Manila Standard - 2023 July 13 - Thursday

PRESIDENT Ferdinand Marcos Jr. is set to sign the Maharlika Investment Fund and the Estate Tax Amnesty Extension bills into law on Tuesday next week (July 18), days before he delivers his second State of the Nation Address.

Senate President Juan Miguel Zubiri

said this was disclosed by the Presidential Legislative Liaison Office.

The Palace has yet to issue a statement to confirm the schedule.

Mr. Marcos, who had certified the MIF bill as urgent, previously said he would sign the proposed measure as soon as he got it.

Nations rally for PH on WPS

US tells China to cease harassment in SCS, envoys back arbitral ruling

By Vince Lopez and Rey E. Requejo

THE United States urged China on Wednesday to comport its maritime claims over the South China Sea and cease “harassment” of state vessels laying claim to the disputed area, which includes islands in the West Philippine Sea.

Matthew Miller, spokesperson for the US State Department, said the US government reaffirms its July 13, 2020 policy regarding maritime claims in the South China Sea.

“We continue to urge Beijing to comport its maritime claims with international law as reflected in the 1982 Law of the Sea Convention; cease its routine harassment of claimant state vessels lawfully operating in their respective exclusive economic zones; halt its disruption to states’ sovereign rights to explore, exploit, conserve, and manage natural resources; and end its interference with the freedoms of navigation and overflight of states lawfully operating in the region,” the US official said.

“We will continue working with allies and partners to advance a free and open Indo-Pacific, one that is at peace and grounded in respect for international law,” Miller said.

Meanwhile, ambassadors from Australia, Japan, the European Union, France, the United Kingdom, and India on Wednesday recognized the importance of the legal victory the Philippines won seven years ago in its territorial dispute with China.

Most Pinoys think alliances to defend territory a must

By Rey E. Requejo, Macon Ramos-Araneta and Maricel V. Cruz

EIGHT out of 10 Filipinos agree that the Philippines should form alliances and

High Court hits PAO chief over socmed posts

By Rey E. Requejo

THE Supreme Court has ordered Public Attorney's Office head Persida Acosta to explain why she should not be disciplined as a lawyer and held in contempt for her “unabated” social media posts and newspaper publications that “tended, directly or indirectly, to impede, obstruct, or degrade the administration of justice.”

The SC issued the show cause order as it denied PAO’s appeal to deleteSection 22 of Canon III of the Code of Professional Responsibility andAccountability (CPRA) which limits the invocation by PAO lawyers of the rule on conflict of interest.

The PAO earlier challenged before

strengthen its relationships with likeminded countries to defend its territorial and economic rights in the West Philippine Sea, the latest commissioned Pulse Asia survey showed. Results of the survey, commissioned by international think tank Stratbase ADR

By Rio N. Araja, Macon Ramos-Araneta and Maricel V. Cruz

FACED with the effects of the El Niño phenomenon, the Department of Environment and Natural Resources (DENR) plans to diversify the country’s water sources.

Undersecretary Carlos David, Water Resources Management Office head, urged the public to conserve water, noting that the Angat Dam in Bulacan is already below its minimum operating level at 178.8 meters or slightly below the 180 meters minimum.

He added DENR is also adopting short-term water supply augmentation programs, such as using water from Laguna Lake and reprocessing wastewater.

Rep. Elizaldy Co of Ako Bicol on Wednesday hailed the Congress, under the leadership of Speaker Ferdinand G. Martin Romualdez, for taking proactive measures to address the water sup ply

By

THE House of Representatives remains firmly committed to the effort of helping micro, small and medium enterprises (MSMEs) grow to create joband income opportunities for the people,

Institute, were released at its forum, “The 7th Year of the Arbitral Victory: Defending the West Philippine Sea, the Indo-Pacific, and the Rules-Based Order.”

Pulse Asia conducted the survey from June 19-23, 2023, and asked 1,200 Filipinos nationwide whether or not they agree

Zubiri: PBBM to sign Maharlika fund bill into law next Tuesday DENR to adopt short-term water supply fixes

with the statement: “Alliances should be formed and relationships strengthened with other countries that have similar beliefs to the Philippines to defend the territorial and economic rights of the Philippines in the West Philippine Sea and protect international order.”

Speaker Ferdinand Martin G. Romualdez

Transport strike planned for SONA

TRANSPORT groups are planning a three-day transport strike to coincide with the second State of the Nation Address (SONA) of President Ferdinand Marcos Jr.

Malayang Alyansa ng Bus Employees at Laborers (MANIBELA) national president Mar Valbuena told radio DZBB that the strike will be held on July 24 to July 26.

Mr. Marcos will deliver his second SONA on July 24, a Monday.

Participants of the transport strike, the report said, will come from Metro

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At a forum to mark the anniversary of the ruling, the envoys rejected acts of intimidation and coercion and spoke of efforts to build stronger maritime defense cooperation with the Philippines and other like-minded states in the Indo-Pacific region.

These include defense exercises, increased regional presence, regularship and frigate visits, training, and the provision of equipment and patrol vessels for Manila.

They stressed the ruling by the UN Permanent Court of Arbitration was final and legally binding.

They also paid tribute to the late former Foreign Secretary Albert Del Rosario, who spearheaded the successful arbitration case that resulted in the 2016 legal victory for the Philippines.

Australian Ambassador Hae Kyong Yu cited Australia's continued work with the Philippines to ensure that the 2016 arbitral ruling is “properly implemented” and “properly followed.”

“Today is a really important day, not just for the Philippines, but for the whole world. Australia is a long-standing [and] strong partner to the Philippines. We want to work with the Philippines to ensure that the 2016 arbitral award is properly implemented and properly followed,” the Australian envoy said.

Asked to comment on this continued aggression, Yu said this should notstop the Philippines from cooperating with others and “working for what it believes in.”

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Eighty percent said that they agree, while 17 percent said they are undecided.

Moreover, when asked to identify measures the Marcos administration should prioritize to effectively address issues in the West Philippine Sea, seven out of 10 Filipinos, or 72 percent said the government should strengthen the military capability of the Philippines, especially the Navy, Coast Guard, and the Air Force.

Sixty-four percent said the government should conduct joint maritime patrols and military exercises with allied countries, and 61 percent said the government should shift the focus of Philippine

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challenges faced by many Filipinos, particularly exacerbated by the El Niño phenomenon.

Co said that "Romualdez's visionary leadership" has provided solar water systems to the upland areas, enabling access to essential services that were previously lacking. This groundbreaking move demonstrates Congress's commitment to leaving a lasting impact on the lives of the Filipino people.

“Even prior to the onset of the El Niño phenomenon, the Congress has allocated a significant budget of P10 billion in the 2023 GAA for the construction of solarpowered water supply systems across the country.” Co, chairman of the House Committee on Appropriations, said. He noted that Romualdez is committed to providing a solar-powered water supply system to 60 percent or 40 million Filipinos in the upland barangays to have access to potable water.

The Angat Dam supplies 98 percent of potable water in Metro Manila and its nearby provinces.

“One strategy is to diversify our sources of water, and not to rely too much on

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The Estate Tax Amnesty Extension, another Palace-certified urgent measure, will extend the period of availment under the program by two years, or up to June 14, 2025.

Budget Secretary Amenah Pangandaman earlier said the President willsign the Maharlika bill before his SONA on July 24.

Finance Secretary Benjamin Diokno said the implementing rules and regulations of the Maharlika Investment Fund are in its final stages. The final version of the Maharlika bill

Manila, Calabarzon, and Central Luzon.

MANIBELA, which has around 3,000 members, said groups from other provinces have expressed interest in joining the transport holiday.

Meanwhile, the Philippine National Police announced a 24-hour gun ban in three regions in the country to secure the President's second SONA at the Ba-

“What that means is that we cannot give up, we have to remain united and work together to create the region that we want to live in. Yes, it has been seven years and unfortunately, we are still [seeing] the behaviors we do not want to see, but that is not a reason to stop cooperating and stop working for what we believe in,” she said.

European Union Ambassador to the Philippines H.E Luc Veron said the EUis one with the Philippines and various international partners in stressing the importance of upholding maritime law.

"We are one with the Philippines and other international partners instressing the importance of upholding international law, includingUNCLOS, and a peaceful settlement of disputes as the basis for peace and stability in this part of the world and elsewhere. Respect for rules based on international order is at the core of the EU approach towards cooperation in the Indo-Pacific," he said.

"The EU also stands ready to facilitate activities which help build confidence and prevent and diffuse tensions," he added.

France' envoy acknowledged the victory of the Philippines in its arbitral battle last 2016 with China.

"There is simply no alternative to the strict adherence to the rule of law. In that regard, through the 2016 Award, the Philippines upheldthe highest standards,"

Ambassador Michèle Boccoz said during her speech at the Forum in Manila Polo Club Japan has also expressed its interest in implementing the freedom of navigation in the highly contested waters of the WPS.

"Japan is a major stakeholder with an

defense institutions, and allocate more resources to strengthen the ability to defend the country from external threats.

In his speech during the forum, Stratbase president Dindo Manhit emphasized the importance of building and strengthening the Philippines’ alliances with likeminded countries in defending the West Philippine Sea.

“We are here today marking the anniversary of our victory at the Permanent Court of Arbitration, but the real test is for us to continue in the struggle to actualize this victory… We are happy to have our friends here with us today from Australia, the United States, Japan, European Union, France, the United Kingdom, and India. We are thankful for everything we have done together, and we look forward to future areas of

Angat. There are a couple of efforts over the last few months to increase our sources of water besides Angat,” he said. These include the construction of the Kaliwa Dam, he said.

He also underscored the importance of water conservation.

“Every drop that we are able to save through individual efforts, through institutional strategies actually goes a long way because while the amount of water in Angat is still sufficient for Metro Manila and all concessionaires., we foresee the El Niño season to be moderate or strong,” he said.

The drought conditions due to El Niño may extend until the first quarter of 2024, and its impact is likely to be more extreme than what is expected, he added.

Senator Grace Poe has renewed her assertion for the creation of the Department of Water Resources to lead the comprehensive developmentand management of water resources to address the water crisis as she vowed to conduct a Senate hearing on the matter.

"Of course, we have been pushing for a long time to create the Department of Water Resources... we understand that this administration wants to streamline," said Poe, who chairs the Senate public services committee. (See full story online at manilastandard.net)

addresses the issues concerning MIF’s capitalization and management, explicitly prohibiting government agencies and government-owned and controlled corporationsthat provide for social security and public health insurance (of government employees, private sector workers and employees, and other sectors and subsectors) to contribute to and invest in the Fund. These include, but are not limited to, the Social Security System, Government Service Insurance System, Philippine Health Insurance Corp., Home Development Mutual Fund, Overseas Workers Welfare Administration, and Philippine Veterans Affairs Office. Macon Ramos-Araneta

tasang Pambansa in Quezon City.

In an advisory, Police BGen. Leo Francisco, chief of the PNP Directorate for Operations, said the suspension of the Permit to Carry Firearms Outside Residence (PTCFOR) will be in effect from 12:01 a.m. until 11:59 p.m. on the day of the SONA.

The gun ban will cover the entire Metro Manila, Central Luzon, and Region IV-A or Calabarzon (Cavite, Laguna, Batangas, Rizal, and Quezon).

“Only soldiers and policemen wearing uniform, especially those who

outstanding interest in the freedom of navigation and overflight in the South China Sea," Ambassador Koshikawa Kazuhiko said in his speech.

"Japan has reiterated that the tribunal award is the final and legallybinding on the parties to dispute under the provision of the United Nations Convention on the Law of the Sea. We also reiterated our support to the Philippines’ commitment to the peaceful settlement of disputes in the South China Sea," he added.

But seven years after the historic ruling, Chinese fishing vessels,Coast Guard and navy ships as well as numerous militia vessels continue to swarm in Philippine waters. India’s Ambassador Shambhu Kumaran said the arbitral award is a reflection of the broader approach that both India and ASEAN have taken.

Foreign Affairs Secretary Enrique Manalo welcomed the "growing number"of countries backing the Philippines' position on the West Philippine Sea as Manila commemorated on Wednesday the 7th anniversary of the 2016 Arbitral Award on the South China Sea.

Manalo stressed that the award already "settled the status of historicrights and maritime entitlements in the South China Sea."

Manalo's observation came as several nations—including the United States, United Kingdom, India, Japan, Australia, New Zealand, Belgium, Czech Republic, Denmark, Germany, Ireland, Greece, Spain, France, Italy, the Netherlands, Poland, Austria, Romania, Slovakia, Finland, and Sweden—have openly supported the Philippines' territorial integrity

collaboration as we deal with traditional, non-traditional, and evolving threats on various fronts,” Manhit said.

“The decision of the arbitral court assures us that we are on the right side of history and provides a solid foundation for our acts.

The challenge for us moving forward is how we can build on this foundation. We must commit that we will never allow this victory to be diminished and trampled on. We at Stratbase ADR Institute support all forms of cooperation with countries who share our ideals, values, and reverence for a rules-based order,” he said.

Among those who participated in the forum were Australian Ambassador Hae Kyong Yu PSM, US Ambassador MaryKay Carlson, Japanese Ambassador Koshikawa Kazuhiko, Delegation of

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From A1 the high court the CPRA’s Section 22 of Canon III which states that a conflict of interest of any of the PAO lawyers shall be imputed only to the said lawyer and the lawyer’s direct supervisor and shall not disqualify the rest of the PAO lawyers from representing the affected client.

In a resolution, the SC reminded the PAO “of its primordial mandate to ‘[extend] free legal assistance to indigent persons in criminal, civil, labor, administrative and other quasi-judicial cases.’”

“To turn away indigent litigants and bar them from availing of the services of all PAO lawyers nationwide due to alleged conflict of interest would be to contravene PAO’s principal duty and leavehundreds of poor litigants unassisted by legal counsel they cannot otherwise afford,” the SC resolution stated.

In her public statements, newspaper publications, and social media posts as well as and in letters sent to Chief Justice Alexander Gesmundo and the 14 other SC

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and Ingredients Show), spearheaded by the Department of Trade and Industry (DTI), at the SM Megamall in Mandaluyong City.

“Dear friends, our mission in the House of Representatives is clear:to equip every Filipino entrepreneur with the necessary tools and conducive environment for success,” Romualdez said.

“As the Speaker of the House, I pledge my commitment to this mission,confident that our collective efforts, our entrepreneurs' resilience, and the Filipino people's support will ensure its realization,” he said.

“Let’s celebrate the invaluable contributions of our MSMEs and envisage a future where they stand at the helm of our nation’s prosperity,” he said.

The Speaker said the House recognizes the crucial contribution of small busi-

would be deployed near the Batasang Pambansa are exempted from the gun ban,” BGen. Francisco said.

PNP earlier said it will deploy more than 22,000 policemen and augmentation forces to secure during the SONA, around 5,000 of which would be deployed near the Batasang Pambansa.

While it has yet to receive any report of security threats, the police said it continuously assesses all information it has been receiving about the event.

Vince Lopez

over the water that is being unilaterally and illegally claimed by China.

"The award has since facilitated the plotting of new paths and trajectories, reflecting the rich maritime heritage of our country and our people, firm in the conviction that our rights over our maritime jurisdictions are indisputable," Manalo said.

Manalo said the Philippines is honored that the award is now standing "as a beacon whose guiding light serves all nations." He also tookpride in the "path of principle" that the country took when it decided to file a case for arbitration against China to peacefully settle the dispute.

"It is a settled landmark and a definitive contribution to theprogressive development of international law. It is ours as much as it is the world's," he said.

In a separate statement, Japan renewed its objection to illegal maritime claims in the South China Sea.

Japanese Foreign Minister Hayashi

Yoshimasa said China's refusal to accept the 2016 Arbitral Award "is against the principle of peaceful settlement of disputes in accordance with international law" and the UNCLOS as well as "undermines the rule of law as a fundamental value of the international community."

"Japan reiterates its strong opposition to unilateral attempts to change the status quo by force or coercion," Yoshimasa said.

British Ambassador Laure Beaufils vowed that the UK would play its part in ensuring a free Indo-Pacific by "standing up for what we believe in," particularly for the international law-based maritime order." (See full story online at manilastandard.net)

the European Union Ambassador to the Philippines Luc Veron, French Ambassador Michele Boccoz, British Ambassador Laure Beaufils, and Indian Ambassador Shambhu Kumaran.

In a Pulse Asia survey, 89 percent of Filipinos said they trust the United States, 79 percent trust Australia, 78 percent trust Japan, and 64 percent trust the United Kingdom.

“Defending our territory, asserting our sovereignty, and committing to uphold a rules-based international order in this dynamic, multipolar world is the right thing to do. It is the only thing to do. Together, let us defend the peace and stability of the West Philippine Sea, the Indo-Pacific, and the rules-based international order,” Manhit said. (See full story online at manilastandard.net)

justices, Acosta, acting on behalf of PAO, claimed the CPRA provision allows PAO lawyers to be pitted against each other before the courts by representing opposing parties in cases.

Acosta said the provision “puts at risk the life and limb of the handling public attorneys because if things go wrong, clients would have enough reason to suspect that their counsels double-crossed them.”

“There were instances when conflict-ofinterest representation was thecause of death of former public attorneys,” she added.

PAO has asked the Supreme Court for a dialogue on its request.

The High Court, however, noted Acosta’s unabated public tirades against Canon III, Section 22 of the CPRA through social and mainstream media.

“The Court thus directed Atty. Acosta to show cause why she should not be cited in indirect contempt for her social media posts and newspaper publications which tended, directly or indirectly, to impede, obstruct, or degrade the administration of justice,” the SC said. (See full story online at manilastandard.net)

nesses to the economy.

“Our legislative agenda is geared towards their empowerment and growth, working relentlessly to create a level playing field for all businesses,” he added.

“Our initiatives - simplified business registration, tax reform, affordable financing, and digital infrastructure investment - reflect this commitment. We are convinced that reducing these barriers will unlock our MSMEs' full potential, fostering their growth and furthering national progress,” he stressed.

The House leader pointed out that the House has passed severalmeasures, and is considering the approval of other proposals, meant to help small businesses such as the Government Financial Institutions Unified Initiatives to Distressed Enterprises for Economic Recovery (GUIDE) Act and House Bill 1171, or the “One Town, One Product Act.” (See full story online at manilastandard.net)

PBBM hopes for more renewable energy projects

By Charles Dantes and Macon Ramos-Araneta

FERDINAND Marcos Jr. remained hopeful for more renewable energy projects in the country as he led the inauguration of the 24.9-Megawatt Lake Mainit Hydro Power Plant in Jabonga, Agusan del Norte on Wednesday.

The President commended the development of hydropower site and dubbed the project as a "defining step" in securing the much-needed power supply in the region.

"As our power demand continues to increase, initiatives and projects, such as this, are most welcome as they help the country increase the energy supply [and] improve our energy mix by prioritizing the use of renewables," said Mr. Marcos in his speech.

The Lake Mainit hydroelectric run-ofriver power project is expected to power around 45,000 households in the province.

The project is also expected to help in the reduction of carbon footprint and improve air quality as hydroelectric power produces very low or zero carbon emissions during its electricity generation.

AT LEAST seven percent of Filipino households have an overseas Filipino worker (OFW) currently working abroad to help sustain the family, according to the latest Social Weather Stations (SWS) survey.

The country has about 27 million households, according to the latestPhilippine Statistics Authority figures, translating to about 700,000 households with an OFW contributor.

The poll, conducted from March 26 to March 29, also said that 4% of Filipino adults are currently looking for work abroad as they want to help their families with their everyday living expenses.

The SWS also showed 74% of the households often receive money from an OFW, while 10% said they receive “sometimes,” 8 percent said “seldom,” and 9 percent said “never.”

According to the survey, Japan with 14% topped the list as the most cited country “where one aspires to work,” followed by Canada (13%), Saudi Arabia (11%), South Korea (11%), Australia (11%), and the United States of America (9%). The survey likewise showed that 13 percent of Filipino adults aspire to live abroad.

The Department of Migrant Workers said nearly two million OFWs are currently working abroad. Vito Barcelo

OFWs sustain 7% of country’s homes—SWS IN BRIEF

DSWD eyes help for ‘boy soldiers’

THE Department of Social Welfare and Development wants to provide the much-needed help of a child facility to save the so-called boy soldiers.

In an interview, Undersecretary for Inclusive Sustainable Peace Alan Tanjusay said children from impoverished families in conflictvulnerable areas can be easily recruited to join rebel groups in the mountains.

“Young boys could be easily persuaded or forced to join the armed groups,” he told the Manila Standard.

“We give psychosocial interventions, not only financial aid, to save boy soldiers,” he said. Rio N. Araja

DMW launches new OFW Pass

THE Department of Migrant Workers (DMW) ) will kick off its modernization program with the forthcoming launch of a digital app containing the OFW Pass, the digital alternative to the Overseas Employment Certificate (OEC).

DMW secretary Susan Ople said the DMW mobile app which would be free of any cost, is now undergoing rigorous testing by the Department of Information and Communications Technology (DICT) prior to a formal launch.

“It will be a more convenient alternative to the OEC which comes in paper form and with a P100 fee,” Ople said.

“We acknowledge the help and support being provided by the DICT to make sure that our mobile app will be secure,” the secretary said. Vito Barcelo

Pascual hopeful $88-m investment pledges will materialize this year

TRADE Secretary Alfredo Pascual on Wednesday expressed optimism that some $88 million worth of investment pledges culled during President Ferdinand Marcos, Jr’s foreign trips may materialize within the year.

The President has embarked on 13 foreign trips during his first year in office.

“The number that we expect to materialize in 2023 will total around $88 million. It’s small but that’s only up to June this year and we expect some more to ripen and to eventually lead to the inflow of investments,” Pascual told Palace reporters.

“It is not yet so large, but the potential we announced before, we have a pipeline that we are able to build up amounting to around $70 billion,” he added.

Pascual was referring to six projects that were already registered with the Board of Investments and other business regulatory agencies.

Malacañang has said the President’s foreign travels this year have $23.6 billion in investment pledges.

The Palace said as of February, Marcos’ trips yielded a total of P3.48 trillion or $62.926 billion worth of investment pledges covering 116 projects.

The Presidential Communications Office (PCO bared the commitments covered the President’s trips to Indonesia ($8.48 billion), Singapore ($6.54 billion), United States ($3.84 billion), Thailand ($4.62 billion), Belgium ($2.20 billion), China ($24.239 billion), and Japan ($13 billion).

Of these, around P239 billion in investment commitments had “materialized” as of that month, the Palace said.

Meanwhile, Pascual gave assurance that despite “speculations” regarding the investment leads secured during previous foreign trips, his agency has mechanisms to monitor and evaluate the progress.

He also noted that while some investment leads “may take longer to materialize, we exert continuing efforts to facilitate investment implementation and address any attendant obstacles.”

Charles Dantes

DAR says younger people needed as farmers

THE Department of Agrarian Reform (DAR) has underscored the need to encourage younger people to go into farming, hinting that the productiveness of aging farmers has declined.

Meanwhile, President Ferdinand Marcos Jr. stressed the importance of implementing reforms in the agriculture sector to keep the Philippine economy robust.

DAR Undersecretary Marilyn Yap was even direct in saying aging farmers could pose a threat to the country’s food security.

Yap made the statement on the heels of the President’s enactment of a law effectively writing off P57.557 billion in unpaid loans of the farmers.

She added apart from government agen-

cies, the private sector should also support innovations in agriculture.

Yap lamented that the agriculture sector “has been neglected for far too long.”

“The challenge is also to bring in a new generation of young farmers.

Let’s make agriculture sexy again,” Yap said in an interview with ANC.

“Young people are into data [and] technology. They can look at TikTok and all the rest of social media everyday but that is precisely the system through which we can bring in knowledge and

new agriculture,” she noted.

“I think it’s time we open the gates. Pour more resources. Plot systematically with a vision for the future,” Yap said.

The new law titled “Agrarian Emancipation Act” condoned the amortization of loans, including penalties and surcharges of 610,054 agrarian reform beneficiaries tilling 1.173 million hectares of land across the country. This law covered farmers and farm workers who received lands under Presidential Decree No. 27 and “who have outstanding loan balances payable to the Land Bank of the Philippines and to private landowners.”

Finance Secretary Benjamin Diokno, downplayed the adverse effects of the loans condonation, saying it would not have any

impact to the country’s fiscal picture.

Diokno has said the funds used for the law were “not part of government’s estimation of revenues.”

Over in Butuan City, Agusan del Norte, the President reiterated his commitment to put a premium on the agricultural industry to boost productivity and farmers’ livelihood.

The Chief Executive issued the statement during his visit to Kadiwa ng Pangulo stalls in Butuan.

“Whatever we do to improve the economy, if we fail to revitalize the agriculture sector, we would not be able to improve our economy and make it robust, especially now that there are lot of developments and challenges,” Marcos said.

“That is why we need to adjust. We need

Envoy bares France’s plan to establish Manila-Paris direct flight

By Charles Dantes

FRANCE eyes a direct flight between Manila and Paris, outgoing French Ambassador to the Philippines Michèle Boccoz said during a visit to Malacañang.

Boccoz called on President Ferdinand Marcos Jr. at the Palace on Tuesday ahead of her return to Paris.

“There are many things going on and one of them, I understand, we will have in the near future a direct flight from Manila to Paris and that’s also in progress,”

Boccoz told the President.

Boccoz, who will conclude her diplomatic mission in the Philippines this month, said she appreciated the “loving and hospitable” Filipino people. She served as the Ambassador of France to the Manila since February 2021.

The President lauded Boccoz for her achievements in improving the ties between the two countries.

“It is something new for our two countries to have these relationships now. I’m sure that there’s something that will grow rapidly within the next two years. Those

SC announces list of 14 local testing centers for 2023 Bar examinations

By Rey E. Requejo

THE Supreme Court (SC) on Wednesday said there will be 14 local testing centers (LTCs) for the 2023 online and regionalized Bar examinations scheduled on Sept. 17, 20, and 24.

The SC said in a bulletin that the LTCs in the National Capital Region will be at the San Beda University, Manila; University of Santo Tomas, Manila; San Beda College, Alabang in Muntinlupa City; University of the Philippines, Quezon City; Manila Adventist College, Pasay City; and University of the Philippines, Bonifacio Global City.

In Luzon, the LTCs will be at the Saint Louis University in Baguio City; Cagayan State University in Tuguegarao City; and University of Nueva Caceres in Naga City.

In the Visayas, the LTCs will be University of San Jose-Recoletos in Cebu City, University of San Carlos also in Cebu City, and Dr. V. Orestes

Romualdez Educational Foundation in Tacloban City will be the LTCs.

The SC also said there will be two LTCs in Mindanao – one at the Ateneo de Davao University in Davao City and the other at the Xavier University in Cagayan de Oro City.

The July 12, 2023 Bar Bulletin issued by Justice Ramon Paul Hernando, chairman of the 2023 Bar examinations committee, declared that the San Beda College in Alabang will also be the site of the national headquarters of the examinations “where the Court will be supervising and directing the simultaneous operations in the different LTCs during the Bar examinations.” Justice Hernando said the venue selection by Bar examinees will be conducted on July 24 and 24, morning and afternoon.

Site for the Bar Applicant Registration Information System and Tech Assistance is accessible at https://barista. judiciary.gov.ph/.

are the things that I think we can merge. I think we can make a good start,” the President said.

Boccoz said that France is keen in promoting student exchange or scholarship programs to encourage more Filipino students to study in Paris.

She described the Filipino students as “gifted” in different areas of science.

“It is also something that we’re really promoting, to have more students in all areas in science, engineering, and technologies and all of the areas because there’s so many gifted—very, very gifted

people,” Boccoz said during her farewell call.

“And the young generation is so dynamic in this country and I’m sure there’ll be many, many opportunities to increase the relationship in all those areas, and to go to the next step of our relation,” she added.

France ranked 18th as the Philippines trading partner from 2021 to 2022 after its total trade went from $1.5 billion to $1.8 billion as it remains the country’s 5th biggest agri-export partner in 2021 and 4th agri-import source.

Be like the bamboo: strong, flexible, resilient, Sen. Villar tells graduates

By Macon Ramos-Araneta

SENATOR Cynthia Villar has encouraged graduates of the University of Antique to “be like the bamboo” which she said has been a symbol of strength, flexibility and resilience.

In her speech during the 71st commencement exercise of the school, Villar said the theme “BAMbUhAy! (Bago, Angat, at Makabuluhang bUhAy was a “fitting representation” of the school’s goal to become a leading institution in bamboo technology.

Villar noted that such aspiration “aligned perfectly” with Antique’s local heritage.

“As we know, bamboo symbolizes strength, flexibility, and growth. Just like bamboos, invest in nurturing your inner selves, cultivating resilience, and never fearing the occasional bend. Ultimately, you will return to your original form, stronger than ever before,” Villar told the graduates

“Embrace the challenges with cour-

age, face the unknown with determination, and let your passion be the driving factor to help you achieve things,” she exhorted them.

As you prepare to embark on new journey, you are equipped with the tools and knowledge to make a positive impact in the world,” Villar said.

Villar, who is chairperson of the Senate Committee on Agriculture, also noted that like Antique, bamboo holds a special place in her hometown of Las Piñas City.

“If there’s one thing that is unique about Las Piñas, my hometown, it is the Bamboo Organ, which is considered a Philippine National Treasure. It is the only 19th century Bamboo Organ in the Philippines that has survived and is still functioning,” she said.

She likewise mentioned her continuing efforts to support and promote the bamboo industry. She has been undertaking several projects involving bamboo.

to have a stable agriculture sector to make all the other sectors strong),” he added. Marcos stressed that the success of the Kadiwa program relies on the initiatives that his administration would undertake to reinvigorate the agriculture sector.

The President toured the booths and stalls of 10 Kadiwa financial grant beneficiaries and five Kadiwa retail selling basic commodities at affordable prices.

“We are prioritizing both the agricultural production and the farmers’ income. That’s very important,” he said.

Launched in November 2022, the Kadiwa ng Pangulo stores were meant to eliminate middlemen in agricultural trading, allowing food and agricultural products to be sold at lower prices. Rio N. Araja and Charles Dantes

IN BRIEF

BFAR warns vs. red tide in Bohol, Zambo

THE Bureau of Fisheries and Aquatic Resources (BFAR) has warned the public against eating shellfish and shrimps that may be contaminated with red tide in the coastal waters of Bohol and Zamboanga del Sur.

In a bulletin issued on Wednesday, the BFAR said that shellfish samples collected and tested from the coastal waters of Dauis and Tagbilaran City in Bohol; as well as Dumanquillas Bay in Zamboanga del Sur were still positive for paralytic shellfish poison (PSP) or red tide toxin beyond the regulatory limit.

“All types of shellfish and Acetes sp. or alamang gathered from the area shown above are not safe for human consumption,” the bulletin stated.

Villagers living in these areas were cautioned from harvesting, selling, buying and eating these kinds of seafood.

Meanwhile, the agency noted that other marine species such as fish, and squids among others were safe provided that they were cleaned thoroughly.

“Fish, squids, shrimps, and crabs are for human consumption provided that they are fresh and washed thoroughly, and internal organs such as gills and intestines are removed before cooking,” it added.

Remulla on NBI snafu: Nobody is o the hook

JUSTICE Secretary Jesus Crispin Remulla on Wednesday said nobody is off the hook in the National Bureau of Investigation (NBI) controversy involving sexy dancers during the agency’s command conference on June 30.

Remulla issued the statement as he said Department of Justice investigators will review the videos of the dance performances that marred the summit meeting.

When asked if NBI director Medardo De Lemos was off the hook as he was already gone during the performances, Remulla said, “No,” adding that nobody was off the hook.

“We’re looking into it and we’re weighing it.

We will check how obscene all the videotapes of the performances are. If this is really bad to have happened in a gathering of NBI officials,” Remulla said at a media briefing.

Remulla previously said three women performed during the meeting with top officials of the agency in attendance, including De Lemos.

De Lima drug case ra led off anew

THE remaining drug case against former Senator Leila de Lima has been raffled off to another Muntinlupa court, her lawyer said. Filibon Tacardon, De Lima’s legal counsel, said the case went to Muntinlupa Regional Trial Court (RTC) Branch 206 Presiding Judge Gener Gito.

The change of venue came after Judge Romeo Buenaventura inhibited from the case on allegations that he failed to disclose that his brother had served as a lawyer for the late Oriental Mindoro lawmaker Reynaldo Umali. Umali led a congressional inquiry in 2016 into De Lima’s alleged involvement in the illegal drug trade at the New Bilibid Prison in exchange for election campaign funds. The case was then raffled off to Branch 204 Judge Abraham Joseph Alcantara, who acquitted De Lima in another drug case. However, Alcantara also recused himself from the case after the prosecution moved for his inhibition “to ensure a just and fair administration of justice.”

AFTER A FISHING EXPEDITION. Fishermen unload their catch for the day at a sh port in Parañaque, Jam Sta. Rosa. AFP

DMW AT WEEKLY FORUM. Department of Migrant Workers (DMW) Secretary Susan Ople with Undersecretary Patricia Yvone Caunan, elds questions from reporters during a weekly Kapihan forum in Manila. Ople says the DMW is set to kick-o its modernization program with the launch of a digital app containing the Overseas Filipino Workers (OFW) pass. Norman Cruz

SHORING UP LAPU-LAPU. A backhoe hauls soil near the monument of the national hero Lapu-lapu at Luneta Park in Manila on Wednesday. The monument is scheduled to be dismantled soon due to structural concerns both within and beneath the monument that needs to be rectified, and will soon be reassembled by its own artist, Juan Sajid Imao and his team. Danny Pata

Marcos lauds PAGCOR on 40th year

By Charles Dantes

PRESIDENT Ferdinand Marcos Jr. has praised the Philippine Amusement Gaming Corporation for the big role it plays in nation-building as the agency marked its 40th anniversary Tuesday evening.

“Since its inception, the men and women of PAGCOR have carried a profound sense of responsibility in the performance of their duties and are trusted with upholding the highest standards within the gaming industry. You went beyond fulfilling your corporate task and played an active part in nationbuilding,” the President said.

PAGCOR chairman and CEO Alejan-

IN BRIEF

Authorities uncover spoiled meat in Bulacan warehouse

A TEAM from the Bureau of Customs (BOC) and the Department of Agriculture (DA) uncovered P35 million worth of spoiled assorted meat products in a warehouse in Meycauayan, Bulacan on July 11.

The composite team, led by the Customs Intelligence and Investigation Service (CIIS), found two improvised cold storage facilities with spoiled meat products in Meycauayan Industrial Subdivision, Barangay Pantoc, Meycauayan, Bulacan.

An inspection discovered that the stored pork and beef products already appeared spoiled and emitted foul odor.

“Since the owners or building administrator were not present during the service and implementation of the Letter of Authority (LOA), raiding team proceeded to the subdivision’s homeowners’ association to effect the substituted service thereof,” CIIS Director Verne Enciso said.

In the presence of two barangay officials, the homeowners associations’ administrative staff received the LOA on-behalf of the owner/operator of the the subject warehouse.

According to Deputy Commissioner for Intelligence Group Juvymax Uy, officials from the Department of Agriculture’s Inspectorate and Enforcement (DAIE) and the National Meat Inspection Service (NMIS) were present during the operation.Julito G. Rada

BI launches online platform for immigration services

dro Tengco, for his part, underscored the commitment of every PAGCOR employee and official to achieve financial success and create a social impact.

“Your passion is phenomenal and your commitment is beyond question.

Truly, all of you are PAGCOR’s pride,” Tengco said in his speech.

Tengco said the agency’s total Contributions to Nation Building (CNB)

amounted to around P607 billion in the past four decades, while its total divi-

dend remittances since 2011 stood at P64 billion.

Under the Marcos administration, Tengco said PAGCOR’s total CNB totaled to P45 billion, with the agency targeting to reach P70 billion by the end of the year.

Among the programs implemented by PAGCOR are the construction of classrooms and multi-purpose evacuation centers as well as grants of assistance or subsidies to institutions, government offices, and individuals.

The corporation also supports the funding of the programs under the Universal Health Care, the Philippines Sports Commission, and the Dangerous Drugs Board.

THE Bureau of Immigration (BI) has launched the BI online eServices designed to hasten immigration services.

Commissioner Norman Tansingco said that with the new platform, immigration procedures are set to become more efficient and convenient for foreign tourists.

“Our eServices allows our visitors to comply with their immigration requirements from the comfort of their own homes, hotels, or even by the beach. This would definitely aid in boosting tourism, which is one of the main thrusts of the President,” he added.

“They can now swiftly and securely complete their necessary immigration applications end-to-end online,” said Tansingco. Applicants for waiver of exclusion grounds for arriving unaccompanied minors, emigration clearance certificate, and dual citizenship under RA 9225 may now submit their applications online.

Kantar report:

Most Pinoys concerned with rising prices

By Othel V. Campos

A MAJORITY of Filipinos are more concerned about the rising price of goods than more pressing issues at hand, a report by consulting company Kantar said.

“It’s actually more interesting that they are even more scared of the rising grocery prices over another pandemic crisis from happening again,” said Kantar Philippines Worldpanel Division consumer and shopper insight director Laurice Obana in a briefing Wednesday.

Kantar said it conducted the Shopperscope 2023 survey to determine how well shoppers are coping with trending challenges on higher poverty rate and increasing consumer confidence against the backdrop of an expanding economy, lower unemployment rate, and higher remittances.

Another concern influencing Filipino shoppers’ behavior includes the rising cost of fuel which also impacts the price of grocery items.

From a sampling size of 2,000 re-

spondents, across the Philippines’ socio-economic classes, the survey revealed that the majority of Filipinos as still able to make both ends meet.

About 72 percent of respondents said they still manage to afford to buy most of their needs, while 17 percent can barely keep up with the expenses and 11 percent have no major concerns when it comes to spending for groceries and are focused more on their mental and physical health.

The three categories of shopper groups expressed the continued importance of value and convenience during inflationary times.

“It is important to note that each shopper group has their own considerations and priorities when going out to buy FMCG for their households. Understanding their shopping behavior and preference for where, when and what to buy will allow FMCG brands and retailers to better serve their needs, especially with their concerns at this time,” Obana said.

UPGRADED COMMAND CENTER. Metro Manila Development Authority (MMDA) Acting Chairman Atty. Don Artes together with Executive Secretary Lucas Bersamin, DILG Sec. Benhur Abalos and other officials led the inauguration of the new state-of-the-art MMDA Command Center in Pasig City. The facility houses the MMDA’s centralized data system and upgraded Metrobase Operations Center. Manny Palmero

Remulla: DOJ may file cases vs. ‘witnesses’ in POGO raid in Las Piñas

DEPARTMENT of Justice (DOJ) Secre-

tary Jesus Crispin Remulla said the DOJ will look into the possibility of filing perjury and obstruction of justice charges against witnesses who later refuse to testify following a raid on the compound of a Philippine Offshore Gaming Operator (POGO) in Las Piñas last month.

The Justice chief also criticized the Philippine National Police (PNP) raid for having been done without coordina-

tion with the DOJ and for supposedly lacking sufficient bases and evidence.

The PNP reportedly admitted that one of the challenges in bringing cases in court against five Chinese suspects was the refusal of witnesses to later testify against those behind the online scam operations once were rescued, despite initially providing information to the court that issued the search warrants.

“The problem is once they’re okay,

their perception of danger, their fear went away, so they no longer wanted to testify. Under our laws, that’s perjury and obstruction of justice,” Remulla, quoted by ABS-CBN News, said. Remulla said the witnesses’ refusal to testify hampers the prosecution of cases, as in the case in Las Piñas where they had to order the release of the said Chinese suspects while they undergo preliminary investigation.

Quoted by ABS-CBN News, Remulla further said: “the problem there is if a witness disappears, what will the prosecutor do? They release for further investigation. We will take to prosecutors that if witnesses agree to testify and they signed something, they should be held accountable.”

“The problem is you complained, there’s a case, but once you went home, you no longer wanted to testify. So everything is left hanging,” he added. Rey E. Requejo

Regulators approve toll increase for all vehicles taking CAVITEX

By Darwin G. Amojelar

CAVITEX Infrastructure Corp. (CIC) has secured the green light from the Toll Regulatory Board (TRB) to implement toll rate adjustments at the CAVITEX Paranaque and Kawit Toll Plazas.

The TRB issued a notice of toll rate implementation for R-1 Expressway (Seaside to Zapote) and R1 Expressway Extension Segment 4 (Zapote to Kawit) of the Manila-Cavite Toll Expressway Project, filed by CIC and joint venture partner Philippine Reclamation Authority’s (PRA).

The TRB said the toll rate increase covers the 2017 Petition for Approval of Periodic Toll Rate Adjustment for R1 Expressway and R1 Expressway Extension Segment 4.

Toll rates for Class 1 vehicles (cars and SUVs) at the R-1 Expressway, a 6.48km expressway from Seaside Drive, Paranaque to Zapote, Las Pinas will be increased to P35 from P33.

While those for Class 2 vehicles (minivans and buses) will be raised to P70 from the current P67. Toll fees for Class 3 vehicles (large trucks and trailers) will be increased to P104 from the current P100.

Toll rates for Class 1 vehicles at Segment 4, a 7.4-km, 2×2 lane expressway from Zapote Interchange in Bacoor to Kawit Toll Plaza will be hiked to P73 from the current P64.

For Class 2 vehicles the toll fees will be raised to P145 from the current P129, while for Class 3 vehicles it will increase to P219 from the current P194.

“Apart from these transactions, we are also excited to launch the online visa waiver and the tourist visa extension,” said Tansingco. Temporary visitors’ visa extension, or more commonly known as tourist visa extension, is one of the more common transactions of the BI for foreign tourists who wish to stay longer in the country.

“Visa extension is really one of the highlights of our eServices, given its impact on Philippine Tourism. We all know that the DOT (Department of Tourism) has recently launched the country’s new slogan, that’s why we are finding ways to make it easy for everyone to love our country more,” Tansingco added.

Vito Barcelo

Taiwan offers study-work program for Filipinos

THE Taiwan government is offering “studywork-abroad “ for Filipino students who wish to study engineering courses in Taiwan, according to Manila Economic and Cultural Office (MECO) chairman Sivestre Bello III. “Taiwan is offering mechanical, electrical, information and environmental engineering courses at the Khun Sun University in Kaohsiung City, one of the best universities in Taiwan,” Bello III said who was the guest of honor during the graduation of the Filipino students who all finished their four-year courses in electro-mechanical engineering. The “study-work-abroad” program has been going on for the past five years starting in 2018 where over 200 young Filipinos were accepted by the school and many of these Filipinos are now working in the electronic factories in Taiwan earning substantial salaries like their OFW compatriots. The offer is part of Taiwan’s Asean Southward policy to attract students to learn CNC and eventually work in Taiwan’s vast manufacturing companies. This is a study/apprentice program for those Filipinos who are eager to work overseas and study machining skills at the same time. Vito Barcelo

Bicol’s dolphin population critical, researchers say

THE rare Irrawaddy dolphins (Orcaella brevirostris) of San Miguel Bay in Bicol are already at risk of disappearing from the region, researchers said.

A mission to find live Irrawaddy dolphins in the area of San Miguel Bay in Bicol led scientists from the University of the Philippines –Diliman College of Science Institute of Environmental Science and Meteorology (UPD-CS IESM) to validate the existence in the area of this critically-endangered species during a recent dolphin survey conducted from July 6 to 9, 2023.

Irrawaddy dolphins are characterized by gray or dark-blue backs and pale bellies, with a high tolerance to various levels of salinity that enables them to live in areas where salty seawater and freshwater meet, such as in the mouths of rivers and bays. They are among the world’s most endangered dolphin species.

The team, led by IESM Professor and Marine Mammal Research and Conservation Laboratory (MMRCL) Head Dr. Lemnuel Aragones, sighted two Irrawaddy dolphins—one near Apuao Island and another near Canimog Island, both in the waters of Mercedes, Camarines Norte.

SELFIE WITH THE ROCK. Visitors take selfies before a boulder outside the National Museum in Kalaw Manila on Wednesday. The huge rock is from Mayon Volcano—the most active volcano in the country—that was collected from the Daraga in Albay. Danny Pata

PAGCOR chairman and CEO Alejandro Tengco

Going, going…

WHAT was once a beautiful sight to behold in the late afternoons and early evening, from the vantage point of Roxas Boulevard is going, going…soon gone.

The re-blocking, whatever that means, of Manila’s famous seaside boulevard has caused heavy traffic, but it also allows one to pause and look at the bay where our fabled sunset, especially from December till early March, comes in a huge orb of orange glory.

While doing my regular brisk walks either in the boulevard’s cramped sidewalk, or near the earlier reclamation areas of the Cultural Center complex and the MOA, I come across the ugly sight of islands of gray sand being feverishly dumped into the bay by barges and cranes – to “reclaim” land from the sea.

Manila Bay used to be the back view of beautiful Sofitel, with its huge swimming pool and garden area, appreciated as well from the western suites of the hotel. Now all you can see is gray sand, barged in from Zambales or the San Nicolas shoal.

Some enterprising businessmen leased property adjacent to Sofitel from the CCP, put up a hotel and eateries where patrons could view the sea and the setting sun. Now their customers reap ugly gray sand when a strong wind blows, which is almost always.

In late 2008, the Supreme Court issued an SC Mandamus on Manila Bay, directing 13 government agencies to clean up, rehabilitate and preserve Manila Bay, even to the extent of stating that its waters must be “fit for swimming, skindiving and other forms of recreation.”

Training cops to be honest

steal beauty from ordinary mortals who cannot afford to buy condominiums in the high-rises that will soon block our plebeian view of the glorious sunset.

While our country may not have a very big land area, we need not act like a Hong Kong or a Singapore whose sparse land and real estate demand necessitate reclaiming from the sea.

Move around the countryside and see hectares upon hectares of bare earth covered only by weeds.

You need not go far. The hills of Antipolo and Tanay alone beckon.

Since after the Second World War, with feverish reconstruction of the capital, people from the countryside have been enticed by “greener” urban pastures, crowding the cities and creating warrens of informal settlements.

This is true not only in Metro-Manila, but in Metro-Cebu as well.

Now of course, after 50 years or so of overseas employment being the sole poverty alleviation strategy, our OFWs come back and buy pricey condominium units in the metropolitan areas, badge of “having arrived.”

Those who go back to their home province build mini-mansions in the middle of farmlands which their parents got through land reform, yet they do not farm, thus contributing to our food supply problems.

While the OFW diaspora is temporary economic savior, it has also imperiled our food security, at the same time creating a lack of professionals in critical services like health and education.

HOW does a police academy make sure those who manage to enter its portals for years of rigorous training will turn out to be honest and upright after they graduate?

For the Philippine National Police Academy, or PNPA, it is by strictly enforcing an Honor Code that implores cadets not to lie, cheat or steal and tolerate those who commit such offenses.

The Philippine Military Academy has a similar Honor Code that governs the conduct of those who pass its stringent requirements to be accepted as cadets for four years.

Recent news about the PNPA hit newspaper headlines because of its strict observance of the Honor Code.

One news report said two cadets of the PNPA were dismissed recently because they were caught cheating during an examination.

According to PNPA director Maj. Gen. Eric Noble, the honor committee and cadet disciplinary board meted out the stiffest penalty of dismissal on the two second-class cadets.

“We stand firm in our commitment to maintain an environment of academic excellence and integrity,” Noble said. The dismissal of the cadets, he emphasized, should serve as a warning to

other cadets the PNPA would not condone academic dishonesty.

“We strive to nurture a culture where honesty, accountability and ethical values thrive, enabling our cadets to become future leaders of impeccable character,” he pointed out.

By emphasizing the importance of academic integrity and condemning any form of dishonesty, the police academy aims to train leaders who uphold the highest

standards of excellence in service to the country.

Also recently, two PNPA cadets were also dismissed for violating the Honor Code.

The academy took decisive action against a second-class cadet for lying and a thirdclass cadet for stealing.

The honor committee slapped the cadets with the stiffest penalty of expulsion after examining all relevant pieces of evidence.

“This stern response reinforces the institution’s commitment to uphold the honor code and maintain the integrity of its cadetship,” Noble said.

“While the dismissal is undoubtedly a severe consequence, it underscores the academy’s unshakable stance against any transgression that compromises the principles it stands for,” he stressed.

In fact, since January this year, 11 cadets have been dismissed from the academy for grave offenses and academic deficiencies.

The stern disciplinary action against erring cadets is the same tack being taken by the PNP leadership against scalawag cops.

While we’re told the misfits and rogues in the police force are only a handful—a mere one percent of the nearly 230,000-strong organization—weeding them out is of paramount importance because they taint the image of the entire institution whose motto, after all, is “to serve and protect.”

Instead of following the writ of the highest tribunal, what we pass for a clean-up is a fake white sand “beach” on a less than 2-kilometer stretch ordered by a general who lorded it over the DENR, and put up a tacky two story structure labelled “mandamus offices.”

Worse, several local governments approved reclamation projects hastily, with careless concern for earlier approved metes and bounds, thereby in some cases creating legal conflicts which courts must now resolve.

The Philippine Reclamation Authority under the Office of the President for its part sanctioned these projects despite an earlier avowal of Pres. Rodrigo Duterte that he did not approve of such projects defiling the bay.

And so, real estate developers rushed to start their reclamation, from a bigtime Mindanao-based contractor, to SM, to Waterfront holdings, to J. Legaspi, the heirs of FF Cruz, and Solar Corporation, whose application started as early as 25 years ago but was finally green-lighted only last year.

Some developers took advantage of the twilight of the PRRD regime and the start of PFRM Jr., whose government has yet to appoint new administrators of the reclamation authority, to rush their midnight entitlements.

It is as if the DENR dumped dolomite from Alcoy in Cebu upon Manila Bay to condition the minds of the people that soon more sand, this time gray, will be dumped into it, and

Other than robbing us of one of the simple pleasures of Manilans, gazing into the beautiful sunset in the bay’s horizon apart from the environmental degradation they bring, I worry about the after-effect on the inner cities’ demography after construction work in the reclaimed areas shall have been completed.

Obviously, much of the brawn power needed for the multitude of construction activity will be sourced from the provinces.

After the temporary work, these workers will not go back to the provinces, and would instead settle in the national capital region, compounding our extreme population density.

And where, pray tell, will they find habitat?

Surely not in the mega-expensive reclaimed land where costs per square meter will be reserved for the uber rich, most of them foreigners.

They will crowd the now over-crowded and destitute warrens of the informal settlers.

Urban blight will worsen.

Of course, the developers may eventually lose their shirts. That is not an impossibility.

World economic conditions do not show immediate promise for massive relocation projects or even speculative investments in our real estate market by foreigners, whether Chinese or Korean.

And having voluntarily increased our chances to be drawn into the potential conflict between China and the USA, ours is not exactly a sure haven of peace and tranquility in the region.

What then happens, if the reclaimed islands are not populated enough, and investments in high-rise condominiums and commercial establishments do not come to fruition?

Then we will have ghostly and ghastly eyesores with barren islands floating in Manila Bay.

Their politically-connected developers will be neck-deep in debt, their local banks burdened with unpaid loans, the result of mindless pursuit of greedy profits.

We have seen that in Malaysia and African nations, where development halted when their foreign funders, mostly from China, stopped pouring in their promised investments.

Meanwhile, ordinary folks would do well to visit the promenades by the bay and seek whatever yet unblocked windows exist where they may view our sunsets and the splendor of our once-beautiful bay, while there is still time.

Manila Bay is going, going and soon gone.

By Nicanora Kyamko

RECENTLY, so many rants and vents about delayed and canceled flights surfaced on social media, almost like a virtual choir conducted leading to a chorus.

And like a flash mob, traditional media joined the choir.

Then certain politicians who are like celebrity singers, the choir members in the background, elevated the musical piece –all pointing to Cebu Pacific.

Cebu Air, Inc., which operates as Cebu Pacific, is a Philippine low-cost airline based in Pasay City in Metro Manila. Founded in 1988, it is Asia’s oldest lowcost airline which offers scheduled flights to both domestic and international destinations

I had my share of delayed and canceled flights. The recent lyrical rants and vents of the seemingly conducted orchestra played on my mind and sang through my mouth.

Let’s talk slogans

IN SPITE of the Love the Philippines media debacle, Department of Tourism Secretary Maria Esperanza Christina Frasco gets to keep her job.

This was apparently due to the decisive manner the DOT Secretary canceled its contract with the DDB Group responsible for the slogan fiasco.

It appears, however, that the ordeal has taken its toll on her because she filed a leave of absence to go for a much needed family vacation.

The past two weeks has certainly been anything but good to the DOT and Secretary Frasco.

But we have to give it to those social media sleuths who exposed the charade about the fake video footages immediately after the launch of the new slogan campaign. Had it not been for them, it would have been a lot more damaging to the reputation of the DOT and the country.

The obvious lesson from this sordid affair is that, next time around, the DOT should not just leave the development of the entire project to the proponent without closely supervising it.

But for reasons only known to the DOT, it seems the agency is sticking by its guns and will continue with the new slogan regardless of the backlash generated by the embarrassing media disaster.

This will be the third slogan in as many years following WOW Philippines of the Arroyo administration and More Fun in the Philippines of the Noynoy Aquino administration.

Question is, why is the DOT so fixated on slogans instead of focusing on more substantive issues like making our tourist facilities competitive and transforming our airports and ports to become truly gateways with international standards so that we can attract more foreign visitors?

The reason why our tourist numbers are low is not because of our tourist slogans.

It has more to do with poor tourism infrastructure which needs improvement. No amount of sloganeering will therefore do the trick if the product being sold is not up to standards.

We are getting our priorities wrong and our tourist numbers prove it.

The highest number of foreign visitors that we had was before the pandemic when

we reached something like 8M tourists.

In 2022 when we started to loosen travel restrictions, we had about 2M tourist arrivals.

For the first six months of this year, about 2.5M tourists have entered the country and if that number will remain constant or improve, we might have more than 5M visitors for the whole year.

With this number, our DOT is already very happy but this number pales in comparison with the tourist arrivals of our neighbors like Singapore, Malaysia, Indonesia and Thailand.

that country and still able to attract that many foreign visitors which is really amazing as the Thai tourism slogan is telling the whole world.

Thailand by the way unlike us has kept that slogan without ever changing it. They seem to understand the saying that one does not “fix what isn’t broke.”

To be fair, tourist promotion should not just be the sole responsibility of the DOT but a country effort with every agency of government contributing.

This means that enforcement people must ensure a peaceful and safe environment.

The DOTr must also ensure efficient, clean and functioning airports devoid of corrupt personnel that is always giving a black eye to the country’s reputation.

This includes an efficient public transport system for easy travel around the country.

We have to realize that travelers or tourist nowadays are a lot more sophisticated than in earlier times. They are not easily persuaded to go to one country simply because of an eye catching slogan.

They do a lot of research due in part to increasing travel costs.

Attracting more tourists has also a lot to do with our country’s international reputation.

In 2019, Thailand received 39.9 foreign visitors which was the eighth most visited country in the world. We could not even get a fourth of that number.

Even Vietnam’s numbers are beginning to surpass ours which is a shame considering that we have been way ahead of the curve than Vietnam, now becoming a tourist powerhouse.

Instead of constantly changing slogans, the DOT should try to find out why it is easier for these other countries to attract more visitors than us although we are not lacking in tourist attractions.

In fact, we have one of the best beaches and diving sites in the world.

Yet, we are struggling to attract foreign tourists.

Could it be because of the prevailing peace and order situation in the country?

Maybe, but Thailand has also its own insurgency problem in the southern part of

On delayed and canceled flights

As the whole orchestra contributed the loud chorus, a solo voice belted out lyrics that served as a wake-up call – lyrics that made so much sense they ushered in some realizations.

I heard that solo portion and the realization that came with it.

OFW Party List Rep. Marissa “Del Mar” Magsino joined the orchestra as if singing the solo, with her House Resolution 1105 that seeks an inquiry to address the concerns repeatedly raised by airline passengers, particularly by the Overseas Filipino Workers.

The uniqueness of her lyrics – not out of tune from our audience seat – is categorizing unwanted passenger predicaments as concerns that are not only limited to experiences with Cebu Pacific but with other airlines as well.

I am suddenly hit by a realization: delays and cancellations are in fact experienced by all airlines, even with international carriers. Upon hearing the orchestra suddenly

bridged by Rep. Magsino’s solo portion, I found myself no longer looking singly at a portion of the song’s story.

I, as the saying goes, began to see the big picture. I take Rep. Magsino’s move to categorize the predicaments as “by all airlines” as her effort to review airline companies’ policies

and hopefully determine the industry’s best possible solution and adaptation measures to help address a much bigger aviation situation in the country.

How can these airlines mitigate the adverse effects of delays and cancellations?

I firmly believe “all airlines,” with all their feasible capabilities, want to avoid delays and cancellations for several reasons.

It’s not good customer service.

It’s not good for business.

But, reality bites. I’m looking forward to HR 1105 to sort things out.

It is unfortunate for Cebu Pacific to be the reference point of the predicaments.

I think it’s even unfair to the airline that democratizes air travel for the Filipino people.

Just to be clear, I am not defending Cebu Pacific.

I simply came to realize that I suddenly came back to a more objective understanding and appreciation of the situation.

We will certainly not be able to attract too many foreign visitors if these people only read bad things about our country like the number of people being killed in our drug war.

This is not to say that slogans are not helpful in promoting a product.

A good slogan can, of course, help but it must be backed up by facts on the ground.

A slogan is supposed to be a short and attention grabbing phrase that normally encapsulates the best of the product being advertised.

So, whatever we say about what tourists will see in the country when they get here, we have to make it sure that is exactly what they will get or experience.

Developing the slogan is actually the easy part.

The harder and much longer undertaking is improving the overall tourism infrastructure of the country.

And that is where the DOT should concentrate more of its effort.

Congestion in major airports has been a longtime problem repeatedly discussed in the past years.

Lately, with the so-called travel revenge, such congestion even worsened.

I think this is clearly the aviation industry’s problem as a whole, needless to say, the airport management’s as well.

I believe airline efficiency efforts will be in vain against airport traffic and congestion situations, especially at a time when we just enjoined tourists to “Love the Philippines.”

Rep. Magsino may have seemed to have sung out of tune at first.

But the truth is her House Resolution actually put everything in finer and better tune. She may be talking about OFWs’ welfare, but, all the same, her stance is one to benefit airline passengers in general.

(The author is a retired teacher and a resident of Pinamungahan, Cebu.)

firmly believe ‘all airlines,’ with all their feasible capabilities, want to avoid delays and cancellations for several reasons

The dismissal of the cadets should serve as a warning to other cadets the PNPA would not condone academic dishonesty

To be fair, tourist promotion should not just be the sole responsibility of the DOT but a country effort with every agency of government contributing

Nokor fires long-range ballistic missile WORLD

SEOUL—North Korea has fired a long-range ballistic missile, the South Korean military said Wednesday, days after Pyongyang threatened to down US spy planes that violated its airspace.

Relations between the two Koreas are at one of their lowest points ever, with diplomacy stalled and North Korean leader Kim Jong Un calling for increased weapons development, including tactical nukes.

In response, Seoul and Washington have ramped up security cooperation, vowing that Pyongyang would face a nuclear response and the “end” of its current government were it to ever use its nuclear weapons against the allies. South Korea’s military said it had detected the launch of a longrange ballistic missile fired from the Pyongyang area around 10 am (9 am in Manila).

Indonesia urges political blend to Myanmar mess

JAKARTA—ASEAN chair Indonesia on Wednesday urged a political solution to the Myanmar crisis as the bloc started a second day of talks to form a united position on the coupwracked country.

Myanmar has been ravaged by deadly violence since a military coup deposed Aung San Suu Kyi’s government more than two years ago, unleashing a bloody crackdown on dissent.

The 10-member Association of Southeast Asian Nations has long been decried as a toothless talking shop, and it remains split over diplomatic attempts to resolve the crisis.

“Only a political solution will lead to a durable peace,” Retno Marsudi told ASEAN foreign ministers in her opening remarks on the second day of talks in Jakarta.

“We are still very much concerned to see the continuing and increasing violence in Myanmar. We strongly urge all stakeholders to denounce violence as this is paramount to build trust.” AFP

US

“The ballistic missile was fired on a lofted trajectory and flew 1,000 km before splashing down in the East Sea,” the Joint Chiefs of Staff said, referring to the body of water also known as the Sea of Japan. A lofted trajectory involves firing a missile up and not out, a method Pyongyang has previously said it employs in some weapons tests to avoid flying over neighboring countries. The launch “is a grave provocation that damages the peace and security of the Korean peninsula” and violates UN sanctions on Pyongyang, the JCS said, calling on North Korea to stop such actions. Pyongyang last fired one of its most

powerful intercontinental ballistic missiles in April -- the purportedly solidfuelled Hwasong-18 -- and in February launched a Hwasong-15, which flew a similar 989 km.

The flight time of around 70 minutes is also similar to some of North Korea’s previous ICBM launches, experts said.

“Given what we have at this point, it’s about 90 percent certain that it was an ICBM launch,” Choi Gi-il, a professor of military studies at Sangji University, told AFP.

He added that it could also have been North Korea attempting to re-test its satellite launch technology to prepare for another attempt to put a spy satellite into orbit, after a May launch failed.

Wednesday’s launch came after North Korea on Monday accused a US spy plane of violating its airspace and condemned Washington’s plans to deploy a nuclear missile submarine near the Korean peninsula.

A spokesperson for the North Korean Ministry of National Defense said the United States had “intensified espionage activities beyond the wartime level”, citing “provocative” spy plane flights over eight straight days this month.

“There is no guarantee that such shocking accident as downing of the US Air Force strategic reconnaissance plane will not happen in the East Sea of Korea,” the spokesperson added. AFP

Cambodia’s opposition fighting for democracy

PHNOM PENH—In white tuk-tuks kitted out with megaphones and banners, supporters of a tiny Cambodian opposition party wind down a dusty Phnom Penh street, rallying votes ahead of the country’s one-sided election. It will be a herculean task for the littleknown Grassroots Democratic Party to win any seats in Cambodia’s 125-member National Assembly at the July 23 election -- widely dismissed as a sham.

But party president Yeng Virak insists his team is fighting the good fight.

“We have a mission to restore democracy,” he told AFP.

At the last national poll in 2018, Prime Minister Hun Sen’s ruling Cambodian People’s Party (CPP) made a clean sweep, winning every parliamentary seat after a court outlawed the opposition Cambodia National Rescue Party.

This time around, the Candlelight Party -- the CPP’s only credible rival -- was barred from running over registration technicalities.

“The future for the Cambodian opposition is dim,” said Sebastian Strangio, author of “Hun Sen’s Cambodia”.

For the 17 remaining parties contesting the poll, it’s difficult to compete against the deep pockets and long-entrenched power of Hun Sen’s ruling party.

The prime minister has led Cambodia for nearly four decades, and critics accuse him of winding back democratic freedoms and using the court system to thwart political opponents. Across the capital over the past week, CPP campaigning has featured musicians playing atop trucks and a rally with tens of thousands of supporters decked out in freebie T-shirts and hats bearing the party’s logo.

VILNIUS, Lithuania—Western powers will propose long-term security commitments for Ukraine on Wednesday after NATO dashed President Volodymyr Zelensky’s hopes of a clear timeline for joining the alliance.

Zelensky will hold symbolic talks with NATO’s 31 leaders at their summit in the Lithuanian capital Vilnius, a day after blasting them for not moving faster to bring Ukraine into the fold.

In a bid to reassure the Ukrainian leader, the G7 group of nations are expected to issue a declaration on how they will help Kyiv defeat Russia and deter any new aggression in the coming years.

“As Ukraine makes strategic progress in their counteroffensive ... we are stepping up our formal arrangements to protect Ukraine for the long term,” British Prime Minister Rishi Sunak said in a statement.

“We can never see a repeat of what has happened in Ukraine and this declaration reaffirms our commitment to ensure it is never left vulnerable to the kind of brutality Russia has inflicted on it again.”

The announcement will provide a framework under which individual nations will later agree bilateral deals with Kyiv detailing the weapons they will give.

US President Joe Biden has previously mooted a model for Ukraine similar to one under which Washington has committed to giving Israel $3.8 billion in military aid per year over a decade.

Russia launched drone strikes on Kyiv for the second night in a row, the head of the city’s military administration said early Wednesday.

All of the Iran-made Shahed explosive drones launched at Kyiv were were “detected and destroyed,” Sergiy Popko said on Telegram, adding “there was no information about victims or destruction as of now.”

Western backers have already sent weapons worth tens of billions to Ukraine to help it fight back against Russia’s invasion.

Germany on Tuesday said it would provide more tanks, Patriot missile defenses and armor vehicles worth another 700 million euros ($772 million).

France said it was sending longrange missiles and a coalition of 11 nations announced they will start training Ukrainian pilots on F-16 jets from next month.

But the pledges, while desperately needed by Ukraine’s troops, fall short of Zelensky’s aspirations of putting Kyiv under NATO’s collective defense umbrella. AFP

WASINGTON, DC—US envoy John Kerry will travel to China on Sunday, the State Department said, as the world’s two biggest polluters work to restart talks on climate change.

The July 16-19 trip will be Kerry’s third since taking the special climate envoy position under President Joe Biden, and he will also become the third top administration official to head to the country in recent weeks.

Kerry will follow in the footsteps of Secretary of State Antony Blinken, who last month paid the highest-ranking US visit to Beijing in nearly five years, and Treasury Secretary Janet Yellen who was in China last week.

“Kerry aims to engage with the PRC on addressing the climate crisis, including with respect to increasing implementation and ambition and promoting a successful COP28,” the State Department said in a press release Tuesday, using an acronym for the People’s Republic of China.

The United Arab Emirates will host the UN COP28 climate talks starting in November, with nearly 200 nations gathering to wrestle with how to mitigate global warming and its impacts.

Confirming Kerry’s visit, Beijing’s Ministry of Ecology and Environment said the two sides would “have an in-depth exchange of views on cooperation in tackling climate change.”

The Grassroots Democratic Party’s campaign, in contrast, is decidedly modest -- banners on motorbikes, social media posts and oldfashioned leaflets. AFP

Australia fears China’s latest Pacific deal

SYDNEY—Australia has urged China to release the details of a new policing pact with Solomon Islands, saying Beijing’s latest push for influence threatens to inflame tensions in the South Pacific.

Solomon Islands Prime Minister Manasseh Sogavare inked a raft of deals during a trip to Beijing this week, including an agreement allowing China to maintain a police presence in the developing Pacific nation until 2025.

China has lavished attention on Solomon Islands since it severed ties with Taiwan in 2019, pledging large amounts of aid and bankrolling a series of critical infrastructure projects.

A spokesperson for Australian Foreign Minister Penny Wong said Tuesday there were concerns the police cooperation plan between Solomon Islands and China “will invite further regional contest”.

“Solomon Islands and China should provide transparency of their intentions to Australia and the region by publishing the agreement immediately, so the Pacific family can collectively consider the implications for our shared security.”

Solomon Islands, one of the poorest countries in the Pacific, sits at the centre of an escalating tug-of-war as China vies for regional influence with Australia and the United States.

Australia’s own longstanding security pact with Solomon Islands was recently put under review, stoking fears the Solomons were drifting closer to China’s orbit. AFP

CYAN MAGENTA YELLOW BLACK

After Kyiv’s NATO frustration, West offers long security commitments

climate envoy Kerry heads to China Sunday

The United States and China are the world’s largest emitters of greenhouse gases as well as some of the world’s biggest investors in renewable energy. AFP

GEARING UP. People watch a television screen showing a news broadcast with file footage of a North Korean missile test, at a railway station in Seoul on Wednesday. Pyongyang has fired a suspected long-range ballistic missile, the South Korean military said, days after it threatened to down US spy planes that violated its airspace. AFP

BOSNIA MASSACRE. People light candles to mark the 28th anniversary of the Srebrenica massacre, in Pristina on Tuesday. The remains of 30 victims of the genocide were laid to rest Tuesday, as thousands marked the atrocity’s 28th anniversary against a backdrop of surging tension, with the landmark peace deal that ended the war under pressure. AFP

Strong peso supports stock market’s

By Jenniffer B. Austria

THE Philippine Stock Exchange index climbed 68.21 points, or 1.07 percent, to close at 6,466.85

Wednesday, ahead of the highlyanticipated US June inflation report.

Michael Ricafort, chief economist of Rizal Commercial Banking Corp., said the strengthening of the peso against the dollar amid the seasonal increase in remittances also boosted the equities market.

“The PSEi again ended higher before the latest US consumer price index for June 2023 widely expected by the markets to ease further towards 3 percent from 4 percent in May 2023,” Ricafort said. Foreign investors were net buyers, which increased the value turnover to P3.84 billion.

Asian and European markets mostly rose Wednesday as investors jockeyed for position ahead of a key US inflation report later in the day, and Hong Kong extended gains on hopes for fresh Chinese stimulus.

Regional equities have enjoyed a broadly positive week so far after China signaled a long-running crackdown on the tech sector was nearing an end while officials also pledged help for ailing developers.

US banks face subdued profits amid new rules

NEW YORK—The upcoming deluge of US bank earnings is expected to show more pressure on deposits, an uptick in reserves for bad loans and much talk about potential new regulations.

While there is always the potential for a shock disclosure, banking industry experts are generally anticipating a picture of subdued profitability, rather than a repeat of the crisis that pummeled the industry this spring.

“You’re going to see some challenges on the earnings picture,” said Chris Wolfe, a managing director at Fitch Ratings, who expects banks to set aside greater reserves as households savings erode.

“There’s still a recessionary element that’s playing into forecasts even if that’s getting pushed out a little further,” Wolfe said.

The second-quarter reporting season kicks off Friday with reports from three banking giants: JPMorgan Chase, Citigroup and Wells Fargo, which will be followed early next week by Bank of America and Goldman Sachs.

Reports from these behemoths offer a reading on the US consumer because of these banks’ extensive credit card operations and lending tied to home and car loans.

The focus then shifts to regional players such as Cleveland-based KeyCorp, Dallas-based Comerica, Los Angeles-based PacWest BanCorp and Alabama’s Regions Financial.

These mid-sized banks suffered a plunge on Wall Street in the spring amid fears that the crisis that felled Silicon Valley Bank, First Republic and Signature Bank would drag down other lenders.

Paying for deposits

The largest banks are projected to vary in terms of profitability compared with last year, with analysts still seeing a tepid merger and acquisition market as crimping investment banking revenues.

But the outlook is generally worse for the mid-sized players, which face intense pressure to retain deposits in the shifting US monetary policy landscape.

The Federal Reserve has lifted interest rates 10 straight times since early 2022 in a bid to counter inflation that has scrambled the picture after a lengthy stretch of very low interest rates.

“Banks have had to pay up for the deposits to keep them,” said Stuart Plesser, senior director, S&P Global Ratings. “What you’re going to see is profitability start to come under pressure.”

S&P in May shifted the ratings outlook to “negative” on nine regional banks, although they are still investment grade.

While analysts expect some erosion in deposits this time around, they are not anticipating significant drops akin to April, when First Republic’s disclosure of a more than 40 percent fall in deposits precipitated the lender’s government-organized auction a week later. AFP

PH is neglecting water infrastructure

BLESSED with rich water resources, the Philippines is poor in infrastructure to exploit and conserve its most precious asset. The advent of the El Niño weather phenomenon, or extended drought, is sending jitters to national and local government officials. The dry spell is leading to water rationing in the capital region and dry irrigation canals in the provinces―a bane for our Filipino farmers.

Yet, El Niño would have been a minor inconvenience for many Filipinos if policymakers and local government leaders treated the water supply quagmire with more resolve. UN Secretary-General Antonio Guterres is more earnest―he has called on the world to safeguard water resources to avert conflict and ensure future global prosperity.

For the UN chief, water is “the most precious common good” and “needs to be at the center of the global political agenda.”

He knows whereof he speaks. Between two and three billion people worldwide experience water shortages, according to the United Nations Educational, Scientific and Cultural Organization (UNESCO) and UN-Water in the latest edition of the UN World Water Development Report.

The global urban population facing water scarcity, says the report, is projected to double from 930 million in 2016 to 1.7 billion 2.4 billion people in 2050. The growing incidence of extreme and prolonged droughts is also stressing ecosystems, with dire consequences for both plant and animal species.

Here in the Philippines, not much is being done to alleviate water scarcity, especially in times of drought.

The Philippine Atmospheric, Geophysical and Astronomical Services Administration (PAGASA) has noted that the unusual warming of sea surface temperatures along the equatorial Pacific has already developed into a weak El Niño and showed signs of strengthening in the coming months. El Niño refers to below-normal rainfall conditions, which will adversely impact on water resources, agriculture, energy, health and public safety.

The little rainfall has reduced the reservoir level at Angat Dam, the major source of water for Metro Manila and surrounding provinces. It has dropped to 179.23 meters Monday, below its minimum operating level of 180 meters and more than 20 meters below the normal high water level of 210 meters.

The dipping reservoir level has forced the National Water Resources Board to trim the raw water allocation for Metropolitan Waterworks and Sewerage System’s two concessionaires to 48 cubic meters per second effective July 8.

About 591,000 customers of Maynilad Water Services Inc., which distributes water to the western zone of the urban capital region, are suffering from a ninehour water interruption because of the lower allocation from Angat. As I’ve written before here, the Philippines’ growing urban population will remain mired in a Third World setting if the water infrastructure remains in the post World War II era.

For decades, Metro Manila and its adjacent provinces have solely relied on the water provided by the 50-year-old Angat Dam. The dependence on a single source of water is untenable―the Philippine population has increased exponentially since the establishment of the dam.

The Metropolitan Waterworks and Sewerage System, meanwhile, is taking a long time to construct the Kaliwa Dam that will serve as the second major reservoir for the 50-year old Angat dam.

Similar dams or water-impounding facilities should be built across Luzon to conserve this God-given resource. Hundreds of river systems criss-cross the main Philippine island and they merely empty into Manila Bay, West Philippine Sea or Pacific Ocean without being harnessed. Building water infrastructure is as essential as developing toll roads, airports and seaports across the nation.

A 33-year old law, in the meantime, is not being put into use to alleviate the water supply scarcity. Juan Edgardo “Sonny” Angara back in 2019 called for the full implementation of Republic Act 6716, or the Rainwater Collector and Springs Development Act of 1989, in the wake of a similar water shortage in most parts of Metro Manila and nearby provinces.

The law requires the construction of rainwater collectors in every barangay to prevent flooding and ensure the uninterrupted provision of clean water during dry seasons. Rainwater harvesting offers a practical and immediate solution to the country’s water supply problem, the lawmaker said at that time.

“While we all wait for the construction of new dams, which may take years to complete, LGUs (local government units) should practice rainwater harvesting because it is a practical solution that will have direct impact on the grassroots,” he added.

The law has tasked the Department of Public Works and Highways to build water wells and rainwater collectors, develop springs and rehabilitate existing water wells in all barangays in the Philippines.

That was followed by reports that further growth-boosting measures and data showing new loans in the country had picked up in June thanks to a central bank interest rate cut.

Optimism is now building for more announcements aimed at kick starting the world’s number two economy as its postCovid recovery sputters.

“Overall, China’s data and news flow, along with market reaction, highlight Beijing’s challenge, against a backdrop of anaemic demand,” said National Australia Bank’s Rodrigo Catril.

“A meaningful fiscal spending announcement is what is needed for markets to become more positive on China.”

Hong Kong was again the stand-out performer thanks to gains in tech stocks, while Sydney, Singapore, Seoul, Taipei, Bangkok and Jakarta were also up.

London, Paris and Frankfurt also advanced, but Shanghai, Tokyo, Mumbai and Wellington were all lower.

Wednesday sees the week’s main event, the release of the US consumer price index, which forecasts suggest will show a further softening. That is followed by producer prices Thursday.

“Investors appear to be positioning for another decline in both core and headline,” said SPI Asset Management’s Stephen Innes.

“The key question is whether the data will beat consensus expectations and cause the Fed to take notice.” With AFP

a public charge.

of good moral character.

believe

the principles underlying the Philippine Constitution. have conducted myself

a proper and irreproachable manner during the entire period of my residence

the Philippines in my relations with the constituted government as well as with the community in which am living. I mingled socially with Filipinos and have evinced a sincere desire to learn and embrace the customs, traditions and ideals of the Filipino people.

have all the qualifications and none of the disqualifications under Republic Act No. 9139. am not opposed to organized government or affiliated with any association or group of persons who uphold and teach doctrines opposing all organized governments. am not defending or teaching the necessity or propriety of violence, personal assault or assassination for the success and predominance of one's ideas. I am not a polygamist nor a believer in the practice of polygamy. I have not been convicted of any crime involving moral turpitude. I am not suffering from mental alienation or from any incurable contagious disease. The country of which I am a citizen or subject is not at war with the Philippines and grants to Filipinos the right to be naturalized

ITR and the company’s Proof of Payment of Taxes must also be submitted, aside from the submission of petitioner’s own ITR and tax documents and Proof of Payment of Taxes. Note: The company’s latest GIS (General Information Sheet), which was submitted to the Securities and Exchange Commission (SEC) and the financial statements of the company, which was submitted to the BIR/appropriate government agency, must also be submitted. ✔ Duly notarized Affidavits of at least two (2) credible and disinterested witnesses who must be Filipino citizens (preferably natural-born citizens of the Philippines) of good repute in their community, and have no criminal record Note: submit National Bureau of Investigation (NBI) clearance of character witnesses; also submit a copy of the ID which the character witness used in the notarization of the affidavit) [Note character witness must attest in the affidavit: (a) that he/she has known petitioner for at least 10 years or more (must also indicate how he/she got acquainted with the petitioner); (b) the good moral character of the petitioner (and how he/she mingles with Filipinos and the society); (c) that in his/her own opinion, petitioner has all the qualifications necessary to become a citizen of the Philippines and none of the disqualifications provided for by law);

✔ Medical Certificate from a government hospital stating that petitioner is not suffering from mental alienation, or a user of prohibited drugs or otherwise a drug dependent, and that he/she is not afflicted with acquired immune deficiency syndrome (AIDS) or any incurable contagious disease [please attach the following to the certificate: (1) Neuro-Psychiatric Evaluation Report (from a duly licensed psychiatrist (who is a medical doctor), not a psychologist); (2) Laboratory Test Results for Drugs Test and HIV

LABORER AT WORK. A laborer works on a billboard scaffolding in Mumbai on July 12, 2023. AFP

NEDA: Education key to taking advantage of young population

By Julito G. Rada

NATIONAL Economic and Development

Authority Undersecretary Rosemarie

Edillon underscored the need to invest in lifelong learning, job creation and increasing employability to maximize the country’s demographic dividend and achieve the goals of the Philippine Development Plan 2023-2028.

“We have outlined various plans, programs, and policies in the PDP that will ensure that all Filipinos have access to social services, opportunities to improve their employability and social protection,” Edillon said during a high-level meeting for this year’s World Population Day on July 11..

Edillon said it is important to align national and local development plans with the ongoing demographic transition. She said this framework was cascaded to the regional level, and it was crucial

to address the various challenges arising from the demographic transition at the municipal and city levels.

NEDA Secretary Arsenio Balisacan, in his keynote address read by Edillon, said the government places great importance on eradicating poverty, promoting lifelong learning and transformative education, providing accessible healthcare, ensuring gender equality and fostering sustainable economic growth.

The United Nations Population Fund released the State of the World Population report to commemorate the milestone of the global population surpassing the 8-billion mark.

“As the world’s population surpasses 8 billion, it is essential that we take on the complexities of our changing reality and approach these concerns with depth, empathy, and evidencebased solutions,” Balisacan said in his statement.

AMORTIZATION

WRITE-OFF. Land Bank of the Philippines ensures that it will work closely with government partners for the seamless and immediate implementation of the New Agrarian Emancipation Act. The government is writing-off land amortizations managed by LandBank amounting to P57.74 billion as of 30 June 2023, effectively relieving over 649,000 agrarian reform beneficiaries tilling 1.17 million hectares of land debt. Joining President Ferdinand Marcos Jr. (center) after the signing of the law on July 7, 2023 are Agrarian Reform Secretary and LandBank board member Conrado Estrella III (eighth from right) and other DAR officials, together with LandBank president and chief executive Lynette Ortiz (thir from right), executive vice president Alex Lorayes (fourth from right) and vice president Marife Lynn Pascua (second from right).

CA rules in favor of San Miguel units’ rate hike

By Alena Mae S. Flores

THE 13th Division of the Court of Appeals nullified and set aside the order of the Energy Regulatory Commission rejecting the temporary rate hike petition filed by San Miguel Corp.’s energy subsidiaries last year.

SMC said in a disclosure to the Philippine Stock Exchange Wednesday the CA annulled the ERC order dated Sept. 29, 2022 in ERC Case No. 2019-081 and ERC Case No. 2019-083 “for having been issued with grave abuse of discretion amounting to lack or excess of jurisdiction.”

SMC said it received, through Poblador Bautista Reyes Law Offices, the counsel of San Miguel Energy Corp. and South

BRIEF

Megawide to focus on affordable housing

MEGAWIDE Construction Corp. said Wednesday it will focus on developing affordable residential projects as it expands into property development.

Megawide chief executive Edgar Saavedra said during the annual stockholders meeting the company’s move to venture into residential development would boost its operations as net profit margin of property development is usually doubledigit, compared with single digit for construction. The property business requires a fourth of a construction company’s manpower, but generates four to eight times in earnings, he said.

“Majority of the products we are focusing on are below middle-income level which management deems as more essential,” Saavedra said.

He said the affordable segment is essential and more resilient part of residential market as seen during the pandemic. Venturing into residential development is also a natural progression for the company since it has been also been constructing various vertical and horizontal projects for various property developers, Saaverdra said. Jenniffer B. Austria

PH, French Treasury finalizing loan for vessels

THE Philippines is finalizing the terms of a financing agreement with the French Treasury for the delivery of several offshore patrol vessels to the Philippine Coast Guard by French shipbuilding firm OCEA S.A.

Trade Undersecretary and Board of Investments managing head Ceferino Rodolfo said the Philippines signed a memorandum of understanding for a motherhood financing agreement with French companies and the French Treasury.

“This will be on top of the P1.5-billion shipyard investment that OCEA has committed to bring into the Philippines in the last two years,” Rodolfo said. He said the procurement of sea vessels is part of a tactical plan of OCEA to invest in the Philippines.

“When they get this contract, they said they will invest in a shipyard here. It does not have to be full ownership of a shipyard. One of the modalities they are exploring is, maybe, to lease an existing shipyard,” he said.

Rodolfo said the Cerberus Shipyard in Subic, formerly Hanjin Heavy Industries and Construction Philippines Inc., may take on a lease contract.

Part of Cerberus plans, when it acquired the Subic Shipyard from Hanjin for $300 million, is lease parts of it to locators. Othel V. Campos

DOTr turns over 50 houses

to families living beside rail

THE Department of Transportation said Wednesday it turned over socialized housing units to 50 households affected by the construction of the North-South Commuter Railway Extension Project in San Fernando City, Pampanga.

Transportation Secretary Jaime Bautista said affected residents and communities would benefit from well-made houses and job and livelihood opportunities.

“Hindi lang pabahay ito, pero may kasamang pangkabuhayan kaya tutulungan po namin kayo na magkaroon ng mas magandang buhay paglipat ninyo dito sa mga bahay na ibibigay namin sa inyo,” Bautista said.

The relocation sites for the displaced families are highly livable with availability of basic utilities and low monthly amortizations – starting at only P500 and accessibility to schools, health center, public market, sports facilities, police station and transport terminal, according to the department.

The DOTr and the Philippine National Railway, in cooperation with the Department of Human Settlements and Urban Development, National Housing Authority and city government of San Fernando facilitated the permanent relocation of the 50 families from the seven affected barangays in the city. Darwin G. Amojelar

Premiere Power Corp., the CA order granting the consolidated petitions for certiorari filed by the two companies. Manila Electric Co. said it received the CA decision which upheld the position taken by SMC and the distributor that the grant of the fuel price adjustment “is the least cost option for our customers rather than buying replacement power from WESM [Wholesale Electricity

Spot Market] or other suppliers.”

“However, there are some matters in the decision that we feel need to be clarified. We are consulting with our lawyers on the legal remedies available to us including an appeal to the Supreme Court,” Meralco first vice president and head of regulatory management Atty. Jose Ronald Valles said.

Valles said to ensure the continuity of supply of electricity and avoid exposure to volatile WESM prices, it would also start negotiating for emergency power supply agreement to replace any lost capacity if San Miguel Energy Corp. terminates its PSA with Meralco as a result of the CA decision.

“Rest assured that our priority is to always ensure that we have sufficient supply at the least cost for our 7.7 million customers,” Meralco said.

The ERC said it had yet to receive a copy of the CA decision.

“We will be guided by OSG [Office of the Solicitor General] on this matter,” ERC chairperson Monalisa Dimalanta said.

Power for People Coalition convenor Gerry Arances said the CA failed to uphold public interest by granting SMC’s petition in its case against the ERC.

“The court effectively releases SMC from any consequences of breaking a contract simply because it is not earning enough from a commitment it has made voluntarily,” Arances said.

SPPC and SMEC, administrators of the 1,200-megawatt Ilijan natural gas and 1,200MW Sual coal-fired power plants, respectively, along with Meralco, sought a temporary rate hike under its 2019 power supply agreement due to “change in circumstance.”

Alveo Land expects P20b in sales from new BGC building

By Jenniffer B. Austria

ALVEO Land, the upscale brand of Ayala Land Inc., launched a new highrise condominium project in Bonifacio Global City that could generate up to P20 billion in sales.

ELECTRIFICATION. One Meralco Foundation energizes the health center of Barangay Laiban in Tanay, Rizal which caters to over 3,000 individuals. The electrification of rural health centers is among the initiatives of OMF under its community electrification program which also covers low-income households, off grid public schools, water access projects and agricultural and livelihood programs. Attending the ceremony are (from left) Manila Electric Co. head of HMB-central business area Villardo Asuncion, Meralco chief corporate social responsibility officer and OMF president Jeffrey Tarayao, Tanay Mayor Rafael Tanjuatco, Tanay municipal health officer Dr. Amor Dulce Rivera, Meralco senior vice president and chief revenue ifficer Ferdinand Geluz, Rizal Vice Governor Reynaldo San Juan Jr., Tanay Vice Mayor Rex Manuel Tanjuatco and Meralco vice president and head of commercial operations Charina Padua.

Peso climbs to 54.93 per US dollar on strong remittance inflows

THE peso strengthened to a threemonth high against the US dollar, amid the seasonal increase in remittances for tuition payments and other schoolrelated expenses.

The local currency gained P0.32 to close at 54.93 Wednesday from 55.25 Tuesday. It was the peso’ strongest level since it closed at 54.93 on April 11, 2023.

Data from the Bankers Association of the Philippines showed that value turnover reached $1.36 billion, up from $1.26 billion previously.

Michael Ricafort, chief economist of Rizal Commercial Banking Corp., said the gauge of the US dollar against major global currencies corrected to new twomonth lows lately.

“The markets are anticipating some seasonal increase in OFW remittances

and conversion to pesos to prepare for some tuition payments and other related expenses for the opening of the new school season, somewhere around Julyto August 2023,” Ricafort said.

He said this could be offset by seasonal increase in importation in the third quarter in preparation for the expected rise in local demand and for exports in the fourth quarter.

“The peso also appreciated vs the US dollar ahead of the US CPI/inflation for the month of June 2023 widely expected by the markets to ease further towards 3 percent from 4 percent in May and moving closer to the Fed’s target of 2 percent,” he said.

The interagency Development Budget Coordinating Committee adjusted the peso-dollar exchange rate assumption

to a range of 54 to 57 in 2023 and 53 to 57 in the medium term.

Hongkong and Shanghai Banking Corp. also expects the peso to end the year at 54.5 against the greenback amid the loosening monetary policy in the United States.

Fan Cheuk Wan, HSBC chief investment officer for Asia, downplayed in an online briefing the impact of global uncertainties on the strength of the peso going forward.

Fan said she expects the Federal Reserve to increase interest rate by 25 basis points in July. The peso fell to an all-time low of 59 against the dollar in October 2022 amid expectations that the Fed by that time would raise interest rates.

Julito G. Rada

Alveo Land president Carlmichael Jugo said in a news briefing Wednesday the project Park East Place received strong sales take-up from buyers, with reservation sales reaching P6.2 billion.

“The success of Park East Place’s project launch reaffirms Alveo’s presence in BGC. The extremely strong reception is a clear affirmation of Park East Place’s unique project concept, strategic location and trust in Alveo brand,” Jugo said.

The 59-story Park East Place offers 523 residential units with all balconies selling at an average price of P430,000 per square meter or P24 million to P66 million a unit.

Floor sizes range from 61 square meters for one-bedroom unit, 67 sq. m. for two-bedroom unit and 131 sq. m for three-bedroom unit.

Jugo said the company is more optimistic about the property sector this year amid the continued reopening of the economy and stabilizing interest rates.

Most of the buyers are end-users and investors, it said.

Jugo said the project is strategically located at the corner of 32nd Street and 9th Avenue—two major thoroughfares in BGC. It is also near office buildings and well-known commercial centers as well as pioneer landmarks such as St. Luke’s Medical Center-Global City, S&R Membership Shopping and MC Home Depot.

COVID-related insurance payouts declined to P1.53b in second half of 2022

INSURANCE companies and health maintenance organizations paid out P1.53 billion in COVID-related claims in the second half of 2022, down from P7.65 billion a year ago, the Insurance Commission said Wednesday.

It said insurers and HMOs paid a total of 137,478 COVID-related claims in the period, a sharp decline from 359,622 claims a year earlier as the number of COVID-19 cases also dropped.

A survey conducted by the commission

showed the number of claims paid in the second half of 2022 “tracked the declining trend of COVID-19 cases during the said period.”

The Department of Health reported that the number of confirmed COVID-19 cases in the second half of 2022 fell to 287,229 from the 1,112,477 cases in the same period in 2021.

COVID-related claim payouts made by life insurance companies amounted to P987 million, while HMOs paid out P483

million.

Meanwhile, mutual benefit associations and non-life insurers paid out a total of P33 million.

About 124 respondent companies participated in the commission’s survey on COVID-19-related claims in the period.

These included 28 out of 32 licensed life insurers, 43 out of 54 non-life insurers, 29 out of 33 MBAs and 24 out of 29 HMOs.

The Insurance Commission has

conducted semestral surveys among regulated entities on their COVID-related claims payouts since the start of the pandemic in March 2020.

Based on the surveys, the insurance industry paid out P22.36 billion in COVID-related claims from 2020 to 2022.

COVID-related claims paid amounted to P3.89 billion in 2020, P12.82 billion in 2021 and P5.65 billion in 2022. Julito G. Rada

Sotto stays ready, still hopes to play in ‘23 Summer League

By Randy Caluag

NBA adopts opping penalty, expands coach’s video challenges

NEW YORK—NBA team owners approved rule changes on Tuesday creating an in-game flopping penalty and expanded coach’s video replay challenge starting next season, the league announced.

The NBA’s Competition Committee—which includes players, coaches, referees, club owners, team executives and representatives from the National Basketball Players Association—unanimously recommended both changes to the full board of team owners.

The new flopping rule, adopted on a one-season trial basis, says that when a game official calls a player for a flop—a motion deliberately trying to entice a referee foul call on another player—an offending player will be issued a technical foul and the opposing team will be awarded one free throw attempt.

A player will not be ejected from a game based on flopping violations.

Referees will not be required to stop play to call a flopping violation, allowing teams with an offensive opportunity to keep going until the game’s next natural stoppage.

Referees can call both a foul and a flopping violation on the same play.

But even if he doesn’t play, the young Sotto has vowed to maintain his positive outlook and mature mind -- which are signs of a true professional.

“I’m a professional. I just focus on things I can control. Obviously, I can control myself, and my emotions. Just gotta stay ready,” Sotto told Filipino reporter Homer Sayson in an article at SPIN.

“As a professional, you don’t get the chance to play in every game. Just gotta stay healthy, keep the positive mindset, that positive attitude and we’ll all be good,” he added.

After not suiting up in the Magic’s first two Summer League games at the Thomas and Mack Center, Sotto has remained upbeat that he finally gets the chance to show his skills.

The Magic have two remaining Summer League games.

But after several practice sessions with the Magic, it looks like Sotto doesn’t need the exposure anymore as it appears the coaching staff already has a plan for the 7’3” Filipino center.

Either he’s in or out.

Sotto’s ability has already been proven

with his stints in several professional leagues in Australia, Japan, and the FIBA World Cup qualifying games.

And never forget, too, that Sotto has already tasted how it feels to compete against legitimate NBA players when his Australian team, Adelaide 36ers beat the Phoenix Suns, 134-124, in an NBA pre-season game in October last year.

In that game, Sotto carried himself well by scoring 11 points, including a pair of slams, hauled two rebounds, dished out one assist and stole the ball twice in only 18 minutes of play.

In his first NBA exposure, Sotto even fared better than what NBA’s top pick Victor Wembanyama did in his first NBA summer league debut as the French player struggled with a 2-for13 shooting for 11 points that went with eight rebounds, five blocks, and three assists, while tying for the team’s lead in turnovers (3) in 27 minutes of action.

PH jumps 111 notches to No. 56 in FIVB men’s world rankings

THE Philippine men’s team quietly but strongly pulled off a major accomplishment by leapfrogging 111 notches from No. 167 down in the International Volleyball Federation (FIVB) world rankings to No. 56 following two victories at the ongoing Asian Volleyball Confederation (AVC) Challenge Cup for Men in Taipei.

“This is one big, major achievement for our men’s indoor volleyball team,” Philippine National Volleyball Federation president Ramon “Tats” Suzara said on Wednesday.

“This is by far the most significant accomplishment by our men’s team and the PNVF just under three years into its establishment as the national federation,” Suzara added.

The Philippines is one of only three of the 222 FIVB member nations which made a major stride in the world rank-

ings. Macau jumped from No. 165 to No. 58 and Mongolia from No 164 to No. 59 with both countries also competing in Taiwan.

The national men’s team currently vying in Taipei is composed of Vincent Raphael Mangulabanan, Noel Michael Kampton, Kim Harold Dayandante, Vince Patrick Lorenzo, Ryan Andrew Banez, Kim Malabunga, Jayvee Sumagaysay, Steve Charles Rotter, Adrian Villados, John Vic de Guzman, Joshua Umandal, Edward Camposano, Bryan Bagunas, Marck Jesus Espejo, Rex Emmanuel Intal, Madzlan Gampong, Lloyd Josafat, Cyrus de Guzman, Manual Sumanguid III and Chumason Celestine Njigha.

The team is led by PNVF director Rod Roque and handled by Brazilian head coach Sergio Veloso and deputy coaches Odjie Mamon and Rommel Abella with

team manager Jerome Guhit, strength and conditioning coach Melchidedek Samonte and statistician Mark Gil Alfafara. The PNVF also sent FIVB referee Janus Dumaran to Taiwan.

The nationals beat Macau, 25-21, 2515, 25-14, last Sunday and Mongolia, 22-25, 25-21, 26-24, 23-25, 15-12, on Monday to reach the final 12 of the AVc Challenge Cup for Men at the University of Taipei Hall.

The Filipinos went on to give powerhouse Bahrain a scare before yielding, 25-20, 25-17, 25-23, at the resumption of play on Wednesday morning.

Also competing in Taiwan are the host country, Australia, South Korea, Hong Kong, Kazakhstan, India, Vietnam, Saudi Arabia and Thailand.

Lim keeps top form, grabs 2 PPS crowns

BENEDICT Lim leveled up from a previous feat as he captured two titles on home turf while Marlyn Mesiona posted a win and a runner-up finish in the PPPPEPP national junior tennis championships at the Lala and MCL courts in Lanao del Norte last Tuesday.

The top-ranked Lim, 14, crushed Pete Bandala, 6-2, 6-2, in the finals to stamp his class in his age-group category that saw him yield just seven games in four matches then as second seed in 16-U play, he repelled No. 1 and doubles partner Kale Villamar, 6-3, 5-7, 10-6, to complete the twinkill after topping the 14-U and finishing runner-up in 16-U in the Tubod stop, also in Lanao del Norte, of the circuit two weeks ago.

Mesiona, on the other hand, battled back from a set down to repulse Bato, Leyte’s Kate Imalay, 2-6, 6-1, 10-8, in the girls’ 16-U finals but the Sin-

dangan, Zambo del Norte campaigner failed to match Lim’s two-title feat after yielding to Imalay, 6-2, 6-1, in the 14-U championship of the Group 2 tournament sponsored by Lala, Lanao del Norte Mayor Angel Yap and Vice Mayor Cesar Yap.

Other winners in the event which served as part of the country’s longesttalent search put up by Palawan Pawnshop president/CEO Bobby Castro were Villamar from Kapatagan, Lanao del Norte, Muhammad Sarip from MSU, Marawi City, Yuree Madrona and Vienna Cagas, both from Oroquieta City, and local bet Anna Ragpala.

Villamar took the 1-U plum with a 6-4, 6-2 victory over Aljun Tizon; Sarip shocked top seed Vincent Aguilar, 6-0, 6-3, in boys’ 12-U; Madrona smothered Jacob Buhat, 4-0, 4-0, for the 10-unisex title; Cagas held off Gabrielle Bulado, 7-5, 6-2, for the girls’ 12-U diadem; and Ragpala stunned No. 1 Sanschena Francisco, 6-3, 7-5, for the girls’ 18-U trophy.

While flopping violations are not reviewable under a coach’s challenge, they can be called during a referee’s replay review triggered by a coach’s challenge or a referee-initiated replay review of certain types of called fouls.

The NBA will continue to look at flopping after games, with fines modified to match technical fouls, starting at $2,000 and increasing for repeat offenders.

The coach’s challenge change gives teams a second challenge if their first challenge is successful.

Teams must continue to use a timeout to trigger a challenge. They would not be able to challenge without a timeout available.

Teams can continue to keep the timeout after a first challenge if successful but will not retain the timeout used for a second challenge whether or not it is successful. AFP

PH mauls

Maldives to zero in on semifinals

THE Philippines unleashed a balanced offensive arsenal, taking control from start to finish to hand Maldives a 122-point, 14422 beating on Day 2 of Division B play in the FIBA U16 Women’s Asian Championship 2023 Tuesday night (Wednesday morning in Manila) at the Prince Hamza Sport Hall. Sophia Canindo led 10 of 12 players in double figures with her game-high 21 points as the Philippines closed in on the semifinals.

Her teammates Nevaeh Smith and Aubrey Lapasaran hit 16 points apiece.

Singapore and Hong Kong also picked up victories in their respective brackets, while the Gilas Women inched closer to the knockout crossover semis.

A 19-0 blast at the start of their game proved crucial as the Filipinas took control of the match.

Ryan Nair had 15 points, Ava Fajardo made 13 points and 9 rebounds and Isabella De Jesus, along with Shannon Sayson, also made 13 apiece.

Alyssia Palma provided 10 points for the Philippines.

So far, the Filipinas have recorded the most points made by any team in the two-division tournament.

Gilas moved ahead on 47 steals, forcing Maldives to 73 turnovers.

The Philippines now has a great chance to clinch the top spot of Group A against Jordan.

Peter Atencio

Malaki Branham of the San Antonio Spurs shoots against a flopping Rayan Rupert #72 and Duop Reathof the Portland Trail Blazers in the second half of a 2023 NBA Summer League game at the Thomas & Mack Center on July 09, 2023 in Las Vegas, Nevada. AFP

PNVF president Ramon “Tats” Suzara

Benedict Lim (second from left) and Marlyn Mesiona show their trophies as they pose with councilor Ralph Lim (left) and Mayor Angel Yap.

Kai Sotto Orlando Magic

Asian BMX tilt, freestyle tourney slated in Tagaytay

TAGAYTAY City rolls out the red carpet for athletes and officials from eight countries who are seeing action in the 2023 Asian Cycling Confederation BMX Racing and Freestyle Championships set this Sat urday and Sunday at the Tagaytay City BMX Park and the newly-refurbished and multi-purpose Tagaytay City Combat Center.

“Our warmest welcome to the athletes, coaches and officials for the ACC BMX Championships,” said Tagaytay City Mayor and Philippine Olympic Committee president Rep. Abraham “Bambol” Tolentino, who also heads the host national federation PhilCycling.

Riders from Indonesia, Japan, South Korea, Singapore, China, Hongkong, Thailand and Malaysia poise a challenge to Filipino riders led by London Olympian Daniel Caluag, the lone Filipino gold medalist in the Incheon 2014 Asian Games, and former Asian Juniors champion Patrick Coo.

The freestyle competitions in flatland and park will be staged Saturday with national coach and athlete Renz Viaje leading the campaign in the championships primarily supported by the Philippine Sports Commission, POC, City Government of Tagaytay and Council, First District of Cavite, Province of Cavite and with support from Smart/MVP Sports Foundation, Vans and partner hotels Summit Ridge, Tagaytay Quest Hotel and Tagaytay Hotel Dominique.

The Asian championships are the second major international competition that Tolentino is hosting in Tagaytay City after the Philippine 30th Southeast Asian Games in December 2019.

The event—calendared by the International Cycling Union and the ACC—will be held at the UCI-standard racing facility, the only BMX park in Asia that has a roof.

The motos for the BMX racing events are set Saturday and early Sunday with the finals scheduled for Sunday afternoon, according to PhilCycling secretary-general Atty. Billy Sumagui.

A total of 38 athletes are entered in freestyle—14 men and seven women in park and 10 men and seven women in flatland. For racing, 53 riders are entered in the championships and 35 in the challenge event.

Rapinoe nervous, excited to play her last World Cup

AUCKLAND—United States veteran Megan Rapinoe admitted Wednesday she was feeling nervous but is determined to enjoy her last World Cup and sign out with a third title.

Rapinoe announced at the weekend that she will retire at the end of this season, completing a career that has already brought two World Cup crowns.

She can make it a third when the tournament kicks off next week in Australia and New Zealand.

“The nerves are still kind of there, and the excitement,” the forward, who is also well-known for her activism, said.

“I am 38 years old, it is pretty obvious I am not going to be playing forever,” added Rapinoe, who has 199 caps and has also won Olympic gold.

“I’m feeling all the feels and knowing this will be my last World Cup,” Rapinoe said in Auckland, where the Americans will be based.

Her forthcoming retirement

means “I can just really enjoy it and focus on trying to win the tournament”, she added.

The United States would be the first team to win the Women’s World Cup three times in a row, but fellow veteran Alex Morgan says they must not get ahead of themselves.

“We are obviously looking to make history, that would be great,” the 34-year-old told reporters when asked if the holders were already talking about three in a row.

“That’s in the back of our minds,” she added. “(But) it is really just wanting each game as it comes.”

The United States will meet the Netherlands, the team they beat in the final four years ago, in the group stage. Also in Group E are Portugal and Vietnam.

Cargo Movers, Cool Smashers try to secure semis berths

Games Thursday (Philsports Arena)

9:30 a.m. – Gerflor vs Chery Tiggo

12 noon – F2 Logistics vs Petro Gazz 4 p.m. – Creamline vs PLDT

6:30 p.m. – Farm Fresh vs Cignal

F2 Logistics, physically and emotionally exhausted following a steal of a classic five-set win over Choco Mucho late Tuesday, expects to recover quick through rest and proper nutrition as it faces another top and tough contender in pursuit of a coveted semifinal seat in the Premier Volleyball League Invitational Conference at the Philsports Arena in Pasig today (Thursday).

“We have to recover more because our next game is on Thursday,” said F2 Logistics coach Regine Diego after steering her wards to a mind-boggling 21-25, 25-17, 1725, 25-21, 18-16 decision over the Flying Titans that saw them fight back from 11-14 deficit in the decider to snatch the win.

With a 3-0 card in the six-team Pool B, F2 Logistics still needs to win once to formalize its semis stint although the Cargo Movers are keen on sweeping their last two games to further firm up their bid in the carry-over phase which will feature two foreign guest squads from Vietnam and Japan.

Meanwhile, US women’s team coach Vlatko Andonovski said Rapinoe remained an important part of the team for the World Cup which starts on July 20.

“Megan Rapinoe is one of the most important players in women’s soccer history and a personality like no other,” he said.

“It’s been a wonderful experience to coach her in the NWSL and for the national team and I’m looking forward to her being an important part of our team at the World Cup,” he added.

The Californian has spent most of her career playing in domestic leagues but had a brief spell in Australia with W-League team Sydney FC in 2011 and two years later played for French club Lyon, reaching the final of the Champions League.

At the 2019 World Cup in France, she scored in the 2-0 win over the Netherlands in the final and was named Player of the Match. She won the Golden Boot as top scorer and Golden Ball for best player in the tournament. AFP

Club Gymnastica bets dominate national gymnastics’ meet

CLUB Gymnastica, the pioneer in training Philippine gymnastics athletes, produced big winners in the recent Gymnastics Association of the Philippines Challenge 2023 at the GAP National Training Center in Intramuros, Manila.

The club, which was established in 1981, participated in three out of the seven categories, namely P3, HP3, and FIG Junior, with Amara Zoe Lagdameo, Maria Celina Gonzales, Zayanna Ysabel Enriquez, Chiara Lourice Acedera, Gilanah Raine San Pedro, Jia Mae Cabatingan, and Reeze Angel Semacio all emerging with medals.

Total tally was seven golds, nine silvers and three bronze medals.

Acedera, the Individual AllAround winner, won the overall gold in the P3 category, with San Pedro receiving the silver.

Gonzales won the overall gold in the HP3 category, with Lagdameo netting silver in the AllAround FIG Junior category.

“We take pride in the successes of our athletes and really commend and recognize their hard work, dedication, and discipline. Since 1981, it has been our mission to produce worldclass Filipino gymnastics athletes who can go head-to-head against the world’s best,” said Club Gymnastica president Susan David Talingting.

Four of the gymnasts from the

current Women’s Philippine National Team are products of Club Gymnastica, with the next batch of talented gymnasts hoping to follow suit.

The CGP president added that the GAP Challenge serves as the qualifying competitions for ranking and possible inclusion in the developmental and national t raining pool.

“A win in the recently held competition is a big step for the young athletes as they are one step closer to fulfill their dream of going to the nationals and eventually get the honor of representing the country in future international gymnastics events,” said Talingting.

Bacoor, Nueva Ecija rout rivals; Iloilo stuns Zamboanga

BACOOR and Nueva Ecija trounced their opponents, while Iloilo stunned Zamboanga in the OKBet-MPBL (Maharlika Pilipinas Basketball League)

Fifth Season on Tuesday at the Bacoor Strike Gym in Cavite.

The Bacoor Strikers clobbered the Paranaque Patriots, 83-58, to keep pace with the Nueva Ecija Rice Vanguards, who dumped the Oriental Mindoro Disiplinados, 84-69, in the round-robin elimination phase.

While the easy victories of Bacoor and Nueva Ecija that pushed their records to 16-2 were expected, Iloilo's triumph over Zamboanga Family's Brand Sardines was a surprise.

With their roster depleted, the Iloilo United Royals relied on homegrown Omar Larupay, and Lorenzo Navarro,

especially in the fourth quarter, to improve to 8-11 and rev up their drive for a playoff spot in the 29-team tournament.

A 6-foot-2 high-flyer from the University of the East and Lyceum, Larupay scored 19 points, including the insurance free throws with 13 seconds left, and grabbed 17 rebounds to earn best player honors.

Navarro, formerly of San Sebastian College and Lyceum, wound up with 14 points, 9 assists, 5 rebounds and 2 steals as the United Royals completed their climb from a 32-45 hole in the second quarter.

Shaquille Imperial added 14 points and JR Sumido, another homegrown, contributed 13 points for Iloilo, which also drew 8 points and 12 rebounds from CJ Catapusan and 9 points plus 6 rebounds from Joshua Flores.

Zamboanga, the 2023 MPBL Invitation Preseason champion, slid to 14-4 despite the 23-point, 12-rebound effort of Dexter Maiquez and the 14-point, 10-rebound output of Judel Fuentes.

Reigning league MVP Jaycee Marcelino was held to 11 points, 9 assists and 5 rebounds, while his twin, Jayvee, settled for 12 points and 7 rebounds.

Bacoor drew power from former San Beda star James Kwekuteye with 22 points, 6 rebounds and 3 steals. Jimboy Pasturan, acquired from St. Benilde, notched 17 points and 2 steals, Jhan McHale Nermal 12 points, 10 rebounds and 2 assists, and Mark Yee 15 rebounds plus 4 points. Paranaque, which slipped to 7-12 got 12 and 11 points from Jielo Razon and Paolo Castro, respectively.

But F2 is solely focusing on its 12 noon duel with Petro Gazz, locked in a threeway tie at 2-1 with Choco Mucho and Cignal in what looms to be a wild, furious chase for semis slots.

Chery Tiggo and Gerflor kick off another four-game bill at 9:30 a.m. with Creamline (2-0) also going all-out to nail the first semis spot in Pool A against PLDT at 4 p.m., and Cignal likewise out to enhance its semis bid against ousted Farm Fresh in Pool B in the 6:30 p.m. nightcap.

Meanwhile, the league, backed by BingoPlus, ArenaPlus, Mikasa, SMART, Rebisco, Kumu, Asics and SportRadar, yesterday apologized for the inconvenience caused by the breakdown of the air-conditioning system Tuesday due to the huge number of people inside the arena that numbered to over 7,000.

The Philippine Sports Commission has already ordered the replacement of chiller No. 3 to ensure a more comfortable environment for the next gamedays, according to the organizing Sports Vision.

Des Cheng quit in the fourth set due to exhaustion while Chery Nunag cramped out in the fifth set, hampering the Flying Titans’ offensive threat and defensive stance. Still, behind Sisi Rondina, Kat Tolentino, Bea de Leon, Maddie Madayag and Caitlyn Viray, Choco Mucho fought back from 4-7 down in the decider but blew a 14-11 bubble, leading to the Cargo Movers’ epic comeback.

“Sleep, nutrition and supplementation, we got coaches for that and they’re doing really well,” said Diego. “I know these girls are not going to be overconfident for the next game. So we’re just going to celebrate for a second here and we’ll just move on and continue to work.”

Hard work has anchored the Cargo Movers’ surge in the mid-season conference and they continued to thrive with their resiliency, chemistry and big fighting heart.

Their depth also came to the fore against Choco Mucho as Diego drew clutch performances from rookies Mars Alba and Jolina dela Cruz with Shola Alvarez delivering a key ace that helped spike their enthralling come-from-behind triumph.

Kim Dy was in her old fiery self, so did Aby Maraño, Ivy Lacsina, Majoy Baron and Myla Pablo. But against the Angels, the Cargo Movers face a different set of rivals, headed by seasoned Gr ethcel Soltones, Aiza Pontillas, Remy Palma, Nicole Tiamzon and the bigSabete.

Nueva Ecija banked on its board dominance, 58-41, and the offensive sock of Pamboy Raymundo and Michael Mabulac to hand Oriental Mindoro its 16th loss in 19 starts.

Raymundo chalked 18 points while Mabulac added 16 plus 9 rebounds for the defending champion, which also got 10 points, 7 rebounds and 5 assists from Chris Bitoon. Homegrown Rodel Vaygan scored 13 points, Leo Najorda 12, Agem Miranda 11 and Christian De Chavez 10 for Oriental Mindoro.

The MPBL returns to the Batangas State University Gym on Thursday with a triple bill pitting Bacolod against Nueva Ecija at 4 p.m., Makati against Sarangani at 6 p.m., and Pampanga against Batangas at 8 p.m.

United States forward Megan Rapinoe speaks during a press conference for the 2023 FIFA Women’s World Cup United States Women’s National Soccer Team Media Day at Dignity Health Sports Part in Carson, California. AFP

Club Gymnastica athletes display their medals.

Omar Larupay of the Iloilo United Royals

Britney Spears tackles freedom, fame, survival in upcoming memoir

POP star Britney Spears will publish a highly anticipated memoir this fall, some two years after a court freed her from a strict conservatorship many deemed abusive and exploitative.

The magnetic pop star's book The Woman In Me is set for publication on October 24, after Gallery Books, an imprint of Simon & Schuster, acquired it. Spears lived nearly 14 years under a controversial legal arrangement that barred her from man-

aging her own life and finances, a period in which she was largely governed by her father, Jamie

A Los Angeles judge in November 2021 dissolved the conservatorship. In one chilling accusation, the singer said under the arrangement she was prevented from having a contraceptive IUD removed despite her desire for more children. The 41-year-old has described being forced to work and tour, and said her phone was tapped.

‘Mr. Suave’ bass man spearheads L.A. gig

IT’S something cool when you see a Filipino musician living in Los Angeles County and leading the way for a gig composed of interesting musicians and performers in the area. What more if that guy is actually the bass player of what may be labeled as a legendary Filipino pop-rock act.

To be more precise about it, you can hear his playing in classic records like “Buloy,” “Halaga,” “Silvertoes, “Maniwala Ka Sana,” “Mang Jose,” “Picha Pie,” “The Yes Yes Show,” “Bagsakan,” among others. He even wrote one of his band’s biggest hits, “Mr. Suave.”

Yes, the man in question is Buwi Meneses, member of Parokya Ni Edgar (PNE) and perhaps among the most popular non-frontmen who emerged during the ‘90s "pandemonium."

The gig event he spearheaded with like-minded fellows happened last June 24 at what is named the White House in Inglewood, a suburb of Los Angeles in California, USA.

The backyard spectacle was called Eccentric City, and featured more than 10 artists, including himself who delivered with drumming dude a fired-up rhythm section instrumental with him on bass.

“When you go to America, you’re basically equal with everyone. Everyone is hustling,” said the beloved

bassist who’d rather downplay the fact that he is a legit Pinoy rock royalty.

The music fest brought by the collaboration of Remitly, Segroup, and Beyond Bass Productions showcased the artistry of the following performers: Rat Shack Jazz, The Binas, Kira Bravo, Raeven Junior New System, Miss Ramonne, Holly, Travis, The Ludus Stunt Fight, and Young Lovers. Buwi, essentially serving as the face of the artists’ gathering, hopes to stage bigger Eccentric City gigs to create a healthy community of performers and followers.

Asked about his current take on his decision to relocate to America, he said, “All I can do is play music and I know the ins and outs of live events.”

He then stated, “I don’t regret the decision. It’s not that easy ever since I got here. Apparently, you start all over again.”

I have been to a number of press conferences that featured Parokya Ni Edgar, but I got to know Buwi more when he did his other key ventures: Franco and Dakila. The former was introduced as a rock supergroup, while the latter was described as established by another supergroup in its own right, one including folk singer Noel Cabangon and the late comedian Tado, who teamed up creatively to inspire social transformation. There is no question Buwi is a star on his own.

The bass-playing hit-maker added, emphasizing the value of music in his life, “This is what I do. My wife and family know this is all I can do. I’m trying to find a way to make it work for me. I won’t stop.”

Not to discourage other musi-

cians from the Philippines planning to restart their lives in another country, but rather to illustrate plain truth as opposed to idealistic vision, he noted, “Kahit musicians na magagaling, they have to find a day job (here). Two to three jobs.” In another interview, Buwi mentioned leaving it all to give his children more options for their future. Nuff said. Besides, he still does it with Parokya Ni Edgar, in particular, if the rest of the band is in town. He also said that, for the record, he and other members of Franco still want to play together. Will he officially leave PNE? He expressed, “Times have changed. May edad na at family oriented na kami lahat. Yet, we love each other and the people love us. I’m thankful. Continue '.”

Star-studded comeback for Aliwan Fiesta

WHEN Aliwan Fiesta makes its much-awaited comeback today, July 13, Manila Broadcasting Company will make sure that the public gets treated to the cornucopia of sights and sounds that the Philippines’ grandest festival has been known for.

Apart from the eagerly anticipated national showdown of the best dance contingents from various parts of the country that will be held on the last day, master artisans will parade their intricately crafted floats bearing the bevy of beauties vying for the highly coveted title of Reyna ng Aliwan.

And because Aliwan Fiesta spells music to the max, this year's featured guest performers are sure to thrill audiences young and old. Pasakalye's

Spears rocketed to fame in her teens on hits like "...Baby One More Time," becoming one of the world's reigning pop stars at the turn of the millennium.

But she suffered a highly publicized 2007 breakdown, which included attacking a paparazzo's car at a gas station.

The conservatorship began in 2008. It didn't formally end until November 2021, after the pop phenom's father Jamie Spears was removed from his position in charge

of her finances and estate at a hearing in September.

"I just want my life back," she told the court in 2021. Since gaining her freedom, Spears has married her boyfriend Sam Asghari and collaborated on a song with Elton John

Her forthcoming memoir is "a brave and astonishingly moving story about freedom, fame, motherhood, survival, faith, and hope," her publisher said in a statement. AFP

GMA Pinoy TV pays tribute to Filipino seafarers at 'Seafarer Fiesta'

GMA Network’s international flagship channel and the Home of Global Pinoys, GMA Pinoy TV, proudly served as the media partner of the recently concluded Seafarer Fiesta last June 24 in Sofitel, Pasay City – a day of celebrating the Filipino seafarers' undeniable contribution to the world’s economy. The Seafarer Fiesta, which gathered nearly 2,000 seafarers and their families, also highlighted the sacrifice of the maritime professionals for the country and their loved ones.

During the event, GMA Pinoy TV’s booth attracted a large number of seafarers who eagerly lined up for the chance to win exciting raffle prizes and complimentary giveaways and get exclusive Votes V: Legacy shirts. The enthusiastic response demonstrated the genuine appreciation and enthusiasm of the attendees towards GMA Pinoy TV’s involvement in the event.

In addition to the festivities, GMA Pinoy TV also organized a contest specifically tailored for the seafarers in attendance. The competition provided an opportunity for the participants to engage in thrilling games, fostering camaraderie and a lively atmosphere among the seafaring community.

Actor Dingdong Dantes, who banners GMA’s primetime series Royal Blood, led the celebrities who gave their heartfelt greetings to the seafarers. Also sharing their messages were the rest of the Royal Blood ensemble as well as the cast of Abot Kamay na Pangarap. Sparkle stars Kyline Alcantara, Sanya Lopez, Andrea Torres, and Rita Daniela imparted encouraging words as well.

Organized by the Propel Me app, the Seafarer Fiesta coincided with the International Day of the Seafarer, which emphasized the global significance of this noble profession. GMA

Pinoy TV’s participation in the event further underscores its commitment to championing the aspirations and well-being of the Filipino seafaring

“GMA Pinoy TV reaffirms its commitment to honoring the indomi

table spirit and invaluable contributions of Filipino seafarers. We take pride in being the media partner for this remarkable event, which allowed us to amplify their stories and extend our support to the maritime community. Together, let us celebrate our modern-day heroes and their unwavering dedication to their families and our nation,” said GMA First Vice President and Head of International Operations Joseph T. Francia

GMA Pinoy TV's digital team also produced a series of inspiring videos, each focusing on a different aspect of the seafaring profession.

One #Spotted video showcased the stories of the seafarers who have gained popularity on Tiktok due to their entertaining and relatable online content. The video also underscored their significant contribution to the maritime industry.

Another empowering video celebrated the incredible achievements and contributions of female seafarers in a traditionally male-dominated field.

Additionally, a special graduation video also captured the joy and triumph of seafarers who successfully completed their studies and embarked on their maritime careers.

The inspiring story of Christopher Tuazon, a model turned seafarer and content creator, was also featured on the popular morning show Unang Hirit. Christopher's story epitomizes the resilience and adaptability of Filipino seafarers abroad while they embrace the challenges and opportunities of life at sea.

High-rating infotainment show Amazing Earth also featured the captivating story of Raul Deocadez Jr. whose heroic actions led to the rescue of two American citizens stranded at sea for nearly 10 days. His courageous efforts and quick thinking exemplify the extraordinary skills and compassion exhibited by Filipino seafarers around the world.

GMA Network, through GMA Pinoy TV, remains dedicated to supporting and uplifting the Filipino spirit, both at home and abroad

Bente Naman Jam happening today will feature Imago, Hey June, Grace Note, and Sunkissed Lola, along with Old Fantasy On pageant night, July 14, which will be hosted by former Reyna ng Aliwan and 2014 Miss Earth Jamie Herrell together with DJ Nick of 96.3 Easy Rock, Mark Carpio and Luke Mejares will croon and groove your hearts away.

And at the awarding ceremonies to be held at 9:00 p.m. on July 15, to be hosted by Nicole Hyala and Chris Tsuper, DJ Tom Taus will heat up the stage, together with Love Radio's Tanya Chinita and After Image frontman Wency Cornejo, followed by Banda ni Kleggy and 6 Cycle Mind capping the night's festivities.

Pop singer Britney Spears delves into her womanhood in ‘The Woman in Me’

The author together with Parokya Ni Edgar bassist Buwi Meneses

Buwi spearheads ‘Eccentric City’ which features more than 10 artists

Living now in California, Buwi Meneses puts up a recurring music fest dubbed 'Eccentric City' that features diverse acts, food,

GMA Network hosted the recently-concluded Seafarer Fiesta participated by over 2,000 seafarers

Wency Cornejo

Aliwan and 2014 Miss Earth Jamie Herrell

community. indomi-

Luke Mejares

LIFE

Creative solutions for your balding crown

At an event held in a hotel in Newport City, Pasay, a few months ago, I unexpectedly encountered Arnell Ignacio, a previous television host and current OWWA Administrator. Without hesitation, he enthusiastically shared details about his business, which provides innovative remedies catering to both men and women experiencing hair loss.

During our encounter, Arnell, with his characteristic wit, suggested that I visit his salon, where he promised to work his magic and make me resemble the dashing Derek Ramsay I simply laughed stating that I was content with my current appearance.

Three months later, I found myself standing outside his salon, located along Visayas Avenue. Arnell’s Creative Hair Systems, the name of his business, has just opened its second branch. The first branch is located in the city of San Juan.

How to keep your audience engaged without overwhelming them

By Noa Bar Shay

ALMOST 95 percent of Internet users access chat and messaging apps worldwide, making them a perfect place for brands to reach their audiences. How to strike the right balance between promoting your brand offerings and remaining non-intrusive?

Let’s explore the best practices of a balanced messenger marketing approach.

Create smart content

Leveraging rich media can significantly enhance the user experience with your brand. These visual elements make your content more appealing and help convey your message more effectively.

Tell compelling stories with rich media and encourage interaction. For example, brands on Viber share eye-catchy images and videos to tell about the new products, send texts with expressive emojis and CTA buttons to influence purchases, and share various files with their customers via business messages; they also customize their chatbots,

send stickers and carousels to catch customers’ attention.

It’s also essential to share relevant and valuable information that resonates with the needs and interests of those who see it. Balance promotional content with informative and helpful pieces, such as industry news, tips, and insights. This approach helps establish your brand as a credible source of information and fosters trust and loyalty.

Segment audience and craft personalized messages

One size does not fit all when it comes to engaging people on messaging apps. To ensure your content resonates with different audience segments, consider classifying it based on demographics, interests, behavior, and other factors such as earlier purchases. Then create personalized pieces tailored to each group’s preferences and needs.

Provide prompt customer support

As a business’s products or services gain popularity, the workload for its customer support team inevitably increases. It’s essen-

tial to ensure that their work is well-managed and streamlined. This is how:

Train your team to handle possible issues and ensure they are well-versed in your brand’s policies and products. Make sure they are readily available to address customer inquiries, concerns, and feedback, and know how to do it through a messaging app.

Support the work of your live team with chatbots to offer instant replies to the most frequently asked questions and streamline customer interactions. For example, brands on Viber use chatbots to help users search for available products, review delivery terms, check working hours, and many more.

By offering prompt and efficient customer support, you can enhance the customer experience and use it as yet another way to strengthen the relationship between your brand and its audience.

Setting boundaries to avoid overwhelming users

Despite marketers’ desire to reach their target audience as often as possible, setting boundaries on promotional content sent is key to engaging customers effectively on messaging apps without overwhelming them. Users can quickly become annoyed or disinterested if they receive too much attention of this kind. That is why finding the right balance between informative, engaging, and promotional material is crucial.

Keeping a consistent schedule can help you achieve this while maintaining your audience’s interest. Giving users the freedom to engage with your content at their convenience can also increase their customer experience. For example, all messages from brands on Viber can be found in a single folder, providing organized and streamlined communication.

Almost 95% of Internet users access chat and messaging apps worldwide, making them a perfect place for brands to reach their audiences

Noa Bar Shay is the senior director for Partnerships & Sales at Rakuten Viber

‘Reimagining the world without corruption’

HUNDREDS of delegates from international and local business organizations converged in this year’s International Tax Conference organized by the Asian Consulting Group (ACG) in partnership with the Center for Strategic Reforms of the Philippines.

With the theme “Beyond Borders: Addressing Global and Local Challenges,” the event, recently held at the I’M Hotel in Makati City, marked an important gathering of tax experts, finance leaders, economists and business executives to tackle crucial issues in the world of taxation.

The conference brought together key speakers and panelists from The World Bank, Asian Development Bank, International Monetary Fund, and United Nations Office on Drugs and Crime among others. Also present were honorary speakers from private, corporate, and government sectors including former Vice President Leni Robredo, Senator Win Gatchalian, former Department of Trade and Industry Secretary Ramon Lopez, and Assistant Secretary of the Department of Budget and

Management Romeo Balanquit

ACG Founding Chairman and Chief Tax Advisor Mon Abrea, lead convenor of this year’s International Tax Conference, also launched his new book Reimagining the World Without Corruption, a compilation of global initiatives to fight against corruption. In a special book launch held during the conference, former Vice President Robredo joined Abrea in discussing his latest book that tackles the different forms of corruption from measuring and addressing corruption to transparency and accountability.

Reimagining the World Without Corruption seeks to paint a portrait of a world free from the adverse effects of corruption. To help readers visualize such a world, the book references films, books, academic articles, and even recent events related to corruption. The book provides a discussion on the definition, origin, causes, and effects of corruption, as well as the different ways that experts have grouped the different forms and varieties of corruption. It also provides a compilation of

the major initiatives in the fight against corruption.

In his presentation focused on good governance and ease of doing business, Abrea shared fresh insights on global governance and corruption. Through his latest book, Abrea hopes to enlighten readers on their role as citizens in promoting accountability from the government.

Abrea, known as the Philippine Tax Whiz, is a globally recognized advocate for good governance and tax reform in the Philippines. He was named Asia CEO Young Leader and one of the Outstanding Young Persons of the World. He serves as a founding Trustee of the Center for Strategic Reforms of the Philippines, working closely with the Bureau of Internal Revenue, the Department of Trade and Industry, and the Anti-Red Tape Authority to streamline the ease of doing business. Abrea’s published books include VAT Ganun?, Got Questions About Taxes?, Tax Guide for Small Businesses, Iwas BUWISit: What To Do When Tax Attacks?, and IWAS BUWISit 2022 Edition.

“This new branch is a testament to the remarkable success of my business,” Arnell confidently expressed. “The overwhelming demand from our satisfied clients has driven the expansion of Creative Hair Systems, enabling us to cater to an even larger audience in search of superior hair replacement solutions.”

Creative Hair Systems prides itself on providing world-class hair systems crafted from 100 percent human hair. Their expertise extends beyond hair replacement, as they also offer a wide range of services, including microblading, scalp micropigmentation, and even tattoo removal. This comprehensive approach ensures that clients receive the best possible care and achieve their desired look.

“For over 18 years, we have been providing hair enhancements using nonsurgical techniques,” Arnell shared. He further revealed his vision of establishing a hair salon at every airport, reminiscing about a humorous incident from two de-

cades ago.

“I was on a plane, and the flight attendant became concerned when my toupee started sliding down my face. It was a funny experience, but it made me realize the importance of ensuring the security of hairpieces for everyone. That motivated me to conduct extensive research and discover effective methods to keep their hairpieces intact,” he recalled.

Creative Hair Systems under the guidance of Arnell, showcases the transformative power of embracing one’s baldness. Through their expertise and dedication, individuals can discover creative solutions that boost confidence and allow them to fully embrace their unique beauty. But during the opening of the new branch, Arnell acknowledged my comfort and confidence in my chosen hairstyle.

“You’re doing just fine. Stick with it since you feel confident with that hairstyle” he said, appreciating my decision to embrace my unique look.

Smart’s innovative solution for prepaid users

SMART Communications, Inc. has re-

cently introduced an innovative solution called eSIM (embedded SIM) for prepaid users, aiming to enhance convenience and flexibility for mobile users. The eSIM, the first of its kind in the Philippines, is a digital version of the physical SIM card.

It offers a hassle-free and efficient method for mobile users to access local data, make calls, and send text messages without the need to physically insert a SIM card into their devices. This initiative caters to the evolving needs of users, providing them with a quick and seamless experience.

Smart initially made the eSIM available to postpaid subscribers in 2021. With the introduction of the Smart Prepaid eSIM, Smart is enabling more Filipinos to enjoy its convenience and benefits.

According to its website, customers only have to scan the Smart Prepaid eSIM–a unique QR code containing a Smart Prepaid account number–to connect to data, call, and text services.

The Smart Prepaid eSIM initially comes in the form of a printed card. Soon, subscribers will also have the option to receive their eSIM in digital form, such as via email or voucher. Because there’s no physical SIM card, eSIM users don’t have to worry about the lack of a SIM slot in

their device as well as losing or damaging their main physical SIM.

The Smart Prepaid eSIM is perfect for mobile users who want to experience the benefits of being a Smart subscriber without taking up a SIM slot in their handset. These include Apple device users who can now finally enjoy the convenience of being able to switch between two or more accounts or SIM profiles in just one device.

The Smart Prepaid eSIM is compatible with eSIM-capable devices, such as the latest flagship handsets of Apple, Google, Huawei, and Samsung, tablets, and smartwatches.

It is also a great option for inbound foreign tourists or returning Overseas Filipino Workers who can now quickly activate local mobile services without the tedious process of swapping or changing their main physical SIM with a local SIM.

Moreover, unlike roaming services that only cover mobile internet, the Smart Prepaid eSIM enables tourists to make calls and send text messages. Having a local eSIM also gives them access to local rates that are significantly more affordable than roaming rates.

Learn more about how you can live more today with the new Smart Prepaid eSIM by visiting smart.com.ph.

Proceeds from the book will go to the Center for Strategic Reforms of the Philippines and Angat Buhay Foundation. For those interested to get copies of the book and for bulk orders, email

consult@acg.ph or fill out this order form. For more information about tax solutions and tax reform advocacy, visit the ACG website at https://www. acg.ph/

Creative Hair Systems, owned by Arnerll, caters to customers who are in need of world-class hair systems—hair replacement, microblading, scalp micropigmentation, and even tattoo removal

OWWA Administrator and former TV host Arnell Ignacio

AS a person who embraces my baldness, writing this article about creative solutions for the balding crown is quite amusing to me. I understand firsthand the challenges that come with thinning hair, and I’ve found that a buzz cut is the best choice for me

Photo shows former Vice President Leni Robredo (middle left), beside Mon Abrea (center), and Senator Sherwin Gatchalian (middle right), along with the conference speakers, delegates, and participants.