Manila Standard - 2023 April 10 - Monday

China drills Taiwan strikes

Taipei rips ‘Joint Sword’ simulation, US monitoring Beijing actions closely

BEIJING—Chinese fighter jets and warships simulated strikes on Taiwan Sunday as they encircled the island during a second straight day of military drills that were launched in response to its president meeting the US House speaker.

The exercises sparked condemnation from Taipei and calls for restraint from Washington, which said it was "monitoring Beijing's actions closely".

Meanwhile, Philippine authorities continued to remain mum about the drills even as the Department of Defense underscored the benefits of the Enhanced Defense Cooperation Agreement (EDCA) it has with the US, which China has said would draw the country into its conflict with Taiwan (see related story on A1— Editors).

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PBBM: Day of Valor highlights ‘indomitable spirit’ of Filipinos

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

PRESIDENT Ferdinand Marcos Jr. on Sunday said the commemoration of Araw ng Kagitingan or Day of Valor today highlights the Filipino people’s “indomitable spirit” in the face of

DND: EDCA sites won't threaten PH sovereignty

By Charles Dantes and Maricel V. Cruz

THE Department of National Defense insisted Sunday that the proposed four military sites under the Enhanced Defense Cooperation Agreement (EDCA) with the United States will not threaten the country's sovereignty—despite potentially drawing the country into a conflict with China over Taiwan, a US ally.

In a statement, the DND reiterated that the agreed locations for the new EDCA sites were by invi-

tation of the Philippines and are by no means "unhampered" or "unimpeded."

But the Defense department remained silent over China’s military drills around Taiwan, which stretched into a second day yesterday, even as opposition lawmakers voiced concern over two of the EDCA sites being placed in Luzon near Taiwan, just 400 kilometers away to the north.

Defense analysts also claimed the US would use the sites to deter China’s advance into Taiwan.

“The new sites definitely will be

Gas price hike at P2.80/l today, diesel up P1.70/l

By Alena Mae S. Flores and

Macon

Ramos-Araneta

GASOLINE prices are expected to go up P2.80 a liter on Tuesday as world oil prices surged following the decision of Saudi Arabia and the Organization of Petroleum Exporting Countries (OPEC)

to cut their production of crude.

Unioil Philippines said in its advisory that fuel prices are expected to go up for the week of April 11 to 17 by P1.50 to P1.70 per liter for diesel and P2.60 to P2.80 per liter for gasoline.

Saudi Arabia and OPEC announced last week a reduction in the oil output by 1.16 million barrels

Pope bewails Israel-Palestine tensions

challenges and adversity.

In his message, President Marcos pointed out that the country has faced numerous challenges that “tested our faith yet showed the world the indomitable spirit of every Filipino.”

“Defined by our feats rather than our trials, we have emerged as a

President, Speaker: Easter is time of hope, renewal, recovery for PH

PRESIDENT Ferdinand Marcos Jr. on Sunday urged Filipino Catholics in the country and abroad to take the Easter celebration as a time for renewal and recovery.

Speaker Martin G. Romualdez also urged Filipinos to rest and reflect during the “time of hope” as Christians commemorate the resurrection of

Jesus Christ on Easter Sunday. In his Easter Sunday message, President Marcos enjoined the faithful to take the day “to pause and give thanks for the opportunity for renewal and recovery as we push through our quest for genuine unity and progress for all.”

VATICAN CITY—Pope Francis noted his "deep concern" on Sunday over a flare-up in tensions between Israel and Palestinians, delivering an Easter Mass in which he denounced the barriers to peace in the world. He said the renewed violence "threatens the desired climate of trust and mutual respect needed to resume dialogue", addressing a

crowd of some 100,000 gathered in Saint Peter's Square.

The Argentine pontiff, a week after leaving hospital, also cited a string of "stumbling blocks" to peace in the world during his traditional Easter message, making special mention of the war in Ukraine.

"Help the beloved Ukrainian

FLYBY. A Chinese military helicopter flies past tourists at a viewing point over the Taiwan Strait on Pingtan island, the closest point to Taiwan, in China's southeast Fujian province on April

Francis waves from the loggia of

Peter's basilica

Speaker Martin Romualdez President Ferdinand Marcos Jr.

Speaker lauds solons after survey

By Maricel V. Cruz

SPEAKER Martin G. Romualdez on Sunday commended his peers in the House of Representatives following the “very good” net satisfaction rating the chamber received in the December 10-14 survey of the Social Weather Stations (SWS).

“This is a testament to the hard work and dedication of our legislators in serving the Filipino people during these challenging times. As the leader of the House of Representatives, I am proud of our members and their commitment to advancing pro-people legislative measures,” Romualdez said.

China...

From A1

Dubbed "Joint Sword", the three-day Chinese operation—which includes rehearsing an encirclement of Taiwan— will run until Monday, the People's Liberation Army's (PLA) Eastern Theatre Command said.

"I am a little worried; I would be lying to you if I say that I am not," said 73-yearold Donald Ho, who was exercising in a park on Sunday morning in Taipei, in the far north of the self-ruled island.

"I am still worried because if a war broke out both sides will suffer quite a lot," he told AFP.

China's war games saw planes, ships and personnel sent into "the maritime areas and air space of the Taiwan Strait, off the northern and southern coasts of the island, and to the island's east", the army said as it launched the exercises, engineered to flex Beijing's military muscles in front of Taiwan and the world.

A report from state broadcaster CCTV on Sunday said drills had "simulated joint precision strikes against key targets on Taiwan island and surrounding waters", adding that forces "continued to maintain the situation of closely encircling the island".

The write-up went on to say the air force had deployed dozens of aircraft to "fly into the target airspace", and ground forces had carried out drills for "multi-

DND:...

From A1 used against China's operations around Taiwan," said Prof. Hu Bo of the SCS Strategic Situation Probing Initiative in a GMA News TV interview.

"The Philippines may be passive but involved in the Taiwan issue...

That a big thing for China," Hu said.

Filipino experts disagreed, saying the EDCA sites were for defense.

"That's a calculated risk we have to take. The other option for us to take if we don't prepare is the possibility of a Chinese invasion because China will take control of Northern Luzon when push comes to shove over Taiwan," said Prof. Renato de Castro, a security analyst with ADR Stratbase.

"We are being deterred by the adversary we are defending against,"maritime expert Prof. Jay Batongbacal said. "We might as well just dismantle the Armed Forces and turn the entire AFP into the

PBBM:...

From A1

nation that stands tall and proud, guided by the principles of justice, truth and democracy,” the President said on a day that marks the day American and Filipino troops surrendered to the invading Imperial Japanese Army after fighting them off for three months during World War II.

“We have staunchly proven time and again that we are never the same after each adversity for we always rise to meet every challenge head-on with grit, grace and determination,” Mr. Marcos said. To honor those who made the ultimate sacrifice and gave their lives in pursuit of democracy and freedom, the President said that “we may also reexamine our values and honor their lives by speaking up against discrimination, extending help to those in need, and working towards a better future.”

Gas...

From A1

“This event is unfortunate, and the government should immediately take actions that would cushion the impact… on the domestic economy, particularly since this would further intensify inflationary pressures,” said Gatchalian, vice chairman of the Senate Committee on energy.

Gatchalian said the Department of Energy (DOE) should immediately coordinate with industry players to ensure a sufficient and steady energy supply.

Senator Francis Escudero said the oil price surge would definitely affect the country's recovery and would surely have

“As House leader, I am deeply honored, humbled, and grateful to theFilipino people for their trust and confidence in the House of Representatives,” he added. Romualdez also thanked the Members of the House for their “solid support and cooperation” that enabled him to steer

target precision strikes".

Taiwanese President Tsai Ing-wen immediately denounced the drills, which come after she met US House Speaker Kevin McCarthy in California.

She pledged to work with "the US and other like-minded countries" in the face of "continued authoritarian expansionism".

In Washington, a State Department spokesperson said the United States had "consistently urged restraint and no change to the status quo", but noted it had ample resources to fulfil its security commitments in Asia.

The United States has been deliberately ambiguous on whether it would defend Taiwan militarily, although for decades it has sold weapons to Taipei to help ensure its self-defence.

-Live-fire exercises

Exercises on Monday will include live-fire drills off the rocky coast of China's Fujian province, about 80 kilometres (50 miles) south of Taiwan's Matsu Islands and 186 kilometres from Taipei.

"These operations serve as a stern warning against the collusion between separatist forces seeking 'Taiwan independence' and external forces and against their provocative activities," said Shi Yin, a PLA spokesman.

AFP saw no immediate signs of enhanced military maneuvers on the northern coast of Pingtan, a Chinese island across the strait from Taiwan where the live-ammunition exercises will kick off

PNP. It's like we are going to be afraid of defending ourselves from external threats."

ACT Teachers Party-list Rep. France Castro said EDCA expansion is practically transforming the Philippines into an "American colony" once again.

"In truth, the EDCA is worse than the MDT, MBA, VFA and SOFA combined because this EDCA appears to be turning us once again into a colony of the US, and it's the government that let them in," said Castro, referring to past military treaties between Washington and Manila.

"With these new EDCA sites and the ones to follow, the whole Philippines is turning into a US base," added the Makabayan bloc lawmaker.

Although Cagayan province, on the northeastern tip of Luzon, will soon host a massive, multimillion-dollar construction programme under EDCA, its governor Manuel Mamba is not pleased.

“I personally oppose this, and I disagree with it and for me, this is inimical to the interest of our province and the

“May we also learn to make wise and sound decisions so that we may address our country’s pressing problems with compassion and concern for others,” President Marcos added.

The President also said that the nation commemorates the sacrifices of the country’s forefathers who fought long and hard for its freedom.

“Let us also bear in mind that our actions today determine the future of our country, including the succeeding generations,” he said.

“Together, let us strive towards developing a more humane, fair, and progressive society that allows our citizenry to relish their liberty and achieve their individual and collective aspirations.”

House Speaker Martin G.

Romualdez honored the fallen heroes of Bataan, saying the historic day is a reminder that Filipinos will always fight on, move forward, and prevail with unity. (See full story online at manilastandard.net)

inflationary effects.

He said the Department of Finance, the Bangko Sentral ng Pilipinas, the DOE, the Department of Trade and Industry, and the Department of Labor and Employment should meet and issue plans to cushion its impact.

In the meantime, the Philippines and the global economy continue to feel the effect of Russia's invasion of Ukraine, Senator Imee Marcos said.

While oil prices are down from the peak of almost $120 per barrel fromFebruary to March 2022, which translated to local pump prices of almost P90 per liter of gasoline, local gas prices are still at almost P70 a liter, she said. Analysts have forecast that the move of OPEC would increase local pump

the chamber in advancing measures that address the needs of the people.

“With all humility, thank you for the continued trust and confidence in me,” Romualdez said.

The House, along with the Senate, the Supreme Court, and the Cabinet of President Ferdinand “Bongbong" Marcos, Jr. all scored a “very good” net satisfaction rating in the survey. It scored a +56 rating, next to the Senate with +68, while the SC and the Cabinet scored +53 and +50 respectively.

Romualdez said the SWS survey results were “very encouraging” and would serve as an inspiration for him and the House Members to work even harder.

on Monday.

On a roadside verge high above the ocean, Lin Ren blasted the Chinese national anthem on a loop as he sold cups of coffee from the back of his car.

"I think the current exercises serve as a way of putting pressure onTaiwan," the 29-year-old told AFP.

"I think they make it clear to them that we have the capabilities... to unify," he said.

Still, the drills were "largely symbolic", he said, adding: "I don'tworry that there will be an armed conflict this time around."

China views democratic, self-ruled Taiwan as part of its territory and has vowed to take it one day, by force if necessary.

Taiwan's defense ministry said there had been 18 detections of Chinese warships and 129 of aircraft around the island since the drills began on Saturday morning, adding Beijing has deployed a mix of fighter jets, drones, bombers, and transport aircraft.

On Saturday the ministry released a map showing 45 aircraft hadcrossed the median line separating Taiwan from mainland China -– the most incursions this year according to figures maintained by AFP.

Taiwan has been on high alert and said its forces "will be well-prepared and maintain solid combat readiness" while making sure not to "escalate conflict".

A video showing a Taiwanese coast

Cagayanons,” he said in an interview.

Mamba said on March 23 the presence of EDCA forces would make Cagayan the “primary target” of China should the SinoUS conflict escalate over Taiwan, but later conceded his view was in the minority.

But the DND said there is no "gross violation of national sovereignty" as claimed by the allegations from the opposition, stressing that the EDCA itself was deemed constitutional by the Supreme Court.

It emphasized that EDCA sites were the country's first step “in securing the safety of its citizens and it will boost the nation's response during calamities and in safeguarding the Philippines' territory.”

"We call on the public to approach and understand the issue beyond the myopic perception that strengthening the military's capabilities means inviting war or conflict," the statement said.

"Time and again, the Armed Forces of the Philippines’ assets and facilities have been utilized to respond to various threats to the security and safety of the Filipino people. Allocating resources for the de-

President...

From A1

“Indeed, Easter teaches us that as long as we live our life in Christ, love and hope will remain ever so boundless and will be the cornerstone for the positive transformation in our society,” the President said.

“Jesus Christ’s resurrection not only affirms our deepest faith butalso signifies a new birth for all the faithful who walk and be granted eternal salvation,” he added.

The President also pointed out that Christ's selfless and unconditional love empowered the faithful to conquer both sin and death, “allowing us to deepen our relationship with God and become worthy Christians in this earthly journey.”

“Today, we are witnesses to the triumph of the Resurrection of our Savior that inspires us to be stewards of faith and compassion no matter the circumstances. As we celebrate the magnificent glory of our risen Savior, let us all take into heart

prices by as much as P3 a liter, possibly more.

In the short term, the government can look at government-to-government importation with countries such as India, China, and possibly Russia to avert the supply crunch.

Marcos said she filed SBN 187 to give the President the power to suspend the imposition of the 12 percent VAT on petroleum products.

Gatchalian also said the Land Transportation Regulatory and Franchising Board (LTFRB) should begin preparing for an efficient and timely implementation of the Pantawid Pasada program to subsidize public transport providers. Based on the previous implementation

“We will continue to work tirelessly to help realize the 8-point socioeconomic agenda of President Marcos and deliver on our mandate to provide meaningful and responsive solutions meant to uplift the lives of the Filipino people,” Romualdez said.

When the House adjourned for its Holy Week break last March 23, the Speaker reported the House had approved on third and final reading 23 of 31 bills identified by the LegislativeExecutive Development Advisory Council (LEDAC) as priority measures of the Marcos administration, with the remaining eight measures already in advanced states of deliberation.

guard patrol trailing Chinese warships was released by the Ocean Affairs Council on Saturday.

"You have seriously undermined regional peace, stability and security, please turn around and leave immediately," a coast guard officer warns by radio.

An AFP journalist saw Mirage 2000 fighter jets scrambling at the Hsinchu air force base in northern Taiwan on Sunday.

Three boats from Taiwan's elite Amphibious Reconnaissance and Patrol Unit were also seen patrolling the Matsu Islands on Sunday, according to an AFP journalist.

"The CCP (Chinese Communist Party) has continued to conduct military exercises around the Taiwan Strait and since this morning it has successively dispatched multiple batches of aircraft... as well as a number of ships in the area," Taiwan's defense ministry said on Sunday.

The drills came hours after the departure from Beijing of French President Emmanuel Macron, who was in China to urge his counterpart Xi Jinping to help bring an end to the war in Ukraine.

In August last year, China deployed warships, missiles and fighter jets around Taiwan in its largest show of force in years following a trip to the island by McCarthy's predecessor, Nancy Pelosi.

Tsai returned to Taiwan on Friday after visiting her island's dwindling band of official diplomatic allies in Latin America, with two US stopovers that included meetings with McCarthy and other lawmakers. AFP

velopment of the country's defense capabilities and the enhancement of the skills of its troops is a part of the functions of a state such as the Philippines," it added.

The EDCA Agreed Locations “are not permanent basing facilities for theUnited States but will be jointly operated by the two sides, and the use of its ally is subject to the country's permission and mutual agreement,” the statement added.

The EDCA sites primarily consist of storage facilities that will onlybe utilized during exercises and emergencies, the Defense department noted.

DND also said that the construction and development of the new bases were being funded by Washington and it helped in creating jobs andboosting the local economies of the local communities, where the sites are located.

But China's Ministry of Foreign Affairs spokesperson Mao Ning claimed the additional EDCA bases may place the country into a whirlpool of conflict. With Rey Requejo and Macon Ramos-Araneta (See full story online at manilastandard.net)

this Christian foundation as we work for and welcome better days for ourselves, our families, and our neighbors as well,” President Marcos said.

“It is a time of great joy and jubilation, for our Lord Jesus rose from the dead after dying to redeem us from our sins. It is also a time of hope, for in our Lord’s resurrection we find that the promise of eternal life holds true for all of Christianity,” Romualdez said.

“I hope and pray that the Holy Week has given all of us ample time to rest and spend quality time with our family and loved ones. I also hope that all of us had the opportunity to reflect on our past actions and contemplate finding the right path forward,” the Speaker added.

The House is on recess and will resume its sessions on May 8 but Romualdez has authorized the conduct of committee hearings during the break, consistent with the chamber’s commitment to approve its priority measures on time. Vince Lopez and Maricel V. Cruz

of the program, he noted that itseffectiveness is hinged largely on the timeliness of its disbursement to targeted beneficiaries.

“To avoid delay in the disbursement of the subsidy and to ensure thedesired impact is realized, the LTFRB and other government agencies concerned should be ready to implement the program efficiently and should have learned the lessons from previous disbursements,” Gatchalian said.

Amid continuing volatility in oil prices, Gatchalian earlier filed Senate Bill No. 384, which seeks to institutionalize the Pantawid Pasada program given the need to set up an energy subsidy program to safeguard the public transport sector against oil price shocks.

Degamo probe in Senate to aid case, says Bato

By Macon Ramos-Araneta

SEN. Ronald "Bato" Dela Rosa on Sunday said the Senate probe of the murder of Negros Oriental Gov. Roel Degamo will complement the efforts of the Department of Justice, which is deep in its criminal prosecution of the suspects so far.

Dela Rosa said the Senate investigation, in aid of legislation, on the Degamo case will commence on April 17 (Monday). He is confident that additional evidence to be unearthed in the Senate inquiry will help the DOJ in the process.

However, the chairperson of the Senate public and illegal drugscommittee said they will focus more on policy issues that may be fixed through legislation.

He said Negros Oriental Rep. Arnulfo Teves, implicated as the "brains" in the broad daylight killing of Degamo in front of his own house,will be invited to the hearing, whether physical or virtual.

The congressman has opted to remain abroad, citing threats to his life if he goes back to the Philippines.

Dela Rosa said his committee will also invite former Negros Oriental Gov. Henry Teves, and the arrested suspects once clearance from courts are obtained from the police, DOJ, Department of Interior and Local Government, Armed Forces of the Philippines, and Civil Aviation Authority of the Philippines.

IN BRIEF

32nd ferry fire body recovered by PCG

THE Philippine Coast Guard on Easter Sunday recovered another body from the passenger ferry that was engulfed in flames in the waters off Basilan last week.

The body was identified as Alses Hassan, one of the missing passengers of the MV Lady Mary Joy 3 that burned down last March 29.

This brings the confirmed deaths from the ferry fire to 32 people, where 17 dead bodies were recovered onboard the vessel and 15 were retrieved at sea. PCG had carried on its search and retrieval operations to look for the last missing passenger. Charles Dantes

7 dead in

Taytay fire;

40 houses destroyed

SEVEN relatives including two children found hugging each other – a 2-year-old girl and a 12-year-old boy – died in a fire Saturday night in Taytay, 25 kilometers east of Manila, which destroyed 40 houses, police said Sunday.

Among the victims was a 60-year-old who, like the rest, failed to escape, according to police who stressed arson probers were continuing their investigation.

At least one person was injured by falling debris during the nearly two-hour fire, initially suspected as caused by faulty wiring, police said.

The fire left at least 60 families homeless and are now temporarily staying at the San Juan Gym, according to police. AFP

Pope...

From A1 people on their journey towards peace, and shed the light of Easter upon the people of Russia," he said.

"Comfort the wounded and all those who have lost loved ones because of the war, and grant that prisoners may return safe and sound to their families."

He drew attention to conflicts around the world, from Syria to the Democratic Republic of Congo, and offered prayers for victims of the earthquake in Turkey and Syria.

Call for peace

This week has seen a surge in violence and unrest between Israel and Palestinians at the same time as the Muslim fasting month of Ramadan, Jewish Passover and Christian Easter have coincided.

The pope called for a resumption in dialogue to ensure peace "in the Holy City (of Jerusalem) and in the entire region".

On Wednesday, Israeli police stormed the prayer hall of Al-Aqsa mosque, Islam's third-holiest site, in a pre-dawn raid aimed at dislodging "law-breaking youths and masked agitators" they said had barricaded themselves inside.

The next day, more than 30 rockets were fired from Lebanese soil into Israel, which the Israeli army blamed on Palestinian groups, saying it was most likely Hamas, which rules the Gaza Strip. AFP (See full story online at manilastandard.net)

NCR police says robbery cases just ‘fake news’

THE National Capital Region Police Office (NCRPO) on Sunday branded as fake news the robbery incidents that recently circulated on social media involving a Japanese restaurant, a coffee shop and a Chinese eatery.

In a statement, the NCRPO said it immediately looked into the alleged crimes in Quezon City that trended on social media but which eventually turned out false or misleading.

“Please be informed that the NCRPO takes all reports seriously and after monitoring the said message circulating on several communication platforms, we immediately investigated and validated the said information. As a result of our investigation, we categorically state that these alleged incidents are false and or misleading,” NCRPO chief Maj. Gen. Edgar Alan Okubo said Sunday.

He said the reported incident at a certain Japanese restaurant happened about four years ago. The establishment has since strengthened security and no reports have been submitted since then.

The two other alleged crimes at a known coffee shop and a Chinese eatery were also found to be baseless and fake, Okubo said.

He advised the public to be responsible in sharing information.

“We understand the potential damage and alarm that can be caused by false news and misinformation, particularly when shared widely on social media platforms. We urge all members of the public to verify the information they receive before sharing it with others. We also request that individuals refrain from spreading any false rumors or unverified information that could cause harm or panic to the people in our community,” Okubo said.

The NCRPO is working with the Philippine National Police Anti-Cybercrime Group to go after the purveyors of the false reports.

‘PCC should improve local milk industry’

By Macon Ramos-Araneta

SEN. Cynthia Villar, chairperson of the Senate agriculture and food committee, posed a challenge to Philippine Carabao Center (PCC) to continue to champion locally-produced carabao milk.

“PCC should make milk available, accessible, and affordable to all,” Villar said during the PCC’s 30th Anniversary with the theme: “PCC at 30: Continuing the Legacy of Service Excellence and Synergy.”

She noted that milk security is still the main challenge for PCC now and in the future. She said there are still many things left to be done.

“PCC should continue working with their significant partners like governments of US, Japan, and Korea, other national government agencies, both houses of Congress, as well as the regional, provincial, and municipal local government units,” said Villar.

She said the main challenges are water scarcity, mechanization, low reproductive efficiency, low forage production and lack of records for the evolution of the dairy farms’ production

As a result, she stressed that the total country’s milk production together with the NDA is only one percent of the domestic demand.

With our country’s population which is expected to grow to 145 million by 2050 from today’s 110 million plus, she said our food insecurity will remain an issue in the decades ahead.

This includes the lack of locally produced milk.

“Not enough milk in a child’s diet has a ripple effect on his health. If the child cannot grow healthy and strong, he will have difficulty to learn in school and when he gets older, he will have a problem to earn a living and to eventually be a productive member of society,” Villar said.

According to Villar, these scenarios should not be allowed to happen.

The PCC was created in 1992 to pursue the conservation, propagation and promotion of the water buffalo as a source of milk and meat.

Catholic devotees of the Most  Holy Trinity Sacri ce Valley in Hermosa, Bataan pray and meditate through the 14 Stations of the Cross, a religious tradition observed during the Holy Week. Joseph Muego

PAO chief slams PNP Surigao on red-tagging public lawyer

By Rio N. Araja

SHE castigated Col. Dennis Siruno, provincial police chief, emphasizing that the PAO is the principal law office of the government in extending free legal assistance to indigent clients in criminal, civil, labor, administrative and other quasi-judicial cases.

“We have all the laws that mandate the PAO to assist those in need of legal assistance, may they be the complainants or respondents in various cases, especially criminal offenses,” she said.

“Col. Dennis Siruno, please spare from red-tagging/profiling our PAO lawyer Carol Anne General, who is just doing her job pursuant to Republic Act No. 9406, the PAO Law, and RA 11479,

the Anti Terrorism Act. Please read the laws,” she added.

Through her official Facebook page, she urged the public to support the PAO amid such red-tagging and profiling.

“My countrymen, followers, subscribers, clients and friends, let us protect all PAO lawyers who are doing their job as mandated by our laws,” Acosta said.

Under Section 30 of the Anti-Terror

Law, an individual who is accused or charged with any of the acts defined and penalized by the law and cannot afford a private counsel, “the law enforcement agent or military personnel concerned shall immediately contact the free legal assistance unit of the Integrated Bar of the Philippines or the PAO.”

“It shall be the duty of the free legal assistance unit of the IBP or PAO contacted to immediately visit the person detained and provide him/her with the legal aid,” the PAO chief said.

Lawyer Ingrid Rullon, PAO regional director, said the Surigao police regional office issued a statement to conduct an investigation on the profiling of the concerned PAO lawyer for providing legal assistance to members of the communist terrorist groups.

Gov’t housing program hits milestone with 100 new MOUs

THE Pambansang Pabahay para sa Pilipino Housing (4PH), a flagship program of President Ferdinand Marcos Jr., has reached another milestone with over 100 memoranda of understanding with local government units, according to the Department of Human Settlements and Urban Development (DHSUD).

DHSUD Secretary Jose Rizalino Acuzar and Quezon Governor Angelina Tan led the signing of memoranda of understanding between the provincial government, including 31 municipalities, and the DHSUD.

The following day, Puerto Galera was added to the list after the signing between DHSUD and the local government. This brought to 123 the total number of MOUs signed with the LGUs since the 4PH program’s launch in September 2022.

The signing of MOU is the initial step in the 4PH program’s process of constructing and dispensing affordable, accessible, safe and resilient homes to targeted beneficiaries, especially the informal settler families and low-income earners.

“It warms my heart that LGU leaders throughout the country have thrown their support to the administration of the President through the DHSUD to truly provide our countrymen with homes they can safely and proudly live in,” Acuzar said.

BARMM extends aid to typhoon Paeng-hit students

By Nash B. Maulana

COTABATO CITY—Learners from communities ravaged by last year’s tropical storm Paeng received financial assistance from the Ministry of Basic, Higher and Technical Education of the Bangsamoro Autonomous Region in Muslim Mindanao (MBHTE-BARMM).

MBHTE-BARMM Minister Mohagher

Iqbal said the agency’s school-based programs translate to post disaster aid in relief of learners severely affected and even traumatized by a devastating community experience

in the onslaught of Typhoon Paeng (Tropical Storm Nalgae) on October 29, 2022.

It can be recalled that President Ferdinand R. Marcos Jr. had presided over the National Disaster Risk Reduction Management Council (NDRRMC) which came up with a multi-pronged approach to immediate disaster response and for a long-term rehabilitation program.

Schools offering Islamic Studies and Arabic Language (ISAL) meanwhile also received supplies and equipment from the MBHTE-BARMM.

RTC dismisses waste dumping raps vs. CEO

By Butch Gunio

A REGIONAL trial court junked the case against the chief executive of a sanitary landfill operator in Bataan for alleged dumping of hazardous and liquid wastes under Section 13 of RA 6969 or “An Act to Control to Control Toxic Substances and Hazardous and Nuclear Wastes”

The case was filed by the local government unit of Hermosa, Bataan, represented by its newly appointed municipal and environmental and natural resources officer.

In granting the Demurrer to Evidence filed by the camp of the Atty. Beulah Coeli Fiel, president and CEO of Econest Waste Management Corp, Judge Amelita Cruz Corpuz of the Regional Trial Court Branch 96 Dinalupihan, Bataan dismissed the case due to insufficiency of evidence. The court said, “There was no testimo-

nial or documentary evidence presented that will prove beyond reasonable doubt that herein accused committed the act complained of,” and “that the evidence of the prosecution is insufficient, hence, dismissal of this case is proper under the premises.”

Prosecution witness Ronel Pagcaliwangan, COO of Udenna Environmental Services, while admitting that they did business with Econest, nonetheless denied disposing of any untreated hazardous wastes at the Hermosa landfill.

Court order also noted Pagcaliwangan’s letter dated February 26, 2020, wherein he wrote, “There was no instance where we disposed of any liquid chemical wastes in your sanitary landfill, as these were either treated via our Physico-Chemical Treatment Facility in Taguig or Thermal Oxidation in our Bataan Plant”.

The MBHTE-BARMM said the first set of school provision for ISAL teachers consisted of office supplies and equipment first delivered last March 30 to the city’s Schools Division Office (SDO).

Iqbal said over the weekend that more than 5,000 ISAL teachers assigned in 11 SDOs have been beneficiaries of the program.

Pursuant to the 1987 Philippine Constitution and the Enhanced Basic Education Act of 2013 (R.A. No. 10533), the Philippine government through the Department of Education supports the Madrasah Education Program.

“I thank the LGU chiefs who have partnered and will partner with us, hopefully soon. Thank you for embracing the administration’s vision, and know that by supporting the success of the 4PH, you are quashing the Philippines’ long-enduring pain that is the housing gap.

Let the MOUs we have signed represent our unwavering determination to uplift the Filipinos’ quality of living and put an end to homelessness and poverty,” he added.

He reassured the LGUs of the support the DHSUD would devote in the collaboration, saying “for our part, the Department reassures our LGUs that we will be particular in overseeing the completion and success of the housing projects that will be built and dedicated to our countrymen, mainly to those in the marginalized sector. Rio N.

Araja

BULONG MEETING. Members and o cers of the Bulong Pulungan held their rst group meeting at the Conrad Hotel XO

Heritage Hotel with Department of Budget and Management (DBM) Secretary Amenah Pangandanan  (third from left). The photo also shows:  (seated from left ) Jullie Yap Daza, Bulong president Deedee Sytangco; and  Rina David. Standing from the left are DBM  Usec.

Goddess Hope Libiran,  Pete L Dacuycuy; Frank Evaristo; Joy Fong;  Cynthia and Ra y Santiago and Henry Lato.

Water firms told: Brace for El Niño, avert supply crisis

By Maricel V. Cruz

ACONGRESSIONAL leader on Sunday urged Maynilad Water Services Inc. and Manila Water Co. to brace for looming El Niño conditions that could potentially put Metro Manila and neighboring provinces at risk of another devastating water shortage.

“We do not want a repeat of the 2019 water crisis, so we would urge the two water concessionaires to prepare this early for the worst, should we have a full-scale El Niño event in the months ahead,” Quezon City Rep. Marvin Rillo, vice chairperson of the House committee on Metro Manila development, said in a statement.

“Our worry is that even if the forthcoming El Niño would be less harsh than what we experienced in 2019, Metro Manila might still be vulnerable to a severe water scarcity simply because demand [for water] has since increased,” Rillo said.

The Philippine Atmospheric Geophysical and Astronomical Services (PAGASA) earlier warned that El Niño “will likely develop in the July-August-September season

and may persist until 2024.”

El Niño increases the likelihood of unusually low rainfall conditions that could cause the water hoard in dams to fall below functional levels.

In 2019, Angat Dam’s water level plunged to record lows, causing Metro Manila and surrounding provinces to reel from a brutal lack of water.

Angat supplies 90 percent of Metro Manila’s potable water and irrigates 25,000 hectares of farmland in Central Luzon.

Last week, PAGASA said Angat’s water level had dropped amid the dry season to 201 meters as of April 2 from 214 meters at the end of December 2022.

In the previous El Niño event that persisted from the last quarter of 2018 to the third quarter of 2019, up to 61 percent of the country endured a drought while the remaining 39 percent underwent a dry spell.

A drought means three consecutive months of greater than 60 percent reduction from average rainfall, or five consecutive months of 21 to 60 percent reduction from average rainfall. A dry spell means three consecutive months of 21 to 60 percent reduction from average rainfall, or two consecutive months of greater than 60 percent reduction from average rainfall.

‘Retain Land Bank mandate in DBP merger’

THE minority bloc in the House of Representatives will not oppose the planned merger of the Land Bank of the Philippines (LBP) and the Development Bank of the Philippines (DBP) for as long as the former’s mandate to provide direct credit support to small farmers and fisherfolk is kept intact.

“We must stress that Land Bank is duty bound to allocate at least 5 percent of its regular loan portfolio for socialized credit to agrarian reform beneficiaries, small farmers and fisherfolk,” House Minority Leader and 4Ps party-list Rep. Marcelino Libanan said in a statement on Sunday.

“So long as this obligation to extend low-cost financing to farming and fishing

Lawmaker backs free legal education bill in SUCs

By Maricel V. Cruz

RIZAL Rep. Fidel Nograles on Sunday threw his support for a bill that proposes to fund the legal education of aspiring lawyers in state universities and colleges (SUCs) in exchange for working in the government for two years after they pass the Bar exams. "A legal scholarship law would help in addressing our issues on legal access especially for the poor. This is a bill with noble intentions, and I support this wholeheartedly," Nograles said.

Davao City Rep. Paolo Duterte, Benguet Rep. Eric Yap, and ACT-CIS Rep. Edvic Yap have jointly filed House Bill (HB) 7433, titled, "An Act promoting access to quality legal education by providing for free tuition and other school fees in state universities and colleges and appropriating funds therefor." The bill's authors seek to provide free legal education to eligible students who will

then render a mandatory two-year return of service (ROS) in the Public Attorney's Office or any government agency lacking lawyers.

Nograles, a legal aid advocate and chair of the House committee on labor, said that if passed, the measure would help the poor have better access to legal representation.

According to the Foundation for Economic Freedom, there is roughly only one lawyer for every 2,500 Filipinos. In comparison, the United States has one lawyer for every 240 citizens.

"Currently, the PAO does not have enough lawyers, kaya't gaano man nila gustuhin, because of the lack of numbers ay hindi nila matugunan nang husto ang pangangailangan ng mga kababayan natin," he said.

"This measure would be a great boost towards this end as the PAO would have a steady stream of lawyers coming in every year," he added.

The lawmaker also said that a bill he has filed that seeks to establish legal aid programs in schools would be a good complement to HB No. 7433. HB No. 6325 or the "Legal Aid Program" bill mandates the establishment of legal aid programs in both private and public law schools in the country to augment the services rendered by the PAO and other public offices that offer free legal assistance.

"A mandatory legal aid program in schools would mesh well with the ROS program. Perhaps we could find a way to harmonize these two measures so that our legal scholars would have the proper training habang nag-aaral pa lang sila," said the solon.

Maaari tayong gumawa ng parang service track, where scholars would be part of the legal clinic and then render the ROS. This way, may real-time experience na sila kapag sumabak sila sa PAO," he added.

High Court reopens Judiciary Memorabilia Hall

By Rey E. Requejo

AFTER more than three years of being closed due to the COVID-19 pandemic, the Supreme Court has reopened its Judiciary Memorabilia Hall that “houses keepsakes and collections of bodies of work of its former magistrates.”

Chief Justice Alexander Gesmundo, who led the reopening of the hall, said the life and works of retired Chief Justice Diosdado M. Peralta, the 26th head of the country’s judiciary, will be featured for six months until September.

The Judiciary Memorabilia Hall, located on the third floor of the SC’s old building in Ermita, Manila, opened its doors to the public again on March 27, 2023, Peralta’s 71st birth anniversary.

“The Judiciary Memorabilia Hall was created to honor and keep alive the memories of our past honorable magistrates as well as to commemorate and preserve the rich history of the Philippine Judiciary,” said Joyce Jazmin G. Dimaisip-

Cunanan, acting SC senior chief staff officer of the Library Services and curator of the Judiciary Memorabilia Hall.

“The Hall was closed during the pandemic. However, due to the continuous improvement of the public health situation in the country, the Court, led by Chief Justice Alexander G. Gesmundo has decided to open [it] to the public,” Cunanan added.

aking before court officials and guests as honoree, Peralta recalled his early beginnings as a fledgling lawyer, then as a prosecutor in his hometown of Laoag, Ilocos Norte, before making the tough decision of taking a step down in his career to move to Manila.

Peralta retired on March 27, 2021 or one year ahead of his compulsory retirement at the age of 70 on March 27, 2022.

He was appointed chief justice on Oct. 23, 2019 by former President Rodrigo Duterte.

He took over the post from retired Chief Justice Lucas Bersamin, now Executive Secretary of President Ferdinand Marcos Jr.

Before his promotion, Peralta was the head of the SC’s third division, head of the House of Representatives Electoral

Tribunal (HRET), and chairman of the SC’s committee on the revision of rules.

As Chief Justice, Peralta was the chairman of the Presidential Electoral Tribunal (PET) and head of the Judicial and Bar Council (JBC). He was with the judiciary for almost 27 years. He worked for the government for more than 34 years. He started as a judge of the regional trial court (RTC) in Quezon City in 1994. As a trial court judge, his court was designated a special criminal court for heinous crimes and, later, for drug cases. In 2002, he was promoted to the Sandiganbayan. After six years in the anti-graft court, he was promoted as its presiding justice in 2008. On Jan. 23, 2009, Peralta was named SC associate justice, a post he held until his promotion as chief justice in 2019. SC Justice Jose Midas P. Marquez recounted that “when he (Peralta) became Chief Justice, he chose to ‘lead by example’ with his own prudent ways and worked in coordination (with various offices), motivating the Court with his highly interactive leadership and his vision for judicial excellence.”

communities is left unimpaired, we won’t get in the way of the proposed combination of the two banks,” he added.

Libanan is also counting on Land Bank to continue servicing the borrowing requirements of micro, small, and medium-sized enterprises (MSMEs) in the provinces.

Land Bank’s mission to promote countryside development has become absolutely imperative, Libanan said, considering that many private rural banks have collapsed over the years.

Since 2012, the Bangko Sentral ng Pilipinas (BSP) has ordered the closure and liquidation of 123 troubled private rural banks across the country, based on

Philippine Deposit Insurance Corp. (PDIC) records.

The administration of President Ferdinand Marcos Jr. wants to merge Land Bank with DBP, with the former as the surviving entity, in a bid to achieve operating efficiencies and cost reductions. The union of the two state-owned lenders would create the nation’s largest bank with P4.18 trillion in assets, according to Finance Secretary Benjamin Diokno. Land Bank, which acts as the official depository of government funds, has 752 branches, 2,810 ATMs and over 10,000 employees. DBP has 147 branches, 836 ATMs and over 3,600 employees.

Survey: 3 in 4 Pinoys ready for revenge summer travel

AT least three in four Filipinos now feel safe to travel around the country, confident that domestic tourism will go back to pre-COVID level, the non-commissioned Pahayag Quarter 1 survey conducted by PUBLiCUS Asia Inc. showed.

Revenge travel, the survey showed, is in the offing during the summer season.

Across all demographics, Filipinos will be traveling this summer with 71 percent planning to travel between March to May 2023.

Of those who have travel plans, 69 percent are traveling locally while 24 percent have plans for both local and international travels.

Meanwhile, 76 percent agree to ease the border restrictions of the country to welcome visitors, with Visayas and NCR

supporting it the most.

Only 11 percent disagree with easing border restriction, while 8 percent do not feel safe traveling around the country. Some 29 percent of the respondents do not plan to travel this summer.

The independent survey conducted by PUBLiCUS Asia Inc. between March 2 to 6, 2023 with a nationwide purposive sampling survey of 1,500 respondents randomly drawn from the market research panel of over 200,000 Filipinos maintained by the Singapore office of PureSpectrum, a US-based panel marketplace with multinational presence. The sample was restricted to registered Filipino voters. Samples provided by PureSpectrum are not affiliated with any bias or political party.

Legislator hopes senators use break to revisit Charter amendments report

By Maricel V. Cruz

A LEGISLATOR from the Bicol Region on Sunday expressed optimism that members of the Senate committee on constitutional amendments and revision of codes can find the time this congressional break to weigh this panel’s report on the need to amend the restrictive economic provisions of the Constitution.

"We are hoping our senators, especially the members of the Senate committee on constitutional amendments and revision of codes, can find time during our recess to consider the report of its chairman, Sen. Robin, endorsing constitutional reforms to do away with our 1987 Charter’s economic provisions that have restricted foreign ownership of, or participation in, Philippine businesses,” Camarines Sur Rep. Luis Raymund Villafuerte said.

Villafuerte, one of the principal authors of the proposed economic Charter Change in the House of Representatives, said views it as a "welcome development" that the committee chaired by Sen. Padilla had sought senator-members’ approval of its

report endorsing Charter Change via the Constituent Assembly (Con-Ass) option— as against the House-approved resolution and bill advocating the Constitutional Convention (Con-Con) route. "It will keep the process of constitutional reform going in the 19th Congress," said Villafuerte, president of the National Unity Party.

“As what I have said before the congressional break, it’s beside the point whether the Senate would take a look at improving our Constitution by way of a Con-Con or Con-Ass. What is important at this stage is for the Senate to consider amendments to our flawed Constitution, so the 19th Congress can come up with a consolidated measure green-lighting a Charter makeover, preferably before 2023 is over.”

“The important thing is for us lawmakers to keep the ball rolling on constitutional reforms, in the hope that we can do away soon enough with the restrictive economic provisions of our 36-year-old Charter that have put off investors and impeded the inrush of FDIs [foreign direct investments],” said Villafuerte.

IN FULL BLOOM. A mall goer walks under a canopy of well-lighted colorful flower installations in Cubao, Quezon City. Manny Marcelo

REFRESHING WATERS. Beachgoers enjoy a cool dip in Noveleta, Cavite on Easter Sunday. Norman Cruz

BACK TO THE SALT MINES. Passengers board a fast track vessel at the Port of Calapan in Oriental Mindoro on Sunday, April 9, 2023, two days before the long Holy Week and Day of Valor holiday ends. Danny Pata

Serious repercussions to private schools

THE power to legislate laws is a responsibility entrusted by the country’s voting population to each member of both Houses of Congress.

In crafting legislation, the objective is, or should be, to address critical issues that have strategic impact to the nation’s socio-economic wellbeing, national security, and consistent with the Philippine Constitution. The long and thorough legislative process that a bill must go through tests its responsiveness, viability, and most of all, ensure the positive impact to the sectors the proposed legislation seeks to benefit, while justly penalizing those who will violate its execution.

Vital to all legislative initiatives are intense consultations with all affected stakeholders so that legislators will be educated by experts on the real dynamics of an affected sector and be advised of the repercussions of proposed policies.

Affordable goods for consumers

IF THERE’S a government project that really benefits consumers at this time of high inflation, it’s the Kadiwa ng Pangulo. This project replicates the original one launched during the first Marcos administration.

The private educational institutions have been the major producer of the country’s professionals, managers, and technicians which according to 2019 PACU data is 74.9 percent compared to 25.1 percent from the State Universities and Colleges.

This translates to more than 3.5 million from the private higher education institutions and about 1.8 million from SUCs. Based on data form the Commission on Higher Education, private colleges and universities produced 402,437 graduates in 2019-2020, higher than the 394,139 from SUCs.

From 2010-2020, approximately 3.7 million graduated from private schools accounting for about 50 percent of the Philippine education system’s output.

The prestige factor associated with private school institutions reflects the public’s positive perception of the quality and advantage of private school graduates for higher studies and employment.

For parents, investing in education is a lifetime legacy for the children’s future.

Contrasting to public schools that operate with government subsidy, private schools must be financially viable to sustain operations and to continuously invest in its facilities, teaching technologies, employees, and most important their faculty so that learners in each academic program will receive the best training.

The task now is to widen the coverage of the Kadiwa outlets nationwide

fisherfolk increase their income.

The Kadiwa ng Pangulo brings together the Office of the President, five departments— Agriculture, Trade and Industry, Social Welfare and Development, Labor and Employment, and

Interior and Local Government—as well as different LGUs.

The task now is to widen the coverage of the Kadiwa outlets nationwide. With more Kadiwa outlets, the government seeks to improve agricultural productivity, reduce the country’ reliance on importations, and stabilize the prices of basic goods. Since its launch last year, the Kadiwa program earned more than P400 million, based on government figures. The administration has so far launched more than 500 Kadiwa ng Pangulo outlets nationwide.

The continuing expansion of the Kadiwa outlets nationwide aims to give a platform for Filipino farmers, fisherfolk and micro, small and medium enterprises to enable them to generate more income through direct farm-toconsumer trade.

President Marcos has pointed out the only way to keep Kadiwa outlets operational is to boost the production of local farmers and thus provide consumers with cheap basic goods amid rising.

But this would also entail transforming agriculture into “a high-tech operation” with the appropriate strategies and techniques to increase production.

Can that be done within the next five years? We really hope so.

Taiwan crossroads in 2024

There is strong opposition from the country’s private educational institutions on the proposed Senate and House Bills that would allow students with unpaid tuition and other school fees to take assessments and examinations particularly Senate Bill 1359 and House Bill 7584 which will soon go on bicameral committee deliberations – the last stage before transmission to the Office of the President for signing into law.

This is yet another instance of oversight that has prompted the Coordinating Council of Private Educational Associations (COCOPEA), the Philippine Association of Colleges and Universities (PACU), Catholic Educational Association of the Philippines (CEAP), Association of Christian Schools, Colleges and Universities (ACSCU), the Unified Technical and Vocational Education and Training of the Philippines Inc. (UniTVET Inc.), and the Philippine Association of Private Schools, Colleges, and Universities (PAPSCU) to issue a public statement last week calling on legislators “to defer the bicameral committee deliberations and hear the private educational sector’s voice.”

Department of Education’s October 2020 data showed the private education sector has been hit hard by the pandemic crisis counting 860 K-12 private schools that suspended operations affecting approximately 60,000 students and 4,500 teachers.

With mobility restrictions fully lifted and school operations normalized, many small private schools, especially those in the regions, are still struggling to survive amidst the economic difficulties of inflation and high operating costs. Private schools have a critical role in training the skilled workforce that we need for economic growth.

The proposed bills if passed into law will threaten the already precarious situation of small private schools that can result in closure and the displacement of thousands of students, teachers and school personnel. For each school that will close, an ecosystem of hundreds of linked small enterprises and livelihoods will lose business to the detriment of thousands of dependents.

Private schools survive on the timely payment of tuition and other fees. Prohibiting the No Permit, No Exam policy will unfairly encourage parents to deprioritize the prompt payment of this obligation leaving schools short in their cash flow to pay for utilities, salaries and benefits of teachers and employees and other obligations, which could not be deferred.

Furthermore, private schools are sensitive to the financial challenges of parents and have been offering deferred payment schemes.

DepEd Order 15 s. 2010 already allows such arrangements. I know this as my parents availed of these installment plans back when I was student and now as a parent investing in my children’s education.

It is undeniable how private schools have been the dominant producer of skilled human resources and leaders in government and the private sector.

If the intent of Senate Bill 1359 and House Bill 7584 is to help ease the financial burden on students and their families, the proponents of these bills should heed the call of the private education sector to hold more consultations and together work on a balanced and more appropriate policy that would strengthen, not harm the private school system.

EvEryman

president, while another DPP president might continue Tsai’s arms-length relationship with the mainland, the repudiation of the 1992 Consensus, and draw Taiwan firmly into the side of the US and Japan against China’s determination to “reunify.”

AS DISCUSSED in my previous article last Monday, April 3, the forthcoming presidential elections in January, 2024could prove to be crossroads that could determine Xi Jin-ping’s next move on what he considers a “renegade province.”

The present leadership is held by the Democratic Progressive Party (DPP) under President Tsai Ing-wen. Its main rival is the National People’s Party, also referred to as the Nationalist Party, or Kuo-min-tang (KMT).

The KMT was brought into the island by Chiang Kai-shek after he lost to the CPP under Mao Tse-tung after the Second World War and was forced to flee the mainland.

Since 1949, Chiang held Taiwan under an iron grip with the support of the US of A, and, upon his death in 1975, he was succeeded by a transition leader until his son Chiang Ching-kuo, was elected in 1978 and whose regime slowly liberalized the authoritarian rule of his father.

When Chiang Ching-kuo died of a heart attack arising from diabetes complications in 1988, he was succeeded by his vice-president, Lee Tenghui, a former mayor of Taipei, who, as president, proceeded to fully dismantle authoritarian rule into a democratic system, where the president was chosen by the population in direct vote, as well as lower positions.

And in the face of the currently strong antimainland and pro-Western sentiment of voters, especially after the forceful quelling of Hong Kong activists and the establishment of a “puppet” government in the former British crown colony, KMT’s chosen candidate in 2024 will likely tiptoe carefully on the subject of independence versus the “One China-Two Systems” solution that Beijing proffers.

Since 1992, the Taiwan electorate had never given the two major parties, the “blue” KMT’s or the “green” DPP, a continuing mandate beyond two straight terms. If the trend continues, feng shui should give KMT an edge.

general of the National Police Agency before becoming deputy mayor of New Taipei under Mayor Chu.

The KMT under Eric Chu’s chairmanship has taken a prudent stance vis-à-vis the mainland, not espousing independence, but proposing the strengthening of mutually beneficial economic partnership.

His becoming chairman of KMT largely dismantled the “old guard” and invited younger blood into what has been derisively termed as a “jurassic” party controlled by political “dinosaurs.”

There is a former KMT stalwart who resigned in 2020 after an unsuccessful try for the party’s presidential nomination, billionaire Terry Gou, Hon Hai Precision (better known as Foxconn International) chairman, whose company is the world’s largest electronics manufacturer, counting Apple as its major customer.

A marine technologist turned successful businessman, Gou, 73 by January, has once again publicly announced his intention to run for the presidency, and would re-apply as KMT.

Still quite young at 45 come voting time is KMT’s newly elected Taipei City Mayor Chang Wan-an, popularly nicknamed Wayne, who is the great grandson of the dictator Generalissimo Chiang Kai-shek, a two-term legislator and a lawyer who finished at the University of Pennsylvania and thereafter became a corporate lawyer in California before returning to Taipei to establish his legal practice and enter politics.

Preceding Wayne Chiang as mayor of Taipei, Ko Wen-je, another medical doctor, who after serving two terms from 2014 till 2022, is touted to be interested in running for president come January under his Taiwan People’s Party, a third force.

Taipei City election results last November 26 were an embarrassment to outgoing mayor Ko, and could dampen support for his presidential plans. He is now in the US to test the waters.

Two

counting: MTFI assured of continued support from partners

By Melandrew T. Velasco

TWO years after its establishment, the Million Trees Foundation, Inc. led by Chairman Emeritus Gen. Reynaldo V. Velasco (ret.) and us as MTFI president and Executive Director together with representatives from institutional partners and stakeholders inaugurated on March 16, 2023 the foundation’s phase 2 projects at the La Mesa Watershed in Novaliches, Quezon City.

It was during Chiang Ching-kuo and Lee Teng-hui’s terms that Taiwan progressed rapidly at a time when the mainland was likewise opening up its economy under the legendary Deng Xiaoping after the death of Mao. Lee, an agriculturist, likewise spearheaded Taiwan’s farm modernization, establishing world-class agricultural research institutes side by side with the manufacturing growth began by Ching-kuo. In the general elections of 2000, another Taipei mayor, this time from the opposition DPP, was elected president, Chen Sui-bian.

Hounded by corruption scandals, he was later imprisoned, during which the KMT in 2008 regained power with Ma Ying-jeou, another former Taipei City mayor as president.

Then KMT’s Lee had two terms on top of his succession of Ching-kuo; DPP’s Chen had another two; KMT’s Ma had two; followed by DPP’s Tsai who will bow down in May 2024, after transitioning to her duly elected successor in January 2024, a scant nine months away.

So who are the likely presidential candidates?

Unless Foxconn billionaire Terry Go gets the nod of KMT as its official candidate, he would not proceed, and has vowed to support Mayor Hou or whoever the party chooses as standard bearer.

The occasion also marked the first anniversary of the Million Trees Nursery and Eco-Learning Center in the five-hectare area of the watershed compound leased by the Metropolitan Waterworks and Sewerage System to MTFI for 15 years.

The inauguration was followed by the opening of Splash Tree, a visual art exhibit that showcased the works of Janddie Castillo, known as “Master of Splash Art” for his unique art style and technique.

MWSS Administrator Cleofas delivered the welcome remarks and reported that out of the 1.7 million trees pledged in 2022 for the Annual Million Trees Challenge, 1.2 million trees have been planted. This constitutes a portion of the 10 million more trees target by 2030.

MTFI is the official NGO partner of MWSS to ensure the continuity of AMTC and expand its cov-

erage throughout the country. In my speech, I spoke about the accomplishments of the Foundation for the past two years.

I shared the information that there are now 500 members of MTFI’s Green Army Brigade and the Foundation together with partner stakeholders have planted 20,000 trees inside the La Mesa Watershed area.

Other accomplishments are: the completion of the SMC Multi Center (Eddie’s Green Barn) which was inaugurated last October 23, 2022; construction and completion of new rest rooms, staff house, and green houses.

During the period, MTFI procured Philippine native trees, ornamental plants, fruit-bearing trees and vegetables.

It also undertook improvement works on the MTFI grounds and procured garden tools, wooden swing, mango table and bahay kubo and new landscaping for beautification of the area.

Representatives from institutional partners Manila Water and Manila Water Foundation, Maynilad, San Miguel Corporation, and Department of Environment and Natural Resources congratulated and reaffirmed the commitment of their respective organizations to support the advocacy of MTFI.

Manila Water President J.V. Emmanuel de Dios, Manila Water Foundation Reginald Andal and MWCI Regulatory Group Head Jo Kristine Celera formally turned over its P1-million institutional support to MTFI Chairman Rey Velasco and MTFI President Mel Velasco joined in by MWSS Chairman Vega and MWSS Administrator Cleofas.

Likewise, Maynilad President Ramoncito S. Fernandez and MWSI Corporate Communication Head Annete de Ocampo also turned P1-million institutional support. Fernandez rallied MTFI partner stakeholders to give special focus on the massive degradation of Laguna Lake which is also a vital source of water to both Maynilad and Manila Water.

DENR NCR Regional Executive Director Jacqueline A. Caancan, CESO III represented by DENR-NCR Assistant Regional Director Engr. Ignacio R. Almira Jr. commended MWSS for its efforts to protect and conserve the La Mesa Watershed through the AMTC.

“The DENR National Capital Region is pleased and thankful to have you as partner in the enrichment of one of the remaining green spaces of Metro

There is a straight line between the Taipei City Hall and the presidential palace, through the wide, tree-lined Ren-ai Boulevard. Thus it was said that whoever becomes Taipei mayor ends up in the presidency. This was broken in 2016, when the DPP fielded an economist who never held elective positions, and a lady at that, Tsai-Ing-wen, for president. This was her second try, after losing to re-electionist Ma in 2012.

Tsai won on a strong wave of anti-mainland sentiment, where Ma was perceived to be too submissive to the PRC.

Thus, KMT’s popular candidate, the charismatic Mayor Eric Chu of New Taipei City, and before that of Taoyuan, was defeated by an introvert single lady, Tsai. Tsai however is on her last year in office, completing two four-year terms.

But on her last year in office, after the Honduras defection to Beijing, Tsai upped the ante by meeting with Speaker Kevin McCarthy and a bi-partisan group of legislators last Wednesday in the Ronald Reagan Library in California, where assurance that the US stands by Taiwan’s democracy was reiterated.

Thus, the January 13, 2024 elections is keenly watched not only by China but the major powers with geo-political and economic interests in Taiwan, most keenly by the US of A and Japan.

A KMT win would likely cool down the crossstrait tensions that began when Tsai became

Manila,” Almira said. According to Almira, water security is one of the priorities of DENR. AMTC aims to rehabilitate critical watersheds that are essential in the water supply.

“For the past four years we have seen improvements in our watersheds, thanks to the Annual Million Tree Challenge, the National Greening Project, and other similar endeavors of different stakeholders,” he noted.

“DENR National Capital Region reaffirms its commitment to continue providing planting materials to the Annual Million Tree Project and assist in the validation of the planted seedlings and other

In the DPP, current vice-president Lai Chien-jen, better known by his English name William, 64 years old by the time of elections, is a current favorite.

The former premier and two-term mayor of Tainan, Lai, the son of a coal miner, is quite charismatic, and fiercely pro-independence. He is a medical doctor specializing in physical rehabilitation.

Then there is the current premier, 72-year old Chen Chien-jen, the vice-president of Tsai on her first term (2016-2020), another doctor and renowned epidemiologist who specialized at the Johns Hopkins University Hospital in Baltimore and was former minister of health.

A devout Roman Catholic, the deeply religious and humble Chen walks from his house daily to attend mass in the Daan district parish.

Though DPP, he is not too vocal against the mainland and could be a default candidate acceptable to the mainland over the other doctor, William Lai.

There are dark horses in the DPP stable, such as Kaohsiung Mayor Chen-Chi-mai, young at 59, another physician, or even the former premier, Su Tseng-chang, 76 come July, this time a lawyer who graduated from the National Taiwan University, and a well-rounded politician.

On the Kuomintang side, its current chairman, Eric Chu, 61, who lost to Tsai in 2016 as the KMT’s reluctant candidate, is supporting his successor as New Taipei City mayor, Hou You-yi. Hou, who will turn 66 on June 7, was director-

needed interventions.”

Meanwhile, Bulacan Bulk Water Manager Edgar Dona read the speech of SMC President and CEO Ramon S. Ang for the anniversary celebration. SMC, which has become MTFI’s major annual donor supported the construction of the SMC Multi Purpose Center which is dedicated to former President Fidel V. Ramos.

In his speech, RSA commended MTFI for taking on “the ambitious but arduous task of planting millions of trees in critical watershed areas, including the La Mesa Watershed.”

He underscored the importance of trees. “The role of trees and forests in our lives is ba-

Polls show a close three-way race with Vicepresident William Lai of the DPP getting about 32 percent of the vote; while KMT’s Hou and TPP’s Ko are even-steven with 21 percent each. But it’s a long way to go, and the smoke has not cleared on who eventually will be in the running.

The main issue would be the future of the troubled island-nation of 23.4 million at a time of disquiet possibly leading to military conflict.

“Nobody wants war,” a prominent businessman told me, adding that “only the politicians use war as a means to spend more money, and for the West, to sell us more arms.”

A retired diplomat who I asked about the willingness of Taiwanese to fight their Chinese cousins vigorously said “I would fight!”

His wife who was with us over lunch calmly riposted, “But your sons will not.”

We should have a clearer picture of the mainland vis-à-vis Taiwan affairs after the 2024 elections. For now, the scenarios would be a series of what Filipinos call “girian.”

Meanwhile, our president has agreed to have the Americans put up transport, training, support facilities, and the pre-positioning of war materiel and supplies, as well as deploying these and personnel, in nine strategically locations in the country.

Incidentally, the modern Lal-lo Airport in Cagayan, some half an hour away by plane from Kaohsiung, was built during the time of Pres. Benigno S. Aquino III, completed just before Pres. Duterte won, yet was surprisingly never opened for commercial use, is now one of those sites the joint US-RP military troops will use as a new EDCA platform. Full text at www.manilastandard.net

sic but commonly overlooked--or worse, ignored.

Apart from providing us valuable resources such as food and building materials, trees also protect us against land erosion and flooding.” Guest of honor MWSS Board of Trustees Chairman Atty. Elpidio Vega who was introduced by MTFI Chairman Emeritus Velasco. Tokens of appreciation were handed to all partners of MTFI on the road to 10 million more trees by 2030.

(The author is president and executive director of the Million Trees Foundation Inc. He is also a prolific book writer and publisher.)

and

Protecting our environment is our task and obligation if we are to ensure our country’s sustainable development for future generations

It will be best for peace-loving nations especially in Asia to use their diplomatic skills and moral suasion to prevent hostilities, and seek a peaceful resolution of the issues that hound the Taiwan Strait

Prohibiting the No Permit, No Exam policy will unfairly encourage parents to deprioritize the prompt payment of this obligation leaving schools short in their cash flow...

Petron starts construction of CME facility beside oil refinery in Bataan

By Alena Mae S. Flores

PETRON Corp. launched the construction of a co-methyl ester plant with an annual capacity of 180,000 tons beside the company’s 180,000-barrel-per-day refinery in Limay, Bataan.

Petron president Ramon Ang said the CME plant would help address the anticipated increase in biodiesel demand once the CME blend is raised to 5 percent from 2 percent.

“We have started [construction].

It will also take a long time to construct—about two years before completion. Capacity is 180,000 tons per year,” Ang said in an interview during the launch of San Miguel Corp.’s battery energy storage system in Limay.

“It can handle up to 5 percent of the requirement of the future...This will result in a more reliable supply,” Ang said.

Petron earlier said the CME plant would eliminate dependence on third-party suppliers and provide higher margins for diesel.

The Securities and Exchange

Commission approved the amendment to Petron’s incorporation papers in January that would pave the way for it to own a biofuels facility.

“The proposed amendment will allow the company to construct and operate a coco-methyl ester plant and secure relevant permits, therefore,” Petron said. Petron included production of biofuels in the company’s primary purpose.

Petron is the Philippines’ largest oil company, operating the sole oil refinery that is capable of providing nearly 40 percent of the country’s petroleum requirements. The company has over 2,000 service stations nationwide.

Petron posted a consolidated net income of P6.7 billion in 2022, up 9 percent from P6.1 billion in 2021 despite navigating a volatile industry environment.

Sales volume from local and international operations increased for the second straight year to 112.81 million barrels, up 37 percent from 82.24 million barrels in 2021.

IN BRIEF

Outlook for peso remains bright

THE outlook for the Philippine peso remains bright, with the expected continued support from monetary authorities and the rising gross international reserves, an economist said over the weekend.

Rizal Commercial Banking Corp. chief economist Michael Ricafort said in a report a relatively high GIR could fundamentally provide some support for the peso exchange rate especially against “any speculative attacks.”

Latest data from the Bangko Sentral ng Pilipinas showed that the GIR level rose to $100.2 billion as of end-March 2023 from $98.2 billion in February. It represented a more than adequate external liquidity buffer equivalent to 7.5 months’ worth of imports of goods and payments of services and primary income.

It was also about 6.0 times the country’s short-term external debt based on original maturity and 4.2 times based on residual maturity.

Ricafort also said any Federal Reserve rate decision of a possible 25-basis-point hike or pause on May 3, 2023 would likely be matched locally on May 18, 2023, a move that could maintain comfortable interest rate differentials that help stabilize the peso, import costs/prices and overall inflation. Julito G. Rada

Stocks seen resuming sideways movement

SHARE prices are expected to move sideways with an upward bias in this shortened trading week amid prospects of easing interest rate hikes.

Financial markets are closed Monday as the country celebrates Araw ng Kagitingan.

Analysts said the lower March inflation rate bolstered hopes that the Bangko Sentral ng Pilipinas’ tightening cycle would soon come to an end.

Inflation rate in March eased to six-month low of 7.6 percent from 8.6 percent in February on reduced prices of petroleum and some food commodities. Core inflation rate, however, climbed to 8 percent in March from 7.8 percent in the previous month, illustrating broadening price pressures.

Analysts said while the BSP was expected to deliver another 25-basis-point rate increase in its next policy meeting in May, investors were expecting the BSP to take a pause from its tightening cycle by the second half of 2023. Jenniffer B. Austria

Video piracy leads to revenue loss of $781m

THE Intellectual Property Office of the Philippines said over the weekend it will intensify efforts to police the video industry to plug the estimated $781 million or P42.147 billion worth of revenue leakage last year.

Data showed that 2022 revenues from video streaming amounted to $419 million, or about P22.6 billion, with consumer subscription contributing 57 percent and net brand advertising, 43 percent.

“Our IP Rights Enforcement Office will strive to swiftly curb counterfeits and piracy in markets, especially with the draft rules on site blocking that we hope to put in place soon,” said IPOPHL director-general Rowel Barba.

A March 2023 report of Media Partners Asia showed the growth and monetization of online video lagged because of piracy. Easy access to pirated online video content inhibits the development of the premium video sector, including subscription video on demand and premium advertising-based video on demand, it said.

The research-based advisory firm reported a pervasive online video piracy, reaching 20 million users in 2022 or representing an alarming 53 percent of legal video industry/screen revenues.

“If online piracy is not brought under control, the illegal industrial activity could claim 31 million users by 2027 with annual leakage of $1 billion,” the report said. Othel

V. Campos

MPTC keeps Tagaytay Expressway plan ‘alive’

By Darwin G. Amojelar

AUNIT of Metro Pacific Tollways Corp. said the planned P25.24-billion Cavite-Tagaytay-Batangas Expressway remains “alive” despite an adjacent project proposed by San Miguel Corp.

“We are still discussing with the DPWH [Department of Public Works and Highways], so we can submit our proposal to NEDA [National Economic and Development Authority] for their comments. There is still ongoing discussion. It is still alive. We have not given up,” Metro Pacific Tollways South president and general manager Raul Ignacio said.

“We believe that while there is a statement coming from the Secretary [of DPWH] that the projects can co-exist, we are still in talks with the government, DPWH,” he said.

DPWH Secretary Manuel Bonoan earlier said the CTBEX project would “push through,” and “I don’t think there will be conflict in alignment” with the Cavite Batangas Expressway proposed

NOTICE TO SHAREHOLDERS

Dear Shareholder:

by San Miguel Holdings Inc.

“The two projects will push through, but we will have to iron out some pending issues, so that both of them can start,” Bonoan said, referring to CTBEX and CBEX.

The DPWH granted the original proponent status to MPTC for the construction of CTBEX in 2018. CTBEX is a 50.43-kilometer expressway that will connect Cavite and Batangas, with a spur road to Tagaytay City and ultimately terminating in Nasugbu and another spur road to Tuy, Batangas.

CTBEX, which is expected to decongest about 23,000 vehicles daily from the nearby thoroughfares, will start at Silang East Interchange of the Cavite-Laguna Expressway which is

f) Redemption

now open to the motoring public. The alignment will traverse the towns of Silang, Amadeo, Mendez, Alfonso and Tagaytay in Cavite and Nasugbu in Batangas.

The MPTC Group has a total of 240.6 kilometers of existing expressways and 43.1 kilometers under construction, with a total investment of $3.06 billion.

It operates 105 kilometers of North Luzon Expressway, 94 km. of Subic Clark-Tarlac Expressway and 14 km. of Manila-Cavite Expressway. It also operates the 8.5-km. Cebu-Cordova Link Expressway in Cebu. MPTC is also building the 45-km. Cavite Laguna Expressway Project that is expected to be completed by 2024. Its operational segments stretches from Mamplasan in Binan, with interchanges at Laguna Technopark, Laguna Boulevard, Santa Rosa-Tagaytay Road up to Silang East Interchange.

The C5 Link—a 7.7-kilometer 2×3 lane expressway that will connect CAVITEX R1 to C5 Road in Taguig— is also under construction.

This is to seek your approval for the amendments of the Amended Articles of Incorporation of AXELUM RESOURCES CORP. (the “Company”).

The proposed amendment on the Company’s authorized capital stock is pursuant to the conversion by CP Compass Singapore Pte. Ltd. (“CP Compass”) of its redeemable preferred shares (“RPS”) to common shares. The amendment aims to reflect the resulting capital structure after such conversion.

In the years 2017 to 2019, a total of nine hundred million (900,000,000) RPS was issued to CP Compass from the one billion (1,000,000,000) RPS authorized capital stock of the Company leaving one hundred million (100,000,000) unissued RPS.

In January and March 2019, CP Compass converted all of its nine hundred million (900,000,000) RPS to common shares at the ratio of one (1) common share for every one (1) RPS (1 common share: 1 RPS). The nine hundred million (900,000,000) common shares issued to CP Compass were taken from the unissued common shares existing at the time of the conversion. Thus, the nine hundred million (900,000,000) common shares arising from the conversion by CP Compass became part of the issued common shares of the Company.

The Company proposes to reclassify one hundred million (100,000,000) common shares to one hundred million (100,000,000) RPS resulting in a final authorized capital stock of five billion Pesos (Php5,000,000,000.00) divided into four-billioneight-hundred-million-Peso (Php4,800,000,000) common shares and two-hundredmillion-Peso (Php200,000,000) RPS:

a. 3,798,405,500 issued and outstanding common shares;

b. 201,594,500 common shares held in treasury;

c. 800,000,000 unissued common shares; and

d. 200,000,000 unissued RPS.

Currently, there are no holders of the RPS that will be affected by the amendments while the existing holders of common shares will also not be affected by the amendments. The amendments do not have the effect of changing or restricting the rights of existing holders of common shares, or of authorizing preferences in any respect superior to those of outstanding shares of any class.

The Company hereby presents the proposed amendments below:

1. Sixth Article: Increase in the number of directors from seven (7) to nine (9)

2. Seventh Article: Change in authorized capital stock from FIVE BILLION PESOS (P5,000,000,000.00), in lawful money of the Philippines, divided into (a) FOUR BILLION PESOS (P4,000,000,000.00) Common Shares with par value of One Peso (P1.00) per share and (b) ONE BILLION PESOS (P1,000,000,000.00) Redeemable Preferred Shares with par value of One Peso (P1.00) per share. to FIVE BILLION PESOS (P5,000,000,000.00), in lawful money of the Philippines, divided into (a) FOUR BILLION EIGHT HUNDRED MILLION PESOS (P4,800,000,000.00) Common Shares with par value of One Peso (P1.00) per share and (b) TWO HUNDRED MILLION PESOS (P200,000,000.00) Redeemable Preferred Shares with par value of One Peso (P1.00) per share.

3. Seventh Article. Change in the features of the Redeemable Preferred Shares as follows (provisions to be modified or deleted are indicated): The Redeemable Preferred Shares shall have the following features:

a) Voting Rights The holders of the Redeemable Preferred Shares (the “Redeemable Preferred Shareholders”) outstanding from time to time shall have the same full and unrestricted voting rights as the holders of the Common Shares (“Common Shareholders”).

b) Dividends

The Redeemable Preferred Shareholders shall be entitled to participate pro-rata in any regular dividend declared for the Common Shares to be paid out of the corporation’s unrestricted retained earnings at the same rate and upon the same terms as declared and paid to the Common Shareholders. The Redeemable Preferred Shareholders shall also be entitled to such other dividends as may be determined and approved by the Board of Directors. Unless dividends on all outstanding Redeemable Preferred Shares shall have been paid or declared and set apart for payment, (i) no dividends shall be paid or declared and set apart for payment in respect of the Common Shares; (ii) no distribution shall be made in respect of the Common Shares as to distribution upon liquidation, dissolution or winding-up of the corporation; (iii) nor shall any Common Shares, upon liquidation, dissolution or winding up of the corporation, be redeemed, purchased or otherwise acquired for any consideration (or any payment made to or made available for a sinking fund for the redemption of shares of such stock) by the corporation.

c) Convertibility into Common Shares

The Redeemable Preferred Shareholders have the right to convert their Redeemable Preferred Shares to Common Shares at any time by notice to the corporation; provided, that no Redeemable Preferred Shares shall be converted until after three (3) years from its issue date. After conversion, the new Common Shares (which may consist of reissued treasury shares and/or new Common Shares from the corporation’s authorized capital) to be issued shall rank pari passu in all respects with the existing Common Shares of the corporation. The initial conversion ratio shall be one-to-one, subject to any adjustments set out in any effective shareholders agreement.

d) Liquidation Rights In the event of any voluntary or involuntary liquidation, dissolution or winding up of the corporation (but not on redemption of any of the Redeemable Preferred Shares or any repurchase by the corporation of any of the Redeemable Preferred Shares), the Redeemable Preferred Shareholders shall be entitled to receive out of the assets of the corporation available for distribution to the shareholders of the corporation, before any distribution of assets is made to holders of Common Shares, distributions in the amount of the issue value per outstanding Redeemable Preferred Shares, plus declared and unpaid dividends to the date of distribution.

e) Priority No equity security shall be created or issued with preferences as regards participation in the profits of the corporation or in the assets of the corporation on a liquidation, dissolution or winding up or otherwise higher in priority to the Redeemable Preferred Shares.

The corporation shall have the option to redeem the Redeemable Preferred Shares if approved by the Board of Directors and the redemption shall be pursuant to a written redemption agreement executed by the corporation and the relevant holder of the Redeemable Preferred Shares. In no case shall the redemption price of the actual number of Redeemable Preferred Shares to be redeemed be less than the cost of such shares plus an 8% yield. (As amended by the Directors and Stockholders on July 26, 2017.)”

The corporation may, at any time, reissue any of the Redeemable Preferred Shares it has previously redeemed.

g) Payments Payments of dividends and any other distributions in respect of the Redeemable Preferred Shares or amounts payable upon redemption of the Redeemable Preferred Shares may be made in United States Dollars, at the election of the Redeemable Preferred Shareholder, insofar as and to the full extent permissible under Philippine law and regulations. In the event that, due to any change in Philippine law or regulations, force majeure events or any other circumstances rendering it illegal for the corporation to make any of such payments in United States Dollars (“USD”), the corporation shall not be under any obligation to make such payment in USD and any such payment will be made in Philippine Pesos (“Pesos”). Any conversion of amounts in USD to Pesos payable hereunder shall be calculated based on the FX Rate (as defined below) applicable for the purchase of Pesos with USD as at the date of the declaration of the relevant dividends, payment of redemption price or distribution, as the case may be. For the purpose of this paragraph, “FX Rate” means the USD:Pesos closing rate of a bank that the Board of Directors may reasonably nominate, on a day when banks are open for business in the Philippines (“Business Day”) immediately prior to such conversion.

If the due date for payment of any amount in respect of any Redeemable Preferred Shares is not a Business Day, then the holder shall not be entitled to payment of the amount due until the next following Business Day and shall not be entitled to any interest or other payment in respect of any such delay.

g) h) Notices Notices to Redeemable Preferred Shareholders shall be given in accordance with the corporation’s By-Laws.

The corporation shall provide to each Redeemable Preferred Shareholder copies of all notices, circulars, annual budgets and annual reports sent to all holders of Common Shares.

h) i)Transfers

(i) A Redeemable Preferred Share may be transferred, in whole or in part, in accordance with the provisions of the corporation’s Bylaws and any effective shareholder agreement upon the surrender at the office of the corporate secretary of the certificate evidencing the Redeemable Preferred Share to be transferred, together with the form of transfer endorsed on it duly completed and executed by both the transferor and the transferee and the relevant documents of title and identity of the person making the request, subject to such reasonable regulations as the corporation may establish from time to time.

Title to the Redeemable Preferred Shares shall pass by registration in the corporation’s stock and transfer book. Registration of the Redeemable Preferred Shares on transfer shall be effected without charge by or on behalf of the corporation, but upon payment by the relevant holder of the Redeemable Preferred Shares in respect of any tax or other government charges which may be imposed in relation to such transfer.

(ii) The corporation shall be entitled to treat a registered holder of the Redeemable Preferred Shares as its absolute owner for all purposes, and no person will be liable for so treating such Redeemable Preferred Shareholder, in the absence of determination by the corporation’s corporate secretary that the registered owner holds such shares in trust for another or is not the rightful owner of such shares.

i) j) Replacement of Lost Certificates

If any certificate for a Redeemable Preferred Share is defaced or alleged to have been lost, stolen or destroyed, a new certificate representing the same Redeemable Preferred Share may be issued to the holder upon request, subject to delivery of the old certificate, or (if alleged to have been lost, stolen or destroyed) compliance with Section 73 of the Corporation Code of the Philippines and such other conditions as to evidence indemnity and the payment of out-of-pocket expenses of the corporation in connection with the request as the Board of Directors may determine.

The above-mentioned conditions shall be printed in all certificates of stock for Redeemable Preferred Shares issued by the corporation.

In accordance with Section 15 of the Revised Corporation Code, we are now submitting the abovementioned amendments for the approval of stockholders of record as of 03 March 2023 through written assent.

The Written Assent Form (“Form”) is attached to the Information Statement and is also available for download on the Company’s website at www.axelum.ph. You may indicate your vote on the proposed amendments by checking the appropriate box in the Form, signing your name thereon and indicating the number of shares represented and sending us the accomplished form at your soonest convenience at:

1) AXELUM RESOURCES CORP.

Attn: The Corporate Secretary 1052 EDSA, Magallanes Village, Makati City

2) by email at asm-secretariat@axelum.com.ph

The proposed amendments of the Articles of Incorporation shall be deemed approved as soon as the affirmative votes reach at least two-thirds

RAY S. EÑANO, Editor rayenano@yahoo.com • extrastory2000@gmail.com

UN declares war on garbage, asks polluters to take the lead

The planet is literally drowning in garbage, and it is high time to clean up, Guterres said on March 31 at an event marking the first-ever International Day of Zero Waste.

The UN held a high-level meeting to raise awareness on the urgent need to transition to a “green” and circular economy that promotes sustainable production and consumption patterns. The move could save governments billions and create hundreds of thousands of jobs.

Humanity, according to the UN, currently generates more than two billion tons of municipal solid waste annually, which includes plastics, textiles, rotting food, discarded electronics and debris from mining and construction sites.

Guterres said the population is basically “treating our planet like a garbage dump,” warning that the messy mountain will reach four billion tons by 2050.

“We are trashing our only home,” he said in a speech that stressed the role of zero waste as a transformative solution in achieving the Sustainable Development Goals. “We’re spewing a torrent of waste and pollution that is affecting our environment, our economies, and our health.”

Guterres said it was time for “a war on

waste” on three fronts, calling on polluters themselves to take the lead.

“Those who produce waste must design products and services that are less resource and material intensive, smartly manage any waste created across all stages of their products’ lifecycle, and find creative ways to extend the lives of the products they sell,” he said.

These companies must also invest in waste management, recovery and recycling systems in communities where they operate, he added.

Reuse, recycle, rethink

The UN chief urged countries, cities and local governments to develop and scaleup modern waste management systems, as well as policies that encourage re-using and recycling plastic bottles, aging electronics and other items.

He urged consumers to be more responsible.

“All of us need to consider the origins and impacts of the goods and products we buy every day and rethink how we dispose of them,” he said.

“We need to find opportunities to reuse, recycle, repurpose, repair and recover the products we use. And we need to think twice before throwing these items in the garbage.”

Guterres encouraged countries to take

Creative electric bike using bamboo body shell pushed

A FILIPINO-DESIGNED electric bike brand-named “Banatti” that uses innovative, environmentally sustainable bamboo is seen to elevate the Philippines’ status as a globally known producer of world-class bamboo products.

Speaking in an “Usapang Kawayan” bamboo forum, Christopher Paris Lacson, Banatti EB’s creator, said the trendy motorcycle was just the beginning of a highly promising sector that has the potential to catapult Philippines to industrialization.

“A bike like this can inspire the young, the leaders, the countrymen, and the industries to say ‘Kaya pala yan’ (It can be done!),” said Lacson. “It’s not (just) about making money. It’s about making us proud. We can have our own. We’re creative. We’re smart. We’re intelligent.”

The team that developed Banatti Green Falcon chose to use bamboo as “it is the mandate of the country.”

“This God-given supergrass is one of our tickets out of poverty. When people see a picture of Banatti Green Falcon, it brings an incredible feeling. Something goes on to their mind, something shifts,” said Lacson.

The dream of using bamboo as a jumpoff point for Philippines’ development of rural-based industries is a much practical

vision due to the abundance of bamboo in the Philippines, said Philippine Bamboo Industry Development Council (PBIDC) vice chairman Deogracias Victor Savellano.

Through his Kilusang 5K (Kawayan: Kalikasan, Kabuhayan, Kaunlaran, Kinabukasan), Savellano has hosted Usapang Kawayan since 2010 to sustain brain storming on bamboo development as envisioned by Executive Order 879.

“If you analyze, kawayan is not like other plants as jatropha that government once asked us to grow. We have taken kawayan. You see it in every barangay, but no one plants,” Savellano said. “That’s why we’re fighting for kawayan. It’s not that we don’t want other plants. But let’s prioritize kawayan because planting it brings results.”

The equivalent of a P20 million worth of farm-to-market project makes for a big expansion in bamboo planting. For one, the 20-hectare plantation project of Kilusang 5K in Karugo, Montalban just costs P1.5 million, even initially.

“What will you plant? The hardwood that you will harvest in 10-20 years, or the bamboo that you can harvest in 3-4 years? And we already have many existing clumps. With the proper management, you can benefit economically immediately.”

inspiration from examples like Türkiye’s Zero Waste project, which is spearheaded by the First Lady, Emine Erdoğan, who is also chairperson of his newly-established Advisory Board of Eminent Persons on Zero Waste.

Mrs. Erdoğan in a keynote address noted that all life on earth is connected but industrialization has led to the overconsumption that is polluting the planet. “Humans have created this frightening landscape. But we know that it is in our hands to stop this destruction and save the earth, our common home,” she said, speaking through an interpreter.

“We are obliged as humanity to act at once, and together, because we will either win or lose together in this equation.”

She said that through the Zero Waste Project, some 650 million tons of raw material have been conserved, and four million tons of greenhouse gas emissions were eliminated through recycling.

The First Lady also stressed the need for justice and equality in protecting the planet and combatting climate change. ‘Waste wise’

The head of the UN’s urban development agency,UN-Habitat, Maimunah Mohd Sharif, urged countries to be “waste wise”

Do well and do good

BIG congratulations to the Manila Standard for its newest special section: “Environment and Sustainability” and its section head, long time business editor and good friend, Ray Eñano. Hats off also to the management and publisher―for satisfying the hunger of the younger generation for information on social and environment issues affecting our society.

Let me start by stating a fact: Sustainability is a ‘big’ word that has various definitions and applications, depending on who your audience is. According to the United Nations, sustainability or sustainable development requires an integrated approach that takes into consideration environmental concerns along with economic development.

The United Nations Brundtland Commission in 1987 defined sustainability as “meeting the needs of the present without compromising the ability of future generations to meet their own needs.”

Today, there are almost 140 developing countries in the world seeking ways of meeting their development needs, but with the increasing threat of climate change, concrete efforts must be made to ensure development today does not negatively affect future generations.

The Sustainable Development Goals form the framework for improving the lives of populations around the world and mitigating the hazardous man-made effects of climate change. SDG 13: Climate Action calls for integrating measures to prevent climate change within development frameworks, while SDG 14: Life Below Water and SDG 15: Life on Land pleaded for more sustainable practices in using the earth’s natural resources.

Sustainability, according to the Harvard Business School refers to doing business without negatively impacting the environment, community or society as a whole. Sustainability in business generally addresses two main categories: The effect business on the environment and on society.

The goal of a sustainable business strat-

Pueblo de Oro, barangays unite to safeguard habitat

PUEBLO De Oro Development Corp (PDO), the residential development arm of the ICCP Group, is working with communities in Batangas, Pampanga, Cebu and Cagayan de Oro to improve the environmental knowledge and skills of citizens in these areas.

The company’s program is in line with the Community Solid Waste Management Project, a collaboration between the ICCP Group and Coca-Cola Foundation Philippines Inc.

As part of its environmental protection efforts, PDO has implemented several project orientations and seminars to strengthen the capacities and competencies of community members in the area of inclusive and long-term environmental protection.

The first phase of the project included orientation with local government units as the project intends to assist in the

development of local legislation governing people’s participation in proper waste management.

In Batangas, training programs have been rolled out in barangays San Rafael, Sta. Anastacia, Santiago in Sto. Tomas; and in barangays Poblacion, San Fernando, Luta Norte, Luta Sur, Santiago, Bulihan, and San Pedro I & II in Malvar.

The company has also initiated environmental protection activities in Barangay Del Carmen in San Fernando, Pampanga; Barangay Babag, Lapu-Lapu City, Cebu; and Barangay Carmen, Canitoan and Lumbia in the City of Cagayan de Oro, Misamis Oriental.

PDO builds and maintains subdivisions and development projects in these provinces.

They include Horizon Residences, Park Place and La Aldea del Monte in Batangas; La Aldea Fernandina, Horizon Residences and Park Place in Pampanga; La Aldea del

Mar and Park Place in Cebu; and the Pueblo de Oro Township in Cagayan de Oro.

PDO president and chief operating officer Prim Nolido said the company was focused on maintaining the gold standard in community living through its residential developments and master-planned communities, and promoting eco-friendly and sustainable habits for a future-proof home and lifestyle.

The most recent Capacity Building Seminars conducted in the communities tackled the production of organic fertilizers from household food waste and trainingworkshop on community solid waste management. Participants in the orientation included barangay captains and councilors, who are involved in habitat protection as chairmen of their environment committees. The group also had Sangguniang Kabataan representatives.

egy is to make a positive impact on at least one of those areas. When companies fail to assume responsibility, the opposite can happen, leading to issues like environmental degradation, inequality and social injustice. Sustainable businesses consider a wide array of environmental, economic,and social factors when making business decisions. These organizations monitor the impact of their operations to ensure that short-term profits don’t turn into long-term liabilities.

Beyond helping curb global challenges, sustainability can drive business succes.s Several investors today use environmental, social and governance (ESG) metrics to analyze an organization’s ethical impact and sustainability practices. Investors examine factors such as a company’s carbon footprint, water usage, community development efforts and board diversity. Research shows that companies with high ESG ratings have a lower cost of debt and equity and that sustainability initiatives can help improve financial performance while fostering public support. According to McKinsey, the strongest motivating factors to adopting a sustainable mindset in 2017 were to align with a company’s goals, missions or values; build, maintain, or improve reputation; meet customer’s expectations; and develop new growth opportunities. The overlap between social and environmental progress and financial gain is called the shared value opportunity. In other words, “doing good” can have a direct impact on your company’s ability to “do well.” Due to this opportunity, it’s clear why many businesses have adopted these practices. Doing well by doing good as an economic and social imperative has become more relevant now more than ever. This is the perfect time to increase our efforts to become more responsible and sustainable when doing business.

In the corporate foundation that I currently serve, our aspiration is to help enable a financially well and inclusive nation where everyone is empowered to live a better life. Among those we support belong

by finding value in reusing items before discarding them.

“Zero Waste is the first step towards creating waste-wise societies,” she said. “The first step is to take responsibility and make a conscious effort to reduce our consumption of single-use plastics. Remember that everything we use and discard must go somewhere.”

The global population is on track to reach 10 billion by 2050, and demand for food and non-food agricultural products is also expected to rise by up to 56 per cent, according to the UN Food and Agricultural Organization (FAO). RSE

to a budding sector that aims to uplift underserved communities through a sustainable business model. They are called social enterprises (SEs), which follow a different set of practices than most businesses. SEs combine the best of non-profits and regular businesses by focusing on the triple bottom line: profit or money, planet or environment and people or social impact.

We are committed to nurture and empower SEs and enable their success through Sinag, one of our flagship social development programs, providing opportunities for funding technological, social and market innovations. Initially conceived as a business challenge competition in 2015, it has now evolved into a growing ecosystem of entrepreneurs, academe, mentors, investors and other intervenors who share the same goal of inclusive and sustainable growth through social entrepreneurship. Social enterprises are the natural and true manifestation of the Filipino ‘Bayanihan” spirit. The SE business model is responsible, inclusive and sustainable. I will talk about SEs and its ecosystem more in the next columns.

In the meantime, to know more about the SE model and Sinag program, please visit the third Sinag Sari-Sari store at the Ayala Museum in Makati City, which will be officially open to the general public on March 31.

Editor’s notes: Owen Cammayo is the Executive Director of BPI Foundation. Manila Standard’s Biodiversity 101 column is open to contributors who share the advocacies of protecting the environment and promoting sustainable practices that are being pushed by the United Nations. Such contributions are subject to the availability of space and the paper’s editorial policies. The contributions should not exceed 600 words or 4,000 characters.

UN SECRETARY-GENERAL António Guterres has launched a war on waste and called on companies and consumers alike to be more responsible to prevent pollution and environment degradation

There are hundreds of landfill dumpsites spread across Kenya with the largest being Dandora dumpsite in Nairobi. UNEP/Duncan Moore

Christopher Paris Lacson with his Banatti Green Falcon

Standard Insurance Centennial 5 makes history

SUBIC—Clocking 12 hours, 45 minutes and 47 seconds, Ernesto Echauz’s Standard Insurance Centennial 5 crossed the finish of the Rolex China Sea Race here with an elapsed time of 3d 1h 25m 47s, marking the first time in its 61-year history that a Philippine entry has taken a Line Honours division triumph.

Skippered by Echauz and supervised by an all-Filipino crew, Standard Insurance Centennial 5 was the first boat to cross the start line and lead the fleet out of Hong Kong’s iconic skyline Victoria Harbour last April 5 as they maintained their very comfortable lead throughout the race.

“It’s very historical! It’s the first time that a Philippine boat has won Line Honours at the Rolex China Sea Race. It’s such a prestigious race for us,” a jubilant Echauz, said during a media interview after the race.

Tapales wins 2 world crowns, gets closer to bout with Inoue

By Randy Caluag

VETERAN Filipino warrior Marlon Tapales did not just win a pair of world titles on Sunday in San Antonio, Texas, he also came enticingly close to a highprofile duel with Japanese ‘monster’ Naoya Inoue.

The 31-year-old Tapales came through with a split-decision victory following a hard-fought, 12-round contest against Murodjon Akhmadaliev to bag the World Boxing Association and International Boxing Federation World Super Bantamweight belts.

Widely considered as one of the top pound-for-pound boxers in the world, the undefeated Inoue is moving up to super bantamweight to challenge Stephen Fultong for his two other major titles in the division—the World Boxing

Organization and World Boxing Council—on July 25 in Tokyo, Japan.

The title duel was originally slated in May, but reset to the new schedule after Inoue reportedly suffered an injury during training.

Tapales’ co-promoter Sean Gibbons told DAZN’s Chris Mannix that “We will be ringside for that fight.”

Tapales, now 37-3 with 19 knockouts, would be watching intently from the sidelines, but he could also be facing a return bout with his victim from Uzbekistan, whom he inflicted with a first defeat in 12 fights as a pro.

Their bout deserves another try with two judges scoring it 115-113 for Tapales and another scoring it lopsidedly for Akhmadaliev, 118-110.

Tapales’ awkward style put the former Olympian off-target most of the time, especially in the earlier rounds, where the Filipino’s jabs, uppercuts and left hooks effectively did the job.

Although Akhmadaliev looked to recover by applying more pressure in the latter rounds, the two judges found it too late to reverse the outcome.

Filipinas boost Olympic qualifying bid

THE Philippines once again turned on the heat in the first half to smother host Tajikistan, 8-0, on Saturday night, and grab the solo lead in Group E of the Asian Football Confederation Women’s Olympic Qualifying Tournament’s first round at the Hisor Central Stadium in Tajikistan.

This time, the Filipinas struck with six goals in the first half for their second straight triumph and moved closer to a second-round seat.

Fil-American Sofia Harrison, a five-year veteran, who recently played for Werder-Bremen in the Bundesliga, drew first blood the 26th minute, before skipper Tahnai Annis quickly sent in another volley in the 28th minute.

“In the first half, we were a lot better, in the second half we took our foot off the pedal a bit,” said Filipinas’ coach Allen Stajcic in a statement sent to Filipino scribes. More goals came in succession, with Carleigh Frilles striking some three minutes later in the 31st.

Annis then came to aid of Quinley Quezada’s

header from up close in the 35th minute, before Meryll Serrano gave the the Filipinas their fifth goal.

After that, Sara Eggesvik pushed home a sixth goal. Hong Kong earlier won over Pakistan, 2-0, to share the lead with the Philippines. They are set to clash on Tuesday in a playoff for a spot for the second round.

The Filipinas put six goals past the hosts in the first half before substitute Chandler McDaniel grabbed a second-half brace to increase her tally to three goals in the first round of qualifying.

The win pushed the Filipinas’ tally to six points, ahead of Hong Kong on goal difference.

Stajcic said they are looking forwad to a challenging encounter with Hong Kong.

“We are on top of the table now and look forward to a tough game against Hong Kong. We’ll have a look see how fresh everyone is. Hong Kong is on six points just like us. It will be a tough game, a very close game, but if we play well, I’m confident we can get the job done,” said Stajcic.

Romero, GlobalPort score historic polo win in US

GLOBALPORT of the Philippines made history in the World Polo League, scoring an amazing come-from-behind win in the Tommy Hitchcock Jr. Legacy Memorial in its Triple Crown of Polo opener before a big Sunday crowd at Grand Champions Polo Club in Wellington, Florida.

Given a ghost of a chance to win the prestigious event after falling behind by 9 goals (12-3) in the second chukker, the team of Rep. Mikee Romero, Polito Pieres, Sapo Caset, and Facundo Obregon rallied mightily to beat Travieso, 17-13, and complete the biggest comeback in the history of the 5-year-old league.

“Great team effort, great win

for GlobalPort, and a big boost for Philippine polo, said Romero of their historic win in the highest polo in the Unites States.

What made Romero and GlobalPort’s victory doubly meaningful was that it accomplished the feat right on its first try.

“That made our title win a lot sweeter,” added Romero who was all praise to Caset’s incredible performance.

The talismanic Argentine, who is a 10-goaler, scored 9 in GlobalPort’s blazing comeback as he combined speed, strength and grace in catching his defenders off-guard. That made him the unanimous MVP of the game.

Even Caset was surprised with their come-from-behind win,

saying: “It was an incredible comeback.”

Romero said they started awfully slow and cold as they allowed their rivals to 4-0 and 12-7 leads at the half.

But with Caset shouting “Vamos! Vamos!, Team GlobalPort eventually woke up and put on a show with Caset and Pieres working very well in the middle, Romero in front and Obregon at back.

Slowly but surely, GlobalPort produced valiant runs before finally taking a 13-12 lead, which proved huge enough to take the fight of their rivals.

Pieres finished with seven goals as Globalport outshot Travieso, 23-14.

It was the first time in over six dedaces that a Philippine entry has taken the Line Honours at the Rolex China Race, organized by the Royal Hong Kong Yacht Club in co-operation with the Manila Yacht Club and with the finish hosted by Subic Bay Yacht Club.

The Rolex China Sea Race, the best offshore race in Asia, returned to Hong Kong’s Victoria Harbour after five years of absence because of the coronavirus pandemic. First held in 1962, this year marks the 61st anniversary of this offshore classic, the oldest blue water race in Asia.

The biennial race takes competitors 565-nautical miles (1,046 kilometers) across the South China Sea to Subic Bay, considered a real test of sailing skill, energy, persistence and team spirit.

Echauz’s, Rachel Pugh 75 Standard Insurance Centennial 5, is no stranger to this flagship offshore race, having participated in nine editions of the race, with the boat’s name twice engraved on the China Sea Race Trophy in 1998 and 2008.

The all-Filipino team is composed of current and former Philippines National Sailing Team athletes and from the Philippine Navy, including women laser sailors Alaisa Belmonte and Paula Bombeo.

Highlands Ladies o ers rare prize for golf ace

DENTAL services worth P100,000 will be added to the growing list of prizes for a hole-in-one feat when the Highlands Ladies Cup holds its milestone 15th staging on April 29 at Tagaytay Midlands and Lucky 9 courses.

The Gan Advanced Osseointegration Center (GAOC), a world-class dental treatment center in the country that offers technologically advanced techniques and services in oral diagnostic and surgical procedures, dental implantology and jaw reconstruction, is putting up the first-of-its-kind prize for an ace in the annual tournament featuring players of all genders.

It consists of consultation + X-ray + OP (8 pcs) and 2 pcs for whitening. If no one scores a hole-in-one, the prize will be divided into 10 winners, according to the organizing Tagaytay Highlands Ladies Chapter.

Also up for grabs for aces are “barkada” package for four at the Blue Ternate Dive and Wellness Resort in Dumaguete, courtesy of Regent Travel; a brand-new Cobra LTDx iron set; and a Club Car.

The event, backed by Diamond sponsors W Group, Inc., Willie Ocier, CWC Int’l. Group and Agrikultura, will be played under the System 36 format.

Making up the Platinum sponsors are CLC Marketing Ventures Corp., Parola Maritime Corp., Powerball Gaming, Miniso PH and SM Department Store, while the Gold backers are Regent Travel and Moringa-O2. Mercedes Benz, ComWorks, SM Development Corp., Kaiser Int’l. Health Group, Hotel Kimberly, Tagaytay and Olive Tree Corp. are the Silver sponsors.

Skipper Ernesto Echauz and the crew of the Standard Insurance Centennial 5 and celebrate their Rolex China Sea Race feat. Inset shows the Centennial 5 leading the race.

Marlon Tapales DAZN photo

So a Harrison PFF photo

Rep. Mikee Romero (2nd from left) holds the trophy after GlobalPort came through with a stunning come-from-behind win in the US. Also shown are Polito Pieres,Sapo Caset and Facundo Obregon.

The return of PINOY MOVIES’ golden age

THE Metro Manila Film Festival (MMFF) held annually during Christmas season has been a festival of commercial films for the family and children but the Summer MMFF is the answer to requests for a festival of artistic and quality films.

Unravel is a testimony to its serious intent to be the game player to contend in producing worthwhile motion pictures.

As one of the eight SMMFF entries, Mavx’s Unravel dazzles, as it signals the Rennaissance of the Golden Age of Philippine Cinemas (the years when now classics Ganito Kami Noon, Paano Kayo Ngayon?, and Insiang, to name a few, were shown).

In recent years, MMFF through Metropolitan Manila Development Authority (MMDA), has pre-chosen Top 4 slots based on script submission. Later, the Top 4 has been based on the commercial viability of the project/box office bankability of the stars.

In an advance screening of Unravel at Ayala North Vertis Cinema 3, (and another celebrity screening in nearby Trinoma) on March 29, it’s clear why Mavx is a serious game-player in film productions: the story on mental health was a brainchild of one of its prime movers. The script was from an awarded and seasoned film and television writer, Senedy Que. The lead actors have been acknowledged to be serious in their craft.

Maine Mendoza sheds bubbly persona for a serious warning

TV personality Maine Mendoza has shed her funny and bubbly persona to give an important and serious warning to the public.

“Hi, friends! Di muna ako magpapatawa.

Seryoso ‘to (I won’t make you laugh now because this is serious),” she opens with a somber tone in her recent video.

“Mag-SIM Reg para hindi SIM dead!

Huwag dedmahin ang deadline para hindi ma-dead ang SIM ninyo, (Register your SIM to avoid SIM Dead. Don’t ignore the SIM Registration deadline).

Maine’s video, produced by mobile services provider Smart Communications as a public service announcement, is in line with the Department of Information and Communications Technology’s (DICT) deadline to register all SIMs in the country by April 26, 2023.

All SIMs that are not registered will be permanently deactivated, or what the Eat Bulaga host refers to as ‘SIM dead.’ SIM dead means no outgoing and incoming calls, no sending and receiving messages, no internet access, and forfeited load balances, Maine enumerates.

With your SIM dead, you won’t be able to receive one-time passwords (OTPs) for your banking apps or mobile wallets, and therefore won’t be able to access or use your savings and wallet credits. SIM dead also means you won’t be able to access all the apps linked to your mobile number like your social media apps, messaging apps, and delivery apps, or recover a forgotten password linked to your mobile number.

“Our smartphone has become an extension of ourselves, and failing to register our SIM will cut us off from the many technological conveniences that enable us to live more today. This is why we encourage all our customers to register their Smart and TNT SIMs ahead of the April 26 deadline,” said Francis E. Flores,

Maine Mendoza reminds and encourages everyone to comply to the sim registration act

SVP and Head of Consumer Wireless Business

– Individual at Smart. All SIMs, whether Smart, TNT, or Smart Bro Pocket and Home WiFi, need to be registered.

If you are a Smart Prepaid or TNT subscriber, register your SIM at http://www.smart.com.ph/ simreg or download or register via the GigaLife

App.

If you are a Smart Postpaid user, you only need to confirm all your personal information in your postpaid application. To do this, text YES to 5858 and wait for the text confirmation.

On the other hand, if you are Smart Bro subscriber, you can proceed with SIM

Registration by accessing your one-time password following these steps: http://www. smart.com.ph/viewbroadbandsms.

Watch the full video featuring Maine mendoza here: https://fb.watch/jFTl8xQg9Z.

Gerald Anderson an acknowledged film and TV actor has no mental health issues but professionally prepares for television series, revealing his depth and acting capability, playing Noah, a life-saving Biblical character, this time a guardian angel to Lucy (Kylie Padilla) character who now wants to kill herself, with or without any professional help. Switzerland fits very well as the film’s main location (where there are facilities for a unique voluntary assisted death or VAD program). It’s an expensive facility but an appropriate choice for a location that exudes hope and desire to live for good reasons.

Scriptwriter Senedy Que said: Unravel is his tribute to a departed scriptwriting mentor Jake Tordesillas There are interesting twists in the film

that need not elaborate on to avoid spoilers,

Unravel is a crystal-clear indication of the rebirth of quality filmmaking.

‘Yung Libro Sa Napanood Ko’

A film written and directed by Bela Padilla, Yung Libro Sa Napanood Ko, is one of the more exciting films to see in the inaugural edition of SMMFF. It’s a fresh take on how a good story read in books can be an inspiration for a romantic tale.

From Viva Films, it asks the question of whether or not you’d let a fairytale love story happen to you in real life.

After learning about a book from a Korean drama that she’s watched, Lisa (Bela Padilla) is inspired to write her book and becomes a published author. At one of her book signing events, a meet-cute moment

happens between her and a Korean man named Kim Gun Hoo (Yoo Min-gon) when he asks for an autograph and expresses his admiration for Lisa. This same man makes a way to see her again, and this time he bravely asks Lisa to go with him and visit South Korea. Though reluctant at first, Lisa agrees and takes the offer. Together, they tour around the country and visit the places Lisa only used to read in books and see in her favorite shows and movies.

Will Lisa finally experience the love story she thought existed only on the pages of books and the images on the screen?

A romance-drama movie starring Bela Padilla and Kim Gun Hoo, with the special participation of Lorna Tolentino. Also starring Boboy Garrovillo, Hasna Cabral, Lee Suya, Boy Abunda, Malena Leonard, Goda Choi, Carole Dorothy Bowlby, Kim Jin Mok, and Raul Montesa

‘Love You Long Time’

In Love You Long Time, one of the official entries to the 2023 SMMFF, Carlo Aquino and fresh talent Eisel Serrano give life to two strangers defying time and distance in the name of love. The film is directed by JP Habac, written by Gena Tenaja, and is under Studio Three Sixty.

The film features a young romance screenwriter who suffers her biggest heartbreak causing her to hit a brick wall with her writing until she meets and falls in love with a mysterious guy from the past.

After a terrible breakup that ended with a rejection of a marriage proposal, Ikay (Eisel) packs her stuff and heads over to Baguio. On the way to the province, she mysteriously meets a new guy named Uly (Carlo Aquino) through an old push-to-talk phone. They immediately hit it off as friends. The two explore this friendship turning into love, but of course not without complications as Uly seems to be from the past.

Good, better, best

CURRENTLY in cinemas are eight Filipino motion pictures that are part of the First Summer Metro Manila Film Festival. These films opened last Black Saturday with the hope that box office results are bullish plus critical acclaim and positive word of mouth about them follow.

Three of the films, Joven Tan’s Kahit Maputi Na Ang Buhok Ko: The Music of Rey Valera Brillante Mendoza’s Apag, and Jun Robles Lana’s About Us But Not Us, were gracious enough to invite me during their special screenings.

A good cinematic choice is Kahit Maputi Na Ang Buhok Ko: The Music of Rey Valera. Its biggest pull is the musical icon himself, Rey Valera, who is the film’s storyteller, and his songs that have become the anthems of our lives. His presence gives Tan’s latest film authenticity and gravitas. Valera narrates the trials and triumphs of his life. He also shares about the many people that became inspirations for his hits. The magical manner in which he wrote the lyrics and lines of the songs captures the inner voices and hearts that scream to perfection.

Another satisfying element is the calculated and intelligent use of music videos that bring the feels and pulls the heartstrings.

Adding more reality that bites to it are the performances of Rosanna Roces and Ronnie Lazaro in a “pagmamahal na ipaglalaban” sampler, Gardo Versoza and Aljur Abrenica in the “pagmamahal na walang kapalit” segment, and Meg Imperial in the “pagmamahal na kayang tiisin ang pagkajalayo” part.

Two actors are topnotch namely Carlo Mendoza with his eyes that speak volumes and young boy sincerity and RK Bagatsing who chose the less is more acting technique and lets the emotional truth he invested to the larger than life music man he portrays on the silver screen lead him

to a good performance.

A better Brillante Mendoza film unfolds in Apag. It is a true feast to the senses. The use of the Kapampangan dialect for all the lines and the preparation and presentation of Kapampangan delicacies is both an aural and gustatory delight.

The Mendoza film is a morality tale about love and sacrifice, atonement and vendetta, moral sense and resolves all packaged in a drama that seems so un-Filipino since it is devoid of highstrung confrontation scenes, crying moments, and manipulative melodramatic shenanigans

Superb in the acting department are Coco Martin who surprises with a quiet, heartfelt performance of a man whose conscience eats him, Jaclyn Jose who shows that there is no small role for the Philippine national actress who radiates and shines even without lines, and Gladys Reyes who shows that there is more to her than being the primera contravida

The MMFF film that screams best picture is Jun Robles Lana’s About Us But Not About Us

With only two characters, Romnick Sarmenta’s Professor Eric and Elijah Canlas’s Lancelot, the student. The film delves into the devil and deep blue sea territory. It demystifies the experience and wisdom advantage versus the callousness, insouciance, and youth is wasted on the young

premise, and presents the chilling effects of love trying to repress lust and lust pretending that there is love, affection, even compassion, and morality.

As Sarmenta’s Eric and Canlas’s Lancelot converse about everyday existence, the reality and tragedy of Marcus, a character we never get to see but whose life becomes not only palpable but real.

As the two verbalize their thoughts and throw emotions out of the window – the slow ache of coveting, the drag that is desiring, the burn and sting of what is unrequited, the defeat of rhyme and reason and the victory of the whippersnapper – consumes and satisfies, troubles and lets you dig deep and makes you wonder, what has love got to do with all this?

Romnick Sarmenta and Elijah Canlas bring on the silver screen committed, nuanced, textured, and sincerest kind of acting that deserves not only a round of applause but trophies that truly deserve.

About Us But Not About Us is best experienced with an open mind and a questioning heart because it is cerebral and provocative. You need to make “ pagpag” and talk about it.

With this trio con brio of Filipino cinema offerings, hope springs eternal indeed, especially for audiences who believe that Philippine cinema still has something beautiful to give.

American TikTok sensation BoyWithUke to visit Manila in June

AMERICAN alt-pop singer, musician, and internet personality BoyWithUke is coming to Manila for a night of performances at The Filinvest Tent, Alabang, on June 3.

BoyWithUke is a musical artist who writes and produces all his music, and creates songs in his dorm room on the app GarageBand while hiding his face from the public with his now signature glowing mask. He frequently

posts “minute-long songs,” which were written in response to requests from fans.

His biggest hit to date was written after a fan commented, “make a song about toxic friends plzzzx,” and his response was the song “Toxic.” The song exploded online, vaulting to #1 on Alternative Radio and reaching over 1.5 billion global streams to date. His performance of “Toxic” has emerged as

the platform’s highest-viewed Genius video to date, with over 100 million views and counting.

In 2022, he embarked on his soldout international headline tour and released his debut album Serotonin Dreams , which features collaborations with blackbear, mxmtoon, Powfu, and more.

The project is the follow-up to previous full-length projects Melatonin

Dreams , Fever Dreams , Trouvaille EP , and Faded EP (featuring numerous songs created from his TikTok “minutelong songs” project). BoyWithUke kicked off 2023 with his latest single, “Rockstar,” taken from his recent release Antisocial EP Tickets will be available on April 12 at 12 noon via www.smtickets.com and its outlets. For more updates, you may log in to www.livenation.ph

Despite being a romance drama, ‘Unravel’ tackles a serious topic on mental health

Carlo Aquino (right) and Eisel Serrano give life to two strangers defying time and distance for love in ‘Love You Long Time’

Bela Padilla (right) and Yoo Min-gon star in ‘Yung Libro Sa Napanood Ko,’ which questions the premise on whether or not an individual is willing to experience a fairytale love story in reality

Romnick Sarmenta (left) as Professor Eric and Elijah Canlas as Lancelot in ‘About Us But Not About Us’

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

LIFE

human kindness Reflection on unexpected

By Veronica Veloso Wuson

YES…Angels on Earth do exist.

Nine years ago, the only home for “starving artists” who seek top rank status was unceremoniously padlocked. While evolving in the so-called “kanlungan ng sining” (Art Haven) at the Rizal Park from 2012-2014, some homegrown artists did and continue to reach their stars, among them, Eman Mediana Santos, Joseph Villamar, Jane Ebarle, and Robert Fernandez

With the mission of nurturing artists from embryonic to dynamic level, the ambitious plan of the current Art Association of the Philippines (AAP) officers was set in motion in 2019 to build the AAP Tahanan Office/Gallery by artists for artists and the Filipino people.

The AAP is the largest and oldest umbrella organization of artists founded 75 years ago by Purita Kalaw-Ledesma

Through the years, members have expanded from the initial social set to 12,000 living in Luzon, Visayas, and Mindanao.

Using their own network of art patrons, AAP officers led by master visual artist Fidel Sarmiento initiated the first fundraiser for their forever home in Cebu City through then Secretary for the Visayas Michael Dino and his Sacred Heart School classmates. Artists collaborated raising P4.5 million from auction sales.

In spite of COVID and negative criticisms stumbling their ambition, the AAP officers plodded on with their selfless task and finally found a 200 sqm lot for P2 million in an unassuming village called San Isidro Labrador, Barangay Ulat, Metro Tagaytay Silang, Cavite.

“The land was within our budget and within growing Metro Tagaytay,” said Sarmiento. “Groundbreaking started March 2022 with the remaining P2.5 million to build the two-story with roof deck Tahanan.”

Such was the blind ambition of the AAP officers resonating with the local optimistic thinking of “bahala na” (“let go and let God.”).

And this is where I am overwhelmed to

have a front-row seat of people’s organic kindness when they learn of the story of the AAP’s ambitious goal of constructing their forever home after 75 years.

A flock of “angels on earth” slowly, softly started donating. One of Sarmiento’s artist students in Sunshine Place along Jupiter, Makati, anonymously dropped P1.3 million. A few gave five and six figures. Another sponsored fundraising exhibits in SM Aura and SM Podium.

During informal conversations, golfers, neighbors, and business people quietly and generously wrote checks and donated

The ongoing construction of the Art Association of the Philippines’ (AAP) Tahanan

in kind. Industry giants like Wilcon and Boysen brought in paints, lights, ladders, et al. An ambassador opened his warehouse for the artists to freely shop.

As funds trickled in, the building designed by Sarmiento is now in its finishing stage. Engineer/contractor pro bono is Sarmiento’s classmate, John Morales. AAP’s tres Marias officers Margarita Lim, Lulu Olan, and Monette Alvarez constantly inspect the building’s progress and accountability.

“We continue to approach foundations and corporations for donations for the Tahanan’s sustainability,” said AAP

secretary Margarita, who is a Hall of Famer Watercolor Artist.

World-famous Sam Penaso will sculpt, also pro bono, the building’s facade using stainless tubing (still being sourced). A multipreneur is scheduled to assess the railings needed from the disabled access path to the gallery floors, the stairs, and the roof deck. A farm in Lipa, Batangas, pledged plants and landscaping. To witness the infectious enthusiastic kindness of a community of “angels on earth” is incredible amidst noises of selfies and greed. In the end, kindness trumps everything.

A Benjarong experience

WHEN I found out that the first board meeting for us, newly elected Board of Trustees of the Pacific Asia Travel Association (PATA) Philippines Chapter was going to be at Dusit Thani Manila, I got excited. I love Thai food and it has been quite a while since the last time I feasted on authentic Thai cuisine.

Dusit Thani Manila’s Thai specialty restaurant is called Benjarong, named after the traditional form of Thai porcelain. Although it literally means “five colors,” it actually refers to any porcelain piece decorated with many colors, densely painted and intricately detailed. It was very nice of the hotel’s director of sales and marketing Kimmy Labayandoy to suggest that we avail of the restaurant’s new offering – the five-course “Experience

Menu.” When asked what it was all about, she happily explained that management wants the restaurant’s guests to experience and delight in the very best of authentic Thai cuisine, thus the label for their new menu. They see to it that their Thai chef continuously offers new dishes that show off the distinctively appetizing Thai taste. Since the hotel management is confident

that guests partaking in such a menu will hanker for more, the chef changes the menu offerings every month. Hearing that, the more all of us, PATA Board of Trustees, could hardly wait to be seated and savor this newly introduced culinary offering. Here’s what Benjarong’s Experience Menu includes: The appetizer, Pla Samun Prai, is fresh

salmon in tom yum spice mayo, covered in a rice wrapper tube garnished with fried tom yum spices and edible flowers. The whole entree is served on a stone slab and attractively decorated with colorful condiments such as red chili pepper, green kefir lime, and purple shallots.

Next comes the soup, Khao Griep Pu Ma

Prao On, a shrimp and crab dumpling in tom yum broth served in a young coconut shell and garnished with coriander, lemongrass, and chili. Every spoonful of this delectable soup brought me back to my many visits to Bangkok, Chiang Mai, Phuket, Pattaya, Kanchanaburi, Krabi, and other resort destinations in Thailand.

on chili paste and served with tom yum fried rice which is actually jasmine rice fried with lemongrass, kefir lime, galangal, chili, lime, and red onion. Such a symphony of tastes was the perfect accent to the entire meal, a happy reminder of what the good life is all about.

YOUR MONDAY CHUCKLE:

A sailor was trying to appease his sweetheart who was crying. “Honest, Honey, I haven’t got a sweetheart in every port…” And after a few seconds, he continued, “…I haven’t been to every port.”

Just when I thought my experience in this culinary paradise was over, dessert was served – I-Tim Durian Thed, soursop ice cream with coconut jelly adorned with thin mango slices, strips of roasted coconut, edible flowers, and caramel popcorn. Certainly a most appetizing last course made of the most unusual combination of flavors, but a perfect punctuation to a most memorable meal.

Gulfood is the largest annual food and beverage sourcing event in the world

THE Center for International Trade Expositions and Missions (CITEM) has successfully showcased the Philippines’ top healthy and halal-certified products in one of the world’s biggest food fairs.

The Philippines generated $50.65

The menu’s first main dish is Panaeng See Krong Kae, a large piece of lamb chop placed on top of a heap of rice noodles, embellished with red curry sauce, coconut milk, basil oil, and cashew nuts. It is a dish fit for a king and that’s what it made me feel like as I savored every bite of the meat.

The second main dish is Khao Phad Tom Yum, a large piece of prawn in its shell, sitting

What a treat this meal was for us. It could very well be a joyful sign of many good things to come for our association…and an indication of the forthcoming surge of clientele for Dusit Thani Manila’s Benjarong. Meantime, if you want to have a taste of Thai culinary heaven, delight in this restaurant’s “Experience Menu.”

For feedback, I’m at bobzozobrado@ gmail.com

Filipino food exporters bag over $50m deals in Gulfood 2023

this year’s expo, maintaining strong relations with regular buyers while also establishing leads with new prospects.

CITEM’s executive director, Dr. Edward L. Fereira, Ph. D. expressed his delight over the outcome.

The Philippine participation in Gulfood is part of the country’s efforts to boost its food exports and help local MSMEs expand their global market Emirates (UAE).

Under the FOODPhilippines’ banner, 18 food exporters showcased premium halal-certified, high-value, and innovative food products, namely fresh and processed fruits and vegetables, processed marine products, ethnic and gourmet products, non-alcoholic beverages, confectionery, biscuits, and pastries, and other food and beverage categories. They generated 400 trade buyer inquiries in

“We’re extremely proud that our homegrown manufacturers and exporters exceeded our target generated sales and trade buyers. With the help of our Filipino exhibitors, the Philippine participation in Gulfood 2023 has been successful. We will continue to strengthen the Philippines’ presence in the Middle East and Africa by promoting Philippine food products and ingredients, especially halal food products, and supporting Filipino exhibitors in international trade shows,” Fereira noted.

Gulfood is the largest annual food and beverage sourcing event in the world, with 48 percent of exhibitors using Gulfood as an entry point into the market. According to the business research company, the global halal food market value increased to $1.5 billion in 2023 and is expected to

“The Philippines’ participation in Gulfood is critical to increasing our share of the halal food market. As we continuously tap the large population of Filipinos in the United Arab Emirates, we take advantage of the Filipino consumers’ behavior and influence in our bid to bring Filipino food to the mainstream market,” added Fereira.

The Philippine participation in Gulfood is part of the country’s efforts to boost its food exports and help local micro, small, and medium enterprises (MSMEs) expand their global market. The country’s participation in Gulfood organized by CITEM, in partnership with PTIC-Dubai, is part of the Department of Trade and Industry-Trade Promotions Group’s (DTI-TPG) concierge of services and promotional efforts in the Gulf Cooperation Council (GCC) states.

Discover more Philippine products and join the 16th IFEX Philippines at the World Trade Center Metro Manila in Pasay, Philippines, from May 26 to 28. To learn more about the event, visit IFEXConnect or email ifexphilippines@citem.com.ph.

The soup of shrimp and crab dumpling in tom yum broth

Dusit Thani Manila officers and the newly elected PATA Board of Trustees: (from left, front row) Agnes Macapia, Marlene Insigne, Ma. Paz Alberto, Dusit GM Stanley Lo, Thai Chef Ja, Department of Tourism Usec. Verna Buensuceso, Dusit DOSM Kimmy Labayandoy, Your Columnist, Isabel Garcia, (back row) Phili Olimpiada, Onelle Pacheco, Apolonio Anota, and PATA Secretary Cailla Flores

The AAP Tahanan Office/Gallery serves as a safe haven by artists for artists and the Filipino people