Manila Standard - 2023 June 24 - Saturday

ALL five people aboard a submersible that went missing near the wreck of the Titanic died—likely in an instant—when their vessel suffered what the US Coast Guard said Thursday was a "catastrophic implosion" in the ocean depths. The somber announcement ended a multinational search-and-rescue operation that captivated the world since the tiny tourist craft disappeared in the North Atlantic four days ago.

Rear Admiral John Mauger told reporters in Boston that analysis showed debris found on the seafloor, 1,600 feet (500 meters) from the bow of the Titanic, was consistent with an implosion of the sub's pressure chamber.

"On behalf of the United States Coast Guard and the entire unified command, I offer my deepest condolences to the families," Mauger said.

‘Continue golden age of infra’

Marcos orders DPWH to finish critical projects 'on time, under budget'

By Vince Lopez

PRESIDENT Ferdinand Marcos Jr. on Friday ordered the Department of Public Works and Highways (DPWH) to carry on with what he described as the “golden age of infrastructure” to improve mobility and connectivity.

Speaking during the 125th anniversary celebration of the Department of Public Works and Highways (DPWH) in Port Area, Manila, Marcos acknowledged the importance of infrastructure development

this milestone, it continues to be my hope that everyone in the Department Of Public Works will remain steadfast in its mandate as well as stay committed to fulfilling this administration’s eight-point socioeconomic by committing to struct and finish infrastructure ects on time, schedule

Speaker commits passage of Magna Carta for seafarers

Musk, Zuckerberg call for cage

DOH eyes options to solve nurse shortage

The Department of Health is not giving up on finding solutions to the country's shortage of nurses, as it is working with the Professional Regulation Commission (PRC) and the Board of Nursing to cover the lack of 4,500 nurses in government hospitals.

Despite legal limitations, Health Secretary Teodoro Herbosa said Friday many options are available to solve the nurse shortage in public hospitals.

“There are still many options despite legal limitations, which I understand,” Herbosa said in a statement. “However,

it's good to know they (PRC and Board of Nursing) are with me to find the solutions to the 4,500 unfilled nurse items in DOH hospitals.”

The Board of Nursing also provided suggestions on how the problem of outward migration of Philippine nurses can be solved, the Health chief added.

“I am thankful that Department of Labor and Employment Secretary Bienvenido Laguesma and PRC Commissioner Charito Zamora are all very supportive of finding legal ways to solve our health manpower problems,”

he said.

Herbosa proposed tapping boardeligible nurses who received a grade of 70 to 74 percent in the nursing licensure examination. A test taker must score a 75% rating with no grade below 60% in any subject to pass the country's licensure exam.

But Zamora said Thursday there is no provision in the Philippine Nursing Act of 2002 or Republic Act 9173 that allows the PRC or any government agencies to issue temporary licenses to nursing graduates

Marcos appoints Remolona as BSP Governor

By Vince Lope, Julito G. Rada and Maricel V. Cruz

PRESIDENT Ferdinand Marcos Jr. has appointed Eli Remolona, a member of the Monetary Board with extensive experience in international banking and finance, to replace Bangko Sentral ng Pilipinas (BSP) Governor Fe lipe Medalla, year term July 2.

"With his extensive experience and remarkable achievements in central banking, economic policy, international finance, and financial markets, Mr. Remolona brings a wealth of expertise to his new role,” the Presidential Communications Office (PCO) said in its announcement.

The PCO said the appointment was made after extensive consultations with the Department of Finance, various government offices, private banks and financial institutions.

Kerosene to lead oil price hike next

by at most P1.50/l

to fight each other in a cage.

Months after Musk took over Twitter, Zuckerberg's Meta hinted it was planning to launch its own text-based social media platform —essentially a direct rival. Musk has trolled Zuckerberg ever since

BREATHTAKING. Tourism Secretary Christina Garcia Frasco and officials of the Department of Tourism carry out a dive product audit activity on Friday June 23, 2023, for the Sardine Run, one of the famed dive sites in Moalboal, Cebu. Sardine Run is a dense concentration of sardines swimming en masse, which happens along a reef wall just off Panagsama Beach.

TRAGEDY. This combination of pictures shows Titan submersible passengers (from left to right, top to bottom) British billionaire Hamish Harding; OceanGate Expeditions CEO and founder Stockton Rush; Paul-Henri Nargeolet, director of a deep ocean research project dedicated to the Titanic; Suleman Dawood and his father Shahzada Dawood, vice-chairman of Karachi-headquartered conglomerate Engro. Inset photo shows the Titan submersible launching from a platform. AFP / OCEANGATE

INFRA PUSH. President Ferdinand Marcos Jr. graces the 125th anniversary celebration of the Department of Public Works and Highways at its Central Office in Port Area, Manila on Friday, June 23, 2023. He is joined by DPWH Secretary Manuel Bonoan. Rey Baniquet

SpaceX, Twitter and Tesla CEO Elon Musk

Facebook founder Mark Zuckerberg

BSP Governor Eli Remolona

‘Mayon may remain restive for 3 months’

By Charles Dantes and Rio N. Araja

MAYON Volcano remained under alert level 3 as it showed no signs of slowing down, the director of the Philippine Institute of Volcanology and Seismology (Phivolcs), Teresito Bacolcol, said, adding that the ongoing diffusive eruption would persist for at least three months.

“If this continues without abrupt changes in the next few days, this would probably take at least three months,” Bacolcol said in a mix of English and Filipino.

Bacolcol added that although the on-

‘Continue...

From A1

Marcos called on the DPWH to continue streamlining its procedures, in an effort to prevent delays and ensure transparency in all government projects and transactions.

He also asked them to make sure that the structures and facilities that will be built under the “Build, Better, More” program are not just beautiful but will also “physically survive” the next 80 to 100 years.

“There are many agencies and of course all other departments and for that matter, my own office, are there behind you to support you, to make all we undertake a success,” Marcos said.

Marcos said putting a premium on the infrastructure sector is the “basic element” in bringing progress to the country.

All...

From A1

On board were British explorer Hamish Harding, French submarine expert PaulHenri Nargeolet, Pakistani-British tycoon Shahzada Dawood and his son Suleman, and Stockton Rush, CEO of the sub's operator OceanGate Expeditions.

OceanGate said its "hearts are with these five souls and every member of their families during this tragic time."

"These men were true explorers who shared a distinct spirit of adventure, and a deep passion for exploring and protecting the world's oceans," it said in a statement.

The Coast Guard announced earlier Thursday that an underwater robot had discovered a "debris field" in the search area.

Authorities said they later learned the pieces included the sub's tail cone and front and back ends of its pressure hull.

Mauger said the Coast Guard could not be sure when or why the vessel imploded and declined to be drawn on whether remains of the men would be retrieved.

DOH...

From A1 who failed the licensure examination. These non-Board-passing nurses would be under the direct supervision of registered nurses if they would be allowed to work in hospitals, and all their tasks would be monitored by their supervisors as part of a quality assurance mechanism to ensure patient safety and welfare, Herbosa noted.

Philippine College of Physicians

Marcos...

From A1

The Bankers Association of the Philippines welcomed Remolona’s appointment. “With his extensive global experience and expertise in financial markets and regulations, we are confident that Dr. Remolona will anchor the Philippine banking industry not only towards continuous stability of the financial system, but also to growth and competitiveness in the regional stage,” Jose Teodoro K. Limcaoco, President of BAP, said.

Rizal Commercial Banking Corp, chief economist Michael Ricafort said this was a “welcome development for the markets and economy.”

Given his international experience, track record and reputation in central banking in developed countries, his appointment would bring a more international perspective and the adoption of more global best

Musk,...

From A1 with messages on Twitter, telling his fans this week: "I'm up for a cage match if he is lol."

Zuckerberg, who has followed the trend of tech bosses getting buff and posting martial arts videos, responded on Wednesday on his Instagram Stories with a screenshot of the message and a response: "Send me location."

Meta confirmed to AFP that Zuckerberg's message was genuine.

going eruption is diffusive, it is still categorized as an eruption. In the latest Phivolcs advisory, Mayon logged 399 rockfall events and 13 dome-collapse pyroclastic density currents in the past 24 hours from June 22

“That is why you have a long and celebrated history, stretching back many centuries. The department’s accomplishments have not only changed our landscapes but define our society as a whole,” he said.

“Let us make sure that the golden of infrastructure will not end. Let us continue the golden age of infrastructure because it would benefit our countrymen,” Marcos added in Filipino.

Marcos, as chairperson of the National Economic and Development Authority Board, approved in March this year 194 high-impact infrastructure flagship projects worth P9 trillion under his administration’s Build, Better, More program.

Marcos attributed the success in implementing flagship infrastructure projects to the DPWH, citing the department’s “very long list of accomplishments” since its inception 125 years ago.

“From the majestic government build-

"This is an incredibly unforgiving environment down there on the seafloor," he said.

The process of demobilizing personnel and vessels from the scene would soon begin, but unmanned robots would continue operations on the seabed for now, Mauger added.

"We'll collect as much information as we can," he said.

The US military originally detected the likely implosion of the craft on secret underwater sound monitoring devices shortly after it went missing on Sunday, the Wall Street Journal reported Thursday.

"The US Navy conducted an analysis of acoustic data and detected an anomaly consistent with an implosion or explosion in the general vicinity of where the Titan submersible was operating when communications were lost," an unnamed senior Navy official told the Journal.

The small sub named Titan disappeared on Sunday as it descended to the Titanic, which sits more than two miles (nearly four kilometers) below the ocean's surface and 400 miles off the coast of Newfoundland, Canada.

president Dr. Rontgene Solante earlier expressed support for the plan, saying nursing graduates who have yet to pass the board examination already possess the skills of a nurse and are competent enough to do nursing work after graduation. Solante added that such a move will encourage nursing graduates working in other industries like call centers and tourism to practice their profession.

In May 2023, the PRC reported about 14,000 examinees took the licensure test for nurses, and about 10,764, or 74.94 percent, passed.

practices, Ricafort said. Ricafort added that the most important priorities of the next BSP governor would be stable prices or inflation and the peso.

Budget Secretary Amenah Pangandaman said: “The fact that he was also part of the economic mission led by Nobel Prize winner Paul Krugman and Susan Collins of the Boston Fed to advise the Philippine government on structural reforms also guarantees that he has a deeper insight into how best to lead the BSP. I look forward to working with him in ensuring that we stay on track with our Agenda for Prosperity.”

Remolona's career includes 14 years at the Federal Reserve Bank of New York, followed by 19 years at the Bank for International Settlements (BIS).

During his time at the BIS, he served as the regional head for Asia and the Pacific, where he closely collaborated with the governors of 12 leading central banks in the region. (See full story online at manilastandard.net)

The exchange has provoked mirth on social media with plenty of fight predictions – Zuckerberg emerging as the clear favorite.

"Please god let this happen," technology journalist Taylor Lorenz wrote on Twitter.

"The best Musk-Zuckerberg cage match is one in which two men enter and no men leave," wrote podcaster Bennett Tomlin.

The two men have baited each other for years with opposing views on everything from politics to artificial intelligence. AFP (See full story online at manilastandard.net)

to June 23. Sulfur dioxide emission from the volcano reached 706 tons per day on June 22, much higher compared to Wednesday's 574 tons. No volcanic earthquakes were recorded.

Phivolcs repeated its call on the residents to avoid entering the six-kilometer permanent danger zone due to the danger of PDCs, lava flows, rockfalls, and other volcanic hazards.

The state volcanologists also warned that heavy rainfall could generate channel-confined lahar and sediment-laden streamflows in channels where PDC deposits are located.

ings, the large projects such as dams and irrigation systems, bridges, highways connecting our many islands, the Public Works [department] has been at the front and center of the planning and construction of it all,” he said.

“You should be proud for each of you has contributed not only to the building of these structures but to the building of the nation as a whole,” he added.

Marcos said the DPWH personnel’s hard work has resulted in the establishment of several structures that “produce opportunities, facilitate commerce, increase mobility and protect the lives of our people.”

During the program, Marcos also witnessed the awarding and recognition of several DPWH regional offices and district engineering offices, including Ilocos Region, the first and second districts of Pangasinan and the second district of Batangas.

The DPWH, established on June 23,

OceanGate Expeditions charged $250,000 for a seat on the sub. In a 2018 lawsuit, its former director of marine operations raised concerns about the "experimental and untested design" of Titan.

The Titanic International Society said it could be time to replace manned missions to the wreck with autonomous machines.

"It is time to consider seriously whether human trips to Titanic's wreck should end in the name of safety, with relatively little remaining to be learned from or about the wreck," it said in a Facebook post.

"Crewed submersibles' roles in surveying the wreck now can be assigned to autonomous underwater vehicles."

Harding was a billionaire and keen explorer with three Guinness Records to his name, while the Dawoods belonged to one of Pakistan's richest families. Nargeolet was nicknamed "Mr. Titanic" for his frequent dives at the site.

Harding's family paid tribute to the aviation tycoon in a statement, saying he was a "passionate explorer" as well as a "loving husband and a dedicated father to his two sons."

Speaker...

From A1 at the International Transport Workers’ Federation (ITF) Seafarers’ Expo at the CCP Complex in Pasay City. Filipino seafarers, he said, can depend on the full support of Congress to the President's initiative behind the bill "meant to safeguard their rights, welfare, and well-being" and promote as well the country’s entire maritime sector.

The Magna Carta of Seafarers or House Bill 7325 is one of the priority legislations of the Marcos administration that the House approved before the recent adjournment of the First Regular Session of the 19th Congress. It is now awaiting the action of the Senate.

“Under President Marcos' leadership, we are committed to fostering an enabling environment that promotes the welfare of seafarers, supports the growth of the maritime industry, and advances sustainable practices,” Romualdez said Department of Migrant Workers Secretary Susan Ople and House Deputy Speaker Raymond Democrito Mendoza also graced the expo organized by ITF, recognized as the voice of the world’s two million seafarers.

Romualdez noted that Filipino seafarers are the lifeblood of the maritime industry, providing an immense contribution to the country’s economy.

In 2022, an estimated 489,852 Filipino seafarers were deployed, making up 25 percent of the world's seafarers. In 2019, Filipino seafarers remitted US$6.5 billion (P362 billion) to the Philippines, or roughly 1.7

Kerosene...

From A1 from strong US economic data and hopes of improving demand in Asia plus the possible unexpected drawdown in the US stockpile," Romero said. She said the pronouncement of the Organization of the Petroleum Exporting Countries of a production cut that will take effect in July shored up oil prices. All prices of petroleum products

The National Disaster Risk Reduction and Management Council (NDRRMC) reported a total of 38,982 residents, or 10,110 families from 26 barangays in Albay have been affected by Mayon's intensified unrest.

A total of 18,733 individuals or 5,336 families are staying in 28 evacuation centers across the province, while 1,409 individuals, or 402 families are staying in other places.

Eighteen cities and municipalities are under a state of calamity due to the Mayon's activities.

Assistance given to the affected residents has reached a total worth of P85.67 million, the agency said.

1898, is mandated to undertake the planning of infrastructure and the design, construction, and maintenance of national roads and bridges, and major flood control systems.

During the 125th Anniversary of DPWH, Secretary Manuel Bonoan told the President that he had served under the administration of his father, Marcos Sr..

“I was there for 44 years, and of those 44 years, the first half was during the ‘golden era’ of infrastructure development under your father, Mr. President,” Bonoan told Marcos.

In turn, the President said the "golden era" must not end.

“Secretary. Manny mentioned the golden age of infrastructure,” he said. “Well, Let us not end the golden age of infrastructure. Let us continue the golden age of infrastructure because our countrymen really, really need it.”

"What he achieved in his lifetime was truly remarkable and if we can take any small consolation from this tragedy, it's that we lost him doing what he loved," the family said.

The Dawoods' loved ones also expressed their "profound grief" at their loss in a brief statement.

"We are truly grateful to all those involved in the rescue operations. Their untiring efforts were a source of strength for us during this time," read the statement.

The British and Pakistani governments expressed their "deepest condolences" to all the men's families.

The 21-foot (6.5-meter) Titan had been due to resurface seven hours after beginning its descent at 8:00 am on Sunday.

But the craft lost communication with its mothership less than two hours in.

Ships and planes from the US and Canadian coast guards, as well as a robot sent from France, scoured 10,000 square miles (around 20,000 square kilometers) of surface water – roughly the size of the US state of Massachusetts –for the vessel. AFP

percent of the country's GDP that year.

The Speaker said the Magna Carta is a comprehensive and progressive law that addresses the various challenges faced by Filipino seafarers throughout their careers.

“It ensures fair and just working conditions, provides for reasonable compensation, guarantees access to quality healthcare and education, and promotes the welfare of seafarers and their families. This legislation stands as a testament to President Marcos' dedication to creating a conducive environment for seafarers to thrive,” he said.

Romualdez stressed that the measure emphasizes the importance of continuous training and skills development for our seafarers, recognizing the dynamic nature of the maritime industry and the need for seafarers to adapt to evolving technologies and best practices.

“By empowering seafarers with the necessary knowledge and skills, we not only enhance their professional capabilities but also ensure the sustained growth and competitiveness of our maritime sector,” he said.

Last March, the European Commission (EC) agreed to drop the impending ban that would have affected some 50,000 Filipino mariners amid the European Maritime Safety Agency's (EMSA) concerns about the quality of training of Pinoy seafarers. The government responded with a series of actions including the personal intervention of President Marcos, who met with EC officials and assured them the Philippines is committed to addressing the issues and complying with European regulations.

will increase by Tuesday when local oil firms usually implement their price adjustments.

On June 20, the oil companies implemented a rollback in the price of petroleum products. Gasoline went down by P0.35 per liter, diesel by P0.10 per liter, and kerosene by P0.30 per liter.

These price adjustments resulted in a year-to-date net decrease for diesel at P4.05 per liter and kerosene at P6.35 per liter.

Gasoline, on the other hand, has risen by P6.35 per liter this year, according to the DOE.

Marcos approves P5.768-t budget for 2024—DBM

THE administration’s Agenda for Prosperity shall continue after President Ferdinand R. Marcos Jr. and his Cabinet approved on Thursday night the National Expenditure Program, which sets a P5.768-trillion national budget for fiscal year (FY) 2024, the Department of Budget and Management said yesterday.

DBM Secretary Amenah F. Pangandaman said the proposed 2024 national budget "shall continue to prioritize expenditures that will sustain economic growth, bearing in mind inclusivity and sustainability, consistent with the Philippine Development Plan (PDP) 2023-2028, and the administration’s 8-point socioeconomic agenda."

The Budget Secretary said the proposed FY 2024 National Budget will be submitted to Congress a few weeks after the second State of the Nation Address of President Marcos, which is scheduled on July 24. Under the Constitution, the National Expenditure Plan (NEP) must be submitted to Congress within 30 days after the SONA.

The NEP is the National Government’s spending plan for the next fiscal year. Once approved by Congress, it will be known as the General Appropriations Bill, and once passed into law, the bill will be known as the General Appropriations Act.

“Guided by our Medium-Term Fiscal Framework, the proposed national budget will continue to prioritize expenditures outlined in the administration's 8-Point Socioeconomic Agenda and cater to the objectives of PDP 2023-2028," Pangandaman said in a statement. (See full story online at manilastandard.net)

Malaysian gov’t confident

of win

in $14.9b case vs. PH sultanate heirs

LAWYERS for the Malaysian government are "confident" of winning a Dutch court case over a $14.9 billion award against the Southeast Asian nation that stems from a 19th century deal with a Philippine sultan, a senior minister has said.

The complex legal battle being fought in European courts is rooted in Malaysia's colonial past, and at stake are territorial claims and potentially billions of dollars’ worth of state assets.

The Malaysian government has warned that the legal action being waged by the Sultan of Sulu's descendants "threatens the sovereignty and security of the country."

But in a Facebook post late Thursday, Azalina Othman Said, a minister in the Malaysian prime minister's department, said their lawyers were "confident" of victory.

"Malaysian appointed lawyers are confident that Malaysia has a good chance of winning based on the facts and evidence that is clearly on Malaysia's side," Azalina wrote.

The Sultan of Sulu once ruled over the tropical islands that are part of the southern Philippines as well as Sabah in Malaysia.

Oil-rich Sabah fell under the control of European colonial powers in 1878 in an agreement that saw the sultan and his descendants receive annual payments – the equivalent of around $1,100 – that Malaysia continued to make after it was formed in 1963. AFP (See full story online at manilastandard.net)

UAE pardons 3 Pinoys after Marcos’ appeal

PRESIDENT Ferdinand Marcos Jr. has thanked United Arab Emirates President Sheikh Mohamed Bin Zayed Al Nahyan for pardoning three convicted Filipinos, two of whom were on death row, already serving their sentences in the emirate state.

In a telephone call to Sheikh Mohamed, President Marcos expressed gratitude for the grant of the request he made two months ago.

In two separate letters last April 27, President Marcos requested Sheikh Mohamed to grant the three Filipino prisoners humanitarian pardon.

Of the three prisoners, two were sentenced to death for drug trafficking while the other one was handed down a 15-year sentence for slander.

President Marcos also thanked Sheikh Mohamed for extending assistance to displaced families by the Mayon Volcano eruption. The UAE has sent 50 tons of food supplies and medicine to Mayon evacuees.

For his part, Sheikh Mohamed noted the valuable contribution of some 600,000 Filipinos working in the UAE.

AdMU is top PH university, joins honor roll in Asian university poll

THE Ateneo de Manila University (AdMU) emerged as the top Philippine university in the latest Asian university survey results published by a higher education magazine.

Ateneo placed 84th in the Times Higher Education (THE) Asia University Rankings 2023. It failed to make the list last year.

The University of the Philippines (UP), meanwhile, dropped to the 201-250 bracket, after placing 129th in 2022.

The De La Salle University also declined to the 501-600 bracket from the 401-500 category in 2022.

On the other hand, Mapua University made it to this year’s list at 601+.

China’s Tsinghua University remained the top university for the second straight year.

The following universities comprised the top 10.

1-Tsinghua University (China)

2-Peking University (China)

3-National University of Singapore (Singapore)

4 - University of Hong Kong (Hong Kong)

5-Nanyang Technological University (Singapore)

6-Chinese University of Hong Kong (Hong Kong)

7-The Hong Kong University of Science and Technology (Hong Kong)

8-The University of Tokyo (Japan)

9-Fudan University (China)

10-Shanghai Jiao Tong University (China)

The Asian rankings used the same 13 performance indicators as the world university rankings “but they are recalibrated to reflect the attributes of Asia’s institutions,” the pollster said.

The indicators were grouped into five areas; namely teaching, research, citations, international outlook, and industry income.

In a statement, AdMU president Fr. Roberto Yap said the school was honored to enter the THE’s rankings for the first time, and in the top 100 at that.

“This only encourages us to further work on our shared mission to engage with society to affect positive change in the world,” Yap said.

2 dead, 7 missing as fishing boat sinks in Mindanao Sea

TWO fi shermen were confi rmed dead and seven still missing after their boat capsized at the high seas off mainland Mindanao, the Philippine Coast Guard (PCG) reported on Friday.

The PCG said search and rescue operations were going on for the missing boat skipper and six of his crewmembers.

Fourteen of the 23-man crew of the Genesis 2 fishing vessel were rescued by other fishing boats

UST library gets Nestor Mata’s book collection

THE University of Sto. Tomas, through the UST Miguel de Benavides Library, received the valuable book collection of the late journalist Nestor Mata from his family.

Mata was a highly influential figure in the world of journalism, particularly known for his works as a prime media journalist. Born on January 16, 1926, he was a renowned Thomasian Filipino journalist whose writing career spanned six decades. He was also known as the lone survivor of the 1957 plane crash that killed then President of the Philippines Ramon Magsaysay and 24 others.

Throughout his career, Mata covered a wide range of historical events, including political upheavals, wars and natural disasters. His photographs have graced the pages of renowned global publications, such as Time, Newsweek and Life Magazine, among others. He had a keen eye for capturing raw emotions and telling stories through his lens, providing a unique perspective that connected viewers to the events he documented.

Mata worked with a government radio station before becoming a reporter with the Philippine Herald newspaper and covered the Korean War as a war correspondent. He covered topics that involved politics and foreign affairs. In 1953, he was assigned by his newspaper to cover the then-newly elected President Magsaysay.

Beyond his skills as a journalist, Nestor Mata was also known for his professionalism, dedication, and courage. His contributions to journalism have been widely recognized, earning him numerous accolades and awards throughout his career. Nestor Mata’s legacy continues to inspire aspiring photojournalists and journalists worldwide, reminding them of the importance of their role in documenting history and giving a voice to the voiceless.

RELIEF GOODS FOR TAWI-TAWI FISHERFOLK.

A sherman, one of some 250 villagers in Mapun, Tawi-Tawi receives a pack of relief goods courtesy of the Ministry of Social Services and Development of the Bangsamoro Autonomous Region in Muslim Mindanao. Distribution of the so-called “family packs” involved elements of the Philippine Coast Guard station in Northern Tawi-Tawi, the Philippine Air Force Tactical Operations Squadron, the Mapun Maritime Special Boat Crew, the 312th Company of the Marine Battalion Landing Team, and the Mapun Police Station.

IN BRIEF

Acuzar warns vs. housing stings

THE Department of Human Settlements and Urban Development (DHSUD) on Friday warned the public against housing projects without license to sell.

shortly after the pre-dawn incident on Thursday, which took place 337 kilometers east of the main southern island of Mindanao.

The body of one of the fatalities was retrieved Thursday after the vessel sank in the Philippine Sea,

and a second body was found early Friday, Joseph Dacuyan of the PCG in Davao Oriental province said. “At that time the waves were really strong and the fishermen were surprised and did not anticipate they would be that strong,” Dacuyan said. The vessel “sank within minutes” after it started taking in water, he said. The cause of the accident was being determined.

A PCG patrol vessel and five other boats of the fishing company, based in the southern port of General Santos city, are continuing the search, Dacuyan said.

Observers said the Philippines, an archipelago of more than 7,000 islands, has a poor shipping safety record, with scores dying in mishaps at sea each year, usually aboard wooden-hulled outriggers used for fishing or to move people from one small island to another. AFP

A NEW FACE OF ARTIFICIAL INTELLIGENCE.

Photo shows (from left) In nivan president Shigeki Nakamura, Secretary Ivan John Uy of the Department of Inforrmation and Communication, and Cybercrime Investigation and Coordinating Center executive director Alexander Ramos jointly presiding the formal launch of a 200-Gigabyte Internet connectivity  at the CICC building on A. Roces Ave. Quezon City.

Manny Palmero

Speaker, Tingog solon hail surfer Esquivel’s win in Bali

By Maricel V. Cruz

WORLD-class Filipino surfer Rogelio

“Jay-R” Esquivel, Jr. has again reaped kudos from Congress leaders as he bagged the gold medal in the World Surf League (WSL) Qualifying Series Padrol Longboard Classic held in Bali, Indonesia on June 3-4.

Speaker Ferdinand Martin Romualdez and his wife, Tingog Rep. Yedda Marie Romualdez, lauded Esquivel for this latest feat, saying the Filipino surfer “continues to bring the country pride and honor by winning in international surfing competitions.”

The couple extended to Esquivel financial assistance to help defray the costs of participating in international sporting events such as the WSL.

“Jay-R Esquivel continues to make our country proud by winning interna-

tional competitions one after another. His contributions to putting the Philippines in the world surfing map is not only honoring our country, but encouraging tourists to visit our surfing spots,” Speaker Romualdez said.

By winning the qualifying series, Esquivel earned a ticket to the WSL World Longboard Tour and became the firstever Filipino to do so.

Rep. Romualdez said just last February, they also personally congratulated Esquivel for winning the WSL La Union International Pro Longboard Qualifying Series.

“And now here we are again, in awe of Jay-R’s achievements in world surfing competitions, making history not only for himself but for the rest of the Filipino nation. Your accomplishments truly deserve praise and recognition,” the lady lawmaker said.

Esquivel was also part of the team that finished fourth at the International Surfing Association (ISA) World Longboard Championship in El Salvador last May, just behind world surfing leaders France, Brazil and Peru.

It was described as a “historic feat marking the Philippine Longboard Team’s debut in the world group competition.”

The two House leaders said that they will continue to support the sports of surfing in the country, as it encourages the youth to persevere and dream when someone like Esquivel wins international competitions.

“Jay-R deserves all the support and recognition he can get, after making history after history in the world stage of surfing. We hope his example is followed by the youth of today and one day reach for their dreams,” they said.

“Real-estate projects without license to sell and certificates of registration are prone to risks which include undersized lots, low quality units, issues in land titling, and limited access to basic utilities and services,” Housing Secretary Jose Rizalino Acuzar said.

“We encourage home buyers to be vigilant, and demand for these documents before letting go of their hard-earned money,” he added. Acuzar cited the risk of falling victims to unscrupulous individuals or groups and acquiring sub-standard real estate property. He lamented that there were rampant real estate advertisements posted on social media, which had become the most convenient platform for non-compliant developers to pull off their illegal activities and victimized unsuspecting buyers.

Real-estate developers must secure LS and CR from DHSUD prior to the selling of real estate projects to ensure that it passed the minimum standards as required by the law. Rio N. Araja

Mom files kidnap rap vs. orphanage exec

AN executive of an orphanage in Quezon City that was padlocked due to violations is facing an abduction suit before the prosecutor’s office for alleged refusal to return a child to his mother despite several requests.

The child’s mother yesterday filed charges of kidnapping and failure to return a minor under Article 270 of the Revised Penal Code against Gentle Hands Inc. (GHI) executive director Charity Graff. Because she was a solo parent, and that her son’s nanny took an indefinite leave, the complainant said she brought her son to the GHI in January for only a monthlong accommodation.

She complained she encountered difficulties in visiting her son, and that there was a time she was just allowed to see him for only 10 minutes. Amid her repeated requests for longer visitation hours, she said Graff accused her to be a “worthless mother.”

“It came to a point where I would go to GHI in the hopes of seeing my son, only to be totally denied access to him and forcefully sent home by respondent Graff,” she said. Rio N. Araja

Mariveles tribesmen get own health center

RESIDENTS, notably members of an indigenous tribe in far-flung Barangay Biaan in Mariveles, Bataan can now have easy access to basic health services, according to local authorities, citing the opening of a tribal health center in the village.

Mariveles Mayor AJ Concepcion and National Commission Indigenous People provincial officer Richard Piaga led the opening of the health facility on Tuesday. .

“Nagpapasalamat po tayo sa nakatulong nating upang maging posible ang pagkakaroon ng Health Center sa komunidad ng Brgy. Biaan upang magbigay daan at masiguro ang maayos na pagtugon sa pangangailangang kalusugan,” Concepcion said. “Sa tulong ng pasilidad na ito, maaari ng ma-access ng ating mga katutubo ang mga serbisyong medikal na di na kakailanganin pang bumiyahe ng malayo. At ito rin ay magbibigay ng mabilis na pagresponde sa mga sitwasyong may emergency na maaaring maganap sa barangay,” he added. Providing accessible health services to people of Mariveles was a priority program of the municipal government. Butch Gunio

Bantag weighs chances at fair deal if he yields—Rody

EX-BUREAU of Corrections (BuCor) chief-turned fugitive Gerald Bantag was weighing his chances at getting a “fair deal” amid calls for his surrender in light of an arrest warrant issued against him, according to former President Rodrigo Duterte.

Meanwhile, three gang leaders at the New Bilibid Prisons (NBP) in Muntinlupa City pleaded guilty to a lesser crime of accessories in the murder of broadcaster Percival “Percy Lapid” Mabasa, and were sentenced up to eight years in prison by a Las Piñas trial court “I think marunong ‘to si Bantag,”

Duterte said in an interview on SMNI when asked if Bantag has to surrender to the authorities.

“I think he is just weighing his chances of getting a fair deal. Once he finds out that he can be guaranteed to a talagang (really) ironclad of preliminary investigation,” the ex-President noted.

Duterte appointed Bantag to the BuCor in March 2022.

Lapid’s brother, Roy Mabasa, who was at the court room, posted the conviction on the three self-confessed respondents on his Twitter account Friday afternoon.

The information was later relayed to ABS-CBN News by a source at the National Prosecution Service of the Department of Justice (DOJ). According to Mabasa’s tweet, “Las Piñas City Regional Trial Court (RTC) Judge Harold Hulinganga sentenced Aldrin Galicia, Alvin Labra & Alfie Peñaredonda from two years up to eight years imprisonment for their complicity as accessories to the Lapid slaying on October 3, 2022. Galicia, Labra and Peñaredonda were allegedly leaders of three different gangs inside the NBP who, authorities said, helped facilitate the killing of Lapid.

CRASH COURSE. This image is not a true picture of a deadly motorcycle crash involving a man in uniform, but a mere simulation of a road accident during a comprehensive motorcycle-riding course among elements of the Philippine National Police, the Philippine Army, and the Bureau of Jail Management and Penology held in Lawton, Manila. Norman Cruz

Zubiri: Senate coup rumors to unseat me are untrue, ‘rubbish’

By Macon Ramos-Araneta

SENATE President Juan Miguel Zubiri has dismissed rumors of a coup d’etat to replace him at the Senate, saying that “no senator ever confirmed such rumors.”

Since Zubiri assumed the Senate leadership, there were rumors that he will soon be ousted.

Confronted on several occasions by reporters on the issue to unseat him, Zubiri has maintained that he is willing to step down and give up his position anytime “if they can show the numbers.”

He said he will gladly give up his Senate leadership to any senator who will obtain 13 votes in Senate.

According to Zubiri, all senators are being treated fairly whether they belong to the majority or minority bloc.

In a statement, Zubiri said that the rumor is “nothing but tabloid gossip rubbish” and “a figment of someone’s boredom and in their between lucid intervals.”

He emphasized that his style of consensusbuilding leadership involves all members of the Senate discussing issues and bills.

Zubiri said he feels this arrangement “is ideal for this institution.”

Zubiri’s colleagues have not confirmed the persistent rumors. Senate President Pro Tempore Loren Legarda said “there were no talks.”

“There will be no change. We are in full support of Senate President Zubiri,” she said. “Why would you fix something that is not broken?”

Furthermore, she commended Zubiri calling him a “trabahador ng Senado (worker of the Senate).”

“You should see how he works. We even have a Viber thread. He’s so hardworking. Senators can easily approach him. And as I said, I don’t know how you can take all the stress. I’ve not seen him not smiling…He’s very approachable. Amiable, approachable, hardworking, and consensual,” she further said.

ILO chief sets four-day visit to PH, to meet with Marcos, other officials

ment of Labor and Employment Secretary

Bienvenido Laguesma and Department of Migrant Workers Secretary Susan Ople.

Part of Houngbo’s schedule is the holding of dialogues with representatives of workers’ and employers’ organizations.

In a statement Friday, the ILO said Houngbo will embark on his first official visit to the Philippines from June 25 to 28.

“ILO Director-General Houngbo will make his first official visit in the country to promote the Global Coalition for Social Justice, which aims to address growing inequalities and

DFA head exhorts PH diplomats on serving country’s interests

By Rey E. Requejo

DEPARTMENT of Foreign Affairs

(DFA) Secretary Enrique Manalo on Friday exhorted the Philippines’ thousands of diplomats and their staff to always serve the country’s interests before the international community and the Filipino people during the DFA’s 125th anniversary.

In his video message on the occasion of the DFA’s anniversary, Manalo stressed that the department, since its establishment, “has been true to its task of proclaiming our people, our values, and our aspirations.”

According to him, the DFA has helped “shape our nation and the world around us in profound ways,” as it has been “an enduring symbol of Philippine pride and independence to the rest of the world.”

Despite challenges it has faced over a period of time, he said the DFA has not only survived but flourished, Manalo said. The department has thrived as a fruitful servant of the nation.

“You my dear colleagues, the more than 2,800 personnel of DFA are the lifeblood of this institution. Each day, wherever you are, you bring to life the values of patriotism, integrity, professionalism, excellence and service,” he added.

Manalo led his colleagues in the DFA and the foreign service “in taking immense pride” in the role they play for nation building. The country’s top diplomat called on them to forge ahead towards a future where DFA’s legacy shines brightly for the country it serves and for the generations to come.

persistent poverty, as well as ensure decent work,” the statement said.

“His first official visit coincides with the country’s 75th anniversary of ILO membership,” the ILO added.

The Philippines joined the ILO in 1948.

The ILO official is expected to meet President Ferdinand R. Marcos Jr., Depart-

Aside from interacting with Filipino key officials, he is set to meet with Asian Development Bank President Masatsugu Asakawa, heads of agencies and members of the United Nations (UN) Country Team, and UN Resident Coordinator Gustavo González.

AnaKalusugan party-list supports gov’t move on junk food tax

By Maricel V. Cruz

THE AnaKalusugan party-list group on Friday expressed support for the Department of Finance’s (DOF) move to hike taxes on junk food and sweetened beverages to address diseases arising from poor diet.

The group’s nominee, Rep. Ray T. Reyes at the same time pushed for the passage of House Bill 7485 which proposes to increase the excise tax on sugarsweetened beverages to discourage the consumption of sugary beverages and increase revenue specifically intended to

finance the implementation of Republic Act 11223, otherwise known as the Universal Health Care Act.

“This bill seeks to advance health equity by generating revenue for the government, which is proposed to finance the implementation of the Universal Health Care Act,” according to Reyes. He said he is confident will now gain the support from several of his colleagues in Congress with the DOF support on the measure.

“The Anakalusugan Partylist representative also expresses confidence that with the additional funding out of

this tax measure, the objectives of the Universal Health Care Act to promote the Filipinos’ right to health, equitable access to quality and affordable health care, and healthy living conditions will be realized,” Reyes said. The Reyes bill proposes an amendment to Section 150-B of the National Internal Revenue Code, to read as follows: “SEC. 150-B. Sweetened Beverages. – (A) (1) A tax of eight pesos (P8.00) per liter of volume capacity shall be levied, assessed and collected on sweetened beverages using purely caloric sweeteners, and purely non-

caloric sweeteners, or a mix of caloric and non-caloric sweeteners.

The new tax rate, if the proposal is enacted, will not apply to sweetened beverages using high fructose corn syrup, and exempts sweetened beverages using purely coconut sap sugar and purely steviol glycosides.

More importantly, the proposal pushes for “a tax of FIFTEEN pesos (P15.00) per liter of volume capacity shall be levied, assessed, and collected on sweetened beverages using purely high fructose corn syrup or in combination with any caloric or non-caloric sweetener.”

Villar pushes for healthy soil programs

SEN. Cynthia Villar said she has been pushing programs for healthy soil to support resilient agricultural systems and sustainable food production.

Speaking during the 1st National Soil Health Summit on June 21 at the Diamond Hotel, Villar noted that by maintaining the fertility of the soil, agricultural productivity can be ensured. This will ensure an abundant and diverse food supply.

“When we think about agriculture, food production, and the overall health of our ecosystems, it all traces back to the health of the soil beneath us,” also said Villar.

“Soil is the foundation upon which life thrives, providing a nurturing environment for plants, animals, and microorganisms alike,” she said. She stressed that healthy soil holds nu-

Houngbo will also deliver the keynote address at the global seafarers’ summit Seafarer 2050, as well as at the National Employers Conference of the Employers Confederation of the Philippines. He will be visiting the Migrant Worker Resource Center in Quezon City, and engage with overseas Filipino workers and their families regarding rights-based migration, fair recruitment, and decent work. Houngbo was elected to the ILO post in March 2022.

IN BRIEF

Poe to gov’t: Speed up SIM registration

SEN. Grace Poe said the government and telcos must go all out to register SIM users as the July 25 registration deadline nears. Poe said she believes registration of SIM will significantly help free the public from the perils of fraud. The chair of the Senate Committee on Public Services also cited the exploitations and mobile scams that continue to proliferate.

“As we pursue our digitalization goals such as in payments and other transactions, it is also vital that communication comes from a legitimate source rather than an unregistered SIM,” Poe said. Concerned agencies must not let their guard down against scammers and fraudsters even as over 100 million SIM users have already enlisted. She pointed out the challenges besetting the registration should be addressed, especially concerning SIM users from far-flung communities, the elderly and PWDs so that no one is left behind.

Macon Ramos-Araneta

French Navy vessel arrives in Manila

THE French Navy destroyer Lorraine arrived on Friday in Manila for a port visit and series of activities intended at strengthening the military alliance between France and the Philippines. In a statement released by the French Embassy in Manila, the French warship docked at the port of Manila around 9 a.m. on Friday.

The embassy said the visit of the French Navy destroyer was intended to “contribute to regional security by projecting assets from those islands in the region or coming from Europe.” It came at the heels of China’s continued aggression in the South China Sea and incursion into the West Philippine Sea.

Her port call coincides with the official visit of Rear Admiral Geoffroy d’Andigné, joint commander of the French Armed Forces in Asia-Pacific Zone, who will arrive in Manila on June 26. Rey E.

Requejo

Solon decries cheap indemnity insurance

merous benefits. such as sustaining productivity and acting as a reservoir for essential nutrients, water, and organic matter that plants need to grow and flourish.

Furthermore, the chairperson of the Senate Committee on Environment said soil health provides essential environmental services.

“Healthy soil acts as a natural filter, purifying and regulating the water that flows through it. It aids in flood prevention by improving water infiltration and retention, reducing erosion and runoff,” Villar said.

According to the Intergovernmental Technical Panel on Soils (ITPS), soil health is “the ability of the soil to sustain the productivity, diversity, and environmental services of terrestrial ecosystems.” Macon Ramos-Araneta

REP. Wilbert T. Lee of AGRI party-list group on Friday described the amount of insurance amounting to P15,000.00 that can be claimed for the death or injury of a passenger, third party, or pedestrian involved in a vehicular accident under our current laws, an “unjust” figure.

Lee said he hopes to address the problem through his House Bill (HB) 8498 which seeks to increase the amount of insurance claim for death or injury per accident to any passenger, third party or pedestrian without the necessity of proving fault or negligence from P15,000.00 to at least P1 million.

Lee said he learned about the current insurance claim amounts last April after he received a plea for assistance from the family of a traffic accident victim, a 22-year-old cum laude graduate who tragically died when she and her boyfriend figured in a vehicular accident when they were on their way home. Maricel V. Cruz

THE SPEAKER IN CAVITE. Speaker Ferdinand Martin G. Romualdez with Bacoor City o cials led by Cavite Rep. Lani Mercado-Revilla; Agimat Party-List Rep. Bryan Revilla; Vice Mayor Rowena Mendiola; board members Ram Revilla Bautista and Edwin Malvar; and city councilors watch a marching band during the 11th Cityhood Anniversary of Bacoor. Ver Noveno

FOR PRIDE. A Quezon City Memorial Circle (QCMC) sta installs colorful umbrellas inside the QCMC park  The colorful umbrellas are part of Quezon City’s “Pride Month” celebrations. Manny Palmero

Economically decoupling China

THE very idea of economically decoupling China is rather odd and ludicrous.

From a purely economic standpoint, although the US still maintains an edge over China in terms of gross domestic product (GDP) by 4 trillion US$ in 2023, that alone is deceiving.

The current woes suffered by the US are rather long and lingering economic problems that began after the Second World War.

Admittedly, the US emerged as the only unscathed country during the Second World War. Its industries were able to escape the ravages of war, and its economy became much formidable.

As its economy became stronger, no sooner did it begin to assert its power and arrogance in 1944, or right after the Bretton-Woods Agreement was proclaimed, which allowed the US to fix its dollar to gold valued at $35 per ounce.

It was the first stepping stone that allowed the conversion of the dollar to becoming an international currency reserve.

For the US to zero-in on the threat of economic competition is incompatible to the concept of free enterprise, a long expounded ideological line of the Americans

The Bretton-Woods agreement led to the creation of the International Monetary Fund (IMF) which many underdeveloped countries suspect as the first institutionalized money-lending bank, owned and controlled by US bankers.

The IMF regularly lends out to other countries in the form of developmental loans which were usually undertaken, imposes interest rate to debtor countries; and if the loan is considered of high-risk, the IMF may demand the devaluation of its currency to meet its obligation which have severe economic implication to its own country.

Thus, for decades the IMF and other internationally-funded finance institutions like Asian Development Bank (ADB) have been allocating funds to its membercountries, yet many of them remained indebted for years with no progress in sight.

They remain in debt or chained in a debt trap.

As others observed, only those developed countries what have access to these financial institutions manage to take advantage of these loans to develop further their economic interests.

This resulted in an enormous disparity in the value of their exports with developing countries discriminately undervaluing their exports, resulting in perennial trade deficit, not to mention the surcharge imposed for the delay in payment.

Maybe the defeat of the US in the Vietnam War was a different circumstance that led to the downfall of the US dollar.

In 1973, US President Nixon announced that from then on, the US will forbid the

BRASILIA, Brazil—President

Luiz

Inacio Lula da Silva has been in diplomatic hyperdrive since taking office, making Brazil a key global player again—but stoking controversy with some of his stances, including on Ukraine and Venezuela.

Less than six months into his term, the veteran leftist has already met more foreign leaders than his predecessor, farright ex-president Jair Bolsonaro, did in four years—33 to 32, according to a count by newspaper O Globo.

Lula, who previously led Brazil from 2003 to 2010—when he also played a starring role in international affairs —will be in diplomatic dynamo mode again this week when he travels to Europe for meetings with Pope Francis at the Vatican and French President Emmanuel Macron in Paris.

Since taking office in January, Lula, 77, has incessantly repeated that “Brazil is back” on the world stage, vowing a clean break with Bolsonaro, who often appeared internationally isolated, apart from his tight relationship with his

Cybercrime summit, anyone?

identifying these scammers is the biggest challenge for the authorities.

convertibility of the gold to the US dollar, and the dollar no longer depended on the value of the gold as agreed on in the Bretton-Woods agreement.

The US dollar was then based on the vast industrial capacity of the US which then constituted more than 70 percent of the world’s total industrial and manufacturing output.

With the US as having the only recognizable international currency reserve, it was able to wipe out its huge trade deficit caused by the Vietnam War.

Sensing that the unmitigated conversion of the dollar as international currency reserve, US policy makers deemed it wise to increase the value of the dollar against other currencies.

They toyed the idea of just printing the US dollar to purchase US treasury bonds without let up until they realized the US government was already the biggest debtor in the world.

It borrowed from its former enemy, Japan, 1.2 trillion dollars in treasury bond and almost the same amount from China, while imposing many restrictions and sanctions on that county.

The relations between the US and China at times become perilous and nasty. Many have difficulty trying to understand what the US wants to achieve and why it now wants to decouple that country.

The most basic understanding of what the US seeks to achieve by decoupling China is to curtail that country’s export potential.

This means many Americans take China’s export as existential threat to its global dominance.

The US policy makers themselves know that pure economic jealousy alone would not allow her to reap the propaganda of gaining the support of the world.

For the US to zero-in on the threat of economic competition is incompatible to the concept of free enterprise, a long expounded ideological line of the Americans.

The US has lost in every aspect of the debate.

The US failed to rebut the tenability of President Trump’s protectionist policy.

The Americans always rely on what it sees as the rules-based principle in the application of international law which is more of a brusque unilateralism.

To this date, not one US policy maker has admitted the current economic woes their country suffers from is the result of its unilateralist policy done through the years by increasing the value of the US dollar, hoping it could gain additional profit by overvaluing its own currency.

When Russia tried to root out the Nazi elements in Eastern Ukraine, at the agitation of the US to expand NATO eastward, the US and its allies unilaterally confiscated the more than 600 billion worth of Russian assets in gold and foreign exchange reserves, and removed Russia from SWIFT financial institution.

But all these sanctions have backfired, with many countries wanting to join the BRICS, a powerful grouping of the world’s market economies, namely Brazil, Russia, India, China and South Africa, in disgust to Western arbitrariness.

This has now posed a serious challenge to the US.

(rpkapunan@gmail.com)

They happen fast and the sad part is that, often, they are not reported to authorities. If ever reported, it’s too late to persecute the perpetrators. Even President Ferdinand Marcos Jr. acknowledged the increasing presence of online scams, especially the developing “threat and risks posed by artificial intelligence (AI)” while giving assurances the “government continues to monitor transactions in the digital space to protect the public against scammers and abusive online lenders.”

Although the Philippines was too late already, one of the best moves it has done to curb and prevent digital crimes is the SIM card registration for users.

“The SIM card registration (law) I think was a big step, and I think we are getting to the point where we have disposed of or taken out of the system many of the SIM cards that have not been registered because they have

A cybercrime summit involving stakeholders should be conducted to craft a unified solution that will effectively deter, if not completely flatten, digital crimes, at least, in the Philippines

been used for illegal purposes,” Mr. Marcos added.

When asked how the scammers should be punished, the President said anyone found guilty of promoting such scams will be dealt with using the full force of the law.

Mr. Marcos himself admitted however that

“These are people sitting in somebody’s basement with a computer, which they can just shut down, sell away, buy a new one, and keep going. So, that’s the trouble we are finding now,” Mr. Marcos pointed out.

No less than the President himself is talking big about a subject that has not yet been acknowledged with so much fervor even by the Philippine National Police or even Congress.

Yes, the PNP has a cybercrime unit but it’s not enough to provide solutions to crimes that happen every minute.

The cybercrime unit should be expanded, and given more teeth by Congress to persecute these modern-day criminals. There must be harsher penalties for online criminals.

Social media platforms, like Facebook, should be called in and included by compelling them to act swiftly on criminal activity reported to them.

Needless to say, a cybercrime summit involving stakeholders should be conducted to craft a unified solution that will effectively deter, if not completely flatten, digital crimes, at least, in the Philippines.

Teodoro, ideal guardian of our seas and islands

WHEN President Bongbong Marcos named Gilbert Teodoro as Secretary of the Department of National Defense (DND) on June 5, 2023 after a year of keeping the post vacant since the start of his term in 2022, I instinctively knew that the President made an excellent choice.

`The Cabinet portfolio is a perfect fit for Teodoro who had previously served as defense secretary from 2007 to 2009 under President Gloria Macapagal Arroyo. At the age of 43, he was the second youngest person to ever hold the position after Ramon Magsaysay.

Teodoro, whom many call Gibo but Gilbert to us in UP Law class of 1989, is known for his academic excellence and technocratic skills. During his previous stint as defense secretary, he was known for his efforts as the chairman of the National Disaster Coordinating Council (NDCC) when Metro Manila was hit by Typhoon Ketsana (Ondoy) in 2009.

He also advocated the modernization of the Armed Forces of the Philippines (AFP) and the strengthening of the country’s defense posture in the face of territorial disputes in the West Philippine Sea.

Secretary Teodoro, who is a civilian, is taking over the helm of the DND at a time when geopolitical tensions are high in the WPS.

Wisely, he recently declared that the Philippines is not a chess piece in the regional conflicts within its borders and that other countries should respect its development of capabilities in the West Philippine Sea (WPS).

He also urged China to follow the United Nations Convention on the Law of the Sea (UNCLOS) to gain the Philippines’ confidence.

Teodoro will not mindlessly engage in any reckless action that will escalate the geopolitical conflict in the region but will instead prefer to cultivate the country’s partnerships with other countries including the chief rivals, China and the United States, to foster peaceful settlement and diplomacy while enhancing the country’s own capabilities.

Indeed, the way to go is to collaborate with China and other countries on areas of common interest such as trade, investment,

infrastructure, maritime security, and environmental protection without territorial integrity and national sovereignty. An armed confrontation to settle the dispute is out of the equation for it will mean an unmitigated catastrophe for all concerned.

On a personal note, I have known Secretary Teodoro for more than 38 years, since we were first year law students at the College of Law of the University of the Philippines.

We became close friends in our senior year and studied together for the 1989 bar examinations which ended with both of us ranking high (Gibo number one, with me number three).

I teased him that he was only .083 ahead of me and if not for the 75 score I had in labor law, I could have been number one.

In spite of this divergence on the peace process, I am convinced that Gilbert Teodoro is the best guardian of our seas and islands

As a classmate, Gilbert was generous, supportive, easy to get along, and loyal.

He was obviously brilliant, had gone to the best schools for his basic education (Xavier School) and college (De La Salle University) and we knew he belonged to an influential and wealthy family, but he was not arrogant and never acted privileged or entitled.

That was what attracted me to Gibo. I could trust him, knew that he was always thoughtful and principled, with an exemplary mind and a good heart, and above all someone who loved our country very much.

Even then, when we were students and young lawyers, Gilbert’s vision for the Philippines was that of modernizing our economy and enabling our people to prosper in the 21st century.

This ambitious vision for the country are reflected in his work in Congress in the 1990s and early 2000s, his leadership of the

Lula, Brazil’s divisive diplomatic dynamo

political role model, US ex-president Donald Trump.

A string of world leaders have traveled to Brasilia to meet with Lula, who has in turn crisscrossed the globe from the Americas to Asia to Europe, securing big-money backing for key initiatives such as his Amazon Fund to protect the world’s biggest rainforest.

“Simply not being Jair Bolsonaro provided Lula with considerable global goodwill,” international relations expert Oliver Stuenkel wrote recently in Brazilian Report.

Stumbling on Ukraine

But the charismatic ex-metalworker has also caused several diplomatic rows with his controversial, unfiltered statements.

Lula has made a high-profile bid to set up internationally mediated talks to end the war in Ukraine, but is seen by many in the West as overly cozy with Russia.

He has declined to join Western nations in sending arms to Ukraine or imposing sanctions on President Vladimir Putin’s government over its invasion.

On a trip to China in April, Lula accused the United States of “encouraging” the war. The White House hit back, saying he was “parroting Russian and Chinese propaganda.”

said former Brazilian diplomat Paulo Roberto de Almeida.

But he told AFP it also shows Lula’s close relationship with “the two big autocracies,” China and Russia— Brazil’s partners in the BRICS group of emerging countries.

Balancing act

Lula faces a tough balancing act on a global chessboard increasingly polarized between the United States and China.

Brazil needs both: China is its biggest trading partner, the US a natural ally on key issues such as the environment and strengthening democracy.

Department of Defense during the GMSA years, his presidential campaign in 2010, and his business engagement in the last 10 years. Through the years, Gibo and I had continued to engage with each other, exchanging observations and ideas on how to change this country for the better. He has well-conceived and well-developed solutions to many of our challenges.

We have also supported each other on our personal endeavors.

That includes our respective mothers, with my late mother Inday La Viña being Gilbert’s biggest supporter in Cagayan de Oro when she was alive. I am sure she is very happy now that Gilbert is back in government.

This is not to say that I have had no disagreement with Secretary Teodoro.

There is of course our divergent views about the martial law era and the legacy of the Marcos Sr government.

More relevant to the present, we are not in agreement on how to pursue the peace process with the National Democratic Front of the Philippines, the Communist Party of the Philippines, and the New People’s Army. I have worked for four presidential administrations for the last 30 years and have through the years taught and mentored many military officials and yes revolutionaries, on both sides of the conflict.

I am convinced that, as challenging as it is, there is no other way to achieve permanent peace but through negotiations.

Nonetheless, in spite of this divergence on the peace process, I am convinced that Gilbert Teodoro is the best guardian of our seas and islands.

The real threat is not within but is external, our giant neighbor that cannot be outfought but can be outsmarted if we have a defense chief like who we have now.

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

Getulio Vargas Foundation.

Lula is also keen to strengthen regional ties in South America.

But a key summit last month -- the continent’s first in nearly a decade —practically did the opposite, as Lula provoked a squabble with his controversial comments on Venezuela.

Lula warmly welcomed Venezuelan socialist leader Nicolas Maduro, a pariah in some quarters for his government’s alleged rights violations and authoritarianism, painting him as the victim of a hostile “narrative.”

In May, a planned meeting between Lula and Ukrainian President Volodymyr Zelensky on the sidelines of the G7 summit in Japan fell through, officially because of “conflicting agendas.” Zelensky quipped he imagined Lula was “disappointed.” Lula replied he was rather “upset.” Lula’s Ukraine stance is part of “the traditional anti-Americanism” of his left-wing Workers’ Party (PT),

Lula was warmly welcomed by US President Joe Biden at the White House in February, but came away with no big deals or announcements.

His China trip, in contrast, yielded a flurry of economic cooperation agreements.

“Brazil’s biggest risk and fear is having to take sides” between Beijing and Washington, said international relations specialist Pedro Brites of the

That drew criticism not only from center-right President Luis Lacalle Pou of Uruguay, but also from fellow leftist Gabriel Boric of Chile.

“Lula’s unfortunate statements erased any evidence of the summit’s success,” Almeida said.

At home, Lula meanwhile faces pressure to spend more time on domestic affairs, given the tricky, treacherous politics of navigating a virulent opposition and a Congress dominated by his conservative enemies. AFP

DIGITAL crimes are happening not just every day, but every minute of the day.

Lula is also keen to strengthen regional ties in South America

US-INDIA TIES. US President Joe Biden looks on as India’s Prime Minister Narendra Modi speaks during an official State Dinner in his honor at the White House in Washington, DC, on June 22. AFP

IN BRIEF

Climate finance summit wraps up

PARIS—A global summit seeking to overhaul the international financial system wraps up Friday after taking small steps towards easing the debt burden of developing nations weighed down by climate and economic crises.

While host country France pitched the conference as a consensus-building exercise, leaders are under pressure to produce clear outcomes from the two-day meeting as economies stagger under growing debt after successive crises in recent years.

The summit comes amid growing recognition of the scale of the financial challenges ahead, with warnings that the world’s ability to curb global warming at tolerable levels is reliant on a massive increase in clean energy investment in developing countries.

With trust in short supply over broken climate financing promises from richer countries, developing nations are looking for tangible progress.

After ‘dictators’ jab, Biden set to see Xi soon

WASHINGTON—US President Joe Biden voiced confidence Thursday that he would meet Xi Jinping soon, as he refused to back down after angering Beijing by likening the Chinese leader to “dictators.”

Biden rejected “this theory that the relationship with China is collapsing” and praised talks Monday in Beijing between Xi and Secretary of State Antony Blinken, who sought to keep tensions between the two powers in check.

“Secretary Blinken had a great trip to China. I expect to be meeting with President Xi sometime in the future -in the near term,” Biden told a news conference alongside Indian Prime Minister Narendra Modi.

Implicitly doubling down on his earlier comments on Xi, Biden said he would not be “avoiding saying what I think (are) the facts” on China.

“It’s just not something I’m going to change very much,” he said.

Biden, speaking two days after Blinken’s trip, said that Xi—who has cemented power like no Chinese leader in decades—was unaware of an alleged surveillance balloon that flew over the US mainland in February.

“The reason why Xi Jinping got very upset in terms of when I shot that balloon down with two box cars full of spy equipment is he didn’t know it was there,” Biden told a political reception at which reporters were present.

“I’m serious. That was the great embarrassment for dictators, when they didn’t know what happened.”

The balloon caused a public uproar in the United States, leading Blinken to cancel his originally scheduled trip to Beijing, even though administration officials privately doubted the threat from the object. AFP

US, India leaders salute ‘defining relationship’

WASHINGTON—US President Joe Biden and Indian Prime Minister Narendra Modi said Thursday that the two democracies’ partnership would define the next century, as Washington eyes a counterweight to China and brushes off allegations of growing authoritarianism in New Delhi.

The two nations reached major deals on engines for fighter jets, semiconductor investment and space cooperation as Biden rolled out the red carpet to Modi for only the third state visit of his presidency.

With thousands of Indian-Americans chanting his name on the White House’s South Lawn, Modi, sporting a flowing white kurta with a sky-blue jacket, walked a red carpet to a gun salute.

“I have long believed that the rela-

tionship between the US and India will be one of the most defining relationships of the 21st century,” Biden said. Modi, India’s most powerful prime minister in decades, said that the visit brought a “new direction and new energy” to the partnership with the United States.

Later, addressing both chambers of Congress, Modi clearly alluded to US concerns on China as he backed a “free, open and inclusive Indo-Pacific,” a fa-

vorite phrase of the United States.

“The dark clouds of coercion and confrontation are casting their shadow in the Indo-Pacific,” Modi said.

Defending record on rights

Indian-American supporters broke protocol to chant Modi’s name during the speech but at least six lawmakers from Biden’s Democratic Party boycotted the talk, pointing to Modi’s human rights record.

Biden addressed the concerns lightly, calling religious pluralism a “core principle” for both India and the United States and saying that democratic values “face challenges around the world and in each of our countries.”

“The whole world has a stake in our success,” Biden said. “Maintaining our democracies makes us appealing partners.” AFP

EU warns Twitter to beef up its content moderation

SAN FRANCISCO—The EU’s top tech enforcer warned Elon Musk on Thursday that Twitter must have enough resources to moderate dangerous content by August 25 or risk being in violation of the bloc’s landmark rules to rein in big tech.

“If the technology is not ready they need to have enough resources to match the gap. I spoke on this specific topic with Elon Musk,” EU commissioner Thierry Breton told reporters following a meeting at Twitter headquarters, which included the platform’s new CEO Linda Yaccarino.

Breton said he told the Twitter team, with Musk joining by videoconference from New York, that “there are a few areas that will be critical immediately when

the regulation will be enforceable.”

This would be “especially everything related to child abuse which is a very hot topic for us in Europe, also disinformation in elections,” Breton said.

The commissioner’s two-day visit to San Francisco came just weeks before the European Union’s Digital Service Act (DSA) comes into full force for the world’s biggest platforms, including Meta’s Facebook and Instagram, as well as TikTok and Twitter.

The former French finance minister will also meet with Meta’s Mark Zuckerberg to discuss the new rules.

But all eyes are on Musk, who since taking ownership of Twitter has, often abruptly, modified many rules about

what language is allowed on the site, even if it is found offensive or delivers hate and misinformation -- in direct opposition to the EU’s new rules.

Breton’s meeting at Twitter was part of what the EU called a “stress test” to gauge whether the platform was ready to meet the new rules, despite a massive wave of layoffs since Musk took it over.

TikTok has also accepted to undergo a stress test in July, as the Chineseowned app fights off fears that it is potentially under the domination of the Chinese Communist party in Beijing.

On a visit to Paris last week, Musk said he had every intention of meeting the demands of the DSA, an ambition that the EU welcomed. AFP

Squatting Russian diplomat sparks standoff in Australia

CANBERRA—A mystery Russian diplomat

with a penchant for loungewear and cigarettes on Friday sparked a national security standoff between Canberra and the Kremlin, defying Australia’s efforts to kick him off a messy building site near parliament.

Australia has blocked Russia from building a new embassy on a scruffy parcel of land a stone’s throw from Parliament House, after intelligence officials warned that Moscow would use the site as a base to spy on lawmakers.

Last week, Australia passed laws specifi-

cally drafted to stop the development, which sits about 400 metres (0.25 miles) away from the parliamentary precinct.

Since then, a bespectacled Russian official clad in track pants and a puffer jacket has thwarted efforts to reclaim the land, where he is squatting inside a small security shed surrounded by weeds and discarded building materials.

With an envoy firmly ensconced inside the cosy portacabin on Friday afternoon, the Russian embassy launched a last-ditch legal bid to

Oil firms sued for $51b over ‘Heat Dome’

WASHINGTON—A county in the northwestern state of Oregon on Thursday filed a lawsuit against major fossil fuel companies seeking more than $51 billion over the 2021 “Heat Dome,” one of the United States’ deadliest weather-related disasters.

Multnomah County, which encompasses the state’s most populous city Portland, said combined historic carbon pollution from use of the companies’ products—and their decision to mislead the public about their impacts —was a big factor in exacerbating the heat wave.

“This is an event that is directly attributed to the impacts that we are seeing on our climate because of the actions of fossil fuel companies and their agencies that have been pressing for decades to deny

climate science,” County Chair Jessica Vega Pederson told AFP.

The county is asking for $50 million in current damages from the Heat Dome, and $1.5 billion for future damages as extreme heat, drought, wildfires, and smoky skies become more common. It also wants a much larger sum— $50 billion—for a longer term “abatement fund” to upgrade and “climatize” the county’s infrastructure.

The record-breaking heat wave baked the western United States and Canada from late June to mid-July 2021, causing a peak temperature of 121.3 degrees Fahrenheit (49.6 degrees Celsius) in Lytton, British Columbia and leading to an estimated 1,400 deaths. AFP

halt his eviction.

An Australian government spokesman said Russia was seeking an injunction at the country’s highest court.

“Russia’s challenge to the validity of the law is not unexpected,” he told AFP.

“This is part of the Russian playbook.”

- ‘Russophobic hysteria’Government sources have confirmed the man has diplomatic protection, but AFP has been unable to match him with Russia’s official list of representatives in Australia. AFP

The V20 group of countries on the climate front lines -- which now includes 58 member nations -- has said restructuring the global financial system to align with climate targets must be completed by 2030.

“We come to Paris to identify the common humanity that we share and the absolute moral imperative to save our planet and to make it liveable,” said Barbados Prime Minister Mia Mottley, whose Caribbean island nation is threatened by rising sea levels and tropical storms. AFP

Thais charged with human trafficking

Malaysian court charged four Thai nationals with human trafficking of migrants on Friday over the discovery eight years ago of mass graves near the country’s border with Thailand.

KANGAR, Malaysia—A

More than 100 bodies were discovered buried deep in the Malaysian jungle in 2015, triggering an investigation into human trafficking in the Southeast Asian nation.

The four men, aged between 30 and 58, were charged under Malaysia’s anti-trafficking in persons and anti-smuggling of migrants law.

The men are alleged to have been involved in the trafficking between 2013 and 2015, and face up to 15 years in jail if found guilty, according to court documents.

After being extradited to Malaysia on Thursday, the suspects will be held in a prison in the northern town of Kangar ahead of their next court appearance on July 25.

The men, wearing white T-shirts and chained together, were brought to a court in Malaysia’s northern city of Kangar, which borders Thailand, near where the graves and trafficking camps were found.

The suspects were among 10 Thai nationals that Malaysia had sought for since 2017 as part of an investigation into the border camps.

The region, known for its porous border, has long been a gateway for persecuted Rohingya Muslims fleeing violence in their native Myanmar and economic migrants from Bangladesh.

Smugglers have in previous years brought tens of thousands of Rohingya on a perilous journey over land and sea to Malaysia, a relatively affluent and safe Muslim-majority country.

One of Southeast-Asia’s countries richest countries, Malaysia depends heavily on cheap foreign workers from Indonesia, Bangladesh and Myanmar for its construction, plantations and services sectors.

A 2019 report by Malaysian human rights commissioners and a rights group said a human smuggling syndicate operated in the area from 2012 to 2015. AFP

BSP rate cut possible in first quarter

By Julito G. Rada

BANGKO Sentral ng Pilipinas Governor Felipe Medalla said Friday that an inflation rate below 3 percent will likely give monetary authorities a reason to cut interest rates by January or February 2024.

Medalla said in an interview on Bloomberg TV that waiting remained the “best strategy” at the moment.

“I suppose if we see inflation below 3 percent, by January or February we may cut. But we should be patient. We must be careful. Waiting is the best strategy

IN BRIEF

PLDT eyeing 12th data center to boost capacity

THE PLDT Group, through ICT subsidiary ePLDT, said Friday it plans to build its 12th data center facility to boost its data center market capacity.

Victor Genuino, president and chief executive of ePLDT, said the company’s decision to build the 12th data center is anchored on customers’ needs and its aspirations of delivering digital innovation that would bring more business value to customers and result in inclusive economic growth.

It is also a part of ePLDT’s vision to boost the country’s regional competitiveness and bring much-needed investments, he said.

“We want to be able to help the Philippines be the next hyperscaler hub of Asia while continuing to support the digital transformation journey of different sectors locally,” Genuino said.

The 12th data center will have a power capacity of no less than 100 megawatts. It will further fortify PLDT Group’s data center market leadership in the Philippines while leveraging on the massive infrastructure investment of the country’s largest telecommunication group. Darwin

G. Amojelar

First Gen’s FSRU vessel arrives in Batangas Bay

FIRST Gen Corp. on Friday welcomed the arrival of BW Batangas, a floating storage and regasification unit (FSRU) which was chartered by wholly-owned subsidiary FGEN LNG Corp. as part of its interim offshore liquefied natural gas terminal project in Batangas Bay.

FGEN LNG and BW Group, the world’s largest gas shipping company, signed a charter agreement with respect to the BW Batangas in April 2021 to play a pivotal role in securing the country’s energy supply through the regasification of imported LNG to fuel the natural gas power plants at the First Gen Clean Energy Complex in Batangas.

BW Batangas, which was previously called the BW Paris, arrived on June 16. It can store 162,524 cubic meters of LNG and regasify up to 500 million standard cubic feet of gas per day to enable LNG to supplement the Malampaya gas reserves.

“First Gen chose to rename its FSRU as the BW Batangas because of the Lopez-led company’s desire to acknowledge the consistent support of the Province of Batangas, Batangas City, and the local government units, that host the FGCEC where it will be based,” the company said.

Alena Mae S. Flores

PRA to stage national retail confab in August

THE Philippine Retailers Association, the largest national organization of retailers, shopping centers and allied industries, is staging its groundbreaking flagship program—the National Retail Conference and Expo on Aug. 10 to 11 at the SMX Convention Center Manila. The 29th edition of NRCE with overarching theme “Retail Breakthrough,” will be the gateway for retailers and other industries to take a giant leap into a brighter and more promising future.

PRA president Rosemarie Bosch Ong said that as the entire footprint of retail is about to change, retailers should be ready to spread their wings, prepare to fly and take a quantum leap by embracing the forthcoming wave of discoveries, learning new skills and competencies by harnessing innovations and transformations, accompanied by a strong will to execute growth in retail breakthroughs.

“With that goal in mind, the 29th NRCE will provide powerful learning sessions from global captains and, at the same time, an avenue for unrivaled collaboration and high-level networking opportunities,” Ong said.

Back-to-back with its world-class conference is the only focused and dedicated retail suppliers’ exhibition in the Philippines - the Retail Solutions Asia, earlier known as the Stores Asia Expo.

now. The optimal waiting time is up to January or February [2024],” he said. Medalla said there was a need to watch the movements of other central banks, but local monetary authorities depend on domestic economic data such as inflation.

“We are confident that we have done enough.. Headline inflation [in May 2023] stood at 6.1 percent. Unless there are new ‘surprises,’ we expect inflation below 4 percent by October or November [2023],” he said.

“The [current] situation will last quite some time unless there is other data that says otherwise. Goods inflation is actually lower than 4 percent, but services inflation is higher than 4 percent. So there is little reason to raise and little reason to cut [interest] rates,” he said. Bank of the Philippine Islands lead economist Jun Neri said in an online briefing Friday that inflation in the Phil-

ippines could be within the target range sooner than in the United States.

“The BSP may soon have the opening [to cut interest rates]. The BSP may do it gradually,” Neri said.

Neri said inflation would not only be the main consideration by monetary authorities when it comes to cutting interest rates. He said they were also looking at interest rate differentials.

“Based on the assessment of our research team, the best time to cut interest rates is early 2024,” Neri said.

The Monetary Board of the BSP on Thursday maintained the benchmark policy interest rate at 6.25 percent as ex-

pected as inflation began to ease.

Medalla said the average inflation was projected to settle at 5.4 percent in 2023, slightly lower than a previous estimate of 5.5 percent. The BSP also forecasts an average inflation of 2.9 percent for 2024 and 3.2 percent for 2025.

Medalla said the balance of risks to the inflation outlook continued to lean towards the upside due to the potential impact of additional transport fare increases and minimum wage adjustments, persistent supply constraints of key food items, El Niño weather conditions and possible knock-on effects of higher toll rates on agricultural prices.

Repower pegs IPO price at P5 to raise P1.15b

By Jenniffer B. Austria

REPOWER Energy Development

Corp. pegged the final offer price for its planned initial public offering at P5 per share to raise P1.15 billion.

REDC president Eric Peter Roxas said in a letter to the Philippine Stock Exchange the company would sell 200 million primary common shares, with an over-allotment option for 30 million secondary shares.

The offer period is from June 28 to July 14, while listing on the main board of the PSE is on July 24.

EGG-CELLENCE. Pilmico Animal Nutrition Corp., part of the agribusiness subsidiary of the Aboitiz Group, as the first awardee in Asia of the ‘500 Egg Club Award’ at the Philippine Poultry Show and lldex Philippines 2023. Its hens produce 500 eggs each at the age of Week 100, as recognized by Hendrix Genetics. Pilmico is the first in the Philippines and Asia to accomplish this achievement. Receiving the award is Pilmico assistant vice president for poultry and swine grower-finisher operations Dr. Serge Tan (fourth from right).

Business confidence rises, but consumers stay pessimistic

BUSINESS confidence in the Philippines improved in the second quarter from the previous quarter on the economy’s sustained return to greater normalcy and easing inflation.

Results of the latest Business Expectation Survey of the Bangko Sentral ng Pilipinas showed that the overall confidence index climbed to 40.8 percent in the second quarter from 34 percent in the first quarter.

“The respondent firms’ optimism stemmed from their expectations of increase in sales and production due to stronger demand for goods and services across all sectors, continued postpandemic recovery, fully reopened economy, easing inflation and seasonal uptick in demand for certain goods and services during the hot dry season,” the BSP said.

Inflation has been on a downward trend since it peaked at 8.7 percent in January 2023. It eased to 8.6 percent in February, 7.6 percent in March, 6.6 percent in April and 6.1 percent in May. This brought the average in the first five months to 7.5 percent, above the target range of 2 percent to 4 percent.

“Business sentiment across all sectors is mainly more optimistic for Q2 2023. The confidence indexes of the industry, services, and wholesale and retail trade sectors for Q2 2023 increased, while the index of the construction sector declined,” the BSP said. Meanwhile, consumer sentiment for the second quarter remained pessimistic as the overall confidence index was steady at -10.5 percent, compared to -10.4 percent in the first quarter. This

means that pessimists continued to outnumber optimists, but the margin was almost unchanged from the previous quarter.

“The sustained negative sentiment for Q2 2023 was attributed by consumers to their concerns over faster increase in the prices of goods and higher household expenses, lower income, fewer available jobs and the effectiveness of government policies and programs on inflation management, economic resilience, high-quality and well-paid job creation and financial assistance to low-income households,” the BSP said.

Consumers were less confident for the next quarter and the next 12 months as the confidence index declined to 4.6 percent and 20.5 percent (from 7.5 percent and 22.7 percent), respectively.

Julito G. Rada

PSE INDEX CLOSING

The company said it would use the proceeds from the maiden share offering to fund the equity portion of its hydropower projects, the development and/or acquisition of renewable energy projects and operating and working capital requirements.

REDC is the hydropower arm of Pure Energy Holdings led by businessman Dexter Tiu. The company operates six hydropower plants with a combined capacity of 10.146 megawatts.

It will soon add to its seventh and eighth operating hydropower plants in its portfolio with the commissioning of the 5.8-MW Tibag hydropower plant and the 1.4-MW Lower Labayat hydropower plant.

The company is also constructing the 15-MW Pulanai mini hydropower project in Bukidnon province and the 4.5-MW Piapi MHP project in Quezon province. The projects are targeted to be operational by 2025.

REDC earlier said it is developing a 200-MW wind farm in Quezon province. The project covers two wind energy service contracts in line with REDC’s mission to provide clean energy and uplift the living standards of rural and underelectrified communities.

By Othel V. Campos

THE Department of Trade and Industry expects a better export performance over the next six years following the signing of Memorandum Circular 23 by Executive Secretary Lucas Bersamin approving the 2023 to 2028 Philippine Export Development Plan.

“We are one with our exporters in raising the alarm bells on the need to have a whole-of-nation approach to dramatically change the growth trajectory of Philippine exports and develop the Philippines as an agile export powerhouse. As we move forward, it’s essential to use the momentum to reach the goals and ensure that the Plan is carried out well,” Trade Secretary Alfredo Pascual said in a statement.

MIGRANT WORKERS’ DAY. BDO Unibank Inc. and SM Supermalls in partnership with the Department of Migrant Workers and the Overseas Workers Welfare Administration team up to honor overseas Filipinos during the Migrant Workers’ Day celebration at the DMW office in Mandaluyong City, SM City North Edsa in Quezon City and SM City Bacolod in Bacolod City. Aside from games and prizes, BDO shared financial tips to overseas Filipinos and responded to their inquiries on remittance services, loans and insurance products.

OSG asks Supreme Court to annul Court of Appeal’s ruling on San Miguel power unit’s supply deal

By Alena Mae S. Flores

THE Office of the Solicitor General on Friday filed with the Supreme Court a petition for certiorari to annul the resolutions of the Court of Appeals’ 13th Division in favor of South Premiere Power Corp.

The CA resolutions, dated April 3, 2023 and Jan. 25, 2023, granted SPPC’s bid for injunctive relief to stop the Energy Regulatory Commission from enforcing a Sept. 29, 2022 order. Such order denied SPPC’s motion for an electricity price increase in its power supply agreement with Manila Electric Co. SPPC, a subsidiary of San Miguel Corp., signed the PSA with Meralco in 2019.

The ERC said in a statement the OSG petition, with a prayer for the issuance of a temporary restraining order or writ of preliminary injunction, claims that the CA 13th Division committed grave abuse of discretion when it gave due course to SPPC’s case in spite of fatal procedural defects, such as the absence of the required motion for reconsideration in the ERC and the improper remedy of petition for certiorari when an appeal would have been the appropriate course of action.

It said the OSG argued that only the SC has the authority to issue injunctions over the implementation of the Electric Power Industry Reform Act of 2001.

The OSG said the CA 13th Division exceeded its authority when it instructed SPPC and Meralco to engage in renegotiations for their PSA.

It said the CA Division’s order violated the mandates of the Department of Energy and the ERC, both of which are the agencies responsible for implementing the laws and regulations related to PSAs.

The ERC through the OSG also previously opposed the CA decision consolidating the cases filed by SMC subsidiaries on its 2019 PSA with Meralco.

The CA’s 16th Division denied the request for a temporary retaining order by San Miguel Energy Corp., but ruled that the subject case should be consolidated with an-

other case with similar facts filed by SPPC pending before the 13th Division.

The companies filed for a temporary rate hike with the ERC based on the change in circumstances, which the regulator denied. This prompted the companies to ask for a TRO and writ of injunction from the CA.

The CA’s 13th Division’s granted a WPI to SPPC on its 2019 power supply agreement with Meralco involving 670 megawatts of supply. The WPI enjoins Meralco from implementing the order of the ERC to honor their fixed-rate PSA.

As a consequence of the decision, SPPC could not be compelled to continue to supply Meralco under the PSA.

Bersamin signed the MC on June 20, 2023 on behalf of President Ferdinand Marcos Jr.

The PEDP is the result of strong collaboration between the government and stakeholders, as the Philippines commits to pursuing export development as a national agenda.

The program is an export development plan that recognizes the challenges of exporters and outlines pragmatic approach to address the challenges and propel the country’s export sector.

Through the implementation of the PEDP, the export sector aims to be vital engine of economic growth and contribute to the generation of over 1 million high-quality, better-paying and sustainable jobs for all Filipinos.

Industry development interventions will be followed through with firmlevel support based on the varying levels of export readiness of exporters. The PEDP will equip exporters with the tools, resources and enabling environment to quickly adapt and thrive in a fiercely competitive international market.

DTI sees faster exports growth in next 6 years

Mondilla ends slump, coasts to 5-shot romp

ANTIPOLO—With a huge lead, Clyde Mondilla re-calibrated his attacking kind of game to a subdued one and secured a first championship in three years – winning the ICTSI Forest Hills Classic crown by five over Angelo Que and Dino Villanueva despite a 72 at the Nicklaus course here on Friday.

It was virtually his since he unleashed a scorching 11-under 60 behind aggressive play in preferred conditions Tuesday and kept attacking the hilly par-71 layout in the next two days to produce 66 and 68 and a whopping six-stroke bulge with 18 holes to play in the P2 million championship.

He didn’t need a blast to cap a remarkable four-day campaign in the seventh leg of this year’s Philippine Golf Tour. In fact, Mondilla faltered with his first over-par round on a course he ripped and a field he clipped with his near-impeccable play.

But it hardly mattered as the Del Monte ace shifted to conservative play after birdying the first two holes and bogeying three of the next four. He parred the rest for a pair of 36s and an 18-under 266 total and beat Que, who took the challenger’s role with a fiery 64 Thursday but could only match par 71, and a late-charging Villanueva, who closed out with back-toback 66s, by five strokes.

“I just played it safe at the back since Nos. 10, 11 and 12 are very tricky. But it wasn’t after I hit my drive on No. 17 that I knew it’s (win) mine,” said Mondilla, whose wife Mae is expecting their second child next month.”

“Swerte din at sobrang blessed talaga,” he added

But he admitted to have felt some kind of pressure after those spate of bogeys, saying: “Yes, there was pressure but I was able to handle it with my run of pars,” said Mondilla.

He banked P350,000, the bulk of which he would use to support an Asian Development Tour campaign in Thailand next month, while Que and Villanueva, who matched 271s, shared the combined second and third prizes of P360,000.

The margin of victory paled in comparison to Rupert Zaragosa’s nine-stroke romp over Tony Lascuña in the Iloilo stop of the country’s premier circuit put up by ICTSI. But the way Mondilla dominated the field and the course with his solid driving, superb iron game and putting—making his first bogey only after the 50th hole—only underscored the talent and skills of the multi-titled player who went on a slump after topping the most crowded playoff cast – five – in PGT history at Pradera Verde in 2020 where he rallied from six down to earn a spot in sudden death.

NBA dream alive: Kai Sotto gets Magic invite for Summer League

By Peter Atencio

FILIPINO big man Kai

Sotto took another major step in his bid to make it to the NBA after being chosen by the Orlando Magic to play in their NBA Summer League team.

After various tryouts with a number of NBA teams, Sotto has done enough to impress the Orlando Magic, with the news of his Summer League inclusion being carried out by NBA. com and confirmed by columnist Quinito Henson. Sotto will be around when the Summer League gets off in Las Vegas from July 7 to 17.

The NBA Summer League, also known as the Las Vegas Summer League, is an off-season competition organized by the NBA, where teams

come together to try out different summer rosters instead of their regular season line-ups, including rookie, sophomore and G League affiliate players.

Sotto has been putting in lot of work to be able to suit up for a team in the NBA lately, joining the minicamps of the Utah Jazz and the Dallas Mavericks, and trying out for the New York Knicks.

Sotto has become a free agent after being undrafted in the 2022 NBA Draft.

Last year, Orlando was one of the squads that showed interest and invited Sotto to join in their workouts.

After that, Sotto went on to play for one more season with the Adelaide 39ers in the National Basketball League in Australia, before heading over to the B.League in Japan, with the Hiroshima Dragonflies.

Sotto has averaged 6.81 points and 4.52 rebounds in 27 games played in his final year with the 39ers.

Later, Sotto came up with 8.92 points, 6.08 rebounds, and 1.29 blocks in 24 games playing for the Dragonflies.

Last week, visiting three-time champion assistant coach Phil Handy of the Los Angeles Lakers said that Sotto has the tools to someday make it into the NBA.

The Lakers’ leader in player development, who has coached superstars LeBron James, Kyrie Irving, Kahwi Leonard and the late Kobe Bryant, admitted having watched Sotto grow as a player, saying that given the right circumstances, could crack an NBA roster at the right time.

“I believe he’s very talented. I don’t believe in putting timelines on athletes. I’ve had a chance to see him play for a couple of years. He’s naturally gifted. He spent some time down in Australia, and that really helped develop his game,” said Handy, who advised the Filipino player to stay ready when the opportunity comes.

SEAG medalists receive POC incentives on Olympic Day

A FESTIVE yet solemn celebration of the Olympic Day was held Friday at the University of the Philippines Track and Field Oval with more than 70 national athletes who won medals at the Cambodia Southeast Asian Games ceremonially receiving their cash bonuses from the Philippine Olympic Committee.

The POC incentives were drawn from the support of the Manuel V. Pangilinan Sports Foundation to the POC Trust Fund initiated by its president Rep. Abraham “Bambol” Tolentino.

“The POC is so grateful with Mr. Manny V. Pangilinan for his continuous generosity to help our athletes o excel in their respective sports through the years,” Tolentino said. “The athletes are very thankful and they promise us to do their best in future competitions.”

A total of 260 medalists in Cambodia will receive the cash bonuses start-

ing next week until the end of the month at the POC offices inside the PhilSports Complex in Pasig City.

MVPSF executive director Jude Turcuato formally turned over the check for the bonuses to Caballero and POC deputy secretary-general for

international affairs Bones Floro after the ceremonial Olympic Day walkand-run and Zumba presentation by members of the Special Olympics Philippines.

“It’s a good fit for us because the MVPSF was built for the athletes to win

Forest Hills-PGAP Pro-Am set next month

I NSPIRED by the staging of the ongoing Forest Hills Classic, Forest Hills G olf and Country Club is a hosting a two-day Pro-Am tournament in July.

Club chairman Robert Sobrepeña made the announcement on Thursday, stating that the event would be in partnership with the Professional Golfers Association of the Philippines.

“We are happy the with turnout of the current Forest Hills Classic and we would like to continue to help

the pros in any way we can. The collaboration with PGAP is new and exciting and look forward to the Pro-Am,” Sobrepena said.

The PGAP is actually an old organization having started in 1966 with golf great Bantam Ben Arda on the lead. It has a membership of more than 1,000, including touring and teaching pros plus seniors, nationwide.

“I’m glad that Mr. Sobrepeña and Mr. Raymond Bunquin, Forest Hills general manager, is assisting

us in our program of conducting more tournaments for our members,” said PGAP president Jhonel Bulawit. Bulawit, who assumed in March this year, also said: “From 2006 to 2022, we’ve only had a tournament only once a year. My mission is to clean the ranks and do more action for the members.”

medals for the country,” Turcuato said. “We are celebrating now the Olympic Day and it’s a good timing. We want to thank our athletes as well for giving their best.”

Individual gold medalists will get P100,000 each, silver medalists P50,000 and bronze medalists will earn P25,000, according to POC deputy secretary-general Karen Tanchancho-Caballero. Medlists in team sports are also entitled to the bonuses.

Former long jump queen Elma Muros-Posadas, 1992 Olympics taekwondo bronze medalist Stephen Fernandez and 1992 Olympics boxing bronze medalist Roel Velasco joined the celebration along with UP College of Human Kinetics Dean Francis Carlos “Kiko” Diaz.

Olympic Day is held annually by national Olympic committees to celebrate the founding of the International Olympic Committee by Baron Pierre de Coubertin on June 23, 1894.

JOHNNY Arcilla and Jose Maria Pague try to pick up the pieces of a shattered campaign in last week’s Malita Open as they headline the stellar field anew in the Lanao del Norte National Open Tennis Championships which reels off Saturday at the MCC courts in Tubod.

The top two seeds fell in complete surprise in Davao Occidental’s premier tournament as unranked John Bryan Otico stunned the No. 1 Arcilla, 6-2, 6-4, in the semis then repelled Otico, 6-4, 6-3, to snatch the men’s singles Open crown worth P80,000.

But the 24-year-old stalwart of Loyola Marymount U in Los Angeles won’t be seeing action this time, leaving Arcilla and Pague as the marked players again in the battle for the top P50,000 prize in the week-long championship sponsored by Gov. Imelda Quibranza-Dimaporo.

The event, which also features the men’s and women’s Open doubles, the Legends men’s doubles (30s, 40s, 50s and 60s) and the national agegroup for boys and girls, is held in line with the host city’s 64th founding anniversary.

Also on tap are competitions in basketball, volleyball, football, cycling with tennis serving as the highlight of the 10day festivities, according to Provincial Sports coordinator Nelson Lasola.

Joining Arcilla and Pague in the hunt are Vicente Anasta, Eric Olivarez, Joshua Kinaadman, Eric Tangub, Noel Salupado, Christian Lopez, Brent Cortes, John Alejandre, Mcleen Gomera, John Sonsona, Dice Gaspar, Heinz Carbonilla, Ibarra Ortega and Nash Agustines.

Clyde Mondilla kisses his ICTSI Forest Hills Classic championship trophy. Manny Marcelo

The POC celebrates Olympic Day at the UP Track and Field Oval.

Robert Sobrepeña and Raymond Bunquin

A salute to Manila’s vibrant history

By Patricia Taculao

EVERY June 24, Manila, the capital of the Philippines, celebrates its founding anniversary. It is a day when Manila residents participate in various activities that highlight the city’s heritage and beauty, to go with the efforts of numerous individuals who made the city’s accomplishments possible.

This year is no different, as Manila Mayor Maria Sheilah Honrado “Honey” Lacuna–Pangan, or Honey Lacuna, prepared a festive line-up for Manilans to enjoy -- a day specially curated for their beloved city’s legacy.

Lacuna announced the line-up last May 25, which included activities like a cleanup drive, tree planting, a film festival, a mass wedding, awarding, and more. The schedule began last June 15, Thursday, and culminates this Saturday with a Civil and Military Parade in Moriones, Tondo, and Grand Copa De Manila in Malvar, Batangas.

In nearly every activity, Lacuna was present to lead her fellow Manilans to inspire camaraderie and patriotism for the city

Araw ng Maynila 2023’s week-long celebration and turnout are a testament to how its leaders and residents respect the city’s eventful history, relevance in the country, and continuing vibrant culture.

Meanwhile, President Ferdinand “Bongbong” Marcos Jr. declared June 24 a special non-working day in Manila to mark its 452nd founding anniversary, which Executive Secretary Lucas Bersamin signed on behalf of the Chief Executive.

“It is but fitting and proper that the people of the City of Manila be given full opportunity to participate in the occasion and enjoy the celebration,” the proclamation said.

Looking back

Before the high-rise buildings and modern tourist attractions Manila is known for today, the city was home to historical landmarks and events that defined the city’s identity and relevance to the Philippines. Manila was said to be named after a stalky rice plant with yellow and white flowers called “Nilad,” which grew abundantly in the Southern part of the Pasig River.

IT

This year’s Araw ng Maynila has been eventful, with activities from June 15 to the celebration’s culmination on June 24. Spearheaded by Manila City Mayor Honey Lacuna, the annual founding festivities highlighted the city’s culture, heritage, and people. Now celebrating 452 years since its founding, Manila’s undeniable progress and role in the Philippines is always worth commemorating.

from a one-country operation at the Port of Manila in the Philippines, ICTSI has pressed forward across 35 years. On six continents, currently in 19 countries, we continue developing ports that deliver transformative benefits.

(Photos from MPIO’s Facebook page)

452nd Araw ng Maynila Araw ng Maynila Araw ng Maynila

Manila government unveils Padre Jose Burgos monument

MANILA Mayor Honey

LacunaPangan led the unveiling and blessing of the new monument of Padre Jose Burgos last June 19.

However, before colonization turned Manila into the country’s center, earlier civilizations already recognized the city’s potential as a hub for trading and economy.

As early as the 14th century, traders, investors, and seafarers worked in the commerce triangle of Southeast Asia between Canton, Malacca, and Timor. Manila was–still is–the chief city of Luzon, ruled by three Muslim chieftains, namely Raha Matanda, a grandson of Sultan Bolkiah of Borneo, Raha Sulayman, Raha Matanda’s nephew, and Raha Lakandula of Tondo. But in 1570, Sulayman routed Martin de Goiti’s attack on the city.

By 1571, Spanish conquistador Miguel Lopez de Legazpi arrived in Manila and claimed Spanish sovereignty over the area. Legazpi established a municipal council and became Manila’s founding day, which Manilans celebrated for centuries.

On the other hand, historians argue that the date celebrates a Spanish Manila than its original roots. Nonetheless, the event stuck. Manila continued to flourish and became a bustling city that has sparked progressive innovations in many sectors and industries.

Where to go in Manila

It’s no secret that there’s much to see and do in Manila. It’s why Filipinos from across the country often flock to the capital to change their fortunes or find unique experiences within its streets and among the colorful communities. But for tourist destinations, Manila hardly lacks any spots worth visiting.

The historic and scenic Rizal Park or Luneta Park, complete with the iconic Rizal Monument, is a fine place to start. The sprawling greenery of the park is ideal for picnics or scenic walks, with themed subgardens providing variety to the scenery. A dancing fountain and open-air stage add a dash of entertainment. Upon reaching the monument, which faces the equally breathtaking sunset proudly, one can’t help but beam with patriotism.

A good thing to note about Rizal Park is its proximity to other destinations that provide insights into Filipino heritage–like The National Museum of the Philippines.

Museums are the ideal locations to visit to better acquaint with the past and witness masterpieces, which is what The National

Museum provides to its guests. From early artifacts to biological specimens to modern attractions, there’s much that the museum teaches its guests. It takes people on a wellcurated trip down fine arts and anthropology, while combining the elements of the past with contemporary components.

Still on history and culture, another popular tourist site is Fort Santiago, located within the sturdy walls of Intramuros, also known as “The Walled City” during the Spanish era because of its impenetrable exterior that still stands firm today. Various historical relics are strewn throughout Intramuros for tourists –among them Fort Santiago.

Fort Santiago is famous for being the last place where the Philippine national hero, Jose Rizal, was incarcerated before heading for his execution in Bagumbayan, now known as Luneta. Many structures are still intact, with many repurposed to meet modern demands. While tourists can stroll around the vicinity and look at what used to be prison cells from above, one attraction they shouldn’t miss is a museum dedicated to Jose Rizal. There, people can see some of the artifacts he used frequently, the masterpieces he created throughout his life, and a recreation of his holding cell.

Meanwhile, a recent addition to Manila’s tourist destination is the Dolomite beach along the famed Manila Bay on Roxas Boulevard. It has become a top spot for those who want to spend a leisurely day watching the Manila Bay sunset and listening to the city go about its business.

Those who want to explore the other communities of Manila can visit Chinatown in Binondo, where they can find some elements of Chinese culture in every corner. Besides the sights and shops, Binondo is a treasure trove filled with culinary gems to satisfy cravings. Whether street food or restaurant-quality dishes, there’s something for everyone in Binondo.

It’s been more than 400 centuries since Manila was founded. Although it commemorates a Spanish Manila than its native community, there’s no denying that much has occurred within the city’s borders that’s always worth celebrating. Araw ng Maynila is also a day to recognize the accomplishments of outstanding Manila residents, who sparked change within their communities.

So here’s to another anniversary for Manila and many more to come.

The city mayor was joined by Ferdinand Magellan Province Vice Supreme Master Sir Knight (SK) Anthony Nazario, Intramuros Administrator Atty. Joan Padilla, Padre Burgos Assembly Faithful Navigator SK Joey Balerite Lat, Manila Police District Director PBGen Andre Perez Dizon, and Chief of Staff Joshue Santiago. Jose Apolonio Burgos y Garcia, who

was part of GOMBURZA, was established and identified as the guardian of the Filipino clergy during his time. His monument is located along his namesake street in Manila. (Photos by K R De Asis/MPIO)

EXCEPTIONAL’ HAS ARRIVED

Maserati PH finally brings in new Grecale

AT A LAUNCH event held in the Samsung Hall at SM Aura Premier, Maserati together with Philippine distributors, Modena Motorsports, Inc, announced the arrival of the Maserati Grecale in the Philippines.

Grecale is a range within the range, the Trident brand’s fullest ever. An extremely wide range of engines is available: conventional internal combustion, hybrid and, in a year’s time, the Grecale will also be the first full-electric SUV in Maserati history.

Two versions were rolled out at the launch: GT, powered by a four-cylinder mild hybrid engine capable of delivering 300 hp; and the powerful Trofeo, equipped with a high-performance 3.0L 530-hp petrol V6 based on the Nettuno engine fitted to the MC20.

On the other hand, three more variants shall be made available in the market: Modena, which is equipped with a fourcylinder 330-hp mild hybrid engine; the PrimaSerie Launch Edition, a limited edition featuring exclusive content; and to complete the range, the Grecale Folgore, the 100% electric version with 400V technology - all will be made available for indent ordering.

“Grecale embodies a perfect blend of sportiness and sophistication,” said Takayuki Kimura, Head of Maserati Asia Pacific. “As the inaugural offering for a new segment of Maserati, we are very excited to bring Grecale to the Philippines to turn everyday journeys into extraordinary driving experiences.”

The new SUV stands out in terms of spaciousness and comfort. It sports best-in-class levels of interior space, driveability, handling, acceleration (0-100 km/h in 3.8 seconds – on the Trofeo), top speed (285 km/h – again on the Trofeo), sound quality and extensive use of fine materials such as wood, carbon fibre and leather.

Every journey is transformed into a unique adventure that combines dynamic comfort and an unforgettable driving experience, made possible by the extraordinary handling provided by the new, 100% Maserati Vehicle Dynamic Control Module (VDCM) system and the 360° control it offers over the car. The option of complete control translates into a clear distinction between the various DRIVE MODES: COMFORT, GT, SPORT, CORSA (Trofeo only) and OFF-ROAD.

Hyundai HD78 GT’s PTO feature pushes versatility

DID you know that you can extend the versatility of the Hyundai HD 78 GT with the Power Take-off (PTO) feature?

PTO is a gearbox that channels power from the engine to make auxiliary equipment work. This gives your truck added versatility beyond its usual hauling function. Energy that would have been wasted is harnessed to perform a variety of functions that brings added value to your business.

PTO makes it possible to operate - among many - mowers, wood chippers, water pumps, generators, compressors, blowers, carpet-cleaning vacuums, the winch on a tow truck, the hydraulic lift of a car transporter, mechanical arms, like the auger on the end of a truck, a loader crane, a man lifter for inspecting power lines, the bed of a

dump truck, and a whole range of farming equipment.

For the smart operator, this spells savings as you don’t have to shell out extra money to have one installed for you. Plus, you get a valuable accessory that will enhance your service offerings and command better profit

for your business. With a longer deck, the HD78 GT already promises maximum versatility. The medium wheel base (MWB) boasts load space of up to 15 feet (ft), the long wheel base (LWB), up to 18 ft, and the extralong wheel base (ELWB), up to 19.5 ft. In addition, you can ride confidently through tough roads even at maximum load because it is built from the famed Hyundai high strength steel.

Best of all, you get all those features at most affordable price points since the Hyundai HD78 GT is one of the industry’s more affordable trucks in its class.

Developed to meet global standards for trucks of its category, the Hyundai HD78 GT is a truck of all trades that’s designed and built to bring in maximum profit to owner/operators.

Financing Motorcycles

IN THREE of these examples, the government has done nothing to halt a significant but long-standing problem from escalating. Here are three illustrations:

Case 1: Rene fantasizes about buying a motorcycle so he can easily commute every day from his house to his office and back. He continued to set aside money from his paycheck in order to purchase the motorcycle of his dreams. Rene made the decision to visit the closest motorcycle showroom to purchase a brand-new motorcycle once he had enough savings. He was greeted like a king by a salesperson, but he received a shock when he learned that he couldn’t pay the whole price for the desired motorcycle. He was informed that the only way he could obtain it was through funding. This required him to make both a down payment and a monthly payment for the next three years.

Second example: Brando comes from a wealthy family. He rushed immediately to a well-known motorcycle store in Quezon City after receiving the money needed to purchase a brand-new motorcycle from his mother. But he was shocked to learn from the saleswoman that they only sell using a 3-year finance plan. He attempted in vain to justify the necessity for a finance plan by saying that he already had enough cash to purchase the motorcycle he desired. The saleswoman informed him that it was company policy.

Case No. 3: Cesar is employed

by a large corporation that also sells motorcycles. He made every effort to work with his firm to finance the motorcycle he so desperately wanted since he wanted to possess one. The motorcycle was delivered to his home after a month. He was shocked to learn that the motorcycle’s SRP would be more than double what he would be paying when he received the paperwork for it. Cesar understood that the financing of his motorcycle was generating significant profits for his business and its sister enterprise. There is a significant problem in the local motorcycle sector because the majority of motorcycle dealers have an odd grip on the financing plans for the products they are now selling. The motorcycle industry is a multi-billion dollar sector, and it is anticipated that in the next few years, the number of motorcycles will continue to rise dramatically.

Why should the common poor be forced to bear the hardship of going through financing plans offered by different finance companies that double or even triple the cost of a regular motorcycle?

Around P80,000 will get one a decent, new motorcycle. And for about P130,000, a fantastic, brand-new motorcycle that you can occasionally take outside of the city. You may immediately bring the money home because you already have it. You certainly think so. The majority of motorbike consumers today are dissatisfied with the subpar system used by the dealers in the past and currently. The majority of the dealers are pressuring the buyers to use financing options (either internal or through the banks of their choosing). These lending companies (together with the dealers) would undoubtedly be guaranteed a significant profit through financing plans. It would not be profitable to pay cash for the SRPs.

Is this horrible plan permitted in this nation? The key companies in the nation’s motorbike sector have been embracing this strategy for a while now because it is still extremely profitable. Why is it put up with? We’d prefer to direct that query to the authorities, who are still feigning ignorance of the true problem while holding up helpless motorcycle consumers against their will.

New generation of electrification with All-New Toyota Zenix

TOYOTA Motor Philippines (TMP) has officially introduced its first 7-seater Hybrid Electric Vehicle (HEV) – the All-New Toyota Zenix.

Positioned to bring the electrified mobility experience to modern Filipino families, the All-New Zenix is a versatile vehicle with a self-

charging hybrid system, combining the comfort, spaciousness, and reliability of a Toyota family carrier with the benefits of an advanced energy efficient ride, with a quiet drive and lesser emissions. The All-New Zenix is the newest addition to TMP’s wide HEV lineup, expanding its existing range of the Corolla Altis, Corolla Cross, Camry and RAV4. Designed for those who value versatility, reliability, style, comfort, and

convenience, the All-New Zenix provides an enhanced driving experience, assuring families of the spaciousness of an MPV ideal for various kinds of new family experiences. It comes in two variants – the 2.0 Q Hybrid CVT and 2.0 V CVT.

Equipped with the latest Toyota Safety Sense (TSS), the All-New Zenix HEV provides peace of mind in every drive with safety features such as Pre-Collision System (PCS), Lane Departure Alert (LDA), and Dynamic Radar Cruise Control. It also has active safety features such as Anti-Lock Brake System and Vehicle Stability Control.

Features such as Panoramic View Monitor (PVM), Blind Spot Monitor (BSM) and Rear Cross Traffic Alert (RCTA) are also available in the HEV variant to assist the driver during parking and other driving demands.

The inside displays premium interiors that match the exterior. The HEV variant has captain seats with a power ottoman and power recline for a luxurious riding experience, complete with a side table

for easy access of handheld items. The dark chestnut color of the seats and ambient lighting add to the exceptional look and feel of the MPV. The third-row seats of both variants can also be folded flat to provide more storage.

The All-New Zenix is now available in all 72 Toyota dealerships nationwide at a starting price of PHP 1,953,000 for the 2.0 Q Hybrid CVT and PHP 1,670,000 for the 2.0 V CVT. The HEV variant comes in Platinum White Pearl Mica, Blackish Brown Mica, and Dark Steel Mica, while the gas variant is available in Platinum White Pearl Mica, Silver Metallic, Gray Metallic, and Attitude Black Mica.

As the pioneer in electrified mobility in the country, TMP continues to expand its HEV lineup as one of the concrete steps in its multiple pathway approach to help achieve carbon neutrality. With the introduction of the All-New Zenix, TMP aims to elevate the thrill and joy of moving together into a shared experience among families.

‘EVERYDAY

Why should the common poor be forced to bear the hardship of going through financing plans offered by different finance companies that double or even triple the cost of a regular motorcycle?

JUNE 24, 2023

By Riera U. Mallari

THE choices for a midrange phone in an extremely competitive market are aplenty. But there are a lot of things to like about Xiaomi’s Redmi Note 12 Pro+ 5G.

Let us count ‘em – 5,000mAh battery paired with 120W fast-charging, a 120Hz refresh rate, an AMOLED panel, a premium appearance, and yes, a 200MP main camera that is usually reserved for flagship, high-end phones.

This is bad news for the other socalled “mid-rangers”, who also do not offer the Note 12 Pro +’s 3.5mm audio jack and IR blaster.

Design and built

Users who want the build and style of Xiaomi’s flagship 13 Pro can “settle” for the highly similar Note 12 Pro+ 5G, which also blends a 3D full arc curved back with angular sides— giving off premium vibes without the high-end price tag.

The Redmi Note 12 Pro+ 5G is quite a hefty phone, though, at 210g, with a 8.98mm thickness, but this ain’t a deal breaker.

Like the rest of the Redmi Note 12 series, the Pro+ is dust- and splashproof resistant (not water, though), with a 6.67-inch AMOLED display, paired with Full HD+ (2,400 x 1,080 pixels resolution), a 120 hertz refresh rate to smooth out your swiping and scrolling (it dials down to 60 hertz when you stop interacting with it to save energy), and Gorilla Glass protection.

Depending on the settings that you customize, the panels look good and accurate, with a nice balance of sharp and contrast.

For audiophiles, a standard headphone jack is present, plus a pair of Dolby Atmos stereo speakers, bringing good sound quality, vocals and bass.

Another unique feature of the Note 12 Pro+ is the remote control app for your appliances, offering conveni-

Redmi Note 12 Pro+ 5G: Midrange smartphone with a flagship camera

detail, free of noise, and true to life colors. The 2MP macro photos, on the other hand, are decent with enough detail, low noise and saturated colors.

When it detects low-light conditions, the Pro+ will automatically apply Night Mode processing, producing decent photos with lovely colors, but the detail level is serviceable.

ence to the user.

Battery, charging

People on the go will like its charging time of 30 minutes from zero to 100%.

With the boost mode, it’s just 23 minutes. Its robust 5000mAh battery packs enough juice for all of your smartphone needs for a day.

Camera

The star of the show, undoubtedly is its 200MP main shooter (1/1.4-inch sensor size, f/1.65 aperture, 7P lens, OIS), which is part of a triple rear

Insuring freelancers’ future: Gigacover announces webinar

GIGACOVER is excited to announce its upcoming virtual webinar, “Freelancing 101: Assured and Insured for the Future,” for freelancers and individual contractors.

The webinar is a great opportunity to gain valuable insights and best practices for building a successful freelance career and understanding the risks and liabilities of freelancing and how to manage them. It is open to freelancers and individual contractors of all levels, as well as anyone interested in learning more about affordable and accessible income protection solutions. Registration is free and open to the public. To register, please sign up at gigacover.com

This webinar aims to introduce the importance of income protection and how Gigacover’s products and services can help informal workers protect their income and assets. The online event will take place on June 30 at 4PM and is open to anyone interested in learning more about the gig economy and protection.

“We are thrilled to host this webinar and bring together freelancers and individual contractors to discuss the importance of income protection and how technology can help them manage risk and protect their income and assets,” said Amerson Lin, Gigacover CEO and Co-Founder. “As the nature of work continues to evolve, it’s more important than ever for individuals to have access to the tools and resources they need to ensure they are both assured and insured for the future.”

In partnership with Upwork Pilipinas-Freelancers, an 800,000-member Facebook community for Filipino freelancers, the webinar will cover the risks and liabilities of freelancing, and how income protection provides a safety net for gig workers. This event is designed to help freelancers navigate the complex world of gig work, as well as provide them with the tools and resources they need to ensure they are both assured and insured.

camera—the other two being the 8MP ultra-wide camera (f2.2, 119° fieldof-view) and a 2MP macro camera (f/2.4).

This is definitely good news to users, who want their cameras big and bold, but won’t shell out a fortune for flagship models at double, even triple, the price point.

Photos from the main shooter are thoroughly impressive, with plenty of

In video recording, the main camera supports 4k video capture at 30 FPS, creating class-leading videos with exceptional detail, a natural balanced look, accurate colors and great contrast.

Performance

Since the phone has an IR blaster, powering the Xiaomi Redmi Note 12 Pro+ Plus 5G is a MediaTek Dimensity 1080, an upgrade over the Dimensity

Access to information now easier with improved InLife Chatbot, website

INSULAR Life (InLife) has implemented changes in the interface and design of its chatbot and website to improve user experience, making it easier for visitors to access information on its products and services.

“The enhancements we made were based on the interviews we conducted with our customers. We asked them how we could still improve their experience in using our digital facilities when they search for information and address their concerns. We listened, and we used their responses as our guide in introducing the changes we made to our chatbot and website,” said InLife Chief Marketing Officer Gae Martinez.

A more efficient, informative chatbot Ella, the InLife chatbot, now has a more userfriendly interface. Its menu of services has been updated to include buttons for InLife Products, Policy Payments, Policy Claims, and InLife Branches. They may be found alongside the Customer Portal, My InLife Policy, Schedule Appointment, and Application status buttons.

Those who want to know more about protection, savings, investments, health insurance, etc. may click on the InLife Products button. Employers who want to provide the best benefits for their employees through group life and health insurance may do so through Ella.

Customers who click on the Customer Portal will be directed to buttons that will help them unlock their account, reset their password, or sign up for a Customer Portal account. They may also avail of partial withdrawals, apply for a policy loan, switch funds or access the download link to the InLife App via the Apple Store or Google Play. The InLife App makes it more convenient to get information about their policies.

“With Ella, you don’t need to wait for a customer service representative to become available to get answers to your questions. We equipped her with all the essential details about our products and services. You may even initiate transactions through Ella, such as if you would like to file a claim on your policy or pay premiums whenever and wherever you want,” Martinez said.

A website that provides a faster, simpler way to access information

The InLife website has also been redesigned so that customers can access most-searched for information more easily.

“InLife knows the importance of keeping up with customers’ changing needs. We refreshed the design of our website to meet their current preferences, making it easier to navigate it and look up information about our products and services. We have also improved our content layout and

920 of last year’s Redmi Note 11 Pro+.

Xiaomi continues to opt for MediaTek on many Redmi handsets and not the Qualcomm chips usually seen in flagship models. But performance isn’t a slouch with this, as web browsing, messaging, taking photos, watching videos, listening to music, among others, are such a breeze. It comes with 256 GB of storage, but is not expandable to microSD, though, which is something you usually get on these sorts of mid-rangers.

Verdict

The Redmi Pro+ brings plenty of bang for your buck and is worth your hardearned peso, especially if you’re looking for a very capable camera phone in the mid price range. Furthermore, its fast charging, bright display, huge battery, great imaging system and premium feel are great reasons to grab one. With the Redmi Note Pro+ 5G, Xiaomi once again proved that that a great phone doesn’t have to slash a huge chunk off your savings before you can get your hands on one.

Ella, the InLife chatbot

optimized it for mobile users,” Martinez said. She added, “With rapid changes in the digital landscape, the least we could do is to make the experience seamless and easy for our customers so they can have more time to dream of a better and financially secured future for themselves and their families. We want our fellow Filipinos to pursue A Lifetime for Good.”

To know more about InLife, visit www.insularlife.com. ph, or visit Ella via InLife’s Facebook Page at https://www. facebook.com/InsularLifePH.

Alibaba Cloud debuts sustainability solution at i Light Singapore 2023

SINGAPORE—Alibaba Cloud, the digital technology and intelligence backbone of Alibaba Group, is proud to be the partner of i Light Singapore 2023, organized by the Urban Redevelopment Authority.

Alibaba Cloud unveiled its latest sustainability solution with an immersive light experience that puts a spotlight on sustainability and encourages greener lifestyle choices.

Energy Expert, Alibaba Cloud’s software-as-a-service sustainability solution,

will be used to analyze carbon emissions at Lightwave: Turning the Tide, an immersive light display coming under the umbrella of the festival’s lineup of programmes held at Marina Bay from 1 to 25 June 2023.

The sustainability solution also provided actionable insights and energysaving recommendations for future editions of the event.

The general public was invited to start and own their personal sustainability journeys by pledging their own green movements and vision for achieving net-zero emissions by 2050 online via i Light i Pledge.

For each pledge submitted online, a visual unique to each pledge will be generated using Alibaba Cloud’s artificial intelligence (AI) technologies.

The visuals can be viewed on a screen as part of the closing chapter of Lightwave: Turning the Tide. This initiative aims to show how a small step from an individual can contribute to a more sustainable future for all. For each pledge submitted by the public (up to the first 5,000 pledges), 100 grams of waste will be removed from Singapore’s waterways.

“We are excited to partner with URA at this annual landmark event to showcase how Alibaba Cloud’s AI technologies are developed with carbon neutrality in mind to support a more sustainable future for all. Beyond the festival, we hope this paves the way for deeper collaborations between technologies and innovations

that prioritize and champion sustainability efforts in Singapore. More importantly, we want to spur both individuals and organizations to recognize the important role every person plays in achieving a more long-term sustainable future, and how this can be easily achieved through a single, meaningful act,” said Zhou Wenwen, General Manager of Energy Cloud, Alibaba Cloud Intelligence.

Lightwave: Turning the Tide, presented by Alibaba Cloud

As a global leading cloud infrastructure provider, Alibaba Cloud is committed to helping organizations slash carbon emissions with emerging technologies such as intelligence computing and AI technologies. Leading the forefront of this notion,

Alibaba Cloud strives to achieve Scope 3 Carbon neutrality and commits to powering its cloud computing with 100% clean energy by 2030.

Spearheading technology-driven sustainability, Alibaba Cloud’s Energy Expert has helped more than 2,600 enterprises save energy or reduce carbon emissions since its launch last year.

As one of Alibaba Cloud’s key product offerings, the enterprise solution can save over 2 million kilowatt-hours of energy daily when deployed at full capacity.

For more details on how individuals can participate in i Light i Pledge, please visit this website here. Visit https://www.ilightsingapore. gov.sg for more information.

Redmi Note 12 Pro+ 5G

Alibaba Cloud unveiled its latest sustainability solution with an immersive light experience that puts a spotlight on sustainability and encourages greener lifestyle choices.