Manila Standard - 2023 June 26 - Monday

TO SFRA: REMAIN DEPENDABLE SENTINELS

of the Philippine Army at Fort Magsaysay in Palayan City, Nueva Ecija on Sunday, June 25, 2023. Alfred Frias / Rolando Mailo

DOH to employ nursing aides

Nursing graduates yet to pass board exam, instead of flunkers, to be hired

By Macon Ramos-Araneta

THE Department of Health (DOH) will hire nursing assistants to help address the nurse shortage in government hospitals, but Health Secretary Ted Herbosa said his plan to employ nursing graduates who failed the board exam would not be shelved.

"There has been a similar proposal because they have been studying this problem of how to augment the health

human resources. It's Salary Grade 9, so that's about P20,000 yung salary per month," Herbosa said in a GMA News

report on Sunday.

"It's the one being offered as a solution, so I said that's going to go forward. It will be open to nurses who graduated four years of college but are still awaiting to pass the exams," he added.

The Filipino Nurses United (FNU) said nursing assistants would be a big help to existing government health workers.

“It is truly hard for nurses if they don't have nursing aides or nursing assistants,” said FNU secretary general Jocelyn Andamo.

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Businesses upbeat, to hire more in Q3

By Julito G. Rada

BUSINESSES are keen to hire more workers in the third quarter on expectations of higher demand for goods and services in the latter part of the year.

Results of the latest Business Expectations Survey conducted by the Bangko Sentral ng Pilipinas (BSP) showed that the employment outlook

index increased to 17.9 percent for Q3 2023 from 13.4 percent in the Q1 2023 survey results.

“The higher reading in Q2 2023 suggests that hiring intentions may be more favorable for the next quarter,” the BSP said.

In contrast, employment prospects for the next 12 months may turn less favorable as the employment outlook

index declined to 30 percent from 36.4 percent in the previous quarter’s survey results.

For Q3 2023, the percentage of businesses in the industry sector with expansion plans increased to 19.8 percent, up slightly from 19.1 percent in Q1 2023. In particular, the increase in the percentage of firms with expansion

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DFA

to Pinoys in Russia: Stay vigilant, avoid crowded

By Rey E. Requejo

THE Department of Foreign Affairs

(DFA) asked Filipinos in Russia to remain vigilant and take precautions following reports of an armed rebellion by a private armed group led by Russian mercenary chief Yevgeny Prigozhin.

In an advisory posted on its Facebook page, the DFA through the Philippine Embassy in Moscow also warned Filipinos against visiting crowded areas, taking part in protests, and putting out political opinions on social media.

It also urged them to avoid traveling to other regions as much as possible.

The Philippine embassy also called on Filipinos living in Rostov-on-Don,

Wagner halts revolt; Putin seen as weakened

WAGNER mercenaries were headed back to base on Sunday after Russia's President Vladimir Putin agreed to allow their leader to avoid treason charges and accept exile in Belarus.

The agreement ended the immediate threat that Yevgeny Prigozhin's private army could storm Moscow, but analysts said Wagner's revolt had exposed Putin's

Russia's crisis exposed "real cracks" in Putin's authority, US Secretary of State Antony Blinken said Sunday. “This raises profound questions, it shows real cracks," Blinken said. rule as more fragile than had been thought.

Security measures imposed under an "anti-terrorism operation" were still in place in Moscow on Sunday, and Prigozhin's exact whereabouts unclear.

He was last seen late on Saturday

Sulu firefight death toll climbs to 5, at least 14 wounded

By Charles Dantes

AT least five people were killed in a firefight in Sulu between law enforcers and a private armed group working for a

former vice mayor, police in the town of Maimbung said on Sunday.

In a

9 mayors seek to defer BSKE

The PNP said that the operation was supposed to serve a warrant of arrest for the crime of murder and carry out a search

By Rio N. Araja

TINGOG party-list Rep. Yedda Marie

Romualdez recently played godmother to 48 newlyweds during the 63rd "PaWedding ni Tambunting" event in Parañaque City.

Romualdez reminded the newlyweds that there is a "road to forever," as she congratulated the couples who tied the

in Negros Oriental

By Charles Dantes

NINE mayors from Negros Oriental led by the widow of Governor Roel Degamo expressed their support for the postponement of this year's Barangay and Sangguniang Kabataan Elections in the province, claiming that peace and order concerns there need to be addressed.

"We firmly believe that this necessary action (postponement of BSKE) is crucial to address the peace and order concerns that have plagued our province," the mayors said in a joint statement.

Signatories to the manifesto are Governor Degamo's widow Janice Degamo of Pamplona town, Fritz Diaz of Siaton, Felipe Remollo of Dumaguete City, Galicano Truita of Dauin, Mel Nick Logronio of San Jose, Eniego Jabagat of

areas

WEAKENED STATURE? Activists hold a portrait of Russian President Vladimir Putin near Red Square in Moscow on June 24, 2023. Putin quelled a rebellion attempt by Wagner mercenaries by allowing their leader to go to Belarus on exile, but analysts said it showed Putin's rule as more fragile than had been thought. AFP

Tingog solon says respect, care, love ‘formula to forever’

DOH...

From A1 Sen. Risa Hontiveros, who admitted having a daughter taking a nursing course, previously said Herbosa’s plan is worth examining, especially since government hospitals still lack about 4,000 nurses.

"In other countries, nursing students are given the opportunity to serve even without passing the nursing board exam, as they are given a role under their Universal Health Care system," Hontiveros said.

"Even if they are not yet registered nurses. We have read about instances where nursing assistants are used... It's good to study or at least worth a study,” the senator added.

On June 19, Herbosa expressed his plan to take in unlicensed nursing graduates to work for the government, as

Businesses...

From A1

plans belonging to the electricity, gas and water, agriculture, fishery and forestry, and mining and quarrying sub-sectors outweighed the slight decline in the percentage of firms with expansion plans in the manufacturing subsector.

Meanwhile, the percentage of industry firms with expansion plans for the next 12 months declined to 24.8 percent from 26 percent, driven by the decrease in

DFA...

From A1

Belgorod, and areas along the UkraineRussia border to inform them about their situation.

Foreign Affairs Undersecretary

Eduardo de Vega earlier said the embassy was coordinating with the eight Filipinos known to be in Rostov-on-Don.

''Eight household employees. All

9 mayors...

From A1

Bindoy, Dennis Amancio of Ayungon, Filomeno Reyes of Guihulngan City, and Susano Ruperto of Tayasan.

The nine mayors also cited securityrelated reasons, including the March assassination of former Governor Degamo which also led to the death of nine others.

The mayors' statement came days before the Commission on Election starts its province-wide public consultations and on the proposed postponement from June 27 to 29.

Comelec's decision to postpone the polls in the province may be disclosed by the end of September or the start of October, poll chairman George Garcia said Sunday, adding they were about 95 percent ready for the nationwide village elections.

"We are about 95% ready. We just have to print ballots for those who registered from December 12 to January 31," Garcia said in a radio dzBB interview.

The Comelec chairman said the public consultation in Negros Oriental will start on Tuesday and will last for three to four days.

"Our intention is actually to comply with our commitment to the hearing in the Senate wherein we said we will not immediately declare a postponement of an election in an area. We must first listen to our constituents in the area who may be affected by a postponement of the election," he said.

During a Senate inquiry into the killing of Gov. Degamo, Senators Ronald "Bato" dela Rosa and Francis Tolentino asked the poll body to examine the possibility of holding off the elections amid the political violence in the province.

Garcia said the Comelec has not yet received a petition to postpone the BSKE, which is set on October 30, but pointed out that the poll body has a motu proprio function to do so.

Should the elections be moved to a later date, the poll chairman said the village elections still need to be conducted not 30 days later.

Sulu...

From A1

warrant (SW) against former vice mayor Pando Mudjasan and his associates. Mudjasan, alerted by the firefight, fled and eluded arrest.

PNP chief Gen. Benjamin Acorda praised the “valor and dedication” of those who joined the operation.

Armed Forces of the Philippines chief of staff Gen. Andres Centino, said the armed group was part of the Moro National Liberation Front in the past. He also said it was a joint operation, but it was the SAF that served the warrants.

long as they pass the board exam after a certain period of time.

But the Professional Regulation Commission (PRC) said the DOH secretary cannot issue temporary work permits to unlicensed nurses based on the Philippine Nursing Act of 2002.

"Maybe it's a legal roadblock but I think we can hurdle it through either an amendment in the legislation for a special purpose, the fact that exigency of the situation where we are implementing the Universal Health Care Act and of course we want to implement health for all. We need a lot of nurses to actually provide care," said Herbosa.

The DOH is also meeting with the PRC and the Department of Labor and Employment to discuss the nursing shortage due to migration.

Senate Minority Leader Aquilino Pimentel III said Herbosa’s plan is only a “short-term” solution.

the percentage of firms with expansion plans in the mining and quarrying and manufacturing subsectors.

The major business risks for Q2 2023 identified by the respondents were stiff domestic competition (55.7 percent of respondents), insufficient demand (33.1 percent), and high interest rates (27.8 percent).

The number of firms that cited COVID-19 as a limiting factor to their business activity significantly declined to 16 in the current quarter from 394 in Q3 2020.

are safe with their employers,'' De Vega said, citing information from Philippine Ambassador to Russia Igor Bailen.

''Most of the 10,000 Filipinos in Russia are in Moscow, where things are normal, though all are advised to stay indoors. No one is asking for repatriation so far,'' he added.

On Saturday, Prigozhin announced that he had taken control of the Russian city of Rostov-on-Don as part of an

In their statement, the Negros mayors claimed that the "lingering atmosphere of terror" has instilled deep-rooted fear among the voters in the region, making them hesitant to oppose political machinery and the accompanying harassment tactics.

The mayors said that despite extensive media coverage and Senate panel hearings related to their governor's death, deeprooted fear still persists in the province.

"The fear, though not only expressed, lingers within the hearts and minds of our constituents, making it challenging for them to exercise their democratic rights freely and without coercion," the statement said.

"Postponing the elections will allow us to address this profound fear and hesitation that continues to undermine the electoral process in Negros Oriental. It provides an opportunity for concerted efforts to dismantle the culture of fear, instill confidence in the voters, and ensure a truly free and fair electoral environment," the statement added.

Meanwhile, Garcia said the ballot printing for the latest batch of BSKE registrants was delayed due to the 491,000 double or multiple registrants identified by the Election Registration Board.

The Comelec had started filing cases against 7,000 individuals with double or multiple registrations, but Garcia explained that those with double registrations could still vote but would have to face criminal charges.

These double or multiple registrations would be removed by the Election Registration Board, which would convene before the October 2023 BSKE.

“The clean and orderly national voters list will be available by the first week of August,” Garcia added, noting around 1.5 million new voters had registered by January 31.

There are 91 million voters in the country, of which 25 million are Sangguniang Kabataan voters and 66 million are regular voters, according to Garcia. With this, the Comelec estimated that the total number of voters had increased to 92.5 million.

Centino said that continuous efforts to coordinate between government troops will be the key to tracking Mudhasan's location.

The Municipal Disaster Risk Reduction and Management Office said that 6,284 residents or 1,244 families from Maimbung have evacuated due to the firefight last Saturday.

MDRRMO Maimbung said that the evacuated residents are temporarily staying in three evacuation centers around Maimbung.

Assistance such as food, water, and others were distributed to the residents with the help of the local government unit of Maimbung.

them long and happy marriages.

The wife of Speaker Martin Romualdez cited the importance of always ensuring respect, caring for each other, and keeping the flames

“The root causes of the shortage lie in the significant number of nurses leaving the country to seek higher-paying jobs abroad. We should take a look at nurses' salaries and provide more incentives for them to stay and practice in our nation,” Pimentel said.

The opposition lawmaker also believes that barring nursing board exam takers who flunked the test from fully practicing the profession is also one way of protecting not just the importance of the board exam but also the public.

“If they passed, then the examinees are ready and competent. If they flunked, then clearly and surely they are not ready to become nurses. We have to protect the integrity of our testing system. Study and prepare more for the next exam. 75 means 75, not 74.5,” he said.

"Improve the exam, and make sure the questions asked do test the competence and readiness of the nursing examinee. Make the exam direct to the important

Early this month, the Philippine Statistics Authority (PSA) reported that the country’s unemployment rate dropped to a four-month low of 4.5 percent in April 2023 from 5.7 percent a year ago and 4.7 percent in March 2023 as more jobs were created during the period.

The PSA said the number of unemployed persons in April 2023 was estimated at 2.26 million, a decline of 506,000 from the 2.76 million unemployed persons in April 2022. In terms of magnitude, the number of employed persons rose to 48.06

attempt to oust the military leadership amid what the authorities said was an armed mutiny.

Prigozhin sought the ouster of Russian Defense Minister Sergei Shoigu and Valery Gerasimov, the chief of the General Staff, whom he accused of committing disastrous leadership of the war against Ukraine.

The mercenary group leader, once a close confidant of Russian President Vladimir Putin, had earlier said that he

Wagner...

From A1 in an SUV leaving Rostov-on-Don, where his fighters had seized a military headquarters, to the cheers of a group of young civilian bystanders, who came to shake his hand through the car window.

Trucks carrying armored vehicles with fighters on them followed his car. His troops had left the Rostov military headquarters, and authorities in the Voronezh and Lipetsk regions northwards to Moscow said more forward Wagner units had also turned back.

There were reports that Wagner fighters had come as close as 400 kilometers from Moscow, while Prigozhin himself claimed that "in 24 hours we got 200 kilometers from Moscow."

His long-standing feud with military top brass over the conduct of the Russian operation in Ukraine boiled over on Saturday, when Wagner forces seized the Rostov base and advanced towards the capital.

Putin denounced the action as treason and vowed to punish the perpetrators, accusing them of pushing Russia to the brink of civil war – only to then accept a rapidly cobbled-together agreement to avert Moscow's most serious security crisis in decades.

Within hours of Prigozhin's surprise announcement that his forces would return to base to avoid "spilling Russian blood," the Kremlin said Putin's former ally would leave for Belarus.

Russia would drop the "armed rebellion" charges against Prigozhin and not prosecute Wagner troops, it said.

Ukraine revelled in the chaos, stepping up its own counteroffensive against Russian forces in the country and mocking Putin's apparent humiliation.

Analysts also said the deal had exposed weakness in the Russian president's grip on power.

Belarusian leader Alexander Lukashenko said he had negotiated the truce with Prigozhin. Moscow thanked him, but observers noted that an intervention by Lukashenko, usually seen as Putin's junior partner, was itself an embarrassment.

Little is known about the deal, with Minsk saying simply that "negotiations continued throughout the day."

Asked if Prigozhin had been given a guarantee that he would be able to leave to Belarus, Kremlin spokesman Dmitry Peskov told domestic media: "It is the word of the president of Russia."

In Ukraine, President Volodymyr Zelensky's senior aide Mykhailo Podolyak tweeted: "Prigozhin humiliated Putin/the state and showed that there is no longer a monopoly on violence."

Russia insisted the rebellion had no impact on its faltering Ukraine campaign and the day after the mutiny said it had repelled new offensive attacks by

of love burning as the "formula to forever." She said she was honored to be part of "this important milestone in the lives of 48 lovely couples."

knowledge and skill set for nurses,” Pimentel said.

Hontiveros said Herbosa should be given the opportunity to fully explain his plan when he faces the Commission on Appointments.

For Sen. Nancy Binay, hearing the concerns of medical frontliners must be the first priority before anything else.

“Before the DOH taps unlicensed or board-eligible nurses as a temporary solution to address the shortage, we should listen first to their sector. We should have a deep and thorough consultation. We should see the DOH lay out a clear and concrete program for the hospitals as far as alleviating the plight of healthcare workers is concerned,” Binay said.

Sen. JV Ejercito is hoping the problem of the supply of nurses and other healthcare workers in the country will be fully addressed “five to ten years from now.”

million in April 2023, from 45.63 million in the same period of 2022. The number of employed persons in April 2023 was also higher than the reported 47.35 million employed persons in January 2023.

National Economic and Development Authority Secretary Arsenio Balisacan said the government aims to sustain the recent improvements in the country's labor market conditions by implementing crucial economic reforms and leveraging digital technology to enhance workers' employability.

had 25,000 fighters moving towards Moscow to "restore justice" and had alleged, without providing evidence, that the military had killed a huge number of fighters from his Wagner private militia in an air strike, something the defense ministry denied. This angered Putin and vowed to punish Prigozhin's group.

"This is a stab in the back to our country, to our nation," Putin said in his address to the nation.

Ukrainian forces.

Kyiv, however, said the unrest offered a "window of opportunity" for its longawaited counter-offensive.

Ukraine also said Sunday that the death toll on this weekend's strike on Kyiv rose to five, with two more bodies recovered from rubble in the capital's Solomyanski district.

Wagner fighters were often thrown into the front of Russia's advance in Ukraine, made up of volunteers, ex-security officers as well as thousands of convicts Prigozhin had recruited.

The outfit also conducts several mercenary operations in the Middle East and West Africa.

These missions are seen to have the Kremlin's backing and amount to Russian influence operations to curry favor with African governments and win access to mineral resources.

Independent political analyst Konstantin Kalachev told AFP: "The crisis of institutions and trust was not obvious to many in Russia and the West yesterday. Today, it is clear. Yesterday's call for unity made by representatives of the elites only confirmed this. Behind these is a crisis of institutions and fears for themselves," he said.

He noted that Russian leaders would be concerned by the sight of civilian onlookers applauding Wagner units in Rostov.

"Putin's position is weakened," he said. "Putin underestimated Prigozhin, just as he underestimated Zelensky before that. He could have stopped this with a phone call to Prigozhin but he did not."

The Institute for the Study of War, a Washington-based think tank, said: "The Kremlin now faces a deeply unstable equilibrium.

"The Lukashenko-negotiated deal is a short-term fix, not a long-term solution, and Prigozhin's rebellion exposed severe weaknesses in the Kremlin and Russian MoD." The United States and its Western allies, who back Ukraine, were tight-lipped about the revolt amid concerns that Putin's control over the nuclear-armed country could be slipping.

Italian Foreign Minister Antonio Tajani told the daily Il Messaggero: "The myth of the unity of Putin's Russia is over. This internal escalation divides the Russian military alliance.

"It's the inevitable outcome when you support and finance a legion of mercenaries,” he said.

China's foreign minister Qin Gang met Russia's deputy foreign minister Andrey Rudenko in Beijing on Sunday, China's foreign ministry said, but released few details about what was discussed beyond "international and regional issues of common concern".

Russia's foreign ministry said China had "expressed support for the efforts of the leadership of the Russian Federation to stabilize the situation in the country in connection with the events of June 24."

AFP

Make porn boring and normal, says Pornhub owners

GOVERNMENTS

S hould stop cracking down on porn websites and instead take pride in sexual expression and help to make porn normal and "boring", the new owner of Pornhub told AFP.

Canadian private equity firm Ethical Capital Partners bought Pornhub's parent MindGeek three months ago, bringing under its control a stable of other sites including YouPorn.

The acquisition has also brought a sea of legal troubles.

Its websites were pulled from the US state of Utah in May after they were ordered to verify the ages of users.

In France, website owners and regulators have been locked in talks for months on how to make a 2020 age verification law work in practice.

Two of MindGeek's sites have not put in place any age verification and face a court ruling on July 7 that could ban them.

"We do not want any underage users on our websites whatsoever," said ECP founder Solomon Friedman in an interview with AFP.

But he pushed back on the idea that the onus should fall on the websites, instead calling for the operating systems to find a solution.

"We are strongly in support of age verification solutions that do two things: protect children effectively and do not expose personal data," he said.

"The only solution that accomplishes both of these goals is device or browser-based verification," he said, adding that it would be "a very simple step for Google and Apple."

MindGeek got into hot water in 2020 when the New York Times published allegations that its sites were hosting material depicting rapes and sex involving minors.

The article sparked heavy pressure from regulators in several countries and Visa and MasterCard stopped processing payments.

The owners spent two years trying to sell the firm, which is largely based in Canada but has a complex corporate structure spanning many of the globe's tax havens, with its official headquarters in Luxembourg.

The new owners – who include two lawyers, an ex-police officer and an Italian investor who made his fortune in the legal sale of cannabis – are keen to distance themselves from the New York Times allegations.

Friedman said the company had completely changed in the past few years.

He boasted that eight million pieces of content had been taken down in 2021 – a claim AFP cannot verify.

"A content removal request automatically results in the content being removed," he said.

"We review it after it's removed."

In addition, uploaders had to provide identification, all content was scanned by algorithms to filter out copyright-protected material, and it is then viewed by company staff before it hits the web.

Solomon said his firm was brought in initially only to check that MindGeek was working within the law.

"And what we found is not only does it comply with the law but it was an extraordinary investing opportunity, but it's an opportunity that required specialized skills," he said.

ECP decided that they had those skills and bought the company – though it has been a stiff test since then.

The Utah exit followed an early battle in Louisiana, which has a similar age verification law.

Solomon said their sites were still online in Louisiana as the rules are slightly different – they are not required to collect personal information.

He said he did not want to prejudge any outcomes in France, but could not rule out the possibility his sites would have to pull out.

The issue has risen up the political agenda since President Emmanuel Macron promised to make protecting children from porn a priority during his bid for re-election last year.

Digital minister Jean-Noel Barrot, who has labelled children accessing porn websites a "scandal", has directly challenged ECP to explain how they will comply with the law.

Solomon said he had reached out to Barrot's office and promised to produce a report soon, insisting his firm was committed to "talk openly and proudly about the porn industry."

"I think society has moved in the direction where we are proud of sexual expression," he said.

"The fact that it's adult is going to be boring, just like the fact that (legalized) cannabis in Canada has become boring." AFP

The "Pa-Wedding ni Tambunting" is a project started by Paranaque Rep. Gus Tambunting when he was still a city councilor, together with his wife, former Rep. Joy Myra Tambunting.

IN BRIEF

Navotas opens 3 new health facilities

THE City Government of Navotas inaugurated three new facilities in Navotas City Hospital, Brgy. Tanza 2, and Brgy. North Bay Boulevard South Dagat-dagatan.

Mayor John Rey Tiangco and Rep. Toby Tiangco, together with the city council, led the blessing of nine private bed wards, laboratory, blood bank, administrative offices, and conference room at NCH.

“Every year, more and more Navoteños seek medical help. To address this and provide better services, we strive to constantly upgrade and improve our hospital’s equipment and facilities,” Mayor Tiangco said.

Meanwhile, Rep. Tiangco gave assurance that the hospital’s services will always be free of charge for Navoteños.

Navotas also opened a health center in NavotaAs Homes 1 at Brgy. Tanza 2. This is the 12th barangay health center in Navotas to date.

“When we constructed NavotaAs Homes, we didn’t just intend to provide safe shelter for Navoteños. We wanted them to start a new life, one which allows them to dream big dreams and reach their aspirations. This is why we continue to build facilities that will support their overall progress and development,” Mayor Tiangco said.

Navotas also inaugurated its own molecular laboratory at Brgy. NBBS Dagat-dagatan. The lab was initially intended to cater to the needs of the city for COVID-19 testing.

Mayor Tiangco said the city will expand the facility to deliver other diagnostic tests and services. Jun David

Bataan mayor hailed for protecting OFWs

THE Overseas Workers Welfare Administration (OWWA) commended a Bataan mayor for helping distressed overseas Filipino workers.

Samal Mayor Alex Acuzar received the certificate of commendation from OWWA Region 3 Director Falconi Millar during a recent ceremony in Pampanga.

“This certificate is awarded for your laudable efforts in promoting the welfare of the OFWs and their families in your jurisdiction. Your invaluable support and assistance to our OFWs and their families, your dedication and hard work contributed immensely to the efficient delivery of services to your constituent OFWs,” read the commendation.

Samal municipal administrator Jay Lat said constituents have directly asked assistance from the mayor for their OFW relatives who are saddled with financial difficulties and other jobrelated problems. Butch Gunio

Manila Standard TODAY

Gov’t hits ‘soft target’ of 100m registered SIMs

By Darwin Amojelar

THE Department of Information and Communications Technology (DICT) said 100.2 million SIM cards were registered as of June 22 or 59.67 percent of the 168 million subscribers nationwide.

DICT Assistant Secretary for CyberSecurity and Upskilling Jeffrey Ian Dy said in a radio interview that the agency already reached its “soft target.”

Data from the National Telecommunications Commission (NTC) showed that Smart Communications Inc. registered 71.44 percent or 47.36 million out of its 66.30 million subscribers, while Globe Telecom Inc. registration rate

was at 52.88 percent or 45.95 million out of its 86.74 million subscribers.

DITO Telecommunity registered 46.35 percent or 6.93 million out of 14.96 million subscriber base.

The DICT earlier extended the SIM registration period for another 90 days or until July 25.

“There is no further extension. Even if we want it, there will be further extension because under the law,

Marcos renews call to protect environment vs. climate change

PRESIDENT Ferdinand R. Marcos Jr. has highlighted the importance of pursuing more environmental protection programs to beef up the country’s fight against climate change.

Marcos said initiatives such as treeplanting would help mitigate the impacts on the country.

“We are celebrating Arbor Day to protect the forest. Now that the effects of climate change are worsening, it is important that the new Philippines takes care of the environment,” the President said.

The Philippines celebrates Arbor Day every June 25 by planting trees and ornamental plants, as well as conducting other relevant activities that promote a healthier ecosystem.

Under Presidential Proclamation 396 signed in 2003, all government agencies and institutions, private sector, schools, civil society groups, and the citizenry are enjoined to plant trees for the rehabilitation and regreening of the environment.

In a separate statement, Climate Change Commission Commissioner Albert Dela Cruz Sr. underscored the need for immediate climate action to address the serious health risks among the general population, particularly the critically vulnerable and marginalized sectors.

this is the last one. After July 25, the next day, July 26, your connection will be cut if your SIM card is not registered,” Dy said.

Earlier, President Ferdinand Marcos Jr. warned Filipinos against the threat and risks posed by artificial intelligence (AI) as the government continues to monitor transactions in the digital space to protect the public against scammers and abusive online lenders.

“The SIM card registration (law) 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 been used for illegal purposes,” the President said.

The Philippines has allocated 9 percent of its total national budget for climate change adaptation and mitigation programs this year.

The World Health Organization (WHO) has projected that between 2030 and 2050, climate change will cause around 250,000 additional deaths per year because of heat stress, malaria, diarrhea, and malnutrition alone.

Direct damage costs to health are estimated to be between $2 billion to 4 billion per year by 2030, according to a WHO report, adding that areas with weak health infrastructure, mostly in developing countries, will be the least able to cope without assistance.

PH ready to repatriate remains of 300k WW2 Japanese soldiers

THE Philippines is ready to assist Japan in repatriating the remains of Japanese soldiers who died in the country during World War II, Department of the Interior and Local Government (DILG) Secretary Benjamin Abalos Jr. said on Sunday.

In a statement, Abalos said the DILG and the Department of Foreign Affairs will be closely working with Japan to ensure that the recovery and repatriation will be carried out smoothly.

Over 300,000 remains of Japanese soldiers who died during World War II between 1942 and 1945 are believed to still be in the country.

“Japan remains one of the closest partners and allies of the Philippine government and we are ready to assist them in the recovery of the remains of their fallen soldiers,” he said.

Abalos met with officials of the

Ministry of Health, Labor, and Welfare (MHLW) of Japan headed by Minister for Economic Affairs Nihei Daisuke of the Embassy of Japan on Thursday.

DFA Deputy Assistant Secretary Raphael Hermoso also attended the meeting.

As the lead of the repatriation effort, Abalos said the DILG is in a strategic position to ensure that the repatriation process will be well coordinated with local government units, where some of the remains lie.

Abalos said the DILG will activate its resources and manpower to assist Japan in the repatriation in consonance with the Memorandum of Cooperation (MOC) signed between the Philippine and Japanese governments in May 2018.

The MOC includes proper collection, handling, storage, and shipment of the remains.

CYAN MAGENTA YELLOW BLACK

BLESSINGS FOR THE MUD PEOPLE. Fr. Joey Alto Jr. blesses Catholic devotees donning dried leaves soaked in mud during the dawn mass outside the St. John the Baptist Shrine in Bibiclat village, Aliaga, Nueva Ecija on June 24, 2023. The devotees of the ‘Pagsa-San Juan’ call themselves ‘Taong Putik,’ or literally ‘mud people.’ Jimmy A Domingo

SUCCESSFUL TRIP. Members of the Philippine delegation of the China-Philippines Trade Promotion Association Inc. (CPTPA) led by businessman Rico Sangcap (6th from right) visited China earlier this month in a bid to promote strong bilateral relations.

Pres. Marcos vows support to SFRA

By  Vince  Lopez

Ferdinand Marcos Jr. on Sunday vowed his “unassailable commitment” to the Philippine Army’s Special Forces Regiment Airborne (SFRA), noting that the unit’s “unconventional warfare strategy has become all the more relevant and significant in view of the complex threats our nation now faces.”

PRESIDENT

“We assure you of the administration’s unassailable commitment and that of your Commander-in-Chief’s support of all your undertakings, strengthening your capabilities and ensuring your welfare and that of your families,” the President said in a speech during the SFRA’s

DHSUD chief urges execs to hasten gov’t housing plan

By Rio N. Araja

HOUSING czar Jose

Rizalino

Acuzar on Sunday ordered all regional directors (RDs) of the Department of Human Settlements and Urban Development (DHSUD to fast-track the implementation of Pambansang Pabahay para sa Pilipino Housing (4PH) Program within their jurisdictions.

He urged all RDs to take President Ferdinand Marcos Jr.’s shelter program as an opportunity to better serve and uplift the lives of underprivileged Filipino.

“Each house we build means we are helping one Filipino family,” he said.

“Let us all be inspired and always remember that we uplift the dignity of every Filipino family that would benefit from 4PH,” he added.

Acuzar previously met with the agency’s 16 RDs and officers in charge, along with their key to expedite the implementation of 4PH throughout the country by ironing out issues and concerns being faced on the ground.

He emphasized the need for all DHSUD offices to have “one direction” in rolling out the Pambansang Pabahay program.

He underscored the vital role of the regional offices to achieve the goal of 4PH to build one million houses per year until 2028 to address the country’s housing backlog pegged at more than 6.5 million units.

61st founding anniversary held in Fort Magsaysay, Nueva Ecija.

Aside from witnessing a capability demonstration of the SFRA, the President also awarded badges of honor to outstanding members of the unit. President Marcos, who once trained

with the SFRA and is qualified as a Special Forces operator, also thanked the unit for demonstrating “competence and professionalism even in the most challenging of times” and for working as “dependable sentinels for the Filipino people.”

“You have exemplified self-sacrifice and resilience, going beyond the call of duty to safeguard communities towards the attainment of internal security and the peace of the Republic,” the President said.“I think it would be safe to say that you have lived up to your name as the silent professionals,” he added.

The President also urged the SFRA to continue supporting the Filipino people in times of crisis as he assured them of his commitment to strengthening its capabilities and ensuring their welfare and

Congress mulls PhilHealth as unit under the Office of the President

ALBAY Rep. Joey Salceda on Sunday said the proposal to transfer the Philippine Health Insurance Corp. from the Department of Health (DOH) to the Office of the President to increase the agency’s efficiency “is just a start and we in Congress need to work on more thorough reforms to the system.”

“It’s a good first step. It’s the first step to improving financial governance and investment management. It will ensure that the management is more holistic and whole-of-government. The PhilHealth is a social insurance agency first and foremost, (and) not a hospital,” he said.

“And President Ferdinand Marcos Jr, can certainly do that even if the chairperson remains the Secretary of Health. The PhilHealth Board is interagency and purely within the executive.

The Administrative Code allows him to

‘transfer agencies to the Office of the President from other departments or agencies. That’s Chapter 10, Section 31,” he added. The transfer of the agency to the Office of the President “is a welcome first patch, but we need to solve its underlying institutional issues,” he noted.

“I really think it’s will be better man

aged as part of the family of social pro

tection agencies under the secretary of finance. But unfortunately, I don’t think he can transfer agencies from one department to another. Just from one department to his office proper,” he said.

“Of course, the President consults the secretary of finance, and I suppose placing it under the Office of the President can help mediate both finance and health concerns, and ensure both of them are considered,” he noted.

Rio N. Araja

their family.

“Through the responses for humanitarian assistance, you have created a ripple of hope in communities, increased our people’s trust in the military and in the government,” the President said.

Founded by former President and then-Captain Fidel Valdez-Ramos back in 1962, the SFR(A) is an elite Army unit trained in counter-insurgency and counter-terrorism, as well as community relations and other unconventional warfare operations. It continues to train with its Western counterpart, the United States Army Special Forces (Green Berets), which the SFR-A was based on. The most recent training of the two elite units was held in February last year.

Chinese envoy cites more than 75k Chinese tourists in PH in 5 months

By Rey E. Requejo

CHINESE Ambassador to Manila

Huang Xilian on Sunday said there were 75,000 Chinese tourists in the Philippines in the first five months of 2023 as the Department of Tourism (DOT) aims to encourage two million by the end of this year.

In a Facebook post, Huang said he takes pride that “Chinese international tourism makes a strong comeback in

Southeast Asia!,” citing the recent announcement of the Thai government that it received one million Chinese tourists from January to May 2023.

“Southeast Asia has been the Chinese people’s top tourist destination since reopening, and have delivered many immediate benefits in the industry and people-to-people exchanges,” the Chinese diplomat stressed.

“In the first five months, the Philippines received 75,000 Chinese tourists,

reinvigorating many of the country’s world-class beaches and scenic landmarks,” Huang said.

Earlier, the DOT announced that it is targeting two million Chinese tourists when electronic visas (e-visas) become available by the end of the year.

The ambassador shared that President Ferdinand Marcos Jr. and Chinese President Xi Jinping have agreed “to deepen people-to-people exchanges between our two countries in all respects” during

a meeting earlier this year.

“It is hoped that China-Philippine people-to-people exchanges achieve the goals set by the leaders at an early date and even reach greater heights,” Huang said, in his Facebook post.

“Our countries have been working together in the tourism industry, among many other sectors, and I hope it strengthens our relations and lead to greater mutual benefits in the future!,” he said.

Villar hails irrigation agency’s key role in improving PH agriculture sector

By Macon Ramos-Araneta

SPEAKING on National Irrigation Administration’s (NIA) 60th Founding Anniversary, Sen. Cynthia Villar acknowledged the significant impact of the NIA on the country’s agricultural sector.

Villar noted that the NIA has been instrumental in reducing our dependence on rainfed agriculture

This year’s weeklong celebration of the NIA anniversary with the theme “NIA Para sa Progresibong Pilipinas” included exhibits of its milestones, sports competition and the NIA Singing Idol.

“Over the past six decades, she said NIA has played a pivotal role in transforming our agricultural landscape, ensuring a sustainable and reliable water supply to our farmers, and fostering economic growth in rural communities,” said Villar.

By Macon Ramos-Araneta

SENATOR Grace Poe said she has convinced the country’s public utility vehicle (PUV) drivers to seize the opportunity to further hone their skills on the road by taking the “Tsuper Iskolar Program.”

She said the program that may now be availed online. “Similar to a vehicle’s maintenance, there needs to be a constant check on the driver’s competency and awareness on road safety,” Poe said.

“The training will brace our drivers for a lifetime of safer driving,” Peo, the chairperson of the Senate Committee on Public Services, added.

In the 2023 budget, Poe had pushed for the funding of P100 million for the Tsuper Iskolar Program for PUV drivers and another P100 million for the “ExTsuperneur Program” for motorists who may want to learn new skills or livelihoods.

The drivers’ course is being implemented by the Department of Transportation (DOTr) through the Land Transportation Office and the Technical Education Skills and Development Authority.

The entrepreneurship program is under the DOTr in partnership with the Department of Labor and Employment.

The training are being given for free. The senator said the scholarship programs are now made more accessible with the option to apply online. Applicants may also go to the agencies’ regional offices to get into the training.

Halfway into the year, Poe said the implementing agencies should be stepping up efforts to encourage more drivers to get into the programs to hone or develop new skills.

‘Schools still using unfamiliar language to teach children’

SENATOR Win Gatchalian said while the Mother Tongue-Based Multilingual Education (MTBMLE) policy under the K to 12 Law mandates the use of learners’ first language as the medium of instruction for Grades 1 to 3, some schools end up using regional languages that children are unfamiliar with.

Gatchalian raised this in a committee hearing on the implementation of the MTB-MLE, where he flagged that the realities of teachers and learners on the ground do not reflect the intention of the law.

“Today, we pay tribute to the dedicated men and women who have worked tirelessly to make it a success, and the millions of farmers who have benefited from your services,” she added.

When NIA was established in 1963 through RA 3601, its mission was clearto provide water resources for agricultural purposes, enhance food production, and improve the lives of our farmers.

Through the construction of dams, canals, and irrigation systems, NIA has enabled farmers to cultivate their lands more efficiently, thus increasing crop yields and income.

In the celebration, the senator also reminded the NIA to be ready for the challenges that lie ahead. She pointed out that climate change poses a significant threat to our agricultural sector, with changing rainfall patterns, increased frequency of extreme weather events, and rising temperatures.

Gatchalian pointed out that the current MTB-MLE policy of the Department of Education (DepEd) only covers 19 languages.

The Komisyon sa Wikang Filipino (KWF), however, lists down 130 languages, while the Philippine Statistics Authority’s 2020 (PSA) Census of Population and Housing records 245 languages.

“My point is we’re supposed to start where the children are with 245 languages, but if we go to our schools, there are only 19 languages. That’s a big disconnect. If we stay true to the essence of the law, then we have to be teaching in 245 languages because that’s their mother tongue as enshrined in the law, but we’re only using 19,” Gatchalian said.

Macon Ramos-Araneta

Poe says more PUV drivers willing to join scholar program

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PREPARING FOR SONA. Rookie cops under the Manila Police anti-riot unit undergo training on riot control in preparation for the upcoming second State of the Nation Address of President Ferdinand Marcos, Jr. next month. Danny Pata

SEAFARERS’ OATH. About 100 seafarers who just recently passed the harbor pilot, marine deck, and engineer officer examinations take their oath during a ceremony coinciding with the Day of the Filipino Seafarer 2023 at the New Coast Hotel in Manila on Sunday. Danny Pata

NEW NAVOTAS HOSPITAL. Navotas Mayor John Rey Tiangco, Cong.  Toby Tiangco, and other city officials led the blessing and inauguration of the private bed wards, laboratory, administrative offices, and conference room of the Navotas City Hospital. Andrew Rabulan

Are there no other choices?

BOTH the Democrats and Republicans, the traditional parties in America’s federal twoparty system of government, are caught in some kind of crossroads in choosing their standard bearers for the forthcoming 2024 elections.

Soon they will begin primaries, although among the Democrats, it looks like it’s all over but the cheering – they will likely renominate incumbent Joe Biden, who will seek a second term as POTUS.

Will the cheering turn into a dirge, with a fumbling, senile-denigrated incumbent tripping all over himself, figuratively and literally, as the campaign rolls on?

This makes the Democrats’ choice of a running-mate for Biden quite important.

Kamala Harris, by the metrics of performance and public acceptance, does not seem to fit the bill as president-inwaiting to Biden who will be 82 years old by the time he takes his second oath in January 2025.

Meanwhile, hard-core Trump loyalists who constitute half of the Republican Party are still betting on resurrecting their Donald, despite a tumultuous presidency capped by a refusal to concede along with an assault upon the US Capitol.

Despite a string of cases, from tax fraud to debauchery to stealing classified documents and bringing these to his Florida aerie, the man, labeled “insane” by his detractors, leads the other presidential wannabes in the Grand Old Party by a mile.

IS THIS a portent of things to come?

EDITORIAL

milestone” through poverty alleviation programs.

sheepishly stating that he expected to meet Xi “sometime in the future --- in the near term.”

I am not a geomancer nor a Nostradamus, but expect Xi to bide his time and just await who the next POTUS will be before he makes any further friendly move towards America.

The Second Cold War which recently began will get frostier.

Thus do we all await with anxiety how the American electorate will choose their next president just a year and four months distant.

Meanwhile, we wonder if the Republicans and the Democrats cannot choose among 380 million Americans someone better than Trump or Biden to represent them in the forthcoming electoral battle.

Are there no other choices for these two parties, who at this writing seem hell-bent on making their voters choose between a senile incumbent and an insane former leader aching to come back despite gross misconduct in his time ?

Cannot Biden do a Lyndon Johnson who did not seek re-election in the wake of the disastrous handling of the Vietnam War?

And Trump should just concentrate on his legal woes which could yet see himself in jail, adding more notoriety to whatever legacy he would leave.

That is why foreign policy observers and analysts like Singapore’s Kishore Mahbubani sagely predict in so many words that, in the end, China will win. ***

We’re referring to the declaration by officials of Quezon province, fittingly enough, last June 12, the nation’s Independence Day, that it is now free from the influence of the New People’s Army (NPA).

Local government officials as well as the police and military declared the province had attained “Stable Internal Peace and Security” or SIPS status.

They said this means the Communist Party of the Philippines (CPP), the National Democratic Front of the Philippines (NDFP) and the NPA no longer posed a threat to peace and order.

This is a significant development as Quezon province was a stronghold of the NPA in Southern Tagalog from the 1980s to the 1990s, with both print and broadcast media frequently reporting on clashes between government troop and rebels.

While the Quezon police chief clarified that remnants of the NPA may still be present in the province, they are no longer capable of initiating so-called “tactical offensives” against the military.

For Quezon Gov. Angelina Tan, the challenge for the provincial government and local officials is to preserve the peace and make the residents “feel this

She noted that Quezon is the first province in the Calabarzon region to be given SIPS status. Some provinces, she said, had been bestowed that status “through resolutions…but nothing happened in the towns under their jurisdiction.”

Quezon can now enjoy peace and quiet that has eluded its communities for several decades now, and focus instead on economic and social development

Sariaya, a town declared insurgencyfree a few days earlier, was a hotbed of rebel activity in the 1980s.

In fact, the town, which lies at the foot of Mount Banahaw, once served as the

base of the NPA Melito Glor Command under Gregorio “Ka Roger” Rosal, the longtime NPA spokesperson who died in June 2011.

On Dec. 13 last year, Macalelon town, part of the area known as the Bondoc Peninsula, became the first Quezon municipality to be declared NPA-free.

Aside from the Bondoc Peninsula, the Polillo-Real-Infanta-General Nakar (PRIN area) in northern Quezon is also considered a former stronghold of the insurgency.

Earlier this year, however, sporadic clashes between government troops and the NPA were still reported in the province.

In January, for instance, the Army and the local police faced a band of NPA rebels in gun battles in San Andres and San Francisco towns.

In March, government forces again clashed with what they believe are NPA remnants in Macalelon.

But since then, there have been no reported battles in the province but only “mass surrenders” of rebels, militia members and their supporters, according to the military.

If that’s the case, then the province can now enjoy peace and quiet that has eluded its communities for several decades now, and focus instead on economic and social development.

E-bike regulation bugs

motorcycles.

Because the US of A is the world’s constable by the proclaimed “manifest destiny” of a previous leader, expanding the bounds of their sphere of influence beyond their neighborhood and to the entire world, and is thus the military superpower, whoever leads it has become the center of world attention.

The irascible Trump upended the world, which heaved a sigh of relief when Biden won in 2020 amidst the pandemic crisis. But then Russia’s Putin discombobulated the world order early last year, sending paroxysms of turmoil all over the world’s economy and stability beyond Europe.

Meanwhile, tensions continue to rise up between “upstart” China and old hegemon America. The world’s second largest economy built in just 40 years has likewise built an impressive military force in the last 15n years. This in turn has sent shivers down the spine of the constable of the world which would brook no competition.

Our part of the world, and our country in particular due to its geographic location, has become another flash point, with Biden and Xi at loggerheads.

Biden, after sending his secretary of state Anthony Blinken to Beijing probably expected China’s Xi Jinping to treat Blinken with the significance attached to the envoy of the world’s greatest superpower, and was disappointed that Xi gave the guy 30 minutes of his time and simply reiterated China’s intransigence over Taiwan and other issues.

And so in a moment of pique, he used the shooting down of what he termed a “spy balloon” as a “great embarrassment for dictators,” signaling continued confrontation rather than a cooling of tensions which the Blinken visit hoped to achieve.

Stung by the reaction of even US allies to an inappropriate and certainly undiplomatic remark, Biden stuck to his description of the Chinese leader, while

Listening to Sen. Francis Tolentino in a recent Headstart interview by Karen Davila, I am seeing the Afghan “refugee” issue in better perspective.

Aside from moral obligations such as our being a Christian nation which sheltered other nationalities in the past out of humanitarian sympathy, something we mentioned in our article “Please listen to your sister” (Monday, June 19) and our being an original signatory to the UN declaration on human rights, I agree with Sen. Tolentino when he said that the problem was brought about by the seeming secrecy and lack of information on the issue and its ramifications.

Tolentino blames the DFA for this opacity which came to public attention only when the President’s sister, Sen. Imee Marcos, began asking questions.

One point I would like to ask is: why should there be a “processing” center in a foreign country where US consular and immigration officials can “temporarily” house these refugees whose lives may indeed be in danger?

The US is such a huge country with so many areas where they could fly their Afghan allies to, and place them under “restricted” conditions while they vet whether to accept them as immigrants to or get other countries to shelter them.

The reasoning being advanced that the US Embassy in Manila has one of the largest consular staff holds no water. Why not fly their staff to wherever else, expense being of little import to the world’s richest nation?

Why must we help solve the problems created by America in the first place, with their interference in other nation’s affairs and their clandestine support for terrorist and like organizations which later turn out to be their own undoing?

We have far too many problems that demand the full attention of our leaders than get embroiled in this brouhaha.

We are too nice to our former colonial master that they keep taking us for granted.

STRONG pronouncements have been made on the Marcos Jr. administration’s agenda to pursue a green and blue economy and establishing livable and sustainable communities with mandates based on existing laws and new policies to protect the environment, managing risk, and building resilience from the catastrophic effects of climate change.

According to the fact sheet on climate change released during the 2021 United Nations Sustainable Transport Conference, “the transport sector is responsible for approximately one quarter of (global) greenhouse gas emissions” with 95 per cent of the world’s transport energy from fossil fuels.

Hence, there has been a clear trend to shift away from petroleum guzzling vehicles to electric powered transportation modes with Tesla and the biggest brands in the motor vehicle manufacturing industry racing to develop zero emission transports as the world shifts to a green and sustainable economic order.

Establishing the policy framework to transition from a fossil fueled transportation to a zero-carbon emission ecosystem is crucial in managing the systemic infrastructure and socioeconomic disruption that will affect the transportation sector and for that matter, the whole population. Republic Act 11697 or the Electric Vehicle Industry Development Act (EVIDA) enacted in 2022 aims to create an environment that promotes the development of e-vehicles industry.

The Department of Transportation (DOTr), Department of Science and Technology (DOST), Department of Trade and Industry (DTI), Department of Public Works and Highways (DPWH), and National Economic and Development Authority (NEDA) has been tasked to craft the Comprehensive Roadmap for the Electric Vehicle Industry (CREVI) that would set the guidelines for fiscal and non-fiscal incentives to encourage investors, importers, to develop the industry and for users to shift to e-vehicles.

An important factor in developing this EV roadmap is the current volume and type of vehicles on the road.

Land Transportation (LTO) data revealed during a Senate Blue Ribbon Committee hearing there were over 7.3 million registered

Just observing the daily traffic will give you a good sense of what the masses have chosen to invest their limited resources in motorcycles as the preferred mode of transport for daily commuting.

This is also the same sector that’s driving a surging demand for electric bikes (e-bikes) as a more affordable and eco-friendly means of transport.

CitizenWatch Philippines co-convenor and former congressman Atty. Kit Belmonte had a published statement which sees people going for e-bikes because of the “inadequate mass transportation system, the high cost of fuel, and the desire of an increasing number of Filipinos to do more for the environment are making them look at other options to get

The investors said the Philippines is the “clear choice” as the next manufacturing hub for its global expansion.

According to LTO Administrative Order 2021-039, e-bikes that fall under Category L1a (maximum speed of 25 kph) and L1b (maximum of up 50 kph) do not require registration or a driver’s license for the users. These are only allowed on local roads but may cross national roads.

Helmets are of course required.

However, as expected with policies that regulate new innovations that disrupt the status quo, there are some regulatory disconnects that need to be rectified.

One of the issues raised by Atty Belmonte is that some e-bike sellers are able to “unlock” the speed limiters of the units which allows drivers to push speeds to even over 50 kph.

“This is a serious safety issue and must be addressed urgently” and “faster vehicles need to be registered and their drivers need to secure licenses,” Atty. Belmonte said.

themselves from Point A to Point B.”

A quick search on the internet will show you a thriving e-bike market offering a wide selection of models and price points that would match the paying capacity and purpose of prospective buyers. For now, e-bikes are imported, but not for long.

During President Marcos Jr’s US visit, he was witness to the signing of the memorandum of agreement between Ayala’s Integrated Micro-Electronics Inc. (IMI) and Zero Motorcycles to build the country’s first factory to produce electronic motorcycles by next year.

This will create employment for 200 workers and is targeted to produce 18,000 electric motorcycles annually starting 2024.

He also points out an LGU has banned e-bicycles from Boni-Avenue in Mandaluyong City which is a main thoroughfare that links Mandaluyong proper and Pasig City. Being familiar with the area, this ban would force e-bike riders to go on a circuitous route to be able to cross EDSA instead of going through the Boni underpass to Pioneer Ave to Kapitolyo, Pasig City. As transportation is an essential daily utility, people will always find a way to get to where they need to be with or without a responsive regulatory environment.

Before we find ourselves in an even bigger transportation mess, it would be best for our government policy makers, regulators, the e-bike stakeholders, the LGUs, and especially consumer groups, to convene soon and polish up these policies. Ride safe!

Former East Germans ousted from homes fight for redress

ERFURT, Germany—When Marie-Luise

Troebs looks at the doll’s sideboard on her kitchen windowsill, her eyes fill with tears.

It’s one of the few mementos she has left from her childhood home in the former East Germany.

In 1961, when she was 10 years old, Troebs and her family were evicted from the rural border town of Geisa by the Communist authorities.

They were sent to live in the city of Erfurt, 130 kilometers away.

More than six decades on, Troebs finally sees “a glimpse of hope” in her battle for compensation from the government.

Chancellor Olaf Scholz’s party, the Social Democrats, wants to widen the pool of former East Germans classed as “victims” of injustice at the hands of the Communists—and who are therefore entitled to compensation.

There were two major waves of resettlement of former East Germans from the border area towards the centre of the Communist-run DDR, in 1952 and in 1961.

The authorities justified the displacements by saying they needed to make way for infrastructure along the border and remove people considered a threat to order and security in the border area.

Altogether, some 12,000 people living along the border were forcibly relocated.

Around a thousand of them are still alive.

On the morning of October 3, 1961, Troebs and her family came home from church to see several trucks and armed police outside their house.

They were given just a few hours to pack their suitcases.

‘Suddenly we had nothing’

“They led us into the street in front of everyone, as though we were criminals,” a tearful Troebs told AFP.

“My father dwelt until the day he died on what it was we could have done wrong.”

Inge Bennewitz, 82, was a student in Potsdam when her parents were expelled from the village of Doemitz on the banks of the Elbe.

The trauma left “a scar that never healed” in their lives, she told AFP.

In their new home further west in Zoelkow, “there were only two small rooms, no kitchen, and the toilet was in the

yard”, she said.

“All of a sudden we had nothing.”

Her family was described as “incorrigible” by a local newspaper.

“I never went to the town center because I was afraid they would spit in my face,” said Bennewitz, who runs a research group on forcibly displaced people.

“Society must repair this trauma or we’ll never find peace,” said Troebs, who heads an association of former East Germans fighting for compensation.

She is campaigning for reparations of 20,000 euros ($21,780) each for the victims.

‘Hurry up’

Germany has been compensating victims of injustices committed under the former East German government since 1992.

These include former prisoners, forced laborers and people separated from their children.

But it does not cover people who were forcibly displaced.

Because they have not been named as

a specific group, the process of applying for compensation has been laborious and demands a high burden of proof.

“The events of 1952 and 1961 were a long time ago and the documents from the time are incomplete,” said Evelyn Zupke, the government’s top official in charge of atoning for the injustices of the Communist dictatorship.

Forcibly displaced people have also been excluded from a monthly pension —currently worth 330 euros—paid since 2007 to victims of political persecution in East Germany.

Elected to the post in 2021, Zupke is working with MPs and associations to broaden the scope of the compensation laws.

“I would stress to the politicians that we really must hurry up and honor those displaced persons who are still alive,” said Zupke.

She welcomes the SPD’s initiative and is calling for a bill to be tabled before the end of the year. AFP

Forcibly displaced people have also been excluded from a monthly pension— currently worth 330 euros—paid since 2007 to victims of political persecution in East Germany

We are too nice to our former colonial master that they keep taking us for granted

As transportation is an essential daily utility, people will always find a way to get to where they need to be with or without a responsive regulatory environment

Mexico police find 45 bags with human body parts in ravine Media: US spies saw signs of Wagner revolt IN BRIEF

UK jets scrambled over Russian aircraft

LONDON—United Kingdom’s fighter jets have been scrambled to respond to Russian aircraft 21 times in the last three weeks, under NATO’s air policing operations in Europe’s Baltic region, Britain said late Saturday.

The Royal Air Force Typhoon fighters, currently operating out of Estonia, are part of so-called “quick reaction alert” aircraft used by the Western alliance to secure its eastern European flank.

Their response comes amid heightened tensions with Moscow over its ongoing war in Ukraine, which has been temporarily overshadowed this weekend by a mutiny within Russia by the Wagner paramilitary group.

The UK Typhoons, which have been operating out of an Estonian air base since March, were launched to monitor the Russian aircraft when they failed to respond to air traffic agencies, Britain’s Ministry of Defence (MoD) said in a statement.

They are policing the skies above the Baltics alongside Portuguese and Romanian air forces based in Lithuania, it noted.

The Russian aircraft intercepted included Su-27 fighter jets as well as longrange bombers, and transport and intelligence collection aircraft.

Quick reaction alert missions see NATO air force crews maintain “constant high readiness to ensure they can get airborne at a moment’s notice,” according to Britain’s defence ministry.

UK Defence Secretary Ben Wallace said the intercepts were “a stark reminder of the value of collective defence and deterrence provided by NATO”. AFP

Violence persists in West Bank

JERUSALEM—Violence in the occupied West Bank persisted Saturday with Israelis attacking Palestinian residents and a Palestinian shooter killed by Israeli forces at a checkpoint, officials on both sides said.

The latest incidents add to a mounting toll which has cost four Israeli and 16 Palestinian lives across the territory since Monday.

Palestinians have described hundreds of Israelis attacking their villages in recent days, after Palestinian gunmen killed four Israelis near a West Bank settlement on Tuesday.

The heads of the Israeli military, police and the Shin Bet domestic security agency on Saturday described as “nationalist terrorism” the series of attacks by Israelis targeting Palestinians in the West Bank.

“This violence increases Palestinian terrorism and harms the state of Israel and the international legitimacy of Israel’s security forces to fight Palestinian terrorism,” a joint statement said.

In the latest such incident, Israel’s army said “rocks were hurled and reports were received of Israeli citizens setting fire to Palestinian property” in the northern village of Umm Safa. A soldier was wounded and one Israeli was arrested, the army said. AFP

WASHINGTON—US spy agencies picked up signs days ago that mercenary chief Yevgeny Prigozhin was preparing to rise up against Russia’s defense establishment, US media reported on Saturday.

Intelligence officials conducted briefings at the White House, the Pentagon and on Capitol Hill about the potential for unrest in nuclear-armed Russia a full day before it unfolded, the Washington Post and New York Times reported.

Spy agencies first began tracking indications that Prigozhin and his Wagner mercenary force intended to move against the Russian military leadership in mid-June, the Post said.

The Times said the information was

Biden vows to fight GOP

WASHINGTON—A year after the US Supreme Court scrapped the constitutional right to abortion in the United States, President Joe Biden on Saturday vowed to fight against the “extreme and dangerous” effort by Republicans to curb access to the procedure nationwide.

The high court’s decision to overturn the landmark Roe v. Wade decision passed the regulation of abortion back to individual states—some of which have since moved to drastically restrict the procedure.

“State bans are just the beginning,”

Biden said in a statement on the anniversary of the ruling. “Their agenda is extreme, dangerous, and out-of-step with the vast majority of Americans.”

Pro- and anti-abortion groups were holding rival events in the American capital on Saturday, and Vice President Kamala Harris spoke about the health care “crisis” regarding reproductive rights in a speech in the southern state of North Carolina.

Some 20 states, mostly in the South and Midwest, have prohibited abortion outright or severely restricted access

both solid and alarming by mid-week, leading to the flurry of briefings.

In an uprising that played out with dizzying speed, Prigozhin’s forces moved from their camps in Ukraine into Russia Friday and took over a regional military command in the southern city of Rostov-on-Don, before advancing toward Moscow.

Just as suddenly, the advance was called off on Saturday, and Russian state media said the Wagner troops would return to Ukraine while Prigozhin would flee to neighboring Belarus.

anti-abortion agenda

while others, mainly on the coasts, have moved to protect it.

The closure of abortion clinics in about a dozen states has forced tens of thousands of women to travel elsewhere to terminate a pregnancy.

Biden also warned that Republicans were working to enact a nationwide abortion ban.

“Congressional Republicans want to ban abortion nationwide, but go beyond that, by taking FDA-approved medication for terminating a pregnancy, off the market, and make it harder to obtain contraception,” the president said, referring to the Food and Drug Administration.

At one small rally in Washington, protesters carried signs and T-shirts bearing phrases like “I am the post-Roe generation,” and “Unborn Lives Matter,” urging national-level restrictions on abortion.

Steve Karlen, an anti-abortion campaigner, and his wife, Laura, traveled to the capital from the Midwestern state of Wisconsin to “celebrate” Roe’s reversal, which also fell on their wedding anniversary.

“It’s a blessing to have the abortion decision going back to the states,” said Laura, a stay-at-home mother to five children. “But ultimately what we want is the unborn children to be protected (nationally)—that everyone in our country will have the right to live.”

With a divided US Congress, there is little Biden can do. Still, he said he would push for federal-level protections.

“My Administration will continue to protect access to reproductive health care and call on Congress to restore the protections of Roe v. Wade in federal law once and for all,” he said.

Abortion rights proved a key issue for Democrats in the 2022 midterm elections, and are likely to be just as important in the 2024 presidential race.

They’ve also become an animating feature in Republican campaigns. Primary candidates are currently trying to outflank former president Donald Trump, the current frontrunner for the party’s nomination, who has been criticized for flip-flopping on his position. AFP

The Kremlin said it would not prosecute Prigozhin or the armed members of the Wagner group.

As US intelligence officials pinned down information that Prigozhin was preparing military action, they grew concerned about chaos in a country with a powerful nuclear arsenal, the Times reported.

US spy agencies believe that Putin himself was informed that Prigozhin, once a close ally, was plotting his rebellion at least a day before it occurred, the Post reported. AFP

Evangelicals still all-in for Donald Trump

WASHINGTON—He has been indicted over hush money payments to a porn star and found liable in a sexual abuse lawsuit in a tumultuous start to his reelection campaign—but America’s evangelicals just can’t quit Donald Trump.

The 45th president of the United States—who is vying to be the 47th— has spent years mired in legal and ethical scandals, from accusations that he abused his office and tried to subvert a free-and-fair election to alleged affairs.

Yet the 77-year-old Republican remains as popular as ever on the Christian right, his appeal abundantly evident at Road to Majority, a weekend gathering of 3,000 evangelicals from the Faith and Freedom Coalition in Washington.

“Together we’re warriors in a righteous crusade to stop the arsonists, the atheists, the globalists and the Marxists,” Trump said in characteristically apocalyptic language, as he delivered the keynote address at the closing gala to rapt applause.

“That’s what they are. And we will restore our Republic as one nation under God.”

It took some persuasion for white evangelicals to come around to Trump when he announced he was running for president in 2015. But once they were in, they were all-in.

Non-Hispanic white Republicans who attend church regularly backed him by 81 percent in 2016 and 76 percent in 2020—statistics that astonish those who question the former reality TV star’s religious credentials.

“It’s the difference between a representative and a leader,” Suzzanne Monk, a 50-year-old conservative political activist, told AFP as she attempted to explain Trump’s enduring popularity.

“Many of the politicians we have seen over decades are representatives... and they do the absolute minimum to keep themselves reelected. Donald J. Trump looks at situations and tries to rectify the situation.”

‘Cult of personality’?

CYAN MAGENTA YELLOW BLACK

Trump’s famously devout vice president Mike Pence, who is running a distant third in the race for the 2024 nomination, would seem the more obvious fit for evangelicals. But he was booed at the 2021 Road to Majority over his refusal to help Trump overturn his election defeat and received largely polite applause this year. AFP

US carrier ‘Ronald Reagan’ in Vietnam to spook Chinese vessels

DANANG, Vietnam—A US aircraft car-

rier arrived in the central Vietnamese city of Danang on Sunday, AFP journalists saw, weeks after Hanoi protested against Chinese vessels sailing in its waters.

The USS Ronald Reagan’s port call in Danang comes as the US and Vietnam celebrate the 10th anniversary of their “comprehensive partnership”, with the two countries sharing increasingly close trade links, as well as concerns over China’s growing strength in the region.

A Chinese survey vessel, multiple coast guard ships and fishing boats operated for several weeks in Vietnam’s exclusive economic zone in the South China Sea, prompting a demand that they leave from Vietnam’s foreign ministry. The boats eventually departed in early June.

China claims most of the resource-rich waterway despite competing claims from other Southeast Asian nations including Vietnam, the Philippines and Malaysia.

“The visit gives that message that Vietnam is continuing to balance against China by improving its security relationship with the US, and with other outside powers,” Nguyen The Phuong, a PhD candidate in maritime security at the University of New South Wales Canberra, told AFP.

The US aircraft carrier’s visit follows the arrival of Indian naval ships in Danang last month, as well as a port call by Japan’s largest warship in Cam

Ranh, a city on the southeastern coast, earlier this week.

Pham Thu Hang, spokesperson for Vietnam’s foreign ministry, said earlier in the week that port calls were an “ordinary friendship exchange for peace, stability, and cooperation and development in the region and the world”.

Strong bilateral ties between the US and Vietnam are key for Washington if it wants to remain the dominant power in the region, Phuong said. AFP

Air strikes, artillery, more dead in Sudan

KHARTOUM, Sudan—Artillery fire, air strikes and gun battles rocked Sudan’s capital on Saturday, witnesses told AFP, as the UN urged a stop to “wanton killings” that have left decomposing bodies in Darfur.

While fighting rages, relief efforts have stalled after more than two months of fighting between rival generals.

Houses in Khartoum shook from the fighting that continued unabated, residents said, with entire families sheltering in place, running low on vital supplies in the baking summer heat.

The United Nations says nearly 1.5 million people have fled the capital since violence erupted in mid-April, pitting the regular army against the paramilitary Rapid Support Forces (RSF).

Entire districts of Khartoum no longer have running water, and those who remain in the city have had no electricity at all since Thursday, several residents told AFP.

The battle for power between army chief Abdel Fattah al-Burhan and his former deputy, RSF commander Mohamed Hamdan Daglo, has killed more than 2,000 people, according to the Armed Conflict Location and Event Data Project.

The deadliest violence has raged in Darfur, a vast western region on the border with Chad where the UN has warned of possible crimes against humanity and said the conflict has taken an “ethnic dimension”.

In the South Darfur state capital Nyala, residents said they had been caught in the crossfire. They reported battles, shelling and artillery strikes. AFP

PAKISTANI SPLASH. A boy cools himself in a swimming pool on a hot summer day in Lahore, Pakistan on June 22. AFP

SAINT JOHN FESTIVAL. A horse rears in the crowd during the traditional Sant Joan (Saint John) festival in the town of Ciutadella, on the Balearic Island of Minorca, on Saint John’s day on June 24. AFP

dropped 114 points to close at 6,393 amid continued selling pressure. Jenniffer B. Austria

NLEX Corp.’s income rose 38% in 3 months

NLEX Corp. said over the weekend its net income rose by 38 percent in the first quarter driven by traffic recovery and an increase in toll rates.

The operator of North Luzon Expressway and Subic Clark-Tarlac Expressway posted an income of P2.1 billion in the January to March period, higher than the P1.5 billion income in the same period last year.

The company recorded revenues amounting to P5.1 billion, 31 percent higher than the first quarter of 2022 due to stronger travel demand and higher toll rates implemented in May and June 2022.

The company’s operating revenues are generated mainly from toll fees collected in NLEX and SCTEX, which, on the aggregate, accounted for 99 percent of total revenues for the quarter.

Non-toll revenues, which consist of fees collected from toll service facilities as well as utility companies utilizing NLEX right of way, accounted for 1 percent of the total for the quarter.

All vehicle classes posted double-digit growth in revenues with Class 1 revenues growing by 21 percent, Class 2 by 40 percent, and Class 3 by 31 percent. This is partly due to the base effect of mobility restrictions still enforced during the first quarter of 2022.

As of March, average daily traffic for the NLEX reached 320,863 daily vehicle entries, higher than 2022 figures by 20 percent, while average daily traffic in SCTEX reached 80,261 daily vehicle entries or 23 percent above last year’s figures covering the same three-month period. Darwin G. Amojelar

Court junks TRO petition vs. Primelectric, CENECO

JUDGE Maria Lina Gonzaga of the Bacolod Regional Trial Court Branch 42 denied the petition for a temporary restraining order against the joint venture agreement of Primelectric Holdings Inc., an affiliate company of MORE Electric and Power Corp., and Central Negros Electric Cooperative.

The case stemmed from the petition filed by representatives of the Negros Consumers Watch and the CENECO Anti JVA Coalition.

The groups’ petition sought to nullity the JVA with an application for issuance of a writ of preliminary injunction and TRO.

“For non-compliance with the specific provision of the law, the application for the issuance of a temporary restraining order is denied,” Gonzaga said in her order dated June 22. Gonzaga set the hearing for the application for the issuance of the WPI on June 29.

The ratification of the signed JVA by the member-consumers through a plebiscite began on June 24. It will run for three weekends.

The JVA needs to get a majority of yes or affirmative votes for the JVA to push through, as required by the guidelines of the National Electrification Administration. Alena Mae S. Flores

PSE INDEX CLOSING

Friday, June 23, 2023 -11.36 PTS.

PH economy robust despite external risks

By Julito G. Rada

FINANCE Secretary Benjamin

In a statement over the weekend, Diokno cited the country’s strengths that enabled it to weather the impact of the global health crisis since it struck in early 2020.

“The global economic outlook for 2023 to 2024 remains bleak. This is due to the compounding effects of the recent banking turmoil, high inflation, Russia-Ukraine war, and lingering impacts of the pandemic,” he said.

The International Monetary Fund forecasts world economic growth to slow down from 3.4 percent in 2022 to 2.8 percent in 2023, before slightly improving to 3.0 percent in 2024. This projection is much lower relative to pre-pandemic global output averaging 3.7 percent from 2010 to 2019.

He said the bleak global economic outlook for 2023 was largely due to the weak economic growth of some advanced and major economies – including the US, UK, Germany, Japan, and China – in the first quarter of the year.

The weak global outlook has also affected the Philippines’ near-term economic trajectory.

“But our macroeconomic fundamentals remain intact and we are poised to outperform our regional peers,” Diokno said.

The Philippine economy grew by a robust 6.4 percent in the first quarter of this year despite an uncertain global outlook and elevated inflation. This came on the heels of a recordhigh 7.6 percent full-year growth in 2022.

“Our growth is supported by domestic demand, which contributed 8.3 percentage points to the real GDP growth. The contribution of domestic demand is led by household consumption at 4.8 percentage points, fueled by improving labor conditions and pent-up demand. Investments or gross fixed capital formation contributed 2.6 percentage points, driven by construction,” he said.

On the fiscal side, Diokno said revenue collections for the first five months improved to P1.6 trillion pesos, up by P155.6 billion or 10.8 percent compared to the same period last year.

Trade groups buck proposed P100 wage hike amid high costs

By Othel V. Campos

TRADE groups asked the National Capital Region wage board not to approve the proposed P100 hike in the daily minimum wage in Metro Manila as companies have yet to recover from the pandemic fallout and spiraling cost of operations.

Philippine Exporters Confederation Inc. vice president Ma. Flordeliza Leong said during the public hearing on June 21 that employers, especially those running micro, small, and medium enterprises, were still recovering from their pandemic-induced losses and that many MSMEs closed down due to the effects of the pandemic.

“Any petition will never be enough when employers and business owners have no means to increase the salaries. Prices will go up, and another wage hike will be proposed because of this. I don’t think it will ever be enough. It’s a vicious cycle,” Leong said

She reminded the Regional Tripartite Wages and Productivity BoardNational Capital Region that inflation not only affect consumers but producers as well, as it raises both the prices of consumer goods and the cost of raw materials used in manufacturing.

She said inflation hurts consumers and manufacturers alike.

Labor groups presented their case during the hearing and their reasons for a substantial wage increment.

Some of the labor groups sought a P100 daily increase to recover the purchasing power of workers’ wages, while others petitioned for a new P1,161 minimum wage in the metropolis.

The trade associations opposed the requests for a substantial increase because it is detrimental to the recovery of the economy and the survival of most businesses.

PhilExport said a wage increase would be bad for the Philippines, which is already ranked second highest in the 10-member ASEAN region in terms of wages but is near the bottom of the list in economic performance.

Gov’t may allow industrial users to import sugar

FINANCE Secretary Benjamin Diokno is confident the economy will continue to be robust despite the risks mostly emanating from the external front.

“Expectedly, producers and sellers of sugary products subjected to tax will object as it will raise the selling price of their products to the market. But knowing the big difference between the world price and the domestic price of sugar [a major input in the industry], then allowing the industry to import their own sugar requirement would reduce their cost of production,”

Diokno said.

“This is the ‘sweetener’ or incentive for producers of sugary products to accept the broader, simpler tax on sugary products,”Diokno said.

He said the proposal makes good economic sense, as it simplifies the tax system, wherein

one uniform rate is better than dual rates.

He said it achieves the proposal to make Filipinos live healthier and longer lives. In the long run, it also reduces the costs to the government for providing health care for its people. Diokno earlier said the Department of Finance and the Department of Health were jointly pursuing a junk food and sweetened beverage tax as a proactive measure to tackle diabetes, obesity, and non-communicable diseases related to poor diet.

Under the proposed tax program, the DOF plans to impose a P10 per 100 grams or P10 per 100 milliliters tax on pre-packaged foods lacking nutritional value, including confectioneries, snacks, desserts, and frozen confectioneries, that exceed the DOH’s specified thresholds for fat, salt, and sugar content.

Julito G. Rada

ALI to infuse additional P10 billion to expand Pampanga mixed-use estate

By Jenniffer B. Austria

PROPERTY developer Ayala Land Inc. is infusing an additional P10 billion in investment to unlock another 300 hectares of land within Alviera, its 1,700-hectare mixed-use estate in Porac, Pampanga.

Alviera estate manager Melanie Eugenio Trivino said ALI is developing additional land within the estate as a result of the brisk sales across its property offerings.

The additional 300 hectares, which will be developed over the next three to five years, will further expand Alviera’s residential, commercial, and leisure offerings.

Trivino said ALI initially invested P10 bil-

lion to develop 430 hectares of land offering residential, commercial lots, and industrial parks to customers as well as support infrastructure and utilities.

Since Alviera was launched in 2014, ALI has sold over 5,000 residential units across nine villages. Four villages have been turned over to buyers and about 150 houses have been built while some are under construction.

It also has three operating industrial parks with 10 incoming locators in 2023.

An upcoming development within the property is the 10-hectare Miriam College Building. Its first building is slated for completion by the end of 2023 in time for faceto-face classes and activities for basic educa-

tion and professional programs for the school year 2024 to 2025.

The first phase of La Salle Botanical Gardens is also slated for completion by 2024.

ALI also recently launched A-Block commercial hub, which is the second commercial district within the estate’s central business district.

Trivino said ALI will be selling commercial lots in A-Block with lot sizes ranging from 1,500 to 2,000 square meters costing P17,000 per sq.m. The commercial lots are an ideal investment opportunity for businesses seeking to tap into the bustling Central Luzon market and position their businesses in the fastgrowing region, Trivino said.

Diokno is confident the economy will continue to be robust and strong despite the risks mostly emanating from the external front.

EXPORT ASSISTANCE. The Philippine Exporters Confederation Inc. teams up with value-added service provider e-Konek Pilipinas Inc. to provide encoding services to its members and other exporters. PhilExport president Sergio Ortiz-Luis Jr. (fifth from right) and e-Konek president Tere Eisma (fourth from left) lead the signing with (from left) e-Konek customer technology support head Ogie Saludo, e-Konek chairman Guillermo Parayno Jr., PhilExport vice president for operations Armando Victoria, PhilExport vice president for Promotion Leonor Abella, e-Konek senior manager for the business development group Babes Gutierrez, e-Konek operations manager Noel Malijan and PhilExport senior officer Paul Jason Florendo.

VESSEL ARRIVAL. The RoRo vessel Whiteland, which operates DP World’s UAE-Iraq service, docks at Basra Gateway Terminal, International Container Terminal Services Inc.’s operation at the Port of Umm Qasr. BGT recently welcomed the first direct freight service between the United Arab Emirates and Iraq. Operated by DP World, the service connects Jebel Ali in Dubai with Umm Qasr and potentially all of Iraq with fast, efficient and safe roll-on, roll-off shipments.

Guterres: Abolish fossil fuels to avoid climate ‘catastrophe’

NATIONS must phase out coal and other fossil fuels to avert climate “catastrophe,” UN Secretary-General António Guterres warned in New York.

“We are hurtling towards disaster, eyes wide open,” he said. “It’s time to wake up and step up.”

Guterres was speaking recently to journalists at UN Headquarters following a meeting with civil society climate leaders from across the world.

He said limiting global temperature rise to 1.5 degrees Celsius was still possible but would require a 45-percent reduction in carbon emissions by 2030.

However, current policies will lead to a 2.8°C temperature rise by the end of the century, which “spells catastrophe.”

He called for immediate global action toward net-zero emissions, which “must start with the polluted heart of the climate crisis: the fossil fuel industry.”

Countries must progressively phase out fossil fuels, “moving to leave oil, coal and gas in the ground where they belong,” and massively boost investment in renewable energy, he said.

The UN chief earlier proposed establishing a Climate Solidarity Pact under which rich nations would support emerging economies with cutting emissions.

Another proposal calls on governments to phase out coal by 2040, end public and private international coal funding and shift subsidies from fossil fuels to renewables, among other measures.

“But the fossil fuel industry and its enablers have a special responsibility,” he said, noting the record “$4 trillion windfall” in income last year.

“Yet for every dollar it spends on oil and gas drilling and exploration, only four cents went to clean energy and carbon capture combined. Trading the future for 30 pieces of silver is immoral,” he said.

Guterres stressed that the fossil fuel industry should apply its massive resources “to drive, not obstruct” the global transition to renewable energy.

The industry currently “is not even reaching the very low operational

emissions reductions targets it has set for itself,” he said.

He called for fossil fuel companies to present credible, comprehensive and detailed new transition plans that include reducing emissions “up and down the value chain”―from production through to refining, distribution and use.

Plans must also establish clear, nearterm targets towards the transition to ‘green’ energy.

“Fossil fuel companies must also cease and desist influence peddling and legal threats designed to kneecap progress.

I am thinking particularly of recent attempts to subvert net zero alliances,

invoking anti-trust legislation,” he said.

“Governments are pivotal in setting the record straight. They must help by providing clear reassurance.

Collective climate action does not violate anti-trust–it upholds the public trust,” he added. The UN chief also called for detailed plans from financial institutions, saying they must encourage the global energy transformation.

Plans should include an explicit strategy to progressively strip out fossil fuel assets from their portfolios to ensure alignment with the net-zero goal. All lobbying and policy engagement also should be disclosed. UN News

Europe warming twice as fast as other regions

EUROPE has been warming twice as fast as the global average since the 1980s, with extreme weather causing excess deaths and economic disruption.

Many nations in the region in 2022 had their warmest year on record but the expanded use of renewable energy provides a silver lining, according to a report issued last week by the World Meteorological Organization (WMO) and the European Union’s Copernicus Climate Change Service.

Extreme heat, drought and wildfire, marine heatwaves and unprecedented glacier melt shows that decades of accelerated heating has had far-reaching impacts on the region’s socio-economic fabric and ecosystems, the report said.

Europe in 2022was approximately 2.3°C above the pre-industrial average used as a baseline for the Paris Agreement.

Climate change is taking a major hu-

man, economic and environmental toll, the report said.

“Summer was the hottest ever recorded: the high temperatures exacerbated the severe and widespread drought conditions, fueled violent wildfires that resulted in the second largest burnt area on record, and led to thousands of heatassociated excess deaths,” said WMO Secretary-General Petteri Taalas.

Belgium, France, Germany, Ireland, Italy, Luxembourg, Portugal, Spain, Switzerland and the United Kingdom had their warmest year on record last year and the summer in Europe was the hottest ever recorded.

The 2022 annual average temperature for Europe was between the second and fourth highest on record, with an anomaly of about 0.79 °C above the 1991–2020 average. With precipitation below average

Loyzaga urges private firms to tackle plastic pollution, preserve ecosystem

ENVIRONMENT Secretary Antonia Loyzaga has called on the business community to deal with plastic pollution to avoid the destruction of the country’s ecosystems.

Loyzaga sought the commitment of private companies to fully implement the the Extended Producers Responsibility (EPR) law of 2022 and urged them to be environmentally responsible throughout the life cycle of a product, especially its post-consumer or end-of-life stage.

The DENR chief made the plea in a speech before the general membership meeting of the Management Association of the Philippines (MAP) on June 14 in Taguig City. She said “climate action for resilience is everyone’s business.”

She said the EPR law was an opportunity to curb the destruction of ecosystems by setting targets for large enterprises to cover and divert 20 percent of the plastic waste they produce in 2022 by the end of 2023, gradually increasing this by 40 percent by 2024 and setting 10 percent targets until 80 percent can be decreased and reached by 2028 onwards.

“Some of you have already stepped

forward and committed to work with us,” she said. “Among the biggest threats to the environment is our unsustainable consumption and production practices that lead to production of polluting waste. This is where our partnerships would not only be strategic but critical to our survival,” she said.

“Confronting the complex roots of the pollution on land, seas and air requires a whole of society effort that will come at a cost but will have far reaching benefits,” she added.

The DENR chief stressed that investments were needed not just in diversion and collection, but also in research for the substitution of single use plastic.

“Unless there is a product that has the same functionality and affordability as single use plastic, the demand for its use, particularly among communities that can afford no other ways to consume and store will not wane,” she said.

Loyzaga has also urged the country’s top business leaders to work with government on efforts to address the climate crisis and create sustainable communities.

across much of the region in 2022, France had its driest January to September, and the United Kingdom had its driest January to August since 1976, with far-reaching consequences for agriculture and energy production.

Spain’s water reserves decreased to 41.9 percent of total capacity by on July 26, with even lower capacity in some basins. Glaciers in Europe lost about 880 cubic kilometers of ice from 1997 to 2022.

The Alps were worst affected, with an average reduction in ice thickness of 34 meters. In 2022, glaciers in the Alps experienced a new record loss of mass in a single year, triggered by low winter snowfall, an extremely warm summer and dust deposits from the Sahara.

The melting of the Greenland Ice Sheet contributed around 14.9 mm to global mean sea-level rise. And according to scientific assessments, it contin-

ued to lose mass during 2022, said the WMO report.

Average sea surface temperatures across the North Atlantic were the warmest on record and large portions of the region’s seas were affected by powerful marine heatwaves. The rates of surface ocean warming, particularly in the eastern Mediterranean, the Baltic, the Black Sea, and the southern Arctic, were more than three times the global average. The record-breaking heat stress that Europeans experienced last year was one of the main drivers of weather-related excess deaths.

Based on information in the Emergency Events Database (EM-DAT), meteorological, hydrological and climate-related hazards in Europe in 2022 resulted in 16,365 reported fatalities and directly affected 156, 000 people. UN News

UN members OK agreement to watch over the ‘high seas’ Binalot is eco-friendly with biodegradable packaging

IN AN era where environmental sustainability is of utmost importance, Binalot, the renowned Fili pino fast food chain, is making a significant impact by going beyond serving delicious meals and embracing eco-friendly practices.

In addition to being a beloved destination for authentic Filipino cuisine, Binalot stands out as an environmentally conscious brand that utilizes biodegradable packaging.

Recognizing the urgent need to reduce waste and its impact on the environment, Binalot has taken proactive measures to ad dress the issue. The brand has transitioned to using biodegradable packaging materials, ensuring that every meal served contributes to a greener future.

By replacing traditional plastic containers and utensils with eco-friendly alternatives, Binalot is actively reducing its carbon footprint and promoting sustainable practices within the fast food industry.

The biodegradable packaging used by Binalot is designed to break down naturally over time, minimizing its impact on landfills and ecosystems. Made from materials such as plant fibers, cornstarch and paper, these packaging options decompose without leaving harmful residues behind. This commitment to eco-friendly alternatives aligns with Binalot’s larger vision of promoting a

THE United Nations’ 193 member states adopted a landmark legally binding marine biodiversity agreement last week following nearly two decades of fierce negotiations.

While countries are responsible for the conservation and sustainable use of waterways under their national jurisdiction, the high seas now have added protection from such destructive trends as pollution and unsustainable fishing activities.

The agreement follows years of forging a common wave of conservation and sustainability in the high seas beyond national boundaries―covering two thirds of the planet’s oceans.

Adopted by the Intergovernmental Conference on Marine Biodiversity of Areas Beyond National Jurisdiction (BBNJ), the “high seas” treaty aims to take stewardship of the ocean on behalf of present and future generations, in line with the Convention on the Law of the Sea.

The new agreement contains 75 articles that seek to protect, care for and ensure the responsible use of the marine environment, maintain the integrity of ocean ecosystems and conserve the inherent value of marine biological diversity.

The ocean is the lifeblood of our planet, and today, you have pumped new life and hope to give the ocean a fighting chance, UN Secretary-General António Guterres told delegates on Monday.

Toxic chemicals and millions of tons of plastic waste are flooding into coastal ecosystems, killing or injuring fish, sea turtles, seabirds and marine mammals, and making their way into the food chain and ultimately being consumed by humans.

More than 17 million metric tons of plastic entered the world’ss ocean in 2021, making up 85 per cent of marine litter, and projections are expected to double or triple each year by 2040, according to the latest Sustainable Development Goals (SDG) report.

According to UN estimates, by 2050, there could be more plastic in the sea than fish unless action is taken.

The treaty aims to strengthen resilience and contains provisions based on the polluter-pays principle as well as mechanisms for disputes. Under the treaty’s provisions, parties must assess potential environmental impacts of any planned activities beyond their jurisdictions.

More than one third of global fish stocks are over-exploited, according to the UN.UN News

sustainable and responsible approach to business.

By utilizing biodegradable packaging, Binalot encourages its customers to actively participate in environmental conservation. With each meal enjoyed, customers contribute to the reduction of plastic waste and the preservation of natural resources. Binalot aims to inspire individuals to make informed choices and embrace sustainable practices in their everyday lives.

“Binalot is more than just a fast food chain. We are committed to making a positive impact on the environment and fostering a sense of responsibility among our customers,” said Ivan Cañete , marketing ffficer at Binalot.

“Our use of biodegradable packaging reflects our dedication to sustainability and serves as a reminder that small changes can have a significant impact. By choosing Binalot our customers are not only enjoying delicious Filipino meals but also actively participating in the global movement towards a greener future.”

Binalot’s initiative to utilize biodegradable packaging is part of its larger commitment to environmental stewardship.

brand continually explores innovative and sustainable practices to reduce waste, conserve energy, and minimize its ecological footprint. Binalot’s dedication to being an eco-friendly alternative in the fast food industry sets an example for other establishments to follow.

The

Climate activists demonstrate to end all fossil fuels in Central Park as President Joe Biden is in town for a campaign reception, May 10, 2023 in New York. UN Secretary-General Antonio Guterres (inset) speaks during a press briefing on climate at UN headquarters in New York on June 15, 2023. Guterres said the world is racing toward a climate change disaster, and dismissed the global response as woefully inadequate. AFP

Plastic bottles and garbage waste from a nearby village wash on the shores of a river and then spill into the sea. UN photo

Sydney’s

The Everest second-richest horse race

SYDNEY—Sydney’s racing flagship The Everest boosted its prize money Sunday to Aus$20 million (US$13.4 million), becoming the world’s second-richest thoroughbred race behind only the Saudi Cup.

The annual October meeting at Royal Randwick will also see a new Aus$5 million King Charles III Stakes to be run on the same day after winning endorsement from the British monarch.

“The King Charles III Stakes creates a new level of excitement for the Sydney Everest Carnival with a feature open age mile (1,600m) race boosting an already mouth-watering Everest Day meeting,” Racing NSW chairman Russell Balding said in a statement.

“At $20 million of prize-money

The Everest is now the second richest race in the world and the richest race on turf.”

Only the Saudi Cup, which is held on dirt, carries more money.

The Everest—which is raced over 1,200 metres (3/4 mile, or six furlongs) and had a previous purse of Aus$15 million—has now surpassed the Pegasus World Cup, also on dirt, in the United States.

Racing NSW chief executive Peter V’landys told the Sydney Morning Herald that King Charles III personally endorsed having the new Group I race named in his honour.

“The King was very chuffed that we have named a feature race after him on Everest Day,” he said, after meeting the monarch at Royal Ascot last week.

“I’m very confident after talking to him that he will come to the race in the next few years.”

The Everest, won last year by outsider Giga Kick, ridden by veteran Craig Williams, will be held on October 14. AFP

Obiena aims for Olympic slot, 6-meter consistency

By Peter Atencio

CONSISTENCY is the key.

Olympian pole vaulter Ernest John “EJ” Obiena said this in his bid to maintain and even surpass his 6.0-meter record in three major competitions.

This means, the 27-year-old Obiena has to refine his technique whenever he trains for a meet with his Ukrainian coach Vitaly Petrov.

Petrov, who has been teaching and training Obiena for the last eight years in Formia, Italy, has been instructing him how to do the 20-step move, wherein he needs to pick up speed during his strides towards the pit, before making his jump to the crossbar -- all in 20 steps.

“There’s a lot of room for improvement. To jump up to 5.85 meters should now be regular. It should be consistent.

I arrived at 6.0 meters because I was consistent at the 5.80-meter level,” said Obiena, who talked about the things he needs to do the next time he participates in a meet during Saturday’s

weekly program of former Philippine Sports Commission chairman Noli Eala’s “Power and Play.”

Obiena is now preparing to jump higher and eclipse his milestone 6-meter performance in the Bergen Jump Challenge in Norway three weeks ago.

“I need to be consistent with my 20 steps. It’s a work in progress. And I only used it in competition two times,” added Obiena.

Focus for Obiena in the coming days is to qualify for the 2024 Paris Olympics as soon as possible.

Qualification events for the Olympiad are set to begin on July 1.

“The way I want it to go is to qualify straight up. Qualification starts on July 1. I will already compete on the second

day of July in Stockholm in the Diamond League. If I jump over 5.82m if I’m not mistaken, then I should already be qualified,” he said.

Obiena also has his eyes on the prize in the Asian Athletics Championship in July, the World Athletics in August and the Asian Games in September.

Hoping that there won’t be any setbacks and injuries, Obiena is crossing his fingers that his plans to compete in all of these tournaments can go without any hitches as he aims for early qualification.

“I’m indeed planning to go to these championships because these would give me points for my ranking. Also, these are very important for the country. These are the medals that, at the end of my career, would be the ones probably standing out so I’m gunning for them,” he said.

Obiena finished with a bronze medal in the Oslo Bislett Games in Norway recently after clearing the 5.81-meter mark behind the eventual champion and world no. 1 Armand Duplantis of Sweden, who jumped 6.01 meters.

First Lady to make ceremonial serve in VNL

FIRST Lady Liza Araneta

Marcos will make the ceremonial first serve to open the Volleyball Nations League Men’s Week 3 Pasay City leg on July 4 at the SM Mall of Asia Arena.

Mrs. Marcos will make the serve before the 7 p.m. match between world No. 7 Japan and No. 25 China and No. 7 Japan on opening day at the SM Mall of Asia Arena.

“We are honored with the First Lady, Atty. Liza Marcos, making the first serve in the VNL,” Phililppine National Volleyball Federation president Ramon “Tats” Suzara said.

“Her presence is greatly appreciated and will definitely boost

Forest Hills to upgrade Nicklaus course

BUOYED by the encouraging words of the tour professionals in relation on how beautiful the Nicklaus course played in the just-concluded Forest Hills Classic, Forest Hills Golf and Country will now continue the improvements in the par-71 layout.

Before the ICTSI tournament, the club finished renovation of six greens, two fairways and 80% of the tee boxes, according to Club Chairman Bob Sobrepeña, with the next three greens up for construction in the next few months.

“The pros were impressed with what we have done on Hole Nos. 1, 3, 9, 11, 14 and 18. The Forest Hills Clas-

sic was our gauge on how these will hold out with the best players in the country and I’m glad with the positive comments from them. We’ll be doing continuous works on the greens, fairways and tees as we resume our course and facilities programs for the year,” Sobrepeña mentioned after the awarding ceremony.

“Up for greens rehabilitation are Hole Nos. 2, 10 and 16, as we want to further elevate the quality of the Nicklaus experience, not only for the pros but, more important, our members and guests. These are all to make Forest Hills’ playability pleasant in its already challenging design,” he also said.

the VNL and the country on the global volleyball stage.”

First Lady Araneta is a seasoned lawyer but sports run in her blood. Her late father, Manuel Araneta, who was a member of the national basketball team that played in the 1948 Summer Olympics in London.

World No. 2 Brazil and No. 4 Italy will open hostilities at 3 p.m. on July 4. No. 17 Canada and No. 12 Netherlands clash at 3 p.m. while No. 1 Poland and No. 9 Slovenia take the court at 7 p.m. the next day on July 5.

Eight of the world’s top 25 men’s teams are bringing their elite act rarely seen on Philippine soil. Also competing are world No. 1 Poland—a former Olym-

pic gold medalist like Brazil—as well as No. 9 Slovenia, No. 12 The Netherlands, No. 15 Canada and No. 25 China.

Fans can purchase their tickets at Ticketnet. An exclusive VNL shirt will also be given to every purchase of Patron Front Row and VIP On Court tickets. More information are available @volleyball_philippines on Facebook and Instagram for more information and updates.

Also expected on opening day are Philippine Olympic Committee president Rep. Abraham “Bambol” Tolentino, Philippine Sports Commission Chairman Richard Bachmann and Pasay City Mayor Imelda Calixto Rubiano.

Blu Boys set for battle in Asian Softball Asia Cup 2023

THE formidable PH Blu Boys are set to take the field at the Asian Men’s Softball Asia Cup 2023, which kicked off in Kochi, Japan on Sunday.

Governed by the Softball Confederation of Asia, the Asian Men’s Softball Championship is the main tournament among the national men’s softball teams in Asia, usually consisting of six countries, namely Japan, Philippines, Chinese Taipei, Indonesia, Singapore and Hong Kong.

Japan has the most number of gold medals at nine, followed by the Philippines with three, while the rest have yet to win one.

“We are excited to see how the Blu Boys will do at this year’s Men’s Softball Asia Cup. They have trained well for this moment, and we have nothing but all-out support for the team as they do their best in taking home that much-coveted gold,” said Amateur Softball Association of the Philippines president and Blu Boys’ backer Jean Henri Lhuillier.

The Blue Boys’ line-up for the three-day tournament consists of John Israel Antonio, Jerome Bacarisas, Leo Barredo, Denmark Bathan, Melvin De Castro, Lyonas De Leon, Juliuz Dela Cruz, Mark Janzen Gaspi, Francis Generoso, John Norwen Lucas, Efril Ian Mercado, Micheal Pagkaliwagan, Reagan Parco, Gerone Riparir, Justine John Rosales, and Kenneth Torres. Teams under ASAPHIL are also set to compete in three world championships this year—the WBSC Women’s Softball World Cup, the WBSC Co-Ed Slow Pitch Softball World Cup and the WBSC World Cup Under Girls-15 Women’s Softball.

Ernest John Obiena wants early qualification in the 2024 Paris Olympics.

First Lady Liza Araneta Marcos

Jean Henri Lhuillier

Age-group winners eye Bohol 5150 repeat win

JORRY Ycong and Kristiane Glendale Lim head a pack of triathletes targeting a second straight win in their respective age-group categories with an eye on the overall championship in the Sun Life 5150 Triathlon reeling off July 9 at the Bellevue Resort on Panglao Island.

Ycong topped the men’s 30-34 division while Lim ruled the 35-39 side with nearly the same clocking of 2:14 over the 1.5 km-swim, 40 km-bike and 10 km run distance in last year’s staging of the Olympic distance series in Bohol that also marked the sport’s return after a two-year hiatus due to pandemic.

The British couple of Nick and Jo Cudmore are also going flat out to do a reprise of their feats in the 6569 and 55-59 classes, respectively, while Kimberly Paquibot seeks to post a notch higher this time after finishing second to Moira Erediano in the youngest 15-19 category of the seventh staging of the event in Bohol organized by The IRONMAN Group/Sunrise Events, Inc.

While the locals look the dominate the race designed for athletes aiming to embrace multi-sport racing and reach the IRONMAN level, a slew of foreign bets from at least 11 countries are all coming into the event with the same resolve as the Filipino bidders.

Heading the contingent are seven Malaysians and four each from Australia and United Kingdom with the US and France fielding in three athletes each in the event to be held as part of the Sandugo Festival, a project of Gov. Aris Aumentado.

Registration is on-going. For details, visit www.ironman.com/5150bohol with social media accounts at Sun Life 5150 Bohol (facebook) and 5150bohol (Instagram). For the Sunrise Sprint, log on to www.goforgold. sunrisesprint.com/

Other age-group titles (men’s and women’s) to be disputed in the event sponsored by Sun Life Philippines are 20-25, 25-29, 40-44, 45-49, 5054 and 60-64.

Spicing up the individual race are the relay competitions and the Sunrise Sprint or S2, a short-distance event and a sub-category to the 5150 series for beginners and upcoming athletes wanting to get the feel of tri-racing. It is set over 750-m open-water swim, 20km bike and 5km run.

Max Ballers complete sweep of Minda South

Yuka Saso of Japan hits a tee shot on the third hole during the third round of the KPMG Women’s PGA Championship at Baltusrol Golf Club in Spring eld, New Jersey. AFP

Ireland’s Maguire clings to lead; Saso five behind

NEW YORK—Ireland’s Leona Maguire closed with a birdie to grab a one-stroke lead over South Korea’s Jenny Shin after Saturday’s third round of the Women’s PGA Championship at Baltusrol.

Maguire fired a two-under par 69 to stand on seven-under 206 after 54 holes at the rain-softened Springfield, New Jersey, layout in the second major women’s golf tournament of the season.

“It was a little bit more of a mixed bag than the first two days but it felt like I hung in really well,” Maguire said. “I had a few really key up and downs out of bunkers to sort of keep me going out there.

“Always nice to finish with a birdie any time you play. Any time you break 70 in a round in a major championship golf course you are pretty happy, so nice to have done it for the third day in a row.”

Former Women’s Open winner Yuka Saso, now representing Japan after spending her amateur years playing for the Philippines, ended up tied for 6th place with a 69, five shots off Maguire.

Shin, whose only LPGA title came at the 2016 Texas Shootout, matched the week’s low round with a bogey-free 66.

“I went after the pins today and when

I had the birdie chances I took advantage,” Shin said. “I’m going to play my game and keep it simple.”

Shin has two top-10 finishes in 57 prior major starts.

Northern Ireland’s Stephanie Meadow was third on 208 after a 67 with China’s Yin Ruoning and South African Lee-Anne Pace on 209 and world number one Ko Jin-young of South Korea alongside American Lauren Coughlin on 210.

Maguire birdied the 15th to reclaim sole possession of the lead ahead of Shin but found the right rough and a greenside bunker on her way to a bogey at the par-5 17th.

Maguire reached the green in two at the par-5 18th, left a long eagle putt inches short and tapped in for birdie to again grab the lead.

“For the most part played really solid golf,” she said. “My game is in good shape.

Maguire captured her second LPGA Tour title last weekend and chases her first major crown.

“The game plan is the same as it was the past three days—try and execute really good golf shots,” she said. “And if it’s enough tomorrow it’s enough.”

Maguire also knows the impact it would have on Ireland to deliver her homeland’s first major women’s title.

“I know what it would mean and all but try not to get ahead of myself or think of things like that,” Maguire said. “It’s just another day on the golf course tomorrow. And whatever will be will be.”

Also chasing her first major crown is Northern Ireland’s Stephanie Meadow, trying for her first LPGA victory in her 140th tour start.

“Today was a bit more go after it and I made some putts,” Meadow said. “If I can get a win, fantastic. I’m just going to give it all I have and we’ll see how it goes.”

Maguire opened with a birdie and added another at the par-5 seventh that stretched her lead to three strokes.

But Shin birdied 14, Maguire lipped out a par putt at 11 from just outside three feet for a bogey and Shin rolled in an eight-foot birdie putt at the par3 16th to match Maguire at the top at 6-under.

Shin found water off the 18th tee but salvaged par to stay on Maguire’s heels. AFP

MAX BALLERS-Davao completed a seven-game sweep of the Manila Bankers Life-Pilipinas Super League 18-Under Mindanao South Leg, capping its run with a masterful 96-71 romp of ISD Pacman in finals on Saturday at Davnor Sports and Tourism Complex in Tagum, Davao Del Norte.

Unlike their 85-79 Game One triumph last Friday, the loaded squad from Davao did not let up from start to finish as they now await the winner of the Mindanao North Leg for the regional finals.

The Mindanao North Leg is now in its Final Four stage in this tournament co-presented by SCD and Dumper party-list, and supported by J Project Clothings, MDC, Bluesky Advertising, NET 25, Wcube Solutions Inc., Hotel SOGO, and Converge with top seed Cagayan De Oro Higalas B and Meljohn’s Tailoring holding the twice-to-beat advantage over Uswag Magpet and Rhilapz Notbalz, respectively.

Karlo Estomo led Max Ballers in the comprehensive victory with a line of 25 points, five rebounds, four assists, four steals, and two blocks.

Norman Cagampang and Lord Mamacos added 14 points apiece to support Estomo.

Jarred Yamut paced the runners-up with 20 markers.

Over at the San Andres Sports Complex, Farm Fresh-Letran vented its ire on Caloocan with a 113-80 win at San Andres Sports Complex.

The Milkers, who were coming off an 88-83 loss to Fin & Claw last Wednesday, rose to 5-1 to gain a momentary lead in the NCR Leg.

Six Letraniates scored in doublefigures with Syrex Silorio, Jhaslie De Leon, and Charles Diamente all putting up 14 points. Diamante also grabbed 12 boards.

Meanwhile, Mandaluyong Namayan escaped NBS Kris with an 8584 victory to rise to fifth place with a 4-3 record.

Ja Catome, who had 19 points in the game, canned the game-winning free throws with 19 seconds left. James Corpuz also tallied 21 points, six assists, and four rebounds.

Also picking up a win in the NCR Leg was 521 Trading-Mapua, who defeated New Era University, 91-83, to climb to 4-2 for solo fourth. Batang Kankaloo fell to 1-4, the NEU Hunters dropped to 2-5, while NBS Kris went to to an even 2-2 slate.

Cargo Movers, 2 others all set for PVL season grind

(first best outside spiker) and Mars Alba (best setter), along with Far Eastern U’s Jovelyn Fernandez (best opposite spiker) were signed by F2 Logistics during the break.

REINFORCING a roster in the runup to any major sporting campaign has been a virtual must-do scheme for any team and F2 Logistics, Cignal and Choco Mucho, among others, made sure to whip up their respective squads with key acquisitions in time for the second Premier Volleyball League offering this year. The PVL Invitational Conference gets going tomorrow (Tuesday) at the Filoil EcoOil Centre in San Juan with a record 13 teams, including three newcomers and two foreign guest squads, all primed for the month-long skirmish of power, style and poise.

But Creamline, given its intact roster and vast championship experience, remains the yardstick and the marked squad, not just in Group A which it heads in the two-pool, single-round eliminations but also in the other side led by the Cargo Movers, the HD Spikers and the Flying Titans.

midable roster. The La Salle duo of Jolina Dela Cruz

“I’m really excited to coach these girls again,” said F2 Logistics head coach Regine Diego. “Hopefully, they will be able to connect and gel with the other girls as soon as possible.”

While Choco Mucho also retained its nucleus led by its triple-tower combo in Kat Tolentino, Maddie Madayag and Bea de Leon, it went for a diminutive but talented fighter in Sisi Rondina to boost its campaign in the league organized by Sports Vision and backed by BingoPlus, ArenaPlus, Mikasa, SMART, Rebisco, Kumu, Asics and SportRadar.

The 5-foot-6 ace from Cebu, noted for her high-flying ways and aggressive plays, had focused on beach volleyball and the national team the last four years, but has been lured into making an indoor volleyball comeback where she is expected to shine and help make the difference for the Flying Titans.

“Sa pinapakita ngayon ni Sisi sa train-

Zamboanga edges Rizal; Iloilo, Imus crush rivals

ZAMBOANGA Family’s Brand Sardines turned hot and spicy in the fourth quarter and routed Rizal XentroMall, 74-57, on Saturday in the OKBet-MPBL (Maharlika Pilipinas Basketball League) Fifth Season at the Bataan People’s Center in Balanga.

Spiced up by Jaycee Marcelino, Zamboanga bunched 11 points while holding Rizal scoreless in over 4 minutes to break away and tally its 12th win against 3 losses in the single roundrobin elimination phase of the two-division, 29team tournament.

Showing why he’s the league’s reigning MVP, Marcelino posted a game-high 27 points, 5 rebounds and 4 assists to earn best player honors for Zamboanga, last year’s South conference titlist and the 2023 MPBL Preseason Invitational champion.

Marcelino got ample support from his twin Jayvee, Andy Santos and Joseph Gabayni, who made

12 points each, and homegrown John Mahari, who added 7 plus a game-high 12 rebounds.

Jayvee Marcelino also grabbed 7 rebounds and issued 6 assists aside from canning backto-back triples that buried Rizal to its 11 loss in 17 starts.

No Rizal player was able to score in twin digits with homegrown Troy Mallillin finishing with 9 plus 6 rebounds, 4 assists and 2 steals.

In other games, Iloilo subdued Bacolod, 8073, and Imus foiled Bataan, 75-68.

The Iloilo United Royals crawled out of an 18-point hole (8-26) to snap a 5-game skid and catch up with its victim at 6-10.

Former San Beda star Justine Sanchez sparkled for Iloilo with 20 points, 11 rebounds and 2 assists and got help from fellow former Red Lion Tony Ynot, who chalked 16 points, 9 rebounds, 4 assists and 2 blocks for Coach Manu Inigo.

Bacolod got 18 points from Dom Matillano, 13 from John Cantimbuhan and 10 from Coy Alves.

Powered by Jaymar Gimpayan and Carlo Lastimosa, Imus SV Squad pulled away at 70-55 before coasting to its 6th win against 8 losses.

Gimpayan fired 19 points, snagged 21 rebounds, issued 5 assists and blocked 5 shots while Lastimosa contributed 16 points, including 3 triples.

Bataan, which fell to 6-9, got 17 points from James Castro, 12 from Yves Sazon and 10 from Jamil Gabawan. The MPBL visits the FilOil Flying V Centre in San Juan on Monday with a triple pill pitting Manila against Valenzuela at 4 p.m., Pasay against Pampanga at 6 p.m., and Batangas against San Juan at 8 p.m.

ing namin, nakikita ko na malaki siyang tulong sa offense at floor defense namin. Malaking tulong din ang tapang at pagiging agresibo niya sa training,” said Choco Mucho mentor Dante Alinsunurin.

The HD Spikers of Shaq Delos Santos, on the other hand, made two key signings, acquiring Ateneo de Manila University’s Vanie Gandler and Army’s Jovelyn Gonzaga, who took a break last conference.

Like Creamline, Petro Gazz kept the core that led the Angels to the All-Filipino Conference Finals with Korean Volleyball League-bound MJ Phillips and Remy Palma this conference ready to anchor the team’s title drive again.

Completign the Group B cast are newcomers Farm Fresh and Foton.

F2 Logistics and Farm Fresh usher in the new conference at 1:30 p.m. tomorrow with Petro Gazz and Cignal squaring off at 4 p.m.

Creamline and Chery Tiggo collide in the main dish at 6:30 p.m. Games will be telecast on PVL.ph, One Sports, and One Sports+ with live streaming on Smart Livestream and Cignal Play.

F2 Logistics tapped three members of the all-UAAP Season 85 team to beef up its already formidable roster. The La Salle duo of Jolina Dela Cruz and Mars Alba, along with Far Eastern U’s Jovelyn Fernandez were signed by F2 Logistics during the break. Coming off a third-place finish in the All-Filipino Conference, F2 Logistics tapped three members of the all-UAAP

Season 85 team to beef up its already for-

Jaymar Gimpayan of the Imus SV Squad

WHEN around 40 thousand people gathered at the Philippine Arena to see the global superstar Bruno Mars, I knew to expect some things, including a potentially horrendous traffic situation. My previous experience attending Harry Styles’ Love On Tour concert in March made me almost miss the opening due to traffic.

So, for the first day of the Bruno Mars concert on Saturday, June 24, I made sure to leave much earlier. I left Quezon City at 3:30 p.m. for a 7:00 p.m. concert, thinking that was already early enough. Little did I know, I was in for a surprise. It took me until 8:00 p.m. to reach the Philippine Arena in Bocaue, Bulacan, and I finally managed to enter the venue

Let’s talk about Bruno Mars

Fil-Am superstar ignites the Philippine Arena despite traffic chaos, delivering a high-energy show with phenomenal vocals

at 8:30 p.m. Unfortunately, my companion was left behind looking for parking and missed the show entirely.

By the time I arrived at the concert venue, Bruno Mars was already in full swing, captivating the audience with his electrifying performance of “Runaway Baby,” his 12th song of the night (there were 18 songs in the setlist).

Although I had missed the opening number “24K Magic,” and the iconic songs “Billionaire,” “Versace on the Floor,” and the beloved “Marry You,” I could still feel the palpable energy that filled the arena.

The crowd was on their feet, dancing and singing along to every beat.

I wasn’t alone in my frustrations and concerns. Like many others, I took to Twitter to check if the concert had already started and even tagged the concert promoter, Live Nation Philippines, hoping for a potential delay (baka lang naman).

According to a colleague who managed

US rapper releases album from jail

YOUNG Thug fans awoke Friday to a new album from the Atlanta rapper, who is embroiled in a sprawling gang conspiracy trial and has been imprisoned since May 2022.

The 15-track record entitled Business is Business includes features from Drake, Future, 21 Savage, and Travis Scott, and is Young Thug’s first LP since 2021’s chart-topper “Punk.”

The 31-year-old born Jeffery Williams was one of 28 alleged

street gang members swept up in a racketeering indictment accusing defendants of myriad predicate offenses that support an overarching conspiracy charge, including murder, assault, carjacking, drug dealing, and theft.

The indictment shook the rap world in Atlanta, where Young Thug is considered among the industry’s most impactful figures who has been elemental to forging contemporary rap’s sound.

Prosecutors say Young Thug’s record label – Young Stoner Life, an imprint under 300 Entertainment – is a front for a crime ring, and have held up song lyrics as evidence of the accusation, a strategy that has raised eyebrows and drawn rebuke.

The case has proceeded at a glacial pace: jury selection began in January and is still underway some six months later. AFP

his

to enter the venue on time, the show started with Bruno Mars greeting the crowd, saying, “What’s up, okay ba kayo?” He expressed his love for the Philippines and aimed to keep the audience singing and dancing throughout the night. While I missed some of the initial interactions, I did get to experience Bruno Mars engaging with the crowd. He asked, “Masaya ba kayo?” before launching into a medley of hits he had worked on, including

“F**k You” by CeeLo Green, “Young, Wild & Free” by Wiz Khalifa, “Grenade” with an extra request for dramatic smoke, “Talking to the Moon,” “Nothin’ On You” by B.o.B., and the soulful “Leave the Door Open” by Silk Sonic Songs like “When I Was Your Man,” which Bruno Mars revealed as one of his most challenging to sing, “Locked Out of Heaven,” and “Just The Way You Are” were equally captivating, with Fil-Am singer exuding boundless energy as if he had just opened the show.

Bruno Mars’ stage presence was simply mesmerizing. His energy was infectious, radiating from every move he made. From his electrifying dance routines to his interactions with the crowd, he commanded the stage with confidence and charisma. It was clear that he was giving his all, pouring his heart and soul into every performance.

But it wasn’t just his stage presence that

captivated the audience. Bruno Mars’ vocals were in top shape, delivering powerful and soulful renditions of his hit songs. As he effortlessly transitioned between high-energy dance tracks and heartfelt ballads, his voice soared through the arena, resonating with every member of the audience. His vocal control and range were truly impressive, showcasing his versatility as an artist.

Throughout the concert, Bruno Mars made sure to engage with the crowd, constantly interacting and connecting with his fans. He kept the energy levels high, urging the audience to sing along, dance, and participate in the experience. With his infectious smile and genuine enthusiasm, he created a sense of unity and joy within the arena.

The combination of Bruno Mars’ boundless energy and his impeccable vocal performance created an unforgettable concert experience. Despite the challenging journey to the venue, the seven songs I got to witness were more than enough to pacify my earlier annoyance caused by the travel time. Bruno Mars’ dedication to his craft and his ability to captivate a massive crowd reaffirmed why he is a global superstar.

Images courtesy of Live Nation Philippines

Portraits of love

ARIAS BY ALWIN IGNACIO

VIVAMAX’S current cinematic comeon, Hosto, is essentially a love story and a tale about the struggles and survival of an overseas Filipino worker.

Yes, the trademark sexual encounters are still present but portrayed with restraint and delicacy. The encounters that pushed the boundaries of daring and wildness felt mechanical, lacking bliss or happiness in the eyes of the actors involved. It became apparent that these scenes were obligatory, a means to enhance their financial situation.

There are many kinds of love highlighted in the Jao Daniel Elamparo-directed movie. The “it’s complicated kind,” with Vince Rillon as Patrick and the love he has for his wife and child and a young miss who offers love for convenience and citizenship status in Japan.

Patrick, also shares a different kind of love with Daniel, Jay Manalo’s gay character. His relationship with Daniel is the most constant and solid as his immediate family knows and accepts it.

Manalo’s Daniel is affluent and supports not only his partner’s needs and wants, but his entire family as well, with the wife and kid included in the equation. Then, Thea, Angela Morena’s character loves Patrick just because she loves him. Well aware of the man’s

marital complication, the reality did not stop her to offer herself, her heart, and the citizenship that Rillon’s character needs to secure his immediate family’s future and fortune.

“The ‘all mine to give’ kind of love, where one does not know how to reserve some for oneself and maintain sanity, was skillfully portrayed by Denise Esteban. On the other hand, Ali Asistio’s character effectively depicted the user-friendly type of love, utilizing love and romance in a predatory manner, resulting in detrimental emotional consequences, of course.

These many portraits of love, acted out by Rillon, Manalo, Morena, Esteban, and Asistio on the silver screen bring the feels and the heartstring pulls.

Manalo as Daniel was perfect as the gay character who loved until it hurts and is painful, but continues to love anyway. The conversation scene of Daniel with his gay friends about his

relationship status with Patrick, and that final scene wherein he could no longer contain the hurt with regard to the separation with finality with Patrick, showed how emotionally committed Manalo was to his small role that was so impactful.

The OFW struggles and survival, there was nothing new to it since there have been countless movies that already showcased such realities. However, what makes the presentation fresh and novel, is the purity and sincerity that Rillon infused and invested in Patrick. The naiveté, the doses of hopeless romanticism, and that twisted symbol of hope that Morena’s character Thea represented. And at the end of the day, love for family always matters and is supreme.

Yes, Hosto with the stamp of approval of its creator Brillante Mendoza, is a rare kind

of brilliant cinema from Vivamax.

Vivamax’s latest offering, ‘Hosto’, features Vince Rillon (left) and Angela Morena

Bruno Mars’ highly anticipated concert in the country filled the Philippine Arena with fans singing and dancing

The Fil-Am superstar delights his Filipino fans with his classic songs such as ‘24K Magic’, ‘Billionaire’, and ‘Versace on the Floor’

Bruno Mars doesn’t disappoint his fans with his mesmerizing stage presence throughout the evening

The Grammy-award winner is in the country to treat his fans for a two-day concert

Restaurant chain tempts taste buds with delectable new dishes

RESTAURANT chain Fish & Co. introduces a tantalizing array of new dishes to reignite every foodie’s love affair with its delectable offerings.

Available at its latest location in Shangri-La Plaza Mall, as well as its other branches at Uptown Mall, McKinley, Alabang Town Center, UP Town Center, My South Hall, Robinsons Magnolia, and Trinoma, these new dishes transport your taste buds to new heights of gastronomic delight.

To ignite your epicurean adventure, tantalize your senses with the Shrimp Wrap in Vermicelli. Picture succulent shrimps delicately wrapped in a bed of vermicelli, perfectly complemented by the harmonious blend of Japanese mayo and mixed sriracha. Each bite is a harmonious symphony of textures and flavors that will leave you craving for more.

For those seeking a lighter, refreshing alternative, the Summer Salad is an absolute must-try. Immerse yourself in a refreshing medley of flavors, as crisp romaine lettuce mingles with juicy cherry tomatoes, succulent lychees, luscious grapes, peach halves, refreshing cucumber, crunchy walnuts, and a hint of parmesan cheese. All of this comes together harmoniously with a drizzle of honey balsamic vinaigrette, creating a symphony of taste that will transport you to culinary bliss.

Fish & Co. is home to the most exceptional Fish & Chips. Crafted with utmost precision, every fillet is carefully hand-dipped into the hallowed batter. The result

is golden brown fillets that are crispy on the outside and tender and moist on the inside.

For those seeking an exotic twist, the Nori Fish & Chips awaits. Immerse yourself in a culinary voyage to the far reaches of Japan as crispy batter encases the succulent fillets, infused with a captivating mix of Japanese sauces. Embellished with delicate nori sheets, each bite is a dance of flavors that harmonize to create

Contemporary art in our hotels

THERE was a time when we had to go to reputable art galleries or museums in order to satisfy our craving for artistic masterpieces. Thank goodness, our de luxe hotels have now made it easy for us to see the latest artistic endeavors of some of our present-day art wizards.

Conrad Manila

The hotel’s Art and Wine series recently launched its 24th edition, entitled Crossroads, bannering at Gallery C of Conrad Manila the beautiful masterpieces of six abstractionists: Fitz Herrera, Binong Javier, Marlon Magbanua, Coeli Manese, Bea Policarpio, and Resty Tica.

Also timed with the celebration of the hotel’s seventh anniversary, the exhibit features 23 works of art from these artists, each with a unique approach and style, thus allowing guests and patrons to explore and appreciate the vast spectrum of artistic expression.

General Manager Fabio Berto says the

an extraordinary gustatory symphony. But the grand finale awaits with the Bombay Fish & Chips. Witness as the fillets are enrobed in Bombay sauce dip, seducing the palate with its enchanting blend of spices. Fish & Co.’s legendary Fish & Chips continue to captivate hearts and tantalize taste buds with its unrivaled mastery. Adorned with signature inhouse sauces that intricately

weave an additional layer of flavor, these culinary marvels stand as a testament to the artistry of gastronomy. So, indulge in the extraordinary Fish & Chips, where perfection meets innovation and every bite is a gateway to an unforgettable culinary journey. Fish & Co. invites you to immerse yourself in a world where gastronomic legends are brought to life, one plate at a time.

Nickie Wang

Pride Month calls for a colorful celebration

EVERY year in June, people come together to celebrate Pride Month to support and promote a greater understanding of the LGBTQIA+ community. This year, The Podium embraces the spirit of Pride with colorful installations, pop-ups, and promotions throughout the month to celebrate diversity, equality, and inclusivity.

“Walk with Pride” and stride in solidarity with the community on the rainbow-colored lane outside the mall’s entrance along Julia Vargas Avenue.

hotel wants to give honor to these talented artists who have “poured their hearts and souls into producing a collection that is as mesmerizing while opening doors to a multitude of interpretations.”

One of the artists, Binong Javier, says they want to take art enthusiasts on an artistic journey that is unrestrained by objective interpretations and feed their creative minds with the finest in contemporary arts, especially the abstract form.

At the official launch, the ceremonial ribbon-cutting was led by SMHCC officers President Elizabeth Sy, Executive Vice-President Peggy Angeles, GM Fabio Berto, art critic and celebrated artist Cid Reyes, together with the six artists.

The exhibit will run until August 12 and the artworks are individually available for purchase. Inquiries may be made through +632 8833 9999.

The Manila Hotel

I never realized that Manila Vice Mayor John Marvin Nieto, more popularly known by his screen name, Yul Servo, is such a talented artist. He recently launched a one-man exhibit at the Art Gallery of this hotel, and his mas-

terpieces are quite different. They certainly are unique expressions of his artistic capabilities. Using automotive paint, brass, copper, and stainless metal, his pieces are more aligned with cartography, resembling a drone-view of a section of a city, complete with roofs of tiny houses, roads, and other topographic elements of a place. Direction II, which is a sequel to his first exhibit at The Art District Manila in Escolta, shows maps that pay tribute to the heroes of his life, fellow citizens of Manila who have shown generosity and were responsible for some changes in society.

I already know he is an award-winning actor but I was curious how he acquired his artistic talent on the canvas. He said he grew up watching his architect-father make his own designs and masterpieces. He also confided that the pieces currently on display were inspired by true conversations with and personal trips to the homes of his Manila-based friends, making it easy for him to design such urban patterns on his canvas.

Yul Servo’s art pieces will be on display at the hotel’s Art Gallery until July 10.

For feedback, I’m at bobzozobrado@ gmail.com

“Glow with Pride” at any of the Instagrammable Pride installations located on the mall’s ground level. These installations also serve as a colorful backdrop for your Instagram or Tiktok posts to show and amplify your support for the LGBTQIA+ community. Snap some photos, have fun, and share your true colors.

Join the “Pride Day Rewind” and party to well-loved Pride anthems with DJ Kervs Astro while you enjoy special deals on cocktails and drinks until June 30, from 6:00 p.m. onwards, on ADB Avenue, Ground Level.

A “Pride Pop-Up” to support

LGBTQIA+ owned businesses at the Level 2 Atrium ran from June 22 to 25, featuring ally brands Sebastian’s, The Blue Apron, Yoyoshi Takoyaki, Prawn Star, and Muli Thrift Shop.

The Podium also has exciting “Pride Promos” that you shouldn’t miss. Sebastian’s will offer limited edition Pride Pops and Rainbow Ice Cream Cake; Famous Amos will offer up to 25 percent off on Chocolate Chip Pecan and Double Chocolate Chip bundles; Kimono

Ken will give out a P500 gift certificate for every P5,000 single receipt dine-in transaction; Meet Fresh will offer up to 10 percent off on any transaction; and Elephant Grounds and Greyhound have special pride beverages from artisanal iced teas to rainbow cocktails.

Shop this Pride

Month and get 40 percent off on select products at The Body Shop, and get cool discounts on participating brands at Cul De Sac. Have fun while getting fit and enjoy pride-themed classes at Electric Studio and 808 Dance Studio.

A Sambal-topped fish and chips

A new dish from the restaurant is this chicken and seafood bowl that’s packed with flavor

Fish & Co.’s classic plate of fish and chips

Indulge in a plate of Fish & Co.’s salmon in pepper cream

At Manila Hotel’s Art Gallery with (from left) former Manila Mayor Isko Moreno, Manila Mayor Honey Lacuna, the artist Manila ViceMayor Yul Servo, and Manila Hotel President Joey Lina

From left: SMHCC Executive VP Peggy Angeles, artist Bea Policarpio, art critic Cid Reyes, SMHCC President Elizabeth Sy, and Conrad Manila GM Fabio Berto, with the other artists behind them

Artist and Vice Mayor Yul Servo Nieto in front of his favorite piece

Instagrammable Pride installation located at The Podium’s ground level