Manila Standard - 2023 July 26 - Wednesday

MAKATI

Filipinas score historic 1st win

Bolden header seals World Cup triumph over host New Zealand

By Peter Atencio

THE Philippines made history with its first-ever goal and first victory in the FIFA Women’s World Cup on Tuesday, stunning host New Zealand, 1-0, at the sold-out Wellington Regional Stadium in Wellington.

Alen Stajcic, who on Sunday vowed to crash the NZ party, did so by using scoring machine Sarina Bolden and goalkeeper Olivia McDaniel as

the 46th-ranked Philippine team, collectively known as the Filipinas, scored one of the tournament’s biggest shockers.

Destiny on their hands, Pinays came to play and win

By Erel Cabatbat

THE Philippines registered probably the biggest win in the 2023 FIFA Women’s World Cup yesterday against the heavily favored cohosts New Zealand, 1-0. Against all odds and despite playing erratically in the opening 30 minutes of the game, the Filipinas made the most of the rare opportunities given to them by the Football Ferns.

The Filipinas only had four shots at goal in the entire game, but scored the one that mattered most and their only shot at target, in

the 24th minute via a Sarina Bolden header against two defenders that went past a backpedaling Victoria Esson.

The goal -- the first by the Philippines in World Cup history -- probably summed up the collective aspirations of a country hoping that its gritty Filipinas will somehow put up a good fight against the Kiwis. That somehow, they can put behind them their 2-0 defeat to Switzerland in their opening game. And to do that against the host nation is just a bonus.

Credit should not only be given to Bolden.

Olivia McDaniel played the game of her life in

FATEFUL BOBBLE. New Zealand’s goalkeeper Victoria Esson bobbles the ball over her head, conceding the winning goal headed in by the Philippines’ Sarina Bolden (in white) moments earlier despite Ferns defender Ali Riley close by. AFP

By Rio N. Araja and Joel E. Zurbano

FIREMAN IN WATER. A fireman puts a boy on his back while wading the flood-hit streets of Barangays Sum-ag, Pahanocoy. and Singcang-Airport in Bacolod City as heavy rains brought about by Super Typhoon Egay (inset storm track) caused waters to rise in low-lying areas in the city Tuesday (July 25, 2023). BFP-Bacolod City Fire Station

THE state weather bureau raised tropical cyclone wind signal no. 5 over the eastern portion of Babuyan Islands as super typhoon “Egay” (international name Doksuri) maintained its strength, threatening Northern Luzon. The storm’s effect on the “habagat” or southwest monsoon also caused widespread flooding as far south as Western Visayas, with residents of Bacolod City and its neighboring areas needing rescue from sudden chest-high floodwaters.

Marcos accepts resignations of 18 alleged ‘narco-cops’ after probe

By Charles Dantes and Maricel V. Cruz

PRESIDENT Ferdinand Marcos Jr. on Tuesday accepted the resignation of 18

policemen -- three generals and 15 colonels -- allegedly involved in the illegal drug trade.

In a statement by Malacañang, the President accepted the resignation of the

Old, current execs won’t be spared in DOJ agri smuggling investigation

By Rey Requejo, Charles Dantes, Macon Ramos-Araneta,

and Maricel Cruz

FORMER and incumbent public officials will not be spared from the Department of Justice’s investigation into the smuggling of agricultural products, Justice Secretary Jesus Crispin Remulla said Tuesday.

“We are looking at many names from different government agencies involved in letting goods into the country and giving permissions for the entry of commodities,” Remulla said in a media briefing.

These agencies are the Bureau of Customs (BOC), Bureau of Plant Industry (BPI), different offices of the Department of Agriculture (DA), and others involved in the entry of agricultural commodities, he said.

Executive Secretary Lucas Bersamin on Tuesday also expounded on two issues highlighted in the President’s SONA – running after hoarders and smugglers of agricultural produce.

He said cases will soon be filed with the establishment of the Anti-Agricultural Smuggling Task Force led by the DOJ.

third-level officers of the Philippine National Police upon the recommendation of the National Police Commission Ad Hoc Advisory Group that handled the matter. PNP Chief Benjamin Acorda Jr.

said the 18 were from a group of 953 officers who had submitted courtesy resignations and undergone a thorough investigation.

SEEKS SYNERGIES

“Egay” is forecast to move westnorthwestward in the next 24 hours before turning generally northwestward and crossing the Luzon Strait, the Philippine Atmospheric, Geophysical and Administration Services Administration (PAGASA) said.

In its 8 p.m. bulletin last night, the bureau said the center of the eye of “Egay” was estimated at 135 kilometers east of Aparri, Cagayan. These and other areas in Northern Luzon can expect heavy rainfall of more than 200 millimeters until this afternoon.

Speaker: 7 of 17 priority bills already OK’d

By Maricel V. Cruz

THE House of Representatives has already approved on third and final reading seven of the 17 priority measures that President Ferdinand Romualdez Marcos Jr. asked Congress to pass in his second State of the Nation Address (SONA), Speaker Martin G. Romualdez said Tuesday. Romualdez, leader of 312-member House of Representatives, expressed confidence that the chamber would wrap up the final approval of the remaining 10 SONA priority measures before the year ends— four before the congressional recess in October and the other six in December.

Rare Signal No. 5 raised over north as ‘Egay’ triggers widespread floods

Sarina Bolden runs toward the Filipinas after scoring on a header in the 24th minute, which proved to be the game-winner as the Philippines notched its first-ever triumph in the World Cup of football—for men or women—on Tuesday at Wellington’s Sky Stadium.

PBBM seeks Malaysian synergies

By Charles Dantes

PRESIDENT Ferdinand Marcos Jr. on Tuesday said that he is eyeing “new areas of synergies” – in particular in the halal and Islamic banking industries – as he arrived in Malaysia for a three-day state visit Tuesday afternoon.

The chartered Philippine Airlines flight PR001 from Manila, carrying the Chief Executive and his official delegation, landed at the Bunga Raya Complex of the Kuala Lumpur International Airport at 4:51 p.m.

“This state visit to Malaysia aims to identify new areas of synergies that can propel our partnership and serve as a roadmap for our respective agencies to work on for the mutual benefit of both

NTC: SIM listup target of 105.9 million reached

By Darwin G. Amojelar

THE National Telecommunications Commission on Tuesday said it has reached its SIM registration target with 105.9 million cards registered as of July 24.

The telecom regulator said the figure accounted for 63 percent of the total number of reported active SIM subscribers as of December 2022.

“Such a number is well within the target of between 100 million to 110 million registered SIMs come the deadline, especially considering the report from the public telecommunication entities that almost all of their SIMs with active users have already registered,” the NTC said.

Of the 105.9 registered SIM cards, Smart had 50 million, Globe had 48.4 million and Dito had 7.5 million.

The NTC said there will no longer be any further extension in the deadline to register active SIMs.

Under the implementing rules and regulations of the SIM Registration Act, subscribers still have five days – from July 26 to 30 – to catch up and save their SIM from permanent deactivation.

Globe Telecom Inc. said its subscribers who missed the July 25 deadline have a final grace period of five days to comply with the SIM registration law.

Their incoming SMS is still left active so they could receive a One-Time Pin for SIM registration, Globe said.

“Globe recognizes the essential role of uninterrupted mobile and broadband services in our customers’ daily lives. So, as provided for in the law, SIM users get this last chance to register their SIMs after missing the initial and extended registration deadlines,” said Ernest Cu, Globe Group president and chief executive.

our countries and the peoples of the new century,” the President said during his pre-departure speech at Villamor Air Base in Pasay City.

“I am optimistic that this state visit will nurture the foundations of a revitalized and stronger Philippines-Malaysia cooperation ahead of the celebration of our six decades of formal diplomatic relations in 2024,” he added.

The Malaysian government earlier

said it was optimistic that the state visit of President Marcos would further strengthen bilateral ties and pave the way for more areas of cooperation.

Mr. Marcos immediately met with the Filipino community in Kuala Lumpur.

“Nandito po kami para maging panauhin ng hari ng Malaysia. Siya ay matagal nang kaibigan (We are here as guests of the king of Malaysia. He is a longtime friend),” he told the OFWs.

Mr. Marcos said as part of efforts to assist the country’s economic trajectory, his trip will focus on the renewed partnerships in the fields of agriculture and food security, digital economy, tourism, and people-to-people ex-

changes.

“The halal industry is expected to grow to a trillion-dollar industry in the international market as its global demand continues to expand.

Malaysia is one of the global leaders in this sector, and this visit aims to forge synergies with Malaysia for the Philippines to enjoy a share of this market,” he said.

The President said he will have an audience with the King of Malaysia AlSultan Abdullah and Prime Minister Anwar Ibrahim who was in the Philippines in March. He will likewise attend a meeting with Malaysian business leaders organized to showcase trade and investment opportunities.

FILIPINA GLEE.

Philippines goalkeeper Olivia McDaniel (#01) and teammates greet supporters -- and forward Sarina Bolden (#07) -- after beating New Zealand in their 2023 Women’s World Cup Group A football match at Wellington Sky Stadium on Tuesday, as people react at a live screening of their match at a mall in Quezon City (top right). Jam Sta. Rosa/AFP

goalkeeper McDaniel swatted three of four attempts in the four minutes of added time.

DMW’s Ople taking 2-week wellness leave

By Vito Barcelo

MIGRANT Workers Secretary Susan Ople will take a two-week wellness leave effective immediately following the deaths of her two elder brothers – both from lung cancer earlier this month.

Ople thanked President Ferdinand Marcos Jr. for granting her request and for expressing his personal condolences to her family.

Her brother, former Hagonoy Mayor Felix “Toti” Ople, died on July 13 at 65 years old while another brother, Blas Ople Jr., a former journalist, passed away five days later at 71 years old.

“Our family lost two good men within a span of five days,” Secretary Ople said.

“They are now in a much better place, free from pain and reunited with our beloved parents and brother, Raul,” she added.

Ople said she needs time to grieve and be with members of her family while also looking after her own wellness needs.

Destiny...

goal, parrying everything the Football Ferns dished out to the last minute of the match. Sara Eggesvik’s cross made it possible for Bolden to slam home the historic goal.

The whole team laid their hearts and soul on the pitch with their defense and the football gods blessed them with luck, twice – on the offside that could have been New Zealand’s equalizer in the 68th minute, and earlier in the 64th minute when Olivia Chance’s shot was just wide by a few millimeters, hitting the far post instead. Almost, but not quite.

Bolden headed the winning ball in the 24th minute right at New Zealand goalkeeper Victoria Esson, who blocked the attempt with her face and watched in horror as the ball flew over her head and into the back of the net.

“I know how hard we have to work throughout the game before we go celebrating. This (Bolden’s goal) is a special goal, our first goal for the country and its history. We’ve worked hard to come after that,” said Stajcic.

McDaniel, on the other hand, saved seven attempts by the world no. 26 Ferns, to help secure the win for the Filipinas, who moved to a share of second spot with their victims.

The confident Ferns missed outright qualification to the knockout stages with their first loss in two games in Group A.

The Ferns, who were riding high on their 1-0 upset of Norway, put on the pressure after Bolden’s golden moment.

The Jitka Klimkova-coached hosts got frustrated after many attempts missed their target and Fil-American

“This (win) means everything to us. I think we put our heads down the minute the game was up. New Zealand was coming on hard from their win against Norway. We just kept our heads down and focused. We had a goal in mind and achieved it. And now, we can our best for the better,” said McDaniel, who was named Player of the Match. She knocked away three of four attempts during the extended minute, including Grace Jale’s final assault.

Filipino fans roared the name of the Filipinas after Fil-Australian Angela Beard eluded the defense at the right wing and hit a cross to Bolden, who headed the ball past three defenders. The ball then sailed down past the head of Esson, who fell down in front of the goal mouth.

Klimkova said the Philippines’ win and Bolden’s heroics, ended the Ferns’ euphoric feelings over their memorable win over the Norwegian side.

“This is sports. Five days ago, we were celebrating, and we were so excited. Today, we didn’t get what we wanted and played for. I would say

from what I saw so far, there were a lot of unforced errors in our game with Norway. So, execution today was not excellent,” said Klimkova.

The 48-year-old Klimkova, who used to play for the Czech national women’s team, said the Ferns still kept their best to score a goal, but the Filipinas kept the defense disciplined and tight in their backline.

The encounter attracted 32,357 fans, who came to watch as the Filipinas rebounded from their 0-2 loss to Switzerland.

The Ferns pushed for an equalizer and almost did after an excellent cross from Hannah Wilkinson found Jacqui Hand in the 69th minute.

Hand headed the ball into the net, but the goal was eventually ruled out after Wilkinson’s attack was deemed offside, following a screen from Hali Long at the left corner.

Jale tried her luck in the dying moments of the game, but a save by McDaniel denied the hosts their last chance at an equalizer.

Wilkinson, the heroine of the Ferns’ win over Norway, tried to score a header during the added time, but it went off to the left of the net.

McDaniel, knocked away three more attempts, including Jale’s final assault.

At the end of the match, credit should also be given to Coach Alen Stajcic. He brought the New Zealand team to class. The head coach made the needed adjustments and football smarts that the team observed to the fullest during the entire match.

Stacjic came prepared against the Football Ferns. His 5-3-2 formation was perfect to negate the explosive play of Hannah Wilkinson, who proved to be the biggest headache for the Filipinas, literally and figuratively, the entire match. The defensive alignment proved to be the key to shutting down Wilkinson, who never found the back of the net despite many attempts.

Stajcic was also able to motivate his players to be patient and to be more aggressive. The Filipinas went only for the long balls when a pattern of attack was available or possible. They took everything New Zealand threw at them in the opening minutes and grabbed the first opportunity presented to them.

Defense won the game for the Filipinas as they also showed discipline and maturity throughout the game.

“I am extremely confident that the House of Representatives would again rise up to the occasion and accept the challenge from our President: to pass the 17 priority measures needed to sustain our economic recovery and improve the living condition of our people,” Romualdez said.

The list of 17 SONA priority measures, he noted, does not include the proposed 2024 national budget which the Executive Department will submit to Congress sometime next month.

“Of course, the most important bill that we need to discuss and approve the soonest time possible is the 2024 general appropriations bill based on the National Expenditure Program prepared by the executive department,” Romualdez said.

Meanwhile, Camarines Sur Rep. Luis Raymund Villafuerte said “higher spending on the President’s six priority concerns—infrastructure, food security, job generation, health care, education and social protection for the poor and other vulnerable sectors—will let the Chief Executive deliver on his goal to make sure no Filipino is left behind.

Villafuerte called on his fellow lawmakers in both the House and the Senate to support the passage this second regular session of the 19th Congress of the 17 measures that the President endorsed for urgent action in his second SONA, of which 10 are new ones that are not on the expanded list of 44 priority bills that the Chief Executive and the Legislative-Executive Development Advisory Council (LEDAC) had drawn up.

“I think it will be very soon that cases will be commenced against people responsible for smuggling and hoarding,” he said.

Remulla admitted there is strong suspicion of the involvement of govern-

ment officials, and that the DOJ’s probe could take one or two months to finish.

“We are looking at several persons who could be involved in what has been happening where we are duped by syndicates that have been manipulating prices and controlling the market where Filipinos have been relying on every day,” he said.

Based on information he received, Re-

“Egay” will turn northwestward or north-northwestward and pass over the waters south of Taiwan.

mulla said the agricultural smuggling has been taking place for the past 15 years, with reports as early as 2008. Thus, he said, former government officials will be included in the investigation.

Speaker Martin Romualdez, for his part, said the House is committed to supporting the President’s war against smugglers and hoarders of agricultural products.

portions of Central Luzon, Southern Luzon, and the Visayas in the next three days.

Before the match, New Zealand was riding high on the momentum of upsetting Norway in the first game for their first win in the World Cup. Many can’t be blamed if they expected the Football Ferns to run through the Filipinas with ease and march to the knockout stage with a foot in the door. Instead, they now have to win their last game against Switzerland to do so.

The Filipinas -- not given much by so many football pundits before the start of the tournament -- now have destiny on their hands. A win against Norway will guarantee them a spot in the knockout stage. What appeared to be an impossible scenario a few days ago is now an even bigger possibility.

The storm was moving northwestward at 15 km/h, packing maximum sustained winds of 185 km/h near the center and gustiness of up to 230 km/h.

It is forecast to make landfall or pass very close to the Babuyan Islands and the northeastern mainland Cagayan area between late last night and Wednesday morning.

After passing the Babuyan Islands,

It is forecast to exit the Philippine area of responsibility on Thursday morning. PAGASA said “Egay” is nearing its peak intensity, as only a handful of storms reached signal No. 5 since the agency first used the warning level in 2015. The last such storm was “Karding” in September last year. The southwest monsoon enhanced by “Egay” will continue to bring occasional monsoon rains over the western

Signal no. 4 was hoisted over the northern portion of Cagayan and the rest of Babuyan Islands.

Signal no. 3 was in effect in the northeastern portion of Isabela, the rest of Cagayan, Apayao, Ilocos Norte, the northern part of Kalinga, Batanes, and the northern portion of Abra.

The rest of Isabela, northern and central portions of Aurora, Quirino, the rest of Kalinga, the northeastern portion of

Nueva Vizcaya, Ilocos Sur, the rest of Abra, Mountain Province, Ifugao, the northern portion of Benguet and the northern portion of La Union are under signal no. 2.

Quezon, including Polillo Islands, the rest of Aurora, the rest of Nueva Vizcaya, the rest of Benguet, the rest of La Union, Nueva Ecija, Pangasinan, Tarlac, Zambales, Bulacan, Pampanga, Bataan, Cavite, Metro Manila, Rizal, Laguna, Batangas, Camarines Norte, Camarines Sur, Catanduanes and Marinduque are under signal no. 1.

The 18 officials included are the following:

1. PBGEN Remus Balingasa Medina O-10038

2. PBGEN Randy Quines Peralta O-05124

3. PBGEN Pablo Gacayan Labra II O-03734

4. PCOL Rogarth Bulalacao Campo O-08477

PCOL Rommel Javier Ochave O-08085

PCOL Rommel Allaga Velasco O-08084

PCOL Robin King Sarmiento O-03552

PCOL Fernando Reyes Ortega O-07478

Dario

5 PNP-HS men face raps on gun licensing mess

FIVE personnel of the Philippine National Police-Health Service (PNP-HS) are facing administrative and criminal charges for alleged irregularities in the issuance of psychiatric and psychological examination results to applicants of license to own and possess firearms (LTOPF).

In a press briefing in Camp Crame, Quezon City on Tuesday, Civil Security Group (CSG) chief Brig. Gen. Benjamin Silo Jr. said the five personnel, consisting of a police major, three non-commissioned officers and a non-uniformed employee, would be charged with grave irregularity in the performance of duty, conduct unbecoming of a police officer and grave misconduct before the Internal Affairs Service for manipulating the results of the psychiatric and psychological examinations from August 2022 to February this year.

IN BRIEF

PNP says PH generally peaceful during SONA

THE Philippine National Police (PNP) on Tuesday reported that no senior untoward incident happened to mar President Ferdinand Marcos. Jr’s delivery of his second State of the Nation Address (SONA) at the Batasang Pambansa in Quezon City.

The PNP Command Center in Camp Crame kept tab of all public engagements and activities nationwide related to the SONA, notably Metro Manila and key cities across the country where mass actions and public assemblies were held by militant groups, including some protesting members of a transport group that launched a 72-hour strike.

Adequate number of police forces were on duty to provide security and police assistance in all areas of engagement and strictly observed the maximum tolerance policy despite some uncalled-for actions by rallyists like burning of effigies, and illegal assemblies that obstructed traffic.

No arrests were made in all these engagements but violators of the law will be prosecuted to the fullest extent, the PNP said. Vince Lopez

Tansingco cites PBBM call to pass new BI law

THE Bureau of Immigration (BI) has welcomed the call of President Ferdinand Marcos, Jr. for the lawmakers to pass the Immigration Modernization Act replacing the country’s 82-year-old Immigration Law.

BI Commissioner Norman Tansingco thanked the President for prioritizing the proposed legislative measure.

In his second State of the Nation address delivered on Monday, Mr. Marcos reiterated the need to pass new laws to boost nation-building.

He appealed to Congress to support the urgency of passing several legislations including the excise tax on single use plastics, military and uniformed personnel’s pension, amendment of the anti-agricultural smuggling act, new government procurement law, Tatak Pinoy Law, and ease of paying taxes.

Among those mentioned by President Marcos was the Philippine Immigration Act. Vito Barcelo

OPAPRU extols Marcos support to Bangsamoro

THE Office of the Presidential Adviser on Peace, Reconciliation and Unity (OPAPRU) has lauded the commitment and “unwavering support” of President Ferdinand Marcos Jr. for the Bangsamoro and in helping former rebels in their transformation process.

“What we have witnessed in today’s SONA (State of the NationAddress) is President Marcos’ genuine sincerity in implementing all the signed peace agreements, and his commitment to bring sustainable peace throughout the country. This is true to his mantra of unity towards national healing and reconciliation,” OPAPRU Secretary Carlito Galvez Jr. said in a statement.

In his second SONA, Marcos vowed to continue to support the progress of the Bangsamoro Autonomous Region in Muslim Mindanao (BARMM), and to help former rebels to regain their legal rights through an amnesty program as part of the administration’s effort to push forward the country’s comprehensive peace process.

Makati gov’t attains 95% of P17.8b 2023 tax target

By Joel E. Zurbano

THE Makati City government on Tuesday announced it has already collected 95 percent of its P17.8 billion revenue target this year.

Mayor Abigail Binay attributed their robust tax collection performance from to resumption of normal operation of trades and the opening of new business establishments in the city.

As of June 30, Makati collected a total of P16,876,811,971.56.

“It is only the middle of the year, yet we have nearly achieved our full-year revenue target, with a 22-percent increase to boot. Clearly, Makati’s economy has bounced back and is stronger than ever,” Binay said.

Citing a report submitted by treasure Jesusa Cuneta, Binay said thebulk of

revenues came from business taxes which accounted for P9,446,943,668.74, 44 percent higher than the figure for the same period last year, and covered 95 percent of the P9.9-billion target for the year. The collections also included around P3.7 million garnered through the Makatizen Online Assessment and Payment Portal.

“Most business establishments in the city are now back to operating at full capacity, indicating that we are definitely back in business. We also have more new ventures setting up shops in the city, bringing in more capital investment that boosts the local economy,” Binay said.

She also noted how the city sustained its position as the country’s premier investment destination through good governance, as a result of reforms and innovations undertaken by her administration over the past six years.

“Having achieved greater transparency and efficiency, Makati continues to enjoy strong investor confidence. We also take pride in recently obtaining, for the sixth straight year, an unmodified audit opinion from the Commission on Audit,” she said.

Records at the Business Permit and Licensing Office showed that thecity has registered 2,782 new businesses as of July 19, 2023, with combined capital investment of over P20 billion. In the same period, a total of 35,116 businesses have renewed their business permits and registered total gross sales amounting to P1.65 trillion.

NEW DRIVER’S LICENSE PLASTIC CARDS.

Department of Transportation Sec. Jaime Bautista and newly appointed Land Transportation Office chief Vigor Mendoza II show to reporters samples of newly delivered driver’s license plastic cards during a press conference at the LTO head office in Quezon City. The agency expects immediate delivery of 50,000 plastic cards to address the current shortage of driver’s licenses in the country.

Manny Palmero

Malolos gov’t grants tax relief to property owners

By Orlan Mauricio

MALOLOS City– Good news to residents of this capital city of Bulacan.

Malolos Mayor Christian Natividad has signed City Ordinance No. 35-2023 giving a tax break to real property owners in the city by condoning all penalties and surcharges on unpaid real property tax (RPT) from December 31, 2022 and prior years.

The ordinance, also known as Kapasiyahan Panlungsod Blg. 35-2023 of ‘Tax Amnesty 2023 for Real Property Owners of Malolos’ was authored by city councilor Niño Bautista.

The final committee hearing and deliberation on the tax measure was held last July 7 and was unanimously approved by the city council five days later before it was signed by Mayor Natividad over the weekend. Section 2 of the ordinance specifically

Las Piñas celebrates Waterlily Festival ‘23

By Macon Ramos-Araneta

THIS year’s celebration of the Las Piñas Waterlily Festival reinforces the commitment of Las Piñas residents to value and protect the environment, according to Sen. Cynthia Villar.

Villar, who started the festival in 2005, said theyearly event was not only a celebration or a venue for the city’s most talented performers, but also a recognition of the importance of environmental protection.

“Today, the water lily is no longer a menace or a pest, but a symbol ofingenuity, resilience, and community cooperation. It stands as a testament to our collective commitment to preserve our environment,” said Villar, chairperson of

the Senate Committee on Environment, Natural Resources, and Climate Change.

Villar lauded the efforts of Las Piñeros in the rehabilitation of the Las Piñas River through the Sagip Ilog Program, an initiative she started when she was Las Piñas congresswoman.

“Water hyacinths or what is commonly known as water lilies were considered as aquatic pests clogging the Las Piñas River, which caused massive flooding in the city,” the senator recalled.

One of the most awaited activities of the festival is the Ms. Waterlily Pageant 2023.

This year’s winners were Francine Anne De Castro of Talon Tres, Ms Waterlily 2023 who received P30,000 cash; Christine Maico Bautista of Brgy. Talon 5,1st runner-up, P20,000 cash,

condones all interests, penalties and surcharges of delinquent real property owners of unpaid RPT from Dec. 31, 2022 and prior years and allows taxpayers from August 1 to December 31, 2023 to settle their back taxes without penalties.

“The tax amnesty will give relief especially to real property owners who were unable to settle their annual payments of ‘amilyar’ due to the effects of the worldwide COVID-19 pandemic,” Natividad said.

“We already identified the persons responsible for these irregularities and right now we are filing admin and criminal cases against them before the Office of the Ombudsman. We recommended they should be placed on floating status and right now we already deactivated their accounts,” Silo told reporters.

He explained that the five personnel would also be charged for graft and corruption and violation of Republic Act 11032 or the Ease of Doing Business law before the Office of the Ombudsman.

Silo said 377 applicants who were supposed to get a failing grade still “passed” the psychiatric and psychological examinations.

He said the CSG has already revoked the licenses of the applicants.

“Out of the 377 (applicants), 64 had non-appearance, while the remaining 313 actually failed but their test results were manipulated. This was found through an investigation of our computer system and the help of our IT (information technology) experts. We also secured the testimonies of clients being victimized by this group,” Silo said.

Bautista sees end to LTO woes with new chief in place

By Darwin G. Amojelar and Rio N. Araja

TRANSPORTATION Secretary Jaime

Bautista has urged the newly-appointed head of the Land Transportation Office (LTO) to address issues hounding the agency such as the shortage of driver’s license cards and motor vehicle plates.

“I know that [Atty. Vigor] Mendoza will be able to do the job. He has all the qualifications, training and experience,” Bautista said.

“He knows the problems and the possible solutions,” he added.

With Mendoza’s expertise in the transport sector, issues surrounding the LTO will be addressed within the year, according to the Transportation chief.

“The problems on license plates and driver’s license will be resolved within the year. With the finalization of the procurement of the plates, we already had delivery last week and today, while delivery of the license cards is about to happen,” Bautista noted.

In a related development, Bautista and Mendoza on Tuesday received at least 5,000 plastic cards for the driver’s licenses from Banner Plasticard, Inc. as part of its one million package in the next 60 days.

Bautista said Banner Plasticard, Inc. will deliver over 5,000 every week and has committed to deliver 5.2 million plastic cards by year end.

The first batch of license cards will be distributed to overseas Filipino workers and new driver’s license applicants.

Banner Plasticard was expected to produce 15,000 to 30,000 cards daily within 10 days.

SELFIE WITH THE PRESIDENT. Speaker Ferdinand Martin Romualdez takes a selfie with President Ferdinand Marcos Jr. at the Batasan holding room moments before the latter’s second State of the Nation Address at the House of Representatives. Romualdez is confident that the chamber would wrap up final approval of the remaining ten SONA priority measures before the year ends. Ver Noveno

BACOOR PLEBSCITE. Bacoor City Mayor Strike Revilla (center) confers with police Col. Roel Rodolfo, deputy regional director for operations, and Army Col. Ronald Jess Alcudia on security measures for the July 29 plebiscite on the proposed merging of the city’s 73 barangays. Also in photo is Bacoor police chief Lt. Col. Jesson Bombasi. Joseph Muego

‘Education at forefront of goals for youth’

By Gabriellea B. Pariño

EDUCATION is at the forefront of the administration’s plans to strengthen the minds and skills of the Filipino youth, President Ferdinand Marcos Jr. said in his State of the Nation Address (SONA) on Monday.

The President said that the Department of Education (DepEd) has been tasked to focus on literacy and numeracy, the virtue of good citizenship, and the sense of community, as integrated into the new K-10 curriculum.

“We have renewed hope in giving our best to the next batches of students especially the 28.4 million learners who begin this year. Learning will be at the forefront of our education agenda,” the President said.

Mr. Marcos also emphasized the DepEd’s “MATATAG” agenda which focuses on relevance of curriculum and rapid delivery for learners and teachers.

Vice President and Education Secretary Sara Duterte thanked the President for addressing the issues in the respective sector in his address.

“His unremitting support of the reforms introduced by the Department of Education to the education system through the MATATAG Agenda will benefit not only our learners but also the teaching and non-teaching staff of the department,” she wrote in an open letter to the President.

The DepEd in an official statement expressed support for the President’s goals for education.

“President Marcos Jr.’s statements on basic education, made in his second State of the Nation Address (SONA), demonstrate his dedication to improve the lives of every Filipino, as he vows to continue his outpouring support for the MATATAG Education Agenda,” The statement reads.

Villar, Angara praise PBBM’s second SONA

By Macon Ramos-Araneta

SENATORS Mark Villar and Sonny

Angara praised President Ferdinand Marcos Jr.’s second State of the Nation Address (SONA) on Monday.

Villar said the President was able to tackle all the pressing issues in the country including economic gains, increased employment rate, the Maharlika Investment Fund (MIF), and “Build Better More” projects, Angara said he considers the SONA “very comprehensive and covered all the important issues facing the nation.”

In his SONA, the President said the country made economic and employment strides, citing a 7.6% growth in 2022 and a 95.7% employment rate this year.

“The growth of our economy and increase in employment rate are good signs that the President is doing his job in terms of prioritizing economic recovery and making sure that Filipinos are given ample opportunities to succeed,” Villar said.

As former DPWH Secretary, Villar also commended President Marcos for the continuity of big-ticket projects.

“I am also grateful to President for continuing major infrastructure projects such as the Luzon Spine Expressway Network and Mega Bridge Program. These will play a vital role in our economic recovery and uplift the plight of all Filipinos nationwide.” Villar added.

NEW POLICE EQUIPMENT.

Philippine National Police (PNP) Chief General Benjamin Acorda Jr. inspects a firearm during the presentation and blessing of newly-procured PNP equipment at Camp Crame in Quezon City. The equipment included Light Transport Vehicles; Advanced Life Support ambulances; 3,000 units 5.56-mm basic assault rifles; 4,147,266 rounds of ammo; 369 units digital mobile radios; and 1,416 units of enhanced combat helmets.

DTI: Prices of school supplies to rise as material costs spike

By Othel V. Campos

THE Department of Trade and Industry (DTI) warned consumers of price hikes on school supplies for the school year 2023-2024 following the global increase in the price of raw materials.

“The DTI notes that while the price of some items has remained the same, the price of others may increase due to the impact of the global increase in the cost of basic materials on the price of school supplies,” said Trade Undersecretary for Consumer Protection Group (CPG) Ruth Castelo.

In the recently published Gabay sa Pamimili ng School Supplies, the suggested retail price (SRP) of almost all school supply stock-keeping units (SKUs) has increased by as much as P9.

STRANDED.

Passengers bound for Bacolod, Cebu, Zamboanga, Butuan, Dipolog, Cagayan, and Puerto Princesa at the North Passenger Terminal in Tondo, Manila wait for food ration after their scheduled trip was canceled due to Typhoon Egay on Tuesday.

The price guide includes 91 SKUS of specific brands of notebookscomposition, spiral, and writing, pad paper for Grades 1 to 4 and intermediate, pencils, ballpoint pens, crayons, erasers, sharpeners, and rulers.

As of July 2023, notebook prices range from P23.00 to P52.00 with an increase of P5.50 to P7 per unit, while Grades 1 to 4 pad paper prices vary from P21.00 to P28.00. Intermediate pad paper, on the other hand, costs from P31.00 to P48.75,

IN BRIEF

Solon pushes for better access to HPV vaccines

REP. Ray T. Reyes of AnaKalusugan party-list group on Tuesday is pushing for better access to human papilloma virus (HPV) vaccines to help eliminate cervical cancer in the country.

reflecting price increases of P7 to P9.25 per unit.

Prices of writing materials such as pencils increased along the range of P11 to P17 a unit, and ballpoint pens from P9.75 to P19 per piece.

An 8-piece crayon set is priced from P12 to P34 per unit while 12-piece sets cost P32 and a -16-pack set, from P24 to P69, depending on the brand.

Meanwhile, prices of erasers range from P4.50 to P20 while sharpeners and rulers cost P18 to P69 and P22 to P27.75, respectively.

The DTI noted that after 2 years of using various learning modalities, schools have restored physical attendance in schools since 2022 and which is timely since the President has recently lifted the State of Public Health Emergency nationwide.

PAO chief asked to explain ‘tirade’ against SC

By Rey E. Requejo

THE Supreme Court (SC) on Tuesday ordered Public Attorney’s Office (PAO) chief Atty. Persida Rueda-Acosta to explain why she should not be disciplined for issuing PAO Office Order No. 096, Series of 2023 (Office Order), which the SC finds “disrespectful.”

In an en banc resolution dated July 25, 2023, the SC unanimously voted to require the PAO chief to show cause why

she should not be administratively dealt with for issuing PAO Office the said Office Order, in response to the Resolution, dated July 11, 2023, of the Court, directing the PAO head to strictly comply with Canon III, Section 22 of the Code of Professional Responsibility and Accountability (CPRA).

Acosta’s Office Order gave Public Attorneys the “discretion and disposition” to comply with Canon III, Section 22 of the CPRA and advised the Public

By Joel E. Zurbano

THE Manila International Airport Authority (MIAA) has commended a security guard for honesty after he reported and turned over to airport management a suitcase containing cash and jewelry worth P1.9 million.

On July 21, Mahmud Mastul was on duty at the Ninoy Aquino International Airport - Terminal 1 when he saw a suitcase unattended in the arrival area.

Mastul sought assistance from personnel of the MIAA Police Department and the Police - Aviation Security Group who cordoned off the area for inspection as part of the standard operating procedure and security protocol

Attorneys to reconcile the said provision with Article 209 of the Revised Penal Code, which penalizes betrayal of trust and revelation of secrets by lawyers, to avoid any criminal responsibility and imprisonment.

The Office Order also urged the Public Attorneys to adopt precautionary measures in handling conflict-of-interest cases “to protect their life and limb” and avoid criminal and administrative liability.

at the airport.

The authorities cleared the suitcase of any explosive elements and during the inventory, it was found to contain jewelry and cash owned by one Miguel Castro.

The MIAA management contacted Carpio, who went back to the airport to claim the suitcase.

Mastul, 34, has been in NAIA since 2016 where he has been assigned in different areas of the airport. In his seven years at work, this is the first time that he was able to experience a situation where his honesty was put to test.

“If it’s not yours, whether it’s big or small thing, you have to surrender it because that thing doesn’t belong to you,” said Mastul.

“We need to include HPV vaccines in our list of priorities as we continue to expand our Universal Health Care coverage. Vaccines combined with regular screening, are considered the most effective way for women to help prevent cervical cancer,” Reyes said.

Citing Department of Health data, Reyes said cervical cancer is the second most common cancer affecting women, with an estimated 7,277 new cases and 3,807 deaths due to cervical cancer yearly.

“The numbers are very concerning. We recognize the initiatives rolled out by the government in promoting HPV vaccines but much more needs to be done to make these vaccines more accessible to Filipino girls,” Reyes said.

In 2014, the Philippine government included HPV vaccination in its national immunization program.

To date, there are 52 provinces, 64 cities, and one municipality where the vaccination program is being implemented. Maricel V. Cruz

Poe, Zubiri support new water agency

SEN. Grace Poe on Tuesday urged support for President Ferdinand Marcos Jr.’s call to finally pass the Department of Water Resources Management bill. She noted that water deserves serious focus and consolidated effort. “We must act before the crisis exacerbates,” she said.

Senate President Juan Miguel Zubiri said he was glad to hear that the Department of Water Resources remain a big priority of the administration.

“As the principal author of the bill, I am ready to push the bill through the Senate, which is especially timely now, with the El Niño crisis upon us,” he said.

He added that he would have liked to hear more about the administration’s plans to support workers by way of increased wages and benefits.

Macon Ramos-Araneta

Jinggoy hails admin plans for overseas workers

SEN. Jinggoy Estrada said he was pleased to learn about President Ferdinand Marcos Jr.’s plans on further improving employment opportunities and creating a better working environment for overseas Filipino workers (OFWs).

“Bolstering employment opportunities is essential for driving economic growth and reducing poverty in the country,” he said.

“By investing in infrastructure and fostering a business-friendly environment, this will undoubtedly contribute to job generation and an improved quality of life for all of us,” he added.

According to Estrada, hearing the President outline his plans to establish inclusive social services that cater to the diverse needs of Filipinos and prioritize healthcare, education, and social welfare shows his deep understanding of the challenges faced by our vulnerable communities and marginalized individuals. Macon Ramos-Araneta

MIAA guard turns over suitcase with P1.9m

Danny Pata

COASTLINE CLEANUP. A member of Task Force Parañaque La Huerta participates in cleaning and clearing operations along the coastline in Manila Bay on Tuesday to improve the park and bay walk in the said area. Norman Cruz

Maharlika Fund and the state of the nation

AS ANTICIPATED, the Maharlika Investment Fund was a highlight in the state of the nation address of President Bongbong Marcos.

A sovereign wealth fund (SWF), sovereign investment fund, or social wealth fund, refers to a government-owned investment entity that allocates its resources in both real and financial assets, including stocks, bonds, real estate, precious metals, and alternative investments such as private equity funds or hedge funds.

These funds have a global investment strategy, investing in various locations worldwide.

The primary sources of funding for most SWFs come from revenues generated by commodity exports or from foreign-exchange reserves managed by the central bank.

Some sovereign wealth funds are managed by a central bank, which accumulates the funds while overseeing the nation’s banking system. This type of fund holds substantial economic and fiscal significance.

On the other hand, there are sovereign wealth funds that consist of state savings invested by different entities aiming for investment returns.

These funds might not play a significant role in fiscal management.

The Maharlika Investment Fund, the country’s version of the sovereign investment fund, has been established to enable the national government to invest in a diverse range of assets, including foreign currencies, fixed-income instruments, corporate bonds, joint ventures, mergers and acquisitions, real estate, and infrastructure projects.

The bill that officially created the Maharlika Investment Fund was successfully passed in Congress in December 2022 and later in the Senate in May 2023.

On July 18, 2023, President Ferdinand “Bongbong” Marcos Jr. signed it into law, a week before his second State of the Nation Address (SONA).

funds in other Asian countries such as Singapore and Hong Kong.

The Government of Singapore Investment Corporation is a Singaporean sovereign wealth fund that manages the country’s foreign reserves.

It was established by the Government of Singapore in 1981 as the Government of Singapore Investment Corporation.

According to the Sovereign Wealth Fund Institute, the GIC controls the eighth largest sovereign wealth fund in the world, with $390 billion in assets under management as of mid2018.

GIC invests internationally in developed market equities, emerging market equities, nominal bonds and cash, inflation-linked bonds, private equity and real estate.

However, unlike those funds, the Philippines will not finance the Maharlika fund from excess wealth or foreign reserves, nor will it be funded by profits from natural resource extraction, similar to Norway and Kuwait.

Instead, the fund’s startup capital will come from government financial sources. The fund will be taking its start-up capital from government financial institutions and the national government:

• Land Bank of the Philippines (Land Bank)

– P50 billion

• Development Bank of the Philippines (DBP)

– P25 billion

• National government – P50 billion

The MIC, a government corporation established by the bill, possesses the authority to determine the assets and projects suitable for investment.

According to Rep. Joey Salceda and Marcos’ economic managers, the Maharlika fund was created at the President’s behest.

They stated that Marcos sought a fund to invest in significant projects that often get removed from the national budget after going through Congress.

A critical milestone

ALL medical protocols on the loathed COVID-19 in the Philippines have been lifted after President Ferdinand Marcos Jr. terminated the public health emergency declaration.

“Consequently, the requirement for wearing masks in public transportation and other settings as specified in Executive Order 7 is now considered rescinded from a technical standpoint,” Health Secretary Teodoro Herbosa said in a statement.

The coronavirus disease, which swept the country in March 2020 from Wuhan, China, the epicenter of the global health emergency, has killed 6.9 million worldwide (66,510 in the Philippines) and infected 692.1 million in 229 countries and territories (4,169,947 in the Philippines) as of July 25.

We have seen in the Philippines the lowering through time of infections and hospitalizations, although it thrashed the domestic economy and plunged the country into its worst post World War II recession.

It also slammed shut the door on 2.3 million Filipinos who lost their gainful jobs in 2020, the first of the three-year pandemic, with the average unemployment rate rising to over 10 percent that same year, the highest in 15 years. For infectious diseases expert Dr. Rontgene Solante, the lifting of the health protocols meant it was time for the country to “move on [from] this pandemic.”

Solante said this leaves private companies to decide whether they would still require employees to wear face masks or not, depending on the arrangements and situation in their workplaces. But even with the lifting of the protocols, Solante urged those who show symptoms of COVID-19 and those who live in high-risk areas to continue protecting themselves. We rally behind Herbosa’s red flag that the public, with the lifting of health protocols, should remain vigilant and continuously safeguard their health.

He said: “It is crucial to recognize that while the state of public health emergency is lifted, we must remain vigilant and proactive in our approach to health and safety.

“It is a positive step forward and that the conditions no longer necessitate the continuation of the public health emergency status.

“Continued awareness and adherence to recommended health protocols are paramount to safeguarding ourselves and our communities from any potential health risks.”

We agree with the DOH chief that we must remember “our collective strength lies in unity. We stand as one, united in our commitment to combat any future pandemic that may come our way. Together, we can overcome any adversity and build a healthier and safer nation for all.”

We heard Herbosa say we should embrace this new development “with gratitude and determination,” aware that by working together the Filipinos will prevail against any health challenges.

The DOH said the Inter Agency Task Force on COVID-19 will convene for a final meeting to reassess the situation and issue a comprehensive final report to the public.

“This report will encapsulate the tireless efforts and dedication of the IATF, the medical frontliners and the entire government in combating the challenges posed by the pandemic,” Herbosa said.

We, like others in the metropolis and the countryside, hold our breath.

COVID-19 health emergency lifting

IT MAY have been too long in coming, but after three years, the government has finally lifted the nationwide state of public health emergency due to the COVID-19 pandemic. This is a timely and appropriate move on the part of the Philippine government.

The speedy progress of the bill through the legislative process can be attributed to President Marcos Jr.’s certification of its urgency, which resulted in swift approvals in both the House of Representatives and the Senate.

The primary source of initial funding for the Maharlika fund will come from government banks, the Bangko Sentral ng Pilipinas, and other government revenue sources. Its main objective, as outlined in the bill, is to promote socio-economic development in the country.

However, some lawmakers and economists have expressed concerns in the past regarding the bill’s potential impact on pensioners, as well as the need for stronger safeguards in its management.

Despite these apprehensions and concerns, Republic Act 11954 was signed into law.

In the House of Representatives, the proposed bill was authored by Speaker Ferdinand Martin Romualdez, along with several other lawmakers, including Speaker Romualdez’s wife, Tingog Representative Yedda Romualdez, and presidential son Senior Deputy Majority Leader Sandro Marcos.

The House bill received significant support, with 282 co-authors and a final approval vote of 279-6 on December 15, 2022.

On the Senate side, the bill was sponsored by Senator Mark Villar and received a swift approval with a vote of 19-1-1 at 2:32 am on Wednesday, May 31.

Senator Risa Hontiveros was the only one voting against the bill, while other senators raised questions about the fund’s necessity and safeguards during the short deliberation process.

The concept of the Maharlika fund drew inspiration from successful sovereign wealth

During a December 1 House hearing, Salceda remarked, “This is genuinely a presidential aspiration to finance grids, dams, national broadband, which are typically reallocated to other programs by tradition in this Congress.”

The MIF is expected to yield several positive impacts:

• Enhanced investment capital: As a longterm source of investment capital, the MIF will contribute to economic growth and job creation.

• Infrastructure development: The fund’s utilization in financing infrastructure projects like roads, bridges, and airports will enhance connectivity and attract more investors to the country.

• Increased foreign investment: By attracting foreign investment, the MIF will inject fresh capital and technology, stimulating economic growth.

• Strengthened governance: The fund will be overseen by a board of directors appointed by the president, leading to improved governance and corruption prevention.

The MIF represents the Philippines’ inaugural sovereign wealth fund, with allocation across diverse assets such as foreign currencies, fixed-income instruments, domestic and foreign corporate bonds, commercial real estate, and infrastructure projects.

To fulfill its objectives, at least 70 percent of the fund’s assets will be invested within the Philippines, with strict prohibitions against investing in gambling, tobacco, or alcohol production.

President Marcos views the MIF as a “game-changer” and a transformative force for the economy, playing a vital role in his strategy to spur economic growth and job creation.

But is it true?

Or is the Maharlika Fund a vehicle for the kind of corruption we saw in the time of Marcos Sr.?

shabu that arrived in the country in January that year.

It comes close on the heels of the recent announcement by the World Health Organization (WHO) that noted the decreasing trend in COVID-19 deaths, a decline in hospitalizations and intensive care unit admissions, and high levels of population immunity to the virus.

According to the WHO, COVID-19 “no longer constitutes a public health emergency of international concern” and advised the transition to long-term management of the pandemic.

Following the presidential proclamation, Health Secretary Teodoro Herbosa has said all COVID-19 protocols are deemed lifted.

These include the requirement for wearing masks in public transportation and other settings as specified in Executive Order 7. However, the remaining vaccines in the government stockpile procured under Emergency Use Authorization may still be administered for free to eligible individuals for another year.

The lifting of the state of public health emergency is the right thing to do as the latest DOH figures showed that as of March this year, some 78.4 million people had been fully vaccinated in the Philippines, or 100.4 percent of the government target.

Over 23.8 million of them had availed themselves of the first booster shots, while 4.4 million had yet to get their second boosters.

The President pointed out that although COVID-19 “remains a serious concern for certain subpopulation and requires continued public health response,” the country had maintained sufficient healthcare system capacity and low hospital bed utilization rates.

At the same time, DOH emphasized that while COVID-19 is now considered by health workers as similar to other illnesses like coughs, colds, and influenza, it is “crucial to recognize that while the state of public health emergency is lifted, we must remain vigilant and proactive in our approach to health and safety.”

The lifting of COVID-19 restrictions had become urgent because the pandemic had a devastating impact on the Philippines.

It battered the economy and left the country sliding into its worst post-World War II recession, with a record 9.5-percent drop in gross domestic product in 2020.

This was aggravated by the onslaught of natural disasters, such as the January 2020 Taal Volcano eruption and a series of strong typhoons.

Following the presidential proclamation, Health Secretary Teodoro Herbosa has said all COVID-19

Government statistics showed some 4.5 million Filipinos lost their jobs in 2020. The average unemployment rate went up to 10.3 percent that year, the highest in 15 years.

That’s not all. The pandemic pushed 2.3 million Filipinos into poverty.

Based on the results of the family income and expenditure survey for 2021, about 19.99 million, or 18.1 percent of the population, were considered poor, reversing pre-pandemic poverty-reduction gains.

But last year, the economy showed strong recovery, with a GDP growth of 7.6 percent.

What’s important now that the public health emergency has been lifted is that the government can accelerate economic recovery efforts.

Convenient app for OFWs

We hear you, the Department of Migrant Workers seemed to be saying to their constituency, namely the 6 to 7 million overseas Filipino workers now deployed in the four corners of the

curbing corruption in Customs.

world.

The DMW has now issued a new mobile application that makes the required Overseas Employment Certification for our migrant workers.

And what’s good about it is there will no longer be additional fees to be collected from them for the issuance of the OFW Pass.

The announcement was made by DMW Undersecretary Hans Cacdac during the Saturday News Forum in Quezon City that we co-moderate.

Cacdac explained the mobile application aims to make the experience of OFWs easier and more efficient when it comes to securing documents prior to their departure from the Philippines.

The DMW mobile app, launched last week, streamlines the documentation process for legitimate OFWs, replacing the traditional OEC with the QR code-based OFW pass.

The app requires basic information and uploaded photos of the passport and visa information of the applicant, which will then be cross-referenced with the DMW database.

Once the information is verified, the app will generate a QR code.

The DMW database and that of the Bureau of Immigration are integrated so that the OFW Pass will serve as official documentation recognized by the immigration authorities during checks at the airport.

The agency targets about six to seven million OFWs who will benefit from the initiative once it goes into full implementation.

All this is well and good since OFWs can access 24/7 technical support through links within the application in case there are glitches and issues when using the application.

(Email: ernhil@yahoo.com)

Philippines must face once and for all.

AMONG the most notoriously corrupt agencies of government is the Bureau of Customs (BoC)—this assessment came from no other than former president Rodrigo Duterte, who was unable to clean up the mess there during his term (along with that other huge mess, Edsa traffic).

Considering how important Customs’ role is in nation-building, how come no mention of cleaning it up was made by President Ferdinand Marcos Jr. in his State of the Nation speech last Monday (July 24)?

During Duterte’s term, there were at least two cases of massive smuggling of meth into the country; in 2017 (P6.4 billion worth) and 2018 (P11 billion worth). Both scandals remain unresolved as of 2021.

In August 2017, then Senator Panfilo Lacson revealed the ‘tara’ payoff system in the BoC. This is a system-wide bribery scheme that benefits certain officers and personnel.

In 2019, Duterte announced the dismissal of 64 BoC personnel in relation to the concealment of some P1 billion worth of

In August 2020, Duterte asked the Department of Justice to “look into anomalies hounding” the BoC. “This is a very troublesome office for all of us historically,” Duterte said.

In November 2020, Duterte revealed the names of BoC officials and personnel dismissed by the Office of the Ombudsman for various offenses. These are just some instances of mentions of the BoC in relation to corruption over the last few years. Even President Marcos Jr. is aware of the anomalies at the BoC.

In June 2022, outgoing Senate President Tito Sotto said that in a conversation he had with Marcos, the latter said that he was “bothered” and “disgusted” by the “corruption na mga pinag-uusapan sa DA [Department of Agriculture], sa Customs.”

In May 2022, Marcos said he would not focus on corruption that occurred in the past, that happened “not under my watch,” but would pursue those involved in corrupt activities during his term.

In his SONA speech this year, all the President directly said about Customs was that it increased its revenue collection by

7.4 percent from January to July 2023.

Indirect mentions of goods illegally coming into the country, however, were made. Marcos Jr. addressed the smuggling, hoarding, and price manipulation of agricultural products, saying this contributed to high prices.

“Hinahabol at ihahabla natin sila… Bilang na ang mga araw ng mga smugglers at hoarders na ‘yan.”

He also spoke of “unscrupulous law enforcers and others involved in the highly nefarious drug trade” and said: “I will be accepting their resignations… We cannot tolerate corruption or incompetence in government.” He made no direct statements about

But the smugglers and drug traders he mentioned would not prosper in their activities without inside help.

Why has one administration after another been unable to clean the mess in Customs?

Are they afraid of taking down the behemoth that the agency has become?

President after president, none has been able to fully clean up the operations there.

Customs corruption costs the government billions of pesos in lost revenue each year. This money could be used to fund essential services, such as education, healthcare, and infrastructure.

A corrupt Customs also makes it easier for smugglers to bring goods into the country illegally.

This leads to a loss of jobs for legitimate businesses, as well as the introduction of counterfeit and dangerous goods into the country. Damage to the economy also results from Customs corruption by discouraging foreign investment and trade.

It also leads to higher prices for consumers, as the President noted in his SONA.

Putting an end to corruption in the BoC is a complex challenge, but it is one that the

The government should take a number of steps to address the problem, including increasing transparency and accountability within the BoC, strengthening the enforcement of anti-corruption laws, providing better training and incentives for Customs officials, and creating a culture of integrity within the agency

In February, Marcos Jr. appointed Bienvienido Rubio as Customs Commissioner, who promised, among other things, to push for good governance by implementing sustainable reforms.

He also vowed to use digitalization as a tool to make Customs operations more efficient and transparent.

Let us hope he prospers in his plans.

The fight against endemic corruption in the BoC will not be easy, but it is one that is worth fighting.

If Marcos Jr. can clean up Customs under his watch, it will be one of his biggest legacies.

Let’s see whether he will make any mention of this in the near future – we shouldn’t have to wait until the next SONA.

* * * FB and Twitter: @DrJennyO / Email: writerjennyo@gmail.com

public, with the lifting of health protocols, should remain vigilant and continuously safeguard their health

Top Russian, Chinese officials to visit North Korea this week

SEOUL—North Korea will this week welcome Russia’s defense minister and a high-level Chinese delegation to Pyongyang for Korean War armistice anniversary celebrations, state media said Tuesday, a sign it could be reopening its borders to high-level visitors after a lengthy pandemic closure.

“A military delegation of the Russian Federation led by Defense Minister Sergei Shoigu will pay a congratulatory visit to the DPRK,” the Korean Central News Agency said, a day after it confirmed a Chinese delegation would also

Protesters in Guatemala want free polls

GUATEMALA CITY—Guatemalan protesters took to the streets again on Monday (Tuesday in Manila) demanding that the attorney general and a handful of prosecutors step down over their alleged efforts to impede the upcoming presidential runoff election.

Marchers called for the ouster of Attorney General Maria Consuelo Porras, whose office is seeking to disqualify the Semilla (Seed) Party of Bernardo Arevalo, a social democrat who surged into one of two August 20 runoff spots, shocking many in the nation.

Banners raised at a boisterous demonstration in the center of the capital carried slogans including “We want free elections” and “I refuse to live in a dictatorship.”

“The people of Guatemala are vigilant and we are going to demand compliance with the laws, the constitution and the result at the polls,” protester Allan Ramirez told reporters.

Judge Fredy Orellana and prosecutor Rafael Curruchiche have also drawn the ire of protesters since the June 25 first-round vote.

On Curruchiche’s orders, Orellana directed the Supreme Electoral Tribunal (TSE) to disqualify the Semilla Party, alleging anomalies in how it was created in 2017. The Tribunal did not comply with the order.

In response, judicial agents have twice raided the TSE, and sought to arrest a functionary there. On Friday they searched the headquarters of Semilla in Guatemala City. Outside the capital, there were protests in the western part of the country, including the city of Quetzaltenango and in Mayan municipalities in the departments of Quiche and Totonicapan, according to local media. AFP

attend the Thursday event.

Russia, one of Pyongyang’s historic allies, remains one of a handful of nations that maintains friendly relations with the North, and its leader Kim Jong Un has recently been steadfast in

his support for Moscow’s invasion of Ukraine, including, Washington says, supplying rockets and missiles.

“This visit will contribute to strengthening Russian-North Korean military ties and will be an important step in the development of cooperation between the two countries,” the Russian Defense Ministry said in a statement.

China, North Korea’s main trading partner, also confirmed Tuesday it would send a delegation led by Politburo member Li Hongzhong.

The foreign visitors are set to attend events in Pyongyang to mark 70 years

since the signing of the armistice, known as Victory Day in the North, which KCNA said would be celebrated in a “grand manner that will go down in history.”

A large-scale military parade and other events are expected to be held this week, with satellite images indicating that soldiers and civilians have been training for the parade for months, Seoul-based specialist site NK News reported.

Leader Kim’s biggest nuclear-capable missiles and other military capabilities are likely to roll through Kim Il Sung Square during the event, it added. AFP

Singapore to execute first woman in nearly 20 years

SINGAPORE – Singapore is set to hang two drug convicts this week, including the first woman to be sent to the gallows in nearly 20 years, rights groups said Tuesday, while urging the executions be halted.

Local rights organization Transformative Justice Collective said a 56-year-old man convicted of trafficking 50 grams (1.76 ounces) of heroin is scheduled to be hanged on Wednesday at the Southeast Asian city-state’s Changi Prison. A 45-year-old woman convict who TJC identified as Saridewi Djamani is also set to be sent to the gallows on Friday.

She was sentenced to death in 2018 for trafficking around 30 grams of heroin.

If carried out, she would be the first woman to be executed in Singapore since 2004 when 36-year-old hairdresser Yen May Woen was hanged for drug trafficking, said TJC activist Kokila Annamalai.

TJC said the two prisoners are Singaporeans and their families have received notices setting the dates of their executions. Prison officials have not answered emailed questions from AFP seeking confirmation.

On March 17, 1995, Filipino domestic worker Flor Contemplacion, 42, was executed at the Changi Women’s Prison and Drug Rehabilitation Center in Singapore.

She was convicted by a Singaporean

court of killing another Filipina maid, Delia Maga and Nicholas Huang, the three-year-old Singaporean son of her employer on May 4, 1991.

Singapore imposes the death penalty for certain crimes, including murder and some forms of kidnapping.

It also has some of the world’s toughest anti-drug laws: trafficking more than 500 grams of cannabis and 15 grams of heroin can result in the death penalty.

At least 13 people have been hanged so far since the government resumed executions following a two-year hiatus in place during the COVID-19 pandemic.

Rights watchdog Amnesty International on Tuesday urged Singapore to halt the impending executions. AFP

Greece faces new heatwave of high temperatures as wildfires rage on

ATHENS—Greece braced for a new wave of soaring temperatures Tuesday, as wildfires raged on two popular tourist islands.

In the capital city of Athens the mercury is expected to soar to 41 degrees Celsius, and reach up to 44C in central Greece, according to the national weather forecaster EMY.

The very hot weather comes after a weekend of intense heat and after thousands of locals and tourists fled for-

est fires in Rhodes and Corfu, with the prime minister warning the heat-battered nation is “at war” with the flames.

The mercury hit 46.4C in Gythio, in the southern Peloponnese peninsula on Sunday, though failed to reach the hottest temperature nationally on record of 48C.

Authorities evacuated nearly 2,500 people from the Greek island of Corfu on Monday, after tens of thousands of people had already fled blazes on the island of Rhodes, with many fright-

ened tourists scrambling to get home on evacuation flights.

More than 260 firefighters were still battling flames for an eighth consecutive day on Rhodes, supported by two helicopters and two planes.

Fires were also raging on Greece’s second largest island of Evia, where Greek civil protection authorities issued an overnight evacuation order in one northern locality.

“We are at war and are exclusively geared towards the fire front,” Greek

Prime Minister Kyriakos Mitsotakis told parliament on Monday.

He warned that the country faced “another three difficult days ahead” before high temperatures are forecast to ease.

Vassilis Kikilias, Greece’s civil protection minister, said crews had battled over 500 fires around the country for 12 straight days.

Many regions of the country were on “red alert” Tuesday, meaning there is an extreme risk of forest fires, exacerbated by strong winds. AFP

BEIJING—China has insisted it “strictly” implements UN sanctions resolutions, after G7 nations, the European Union and three other countries urged Beijing to expel oil tankers from its waters that appeared to be taking fuel to North Korea.

A letter, addressed to Beijing’s UN envoy Zhang Jun, raised concerns over the “continuing presence of multiple oil tankers” using Chinese waters to “facilitate their trade of sanctioned petroleum products to the DPRK”, referring to North Korea by its official name.

Ambassadors from the G7 nations signed the letter, seen by AFP on Friday, as did envoys from the European Union, South Korea, Australia and New Zealand.

In response, Beijing said it was “strictly implementing UNSC resolutions and seriously fulfilling international obligations”.

“China urges relevant parties to fully implement UNSC resolutions on the DPRK, especially provisions related to resuming dialogue, strengthening diplomatic efforts, and promoting political settlement,” the spokesperson for its mission to the UN said in a tweet on Monday.

Asked about the letter at a regular briefing Monday, China’s foreign ministry spokeswoman Mao Ning said: “When it comes to the implementation of the Security Council’s resolutions, China has always earnestly fulfilled its international obligations.”

The letter noted that the presence and movement of the tankers had been observed by the UN group of experts tasked with monitoring sanctions compliance by North Korea.

North Korea has been subject to UN sanctions since 2006 over its ballistic missile launches and nuclear programs. Additional sanctions in 2017 limited its crude oil imports.

The Security Council has been unable to reach a united position since then.

In May 2022, China and Russia vetoed a resolution imposing new sanctions on Pyongyang, and no Council resolution or statement has been adopted since then despite several ballistic missile tests by North Korea.

The United States regularly accuses Beijing and Moscow of shielding the North Korean regime and encouraging further launches by preventing a united response from the Council. AFP

BUCHAREST—Romania’s President Klaus Iohannis has warned that security in the Black Sea is at risk after Russia hit Ukrainian port infrastructure on the Danube river at the border with the NATO member.

Amateur footage posted on social media by a Romanian showed an explosion just across the Danube, as drones appeared to hit the Ukrainian port of Reni on the river.

Ukrainian officials reported a fourhour Russian drone attack on port infrastructure in the southern Odesa region.

Reni is a Ukrainian port town where the Danube forms a natural frontier with Romania, and is also near the Moldovan border.

The Danube delta region, which spans Romania and Ukraine, is being used as an export route for Ukrainian grain.

US Secretary of State Antony Blinken discussed the blast with Romanian Foreign Minister Luminita Odobescu on Monday, State Department spokesman Matthew Miller told journalists in Washington.

“We will defend every inch of NATO territory. The secretary made that clear in his call with the Romanian Foreign Minister today,” Miller said.

“I strongly condemn the recent Russian attacks against the Ukrainian civilian infrastructure on (the) Danube, very close to Romania,” President Iohannis wrote on Twitter.

“This recent escalation poses serious risks to the security in the Black Sea. It also affects further Ukrainian grain transit, thus the global food security,” he added. AFP

China insists it ‘strictly’ implements UN resolutions

‘Black Sea security at risk after Russia’s attack’

Stocks advance ahead of Fed policy meet

By Jenniffer B. Austria

LOCAL stocks rose Tuesday on positive investors’ sentiments following President Ferdinand Marcos Jr.’s second State of the Nation Address Monday and ahead of the US Federal Reserve’s policy meeting.

The PSE index, the 30-company barometer of the Philippine Stock Exchange, climbed 29.86 points, or 0.45 percent, to close at 6,661.11, while the broader all-shares index rose 13.67 points to 3,540.38.

Analysts said investor sentiments turned positive after the Marcos administration promised to sustain the growth of the domestic economy and on expec-

PSEi July 25, 2023

TOP GAINERS

tations the US Federal Reserve would continue its policy tightening.

“The market widely expects the Fed to raise rates by 25 basis points,” Regina Capital Development Corp. head of sales Luis Limlingan said.

Value turnover remained thin at P3.86 billion.

Meanwhile, Hong Kong led a surge across Asian markets Tuesday after

China’s leaders pledged fresh measures to boost the nation’s stuttering economy, building on optimism that central banks were nearing the end of their ratehiking cycle.

With data in recent months showing growth stuttering and business activity slowing, Beijing has come under pressure to provide much-needed support, particularly for the vast property sector. Despite a series of announcements and minor interest rate cuts, investors have been largely disappointed by the policy response from authorities, with very few concrete measures being unveiled. However, top leaders on Monday signaled a fresh push to get the post-Covid

recovery back on track, particularly the troubled property sector, which accounts for a major part of the world’s number-two economy.

After a meeting, the 24-person Politburo recognized “the current economic operation is facing new difficulties and challenges” and agreed they must “implement precise and effective macroeconomic regulation, strengthen countercyclical regulation and policy reserves.”

The meeting, headed by President Xi Jinping, also called for efforts to expand domestic consumption and “adjust and optimize real estate policies in a timely manner”, according to state broadcaster CCTV.

TOP LOSERS

MOST ACTIVE

SAN FRANCISCO, United States—

TikTok, the social platform known for its addictive video content, announced Monday that it will offer text-only posts, becoming the latest tech giant to offer an alternative to embattled Twitter.

The text posts on TikTok will most closely resemble similar offerings on Instagram, which earlier this month also launched a challenge to Twitter —which owner Elon Musk renamed X—called Threads.

Like Meta-owned Threads, TikTok benefits from its size, with around 1.4 billion monthly active users, according to specialist site Business of Apps. But unlike Facebook’s parent company, it has chosen to integrate its new text-only feature into its app rather than launch a separate product, as Meta did with Threads.

TikTok’s version will remain more visual than a Twitter or Threads post, with users able to add a color background, music and stickers to the post.

The Chinese-owned company said the new format will expand “boundaries of content creation for everyone on TikTok” and tap into the “creativity” seen in comments and captions, the company said.

In addition to Threads, smaller platforms such as Mastodon, Bluesky and Substack Notes have emerged as potential rivals to Twitter, but none have so far dethroned it despite its troubles. AFP

PACKING FACILITY. Workers sort peaches at the packing house after they were harvested from the trees at Pearson Farm on July 24, 2023 in Fort Valley, Georgia. Due to weather extremes earlier in the year, their peach season, which usually ends in August, concluded Tuesday. Pearson Farm said they typically ship peaches to their customers for a 10-week period, but because of the lack of peaches, they only did four weeks. Peach farmers in Georgia say that a heat wave that hit the state in February and two cold fronts that passed through later in the season caused them to lose more than 90 percent of their crops this year. AFP

Swedish retailer H&M sues Chinese rival Shein in court

HONG KONG, China—Retail giant

Hennes & Mauritz has sued its fastgrowing rival Shein in a Hong Kong court for copyright infringement, the Swedish fashion juggernaut said Tuesday.

Shein, founded in China in 2008, has swiftly claimed a top place in the global fast-fashion marketplace, offering lowpriced collections attractive to young social media-savvy customers.

H&M confirmed on Tuesday it had opened a lawsuit against Shein and Zoetop Business, a Hong Kong-based company affiliated with the online retailer.

“We have an ongoing copyright infringement lawsuit towards Shein filed in Hong Kong,” a H&M spokesperson said.

“We believe that Shein in multiple

cases has infringed on our designs.”

According to a Hong Kong court document, H&M had pointed to “the striking resemblance between the products showing they must have been copied” and the “sheer scale of (Shein’s) unauthorized substantial reproduction of the copyright works.”

A representative for Shein, which is now based in Singapore, said by email the company does not comment on pending litigation.

Copyright infringement lawsuits are common in the fast-fashion world but it is often smaller, independent designers lodging complaints against giant retailers, making H&M’s suit against Shein unusual.

The Swedish high-street brand is among the world’s most recognizable

and has for years jousted with Spain’s Inditex—Zara’s owner—for the top spot.

But Shein’s rapid rise from a brand favoured by TikTok influencers to a global household name for Gen-Z— with a reported growth of $16 billion in 2021—has tipped the scales, placing it on H&M’s heels. Its cut-price merchandise and relentless expansion have also brought allegations from critics of forced labour and human rights abuses.

Three independent designers in the United States filed lawsuits against Shein this month, alleging that it has “grown rich by committing individual infringements... as part of a long and continuous pattern of racketeering.” AFP

“The overall stance remains in a progrowth mindset, but the focus is more forward-looking with an increased emphasis on addressing structural challenges (i.e. local government debt) to facilitate longer-term sustainable growth,” said Erin Xin at HSBC.

The announcement “keeps a supportive tone, which can help provide some support for the recovery and it may provide some boost to market sentiment”, she added.

While it was nowhere near the blockbuster spending plans seen in the past, the news gave investors a boost, with Hong Kong jumping nearly four percent thanks to a rally in real estate companies and tech giants. With AFP

UBS fined $387m over Credit Suisse misconduct—Fed

WASHINGTON, United States—

The Swiss banking giant UBS has been fined close to $400 million for misconduct by its recentlyacquired subsidiary, Credit Suisse, the US Federal Reserve announced on Monday.

Swiss regulators pushed UBS to take over its former rival Credit Suisse earlier this year amid a banking crisis spurred by the collapse of US regional lender Silicon Valley Bank.

On Monday, UBS was fined a total of $387 million by the Fed and the Bank of England over Credit Suisse’s failure “to adequately manage” the risk posed by the US family investment fund Archegos, despite repeated warnings, the Fed announced in a statement.

The dramatic implosion of the family hedge fund run by Bill Hwang cost Credit Suisse around $5.5 billion in losses.

The Fed said “the misconduct involved Credit Suisse’s unsafe and unsound counterparty credit risk management practices” with Archegos, and announced a consent order and a fine for UBS worth $268.5 million.

The Bank of England’s Prudential Regulation Authority would also be fining Credit Suisse’s new owner, the Fed announced, adding that the sum total of fines levied by the two regulators would be approximately $387 million.

The action against UBS is being taken in conjunction with the Swiss Financial Market Supervisory Authority, the Fed said. AFP

Japan at era of mass closures amid no business successors

YACHIMATA, Japan—Kiyoshi

Hashimoto’s machinery factory outside Tokyo should be buzzing with industry. Instead, it’s so quiet you can hear him practising the recorder.

The 82-year-old entrepreneur founded his company nearly 40 years ago, but well past retirement age he has neither a successor nor a buyer for a business that retains loyal clients.

It is a problem that Japan’s government warns could affect up to a third of all small businesses in the country by 2025, as the country’s population shrinks and ages.

“All of this would go to waste if I were to close now,” said Hashimoto, whose factory in Yachimata, east of Tokyo, is filled with workbenches, drill tables and parts cabinets.

He once employed dozens of people, but now gets by with just two part-time workers after scaling back operations.

The problem is so vast that Japan faces an “era of mass closures”, said Shigenobu Abe of bankruptcy research firm Teikoku Databank.

A 2019 government report estimated that about 1.27 million small business owners would be 70 or older by 2025 and have no successors.

The trend could kill up to 6.5 million jobs and reduce the size of the Japanese economy by 22 trillion yen ($166 billion), the study warned. By 2029, the situation will worsen still, as baby boomers hit 81, the average life expectancy for Japanese men, who account for most of the presidents of these firms, according to Teikoku Databank.

“We know for sure that many workers will lose their livelihoods

because of this,” Abe told AFP. ‘A serious blow’

As elsewhere, small businesses in Japan are often passed down to family or trusted employees. But the country’s prolonged economic stagnation has made small businesses unattractive to young people.

Firms in rural areas struggle further because of a preference for city life and a growing trend of rural depopulation.

Compounding the problem is a feeling among some older Japanese that selling a family business to outsiders is shameful.

Some liquidate their firms rather than seeking buyers.

Japan’s government has offered generous incentives to encourage sales, and the private sector has also jumped

in to match investors with businesses for sale.

Company BATONZ now makes more than 1,000 matches a year, up from just 80 when it opened in 2018.

Still, it reaches a fraction of the people who need it, said BATONZ president Yuichi Kamise. Waves of closures will mean the loss of specialized craftsmanship, unique services and original restaurant recipes that make up Japan’s social and cultural fabric, he said.

“Over time, what makes Japan unique could disappear due to a lack of successors,” he said.

“I think it will deal a serious blow to Japanese culture and Japan’s attractiveness as a tourism destination.”

Some feel though that the trend of-

This picture taken on April 26, 2023 shows Hiroshi Miyaji, president of trucking company Yashio Group, during an interview with AFP in the city of Kawasaki, Kanagawa prefecture. A 2019 government report estimated that about 1.27 million small business owners would be 70 or older by 2025 and have no successors. AFP

fers a chance to fix inefficiencies and consolidate small businesses that are barely scraping by or survive on subsidies.

Hiroshi Miyaji, 50, owns Yashio Group, a logistics giant started by his grandfather, and has snapped up various businesses.

“There will always be buyers for firms, with or without successors, that have unique strengths, special knowhow and human resources,” said Miyaji, a third-generation president. Helped by BATONZ, he recently purchased a small trucking company from 61-year-old Ayako Suzuki.

‘Waiting for someone’ Suzuki gave up her corporate career to help her father with the business he had started in 1975. AFP

TikTok bares new text format to rival Musk’s Twitter app

BUSINESS

By Julito G. Rada

THE International Monetary Fund on Tuesday raised its 2023 growth forecast for the Philippines to 6.2 from 6 percent following the strong gross domestic product expansion in the first quarter.

“We had revised slightly upward our forecast for 2023, based on the strong Q12023 outturn,” Ragnar Gudmundsson, IMF resident representative to the Philippines, said in an emailed response when sought for comment on the latest World Economic Outlook update.

The 6.2 percent projection falls within the 6 percent to 7 percent growth forecast announced by the interagency

BSP: Inflation remains biggest challenge for PH

BANGKO Sentral ng Pilipinas officials consider inflation as the biggest challenge the country is facing, particularly its impact on the economy.

“Our challenge now is inflation. Fortunately, the BSP’s inflation-targeting framework has served us well in the face of unusual supply shocks,” BSP

Governor Eli Remolona Jr. said during the PostSONA briefing in Pasay City on Tuesday.

“We continue to focus on our mandate of price stability and have dedicated our resources and attention in pursuit of this goal,” he said.

Data showed that from a peak of 8.7 percent in January 2023, inflation decelerated in the succeeding five months. The Philippine Statistics Authority said inflation in June settled at 5.4 percent, the slowest in 13 months.

“Our models tell us that inflation will be within the target range of 2 to 4 percent by the fourth quarter of 2023. This is the range that we think is ideal for an economy like the Philippines when it is growing at full capacity,” Remolona said.

BSP Deputy Governor Francisco Dakila Jr. said based on their latest baseline forecast, inflation would continue to decelerate in the coming months. Julito G. Rada

Megaworld to open Maple Grove roads

MEGAWORLD Corp. said Tuesday it is opening the roads inside its 140-hectare Maple Grove township in General Trias, Cavite to the public to ease the traffic situation in the area.

Megaworld said in a statement portions of its six-lane, 30-meter wide Maple Grove Boulevard would be integrated into the 12-kilometer General Trias and Tanza Bypass Road to alleviate traffic congestion, particularly along the Antero Soriano Highway, “Our vision at Megaworld is to uplift lives, impact society and help shape our nation–a longstanding commitment we hold close to our hearts. Through transformative projects like Maple Grove, we strive to turn this vision into reality by creating high-impact developments that drive economic growth and bring forth opportunities for the people and communities we serve,” Megaworld chief strategy officer Kevin Tan said.

“These access roads will open up new possibilities, not only for the people of General Trias City and Tanza, but also for Maple Grove and all the exciting developments that we are bringing into this development,” Tan said.

Maple Grove is a P15-billion township envisioned to become Cavite’s first modern central business district. The township features residential condominiums, an upscale residential village and office towers. Jenniffer B. Austria

Cebu Pacific, South Pole discuss climate strategy

CEBU Pacific Air on Tuesday announced its partnership with South Pole to establish its climate strategy to strengthen their commitment to environmental stewardship.

“Cebu Pacific supports global aviation’s goal of achieving net-zero carbon emissions by 2050. With South Pole’s guidance and expertise, we will develop a robust plan of action to prioritize interventions for emission hotspots in our operations,” said CEB chief executive Mike Szucs.

“This roadmap will consider and fuse together the tangible initiatives that we have already put in place, as well as plans that will contribute towards our aspirations of meeting aviation’s net-zero commitment,” he said.

South Pole is a leading climate company that develops projects and solutions needed to enable everyone, everywhere to make an impact on climate change.

The International Civil Aviation Organization in 2022 adopted a long-term global aspirational goal of net-zero carbon emissions by 2050 in support of the United Nations Framework Convention on Climate Change.

The International Air Transport Association declared its “Fly Net Zero” commitment in 2021 to achieve net zero carbon by 2050.

The engagement with South Pole involves CEB going through the rigorous process of understanding the greenhouse gas emissions generated from its operations towards setting its near-term and long-term emission reduction pathways. Joel E. Zurbano

Development Budget Coordinating Committee.

Gudmundsson said, however, the IMF revised downward its growth forecast for 2024 to 5.5 percent from 5.8 percent “because of global headwinds and lagged effects of policy tightening,” Gudmundsson said.

The economy grew by a 46-year high of 7.6 percent in 2022 on the back of

reinvigorated economic activity due to the reopening of the economy to greater normalcy.

GDP expanded 6.4 percent in the first quarter, one of the fastest in Asia and outpacing those of bigger economies in the region.

The DBCC maintained its growth assumption of 6.5 percent to 8 percent for 2024 to 2028, taking into account the risks posed by El Nino and other natural disasters, global trade tensions and value chain disruptions, among other factors.

The WEO update for July 2023 predicted that global growth would fall from an estimated 3.5 percent in 2022 to 3.0 percent in both 2023 and 2024.

While the forecast for 2023 is modestly higher than predicted in the April 2023 World Economic Outlook, it remains weak by historical standards.

“The rise in central bank policy rates to fight inflation continues to weigh on economic activity. Global headline inflation is expected to fall from 8.7 percent in 2022 to 6.8 percent in 2023 and 5.2 percent in 2024. Underlying [core] inflation is projected to decline more gradually, and forecasts for inflation in 2024 have been revised upward,” it said.

The report said the balance of risks to global growth remained tilted to the downside. Inflation could remain high and even rise if further shocks occur,

IMF hikes growth forecast for PH to 6.2% IN BRIEF

including those from an intensification of the war in Ukraine and extreme weather-related events, triggering more restrictive monetary policy.

“Sovereign debt distress could spread to a wider group of economies. On the upside, inflation could fall faster than expected, reducing the need for tight monetary policy, and domestic demand could again prove more resilient,” it said.

It said the priority remained achieving sustained disinflation in most countries, while ensuring financial stability.

It said central banks should remain focused on restoring price stability and strengthening financial supervision and risk monitoring.

By Darwin G. Amojelar

THE infrastructure cluster of the Marcos administration vowed to accelerate the rollout of big-ticket infrastructure projects to boost the economy.

Transportation Secretary Jaime Bautista said the agency is accelerating rail, maritime, road and aviation infrastructure projects that would bring socio-economic benefits to Filipinos.

“The department will speed up the momentum in completing more transport infrastructures and projects aimed at moving more people, products, and services and trigger economic growth,” Bautista said.

Public Works Secretary Manuel Bonoan also committed to hastening the rollout of high-impact projects.

Prime Energy topped Malampaya’s target output in Q2

By Alena Mae S. Flores

PRIME Energy Resources

Develop -

ment B.V. said Tuesday it exceeded its second-quarter target output because of efficient maintenance activities and equipment integrity in the Malampaya Deep Water Gasto-Power project that contributed to higher sales, fulfilling the high gas demand during summer.

Energy production and supply to customers exceeded the Malampaya’s target, with gas sales in the second quarter reaching 280 million standard cubic feet per day, higher than the target of 274 MMSCFD.

“We are very proud of the excellent performance of the asset, enabled by the tireless commitment, ingenuity and

proven capability of Prime Energy employees. We intend to maintain a reliable supply of indigenous gas to our customers while we continue the hard work of exploring for new sources to address the natural decline of the Malampaya gas field. We remain committed to being the partner of choice in providing energy sufficiency and security to the country,” Prime Energy general manager Donnabel Kuizon Cruz said.

Prime Energy, a subsidiary of businessman Enrique Razon’s Prime Infrastructure Capital Inc., owns the 45-percent operating interest in Service Contract 38 or the Malampaya gas project. It operates under an all-Filipino management and staff and continues to show its capability and competence in

Czark Mak Group unveils new township to lift Bulacan economy

THE Czark Mak Group expects to help transform Bulacan province into the next growth area and top business and lifestyle destination with the launch of its P2-billion commercial and industrial township in Guiguinto town.

Covering an area of over 20 hectares, CZM’s AcroCity is Bulacan’s newest township—a vibrant lifestyle hub that caters to the growing needs not only of the surrounding communities, but even residents of nearby areas including Metro Manila who would want a different staycation experience.

“With AcroCity, we are not merely constructing properties; we are building dreams and forging connections that have the power to transform lives. Our vision is

to create a vibrant community at the heart of Bulacan, where businesses thrive, residents flourish, and dreams are realized,” said CZM executive vice president Caesar Angelo Wongchuking Jr. CZM held the groundbreaking of the

NDW Plaza on July 25, which will serve as AcroCity’s community and town center focusing on wellness. It will host, among others, a world-class dialysis center, a diagnostic center, spa, gym, and beauty and other wellness facilities. NDW Plaza will also serve as home to a bank, and other dedicated retail spaces to complement existing leisure and commercial offerings.

“NDW Plaza represents our unwavering commitment to continually enrich the AcroCity experience of our customers. At the heart of our live, work, play concept, our goal is to provide a seamless integration where visitors and our customers embrace a well-rounded lifestyle and thrive,” Wongchuking said.

operating and maintaining the Malampaya project to harness natural gas and provide safe, reliable and clean energy to Filipinos.

The Malampaya gas project in northwest Palawan supplies natural gas to power four generation plants in Batangas, with a combined capacity of 2,011 megawatts.

The Malampaya platform, pipelines and production systems went through a two-week maintenance work early in February 2023. Working in close coordination with the Department of Energy, the maintenance activities were completed with zero incidents.

President Ferdinand Marcos Jr. approved the renewal of SC 38 in May 2023, extending the project for 15 years or until Feb. 22, 2039.

PSE INDEX CLOSING

“The DPWH will continue to be on the fast mode,” Bonoan said during the 2023 Post SONA Forum in Pasay City.

“Through the Build Better More program of the government, DPWH will continue and expand infrastructure development that will address the connectivity gap in the country and go beyond just building by incorporating sustainability, resiliency and advanced technology in infrastructure facilities,” he said.

President Ferdinand Marcos Jr. during his 2nd State of the Nation Address committed to maintain an annual spending on infrastructure at around 5 percent to 6 percent of gross domestic product from 2023 to 2028, equivalent to about $20 billion to $40 billion a year.

Under its Build-Better-More Program, the government identified 194 infrastructure flagship projects worth around P8.3 trillion.

Bautista said besides the massive North-South Commuter Railway system and the over 1,000 kilometers of railway projects, pipeline big-ticket rail infrastructure include the LRT-1 Cavite Extension, MRT-4, MRT-7 and the country’s first-ever underground railway, the Metro Manila Subway.

He also identified crucial airport projects such as the NAIA privatization, Clark International Airport, New Manila International Airport in Bulacan and Sangley Point International Airport in Cavite.

Bautista said that 29 aviation infra projects were completed, including the Butuan Airport and CRK’s Passenger Terminal Buildings, while 10 other regional airports would be developed.

Bonoan said the agency would address the traffic congestion and the expensive transportation of goods in the country.

He said that the government aimed to obtain by November this year the loan approval from the Asian Development Bank or the civil works of the 32.15-kilometer Bataan-Cavite Interlink Project

TRANSMISSION and grid operator National Grid Corp. of the Philippines vowed to exhaust all available resources to complete ongoing transmission projects while expediting others in the pipeline as part of its commitment to President Ferdinand Marcos, Jr.’s energy priorities under his recent State of the Nation Address.

“We agree with the President’s sentiments. Even before the SONA, NGCP has already been working towards the vision that he mentioned,” said NGCP president and chief executive Anthony Almeda.

“After hearing it straight from him–his vision that is completely aligned with ours–we know we are on the right track

and we’re more motivated to complete all our objectives in a prompt manner,” he said.

Mr. Marcos said that while the Philippines now has a unified national grid with the interconnection of the Luzon, Visayas and Mindanao grids, 60 grid connections were still delayed. He said the government was conducting a performance review of NGCP and expects the completion of the critical transmission projects.

NGCP said among its top priorities are the swift completion of the Mindanao-Visayas Interconnection Project and Stage 3 of the Cebu-Negros-Panay Interconnection Project. Alena Mae S. Flores

POST-SONA BRIEFING. Cabinet secretaries under the Human Development and Poverty Reduction Cluster share the programs and policies of their agencies to meet the needs of Filipinos in terms of education, social welfare, nature, health and housing during the 2023 Post-SONA briefing at the Hilton Manila in Pasay City. The officials also discussed development plans for the next six years. Darwin G. Amojelar

LEGACY WALL. The Small Business Corporation’s board of directors led by chairperson Undersecretary Blesila Lantayona (seated, right) and president and CEO Robert Bastillo (seated, center) unveils the legacy wall featuring past chairpersons and presidents of the agency. The wall is a fitting tribute to all of those who served SBCorp with utmost dedication and untiring service, says Bastillo. Also in photo are directors (from left) Joe Jay Doctora, Avelino Andal, Arnulfo Galdo, Voltaire Magpayo, Jacob Vasquez and Elvira Go (seated, left).

Letran goes 2-0 vs Naga in Battle of Champions

FARM FRESH-Letran eased past Sherilin Unisol City of Naga, 101-71, to go 2-0 in the 2023 Manila Bankers Life-Pilipinas Super League 18-Under Battle of the Champions on Monday at Bren Z. Guiao Convention Center in Pampanga.

Coming off an equally-dominant 93-67 win against Max Ballers Davao on opening day, the Milkers, the NCR champions, did not let up against Visayan counterparts, en toure to taking the solo lead in this tournament co-presented by SCD and Dumper party-list and supported by J Project Clothings, MDC, Bluesky Advertising, NET 25, Wcube Solutions Inc., Hotel SOGO, and Converge.

The top two teams by the end of the elimination round will advance to the best-of-three finals which begins on July 28 also at the same venue.

PH, meet Olivia McSaver!

By Randy Caluag

GOAL machine Sarina

Bolden may have been the heroine on offense as she scored the lone and winning goal during the Philippines’ firstever victory in the FIFA Women’s World Cup at the expense of host New Zealand on Tuesday at the Sky Stadium in Wellington.

On defense, the star of the show was Olivia McDaniel, who was so adept of her role as goalie that she earned the moniker “Olivia McSaver” from Filipino fans all over the world for saving countless attempts

by the Ferns, as a playful nod to a popular fastfood promo of the same name.

Congratulations!

Social media exploded with congratulatory messages from Filipino fans, sending love and kudos to the Philippine national women’s football team when it made history and did the country proud by scoring its first-ever victory in theWomen’s World Cup at the expense of the hosts, 1-0, right at their own backyard in Wellington.

Sharing the spotlight in the stunning triumph were Bolden and McDaniel, the same familiar faces, who have catapulted the Filipinas to the world’s biggest stage.

After losing their debut to Switzerland, the Filipinas never lost hope and remained focused. And it showed against New Zealand.

Bolden Goal!

That was how many fans described Bolden’s golden goal in the 24th minute of the first half and it proved to be the game winner the Filipinas needed to complete the

amazing story of a rookie team looking for a miracle of a win.

“Wow proud one here. Go go Philippines. Nothing is impossible,” said Jaymie Divinagracia.

McDaniel, the ever-unforgiving goalkeeper of the Philippine side, completed the Filipinas’ date with “herstory” by saving seven attempts, denying the Kiwis’ comeback in the second half and the fiveminute extension.

During the Filipinas’ 0-2 loss to Switzerland on Friday, McDaniel was the lone bright spot with 6 saves. Her efforts did not escape the imagination of Filipino fans, who nicknamed her “McSaver”.

“You deserve to win Filipinas! Kudos to Olivia McSaver!,” said Anne Esposo Halog.

“Idol Olivia McSaver Daniels! Congratulations Filipinas,” added Jo El Torres. McDaniel, indeed, deserves all of the McLovin’.

US-born South Korean is youngest Women’s World Cup player

SYDNEY—Casey Phair on Tuesday became the youngest player to feature at a Women’s World Cup after coming on as a substitute in South Korea’s 2-0 defeat to Colombia aged 16 years and 26 days.

The striker was born in the United States and was called up by the country at youth level, but has now made her debut for South Korea.

She came on in the 78th minute in Sydney, besting the previous record set by Nigeria’s Ifeanyi Chiejine, who was 16 years and 34 days when she played at the 1999 World Cup. Phair, born to an American father and Korean mother, is the first player of mixed descent to make the senior South Korean women’s football squad.

South Korea’s English coach Colin Bell called Phair the future after his side started their World Cup with a toothless defeat where they mustered only five shots all game.

“She deserved to get the chance to play, she has trained really well, as good as anyone,” said the 61-yearold coach.

“It is also a signal that that’s the future, she is the future.

“We need strong, fast players with physicality.”

Bell, who said on the eve of the match that he wanted to “safeguard” Phair from too much “hype”, hinted that he could give the teenager more time in their next match against debutants Morocco.

“She gives us energy and power

and that is where we need to step up and every player needs to step up in the next game,” he said.

He added: “I wanted to throw her on to give her that experience.

“At least we made history today,” added Bell, referring to Phair’s landmark.

South Korea went down meekly to Colombia, conceding a penalty in the first half and then a second before the break when goalkeeper Yoon Young-geul made a mess of a shot by Linda Caicedo.

“I am very disappointed with the result and performance,” he said.

“The girls can play much better. At times they were too slow.

“We just did not create enough and our decision-making at times was not decisive enough.” AFP

ONE Championship announces 4 US shows in 2024

ONE Championship is set for a massive push in the United States after its highly successful debut in the country last May.

ONE Chairman and CEO Chatri Sityodtong announced that The Home of Martial Arts will hold four events in the US next year, as the promotion looks to pick up from its strong start in the western nation.

“I am thrilled to announce that ONE Championship is coming back to the U.S. with four massive events in 2024. When we made our historic U.S. debut with ONE Fight Night 10 on Prime Video, I was blown away by the support we received from our fans in the U.S.,” Sityodtong said.

“ONE is home to the greatest martial artists in the world, and I’m excited to once again showcase our World Champions on American soil. To our fans that haven’t seen a live ONE event, I promise you an experience unlike anything you’ve ever seen.”

ONE started its North American conquest by partnering with streaming and retail giant Amazon, striking a 12-event deal that’s

been airing in U.S. and Canadian primetime through Prime Video.

Last May, ONE finally made its long-awaited debut on American soil with ONE Fight Night 10 in Denver—an event that was welcomed by the hardcore MMA fans in the states.

The show was headlined by the greatest of all time in ONE Flyweight World Champion Demetrious “Mighty Mouse” Johnson, who wrapped up his rivalry with Adriano “Mikinho” Moraes.

Some of the best Asian fighters also made a great account of themselves in ONE’s debut, with ONE Flyweight Muay Thai World Champion Rodtang “The Iron Man” Jitmuangnon and former two-sport queen Stamp Fairtex gaining new fans in the country. ONE’s also home to some of the best American fighters in various sports, from ONE Strawweight World Champion Jarred Brooks in MMA, ONE Flyweight Submission Grappling World Champion Mikey Musumeci, and ONE Women’s Strawweight Muay Thai top contender Jackie Buntan all making a name for themselves in the organization.

Andy Gemao made his much-awaited return to Farm Fresh-Letran after being with University of the Philippines for its Serbia camp. The NCAA Season 98 Juniors Basketball Finals MVP showed no rust, leading the way for the Milkers with 15 points.

Arwin Alforque and Juhniel Dela Rama chipped in 12 and 10 markers, respectively, as every player fielded by Allen Ricardo scored in the contest. Sherilin-Unisol, who fell to 0-2 in the five-team meet, was paced by Jerome Arboiz with 13 points and seven rebounds.

In the other game, Max Ballers evened its slate to 1-1 after blasting Cagayan de Oro, 89-74.

Dam De Guzman showed the way for the Davao-based team with 24 points and 16 rebounds while Wilhalm Cabonillas also notched a double-double with 10 points and 10 rebounds.

Karlo Estomo also fired 25 points with nine boards for Max Ballers. Rex Alcover led the debuting Higalas with 17 points and six rebounds.

Bona, Diaz eye pair of wins in PPS Olivarez tilt

KENDRICK Bona and Jana Diaz face uphill battles hunting for another pair of victories in the Mayor Eric Olivarez national juniors tennis championships of the PPS-PEPP circuit, which got under way yesterday (Tuesday) with another huge field in Sucat, Paranaque.

The 304-player draw in nine agegroup categories surpassed the 272 entries who vied in last week’s Rep. Marlyn Alonte-Naguiat’s tournament in Biñan, Laguna that saw Bona and Diaz share MVP honors after sweeping the boys’ and girls’ 16- and 18-and-under singles titles, respectively.

To accommodate the big number of participants, PPS-PEPP Sports Program Development director and tournament organizer Bobby Mangunay said they are using both the Paranaque Tennis Club courts and the main venue at the Olivarez Sports Center for the week-long Group 1 tournament.

The chase for the boys’ 16-and-under title is expected to be fierce with Bona bannering the 64-player draw that includes Reign Maravilla, Ariel Cabaral, Tristan Licayan, Samuel Davila, Andrew Serohijos and siblings Frank and France Dilao.

Bona also braces for a big Vince Serna rebound after the top-seeded bet bowed to Cabaral, 2-6, 3-6, in the 18-and-U semis last week and the former easing past Kale Villamar, 6-2, 6-0, and then routing Cabaral, 6-1, 6-2, in the finals.

Bona, from Puerto Princesa, earlier took the 16-and-U trophy with a 6-1, 2-0(ret.) win over Licayan.

Diaz, from Bacoor, Cavite, mastered Sandra Bautista twice, carving out a 6-4, 6-4 decision in 16-andunder and scoring a 6-2, 6-2 romp for the 18-and-U crown in the event which served as part of the country’s nationwide circuit put up by Palawan Pawnshop president/CEO Bobby Castro.

The Philippines’ goalkeeper Olivia McDaniel saves the ball during the 2023 Women’s World Cup Group A football match between New Zealand and the Philippines at Wellington Stadium, also known as Sky Stadium, in Wellington. AFP

Casey Phair FIFA World Cup

Chatri Sidyodtong

PSU’s goal: Send female skater to winter games

THE Philippine Skating Union is not losing track of its ultimate goal as it steps up its efforts to further promote the sport in a tropical country like the Philippines.

Skating Union of the Philippines president Nikki Cheng said the ultimate goal for the PSU is to field a female skater in the Winter Olympics, and is pinning their hopes on Sofia Frank and Isabela Gamez.

“Ang pangarap pa din is to bring a female skater to the Olympics,” she said during Tuesday’s Philippine Sportswriters Association Forum at the Rizal Memorial Sports Complex.

Michael Christian Martinez broke the ice for the Philippines when he competed in the 2014 and 2018 Winter Olympics, where he finished 18th and 28th, respectively. He became the first skater from Southeast Asia to vie in the Winter Olympics.

Cheng told the forum presented by San Miguel Corporation, Philippine Sports Commission, MILO, Philippine

Olympic Committee, and the Philippine Amusement and Gaming Corporation that the PSU will not stop pursuing that goal.

“It’s a milestone that we want to happen,” said Cheng, who was joined by national team coach Abraham Domdom.

On tap for the PSU in the remainder of the year are the Southeast Asian Trophy: Manila Series in October, the National Figure Skating Championships in November and the Carols on Ice also in November, all at the SM Skating Mall of Asia.

Domdom also said the PSU has tapped two foreign coaches for a fiveday camp that will cater to skaters in the national pool. As part of the Trophy Series, the PSU has also invited an Olympian from the United Kingdom to stage a clinic.

Cheng also bared starting in August, National University will include ice skating in its PE calendar and is initially set to cater to as many as 900 students.

Cavitex’s heartaches over, captures PBA 3x3 crown

CAVITEX ended a string of third-place finishes in the PBA 3x3 First Conference Season 3 as it denied TNT a repeat, 21-17, to clinch the Leg 4 championship Tuesday at the Ayala Mall Circuit.

Jorey Napoles made up for a woeful semifinal showing by scoring eight points to lead the Braves to the rousing win worth P100,000.

He scored Cavitex’s final point win still a minute left to play and clinch the team’s first title this conference.

Dominick Fajardo added five, including a jumper that moved the Braves on the hill, while Bong Galanza and Kenneth Ighalo had four each to round out

Young PH bowlers win in Asian meet

THE future of Philippine bowling looks promising following the rousing success of the boys’ team in the recent 21st Asian Youth Tenpin Bowling Championships in Bangkok, Thailand.

The quartet of Art Barrientos, Stephen Luke Diwa, Marc Dylan Custodio and Singaporebased Zach Sales Ramin clinched the gold in the four event after a come-from-behind win against South Korea, 4933-4922, and then added another one when Barrientos bagged the masters’ gold by beating Blake Walsh of Australia, 443-349.

The team went on to finish overall champion in the boys’ side.

Barrientos, 19, and a hospitality management student at FEU Roosevelt, became the first Filipino to accomplish the feat since Biboy Rivera in the 1986 edition of the meet in Kuala Lumpur, Malaysia.

The accomplishment of the four team meanwhile, is the first for the country in the continental youth meet since 1981.

“Ang bowling naman hanggang ngayon is still evolving talaga. And I believe right training and proper support will be good enough, we could bring back the glory days of bowling in our country,” said Barrientos.

Diwa and Custodio were with Barrientos in the Philippine Sportswriters Association Forum on Tuesday at the conference hall of the Rizal Memorial Sports Complex and expressed the same sentiment of competing and winning for the country in international tournaments.

“I want to continue representing our country very well, hope to win more medals, and continue working on my game,” said Custodio, 19, who is taking up accountancy at La Salle.

Added the 18-year-old Diwa, “We’ll continue to practice hard. Next international tournament, hopefully we can go and win some more medals.”

The victorious Filipinos brought with them medals and trophy they won during the session presented by San Miguel Corporation, Philippine Sports Commission, MILO, Philippine Olympic Committee, and the Philippine Amusement and Gaming Corporation.

Unfortunately, all three won’t be back to defend their titles come the next edition of the tournament in Kuala Lumpur, Malaysia.

“Ang next Asian Youth will be in 2025. Pero kami nila Marc hindi na kami youth by that time,” said Barrientos. “Pati si Stephen hindi na rin siya puwede kasi ang Asian Youth hanggang 20 years old lang.”

the scoring for the 3x3 team of NLEX, coached by Kyles Lao.

Prior to the win, Cavitex finished third in each of the first three legs of the new season.

Big man Lervin Flores showd the way for TNT with seven points and five rebounds. The Triple Giga, winner of last week’s Leg 3, took home the runner up purse of P50,000.

Meanwhile, Alfred Batino and Joseph

Sedurifa turned out to be a two-man wrecking crew for Meralco, which nipped guest team Wilcon Depot, 2120, to claim third place worth P30,000. Batino finished with 12 points and Sedurifa added eight as the Bolts denied Wilcon Depot a first ever podium finish. On the way to the top, Cavitex nipped Northport in the quarterfinals, 21-16, and then survived Meralco in the semifinals, 17-15, for a place in the title match.

TNT on the other hand, whipped San Miguel in the quarterfinals, and edged out Wilcon in overtime, 22-20, in the Final Four for a shot at a second straight crown opposite the Braves.

Bataan board member sponsors football clinic in Orani

By Butch Gunio

BATAAN’s First District Board Member Benjie Serrano, in cooperation with Gov. Joet Garcia and the Sangguniang Panlalawigan, is sponsoring a football clinic dubbed “Tobacco-Free Generation Football Festival”. The clinic will be held at the football grounds of the Bataan Peninsula State University Orani campus in Barangay Bayan on Saturday.

The football training camp is open to Bataan’s first district residents, aged 5 to 30 years old, as well as elementary and high school students.

Registration is free.

Coach Samuel Odunlami, an African football trainer, who has long been residing in the province, will conduct the clinic.

Interested individuals may contact coach Odunlami at mobile number 09566123474.

Messi could make first start against Atlanta, says Martino

FORT LAUDERDALE—Lionel

Messi could make his first start for Inter Miami following his dramatic winning-goal debut when his new team face Atlanta United in the Leagues Cup on Tuesday, coach Gerard Martino said.

Messi made an explosive impact after coming on as a 54th-minute substitute in the 2-1 win over Mexican club Cruz Azul on Friday, curling in a stoppage-time free-kick for the victory.

Miami’s Argentine head coach Martino opted to limit the minutes for Messi and Spanish midfielder Sergio Busquets on Friday but with both players making such a strong impression, Martino said Monday he is tempted to start the pair against his former club on Tuesday.

“Well, it is very likely that both Leo and Busi will play more time. I even think that if they are going to play more (then) we will change the dynamic and they will go maybe from the beginning. But we all know that when Leo starts, that amount of time we would be talking about is 90

minutes,” said the former Barcelona and Argentina coach.

“But everything will depend on how they feel, it is only the second game that they are going to play,” he said.

A win in Tuesday’s game at DRV PNK Stadium would ensure Inter progress to the knockout stage of the new tournament for Major League Soccer and Mexican Liga MX clubs. MLS has paused play in its regular season until August 20 meaning Messi and company would have nearly a month without a scheduled game should they fail to progress.

Martino said that his players are still working on the changes they need to make to get the best out of their two new star team-mates, who will soon be joined by Spanish former Barca full-back Jordi Alba.

“We had already started working on changing the way we play but it is clear that with Busquets, Jordi and Leo we will have to (further) modify the way that we play and we also have to work on raising the level in

general,” said Martino. ‘Pretty humble guy’

The hype around Messi’s move to the USA has only intensified after Friday’s premiere but inside the locker-room, goalkeeper Drake Callender says the players have been trying to make the team dynamic as normal as possible for the seventimes Ballon d’Or winner, who has impressed them with his down to earth approach.

“I didn’t really know what to expect because I’ve never been around a player with that capacity before but he’s a pretty humble guy. He’s chill,” he said.

“He’s still trying to get a feel of how everything functions over here. So I think for myself as well as some of the other players, we are just making him feel welcome, making him feel like he’s one of our teammates and just making him feel comfortable here.

“I try to chat with him when I can to make him feel like he’s a part of the team. Again, just treat him like one of my teammates. I

think he’s somebody who, wherever he goes, there are all these cameras and lights. People want him to sign things and people want to talk to him. So I just try and be as normal as I possibly can,” Callender added.

While Messi inevitably grabbed the headlines, former Barcelona midfielder Busquets also looked instantly at ease with his new team, reforging his old understanding with the Argentine.

Canadian central defender Kamal Miller said that having one of the finest passers of the ball in front of him requires a different approach to distribution from the back.

“Definitely with a player of that quality, we always want to look to go through him. He can thread the needle and find the killer pass at any time, so it’s something that we look for a lot. And having a guy with that quality, it attracts so much attention, it opens up space for everyone else, so I think we’re all going to benefit from it and hopefully it continues to go like it did on Friday,” he said. AFP

Shown here are Abraham Domdom and Nikki Cheng.

Cavitex players celebrate their title romp in the PBA 3x3 First Conference Season 3 at the Ayala Mall Circuit.

Board Member Benjie Serrano with African coach Samuel Odunlami

Miami’s Argentine forward Lionel Messi trains with teammates during the Inter Miami CF training session at the Florida Blue Training Center next to DRV

Enrique Gil returns to silver screen with hilarious new role

By Angelica Villanueva

AFTER a three-year hiatus from the entertainment industry, actor Enrique Gil is set to make his much-anticipated return. Recently announcing his comeback to the acting scene, fans can expect to see a lot more of him after his last onscreen project, Make

It With You, alongside his former love team partner, Liza Soberano

During the pandemic, Enrique took a break from the limelight, but now he's eager to grace our screens once again with his undeniable charm and acting prowess.

At 31 years old, the singer-dancer is more than ready to showcase his talent and captivate audiences once more.

In his upcoming film, I Am Not Big Bird, Enrique will not only star but also

In

JP Habac’s branded campaign video wins at Tambuli Awards 2023

IKEA Philippines was recently bestowed a humanity award by the prestigious Asia Pacific Tambuli Awards 2023 for a campaign video produced and directed by Secret Menu, the full-service creative agency and production house under KROMA Entertainment.

The three-minute video entitled Hapag was awarded the Champions for Humanity Bronze Award under the Building Character/Digital and Social Media category. It tells the heartwarming, gender role-defying story of a gay son, his drag queen father, and their love-filled home for IKEA Philippines’ Paskong Pinoy series released in December 2022.

“More than the recognition or award, our main goal at IKEA is to create a better everyday life for the many. This includes promoting diversity, inclusion, and equality—making everyone feel welcome. We hope that this campaign inspires even more inclusive stories from more brands in the industry,” shares Patrick Marcelo, IKEA’s Marketing and PR manager.

The video was helmed by JP Habac whose body of work includes the film I’m Drunk, I Love You and LGBTQIA+-themed series such as Gaya sa Pelikula and Drag You & Me. Habac was on hand to receive the award together with representatives from IKEA’s Philippine office and KROMA Entertainment.

Marcelo adds, “It's important for us as a brand to work with partners who share the same values as us. We are glad to have Secret Menu and JP Habac in bringing our campaign to life through a locally relevant and inclusive story.”

Bianca Balbuena, Head of Studios at Secret Menu and production studio ANIMA, celebrates the victory together with IKEA Philippines, a steadfast client of the creative agency since its inception.

“Secret Menu and IKEA share the common vision of putting out engaging content that contributes to the common good of society. This makes the collaboration easy and meaningful,” Balbuena shares days after the awarding ceremony.

Another work by Secret Menu for IKEA, Queens of the House by in-house director Chyna Lo was also shortlisted by Asia Pacific Tambuli Awards 2023 under the Arts, Culture, and Heritage Category.

These recent recognitions shine the light on the dynamic relationship between the creative agency and the shelter megabrand. Balbuena continues, “These recognitions are a testament to Secret Menu’s capability to deliver IKEA’s message of inclusivity effectively in an entertaining way. It is also a validation that Secret Menu is an agency that businesses and brands can trust and work with. We hope to continue working together in producing heartwarming content with a purpose for the Filipino audience.”

The Asia Pacific Tambuli Awards 2023 is an award show that recognizes growing business and brands with purpose. It exists “to recognize the contribution of businesses and brands that effectively create a better world for humanity.”

a famous porn star in the country.

"First of all, I'm not Big Bird. But at some point, I will also become Big Bird. Basically, Big Bird is a famous porn star in Thailand. My character, Luis Carpio, travels to Thailand and there, he gets mistaken for Big Bird because they look like identical twins. That's where the adventure begins," said Enrique.

But that's not all. Alongside his return to acting, Enrique has also ventured into a new business endeavor. With his natural entrepreneurial spirit, he has embarked on a new venture and partnered with the digital ticketing and video platform, Ticket2Me, as its newest chief marketing officer. "It started with me wanting to give back to the entertainment industry," he began.

Enrique aims to empower artists, creators, and performers in the entertainment

by

I don't have to perform, I'm still giving entertainment to the fans in my own way," he added.

"Even if I'm no longer able to work with my physical body, I'm still providing content. Not only to the fans but also to my colleagues in the industry for future artists as well, for international acts or just to connect the fan with their idols. That's the legacy we want to leave," he stated.

In an interview with Manila Standard Entertainment, the actor said that this new role means everything to him.

"This is the reason why I came back. For three years, I was gone, and I said I would never go back to showbiz or the entertainment industry. My life was quiet, and we were just doing business with my mom. But, you know, deep inside my heart, there was something missing. So, this is it. This is me, finishing my story," answered Enrique.

to their fans through Ticket2Me's direct and convenient platform. "From the screen to the stage, we just want to put creative events and content. Even if we are no longer there and Enrique Gil

"It completes my story and the legacy I want to leave behind in the entertainment industry. I said, even if I'm no longer here, it's like I'm still, in a way, giving back, giv-

Young singer shares melodies of love and balance

By Robbie Pangilinan

KRISSEE MALLARI, an only child hailing from Malabon, has grown up in a broken family. Despite facing early challenges in both her personal journey and career, she has maintained a positive outlook on life. She embraces the lessons life has taught her and is grateful for the experiences that have shaped her.

“I did not grow up in a ‘complete’ household because I came from a broken family. But it’s okay, I’m happy to be alive. I love life. This is a big factor of what I am now, simple, appreciative, and grateful,” says the 4’11” petite and pretty Krissee.

Along the way, Krissee has learned to find balance and love herself first.

ist who sometimes handles the keytar, too. The band’s drummer, Henric Delos Santos recently left due to work-related reasons, and he is replaced by Luis Ricio, who is a very promising artist.

‘Ilaw’, talks about people who have already found their ‘the one’

“Yin-Yang. Let’s find our balance. If we will only open our eyes, hearts and minds, we’ll find the answer within. Learn to love yourself first, you don’t need to beg for others’ love just to find true happiness. Listen to your body and give yourself some quiet time. I meditate a lot and listen to music with different frequencies and no lyrics, and it worked for me. I find my balance that way,” Krissee shares, clarifying that she is not referring to self-love in a narcissistic way.

The major thing that has helped Krissee find her balance is her band, Sweet December, a fourpiece pop-rock band that she considers her second family. She writes all of the songs and is also the vocalist. Ferry Baltzar who everybody calls Kuya, is the lead guitarist and arranger of all the band’s songs. Online influencer “Basag Ka” or Marlon Natividad in real life, is the bass-

“The combination of our skills and our personalities really jived even on our first rehearsal,” shares Krissee. The band records their originals at Ferry’s studio, OneRoots Records, in Bulacan.

Sweet December has seven original songs released on Spotify and is about to launch its newest single this August, with the very first collaboration of words, beats, and arrangement coming from the whole band.

As a solo artist, Krissee also has her first single “Ilaw” just released this July. “Para ito sa in love at bagay ito sa mga natagpuan na yung ‘The One’,” remarks Krissee, adding that the song’s genre is acoustic pop inspired by Ebe Dancel, Mayonnaise, Liang Lawrence, Fly By Midnight, Taylor Swift, among others.

Krissee may only be 26 years old, but she has already been tried and tested by life, and from the challenges she went through, she can say she is now on her way to the best version of herself. And she has God and the people around her to thank.

Krissee believes there are no coincidences in life, and every person and experience has a purpose. She's grateful for the influence of those she's met on her journey and thanks her Creator for the talent to write songs. Her desire is to share her music with an open heart and love.

Krissee describes herself as “a simple individual with a heart full of inspiration to write and sing songs that I am ready to share with everyone.”

Pop-rock band Sweet December

BTS Jungkook’s ‘Seven’ debuts at No 1. on Billboard's HOT 100 Chart

BTS' Jungkook’s debut solo single, "Seven," has soared to the top position on U.S. Billboard Hot 100 chart. This achievement marks Jungkook as the second Korean act and BTS member to secure the coveted Hot 100 top spot, following Jimin's triumphant "Like Crazy," which dominated the charts in April.

This achievement also makes him the first Korean solo artist in history to dominate the three biggest music charts of Billboard. Additionally, he has debuted at the number one spot on the Billboard Global 200 and Billboard Global Excl. U.S. charts this week.

According to Billboard, "Seven" becomes the 68th song to debut at number one

upon entering the Hot 100 chart since its inception.

Jungkook acknowledged this milestone on Tuesday morning by posting on the fan community platform, Weverse. He expressed, "Let's aim even higher."

But that's not all. It is indeed a remarkable day for all ARMYs as BTS leader RM's Indigo album has also reentered Billboard's topselling albums chart, securing the third spot, coinciding with the release of the vinyl version of his solo album. Furthermore, RM reenters this week's Billboard 200 chart at No. 53.

Currently, while waiting to complete their military enlistment, BTS members are pursuing solo activities. Angelica Villanueva

GMA Human Resources Department (HRDD)

Senior Personnel Manager Maria Rosalina B. Oregas, Advantage Club Co-founder and COO Smiti Bhatt Deorah, and GMA HRDD Senior Benefits Manager Rachel C. Mendez during The Philippines’ Leadership Congress & Awards 2023

GMA Network honored as Best Employer at The Philippines' Leadership Congress

GMA Network, Inc. was conferred with the Best Employer Brand Award at The Philippines’ Leadership Congress & Awards 2023 held last June. GMA Network's First Vice President for Human Resources Development Department, Atty. Gerrome Y. Apolona, expressed profound gratitude and appreciation to The Philippines' Leadership Congress Awards 2023 for bestowing their esteemed recognition upon the company.

“This will serve as an inspiration for us to stay true to being ‘Buong Puso Para sa Pilipino’ and to continuously uphold our core value of valuing our people, who are our partners in making

GMA Network the leader in promoting the best in the Filipino,” says Apolona. For over 70 years, the leading broadcast network in the country continues to offer great professional opportunities to its employees, helping them realize their potential and find their career path. The company provides its employees with world-class training, a dynamic work environment, and competitive compensation benefits making it an employer of choice in the country. The Philippines Leadership Congress & Awards 2023 is a prestigious event that recognizes companies for their outstanding contributions to HR practices and employer branding.

Therese de Guzman (left) and award-winning director JP Habac (right) during the Tambuli Awards 2023

Kapamilya actor Enrique Gil embarks on a new journey as Ticket2Me’s chief marketing officer

the comedy film, Enrique plays Luis

industry

bringing them closer

(left) with his new manager, Ranvel Rufino (right)

Krisee Mallari’s new single,

Jungkook of Korean supergroup BTS

Bringing Filipino culture and history to Broadway

A sense of tranquility within the dynamism

KANKAN Ramos’ latest exhibition, Flux, held at the Art Lounge Manila Molito represents a compilation of the artist’s recent works – showcasing her profound exploration of the state of flux - the dynamic, ever-changing nature of thoughts, actions, and creativity. The exhibition consists of a series of framed pieces and sculptural works. Ramos’ framed works are notable for their ephemeral swathes of colors on clear acrylic sheets.

The use of bold blues and vivid violets, accentuated with gold outlines, captures the viewers’ attention, pulling them into the depths of the artist’s mind.

These colors seem to denote resonant waves of thought or action, visual metaphors for the artist’s cerebral processes. What makes these pieces unique is their ability to serve as snapshots of the artist’s frame of mind.

They are not static representations of a single moment, but rather, they capture the essence of a state of flux - the continuous flow of creativity and creation. They reflect the artist’s thoughts and emotions, captured in a state of constant motion. Ramos’ body of work is dynamic and cathartic. There is an inherent sense of movement in each piece, a testament to the artist’s exploration of action and change.

THE spotlight was firmly fixed on Here Lies Love when it premiered at the prestigious Broadway Theater in New York City on July 20. The musical gained additional attention after Lea Salonga, one of the stars of the production, went viral for a video showing her gracefully declining to take a selfie with fans inside her dressing room.

However, beyond the buzz surrounding the video and the importance of proper etiquette around artists, people’s focus shifted to the remarkable musical itself, which proudly showcased Filipino talents and contributions.

The groundbreaking musical is based on First Lady Imelda Marcos and the People Power Revolution. It marks the first time a Broadway production has both an all-Filipino cast and a majority of Filipino producers.

It’s certainly a defining moment, said Salonga who is playing the character of Ninoy Aquino’s Mother Aurora Aquino—her first Filipino role on Broadway—in a limited engagement. Salonga is also serving as producer.

The Tony and Olivier Award winner proudly declared, “There has never been a Broadway show produced by and starring Filipinos.”

Here Lies Love features music by Grammy, Tony, and Oscar winner David Byrne and Grammy winner Fatboy Slim, and concept and lyrics by Byrne. Originally staged in 2013 offBroadway at The Public, the musical also had a run at London’s National Theater in 2014 and at the Seattle Rep in 2017.

Apart from Salonga, there are 21 other Filipinos in Here Lies Love Arielle Jacobs, who starred as Princess Jas-

Yet, they also embody a sense of tranquility and zen. Despite the action depicted, there is a serenity that pervades each work, representing the artist’s state of flow. Flux is an invitation to experience the artist’s journey through her creative process. It’s a celebration of the flux and flow of thoughts, the tumultuous waves of creativity, and the calm that follows. This exhibition is a testament to the beauty of the creative mind in motion, a dynamic yet soothing experience that is sure to resonate with audiences. Through her artworks, Ramos invites the public into the world of color and motion, to experience the state of flux, and to find their own sense of tranquility within the dynamism.

‘Let me flow, set me free’

‘Cultivate happiness’

‘The harmony of experience’

‘Here Lies Love’ delves into the story of former First Lady Imelda Marcos and the People Power Revolution

after creating the role in the Public Theater run.

mine in Broadway’s Aladdin, is portraying Imelda. Jose Llana whose numerous Broadway credits include The King and I, Flower Drum Song, and Rent, returns to play Ferdinand Marcos fills an important need. “It provides Pinoys in the US—both the Fil-Ams and the overseas Filipinos—with a show that will make them feel closer to the homeland.”

Music lovers in the Philippines know Llana as a recording artist whose debut solo album was released by Viva. Conrad Ricamora, who was in the main cast of the US drama series How to Get Away with Murder, also reprises his role of Ninoy Aquino

The rest of the Filipino cast is composed of Melanie Butiu, Moses Villarama, Jasmine Forsberg, Reanne Acasion, Jaygee Macapugay, Julia Abueva, Renée Albulario, Aaron Alcaraz, Carol Angeli, Nathan Angelo, Kristina Doucette, Roy Flores, Timothy Matthew Flores, Sarah Kay, Jeigh Madjus, AJ Mercado, Geena Quintos, Shea Renne, and Angelo Soriano. Here Lies Love is a pro-Filipino show being told in a quintessential American form: the Broadway musical. Two cultures, two histories, continuing a centuries-old complicated dance,” the team behind the production shared in a statement.

Veteran talent manager Girlie Rodis, also a HLL co-producer, remarked that the musical ful-

Case in point is Las Vegas court recorder Aimee Curameng, a Filipino born in the Philippines and raised in the US and a follower of HLL since its days at The Public. Aimee feels grateful that the musical exists to give a voice to Filipinos. She said, “Having a show where people look like me and it’s about the history of my home country feels so… good.” For co-producer Bobby Garcia, HLL creates a path for Filipinos in the world’s most famous theater circuit.

“I hope this show continues to show how colorful the tapestry is of stories from the Philippines and the rest of Asia. And that these have a place on the Broadway stage,” said the founder of Atlantis Productions. For updates about Here Lies Love, visit herelieslovebroadway.com and follow herelieslovebway on Facebook, Instagram, YouTube, and TikTok.

Creating connections through accessible art exhibits

ART is for all, and it has the power to connect and unite people. This is what Ortigas Malls wanted to showcase for the 6th Ortigas Art Festival at Estancia East Wing, Pasig City. The festival runs until August 13.

With the overarching theme “Art for All: An Exhibition of Borderless Passion & Craft,” the Ortigas Art Festival is a free event where visitors can see and experience art in varying forms and participate in educational workshops. It aims to highlight the talents of artists who want to showcase their creations to a wider audience, as well as ignite passion and appreciation for the arts without being confined to limited space.

“One of Ortigas Malls’ goals is to put Filipino art and craftsmanship into the forefront, and bring them closer to Filipinos through our annual art exhibit in Estancia. This year’s Ortigas Art Festival is unique as we invited talented artists from Rizal, Pangasinan, Bulacan, and Davao to share their talents, knowledge, and masterpieces in this month-long event,” said architect Renee Bacani, Vice President of Ortigas Malls.

“I’m really thankful to Ortigas Malls for providing an opportunity like this for six years. This is an important platform to really reach out to

a wider market,” said Renato “Mang Ato” Habulan, Head Curator for Agos Studio and Linangan Residency. He added that the Ortigas Art Festival is a great way to educate people about various forms of art, and empower people to build a community through artistic expression.

One of the highlights of this year’s Ortigas Art Festival are the artworks from Habulan’s Art Caravan, a traveling exhibit that brought art to various communities. The project encouraged collaboration between artists, fostering a creative space for them to paint and sculpt outside the confines of their rooms. These pieces are displayed at the Agos Studio and Linangan Art Residency exhibits.

Seasoned and up-and-coming Filipino artists from Davao, headed by Rita Bustamante, also shared pieces at the month-long exhibit.

For photography, vintage photos from 1900-1920 of the Southern Philippines and Cordillera are showcased by Ortigas Foundation. While fine print photographs are exhibited by Red Lab Gallery.

The Film Development Council of the Philippines (FDCP) will host free Night Film Screenings of critical-

acclaimed Filipino movies directed by Regina Cadena (Sonata), Paolo

Villaluna (Pauwi Na), and Zig Dulay (Paglipay).

Aspiring filmmakers can also join the third Ortigas Vertical Cinema Contest, with the theme “Pursuit of Happiness,” for a chance to win exciting prizes.

For dance & music, Step by Step Performing Arts Studio, Bughaw Folkloric, and Sindaw Philippines

Performing Arts Guild are scheduled to have performances during the Ortigas Art Festival.

For Fashion, there will be a Miss Universe National Costume Exhibit by Empire PH and a Couture and Bridal Dress Exhibit by Kaayo Modern Mindanao.

Sharing the knowledge and love for the arts

In the spirit of making arts and crafts more accessible, Ortigas Art Festival is hosting a series of talks and workshops. Visitors can sign up and have an immersive experience in pottery with OdangPutik, and create intricate macrame pieces with Luntian Kagubatan in partnership with Agos Studio. There will also be back-to-back workshops by the Philippine Bonsai Society and Ikenobo Ikebana Society of Manila.

John Silva, Executive Director of the Ortigas Foundation, will give a talk on the Cordillera exhibit, while Dr. Laya Boquiren Gonzales, professor at the University of Asia and the Pacific, will give a talk entitled “Writing About Art and Artists”. Another professor from UA&P will have a poetry reading of Dante Alighieri’s

Inferno

“Over the past six years, we have worked with so many people – those who came to learn and those who came to teach,” said Helen Mirasol Ortigas Art Festival Consultant. “One thing that became an integral part of each festival were the Comment Boards, which encouraged viewers to take a more critical view of the artworks,” adds Mirasol. Through the Ortigas Art Festival, Estancia Mall continues its advocacy of bringing art closer to more Filipinos as well as giving them respite from the challenges of everyday life. The festival also gives Filipinos a chance to learn more about art and tap into their artistic side.

“We have to teach art to a wider audience because it can enlighten people. I hope we can connect not only to young artists, but also to ordinary people who have the potential to do more art,” said Habulan.

‘Here Lies Love’ lead stars Arielle Jacobs (left) as former First Lady Imelda Marcos and Jose Llana as (right) as former President Ferdinand Marcos Sr.

Filipino artist Kankan Ramos