Manila Standard - 2023 April 28 - Friday

President inks EO to start water office

WITH the threat of a long dry season under an El Nino phenomenon coming, President Ferdinand R. Marcos Jr. on Thursday signed an executive order creating the Water Resources Management Office (WRMO) in the Department of Environment and Natural Resources (DENR).

This developed as the Metro Manila Development Authority tackled a proposal to monitor and regulate businesses

using a lot of water, such as swimming pools and resorts, and car washes.

In a statement through the Presidential Communications Office, the WRMO is tasked to integrate and harmonize government efforts to ensure the availability and sustainable management of water resources in the country. Under Executive Order No. 22, the

Near collision in West PH Sea

Chinese Coast Guard ship cuts BRP Malapascua as it nears Ayungin Shoal

By Cecil Morella

ACHINESE coast guard ship cut off a Philippine patrol vessel carrying journalists in the disputed South China Sea, causing a near-collision, an Agence France-Presse team on board another boat saw.

The near-miss off the Spratly Islands on Sunday was the latest in a steady string of incidents between China and the Philippines in the contested waterway.

AFP was one of several media outlets invited to join two Philippine Coast Guard boats on a 1,670-kilometre (1,040mile) patrol of the South China Sea, visiting a dozen islands and reefs.

The BRP Malapascua and BRP Malabrigo were shadowed by Chinese navy and coast guard ships and ordered to leave the waters several times during the six-day journey.

"We would have collided on the bow had I not cut the engine and thrown it in reverse," Malapascua commanding officer Rodel Hernandez told reporters of Sunday's close call, describing it as an encounter between "David and Goliath".

The incident happened after the Philippine coast guard boats approached Second Thomas Shoal, where Philippine marines are stationed in a run-down navy ship grounded to assert Manila's territorial claim in the waters.

As the 44-meter (144-feet) Malapascua neared the shoal, a Chinese Coast Guard vessel more than twice its size sailed into its path.

Sudan buses jack up prices to P1.5m per evac trip

By Rey E. Requejo and Vince Lopez

THE cost of renting a bus to evacuate people from war-torn Sudan and bring them to Egypt has gone up to as much as $30,000 or about P1.5 million, the De-

partment of Foreign Affairs (DFA) said Thursday.

“We won't be tight-fisted, we will do everything--whatever it takes to get the bus," said Foreign Affairs Undersecretary Eduardo Jose de Vega in a radio interview.

Initially, it cost $8,000 to rent a bus, but the price has gone up because the cap-

ital Khartoum has become a war zone for two military factions struggling for power, said Department of Migrant Workers (DMA) Secretary Susan Ople. On Wednesday night, the Philippine government raised an Alert Level 3 status (voluntary repatriation and evacuation) for Filipinos in Sudan.

By Rey E. Requejo and Maricel V. Cruz

THREE Filipinos were killed while five others were hurt Tuesday in a fire that broke out in a food factory in Taiwan, the Manila Economic Cultural Office said Thursday.

MECO chair Silvestre Bello III identified the fatalities as Renato Larua, 30, of Cavite; Nancy Revilla of Marinduque; and Aroma Miranda of Tarlac. Their

Speaker: Marcos-Biden meet to pay off in security, economy

By Maricel V. Cruz

SPEAKER Martin G. Romualdez

on Thursday expressed optimism the forthcoming meeting between President Ferdinand R. Marcos, Jr. and US President Joe Biden will ultimately pay huge dividends for the Philippines, particularly in terms of security and the economy that will create more investment opportunities and jobs for Filipinos.

The Speaker has waged a diplomatic blitz to help lay the groundwork for the visit of President Marcos by meeting with American lawmakers to discuss ways of further strengthening defense and security cooperation and economic

partnership between the Philippines and the United States.

“The meeting between President Marcos and US President Biden will further reinforce the robust long-term bilateral relations between the Philippines and the United States and I am confident it would redound to huge dividends for our country in terms of security and increased economic cooperation, among others,” Romualdez said.

The Speaker is still in the US, following up on his earlier interactions with his US counterpart, Speaker Kevin McCarthy, and other key American legislators and government officials, as he awaits the arrival of President Marcos.

RAILWAY PACT. President Ferdinand R. Marcos Jr. witnesses the signing of the Contract Packages S-02 and S-03B for the North-South Commuter Railway (NSCR) on Thursday in Malacanang. This marks the third phase of the South Commuter Railway Project (SCRP) with a length of 14 kilometers that will cross Metro Manila and connect the northern and southern legs of the NSCR system. PCO/Vince Lopez

DENR: Oil spill damage hits P7 billion

EARLY estimates put the environmental damage from the Oriental Mindoro oil spill at P7 billion, Environment Secretary Antonia Yulo Loyzaga said on Wednesday. In a TV interview, Loyzaga said the amount was based on the initial calculation by the Department of Environment and Natural Resources (DENR) of “what could be exposed by way of coral reefs, seagrasses, mangroves and fisheries.”

“The possible exposure area for us is P7 billion,” Loyzaga said, referring to the initial estimated cost of the environmental damage caused by the oil spill from MT Princess Empress, which sank off the waters of Oriental Mindoro two months ago. She said the DENR would need to “actually go underneath and verify” the data once

THE Department of Education is considering teaching Grade 10 students about the West Philippine Sea and the ruling that invalidated China's historical claims to the resource-rich waterway. Earlier this week, the DepEd also proposed the early teaching of English and the removal of the separate Mother Tongue subject in the primary level.

DepEd considers Mother Tongue, WPS in K-12 plan

NEAR COLLISION. This photo taken on April 23 shows the Philippine Coast Guard vessel BRP Malapascua (left) maneuvering as a Chinese Coast Guard ship cuts its path at Second Thomas (Ayungin) Shoal in the Spratly Islands in the disputed South China Sea. Inset shows Chinese Coast Guard personnel lowering a rigid hull inflatable boat from their ship to observe PCG personnel as they conduct a survey in the waters of Ayungin.

Taiwan fire kills 3 Pinoys, hurts 5 others

PH COVID positivity rate hits 12.9%

By Macon Ramos-Araneta

THE nationwide COVID-19 positivity rate increased to 12.9 percent on Wednesday, the independent monitoring group OCTA Research said.

This was up from 11.7 percent on April 25, said OCTA Research fellow Guido David.

Earlier, the Department of Health said it registered 506 new cases on Wednesday, bringing the overall tally to more than 4 million since the pandemic started. The positivity rate—or percentage of

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Hernandez said the Chinese ship came within 45 metres of his boat and only his quick actions avoided the steel-hulled vessels crashing into each other.

AFP watched the incident from the Malabrigo, which was less than a kilometer away.

A second Chinese coast guard vessel was seen nearby.

Hernandez said Chinese boats routinely blocked his and other Philippine coast guard ships during their patrols near the shoal.

However, Sunday was the "closest" he had seen vessels from the rival fleets come to a collision. We need to be there'

The Malapascua and Malabrigo had broadcast their intention to sail into the shoal to conduct a "site survey" and asked the Chinese vessels to "stay clear from our passage".

But the Chinese coast guard responded

Sudan...

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The government has been struggling to evacuate Filipinos from Sudan not only because of the high cost but due to a scarcity of available buses.

Nevertheless, more than 400 of the 700 registered Filipinos in Sudan were either already taken to or on their way to the border with Egypt.

The big bulk of the evacuees will be arriving onboard the seven busesthat were newly contracted by the Philippine Embassy in Egypt. Once in Egypt, the evacuees will travel by land to the Egyptian city of Aswan before flying to the capital, Cairo, and then to the Philippines.

Speaker:...

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Apart from meeting with McCarthy, the Speaker and his delegation also had dialogues with US House Majority Leader Steve Scalise, and Representatives Young Kim, Mike Rogers, Darrell Issa, Ami Bera, and Chris Stewart.

An official US State Department statement said that during the visit, “President Biden will reaffirm the United States’ ironclad commitment to the defense of the Philippines, and the leaders will discuss efforts to strengthen the longstanding U.S.-Philippines alliance.”

For his part, President Marcos said he would seek a review and assessment of the commitments under the 70-year Mutual Defense Treaty between the two countries stressing that the alliance must “evolve” to address the emerging geopolitical realities, particularly in the Indo-Pacific region.

“Security and stability are indispensable ingredients for continued economic growth and prosperity. An improved iron-clad alliance between the two countries would greatly contribute

Taiwan...

From A1 families, he said, have been informed of the tragic incident.

Bello said the three were killed after fire broke out at the second floor of Lian-Hwa Foods Corporation in Changhua County in central Taiwan at about 6 a.m. on Tuesday.

"My heart goes out to them in their hour of extreme sorrow," Bello said in a statement.

The MECO chair assured the victims' families of assistance both from the Philippine and Taiwanese governments.

"We are in close coordination with police authorities regarding the incident and investigation, and the swift repatriation of the remains of those who died," he said.

Five other Filipino workers—Sheila May Abas, Jessie Boy Samson, Maricris Fernando, Rodel Uttao, and Santiago Suba Jr.—were hospitalized following the fire.

According to Bello, the injured Filipino workers are in stable condition, except for Fernando who is in the intensive care unit (ICU).

"They are still under observation in

people who test positive in relation to the total number of people tested—also rose in Metro Manila to 12.3 percent from 8.1 percent in the previous week.

OCTA said the rising cases may be due to the COVID-19 Omicron subvariant XBB.1.16, dubbed as “Arcturus,” spreading in the country.

over the radio that thePhilippine boats were illegally sailing in China's territorial waters and told them to leave.

Second Thomas Shoal is about 200 kilometres from the major Philippine island of Palawan and more than a thousand kilometres from China's nearest major landmass of Hainan island.

Over the past decade, China has ripped up thousands of hectares ofreef in the Spratlys to create militarized islands with runways, ports, and radar systems.

"If we ceased our watch they would soon take over Ayungin (Shoal) aswell, so we need to be there always and challenge their harassment," Hernandez said, using the Philippine name for the shoal.

Hundreds of vessels

The incident came just a day after Philippine President Ferdinand Marcos Jr. hosted Chinese Foreign Minister Qin Gang for talks in Manila aimed at defusing tensions in the contested waterway.

Beijing claims sovereignty over almost the entire South China Sea,including the Spratly Islands, ignoring an international

Philippine Ambassador to Egypt Ezzedin Tago, who holds jurisdiction over Filipinos in Sudan, assisted the evacuees who arrived in Egypt to ensure their entry.

He said the embassy asked the Egyptian authorities to allow Filipinos entry into their country despite not having the necessary visa, which he said was impossible to process in Khartoum.

Filipino evacuees will be given assistance with or without the necessary visa; while those who do not have their passport or legal documents will have to wait a little longer, probably until Friday, to enter Egypt, the ambassador said.

The embassy also sent Vice Consul Bojer Capati to Sudan to assistFilipinos at the border, especially those who could not af-

to the realization of President Marcos’ vision for sustained economic growth that would provide jobs and livelihood for the Filipinos,” Romualdez noted.

As part of the defense pact between the two countries, the Philippines has been receiving substantial defense assistance from the US in terms of training and defense items and equipment.

From 2002 to 2021, the country received roughly US$1.8 billion for defense modernization, maritime security, counter-terrorism, anti-narcotics, anti-human trafficking, humanitarian assistance and disaster response, and chemical, biological, radiological, and nuclear preparedness.

In addition to security matters, Marcos and Biden are also expected to “review opportunities to deepen economic cooperation and promote inclusive prosperity, expand our nations’ special people-to-people ties, invest in the clean energy transition and the fight against climate change, and ensure respect for human rights.”

Romualdez noted that Washington remains an important and strategic trading and investment partner of Manila.

With AFP (See full story online at manilastandard.net)

different hospitals. They suffered severe carbon monoxide poisoning and are currently undergoing hyperbaric oxygen therapy," said Bello, who visited the injured Filipinos in the hospital.

Per an unidentified attending nurse, Bello said the feedback “is four of them are already conscious, stable, and recovering well. On the other hand, there is still concern regarding the condition of OFW Fernando since she is still in ICU and has not yet regained consciousness. During our visit yesterday, she was undergoing dialysis."

Bello, citing a report from an ICU nurse, said Fernando's urine discharge is very minimal, thus the need for dialysis.

He said a representative of Lian-Hwa Foods Corporation also checked on Fernando's condition a day ago.

Bello's office is also preparing to release P5,000 to the victims of the fire to help on their personal expenses, while the Overseas Workers Welfare Administration (OWWA) is also coordinating with Taiwanese authorities and the employers for the necessary documentary requirements for the available benefits.

MECO Taichung, for its part, is also onboard for the shipment of remains, Bello said.

The DOH announced the detection of the first case of Arcturus in Iloilo province on Tuesday. Meanwhile, the WHO said Wednesday that COVID-19 deaths had dropped by 95 percent since the start of the year but warned that the virus was still on the move.

"We're very encouraged by the sustained decline in reported deathsfrom COVID-19, which have dropped 95 percent since the beginning of this year," WHO chief Tedros Adhanom Ghebreyesus told a press conference.

"However, some countries are seeing increases, and over the past four weeks,

ruling that the assertion has no legal basis.

To back Beijing's claim, hundreds of Chinese coast guard and other vessels patrol the waters, swarming reefs and harassing and attacking fishing and other boats.

On Saturday, the Philippine coast guard identified more than a hundredChinese vessels parked at Whitsun Reef, which the Philippines claims as part of its exclusive economic zone.

The Philippine coast guard ordered the vessels to leave, but they were ignored.

US pivot alarms China

Since taking office last June, Marcos has insisted he will not letChina trample on the Philippines' rights in the sea—in contrast to his predecessor Rodrigo Duterte who was reluctant to criticize Beijing. Marcos has meanwhile gravitated towards the Philippines' traditional ally, the United States, as he seeks to strengthen their defense ties.

This shift has alarmed China, which has accused Washington of trying to drive a wedge between Beijing and Manila. Manila this month announced the lo-

ford the processing fee for their departure.

The Palace on Thursday reported that 409 Filipinos have been evacuated from Sudan so far. Some 335 overseas Filipino workers (OFWs) andfamily members left Khartoum on April 26 for Egypt through the Wadi Halfa Highway.

Another 35 OFWs and 15 students were safely evacuated to Egypt with the help of Filipinos in Sudan as well as personnel from the DMW.

Ople and Undersecretary Hans Leo Cacdac are currently in Cairo, Egypt, to assist in the government's evacuation efforts and lead thedistribution of welfare assistance to evacuate OFWs from the war-torn country.

Senior Defense Undersecretary Carlito Galvez, officer-in-charge, said he has al-

DepEd...

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Under the plan, Mother Tongue will no longer be offered as a separate subject in Grades 1 to 3 and instead will be used to teach other subjects, primarily English and Filipino.

In February, the House of Representatives cleared a bill suspending the use of mother tongue as the medium of instruction from kindergarten to Grade 3 on third and final reading.

A draft guide of the revised K-12 curriculum, meanwhile, includes "MgaIsla ng West Philippine Sea" under a lesson on territorial issues and border conflicts in the Araling Panlipunan (Social Studies) subject for Grade 10.

The "Hague Arbitral Ruling" is included under another lesson on responding to economic challenges. The DepEd is calling on the public to review the revised curriculum guides for Kindergarten to Grade 10 until May 3. Meanwhile, DepEd’s draft-shaping paper for the revised English curriculum read: “Anchored on the language framework of the K-12 curriculum, the enhanced English curriculum reflects the dynamic nature of the language and to

DENR:...

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“We’re not allowed to fish in the area. We’re also not allowed to dive yet, but we want to do that immediately because we want to observe what the physical impacts are,” Loyzaga said.

“What we have to do now is verify on the ground how much of these reefs have actually been touched, how many of the mangroves have actually been destroyed, and how many of the seagrasses have actually been affected,” she added.

The National Disaster Risk Reduction and Management Council (NDRRMC) on Thursday offered a lower figure, saying the oil spill did P3.88 billion worth of damage and affected 40,000 families.

The estimated cost of damage included production losses among some 24,000 fishermen and farmers, the NDRRMC said in a report.

Fishermen have been ordered to stay ashore in several areas while the oil spill cleanup is ongoing.

Mimaropa accounted for the bulk of the cost of damage at around P3.75 billion, while the rest was recorded in Calabarzon and Western Visayas, the disaster agency said.

The Bureau of Fisheries and Aquatic Resources (BFAR) earlier said thefisheries

14,000 people lost their lives to this disease.

"And, as the emergence of the new XBB.1.16 variant illustrates, the virus is still changing, and is still capable of causing new waves of disease and death."

Maria Van Kerkhove, the WHO's technical lead on COVID-19, said XBB sublineages were now dominant worldwide.

They have an increase in growth advantage and are also showing immuneescape, meaning people can be reinfected despite having been vaccinated or previously infected. With AFP (See full story online at manilastandard.net)

cations of four more military bases it is allowing the United States to use on top of the five agreed on under the 2014 Enhanced Defense Cooperation Agreement, or EDCA.

The four additional bases include sites near the South China Sea and another not far from self-ruled Taiwan, which Beijing claims as its territory.

China has warned the expanded EDCA could endanger regional peace and accused Washington of having a "zero-sum mentality."

The largest-ever war games between the Philippines and the United States, which end Friday, have also drawn Beijing's ire.

On Wednesday, Marcos watched US and Philippine troops fire rockets ata decommissioned warship representing an enemy vessel in the South China Sea, the first time the allies had held such an exercise.

The annual Balikatan maneuvers followed a three-day Chinese military exercise that simulated targeted strikes and a blockade around Taiwan. AFP

ready coordinated with the DFA to have the Defense attachés from the United Arab Emirates and Israel help the Philippine Embassy in Cairo in the evacuation of Filipinos from Sudan.

Since the violence broke out 11 days ago, 459 deaths and 4,072 injuries have been reported, with the World Health Organization (WHO) warning of “huge biological risks" to people as Sudan's paramilitary Rapid Support Forces (RSF) has taken over the National Public Health Laboratory in Khartoum.

Galvez thanked the Malaysian government for sharing valuableinformation on the security situation in Sudan, which contributed to the Philippines' repatriation efforts. With Macon Ramos-Araneta, Maricel V. Cruz and Charles Dantes

distinguish Philippine English from the English of, not one of and not for, the native speakers.”

“Philippine English is a variety of English used in various discourse forms (oral, written, visual, digital) influenced by the country’s unique historical, multicultural and diverse linguistic backgrounds and used widely in literary, academic, journalistic and business correspondence,” it added.

Based on the draft of the revised basic education curriculum released by the DepEd last week, English will be taught as early as the first quarter for Grade 1 students, earlier than the current third quarter.

“The Mother Tongue-Based Multilingual Education (MTB-MLE) is a salient part of the implementation of the K-12 Basic Education Program,” the DepEd’s draft general-shaping paper for the revised curriculum read.

“It underscores the importance of learning using the language and literacy resource that the child knows best and can use most effectively in order to establish a strong foundation for further education and literacy development,” it added. With Maricel V. Cruz (See full story online at manilastandard.net)

sector loses around P19 million daily as the oil spill damage drags on.

The NDRRMC report also said 40,897 families or 193,436 individuals were affected by the oil spill caused by a tanker that went down in rough seas on Feb. 28.

The government, local authorities and non-government organizations have provided P140 million worth of assistance to affected residents, the social welfare department said in a separate statement.

The Philippine Coast Guard (PCG) earlier said that the oil leak fromMT Princess Empress was "significantly controlled" with cleanup efforts 74 percent to 80 percent complete.

PCG said in a Facebook post that its incident management team has completed 74.82 percent of its cleanup efforts in Naujan town, while the cleanup at Pola town was 80.71 percent complete.

"The oil spill response team said they cleaned 28 out of 34 kilometers of affected shoreline in Pola and five out of seven kilometers in Naujan," the PCG said.

Three barangays in Pola town were also declared 100 percent clean: Tiguihan, Zone 1, and Zone 2.

Despite this, the PCG noted that some seven kilometers of shoreline in Pola and two kilometers in Naujan were still contaminated with oil. Charles Dantes and Rio Araja

PNP stresses no hacking of its database

By Charles Dantes

THE Philippine National Police stood tall in its statement that there was no hacking incident or breach in its database after over 1.2 million records of employees and applicants were leaked online.

In a statement issued Thursday, the PNP said the Anti-Cyber CrimeGroup was currently doing an internal investigation and assessment to determine possible violations.

“As an immediate response to the said report by the NPC, theAnti-Cyber Crime Group of the PNP is currently exerting efforts in fast-tracking its internal investigation to determine if there arepossible violations of provisions of Republic Act 10173 (Data Privacy Act of 2012),” PNP said in a statement.

“Likewise, the Directorate for Information and Communication Technology (DICTM) is conducting an assessment of the systems todetermine possible violations or lapses in protocols and procedures,” PNP added.

Last April 18, cybersecurity researcher Jeremiah Fowler reported through vpnmentor.com that more than 1.2 million private records or a total of 817.54 gigabytes consisting of birth certificates, transcripts of records, passports and other important documents were exposed.

IN BRIEF

Court issues HDO vs. Bantag, Zulueta

THE Muntinlupa City Regional Trial Court has issued a hold departure order against former Bureau of Corrections chief Gerald Bantag and his former deputy Sr. Supt. Ricardo Zulueta.

The RTC issued the HDO upon the request of the Department of Justice. Any person subject of an HDO is not allowed to leave the country.

Bantag and Zulueta have been charged with murder case before theMuntinlupa city RTC for their alleged role in the death of Bilibidinmate Jun Villamor, the middleman who hired Joel Escorial to kill broadcaster Percival Mabasa or Percy Lapid. Rey E. Requejo

SC: Ex-solon Pichay 'perpetually barred'

THE Supreme Court has reiterated its final and executory decision that perpetually banned Surigao del Sur 1st District Representative Prospero Pichay Jr. from holding any position in the government.

This is in connection with the unlawful investment of Local WaterUtilities Administration (LWU) to a thrift bank in 2009 amounting to P780 million when Pichay was its administrator.

The SC through its Public Information Office said the High Court deliberated during it regular en banc session last Tuesday on the petition filed by Pichay’s political rival Mary Elizabeth Ortiga-Ty to declare as immediately executory the accessory penalty of perpetual disqualification imposed on the ex-solon. Rey E. Requejo

President...

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WRMO is mandated to "ensure the immediate implementation of the Integrated Water Resources Management in line with the United Nations Sustainable Development Goals and formulate a corresponding Water Resources Master Plan (IWMP)."

The EO was created to address the challenges that affect the management of water resources in the country, particularly with the increasing demand for water due to population and economic growth.

It also considers the impacts of climate change and the pandemic, andthe lack of adequate infrastructure leading to uneven distribution of water resources, among others.

"To avert a water crisis, minimize and avoid conflicts, and consistentwith the State's sole ownership and control over the country's water resources, it is imperative for the Government to integrate and harmonize the policies, programs, and projects of all relevant agencies in the water resource sector in the fulfillment of their complementary governmental mandates," the EO read.

The WRMO is tasked to "shepherd and champion, together with the Presidential Legislative Liaison Office, the passage of a law creating an apex body such as the proposed Department of Water and/or a regulatory commission on water."

IN BRIEF

PDEA burns P4.1-b drugs

PHILIPPINE Drug Enforcement Agency (PDEA) on Thursday burned more than 720 kilograms of dangerous drugs and other prohibited substances worth P4.1 billion at the Integrated Waste Management, Inc. (IWMI) facility in Trece Martires City, Cavite.

According to the PDEA, incineration of the drugs weighing over 726,000 grams were seized during various anti-drug operations.

“The pieces of drug evidence were destroyed through thermal decomposition or thermolysis which involves breaking down chemical compounds with the use of tremendous heat. At 1,000 degrees centigrade, all dangerous drugs are totally decomposed or broken down,’’ the PDEA said in a statement.

“The destruction of the dangerous drugs is in compliance with the guidelines set on the custody and disposition of seized dangerous drugs under Section 21, Article II of Republic Act 9165 or The Comprehensive Dangerous Drugs Act of 2002, and Dangerous Drugs Board Regulation No. 1, Series of 2002,’’ the statement read.

Solon flags sudden rise in cost of electric fans

BATAAN Rep. Geraldine Roman on Thursday urged the Department of Trade and Industry (DTI) to monitor the prices of electric fans and other heat-reducing agents that are on high demand during summer.

Roman issued the call made appeal amid complaints by consumers that prices of regular stand fans and wall fans substantially increased, thus making these items unaffordable for budget buyers.

Online retail shops for some electronics brands show that the cheapest wall fan now costs P1,500, while an industrial stand fan costs P2,000. This is far from the prices before the summer season, where a basic wall fan can still be bought for as low as P1,300, while the industrial stand fan can be bought for around P1,450. Maricel V. Cruz

CAAP probes aircraft intrusion in Balikatan

THE Civil Aviation Authority of the Philippines (CAAP) is looking into reports that a civilian airplane has interrupted a recent Balikatan exercise in Zambales.

“CAAP is closely coordinating with the Balikatan management regarding the reported interruption of the exercise in Zambales by a civilian aircraft flying within the no-fly zone,” said CAAP spokesman Eric Apolonio said.

“The reported incident is currently under investigation, and the Balikatan management together with the CAAP are working together to identify and determine details about the concerned aircraft. CAAP has issued seven notices to airmen (NOTAMs) in the area, which has declared it a no-fly zone,” he added.

Apolonio said the agency issues airspace restrictions through a NOTAM and ensures that pilots and aircraft operators are briefed by its Air Traffic Service (ATS) before flight plans are accepted, especially with regards to no-fly zones. Joel E. Zurbano

AFP chief backs amnesty grant to former rebels

By Charles Dantes and Maricel V. Cruz

ARMED Forces of the Philippines (AFP) chief Gen. Andres Centino favors the grant of amnesty to former rebels as part of the government’s peace program to bring the insurgents back into mainstream society.

In an interview on the “Balik-Loob sa Pagbabago” program, Centino said the country should pursue holistic approach to encourage the rebels to lay down arms.

The Commission on Human Rights (CHR) cited the Task Force Balik-Loob for reintegrating 37,413 former rebels and extremists back to civil society.

“I have advocated that other approaches of government in dealing

with insurgency should be considered, such as yung pagbigay talaga ng amnesty,” Centino said. He also revealed that some members of the New People’s Army (NPA) were hesitant to surrender because of pending court cases against them.

Centino noted that non-combat ways, such as the Enhanced Comprehensive Local Integration Program (E-CLIP) of the government

and other modules allow the AFP to go after the insurgents without engaging in skirmishes.

The AFP chief called on the remaining NPA members to return to the fold of the law, saying the AFP has a “catalyst in harnessing the collective efforts of the government and other agencies that aimed to put an end to the insurgency movements in the country.”

“The strength of the communist terrorist group has been significantly reduced and their presence is only in a few remaining areas in the country, and that is where our focus is. We are confident that it will not take long before their force is reduced to a minimum,” Centino said.

CASH AID CONTINUES.

Speaker Ferdinand Martin Romualdez and Tingog party-list Reps. Yedda Romualdez and Jude Acidre, in collaboration with the Department of Social Welfare and Development, pursues their distribution of cash subsidy under the government’s Assistance for Individuals in Crisis Situations, this time targeting needy students in Davao del Sur. Inset shows the Tingog lawmakers in a photo session with staff members of the Speaker who attended a four-day healthcare seminar organized by the Department of Health in Cebu City.

Australia’s P3.6-b marine protection project covers PH

THE Philippines is among the recipients of a P3.6-billion “maritime program investments” by Australia in the Indo-Pacific region, the Australian Embassy revealed.

Australian Embassy Deputy Head of Mission Dr. Moya Collett made the disclosure during a forum entitled, “Protecting the Seas: Preserving Biodiversity Through Marine Protection in the West Philippine Sea”, organized by the think tank Stratbase ADR Institute.

“Australia’s relationship with the Philippines spans defense and security, development and education, trade and investment, and people to people links,” Collett said.

“One area that is going from strength to strength is our maritime cooperation. Given the importance of maritime security and marine environmental protection to Australia, we are investing P3.6 billion in regional maritime programs and the Philippines is a significant beneficiary,” Collett explained.

“The marine environment is under threat from pollution, climate change, and over exploitation. And it is more important than ever that we work together to protect it. And we are proud to support the Philippines in its efforts to preserve the marine environment and become more climate change and disaster resilient,” she noted.

Among the maritime programs being conducted by Australia in the Philippines is the funding of a number of coral restoration projects, including areas in Pangasinan, Verde Islands, and in the West Philippine Sea (WPS) in Palawan and Zambales.

IRR on cyber sexual abuse of minors set for IACAT approval

By Rey E. Requejo

THE Department of Justice (DOJ) on Monday said the implementing rules and regulations (IRR) of Republic Act No. 11930, the law against Online Sexual Abuse and Exploitation of Children (OSAEC), are expected for approval by the Inter-Agency Council

Against Trafficking (IACAT) in May.

The DOJ, which chairs the IACAT, said the draft of the IRR was presented during the council’s 57th regular meeting last April 24.

In a statement, the IACAT said approval of the IRR was reset to a special council meeting on May 4 “on request of some member-agencies for some fi-

nal suggestions.”

RA 11930, which lapsed into law on July 30, 2022, was authored by Sen. Risa Hontiveros. The law grants additional tools for law enforcement and increases responsibilities of social media platforms, electronic service providers, as well as internet and financial intermediaries.

According to the IACAT, the draft of

the 2023 Revised Guidelines on Departure Formalities for International-Bound Filipino Passengers was also presented. However, it said the approval of the draft revised guidelines was “deferred to give the member agencies more time to submit their comments on the latest draft and to allow the conduct of a public consultation thereafter.”

Vigan launches tourism campaign

VIGAN City rolls out today an aggressive tourism promotions drive in conjunction with its celebration of this year’s Binatbatan Festival of the Arts.

Mayor Bonito Singson leads the launch of the campaign dubbed “Ciudad de Vigan Pasaporte de Turista” aimed at promoting its rich cultural history while also supporting local businesses.

Visitors can get a special stamp on their passport whenever they purchase items or services from partner establishments whereby they earn points which can later on be redeemed for special discounts and freebies. The Vigan Tourism Passport can be

bought at designated booths or online around the City for an affordable price. The booklet comes with locally-made items like Vigan longganisa, Abel Iloko products, or mini burnay jars.

The passport also includes a brief history about Vigan and iconic figures with great contributions to the city’s storied past. A QR code is also found in the booklet that shows the city’s many points of interest.

Mayor Singson sees this initiative as one of several planned legacy projects for the city with hopes to boost its tourism industry while also promoting its unique heritage and supporting local businesses.

CENTENARIANS OF OZAMIS CITY. Two female centenarians of Ozamis City— Pompia Ochagabia Balcita and Tiburcia Gaid

Parojinog—are now P300,000 richer courtesy of the city government. The duo also received a signed letter from President Ferdinand Marcos, Jr., congratulating them for their ‘remarkable feat to reach a hundred years of age, for it reflects a lifetime of victories both big and small.’ Norman Cruz

TOURISM PROMO DRIVE. Mayor Bonito Singson explains the mechanics of Vigan City’s tourism promotion campaign dubbed “Ciudad de Vigan Pasaporte de Turista” which coincides with the city’s celebration of its 2023 Binatbatan Festival of the Arts.

‘HOGCON’ OPENING.

Senator Imee Marcos and Senator Cynthia Villar lead the ceremonial chopping of lechon during the opening of the 29th National Hog Convention and Trade Exhibits 2023 held yesterday at SMX Convention Center in Pasay City. Revoli

Group eyes pay hike ahead of May 1

By Vito Barcelo

THE labor group Partido Manggagawa (PM) is calling for a wage hike and government aid as the group prepares for a big rally on May 1, Labor Day.

The group also decried increasing prices, claiming they bought daily necessities at the Pritil Market out of a budget of P570, which is the minimum wage in Metro Manila.

“The basket was half empty of goods bought for our P570 minimum wage. The minimum wage is a “libing not living wage,” according to Judy Ann Miranda, PM secretary general.

Makati reports revenues hit P12.9b in March

By Joel E. Zurbano

THE Makati City government on Thursday announced it has achieved 72% of its P17.8 billion full-year revenue target after collecting P12.9 billion as of the end of March.

Mayor Abigail Binay said the city topped its collection for the same period last year by 18%, based on the latest revenue report from the Office of the City Treasurer.

“By all indications, Makati is well on its way to full recovery from the pandemic. Once again, we are seeing double-digit growth in our total revenue collection as brisk business in the city attracts more new investors, while driving current businesses to expand,” Binay said.

City Treasurer Jesusa Cuneta said business tax collection increased by 33% or a total of P7.07 billion as of end-March, compared to P5.27 billion in March 2022. The amount collected is also 71% of the full-year target of P9.90 billion for business tax.

Cuneta said collection from real property tax also increased by 6% with P4.84 billion collected, which is already 101% of target for the entire year.

She also noted increased collection from business tax paid through the Makatizen Online Assessment and Payment Portal, which was established in June 2020 at the height of the pandemic.

IN BRIEF

Villar seeks OK of ‘no

permit’ bill in schools

DEPUTY Speaker and Las Piñas Rep.

Camille Villar said it is “high time” to pass a key reform measure banning the restrictive “no permit, no exam” policy in educational institutions.

Citing recent social media posts wherein some students had to line up shortly after midnight to get a permit to take the exams, Villar said.

“Students should not be barred from taking exams due to their inability to pay tuition and other school fees at the time of their examinations. This happens not only in colleges but also in lementary and high school levels,” lamented Villar.

Villar, one of the principal authors of House Bill 7584 or An Act Allowing Elementary and Secondary Learners with Unpaid Tuition and Other School Fees to Take the Periodic and Final Examinations on Good Cause and Justifiable Grounds, reiterated that the measure, if passed into law, will provide relief to families facing economic difficulties. Maricel V. Cruz

The group stated that the impending rice crisis is not just the looming shortage of staple food but also price inflation.

Miranda said that the recent P2 to P3 per kilo increase in the prices of rice alone has eroded workers’ wages further by another P71 to P106 per month based on an average 8.9-kilo rice consumption per week for a family according to the government’s Family Income

and Expenditure Survey.

“But things are yet to become worse as the price of rice is expected to increase by up to P6 due to the supply and demand imbalance. What happened to the P20 rice prices?” Miranda said.

A wage hike, along with demands for a stop to contractualization and respect for labor rights, will be the highlight of the Labor Day rally led by the All Philippine Trade Unions (APTU) next Monday. PM-affiliated groups in Metro Manila, Calabarzon, Cebu and Iloilo have filed petitions for a P100 minimum wage hike. The wage boards have yet to hold any hearings on the petitions.

The group estimates that P100 has been

eroded from the purchasing power of wages as a result of inflation.

Department of Labor and Employment (DOLE) Undersecretary Benjo Benavidez meanwhile said the decision to issue new wage orders is under the jurisdiction of Regional Tripartite Wages and Productivity Boards (RTWPBs).

“We will leave it to the processes and mechanisms established in determining if there is a need to revise the existing minimum wages in the different regions,” Benavidez said at the Laging Handa briefing when asked if there is a possibility that the wage boards will issue orders adjusting the salary of workers before May 1, Labor Day.

BI agents intercept four Lebanon-bound women

BUREAU of Immigration (BI) agents at the Ninoy Aquino International Airport (NAIA) intercepted four women who were believed victims of a human trafficking syndicate bound for Lebanon to work as household service workers.

According to BI Commissioner Norman Tansingco, three of the victims were already cleared for departure when they were intercepted after attempting to board an Air Asia flight to Kuala Lumpur, Malaysia.

Separately, another female victim was intercepted and bound to Bangkok on the same day, after attempting to depart via a Cebu Pacific flight.

Tansingco further reported that the passengers initially disguised as tourists claiming that they will be touring abroad but later confessed that their final destination is Lebanon, where they were recruited to work. Vito Barcelo

Don’t bring guns to airport, public told AIRPORT authorities appealed to passengers not to bring firearms and other banned items to avoid flight delays and inconvenience to air travelers, especially during this peak travel season.

On Wednesday, the Office for Transportation Security (OTS) intercepted a passenger with a piece of luggage containing a gun at the Ninoy Aquino International Airport - Terminal 4. OTS spokesperson Kim Marquez said Mamayla Tatang, who was bound for Davao via Air Asia flight Z2 611, was undergoing the usual screening when OTS officer Gerlyn Siwa detected something inside the passenger’s luggage. Joel E. Zurbano

Judiciary eyeing AI, automation to address shortage of stenographers

By Rey E. Requejo

CHIEF Justice Alexander Gesmundo said the judiciary will soon embark on full automation under its five-year Strategic Plan for Judiciary Innovations (SPJI) to address the shortage of court stenographers and the difficulty to recruit new applicants to the positions.

Gesmundo said the delays in the submission of stenographic notes that affect court proceedings have impacts “on our people’s faith in the judiciary and their confidence in its ability to effectively and efficiently dispense the justice they seek in it.”

“Truly, the work of court stenographers serves as one of the unseen

Poe hits LTO on ‘notorious reputation,’ shortcomings

By Macon Ramos-Araneta

SEN Grace Poe said the Land Transportation Office (LTO) has earned a “notorious reputation” for delivering short of what is expected following its recent announcement of a shortage of car plates.

Poe said the LTO has shortcomings “from license cards to motorcycle

plates and car plates.”

The lawmaker, who chairs the Senate Committee on public services, also said that thorough planning and estimation might help the LTO be updated with its requirements.

She pointed out LTO can’t always tell the public people to rely on doit-yourself and band-aid measures,

which pose security risks and are prone to abuse.

“We ask the LTO to give the public a complete report on its backlog on vehicles plates and license cards to give a complete picture of the issues it is facing,” Peo said. “With this, we also expect to know its timeline for clearing its deficiencies and how it will do it.”

MMDA says info on new coding scheme ‘fake news’

By Joel E. Zurbano

THE Metropolitan Manila Development Authority (MMDA) described as “fake news” an infographic posted on social media about the implementation of a new number coding scheme. “Misinformation is spreading again

that there is a new number coding scheme that the MMDA will implement. This is not true,” the agency stated in its advisory Thursday.

The MMDA reiterates that there is no change in the implemented scheme.

Although there was a proposal of modification in the number coding

scheme, the MMDA stated that none have been approved.

In the event of a change in policy, it must be approved by the Metro Manila Council, which consists of 17 mayors of Metro Manila. The MMC is the governing board and policy-making body of MMDA.

foundations of the rule of law in our country -- foundations that are often unnoticed, but are no less important,” the top magistrate said in his speech during the convention of the Court Stenographers Association of the Philippines (COSTRAPHIL) in Dipolog City on Wednesday.

To hasten up the submission of steno -

graphic notes during court proceedings, Gesmundo stressed the SPJI allows the use of artificial intelligence (AI) not just for court operations but also for stenographic work “to facilitate the speedy disposition of case.”

The Chief Justice said the use of AIenabled voice-to-text transcription will be pilot tested in several courts.

Cortez

SIGN LANGUAGE POETRY. Dennis Rhoneil, a deaf person, waves as he receives his award for winning a poetry contest using sign language given by the Komisyon sa Wikang Filipino (WKF) on Thursday. The contest aims to propagate “Filipino Deaf Culture” through literature. Danny Pata

2023 CSR EXPO. Photo shows (from L): Shem Jose Garcia, executive director, Vivant Foundation and vice chair of the Board of Trustees, League of Corporate Foundations (LCF); Owen L. Cammayo, executive director, BPI Foundation, Inc. and Board Secretary, LCF; and Sebastian Quinones, executive director, Pilipinas Shell Foundation and chair of the Board of Trustees, LCF during the press launching of the annual Corporate Social Responsibility (CSR) Expo organized by the LCF. Manny Palmero

of the offender

“[T]HE… identification of the author of a crime should be the primal concern of criminal prosecution in any civilized legal system. Corollary to this is the actuality of the commission of the offense with the participation of the accused” (Concha, et al. v. People, G.R. 208114, October 3, 2018 citing People v. Arapok).

“All these must be proved by the State beyond reasonable doubt… and without solace from the weakness of the defense. Thus, even if the defense of the accused may be weak, the same is inconsequential if, in the first place, the prosecution failed to discharge the onus on his identity and culpability” (G.R. 208114, October 3, 2018). The identification of the offender can take place in-court or out-of-court.

The former is subject to the exacting requirements of cross-examination while the latter, being conducted in law enforcement establishments, is not bound by the rules of a court proceeding.

The second US visit

WHEN President Ferdinand

the unstable security situation in the IndoPacific region.

However, the Supreme Court “recognizes the ‘probative weight of an in-court identification is largely dependent upon an out-of-court identification’.” Thus, it is necessary to determine if the conduct of the latter is above suspicion.” (G.R. 208114, October 3, 2018).

“Out-of-court identification is conducted by the police in various ways. It is done thru show-ups where the suspect alone is brought face to face with the witness for identification…, mug shots where photographs [of suspects] are shown to the witness…, [or] thru lineups where a witness identifies the suspect from a group of persons lined up…”(G.R. 208114, October 3, 2018).

“Since corruption of out-of-court identification contaminates the integrity of in-court identification during the trial of the case, courts have fashioned out rules to assure its fairness and its compliance with the requirements of constitutional due process” (G.R. 208114, October 3, 2018 citing People v. Teehankee).

In resolving the admissibility of outof-court identification of suspects, the Supreme Court has adopted the “totality of circumstances” test where the following factors are considered:

“(1) the witness’ opportunity to view the criminal at the time of the crime; (2) the witness’ degree of attention at that time; (3) the accuracy of any prior description given by the witness; (4) the level of certainty demonstrated by the witness at the identification; (5) the length of time between the crime and the identification; and (6) the suggestiveness of the identification procedure” (G.R. 208114, October 3, 2018 citing People v. Teehankee).

In the case of Concha, et al. v. People, the victim of carnapping, Macutay, failed to provide descriptions of his attackers when he reported the incident to the police.

He “did not describe them as to their height, skin color, clothes, or any distinguishing mark that could have made them stand out” (G.R. 208114, October 3, 2018).

Further, “Macutay was admittedly scared and confused, which reduced his degree of attention. His disorientation was apparent when he gave his watch, wallet, and even his t-shirt to his assailants as soon as he heard ‘holdup.’ He did not even wait for them to tell him what they needed from him” (G.R. 208114, October 3, 2018).

“[I]t was not shown how certain Macutay

BAKHMUT, Ukraine—The basement in Bakhmut—the epicenter of Ukraine’s determined fight against Russia’s invasion —shakes from shelling above ground and a bloodied, pale soldier tumbles from the ambulance outside.

Soldiers rush to aid the medic treating the shrapnel-wounded serviceman but dash for cover when another Russian rocket crashes into a courtyard nearby, reverberating around abandoned housing blocs.

“Why am I so cold, doctor? I feel like I’m fading,” the soldier says, propped up on a mudstained mattress as the medic works to halt the bleeding.

Thundering Russian artillery echoed non-stop throughout Bakhmut’s Soviet-era residential blocs during a rare visit to the embattled city by AFP journalists with Ukrainian troops.

Courtyards beneath the artillery-scarred buildings were littered with twisted metal from bombed playgrounds, glass shards, and makeshift crosses over graves of hastily buried civilians.

Ukrainian troops holed up in a network of dimly-lit and cramped basements in the city’s western districts have been making a determined last stand against Russia in the longest and bloodiest battle of the war.

Fighting for the town, once known for its salt mines and sparkling wine production, has ground on for 10 long months.

Russia is posting incremental but costly gains giving it control over some 80 percent of the devastated town.

was in his identification of [the accused].

Without any prior description, the basis of his identification is questionable. It also remains uncertain whether the t-shirt that petitioner Concha wore during the police show-up was the same t-shirt that Macutay gave to his assailants…” (G.R. 208114, October 3, 2018).

“Finally, the out-of-court identification was tainted with improper suggestion…

When Macutay, the sole witness, was invited by the police to identify his assailants, his mind was already conditioned that he would come face-to face with the persons who robbed him” (G.R. 208114, October 3, 2018).

“Both verbal and non-verbal information might become inappropriate cues or suggestions to a witness. In appraising the suggestiveness of identification procedures, this Court has previously considered prior or contemporaneous actions of law enforcers, prosecutors, media, or even fellow witnesses” (People v. Nuñez, G.R. 209342, October 4, 2017).

“The totality of circumstances test also requires a consideration of the degree of certainty demonstrated by the witness at the moment of identification. What is most critical here is the initial identification made by the witness during investigation and case build-up, not identification during trial” (G.R. 209342, October 4, 2017).

“A witness’ certainty is tested in court during cross-examination. In several instances, this Court has considered a witness’ straight and candid recollection of the incident, undiminished by the rigors of cross-examination as an indicator of credibility” (G.R. 209342, October 4, 2017).

“Still, certainty on the witness stand is by no means conclusive. By the time a witness takes the stand, he or she shall have likely made narrations to investigators, to responding police or barangay officers, to the public prosecutor, to any possible private prosecutors, to the families of the victims, other sympathizers, and even to the media” (G.R. 209342, October 4, 2017).

“The witness, then, may have established certainty, not because of a foolproof cognitive perception and recollection of events but because of consistent reinforcement borne by becoming an experienced narrator… what is more crucial is certainty at the onset or on initial identification, not in a relatively belated stage of criminal proceedings” (G.R. 209342, October 4, 2017).

“‘It is by now a well-established fact that people are less accurate and complete in their eyewitness accounts after a long retention interval than after a short one.’… This Court has considered acceptable an identification made two days after the commission of a crime, not so one that had an interval of five and a half months” (G.R. 209342, October 4, 2017).

In the case of People v. Nuñez, the prosecution witnesses were “not aided by the sheer length of time that had lapsed from the criminal incident (robbery with homicide) until the time they made their identifications. By the time Cruz made the identification, seven years and eight months had lapsed… [a]s for Perez, eight years and nine months had already lapsed” (G.R. 209342, October 4, 2017).

The Supreme Court has always been mindful that “[t]he greatest care should be taken in considering the identification of the accused, especially when this identification is made by a sole witness and the judgment in the case totally depends on the reliability of the identification” (People v. Ansano, G.R. 232455, December 2, 2020).

(Full text at www.manilastandard.net)

‘We’re exhausted’

“They don’t stop attacking day or night or day.

Only when we hit them, they’re busy evacuating their wounded and killed,” said a deputy battalion commander, who identified himself as “Philosopher.”

“Little by little, they are nibbling away little pieces (of Bakhmut),” he added in an underground command post as shelling rumbled overhead.

Ukraine is defending street by street at a significant cost.

But it says it is mowing down waves of Russian forces and wearing out the enemy before launching its own large-scale strike back.

“On our side, we’re tired, people are exhausted,” Philosopher told AFP, describing how his forces from the 93rd brigade were coming within just three meters of Russian troops while weathering a constant barrage of artillery mortar and tank fire.

“(But) each day we resist here gives more opportunities for other units to prepare for a counterattack.”

Drone footage provided to AFP by Ukrainian reconnaissance teams showed the vast extent of the destruction wrought on Bakhmut, with plumes of smoke hanging over row after row of skeletal buildings.

“They are methodically destroying everything. We’re firing at pre-defined targets, more accurately and with adjustments from drones,” Philosopher said.

“Our vulnerability is that we are starved

Mr. Marcos and US President Joe Biden met for the first time at the sidelines of the United Nations General Assembly meeting in New York City in September last year. That meeting produced an ironclad guarantee the US would come to the defense of the Philippines if attacked by a third party based on the Mutual Defense Treaty (MDT) they signed in 1951. Their second meeting comes at a time when the two countries have already agreed on expanding the number of sites for the Enhanced Defense Cooperation Agreement (EDCA) from five to nine. The additional sites, three of them located in northern Luzon and another in Palawan

We have no doubt that prospects for reinforced PhilippineAmerican ties are bright for as long as the two sides are able to discuss issues and concerns based on mutual trust and mutual benefit...

province facing the South China Sea, have provoked an angry reaction from Beijing, which claims increased American military presence will undermine peace and stability in the region. The visit also comes on the heels of the annual Balikatan joint military exercises between the Philippines and US troops, said to be the largest with the participation of no less than 17,000 soldiers—12,000 from the US and 5,000 from the Philippines—and 200 observers from Australia and Japan, two countries with keen interest in addressing

The US needs the Philippines as a reliable defense partner amid brewing tensions in the Taiwan Strait as Beijing ramps up not just aggressive rhetoric but also actual military drills involving jet fighters and naval forces obviously designed to let self-ruled Taiwan that it would not be allowed to declare independence.

China has made no secret of its intention to reintegrate Taiwan, which it considers a renegade province, into the mainland, by force if necessary.

It’s not just the ongoing defense cooperation that’s on the agenda of the two leaders.

There’s also the economic partnership that needs to be revitalized with President Marcos expected to offer incentives to American investors to come to the Philippines and take part in infrastructure development, renewable energy and climate change initiatives, among others, as what he did during the first visit.

We have no doubt that prospects for reinforced Philippine-American ties are bright for as long as the two sides are able to discuss issues and concerns based on mutual trust and mutual benefit, and that ‘special relations’ forged over the decades based on shared interests and democratic principles have nowhere to go but become even better in the years ahead.

National security now requires int’l alliances

THE question has been asked: “Why do we have to rely on foreigners to defend our country?”

That query could well have been a rhetorical question, directed at no one in particular, if raised by an ordinary citizen with scant knowledge of the history of our bilateral relations with the United States.

But it was raised by Sen. Imee Marcos, chair of the Senate Committee on Foreign Relations, during a hearing on the modernization of the Armed Forces of the Philippines and the Enhanced Defense Cooperation Agreement (EDCA), with Acting Defense Secretary Carlito Galvez as the main resource person.

Here’s part of how the discussions went.

Sen. Marcos told Secretary Galvez:

“With regard to the purpose of EDCA and modernization, it appears to us that in fact modernization no longer appears to be the primary (aim) of EDCA but disaster preparedness, maritime security, and counterterrorism…Why have we forgotten [AFP modernization] and we are just relying on foreigners to defend us while the armed forces remain (poorly) armed and completely (helpless) in the face of external threats?

Galvez responded to this observation by saying that under Horizon 3 of the AFP Modernization Program, the military will procure radar equipment, missile defense systems, and offshore patrol vessels, among others.

“The modernization effort of EDCA is, basically, to prepare to defend our country collectively with our allies.”

To this, Sen. Marcos said: “That’s a very general statement. I would appreciate it if you could submit in the near future the modernization aspect of EDCA, which has not been clarified to any of us in this chamber…

You make reference to projects under Horizon projects one, two, and three, which were not referred to at EDCA, but are part and parcel of AFP modernization. What does EDCA add to the modernization effort?”

The lawmaker had earlier expressed misgivings over the government decision to allow the US to put up more locations for EDCA, which she said are a “stone’s throw” away from Taiwan amid the simmering tension between the US and China over the fate of the island, which Beijing considers a

more troops, hardware and fighting capability to advance onwards

for shells.”

‘All you see are craters’

The defense of the city—once home to some 70,000 people—is all the more precarious because there is just one road under Ukrainian control supplying the entrenched positions. They call it “The Road of Life” but the burntout vehicles discarded along the vital thoroughfare signal the deadly fighting on the horizon.

“From above, from the sky, what you see is craters. It’s a mess,” a Ukrainian drone operator, who goes by Chuck, told AFP, describing highway T 0504.

Charred trees line the 25-kilometer road from the nearest Ukrainian-controlled hub, and civilian cars and military hardware careen down the muddied route to bring new fighters in and extract the injured.

“You could call it the road of life or the road of death,” 22-year-old Amina, a woman serving

renegade province.

From where we sit, we need to form bilateral and multilateral defense alliances with the US and other countries for several reasons.

One, we have one of the weakest militaries in Southeast Asia. One reason for this is that we relied on the security umbrella provided by the Mutual Defense Treaty (MDT) and the Military Bases Agreement (MBA), both signed with the United States in the post-World War II era.

We need to beef up our own defense capability to deal with any external threat even as we have to rely on the US and other allied countries to assist us in asserting national sovereignty and territorial integrity

With these two agreements, we did not have to build up our defense capabilities because the Americans had a pronounced air and naval presence in the country.

Two, because of the American guarantee of our national security particularly against any communist threat during the Cold War era, we had enough time to devote much of our economic resources to post-war reconstruction and fighting persistent poverty resulting from the large gap between the rich and the poor that however persists to this day.

We only had to deal with a homegrown communist insurgency from the late 1940s to the early 1960s armed mostly with World War II handguns and rifles.

Even as the Philippine Senate terminated the MBA in 1991, leading to the shutdown of Clark Air Base in Pampanga and Subic Naval Base in Zambales, we felt safe because of the MDT and the Visiting Forces Agreement (VFA) which made us feel secure from any

in the military for several months said while sheltering in a basement on Bakhmut’s outskirts.

President Volodymyr Zelensky said last month Bakhmut’s fall would give Russian forces an “open road” to the rest of the war-battered Donetsk region, which Moscow claims is Russian land. ‘Completely cut off’

In a thin line of birch trees running through waterlogged fields above Bakhmut, 26-year-old artillery commander Andriy has trained his Soviet-era cannon to hold back assaults on the road.

He was clear-eyed about the stakes.

“If you cut (the road), everyone in Bakhmut is dead. No supplies. No ammunition. No food. Nothing. It would be completely cut off,” he told AFP while his crew stacked rows of newly delivered shells.

“We can help the guys keep the road. They can keep the city.”

At their closest point along the supply route, Russian forces are dangerously near.

Grasping a Kalashnikov in a vehicle jolting at speed down the road, 41-year-old infantryman Alexander pointed through a mud-spattered window towards Russian positions 900 meters away—about the same range as his assault rifle.

In Ivanivske, Russian forces were constantly attacking to wrest the road, which runs through the suburb west of Bakhmut dotted with cherry blossoms outside artillery-battered cottages.

‘A pyrrhic victory’

“We dig in and the Russians come in throwing everything they can at us, everything they have—

external threat.

Three, the developed countries such as the US, China and Russia are the ones with large militaries and advanced weapon systems, including nuclear arsenals.

Over the years, modern warfare has evolved and the threat of a nuclear Armageddon looms large, with not just the US, China and Russia but also other countries now possessing nuclear weapons, such as North Korea, Iran, India and Pakistan. We have to navigate the treacherous waters arising from Big Power rivalry and depend on the US and other friendly countries for our security requirements while we strengthen our own armed forces and build a credible defense posture in the meantime.

And four, China is now engaged in superpower rivalry with the United States here in the Indo-Pacific and having declared ownership of the practically the whole of the South China Sea under a fictional “nine-dash line” it claims on the basis of “historical right.”

China’s military has increased aggressive actions against our own military and prevented Filipino fishermen from engaging in their traditional source of livelihood in the South China Sea that we claim as part of our Exclusive Economic Zone under the UN Convention on the Law of the Sea.

China also appears intent on recovering Taiwan, which it wants to bring back under its control.

Taiwan’s close proximity to the Philippines brings us close to a possible armed attack by China against Taiwan in the near future, as early as 2025, according to US military analysts. We therefore need to beef up our own defense capability to deal with any external threat even as we have to rely on the US and other allied countries to assist us in asserting national sovereignty and territorial integrity.

(Email: ernhil@yahoo.com)

everything is shelled with rockets, mortars, and tanks,” Andriy, a 38-year-old infantryman told AFP of the fighting for the highway.

“There’s no place to hide.”

Several Ukrainian servicemen from the Aidar assault battalion fending off Russia’s encirclement said they needed advanced artillery and ammunition to match and outgun Russian forces.

“We lack a lot. Not enough weapons, damn it,” Andriy added.

Analysts believe Bakhmut holds little strategic value but has acquired political significance.

What matters more, observers of the conflict say, is which side emerges from the fight with more troops, hardware and fighting capability to advance onwards.

“If Russia captures Bakhmut, it will be a pyrrhic victory,” says Mykola Bielieskov, a research fellow at the National Institute for Strategic Studies in Kyiv.

“It’s obvious that their overall offensive is culminating, with huge losses,” he added.

“Wars are won by swift offensive operations. This is not what Russian forces have done around Bakhmut.”

The prize for Russia—if it overwhelms Ukrainian forces around Bakhmut—will be little more than a reminder of the destruction wrought by the most brutal battle of the war.

“There are no buildings left. Everything, everything, everything is completely destroyed. It will have to be demolished anyway,” said Andriy. AFP

R. Marcos Jr. goes to the United States for his second working visit in less than a year, he will do so hoping to further strengthen longstanding bilateral ties between the two countries.

The Supreme Court said “the testimonies from aggrieved parties should not simplistically be equated to or treated as testimonies from detached parties…”

What matters more, observers of the conflict say, is which side emerges from the fight with

‘We’re tired’: Ukraine forces hold out in devastated Bakhmut

Biden, Yoon warn Nokor of nuke response

WASHINGTON – US

President Joe Biden and his South Korean counterpart Yoon Suk Yeol warned North Korea it would face a nuclear response and the "end" of the leadership there if Pyongyang uses its own arsenal.

Speaking at the White House after Oval Office talks during only the second state visit so far in the Biden presidency, the two leaders said the US security shield

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MS-(APRIL 28, 2023)

for South Korea was being strengthened in the face of the nuclear-armed North's aggressive missile tests.

And they made clear that if the isolated, communist dictatorship in North Korea attacks the South or the United States, the response will be devastating.

"A nuclear attack by North Korea against the United States or its allies... will result in the end of whatever regime were to take such an action," Biden told reporters at a joint press conference with Yoon. Yoon said his priority was to secure peace through "superiority of

overwhelming forces and not a false peace based on the goodwill of the other side."

"In the event of a North Korean nuclear attack," he said, Washington and Seoul have agreed to "respond swiftly, overwhelmingly and decisively using the full force of the alliance including US nuclear weapons."

A military honor guard and hundreds of guests massed outside the White House where Yoon and his wife, Kim Keon Hee, arrived for a day of pomp and ceremony.

They rounded off the day with a lavish state dinner where Hollywood star Angelina Jolie was among the guests joining the Korean first couple, Biden and

First Lady Jill Biden. In a toast, Biden recalled the sacrifice by American soldiers to help fight the communist north during the 1950-1953 Korean War and said their countries were bound by "a belief in democracy, liberty, security and above all a mutual belief in freedom."

- 'Washington Declaration'Yoon and Biden issued what was titled the Washington Declaration, bolstering the US nuclear umbrella over South Korea, which is increasingly nervous about the saber-rattling in the north.

"President Biden has reaffirmed his ironclad commitment to extended

Sudan fighting, jail escape mar shaky truce

KHARTOUM – A Sudanese war crimes suspect, part of the Islamist regime ousted in 2019, has escaped jail as heavy battles rocked the country Wednesday, heightening fears for a fragile ceasefire.

On the second full day of a threeday truce, witnesses reported "heavy air strikes" in East Nile, east of the capital, and "a huge explosion in the direction of a paramilitary camp".

Warplanes flew over northern suburbs of Khartoum, drawing heavy anti-aircraft fire from the paramilitaries, witnesses told AFP.

In southern Khartoum, machinegun fire was reported near one of the homes owned by paramilitary commander Mohamed Hamdan Daglo, who has led the heavily armed Rapid Support Forces (RSF) into war against the

armed forces, under army chief Abdel Fattah al-Burhan.

The army said Wednesday it would send a representative to Juba, capital of neighbouring South Sudan, for talks with the RSF "at the initiative of IGAD", the East African regional bloc. The talks will aim to "extend the truce by 72 hours", the armed forces said, as the current one, which has been largely ignored, is due to end on Thursday evening. In the chaos – which has killed hundreds, sparked an exodus, and deepened humanitarian suffering – Ahmed Harun, linked to deposed strongman Omar alBashir's regime, said Tuesday he and others had escaped prison. Harun is wanted for war crimes by the

Biden to make landmark visit to Papua New Guinea

PORT MORESBY – Joe Biden is set to become the first sitting US president in at least a century to visit Papua New Guinea, Foreign Minister Justin Tkatchenko said Thursday, revealing plans for a brief but symbolic trip.

International Criminal Court in connection with the Bashir regime's unleashing of Janjaweed militias against non-Arab ethnic minorities in Darfur.

Beginning in 2003, that conflict left around 300,000 dead and 2.5 million displaced, according to the UN.

Daglo's RSF are descended from the Janjaweed.

After being trapped in the empty Kober jail in "the crossfire of this current battle", Harun said in a recorded TV address that he and fellow ex-regime members had taken "our protection in our own hands".

The ICC prosecutor's office said it was following developments but added there was no independent confirmation of the Kober detainees' status. AFP

deterrence towards the Republic of Korea," Yoon said. This will include a mechanism for the two countries to share information and consult in event of a North Korean attack, even if US commanders will still retain full control on the nuclear weapons. It will also see more integration of South Korea's conventional military with US nuclear forces.

A senior US official, speaking on condition of anonymity, described the new arrangement as an echo of moves last witnessed when Washington oversaw the defense of Europe against the Soviet Union. AFP

China warns US, S. Korea against ‘provoking’ tack

BEIJING – China warned Washington and Seoul against “provoking confrontation” with North Korea on Thursday, after President Joe Biden and his South Korean counterpart said Pyongyang would face the “end” of its leadership if it uses its nuclear arsenal.

“All parties should face up to the crux of the (Korean) peninsula issue and play a constructive role in promoting a peaceful settlement of the issue,” foreign ministry spokeswoman Mao Ning said, urging against “deliberately stirring up tensions, provoking confrontation and playing up threats”.

If North Korea uses its nuclear weapons against the United States or its ally South Korea, it would be “the end” of Kim Jong Un’s regime, Seoul and Washington announced this week.

The stern threat comes as President Yoon Suk Yeol is on a six-day state visit to the United States, where he and his counterpart Joe Biden discussed ramping up the US security shield for South Korea in the face of the nuclear-armed North’s increased missile tests.

- Is it significant? -

The state visit undoubtedly “represents a new high-water mark for US-South Korea relations, with the breadth and depth of security, economic, and cultural cooperation on full display”, LeifEric Easley, a professor at Ewha University in Seoul, told AFP.

US officials described the new arrangement as akin to moves last witnessed when Washington oversaw the defence of Europe against the Soviet Union.

Yoon has been trying to reassure the South’s increasingly nervous public about the US commitment to so-called “extended deterrence”, where US assets – including nuclear weapons –serve to prevent attacks on allies.

A majority of South Koreans now believe the country should develop its own nuclear weapons, surveys show. Yoon has previously hinted Seoul could pursue this option.

- Will Seoul get nuclear weapons?Absolutely not. And this could cause problems, experts said.

“One thing was clear: there was an implied agreement that Seoul would not go nuclear,” said Soo Kim, Policy Practice Area Lead at LMI Consulting and a former CIA analyst.AFP

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 Department of Foreign Affairs; the Civil Registrar General and the Philippine Statistics

Authority. Further, petitioner through counsel is ordered to furnish respondent Hidetoshi Somiya, a copy of the Order with the Petition and its annexes thereto at his given address, and to show proof of compliance hereof before the hearing date.

SO ORDERED. Quezon City, February 27, 2022.

(Sgd.) JOCELYN A. SOLIS-REYES Presiding Judge (MStandard - Apr. 14, 21 & 28, 2023)

Biden plans to stop at Port Moresby in May as he travels between a G7 summit in Japan and a Quad summit in Sydney, Australia, the foreign minister said. "He is coming on the 22nd, in the morning, and will be here for three hours only," Tkatchenko said, adding that talks were expected to focus on the economy, security and climate change.

Biden's trip may put the finishing touches on a US-Papua New Guinea Defence Cooperation Agreement

that would allow more joint training and the development of security infrastructure.

The presidential trip is a nod toward Papua New Guinea's rapidly growing strategic importance, as the United States and its allies tussle with China for influence across the Asia-Pacific.

Chinese President Xi Jinping visited Port Moresby in 2018 to much fanfare, with Chinese flags hoisted across the capital and his motorcade whizzing past gathered crowds.

The trip was seen as a major diplomatic coup for Beijing. US and Australian officials have been concerned by a rapid uptick in Chinese investment in the resource-rich Melanesian nation. AFP

DINNER GUESTS. US actress Angelina Jolie (left) and her son Maddox arrive for a State Dinner US President Joe Biden and US First Lady Jill Biden host for South Korean President Yoon Suk

White House in Washington, DC

and

Russia missile attack on Ukrainian city kills one

military administration, said: "As of now, we know of 15 injured and 1 dead."

April 26. AFP KYIV – A Russian missile killed one person in the southern Ukrainian city of Mykolaiv during Thursday's early hours, officials there said. More than a dozen were also injured.

"Around 1 am, residents of Mykolaiv heard 4 loud explosions," city mayor Oleksandr Senkevych posted on Telegram.

"It is already known that one of the missiles hit a high-rise building. One more hit a private house."

He added that some homes in the city had lost power.

Vitaliy Kim, head of the regional

Horn of Africa suffers drought

At least one other person had been left in critical condition, according to Kim.

Both Kim and the head of the regional police said an apartment block had been hit and emergency services were headed to the scene.

Mykolaiv is located on the Black Sea, about 170 kilometres (100 miles) from Moscow-annexed Crimea. Russian forces have frequently targeted it since the start of its invasion in February 2022. AFP

Watchdog raps Sky News over climate coverage

SYDNEY – Australia's media watchdog has rapped the climate coverage on Rupert Murdoch's Sky News, finding multiple inaccurate and unfair statements that led to breaches of broadcasting rules. The Australian Communications and Media Authority said Wednesday that the sister channel of Murdoch's USbased Fox News aired inaccurate statements in segments of its Sunday "Outsiders" programme. The watchdog reviewed 80 allegations across 10 Outsiders episodes and identified code-breaching

incidents in items on Antarctic ice cores, heat pumps in the United Kingdom, Great Barrier Reef corals and Japanese temperature data. The show features three commentators with conservative viewpoints who address the news of the week.

"The program has an obligation to its audience to clearly separate fact from comment," said watchdog chair Nerida O'Loughlin.

"Across a number of its episodes Outsiders failed to do so and did not present news content either accurately or fairly." AFP

A DEVASTATING drought that has struck the Horn of Africa could not have occurred without global warming, according to a new report released Thursday from an international team of climate scientists.

"Human-caused climate change has made agricultural drought in the Horn of Africa about 100 times more likely," said a summary of the report by the World Weather Attribution (WWA) group.

"The ongoing devastating drought would not have happened at all without the effect of greenhouse gas emissions," it added.

Since late 2020, countries on the Horn of Africa – Djibouti, Ethiopia, Eritrea, Kenya, Somalia, South Sudan and Sudan – have been suffering the worst drought in 40 years. The extended drought has led to the deaths of millions of heads of cattle and wiped out crops. The WWA study concentrated on the three areas worst hit by the drought: southern Ethiopia, Somalia and eastern Kenya.

While climate change had little effect on total annual rainfall in the region, "higher temperatures have significantly increased evaporation from soil and plants, which has made dry soils much more likely", according to the 19 scientists who contributed to the WWA report.

"Without this effect, the region would not have experienced agricultural drought – when crops and pastures are affected by dry conditions – over the last two years," the summary added.

"Instead, widespread crop failures and livestock

deaths have left more than 20 million people at risk of acute food insecurity."

The WWA said that, for its rapid analysis, "scientists looked at changes in rainfall in 2021 and 2022 in the affected region, covering southern Ethiopia, southern Somalia and eastern Kenya".

"They found that climate change is affecting the rainfall periods in opposite ways. The long rains are becoming drier, with low rainfall now about twice as likely, while the short rains are becoming wetter due to climate change," it added.

"This wettening trend in the short rains has been masked recently by the La Nina weather pattern, which reduces rainfall in the short rains."

Joyce Kimutai, a Kenyan climatologist who contributed to the report, told AFP: "It is time we act andengage differently. Central to this process is to transform and enhance resilience of our systems.

"We need to innovate across and throughout food systems, improve collaboration, involve vulnerable groups, make the best use of data and information, as well as incorporating new technologies and traditional knowledge."

The WWA network, set up by leading climate scientists, has built a reputation in recent years for its capacity to evaluate the extent to which climate change has contributed to extreme weather events.

Its results are published as a matter of urgency, without passing through the long peer-review process required by scientific journals, but employ approved methodological approaches. AFP

CLIMATE PROTEST. An indigenous woman participates in a protest march during the Terra Livre Indigenous camp in Brasilia on April 26. The camp will run until April 29 and is focused on raising awareness about indigenous rights and land issues and promoting indigenous culture. AFP

Yeol

his wife Kim Keon Hee at the

on

index rises, seen hitting 7,500 this year

CHIP FACTORY.

Two employees of German semiconductor manufacturer Infineon Technologies AG work in a clean room on the production line of 200-millimeter wafers at the company’s plant in Dresden, eastern Germany, on April 26, 2023. German chipmaker Infineon will launch the groundbreaking of a new factory, the Smart Power Fab, in Dresden on May 2, 2023. Supply chain snarls during the coronavirus pandemic have exposed how over-reliant Europe has become on chip imports from abroad in recent years, disrupting numerous industries that depend on the components. The European Union in 2022 launched a plan known as the ‘Chips Act’, which aims to double Europe’s market share in semiconductors by 2030. AFP

Meta earnings beat expectations after belt tightening

SAN FRANCISCO, USA—Shares in Facebook parent Meta surged Wednesday after the internet titan reported it made a profit of $5.7 billion in the first quarter of this year, beating forecasts after a massive wave of cost-cutting and layoffs.

The profit came on revenue of $28.6 billion and as the number of people using Facebook every month grew to just shy of three billion, an earnings report showed.

“We had a good quarter and our community continues to grow,” said Mark Zuckerberg, Meta founder and CEO.

“We’re also becoming more efficient so we can build better products faster and put ourselves in a stronger position to deliver our long-term vision.”

Zuckerberg, who has called 2023 the “year of efficiency,” added that artificial intelligence being used at Meta is “driving good results” across its business.

Meta shares soared nearly 12 percent to $233.94 in aftermarket trades that followed the release of the earnings figures.

The company said the number of advertisements shown across its “family of apps” that includes Instagram increased 26 percent from the same period a year earlier, but the average price per ad slipped.

The tech titan ended March with its headcount of employees down to 77,114, with more staffing cuts in the works, Meta reported.

Tech companies across the United States have been laying off workers this year as a reckoning across the sector that started last year continues into 2023.

Facebook has taken the most aggressive track among US big tech firms to downsize its staff and has slashed almost a quar-

ter of its global workforce, more than 20,000 jobs in just a few months.

“The year of efficiency is of to a stronger-than-expected start for Meta,” said Insider Intelligence principal analyst Debra Aho Williamson.

“In this economic environment—and after the disaster that was 2022—three percent year-over-year revenue growth is an accomplishment,” she added.

Meta had suffered a rough 2022 amid a souring economic climate, which forced advertisers to cut back on marketing, and Apple’s data privacy changes, which have reduced leeway for ad personalization.

Zuckerberg has referred to last year as “a humbling wakeup call” and said it would be wise to “prepare ourselves for the possibility that this new economic reality will continue for many years.”

The company is also under pressure for making a huge gamble on the metaverse, the world of virtual reality that Meta believes will be the next frontier online. AFP

Japan sets 30% target for women execs by 2030

TOKYO—Japan’s prime minister ordered his government on Thursday to begin work on increasing the number of women executives in major companies to 30 percent or more by 2030.

Women represented only 11.4 percent of executives in major listed companies in Japan in 2022, according to a cabinet office survey, although the figure has been rising in recent years.

“We seek to have the ratio of women among executives at 30 percent or more by 2030 in companies that are listed on the Tokyo Stock Exchange’s Prime Market,” Fumio Kishida told officials at a meeting on gender equality.

The Prime Market is the stock exchange’s leading sector.

Kishida said ensuring diversity would boost innovation as well as the economy. The meeting also discussed how to offer more permanent jobs to women, many of whom are part-time workers as they try to balance childcare and employment.

Japan is struggling to improve gender gaps in leadership positions, notably in politics and in the upper echelons of business, as well as the wage gap between men and women workers.

Japanese women have access to high standards of education and are wellrepresented in the workforce, but the country ranks consistently low in the World Economic Forum’s Global Gender Gap report. Japan was placed 116th out of 146 ranked in 2022.

Gender gaps in corporate leadership are a global phenomenon, with research showing only a handful of countries have companies where women make up more than a quarter of senior management. AFP

By Jenniffer B. Austria

STOCKS rose Thursday, bucking a session on Wall Street that saw major indices sink despite a surge in technology shares.

The PSE index, the 30-company benchmark, gained 43 points, or 0.66 percent, to close at 6,583.68, as five of the six subsectors advanced, led by financials.

The broader index representing all shares also went up 16 points, or 0.48 percent, to settle at 3,508.86 on a value turnover of P4.69 billion. Gainers matched losers, at 90 apiece, while 48 shares were unchanged.

Six of the 10 most active stocks ended in the green, led by Bloomberry Resorts Corp. which jumped 11.02 percent to P10.88. BDO Unibank Inc. climbed 4.78 percent to P144.60, while GT Capital Holdings Inc. rose 3.90 percent to P480.00.

Stock brokerage firm BDO Securities Corp. expects the PSEi to close the year at 7,500 as it forecasts corporate earnings to grow by double-digits this year.

BDO Securities head of research Abi Chiw said in a news briefing corporate earnings would likely grow 13 percent this year despite the high inflation and high interest rate environment.

“The potential catalysts for the Philippine market is if inflation continues to come down and interest rates start to stabilize hopefully by the second half of this year. These trends would improve. These will improve consumer and business sentiments and will revive interest

in equities,” Chiw said.

Chiw said despite the current risk-off sentiments, now is the good time to invest in the market, particularly for longterm investors, as the market is trading at discounted valuation of 13x PE (price to earnings ratio) versus historical average of 17xPE.

Chiw said investors should consider stocks that are expected to deliver positive growth this year amid the current business environment.

Chiw listed Bank of the Philippine Islands Inc., Metropolitan Bank & Trust Co., SM Investments Corp., GT Capital Holdings Inc., LT Group Inc., International Container Terminal Services Inc., Aboitiz Power Corp., AC Energy Corp., Bloomberry Resorts Corp. and Cebu Air Inc. as their top stock picks.

The market is still trading sideways because of microeconomic headwinds.

Meanwhile, BDO Securities chief operating officer Bernhard Tsai said investors should watch out for the market’s support level of 6,390 and resistance level of 6,800.

A break in the market’s support area could indicate further downtrend in the index, while a break in the resistance level could indicate that the market would be on an upward momentum. With AFP

Investors acquiring P48.67-b public shares in Metro Pacific

By Jenniffer B. Austria

INFRASTRUCTURE conglomerate Metro Pacific Investments Corp. is delisting from the Philippine Stock Exchange after a group of investors offered to buy out the shares held by the public.

Hong Kong-based First Pacific Co. Ltd., the parent company of MPIC, said in a disclosure to the Hong Kong Stock Exchange a consortium of bidders including local affiliate Metro Pacific Holdings Inc., Mit-Pacific and GT Capital Holdings Inc. would launch a tender offer to acquire 10.513 billion MPIC shares owned by the public at P4.63 apiece.

New consortium submits P100-b bid for NAIA deal

By Darwin G. Amojelar

THE Manila International Airport Consortium—a new group led by six Filipino conglomerates and US-based Global Infrastructure Partners submitted on Thursday a fresh offer to the government for the upgrade of the Ninoy Aquino International Airport for more than P100 billion.

Aboitiz InfraCapital Inc., AC Infrastructure Holdings Corp., Asia’s Emerging Dragon Corp., Alliance Global – Infracorp Development Inc., Filinvest Development Corp. and JG Summit Infrastructure Holdings Corp. joined forces with Global Infrastructure Partners, one of the leading infrastructure investors and airport operators in the world, to rehabilitate and upgrade NAIA to meet the growing air traffic demand.

The consortium said the over P100-billion offer would include a significant upfront payment to the government and investments in new facilities and technology to transform NAIA into a world-class airport.

“We are ready to put our combined resources forward in partnering with the government on this massive undertaking. Our consortium brings unrivalled expertise, proven solutions and extensive capital. As the only largescale operating gateway airport to the Philippines, the modernization and long-term sustainability of NAIA is a critical development priority for both the country’s public and private sectors,” said MIAC director Kevin Tan.

“Recognizing the primacy of NAIA to the country’s economic growth, the consortium is bringing highly complementary expertise and making an unprecedented commitment to its sustainability and continued viability,” he said.

“We submit this proposal united in the belief that our gateway to the world needs to represent the best of who we are as Filipinos. Passing through our international gateway should be a seamless experience. We want the first thing that locals and foreigners alike see, when they arrive in the Philippines, to be a source of pride for all Filipinos,” said Josephine Gotianun Yap, who is also a director of MIAC.

“The consortium is confident that with additional financial resources as well as operating process and technology improvements, NAIA can help achieve that vision,” she said.

By Othel V. Campos

THE Philippines has steered clear of the US watch list on intellectual property protection and enforcement for 10 consecutive years, according to the 2023 Special 301 Report.

The Office of the United States Trade Representative released Wednesday the special report on the adequacy and effectiveness of US trading partners’ protection and enforcement of intellectual property rights.

It recognized the Philippines for its successful implementation of the anticamcording law, together with Canada, Japan and Ukraine.

The US, in its call to address the “ex-

The total transaction is worth P48.67 billion.

Mit-Pacific is a joint venture of Japan’s Mitsui Co. Ltd. and JOIN which is a Japanese government-private sponsored infrastructure investment fund, while MIG is private company owned by MPIC chairman Manuel Pangilinan. The offer price represents a 22-per-

cent premium over the 12-month volume-weighted average trading price of MPIC. The Philippine Stock Exchange suspended trading of MPIC on Thursday. The stock closed at P4.26 on Wednesday.

First Pacific said the tender offer would allow minority shareholders to sell their shares at a premium and enable MPIC to bring in a strategic partner, Mitsui to create potential growth and expansion opportunities for the group through operational expertise in various sectors.

“Mitsui’s leading capabilities and expertise in the global infrastructure business will further contribute to solidifying MPIC’s unparalleled offerings and position in the Philippines,” First Pacific said.

Mitsui said in a statement the deal

would allow it to acquire a portfolio of assets including core infrastructure assets such as those related to power, water and highways to capture the strong demand in the Philippines.

“By combining MPIC’s business foundation with Mitsui’s long-standing capabilities and experience in the global infrastructure business, we will contribute to the energy transition in the Philippines. In addition, we will support MPIC’s business development and create collaborative projects by leveraging our comprehensive capabilities in the digital field and other areas, thereby enhancing MPIC’s corporate value,” said Takehiko Ainoya, Mitsui general manager of division I (Asia) for infrastructure projects business unit.

IN BRIEF

Group renews call to use nuclear energy

NUCLEAR energy advocates renewed their call for using nuclear facilities for power generation to bring down the high power rates.

“If we are truly concerned about the environment, then nuclear energy is the way to go. It is cheap, green and reliable,” said Rep. Mark Cojuangco, the country’s foremost advocate for nuclear energy.

Alpas Pinas, a non-stock, non-profit organization that leads in advocating the use of nuclear energy as a clean source of energy, together with the Philippine Nuclear Research Institute, recently celebrated Earth Day with “Love the Earth, Go for Nuclear Energy, the Green Energy Event.” Alpas Pinas is the country’s leading organization that educates and advocates for nuclear energy as the means to reduce the cost of electricity. It said nuclear energy is not just a theory but a reality that the country should explore if it is to address the prevailing requirements of its energy needs.

GSIS-USSC TIEUP. Government Service Insurance System acting executive vice president Joseph Philip Andres (front row, center) and Universal Storefront Services Corporation chief finance and administrative officer Carlos Borromeo (front row, third from left) show the signed memorandum of agreement formally granting access to GSIS members to pay their loans via the 800 USSC outlets across the country. This brings GSIS’s external payment sites to over 6,800. They are joined by their fellow executives and employees on April 25 at the GSIS Head Office.

LandBank’s net income declined 18% to P10.8b in 1st quarter

By Julito G. Rada

LAND Bank of the Philippines, the country’s largest state-run lender, said Thursday net income in the first quarter declined by 18 percent to P10.8 billion from P13.2 billion in the same period last year.

LandBank president and chief executive Cecilia Borromeo said the first-quarter bottomline was P2 billion higher than its target for the period and accounted for 30.8 percent of the bank’s P35-billion income target for the full year.

“As we maximize yields from earning assets while being prudent with our expenses, LandBank’s robust financial position allows us to advance the national government’s development agenda,” Borromeo said.

“We are fully capable to continue extending intensified support to the agriculture sector and other key economic industries, while driving sustainable growth in local communities,” she said. Higher interest income and lower operating costs drove the first-quarter net income. The unprecedented P13.2billion net income a year ago was driven by non-recurring miscellaneous income. Interest income from loans and investments climbed 54 percent to P20.9 billion, despite the higher cost of funds due to volume of deposits and rising interest rates. Operating expense fell by P797 million. The bank grew its asset base by 11.7 percent to P3.1 trillion as deposits expanded to P2.8 trillion. The government sector remains its core depositor, contributing 71 percent to total deposits.

Meanwhile, the bank posted a modest capital growth year-on-year at 3.2 percent to P225.3 billion.

The expansion was driven by the bank’s net income, notwithstanding the dividend remittance to the national government in June 2022 worth P8.45 billion and the decline in other comprehensive income. LandBank’s financial ratios remained at healthy levels, with a return on equity at 12.46 percent and net interest margin at 3 percent.

Land Bank is a universal bank owned by the Philippine government with a special focus on serving the needs of farmers and fishermen. While it provides the services of a universal bank, it is officially classified as a “specialized government bank” with a universal banking license.

PET INSURANCE.

BDO Insure invites fur parents to share their love for their fur babies during its pet appreciation day, ‘I Love You PAW-ever!’. BDO Unibank Inc.’s insurance brokerage arm also created awareness on pet care and introduced its affordance and customizable Pet Dog and Cat insurance plans. Shown are (from left) BDO Insure general manager Ma. Theresa Tan, BDO Unibank senior assistant vice president and consumer communications and media relations head Honey Reyes and BDO Insure SAVP and retail head Edmundante Ramirez awarding the winning fur parents and fur babies during the pet show.

“We believe that nuclear energy will positively impact the lives of Filipinos because it will mean lower electricity rates that will better allow for more savings,” said Alpas Pinas convenor Gayle Certeza. Alena Mae S. Flores

DoubleDragon signs deal to establish hotel in Spain

DOUBLEDRAGON Properties Corp. is building its second overseas hotel in Madrid, Spain.

DoubleDragon said Thursday subsidiary Hotel101 Global Pte Ltd. signed an agreement to acquire 6,593 square meters of prime commercial property in Madrid, which is envisioned to become one of the five largest hotels in Spain. Hotel101-Madrid will have about 736 rooms and will be the first homegrown Filipino hotel chain to enter Spain. Hotel101 develops condotels, whose rooms are sold to individual investors and are managed by the company. This concept allows DoubleDragon to reduce capital requirement, while generating revenue and income twice, first from the pre-selling of the hotel units. After the project is constructed, it generates long term recurring revenue from hotel operations. Under this concept, Hotel101 Madrid is expected to generate P8.8 billion from the sale of condotel units, given the high real estate investment demand in the country. Jenniffer B. Austria

NEDA releases updated rules on joint ventures

NATIONAL Economic and Development Authority Secretary Arsenio Balisacan expressed confidence that the amended guidelines and procedures for entering into joint-venture agreements between government and private entities would address “recurring issues” that were seen in previous undertakings. Balisacan said Thursday NEDA released the amended guidelines which took effect on April 25, 2023. The NEDA Board approved the revised guidelines on March 9, 2023. Balisacan said the amendments were designed to enhance competition for projects under joint ventures, enhance the performance of private sector participants and strengthen checks and balances to ensure the technical and financial viability of government projects.

“These changes aim to address recurring issues that have been observed in past JV [joint venture] projects,”he said.

The revisions made to the guidelines benefitted from consultations with stakeholders and are part of the Marcos administration’s push for improvements in the regulatory and policy environment for investments, particularly those pertaining to public-private partnerships and infrastructure. Julito G. Rada

First LNG cargo arrives at AG&P import terminal in Batangas Bay

By Alena Mae S. Flores

clusionary geographical index” policy of the European Union, also included the Philippines as an active exporter to the US and by virtue of its membership in the Asia-Pacific Economic Cooperation, World Intellectual Property Organization and the World trade Organization as among the markets it intends to protect from exporters of products that are identified by common names or otherwise marketed under previously registered trademarks. The report, however, cited the Philippines for slow opposition or cancellation proceedings on conflicts with prior marks or similar brands in the current marketplace. The USTR said this introduces uncertainty into the registration process.

ATLANTIC Gulf & Pacific’s Philippines LNG on Thursday welcomed to its import terminal the country’s first liquefied natural gas cargo carrier.

The 137,500-cubic-meter ISH floating storage unit is now berthed in Batangas Bay, according to AG&P.

AG&P said in a statement the ADNOC Logistics & Services LNG carrier, ISH, began commissioning as FSU at PHLNG, the first operational LNG terminal in the Philippines and the first modular LNG terminal in the world.

The LNG will be used to initially power San Miguel Corp.’s 1,200-megawatt gas-fired power plant to serve Luzon’s power requirements.

“With the docking of the ISH at PHLNG for the next decade or longer,

AG&P is proudly set to open the first LNG terminal in the Philippines called PHLNG, one with both floating and, shortly, almost equal onshore tank storage, providing near 100 percent availability,” AG&P chairman and chief executive Joseph Sigelman said.

PHLNG is seen as a landmark development that will kick-start the Philippines’ LNG importation and regasification ability, delivering gas to secure the country’s current and future energy demand.

It is expected to accelerate industrialization, create jobs, lower pollution and trigger overall economic and social progress and improve the quality of life of thousands of Filipinos.

“As the first cargo of fuel originated in Abu Dhabi and with the long-term presence of the ISH, ADNOC L&S is

playing a pivotal role alongside AG&P and San Miguel, our anchor customer, in bringing clean energy to the Philippines,” Sigelman said.

He said the PHLNG is a prime case study of good relationship between the UAE and the Philippines.

AG&P subsidiary, GAS Entec, converted the ADNOC L&S Japan-built Moss-type ISH to the 137,500 cbm FSU in five months.

GAS Entec executed key onshore and offshore components including full EPC of proprietary standard regasification modules for the PHLNG terminal, called the RegasTainers, suitable for plug-and-play operations.

ADNOC L&S will undertake the supply, operations and maintenance of the FSU as part of its long-term chartered agreement with AG&P.

PH stayed out of US watch list on IP protection for 10th consecutive year

OFWs: THE MODERN DAY HEROES

Safe, reliable money transfer platforms for OFWs

By Patricia Taculao

OVERSEAS Filipino Workers (OFWs) are modernday heroes because of their sacrifices to provide for their families. Their efforts also boost the local economy through their foreign remittances, like exports sold to other countries to earn dollars. Remittances refer to the earnings OFWs send to their home country.

Ultimately, OFWs need a reliable way to send their finances to their families here in the Philippines.

Upon recognizing the demand for trusted money transfer platforms, numerous remittance companies in the Philippines began offering the necessary services to provide OFWs and ensure that the fruits of their hard work reach their families. Several money remittance services via local brands are available in nearly every city, with variations depending on the province or region.

Here are some trusted brands that OFWs and their families can count on when it comes to remittances:

Cebuana Lhuillier

One prime example of a reliable remittance company in the Philippines is Cebuana Lhuillier. Over the years, it developed into one of the country’s most significant financial service companies nationwide. Since it opened its first branch, Agencia Cebuana, in Cebu, the brand continuously embraces breakthroughs and innovations to achieve its vision of becoming the best and providing equally top-quality service.

They take pride in their money transfer service, dubbed Cebuana Lhuillier’s

Pera Padala service. It’s known for being effortless, quick, and safe, allowing customers to send and receive funds inside and outside the Philippines. Cebuana has numerous remittance partners nationally and internationally. Each branch has the personnel and equipment to enact money remittance services to their customers. But before they can send or receive funds, Cebuana also implements strict security measures to ensure the privacy and safety of their customers, so they can send and receive money without worrying about it falling into the wrong hands.

Western Union

Another leading money transfer service company in the Philippines is Western Union. Because of its years and visibility, Filipinos inside and outside the country recognize the brand’s established credibility and performance in making financial services accessible to people everywhere. In a way, they aid in sending Filipinos affection to their loved ones from everywhere across the globe.

The brand is known for creating and offering easy-to-use products and services that bridge the digital and physical, giving Turn to C2

Banking innovations for an inclusive experience

By Patricia Taculao

FOR centuries, banking has been a staple service in every society globally because it helps people manage their finances. Eventually, banks embraced development as the world progressed toward modernity. Today, customers enjoy various banking innovations at the palm of their hands as they navigate through its features and conduct seamless transactions through e-banking.

While nearly every Filipino uses and benefits from these banking innovations, the Overseas Filipino Worker community is among those who recognize the advantages of such improvements. They often use banking services to remit funds to their loved ones in the Philippines.

Timeline on PH banking innovations

The first revolutionary e-banking solution came to the Philippines in the 1980s through automated teller machines (ATMs). These allowed customers nationwide to access banking services like making cash withdrawals and deposits daily, thus eliminating time and geographical constraints that are eminent from going to physical banks. It marked the first of many banking innovations that would soon become prevalent in the Philippines.

In 1999, the invention of smartphones and developments in the telecommunications industry introduced earlier versions of mobile banking. By the 2000s, the market learned about Internet banking, allowing them to accomplish basic transactions through their computers and the help of the Internet.

Eventually, banks saw the demand for a more inclusive experience within their markets, prompting them to move away from the traditional banking framework and embrace a more modern approach that skillfully combines online and physical services.

At present, Modern Filipinos are utilizing and enjoying financial technology (fintech) solutions that offer online payments, consumer lending, remittances, logistics and transportation, and investments, among other services. It’s also beginning a new movement where banks partner with other companies, not necessarily merchants, to create new opportunities for their markets.

Local and international banks now offer digital banking services for a more accessible consumer platform. It also has competitive rates and advantages, like enhanced security to prevent fraudulent transactions and other scams. In turn,

banks require users to verify their identity and be wary of unusual activities and unwanted messages that could breach their banking privacy and acquire their accounts. Some security examples are requiring government-issued IDs and double-checking if an app requires a one-time pin (OTP), which should never be shared with others.

Since the Philippines isn’t one to fall back on technological improvements, OFWs and their families can utilize banking innovations that cater to their daily needs and increasing demand. Here are some licensed digital banks by the Banko Sentral ng Pilipinas (BSP) worth checking out:

UnionDigital by UnionBank of the Philippines

As one of the leading banks in the country, UnionBank made banking more accessible through UnionDigital, its digital banking arm. Some of its services include opening accounts, mobile banking, and cashless transactions, suitable for modernday users who want to take advantage of these benefits without going the extra mile.

One of the many reasons customers prefer using UnionDigital is its user-friendly interface, allowing those without much experience with technology to navigate and utilize the app effortlessly. Users can access their accounts online or through the app to perform transactions like transferring funds, paying bills, and more. The bank also offers competitive rates and fees to keep its clients from worrying about extra costs from sending funds to their loved ones. These developments promote inclusivity because it meets the demands of everyday Filipinos based inside and outside the country. In the meantime, UnionDigital also offers unique offers and promotions to its customers to make the most of their money. The bank also allows its users to apply for other products and services, like loans, credit cards, and insurance. UnionBank also makes the sign-up ex-

perience easy for OFWs and other users. Aside from having an existing account in UnionBank, they can register through www.online.unionbankph.com/onlinebanking/register. From there, they can follow the simple steps on how to register. One relevant tip to note is to prepare valid IDs and other government-issued documents. Upon completion and confirmation, users can now utilize the online banking services of UnionBank.

Maya Bank by PayMaya

Being one of the pioneers of the digital banking industry in the Philippines,

PayMaya launched Maya Bank to provide more advanced financial services to the Filipino market. It eliminates the need to go to a physical bank to open an account or use its services, yet another milestone for the banking sector as Maya Bank only requires a smartphone to function efficiently and bring exciting opportunities. Customers can avail of Maya Bank’s virtual debit card for online shopping and other digital transactions or its mobile wallet to allow users to pay bills, transfer money, or purchase goods and services on-

Safe and reliable...

customers a choice, security, and reliability. From their humble beginnings, they used advanced technology to connect with their customers and stay focused on meeting their visions. During the previous year, Western Union’s customers made 268 worldwide transfers in more than 200 countries and territories. Having been around for more than 145 years, Western Union boasts performing an average of 31 transfers per second, amounting to $80B annually.

line or in-store. Yet Maya Bank’s digital remittance service excites OFWs and their families the most. Through it, customers can send money to their loved ones in the Philippines from abroad without a bank account. It also keeps them from going to remittance centers and falling in line to accomplish the task.

In the meantime, Maya Bank doesn’t require a maintaining balance for users to access its functions and features. It also collaborates with merchants and other companies to create a more exciting overall user experience.

From C1 funds or finances, it’s not unusual to see customers be wary of brands. Whether remittance companies are new or old, others still have their guard up about their safety and efficiency to keep their efforts from going to waste.

Before engaging with remittance service providers, one should research to determine if it would be a beneficial transaction in the long run. One of

Besides conducting prompt and efficient money transfers, Western Union also provides an anti-fraud service to avoid scams that ultimately endanger customers. This level of concern makes the brand among the trusted ones in the country.

ML Kwarta Padala

In the Philippines and overseas, ML Kwarta

Padala is one of the leading remittance service providers, serving millions of Filipinos to help meet their financial needs. Among the brand’s priorities is delivering excellence and achieving total customer satisfaction. It prides itself on easy procedures, convenient locations, and available cash in all branches. Its numerous remittance partners make it effective in sending money to and from the country.

Some of its key features are the continuous expansion in the Philippines, strengthening partnerships across the globe, and embracing innovative technology-based services to ensure efficiency and security. The brand’s increased visibility makes it well-known among OFWs and their families.

They also offer a user-friendly tracking service to keep their customers updated on their transactions, ultimately establishing a sense of trust and reliability.

LBC

With various technological advancements, people look forward to getting things done in a few seconds and a touch of a few buttons. And as the most extensive express courier, cargo, and money remittance service company in the Philippines, LBC offers just that through its Instant Peso Padala program.

OFWs use their remittance funds for different purposes, often hoping that they’ll reach their loved ones immediately. LBC’s cash padala service allows families in the Philippines to receive the money and use it for allowances, bills, and emergencies without going through a lengthy and tedious process.

Customers can effortlessly fill up a form and receive a tracking number in LBC’s numerous branches to enjoy a hassle-free remittance service.

Things to consider when sending money

Since OFWs and their families depend significantly on remittance services to receive

the first things to think about is the company’s dependability. Aside from its history, customers need to know about the service provider’s track record and license to see if they accomplish their responsibilities accordingly. Moreover, customers should also inspect if companies have a responsive, courteous, and functioning customer service team they could contact when problems arise.

Next comes accessibility. Sure, customers can visit branches in prominent locations like malls, among other establishments, but some appreciate having a remittance service provider available a stone’s throw away from their homes. Companies must also consider the customer’s convenience and how they can provide new opportunities.

Lastly, there’s the cost and speed of the transaction. While most companies can accomplish their tasks at almost the same rate, they sometimes differ in the fees they require from customers. Each service varies at some point, but it’s best to engage one that makes each cent worth it.

Sending money from overseas to the Philippines and vice versa doesn’t have to be complicated. With due diligence and the right brand carrying out the service, the country’s modern-day heroes can rest easy knowing the fruits of their labor can reach their families safely with love and good intentions.

PH Sports Performance wins D-League debut game

PHILIPPINE Sports Performance debuted in style, pulling off a big 94-92 come-from-behind win over Marinerong Pilipino-San Beda in the opener of the 2023 PBA D-League Aspirants’ Cup Thursday at the Ynares Sports Arena in Pasig City.

The neophyte squad did not shy away from the big stage in pulling the rug from under the Red Lions as they sprung back to life from 10 points down in the fourth quarter highlighted by Ian Jay Yutuc’s go-ahead triple in the waning seconds.

Yutuc’s trey, which rattled out and inside the rim, gave the Gymers the driver’s seat in the last 32 seconds to cap a searing 19-8 rally from a 74-84 deficit midway through the payoff period.

“Sobrang saya kasi galing kami ng

PSL (Pilipinas Super League) and we had a bad record there. Kabubuo pa lang ng team at nagbi-build pa lang kami ng chemistry and good thing, panalo sa first game. Team effort lang talaga,” said coach John Paolo Lao.

Four players finished in double digits for the Gymers led by Jayvee Dela Cruz’s 26 points built on seven triples. Dariel James Bayla chipped in 17 while Yutuc added 16 with seasoned cager Val Acuña contributing 15.

Dela Cruz added five rebounds, six assists and three steals to quarterback the offense of PSP, which also got ample coaching lift from Lao’s assistants in PBA players Jericho Cruz (SMB), CJ Perez (SMB) and Jackson Corpuz (Magnolia).

Yukien Andrada fired 19 points, Jacob Cortez had 15 while Clifford Jopia collared 15 points, 16 rebounds and five blocks in a foiled effort for the Red Lions.

San Beda, parading a young squad following the departure of its key players, controlled the majority of the match leading as big as 12 points and kept PSP at bay until the last four minutes.

Highlands Ladies Cup all primed up for big return

THE Highlands Ladies Cup gets going Saturday with a maximum field of 200 and a whole load of prizes making the event’s much-awaited return from a three-year respite all the more interesting and exciting.

A sparkling Swarovski watch worth $2,000, courtesy of Marixi Prieto and daughter Sandy Prieto-Romualdez, has been added as hole-in-one prize on No. 3 of the Lucky 9 course, one of the three nines tapped to accommodate the big number of players of all genders all ready and eager for the 18-hole fun but competitive tournament at the Midlands course.

The shotgun tee-start is set at 8 a.m. with play held under the System 36 scoring format.

Organized and hosted by the Tagaytay Highlands Ladies Chapter, the event is used to be staged late in the year but the THLC moved it to an earlier date to coincide with the Tagaytay Ladies team’s 18th founding anniversary celebrations.

Belle Corp.’s Willy Ocier, Rosalind Wee of W Group of Companies, and SM Director Jojo Mendiola will hit the ceremonial drive to usher in the tournament backed by Diamond sponsors W Group, Inc., CWC Int’l. Corp., Agrikulture and Ocier.

The THLC, in its continuing effort to contribute to a positive environmental impact, will also give away plants to help the participants connect with nature.

A Lucerne watch is also staked as prize for an ace on No. 9, also of Lucky 9, while a Club Car, a Cobra LTDx golf iron set, a Regent Travel “Barkadahan” Dumaguete all-expense-paid trip package for four, and 10 gift certificates worth P100,000 from GAOC Dental are also up for grabs for holein-one feats on designated holes at Midlands.

The Barkadahan package and GAOC Dental GCs will be raffled off if no one scores an ace in the event also held to raise funds for the Sisters of Mary boys’ and girls’ town center in Silang, Cavite as part of THLC’s commitment to help the underprivileged youths achieve their dreams.

Gilas gets ‘easy’ bracket in SEA Games basketball

By Randy Caluag

Chot Reyes

HE Philippine basketball team, collectively known as Gilas Pilipinas, is facing “lighter” opposition in the elimination round as it has been bracketed in Group A along with Malaysia, Singapore, and Cambodia in the men’s basketball competition of the 32nd Southeast Asian Games in Cambodia.

The men’s and women’s basketball competitions will be held on May 9 to 16 at the Morodok Techo National Stadium Elephant Hall 2 in Pnom Penh.

Gilas opens its title-reclaiming bid against Malaysia on May 9, before facing Cambodia on May 11 and Singapore on May 13.

Bracketed in Group B are Thailand, Vietnam, Laos, and defending champion Indonesia, which dethroned

the Philippines in the Vietnam SEA Games last year.

The top two finishers in each group will battle the no. 2 teams, while the nos. 3 and 4 play each other in The semifinal winners will meet for the gold medal on the final day on May 16. Losers will dispute the bronze medal.

Coach Chot Reyes has recently voiced his concerns about the recruitment of players for the Cambodia SEA Games because most of the top prospects are begging off for various personal reasons, while others are still recovering from their previous injuries.

While it is most likely that Gilas will be backstopped by Ginebra resident import and naturalized Filipino Justin Brownlee, others like Jamie Malonzo and Mikey Williams will not make the team due to their previous commitment to the respective families.

Six-time PBA MVP June Mar Fajardo, who is still recuperating from an ACL injury, made his commitment to the Gilas squad in the FIBA World Cup slated for August. Reyes said Ginebra’s big man Japeth Aguilar is still doubtful to join. Reyes was reminded of last year’s woes, where Gilas was depleted for several reasons.

“Just like last year, we were practicing with a certain number of guys, and then suddenly, Paul Lee couldn’t make it. Kevin Alas couldn’t make it. Japeth got injured in the finals. Hate to say it, but here we go again,” Reyes told ONE Sports. For a start, however, Reyes has already sealed the commitment of two-time PBA Best Player of the Conference awardee Christian Standhardinger and another San Miguel stalwart Cjay Perez.

PH chessers lead early departures to Cambodia

KEEPING true to his promise of support during the send-off ceremony for the 32nd Southeast Asian Games delegation last monday, President Bongbong Marcos’ administration, through the Philippine Sports Commission, is shouldering major expenses of early departures to the biennial event, like the members of the national chess and cricket teams, who leave for Cambodia eight days ahead of the official opening ceremony on May 5.

Asia’s first Chess Grandmaster Eugene Torre and Woman Grandmaster Janelle Frayna will lead the 11-man Filipino woodpushers as they compete in ouk chaktrang event of the Cambodia games to be hosted by the city of Phnom Penh.

Ouk Chaktrang is a Cambodian chess variant introduced by the Cambodia Southeast Asian Games Organizing Committee for the 32nd edition of the biennial meet. In the previous Hanoi SEA Games last year, the national chess team garnered 2 silver and 3 bronze medals.

Aside from chess, the Philippine Cricket Association, Inc., led by their chief executive officer Faisal Khan leaves for Cambodia on Thursday, April 27. Six-a-side captain Jennifer Olmillo Alumbro, and T10 captain Simranjeet Figuerra Sirah will also be among the athletes to banner the squad. This will be just the second time cricket will be played in the SEAG since it was introduced in the 2017 edition of the biennial

PFL title still possible for Cebu

player. Gaw, as Gadia is popularly called, is a defensive midfielder for the Gentle Giants. But lately, he is on fire offensively, literally on a tear after scoring three goals in Cebu’s last four games to boost the Cebuano side of pulling the rug under their Iloilo rivals.

competition in Kuala Lumpur, Malaysia.

Members of the National Sailing team composed of Josa Gonzales, Ronelio Castelio, Teogenes Villando, and Jeanson Lumapas and Philippine Windsurfers who left last April 18 were among the early departures.

The sailing team won 3 golds, 1 silver and 1 bronze in the 2019 edition, while the windsurfing team got 2 golds and 1 silver.

Both events were not played during the 2022 edition in Hanoi, Vietnam.

Meanwhile, national teams of hockey, triathlon, and volleyball will leave along with a few PSC support staff this Saturday, April 29.

tournament on high.

Gadia also takes note of the importance of how their pitch was constructed to enable them to be close to their rabid fans whenever they play in Cebu City.

THE Philippines Football League’s current season is about to end with Kaya FC-Iloilo holding a two-point lead over Dynamic Herb Cebu FC with just three remaining games in their respective campaigns.

As of yesterday, Kaya is on top after scoring 15 wins, one draw and three losses in 19 games for a total of 46 points. The Gentle Giants have tallied 13 wins, five draws and just a single loss to emerge in second place with 44 points.

Mathematically, Cebu is still in contention to bring home the title as long as they win all their remaining games and pray that Kaya will lose a game or draw two matches in their last three fixtures. If the Iloilo-based side wins all its remaining games, then it will take the title even if Cebu also goes unbeaten the rest of the tournament.

Aside from this possibility, there is another interesting story on why the Cebuanos are on the verge of a breakout season, if it is not yet one.

And this is about Daniel Gadia, the former UP Maroon, Bedan and national team

In a chat with The Designated Kit Man, Gadia says the team is going all out to win their last three games against the Stallion Laguna, twice at home at the Dynamic Herb Borromeo Sports Complex in Cebu City on May 21 and 23, before ending their campaign with another home game against the Azkals Development Team on May 27. Kaya, on the other hand, will go against Mendiola FC 1991 on April 30 at Rizal Memorial Stadium, against Maharlika Manila FC on May 20 at the McKinley Hill Stadium in Taguig City, before wrapping its season with a match against Stallion Laguna on May 27. Gadia says having a pitch of their own in Cebu City is one of the many reasons why the Gentle Giants have flexed their might in the tournament.

“Malaking bagay ‘yung home pitch namin sa Cebu kasi nakakapag-training kami anytime at kahit gaano pa kami katagal, okay lang. Malaking bagay din ang aming mga coaches na talagang tinutulungan kaming mag-improve everyday. At siyempre ‘yung management with the way they take care of us, and of course, the way the team has bonded the past few months,” Gadia said.

“Grabe kasi ang crowd, grabe ang home support. ‘Yung pitch kasi malapit mismo sa stands kaya dinig na dinig namin ang sigaw ng mga fans. Malaking bagay to pag naglalaro kami, sila ang aming 12th man sa pitch,” Gadia revealed. Gadia reveals that to win the title will not just be great for the City of Cebu and to the the management and several players, who overcome personal tragedies of their own. It will also validate his personal goals and the sacrifices he has made to become a better player every day, every game.

“It is what I promised to myself. I want to improve every game as my team yearns to improve also to get the crown. Sabi ko sarili ko wala pa ako napapatunayan so it is a constant reminder kasi in football, there is always something you can improve from. It is always an ongoing process,” Gadia explained.

Despite the disparity in the standings, Gadia says they are not taking their foes from Laguna lightly and the young guns of ADT.

“Malakas ang Stallion kasi nag-reinforce sila ng mga bagong players at magaling din ang ADT. So need talaga na paghandaan namin sila to at least entertain the idea of winning the tournament,” Gadia added.

Gadia says he is calling all Cebuanos, and all football fans in general, to rally behind the Gentle Giants in their bid to finish the

Speaking of high, the Filipinas U17 squad are through to the second round of the AFC U17 Women’s Asian Cup 2024 Qualifiers after beating Lebanon, 2-0 to emerge as Group G winners. Powered by a Nina Mathelus’ hat trick, the team earlier beat Guam, 3-1, to open their bid on the right foot.

Speaking of starting right, please vote for Kyle Villanueva Saulter as Houston Public Schools Boy’s Soccer Player of the Year. He is going up against 24 other outstanding players from all over Houston in the fan polls.

Saulter, a midfielder from Fulshear, traces his roots in Pangasinan. He is the great great grandson of Leon Villanueva, who was a playmate of Narciso Ramos in San Manuel. He is the grandson of Ben Villanueva of Cavite. Kyle is also the nephew of my Bedan brother and die-hard football fan, Raymund Villanueva. Let’s help this future Azkal get the win!

Please join us for another interesting episode of 3PTS-Pambansang Tambayan ng Sports this Sunday, April 30, from 2 to 3 p.m. over DZME 1530 khz. Legendary bench tactician Coach Joe Lipa, local basketball walking archive Aris Garcia and Peter Lopez will be the featured guests.

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

Philippine Sports Performance’s Aylmir Cesista drives to the basket in a PBA D-League Aspirants’ Cup game Thursday at the Ynares Sports Arena in Pasig City.

World’s first trans exclusive model agency opens Asia office in Manila

SLAY Model Management, the world’s first trans exclusive modeling agency based in Los Angeles, California, USA, has announced the launch of its Asian operations with the opening of Manilabased Slay Models Asia. On April 22, Slay Model Management founder and director Cece Asuncion announced the appointment of Niccolo Cosme and Ben Bernabe as co-directors of Slay Models Asia. Under their leadership, Slay Models Asia will hold the license for the Slay Model Management brand not only in the Philippines but also throughout the entire Asian region. The announcement was made during the preliminary competition of Slay Model Search Asia at Revel at the Palace, Bonifacio Global City, Taguig. The final competition aired live last night on ABSCBN platforms iWantTFC and ABS-CBN Entertainment’s YouTube channel. Bigo Live live-streamed all the excitement backstage.

“This increased visibility for Asian talents, including models, is an opportunity that I don’t want to miss. That’s why I’ve decided to partner with Niccolo and Ben to launch Slay Models Asia this year,” said

Asuncion.

“The modeling agency business is all about trust and personal relationships; as a model, you have to trust your agent to help you build your business and protect your

The whys of kawaii

WATCHING a documentary that followed the success story of the well-loved Sanrio character

Hello Kitty reminded me of how big a phenomenon the kawaii culture has been since I was a kid (And I’m 38!). The cute and adorable aesthetics influence everything from fashion to food. But what does this obsession with all things “kawaii” say about us psychologically?

At its core, kawaii is all about cuteness and innocence. It’s an aesthetic that celebrates things that are small, round, and cuddly, with exaggerated features that make them even more adorable. From Hello Kitty to Pikachu, kawaii characters have become beloved pop culture icons.

One reason kawaii is so appealing is that it taps into our innate desire for nurturing and connection. The cuteness of kawaii characters, upon my research, triggers the same response in our brains as seeing a baby or a small animal – it activates the release of oxytocin, the hormone associated with bonding and social connection. By surrounding ourselves with these cute, friendly characters, we feel a sense of community and belonging.

'Sanriotown' with its beloved

characters Harajuku

and makes participants become more intentional with their behavior. They are observed to engage in tasks with a better focus on details.

However, there is also a darker side to kawaii culture. Some critics argue that the obsession with cuteness can be infantilizing, especially for women. The prevalence of kawaii fashion, which often features pastel colors, frills, and oversized ribbons, has been criticized for perpetuating gender stereotypes and encouraging women to conform to a child-like ideal of femininity. In local slang, this would be tagged as “pabebe” (an evolution of pa-baby or trying to look or act like a baby).

Moreover, the emphasis on cuteness can also be seen as a way of avoiding the complexity of adulthood. By retreating into a world of kawaii, we can avoid the difficult emotions and adulting responsibilities.

a sense of playfulness, and connection. After all, in anything we do, the best recommendation is still moderation. For your random thoughts, e-mail the author at randomrepublika@gmail.com.

The author exploring kawaii culture in Japan a few years ago

Contestants in Nat Manila designs

interests. It’s the same with opening a Slay Models agency in Manila for the Asian market,” he adds. For his part, Niccolo Cosme, who is the creative director of digital marketing

Slay Model Management founder and director Cece Asuncion

and creative agency Howwwl Digital, is excited not just for the trans models but also for the modeling industry in the Philippines as a whole.

“As a fashion and beauty photographer for more than two decades, I have made it a point to advocate for trans visibility and representation in fashion and beauty, not just through my words but also through my body of work. I have been working with trans models – whether for my conceptual art pieces or my commercial work – to promote inclusivity in my industry,” says Cosme.

Ben Bernabe, who is the executive director of health and human rights NGO

The Red Whistle, is thrilled about the impact of this launch on trans representation and visibility in the Philippines and in Asia.

“Speaking as an LGBTQIA+ rights advocate, the success of Slay Model Management is a concrete example that trans visibility matters; trans representation matters,” Bernabe stresses.

“I am excited to be a co-director of Slay Models Asia and to work towards greater inclusivity for trans people in the region. Trans models, just like any model of any gender identity, just want to work and give their best at what they do and we will do our best to find clients who will see them as the beautiful persons that they are,” he ends.

A tribute to outstanding women entrepreneurs

MADISKARTE Moms PH (MMPH) announces the return of Gawad Madiskarte, a celebration of exceptional women entrepreneurs, with prizes exceeding P1 million. Nine moms from various regions in the Philippines will have the opportunity to win an impressive array of rewards, including cash prizes, gadgets, a 12-month PLDT Home Fiber line subscription, and an invaluable mentorship program.

A Facebook community launched in the thick of the pandemic, Madiskarte Moms PH encourages entrepreneurship among moms wanting to earn from home through online businesses while still enjoying quality time with their families. The community has more than 154,000 members who regularly share ideas and offer each other advice, encouragement, and inspiration.

The mompreneur group also empowers their fellow women and the people around them. They have the ability to draw strength from their life experiences, challenges, and hardships. And most especially, this community helps women turn their startups into scalable businesses that can financially support their families and fuel their dreams.

Honoring the Madiskarteng Pinays Gawad Madiskarte was first launched to honor the mompreneurs who overcame challenges and flourished at the height of the pandemic.

determination. By celebrating women’s achievements and showcasing women’s support for each other in a community through this annual award program, MMPH aimed to build that confidence. This year, Gawad Madiskarte is back to do just that. Major categories for this year include Diskarteng Angat (Fastest-Growing Business), Diskarteng Digital (Best MultiChannel Business), and Diskarteng May Puso (Best Social Enterprise). Two major winners per category will be chosen from the Startup Division and Scale Up Division. The former are home or online businesses that recently started and show great potential while the latter are businesses that have been running for at least 13 months and are registered with the Department of Trade and Industry (DTI) or the Bureau of Internal Revenue (BIR).

Special awards will also be given to three deserving finalists. These awards are Diskarteng Malikhain (Most Creative Business Branding), Diskarteng Pasulong (Most Innovative Product), and Diskarteng Home Biz (Mompreneurs’ Choice Award).

triggers brains animal oxytocin, the with and By ourselves cute, a sense is so popular is that it provides a sense of we immerse simple often mindfulness, on the present moment.

Another reason kawaii is so popular is that it provides a sense of escapism from stress. When we immerse ourselves in the world of kawaii, we can forget about our problems and focus on the simple pleasures of cuteness and innocence. This is why kawaii is often associated with the concept of mindfulness, self-care, and a focus

A study by Japanese researcher Hiroshi Nittono and his team in 2012 that viewing cute images affects cognition

The author’s own kawaiiinspired artwork

Despite these criticisms, it is clear that kawaii culture will continue to be a major influence in popular culture. Whether we see it as a harmless indulgence or a problematic trend, the appeal of kawaii lies in its ability to provide comfort,

In a report by the ADB, it was found that “more women than men have left their paid jobs to provide essential services to their families,” and that 64 percent of women had no personal income, compared to 39 percent of men. Another study found that more Filipino women than men began to run home microenterprises on ecommerce platforms during the pandemic.

Gawad Madiskarte was born from the insight that the one thing Filipino moms needed to cope with the pandemic was a sense of optimism, confidence, and sheer

Last March, PLDT Home’s Madiskarte Moms PH (MMPH) won, not only the Gold Anvil Award, but also the prestigious Grand Anvil – the highest honor at the 58th Anvil Awards, considered the Oscars of local PR, awarded by the Public Relations of the Philippines (PRSP). MMPH was also given the Silver Award from the Asia Pacific Stevie Awards last year. Gawad Madiskarte 2022 was also honored at this year’s Anvil Awards with the Gold Anvil under the PR tools category.

To join this year’s awards, applicants should be part of the Madiskarte Moms PH Facebook community and fill out the Google Form posted on the announcement tab of the group. Interested applicants can enter this year’s Gawad Madiskarte Awards until May 15.

To know more about this year’s Gawad Madiskarte and details on how to enter, join https://pldthome.info/ GawadMadiskarteAwards2023.

SNAPSHOT

(2nd

in a light moment

Niccolo Cosme (left) and Ben Bernabe of Slay Models Asia

kawaii

is a Japanese fashion style inspired by kawaii

MEMORABLE

Gawad Madiskarte