Manila Standard - 2023 June 15 - Thursday

By Charles Dantes

THE leader of the Islamic State of Iraq and Syria in Southeast Asia was shot dead while resisting arrest, the Armed Forces of the Philippines (AFP) reported Wednesday Western Mindanao Command Chief Lt. Gen. Roy Galido said Faharudin Hadji Benito Satar a.k.a. Abu Zacharia was killed in a 10-minute gunfight with government troops sent to arrest him in the early hours of June 14.

Members of the 103rd Infantry Brigade and the Philippine National Police (PNP) conducted the joint operation to serve a warrant of arrest against Zacharia.

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Brace for 90-day evacuation–PBBM

Orders Cabinet to scramble budget, avoid depleting quick response funds of LGUs

LEGAZPI CITY—

President Ferdinand Marcos Jr. on Wednesday ordered national agencies to cover 90 days of relief assistance to evacuees of the areas around restive Mayon Volcano to unburden local government units (LGUs) responding to the disaster.

Three months, government scientists and local experts say, is the estimated maximum period of unrest in Mayon, which state volcanologists said could unleash a “more vigorous” type of eruption as it already is spewing lava and ashes.

The President visited Albay province, landed in Legazpi City, and conducted an aerial inspection of the areas affected

‘More vigorous’ eruption likely–Phivolcs

By Rio N. Araja, Charles Dantes and Maricel V. Cruz

MAYON Volcano could have a "violent or more vigorous" eruption that can build up in just a matter of hours, the Philippine

Institute of Volcanology and Seismology (Phivolcs) said Wednesday.

More than 37,000 residents or 9,500 families have been affected by the ongoing volcanic unrest, the National Disaster Risk Reduction and

Management Council (NDRRMC) said. Albay Governor Edcel Greco Lagman said in his province alone, more than 33,000 residents may be forced to evacuate should Mayon Volcano be placed under Alert Level 4.

Court

allows self-confessed drug lord Espinosa to post bail

A REGIONAL trial court (RTC) in Leyte province has granted the petition of self-confessed drug lord Rolan "Kerwin" Espinosa and four other co-accused to post bail over charges they engaged in the illegal drug trade.

Baybay City RTC Branch 14 Presiding Judge Carlos Arguelles, in an order dated June 13, 2023, allowed the bail petition of Espinosa, Brian Anthony Zaldivar, Alfred Cres Batistis, Jose Antipuesto, and Marcelo Adorco, amounting to P700,000

By Macon Ramos-Araneta and Rey E. Requejo

COMPLETING an evacuation plan for Filipino migrant workers in Taiwan – which is constantly under threat of invasion by China -- should precede any US relocation of refugees from Afghanistan to the Philippines, Senator Imee Marcos said Wednesday.

DILG chief warns of 'powerful syndicate' inside PNP

By Joel E. Zurbano

mation and why no one was cooperating during the probe.

each for their respective provisional liberty. This was due to the “failure of the prosecution to prove that evidence of guilt against them is strong,” Arguelles said in his ruling.

Espinosa, however, will still remain behind bars because he is still facing two other non-bailable cases before the Manila RTC — one for drugs and another for illegal possession of firearms and

THE Department of the Interior and Local Government is looking into the possibility that a powerful syndicate inside the police force was behind the P6.7 billion drug bust in Tondo, Manila eight months ago.

DILG secretary Benjamin Abalos Jr. said this group could be the reason investigators find it difficult to gather infor-

Abalos said this prompted him and then Philippine National Police (PNP) chief Rodolfo Azurin Jr. to call for courtesy resignations of police generals and colonels in January.

“I felt so frustrated, what's happening here. What we should do after the resignation, we want to make sure to [let] them [know] that we’re

serious. We will put you behind bars. That’s what we are doing right now. We are really house cleaning everything,” said Abalos in an interview with CNN Philippines.

While the graft charges and other criminal complaints against 50 police officials were already filed on Friday with the Office of the Ombudsman, Abalos said the National Police Commission

This developed as Philippine Ambassador to the United States Jose Manuel Romualdez debunked insinuations that the American proposal for Manila to allow the entry and temporary housing of Afghan nationals was kept secret from the public.

Marcos, who chairs the Senate Committee on Foreign Relations, said the evacuation plan should be the immediate

Palace: June 28 a holiday for Eid’l Adha

JUNE 28 will be a national holiday in line with the Islamic celebration of Eid’l Adha or the Feast of Sacrifice, Malacañang announced on Wednesday.

Proclamation No. 258, dated 13 June 2023 and signed by Executive Secretary Lucas Bersamin, said Eid’l Adha is one of the greatest feasts of Islam being celebrated by Muslims worldwide to mark

the end of Ramadan.

“Following the 1444 Hijrah Islamic Lunar Calendar, the National Commission on Muslim Filipinos has recommended that 28 June 2023, Wednesday, be declared a national holiday, in observance of Eid’l Adha,” the proclamation added.

Prioritize evacuation plan for OFWs in Taiwan amid China threat—Imee

FRIENDLY VISIT. Members of the Philippine Navy wave Chinese and Philippine flags as they welcome the Chinese naval training ship 'Qi Jiguang' at Pier 15 in Manila on Wednesday, June 14, 2023, for a three day port call. Danny Pata

Zacharia previously replaced Abu Dar as leader of the Daulah IslamiyahMaute Group that laid siege on Marawi City in 2017.

ALL HANDS ON DECK. President Ferdinand Marcos Jr. attends a situational meeting with DOST Secretary Renato Solidum Jr. (right) and Bicol Gov. Edcel Greco Lagman at the Albay Astrodome on Wednesday, June 14, 2023, as Phivolcs warned of a 'more vigorous' eruption of Mayon Volcano. Marcos first conducted an aerial inspection of the affected areas and visited an evacuation center at Guinobatan Community College.

Alfred Frias, PPA Pool

Abu Zacharia. Joint Task Force ZamPelan

‘TikTok, influencers top news sources’

TIKTOK influencers and celebrities are increasingly taking over from journalists as the main source of news for young people, according to a report published Wednesday by the Britain-based Reuters Institute.

The report found that 55 percent of TikTok and Snapchat users and 52 percent of Instagram users get their news from "personalities" – compared to 3342 percent who get it from mainstream media and journalists on those platforms, which are most popular among the young. The figures were based on interviews

Brace...

From A1 by the increasing activity of the volcano, particularly around Guinobatan town.

Albay Gov. Greco Lagman said the province would need at least P196.7 million to continue supporting evacuees for 90 days.

The President responded by telling his Cabinet to study the proposed budget, as Albay's P30-million quick response fund could only sustain evacuees for about 14 days.

“Let us be prepared to take as much of the load as soon as possible off of the local government units so they can have – we don’t know if a storm will come (to Albay), or something else might happen, so they can still have reserve (funds),” Mr. Marcos said in Filipino.

“We will not consume their quick response fund, number one,” President Marcos said during a situation briefing at the Albay Astrodome in Legazpi.

“Number two, we should use as a working number: a minimum of 45 days. The 45 days to 90 days come from both the science of DOST (Department of Science and Technology) and the experience

‘More...

From A1

Paul Alanis, resident volcanologist at the Mayon Volcano Observatory, said the escalation from the “quiet eruptions, lava flows and small explosions” could happen very quickly.

“It is possible that it (the volcano) could turn violent or [have] what we call a more vigorous type of eruption,” he said.

“The behavior being exhibited by the volcano has happened before, not just in Mayon but also in Taal Volcano (in Batangas). We have to raise its alert level from 1 to 2 to 3 to 4 in less than five hours,” Alanis said.

Mayon remains under alert level 3.

The volcano is still sending out lava flows “very quietly,” Alanis said, adding that the lava was moving very slowly down the slope about one kilometer from the crater.

Phivolcs said the volcano emitted 149 tons of sulfur dioxide on Wednesday, which is much lower than the recorded average of 500 tons daily.

“It is quite an anomaly since it is far below the average of the volcano’s emission of 500 tons a day which is low,” he said.

Other parameters have also kept the alert level at 3, he said.

“As of now, the sulfur dioxide is quite low, which could mean only two possibilities. One is that there’s really

ISIS...

From A1

The military said Zacharia took over the helm of ISIS Southeast Asia in late 2021.

Meanwhile, in a follow-up operation conducted in Bangon, Marawi City, at about 6:07 a.m. of the same day, government forces also killed another key leader of the Daulah Islamiyah Joharie Sandab, a.k.a Morsid, Officials said Sandab shot his M16 rifle at government troops and also sossed a grenade at them, but it did not explode.

In Basilan province, a leader of the Abu Sayyaf Group (ASG) was killed in a clash with police in the hinterlands of Basilan province, police said Wednesday.

Col. Carlos Madronio, Basilan police director, said Nurudin Muddalan was slain in a gunfight around 10 p.m. Tuesday in Sitio Kalang, Barangay Amaloy, Ungkaya Pukan, Basilan.

The clash broke out after Muddalan opened fire on approaching policemen

China...

From A1

ambassador to the Philippines Huang Xilian told reporters.

Comissioned in 2017, the ship "conveys the concept of mutual trust concerning China's peaceful development," read a leaflet distributed by its crew to visitors. Beijing claims most of the strategic

with some 94,000 people across 46 countries, conducted for the Reuters Institute for the Study of Journalism, part of Britain's University of Oxford.

"While mainstream journalists often lead conversations around news in Twitter and Facebook, they struggle to get attention in newer networks like Instagram, Snapchat, and TikTok," the report said.

of the locals. When we were asking them, ‘How does this go?’, they said 45 to 90 days. So that’s the working number we’ll use,” he added.

Mr. Marcos came from South Cotabato, where he spearheaded the distribution of various government assistance, including livelihood and training support, to the residents and farmers in the Mindanao province.

He apologized for the hours-long delay in his attendance at the launch of South Cotabato's modern rice production program, after the plane he was in suffered "technical issues" and had to turn back to the airport.

Also during the meeting in Albay, Secretary Rex Gatchalian assured the President that the Department of Social Welfare and Development (DSWD) has already dispatched 153,000 food packs for the 90-day cycle for Albay.

Mr. Marcos visited the Guinobatan Community College evacuation center to assess the condition of the evacuee families being housed there and also led the distribution of government assistance.

According to the report of the Office of Civil Defense (OCD) in the Bicol Region, the DSWD, Philippine Red Cross, Ang Probinsyano Partylist, LGUs, pri-

not much gas in the magma. That is why we have a very quiet type of eruption occurring. The other scenario is the possibility that the volcano is being blocked right now and that pressure is building up,” Alanis said.

He said Phivolcs is closely monitoring if the energy of the earthquake is high enough to signify an impending eruption.

“At the moment, the energy of the earthquake, not just the number, is quite low,” he added.

Mayon Volcano had 309 rockfall events and seven volcanic earthquakes.

In its latest advisory, Phivolcs said a “hazardous eruption” is possible within weeks or even days.

Mayon Volcano's crater glow remained visible to the naked eye due to a very slow lava effusion from the summit.

According to the NDRRMC, the affected people were from 26 barangays in the Bicol Region.

More than 15,000 or 4,400 families from the total affected residents are staying in 22 evacuation centers while the remaining people are being sheltered outside by relatives and friends.

About P33.64 million worth of assistance has been sent to Region 5.

The aid consisted of dinner, distilled water in six-liter bottles, family food packs, hygiene kits, hot meals, family and modular tents, sleeping bags, and assorted other items.

The Armed Forces of the Philippines and the Bureau of Fire Protection also

who were about to serve an arrest warrant against him.

“The policemen returned fire, fatally hitting Muddalan,” Madronio said in a report.

Recovered from Muddalan were an M16 rifle, three long magazines loaded with live ammunition and a bandolier.

Muddalan was a follower of Basilanbased ASG leader Furuji Indama, who was killed in a clash with government troops in September 2020.

Since then, Muddalan served as the leader of the remaining ASG members in Basilan.

The slain ASG leader was involved in the ambush of soldiers on June 25, 2022 in Sitio Tampat, Barangay Kaili, Al-Barka, Basilan.

In 2007, Muddalan also participated in the ambush that resulted in the death of 15 soldiers, and the wounding of 13 others at the boundary of Barangays Kaili and Baguindan, in Tipo-Tipo town.

A year later, he was also involved in the attack on a Philippine Marine camp in Barangay Tipo-Tipo Proper in the same town.

South China Sea including waters close to Philippine shores, ignoring a 2016 international tribunal ruling that voided its claims.

Chinese coast guard or navy vessels routinely block or shadow Philippine ships carrying out supply missions to islands in the disputed sea that host Philippine garrisons.

In February, Manila accused a Chinese ship of shining a military-grade laser at a Philippine coastguard boat escorting a

Lead author Nic Newman highlighted people like Britain's Matt Welland, who discusses current affairs and daily life on TikTok for his 2.8 million subscribers.

"Or it could be a celebrity like a footballer talking about a topical news event," he told AFP, such as footballer Marcus Rashford's 2020 campaign to get free school meals for children from poor families.

For young people, "news" is not just the traditional focus on politics and international relations, but "anything new that is happening in any walk of life: sports, entertainment, celebrity gossip, current affairs,

vate groups, and non-government organizations have so far provided a total of P29.2 million worth of assistance to the evacuees.

The OCD also said it sent both food and non-food items, and water, sanitation, and health (WASH) equipment to Albay.

These relief items include 3,200 sacks of rice, 320 rolls of sakoline, 1,101 hygiene kits, 424 OCD family packs, and one water filtration vehicle to be deployed by the provincial government to affected localities.

A total of 4,400 families or 15,676 individuals were displaced by the disaster, mostly from seven Albay municipalities and cities: Camalig, Ligao City, Daraga, Guinobatan, Malilipot, Santo Domingo, and Tabaco City, the OCD reported.

Of the total number of displaced families and individuals, 4,215 families, or 15,017 persons have sought shelter in 22 evacuation centers, while 185 families, or 659 persons are temporarily residing elsewhere, according to the OCD.

The agency also reported that a total of 120 livestock such as carabaos, cattle, and goats were moved to safer grounds from the danger zones in the municipalities of Daraga and Malilipot.

placed 41 search and rescue teams on standby.

The Department of Health said it has recorded 35 cases of respiratory problems at the evacuation centers in Albay.

"As of June 13, there are reported 35 cases presenting with respiratory problems such as cough, colds and sore throat at the evacuation centers," the DOH said in a statement Wednesday.

"However, the reported cases are not verified as adverse effects of sulfur dioxide and ashfall."

The DOH assured the public that its personnel were on the ground and continuously monitoring the affected population.

The Department of Trade and Industry in Bicol (DTI-5) has warned business owners and traders against increasing the prices of basic commodities after the province was placed under a state of calamity due to Mt. Mayon's volcanic activities.

Jocelyn Berango, DTI-5 regional information officer, said a memorandum was released on June 9 addressed to all wet markets, supermarkets, groceries, bakeries and water refilling stations, reminding them to follow the provisions of Republic Act (RA) 7581 or the Price Act.

"The said circular shall serve as a warning that any violation of the Price Act shall be dealt with accordingly. Businessmen must not take advantage of the situation of the evacuees and other people affected," she said in an interview

DILG...

From A1 and the PNP have yet to find answers on where the 990 kilos of shabu came from and who were the persons behind it.

The DILG chief said there is a need to take a radical approach versus illegal drugs by cleansing the PNP because it is unfair to the majority of the police officers who are putting their lives on the line everyday to combat illegal drugs while some of their bosses in the organization are behind the illegal drug trade.

On Tuesday, the DILG announced that 50 police officials were charged with graft and other criminal cases in connection with the alleged cover-up bid in the P6.7-billion drug bust in October last year.

The respondents were charged with violation of Republic Act (RA) 3019 or the Anti-Graft and Corrupt Practices Act; RA 9165 or the Dangerous Drugs Act as amended; Revised Penal Code, in particular, Article 171 on falsification, Article 183 on perjury, Article 184 on false testi-

supply vessel to the Spratly Islands. The Qi Jiguang, which is larger than any Philippine warship or coastguard vessel, is the first Chinese navy ship to visit the Philippines since President Ferdinand Marcos assumed office last year.

Mr. Marcos has vowed that Manila "will not lose an inch" of territory as unease grows in the region over Chinese maritime activities. He said last week that ties between the

culture, arts, technology..." he added.

Facebook remains the leading source of news among social networks worldwide, but its influence is dropping, with 28 percent saying they use it to get news, compared with 42 percent in 2016.

This likely reflects Facebook's shift away from news-sharing towards a focus on friends and family, as well as young people's preference for more video-based apps like TikTok and YouTube.

TikTok now reaches 44 percent of 18-24-year-olds, and 20 percent get their news from the app, up five percent on last year. AFP (See full story online at manilastandard.net)

President Marcos and DOLE representatives turned over a check worth P49 million as the Department’s Tulong Panghanapbuhay sa Ating Disadvantaged/Displaced Workers (TUPAD) assistance to local chief executives of the affected municipalities.

The President was accompanied by Special Assistant to the President Anton Lagdameo, Presidential Communications Secretary Cheloy Velicaria-Garafil, and Defense Chief Gilberto Teodoro.

In South Cotabato, the aircraft that was supposed to bring the President to the province encountered a technical problem, Garafil confirmed to reporters.

She said the plane had to head back to Villamor Air Base in Pasay City after encountering a technical issue, after which Mr. Marcos used a different aircraft.

The Philippine Air Force (PAF) said in a statement released the plane’s technical problem was "nothing serious."

"The G280 command and control aircraft that flew this morning with the President onboard had to return to base a few minutes after takeoff due to a minor technical issue on the aircraft's flaps operations," the PAF said. Vince Lopez

Wednesday.

Berango said DTI's Albay and regional offices have deployed teams to closely monitor stores' compliance with the price freeze and ensure the availability of supply of basic necessities in the whole province.

"We are closely monitoring the price and supply of basic necessities in stores throughout the province of Albay," she said.

Basic necessities under DTI’s jurisdiction are canned sardines, evaporated and condensed milk, coffee, laundry bar, detergent powder, candles, bread (Pinoy tasty and Pinoy pandesal), salt, bottled water (potable water in containers), and locally manufactured instant noodles.

DTI-5 is also encouraging consumers to report any irregularity, particularly on the prices of basic necessities.

Penalties for violation of the price freeze include a fine of P5,000 up to P1 million and/or imprisonment of one year up to 10 years.

Albay lawmakers thanked Speaker Ferdinand Martin G. Romualdez for their efforts in assisting the evacuees of the ongoing Mayon Volcano situation.

In separate statements Wednesday, Rep. Joey Salceda and Rep. Fernando Cabredo of Albay's 2nd and 3rd district, respectively, thanked the officials for not leaving their constituents behind even as they continue to grapple with the restive volcano.

mony and Article 217 for malversation of public property; and Presidential Decree No. 1829 or obstruction of justice.

Abalos, who also chairs the National Police Commission, said the filing of the cases stemmed from the investigation by the commission and the PNP’s Special Investigation Task Group (SITG) on the 990-kilograms shabu haul worth P6.7 billion confiscated in Manila last year.

Last April, Abalos made public a closed-circuit television (CCTV) footage showing police officers allegedly attempting to pilfer 42 kilograms of the seized 990 kilograms of shabu.

“Of these 50 respondents, 48 appeared on the CCTV video and an additional two officers have been charged on the basis of conspiracy,” he said.

Two of the 50 respondents were generals: Lt. Gen. Benjamin Santos Jr. and Brig. Gen. Narciso Domingo, Abalos said.

The DILG chief said they are optimistic about the results of the case, which aims to weed out the erring cops from the PNP and help clean the organization’s image.

Philippines and China were "evolving" but denied he was shifting away from Beijing. "As to the differences between China and the Philippines, certainly they exist, but it is not something that will define our relationship," Mr. Marcos added. His more assertive approach contrasts with that of his predecessor Rodrigo Duterte, who attempted to woo the Asian power to secure infrastructure deals and other investments.

Prioritize...

From A1

goal of humanitarian and disaster response efforts with the US under the Enhanced Defense Cooperation Agreement (EDCA).

"The US is preparing an evacuation plan for its citizens in Taiwan, and so is Indonesia for its 350,000 migrant workers," she noted. "Will we be ready or reactive?"

Despite the assurance of the Department of Foreign Affairs last April, Marcos doubts that a comprehensive evacuation plan is already in place for some 150,000 Filipino domestic workers, caregivers, factory employees, and fishermen in Taiwan, should China move to occupy what it considers its renegade province.

"No details, no drills. Military exercises have focused on retaliation, not rescue," the senator said.

"We need answers to how OFWs will assemble amid a widespread scramble to leave. What flight or shipping routes will give them safe passage through a military blockade? What transport will be used, where will they dock, and how often will they fetch Filipino evacuees so that everyone gets out as quickly as possible unharmed?" she added.

Senate Minority Leader Aquilino “Koko” Pimentel III joined Marcos in criticizing the US request. He said housing the foreigners was a “good humanitarian act on the part of the Philippines" but emphasized the question remained for the reason behind it.

“My question is: How come the US cannot do all those temporary measures, the processing and the hosting themselves on US soil?" Pimentel stressed.

"I’m sure the US has better and bigger existing buildings for this use than us,” he said.

Marcos said the US plans to relocate Afghan refugees to third countries like the Philippines should be "a secondary concern for us."

"The US is rushing to ease its backlog of more than 70,000 Afghans seeking special immigrant status since August 2021, when American troops withdrew from Afghanistan as the Taliban took over," she stressed. (See full story online at manilastandard.net)

Palace:...

From A1

Republic Act No. 9849 declared the “Tenth day of Zhul Hijja, the Twelfth month of the Islamic Calendar, a national holiday for the observance of Eidul Adha (Eid’l Adha), with a movable date.” Eid’l Adha is the second of the two main holidays celebrated by Islamic areas around the world.

In Muslim communities, part of the meat prepared for this feast is consumed by the family that makes the sacrificial offering of an animal, while the rest of the meat is distributed to the poor and the needy. Thus, the event has been regarded as a festival of sharing.

Like Eid’l Fitr, it is distinguished by the communal prayer at daybreak on its first day. Vince Lopez

Court...

From A1 explosives — according to his lawyer Raymund Palad.

The court said the extrajudicial confession of the accused cannot be considered strong evidence of guilt against them “in the absence of corpus delicti (body of the crime or body of evidence).”

“Sifting and scouring through the tangled web of the prosecution evidence, this Court does not find any corroboration. There were no eyewitnesses in the commission of the crime that would positively identify Espinosa and his coaccused of having committed the crime charged,” it added.

In August 2021, the Department of Justice indicted Espinosa, Zaldivar, Batistis, Antipuesto, Adorco, and several others over the illegal drug trade in Eastern Visayas. One of the charges against Espinosa was later dismissed in December 2021.

Earlier this month, a Makati City court also acquitted Espinosa and Adorco of a similar charge after the prosecution failed to provide sufficient evidence.

In 2022, Espinosa also recanted his allegations against former Senator Leila de Lima, saying he was "coerced, pressured, intimidated, and seriously threatened" by the police to implicate the ex-legislator.

The Duterte government welcomed several Chinese navy warships to the Philippines during his term as president from 2016 to 2022.

He personally set foot on board three Chinese vessels including a destroyer and a frigate that docked in his hometown of Davao City in 2017.

The Qi Jiguang is in Manila until Saturday and will be open to the public for two hours each day, the Chinese embassy said. AFP

DOJ eyes AI profiling vs. tra icking

By Rey E. Requejo and Joel E. Zurbano

THE Department of Justice (DOJ) is seriously considering the use of artifi cial intelligence (AI) profi ling at airports to curb mounting cases of human traffi cking in the country.

Meanwhile, the Manila International Airport Authority (MIAA) has assured the public of its commitment to complete the electrical system audit meant to significantly enhance airport operations.

“Our profiling, we may need to use artificial intelligence,” Justice Secretary Jesus Crispin Remulla said.

“We’ll try to see if we can use artificial intelligence to vet many people who want to leave, especially those prone to human trafficking,” said the DOJ chief, whose agency led the first coordination meeting for the Ninoy Aquino International Airport (NAIA) Task Force Against Trafficking.

The United Nations Global Programme Against Trafficking in Human Beings listed the Philippines as one of the largest migrant countries in the world. This sizable migrant population includes some illegal migrants and victims of human trafficking.

“Many people are earning from selling people who are looking for work. Some people believe that living abroad is much better

than staying in the Philippines,” Remulla said. The Dubai International Airport in 2018 began piloting a “smart tunnel” that uses a system of 80 cameras to scan travelers’ faces and irises, allowing preregistered passengers to verify their identity in seconds without having to present passports or other documents.

Meanwhile, Bureau of Immigration (BI) Commissioner Norman Tansingco said they offload around 20 departing and arriving passengers at the NAIA alone on a daily basis.

Profiling and processing travelers within the international standard of 45 seconds per passenger is also a challenge for immigration officers, “particularly when a terminal is overflowing with passengers, Tansingco said. “It is not a secret that NAIA T3 experiences daily congestion. The job of the IO (Immigration Officer) is not the mechanical stamping of arrival and departure. An IO is given only 45 seconds to decide either to clear or stop the departure of a passenger,” he said.

Speaker lauds Portuguese bid to help PH fight ASF

By Maricel V. Cruz

SPEAKER Ferdinand Martin Romualdez on Wednesday welcomed the offer of Portugal to help the Philippines eradicate African Swine Flu (ASF) that has been wreaking havoc on the country’s hog industry. The Speaker also cited Portugal’s willingness to open its doors to Filipino workers.

The twin offers were relayed to Romualdez by Portuguese non-resident Ambassador to the Philippines, Maria Joào Falcào Poppe Lopes Cardoso, when she paid him a courtesy call at the posh Manila Golf and Country Club. Romualdez committed to endorse the matter to the concerned agencies of the Executive department for appropriate action even as he hailed Portugal’s offer of assis-

tance and other initiatives to expand bilateral trade and cooperation in technology and defense.

“These propositions are of great mutual interest to both countries,” Romualdez noted.

According to Ambassador Cardoso, who is the concurrent Portuguese Ambassador to Indonesia and Brunei, a company in her country is “willing to make a donation of expertise and to travel to the Philippines to support eradicate swine flu.”

She noted that Portugal has extensive expertise on the matter, being one of only two countries in Europe that successfully eradicated ASF. Reports earlier said that as of June 1, there were 15 provinces in the Philippines that have active ASF cases, although there were fewer detections in the past few weeks.

IN BRIEF

BI eases rules on foreign minors coming to PH alone; may pay travel fees online

THE Bureau of Immigration (BI) has announced that foreign minors traveling to the Philippines without their parents may now pay their fees online.

Immigration Commissioner Norman Tansingco said the application and payment for waiver of exclusion ground (WEG) for foreign minors could be accessed through the BI’s online payment portal.

“This project is part of our continuing efforts to institutionalize paperless transactions in the bureau, reduce red tape, and deliver more efficient and faster services to the public,” Tansingco said.

Under the Philippine Immigration Act, “children below 15 years of age who are unaccompanied by a parent or not coming to a parent in the Philippines, could not be allowed to enter the Philippines. However, the minors may only be allowed entry, even if unaccompanied, if they have been issued a WEG by the BI and have paid a fee of P3,120 to the government.

According to a BI operations circular signed by Tansingco last May 25, applicants should file their WEG application within 72 hours from the minor’s scheduled arrival by logging into the BI’s online portal at eservices.immigration.gov.ph.

They should fill out the WEG application e-form and upload clear digital or scanned copies of the documentary requirements, such as affidavit of support and guarantee, the parent’s and minor’s passport information, travel consent, return ticket, and valid entry visa, if applicable. Vito Barcelo

QC joins crusade vs. plastic pollution with innovative store-based refill hubs

QUEZON City Mayor Joy Belmonte on Wednesday announced that the city would lead the fight against plastic pollution through variety (sari-sari) store based-refill hubs to help solve the country’s environmental problems.

Amid the celebration of World Refill Day, the city government partnered with Greenpeace Philippines and Impact Hub Manila to launch “Kuha sa Tingi” project, an initiative establishing community-based refill scheme through the local sari-sari stores.

Belmonte, Greenpeace›s zero waste campaigner Marian Ledesma, and Impact Hub founder and chief executive officer Ces Rondario signed a memorandum of understanding for the initial roll-out of the project in selected “Tindahan ni Ate Joy” stores.

“Being sustainable and eco-friendly doesn›t have to be expensive. Our partnership with Greenpeace and Impact Hub only proves that shifting to zero waste and limiting our plastic generation is inclusive, affordable, and accessible to all, including those from all socio-economic sectors and urban areas,” she noted. Rio N. Araja

PBBM eyes info exchange between PH, UAE

PRESIDENT Ferdinand R. Marcos Jr. has directed Executive Secretary Lucas Bersamin to come up with a memorandum of understanding (MOU) on the exchange of information between the Philippines and the United Arab Emirates (UAE).

This developed after UAE Ambassador to the Philippines Mohamed Obaid Salem Alqataam Alzabi, during his courtesy visit to Mr. Marcos at Malacañan Palace in Manila on Tuesday, pitched the proposal for the two nations to forge a partnership for the sharing of information.

“The President has directed Executive Secretary Lucas Bersamin to draft an MOU on this, saying that he is looking forward to signing an agreement with the UAE,” Communications Secretary Cheloy Garafil said in a statement.

During the meeting, the UAE ambassador briefed President Marcos

Group yet to issue stand on allowing foreign doctors to practice locally

By Macon Ramos-Araneta

THE Philippine Heart Association (PHA)

Board said it needs to wait for a statement from the Philippine College of Physicians (PCP) on a proposed plan to allow foreign doctors to work in the Philippines.

“PCP is our mother society,” the PHA said in a text message.

Earlier, Sen. Francis Tolentino called on newly-appointed Department of Health Sec. Teodoro Herbosa to allow foreign doctors to practice in the country for a limited time.

Herbosa said he will talk to the Professional Regulation Commission (PRC) to possibly relax the current licensing rules to allow foreign doctors to temporarily practice their profession in the country.

But former PCP president Dr. Anthony Leachon noted that foreign doctors will need to pass the Philippine Licensure Examination conducted by the PRC just like in other countries.

“It’s not easy. This would need the PRC, Philippine Medical Association (PMA) and specialty societies like the PCP,” he said.

But he asserted we need to think of a holistic view in addressing human resource problems. The PRC, under Republic Act No. 8981, has the power to supervise foreign nationals who are authorized by existing laws to practice their professions, either as holders of a certificate of registration and a professional identification card or a temporary special permit in the Philippines. In a statement, Tolentino said there are plenty of doctors abroad signifying to conduct medical practice in the country, but the current protective Philippine policy prevents them from doing so.

“There are doctors and specialists registered in other countries who want to practice here in our country for a brief period, not to compete. This will result in the transfer of technology,” he said.

There are also specialists, especially fellow Filipinos practicing abroad, in the United States who Tolentino said want to serve in the Philippines, not only in medical missions but for a longer term since they have an affinity for the country.

that the Arab state launched the exchange of information program in 2018 as a “platform knowledge.”

The envoy said the Philippines and the UAE governments may exchange information through an MOU, noting that a similar agreement has been done with over 40 countries, including Egypt, Spain and Jordan.

He raised the proposal, as he noted that a lot of companies from the UAE have expressed intent to put up a business in the Philippines.

“This program is to exchange information (between our) countries. We have more than 40 countries now in this

program. It’s a government exchange program by the Office of the Prime Minister,” the UAE official, as quoted by the Presidential Communications Office (PCO), told Mr. Marcos.

Garafil said the UAE government has also reaffirmed its strong commitment to support the Marcos administration’s initiatives to protect the environment and boost the Philippine economy.

This, as the ambassador and other officials from the UAE expressed appreciation for the Philippines as it sees the Gulf state as a “country that has no enemies and a country that is a good friend to everyone,” Garafil said.

Zubiri files measure to honor Biazon’s legacy in Senate

SENATE President Juan Miguel “Migz” Zubiri on Wednesday filed Senate Resolution No. 652, honoring former Senator Rodolfo Biazon.

Zubiri said that the resolution is not the only honor that the decorated military officer and the veteran legislator will be receiving from the Senate. According to tradition, a necrological service will be held in the Senate for Biazon on June 19.

Biazon passed away on June 12, at age of 88.

In the resolution, Zubiri described Biazon as “a steadfast champion of decent and affordable housing and of security and defense.”

The Senate President likewise lauded the late senator for spearheading the passage of landmark measures such as

the Anti-Trafficking in Persons Act of 2003, the Rental Reform Act of 2002, the Comprehensive and Integrated Shelter Finance Act of 1994, the AFP Modernization Act, the act amending Presidential Decree No. 1752 to make membership in the PAG-IBIG Fund mandatory; and the Home Guaranty Corporation Act of 2000.

During his stint in the Senate, Biazon chaired the Senate Committee on National Defense and the Senate Committee on Security and Urban Planning, Housing, and Resettlement.

“I had the good fortune of working closely with Senator Pong Biazon on measures such as the Magna Carta for Homeowners and Homeowners Associations, and I saw firsthand how meticulous and hardworking he was, as a

legislator,” recalled Zubiri, who became a senator in 2007, when Biazon was still in office.

“I imagine that comes from his military background. He was extremely disciplined and intentional in everything he did, and he set a standard for us younger lawmakers to aspire to.”

Biazon was a three-term Senator (1992 to 1995, 1998 to 2004, and 2004 to 2010) and a two-term member of the House of Representatives, representing the lone district of Muntinlupa (2010 to 2013 and 2013 to 2016). He was also a Chief-of-Staff of the Armed Forces of the Philippines (AFP). He passed away last June 12, at age of 88. Macon Ramos-Araneta

Salceda urges admin to list MIF in local, foreign stock exchanges

By Maricel V. Cruz

HOUSE Ways and Means chairperson and Albay

Rep. Joey Sarte Salceda on Wednesday called on the Marcos administration’s economic managers to “commit to listing Maharlika Investment Fund in the stock markets here and abroad.”

“The best way to make it work is through the capital markets. Make Maharlika a listed company. List it secondarily in other stock markets abroad. Engage World Bank, ADB, and other international banks as strategic partners. That will increase oversight of the bank. More people will want more in-

Garafil noted that the UAE delegation also relayed the invitation for Marcos to attend the 2023 United Nations Climate Change Conference, or the Conference of the Parties (COP) of the United Nations Framework Convention on Climate Change, which will be held in December this year at the Expo City in Dubai. However, it was not mentioned if Mr. Marcos accepted the invitation.

The UAE officials also hoped that the Philippines would become a member of the “Global Mangrove Alliance,” saying the movement would benefit the country, which is prone to calamities and disasters, for the management of the abundant waterways.

Speaker Ferdinand Martin G. Romualdez hands over a token of appreciation to Maria Joào Falcào Poppe Lopes Cardoso, Ambassador Extraordinary and Plenipotentiary of the Portuguese Republic to Indonesia, with concurrent jurisdiction over the Philippines during a courtesy call on Romualdez at the West Room of the Manila Golf and Country Club on Wednesday morning. Ver Noveno

IN BRIEF

Solon to prospective parents: Go for adoption

REP. Paul R. Daza of Northern Samar on Wednesday urged hopeful parents to consider adoption.

Daza made this call to hopeful parents as the Omnibus Guidelines on the Domestic Administrative Adoption and Alternative Child Care Act (RA 11642) were launched Wednesday. RA 11642 mandates that the adoption process of all adoption cases (nonrelative, relative within 4th degree of consanguinity or affinity and cases of adult adoption) to become purely an administrative proceeding.

formation before they invest. It will increase trans-

parency,” Salceda said in a statement.

Salceda said the final version which was sent to the President is silent about public listing, but it implies it. “I hope for a more explicit plan of action in the implementing rules and regulations. This can’t be just another GOCC,” Salceda added.

Salceda said that listed companies are “subject to stricter disclosure standards. That is why, in the House version, we expressly discussed and envisioned eventual public listing. It was in all the presentations. It was in all the discussions. And we believed it to be a very strong safeguard.”

Salceda added the other corporate safeguards, “including that independent directors be a third of all board members, were designed to prepare MIF for public listing. Even companies with legislative franchises are required to list publicly.”

Salceda also said that the MIF could “improve the lackluster performance of the Philippine Stock Exchange Index”

Former senate president and justice secretary Franklin M. Drilon meanwhile emphasized the clear and explicit prohibition set by Congress, which strictly prohibits state-run pension and insurance funds from investing in the MIF.

“The intention is crystal clear. Funds held in trust by the government, through these GOCCs, cannot

be invested in the MIF,” Drilon stressed. “The prohibition is absolute and leaves no room for ambiguity,” he added. He cited the specific provisions outlined in the proposed measures,

including Section 6, paragraph 2 and Section 12, which explicitly prohibit government agencies, GOCCs, and pension funds from investing in the MIF. Macon Ramos-Araneta CYAN MAGENTA YELLOW BLACK

“Through RA 11642, we are correcting age-old problems in adoption—which typically took years to resolve. The previous law, RA 8552 (Domestic Adoption Act of 1998), required a set of procedures—while founded on good intents—that often lead to emotional and financial strains on parties involved, not to mention clogging of cases in courts,” the solon highlighted. Maricel V. Cruz

Gatchalian: VAT refund to lure more tourists

IN yesterday’s Senate Ways and Means Committee hearing, Senator Win Gatchalian said the main goal of a VAT refund mechanism is to attract more tourists.

Conceding that the national revenue will be affected by giving tax incentives to non-resident tourists, Gatchalian said the country stands to gain more from increased tourism foot traffic.

Earlier, the budget department said the country will lose P4 billion if the VAT exemption on “shopping” non-resident tourists will be implemented.

Gatchalian said he was surprised that in the Association of Southeast Asian Nations region, we are the only country without a VAT refund mechanism.

STANDSTILL TRAFFIC. Heavy tra c was seen along Edsa-Cubao (southbound) in Quezon City due to a hit-and-run accident resulting in the temporary closure of two southbound lanes. An unidenti ed motorcycle rider reportedly died in the said incident. Manny Palmero

Red Cross mobilizes to send aid to residents affected by Mt. Mayon

PHILIPPINE Red Cross (PRC) chairman Richard J. Gordon on Wednesday directed the PRC to immediately send assistance to some 10,000 residents living within six kilometers of the permanent danger zones of Mayon Volcano in Albay, which is showing imminent signs of a major eruption.

The Philippine Institute of Volcanology and Seismology raised the alert for Mayon Volcano to level 3, signifying “increased tendency towards a hazardous eruption.”

Gordon convened his team before dispatching the humanitarian caravan. He says the move, which is part of a wide scale humanitarian caravan launched by the PRC in view of the Mayon situation, reflects the organization’s preparedness and immediate response.

“PRC is always ready and prepared to help,” Gordon said, adding that they

have tapped RC143 volunteers in Albay, besides their staff, to extend need support on the ground. Gordon, a Red Cross volunteer for 54 years, has been at the helm of PRC since 2005.

Upon Gordon’s instruction, PRC sent four tankers with five water bladders, two water filtration units and tap stands, for food trucks, two Travis multi-purpose vans with health supplies, three trucks with 2,500 sleeping and hygiene kits, and a 6X6 truck carrying 2,500 jerry cans from PRC’s warehouse in Metro Manila, Subic, and PRC Albay chapter, to augment available assets already in Albay. The water tankers will ensure the provision of drinking water at the evacuation centers as sulfur dioxide and other chemicals from volcanic ashes may pollute water sources.

PRC is known as the foremost humanitarian in the world that is able to

respond first in countless rescue and similar operations. Gordon has led many such missions over the years.

Gordon said preparations of this kind are unusual for PRC. “We are always ready for any situation. In times of crisis, it is always better to be overprepared, and that is why we are sending this humanitarian caravan as early as now. We want to ensure that logistics are pre-positioned should the Albay situation turns to worse. “PRC is always guided by the principles of 4Ps: Predict, Plan, Prepare, and Practice.”

Meanwhile, PRC secretary-general Dr. Gwendolyn T. Pang organized the PRC team at the soonest time possible.

“Our team is prepared and we already moving as early as now to ensure that no one will be displaced,” she said. “Our volunteers and staff in Albay and Batangas, stand ready to assist.”

He said this will also compensate the additional shopping and spending of tourists. The hearing tackled Gatchalian’s proposed bill which provides that P3,000 should be the minimum required shopping spending to qualify in the VAT refund.

Macon Ramos-Araneta

already collected P10m fine vs. Grab’

THE Land Transportation Franchising and Regulatory Board (LTFRB) on Wednesday denied a claim that it has not yet collected the P10-million fine imposed on then ride-hailing app Grab Philippines.

“There is absolutely no truth to the claim that the LTFRB is a coddler of wrongdoing. The claim that Grab has not yet paid the P10-million fine has no iota of truth and is absolutely preposterous. We already collected the fine, and we have a copy of the receipt to prove it,” chairman Teofilo Guadiz III said in a statement.

He also denied that the LTFRB is “lenient with Singapore-registered Grab but strict with locals.”

“Throughout the years, the agency has remained strict in imposing public land transportation laws and other policies and regulations and does not favor anyone,” he stressed. Rio N. Araja

THIS early, politics has become the useless topic of the political “marites.”

After online surveys like newbie Tangere came up with a little-noticed survey on would-be senatorial candidates for the midterm elections, Arnel Ty who is an LPGbusinessman cum politician, commissioned old-timer SWS to come up with findings on two items: one, a survey on the 2025 senatorial race, and next, public response to the question of who would be the “best leader to succeed PFRM Jr. as president in 2028”.

The field work was done from April 15 to 18 with the usual 1,200 respondents randomly selected nationwide.

It is roughly 18 months before candidates for 12 seats in the Senate file their COCs with the Comelec.

It will be more than four years from the research before candidates for president file the same.

As a look-see into potential senatorial candidates with high name recall and their current acceptability is concerned, the survey presents an early indicator, though a lot of things can yet happen between now and October 2024.

The SWS senatorial survey is puzzling, in the sense that huge gaps among the personalities’ voter preferences are concerned.

Pacquiao and Revilla lead Tito Sotto, Bong Go and Manny Villar considerably, the next batch being Lapid, Bato and Imee Marcos with near numbers, and Erwin Tulfo, PRRD, Lacson and Pia Cayetano hogging the last four slots with almost similar numbers.

Because the gap between the 12th slot (Pia) and the 13th (Isko) and everybody else is too big, SWS lumped them together as getting the 13th to 31st probable ranking.

Then again, PRRD is not running for senator. The man has retired gracefully, and it is not in his character.

Manny Villar, according to two senators, were told by Sen. Cynthia, whose term limits end in 2025, that her husband will not seek to replace her, and would instead concentrate on the family business empire, while she runs for mayor of Las Pinas against her niece, the incumbent.

Re-electionist Francis Tolentino per SWS at this time is at number 20, but the Blue Ribbon Committee is a high profile perch from which, properly handled, he is likely to be re-elected.

Tito Sotto is likely to run, and so is the Pacman, while Ping Lacson and Gringo Honasan, of the so-called “macho bloc,” are still in retirement mode. But then again, politics is a “fever in the blood.”

In short, “masikip” ang senatorial chances for newcomers and those previously rejected by the electorate. There are seven reelectionists plus quite a number of re-runs.

What is more talk of the “marites” is the unaided look-see at an election that is a little less than 1,800 or so days away.

To begin with, 41 percent of SWS respondents do not know who they would prefer, or are waiting for the tea leaves to settle in their cup of choice.

28 percent prefer the vice-president if elections were held now, with her stronghold among the Mindanao and Bisaya voters holding forth.

Second-placer Sen. Raffy Tulfo, distant at 11 points, is the man to watch. He scores respectably in the double digits in NCR and Balance Luzon.

Leni Robredo maintains his Bicol and Western Visayas voters, for now. Everybody else with low single digits will have four years to show their wares, or settle for the vice-presidency with Inday Sara.

Raffy Tulfo is himself a Mindanaoan, although for far too long, a resident of NCR.

Sen. Imee would be an all-female tandem with the vice-president, but then again, there have been so many “firsts” in our contemporary political history, so nothing should come as a surprise in October 2025, or even the “substitution” date, should Comelec yet allow it, which I hope not.

Is there a highly performing, nationally known mayor or governor at this point, who may have moist eyes on the presidency?

At the moment, there is no one in the horizon. Perhaps the feisty Cebu governor, Gwen Garcia, but her daughter, DOT Sec. Frasco’s BFF is no less than Inday Sara.

By Dr. Gem Mutia

IT HAS been almost 10 years since the use of medical marijuana has been pushed in the Philippines but many still do not understand this advocacy.

Millions have been benefiting in many other countries, but here many are still at a loss, including some medical organizations that oppose many bills filed in Congress seeking to legalize the use of medical cannabis.

Based on past House committee hearings and public forums, many oppositionists did not change their mind.

Their supposed knowledge is limited to the year 1961.

They said there’s no need to draft a law for medical marijuana use as there’s

Feeding the poor

Can a speaker of the House beat the odds, and get the plum post, assuming there is no change in the 1987 Constitution? Monching Mitra, Joe de Venecia and Manny Villar all faltered in their quest.

What about the Senate, until Ferdinand Marcos Sr. and martial law, the breeding ground for the presidency?

That breeding ground tradition has also gone to pot.

Cory was a widow of a political martyr.

FVR was a soldier and defense secretary.

Erap was a senator, true, but he was a vice president with an actor’s colorful narrative when he ran for president in 1998.

GMA succeeded the hapless Erap through a political coup from her elected vicepresidency after six years as senator.

PNoy was a senator, true, but it was the death of Cory which catapulted him to become a presidentiable.

Duterte was the first city mayor from distant Davao to capture the nation’s imagination, and won big over three other well-known and strong contenders: Mar Roxas, Grace Poe and VP Jojo Binay.

People voted for PFRM Jr. not because they recalled his senatorial performance, but because the Marcos “brand” was well resurrected through years of careful planning and good marketing, no matter how the “pinklawans” label it as “fake.”

Anyone with moist eyes for the presidency should study very carefully the lessons gleaned from several candidacies – from

HOW serious is the prevalence of hunger in the country?

If the results of a survey in the first quarter of this year are any indication, it’s a matter of urgent concern, as 9.8 percent of Filipino families or an estimated 2.7 million people experienced involuntary hunger or being hungry and not having anything to eat at least once in the past three months.

That dire situation has prompted the national government to launch the food stamp program aimed at addressing hunger, especially among poor families.

Under the program, P3,000 food credits will be given to target beneficiaries to purchase food from accredited retailers of the Department of Social Welfare and Development (DSWD).

The target beneficiaries of the food stamp program are not only the 10 percent of the total number of Filipino households, but also single parents, pregnant and lactating women.

The DSWD and the Department of Health will check the nutritional value of the food to be given to program beneficiaries. The DSWD has said it would need P40 billion annually to carry out the program.

We understand that the food stamp

program will be funded entirely with grants from the Asian Development Bank, Japan International Cooperation Agency and French Development Agency.

But the government should look for other sources of funds so that the program can be self-sustaining in the long run.

The food stamp program may not be the ultimate solution to hunger in this country, but it will be a big help to families barely able to provide for their food needs because of grinding poverty

The food stamp program is timely and appropriate as it is part of efforts to cut the incidence of stunting among Filipino children.

Stunting is a condition where children are too short for their age due to malnutrition.

In the Philippines, the prevalence of stunting is 30.3 percent, with the

Bangsamoro region having the highest prevalence of stunting at 45.2 percent.

Stunting in the country is largely due to inequality of access to nutritious food, long periods of hunger, and lack of nutrition during the first 1,000 days of life.

For the DOH, stunting and malnutrition can be effectively addressed by a feeding program that will identify, through its partners and local government units, who are the mildly malnourished, moderately malnourished and the severely malnourished.

There are medical parameters to determine who they are, using weight, height, and the circumference of the mid and upper arms.

The DSWD recognizes that addressing the problem of stunting is crucial if the country wants to invest in human capital for the long-term.

The DSWD and the DOH will be working together on the Philippine Multi-Sectoral Nutrition Program funded by the World Bank for many years now.

About 70 percent of the nutritionspecific components of this program are implemented by the DOH.

The other components of the program, such as putting up adequate daycare centers, are implemented by the DSWD. The food stamp program may not be the ultimate solution to hunger in this country, but it will be a big help to families barely able to provide for their food needs because of grinding poverty.

Cory to PFRM Jr.

Each presidential contest, however, is one of image in the public eye plus hard work, strategy where all bases are covered, and properly crafted communications.

And in the present state of things, with a multi-party system and ground rules that keep changing, money becomes the all-tooimportant tool to package the above.

And that is where the few mega-rich oligarchs rule.

Though relatively of little import at this time, the SWS survey commissioned by former party-lister Arnel Ty who, along with former Speaker and Reporma party president Pantaleon Alvarez, supported Ping Lacson then switched at the last moment to Leni Robredo, should make the names listed start thinking about how they can best utilize the 2025 midterm elections as the right stepping stone to 2028, whether as president or vice-president.

If they cocoon from the public eye like Gibo Teodoro did in 2010 for 12 years at that, it will be difficult to resurrect in 2028.

Still, it’s too early to think politics, with the Philippine economy still wobbly, the war in Ukraine still boiling, the Taiwan Strait simmering, grinding poverty worsened by persistent inflation, and the world economy teetering in the brink of recession.

Watch the economy first, “stupid.”

(Editor’s Note: “The economy, stupid” is a phrase coined by James Carville in 1992, and often quoted from a televised quip by Carville as ‘It’s the economy, stupid.’ Carville was a strategist in Bill Clinton’s successful 1992 presidential campaign against incumbent George H. W. Bush.)

ONCE again, the government has an OFW problem in its hands.

The standoff between the country and Kuwait with regard to our domestic helpers is, however, frozen with both countries unwilling to budge from their respective positions.

Kuwait considers our domestic workers who run away from their violent employers to seek help from our embassy and be housed in shelters a violation of Kuwaiti laws.

The Philippines, on the other hand, considers it a dereliction of duty if it cannot provide assistance to its citizens in distress – and rightly so.

As a consequence, Kuwait has canceled the issuance of any kind of new visa to any Filipino who wishes to travel to Kuwait with the exception of those who have existing valid work contracts in that country.

We have chosen not to respond by matching what the Kuwaiti government did perhaps, due to the statement of PBBM a few weeks ago that he does not like to burn his bridges on this issue because doing so would close all avenues for a future rapprochement.

He said this during an interview when some hotheads in the government wanted to react in kind like issuing a total OFW deployment ban to Kuwait.

About two weeks ago, however, Kuwait announced it has started negotiations to hire Ethiopian domestic workers ostensibly to replace Filipinos.

Whether this was a show of force on Kuwait’s part we do not know.

The government has chosen to remain quiet except to say we are ready to sit down to settle whatever issues the Kuwaiti government is alleging.

This was followed by the DFA saying we will not apologize for taking actions to protect our citizens which is like saying we are not backing down. If we look at this recurring problem, it is evident this needs careful study to come out with a long-term solution to this perennial issue of foreign employers treating our domestic workers brutally.

The number of OFWs being repatriated or have been repatriated from Kuwait should

already tell us the extent and gravity of the problem.

Yet, we still seem to project the desire to settle the row with Kuwait so that we can continue sending domestic workers to that country because the salary of domestic workers there is reputedly the highest in the Middle East.

I hope I am reading this thing wrong but if that is the intention of the government, it is the wrong move.

Considering the repeated problems being encountered by our women who work basically as indentured servants in foreign lands, we still want to preserve this deplorable program.

Just what kind of image does our government really like to project to the outside world about who we are as a people?

At this stage of our economic development wherein the government has been working hard to be able to graduate to a high middle income economy in a year or two, we should have started a program of gradually lessening the number of domestic workers we send abroad.

But this is clearly not the case.

It begs the question why we want to keep on doing this to ourselves.

Just what kind of image does our government really like to project to the outside world about who we are as a people?

And speaking about country brand, our country is not even within the top 60 in the world, according to one study I read, that has a country brand while some of our neighbors are already on the list.

This means the world does not know what

to make of us Filipinos.

How can we really expect other countries to take us seriously or have a positive image of our country and people if we ourselves do not believe that national pride is important?

For instance, achieving a high middle income status for the country means having arrived at a certain level of development that requires us to act in a manner befitting that level.

Continuously sending domestic helpers abroad is not the way to do it.

We should now be focusing our attention on sending skilled and professional workers so that we will not be known as the number one source of domestic helpers.

As far as I know, there is no other country that has a program of exporting women labor the way we do.

Some people might say we cannot eat pride when people need work.

After all, there is nothing to be ashamed about hard work as long as it is honest. True enough, but in the real world, what is happening to many of our women is painful and gut wrenching.

Remember that worker who fell to her death cleaning a window in a high rise building and the other murder victims being brought home in coffins?

These should spur the government to find a way to end this appalling program.

In the final analysis, this is a failure on the part of many administrations because they failed to institute workable programs to train these women with a trade so they can earn money here instead of going abroad to work in a difficult to monitor environment.

Yes, they send foreign currency to fill the coffers of the government that is always on deficit spending but at a huge social cost to Filipino family life.

they cocoon from the public eye like Gibo Teodoro did in 2010 for 12 years at that, it will be difficult to resurrect in 2028 Honor Blanco Cabie, Editor mst.daydesk@gmail.com THURSDAY, JUNE 15, 2023 B1 OPINION Medical marijuana: Majority understand but some do not

to spread alleged ill effects.

The only long term solution to this problem is to start a process of gradually reducing the deployment of domestic workers until we reach zero deployment. The question is, will the government have the political will to bite the bullet and do it?

supposed to be a legal way to acquire this from other countries through the so-called compassionate special permit or CSP.

The problem, however, is where to find a doctor who can prescribe this.

EvEryman Ms. Universe Catriona Gray is admirable when she said the effects of cigarettes and liquor are worse than those of marijuana

The House bills pending in Congress seek to turn marijuana extract into oil or capsule.

medical plant said it is only a “human experiment.”

Maybe it’s unknown to them that marijuana has been used centuries ago.

There was one who can issue the prescription but patients can’t afford the price.

Only those with severe epilepsy can be prescribed with medical marijuana but those with cancer, chronic pain and multiple sclerosis are spared, although the use of this controversial medication was already medically approved.

To date (June 2023), not one in the country has bought medical marijuana through CSP.

To some of those claiming to be experts, marijuana can destroy the mental state, can cause road accidents and a “gateway” to other drugs.

However, even to non-medical users, this

claim has never been proven and they added this can be true if the Philippines will do its own medical marijuana. They tend to underestimate the evidence the medical plant can really cure and treat various ailments and diseases, while trying

This can only be prescribed by doctors with Philippine Drug Enforcement Agency (PDEA) S2 license.

This can be made available only in tertiary hospitals like the state-run Philippine General Hospital and East Avenue Medical Center.

Another reason given by opponents of medical marijuana use is the Latin saying “Primum Non Nocere” or “First, Do No Harm.”

However, they don’t give a damn prescribing the deadly painkillers, sleeping pills.

Ms. Universe Catriona Gray is admirable when she said the effects of cigarettes and liquor are worse than those of marijuana.

Further, those against the use of the

ManilaStandard ONLINE Chin Wong Associate Editor Joyce Pangco Pañares Managing Editor Jimbo Owen Gulle News Editor

Surveys MEMBER Philippine Press Institute The National Association of Philippine Newspapers PPI can be accessed at: manilastandard.net Former Chief Justice Reynato S. Puno Board Member & Chief Legal Adviser Anita F. Grefal Treasury Manager Baldwin R. Felipe Head—Ad Solutions Edgar M. Valmorida Circulation Manager Emil P. Jurado Chairman Emeritus, Editorial Board

Even national hero Dr. Jose Rizal said that marijuana extract could be bought from pharmacies during his time.

Former US President Barrack Obama, Arnold Schwarzenegger and Dalai Lama were known to be medical marijuana users.

The only thing being asked by supporters and movers for medical marijuana use, including patients, caregivers, doctors, lawyers, etc. is to find an alternative medicine from medical cannabis and not from importation of the same.

(The author is a licensed doctor since 2013, researcher and an international lecturer for medical marijuana. He founded the Philippine Society of Cannabinoid Medicine in 2014.)

Rolando G. Estabillo Publisher Honor Blanco Cabie Opinion Editor Lino M. Santos Chief Photographer

Trump pleads not guilty in mishandling US secrets case

DONALD Trump pleaded not guilty to dozens of criminal counts of mishandling some of the US government’s most sensitive secrets and scheming to prevent their return, in a historic first court appearance as a federal defendant.

Blinken urges open lines for dialog with China

US SECRETARY of State Antony Blinken called Wednesday for open lines of communication as he spoke with China’s foreign minister, ahead of planned face-to-face discussions in Beijing.

Relations between the world’s two largest economies have tanked in recent years over Taiwan, trade and human rights, among a litany of other issues.

Blinken is due in Beijing on Sunday for talks aimed at calming nerves, after a previous planned visit was abruptly cancelled in February.

In his call with Chinese Foreign Minister Qin Gang, which took place Wednesday Beijing time, Blinken said they “discussed ongoing efforts to maintain open channels of commu-

nication as well as bilateral and global issues.”

State Department spokesman Matthew Miller also said Blinken had stressed “the importance of maintaining open lines of communication to responsibly manage the US-PRC relationship to avoid miscalculation and conflict.”

Blinken “made clear the US would continue to use diplomatic engagements to raise areas of concern as well as areas of potential cooperation,” Miller said.

A Beijing readout of the call struck a more confrontational tone, reporting that Qin had warned that relations between the two countries had faced “new difficulties and challenges” since the beginning of the year.

“It’s clear who is responsible,” Qin said, according to the Chinese foreign ministry.

“China has always viewed and managed China-US relations in accordance with the principles of mutual respect, peaceful coexistence and win-win cooperation put forward by President Xi Jinping,” he added.

Blinken’s planned visit to Beijing would be the first trip by a top US diplomat to China since his predecessor Mike Pompeo in October 2018.

Presidents Joe Biden and Xi met in Bali in November and agreed to try to prevent tensions from soaring out of control, including by sending Blinken to Beijing.

But Blinken abruptly cancelled a trip scheduled in early February after the United States said it detected —and later shot down—a Chinese surveillance balloon flying over the US mainland. AFP

The former president—and the favorite to fight next year’s election for the Republicans—gave himself up to US Marshals in Miami for a hearing that set up the unprecedented scenario of a White House race litigated from the courtroom as well as at the ballot box.

On the eve of his 77th birthday, Trump appeared before a magistrate judge to be formally presented with 37 counts under seven charges brought by a special counsel probe that opened after an FBI raid of his Florida mansion 10 months ago.

But he dismissed his prosecution as politically-motivated in a speech to supporters framing the indictment as an effort to interfere in the 2024 election.

“Today we witnessed the most evil and heinous abuse of power in the history of our country. Very sad thing to watch,” Trump said after returning to his summer residence in New Jersey.

The hearing – just weeks after Trump denied state level financial fraud charges in a separate case in Manhattan— came with the former reality TV star’s mounting legal woes threatening to derail his bid to return to the Oval Office.

The US government—which has never before prosecuted a former president – accuses Trump of violating the Espionage Act and other laws when he removed classified documents upon leaving office in 2021 and failed to give

Malaysia seeks Interpol help to track down US comedian for MH370 joke

MALAYSIA will on Wednesday ask Interpol to help track down a US comedian, local media reported, after her joke about the disappearance of Malaysia Airlines flight MH370 sparked fury and even an apology from Singapore.

Jocelyn Chia told the joke during a set at the Comedy Cellar in New York City, reportedly in April, as she riffed on the historically testy relationship between Malaysia and Singapore, where she was raised.

MH370 went missing in March 2014, and is one of Malaysia’s deadliest aviation incidents, with all 239 people on board presumed dead. Such was the outrage over Chia’s joke that Malaysian police

began an investigation under incitement and offensive online content laws, and its chief Acryl Sani Abdullah Sani said Tuesday they will ask Interpol to help locate her. He said the request would be filed Wednesday, according to the Malaysian news agency Bernama.

Malaysia and Singapore were briefly one state after the end of British colonial rule. They separated in 1965. Chia, who has roots in Singapore, said in her routine that it had since become a “first-world country” and that Malaysian “airplanes cannot fly.”

“Malaysian Airlines going missing not funny, huh,” she continued. “Some jokes don’t land.”

It caused an uproar on social media, followed by condemnations by top Malaysian officials including the foreign minister.

“I am appalled by her horrendous statements,” Singapore’s foreign minister Vivian Balakrishnan tweeted last week. AFP

them up to the National Archives.

Authorities say he conspired to thwart investigators and knowingly shared national security secrets with people who did not have the requisite clearance.

After the hearing Trump jetted from Miami back to his golf club in Bedminster, New Jersey, where he blamed President Joe Biden for his prosecution.

“A corrupt sitting president had his top political opponent arrested on fake and fabricated charges – of which he and numerous other presidents would be guilty – right in the middle of a presidential election, in which he’s losing very badly,” said Trump, speaking from the front of the clubhouse, at a podium flanked by American flags.

He was cheered by several hundred supporters, including 100 members of a conservative organization of Vietnamese Americans who had donned matching red dresses and chanted: “We love Trump.”

Trump enjoys strong backing from Republican voters, 81 percent of whom believe the charges against him are politically-driven, according to a new Ipsos poll.

Antonio Rufa, 30, who had come to Bedminister to support the tycoon, called Trump’s indictment “a travesty” while 57-year-old Vincent Larusso said the prosecution was designed to prevent Trump from running for reelection.AFP

Record 110m people forcibly displaced—UN

A RECORD 110 million people worldwide have been forcibly displaced from their homes, the United Nations said Wednesday, branding the huge upsurge an “indictment” of the world.

Russia’s war in Ukraine, refugees fleeing Afghanistan and the fighting in Sudan have pushed the total number of refugees forced to seek shelter abroad, and those displaced within their own countries, to an unprecedented level, said UNHCR, the UN refugee agency.

At the end of last year, 108.4 million people were displaced, UNHCR said in its flagship annual report, Global Trends in Forced Displacement.

The number was up 19.1 million from the end of 2021—the biggestever increase since the records began back in 1975.

Since then, the eruption of the conflict in Sudan has triggered further displacement, pushing the global total to an estimated 110 million by May.

“We have 110 million people that have fled because of conflict, persecution, discrimination and violence, often mixed with other motives—in particular the impact of climate change,” UNHCR chief Filippo Grandi told a press conference in Geneva.

“It’s quite an indictment on the state of our world,” he said.

Of the 2022 global total, 35.3 million were refugees who fled abroad, with 62.5 million being internally displaced.

There were 5.4 million asylumseekers and a further 5.2 million other people—predominantly from Venezuela—needing international protection.

“My fear is that the figure is likely to increase more,” said Grandi.

He said the swelling displacement this year was being increasingly met with “a more hostile environment, especially when it comes to refugees, almost everywhere.” AFP

JURASSIC PROTEST. A person in a dinosaur costume and a sign reading ‘Don’t Choose Extinction’ makes an appearance at the Colombia Congress during a debate on climate change in Bogota. AFP

OCCUPATIONAL HAZARD. German President Frank-Walter Steinmeier (center, blue jacket) struggles to embark on a U33 submarine of the 1st Submarine Squadron during a visit of the German Navy in Eckernfoerde, northern Germany. AFP

Comedian Jocelyn Chia

EU lawmakers vote on world’s first rules on AI

STRASBOURG, France—European Parliament lawmakers will vote Wednesday to kickstart talks to approve the world’s first sweeping rules on artificial intelligence systems like ChatGPT, aiming to curb potential harms while nurturing innovation.

Although the EU’s plans date back to 2021, the draft rules took on greater urgency when ChatGPT exploded onto the scene last year, showing off AI’s dizzying development and the possible risks.

There is also growing clamor to regulate AI across the Atlantic, as pressure grows on Western governments to act fast in what some describe as a battle to protect humanity.

While AI proponents hail the technology for how it will transform society, including work, Healthcare, and creative pursuits, others are terrified by its potential to undermine democracy.

Once adopted by the EU parliament, officials say negotiations for a final law with the bloc’s 27 member states will begin almost immediately, starting later Wednesday.

The race is on to strike an agreement on final legislation by the end of the year.

Even if that ambitious target is achieved, the law would not come into force until 2026 at the earliest, forcing the EU to push for a voluntary interim pact with tech companies.

Brussels and the United States agreed last month to release a common code of conduct on AI to develop standards among democracies.

Lawmakers have hailed the draft law as “historic” and pushed back against critics who say the EU’s plans could harm rather than encourage innovation.

“Is this the right time for Europe to regulate AI? My answer is resolutely yes—it is the right time because of the profound impact AI has,” MEP Dragos Tudorache said during Tuesday’s parliamentary debate in Strasbourg. AFP

Stock market retreats; BDO, JG Summit buck downtrend

STOCKS fell Wednesday on growing fears of global economic slowdown and as investors kept tabs on China with speculation swirling that leaders will unveil a batch of measures to support the world’s number two economy.

The 30-company Philippine Stock Exchange index lost 73 points, or 1.12 percent, to close at 6,434.06, as five of the six subsectors retreated.

The broader all-shares index went down by 30 points, or 0.87 percent, to settle at 3,437.04 on a value turnover of P11.45 billion. Losers outmatched gainers, 118 to 72, while 41 shares were

unchanged.

Only two of the 10 most active stocks ended in the green. JG Summit Holdings Inc. rose 1.06 percent to P47.50, while BDO Unibank Inc. gained 0.64 percent to P140.50.

Meanwhile, Asian markets were mixed Wednesday after data showed US inflation fell further last month, ramping up expectations the Federal Reserve will finally pause its interest rate hike campaign.

The sharp drop in the US consumer price index was slightly more than forecast and followed a string of recent readings that suggested 15 months of central bank tightening were beginning to kick in.

It also came after a mixed jobs report earlier this month that showed the labor market remained resilient but gave the Fed room to skip a hike in June.

The 4.0 percent CPI reading marks

the lowest since March 2021, though it is still double the Fed’s target.

Traders are now pricing the chances of a rate hike on Wednesday at about 10 percent, with analysts saying bank boss Jerome Powell will try to drive home that the pause would not signal the end of tightening.

“Decelerating inflation... coupled with full employment may suggest to some that the US is on a path to a soft landing of its economy and avoiding the recession that so many have been concerned about is looming for over a year now,” said Stephen Innes at SPI Asset Management.

“We expect the Fed will pause its rate hiking cycle at this week’s meeting to give more time to gauge lagged

policy effects and to assess how restrictive March’s regional banks turmoil has been on lending markets. So, let the July debate begin,” he said.

Lindsey Piegza, of Stifel Nicolaus & Co, said the Fed was now bound to stand pat, warning it “opened the door for a pause and to not walk through that door now would cause unnecessary concern. But they are going to have to communicate their work is not done”.

Wall Street welcomed Tuesday’s reading, with the S&P 500 clocking up a fourth straight gain and putting it within touch of the 4,400-point mark it has not hit since April 2021. With AFP

Frozen bank account thwarting LTO’s license plate delivery

A STOCKHOLDER with a single share in an LTO contractor company is sowing mayhem to the country’s license plate delivery system.

The Ortigas branch of Land Bank of the Philippines added to the controversy when it froze the bank account of PPI-JKG Philippines Inc., now OMI-JKG Philippines Inc., a contractor for the Land Transportation Office.

The bank initiated the account freeze following a letter from Christian Calalang, who claims to be the majority shareholder of OMI-JKG, when in reality he merely owns just one share valued at P100 after selling his previous stocks to the company to Ms. Annabelle Arcilla-Margaroli

Mr. Calalang’s ownership claim over OMI-KMG rests on thin ice. His original company PPI-JKG forged joint ventures with Dutch company JKG (the manufacturer of the plates) and served as the LTO’s license plate supplier before being acquired by ArcillaMargaroli. The acquisition led to the emergence of OMI-JKG as the surviving firm.

The bank freeze, meanwhile, has caused significant disruptions to the issuance of motor vehicle plates, with OMI-JKG struggling to pay its local and foreign suppliers.

Dean Israelito Torreon, the legal representative of OMI-JKG, expressed disappointment over LandBank Ortigas and branch manager Nenita Camposano for refusing to release the necessary funds to settle outstanding payments to suppliers.

Torreon argued that the bank based its decision on a mere letter of request from Calalang, which was accompanied by a questionable general information sheet.

The bank filed an interpleader, citing conflicting requests and instructions from both Calalang and Arcilla-Margaroli as the basis for its action. The bank has claimed uncertainty over which party should be recognized with valid authority over the frozen account, resulting in a litigation between the two parties.

Calalang notably sent identical letters to other banks where Arcilla-Margaroli maintains the company account after assuming control. These banks include Asia United Bank, Security Bank and Trust Co., Union Bank of the Philippines, Philippine National Bank and Bank of the Philippine Islands. The banks, however, did not comply with Calalang’s request to freeze the accounts. OMI-JKG’s lawyer said the banks thoroughly reviewed all the legal documents provided by Arcilla-Margaroli and determined that they were in order.

Furthermore, in response to a subpoena from the National Bureau of Investigation (NBI), the active banks clarified that Calalang was not a signatory to the account and that there were no court orders or sufficient documents supporting his claims.

Only the LandBank Ortigas branch froze the funds of PPI-JKG, despite an earlier deduction of P182 million through a manager’s check from the corporation’s bank account at the request of ArcillaMargaroli.

The abrupt freezing of the account, immediately after ArcillaMargaroli returned to the bank following her dealings with AUB’s similar claim by Calalang on that day, raises significant concerns. The situation is particularly distressing considering that these funds are allocated for a critical government project and show proper documentation affirming ownership by the Arcilla-Margaroli-JKG Group.

In contrast, Calalang’s claim of ownership is weak. Calalang’s claim documents have been verified and rebuffed by the Philippine National Police, National Bureau of Investigation and fiscal’s offices, resulting in nine ongoing criminal cases filed against him and his associates by Arcilla-Margaroli and her foreign partner, JKG.

Calalang has been issued arrest warrants and has already been arraigned.

The bank freeze, thus, should be resolved immediately. It is of utmost importance that the legal system upholds justice and expeditiously resolves the ongoing interpleader cases filed by LandBank and the LTO.

The true owner of the company has been clearly established and it is crucial to address the plate shortage issue. The Department of Transportation and LTO may consider filing criminal cases against the fraudulent claimant and the disruption Calalang has caused to the government’s operations.

Meanwhile, the court should prioritize the prompt release of funds to OMI-JKG, the legitimate contractor, without any unnecessary delays or unreasonable conditions.

E-mail: rayenano@yahoo.com or extrastory2000@gmail.com

WHEREAS, the pilot

of

No. 17-08-09-SC in selected lower courts has been the subject of audit observations citing non-conformance to Section 75 of Presidential Decree No. 1445 , COA Circular No. 97-002 dated February 10, 1997, and other pertinent accounting and auditing rules and regulations prescribed by this Commission;

WHEREAS, the SC intimated that under its Strategic Plan for Judicial Innovations (SPJI) for 2022-2027 regional administrative offices shall be established wherein decentralization of administrative matters for the trial courts will be instituted.

NOW, THEREFORE, the Commission Proper RESOLVES, as it does hereby RESOLVE, to grant the request of the Supreme Court to adopt the guidelines contained in its A.M. No. 1708-09-SC which shall also serve as guide in the audit of MOOE allocations directly released to the lower courts pursuant to the Special Provision in the GAA; and RESOLVE FURTHER, that the adoption of A.M. No. 17-08-09-SC shall be effective only during the period covered by the Supreme Court’s SPJI 2022-2027 and shall be subject to the Commission’s review. This Commission reserves its right to amend or revoke the authority herein granted, with prior notice to the Supreme Court.

Ovialand defers P2.2-b IPO amid global market volatility

By Jenniffer B. Austria

PROPERTY developer Ovialand Inc. said Wednesday it deferred its planned P2.2-billion initial public offering due to volatility in the local and global markets.

Ovialand said in a statement Wednesday it would “wait for better market conditions” before proceeding with the planned maiden listing.

“Ovialand has always been about creating value for everyone we serve—whether it be our homebuyers, organization, business partners and shareholders. We want our IPO to be a testament to this principle,” said Ovialand president and chief executive Pammy Olivares-Vital.

The decision was made in consultation with SB Capital Investment Corp., the sole underwriter for the IPO.

“We aim to find the most suitable vehicle for our client to achieve growth, and as of the moment, a public listing is not

the best option,” SB Capital president and chief executive Virgilio Chua said.

“We will continue to work and support Ovialand so that all options are available to maximize their long-term growth potential,” he said.

Olivares-Vital said despite the deferment of the fund-raising activity, the group remained on track to sustaining its growth momentum in 2023. It will also continue to implement growth strategies and expansion plans to achieve its goal of becoming a nationwide player in the property sector, she said.

Ovialand has been planning to go public since 2021. Such plans were deferred also due to volatile market conditions.

Based on the IPO prospectus filed in March, Ovialand planned to sell up to 360 million primary and secondary shares with an over-allotment option for another 36 million secondary shares at an offer price of P5.60.

World Bank approves $750-m loan for PH

By Julito G. Rada

THE World Bank said Wednesday it approved a new financing support worth $750 million or P41.25 billion for the policy reforms of the Philippines aimed at boosting environmental protection and climate resilience as the country strives to accelerate economic recovery and boost long-term economic growth.

Called the Philippines First Sustainable Recovery Development Policy Loan, it will support government reforms to attract private investment in renewable energy; enhance plastic waste management through reduction, recovery and recycling; promote green transport including the use of electric vehicles; and reduce climate-related fis-

DOTr asked to pursue bidding for NAIA project

A LOCAL think tank asked the Department of Transportation to proceed with its plan to undertake a competitive bidding for the rehabilitation of the Ninoy Aquino International Airport to protect the public interest.

“The public interest, particularly reasonable terminal fees, is as important as government revenue in public private partnerships such as airport operations. For context, the Manila International Airport Consortium’s revised unsolicited offer of $3.8 billion [P210 billion] is almost 50 percent higher than the DoTr’s recent pronouncement that NAIA’s rehabilitation will cost around P141 billion,” said Terry Ridon, Infrawatch PH convenor and former House transportation committee member.

“It is more than double the private consortium’s original unsolicited offer. In order to properly reflect the public interest in NAIA rehabilitation proceedings, the transport department should opt to proceed with a solicited bid and reject MIAC’s unsolicited proposal,” he said.

Ridon said allowing an unsolicited private proponent to revise its proposal is akin to a ‘fishing expedition’ on the real rehabilitation requirements of the country’s main international gateway.

Darwin G. Amojelar

DOE postpones GEAP 2, awaits final

reserve price

THE Department of Energy postponed the Green Energy Auction Program 2 scheduled on June 19, pending the release of the final reserve price by the Energy Regulatory Commission.

DOE Undersecretary Felix William Fuentebella, chair of the GEA-Bids and Awards Committee, issued an advisory rescheduling the auction.

“Consequently, the auction proper including its preparatory [i.e., submission of proof of posting of bid bond] and subsequent activities under GEA2 shall only be conducted upon the release of the Green Energy Auction Reserve Prices by the Energy Regulatory Commission,” the DOE advisory read.

The ERC previously committed to releasing the GEAR this week. The GEAR prices serve as the ceiling price for the GEAP 2 where the DOE will offer a total capacity of 11,600 megawatts in renewable energy installation target, with 3,600 MW for 2024, 3,600 MW for 2025 and 4,400 MW for 2026.

The ERC set the preliminary GEAR price for different solar technologies: rooftop solar at P4.7156 per kilowatt-hour, ground-mounted solar at P4.2395 per KWh,

cal risks from the agriculture sector.

Ndiamé Diop, World Bank country director for Brunei, Malaysia, Philippines and Thailand, said the Philippines has tremendous potential for renewable energy generation, especially in solar and wind.

“Government actions to encourage investments in this sector, such as

promoting foreign direct investments and streamlining the permitting process, could unlock this potential,” he said.

“Renewable energy can help the Philippines mitigate climate change and bring numerous benefits, including enhanced energy security, the creation of green jobs, and improved access to electricity. It is a crucial step towards a more sustainable and resilient future for the country,” he said.

The government set an ambitious target of achieving 50 percent of renewable energy in total power generation by 2040 and started to pursue reforms to implement it, supported by this financing operation. The increased focus on RE is in parallel to slowing the expansion of

coal-fired power generation capacity from 2026 onwards. Achieving these targets will require a significant increase in investments in solar and wind technologies and a strong policy environment conducive for investment in RE.

It also supports the introduction of new insurance products suitable for vulnerable smallholder farmers and strengthens the coverage and operations of the Philippine Crop Insurance Commission.

The aim is to help mitigate climaterelated disaster risks to the country’s budget and the farming sector. If properly designed and targeted, crop insurance can help stabilize farm income, reduce poverty, and provide a climate safety net for food producers.

By Alena Mae S. Flores

REPOWER Energy Development Corp., a subsidiary of Pure Energy Holdings Corp., said Wednesday it is developing a 200-megawatt wind farm in Quezon province.

“We are pleased to expand our energy portfolio beyond run-of-the-river hydropower plants as it would allow us to contribute more towards our nation’s sustainability goals,” REDC president and chief executive Eric Peter Roxas said.

“Our wind farms will be built within the vicinity of our hydropower plants.

written consent from GSIS.

STATE-RUN pension fund Government Service Insurance System and Philippine Plaza Holdings Inc., doing business under the name and style of Sofitel Philippine Plaza Manila, amended their lease contract that was originally signed in 1991.

The lease covers the prime land occupied by the luxury Sofitel Philippine Plaza Manila hotel. The amended agreement, which was initiated on June 26, 2016, is valid until June 26, 2041, ensuring the hotel’s ongoing operations in the Pasay City area.

GSIS said in a statement Wednesday that in an expansion from the initial agreement, the lease now encompasses the original building landsite and the complementary lots (Lots 19

By Darwin G. Amojelar

PT&T, a diversified telecommunications and information technology services provider, teamed up with NetLinkz, a leading Australian technology firm, to bring Starlink, SpaceX’s revolutionary satellite-based internet service to customers across the Philippines.

The strategic partnership aims to empower businesses in remote areas with stable, high-speed internet, unlocking

and 41), reflecting the commitment of both parties to the hotel’s continuous growth and the flourishing local tourism sector. GSIS president and general manager Wick Veloso said the hotel’s success is intrinsically linked to GSIS as its income will be drawn from the hotel’s revenue.

“By safeguarding GSIS’s assets and generating income from these, we can assure our members and pensioners that their benefits will be provided when due,” Veloso said. Recognizing the integrity of the leased premises, the parties agreed to treat the entire area as one indivisible unit. All alterations or improvements to the premises now require prior

endless possibilities in the digital world.

“We are thrilled to bring Starlink to the Philippines and offer our customers with the need for connectivity with a reliable internet solution,” said PT&T president and chief executive James Velasquez.

“Our partnership with Netlinkz allows us to provide high-speed internet access to areas where traditional broadband services are limited or unavailable,” he said. Customers in the Philippines have various purchasing options available to

The updated contract states that at the end of the lease period or in case of earlier cancellation, all permanent improvements introduced by PPHI on the building landsite and complementary lots will transfer to GSIS.

It also includes a dispute resolution clause, outlining a path towards resolution through negotiation, mediation or arbitration in accordance with the Philippine Dispute Resolution Center Inc. arbitration rules.

Veloso and PPHI president Esteban Peña Sy committed to upholding the terms and conditions of the contract and ensuring the continued success of the Sofitel Philippine Plaza Manila hotel. Julito G. Rada

them for obtaining the Starlink kit, now including direct purchase from PT&T.

Once customers avail of the Starlink kit, they will have access to various monthly plans tailored for enterprise and maritime customers, each with different pricing options based on their specific requirements.

The plans will offer data caps ranging from 50 GB to 6 TB, and beyond the cap, customers will continue to enjoy unlimited throttled data. The monthly plans promise

This will allow us to maximize synergies in our operations and logistics and tap into the transmission lines, switchyard, access roads and other infrastructure developments we own and are already built,” Roxas said.

The project will cover two wind energy service contracts in line with REDC’s mission to provide clean energy and uplift the living standards of rural and under-electrified communities.

It involves the Silang Maragondon wind farm which will cover 2,592 hectares of land and the Pandan Labayat wind farm which span 2,025 hectares.

The proposed grid connection for the projects will be the operational Biga Switchyard Station, which is connected to the National Grid Corporation of the Philippines.

The Biga substation is being utilized by three run-of-river hydropower plants that REDC operates in the area.

peak download speeds of up to 350 Mbps and upload speeds of up to 40 Mbps.

“We are proud to partner with PT&T to bring Starlink to the Philippines,” said NetLinkz managing director and chief executive James Tsiolis.

“This collaboration aligns with our mission to provide innovative and secure network solutions. We are excited to contribute to the digital transformation of the country, empowering Filipinos with advanced internet capabilities,” he said.

GSIS, Sofitel Philippine Plaza operator update lease contract

1,500TH STORE. Alfamart opens its 1,500th store in the Philippines and its first in Pangasinan province located in Barangay Nancalobasaan, Urdaneta City. Alfamart, a part of SM Investments Corp.’s food retail businesses through its retailing arm SM Retail Inc., plans to open 250 stores this year. In, 2014, Alfamart opened its first concept store in Cavite. In just six years, the super minimart concept has achieved significant scale by blending two grocery formats of a supermarket and a convenience store into one. The unique service enabled the company to provide everything one needs at home such as frozen meats, vegetables, seafood and more to truly serve the immediate needs of every community.

FRANCHISE EXPO SPONSOR. Caltex, marketed by Chevron Philippines Inc., signs a partnership agreement with the Philippine Franchise Association to become an event platinum sponsor at the International Franchise Expo on Oct. 27 to 29, 2023.

Attending the signing ceremony are (from left) CPI new business acquisition specialist Niña Bravo, PFA president Chris Lim, CPI marketing manager Arnel Reniedo, CPI new business acquisition manager Vanessa Raymundo, PFA chairman Sherill Quintana and CPI provincial retail district sales manager April Tarrosa.

PSC to aid Filipinas not only in FIFA World Cup

FINANCIAL support for the Philippine national women’s football team will not be confined to its campaign in the 2023 FIFA Women’s World Cup in New Zealand this month.

Philippine Sports Commission chairman Richard Bachmann said the Filipinas’ stint in the coming Hangzhou Asian Games will also be discussed with the Philippine Football Federation.

Bachmann said the board will tackle the situation involving the Filipinas, who have gone into the final phase of their World Cup preparations this week in Sydney, Australia.

“We have supported the men’s and women’s teams in the Southeast Asian Games. But for the Asian Games, they’re planning to send the women’s team. So we’re supporting that. We just have to see their letter,” said Bachmann.

Eventhough the Filipinas missed the podium in the 32nd SEA Games, the PFF is planning to send them to the Hangzhou games, where gold and silver medalists in the Cambodia SEAG are assured of berths.

The PSC chief explained that the sports agency looks forward to helping the Filipinas in their next campaigns.

Bachmann explained that the PFF has sent letters seeking support on their budgetary needs for the national team.

But the Filipinas’ budgetary needs in the World Cup was not included.

PFF president Mariano Araneta said the PFF is seeking P30 million for the Filipinas’ campaign in the World Cup, where they will go up against the New Zealand Fern on July 25 in Dunedin in New Zealand in their first game. Peter Atencio

BARRELING DRIVE. Batang Meralco’s Rye Villaruz barges his way inside against three Batang Sista Super Sealers in the Batang PBA 12-Under Tournament knockout semi nal round at the Ynares Sports Arena on Wednesday. The Batang Meralco Bolts won, 81-57.

Duke University standout gives Gilas Women a boost

By Peter Atencio

AFTER three years of waiting, Duke University standout Vanessa de Jesus will finally get to suit up, practice and play for the Gilas Pilipinas national women’s team.

The 21-year-old De Jesus, who is entering her senior year in college at Duke, is expected to give the Gilas Women a boost as they get ready to leave for the FIBA Women’s Asia Cup this weekend in Sydney, Australia.

“I’m excited for the opportunity to play for the Philippine National Women’s Team. This and my family are two of the most important things in my life,” said De

Jesus, the 5’8” guard of the Blue Devils, following an online huddle with Filipino scribes on Zoom.

For the last three years, De Jesus has been exposed to high-level collegiate basketball playing for the Blue Devils in the US NCAA Division I.

The season that just ended was her best year in the NCAA, having been named a member of the 2022-23 All-Atlantic Coast Conference Academic Team.

De Jesus has been fortunate to play under Team USA national women’s coach Kara Lawson, who helped develop her skills as a point guard during her ongoing stint with the Blue Devils.

Lawson was a member of Team USA, which won the gold medal in the 2008 Beijing Olympics. She has also distinguished herself by steering Team USA to the Tokyo Olympics’ 3x3 women’s basketball gold medal. For three years, Gilas women’s coach Pat Aquino has kept in close contact with De Je-

sus over her desire to play for the Philippines.

“I have been passionate about it. I’m just finding the right moment. I think, now is the right time and moment for me,” said De Jesus, who recently obtained a Philippine passport.

De Jesus is now getting ready to leave for Sydney and will hook up with Gilas this weekend.

The squad will first meet host and world no. 3 Australia in its first game on June 26, at 5:30 p.m. (Manila time).

After that, they will confront six-time champion Japan on Tuesday before Gilas rounds up its Group B campaign against Taiwan on Wednesday.

The team is also bannered by mainstay Jack Animam, along with two other USbased standouts Ella Fajardo and Stefanie Berberabe.

De Jesus is the only daughter of Philip de Jesus from Cavite, and Maria Ongkeko from Pangasinan.

Malixi wavers in brutal conditions, limps with 79

RIANNE Malixi came in ruffled by the howling winds while tackling a links course in The Women’s Amateur, ending up with a seven-over 79, 11 strokes off joint leaders Norweigian Silje Torvund Ohma and Christin Eisenbeiss of Germany at the Prince’s Golf Club in Sandwich, Kent in southeast England Tuesday.

But while she tumbled to joint 100th in a starting field of 144 reduced to 142 following the withdrawal of one and disqualification of the other, Malixi remained in the hunt for a spot in the Top 64 as she lay just three shots off the current target

Pros face new test at Forest Hills-Nicklaus

THE touring pros get to grips with a challenge far more daunting than the one they dealt with the last time out as they swing back to Antipolo for the ICTSI Forest Hills Championship on June 20 to 23 at one of the two championship courses of the Forest Hills Golf and Country Club.

The par-72 Nicklaus side, the other being the Palmer layout, underwent refurbishment since it last hosted the Philippine Golf Tour in 2016-17 and has been kept in championship condition all-year long, making it A-ready for both the P2 million men’s tournament and the P750,000 Ladies PGT.

“The club has redone/rebuilt six greens (Nos. 1, 3, 9, 11, 14 and 18),” said Forest Hills general manager Raymond Bunquin, adding they were returned to their original sizes, most

score heading to the last 18 holes of the two-day stroke play eliminations.

And given her talent and skills set, the ICTSI-backed shotmaker expects to get back to business although it will require some adjustments, starting with her long game that often found the tall grasses of Prince’s, approach shots that sometimes miss their targets, and putting that led to a threeputt miscue on No. 3, at least three missed par-save bids inside 8 feet, and seven flubbed birdie chances.

She, however, pulled off a couple of up-and-down pars on her way to a 38-41 round marred by bogeys on Nos. 1,

notably the closing hole, which used to feature a bunker in the middle.

He stressed that all the works were carefully planned and recommended by the grounds committee, headed by Forest Hills chairman Bob Sobrepeña, and with the guidance of course architect John Cope of the Nicklaus Group.

“Forest Hills presents a challenge that needs all the shots in the book. A demanding shotmaker’s course where even the pros can’t take any hole easy,” said Bunquin.

While he admits accent will be on power in some holes, precision and accuracy are the biggest factors to produce good scores, adding: “The pros need to know where and when to gamble. A small miss can lead to a huge score.”

Reymon Jaraula turned what was ex-

3, 7, 10 and 17 and double bogeys on Nos. 13 and 18, which she both reached in 4.

There were quite a few, however, who survived the ordeal on a course characterized by uneven fairways, deep roughs and small, deep bunkers and made more exacting by the howling winds that affect the style of each player’s play.

Ohma, for one, tamed the frontside with a solid five-under 31 and was on her way to taking solo control with two more birdies on Nos. 12 and 15 against a bogey on the 13th until she lost her rhythm and poise and bogeyed Nos. 16 and 17 for a 68.

That enabled Eisenbeiss to

gain a share of the lead as she came through with a three birdie-binge in a four-hole stretch from No. 12 en route to a bogey-free 35-33 and a one-stroke lead over Aussie Beth Coulter and three others, who matched 69s.

World No. 1 Ingrid Lindblad of Swede also groped for form with a 73 for a share of 19th, well within the Top 64, who will move to the knockout, match play phase Thursday.

Malixi, 16, hopes to make the most of the switch in teetimes as she resumes her bid at 7:51 a.m. with Japanese Sera Hasegawa and Swede Kajsa Arwefjall, who opened with 73 and 75,

Vanessa de Jesus

San Beda five, Letran dispute Aspirant Cup’s 2nd finals slot

Game Thursday (Ynares Sports Arena) 3 p.m. – Marinerong

LONGTIME collegiate rivals Marinerong Pilipino-San Beda and Wangs Basketball @27 Strikers-Letran go at it once more in a sudden death Game 3 of the 2023 PBA D-League Aspirants’ Cup semifinals Thursday at the Ynares Sports Arena. Game time is at 3 p.m. with the Red Lions and the Knights disputing the last finals seat on the line that will send the winner to a title duel against reigning champion EcoOil-La Salle . The bestof-three finale will be next week.

The two archrivals split their first two battles, with San Beda forcing the deciding match with a 74-51 win in Game 2 Tuesday.

“I’m sure, coach Rensy (Bajar) will adjust. It’ a do-or-die Game 3. They’ll be ready and we have to be ready for it. We have to show much more effort than Letran,” said San Beda coach Yuri Escueta.

Behind a balanced attack led by Peter Alfaro and Jacob Cortez, San Beda practically dominated Game 2 to more than atone for its disappointing meltdown in the series opener .

The Red Lions blew an early 24-point lead in Game 1 and went on to surrender the match to the Knights, 93-87, in overtime.

The 18th hole of Forest Hills Nicklaus course pected to be a wild finish into a runaway victory, cruising to a five-shot romp over Lloyd Go and Clyde Mondilla in last week’s ICTSI Valley Golf Challenge. But the Del Monte ace is wary of

making it two-in-a-row at Forest Hills where he has practically no local knowledge of, saying: “I need to toughen up and work on some parts of my game to win again.”

The Red Lions, the elims topnotcher, are not expecting Game 3 to be a walk in the park. Instead they are prepared for a tough grind against the three-time reigning NCAA champion Knights.

Pilipino-San Beda vs Wangs Basketball @27 Strikers-Letran

Rianne Malixi is shown before teeing off in The Women’s Amateur

LIFE

Taking the lead in embracing sustainable and environmental initiatives

Nature blends to keep

us well

low as 15 percent down payment with Maybank

MANY companies have recognized the importance of sustainability and environmental initiatives in recent years and have taken steps to adapt and incorporate them into their business practices.

Case in point, Jetour Auto Philippines and Maybank collaborate to focus on encouraging the adaption of electric vehicles (EVs) and supporting an environmentally friendly lifestyle. They officially announced their partnership on World Environment Day on June 5 as both brands take the initiative to raise awareness of electric vehicles to promote sustainability. The special event was held at the Synergy Center of the Maybank Corporate Center in Bonifacio Global City (BGC), Taguig.

One of the key initiatives of this sustainability partnership is the promotion of the Jetour Ice Cream electric vehicles (EVs) with Maybank’s support in providing affordable options for EV ownership, the offer of a low-down payment of 15 percent or a monthly amortization as low as P7,339 making it easier for individuals to own an electric vehicle.

“We have always looked for partnerships that are aligned with our strategic thrusts and will be able to support our sustainability commitments to our customers and the community in general,” said Maybank Philippines President and CEO Abigail Tina Del Rosario

“We found one in Jetour, and in our own way, through this collaboration, we hope to be a significant contributor to efforts on saving the environment, by acting decisively in lessening our carbon footprint and enabling our customers in their decarbonization journey,” the executive added.

Ultimately, may this initiative contribute to addressing the impact of climate change.”

Miguelito Jose, Managing Director of Jetour Auto Philippines said, “By working together on World Environment Day, as we move forward to

FEATHERED headpieces, long strings of beads, Spectator shoes, cloche hats, and Bakelite bangles, truly the 1920s Great Gatsby fashion is a decadent history when it comes to extravagant dressing. And this was evidently seen when the leading health, wellness, and beauty retailer brand, Watsons held its HWB 2023 Awards at the Shangri-la Fort Grand Ballroom last May 12.

Watsons made this year’s HWB Awards entitled “A Night of Thousand Smiles” even more remarkable. After all, it was a great comeback of the most prestigious awards night in a grandiose venue after three years of virtual gatherings. A onenight affair where the movers and shakers from the Health, Wellness and Beauty industry came in full force and sashayed their well-planned outfits fabulously.

This year’s HWB Awards centered on giving back their deepest appreciation to

transitioning from internal combustion engine (ICE) vehicles to hybrids, to a visionary path towards full-electric vehicles. We are grateful to have found a like-minded partner in Maybank, sharing the same purpose and direction as we embark on this remarkable journey together by providing accessible financing options for the Jetour Ice Cream EV, we can make it effortless for new car owners to embrace electric mobility.”

The Jetour Ice Cream EV is available in four colors named after ice cream flavors: Vanilla, Strawberry, Blueberry, and Matcha. The U-shaped smiling LED daytime running lights add a touch of charm and playfulness to the vehicle’s design. The lights’ unique shape contributes to the Ice Cream EV’s overall cute and distinctive look, enhancing its visual appeal and making it stand out on the road.

The inclusion of a high-grade gaming chair in the Ice Cream EV emphasizes the importance of comfort during drives. These chairs are typically designed to provide ergonomic support and comfort, allowing occupants to relax and enjoy the journey. The use of high-grade materials ensures durability and long-lasting comfort, enhancing the overall driving experience for a maximum of four people.

Equipped with a 20kWh E-motor that delivers a maximum speed output of >100 km/h and a peak torque of 85Nm.

The motor is powered by a lithium-ion battery with 13.9 kwH power capacity and 220V charging voltage that ranges to 170 km on a single charge; the Ice Cream EV offers ample distance coverage for typical daily commuting and

short trips. This makes it ideal for running errands, going to the store, or visiting nearby malls without worrying about range anxiety.

Some notable features of the vehicle include a reverse camera, a multi-info display that also serves as an infotainment unit, steering-wheel controls for phones, audio functions, and eco and sport driving modes. With a starting price of P699,000, it also comes with an 8-year battery warranty or 120,000 km, whichever comes first, and a 3-year vehicle warranty or 100,000 km, whichever comes first. The Jetour Ice Cream EV is positioned as one of the most affordable full electric cars in the market, making them more accessible to a broader range of customers.

The collaboration between Jetour Auto Philippines and Maybank Philippines on World Environment Day showcases a shared commitment to promoting environmentally friendly practices and supporting the adaption of electric vehicles in the local market. The joint initiatives aim to educate and inspire individuals to consider electric vehicles a viable and sustainable transportation option.

For more information about Jetour Auto Philippines and its range of vehicles and services, visit https://www. jetourauto.ph/; follow the brand’s Facebook page. (Jetour Auto Philippines).

To learn more about Maybank’s Auto Financing, you may contact Maybank Customer Care at Metro Manila: (02) 8588-3888; PLDT Toll-Free: 1-800-108588-3888; or email mpi.customerservice@maybank.com.

Sekaya is a Filipino plant-based brand that provides natural, science-backed products to support your health goals and daily wellness

I DON’T exactly remember how I got into herbal or medicinal teas, but I always find a warm cup of tea comforting, just like a hug from a loved one. Perhaps I got it from my mom who has a thing for herbal teas. She would know which ones are best for whatever ails the body. As for me, I don’t go without my stash of chamomile, lavender, and green tea. Lately, though, I’ve stocked up on medicinal teas to shoo away viral infections, tummy aches, dysmenorrhea, and headache, as well as for cough relief. I know, I’m starting to sound like a real “tita.”

Now that the rainy season has come, it will give me more reason to look for new infusions to enjoy. That’s why I’m glad when I came across delectable blends from Sekaya, a Filipino plant-based brand that has been passionate about nature’s life-nurturing gifts. Its highquality plant-based products are made from ingredients that have been traditionally used for their health-promoting benefits and are backed by science. I got a chance recently to learn more about the brand and its products via a gathering organized by Sekaya featuring wellness experts who discussed the different ways botanicals support our health.

Sekaya, which stands for Sentro ng Pangkatutubong Yaman (Center for Indigenous Resources), pays tribute to Filipino heritage and commits to making the Philippines a major participant in the global science-based natural product market. It is a brand under Synnovate, the natural products division of United Laboratories, Inc. (UNILAB). One of Synnovates product lines is Sekaya Botanic Infusion, a curated roster of botanic infusions or natural blends to help address specific health goals and support one’s daily wellness.

Served in plant-derived and non-toxic tea bags, all the ingredients of every infusion are carefully sourced from farms that have the United States’ Department of Agriculture (USDA) and Quality Assurance International (QAI) Organic Certification. The brand has also made it its mission to educate people on how to harness the wonderful benefits of nature to support their health and wellness through the Prescribing Nature series.

At the event, aromatherapist and essential oil educator at The Oilbularyo Geri Gil shared her expertise on how aromatherapy is a holistic, complementary, and alternative approach that works to support and help conventional medicine.

“Plant extracts are not silver bullets, but they are so supportive of our health and wellness. Having them in your home could be the wellness revolution you are looking for,” Gil says. “There is so much that plants offer in terms of restoring humans to optimum health and staying well.”

Certified tea master and educator Rocel Leoncio led a Tea Appreciation that emphasizes how drinking teas and botanic infusions is one of the easy healthy habits that people can adopt to enhance

A night of thousand smiles

their suppliers for all the support they’ve given to Watsons all throughout the years and helping them achieve on giving a smile on their customers’ faces. This awards night also became very pivotal in

strengthening the bond among their suppliers for their shared passion for providing the best products moving forward. The event kicked off with a surprise opening song number and Leaders’ Pa-

rade from the Watsons’ Leadership team headed by none other than the Managing Director Danilo S. Chiong

All of them gleefully singing onstage Barry Manilow’s hit, “Can’t Smile With-

For Sekaya’s latest Prescribing Nature session, experts from the natural wellness space discussed the enduring power of plants in keeping us well and healthy

their daily lives and truly benefit from nature.

“Having a cup of tea and botanic infusion at least a day can help boost your energy or even help you wind down. You can even choose botanic infusions for your exact wellness concern, as they are usually made of purposely selected botanicals that have the therapeutic properties to specifically address that,” Leoncio explains. “Can’t sleep? Got an upset tummy? Want to beat the afternoon slump? You can find a botanic infusion for that.”

Functional medicine doctor Eca Lorenzo MD, FPCP enlightened the guests with a talk on Nutrition with Botanicals, affirming the transformative role of plants in maintaining one’s health, whether enjoyed as supplements, essential oils, or as plant-based beverages like teas and botanic infusions.

“I’d like to remind people that however wonderful natural health products are, they are not magic. You’ll get the best from them if you’re also mindful of what and how you eat; that you move your body; get good quality sleep; and manage stress well,” Dr. Lorenzo points out.

“Additionally, it’s crucial to choose natural products of high quality. To ensure that they retain the actual benefits of the plant’s constituents, and they’re safe and free from contamination with microbes, molds, heavy metals, pesticides, and other toxic residues,” she added.

Since 2020, the brand has been organizing Prescribing Nature sessions that bring together experts from the natural wellness space to discuss certain topics about the consumption of natural health products. These sessions are meant to encourage them to be more cognizant and discerning about these products, so they will be able to fully experience the wonderful benefits of nature in their lives.

Sekaya offers products that are scientifically studied and meticulously processed within pharmaceutical-grade facilities to ensure the safety and purity of each. They are tested against microbial contamination, pesticide residues, heavy metals, and molds—ensuring customers that what they consume is safe and of high quality. The brand offers three product lines: Sekaya Botanic Infusion, Sekaya Raw Actives, and Sekaya Organic Moringa.

To know more about how you can benefit from Sekaya’s plant-based solutions and get health tips and information at https://www.sekayaglobal.com/ home and by following @sekayaph on Facebook ( https://www.facebook.com/ sekayaph/) and Instagram ( https://www. instagram.com/sekayaph/).

You can get in touch with me through joba.botana@gmail.com.

out You.” Likewise, the new Watsons’ hymn was also introduced during the awards night.

This year’s HWB Awards was also highlighted with the eye-opening discussion dubbed as DARE Forum spearheaded by Watsons Chief Operating Officer, Jefferson Go. Seated on the panel were Watsons Directors Sonny Cuenco (Trading Health), Kim Reyes (Trading Beauty), Jared De Guzman (Customer Marketing), and Sharon Decapia (Marketing Controller).

The forum discussed Watsons’ milestones, especially during the pandemic and how it will progressively steer upwards in the future through their D-ifferent, A-nywhere), R-elationship, E-xperience approach.

For the list of brands that brought home this year’s awards, read full article on manilastandard.net

From left: Patrick Solosa, Maybank Head of Community Financial Services Yves Licup, Jetour Auto Phils. President; Gail Del Rosario, Maybank President and CEO; Miguelito Jose, Jetour Managing Director; and Amiel De Castro, Maybank Head of Consumer Finance

Customers will be able to start their sustainability journey with Jetour Ice Cream EV, available in four colors named after ice cream flavors Vanilla, Strawberry, Blueberry, and Matcha—and for as