Manila Standard - 2023 May 6 - Saturday

INFLATION IN APRIL EASED TO 8-MONTH LOW OF 6.6%, SAYS PSA

President: PH, China to continue talk on Malampaya to avert future issues

THE Philippine government will continue to talk and negotiate with China regarding the two countries’ claims and concerns on the Malampaya natural gas fields to avert future conflicts, President Ferdinand R. Marcos Jr. said on Thursday.

“The only way to resolve the issues that are outstanding is to once again keep talking and to come to a consensus to come to an agreement and to continue to negotiate,” President Marcos said during an event at the Center for Strategic and In-

WHO: COVID-19 crisis over

But warns danger still exists, cautions countries not to let guard down

GENEVA, Switzerland—The Covid-19 pandemic, which for over three years has killed millions of people, wreaked economic havoc and deepened inequalities, no longer constitutes a global health emergency, the WHO said Friday.

It is “with great hope that I declare Covid-19 over as a global health emergency”, WHO chief Tedros Adhanom Ghebreyesus told reporters, estimating that the pandemic had killed “at least 20 million” people -- nearly three times the under seven million deaths officially recorded.

The move came after the WHO’s independent emergency committee on the Covid crisis agreed during its 15th meeting on Thursday that the crisis no longer merited the organisation’s highest level of alert.

But, Tedros warned, the decision did not mean the danger was over, cautioning that the

As China frets, PH-US defense pact cemented

By Vince Lopez, Charles Dantes, Rey E. Requejo, Maricel V. Cruz

Charles crowned UK king today; PBBM tours London Gatwick airport

LONDON—Britain’s first coronation in 70 years takes place on Saturday, with Charles III crowned king in an elaborate Christian ceremony steeped in solemn ritual and more than a mil-

lennium of history. The coronation, the first of a British king since 1937, is the religious confirmation of his accession after the death of his mother, Queen Elizabeth II, last

King Charles, Queen Consort Camilla: crowning moment in long love story

LONDON—After decades of devotion and 18 years of marriage, King Charles III will finally see his goal realized when his “darling wife” Queen Camilla is crowned at his side on Saturday.` She was the non-negotiable part of his life, despite their long relationship challenging Britain’s institutions and triggering strong public resistance. But at London’s Westminster Abbey, Camilla will be anointed and crowned

queen, in the presence of world leaders.

Never truly in her element in the public eye, is the woman who lived for so long in the shadows worried about the global spotlight of the coronation?

September.

President Ferdinand Marcos Jr. arrived at London’s Gatwick airport on Friday with the First Family from the United States, just in time to attend the

reception hosted by the king at Buckingham Palace for visiting heads of state and VIPs. Mr. Marcos is also expected to meet

PRESIDENT Ferdinand Marcos Jr. said Thursday he doesn’t feel alluded to by the latest statement of China opposing any interventions in the South China Sea after the Philippines and the United States announced new defense guidelines aimed at strengthening their alliance.

“As a Filipino and representing the Philippines, I don’t feel alluded to. How can we --- how can anyone say that we are not a party to and [have no] interest in all these issues?” Marcos said in response to a question at a press conference in Washington D.C.

“I think that kind of statement was directed more towards the United States than it was [toward] the Philippines,” he added as he wrapped up his five-day official visit to the US.

The Philippines and the US have established bilateral defense guidelines to modernize the alliance “for a free and open Indo-Pacific region.”

The guidelines “reaffirmed that an armed attack in the Pacific, including anywhere in the South China Sea, on either of their aircraft or armed forces – which includes their Coast Guards –would invoke mutual defense commitments under the 1951 PH-US Mutual Defense Treaty.”

‘Countries must cooperate amid Taiwan tensions’

PRESIDENT Ferdinand Marcos Jr.

In a conference hosted by the Center for Strategic and International Studies in Washington, DC, Marcos described

the situation on the island as “new,” which requires solutions to “also be new and that is why we are now formulating those partnerships between all the different countries.”

“We are continuing to strengthen our cooperation and partnership with other countries, not just our neighboring

countries, but also countries that we rarely interact with because we didn’t see the need to establish partnerships,” Marcos said. He said the Philippines’ arrangements and alliances with other countries should be fixed so that they con-

Sandigan denies Marcos family petition on assets

By Maricel V. Cruz

MEMBERS of the Marcos family lost a round at the Sandiganbayan, as the antigraft court denied, for lack of merit, their motion to reacquire properties and

assets that were earlier declared by another government entity as illegally obtained.

In a resolution promulgated on Thursday, the Sandiganbayan’s Fourth Division rejected the family’s plea to

reacquire several properties that were earlier seized by the Presidential Commission on Good Government.

The petitioners named in the resolution were the Estate of Ferdinand E.

BYE-BYE COVID? The coronavirus as seen under a microscope (left). Meanwhile, an Agence FrancePresse graphic shows the Wuhan Institute of Virology and the Huanan Seafood Market, two locations in Wuhan, China, that continue to generate interest in the search for the origins of the COVID-19 pandemic. AFP

PBBM: 2 ‘ninja cops’ out, over 30 left

By Vince Lopez

PRESIDENT Ferdinand Marcos Jr., on the last day of his trip to the United States, on Thursday said there are more than 30 police officials under investigation for being so-called “ninja cops” for their suspected links to the illegal drug trade after two generals resigned.

“I asked for the resignation of all the police officers colonel up so that we can assess and see and study what the records are [to see] if they are part of the syndicate,” Mr. Marcos said.

He said his administration was not interested in “the small people that you only see in the slums... selling” or users, but high-ranking officials, who could be

CAAP shortens air traffic outage to 2 hours from 6

By Joel E. Zurbano

THE Civil Aviation Authority of the Philippines (CAAP) has decided to shorten the maintenance work period at Air Traffic Management Center (ATMC) from six hours to just two hours.

“CAAP would like to inform the public that there has been a change in the schedule for the ATMC Corrective Maintenance Activity that was previously announced to take place on May 17, 2023 from 12 a.m. to 6 a.m.,” said CAAP spokesperson Eric Apolonio.

“Based on careful process reviews and simulations, the maintenance activity will now be conducted in a shorter period of time on May 17, from 2 a.m. to 4 a.m.,” he added.

Major airlines earlier made some adjustments to flight schedules to give way for the said activities on the country’s Air Traffic Management System, which are being made to avoid a repeat of the infamous New Year’s Day shutdown.

The ATMC houses the Communications, Navigations, Surveillance / Air Traffic Management (CNS/ATM) system which manages and supervises the air traffic activities within the Philippine Flight Information Region (FIR).

The ATMS power supply upgrade will involve the installation of a bypass panel to provide seamless ATMS operation and the reconfiguration of the existing distribution panel to segregate ATM system A (voice) and ATM system B (data), resulting in the UPS and AVR serving as each other’s backup in case the other power supply encounters a problem.

Apolonio said CAAP is set to implement contingency procedures through direct coordination with adjacent Flight Information Regions (FIRs), which will help to minimize disruption to air traffic operations.

As China...

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The Philippines and the US, the guidelines state, will expand cooperation on maritime security through but not limited to joint patrols.

Beijing expressed opposition to what it called meddling in the South China Sea to harm its territorial sovereignty and maritime rights.

Beijing also said the region should not be used as a “hunting ground.”

Marcos said the new United States-Philippines Bilateral Defense Guidelines, which chart their vision for alliance cooperation across all operational domains, will be responsive to the security challenges faced by both countries.

During a question-and-answer session at the Center for Strategic and International Studies (CSIS) in Washington, Marcos said “security and defense can no longer be isolated as one issue.”

“There are attendant and ancillary issues,” he said, citing economic issues. “We must be looking to adjust our relationship as we all are trying to adjust and to transform our economies.”

In a meeting at Pentagon on Wednesday, US Defense Secretary Lloyd Austin reaffirmed Washington’s commitment to bolstering the Philippines’ defense capabilities as the allies develop a Security Sector Assistance Roadmap to guide shared defense modernization investments over the next five to 10 years.

police or other people in the government.

“So, they are the ones we are hunting down,” the President said.

Mr. Marcos said two of the Philippine National Police (PNP) officials who submitted their resignations were now removed from their posts.

He said more than 30 are still under investigation.

WHO:...

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emergency status could be reinstated if the situation changes.

“The worst thing any country could do now is to use this news as a reason to let down its guard, to dismantle the systems it has built, or to send the message to its people that Covid-19 is nothing to worry about,” he said.

The UN health agency first declared the so-called public health emergency of international concern (PHEIC) over the crisis on January 30, 2020.

That was just weeks after the mysterious new viral disease was first detected in China and when fewer than 100 cases and no deaths had been reported outside that country.

But it was only after Tedros described the worsening Covid situation as a pandemic on March 11, 2020, that many countries woke up to the danger.

By then, the SARS CoV-2 virus which causes the disease had already begun its deadly rampage around the globe.

Still struggling to understand what they were up against, countries

Charles...

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with British Prime Minister Rishi Sunak as part of efforts to deepen Manila and London’s trade partnership, the Presidential Communications Office said.

The President’s trip, following his “productive” visit to the United States, is in response to the invitation provided by the United Kingdom to Mr. Marcos as relayed by UK Ambassador Laure Beaufils.

Before leaving Washington, the President said his family will land at Gatwick Airport, where he will take the opportunity to check on some “lessons learned” by local airport officials and apply them to improving the Philip-

King...

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“Anyone would be anxious on an occasion of this sort of importance,” her son Tom Parker Bowles told The News Agents podcast.

“I’d be terrified if I had to sort of walk out wearing ancient robes,” the food writer said.

“She’s 75, it’s hard to do it. But she never complained.”

Parker Bowles said the couple were “doing amazingly”. His 74-year-old stepfather was a “good, kind, intelligent man who cares deeply about his roles”, he said.

Sandigan...

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Marcos Sr. represented by Imelda Marcos, Ferdinand Marcos Jr., Irene Marcos-Araneta, and Constante Rubio, a close associate of the elder Marcos.

On August 5, 2022, Imelda and Irene Marcos filed an Omnibus Motion for the issuance of a Writ of

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ternational Studies (CSIS) in Washington, DC on Thursday (Friday in Manila).

“It is not an easy process, but the Malampaya fields are the natural gas fields that lie in our, within our baselines and within our exclusive economic zone, and that again is being questioned in certain cases, in certain

President Marcos said due process must be observed before erring officials are investigated and prosecuted. In a question-and-answer portion of his address at the Center for Strategic and International Studies (CSIS) in Washington DC, Mr. Marcos acknowledged “abuses by certain elements in the government” under his predecessor’s war on drugs, which he said failed to stop syndicates from growing stronger.

Mr. Marcos said former President Rodrigo Duterte’s anti-narcotics drive “focused very much on enforcement.”

“Because of that, it could be said that there were abuses by certain elements in the government and that has caused some concern about the human rights situation,” Mr. Marcos said.

scrambled to respond, making it up as they went.

The pandemic today

And worldwide, the disease had as of May 3 officially claimed more than 6.9 million lives, and sickened more than 765 million others, according to WHO, which has said the true figures are likely far higher.

The UN health agency said last week that Covid deaths globally had plunged 95 percent since January, but the disease still killed 16,000 people worldwide last month alone.

Despite the lingering danger, the pandemic has faded from mind in many if not most countries.

Tedros warned Thursday that testing and tracing efforts have “declined significantly around the world, making it more difficult to track known variants and detect new ones”.

Vaccines, which were developed at record speed and began being rolled out by late 2020, remain effective at preventing severe disease and death, despite the parade of new and more infectious Covid variants that have appeared.

But while indisputably a towering scientific feat, the vaccines also laid

pines’ major airports.

Much of the Anglican service at London’s Westminster Abbey -- which will also see Charles’s second wife Camilla crowned queen -- would be recognizable to the 74-year-old king’s forebears 1,000 years ago.

But there will also be a clear departure with the involvement of women bishops, minority faith leaders, and a more diverse and representative guest list of British society than the lords and ladies of old.

So too is the environmental theme at the ceremony, including vegan anointing oil and recycled ceremonial garb, reflecting Charles’s lifelong championing of sustainability and biodiversity.

Prime Minister Sunak on Friday called the event “a moment of enormous

However, the road to the coronation has not been easy.

Vilified In the 1990s, Camilla was the most hated woman in Britain, blamed by Princess Diana for the break-up of her own marriage to Charles. Diana nicknamed Camilla the “rottweiler”.

Charles and Diana’s younger son Prince Harry, now estranged from the monarchy, branded her a “villain” who played the long game to get the crown. But Charles never wavered in his devotion to her.

The couple first met in the 1970s. Close to aristocratic circles, Camilla Shand was relaxed in his company,

Execution to transfer properties and assets seized by the PCGG back to their family. The antigraft court on January 25, 2023 resolved to deny their motion for writ of execution. The Marcoses then filed a motion to partially reconsider the denial on February 17. Twenty-three different properties and assets listed in the anti-graft court’s resolution.

areas by China, and we continue to negotiate with them,” he said.

“We continue to find a way --- the essential problem, the essential roadblock to that whole process has been very simple,” the Chief Executive added.

The Malampaya gas field is a deepwater gas-condensate reservoir, located offshore, 65 kilometers northwest of the island of Palawan. Its main benefits to the Philippines include reducing oil im-

Officially, 6,181 people were killed in Duterte’s “war on drugs” but rights groups say that up to 30,000 may have died, some innocent victims, and that corruption was rife among security forces that acted with impunity.

Mr. Marcos said that while he could not speak on behalf of Duterte or “what he had in mind,” he noted that illegal drugs remained the source of “much criminality in the Philippines.”

Drug syndicates, he added, grew “stronger, wealthier and more influential.”

Mr. Marcos said he would focus on reeducation and dismantling drug rings.

“We have taken enforcement as far as we can. Now, it is time to look at actually going after dismantling these syndicates,” he said.

bare greed and gaping inequities, as wealthy countries horded the jabs, as poorer countries were left struggling for months to get hold of a single dose.

An antivax movement on steroids and massive misinformation campaigns over social media meanwhile turned vaccination into a charged political issue, leaving many with access to the jabs unwilling to take them.

The pandemic also exposed staggering inequality in access to healthcare and services, from the long lines of Brazilians waiting to fill oxygen canisters for loved ones gasping for air, to the funeral pyres that crammed New Delhi’s sidewalks and car parks as the bodies piled up in early 2021.

Even today, the emergence of new variants threatens to reignite the emergency.

Origins mystery

Tedros has also warned of the ongoing impact of Long Covid, which provokes a long line of often severe and debilitating symptoms that can drag on for months or years.

This condition has been estimated to impact one in 10 people who contract Covid, suggesting that hundreds of millions of people could need longer-term care, he cautioned.

national pride”.

“It’s a demonstration of our country’s character, and it’s an opportunity for us to all look to the future and a spirit of service, hope, and unity,” he told Sky News.

Opposition

Not everyone is in the mood to celebrate, however. Republican opponents who want an elected head of state plan to protest on the day with signs declaring “Not my king”.

Younger people, too, say the coronation -- and the monarchy in general -leaves them cold, according to polling.

Further afield, Charles’s position looks increasingly tenuous as the hereditary monarch in 14 Commonwealth countries outside the UK. AFP

amusing and reassuring the then-insecure prince.

However, while Charles went off to serve in the Royal Navy, Camilla fell for the playboy army officer Andrew Parker Bowles, tying the knot in 1973, leaving Charles feeling empty and devastated. Their marriage crumbled amid Parker Bowles’ extra-marital affairs.

In 1981, Charles wed Diana Spencer, the daughter of an earl, in what was branded a fairytale marriage. He was 32; she had just turned 20. Camilla was among the wedding guests.

Hopelessly mismatched, Charles and Diana soon drifted apart. Prince William was born in 1982 and Harry in 1984. AFP

The Marcoses based their motion on the supposed “illegal” transfers of these properties and assets to the PCGG “by virtue of compromise agreements and the lack of authority of the PCGG in entering into such contracts.”

“The court is not persuaded,” the resolution said.

In the resolution, the Fourth Division of the antigraft court argued that these properties and assets were illegally ob-

ports, assuring a more stable supply of energy and a cleaner source of power, and meeting up to about 40 percent of Luzon’s energy requirements.

The President said the Chinese government has been claiming particular areas where the Malampaya fields are located but are already recognized by the United Nations Convention on the Law of the Sea (UNCLOS) as part of the exclusive economic zone of the Philippines.

IN BRIEF

Big diesel, gasoline rollbacks next week

CONSUMERS can expect a big-time price rollback of more than P2 per liter next week to reflect the movement of prices in the world oil market.

An oil industry source said that based on the first four days of trading this week and the foreign exchange movement, diesel will likely go down by P2.60 to P2.80 per liter and gasoline by P2.10 to P2.30 per liter.

“These movements are attributed to the cut in the Official Selling Price of Arab Light Crude Oil to Asia to compete with India’s and China’s eagerness to snap up cheap Russian Crude Oil, and the heightened concern about Chinese recovery with unexpected slowdown in manufacturing activity,” DOE director for Oil Industry Management Bureau Rodela Romero said. Romero said oil prices also declined on reports of another possible US interest hike and a looming recession. Alena Mae S. Flores

Teves, sons ask DOJ to drop gun charges

SUSPENDED Negros Oriental 3rd District Rep. Arnolfo “Arnie” A. Teves Jr. and his two sons Kurt Matthew and Axel on Friday asked the Department of Justice to dismiss the criminal charges filed against them for alleged illegal possession of firearms and explosives charges.

The filing of the motions to dismiss during the hearing has paved the way for the DOJ’s panel of prosecutors to submit the cases filed by the Philippine National Police-Criminal Investigation and Detection Group against the Teveses for resolution.

The PNP-CIDG accused Teves and his sons of violating Republic Act 10591 and RA 9516 for alleged illegal possession of firearms and explosives, respectively. The alleged firearms and explosives were seized by the PNP-CIDG during the service of a search warrant in the legislator’s house in Bayawan City last March 10. Rey E. Requejo

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form to the “needs of the day.”

“Not just Australia, not just the United States, also South Korea, also Japan, all of the ASEAN member states, and I think we can continue to… do that and I know that the countries… are already of the same mind,” he added.

Marcos said his campaign message of unity is beginning to extend not only to the local situation in the Philippines but also on the international scale.

“They, too, are looking for companions to face the new world together,” he said.

The President also reiterated his administration’s foreign policy that “the Philippines shall continue to be a friend to all and an enemy of none.”

In a question-and-answer session, the President responded with an outright “no” when asked if the US has asked that Filipino soldiers be deployed to Taiwan if tensions escalate.

“No. The short answer is no,” President Marcos said.

The President said the US also never asked for the sites under the Enhanced Defense Cooperation Agreement (EDCA) to be used as staging points for any attacks against other nations. Vince Lopez

tained, as determined by the PCGG.

It also cited similar cases against the defendants involving the same illegally obtained properties.

“In those cases, the Supreme Court had already upheld the validity of the Compromise Agreements executed by the parties involving the recovery of certain properties and the authority of the PCGG to enter such agreements,” it said.

“The nine-dash line covers just about the entire West Philippine Sea. We, on the other hand, have established our baselines which have been recognized and accredited by UNCLOS and therefore there is that conflict and so what happens now especially when it comes to exploration in -- for energy -- for our energy needs are which law will apply because we say this is part of Philippine territory and therefore Philippine law should apply,” Mr. Marcos said. Vince Lopez

Suspected brains in Adiong ambush killed in shootout with law enforcers

By Charles Dantes

THE suspected mastermind in the ambush last February 17 of Lanao del Sur Gov. Mamintal Adiong Jr. was reported killed Wednesday in a shootout with law enforcers in Maguing town, Lanao del Sur.

The Criminal Investigation and Detection Group (CIDG), in a statement, said the suspect, Oscar “Tacmar” Capal Gandawali, opened fi re on a composite police-Army team on a mission to arrest him.

The lawmen fi red back, cutting

Over 1,000 human tra icking victims rescued in Clark

THE Philippine National Police (PNP) has reported that more than 1,000 alleged victims of human trafficking were rescued while being forced to work for cyber scammers based in Clark, Pampanga.

In a report released on Friday, the PNP said a total of 1,090 people of various nationalities were saved during a raid conducted against the Colorful and Leap Group Company located at Clark Sun Valley Hub.

The victims included 389 Vietnamese, 307 Chinese, 171 Filipinos, 143 Indonesians, 40 Nepalese, 25 Malaysians, seven Burmese, five Thai, and two Taiwanese.

“Based on the investigation, the rescued victims were forced into working for a fraudulent cyber-enabled industry, victimizing their fellow citizens,” the PNP added.

The foreigners were documented by their embassy for booking and subsequent repatriation.

The raid was conducted by a composite team consisting of operatives from the PNP-Anti-Cybercrime Group, the Special Action Force, and Intelligence Group together with the Presidential Anti-Organized Crime Commission, the Department of Justice, the Department of Social Welfare and Development, the Bureau of Immigration, and the Interagency Council on Anti-Trafficking.

A follow-up investigation to track down the leaders of the syndicate was underway.

PNP chief Benjamin Acorda Jr. encouraged the public to report any suspicious activities related to human trafficking in their communities.

“We must all unite in this fight against human trafficking and help put an end to this inhumane practice,” Acorda said.

He said the police force will continue to work with other agencies to ensure that those involved in such horrible crimes were apprehended.

Charles Dantes

IN BRIEF

Nueva Vizcaya Gov. Carlos Padilla dies, 78

trooper were reportedly hurt during the exchange of gunfire.

The CIDG said Gandawali was heavily armed, and they found various firearms, suspected shabu, and drug paraphernalia after the shootout.

was killed during the hot pursuit operations conducted by the police on February 17 to 19.

NUEVA Vizcaya Governor Carlos Padilla died on Friday morning. He was 78. Padilla succumbed to a heart attack at the age of 78, leaving behind his wife Ruth and children Carlos “Jojo” II, Ruthie Maye and Carlo Paolo.

down Gandawali who was listed by the police as the most wanted person in Lanao del Sur, and the 4th most wanted in the Bangsamoro Autonomous Region in Muslim Mindanao (BARMM).

A barangay chairman and an Army

Adiong was in a convoy in Kalilangan, Bukidnon when they were fired upon, killing four of his companions. The fatalities were identified as PSSgt. Mohammed Jurai Adiong, 40; PCpls. Johanie Lawi Sumandar, 39, and Jalil Ampuan Cosain, 40, and a driver only known as ‘Kobi’. Adiong and two of his staff were also injured in the attack. A suspect identified only as “Otin”

Police said Gandawali was also involved in the ambush-murder of five Philippine Drug Enforcement Agency agents in October 2018.

He added that the Gandawali was a notorious leader of a criminal gang operating in Lanao del Sur and nearby provinces, and other criminal activities such as gun-for-hire, gunrunning, and robbery hold up.

Gandawala and his group were also known as alleged financiers and supporters of extremist rebels in the region.

DILG enjoins LGUs to back DOH’s children vax drive

By Joel E. Zurbano

THE Department of the Interior and Local Government (DILG) on Friday asked all local government units to fully support the Department of Health’s (DOH) campaign to vaccinate children against measles, rubella, and polio.

According to United Nations International Children’s Emergency Fund, around 67 million children worldwide missed out entirely or partially on routine immunization between 2019 and 2021 due to the health crisis brought about by COVID-19. The Philippines reportedly ranked second to the highest number of children with zero doses in East Asia and the Pacific region, and fourth in the world. From January 1 to March 18, 2023, the DOH has already recorded

225 cases of infection, a 369 percent increase from the same period last year. DILG Secretary Benjamin Abalos, Jr. tapped the LGUs in ensuring the successful implementation of “Chikiting Ligtas” campaign, to provide the DOH an inventory of households with children under five years old and determine barangays with the highest number of eligible children.

Local officials were also asked to conduct orientations, information sessions, and town hall meetings in coordination with the DOH Center for Health Development, barangays, and Sangguniang Kabataan.

All LGUs were instructed to advocate the benefits of routine immunization and encourage local government employees with eligible babies, newborns up to 59 months old, to avail of

the vaccination.

“The DILG supports and recognizes the DOH in its campaign to break, interrupt, and prevent the transmission of measles, rubella, and polio in the country. Through the concerted efforts and action of our local governments, we can be sure that the children in our communities are immunized against diseases that can be prevented through vaccination,” Abalos said.

He also called on all stakeholders to join the government efforts to protect the children against preventable diseases.

“Vaccines are free, safe, and effective in keeping our kids fit and safe. By keeping them up to date with routine immunizations, we are giving the younger generation a bright and healthy future,” the DILG chief said.

MMDA: Single ticket system dry run successful despite some ‘birth pains’

THE Metropolitan Manila Development Authority (MMDA) said its dry run of the single ticketing system in five cities in the National Capital Region (NCR) was “successful despite some birth pains. “Successful po yung ating launch doon sa limang siyudad. Wala po tayong nakita o na-observe o na-report na major na pagkakamali, challenges, issues, complaints,” MMDA chairman Romando Artes told reporters.

Artes admitted however, that some adjustments still have to be done for a smoother implementation of the scheme.

held single ticketing device as some of them committed errors on the input aspect of the device.

Land Transportation Office (LTO) regional director Noreen San LuisLutey said only five cities, namely, San Juan, Parañaque, Muntinlupa, Valenzuela, and Quezon City, were involved in the dry run.

Initially, the MMDA announced that seven cities would join the pilot run of the single ticketing system.

“Today, we mourn the loss of a remarkable individual who leaves behind a legacy of dedication, selflessness, and service.

Let us remember Governor Padilla for his remarkable contributions and the positive change he brought to our province,” local folk leader John David said.

Padilla spent 29 years as representative of the Lone District of Nueva Vizcaya including six years as assemblyman in the Batasang Pambansa. He once served as deputy speaker and also as a minority leader.

In the 1970s, he served as mayor of the then-undivided Dupax and later as mayor of Dupax Del Norte when the municipality was divided into three, with Dupax Del Sur and Alfonso Castañeda as the two other towns.

As a congressman, he was among the principal authors of Republic Act 6655 which established and provided for Free Public Secondary Education in the Philippines and RA 6728 establishing the Private Education Student Financial Assistance Scholarship, the Educational Service Contracting Program for private schools and other programs.

Comelec unseats Legazpi City mayor

THE Commission on Elections (Comelec) en banc has affirmed the disqualification of Carmen Geraldine Rosal as a candidate for mayor of Legazpi City, Albay in the May 9, 2022 elections. She won as Legazpi City mayor in the last elections.

In a 17-page resolution, the sevenmember panel upheld the ruling of its 2nd Division dated Oct. 4, 2022, disqualifying Rosal for alleged violation of the Omnibus Election Code particularly on the provision banning the release, disbursement, or expenditure of public funds 45 days prior to election.

“Respondent is found to have given money to influence, induce, or corrupt the voters, as described in Section 68 (a) in relation to Section 261 (a) (1) of the Omnibus Election Code. Respondent is hereby disqualified from being a candidate for Mayor of Legazpi City, Albay for the 9 May 2022 National and Local Elections,” the ruling stated.

Defeated candidarte for councilor Joseph San Juan Armogila filed the disqualification suit against Rosal over her alleged participation in a two-day Tricycle Driver’s Cash Assistance Payout in the city on March 31, 2022.

According to the Comelec, Rosal did not deny that she was among those present during the activity.

It noted that a Facebook post about the activity thanked Rosal and referred to her as “Mayor Gie Rosal,” when she was not the incumbent mayor at the time, in an apparent reference to the position she was then running for.

QC schools adopt teaching changes

AMID the clamor of students and teachers, the Schools Division Office (SDO) of Quezon City has implemented changes in teaching modalities due to the extreme summer heat.

Following the order of the Department of Education endorsing modular distance learning in the event of natural disasters, power outages/interruptions, and other calamities, the SDO-QC has allowed various delivery modalities including shortened class periods in some public schools.

Mayor Joy Belmonte expressed full support to the initiative to protect the school children from extreme weather conditions.

“Our utmost priority will always be the welfare of our children. Since the summer heat is too much to bear, especially in classrooms, we welcome the implementation of blended, modular, or shortened class periods for public schools,” she said.

The memorandum provides that school heads are required to report their delivery mode weekly depending on the changing weather as reported by the weather bureau,

For the first week of May, out of 95 elementary schools, two have implemented print modular, 13 blended, and 10 shortened class periods.

ZERO CARBON CRUSADE MARCHES ON. Quezon City Mayor Joy Belmonte leads in the ribbon-cutting of a bazaar and exhibit at the SM North Annex, featuring small businesses and organizations that support e orts to attain sustainable environment as envisaged under the “Q.C Zero Carbon by 2050” campaign. Manny Palmero

“As in other new projects of the government, there are birth pains. There are adjustments that needed to be done,” he said.

Artes suggested conducting more training for enforcers in the use of hand-

Comelec foresees more transparent, enhanced 2025 polls

THE Commission on Elections’ (Comelec) proposed automated election system (AES) for the 2025 polls will adopt mechanisms meant to improve the transparency of the voting process in the country, Comelec chairman George Garcia said.

Under the Fully Automated System with Transparency Audit and Count (FASTrAC) platform, Garcia said voters would be allowed to verify their votes through ballot images on automated counting machines even as watchers and political camps would be allowed to take pictures of the

election returns after transmission.

“Makikita ng botante ang balota na kanyang hinulog back and [front] yung mismong ballot image,” Garcia said in an interview on Dobol B TV.

For the visually impaired persons, Garcia said there would be an audio feature where the machine would read the votes cast by the voter.

Apart from this, Garcia said citizens’ arms and political groups would automatically receive a copy of the election returns—a mechanism which he said was non-existent in the automated election system

San Luis-Lutey said only limited payment channels were available during the dry run, but she expects this to increase in the coming days.

Out of the five cities that participated in the dry run, the LTO official said only San Juan was able to deploy a single ticketing system device.

Out of 63 secondary schools, two have implemented print modular, 26 blended, and eight shortened class periods.

The shortened class period is from 6 a.m. to 10:30 a.m. for the morning batch and 2 p.m. to 6:30 p.m. for the afternoon batch.

The choice of modality was determined after consultation with all stakeholders.

Rio N. Araja

since it was implemented in 2010.

“Hindi na po tayo gagamit ng mismong transparency server na nagiging issue before yung sinasabi before na ‘meet me room.’ Ngayon po ang gusto natin ‘yung citizens arm, majority party, minority party…ay automatic na mapapadalhan ng result ng mismong galing sa presinto, sa makina mismo. Wala nang ibang dadaanan,” he said.

“So ‘yung mga entities na ‘yan ay pwedeng magkumparahan kung ano ba ang pinadala ng presinto na ito ay same na pinadala sa lahat,” he added.

GROUNDBREAKING. Las Piñas City Mayor Imelda Aguilar and Vice Mayor April Aguilar lead the groundbreaking ceremony for the construction  of the 10-story Las Piñas City College of Engineering at the Nene Aguilar campus in  Barangay Talon Dos. Joseph Muego

Makati unveils telehealth plan for LGU workers

By Joel E. Zurbano

THE city government of Makati on Friday announced its partnership with KonsultaMD, Globe Group’s telehealth provider in the country, to provide free online consultations to some 10,785 city hall employees.

Mayor Abigail Binay said her administration is planning to extend the program’s benefits to the rest of some 144,943 Yellow Card holders this year to provide medical access to senior citizens, differently-abled persons, bedridden patients, and those who are unable to visit healthcare facilities due to health and other concerns.

“We are honored to partner with the Globe Group and KonsultaMD to provide online consultations and other telemedicine services to City Hall employees. We believe that this partnership can set a good example for other cities and organizations to follow, as we work together to overcome the challenges of the pandemic,” Binay said during the partnership launch of the program at Makati City Hall.

She said the partnership, which is the first KonsultaMD project for a local government unit in Metro Manila, aims to provide convenient and accessible services to city hall employees to

address physical and mental health concerns even after office and clinic hours.

The city chief executive said city hall employees who are Yellow Card holders only need to download the KonsultaMD mobile app, register, and schedule a consultation with a licensed doctor or mental health counselor.

With this telehealth platform, employees can consult with licensed doctors and healthcare professionals through 24/7 video calls without leaving the safety of their homes or offices.

Aside from online consultations, KonsultaMD also offers e-prescriptions, laboratory requests, online medical certificates, and mental health support.

Binay said e-prescriptions can be presented to Planet Drugstore so that employees can avail themselves of free medicines.

She also expressed her gratitude to Globe Group President and CEO Ernest Cu and KonsultaMD CEO Cholo Tagaysay for their support and dedication in improving the lives of Makatizens.

“This partnership is a significant step towards promoting telemedicine as a viable healthcare option, not just for City Hall employees but also for the wider community. It is a timely response to the growing demand for accessible and convenient healthcare services, which has been exacerbated by the pandemic,” added Binay.

Las Piñas starts construction of engineering school

By Joel E. Zurbano

THE city government of Las Piñas on Friday announced it has started the construction of new structures at the city’s College of Engineering Nene Aguilar Campus in Barangay Talon Dos. Mayor Imelda Aguilar said the construction of an additional college building is part of her prioritized educational program to deliver better quality education and free schooling

for the people. She added this project was made possible with the help of the vice-mayor and members of the Sangguniang Panlungsod (City Council) who allocated sufficient funds to be used in such programs.

Aguilar also announced that more than 4,000 scholars are expected to benefit from free college education when the construction of the said campus is completed. She further emphasized the

By Macon Ramos-Araneta

SEN. Raffy Tulfo has called for a Senate probe into what he described as the “anti-poor” process of obtaining driver’s licenses in the Philippines.

“There have been issues with the process of obtaining driver’s licenses, particularly the requirement to take a Theoretical Driving Course and Practical Driving Course with an LTOaccredited driving school, to undergo a costly medical exam and obtain a medical certificate from an LTOaccredited clinic,” Tulfo said in Senate Resolution (SR) No. 577.

“There is a need to ensure that the process of obtaining a driver’s license is streamlined, affordable, costefficient, and impenetrable by fixers,” the resolution added.

The senator also said he wants to streamline and make the process accessible to the marginalized sector.

He noted that this would also address the current issue of a shortage of plastic cards for license issuance.

Earlier, Tulfo conducted an ocular visit at the Land Transportation Office (LTO) in Diliman Quezon City amid rampant corruption issues.

At present, all new driver’s license applicants are required to enroll in an LTO-accredit driving school that charges 5,000 pesos and above.

All new and for renewal driver’s license applicants are likewise required to pay P500 fee for a vision test.

BRIEF

THE Social Security System (SSS) on Friday said it has issued SSS Circular No. 2023 to lower service fees charged by SSS-accredited collecting banks, and remittance and transfer companies.

SSS president and chief executive officer Rolando Macasaet said the passon service fees being charged by SSS collecting partners shall be lowered and capped at P8 per transaction for online payment channels and at P10 per transaction for over-the-counter payment.

SSS members will greatly benefit from the reduction of service fees whenever they pay their contributions over-the-counter and through online payment channels, he said.

The lowered service fees cover the monthly contribution payments of self-employed and voluntary members, overseas Filipino workers, farmers and fishermen, and non-working spouses.

The new guideline also applies to contribution payments of employed SSS members for the Worker’s Investment and Savings Program (WISP) Plus. Rio N. Araja

Ex-bank executive files graft case against PCGG chief

By Rio N. Araja

A FORMER bank executive on Friday filed a graft complaint against the Presidential Commission on Good Governance (PCGG) head Jose Agbayani before the Office of the Ombudsman.

Lucy Lapinig, ex-accounting head of the UCPB CIIF Foundation Inc., said Agbayani appointed employee

THE Presidential Commission for the Urban Poor (PCUP) has awarded accreditation certificates to 35 urban poor organizations from Metro and Luzon.

PCUP chair and chief executive officer Elpidio Jordan Jr. spearheaded the Luzon awarding ceremony of 13 organizations and the National Capital Region accreditation awarding to 22 organizations to enable the marginalized sector to have better access to the national government through the commission’s line agencies.

He said there is nothing more important than helping build resilient urban poor communities through the mandate and programs of the commission.

“Apart from the accreditation at predemolition conferences, PCUP continues coordinating with different agencies to address the concerns of the sector. Memoranda of agreement are being forged to push for the agency’s four banner programs,” he added. PCUP Supervising Commissioner for Luzon Andre Niccolo Tayag stressed the need to uphold the rights of the poor through the facilitation of pre-demolition conferences and accreditation of organizations.

Aside from assisting the communities in getting access to basic services, PCUP through its Field Operations Division has been closely coordinating with the appropriate agencies to help address land issues. Rio N. Araja

Mark Abelon without the desired letter from the Office of the President during the election ban on March 29, 2022. On June 6, 2022, and Jan. 11, 2023, Agbayani allegedly appointed another PCGG employees — Stephen Tanchuling and Sherwin Jan as director/trustee of Cocofinance and Cocofoundation without a letter from the Office of the President.

AGRI Rep. Wilbert T. Lee urged the government to find effective ways to encourage the younger generation to pursue farming to address an impending shortage of farmers.

Citing a study by retired University of the Philippines anthropology professor Florencia Palis, Lee said the average age of Filipino farmers is 53 — up from 46 in 1966. The same study also said these farmers have been working for 25 years.

“The challenge remains for the government to revitalize agriculture through modernization, which would shift employment toward higher-value jobs like equipment operators and others that utilize technology,”

Lee said. The study, “Aging Filipino Rice Farmers and Their Aspirations for Their Children,” also noted that farmers are actively discouraging their children from working in agriculture. “We have to show that we are undertaking serious and sincere efforts to improve agriculture, so that the youth will not see it as a “dead-end job,” Lee said The lawmaker noted that urgent action is needed to help farmers and fisherfolk, who continue to belong to the poorest sectors of society, have a better quality of life.

Lee stressed with improved agriculture, “we also improve the livelihood of our farmers and other producers and help them escape the cycle of poverty.” Maricel V. Cruz

Lapinig claimed on March 31, 2023, Agbayani wanted a monthly regular meeting with a P20,000 per diem to the PCGG directors and observers each, and that he “pushed for the management to hire his referral, friend/ kumpadre, a 70-year-old consultant, with a monthly salary of P120,000.”

She said the PCGG chairperson violated Section 3 of Republic Act 3019.

importance of the new college building because it will provide modern facilities to students who wish to study for free in various engineering courses. Aguilar expressed confidence this will create many talented and professional engineers from Las Piñas who will bring success and honor not only to the city but to the rest of the world.

The city chief executive said the project is one of her projects to return the favor to the trust and tireless support of her constituents.

By Maricel V. Cruz

DAVAO City Rep. Paolo Duterte on Friday pushed for a bill mandating the creation of an additional division in the National Labor Relations Commission (NLRC) to further improve the body’s accomplishment rate in resolving labor-related disputes.

Duterte said that establishing an additional division in the NLRC as embodied in House Bill 4958 is “in support of its mission to resolve labor disputes in the fairest, quickest, least expensive and most effective way possible.”

The bill is co-authored by Benguet Rep. Eric Yap.

Duterte proposed that the divisions in the NLRC be increased from eight to nine.

As provided under the Labor Code, the NLRC’s first to sixth divisions are located in Metro Manila, while the seventh is based in Cebu, and the eighth in Cagayan de Oro. Under HB 4958, the additional ninth division will be located in Davao to handle cases in Mindanao.

The bill also provides for the addition of three NLRC commissioners, bringing the total number of the commission’s members to 27, including the Chairperson of the body.

According to its 2021 Performance Report, the NLRC maintained a high disposition rate and significantly reduced the number of its pending cases. The commission posted an overall output of 32,433 cases for compulsory arbitration of which 24,262 are original cases from the Regional Arbitration Branches (RABs) and 8,171 are appealed cases from the NLRC.

THE UNKNOWN SOLDIER. Speaker Ferdinand Martin G. Romualdez, Philippine Ambassador to the United States Jose ManuelRomualdez, Foreign Affairs Secretary Enrique Manalo, Special Assistant to the President Secretary Antonio Lagdameo Jr.,

Security Adviser Eduardo Año and Department of

Undersecretary Carlito Galvez Jr. and US officials attend the Wreath Laying Ceremony at the Tomb of the  Unknown Soldier at the Arlington National Cemetery in Arlington, Virginia on Thursday. Ver Noveno ‘BEAT CANCER’ PROGRAM. Photo shows Liz Bautista from the British Embassy in Manila; Tobias Settergren from the Embassy of Sweden in Manila; Daisy Cembrano from the Pharmaceutical and Healthcare Association of the Phils.; Oliver Calasanz from the Cancer Coalition Phils.; Kara Magsanoc-Alikpala from the Cancer Coalition Phils.; Elvin Uy from Phil. Business for Social Progress; Arnyl Araneta from Phil. Business for Social Progress; Sylvia Varela, Asia Area VP, AstraZeneca; and Lotis Ramin, country president, AstraZeneca Philippines, during the “Screen to Beat Cancer” program launch. Manny Palmero

JOB FAIR. Senior high school students, displaced overseas Filipino workers, and firsttime jobseekers participate in a mega job fair held at the Malabon City Sports Complex on Friday. The job fair was organized by the local government, led by Malabon City Mayor Jeannie Sandoval, former Congressman Ricky Sandoval, and City Administrator Alexander Rosete. Andrew Rabulan

Goodwill at its high rung EDITORIAL

WHEN President Ferdinand Marcos Jr. attends today the coronation of King Charles 3rd at Westminster Abbey in London, he will be adding goodwill between the Philippines and the United Kingdom.

The 65-year-old President and first lady Marie Louise Araneta-Marcos flew out to London, soon after his official visit to the United States, to attend the coronation of Charles 3rd and his wife, Camilla, as king and queen of the United Kingdom and the other Commonwealth realms. The coronation will be conducted by the Archbishop of Canterbury Justin Welby.

The presence of the President would ‘not only add momentum but also indicates the high level of commitment of the Philippines to the enhanced partnership’ of both countries

Charles, 74, acceded to the throne on September 8, 2022, upon the death of his mother, Elizabeth II.

There is no legal requirement for a coronation, and other European monarchies have in fact done away with the ceremonies, but the big coronation of King Charles 3rd today will also be cementing Queen Consort Camilla’s role as a senior member of the British royal family.

Shand—has had many changes to her title since the beginning of her relationship with Charles, from Dame Grand Cross of the Royal Victorian Order and the Duchess of Cornwall, to her latest as queen consort.

Heads of state of the region like European Union leaders Ursula von der Leyen, Charles Michel and Roberta Metsola will also be there. Germany and Italy are sending their ceremonial presidents Frank-Walter Steinmeier and Sergio Mattarella, rather than heads of government Olaf Scholz and Giorgia Meloni.

In a pre-departure press briefing in Malacañang, DFA spokesman Ma. Teresita Daza said: “The presence of the President at this momentous and historic event adds to the goodwill between both the Philippines and United Kingdom and would serve to strengthen and enhance our overall bilateral relations across all areas of cooperation.”

The DFA official said the presence of the President would “not only add momentum but also indicates the high level of commitment of the Philippines to the enhanced partnership” of both countries.

The “unique gathering of leaders from all regions” also presents opportunities to discuss at the highest level potential collaboration across all areas of cooperation, she added.

Buckingham Palace has announced the coronation service will reflect the monarch’s role in modern times while observing longstanding traditions replete with pageantry.

Philippine Ambassador to the UK Teodoro Locsin Jr. earlier said Charles and Mr. Marcos “know each other because they used to play polo together.”

The President also studied in the United Kingdom, as did his three sons.

A man worth watching

By Thor Cuatro

HIS job appears to be cut out for him; it is fraught with risks and perils. Because of his calling, he is hounded by his detractors like agitated wasps and hornets.

Police Colonel Hansel M. Marantan is the regional chief of the Criminal Investigation and Detection Group for Metro Manila. As such, he has to rub elbows with even the crime bosses of the underworld and the white-collar, casinoplaying criminals in sartorial suits.

I won’t even be surprised to know if he chews death threats for breakfast.

His critics will definitely take delight in seeing him being humiliated and removed from his designation at the equally controversial CIDG.

But he is not easy to be intimidated nor cowed.

He can be as “tough as nails,” if you ask me.

Marantan’s critics will definitely take delight in seeing him being humiliated and removed from his designation at the equally controversial CIDG

He has nerves of steel.

If there were real-life superheroes, I’d call him Superman, the Man of Steel.

Like the Marvel superhero, Marantan works quietly and operates efficiently, avoiding fanfare as much as possible.

No, I’m not into some kind of hero-worship or idolatry; it’s just that the officer impresses me so much as he parried off the blows and disproves allegations during a Senate committee hearing.

It has taken a grieving widow to amplify Marantan’s courageous deeds in public.

The wife of murdered governor of Negros Oriental, Janice Degamo, has made a lasting impression with her remarks during her testimony before the Senate.

“I’ve heard many good things about him. Siya rin ang nanghuli sa Bersamin killers (a politician in Abra) and the assassins of another politico in Visayas. “We don’t want many men on the ground but only those who are passionate about their job. Si Colonel Marantan, hindi natatakot gawin ang

“I GIVE you a new commandment: love one another. As I have loved you, so you also should love one another. Love one another as I have loved you.” This is Jesus’s final message to his disciples.

Love is the central theme of God’s relationship to man.

This infinite love is why God sent His only son to be incarnate, reveal himself to us, and die on the cross so that we will be reconciled with Him and become heirs of eternal life.

God’s relation to humanity has been consistent all about the profundity of His love for his people. This love is the unbreakable bond that binds God with His church.

This should also be the unitive end of every family and marriage, that is, to nurture and deepen this love.

It is love that sustains any and all relationships, whether it is the family, the community, or the nation. Without it, everything will fall apart.

In the Gospel today, Jesus is giving his disciples his farewell message that final night in the upper room.

And the message was to love one another. This is the truest mark of being one of His disciples. This love is not an exclusive kind of love, limited only to whosoever we want to love.

We are asked to transmit this love to others, even to our enemies, because we have been gifted with a relationship with Him.

By showing love we are revealing God to the world.

Yet it is easy to love people who do good to us but infinitely difficult to express this love to those who hate or cause us pain and suffering.

But, as already said, giving this love even to our enemies is the true mark of discipleship.

Taking his cue from the day’s Gospel, Pope Francis explored the fruit that can be seen when a Christian abides in Jesus’ love.

Jesus, said the Pope, “invites us to abide in His love so that His joy may be in us and our joy may be full.”

He said this love has its origin in God the Father, who is love and flows like a river through Jesus, His Son, to us.

“The love Jesus gives us is the same with which the Father loves Him: pure, unconditional, freely given love,” said the Pope.

“By giving it to us, Jesus treats us like friends, making us know the Father, and He involves us in His same mission for the life of the world.”

This is what will lead us to the new heaven and new earth.

It’s not about material possessions or wealth, but about the spiritual nourishment that comes from following the New Commandment.

Jesus’ sacrificial love for humanity, demonstrated through his death and resurrection, is the highest form of love and spirituality.

To truly love, according to Jesus’ teachings, we must practice nonviolence and non-retaliation.

When faced with difficult situations or conflicts, we should look to Jesus on the cross as an example of love and forgiveness.

In the same passage, Jesus summarized His commandments with the words: “that you love one another as I have loved you.”

Pope Francis said loving like Christ means going beyond our own selves and opening up to those in greater need.

“To love as Christ means to put yourself at the service of your brothers and sisters, as He did in washing the feet of the disciples,” said the Pope.

“It means making ourselves available, as we are and with what we have. This means to love not in word but in deed.”

The Old Testament tells us to love your God with all your heart with all your mind with all your soul and with all your might.

But why the same God is now telling us to love one another as I have loved you as the new commandment?

What is the difference between the commandment in the Old and in the New Testament? The New Commandment is about serving others, forgiving our enemies, showing compassion and mercy to those in need, and loving one another as Jesus loved us.

It is only through living in this way that we can create a new church, a new life, and a new family in the time of baptism.

Baptism, along with the other sacraments, is a covenant between ourselves and God, and it is important that we remain faithful to this covenant, just as God is always faithful to us.

Unfortunately, many of us fail to live up to these teachings, and this is why we see so many problems in families and society.

We must learn to love our enemies, show compassion, and avoid spreading hatred and violence.

If we can practice these teachings in our daily lives, then we can truly experience the newness of heaven and earth that Jesus promised.

In front of contradictions, in the face of uncertainty and confusion, always love more.

I committed this big mistake in the last few weeks as I grappled with my illnesses and external pressure. Because of this, I hurt people I care for deeply.

Moving forward, I can only pivot, apologize, and seek forgiveness. And love more.

Website: tonylavina.com. Facebook: tonylavs Twitter: tonylavs

kanyang trabaho.“

The senators present at the Senate committee hearing tried to pin him down on allegations of irregularities against him and his men at the CIDG. Their line of questioning was rather tame, as if not intending to disrespect an officer and a witness.

Senator Francis Tolentino sought to clarify Marantan’s status at the CIDG.

The “tough cop” said he submitted a courtesy resignation out of delicadeza as he invoked “command responsibility.”

But no case was ever filed, according to Marantan.

Senator JV Ejercito also asked about the charges that linked Marantan and his men to an alleged “hulidap” or robbery and extortion on Chinese nationals during a Paranaque raid.

All these allegations Marantan debunked point by point.

Exemplifying grace under pressure, he takes the opportunity to turn the tables against his critics: “There was an allegation, categorical and conclusive statements, made by the DCA himself (P/Lt. Gen. Rhodel Sermonia. We thought there were pieces of evidence to back up the allegations.”

Marantan: ”It is a very basic (rule) in investigation that before you can make accusations, there should be a complaint/affidavit from the victims. But there was no such complaint-affidavit from the supposed complainants or victims.”

Instead, the 13 Chinese nationals later came up with an affidavit stating they were not complaining and there were no irregularities allegedly committed by Marantan and his team.

The DCA “is biased against my men,” Marantan said.

“We can stay here even for as long as one year but nothing will come out of it because there is no case at all,” Marantan added.

The senators were beaten to the draw by Justice Secretary Crispin Remulla who had awarded Marantan with the PNP Medal of Valor long before the lawmakers could raise their questions.

Now, Marantan is back in the saddle of the CIDG-NCR, going about his sworn duty “to serve and protect” the people.

Marantan’ star is on the rise. One star at a time and no one will complain, I’m sure. Here’s a tough cop who’s well worth watching.

Perhaps next time, instead of stinging hornets and wasps, the friendly and well-meaning witnesses will come and visit CIDG to help him solve more crimes.

JEDDAH, Saudi Arabia—Clutching overstuffed suitcases, bleary-eyed civilians described a harrowing escape from violence-wracked Sudan across the Red Sea to Saudi Arabia, sobbing at memories of air strikes and urban combat.

Elderly women in wheelchairs and babies asleep in their parents’ arms were among nearly 200 people from 14 countries who disembarked from a naval frigate in the coastal city of Jeddah on Monday night after daring –and draining –- journeys to safety.

“We traveled a long way from Khartoum to Port Sudan. It took us around 10 or 11 hours,” said Lebanese national Suhaib Aicha, who has operated a plastics factory in Sudan for more than a decade.

“It took us another 20 hours on this ship from Port Sudan to Jeddah,” he told AFP as his young daughter cried on his shoulders.

“There were many difficult moments, all of which involved fear, tension and anxiety,” said another Lebanese passenger, a woman who declined to give her name.

“We were not sleeping, eating or drinking. We lived through many difficult days.”

Fighting broke out in Sudan on April 15 between forces loyal to army chief Abdel Fattah al-Burhan and his deputy turned rival Mohamed Hamdan Daglo, who commands the powerful paramilitary Rapid Support Forces.

At least 427 people have been killed and more than 3,700 wounded, according to UN agencies, and many are now grappling with acute shortages of water, food, medicines and fuel as well as power and internet blackouts.

Late on Monday, US Secretary of State Antony Blinken said Burhan and Daglo had agreed to a 72-hour ceasefire.

Even so, those who reached Saudi soil on Monday said they were grateful to be out of a country where the doctors’ union has reported that “morgues are full” and “corpses litter the streets.”

Saudi ‘leverage’

Saudi Arabia announced the first

successful civilian evacuation from Sudan on Saturday, welcoming 150 people including foreign diplomats and officials in Jeddah.

Earlier on Monday, a C-130 Hercules military plane flew dozens of South Korean civilians, among them a small child and a nun in a white-and-blue habit, to Jeddah’s King Abdullah Air Base.

Saudi officials are coming under pressure to do more than facilitate evacuations, given their close ties to the two generals whose troops are fighting it out in and beyond Khartoum

All told, 356 people have been evacuated to the kingdom from Sudan so far—101 Saudis and 255 foreigners from more than 20 countries, the official Saudi Press Agency reported.

Saudi state media have provided wall-to-wall coverage of the operation as well as statements of gratitude from countries whose citizens have benefited.

As the naval frigate approached Jeddah port on Monday night, the state-affiliated Al-Ekhbariya channel broadcast images of passengers waving their arms and smiling, while others recorded the scene on their smartphones.

Staring into the camera, a Saudi man waved the green, sword-emblazoned Saudi flag in one hand and his green passport in another, declaring: “This is the strongest passport in the world.”

Writing in the private newspaper Okaz, columnist Abdo Khal said Saudi Arabia’s relatively speedy organization of evacuation planes and boats highlighted the kingdom’s “international value.”

“Definitely this shows an eagerness by the Saudi kingdom to position itself as a central actor in regional crisis situations and to take advantage of the leverage it has over both sides of this conflict,” said Umar Karim, an expert on Saudi politics at the University of Birmingham.

But Saudi officials are coming under pressure to do more than facilitate evacuations, given their close ties to the two generals whose troops are fighting it out in and beyond Khartoum.

“Saudi Arabia is a critical player in the ceasefire diplomacy in Sudan,” Alan Boswell of the International Crisis Group told AFP.

“African and Western governments are looking to Riyadh for help in convincing Sudan’s military to give talks a chance.” AFP

Camilla—born Camilla Rosemary

‘Difficult days’: Evacuees recount risky escape from Sudan

Market rises slightly; Converge, ACEN up

TOP GAINERS

STOCKS rose slightly Friday after the Philippine Statistics Authority reported that inflation rate in April decelerated to an eightmonth low of 6.6 percent.

The PSE index, the 30-company benchmark of the Philippine Stock Exchange, picked up 1 point to close at 6,685.66 as four of the six subsectors advanced, led by holding firms.

The index representing all shares also rose 2 points to settle at 3,556.06 on a value turnover of P11.45 billion. Gain-

TOP LOSERS

MOST ACTIVE

ers outnumbered losers, 103 to 95, while 42 issues were unchanged.

Six of the 10 most active stocks ended in the green, led by Converge ICT Inc. which jumped 5.03 percent to P11.70 and ACEN Corp. which went up 2.49 percent to P6.17.

Meanwhile, the peso barely moved to close at 55.30 against the US dollar Friday.

In Asian markets, Hong Kong stocks finished higher as major markets elsewhere attempted a rebound following a day of losses driven by interest rate hikes and a banking sector sell-off.

US equities futures were trading in the green a day after all three major US indices finished sharply down thanks to banking sector turmoil and another

quarter-point hike from the US Federal Reserve.

Markets in Europe were also up in early trade, having dropped on Thursday after the European Central Bank joined the Fed in hiking rates.

Hong Kong finished half a percent higher after paring early gains, with tech and property companies among the big winners.

Shanghai, however, shed nearly half a percent as fears of an uneven recovery set in and a less-than-stellar earnings season failed to impress traders.

Sydney, Taipei and Kuala Lumpur were also up, while Wellington, Mumbai, Jakarta and Singapore were down. Tokyo and Seoul were closed for holidays.

Indonesia’s economy grew by 5.03% in Q1 ahead of slowdown

JAKARTA —Indonesia’s economic growth kept pace in the first quarter of the year, official data showed Friday, ahead of an expected slowdown that analysts said would be triggered by lagging exports and high interest rates.

Southeast Asia’s largest economy expanded 5.03 percent on-year in the period running from January through March, slightly up from 5.01 in the previous three months, Statistics Indonesia said.

The continued growth was driven by

household spending, metal and mineral exports, and returning tourists, Statistics Indonesia official Edy Mahmud told a press conference.

“The trend... is at the five percent level, indicating that Indonesia’s economic growth is still stable,” he said.

Indonesia bounced back from the coronavirus pandemic last year, posting its highest level of growth since 2013 on the back of soaring export prices and the lifting of travel restrictions.

But the record-high commodity prices caused by Russia’s invasion of Ukraine

have started to ease, and countries including Indonesia have kept tightening monetary policy.

“We think the economy is set to struggle over the coming quarters,” said Gareth Leather, senior Asia economist at Capital Economics.

“Our forecast that global growth will struggle and that commodity prices will remain subdued suggest that exports will stay weak.”

Leather predicted Indonesia’s annual growth would fall from 5.3 percent last year to 4.8 percent this year. AFP

White House says tech giants have ‘moral’ duty about AI’s dangers

WASHINGTON, USA—The White House on Thursday told the CEOs of US AI giants that they have a “moral” responsibility to protect society from the potential dangers of artificial intelligence.

Vice President Kamala Harris had summoned the heads of Google, Microsoft, OpenAI and Anthropic to strategize about the impact of AI, afraid that companies are running blindly into technology that could pose serious harms to society.

Harris told the CEOs, which included Sundar Pichai of Google and Satya Nadella of Microsoft, that they have a “moral” duty to safeguard society from AI’s potential dangers.

Companies “must comply with existing laws to protect the American people” as well as “ensure the safety and security of their products,” Harris said in a statement after the talks.

US President Joe Biden also insisted on that point when he briefly dropped by the meeting, telling the assembled CEOs, “What you’re doing has enormous potential and enormous danger.

“I know you understand that. And I hope you can educate us as to what you think is most needed to protect society as well as to the advancement,” he said, according to a video posted later by the White House. Biden has urged Congress to pass laws setting stricter limits on the tech sector, but these efforts have little chance of making headway given political divisions.

The lack of rules has given Silicon Valley freedom to put out new products rapidly, and stoked fears that AI technologies will wreak havoc on society before the government can catch up.

“It’s good to try to get ahead of this. It’s definitely going to be a challenge but it’s one I think we can handle,” OpenAI CEO Sam Altman told reporters before the meeting. His company, supercharged by billions of dollars from Microsoft, took the lead in making AI available to everyday consumers, with the release of ChatGPT, which caused a global sensation five months ago. Microsoft quickly integrated the AI chatbot’s abilities to crank out natural-seeming written responses from short prompts into its Bing search engine and other products.

The Windows-maker on Thursday expanded public access to these generative artificial intelligence programs, despite criticism and the meeting at the White House.

Risks from AI include its potential uses for fraud, with voice clones, deep-fake videos and convincingly written messages.

It is also a threat to white collar jobs, especially, for now, lowerskilled back-office work.

A range of experts in March urged a pause in the development of powerful AI systems to allow time to make sure they are safe, though a halt was widely seen as unlikely.

The White House used Thursday’s meeting to announce new actions to “promote responsible American innovation in artificial intelligence.”

This included directing $140 million to expand AI research and setting up an assessment system that would work in cooperation with big tech to “fix issues.”

US Vice President Kamala Harris shakes hands with an attendee after delivering remarks during National Small Business Week in the Rose Garden of the White House in Washington DC on May 1, 2023. AFP

“Don’t get your hopes up that this will lead to anything particularly meaningful, but it’s a good start,” said David Harris, a lecturer at Haas Business School at the University of California, Berkeley. Race to the bottom Google, Meta and Microsoft have spent years working on AI systems to help with translations, internet searches, security and targeted advertising.

But late last year, San Francisco-based OpenAI thrust generative AI into the public consciousness when it launched ChatGPT, forcing their rivals to answer.

Google has invited users in the United States and Britain to test its AI chatbot, known as Bard, with Facebook-owner Meta pointing to new uses in its ad tech.

And Billionaire Elon Musk in March founded an AI company called X.AI, based in the US state of Nevada, according to business documents.

A top US regulator put AI in the crosshairs ahead of the White House meeting, signaling that the US government would not fall behind when it came to setting up rules and guardrails.

“Can we continue to be the home of world-leading technology without accepting race-to-the-bottom business models and monopolistic control?” Federal Trade Commission chief Lina Khan wrote in a guest essay in the New York Times. AFP

Shares in HSBC were down in Hong Kong trade but up in London as the bank headed into what is expected to be a contentious shareholder meeting in the UK on Friday. Its largest shareholder, Chinese insurer Ping An, has called for HSBC to split itself up and create a separately listed bank headquartered in Hong Kong -- a proposal HSBC is urging other shareholders to vote down. Shares in regional US lenders plunged on Thursday, with PacWest plummeting 50.6 percent, Western Alliance slumping 38.5 percent and First Horizon losing 33.6 percent amid lingering fears for the health of the sector. Short-selling was making matters worse. With AFP

iPhone sales help Apple beat forecasts

SAN FRANCISCO, USA—Apple

on Thursday said iPhone sales and money made from services powered quarterly earnings that beat forecasts, despite inflation pressure and the slowing global economy.

The iPhone maker’s bottom line capped a successful earnings season for US tech giants, with Meta, Google and Amazon also beating expectations after suffering a painful spell of lower sales and profits.

The smartphone titan reported profit of $24 billion on revenue of $94.8 billion in the first three months of this year.

The overall revenues for the period were lower than a year before, though this was expected and Apple’s shares were up about one percent in after-market trading.

“We are pleased to report an alltime record in services and a March quarter record for iPhone despite the challenging macroeconomic environment,” Apple chief executive Tim Cook said in an earnings release. Sales of iPhones were up two percent and tallied $51.3 billion in the quarter, according to earnings figures.

“The iPhone base has well over a billion active devices... We feel great about the size of it and the rate that it’s growing,” Cook told analysts after the earning result.

Analysts said this was at least in part due to the reopening of China after a long period of Covid-19 restrictions that hurt economic growth.

Though Apple has made noise with its expansion into India, China remains the iPhone maker’s crucial supplier and a key market.

Apple was deeply affected by the years of Chinese Covid-related closures and is only now seeing its complex supply chain returning to normal. India is ‘major focus’

The company founded by Steve Jobs is making a very publicized push into India, with Cook himself attending the country’s first Apple Store openings last month.

“India is an incredibly exciting market. It’s a major focus for us. I was just there, and the dynamism in the market, the vibrancy, is unbelievable,” Cook said.

The country is home to the secondhighest number of smartphone users in the world and efforts there help to deflect attention from the company’s dependence on China.

Sales of Macs slipped to about $7.2 billion as belt-tightening around the world hit the entire personal computer market. AFP

FASHION STORE. People attend the opening of a Chinese fashion brand Shein pop-up store in Paris on May 4, 2023. The Shein pop-up store is set to open for business from May 5 to 8. AFP

BUSINESS

By Julito G. Rada

INFLATION in April decelerated to an eight-month low of 6.6 percent from 7.6 percent in March on slower increases in the prices of food and nonalcoholic beverages, the Philippine Statistics Authority said Friday.

Data from the PSA showed the April inflation was the slowest since it settled at 6.3 percent in August 2022.

National statistician and civil registrar general Dennis Mapa said, however, the April inflation remained elevated

Ayala Land’s Q1 profit climbed 42% to P4.5b

PROPERTY developer Ayala Land Inc. saw its net income surge 42 percent in the first quarter to P4.5 billion amid continued recovery of its residential, mall and office leasing businesses.

First-quarter revenues rose 26 percent to P30.9 billion, ALI said in a stock exchange filing Friday.

ALI president and chief executive Bernard Vincent Dy said all business lines showed progress, demonstrating market stability in the property sector. “We remain optimistic about the sustained expansion of our businesses this year, fueled by supportive economic drivers and the strength of the Philippine economy,” he said.

Property development revenues increased 8 percent to P17.1 billion, driven by higher residential completions, bookings and sale of office units. Residential sales were up 10 percent to P14.2 billion on continued strong demand for housing projects despite the high interest-rate environment.

Residential sales to local buyers jumped 13 percent in the first quarter, accounting for 68 percent of total sales. Sales to overseas Filipinos were almost the same as last year, while sales to other nationalities surged 61 percent. Jenniffer B. Austria

Cebu Pacific rebounded with P1.1-b Q1 profit

CEBU Air Inc., the operator of Cebu Pacific, said Friday it returned to profitability in the first quarter on the back of the recovery of its passenger business.

The airline unit of the Gokongwei Group reported a first-quarter net profit of P1.1 billion, bouncing from a P7.6-billion net loss in the same period last year, driven by strong passenger and ancillary revenues. This marked Cebu Pacific’s first profitable quarter since the pandemic, as it generated total revenues of P20.9 billion, or 211 percent higher than the first quarter of 2022.

It said passenger business generated P14.3 billion in revenues, up by 352 percent year-on-year. This was followed by ancillary business which generated P5.46 billion which grew 221 percent. The airline flew over 4.8 million passengers in the first quarter, up by 135 percent from a year earlier. This pushed load factor to 83 percent, up 13 percentage points year-on-year.

Darwin G. Amojelar

AbaCore posted P2b in net income in 2022

ABACORE Capital Holdings Inc., a holding company involved in sectors such as real estate, tourism, mining and finance, said it registered a consolidated net income of P2 billion in 2022 — exceeding its target of P1.8 billion for the year. Earnings per share came at P0.4641.

ABA’s profits primarily came from P1.9 billion worth of gain on revaluation on its assets. Other sources of income include a gain of P399.7 million from the sale of investment properties, P71.76 million from the sale of investment in subsidiaries and P15.2 million in dividends received from subsidiaries.

Expenses amounted to P86 million last year, a decrease from P105.7 million in 2021.

“The year 2022 was filled with milestones for ABA given we pursued deals in the key sectors we operate in,” said ABA chairman, president and chief executive Raul De Mesa.

“We look forward to executing these deals given the long-term value it will provide to our shareholders and the diversification they will provide to ABA’s income streams,” he said.

compared to 4.9 percent in April 2023.

The latest figure brought the average inflation in the first four months to 7.9 percent, above the government’s target range of 2 percent to 4 percent.

Finance Secretary Benjamin Diokno

said the continued decline of inflation since the peak of 8.7 percent in January 2023 was a positive development. “The recent inflation numbers indicate that we are on track to managing inflation to within the target range sometime in the fourth quarter, if not sooner, and near the midpoint of the target range of 2 to 4 percent by next year,” he said.

He said this clearly demonstrated that the whole-of-government approach to tackling inflationary pressures “is bearing fruit.”

The April inflation outturn was within the Bangko Sentral ng Pilipinas’ forecast range of 6.3 percent to 7.1 percent for the month, consistent with the over-

all assessment that inflation would remain elevated over the near term before gradually decelerating back to target range towards end-2023.

“The balance of risks to the inflation outlook for 2023 and 2024 also remains tilted heavily towards the upside. Despite the recent slowdown in food inflation, the potential effect of ongoing supply shortages continues to pose an upside risk to the outlook,” the BSP said in a statement.

The BSP said the policy-making Monetary Board would consider the latest figure along with the upcoming gross domestic product data for the first quarter of 2023 in its policy meeting on

April inflation eased to 8-month low of 6.6% IN BRIEF

May 18, 2023 as it committed to adjusting the monetary policy stance as necessary to prevent the further broadening of price pressures and the emergence of additional second-order effects.

The BSP said it also supports the timely and effective implementation of non-monetary government measures to mitigate the impact of persistent supplyside pressures on inflation.

The PSA said among the 13 commodity groups, the downtrend of the overall inflation was mainly due to the heavily weighted food and non-alcoholic beverages, which recorded a lower inflation rate of 7.9 percent compared to 9.3 in March.

SM Investments increases stake in 2GO Group to 67%

By Jenniffer

B. Austria

CONGLOMERATE SM Investments

Corp. said Friday it increased its stake in 2GO Group Inc. to 67.12 percent from 52.8 percent after buying out minority stockholders in the shipping and logistics firm.

SM’S DONATIONS. Continuing its commitment to helping elevate the country’s education system, SM Foundation Inc. teams up with SM Prime Holdings Inc. and the Department of Education to construct two school buildings in Laguna and Batangas provinces. Signing the memorandum of agreement to formalize the partnership on April 28, 2023 at the National Educators Academy of the Philippines in Malvar, Batangas are representatives from the SMFI, DepEd and the local government units. Upon the completion of the joint initiative, each school building with four classrooms will be donated to Laguna Resettlement Community School in San Pedro City, Laguna and San Antonio Elementary School in Sto. Tomas City, Batangas. The school buildings will be equipped with learning materials, armchairs, handwashing facilities, emergency equipment and PWD-friendly facilities.

Largest

PH steel facility in Cebu to start operations by June

By Othel V. Campos

THE Philippines’ largest steel mill produced its first reinforced steel bars as it entered the final phases of commissioning before starting commercial operations by June this year, SteelAsia Manufacturing Corp. said Friday.

“This is another major step for our country to be self-sufficient for our steel needs—a goal SteelAsia is committed to pursue. Every single country in the region is self-reliant and the Philippines should not be left behind to depend only on imports,” said SteelAsia chairman and chief executive Benjamin Yao.

The steel mill in Compostela, Cebu will produce 1 million tons of highstrength rebars annually. It uses the latest available technology, making it the country’s most efficient and environment-friendly steel facility.

SteelAsia said with this additional capacity, on top of 6 other mills located all over the country, it would have a total capacity of 3 million tons annually, making it the largest producer of rebars in Southeast Asia.

The Development Bank of the Philippines funded the project with P5.7 bil-

lion in long-term loans. SteelAsia and DBP signed the loan agreement in June 2020, and construction was completed in 30 months despite the global pandemic and supply chain disruptions.

Steel Asia has been investing heavily in manufacturing plants to ramp up local capacity to make the nation less dependent on imports.

The Compostela mill will also produce welded reinforcing mesh—the first such facility in the Visayas and Mindanao.

“This will ensure adequate highquality and economical steel supply for housing and infrastructure development,” said Yao.

He said the mill would expand SteelAsia’s capacity to serve different regions, giving builders the benefits of localized product availability, lower logistics cost and a faster response time.

Yao inspected the mill and met with the Italian engineers from Danieli & C. S.p.A., the mill’s design and equipment supplier, to commend them on the mill’s commissioning.

The Compostela plant, once fully operational, will create 500 direct and 2,500 indirect jobs.

PSE INDEX CLOSING

SMIC said in a stock exchange filing that of the 378.817 million 2GO shares owned by the public, 352,690 million shares were tendered from March 15, 2023 to April 28, 2023. The tendered shares were crossed on the Philippine Stock Exchange on Friday via a special block sale.

SMIC acquired the shares during the tender offer at P14.64 apiece, which translated into total transaction value of P5.163 billion.

The tender offer is in line with the conglomerate’s previously announced plan to delist 2GO from the local bourse.

SMIC, which has investments in banking, property and retail businesses, acquired the majority control of 2GO from businessman Dennis Uy in 2021.

Singapore-based fund Trident Investments Holdings Pte. Ltd. owns the remaining 31.73 percent of the total outstanding capital stock of 2GO.

Following the completion of the tender offer, the Philippine Stock Exchange on Friday suspended the trading of 2GO shares as its public float dropped below the 10-percent minimum requirement.

The company provides shipping, logistics and distribution services to consumers, small and medium enterprises, large corporations and government agencies throughout the Philippines.

It operates interisland roll-on/rolloff freight and passenger vessels and freighters and group offers transportation via air, land and sea; warehousing and distribution; cold chain solutions; domestic and international ocean and air forwarding services; customs brokerage; project logistics; and express and last mile package and e-commerce delivery.

METROPOLITAN Bank & Trust Co., the second-largest lender in terms of assets, said Friday its net income in the first quarter jumped 31.3 percent yearon-year to P10.5 billion on sustained strength of core businesses.

The bank said in a statement this resulted in a 13.1-percent return on equity, higher than the 10.3 percent recorded in the same period last year.

“Metrobank’s solid performance in the first three months of the year reflects our continued efforts to capture opportunities of a growing economy while we strive to keep our balance sheet strong against risks of volatile market conditions,” Metrobank president Fabian Dee said.

“For the rest of the year, we will continue making progress in further improving our products and services and implement strategies in line with our promise of keeping our customer in good hands,” he said.

Net interest income surged 28.8 percent to P24.9 billion, lifted by higher loans and a 54-basis-point hike in net interest margin to 3.9 percent.

courtesy call to newlyappointed Social Security System president and chief executive Rolando

all areas

Shell Pilipinas plans to recover P3.49-b tax payment after securing favorable ruling from CTA

By Alena Mae S. Flores

SHELL Pilipinas Corp. said Friday it plans to recover P3.49 billion in payment to the Bureau of Customs after receiving a favoring ruling from the Court of Tax Appeals on its past alkylate imports.

Shell said in a disclosure to the Philippine Stock Exchange on May 2 it received a copy of the decision dated April 27, 2023 from the CTA Special Second Division. The CTA ruled that alkylate is not

subject to excise tax and granted Shell’s amended petition for review dated Oct. 5, 2012. The CTA invalidated Document No.

M-059-2012 dated June 29, 2012 issued by the Commissioner of Internal Revenue as well as the letter dated Oct.

1, 2012 of the Customs Collector of the Port of Batangas which sought to impose taxes on Shell’s previous alkylate imports.

Shell said the CTA decision affirmed its position that alkylate is not subject to

excise tax.

The company previously imported alkylate as a blending component for unleaded gasoline. Shell is no longer importing alkylate.

“Thus, the CTA prohibited the government from collecting, in any manner, excise taxes and value-added tax on Shell’s alkylate importations,” the company said.

“Once the decision becomes final, SHLPH will consider the necessary legal actions to recover amounts previ-

ously paid to the government under protest for its past alkylate importations,” it said. Shell remitted P3.49 billion under protest in 2021, representing alleged excise taxes and value added tax on fuel blending components used in its refinery from 2014 to 2020 and paid to the Bureau of Customs. The country’s second biggest oil company said it paid BOC under protest for the excise tax and VAT relative to alkylate importations.

Gross loans increased 12.5 percent year-on-year, driven by a 12.7-percent rise in commercial loans and 11.8-percent expansion in consumer loans. Consumer loans business banked on a 30-percent growth in net credit card receivables and 10.7-percent rise in auto loans.

Total deposits grew by 10.8 percent to P2.3 trillion from a year ago, which low-cost current and savings accounts accounting for 62.1 percent. Trading and foreign exchange gains reached P2.1 billion, while fee income rose 13.4 percent to P4.1 billion.

Operating expenses climbed by 13.5 percent to P16.9 billion on the back of higher taxes, technology spending and transaction-related expenses. The strong revenue growth offset the impact of rising expenses, thus improving the cost-to- income ratio to 51.6 percent from 54.1 percent from the year before.

Metrobank’s Q1 income jumped 31% to P10.5b

FSSSOEA COURTESY CALL. Members of Former SSS Officers and Employees Association pay a

Macasaet, who requested the association to prepare and concretize

of cooperation and help him improve the quality of basic services to millions of SSS members.

2 sure obstacle racing golds for PH as SEAG goes full blast

By Riera U. Mallari

PHNOM PENH—Team Philippines formally opens its campaign for a better finish in the 32nd Southeast Asian Games here, with obstacle racing expected to deliver two sure golds.

Hours after the games were formally declared open Friday at the Morodok Techo Stadium, Filipino athletes, who are backed by the Philippine Sports Commission and the Philippine Olympic Committee, plunge into action Saturday in 17 disciplines, led by the obstacle racers in the finals of the men’s and women’s individual 100m events at the Chroy Changvar Convention Center Car Park starting at 8 a.m.

Kevin Pascua, the inaugural champ of

the event when it was staged in the Philippines in 2019, takes on countryman Mark Julius Rodelas in the men’s finals, even as Precious Cabuya and teammate Kaizen dela Serna clash for the women’s title.

The two sure mints are expected to boost the medal tally of the Philippines that stood at 2-2-3 before Friday’s opening ceremonies. Hosting the games for the first time, Cambodia led all the 11 nations with a 5-4-0 golf-silver-bronze tally.

Also hoping to boost Team Philip-

pines’ medal haul are entries from athletics, swimming, 3x3 basketball, boxing, cycling, e-sports, artistic gymnastics, karate, vovinam, pencak silat, pétanque, sepak takraw, soft tennis, tennis, aquathlon, and the demonstration sport of teqball.

Raven Alcoseba and Heart Quiambao take part in women’s aquathlon at the seaside town of Kep, a drive of more than three hours from the games’ hub here, while Kim Remolino and Josh Ramos compete in the men’s aquathlon.

The aquathlon sprint is a 500-meter swim and 2.5km run race, duathlon a 5km run, 20km bike and 2.5km run event and triathlon covers 750m of swimming, 20km of biking and 5km of running.

Triathletes Kim Mangrobang, 31, and Fernando Casares will defend their crowns on Monday, with triathlon chief Tom Carrasco saying the duo has what it takes to extend the country’s domination of the sport

Embarrassment in Phnom Penh

others added that it was because to the lineup used by Coach Alen Stajcic, even some suggested competitions at the biennial event are higher than the Olympic Qualifiers and several more reasons.

Bottomline is, we lost the game. No ifs, no butts.

Malixi eyes top finish in SEA Games

PHNOM PENH—Honored to help spearhead the national women’s golf team again in the Southeast Asian Games, Rianne Malixi hopes to deliver a better, stronger performance this time around in Cambodia.

“I’d say it’s an honor for me to have another chance to represent the country in the SEAG,” said Malixi, who debuted for the Nationals in the Vietnam edition of the region’s premier sporting conclave last year.

While she fell short of target in individual play, ending up joint ninth, the ICTSI-backed ace succeeded in coming up with a bronze medal in team play in stirring fashion, chipping in for birdie on the fourth playoff hole to beat Singapore’s Suanne Loh in a match play format.

Along with teammates Lois Kaye Go and Mafy Singson, Malixi is more than ready to take on the best, targeting a more productive campaign at the Garden City Golf Club in Phnom Penh while at the same time toning down expectations.

THAT the country’s campaign in the football competitions of the 32nd Southeast Asian Games in Phnom Penh, Cambodia has hit a snag is an understatement.

The Under-22 team, under new coach and former Azkals’ captain Rob Gier, suffered a humiliating 3-0 loss to Timor Leste Thursday evening to end their campaign in the biennial event with still a game to play. The squad is dead last in Group A with just a point in three games. Indonesia is currently on top of the standings with six points in two starts while host Cambodia is just two points behind. Myanmar and Timor Leste are next with 3 points apiece.

The U-22 will end its campaign against Myanmar. There are so many questions why the team failed miserably in the tournament. There are so many probable answers, too. Looking at the reactions of the fans in the so-called “embarrassment in Phnom Penh” will give you lots of ideas why. One thing is for sure, we played so bad. But in fairness to Gier, you can’t expect someone to fly in two weeks before the tournament and get good results. He barely knew the players.

The Azkals Development Team was created supposedly to prepare the country for the U-22 competitions in the South Asian Games. It may not be perfect with several issues and complaints raised before the tournament regarding salaries and other concerns. The program was created solely for the SEA Games. But in a typical Pinoy football drama, something happened. Somewhere along the way, those who spent money for the recruitment of the players, getting them here, took care of their accommodations, training, coaching them and other needs were not given a say on the team as it departed for Cambodia. I bet there are a lot of reasons, again, why this happened. Maybe, the powers at be, meant well, maybe they think they can do better, yet here we are looking at another failure at the SEA Games. Heck, we can’t even beat Timor Leste now.

Ang hirap talaga mahalin ang football sa ‘Pinas!

The Filipinas, on the other hand, got off on the wrong foot after absorbing a 1-0 loss at the hands of Myanmar.

Except for that questionable penalty, Myanmar played better against the Filipinas, who for some reasons lacked the grit, cohesiveness and determination they showed against several teams during their preparation for the SEA Games and as a whole, for the FIFA Women’s World Cup in July this year. Some say it was due to overconfidence,

It was a massive wakeup call. The team needs to adjust fast and make the important changes. More importantly, the Filipinas need to be Malditas against Malaysia on May 6 and against heavy favorites Vietnam on the 9th to keep their hopes of another podium finish alive.

Hoping and praying that the Filipinas will get the Ws in their remaining games.

On a brighter note, the Philippine chess team is assured of at least a silver medal in the Ouk Chaktrang Cambodian Chess competitions. The pair of WGM Janelle Mae Frayna and WIM Shaina Mae Mendoza secured the silver in the Women’s Doubles 60 Minutes event. Frayna and Mendoza missed the gold after dropping a close match-up against Vietnam in the gold medal game.

In a quick chat with GM Jayson Gonzales, the head of the Philippine team, he said the Ouk Chaktang or Cambodian chess is different compared to regular chess for several reasons. “

In Ouk Chaktrang, they used an elephant instead of the bishop. The queen can only move initially on two squares straight ahead. Pawn promotion is on the sixth rank and forced to become a queen. There is no castling in Ouk Chaktrang but the moves for the king, the knight and the rook are basically the same. They may vary, however, in sizes and images,” Gonzales explained.

Gonzales is optimistic that the team can add more medals to their current tally.

All the best for our woodpushers. And likewise to the rest of Team Philippines! The Designated Kit Man had a wonderful kumustahan with legendary bench tactician Coach Joe Lipa last weekend. Along with my co-chost Dennis Principe, classmate Peter Lopez and PBA Archives himself, Aris Garcia, Coach Joe shared so many valuable anecdotes and experiences that are applicable to basketball and life itself.

Coach Joe said among his most treasured moments is when he led the team that won the golden bronze in the Seoul Asian Games in 1986 featuring an all Filipino-born and future of Philippine basketball that included Alvin Patrimonio, Ronnie Magsanoc, Jojo Lastimosa, Elmer Reyes, Allan Caidic, Samboy Lim, Franz Pumaren, Eric Altamirano, Glenn Capacio, brothers Harmon and Jerry Codiñera and Jack Tanuan.

“‘Yung team na ‘yun parang nasa penitensya kami araw-araw. Araw-araw nasa Rizal Memorial Coliseum kami noon from 6 to 8 a.m. Ang init init. Tapos marami pa ang nagsabi noon na ang team na

‘wag na papuntahin sa Asian Games. Labing dalawa ang maglalaban, pang labing tatlo ang mga

mga negative comments,” he recalled.

that started in 2015 in Singapore.

“We are hoping to repeat our dominance, but we expect stiffer competition from all,” said Carrasco, adding they are setting their sights on three golds, “four if we are lucky.”

Duathlon races in both divisions will be held Sunday.

Marathoners Christine Hallasgo, Ruffa Sorongon, Richard Salano and Arlan Arbois kick off the country’s campaign in athletics in Sim Reap City.

Boxing, where Pinoy entries are among the favorites, gets going at the Chroy Changvar Convention Hall, with the draw to determine the opening matches set to be held later Friday.

Also to be held at the same venue are opening matches in karate, with Jamie Lim, the daughter of cage great Samboy Lim, determined to improve on her bronzemedal finish in Vietnam last year.

He said that his boys persevered throughout the hard practices, even his boys were also playing for their collegiate and commercial teams, and the daily doses of “bashing” then.

“To make a long story short, we made it through the semifinals and could have advanced in the finals if not for that controversial charging call against Allan (Caidic). Napakamemorable nu’n kasi kasama ko talaga naghirap ang mga batang ‘yun,” he said.

Just like many Filipinos, Coach Joe is rooting for Gilas Pilipinas to do well in the forthcoming FIBA World Cup which the country is hosting.

“I’m hoping and praying for the national team kahit na nabalitaan ko na malalakas ang mga kabracket natin sa group,” Lipa added.

The Philippines will compete in Group A along with Angola, Dominican Republic and Italy.

Lipa also revealed that even before the small basketball, euro step, positionless basketball and several other terms were coined, his boys, especially his players on the national teams, were already doing them.

“Nauna na tayo gumagawa noon. ‘Yung euro step ginagawa na ni Elmer (Reyes) noon pa. Hindi lang natin alam ang tawag,” he jested.

But the most interesting thing, among the many lessons and takeaways he shared, the Designated Kit Man learned from Coach Joe was his own version of KOL. Not the usual Key Opinion Leader we see in marketing or powerpoint presentations but Coach Joe’s version is more understandable and easier to grasp. KOL for him means Keep on Learning not only on basketball but on other aspects of life as well.

“The height and the size of the ring have remained the same. The length of the court is the same as before, and despite some changes, the game is being played practically the same. The team with the higher score still wins the game. But it doesn’t mean that you will stop from learning, there are more things to learn and to improve from the game,” Lipa said.

From this alone, I believe that we can learn so much from the man that has seen the best and the worst of Philippine basketball and even life itself. And you don’t have to play basketball or coach a team to know that learni

Incidentally, Lipa’s book “Coach Joe’s Basketball 101, written with Lopez, is expected to come out soon this month. It’s a must for all basketball coaches out there and also for those who simply love the game of basketball. Please get your copy once it is available. Please join us for another exciting episode of 3PTS-Pambansang Tambayan ng Sports this Sunday, May 7, from 2 to 3 p.m. over DZME 1530 khz. Sports memorabilia collector Dr. Michael Rico Mesina will be one of our 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

“There are chances of getting gold. But I won’t be setting expectations. I’ll be starting out fresh since I have been practicing a lot and devoted my time in prepping,” said Malixi, who primed herself up for the SEAG battle through rigorous training at Royal Northwoods Golf and Country Club in Bulacan.

The men’s and women’s individual titles will be disputed via a stroke play format over 54 holes while the team championship will be played in match play.

Go placed fourth in individual play in Vietnam while ICTSI teammate Mafy Singson wound up eighth.

The Pinay aces, however, will have their hands full given the depth of the competing field, headed by the fancied Thais made up of reigning WAAP champion Eila Galitsky, Prim Prachnakorn and Nawaporn Soontayaphas, Singapore’s Aloysa Atienza, Jaymie Ng and Loh, Malaysia’s Geraldine Wong, Ng Jing Xuen and Foong Zi Yu, and Vietnam’s Le Chuc An, Than Bao Nghi and Doan Xuan Khue Minh.

4 aces target 2nd win

at ICTSI Luisita

THE ICTSI Luisita Championship will see an assembly of stars who have dominated the Philippine Golf Tour the past two years go head-tohead beginning Tuesday, including four top guns chasing a second victory in the current PGT season.

Tony Lascuna sets out for the P2 million event seeking to become the first player to win two PGT legs after beating Asian Tour campaigners Angelo Que and Lloyd Go by three in the second ICTSI Caliraya Springs Championship in Cavinti, Laguna last month. But the amiable, multi-titled Davaoeño will have to buck a slew of in-form rivals, including The Country Club Invitational back-to-back champion Guido van der Valk, Bacolod leg titlist Ira Alido and Iloilo stage winner Rupert Zaragosa and overcome an exacting Luisita Golf and Country Club course kept in championship form year-round.

But the four winners also expect stiff competition from the rest of the 63-player starting field, including Que, Go and fellow title-hungry Clyde Mondilla, Michael Bibat, ZaGialon, Reymon Jaraula, Jhonnel Ababa, Jay Bayron, Marvin Dumandan, Gerald Rosales and Frankie Miñoza with Miguel Tabuena back to defend the crown he won over Mondilla in sudden death last year.

The event, held side-by-side with the 54-hole Ladies PGT, will also feature a number of young, talented players eager to hit paydirt in the fifth leg of this

year’s circuit put up by ICTSI, including Sean Ramos, who tied for fourth in Iloilo and shared eighth place at Caliraya Springs. PGT Q-School topnotcher Korean Rho Hyun Ho is also due for a big finish following a couple of roller-coaster campaigns, along with Elee Bisera, Gabriel Manotoc, Kristoffer Arevalo, Josh Jorge, Russel Bautista, Jonas Magcalayo and Ivan Monsalve.

Seasoned campaigners Jobim Carlos, Jerson Balasabas, Albin Engino, Orlan Sumcad, Anthony Fernando, Mars Pucay, Arnold Villacencio, Jun Bernis, Elmer Salvador and Ferdie Aunzo, on the other hand, go all-out to snap a long title drought on the Robert Trent Jones, Sr.-designed course that favors no

Riera U. Mallari, Editor; Randy M. Caluag, Assistant Editor

Military personnel walk outside the Morodok Techo National Stadium ahead of the 32nd Southeast Asian Games in Phnom Penh. The 2023 Southeast Asian Games will be held from May 5 to 17 in Cambodia. AFP

Rianne Malixi

BPI launches auto, housing loan promo

THE Bank of the Philippine Islands (BPI) recently launched its Hot Summer Promo, enabling Filipino families to own their dream cars and homes.

“As the thought leader in retail lending, our new promo will leverage on the ‘travel’ or ‘tourism’ mindset of consumers, by helping them get their own home or car while allowing them to have a chance to win a trip,” said Dennis Fronda, BPI Retail Lending and Bancassurance Group Head.

All-expense paid trip up for grabs

BPI is looking to generate 30 percent higher business volume for auto and housing through BPI’s Hot Summer Promo, an all-in offer of low rates, free Insurance, waived bank fees, and a chance to win an all-expense paid trip for clients and partner brokers/dealer agents. Winners will be rewarded with an all-expense paid trip to a domestic or international destination.

The auto and housing loan promo offers will run from April 24 to May 31, 2023 for online, branch, and dealer/ developer-referred accounts.

It is open to all individual and corporate clients whose applications are received within the promo period and booked on or before June 30, 2023 for auto loans, and on or before July 31, 2023 for housing loans.

The promo cannot be availed in conjunction with any other existing promo of the Bank.

The minimum loan amount for an auto loan is P500,000, with a minimum loan term of 36 months or three years. This is applicable to brand new passenger cars (SUVs, pickups) and big bikes, and must be for personal/private use.

Also through the MyKotse program, BPI becomes the only bank in the Philippines to offer extended loan tenors of 6 years and 7 years, depending on the car’s engine displacement, from the industry standard tenor of 5 years. For housing loands, the minimum loan amount is P1 million, with a minimum loan term of 10 years. This is applicable for all loan purposes, and for “My Bahay” accounts but with terms and conditions applied.

All accounts that will be booked under the auto loan promo are eligible for raffle entry (for every 500K loan amount = 1 raffle entry), with a maximum of four raffle entries or P2.5-million loan amount. For housing loans, all accounts that will be booked under the promo are eligible for raffle entry (for every increment of P1million loan amount = 1 raffle entry), with a maximum of four raffle entries.

There will be 10 minor and one grand raffle winner/s for accounts booked until June 30 (auto loan) and until July 31, 2023 (housing loan).

Gabay Kalikasan Park

METRO Pacific Investments Corporation (MPIC) recently broke ground on the Gabay Kalikasan Park, in partnership with the Department of Environment and Natural Resources – Biodiversity Management Bureau (DENR-BMB), the Department of Environment and Natural Resources – National Capital Region (DENR-NCR), and the local government unit of Quezon City.

Gabay Kalikasan Park is envisioned to be an urban green park model as part of a three-year public-private partnership for urban biodiversity in the Philippines. The goal of the project is to contribute to the development of a biodiversity-

friendly city to increase access of urban dwellers to green spaces and maintain functional urban green spaces. “Gabay Kalikasan Park, aptly named after our advocacy on environment stewardship, is a testament to our group’s commitment to become a catalyst for inclusive, safer, resilient, livable, and sustainable cities and communities,” said MPIC chief finance, Risk, and Sustainability Officer Chaye A. Cabal-Revilla. At the groundbreaking were from left: QC LGU’s climate change and environmental sustainability department representative Carl Ignacio; DENRNCR conservation and development

Smart move for millennials

division chief Aida Esguerra; DENRBMB caves, wetlands and other ecosystems division OIC chief Anson Tagtag; MPIC executive director and chief finance, sustainability and risk officer Chaye Cabal-Revilla; Barangay Mariana chairperson Regina Celeste San Miguel; Barangay Mariana councilor Ma. Conception Amorillo; DENR-NCR regional executive director Jacqueline Caancan; MPIC vice president for investor relations Maricris Aldover-Ysmael; and QC LGU parks development and administration department OIC architect Baltazar Avelino.

buildings within the estate.

To date, the condo’s first three buildings are now 96% sold, with majority of the buyers are within 2535 age range.

Building on this success, RLC Residences officially introduced the development’s fourth building, empowering more young professionals to make their smart move through real estate investment.

Sierra Valley Gardens is home to well-spaced studio, one-, and twobedroom units with balcony options. Ranging from 22 to 66 sqm., these flats offer options to the growing need of millennials based on their needs and space requirements.

Sierra Valley Gardens won the Best Sustainable Residential Development at the DOT Property Southeast Asia Awards 2022 held in Bangkok, Thailand.

SERIYA IN BULACAN. Ovialand Inc. recently held a groundbreaking ceremony for Seriya — the company’s first housing development outside of South Luzon. Seriya is located in Baliwag, Bulacan, along the Candaba highway.. Some 536 house-and-lot units will be built, with various units to be offered to clients such as duplex and townhouse units. Amenities that will be available include an airconditioned clubhouse, swimming pool, and a community chapel. The houseand-lot units will initially be built on 8.9 hectares of land. Ovialand will spend around Php 990 million for the development of Seriya. The company expects to generate P2 billion in revenues from the sale of units. Turnover of house-and-lot units is expected to begin in September 2023. Present are from left: Bryan Vital, CFO of Ovialand; Pammy Olivares-Vital, President and CEO of Ovialand; Councilor Bhang Imperial; Mrs. Nanette Olivares; Baliwag Mayor Ferdie Estrella; Giovanni J. Olivares, Chairman of Ovialand; Renato Simbulan.

DAVAO HAVEN. Damosa Land recently inaugurated its newest luxury residential offering Harbor View Estates, located within the marina lifestyle community Bridgeport in Samal Island. Inspired by the East Coast Hampton architectural style in the US, Harbor View Estates is an open-lot subdivision that extends inward from the coast of Samal. “It’s just been a year and we’re already set,” said Damosa Land President Ricardo “Cary” Lagdameo (Shown in photo). “Harbor View Estates does not only offer a picturesque marina community where families can find their second home but also an investment opportunity within an upand-coming location that is accessible to the city – promoting a balance of work, life, and leisure.” Just a week ago, Damosa Land also hosted an open house in Bridgeport Park, not too far away from HVE. Bridgeport Park is a four-building condominium project, with each building composed of four stories, that is complemented by 18,000 square meters of open spaces allotted for parks, playgrounds, and recreational areas that feature a scenic view of the Davao Gulf and Mt. Apo. Launched in 2022, Bridgeport is a premium 13-hectare low density mixed-use development.

MOVING TO CAPTURE A WIDER MARKET SHARE. BPI’s Retail Lending Group Management Committee at the launch of the ‘Hot Summer Promo.’ Top from left are: Redilberto Lopez, auto loan division head; Dennis Fronda, retail lending and bancassurance group head; Mark Launcel Panizales, retail lending product marketing division head. Bottom from left are: Noreene Cayco, channel management and bancassurance division head; Bernadette Ocampo, housing loan division head; Edelinda Tined, models, analytics, and insighting division head.

My Kotse, My Bahay

Changan PH Service Experts bound for international plum

FRESH off receiving the Excellence of Service Award last April at the 2023 Changan Automobile Overseas Partner Conference, Changan Motor Philippines, Inc. (CMPI) is eyeing more honors at the First Changan Global Skills Competition.

EVAP recognized at 10th International EV Expo in Korea

THE Electric Vehicle Association of the Philippines (EVAP) has been a driving force in promoting sustainable transportation solutions in the country

This commitment was further highlighted when its President, Edmund Araga, and Chairman, Rommel Juan, recently traveled to Jeju, Korea, to attend the 10th International Electric Vehicle Expo and celebrate the 8th anniversary of the Global Electric Vehicle Network (GEAN), headed by Chairman Daehhwan Kim.

The event provided an excellent platform for the EVAP to showcase the progress made in promoting electric vehicles (EVs) in the Philippines. It was also an opportunity for the organization to gain insights from other countries and to explore new technologies that could be implemented in the Philippines.

Araga and Juan were also joined by Dennis Chuah, President of the Electric Vehicle Association of Malaysia, in representing the Asian Federation of Electric Vehicle Associations (AFEVA) at the event. AFEVA is a regional

organization that aims to promote the adoption of EVs in Asia. During the expo, Araga and Juan had the opportunity to meet with representatives from other EV organizations and exchange ideas on promoting EV adoption. They also had the chance to see the latest EV models

and technologies on display at the expo.

One of the highlights of the event was the presentation of the GEAN award to Araga for his efforts as President of AFEVA in promoting sustainable transportation solutions in Asia. The award recognized Araga’s leadership and commitment to promoting EV

adoption in the region.

The trip to Korea was a significant milestone for the EVAP and the Philippine EV industry. The event was a testament to the commitment of the EVAP to promoting sustainable and eco-friendly transportation solutions in the Philippines.

Suzuki Auto finds a home in Taguig

Jayson Ambata, Service Advisor of Changan Sta. Rosa Laguna and Ponciano De Jesus, Service Technician of Changan Heroes Hills will represent the Philippines at the First Changan Global Skills Competition this June at Changan International Corporation’s (CIC) home base in Chongqing, China.

Ambata and Ponciano, champions of the First Changan National Skills Competition, held March this year, proved their mettle and earned top scores at last April’s Regional Skills Competition, beating contenders from Asia-Pacific, the Middle East, Africa, Latin America, Pakistan, and Russia.

The Changan Global Skills Competition aims to recognize and showcase the skills and capabilities of top-performing Service professionals across the Changan global distributorship network. It also serves to inspire Service teams to strive for excellence in fulfilling the Changan customer promise of “Lasting Safety.”

“The fact that Changan International Corporation invited us to compete in their First Global Skills Competition signals our readiness in the area of Service to bolster Changan’s bid to accelerate its global expansion. After Sales is the backbone of our business and I am proud of the world-class teams who are driving it,” affirmed CMPI President and CEO Maria Fe Perez-Agudo.

New LEGO Vehicles make their rounds in Metro Manila

IT’S all in the details for LEGO® Vehicles, with every part and every piece coming together to recreate topnotch display models of iconic cars and motorbikes. Collectors and noncollectors alike can expect near-perfect replicas of the actual vehicles, from the overall design to the functionality of parts.

Discover the best vehicle gifts for anyone with a need for speed

The LEGO Vehicles has all your automobile interests covered — whether it’s letting younger LEGO fans explore the mechanics of vehicles or sprucing up your space with these topof-the-line display models. Featured in the line-up are replicas of iconic cars from all over pop culture, from the fast to the flashy, so you know you can never go wrong with choosing any of the following LEGO Vehicles set:

LEGO Technic 42154 22 Ford GT (SRP 8,999.00)

LEGO Technic 42153 Nascar Next

Gen Chevrolet Camaro (SRP 3,799.00)

LEGO Technic 42151 Bugatti Bollide (SRP 3,799.00)

LEGO Speed Champions 76917 2

Fast 2 Furious Nissan Skyline (SRP 1,799.00)

LEGO Speed Champions 76916

Porsche 963 (SRP 1,799.00)

LEGO City 60389 Custom Car Garage (SRP 3,799.00)

LEGO City 60383 Electric Sports Car (SRP 699.00)

From kids who love the speed of race cars, to serious hobbyists who want their set to be a perfect miniature of their favorite car, there’s a LEGO Vehicle for everyone! Rev up your collection with LEGO Vehicles

The LEGO Group is going full speed with mini-caravan events and a line-up of display model sets that will have you shifting gears to get to the nearest toy store!

From now until May 31, exclusive gifts will be available for purchases of LEGO Vehicles sets from PHP 3000 and up. Be transported to an auto haven where you can enjoy building with blocks and bricks, have your photos taken, and shop for your LEGO set of choice at LEGO Certified Store, Toys R Us, Toy Kingdom, and Toy Kingdom Express stores this whole month.

To learn more about the LEGO Group, check out www.bankeebricks. ph, follow the LEGO Certified Store on Facebook and Instagram, and BankeeBricks on Facebook & Instagram or visit the LEGO Certified Store nearest you.

Maserati Granturismo celebrated at Milan Design Week

MASERATI celebrated its new GranTurismo along with personalities from the world of fashion, showbiz, sport, and music at its new Milan retail store in the heart of Italy’s design capital. The Trident introduced its GranTurismo Launch Edition PrimaSerie 75th Anniversary along with three masterpieces—GranTurismo One Off Prisma and Granturismo One Off Luce, designed by Maserati Centro Stile, and Granturismo One Off Ouroboros conceived by the intrepid inspiration of Japanese street culture pioneer and friend of the Trident Hiroshi Fujiwara. Style pioneer and global brand ambassador David Beckham was in attendance to pay a personal tribute to the new GranTurismo, along with Japanese designer Hiroshi Fujiwara, Italian pianist and composer Dardust and Italian actress Matilda De Angelis who raised a glass and celebrated the Trident’s icon—first designed in 1947 to enhance the long-distance sports car par excellence.

The GranTurismo One Off Prisma is a refined work of craftsmanship, equipped with the Nettuno V6 internal combustion engine, dedicated to the heritage of this glorious car. The bodywork is made of a chromatic partnership consisting of 14 different colours—all painted by hand—and embellished with details of more than 8,500 letters hand-applied and hand-varnished one by one, making up the names of Maserati cars.

The GranTurismo One Off Luce is a statement of innovation and sustainability, featuring a full-electric Folgore engine, literally reflecting Maserati’s experimentation and constant research.

The outfit is an original chromatic mirrored monolith, engraved with a dynamic laser-etched pattern and painted in an almost absent colour that makes the contours of the car blend into its surroundings. The interiors are a hymn to the future as they are made

street culture innovator Hiroshi Fujiwara, as his own creative interpretation of the contemporary GranTurismo in the full-electric Folgore version. Inspired by the ‘Ouroboros’, a gnostic symbol that expresses the unity of all things which never disappear but perpetually change form in an eternal cycle of destruction and recreation, Fujiwara conceived a one-of-a-kind car seamlessly blending distinctive design elements from a curated selection of Maserati from the past.

SUZUKI Philippines Inc. (SPH), the country’s pioneer compact car distributor, marked another significant milestone in the country with the opening of its latest 3S dealership in Taguig City.

Located strategically at 1050D Levi B. Mariano Ave. in Barangay Ususan, the new Suzuki Auto Taguig sits on a 1,130 square meter lot with a showroom that can accommodate three units. Service area, on the other hand, boasts of six bays to cater to any requirements. Customers and patrons of Suzuki can now go to Taguig City to purchase their favorite iconic cars, avail of after sales services and find spare parts at their own pace.

nylon yarn—resulting in a unique aesthetic metamorphosis: the monochromatic blue interior reminds of the sea from which the sustainable material came from. The shapes of the seats are underlined also by the few graphics present on the central parts, lasered with gradient backing in contrast. The result is the two contrasting techniques, inside and outside: the mirror that almost hides the car and the laser that aims to create a strong and deep track of Maserati’s soul, technical performance, and astonishing beauty.

Following a long-standing partnership with Japanese brand Fragment, started in 2021, Maserati introduced the GranTurismo One Off Ouroboros, a virtual Fuoriserie GranTurismo designed by

Finally, the unmistakable allure of a limited edition like the GranTurismo Launch Edition PrimaSerie 75th Anniversary was showcased at the event. Made in four unique configurations, the total of 300 units – 75 for each version with an internal combustion engine, in Grigio Lamiera and Nero Cometa colours, and 75 for the electric Folgore version, in Rame Folgore and Blu Inchiostro hues —celebrates the quintessence of Italian luxury in terms of performance and stands as a testament to an ideal balance between beauty and functionality, without ostentation.

These show-stopping masterpieces, on four wheels or digital, embody Maserati’s legacy projected into the future and have been created within Fuoriserie, the Trident’s customisation programme, which allows clients to express their personality and creativity to design one-of-a-kind vehicles. Following the global preview at Milan Design Week, these works of art will travel across the world for a series of Maserati GranTurismo celebration events giving car enthusiasts the chance to experience them up close and personal.

This is Suzuki Philippines’ first 3S dealership in partnership with Zoomhub, Inc. The two companies, however, have collaborated initially to put up a satellite dealership in Bonifacio Global City in 2021 to reach out to more patrons in one of the emerging business hubs in the country.

“Suzuki Auto Taguig is a very welcome and much awaited addition to our current expansion program this year. Not only does it give us another location to showcase our cars and aftersales services, the dealership gave us better access and a formidable presence in the second most important business district in Metro Manila,” Norihide Takei, Suzuki Philippines’ Director and General Manager for Automobile, said during the unveiling of the new dealership.

For more information, you may check out any authorized Suzuki Auto dealerships nationwide or visit http://suzuki.com.ph/auto/.

For daily updates on Suzuki, please like Suzuki Auto PH’s Facebook page at https://www.facebook. com/SuzukiAutoPH, follow them on Twitter at https://twitter.com/ SuzukiAutoPH and Instagram at @ suzukiautoph.

Cebuana Lhuillier ranked among top digital engagement leaders in PH

LEADING microfinance services

provider Cebuana Lhuillier scored a huge achievement as it has recently been named one of the Top Most Engaged Brands on social media in the Philippines by internet analytics firm Emplifi.

Cebuana Lhuillier ranked high in customer engagement on the world’s most active social media platforms and channels Facebook (2nd), Instagram (5th), TikTok (3rd), and Viber (5th). The company also has the truly rare distinction of being the only brand that consistently appeared on in the top five list across all tracked social media platforms.

“We are so proud of this distinction as it validates the work, we have been doing to communicate effectively to our clients. We take pride in being the most engaged financial brand in the digital arena and have in fact, kept up with top lifestyle and FMCG brands in terms of online presence,” said Michael Sena, First Vice President and Group Head for Cebuana Lhuillier’s Integrated Marketing and Communications. With these top finishes, Cebuana Lhuillier joins local giants such as Jollibee and Smart Communications, Inc., as well as popular international brands such as Adidas and Uniqlo, as a company that frequently and consistently engages with their customers and successfully scales its reach.

Cebuana Lhuillier uses its strong social media presence to actively engage millions of Filipinos online and to fully serve their needs in the fastest and most convenient way possible, adding to the high-quality service it already provides in its over 3,000 branches nationwide.

“Pursuing our mission of financial inclusion for Filipinos is the very core of what we do. Vital to this is for us to reach out and communicate to our dear Ka-Cebuanas as efficiently and effectively possible and digital space is one way to achieve that. We will continue to go above and beyond to give our Ka-Cebuanas the kind of exceptional service and assistance they always deserve,” said Cebuana Lhuillier President and CEO Jean Henri Lhuillier.

Cebuana Lhuillier’s groundbreaking digital offerings include the highly convenient eCebuana app, a product of the Cebuana Lhuillier Bank, which enables Cebuana Lhuillier clients to conveniently access micro financial services such as Micro Savings, Money Remittance, Bills Payment, and E-load services; ProtectNow, its easily accessible online insurance marketplace; Cebuana Lhuillier Jewelry Online, where customers can instantly buy pre-loved authentic gold jewelry; Cebuana From Home, its online and door-todoor service that brings the brand’s classic microfinance services to customers at home; and CebuanaXpress, the first digital pawning lifestyle app. From consistently keeping customers informed on the best products fit for their needs, to keeping them posted on unmissable promos, addressing realtime concerns, and even providing entertainment, Cebuana Lhuillier further cements its role as Filipinos’ trusted partner in their own blossoming success stories of hard work and perseverance.

ChatGPT phishing fantasies: Will AI chatbots help fight cyberscam?

The study revealed that although ChatGPT knows a great deal about phishing and can guess the target of a phishing attack, it had high false positive rates of up to 64 percent.

KASPERSKY experts have conducted research studying ChatGPT phishing links detection capability.

While ChatGPT had previously demonstrated the ability to create phishing emails and write malware, its effectiveness in detecting malicious links was limited.

The study revealed that although ChatGPT knows a great deal about phishing and can guess the target of a phishing attack, it had high false positive rates of up to 64 percent. Often, it produced imaginary explanations and false evidence to justify its verdicts.

ChatGPT, an AI-powered language model, has been a topic of discussion in the cybersecurity world due to its potential to create phishing emails and the concerns about its impact on cybersecurity experts’ job security even despite its creators’ warnings that it is too early to apply the novel technology to such high-risk domains.

Kaspersky experts decided to conduct an experiment to reveal ChatGPT’s ability to detect phishing links, as well as the cybersecurity knowledge it learned during training. Company’s experts tested gpt-3.5-turbo, the model that powers ChatGPT, on more than 2,000 links that Kaspersky anti-phishing technologies deemed phishing, and mixed it with thousands of safe URLs.

In the experiment, detection rates vary depending on the prompt used.

The experiment was based on asking ChatGPT two questions: “Does this link lead to a phishing website?” and “Is this link safe to visit?”.

The results showed that ChatGPT had a detection rate of 87.2 percent and a false positive rate of 23.2 percent for

the first question.

The second question, “Is this link safe to visit?” had a higher detection rate of 93.8 percent, but a higher false positive rate of 64.3 percent. While the detection rate is very high, the false positive rate is too high for any kind of production application.

The unsatisfactory results at the detection task were expected, but could ChatGPT help with classifying and investigating attacks?

Since attackers typically mention popular brands in their links to deceive users into believing that the URL is legitimate and belongs to a reputable company, the AI language model shows impressive results in the identification of potential phishing targets.

For instance, ChatGPT has successfully extracted a target from more than half of the URLs, including major tech portals like Facebook, TikTok, and Google, marketplaces such as Amazon and Steam, and numerous banks from around the globe, among others—without any additional training.

The experiment also showed ChatGPT might have serious problems when it comes to proving its point on the decision whether the link is malicious. Some explanations were correct and based on facts, others revealed known limitations of language models, including hallucinations and misstatements: many explanations were misleading, despite the confident tone.

“ChatGPT certainly shows promise in assisting human analysts in detecting phishing attacks but let’s not get ahead of us - language models still have their limitations. While they might be on par with an intern-level phishing analyst when it comes to reasoning about phishing attacks and extracting potential targets, they tend to hallucinate and produce random output. So, while they might not revolutionize the cybersecurity landscape just yet, they could still be helpful tools for the community,” comments Vladislav Tushkanov, Lead Data Scientist at Kaspersky.

Revolutionizing education, work thru AI tech

TO open more doors for students to become futureready, Quipper, one of the leading edtech and LMS platforms in the Philippines, launched their first Student BootQamp last April 1, with

the theme “Equipping Learners with 21st Century Skills that go Beyond the Classroom.”

The main objective of the webinar was to upskill the students with modern skills for them to be employable in the future and to empower them to embrace technology as an integral part of their learning process.

Senior High School students, teachers, and admins from different schools in the country attended the webinar, where they learned how the newest technologies could affect their future career goals while delving more into how Artificial Intelligence (AI) is revolutionizing industries and shaping the future of work.

To kickstart the first Student BootQamp, Senior Director and International Expansion of ELSA Corp., Natalie Do discussed the importance of AI technology to generate conversation about its benefits and functions in various processes. She reiterated how AI would significantly change the system in various sectors, deeming it a monumental development of our existing technologies.

“The use of AI provides automation that is

beneficial to make things easier for us. It is a revolutionary tool that can create more opportunities for people to improve their work,” Natalie shared.

Regarding its benefits in the education sector, Natalie highlighted that AI is not there to replace educators in the classroom and to make students rely solely on AI knowledge. Instead, it aims to integrate intelligent tutoring systems into students’ learning and apply adaptive assessments for teachers to give lessons and tests suitable for student learning.

“The fear of AI replacing our work will not happen because, despite its power to generate knowledge, it doesn’t do fact-checking well. However, it can make a difference in transforming our operations or day-today work by designating repetitive tasks, like grading exams, creating modules or lessons, drafting emails for work, and more to AI,” said Natalie.

Furthermore, Natalie shared how ELSA Speak hones and uses the power of AI to teach English communication skills to their different users worldwide. “We aim to enable different English learners worldwide to create more opportunities. And I believe that Quipper and ELSA Speak share the same mission, thus making AI and technology, in general, an integral part of learning,” Natalie added.

To learn more about Quipper Philippines and its other programs and initiatives, visit https://www.quipper.com/ph/.

RUSH launches eStore Charge, the ultimate a ordable solution for efficient social selling

RUSH Technologies Inc. introduces eStore Charge, their most affordable eCommerce package that empowers busy entrepreneurs to accept orders and payments from all social pages and messaging apps through one user-friendly platform. It elevates social selling to make order management and fulfillment as efficient as possible.

The solution is tailor-made for micro, small, and medium enterprises (MSMEs) in the early stages of digital commerce which rely on Facebook or Instagram shops and similar online platforms. These entrepreneurs often lack the time or resources to maintain their own sales channels.

With eStore Charge, merchants can create checkout links that they can send to their clients to simplify the checkout process. From this link, customers can review, modify, and com-

plete their orders on one web page.

Although conversational commerce helps social media sellers without any cost, the limited features of these free tools still present various challenges, including extensive message exchanges, prolonged checkout processes, and laborious manual order monitoring, among others. Through eStore Charge, businesses can offer an easy shopping experience to their customers and grow with RUSH without moving out of their free platforms- until they are ready to launch their own digital storefront.

“We understand the struggles of micro and smaller enterprises. Social media sellers in particular are keen on growing their online business, but maintaining their own sales channel, even a sales website, is intimidating for them. We are so excited to intro-

selling without breaking the bank,” said Jeferson Cruz, RUSH Chief Commercial Officer.

Julianne Fernandez, RUSH Chief Product Officer, added: “Making digitalization easier for entrepreneurs is at the core of what we do, and we want to make every feature as intuitive as it can be. We developed eStore Charge with starting entrepreneurs in mind, making sure that they can operationalize a seamless checkout and order fulfillment process across their existing sales platforms,”

For an introductory price of P250.00 per month, merchants can create unlimited checkout links for order and payment acceptance. The offer is valid for sign-ups until May 30, 2023, with a one-year lock-in period. For more information, visit https://www.rush.ph/ promotions/estore-charge-offer.

To create more future-ready learners, Quipper launched its rst Student BootQamp that empowers all learners in the country.