MANILA registered its hottest day of the month on Wednesday as the heat index in the Port Area hit 37 degrees Celsius, the state weather bureau said.
WEATHER
JUSTICE Secretary Jesus Crispin Remulla is “back in harness,” disclosing that he underwent a seven-hour heart bypass surgery last June 27 to remove a blockage that was discovered during his annual medical check-up last month.
“I’m back,” Remulla said in a press conference on Wednesday.
Remulla gave assurance that he is now “feeling better and ready to return” to his duties as Justice Secretary on Monday.
“I’m okay. So far, so good. My voice is very clear, my mind is very clear,” Remulla declared.
the other hand, continued to drop, with the National Water Resources Board (NWRB) LITTLE STARS. SM brings back its nationwide talent competition happening in 70 SM malls across the country, with preliminary screening set to begin on July 15. The launch of the SM Little Stars was attended by Project Lead Carinna Sy (5th from right) with (from left) 2017 Grand Girl Winner Gaea Salipot, 2013 Boy Grand Winner Nhikzy Calma, 2013 3rd Place Winner Esang De Torres, judge Sam Concepcion, judge Teacher Georcelle, SM Supermalls President Steven Tan, SM Supermalls Senior Vice President for Marketing Joaquin San Agustin, Sparkle GMA Artist Center Vice President Joy Marcelo, and National University Assistant Director of Admissions Alessa Shainne Hostalero.
PRESIDENT Ferdinand Marcos Jr. on Thursday tasked all government offices and departments to carry out a new strategy to contain money laundering, terrorism financing and proliferation financing as part of efforts to ensure that the country exits the Financial Action Task Force (FATF) grey list.
Mr. Marcos, through Executive Order No. 33, directed all government agencies and local government units to adopt the National Anti-Money Laundering, Counter-Terrorism Financing, and Counter Proliferation Financing
Strategy (NACS) 2023-2027.
“This is part of the government's efforts to move the Philippines out of the grey list of the FATF’s ‘Jurisdictions Under Increased Monitoring’ of countries that failed to show tangible and positive progress in addressing all key recommended actions in the Third Mutual Evaluation Report (MER),” the EO said.
The EO said the strategy will ensure that the country exits the FATF grey list.
Additionally, it will also allow the Philippines to address the International Cooperation Review Group.
"Given the expiration of the NACS
THE Philippine Coast Guard (PCG) said Thursday it has seen some improvement in China's behavior in parts of the West Philippine Sea after its coast guard were exposed as harassing Philippine ships inside the country’s exclusive economic zone.
PCG spokesperson Commodore Jay Tarriela said exposing China's incursions in Philippine waters helped in changing China's behavior towards Philippine ships in the area.
"In some features of the West Philippine Sea, we can already see some of the changes of behavior of the Chinese Coast Guard. Before they were aggressive all over the West Philippine Sea," Tarriela said in an interview with ANC.
By Macon Ramos-Araneta
WHEN one tourism slogan is not enough to please everyone, try combining three instead.
This was the suggestion of Sen. Lito Lapid, saying mixing two previous slogans will boost the message of the present “Love the Philippines” tagline of the Department of Tourism.
“For me, we must mix the three slogans to produce a stronger tourism campaign to attract more foreign and local tourists – 'Wow, It's more Fun! Love, the Philippines!'” the senator said.
“Wow Philippines” was used during the term of former Tourism chief Richard Gordon while “It's More Fun in the Philippines” was the slogan coined during the time of the late Sec. Ramon Jimenez.
Lapid said the fiasco on the “mood video” created by the DDB Philippines ad agency “should not take away the months of hard work by the DOT.”
The DOT is terminating its contract with DDB Philippines after the promotional
But the PCG also noted that the Chinese Coast Guard is particularly aggressive in the Ayungin Shoal, which China calls "Ren’ai Reef."
"What is happening in Ayungin Shoal is different from the entire operation of the Chinese Coast Guard and our deployment of the Philippine Coast Guard vessels in the entire West Philippine Sea," Tarriela said.
Speaker vows to bolster law vs. agri smuggling
By Maricel V. Cruz, Rey E. Requejo and Vito BarceloSPEAKER Ferdinand Martin G. Romualdez on Thursday said the House of Representatives will speed up the passage of a key measure of President Ferdinand R. Marcos, Jr. meant to tighten the noose around smugglers of onions and other agricultural products.
“As soon as the start of the 2nd Regular Session of the 19th Congress, we will immediately buckle down to work for the passage of the proposed amendments to the Anti-Agricultural
PRESIDENT Ferdinand Marcos Jr. has appointed Emmanuel Rufino Ledesma Jr. as president and chief executive officer (CEO) of the Philippine Health Insurance Corporation (PhilHealth).
Ledesma, who was named acting PhilHealth chief in November, will also serve as a member of the agency's expert panel and board of directors.
He was formerly president and CEO of the state-run Power Sector Assets and Liabilities Management Corp. (PSALM).
`The President also designated Col. Jose Luntok as commander of the Light Next page
Next page Next page Next page Next page Next page Next page Emmanuel Rufino Ledesma
After heart bypass surgery, Remulla ‘back in harness’
From A1 for 2018-2022 under EO No. 68, s. 2018, it was imperative to adopt a new national strategy for 2023-2028," the Palace said. The new strategy creates an additional sub-committee on proliferation financing, which is defined by the FATF as the provision of funds or financial services used for the manufacture, acquisition, possession, development, export, trans-shipment, brokering, transport, transfer, stockpiling or use of
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The Ayungin Shoal is a disputed area in the South China Sea, controlled by the Philippine military but claimed by Beijing.
The PCG’s latest assessment followed yet another incident in Ayungin Shoal where Chinese vessels harassed Philippine ships in a recent support mission.
The incident took place on June 29 while the PCG were escorting the naval operation of the Armed Forces of the Philippines (AFP) Western Command (WESCOM).
Despite a 2016 ruling from a United Nations backed tribunal that favored Philippines' claim and ruled China's claims as illegitimate, Beijing has been aggressive in its military activities in the South China Sea and refuses to recognize the decision.
In recent years, China has built artificial islands on reefs while constructing military facilities and airstrips.
On Wednesday, Chinese Ambassador
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Smuggling Act,” Romualdez said.
The measure is among the 20 bills slated for approval by Congress before the year's end during the 2nd Legislative-Executive Development Advisory Council (LEDAC) full meeting presided over by the President in Malacanang on Wednesday.
“The inclusion of this measure among the LEDAC priority legislation manifests the commitment of Congress to support President Marcos’ drive against unfair business practices that [not only] hurt consumers and local farmers alike, but also derail the administration’s efforts to attain food security,” Romualdez said.
“The enactment of this measure will institutionalize and improve mechanisms, as well as provide more stringent penalties that would serve as a strong deterrent against smuggling of agricultural products, including onions,” he added.
The President earlier ordered the National Bureau of Investigation (NBI) and the Department of Justice (DOJ) to go after smugglers of onions and other agricultural products, based largely on the findings of the probe conducted by the House committee on agriculture and food.
Meanwhile, the Department of Justice (DOJ) said it is building a case of economic sabotage against the members of the so-called “onion cartel” who were responsible for the astronomical spike of prices of onions in the country recently.
In a briefing, Justice Secretary Jesus Crispin Remulla said the agency is looking at the minutes of the congressional hearings and through their own notes to build a good case of economic sabotage against those behind the cartel.
“We need to build up a case,” Remulla said, adding that they are looking at six to seven people.
“We have a very good idea. We just have to catch them in the act,” he said. “This group has a huge network controlling the supply.”
In May, during a hearing of the House panel, Marikina 2nd District Rep. Stella Luz Quimbo tagged a cartel, operating through a web of companies, as the culprit that manipulated the supply and prices of onions.
Romualdez had called for the congressional inquiry on alleged hoarding, price fixing, and smuggling of onions when the prices of the agricultural commodity hit a recordhigh of about P700 per kilo in December last year.
Other measures LEDAC approved for passage by the year’s end include the Amendments of the BOT Law/ PPP bill, National Disease Prevention Management Authority, Internet Transactions Act/E-Commerce Law, Health Emergency Auxiliary Reinforcement Team (Heart) Act, formerly Medical Reserve Corps, Virology Institute of the Philippines,
nuclear, chemical or biological weapons and their means of delivery.
Meanwhile, the EO also gave the National AML/CFT Coordination Committee (NACC) additional power to reorganize its sub-committees with the addition of the National Intelligence Coordinating Agency as a member of NACC with its mandates on intel gathering.
Mr. Marcos said that the NACC will be chaired by the executive secretary, while Bangko Sentral ng Pilipinas governor will serve as second-in-command.
NACC members will be composed
Huang Xilian paid a courtesy call to Defense Secretary Gilbert Teodoro Jr. to discuss China and the Philippines’ defense and military relations as well as maintaining peace and stability in the South China Sea (SCS).
“I had the pleasure to pay a call on Secretary Gilberto C. Teodoro Jr. at the Department of National Defense (DND),” Xilian said on Facebook. “We had a constructive discussion on promoting defense and military relations between China and the Philippines, and maintaining peace and stability in the region,” the envoy added.
According to the DND, the meeting stressed the enhancement of the two countries’ defense relations through the implementation of existing bilateral mechanisms, and dialogue platforms including the Philippines-China Annual Defense and Security Talks.
Japan has expressed deep concern on China's aggressive actions in the South China Sea and in the West Philippine Sea, saying the Chinese activities endanger peace and stability in the Indo-Pacific region.
Mandatory ROTC and NSTP, Revitalizing the Salt Industry, Valuation Reform, E-Government/EGovernance, and Ease of Paying Taxes.
Also targeted for passage this year are the National Government Rightsizing Program, Unified System of Separation/Retirement and Pension of MUPs, LGU Income Classification, Waste-to-Energy bill, New Philippine Passport Act, Magna Carta of Filipino Seafarers, National Employment Action Plan, and the Bangko Sentral ng Pilipinasendorsed Bank Deposit Secrecy, and, Anti-Financial Account Scamming Act (AFASA) bills.
Eighteen of the 20 bills were part of the 42 priority legislative measures during the first LEDAC meeting in October 2022. The two BSP-endorsed measures were added to the LEDAC priority list during the meeting Wednesday.
The House has already approved on the third and final reading 33 out of the original 42 LEDAC priority measures by the end of the First Regular Session of the 19th Congress. One of the names that surfaced during congressional hearings was Lilia “Lea” Cruz, tagged as the operator behind the biggest onion cartel in the country.
Quimbo, vice chairperson of the House appropriations committee, said in May that Cruz engineered the artificial spike in onion prices late in 2022 until early this year.
Cruz has denied having a hand in the spike in prices of onions, which went up to P700 per kilogram in 2022.
In another development, the Bureau of Customs (BOC) seized smuggled white onions hidden in a shipment of "kimchi" from China with an estimated value of P998,700.
The shipment arrived at the Port of Cebu and was declared to contain 147 boxes of kimchi said to be worth P183,750.00. However, the consignee abandoned the shipment.
The BOC issued a warrant of seizure on the shipment.
An examination of the container yielded 3,329 bags of undeclared white onions stacked behind the boxes of kimchi.
The smuggled white onions and kimchi will immediately be disposed of in accordance with existing Customs rules and regulations, and in close coordination with the Bureau of Plant Industry.
Earlier this week, the President said there is no deadline on his order to investigate the onion cartel.
In an interview, the President told reporters that he's not a fan of giving deadlines, adding that he would not accept a half-baked result.
Marcos said the probe will focus on those who took part in the hoarding and controlling of various agricultural products, saying that many cartels are still operating.
He also doubled down on his previous statement that this was tantamount to economic sabotage.
of heads of the Department of Foreign Affairs, Department of Finance, Department of Justice, Department of National Defense, Department of the Interior and Local Government, Department of Trade and Industry, Securities and Exchange Commission, Insurance Commission, Philippine Amusement and Gaming Corporation, Cagayan Economic Zone Authority, Aurora Pacific Economic Zone and Freeport Authority, and the NICA.
The Chief Executive directed NACC to cover as well activities related to countering proliferation financing.
In a statement, the Japanese Embassy in Manila accused the Chinese Coast Guard of committing “aggressive actions” when it blocked the path of the Philippine ship.
"During the operation, the PCG was constantly followed, harassed, and obstructed by the significantly larger Chinese Coast Guard vessels at a distance of approximately 100 yards," the PCG reported. Japan also protested against China's incursion into its own waters.
"As China’s unilateral actions such as repeated intrusions into Japan’s waters around the Senkaku Islands in the ECS, China's dangerous behavior in the South China Sea in defiance of the 2016 arbitration award is a grave concern for regional peace and stability," the embassy said.
The Department of Foreign Affairs had repeatedly lodged diplomatic protests against China's dangerous activities in the South China Sea and incursions into the West Philippine Sea.
As of July 5, DFA said, the Philippine government already filed 427 diplomatic protests against Beijing just for the past
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The Legislative Executive Development Advisory Council (LEDAC) chaired by President Marcos approved 20 bills that must be passed by the end of the year, including the Bank Deposit Secrecy measure that will allow the Central Bank to open accounts for cases involving money laundering and terrorism.
"Apparently, we're the only country left in the world who hasn't passed bank secrecy. Before it was Lebanon and the Philippines, but Lebanon passed it last year. So we need to have one," Budget Secretary Amenah Pangandaman said.
three years—30 of which were just filed in 2023.
In other developments:
• An Australian official said his country would maintain its presence in the region, including the South China Sea. Peter Sawczak of Australia’s Department of Foreign Affairs, who was here for the 3rd Philippine-Australia Maritime Dialogue on July 5, said his country will continue promoting international law and a rules-based regional order. “In 2013, the Philippine government took the significant step of initiating arbitral action under UNCLOS. Nearly seven years have passed since the 2016 South China Sea Arbitral Award was issued. Australia reaffirms that this award is final and binding on the parties,” he said.
• Poland said it is one with the Philippines in upholding the rules-based international order and maintaining peace and stability in the Indo-Pacific region, during a courtesy call by Polish Chargé d'affaires Jarosław Szczepankiewicz on Defense Secretary Gilbert Teodoro Jr. on June 30.
video it circulated online was exposed to have stock footage of other countries.
Although DDB owned up to the error, the DOT decided to cancel the contract for its new slogan campaign as the fiasco embarrassed the department and compromised the sincerity of the campaign.
International news services such as the BBC and CNN have carried stories about the tourism fiasco.
Senate President Juan Miguel Zubiri, for his part, urged Filipino to rally behind the new slogan “Love the Philippines.”
“We all should come together in support of the country and of our tourist destinations, which could be considered at par with other world-class attractions,” he said.
He, however, called on the DOT to hold accountable those responsible for the video “mishap.”
“The harm to our reputation as a rising global tourism power should be repaired immediately, which should go beyond producing a correct version of the controversial promotional video. The DOT leadership's call to stick with their new campaign slogan is duly noted, but this should not be the end-all of the corrective process,” Zubiri said.
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"The Board decided to modify the allocation if the level of Angat Dam falls below the minimum operating level of 180 meters. For MWSS (Metropolitan Waterworks and Sewerage System), 48 cubic meters per second, NIA (National Irrigation Administration), up to 20 CMS until the end of July," NWRB Executive Director Sevillo David Jr. said.
The 37ºC heat index in the National Capital Region surpassed the previous record of 36.5ºC at the same station on July 2, 1973.
Tuguegarao City, meanwhile, recorded a 36.4ºC heat index on Wednesday at 1:05 p.m., the Philippine Atmospheric, Geophysical and Astronomical Services Administration (PAGASA) said.
Clark registered a temperature of 36.1ºC, while Sangley Point, Cavite, Dagupan City, and Aparri recorded 36ºC.
A 35.6ºC heat index was also recorded at the Science Garden in Quezon City and the Ninoy Aquino International Airport (NAIA) in Pasay City.
Weather forecasters said despite the heat and the coming El Niño, the country can expect 10 to 14 tropical cyclones before the end of the year.
Analiza Solis, chief of the Climatology and Agrometeorology Division at PAGASA, said some may hit land while others might just pass the Philippine area of responsibility. Some may enhance the southwest monsoon, she added.
Senator Loren Legarda warned the effects of El Nino on weather patterns, agriculture, water resources, and ecosystems can have far-reaching consequences on food security, economies, and overall well-being.
She said the impact of El Nino is indeed a serious concern that requires urgent and decisive actions.
"We must implement measures to mitigate its impacts, promote climate-resilient practices, ensure equitable allocation of resources, and foster regional and international collaboration to address this challenge effectively," she said.
She said the government and the private sector must prepare and work together in reducing the risk and negative effects of El Niño on the coun -
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According to the 62-year-old Justice chief, he was very fortunate that his doctors were able to see the blockages which were considered risk factors for stroke or heart attack.
Remulla said at present, he is undergoing physical rehabilitation sessions in order to fully recover from the effects of being intubated for at least 16 hours.
While he was scheduled to officially return to work on Monday, Remulla admitted he cannot be physically present at the DOJ everyday as he has yet to fully recover from the operation.
“I will be meeting the leadership on Monday. A lot of undersecretaries, assistant secretaries. I’ll be meeting on Monday morning after the flag [ceremony] to give instructions, directions and necessary orders,” he said.
"I’ll be talking to them often although I have to play it by ear because I cannot force myself to immediately go back to normal, physically. It’s better that I regain my full strength first,” Remulla said.
Remulla also dismissed the idea of resigning in order to prioritize his health.
“Never, never,” Remulla said when asked if he was entertaining the possibility of leaving his post for health reasons.
The DOJ chief said he has spoken to President Ferdinand Marcos Jr. who told him to prioritize his recovery so that he could continue with his duties.
“He is very happy that I made the decision that I did, to go through with the procedure and to come out of it very well, and I thank the President for the trust and confidence given to me,” Remulla said.
Remulla took a 10-day wellness leave on June 26, citing “personal reasons.”
He designated Undersecretary Raul Vasquez as officer-in-charge of the DOJ during his absence.
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Reaction Regiment, the premier counterterrorism unit of the Philippine Army. He likewise appointed Khay Ann Magundayao-Borlado as deputy executive director of the Philippine Commission on Women (PCW), the primary policymaking and coordinating body on women and gender equality concerns.
Mr. Marcos likewise named David Erro as a member of the Land Bank of the Philippines’ board of directors, representing the agrarian reform beneficiaries. Based on the new list of presidential appointees, the Director III post will be assumed by Mathias Malenab (Department of Public Works and Highways), Bonifacio Pajuelas (Philippine Atmospheric, Geophysical and Astronomical Services Administration), and Reinalyne Varias (Department of Justice’s Office for Alternative Dispute Resolution).
Mr. Marcos also appointed Romeo Allan Rosales as Bureau of Customs’ Collector IV.
try and its people.
"We must prioritize water supply and food security," she said.
"Our country’s adaptation program must be all set to lessen the effects of El Niño on our farmers and fisherfolk who are already burdened by extreme climate events and disasters," she added. "We can surpass this dry season if we consolidate all efforts and adequately prepare for its effects.”
Meanwhile, the European Union’s climate monitoring service said the world saw its hottest June on record last month, as climate change and the El Nino weather pattern looked likely to drive another scorching northern summer.
The announcement from the EU monitor Copernicus marked the latest in a series of records for a year that has already seen a drought in Spain and fierce heat waves in China and the United States.
"The month was the warmest June globally at just over 0.5 degrees Celsius above the 1991-2020 average, exceeding June 2019 -– the previous record -– by a substantial margin," the EU monitor said in a statement from its C3S climate unit.
Temperatures reached June records across northwest Europe while parts of Canada, the United States, Mexico, Asia and eastern Australia "were significantly warmer than normal," Copernicus noted.
On the other hand it was cooler than normal in western Australia, the western United States and western Russia, it said.
It was the latest in a series of heat records over recent years, reflecting the impact of global warming driven by greenhouse gases released from human activity.
Preliminary readings published Wednesday by US meteorologists indicated Tuesday was the hottest day ever recorded, based on data from the US National Oceanic and Atmospheric Administration's National Centers for Environmental Prediction.
Copernicus noted that sea surface temperatures were higher globally than any previous June on record, with "extreme marine heatwaves" around Ireland, Britain and the Baltic.
Antarctic sea ice reached its lowest extent for June since satellite observations began, at 17 percent below average.
C3S scientist Julien Nicolas said the June record was driven largely by "very warm ocean surface temperatures" in the Pacific and Atlantic due to El Nino, a periodic warming phenomenon.
"On top of that is this warming trend of the ocean absorbing 90 percent of heat released by human activity," he added. The global temperature was 0.53 C above the 30-year average at an average of 16.51C (61.72F), he calculated.
"June 2023 is way above the others. This is the kind of anomaly we are not used to," Nicolas said.
Petteri Taalas, secretary-general of the UN's World Meteorological Organization, warned on Monday that El Nino "will greatly increase the likelihood of breaking temperature records and triggering more extreme heat in many parts of the world and in the ocean."
He urged governments "to mobilize preparations to limit the impacts on our health, our ecosystems and our economies."
El Nino is a naturally occurring pattern associated with increased heat worldwide, as well as drought in some parts of the world and heavy rains elsewhere.
In addition, human activity – mainly the burning of fossil fuels -– is continuing to emit roughly 40 billion tonnes of planet-warming CO2 into the atmosphere every year.
As well as withering crops, melting glaciers and raising the risk of wildfires, higher-than-normal temperatures also cause health problems ranging from heatstroke and dehydration to cardiovascular stress.
In the United States, local officials said last week that at least 13 people died from an extreme heat wave in Texas and Louisiana.
China issued its highest-level heat alert for northern parts of the country as Beijing baked in temperatures around 40 degrees Celsius (104 Fahrenheit).
After a record hot June in Britain, water use restrictions were imposed in parts of southeastern England, and Scotland put regions on water scarcity alert.
The world has warmed an average of nearly 1.2 C since the mid-1800s, unleashing extreme weather including more intense heatwaves, more severe droughts in some areas and storms made fiercer by rising seas. With AFP
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By Gabriellea B. ParinoTHE Department of Justice (DOJ) is poised to look into alleged misconduct by National Bureau of Investigation (NBI) personnel during the agency’s command conference held in a posh hotel in Manila last week.
“The DOJ is investigating as well as all of the officials of the NBI for this kind of behavior. We will not patronize anyone. Those involved should be held accountable,” DOJ Secretary Jesus Crispin Remulla commented.
The Justice chief was referring to an incident that marred the NBI’s command conference involving a scantily clad dancer entertaining the country’s top criminal investigators.
A video of the incident that went viral on social media showed comedian Long Meija introducing the dancer before she took center stage during a break in the conference.
A woman in a black lace top and black shorts was seen shimmying and swaying in the video. The event also allegedly featured other celebrity performers for their entertainment. The video garnered attention on social media after netizens pointed out the inappropriate character of the video.
“Definitely we don’t like this to happen. We’ll investigate it. These are the forms of misbehavior that we don’t need in the country,” an irked Remulla added in his statement
The NBI has yet to give a statement regarding the issue.
THE
A CONSUMER advocacy group calls on transportation regulators to amend tariff policies to encourage the importation and use of more sustainable modes of transportation.
The group said the amendment would form part of the shift to clean energy while also helping Filipinos bear with the rising prices of fuel.
CitizenWatch Philippines convenor and former congressman Jose Christopher Belmonte said Sections 1608 and 1609 of Republic Act 10863, or the Customs Modernization and Tariff Act, must be modified to lower the
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cost of importing two-wheeled electric vehicles and all its components.
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“Government should encourage more Filipinos to invest in more environment friendly transportation, as well as create incentives for them to make this shift,” Belmonte said, adding that all the indications point to the increased use of electric two-wheeled vehicles in the years to come.
The updated Philippine Energy Plan 2020-2040 states that two-wheeled electric vehicles will significantly make up the projected number of EVs on the road by 2040. Sales of two-wheeled
electric vehicles continue to increase, especially as more Filipinos try to find ways to cope with the inadequate transportation system in the country and high fuel prices.
“The enactment of the Electric Vehicle Industry Development Act (Republic Act No. 11697), or EVIDA, establishes that shifting to sustainable sources of energy and modes of mobility is a priority of the government,” Belmonte said. “It is time we operationalized the objectives of the law to make it practical and doable for the people to participate in it.”
BI arrests 7 foreign fugitives in Las Piñas raid
THE Bureau of Immigration (BI) has arrested seven foreign fugitives wanted in their respective countries for drug trafficking, fraud and theft.
The fugitives were apprehended by operatives of the Philippine National Police (PNP) in an online center in Las Piñas City.
The group consisted of four Chinese and three Taiwanese nationals, BI Commissioner Norman Tansingco said.
“We recently received information from their countries that they are wanted fugitives. Hence a mission order was issued against them and they were arrested for being undesirable aliens,” he added.
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The Chinese were identified as Zhang Quanbao, Song Tianming, Yu Liming, and Liu Jianxin, while the Taiwanese were Li Yi Liang, Huang Hsin-Chiang, and Lin Yue Hong.
Tansingco said warrants of detention were issued against the Chinese nationals by the Public Security Bureau in China for Contract Fraud, Drug Trafficking, Telecom Fraud and Theft respectively.
Likewise, Taoyuan and Taichung District Prosecutors Office in Taiwan have issued warrants of arrest against the Taiwanese fugitives for fraud and physical harm.
The seven allegedly worked in a fraud syndicate running an online gaming hub in the Philippines.They will remain in the BI’s facility in Bicutan, Taguig pending deportation. Vito Barcelo
THE Marine Aviation Support Activity 2023 (MASA 2023) officially opened on Thursday at the Philippine Navy Officer’s Clubhouse, Naval Station Jose Francisco, Taguig City.
MASA 23 is part of the bilateral Philippines-United States activity list for this year aimed at enhancing the capabilities of the two countries Marine Corps., as well as the Philippines Air and the Navy’s Air Wing.
The joint exercise will be held July 6 to 21 in various areas of the country under the Northern Luzon Command, the Western Command, and the Visayas Command.
This drills were meant to bilateral cooperation in military engagements and training.
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The said exercise will strengthen the longstanding partnership between the Marine forces of both countries, showcasing their shared commitment to regional stability, mutual learning, and the development of enduring relationships.
The exercise will demonstrate the power of cooperation, forges stronger ties, and fosters mutual respect between the PMC and the USMC that aims to develop deeper bonds and forge relationships that will endure beyond this military activity.
Also, the military exercise aims to improve interoperability of both nations, allowing to operate seamlessly and effectively in joint operations by aligning the county’s armed forces procedures, tactics, and communications, also to enhance the combined capabilities and readiness of the Philippine troops leading to a more synchronized response to evolving challenges.
Aligned with the Mutual Defense Treaty and Visiting Forces Agreement, the training events will encompass a wide range of interoperability exercises. These include live fire drills, bilateral air assaults and airfield seizures, joint forward arming and refueling operations, as well as other aviation support activities.
or September
Metropolitan Manila Development Authority (MMDA) eyes either Augustto start using body cameras for traffic enforcers assigned along major thoroughfares in the National Capital Region.
This after the agency gained stakeholders’ all-out support on the use of the said device for its traffic management and enforcement operations to help promote transparency in carrying out apprehensions of traffic violators.
Last Wednesday, MMDA officials led by chairman Romando Artes presented the draft guidelines on the use of body cameras for traffic enforcers, including the procedures when flagging down motorists.
Among those present in the meeting were 1-Rider party-list Rep. Bonifacio Bosita; members and leaders of various public transport groups, motorcycle riders’ associations, and representatives of automobile associations; the Highway Patrol Group, Metro Manila local government units, and concerned government agencies.
The presentation covered details on what traffic enforcers should say when motorists object to being recorded and invoke their rights to privacy.
“We want to hear the comments and suggestions of the stakeholders before its full implementation,” Artes said.
He said the stakeholders’ comments will be consolidated and presented to the Metro Manila Council (MMC), the governing board and policy-making body of the MMDA, composed of the 17 Metro Manila mayors. Bosita commended Artes for good leadership, citing that traffic enforcers’ use of body cameras will provide effective traffic enforcement operations.
“We support the initiative made by chairman Artes because we see this project is a proof of the sincerity of
his leadership in public service,” he said.
Transport groups and other stakeholders likewise threw their support to the MMDA.
Obet Martin, president of Pangkalahatang Sanggunian Manila & Suburbs Drivers Association, congratulated Artes’ leadership and expressed appreciation for the MMDA’s action.
Artes said the body cameras with video and audio recording feature, will protect both the traffic enforcers and the motorists being apprehended.
“The use of body-worn cameras will prevent traffic enforcers from taking bribes and motorists offering bribes since the Metrobase will record the apprehension process. The footage may serve as evidence,” Artes said.
Artes said the cameras, designed to capture and record the entire conduct of the operation, are similar to gadgets being used in the United Kingdom. The gadgets have six to eight hours of battery life.
Initially, 120 body cameras will be distributed to the traffic enforcers who are authorized to issue citation tickets to traffic violators.
MMDA officials admitted that some traffic enforcers were involved in extortion and bribery cases, and some motorists apprehended for violating traffic rules offered money to the enforcers to avoid the penalties and further inconveniences.
“Motorists can take videos of traffic enforcers engaged in unlawful activities, why not traffic enforcers? Body cameras can serve as proof or evidence on what really happened between a traffic enforcer and a motorists being apprehended for a traffic violation,” they said.
More importantly, aside from assisting enterprises, the coop is also able to help over 2,000 farmer-members through agricultural lending and mechanized farming services.
With LANDBANK as partner, the Providers Multi-Purpose Cooperative has grown from a small-town community lender with 24 members and a capital of only P12,000 to one of the largest co-ops in the Province of Isabela, now with over 26,000 members, P1.8 billion in capital and P5.0 billion in assets.
NAGUILIAN, Isabela—Small businesses and salaried employees in Brgy. Magsaysay previously struggled with hefty loan interest rates imposed by informal lenders, which reached as high as 30% per annum.
Marie Dee Belagan, then working as a government auditor, saw how members of their community were forced to avail of loans despite the high interest rates due to limited financing options.
This sparked Marie Dee’s dream to establish an affordable lending service that will genuinely help local businesses and families in their community.
Her dream came to life in 2008 when she founded the Providers Savings and Credit Cooperative (PSCC) along with 23 of her co-workers, who each shelled out P500.00 as contribution to their initial fund. With a total of P12,000 as capital, the co-op started offering loans with a much lower interest rate at 1.6% per month.
As members of their co-op continued to increase, so did the capital they needed to sustain their operations. In 2009, Marie Dee decided to seek additional funding from the Land Bank of the Philippines (LANDBANK) and was granted a P3-million loan to finance the co-op’s working capital.
“There was a point where we could no longer accommodate new borrowers because we did not have enough funding. This is why we sought the assistance of LANDBANK – to help us continue our mission,” said Marie Dee Belagan, Chairperson of the now called Providers MultiPurpose Cooperative (Providers MPC).
LANDBANK remains a faithful partner of Providers MPC, helping it grow from a small-town community lender to one of the biggest co-ops in Isabela with 26,000 members and 8 branches.
The co-op’s loan line with LANDBANK has now increased to P1 billion to finance its working capital for relending and deposit services, as well as requirements for various businesses including real estate, healthcare, and transport.
From an initial capital of P12,000, Providers MPC’s capital has grown to P1.8 billion with total assets now at P5 billion.
“Without LANDBANK, we wouldn’t be Providers MPC. LANDBANK helped us grow and give back to the community,” said Chairperson Belagan.
Advancing digital banking in Isabela
As part of LANDBANK and Providers MPC’s shared goal of providing accessible and inclusive financial services, the co-op serves as the Bank’s Agent Banking Partner (ABP) in Isabela, specifically in the municipalities of Naguilian, Cabagan, and Tuguegarao City in Cagayan.
Through LANDBANK’s digital banking platforms, Providers MPC is able to conveniently facilitate the co-op’s business transactions, including collection of loan amortization fees, bills payment, and fund transfers, among others.
As an ABP, Providers MPC offers basic banking services on behalf of the Bank, such as card sale, cash-in, cash-out, fund transfer, and bills payment.
The co-op likewise offers its members a cashless method of paying loan amortization through LANDBANK Point-of-Sale (POS) terminals.
To facilitate transactions such as online fund transfers and bills payment, the co-op utilizes WeAccess, LANDBANK’s corporate internet banking platform.
“Napaka-useful and convenient ng digital banking platforms ng LANDBANK. Napadali ‘yung pag-provide namin ng service sa aming members because of these platforms,” said Providers MPC Chief Executive Officer Caroljean O. Aggabao.
Under the Agent Banking Program, LANDBANK initiates partnerships with client cooperatives, associations, rural banks, local government units (LGUs), and micro, small and medium enterprises (MSMEs), and private entities to help provide basic banking services to areas with limited or no LANDBANK presence.
As of end-April 2023, LANDBANK has 1,743 ABPs all over the country servicing underserved and unbanked communities.
THE calendar of cases in courts are vital documents in the orderly administration of justice.
It is the “clerk of court, under the direct supervision of the judge, [who] shall keep a calendar of cases for pre-trial, for trial, those whose trials were adjourned or postponed, and those with motions to set for hearing” (Section 1, Rule 20).
Due to their importance, “[p]reference… is given to habeas corpus cases, election cases, special civil actions, and those so required by law.”
A lawyer attending a hearing or trial may observe, outside of the courtroom, the writing of the calendar of cases, which lists the cases to be heard and tried in the morning or in the afternoon of that day.
Courts also have a calendar book that contains all the court settings for the entire year and the succeeding year.
If a court hearing or trial is not included in the calendar book, it will not be included in the day calendar, unless the lawyer timely notices it and is able to request for its inclusion.
To limit the cancellation of hearings, the 2019 Amended Rules on Civil Procedure introduced the concept of presumptive service (notice).
It is
There is presumptive notice if it appears in court records that the notice was mailed at least 20 calendar days before the date of hearing, if the addressee is within the judicial region, or at least 30 calendar days if the addressee is outside of the judicial region (see Section 10, Rule 13).
In civil cases, a “defendant may, for meritorious reasons, be granted an additional period of not more than 30 calendar days to file an answer.
A defendant is only allowed to file one motion for extension of time to file an answer” (Section 11, Rule 11).
“A motion for extension to file any pleading, other than an answer, is prohibited and considered a mere scrap of paper” (Section 11, Rule 11).
The prohibition on filing a motion for extension of time was reiterated in Section 12 (e), Rule 15.
“The court, however, may allow any other pleading to be filed after the time fixed by these Rules” (Section 11, Rule 11).
While litigants may seek refuge under this provision to request for extensions on other court filings and submissions, the author does
IF THE Department of Tourism is now in the crosshairs of critics, it’s not for a flimsy reason.
not recommend it since its approval or denial is purely left to the discretion of the court, and may be denied outright.
Extensions of time
Extensions of time may be allowed in the Court of Appeals before the filing of a Petition for Review or in the Supreme Court before the filing of a Petition for Review on Certiorari (Appeal by Certiorari) (see Section 1, Rule 42; Section 4, Rule 43; and Section 2, Rule 45).
However, no such extensions are allowed for ordinary appeals such as a notice of appeal or a record on appeal.
It is worth noting that once the court records are elevated to the Court of Appeals, an extension of time to file a brief may be allowed “for good and sufficient cause, and only if the motion for extension is filed before the expiration of the time sought to be extended” (Section 12, Rule 44).
There are no provisions for criminal cases at the trial court level on motions for extension both in the Rules of Criminal Procedure and the 2017 Revised Guidelines for Continuous Trial of Criminal Cases. This is because the major stages of a criminal proceeding such as arraignment and plea, pre-trial, and trial have limited court filings.
In case a party files a meritorious motion in a criminal case, the adverse party shall file his or her comment within a non-extendible period of 10 days counted from notice or receipt of the order to file the same (see III 2(c), 2017
Revised Guidelines for Continuous Trial of Criminal Cases).
Similar to appeals in civil cases, the period to file ordinary appeals in criminal cases cannot be extended; however, the filing of briefs at the Court of Appeals may be extended for “good and sufficient cause” (Section 5, Rule 124).
Extensions of time may be allowed in Petitions for Review in criminal cases, similar to Rule 42 as used in civil cases (Section 3, Rule 122).
Postponements
In civil cases, motions for postponement are not allowed, except if these are based on acts of God, force majeure, or the physical inability of the witness to appear and testify.
“If the motion is granted based on such exceptions, the moving party shall be warned that the presentation of its evidence must still be terminated on the dates previously agreed upon (during pre-trial)” (Section 12(f), Rule 15).
“A motion for postponement, whether written or oral shall… be accompanied by the original official receipt from the office of the clerk of court evidencing payment of the postponement fee… [which is] to be submitted either at the time of the filing of said motion or not later than the next hearing date” (Section 12, Rule 15).
The original grounds of illness of a party or counsel to postpone a trial was retained in the 2019 Rules of Civil Procedure so long as “the presence of such party or counsel at the trial is indispensable and that the character of his or her illness is such as to render his or her nonattendance excusable” (Section 3, Rule 30).
The same Rule on postponements apply to criminal cases as stated in III, 2(d) of the 2017 Revised Guidelines for Continuous Trial of Criminal Cases.
Interestingly, the provisions in the 2019 Civil Procedure on postponement were lifted verbatim from the said Guidelines and reiterated in the Pre-Trial Rules in Section 7, Rule 18.
These Rules on calendar of cases, extensions of time, and postponements must be carefully observed by lawyers in order not to prejudice or harm the interest of their clients.
It is always best that cases be resolved based on its merits and not because of procedural or technical errors.
The long and the short of it, from the available data gathered from news reports, is that the DOT has tapped an advertising agency that seems to have resorted to short-cuts in producing a video that’s supposed to drum up interest by tourists primarily from abroad to visit the country.
The short-cuts, they turn out, consisted of using ready-made footage of tourist attractions in other countries, among them Thailand, Indonesia, and Dubai, rather than actual shots of local tourist attractions.
And what’s bad is that the advertising agency tried to explain this by saying that it’s just a “mood video,” whatever that is, instead of an official one that would be shown worldwide.
And more: they claim to have done it on their own, out of love of country, and without even getting a single centavo from the government.
But the DOT said the choice of the ad agency was the outcome of a “competitive bidding.”
The resulting public outcry over P49 million (P50 million was the first figure mentioned) that had been initially mentioned as the cost of the video production prompted the DOT to throw the ad agency under the bus presumably to save its own skin.
Perhaps a congressional investigation in aid of legislation will allow the public to sift fact from fiction, or the truth from falsehood
There’s more: The DOT is likely to throw good money after bad as netizens revealed that the agency will spend a total of P300 million to sell the country abroad with its “Love the Philippines” slogan. The slogan itself has been slammed by various quarters as trite and uninspiring, and therefore unlovable.
WOULD bringing the maritime dispute between the Philippines and China over the West Philippine Sea/South China Sea to the attention of the United Nations General Assembly achieve anything?
Retired Supreme Court Senior Associate Justice Antonio Carpio thinks so, and he was the first to suggest the move after Beijing has consistently rejected the 2016 ruling of the Permanent Arbitral Tribunal in The Hague favoring the Philippines’ sovereign rights in the West Philippine Sea.
Two senators, Risa Hontiveros and Francis Tolentino immediately supported the Carpio position. Then two other senators, JV Ejercito and Jinggoy Estrada, also greenlighted the proposal for the Department of Foreign Affairs to file a resolution seeking UNGA’s action to compel Beijing to respect the 2016 arbitral ruling.
China has been adamant in disregarding the Philippines’ landmark victory, which invalidated China’s sweeping claims to the South China Sea that infringed on the country’s 370-kilometer exclusive economic zone (EEZ).
“China claims to be an ally and a friend (of the Philippines), but is harassing our fisherfolk,” Sen. Ejercito said. “We need to exhaust all diplomatic means to [protect] our claim [over] the West Philippine Sea.”
The senator noted that China Coast Guard and Chinese militia boats have been “aggressive and hostile” toward Philippine vessels, including small fishing boats, within the country’s territorial waters. For his part, Sen. Estrada also expressed support for a Senate resolution that Sen Hontiveros had filed on June 19 calling on the DFA to seek UNGA’s action to end China’s harassment of Philippine vessels within the country’s EEZ. He said he believed the majority of the senators would vote in favor of the Hontiveros resolution. “If that is the only way to stop China’s bullying, then go ahead. Let’s see what the UNGA can do to help us.”
Sen. Francis Escudero, however, offered a different perspective on the issue.
He pointed out that the arbitral ruling was “more binding and persuasive than a UNGA
resolution.”
“The effect of a UNGA resolution lies in how it influences international law, especially customary international law,” Escudero, a lawyer, said. “I don’t believe it will add anything except ruffle feathers, especially taking into account Eastern culture and practice.”
Escudero said Marcos was correct in engaging China “in areas where we can cooperate and agree.”
The Philippine government, therefore, should seek international support to exert pressure on Beijing to abide by the 2016 arbitral ruling and abandon their claim over nearly the entire South China Sea, which covers the country’s Exclusive Economic Zone
“[This can be done] without necessarily giving up on our rights and sovereignty over the West Philippine Sea and, in fact, asserting it with the use of our limited resources and diplomatic ties with our western allies,” the senator said.
It’s not just lawmakers but also people’s organizations directly affected by the standoff in the South China who want the Philippine government to reassert the country’s national sovereignty during the 78th Session of the UNGA in September.
The fisherfolk group Pamalakaya believes President Marcos Jr. should take to the inter-
And that’s not the end of it.
In a manifesto of support signed by dozens of officials calling themselves “One Cebu Island,” composed of lawmakers, city and municipal mayors as well as councilors, they said they stood by the Tourism Secretary, a fellow Cebuano and daughter of the provincial governor.
They called the recent criticisms against the DOT and Frasco a “coordinated demolition job” directed at the latter’s leadership, but did not explain how and why.
What’s the real score in this controversy? We really don’t know at this point, given the flurry of exchanges between the two sides.
Perhaps a congressional investigation in aid of legislation will allow the public to sift fact from fiction, or the truth from falsehood.
The least that should be done is for the DOT to fully explain its actions on selling the Philippines and whether its plans and programs are aboveboard and will really attract more tourists, not drive them away. As thing now stand, the “Love the Philippines” tourism drive is off to a bad start, and could really go off the rails unless the DOT clears the air.
national arena the troubles of Filipino fishermen in the country’s territorial waters amid China’s aggressive presence.
Pamalakaya claims fisherfolk in Zambales province have been losing 70 percent of their daily income since China seized control of Panatag (Scarborough) Shoal in 2012.
The China’s aggressive behavior in the West Philippine Sea, accompanied by largescale poaching activities, has resulted in marine degradation and fish stock depletion, the group said.
The Philippine government, therefore, should seek international support to exert pressure on Beijing to abide by the 2016 arbitral ruling and abandon their claim over nearly the entire South China Sea, which covers the country’s Exclusive Economic Zone.
“Marcos] should not miss this very opportunity to seek international support in recovering our territorial waters, and as part of his commitment to boost agricultural productivity and achieve local food security,” they added.
Another local fisherfolk group, the New Masinloc Fisherman’s Association, likewise welcomed the proposal, saying the government should insist that China recognize the arbitral ruling and ratify it “because the Chinese rule the area and take advantage of our marine resources…That’s where we fishermen are struggling because we do not benefit from our own marine resources.”
We fully support the Carpio proposal and hope that other lawmakers, the business sector and civil society groups will likewise stand behind the former Supreme Court justice in bringing to the broader international community our demand for Beijing to recognize the 2016 arbitral ruling. This ruling clearly rejected the “nine-dash line” that China has unilaterally declared over nearly all of the South China Sea as its part of its own territory, a claim that has no legal nor historical basis except Beijing’s say-so.
(Email: ernhil@yahoo.com)
THE Alliance of Concerned Teachers (ACT), a noisy and troublesome group of teachers believed to be associated with or sympathetic to local communists, managed to land in the news reports of one of the daily newspapers some weeks ago.
In the said news report, the ACT accused the administration of President Ferdinand “Bongbong” Marcos Jr. of “red-tagging” the group. More specifically, the ACT protested that it has been repeatedly linked by the military to the local communist movement. The group claimed the most recent “redtagging” incident took place during a press conference weeks ago by the National Task Force to End Local Communist Armed Conflict (NTFELCAC).
A certain Raymond Basilio, who calls himself the ACT secretary-general, publicly made the non sequitur conclusion the “red-tagging” unduly affects the teachers’ freedom of association.
Purportedly for that reason, Basilio wants the Commission on Human Rights (CHR) to censure government agencies engaged in “red-tagging” not just of the ACT but of other similarly-minded organizations.
The ACT spokesman also said the group has protested the matter before the International Labor Organization (ILO).
Basilio’s protestations are sheer nonsense.
Government officials and employees, and any person living in the Philippines for that matter, have the right to express views on any matter of public interest and concern.
That right is guaranteed under the Constitution, and finds support in jurisprudence.
Since the ACT has a penchant for claiming certain government agencies allegedly violate human rights, that makes the group fair game for public criticism.
“Red-tagging” is not even a crime in our statute books.
Thus, it is absurd for the grandstanding Basilio to urge the CHR to censure anyone engaged in “red-tagging.”
Further, ACT’s complaint lodged with the ILO is pure fabrication because not a single teacher affiliated with the ACT has been prohibited by the government from continuing their membership in the said organization, or from associating themselves with elements publicly perceived by many to be communists.
Besides, why did the ACT run to the ILO, instead of protesting the matter with the Department of Labor and Employment, or with the courts of law in the country?
What the ACT did certainly confirms public suspicion that their protestations are groundless, and that Basilio’s public statements are designed to get the ACT free publicity, and nothing more. To repeat, Basilio’s statements are sheer nonsense. If the ACT is unhappy about its current reputation, it has only itself to blame for the same. The ACT’s press announcements are almost always against the government.
It has never criticized the many atrocities committed by violent cadres of the Communist Party of the Philippines (CPP)-New People’s Army-National Democratic Front troika in the countryside. I have yet to hear the ACT denounce the late CPP founder and puppetmaster Jose Ma. Sison for living a life of luxury in his exile in Holland, or decry communist cadres who extort “revolutionary taxes” from businesses operating in the provinces.
Moreover, the ACT toes the same political line as other organizations perceived to be sympathetic to the local communists, if not allied with the latter.
It is plausible to say the foregoing observations may be the reasons why the NTL-ELCAC believes the ACT and similarly-minded organizations are front organizations of local communists.
If the ACT is really an organization of concerned teachers, it should condemn the communists who have infiltrated the ranks of teachers and students in colleges and universities.
Instead of teaching what should be taught in the classrooms, teachers aligned with or sympathetic to the local communist movement must spend most of their working hours brainwashing their students with communist ideologies, preaching hatred for the duly-elected government, and calling for its violent overthrow.
Teachers of this kind have zero tolerance for anyone who disagrees with their red ideology, and they are quick in castigating critics of communism. These teachers are so obsessed with communist ideologies that their skills as educators have dulled through the years due to misuse or nonuse.
I’ve listened to many radical teachers and students featured in the television news and almost all of them can’t even speak in straight English and are inarticulate.
Many teachers and professors in the University of the Philippines are communist sympathizers.
Instead of earning their salaries as classroom educators, they preach radical politics in class and convince their students to hate the government.
To repeat, they are absolutely intolerant of views that differ from theirs, and they conceitedly think their public statements should be considered gospel truth by everybody.
This was well-felt during the shortlived term of UP Diliman Chancellor Fidel Nemenzo, who lost his bid for UP president last year, and who failed to get himself re-elected as chancellor recently, notwithstanding the purported display of support he got from campus radicals and a few opinionated faculty members.
always best that cases be resolved based on its merits and not because of procedural or technical errors
THE Department of Migrant Workers (DMW) has vowed to improve the Overseas Filipino Workers (OFW) Hospital facilities and staffing in Pampanga after Senator Raffy Tulfo criticized the hospital for having poor service.
DMW Undersecretary Hans Leo Cacdac made the remarks in a radio interview DZBB, saying they are now coordinating with Senator Tulfo’s office regarding his concerns.
The DMW official has reacted to the senator’s observation on the OFW hospital after the latter made a visit to the hospital and found out that there are no patients at the OFW Hospital.
Tulfo also said that its outpatient department is closed on weekends and is only accepting 10 walk-in patients per day.
In an interview, Cacdac said he will ask the Department of Budget and Management (DBM) to address the staffing issue and improve the facilities of the hospital.
Vito BarceloTHE Civil Aviation Authority of the Philippines (CAAP) on Thursday announced its partnership with the South Korean government aimed at encouraging coordination and enhancing connectivity between the two countries.
CAAP spokesman Eric Apolonio said South Korean embassy officials visited the agency’s main office in Pasay City last Wednesday.
“The enhanced cooperation between the CAAP and its South Korean counterpart is expected to pave the way for increased flights and routes to major tourism destinations,” said CAAP spokesman Eric Apolonio.
On June 24, Korean’s Air Busan launched its commercial service flight to and from the Province of Bohol.
Air Busan flight BX 7135 with 217 passengers on board arrived successfully and was welcomed by CAAP, airport and local government officials at the Bohol - Panglao International Airport (BPIA).
Joel E. ZurbanoDEPARTMENT of Human Settlements and Urban Development (DHSUD) Secretary Jose Rizalino Acuzaron on Thursday cited President Ferdinand Marcos Jr.’s focus and dedication to look after the welfare of homeless Filipinos through the Pambansang Pabahay para sa Pilipino Housing (4PH) Program.
He said there are about 20 projects in Luzon, the Visayas and Mindanao that are now in various stages of ground activities and construction.
As a testament to his support to DHSUD, the President inspected the ongoing construction of the Crystal Peak Estates in Barangay Del Carmen, City of San Fernando, Pampanga.
The project is a 9.8-hectare multistory development to benefit over 10,200 families in the public and private sector, including overseas Filipino workers and personnel of the local government, Department of Education, Philippine National Police, and Armed Forces of the Philippines. Rio N. Araja
PRESIDENT Ferdinand Marcos Jr. on Thursday stressed the need to ensure the security and self-sufficiency of the country’s energy supply during the joint award of a petroleum service and coal operating contracts in the Bangsamoro Autonomous Region in Muslim Mindanao (BARMM) in Malacanang.
The Department of Energy (DOE) and the Ministry of Environment, Natural Resources and Energy of the BARMM signed an intergovernmental energy board (IEB) circular on the joint contracts
The President, during the contract signing, said that this endeavor will
pave the way for establishing another energy resource in BARMM.
The President added that with the circular, BARMM will be a massive part of the development process of the Philippines.
The IEB circular operationalizes the provision of Section 10, Article XIII of
Republic Act No. 11054 or the Organic Law for the Bangsamoro Autonomous Region to jointly grant rights, privileges, and concessions for the exploration, development, and utilization of uranium and fossil fuels such as petroleum, natural gas, and coal within the territorial jurisdiction of the Bangsamoro.
According to DOE Secretary Raphael Lotilla, the circular will empower the national and Bangsamoro agencies to jointly grant rights, and concessions for the development and utilization of indigenous and conventional energy sources within the jurisdiction of the Bangsamoro region.
BARMM Chief Minister Ahod Ebra-
THE Office of the Speaker and Tingog party-list group, in coordination with the Department of Social Welfare and Development (DSWD) on Thursday led the distribution of financial assistance to 1,000 youth beneficiaries from the municipalities of Sta. Fe, Alangalang, and San Miguel, Leyte. Each beneficiary received P5,000 pesos.
In a statement, the Office of the Speaker and Tingog said that the financial assistance given to the students will help them continue their studies and lessen the number of students in the region that are forced to take gap years due to financial constraints.
In her message, Tingog Rep. Yedda Marie K. Romualdez emphasized that the program is not only meant to give financial aid, but also serve as an en-
couragement to the youth, that they are not alone in their struggle to success.
The lawmaker pointed out that “education is a powerful tool that is essential to empower those who are marginalized and underprivileged,” and that Tingog and House Speaker Martin Romualdez’s goal has always been to ensure that the plight of the youth of Eastern Visayas will not go unheard in the national arena.”
him said the initiative shows the unwavering commitment of the Philippine government and the BARMM to work together to sustain the dividends of the peace process.
The Oil Exploration and Development Act allows the government to indirectly undertake the exploration and production of the country’s indigenous petroleum resources through Petroleum Service Contracts. The Coal Development Act, on the other hand, also allows the government to undertake the exploration, development, and production of the country’s indigenous coal resources through Coal Operating Contracts.
FUEL CONTRACTS FOR BARMM. President Ferdinand R. Marcos Jr. witnesses the ceremonial signing of the Intergovernmental Energy Board Circular on the joint award of petroleum service contracts and coal operating contracts in the Bangsamoro Autonomous Region in Muslim Mindanao (BARMM) in Malacañan on Thursday. Joey Razon
DEPARTMENT of Health (DOH)
Secretary Teodoro Herbosa hinted at the possibility of home isolation for travelers entering the Philippines once the COVID-19 public health emergency warning is lifted.
“Even if we remove the country from a state of emergency, COVID is still very much here. You should still isolate yourself if you are coming from another country as other variants of the disease are more rampant and have developed there. It’s a minimum public health measure,” Herbosa, in an interview with Super Radyo DZBB, said.
Herbosa also said home isolation for individuals who are going to enter the country also addresses the issue of pricey isolation facilities. “To avoid an outbreak, travelers with symptoms really need to undergo isolation,” he added.
The official said isolation of visitors to the Philippines may mean a stay in a hotel isolation facility for a few days.
Currently, the Department of Foreign Affairs (DFA) still implements protocols for visitors.
AGRI Party-list Rep. Wilbert T. Lee
on Thursday hailed the New Agrarian Emancipation Act to be signed on Friday by President Ferdinand Marcos, Jr. calling it a “win” for farmer-beneficiaries, who will now be unburdened of their obligations to the government for parcels of land they received under the Comprehen-
sive Agrarian Reform Law of 1988.
“We thank President Bongbong Marcos for signing into law this measure that has long been sought by our farmers,” Lee said.
“Finally, they will be unburdened of their loans, interests, and penalties that contribute to their inability to overcome poverty, and are also major factors that have kept them from becoming fully productive.”
Lee, principal author of the House version of the New Agrarian Emancipation Act (NAEA), said that the new law would allow farmers to further increase their productivity by providing them additional financial resources through the condonation of their annual amortization and interests, including penalties or surcharges.
The new measure effectively condones an estimated ₱58.125 billion in
unpaid amortization amounts, interest payments, surcharges, and penalties of existing loans of some 654,000 agrarian reforms beneficiaries (ARBs) secured under the Comprehensive Agrarian Reform Program (CARP), repealing Section 26 of RA No. 6657, as amended, and Section 6 of EO No. 228, series of 1987, as well as pertinent provisions of other agrarian laws.
Fully vaccinated passengers are required to submit proof of their vaccination, while unvaccinated individuals are asked to present a negative laboratory-based Rapid Antigen Test taken 24 hours before their departure from their country of origin.
Individuals who have tested positive for COVID-19 are being required to complete a facility-based quarantine in the country. Likewise, children aged below 15 are required to follow the guidelines implemented by their parents and guardians.
FORMER
Senator Leila de Lima’s remaining drug case will be raffled off for the second time after another Muntinlupa court judge recused himself from handling it.
In a 4-page order, Muntinlupa Regional Trial Court Branch 204 Judge Abraham Joseph Alcantara granted the motion filed by prosecutors and voluntarily inhibited himself from the case.
“With the foregoing, the undersigned Presiding Judge will exercise prudent discretion and voluntarily desist from hearing the case not because the prosecution’s assertion is true but to put to rest any questions against his credibility, integrity, and fairness,” the order stated.
Alcantara said that a judge has no alternative but to inhibit himself at the first sign of lack of faith, whether well-grounded or not.
The judge then ordered the records of the case to be transmitted to the Office of the Clerk of Court for re-raffle as soon as practicable.
On Wednesday, the prosecution sought for Alcantara’s inhibition “to ensure a just and fair administration of justice,” noting that he had acquitted De Lima in another case.
The case was just recently raffled to Alcantara after Branch 256 Judge Romeo Buenaventura quit the trial on June 15 on allegations that he failed to disclose that his brother had served as a lawyer for the late Oriental Mindoro lawmaker Reynaldo Umali. De Lima has repeatedly denied the charges against her, which she claimed were fabricated by the Duterte administration.
The former lady senator has been detained at the Philippine National Police Custodial Center in Camp Crame, Quezon City, since February 2017.
LOCAL shares edged lower Thursday as investors focused on the minutes of the US Federal Reserve’s latest monetary policy meeting.
The 30-company Philippine Stock Exchange index lost 38.13 points, or 0.58 percent, to close at 6,474.26.
China Bank Capital managing director Juan Paolo Colet said investors turned negative after a review of the Fed’s meeting reaffirmed its hawkish stance on US monetary policy.
“Sentiment was also weighed by China’s export curbs on certain metal
PSEi July 6, 2023
used in electronics and semiconductors in what is seen as an escalation of its technology trade war with the US and Europe,” Colet said.
Colet said investors were looking for new catalysts to drive stock prices, as the deceleration of domestic inflation rate was already priced in by traders.
RCBC chief economist Michael Ricafort said the local equities de-
MONTREAL—Canada has reached an agreement with carmaker Stellantis to immediately resume construction of a battery plant, ministers announced Wednesday, after the project was suspended over a subsidies disagreement.
The plant in Windsor, Ontario, a Can$5 billion (US$3.8 billion) joint venture to supply EV batteries for a significant portion of the North American market, was billed by Ottawa as the largest-ever investment in the country’s auto sector.
But Stellantis suspended the project in May, saying the federal government had not delivered promised subsidies.
On Wednesday, Canadian Deputy Prime Minister Chrystia Freeland announced an agreement had been reached.
“This agreement is good for workers and good for Canada,” Freeland said in a statement shared on Twitter.
Stellantis said in a separate statement that construction of the plant could resume “as of now”, and that battery production was scheduled to begin in 2024.
“This collective effort made the agreement possible, and we are now resuming construction at the Windsor site,” said Mark Stewart, Stellantis’ COO for North America.
Ottawa has made considerable efforts in recent years to attract investment in its electric vehicle sector, touting tax incentives and clean energy subsidies. AFP
clined after US stock markets mostly corrected slightly lower overnight. Ricafort said while the market was down in the past two trading days, the decline was considered a healthy downward correction from two-week highs recently. Markets fell again in Asia on Thursday as traders resigned themselves to more US interest rate hikes after minutes from the Federal Reserve’s June meeting showed officials felt more needed to be done to rein in inflation.
The notes added to worries about the global economic outlook after another round of depressed data out of China highlighted the tough work facing authorities as they try to kick start growth after years of zero-Covid-induced sluggishness.
Traders are also awaiting the release of key US jobs data over the next two days as well as watching Treasury Secretary Janet Yellen’s four-day visit to Beijing that aims to stabilize tense relations between the world’s two largest economies.
The Fed minutes showed policymakers were split on the decision to stand pat last month after 10 straight rate increases, surprising some commentators and dealing a blow to hopes the bank was nearing the end of its tightening cycle.
“Some participants indicated that they favored raising the target range for the federal funds rate 25 basis points at this meeting or that they could have supported such a proposal,” they read.
SHANGHAI, China—Electric car giant Tesla is set to realize fully autonomous vehicles “later this year”, CEO Elon Musk said Thursday, in the billionaire’s latest forecast for the long-anticipated milestone.
“In terms of where Tesla is at this stage, I think we are very close to achieving full self-driving without human supervision,” Musk said via video link at the opening ceremony of an artificial intelligence conference in Shanghai.
“This is only speculation, but I think we’ll achieve full self-driving, maybe what you would call four or five, I think later this year,” the billionaire
added, referring to two of the most advanced levels of autonomous driving technology.
The mercurial entrepreneur and Twitter owner admitted that he had been wrong in previous predictions on this timeline, but added: “I feel like we’re closer to it than we ever have been.”
Musk has missed his own deadlines for a fully autonomous vehicle—and Tesla’s driver-assistance technology has provoked regulatory probes in the United States.
China is the world’s biggest electric vehicle market and Tesla announced in April it would build a second massive factory in Shanghai.
His appearance at the World Artificial Intelligence Conference in Shanghai marks his latest effort to maintain close links to China, following a visit to the country in May.
Electric vehicles make up a quarter of car sales in China, the world’s largest car market, and dozens of new models from domestic and Western brands were unveiled in April at the country’s first auto show since Covid restrictions were lifted.
Tesla reported a drop in first-quarter earnings this year, with the company undertaking a series of price cuts in the face of competition from other automakers. AFP
Those backing an increase cited a tight jobs market, stronger-than-expected economic activity and few signs that inflation was on the path to their two percent target.
In the end, however, all 11 voting members on the policy committee supported the pause, though the minutes said “almost all” agreed more tightening will likely be needed this year.
“It was a little surprising given that the decision (to hold rates steady) was sold as unanimous from Fed officials,” said Lindsey Piegza of Stifel Nicolaus & Co.”It’s pretty clear that there was a divergence of opinions, with some officials pretty clearly giving some reluctance for a one-month pause.” With AFP
TAIPEI, Taiwan—Taiwan’s chip giant TSMC said Thursday it did not expect any direct effect on production from China’s latest export controls on two rare metals essential for making semiconductors.
China’s Ministry of Commerce and Customs announced Monday that exports of gallium and germanium will require a license from August 1 over security concerns, as Beijing and Washington tussle over the global market for chips.
Taiwan Semiconductor Manufacturing Company, whose clients include Apple and Intel, controls more than half the world’s output of the silicon wafers that are used to power everything from drip coffee machines to cars and missiles.
“After evaluation, we do not expect the export restrictions on raw materials gallium and germanium will have any direct impact on TSMC’s production,” the company said in a statement.
TSMC did not elaborate on the longterm indirect impacts but said it would monitor the situation closely.
China is sparring with the United States over a range of issues, including technology, trade and Taiwan.
Home not just to TSMC, self-ruled Taiwan is the world’s primary manufacturing base of semiconductors, a dominance that has become more pronounced given the global demand for microchips and China’s increasingly strained relations with the island.
Beijing claims Taiwan as its own territory and has held two massive military drills around the island in the past year.
Taiwan’s economic minister Wang Mei-hua also downplayed the impact of the new export controls because Chinese-mined germanium and gallium are mainly raw materials that are then refined in countries such as the United States and Japan.”
Taiwan imports the refined materials so the short-term impact is limited,” she told reporters on Tuesday. AFP
WASHINGTON, USA—More than 10 million people have signed up to Threads, Meta’s rival to Twitter, within the first few hours of its launch, the company’s CEO Mark Zuckerberg said Thursday.
The app went live on Apple and Android app stores in 100 countries at 2300 GMT on Wednesday, and will run with no ads for now, but its release in Europe has been delayed over data privacy concerns.
Threads is the biggest challenger yet to Elon Musk-owned Twitter, which has seen a series of potential competitors emerge but not yet replace one of the world’s biggest social media platforms, despite its struggles.
“10 million sign ups in seven hours,” Zuckerberg wrote on his official Threads account Thursday.
Accounts were already active for celebrities such as Jennifer Lopez, Shakira and Hugh Jackman, as well as media outlets including The Washington Post and The Economist.
Zuckerberg also offered a shot across the bow at Musk—the pair are known to be bitter rivals, and have offered to wrestle it out in a cage fight.
In his first tweet in over a decade, Zuckerberg posted a Spiderman pointing at Spiderman meme in an apparent reference to the similarities between Threads.
On Threads, he wrote: “It’ll take some time, but I think there should be a public conversations app with 1 billion+ people on it. Twitter has had
the opportunity to do this but hasn’t nailed it. Hopefully we will.”
Twitter has said it has more than 200 million daily users.
‘Be kind’
Threads was introduced as a clear spin-of of Instagram, which offers a built-in audience of more than two billion users, sparing the new platform the challenge of starting from scratch.
Instagram chief Adam Mosseri told users that Threads was intended to build “an open and friendly platform for conversations.”
“The best thing you can do if you want that too is be kind,” he said.
Zuckerberg is widely understood to
be taking advantage of Musk’s chaotic ownership of Twitter to push out the new product, which Meta hopes will become the go-to platform for celebrities, companies and politicians.
“It’s as simple as that: if an Instagram user with a large number of followers such as Kardashian or a Bieber or a Messi begins posting on Threads regularly, a new platform could quickly thrive,” strategic financial analyst Brian Wieser said on Substack.
Analyst Jasmine Engberg from Insider Intelligence said Threads only needs one out of four Instagram monthly users “to make it as big as Twitter.”
“Twitter users are desperate for an alternative, and Musk has given Zuckerberg an opening,” she added.
Under Musk, Twitter has seen content moderation reduced to a minimum with glitches and rash decisions scaring away celebrities and major advertisers.
He has angered Twitter’s most devoted aficionados by declaring that access to its TweetDeck product— which allows users to view a fast flow of tweets at once—would be for paying customers only.
EU ‘many months’ away Meta has its legion of critics too, especially in Europe, which could slow the growth of Threads.
The company has been criticized for its handling of personal data, the essential ingredient for targeted ads that help it rake in billions of dollars in profits.
Mosseri said he regretted that the launch was delayed in the European Union, but had Meta waited for regulatory clarity from Brussels, Threads would have been “many, many, many, months away.”
“I was worried that our window would close, because timing is important,” he told the tech news site Platformer.
According to a source close to the matter, Meta was wary of a new law called the Digital Markets Act (DMA), which sets strict rules for the world’s “gatekeeper” internet companies. AFP
Canada, Stellantis resume setting up EV battery facility
NEWLY-APPOINTED Bangko Sentral ng Pilipinas
Governor Eli Remolona said an interest rate reduction is possible within the year if inflation rate falls below 4 percent.
Remolona said the BSP’s Monetary Board might also consider an extended pause in interest rate adjustments, while it was reviewing all relevant data.
“We’re also looking forward to what we might do down the road. We’re not just looking at one policy rate. We’re looking at a path of the policy rate. It’s implicit in every decision we make,” he
loan
STATE-RUN Development Bank of the Philippines, the eighth-largest lender in terms of assets, approved a total of P8.57 billion in the first half this year under its PASADA program as it actively participates in the government’s efforts to hasten the modernization of the transport sector.
PASADA, or the Program Assistance to Support Alternative Driving Approaches, is DBP’s flagship program for the modernization of the country’s transportation system and offers flexible and competitive financing options tailored to the unique needs of transport corporations and cooperatives accredited by the Office of the Transport Cooperatives.
It said in a statement Thursday that the total loan amount consisted of 104 accounts.
DBP recently granted a P367.72-million credit assistance to an Iloilo-based transport cooperative for the acquisition of 148 brandnew modern public utility jeepneys.
DBP president and chief executive Michael de Jesus said the credit support to Metro Iloilo Transport Service Cooperative under DBP’s PASADA program would finance the acquisition of Euro-compliant PUJs to be deployed to seven routes in Iloilo City. Julito G. Rada
Telcos welcome EO
THE country’s three largest telecom companies said a new executive order issued by President Ferdinand Marcos Jr. would further expedite the deployment of telecom infrastructure in the country.
Globe Telecom Inc., PLDT Inc. and DITO Telecommunity Corp. lauded the President for issuing Executive Order No. 32, which streamlines the process of obtaining government permits for the construction of telecommunications infrastructure.
The President’s order is seen to pave the way for greater digital transformation in the country, aligned with the government and private sector’s shared goal of bridging the digital divide by increasing access to digital resources, services and opportunities.
“We are grateful to President Marcos for issuing this EO, which will allow the telco industry and the adjunct TowerCo industry to further ramp up infrastructure builds that will provide life-enabling connectivity in an equitable way across the country,” Globe president and chief executive Ernest Cu said. “This will help accelerate the country’s digital transformation and open doors for more opportunities to Filipinos in the areas of education, employment and innovation,” he said. Darwin G. Amojelar
THE Energy Regulatory Commission issued a show cause order to the National Grid Corp. of the Philippines to explain the alleged delay in the implementation of 37 transmission and other related projects. It said of the 37 projects, 26 are still uncompleted and three are yet to commence.
The ERC said NGCP’s delays in the 37 projects are at 820 days, ranging from 21 to 2,561 days.
The ERC directed NGCP to submit with 15 days from receipt of the order its explanation why no administrative penalty should be imposed upon it for violation of the agency’s orders and decisions pursuant to Section 21 and 9 (d) of the Electric Power Industry Reform Act of 2001.
ERC chairperson Monalisa Dimalanta said they expected NGCP to submit a response within 15 days from July 4, when the order was issued although the decision was promulgated on June 14.
The ERC said NGCP should submit detailed explanations on the cause of delay per project as well as the actual timeline of implementation per project in Gantt Chart format. Alena Mae S. Flores
said during dinner with reporters at Manila Hotel Wednesday night.
Remolona said this would be one of the topics the MB would discuss in its next meeting.
He said an extended pause would help the BSP assess the extremely high interest rate level. The deceleration in inflation in recent months was “better than what we expected,” he said.
Inflation rate eased to a 13-month low of 5.4 percent in June from 6.1 percent in May. It was also the fifth month of deceleration this year since inflation peaked at 8.7 percent in January.
It slowed to 8.6 percent in February, 7.6 percent in March, 6.6 percent in April, 6.1 percent in May and 5.4 percent in June.
The June inflation rate was also within the BSP’s forecast range of 5.3 percent to 6.1 percent for the month.
Remolona, a seasoned international banker and a member of the policysetting Monetary Board since August 2022, succeeded Felipe Medalla as BSP governor this month.
Remolona said he would continue the priorities that bore fruit under the
leadership of Medalla, and even work harder to do better during his term. He considers Medalla a mentor and lifelong friend.
“Together we must build on the progress we have already made. Inflation has finally started to come down as Gov. Philip explained. And if our models are right, we should be back in our target range even by the end of this year,” he said earlier.
Remolona assured that the Philippine banking system remained strong and their capital and liquidity were more than adequate.
“That’s why, in recovering from the pandemic, our banks have been a source of strength, unlike in previous crises, when they were a source of weakness.
The plumbing of our system -- our payments and settlement system -- has increasingly become digitalized and efficient. We are delivering greater and greater access to financial services for our people,” he said.
Remolona previously served as an independent director of Bank of the Philippine Islands where he chaired its risk management committee.
He was also a professor of finance and director of central banking at the Asia School of Business in Kuala Lumpur.
Rizal Commercial Banking Corp. chief economist Michael Ricafort said the appointment of Remolona was a “welcome development for the markets and the economy.”
By Jenniffer B. AustriaCENTURY Pacific Foods Inc. said
Thursday it will allocate between P3 billion and P3.5 billion for 2023 capital expenditures, higher than the usual P2 billion to P2.5 billion, to increase production capacity of meat, coconut, pet food and packaging businesses.
CPNF executive chairman Christopher Po said during the annual stockholders meeting the company would expand the capacity of its businesses as demand remains strong despite inflationary pressures.
approval for the Bataan-Cavite Interlink Bridge project by November 2023. ADB together with Asian Infrastructure Investment Bank earlier agreed to co-finance the civil works construction of the project which targeted to start by 2024.
THE Department of Public Works and Highways is eyeing a $1.95-billion loan from the Asian Development Bank to help fund the construction of the Bataan-Cavite Interlink Bridge Project. It said it was expecting to obtain approval for the ADB loan by November this year.
The ADB, together with Asian Infrastructure Investment Bank, earlier agreed to co-finance the civil works construction of the project which was targeted to start by 2024.
The project will be divided into seven contract packages, with the construction to begin first in the two on-land packages. Package 1 refers to the 5-kilometer Bataan Land Approach and Package
2 involves the 1.35-kilometer Cavite Land Approach.
Packages 3 and 4 are Marine Viaducts in the north and south with a total length of 20.65 kilometers.
Meanwhile, packages 5 and 6 are the North Channel and South Channel Bridges with a length of 2.15 km. and 3.15 km., respectively. The seventh package involves a project-wide ancillary works.
The BCIB project will provide a permanent road link between the provinces of Bataan and Cavite, the key missing link in the road network of Metro Manila, Central Luzon and Calabarzon regions.
The project will be about 32 km. long, comprising two cable-stayed bridges with the main spans of 900 and 400 me-
FRANCORP 500
CLUB. Shawarma Shack founder and chief executive Walther Uzi Buenavista (left) receives the prestigious Francorp 500 Club recognition as part of Francorp’s 25th anniversary celebration.
Buenavista receives the award from Francorp Philippines vice chair Ma. Alegria Sibal Limjoco who is widely recognized as the ‘Mother of Philippine Franchising’. She is also the vice chair of Philippine Franchise Association and honorary chair and adviser of the Philippine Chamber of Commerce and Industry. Francorp 500 Club recognizes brands that have grown to over 500 branches via franchising. Shawarma Shack, which delights customers with delectable Mediterranean fare, has now over 700 outlets nationwide.
AIRASIA Philippines said Thursday it strengthened its Northeast Asia presence with the launch of thrice-weekly flights to Narita (Tokyo), Japan via the Mactan-Cebu International Airport.
“AirAsia’s mission has always been about democratizing air travel by offering bang-for-the-buck deals. And we are making it more convenient for travelers by opening more gateways in the country that will allow guests to directly fly to international destinations,” said AirAsia Philippines communications and public affairs head Steve Dailisan said. Narita is AirAsia’s fourth interna-
tional destination directly flying out of the MCIA along with the thrice weekly flights to Kuala Lumpur and Seoul, and the four times weekly flights to Taipei.
The budget airline also plans on expanding its operations in Cebu, making it a convenient gateway for travelers from the south.
AirAsia Philippines also launched its 7.7 Sale from July 1 to 9 this year.
International flights including Hong Kong and Tokyo are available for as low as P577 to P3,077 for travels until Dec. 14, 2023.
All AirAsia’s domestic flights are also available for as low as P77 one-
way base fare.
Meanwhile, travelers to Northeast Asia countries may now experience ease in visa application as South Korea opens e-Group visa application for regular tourists.
Starting June 27, groups of at least three members may apply for the egroup visa through accredited travel agencies.
AirAsia reminded guests that all international flights would continue to depart and arrive at the NAIA International Airport Terminal 3 following the transfer of all domestic flights to NAIA Terminal 2. Darwin G. Amojelar
ters for navigation channels, 24 km of marine and land viaducts and 5 km of approach roads.
It will serve as an alternative route from north Luzon to south Luzon without traveling through the heavy congested roadways of NCR, and thus reduce the pressure on the existing north-south corridors.
BCIB may also serve as the main evacuation route for the people of Bataan, Cavite, Rizal and south NCR in case of a natural hazard, according to the DPWH.
The feasibility study for the BCIB Project was completed under the ADB’s Infrastructure Preparation and Innovation Facility in 2019, when the preliminary architectural and engineering design was prepared.
Po said the group is more optimistic for the rest of the year as the decline in inflation rate, increase in minimum wage and stable peso are all positive trends for the consumer segment.
“Moving to the present, halfway through 2023, the sky hasn’t fully cleared. Uncertainties still remain. Nonetheless, management is working towards double-digit growth for our topline, supported by a resilient demand. Profits are on their way to improving as cost pressures ease, thus, for the year, we expect to deliver a mid to high single-digit improvement in our bottom line,” Po said.
He said while the increase in minimum wage would raise labor cost, this would be manageable as labor accounts for less than 10 percent of cost of goods.
Po said there were only a few company employees earning the minimum wage.
Po said as the company’s core branded products in the marine, meat and milk categories continue to deliver positive results, its emerging business, particularly coconut, pet food and plant-based meat products are also expected to post double-digit growth in the coming years.
“Coconut, plant-based alternatives and pet food are categories that are adjacent to our already existing businesses, where we can leverage capabilities and scale. We expect these segments to grow as disposable incomes rise and consumers add more goods to their baskets. These emerging businesses are meant to futureproof our company and deliver long-term, sustainable growth,” he said.
CNPF elected three new three new members of its board of directors. They include Stephen CuUnjieng, lawyer Regina Jacinto-Barrientos and Philip Soliven.
Bangko Sentral to begin posting overnight rate as market reference
By Julito G. RadaTHE Bangko Sentral ng Pilipinas said Thursday it will publish on its website an overnight rate that will serve as a market reference with the cessation of the global use of the London Interbank Offered Rate.
It said the overnight rate uses as reference the secondary market rate on the 28-day BSP bill to compute an ON equivalent.
“This starts a broader initiative to enhance the BSP ON Reverse Repurchase Agreement facility. Once the enhancements are fully completed, the
new rate from the RRP facility will become the ON reference rate,” it said in a statement.
The BSP said that in pursuit of its statutory mandates, it either siphons excesses or augments shortfalls in market liquidity via open market operations. The main tool is the ON RRP facility which is based on the BSP policy rate. Under the existing framework, the RRP facility auctions a pre-announced amount at a fixed rate. The ongoing enhancements, such as the change in the auction window from 4 p.m. to 11 a.m., are designed to encourage more active liquidity management by the banks.
TIMELY plays from Olympic veterans Ricardo Lucarelli Souza and Lucas Saatkamp lifted Brazil to a quick 25-21, 21-15, 25-20 subduing of the Netherlands on Thursday in Week 3 of the Volleyball Nations League at the Mall of Asia Arena in Pasay City.
Souza and Saatkamp were hardly utilized during the 72-minute game, but when they were on the floor, their presence sparked the Brazilian spikers to big scoring runs that pushed them to their seventh overall win in 10 matches.
The win put Brazil at no. 3 in the standings, behind unbeaten Japan (90), and the United States (8-1), following their loss to the Japanese last Tuesday.
By Randy Caluag
THE Games and Amusement Board and the University Athletic Association of the Philippines are joining hands to ensure fair and top-standard officiating in the school organizations’ basketball tournaments.
UAAP officials recently met with GAB chairman Richard Clarin, with the aim of fostering “closer collaboration and address key matters concerning officiating in UAAP’s basketball events.”
Representing the UAAP were executive director Rebo Saguisag, UAAP season 86 president Rodrigo Roque, UE Athletic director Melvin Reyes and secretariat staff Gaylee Villar and Lady Dawn Gonzales. The focus of these discussions included the issuance of a special guest license to allow amateur players to participate in professional sports and games.
“Additionally, the GAB and the UAAP tackled the topic of referees involved in officiating amateur games, who may also be subject to licensure. Such licensing
would be accompanied by corresponding responsibilities and obligations, considering the compensation received for their services,” said the GAB statement posted on its official FB page.
“The UAAP and the GAB expressed their mutual commitment to upholding the highest standards and ensuring fair and unbiased officiating in basketball. Both organizations aim to enhance the overall experience for players, fans, and stakeholders alike.”
Both officials also tackled how to help amateur athletes make a smooth transition to professional athletes.
One of the moves made by the GAB was to issue provisional GAB licenses to college players who will play in pro-
fessional leagues like the Maharlika Pilipinas Basketball League and other leagues outside the Philippine Basketball Association.
The GAB said it looks forward to strengthening its partnership with UAAP
in “developing a new generation of worldclass Filipino professional athletes, reflecting the shared commitment of the UAAP and the GAB to continually improve the quality and integrity of intercollegiate sports.”
The 31-year-old Souza, a member of Brazil’s gold medal-winning squad in the 2016 Rio Olympics, put Brazil ahead, 10-3, in the second set after forcing the Dutchmen to an error with a placement shot and and ace.
The 37-year-old Saatkamp, Souza’s teammate in the Rio Olympiad, scored on two blocks off three attacks as he led in the first set to hand Brazil the match point, 25-21.
Their young teammate Henrique Honorato and Saatkamp led Brazil with 10 points apiece.
“Today’s game is very important because we did not play the other day. Tomorrow will be harder,” said Brazilian coach Renan Dal Zotto, who saw action in the 1984 Los Angeles Olympics.
Honorato joined hands with Judson da Cunha Jr. in the third set, and their blocks saw Brazil moving away, 15-6.
The loss was the Dutchmen’s fifth in 10 outings, putting their aspirations to reach the Grand Finals in doubt. France and Serbia, with their 4-5 cards, remain in contention for the eighth and final seat to the championship round following the Netherlands’ loss to Brazil.
Peter Atencio
SWIMMING’S international federation approved Kayla Sanchez’s change of nationality from Canada to the Philippines effective Thursday.
“The World Aquatics has approved the request for the sport nationality’s change of the Athlete [Sanchez], born on 7 April 2001, in the Aquatics sports of Swimming, from Canada (CAN) to Philippines (PHI),” said World Aquatics Legal Counsel Loic Loutan in a letter d ated Tuesday (July 4) and transmitted to the Philippine Olympic Committee on Thursday.
“Therefore, the Athlete is entitled
to represent Philippines in international competitions from 6 July 2023 onwards,” Loutan added.
The POC, through its president Rep. Abraham “Bambol” Tolentino, fervently pursued Sanchez’s change of nationality for the past year, whic h included 0 her completing a year-long residency requirement.
“Finally, the good news,” Tolentino said. “The country now has a very strong anchor in its national swimming team.”
Sanchez will officially start swimming for the Philippines in
By Peter Atenciothe Hangzhou 19th Asian Games set September 23 to October 8. She won’s be competing upon the advice of her coach at the world aquatics championships that starts July 14 in Fukuoka, Japan.
“Thank you so much for helping me get the approval from World Aquatics,” Sanchez earlier told Tolentino.
Sanchez was part of Canada’s silver medal-clinching 4x100 meters freestyle relay team at the Tokyo Olympics. She also owns three world championships gold medals while swimming for Canada.
THE 3rd Valenzuela Auto Show drew hundreds of competition, muscle, vintage and super cars, plus 30 Vespas and thousands of spectators, making the event a success.
Spearheaded by Mayor Wes Gatchalian, the organizing team had it all coming.
Former Councilor Tyson Sy, Arca
Yard owner Aaron Cabiltes and JSK Custom Paint and Auto Works President and CEO Johnson Tan all worked hand in hand for a smooth and hasslefree event.
Participants began to line up and set up their booths last June 23, Friday until high noon of June 24, Saturday. Everyone who participated was definitely prepared for the glorious occasion.
Entries for the audio competition were meticulously checked, inspected
and listened to by the judges. It was a very tight match as the differences in the scores were only by mere points. Same went with the rest of the show cars as all participants made sure that their entries were in top condition.
The judges had to make sure that the best were chosen for the awards go to the rightful winners.
The event was also grazed by the Valenzuela City Councilors and Quezon City 4th District Congressman Bong Suntay. The 3rd Valenzuela Auto Show coincided with the city’s 400th year anniversary, promoting camaraderie, creativity and friendly competition among participants as well as boosting local shops and other businesses in the city.
Backers of the event were Clean Fuel, Puregold, Motul, 10inch Lights and Sounds, Aikka Paint, Ben’s OK Tires and Magwheels, Meguiar’s,
Tyson
Autohub Mitsubishi Valenzuela, Toyota Valenzuela, Amaron Batteries, Energizer Automotive, Slimmer’s World Elite North EDSA, H&K Cars, Norte by Arca Yard, One Way Autohaus, Parts Pro Racing, Decal Republic and Top1 Oil Philippines as well as their media partners Power
Wheels Magazine, Manila Standard and H2G Productions. Meanwhile, JSK Custom Paint and Auto Works announces the 10th JSK Auto Fun Run on November 11, 2023, with details available on its Facebook page.
ATHLETICS, one of the two centerpiece events of the Palarong Pambansa, may start earlier but will have to be held in two separate venues when the games are hosted this year by Marikina City. Technical officials have recommended that the first events of athletics, which are the field events, be held on July 31 at a different venue, right on the day of the opening ceremonies of the Department of Education-organized meet.
Organizers felt that the track and field stadium inside the Marikina Sports Complex would not be able to accommodate all the events in athletics and the para games, when the Palaro is held from Aug 1 to Aug. 5. The venue, according to their studies, might be too small to handle the field events, which includes pole vault, high jump and long jump.
Officials are reviewing a proposal to have an advanced schedule and that the Philsports oval in Pasig City be included in the list of venues that will handle events of the Palaro.
And athletics officials believe that having the two field events at the Marikina could interfere with the conduct of running activities because of their proximity to each other in the oval.
“May request kami sa secretariat na magkaroon kami ng advanced schedule sa July 31. Kasi nga, iyun runway ng pole vault, malapit sa takbuhan,” said Narciso Dasigan, tournament manager of the Palarong Pambansa athletics meet.
Palaro technical officials also cited the difficulty in transporting equipment from the Pasig facilities to Marikina.
MIAMI—Milwaukee Bucks forward Giannis Antetokounmpo has had surgery on his left knee, the team confirmed Wednesday, leaving the basketball star’s participation for Greece in August’s FIBA World Cup in doubt.
“He had a routine surgery on his left knee, and it went great,” Bucks head coach Adrian Griffin said on Wednesday.
“Everything went as planned, and we expect him back ready to go in training camp,” he added.
The Bucks are expected to begin their camp in early- to mid-September with the World Cup starting on August 25 and running until September 10.
The Athletic cited a league source as saying that Antetokounmpo’s availability for Greece is “in question” after what it described as surgery to “clean up loose cartilage in his left knee.”
The two-time NBA Most Valuable Player suffered a back injury during game one of the Bucks’s first-round playoff series against the Miami Heat and did not return until game four. The Bucks, the number one seed in the
East, were upset in five by Miami in the best-of-seven series.
The World Cup will be held in the Philippines, Japan and Indonesia.
Greece has been drawn in group C with the United States, New Zealand and Jordan.
Losing Antetokounmpo would be a huge blow to Greece’s hopes in the tournament.
He was top scorer in last year’s EuroBasket tournament, averaging 29.3 points although his team went out in the round-of-16 to the Czech Republic.
Antetokounmpo was part of the Greece team at the 2019 World Cup which failed to get out of the group stage.
The 28-year-old’s older brother and Bucks’ team-mate Thanasis, is also part of the Greece squad along with his younger brother Kostas, who plays for Greek club Panathinaikos. AFP
THE Professional Golfers Association of the Philippines, in collaboration with the City Government of Pasay City announced the holding of 1st Pasay Mayor ‘Emi’ Cup, a fund-raising event, on September 12 to 15 at the Villamor Golf Club in Pasay City.
Newly elected PGAP president Johnel Bulawit said the tournament aims to strengthen the relationship of Pinoy pro golf players and ensure the existence of adequate and regular programs to sustain the livelihood of each member.
"It's been a while since we've been active. But this time, with the new leadership, hopefully we can restore the trust and respect of each member and right now we are asking for everyone's support, especially the members to strengthen unity for the advancement of PGAP," said Bulawit, also an active touring pro before being elected PGAP president last April.
"We want nothing in PGAP but to serve our pro players. We are not a rival of any corporation or organizers because our players
COSTA RICAN Mariano “The Hitman”
Jones, as expected, gave veteran Caloy Baduria a respectful farewell bout, but beat him in just 42 seconds via submission on Tuesday in Universal Reality Combat Championship (URCC) 86 at the Palace in Xylo BGC in Taguig.
Jones, who will be turning 27 on Friday, plunged into action immediately by deflecting the punches of the 43-year-old veteran, before taking him down on the canvas and applying the Americana or the keylock submission to finish the fight in the first round.
“I wish Caloy the best in retirement. I like the guy, but they call me the ‘Hitman’ for a reason. I have no emotion in the cage. Feels good, very thankful for the opportunity given to me by URCC and I hope to get a title shot for my next fight,” Jones said.
The undefeated fighter known for his wrestling and striking skills improved to a 3-0 win-loss slate. He also retired one of the best Filipino strikers in Arvin Chan in
NAOS Esports is now into the semifinals of the VCT Ascension Pacific in Bangkok, Thailand.
The All-Pinoy crew, composed of Riley “Witz” Go, John Timothy “JA” Arone, Noel “NDG” De Guia, Federico “PapiChulo” Evangelista, Jerome “Mojer” Literal and Carl Alexander “SenyorCarl” Carandang, topped Alpha by finishing the group stage with three wins and a single loss. By earning the top seed in their group, NAOS gained automatic seeding in the last four and is now waiting for the winner of the knockout match between SCARZ of Japan and Fancy United Esports from Vietnam.
“We definitely had some issues going to the tournament. But as it went on, we managed to bring back our kind of play and style back in the VCL Philippines. We’re trying to mix in new stuff into our play style with our
URCC 84 last April, also via submission.
In the grappling matches, Gregorio Abalos beat Gabriel del Rosario in the open weight category and Joaquin Dy whipped Neil Larano via submission in the first round of their welterweight clash.
Mark Gatmaitan scored a technical knockout win in the first round over Tristan De Mena in their light heavyweight MMA game, while Edemel Catalan survived Bryl Osaraga via rear naked choke in the first round of their strawweight match.
In bareknuckle tussles, Juanito Mabanan crushed Rolando Plaza via unanimous decision in their strawweight setto, and Aries Lasar clobbered Bonifacio Caangay in a bantamweight faceoff via unanimous decision.
In the MMA tiffs, Alex Bigander defeated Guiller Lopez via triangle arm submission choke in the first round of their pro-am middleweight bout, while Marwin Quirante beat Mcleary Onido via unanimous decision in their flyweight battle.
old confidence. It is a mix of us trying to be more confident on this level rather than us playing into the game of our opponents,” Jean Lowell “Ell” Marcelo, NAOS team analyst, said during the VCT Ascension Pacific PrePlayoffs presser last Wednesday.
In the other bracket, Bleed eSports of Malaysia and Singapore is the winner of Group Omega and is also through to the semis. It will battle either Indonesia’s Boom eSports or Bonkers, representing Oceania, for a ticket in the finals.
Ten teams, divided into two groups, battled in a single round robin format during the early rounds of the VCT Ascension Pacific. The winners of the group stages gained byes in the semis. The second and third place teams, on the other hand, advanced to the quarterfinals.
“I think it comes down mostly to our preparation and the players’ confidence levels during games. At first it was rough but the longer we played and learned the format, we felt better but it was really challenging being in Group Alpha. Being the top seed is really a great advantage and we are grateful for the Philippine region,” Marcelo added.
Organized by Riot Games, VCT Ascension Pacific offers a total cash prize of $100,000 but more importantly, the winner will qualify in the 2024 and 2025 Pacific League and get a chance to compete in global events such as the Masters and Champions Tournaments against the best Valorant teams all over the world.
Last weekend, The Designated Kit Man had the chance to go back to Tacloban once more. The last time I was in the city was in 2019 and before that, in 2013, a day after Typhoon Yolanda devastated Tacloban.
Typhoon Haiyan, the international name of Yolanda, also affected most of Leyte, Samar and other provinces in Eastern Visayas.
We were among the first group of journalists from Manila to reach Tacloban after a massive storm surge hit the city. The impact of the natural calamity was evident right away as we walked from the airport toward the city. There were so many casualties, so many houses destroyed and the city was literally in chaos with survivors scrounging for water and food. There was no electricity, signal and other basic services in Tacloban then.
Hope, too, was scarce.
Looking back then, it was very difficult to imagine how the city would recover from such a catastrophe. Ten years later, the city is once more brimming with activity with new establishments dotting the cityscape, the roads are very busy and the Leyte Tide Embankment Project, or popularly called the Great wall of Leyte, is now in place, providing protection and a breathtaking view of the sea that once was the source of grief and sadness to the home of people who regard themselves as the happiest in the world.
Among the many changes in Tacloban include the first-ever PFF Regional Training Center, including a world class football pitch, in Barangay Palanog. Nonong Araneta, President of the Philip-
need the tournaments for their career and livelihood, but this time we will make PGAP more active for the benefit of all members," said Bulawit during the Tabloids Organization in Philippine Sports, Inc. 'Usapang Sports' on Thursday at the VIP room inside the Rizal Memorial Sports Complex.
With him in the program sponsored by the Philippine Sports Commission, Behrouz Persian Cuisine, and Pocari Sweat were PGAP Executive Secretary Elisa Villalba, tournament director Luigi Rubiano, tournament coordinator Luis Paraiso, consultant Darren Evangelista and Pasay City First Gentleman Edgardo 'Egay ' Rubiano, president of the Eduardo 'Duay' Calixto Foundation, one of the beneficiaries of the said tournament.
Those expected to compete in the tour-
nament include active PGAP members and touring pros..
"We're happy that PGAP chose the Eduardo Calixto Foundation as one of the beneficiaries. It's also a great opportunity for us to be part of a program that aims to develop golf in the country, while being able to help our countrymen who are on the sidelines," said Rubiano, a well-known sports patron.
"We are grateful to have been given the opportunity to call on our good friends in politics and sports to support the tournament for the sake of our pro golfers as well as our poor countrymen," he said. Villalba said low-ranked pro players, as well as senior players, will be given the opportunity to develop their skills and be assured that there will be a prize to bring home for the family even if they do not make it to the final day.
SOME 440 swimmers—180 girls and 260 boys—from 66 swimming clubs have registered to compete in the national tryouts on July 7 to 9 at the Teofilo Ildefonso swimming pool inside the Rizal Memorial Sports Complex in Vito Cruz, Malate, Manila, for the Southeast Asia Age Group Championship.
Event organizer/coach Chito Rivera said the 5th-place time in last year’s SEA Age-Group tournament held in Kuala Lumpur, Malaysia will be used as the qualifying standard time in all events.
The 2023 edition of the SEA Age Group Championship will be held on August 24 to 26 in Jakarta, Indonesia.
"During our meeting, PSI (Philippine Swimming Inc.) Secretary General Rep. Eric Buhain suggested that instead of the bronze medal time, we use the 5th place time as the qualifying time standard so that we can give more chances to the swimmers, who we know, most of them at least, have not participated in these tryouts before," said Rivera.
"This is what our swimming leaders across the country are looking for, transparency and inclusivity. Siniguro ni PSI president Miko Vargas na mararanasan ito sa panahon ng kanilang liderato, ito na ang simula. So, we're inviting all swimming clubs regardless of affiliation to involve their swimmers to get a chance to be included in the Philippine Team," he said.
pine Football Federation, along with FIFA officials Lavin Vignesh, Lorenzo Fofi, Niko Nhouvannasak, Eastern Visayas Regional Football Association President and Philippine Azkals Team Manager Dan Palami and other officials from the different football associations in the country were present during the inauguration of the facility.
The training center was the realization of a project promised by FIFA during the aftermath of Typhoon Yolanda. It took some time due to several reasons including problems with the original area where the pitch was supposed to be put up.
Araneta says the project was the result of a pitch made by the PFF on a TV news report then featuring three young boys playing football amid the tragedy in the city.
When asked why they are still playing football despite what happened to their city, the boys answered that they have to practice for an upcoming tournament. Araneta shared that because of football, the three kids remained hopeful and optimistic that things will eventually get better.
“Nilagyan namin ng subtitle ‘yung report, tapos pinakita namin kay Sepp Blatter, the FIFA president then during a congress in Malaysia. Lahat sila natuwa dahil sa report. Kaya nag-pledge sila ng $1 million para mapagawa ang training center dito sa Tacloban,” Araneta shared.
The project took at least 10 years to be completed owing to many reasons including the unavailability of the original site.
“This is the testament of overcoming ad-
versity after what happened here. It is really nice to see kids playing again here. It is also significant for the PFF because this is the first standard pitch here in Eastern Visayas where the neighboring provinces can also use. This will definitely boost the grassroots programs of the federation in the region,” Araneta said.
Aside from the regional training facility from FIFA, the Asian Football Confederation also sent help to Tacloban by building an AFC village for those who lost their homes.
“During tragedies and during adversities, we gather together as one football team. It shows that football cares,” Araneta added.
For his part, Palami said he hopes that all games that will be played in the new facility will be dedicated to all those who died during the calamity. He is also hoping that the new football pitch will be the site of football tournaments, both local and international, in the future.
“We are very happy that almost 10 years after Typhoon Yolanda, we have this football pitch which is a testament not just of resiliency but how the Waraynons triumphed from adversity,” Palami said.
Palami also assured that the football pitch is open for everyone especially from teams from Leyte and Samar. By the way, Palami donated the three-hectare lot where the new football pitch was built. Stay safe. Stay happy peeps!
For comments or questions, you can reach The Designated Kit Man at erel_cabatbat@ yahoo.com or follow his account at Twitter: @erelcabatbat
Hong Kong-born American pop singer Coco Lee, beloved in Asia for her diva riffs and as the voice of Disney's Mulan in Mandarin, died Wednesday, according to an announcement from her family.
The 48-year-old, who’s celebrating her 30th year in the music business, had suffered from depression in recent years, “but her condition deteriorated drastically over the last few months,” sisters Carol Lee and Nancy Lee said in an Instagram post. She was hospitalized Sunday after attempting to take her own life, they said.
Riding on a wave of K-Pop, K-cinema, and K-TV drama popularity across the globe, a Korean male model topped the recent Man of the World 2023 pageant held at the Samsung Performing Arts Theater, Ayala Circuit, Makati City.
Jin Wook Kim, 28, also a managing director from Seoul, Korea, won the judges’ nod with his big smile and warm personality to walk home with the 5th Man of the World title. He was crowned by outgoing Man of the World 2022 Aditya Khurana
The boyish-looking Kim also won the Mister Congeniality, Best in Beachwear, and Best in Formal Wear special awards.
Hong Kong’s Henry Wong was named first runner-up while the Philippines’ James Reggie Vidal, Puerto Rico’s Robert Alexander Espaillat, and Vietnam’s Kim Khánh Lâm finished as 2nd, 3rd, and 4th runners-up, respectively.
Asked to expound on the Bible quote “Love of money is the root of all evil,” Kim said, “I think that money is essential for our life, but the important thing is that we have to think about what is more important. So, choose not to chase money, but think about our happiness, and family, and we can have a more happy life, more than money.”
On the distaff side, Khryss Go’s radiant beauty and distinct aura outshone all her other competitors during the finals of Miss Aura Philippines 2023, held at Eastwood Richmonde Hotel, in Eastwood, Quezon City. Go, a native of Bulacan, also took the Miss Photogenic special award. She succeeded Micca Rosal and will be the country’s bet in Miss Aura International 2023 in Antalya, Turkey.
Currently a Nursing student at Far Eastern University, the reigning Binib-
ining Malolos 2022 was discovered by a talent agent inside a dress shop in her hometown.
In the final interview portion, Go was asked, "What is your idea of a good life?" to which she replied, "My idea of a good life is being content with what you have and I want to use this as a platform as your next Miss Aura Philippines. I truly believe I have the four Bs - Beauty, Behavior, Brain, and Body, instilled with interactive compassion. I encourage everyone to be content in their life and to never stop giving."
Apart from Go’s top title, three other titles were presented, namely, Miss Ragaza Mode Philippines 2023 Maiko Ibarde, Miss Freedom of the World Philippines 2023 Samantha Gabronino, and Miss Star International Philippines 2023 Alexandra Cabial. Mariel Baltazar and Patricia Tan were named first and second runners-up, respectively.
* * * First Mrs. Face of Tourism Philippines named
Unlike in the unveiling of the new tourism slogan “Love the Philippines,” it was smooth sailing at the crowning of the first Mrs. Face of Tourism Philippines 2023, during finals held at the SMX Park Inn by Radisson Clark, in Pampanga, on Saturday.
Lovely Susan Villanueva, a real estate broker from Baguio City, topped the inaugural pageant and earned the right to represent the country in Mrs. Face of Tourism International 2023 to be held in Thailand in November 2023.
As Mrs. Face of Tourism Philip-
"Despite the best efforts of the hospital team to rescue and treat her from her coma, she finally passed away on 5 July, 2023."
Born January 17, 1975, in Britishruled Hong Kong, Lee – who also grew up in California – gained prominence in the 90s for her strong voice, crescendoing vocal riffs, and soulful ballads. Her fluency in Cantonese, Mandarin, and English helped Lee access a fan base not only in Hong Kong, mainland China, and Taiwan, but also in Southeast Asian countries like Singapore and
Jin Wook Kim earns the 5th Man of the World title
of the 1998 ballad "Reflection" from the Disney film Mulan, and recorded "A Love Before Time" as part of the soundtrack for the martial arts film Crouching Tiger, Hidden Dragon directed by Ang Lee She performed the Best Original Song-nominated number at the 2001 Academy Awards, making her the first singer of Chinese descent to grace the Oscars stage, according to Warner Music China. In 1999, Lee debuted her first full English-language album, Just No Oth, which featured more R&Binfluenced hits like "Do You Want My
Love". From that album, "Before I Fall in Love" was chosen as the theme song for the Richard Gere and Julia Roberts rom-com Runaway Bride In her final Instagram post, Lee shared tattoos reading "love" and "faith" scrawled on her arms.
"My 2 favorite words that I carry strongly in my heart which I desperately needed to get thru this incredibly difficult year," she wrote in the post, published on the final day of 2022.
"You are not alone, no matter how hard life gets, I'm with u," she wrote to her followers. AFP Malaysia, as well as in Australia. She sang the Mandarin version er Way
Puregold’s official YouTube chan-
nel, a first in Philippine retail, marks an exciting milestone as it racks up 200,000 subscribers, accomplishing the feat by expanding its market reach and providing more engaging content.
In 2021, Puregold introduced its retailtainment digital series. featuring heartwarming, feel-good stories that capture the Filipino imagination. The Puregold Channel not only entertains – it creates brand synergy, too. Relatable stories that revolve around Filipino households and Puregold customers are depicted in the series, keeping a positive sentiment toward the retailer’s
loyal customers. The latest of these, Ang Lalaki sa Likod ng Profile, is now eleven episodes into a successful run, but right from the start, lead characters Bryce (Wilbert Ross) and Angge (Yukii Takahashi) have exuded undeniable chemistry that helps the show deliver on classic Pinoy kilig and comedy. Dealing with a modern, catchy theme like online dating, Ang Lalaki has thousands of Puregold Channel followers tuning in to see if the charming pair will find their happily ever after. New episodes of Ang Lalaki sa Likod ng Profile go up every Saturday, at 7:00 p.m., on the Puregold Channel on YouTube.
pines, Villanueva, who also won Darling of the Press and Best in Advocacy Video, will serve, not only as the Face of Elegance but a catalyst for positive change as well, empowering others to embrace the transformative power of tourism. She will work with the Mrs. Face of Tourism Philippines, headed by founding chairman Annie S. Refrea, laid out the organization's commitment to promoting tourism that is sustainable, responsible, and respectful of local culture and heritage, and has partnered with the National Association of Independent Travel Agencies Philippines, Inc. (NAITAS). Villanueva’s court of honor includes Mrs. Face of Culture & Heritage: Jannith Lauce Romantico of Quezon; Mrs. Face of Eco Tourism Rowena Almocera of Bulacan; Mrs. Face of NAITAS Pamela Mariano Forte of Parañaque City; and Mrs. Face of Health and Wellness Ghette Legg of Pampanga.
June. It also topped the May Mega Manila ratings with 41.0 percent total audience share. Its nearest competitor, 90.7 Love Radio, only managed an audience share of 15.5 and 17.7 percent in June and May, respectively.
Listeners continued to tune in to high-rating programs Barangay Love Stories, Talk to Papa, Forever Request, and Song Book.
On top of winning the airwaves, GMA Network’s radio stations took home several awards from the UP BroadSoc Gandingan Awards last May.
Super Radyo DZBB 594 and Barangay
LS 97.1 Forever! – GMA Network’s flagship AM and FM radio stations –are still the kings of the airwaves for the months of May and June, data from Nielsen Radio Audience Measurement show.
GMA’s award-winning AM flagship radio station Super Radyo DZBB 594 remained the top choice of Mega Manila listeners, posting 31.1 percent total audience share in June. This was even higher than its May performance at 26.7 percent.
DZBB continues to take the lead
against its closest competitor, DZRH, which only managed to tally 28.5 percent and 26.4 percent total audience share in June and May, respectively.
The morning block dominated the station’s highest-rating daypart with programs Super Balita sa Umaga Nationwide, Melo Del Prado sa Super Radyo, Pinoy MD, Buena Manong Balita, Bahay at Buhay, and Executive Summary boosting the numbers of listeners.
On FM, Barangay LS 97.1 further left the other radio stations behind as it took the lion share of 41.9 percent total audience share in Mega Manila last
DZBB’s veteran broadcaster Melo del Prado was conferred the Best AM Radio Program Host while reporter Isa Avendaño-Umali was named Best Field Reporter. Saksi sa Dobol B and Kurtesiya Na, Disiplina Pa won Most Development-Oriented AM Program and Most Development-Oriented Radio Plug, respectively. Barangay LS 97.1 Forever! was recognized as the Most Development-Oriented FM Station while “Barangay Love Stories” was recognized as the Most DevelopmentOriented Radio Drama.
DZBB also received the second-highest trust score among news brands in the Philippines according to the 2023 Digital News Report (DNR).
Sharon Cuneta recently gave light on the issue that Kapamilya star Barbie Im perial allegedly snubbed her. According to the Megastar, there’s no truth to it. She dropped a mes sage in Barbie’s Instagram feed which read:
Im-
“Hi, Barbie! A friend of mine just told me that you have been getting some flak for supposedly snubbing me? I am so sorry you have to go through this. I haven’t seen you in person as far as I can remember,” the Megastar said.
“You have done nothing wrong. I hope to meet you some day! Please be strong and remem ber I have no idea where this is sue came from either. God bless you and I hope you don’t mind my posting this on your comments. Take care!” she went on. The veteran singer-actress also messaged Barbie directly that she is giving the latter permission if ever she wants to post Mega’s message on her social media account so that her followers will get enlightened. Barbie re-posted Sharon’s message
in her Instagram Story and admitted that she got tickled pink that the Megastar reached out to her and thanked her for clearing her name in the controversy.
Sharon posted her message to Barbie in her IG story and said, “I hope it clears us that issue!”
Interestingly, both Barbie and Shawie are talents of Viva Artists Agency so it’s not a remote possibility that their paths will cross eventually. * * *
In a recent interview, Richard Gutierrez said that he is aware that these days, switching networks is rampant among stars and that he is open to working with all stations that would want to tap his services.
“The more channels that would welcome me if ever, the better. It means I will be visible to a variety of viewers,” he stated.
The actor believes it would benefit stars like him to have their work seen by a wider audience. He expressed openness to appearing on any channel interested in him.
When asked if he would consider working with GMA again, he replied positively, stating he is open to any offer. Collaboration is currently popular in television, as seen in shows like Unbreak My Heart and It's Showtime. Richard emphasized the importance of supporting each other and growing the entertainment industry.
By Nickie Wang
RENOWNED health and lifestyle
brand Watsons believes that there are numerous ways to achieve happiness in life. However, they emphasize that one of the key factors in attaining true happiness is through maintaining good health and adopting a healthy lifestyle.
To promote this philosophy, the
brand launched its Watsons 2023 Bring Out A Happier You campaign with a grand event at the Mall of Asia Main Atrium in Pasay City. The campaign revolves around the idea that taking care of one’s health and wellbeing leads to a happier and more fulfilling life. Watsons, being a leading health, wellness, and beauty retailer, provides a wide range of products and supplements that cater to various aspects of personal health. Their diverse selection ensures that customers can find the right products to support their journey to wellness.
The event hosted by DJ and musician Candy Gamos featured different activity areas such as “Happy to
Show Confidence,” where guests got to take a mirror selfie and post it on their social media using the hashtag #WatsonsHappierYou; Happy Match Game, where they got to match five Happy Faces of participating brands, and Happy to Share Thoughts and Inspire, where customers posted messages using sticky notes on how to be a happier, healthier and more beautiful “You.”
There were also brand segments during the launch. Model and influencer Sabrina San Diego talked about standing out with beauty and confidence for Myra E
while Sleepasil dealt with the importance of sleeping soundly. There were also segments from Dazzle Me, BNB, and Y.O.U.
Other participating brands in the Watsons 2023 Bring Out A Happier You activation are Propan, Bayer, Pro Source, Cherifer, Potencee, Sleepasil, Enervon, Conzace, Watsons brands, Revlon, P&G, Garnier, Maybelline, Barenbliss/ Dazzle Me, and Pretty Secret.
The Watsons 2023 Bring Out A Happier You activation will be at the Mall of Asia Main Atrium from July 3-8, 2023. The campaign highlights Watsons’ objective to increase awareness of the
importance of good health in the wellbeing of Filipinos. Want to know more? Head to the Watsons app and start your journey to health and wellness.
Enjoy P100 off when you download the Watsons app through this link http:// bit.ly/WatsonsMobileApp Terms and conditions apply.
Visit any of 1000+ Watsons stores nationwide or pick up your orders at your nearest Watsons store in 30 minutes or less via Click & Collect or have them delivered to you in three hours through Express Delivery.
By Angelica VillanuevaSIX months down, six more to go. With a lot of things I had to deal with in the first half of 2023, I cannot wait to make the other half of the year count. The mid-year life reset serves as a powerful reminder that we possess the innate capacity to shape our destiny resolutions don’t always have to happen on January 1.
Did you quit your no-rice diet? Or skip the gym for more than a month? The concept of a reset invites us to reassess our ambitions, rekindle our passions, and embrace change halfway through the year (or, in fact, anytime you wish to!). It is an opportunity to dust off old dreams and set new goals. If you’re like me, let’s go old-school and do our midyear goal-setting with a pen and paper. You can go digital if you’re tech-savvy. Just be game and explore the transformative power of self-reflection and these three steps to life reinvention.
The first step in your mid-year life reset is to take some time to reflect on the past six months and evaluate different aspects of your life. I love inspecting different categories like health, finances, career, relationships, and spirituality. Ask yourself some important questions:
· What are your significant accomplishments and successes so far this 2023? Celebrate your achievements (even the most minor wins) and acknowledge your progress.
· What areas of your life are not going as planned or causing dissatisfaction? Identify any challenges, obstacles, or areas where you feel stuck.
· Are you living in alignment with your values and goals? Assess whether your current actions and choices align with your long-term aspirations.
After reflecting on the past six months, it’s time to set new goals and priorities for the year’s remaining months. Consider the following:
· Define your vision: Visualize where you want to be by the end of the year.
What would you like to achieve? How do you want to feel? Create a clear and inspiring vision for yourself. For this part, I enjoy playing inspiring music while visualizing my goals and engaging all my senses while imagining bestcase scenarios.
· Set specific goals: Break down your vision into smaller, actionable goals. Write them down and prioritize them based on their importance and impact.
· Identify action steps: Determine the specific actions and steps required to achieve each goal. Create a timeline or schedule to help you stay organized and accountable. Consider what resources, skills, or support you might need.
With your goals and action plan in place, it’s time to take action and start implementing changes in your life.
Here’s what you can do:
· Start small: Break down your goals into manageable tasks and take small steps toward them. Focus on building momentum and consistency rather than aiming for perfection right away.
· Track your progress: Regularly monitor your progress toward your goals. Keep a journal, use a habit tracker, or create a visual representation of your progress to stay motivated and see how far you›ve come.
· Stay flexible and adapt: Life is unpredictable, and circumstances may change. Be open to adjusting your goals or action plan if necessary. Stay flexible and open yourself up for surprises. Believe that miracles happen.
As we set sail into the second half of the year, let us embrace change, strive for greatness, and embark on a journey of self-discovery. There lies the power to redefine our lives, set new intentions, and make our dreams a reality.
THE online world is buzzing about the newest social media app in town— Threads—and we won’t let this chance slip without getting into the craze.
Meta’s counterpart for Twitter, Threads, as they call it, finally went live on Thursday morning in over 100 countries.
“Alright, friends, the apps have been published—though they will take some time to propagate—so we’ll start seeing the doors open right about now. These last few days with all of you have been really something special,” said Instagram Head Adam Mosseri on his own Thread account.
Getting its moniker as a Twitter clone, Threads is designed to lure people turned off by the social network’s changes under its new owner Elon Musk
As we familiarize ourselves with the birth of this new social media app—its terms like threading and rethreading, or how it really works— we’re here to give you a rundown of all the basic things you need to know about Threads.
It literally says ‘Say More.’ The first thing you need to learn about Threads is that it allows its users to ‘say more’ without the need for verification (oops). Each text is limited to 500 characters, so you can share all those thoughts in one post. It allows you to post more than 10 items. Yes, you read that right!
Threads will let you post up to 10
photos or even videos in one thread (if that’s right). Unlike our usual four items, the newly-launched app genuinely gives you a fair number of media you want to share with your followers. So, get those threads of selfies or dump photos ready.
It aims to become an open and friendly platform. In the same post by Mosseri, he expressed his optimism in making Threads “an open and friendly platform for conversations.” With that, he encouraged users to not forget to use Hidden Words, Restrict, and the mention and reply controls.
It lets you like, thread, rethread, and mention. One common thing about all social media apps is that they let users interact with their followers and followings. Just like the bird app, you can reply to any thread, like them, and even reshare them to your feed. You can also mention whoever you want to mention. Just a reminder: Be kind with your words.
It has no direct messaging. There are features that might be similar to Twitter; however, here’s a heads up: as of its launch, interactions with your followers and followings are limited to liking, replying, and rethreading, as the feature for direct messaging is not yet available. Who knows, we’ll get there soon?
There might be a new app in town and a lot of things to learn about it, but one thing’s for sure: we can adjust to it just like we did before with other social media platforms.
Now, customers are spoiled for choice with many different decadent varieties of chocolate to choose from.
At the country’s premier lifestyle and entertainment destination, Newport World Resorts, these sweet confectioneries take the spotlight on World Chocolate Day celebrated every 7th of July.
Indulge in an array of decadent chocolates at the Garden Wing Cafe in Newport Garden Wing. Their selection of pralines
and truffles is made from locally-sourced chocolates, supporting the property’s sustainability initiative. With flavors like Dark Rocher, White Rocher, Green Tea, and Coffee, as well as Coconut, Pistachio Log Marzipan, and Tabasco for the adventurous, there’s something for everyone. Hotel Okura Manila is highly recommended for their elegant pralines. Made from 68 percent dark chocolate couverture, the dark pralines offer a bold and wellrounded taste. The milk chocolate pralines provide a rich and smooth flavor from their high cocoa butter and milk content. The
white chocolate pieces strike a harmonious balance of milk and natural vanilla, offering pleasant sweetness with floral undertones.
For World Chocolate Day, Marriott Hotel Manila is the place to be. Their Marriott Cafe features a variety of cakes that will make any celebration extra special. From the Caramel Chocolate Mini Cake with caramel sponge, cream, and nut glaze to the popular King James Cake with super moist chocolate cake, crème de cacao, kahlua, and chocolate ganache, and the plant-based Chocolate Truffle Cake with vegan chocolate mousse, ganache, moist cake, and chocolate crunch, there’s a cake for every taste.
On July 7, The Lounge at Sheraton Manila Hotel celebrates World Chocolate Day with a cup of traditional Tsokolate de Batirol. Relive childhood memories with this rich and
creamy drink made with local chocolates. Newport Mall offers an abundance of chocolate options. Cafe Mary Grace’s Chocolate Rum Tiramisu, featuring espresso-soaked sponge cake, mascarpone, and dark chocolate ganache flavored with Don Papa Rum, remains a popular choice. Barcino’s Tarta de Chocolate is another best-seller, and Italianni’s Tartufo with dark and white chocolate mousse and fudgy frosting provides a decadent ending to any meal. Lastly, don’t miss the newly opened ROB’s Mississippi Mud Pie, a silky chocolate-filled delight topped with ice cream and chocolate shavings. Escape the ordinary at Newport World Resorts, you know you want to. For more information on World Chocolate Day offers, visit www.newportworldresorts.com
TIMES have changed since Forrest Gump said “life is like a box of chocolates, you never know what you get.”
