LABUAN BAJO, Indonesia -- President Ferdinand Marcos Jr. is asking the Indonesian government again to grant executive clemency to Filipina Mary Jane Veloso, who has spent 13 years in
jail as a convicted drug mule. Upon his arrival at Labuan Bajo, Indonesia on Tuesday ahead of the ASEAN Summit, President Marcos told Philippine media members he would open up the issue of Veloso to his Indonesian
LABUAN BAJO, Indonesia—
President Ferdinand Marcos Jr. will make another push for the early conclusion of the Code of Conduct with China in the South China Sea as he participates in the 42nd Association of Southeast Asian Nations (ASEAN) Summit here over the next three days.
“You cannot stop trying, so yes I will bring that up again. Because when we talk about the issues in the West Philippine Sea, in the South China Sea, hindi magkakalma iyan hanggang wala tayong (it will not calm down until we have the) Code of Conduct,” Mr. Marcos told reporters.
“So yes, that has always, for me, been the key element in the ASEAN centrality solution to this problem, is really the new code of conduct. Paulit ko ulit ko sinasabi (I say repeatedly), in every forum I can find, I say that we need to finish the Code of Conduct,” he added.
REGIONAL DIPLOMACY. President Ferdinand Marcos Jr. and First Lady Liza Araneta-Marcos arrives in Indonesia on Tuesday for the 42nd ASEAN Summit and Related Summits. Inset photo shows ASEAN Foreign ministers, namely (from left) Malaysia’s Foreign Minister Zambry Abd Kadir, Philippines’ Foreign Secretary Enrique Manalo, Singapore’s Senoir Officer Leader Albert Chua, Thailand’s Foreign Minister Don Pramudwinai, Vietnam’s Foreign Minister Bui Thanh Son, Indonesia’s Foreign Minister Retno Marsudi, Laos’ Foreign Minister Saleumxay Kommasith, Brunei’s Senior Officer Leader Johariah Wahab, Cambodia’s Foreign Minister Prak Sokhonn, East Timor’s Foreign Minister Adaljiza Xavier Magno and the ASEAN Secretary General Kao Kim Hourn as they pose for a family photo during the ASEAN Foreign Ministers’ Meeting on May 9, 2023. AFP
THE Timor Leste government has junked the political asylum bid of murder suspect and congressman Arnolfo Teves Jr.
“Today, the Ministry of Interior of Timor Leste confirmed that Rep. Teves’ application for political asylum has
By Charles Dantes
been denied,” the Department of Foreign Affairs said in a statement issued late Tuesday evening.
“In accordance with the decision of the Timor-Leste government, Rep. Teves has been granted a period of five days to depart Timor Leste. During this time, he also has the option to
FUGITIVE and former Bureau of Corrections chief Gerald Bantag, wanted for the murder last year of a radio broadcaster and an inmate, has sent surrender feelers again, but Justice Secretary Je -
sus Crispin Remulla said he doubts if the offer is sincere.
Remulla said the DOJ is open to extending special arrangements in so far as where Bantag and his deputy, Ricardo Zulueta, will be detained.
“One of the topics being discussed
THE Navy has increased the frequency of patrols in the hotly contested West Philippine Sea, where Chinese vessels continue to intrude.
“We have improved the frequency of our patrols. I can’t give you the exact figures, but I should say our operational commands have increased the tempo of patrols,” Navy Chief Toribio Adaci said on the sidelines of the Maritime Security Symposium on Tuesday.
By Alena Mae S. Flores
THE Luzon grid’s tight power supply situation is expected to continue with the possibility of outages, with about 15
POLITICAL parties in the House of Representatives have committed to support the passage of 13 remaining priority bills of
President Ferdinand R. Marcos Jr. before the sine die adjournment next month.
Leaders of Lakas-Christian Muslim Democrats (CMD), PDP-Laban, Nacionalista Party (NP), National Unity
Party (NUP), Nationalist People’s Coalition (NPC), and Party-list Coalition Foundation, Inc. (PCFI) gave the commitment during an all-party caucus on Monday presided over by Speaker Ferdinand Martin G. Romualdez
The Speaker, who is president of Lakas-CMD, expressed his gratitude to
weeks of yellow alerts forecasted to occur for the rest of the year.
Energy Secretary Raphael Lotilla said the recent prolonged power outages in Panay and Negros, and the power in-
terruption experienced were traced to “inadequacies in the transmission system.”
Lotilla said the government extended
THE Philippine National Police (PNP) ordered intensified intelligence monitoring on about 3,000 “erring” police officers to clear the force’s name amid the issue of “ninja cops” within its ranks.
PNP Chief Gen. Benjamin Acorda Jr. on Tuesday said the derogatory records of these scalawags include involvement in extortion and illegal drugs, among others.
The COC is intended to reduce the risk of conflict in the South China Sea in the disputed waterway where China’s expansive maritime and territorial claims clash with those of four ASEAN member states: Vietnam, Malaysia, the Philippines, and Brunei.
“Kapag may code of conduct lahat susunod. That makes things clearer, walang possibility na magkamali kasi maliwanag na maliwanag dapat ang usapan (If there’s a Code of Conduct, everyone will follow. That makes things clearer, there’s no room for error because everything discussed should be clear),” the President said.
Mr. Marcos also said Taiwan’s conflict with China is “an unavoidable subject” in the ASEAN Summit as leaders treat it as a “grave concern” to the region.
He said the matter has been a point of discussion for a long time, noting the need to calibrate measures to address this.
“The discussions on that we had goes to a year ago, in that time many changes occurred, that it why we have to really calibrate whatever it is that we are planning,” Mr. Marcos said.
“So, yes, there’s no way around it.
was the place of detention. But we’re amenable to special arrangements to DG Bantag and Mr. Zulueta if that is a problem to them,” he said, adding that their main concern is for the two not to be detained at a BuCor facility.
“I think they are trying to avoid being put into BuCor for obvious reasons,” Remulla said without elaborating.
Bantag and Zulueta earlier said drug syndicates affected by their intensified drive against illegal activities when they were still with BuCor, especially in the New Bilibid Prison, have worked for their ouster.
After he was suspended, several inmates and BuCor personnel filed torture complaints against Bantag before the DOJ.
Remulla said Bantag and Zulueta would not be detained in a BuCor facility since inmates who have yet to be convicted with finality are kept in prison facilities operated by the Bureau of Jail Management and Penology.
Bantag and Zulueta are the subject of warrants of arrest issued by the Las Pinas and Muntinlupa regional trial courts in connection with the murder of radio broadcaster Percival Mabasa, better known as Percy Lapid, and inmate Cristito Palana Villamor, who had allegedly recruited the gunmen for the hit.
“There were two feelers sent. One through a Cabinet official and another through one of my friends but it looks like they’re not really serious about surrendering,” Remulla said.
In April, Remulla said Bantag had sent a surrender feeler also through a Cabinet member, but he declined to identify the official.
Bantag and Zulueta were also subject of a hold departure order issued by the court to prevent them from leaving the country.
The Justice secretary said the second surrender feeler from Bantag was made to Remulla’s friend from law enforcement, while he was in the United States to accompany the President on his official visit.
That will inevitably be a part of the conversation that we’ll be having tomorrow and the day after,” he added.
The President also disclosed he is considering the proposal of the Chinese side to map out fishing grounds of both countries in the South China Sea.
“I talked to the Coast Guard, I talked to the DFA and I said here’s the proposal of the Chinese. Let’s see if we can accommodate that into our agreement so we’re headed there,” he said.
On Tuesday, Mr. Marcos emphasized the importance of promoting and protecting the Philippines’ interests in the biannual meeting of the regional bloc.
In his pre-departure speech delivered at the Villamor Air Base in Pasay City, Mr. Marcos said he would discuss with his fellow ASEAN leaders their efforts to sustain economic prosperity, attain food and energy security, boost trade and investments, address transnational crimes, and protect distressed migrant workers.
“I will join other Leaders of ASEAN to advance our community-building efforts in the region and ensure the wellbeing and security of our people, in line with Indonesia’s chairmanship theme of ‘ASEAN Matters: Epicentrum of Growth’,” the President said.
“My participation will serve to pro -
mote and protect the interests of our country, including our continued efforts towards economic growth, attaining food and energy security, promoting trade and investment, combatting transnational crimes such as the trafficking in persons, and protecting migrant workers in crisis situations, amongst others,” he added.
Mr. Marcos said he and his fellow Southeast Asian leaders would also exchange views on “pressing issues of common concerns” such as developments in the West Philippine Sea, the situation in Myanmar and major power rivalries.
He expressed confidence in having “productive engagements” with the other ASEAN leaders, noting that the 10 member-states of the regional bloc have a “very clear area of commonality,” especially when it comes to their aspiration for sustained economic growth.
“And as the theme of this ASEAN Summit is clearly manifesting, it is once again towards economic growth,” he said, stressing that the Southeast Asian region has been viewed by non-ASEAN members like China, the United States and the European Union as “growth center for the global economy.”
“And that is why it is very important that we go and continue to discuss amongst other ASEAN leaders of all
the Anti-Terrorism Council to create a technical working group to work on the designation.
the member-states on how we can maximize and find that extra energy, that synergy from our working together,”
Mr. Marcos added.
The President will also attend the 15th Brunei Darussalam-IndonesiaMalaysia-Philippines-East ASEAN Growth Area (BIMP-EAGA) Summit.
He would also participate in a series of interfaces of the Southeast Asian leaders with the ASEAN Inter-Parliamentary Assembly (AIPA) and representatives from the ASEAN Business Advisory Council (ASEAN-BAC), ASEAN Youth, and the High-Level Task Force on the ASEAN Community Post-2025 Vision.
“In these meetings, we will have the opportunity to highlight the importance of strengthening cooperation in the BIMP-EAGA subregion to sustain its thriving economy, the strong partnership between the executive and legislative bodies of ASEAN, the pivotal role of private sector and the youth in advancing growth and shaping the future as well as the future direction of the ASEAN Vision,” Mr. Marcos said.
The Philippine government underscored the need to reinforce ASEAN centrality amid what it calls “unprecedented” and more complex challenges that the region faces today. With AFP
“We give it to our sailors because they continue to perform their mandate patrolling in the area even though the... other side is there,” he added.
On April 29, the Philippine Coast Guard (PCG) reported more than 100 Chinese militia vessels were roaming the waters off Julian Felipe Reef.
On April 23, a Chinese coast guard ship sailed into the path of the BRP Malapascua near Ayungin Shoal, causing a near collision. Journalists on board the Filipino vessel and another one witnessed the incident.
The Philippine Navy and the PCG are among the members of the National Task Force for the West Philippine Sea (NTF-WPS), created to safeguard and monitor the country’s territorial waters.
Many security experts have urged the government to prioritize the modernization of the PCG to stand up to China’s provocative tactics in the West Philippine Sea.
The PCG currently has three vessels that can conduct patrols in the area.
his colleagues for supporting his goal to have the chamber approve most, if not all, of the 13 remaining priority bills on the third and final reading before next month’s adjournment.
“We will try to achieve that objective on a best-effort basis. The bills on deck will complement those that we have already passed and which support the Agenda for Prosperity and eight-point socioeconomic roadmap of President Ferdinand Marcos Jr.,” Romualdez said.
Deputy Speaker and Pampanga
Rep. Aurelio Gonzales Jr. and Reps. Johnny Pimentel of Surigao del Sur and Rida Robes of San Jose City represented PDP-Laban in the party leaders’ caucus.
NP was represented by Reps. Eleandro Jesus Madrona of Romblon, Robert Ace Barbers of Surigao del Norte, and Janette Garin of Iloilo.
NPC was represented by Quezon
Rep. Mark Enverga and Ilocos Sur
Rep. Kristine Meehan Singson, and NUP by Antipolo City Rep. Robbie Puno and Camarines Sur Rep. Luis Raymund Villafuerte.
file an appeal regarding the decision,” the DFA added.
Justice Secretary Jesus Crispin Remulla said Teves entered Timor Leste a week ago.
“We have written a letter telling Timor-Leste that he is a person of interest in murder cases and he is being considered for designation as a terrorist by the country,” Remulla said.
Teves, wanted for three murders in 2019, is also being tagged by the government as the mastermind behind the March 4 killing of Negros Oriental Gov. Roel Degamo and nine others.
Remulla said the information about Teves was provided by the Philippine ambassador to Timor Leste.
Teves was seen in Timor Leste’s capital city of Dili “where he applied for a protection visa with the intent of asylum.”
In his letter, Remulla told Foreign Secretary Enrique Manalo that the DOJ has taken steps to designate Teves as a terrorist under the Anti-Terrorism Act of 2020 and he has already asked
“In line with the above-mentioned, it is respectfully requested that these latest updates be relayed to our good Ambassador to Timor Leste,” Remulla said.
Earlier, Remulla said Teves was moving back and forth between South Korea and Cambodia.
The DOJ secretary expressed confidence that Timor Leste’s authorities would deny Teves’ request, saying the latter is being sought not for political crimes.
”There is a special provision in law if that if you want to seek asylum it is usually just for political purposes but we don’t see any reason for him to seek asylum in Timor Leste,’ Remulla said, adding that they have coordinated with their counterparts in other countries to ensure that Manila is fully informed if the suspended lawmaker enters their jurisdiction.
He said Teves’ move to seek asylum in Timor Leste only showed that he is afraid to return to the country and face investigation.
Aside from being implicated in the Degamo killing, Teves is also facing
multiple murder charges before the DOJ over the 2019 killing ofvformer Negros Oriental Board Member Miguel Dungog and two others, asvwell as complaints of illegal possession of firearms.
Teves, who refused to return to the country over fears for his safety, has denied any link or involvement in the killing.
His lawyer Ferdinand Topacio declined to comment on the reported bid for asylum.
Earlier, Topacio said they are taking the threats against Teves seriously since these were provided by people who previously told them that his residence will be raided and evidence would be planted.
He said these threats took place long before Degamo was killed in his residence, adding that Teves sounded the alarm as early as December 2022 and January this year.
In a related development, Remulla said the delay in the filing of multiple murder cases against Teves in connection with Degamo’s killing does not mean the DOJ’s case is weak or lacking in evidence against the embattled legislator.
Remulla earlier said the National Bureau of Investigation was expected to file the cases before the DOJ last week.
Meanwhile, maritime law expert Dr. Jay Batongbacal said the current administration is doing a good job in handling the tension in the West Philippine Sea. “But we also now need to consider longer term and follow actions through,” he added.
Batongbacal also said that in order to rightfully claim the disputed territory, the country needs to make China accept and recognize international law.
In July 2016, the UN Permanent Court of Arbitration in The Hague invalidated the nine-dash claims of China covering the entire South China Sea and recognized the Philippines’ sovereign rights in the area within its 200-nautical mile exclusive economic zone.
Beijing has been ignoring the international ruling and has deployed hundreds of militia vessels to bully and intimidate local fishermen and other boats.
Meanwhile, the Navy said its missile frigate BRP Antonio Luna (FF151) joined the at-sea-phase of the first ASEAN-India exercises in the South China Sea from May 7 to 8.
counterpart, President Joko Widodo.
“We continue to ask for a commutation or even a pardon, or even an extradition back to the Philippines (for Veloso),” Mr. Marcos said.
The President said he is still hoping that Indonesia will grant his request to release Veloso.
“They’ve already given us many postponements, but that doesn’t mean it’s done, I always at least bring it up. Maybe it will make a difference on their stance,” Mr. Marcos said
“We understand that the law of Indonesia (prevails) but nonetheless, maybe we can find a way to bring her home, and we will be the one who will sentence her in whatever or any way to ask (Jakarta) for clemency, ask for grace,” he added.
“We have potential yellow alerts for the entire month of May,” Guevara said, noting that this was the worst case scenario.
Veloso was arrested in Indonesia in April 2010 for smuggling 2.6 kilograms (5.7 pounds) of heroin in a suitcase. Her case, among others, sparked international attention toward Indonesia’s capital punishment and drug prohibition laws.
Throughout her trial, Veloso maintained her innocence, claiming she was duped into carrying the suitcase by her godsister, Maria Kristina Sergio, who convinced her to go to Indonesia after losing a job in Malaysia.
and Sta. Mesa in Manila, Caloocan, Malabon, Batangas, Antipolo in Rizal, San Pedro and Biñan in Laguna, and San Rafael and Pulilan in Bulacan.
“The participation of BRP Antonio Luna in AIME 2023 underscores the PN’s commitment to building bridges of friendship, as well as promoting regional cooperation for peace and security in the ASEAN region,” Ensign Menoel R. Orpilla, the PN public affairs office chief aboard the ship, said in a statement Tuesday.
He added that the at-sea-phase “comprises numerous events involving ships, conducted with ASEAN member-states’ navies and Indian Navy counterparts.”
Orpilla said BRP Antonio Luna left Changi Naval Base in Singapore May 5 for the exercise.
The BRP Antonio Luna arrived in Singapore on May 1.
transmission system? And what can we do in order to address these problems,” Lotilla said.
assistance to National Grid Corp. of the Philippines to speed up the completion of its transmission projects.
“Notwithstanding these efforts, these projects still have not been completed... We call on everyone’s cooperation in the completion of these projects and the identification of other critical transmission projects that need upgrading or rehabilitation,” Lotilla said.
“There is still a possibility [of red alert] like yesterday [Monday]. Remember, this is the first red alert for the year,” Department of Energy Undersecretary Rowena Guevara said during a briefing on Tuesday.
Apart from May, some weeks in June, August, September and October will also have yellow alerts, DOE data showed.
Guevara said the 1,200 megawatt Ilijan power plant in Batangas will help ease power supply once it comes online on May 26.
“If that power plant comes in, the yellow alerts will be reduced,” she said.
At 3:40 p.m. Tuesday, an automatic load dropping occurred in the Manila Electric Co. franchise area due to the tripping of the Duhat-Hermosa 230kV line. Service was restored by 3:57 p.m.
This affected more than 200,000 Meralco customers in portions of Paco
Lotilla said the support of the local governments and landowners in facilitating the construction of towers and distribution lines is equally essential.
“We will work with Congress to insure that performance standards are adhered to in order to provide an adequate power supply for our people,” the Energy chief said.
He said the Energy Regulatory Commission has finished its audit on NGCP’s performance.
“It is not a case of blame throwing. What we want to do is establish in an objective manner what are the weak links, what are the problems in the
The NGCP said its initial investigation of the Luzon red alerts on Monday showed that the Bolo-Masinloc 230kV Line 2 tripped.
NGCP said the line is N-1, or operates with a redundancy. The load carried by Line 2 was automatically transferred to Line 1 when the former tripped.
It said each of Lines 1 or 2 is more than capable to singularly carry the entire loading of the Bolo-Masinloc 230kV facility at any time.
Thereafter, two of three Masinloc Units (315MW x 2 units = 630MW) tripped. Together with other units already on forced outage, the total power lost to the grid was 1,354MW.
“We have been monitoring these personalities, those scalawags, and my instruction after hearing those adjudications is that intel operatives will actually work to make sure that they don’t do anything stupid anymore,” he told reporters on the sidelines of a ceremony inducting eight senior officials as major generals and brigadier generals.
“I am encouraging also the commanders at all levels to make sure the counter-intelligence function of their office is functioning at their level,” he added at the PNP headquarters in Camp Crame, Quezon City on Tuesday.
This came after two generals and two colonels are facing administrative and
criminal charges for their alleged links to the illegal drug trade, while 32 senior officers face further investigation and 917 others were cleared by an advisory group that screened the top ranks of the police force.
Interior Secretary Benjamin Abalos Jr. revealed this Monday as the fate of the policemen involved in the missing drugs from the record P6.7-billion shabu haul seized last year will be revealed within the week, the PNP said.
The issue of “ninja cops” or those involved in the alleged recycling of illegal drugs seized from operations back to the street continues to hound the PNP.
To address this, Acorda said the PNP will implement radical moves to ensure “honest law enforcement operations,” including the possibility of dissolving the Special Operations Unit of the PNP
Drug Enforcement Group (PDEG).
Acorda maintained that erring cops have no place in the organization, especially under his watch, as he vowed to implement an intensified internal cleansing.
He said the PNP Integrity Monitoring and Enforcement Group (IMEG) and the PNP Internal Affairs Service (IAS) would be given “more teeth” to weed the erring personnel out of the service.
IMEG is the primary PNP unit going after erring policemen while IAS is in charge of investigating the administrative charges against police officers.
Meanwhile, Acorda urged the public to report rogue police officers in their community just as he vowed that he would be “quick and decisive” in their cleansing efforts.
“We are really going to punish erring personnel but in a way that we are not
going to disrespect their uniform… But definitely, we will be harsh to them especially if they are not going to change,” he said.
During the ceremony, Acorda also told the eight promoted senior officials to focus on their institutional priorities when making a decision.
“You should always think of the institutional priorities hence when you make a decision, you should always consider the institution that we serve for, so with your new rank now, don’t test your powers,” he said in his speech.
“You have that power already. Do not use (it) as a means to advance personal interest but rather use your rank in upholding institutional development and with that I hope with your new rank, use it for our unity,” he added. With Charles Dantes
THE Department of the Interior and Local Government on Tuesday warned of possible shortage of drinking water amid a looming protracted El Niño phenomenon, thus urged the public in general to be circumspect in the daily use of tap water.
Interior director Allan Tabell cited in particular establishments which are heavily dependent on water such as the “water world type” theme parks, swimming pools, and car wash.
“Definitely, kung may projected na kakulangan sa ulan and water supply in the next few months, baka pati iyong tubig na kailangan for human consumption ay magkukulang,” Tabell said in a public briefing.
“It is necessary that at this point when water supply for human consumption is expected to go down, we have to encourage our people to be prudent in using water, Tabell said.
He enjoined the people to avoid being wasteful in water consumption.
“Puwede naman sigurong timba at pamunas lang, I mean, there are many practical measures na puwedeng gawin sa mga negosyo or industries na water intensive na puwede namang actually ma-reduce iyong waste o iyong kailangang i-conserve iyong paggamit ng tubig,” he said.
The DILG was planning to conduct a vigorous information drive on the practical use of water, he said.
“In the end kapag hindi sila handa ay maaari silang maapektuhan kung hindi man sila agricultural, definitely iyong kanilang water consumption na iniinom na tubig o iyong tubig na kailangan nilang gamitin sa household ay baka maapektuhan kung mag-aaksaya sila ng paggamit ng tubig.”
The National Water Resources Board early on said it would prioritize allocating water supply in Angat Dam for domestic use once its levels hit 180 meters.
THE Bureau of Fisheries and Aquatic Resources (BFAR) has recommended keeping the fishing ban in at least five towns and one city in Oriental Mindoro province badly affected by the oil seepage from a sunken tanker.
The BFAR, an attached agency of the Department of Agriculture (DA), cited analyses and onsite monitoring of the oil slick’s negative impact on marine lives in the affected areas.
The BFAR recommended keeping the fishing ban in Calapan City and the municipalities of Naujan, Pola, Pinamalayan, Gloria, and Bansud due to the risk as of contamination traces of the industrial fuel were still present in these areas
The BFAR has been relentlessly
monitoring the situation in Oriental Mindoro and nearby islands following the sinking last February 28 of the MT Princess Empress that dumped an estimated 800,000 liters of industrial fuel in the island’s coastal waters.
Fish samples were regularly collected and tested for presence of oil and grease and harmful chemicals called polycyclic aromatic hydrocarbons (PAH) to determine if fish and other marine lives were safe for human consumption.. Traces of oil were observed during onsite monitoring of sea surface in the six areas.
Meanwhile, water samples collected last April 24 showed that oil and grease remained in affected areas, but these were reportedly within the allowable standard set by the Department of Environment and Natural Re -
sources for Class SC waters, meaning fishery water class and recreational water class that are suited for boating and fishing activities, as well as fish propagation intended for commercial and sustenance purposes. PAHs, on the other hand, were no longer detected in most of the fish samples (demersal/shellfish/crabs and pelagic) collected last April 17, except for pelagic fish samples from Clusters 3 (Pinamalayan, Gloria, Bansud), Cluster 4 (Bongabong, Roxas, Mansalay, Bulalacao), and Cluster 5 (Puerto Galera, Baco, San Teodoro).
These pelagic fish samples still contained minimal levels of less toxic PAHs, but the most toxic ones were no longer detected. Generally, the recent analyses showed lower PAH levels compared to the previous test results.
Governor, Province of Nueva Vizcaya (2016-2023)
Deputy Speaker of the House of Representatives (July 22, 2013-June 30, 2016)
Minority Leader of the House of Representatives (July 23, 2001-June 30, 2004)
Deputy Speaker of the House of Representatives (January 24, 2001-June 30, 2001)
THE Department of the Interior and Local Government (DILG) on Tuesday announced that 17 municipalities in Zamboanga Peninsula were declared as drugcleared communities.
The DILG also commended these municipalities for their successful anti-drug campaign in connection with the regional launch of the government’s revitalized antidrug campaign dubbed “Buhay ay Ingatan, Droga’y Ayawan (BIDA) program. According to DILG Secretary Benjamin Abalos, Jr., all 386 barangays covered by 17 towns have been declared drug-free. Joel E. Zurbano
THE Bureau of Customs (BOC) has seized more than 560 grams of shabu or methamphetamine hydrochloride worth P3.8 million which were concealed and misdeclared as eyelash sets, electric hair dryers, and electric hairbrushes at the DHL Express Gateway warehouse in the Ninoy Aquino International Airport. Customs Commissioner Bienvenido Rubio said the contraband was found due to suspicious images noticed by Customs x-ray officers. A physical examination was conducted by Customs examiners, and yielded 560 grams of suspected shabu with a total estimated street value of P3.8 million.
“Both the shipper and the consignee are currently undergoing investigation by the Philippine Drug Enforcement Agency for possible violation of RA 9165 and RA 10863, also known as the Customs Modernization Act (CMTA),” the BOC chief said. Joel E. Zurbano
Representative, Lone District of Nueva Vizcaya, 14th, 15th and l6th Congresses (2007-2016)
Representative, Lone District of Nueva Vizcaya, 10th, 11th and 12th Congresses (1995-2004)
Representative, Lone District of Nueva Vizcaya, 8th Congress (1987-1992)
Assemblyman, Region II / Nueva Vizcaya, Interim Batasang Pambansa (1978-1984) on 05 May 2023 at the age of 78.
His remains lie in state in their residence at Dupan Street, Brgy. Quirino, Solano, Nueva Vizcaya.
His remains will be brought to the House of Representatives on Thursday, 11 May 2023 for a Requiem Mass and Necrological Service in his Honor at 9:00 a.m. and then will be brought to the Capitol Building, Bayombong, Nueva Vizcaya.
Interment will be on Saturday, 13 May 2023 at a private farm in Anting, Dupax del Norte after the 9:00 a.m. mass at the St. Anne Parish.
Condolences to his beloved wife, Mrs. Ruth R. Padilla and his children, Carlos II, Ruthie Maye and Carlo Paolo.
We request the pious readers to pray for the eternal repose of his soul.
PRESIDENT Ferdinand Marcos Jr. on Tuesday approved the promotion of eight Philippine National Police (PNP) officials.
PNP Chief Gen. Benjamin Acorda Jr. spearheaded the rites at the PNP headquarters in Camp Crame, Quezon City.
Acorda bestowed the new ranks for Major Generals Harold Tuzon, Victor Wanchakan, and Rudolph Dimas and Brigadier Generals Lex Ephraim Gurat, Victor Arevalo, Alfredo Dangani, Roderick Mariano, and Redrico Maranan.
Maranan is currently serving as PNP chief information officer. Tuzon hails from Area Police Command in Eastern Mindanao and Western Mindanao, while Wanchakan is from Area Police Command in Western Mindanao. Dimas is in the Special Action Force.
Meanwhile, Arevalo is in charge Center for Police Strategy Management, the group that directs the PNP to good performance management down to its last units.
Gurat is the chief directional staff of National Capital Region Police Office, on the other hand, Mariano comes from the Police Regional Office CARAGA.
Charles Dantes
CAGAYAN de Oro Rep. Rufus
Rodriguez on Tuesday urged the House of Representatives to investigate the proposed merger of state-owned Land Bank of the Philippines (Land Bank) and Development Bank of the Philippines (DBP).
“Let us look into the legal basis of this proposal. It is my opinion that the merger cannot take place without Congress passing an enabling bill,” Rodriguez said He said the two banks were created by two separate laws, which have to be amended or repealed by another law that would provide for the fusion of the two banks, together with the mandate, objectives, organization, and relevant details governing the operation of the emerging entity.
Maricel V. CruzBUREAU of Immigration (BI)
agents arrested five illegal aliens who are now facing deportation for violating the country’s immigration laws.
Immigration Commissioner Norman Tansingco said the foreigners –an American, 2 Indians, a Pakistani, and a Vietnamese were arrested in separate operations conducted by agents of the BI intelligence division.
He urged the public to support the BI’s campaign by reporting the presence of any illegal alien in their neighborhood and communities so they could be arrested, expelled, and barred from re-entering the country.
BI intelligence chief Fortunato Manahan Jr. said that BI agents arrested in Baguio City an American national identified as Victor Florendo Carpiso, 63, who was found to have overstayed in the country.
Vito BarceloBICOL Saro Rep. Brian Raymund Yamsuan has underscored the need to properly train technical personnel that will handle and secure the recordings in bodyworn cameras used in police operations to ensure the integrity of these pieces of evidence when presented in court.
A barangay watchman hangs colorful umbrellas as fiesta banners along Rivera St. in Brgy. 234, Zone 22 in Tondo, Manila in preparation for the barangay fiesta on the third Sunday of May. Danny Pata
SENATOR Imee R. Marcos has filed a resolution to conduct an inquiry into the alleged fraudulent voters’ registration for the Barangay and Sangguniang Kabataan Elections (BSKE) in October.
Despite earnest efforts of the Commission on Elections (Comelec) to enforce the law, Marcos stressed that problems about so-called flying voters--or voters who are registered in multiple precincts and those who are not bona fide residents of the place where they are registered in--still persist.
The resolution cited a report on March 31, 2022, saying that the Comelec detected 892,627 double registrations for the 2022 National and Local Elections.
Meralco linemen examine the electric meter base at a post along Brgy. Commonwealth in Quezon City on Tuesday. The power company said it implemented rotating power interruptions of up to two hours in parts of its franchise area as instructed by the National Grid Corp. of the Philippines.
Manny Palmero
Then Comelec Commissioner George Erwin M. Garcia said that charges will be filed against double or multiple registrants and noted that “good faith” is not a good defense in election cases. Reports said there have been massive increases in the number of registered voters in some barangays which have been outpacing the projected population growth forecasted by government agencies.
The resolution filed by Marcos also cited a particular instance involving Baran-
gay Carmona in Makati City where the number of registered voters and registration applicants surged by 78%, from just 4,718 registered voters during the 2022 elections to 8,415 for the upcoming 2023 BSKE.
Barangay Carmona chairman Joselito M. Salvador attested that there was neither a recent mass migration of new residents into the barangay nor an increase in the territory of the barangay. Thus, the sharp rise in the numbers cannot be accounted for. Marcos, who chairs the Senate Committee on Electoral Reforms and People’s Participation, said “there is an urgent need to revisit existing election laws including the Voter’s Registration Act of 1996 and relevant portions of the Omnibus Election Code in order to decisively address these long-standing issues.”
SENATOR Mark Villar wants a stronger heat index monitoring system in the country similar to the alert system used during other calamities.
Villar filed Resolution No. 590 urging the proper Senate committee to conduct an inquiry in aid of legislation for the Philippine Atmospheric, Geophysical, and Astronomical Services Administra-
tion (PAGASA) to develop and strengthen the existing heat index monitoring in the Philippines.
The senator cited reports on several students who were taken to hospitals due to intense heat. He specifically cited an instance in Laguna where 120 students were rushed to hospitals after they collapsed during a fire drill in a school in Cabuyao. Villar also mentioned an incident in Taytay, Palawan, where 90 per-
THE House of Representatives Com-
mittee on Ways and Means on Tuesday approved a bill making the act of “coordinated” tax fraud a separate crime with stiffer penalties under the National Internal Revenue Code.
The House tax panel, chaired by Albay Rep. Joey Sarte Salceda however, deleted the provision in Salceda’s proposal which would have made the offense non-bailable.
In his sponsorship of the measure, Salceda said “such nefarious activities must be defined and criminalized since it constitutes economic sabotage, following the doctrine that taxes are the lifeblood of the state.”
Salceda’s proposal defines tax rack-
eteering as “attempts to engage in any coordinated scheme or operation to repeatedly or consistently evade or defeat any tax imposed under this code through the fraudulent use of receipts.”
Salceda pushed for higher penalties on the offense, citing that even if the BIR tries to catch incidents of largescale tax fraud, “it will not have a proportional deterrent effect.”
“Despite these efforts, however, they will be charged with crimes that ordinary or smaller tax violators can be charged with. That is because the Tax Code enumerates various forms of tax evasion as criminal liabilities, but does not address the systematic and coordinated scheme to evade taxes,” Salceda said. Salceda also proposed that the crime be made non-bailable.
sons felt dizzy and collapsed because of too much heat.
Villar said the inquiry aims to assess the current status of heat index monitoring and warning systems in the country, identify the potential impacts of extreme heat on public health and the economy, and determine the best practices and technologies on heat index monitoring and alert systems in other countries.
During the hearing conducted Tuesday by the House Committee on public order and safety, Yamsuan also proposed that the Philippine National Police (PNP) include the expenses for the training of personnel who will secure these body-camera recordings in the proposed budget of the Philippine National Police (PNP) for 2024.
“You should include in your proposal for the body-worn cameras the corresponding training of personnel, because it is important that such individuals are highly skilled to handle this kind of sensitive data,” Yamsuan told PNP officials present during the hearing.
Yamsuan also said the PNP should ensure that these recordings are hackfree and tamper-proof when presented in court as evidence.
“For the individuals involved, it could affect their lives if the PNP commits errors in submitting these videos and other data,” Yamsuan said.
Yamsuan manifested his proposal during the committee hearing chaired by Santa Rosa City Rep. Dan Fernandez to discuss several measures seeking to institutionalize the use by police personnel of body cameras during law enforcement operations, and appropriating funds for this purpose.
Antipolo Rep. Romeo Acop, a vice chairperson of the committee and a former police general; along with PATROL Partylist Rep, Jorge Bustos, agreed with Yamsuan’s proposal.
SURIGAO del Norte Rep. Robert Ace
Barbers on Tuesday urged his colleagues to speed up the enactment of a law creating a “superbody” to protect the public from the risks and dangers posed by the emerging global technological phenomenon called artificial intelligence (AI).
Barbers, chairman of the House Dangerous Drugs Committee, said his call was prompted by the disclosure of Geoffrey Hinton, a former Engineer of Google and dubbed as the ‘Godfather of AI,’ that the new technology he himself helped develop poses danger to society and humanity.
“The ‘AI Godfather’ himself, Geoffrey Hinton, had been quoted in news reports as saying ‘AI could kill humans and there might be no way to stop it.’ This is aside from alarms raised by advocacy groups and tech insiders that the new crop of AI-powered chatbots could be used to spread misinformation and displace jobs,” he said.
Barbers, quoting news reports, said the wave of attention around ChatGPT late last year helped renew an arms race among tech companies to develop and deploy similar tools in their products. “And based on reports, OpenAI, Microsoft and Google are at the forefront of this trend, but IBM, Amazon, Baidu and Tencent are working on similar technologies.”
“I don’t want to sound like an alarmist. But we have no way of stopping the global use and development of AI. And while we acknowledge the benefits that AI might bring, we should also seriously consider the great risks and dangers it poses to society and humanity,” he said.
‘GOOD JOB.’ The Navotas City government recognizes the exemplary performance of its police force through a Sangguniang Panlungsod resolution which commended 44 police officers who participated in a raid that resulted in the confiscation of 574.8 kilos of shabu worth P3.9 billion and the arrest of a drug personality. Andrew Rabulan
THE Supreme Court has spoken.
It terminated the longstanding land dispute between the city governments of Makati and Taguig regarding jurisdiction over the Fort Bonifacio Military Reservation, where the Bonifacio Global City now stands.
Hence, Taguig City will now exercise territorial jurisdiction over the disputed property.
In a two-page resolution dated September 28, 2022, the Court’s Special Third Division denied with finality the Makati City government’s omnibus motion for reconsideration of the Court’s December 1, 2021 decision, on the ground the basic issues raised therein had been duly considered and passed upon by the Court in the assailed decision.
The Court also denied Makati City’s omnibus motion to refer the case to the Court en banc, as the Court en banc is not an appellate court to which decisions or resolutions of a division may be appealed.
The Court likewise said no further pleadings, motions, letters or other communications shall be entertained in this case, as it ordered the immediate issuance of an entry of judgment.
In response to the latest Supreme Court ruling, the City Government of Taguig issued an official statement.
“The Supreme Court has decided with finality that jurisdiction over Fort Bonifacio Military Reservation, by superior legal rights and historic title, belongs to Taguig.
“In a way, Taguig is not the only victor in this legal contest. In a bigger sense, with both parties putting their trust in the legal system, it is the rule of law which prevailed. …
“The end of this legal dispute marks the beginning of a new chapter for Taguig and its people. Our victory in the courts of law is not merely a vindication of our rights. It is equally a command for us to make good use of this once-in-a-lifetime opportunity to expand our brand of committed public service to new constituents. We welcome our new Taguigeños with this solemn promise.
“Taguig and its people, over the past decade, have proven what we could collectively achieve. Taguig has been transformed into a progressive city, grounded in caring for all sectors and levels of its society. ‘I Love Taguig’ is not just a slogan; it is obedience to the command to do everything in love.
“We will work even harder to expand and improve the services we run for our constituents, by introducing new programs and projects.
PRESIDENT Ferdinand Marcos Jr. is in Indonesia today for the 42nd Association of Southeast Asian Nations (ASEAN) Summit in Labuan Bajo, high in the hope there would be productive engagements with his counterparts in the economic alliance.
He returned recently from a weeklong visit in the United States, where he met with US President Joe Biden, and the United Kingdom for the coronation of King Charles 3rd. .
The ASEAN Summit will kick off with an opening ceremony today, followed by a plenary session.
“A series of interfaces among ASEAN leaders and representatives and/or delegates of relevant ASEAN bodies are scheduled on the same day,” Foreign Affairs Spokesperson Teresita Daza told Palace reporters earlier on.
The 65-year-old President is expected to join other ASEAN leaders in various discussions on community building efforts and various pressing issues in the region.
In his departure statement Tuesday, Mr. Marcos said: “I look forward to our productive engagements, to our always productive engagements with our ASEAN partners.
During the summit, ASEAN leaders are expected to exchange views on pressing issues of common concerns like the developments in the South China Sea
only as single nations but as this political (alliance) that is ASEAN.”
like the developments in the South China Sea, the situation in Myanmar, and major power rivalry in the Asia-Pacific region.
The chief executive stressed that joining regional summits like this one gives him optimism as “there seems to be a very clear area of commonality” among member nations.
“I am always optimistic because all the interactions that we have had with the different leaders of ASEAN member states and for that matter APEC and all the APEC Plus conferences that we’ve had there seems to be a very clear area of commonality,” he said.
In its December 1, 2021 decision, the Court denied the petition for review on certiorari filed by the City of Makati that assailed the resolution dated March 8, 2017 and the resolution dated October 3, 2017 of the Court of Appeals.
The High Court reinstated with modification the July 8, 2011 decision of the Regional Trial Court of Pasig as follows:
1) Fort Bonifacio Military Reservation, consisting of Parcels 3 and 4, is confirmed to be part of the territory of Taguig City.
2) The Writ of Preliminary Injunction dated August 2, 1994 issued by the RTC of Pasig, explicitly referring to Parcels 3 and 4, comprising Fort Bonifacio, be made permanent insofar as it enjoined the municipality, now Makati City, from exercising jurisdiction over, making improvements on, or otherwise treating as part of its territory, Parcels 3 and 4, comprising Fort Bonifacio.
3. Makati City must pay the costs of the suit.
The dispute goes back to 1993, when Taguig filed a complaint against Makati before the Pasig RTC in connection with their territorial dispute over the areas comprising the Enlisted Men’s Barangays and the entirety of Fort Bonifacio. Makati City elevated the matter to the CA and, ultimately, to the High Court.
By Richard OrsinoTHE Supreme Court has decided with finality on the disputed 729-hectare Fort Bonifacio Military Reservation where the Bonifacio Global City is and some other barangays in Makati City are under the territorial jurisdiction of Taguig City.
In a two-page resolution, the high court gave credence to the historical, documentary and testimonial evidence presented by Taguig.
“We find that Taguig presented evidence that is more convincing and worthier of belief than those proffered by Makati,” the Supreme Court stated in its resolution.
The legal battle between Makati and Taguig over the territory in question lasted for three decades.
The case was first heard in the Regional Trial Court and then before the Court of Appeals until it reached the Supreme Court which has decided and recognized that Taguig City is the rightful local government who has jurisdiction over the territory in question.
Now that the legal battle is over, the residents in the middle of the two conflicting LGUs are hoping their situation will soon be fixed to ensure continuous public service.
I agree with the appeal of former Makati Vice Mayor Ernesto Mercado when he released a statement directly pertaining to the local government of Makati and Taguig to respect the decision of the Supreme Court being the “final arbiter of the law,” and for the local government officials to work to-
“We have the resources to bring about a transformative, lively, and caring city. We will not get tired of doing good, for we are assured that in time we will have a harvest.
“Our immediate task at hand is to work on the transition without hampering public service. Towards this end, we shall work hand in hand with our good neighbor, the City of Makati.
“We will forge ahead in assuming new responsibilities, conscious that the benefits of this monumental legal victory should redound to all the barangays of Taguig and to all sectors of the city.
“We are thinking big for our beloved City. With the Lord’s blessings, we will make things happen.”
Meanwhile, Makati second motion to elevate the case to the SC en banc is not likely to prosper.
One, the decision is now final and executory; this was confirmed by the SC spokesperson himself.
Two, the judgment says that no further motions, pleadings, letters or communication will be entertained.
Three, there is already an entry of judgment.
And four, all parties must respect the decision which the SC itself rendered after decades of litigation, and after weighing all the evidence.
(Email: ernhil@yahoo.com)
“This is a continuation of the process that we had begun where deriving from the idea and the principle and the concept of ASEAN Centrality in the face of the challenges we have to answer not
BIKING as a means of transportation in cities exploded in popularity during the pandemic, and more people are adopting it to cope with the high prices of transportation and other goods, with inflation going as high as 8.7 percent last January under this administration.
A subsector of the biking community is the women’s biker community, a rapidly growing movement providing an opportunity for Filipino women to gain a sense of independence, beat traffic, and help save the environment while getting exercise.
Going by the feedback on biking forums, the number of female biker commuters in the Philippines seems to be increasing in major cities, providing real and tangible benefits such as helping to reduce traffic and air pollution.
Even though biking is not a customary means of transportation in the Philippines, it provides women with a reliable way to get around.
It also has economic benefits, as women can save money on travel costs and cut travel time by skirting traffic.
Biking also provides an alternative form of transportation to walking, which is often seen as dangerous in some areas.
Biking can also offer a sense of freedom, as women can get away from a traditional form of travel and explore more parts of their cities and surroundings.
To get support and advice from fellow bikers, women bike commuters have formed online communities such as the Pinay Bike Commuter Community (PBCC) on Facebook. Founded by Jamaria ‘Geri’ Amarnani, the private group now has over 6,500 members.
Members use PBCC for a wide variety of purposes, such as sharing tips on biking safety, bike-friendly establishments, biking with kids, troubleshooting and bike repair, negotiating inclines and rough terrain, finding the best routes to destinations, and other topics, as well as inviting fellow bikers to biking events and long-distance bike rides.
Many heard him say his participation will serve to promote and protect the interest of the country, including efforts towards economic growth, attaining food and energy security security, promoting trade and investment, combating transnational crimes like the trafficking in persons, and protecting migrant workers in crisis situations.
During the summit, ASEAN leaders are expected to exchange views on pressing issues of common concerns
Mr. Marcos will also participate in the 15th Brunei Darussalam–Indonesia–Malaysia–Philippines East ASEAN Growth Area (BIMP-EAGA), as well as various interfaces with ASEAN leaders with the ASEAN Inter-Parliamentary assembly and representatives of the ASEAN Business Advisory Council, ASEAN Youth and the High-Level Task Force on the ASEAN Community Post 2025 Vision.
We know he will have the opportunity to highlight the importance of strengthening cooperation in the BIMPEAGA sub-region to sustain its thriving economy; the strong partnership between the executive and legislative bodies of ASEAN; the role of private sector and the youth in advancing growth and shaping the future of the ASEAN Vision.
ing pennies. Her transportation expenses increased during the pandemic, so she decided to buy a bike to save money and avoid taking public transportation, also reducing her risk of contracting the coronavirus.
She wrote that she reaped many unforeseen benefits: “Hindi lang ako nakatipid, marami pa akong naging bagong kaibigan, nabawasan ang aking timbang, lumakas ang cardio, at nakarating kung saan-saan.
I love biking! I will definitely do this until I get old.”
Corinna, 40, who blogs at ‘Two Wheels, Three Hearts’ was inspired by moms in the Netherlands and Japan who take their young children around on a bike. After doing some research, she bought a Japanese surplus bike and child carriers for her two daughters.
“And guess what?” she wrote. “We
but not enough to make her stop biking.
“We should support advocacies and movements,” wrote Karla, “that would help make the city bike friendly. We all need to learn to share the road especially now that public transportation isn’t really the best option for people.”
One high-profile biking enthusiast is Sen. Pia Cayetano, who authored Senate Bill No. 1290 or the Walkable and Bikeable Communities Act, also known as the Safe Pathways Act. It was passed by the Senate in September 2022.
It provides for a network of bicycle lanes and walkways for pedestrians, child strollers, and other children’s mobility equipment.
However, there is no news on this more recent than last year.
The Senate bill is just one measure that can help.
Those city mayors who are proactive and pro-people can, in advance of national legislation, create safe biking pathways, and traffic authorities can create ‘bike boxes’ on roads where bikers can wait in front of cars.
Many solutions that can help bikers boil down to political will, common sense, and putting the people’s welfare ahead.
It’s time we created a biking culture similar to that in countries such as the Netherlands, Japan, and Denmark (and China before they got capitalism).
As it is, in terms of road and traffic systems, we are 50 years behind the Global North.
gether for a “smooth transition” and orderly transfer of affected residents who were previously Makati residents but will now become legitimate Taguigeños.
It is clear that Taguig City now covers Fort Bonifacio including Barangay Pembo, Comembo, Cembo, South Cembo, West Rembo, East Rembo and Pitogo as well as the Philippine Army headquarters, Navy installation, Marines’ headquarters, Consular area, JUSMAG area, Heritage Park, Libingan ng mga Bayani, AFP Officers Village and six other villages adjacent to it.
(The author is a retired executive who worked for three decades in the telecommunications industry.)
Members also create hyper-localized chat groups that bring together bikers from certain geographical locations.
The biking community in general also has their own terms such as ‘ahon’ for going uphill, ‘lusong’ for going downhill, and ‘kapadyak’ for fellow biker.
There is no typical profile of a woman bike commuter because they come from all walks of life and a wide range of ages; diversity prevails.
Many of them have shared their stories on the pages of PBCC under #pinaybikecommuterstory. Here are a few of the many inspiring stories of the ‘KakaBIKEihan.’ Jules, 37, is a single mom and is watch-
found that not only was it possible to bike in this metropolis, it was mostly even better than taking a car. We’ve been to neighboring cities, ridden over 20 km in one go, and I’m only getting stronger.”
She is also one of the many advocates for improved policy and infrastructure for biking to make it “possible [for] a lot more people.”
Teya is a cancer warrior, has had four surgeries, and is on hormone therapy for life to prevent recurrence. Her experiences limited her mobility at first, but then she decided to take up biking, with her doctor’s permission.
“Since then,” she wrote, “I gained my athletic prowess once again.”
Currently, women bikers in the Philippines face a number of challenges that can make biking more difficult, if not outright dangerous. These include inadequate bike lanes and harassment by male bikers and thieves on the road.
Karla, 32, recounts that she was changing lanes when she was hit by a motorcycle behind her that decided to overtake. The guy didn’t even stop.
“I had enough lights to be visible,” she wrote. “I did my hand signal, I looked at the vehicle behind me and I know it was all good.” The incident traumatized her,
We are only now developing a connected network of elevated roads and trains, whereas developed nations are making their cities more walkable and taking down concrete infrastructure to make way for the return of nature to urban areas.
Returning to the topic of Pinay bikers, it is important to give them support for multiple reasons. As we learned from the PBCC stories, not only does biking provide women with increased independence and economic benefits, but it also helps to promote environmental sustainability and good health.
More importantly, it sends a strong message of equality and inclusivity, which is essential to create a more just and equitable society.
To help bring this about, the Philippine government must pass laws, create infrastructure, and provide resources to support bike commuting, and, with the private sector, should promote biking not only as an individual form of transportation but also as a sport, a culture, and a form of exercise among more Filipinos.
* * * Dr. Ortuoste is a board member of PEN Philippines, member of the Manila Critics Circle, and judge of the National Book Awards. FB and Twitter: @DrJennyO / Email: writerjennyo@gmail.com
‘Productive
All parties must respect the decision which the SC itself rendered after decades of litigation, and after weighing all the evidence
Now that the legal battle is over, the residents in the middle of the two conflicting LGUs are hoping their situation will soon be fixed to ensure continuous public service
SC on Fort Bonifacio land dispute: Makati and Taguig should act for the residents
More importantly, it sends a strong message of equality and inclusivity, which is essential to create a more just and equitable society
CHINA said Tuesday it was expelling Canada’s consul in Shanghai in a tit-for-tat move after Ottawa said it was sending home a Chinese diplomat accused of trying to intimidate a Canadian lawmaker critical of Beijing.
Beijing’s foreign ministry labelled Jennifer Lynn Lalonde “persona non grata” in an English statement published online, adding “China reserves the right to further react.”
Lalonde was told to leave China by May 13.
“China strongly condemns and firmly opposes this and has lodged serious demarches and strong protest to Canada,”
the statement said, referring to Ottawa’s decision to expel a Chinese diplomat in Toronto.
“As a reciprocal countermeasure in reaction to Canada’s unscrupulous move, China decides to declare Jennifer Lynn Lalonde, consul of the Consulate General of Canada in Shanghai persona non grata,” it added.
“China reserves the right to further react.”
Neither Canada’s foreign ministry nor its embassy in Beijing or Shanghai consulate replied to requests for comment from AFP.
Beijing’s move comes after Canadian Foreign Minister Melanie Joly said Toronto-based Chinese diplomat Zhao Wei would have to leave the country. Canada, she said, would “not tolerate any form of foreign interference in our internal affairs.”
“We remain firm in our resolve that defending our democracy is of the utmost importance,” she said, adding that foreign diplomats in Canada “have been warned that if they engage in this type of behaviour, they will be sent home.”
The expulsions plunge the two na-
tions into a fresh diplomatic row after years of souring relations.
They follow an outcry led by Canadian parliamentarian Michael Chong over allegations that China’s intelligence agency had planned to target him and his relatives in Hong Kong with sanctions for voting in February 2021 for a motion condemning Beijing’s conduct in the Xinjiang region as genocide.
This was “almost certainly meant to make an example of this MP and deter others from taking anti-PRC (People’s Republic of China) positions,” the Globe and Mail newspaper last week cited a Canadian Security Intelligence Service document as saying.
Canadian Prime Minister Justin
Trudeau has faced growing pressure to take a hard line with Beijing following revelations in recent months that it sought to sway Canada’s 2019 and 2021 elections.
The latest allegations were used by his critics to further accuse him of inertia in the face of foreign meddling. Relations between Beijing and Ottawa have been tense since Canada’s 2018 arrest of a top Huawei executive and the detention of two Canadian nationals in China in apparent retaliation.
All three have been released, but Beijing has continued to blast Ottawa for aligning with Washington’s China policy, while Canadian officials have regularly accused China of interference. AFP
AT LEAST 15 people were killed and dozens injured when a bus crashed off a bridge in central India, officials said Tuesday, after the driver reportedly fell asleep at the wheel.
MYANMAR’S military used a “vacuum bomb” in an air strike on an opposition village that killed dozens of people in a likely war crime last month, Human Rights Watch said on Tuesday. Fighting has ravaged large tracts of Myanmar since a military coup in 2021 that sparked renewed clashes with ethnic rebel groups, as well as the formation of dozens of “People’s Defense Forces” now battling the junta.
The military bombed a gathering in an opposition stronghold last month that media and locals said killed about 170 people, sparking renewed global condemnation.
The military had used a thermobaric bomb in the attack on Pazi Gyi village in Sagaing region, HRW said. Their assessment was based on analysis of 59 photos of the victims’ bodies and a video of the site following the strike.
Thermobaric bombs, also known as “vacuum bombs” are more powerful than conventional high-explosive munitions and use two separate charges.
The first scatters a fuel mixture as a cloud around the target and the second detonates the cloud, sucking the oxygen out of the atmosphere and forming a huge fireball.
The thermobaric bomb used in Pazi Gyi had caused “indiscriminate and disproportionate civilian casualties... and was an apparent war crime,” HRW said.
THE sudden popularity of ChatGPT and other AI tools is injecting urgency into Europe’s drive to regulate the sector, which this week gets rolling seriously with an ambitious text to be voted on by EU lawmakers.
The European Union aims to be the global pioneer in creating a comprehensive legal framework that would rein in possible online harm while still protecting innovation in the field of artificial intelligence.
The massive complexity of the systems, and their ability to produce text and images that at times mimic human output, is proving as fascinating as it is concerning.
Faced with the risk of AI being used to make dangerous content, manipulate opinion, conduct mass surveillance or
other perils yet to emerge, even tech leaders such as Twitter boss Elon Musk have called for a pause in its development.
The burgeoning use of AI by the public and corporations is outstripping action by Brussels, which two years ago proposed initial draft legislation to tackle the issue.
EU member states only fixed their position in that process at the end of 2022 —just as ChatGPT was taking off.
Now MEPs will set out their own stance in a committee vote on Thursday, after which the parliament, the commission and the member states will begin what promises to be thorny negotiations to reach agreement on a revised draft law.
“I really hope that we can have the
first meeting of the political negotiation before summer so that we can end it this year,” Commission Vice President Magrethe Vestager said.
One MEP, Dragos Tudorache, coreporter on the parliament’s position document stressed that “it’s a complex text and we added a new regime covering generative AI.”
Lawmakers are seeking to require AI companies to put in place protections against illegal content and to reveal what copyright-protected materials their systems are using to learn from.
Some experts believe that the risk posed by generative AI – of which ChatGPT and the image-producing systems DALL-E and Midjourney are the best known—don’t need to be addressed separately. AFP
RUSSIAN President Vladimir Putin said Tuesday at Moscow’s Red Square Victory Day parade that the world was at a “turning point” and claimed a “war” had been unleashed against Russia.
He vowed victory and said Russia’s future “rests on” its soldiers fighting in Ukraine.
The traditional Soviet-style event celebrating Moscow’s victory over the Nazis took place amid security fears, 15 months into Russia’s Ukraine offensive.
“Today civilization is again at a decisive turning point,” Putin said at the parade, which included elderly veterans and soldiers from Russia’s Ukraine campaign.
“A war has been unleashed against our motherland,” he claimed.
He called for Russia to be victorious: “For Russia, for our armed forces, for victory! Hurrah!”
17 years. I am an old man,” he tweeted.
THAILAND’S billionaire former prime minister Thaksin Shinawatra said Tuesday he wants to return from self-exile before his July 26 birthday, in a tweet he posted just days before a general election.
The 73-year-old policeman turned telecoms tycoon, twice elected premier but ousted by a military coup in 2006, said he was ready to face justice after spending the past 15 years outside the kingdom to avoid corruption charges he long maintained were politically motivated.
The opposition Pheu Thai party, fronted by Thaksin’s daughter Paetongtarn, is ahead in most opinion polls for Sunday’s vote, increasing speculation that he may finally make good on repeated promises to return to Thailand.
“I have decided to return home to raise my grandchildren in July, before my birthday,” he wrote on his @ThaksinLive Twitter account.
Paetongtarn gave birth to her second child – his seventh grandchild – on May 1.
“I have lived away from my family for almost
The Russian leader has increasingly portrayed the campaign in Ukraine as an existential conflict, which he says the West has escalated by supporting the Ukrainian government.
Putin told soldiers taking part in Moscow’s Ukraine campaign, several hundreds of whom were present at the Red Square parade, that “the whole country is with you.”
“There is nothing more important now than your combat effort,” he said.
“The security of the country rests on you today, the future of our statehood and our people depend on you.” Putin also railed against “Western globalist elites,” accusing them of sowing conflicts and “coups” around the world.
“Their goal, and there is nothing new here, is to achieve the collapse and destruction of our country,” he said. AFP
Thaksin is still idolized by millions of poor rural Thais who benefited from his welfare policies, but loathed by the kingdom’s royalist-military elite.
Parties linked to Thaksin have won most seats at every Thai election since 2001, but lost two prime ministers to military coups and another to a court ruling.
Thaksin was convicted in absentia on corruption charges – and faces numerous other cases as well—but on Tuesday said he was ready to face the courts.
“I will enter the legal process and the day I return, the country will still be under the caretaker government of General Prayut,” he tweeted.
Prime Minister Prayut Chan-O-Cha, the former army chief who ousted Thaksin’s sister Yingluck as premier to seize power in a 2014 coup, will formally remain in charge of the country until a new leader is sworn in, most likely in August. AFP
The accident occurred around 120 kilometers (75 miles) south of Indore, the largest city in central Madhya Pradesh state.
“Fifteen people died due to impact and around 37 people were injured,” sub-divisional magistrate Omnarayan Singh told AFP.
Three children were among the dead, he said.
The bus was heading to Indore when it broke through the railing on the bridge and crashed into a dry river bed, the Times of India newspaper reported.
The bus driver had fallen asleep at the wheel before the crash and had fled from the scene, it said.
India accounts for 11 percent of the global road death toll despite only having one percent of the world’s vehicles, according to a World Bank report released in 2021.
The same report estimated 150,000 car crash fatalities in India annually, or one person every four minutes. AFP
NEW ZEALAND emergency services said they are scouring a popular cave complex for a missing schoolboy Tuesday, after he was reportedly swept away by flood waters.
Rescue workers rushed to Abbey Caves north of Auckland, when a group of high school students on an outdoor pursuits exercise got into “difficulty”, police said.
Northland District Commander, Superintendent Tony Hill, said some of the group had “made it out” safely, but one student remained unaccounted for.
“Our thoughts are with the ‘whanau’ (family) of the missing child, as well as all those involved in the group outing and the school,” Hill said. Search and rescue crews from the police and the fire service have been deployed.
The group was reported to have been from Whangarei Boys High School, which told angry and distraught parents the school would close early on Tuesday.
The area has been pummelled by days of heavy rains and is under a severe thunderstorm warning, according to the local civil defence authority.
Abbey Caves are roughly five kilometers (three miles) from the city of Whangarei and feature three caves that “are prone to flash flooding”, according to the council website. AFP
STOCKS rebounded Tuesday ahead of the release of first-quarter gross domestic product growth later this week.
The PSE index, the 30-company benchmark of the Philippine Stock Exchange, gained 21 points, or 0.33 percent, to close at 6,622.61, as four of the six subsectors advances, with property leading the way.
The index representing all shares also picked up 6 points, or 0.19 percent, to settle at 3,532.33 on a value turnover of P4.18 billion. Losers outnumbered gainers, 86 to 73, while 71 issues were unchanged.
Six of the 10 most active stocks ended in the green, led by SM Prime Hold-
PSEi May 9, 2023
ings Inc. which climed 2.10 percent to P34.00 and Universal Robina Corp. which rose 2.06 percent to P153.90.
Meanwhile, the peso retreated to 55.76 against the US dollar Tuesday from 55.25 following reports that the country’s trade deficit widened to $14.57 billion in the first quarter amid sluggish exports. Asian markets struggled Tuesday as investors eyed the release of US inflation data later in the week, while mixed Chinese trade data suggested that re-
WASHINGTON, USA—Fed financial stability report details US banks tightened lending standards in the first few months this year, and expect this to continue over the rest of 2023, said a Federal Reserve survey released on Monday.
The report, which is closely watched on Wall Street, comes as the financial sector contends with deposit outflow worries on the back of turmoil after the high-profile collapse of Silicon Valley Bank and Signature Bank in March.
In recent weeks, shares of midsized banks suffered brutal trading days while investors remained on edge for a repeat of earlier episodes in which deposit runs precipitated or played a significant role in bank failures.
Asked about their outlook for lending standards over the rest of 2023, “banks reported expecting to tighten standards across all loan categories,” the Fed said on Monday.
Among the most frequently cited reasons included an expected deterioration in credit quality of loan portfolios and in customers’ collateral values, alongside reduced risk tolerance, found the senior loan officer opinion survey on bank lending practices.
Other reasons included “concerns about bank funding costs, bank liquidity position, and deposit outflows,” the survey added. AFP
covery in the world’s number two economy was still taking time. While the region enjoyed a healthy start to the week, there remains plenty of nervousness on trading floors after last week’s upheaval in the US banking sector, which hammered financial stocks. The turmoil saw the sale of the embattled First Republic Bank to JPMorgan Chase and came just two months after the collapse of three other regional banks and the takeover of Swiss giant Credit Suisse by rival UBS.
Still, while a much-anticipated Federal Reserve survey of banks showed tighter lending standards in the first few months of the year, which they see
lasting through 2023, analysts said the reading was not as bad as feared.
Asked about their outlook for lending standards over the rest of 2023, “banks reported expecting to tighten standards across all loan categories”, the central bank reported.
National Australia Bank’s Rodrigo Catril said: “The survey revealed a modest deterioration in lending standards to business at a rate that was slightly higher than in January.
“But, after concerns over the health of US regional banks, the good news is that the survey did not [yet] reveal evidence of a major credit crunch.”
Focus is now on Wednesday’s consumer price index report for April and
BENGALURU,
electronics giant Foxconn has bought a huge tract of land on the outskirts of Indian tech hub Bengaluru, the key Apple supplier said in a filing Tuesday as it looks to diversify production away from China.
Also known by its official name, Hon Hai Precision Industry, Foxconn is the world’s biggest contract electronics manufacturer and a principal assembler of Apple iPhones.
Both companies are seeking to diversify away from China, where much of their manufacturing is based, after strict Covid policies in recent years and ongoing diplomatic tensions with the United States hurt production.
The 1.2 million-square-meter (13 million-square-foot) acquisition in Devanahalli, near the airport for Indian tech hub Bengaluru, was announced in a statement to the London Stock Exchange.
Its subsidiary Foxconn Hon Hai Tech-
nology India Mega Development was paying three billion rupees ($37 million) for the site, it said. Another Foxconn unit was acquiring land use rights to a 480,000-square-metre site in Vietnam’s Nghe An province, it added.
Karnataka state chief minister Basavaraj S. Bommai said in March that Apple would “soon” manufacture iPhones at a new plant in the state, creating “about 100,000 jobs.”
Bloomberg News reported that month that Foxconn was planning to invest $700 million in a new factory in Karnataka the same month, citing unnamed sources.
Foxconn chairman Young Liu visited the state then to “deepen partnerships... and seek cooperation in new areas such as semiconductor development and electric vehicles”, he said in a statement.
He also met with Prime Minister Narendra Modi, who said the pair’s “discussions covered various topics aimed at enhancing India’s tech and innovation
eco-system”.
Foxconn has manufactured Apple handsets in India since 2019 at its plant in the southern state of Tamil Nadu.
Two other Taiwanese suppliers, Wistron and Pegatron, also manufacture and assemble Apple devices in India.
Apple has been making its own push into India and chief executive Tim Cook last month opened its first two retail stores in the world’s most populous country.
The California-based firm is betting big on the nation of 1.4 billion people —home to the second-highest number of smartphone users in the world, after China.
The world’s biggest company in terms of market value is also expanding its manufacturing footprint in India.
Apple said last September it would manufacture its latest iPhone 14 in India, just weeks after launching the flagship model. AFP
the following day’s wholesale prices data.
A drop in the inflation reading in recent months has fanned hopes that the Fed will soon pause its tightening campaign and even begin cutting by the end of the year, with the banking crisis reinforcing that view.
After lifting borrowing costs last week, officials hinted at a possible hold at their June meeting.
After a largely flat Monday on Wall Street, Asia was mostly in the red. Hong Kong and Shanghai sank as Chinese data showed April exports rising more than expected but slowing from March, while imports plunged far more than expected. With AFP
BEIJIING—China’s exports grew at a slower pace in April compared to the previous month, according to official data released Tuesday, as the world’s second-largest economy endures a patchy recovery from tough Covid curbs.
Rising global inflation, the threat of recession elsewhere and geopolitical tensions with the United States, have weakened demand for Chinese products.
Exports growth cooled to 8.5 percent in April in US dollar terms, after a surprise jump of 14.8 percent in March, customs data showed.
Beijing’s exports to Russia leapt 67.2 percent in April, year-on-year, but demand from markets elsewhere shrank.
China’s exports have grown for two months, snapping a run of five straight declines, when production was disrupted by sweeping lockdowns and delays at ports when China enforced its zero-Covid policy.
The stifling health restrictions were scrapped in December but domestic consumption remains subdued.
Imports fell much more sharply than expected in April, sliding 7.9 percent year-on-year, compared with a 1.4 percent decline in March. Analysts polled by Bloomberg had expected imports to decline by 0.2 percent.
“The contraction of imports may be partly driven by the slowdown of global demand, which in turn affects China’s imports of parts and components,” said Zhang Zhiwei, chief economist at Pinpoint Asset Management.
China’s trade surplus grew to $90.21 billion in April, up from $88.2 billion in March.
Its economy grew 4.5 percent in the first three months of the year.
But manufacturing activity contracted in April due to tapering global demand and a slow domestic recovery.
The official manufacturing purchasing managers’ index (PMI)—a key gauge of Chinese factory output—fell unexpectedly to 49.2 in April from 51.9 in March, and below the 50-point mark that separates expansion and contraction in activity, data from the National Bureau of Statistics showed. AFP
MADRID, Spain—An ongoing drought and soaring temperatures have unleashed fears of an olive “catastrophe” in Spain, the world’s largest producer of olive oil, which suffered a very difficult year in 2022.
“It’s barely rained since January. The ground is very dry,” worries Cristobal Cano, secretary general of the small farmers’ union (UPA) in the southern region of Andalusia, the heart of Spain’s olive oil industry.
Cano, who owns 10 hectares of olive trees in Alcala la Real near Granada, has never seen such a worrying situation in the 20 years he’s been a farmer.
“If something doesn’t change radically in the next few weeks, it’s going to be a catastrophe,” he warned.
According to the AEMET weather agency, accumulated rainfall since October 1 has been 25 percent lower than normal across Spain and 50 percent lower in most of Andalusia, where reservoirs are at 25 percent capacity.
And the situation worsened at the end of April, when an early heatwave brought exceptionally high temperatures that saw the mercury hit 38.8 degrees Celsius (101.8 degrees Fahrenheit) in southern Spain.
“This happened as the olive trees were in bloom,” says Rafael Pico, director of Asoliva, the Spanish association of olive oil producers and exporters, who fears the blooms will dry up.
“If there are no flowers, there’s no fruit. And if there’s no fruit, there’s no oil.”
‘On the brink’
For Spain—which normally supplies 50 percent of the world’s olive oil and exports close to 3.0 billion euros ($3.3 billion) worth every year—the situation is even more worrying given the sector’s disastrous output in 2021-2022.
During that season too, a lack of rain and extreme temperatures saw olive oil production plummeting 55 percent to 660,000 tons, compared to 1.48 million tons in 2021-2022, agriculture ministry figures show. The scene is set to play out again this year.
“Looking at the forecasts, it’s almost
a given -- it’s going to be another grim year,” says Rafael Sanchez de Puerta, head of Dcoop, Spain’s leading olive cooperative. If the predictions prove true, it could spell the end for many olive farms.
“We can cope with one difficult year. It’s a natural part of the growing cycle. But two years in a row will be a disaster. Many are on the brink of collapse,” he says.
With the cost of machinery, paying salaries and repaying loans, “farmers need liquidity” to remain afloat, says Asoliva’s Pico, recalling that many in
Farmer Cristobal Cano checks his olive grove, in Alcala la Real, near Jaen on May 5, 2023. In Spain, the world’s largest producer of olive oil, drought and abnormally high temperatures are causing fears of a ‘catastrophe’ for the sector, which is already reeling from a very difficult 2022. AFP
Spain live from olive oil production. Runaway prices For consumers, the outlook is also bleak.
“The global price of olive oil depends largely on Spain,” says Pico. In recent months, the price of oil has jumped.
“In mid-April, olive oil was selling at 5,800 euros ($6,400) per ton, up from 5,300 euros in January,” says Fanny de Gasquet of Baillon Intercor, a brokerage firm specializing in oils and fats.
In January 2022, it was selling at 3,500 euros. And the upward trend looks set to continue. AFP
US banks seen tightening lending standards in 2023
THE chairman of state-run Development Bank of the Philippines on Tuesday described the study that recommended its merger with Land Bank of the Philippines as “legally erroneous”, saying it was done with inordinate haste and encroached on the mandate of the Office of the Solicitor General and the Office of the Government Corporate Counsel.
The study, conducted by the Governance Commission for GOCCs in less than three weeks, concluded that President Ferdinand Marcos Jr. could implement the merger of the two Congresscreated state banks without the need for legislative action.
A position paper presented by DBP chairman Dante Tinga, a former Supreme Court associate justice, to DBP employees on May 2 and released to the media on Tuesday said the power to issue a legal opinion on such a delicate issue involving government-owned or
7% income growth in 2023
SHELL Pilipinas Corp., formerly Shell Philippines Exploration Corp., is looking at a 6-percent to 7-percent income growth in 2023 in line with economic growth.
“The Philippines remains to be an attractive market for Shell,” Shell chief finance officer Rey Abilo said after the company’s annual stockholders meeting.
“We can see that GDP [gross domestic product] projection in 2023 is between 6 and 7 percent, and that is a key driver of growth for the company,” Abilo said.
The company posted a net income of P4.1 billion in 2022, up 6 percent from P3.9 billion in 2021 as it sustained its recovery momentum. Abilo said that based on the company’s first-quarter performance, “there’s a bit of a slowdown because of high inflation.”
“But looking at how we are looking at the remainder of the year, we expect to grow core earnings by at least in line with the GDP growth of the country which is between 6 and 7 percent,” Abilo said. Alena Mae S. Flores
ELEVATED inflation and higher interest rates resulted in a slower growth of the manufacturing sector in March.
Latest data from the Philippine Statistics Authority showed that the volume of production index registered a year-on-year increase of 2.2 percent in March, slower than the February growth of 5.2 percent. In March 2022, VoPI surged 346.2 percent.
“The slower annual growth of VoPI in March 2023 was mainly brought about by the lower annual rates in the same top three industry divisions that contributed to the slower growth of VaPI [value of production index] during the period,” the PSA said. These were the manufacture of beverages, with 4.9 percent in March from 20.9 percent in February; manufacture of chemical and chemical products, -25.5 percent from -7.8 percent in the past month; and manufacture of basic metals, 18.6 percent from 28.1 percent in February 2023,” the PSA said.
It said 11 of the remaining 19 industry divisions posted lower production in March, with wearing apparel registering an annual downturn of -40.2 percent. Julito G. Rada
Batangas ecozone firms
to hire additional 1,500
COMPANIES inside the First Philippine Industrial Park in Batangas province are looking to hire more than a thousand workers to augment the labor requirement inside the economic zone.
FPIP, a part of the Lopez Group, announced the employment opportunities during the “Sulong Buhay Job Fair” which it organized in coordination with Santo Tomas City. The company said at least 14 FPIP locators, most of them manufacturers of various products for the export market, joined the fair to gather both prospective employers and job hunters in one venue.
The locators hired on the spot 196 candidates, with 1,500 positions still open to interested applicants, said Santo Tomas vice mayor Catherine Jaurigue-Perez.
Among the participating companies were Brother Industries Inc.; Canon Business Machines Phils. Inc.; EHS Lens Phils. Inc.; EMD Technologies Phils. Inc.; Honda Logistics Phils. Inc.; Honda Phils Inc.; Ibiden Phils Inc.; JMS Healthcare Phils. Inc.; Nikkoshi Phils. Corp.; Nippon Micrometal Corporation Phils.; Nippon Premium Bakery Inc.; NYK TDG Phils. Inc.; PKI Manufacturing & Technology Inc.;
-controlled corporations belongs to the OSG or the OGCC, depending on the circumstances.
The paper said this is covered by the Administrative Code of 1987 and Republic Act No. 2327 as amended by RA 6000.
It said the merger proposed by Finance Secretary Benjamin Diokno was strongly opposed by officials and employees of the DBP, most of whom would lose their jobs if the merger would push through, with LandBank as the surviving bank.
“If merger is inevitable, the DBP, with its richer legacy, more extensive experience and expertise and better track record in development financing, is more deserving to be better surviving bank,” the paper said.
The paper said the legal study by the GCG in interpreting its own Charter is a “self-serving declaration” favorable to its interest and is “not admissible as proof of the facts asserted.”
Diokno said, however, the Supreme Court upheld the authority of GCG to merge GOCCs. He said the proposed LBP-DBP merger is consistent with the principle of sound fiscal management, which the Department of Finance upholds to the highest degree.
“Contrary to the claim that the merger is a ‘dangerous experiment,’ the proposal is the result of a careful analysis of the costs and benefits of this merger, based on solid financial and economic evidence,” Diokno said.
“The Supreme Court has already upheld the authority of the Gover-
nance Commission for GOCCs to merge GOCCs in its Lagman v. Executive Secretary ruling upon finding that it is to the best interest of the state,” he said.
Diokno said the merger would create a bigger and stronger bank to better serve the country’s development needs. The LBP will be the surviving entity with its much higher authorized capital stock of P800 billion, compared to DBP’s P35 billion and overall stronger financial position.
Tinga said the GCG’s “legal study” should have been left in the capable hands of the OSG and the OGCC, which are mandated by their respective charters to serve as the lawyers of the government together with its units and GOCCs, respectively.
SUSTAINABILITY AGENDA. Department of Trade and Industry Secretary Alfredo Pascual (second from left) joins fellow ASEAN economic ministers in advancing the region’s sustainability agenda during the 22nd Meeting of the ASEAN Economic Community Council on May 7, 2023 in Jakarta, Indonesia. With Pascual are (from left) Deputy Secretary General Hairil Yahri Yaacob of Malaysia; Ministers Gan Kim Yong of Singapore; Ekachat Seetavorarat of Thailand; Nguyen Sinh Nhat Tan of Vietnam; Airlangga Hartarto, AECC chair of Indonesia; Jerry Sabuaga, alternate AECC lead of Indonesia; Manonthong Vongsay of Lao PDR; Dato Dr. Amin Liew Abdullah of Brunei Darussalam; Pan Sorasak of Cambodia; Joaquim Amaral of Timor-Leste; and Secretary-General Dr. Kao Kim Hourn of the ASEAN Secretariat.
GCASH, the mobile wallet of Globe Telecom Inc., said Tuesday its systems were not hacked and no funds were lost despite complaints of missing money from some users.
“We have already adjusted the ewallets of all affected GCash users.
We wish to reiterate that our customers did not lose their funds on GCash,” the company said in a statement.
“The app is now up for service, so you can safely proceed with your regular transactions. Rest assured, your funds are intact, safe and secure with GCash,” it added.
GCash, operated by G-Xchange Inc., assured users that their funds
are safe after some customers experienced unauthorized deductions in their accounts.
The company said its proactive cybersecurity policies are in place to protect customers as the safety and security of the account is a top priority.
It said its systems were not hacked after an investigation.
GCash said services were restored after users may have had experienced difficulties accessing their accounts.
“We advise our users to remain vigilant in their online transactions. GCash will never send emails or messages with links nor reach out to customers via calls and other messaging platforms,” GCash said.
GCash received several complaints
on Monday evening from customers about unauthorized transactions that were allegedly transferred to bank accounts ending in the number 5239.
East West Banking Corp., said in a separate statement it was made aware of news reports on unauthorized cash transfers from GCash into allegedly certain EWB account.
“EWB immediately acted on these reports and initiated its own internal investigation. Rest assured that we are cooperating with authorities and other institutions involved in the said report. We are working towards the immediate resolution of this matter,” it said.
The bank said it is working towards the immediate resolution of the issue.
With Julito G. Rada
THE country’s trade deficit widened to $4.927 billion in March from $4.585 billion a year ago as exports continued to decline, data from the Philippine Statistics Authority show.
The March trade deficit was also higher than the $3.90-billion shortfall in February. This brought the total deficit in the first quarter to $14.57 billion, higher than $13.08 in the same period last year.
Merchandise exports fell 9.1 percent in March to $6.53 billion, following an 18.1-percent decline in February.
Total export earnings in the first three months reached $16.86 billion, down by 13.2 percent from $19.43 billion a year earlier.
Electronic products remained the country’s top export in March with total earnings of $3.49 billion or 53.4 percent of the total. This was followed by other mineral products with an export value of $385.35 million (5.9 percent); and other manufactured goods, which amounted to $351.17 million (5.4 percent).
Meanwhile, merchandise imports also dropped 2.7 percent in March to $11.46 billion, slower than the 11.8-percent decrease in February. Total imports in the first quarter went down by 3.3 percent to $31.44 billion from $32.51 billion in the same period in 2022.
Julito G. Rada
DATA SCIENCE TRAINING. Thirty-one women scholars complete the data science training conducted by the For The Women Foundation with the support of Insular Foundation. With the scholars are FTW executive director and co-founder Cara Wilson, Insular Health Care president and chief executive Noemi Azura and Insular Foundation executive director Ana Soriano, program manager Tere Melad and program specialists Jaja Monsanto and Sheila Geroche. Insular Foundation, the corporate social responsibility arm of Insular Life, supports data science training as part of its advocacy to empower women through education.
THE vacancy rate for Metro Manila’s office sector widened to 21.5 percent in the first quarter with the completion of new buildings, real estate service provider KMC Savills said Tuesday.
KMC Savills said in a report on the domestic office market that more than 69,000 square meters of office space were completed in the first quarter, resulting in higher vacancy rate and a 0.9-percent decline in average rent for office spaces in Metro Manila.
It said that aside from the decline in rents, office landlords also started offering massive discounts from their headline rates to attract large and valuable
tenants.
“Landlords are starting to become aggressive in their pricing, and we should expect this to be the norm as occupiers race for quality amidst broader options,” KMC Savills said.
Makati and Bonifacio Global City remained the preferred sites among tenants, although Ortigas Center is also attracting large occupiers because of its affordability and quality stock.
“The added competition may cap any rental growth which could be exacerbated if landlords in Makati CBD further drop rents to remain competitive.
As such, landlords in BGC should keep concessions open to secure occupancies,” KMC Savills said.
KMC Savills also reported that infor-
mation technology and business process outsourcing firms continued to transfer their registration to the Board of Investments from the Philippine Economic Zone Authority.
It said that by transferring their registration to BOI, the IT-BPO firms would be allowed to adopt 100-percent workfrom-home arrangement without losing their tax incentives.
The transferees, however, are still required to maintain an office inside a PEZA-registered building/ecozone.
“This has broken the monopoly of PEZA-certified buildings on the outsourcing sector during a time when companies implement successful hybrid and work-from-home policies,” KMC Savills said.
By Alena Mae S. FloresTHE Lopez Group‘s clean and renewable energy provider First Gen Corp. on Tuesday reported a 52-percent increase in recurring net income in the first quarter to $89 million (P4.9 billion) from $59 million (P30 billion) in the same period in 2022.
“2023 is off to a promising start for First Gen as the portfolio benefits from the strong performance of almost all of its platforms,” First Gen president and chief operating officer Francis Giles Puno said. Puno said First Gen’s liquefied
natural gas terminal in Batangas is on its way to commercial operations as it heads towards commissioning this quarter.
“The operation of the LNG terminal should be beneficial not just for our portfolio, but for the grid in general as we will no longer be solely reliant on Malampaya gas for our operations,” Puno said.
First Gen’s natural gas subsidiaries and geothermal subsidiary Energy Development Corp. delivered higher earnings as a result of better operating income which was partially offset by higher interest expenses.
pulled off a 2-1 victory over defending champion Vietnam on Tuesday in the 32nd Southeast Asian Games women’s football tournament at the Smart-RSN Stadium, Toul Kourk District here.
But the heroics of Sarina Bolden and Halli Long weren’t good enough to push the Filipinas to the semifinal round after Myanmar repulsed Malaysia with a massive 5-1 rout at the Old Stadium in the other side of the city.
Both the Philippines and Myanmar finished with a 2-0-1 win-drawloss record, but it was the latter, which joined Vietnam in the semis on a better goal difference
The champs took the top berth with their 2-0-1 slate.
“We tried to win the game. But it wasn’t enough,” said Filipinas’ coach Allen Stajcic.
Bolden put Vietnam on the edge with a penalty shot in the 12th minute.
But Nguyen Thi Bich Thuy, one of the heroines, who helped Vietnam reach the 2023 Women’s Cup with the Filipinas, equalized with her own volley in the 40th minute.
The Filipinas kept the Vietnamese at bay in the second half, before Long penetrated with a goal in the 82nd minute.
Stajcic said he is still proud of the team for putting up a big game against Vietnam.
“Yes, we had our best performance in the tournament. And we saved it for our toughest opponent,” added Stajcic as the Philippines handed Vietnam a second straight defeat following the Filipinas’ 4-0 rout in the AFF Women’s Championships.
The other two semifinalists are Cambodia and Thailand, with their placing to be determined by the result of their clash.
Peter AtencioPHNOM PENH—He waited eight long years for a SEA Games’ gold. In the Cambodia edition of the games on Tuesday at the Merodok Techno Stadium here, Janry Ubas was finally ripe for athletic glory.
Preserving his strength for the final event of decathlon (1500), where he was in the running for a silver, the 29-yearold Ubas leaped to a games’ best 7.85 meters in the long jump finals right in his first attempt to capture his firstever Southeast Asian Games’ gold after eight years of trying.
“Si-necure ko lang po ‘yung first jump ko, kailangan mataas ‘yung talon ko kaagad, kasi crucial sa isang event ko na decathlon. May tatakbuhin pa ako sa 1500, kaya kinuha ko na agad ‘yung best ko sa first jump, ‘yung tipong
pang-gold na talaga,” said Ubas, who began competing in the SEA Games in 2015 in Singapore. The tactical and even logical move of letting it all out in his first jump
PHNOM PENH—Gilas Pilipinas started its redemption bid with a 94-49 win over Malaysia Tuesday in the 32nd Southeast Asian Games men’s basketball meet at the Morodok Techo National Stadium Elephant Hall 2.
Brandon Ganuelas-Rosser had 15 points and five rebounds, while Justin Brownlee made 11 points and four rebounds in his SEA Games’ debut.
Arvin Tolentino had 10 points, while La Salle big man Michael Phillips had 9 points and 15 rebounds as Gilas Pilipinas dominated the ballgame right from the opening tip.
Justin Brownlee“We challenged the first group to get us off to a good start. It’s really their responsibility to start us off well,” said Gilas Pilipinas coach Chot Reyes.
The team takes a one-day break before battling host Cambodia, which is beefed up by six naturalized players including the trio of Sayeed Pridget, Brandon Peterson, and Darrin Dorsey, members of the 3x3 team that won the gold.
The respite will also enable Calvin Oftana to heal after suffering a strained calf muscle after a slip in the first half.
“We have a casualty right away. Calvin Oftana strained a
Game Thursday (Morodok Elephant Hall 2) 5 p.m. (6 p.m. Manila time) –Philippines vs. Cambodia
calf muscle that’s why we didn’t play him anymore in the second half,” Reyes said. The women’s competition begins Wednesday, with the Philippines battling Cambodia at 3 p.m. (4 p.m. Philippine time) Gilas took a 33-12 lead at the end of the first quarter and never looked back, even leading by as much as 50 points.
Phillips wowed the Filipino fans at the venue with his energy, highlighted by two slams.
PHNOM PENH—Not all heroes wear capes.
One of them leaps over things in order to win shiny things. He then auctions off some of his things to help out less-fortunate folks do their thing.
A hero in the eyes of many young and budding athletes, superstar pole vaulter Ernest John Obiena leaped to a record-smashing 5.65 meters to claim a shimmering third straight gold at the rain-drenched Morodok Techo National Stadium in Phnom Penh on Monday.
Like in his past wins that began in the 2019 edition of the games in Manila, Obiena obliterated the field with another masterclass pole-vaulting, the pouring rain notwithstanding.
After an hourlong delay of the proceedings due to the heavy downpour, Obiena couldn’t be stopped from four successful leaps of 5.4, 5.55, 5.60 and then at 5.65 meters to the wild celebration of a couple of national team members and coaches, and a handful of Filipino supporters at the grandstand.
The no. 3-ranked pole vaulter in the world, with a career best 5.94, said he could have aimed for a higher mark, but was already exhausted from the long wait
and the slippery ground and pole.
“Man, I’m tired. If I have more energy, maybe I should have, I could have (gone higher), but it’s early in the season. I’m still panting, pagod na tayo,” said Obiena of his performance that was already so dominant, the second and third placers from Thailand could only manage an error-filled 5.2 meters. The masterpiece on the field was all Obiena needed
to catch the world’s attention on what he would do next off it—give the blessings back. When asked what’s next in his journey, he could have itemized the next tournaments he planned to join. Instead, he first took time to tell the world that he was auctioning off the shoes he wore at the games to raise funds for Filipino kids to fulfill their dream of becoming pole vaulters someday.
bore fruit as Ubas was able to fend off the leaps of eventual runner-up, Vietnamese Tien Trong Nguyen’s 7.66 and third placer, Indonesian Sapwaturrahman’s 7.62.
Ubas actually showed a glimpse of his new-found leaping prowess when he set a new SEA Games’ and Philippine record of 8.08 meters in the long jump event of the decathlon on Monday, becoming the first Filipino to go over 8 meters.
Strangely, Ubas hardly looked like a man who was ready to quit the sport, what with all the runnerup finishes that may have sapped his winning drive dry.
“Dati, parang ayaw ko na, pero ngayon, nagbago na, gusto ko na ulet mag-training araw araw,” Ubas said.
Indeed, winning cures everything. Especially if it’s as sweet as Ubas’.
PHNOM PENH—Gymnasts Juancho
Besana and Ivan Cruz proved that the Philippine gymnastics’ team isn’t an all-Carlos Yulo show after all following gold-medal feats on Tuesday in the men’s artistic gymnastics competitions of the 32nd Southeast Asian Games at the National Olympic Stadium here.
The gold-medal finishes of Besana and Cruz in the vault and the floor exercises, respectively, started off a productive day for gymnasts, with world champion Yulo picking up from where they left off with his own gold in the parallel bars, where he unseated defending champion Phuong Thanh Din for first place with 14.85 points.
The Vietnamese came in second with 14.4 points.
The 23-year-old Yulo, who captured his third straight all-around gold on Monday, his first in these games, missed a third one by a fraction of a point as he settled for a silver medal in the rings, no thanks to Nguyen Vanh Khan, who wested the crown from him with 14.2 points. Yulo submitted 14 points.
“Na-miss ko lang by .2 points. Wala namang problema,” said Yulo. “Masaya na po ako na nagawa ko nang maayos ang mga routines ko, at safe na po ako.”
The Philippines has garnered five golds and a silver so far in the sport.
The tactical move of letting it all out right in his first jump bore fruit for Ubas.Janry Ubas’ sweet victory
CENTRO Escolar University poured its wrath on hapless
AMA Online for a 107-68 blowout to enter the winner’s column in the 2023
PBA D-League Aspirants’ Cup Tuesday at the Filoil EcoOil Centre in San Juan.
The Scorpions stung the Titans from the get go and hardly encountered a fightback from there on en route to the 39-point win.
CEU improved to 1-1 while handing the Titans their second loss in as many games.
“We’re overwhelmed in our first loss but the very first thing we did after that defeat was to adjust our defensive schemes. We made some adjustments on defense and luckily, we got this first win,” said coach Jeff Perlas, who’s still in a transition period with the Scorpions following his appointment last February.
CEU, a perennial contender in
the D-League, is actually coming off a championship sweep in the UCBL but struggled in its debut and absorbed a 22-point loss to La Salle.
Against AMA, the Scorpions were not to be denied, leading by as many as 41 markers behind the 18 points of Vince Ferrer, who played for just 12 minutes.
Anjord Cabotaje added 16 while
Ayodeji Victor Balogun collared 15 points, 10 rebounds and two blocks for CEU, which uncorked a 14-2 run early in the second to stretch a 21-12 lead into 21-point gap.
Dave Bernabe and Karl Peñano chipped in eight points apiece for the Scorpions.
JC Yambao, Thirds Del Rosario and captain Nikon Alina had 12 each for the Titans, who also dropped a 101-57 loss to Perpetual last week.
ABILL was filed at the House of Representatives providing retirement, healthcare, and death benefits to professional Filipino athletes, who bag the championships in international sports competitions.
House Bill 5161, filed by Davao City Rep. Paolo Duterte, will be a way of recognizing the glory and honor that Filipino world sports champions have brought to the country.
Duterte’s bill was co-authored by Benguet Rep. Eric Yap and ACT-CIS Partylist Rep. Edvic Yap.
Professional Filipino athletes eligible for the benefits under the bill refer to those “who win world championship titles in international professional sports competitions or in other equally prestigious world championship games.”
HB 5161 also provides for the creation of a Professional Filipino Athletes Welfare Development Trust Fund to be administered by the Games and Amusements Board. The fund will be
used for the continued upgrading of sports training facilities so that these conform with international standards. It will also be used for the accreditation of, and other forms of support to, the professional athletes’ sector.
Under the measure, professional athletes who win in individual events in international sports competitions will receive a lifetime monthly pension of at least P15,000 by the time they reach the age of 50.
For winners in team events, the bill provides for a lifetime monthly pension of at least P10,000.
The retirement benefits for individual events shall apply for athletes, who emerge as champions in both individual and team efforts, the bill likewise states.
“Before all their triumphs, athletes go through extreme lengths and dedicate most of their years in training to be the best at what they do. They train under high expectations and high-intensity environments, which make them more vulnerable to exhaustion, burnout, physical injuries and psychological distress,” the bill’s authors said.
“It is high time that we support our athletes, not just at the podium, but even beyond all their glory,” they added.
They recalled the case of the late Filipino sports icon Lydia de VegaMercado, who was recognized as “Asia’s Sprint Queen of the 1980s” and was a multi-time gold medalist in the Asian Games, Asian Athletics Championships and Southeast Asian Games.
Before passing away on August 10 last year, following a long battle with breast cancer, De Vega’s family called for prayers and financial help from the public to aid them in shouldering her medical treatment as they were not aware of any fund or assistance available for Filipino athletes to
turn to during times of extreme need.
To help ailing professional Filipino sports champions, health care benefits under HB 5161 include the standard benefits provided by the Philippine Health Insurance Corporation and financial aid provided by the Philippine Charity Sweepstakes Office. Under the measure, hospital expenses incurred by the athlete in excess of the Philhealth benefit shall be shouldered by the PCSO under its Individual Medical Assistance Program.
The bill also provides a death benefit of P50,000 to the primary or secondary beneficiaries of deceased sports champions to help cover funeral costs and other related expenses.
As for the trust fund for Filipino athletes, the bill states that an amount “not less than 80 percent for the first five years accrued from the licensing, registration and accreditation fees, fines and charges” imposed by the GAB shall be used for the fund.
The trust fund may also accept grants and donations from national and foreign entities and individuals, according to the bill.
PHNOM PENH—Paolo Wong failed to recover from a frontside struggle and faltered with a 75, tumbling from joint third to a share of 19th in men’s play while the ladies tandem of Lois Kaye Go and Rianne Malixi stayed too far behind despite a pair of 68s in the second round of the golf competitions of the 32nd Southeast Asian Games here Tuesday.
Though Enrique Dimayuga bounced back strong from an opening 73 with a near-impeccable 68 in hot conditions, the new national team member remained seven strokes adrift of a steady Khanh Hung Le, who broke away from a first round tie with Malaysian Malcolm Hung with a 65 behind a solid eagle-spiked backside 31.
The Vietnamese took the solo lead with a 10-under 134 total but braced for a daunting challenge in the last 18 holes as Ratchanon Chantananuwat bettered Le’s seven-under card with a 64, also highlighted by an eagle on the par-5 No. 11, as the fancied Thai, winner of an Asian Tour event last year, moved threateningly close at 136 for joint second with Malaysian Anzon Xiang, who also shot an eight-under card.
TARLAC—Zanieboy Gialon and Michael Bibat duked it out in an early clash of will in furnace-like conditions in separate flights before the former pounced on a two-shot swing on the last hole to wrest control with a solid 65 at the start of the ICTSI Luisita Championship here on Tuesday.
Gialon, motivated by a clutch par on the tough No. 17, birdied the closing hole from short range to complete a sterling 31-34 round then watched Bibat hole out with a bogey to pull ahead by one in the P2 million championship serving as the fourth leg of this year’s Philippine Golf Tour.
The final hole mishap blemished an otherwise fine round for the bighitting Bibat, who nevertheless left the Luisita Golf and Country Club course satisfied with a 66 for solo second after winding up eighth in the last PGT leg at Caliraya Springs.
The Davaoeño shotmaker set the tone for the birdie-blitz at the Robert
Trent Jones, Sr.-designed layout three flights ahead of Bibat with a blistering five-under frontside 31. The winner of the inaugural ICTSI Caliraya Springs Championship last year then came away with two more birdies at the back to finish with a 65 he spiked with what he described as a key par on No. 17.
“I told myself that I could just make a par on Luisita’s signature hole (the daunting par-3 17th), I might be able to birdie the 18th and go seven-under,” said Gialon.
He did as he found himself on top of a stellar field while leading the assault on the demanding layout that however yielded 20 under-par scores in the absence of the wind.
Gialon went back home after failing to defend the Caliraya Springs crown with a tied for 12th finish and worked on his short game and putting, producing great results as he missed just a couple of fairways while hitting 15 greens.
“Fairway-green lang in the next three
TARLAC—Harmie Constantino stumbled at the finish, yielding two strokes on No. 18 on a three-putt miscue and ending up with a 71, enabling Daniella Uy to gain a share of the lead after 18 holes of the ICTSI Luisita Championship at the Luisita Golf and Country Club here on Tuesday.
The back-to-back winner of the final two legs of last year’s Ladies Philippine Golf Tour at Pradera Verde and Villamor was cruising control with a four-birdie feat against a bogey after 17 holes. But she missed the par-4 18th then three-putted, spoiling what could’ve been a blistering start for the diminutive but talented shotmaker who birdied all but one of the four par-5 holes.
“Nahirapan ako sa green at yung distance sa putting,” said Constantino, who made a swing change after finishing tied for third at
Caliraya Springs topped by Epson Tour campaign Pauline del Rosario. “I also struggled on my long game but overall, it’s a pretty good one – saved some pars than I thought and kind of held on to my scores.”
Uy, in pursuit of a second victory after scoring a breakthrough at the tough Riviera-Langer in 2021, stayed focused off the mound and rebounded from a bogey on the first hole with birdies on Nos. 4 and 12, gaining a shared view of the top with six straight pars.
“I know I need to hit straight drives here, mahirap magkamali dito (Luisita) kasi malamang ma-puno ka,” said Uy, who hopes to further improve on her ball-striking in the last two rounds to get a crack at the crown after blowing her bids in Iloilo and Caliraya Springs.
Constantino and Uy’s one-under par cards put them four strokes clear of Sarah Ababa
days para tuloy-tuloy,” said Gialon, whose 65 was one stroke short of the course record set by Clyde Mondilla in the winning the Luisita Invitational in 2018.
Bibat also polished his short irons during the break and worked on the mental side for four weeks, saying: “It really helped as I was able to focus on each shot.”
Journeyman Rico Depilo likewise flourished in the heat, joining the lowscoring spree with a 68 for joint third with Marvin Dumandan and Korean Kim Min Seong even as a number of the PGT big guns found the going a lot tougher in the early going of the 72hole championship organized by Pilipinas Golf Tournaments, Inc. But Frankie Miñoza flashed vintage form as he bucked a frontside 37 with four birdies in the last nine holes, including the last two, as he moved to solo sixth with a 69, a stroke ahead of Jhonnel Ababa, Francis Morilla and Korean Kang Chon Koo, who matched 70s.
and Gretchen Villacencio, who matched 75s, while Florence Bisera and Pamela Mariano hobbled with 76s for a share of fifth with amateur Laurea Duque.
Korean Kim Seoyun, who lost by one to del Rosario at Caliraya, recovered from a disastrous frontside 41 marred by two double with a backside 36 for a 77, while reigning LPGT Order of Merit winner Chihiro Ikeda and Korean Yang Ju Young matched 79s for a share of ninth in the 54-hole championship offering a total prize fund of P750,000.
Constantino took control early as she birdied the first long hole on No. 5 then gained another stroke on the par-4 seventh before missing a birdie chance on the next par-5 (No. 9). After dropping a stroke on the 10th, she birdied the 12th, another par-5, then poised to dominate the field with another feat on No. 16.
Hung slipped to fourth at 137 after a 68 even as Dimayuga moved from tied 15th to a share of seventh with Vietnam’s Dang Minh Nguyen, who shot a 69, but seven shots behind Le at 141. Aidric Chan also recovered with a 68 but still stood far off at joint 15th at 144 while Wong fumbled with a frontside 39 marred by a double-bogey on the par-5 No. 8 to fall to a share of 19th with teammate Jaden Dumdumaya, who carded a 71.
In women’s play, Thai Eila Galitsky moved in the threshold of an expected gold medal finish with a 66 as she grabbed the lead at 135, now one stroke ahead of erstwhile leader Ng Jing Xuen of Malaysia, who slowed down with a 69 after a 67 for a 136, setting the stage for a final round shootout with the reigning Women’s Amateur Asia Pacific champion.
Singapore’s Aloysa Atienza rallied with a 68 to seize solo third at 139 but remained four strokes off Galitsky while Go and Malixi improved to a share of fifth at 142 with Navaporn Soontreeyapas, also of Thailand, who put in a 70, behind the fourth-running Foong Zi Yu of Malaysia, who assembled a 141 after a 69.
INTERNATIONAL comedian JR De Guzman, recognized as one of Variety’s 2022 10 Comics to Watch, is bringing his brand of comedy and music to The Theatre at Solaire on June 3. Entitled Later That Evening, the show promises to be a hilarious and entertaining event that will leave the audience in stitches.
Joining the StandUp NBC 2016 winner are his fellow Filipino comedians Red Ollero and Ryan Puno for the opening acts.
Ryan, a comic-writer-actor-director who started the online comedy channel Solid OK, is a headliner of Comedy Manila. He was also featured in Comedy Central’s Stand-Up, Asia! alongside JR.
Red has been doing stand-up shows for 16 years and has led sold-out shows in the Music Museum, PMC Spotlight Blackbox Theater, and Samsung Performing Arts Theater. He has also opened for international comedy stars like Jo Koy JR is “super excited” to reunite with Ryan
and Red whom he has worked with previously in stand-up shows almost a decade ago.
Later That Evening is JR’s hit show that has been on tour across the United States and will be on its first-ever Asian leg next month.
Audiences love JR’s knack for musical comedy while he talks about his experiences as a Filipino growing up in America and his take on racism. Now, he is ready to bring all the fun to the Philippines.
In MYX’s virtual media conference for Later That Evening, JR shared one of his favorite jokes that represent his Filipino upbringing but at the same time seem relatable to most audiences.
“I just talk about how I learned how to sing and play music in the church ‘cause my grandma took me to church like twice a day growing up,” he said in jest. “Everyone kind of relates to having sort of strict, conservative grandparents. Like every problem you have they tell you to pray.” The fast-rising comedian also said
that there is no limit to the topic that he would consider for his shows.
“There is not really anything that I wouldn’t touch if I could make it funny. If it’s a topic that I genuinely think I can have a funny perspective on then I would do it,” he affirmed.
Born in the Philippines and raised in California, JR was also named ‘New Face’ in Just for Laughs 2017 and got featured in the Netflix special The Comedy Lineup and Comedy Central’s Kevin Hart Presents: Hart of the City. He also previously released an album called Dual Citizen The Manila leg of Later That Evening was made possible by MYX, which advocates for Asian music and is on a mission to create a culture that showcases Filipino and Asian talent on a global scale. Buy your tickets now at ww.ticketworld. com.ph and Solaire Box Office Level 2. For more details on the event, follow MYX Global on its social media pages.
International comedian JR De Guzman
TV5’s newest program
Jack and Jill sa
Diamond Hills features actors Jake Cuenca and Sue Ramirez in the lead roles. The show is a comedy that promises to deliver relentless laughter to its viewers.
The comedic chemistry between Cuenca and Ramirez is highly regarded, as they showcase their acting talents and comedic timing in every episode.
Premiering at 6:00 p.m. on May 14, TV5’s newest sitcom, promises to turn Sunday evenings into a thrilling rollercoaster ride of laughter, action, and suspense.
AIA Philippines (previously AIA Philam Life) is organizing a concert to celebrate its major achievements in 2022. The concert, titled Roar as One, is happening on May 16 and will feature a star-studded lineup of Filipino artists, including brand ambassadors Gary Valenciano and Chito
Miranda
Other featured performers include Sarah Geronimo, Parokya ni Edgar, Ely Buendia, and December Avenue, as well as special guests The Diegos and El Gamma Penumbra
The event marks the launch of AIA’s investment management arm, AIA Investment Management and Trust Corporation Philippines (AIAIM Philippines), the successful acquisition of HMO giant MediCard Philippines, and its continued financial strength and performance, retaining the top spot in net worth, and ranking second in net income and assets according to the latest Insurance Commission Ranking.
“The past few years coming from the pandemic have been challenging and yet everyone came together to deliver, with these wins the result of those efforts. The accomplishments last year would not have been possible without the hard work and dedication of our people. This concert is a big thank you celebration of those efforts for all that we accomplished in 2022,” says AIA Philippines CEO Kelvin Ang
The executive is thrilled with the addition of MediCard Philippines to AIA family, which includes AIA Philippines, BPI AIA, AIAIM Philippines, and AIA Digital+.
“Legends celebrating with the legend” is the resounding theme of the upcoming production as One AIA Philippines maintains its position as an industry leader. ROAR as One ultimately celebrates the company’s big wins in 2022 – a reward for the entire community for a job well done – as it primes itself to conquer bigger challenges in the years to come.
Visit https://www.aia.com.ph/ for more information about AIA Philippines, or the AIA Philippines Facebook page at https://www. facebook.com/AIAPhilippines/, email customerservice.ph@aia.com or call (02) 8528-2000 to know more.
Cuenca and Ramirez portray two undercover police officers on a mission to unmask and apprehend the elusive Alyas Sexbomb. The stakes are high, as the duo risks losing their jobs if they fail to catch the drug distributor within three months.
The sitcom is directed by John Lapus and is set to offer a fascinating exploration of the emotional and quirky lives of the Diamond Hills residents.
Jack and Jill sa Diamond Hills boasts a star-studded ensemble cast, including
Gardo Versoza, Ara Mina, DJ Onse, Nana Silayro, Nico Antonio, DJ Jhai Ho, and Hershey Neri, to name a few.
During the media conference for the sitcom, Ramirez expressed her gratitude towards Cuenca for the things she has learned from him in the past few years they have worked together. She expressed her desire to return the favor by taking the lead in their latest project since she has gained a considerable amount of experience doing comedy programs in the past.
“This marks our third project together, and I don’t see any reason to break the chemistry we have. Even though I’ve worked with him before, Cuenca always brings something fresh and exciting to the table, and I’m always eager to learn from him. With every project, I am able to absorb something new from Jake,” Ramirez stated. On the other hand, Cuenca could not contain his excitement about their upcoming sitcom, as it marks his first time starring in a show of this genre. The opportunity to work with Ramirez again and showcase their comedic chemistry has made him ecstatic. The two actors’ willingness to work together and support each other’s growth is a testament to their professional relationship and dedication to their craft.
Cuenca expressed his gratitude towards working with Sue and mentioned that he simply reacts to her. He also added that he is glad to have worked on three different projects with Sue, where they have taken on different roles in each one. However, it is in this latest project that they can showcase a glimpse of their true personalities, as they were given the opportunity to be themselves on set.
"It was only in this particular project that we are able to show a glimpse of our true personalities. We were allowed to be ourselves on the set," Cuenca ended.
Team Saints under Head Coach Jerry Yee triumphs in the Women’s Division of the ‘GMA NCAA All-Star Volleyball Games’ last April 23
By Angelica Villanueva
THE court was filled with high-intensity action as the top National Collegiate Athletic Association (NCAA) players and alumni went against the brightest Kapuso stars.
Team Saints dominated both the Men’s and Women’s Divisions, displaying their unwavering determination and unmatched skills. Although Team Heroes fought bravely, it was the starstudded Team Saints that emerged victorious, overcoming all odds and securing the ultimate championship of the night. With an electrifying atmosphere, the Kapuso stars shone even brighter in this thrilling showdown of champions.
That was the atmosphere at the “GMA NCAA All-Star Volleyball Games,” held on April 23 at the FilOil EcoOil Centre in San Juan.
Making up the impressive lineup for Team Heroes were NCAA stars Joshua Ramilo and Juvie Mangarin from Emilio Aguinaldo College (EAC); Kenneth Daynata and Larry Sioco, Jr. from José Rizal University (JRU); Siegfred Corral and Deon Xander Colorado from Lyceum of the Philippines University (LPU); Angelino Jose Pertierra and John Benedict San Andres from Mapua University (MU); Kim Vincent Tan and Christian Joshua Segovia from Arellano University (AU); NCAA volleyball analyst Jayvee Sumagaysay; and Sparkle stars Kristoffer Martin and Bruce Roeland
On the other hand, under the Women’s Division, the squad mentored by Head Coach Jerry Yee came to the battlefield prepared and swept their opponent, 25-20, 25-23.
Colegio de San Juan Letran (CSJL)’s Cha
Celebrity MVPs Carlo San Juan and Shaira Diaz
Headed by Coach Sammy Acaylar and led by Sparkle artist and former national athlete Vic De Guzman, who was also hailed as AllStar MVP, Team Saints survived the three sets with 25-23, 25-17, 27-25, with the impressive contributions from Season 98 MVP Ramirez from University of Perpetual Help System Dalta (UPHSD) and fellow Sparkle stars Prince Clemente and Carlos San Juan, which the latter took home the Celebrity MVP Award.
by Sparkle artist and former national athlete John from Louie
Cuñada gave her school another reason to celebrate as she led her team to victory, becoming the Most Valuable Player of the game, while Mary Rhose Dapol from UPHSD once again proved why she is this Season’s MVP with her impressive performance.
Kristine Joy Dionisio from SSC-R; Angelique Dionela from UPHSD; Entezar Bangcola from CSJL; Zamantha Nolasco and Jannine Navarro from DLS-CSB; Aurea Francesca Racraquin and Chynna Castillo from San Beda University (SBU); and NCAA courtside reporter Chase Orozco
George
Team Saints also won with the remarkable efforts of team members Richard Nino Tolentino and Kyle Angelo Villamor from San Sebastian College Recoletos (SSC-R); Rey Taneo from UPHSD; Vince Himzon and Erickson James Ramos from Colegio San Juan De Letran (CSJL); Melver Lapurga and Jerome Lopez from San Beda University (SBU); Gauani from DLS-CSB; and NCAA courtside reporter Miguel Venegas Delivering intense exchanges of spikes and tosses between the two teams, the audience was thrilled to see their favorite NCAA players and Kapuso artists giving their best efforts inside the court.
Kapuso celebrities Shaira Diaz and Lyra Micolob emerged as valuable assets to Team Saints, with Diaz bagging the Celebrity MVP Award.
Equally shining on the court were Alyssa Eroa and
NCAA Season 92 Most Valuable Player John Vic De Guzman from De La SalleCollege of St. Benilde bags the All-Star MVP Award
Meanwhile, Team Heroes, led by Head Coach Cromwell Garcia, did not make it easy for Team Saints to clinch the win. Working hand in hand to trounce the other team were Jen Omapas and Yvone Reyes from EAC; Sydney Niegos and Shola Alvarez from JRU; Ciarnelle Wanta and Zonxi Dahab from LPU; Jonina Mae Fernandez and Alyanna Nicole Ong from MU; Regine Arocha and Trina Marice Abay from AU; NCAA volleyball analyst Kara Acevedo-Ong; and Sparkle stars Cassy Legaspi and Angela Alarcon
The NCAA action continues with the muchawaited return of the Cheerleading Competition on April 30 at the Rizal Memorial Stadium. Competing teams to watch out for are the AU Chiefs Squad, Letran Cheering Squad, Benilde Blazers Pep Squad, EAC Generals Pep Squad, JRU Pep Squad, LPU Pirates Pep Squad, Mapua Cheering Pep Squad, San Beda Red Corps, Golden Stags Cheerleading Squad, and Altas Pep Squad.
THE Philippine Bonsai Society and SM Mall of Asia are partnering for a grand bonsai exhibition featuring exquisite specimens. The exhibition will be held at the Music Hall of SM Mall of Asia, running from June 10 to 20.
can
Visitors can expect awe-inspiring designs and educational workshops and activities suitable for all levels of bonsai enthusiasts and nature lovers.
This year’s event is extra special as it features the first-ever joint convention of the Asia Pacific Bonsai and Suiseki Convention (ASPAC) and the AsiaPacific Bonsai Friendship Federation (ABFF), the regional group of the World Bonsai Friendship Federation (WBFF), the largest bonsai organization
Visitors can expect awe-inspiring designs and educational workshops and activities
globally. The exhibition also coincides with the 50th anniversary of the Philippine Bonsai Society, the country’s oldest and most prestigious garden club. The exhibit which will be showcased at the Entertainment
Gaisano-Lee’s exploration of dualism in her artistry transcends beyond the visual aspect. She also explores various mediums and techniques, utilizing them to produce a contrast of textures and tones in her works. Her intention is to evoke a feeling of both tension and harmony that mirrors the concept of dualism.
KATRINA “Tanya”
Gaisano-Lee is an artist who is known for her thought-provoking works that explore a wide range of themes. In her recent pieces, she has been focusing on the concept of dualism, which is the idea that there are two contrasting, yet complementary, elements that exist in everything.
Through her art, Gaisano-Lee invites viewers to contemplate the duality that exists within themselves and in the world around them. Her works challenge us to see beyond the surface of things and to embrace the inherent contradictions that make up our complex human experience.
In this art series, the artist explores the concept of dualism which can be interpreted as the contradictions, contrasts, or differences that exist between two aspects within a common medium.
Much like in life, the natural world is replete with dualities such as light and darkness, solids and liquids, hot and cold, wet and dry, and so on. These opposing dualities possess contrasting attributes yet come together to create the world we inhabit and all the beauty and ugliness that exists within it.
Local weaves are used to add depth and texture to the pieces, rooting them in their Mindanaoan culture. T’nalak and Inabel represent the people and their traditions.
The artworks showcase a range of natural phenomena, from the golden sunrise to the stormy clouds, flat grasslands, blue pristine waters, rich red mineral-filled mountains, and lush green forests. In contrast, they also depict the urban landscape, with its dense population and concrete jungle, as well as the jewel tones of the night reflecting the silver moonlight and rolling thunder clouds.
It is the hope of the artist to bring
Mall, Music Hall, at SM By the Bay will feature three forms of Japanese art – Bonsai a miniaturized but realistic representation of nature in the form of a tree; Ikebana, a Japanese art flower arrangement,
Bonsai is a miniature but realistic representation of nature in the form of a tree
and Suiseki, the Japanese art of stone appreciation, which values aspects like stability, longevity, and immortality. The display has attracted presidents and members of bonsai clubs from all over the Asia Pacific, and top bonsai masters from the region will conduct lectures and demonstrations on bonsai. Additionally, there will be lectures and demos on ikebana and suiseki. A garden bazaar for plant enthusiasts will be set up at SM By the Bay, just outside the bonsai exhibit.
awareness and appreciation to the dualities of the natural world and by extension the dualities we inevitably must face as we navigate the calm waters and brave the raging seas while traversing a limitless universe on a pale blue dot that is literally the journey of our lives.
Gaisano-Lee is a Davao-based selftaught artist who began her artistic journey in 2014 with only a black pen. Originally drawing simple black-andwhite patterns, the artist eventually began diversifying and incorporating vivid colors and textures into her art using acrylics and ink – all of which have now become integral elements of her artistic expression.
Gaisano-Lee’s style is deeply inspired
By Tet Defensor
A MUSEUM in Iloilo is so popular among students that whenever classes are suspended, the staff must brace for an instant mob.
Located within the Megaworld complex in Mandurriao, Iloilo City, The Iloilo Museum of Contemporary Art (ILOMOCA) opened in 2018 and is the first museum in the Visayas and Mindanao dedicated to modern art. It was born out of a partnership between Megaworld Foundation and the Ilonggo art collector Edwin Valencia
The museum is getting a lot of foot traffic, thanks to its strategic location, the dynamic display that makes for an interesting selfie or prenup photo background, and the overall vibe that allows spectators the freedom to appreciate artistic expressions of all forms.
And while the destination is pure heaven for art lovers, the open space and the peaceful creative energy encourage quiet mindfulness, which is not possible in busy malls. It is not surprising, therefore, that even young students have included the museum in their regular goto list.
The ground floor Hulot exhibit features local and international artists. Hulot which is Hiligaynon for “room” or “space” also serves as a commercial space for artists who wish to showcase their works.
The themed exhibits are held at the Gallery, located on the second floor. An adjacent gallery houses traditional and contemporary sculpture which includes the works of Ramon Orlina, a miniature version of Michael Cacnios lift sculpture, and many other noted works.
The third floor houses the Adoracion Valencia Gallery, named after the mother of Edwin Valencia, the museum’s primary patron. ILOMOCA is a partnership between Megaworld Foundation and the Ilonggo art collector Edwin Valencia. Adoracion Valencia was a Humanities professor and aside from passionately imparting her love for the arts to her students, she made sure her children shared her deep appreciation for all forms of
by her personal experiences and exposure to foreign arts and cultures from her frequent travels. Over the years, she developed her own signature style which can be aptly described as avant-garde with respect to conventional styles of painting. Her distinctive selection of modern abstract elements coupled with vibrant and subdued colors with intricate patterns culminates in unique creations that blend in with contemporary design or provide a touch of modern accents in traditional settings. Check out Gaisano-Lee’s ongoing solo exhibit at the Crucible Gallery located at Building A SM Megamall. Entitled Habi ng Kalikasan, the exhibit is on view until May 14.
creative expression. And while she succeeded in nurturing the interest of her children, it was Edwin, an international banking and finance professional, who went on and built an extensive collection.
The massive collection began in the ‘80s, while Edwin was working in New York. Back then he envisioned a museum that he can share with the Ilonggo art community. His dream saw fruition when he met with Megaworld in 2014. After four years, the museum officially opened its doors, enriching the Iloilo art scene with exhibits and outreach programs. ILOMOCA’s biggest surprise is in Gallery
2. On view the actual prints by international artists Pablo Picasso, Salvador Dali, Marc Chagall, and Joan Miro. A favorite trick played by organizers of tour groups involves bringing the visitors to the gallery without saying a word about the masterworks. “I love seeing the look on the face of visitors when they realize that they are looking at an actual work by Pablo Picasso or Salvador Dali,” remarked Iloilo City Tourism Officer King Erlano Museum Director Maricel Montero is amazed at the young crowd who frequent ILOMOCA. “Sometimes we have to turn away walk-in visitors, especially if we are expecting a big group,” she said. Students love to enter the museum, mainly because it provides a colorful backdrop for social media posts. And while it has yet to lead to an appreciation, the museum director believes it’s a good starting point. “It can be disconcerting at times, but once they are inside the museum, we can create prompts for them to think and reflect on the artwork,” she added.
According to the City and Development Tourism office, Iloilo City has a total of 13 active galleries and museums. Not to be outdone are the colorful murals on public walls and bridges along the famous Iloilo Esplanade. The culture and arts scene is exceptionally vibrant in the province. Aside from visual arts, the Iloilo Museum of Contemporary Art has a theater facility called The Box, for screenings, performances, theatre productions, workshops, and other cultural events.
Sayaw Workshop 2023 is a two-week intensive dance and music workshop
“WHEN you dance, you can enjoy the luxury of being you.” This quote from renowned novelist and lyricist Paulo Coelho is an inspiration for dance enthusiasts to have fun and spend summer and school breaks learning the performing arts with the world-famous Bayanihan.
Sayaw Workshop 2023, a two-week intensive dance and music workshop to be presented by PWU C-CAMS in collaboration with the Bayanihan Folk Arts Foundation, Inc. is set to begin on May 22.
The workshop is open to children, teens, and adult dance enthusiasts. Workshop participants will learn the dance and music of Bayanihan, the National Dance Company. For this year’s workshop, a new module for rondalla and music enthusiasts will be introduced.
The schedule of the workshop is from 9:00 to 11:00 a.m. for children; 9:00 a.m. to 3:00 p.m. for teens as well as for adult participants; and 9:00 a.m. to 12:00 noon for musicians.
The workshop will run until June 3 with a culminating show at 3:00 p.m. at the historic Metropolitan Theater in Manila.
For inquiries and to enroll, contact mobile nos. 09225551534 or 09178714429; email: bayanihandance@gmail.com or follow Bayanihan @ bayanihannationaldanceco.
