PROFESSIONAL astronomers and amateur cosmologists across the southern Pacific donned protective glasses Thursday to witness a solar eclipse as the moon blocked out the sun for about a minute, in some cases totally. In the Philippines, astronomy enthusiasts, students, teachers, and ordinary Filipinos braved the scorching midday heat to witness a partial solar eclipse that lasted for over two hours.
Next page
Social Protection Floor cements programs for most vulnerable Pinoys
P
"The Social Protection Floor refers to a nationally defined set of basic social security guarantees that aim to prevent or alleviate poverty vulnerability and social exclusion. These guarantees provide protection to individuals and families in times of need," said Balisacan, who is also director-general of the National Economic and Development Authority (NEDA).
"The guarantees should ensure that, at a minimum, everyone in need has access to essential health care and basic social services. These guarantees work together to provide effective access to goods and services that are defined as necessary at the national level," he said.
The SPF health guarantees cover the entire life cycle: maternity care, children, active age and older persons, Balisacan said.
GUN SAFETY DRILL. As part of the US-Philippines Balikatan military exercises, Philippine Coast Guard (PCG) personnel undertake Gun Safety and Firearm Familiarization Training in Barangay Labangal, General Santos City on Thursday with the US Marines Special Operations Team 8114, Alpha Company, First Raider Battalion. PCG Photo Stargazers see dazzling solar eclipseThe NEDA chief said the approval of
Teves: Two in gov’t want me dead
Rep. Arnolfo Teves
FUGITIVE congressman Arnolfo Teves Jr. on Thursday said two top government officials are plotting to have him killed. Facing murder charges and tagged as the mastermind behind the assassination of Negros Oriental Gov. Roel Degamo, Teves has been abroad and has refused to
tariff lines.
TARIFFS on many imported goods will go down by June 2 under the terms of the Regional Comprehensive Economic Partnership (RCEP), Trade Secretary Alfredo Pascual said Thursday.
President Ferdinand Marcos Jr. will sign an executive order on the new tariff schemes, Pascual added.
Pascual said the order will be the basis for the Bureau of Customs to issue an administrative order to be distributed to all ports to allow preferential tariffs on imports from RCEP member countries.
Pascual allayed concerns that cheap imports will push out local agricultural products.
The Tiamzon couple were convicted in 2020 for kidnapping and serious
By Rey E. Requejo
JUSTICE Secretary Jesus Crispin Remulla revealed Thursday that fugitive from justice Gerald Bantag, former Bureau of Corrections (Bucor) director general, who was ordered arrested by two trial courts on murder charges, has sent surrender feelers.
Remulla stressed Bantag’s intention to surrender was confided to him by his colleague in the Cabinet several days
Next page Next page Next page
PH formally marks Eid’l Fitr on Saturday
MUSLIMS
The draft EO was among the measures approved by the National Economic and Development Authority (NEDA) board, which Marcos chairs.
He said the draft EO will also maintain current preferential tariffs on about 98.1 percent of the 1,718 agricultural tariff lines and 82.7 percent of the 8,102
"Out of the 1,685 agricultural tariff lines retained at current rates, 1,426 tariff lines are maintained at 0 while 154 tariff lines will remain in their respective most favored nation rates and excluded from any tariff concessions," he said. Agricultural tariffs on 105 lines, he said, which are in the sensitive and highly sensitive list will be "generally lower than MFN (most-favored nation) rates in the 20th year of RCEP."
press on Speaker McCarthy the need for the legislative representatives of the two countries to ramp up discussions on how to further boost US-Philippine relations,” Romualdez said.
Romualdez also vowed that Congress, particularly the House of Representatives, will continue
Next page
Calamity
state in Occ. Mindoro over no power
Joel E.THE province of Occidental Mindoro has been placed under a state of calamity due to its worsening electricity crisis. Local officials made the declaration so that emergency or calamityfunds can be used to address the crisis affecting the education of its students, and the health and livelihood of residents in the province for more than a month. Governor Eduardo Gadiano wrote to President Ferdinand Marcos Jr. to act on
Next page Next page
SPEAKERS MEET. Philippines
Speaker Ferdinand Martin G. Romualdez and US Speaker Kevin McCarthy share a tight handshake at the latter's US Capitol office in Washington D.C. late Wednesday night. Also with them were PH House Majority Leader Manuel Jose "Mannix" M. Dalipe, Deputy Speaker Aurelio "Dong" Gonzales Jr., and Philippine Ambassador to the US Jose Manuel "Babe" del Gallego Romualdez (left
photo). Ryan Ponce Pacpaco
WASHINGTON—The United States seeks a "constructive and fair economic relationship" with China, even as Washington holds firm in defending the country's national security, Treasury Secretary Janet Yellen said in prepared remarks Thursday.
Her speech, to be delivered at a school of Johns Hopkins University in Washington, comes as tensions remain elevated between the world's two biggest economies.
In Manila, Senator Risa Hontiveros on Thursday said it was much better for President Ferdinand Marcos Jr. to summon and talk to the Chinese
From A1 the government Social Protection Floor represented “significant progress” in the country’s development history.
"This is a manifestation of the government’s commitment tosignificantly reduce poverty incidence and promote inclusive growth," he said.
Ambassador Huang Xilian about his apparent threats to the safety of 200,000 overseas Filipino workers in Taiwan.
"But at this time, I can see that there is no 'lost in translation' because the Chinese ambassador did not speak in Chinese or Mandarin languages. He spoke in English and the threat to us was clear," said the opposition senator.
there are needs to provide support to vulnerable groups,” he said.
“That’s the basic concept there that we reduce the risk faced by vulnerable groups so that they don’t fall into poverty, so that children don’t become victims of lack of learning that can be exacerbated by exposures to shocks like climate change, supply disruptions particularly those affecting food, inflation, [and] loss of jobs by their parents," Balisacan said.
"We were all a little surprised, but I just put it down to the difference in language,” the President said about the recent statement by the Chinese envoy, who has been summoned to the Palace to explain himself. Hontiveros noted that it would appear Huang “dictated on what will be our position and what we should do.”
"This would also seem that they (China) were interfering even in the self determination of Taiwan that even we Filipinos do not meddle," she added.
China's new Foreign Minister Qin Gang last month accused Washington of stoking tensions between both powers, warning of "conflict and confrontation."
But Yellen said the United States remains firm in its conviction to defend its values and national security.
"Within that context, we seek a constructive and fair economic relationship with China," she added in her remarks. She also noted the need for both countries to be able to "frankly discuss difficult issues" and work together when possible.
Stressing that "healthy economic competition" is only sustainable with fairness, she said: "We will continue to partner with our allies to respond to China's unfair economic practices." AFP with Macon Ramos-Araneta (See full story online at manilastandard.net)
SPEAKER Ferdinand Martin G.
Romualdez on Thursday said the introduction of a Tagalog course in Harvard University’s academic offerings “is a source of great national pride."
Romualdez expressed his support to the premier university’s Filipino language program.
“Our language is our pride! And learning about Harvard’s new Tagalog language course, I am expressing my full support for the program. I hope and pray that the Harvard Tagalog course will flourish and grow in the future to include many aspects of Filipino culture!” Romualdez told Harvard University’s students during a gathering of Filipino community in Massachusetts.
“The intention is to institutionalize the existing programs especially those that have been proven to work so that we don’t have to restart all over again when
"So, we want to ensure that... these children are protected from those shocks so that the society as a whole can progress,” he added. Marcos...
From A1
Their rates, however, will still be higher or at par with ASEAN plus 1 rates.
"There is really not one going below the ASEAN plus 1 rates to which the Philippines is already committed," he said.
These tariff lines will include agricultural products "not really being produced very much" in the country, he said.
RCEP is the largest regional free trade agreement in the world, accounting for 30 percent of the world's population, 29 percent of gross domestic product (GDP), 29 percent of trade and 33 percent of global inward investments in 2020.
It includes the 10 member states of the Association of Southeast Asian Nations (ASEAN) and its five free-trade agreement partners: Australia, China, Japan, New Zealand and the Republic of Korea.
The Senate approved the ratification of the country's membership in RCEP on Feb. 21.
During the NEDA board meeting, the President said the government willneed to help the public understand the benefits of the trade agreement.
From A1
return to the Philippines, saying he fears for his life.
In an interview with ANC’s Headstart, Teves refused to name names for fear of libel. But he said “verified intelligence reports” said these two government officials were out to kill him. He said the instructions were to raid his house, plant evidence, then have him shot “for fighting back.”
Justice Secretary Jesus Crispin Remulla dismissed Teves’ claim as “nonsense.”
Teves, who was suspended for 60 days from the House for his refusal to return to the chamber, said he was ready to return to the Philippines until he got hold of the information regarding the threat to his life.
He also slammed the Senate inquiry into Degamo’s death, saying it was full of “hearsay.”
From A1 illegal detention of military officers in 1988. A manhunt was later ordered for their capture.
In a press statement, CPP said Benito and Wilma were killed alongside eight others on August 21, 2022, in Samar.
Later on Twitter, CPP spokesman Marco Valbuena said: “Benito Tiamzon and Wilma Austria, key leaders of the CPP Central Committee, with eight others were severely tortured and subsequently murdered by their military captors, on August 21, 2022.”
Retired Major General Eduardo de Leon, who commanded the 8th Infantry Division in its operation involving unnamed “high-ranking” rebels in Samar that time, maintained it was not clear if the Tiam -
From A1
ago but stopped short of identifying his fellow member of President Ferdinand Marcos Jr.'s official family.
“He spoke to one of my colleagues in the Cabinet to say that he may wish to surrender,” Remulla said in an interview. According to him, Bantag is in the
“There is an opportunity here and it’s up to us on how to take full advantage of it,” he said. “So as the government, we must explain it deeper to small businesses, to large businesses.”
The President instructed agencies to “make it very clear” to the people that the RCEP can benefit the country’s agriculture sector.
“Basically, we now have access to a two billion population market,” he said, adding that the Philippines should strengthen its manufacturing and production to make it more competitive regionally.
At the same time, he said, the trade bloc could create new assets for the country, and give it access to supply lines that it did not have.
In a separate briefing, Pascual described RCEP as a “beneficial economic partnership agreement which provides opportunities for market access on trade, services and investments.”
"The agreement also establishes clear, stable and predictable rules on trade and investments in our region which makes it more convenient and competitive for Philippine businesses and stores to be integrated into the global economy,” Pascual said.
Vince LopezHe added the Senate panel invited a resource person who turned out to be a drug addict.
“They're painting a picture of a lawless Negros Oriental where everyone is afraid of us,” he said.
In an interview on GMA, Teves also confirmed that one of those taggedas a mastermind in the Degamo killing was his former bodyguard.
He said, however, that he had not talked with the man, Marvin Miranda, since he left his service some time ago.
Teves has denied any involvement in Degamo's killing.
Degamo and eight others were killed while several others were injured after gunmen shot up the governor's home in Negros Oriental on March 4, during a ceremony to distribute aid.
Justice Secretary Jesus Crispin Remulla, meanwhile, said the complaints for illegal possession of firearms and explosives filed against Teves were enough to designate him a terrorist. (See full story online at manilastandard.net)
zons were among the casualties.
“How can they say the Tiamzon couple died in that operation? I do not know if they were included in that operation because I myself, as the commander at that time, could not confirm if the Tiamzons were there in the encounter with troops in the waters of Samar ,” De Leon told CNN Philippines’ News Night.
The National Security Council welcomed the confirmation of the Tiamzon couple's deaths but maintained that it stands by the official reports of the Armed Forces of the Philippines.
“As is their practice, the terrorists’ propaganda machinery has concocted and fabricated an elaborate story which even implicates the United States in their deaths in order to squeeze whatever propaganda value they can muster from their deaths,” National Security Adviser Eduardo Año said. (See full story online at manilastandard.net)
country and did not give conditions for his surrender.
“I will talk with my colleague again to ask him if that offer was followed up by another gesture,” the Justice Secretary said. With the possibility of surrender, Remulla said: “we are not pushing for law enforcement to hurry up the process.”
Replying to questions, Remulla said:
“You know it is very difficult to hide from the law.”
From A1
These documents included paperwork from the PNP, National Bureau of Investigation, Bureau of Internal Revenue, Special Action Force Operations Management Division, Civil Service Commission, and others as well as biometric records such as fingerprints and signatures.
However, the Department of Information and Communications Technology (DICT) National Computer Emergency Response Team has informed the Civil Service Commission Integrated Records Management Office that the CSC system and database were not breached or attacked.
Commissioner Romeo Lumagui Jr. also assured the public the alleged breach did not happen in the Bureau of Internal Revenue.
The PNP said they were still verifying the alleged data leak. PNP Anti-Cyber Crime Group Director Brig. Gen. Sidney Hernia said they were still conducting assessment on the incident.
"We cannot categorically say at this time that there was leaked applicants’ data,” said Hernia.
"We are still conducting vulnerability assessment and penetrationtesting. We also requested complete access logs from PRSS (PNP Recruitment and Selection Service) to evaluate those logs."
In reaction to the leak, Albay Rep. Joey Sarte Salceda said the country should consider doing away with the requirement of a Police or National
From A1
In an advisory, Labor Secretary Bienvenido Laguesma reminded employers to be guided on how to compensate their workers on Friday, declared by Malacanang as a regular holiday, and employees are entitled to 200 percent pay if they report for work.
Those who will render work during a regular holiday will be paid atotal of 200 percent of the employee's wage for that day for the first eight hours (Basic wage times 200 percent).
For work done over eight hours, the worker will receive an additional 30 percent of the hourly rate on that day (Hourly rate of the basic wage x 200 percent × 130 percent x number of hours worked).
Should the worker report for work on his rest day, the employer shall pay the worker an additional 30 percent of the basic wage of 200 percent (Basic wage x 200 percent x 130 percent).
For work done more than eight hours during a regular holiday that also falls on the worker’s rest day, the employer shall pay the employee an additional 30 percent of
From A1
An annular solar eclipse forms when the moon crosses the path of the sun and appears as a dark disk on top of a larger bright disk creating an image of a ring around the moon.
A total solar eclipse, on the other hand, is when the light from the sun is completely obscured by the moon.
Bureau of Investigation clearance for employment and other engagements.
“Frankly, the PNP and other law enforcement agencies should not be in the business of storing the personal data of law-abiding citizens. And besides, that distracts from their law enforcement functions,” said Salceda, chair of the House committee on ways and means.
“If you are involved in some crime, we can probably get your data easily anyway. Rather than putting ordinary law-abiding citizens through the hassle and expense of clearances, as well as the risk of data breach, why don’t we normalize due diligence among employers?”
At the same time, ACT Teachers Rep. France Castro echoed Salceda's concern even as he denounced the massive data leak that exposed 1,279,437 records belonging to law enforcement agencies as revealed by cybersecurity research company VPNmentor.
"This has to be investigated by Congress because the very privacy and safety of our people are at stake here," added Castro.
According to Fowler, also found in the database, were characterrecommendations, in the form of letters from courts and municipal mayors' offices certifying that those individuals applying to work, and a selection of documents containing tax Identification numbers were also found.
Papers pertaining to internal communications also surfaced including documents and directives addressing law enforcement officers, which may or may not be confidential.
the hourly rate on such day (Hourly rate of the basic wage x 200 percent x 130 percent x number of hours worked).
President Ferdinand R. Marcos Jr. issued Proclamation No. 201 declaring April 21 as a regular holiday in the entire country in observance of Eid'l Fitr.
Mr. Marcos signed Proclamation No. 201 after the National Commission on Muslim Filipinos (NCMF) recommended to declare the date a national holiday.
“In order to bring the religious and cultural significance of the Eid’l Fitr to the fore of national consciousness, and to allow the entire Filipino nation to join their Muslim brothers and sisters in peace and harmony in the observance and celebration of Eid’l Fitr, it is necessary to declare Friday, 21 April 2023, a regular holiday throughout the country,” the proclamation read.
Eid'l Fitr, one of the two most important Islamic celebrations, is observed by the Muslim community three days after the month-long Ramadan fasting.
The other important celebration, Eid al-Adha of The Feast of the Sacrifice, is celebrated on the 10th day of the last month of the Islamic calendar and commemorates the willingness of Ibrahim (Abraham) to sacrifice his son to God.
Vince LopezState weather bureau PAGASA said both types of eclipses were observed in Western Australia, Timor-Leste, West Papua, and Papua New Guinea.
The Philippines is higher than the path where obscuration is highest, which is why only a partial solar eclipse was observed. The partial eclipse was observed in Southeast Asia, East Indies, Australia, Solomon Island, Vanuatu, Papua New Guinea, and New Zealand. AFP (See full story online at manilastandard.net)
The Speaker delivered a policy speech at the Harvard University’s John F. Kennedy School of Government Thursday morning before university officials, faculty members and students in Boston, Massachusetts about the future of the Philippines and United States alliance. This was moderated by Mr. Eric Rosenbach, Co-Director of the Belfer Center for Science and International Affairs.
“The university is one of the top academic institutions in the world, if not the best. Its programs are emulated or duplicated in other institutions of higher learning. That’s why we are truly proud with this development,” Romualdez declared. (See full story online at manilastandard.net)
From A1
the matter. The Palace has yet to release a statement as of press time.
Officials said they make do with only four hours per day of electricity supply— that is, 20 hours without electricity every day in the province.
Vice Governor Diana Apigo Tayag said the calamity fund can also be used to purchase crude oil to use for electricity in hospitals.
“It’s just too much. For us, our economy is on life support. We’re so down. Almost no businesses are running here," said Tayag in Filipino over ABS-CBN Teleradyo.
"One of the biggest things we need here is ice. We have a lot of fish products, but all our ice comes from other places," she added.
According to Celso Garcia, General Manager of Occidental Mindoro Electric Cooperative (OMECO), only 12 megawatts are supplied by the Occidental Mindoro Consolidated Power Corporation (OMCPC), their sole power supplier. The province needs around 30 megawatts.
The root of the problem, according to reports, is the nearly P1 billion subsidy charged by OMCPC from the National Power Corporation (NAPOCOR) that would have sold diesel to run the power plant.
From A1
build a stronger partnership between the Philippines and the United States.
He made the commitment in a wide-ranging speech at the Harvard University’s John F. Kennedy School of Government before university officials, faculty members and students in Boston, Massachusetts about the future of the Philippines and United States alliance.
The event was moderated by Eric Rosenbach, Co-Director of the Belfer Center for Science and International Affairs.
“Philippine-US relations remain strong. Our security alliance underthe 1951 Mutual Defense Treaty is ironclad. Our economic partnership is robust. And the friendship between our two peoples is solid,” he stressed after meeting McCarthy.
It was the first interaction between the House Speakers of the two countries in recent years.
Romualdez said they agreed on improving linkages and communication, synergy, coordination, and sharing of best practices between their institutions.
“We were thankful that the (US) Speaker shared our ideals and agreed to continue similar discussions in the future,” he said.
The House leader invited his counterpart, the third highest-ranking US official, to visit the Philippines soon and attend the country’s hosting of the Asia Pacific Parliamentary Forum (APPF).
The two leaders met at the US Capitol on late Wednesday night Manila time, shortly before Romualdez flew to Boston to honor an invitation to speak before Harvard University officials, faculty members and students on Philippine-US security cooperation, and regional and domestic peace, stability, and economic issues. (See full story online at manilastandard.net)
Sen. Villar: Promote high-value PH crops
SEN. Cynthia A. Villar said there is a need to promote high-value crop production in the country, noting that the local agricultural sector still faces limited diversity, low productivity, and only a few successful high-value agribusinesses after 28 years,
Since the implementation of RA No.7900 or the “High-Value Crops Development Act of 1995,” Villar said the country still has a long way to go to reach its goals.
Speaking during the 28th Anniversary of the High Value Crops (HVC) implementation, Villar said the law was passed to give an opportunity to diversify crop production and promote the development of agribusiness value chain.
Macon Ramos-AranetaGov’t opens internship program for public service
THE Presidential Commission for the Urban Poor (PCUP) and the Department of Labor and Employment (DOLE) have opened a government internship program for 19 young people who want to pursue a career in public service.
The program provides three to six months of internship opportunities for high school, technical-vocational, or college graduates who want to pursue a career in public service in either local or national government.
A series of dialogues earlier took place between PCUP and DOLE on the initiative of PCUP chairperson Elpidio Jordan Jr. and DOLE Regional Operations Assistant Secretary Dominique Rubia-Tutay, along with Labor Employment Officer Erickson Mag-isa, and discussed how urban poor organizations could have wider access to livelihood and job opportunities.
Rio N. Araja
Tarlac National High grand alumni homecoming
TARLAC National High School
Annex, formerly AFPSEM--Camp
Aquino High School will hold its 19th Grand Alumni Homecoming and General Assembly.
The event, dubbed “Ugnayan 2023,” is scheduled for May 6, 2023, with morning activities at 6am to 12pm and a gala night from 6pm to 12am. The venue is at St. Michael’s Park and Covered Court, San Miguel, Tarlac City.
THE Supreme Court (SC) has sustained the decision of the Court of Tax Appeals absolving retired Lt. Gen. Jacinto C. Ligot and his wife Erlinda of four counts of tax evasion for willful under-declaration of income from 2001 to 2004 amounting to P458 million.
In a 20-page decision, the SC’s Third Division through Associate Justice Henri Jean Paul Inting held that the CTA Third Division did not commit grave abuse of discretion in dismissing the tax evasion case against the Ligots.
The CTA Third Division, in a decision rendered last January 8, 2019, declared that the prosecution failed to prove that the couple are guilty beyond reasonable doubt of violation of Section 254 ( Attempt to Evade or Defeat Tax) and 255 (Failure to File Return, Supply Correct and Accurate Information, Pay Tax Withhold and Remit Tax and Refund Excess Taxes Withheld on Compensation) of the National Internal Revenue Code or the Tax Code.
FREEDOM. Joselino Tana one of the 168 persons deprived of liberty (PDLs) who have been released from prison prays before departing from the Bureau of Correction in Muntinlupa City after the ceremonial release of PDLs as part of the decongestion program of the Bureau of Jail Management and Penology. Danny Pata
OFFICE of Civil Defense (OCD) administrator Ariel Nepomuceno on Thursday said siphoning off the remaining industrial oil should be a priority to manage and prevent further damage to affected areas of a recent oil spill.
In a press conference with the National Task Force for Oil Spill, Nepomuceno added that siphoning operations usually take two months to finish and can prevent additional harm to other coastal areas.
The operations will include 7 to 10 days of evaluation, 7 days for the arrival of the machines, and 21 days for actual operations.
Nepomuceno also said that the lack
of personal equipment is proving to be detrimental to the clean-up efforts.
“Wala po tayong sariling equipment, inaamin po natin ‘yan. Kaya dapat meron tayong sariling equipment, that is the lesson,” Nepomuceno said.
Nepomuceno also added that the bagging operations have been a tremendous help in slowing down the leak from the sunken vessel.
“Nakita po noong una na may 23 pinaglalabasan po ng langis, based on the recent reports from th e Coast Guard, out of 23, 11 na lang ang nilalabasan ng langis,” he added.
MV Princess Empress sank in the waters off Naujan, Oriental Mindoro last February 28, while carrying more than 800,000 industrial fuel.
As of April 20, the OCD reported more than P3.7 billion worth of damages and losses to agriculture from the incident.
Meanwhile, 103 areas in Oriental Mindoro, Palawan, Antique, and Batangas have been affected by the oil spill and a total of 37,871 families or 178,306 individuals have also been affected.
‘MONTH OF FILIPINO
FOOD.’ Makati 2nd District
Representative Luis Campos, Vice Mayor Monique Lagdameo, and other officials lead the ribbon-cutting to celebrate “Buwanang Kalutong Filipino (Month of Filipino Food)” as mandated by Proclamation #469 and approved by former President Rodrigo Duterte in 2018. Diana B. Noche
TAGALOG IN HARVARD. Speaker Ferdinand Martin G. Romualdez says the introduction of a Tagalog course in Harvard University’s academic offerings is a source of national pride. Romualdez made the statement before a gathering of Filipino students at Harvard University in Massachusetts. Members of the Filipino community also performed the tinikling (inset photo). The House Speaker delivered a policy speech at the school’s John F. Kennedy School of Government Thursday morning. (See story on A2) Ryan Ponce Pacpaco
DEPARTMENT of Trade and Industry (DTI) Secretary Alfredo Pascual said the DTI is supporting calls to extend SIM registration, noting its importance in digital transactions.
Pascual, quoted by ABS-CBNS News, said SIM registration will help in “the country’s shift to digital payments.”
SIM registration will only run until April 26, although calls have been made to extend the deadline.
“Digital payments are what we need to happen to further promote and develop our MSMEs because that’s how they can facilitate accessing the market and being able to sell online,” Pascual, quoted by ABSCBN News, said.
The official said it is a “major concern” if the deadline is imposed and not all SIMs have registered.
“If we really need registration, we need to be able to accommodate such a deadline. Personally, I will go for it, but I do not know the official position of the concerned department,” said Pascual when asked if he was amenable to suggestions the registration must be extended. The campaign has to be done and make sure that registration happens. It’s like voter’s registration,” Pascual said.
The Department of Information and Communications Technology (DICT) earlier said they have the prerogative to extend the extension for another 120 days, based on the laws implementing rules and regulations.
National Economic Development Authority (NEDA) Secretary Arsenio Balisacan meanwhile said SIM registration will fast-track the country’s digital economy.
This includes the government’s public sector engagement, Balisacan said.
SOLICITOR General Menardo Guevarra said that the government’s appeal before the International Criminal Court (ICC) over a drug war probe is still pending.
Guevarra, quoted by GMA News, said he had made the clarifications to President Ferdinand Marcos Jr.
The President earlier said the Philippines will disengage from any contact
and communication with the ICC after he announced that the government’s appeal supposedly “failed.”
“Yes, I have clarified it with PBBM,” Guevarra told GMA News Online. According to Guevarra, Mr. Marcos directed officials to just wait for the resolution of the appeal.
Guevarra issued the remark when
sought for comment over the Department of Foreign Affairs’ (DFA) refusal to accommodate the Senate panel’s request to invite the ICC to the hearing on resolutions defending former President Rodrigo Duterte from any investigation and prosecution by the tribunal, GMA News further reported.
The DFA said the agency cannot fa-
cilitate their request due to Marcos’ pronouncement about “disengaging” from the ICC.
In March, the ICC Appeals Chamber rejected the government’s appeal to suspend the probe on the drug war while the main appeal on the decision of the ICC pre-trial chamber to authorize the probe is still pending.
A LABOR attorney has warned the public about reaching “misleading and premature conclusions” about the rights of other family members to claim employment benefits of an employee who died while on duty.
Lawyer Lorraine Macasa-Meneses of the Associated Labor Unions (ALU) in Southern Mindanao emphasized that only parents, as lawful beneficiaries, of an unmarried or single employee can claim the death benefits due to the person who died while working.
This was after Eva Walawala Mozo, sister of mining firm employee Joel Walawala, appeared on TV and radio programs insinuating foul play in the death of her brother, despite the official result of a probe by the National Bureau of Investigation yet to come out.
Mozo has decried the employment benefits given to the Walawala family as a “bribe” being given by the management and has insisted that she is the rightful beneficiary of the benefits
from the company her brother worked for.
Macasa-Meneses, a former Department of Labor and Employment inspector, noted that siblings cannot claim company benefits without presenting sufficient documents to prove they are blood-related and, most importantly, authorized by the deceased person involved.
Usually, management requests for the birth certificate of the deceased if the parents will be the claimants, the lawyer noted. If the claimant is the sibling, the company will rightfully ask for an affidavit as authority to claim and/or maybe a birth certificate that shows they have the same parents, she added.
Normally, management would also require the lawful claimant to execute a quit claim and waiver to show proof that the benefits due to the employee, whose death was work-related, has been properly compensated, the ALU lawyer added. Richard Orsino
SEVEN percent of the country’s workforce are eyeing overseas jobs, according to a survey by the Social Weather Station (SWS).
The SWS report, released on Thursday also showed that two out of ten adult Filipinos or 17 percent prefer to live abroad. The survey, conducted on Dec.
10 to 14 last year, indicated that 16 percent of the prospective overseas Filipino workers have moist eyes on Canada, followed by Saudi Arabia with 12 percent, the United
SPEAKER Martin Romualdez on Thursday pledged that he and the entire House of Representatives will redouble their efforts at addressing the most pressing concerns of the people.
The Speaker made the promise after the entire Congress gained significant trust and performance ratings in the latest Octa Research survey.
“I would like to express my deepest gratitude to the Filipino people for their continued support and trust in my leadership,” Romualdez said.
“This is not just a personal achievement but also a tacit recognition of the tireless efforts of the entire House and the dedication of my fellow lawmakers to pass laws and policies that benefit our country and our people,” he added.
Romualdez said while the House has delivered on its commitment to pass laws advancing the eight-point socioeconomic agenda of President Ferdinand Marcos, Jr., he and the entire chamber will not rest on their laurels.
“I would like to assure the public that under my leadership, we will redouble our efforts to prioritize the needs and concerns of the Filipino people. We will press on for the timely passage of laws for progress and development and those meant to address the serious challenges that our nation face,” Romualdez stressed.
This developed as Majority Leader Mannix Dalipe, Reps. Elpidio Barzaga Jr of Cavite City and Aurelio Gonzales of Pampanga congratulated President Marcos for
also earning high trust ratings in the recent survey of polling firm Octa Research.
“Survey after survey, we see high ratings for President Marcos Jr. and key officials of the government including our dear House Speaker Martin G. Romualdez. Be it satisfaction, approval or trust ratings, the Marcos administration consistently earns high marks!” said Barzaga, chair of the House Committee on Natural Resources.
The latest Tugon ng Masa (TNM)
Q1 2023 survey of Octa Research saw President Marcos Jr. obtaining a trust rating of 83 percent, while Vice President Sara Duterte, Senate President Juan Miguel Zubiri and Supreme Court Chief Justice Alexander Gesmundo earned 87 percent, 50 percent, and 39 percent, respectively.
Speaker Romualdez obtained a 55 percent trust rating, the biggest increase in ratings from the last TNM October 2022 survey, with a hike of +17 percent.
The House leader also got the highest gain in performance rating, or +15 percent, for the two survey periods.
“Speaker Romualdez’s high trust ratings are a genuine reflection of the hard work of the House of Representatives and its members. This will certainly inspire us to do more, strive better and work harder to serve the Filipino people.” Barzaga expressed.
The five government officials – the heads of the executive, legislative and judicial branches of government – also scored high in previous approval and satisfaction surveys of Pulse Asia and Social Weather Stations.
Arab Emirates with nine percent, Japan with seven percent, Qatar six percent, and curiously the United States with only six percent.
It was also established that seven percent of Filipino households have a family member working in other countries.
The SWS survey likewise showed that 75 percent of the households with members currently working abroad as-
Risa asks Senate to pay tribute to Del Rosario
serted that they “often” receive money from overseas, 17 percent said they “sometimes” receive remittances, five percent claims “seldom”, while three percent sadly admitted that they never received support from their OFW family members. The pollsters interviewed 1,200 Filipino adults nationwide with a margin of error of ± 2.8 percent.
SENATOR Risa Hontiveros has filed a resolution asking her colleagues to honor the legacy and memory of the late Foreign Affairs Secretary Albert del Rosario for “defending our national interest.”
Meanwhile, Japanese Prime Minister Fumio Kishida expressed his condolences and sympathies on the passing of Del Rosario whom he considered as a “good friend.”
In her Senate Resolution No. 572 filed on Wednesday, Hontiveros described Del Rosario as a “consummate and hands-on diplomat” who represented the Philippines with “utmost grace, honor, and dignity.” Del Rosario died on Tuesday at 83, according to his family.
It was under his watch at the Department of Foreign Affairs (DFA) that the Philippines elevated to an international court its complaint against China for violating the national rights over the disputed West Philippine Sea.
“Del Rosario was known for defending the national interest, whether it be the interest of scores of overseas Filipino workers finding themselves in situations of distress in other countries or the country’s security interests vis a vis a foreign aggression,” Hontiveros said. Rey E. Requejo
Solon hits Panganiban’s appointment as DA OIC
SENATOR Risa Hontiveros on Thursday strongly criticized the appointment of Department of Agriculture (DA) Senior Undersecretary Domingo Panganiban as the Department’s OIC. “Domingo arrogated unto himself the powers of the Sugar Regulatory Administration (SRA) and now, instead of being punished, he is being rewarded by being appointed as its OIC?” noted Hontiveros.
For Malacanang and Panganiban, Hontiveros said it appears that “crime really does pay - it even rewards.”
In any other government, she said Panganiban would already be suspended and the subject of multiple criminal and administrative investigations for his issuances on the sugar importation.
The opposition senator, said this act, openly violated existing laws and enable the formation of a government sponsored sugar cartel in the country.
Macon Ramos-Araneta
THE Land Transportation Office has admitted a nationwide shortage of plastic driver’s license, citing a special order of the Department of Transportation (DOTr) disallowing the procurement of 5.2 million plastic cards worth P249 million.
At a news conference, LTO chief Jay Art Tugade said “as of today (Thursday), there are offices that could no longer issue a plastic license.”
“Earlier, we had a briefing with the deputized agencies and the new chief of the Philippine National Police-Highway Patrol Group to tackle various issues, and one of these was the issuance of a temporary driver’s license for renewal and new applications,” he said.
Tugade also said some LTO branches were still unable to issue plastic cards.
“We continue allocating cards,” he said.
“For those that could no longer issue plastic cards, we are doing measures to address
the issue,” he added.
The LTO chief gave the assurance that the agency’s official receipt as a temporary driver’s license has a “unique QR code for our law enforcers to verify.”
“We can print out an official receipt for those applying for license renewal,” he said. Asked about the magnitude of the plastic license shortage, Tugade said “it is a nationwide problem. But there are offices in the National Capital (Region) that still have the plastic cards. Based on our forecast, these plastic cards can only last until the end of April.”
Upon his assumption as LTO chief on Nov. 15, 2022, Tugade ordered an inventory not only of plastic driver’s license cards, but also of license plates, he said.
“By that time, I am already aware of the critical level of inventory of plastic cards,” he said, adding that he immediately coordinated with the concerned committees to procure.
LTO GETS NEW OFFICE. Land Transportation Office executive director Giovani Lopez (2nd from left) and Quezon City Vice Mayor Gian Sotto (3rd from left) lead the inauguration of a new LTO office at the 2nd floor of Centris Station Eton Centris on E. de los Santos Avenue corner Quezon Avenue Quezon City. Manny Palmero
THE Department of Justice (DOJ) presses its jail decongestion program with the release on Thursday of 532 more inmates from the National Bilibid Prison (NBP) in Muntinlupa City Justice Secretary Jesus Crispin Remulla and Bureau of Corrections (BuCor) director general, Gregorio Catapang, Jr. led the discharge of the latest batch of persons deprived of liberty (PDLs) from the national corrections facility.
Three hundred fifteen of the 532 prisoners who have regained their freedom were
granted parole due to good time conduct allowance (GTCA) or good behavior, 65 others were acquitted of the charges against them, seven given probation, and one due to habeas corpus. The rest have served their sentences, the DOJ said in a statement. Seventy-five of those who were set free were from the maximum security facility, 122 from medium security, 12 from minimum security, and two from the reception and diagnostic center of the NBP. Joseph Muego
FAILED SUICIDE ATTEMPT. There is nothing like being at the right place at the right time. Standard photographer Norman Cruz’s camera catches in mid-air a man who tried to jump to his death from a building in Padre Algue, Tondo Manila after allegedly stabbing his wife. Fortunately or unfortunately for him, the man survived and was taken to the hospital.
INTOXICATION is defined by the Webster Dictionary as the “condition of having physical and mental control markedly diminished by the effects of alcohol or drugs.”
In Philippine Criminal Law, the intoxication of the offender or accused may increase (aggravate) or decrease (mitigate) the punishment for a crime thereby affecting the final penalty against him or her.
If the intoxication is not habitual or subsequent to the plan to commit a felony or crime, it will be considered as a mitigating circumstance.
However, when the intoxication is habitual or intentional, it shall be considered as an aggravating circumstance (Article 15, Revised Penal Code).
“The mere fact that the accused has been drinking intoxicating liquor about seven months and that he had been drunk once or twice a month is not constituting habitual drunkenness.
“A habitual drunkard is one given the intoxication by excessive use of intoxicating drinks… but it is not necessary that it be continuous or by daily occurrence” (Reyes, Revised Penal Code citing People v. Amenamen).
In the case of the United States v. McMann, the Supreme Court found the testimony of one of the witnesses sufficient to establish habituality of drunkenness.
The witness said “I have seen him drunk many times. The first time I knew the accused I saw him drunk 12 or more times… I could not say [how many times he has been drunk]; too many times to recollect” (G.R. No. 2229, July 1, 1905).
can go to the public treasury and not to some “hao
siao” outsourced eye examination clinics.
The funds collected here can be used for meaningful projects like free cataract surgery and free eyeglasses for the poor, as well as research and treatment on vision and blindness.
injecting a patient he took a bottle of wine and [drank] little by little until he got drunk… he started to go home; that on his way home he ‘was attracted by the light in his sister’s house’ and… he went up, to give his uncle an injection for heart ailment from which the old man was suffering” (G.R. L-288, August 29, 1946).
“This mitigating circumstance must be proved to the satisfaction of the court to be available as a means to lighten the penalty. The trial court has found the evidence insufficient to ‘conclusively show that the accused was drunk on the night of the incident’” (G.R. L-288, August 29, 1946).
“We [the Supreme Court] are in accord with this finding… the amount of liquor the accused had taken, if he had taken any, was not of sufficient quantity to affect his mental faculties… ‘if the accused was thoughtful enough not to neglect giving Don Vicente Noble his injection, the inference would be that his intoxication was not to such a degree as to affect his mental capacity to fully understand the consequences of his act’” law(G.R. L-288, August 29, 1946).
Intoxication is “intentional” when the offender drinks liquor fully knowing its effects, to find in the liquor a stimulant to commit a crime or a means to suffocate any remorse (Reyes, Revised Penal Code).
The question of “habit” should be proved as actual and confirmed; it is unnecessary that it is a matter of daily occurrence (Reyes, Revised Penal Code citing People v. Camano).
The liquor must “lessen individual resistance to evil thought and undermines (sic) the will-power making its victim a potential evildoer” (Reyes, Revised Penal Code citing People v. Camano).
It is important the offender’s use of his mental faculties and value judgment are affected by the intoxication.
We’re talking about the Land Transportation Office, an agency under the Department of Transportation, whose mission is to rationalize land transportation services and facilities and effectively implement various transportation laws, rules and regulations. Its mission is a noble one, emphasizing road safety and protecting lives. But how come, Sen. Raffy Tulfo asked, the LTO seems to be so busy coming up with various income-generating schemes whose proceeds end up only God knows where?
Here’s the lawmaker talking: “Billions of pesos are lost yearly from the LTO collections due to corruption and a rotten system. It’s time to correct this bad system in the LTO and let those behind these (wrongdoing) be made accountable.”
He cited at least three instances where the agency seems to give priority to incomegenerating projects rather than road safety and driver education.
One, there’s fly-by-night outsourced vision test centers situated near LTO offices. The agency, according to the senator, can offer the test instead so the billions collected from it
Two, the outsourced emission testing centers also earn billions from car owners who are required by LTO to get a compliance certificate, which costs P500 per car.
The LTO can likewise be the one issuing compliance certificates so the funds collected
AMID the territorial and maritime dispute with China in the South China Sea, the national government has realized, somewhat belatedly, that the country needs to develop a credible defense posture. That essentially means having adequate ground, air and naval forces that can at the very least deter any aggressive action or threat of attack by a hostile country.
But building up our military – among the weakest in Southeast Asia, according to analysts – involves huge resources that we can hardly afford at this time.
In another case, “drunkenness [was] considered as an aggravating circumstance [in robbery with multiple homicide] because it is habitual on the part of both Mabilangan defendants.
The defendants… admitted in open court that before they committed the crime, they drank for three hours in the house of defendant Adriano Gualba” (People v. Mabilangan, et al., G.R. L-48217, January 30, 1982).
However, in the case of People v. Moral, et al. for murder, the Supreme Court did not consider habitual drunkenness as an aggravating but a mitigating circumstance because the records “[do] not show excessive and habitual use of intoxicating drinks, or that the accused purposely got drunk in order to commit the crime” (G.R. L-31139 October 12, 1984).
“Luz Casa merely declared that the accused were drinking liquor on the night in question and were telling stories, and that they were singing, laughing, and shouting and were very jolly. While she further said that the accused used to drink liquor every Saturday night, her testimony is not competent proof that the accused are drunkards whose habit is to get drunk…”(G.R. L-31139 October 12, 1984).
However, in another case, in denying a claim of mitigating circumstance, the Supreme explained “[t]he record has no evidence that shows that the liquor taken by Jesus G. Ruiz (one of the accused) was of such quantity as to have blurred his reason and deprived him of self-control.
“Said circumstance must first be established before drunkenness may be considered as a mitigating circumstance” (People v. Ruiz, et al., G.R. L-33604-05 October 30, 1979).
In the case of People v. Noble, a claim of mitigating circumstance was denied by the Supreme Court after the accused said “after
While intoxication can impair the exercise of will power, intoxication is intentional if the offender resorted to it to bolster his courage to commit the crime. It is aggravating when intoxication is habitual and “undermines the will power making himself a potential evildoer” (Reyes, Revised Penal Code citing People v. Amenamen). The prosecution must prove the intoxication of the offender is habitual or intentional.
In the absence of proof to the contrary, it will be presumed that intoxication is not habitual but accidental, and the fact that the accused was drunk at the time of the commission of the crime must then be considered as a mitigating circumstance (Reyes, Revised Penal Code citing U.S. v. Fitzgerald).
In the case of People v. Apduhan, “the accused merely alleged that when he committed the offense charged he was intoxicated although he was ‘not used to [being] drunk.’”
According to the Supreme Court, “[t]his self-serving statement stands uncorroborated. Obviously, it is devoid of any probative value”
(G.R. L-19491, August 30, 1968).
The confession of the accused that he was intoxicated when he stabbed the cab driver after continuously drinking sometime before the commission of the crime was not habitual nor intentional. The holdup was not the offspring of planning and deliberation. It was a fatal improvisation dictated by an impromptu impulse (People v. Abalos, et al., G.R. L-31726, May 31, 1974).
As a final word, [i]t is settled principle that drunkenness is not an excuse for a criminal act, committed while the intoxications lasts, and being its immediate result (A Treatise on the Law of Evidence, Volume 3, Wigmore and Greenleaf).
Nevertheless, its presence depending on the circumstances will affect the final penalty for the commission of the crime.
The acquisition of advanced jet fighter planes, fully equipped naval and coast guard vessels that can patrol our archipelago for weeks at a time, and battle tanks, missile and artillery systems will cost not only billions but tens of trillions of pesos.
Our air force simply cannot afford to buy state-of-the-art jet fighters developed by the US, nor sophisticated missile systems that can reach far-away targets.
The Javelin shoulder-fired anti-tank weapon we see on TV footage used by the Ukrainian army with devastating impact against Russian tanks costs $100,000 each, or P5 million for the gadget alone, not to mention the cost of the rockets used especially for that type of weapon system.
To prioritize the acquisition of expensive defense equipment over equally costly infrastructure projects for economic development appears morally indefensible given that about a third of all Filipinos now survive on less than $2 a day.
The rule of thumb is governments should spend no less than two percent of Gross Domestic Product (GDP) for defense so that citizens can sleep soundly at night knowing they have the military to protect them from harm.
The Philippines obviously cannot allot two percent of its nearly P6 trillion budget for this year when we still have to pay our foreign debt for the acquisition of millions of doses of COVID-19 vaccines.
And did you know that of our annual budget for our armed forces, roughly 80 percent goes to the salaries and pensions of both active and retired men and women in uniform?
What’s important at this point, according to our two main resource persons in our Saturday News Forum in Quezon City, is to build military alliances with other countries.
We already have the Mutual Defense Treaty with the United States signed back in 1951 that US President Joe Biden reiterated last year is an “ironclad guarantee” they will come to our
defense if we’re attacked by a third country.
But even if the MDT is there, we cannot rely solely on the security umbrella the US provides even after more than seven decades.
As we do not have the luxury of setting aside two percent or more of our GDP for our defense requirements, we need to ramp up security alliances with other countries, such as Japan, South Korea, Australia, India and the other ASEAN countries, among others.
from this can also be used for important projects like treatment of different kinds of cancer.
And three, the lawmaker wants to put a stop to what is an unjust requirement for car owners to get a Compulsory Third Party Liability amounting to more than P1,000 per car wanting to register, even though their vehicles already have the comprehensive insurance coverage.
Until public outrage forced the agency to scrap it altogether years ago, the agency also previously required applicants for driver’s licenses to undergo mandatory drug testing by private entities.
As a frontline government agency, the LTO is supposed to render fast and efficient public service for a progressive land transport sector.
It is tasked to register motor vehicles, issue driver’s/conductor’s licenses and permits, enforce transportation laws, rules and regulations and adjudicate apprehension cases.
We’re not saying the agency completely ignores public clamor for it to render better services.
It does listen to complaints from the public.
One, it has taken steps to keep fixers away from its offices.
And recently, it also did away with periodic medical exams for those given 5 to 10-year driver’s licenses.
But the unnecessary impositions seem to outweigh the positive reforms, and that’s what the current leadership ought to change—and soon.
country should be resolute in defending our claimed territory in the disputed sea lane, as weakness would only invite more bullying and intimidation by the vastly more superior Chinese military.
The same sentiment has been expressed by De La Salle University International Studies Professor Renato Cruz de Castro.
The annual Balikatan military exercises with the US military and the establishment of four additional sites for the Enhanced Defense Cooperation Agreement in addition to the already existing five sites, he said, should demonstrate to the outside world that we are determined to protect our national sovereignty and territorial integrity despite our limited military capabilities.
(Email: ernhil@yahoo.com)
(www.manilastandard.net)
It’s one thing to uphold national security against a homegrown armed rebellion armed only with handguns, rifles and land mines.
It’s quite another to deal with an adversary armed with nuclear warheads and advanced armaments capable of inflicting death and destruction on a massive scale.
It’s important, therefore, to strive for a credible defense posture that we can afford at this stage in our economic development.
Former Deputy of Staff of the Armed Forces of the Philippines Lt. Gen. (Ret.) Edilberto Adan, who also used to head the Presidential Commission on Visiting Forces and is an active member of the Association of Generals and Flag Officers (AGFO), stood as one of our two resource persons in our April 15 Saturday News Forum in Quezon City.
He emphasized the need for us to strengthen our defense capabilities even if we cannot hope to match our neighbor China in deploying Coast Guard vessels and maritime militia as part of our response to our neighbor’s seizure of islets we claim as part of our Exclusive Economic Zone in the South China Sea.
The former military official believes the
LAST April 3, the Board of Regents of the University of the Philippines elected Edgardo Carlo Vistan the new Chancellor of UP Diliman. That makes Vistan the 12th Chancellor of the flagship UP campus. Vistan bested re-electionist UP Diliman Chancellor Fidel Nemenzo and a certain Victor Paz, an Archaeology professor. Nemenzo was first installed as chancellor in 2020. His election back then was applauded by radical elements of UP. Nemenzo’s threeyear term expired last March 1.
At present, Vistan is the Dean of the UP College of Law. He is also the head of the UP Law Center and the Executive Director of the UP campus at Bonifacio Global City in Taguig City. Vistan obtained his undergraduate and law degrees from UP Diliman back in 1998 and 2003, respectively. In both instances, he graduated cum laude.
Vistan also has a master’s degree in law from Yale University and, I understand, did preparatory doctoral studies also in law.
Days before the April 3 election, UP radicals were confident that Nemenzo would get re-elected.
They claimed at least three members of the UP BOR are pro-Nemenzo, namely,
faculty regent Carl Marc Ramota, student regent Siegfred Severino, and administrative personnel regent Victoria Canape Belegal. The radicals also announced that a fourth regent was also on Nemenzo’s side, and that with four votes already in their favor, Nemenzo’s re-election was an almost certainty.
That’s because since there are 11 members of the BOR, a candidate for chancellor wins if he gets the nod of at least six regents.
From the way the UP radicals confidently peddled their pro-Nemenzo propaganda, it seemed like Nemenzo was the frontrunner among the three contenders for UP Diliman chancellor.
However, as I stated above, and to the surprise and chagrin of the radicals, Nemenzo lost to Vistan.
Last December, the ambitious Nemenzo, who hardly warmed his seat as chancellor, sought the UP presidency for the 2023-2029 term.
As expected, the radicals supported his run. Some faculty members known for their dislike for President Ferdinand “Bongbong” Marcos Jr. and ex-President Rodrigo Duterte also supported Nemenzo. To Nemenzo’s and his supporters’ big
disappointment, the BOR elected somebody else as UP President. The radicals protested as usual, but the Yuletide diluted their protests. They protested anew on April 3 when the BOR met to elect the UP Diliman chancellor for the 2023-2025 term.
Right after the radicals learned that Nemenzo lost his re-election bid for chancellor, dozens of their lawless and violent kind immediately trooped to Quezon Hall in UP Diliman, where the BOR meeting was held, to create trouble and havoc.
At first, the radicals tried to force their way inside the meeting room, the doors of which
Pathetic recount: How Filipino war vets were treated
were locked, by pounding and kicking on them. Then they tried to use metal ladders to force the doors open.
When all that didn’t work, they defaced government property by painting “shame on BOR” on the doors, oblivious that what they did was shameful in itself.
The radicals reportedly confronted UP’s assistant vice president for student affairs and demanded to know how the BOR voted.
Why they didn’t just ask the pro-Nemenzo regents for that information is a mystery.
Newspaper reports indicate that a certain Professor Mon Sy, who appears to be the mouthpiece of a nondescript group which calls itself Contend-UP, denounced the BOR for being undemocratic. He claimed the BOR should have elected Nemenzo since the latter is the choice of the UP community.
Sy haughtily claimed 86 percent of the UP community supports Nemenzo, but he did not provide proof of his claim.
Sy also didn’t explain how he obtained his suspicious, sweeping and self-serving statistics.
Online, the radically infested UP Diliman Student Council likewise protested Nemenzo’s defeat, and cited the same questionable reasons
claimed by Sy.
claimed by Sy.
Obviously, Nemenzo’s radical supporters can’t accept defeat. Their misplaced sense of entitlement is an insult to UP and its alumni.
The uncivilized behavior of the UP radicals can be likened to the abhorrent practices of the Mafia and the Ku Klux Klan.
UP authorities should identify the radicals who defaced UP’s Quezon Hall, and file disciplinary and criminal charges against them.
That is the only way to deal with these abusive UP radicals who were spoiled and tolerated during the incumbency of both Chancellor Nemenzo and ex-UP President Danilo Concepcion.
Surprisingly, I have not heard any statement from Nemenzo which condemns the shameful behavior displayed in public by the UP radicals who profess to be his supporters.
Absent that statement, Nemenzo is suspected of having acquiesced in the shameful incident. If the UP radicals embody all that Nemenzo stands for, then the UP BOR did right in not re-electing him chancellor.
(Retired Lt. Gen. Edilberto Adan) believes the country should be resolute in defending our claimed territory in the disputed sea lane, as weakness would only invite more bullying and intimidation by the vastly more superior Chinese military
[i]t is settled principle that drunkenness is not an excuse for a criminal act...
But the unnecessary impositions seem to outweigh the positive reforms, and that’s what the current leadership ought to change—and soon
If the UP radicals embody all that Nemenzo stands for, then the UP BOR did right in not re-electing him chancellor
‘A sense of humor,’ and ‘a healthy lifestyle’
AT LEAST 85 people were killed and over 300 injured in a crush at a charity distribution event in war-torn Yemen on Thursday, Huthi officials said, one of the deadliest stampedes in a decade.
The latest tragedy to strike the Arabian Peninsula’s poorest country came days ahead of Eid al-Fitr, a Muslim holiday celebrated around the world by feasting to mark the end of the fasting month of Ramadan.
Hundreds of people in the poverty-hit country had gathered at a school in the capital Sanaa to receive cash handouts of 5,000 Yemeni Rials (around $8).
At least “85 were killed and more than 322 were injured” in the stampede in the Bab al-Yemen district of the capital, a Huthi security official said, adding that around 50 were in a serious condition.
“Women and children were among the dead,” he told AFP on condition of anonymity, as he was not authorised to speak to the media. A second health official confirmed the toll.
The Huthi-run interior ministry said the dead and injured have been relocated to hospitals, and those responsible for the
event arrested.
Video broadcast by Al Masirah TV channel showed a cluster of bodies packed together, with people climbing on top of each other to try to make their way through.
Many had their mouths covered by other people’s hands, the rest of their bodies engulfed by the dense crowd.
Armed men in military dress and distribution workers screamed at the crowd to turn back as they tried to pull people out of the crush.
Arrests and investigation
According to the head of the Huthis’ Supreme Revolutionary Committee, Mohamed Ali al-Huthi, “overcrowding” caused the stampede.
People were packed in a narrow street leading to the school’s back entrance, he said.
Once the gates opened, the crowd streamed into a tight staircase leading to the courtyard where the distribution was taking place.
Eyewitnesses, however, said that gunfire caused people to rush in a panic.
After the stampede, families converged on hospitals but many were not allowed to enter as top officials were also visiting the dead and wounded.
An AFP correspondent in Sanaa saw large crowds outside one hospital entrance.
At the school, heavily deployed security forces were seen blocking relatives
from entering the facility to locate family members.
Footage on Al Masirah TV showed corpses strewn across the complex, which was littered with sandals and scraps of clothes after the stampede was cleared.
The Huthi rebel’s political chief Mahdi al-Mashat said a committee had been formed to investigate.
A Huthi security official said three people had been detained on suspicion of involvement.
Widespread poverty
More than eight years of civil war in Yemen has unleashed what the United Nations describes as one of the world’s worst humanitarian tragedies. AFP
‘Jesus relics’ featured in Charles coronation
A CEREMONIAL silver cross containing shards said by the Vatican to be from the cross used to crucify Jesus Christ was blessed on Wednesday before its use in King Charles III’s coronation early next month. Pope Francis gave the two fragments of the “True Cross”, one 5 millimeters long and the other 1 centimeter, as a gift to mark the crowning of the monarch and his wife Camilla as queen on May 6.
They have been fashioned into a tiny cross and incorporated into the overall design, visible behind a rose crystal gemstone.
The Archbishop of Wales, Andrew John, blessed the new Cross of Wales before dignitaries and parishioners at a service in Llandudno, north Wales.
It will now be taken to London and be carried at the head of the coronation procession.
The archbishop said the cross “speaks to our Christian faith, our heritage, our resources and our commitment to sustainability”.
“We are delighted too that its first use will be to guide Their Majesties (Charles and Camilla) into Westminster Abbey at the coronation service.”
THOUSANDS of residents fled from Sudan’s capital where witnesses reported bodies in the streets and embassies said more than 270 civilians had been killed in battles between the army and paramilitaries by Thursday, with no end in sight.
“Life in Khartoum is impossible if this war does not stop,” said Alawya alTayeb, 33, on her way out of the city.
“I tried to make children not see the slain bodies on the streets,” she said, adding that her youngsters are already suffering from trauma and will need treatment.
The Rapid Support Forces paramilitaries said they would “fully commit to a complete ceasefire” from 1600 GMT for 24 hours, as did the army. But gunfire continued in Khartoum
register and to cause marginal annotation of the said recognized foreign divorce in Japan in the Report of Marriage, dated September 15, 2006 in Quezon City, of the petitioner and her former Japanese husband, Hidetoshi Someya. Finding the verified Petition to be sufficient in form and substance, the Court gives due course thereto
WHEREFORE, let a copy of this Order be published in a newspaper of general circulation in the Philippines once a week for three (3) consecutive weeks at petitioner’s expense, upon coordination with the Office of the Clerk of Court, Regional Trial Court, Quezon City. Hearing on the verified Petition is hereby set on May 15, 2023 at 9:30 A.M. before this Court at Room 608, 6/F, Hall of Justice-Annex, City Hall Complex, Quezon City, at which date, time and place all interested persons are required to appear and show cause why the petition should not be granted.
Let copies of this Order be posted by the Branch Sheriff thirty (30) days before the hearing date at the following places at the expense of the petitioner;
1. At the main entrance of the City Hall Building, Quezon City;
2. On the bulletin board of the Court, Hall of Justice Bldg., Quezon City; and
3. At the Barangay Hall of the barangay where the petitioner resides.
Likewise, let a copy of this Order be furnished the Office of the Local Civil Registrar of Quezon City; the Office of the Solicitor General, Makati City; the Office of the City Prosecutor, Quezon City; the Consulate General of Chiba-Ken, Noda City, Japan, the Office of the City Mayor of Chiba-ken, Noda City, Suzuki Yuu; the Embassy of Tokyo, Japan, the Ministry of Foreign Affairs, Japan, the
from the appointed time and into Wednesday night, according to witnesses.
It was the second day in a row a proposed humanitarian ceasefire failed to take hold.
The Sudanese army said that 177 Egyptian soldiers who had been captured by the RSF in the northern city of Merowe were evacuated Wednesday back to Egypt—a close ally of the military establishment—on four Egyptian military transport planes.
Other evacuation plans have been difficult to orchestrate, as foreign diplomats have been attacked and UN received reports of sexual violence against aid workers.
UN Secretary-General Antonio Guterres announced he would meet Thursday with the heads of the African
Union, the Arab League and regional bloc the Intergovernmental Authority on Development, his spokesman told reporters.
The violence erupted on Saturday between forces of the two generals who seized power in a 2021 coup: army chief Abdel Fattah al-Burhan and his deputy Mohamed Hamdan Daglo who commands the RSF.
It followed a bitter dispute between them over the planned integration of the RSF into the regular army—a key condition for a final deal aimed at restoring Sudan’s democratic transition.
Heavy gunfire resounded and deafening explosions rattled buildings in Khartoum -- a city of five million people—as thick black smoke rose from buildings around the army headquarters. AFP
Charles presented the Cross of Wales to the Anglican Church in Wales to mark its centenary.
It took designer Michael Lloyd two years to make and was crafted from recycled silver bullion, with fragments of Welsh timber and slate.
After the coronation, it will be shared by the Anglican and Roman Catholic churches in Wales. AFP
FLORIDA on Wednesday extended its controversial ban on lessons related to gender identity and sexual orientation to all school grades, a move pushed by the southern US state’s Republican governor and likely presidential candidate Ron DeSantis.
Dubbed by critics as the “Don’t Say Gay” law, the policy was initially limited to kindergarten through third grade, but the state’s Board of Education on Wednesday approved an expansion to grades four through 12.
A FLASH in the sky over the Ukrainian capital on Wednesday prompted confusion and alarm as city authorities said it was caused by a NASA satellite reentering the atmosphere, but the US space agency denied involvement.
A “bright glow” was observed over Kyiv around 10:00 pm (1900 GMT), the head of Kyiv’s military administration Sergiy Popko wrote on Telegram.
An air raid alert was activated, Popko said, but “air defence was not in operation” in the besieged country fighting a Russian invasion.
Meanwhile, South Korea’s decision on whether to send military aid to Kyiv depends on Russia’s actions, Seoul’s presidential office said Thursday, adding that a possible large-scale civilian attack could tip the balance.
Seoul has a long-standing policy against providing weapons to countries in active conflict, which it has repeatedly said makes it difficult to supply arms directly to Ukraine.
South Korea has supported the US-led sanctions on Moscow and has sent humanitarian aid to Kyiv, while signing major arms deals—including for tanks and howitzers—with Poland.
“According to preliminary information, this phenomenon was the result of a NASA space satellite falling to Earth,” Popko said. AFP
The expansion had already been approved by the Department of Education, which like the board is led by DeSantis appointees, and does not need legislative approval to take effect.
The new rule stipulates that teachers “shall not intentionally provide classroom instruction to students in grades 4 through 12 on sexual orientation or gender identity unless such instruction is ... expressly required by state academic standards.”
It also allows for an exemption if the lesson is “part of a reproductive health course or health lesson for which a student’s parent has the option to have his or her student not attend.”
Teachers who violate the policy could have their licenses suspended or revoked, according to the text.
Equality Florida, an LGBTQ rights group, expressed outrage at the move. AFP
ROBERT Kennedy Jr, a noted antivaccine advocate whose uncle “JFK” was the 35th US president, formally announced his own White House bid on Wednesday.
The 69-year-old outsider intends to compete for the Democratic Party’s nomination against incumbent President Joe Biden, who has yet to announce his reelection bid but has repeatedly said he plans to run.
Kennedy’s father “RFK” served as attorney general under Democratic president John F Kennedy and later as a US senator from New York.
The assassinations of both brothers— JFK in 1963 and RFK in 1968 during his own presidential campaign—are viewed as among the most significant events in 20th century US politics. RFK Jr worked for decades as an en-
vironmental lawyer, but has been known since 2005 for promoting conspiracy theories about vaccines, notably linking them to the development of autism.
“I’ve come here today to announce my candidacy for the Democratic nomination for president of the United States,” he said at his campaign launch event in Massachusetts, the stronghold of the Kennedy family.
Among the crown assembled in Boston, several supporters wore caps with anti-vaccine messages.
Kennedy vowed to end the deep political division in the United States by “telling the truth to the American people.”
Despite his highly recognizable name, Kennedy’s bid is a longshot against incumbent Biden, whose own official launch is expected later in the year, though no date has been announced. AFP
Thousands flee ‘bodies on the streets’ in KhartoumAGAINST INFLATION. Photo shows an aerial view of members of social organizations camping at the Plaza de Mayo square, outside the Casa Rosada presidential palace, to demonstrate against the rising inflation in Buenos Aires on April 19. AFP PENSIVE PUTIN. Russian President Vladimir Putin chairs a meeting with members of the government via a video conference at the Novo-Ogaryovo state residence, outside Moscow, on April 19. AFP Robert Kennedy Jr.
BANK of the Philippine Islands, the third-largest lender in terms of assets, said Thursday net income in the first three months jumped 52 percent year-on-year to P12.1 billion on the back of asset base expansion, margin growth and lower provisions.
The bank said in a disclosure to the stock exchange the first-quarter profit translated into a return on equity of 15.4 percent.
“Total revenues for the first quarter of the year grew 25.1 percent to P31.7 billion propelled by the 27.2-percent increase in net interest income to P24.2 billion, on the back of a 10-percent expansion in average asset base coupled
BLOOMBERRY Resorts Corp. is banking on the continued strength of the mass gaming market and pickup in regional tourism to sustain its growth momentum this year, a top executive said Thursday.
Bloomberry chairman Enrique Razon Jr. said during the company’s annual stockholders meeting Thursday the company is now back on track with its growth trajectory, with the mass gaming segment poised to set new highs in 2023 and contribute the lion’s share of revenues.
“We anticipate that this segment will grow steadily on the back of sustained expansion of the local economy, which is forecasted to grow between 6 and 7 percent this year,” Razon said.
Bloomberry returned to profitably in 2022 after two years of losses as the domestic-oriented mass table games and slots segments reached 100 percent of pre-Covid levels.
Razon said with the easing of COVID-19 restrictions in China and South Korea, the company saw an increase in number of travelers from these two countries and other markets in the region.
“So steadily we are seeing increases in inflow from both countries and other countries as well. We expect and hope that this trend continuous through the year,” Razon said.
He said Bloomberry is also enhancing its non-gaming business to accommodate more domestic and international patrons in its premier hotel, world class restaurants and retail developments.
“We aim to maintain Solaire as the paramount entertainment leisure destination in the Philippines by ramping up the number and quality of shows at The Theatre and opening exciting new luxury retail offerings in The Shoppes,” Razon said.
Razon said the construction of a second integrated casino and hotel in Quezon City continued to pick up after the project was delayed amid the pandemic and the global supply chain problem.
The $1-billion Solaire Resort North is now slated to open by the first quarter of 2024.
with a 52-basis point increase in net interest margin to 3.94 percent,” it said.
It said non-interest income climbed by 18.6 percent to P7.6 billion, driven by higher credit card billings and charges, securities trading gains and fees from investment banking project finance deals.
“Total operating expenses for the first quarter was P15.1 billion on spending
for manpower structural increases, milestone payments for digitalization initiatives, targeted marketing campaigns and rewards redemptions, and higher transaction-related processing fees,” it said.
Despite the 19.7-percent increase in operating expenses year-on-year, costto-income ratio remained lower at 47.5 percent on strong revenue generation.
Asset quality also remained strong as the non-performing loan ratio improved to 1.82 percent from 2.38 percent in March 2022, with a robust NPL coverage ratio of 176.71 percent.
The bank booked provisions of P1.0 billion, down by 60 percent from P2.5 billion it recorded over the same period last year, as asset quality has been on an improving trend.
POWER retailer Manila Electric Co. said Thursday it posted a 2-percent increase in sales volume growth in the first quarter compared to the same period last year on the strong performance of the commercial segment.
“First quarter 2023 is at 11,287 gigawatt-hours, a 2-percent increase versus first quarter 2022 driven by double-digit commercial sales growth,” Meralco first vice president and chief commercial officer Ferdinand Geluz said.
He said commercial sales went up 11 percent, while the residential and industrial segments declined during the period.
Geluz said the residential segment
fell 3 percent, “normalizing on close to pre-pandemic mobility with more faceto-face school and work arrangements resulting in less time spent at home and late start of summer [lower average temperature],” he said.
He said industrial sales declined 3 percent, but did not give additional details.
Meralco’s consolidated distribution utility energy sales volume sustained growth in 2022, recording an improvement of 6 percent to 48,916 GWh as sales demand continued its upward trajectory and businesses and public confidence recovered from the pandemic.
The commercial segment saw its share of the total sales increase to 36 percent from 33 percent in 2021.
Commercial sales volume grew 14
percent to 17,403 GWh in 2022 from 15,234 GWh in 2021 with the increase in mobility and economic activities.
Residential accounted for 35 percent of the total, down from 37 percent last year. Residential sales volume inched up by 1 percent to 17,148 GWh from 16,913 GWh as demand normalized with the resumption of travel and more face-to-face activities that led to less time spent at home by customers.
The industrial segment’s share was at 29 percent in 2022, down from 30 percent in 2021. Customers in the industrial segment registered 3 percent growth last year to 14,221 GWh due to increased commercial activity and demand for essentials boosted sales of food and beverage and plastic packaging.
Cebu Pacific receives its 10th Airbus 320neo (New Engine Option) aircraft as part of the airline’s goal to transition to a more fuel-efficient NEO fleet by 2028. The aircraft used sustainable aviation fuel to fly from the Airbus Delivery Center in Toulouse, France to the Ninoy Aquino International Airport in Manila. It is the second of CEB’s 10 expected Airbus NEO deliveries for 2023.
Total assets reached P2.7 trillion, up 12.4 percent from last year, while return on assets was 1.88 percent.
Total loans as of March 31, 2023 climbed 13.6 percent to P1.7 trillion, coming from higher loan growth in the corporate, credit card and auto portfolios of 12.6 percent, 38.7 percent and 16.4 percent, respectively.
It said total deposits increased 13.6 percent to P2.1 trillion. CASA (current and savings account) ratio stood at 70.3 percent, while the loan-to-deposit ratio was 77.3 percent.
Total equity was P331.6 billion, with an indicative common equity tier 1 ratio of 15.7 percent and a capital adequacy ratio of 16.6 percent, both above regulatory requirements.
producers
PRIME Energy Resources Development B.V. said Thursday it became the 88th member of the International Association of Oil and Gas Producers—a global forum for the upstream industry in the areas of health, safety, security and environment, engineering, industry and energy transitions.
“Our membership of the IOGP, alongside other industry trailblazers, cements our position as an exploration company with established expertise and credibility, especially as the operator of the Malampaya project.
Our vision for a cleaner energy Philippines aligns with IOGP’s advocacy to promote a reliable and sustainable energy supply,” Prime Energy managing director Sebastian Quiniones Jr. said. As the operator of the Malampaya gas field, which supplies a significant amount of the Philippines’ energy requirement, Prime Energy’s membership with the prestigious international organization reinforces its commitment to upholding the highest standards for HSSE.
Prime Energy, a subsidiary of Prime Infrastructure Capital Inc., is a natural gas exploration and development company. It owns the 45-percent operating interest in Service Contract 38, or the Malampaya deep water gas-to-power project, supplying 20 percent of Luzon’s electricity requirements. Alena Mae S. Flores
PHILIPPINE coconut exporters of virgin coconut oil and coconut flour will benefit from export marketing and market linkages training to be implemented from April to December 2023.
The announcement was made at the virtual launching ceremony of the training program attended by 55 selected exporters, national trainers and government representatives. About 30 selected micro, small, and medium enterprises will receive technical support to build an export brand, prepare for business deals and develop an export marketing plan.
The MSMEs will be guided by local and international experts in drafting export marketing plans to strengthen and expand their export position and support their international business development. They will also be trained on effective participation in trade fairs, sales negotiations and other relevant skills that will be crucial to their export expansion initiatives.
Exporters will also benefit from participation support in selected trade fairs such as Thaifex in Thailand in May and Anuga in Germany in October this year.
“With the shared aspiration and commitment of participating MSMEs, government and project partners to position the Philippines as a reliable exporter of high-value coconut products, we are confident that this training will be instrumental in achieving exporting breakthroughs for the coconut sector, and in unlocking the country’s unrealized export potential, especially in the EU,” said DTI assistant secretary Glenn Peñaranda.
Haus Talk launches Binan housing complex HAUS Talk Inc. said it launched The Granary, a 10-hectare economic housing complex in Biñan, Laguna. It said the development features an allocation of 40 percent of its total land area for common use including relatively wider road networks and open spaces when compared to other similar segment offerings. Amenities for the residents are also in the plan such as those found in more premium residential developments like a clubhouse, chapel and sports facilities. The Granary’s units have a price point of P2.5 million.
Haus Talk began marketing in February for the first phase and has since sold over two hundred units of two-bedroom townhouses. The company attributed the strong demand for The Granary units to competitive pricing of homes that are ideally located and sold through a strong network of trusted and competent agents.
“We are excited to see the uptake of our product given that we only began marketing two months ago.
Our team spent a long time on planning to ensure that we can provide a community that is affordable for families yet evokes a more premium quality in terms of design of the homes and the surroundings they will be in,” said HTI president Maria Rachel Madlambayan.
By Darwin G. Amojelar
INTERNATIONAL Container Terminal Services Inc. said Thursday it is optimistic about its 2023 outlook amid inflationary headwinds and the war in Ukraine which caused global economic instability.
“The company’s business remains strong, and we continue to be very prudent in our actions and are watching very closely our costs and managing each and every terminal. We believe that these problems will continue for the foreseeable future, but the company will overcome them eventually,” ICTSI chairman and president Enrique Razon Jr. said during the company’s virtual annual stockholders’ meeting.
Razon said 2022 was a “relatively
quiet year” for acquiring new terminals, but “we expect that to change in the near future.”
“On the other hand, we undertook expansion projects at the MICT [Manila International Container Terminal], VICT [Victoria International Container Terminal] in Australia and Contecon Manzanillo in Mexico likewise for Matadi Gateway Terminal (MGT) in DR Congo and OMT in Nigeria,” he said.
“In July, we acquired majority ownership of a multi-purpose terminal in Lamongan Regency, East Java, Indonesia. The East Java Multipurpose Terminal is our 11th terminal in Asia Pacific,” Razon said. Darwin G. Amojelar
CEBU Pacific said Thursday it took delivery of its 10th Airbus 320neo aircraft as part of the airline’s goal to transition to a more fuel-efficient new engine option fleet by 2028.
“The delivery of our 10th A320neo aircraft, powered by sustainable aviation fuel, highlights Cebu Pacific’s commitment to become one of the greenest airline in Asia. We continue to invest on these fuel-efficient NEO aircraft and incorporate SAF in our operations,” said Cebu Pacific chief strategy officer Alex Reyes.
The aircraft used sustainable aviation fuel to fly from the Airbus Delivery Center in Toulouse, France to the
Ninoy Aquino International Airport in Manila. It is the second of the airline’s 10 expected Airbus NEO deliveries for 2023. SAF is a drop-in fuel, with similar characteristics as conventional jet fuels. It does not require any adaptations to the aircraft or engines and does not have any negative impact on performance. The use of SAF results in up to 80-percent reduction in carbon emissions across the fuel’s lifecycle. Cebu Pacific is the first low-cost carrier in Southeast Asia to incorporate SAF into its operations when it received its third A330neo in May 2022.
The airline expects to take delivery of eight more Airbus NEO aircraft
this year including one A320neo, three A321neo and four A330neo.
Cebu Pacific’s sustainability goal is in line with global aviation’s commitment to achieve net zero carbon emissions by 2050. The airline has made various investments that enable it to become fuelefficient in its operations to keep fares affordable for passengers.
Apart from fleet modernization, the airline’s major pillars on its sustainable journey are resource optimization, which includes pushing for fuel efficiency best practices and incorporating SAF in its operations.
Cebu Pacific’s fleet includes 30 A320s, 17 A321s, 5 A330s and 16 ATRs. With Joel E. Zurbano
ICTSI optimistic on 2023 performance, raises capital expenditures to $400mBank of the Philippine Islands is awarded one of the Top 5 Fixed Income Dealing Participants (Rank 5) by the PDS Group at the recently held 2023 PDS Annual Awards. Attending the awarding ceremony are (from left) BPI securities dealer Niccolo Maria Alonso, PDS Group president and chief executive Ramon Monzon, Securities and Exchange Commission commissioner Mcjill Bryant Fernandez, BPI local currency securities trading head Jennifer Gayle Singian, BPI treasurer and head of global markets Dino Gasmen, National Treasurer Rosalia De Leon, BPI securities dealer Jonathan James Garcia and Philippine Dealing & Exchange Corp. president and chief executive Antonino Nakpil.
CAVINTI, Laguna—Pauline del Rosario lived through a backside scare from Kim Seoyun, closing out with a two-putt par for a 71 then watching the Korean miss by a roll for birdie to pull off a one-stroke victory in the ICTSI Caliraya Springs Championship here yesterday.
Kim charged back from four strokes down in the last six holes with three birdies in a four-hole stretch from No. 13 then came threateningly close after del Rosario put to naught a birdie on the 16th with a bogey on the next, making it a one-shot lead heading to the par-4 18th of the Caliraya Springs Golf Club.
After both reached the green in regulation, the Korean putted first from 20 feet out, the ball rolling into the cup before swerving to the right at the finish for a 68, enabling del Rosario to pound the victory after muffing her own birdie bid from closer range.
Del Rosario thus pocketed the top P115,000 prize on an eight-under 208 total while on a three-week break from the Epson Tour with the victory serving as a big confidence booster as she builds up for the Copper Rock Championship in Utah next week.
“I think what I would take away from this week is my short game since Cali-
An initial amount of P200 million will be available by the end of the second quarter of the year, said Bachmann.
“Budget for the SBP has been approved already. And that’s a total of P800 million,” said Bachmann, who also the chairs the inter-agency task force for the country’s World Cup hosting.
At the moment, the draw for the tournament is set on April 29, with all 32 participating nations set to find out their opponents for the event.
The event will take place at 7:30 p.m. at the Araneta Coliseum.
Argentina legend and FIBA Basketball World Cup 2023 Global Ambassador, Luis Scola, will be on stage to assist with the draw.
raya Springs is not really a long course, so my approach shots and putting were very much used,” said del Rosario, due for a big finish in the LPGA Tour’s farm league.
“What I noticed about my game is that I made a lot of shots below 100 yards, so I would focus on practicing those yardages just to fine-tune it a little bit more,” added the ICTSI-backed 2017 Ladies Philippine Golf Tour Order of Merit winner, who missed the Anvaya Ladies International ruled by fellow Epson Tour campaigner Bianca Pagdanganan last February.
“It’s so nice to see familiar faces and back in local competition. There’s a lot of talents here and I’m glad to be a part of it,” said del Rosario, who also topped the LPGT Riviera leg in 2020 before embarking on the US tour.
Ahead by four on 69-68 rounds, del Rosario was cruising along with a twobirdie, two-bogey card after nine holes then birdied Nos. 12 and 16 to hold off the 19-year-old Kim’s late charge that featured birdies on Nos. 13, 14 and 16. Kim’s closing four-under card gave her a 209 total worth P83,000 for her second runner-up effort after yielding the crown to amateur sensation Rianne Malixi at Riviera-Langer last year.
CALOOCAN blitzed Bacoor at the start of the second overtime and proceeded to tally an 84-75 victory late Monday in the OKBet-MPBL (Maharlika Pilipinas Basketball League) Fifth Season at the Strike Gym in Bacoor.
The Batang Kankaloo rattled off nine straight points, capped by Paul Sanga’s triple, to sway the balance, 80-71, sending many fans of the Strikers to the exit although there’s still 3 minutes and 10 seconds left in the second extension.
Philippine Sports Commission chairman Richard Bachmann said this, now that part of the proposed budget has been approved for the Samahang Basketbol ng Pilipinas, which is hosting the event.
The approval of the budget took place after a PSC-led task force met on Wednesday at the Malacañang Conference Room in Manila.
The Philippines is co-host the FIBA World Cup with Japan and Indonesia from Aug. 25 to Sept. 10.
He will be lined up alongside German superstar Dirk Nowitzki, Central Board Member and Chair of the FIBA Players’ Commission.
The draw will involve the 32 qualified teams, putting them into eight groups of four teams each.
WITH or without Justin Brownlee, Barangay Ginebra should be ready to bounce back from two straight losses they suffered at the hands of the TNT Tropang Giga.
Gin Kings’ coach Tim Cone isn’t sure if the ailing Brownlee will be around in Game 6 of their best-of-seven finals with the Tropang Giga in the 2023 Philippine Basketball Association Governors’ Cup at 5:45 on Friday at the Araneta Coliseum.
But TNT coach Jojo Lastimosa thinks otherwise.
“I don’t think he’s gonna miss that sixth game or if there’s a seventh game, I think he’s gonna be there. He’s also a warrior so we’re counting everyone to be present on Friday,” said Lastimosa.
With or without the former Best Import awardee, though, the Gin Kings will need to hold their ground, or lose the crown to the Tropang Giga if they don’t.
“Now, it’s twice to beat. So we’re gonna go out and hopefully Justin will be better after being in the hospital, we’ll see,” said Cone.
The Ginebra coach talked about their situation moments after the Tropang Giga prevailed in a closely-fought Game 5 contest, 104-95, on Wednesday night.
Ginebra played without Brownlee, who had to leave the game for good in the early part of the third period following a severe case of food poisoning.
“Hopefully, within 48 hours he can get back and get ready to play,” said Cone.
The Gin Kings felt Brownlee’s absence did them in when they could no longer catch up with the Tropang Giga after Scottie Thompson scored in the last 3:47 as Ginebra threatened to within a point at 95-96.
From there, TNT unleashed a final 8-0 blast to finalize the count off inside plays from JP Erram, Hollis-Jefferson and Jayson Castro.
Cone said Brownlee still decided to play at the start of the game, even if the coaching staff felt they should have sent him to the hospital.
“He had severe food poisoning and he tried to go through the first half and did a pretty good job, but by halftime he
Jojo
was out. And you could see it when he started the second half, he just didn’t have anything. He was throwing up at
True enough, the Strikers could get no closer than 74-80 following two free throws by Chito Jaime and another free throw by James Kwekuteye.
Gabby Espinas and Jeramer Cabanag then sealed Caloocan’s third win in four starts with two free throws each, only 35 seconds to go.
Bacoor forced overtime at 64-64 following a triple from deep corner by Kwekuteye and again at 71-71 following a triple by Alwyn Alday.
Sanga ended up with 14 points and 4 rebounds, followed by Espinas with 11 points and 9 rebounds and Reil Cervantes with 11 points. Cabanag contributed 10 points and 7 rebounds.
The Strikers, who suffered their first loss after four victories, got 18 points, 6 rebounds and 3 steals from Kwekuteye, 14 points and 5 rebounds from Alday, 11 points and 7 rebounds from Jammer Jamito and 10 points plus 9 rebounds from Mark Yee.
Earlier, San Juan and Iloilo posted contrasting victories over Sarangani and Oriental Mindoro, respectively.
Wielding sharp form, the San Juan Knights routed the Sarangani Marlins, 103-87, while the Iloilo United Royals rallied from nine points down in the fourth quarter to repulse the Mindoro Disiplinados, 86-79.
Powered by Egie Boy Mojica and AC Soberano, San Juan moved beyond reach at 89-60 to climb to 2-0. Mojica chalked 19 points and 4 rebounds while Soberano poted 15 points and 7 rebounds for the Knights, who are being coached by Sen. Jinggoy Estrada in the 29-team tournament.
ACTORS Piolo Pascual, Matteo Guidecelli and Donny Pangilinan take a break from their busy schedule to provide the Sun Life Cycle PH drawing power when the annual fun ride hits the road again Sunday (April 23) after a three-year lull due to pandemic.
Over a thousand participants of various age categories and skill set are all geared up for a friendly ride at the Vermosa Sports Hug in Imus, Cavite complex with the event to feature the kids (2-3 years old) 100m ride, criterium (30 mins solo ride) and criterium with parents, and the individual 30K, individual 40K and 60K corporate/team ride.
“The city will continuously promote and support the Sun Life Cycle PH, which includes the youngsters, for the
benefit it provides, especially in the physical aspect,” said Imus City Mayor Alex Advincula.
The kids bike camp last week at BGC ushered in the Sun Life Cycle PH with Pangilinan gracing the event where Sun Life donated 25 bikes to the Good Neighbors Foundation International.
Pangilinan will also join his fellow Sun Life ambassadors at the state-ofthe-art Vermosa sports complex, which has hosted a number of big sporting events, including the SEA Games and the IronKids.
Sun Life, as part of its commitment to promote active and healthy lifestyle while helping build family bonds, launched the event in 2016 with three-time Tour de France winner Robbie McEwen grac-
ing its second staging along with some a host of local stars, including Pascual and Guidecelli, both cycling buffs.
Pascual and Guidecelli are two of the long-time clients and Sun Life brand ambassadors with the former’s association with the top Canadian insurance company tracing back to more than a decade ago through the SunPIOLOgy, an annual charity fun run that has raised funds for its health and education advocacies.
“We know that cycling is a sport that has gotten more Filipinos interested, especially during the pandemic. So this is the perfect time to again come as one (cycling) community,” said Sun Life Philippines Chief Client Experience and Marketing Officer Carla Gonzalez-Chong.
THE Philippines’ role as one of the three hosts of the 2023 FIBA World Cup for Basketball will come at a cost of P800 million.
LOS ANGELES—Sacramento’s
Mike Brown was named the NBA Coach of the Year on Wednesday, becoming the first unanimous winner of the award after guiding the Kings back to the playoffs.
Brown also won the award in 2009 with the Cleveland Cavaliers, guiding a team that won 66 games as LeBron James was named the league’s Most Valuable Player.
He was sacked by the Cavs one year later, eventually landing briefly with the Los Angeles Lakers.
In his first year at the helm in Sacramento he turned around a franchise whose 17-year playoff drought was the longest in NBA history and the longest active drought in major US pro sports.
The 53-year-old received 100 out of 100 possible first-placed votes, a first in balloting for the award.
Brown arrived in Sacramento after six seasons as an assistant to Steve Kerr with the Golden State Warriors -- just up the road in San Francisco.
“These honors don’t come around often, so you’re very appreciative of them,” Brown said during an interview on broadcaster TNT’s programme announcing the award.
“Inside The NBA” after being named the winner of the award. AFP
UNILAB, Inc., the leading pharmaceutical healthcare company in the Philippines, has joined the FIBA Basketball World Cup 2023 by signing as a major local sponsor in the global event scheduled August 25 to Sept. 10.
As lead co-host, the Philippines will house 52 of the 92 games, including the final phase, in the 32-team quadrennial cage summit, considered the pinnacle of FIBA events.
The events will be housed in Araneta Coliseum in Cubao, Mall of Asia Arena in Pasay City, and the 50,000 capacity Philippine Arena in Bocaue, Bulacan.
Ushering UNILAB into the FBWC23 fold are Samahang Basketbol ng Pilipinas Chairman Emeritus Manny V. Pangilinan and SBP President Alfredo S. Panlilio.
AHEAD of the Delegation Registration Meeting for the 12th ASEAN Para Games on May 28, Philippine Sports Commission’s Walter Torres, the Team Philippines Chef de Mission, expressed high hopes on the medal chances of national para-athletes set to compete in the Cambodia-hosted event in June.
A 259 Philippine Para team delegation, comprised of 174 strong and talented para-athletes, w ill participate in the 12th APG slated from June 3 to 9 in Phnom Penh.
CDM Torres is optimistic that the national para team can surpass the country’s showing at the 11th ASEAN Para Games 2022 in Surakarta, Indonesia with 28 gold, 30 silver, and 46 bronze
medals for fifth place in the 11-nation tournament. Torres was also the CDM on that edition.
“We would like to do better than last time. Our team will definitely give their best because everybody wants to win,” said CDM Torres.
The Philippine contingent will compete in 13 sports: athletics (23), badminton (9), boccia (8), chess
(22), cerebral palsy football (10), goalball (12), judo (4), powerlifting (11), sitting volleyball (14) swimming (12), table tennis (21), wheelchair basketball (23), and esports (5) as demonstration sport.
“Pray for the success of our athletes in their pursuit of excellence. Excellence doesn’t just mean the number of medals won, it can also mean the development of one’s personality, character and leadership so that he or she becomes a positive influence on others,” CDM Torres said.
The PSC, in coordination with the Philippine Paralympic Committee, is scheduled to host the send-off party for the para-athletes on May 21 at the Multi-Purpose Arena in Pasig City.
“We welcome UNILAB to this prestigious event that will be followed by nations throughout the world,” said Pangilinan, a key member of the powerful FIBA Central Board and chairman and CEO of Metro Pacific Investments Corp.
“This partnership will go a long way in ensuring the success of our country’s efforts to co-host this grand event, a national endeavor if ever there was one since this marks only the second time in our history that we will be staging a world basketball championship.”
The Philippines played host to the 1978 FIBA World Championship, where the former Yugoslavia emerged as champion.
Alfredo Panlilio, a vital member of the FIBA Asia Board and President and CEO of PLDT and Smart Communications, meanwhile, paid tribute to UNILAB’S sense patriotism and generosity in coming to the aid of the national team and of the overall effort to promote the country to the whole world as a shining example of leadership, organization and hospitality.
“We thank UNILAB for agreeing to be part of this once in a lifetime experience, and to share in this global activity, this journey which in a sense is truly a merger of world caliber sports and big business,” Panlilio said.
“We at SBP stand proudly with UNILAB in declaring our steadfast commitment to the Filipino people and to our national players in forging one of the most successful FIBA World Cups ever.”
CAVINTI, Laguna—Unaware of Angelo Que’s record-breaking binge on the other side, Tony Lascuña kept pounding the Caliraya Springs Golf Club with a display of consistency and savvy that have been the trademark of his illustrious career.
A double-bogey mishap on No. 13 didn’t unsettle him, the blistering summer heat didn’t impede him, nor did his old rival’s romp that led to a new course mark of 64 unnerve him.
He just kept coming, moving 18 holes away from snapping a pair of runner-up finishes in the Visayan swing of the Philipp ine Golf Tour last month with a 67 and a four-stroke lead over Reymon Jaraula in third round of the ICTSI Caliraya Springs Championship here yesterday.
“You can never tell, even if it’s a big lead. I have lost tournaments after leading in the third round and came up short while chasing the leader in some,” said
podium finish in the biennial event.
The Girls’ Under-17 squad will face Guam on April 22, to open its bid in the AFC U17 Women’s Asian Cup 2024 Qualifiers. The young Filipinas will take on Lebanon four days later on April 26.
The team, led by PWNFT coach Alen Stajcic, is now in a training camp in Guam.
Lascuña, who extended his hot run at the undulating layout after a 68-66 for a 54-hole total of 15-under 201.
“I’m happy with my game—seven birdies against a double-bogey. I will just play my game and enjoy tomorrow (today),” said the 52-year-old Lascuna, who birdied Nos. 4, 7, 8, 10, 11, 14 and 16 to negate a doublebogey on No. 13 after a mishit on his approach shot and a flubbed bogeyputt from eight feet.
He also stressed the need to regain energy and st amina following a grueling round in sweltering heat.
“Grabe ang init, nakakapagod,” added the four-time Philippine Golf Tour Order of Merit winner, who also made a pitch of sorts for the host club. “Maganda maglaro dito (sa Caliraya Springs) at mag-bakasyon na din.”
But he found a new rival in Jaraula, who matched his five-under card in bogey-free fashion to wrest solo second at
205, and an equally hot-charging Clyde Mondilla, who also bucked a doublebogey miscue on No. 8 with a cluster of backside birdies—five—to shoot a 66 and move to sixth at 206.
Que matched Mondilla’s 10-under total over 54 holes, fighting back from as many as eight strokes down with a barrage of birdies that came in as rare as rain during summer in the first two days.
Five shots behind, the three-time Asian Tour champion said he would need to do a reprise in the final round to get a crack at the championship worth P450,000.
“Definitely, Tony is way ahead and the only way to catch him is to shoot those scores,” said Que, who rattled off five birdies in a backside start then matched that binge at the front marred by two bogeys to break Lascuna’s previous best of 66 Wednesday.
“If it’s a course record, it’s good. I’m very proud of my feat,” he added.
THERE will be a lot of football action in the coming weeks as our national teams will compete in various competitions.
The Philippine Football Federation has shown tremendous support, even working during the Holy Week, to the U-22 team set to battle in the football competitions of the 32nd Southeast Asian Games in Cambodia eight days from now.
The women’s team, on the other hand, is coming from an impressive 3-0 performance in the first round of Olympic Qualifiers for the 2024 Paris Olympics and is through to the second round. Momentum is on their side and hoping that it will translate to another
The PFF has named former Azkas’ icon and captain Rob Gier to handle the squad, which will battle Indonesia, Myanmar, Timor-Leste and host Cambodia in Group A for a spot in the medal round.
The team will open its bid against Indonesia on April 29, 5 p.m., Manila time, (PST) at the Morodok Techno National Stadium in Phnom Penh. This will be followed by the game against Myanmar on May 2, 8 p.m., PST, then the Timor Leste matchup two days after at 8 p.m., PST. The squad will wrap up its group stage campaign against the host on May 10, 5 p.m., PST.
The team is busy right now practicing at
the Rizal Football Stadium and no matter how the intentions and aspirations are, I just hope that the lads will have enough to compete knowing that their opponents have been practicing several weeks back.
I also wish Gier all the luck to make the breakthrough that the country has been waiting for when it comes to men’s football in the biggest competition in the region. But then again, this is just me hoping and it is not my intention to put undue pressure to Gier.
Initially, 22 players were invited to the training pool to include Andres Rafael Aldeguer, Kamil Jaser Amirul, Oliver Bias, Pocholo Bugas, Daniel Jason Christensen, Dennis Chung, Justine Lawrence Frias, Yrick Gallantes, Patrick Russel Grogg, Quincy Julian Kammeraad, Noah River Leddel, Lance Lawrence Locsin, John Albert Luis Lucero, Dimitrios Makapagkal, David Muens, Harry James Nuñez, Charles Simon Pickering, James Sacopon, Shayden Alexander Sampow, Cyrelle James Saut, Syron Saut and David Kevin Setters.
Except for one, all players are or have been part of the ADT program that was
started by Azkals’ Team Manager Dan Palami and management to help the country field a competitive team in the SEA Games.
But changes are forthcoming because several players will be added and some will be cut depending on the choices of Gier as the national coach. The team is expected to leave for Cambodia next week.
I’m just wondering whatever happened to Stephan Schrock, who has been helping the Azkals Development Team (ADT) prepare for the SEA Games. A quick reason probably is his license or lack of it. But whatever the reason, let’s rally behind the team.
Speaking of the ADT, I heard that there is an ongoing issue within the team and praying that it will be resolved soon.
For some good news, my Bedan brother and basketball coach Peter Regalado Lopez is set to launch his book featuring one of the country’s legendary bench tacticians, Jose Layug Lipa aka Joe Lipa. Printing of the book is underway and a proper launch is expected to happen in the next two weeks.
For all basketball players and aspiring
coaches, Coach Joe’s Basketball 101 with Regalado is a must have. Not only it is the follow up to Lipa’s initial Brain and Basketball that came out more than three decades ago, the book will also show how much the game has changed, but the basics have remained the same. It comes in two versions—the coaches and the one for the K-12 curriculum of the Department of Education.
Can’t wait to see the final print. But this early, congratulations are in order for Peter and Coach Joe. Excellent job as expected. Please don’t forget to join us this Sunday, April 23, 2023 from 2-3 p.m. for another episode of 3PTS–Pambansang Tambayan ng Sports aired live over at DZME 1530 khz. Archer Andrea Robles and billiards champ Leslie Gaite will join us in the show. Ditto with Regalado and basketball icon and coach Joe Lipa will discuss his upcoming book via zoom. Stay safe. Stay happy peeps!
For comments or questions, you can reach The Designated Kit Man at erel_cabatbat@yahoo.com or follow his account at Twitter: @erelcabatbat
K-POP star Moonbin , a member of the boy band Astro has died, his music label and South Korean police said Thursday, prompting an outpouring of grief from fans.
The 25-year-old singer was found dead at his home in southern Seoul late Wednesday, a spokesperson for the National Police Agency told AFP , adding that there was no evidence of foul play.
Moonbin’s label Fantagio Music also released a statement on Thursday confirming his death but without disclosing the cause.
“On April 19, Astro member Moon Bin
unexpectedly left our world and became a star in the sky,” it said on Twitter. It asked that people “refrain from speculative and malicious reports” so that his family can pay their respects and honor him in peace.
The label’s announcement prompted thousands of comments from grieving fans, many expressing disbelief. Moon Bin – who performed as Moonbin – was a member of the group Astro and also performed with a sub-group called Moonbin & Sanha
IN July 2022, Treasure came to Manila for 2022 Kpop Masterz in Manila with two other artists (Bambam and Jackson Wang).
Last weekend, the YG Entertainment boy group finally returned and took the SM Moa Arena by storm with two days of highenergy performances in 2023 Treasure Hell Tour in Manila. The concert was presented by Live Nation Philippines.
Treasure members – Choi Hyunsuk, Jihoon, Asahi, Doyoung, Haruto,
Eager Filipino fans pack the SM Mall of Asia Arena to watch Treasure perform some of their hit songs and interact with the crowd
The members give their best to execute energetic and enthusiastic performances celebration for members Haruto and Choi Hyun-suk, whose birthdays are on April 5 and 21, respectively, with cake gifted by fans presented on stage.
Junkyu, Yoshi, Park Jeong-woo, Yoon
Jae-hyuk, and So Jung-hwan – performed with a live band, interacted with their fans, spoke in Tagalog, and went down from the stage to the floor so their fans, the Filipino Teumes, could see them up close.
The boys were very energetic and enthusiastic and their performances were electrifying and loud, with each number showcasing the members’ talents.
Treasure started strong with “Jikjin,” the main track of their first mini-album
The Second Step: Chapter One that came out in February 2022. This was followed by “Boy,” “I Love You,” “Going Crazy,” “Come To Me,” and “B.L.T (Bling Like This).” They also performed “Slowmotion,” “It’s Okay,” “Hello,” “Clap!,” “Darari,”
“Orange,” “Hold It In,” “Thank You,”
“VolKno,” “MMM,” “Rhythm Ta,” “Bang Bang Bang,” “U,” “My Treasure,” “Everyday,” and “BFF.”
As per tradition, whenever a K-pop group performs in Manila, the Treasure boys said cute pick-up lines in Filipino during the concert.
“Teacher ka ba? Kasi you taught me how to love (Are you a teacher? Because you taught me how to love),” said So Junghwan.
“May sasabihin ako sa inyo. Crush kita (I want to tell you something. You are my crush),” said Park Jeong-woo.
“Treasure Maker, wait. There is something on your face: cute maganda (beautiful), sexy,” said Junkyu. There was also a surprise birthday
“Thank you for congratulating me on my birthday, and I will continue to be a hard-working Treasure member,” said Haruto.
“I am touched by the surprise gift. I am very grateful and I love you,” said Choi Hyun-suk, Treasure’s leader. As the show ended, Treasure said goodbye to their Filipino fans.
“I got so much energy from you tonight. I hope you also were able to get energy from us. Thank you,” said Park Jeong-woo.
“Treasure Maker, thanks for coming today. I will remember this moment and never forget the love and energy from you all,” said Doyoung. Fans took to Twitter to express their love for Treasure after the two-day concert.
He joined Fantagio’s trainee program at an early age and was an actor and child model before debuting with Astro in February 2016.
Prior to his passing, Moonbin & Sanha had been set to perform at the upcoming Dream Concert – one of the largest K-pop joint concerts in South Korea – in May.
The group had also been in the middle of their Diffusion Fan Con Tour across Asia, and had launched an official fan community page on Weverse – the global fandom platform from K-pop megastars BTS’s agency HYBE – on Sunday. AFP
cash and RM1 million worth of other prizes, one of the highest cash prizes in international pageants, part of which she invested in a skin care business, she named Cosmic Beauty, Inc.
MISS Universe Philippines 2023 is shaping up to be a year of the comeback, judging from the initial preliminary events, and the press and swimsuit presentations held recently in BGC and Boracay, respectively.
“To raise the status of Filipino women not only through education, awareness, and equality but also achieving financial independence through financial literacy, is the driving force behind why we are joining the pageant industry,” Cruz said. “We are giving away P1 million in full cash to the grand winner and I hope that she will be given the same great opportunity to attain financial independence as I had with my exposure to the Malaysian
Of the 38 lovely candidates, Michelle Dee and Pauline Amelinckx, who were named Miss Universe Philippines Tourism and Miss Universe Philippines Charity in last year’s edition, have emerged as frontrunners again. Both deserving of the crow, Dee and Amelinckx were named in the Aqua Magic 8 beauties at the end of the swimsuit presentation along with Krishnah Gravidez, Klyza Castro, Samantha Panlilio, Emmanuel Vera, Christine Juliane Opiaza, Clare Dacanay, Jannarie Zarzoso, and Angelique Manto Castro, a Mutya ng Pilipinas Asia Pacific International 2019, Gravidez, Miss Baguio City 2022 and Zarzoso, Aliwan Fiesta Digital Queen 2020, were also getting strong buzz which could spoil the run of the come-backing veterans.
Meanwhile, Dee, Amelinckx, Gravidez, together with Panlilio, Bb. Pilipinas Grand International 2022, and Emmanuelle Vera, Reina Hispanoamericana 2021 third runner up, were named in the five Women of Titan, by an event sponsor.
Miss Universe Philippines 2023 coronation night will be held on May 13 at SM Mall of Asia Arena. Reigning Miss Universe 2022 R’bonney Gabriel is in for a glamourous homecoming at the finals along with other VIPs.
* * *
financial market.”
Grand Coronation is tentatively set on September 28.
* * *
Bb. Pilipinas hopeful vs discrimination against HIV+ persons
She struck me as an intelligent, confident, and beautiful person. Julia Mae Mendoza is a self-made woman, who grew up poor on Capiz island, selling cigarettes and candies at the young age of seven. She wanted to be her own boss and saved a lot for her future. Now she is competing for one of the titles of Bb. Pilipinas 2023.
“Joining Binibini has always been my dream. Even if they say that I’m too short, not that fair and not having the standard of a beauty queen, that did not stop me from joining. Because I believe that I have the qualities to be a Binibini,” said the 27-year-old, half-Filipino, halfBrazilian from Roxas City.
Gigi de Lana
It’s not new for artists, or everyone, to express themselves through their bodies and style. We’re at the point where tattoos and clothing shouldn’t define people. But when Gigi embraced her aesthetic confidently, people quickly called her rude names and saw her negatively. What could’ve been a fun and memorable night for the singer-songwriter became an unpleasant experience. How long will society keep setting double standards that limit people from being their true selves?
Tippy Dos Santos
She’s beautiful, clever, and talented. It seems that there’s nothing Tippy can’t do. Besides being a singer, people can now address her as “Attorney,” especially since Tippy passed the 2022 Bar Exams. She shows how hard work and dedication can pay off and how people can achieve their dreams no matter how long they may take.
We’re all excited to see what’s in store for the singer as she embarks on a new chapter of her life.
Vice Ganda
Priscilla Mereilles
After airing her marital problems with John Estrada to the public, the Brazilian beauty queen has reportedly claimed that there’s no more trouble in paradise. Granted that all marriages go through a rough patch, some experiencing more than one, but the couple’s situation during the previous weeks has kept Filipinos anticipating developments. Maybe they could consider couples counseling when times get difficult in their relationship.
We all know the ecstatic feeling of seeing our favorite artists perform live. Unfortunately, there are some instances when fans go too far and cause more harm than not. The Unkabogable star Vice Ganda had a similar incident when a couple yanked on his wig during a concert in Edmonton, Canada, last April 16. Vice didn’t let the opportunity pass him by, and he called out the couple for their rudeness. Hopefully, they learned their lesson about respecting performers.
Inaugural Miss CosmoWorld Philippines
After winning Miss CosmoWorld 2022 in Malaysia in November, Meiji Cruz is now the franchise owner of Miss CosmoWorld Philippines, launched recently at Kao Manila. Handpicked to compete, Cruz received $100,000 in
“More importantly, I joined Bb. because of my advocacy for HIV awareness which is in line with the causes of BPCI organization. I wish BPCI to help me in this platform which is closest to my heart. My youngest sister died because of AIDS and I want to bring awareness that there is life after HIV. I have formed a “Breaking Barriers” movement which focuses on the need to break the stigma and discrimination against HIV positive individuals,” the beauty salon and clothing line owner added.
“I admire women who faced challenges but stood firm. I learned from their lessons and took inspiration from their life stories, said Mendoza, a Century Tuna Superbods 2022 top 7 finalist.
WHILE it’s largely a societal issue, the concept of women being ashamed of their age is something I still struggle to grasp. It could be because I grew up around women who embrace (and celebrate) life as they age and certainly do not see “the number” as a hindrance to goal-getting.
This concern about age asserts its relevance in my life as I’m nearing my 40s. I won’t be hitting the big 4-0 until 2025 but some of my friends are already in that phase.
I feel it’s an underrated life stage as people have become desensitized to the quote “Life
begins at 40.”
Host and multi-hyphenate Bianca Gonzalez-Intal, in recent episodes of her Paano Ba ‘To?! podcast, shares her spiritual solo trip experience in Bhutan. On a separate one,
she also sends out an important message to women everywhere that there is value in accepting, especially appreciating wherever you are in life. While reveling in being forty, Bianca shared her reflections and came up with 40 keys to happiness. Here are 15 of the seemingly mundane but impactful ones that stood out for me during my listening session:
1) Accept your flaws.
2) Show up even on days you don’t feel like it.
3) Allow yourself to feel.
4) Surround yourself with people whose faces light up when you walk into a room.
5) Stick to your values and morals even when no one is looking.
6) Seek (professional) help.
7) Recognize that you are a work-inprogress.
8) Keep on exploring interests that pique your curiosity.
9) Nothing that you put effort into is ever wasted.
10) Never think that you are better than anyone else.
11) Never wear your title, job, or status on your forehead.
12) Treat others with kindness and compassion.
13) Take care of your (only) body.
14) Rejection is not necessarily a NO.
15) Do not compare yourself with others. As reality continues to remind us about getting fine lines and wrinkles or experiencing hot flashes and hormonal and bodily changes as we age, all the more we need is a major reframing of the mind. We need to take a look at how we have overcome life’s challenges, explored different places,
Host and multi-hyphenate Bianca Gonzalez-Intal shares 40 keys to happiness and appreciating where one is in life
survived jobs, shifted careers, and met new faces along the way.
It wasn’t until she was 40 that Vera Wang was able to design her first wedding dress (She designed it for herself!) and jumpstarted her world-renowned fashion empire. J.K. Rowling finished her iconic Harry Potter series at age 42. All we need is to wait for the perfect and appointed time.
Remember Asian-American actress Michelle Yeoh’s speech when she made history and bagged an Oscar last month? She said it
with conviction, “Ladies, don’t let anybody tell you you are ever past your prime.” * * * Happy 40th birthday to one of my best friends, a soulsister, Pam!
Listen to Bianca Gonzalez’s rundown of the full list on her Spotify podcast Paano Ba ‘To?! March 20 episode titled 40 Keys to Happiness (Bianca’s 40th Birthday Special!).
For your random thoughts, e-mail the author at randomrepublika@gmail.com.
CONRAD Manila officially welcomes Joanne Golong-Gomez as its newly appointed Commercial Director spearheading the commercial strategies of the luxurious 347-room hotel located within the bustling Mall of Asia complex.
“We are excited to officially welcome Joanna Gomez as Conrad Manila’s new Commercial Director. With her extensive background in sales and marketing, I am confident that Joanna will bring valuable insights and innovative strategies to the team. Her passion and dedication to the hospitality industry are truly commendable, and I am excited to see how her leadership will contribute to the hotel’s success in the coming years,” said Fabio Berto, a A 20-year hospitality veteran, Golong-Gomez brings with her a breadth of impressive hospitality experience spotlighting leadership roles at an international hotel group as Director of Sales and Marketing from 2000 to 2005 and 2009 to 2015. In between those years, she was appointed as the Residence Manager and then served as the General Manager. Most recently, she served as the Commercial Director for Hilton Manila since 2017.
“I am more than thrilled to take on a new adventure and look forward to working with talented professionals who are committed to delivering exceptional guest experiences and driving the hotel’s success in a highly competitive market. Through collaboration, innovation, and a relentless focus on excellence, I am confident that we can achieve our goals and exceed the expectations of our guests and stakeholders,” Golong-Gomez said.
The newly-appointed Conrad Manila
SUMMER in the Philippines is always a fun experience for many. Our scenic beaches and vacation spots have been recognized as some of the best in the world, and they’ll likely be brimming with tourists this season.
Fortunately, those spending most of their summer in Metro Manila need not feel left out. There’s so many things you can do in the city this sizzling summer.
Ortigas Land offers locations where you (and your fur babies) can enjoy a diverse range of fun, recreational activities. These are perfect for people looking to spend quality time with loved ones, work on their physical fitness, take their pets out to play with other dogs, enjoy the city, or try something new during their break.
Plan out your summer at Ortigas Land’s exciting estates: Get fit and feel fresh
Enjoy the sun and get some fresh air at Ortigas Land’s many outdoor areas located at Ortigas East and Capitol Commons in Pasig City, and Circulo Verde in Quezon City.
They all have safe jogging paths, as well as open spaces where you can stretch and do yoga, arnis, boxing, and sparring. There are also bike lanes for fitness enthusiasts and people who prefer to ride a bike everywhere they go. For your relaxation needs, there are benches and picnic spots where kids and families can bond. This is definitely your sign to get out and focus on your wellness this summer season.
to 6:00 p.m.) and Peak Hour rate of P3,500 (6:00 p.m. to 12:00 mn). From Friday to Sunday, the Normal Hour rate is at P3,500 (6:00 a.m. to 6:00 p.m.) and Peak Hour is at P4,000 (6:00 p.m. to 12:00 mn). Reservations can be done online.
CV Quad and Palms Arena are located at Circulo Verde, Bagumbayan, Quezon City. Pets’ day out Ortigas Land’s pet-friendly spots are designed to bring joy to you and your furry companions. You can take your dogs for a walk or jog at the Capitol Commons Park. The open park is spacious enough to let dogs run and play. Capitol Commons Park is located at Capitol Commons, Camino Verde Rd., Pasig City.
Over at Hachi Park in Circulo Verde, pet owners can let their dogs run around offleash and play with other dogs. Aptly named after the famous Japanese dog Hachiko, the 365-square-meter enclosed space has convenient trash bins where you can dispose of your
dog’s waste. Hachi Park is located at Circulo Verde, Bagumbayan, Quezon City. Grab something to eat at Tiendesitas while walking your dog at The Grounds in Ortigas East, an open-air outdoor space with open-air. You can also stock up on supplies at the nearby Pet Village in Tiendesitas.
The Grounds is located at Central Drive, Ortigas East, Pasig City.
Cool down with deliciously refreshing treats Estancia Mall in Pasig City offers a wide range of dining options catering to varying tastes and preferences. Coffee lovers can grab their fix at UCC Clockwork on the ground floor, a third-wave coffee spot known for its refreshing Kori Kohi and other iced coffee blends; and Blue Wonder Coffee & Bean Roastery on the third floor has an icy espresso-based Java Chip Wonderccino and K-pong Wonderccino. UCC Clockwork and Blue Wonder Coffee & Bean Roastery are located at Estancia Mall, Capitol Commons, Pasig City. For cold sweets, you can find some at Carousel Creamery in Greenhills in San Juan City. The popular ice cream shop serves a variety of signature flavors and sundaes, like Caramelized Banana Split and Apple Pie Ala Mode. Meanwhile, yogurt lovers can get their icy fix at Koomi, located on the ground floor of Greenhills Mall, which features fruity flavors like Banana Know What Love Is and You’re the Berry Best.
Carousel Creamery is located at Missouri St., Greenhills, San Juan City. Koomi is located at G/F Greenhills Mall, San Juan City.
Conrad Manila, the premier haven for smart luxury by Manila Bay, indulges guests with stunning interiors and décor, exceptional amenities, and panoramic
views of the bay and its storied sunset. The hotel features three upscale dining outlets, an award-winning luxury spa, and an outdoor pool. It is also fitted with a pillar-less Grand Ballroom that can accommodate up to 1,000 guests, as well as five other multi-functional event spaces, all equipped with modern A/V technology, high-speed Internet access, and intelligent lighting.
For inquiries and reservations, please call +63 2 8833 9999, email conradmanila@conradhotels.com, or visit www. conradmanila.com
PET owners in the Philippines can now give their furry friends the best care possible, thanks to Pet Logic’s new line of health and wellness supplements and treats.
The trusted brand has recently launched a range of products that are designed to promote overall health and wellness in pets, ensuring that they live happy and healthy lives.
The new line of Pet Logic supplements includes a 10-in-1 Multivitamin Supplement that provides essential vitamins and minerals to support immune function, energy levels, and a healthy coat.
Additionally, their Probiotic Digestive Health Supplement promotes digestive health by balancing the gut microbiome, while their Skin & Coat Health Supplement addresses common skin issues like itching and dryness.
For pets that require joint support, Pet Logic’s Strong Bones and Joint Supplements contains glucosamine and chondroitin, which help reduce inflammation and support joint health.
The brand also offers a range of dental bone treats
Commercial Director Joanne GolongGomez Pet Logic’s products are designed to promote overall health and wellness in pets
that help keep pets’ teeth clean and freshen their breath. These treats are made with real chicken and vegetables, making them a healthy and delicious snack for pets. All of Pet Logic’s supplements and treats are approved by the Bureau of Animal Industry, which follows strict quality control standards to ensure that every product is safe and effective.
