Manila Standard - 2023 June 7 - Wednesday

SENATORS SLAM DOOR ON GSIS, SSS FUNDS IN MAHARLIKA, RIP DIOKNO

By Macon Ramos-Araneta

SENATORS stood firm on their position that state-run pension and insurance institutions are absolutely prohibited from investing in the proposed Maharlika Investment Fund.

Senate Minority Leader Aquilino Pimentel III admonished Finance Secretary Benjamin Diokno for his “play on words” when he claimed the Government Service Insurance System (GSIS) and Social Security System (SSS) can

invest in projects backed by the Maharlika Investment Corp. to be formed out of the MIF law.

“They are avoiding the words used in the law like initial capital, additional capital and bonds. If they say ‘subscribe to projects’ what does it mean? Financing means advancing the money needed. Isn’t that plain and simple ‘lending’ or ‘loaning money’ to the project?” Pimentel said.

“It is just like buying a bond from the

Inflation eases to 6.1 percent

Drops for 4th month in row, dovetails with better job figures

By Julito G. Rada, Maricel V. Cruz, Vito Barcelo, and Vince Lopez

INFLATION eased further to a near one-year low in May 2023 at 6.1 percent, down from 6.6 percent in April due to slower increases in the prices of transport, food and non-alcoholic beverages, the Philippine Statistics Authority (PSA) said Tuesday.

Data showed that the May inflation was the slowest since the 6.1 percent posted in June 2022. The May inflation remained higher than the rate a year ago of 5.4 percent.

The May figure brings the average inflation in the first five months to 7.5 percent, well over the government’s target range of 2 to 4 percent.

National statistician and civil registrar Dennis Mapa said in an online briefing that inflation declined for the fourth consecutive month in May 2023.

President Ferdinand Marcos Jr. said the decreasing inflation rate is a welcome development and a sign of continued progress towards affordable prices of goods.

“Today we received encouraging news that our inflation rate has now gone down – our headline inflation rate has gone down from 6.6 percent to 6.1 percent, and our employment figures are also improving,” Mr. Marcos said.

“It looks like we’re doing the right thing. Let’s continue what we are doing so that we can see that we return to a good situation again,” the President said.

Budget Secretary Amenah Pangandaman said the administration would continue carrying out its economic strategies.

“This goes to show that the economic strategies of the administration...[are] on the right track. Our whole-of-government approach is working,” she said.

PH: No more Kuwait shelters only if OFWs stop fleeing from bosses

By Rey E. Requejo and Macon Ramos-Araneta

THE Department of Foreign Affairs on Tuesday said the Philippines will stop

setting up more shelters for distressed overseas Filipino workers in Kuwait if the number of those fleeing their employers declines. “It’s non-negotiable in a sense that we

Speaker lauds Gibo, Herbosa appointments

By

SPEAKER Ferdinand Martin G. Romualdez on Tuesday lauded the appointment by President Ferdinand Marcos Jr. of Gilberto Teodoro Jr. as Defense secretary and Dr. Teodoro Herbosa as Health secretary.

“They are welcome additions to the President’s immediate official family. Their wealth of experience and knowledge in defense and health strengthen the Marcos Cabinet,” he said. Their appointments also mean that the President “is bent on finding the best and the brightest to join him in serving our people,” he said.

have to operate them because there are runaways. What is negotiable is, definitely, not to put up more because we don’t want to see shelters sprouting,”

Foreign Undersecretary Eduardo de

Vega said in an interview with ANC. The shelters have become a sore point in the country’s relations with Kuwait, which imposed a ban on the entry of

$3,500 VR HEADSET. Apple’s new Vision Pro virtual reality headset is displayed during Apple’s Worldwide Developers Conference at the Apple Park campus in Cupertino, California, on June 5. Apple is challenging Facebookowner Meta in a market that has yet to tempt users beyond videogamers and tech geeks. The release was the most significant product launch

By Rey E. Requejo

THE Department of Justice has issued a legal opinion that the Land Transportation Franchising and Regulatory Board (LTFRB) has no power to apprehend, impound and dispose of colorum vehicles. Justice Secretary Jesus Crispin Remulla said “it

is the Land Transportation Office (LTO) and the Traffic Management Unit of the Philippine National Police (PNP) which are authorized to enforce traffic rules and regulations.”

“We advise that LTFRB has no power to apprehend, impound and dispose of colorum vehicles. Its

Phivolcs: Beware of ‘vog’ from Taal Volcano

By

Joel

Zurbano

and Charles Dantes

Maricel V. Cruz, Vince Lopez, Charles Dantes and Macon Ramos-Araneta

‘LTFRB has no power over colorum vehicles’

PH, Israel eye agri, water, flights

By Vito Barcelo and Rey E. Requejo

THE Philippines and Israel expressed openness to possible partnerships in agriculture and water management as well as in establishing direct flights between the two countries, the Palace said Tuesday.

“I think that we can work together on the segment of agriculture. I just let you know that our land, 60 percent of our land is desert. But although 60 percent of our land is desert, we were able to provide all our water needs,” Israeli Foreign Minister Eli Cohen told President Ferdinand Marcos Jr. during a meeting in Malacañang.

Cohen suggested the two nations open an agricultural hub as he pushed for bilateral

President taps ex-Kudarat gov to lead TESDA

PRESIDENT Ferdinand R. Marcos Jr. has appointed former Sultan Kudarat governor Suharto Mangudadatu as Director General of the Technical Education and Skills Development Authority (TESDA), Malacañang announced Tuesday.

Mangudadatu’s appointment was confirmed by Presidential Communications Office (PCO) Secretary Cheloy Garafil.

“President Ferdinand R. Marcos Jr. today appointed former Sultan Kudarat Governor Suharto Mangudadatu as Director General of the Technical Education and Skills Development Authority,” Garafil said in a statement.

Created by virtue of Republic Act 7796 or the Technical Education and Skills Development Act of 1994, the TESDA is the government agency tasked to manage and supervise technical education and skills development in the Philippines.

TESDA formulates manpower and skills plans, sets appropriate skills standards and tests, coordinates and monitors manpower policies and programs, and provides policy directions and guidelines for resource allocation for the technical-vocational education and training institutions in both the private and public sectors.

Garafil said Mangudadatu has a notable career in public service, given his leadership abilities.

Mangudadatu served as representative of Sultan Kudarat’s First District from 2016 to 2019 and in the lone district of the province from 2004 to 2007.

“During this time, he actively represented his constituents at the national level, advocating for their interests and working towards their betterment,” Garafil said

Mangudadatu was elected as Sultan Kudarat governor from July 2007 to June 2016, implementing various initiatives and programs aimed at the development and progress of the province. Vince Lopez

Speaker...

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The Speaker said Teodoro and Herbosa are both knowledgeable in their respective fields.

“I think that most importantly, they will bring a civilian perspective to the defense and health sectors,” he added.

Teodoro is a former defense secretary and Tarlac congressman. His father, Gilberto Teodoro Sr., was Social Security System administrator during the time of President Marcos’ father.

He finished law at UP and topped the 1989 bar examinations. He holds a master’s degree in law from Harvard University.

Herbosa once served as health undersecretary and was a Philippine General Hospital official for many years.

The President administered the oath of office to Teodoro and Herbosa on Tuesday.

“A caring health system and a strong capacity to defend our territory is our goal for the country.” Marcos said in a social media post.

“On the oath of Atty. Gilberto C. Teodoro Jr. as Secretary of the Department of National Defense and to Dr. Teodoro J. Herbosa as Department of Health Secretary today, we ensure that the welfare of every Filipino is in good hands,” he said.

collaboration on water management, noting Israel’s vast experience in this sector.

Mr. Marcos said he considers agricultural development as very important as he thanked the Israeli official for his proposals.

“When we look at the economy as hard to just test – how do we fix the economy? It always comes down to agriculture first. So, the offers that you make for assistance and partnership in those two areas are very, very wel-

Inflation...

come,” the President said.

Cohen, during the Israel-Philippines Business Forum, noted that bilateral trade volume can be upgraded “to new heights” to strengthen the economies of both countries and improve their citizens’ lives.

“I challenge you today – let’s work together to double trade figures by the end of 2023 to 1 billion dollars. It’s realistic and possible,” he said.

Cohen described the Philippine economy as “vibrant” and “growing.”

“The economy here is dynamic, many entrepreneurs, innovators, users of technology, and it’s a young and English-speaking society,” he added.

Meanwhile, the Israeli economy is also the “the go to place when you are looking for affordable, reliable and in-

“The decreases [in core inflation] are small but we see a continuous drop in the past months,” Mapa said.

IN BRIEF

DTI starts talks for PH-EU FTA

novative solutions for many of those challenges,including on agriculture, water, cybersecurity and bio-convergence,” Cohen said.

“Israel is an economy based on innovation and finding solutions for complex challenges, often applying out of the box type of ingenuity.

Being a small economy, Israeli entrepreneurs are always looking for new partners outside of Israel,” he said.

Cohen also raised the issue of establishing direct flights between the Philippines and Israel to boost tourism and economic ties.

Bilateral trade stood at over $534 million in 2022, the first time the two countries crossed the half billion dollar threshold.

in the absence of further supply-shocks.

THE government should already start negotiations on the free trade agreement with the European Union (EU), Trade Secretary Alfredo Pascual said Tuesday.

In a press briefing in Malacañan Palace, Pascual said he is scheduled to fly out to Brussels, Belgium toward the end of June to follow up on the negotiations on the EU’s Generalized Scheme of Preferences Plus (GSP+) and also the Free Trade Agreement (FTA) with the EU.

“Because you know that GSP+ is available to the Philippines now, given that the Philippines is a lowmiddle income country. When the Philippines becomes an upper middle income country, we will no longer be eligible for GSP+,” he said.

“So, that was also mentioned to me when parliamentarians from the EU visited my office. That’s why I said, so we need to start negotiating a Free Trade Agreement. So, that is the talk and we will see,” Pascual said. Vince Lopez

Among the 13 commodity groups, the decline in headline inflation was primarily brought about by the annual decline in the index of transport at -0.5 percent from the 2.6 percent annual increase in the previous month. The heavily-weighted food and non-alcoholic beverages also pulled down the overall inflation during the month with a lower inflation rate of 7.4 percent from 7.9 percent in April 2023.

Restaurants and accommodation services registered slower inflation at 8.3 percent from 8.6 percent in the previous month.

In addition, the annual rate of alcoholic beverages and tobacco index slowed down to 12.3 percent during the month.

Meanwhile, higher inflation rates were observed in the indices of furnishings, household equipment and routine household maintenance at 6.2 percent in May 2023 from 6.1 percent in April 2023; and recreation, sport and culture at 4.9 percent during the month from 4.7 percent in the previous month.

Like headline inflation, core inflation—which is the change in prices of goods and services, except for those from the food and energy sectors—-also decelerated to 7.7 percent in May 2023 from 7.9 percent a month ago.

Senators...

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Maharlika Corp. It is the same thing. Circumvention in effect,” he added.

Asked for comment, Diokno did not reply to the Standard as of press time.

Senator Risa Hontiveros reminded the Executive Branch that it is tasked to carry out laws that have been passed by the legislature -- in this case, the absolute prohibition.

“What Congress intended should be the standard for how the law is implemented. The Executive is not allowed to change, expand or limit it based on its own interpretation,” she said.

She said the Senate will exercise its oversight function to ensure that these safeguards for the protection of pen-

PH:...

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Filipinos after Manila barred the deployment of first-time domestic helpers to that country in reaction to the gruesome killing of Jullebee Ranara in early 2023.

The DFA official noted that more than 500 OFWs were being sheltered by the DFA before, with the embassy estimating that one out of 400 OFWs in Kuwait are considered runaways. He said this number is higher compared to other Middle East countries.

De Vega pointed out that the DFA, along with the Department of Migrant Workers, considers the repatriation of more than 600 overseas Filipino workers (OFWs) from Kuwait as a “positive development.”

“It is a positive development because those 600 or so, including 353 who flew just this weekend from Kuwait, had been waiting for months and months and that was an issue between the Philippines

Phivolcs:...

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severity would depend on the gas concentration and exposure,” said Phivolcs officer-in-charge Teresito Bacolcol.

“Those who will be sensitive to vog would be those with health conditions like asthma, lung disease and heart dis-

Michael Ricafort, the chief economist of Rizal Commercial Banking Corp., said the “expected easing trend in yearon-year inflation for the coming months to about 5 percent levels in June 2023; 4 percent levels from July-September 2023 and 3 percent levels from October-December 2023, and 2 percent levels or even lower in the first quarter of 2024 [largely due to higher base/denominator effects] could fundamentally support faster GDP/ economic growth going forward amid reduced drag from inflationary pressures.”

But Ricafort said this could be offset by the risk of an El Nino drought in terms of reduced agricultural production/output and some pick up in food and agricultural prices in the latter part of 2023 to early 2024.

Finance Secretary Benjamin Diokno said the May inflation and its declining trend “give confidence that inflation would be within the target range of 2 to 4 percent by September this year.”

The May 2023 inflation of 6.1 percent fell within the Bangko Sentral ng Pilipinas’ forecast range of 5.8 to 6.6 percent for the month, consistent with the overall assessment that inflation will remain elevated over the near term before gradually decelerating back to the target range in the fourth quarter of 2023

sioners’ and contributors’ hard-earned money are enforced.

Senate Majority Floor Leader Joel Villanueva, however, took the side of Diokno on the issue.

He said the bill passed by Congress allows state-led pension funds to enter into joint venture projects with the Maharlika Investment Corporation (MIC), the state-led company that will manage the MIF.

“For example, if the MIC enters into a power plant project, and GSIS also enters into the same power plant project. They formed a joint venture. That is okay. That is legit,” Villanueva said.

“What is not allowed is for GSIS to go to Maharlika to enter into a certain project,” he added.

Senator Grace Po, for her part, said the Senate version even strengthened

and Kuwait — why are we sheltering so many workers, instead of allowing them or using the Kuwaiti system? It showed that Kuwait is capable of and willing to issue exit permits,” he said.

He said with the repatriation of these distressed OFWs, the number of Filipinos staying in shelters has gone down, with only slightly over a hundred of them remaining there.

But Senator Raffy Tulfo slammed the Kuwaiti government for what he described as a crackdown on OFWs.

Tulfo, chairperson of the Senate committee on migrant workers, also assailed demands by the Kuwait government for the Philippines to issue an apology for supposedly violating agreements between the two countries, when it should be the other way around.

“We cannot come to the negotiating table on bended knees and folded arms,” Tulfo said.

The senator emphasized that the Philippines does not lose the right to protect its cit-

ease, the elderly, the pregnant, and the children,” he added.

He said residents are advised to stay indoors while making sure to close their doors and windows. Those who have to go out should wear a protective N95 face mask.

In its 5 a.m. bulletin yesterday, Phivolcs said 9,391 tons of sulfur dioxide were released from the volcano, which is higher compared to the 5,831 tons re -

The BSP said the impact of a weakerthan-expected global economic recovery continues to be the primary downside risk to the outlook.

“The Monetary Board will review its assessment of the inflation and macroeconomic outlook in the monetary policy meeting on June 22, 2023.

The BSP stands ready to adjust the monetary policy stance as necessary to prevent the further broadening of price pressures as well as the emergence of additional second-order effects,” it said.

The BSP also reaffirmed its continuous support for the timely and effective implementation of non-monetary government measures to mitigate the impact of persistent supply-side pressures on inflation.

The BSP in its latest policy meeting kept the 6.25 percent key interest rate, taking into account the slowdown in inflation in the past months.

National Economic and Development Authority Secretary Arsenio Balisacan reassured the public that a coordinated and proactive monitoring system is in place to keep food and energy prices within the target range.

“We are confident that we can achieve the government’s inflation target this year as we work closely with concerned government agencies in monitoring the primary drivers of inflation,” Balisacan said after the release of the May inflation data.

congressional oversight over the fund by requiring the quarterly submission of investment portfolio and audit reports.

“We put a premium on the public’s right to freedom of information by giving them access to investment plans for the fund and to audit documents,” she said.

From A1 ‘LTFRB...

While differing in opinion on the possible investments in MIC-backed projects, Villanueva said the bill was “clear in absolutely prohibiting government agencies and GOCCs providing for the social security and public health insurance of government employees, private sector workers and employees, and other sectors and subsectors, such as but not limited to the SSS, GSIS, PhilHealth, Pag-IBIG Fund, OWWA, and PVAO Pension Fund, whether mandatory or voluntary’ in the MIC and the MIF.”

izens simply because the crimes and abuses against them were done on Kuwaiti soil.

“Oftentimes, victim-OFWs were being forced to go to our embassy to guarantee they will not be subject to a biased process in seeking justice,” he said.

Last month, the Kuwaiti government suspended all new visas for OFWs indefinitely due to the Philippines’ reported violations of their bilateral labor agreement signed in 2018.

The Kuwaiti Interior Ministry said among the violations are housing workers in shelters, searching for runaways without involving state institutions, communicating with Kuwaiti citizens without permission from authorities, and pressuring Kuwaiti employers to add clauses to employment contracts.

The ban came three months after Manila suspended its deployment of household service workers to Kuwait due to cases of abuse, including the killing of Filipina household worker Jullebee Ranara. With AFP

corded on Thursday, June 1.

A plume reaching up to 1,800 meters tall was also seen drifting northwest from the volcano, state seismologists said.

Alert Level 1 remained over Taal Volcano, signifying low-level unrest.

Meanwhile, Phivolcs-Bicol said a major explosion of the Mayon Volcano is “unlikely.”

“Right now, the scenario of a major

DENR: PH losing war against plastic

THE Philippines is losing the war against single-use plastic as the country continues to generate thousands of tons of plastic daily, Environment Secretary Toni Yulo-Loyzaga said Tuesday.

Data based on World Bank and Asian Development Bank studies showed that the country generates around 61,000 metric tons of garbage per day, the Department of Environment and Natural Resources said.

Of this amount, 12 percent or over 7,000 tons is plastic, in stark contrast to the 16,000 metric tons of trash generated 7 years ago.

Yulo-Loyzaga admitted the plastic problem is multifaceted and must be faced using different lenses.

LTO: Engine, chassis stencils not needed

THE Land Transportation Office (LTO) will no longer require a stencil of the engine and chassis numbers in the plain renewal of vehicle registrations.

In a memorandum circular dated May 22, signed by LTO’s former chief Jose Arturo Tugade, the agency said this is meant to streamline the processes of the agency in accordance with the Ease of Doing Business Act.

Although some requirements were removed, a physical inspection of the vehicle is still required to verify if the details on the certificate of registration such as the plate number and model match the unit itself, as well as to assess the roadworthiness of the unit.

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authority extends only in coordination with other government agencies in the apprehension, impounding and disposal of such vehicles,” Remulla said.

The legal opinion was sought by former Transportation Secretary Arthur Tugade in a letter dated March 24. Remulla said Tugade wanted to respond to the letters of the Liga ng Transportasyon at Operators sa Pilipinas (LTOP) and the National Federation of Transport Cooperatives (NFTC) that questioned DOTr’s position that LTFRB has the power to apprehend and impound colorum vehicles.

The Justice Secretary said the functions and powers of the LTFRB are already enumerated in Section 5 of Executive Order (EO) No. 202.

“The law does not contain any express provision which authorizes LTFRB to apprehend, impound and dispose of colorum vehicles,” he said.

“If there was no express grant of authority to apprehend, impound and dispose of colorum vehicles, could such power be inferred from other provisions of E.O. No. 202? The answer to this is in the negative,” the Secretary added.

eruption is quite remote,” Phivolcs-Bicol’s Dr. Paul Alanis said in a television interview yesterday.

“But of course, there is still the possibility of small eruptions,” he added. Mayon Volcano is under Alert Level 2, which means there is current unrest driven by shallow magmatic processes that could eventually lead to phreatic eruptions or even precede hazardous magmatic eruptions.

PBBM meets Korean agri coop leaders

PRESIDENT Ferdinand Marcos Jr. engaged in a discussion with the executives of Korea Agriculture Machinery Industry Cooperative (KAMICO) on ways to further enhance the country’s agricultural cooperation and mechanization in a meeting at the State Dining Room in Malacañan Palace on June 6.

During the meeting on Tuesday, the President witnessed the signing of the amended Memorandum of Understanding (MOU) on Cooperative Partnership for Agricultural Machinery between KAMICO and the Department of Agriculture (DA).

The MOU stipulates the establishment of a local agricultural machinery manufacturing cluster in the country.

President Marcos Jr. conveys his utmost gratitude to the officials of KAMICO for assisting the Philippines in its efforts to further enhance the nation’s agricultural sector, saying the MOU will give Filipino farmers a chance to improve their farming strategies and be globally competitive through new machinery and equipment.

It was first signed in 2018 and was later strengthened through a renewal in 2019.

The MOU also seeks to promote agricultural development between the Philippines and South Korea in terms of mechanization and modernization of its agriculture equipment and farming techniques.

These include technical cooperation in research and development, capacity enhancement and the establishment of an agri-machinery manufacturing complex in the country.

Present during the meeting are Agriculture Senior Undersecretary Domingo Panganiban, Philippine Center for Postharvest Development and Mechanization (PhilMech) Director Dionisio Alvindia, Department of Trade and Industry (DTI) Secretary Alfredo Pascual, KAMICO Chairman Shin Gil Kim and KAMICO Director Si Min Yi, among others. Vince Lopez

Marcos pushes rural dev’t scale-up

PRESIDENT Ferdinand R. Marcos Jr. called on various stakeholders on Tuesday to aggressively carry out the P45.01 billion Philippine Rural Development Project (PRDP) Scale-Up to develop the country’s agricultural sector for the benefit of Filipino farmers, fisherfolk and consumers.

“Our priorities are going in the same direction,” Mr. Marcos said.

“Again, we will just have to scale up and do the necessary things,” the President stressed during a meeting with concerned government officials and the World Bank (WB) in Malacañang.

“We really have to develop the agricultural sector. So, let’s keep going. And, of course, what I am always reminded of is that we sometimes speak, in terms of

agriculture, speak only of production. We have also to look at the farmers, fishermen,” added Mr. Marcos, who is concurrent Agriculture Secretary.

The PRDP Scale-Up is the first project that has been approved at record speed, as it is set to be implemented only after seven months after it was submitted for consideration by the Department of Agriculture (DA) before the National Economic and Development Authority (NEDA).

Development projects usually get approved by NEDA after three years.

According to the President, the government has to balance everything and see to it that farmers produce and earn more while the consumers have sufficient food supply at affordable prices.

The President also raised the need for consolidation and inclusivity, as well as partitioning the collective Certificate of Land Ownership Awards (CLOAs) for families to make farmland usable.

The original PRDP started in 2014, aimed at establishing a modern, value chain-oriented, and climate-resilient agriculture and fisheries sector, providing key infrastructure, facilities, technology, enterprises, information, productivity, and competitiveness in the countryside.

PRDP Scale-Up builds on the gains of the original PRDP to further improve the access of farmers and fisherfolk to markets for increased income.

The project’s overall strategic directions include the government’s efforts for regional perspective in coming up with key agri-fishery investment areas, and clustering and consolidation of farmer and fisherfolk cooperative associations (FCAs) to attain economies of scale.

The enhanced mainstreaming of PRDP innovations towards institutionalization in the DA is also part of the agency’s overall strategic directions along with enhanced efforts to respond to rural infrastructure demand with farm-tomarket roads (FMRs) as one of the priority investments.

Vince Lopez

SM celebrates World Environment Day with DENR, private firms

SM celebrated World Environment Day together with the Department of Environment and Natural Resources (DENR) with a pledge of support and a meeting on ‘Blazing New Trails and Building a Shared Future with DENR’s Strategic Partners’.

Led by DENR Secretary Maria Antonia Loyzaga, the private sector underscored the

importance of working together towards a sustainable future, and highlighted their initiatives towards safeguarding the country’s environment and natural resources. SM Prime Holdings, led by its sustainability champion Mr. Hans Sy, has long put in place initiatives to ensure the company’s operations are sustainable and environmentally friendly.

SM Supermalls Senior Vice President for Operations Bien Mateo said, “As we celebrate World Environment Day, on behalf of the SM family, you have our commitment that we will continue to embrace sustainability in everything we do as a company to protect the environment for the future generation of Filipinos.”

As one of DENR’s strategic partners, Mr.

Mateo highlighted SM’s initiatives on energy conservation, solid waste reduction, and water conservation, among others.

To contribute to energy efficiency, SM uses LED lights in all its properties and maintains 50% of its electricity supply from renewable sources. Likewise, SM’s 17 malls with solar power installations were able to generate 20.165 megawatts of peak energy.

SM has supported Earth Hour for the last 15 years, and its participation in the Global Lights Switch Off has resulted in conserved energy equivalent to CO2 emissions from over 400,000 individual smartphones charged.

SM’s solid waste management initiatives have helped divert trash from ending up in landfills and large bodies of water. These include its flagship program, Trash to Cash Recycling Market, which has collected more than 1 million recyclables a year; the daily collection of solid waste in 14 malls in partnership with Friends of HOPE; electronic waste collection booths in Cyberzone and designated mall areas; and regular coastal and community clean up drives.

ENVIRONMENT PARTNERS. The Department of Environment and

As part of this year’s Philippine Environment Month celebration, SM will mount Coastal Clean Up activities around World Oceans Day on June 8, in partnership with the DENR, Local Government Units (LGUs), and schools. Nearly 1,500 volunteers are expected to join nationwide.

Natural Resources celebrates World Environment Day with the support of its private sector partners, including SM Supermalls. From left: Makilala Mining Head of Information Management Judy Rola, Makilala Mining Head of Mining Patrique Jane Duran, San Miguel Corp. Project Manager Jimmy Lu, Marubeni Philippines President Shimoda Shigeru, DENR Secretary Maria Antonia Loyzaga, Holcim Philippines President Horia Adrian, SM Supermalls Senior Vice President for Operations Bien Mateo, DMCI Mining President Tulsi Das Reyes, Best Inc. Senior Vice President Jan Vincent Mercado, and Plastic Credit Exchange Founder Nanette Medved-Po.

OPINION

NBDB scores major hit with 1st Philippine Book Festival

Many thanks to PRH-SEA’s country representative Dorothy Ngo for providing me, on trust, review copies of their books (reviews to appear in my weekend column here in Manila Standard, No Shelf Control).

Mayon’s increasing unrest

FOR the first time in my life, I find myself at a loss for words – superlatives escape me as I attempt to describe just how successful the National Book Development Board’s (NBDB) latest event was.

Despite other big events being held during the same time, the NBDB, a government agency, scored a huge hit with its staging of the 1st Philippine Book Festival (PBF) last June 2-4 at the World Trade Center-Manila in Pasay City.

Thousands of event goers got to enjoy the books being sold by many of the country’s publishers, from major publishing houses to indie sellers.

It was truly a fiesta of books and all things literary.

I went there with my family on the last afternoon of the event, expecting a lowerkey turnout and fewer activities.

I missed seeing novelist Maryanne Moll who was there on previous days to sign copies of The Maps of Camarines, also published by PRH-SEA.

While wandering around the Indie Collab booth, I ran into Balangay Books publisher Roland Verzo and Cultural Center of the Philippines’ Intertextual Division (literature, in other words) head Beverly Wico Siy.

Also, there were physician and publisher Joti Tabula (Alubat Publishing and Librong LIRA) and San Anselmo Press’s Gay Ace Domingo.

At the same booth, I got a copy of Margaret R. Tadeja and LBJ Cabaluna’s book ‘90s Pinoy Rock, a sort of encyclopedia of most of the bands making music during that decade. I hope someone comes out with a book on the ‘80s musicians that laid the foundation for the local music scene.

Also making waves at the PBF were Psicom, that just relaunched their popular supernatural series with a call for manuscripts; the Wattpad community, that held a raucous and tremendously fun singing contest; and the Department of Education, whose booth was organized by DepEd technical assistant Katrina Kai Guevara (who is taking her MA Creative Writing at UST) to promote basic educational materials and children’s books.

Milflores Publishing also had a booth and its owner Atty. Andrea Pasion-Flores was there to speak about the publishing industry.

IT IS comforting that the Civil Aviation Authority of the Philippines has notified pilots to avoid the vicinity of Mayon Volcano after volcanologists on Monday raised to Alert Level 2 its unrest.

This means flights are prohibited to operate 10,000 feet from the surface of the country’s most active of 22 volcanoes and to avoid flying close to the volcano’s summit as ash from the sudden phreatic eruption can be hazardous to aircraft.

In an advisory, the Department of Science and Technology-Phivolcs (Philippine Institute of Volcanology and Seismology) announced there has been an increase in rockfall from the 2,462-meter tall Mayon Volcano’s summit lava dome since the last week of April, from an average of five events per day to 49 events per day from 5 am of Sunday to 5 am of Monday. Phivolcs advised since 10:30 pm of June

3, visible upwelling of volcanic fluids in the Main Crater Lake produced voluminous steam-rich plumes that rose to 3,000 meters above Taal Volcano Island. The notice should also be heeded by to towns round the volcano and tourists, local and foreign, intending to see Mayon towards the end of summer while the volcano is in that state of “increasing unrest.”

The volcano, often described as a near

The public is advised to be vigilant and refrain from entering the 6-km radius permanent danger zone to minimize risks from sudden explosions, rockfall and landslides

perfect cone, is geographically shared by eight cities and towns of Legazpi, Daraga, Camalig, Guinobatan, Ligao, Tabaco, Malilipot, and Santo Domingo, which divide the cone like slices of a pie when viewing a map of their political boundaries. Mayon, whose most destructive eruption was in 1814 when it killed 1,200 people

caused by pyroclastic density currents, port eruption lahars, and fires set alight by hot tephra, draws tourists because of its symmetrical cone shape.

Based on ground deformation parameters from electronic distance measurement, precise leveling, electronic tilt, and continuous GPS (Global Positioning System) monitoring, Mayon Volcano has been slightly “inflated” in ground swelling due to the accumulation of magma since 2020.

Under Alert Level 2, the current unrest driven by shallow magmatic processes could lead to phreatic eruptions or precede hazardous magmatic eruption.

The public is advised to be vigilant and refrain from entering the 6-km radius permanent danger zone to minimize risks from sudden explosions, rockfall and landslides.

Phivolcs said the lava dome has increased in volume by approximately 83,000 cubic meters since Feb. 23, and nearly 164,000 cubic meters since Aug. 20, 2022.

Meanwhile, the highest sulfur dioxide emission was 576 metric tons last April 29, and the last measurement averaged 162 tons last May 23.

“These low-level volcanic earthquakes, ground deformation, and volcanic gas parameters are overshadowed by recent steep increases in rockfall events which may possibly lead to further dome activity,” Phivolcs advisory read.

‘Environment contributor to cancer diagnosis’

cancer survivorship and reducing the burden among cancer patients.

To my surprise, the place was still full of eager readers excited to meet their literary heroes and the organizers spared no punches in their scheduling of exciting activities.

Some cartoonists were there to sign their books, among them Pol Medina Jr. of Pugad Baboy fame and Manix Abrera of Kikomachine and Terror Prof.

Among those present to sign copies of their books at their publishers’ booths were Jose “Butch” Dalisay Jr., Ambeth Ocampo, Roland Tolentino, Chuckberry Pascual, John Jack Wigley, Gabriela ‘Yeye’ Baron, and my daughter Alex Alcasid (who signed copies of her novel Dream of Dragons at the Central Books booth).

Roland and Chuck also facilitated an interesting gender sensitivity and inclusivity learning discussion for their two-book anthology Plus/+, at Iba Plus, Maramihan: New Philippine Nonfiction on Sexual Orientations and Gender Identities at the Booktopia nook of the event.

I also spotted fictionist and UST alumnus George Deoso there (his book The Horseman’s Revolt and Other Horrors was available at the UST Publishing House booth, where I saw its deputy director Ned Parfan).

I was very stoked to meet, for the first time, noted fictionist and journalist Danton Remoto.

From the first, he treated me like an old friend and we spent more than a few minutes chatting about the literary scene.

He gave me some very wise advice that I shall hold close to my heart.

He also graciously signed my copies of his books Riverrun and The Heart of Summer, and his translation of Lope K. Santos’ Banaag at Sikat.

All these books were published by Penguin Random House SEA, which has been doing a great job bringing the works of Filipino writers to a regional and world stage (Danton’s books are now being sold in the U.S. and other countries outside SEA).

LONDON—Prince Harry has had a turbulent relationship with the media and holds the press responsible for the death of his mother Princes Diana, who died in a Paris car crash in 1997 as she fled from paparazzi.

Harry and his wife Meghan in 2020 stepped back from royal duties and relocated to California, in part blaming media attention for the move.

The prince has vowed to make reforming the British media his life’s mission and has waged several battles with British tabloids over privacy concerns.

Here is a breakdown of his ongoing court cases:

Mirror Group Newspapers

Harry is among a number of celebrity claimants seeking damages from Mirror Group Newspapers (MGN) over unlawful information-gathering, including phone hacking, at its titles.

The closing event was a tribute to Karina Bolasco, who spent her entire career in the publishing industry and has recently retired from heading the Ateneo de Manila University Press to return to writing.

Writer Alex Alcasid, who as a cosplayer and gamer is a veteran of cons and events from both the participant and attendee sides, had this to say about the event from her perspective:

“The event staff were very organized, welcoming, and exercised great with crowd control to ease the flow of traffic. The museum books [first editions of several Philippine classics] were a fascinating appetizer upon entering.

“The layout was spacious. We were met by a welcoming atmosphere, and there were several different stages all with events so there was no dead air, there was plenty to participate in.

“What extra space there was, was dedicated to seating [sofas] for tired parents whose kids were at the nearby Kid Lit area, and to allow eventgoers to peruse their newly-purchased books.”

NBDB’s Director Anthony Balisi and Kaye Dean were there to supervise the entire event and I congratulated them on their super successful staging that went extremely well and also brought the literary community and readers together for a rockin’ good time!

And this was after they had staged, in succession, the 40th National Book Awards and the Bicol Book Festival (where the participants took a boat ride from one island to another)!

It’s amazing how they got all these events done in time and so well!

Kudos to NBDB, its leadership, and its working teams for all the work “para sa panitikan at para sa bayan!”

The PBF’s next leg will be held at SMX Davao from August 18 to 20. Filipino southies, you are in for a great time.

Don’t miss it!

* * * FB and Twitter: @DrJennyO / Email: writerjennyo@gmail.com

By Armenio Manuel

CANCER, the world’s leading cause of death, is now the third foremost cause of death nationwide, with lung cancer ranking number one in mortality, according to medical authorities.

Dr. Rosario Pitargue, Philippine Society of Medical Oncology president, has noted there are 184 cases diagnosed in 100,000 patients recently and that 96 deaths related to cancer are reported daily.

Worldwide, approximately 10 million mortalities were recorded in 2020, accounting for nearly one in every six deaths.

Cancers in the lung, breast, colon, rectum, and prostate are common cancers, according to 2021 figures from the World Health Organization.

Cancer in all its forms accounts for 0.25 percent of total mortality in Region 12 (Soccsksargen), Department of Health data from 2015 to 2019 showed.

“In terms of death, lung [cancer] would be followed by liver, breast, colon and prostate,” Dr. Pitargue said during a media form on the sidelines of the National Cancer Summit.

Healthy Pilipinas co-convener Ralph Degollacion said environment is a contributor to cancer diagnosis, and it includes smoking, alcoholic intake, poor diet, and lack of physical activities.

When it comes to cancer diagnosis, Cancer Coalition Philippines vice president Carmen Auste said there are hindrances which come from the patients themselves, the medical field, and the government.

There is the lack of knowledge on the signs and symptoms of cancer among the patients and medical practitioners, she added.

Moreover, the system or referral pathway from the rural health units to the hospitals also needs improvements.

Citing that cancer is no longer a “death sentence,” Pitargue explained that survivorship covers the health and well-being of cancer patients that starts from the diagnosis, throughout the treatment, and beyond the treatment or until the rest of life.

There is an existing law, Republic Act 11215 or the National Integrated Cancer Control Act,signed in February 2019, aimed at boosting cancer control efforts, improving

Members of patient support organizations belonging to Cancer Coalition Philippines helped craft the law, with inputs from medical societies, professional organizations, and the civil society.

Given this development, the government developed the National Cancer Prevention and Control Action Plan (NCPCAP) 20152020 through the Department of Health and its partner agencies in response to the growing and unsettling cancer epidemic.

The core of the National Cancer Prevention and Control Action Plan is changing people’s behaviors, as cancer risk factors are a result of people’s incorrect attitudes toward cigarettes and tobacco, alcohol, and food

This action plan addresses cancer prevention and rehabilitation through policy and standard development, advocacy and promotion, capacity building and resource mobilization, service delivery, research and development, and information management and surveillance.

The core of NCPCAP is changing people’s behaviors, as cancer risk factors are a result of people’s incorrect attitudes toward cigarettes and tobacco, alcohol, and food.

According to the Food and Drug Administration’s data, tobacco use accounts for one-third of all cancer deaths in the Philippines.

A population-based analysis using Body Mass Index and cancer incidence data from GLOBOCAN 2020 revealed that overweight and obesity contributed to 9.5 percent of new cancer cases.

GLOBOCAN 2020 is an online database

Prince Harry’s legal battles with the press

His is one of four representative cases selected for a trial that will also help the court decide the level of damages if their claim is successful.

MGN, which published The Mirror, The Sunday Mirror and The Sunday People, at the start of the trial admitted “some evidence” of unlawful information gathering, including for a story about Harry.

But it has denied all accusations of voicemail interception and argued that some of the claims have been brought too late.

Associated Newspapers

Several claimants, including Harry and pop star Elton John, are taking legal action against the publisher of the Daily Mail and The Mail on Sunday tabloids over alleged breaches of privacy. They accuse Associated Newspapers (ANL) of methods such as hiring private

Lawyers for the claimants said the alleged unlawful acts were carried out from 1993 to 2011, but some took place as late as 2018

investigators, tapping phone calls and impersonating individuals to obtain medical information for articles.

Lawyers for the claimants said the alleged unlawful acts were carried out from 1993 to 2011, but some took place as late as 2018.

ANL has dismissed the allegations, arguing the case should not go to trial. A ruling is expected at a later date.

ANL libel claim

In another lawsuit against the Daily Mail publisher, Harry is bringing a libel claim over an article about his separate legal battle with the British government over security arrangements while in the UK.

The article published by The Mail on Sunday newspaper in February 2022 suggested that Harry tried to keep the legal challenge a secret.

ANL is arguing the article did not cause “serious” reputational harm and expressed an “honest opinion”.

Harry’s legal team has asked the court to dismiss ANL’s defense or deliver a judgment in his favor without going to trial.

providing global cancer statistics and estimates of incidence and mortality in 185 countries, including the Philippines, for 36 types of cancer, and for all cancer sites combined.

The government is hoping that by pursuing this course of action and interventions, the prevalence of cancer will gradually decline in the coming years.

However, the government underlines the war on cancer cannot be won unless people will help them by cessation in smoking, consuming alcohol in moderation, increasing physical activity, and eating in the appropriate quantity and variety.

Additionally, a study conducted by Harvard Medical Schools concluded there are 10 commandments for cancer prevention and that following them is the most costeffective way to combat this most lethal disease.

To begin, abstain from all forms of tobacco and smoking, including exposure to secondhand smoke.

Second, eat healthily.

Consume less saturated fat and red meat, as these may increase your risk of colon cancer and a more aggressive form of prostate cancer.

Third, exercise on a regular basis. Exercise has been linked to a decreased risk of colon cancer.

Fourth, it is necessary to maintain ideal body weight.

Obesity increases the risk of developing a variety of cancers.

Fifth, keep alcohol consumption to a minimum.

Excess alcohol consumption increases the risk of mouth, larynx (voice box), esophagus (food pipe), liver, and colon cancers, as well as the risk of breast cancer in women.

Sixth, avoid unnecessary radiation exposure. Request medical imaging studies only when necessary.

Seventh, avoid occupational and environmental toxins.

Eighth, avoid infections that contribute to cancer, such as hepatitis, HIV, and HPV.

Ninth, prioritize sleep.

Finally, but certainly not the least, obtain an adequate amount of vitamin D. Numerous experts now recommend between 800 and 1,000 IU per day.

(The author, a former university professorial lecturer in journalism, logic and literature, is a freelance writer.)

A judgment is expected at a later date.

News Group Newspapers Harry is suing News Group Newspapers (NGN), part of Rupert Murdoch’s global media empire, for unlawful informationgathering.

The publisher of tabloids The Sun and the now-defunct News of the World is asking the court to throw out the claims without trial, arguing they were brought too late.

But in documents submitted to court Harry claims the delay in filing a lawsuit against NGN stems from a “secret agreement” between the royal family as an institution and the publisher.

NGN denies the existence of such an agreement.

A similar claim against NGN was brought by British actor Hugh Grant and the High Court recently ruled to let the case go to trial. AFP

Kudos to NBDB, its leadership, and its working teams for all the work ‘para sa panitikan at para sa bayan!’

BFP rules out foul play in Post Office fire

THE Bureau of Fire Protection (BFP) has ruled out foul play in the May 21 blaze that gutted down the historic Manila Central Post Office (MCPO) in Liwasang Bonifacio, saying the cause of the fire was “purely accidental in nature”.

Reacting on the BFP report, the Philippine Postal Corp. said in a statement said the case was “considered closed and solved.”

“The Philippine Postal Corporation (PHLPost) already got hold of the fire clearance certificate issued by the BFP saying that the fire originated at the southern part of the basement, more particularly at the Mega Manila Storage Room (GSS) where office supplies, thinners, paint cans where piled in close proximity to the car batteries stored inside the room,” the statement read.

The BFP theorized that some of the post office building’s combustible materials, among them a discharged car battery, paints and lacquer thinner, which were stored in closed spaces “greatly influenced heat build-up” that subsequently triggered an explosion, giving rise to the blaze.

“On the determined cause of fire, it has been established based on thepieces of evidence gathered, that the statement of the witness and the result of the laboratory examinations, that the cause of fire is attributed to sudden self-discharge of car battery (sulfation) resulting to thermal run-away, causing sudden build-up of heat and pressure and eventually cause the explosion,” the PHLPost said.

“Moreover, the presence of the internal short circuit, the hydrogen and the volatile gases contained in the battery and the presence of oxygen as the oxidizing agent initiated the ignition. The contributory factors and the combustibility of materials fueled and sustained the ignition sequence,” the state-run firm added.

IN BRIEF

An-Waray asks Comelec to reverse DQ decision

A PARTY-LIST group has asked the Commission on Elections (Comelec) to reconsider its decision canceling the former’s registration.

The Comelec revoked earlier the An-Waray party’s registration for allowing the then-second nominee, Victoria Isabel Noel, to assume one seat in the House of Representatives without proper authority in 2016.

The Comelec second division on June 2 ruled that An-Waray allowed its second nominee Noel to sit as one of its representatives in the House of Representatives during the 16th Congress, knowing “fully well” that the poll body had not issued a certificate of proclamation allowing her to sit in Congress.

Joel E. Zurbano

DOLE to hold job fairs nationwide on June 12

MORE than 68,000 jobs opportunities await jobseekers in a national job fair project to be conducted by the Department of Labor and Employment (DOLE) in conjunction with the 125th anniversary celebration of Philippine Independence on June 12. Jobseekers across the regions are invited to the 48 job fair sites, where an initial 68,455 job vacancies will be offered by 840 employers.

The job fair sites in Luzon on June 12 are the following:

National Capital Region – SM Grand Central - Caloocan City; Rizal Gymnasium - Pasig City; SM City Marikina; SM Megamall – Mandaluyong City; Parañaque City Hall Gymnasium - Parañaque City; Vista Mall Taguig; SM Southmall - Las Piñas City; Robinsons Las Piñas; SM City North EDSA; SM City Novaliches; SM City Fairview; SM City Sta. Mesa. Vito Barcelo

PH, Japan eye stronger forest management ties

\THE Department of Environment and Natural Resources (DENR) and the Japan International Cooperation Agency (JICA) have reaffirmed continued partnership to strengthen forestland management in the Philippines (FMP) for improved livelihoods and economic development.

This comes as Environment Secretary Antonia Loyzaga received a courtesy visit from JICA chief representative to the Philippines Sakamoto Takema at the DENR Central Office in Quezon City on May 29.

Loyzaga and Takema discussed the Forestland Management Project (FMP), a joint DENR-JICA undertaking that aimed to strengthen forestland management in three critical river basins in the country—Upper Magat and Cagayan, Pampanga, and Jalaur on Panay Island.

DA draws up action plans to mitigate El Niño’s adverse effects

By Vince Lopez and Maricel V. Cruz

THE Department of Agriculture (DA) is taking the preemptive action to prepare the farming and fisheries sector ahead of the looming El Niño phenomenon this year, in line with the commitment of President Ferdinand Marcos Jr. to ensure stable and affordable food supply for every Filipino.

Meanwhile, Las Piñas Rep. Camille Villar said the government must prepare

PLUNDER RAPS.

Disgruntled constituent Oscar Pospia Jr. shows off copies of graft charges he filed at the Office of the Ombudsman against former Surigao del Norte Gov. Francisco Matugas for alleged misuse of P60 million earmarked for victims of super typhoon Odette in December 2021 (see story on A6).

Manny Palmero

for the El Nino and its adverse impacts on various sectors.

The DA’s National El Niño Team (DANENT) met last June 1st with partner agencies from the food security group under the National El Niño Team of the National Disaster Risk Reduction and Management Council (NENT-NDRRMC) to discuss action plans in anticipation of the El Niño.

“We in the DA are doing our best in trying to allocate the resources like seeds,

fertilizers, and other commodities that are necessary for the impact of the El Niño phenomenon to the farming communities in the country,” Senior Undersecretary Domingo Panganiban said during the meeting.

DA field operations service director and DA-NENT chairman U-Nichols Manalo presented their El Niño mitigation and adaptation plan for crops, fisheries, and livestock sub sectors based on the four thematic areas of the DRRM frame-

Villar cites BSWM role in boosting agriculture sector

By Macon Ramos-Araneta

SENATOR Cynthia Villar has acknowledged the significant role of Bureau of Soils and Water Management (BSWM) in enhancing crop productivity and farmers’ income as well.

Speaking during the 72nd founding anniversary of BSWM, Villar noted that the agency has been engaged in the sustainable use and management of soil resources.

“It’s efforts have contributed to the enhancement of agricultural productivity through soil conservation and sustainable

agricultural land management, soil resources assessment and mapping, agricultural water resources management, analytical services, and soil and water resources research and development,” related Villar during the event,” Villar said.

Also present during the anniversary celebration were Cong. Adolph Edward Plaza of Agusan del Sur, Agriculture Undersecretary Domingo Panganiban, and BSWM director Dr. Gina Nilo. The affair had for its theme “Nurturing Soil and Water Resources through Digital Innovation.”

“It is with great pleasure and pride that we commemorate the anniversary of this

MMDA holds cleanup drive in Makati

By Joel E. Zurbano

THE Metropolitan Manila Development Authority (MMDA) on Tuesday held the “Bayanihan sa Barangay” project in Barangay Bangkal in line with the agency’s clean-up drive to help densely populated areas and to bring its services closer to the people.

MMDA chairman Romando Artes said the project also aimed to raise public awareness on the importance of proper waste disposal.

from different of-

such as Flood Control and Sewer-

Group, and Traffic Engineering Center (TEC) conducted various activities and services such as drainage declogging, sidewalk clearing operations, painting of pedestrian lanes, installation of road signage, among others. It also conducted orientation sessions on anti-smoking, anti-littering, solid waste management, disaster preparedness, and trash to cash programs.

In relation to this, Artes also said the agency have already submitted the names of individuals who will be part of the Tupad Program of the Department of Labor and Employment, and who will be deployed to the LGUs to assist with the declogging operations

remarkable institution, which has been at the forefront of our National Soil Health Program,” the senator said.

She noted that the bureau has helped build a more resilient and environmentally conscious agricultural sector.

“It provides technical assistance to Filipino farmers throughappropriate soil resources management to maintain soil productivity and farm profitability and consequently boost the rural economy, enhance global competitiveness of local produce, and improve the quality of our soil and water, said Villar, chairperson of the Senate Committee on Agriculture and Food.

BAYANIHAN SA

BARANGAY. Metropolitan Manila Development Authority acting chairman Romando Artes supervises his cleaning crew during the agency’s “Bayanihan sa Barangay” initiative targeting certain communities in Makati City. Norman Cruz

work, namely, prevention and mitigation, preparedness, response, and rehabilitation and recovery.

The strategies identified include dissemination of information, education, and communication materials, proper water management, prepositioning of resources, crop diversification, adjustment of planting calendar, buffer stocking of inputs, promotion of short cycle and drought tolerant crops, among others.

Tropical depression

develops into storm–PAGASA

By Rio N. Araja

TROPICAL depression “Chedeng” has picked up strength and developing into a tropical storm as it moved over the Philippine Sea east of Eastern Visayas on Tuesday afternoon, according to the Philippine Atmospheric, Geophysical and Astronomical Services Administration (PAGASA)

In its latest bulletin issued 11 a.m., the state weather bureau last spotted Chedeng in the eastern Philippine Sea about 1,170 kilometers east of Southeastern Luzon.

As “Chedeng” continued to consolidate while intensifying, it is forecast to gradually accelerate and move generally northwestward in the next 24 hours before turning west northwestward on Thursday, the PAGASA reported.

Later on, the tropical cyclone was seen to begin turning towards the northwest on Friday and to the north during the weekend, and that throughout the forecast period, it will remain far from the Philippine landmass.

Owing to favorable environmental conditions, the tropical depression is forecast to intensify in the next four days and may be upgraded to tropical storm category in the next 12 hours, the weather bureau said.

It may reach typhoon category by Thursday and reach its peak intensity on Friday or during the weekend while over the Philippine Sea east of Northern Luzon, it added.

PAGASA advised concerned public and disaster riskreduction and management offices to take all necessary measures to protect life and property.

Residents of areas prone to hazards are advised to follow evacuation and other instructions from local officials.

‘Chedeng’

SCARRED REMAINS OF A BURNT PIECE OF HISTORY. What was once a majestic structure of epic background is now a ghastly and desolate sight left by a 30hour fire which, according to the Bureau of Fire Protection, was nobody’s fault. Norman Cruz

MT Princess ship owners may face DOJ prosecution

By Rey E. Requejo

THE National Bureau of Investigation-

Environmental Crime Division on

Tuesday asked the Department of Justice (DOJ) to criminally prosecute those responsible for the sinking of MT Princess Empress which caused an oil spill in Oriental Mindoro and parts of Batangas province.

The complaints were filed more than three months after the ill-fated tanker which was carrying around 900, 000 liters of industrial fuel sank off the coast of Oriental Mindoro due to engine trouble and rough seas.

DOJ spokesman Jose Dominic Clavano said that 35 individuals were included in the complaint, including the owners of MT Princess Empress, government regulators and officials of other agencies. Clavano said that charged for falsification of the certificate of public convenience or CPC are seven incorporators and directors of RDC Reield Marine Services Company, the company that owns the oil tanker, the MT Princess Empress captain and six crew members and 19 from the Philippine Coast Guard of varying ranks.

IN BRIEF

Former Surigao gov faces graft raps

A TAXPAYER from Surigao del Norte on Tuesday filed a complaint of plunder, malversation and graft before the Office of the Ombudsman against ex-Surigao del Norte governor Francisco Matugas for the questionable procurement of child’s story books.

Oscar Pospia Jr. accused Matugas of unlawful use of the province’s rehabilitation and provincial disaster management funds worth P60 million intended for ravaged super typhoon “Odette” victims in December 2021.

“At that time, we needed roofs over our heads, relief goods, clean and safe drinking water, and classrooms. But while we are suffering from terrible anguish, the assistance given to the people were story books, such as ‘Joy Joy the Jolly Boy,’ and ‘Mimi and the Mouse, and other similar books for school children,” he said.

He said the fund diversion was done in March 2022 or less than two months before the May 2022 presidential election. Rio N. Araja

NAIA agents lauded for P55m shabu haul

CUSTOMS Commissioner Bien Rubio on Tuesday commended his men from the X-ray Inspection Project (XIP) for the arrest of a Liberian national who tried to smuggle a shipment of shabu worth more than P55 million at the Ninoy Aquino International Airport (NAIA).

The luggage brought by suspect Philip Campbell underwent x-ray screening by active operatives of XIP headed by lawyer Ma. Lourdes Mangaong. The XIP flagged the luggage as suspicious, potentially containing illegal drugs. A Customs examiner from the Arrival Operations Division (AOD) then conducted a 100% physical examination and discovered 8.1 kilograms of shabu hidden inside yellow powdery spices, with a street value of P55,338,400 as confirmed by the Philippine Drug Enforcement Agency. Joel E. Zurbano

PH airport wows

Air Asia chief exec

CAPITAL A Berhad (Air Asia) chief executive officer Tony Fernandes has visited the Philippines and was impressed with the way the Manila International Airport Authority handles the country’s premier gateway.

Fernandes, who arrived last Sunday, said despite the technical glitches and other problems that confronted the NAIA recently, the MIAA managed it well.

“Wow, NAIA is much better organized. So we must give credit to the management. I mean brownouts happen, power failures happen but I can tell you as someone who owned an airline for 22 years, this is the best I have ever seen NAIA, and I want to focus on the positive, you know on-time performance is 86%, and that has a lot to do with the airport,” he said in a press briefing at Air Asia Philippines Red Point HQ in NAIA Terminal 3. Joel E. Zurbano

Teves ordered to answer multiple murder charges

By Rey E. Requejo

THE Department of Justice (DOJ) has required suspended Negros Oriental 3rd District Rep. Arnolfo

“Arnie” A. Teves Jr. to answer the complaint for multiple murder, multiple frustrated murder, and multiple attempted murder filed against him in the March 4, 2023 killings of 10 persons, including Gov. Roel R. Degamo.

Senior Deputy State Prosecutor Richard Anthony Fadullon revealed on Tuesday that a subpoena has been issued by a DOJ panel of prosecutors against Teves to answer the charges.

The panel of prosecutors is headed by Senior Assistant State Prosecutor Mary Jane E. Sytat. But Fadullon did not say when is

CLARIFICATORY HEARING.

Members of Tinang 83, a group of peasant advocates and agrarian reform beneficiaries, troop to the Office of the Ombudsman to attend the “clarificatory hearing” with policemen from Concepcion, Tarlac. The said proceeding is meant to determine probable cause in charges filed by Tinang 83 against more than 30 police personnel for mass arrest last year.

Manny Palmero

Teves’ deadline to file his counteraffidavit and the date of the start of the preliminary investigation.

Teves, who was slapped with another second 60-day suspension as a congressman, has stayed abroad despite the lapse of his travel authority on March 9, 2023. He cited “security reasons” for not returning.

The lawmaker has been tagged as “one of the masterminds” in the killing of Degamo, the deaths of nine other persons, and injuries sustained by 18 individuals. He has denied the allegations.

Teves was reported to have applied for political asylum with the Timor-Leste government which denied his plea. He appealed the denial before Timor-Leste’s Supreme Court. It was not known, as of this posting, the status of the appeal.

The criminal charges against Teves were filed by the National Bureau of Investigation (NBI) on May 17, 2023.

Also charged aside from Teves were Angelo V. Palagtiw, Neil Andrew Go, Capt. Lloyd Cruz Garcia, Nigel Electona, and a person identified only with the aliases “Gee-Ann” and “Jie-An,” who allegedly a sister of Palagtiw.

House bill seeks dialysis wards in public hospitals

By Maricel V. Cruz

REP. Paolo Duterte of Davao City has sought the approval of a measure that will require government hospitals to set up wards for dialysis and provide this treatment for free to indigent patients.

Duterte noted that dialysis treatment for Chronic Kidney Disease Stage 5 (CKD 5) or end-stage kidney disease

remains costly for most Filipinos, especially for poor patients.

Duterte, together with Benguet Rep. Eric Yap and ACT-CIS Partylist Rep. Edvic Yap, authored House Bill (HB) 7841 which seeks the establishment of dialysis wards for poor patients in public hospitals.

Dialysis facilities also remain limited in public hospitals, resulting in long lines for poor CKD patients seeking

Padilla vows justice for rape victim’s family

By Macon Ramos-Araneta

SEN. Robin Padilla promised to bring justice to the family of a minor who was brutally raped and murdered in Jose Panganiban town in Camarines Norte province.

Padilla went to Jose Panganiban last weekend where he met the family and mother of the young girl, who begged him for help.

Padilla lamented the current law may not be enough to protect Filipino women.

Because of this, he committed to strengthening existing laws to make sure such a heinous crime does not happen again.

Padilla visited the victim’s family in Barangay Parang to personally offer his sympathies. With him were Camarines Norte Governor Dong Padilla, Vice Mayor Kuatro Padilla, and Philippine National Police Bicol regional director P/Brig. Gen. Westrimundo Obinque. Gov. Padilla said the senator was shocked that such a heinous crime could happen involving minors.

The governor added he discussed with local authorities the drug situation in the area after receiving information that the alleged perpetrators of the rapemurder were high on drugs at the time. The senator and his party also went to the victim’s burial place to offer prayers.

treatment for this dreaded disease.

Duterte and his fellow authors said that even with the upgrade on the Philippine Health Insurance Corporation (Philhealth) coverage for hemodialysis from a maximum of 90 to 144 sessions, this is still not enough to cover the actual number of dialysis treatments needed by many CKD patients, given the severity and chronic nature of their disease.

“The document falsified is the certificate of public convenience or CPC. The issuance of an authenticated form of a document purporting to be a copy of an original document when no such original exists,” Clavano said, in an online briefing.

The DOJ official said Reield officials are “presumed to be the authors of the falsified documents” as he, added, they were in possession of the same and made use of the document.

Troops rescue teenager from Abu Sayyaf

GOVERNMENT troops rescued an Indonesian teenager in an operation against alleged leaders of Daulah Islamiyah-Abu Sayyaf Group (DI-ASG) in Sumisip, Basilan on Saturday.

According to the Armed Forces of the Philippines’ Western Mindanao Command (Westmincom) the targets of the operation were DI-ASG subleader Mudzrimar Sawadjaan or Mundi and Abu Sayyaf subleader Pasil Bayali or Kera.

“Troops of the 5th Scout Ranger Battalion were able to seize the harboring position of the target at Sitio Lobloban, Barangay Guiong, Sumisip, Basilan and rescued an Indonesian national,” Westmincom said in a statement.

The military said Mundi brought the minor with him when he fled from Sulu to evade the combat operation of the 1103rd Infantry Brigade.

Joint Task Force Basilan Acting Commander Colonel Frederick Sales said the rescued person was the 15-yearold son of the alleged suicide bomber in Jolo Cathedral in 2019.

According to the military, Mundi abandoned the teenager during his escape from the area during Saturday’s operation.

The AFP meanwhile vowed to bring to justice New People’s Army (NPA) rebels responsible for the anti-personnel mine (APM) attack that killed two persons in Northern Samar last June 3.

“We will lend our hands for the apprehension of those responsible, and in the filing of appropriate cases against them until the people’s call for justice is fulfilled,” AFP spokesperson Col. Medel Aguilar said in a statement.

He also said the AFP condoles with the families of the victims.

Killed in the NPA’s wanton use of banned APMs were Roel Lebico and Jerson Cabe.

The attack took place at Barangay Magsaysay, Las Navas, Northern Samar.

NEW BUILDING. Tabaco City Mayor Krisel Lagman-Luistro (in pink) leads the groundbreaking ceremony of a new school building at Mayon Elementary School Brgy. Buang in Tabaco City.

ANTI-TERRORISM DRILLS. Members of the Philippine Coast Guard conduct anti-terrorism drills in the first-ever trilateral marine exercises between the Philippines, the United States, and Japan off the waters of the West Philippine Sea several meters away from Mariveles, Bataan on Tuesday. Danny Pata

Ukraine hydro dam partially destroyed

KYIV—The Kakhovka hydroelectric dam in southern Ukraine was partially destroyed on Tuesday, with Moscow and Kyiv accusing each other of being responsible.

Meanwhile, Ukrainian President Volodymyr Zelensky on Monday praised his troops for advances claimed near the devastated city of Bakhmut, while Russia said it had repelled a large-scale attack.

The contrasting claims came as Pope Francis’s peace envoy, Italian Cardinal Matteo Zuppi, arrived in Kyiv for two days of talks.

News of rising water levels were noted in several areas near the dam as expectations built over Ukraine’s long-awaited offensive against Russian forces.

“Kakhovka hydroelectric plant. An-

European court condemns Russia for Navalny case

STRASBOURG, France—The European Court of Human Rights Tuesday condemned Russia for failing to properly investigate the 2020 poisoning of opposition figure Alexei Navalny which the West says was an assassination bid.

The Strasbourg-based ECHR said Russia had notably failed “to explore the allegations of a possible political motive for the attempted murder, as well as possible involvement of state agents”, unanimously finding Russia had violated the European Convention on Human Rights.

It said Russia had refused to open criminal proceedings into the poisoning, which led to Navalny falling into a coma and being put on life support.

The anti-corruption campaigner, seen by supporters as a potential political rival of President Vladimir Putin, fell ill while on a flight from Siberia.

He was later evacuated to Germany where he recovered but was imprisoned on his return to Moscow and has been behind bars ever since.

The ECHR noted that tests by the German government had shown “definite proof” of the presence of the chemical nerve agent Novichok in Navalny’s system.

The court said the inquiry by Russia was not open to scrutiny and Navalny had not been allowed to participate.

The investigation was not “capable of leading to the establishment of the relevant facts and the identification and, if appropriate, punishment of those responsible,” it said.

“It (the probe) therefore could not be considered adequate.”

Russia was ordered to pay Navalny 40,000 euros ($43,000) in damages.

The ECHR is part of the pan-European rights body the Council of Europe from which Russia was expelled in the wake of its invasion of Ukraine last year.

However, the ECHR still has a backlog of cases filed by Russian nationals before then and is continuing to issue verdicts. AFP

other war crime committed by Russian terrorists. The president has convened the National Security Council,” the Ukrainian president’s chief of staff, Andriy Yermak, wrote on Telegram.

The Kakhovka dam, seized at the start of the Russian offensive in Ukraine, notably supplies water to the Crimean Peninsula, annexed by Moscow in 2014.

“Multiple strikes targeted the Kakhovka dam” overnight in Nova Kakhovka, the head of the city’s Moscow-backed administration, Vladimir Leontiev said, claiming they had destroyed the dam’s gate valves and caused an “uncontrol-

lable” flow of water.

Built on the Dnipro River in 1956, during the Soviet era, the structure is partly made of concrete and partly of earth. It is one of the largest pieces of infrastructure of its kind in Ukraine.

Meanwhile, Zelensky said in a video message published on social media: “Well done, warriors! We see how hysterically Russia reacts to any step we take there, all positions we take. The enemy knows that Ukraine will win.”

Earlier, Ukrainian Deputy Defence Minister Ganna Malyar had noted “some success” on the battlefield.

“The Bakhmut sector remains the epicenter of the hostilities. We are advancing there on a rather wide front,” she said.

“The defensive operation includes counteroffensive actions. Therefore, in some sectors, we are conducting offensive actions,” Malyar added.

In May, Russia said it seized the now-destroyed eastern Ukrainian city of Bakhmut, the scene of the longest and one of the bloodiest battles of the war.

Ukraine says it has been preparing a major offensive to recapture territory lost to Russia, but that there would be no announcement about when it would start.

On Sunday, Ukrainian Defence Minister Oleksiy Reznikov said words “can only do harm” and posted a cryptic tweet, quoting lyrics from the Depeche Mode song “Enjoy the Silence”.

US President Joe Biden wished Ukraine well on Monday in its expected counteroffensive.

Asked by AFP if he thought the expected Ukrainian pushback would work, the president answered by silently raising his hand and crossing his middle and index fingers. AFP

Aussie mom thanks ‘science’ for kid murder pardon

SYDNEY—An Australian mother convicted of killing her children claimed a “victory for science” on Tuesday after an unexpected research breakthrough helped win her freedom after 20 years in prison.

Kathleen Folbigg was jailed in 2003 after she was convicted of killing her four infant children, who died separately without explanation between 1989 and 1999.

She was found guilty despite a lack of forensic evidence linking her to the deaths and steadfastly maintained her innocence during her 20-year incarceration.

Scientific breakthroughs in recent years have uncovered genetic mutations that helped explain why some of the children died, paving the way for Folbigg to be released from prison on Monday.

“I’m extremely humbled and extremely grateful for being pardoned and released from prison,” Folbigg said in her first public statement since being released.

“Today is a victory for science and especially truth.”

The 55-year-old also said in a short video message she would grieve for her children “forever”, and “missed them and loved them terribly”.

Folbigg was pardoned by New South Wales Governor Margaret Beazley after a long-running inquiry concluded there was “reasonable doubt” she had killed her children. Although she has won her freedom, Folbigg must now go through a separate legal process to have her convictions officially overturned.

Folbigg’s lawyer Rhanee Rego said Australia’s court system had “failed her at every step”, and it had taken authorities far too long to reopen the case.

“If Australia really wants to make some good from a tragic story, they’ll seriously consider reviewing the system of postconviction review,” she told reporters.

“Instead of trying to understand why

her children died, potentially through an inquest... we threw her in jail, locked her up, called her Australia’s worst female serial killer.”

Rego said Folbigg’s legal team would fight to clear her name and make sure “right is done by her”.

‘Bamboozled’

The Australian Academy of Science, which played a crucial role in the Folbigg inquiry, described the convictions as “Australia’s greatest miscarriage of justice”.

“What this case has absolutely shown is there’s an absence of a mechanism for the justice system to consider new information, particularly scientific information,” chief executive Anna-Maria Arabia told national broadcaster ABC.

Folbigg was released on Monday from a prison in Grafton, in the north of New South Wales state, where she had been serving a sentence of at least 25 years. AFP

Lula leads tributes on year one of Amazon double murder

BRASÍLIA—Brazilian President

Luiz Inacio Lula da Silva urged the world Monday to ensure British journalist Dom Phillips and Brazilian Indigenous expert Bruno Pereira did not die in vain, at commemorations marking one year since their murder in the Amazon rainforest.

In a case that caused global

outcry, Phillips and Pereira were killed on June 5, 2022 on a reporting trip to the edge of the Javari Valley, a far-flung Indigenous reservation in northwestern Brazil that experts say has been invaded by drug traffickers, illegal gold miners and poachers.

“I want to pay tribute to Dom Phillips and Bruno Pereira, and all

SINGAPORE—More than 180 years of horse racing in Singapore is set to come to an end, with the city-state’s only racecourse closing and being redeveloped for housing.

The Singapore Turf Club (STC) said that the final race, the 100th Grand Singapore Gold Cup, will take place in October next year.

The club was founded in 1842 by a Scottish merchant and other horse-racing enthusiasts. The current racecourse in Kranji was opened in 2000, replacing the old Bukit Timah track.

“We are saddened by the decision of the government to close the club,” STC’s chairman Niam Chiang Meng said in a press release.

“At the same time, we understand the land needs of Singapore, including housing and other potential uses such as leisure and recreation,” he added.

those who lost their lives defending the environment,” Lula said at an event in Brasilia that opened with a resounding salvo of applause in memory of the two men.

“The best way to honor them is to make sure their struggle wasn’t in vain,” he said, announcing new initiatives to fight illegal deforestation in the Amazon, which surged

The STC acknowledged that attendance at the racecourse had been declining over the past decade.

Racehorse owners and trainers will be offered support for horse maintenance and exportation, the club said.

There are about 700 racehorses at the club, according to local media.

The land will be returned to the government in 2027 and the 120-hectare (300 acres) site will be used for housing, including public housing.

“Singapore is a city-state with limited land,” the Ministry of National Development and the Ministry of Finance said in a joint statement.

“The government continually reviews its land use plans to meet today’s needs while ensuring there is sufficient land for future generations.” AFP

under his far-right predecessor, Jair Bolsonaro (2019-2022).

In that spirit, Lula later unveiled an update of an initiative he launched in 2004 during his first term as president, only for it to be scrapped by Bolsonaro, under whom deforestation shot up by 75 percent compared to the previous decade. AFP

RUPTURED. This handout satellite image courtesy of Maxar technologies shows a closer view of the Nova Khakovka dam in south Ukraine, on May 28, before it was partially destroyed, with Ukraine and Russia accusing each other of being responsible. AFP

Singapore horse racing to end after 180 years, racecourse set for housing

Ikeda limps way to golf lead with 74

ONE Championship to embrace boxing? Stay tuned, says Chatri

By Randy Caluag

DESPITE the existence of a good number of world boxing organizations, opportunities for professional boxers in Asia remain few and far in between.

This prompted a Filipino coach and gym owner in Bangkok, Thailand to post an open letter to Chatri Sityodtong, CEO of ONE Championship, requesting to add professional boxing to its roster of fight promotions.

ONE Championship is the premier Mixed Martial Arts organization in Asia and the fastest growing in the world martial arts scene.

“With ONE Championship hosting Muay Thai, Kickboxing, Grappling, and MMA successfully, it is about time for western boxing to represent itself in this kind of platform,” read part of the long post by Jay-R Crisologo, Founder and Head coach of Lion’s Head Boxing Academy BKK.

“Mr. Chatri, from one person to another, who is obsessed with fight sports, on behalf of everyone in

PH athletics team strikes 3 more golds

PHNOM PENH—The Philippines’ rode on its wonderful track and field team in raking in three more gold medals and staying afloat in the 12th ASEAN Para Games at the Morodok Techo National Stadium here on Tuesday.

King James Reyes saved the best for last as he finally struck gold in the men’s 800 meters T46, where he timed in two minutes and 13.22 seconds after a pair of silver-medal efforts in 5000m Sunday and 1500m Monday.

Over at the nearby practice field, where the other throwing events were staged, Rosalie Terrefiel and Andrei Kuizon likewise snared a gold each with the former reigning supreme in women’s javelin F11 and the latter ruling men’s shot put F54/54.

The feats hiked the Joel Deriadamentored squad’s total to six, which already matched its haul last year in Surakarta, Indonesia with still one day remaining in the four-day centerpiece event.

“Our goal is to improve on our six gold last time and we’re close to achieving that,” said Deriada, who thanked the Philippine Sports Commission, PhilSpada, Philippine Paralympic Committee and their manager Judith Staples for their support.

At press time, the Filipinos stayed at fifth in the overall medal race with a 1518-18 gold-silver-bronze haul.

Boxing was once featured as the main event at the ONE Championship in 2018 with Thailand’s Srisaket Sor Rungvasai (left) successfully defending his WBC yweight title against Iran Diaz of Mexico.

the Western boxing industry, all I ask is to give our industry a chance ,” he said.

Crisologo cited ONE’s expertise in putting up MMA promotions in gigantic proportions. It is undeniable that

ONE has cemented its name as one of the best combat sports organizations in the world and continues to inspire many people along the way.”

Sityodtong immediately responded to Crisologo’s public post on social media and gave the idea big hope. “Wow, thank you for the kind words! let’s see what happens next!”

The last time ONE Championship added boxing to its MMA show was in October of 2018 before the COVID-19 pandemic, when then-World Boxing Council flyweight champion Sirsaket Sor Rungvasai defended his title against Iran Diaz of Mexico. Their title bout was even held as the main event of the ONE Championship Kingdome of Heroes and proved to be successful.

“As you already know, my team and I at ONE are 100% here to work with our athletes for our mutual success together. We are not perfect, but our hearts are in the right place to lift and inspire the martial arts community around the world. Stay tuned,” added Sityodtong.

The idea of ONE having a boxing championship in its promotion drew positive reactions from netizens. Mixed martial arts is growing so fast, but boxing remains a classic favorite among aficionados.

“Who doesn’t love boxing? Great idea,” said Noelle LilMonkey.

Curling seeks POC nod

A WINTER sports discipline from the Philippines wants to apply as a regular member of the Philippine Olympic Committee, expressing its desire to represent the country in the coming competitions like in the 2026 Winter Olympic Games in Milano Cortina, Italy.

Newly formed Curling Winter Sports Association of the Philippines Inc., headed by its president Benjo Delarmente, has already announced its intention to become part of the POC family this year as the country’s legitimate curling sports body.

“We, the Curling Winter Sports Association of the Philippines, are applying for membership with the Philippine Olympic Committee in order to represent and bring home glory for our country in the international winter competitions,” Delarmente said.

Joining Delarmente to the CWSAP are

fellow officers vice president and secretary Joselito M. Cruz, secretary general Charles Walker, Board of Trustees Donna Umali, Micha Ella Suarez, Alan Frei and Jim Palomar Apelar, who is the President of the Philippines Ski and Snowboard Federation. Delarmente said that the CWSAP has a total of 20 members that include 15 Filipino athletes, who have already competed in the World Men’s World Junior Curling Championship and US Women’s and US Junior Curling Championships.

Curling, which was first played in the 1924 Chamonix Winter Olympics before being reinstated in the 1998 Nagano games, is an Olympic and Paralympic winter team sports played on ice, where two teams take turns to slide the granite stone towards a target known as a house.

“We have a realistic shot at qualifying for the 2026 because most of our athletes can become

ANTIPOLO—Chihiro Ikeda took charge with a birdie start but held sway despite a gut-wrenching run of bogeys for a 74 as the rest tripped at the finish in both sides of Valley South after 18 holes of the Ladies ICTSI Valley Golf Challenge here on Tuesday.

As three-peat hunting Harmie Constantino groped for form and hardly survived a birdie-less round of 76, Ikeda banked on her fine start and conservative play that kept her on top to the finish despite miscues on Nos. 3, 14 and 18 at the demanding up-and-down layout.

“I just tried not to be too aggressive since the course is difficult,” said Ikeda, who had hoped for a big round after sinking an 18-foot putt for birdie on the first hole.

It never came as she failed to rescue pars after missing the greens, the last, however, she described as “good” after hitting it behind and into the frontgreen bunker.

But the reigning LPGT Order of Merit champion’s 36-38 proved enough to net her a one-stroke lead and spark a campaign coming off a runner-up finish in the inaugural Ladies Philippine Masters at Villamor a couple of weeks back.

But three players of varying styles and skills put in identical 75s, including perennial contender Daniella Uy and title-hungry Florence Bisera and Martina Miñoza, while Constantino, despite her four-over start, stayed in the thick of things at joint fifth with Korean amateur Min Yeong Kim.

Bisera also hit an early birdie (No. 11) in a backside start but made three bogeys in a four-hole stretch from No. 14 and yielded another stroke on the sixth.

But she tied Ikeda with a birdie on the seventh, only to fall behind again with another mishap on the tough par-3 No. 8.

“I missed a couple of par putts from short range at the front so I have to stay focused tomorrow (today) and try to hit more fairways and greens,” said Bisera, hoping to finally hit paydirt this week.

Miñoza also shot two birdies but made a couple of three-putts, including one that led to a double-bogey on the 16th although like Bisera, she liked her chances for a breakthrough win in the 54-hole championship serving as the sixth leg of this year’s LPGT.

Sarah Ababa and Gretchen Villacencio also stayed in the race with 75s while top amateur Lois Kaye Go failed to rebound from a backside 40 start as she bogeyed two of the last three holes for a 78.

Mikha Fortuna, meanwhile, turned in a not-so-encouraging start to a pro debut as she wound up with a 79 marred by four straight bogeys from No. 4. She parred the next four holes but dropped more strokes on Nos. 12, 15 and 16 and ended up without a bogey in a 40-39 round.

Joining the Oklahoma U product at 10th, five strokes off Ikeda, are Monica Mandario, Pamela Mariano, Korean Ju Young Yang, and amateurs Mafy Singson and Jiwon Lee, also of Korea.

CWSAP president Benjo Delarmente prepares to take his shot highly-skilled in this sports, while some of them are competing already in several competitions abroad,” Delarmente added.

If the CWSAP gets a full membership recognition from the POC and then admitted later on by the World Curling Fed-

eration, CWSAP will be the second NSA from Southeast Asia, next to Thailand. He explained that curling is an Olympic and Paralympic winter sport with medal disciplines for Women’s, Men’s, Mixed Doubles and mixed Wheelchair teams.

Tour returnees wrest control as Que, Alido match 68s

ANTIPOLO—Angelo Que drained a long putt for birdie on the 18th as he matched flightmate Ira Alido’s 68 for a one-stroke lead over four others at the start of the ICTSI Valley Golf Challenge while saving what could’ve been a rocky finish to an otherwise superb round on a steamy day at the Valley Golf Club here yesterday.

The three-time Asian Tour winner actually threatened to rip the South course and blow the field with an eaglespiked frontside 32 then hit another birdie on No. 10 to go 2-up over his nearest pursuers. But bogeys on Nos. 14 and 15 enabled five others, including Alido, to gain a shared view of the top before the returning duo came away with late-hole feats to forge ahead with four-under cards.

Alido, who with Que and a couple of others vied in the Asian Development Tour leg in Thailand and missed the Villamor Philippine Masters two weeks ago, birdied the par-5 17th to cap his domination of the rolling layout’s long holes for a bogey-free pair of 34s while Que holed out from way out on the par-3 18th to the delight of the crowd atop the green and at the clubhouse veranda.

“It’s a long par-3 so I just wanted to make a par,” said Que of his closing feat set up by a 4-iron tee-shot that rested some 25 to 30 feet off the cup.

“Natapat lang,” he added. Alido was also on target. After saying he’s “currently playing at a high level mentally and physically and confident of his chances (to win) week-in and weekout,” he backed up his words with a solid result, birdying the first two par-5s (Nos. 5 and 7) and picking up

another stroke on the 13th.

“I feel really well, feel good about my game. The course suits to my liking,” said Alido, seeking a follow-up to his come-from-behind victory in Bacolod last March. “I missed about 2 or 3 chances for easy birdies but nonetheless, it’s a bogey-free round and it’s good for me. I also saved a couple of pars that helped me get to the top.”

Zanieboy Gialon, who with Caliraya Springs leg winner Tony Lascuña competed in Taiwan during the PH Masters week, also birdied the 17th as he turned in a 69 to crowd Reymon Jaraula, Justin Quiban and Korean Chon Koo Kang at third while Lascuna recovered from miscues on Nos. 13 and 15 with a birdie, also on the 17th, as he saved a 70 for joint seventh with Albin Engino, Japanese Atsushi Ueda and rookie pro Gabriel Manotoc.

A former national team mainstay, Manotoc flourished in a backside start of three birdies in the first six holes as he crowded the seasoned Que atop the leaderboard. But he yielded shots on Nos. 17 and 2 before regaining his rhythm and gaining another stroke on the seventh for his strongest start yet in six tournaments of the ICTSI-backed circuit where he missed the cut just once.

Chihiro Ikeda reads the layout. Manny Marcelo

Angelo Que blasts out of a sand trap. Manny Marcelo

King James Reyes

BUSINESS

By Alena Mae S. Flores

ENERGY Secretary Raphael Lotilla said Tuesday a green transition for the Philippines should neither add to public burden nor compromise economic growth.

“Green transition for a developing country like the Philippines must be a just transition. It must be a fair transition, and therefore we must avoid the burden of transferring climate transition to an already overburdened Philippine population,” Lotilla said in a forum organized by the Embassy of Sweden.

“Just transition must occur over a rea-

Marcos approves 2023-2028 export development plan

TRADE Secretary Alfredo Pascual said the Department of Trade and Industry formulated and presented the Philippine Export Development Plan 2023-2028 to President Ferdinand R. Marcos Jr. The PEDP, pursuant to the Export Development Act of 1994, represents a shift in the government’s approach to export development. It aims to strengthen the country’s export sector by pursuing export development as a national agenda, which involves attracting investments to increase domestic capacities, developing local industries that can cater to both domestic and global demands, and providing an enabling environment for businesses to thrive in a highly competitive global environment.

“This defines the country’s export thrusts, strategies, programs, and projects. Today, we have secured the President’s approval, with just a couple of additions to the plan. We thank President Ferdinand Marcos Jr. for his unwavering support to Filipino exporters. The PEDP is a testament to the government’s commitment to help our exporters become competitive global players,” said Pascual. Through the PEDP, the country will capitalize on export growth opportunities by considering market trends and available and existing competencies among Philippine industries. It will also employ an export development-centric approach, making the Philippines a major player in the global economy.

Former Globe CEO joins Holcim PH board

HOLCIM Philippines Inc. recently welcomed to its board of directors Gerardo Ablaza Jr., an experienced executive who has successfully led some of the top companies in the Philippines. His nomination as independent director was approved during the annual shareholders meeting on May 11.

Ablaza joins the company’s board of directors headed by chairman Tomas Alcantara, Holcim Group head of Asia Pacific, Middle East and Africa Martin Kriegner, Holcim APAC Group head of learning and development Tan Then Hwee, former Department of Trade and Industry Undersecretary Thomas Aquino and former senior partner at SyCip Gorres Velayo & Co. Medel Nera.

“We are pleased to have Gerry as a member of the board of directors at Holcim Philippines. His strong track record in leading a number of top corporations in the country will definitely strengthen the Board’s ability to set direction in further strengthening Holcim Philippines’ business performance and positive impact. We look forward to more enriching and insightful discussions during our meetings with Gerry on board,” said Holcim Philippines chairman Tomas Alcantara.

Holcim Philippines president and CEO Horia Adrian said Ablaza’s experience in driving change and growth in the companies he led are invaluable as Holcim accelerates it transformation.

Tonik achieves milestone with over 1m customers in PH TONIK, the Philippines’ pioneering all-digital bank, said it surpassed a significant milestone by onboarding over one million clients since its inception.

The achievement illustrates the bank’s successful contribution to improving financial inclusion in the country, while highlighting the emerging trend of digital banking in the region.

“We are thrilled to celebrate this momentous milestone, as it stands as a testament to the robust customer-centric model that Tonik has to offer,” said Greg Krasnov, chief executive and founder of Tonik. “Achieving one million onboarded clients in such a short span is a validation of the growing trust and confidence of the Filipino community in our digital banking services.”

Since its launch, Tonik has been committed to reshaping the traditional banking landscape by leveraging cutting-edge technology and a customerfocused approach to democratize financial services.

The bank successfully provided individuals and families, particularly those previously underserved by traditional banking institutions, with accessible, secure and user-friendly digital banking services. In a country where nearly half of the adult population remains unbanked, Tonik’s growth signals a shift towards more inclusive banking practices.

“Financial inclusion has always been at the heart of our mission,” Krasnov said. “We are proud to be part of the solution in bridging the gap for those who previously had limited access to banking services. Through Tonik, we are enabling more Filipinos to manage, save, and grow their money in a manner that is most convenient for them.”

sonable period of time, it cannot occur overnight. We have to take advantage of all sources of energy that are currently in place and to use that in a wise manner but at the same time be able to transition to a cleaner environment,” Lotilla said.

He said additional power generation capacities should come from renewable and cleaner sources of energy. “What

does this mean for coal? Definitely, no way of denying we need them still but replace them in a trajectory that is clear, that over time they are going to be replaced,” Lotilla said.

“The growth in demand will be replaced by renewable energy and more efficient power plants and cleaner sources of energy,” he said.

Lotilla said several sectors criticized the use of liquefied natural gas from other countries, even as its role is as a transition fuel. “A number of quarters are criticizing this, and therefore a shift to further carbon-intensive fuels. What do we have to replace LNG if that is needed in the Luzon grid to stabilize variable renewable energy?”

he asked.

He said the more variable, renewable energy is introduced to the grid, “the more we need more balancing sources of power and storage systems.” The energy chief said the Philippines should be open to all energy technologies including nuclear.

The Department of Energy recently issued two circulars governing the renewable portfolio standards rules for both on-grid and off-grid areas that would further promote RE development in the country.

“For on grid, that clarifies the implementation and then the enhancement, over time actually it is more on clarity in the implementation of RPS on grid

DOE wants ‘just’ transition to renewables IN BRIEF

rules. In the off-grid, we totally revised the earlier version we issued in 2018 to make it clearer,” DOE assistant secretary Mylene Capongcol said.

Lotilla signed Department Circular DC 2023-05-0015 amending the RPS rules for on-grid areas and adjusting the annual incremental RE percentage to 2.5 percent from one percent starting this year.

“While implementing the RPS OnGrid Rules and considering the latest consumer development in consumer development and in consumer empowerment, the DOE deemed it necessary to enhance the RPS policies and guidelines towards greater efficiency and effectiveness,” the circular said.

PH set to start mango exports to Australia

By Othel V. Campos

THE Philippines is set to start shipping carabao mangoes to Australia this month, the Philippine Embassy in Canberra said in an update.

The Philippine Trade and Investment Center in Sydney said e-commerce and logistics provider Fastboxph and 1Export, a one-stop platform for cross border trade and fulfillment services, were making the necessary arrangements for the initial shipment.

Philippine Trade Representative to Australia Alma Argayoso said Australia has been supportive of Philippine efforts to improve bilateral agricultural trade particularly the export of mangoes.

PH expected to grow faster than regional peers—NEDA

By Julito G. Rada

NATIONAL Economic and Development Authority Secretary Arsenio Balisacan asked Israeli businessmen to invest more in the Philippines which is expected to grow faster than its regional peers.

Balisacan relayed this during a bilateral meeting and business forum with Israeli Foreign Minister Eli Cohen, Israel Ambassador Ilan Fluss and members of the Israeli business community.

“The economy remains resilient, bouncing back quickly and growing robustly in 2022 with a record 7.6 percent annual growth rate and sustaining the return to the high-growth path in the first quarter of this year with a growth rate of 6.4 percent,” Balisacan said.

He said the momentum remained strong and various multilateral institutions projected that the country would be among emerging Asia’s brightest economies this year, despite the external headwinds of the global economic slowdown.

“We expect to grow faster than many of our peers in the region,” said Balisacan in his welcome remarks.

He said to sustain the Philippine economy’s growth momentum, the Philippine Development Plan 2023-2028 contains the strategies, critical priorities and programs aimed at leading the nation towards deep economic and social transformation in the medium term.

The PDP 2023-2028 also includes strategies for improving the overall business climate of the country, such

PH steered clear of Europe’s IPR watch list for fourth straight year

By Othel V. Campos

THE Philippines has steered clear of the European Commission’s intellectual property rights watch list four years since its exclusion from the list in 2020.

“Our exclusion from the list from 2019 signifies that we remain an attractive investment destination to trade partners. Truly, we have come a long way in maintaining a safe IP climate in tune with global economic standards,” said Intellectual Property Office of the Philippines director-general Rowel Barba.

The report, released on May 17, is a biennial publication identifying the priority countries that pose a great level of concern to the IP-laden industries of the European Union.

China topped the list as the sole country under “priority one” due to the persistence of IP rights violations through piracy and counterfeiting, paired with inconsistent IPR law enforcement and application.

Under “priority 2”, the EU Commission flagged India, particularly for the several constraints on patent protection, and Turkey, generally for their gaps in national IP enforcement.

“Priority 3” countries included Argentina, Brazil, Ecuador, Indonesia, Malaysia, Nigeria, Saudi Arabia and Thailand which were cited for varying IP protection concerns.

Despite the Philippines being delisted from the report, Barba underscored the importance of “going beyond” the ex-

clusion from global watch lists.

“Still, we acknowledge that there is much more work needed to be done to ensure a clean and reliable marketplace for IP rights owners across all nations. Since our last mention as a priority three in 2019, we have doubled down our efforts to safeguard our investment attractiveness, a testament to our commitment as a proactive national IP office,” Barba said, assuring the continuity of efforts to keep counterfeiting and piracy at bay.

IPOPHL said it continues to initiate anti-counterfeiting and antipiracy policy campaigns across local government units and the academe to deepen IP rights awareness, especially among public authorities critical in IP enforcement.

as reforming the country’s investment policies. The proper implementation of these reforms will ensure that the regulatory constraints that hinder the location and expansion of foreign business operations in the Philippines are relaxed.

He said the reforms would also address investor concerns, particularly by ensuring that public policies and regulations are more transparent and efficient.

“I note that the Philippine economy has never been more open and ready for business. The continued investment policy reform momentum, including efforts to improve the ease of doing business through digitalization, shall ensure that the country remains competitive and dynamic,” he said.

PSE INDEX

“In 2018, the Australian Embassy in the Philippines reported that the Australian Centre for International Agricultural Research provided Au$1.1-million grant funding to a four-year project which passed on farming technology that improved mango quality and size for Davao farmers,” she said.

Argayoso said there has been interest in mango exports to Australia in recent years, but plans were delayed by the COVID-19 pandemic.

“Our mission is to work with government authorities and industry partners to bring to Australia the highest quality Filipino products and help lift trade between our two countries,” she said.

PTIC Sydney is coordinating with the Department of Agriculture’s Bureau of Plant Industry-National Plant Quarantine Services Division for the delivery of initial and subsequent shipments.

Since 2016, protocols have been in place for the export of mangoes to Australia such as the specific commodity understanding. The SCU is an arrangement document for the importation of fresh mango fruit from the Philippines to Australia under Australia’s Biosecurity Act 2015.

Australia and the Philippines signed an amended version of the SCU in 2016, expanding the export market for Philippine mangoes. The agreement created export opportunities for Filipino mango farmers in Guimaras, Samal Island and Davao del Sur, according to the BPI-NPQSD.

“It is now time for Aussies to enjoy our much beloved fruit in the Philippines,” said Philippine Ambassador to Australia Hellen B. De La Vega, noting that Australians enjoyed dried mangoes.

De La Vega said the Philippines produces mangoes all year around, while Australia produces its own mangoes from September to April.

DOTr opens public bidding for P5.24-b procurement of car, motorcycle plates

By Darwin G. Amojelar

THE Department of Transportation said

Tuesday it is bidding out the procurement of motorcycle and car plates worth P5.24 billion to address the anticipated shortage by next month. The agency is inviting bidders for the procurement of motorcycle blank metal plates, motor vehicle plates, RFID stickers, hot stamping foil, thermal transfer ribbon, carton boxes and plastic bags.

“Bidding should be conducted through open competitive bidding procedures using a non-discretionary ‘pass/fail’ criterion as specified in the 2016 revised

implementing rules and regulations of Republic Act No. 9184,” the agency said. It said interested bidders could acquire a complete set of bidding documents for P75,000 from June 6 to June 26. The agency’s bids and awards committee will hold a pre bid conference on June 14. The opening of the bids is set on June 26 at 10:30 a.m.

“The DOTr reserves the right to reject any and all bids, declare a failure of bidding or not award the contract at any time prior to contract award in accordance with Section 35.6 and 41 of the 2016 revised IRR of RA No. 9184 without thereby incurring any liability to the affected bidder or bidders,” the agency said.

PALENG-QR INITIATIVE. Mayor Dahlia Loyola uses GCash to pay for food items at the Carmona Public Market as a part of the rollout of Paleng-QR PH initiative in Carmona, Cavite. The Bangko Sentral ng Pilipinas and the Department of the Interior and Local Government, in cooperation with GCash, strengthen efforts to promote digital transactions in the Philippines. Under Paleng-QR PH, vendors and sellers in Carmona Public Market are encouraged to transact using digital payment platforms such as GCash using QR Codes. To encourage more people to use digital platforms, Carmona Mayor Dahlia Loyola herself used GCash to pay for food items at the Carmona Public market.

KYNDRYL EXECUTIVES. Top executives of Kyndryl, the world’s largest provider of IT infrastructure services that was created from the spin-off of IBM’s infrastructure services business, hold a roundtable discussion at Peninsula Manila Hotel in Makati City on building scalable solutions for ASEAN organizations. Shown are (from left) Kyndryl managing director for ASEAN and Asia Pacific Susan Follis, global cloud practice leader Harish Grama and managing director for the Philippines Wilson Go.

Market struggles; JG Summit, SM Prime up

Binance charged with violations of securities law

NEW YORK—US authorities on Monday charged cryptocurrency giant Binance with securities law violations that collectively amounted to what they called “an extensive web of deception” and “calculated evasion of the law.”

Binance, the world’s largest cryptocurrency exchange, is alleged to have permitted US residents to trade, even though the platform is not registered in the United States as a securities exchange. The case also alleges Binance misused customer funds.

The Securities and Exchange Commission filed a civil complaint listing 13 charges involving platforms and other investment entities controlled by founder Changpeng Zhao, who was once seen as the archrival of disgraced crypto tycoon Sam BankmanFried.

The SEC case comes on the heels of charges in March by another US regulator, the Commodities Futures and Exchange Commission.

“Through thirteen charges, we allege that Zhao and Binance entities engaged in an extensive web of deception, conflicts of interest, lack of disclosure, and calculated evasion of the law,” said SEC Chair Gary Gensler.

“As alleged, Zhao and Binance misled investors about their risk controls and corrupted trading volumes while actively concealing who was operating the platform, the manipulative trading of its affiliated market maker, and even where and with whom investor funds and crypto assets were custodied.”

Binance criticized the SEC action as a wrongheaded approach that threatens “America’s role as a global hub for financial innovation and leadership,” the company said.

“Digital asset laws remain largely undeveloped in much of the world, and regulation by enforcement is not the best path forward,” Binance said in a statement. “An effective regulatory framework demands collaborative, transparent, and thoughtful policy engagement—a path the SEC has abandoned.”

“We intend to defend our platform vigorously,” Binance said. AFP

STOCKS wobbled amid thin trading Tuesday after a two-day rally as profit-takers stepped in and traders weighed the chances of the Federal Reserve skipping an interest rate hike this month.

The PSE index, the 30-company bellwether of the Philippine Stock Exchange, fell 41 points, or 0.64 percent, to close at 6,479.93 as four of the six subsectors retreated.

The index representing all shares also

went down by 16 points, or 0.48 percent, to finish at 3,469.47 on a value turnover of P3.88 billion. Losers outmatched gainers, 109 to 70, while 49 shares were unchanged. Five of the six most active stocks ended in the green, led by JG Summit Holdings Inc. which rose 2.08 percent to P49.00 and SM Prime Holdings Inc. which picked up 1.82 percent to P33.50.

The peso also slightly rose to 56.22 against the US dollar Tuesday from 56.24 Monday.

Asian markets were mixed. The tepid performance came after a global advance stumbled in New York and Europe on Monday, with a below-par read on US services sector activity hinting at weakness in a key area of the economy.

Analysts also warned that with the US borrowing ceiling now lifted, the Treasury is expected to unleash a flood of debt onto the market as it looks to restock its coffers, sucking cash from the financial system and putting pressure on liquidity.

Oil prices sank as the rally from Saudi Arabia’s surprise output cut gave way to demand worries.

Sylvia Jablonski, of Defiance ETF, told Bloomberg Television such a move that soaks up money “is something that will probably keep us in a range-bound mode until we see where it all lands, including the Fed’s final decision on rates.”

Traders have been broadly upbeat after a “Goldilocks” jobs report Friday

Apple unveils Vision Pro, its $3,500 mixed reality headset

CUPERTINO, United States—Apple on Monday unveiled its first mixed reality headset, challenging Facebook-owner Meta in a market that has yet to tempt users beyond videogamers and tech geeks.

The release was the most significant product launch by the iPhone maker since it unveiled the Apple Watch in 2015.

The headgear, which Apple referred to as a spatial computer, was introduced at the close of an Apple event in Cupertino, California in which the company announced a long list of product updates.

The product has been in development at Apple for years, and will focus on gaming, streaming video and conferencing.

Company executives insisted that the Vision Pro offers an unchallenged experience, making the hard sell on tech that has yet to win the hearts of the greater public.

that was neither too good nor too bad suggested the economy was not facing an immediate risk of a recession and could still give the Fed room to hold policy steady next week. There is a growing hope that the central bank will decide against a hike but flag a resumption in July as officials try to bring inflation down while limiting damage to the economy and the troubled banking sector.

But observers point out that there is some disagreement within the policy board on the best way forward, while the decision comes a day after the release of consumer price figures, which could have an impact on policymakers’ vote. With AFP

TOP GAINERS

TOP LOSERS

MOST ACTIVE

TO ALL STOCKHOLDERS:

Please be informed that the Annual General Meeting of the Stockholders of VITARICH CORPORATION (the “Corporation”) will be held on Friday, June 30, 2023, at 2:00 P.M., at Royal Woods Resort, Ilang Ilang Extension, Sta. Rosa II, Marilao, Bulacan.

The Stockholders’ Annual General Meeting shall have the following agenda:

1. Call to Order;

2. Certification of Notice and the Existence of a Quorum;

3. Approval of the Minutes of the Previous Stockholders’ Annual General Meeting;

4. Report of the President on the Results of the 2022 Operations and the 2022 Audited Financial Statements;

5. Ratification of the Acts of Directors and Officers;

6. Election of Directors;

7. Confirmation of the Appointment of External Auditor;

8. Appointment of Stock Transfer Agent;

9. Other Matters; and

10. Adjournment.

A brief explanation of each item which requires the approval and/or ratification by the stockholders are provided in the Information Statement. Stockholders can get the electronic copies of the SEC-20-IS Definitive Information Statement, SEC 17-A Annual Report with 2022 Audited Financial Statements and other pertinent information from the PSE’s EDGE system and the Corporation’s website at https://vitarich.com/company-disclosure/sec-filings/.

Only stockholders of record as of May 30, 2023, which is the record date fixed by the Board, are entitled to notice of, and to vote at, this meeting.

Proxies must be submitted to the Special Committee of Election Inspectors of the Corporation located at Vitarich Corporation, Marilao-San Jose Road, Sta. Rosa I, Marilao, Bulacan, on or before June 19, 2023. Proxies shall be validated by the Special Committee on Election Inspectors at said office on June 23, 2023.

On the day of the meeting, you or your duly designated proxy are required to show this Notice together with your government-issued ID to facilitate registration. Registration shall start at 1:00 pm and shall close at 1:45 pm.

(SGD) ATTY. AISON BENEDICT C. VELASCO (SGD)

The Vision Pro, which was generally well received on Monday, will cost a hefty $3,499 and be available early next year in the United States only, the company said.

“There are certain products that shift the way we look at technology and the role it plays in our lives,” said Apple CEO Tim Cook as he unveiled the sleek VR device that resembled ski goggles.

“We believe Apple Vision Pro is a revolutionary product with the performance, immersion and capability that only Apple can deliver,” he added.

Unlike its rivals, the Vision Pro delivers mixed reality technology that “clearly situates the user in their environment,” said Insider Intelligence principal analyst Yory Wurmser.

“Whereas Meta Quest and other devices are virtual realityfirst, Vision Pro keeps the user in the present and emphasizes the mixed reality features -- unless they choose otherwise,” he added.

Vision Pro allows wearers to twist a watch-like “crown” to go from having interactive imagery augment one’s surroundings to being fully immersed in a rich 3-D experience that feels like being in a video or on a sports playing field, a hands-on demonstration showed.

Apple went to great lengths to preserve its signature design minimalism, at least to the extent that it could, given the technology squeezed into the Vision Pro.

The device has a glass front, an alumium frame, five sensors, 12 cameras, a display for each eye, and a computer that is cooled with a fan.AFP

Air travel to soar near record in 2023, says industry group

ISTANBUL, Turkey—Airlines will return to profit and fly a near-record 4.35 billion passengers this year, but the sector’s postpandemic recovery remains fragile, an industry group said on Monday.

The industry is forecast to post net profits total $9.8 billion in 2023, or double previous estimates, boosted by the end of China’s Covid restrictions, according to the International Air Transport Association (IATA).

The association added that its 2022 losses were half as bad as previously estimated at $3.6 billion.

“Airline financial performance in 2023 is beating expectations,” IATA director general Willie Walsh said in a statement during the association’s annual general meeting in Istanbul.

“Stronger profitability is supported by several positive developments. China lifted Covid-19 restrictions earlier in the year than anticipated,” Walsh said. While jet fuel prices remain high, they have moderated over the first half of the year, he added.

Inflation surged worldwide as Russia’s invasion of Ukraine in February 2022 sent energy costs soaring, but oil and natural gas prices have fallen since then.

“On the cost side, there is some relief,” Walsh said.

“Economic uncertainties have not dampened the desire to travel, even as ticket prices

absorbed elevated fuel costs,” he added.

Airlines transported a record 4.54 billion people in 2019 before Covid brought travel to a standstill. The industry lost $137 billion when countries imposed lockdowns and closed borders in 2020. The sector lost another $42 billion in 2021 and was still in the red last year as China, a major market, continued to enforce Covid restrictions that were finally lifted in December.

The IATA said total revenues are expected to grow to $803 billion this year, up almost 10 percent from 2022.

While the industry as a whole will turn a profit, Walsh noted that it would amount to just $2.25 per passenger -- a net-profit margin of 1.2 percent.

The IATA, which represents around 300 airlines accounting for 83 percent of global air passenger traffic said net profit will rise to $11.5 billion for North American air carriers, $5.1 billion for Europeans and $2 billion for those from the Middle East.

But Asian, Latin American, and African airlines will remain in the red. Airlines will face a total fuel bill of $215 billion this year, or $98.5 per barrel, according to the IATA. This is down from the average cost of $135.6 in 2022.

Fuel will account for 28 percent of the costs that airlines face this year, compared to 24 percent in 2019.

“After deep Covid-19 losses, even a net profit margin of 1.2 percent is something to

celebrate,” Walsh said.

“But with airlines just making $2.25 per passenger on average, repairing damaged balance sheets and providing investors with sustainable returns on their capital will continue to be a challenge for many airlines,” he added.

The IATA said industry profitability is “fragile” and could be affected by several factors, including interest rate hike by central bank fighting inflation.

“The risk of recession remains. Should recession lead to job losses, the industry’s outlook could shift negatively,” it said.

While the war in Ukraine is not having a “major impact” on profitability of most airlines, an escalation would likely hurt global aviation, it said.

“Already broader geopolitical tensions are weighing upon international trade and any escalation of such tensions represents a downside risk to the industry outlook,” the IATA said.

Supply chain issues, which have plagued global trade since the pandemic, are still being felt. “Airlines have been directly impacted by aircraft parts supply chain ruptures which aircraft and engine manufacturers have failed to sort out,” the IATA said.

“This is negatively impacting the delivery of new aircraft and the ability of airlines to maintain and deploy existing fleets.” AFP

BMW PLANT. Mechanics work at a plant for BMW cars during the launching of the new 7 series in Jakarta on June 6, 2023. AFP

TWENTY contestants are competing for the coveted title of Miss Manila 2023. The winner of the pageant will not only receive a prestigious crown adorned with diamonds, sapphires, and a large pearl, crafted by Arca Bespoke Jewelry, but also a generous cash prize of P1 million.

During the press presentation of candidates held at the Rizal Park Hotel on June 3, it was announced that over 50 beautiful women underwent screening, but only 20 candidates officially received their sashes from Mayor Honey Lacuna-Pangan and Charlie Dungo, the Director of Tourism Culture and Arts of Manila. The sashing ceremony happened on May 15 at Bulwagang Villegas in historic Manila City Hall.

The delegates represent various districts including Intramuros, Ugbo Tondo, Otis Pandacan, Zamora Pandacan, Sampaloc, Sta. Mesa, Don Bosco Tondo, Blumentritt, Malate, Punta Sta. Ana, Paco, Pureza Sta. Mesa, Maceda Sampaloc, Padre Faura, Pandacan, Roxas Boulevard, Sta. Cruz, Tayuman, Balut Tondo, and Baseco Port Area.

Angela Okol, who previously joined Miss Universe Philippines 2021 and Mutya ng Pilipinas 2022, was voted “Darling of the Press” at the end of the event.

The path to the prestigious title is challenging for the delegates as they will participate in pre-pageant activities, including masterclasses in

Search begins for Manila’s most beautiful

Pasarela under Rodgil Flores, founder of pageant camp Kagandahang Flores, make-up sessions with celebrity makeup artist Lala Flores, and a questionand-answer masterclass.

The grand coronation night will take place on June 23 at 7:00 p.m. in the Metropolitan Theater.

Miss Universe 2018 Catriona Gray will host the esteemed local pageant, and there will be a special performance by Angeline Quinto who will sing the Miss Manila theme song.

Other performances during the evening will feature rapper Kritiko and violinist Jo Bry Cimafranca

Miss Manila is presented by the City of Manila, Department of Tourism, Culture, and the Arts of Manila, Kreativden Entertainment, and copresented by the Philippine Chinese Chambers of Commerce and Industry and San Miguel Corporation.

Minor sponsors include SM, Arca, and partnerships with Jag, EW Villa Medica Manila, Metrophoto, Metropolitan Theater, and Rizal Park Hotel.

Online star Boss Toyo goes mainstream

BIVCK Entertainment continues to strengthen its roster of talents with Jayson Luzadas or popularly known as Boss Toyo joining on board.

Since 2017, Boss Toyo has been an active content creator and online personality on various social media platforms. His social media presence is notable, with 471k followers on Facebook, 383k subscribers on YouTube under the channel name “Boss Toyo Production,” and 85k followers on TikTok under the username “sitoyotohmahmen.”

One of his noteworthy online shows is Pinoy Pawn Stars, which draws inspiration from the popular series Pawn Stars on the History Channel.

Boss Toyo developed this adaptation to not only give significance to the possessions that artists have obtained through their hard work but also to acknowledge the artists themselves who have made a name for themselves in the industry.

As part of his advocacy, Boss Toyo introduced “Sugod Bahay” program, which allows him to visit various barangays in Metro Manila to provide people with entertainment and surprises. Additionally, he serves as the producer for Geng Geng Network, a Facebook-based channel that offers diverse programs such as “Pautang Nation,” which enables the online audience to borrow up to P5,000; “Battle of the Geng-Geng,” a game show inspired by Family Feud; and “Tarantadong Pinoy” that serves as a talent show for those

Blvck Entertainment executives, Engineers Louie and Grace Cristobal, were captivated by Boss Toyo’s exceptional qualities as a social media content creator and online personality.

“His creative, witty, naturally comedic, and spontaneous personality, combined with his genuine passion for music, made him an ideal fit to be a Blvck artist. We believe that our collaboration with Boss Toyo will lead to the development of fresh concepts in content production, particularly in the realm of music,” says Grace Cristobal.

Despite considering himself a newcomer to the music industry, Boss Toyo has already made notable strides in his musical journey. He has released two songs on various music streaming platforms, showcasing his budding talent. His close associations with renowned Hip-hop artists like Flow G Honcho, and King Badger have served as inspiration for him to explore the world of rap music.

One of Boss Toyo’s recent releases, “Rap Lord,” stands as a testament to his dedication to the rap genre. The song, produced under Blvck Music, was crafted collaboratively by Engr. Louie Cristobal and Romel Afable, with JG Beats as beat producer.

According to Boss Toyo, the choice of “Rap Lord” as the title symbolizes “my personal claim to the rap genre and my desire to carve out a distinct space within it. Importantly, I hope that this self-proclaimed title will not cause any offense or disrespect to other rap artists, as I value the unity and camaraderie within the music community.”

Along with the release of “Rap Lord,” Boss Toyo has also unveiled an

ABS-CBN International

Production’s gripping psychological thriller series, Cattleya Killer, featuring Arjo Atayde, has taken the Prime Video Philippines platform by storm, securing the top spot in its debut on June 1.

Following the premiere, social media platforms, particularly Twitter, were flooded with enthusiastic reactions from viewers who couldn’t contain their praise for Cattleya Killer and its remarkable production value. Arjo Atayde, portraying the

Malou De Guzman opens immersive program for aspiring actors

VETERAN actress and celebrity coach Malou De Guzman unveils the much-anticipated second edition of her highly successful In-Urge-Y workshop happening from June 17 to 18 and 24 to 25.

The immersive program is designed to empower aspiring actors and actresses, providing them with invaluable insights and guidance from a seasoned professional. With a wealth of experience and expertise, De Guzman aims to assist participants in honing their craft and discovering their true artistic potential. Join this transformative workshop and embark on a remarkable journey toward unlocking your talent in the world of acting.

For over three decades, De Guzman has been a fixture in the Philippine entertainment industry. She is known for her memorable performances in a variety of television shows and films, including her iconic roles as Dugong in the fantasy series Marina Lukring in the sitcom Ober Da Bakod , and Manay Ichu in the hit television series Killer Bride . Her extensive experience in the field has allowed her to master the nuances of acting and has helped her develop a keen understanding of the process of bringing a character to life.

De Guzman’s passion for teaching is unmistakable in her extensive experience as an acting coach. Her dynamic curriculum blends classroom instruction with techniques she has acquired throughout her years in the industry. Thanks to her approach to teaching, De Guzman has successfully launched the careers of new talents from beauty pageants and reality shows.

character of Anton dela Rosa, a police officer, shared his excitement for the highly anticipated premiere in an interview with TV Patrol. He mentioned, “This was made more than a year ago, so definitely we are excited as everyone.”

Ria Atayde, who portrays a journalist entangled in the case, expressed her delight at the series’ release, saying, “I feel giddy that it’s finally showing since we’ve waited for this moment for so long. I’m also so excited. I’m eager to know what people think.”

Jane Oineza , in the role of Tina Galvez, an agent from PIB responsible for the Cattleya Killer case, eagerly anticipated watching the series premiere on Prime Video.

Cattleya Killer is a six-episode series adapted from the acclaimed 1996 Star Cinema film, Sa Aking Mga Kamay. The story follows the discovery of a young woman’s body with a Cattleya flower, the signature style of the notorious ‘Cattleya Killer’ in Manila. As the police force struggles to solve the

Moreover, she has further honed the performance skills of some of the most renowned names in the industry, including loveteam KathNiel Angel Locsin, Jericho Rosales, Maja Salvador, Janella Salvador Precious Lara Quigaman, and Shamcey Supsup Lee.

The four-day acting workshop will be held at 9th Studios Creative Hub, Makati City. Through lectures, discussions, and activities, participants will receive expert guidance and training from De Guzman herself.

Interested participants can sign up for the workshop by filling out the registration form on bit.ly/actingworkshopph.

For more information and inquiries, contact 09603147885 and visit their official Facebook and Instagram pages @actingworkshopph.

perplexing case, agent Anton dela Rosa (Arjo), the son of Joven Dela Rosa (Christopher de Leon) who had previously cracked the case three decades ago, becomes the primary suspect.

In addition to Arjo, Cattleya Killer features a star-studded cast, including Zsa Zsa Padilla, Jake Cuenca, Ricky Davao, Nonie Buencamino, Ketchup Eusebio, Jojit Lorenzo, Rafa Siguion-Reyna, Frances MakilIgnacio, and Lito Pimentel , to name a few.

The 20 official candidates of Miss Manila 2023 during the press presentation at the Rizal Park Hotel

curves during the swimsuit parade

Angela Okol of Paco wins ‘Darling of the Press‘ at the end of the event

B4 WEDNESDAY, JUNE 7, 2023

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

Ballet and Hawaiian dancing fundamentals for kids

SUNSHINE Place is relaunching Little Sunshine, a series of workshops designed for children aged 15 and below. These workshops aim to enhance children’s dancing, creativity, and cognitive skills during their formative years when they are most receptive to learning.

Ballet workshops for kids aged five to eight years old and Hawaiian dancing (Hula) workshops for kids aged six to 11 years old will begin on June 16 with subsequent sessions on June 23, 30, July 7, 14, 21, 28, and August 4.

The classes will be conducted by experienced dance teacher Alice SangcoLedesma, who has received training from notable mentors in the industry. In these Little Sunshine dancing classes, students will learn the fundamentals of ballet and Hawaiian dancing while interacting with peers of their age group. The eight-week program will culminate in a recital to showcase the talents and skills they have acquired throughout the course.

Sangco-Ledesma has previously

taught dance classes at various institutions and schools. The Little Sunshine dance workshops on ballet and hula welcome beginners who are eager to learn something new and children who simply want to have fun this season. For more information and enrollment, please contact (0917) 801-6440 or email: hello@sunshineplaceph.com.

National Artist Abdulmari Imao’s life and works celebrated in exhibit

Little Sunshine is a series of workshops designed for children aged 15 and below, with courses like ballet and Hawaiian dancing

Working together for a common goal

AS a result of its 2022 Regional Caucus, the CCP Kaisa Sa Sining (KSS) Mindanao Network conducted the Lambigit Conference on May 17 to 20 in Davao de Oro.

The workshop was organized in partnership with the Ramon Magsaysay Memorial Colleges Marbel, Tagum City Council of Women, and Musikahan sa Tagum Foundation, to be facilitated by the Cultural Center of the Philippines Cultural Exchange Department (CCP CED).

Over 35 participants who are Indigenous Peoples Representatives (IPMRs) and Barangay Leaders (BLs) participated in the conference forum. The participating IPMRS and BLS were from 12 cultural communities all over Mindanao: Maguindanao, Sama, Blaan, Manobo, Higaonon, Subanen, Yakan, Mansaka, Tagakaulo, Liboganon, Kagan and Pagsabagan, along with 10 KSS representatives from Marawi, Iligan, Maguindanao, Pagadian, Zamboanga del Sur, Tagum, Lamitan, Agusan del Sur, Koronadal, and General Santos.

The Lambigit (which means collaboration, work together, network in the local language) aims to gather local leaders representing several multi-cultural grassroots communities linked to the KSS Network and discuss the current conditions of the Intangible Cultural Heritage (ICH) of their respective communities.

ALife Without Borders, an exhibition on the life and works of the late Philippine National Artist for Visual Arts Abdulmari Asia Imao, opens to the public at the 12F Main Gallery of the Design and Arts Campus, De La SalleCollege of Saint Benilde (DLS-CSB) on June 9.

The exhibition provides a comprehensive introduction to the artistry of the renowned painter, sculptor, photographer, ceramist, documentary filmmaker, cultural researcher, and writer. He is known to have popularized Philippine Muslim art and culture as original Filipino art.

The vast collection, on loan from his son visual artist Toym Imao, features approximately 28 paintings that champion the indigenous ukkil, sarimanok, and naga designs – decorative motifs commonly used in Mindanao by the Tausūg and Maranao.

There will be an assemblage of 38 sculptures that demonstrate Imao’s intricate wood carving and signature brass casting techniques. The pieces are situated at the center of the gallery to honor the Sulu archipelago – a nod to the home of the Moro artist.

Also displayed are his sketches that walk the spectators into his creative genius.

Motivated by the art and craftsmanship of the late icon, scale models of highrise buildings for Bonifacio Global City (BGC) will likewise be on view. The works were designed by the budding student-artists under the college’s Architecture Program, conceptualized and created under the mentorship of award-winning Architect Jim Caumeron.

Born in 1936 to a family of boat makers, Imao began to show interest in the arts at a young age. He studied at the University of the Philippines, where he was mentored by two National Artists for Sculpture Guillermo Tolentino and Napoleon Abueva. With a Bachelor’s Degree in Sculpture, he further earned postgraduate degrees at the University of Kansas, the Rhode Island School of Design, and Columbia University in the USA.

In 1963, became the first Asian to receive the New York Museum of Modern Art Grant throughout Europe.

Upon his return, he taught Fine Arts at the University of the East and accomplished several photojournalistic and scholarly research works about Mindanao. He promoted brass casting techniques, as seen in several public art installations around the country, and eventually became a brass-making consultant of the United Nations.

For his contributions to Philippine culture and the arts, Imao was recognized with the Ten Outstanding Young Men of the Philippines (TOYM) Award in 1968, He was likewise lauded with the Gawad Patnubay ng Sining by the City of Manila

in 1985, the Gawad CCP para sa Sining in 1990, and the Presidential Medal of Merit in 2005.

In 2006, he became the first Moro to be honored as a National Artist of the Philippines. He passed away on December 16, 2014 at the age of 78.

A Life Without Borders: Abdulmari Imao, National Artist for Visual Arts is produced by the Center for Campus Art (CCA). It is curated by CCA Director Architect Gerry Torres

It is available for public view from June 9 to September 8 from 10:00 a.m. to 9:00 p.m. at the 12F Main Gallery of the Design and Arts Campus, De La SalleCollege of Saint Benilde, 950 Pablo Ocampo Street, Malate, Manila.

For more information, visit https:// www.facebook.com/BenildeCampusArt

During the workshop, the participants collectively crafted a Culture-and-Development Agenda toward the safeguarding of the ICH of the multicultural peoples of Mindanao, as well as strengthened collaboration and partnerships among the members of KSS network in Mindanao, the local barangay leaders, and IPMRs in safeguarding the identified priority ICH.

Lambigit was designed and facilitated by CCP Gawad Awardee and CCP KSS Mindanao Gador Awardee Nestor T. Horfilla of Davao City, assisted by KSS co-facilitators Renefe Tremedal, Cecile Mambuay, and Thallah Alava, Pepito Sumayan, and Lolito Pontillas.

The conference forum employed dialogical processes and participatory learning methodology that started with the presentations of case studies on IP and Moro initiatives on culture and development, focusing on the restraining and facilitating

factors as well as the urgent need for sustainability. The case studies were drawn from actual documented experiences and findings from the focus group discussions (FGDs) conducted in three sites: Maguindanao (for BARMM), Davao (for multicultural communities), and Zamboanga (with representatives from Subanen and Yakan communities). Three culture-ecology-based focused groups were formed (Zambasuli, BARMM, Eastern-Mindanao) to outline their area-based Collaborative Culture and Development Agenda as well as draft an Action Plan for Promoting Cultural Diversity and Safeguarding Intangible Cultural Heritage of multi-cultural communities in Mindanao.

Among the envisioned concrete outputs of Lambigit were: (1) documented case studies and KSS recommendations that could be shared with culture-anddevelopment agencies (NCCA, NEDA, NCIP, OPAPP, BARMM-BCPCH, and the Committee on Culture in Congress) for further discussion in aid for culture-policy formulation; (2) KSS Action-Agenda for Protecting Cultural Diversity to be presented for support and funding to NCCA, UNESCO-Philippines, and the Senate Committee on Culture; and (3) Agreed Action Plan (2023-2028) for KSS members to adapt and/or replicate for implementation. Lambigit is the fourth collaborative project planned and implemented by the CCP KSS Mindanao for the period 2022 to 2023, with support from the CCP Congressional Initiatives Fund and facilitated by the CCP CED.

NEWPORT World Resorts celebrates heritage month across the property with a charity art exhibit by Marriott Hotel Manila and Rotary Club Passport One in cooperation with Marriott Business Council Philippines and Collection Art Studio dubbed Art of Giving: Make it your piece of heART located at The Link by Marriott until June 30.

The charity exhibit was officially opened to the public on May 19, attended by industry luminaries and the Department of Tourism National Capital Region Director Sharlene Batin.

The art pieces on display are available for sale to enthusiasts and collectors alike, and are made by seasoned and upand-coming local visual artists. Part of the proceeds of each sale will help fund and aid various community service projects of the Rotary Club Passport One and the Marriott Business Council Philippines.

This year’s Art of Giving exhibit is the second in a series that was started in November last year.

“It is our commitment to provide our guests with wonderful hospitality, thus

Discussion on the challenges of intangible cultural heritage

Art of Giving: Make it your piece of heART

the need to make every initiative for our guests more meaningful and worthwhile. Holding this exhibit at The Link by Marriott Manila is also a symbolic gesture. The Link connects our main hotel with the West Wing, and this exhibit connects arts closer to patrons and Marriott closer to our community, says Bruce Winton, Marriott International Multi-property Vice President - Philippines.

On the other hand, its strategic partner, Rotary Club Passport One of Rotary District 3800 has been running several community service projects which include medical and surgical missions for indigents and indigenous communities, educational and livelihood programs for deserving students, and rebuilding the lives of the victims of war in Marawi by enabling the supply of clean and potable drinking water. Rotary is an international organization that affords volunteer humanitarian services with high ethical standards geared toward promoting goodwill and peace.

Rotary Club Passport One President, Dr. Michael Corsino imparts, “We at Rotary believe that art is a powerful tool for promoting social change and making a pos-

itive impact in our community. Through the Art of Giving exhibit, we hope to inspire a sense of philanthropy and have a deeper appreciation for our Filipino identity, and encourage a sense of pride in our heritage”

Collection Arts Studio, a provider of art display has over 10,000 art pieces in their inventory led by art curator Dr. Danielle Santos, “It has always been our aim to promote art appreciation in the Philippines and in line with this, highlight and bring awareness to the talents of our local artists. This collection includes works by Renowned artists from different parts of the Philippines such as Romulo Galicano, Wilfredo Canete, Clint Normandia, Jeff Dizon, and Ramoncito Doplon to name a few.”

The