Manila Standard - 2023 July 22 - Saturday

Land Bank OKs P50-billion investment in Maharlika

By Julito G. Rada

THE Land Bank Board has approved its P50-billion investment in the Maharlika Investment Corporation as mandated by Republic Act 11954, Finance Secretary Benjamin Diokno said Friday.

will expedite its operations before the end of the year.

“What’s the latest on the Maharlika Investment Fund? First, even as we speak, the Treasurer of the Philippines, in consultation with the founding GFIs [that is, the Land Bank and the DBP], has started the preparation of

PH puts foot down on ICC

PBBM: We’re done with them; indicted officials won’t be turned over

By Charles Dantes, Rey E. Requejo and Macon Ramos-Araneta

PRESIDENT

Ferdinand Marcos Jr. said on Friday that the Philippines is "done with the International Criminal Court" (ICC), stressing that the government was putting its foot down on the tribunal's jurisdiction and that it would not turn over officials involved in the case to the court.

Mr. Marcos' confirmation comes after the tribunal decided to push through with its investi gation of former President Rodri go Duterte’s bloody war on drugs in which thousands of suspects were killed.

Solicitor General Menardo Guevarra, who was Justice sec retary under Duterte, said the Philippine engagement with the ICC has come to an end with the rendition of judgment by the ICC Appeals Chambers.

He added that the country will focus on its investigation and prose cution related to the abuses in the antidrug campaign.

"That’s it. We have no appeals pending. We have no more actions being

Diokno cited the latest developments on the Maharlika Investment Fund that

Pinays shut out in World Cup debut by Swiss

By Peter Atencio

THE Philippines’ first foray onto football’s biggest stage resulted in a 0-2 loss to world no. 20 Switzerland Friday in the 2023 FIFA Women’s World Cup at the Forsyth Barr Stadium in Dunedin, New Zealand.

Collectively known as the Filipinas, the Philippine women's World Cup debut got whacked by a relentless Switzerland side that easily cruised to the two-nil win, fueled

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Marcos to new AFP chief: Ensure military ready for any contingency

PRESIDENT Ferdinand Marcos Jr. on Friday urged new Armed Forces of the Philippines (AFP) chief Gen. Romeo Brawner Jr. to make sure the military is prepared for “any contingency.”

“Given your extensive experience in safeguarding peace in conflictaffected areas, I urge you to recalibrate our internal security operations, so that we can deliver public services in geographically isolated and disadvantaged communities,” Marcos said during the turnover ceremony for the new AFP chief at Camp

Speaker hails more investment pledges

By Maricel V. Cruz

SPEAKER Ferdinand Martin G. Romualdez on Friday said the surge in investment pledges in the first quarter of the year is a clear vote of confidence in the Philippine economy’s potential and validates the soundness of President Ferdinand R. Marcos, Jr.’s policies.

According to the Board of Investments, investment approvals more than tripled in the first semester, buoyed by pledges from abroad. At P698 billion, the planned investments were 203 percent higher than the previous year's P230 billion.

“It is a clear vote of confidence in the Philippine economy's potential and prospects and affirms the soundness of the economic and fiscal policies of President Bongbong Marcos geared towards the attainment of his vision to bring our country to upper-middle income status by 2025,” Romualdez said.

“Likewise, this development signals that the world is responding positively to the President’s vigorous campaign to promote the Philippines as a prime destination for investment and a recognition of our steadfast pursuit of sustainable and inclusive growth,” he added.

He cited the statement of Department

Aguinaldo, Quezon City.

Marcos expressed confidence that Brawner’s leadership would lead to a safer and more secure nation with rebels returning to the fold of the law and becoming productive citizens.

He also urged the entire AFP to be prepared for “any contingency” as he assured them that the military organization will be modernized.

“At this juncture, allow me to urge you all to work towards an Armed Forces that is agile and prepared for any contingency. As your commanderin-chief, I assure you that this administration is firm in reinforcing this noble pursuit by modernizing the AFP,” he said.

With the efforts to boost the country’s external defense capacity, Marcos asked the military to keep working with government agencies and civilians to form an “archipelagic consciousness” among Filipinos.

“This will help champion our country's territorial integrity and sovereignty,” he said.

“I have faith that under the supervision of General Brawner, the Armed Forces will continue to ensure

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Soprano Maigue to sing anthem during SONA

By Macon Ramos-Araneta,

By Charles Dantes

PRESIDENT Ferdinand Marcos

Jr. told the Philippine women's national football team to "break barriers and inspire generations" in their historic appearance in the FIFA World Cup 2023.

In a tweet, the President wished the Filipinas women's team the best of luck as they make the country's debut on football's grandest stage.

the

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The Filipinas are the first Philippine team — male or female — to qualify in the 42-year history of the World Cup.

"We wish the ‘Filipinas’ women’s team the best of luck as they make history in their FIFA World Cup debut! The entire nation stands behind

Not all is lost; Filipinas have 2 matches left

By Erel Cabatbat

THE Philippines’ debut in the 2023 FIFA Women’s World Cup in Australia and New Zealand didn’t go the way we expected.

The Filipinas dropped a 2-0 loss against Switzerland, courtesy of a penalty kick in the 45th minute and a goal in the 64th minute.

Despite the loss, the Filipinas should hold their heads up high. They gave a team that is ranked several places above them and is no stranger to the biggest soccer event on the planet the fight that they probably did not expect.

Negating two controversial calls –

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Vince

Lopez, and

Joel E.

Zurbano SOPRANO

Lara Maigue, an online sensation, will sing the National Anthem during the second State of the Nation Address of President Ferdinand Marcos Jr., a House of Representatives official said Friday.

House Secretary-General Reginald Velasco said Maigue, a classically trained

TOUGH LOSS. Philippines' defender Sofia Harrison (right, #16) and forward Katrina Guillou (#21) clash with Switzerland's Eseosa Aigbogun during their 2023 Women's World Cup Group A football match at Dunedin Stadium in New Zealand on July 21. AFP

‘Break barriers, inspire Filipino generations’

PBBM to visit Malaysia after SONA

By Charles Dantes

PRESIDENT Ferdinand Marcos Jr. will fly to Malaysia for a three-day state visit next week to pursue stronger bilateral relations, the Department of Foreign Affairs said on Friday.

During a public briefing in Malacañang, DFA spokesperson Ma. Teresita Daza shared that the President will leave on July 25 -- a day after his State of the Nation Address (SONA) -- to meet with

Malaysian Prime Minister Anwar Ibrahim and discuss the partnership between the two countries.

Daza said the Chief Executive would also meet with Malaysia's King,

Al-Sultan Abdullah Ri'ayatuddin AlMustafa Billah Shah ibni Almarhum Sultan Haji Ahmad Shah Al-Musta'in Billah, during the trip.

“During this meeting, he will meet with both the Malaysian King, the 16th King of Malaysia, and the Prime Minister of Malaysia, and he will pursue bilateral cooperation in priority areas… that are actually in support of the economic agenda of the country,” Daza said.

The President will be joined by his Cabinet officials and business leaders

to explore economic opportunities and meet with Filipinos residing and working in Malaysia.

“We’re also expecting that the meeting with key Malaysian businessmen and business leaders will hopefully generate investment pledges from Malaysian companies,” Daza said.

Malaysia is among the top 10 trading partners of the Philippines, the 22nd source of approved investments in the Philippines in 2022, and ranked in the top 20 in terms of source of tourists in 2023.

Gas price seen rising P1.15/liter next week—DOE

By Alena Mae S. Flores

CONSUMERS must brace for another round of oil price hikes next week. Industry sources said Friday the pump price of gasoline will likely increase by P0.90 to P1.15 per liter, while kerosene may go up by P0.05 to P0.15 per liter to reflect the movement of prices in the world oil market.

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taken. So, I suppose that puts an end to our dealings with the ICC,” Mr. Marcos said on the sidelines of the inauguration of road projects in Zamboanga Sibugay.

The President reiterated that the Philippines will not cooperate with the ICC, saying it has no jurisdiction in the country.

“So, we continue to defend the sovereignty of the Philippines and continue to question the jurisdiction of the ICC in their investigations here in the Philippines,” he added.

On July 18, the ICC Appeals Chamber rejected the country's plea against the investigation of the war on drugs of the previous administration.

The President emphasized that the investigation should be conducted by Filipinos and by the country's courts.

“They (ICC prosecutors) are talking about Filipinos. Their alleged crimes are here in the Philippines; the victims are Filipino; why will it go to the Hague? We can handle that here,” Marcos said in a mix of English and Filipino.

Meanwhile, a lawyers group assisting the families of those killed in the drug war said they will present the speeches and statements made by Duterte as evidence before the ICC.

“We are… preparing the speeches and public statements that have been made available by the former President

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by goals from veterans Ramona Bachmann and Seraina Piubel.

Despite the setback, Philippine team coach Alen Stajcic said the Filipinas showed their fighting spirit and remained calm and composed during the match.

“The players coming to the World Cup for the first time, you expect nerves, you expect people to suffer from the occasion. But the players did not show that today,” said Stajcic.

He added that the Filipinas showed discipline on the field, despite the Swiss pressuring them constantly.

Katrina Guillou tried to give the 46th-ranked Filipinas a good start when she got the ball in position at the right side of the penalty, slipped past the goalkeeper, and put the ball in the back of the net in the 16th minute.

But the euphoria died quickly when the referee raised the offside flag.

“The quality of the game was amazing. We’re a little bit unlucky when we

‘Break...

From A1 you with pride, watching you break barriers and inspire generations," Mr. Marcos said in a tweet.

The 21-strong women's football team made its historic debut appear-

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the offside on Katrina Guillou’s goal in the 15th minute and the penalty on Jessica Cowart’s contact on Coumba Sow, which resulted in a Ramona Bachmann goal from the spot in the 45th – the Filipinas did well in the game considering it was their first foray in the World Cup. The result might have been even different if Guillou's goal was allowed and the questionable call of Cowart was not made in the first place. The second Swiss goal, courtesy of Seraina Piubel in the 64th minute, which sealed the game, was very unfortunate for the Filipinas.

Meanwhile, diesel may stay flat or have a minimal increase of P0.20 per liter by Tuesday, the sources told the Standard.

"This is attributed to the production cuts implemented by Saudi and Russia and that oil prices edged higher in early trade after sinking in the previous session on weaker-than-expected Chinese economic growth, as investors eyed a pos-

because that’s how precisely he is being tagged or being impleaded in these proceedings--that he masterminded, ordered, and encouraged all these killings,” National Union of Peoples’ Lawyers-National Capital Region Secretary General Kristina Conti, ICC assistant to counsel, said in an interview with ANC.

“They (ICC) are trying heads of state, they are trying masterminds and for them, these pieces of evidence are admissible and would be taken in by the justices or the judges. These videos, these speeches, these transcripts have been made available on official websites,” Conti added.

She said they are looking at ways to properly preserve, document, and share with the ICC all these pieces of evidence that they have.

Conti said it may take the ICC more than a decade to come out of its findings.

“We have already told the families we are looking at 10 years or more,” said Conti, who noted that it has been five years since the case was brought before the ICC.

"What’s best for the families right now is to cooperate with the ICC because this investigation will move forward and ask for evidence,” she said.

She said two types of available data will be presented to the ICC -- aggregated data and data with the families.

Aggregated data is information from the government, which is “the compilation of all police reports, [and

had a goal early in the game and it was offside,” said Stajcic.

The Inka Grings-coached Switzerland then began its barrage of scoring attempts, starting off with Coumba Sow penetrating the Filipinas’ defense in the 37th minute with a high volley to the right of the net that almost went in.

The pressure continued as Paris St. Germain player Bachmann found a chance to score for the Nati, sinking a penalty shot in the 44th minute off Jessika Cowart’s foul as her attempt went to the right of goalie Olivia McDaniel.

The Swiss kept the furious assault in the second half with attempts from Ana-Maria Crnogorcevic and Sow getting deflected by McDaniel.

But after McDaniel pushed away Sow’s short volley, Piubel appeared from nowhere and rebounded the FilipinoAmerican goalie’s swat with her goal.

From there, Switzerland kept the ball away from their side and the Filipinas endured eight more attempts from the Swiss side to score. McDaniel, who had 17 saves out of 19 attempts by Switzerland, said

ance in the prestigious FIFA World Cup after winning pivotal matches and making it to the semifinals of the 2022 Asian Cup, which made them qualified for the World Cup.

But the Filipinas fell short in their opening match against Switzerland, 2-0, at the Forsyth Barr Stadium in Dunedin, New Zealand.

Nevertheless, the Filipinas, from a country that is so crazy about basketball and volleyball, did well in the game. They displayed teamwork, discipline, and unflinching resolve against an experienced Swiss team. They managed to keep up and hold their own against a team that is predicted and even expected to win against them even before the whistle announced the start of the game in Dunedin Stadium. Yes, we lost, but the team showed much more than just the stat line.

Almost no one gave the team a chance against Switzerland but it managed to spring several surprises and of course, that indomitable spirit of giving their best. (See full story online at manilastandard.net)

‘Egay’ to become tropical storm, stay offshore

By Rio N. Araja

TROPICAL depression “Egay” maintained its strength while accelerating west-northwestward over the Philippine Sea on Friday and is forecast to intensify into a tropical storm, the state weather bureau said.

The Philippine Atmospheric, Geophysical and Astronomical Services Administration said “Egay” is forecast to track in that direction until late Sunday before turning northwestward over the Philippine Sea east of Luzon for the remainder of its forecast period.

As of yesterday, the center of “Egay” was estimated at 835 kilometers east of Southeastern Luzon.

sible tightening of U.S. crude supplies," Department of Energy director for the oil industry management bureau Rodela Romero said.

She said this forecast may still change as it is based on the four-day trading period and foreign exchange movement.

This will be the third consecutive week of oil price hikes for diesel and kerosene and the second consecutive week

a] compilation of other documents that would be related to the war on drugs,” she said.

“That would be an easy source of information because all the data is there. All you have to do is process [it],” she said.

Conti also said 7,000 cases are now with the Supreme Court.

“We have many stories of families being raided inside their homes and the women and children being asked to leave the room and the father or the son or a male member of the family who was asked to stay inside. That’s where they will be killed,” she said.

“So, these children, these mothers, these women would likely be taken as eyewitnesses themselves,” she said.

However, Conti said it “would be painstaking work to put them all together.”

“I myself have been through only data from 200 families,” she said.

Guevarra said the Philippines will focus on its investigation and prosecution of crimes from the war on drugs.

He said the country “has no legal duty to cooperate with the ICC investigation.”

Guevarra said that he had personally discussed the matter with the President and agreed that the appeal is the end of the country’s engagement with the court.

“The ICC is free to proceed with its investigation but it cannot expect any cooperation from the Philippine government, as we continue to dispute its

Land Bank...

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Section 54 of Republic Act No. 11954 allows the Treasurer 90 days from the effectivity of the Act to promulgate the IRR. But Diokno confirmed that “we do not intend to use up the 90 days. We expect the promulgation of the IRR to be done before the end of August.” Diokno also said that the policy-meeting Monetary Board of the Bangko Sentral ng Pilipinas declared on Thursday a dividend of P31.859 billion in favor of the national government. This is based on 50 percent of BSP’s net income, after income tax, in 2022 of P63.731 billion.

“It is reasonable to expect that the Maharlika Investment Fund will be up and running before the end of 2023,” Diokno said.

Last July 18, the Maharlika Investment Fund Act was finally signed into law by the President, a monumental milestone for the present administration.

“As the economic team has under-

Marcos...

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Brawner replaced General Andres Centino, who will now serve as Presidential Adviser on the West Philippine Sea. Brawner said he would work on unifying a solid and professional AFP that follows the chain of command as well as integrating former rebels with the mainstream community.

“We have to give special attention

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of Trade Secretary Alfredo Pascual who said that "the Philippines is poised to become Asia's premier investment destination." However, Romualdez said it is incumbent upon the government to capitalize on this positive momentum to ensure that these pledges translate to ac-

for gasoline.

On July 18, the oil companies implemented an increase of P1.90 per liter for gasoline, P2.10 per liter for diesel, and P1.80 per liter for kerosene.

These price adjustments resulted in a year-to-date net decrease of P0.85 per liter for diesel and P3.70 per liter for kerosene.

Gasoline, on the other hand, has a net increase of P7.55 per liter.

jurisdiction,” he said.

Earlier, Justice Secretary Jesus Crispin Remulla advised Duterte and Senator Ronald dela Rosa, who led the war on drugs when he was Duterte’s police chief, to avoid visiting countries where the ICC has influence—mostly in Europe.

Both men were mentioned in the ICC prosecutor’s report on the drug war killings.

Senate President Juan Miguel Zubiri earlier said the Senate will not give up Dela Rosa unless there’s a local warrant for his arrest. Dela Rosa said he would also protect himself from arrest.

Dela Rosa added that Duterte has just laughed off the prospect of the ICC continuing its investigation.

At least 6,200 suspects were killed in police operations during the war on drugs, according to the government. But human rights groups claimed the actual death toll could be from 12,000 to 30,000.

Also on Friday, Senator Francis Tolentino urged the government to continue monitoring the proceedings before the ICC, despite Malacanang’s recent pronouncement that the administration will fully disengage with the tribunal.

Tolentino has been hired by Dela Rosa to be his lawyer if the ICC will seek his arrest.

In an interview with CNN Philippines, Tolentino said it would be wise for the Office of the Solicitor General to continue monitoring what is happening before the tribunal.

scored over the last few months, the creation of the Fund will provide a credible and attractive platform for local and foreign capital, large global funds, global financial institutions, multilateral partners, and other sovereign wealth funds to directly invest in Philippine ventures and projects,” Diokno said.

In the President’s message during the signing ceremony, he stressed the importance of insulating the Fund from political influence. Thesuccess of the Fund depends on proper governance, prudent risk management, and smart investment strategies by competent and independent financial managers.

Following international best practices, the Secretary of Finance serves as chairman of the board of directors in an exofficio capacity. This is to provide representation for the government given that the Fund manages government assets.

“Let me make it crystal clear, the Finance Secretary will not manage the Fund. That role is entrusted to the president and CEO of the Maharlika Investment Corporation and its directors,” Diokno said. (See full story online at manilastandard.net)

to the normalization process in the Bangsamoro Autonomous Region in Muslim Mindanao, particularly in the disarmament, demobilization and reintegration of former fighters of the Moro Islamic Liberation Front as stipulated in the Bangsamoro Organic Law,” Brawner said in his speech.

The new AFP chief also noted that modernization will make the AFP a “lethal and competent fighting force capable of defending our territory from external aggression.” He said these efforts would also include cyber warfare. (See full story online at manilastandard.net)

tual investments and ultimately provide tangible benefits to the Filipino people.

“We must continue to work hand in hand with the private sector to create an enabling environment that fosters job creation, economic diversification, and innovation,” he said.

Romualdez reiterated the commitment of the House to prioritize legislation geared toward the realization of the President’s vision to greatly improve the

It was moving west-northwestward at 20 km/h, packing maximum sustained winds of 55 km/h near the center and gustiness of up to 70 km/h.

“While the current track forecast shows that Egay will remain offshore over the waters east of Luzon, the forecast confidence cone shows that a landfall scenario over the eastern portion of mainland Cagayan and Batanes is not ruled out,” its bulletin read.

“Throughout its duration in the Philippine area of responsibility region, it may continue to steadily intensify and reach super typhoon category by late Monday or early Tuesday as it moves over the Philippine Sea east of Luzon,” it added.

Drilon to Duterte: Make details of Xi meeting public

FORMER Senator Franklin Drilon on Friday urged former President Rodrigo Duterte to make a public disclosure about his meeting with Chinese President Xi Jinping.

He noted that Duterte and Xi's meeting coincided with an impending Senate resolution urging the government to bring before the United Nations General Assembly (UNGA) China's incursions over the West Philippine Sea (WPS).

Sen. Risa Hontiveros filed a Senate resolution urging the Philippine government to bring Chinese harassment to UNGA through the Department of Foreign Affairs (DFA).

“I think it is important that former President Duterte make public the discussion and the issues that they discussed during the meeting," Drilon said.

"Out of respect and courtesy to the sitting president, I call on former President Duterte to either disclose or, at the very least, provide a briefing to President Marcos or Foreign Affairs Secretary Enrique Manalo," he stressed. Macon Ramos-Araneta (See full story online at manilastandard.net)

Soprano...

From A1 soprano, has made waves online with her vocal prowess. Her version of the classic Mozart piece "Queen of the Night" garnered 21 million views on Instagram.

Maigue was also among the performers for “To Broadway with Love,” a two-night sold-out concert at the Esplanade concert hall with the Singapore Symphony Orchestra under the baton of Maestro Gerard Salonga.

Meanwhile, Senator Bong Revilla Jr. said the high prices of goods and services and possible wage hikes should be the focus of the President’s SONA.

Revilla said he is hopeful the President will address urgent national concerns that need immediate action.

Also among these concerns are efforts to increase the number of decent jobs, solutions to poverty, and the improvement of the education system.

"I'm sure, the President will have solutions to these problems besetting the country," Revilla said.

"I am fully confident that PBBM will lay down measures to lower prices of goods."

In fact, he noted that inflation has been slowing down for the past five months. It was pegged at 5.4 percent in June, the lowest in the last 13 months.

He said this should be coupled with the response to poverty and hunger. "So we have to wait for his policies on this," he said. (See full story online at manilastandard.net)

Philippine economy, reduce the prices of everyday commodities, and increase the purchasing power of every Filipino citizen

He earlier vowed swift action from the House of Representatives by the start of the 2nd Regular Session of the 19th Congress, to pass the new set of priority bills agreed upon by the Legislative Executive Development Advisory Council (LEDAC) before the year ends. (See full story online at manilastandard.net)

IN BRIEF

DHSUD cites EO 34 as pro-poor measure

EXECUTIVE Order 34 is a pro-poor measure meant to play a vital role in addressing the shortage of housing units, the Department of Human Settlements and Urban Development (DHSUD) on Friday said.

President Ferdinand Marcos Jr. issued EO 34, allotting idle government lands for housing projects.

Housing Secretary Jose Rizalino Acuzar said the order has a direct positive impact to homeless Filipinos, particularly the informal settlers, under the Pambansang Pabahay para sa Pilipino (4PH) program.

Rio N. Araja

MMDA, Honda tie-up promotes road safety

THE Metropolitan Manila Development Authority (MMDA) has forged a partnership with Honda Philippines, Inc. (HPI) to promote road safety awareness and provide technical assistance to trainers in the agency’s Motorcycle Riding Academy.

On Thursday, MMDA chairman Romando Artes and HPI president Sayaka Arai-Hattori signed an agreement at the agency’s head office in Pasig City.

“This collaboration will enhance the agency’s Motorcycle Training Modules. The HPI will likewise conduct an assessment on the competency of MMDA’s instructors to improve their knowledge and skills in mentoring and coaching the participants for Motorcycle Riding Academy,” said Artes. Joel E. Zurbano

Senate urged to hasten bill on centenarians

CAMARINES Sur Rep. Luis Raymund Villafuerte on Friday appealed to senators to prioritize a House-approved measure increasing the cash gift of Filipino centenarians -- whether living in the Philippines or overseas -- from the current P100,000 to P1 million when they reach the age of 101 years old.

Villafuerte was referring to House Bill (HB) 7535 even as he made the appeal head of this year’s celebration of the World Day of Grandparents and the Elderly.

The bill, one of the measures passed on third and final reading by the House during the first regular session of the current Congress, also proposes a cash gift of P25,000 each to elderly Filipinos when they become 80 and 85 years old (octogenarians) and when they reach the age of 90 and 95 (nonagenarians). Maricel V. Cruz

Start-up crypto firm nets P24.5m in e-payment mode

By Ronald O. Reye

TACLOBAN City- A start-up financial technology (FinTech) company based here has successfully implemented a fund-raising project, mustering some P24.5 million ($450,000) from from foreign investors. Paytaca, founded by Dr. Joemar Taganna (CEO), Aaron JP Almadro as marketing director, and Michael Machica as chief financial officer, has made waves in the market by offering a single cryptocurrency-focused approach instead of adopting multiple cryptocurrencies like many of its competitors.

“The injection of funds will accelerate the development and rollout of critical features, expand Paytaca’s user base, and establish a robust merchant network, starting in the Philippines and other regions that are considered hotspots of Bitcoin Cash (BCH) adoption,” Taganna said.

Marcos reiterates pledge to push PH’s infra dev’t

By Charles Dantes and Vito Barcelo

PRESIDENT Ferdinand Marcos Jr. has reiterated his commitment to vigorously push his infrastructure development program as he led the inauguration of three road projects in Alicia, Zamboanga Sibugay on Friday.

“We will continue to build roads, bridges, ports, and airports all over the country so we can bring Filipinos closer together,” the President said in his opening address.

The three road projects with a total of 69 kilometers were part of the P25.26billion Improving Corridors in Mindanao Road Sector Project (IGCMRSP) designed to spur the region’s economy.

“After four years since it started finally, we are here to open the three

A CHILD’S SMILE IS PRICELESS. Philanthropist James Adalla cuddles a baby in his arms, one of many who were treated of cleft palates during a medical mission in Makati City organized by the Operation Smile Philippines and bankrolled by his P500,000donation. Norman Cruz

core projects that originally formed the backbone of the IGCMRSP. I’d like to note that these projects have expanded from their original scope to include additional road and bridge developments across the Zamboanga Peninsula out to Tawi-Tawi,” the Chief Executive said. Marcos said his administration is determined to push for more infrastructure projects to boost the interconnectivity in the country.

The three newly opened projects

were the Alicia-Malangas Road with eight bridges and the Lutiman-Guicam-Olutanga Road, both in Zamboanga Sibugay, and the TampilisanSandayong Road with three bridges in Zamboanga del Norte.

Stronger connectivity has been a huge part of the administration’s Philippine Development Plan- 2023-2028 and the 8-Point Socioeconomic Agenda.

The IGMRSP, with a total length of 154.96 kilometers (km), centered on the construction and improvement of 151.60 km of roads and 34 bridges spanning 3,374.87 linear meters (lm) in the Zamboanga Peninsula and Tawi-Tawi.

The project was divided into three core projects, five non-core projects, and three bridge projects.

TOLL HIKE PROTEST.

A convoy of organized truck drivers roll down the Bonifacio Drive in Port Area, Manila to drum up support for their protest against toll hikes at the North Luzon Expressway. Norman Cruz

200-truck convoy stages protest vs. NLEX toll hikes

A CONVOY of some 200 trucks clogged Bonifacio Drive from Anda Circle in Intramuros to the Manila North Harbor on Friday to oppose the increase in toll rates at the North Luzon Expressway.

The parade caused major traffic jams that lasted for hours.

According to the Alliance of Concerned Truck Owners and Organizations (ACTOO), the toll hike is “unjustifiable and unfair” to motorists given the “worsening conditions” along the expressway. They also deplored the timing of the toll increase, which they said is contrary to the government’s directives of reducing logistics costs since it will affect inflation.

The NLEX toll hike went into effect last June 15. The group said they have submitted an opposition letter to the Toll Regulatory Board.

Policemen and traffic enforcers were deployed to control traffic and ensure peace and order during the protest action. The NLEX Corp., which manages the tollway, has yet to comment on the protest as of posting time.

The company said earlier that an additional P7 would be collected in the open system beginning June 15, while P0.36 per kilometer would be collected in the closed system. The Toll Regulatory Board has approved the rate adjustment.

Under the new toll fee matrix, an additional P7 will be charged on Class 1 vehicles, P17 for Class 2 vehicles, and P19 for Class 3 vehicles — the category that includes trucks.

Those traveling the whole stretch of NLEX between Metro Manila and Mabalacat City will pay an additional P33 for Class 1, P81 for Class 2, and P98 for Class 3 vehicles.

The open system covers the cities of Navotas, Valenzuela, and Caloocan in Metro Manila Manila and Meycauayan and Marilao in Bulacan province.

Immediate implementation of EO on digital infrastructure sought

A CITIZEN advocacy group has lauded the issuance of an executive order (EO) streamlining the bureaucratic process for the establishment of telecommunication and other internet infrastructure, but also urged the government to immediately and strictly implement the EO for the benefit of ordinary consumers nationwide.

“Upgrading our digital infrastructure to global standards will empower our government, industries, and most of all, our people to be competitive and excel in a highly digitized global economy,” said lawyer Tim Abejo, co-convenor for CitizenWatch Philippines.

“EO 32 is a responsive policy move that

will hopefully cut out unnecessary bureaucratic red tape that has delayed the building of telecommunications infrastructure needed to deliver faster and reliable broadband services for all,” Abejo noted.

The EO, signed by President Ferdinand Marcos Jr. on July 4, intends to address the administrative bottleneck of securing

permits for telco infrastructure. Excessive, redundant, and circuitous permitting and license requirements have been blamed as the cause for the slow rollout of telco towers and fiber networks, and consequently causing poor telecom coverage in many places around the country.

Group files graft raps vs. DPWH chief

By Rio N. Araja and Vito Barcelo DEPARTMENT of Public Works and

Highways (DPWH) Secretary Manuel Bonoan is facing graft and neglect of duty charges before the Office of the Ombudsman for alleged “arranged bidding, partiality in the selection of contractors and contractor’s use of substandard materials.”

The DPWH declined to comment on the alleged graft charges filed against Bonoan and several other DPWH officials.

At a media briefing in Quezon City, John Chiong, Task Force Kasanag chairman, said “it is impossible that he (Bonoan) does not know what has been happening inside the DPWH.”

“There is massive corruption at the DPWH, unlike any other government agencies,” he

told reporters.

Regional directors were not spared from the corruption charges filed last Thursday.

Chiong said the root cause of poverty was corruption in the government.

In a five-page complaint, Chiong said several regional directors have been overstaying in their posts, citing the holdover position of Region 1 director Ronel Tan since 2016.

“The slope protection of buildings against earthquakes is much overpriced,” he said.

“If we cannot eradicate corruption, at least we try to reduce it. If we cannot reduce it, at least there is someone who fights against it,” he added.

He said Kasanag, which was established 13 years ago, would be filing a case on a multimillion-peso flood control project against DPWH officials.

PhilRice making El Niño risk maps

By Othel V. Campos

THE Philippine Rice Research Institute (PhilRice), the country’s premier research and development agency, is designing El Niño risk maps to mitigate the impact of the coming dry spell on the harvest of the country’s staple grain.

Upon instructions from Agriculture

Undersecretary for Rice Industry Development Leocadio Sebastian, PhilRice will map out all areas of the country that could be hit by the weather phenomenon to guide local governments and regional

By Maricel V. Cruz

SPEAKER Ferdinand Martin G. Romualdez paid homage Friday to Mabalacat, Pampanga -- the hometown of his mother, the former Ms. Juliette Gomez -- on the 11th anniversary of its cityhood.

The local government honored the Speaker as a “native son” of Mabalacat during a groundbreaking ceremony of the city’s New Government Center.

“Today is not merely an anniversary - it is an affirmation of the continued growth and prosperity of Mabalacat. This city is more than just a place to me. I have been profoundly touched by this city, its people, and its vibrant culture,” he said.

Romualdez, who grew up in his hometown Tacloban City, told Mabalacat government officials and residents that he was “proud” to be one of them, as he once roamed the community during his younger years.

“My connection with Mabalacat runs deep. Our ties can be traced back to the old Gomez-Romualdez house, a testament to our familial connections with this city,” the Speaker said, recalling the pre-war edifice that was built in 1934.

“This house stands as a symbol of Mabalacat’s rich history, our family’s resilience, and the enduring bonds we’ve shared with this city. This house, now known as Tubigan, is more than a building,” he added,

The anniversary celebration was declared a special non-working day by President Ferdinand Marcos Jr.

“I am immensely grateful and moved

Online scams using fake ads will stop FDA

By Rio N. Araja

THE Food and Drug Administration

on Friday vowed to go after scammers who are using showbiz personalities and prominent doctors in fake advertisements of food and drug supplements.

At a weekly forum organized by the Philippine Information Agency in Quezon City, Food and Drug Administration director general Samuel Zacate said many unregistered supplements are being sold on social media.

“Three days ago, a colleague of mine being used in a fake endorsement had called my attention. I won’t mention his name. Two months ago, I came across this issue of fake ads. They easily disappear in just a click of a finger, making it harder for us to track them down,” he lamented.

He complained about fly-by-night warehouses of online products, saying scammers “are slippier than a fish.”

Photographs of popular personalities, including a well-respected doctor, are being used online in fake ads, he stressed. Zacate called on online business operators to take down unregistered food and drug supplements on their social media platforms.

IN BRIEF

DICT: July 25 SIM listup deadline final

field offices on the kind of interventions that would be needed in areas to be affected by El Nino.

Meanwhile, Vietnam has committed to continue exporting rice to the Philippines despite the possible supply chal-

lenges that may arise due to El Niño, its envoy to Manila said on Friday.

In a business matching event of the embassy on Friday, Vietnamese Ambassador to the Philippines Hoang Huy Chung said that the Philippines will remain among Vietnam’s key destinations for rice exports.

“Every year we export rice to the Philippines about 2 million tons. During COVID-19, Vietnam promised to ensure rice security for the Philippines… In Vietnam, we are strong in rice production… We shall export rice to the Philippines

when in need,” Hoang said.

A Philippine agriculture industry group earlier said a rice crisis may ensure as El Niño may affect other Southeast Asian countries such as Vietnam, a major source of the Philippines’ rice imports.

PhilRice deputy director for Development Karen Barroga said the agency has been disseminating satellite-based data on rice area, production, and yield to local government units and DA regional field offices so that they can be adequately guided on how to adjust their cropping calendars and on what interventions to give.

Speaker honors Mabalacat on 11th year of cityhood

THE subscriber identity module (SIM) card registration period, which will end on July 25, will no longer be extended, Department of Information and Communications Technology Secretary Ivan John Uy said on Friday.

During the signing of the Memorandum of Understanding for the establishment of a Connectivity Index Rating in the country, Uy announced that the majority of active SIM users have already registered.

According to DICT data, some 104 million SIMs for mobile phones and devices out of over 160 million in the country have been registered.

“July 25 is a hard deadline. The hardheaded ones should register now because, by 12:01 of July 26, they won’t have connectivity (with local mobile networks),” said Uy.

The DICT does not expect all SIMs to be registered since some of these are no longer in use.

Unregistered SIMs will automatically be deactivated after the deadline. Users of deactivated SIMs have a five-day grace period to register their mobile numbers, the DICT said.

MABALACAT CITY’S 11TH YEAR.

Speaker Ferdinand Martin G. Romualdez is flanked by Mabalacat City Mayor Crisostomo Garbo (left) and Pampanga Governor Dennis Pineda during the ceremonial unveiling Friday of the scale model of the proposed Mabalacat City Hall, part of the groundbreaking rites for the New Government Center and the celebration of its 11th Cityhood Anniversary. Ver Noveno

to officially become an adopted son of your wonderful city. As we celebrate the 11th anniversary of Mabalacat’s Cityhood, we also recognize the resil-

ience, strength, and progress of this city and its people,” the Speaker said. Romualdez considers the event as “a tangible sign of the progress we are com-

mitted to”

and that the government hub will be an “embodiment of the spirit of Mabalacat, a symbol of good governance that aims to serve its people better.”

High-powered guns seized in E. Samar TACLOBAN CITY—Army troops in Eastern Visayas continued to recover high-powered firearms allegedly belonging to the New People’s Army (NPA) through the “strong collaboration” with Friend Rescued (FR), or newly-surrendered rebel member.

“We will be stepping up our military and non-military operations to track down the location of communist NPA terrorists’ loose firearms and prevent their recovery efforts here in Eastern Samar,” said Lt. Col. Rodito Gotladera, commander of the 42nd Infantry Battalion (42IB) in Eastern Samar.

On July 15, 2023 alone, at least five M14 rifles, four M16 rifles, a shotgun, an M79 grenade launcher, a radio, assorted ammunition and explosives, and subversive documents were recovered by the 42IB during a strike operation at the hinterlands of Barangay Buco, Canavid, Eastern Samar. Ronald O. Reyes

DOLE-NCR warns of visa docs scam

THE Department of Labor and Employment (DOLE) - National Capital Region (NCR) on Friday clarified that it is not mandated to issue any visa documents.

“The department is not in any way mandated to vet, process, or approve any visa documents for Filipino citizens desiring to migrate or emigrate to any foreign country,” it said.

The warning came amid reports of unscrupulous individuals or groups using the name of the department to ask for a clearance fee for the issuance of visa documents.

WELLNESS

“Scam Alert. DOLE-NCR warns the public against scammers attempting to request a clearance fee of visa documents that should be paid to the Department of Labor and Employment,” it said.

AI won’t render lawyers obsolete, SC Justice assures law graduates

By Rey E. Requejo

LAWYERS will not be rendered obso -

lete with the advent of artificial intelligence that can be applied to the legal profession, Supreme Court Associate Justice Mario Lopez said.

“It is our humanity that renders us indispensable in the practice of law. We

are humans guided by conscience and societal responsibility in the dispensation of ultimate justice,” declared Lopez during the Commencement Exercises of the Arellano University School of Law on July 20 at the Philippine International Convention Center in Pasay City. Addressing the graduates, Justice Lopez stressed that artificial intelli-

Immigration boss says trafficking victims receive travel docs inside airport shops

By Vito Barcelo

THE Bureau of Immigration on Friday called on local law enforcement agencies to tighten security at the country’s airports to help the country’s efforts against human trafficking.

BI commissioner Norman Tansingco made the call after noticing that many trafficking victims recount how their documents are handed to them in establishments within the airport complex.

“This should not be reached at this point.

Before the victim arrives at the airport, there are too many (people) handling the travel documents. Recruited via social media, they will pay via wire transfer, then will give the fake

documents outside of the airport. We all have to open our eyes because it’s happening right under our noses,” he added.

The BI chief suggested strengthening the undercover police presence around the airport premises to detect traffickers who frequent the area.

“There is only one modus, and it occurs daily. To stop trafficking, you have to yank it from its roots and stomp on it hard,” he said.

The agency earlier reported intercepting a female victim last July 17 after being recruited to work in Dubai. The victim pretended to be a tourist bound for Singapore. Her fraudulent documents were given to her right outside Ninoy Aquino International Airport (NAIA) Terminal 1, an investigation revealed.

gence (AI) is a mere tool for human utilization and not intended to replace humans, especially in the legal profession.

“AI has no deep understanding of abstract concepts like justice, equity, compassion, and good conscience. Unlike judges, a robot cannot decide cases through the lens of judicial temperament, open-mindedness, integrity, and independence. Unlike law-

yers, AI cannot think outside the box or be creative in its approach or cry out for fairness or detest injustice with courage and perseverance,” the SC magistrate said. While acknowledging that AI can process information with accuracy and speed which humans cannot keep up with, Justice Lopez stressed that it will not render lawyers obsolete.

PH-MADE GAMING MACHINES. Philippine Amusement and Gaming Corp. Chairman and CEO Alejandro H. Tengco (center) looks at a locallymanufactured gaming machine displayed at the Sigma Asia expo and conference in Pasay City on July 20. Beside him are Rep. Luis Raymund Villafuerte (right) and Richard Rivera, PEXA Senior Marketing Manager. Joseph Muego

FINANCIAL

FAIR. The Bank of the Philippine Islands (BPI), through BPI Foundation, opened the Financial Wellness Fair on Thursday at the Glorietta Activity Center in Makati City. The fair, which runs until July 23, showcases the products of 25 beneficiaries (seated in photo) of the foundation’s development programs. BPI President and CEO TG Limcaoco and BPI Advisory Council Member Fernando Zobel de Ayala (standing) lead the officials present. Manny Palmero

Janet Yellen was probably yelling at China

WHEN US Federal Reserve Board chairman, Janet Yellen, set three conditions to restore a stable economic relations between the US and China, she thought she would be able to clinch a deal. From an objective point of view, the proposals were demands from which China could not back down. Others say, the proposals have all the shades of arrogant unilateralism.

First, Yellen demanded that China buy back the $850 billion US treasury bonds (TBs) it sold to curb the festering inflation in their economy.

Yes, the US is obligated to buy those TBs it sold to China if the latter feels the prices for the bonds were declining. China, as purchaser, can redeem those bonds upon their maturity or sell them according to their market value.

One must bear in mind that US TBs are guaranteed by the state, and are redeemable upon surrender by the owner.

US TBs are considered the most valuable assets a holder can present to the US federal reserve bank because they are guaranteed by the US government.

The decision by China to cut off around 830 billion worth of US TBs can rightfully be speculated as a trend on the declining influence of the US dollar as an international reserve currency. Additionally, for the fact that the relations between the US and China have lately turned shaky and unstable intensified by the US antiChina rant caused by the rise of China as an economic power, US has imposed restrictive sanctions against that country.

Remember

Particularly, the US has imposed tariffs on China imports to taper the unprecedented trade deficit it incurred reaching to a total of 800 billion.

The previous administration attempted to curb this by imposing tariff but American consumers complained because the tariff caused US imports to increase in prices.

Failing to abate this trade deficit, US decided to ban its selected imports from China which naturally would invite retaliatory trade sanction from the other countries.

The US soon realized that the problem stemmed from the unusual high value of the US dollar resulting in the perennial loss of exports to the US.

This was consequent to President Nixon’s policy of detaching the US economy from its GDP and instead economically based its strength on its current industrial output.

Through the years, US industrial output waned as many countries increased their exports on manufactured good decreasing the share of the US industrial output.

Japan, noting the decline in the value of the US economy, began to dispose its TBs after it discovered the extravagant sale of the TBs is being used to abate inflation that allowed them to resort to quantitative easing through the printing of US money to allow it to circulate and lighten credit to suppliers.

Following the footsteps made by Japan that disposed of around 300 billion yen in US TBs, China did the same.

This unprecedented withdrawal in US TBs was triggered by rumor that a new international organization known as BRICS (Brazil, Russia, India, China and South Africa) is about to come out with a reserve currency in its forthcoming meeting in August in South Africa.

The BRICS called for a new global currency that can challenge the dominant role of the US dollar. It also pushed for a greater voice – and more votes – for developing countries in key international economic organizations like the

The MIF as fiscal relief

fiscal burden of the national government by way of reduced budget deficit and lower borrowings.

seen as signs Japan is warming to the protection of LGBTQ rights.

But activists warn of a dark side.

They say recent months have seen a rising tide of hateful online rhetoric, particularly targeting transgender women.

Disinformation “linking transgender women to sexual violence in public spaces” is being “disseminated extremely widely,” the Japan Alliance for LGBT Legislation warned earlier this year. The experience has been painful and even frightening for transgender women such as Minori Tokieda.

“We are portrayed as some kind of sex offenders—physically male people who would invade women’s spaces by claiming they’re female,” the activist told AFP.

Many in her community are “deeply hurt” and “feeling in denial of our own existence—it’s a serious situation”, she added.

The thorny question of how to balance transgender rights with the protection of female spaces has already divided opinion in countries including Britain and the United States.

It has arrived only more recently in Japan, fueled in part by contentious debate around anti-

IMF and the World Bank. The first to challenge was the New Development Bank, with headquarters in Shanghai, China.

They contend it is a “new” multilateral development bank which offers an alternative to the financial institutions like WB and the IMF.

The concept of the de-dollarization or the abandonment in the use of the dollar as the international currency resulted in the stampede in abandoning of the dollar.

Earlier on Feb. 8, 2023, Japan sold a net ¥15.7 trillion of US bonds and ¥1.8 trillion of French securities, both all-time highs.

The fear is that China might just dump altogether its US TBs.

The demand by Yellen for China to buy back 830 billion worth of US TBs is preposterous.

Common sense will tell that the price of treasury bonds fluctuates.

This underscores why owners of the TBs cannot be prohibited from disposing them as they wish.

Probably, China reduced its investment in US TBs because the US dollar is declining in value like the rumor that some countries are about to replace the US dollar as the world’s reserve currency.

China has all the reasons to dump the dollar if it feels its currency will lose its value.

On the second demand for China to lift its counter-sanctions to the US, sad to say, amounts to extortion which cannot be done in civilized business transaction.

China’s counter-sanctions on US (export restrictions on two rare metals indispensable for the making of high-end chips, etc.) is China’s move to restrict the exports of two metals crucial for making some types of semiconductors and electric vehicles, a warning that China will not be passively squeezed out of the global supply chain.

In an editorial published, the Chinese state media said the imposition of controls on exports of some gallium and germanium products was a “practical way” of telling the U.S. and its allies that their efforts to curb China from procuring more advanced technology was a “miscalculation.”

It also argued that China had for years exploited its own rare earth resources at the expense of the environment to supply the global semiconductor industry.

“Under such circumstances, why can’t China make the necessary adjustments and be more cautious about consuming its limited rare-earth resources to support those that have been sided with the US-led “decoupling” push from China?” it said.

The controls do not mean that China will ban exports of the metals but authorities will have the right to reject export applications if the products involve military use or are used in scenarios that may undermine China’s national security and interests.

Analysts saw this as a response to escalating efforts by Washington to curb China’s technological advances.

The demand for China not to support Russia is classic to US practice of unilateralism. Can the US and its NATO Allies not admit they are engaged in war with Russia?

Maybe some would prefer to call the war they are waging a proxy war, but just the same, the US and its NATO allies continue to support the Ukrainians to their death, though totally given a different interpretation and meaning to justify the pursuit of a proxy war.

In this sense, the US cannot wholly blame Russia or much more point to China as a party supporting that proxy war.

Remember that Russia and China have a strategic alliance, and this makes China obligated to support Russia.

It is no longer a case of who initiated the war but of the truth that both sides are openly supporting a protagonist to the conflict.

(rpkapunan@gmail.com)

discrimination legislation that passed this year.

The law proposed to enshrine the concept of self-identified gender and “promote understanding” toward sexual minorities.

But opponents denounced it as an open invitation for men masquerading as women to infiltrate spaces such as women’s toilets.

And in a nation famed for its public bathing culture, rumors swirled that it might allow men to soak naked with women by simply declaring themselves female. ‘Wannabe woman’

“If I were a pervert, I would roam around (in a locker room) exposing my penis—I’d be forgiven because I’m a ‘woman at heart,’ right?” read one representative post on Twitter.

The controversy was only heightened by a Supreme Court ruling last week in favor of a transgender bureaucrat whose access to female toilets at work was restricted.

The online backlash was swift, with opponents using terms like “jisho josei” (wannabe women).

Japan has a mixed record on the rights of sexual minorities.

While outright violence is unusual and no law bars same-sex relationships, it is the only G7 country that does not recognise same-sex

It should register returns from these investments to make it viable and sustainable over a long period.

Oil-rich Norway put up such a fund in 1990—Government Pension Fund Global— and became the largest in the world with assets of over $1 trillion as of August 2020. It invests in equities, fixed-income instruments and real estate. It is a successful fund with a return of 19.9 percent a year, led by equity investments with earnings of 26 percent.

The MIF will be structured in such a way to earn returns and dividends for investors who contributed to the kitty.

The government through competent managers will run the sovereign fund and make sure it is always liquid to finance its investment objectives, including big-ticket infrastructure projects. Infrastructure projects will earn profits

IN PREVIOUS columns, I compared our expectations from SONA 2022 versus the reality we experienced under BBM’s leadership.

I also mentioned the new campaign they launched called “Bagong Pilipinas.”

But what do we really need to make a New Philippines? Based on the People’s Summit’s One-Year Assessment, here are things the Filipinos hope to hear during SONA 2023 for a genuine New Philippines

On the economy, we have been bearing the brunt of rapid inflation.

Rising prices must be addressed. This can also be aided by supporting the national minimum wage. Contractualization should also be ended as it impedes workers’ rights.

In agriculture, we have yet to see the revitalization of local agriculture. With this revitalization, we must prioritize food production over the importation of agricultural products.

If we want our economy to grow, the government must also promote local industrialization and support Filipinoowned industries. This will stimulate local job creation instead of promoting labor exportation.

On human rights, violations have continued under BBM. He has not ended Duterte’s drug war.

Extrajudicial killings outside of the drug war have also persisted; 53 were recorded in the counterinsurgency campaign since July 2022.

Political prisoners must be released; there are 775 as of June 2023. They must also surface the disappeared and provide support for the families. In BBM’s first year, there are already eight cases. BBM should also resume peace talks with the NDFP and address the root of the armed conflict. Additionally, they should cease the militarization and bombing of communities.

Civil rights must be respected and upheld, together with academic freedom and gender equality. All of these can be addressed if we institute judicial reforms in relation to international and national human rights norms.

Lastly, the president must publicly apologize for the atrocities that his father and family committed during martial law.

for the MIF, just like the toll roads that are now registering revenues for private sector companies. The MIF can roll over the return on investments to fund its next projects or investments. But beyond the return on investments, the sovereign wealth fund will ease the

On good governance, there must be transparency and accountability in the government.

There should be a zero-tolerance policy against corruption and unethical governance.

Effective public participation on budget processes are also necessary.

This ensures that the taxpayers’ money is going to the correct place.

In the past year, the huge amount of confidential and intelligence funds (CIF) of the President and the CIF for the Vice President were opposed but were approved anyway.

If BBM is serious about establishing a New Philippines, he must realize that it is more than just branding

These violate the principles of accountability and transparency.

On media and freedom of expression, in the past year, BBM’s administration has evidently attempted to suppress press freedom and our freedom of expression.

Critics and journalists have continuously been red-tagged. According to the 2022 Global Impunity Index, the Philippines is the seventh most dangerous country for journalists.

Attempts to curtail press freedom and freedom of expression must be junked if we want truth to prosper in the New Philippines.

On foreign policy, BBM must make a firm stance on our national sovereignty and territorial integrity.

We must not let other troops use our land for military exercises such as the Balikatan joint exercises.

We must also assert the ruling of the Permanent Court of Arbitration under the UN Convention on the Laws of the Sea or UNCLOS regarding the West Philippine Sea.

in Japan

muscles—are widely distributed to cement the view they look “indistinguishable” from men, said Aki Nomiya, a gender studies scholar at Kanagawa University.

“This way, campaigners can argue that allowing transgender women (into women’s spaces) will make it easier for men to blend in, including those with criminal proclivities,” said Nomiya, who herself is transgender.

The backlash is not simply rhetorical: it was a factor in the eventual watering down of the anti-discrimination legislation, which now says the law is contingent on “the safety of all citizens being ensured”.

Authorities have also insisted access to public bathhouses will remain dictated by “physical characteristics.”

‘Lack of understanding’

With funds used as equity—instead of loans—in building infrastructure projects, the national government reduces its heavy reliance on local borrowings and foreign loans.

This alternative source of funding gives the national government a larger budgetary allowance to fund other priority expenditures, such as social housing, health care, education and poverty-alleviation programs. The thrust on infrastructure, meanwhile, will lead to a lot of high quality jobs and lure more foreign investors as the economy expands.

We all know that infrastructure projects, such as roads, bridges, airports and seaports, create economic opportunities, especially in the countryside.

The MIF, if run well, will contribute to greater economic expansion and provide a solution to the country’s rising debt burden. Sovereign wealth funds, thus, should be viewed as a catalyst for growth and economic prosperity.

marriage or civil unions at a national level.

Transgender people can only change their gender on legal documents if they appeal to a family court and meet criteria including gender confirmation surgery and having no reproductive capacity—generally requiring sterilization.

The recent wave of anti-transgender rhetoric is essentially a spillover from similar movements overseas, experts say.

Images depicting transgender women as overly “masculine”—with sturdy physiques and

Still, controversy has continued to swell over everything from “genderless toilets” in Tokyo and a women’s university deciding to admit transgender students. Among the loudest voices pushing back against transgender women’s access to female spaces is the group “Save Women’s Space.”

Co-head Minori Moriya insists her group is not targeting transgender women, but argues

We must also fight for our national resources.

We are not benefiting from our resources as they are either for export or extracted directly by foreign companies.

The renewed push for foreign investments have caused the encroachment of our lands, including ancestral lands, and their diverse ecosystems.

On social services, there are 4.5 million Filipinos who are homeless and 3.8 million who live in informal settlements. The backlog in housing has ballooned to 6.6 million which must be addressed.

Instead, they deducted P2.7 billion in the budget for housing. With this, the budget for ayuda has gotten smaller. From P233 billion in 2020, it is down to P510 million in 2023. According to the health sector, malnutrition and hunger are persistent.

Fifty percent of our population continue to suffer from the lack of access to a primary care facility within 30 minutes. We also lack doctors and nurses causing our healthcare workers to be overworked and underpaid.

Lastly, the education sector is suffering through the consequences of two years of remote learning.

The education budget is only 3.5 percent of the GDP which is far from the recommended 6 percent by the UN.

While the schools have opened, there is a lack of preparation.

There are not enough teachers, facilities, or learning materials. Like healthcare workers, the teachers continue to be overworked and underpaid.

If BBM is serious about establishing a New Philippines, he must realize that it is more than just branding.

There are many things that need to be done aside from a new logo.

Addressing what we discussed in his second SONA would be a good place to start.

giving them access to female spaces will “open the floodgates” to male sexual offenders.

“Women have no way of telling who among those allowed inside have criminal intentions,” the retiree told AFP.

She fears the Supreme Court could soon overturn requirements that transgender people undergo surgery before changing their gender on official documents.

“Those who retain male genitalia” should not be allowed in women’s restrooms, she said, “to protect women.”

“That’s the line we cannot compromise over.”

Transgender people in Japan point out they have long discreetly used restrooms matching their gender identity, without incident.

Online depictions of transgender women aggressively demanding access to women’s spaces is divorced from reality, they add.

Tokieda argues transgender women are being scapegoated for crimes committed by men.

“Sexual violence and camera voyeurism... should be penalised and cracked down on, but somehow transgender people are getting the blame,” she said.

The “vitriol and hate speech on social media are coming from an overwhelming lack of understanding towards transgender people.” AFP

THE Maharlika Investment Fund (MIF) as a sovereign wealth fund will serve as a kitty that will be invested in a variety of earning assets such as equities, bonds, stocks and other fixed-income securities.

‘Deeply hurt’: Anti-trans hostility rises

Transgender people in Japan point out they have long discreetly used restrooms matching their gender identity, without incident

Ukraine warns Black Sea ships as Russia hits, pummels ports

MYKOLAIV, Ukraine—Kyiv has put ships in the Black Sea headed for Russian-controlled ports on notice, as Moscow hit the Ukrainian ports of Mykolaiv and Odesa with drones and missiles in another night of “hellish” strikes.

Ukraine said it would treat the ships as potential carriers of military cargo, mirroring a move made by Russia after it withdrew from a key grain export deal.

At least three people died and more than 20 were injured in the Russian strikes on the southern Ukrainian ports, officials said, posting images of buildings in flames and partially collapsed.

Russia pounded the cities with 19 missiles and 19 drones, the Ukrainian air force said, after the Kremlin promised retribution for an attack on the bridge linking annexed Crimea to mainland Russia.

“A hellish night for our people!” said

Sergiy Kruk, head of the Ukrainian State Emergency Service.

In Odesa, a man was found “under the rubble”, regional governor Oleg Kiper said, while in Mykolaiv an elderly couple were killed.

Rescue teams in Mykolaiv searched through the debris under pouring rain to find survivors after missiles struck the centre.

Oleksiy Luganchenko, 72, stood outside a collapsed building in the city, saying the dead couple were his sister and her husband.

“Who needs this war?” Luganchenko said.

UK Conservatives suffer vote routs but shun wipeout

LONDON—Britain’s ruling Conservatives on Friday held the former seat of ex-Prime Minister Boris Johnson but saw hefty majorities in two other seats blown away as scandals and high inflation took their toll.

Rishi Sunak was expected to become the first prime minister to lose three parliamentary seats on one day, but was spared that humiliation due to a narrow victory in the west London seat of Uxbridge and South Ruislip.

While that result may have offered the embattled Sunak some relief, the wiping out of his party’s 19,000 majority in the Somerton and Frome seat and its 20,000 majority in the Selby and Ainsty constituency will come as hammer blows ahead of an expected general election next year.

Labour took the northern England seat of Selby and Ainsty by 16,456 votes to 12,295, in the process overturning its biggest deficit at a by-election since World War Two.

Winning candidate Keir Mather, 25, said in his victory speech that “for too long Conservatives here and in Westminster have failed us,” accusing the government of “negligence and complacency.”

In the southwestern England seat of Somerton and Frome, the Liberal Democrats won by 21,187 to 10,179, with winning candidate Sarah Dyke hailing a “stunning and historic victory” and taking aim at the “woeful government.” AFP

“I’d told them they should leave and now they have died.”

‘Retaliatory strikes’

Iryna Personova, 65, said her apartment had been destroyed. “I’ve lived here for 40 years, there’s not a single military target nearby,” she told AFP. Russia said it had carried out the “retaliatory strikes” against military infrastructure around the two cities.

A production site for seaborne drones was hit around Odesa, while “fuel and ammunition depots of Ukraine’s armed forces” were struck near Mykolaiv.

But Ukraine has accused Russia of targeting grain supplies and infrastructure vital to the Black Sea deal which collapsed earlier this week.

A previous strike had destroyed 60,000 tonnes of grain meant for export from the major global producer, the Ukrainian agriculture ministry said.

United Nations Secretary-General

Antonio Guterres said the effect of the attacks went well beyond Ukraine.

“We are already seeing the negative effect on global wheat and corn prices which hurts everyone, but especially vulnerable people in the global south,” Guterres said in a statement from his spokesman, Stephane Dujarric. AFP

Seoul: Nokor nuke attack means ‘end’ of regime

SEOUL—South Korea told North Korea Friday that using its nukes would mean the “end” of Kim Jong Un’s regime, after Pyongyang threatened nuclear retaliation over growing US military deployments on the peninsula.

Relations between the two Koreas are at one of their lowest points ever, with the North ramping up weapons testing as Seoul and Washington boost military cooperation.

Pyongyang’s defense minister warned Thursday that this week’s port visit of a US nuclear-capable submarine to Busan —the first since 1981—could meet the legal threshold for the North to use its nuclear weapons.

North Korea last year adopted a sweeping nuclear law, setting out an array of scenarios—some of which are vague—in which it could use its nukes, including pre-emptive nuclear strikes if threatened.

As Seoul and Washington have “made clear” before, “any nuclear attack on the alliance will face an immediate, overwhelming and decisive response”, Seoul’s defence ministry said in a statement Friday.

Were this to happen “the North Korean regime will face its end”, it added.

The US submarine’s port visit is only a “legitimate defensive response” to Pyongyang’s ongoing nuclear threats, it said.

That visit was agreed during South Korean President Yoon Suk Yeol’s trip to Washington in April, when he and US President Joe Biden issued a similarly stern warning to Pyongyang about the terminal consequences of it using nuclear weapons. South Korea’s statement comes as an American soldier, Travis King, is believed to be in North Korean custody after crossing the border during a tourist trip to the Joint Security Area in the De-

militarised Zone on Tuesday.

Pyongyang has a long history of detaining Americans and using them as bargaining chips in bilateral ties. It has not yet issued any comment on King.

Announcing his new nuclear law last year, Kim Jong Un said the country’s status as a nuclear power was now “irreversible”, effectively eliminating the possibility of denuclearisation talks.

The new nuclear law is ambiguous, and claims Pyongyang could use its nukes if “an attack by nuclear weapons or other weapons of mass destruction... is judged to draw near”.

Analysts have said this could be used to justify the North’s possible nuclear use even in the face of conventional attacks.

“North Korea is the only entity that has adopted the Nuclear Forces Policy Act, which includes illegal preemptive strikes,” Seoul’s defense ministry said Friday. AFP

Iraq expels Sweden envoy as Koran stomped in Stockholm after protest

BAGHDAD, Iraq—Tensions flared be-

tween Iraq and Sweden Thursday over a Stockholm protest in which a man stomped on the Koran, weeks after he had burnt pages of Islam’s holy book, sparking widespread Muslim anger.

News that Swedish authorities would permit the protest to proceed on free speech grounds had led hundreds of Iraqis to storm and torch Sweden’s Baghdad embassy in a chaotic predawn attack.

Iraq’s government condemned the attack, but retaliated against the protest in Sweden by expelling its ambassador, vowing to sever ties and suspending the operating licence of Swedish telecom giant Ericsson.

Around the time of the protest outside the Iraqi embassy in Stockholm, Iraqi

Thai reformist party to back rival after PM vote defeat

BANGKOK—The reformist party that won Thailand’s recent election said Friday it would back a rival candidate to become prime minister after its own leader was blocked by the military and pro-royalist establishment.

The Move Forward Party (MFP) said it would put its support behind the nominee of Pheu Thai after its own leader, Pita Limjaroenrat, was knocked back in a leadership vote last week by militaryappointed senators.

MFP, which rode to victory in May’s election on a wave of support from young and urban voters frustrated by a decade of army-backed rule, said its pri-

ority was not to take the PM job but to restore civilian government.

“The most important thing is not that Pita will become PM, but the fact that Thailand would be able to become a democratic country,” MFP secretarygeneral Chaitawat Tulathon said.

Pheu Thai -- seen as a vehicle for the Shinawatra political clan, whose members include two former prime ministers ousted by military coups in 2006 and 2014 -- came second in the election and joined MFP’s eight-party coalition.

“MFP will allow the second party, Pheu Thai, to become the main party of the eight coalition parties,” Chaitawat said.

“In the next parliamentary meeting, MFP will vote for PT’s PM candidate, just like PT voted for MFP’s PM candidate.”

The kingdom’s establishment strongly opposes MFP’s reformist agenda, and on Wednesday Pita was suspended from parliament by the Constitutional Court.

The court decided to proceed with a case that could see him disqualified as an MP altogether for owning shares in a media company.

Lawmakers are forbidden from doing so under Thailand’s charter, though the television station in question has not broadcast since 2007. AFP

Conspiracy, obstruction, fraud: Potential charges facing Trump

WASHINGTON, DC—As special counsel Jack Smith winds down his highstakes investigation of Donald Trump’s alleged efforts to overturn the 2020 election results, the former US president faces a slew of potential charges.

The 77-year-old Trump has said he had received a letter from Smith confirming he was a target of the probe and added that he expected to be arrested and indicted soon.

The special counsel, who was appointed by Attorney General Merrick Garland in November, declined to comment, but US media reports said the letter cited three federal criminal statutes:

conspiracy to defraud the United States; obstruction of an official proceeding and deprivation of rights.

Trump has already been indicted and pleaded not guilty in two other criminal cases—for mishandling top secret government documents after leaving the White House and for allegedly paying 2016 election-eve hush money to a porn star. Here is a look at the charges Trump —the frontrunner for the 2024 Republican presidential nomination—may face in connection with efforts to overturn his election loss to Democrat Joe Biden and the January 6, 2021 storming of the US Capitol by his supporters. AFP

Prime Minister Mohamed Shia al-Sudani “instructed the Swedish ambassador in Baghdad to leave Iraqi territory”. The decision was “prompted by the Swedish government’s repeated permission for the burning of the Holy Koran, insulting Islamic sanctities and the burning of the Iraqi flag”, his office said.

In the end, Sweden-based Iraqi refugee Salwan Momika, 37, stepped on the Koran but did not burn pages as he did last month outside Stockholm’s main mosque.

Sweden and other European countries have previously seen protests where far-right and other activists, citing free speech protections, damage or destroy religious symbols or books, often sparking protests. AFP

Israel’s Netanyahu to visit Turkey days after Abbas

ISTANBUL, Turkey—Israeli Prime Minister Benjamin Netanyahu will travel to Turkey on July 28 to hold talks with President Recep Tayyip Erdogan, both leaders’ offices said late Thursday.

Netanyahu will be received a few days after Palestinian leader Mahmoud Abbas, who is expected on July 25, the Turkish presidency said.

“President Recep Tayyip Erdogan will welcome the Palestinian president Mahmoud Abbas and the Israeli Prime Minister Benjamin Netanyahu in Turkey in the course of the same week,” the presidency said in a statement.

The leaders will discuss “TurkeyPalestine relations and the latest developments in the Israeli-Palestinian conflict, as well as other topical international issues”, it added.

Netanyahu’s office confirmed the visit, the first by an Israeli prime minister since Ehud Olmert in 2008.

Turkey’s diplomatic drive comes at a time when the Israeli-Palestinian peace process is at a standstill, against a backdrop of the worst violence in years in the occupied West Bank.

In April, clashes erupted inside Jerusalem’s flashpoint Al-Aqsa mosque, where Israeli police fought with Palestinians inside the holy site. AFP

PROTEST SONG. Police stand guard outside the High Court in Hong Kong Friday, 2023, as the government seeks an injunction to have the protest song ‘Glory to Hong Kong‘ banned. AFP

POLICE IMAGE. Lawmakers who are opponents of Colombian President Gustavo Petro show signs with the image of police officers downed during the installation of the ordinary sessions of the Congress in Bogota on Friday. AFP

PALESTINIAN SUPPORT. Demonstrators march during a protest in support of Palestine in New York City on Friday. Israeli President Isaac Herzog met earlier with United Nations Secretary-General Antonio Guterres. AFP

Strong Q2 corporate profits lift PH stocks

By Jenniffer B. Austria

LOCAL stocks ended the week in the green on strong foreign buying and expectations of strong second-quarter earnings.

The composite Philippine Stock Exchange index gained 34.06 points, or 0.51 percent, to close at 5,547.56, while the broader all-shares index climbed 14.99 points to finish at 3,530.90.

Philstocks Financial research analyst Claire Alviar said prospects of favorable second-quarter earnings boosted investors’ sentiments.

Alviar said the narrow balance of payments deficit in June and the

PSEi July 21, 2023

TOP GAINERS

robust foreign buying contributed to the positive sentiments.

Foreign investors were net buyers by P372 million, boosting total value turnover to P4.55 billion.

Meanwhile, Asian equities wobbled Friday at the end of a draining week as fresh US jobs data put revived bets on two more Federal Reserve interest rate hikes, adding to ongoing worries about China’s economy.

Investors have largely been on the back foot since Monday, when Beijing announced a big miss on second-quarter growth that indicated the post-Covid recovery had come to a juddering halt.

The uncertainty in Asia followed a sell-off in New York, where tech titans were hammered after earnings reports from Netflix and Tesla disappointed. This week’s stumble follows a rally last week when a faster-than-expected slowdown in US inflation stoked hopes the Fed could end its rate hikes after July’s meeting while also avoiding a recession. But confidence took a knock Thursday when fires showed a surprise drop in US jobless claims last week, suggesting the

TOP LOSERS

MOST ACTIVE

labour market remained resilient.

While data has recently pointed to a weakening in the US economy that would help ease inflation, the Fed has said it needed to see more softening in the jobs sector.

Christian Scherrmann at DWS Group said: “While the ongoing disinflationary progress surely looks ‘promising’, it would appear that policymakers still want to see some more ‘good’ data on inflation as well as some further signs that labor market imbalances are abating.

“Only then would the (policy board) seem inclined to shift towards a prolonged ‘wait-and-see, datadependent, higher for longer’ mode.

Japan’s consumer price index rose to 3.3% in June

TOKYO—Japan’s consumer prices rose 3.3 percent year-on-year in June, with the pace of inflation accelerating from the 3.2 percent recorded in May, government data showed Friday.

The latest data -- which matched market expectations -- comes ahead of the Bank of Japan’s monetary policy meeting next week.

Most market watchers expect the central bank to keep its super-loose monetary easing policy in place.

Stripping out fresh food and energy, Japan’s prices rose 4.2 percent, data published by the internal affairs ministry showed.

Friday’s core consumer price index figure matched the market’s expectations of 3.3 percent recorded in a Bloomberg survey.

“The current strong reading of CPI doesn’t mean the BoJ will make major policy changes,” Masamichi Adachi,

Google

SAN FRANCISCO, United States—

Google is working with news publishers to design a new AI-backed tool to help journalists report and write their stories, the company said on Thursday.

The project was first reported by The New York Times, which is working with The Washington Post and The Wall Street Journal in testing the new product.

Citing anonymous sources, the report said the tool—known internally as Genesis—was in an early testing stage, but impressive enough to be found “unsettling” by some of the news executives that saw its capabilities.

A Google spokeswoman said in a statement that “in partnership with news publishers, especially smaller publishers, we’re in the earliest stages of exploring ideas to potentially provide AI-enabled tools to help their journalists with their work.”

She added that “quite simply, these tools are not intended to, and cannot, replace the essential role journalists have in reporting, creating and factchecking their articles.”

The tool would function as a sort of co-pilot for reporters and editors by providing options for headlines or different writing styles, the company said.

The Google project follows news of a tie-up between OpenAI and The Associated Press, in which the ChatGPT creator was given a license to use the archives of AP going back to 1985 to train AI. AFP

economist at UBS Securities, told Bloomberg.

“It’s pretty clear that inflation will slow from here as import-driven price gains taper off.”

While electricity prices declined again in June, processed food prices rose, the ministry said.

Inflation in Japan has been less extreme than price hikes seen in countries such as the United States, which have been fueled by the war in Ukraine and supply-chain disruptions.

The US Federal Reserve and many other central banks have raised interest rates to tackle high inflation.

But the Bank of Japan has stuck to its long-standing, ultra-loose monetary policy in an attempt to boost economic growth, causing the yen to fall against the dollar.

Only a minority of analysts expect the

central bank to tweak its policy when it meets next week, Bloomberg said.

The Bank of Japan’s two-percent inflation target, which it hopes will lead to sustainable growth in the world’s third-largest economy, has been surpassed every month for more than a year.

But the central bank sees recent price rises as driven by temporary factors, and so has stuck to its easing policies such as a negative interest rate.

Earlier this year, the Bank of Japan announced a broad review of its “nontraditional” attempts to banish the deflation that plagued Japan since the 1990s.

But moving away from monetary easing will be a tricky balancing act for the bank’s governor, Kazuo Ueda, who faces pressure to normalize policy while minimizing any shock to the economy. AFP

Therefore, we also do not expect that Fed officials reverse their clear hawkish stance at the upcoming meeting.”

SPI Asset Management’s Stephen Innes said that while there was a good chance the economy will avoid contraction while the Fed brings inflation down, traders remained cautious.

“For now... investors are likely waiting on further evidence of soft landing dynamics to come into play -- resilient growth met with a further softening in wage and price inflation,” he said.

He added that would suggest “the economy is coming into better balance.” With AFP

Biden promises ‘American dream’ in shipyard speech

PHILADELPHIA, United States—

President Joe Biden on Thursday visited a shipyard symbolizing the industrial boom he hopes will put wind in his re-election campaign’s sails, even if polls show most Americans cool on him continuing as their economic captain.

The Democrat’s pitch at the Philly Shipyard in Philadelphia, Pennsylvania, was simple.

“Bidenomics is just another way of saying, ‘restore the American dream,’” he said. “This is a new day.”

What he calls “Bidenomics” revolves around bringing back manufacturing after decades of offshoring and the hollowing out of industrial towns.

It’s a strategy kick started by the Inflation Reduction Act, which poured almost $500 billion in spending and tax breaks into green energy, as well as other legislative wins that are funding infrastructure and semiconductor development.

The main focus of this path back to industrial might is in high-tech areas like microchips and clean energy.

At the Philly Shipyard, Biden viewed work on steel plates going into a ship for use in building ocean wind farms.

“When I think climate, I think jobs, I think union jobs,” Biden said to cheers from the audience at the shipyard. “We’re creating jobs in America and we’re exporting American products.”

More generally, Biden can point to a surprisingly strong, stable recovery from the Covid pandemic-induced slump. Not only has the US economy defied a chorus of warnings that recession is around the corner, but the once shocking surge of inflation is being tamed and, at three percent, is already lower than in other major economies.

That’s a scenario the 80-year-old president hopes will power him to reelection next year. Not by coincidence, Pennsylvania is one of a handful of swing states that will decide the result in a close race—potentially a rematch against the man Biden defeated in 2020, Donald Trump. AFP

Climate change risks push up US home insurance costs

WASHINGTON, United States—

When Jack Hierholzer moved back to Pensacola in the Florida panhandle, it felt like a homecoming.

“My kids were born in Pensacola, and so we have a lot of friends in the neighborhood, we have some family here,” he told AFP in a phone interview.

But less than three years later, he’s thinking of leaving the city after seeing his home insurance premium more than triple to $6,500 -- due in part to the rising costs to insurers of extreme weather fueled by climate change.

“I work from home full time, so I could live anywhere in the country where I have a high-speed internet connection,” he said.

“So if it gets bad enough, we’re mobile, we can move,” he added.

“And we will.”

Rising premiums

Natural disasters destroyed assets worth more than $140 billion in the United States last year, of which close to $90 billion was insured, according to data from Munich Re.

The reinsurance firm—which provides insurance to insurance companies—estimated that around 70 percent of the total damage was caused by Hurricane Ian, which devastated Florida’s west coast last September.

The Intergovernmental Panel on Climate Change (IPCC) is unequivocal about the impact of human activity on global warming, and recently noted that man-made climate change “is already affecting many weather and climate extremes in every region across the globe.”

As extreme weather events have

Home insurance premiums in the United States rose by nine percent on average last year—and by far more in some states—according to the Insurance Information Institute (III), an industry trade body.

The main drivers of higher premiums have been the rising cost of reinsurance, and the growing cost of rebuilding materials.

Reinsurance costs have increased by between 30 and 40 percent year-on-year, according to Mark Friedlander, director of corporate communications at III.

“As we see reinsurance continue to move upward in terms of year-overyear renewal costs, clearly climate risk is the primary factor for that,” he

told AFP.

Rebuilding costs, meanwhile, have risen by around 30 percent over the last five years, due largely to pandemicrelated supply chain disruptions.

Regional variations

At the state level, a host of local factors have added to the challenges caused by climate change.

In California, for example, insurance premiums are well below the national average at around $1,300, according to III, due in large part to state laws that give the government a greater say over any increases.

While this should be great news for homeowners, it has also made it more challenging for insurers, who have found themselves unable to pass on the

rising costs of insuring properties against increasingly severe wildfires. State Farm, one of the largest insurers in the state, recently announced it would stop accepting new applications for homeowner insurance in California due to its “rapidly growing catastrophe exposure.”

And in Florida, premiums have soared due to a combination of factors, including historically generous laws for homeowners looking to sue their insurers, and the growing cost of payouts related to hurricanes, according to III.

“We have the man-made factors combined with the climate risk factors, and that’s a formula for extreme levels of insurance premium,” Friedlander said.

While homeowners have seen their premiums surge, the number of people without home insurance across the United States has remained relatively steady at around seven percent, according to III.

This is because US mortgage holders are required to have home insurance, meaning only those who can pay off their loans in full can take the risk of doing without it.

With his insurance premium now costing more each month than his mortgage repayments, Hierholzer in Pensacola is weighing this option as he considers his next steps.

“If insurance is so high that I’m effectively buying a new house every 12 years, then it would be much smarter to not insure the house, just pay the mortgage off and then roll your dice,” he said. AFP

HEAT PUMPS. Employees assemble air-to-water heat pumps in monobloc design in the production line at the headquarters of the heating technology company Vaillant Group in Remscheid, western Germany on July 20, 2023. As Germany looks to a future without fossil fuels, a big white boxy appliance is generating a lively debate -- and often a heated one -- for its potential to replace emissions-heavy oil and gas boilers. Heat pumps are spurring huge investments from major companies in Europe’s top economy, as a huge backlog of orders pile up for the devices. AFP

A man walks over a broken section of the Pine Island Road in the aftermath of Hurricane Ian in Matlacha, Florida on Oct. 1, 2022. AFP become more common, the costs of insuring against them has risen sharply.

BUSINESS

By Darwin G. Amojelar

PHILIPPINE Airlines said Friday it is adding more aircraft to augment its fleet and boost network reliability.

The airline unit of tycoon Lucio Tan said it is set to receive an Airbus A321CEO aircraft in the coming days to accommodate 199 passengers in a dual-class configuration. It will be used for PAL’s domestic and regional routes.

The single-aisle jet is the first of several aircraft that PAL plans to acquire or reactivate this year. Others expected to join

PSBank declares P320m in cash dividend for Q2

PHILIPPINE Savings Bank, the thrift banking unit of Metrobank Group, declared a cash dividend worth P320.14 million for the second quarter of 2023.

PSBank said in a disclosure to the stock exchange Friday the source of dividend payment would be the “surplus from 2Q 2023.” The bank has yet to report its second-quarter results.

“Please be informed that the board of directors of Philippine Savings Bank, in its meeting held July 20, 2023, passed a resolution declaring a 7.5-percent regular cash dividend for the second quarter of 2023 amounting to P320.14 million, equivalent to P0.75 per share,” it said.

“This will be payable to all common stockholders as of the record date of Aug. 4, 2023 and will be paid no later than the payment date of Aug. 22, 2023,” it said.

PSBank president Jose Vicente Alde earlier said robust consumer spending fueled the significant retail loan demand in the early part of 2023 although interest rates and inflation remained high. Julito G. Rada

DICT, telecom firms agree on connectivity rating

THE Department of Information and Communications Technology signed an agreement with telecom operators to establish a standardized connectivity rating system to elevate internet quality in the Philippines.

It said the memorandum of understanding with Globe, PLDT, Smart, DITO and Converge exemplifies the collaborative drive of all stakeholders in pushing for inclusive national progress.

“The benefits of having a nationwide benchmark for internet quality in a particular area could not be overstated. For businesses and public institutions, the Connectivity Index Rating will allow them to optimize their connectivity requirements based on the volume of usertraffic that they accommodate in their area,” DICT Secretary Ivan John Uy said.

Uy said the Connectivity Index Rating would push businesses to innovate and invest in quality connectivity solutions that will increase brand recognition and expand their customer base.

“More importantly, the Connectivity Index

Rating is aligned with the directive of President Ferdinand Marcos, Jr. to accelerate the digital transformation of the country by raising awareness on the availability, quality and consistency of internet connectivity in buildings used for public purposes,” he said.

Darwin G. Amojelar

EEI Power to set up 1MWp solar rooftop system in

Tarlac

EEI Power Corp., a subsidiary of EEI Corp., signed a deal with International Wiring System (Phils) Corp. for the construction of a 1008kWp (1MWp) solar PV rooftop system at the latter’s plant in Tarlac City.

This is one of several deals being carried out through the joint marketing efforts of EEI Power and Nippon Steel Trading CorporationManila Office, specifically among Japaneseaffiliated companies in the Philippines. The collaboration also involves the use of solar panels from Japanese-associated Vietnam Sunergy Joint Stock Company. The system, comprised of 1,832 pieces of VSUN 550-watt monocrystalline solar photovoltaic panels, is expected to provide at least 40 percent of the daytime load requirement of IWSP’s Building 6 and will yield an annual average energy output of 1,296,675 kWh.

It is anticipated to mitigate the company’s carbon footprint by an estimated 598 metric tons a year which is equivalent to saving 136,492 liters of gasoline annually and planting 17,848 additional trees.

“This 1MWp solar rooftop system is merely the first of many initiatives of IWSP involving the utilization of a clean energy source which is attuned to the sustainable development drive of the entire Sumitomo Electric Group globally. We are certainly honored to do our humble share in the betterment of our communities and the environment,” said IWSP president Ichiro Tonai.

“It is our commitment to deliver accessible and affordable solutions to all our customers without compromising the highest standard of quality. This partnership between EEIPC and IWSP serves as a testament to our shared vision of promoting sustainable energy and bolstering the growth of the renewable energy industry in the Philippines,” said EEI Power general manager Salvador Salire Jr.

the fleet in the near term include an Airbus A330-300 widebody aircraft with a capacity of 363 seats for medium haul routes and a De Havilland a Dash 8-400NG aircraft with a capacity of 86 seats to be used for inter-island operations. PAL also said negotiations were under way to secure additional aircraft this year.

The flag carrier said it was actively engaged in coordinating with suppliers and service partners to re-activate more aircraft that have been parked for extended periods, while awaiting replacement engines and parts, as a consequence of delays in the global supply chain that afflict the worldwide airline industry.

PAL is among the airlines affected by the engine maintenance issue caused by delayed shipments of engine parts. This resulted in flight cancellations that affected the travel plans of local and international passengers, forcing Congress to hold a legislative inquiry.

“We are taking various actions to boost our fleet count and enable us to meet the continuing surge in travel demand, while minimizing delays and cancellations,” said PAL vice president for network planning Christoph Gaertner. Gaertner said the airline pro-actively reduced some frequencies on a number of routes as part of a rationalization of its schedules to ensure high reliability.

“We are working with our suppliers as well as aircraft and engine manufacturers on initiatives to increase efficiency without compromising safety, which is our absolute top priority. This is our ob-

PAL buying more aircraft to meet demand IN BRIEF

ligation to our passengers, who expect a pleasant flying experience when traveling on our global network,” he said.

PAL recently announced that it firmed up the purchase of nine brand-new Airbus A350-1000 long-haul aircraft for its signature routes to North America and potentially to Europe.

The 380-seater new-generation jets to be delivered starting 2025 will be the most advanced to fly the Philippine skies.

The A350-1000 acquisition will put PAL firmly on the road towards operating one of the youngest and most modern widebody fleets in Asia, it said.

DOE clears wind project of Basic Energy in Balayan

BASIC Energy Corp. said Friday

the Department of Energy approved its wind energy service contract for the Balayan Nearshore Wind Power Project.

Basic said in a disclosure to the stock exchange the contract took effect on June 22.

The proposed project is located a kilometer east of the Calatagan peninsula in Batangas province.

Basic said it received the exclusive right to explore, develop and utilize the wind energy resources within the 2,835-hectare contracted area.

DATA SHARING. Government Service Insurance System president and general manager Wick Veloso and Land Bank of the Philippines president and chief executive Lynette Ortiz solidify the data sharing agreement with a handshake after the signing ceremony at the GSIS Head Office on July 17, 2023. Under the agreement, GSIS client data will be shared with LandBank to allow same-day issuance of LandBank Visa debit cards to members and pensioners upon enrolment at the GSIS main office in Pasay City. Through the LandBank cards, members will be able to conveniently receive and withdraw their claims and proceeds from GSIS.

Bataan approves 235-hectare reclamation project

The provincial council of Bataan presided by Vice Governor Cris Garcia passed a resolution approving a joint venture agreement with Premium Megastructures Inc. for the reclamation of 235 hectares of Mariveles Bay.

The resolution authorizes Gov. Joet Garcia to award the private-public -partnership project to Premium Megastructures.

Bataan PPP and Investment Center Investment Hub head Abul Khayr Alonto II said the next step is for PMI to comply with the requirements of the national government and the local government of Mariveles.

He said the company should submit the detailed engineering design of the

project and other requirements before the issuance of the notice to proceed.

Alonto said PMI would be in charge of the reclamation works, while another industry player could develop the transshipment hub.

“That is why we put Future Transshipment Hub in the project title to make sure that the reclaimed land would be used for that purpose only,” he said.

The project is expected to become the largest transshipment hub in the Philippines that could accommodate Panamax vessels, he said.

Mariveles Bay, a large cove at the southern tip of the Bataan Peninsula, is adjacent to Manila Bay on the east side.

Butch Gunio

PSE INDEX CLOSING

6,647.56

It said with the approval and signing of the WESC, it would start deploying its resources for the wind resource assessment campaign to validate the wind regime in the covered area.

The company said it expected to declare the project’s commerciality within the provided five-year period in the pre-development stage of the service contract.

The project is expected to generate and deliver power energy to the grid ranging from 140 to 168 megawatts based on the 4-WTG model simulation done by a foreign third-party consultant.

Basic Energy said with the addition of the Balayan WESC to the existing Mabini and Panay WESCs, its total wind portfolio would increase to about 350 to 400 MW.

The company said it was expecting to secure the service contracts for other renewable energy projects as it builds up a robust renewable energy project portfolio. Jenniffer B. Austria

By Jenniffer B. Austria

PROPERTY developer Megaworld Corp. said Friday it raised P3.63 billion from an overnight placement of shares in real estate investment trust company MREIT Inc.

Megaworld said it sold 279.4 million shares in MREIT at P13 apiece, representing a 7.1-percent discount to MREIT’s closing price of P14 Thursday.

Megaworld said the transaction was upsized by 10 percent from 254 million to 279.4 million shares on strong demand from domestic and international long-only investors.

The property firm said the transaction increased MREIT’s free float to provide headroom for future acquisition of assets via property-for-share swap.

MEAL PACKS. More than 130 Security Bank employee volunteers join the ‘Hope Begins with a Meal Food Packing’ activity to help marginalized communities in Visayas with formulated meal packs. The volunteers prepared 6,048 meals, consisting of formulated, ready-to-cook rice-soy for over 30,000 impoverished individuals in the twoday event. Security Bank teamed up with International Care Ministries and Rise Against to Hunger Philippines for the activity.

Manila Water to launch construction of P7.84-b new treatment plant in Laguna Lake’s East Bay

MANILA Water Company Inc. disclosed Friday its plan to launch the construction of a new treatment plant to provide additional 200 million liters per day of potable water to Metro Manila’s East Zone after it signed a partnership deal with ACCIONA, PrimeBMD and Santa Clara International.

The P7.84-billion East Bay Phase 2 water treatment plant in Barangay Kabulusan, Pakil, Laguna is expected to deliver potable water to 2 million people in Pasig, Pateros, Taguig and nearby towns by 2025.

Manila Water senior project manager Byder Nangit said the project is part of the company’s water supply master plan that aims to ensure water security and supply reliability in the East Zone.

Once completed, it will also lessen water supply dependence on Angat Dam.

The WTP is part of the East Bay Phase 2 Water Supply System Project, which also includes the construction of a reservoir, pumping station and pipelaying of 60 kilometers of 1200- and 1400-millimeter diameter pipes.

The WTP will treat the water from the Laguna Lake using reverse osmosis process, making it suitable for public consumption.

Phase 1 of the East Bay WSS Project was substantially completed in the second quarter of 2023 and now serves customers of Jalajala town in Rizal province. The facility is expected to provide 50 MLD of treated water to 390,000 residents of Jalajala, Pililla, Baras, Cardona, Morong and Binangonan in Rizal, complemented by two submarine pipes traversing the bottom of Laguna Lake.

Megaworld said it would use the proceeds from the equity deal to fund further development of high quality commercial assets, helping to build on existing portfolio and expanding the pipeline of potential acquisition opportunities for MREIT.

“At the MREIT level, we are pleased to have several institutional investors on board. This investment demonstrates confidence in MREIT’s potential as a strong and attractive long-term investment opportunity,” said MREIT president and chief executive Kevin Tan.

Megaworld said after the transaction, it would continue to hold 55.6-percent ownership in MREIT.

UBS AG acted as sole placement agent for the transaction.

MREIT’s portfolio covers 18 office buildings with 325,000 square meters of gross leasable space.

MREIT reported plans in June to acquire seven grade A office assets from Megaworld with a total gross leasable area of 150,500 square meters. These properties are located in Taguig, Iloilo and Davao.

Megaworld raises

P3.63b from sale of shares in REIT unit

Roderick T. dela Cruz, Editor Alena Mae S. Flores, Assistant Editor business@manilastandard.net extrastory2000@gmail.com

Vice Governor Cris Garcia

Malixi scores shocker vs. Rischer, enters quarterfinals

RIANNE Malixi birdied three of the last five holes in stirring fashion, overcoming a two-hole deficit and nipping Audrey Rischer, 1-up, to crash into the quarterfinal round of the upset-marred US Girls’ Junior Match Play Championship in Colorado on Thursday.

Not only did the win net the 24th ranked Malixi a spot in the quarterfinals packed with bidders who hacked out stirring reversals over their respective highly-ranked rivals but it also gave the 16-year-old Filipina the confidence and momentum she would need as she steps up her drive for the coveted championship.

Two holes down with five to go, Malixi came through with three birdies in th e pressure-packed stretch, including a match-clinching tap-in feat on the closing pa r-4 hole of the Eisenhower Golf Club’s Blue course that left her American rival in total shock, so dejected that she holed out with a bogey.

Plans to construct new velodrome gain traction

By Peter Atencio

PLANS to put up a new velodrome for cycling at the Tagaytay BMX Track and Skate Park in Tagaytay City have gained traction.

Sports officials from the Philippine Sports Commission met with the Quezon City government, which plans to convert its ageing Amoranto velodrome along Roces Ave. into a football and track stadium and help out with the construction of a new cycling facility in the popular town south of Manila.

Officials from Quezon City, who are in talks with Philippine Sports Commission chairman Richard Bachmann, hinted at contributing P40 million to P50 million in the construction of a new cycling facility elsewhere.

“We are meeting with them on this.

EIGHT gold medals will be at stake when advanced competitions in athletics are held during the opening rites of the 20 23 Palarong Pambansa at the Philsports oval in Pasig on July 31. This will happen after one of the two centerpiece events of the Palaro is conducted as a separate event in the multisport event’s opener.

Recently, the Department of Education’s Palarong Pambansa Secretariat agreed on the recommendations of technical officials to move the first events of athletics, the field events.

Set to start at 8 a.m. are the elementary competitions of the pole vault and high jump events, while the secondary hostilities in both meets will go in the afternoon, starting at 3 p.m.

“Doon na po sa Philsports ang dalawang events ng pole vault at high jump,” said Narciso Dasigan, tournament manager of the Palaro.

Technical officials involved informed the secretariat that the track and field stadium inside the Marikina Sports Complex would not be able to accommodate all the events in athletics and the para games when the Palaro officially commences.

The venue, according to their studies, might be too small to handle the field events, which includes pole vault, high jump and long jump.

With the adjustments done in the scheduling, organizers have slated the all the high jump and the pole vault competitions to be a whole-day event at the Philsports field.

Aside from athletics, medals will also be at stake in archery, arnis, badminton, baseball, basketball, billiards, boxing, chess, dance sports, football, futsal, goal ball, bocce, gymnastics, pencak silat, sepak takraw, softball, swimming, table tennis, tennis, taekwondo, volleyball, wrestling, and wushu.

The Palarong Pambansa is making a comeback this month after it was canceled for three years since 2020 due to the Covid-19 pandemic. Peter Atencio

We’ll discuss on how we can do and check out the legislations that have been passed in the Senate and Congress on facilities that, by law, are under the care of the PSC,” said Bachmann.

“They (Quezon City government) are asking if they can convert it into a football and oval. And they plan to help out and fund around P40 to P50 million for another place. We’re looking at Tagaytay,” said Bachmann.

Tagaytay City mayor Abraham “Bambol” Tolentino, who is also the president of the Philippine Olympic Committee and is deeply involved in the sport as

head of its national association (PhilCycling) welcomed the move.

Tolentino said during the recent Asian Cycling Confederation BMX Championships that the Tagaytay LGU has an available land for this undertaking, located inside the sprawling BMX and skate park in the Kaybagal South area.

“Wala na ang (Amoranto Stadium). We have an agreement with the Quezon City government. They will donate for the construction of a new velodrome. Give me two years and we will have facilities for road bike, MT B, and BMX and for track,” said Tolentino, who showed Bachmann around the Kaybagal South venue during t he Asian competitions.

Tolentino said they have already given up on plans to renovate the Amoranto Sports Complex in Quezon City as the local government has other

plans for the venue.

Funding for plans to build a new velodrome in Tagaytay City has been secured early this year by the PhilCycling from the International Cycling Union.

Tolentino got funding support after returning recently from a meeting of the Asian Cycling Confederation Congress in Bali, Indonesia.

The UCI will provide the design of the velodrome so that it will surely be up to world-class standards.

Conditions of the 5.8-hectare facility in QC have deteriorated and are no longer up to international standard.

Tolentino explained that the standard length of a velodrome now stands at 250 meters and no longer 350 meters, the size of the Amoranto facility.

The POC chief earlier said the budget of building a new one could reach a staggering P1.5 billion.

The ICTSI-backed ace faces No. 17 Farah O’Keefe in the quarterfinals Friday morning with the eight survivors bracing for another grueling test of stamina with the semifinals slated in the afternoon.

“I was very patient knowing that my putter and irons were really cold in the first 12 holes,” said Malixi, who missed five birdie chances inside 6 feet before falling two holes down as Rischer dominated the long holes and birdied Nos. 9 and 11.

Malixi missed another chance on No. 12 and Rischer halved the next hole to sit on the two-hole cushion with five holes left.

But while Malixi toughened up in the face of adversity, the No. 25 Rischer cracked trying to stay ahead and ward off any of the former’s plausible stretch-run rally.

The American failed as she bogeyed the 14th and though she hung tough by matching Malixi’s pars in the next two holes, the latter proved clutch, rolling in a delicate 15-foot putt for birdie on the 17th to force an all-square match.

“I know that it was a tough match. But it was never over until it’s over. So I kept on grinding and fighting back,” said Malixi.

Grind and fight back she did and Malixi spiked her riveting victory with a solid drive and an equally superb 4-Hybrid approach shot on the 408-yard 18th that landed near the cup.

Manila Chooks! eyes Shanghai Masters’ slot in Wuxi

MANILA Chooks! marks its return to the pro circuit as it joins the FIBA 3x3 World Tour 2023 Huishan Wuxi Challenger this weekend in China.

Bannering the team in the Level 9 tournament to be held at the Wuxi Sunac Taihu Show Theatre from July 22 to 23 is the Philippines’ No. 1 ranked 3x3 player, Mac Tallo, along with Dennis Santos (No. 4), Paul Desiderio (No. 8), and returning import Marcus Hammonds.

Hammonds first joined the Chooks! stable when he represented Cebu Chooks! at the Riyadh Masters last season. The American comes in as a late replacement for Sierra Leonean reinforcement Tosh Sesay, who is yet to secure his visa.

Head trainer Chico Lanete and his charges left for China on Friday.

“We’ve started our shooting session with coach Renren (Ritualo) early this month and a Serbian strength and conditioning coach

PH swim team o to World Championship

A SIX-MAN Philippine swimming team, led by two-time Olympian Jasmine Alkhaldi, left Manila on Thursday for the 17th World Aquatics Championship in Fukouka, Japan.

The 30-year-old, US-educated swimmer qualified in the tournament slated July 23 to 30, along with Southeast Asian Games’ record-holder Xiandi Chua, Thanya Dela Cruz, Jerard Jacinto and US-based Jarod Hatch.

Olympian Ryan Arabejo will coach the team, the first local squad to be sent to an international arena by the World Aquatic-backed Philippine Swimming, Inc., now headed by newly elected president Miko Vargas and secretary general Batangas Rep. Eric Buhain.

“The presence of the world’s top swimmers makes this tournament a fierce competition. But our athletes are out to experience the atmosphere in a high-level tournament, try to improve their personal best times and sharpen their skills,” said Buhain, a Philippine Sports Hall-of-Famer and considered the most decorated Pinoy swimmer.

The Filipinos qualified in the annual event based

on their FINA points collated in all WA-sanctioned events they participated in.

“The objective is to get the highest World Aquatics points through their best performances and get a chance to compete in the Paris Olympics. We’re hoping for the best for our swimmers,” added Buhain.

Alkhaldi, the face of Philippine swimming for years, qualified in the 50m freestyle, where she has a personal best time of 25.50, as well as in 100m butterfly, with a best time of 1:00.45 she recorded in bagging the bronze medal in Cambodia SEA Games last May.

The 21-year-old Chua, who trained in Australia as part of her preparation for the SEA Games, registered to compete in the 400m individual medley and 200m backstroke, where she has a good chance of finishing strong considering the progress of her time since her return from Down Under, according to her personal trainer/coach former Olympian Pinky

“With the progress of

time since

will join the team as well,” Chooks-to-Go President Ronald Mascariñas said. “Manila Chooks! needs more international exposure, build chemistry, and gain more confidence in the pro circuit,” he added.

Seeded 11th in the main draw, Manila! Chooks! will open Pool C play on Saturday, July 22 against world No. 7 club Beijing of China at 4:35 p.m. before facing world No. 15 Utrecht of the Netherlands at 9 in the evening.

The Wuxi Challenger also serves as a qualifier for the World Tour Shanghai Masters that will take place from Oct. 14 to 15, with the top three finishers assured of slots to the Level 10 event.

After not reaching the knockout stages of the Chooks-to-Go FIBA 3x3 World Tour 2023 Manila Masters last May, Lanete said the group is determined to finish better in its latest campaign.

Brosas.

her

her Australia training, maganda ang prospect ni Xiandi,” said Brosas.

FLEETWOOD SETS PACE. Home favourite Tommy Fleetwood set the pace on the opening day of the British Open with a five-under-par 66 alongside South African amateur Christo Lamprecht and Emiliano Grillo as the big guns struggled. For full story, see https://manilastandard.net/sports/sports-headlines/314352033/ fleetwood-sets-pace-at-british-open-alongside-amateur-lamprecht.html

The Ateneo student won the gold medal in recordfashion in Cambodia, clocking 2:13.20 and shattering the SEA Games’ record of 2:13.64 set by Vietnam’s Nguyen Thi Anh Vien in the women’s 200m backstroke at the 2017 edition in Jakarta.

Shown here are Rep. Eric Buhain, swimmer Xiandi Chua and coach Pinky Brosas.

Manila Chooks team

Federal Land is building ‘reimagined’ communities

600-hectare Riverpark township in Cavite to kickstart expansion

FEDERAL Land recently rolled out the next step in its strategic expansion, Federal Land Communities (FLC), a collection of master-planned, multi-use developments that will provide a holistic living experience via wellness amenities, retail and dining options, and outdoor recreations to its customers.

“We believe in building for evolving realities in the property industry,” explained President and COO Thomas F. Mirasol. “In our newest endeavor— Federal Land Communities—we combine our 50 years of solid local real estate experience with a line-up of impressive global and local partners who are best in class to make a difference in the lives of our clients.”

Mirasol noted that the properties at Federal Land Communities were planned to be multi-functional. “Intended to go further than the mixed-use concept, it provides a more thoughtful approach to the use of open space, as different areas in development can be deliberately designed to support multiple uses,” he averred.

Modern living

Ten townships will lay the groundwork for achieving Federal Land’s Mission: to create dynamic communities for generations to enjoy,” Mirasol added.

Among these are Grand Central Park (GCP) in Bonifacio Global City, Met Park in Pasay, and an emerging community in Marikina—all of which are being redeveloped and will be unveiled within the next few years.

GCP is a master-planned community within North Bonifacio Global City. It is home to contemporary residences, exciting dining destinations, and chic lifestyle hubs.

Federal Land’s presence extends from residential, retail, hotel, and office developments, including iconic developments such as Grand Hyatt Manila and Metrobank Financial Center, Grand Hyatt Manila Residences, The Seasons Residences, Park West, The Big Apple block, the new Lexus Showroom and MITSUKOSHI BGC. Future developments in GCP will include a high-rise office building designed to accommodate Bonifacio Global City’s office demands.

Met Park is a master-planned community positioned as the Cosmopolitan Cultural District of Bay City. This development supports a flourishing Art District, where many like-minded individuals can immerse themselves in new experiences through street art galleries, workshops, concerts, and such.

Similar to GCP, Federal Land has established its presence through multiple developments enjoyed by Pasay residents, office workers, shoppers, and tourists. Met Park will introduce a new Japanese-concept residential and retail development in support of the already established office and residential towers currently present.

The master-planned community in Marikina boasts an emerging city center. Siena Towers, Tropicana Garden

FUTURA BAY IN GENSAN HITS THE MARK. Futura by Filinvest, the smart-value brand of full-range property developer Filinvest Land, Inc. (FLI), recently introduced condominium living to General Santos City with Futura Bay. Located alonf Honorio Arriola Street, across KCC Mall, Futura Bay’s location ensures proximity to educational institutions, hospitals, and leisure establishments in the city. Futura Bay will feature three (3) masterplanned mid-rise residential buildings with nine (9) storeys each. Futura Bay homebuyers have a wide choice of smart-value and generous living space layouts: studio (22 square meters), one-bedroom (28 square meters), and two-bedroom (32 square meters) units. All these units are Internet-ready and feature unobstructed layouts (no visible columns)— perfect for up-and-coming young professionals and growing families.

FLEXIBLE office solutions provider

KMC, recently unveiled its upcoming partnership with the Philippine National Rugby Team (known as the Volcanoes) through the Philippine Rugby Football Union (PRFU).

KMC is offering monetary sponsorships as well as office spaces for PRFU’s staff on its newly launched site in Ortigas—KMC Jollibee Tower. This will provide the PRFU with a professional and private space for important meetings, strategic planning, individual work sessions, and other tasks in preparation for their training and competitions.

Ada Milby, President of the PRFU, described the partnership as “a significant milestone in our journey to make

City, and Marquinton Residences mark Federal Land’s residential presence, while Blue Wave Mall is the group’s retail development in the area. This year, new locators have also opened like S&R, Uniqlo, and Panda Express.

Federal Land is also present in Visayas with its Marco Polo community in Nivel Hills, Cebu anchored by the beacon of Cebu Hospitality, Marco Polo Plaza hotel, and the exclusive residential towers.

Federal Land will also launch a development in partnership with FNG in this community. New developments are also underway as Federal Land Communities is set to introduce masterplanned developments in Mandaluyong and Southern Luzon specifically in Cavite and Laguna.

A new community dubbed as the Next Gen City of the South, Riverpark, will

KMC partners with Philippine Volcanoes

rugby more accessible and popular across the country. “At the unveiling ceremonies were (from left): Thomas Cragg, vice president for sales, KMC; Amanda Carpo, co-founder, KMC; Ada Milby, president, Philippines Rugby

complement the existing developments of Federal Land in Cavite.

“We are positioned to be drivers of growth along with our LGU stakeholders and development partners, supporting progress and prosperity in the different regions through our communities,” Mirasol said.

Riverpark will be Federal Land Communities’ first major development in 2023.

River and park side experience

Located in General Trias, Cavite, Riverpark, a 600-hectare township poised to provide smart living, and lifestyle-enhancing developments in a landscape that integrates both river and park side experience.

Riverpark’s master plan integrates rivers, streams, and natural waterways, which are retained as the basis of multi-functional corridors and

TOAST TO A PROMISING FUTURE.

(From left to right): Stephen Comia, Federal Land, Inc. Project Development Group Head; Thomas Mirasol, Federal Land President and COO; Francisco Sebastian, GT Capital Holdings Chairman; Yusuke Hirano, Federal Land NRE Global, Inc. Vice Chairman; Alvin Ty, Federal Land Technical Execution Group Head; and Carmelo Bautista, GT Capital Holdings President.

a 2.6 km long Central Park that will serve as the pedestrian pathway. This feature brings nature into the heart of Riverpark and provides a landscape where people can come together and connect. It also allows the community to engage with the river through parks and other open space settings.

Significant partnerships

In January 2022, Federal Land allied with leading Japanese real-estate firm Nomura Real Estate Development (NRE). Together as Federal Land NRE Global, Inc. (FNG), the group seeks to introduce a new way of living for both residents and industry locators in this 230-hectare development.

Federal Land, GT Capital Holdings, SM Development Corporation (SMDC), and SM Prime Holdings, Inc. (SMPH) inaugurated the initial phase of the development in June 2022.

Water-saving solutions for Earth Overshoot Day

EARTH Overshoot Day marks the date when humanity’s demand for natural resources surpasses what the earth can regenerate in one year. GROHE, a global brand for complete bathroom solutions and kitchen fittings, has made it a mission to develop water-saving solutions that empower everyone to contribute to water and energy conservation efforts.

GROHE SilkMove ES technology ensures that only cold water runs if the faucet lever remains in the default center position. Once the lever is turned to the left, warm water flows. The EcoJoy technology, equipped with a flow-limiting mousseur, enriches water with air, letting the water jet remain pleasantly powerful. It can also save water and thus energy in the shower area. Many models, like the Grohtherm 1000, also include the GROHE EcoButton: the full water

flow is only achieved by pressing this button, so up to 50 percent water can be saved.

The GROHE Everstream, circulates hygienically treated water in order to create a remarkable showering experience, where users consume as little fresh water as possible—and use far less energy.

To know more about GROHE, visit https://www.grohe.ph/en_ph/ and follow their Facebook ( @GROHEPacific ) and Instagram ( @grohe_ph ) pages.

Football Union; Michael McCullough, chief executive officer, KMC; Gian Reyes, vice president for marketing, KMC; and Acee San Juan, general manager, Philippines Rugby Football Union.

By Patricia Taculao

SINCE 2019, Alexis Dela Cuesta, a certified public accountant, ventured into beekeeping and hasn’t looked back. He began it as a hobby but eventually saw the numerous economic and environmental benefits of beekeeping and decided to intensify his efforts.

He began with two colonies, which he placed on the rooftop of their house in Santa Ana, Manila. He focused on raising Western honeybees (Apis mellifera), the most widely distributed and domesticated bee species known for its honey production abilities.

Thanks to his due diligence and determination by checking up on his colonies frequently, feeding them sugar water during the rainy season, and keeping pests away, Dela Cuesta managed to harvest 58 kilograms from the two colonies he began with. But that was four years ago.

From two colonies, he grew his count to eight and ventured beyond the comforts of their home to other developed areas in the metro, including Raffles Makati.

Raffles Makati, a 30-story hotel and architectural masterpiece set in the heart of the financial district, started its bee farm a year and a half ago in its outdoor herb garden at the hotel’s second level. It’s how the hotel manages its resources to promote sustainability and environmentfriendly practices.

theKeepingmetro

abuzz

“Bees promote sustainability and balance the ecosystem because they pollinate nearby plants and crops, allowing them to grow and be productive,” Dela Cuesta said. On the other hand, Dela Cuesta also cares for some colonies in a space he rents at Asilo de San Vicente de Paul at United Nations, Manila.

Turning honey into money

Some people often regard honey as “liquid gold” because of its money-making potential. With eight colonies across Metro Manila, Dela Cuesta harvests 32 kilograms from each and reaps its benefits.

He and his wife, Sheila, started a brand called HoNea (named after their daughter) around the same time Dela Cuesta began beekeeping. While Dela Cuesta deals with the care and maintenance of the colonies, his wife formulates various products made with honey and beeswax, including shampoos, conditioners, lotions, and candles, among other items.

They also dabble in edible products, like pure honey and honey-infused vegan ice cream.

Research shows that honey has antimicrobial properties, while raw honey is a viable source of antioxidants. In the meantime, Sheila uses other organic ingredients like goat’s milk, coffee, and herbal extracts, which she sources locally, to augment the honey and beeswax’s natural benefits.

“We try to be plastic-free and sustainable as possible, hence why our beauty products are in bar form, and we don’t use plastics in our packaging,” the part-time beekeeper said.

Dela Cuesta also offers training to aspiring beekeepers to unlock the potential of bee colonies within and outside urbanized areas. He even promotes World Bee Day, held every May 20, in the country by holding online seminars and discussions with other seasoned beekeepers who are a treasure trove of knowledge. His other initiative includes the SaBeedo Nights, an online talk show on YouTube that features other beekeepers as guests to continue raising awareness about the nuances of beekeeping and the relevance of bees in an ecosystem. Although just a part-time beekeeper, Dela Cuesta is passionate about his venture and willingly shares his knowledge about bee farming with interested Filipinos so more people can appreciate bees in the ecosystem.

INTENDING to empower tech researchers and startups to bring positive change to the world, PLDT Enterprise supported the TECH PLANTER in the Philippines 2023 by Leave a Nest, a knowledgemanufacturing company in Japan, whose goal is to “advance science and technology for global happiness.”

Held at the Ateneo de Manila University, nine finalists from a total of 46 teams of startups and research teams from fields of biotech, eco-tech, med-tech, food-tech, agritech, and deep tech presented local solutions that they have been developing that aim to solve deep issues in society.

Planting the seeds of technology

As one of the event’s local partners, PLDT Enterprise motivated this year’s finalists with invaluable mentorship and co-working space by awarding the PLDT Enterprise Award through its innovation arm, PLDT Innolab.

The PLDT Enterprise Award was given to ARES for its unique smart agriculture technology that uses innovative renewable energy solutions and remote monitoring systems to optimize poultry farm yield.

“We are proud to witness ARES’ technology which aligns most with PLDT Enterprise’s key focus areas and Innolab’s sustainability goals,” says Kristine Dara Ever Juan, Head of Innovations Lab & Ecosystem Partnerships (Innolab) at PLDT Enterprise. “We are looking for Smart City solutions that integrate well

Conference features PCAARRD goat production technologies

By Butch Gunio

THE presentation of goat production technologies developed by the Department of Science and Technology Philippine Council for Agriculture, Aquatic and Natural Resources Research and Development (DOST-PCAARRD) was a highlight at the recent conference organized by the Federation of Goat and Sheep Producers and Associations of the Philippines Inc. (FGASPAPI) and the city government of Tarlac.

FGASPAPI is a federation formed and recognized as the official representative of the small ruminant industry. It is a member of the Livestock Development Council and National Agriculture and Fishery Council and an industry partner of DOST-PCAARRD.

PCAARRD’s technologies and projects showcased were Sure Feed (SFEED): pelleted feeds for lactating dams, on-farm application of a workable protocol for embryo transfer for goats, portable goat pregnancy detection kit, standard slaughtering and cutting of goats; Let’s Doe: A project to mitigate the effects of the COVID-19 pandemic; and Farmers’ Livestock School on Goat Enterprise Management.

Organizers said the conference aimed to impart mature technologies and new goat and sheep production approaches.

Farmers from provinces and other goat and sheep industry stakeholders participated in the event.

Themed “The Goat and Sheep Industry: Responding to Calls of Resiliency By Embracing Mature Technologies,” the conference occurred during the weeklong 25th charter anniversary celebration of Tarlac City.

Smart, agri-tech startup bags PLDT Enterprise Award

products developed by cutting-edge innovation units, PLDT Enterprise is also fully committed to empowering the youth.

“PLDT Enterprise’s partnership in TECH PLANTER in the Philippines 2023 has been truly instrumental in fostering innovation in our country, and its commitment to supporting aspiring entrepreneurs and startups is commendable,” says Ludhovik Luiz Madrid, Research Development Division at Leave a Nest Philippines. “Their dedication to empowering the next generation of tech pioneers is paving the way for solutions that will shape our nation. We are grateful for PLDT Enterprise’s partnership and support in nurturing the entrepreneurial ecosystem and advancing technologies that solve deep issues in Philippine society.”

with our Internet of Things capabilities, and ARES’ vision connects well with this drive.”

“We are excited to collaborate with PLDT Innolab and get the good work started. Our drive to win in the competition really stemmed from our desire to elevate the lives of farmers through innovation, and we are grateful for this opportunity from TECH PLANTER and PLDT Inno-

lab,” says Jemarson Abel, the team lead of ARES.

The PLDT Enterprise Award grants ARES access to the labs and facilities of the PLDT Innolab for six months to develop and refine their product in collaboration with highly-capable mentors. Through this collaboration, PLDT Enterprise and ARES can continue to promote sustainability through the winning

group’s innovative solution that ushers a new generation towards creating a sustainable yet smart city by helping to enact innovations centered on bringing smart agriculture.

Further together through technology

Beyond supporting local startups through technology solutions and

“To co-innovate and collaborate with young minds of startups and academe has always been in the DNA of PLDT Innolab,” says Melvin Jeffrey Chan, Vice President & Head of Enterprise Innovations, Business Development, Consulting & Presales at PLDT Enterprise. “We believe in the youth’s vast imagination and capability to produce new and world-class ideas to help the community, and we’re glad that we can become partners in codevelopment through our cuttingedge technologies and expertise at PLDT Enterprise.”

PLDT Enterprise continues to enable the startup community to go Further Together with PLDT Innolab’s deep expertise in innovation development to pursue groundbreaking solutions to bring positive impact to

community.

the

Alexis Dela Cuesta (left) with his wife Sheila and their daughter Nea

Sheila uses beeswax from her husband’s bee colonies to create handmade aromatic candles

From his eight colonies, Dela Cuesta manages to harvest around 32kgs of honey from each

Western honeybees (Apis mellifera) are suitable for largescale honey production

Despite being only a part-time urban beekeeper, Dela Cuesta is deeply passionate about bee farming and raising awareness about bees’ relevance

Goat farming is a significant industry in the Philippines

From left: Kristine Dara Ever Juan, Head of Innovations Lab & Ecosystem Partnerships (Innolab) at PLDT Enterprise, with the members of ARES, the winning team of the PLDT Enterprise Award, namely Richmon Corres, Jemarson Abel, Karl Leyco, Maruh Bernardo, Celina Borromeo, Francis Bernardo, Michelle Borras, and Margo Mananquil

Fraudsters exploit popularity of upcoming movie releases

amidst the thrill, it’s crucial for users to remain alert and adhere to basic online safety rules. While the experience is exhilarating, we must not overlook the risks. By maintaining a vigilant mindset and practicing safe online habits, we can fully enjoy the Barbie and Oppenheimer experience while safeguarding ourselves from cyber threats lurking in the digital world,” comments Olga Svistunova, security expert at Kaspersky.

To stay safe while enjoying the excitement surrounding the movie premieres, Kaspersky experts recommend:

BARBIE and Oppenheimer rapidly became two of the most highly anticipated movies of the year. Unfortunately, as is often the case with such popular topics, scammers wasted no time in exploiting Barbie’s and Oppenheimer’s immense popularity for their own sinister motives. Now, Kaspersky has found that scammers are deceiving unsuspecting users by distributing phishing scams that prey on the excitement surrounding the movie releases, all with the sole intention of tricking individuals and unlawfully acquiring their hard-earned money and sensitive personal data.

One of the fraudulent pages discovered lures users with special offers on Barbie dolls coinciding with the movie launch. Besides the regular dolls, users are being enticed to buy limited-edition movie-related dolls, including one of the lead actress Margot Robbie for around 12 pounds sterling. They can add a helicopter for £56, making the total cost of the purchase £60 (with an “exclusive” discount). However, once users decide what to buy, they are redirected to a purchase form that requires personal identification details such as

name, address, phone number, and banking information. Unsuspecting users unknowingly send their money and private data directly to fraudsters. Besides the financial risks, this scam also poses serious privacy concerns, as the stolen data could potentially be sold on the Dark Web Market.

The scammers did not miss out on another popular release, Oppenheimer, which was scheduled for the same day. They tricked people by offering to stream the movie for free, but their real intention was to steal users’

banking information and money. In such scenarios, scammers often employ a tactic in which they request a nominal fee of one dollar or euro for registration. However, this seemingly harmless payment requirement could raise a red flag. To proceed with the registration, they require that a bank card be linked, therefore enabling unauthorized and difficult-to-cancel debits from users’ accounts.

“Premieres and exciting events bring a wave of anticipation, but

Digital series finale: Questions, theories from fans

AFTER13 weeks of making fans swoon, laugh, cry, and fall in love, Puregold Channel’s Ang Lalaki sa Likod ng Profile’s story is winding to a close. Viewers watched as Angge (Yukii Takahashi) and Bryce (Wilbert Ross) hooked up in the digital world, became friends, grew fond of each other, and eventually developed deeper feelings.

• Be cautious of phishing scams: Beware of suspicious emails, messages, or websites offering exclusive deals or freebies. Double-check the authenticity of the source before sharing any personal information or making online transactions.

• Verify website security: When purchasing merchandise or accessing related content online, ensure that the website has a secure connection. Look for “https://” in the URL and a padlock symbol in the address bar to indicate a secure website.

• Use security solutions: Use a reliable security solution, such as Kaspersky Premium, that identifies malicious attachments and blocks phishing sites.

• Be mindful of sharing personal information: Be cautious when providing personal information online, especially sensitive details like your address, phone number, or financial information. Only share such information on trusted and secure platforms.

• Trust reliable sources: Rely on official websites, authorized retailers, and reputable sources for purchasing merchandise, accessing movie content, or obtaining information related to the premiere. Avoid unofficial or suspicious sources that may try to exploit your enthusiasm.

Lista, CIBI enable Filipinos easier access to their credit scores

TO help more Filipinos gain access to their credit scores, Lista, the fastestgrowing financial management app in the Philippines, has entered into an agreement with the country’s leading credit bureau, CIBI Information Inc.

The Credit Information Corporation, the country’s sole public credit registry and repository of credit information, authorizes Lista to access CIC credit data through CIBI as a Non-accessing Entity.

By being authorized as an NAE, Lista further solidifies its standing as a trusted and reliable platform for credit information, bolstering its credibility within the industry. With this authorization, Filipinos can confidently rely on Lista to access comprehensive and up-to-date credit scores, empowering them to make informed financial decisions.

Additionally, through this strategic partnership with CIBI, Lista users can conveniently obtain their credit scores and gain access to a range of credit services, paving the way for enhanced financial opportunities. All of these benefits are available to users at an attractive introductory price of only P199. The power of credit for greater financial inclusion

Credit scores play a crucial role in assessing an individual’s creditwor-

MOST batteries can’t keep up with your lifestyle.

Take gaming as a prime example—this hobby requires plenty of power, but charging while playing often isn’t an option, with most smartphone users experience temperature increases from the high-performance use, interrupting your game.

You’re faced with a lose, lose situation. Even when battery performance is strong, and the charging is quick, phones often overheat easily. If the battery is too small, the battery life is short and doesn’t provide the longevity you’re looking for. Additionally, if the battery is big to allow for longer charge, the phone is too bulky.

Enter Infinix’s NOTE 30 Series. You can say goodbye to charging anxiety and hello to an allnew charging experience.

The Infinix NOTE 30 Series: Ushering in the New Charging Standard

The Infinix NOTE 30 Series, which includes the flagship NOTE 30 Pro, the NOTE 30, and the NOTE 30 5G, offers a next generation fast-charging experience: All-Round FastCharge. Infinix’s intelligent charging innovation considers not just how long it takes a device to charge and how long it retains power, but seeks to transform how consumers view what

thiness and the likelihood of repaying loans and credit card debts. According to a recent financial inclusion survey conducted by the Bango Sentral ng Pilipinas (BSP), it was discovered that a significant proportion of adults, approximately 70%, lack access to vital financial services, including savings accounts, and credit facilities. The study also revealed that an alarming 57% of Filipinos rely on informal sources for borrowing, with 44% resorting to seeking financial assistance from their own family and friends.

Lista advocates for expanding access to credit scoring as a means to empower Filipinos and break free from reliance on informal lenders. Moreover, this initiative has the potential to create a financial environment that benefits a greater number of individuals by offering safer and more readily available financial services.

On the importance of the partnership with CIBI, Lista co-founder Aaron Villegas said “Lista was created to help Filipinos easily create and maintain good personal financial habits. By making it easier for anyone to request a credit score through the Lista app, our partnership with CIBI empowers more Filipinos to become financially visible

and use the power of credit to achieve significant life goals such as buying a home, financing an education, or starting a business.”

Yolanda Zubieta, president and CEO of CIBI said, “At CIBI, our work is dedicated to creating innovative digital solutions that help individuals and businesses make better lending decisions. We are excited to partner with Lista to promote good credit-building habits and advance our shared goal of greater financial inclusion across the country.”

Your personal credit score in just a few clicks

By subscribing to the Credit Score service on the Lista app, a few clicks are all it takes for users to request their credit scores, discover the contributing factors that helped determine their values, and learn tips on improving them. Through this premium feature, users also gain access to their personal Credit Score Trend which shows how their credit scores have performed in the span of six months.

FastCharge technology reaches new horizons in intelligent smartphone charging innovation, boasting a myriad of unparalleled, vanginfiniuard features.

Introducing: All-Round FastCharge

The new smartphone series from Infinix shows consumers what’s possible when it comes to charging scenarios via eight specific features that make up the All-Round FastCharge experience.

Perhaps you woke up in the morning and realized you forgot to charge your phone the night prior. In the time it takes you to eat breakfast and drink your first cup of coffee, you can juice up your phone. The series uses dual-channel fast charge technology with new generation charging pumps to provide industry-leading fast charge capabilities, including up to 68W wired fast charge. The Substrate Switch Charge Pump technology enables a high conversion efficiency of 98.5% with less heat generation. With this feature, users can achieve 80% power from 1% in just 30 minutes.

When Angge and Bryce finally met in real life, sparks flew and fans wondered: could romance be far behind? But insecurity, indecision, and other external factors stood in the way. Bryce and Angge never got to share how they felt until it was too late. Angge got back together with her ex, Jerry (Anjo Resurreccion), with Angge and Bryce drifting apart despite their growing feelings.

Through all the thrill and excitement this wildly popular digital series has generated, viewers are hanging in there, envisioning a “happy ever after” at the end of the road. Here, let us check out what ALSLNP’s rabid fans have to say about this engaging love story.

Is Jerry and Angge’s re-coupling the series’ end game? How will Bryce deal with this?

Fans speculate that Bryce’s flip-flopping has helped drive Angge back to Jerry, her ex. While this is frustrating for Bryce-and-Angge shippers, they feel that Angge deserves a man who bravely owns up to his feelings.

What’s in store for Ketch (Migs Almendras) and Genski (Kat Galang)?

Bryce’s kuwela and kulit BFFs had their own story arc in the series, which viewers thoroughly enjoyed. Genski harbored feelings for Ketch, and it was recently revealed that Ketch felt the same. However, he had to go abroad. Now fans are wondering if there is a future for the duo, as they are rooting for them, too.

Will Bessie (Marissa Sanchez) ever approve of Angge?

When Bessie, Bryce’s mother, eventually met Angge, she asked Angge to spare her son from heartbreak. While Bessie later had a change of heart, fans remain anxious. Will Bessie totally accept Angge, and will Bryce and Angge end up together (which everyone is praying for).

Will Bryce and Angge find success in their personal endeavors?

So far, Bessie is struggling to keep their family business, Veggie Boy, afloat, hoping that Bryce will play a role in it. Meanwhile, Angge is an aspiring writer of poetry, and her wisdom on love helped Bryce navigate the dating circuit when she was his virtual wingwoman. Fans are also rooting for them to succeed in their personal lives, hoping to see this in the finale.

flagship feature of the series, making the NOTE 30 Pro Infinix’s first smartphone on the market to offer wireless charging capabilities.

Use of the phone needn’t stop when the device is plugged in. Imagine you are taking a work break and decide to game with colleagues, but your phone battery is low. No sweat, you can do both—charge your phone and game! The bypass charge feature enables charging directly from the motherboard instead of the battery after the power reaches 30%. Not only does this extend the life of the battery, but it also allows the phone to remain cool while performance is high—so you can continue your winning game.

it means to “juice up” their smartphone.

The NOTE 30 Series delivers a first-of-its-kind super phone in this price range, and the All-Round

In addition to the wired fast charge, the series also boasts 15W wireless charge. If you’re someone who enjoys a tidy, cord-free work space at your desk, the wireless charging feature is perfect for you. This is a

The smartphones in the series also act as a charging device for other phones—helping you be the hero friend or family member when they’re running low on charge. Perhaps your friend is awaiting an important work call, but you’re out at lunch with no charger or outlet around. With its wireless reverse charge, users can help power a friend’s device (Android or Apple) by simply touching phone to phone. The NOTE 30 Series supports wired reverse charge as well, which means that the phone acts dually as a phone and a power bank.

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Be cautious of phishing scams: Beware of suspicious emails, messages, or websites offering exclusive deals or freebies. Doublecheck the authenticity of the source before sharing any personal information or making online transactions.