneurship in the country.

This doubt that we suffer–this incredulity–has made a lot of us work faster, work longer and work harder. But it still won’t surprise us if others raise an eyebrow over our accomplishments.

We grow thick skins, we compensate and we still manage to find joy and beauty in the lives that we live–as wives, daughters, sisters, aunts, or mothers, among other things. But we know we still have battles to fight–minds to teach, hearts to touch and lives to transform.

Now more than ever, we share in the hope that the next generation of young Filipinas won’t have to hear or answer these questions, and won’t have to see these raised eyebrows. We share in the hope that our youth will not be defeated by the very same society that is supposed to help and nurture them.

So, as graduates, we now stand firm in the belief that having more women in entrepreneurship and business is critical.

After all, we believe that women bring unique perspectives and approaches to business that can lead to innovation and increased competitiveness. Since women often face different challenges and opportunities in the business world, this can inspire new and creative solutions that benefit everyone.

We believe that more women in leadership roles can lead to more diversity and inclusion in the workplace. Diverse teams have been seen to be more effective and productive, and gender diversity in particular can improve a company’s financial performance.

And we believe that women entrepreneurs can serve as effective role models and mentors to other women and girls who aspire to succeed. By sharing our experiences and knowledge, we can help break down barriers and create a more supportive environment for women in entrepreneurship and business.

This huge challenge and responsibility are what makes programs like the “Academy for Women Entrepreneurs” truly important.

We need spaces where empowered women can empower other women.

We need spaces where allies can show us that the world is not against us.

Programs like the Academy of Women Entrepreneurs create safe spaces for us to make mistakes and learn without judgment, especially in the fields of entrepreneurship and business that are traditionally male-dominated.

In the past three months, we’ve learned about writing a business plan, creating a business pitch and learning better ways to manage our finances. But beyond this, we were given the opportunity to see that we, as women, can take up space even in places where women didn’t use to be. And with the help of the AWE and other programs like it, we will no longer just take up space but grow in order to help create more safe spaces for other women.

So it is my honor and privilege to thank our mentors, our speakers and our precious organizers on behalf of all our graduates.

The precious gift of knowledge that you shared will help us build a future of equality and equity for all. Because of the opportunity that you have given us, these are statements that we can now confidently use:

Sigurado ako.”

“Qualified ako.”

“

Babae ako.”

Thank you.

The author delivered this speech on behalf of the graduates of the 2023 Academy of Women Entrepreneurs (Manila) during their hybrid graduation on March 30, 2023. She is the founder of CrabTech Innovations and won Best Business Pitch of AWE Manila 2023. She can be reached at chona.abeledo@dlsu.edu.ph.

The Academy for Women Entrepreneurs (AWE) aims to empower women to stir up their economic potential by providing them with quality training sessions facilitated by experts in the field of marketing, entrepreneurship, and business development. It is a partnership of the American Center Manila, Philippines, DLSU- RVRCOB, DTI-BSMED, AWE Manila Batch Hiraya and implemented by the American Corner (AC) Manila-DLSU Libraries.

The views expressed above are the authors’ and do not necessarily reflect the position of De La Salle University, its faculty and its administrators.

STOCKS rose slightly Monday as hopes that the US Federal Reserve might soon pause its interest rate hike drive was offset by worries over a spike in oil prices reigniting inflation.

The PSE index, the 30-company benchmark, gained 30 points, or 0.47 percent, to close at 6,529.99, as two of the six subsectors advanced, led by holding firms.

The broader all-share index went up 5 points, or 0.14 percent, to settle at 3,498.43,

on a value turnover of P4 billion. Losers outnumbered gainers, 94 to 88, while 56 issues were unchanged. Five of the 10 most active stocks ended in the green, led by JG Summit Holdings Inc. which climbed 6.47 percent to P51.00 and Ayala Land Inc. which advanced 3.40 percent to P27.40.

Gadgets retailer Upson International Corp. jumped 20.8 percent on the first day of listing after it announced aggressive store expansion.

Upson opened at P2.42 per share before closing at P2.90, up from its initial public offering price of P2.40.

Upson president and chief executive Arlene Sy said in a statement the IPO had a healthy participation of institutional investors, with a significant majority of investors from foreign funds.

“We understand the ever-growing need for

Japanese manufacturers’ confidence plummet

TOKYO—Japan’s largest manufacturers feel less optimistic about business conditions with confidence falling to its lowest level in more than two years, a key survey showed Monday.

The Bank of Japan’s closely watched quarterly Tankan survey is considered the broadest indicator of how Japanese businesses are faring.

It reports the difference between the percentage of firms that are upbeat and those that see conditions as unfavorable.

Among major manufacturers, business confidence fell to plus one from plus seven three months earlier.

The reading was the lowest since December 2020, marking the fifth quarterly drop in sentiment, and was below market expectations of plus four.

Optimism grew slightly among non-manufacturers, however, from 19 to 20. A positive figure means more businesses feel optimistic than pessimistic.

During the fraught first months of the Covid-19 pandemic, in June 2020, the Tankan score for Japan’s big manufacturers plunged to minus 34.

Tsuyoshi Ueno, a senior economist at NLI Research Institute, had predicted a drop in the

electronic gadgets and accessories, and how it invites competition. Nevertheless, we believe that to maintain our market leadership and for a stronger presence, this will be attained by further establishing stores nationwide. Having a robust nationwide network also helps sustain our customers’ top-ofmind recall of our brands,” Sy said.

Upson raised P1.65 billion from the sale of 625 million common shares with an overallotment of 62.5 million shares.

First Metro Investment Corp. was the issue manager, bookrunner and joint lead underwriter of the IPO. RCBC Capital Corp. was the joint lead underwriter.

Upson said net proceeds from the IPO would fund store network expansion as it plans to open 250 stores from 2023 to 2027, or an additional retail space of 25,000 square meters.

Major oil powers to cut production by over 1m barrels

RIYADH, Saudi Arabia—Major oil powers led by Saudi Arabia announced a surprise production cut of more than one million barrels per day on Sunday, calling it a “precautionary” move aimed at stabilizing the market.

The reductions, on top of a Russian decision to extend a cut of 500,000 barrels per day, and despite US calls to increase production, risk stoking inflation and pressure to raise interest rates.

Cuts by Saudi Arabia, Iraq, the UAE, Kuwait, Algeria and Oman from May to the end of the year will top one million barrels per day -- the biggest reduction since the OPEC+ cartel slashed two million barrels per day in October.

Russia, a leading member of the OPEC+ cartel, said it was also extending an existing cut of 500,000 bpd to the end of this year, describing it as “a responsible and preventive action”.

manufacturing reading ahead of the survey’s release on Monday.

“Business confidence among large manufacturers is expected to worsen markedly, given high raw material and fuel prices, as overseas demand falls and the global semiconductor market continues to deteriorate,” he said.

Central banks around the world have hiked interest rates to tackle soaring inflation linked to the war in Ukraine and other factors, but the Bank of Japan has stuck to its longstanding monetary easing policies.

The BoJ’s new governor Kazuo Ueda is due to take the helm this month when Haruhiko Kuroda steps down after a decade in the job.

In February, Ueda said the continuation of monetary easing was “appropriate”, warning of uncertainty in financial markets and the global economy. AFP

NOTICE OF THE INITIATION OF A PRELIMINARY INVESTIGATION ON THE APPLICATION FOR SAFEGUARD MEASURES ON THE IMPORTATION OF LPG STEEL CYLINDERS FROM VARIOUS COUNTRIES (SG CASE NO. 01 -2023)

NOTICE OF THE INITIATION OF A PRELIMINARY INVESTIGATION ON THE APPLICATION FOR SAFEGUARD MEASURES ON THE IMPORTATION OF LPG STEEL CYLINDERS FROM VARIOUS COUNTRIES (SG CASE NO. 01 -2023)

Notice is hereby given that the Department of Trade and Industry has officially received properly documented application from Ferrotech Steel Corporation for the initiation of a preliminary investigation on the application of safeguard measures on the importation of LPG Steel Cylinders from various countries. The application alleged that the increased imports have contributed significantly to the serious injury suffered by the local industry.

Notice is hereby given that the Department of Trade and Industry has officially received properly documented application from Ferrotech Steel Corporation for the initiation of a preliminary investigation on the application of safeguard measures on the importation of LPG Steel Cylinders from various countries. The application alleged that the increased imports have contributed significantly to the serious injury suffered by the local industry.

The DTI acting under Section 6 of RA 8800, the Safeguard Measures Act, has made an evaluation of the application and found the existence of a prima facie case that will justify the initiation of a preliminary safeguard measures investigation on importation of LPG Steel Cylinders falling under AHTN Code 73.11 from various countries. The period covered by the investigation (POI) are the years 2017 to 2021. WHEREFORE, IN VIEW THEREOF, interested parties are invited to submit their comments and position on the matter, including their views on whether the imposition of a safeguard measure is in the public interest. Submissions may be made to the Bureau of Import Services (BIS), Department of Trade and Industry, 3rd Floor, Tara Building, #389 Senator Gil Puyat Avenue, Makati City, or through electronic submission to bis_ irmd@dti.gov.ph within five (5) days from the date of publication of this notice.

The DTI acting under Section 6 of RA 8800, the Safeguard Measures Act, has made an evaluation of the application and found the existence of a prima facie case that will justify the initiation of a preliminary safeguard measures investigation on importation of LPG Steel Cylinders falling under AHTN Code 73.11 from various countries. The period covered by the investigation (POI) are the years 2017 to 2021.

WHEREFORE, IN VIEW THEREOF, interested parties are invited to submit their comments and position on the matter, including their views on whether the imposition of a safeguard measure is in the public interest. Submissions may be made to the Bureau of Import Services (BIS), Department of Trade and Industry, 3rd Floor, Tara Building, #389 Senator Gil Puyat Avenue, Makati City, or through electronic submission to bis_ irmd@dti.gov.ph within five (5) days from the date of publication of this notice.

The Non-Confidential Report on the Initiation of a Preliminary Investigation can be accessed at the DTI web page: https://bit. ly/SGM_LPG 29 March 2023

The Non-Confidential Report on the Initiation of a Preliminary Investigation can be accessed at the DTI web page: https://bit. ly/SGM_LPG 29 March 2023

Oil prices soared almost six percent in Asian trade on Monday morning with West Texas Intermediate jumping by 5.74 percent to $80.01 a barrel and Brent climbing 5.67 percent to $84.42.

A Saudi energy ministry official “emphasized that this is a precautionary measure aimed at supporting the stability of the oil market”, the official Saudi Press Agency said.

The cuts follow a drop in oil prices triggered by jitters over the banking sector, following the collapse of US lender SVB and UBS’s hurried buy-out of troubled rival Credit Suisse, UAEbased oil expert Ibrahim al-Ghitani told AFP. AFP

CAMILLE VINCECRUZ-ABELEDO, PHD

TAILORING SHOP. Tailors make ‘dishdashas,’ Kuwait’s traditional dress, at a shop in Kuwait City on April 2, 2023, amid high demand as social gatherings resume in the holy Muslim month of Ramadan. AFP

Two-month budget deficit decreased by 53% to P60.6b

By Julito G. Rada

THE government’s budget deficit fell by more than half in the first two months despite the decreased revenue collection in February, data from the Bureau of the Treasury show.

The Treasury said the budget deficit amounted to P60.6 billion in the first two months, down by 53.07 percent from P129.2 billion in the same period last year.

Revenue collection surged 14.18 percent in the two-month period to P560 billion from P490.5 billion a year earlier, while government expenditures barely grew by 0.16 percent to P620.7 billion from P619.7 billion.

Tax revenues climbed 9.66 percent to P497.7 billion from P453.9 billion, with collections by the Bureau of Internal Revenue rising 9.57 percent to P364.2 billion from P332.4 billion.

The Bureau of Customs raised P133.5 billion in the first two months, up 13.34 percent from P117.8 billion in the same period last year.

Non-tax revenues jumped 70.27 percent to P62.3 billion from P36.6 billion.

The Bureau of the Treasury raised P24.1 billion in the two-month period for a 57.34-percent increase from P15.3 billion in the same period last year. Meanwhile, debt interest payments declined by 13.54 percent to P81.1 billion from P93.8 billion a year earlier.

The Treasury said, however, that budget deficit increased to P106.4 billion in February from P105.8 billion in the same month last year because of a 0.25-percent decline in revenues and unchanged expenditures.

Revenues in February fell to P211.9 billion from P212.4 billion a year ago, with BIR collection going down by 5.29 percent to P129.4 billion from P136.6 billion. The Customs raised P62.9 bil-

Malacañang rejects Newsnet’s appeal

THE Office of the President rejected the appeal of businessman Mel Velarde’s News and Entertainment Network Corp. to operate pay television business, including the assignment of radio frequencies.

lion, up 5.83 percent from P59.4 billion year-on-year.

Expenditures in February were unchanged at P318.2 billion.

The government incurred a narrower budget deficit of P1.6 trillion in 2022, or 3.35 percent lower than the P1.7trillion shortfall a year ago on faster growth in revenues that surpassed the expansion in expenditures. The 2022 budget shortfall was within the P1.7 trillion full-year program.

The 2022 deficit was equivalent to 7.33 percent of GDP, down from 8.60 percent in 2021 and below the 7.58 percent program.

It expects the budget deficit to further ease to 6.1 percent of GDP in 2023 and to the pre-pandemic level of 3 percent of GDP by 2028.

S&P Global downgrades credit rating of PLDT by a notch

By Darwin G. Amojelar

S&P Global Ratings downgraded the credit rating of PLDT Inc. by a notch because of the telecommunication company’s P48-billion capital expenditures overrun over the past four years.

“We lowered our long-term issuer credit rating on PLDT to ‘BBB’ from ‘BBB+’. At the same time, we lowered our issue rating on PLDT’s senior unsecured notes to ‘BBB’ from ‘BBB+,” S&P said. S&P, on the other hand, kept PLDT’s outlook to “stable” as its rising earnings would

provide some “cushion against rising debt.”

“The stable outlook reflects our view that rising earnings will provide some cushion against rising debt for the company, such that its debt-to-EBITDA ratio will remain below 3x,” S&P said.

The credit ratings agency said PLDT’s adjusted debt-to-EBITDA (earnings before interest, tax, depreciation and amortization) ratio will no longer be commensurate with a ‘BBB+’ rating.

“We forecast the ratio will weaken to 2.8x to 3.0x in 2023, 2.6x to 2.8x in 2024 and remain above 2.5x in 2025,

despite rising earnings,” it said.

S&P said it may lower the rating if PLDT’s competitiveness had deteriorated, leading to a decline in operating performance.

“We may also lower the rating if we believe the company will operate with a higher leverage tolerance over a sustained period. An indication of this would be if PLDT’s debt-to-EBITDA ratio rises to beyond 3x on a sustained basis,” it said.

S&P said they would raise the rating if PLDT improves its operating performance and deleverages, while maintain-

ing its solid market position.

PLDT reduced its outstanding commitments to vendors from the budget overrun to P33 billion, from an initial P48 billion. The company announced in December 2022 that it faced a capex budget overrun and finalized the financial impact in March 2023.

“We now project the company’s cash capex to be P85 billion to P87 billion during the year. This includes P20 billion-P22 billion stemming from a PLDT capex budget overrun the company revealed in 2022,” S&P said.

Meralco, San Miguel told to refrain from terminating supply contracts

By Alena Mae S. Flores

THE Energy Regulatory Commission told Manila Electric Co. and San Miguel Corp.’s power subsidiaries to refrain from terminating their 2021 power supply contracts until the regulator acted on the appropriate pleading filed by the applicants.

San Miguel Global Power Holdings Corp., SMC’s power arm, decided to terminate its power supply agreements with Meralco totaling 1,800 megawatts, effective April 1, 2023. The supply was supposed to be delivered starting 2024 and 2025.

Malacanang denied Newsnet request to reverse a decision by the Anti-Red Tape Authority that nullified a previous ruling granting an automatic approval of the company’s application to install, operate and maintain a local multi-point distribution system or LMDS.

The OP said applications involving radio frequency assignments “is not within the coverage of Republic Act No. 11032 or The Ease of Doing Business and Efficient Government Service Delivery Act of 2018, but is a sole function of the government regulatory body, which is the National Telecommunications Commission in this case.”

Newsnet filed an appeal with the OP to reverse the resolutions of ARTA that nullified the Feb. 12, 2020 declaration of completeness and order of automatic approval of Newsnet’s application to install, operate and maintain an LMDS to deliver interactive pay television and multimedia services nationwide in the 25.35GHz-26.35GHz frequency range. Darwin G. Amojelar IP applications hit record high in

2022

INTELLECTUAL property applications at the Intellectual Property Office of the Philippines increased 3.7 percent to reach a record 48,259 in 2022 from 46,558 in 2021.

This was also up 2 percent up from the previous record of 47,328 in 2019.

“The strong uptake in 2022 IP filings shows how aggressive businesses are in seizing opportunities in the more upbeat economy and the digitalization of business interactions as intensified by the pandemic,” said IPOPHL director-general Rowel Barba in a news briefing Monday.

“More Filipinos are beginning to see the competitive value of having a degree of control over their most prized asset―the products of their minds, their IPs. More businesses and entrepreneurs are integrating IP into their strategies for success not despite the pandemic and other economic and environmental challenges in our midst but because of them,” he said. Individually, trademark and patent filings and copyright registrations achieved all time-highs. Trademark applications dominated the 2022 filings, posting growth of 4 percent year-onyear to 41,235 from 39,649. Of this, 25,253 or 61 percent were by residents and 39 percent or 15,982 by non-residents. Othel V. Campos

BDO signs alliance with Hyakujushi Bank

BDO UNIBANK Inc., the largest lender in the country led by the Sy Group, said Monday it signed a business alliance with Hyakujushi Bank Ltd. based in Kagawa Prefecture in Japan, becoming its 16th partnership with Japanese banks. BDO said in a disclosure to the stock exchange the alliance was done through a memorandum of understanding with HBL.

“This MOU with April 3, 2023 as the mutually agreed execution date aims to further strengthen the relationship between these two banks, as BDO provides banking support services to Japanese business entities who are HBL customers and have existing operations or plan to build or expand their businesses in the country,” BDO said. HBL, with 132 branches including satellite offices and commercial banking services, is the 16th Japanese bank which teamed up with BDO. BDO over the past 10 years sealed partnerships with several Japanese regional banks strategically situated in various prefectures of Japan, the world’s third largest economy. Julito G. Rada

Manufacturing gauge declined for second month

By Othel V. Campos

TALENT SOURCE. Philippine National Bank is collaborating with the Polytechnic University of the Philippines as part of its efforts to sustain a strong workforce through partnerships with the academe. PNB chairman Federico Pascual (right), together with the bank’s human resource team, meets with PUP president Dr. Manuel Muhi at the PUP Sta. Mesa campus to discuss how the two institutions can work together to provide graduating PUP students with potential employment opportunities. A JobSreet.com Fresh Graduate Survey conducted among 550 companies reveals that PUP is the top school most companies prefer to get fresh graduates from. Respondent-companies say that PUP graduates, in general, are very hard-working, often going the extra mile in their job.

SMCGP issued the notice of termination to Meralco of the PSA of subsidiaries Excellent Energy Energy Resources Inc. (1,200 MW) and Masinloc Power Partners Co. Ltd. (600 MW).

“Considering that the PSA is a contract imbued with public interest, the applicants are reminded taht any termination thereof cannot take effect without prior approval of the Commission,” the ERC said.

The ERC said Meralco, after having received the said notice, did not provide any information in the instant urgent

manifestation on whether it had accepted or disputed the said notice, any extensions or requests for extension of the long stop date which occurred in September 2021, and any event or action that occurred prompting the two companies to issue the notice, and any other actions or measures of due diligence Meralco conducted upon receiving the notice.

It asked Meralco to provide within 15 days from receipt the said information.

“The commission must emphasize that the instant urgent manifestation did not contain any prayer for relief from the commission. Should the applicants seek any specific relief from the commission, they may file a joint motion pursuant to pertinent provisions of the Revised Rules of Practice and Procedure of the Commission, including Section 1, Rule 121 and Section 5, Rule 72 thereof. Otherwise, the commission shall proceed with its evaluation of the instant joint application in due course,” the ERC said.

San Miguel Global decided to terminate its PSA due to the non-issuance by ERC of the final approval of the PSAs within the respective long stop dates on Sept. 17, 2021 and Sept. 23, 2021.

More participants join interruptible load program, bringing capacity to 616 MW

POWER retailer Manila Electric Co. said Monday its total interruptible load program capacity reached 616 megawatts that would help ensure stable and reliable electricity service during the dry months.

Meralco said in a statement it secured commitment for additional de-loading capacity under the ILP from Ayala Property Management Corp.

APMC pledged an additional 56 MW of de-loading capacity to bring the real

estate firm’s total commitment to 144 MW from 88 MW and expand the distribution utility’s ILP capacity to 616 MW from 560 MW.

There are 117 companies across the Meralco franchise area that are part of the ILP.

ILP is an energy demand-side management program through which large-load customers are asked to use their generator sets or reduce their operations instead of drawing power from the grid.

This will spare households from power interruptions during instances of red alert or when supply is insufficient to meet the demand.

APMC chief engineer and chief operating officer Michael Magpusao said ILP participation is a “win-win” for both companies and communities.

APMC manages over 200 properties nationwide ranging from residential buildings to malls and estates.

“The ILP exemplifies the spirit of bayanihan because while the national government prepares the grid for a more reliable supply, we, in the load side, are doing our part to help communities,” he said in a recent Meralco webinar.

WalterMart chairman Abraham Uy said the ILP program lowered the occurrence of unplanned power outages, thus preventing damage to their equipment. Alena Mae S. Flores

THE Philippine purchasing manufacturing index compiled by S&P Global Market Intelligence declined for the second straight month to 52.5 in March from 52.7 in February and 53.5 in January, but remained in a positive mode.

Economists from the Hexagon Perspective, the market analytics unit of Rizal Commercial Banking Corp. said higher prices/inflation, higher interest rates and borrowing costs; the risk of recession in the US; foreign direct investments; manufacturing; and other global business and economic activities might have partly slowed down the index.

Among the issues that could have offset PMI growth were the complicated economic reopening of China due to COVID resurgence; the continued Russia-Ukraine conflict that led to relatively higher global commodity prices; and some disruption in the global supply chains amid sanctions on Russia by some countries, the economists said.

They said that despite these developments, the Philippine PMI had been on an expansion mode or above 50 points for the 19th straight month and for most months since 2021 due to record high OFW remittances, BPO revenues, near record high imports, better unemployment and employment data; revert of foreign direct investments to pre-pandemic highs, improvement in the tourism sector and continued increase in infrastructure spending.

“The sustained expansion mode in the local manufacturing PMI is still a good signal, as one of the major sources of economic growth, despite after the seasonal increase in business and economic activities during the holiday season towards the end of 2022,” said RCBC chief economist Michael Ricafort.

SOCIAL ENTERPRISE STORE. BPI Foundation, the social development arm of Bank of the Philippine Islands, launches the third branch of its social enterprise store, Sinag Sari-Sari, at the Ayala Museum in Makati City. Attending the ribbon-cutting ceremony are (from left) Bayan Academy executive director Basil Soriao, BPI Foundation executive director Owen Cammayo, Bayan Family of Foundations brand ambassador Reese Fernandez-Ruiz, BPI president and chief executive and BPI Foundation vice chairman TG Limcaoco, Ayala Museum director Mariles Gustilo and Ayala Foundation chief finance officer and senior director Rosalie Dimaano.

Giannis leads Bucks in rout of Sixers; Mavs on brink

LOS ANGELES—Giannis Ante-

tokounmpo scored 33 points as the Milwaukee Bucks returned to form with a statement 117-104 victory over the Philadelphia 76ers on Sunday.

Eastern Conference top seed favorites Milwaukee—routed 140-99 by Boston in their last outing on Thursday—bounced back in style to score an emphatic win over the third-placed Sixers.

Antetokounmpo led a balanced Milwaukee offensive display that saw five players finish in double figures in a wire-to-wire victory at Fiserv Forum.

Antetokounmpo finished with 14 rebounds and six assists in addition to his 33-point haul, while Brook Lopez (21 points), Khris Middleton (19) and Jrue Holiday (18) all contributed.

Tyrese Maxey led the Sixers scoring with 29 points while Joel Embiid added 28.

The win edged Milwaukee closer to sealing top spot in the Eastern Conference.

With four games remaining in the regular season, the Bucks lead the East on 58-22, with Boston second on 54-24. Philadelphia remain third on 51-27 following Sunday’s loss.

Bucks coach Mike Budenholzer meanwhile said Antetokounmpo’s performance confirmed his belief that the Greek star should be the front-runner for the regular season MVP award.

“We certainly feel like Giannis is the MVP,” Budenholzer said. “What he does at both ends of the court—he does everything,” Budenholzer said.

“We feel like he’s in the conversation and he should be the guy.”

Lakers march on, Mavs fading

In Los Angeles, LeBron James bagged the 107th triple-double of his career as the Lakers continued their late season resurgence with a 134-109 romp over the Houston Rockets.

James finished with 18 points, 11 assists and 10 rebounds, while Anthony Davi s led the Lakers scoring with 40 points.

The Lakers third consecutive victory leaves them seventh in the Western Conference, just one spot outside the automatic postseason places. AFP

Blu Girls stay unbeaten, whip Korea, Thailand

THE Philippine Blu Girls stayed on course for a spot in the semifinals of the Asia Cup in Incheon, South Korea, posting their second and third consecutive wins after beating host Korea, 2-0, and annihilating an overmatched Thailand squad, 10-0, to follow their, 7-0, opening-day win against Hong Kong.

The Blu Girls leaned on the excellent pitching of Mary Ann Antolihao and a timely 5th inning double RBI and 6th inning back-to-back hits by the team to eke out the tight victory over the hosts.

The team then followed it up with a resounding 10-0 trashing of Thailand, led by the combined pitching prowess of Kaith Ezra Jalandoni and Glory Alonzo.

The Blu Girls also showcased excellent hitting, led by Ma. Charlotte Sales and Arianne Vallestero.

“The girls showed their grit in the Korea game and their supreme confidence in the game against Thailand.

I am excited for the remainder of the tournament knowing that the team is fully prepared,” said Blu Girls’ coach Randy Dizer

The twin victories catapulted the Philippines to a share of the lead and is on course to bagging a semis and World Cup slot.

The World Baseball Softball Confederation recently announced that it is giving a wild card for another Asian country to the World Cup, thus making it fo ur world slots at stake in the ongoing Asia Cup.

The Philippines next faces world no. 3 Chinese Taipei in a crucial encounter that may determine if the Blu Girls reach the finals of the Asia Cup.

Cone, Lastimosa: From allies to PBA championship rivals

By Peter Atencio

TWO coaches, who used to work and play together on the same team in the past, are expected to make the 2023 Philippine Basketball Association Governors’ Cup best-of-seven finals’ series a great and interesting experience to watch.

Both Barangay Ginebra Gin Kings’ coach Tim Cone and Talk ‘N Text Tropang mentor Jojo Lastimosa felt how difficult it will be going against each other and into Game 1 of their best-of-finals series on Easter Sunday.

Gametime is set 6 p.m. at the Araneta Coliseum.

“It’s going to be hard for me to keep him unbalanced. And that’s the key to playing the series,” said Cone during Monday’s pre-finals’ press conference at the Novotel Hotel in Cubao, Quezon City.

The Gin Kings reached the championship following a three-game sweep of their best-of-five semis series with San

Miguel Beermen.

Before his mentoring duties with Ginebra, the 65-year-old Cone was coach of the Alaska Aces from 1989 to 2011, and had Lastimosa as a player from 1991 to 1999.

When his playing career was over, Lastimosa came back to the league as an assistant coach of Cone from 2006 to 2011.

The 59-year-old Lastimosa then stayed on as a part of the Aces’ coaching staff until 2013.

“I’m just here to learn. And as the series goes on, I know he’s a genius on that. So, we’ll see how it goes,” said Lastimosa, who is on his first finals’ appearance for TNT Tropang Giga.

Last Friday, the Tropang Giga turned back the Meralco Bolts, 107-92, in Game 4 of their best-of-five PBA Governors’ Cup semifinal series to set up a much-awaited finals’ clash against Barangay Ginebra.

The TNT Tropang Giga and Barangay Ginebra clashed in the finals twice in league history, with TNT claiming the crown on both occasions.

But for Lastimosa, Cone’s presence with the Gin Kings will be tall order for his wards.

“To be honest, it’s like I’m seeing myself back in Alaska with Tim by my side. I’m always comfortable with Tim, as a player and as an assistance coach. And it’s like coming home,” added Lastimosa.

PSI clarifies: Appeals to CAS still pending

THE Philippine Swimming Inc., in a letter to the Manila Standard dated March 31, 2023, denied that its appeals to the Court of Arbitration for Sport in its case with the World Aquatics, were rejected with finality.

“The two appeals which the PSI filed with the CAS are both still pending,” the PSI clarified.

On December 20, 2022, the PSI appealed the decisions of World Aquatics of removing recognition of PSI Board of Trustees and the association itself as a member of the international swimming body.

“However, on January 19, 2023, World Aquatics backtracked and suddenly confirmed that it still recognizes PSI’s membership. To this day, World Aquatics recognizes PSI as a Member. Then on February 21, 2023,

World Aquatics (without giving an explanation) terminated the mandate of the Stabalization Committee,” the PSI said.

Prior to this, it can be recalled that World Aquatics instructed the Stabilization Committee to conduct tryouts for the national team to the Cambodia Southeast Asian Games—an exercise conducted late last month at the New Clark City Aquatics Center.

The World Aquatics also suspended the PSI and ordered the conduct of elections for the national federation’s board of directors through the Philippine Olympic Committee in another letter dated February 22, 2023.

“Although World Aquatics has yet to restore its recognition of PSI’s Board of Trustees, the official position of World

Aquatics in the First Appeal before the CAS is that it has ‘withdrawn’ its December decisions and therefore PSI’s first appeal should be considered moot,” the PSI said.

It continued: “PSI for its part has asked World Aquatics be ordered to answer for all costs relating to the appeal, if the first appeal is declared moot, considering that by suddenly withdrawing the December decisions, World Aquatics essentially waived the white flag and admitted that those decisions lacked merit and should never have been issued in the first place. These matters are still pending before the CAS. In the meantime, the first appeal is still very much alive,” said the PSI.

In its second appeal submitted on March 13, 2023, the PSI assailed its

Torrecampo, Bona shine in PPS

suspension by World Aquatics (February 22, 2023) and the appointment of an electoral committee for PSI.

In its March 28 letter, the CAS asked World Aquatics to file its answer to PSI’s second appeal within 20 days.

“The second appeal is thus in its initial stage and has therefore not been dismissed,” the PSI said.

The CAS’ February and March orders dealt only with PSI’s applications to stay the execution of the appealed World Aquatics decisions.

“These orders did not resolve the appeals themselves and this is clear from the language of those orders. PSI notably has a second application to stay the decisions in the first appeal which is still pending,” the PSI said.

Valle Verde

MARISTELLA Torrecampo hardly showed the effects of a long layoff, posting another two-title romp even as Kendrick Bona shone in the boys’ side of the PPS-PEPP Valle Verde Country Club National Juniors Tennis Championships in Pasig over the weekend.

Torrecampo kept sharpening her skills during the Visayan swing of the country’s longest talent-search and produced another stellar play, dropping just four games in three matches on her way to clinching the girls’ 12-and-under crown via a 6-1, 6-1 win over Ayi Gonzaga. The rising Los Baños star then crushed Ave Policarpio, 6-0, 6-0, in the 14-U finals to duplicate her two-title feat in the Rep. Len Alonte-Naguiat leg at home last February.

Bona, meanwhile, held off Tristan Licayan, 6-3, 6-3, to claim the 16-U trophy and share the MVP honors with Torrecampo in the Group 1 tournament presented by Dunlop and held under the Palawan Pawnshop junior tennis program put up by president/ CEO Bobby Castro.

Quezon City’s Mateo Rivas and Chloe Mercado split the 18-U titles with the former turning back Ivan Manila, 6-4, 6-1, and the latter surviving doubles part-

ner Jana Diaz, 7-5, 7-5, while unranked Novak Brazal of Pasig City pulled off a shock 7-5, 7-5 reversal over the top-seeded Licayan in the 14-U finals.

Diaz, from Bacoor, Cavite, later repelled Mercado, 7-6(5), 6-4, to pocket the 16-U, while club bet and second seed Alexandre Coyiuto upended No. 1 Gabrio Serillo, 6-4. 6-0, to clinch the boys’ 12-U diadem in the weeklong event backed by ProtekTODO, PalawanPay, the Unified Tennis Philippines and UTR (Universal Tennis Rating).

In a duel of unranked bets, Gabriel Vitaliano, also from QC, clipped Valle Verde’s Victoria Hosaka, 4-0, 4-1, to snare the 10-unisex crown.

Meanwhile, Manila and Vince Serna toppled Bona and Alfonso Infante, 8-3, while Jeannieross Barcia and Kaye Mustaza routed Diaz and Mercado, 8-1, in the 18-U doubles finals.

Zachary Morales and Ynigo Naredo trounced siblings Aaron and Alexandre Coyiuto, 8-3, while Ronielle Oliveros and Torrecampo downed Gonzaga and Erynne Ong, 8-5, to share the 14-U doubles crowns.

Tyronne Caro and Naeem Serillo edged Kian Cansana and Hosaka, 8-7(4), for the 10-unisex doubles plum.

Barangay Ginebra coach Tim Cone (left) and former ward/player Jojo Lastimosa, now coach of the TNT Tropang Giga, are shown during the press conference drumbeating their teams’ Governors’ Cup championship clash.

The young guns grabbed the spotlight in the PPS-PEPP Valle Verde tilt as Maristella Torrecampo (second from left) and John Kendrick Bona (second from right) shared MVP honors after topping their respective divisions. With them are VV Country Club sports manager Roger Silong (left) and VVCC president Rodolfo Lozada.

Adamson batters force 3-way tie for lead

Games on Tuesday: 7:30

- UST vs DLSU

- NU vs AdU

ADAMSON University turned to its defense to avenge its first-round loss with a 6-5 hold of De La Salle University to create a three-way logjam for first in the UAAP Season 85 Baseball tournament, Sunday at the UP Diliman Baseball Field.

With the victory, Adamson tied La Salle and University of the Philippines at the top of the standings with identical 5-2 slates.

Leading by just two runs heading into the top of the ninth inning at 6-4, the Soaring Falcons shook off a walk surrendered to La Salle rightfielder Pio Villamiel and his eventual run off a hit from shortstop Julius Diaz to close the three-hour-long game.

Two straight putouts from Adamson third baseman Aaron Mercado, one from a play of the foul flyball from centerfielder Shinji Kajihara and another an assisted grounder from left-fielder John Mhark Segui, ended the game and the La Salle winning streak at five.

Coach Orlando Binarao, however, wants consistency from its wards despite the second straight win.

“Actually, hindi pa rin satisfied. Although nanalo, gusto ko sana ‘yung clean win. ‘Yung ganu’ng klaseng laro, nakaka-high blood, nakakatense,” he said.

Mercado also helped the cudgels on offense with one hit and scoring two runs, but it was relief pitcher John Matanguihan who paced the Soaring Falcons with two hits and one run and drove in both runs from centerfielder Castillo.

Matanguihan eventually finished what captain and starting pitcher Andrei Medrana started and limited La Salle to three runs and three hits.

Reigning champions Green Batters made a run in the seventh inning to cut the deficit to two at 4-6 with two runs in the frame, with starting pitcher Joshua Pineda and infielder Flores scoring. Villamiel then added that one run in the final inning for the last count.

Lord Aragorn De Vera kept La Salle in the game, containing Adamson’s offense in the last two innings, but the damage inflicted on Pineda was enough for the Soaring Falcons to snag the victory.

Aussie chief vows probe after fans invade F1 track

MELBOURNE

—The chief of the Australian Grand Prix vowed a full investigation on Monday after fans invaded the track before the race had officially finished, saying the outcome “could have been horrific”.

The sport’s governing body, FIA, summoned organisers for an explanation late Sunday after the race, ruling the invasion a serious breach of the sporting code and demanding they “urgently present a formal remediation plan”.

Footage showed a “large group” of the 131,000-strong crowd squeezing through barriers and climbing fences

just metres from speeding cars near the conclusion of a drama-packed race won by Red Bull’s Max Verstappen.

Some were able to reach the stranded Haas of Nico Hulkenberg, which parked on the exit of Turn 2 after finishing seventh.

The FIA said “security measures and the protocols which were expected to be in place for the event were not enforced resulting in an unsafe environment for the spectators, drivers and race officials”.

Australian Grand Prix Corporation boss Andrew Westacott said organisers were still not sure what happened, but admitted it was unacceptable.

“There’s a controlled allowance of people to come onto the track after the race has concluded and after the safety car passes,” he told national broadcaster ABC.

“Spectators had broken one of the lines, we don’t know how that’s oc-

Medvedev bags 4th title of year with Miami victory

MIAMI GARDENS—Russian

Daniil Medvedev claimed his fourth ATP title of the year with an emphatic vict ory over Italy’s Jannik Sinner in the final of the Miami Open on Sunday.

Sinner had upset world number one and defending champion Carlos Alcaraz in Friday’s semi-final, but the 21-year-old struggled in the heat against the fourth seed Medvedev, who triumphed 7-5, 6-3.

The win was Medvedev’s 19th career ATP title and his fifth in a Masters 1000 event and confirmed his dominance on hard courts in 2023.

Sinner, also beaten in the Miami final two years ago and now with a 0-6 record against the Russian, said he had not been at 100%.

curred just yet.”

Westacott said officials would trawl security cameras to try and find out how the breach occurred.

“We’ve got a lot of CCTV and we’ve got a huge amount of footage we’re going to have to pore through over the next couple of weeks,” he said. “Motorsport is dangerous... it could have been horrific.

“Nobody does anything malicious at motorsport, it’s an unbelievably wellbehaved crowd but they, I think, had a degree of confusion. We don’t know how they got into the area without the right level of authority.”

Verstappen’s win, after the race was red flagged three times, extended his lead over teammate Sergio Perez in the world championship to 15 points after three grand prix.

Red Bull lead the constructors standings by 58 points ahead of Aston Martin, with Mercedes third. AFP

“We woke up this morning not at my best, I felt a little bit sick....unfortunately today I couldn’t play at my best,” said the Italian who, however said there had been no question of him pulling out of the contest.

“No, it was not that bad. But, you know, with the heat, when you run a lot, it gets a little bit worse and worse. Obviously the first half an hour we played in the sun also,” he said.

Medvedev, who had already won three titles in three weeks at Rotterdam, Doha and Dubai before losing to Alcaraz in the Indian Wells final, started confidently, holding serve to love while Sinner’s first service game was a real battle.

Sinner had to save a break point and fought through a 26-shot rally before coming through at the end of a 10-minute game.

In contrast, Medvedev again served to love but Sinner was showing signs of settling as he held his serve and then the Italian broke Medvedev to go 3-2 up, with a deft touch volley. AFP

Koepka warms up for Masters with LIV win

MIAMI—Brooks Koepka warmed up for next week’s Masters with the second LIV Golf title of his career on Sunday after clinching a two-shot victory in the upstart circuit’s Orlando event.

Four-time major champion Koepka, one of the biggest names to defect from the PGA Tour to the Saudi Arabia-backed circuit last year, fired a closing three-under 68 to claim the win at Orlando’s Orange County National Course.

The 32-year-old American rattled in four birdies and one bogey to finish on 15 under and pocket the $4 million winner’s prize – $1.3 million more than the winner of next week’s first major of 2023 at Augusta will receive.

“I’m finally healthy and it’s good to play some good golf,” said Koepka, who has struggled with a litany of injuries in recent seasons.

“It gives me chills thinking of the capa-

bilities of what I can do when I’m healthy. Going into next week that’s what you want to see.”

Koepka is the first player on the LIV Golf circuit to win two events, with his Orlando victory following on from his win at the inaugural season finale in Jeddah, Saudi Arabia last October.

He now heads to Augusta looking to add to his collection of major victories in buoyant mood.

“This was a good test for Augusta – the green speeds are quite fast, quite similar. If I had hit a few putts a bit harder it might have been a bit easier, but I’m just glad to get the win,” Koepka said.

Koepka looked to be in control after leading by two shots with three holes to

play. But Colombia’s Sebastian Munoz chipped in brilliantly for birdie on the 16th to close the gap to one shot with two holes remaining.

Munoz almost stumbled fatally on the 17th after a wild bunker shot flew through the back of the green.

But the South American rolled in a nerveless 10-foot putt after chipping on to the green with his fourth to save par. Koepka could have all but guaranteed victory on the 17th, but missed the chance to re-establish a twoshot lead when his 10-foot birdie putt rolled just wide.

That left the American defending a one-shot lead as they headed to the 18th and he duly parred to seal his multi-million-dollar payday. AFP

Ride to commemorate Bataan Death March heroes set April 9

RIDE for Valor, a bike-for-a-cause to raise funds for the maintenance of the Bataan Death March markers and other World War 2 heritage sites, is slated on April 9, or Araw ng Kagitingan (Day of Valor), also known as the 81st Anniversary of the Fall of Bataan and the start of the Death March.

Mike Villa-Real, Philippine Veterans Bank first vice president for marketing and communications, said the event, in partnership with the Department of National Defense, Philippine Veterans Affairs Office, Provincial Government of Bataan and Wartime Heritage Guild-Philippines, aims to preserve the legacy of Filipino and American soldiers who fought for freedom and democracy during World War 2.

“The Bataan Death March is a somber reminder of the bravery and selflessness of Filipino veterans during the Second World War. It is an essential part of Philippine history and culture, and the Ride for Valor is an important way of honor-

ing the veterans and preserving their legacy. Plus rider get to learn more about this historic event as they will be be traversing the actual route of the Death

March,” he said.

The ride is open to fully vaccinated cyclists and all types of bikes with brakes. Villa-Real said the event will start at

2:30 a.m. from the Kilometer Zero in Mariveles, Bataan, to Capas National Shrine in Tarlac.

The non-competitive bike ride will have four pitstops: Mt. Samat, Balanga Provincial Capitol’s The Bunker, San Fernando Train Station, and Angeles Museum. Giveaways will be given in selected pitstops.

Villa-Real said participants may ride at their own pace, adding there will be a 12hour cut-off during the event.

He noted that the event will also implement a “No Helmet, No Ride” policy to ensure the safety of the participants. VillaReal also said a mechanic will be available to help those who encounter mechanical difficulties, while roving marshals will be present to keep track of the riders’ progress. Support vehicles are allowed, but riders should only ride in the vehicle if they choose to drop out of the event.

The Bataan Death March is one of the darkest chapters in Philippine history, where around 80,000 Filipino and

American soldiers were forced to march more than 100 kilometers in gruelling conditions by Japanese forces in 1942.

Thousands of soldiers survived but many also died due to starvation, dehydration, diseases, and the brutality of Japanese captors. The markers serve as reminders of the tragedy and heroism that occurred during that period.

PVB is a private, commercial bank owned by World War 2 veterans and their families. With Its new Charter signed into law, the Bank’s ownership now includes Post War Veterans and AFP Retirees.

Ride for Valor 2023 is supported by Without Limits PH, Traqs Philippines, OneLGC, AIR21, Panahon.TV, and the Integrated Waste Management Inc, Neo Zigma PH, Hotel Sogo, The Oriental Hotel-Bataan, AFAB, Booster C Energy Shot, and Fitbar.

For more information about the event, follow Ride for Valor on Facebook at www.facebook.com/RideForValorPH.

Spectators wait for the race to resume during the 2023 Formula One Australian Grand Prix at the Albert Park Circuit in Melbourne. AFP

PARTNERSHIP. The Kabsat Team of former PBA player Marc Pingris (4th from left) signed a partnership with Winzir, represented by Ricardo Labraque Jr. (5th from left), partner manager of Winzir, to expand their sports programs for the youth in the country during simple rites held at the District 8 Bar in Greenhills, San Juan City. Dennis Abrina

Participants of past BDM events

Captain Brooks Koepka

APAG means feast in Kapampangan, and film enthusiasts celebrated the film’s premiere at The Block SM Cinema 2, SM City North Edsa. It was a gathering of celebrity A-listers, friends from the movie industry, and the media led by renowned filmmaker Brillante Mendoza and his mostly Kapampangan cast.

SM’s Millie Dizon

by Brillante

Apag, starring Coco Martin, Jaclyn Jose, Senator Lito Lapid, Gladys Reyes, Julio Diaz, Shaina Magdayao, Mercedes Cabral, Vince Rillon, and Mark Lapid, is one of the feature films at the 1st Summer Metro Manila Film Festivals which will run in SM cinemas and other theaters nationwide from April 8 to 18.

A joint project of Center Stage Productions, SM Cinema, and SM City North Edsa, the premiere gave guests an exclusive screening of Mendoza’s latest masterpiece.

Apag follows the story of a prominent Kapampangan restaurateur Rafael Tuazon (played by Coco Martin) making preparations for a feast when he figures in a vehicular accident that kills tricycle driver Matias. After escaping the scene in fear, his father Alfredo (Lito Lapid) sacrifices himself to the law in order to save him. Free but devoured by guilt Rafael attempts to make amends to the victim’s widow Nita (Gladys Reyes) – but no secret remains

Brillante’s latest opus holds star-studded premiere

and a human being’s capacity to sacrifice and forgive. “Apag is a foreshortened word from hapag kainan, meaning dining table. In a place where people gather to dine, the common table becomes a critical symbol of unity. The dining table is where the family lays down their food – a symbol of one’s labor of love – to be offered and exchanged for gratitude, empathy and ultimately to herald a celebration,” shared by the internationally acclaimed director. It is also Mendoza’s tribute to Philippine culture, and his own Kapampangan roots and refreshingly highlights local food, religion, and family values. The cast also includes veteran stars Gina Pareño and Joseph Marco

uncovered for long.

No less than National Artist of the Philippines for Film and Broadcast Arts

Brillante Mendoza Director Brillante Mendoza with the cast of ‘Apag’ and President Wilson Tieng, graced the event. Martin Macalintal from the French Embassy, former FDCP chairman Liza

Ricky Lee and Solar Entertainment CEO

How Enchong Dee snatched ‘Junior’ in ‘Here Comes the Groom’

ACTOR Enchong Dee relates how he landed the part of the groom named Junior in the movie Here Comes the Groom helm by Chris Martinez and produced by Quantum Films and Cineko Productions. The movie is an official entry to the first edition of Summer Metro Manila Film Festival.

“I received a call from Atty. Joji Alonso,” he says alluding to the Quantum Films producer. “When you talk to her, your answer will always be affirmative. That’s how convincing she is in presenting her projects.”

Enchong wants to extend his gratitude to Alonso for choosing him for the part.

“When she talked to me, she told me that I was their original and sole choice. So, I committed myself to do the project. The material is good, to begin with,” he adds.

The film is about soul-swapping. The soul of Enchong’s character swaps with that of a transgender woman played by Kaladkaren. How did he prepare for the role?

“One thing’s for sure: it’s hard to play a female on screen! It’s good that half of the job is done because of Direk Chris who gave us a full script. Half of it I would credit to Kaladkaren who was very generous in guiding me during the shoot. Even if he’s sleeping, production will wake him up just to ask how the scene will be done.”

What aspect did he find difficult?

“Perhaps, it was in the small details like how you will stare. Direk Chris wants a quick process. Like in five seconds, you need to exhibit all the nuances that he requires.”

Did he get confused along the way since Kaladkaren’s role as Wilhelmina is a transgender woman?

“Direk Chris made it clear from the start that my delineation of the character should be that of a transwoman and not a gay. So, it was clear to me since day one.”

Apart from the comedic element of the film, Enchong likes the lesson it imparts.

“After reading the script, I instantly liked it. It’s about seeing only the physical side of people, like there are religious

‘Here Comes The Groom’ stars Kaladkaren (left) and Enchong Dee

ones who in reality are judgmental while there are those who only want to live and work decently who become victims of others’ unfair judgments.”

Lastly, will he be willing to accept a similar offer again in the future?

“Well, if the price is right,” Enchong ends in jest.

* * *

Asked as to the present status of their relationship, Derrick Monasterio and Elle Villanueva say that they’re not yet an item.

“We have a relationship that is very special right now. But we’re not a couple yet. We’re still in the courtship stage,” Elle avers.

“We still don’t have a label. Currently, we’re enjoying each other’s company. Elle hasn’t answered me yet,” states Derrick.

Since they’re still in the courtship stage, what would it take to make Elle give her sweet “Yes!” to Derrick?

“He has a reputation for being a playboy. When we were doing the soap Return to Paradise, we became friends and he would narrate to me all his experiences. I’d tell myself this guy is so intense. So, during that time I didn’t see him as boyfriend material.”

But gradually, Derrick, according to the budding actress, has proven himself of being a good guy and surprisingly, his improvements are remarkable.

“I hope it’s not just a fluke or just in the beginning. For one, he doesn’t attend too much parties now. He also follows what I want,” reveals Elle.

Diño, singer-songwriter Ice Seguerra, as well as Mendoza’s colleagues in the film industry directors Laurice Guillen, Louie Ignacio, Lawrence Fajardo, and Adolf Alix, Jr., were also present.

2019 MMFF Best Actor Allen Dizon

who starred in Mendoza’s award-winning Mindanao, was there along with actors Ricky Davao, Ina Feleo, William Lorenzo, Jean Saburit, Azenith Briones, Nico Locco, and Christine Bermas

The film is about family, guilt, justice,

Apag premiered at the Busan International Film Festival and has competed at Warsaw International Film Festival, World Film Festival of Bangkok, Vesoul International Film Festival and Asian Film Festival (South Korea) in 2022-2023.

Apag is produced by Hongkong International Film Festival Society and Center Stage Productions.

Leading network joins anti-piracy symposium

THE Alliance for Creativity and Entertainment (ACE), GMA Network, Inc (GMA), and Intellectual Property Office of the Philippines (IPOPHL) have recently co-hosted an anti-piracy symposium in Manila.

Entitled “Disrupting the Piracy Ecosystem and Protecting Legal Services,” the symposium was attended by over 80 government officials and content industry representatives. The event discussed effective strategies to disrupt and curb egregious levels of digital piracy, the efficacy of site blocking, and effective consumer messaging to make internet users more aware of the dangers of downloading egregious malware from piracy websites and services.

Undersecretary Sharon Garin of the Department of Energy, a long-time supporter of the Filipino creative industry, gave the keynote address in which she addressed the challenges faced by the film industry.

“With the rise of the internet and digital accessibility, unfortunately, there is also an increase in the piracy and illegal streaming of copyrighted content. It is high time that we seriously look into exploring the areas of improvement on the existing piracy protection in the country in order to protect the interests of the artists and copyright owners and producers as well as coming up with other strategies to promote legal, safe and reliable streaming online,” Garin stated.

Congressman Jose “Joey” Salceda, provided an address that was read out at the symposium, in which he stated: “If our creators cannot defend what they own, they will not be encouraged to create. There are signs that the sector is already stagnating, in a country whose mass market is Asia’s most prolific users of smartphones – easy avenues for spreading pirated content.”

“Site blocking is critical to intellectual property protection because the internet has accelerated the transmission of pirated content…(and)…I am pleased to report to you that House Bill No. 7600,

Attendees of the ‘Disrupting the Piracy Ecosystem and Protecting Legal Services’ antipiracy symposium

which are amendments to the Intellectual Property Code to introduce site blocking mechanisms, is now on the House floor, after being approved by the Committee on Trade and Industry,” Salceda’s message underscored.

IPOPHL Director General Rowel Barba commented during the discussion: “To ensure that we can implement effective strategies that can disrupt and curb online piracy, IPOPHL first needs to create an environment for a trusted and robust intellectual property (IP) enforcement system with effective enforcement and dispute resolution.

This is to assure our stakeholders that if they have issues concerning their IP rights, they can rely on an IP enforcement system that is prompt, responsive, efficient, and effective”.

Jan van Voorn, Executive Vice President & Chief of Global Content Protection for the Motion Picture Association and Head of ACE, said:

“Online piracy is a global criminal enterprise

and to combat such criminally syndicated services, our industry needs to work collaboratively and collectively as part of a global network. Streaming piracy websites and services put consumers at risk of egregious malware, undermines investment, reduces tax contributions to governments, and stifles creativity.”.

Atty. Jose Vener Ibarra, Assistant Vice President for Legal Affairs, GMA said piracy deprives content creators and content owners of the ability to maximize their economic returns and hampers their desire to create more jobs and contribute more taxes to the government.

“It also deprives the consumers of the chance to experience the full entertainment experience of online content and opens the door to malware and spyware that threatens privacy. GMA is committed to working with government and likeminded partners to form a broad alliance to fight piracy,” Ibarra concluded.

‘Dungeons & Dragons’ outpaces 'John Wick' in box office race

DUNGEONS & Dragons: Honor Among Thieves scorched the competition in North American theaters this weekend with an opening take estimated at $38.5 million, industry watcher Exhibitor Relations said Sunday. The Paramount and eOne film, based on the

popular role-playing game, also took in some $33 million abroad, a key audience given its cost of $150 million, said David A. Gross of Franchise Entertainment Research.

“Foreign is where Dungeons & Dragons has to excel to be profitable and become a series,” he said, adding that the film – a fantasy heist yarn

starring Chris Pine Michelle Rodriguez, and Hugh Grant – “has the potential to generate sequels.”

While toy and game-based movies often struggle, next weekend’s opening of Super Mario Bros. is expected to be one of the year’s biggest. And don’t forget Barbie, coming in July.

In second place this weekend was previous leader John Wick: Chapter 4, at $28.2 million. The Lionsgate action thriller, with Keanu Reeves in the title role, has drawn praise for elaborate stunts and choreography that have been called “spectacular” and “mind-boggling.” Horror flick Scream VI from Paramount and Spyglass Media placed third at $5.3 million for the Friday-through-Sunday period. Its total domestic take of $98.2 million has surpassed last year’s Scream, which earned $81 million, Variety reported.

His Only Son, a faith-based drama from Angel Studios, also opened at $5.3 million – not bad for a movie made on a shoestring budget of $250,000. It tells the Biblical story of God’s directive to Abraham to sacrifice his son, Isaac. And in fifth place was United Artists’ boxing drama Creed III, at $5 million. Michael B. Jordan directs and plays the title character. AFP

Liza Diño (left) and Ice Seguerra

Senator Lito Lapid (left) with Allen Dizon

Solar Entertainment CEO and President Wilson Tieng

(left) with the director

From left: Coco Martin, Jaclyn Jose, Gladys Reyes, and Brillante Mendoza

Michelle Rodriguez (left) and Chris Pine in ‘Dungeons & Dragons’

B4 TUESDAY, APRIL 4, 2023

Nickie Wang, Editor Patricia Taculao, Editorial Assistant E-mail: lifeandshow.manilastandard@gmail.com

LIFE

Nurturing and protecting the marine life

THE Philippines’ coastal communities are relentlessly pushing for sustainable practices that are primed to help preserve our marine resources. One such community, Hamilo Coast, is unwavering in its campaign to pro tect and preserve its picturesque sanctuary located in Nasugbu, Batangas.

� ���hectare premier leisure resort com ��� plex, Hamilo Coast is only an hour and a half commute from Mall of �sia via the Cavite Expressway (C�VITEX) and Ternate�Na� sugbu road. � development of Costa Del Hamilo, Inc. (CDHI), a duly recognized SM Prime company, Hamilo Coast is a master planned community that features the idyllic Pico De Loro Cove, which integrates resi dential, resort, leisure, commercial, and insti tutional land uses.

Stepping up its game to protect and nur ture the incredibly rich and breathtaking marine life surrounding it, Hamilo Coast re cently renewed its partnership with the World Wide Fund of Nature Philippines (WWF).

The collaboration will continue to expand and enhance the scope of its sustainability initiatives that have covered coastal resource management, ridge�to�reef management, solid waste management, mangrove refores tation, the use of renewable energy sources, and environmental awareness since the year

2��7.

“Hamilo Coast has always made an effort to preserve our marine resources, as it is not only a responsibility but a privilege to do so. Our partnership with WWF manifests our re

SM Leisure Resort Residences

Executives and Management team leading the Coastal Clean-Up at Hamilo Coast’s Pico De Loro Cove in support of the company’s advocacy to save the environment and marine life Olive Ridley Sea Turtle hatchlings are immediately

Conservation Program

solve to ensure that our community remains a safe haven for marine life, and that we contin ue to be a model for sustainable coastal devel opment in the Philippines,” shares Imee G. Francisco, vice president and head of CDHI

Projects and Operations.

Hamilo Coast has gone beyond expecta tions to ensure that its slice of paradise remains pristine for the years to come. To fulfill this advocacy, Hamilo Coast currently engages in

several marine and environmental activities in partnership with the local government and non government organizations (NGOs). �eading such efforts is its collaboracollabora tion with the University of the Philippines

Proudly Pinoy travel app catering

to tourists’ diverse travel needs

By Angelica Villanueva

SUMMER is literally just around the corner. �nd now that we can fully enjoy the summer season after two years of spending it in the comfort of our homes and worrying about long list travel protocols, everyone is excited to look for the perfect travel destination to fulfill their muchdelayed “travel goals.”

Well, in that case, Happy Hotels got your back in helping you choose the best travel destination as it officially launched its travel booking app.

Get ready to pack your beach essentials as the proudly made Filipino app offers both local and foreign travelers the ease and convenience of booking hotels, bed and breakfast (BnBs), and dormitels across the country at their fingertips.

True to its mission, which is to “Share Happy Moments with Happy Hotels,” its CEO, Emmanuel Jason Lao explained that the newly launched travel booking app commits to delivering memorable experiences that guests will have after their stay.

Designed to cater to the diverse travel needs of Filipinos and tourists visiting the country, the Happy Hotels app offers various accommodations and destinations throughout the Philippines, including popular spots

THE Holy Week is a time for reflection and reunion with families, with many Filipinos taking the opportunity to be with their loved ones, either to participate in religious activities or go on a much deserved vacation.

While airports are expected to get busy at this time of the year, air travel should not be a chaotic experience for every Juan. Here are a few reminders from Cebu Pacific:

1. Be on time at the airport and beat traffic Cebu Pacific and Cebgo passengers must allot time for traffic going to the airport. Passengers must be at the Ninoy �quino International �irport (N�I�) Terminal 3 and � at least three hours before departure for domestic flights, and four hours for international flights. Passengers traveling to Dubai are allowed to check in as early as seven hours before departure.

2. Check in online Long lines may be avoided at the airport by checking in via the official CEB mobile app or via the Manage Booking section of the CEB website. Both options are available from seven days up to one hour before the scheduled time of departure for domestic flights, and up to four hours before the scheduled departure for international fliers.

3. Check flight information, closing times �ll check in counters close one hour before the scheduled time of departure to ensure there is ample time for all necessary pre flight procedures. After checking in, we encourage passengers to immediately go through immigration and final security to avoid delays. Boarding commences �5 minutes before the scheduled departure.

Updated flight information may be viewed at https://www. cebupacificair.com/flight-status

4. Self-tag luggage for select domestic destinations Guests flying out of select domestic destinations (Manila, Davao,

such as Boracay, Siargao, Tagaytay, Metro Manila, and Cebu that cater to different preferences and budgets.

One of its main features is the ability for users to see and browse through the nearest accommodations available in their current location through the “Near Me” section of the app. Never miss the fun and adventure in the Philippines as the app also has the ‘Calendar of Events’ feature that highlights all the festivals and fiestas across the country to help you on your next target destination.

More than giving ease and a lot of options in booking hotels for travelers, Happy Hotels also supports local businesses.

“Our goal at Happy Hotels is to empower local business owners and their workforce by providing them with a platform to expand their market and reach more customers,” shared Lao.

“We are dedicated to understanding the needs of the local market and offer a variety of accommodations that cater to various preferences and financial

Peak travel reminders for the Lenten break

Bolinao Marine Lab, which provides train ing in the culture and ocean rearing of giant clams through the Giant Clams Restocking and Spawning Program. This activity is a conservation strategy that aims to improve the biodiversity and productivity of stressed coral reef habitats.

Next, with Hamilo Coast’s beautiful and well�kept beach fronts as the favorite nesting grounds of Olive Ridley Turtles, the commu nity regularly implements the Marine Turtle Conservation Program. In this undertaking, Hamilo Coast’s Estate and Sustainability teams proactively monitor and protect the turtle nests until the eggs hatch, after which the hatchlings are immediately released into the ocean. Hamilo Coast also continues to hold the annual Coastal Clean Up Program, a highly effective collaboration between the manage ment and employees of Costa Del Hamilo Inc. and the local government. The vol unteers collect trash and debris from Pico Beach and neighboring coves, identify the sources of the litter, help change behaviors that cause pollution, and raise awareness on the extent of the marine debris problem.

“�s we strive to create a more sustain “� able future, we are proud of what we have accomplished and continue to do here at Hamilo Coast,” Francisco relates. “While we are very excited to do even more to pre serve our aquatic biodiversity, we hope that we may also inspire other communities to do the same.”

capabilities,” he added.

Happy Hotels embodies the bayanihan culture of Filipinos as for every booking that app users booked, Happy Hotels will be donating 5 to 1 � percent to the user’s charity of choice available in the charity options menu.

To help in promoting to patronize the local app, Happy Hotels tapped model and actor Fabio Ide as its brand ambassador, who has been living here in the Philippines for 13 years.

“I am very, very honored to represent a brand that wants to empower local tourism here in the Philippines. �nd more than that, to help hotel owners and small property owners, and everyone who’s been affected by the pandemic,” started Fabio.

The Brapanese model also shared what keeps him stay here in the Philippines.

“When I came here the first time, it really was love at first sight. I fell in love with the place, with the food, but what’s most important, I fell in love with the people. Filipinos have the best hospitality in the world,” he added.

Happy Hotels Philippines booking app is now available for download on the �pp Store and Google Play Store.

Start your summer itinerary now as users can enjoy the following promos from the Happy Hotels app: Vue Tagaytay – 50 percent off; Asiatel Pasay – 20 percent off; and Skytel Puerto Princesa – 25 percent off.

Clark, Cagayan de Oro, General Santos, Bohol, Iloilo, and Zamboanga) are reminded to self tag their check in luggage at the designated kiosks at the airport, prior to proceeding to counters for bag drops.

5. Pack your bags accordingly

Passengers must bring only one carry on bag for a more convenient flight experience. The carry-on bag must not exceed 7kg in weight and can fit in the overhead bins or under the seat.

CEB has exempted items that are allowed to be carried aside from the single hand-carried bag: gadgets or food items that cannot be checkedin; items purchased inside the airport (requires proof of receipt); assistive or medical items such as walking canes, foldable walkers; baby food and necessities for passengers traveling with infants; or a small bag that can fit under the seat.

6. Checked baggage policy

Passengers are encouraged to purchase prepaid baggage online via the CEB website or mobile app to save on fees. CEB has implemented a per piece baggage policy that applies to all passengers with checked baggage. � passenger can bring one piece for each purchase of 2�kg or 32kg, and may get up to any two of these weight options, for a maximum of two pieces of baggage and a combined weight of 6�kg.

�ny excess in size, weight, and pieces are subject to oversized baggage fee, excess baggage fee and/or extra Bag Fee.

7. Check the airport terminal assignment of your flight Passengers must check their itineraries and boarding passes before proceeding to their designated airport terminal. Cebu Pacific’s 5J flights arrive at and depart from the NAIA Terminal 3, while Cebgo (DG) flights to and from Manila operate from the NAIA Terminal 4 at Domestic Road, Pasay City. There will not be any terminal change for Cebu Pacific and Cebgo flights from NAIA. CEB now flies to a total of 34 domestic and 25 international destinations. Visit www.cebupacificair.com for more information.

Happy Hotels brand ambassador Fabio Ide

Happy Hotels CEO Emmanuel Jason Lao