Manila Standard - 2023 August 11 - Friday

THE Department of Education (DepEd)

on Thursday launched the adjusted K to 10 school curriculum dubbed the “Matatag Curriculum” after two years of thorough review.

Department of Education Secretary and Vice President Sara Z. Duterte cited revisions in the new basic education curriculum, which include the reduction in the number of competencies, and more focus on the development of foundational skills such as literacy, numeracy, and socio-emotional skills to

kindergarten to Grade 3 learners. With the new curriculum that will be taught to students from kinder to Grade 10, the DepEd seeks to address issues in the previous system.

DepEd Director IV Jocelyn Andaya of the Bureau of Curriculum Development said that 70 percent of the learning competencies of the current K to 10 curriculum have been taken out.

Under the adjusted K to 10 curriculum, learning areas are reduced by two Next page

‘Grounding ships an option’

PH mulls its own militia fleet as 400 foreign vessels spotted in WPS

By Vince Lopez, Macon Ramos-Araneta

and Maricel

V. Cruz

MILITARY officials on Thursday said they would leave it to “higher authorities” to consider the proposal by a former Defense chief to ground more ships in the disputed South China Sea islands amid reports that some 400 foreign vessels were sighted in the Philippines’ exclusive economic zone.

The military is also looking to put up its maritime militia in the West Philippine Sea to strengthen its presence in the area, days afterthe Chinese coast guard used water cannons on a resupply mission to the Ayungin Shoal, with Chinese navy ships and maritime militia attempting a blockade.

AFP Chief of Staff General Romeo Brawner answered in the affirmative if putting up a militia fleet was part of the country's plans, with China and Vietnam having their own.

On Thursday, the Armed Forces of the Philippines (AFP) Western Command (WESCOM) said 85 percent of the foreign vessels spotted in the West Philippine Sea were Chinese.

The suggestion to ground more ship came from former Defense secretary Orly Mercado, who served in the Cabinet of President Joseph Estrada.

Mercado agreed with current officials that Manila never promised toremove the BRP Sierra Madre 20 years

By Maricel V. Cruz and Vince Lopez

HOUSE Deputy Majority Leader and ACT-CIS party-list Rep. Erwin Tulfo raised the alarm on the real status of Chinese crew involved in reclamation projects in Manila Bay.

Tulfo, in a television interview, said "almost 100" crew members of Chinese vessels were seen partying in Pasay bars at night.

"How sure are we that they are just regular crew members having a good

DENR says all 22 reclamation projects in Manila Bay suspended

By Gabriellea Pariño, Vito Barcelo and Charles Dantes

THE Department of Environment and Natural Resource said Thursday all 22 reclamation projects in Manila Bay are under review and are deemed suspended —even the one that President Ferdinand Marcos Jr. mentioned was allowed to continue.

"Actually, upon clarification with the President and you will see in the suspension, all are under review," DENR Secretary Maria Antonia Yulo-Loyzaga said in a press briefing in Malacañang.

Meanwhile, a lawmaker said the public interest must come first as the government reviews “a mountain of reclamation applications” for the Manila Bay area and

MANILA BAY THEN AND NOW. In this aerial footage shown in a television report on Friday, a portion of Manila Bay is a sea of gray, full of sand from some of the 22 reclamation projects ongoing in the area, which the government has suspended pending review. About 85 years ago, only the Manila Hotel was prominent in the bay in a 1938 photograph taken by Major George M. Tweedy. Now, militant groups are protesting the projects' probable cumulative and long-term impacts, even as they welcomed President Ferdinand Marcos Jr.'s announcement halting all such work in the bay (inset photos).

Manny Palmero

Speaker: House has 5 weeks to scrutinize 2024 budget

By Maricel V. Cruz

SPEAKER Ferdinand Martin G. Ro-

mualdez on Thursday gave the House of Representatives five weeks to scrutinize and pass the proposed P5.768

trillion national budget, observing transparency and respect for the voice of the minority.

In his message during the Development Budget Coordination Committee (DBCC) briefing, Romualdez reiter-

ated that the House will ensure every centavo of the proposed P5.768 trillion budget will be judiciously spent.

The Speaker expressed confidence the House will be able to pass

Next page

By Rey Requejo

THE Supreme Court has ruled that public officials and employees are allowed to correct errors, omissions, and non-submissions of their Statements of Assets, Liabilities and Net Worth.

In an en banc decision, the High Court resolved and set aside the dismissal due to dishonesty of a tax specialist from the Department of Finance who was accused of concealing mil-

Julito

lions worth of real properties, motor vehicles, business interests, and loans.

Jessie Javier Carlos, whose gross annual salary at the DOF only ranged from P126,000 to P210,000 between 2000 and 2011, allegedly secured two houses and lots worth P4.1 million, farm lots worth P4 million, vehicles, loans, and credit card debts—purportedly beyond his government earnings and not declared in his SALNs.

PRESSCON IN PALAWAN. Armed Forces of the Philippines Chief of Staff Gen. Romeo Brawner Jr. (right) joins AFP Western Command leader Vice Admiral Alberto Carlos in a press conference at the Wescom headquarters in Puerto Princesa, Palawan on Thursday. AFP Photo

PH, Vietnam seek maritime pact

By Charles Dantes

PRESIDENT Ferdinand Marcos Jr. said he is looking forward to signing an agreement with Vietnam that would strengthen maritime cooperation in the West Philippine Sea.

“Now that we are going to start discussions on the agreement that wehave between the Philippines and Vietnam, I think it is a very, veryimportant – it will be a very, very important part of our relationshipand it will bring an element of stability to the problems that we are seeing now in

‘Grounding...

From A1 ago as China claims. The warship was deliberately run aground in Ayungin shoal to exert Philippine control over it, after China illegally occupied Panganiban or Mischief reef in 1995.

The Estrada administration planned to run more ships aground in “strategic places” in the South China Sea, but an uprising ousted Estrada before the plan was put into effect, Mercado added.

In a text message to Manila Standard, AFP spokesperson Col. Medel Aguilar said that the decision whether to ground more ships to create more outposts in the area is up to the higherups.

"We leave that decision to higher authorities. We follow instructions,” Aguilar said.

AFP WESCOM chief Vice-Admiral Alberto Carlos said that all options are being considered so they can comply with the orders of President Ferdinand Marcos Jr. not to leave Ayungin Shoal.

"All options are being considered. We thank the former SND (Mercado) for that suggestion. Everything is being considered to [enable us to] comply with the President's order that we will not leave Ayungin," Carlos said in a press conference at WESCOM headquarters in Palawan.

"I'll leave it at that because I don't want to give details on what options... we are considering,” he said.

Carlos said that in Mischief Reef or Panganiban Reef alone, there were 191 Chinese vessels.

Aguilar also said the Philippines has the right to repair and develop the BRP Sierra Madre if needed.

The comment was made in response to Chinese claims that Filipino supply ships were carrying construction supplies to upgrade or repair the grounded warship.

Aguilar also maintained that the Filipino supply boats were only carrying water, food and other supplies during their rotation and resupply mission.

But he added in Filipino: “Now, if there is a need to develop or repair BRP Sierra Madre because it now old and rusty, it is well within our rights because the BRP Sierra Madre is still a commissioned ship, an active vessel, and it is the obligation of the AFP to repair and maintain it. No one should interfere with this should we decide to do it.”

He also said the AFP is committed to resupplying military personnel manning

SC...

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The High Court said it was putting the focus on the real evil instead — the accumulation of ill-gotten wealth — by allowing simple errors to be weeded out.

The failure to comply with the SALN law has led to the ouster of two chief justices: Renato Corona, who was impeached and convicted in 2012 for failure to disclose assets in his SALNs, and Maria Lourdes Serenowho was ousted in 2018 on a quo warranto petition due to nonfiling of SALNs.

Justice Leonen himself faced an impeachment complaint before the House of Representatives over his supposed failure to file SALNs. It was dismissed, 44-2, due to the complainant's lack of personal knowledge and the absence of authentic documents. The new SC decision on SALN is on top of a 2020 Ombudsman circular which limited access to SALNs to the public offi-

DepEd:...

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to five: 1) Language 2) Reading and Literacy 3) Mathematics 4) Makabansa (Nationalism) and 5) GMRC (Good Manners and Right Conduct).

In the present system, there are seven identified foundational skills or learning areas for students: 1) mother tongue 2) Filipino 3) English 4) Mathematics 5) Araling Panlipunan (Social Studies) 6) MAPEH (Music, Arts, Physical Education and Health), and 7) Edukasyon sa Pagpapakatao (Peer education).

“There are competencies that repeat. There are competencies that are nice to know but not a ‘must to know’ that is why we aimed for essential learning competencies,” Andaya explained in a press conference. The MATATAG Curriculum will

the South China Sea,” the President said during a courtesy call of outgoing Vietnam Ambassador to the Philippines Hoang Huy Chung.

Mr. Marcos said the agreement “is going to be a very big step” in maritime cooperation between the Philippines

the BRP Sierra Madre and other features in the West Philippine Sea.

Meanwhile, the Philippine Coast Guard Commodore Jay Tarriela said it is important to show loyalty to the country given the current situations, after Chinese ships used water cannons and repeatedly blocked Philippine vessels during a resupply mission to Ayungin Shoal.

“If you are a Filipino, whether in government or private sector, regardless of your politics, defending and making excuses for China's aggressive behavior should deem you unpatriotic, and a traitor to the Philippines and to our people,” Tarriela said in a Twitter post.

“While I recognize freedom of speech as an important right guaranteed by our Constitution, it should not be misused as a means to justify unpatriotic actions by acting as China's mouthpiece,” he said.

On Wednesday, President Ferdinand R. Marcos Jr. also said there is no existing agreement between the Philippines and China to remove BRPSierra Madre from Ayungin Shoal, and said if there was such a deal, he would rescind it.

His remarks came after Beijing earlier claimed that Manila had “repeatedly promised to tow away” the grounded warship from Ayungin Shoal, a feature within the Kalayaan Island Group less than 200 nautical miles off Palawan.

“I’m not aware of any such arrangement or agreement that the Philippines will remove from its own territory its ship, in this case, the BRP Sierra Madre from the Ayungin Shoal,” Mr. Marcos said in a video message released by the Presidential Communications Office.

The President added that he would repeal any commitment to move the ship, should there be an existing agreement between the Philippines and China.

At the same time, Senate President Juan Miguel Zubiri said hesupported the President 100 percent on the issue of the BRP Sierra Madre.

"Make no mistake, Ayungin Shoal is Philippine territory and the Chinese are squatting all around it," Zubiri said.

Senators Francis Escudero and JV Ejercito also aired their support for the President’s stand.

Also on Thursday, Camarines Sur Rep. Luis Raymund Villafuerte supported the passage of a bill that establishes sea lanes in the West Philippine Sea, in accordance with the United Nations Convention on the Law of the Sea (UNCLOS) and the decision of the international arbitral tribunal that threw out China's nine-dash-line claim.

cial who filed it orthe authorized representative, a court, or the Ombudsman’s field investigation units, bureaus, or offices.

In clearing Carlos of dishonesty, the Supreme Court said the government failed to comply with Sec. 10 of RA 6713 or the review and compliance procedure of the Code of Conduct and Ethical Standards for Public Officials and Employees.

Under the provision, a review and compliance committee should check if SALNs submitted are on time, complete, or in proper form.

According to the tribunal, if SALNs are not filed on time, are incomplete, or are not in proper form, the head of the office has five days to inform the public official or employee to correct the deficiency within 30 days.

If he or she fails to comply, only then can a public official or employee be disciplined.

"Unless the review and compliance procedure is followed, the violation does not arise. Consequently, if there is no violation, there is no liability," the SC said.

be implemented in School Year 20242025 for Kindergarten, Grades 1, 4, and 7. In SY 2025-2026, Grades 2, 5, and 8 will be under the new curriculum with Grades 3, 6, and 9 in SY 2026-2027. Grade 10 learners will join them in SY 2027-2028, the department added.

Andaya also said kindergarten learning will use “play-based approach” and formal subjects will only begin at grade 1.

Here are the subjects for each grade

level: Grade 1: Language, Reading and Literacy, Mathematics, Makabansa, GMRC Grade 2: Filipino, English, Mathematics, Makabansa, GMRC

Grade 3: Filipino, English, Mathematics, Makabansa, GMRC, Science Grades 4-10: Filipino, English, Mathematics, Science, Araling Panlipunan, Technology and Livelihood Education, MAPEH, GMRC. (See full story online at manilastandard.net)

and Vietnam.

The ambassador said Vietnam President Vo Van Thuong extended his gratitude to President Marcos and the Philippine government for working closely with them, especially on their common interest in the West Philippine Sea and the prevention of further incidents in the Philippine waters.

“And President, Vietnam, we have very respect for your thought that you are a friend to all, none enemy,” Chung told Mr. Marcos. Meanwhile, the President met with Zimbabwe's non-resident Ambassador-Designate to the Philippines, both sides eyeing to

Tulfo:...

From A1 time? What if they are the members of the People's Liberation Army or members of the Chinese intelligence community gathering information?" he said.

"Therefore our national security is being threatened or it could be compromised already," Tulfo added.

The lawmaker expressed support to the decision of President Ferdinand Marcos to suspend the reclamation projects pending a thorough review.

"I support, and even our Speaker (Martin Romualdez), the move of PBBM to suspend the Manila Bay reclamation pending a thorough review of the said projects," Tulfo said.

Deputy Speaker and Batangas Rep. Ralph Recto shared Tulfo's views.

"There is a gold rush in reclamation. President BBM has every right to sift through the sand and find out which are beneficial to the people, the government, the economy, and which are not," Recto said.

"Reclamation per se is not bad. Netherlands is built on land reclaimed from the sea. Tiny Singapore enlarged its real estate footprint through judicious reclamation. Manila port, Roxas

Speaker:...

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the proposed 2024 budget on time, noting the Department of Budget and Management managed to submit it 20 days earlier than the constitutional deadline.

“I am confident that the House of Representatives will be able to deliberate and pass the national budget on time and transmit the same to the Senate. I can assure everyone that the House of Representatives will not take a break until and unless we have passed this very important legislation,” he added.

Given the five-week deadline, Romualdez exhorted all House members to actively participate in the budget deliberations.

Romualdez stressed that in its exercise of the power of the purse, it is the duty of the House to completely scrutinize the proposed 2024 national budget to ensure it would sustain the gains of the past year and support the priorities identified under the eight-point socioeconomic agenda and the Philippine Development Plan 2023-2028.

“The budget deliberations are a meticulous exercise that requires accuracy, objectivity, and most of all, transparency,” he said.

A briefing given by members of the administration’s economic team on the proposed budget marked the beginning of hearings on the budget proposal that President Ferdinand Marcos Jr. submitted to Congress.

It was conducted by Finance Secretary Benjamin Diokno, Budget Secretary Amenah Pangandaman, National Economic and Development Authority Secretary Arsenio Balisacan, and Bangko Sentral ng Pilipinas Gov. Eli Remolona.

Ako Bicol Rep. Elizaldy Co, chairman

DENR...

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their ecological impact that may affect future generations. President Marcos earlier this week said all reclamation projects in Manila Bay except one have been suspended due to problems in their implementation but did not say what the exception was.

“Until we can get a very good sense of

explore stronger bilateral relations.

The President welcomed Ambassador Constance Chemwayi, who will be based in Malaysia, to the Malacañang Palace for the presentation of her credentials.

"I hope that we will find many things to explore. I hope that your coming today will be the beginning of that close ties," President Marcos told Chemwayi.

The President affirmed that the Philippines and Vietnam have a good solid agreement that is beneficial for both counties, making it easier for them to face the “common challenges” “when it comes to territorial disputes in the South China Sea.”

(See full story online at manilastandard.net)

Wealth of PH’s 50 richest rises to $80 billion

THE combined wealth of tycoons in the Philippines’ 50 Richest list of Forbes magazine rose by 11 percent to $80 billion this year from $72 billion in 2022.

Forbes said the increase in their combined wealth happened as the Philippine economy marked two years of continuous expansion since the COVID-19 pandemic.

More than half of those on the list are wealthier this year.

The children of the late tycoon Henry Sy retained the top spot: the net worth of Teresita Sy Coson, Henry Sy Jr., and Hans, Herbert and Harley grew by $1.8 billion to $14.4 billion.

The SM empire's share also "jumped 19 percent from a year ago amid a rebound in consumer spending," Forbes said.

Real estate tycoon and former Senator Manuel Villar was second-richest with a net worth of $9.7 billion on the back of a resilient housing market.

Ports magnate Enrique Razon remained at the third spot as his wealth grew to $8.1 billion.

Forbes said Razon's shares in his International Container Terminal Services increased 24 percent from 2022 due to improvements in supply chains.

San Miguel Corporation president Ramon Ang climbed five spots to the fourth place with a near 40-percent hike to $3.4 billion.

In the fifth spot was Jollibee's Tony Tan Caktiong, whose net worth grew to $3.2 billion.

Boulevard, the CCP Complex were once under water."

"But due to ecological impact it creates, which could ripple inland if it causes a dam effect that could seasonally flood low lying communities, reclamation project is held to a higher bar of standards and compliance," Recto added.

As this developed, the Senate is looking into the possibility of allocating confidential intelligence funds to the Philippine Coast Guard.

"We have an open mind in granting PCG CIF (confidential and intelligence funds) up to a reasonable amount," Senator Koko Pimentel said.

"We will bring this up during the budget deliberations," he added. PCG spokesperson for the National Task Force-West Philippine Sea Commodore Jay Tarriela said the PCG's intelligence fund has been limited to only P10 million since 2009.

"With what is happening right now in the West Philippine Sea, with the magnitude of the function of the Coast Guard, not to mention the maritime safety, and maritime environmental protection, it is important for the Philippine Coast Guard to receive a larger intelligence fund to support our operations," Tarriela said.

of the House committee on appropriations, vowed to comply with Romualdez's directive to speed up the approval of the budget.

Co said his committee will judiciously deliberate on the money measure, citing "the pivotal responsibility” it holds.

The P5.768-trillion proposed budget is equivalent to 21.7 percent of the country’s gross domestic product (GDP) and is 9.5 percent higher than the 2023 national budget of P5.268 trillion.

Diokno updated the lawmakers on the government’s fiscal and revenue collection performances and presented sources of funding for the national budget.

The Secretary thanked the House for passing their versions of the priority reforms such as excise tax on single-use plastics (SUPs), Passive Income and Financial Intermediary Taxation Act (PIFITA), Real Property Valuation and Assessment Reform (RPVAR), value-added tax (VAT) on digital service providers, and ease of paying taxes.

He said tax revenue is projected to increase from P3.5 trillion in 2023 to P6.5 trillion in 2028, while non-tax revenues are expected to grow from P191 billion in 2023 to P184 billion in 2028. Pangandaman presented an overview of the national budget, which she said was optimized for ready-to-implement projects, programs, and activities that have to be executed within 2024.

By sector, Social Services will still have the largest share in the budget at P2.183 trillion or 37.9 percent. This is followed by Economic Services (P1.709 trillion or 29.6 percent), General Public Services (P893.3 billion or 15.5 percent), Debt Burden (P699.2 billion or 12.1 percent), and Defense (P282.7 billion or 4.9 percent). (See full story online at manilastandard.net)

what scientifically is going to happen in this area, and until we can get a very good sense of how the rule of law can be followed in this area, we want to proceed with much caution,” Yulo-Loyzaga said.

"The declaration is really that all of these projects are suspended at this point. So all are under review, we have to take our time, really beginning with those that are ongoing because they're in fact already impacting the areas and then we will graduate to all those in fact still not yet begun," Loyzaga said in a

EG.5, top COVID strain in US, now in local shores too

A FAST-SPREADING new subvariant of the coronavirus that causes Covid-19 — nicknamed “Eris” by health watchers but formally known as EG.5 — recently became the most prevalent strain in the United States, according to recent official estimates, though it does not appear to cause significant illness or pose immediate danger.

According to a Center for Disease Control estimate from Saturday, the EG.5 variant makes up approximately 17 percent of all Covid cases in the US, making it the most dominant strain of the disease.

That number is an increase from the roughly 12 percent share of EG.5-variant cases among all strains in a July 22 calculation. The variant has also been reported in several countries.

There are now 12 confirmed cases of Omicron subvariant EG.5 in the Philippines, the Department of Health said in its bio-surveillance report from July 26 to August 1.

A Reuters report previously said the World Health Organization (WHO) categorized the Omicron sub-variant as a "variant of interest.'' (See full story online at manilastandard.net)

GDP...

From A1 forecast of 6.0 percent and the slowest since 2011, excluding the years 2020 and 2021 when the COVID-19 pandemic smashed the economy, Bloomberg said.

The economy grew by a 46-year high of 7.6 percent in 2022 on the reopening of the economy to greater normalcy.

The government's economic management team said second-quarter growth was underpinned by increased tourism spending and commercial investment.

But the pace was "tempered by high commodity prices, the lagged effects of interest rate hikes, the contraction in government spending, and slower global economic growth", they said in a statement.

In an online briefing, National Economic and Development Authority Secretary Arsenio Balisacan said to achieve at least the lower end of the target range, the economy must grow by 6.6 percent in the second half.

"Notwithstanding the challenges, we believe this is still attainable," Balisacan said. With AFP (See full story online at manilastandard.net)

Palace press briefing.

Meanwhile, House Deputy Speaker and Batangas Rep. Ralph Recto said:

“Every policy has a reverse gear. By pausing Manila Bay reclamation activities, the President, as of the moment, merely placed it on neutral.”

“It is safe to assume that this is not in Manila Bay alone – the dumped sand you see there is just the tip of the iceberg – but all over the country,” Recto said in a statement. (See full story online at manilastandard.net)

PH-VIETNAM TIES. President Ferdinand R. Marcos Jr. thanked Vietnamese Ambassador Hoang Huy Chung for his service as his country's envoy to Manila in a farewell call at Malacanang on Thursday. PCO Photo

PNP: No cover-up in cops’ fatal shooting of Navotas teenager

By Vince Lopez

THE National Capital Region Police Office (NCRPO)

on Thursday assured that there will be no cover-up in the investigation into the killing of a teenager in a police operation in Navotas City, noting that the involved policemen have already admitted their mistake.

In an interview, NCRPO director Brig. Gen. Jose Melencio Nartatez Jr. assured that there is no other motive in the death of 17-year-old Jerhode Jemboy Baltazar and that the fatal shooting was purely a mistake on the part of the police.

The six policemen are already behind bars and are already facing crimi-

P55m earmarked for science school in Bangsamoro

COTABATO CITY—The Ministry of Science and Technology in the Bangsamoro Autonomous Region in Muslim Mindanao (MOST-BARMM) said it will earmark P55 million in parliamentary appropriation in 2024 for the development of a Bangsamoro Science High School.

MOST Minister Aida Silongan said on Wednesday that the initial development budget has been approved at the level of the Bangsamoro Transitional Authority (BTA) Parliament’s Committees on Finance and Budget, and of Science and Technology.

Silongan said the approval followed the BTA Parliament’s Science and Technology committee’s consultative meeting with experts in Manila on how to develop a science high school for the region’s potential science learners.

The proposed funding provision has been approved by the Parliament’s Finance Committee under Minister Eduard Uy Guerra, and the Committee on Science and Technology, chaired by Member of the Parliament Suharto Esmael.

At the Manila public hearing, essential concerns were raised and discussed, including drafting of science high school curriculum, structural (building) component, laboratory facilities and equipment, identifying a “suitable location,” faculty development, scholarship programs for students, and collaboration between the Department of Science and Technology and MOST.

Experience educators in the Bangsamoro region, including Cotabato City and Marawi City, have noted that the most challenging part in establishing a specialized college department or institution is the faculty development, particularly, on having to gather people with “utmost determination and institutional commitment” to advancement in specific fields of discipline in natural science for young learners.

It was not clear, however, as to whether MOST might consider starting a separate “development nucleus” for a science high school, or to develop it alongside existing Bangsamoro learning institutions.

The latter option may provide easier way through development of teaching staff via a faculty outreach development program in areas close in terms of geographic proximity to any proposed site of proposed science high school in BARMM, according to another educator-observer.

Nash B. Maulana

Fuel subsidies for PUV drivers to counter oil hike

By Rio N. Araja

nal charges of reckless imprudence resulting in homicide, Nartatez said.

To avoid similar incidents, Nartatez said the NCRPO will strengthen programs to continue educating their personnel, especially on the rules of engagement and patrolling.

The Internal Affairs Service (IAS)

of the Philippine National Police (PNP) will expedite the fact-finding investigation of the case. IAS Inspector General Alfegar Triambulo said they expect to release their recommendation in the first week of September. He said the involved policemen will be asked to submit their counter-affidavit.

PNP Public Information Office chief Brig. Gen. Redrico Maranan said a police executive master sergeant, three staff sergeants, two corporals, and one patrolman involved in the incident are now facing administrative and criminal charges of reckless imprudence resulting in homicide.

Maranan said the police officers conducted a pursuit operation on Aug. 2 in

response to a murder incident when they chanced upon Baltazar who was then on board a boat. The police said they commanded Baltazar and his companion to surrender. However, he allegedly jumped into the river prompting law enforcers to fire at him which resulted in his death.

The police officers later admitted that Baltazar was not the suspect they were looking for but a certain Reynaldo Bolivar.

Navotas City Mayor Joh Rey Tiangco extended his condolences to the family of the victim, saying that “We are deeply saddened by the wrongful death of a 17-year-old Navoteño who was shot by members of the Navotas police due to mistaken identity.” With Vito Barcelo and Joel Zurbano

T HE Land Transportation Franchis -

ing and Regulatory Board (LTFRB)

on Thursday said at least 1.3 million public utility vehicle (PUV) drivers and operators will receive fuel subsidies from the government amid the escalating prices of pump fuels.

LTFRB executive director Robert Peig said the Department of Budget and Management is expected to release the budget allocation for the fuel subsidy before August ends.

Those to receive the subsidies included drivers and operators of jeepneys, buses, taxis, shuttle services, school services, tourist services, transport network vehicles, tricycles, and delivery riders nationwide, he said.

According to Peig, a modern jeepney would get P10,000; modern UV express, P10,000; traditional jeepney, P6,500; school/shuttle/tourist service/ transport network vehicle service, P6,500; delivery rider; P1,200, and tricycle driver, P1,000.

Fuel cards would be released to the beneficiaries being regulated by LTFRB, he said.

Those under the local government units will get their subsidies through e-wallets from the Department of Information and Communications Technology, and Department of Trade and Industry.

The LTFRB would release the subsidies to the franchise holders who should pass on the subsidies to the drivers because they are the ones who pay for the fuel.

The country’s oil firms raised pump prices by P4 per liter for diesel, kerosene by P2.75 per liter and gasoline by P0.50 per liter effective 6 a.m. today (Tuesday) to reflect the movement of prices in the world oil market.

It is also the fifth straight week of increases for diesel and kerosene and the fourth in a row for gasoline.

Belmonte gets Presidential Lingkod Bayan Award in NCR from Civil Service body

QUEZON City Mayor Joy Belmonte has received the Civil Service Commission’s (CSC) Presidential Lingkod Bayan Award in the National Capital Region under the CSC’s 2023 Search for Outstanding Government Workers program.

“I thank the CSC for this recognition. But this is not just for me alone but for all workers at the Quezon City govern-

ment who are giving their best to serve all of our QCitizens,” she said.

“If not for them, we cannot achieve this special recognition that only proves of our effective and beneficial programs and projects,” she added.

The certificate, issued on May 19, was presented last Wednesday. Established by virtue of Executive

Order No. 508 if 1992, the Presidential Lingkod Bayan Award is an award for outstanding work performance and contributors with national impact.

According to the CSC process, the names of the regional winners would then be forwarded to the Honor Awards Program National Secretariat for review before a national qualifier would be determined.

Several city government officials, led by City Administrator Michael Alimurung, were also nominated for the Pagasa Award, along with Chief of Staff Rowena Macatao, Business Permits and Licensing Department head Margarita Santos, city engineer Dale Perral and city treasurer Edgar Villanueva. Rio N. Araja

PNP probes Taguig shooting; no sanctions filed against officers involved in incident

By Vince Lopez

THE Philippine National Police (PNP) on Wednesday vowed to conduct a thorough investigation into the shooting incident at the Taguig City Police Station which resulted in the death of a police officer.

The Southern Police District (SPD) announced that there will be no sanction to be imposed against police personnel involved in the said shooting incident.

Police Executive Master Sgt. Heriberto Saguiped was killed, while Chief Master Sgt. Al-Rakib Aguell and Corporal Alison Sindac were injured in the shooting incident that took place inside the Taguig City Police Station’s Community Affairs Section where they are all assigned.

PNP Public Information Office chief Police Brigadier General Redrico Maranan said in a press statement that PNP “will explore every avenue to

BOC, US Homeland strengthen ties vs. smuggling

THE Bureau of Customs - Ninoy Aquino International Airport has strengthened its partnership with the United States Homeland Security to help crack down on drug smuggling in the Philippines.

In a meeting hosted by NAIA district collector Yasmin Mapa, representatives from the US Homeland Security Investigation Team discussed measures and future collaborations in the fight against the illegal importation of contraband.

Mapa described the meeting with Acting Attache Victor Grigoryan, Assistant Attache Roldan Vasquez, Foreign Service National Investigator Captain Evangeline Morales, and Foreign Service National Investigator Denver Langaman as productive, saying the bureau is optimistic about the progress they can make in the government’s anti-drug campaign.

“The US Homeland Security Investigation team vowed to continue their partnership and collaboration for border security and improvement of international cooperation aligned with the reforms implemented by Customs Commissioner Bienvenido Rubio,” said Mapa.Joel E. Zurbano

DOLE vows to respect workers’ rights

THE Department of Labor and Employment (DOLE) vowed to support workers’ fundamental right to freedom of association and the right to collective bargaining while also fulfilling its role in the whole-of-nation approach to end local communist armed conflict.

In a statement, the DOLE said that these rights are fundamental human rights and they also promote sound labor market governance and can contribute to addressing inequality and poverty.

Labor Secretary Bienvenido Laguesma made the remarks during the meeting with the National Task Force to End Local Communist Armed Conflict (NTF-ELCAC) to promote a common understanding of the freedom of association and strengthen areas of convergence in implementing NTFELCAC initiatives.

IN BRIEF

MMDA hauls 138 tons of trash from Manila Bay

THE Metropolitan Manila Development Authority (MMDA) on Thursday reported it was able to remove up to 138 tons of garbage in Manila Bay.

The cleanup operation, according to MMDA chief Romando Artes, was conducted between July 1 and Aug. 5 and covered a wide range of waste materials that were washed ashore due to the heavy rains brought by typhoons and monsoons in recent weeks.

Majority of the collected garbage from the bay were bamboo poles and driftwood which had been carried by currents from nearby fish pens, water hyacinths, plastics, household waste, and sorts of garbage thrown indiscriminately into esteros and creeks, the official said.

Aside from hauling garbage, MMDA workers are focusing on cleaning major drainages to prevent garbage and silt from polluting the bay.

“While the men and women of MMDA are working hard to keep our environment clean, we should also do our part in being responsible in the environment,” said Artes in his appeal to the public.

The Manila Bay rehabilitation program was spearheaded by the Department of Environment, and National Resources, with MMDA, various government agencies, local government units, private groups, environmentalists and volunteers.

The Manila Bay cleanup organized by the MMDA had also registered at least 19,000 volunteers who joined the incessant clean-up activities in Manila Baywalk and Baseco.Joel E. Zurbano

bring clarity to this isolated event. Our collective assurance is that justice will be diligently pursued and unequivocally served.” Maranan described the incident as “depressing.” He also extended his sympathies to the family of the victim.

According to Taguig police commander Col. Robert Baesa, the incident appears to have started from a disagreement that escalated.

Witnesses from Taguig City Hall reported that the disagreement started when the Saguiped offered pork ‘sinigang’ to Aguell who was a Muslim. Sindac, who intervened to calm the situation, was also shot by Aguell but managed to return fire.

The three were brought to the nearest hospital but Saguiped was declared dead on arrival, while the two were given medical aid. Aguell could also face murder charges, he added.

With Joel E. Zurbano

Laguesma said the department upholds its partnership with the NTFELCAC and recognizes its efforts in fulfilling its mandate to end local communist armed conflicts. He assured the department’s continued support to the NTF-ELCAC, specifically concerning its programs on labor education, livelihood training, and employment facilitation.Vito Barcelo

TRAVEL MADNESS CONFERENCE. Photo shows (from left to right) DOTr Secretary Jaime Bautista; Pacific Asia Travel Association Philippines chair Maria Paz Alberto,; CAB Executive Director Atty. Carmelo  Arcilla; and Philippine Airlines VP Sales Bud Britanico at the Travel Madness 2023 conference held at the Mall of Asia.

EXPENSIVE DRIED FISH. A seller displays dried fish and other products in a stall in Quiapo, Manila. The recent typhoons caused the prices of some food items to rise by up to P100 pesos per kilo. Norman Cruz

PREP WORK. Teachers from the Mataas na Paaralang  Neptali A. Gonzales clean and paint the school’s fences to kick off “Brigada Eskwela” activities in preparation for the opening of classes at the end of the month. Manny Palmero

Sandigan junks Napoles’ appeal to reverse ruling on graft raps

THE Sandiganbayan has affirmed the conviction of the so-called “pork barrel queen,” businesswoman Janet Lim Napoles on two counts of malversation and two counts of graft.

In addition to this case, Napoles is also facing several other graft and malversation of public funds charges in connection with the misuse of the pork barrel programs of legislators.

The case on hand involved the P7.6 million worth of discretionary funds of then Davao del Sur Rep. Douglas Cagas.

In a 13-page resolution promulgated on August 8, the anti-graft court’s Second Division denied the appeal of Napoles to reverse its May 2023 decision for lack of merit.

The court said the testimony of prosecution witness and Napoles’ bagman Benhur Luy was corroborated by AntiMoney Laundering Council representative Leigh Vhon Santos.

“The AMLC Inquiry Report complements the testimony of Luy that (non-government organizations) CARED and PSDFI, as well as several other nongovernment organizations involved in the PDAF scheme are owned, controlled, and/or operated by accused Napoles, and that accused Napoles gave public officials commissions, rebates, or kickbacks for endorsing her NGOs to receive PDAF,” the Sandigan noted.

“It is crystal clear that there is adequate credible evidence, testimonial and documentary, warranting the conviction beyond reasonable doubt of accused-movant Napoles. On the other hand, there was no iota of proof that would directly contradict her established guilt. In fact, she did not even present any evidence in her defense,” the anti-graft court added.

Each malversation conviction on the case carries a jail time of 12 to 17 years, while each graft conviction is punishable with six to 10 years jail time. Napoles is currently held at the Correctional Institution for Women in Mandaluyong City on a plunder conviction.

In February 2021, the Sandiganbayan also convicted Napoles, former Cagayan de Oro Rep. Constantino Jaraula and three others on three counts of graft and three counts of malversation for pocketing at least P19.2 million of the lawmaker’s PDAF.

Maricel V. Cruz

House passes new National Building Code mandating disaster-resilient structures

By Maricel V. Cruz

THE House of Representatives has approved on third and final reading House Bill (HB) 8500 mandating the country’s proposed new National Building Code.

Speaker Ferdinand Martin Romualdez said if enacted, the new law would “protect the public against multiple hazards like fire, weather disturbances, and earthquake better than ou existing building law and regulations.”

He said the present building code, embodied in Presidential Decree (PD) 1096, was enacted on Feb. 19, 1977, or more than 46 years ago, by then President Ferdinand Marcos Sr.

“Many developments in building standards and technologies, climate change, and disaster risk reduction and management have since taken place. It’s time that we update our law under the second Marcos administration,” he said on the measure which was approved with an overwhelming 266 votes.

He added that “a single life or structure we can save is more than worth the time, money, and effort we have put in keeping

our building law abreast with best practices and regulations.”

HB 8500 is titled, “An Act regulating the planning, design, construction, occupancy, maintenance, and demolition of buildings, promoting building resilience against earthquake, fire, flood, landslide, storm, volcanic eruption, and multiple hazards within an all-hazards approach to resilience building, enacting a new Philippine Building Act, repealing for the purpose Republic Act No. 6541, “An Act to ordain and institute a National Building Code of the Philippines,” and Presidential Decree No. 1096, otherwise known as the “National Building Code of the Philippines.”

The bill’s short title is, “New Philippine Building Act.”

The measure was a consolidation of

10 related measures, two of which were authored by Rep. Romeo Momo Sr. of Surigao del Sur and Rep. Salvador Pleyto Sr. of Bulacan, who were both former undersecretary of the Department of Public Works and Highways.

“We have to make our buildings withstand a magnitude 8 earthquake,” Pleyto said, adding that buildings should be “resilient against earthquakes, fire, flood, landslide, storm, volcano, and multiple hazards.”

He said PD 1096) has to be repealed. “We have been using this obsolete law,” Pleyto noted.

He said the New Philippine Building Act which would make edifices more durable, especially in view of the fact that the country is hit by numerous disasters every year.

IN BRIEF

IBP seeks comments on CA top post race

THE Integrated Bar of the Philippines (IBP) has encouraged its members to participate and submit their views or comments on the seven applicants for presiding justice of the Court of Appeals (CA) vice Presiding Justice Remedios A. Salazar-Fernando who is set to retire this coming Sept. 2.

The Judicial and Bar Council (JBC) had announced the names of the applicants for the CA presiding justice post.

They are CA Associate Justices Nina G. Antonio-Valenzuela, Ramon M. Bato Jr., Apolinario D. Bruselas Jr., Mariflor P. Castillo, Marlene B. Gonzales-Sison, Fernanda Lampas-Peralta, and Edwin D. Sorongon.

In its social media post, the IBP said “the survey on applicants to the Office of the Presiding Justice of the Court of Appeals is open until Aug. 11, 2023.”

“JBC welcomes your thoughts, concerns, or comments,” the IBP said, as the applicants to the post are set for public interviews by the JBC. Rey E. Requejo

MULTI-SECTOR AGRI PROJECT LAUNCH. Government o cials, members of the diplomatic corps, and military top brass lead the launch of “Water is Life: Agri Reforestation” project at the Hardin ng Lunas of the Army’s Armor Division headquarters in Camp O’Donnell, Capas, Tarlac. Among those in photo are Defense Secretary Gilbert Teodoro Jr., Environment and Natural Resources Secretary Maria Antonia Yulo-Loyzaga, Tarlac Heritage Foundation founder Isabel Cojuangco-Suntay and co-founder Dr. Isa Suntay, Armed Forces of the Philippines chief Gen. Romeo Brawner, Philippine Army chief Lt. Gen. Roy Galido, and Armor Division commander Maj. Gen. Facundo Palafox. Lino Santos

Chiz dares ROTC proponents to validate claims NSTP failed

By Macon Ramos-Araneta

SENATOR Francis Escudero has asked

the proponents of Senate Bill 2034 to present a scientific study to validate their claim that the current National Service Training Program (NSTP) was a “total failure” hence, the proposal to replace it with the reinstatement of the Reserve Officers’ Training Corps (ROTC) program.

The senator said a formal study based on facts was necessary to convince the public that there was a need to scrap the NSTP, which was created under Republic Act 9613, making ROTC a mandatory requirement for all students.

Solon vows to solve MUP pension poser

THE chairman of the House Committee on Appropriations has vowed to find a “viable solution” to the Military and Uniformed Personnel (MUP) Pension problem before the yearend or when Congress adjourns in December. Rep. Elizaldy Co made the statement as he rallied behind Speaker Ferdinand Martin Romualdez for a swift passage of the Marcos Jr. administration’s priority bills, including the MUP measure.

that the NSTP Law has failed, a conclusion that he strongly supports.

However, he pointed out that if the bill were to be passed into law, this should be backed up by formal studies and not just some informal statements from pro-ROTC advocates.

“Can the gentleman furnish me a copy of a study, not merely the position of the (CHED) chairman, but a study that says NSTP actually failed,” said Escudero, chair of the Senate Committee on Higher, Technical and Vocational Education.

“As the Chairman of the House Committee on Appropriations, it is my utmost duty to work in collaboration with Speaker Romualdez and our esteemed colleagues to ensure that the priority bills gain the momentum they deserve. These bills hold the key to our nation’s progress and prosperity,” Co said.

“I assure everyone that, before the end of 2023, we will find a viable solution to issues surrounding the MUP Pension that benefits everyone involved,” he added. Maricel V. Cruz

ROAD PAVERS. Workers from the Department of Public Works and Highways add another layer of asphalt on Roxas Blvd. to repair the damages caused by the recent typhoons. Norman Cruz

During yesterday’s interpellation at the plenary session, Sen. Ronald Dela Rosa, the bill’s sponsor, said the Commission on Higher Education (CHED) has determined

In defending SB 2034, Dela Rosa asserted that the NSTP law failed because “it is not producing the needed reserved force of the Armed Forces of the Philippines (AFP) and it fails to achieve its envisioned goal, which is to organize a national reserve corps that can also be mobilized in times of disaster and calamities.”

House panels to detain Cagayan administrator for contempt

THE House joint committees on public accounts, and suffrage and electoral reforms have ordered the detention for contempt of Cagayan provincial administrator lawyer Maria Rosario Mamba Villaflor in connection with the alleged misuse of public funds during the 2022 elections. At the same time, the joint committee gave Cagayan Gov. Manuel Mamba until August 10 to explain why he should not be likewise cited in contempt for failure to attend the congressional inquiry despite several invitations sent to him The joint panel, chaired by ABANG

LINGKOD party-list Rep. Joseph Stephen Paduano and Mountain Province Rep. Maximo Dalog Jr, respectively, has been conducting hearings on the alleged “open and massive distribution of cash and other forms of assistance to registered voters and barangays in Cagayan during the prohibited period from March 25, 2022 to May 9, 2022.

Congress has the power to cite in contempt resource persons invited in committee meetings if they are deemed uncooperative or evasive during congressional inquiries. Contempt of the Congress may be penalized

by indefinite detention at the premises of the House of Representatives.

During the hearing, legislators led by Paduano were disappointed with Villaflor for preventing 10 Cagayan provincial officials to attend the joint inquiry last Monday to shed light on the issue.

The concerned Cagayan provincial officers were Vita Vergara, Catalino Arugay, Maritel Bautista, Kristine Reyes, Ma. Anita Obispo, Amelia Manalo, Rosario Mandac, Heracleo Dumapal, Roselle Buncad, Daisy Baguisi, and lawyer Rogelio Taliping.

LTO chief vows to end ‘palakasan’, weed out fixers

By Rio N. Araja

LAND Transportation Office (LTO) chief

Vigor Mendoza II on Thursday vowed to protect the integrity of the agency from the bad image that haunted it over the years, such as the “palakasan system” aggravated by the presence of fixers.

He cited the mandate of Transportation

Secretary Jaime Bautista on the need to protect the integrity of the LTO from individuals tainting its image by boasting

that they could bend the rules of all transactions through their connections.

Mendoza was reacting to the arrest of a 37-year-old Muntinlupa City resident after posing as a liaison officer from the Office of the President to collect over P500,000 from an applicant for motor vehicle registration. A renewed crackdown was also launched against fixers, resulting in the arrest of nine people during an operation in Novaliches, Quezon City.

Those arrested were identified as Alberth Santos, 31; Archie Sesbreño, 48; Vicente Pinon III, 42; Melvin Reoloso, 39; Markley Naloste, 44; Jeffrey Balsote, 39; Richard Bando, 41; Dexter Tequin, 26, and Ovito Medallo, 57.

“These people have been besmirching our image and integrity in public,” Mendoza stressed.

The agency’s other stakeholders would also be involved in the changes within the LTO.

DPWH starts work on N. Vizcaya road

THE Department of Public Works and Highways (DPWH) has started the construction of the P84 million Bayombong Quezon-Bagabag Diversion Road designed to hasten the delivery of goods and boost the economy in Nueva Vizcaya’s rural areas, particularly the towns of Bayombong and Bagabag.

The committee also declined Villaflor’s excuse that she did not allow the 10 Cagayan provincial officials to attend the congressional hearings, citing “prior scheduled activities, includingthe distribution of financial and relief assistance for Typhoon Egayvictims, as well as the finalization of their post-disaster assessment.”

But it was later found in the hearing that the 10 officials would have wanted to testify as resource persons at the House only if Villaflor signed their travel papers and other documents allowing them to come to Congress. Maricel V. Cruz

DPWH Regional 2 Reynaldo Alconcel said the diversion road project will be a 3.52-kilometer, 2-lane road that will serve as a crucial alternative route for vehicles traveling between Bambang and Bayombong, offering relief from traffic congestion along the existing main highway.

“The construction of this road will not only divert traffic along Maharlika Highway, but also serve as a quick and safe way around it. The project will also greatly benefit the livelihood of residents along the traversed areas,” DPWH Secretary Manuel Bonoan said.

Vito Barcelo

12TH HPV SUMMIT.

Dr.Carmen Auste of the Eliminate Cervical Cancer Movement speaks about the HPV infection and cervical cancer at the opening of the “One Community Against HPV, 12th HPV Summit at Novotel Manila in Araneta Center, Quezon City. HPV Summit is a platform meant to engage all sectors sharing the goal of battling Human Papillomavirus and cervical cancer in the Philippines.

Manny Palmero

Recalling a witness on the stand

EVERY witness presented by a party in court during the presentation of evidence cannot be detained longer than the interest of justice requires (Section 3(2), Rule 132, Rules on Evidence).

A witness cannot be examined after the conclusion of direct, cross, re-direct, and re-cross examinations (Section 4, Rule 132).

“After the examination of a witness by both sides…, the witness cannot be recalled without leave of court. The court will grant or withhold leave in its discretion, as the interests of justice may require” (Section 9, Rule 132).

“The matter of recalling witnesses ordinarily rests in the discretion of the trial court, and under the facts and circumstances of particular cases, such discretion has been held not to be abused by permitting or refusing to permit the recall of a witness” (Evidence, Francisco citing 98 C.J.S. 104-105).

“[D]iscretion… is not properly invoked… by an applicant’s mere general statement that there is a need to recall a witness ‘in the interest of justice,’ or ‘… to afford a party full opportunity to present his case,’ or that… ‘there seems to be many points and questions that should have been asked’ in the earlier interrogation” (People v. Judge Rivera, G.R. 98376, August 16, 1991).

“To regard expressed generalities such as these as sufficient ground for recall of witnesses would make the recall of witness no longer discretionary but ministerial. Something more than the bare assertion of the need to propound additional questions is essential before the Court’s discretion may rightfully be exercised to grant or deny [the] recall” (G.R. 98376, August 16, 1991).

“There must be a satisfactory showing of some concrete, substantial ground for the recall [such as]… that particularly identified material points were not covered in the cross-examination, or that particularly described vital documents were not presented to the witness whose recall is prayed for, or that the cross-examination was conducted in so inept a manner…”(G.R. 98376, August 16, 1991).

Party-list system reform

marginalized and underrepresented sector.

cross examination by the same defense counsel, and thereafter allowed to step down” (G.R. 98376, August 16, 1991).

“The prosecution completed presentation of its evidence-in-chief in due course. But before it could rest its case, and two months or so after Benjamin Lee had completed his testimony, the defendant’s original counsel, Benjamin Formoso, withdrew his appearance and was substituted by another attorney, Eduardo S. Rodriguez” (G.R. 98376, August 16, 1991).

“The latter then filed a motion on June 8, 1988 to recall Benjamin Lee for further examination.

“The ground relied upon by Atty. Rodriguez was simply that after he had reviewed the record of Benjamin Lee’s testimony, he [concluded] that ‘there seems to be many points and questions that should have been asked but were not propounded by the other defense counsel who conducted (the cross examination)’” (G.R. 98376, August 16, 1991).

The trial court granted the motion to recall Lee for further cross examination.

Efforts were exerted to cause witness Benjamin Lee to again appear before the court, but with no success, since he had terminated his employment and moved elsewhere without indicating his new address (G.R. 98376, August 16, 1991).

Thereafter, the private prosecutor filed a Manifestation and Motion drawing the trial court’s attention to the inability to procure the re-appearance of witness Lee, and that he had been previously thoroughly examined by the former defense counsel, and praying that further examination of Benjamin Lee be dispensed with (G.R. 98376, August 16, 1991).

Library

The trial court denied the motion to dispense with the recall of Benjamin Lee and ordered the testimony of Benjamin Lee for the prosecution be stricken off the record for lack of complete crossexamination, the reason being that the witness could no longer be found, and “the failure of counsel for the accused to further cross-examine the witness is not the fault of the defense” (G.R. 98376, August 16, 1991).

The trial court granted the motion to recall a witness on nothing more than said movant’s general claim that certain questions had to be asked.

DOES anyone still remember when the party-list system was still motivated by a noble intention, that is, to give the poor and the marginalized sectors a voice in policy making?

If we recall right, the 1987 Constitution established the party-list system to give various sectors, such as labor, peasant, urban poor, indigenous cultural communities, women, youth, and “such other sectors as may be provided by law, except the religious sector,” a platform to articulate and defend their interests via the legislative process.

Registered national, regional, and sectoral parties or organizations could run as party-list representatives and constitute 20 percent of the total number of the lower chamber of Congress.

However, a Supreme Court decision in 2013 said the party-list is a system of proportional representation open to various kinds of groups and parties, and not exclusive to marginalized sectors.

National parties or organizations and regional parties or organizations did not need to organize along sectoral lines or to represent any

That SC ruling—which basically turned the constitutional provision on the party-list system on its head—appears to have bastardized the system.

At present, the House of Representatives has 69 members from 66 party-list groups. It is fair to ask: How many of the party list representatives really want to see change for the better in Philippine society?

If democracy is to survive at all in this part of the Pacific, our Congress should have members who always think of the future of this nation, not of the next election

And how many of them have hijacked the system mainly to give themselves power, pelf and privilege at taxpayers’ expense?

As chair of the Senate committee on electoral reforms and people’s participation, Sen. Imee

Economic growth gathers steam

IF KEY indicators are any gauge, the economy has nowhere to go but up in the months ahead.

The country’s inflation rate slid to 4.7 percent in July, the slowest in 15 months or since the 4.9 percent recorded in April 2022, according to the Philippine Statistics Authority.

The continuing decline in the inflation rate, according to experts, is due mainly to slower increases in prices of electricity, home rentals, and liquefied petroleum gas; meat, fish and other seafood, and sugar, confectionery and desserts; as well as road transport and airfares.

This was the sixth straight month that inflation, or the rate of increase in the prices of goods and services that households commonly buy, decelerated.

The employment rate in June was estimated at 95.5 percent.

This was higher than the reported 94.0 percent registered in the same month last year, but slightly lower than 95.7 percent in May 2023.

In terms of magnitude, the number of employed persons was posted at 48.84 million in June 2023, compared to 46.59 million in June 2022.

The number of unemployed persons in June decreased to 2.33 million from 2.99 million in June 2022, posting a year-on-year decline of 663,000.

This is good news for those looking for jobs.

Marcos is pushing for an amendment to the partylist law to prevent a wholesale substitution of party list nominees, which she fears has raised suspicion the system has been subjected to horsetrading.

“The definition of the party list system has become difficult to understand. We have heard nasty observations that this party-list system is for sale and this has been a recurring problem, because it is somehow true,” she said.

“Senators appear as beggars when compared to some party-list lawmakers,” she added. Marcos said senators were now looking at limiting the entry of party list groups to only those that need representation as marginalized sectors, noting how the system has become a backdoor entry for millionaires and members of political dynasties. Among the proposals being considered, she said, was providing the Comelec with longer period within which to verify the existence and track record of party list groups that are up for accreditation, as well as prohibiting groups from making substitutions of their nominees after elections. Will these proposals prosper especially in the lower chamber?

We really don’t know at this point, considering that the party-list bloc wields clout because of their number.

But if democracy is to survive at all in this past of the Pacific, our Congress should have members who always think of the future of this nation, not of the next election.

“In passing on a motion for leave to further [cross-examine witnesses], the trial court must consider the probable probative force of the matter sought to be developed in the light of evidence receive[d], and consider whether the new evidence would probably produce a different result” (Evidence, Francisco citing 98 C.J.S. 123).

“The party recalling the witness should not be obliged to make the witness his own and thus be deprived of the right to impeach him” (Evidence, Francisco citing State v. Rodriguez, 23 N.M. 156).

“The recalling of a witness for the purpose of impeachment is a matter resting in the discretion of the trial court…; a party cannot claim the privilege of recalling a witness for… impeachment as a matter of right (Evidence, Francisco citing 98 C.J.S. 383).

“The court may limit the scope of the examination of a recalled witness, and the examination must be limited to the matters concerning which leave to re-examine the witness has been granted.

“The scope and limits of the examination on recall are within the discretion of the trial court” (Evidence, Francisco citing 98 C.J.S. 105).

In the case of People v. Judge Rivera, et al., the Government, to establish the culpability of Wilfredo Sembrano, presented Benjamin Lee, a room boy of the restaurant and bath.

Lee testified on direct examination that Sembrano had run out of the VIP room where the fire had started and refused to heed his call to stop …(G.R. 98376, August 16, 1991).

“Lee took the witness stand again on April 26, 1987 during which he was cross-examined by defense counsel, gave additional evidence on redirect examination, was again questioned on re-

By Victor Caballero

BEING four years into service, so far, as a distribution utility in Iloilo City, More Electric and Power Corporation (MORE Power) already has technology that can match big players in the power industry.

It’s certainly a newbie.

But MORE Power is bullish, aggressive, and unstoppable as it remains committed to its mission of modernizing the country’s energy industry—all for the benefit of the people, the economy, and the entire country.

Recently, MORE Power entered into a tripartite agreement between the Energy Regulatory Commission (ERC) and Iloilo City LGU.

The agreement aims to promote the use of renewable energy in the city by moving to the Net-Metering Program and Distributed Energy Resources (DER) to further reduce electricity costs and greenhouse gas emissions.

The increase in the use of renewable energy is one of the salient points mentioned by President Ferdinand Marcos Jr in his State of the Nation

Address on July 24.

Currently, there are only two distribution utilities that ERC has partnered with for Renewable Energy Adoption.

Aside from MORE Power, it also partnered with Manila Electric Company (Meralco).

In doing so it acted without basis, exercised power whimsically or capriciously, and gravely abused its discretion (G.R. 98376, August 16, 1991).c

In the same manner, the trial court “acted whimsically, capriciously, and oppressively, in other words, gravely abused its discretion, in ordering the striking out of the entire testimony of Benjamin Lee after it appeared that he could no longer be found and produced for further examination” (G.R. 98376, August 16, 1991).

“In the first place, the Court acted unilaterally, without any motion to this effect by the defense and thus without according the prosecution a prior opportunity to show why the striking out should not be decreed.

“More importantly, the striking out was directed without any showing [whatsoever] by the defense of the indispensability of further crossexamination…” (G.R. 98376, August 16, 1991).

“It should be stressed that Lee was subjected both to cross-examination and recrossexamination by former counsel of the accused Sembrano.

“Obviously, the latter was satisfied that there had been sufficient cross-examination of the witness [and] [a]bsence of cross-examination may not therefore be invoked as ground to strike out Lee’s testimony (as being hearsay)” (G.R.98376, August 16, 1991).

In the case of Castillo, et al. v. Sebullina and Torres, “the trial judge directed counsel for the plaintiffs to recall the witnesses whose testimony had already been taken at the former hearing; but this counsel declined to do [so], insisting on their right to rely upon the transcript of the notes of the testimony already taken” (G.R. 9181, September 29, 1915). Full text at www.manilastandard.net

The July figure is below the private-sector analysts’ median estimate of 4.9 percent but within the forecast range for the month of the Bangko Sentral ng Pilipinas (BSP), which was 4.1 percent to 4.9 percent.

According to Finance Secretary Benjamin Diokno, “we are over the hump.”

For the BSP, the July figure brings the average since January at 6.8 percent, which is still much higher than its target full-year average of within 2 percent to 4 percent.

But it expects the monthly readout to ease into the target band toward the end of the year, and likely even go below the lower-end range in early 2024.

Hence, while households and businesses seem to have passed the period of high inflation, they have yet to hurdle high interest rates.

BSP Governor Eli Remolona Jr. has been quoted in news reports as saying that the central bank is not ready to cut its benchmark policy rate, which is currently at 6.25 percent.

“We’re not out of the woods yet,” he said.

“Because of supply-side factors, we are continuing to watch the [inflation] data and we (must) be ready to raise the policy rate if necessary during the next meeting of the Monetary Board.

The BSP chief acknowledged that inflation rates have been going down, but also noted that inflation figures in the coming months could turn out higher than forecast because of the possible impact of El Niño on food production.

Apart from supply factors, the government faces risks from the possible impact of additional transport fare increases, higher-than-expected minimum wage adjustments in other regions, and higher toll rates on prices of key agricultural items. Another piece of good news is that the unemployment rate in the country declined to 4.5 percent in June 2023 from 6 percent a year ago, according to the Philippine Statistics Authority.

global economic growth.

This means that, so far, MORE Power and Meralco are the only two companies that are capable of engaging new technology.

For Meralco, it is no longer surprising since it is already operating for decades.

But MORE Power is a different story since it is still considered a “newbie” in the industry.

But being a newbie did not limit MORE Power in its pursuit to live up to its name – to give people MORE quality service that they deserve.

ERC’s collaboration with MORE Power for renewable energy is also the first in the Visayas – meaning the company has surpassed other sustainable distribution utilities and electric cooperatives when it comes to modernization.

Before a distribution utility can offer Net Metering and DER to its customers, infrastructure – such as the installation of smart meters and advanced communication systems – has first to be put in place.

And MORE Power was able to quickly keep up with technology due to its big investment that has reached P2 billion.

Despite the pandemic, their modernization blueprint was still carried out, mainly targeting facility upgrades, purchasing new equipment, implementing digital technology in their operations, and laying out solutions and aggressive campaigns against electric pilferage and illegal connection.

MORE Power’s commitment and determination to provide quality power supply has resulted in an “improved power situation” in Iloilo City, an increase in business and investor confidence, and more importantly, a reduction in electricity cost.

MORE Power has one of the lowest electricity rates in the country. For seven consecutive months, from January to July this year, it implemented a reduction in power rates. According to MORE Power President and

Recent positive developments in the economic front indicate a good job by our economic managers

The National Economic and Development Authority reaffirmed the government’s commitment to labor upskilling to improve employability and maximize the benefits of the country’s demographic dividend.

Apart from the lower inflation rate in July, another indication that the economy is on an upward growth trajectory is the possible expansion of the gross domestic product (GDP) above six percent in the second quarter of this year.

Economist professor Alvin Ang of Ateneo de Manila University believes economic growth is likely to pick up slightly to 6.5 percent in the second quarter from 6.4 percent in the first quarter.

He sees second quarter GDP growth due to continued spillover consumption growth, particularly supporting travel, transportation and recreation.”

He also noted that better weather during the second quarter also increased construction and agricultural activities.

Chief Economist of Security Bank Robert Dan Roces said the economy likely expanded by 6.1 percent between April and June.

The growth would result from robust consumer spending, improved exports and increased private investments.

Steady private consumption, reduced inflation and relatively stable business sentiment would also boost GDP growth, but there are also risks: sticky inflation, elevated interest rates and weaker

Chief Economist of Rizal Commercial Banking Corp. Michael Ricafort thinks the economy likely grew by six percent in the second quarter from 6.4 percent in the first quarter. He predicted the country’s GDP growth may normalize at around six percent this year and in the next five to 10 years amid the country’s demographic sweet spot, with the majority of the population of more than 110 million at working age since 2015.

The Philippine economy, he said, is already back to pre-pandemic levels in peso terms at both current prices and constant 2018 prices after two years of the pandemic.

But challenges remain: inflation is expected to hover around four percent in the third quarter and three percent in the fourth quarter after easing for the sixth straight month to 4.7 percent in July from 5.4 percent in June. All told, recent positive developments in the economic front indicate a good job by our economic managers.

But we must emphasize that consistent growth should benefit the disadvantaged and vulnerable sectors and make a dent in reducing poverty levels in the years ahead.

(Email: ernhil@yahoo.com)

CEO Roel Castro, from the beginning of their operation, they have promoted the use of green energy. The use of renewable energy is one of the major factors behind the reduction of electricity rates.

Castro said: “Being the first in the Visayas to enter into this agreement showcases our strong support for the government.

“It is not a mere collaboration, it is a demonstration of the commitment of More Power towards a sustainable and resilient energy future. By embracing net metering and distributed energy resources, we can unlock the potential for cleaner, more cost-effective, and reliable energy supply.”

Net metering is a system where residential and commercial customers can generate their own electricity from renewable sources such as solar panels. The Department of Energy’s website explained how the net metering system works, where “[a]ny electricity generated that is not consumed by the customer is automatically exported to the DU’s distribution system.

“The DU then gives a peso credit for the excess electricity received equivalent to the DU’s blended generation cost, excluding other generation adjustments, and deducts the credits earned to the customer’s electric bill.”

When the number of people who use Net Metering increases, the use of renewable energy

will increase and we will avoid becoming dependent on fossil fuel which destroys the environment.

This program is really timely, since the Philippines is one of the countries in the world most vulnerable to the effect of climate change.

Under the signed tripartite agreement, MORE Power will establish a one-stop shop that offers renewable energy.

The ERC will provide technical and regulatory expertise, including streamlining documentary submission, installation, payment, and permitting processes of Net-Metering and DER.

The ERC will also launch an information drive.

The Iloilo LGU, on the other hand, will ensure that green practices are implemented in the city through the use of solar panels.

At the initial launch of the program, 72 qualified users have already been issued the Certificate of Compliance by the ERC for the Net Metering Program in Iloilo City, and it is expected that this number will increase in the next few days.

As a resident of the power-starved Davao Region, I can only hope innovations like this come to my neck of the woods.

(The author is a civil engineer and a longtime resident of the Davao area, with his own small construction business).

EvEryman

Ecuadoran presidential bet shot dead after rally

QUITO, Ecuador—A popular candidate running for Ecuador’s presidency was shot dead as he was leaving a rally in the capital Quito on Wednesday evening (Thursday in Manila), officials said.

President Guillermo Lasso blamed Fernando Villavicencio’s death on “organized crime” in a statement on X, formerly known as Twitter, and vowed to bring the perpetrators to justice.

“Outraged and shocked by the assassination of presidential candidate Fernando Villavicencio,” he said. “For his memory and for his fight, I assure you that this crime will not go unpunished.”

The 59-year-old centrist, who had complained of receiving threats against him, was the second most popular candidate in the country’s August 20 presidential race, according to recent opinion polls. Villavicencio was murdered as he

was leaving a stadium in northern Quito after holding a campaign rally, officials said.

Nine other people were injured in the attack, including a candidate running for the national legislature and two policemen, prosecutors said.

One of the alleged attackers was shot and killed by security personnel. And police detonated an explosive device planted in the area, said chief investigator Alain Luna.

Carlos Figueroa, a friend of Villavicencio’s who was with him at the time of the attack, told local media that the assailants fired around 30 shots.

“They ambushed him outside” the sports center, Figueroa said. “Some (of those present) even thought they were fireworks.”

The country’s main newspaper, El Universo, reported that Villavicencio was assassinated “hitman-style and with three shots to the head.” AFP

Kim dismisses military chief, calls for war preparations

SEOUL—North Korean leader Kim Jong Un has dismissed his top general and called for stepping up war preparations “in an offensive way,” including boosting weapons production and conducting more drills, state media reported Thursday.

With a cigarette in hand, Kim was shown talking to a room full of uniformed top generals, and pointing at

Return dated June 21, 2023 and the whereabouts of the respondent remain unknown;

WHEREAS, on July 17, 2023, this Court denied Motion to Serve Summons By Publication” filed by the petitioner for lack of merit;

WHEREAS, on July 20, 2023, petitioner filed a “Motion for Reconsideration” praying that the Order dated July 17, 2023 be reconsidered and accordingly grant her leave of court to allow the service of the summons by way of publication;

WHEREAS, on July 26, 2023, this Court issued an Order granting the issuance of Summons

maps, images in state media showed, while he discussed “major military actions” against South Korea at a meeting of the Central Military Commission.

The Korean Central News Agency said the agenda of the meeting, which comes just days after Kim inspected key arms factories, was “the issue of making full war preparations” and ensuring “perfect military readiness for a war.”

The meeting comes as Seoul and Washington prepare for major joint drills later this month, which the North views as rehearsals for invasion and has repeatedly warned could trigger “overwhelming” action in response.

At the meeting, Kim dismissed chief of the general staff Pak Su Il,

SHORT DAYS.

In French Polynesia, given its southern hemisphere location, the longest days are from December to March, while the shortest are from June to September. In the northern hemisphere, it is the other way around. On Thursday, the sun is captured rising over Tautira bay, on Tahiti, French Polynesia at 06.19. Sunset at 17.47. AFP

ab initio for failure to comply with the essential and formal requisites of marriage as provided by Article 2 paragraph (2) and Article 3 paragraphs (2) and (3) of the Family Code of the Philippines;

2. Ordering the Local Civil Registrar of the City of Manila and the Philippine Statistics Authority to cancel the Certificate of Marriage of the herein petitioner and respondent in their respective Book of Marriages; Petitioner prays for such other reliefs and remedies that may be just and equitable under the premises.

NOW THEREFORE, YOU, respondent FREDDIE

B. CASALME, ARE HEREBY SUMMONED AND REQUIRED within THIRTY (30) DAYS from the last issue of publication to ANSWER the petition and to copy furnish the petitioner with a copy of your Answer at No. 30 K Matahimik St., Barangay Malaya, Quezon City. You are reminded of IBP-OCA Memorandum on Policy Guidelines dated March 12, 2002 to observe restraint in filling a motion to dismiss and instead allege the ground thereof as defenses in the Answer. If you fail to Answer within the time fixed, the Court shall order the Public Prosecutor to investigate whether collusion exists, in accordance with Section 8

IN BRIEF

Chinese FM begins

SE Asia 3-nation tour

SINGAPORE—China’s Foreign Minister Wang Yi visited Singapore Thursday at the start of a three-nation regional tour, Beijing’s embassy in the city-state said, as tensions flare with the Philippines in the South China Sea.

replacing him with Vice Marshal Ri Yong Gil, KCNA said without giving further details.

Pak, who was promoted to the post late last year, may have been dismissed “because he did not demonstrate sufficient competence in the field of military operations,” according to Cheong Seong-chang, a researcher at the Sejong Institute.

“Kim Jong Un has shown a tendency to quickly replace officials when they are judged to be lacking in the ability to control and perform their duties,” he said. Ri may have been the “most suitable person” to replace Pak, as he has previously held the position for a long time, Cheong added. AFP

Fast-moving wildfire kills at least 6

LOS Angeles, California—A wildfire that turned a historic Hawaiian town to ashes killed at least six people, officials said Thursday, with desperate residents jumping into the ocean to escape the fastmoving flames.

US Coast Guard officers plucked at least a dozen people from the water as emergency services were overwhelmed by a disaster that appeared to have erupted almost without warning.

“I’m sad to report that just before coming on this, it was confirmed we’ve had six fatalities,” Maui County Mayor Richard Bissen told a press conference.

“We are still in a search and rescue mode and so I don’t know what will happen to that number.”

At least 12 people have been treated in hospital for serious injuries, with two in critical condition. A number of those hurt have been transferred to other facilities for specialist care, the Maui Now website reported. AFP

His three-day trip, after returning to the post last month following the unexplained disappearance of predecessor Qin Gang, also includes Malaysia and Cambodia.

A spokesperson for the Chinese embassy confirmed to AFP on Thursday morning that Beijing’s top diplomat had arrived in the financial hub.

“China hopes to strengthen strategic communication with the three Southeast Asian countries through this visit,” China’s foreign ministry said when it announced the trip on Wednesday.

Wang will visit until Friday and hold separate meetings with his counterpart Vivian Balakrishnan and Singaporean Prime Minister Lee Hsien Loong, Singapore’s government said.

His visit comes after Beijing and Manila clashed at the weekend when the Philippines accused Chinese Coast Guard vessels of blocking and firing water cannon at its boats on a resupply mission to Filipino marines stationed on a WorldWar-II-era ship. AFP

Russia claims downing Ukrainian drones

2023)

MOSCOW—Russia downed 11 Ukrainian drones nearing Crimea and two headed for Moscow, officials said Thursday, the latest in a blitz of air strikes on Russianheld territory.

“Two UAVs (unmanned aerial vehicles) flying in the direction of the city of Moscow were destroyed,” the Russia’s defense ministry said in a statement on Telegram.

It said one drone was shot down over the Kaluga region southwest of Moscow, and another over the Odintsovsky district bordering the capital.

Those drones were shot down at around 4:00 am (0100 GMT), Moscow mayor Sergei Sobyanin said on Telegram.

Two other Ukrainian drones were shot down near the city of Sevastopol on the Crimean coast, the defense ministry said, and “another 9 were suppressed by means of electronic warfare and crashed in the Black Sea”.

It said there were no reports of damage or casualties in any of the affected areas.

The strikes come a day after Russia said two Ukrainian combat drones headed for Moscow were shot down, and constitute at least the fourth attack near the capital within a week.

Russia previously said it downed a drone over Kaluga on Monday, as well as seven drones in the region last Thursday.

Until a series of attacks in recent months, Moscow had not been targeted during the conflict in Ukraine, which began more than a year ago.

The Russia-annexed Crimean peninsula, however, has been disrupted by several strikes throughout the hostilities, and has seen more frequent attacks in recent weeks. AFP

Biden announces curbs on US investments in China

WASHINGTON, DC—US President Joe Biden on Wednesday (Thursday in Manila) issued an executive order aimed at restricting certain American investments in sensitive high-tech areas in China -- a move Beijing blasted as being “anti-globalization.”

The long-anticipated rules, expected to be implemented next year, target sectors like semiconductors and artificial intelligence, as Washington seeks to limit access to key technologies.

“The commitment of the United States to open investment is a cornerstone of our economic policy and provides the United States with substantial benefits,” Biden said in a letter to Congressional leaders announcing the executive order.

“However, certain United States investments may accelerate and increase the suc-

cess of the development of sensitive technologies and products in countries that develop them to counter United States and allied capabilities.”

The program is set to prohibit new private equity, venture capital and joint venture investments in advanced semiconductors and some quantum information technologies in China, according to the Treasury Department.

“The outbound investment program will fill a critical gap in the United States’ national security toolkit,” a senior government official said on condition of anonymity.

“What we’re talking about is a narrow and thoughtful approach as we seek to prevent (China) from obtaining and using the most advanced technologies to promote military modernization and undermining US national security.” AFP

SLAIN WHILE LEAVING. Policemen stand guard outside the hospital where presidential candidate Fernando Villavicencio was taken after being shot dead at a rally in Quito Wednesday evening. Nine other people were injured including a candidate for the national legislature. One of the alleged attackers was killed by security. AFP

Stocks, peso fall on sluggish GDP growth

By Jenniffer B. Austria

STOCKS and the peso fell Thursday after the government reported a weaker-than-expected gross domestic product growth in the second quarter of 2023.

The 30-company Philippine Stock Exchange index lost 80.79 points, or 1.23 percent, to close at 6,449.66, while the broader all-shares index declined 34.78 points to settle at 3,445.38.

“The market fell after a surprisingly disappointing Philippine second-quarter GDP print of 4.3 percent, which was below the consensus forecast of 6 percent,” China Bank Capital managing director Juan Paolo Colet said.

PSEi August 10, 2023

TOP GAINERS

Colet said the lower growth raised investors’ concern that full year expansion would be lower than the government’s target range of 6 percent to 7 percent.

“Traders will now turn their attention to July inflation release for market direction,” Colet said.

The peso also retreated to 56.22 against the US dollar Thursday from 56.20 Wednesday following the release

TOP LOSERS

MOST ACTIVE

SAN FRANCISCO, United States—

Disney on Wednesday reported a loss for the most recent quarter, with the number of subscribers to its streaming service shrinking again, but a pledge to crack down on password sharing sent shares higher in after-market trades.

The falling Disney+ subscriber numbers—for the third consecutive quarter—came as a crippling writers and actors strike hits the US entertainment industry, threatening the company’s ability to produce content key to the streaming service’s appeal.

“It is my fervent hope that we quickly find solutions to the issues that have kept us apart these past few months,” chief executive Bob Iger, whose contract has been extended through 2026, said of negotiations with striking actors and writers.

“I am personally committed to working to achieve this result.”

Hollywood television and movie writers went on their first strike in 15 years in May, only to be joined in midJuly by actors.

The last time Hollywood writers laid down their pens and keyboards, in 2007, the strike lasted 100 days and cost Los Angeles’s entertainment economy around $2 billion.

This time, the two sides are clashing as writers demand higher pay, minimum guarantees of stable employment and a greater share of profits from the boom in streaming, while studios say they must cut costs due to economic pressures. AFP

of the GDP report.

Ryota Abe, an economist at Sumitomo Mitsui Banking Corp. said the 4.3-percent expansion was below the market forecast of 6.0 percent.

“As the central bank of the Philippines is still concerned about high inflation, even if concerns about an economic slowdown increase, it would be difficult to start cutting rates immediately. I believe BSP can seriously consider rate cuts in the meetings in the fourth quarter. The latest GDP data will no doubt make BSP more wary than ever of an economic slowdown,” he said.

“The BSP’s concern is expected to shift from inflation to the economy going forward. The policy rate will prob

ably be held steady at 6.25 percent at the next meeting on Aug. 17,” he said. He said that as the BSP would likely cut interest rates ahead of the US Federal Reserve, the interest rate differential between the US and the Philippines will narrow. “From this perspective, based on the above outlook, the possibility of PHP depreciating against USD cannot be ruled out. Although USD could fall further as market participants start to price in Fed rate cuts, some believe that the Fed’s hawkish stance will last longer than expected,” he said. Oxford Economics, a London-based think tank, said the growth slowdown in the second quarter came from the domestic sector, which was finally feeling

China resumes outbound group tours to US, UK, Japan

BEIJING, China—Beijing on Thursday lifted a Covid-era ban on outbound group tours to dozens of countries including the United States and Japan, a move that could see crowds of Chinese tourists return to destinations around the world.

China cut itself off from the world in 2020 as part of a strict zero-Covid strategy, using visa suspensions and lengthy quarantines to curb the import of virus cases into the country.

Thursday’s announcement is the latest move towards reopening, after the Chinese government dropped its containment measures abruptly in December.

“From now on, travel agencies across the country and online travel companies will resume operating outbound group tours” to more than 70 countries, including the United States, United Kingdom, Japan and South Korea, the Chinese Ministry of Culture and Tourism said in a statement.

Among numerous others, the list also

gave the green light for trips to most European Union member states, India, Pakistan, and Australia.

The inclusion of Australia coincides with a thawing in the frostiness between Canberra and Beijing that has dominated relations over the last few years.

Last week, China announced it was removing extra tariffs on Australian barley imposed in 2020 at the height of a bitter dispute with the then-conservative government over issues including China’s overseas influence operations.

‘Positive role’ Chinese tour groups had already received permission to visit a small number of countries earlier this year under a trial programme, including tourist magnets Thailand, Italy and France.

The tourism ministry on Thursday said outbound tourism had been developing in a stable manner since the start of the trial period, “playing a positive role in promoting tourism exchanges and cooperation”.

China had the largest outbound tourism market in the world in 2019, with mainland Chinese residents taking 155 million trips abroad that year, according to consulting firm McKinsey.

That outflow narrowed to a trickle in the past three years as Chinese authorities restricted passport renewals and cut international flights in a bid to deter travel.

“Currently, international passenger flights continue to resume, and the desire of Chinese people to travel abroad is increasing,” the foreign ministry said in a statement on Thursday.

In early December, Chinese authorities effectively ended the country’s regime of mass testing, lockdowns and long quarantines -- but the abrupt reversal led to a spike in Covid cases.

Beijing announced in late December that inbound travelers to the country would no longer need to quarantine from January 8, but kept in place visa restrictions on foreigners. AFP

the impact of monetary tightening.

“We think the outlook remains challenging. The effect of rapid monetary tightening will not be contained to one quarter but will likely linger for some time. On top of this, soft external demand will likely exert downward pressures on goods exports in second half of 2023 and into 2024. We will downgrade our already below-consensus growth forecast of 5.4 percent this year given today’s print,” it said.

“We think the outlook remains challenging. Today’s print indicates the lagged impact of monetary tightening on growth is finally kicking in, which we expect will last for some time,” Oxford Economics said. With AFP

White House says millions offered for hacker-thwarting AI

WASHINGTON, United States—The White House on Wednesday launched a competition offering millions of dollars in prize money for creating new artificial intelligence systems that can defend critical software from hackers.

Competitors vying for some of the $18.5 million in prize money will need to design novel AI systems that quickly find and fix software vulnerabilities in electric grids, subways or other key networks that could be exploited by hackers, President Joe Biden’s administration said.

“This competition will be a clarion call for all kinds of creative people in organizations to bolster the security of critical software that American families and businesses and all of our society relies on,” the director of the White House Office of Science and Technology Policy, Arati Prabhakar, told a briefing.

To boost participation, the Defense Advanced Research Projects Agency (DARPA) running the competition will put $7 million into funding small businesses that want to compete, according to the White House.

DARPA is collaborating with AI tech titans Anthropic, Google, Microsoft, and ChatGPT-maker OpenAI, which will provide expertise and technology for the competition, Prabhakar said.

The challenge is intended to “bring together diverse thinkers from all across the nation to think about how we can use AI to dramatically improve cybersecurity,” Deputy National Security Advisor for Cyber and Emerging Technology Anne Neuberger said in the briefing.

The challenge was announced in Las Vegas at a cyber security conference ahead of a Def Con gathering where hackers will attempt to penetrate various AI systems.

“We’ll have thousands of people over two and a half days red teaming leading AI models to see how they stack up,” Prabhakar said. AFP

‘No evidence’ Facebook harms well-being—global study

LONDON, United Kingdom—There is “no evidence” that the growth in using Facebook led to “widespread psychological harm”, the largest independent scientific study on the topic concluded Wednesday, contradicting previous analyses and widespread perceptions.

The probe by the University of Oxford’s Internet Institute, which analyzed data from nearly 1 million people across 72 countries over 12 years, instead found “positive correlations” between adopting the social media platform and so-called well-being indicators.

Researchers combined data on well-being collected by Gallup with Facebook’s own global membership statistics to assess how engagement with the site related to three indicators: life satisfaction, and negative and positive psychological experiences.

Facebook provided data, which its researchers had checked for accuracy, but did not commission, fund or influence the design of the study, or know the findings beforehand, according to the Oxford team.

Their paper also underwent peer review by the journal Royal Society Open Science.

Andrew Przybylski, an Oxford University human behaviour and technology professor, said they “examined the best available data carefully—and found they did not support the idea that Facebook membership is related to harm”.

“Quite the opposite,” he added. “In fact, our analysis indicates Facebook is possibly related to positive well-being.

But Przybylski also noted that “this is not to say this is evidence that Facebook is good for the well-being of users”.

Researchers on the project, which began before the Covid pandemic, worked for more than two years to secure the key data from Facebook, which currently reports nearly three billion users worldwide.

However, the team concentrated on the platform’s international penetration from 2008 to 2019, combining it with responses about well-being from the same period by 946,798 individuals as part of Gallup’s World Poll Survey.

Research Associate and study coauthor Matti Vuorre said the approach was unprecedented when it came to analyzing social media and the findings “should help guide the debate surrounding social media towards more empirical research foundations”.

They contrast with previous studies, including two separate academic analyses last year which found Facebook had a negative impact on US college students’ mental health, as well as litigation in the United States.

In 2021, former Facebook engineer Frances Haugen leaked more than

This picture taken on January 12, 2023, in Toulouse, southwestern France shows a smartphone and a computer screen displaying the logos of the social network Facebook and its parent company Meta. AFP

20,000 pages of internal documents suggesting the firm put profits before safety, prompting a renewed US push for regulation.

Nearly 200 US school districts have since joined a lawsuit against big tech companies for allegedly causing mental harm, depression and anxiety among students.

Meta, the parent company of Facebook and Instagram, has denied the claims, with founder Mark Zuckerberg alleging “a coordinated effort to selectively use the leaked documents to paint a false picture.” AFP

Disney+ streaming service reports loss, subscribers decline

UOB SINGAPORE. People walk in front of an United Overseas Bank (UOB) branch in the Raffles Place financial district in Singapore on August 10, 2023. AFP

BUSINESS

Foreign direct investments fell 34% in May

By Julito G. Rada

NET inflows of foreign direct investments fell 34 percent in May to $488 million from $739 million a year ago, as elevated inflation and higher interest rates impacted investors’ sentiments globally, the Bangko Sentral ng Pilipinas said Thursday.

It said in a statement the decline in FDI net inflows reflected the 70.7-percent contraction in non-residents’ net investments in debt instruments to $161 million from $551 million in the same month last year.

Non-residents’ net investments in equity capital, other than reinvest-

IN BRIEF

Megaworld’s six-month net profit rose to P7.9b

PROPERTY developer Megaworld Corp. said Thursday attributable net income reached P7.9 billion in the first half of 2023, up from last year’s P5.9 billion on the back of sustained performance of core businesses.

Consolidated revenues grew 17 percent to P32 billion, boosted by the strong performance of residential, mall and hotel businesses.

“Our steadfast focus on our township model allowed us to sustain our strong performance into the second quarter of the year. With increasing demand for residential and commercial properties outside Metro Manila, we have properly positioned ourselves achieve growth through strategic land banking,” Megaworld chief strategy officer Kevin Tan said in a disclosure to the stock exchange.

Real estate sales went up by 12 percent year-on-year to P19.1 billion, driven by higher completion rate of various projects. Reservation sales increased 49 percent to P76.1 billion and represented 59 percent of the company’s year-end reservation sales target of P130 billion.

The company said it saw a strong uptick in demand for residential projects in two Taguig townships, particularly in McKinley West and Uptown Bonifacio.

Megaworld launched P28.2 billion worth of projects across the country in the first six months of the year. Jenniffer B. Austria

Converge’s income climbed 24.7% to P4.28b in first half

CONVERGE ICT Solutions Inc. said Thursday net income grew 24.7 percent in the first half of 2023 from a year ago on the back of higher revenues from residential and enterprise segments. The country’s only pure-play high-speed fixed broadband operator earned P4.28 billion from January to June, up from P3.95 billion in the same period last year.

Consolidated revenues increased 8.1 percent in the six-month period to P17.36 billion from P16.05 billion a year earlier.

Revenues from the residential business rose to P14.87 billion from P14.08 billion, while the enterprise segment’s revenue went up to P2.48 billion from P1.96 billion.

“We have sustained our growth with our newly-opened areas particularly in Northern Luzon, Visayas and Mindanao contributing more to our subscriber base,” the company said. Darwin G. Amojelar

DBP’s profit surged 60% to P4.42b in six months

STATE-OWNED Development Bank of the Philippines’s net income in the first six months of 2023 jumped 60 percent to P4.42 billion from P2.76 billion in the same period last year, a top executive said Thursday. DBP president and chief executive Michael de Jesus said the increase was fueled by a hike in foreign currency profits on its foreign books and non-recurring gains from the disposal of real and other properties acquired.

“Notwithstanding the one-time gains, overall the bank’s performance in the first half of the year demonstrates its resilience as an institution and its readiness to support the National Government’s strategic initiatives to foster economic growth and financial stability,” de Jesus said.

De Jesus said the bank was on track to meeting its full-year income target of P5.20 billion. He said loans for infrastructure and logistics accounted for the bulk of outstanding exposure at P281.59 billion, followed by loans to social infrastructure and community development at P110.03-billion.

“A significant chunk of our loans or about 55.5 percent percent of the bank’s total portfolio of P507 billion was released to bankroll public infrastructure under the banner of the national government’s ‘Build Better More’ program, majority of which are in the National Capital Region, Central Visayas, Davao, and Central Luzon,” de Jesus said. Julito G. Rada

ment of earnings, increased 158.7 percent to $235 million from $91 million in May 2022.

“FDI remains subdued due to the effects of relatively higher price and interest rate levels globally,” the BSP said.

It said equity capital placements in

May came mostly from Germany, Japan and the United States. These were invested largely in the manufacturing and real estate industries.

Net FDI inflows in the first five months also shrank 20.8 percent to $3.4 billion from $4.3 billion a year ago.

The BSP statistics on FDIs are compiled based on the Balance of Payments and International Investment Position Manual, 6th Edition. They include investment by a non-resident direct investor in a resident enterprise, whose equity capital in the latter is at least 10 percent and investment made by a non-resident subsidiary/associate in its resident direct investor.

FDIs can be in the form of equity capital, reinvestment of earnings and borrowings. The BSP FDI statistics are distinct from the investment data of other government sources. BSP FDI covers actual investment inflows. By contrast, the approved foreign investments data that are published by the Philippine Statistics Authority, which are sourced from investment promotion agencies, represent investment commitments which may not necessarily be realized fully, in a given period.

The PSA data are also not based on the 10-percent ownership criterion under BPM6. Meanwhile, the BSP’s FDI data are presented in net terms

ERC suspends 3% franchise tax on transmission costs

By Alena Mae S. Flores

THE Energy Regulatory Commission said Thursday it suspended the effectivity of the Resolution No. 07, Series of 2011 including the 3 percent franchise tax of the National Grid Corporation of the Philippines on the monthly transmission costs billed to distribution utilities.

It said in a statement it would soon issue a resolution to formalize the new directive. Once effective, the NGCP franchise tax would no longer be passed on to consumers in the following billing month, the agency said.

ERC chairperson Monalisa Dimalanta said the move would help bring down power rates by P0.01 per kilowatt-hour.

“All passed-on, so far, none shouldered

by NGCP. Estimate impact P0.01 per kWh,” Dimalanta said.

The ERC unanimously made the decision in a special commission meeting on Aug. 8, 2023.

NGCP was granted a franchise through Republic Act No. 9511 to engage in the business of conveying or transmitting electricity through high voltage back-bone system of interconnected transmission lines, substations and related facilities.

Section 9 of RA 9511 requires NGCP to pay a franchise tax equivalent to 3 percent of all gross receipts derived by NGCP from its operation. Following RA 9511, the commission issued ERC Resolution No. 07, Series of 2011, allowing the inclusion of the 3-percent franchise tax in the monthly

Pag-IBIG Fund ready to provide cash loan as school season begins

PAG-IBIG Fund officials announced on Wednesday that its cash loan, the PagIBIG Multi-Purpose Loan, is ready to assist members with their school-related fees as the academic season starts this month.

The agency said that as of June this year, it assisted 1,182,996 members with their financial needs with the release of cash loans totaling a record P26.17 billion. Of the amount, 13.8 percent or P3.61 billion was released to aid 134,140 members with tuition and enrolment fees and other school-related expenses.

“We at Pag-IBIG Fund recognize that many of our members rely on us for immediate financial assistance. This becomes more prevalent when school season begins. That is why we are always ready

to assist our members, particularly those seeking funds to address school-related expenses with our Pag-IBIG Multi-Purpose Loan. All these efforts are in line with the call of President Ferdinand Marcos Jr. to provide our fellow Filipinos the means to gain better and dignified lives,” said Secretary Jose Rizalino Acuzar, who leads the Department of Human Settlements and Urban Development (DHSUD) and the 11-member Pag-IBIG Fund board of trustees.

Pag-IBIG Fund’s MPL is the agency’s affordable and easily accessible cash loan.

Qualified members can borrow up to 80 percent of their total Pag-IBIG Regular Savings, which consist of their monthly contributions, employer’s contributions

and accumulated dividends earned.

Loan processing is as fast as three days, with the loan conveniently credited to the borrower’s Pag-IBIG Loyalty Card Plus. The proceeds can be used to pay for tuition and other school-related expenses as well as medical expenses, minor home improvement or even serve as capital for small businesses.

The loan is payable in 24 or 36 monthly installments, with the first payment deferred for two months. The Pag-IBIG MPL comes at an interest rate of 10.5 percent per year. In the past years, the agency has returned more than 90 percent of its income, mostly derived from interest on loans, to members in the form of dividends.

such as equity capital placements less withdrawals, while the PSA’s foreign investment data do not account for equity withdrawals.

The BSP earlier reduced the net FDI forecast this year to $9 billion from $11 billion. It also adjusted the FDI forecast for 2024 to $11 billion from $12 billion in line with the slowdown in non-residents investments globally. Net FDI inflows contracted 23.2 percent to $9.2 billion in 2022 from a record $12 billion in 2021, pulled down by the sluggish global growth and persistently high inflation.

The 2022 net inflows, however, surpassed the target for the year of $8.5 billion.

By Darwin G. Amojelar

CEBU Air Inc., the operator of lowcost carrier Cebu Pacific, said Thursday it rebounded from last year’s loss to post a net profit of P3.73 billion in the first half of 2023.

The airline unit of the Gokongwei Group said this was a reversal of the P9.5-billion net loss it incurred in the same period last year.

The group recorded revenues amounting to P43.551 billion, or 110.6 percent higher than P20.68 billion a year ago.

billing of DUs.

“The commission continuously examines its existing rules and regulations to determine whether the mandates under the Electric Power Industry Reform Act of 2001 are faithfully fulfilled. With the consumers’ interests in mind, as well as upholding the rule of law, the commission resolved to suspend ERC Resolution No. 07, Series of 2011, by unanimous vote,” the ERC said.

NGCP spokesperson Cynthia Alabanza said the company had yet to receive a copy of the resolution. “We will address the matter once we receive the resolution in full,” she said.

NGCP earlier addressed concerns of the Senate Committee on Energy on allegations “of an overly favorable franchise” and its concession.

PSE INDEX CLOSING

Thursday,

“The overall increase in revenues was primarily driven by significant increase in passenger volume and flight activities due to the increased demand for travel,” CEB said.

“Additionally, for the six months ended June 30, 2023, most parts of the country continued to be under a more relaxed alert level classification, which enabled the group to resume to its regular pre-pandemic services,” it said.

The airline’s passenger revenues amounted to P30.12 billion in the first half, up 158.2 percent from P11.66 billion last year.

Cebu Pacific attributed the growth in revenues to the 63.3-percent increase in passenger volume from 6.3 million to 10.3 million passengers.

Cargo revenues amounted to P1.99 billion, down by 33 percent from P3.57 billion on lower cargo kilograms flown and lower yield from cargo services.

The group incurred operating expenses of P39.79 billion in the first half, higher by 38 percent than P28.838 billion last year.

“This was mostly driven by the increase in group’s operations due to the easing of COVID-19 restrictions since a material portion of its expenses are based on flights and flight hours,” CEB said.

Flying operations expenses amounted to P16.77 billion, also up 57.6 percent from P10.64 billion in the same period last year.

“This was largely accounted for by higher fuel consumption by 71.4 percent in line with the increased flight activity during the period, which was slightly offset with the decrease in average published fuel MOPS price to $99.26 per barrel from $129.49 per barrel for the six months ended June 30, 2022,” Cebu Pacific said.

PH sees car sales rising 24% to over 75,000 units in 2023

By Othel V. Campos

MITSUBISHI Motors Philippines Corp.

said Thursday it expects to sell at least 75,000 vehicles in 2023, up by 24 percent from the 2022 actual sales of 60,630 units.

MMPC first vice president for marketing Jack Ramirez expressed optimism about hitting the sales target, with the compact SUV Expander and compact sedan Mirage G4 leading the growth.

“We’re aiming for 18-percent market share, but so far, year-to-date, we’re ahead of that,” Ramirez said in a news briefing during the company’s 60th anniversary. The company observes the fiscal year starting April to March of the

following year.

MMPC announced several milestones in its 60th year in the Philippines, including the 1.2 million sales backed by the achievement of 800,000th locally-manufactured Mitsubishi unit in the Philippines.

“Our contribution to society extends far beyond the roads. We reached the incredible local production of 800,000 vehicles— a milestone that speaks volumes about our continuous commitment to excellence and innovation. Fondly, we achieved an aweinspiring 1.2 million accumulated sales, as testament to the popularity and continuous trust placed in our brand by the Filipino people,” MMPC president and chief executive Takeshi Hara said.

GREEN BOND. The International Finance Corp., a member of the World Bank, agrees to invest $250 million in a green bond to be issued by Bank of the Philippine Islands, the second largest private bank in the country. Signing the agreement are (from left) BPI treasurer and head of global markets Dino Gasmen, BPI president and chief executive TG Limcaoco, IFC country manager for the Philippines Jean-Marc Arbogast and IFC senior investment officer Aileen Theresa Ruiz. This is the biggest deal IFC has done with a financial institution in the Philippines. Proceeds will be used to finance eligible green assets in the Philippines, including renewable energy, energy efficiency, green buildings, electric vehicles, and climate-smart agriculture projects, among others.

WORKSPACE HUB. Damosa Land Inc. reinforces economic growth and productivity in the region through the launch of the first flexible office workspace in Northern Mindanao. The new Regus CDO Downtown Tower, located at the heart of Cagayan De Oro City, is made possible through a partnership with workspace solutions provider International Workspace Group. Attending the ribbon-cutting ceremony are (from left) Damosa Land assistant vice president for commercial and leasing Lora Porras, Damosa Land president Ricardo Lagdameo, International Workplace Group country manager Lars Wittig and IWG head of partnership Rowena Natividad.

Alcaraz wins 13th straight ATP match; Tsitsipas falls

TORONTO—Carlos Alcaraz won his 13th ATP match in a row as the world number one began the Toronto Masters by defeating Ben Shelton 6-3, 7-6 (7/3) on Wednesday.

The second-round battle of the two 20-year-olds went to the Spaniard, who is bidding for Canadian success after winning successive trophies at Queen’s Club and Wimbledon.

Alcaraz now stands 48-4 on the season as he begins the build-up for his defence of the US Open title.

The top seed admitted that he was outhit at times by his 41st-ranked American opponent in the 56-minute contest - his first career win in Toronto.

Good pitching keyed Bago City’s Junior League World Series victory

By Peter Atencio

AGOOD pitching coach helped pitcher Erika Arnaiz and the Bago City softbelles hold almost every opponent they faced with a scoreless result in the 2023 Junior League Softball World Series title in Kirkland, Washington over the weekend.

Coach Francis Fuentes said this as he recalled the team’s preparations for the challenges they faced.

“Iyun ang pinagmamalaki namin. Sabi nga nila, bilog ang bola. Kung nag-training sila, as doble ang training namin,” said Fuentes in an interview on Sports Radio.

Fuentes gave credit to pitching expert Marciano Sta. Maria, a teacher at the Ramon Torres National High School for teaching Arnaiz to have the discipline and stamina to hold her own against rivals, who were much tougher than them.

Malixi routs Koo, battles Shoemaker next in US tilt

RIANNE Malixi eased out American

Ellie Koo with a birdie and an early run of pars, coming away with a 5&3 victory in the Round of 64 of the US Women’s Amateur Match Play at the Bel-Air Country Club in Los Angeles, California Wednesday.

It was one of the few lopsided results in the first day of head-to-head duels that saw six matches go to extra holes, the most in a US Women’s Amateur since 2016 with top seed Briana Chacon surviving Olivia Duan on the 19th hole, breaking a sort of a medalist curse where six of the last nine No. 1 seeds have fallen to their No. 64 seeded rivals.

Malixi, who moved into the knockout phase at No. 23 after finishing tied at 18th in the 36-hole stroke play qualifying, pounced on Koo’s mishap on the par4 No. 2 to seize control, birdied No. 4 and won the next two holes on her opponent’s miscues to go 4-up.

Although she failed to match Koo’s birdie on the par-5 eighth after hitting two bunkers on her way to the green, the ICTSI-backed shotmaker birdied Nos. 10 and 11 to pull away by five holes.

She yielded the 12th on a bogey, regained the hole on next the with a par, lost No. 14 on another mishap but wrapped it up despite a bogey on No. 15 as Koo holed out with a double-bogey.

Malixi, runner-up in last month’s US Girls’ Junior in Colorado, faces American Bailey Shoemaker at 8:50 a.m. in the Round of 32 Thursday with the winner slugging it out with the victor in the Hailey Borja-Sara Im clash in the Last 16 in the afternoon expected to likewise test the surviving field’s staying power.

In the end, Arnaiz finished their campaign with a total of 85 strikeouts, including 15 batters in their final games. Her teammate, Buenafe, made two RBIs as the students of Ramon Torres National High School handed the Philippines its crown in 20 years in the girls’ 12-14 age bracket.

“Masaya po ako at napaghandaan namin ito,” said Arnaiz.

The Philippine team is made up of Arnaiz, Thereze Francine Fuentes, Ann Dyana Buenafe, Icelle

“He was more aggressive than me from the start,” Alcaraz said. “I tried to be solid and find my rhythm but I had some trouble. “But I’m happy to be through to the next round. Matches like this help to focus. I have to play better from now on,” added Alcaraz, who faces Polish 15th seed Hubert Hurkacz in the last 16.

Elsewhere Wednesday, French veteran Gael Monfils stunned fourth seed Stefanos Tsitsipas, winning in straight sets to advance to the last 16.

The 36-year-old from Paris—currently ranked 276th in the world— powered past Tsitsipas 6-4, 6-3 in just under 90 minutes.

The win marked the first time Monfils has beaten a player in the top 10 since March 2022, and came against an in-form Tsitsipas fresh from winning the ATP Los Cabos title in Mexico last weekend.

Monfils, who reached the Washington third round last week, overcame 29 unforced errors to advance.

‘Stayed cool’

It took two match points for Monfils to get t he job done, with a shotmaking duel on the first winning chance ending in Tsitsipas’ fa vour before the French veteran closed out victory moments later. AFP

Belingon wants to test Mongolian warrior Baatarkhuu

FORMER ONE Bantamweight World Champion Kevin “The Silencer” Belingon had his eyes glued to his television set when Enkh-Orgil Baatarkhuu faced Jhanlo Mark Sangiao at ONE Fight Night 13 this past weekend.

He was certainly impressed with how Baatarkhuu submitted Sangiao in the second round of their bantamweight MMA clash at Bangkok, Thailand’s Lumpinee Boxing Stadium on Friday, 4 August.

Baatarkhuu’s durability and “warrior spirit” caught Belingon’s attention. After all, the Mongolian had to storm back from a signature Sangiao first-round blitz to secure the kimura in the second frame and continue his meteoric rise in the division.

“It was a great fight. Enkh-Orgil proved that he’s tough and won’t go away easily. We’ve seen Jhanlo tag him with solid hits, floored him, and he quickly got back up,” he said.

“I believe he has the warrior spirit in him, and in the second round he got Jhanlo on the ground and submitted him, but both men performed really well.”

Seeing Baatarkhuu emerge as the next threat excites the former bantamweight king, as he feels the 34-year-old will be more than

Rain or Shine sets modest goal in Jones Cup

THR mission is tough, so Rain or Shine leaves for Taipei, Taiwan on Friday for the 42nd William Jones Cup with a modest goal.

For one, the two-time PBA champion will be facing a formidable field, including the national teams of three top Middle East nations and the region’s top ball clubs in the 9-day tournament which formally unwraps on Saturday, Aug. 12.

The E-Painters even don’t have an idea as to what kind of opposition they will be facing although the Yeng Guiaomentored squad is certainly not the type to back down from a challenge.

So expect the Raymond Yu and Terry Que-owned franchise to go all-out in its bid to defend the country’s title in the Jones Cup. which was last won by an import-laden Mighty Sports team back in 2019.

ROS Governor Atty. Mert Mondragon expressed his confidence that the team will put its best foot forward, hoping not only to represent the PBA well. but also showcase the Filipino brand of play on the international stage.

“We will be up against some very tough teams, taller and quicker, even national teams. We are not promising anything but I’m sure that our guys will not back down from a challenge and will fight to represent the PBA, and the country well,” said Mondragon.

Reinforcing the team are Gilas Pilipinas’ Ange Kouame and American import Nick Evans along with the young core of Rey Nambatac, Anton Asistio, Santi Santillan, Andrei Caracut, Gian Mamuyac and Shaun Ildefonso.

Veterans Gabe Norwood, Jewel Ponferrada and Beau Belga are still expected

to provide the leadership along with guys like Jhonard Clarito, Mac Belo, Nick Demusis and Mark Borboran.

Heading the delegation are ROS Alternate Governor Edison Oribina, Redmond Yu and Jireh Ibanez.

Rain or Shine opens the tournament against the host Chinese Taipei for their first two games, Team A on Aug.12 and Team B the next day. The Elasto Painters then lock horns with national teams of UAE on the 14th, Qatar on the 15th and Iran on the 16th.

Rain or Shine also takes on the Korean Basketball League champion Anyang KGC on Aug. 17th before taking a breather the next day. The Elasto Painters then wrap up the competition with a clash against the Japan U22 national team on Aug.19 and the US NCAA UC Irvines on Aug. 20.

willing to stand and trade with him.

Adding to that motivation is the fact that Baatarkhuu has been dominating Filipinos left and right since making his promotional debut earlier this year. In fact, he scored dominant wins over Adonis Sevilleno and Rockie Bactol. Having been in a slump recently, facing a hungry fighter on the rise could very well be the fight that Belingon needs.

“Of course! Of course! I want to face him. We all know he’s a very strong wrestler and grappler, that’s his strength. I feel like I will have the upper hand in striking, but as I’ve said, I’ve been working hard on my grappling and BJJ,” Belingon said.

“I think this will be a great fight for me, should it happen. It would truly test my ground game and striking as well.”

Should a match between them take place, he’s confident that he can knock Baatarkhuu out, especially if the latter fights like he did against Sangiao.

“I think he’ll feel my power. I saw in his fight against Jhanlo, he was really feeling his strikes. He even got cut and knocked down, so I think I can knock him out if I face him,” he said.

MARCOS VOWS MORE SUPPORT FOR PH ATHLETES. President Ferdinand R. Marcos Jr. paid tribute to the Filipino athletes during the incentive awarding ceremony for the medalists of the 32nd Southeast Asia Games and 12th ASEAN Para Games at the Malacanang Palace. The President extolled the athletes for for displaying the Filipino spirit, character and heart. He also recognized the parents, coaches, and trainers for their contributions and shared his desire to further strengthen the government’s assistance for the athletes.

Kevin Belingon

Rianne Malixi

Carlos Alcaraz

Bago City softbelles Charles Maxey

Yeng Guiao

Tanaman, Ashley Ortiz, Froline Manalo, Christine Jane Caracas, Daniela Bejos, Audrie Sarsona, Marie Antoinette Sicapore, Nice Lobrido and Casandra Sumatra.

Adamson six stuns La Salle, zeroes in on Shakey’s title

Games on Saturday (Filoil EcoOil Centre, San Juan) 2 p.m. – UST vs UPHSD 4 p.m. – DLSU vs ADU

ADAMSON clipped reigning UAAP champion La Salle with a stunning 22-25, 25-17, 17-25, 27-25, 16-14 comefrom-behind win in Game 1 of the Shakey’s Super League National Invitationals finale Wednesday at the Filoil EcoOil Centre in San Juan.

The Lady Falcons gave the Lady Spikers a dose of their own medicine, erasing a huge 11-20 deficit in the fourth set before pulling through by a whisker in the clincher to move on the brink of capturing the first SSL national title.

Skipper Lucille Almonte kept Adamson afloat all throughout with 24 points on three aces and a block while super rookie Red Bascon delivered when it mattered the most, none bigger than her back-to-back hits to finish with seven points and clinch it for the Lady Falcons.

Ayesha Juegos had 13 points while Sharya Nicole Ancheta and Lorene Toring added 10 apiece in the wellbalanced attack of Adamson under new mentor JP Yude.

“Lagi ko kasing sinasabi sa kanila, may tiwala ako sa kanila. Kaya I always encourage them, especially nu’ng 4th set, down kami, sabi ko ‘di pa tapos ‘yung laban. ‘Di pa naman 25. Sabi ko isa-isahin natin. Tiyagain natin,” said Yude, a former Adamson player, in his first tournament since taking over from Jerry Yee in June.

“Siguro, na-absorb nila ‘yun. Siguro nakita din nila sa akin, for me, ‘di pa talo. Ayusin niyo ‘yung mga mukha niyo, ‘yung body language niyo. Hindi pa tapos ‘yung laban. Siguro nakita nila ‘yung eagerness na i-push sila.”

La Salle, riding on a five-set win against the University of Santo Tomas from a 1-2 deficit including multiple match points saved, looked headed into an easy four-set win against Adamson by building what seemed an insurmountable 20-11 lead off a Thea Gagate hit.

But Adamson simply refused to go down and quit.

With Almonte setting the tone, the Lady Falcons launched a killer 11-1 rally capped by Ancheta’s quick attack in the middle to snatch the driver seat at 22-21.

Both teams traded blows from there on, with each one reaching match point, before Bascon unloaded two straight hits for a 27-25 win to extend the match to the fifth set.

As they figured in a back-and-forth decider anew, Bascon would not shy away from the big stage by hammering through another back-to-back attack for Adamson’s great escape act.

Shevana Laput rifled in a tournament-high of 30 points, Thea Gagate and Alleiah Malaluan added 14 points while Baby Jyne Soreño had 11 points but La Salle still absorbed its first defeat in the 12-team SSL presented by Eurotel as the official hotel and Victory Liner as office transport provider, and in cooperation with the Commission on Higher Education.

Japan vs. Sweden: Ultimate clash of styles at World Cup A

UCKLAND—Japan are the revelation of the Women’s World Cup but they must brace themselves for the ultimate clash of styles when they face Sweden in the quarter-finals at Eden Park on Friday.

The only side left in the tournament who have won the World Cup before, 2011 champions Japan have surged into the last eight with 14 goals scored in four games and one conced e-backs, they have been devastating on the counterattack, surgical with their passing in behind the opposition defence and clinical in the final third.

In Hinata Miyazawa they have the leader in the race for the golden boot with five goals.

Sweden have built their success on a solid defence that has also let in just one goal, in their opening game against South Africa. Physically they are a handful for opponents and they are particularly dangerous at set-pieces.

Zecira Musovic meanwhile produced arguably the best performance of any goalkeeper at the competition as Sweden eliminated holders the United States on penalties in the last 16.

“This won’t be like the physical game we had against the USA. It will be a lot

Nxled joins Premier Volleyball League wars

THERE will be a new team that will light up the Premier Volleyball League starting in the third conference later this year.

Nxled has committed to forming a team in the country’s only professional volleyball league.

Nxled will be the second team of Akari Lighting & Technology Corporation in the PVL. Creating a second team is important for Akari, as it will not only provide the company with added marketing exposure but also aligns with its vision of supporting Philippine volleyball.

“Of course, the obvious reason that we are forming Nxled is because we want to market the brand,” said Russell Balbacal, Akari Sports Director. “The PVL has proven to be a strong platform for brands to promote their products.

more technical and fast-paced,” Sweden coach Peter Gerhardsson told reporters on the eve of the match in Auckland.

“When we get possession we will need to move the ball quickly and make the most of our physical advantage.”

The most striking difference between the teams is in that physicality.

The average height of the Sweden side that started against the US was six centimeters (more than two inches) taller than the Japan team which lined up for their 3-1 win over Norway in the last round.

Amanda Ilestedt, the centre-back who has scored three goals so far, and Barcelona forward Fridolina Rolfo both tower over any Japanese player at 1.78m (5ft10) tall.

‘Very aggressive’

If Sweden are physical, Japan’s approach is anything but.

They have conceded just 20 fouls in total, fewer than any other team left in the tournament, and have not picked up a single yellow or red card. AFP

Baluyot overpowers Catalan in URCC 87

TWO-TIME jiu-jitsu world champion Eros Baluyot pulled off the biggest win by far in his young mixed martial arts career after submitting veteran Rene Catalan in the Universal Reality Combat Championship

87: Heroes on Tuesday night at the Xylo at the Palace in BGC.

Baluyot, 14 years younger against his 44-year-old rival, needed only 71 seconds to finish off Catalan in the first round, behind his patented ground game during the main event of the URCC championships, backed by main supporter www.crazywin.ph.

As soon as Baluyot took Cata-

lan down, Baluyot quickly found an opening for a rear-naked choke, which he successfully did, forcing Catalan to tap out.

“I just did everything precise and safe during the fight,” said the undefeated Baluyot, who improved to 3-0 as an MMA fighter, after the bout. He approached Catalan before and after the fight ended as sign of respect to the veteran coach and former wushu sanda Asian Games gold medalist.

Catalan fell to a 6-6 record.

In another MMA contest also supported by Lucas Lepri BJJ gym, Rex De Lara wowed the

As many as 9 new Azkals tapped for September-October friendlies

Challenge Cup in Maldives. The country’s U-19 team, however, managed to upset Afghanistan, 1-0 last September to end their campaign in the 2023 U-19 AFC qualifiers on a winning note.

crowd by pulling off a huge comeback win against Mhar John Manahan during their 145-lbs contest.

De Lara survived Manahan’s ground-and-pound style and eventually made him pay for failing to finish him in the second round. He slowed things down at the start of the final round, and it paid off as he caught Manahan and slammed him down to the canvas with power.

The referee stopped the contest after Manahan was seemingly knocked out cold, giving De Lara a rare takedown knockout win that moved him up to 12-8-1 and pulled Manahan down to 2-4.

back at the game, he realized that they lost the match because of the level of readiness of the players. They simply gassed out in the end.

“If you don’t have the power in those legs, then the head also becomes tired. And this was basically the reason we lost the game. So I expect a totally different team. I expect many new faces, which I haven’t seen yet. But you never know – there’s late dropouts –so we have to be prepared for any situation,” Weiss explained.

“More importantly, Akari has been a staunch supporter of Philippine volleyball for the past few years. Having a second team will help provide more jobs for players and coaches alike.”

Nxled will carry the moniker Chameleons.

Just like a chameleon, Nxled, which specializes in luxury lighting, offers accent lights that adjust to any household.

Evolving and adjusting to every style of the game is what Balbacal envisions as the identity of Nxled in the PVL.

“We are envisioning the Nxled Chameleons to be a team that will easily adjust to any opponent they face in the PVL,” said Balbacal.

“We are committed to forming a very competitive team in this new endeavor of ours because this is not just a one-shot deal. We are guaranteeing to the PVL and fans alike that this team will be in the league for the long term.”

The team will soon announce the coaching staff and team composition of the Nxled Chameleons.

THE Philippine Azkals, the Men’s National Football Team, will return to the pitch next month with a couple of friendlies—against Chinese Taipei on September 8 and against Afghanistan on September 12—as part of their preparations for the 2026 World Cup and 2027 Asian Cup qualifiers in November.

The Azkals will have a return match against the Taiwanese side at the National Stadium in Kaohsiung and will host the Afghans at the Rizal Memorial Stadium four days later.

In their July 19 tuneup this year, the Azkals lost to the visiting Chinese Taipei side, 3-2, at RMS after conceding two goals in the second half.

On the other side, the last time the Azkals played against Afghanistan was in 2014 where a Phil Younghusband-less squad battled the Lions of Khorasan to a 0-0 draw in the AFC

Head Coach Hans Michael Weiss revealed to The Designated Kit Man that as early as now, talks are ongoing for two more friendlies in October. If plans materialize, the Azkals will face Vietnam on October 16 in Manila and will travel to Jakarta on the 21st to battle Indonesia.

Weiss says they are taking the friendlies seriously and that the coaching and management staff have been contacting the players he wanted to banner the 25-30 pool of Azkals that will compete in the World Cup and Asian Cup qualifiers. Weiss said Azkals fans should expect several changes in the squad

“If all our plans push through, and if all players commit to national team duty, then it will be a totally different team. It will have seven to nine new players, much stronger particularly on the physical side, more match fit, more match competitive than the team last June,” Weiss said.

Weiss admitted that one of the key takeaways in the tuneup against Nepal and Chinese Taipei two months ago was the fitness of the players.

He said that the first half against the Taiwanese remains his standard as of now and looking

The returning German mentor added that he already has a game plan against Chinese Taipei and Afghanistan on hand. He is also getting ready for the big matches against perennial powerhouse Vietnam and Indonesia. Weiss said he will use the September and October friendlies to monitor players that will be ready, both physically and mentally, in the games that will really count in November.

“We have to attack and at the same time, we need to be smart and not run in their counters because this is basically their (Vietnam’s) style.

I think we have a good chance, but we have to step up as far as physicality, intensity and self confidence are concerned,” Weiss stressed out.

Against Indonesia, Weiss said proper mindset is needed especially if the Azkals will play against 50,000-60,000 hostile fans. The Azkals have played several big games before, but visiting a country where football is the national pastime will always be intimidating especially to the rookies of the team. Weiss insisted that as early as now, mental preparation should go hand in hand with training.

“You can say that you want to win. but the reality often is different. But if you are pre-

pared to win, it’s a mental thing you know. You will try to dominate the game, try not to be affected with what the opponent is giving but instead take on the initiative,” Weiss said.

Weiss remained tight-lipped on the identities of the new players being invited to join the national training pool. But he said that it will be a very interesting group. He added that aside from one or two players, he is looking for players that will be the main pillars of the team. He is hoping that Gerrit Holtmann will be able to join the team. Raphael Obermair is also on Weiss’ list, but unfortunately the SC Paderborn 07 winger is currently injured. Despite this, Weiss said that they have contacted all players that are ready for the new setup that he will implement.

He is just hoping that all the best prospects, barring injuries and other reasons, will be present during the games that matter most.

After the September and October friendlies, Weiss said he will have a clearer picture of who will be included in the national pool for the November qualifiers.

“A friendly match and a real competitive game is much different. When you want to win and when you have to deliver is not the same. You have to know also when it really counts and when it matters,” Weiss added.

Aside from Azkals playing overseas, Weiss said that he will also monitor players in the ongoing Copa Paulino Alcantara, who can help and reinforce the team.

Speaking of another football event, season 19 of Ang Liga will formally start this coming Sunday, August 13 with fixtures set at University of the Philippines-Diliman Football Field and De La Salle University Biñan. Xavier School

and Claret School of Quezon City will also play host to the tournament that has collegiate and high school sides battling it out in two divisions.

Division 1 features San Beda University, College of Saint Benilde, De La Salle University, Emilio Aguinaldo University, Mapua Malayan Colleges, University of Batangas, Adamson University, Ateneo De Manila University, Far Eastern University, University of the East, University of the Philippines and University of Santo Tomas.

San Beda University High School, Adamson Team 2, Southridge, Claret School of Quezon City, De La Salle University 2, La Salle Greenhills, De La Salle Lipa, Ateneo De Manila High School, University of Perpetual Help DALTA, University of Santo Tomas High School, Xavier School and De La Salle Integrated School, on the other hand, compete in Division 2. Ang Liga, the longest-running collegiate football league in the country, serves as the premier pre-season tournament that features teams from the NCAA, UAAP and other schools outside of Metro Manila. For this season, Ang Liga received a tremendous boost after partnering with FPJ Panday Bayanihan, Pantheon Holdings, Smart Sports and several other companies.

All games will be played every Sunday and matches will be streamed live on the Smart Sports Facebook page.

Stay safe. Stay happy peeps!

For comments or questions, you can reach The Designated Kit Man at erel_cabatbat@ yahoo.com or follow his account at Twitter: @erelcabatbat

Ayesha Juegos had 13 points for Adamson, clipped reigning UAAP champion La Salle with a stunning 22-25, 25-17, 17-25, 27-25, 1614 come-from-behind win in Game 1 of the Shakey’s Super League National Invitationals nale.

Hinata Miyazawa FIFA

Eros Baluyot takes down Rene Catalan, while URCC president Alvin Aguilar watches during the main event of the URCC 87: Heroes on Tuesday night at the Palace in Xylo in BGC.

UP-and-coming film directors will soon have the chance to showcase their very own “kwentong panalo ng buhay” as part of Puregold’s recently launched, first-ever film festival.

Legit Status wins dance tourney in Arizona

LEGIT Status dance crew, whose members include Alexis Nickole B. Enciso, emerged as the champion of the World Hip Hop Dance Championship 2023 held recently in Phoenix, Arizona.

The competition, in which Legit Status came on top of the MegaCrew Division, was held last August 6. The troupe bested 54 other dance groups all throughout the competition.

Alexis’ parents, Alvin and Astrid Enciso, congratulated their daughter for her amazing feat.

“Congratulations to Legit Status and my Alexis. You are our country’s pride!

Alexis, we are happy to see you reach your dreams and pursue one of your passions. Our little girl is all grown up! We can’t wait to see new heights you will conquer. We are with you all the way,” Alvin said.

The younger Enciso is taking up industrial engineering at the De La Salle University in Manila.

Legit Status had a four-minute performance during the finals, where they showcased several dance techniques that wowed the crowd that cheered for them.

The dance troupe landed first place in

the competition’s preliminaries, where they attained a score of 7.98 with a 0.32 gap score from the next contenders. During the semifinal round, the group held a 7.86 score although the gap between them and the next dance troupe lowered to 0.15.

audience Philippines.

Two other Pinoy dance groups won in UP Streetdance Club while HQ won in the Adult Division.

Legit Status sang the Philippine National Anthem in front of the audience as they took pride in representing the Philippines. the competition –placed third in the MegaCrew Division, while

New filmfest aims to produce inspirational,

Dubbed CinePanalo Film Festival, the event will be marked by largesse – Puregold is giving away millions worth of production grants to help fund the works of a select group of filmmakers that will participate in it. To date, the festival is arousing immense interest and the application process is well underway to determine who will be part of it.

Vincent Co, President of Puregold Price Club Inc., spoke about the exciting opportunities that await participants. “We want CinePanalo to uplift the spirits of young and gifted filmmakers who are just waiting for a break,” he said. “We hope that the financial grant and the sheer exposure they get will provide an important boost to their aspirations.”

CinePanalo giving application exposure they get will provide an the

Puregold’s CinePanalo Film Festival is looking for inspirational and heartwarming stories that conform to the festival’s official theme, “Mga kwentong panalo ng buhay.” Applicants whose creations reflect timeless Pinoy values about love, family, and hope will find vigorous support at the upcoming festival.

uplifting features

reflect timeless Pinoy values about Chris Cahilig significance of the festival’s theme.

such as the Puregold Channel on YouTube. These shorts will be featured next to Puregold’s successful retailtainment series such as “GV Boys,” “Ang Babae sa Likod ng Face Mask,” and “Ang Lalaki sa Likod ng Profile”.

Festival director affirms this as he stresses the significance of the festival’s theme.

“CinePanalo aims to leave audiences with the warm and fuzzy feeling that truly great cinema can inspire,” Cahilig says. “On this note, we look forward to seeing the wonderful stories our local directors will earnestly share with the public.”

“People need films that the whole family can enjoy,” Cahilig asserts. “At a time when films marked by violence or worldly desires are increasingly made accessible to more people, the CinePanalo Film Festival’s focus will be on more heartfelt and hope-filled stories.”

capture the spirit of the festival’s theme sought-after be given P2,500,000 each to produce a

Only a select few that will best capture the spirit of the festival’s theme will receive sought-after grants. Five amateur and professional directors will be given P2,500,000 each to produce a feature film for the festival. Meanwhile, twenty-five student filmmakers will be given P100,000 each to create shorts.

The completed films will be screened at a three-day festival to be held at Gateway Cinemas from March 8 to 10, 2024. The short films will also be posted on Puregold’s official social media pages

A rousing 10th Misters of Filipinas press

THIS year’s batch, consisting of forty charismatic men, primarily models, actors, and event hosts, vying in the 10th Misters of Filipinas pageant, seems poised to deliver an exhilarating experience. This anticipation is rooted in the reception received during the press presentation of the official candidates, which took place at Winford Hotel and Casino in Manila on Sunday.

As customary, voted press favorites (Darling of the Press) were candidates Lloyd Figueras of Laoag City, Kenneth Vincent Cabungcal of Negros Oriental, and Godfrey Nikolai Murillo of Pampanga.

Misters of Filipinas aims to promote the diversity of the modern Filipino man as role models and create opportunities for them to represent the Philippines on the international stage. Titles at stake are Man of the World, Man Hot Star International, Mister Super Globe, Mister Fitness Super Model World, and Mister Model Worldwide.

Joining Figueras, Cabungcal and Murillo were Nico Librojo, Aldrien David, Marvin Diamante, Miko Santos, Louie Palacio Alaba, Drei Arias, Darwis Narollah Ismaeili, Jovy Morante, Jaymark Omolon, William Chiang, Jean Micaell Yabot, Brent Oliver Dalman, John Paulo Libang, Hans Christian Tarona, Nikko Nackaerts, Archmylz Angel Perez, James Harley Lajos, Yukio Koike, Rj De Vera, Bryan Manalang, Kenn Brylle Catubay, Simeon Cayetano, Ben Espina, Christopher Gede Samon and Bridge Andrada. Candidates Timothy Armero, Charlon Guanga, and Mark Anthony Sy

Follow the preliminary competitions to be held in different parts of the country, before culminating at the Coronation Finals set at the Samsung Performing Arts

Theater in Makati City on September 17.

* * *

Aura Cares holds charity event

Corporate Social Responsibility practices of companies are generally displayed through charity works. One example was Aura Cares Foundation which organized a charity event held recently at Dream Lab, Ayala Malls Circuit, Makati City. The charity event was a celebration of unity, compassion, and hope, a demonstration of the extraordinary power of individuals and organizations coming together to create lasting change in the country. Intended beneficiaries included the children of God’s Provisions, Onesimo Foundation, Bags of Hope, and God’s Angel Little Miracle, organizations that have dedicated their works to uplifting the lives of underprivileged children.

The children were treated to interactive games and heartwarming performances, an experience that transcended their everyday challenges, a day to forget their worries and immerse themselves in a world of wonder and delight.

The generous partner sponsors served as a powerful reminder of the collective social responsibility we share to uplift those in need. Aura Cares thanked the Philippine Amusement and Entertainment Corporation (PAEC), headed by its president, Lance Tan, which allowed the event to be held at Dream Lab, a new educational and fun destination designed for Filipino children to learn how to become entrepreneurs at an early age through interactive experiential simulations.

Meanwhile, Aura Events Management also announced that nominations are now open for the prestigious and star-studded 2nd Global Iconic Aces Awards 2023 which honors the best in various fields.

films marked by violence or worldly desires be dozens sift

The festival was officially launched at a press conference organized by Cinema 76 Film Society last August 8, 2023. Since the announcement of the event dropped, festival officials have been receiving dozens of inquiries from interested filmmakers. An esteemed selection committee will sift through all applications to find the exceptional directors who will make up the festival’s lineup in March.

Interested participants may email thesecretariat@cinepanalo.com to receive the materials needed to apply. All applications and requirements must be emailed back by October 27. A shortlist of selected directors is expected to drop by November 6.

ABS-CBN Foundation extends hand to affected families by recent typhoons

OVER 2,000 families from different towns in Ilocos Sur and Cagayan received relief from ABS-CBN Foundation to help them recover from the damages brought by typhoons Egay and Falcon. The heavy rains displaced families in the two regions and affected their livelihood, but with the generosity of donors, ABSCBN Foundation Sagip Kapamilya was able to give relief packs to families living in barangays Casitan and Batangan in Gonzaga,

Cagayan, and barangays Simayung and Sirit in Abulug. In Ilocos Sur, the Foundation also served residents affected by massive flooding with food packs, including those living in the towns of San Ildefonso, San Pablo, Santo Domingo, and Bantay.

In an interview with TV Patrol, Ilocos Sur provincial administrator Marlon Tagorda said the towns that ABS-CBN Foundation reached were submerged by

the flood. “They are really devastated and they were directly hit by the typhoon so lahat ng mga pinuntahan natin lubog,” he said. Individuals who wish to share their love with affected families can send their donation to ABS-CBN Foundation through various donation channels posted on the ABS-CBN Foundation Facebook page. They may also purchase ABSCBN Foundation donation vouchers via Shopee and Lazada.

Festival officials Chris Cahilig and Ivy Piedad joined by representatives of Republic Creative Creations Inc, as well as members of CinePanalo’s official color grading partner Optima Digital

Laoag City’s Lloyd Figueras, Negros Oriental’s Kenneth Vincent Cabungcal, and Pampanga’s Godfrey Nikolai Murillo are named as Darlings of the Press

Relief goods are given to over

families from the provinces of Ilocos Sur and Cagayan

Alexis Nickole B. Enciso of Legit Status dance crew

Award-winning filmmaker Christopher Cahilig is the festival director for CinePanalo

Beauty treatments for Korean stars now available in the Philippines

IN beauty and skincare, K-beauty or South Korean beauty techniques have taken the world by storm. Korean beauty products have long been widely available and accessible in the Philippines.

In recent years, the multi-step skincare routine that involves serums and face masks rose to fame. Thanks to the glass-like, dewy skin evident among K-drama stars and KPop artists, there’s not much convincing needed to patronize the trend.

As the country embraces this fascination with all things Korean, Dr. Young Cho, a respected Korean beauty doctor, launched the Korean beauty and wellness clinic Hernel at the heart of Bonifacio Global City in Taguig.

Steeped in the principles of Korean beauty and technology, this clinic offers an array of transformative treatments and enhancements. Dr. Cho, Hernel’s head doctor, and coowner, has been in the country for more than a year and is now holding consultations and performing procedures for the Philippine market. He has also trained four other doctors to cater to more patients.

“The Korean wave is booming in the Philippines and I decided to introduce the Korean aesthetic program here,” Dr. Cho said.

Local clients no longer need to fly to Korea with what the clinic offers.

“The intention of Hernel is very clear - making Korean beauty treatments readily available in Manila. Aside from

heavily patronizing Korean food, entertainment, and music, Filipinos are also very meticulous about skin care. Having Hernel here is a good opportunity to address the local market’s desire to experience how things are done in Korea,” Tristan Cheng, Hernel’s Marketing Head explained. Making no promise, Dr. Cho is hoping to bring in some South Korean stars who happen to be his friends like actor Hyun Bin and his wife actress Son Ye Jin, actress Kim Hee Sun, girl group Rainbow, and more. Dr. Cho has two clinics of his own in Korea and has a partnership with another one located in Gangnam, known as one of the richest districts in South Korea.

“My priority is to bring in procedures which are very popular in Korea and have not been introduced in the Philippines like collagen therapies and some unique threading techniques,” Dr. Cho went on. A thread lift, often used to lift the skin and enhance the nose, employs dissolvable sutures equipped with tiny barbs to achieve a more youthful aesthetic for the facial and neck areas. This low-impact technique operates by triggering a surge in collagen synthesis within the skin, leading to the development of healthier, more resilient skin with increased firmness.

As you step into Hernel’s confines, you will be welcomed by a luxurious experience. The clinic’s beautiful aesthetics match the premium services it promises. With each visit, you become a canvas, a masterpiece, under the skillful hands of experts who understand that beauty is both an art and a science.

Inspiring change and impact

WATSONS, the leading health, wellness, and beauty retailer, is dedicated to making a positive impact across four pillars: People, Community, Customers, and the Planet. Through these pillars, Watsons aims to uplift the health and wellbeing of the communities it serves, ensure a sustainable and healthy workforce, provide customers with sustainable options, manage supply-chain risk, and reduce its ecological footprint.

At the heart of Watsons’ business is its mission to inspire its customers to feel their best while looking good and doing good for themselves and those around them.

In 2022, Watsons made significant achievements in its mission to “Do Good” by inspiring both its

employees and customers by making a meaningful impact on communities and the environment.

People: In 2022, Watsons closed the year with 1,048 stores and a workforce of 9,228 employees. Impressively, 98 percent of them were trained in sustainability. The brand launched the Live Green campaign for waste segregation, engaging its team in nationwide stores. Watsons aims to earn the Gold Health & Wellbeing certification from Investors in People by 2025, nurturing talent and leadership.

Community: Committed to enhancing underserved communities’ health, Watsons conducted year-round medical outreach programs. Partnering with Operation Smile Philippines, they transformed 116 children’s lives through cleft surgeries in 2022, totaling 2,152 since 2013.

Medical missions provided medicines to 910 people, reaching 6,579 since 2013. Their Alagang Pangkalusugan program delivered free doctor’s consultations, screenings, and more. Watsons facilitated COVID-19 booster shots for 25,000+ and administered flu, pneumonia, and HPV vaccines to 80,000+ customers. By 2030, Watsons aims for 3,300 cleft surgeries and aid 20,000 individuals with medicines.

Customers: An essential element of Watsons Philippines is its 1,702 adept pharmacists, pivotal in assisting informed purchases. In 2022, customers enjoyed an expanded range of 1,632 Sustainable Choices items, showcasing Watsons’ commitment to ecofriendliness. The “Do Good for the Community and the Planet

Campaign” empowered shoppers with eco-friendly insights. By 2025, Watsons targets 15 percent sales from Sustainable Choices products and plans to gather 65,000 kg of trash by 2030. Planet: In 2022, Watsons embraced sustainability, recycling 1,691,000 plastic bottles and collecting 25,454 kg of trash. Plastic use in e-commerce parcels dropped 79 percent, adopting 100 percent recycled packaging. Two Refill Stations boosted refills by 46 percent. Four stores integrated solar panels, while energy-efficient appliances and smart controls curbed electricity consumption. Staff underwent training and are now incentivized to achieve energy reduction goals. Watsons took an active role in environmental conservation by partnering with CORA Philippines for a coastal cleanup project in the Las Piñas Parañaque Critical Habit and Ecotourism Area (LPPCHEA). Moreover, the retailer collaborated with Plastic Bank to recover plastic bottles from the ecosystem, minimizing local plastic manufacturing. Through the Trash for Cash program, customers were encouraged to participate in recycling efforts with designated drop-off bins at participating SM malls, allowing them to exchange recyclables for discounts or vouchers from partner brands redeemable at Watsons stores.

“Our heritage of Doing Good has brought about our passion to support the community and the planet. The task is too enormous. We have to continue and accelerate our pace by building greener stores and investing more in renewable energy,” said Danilo Chiong, Watsons Philippines Managing Director.

Through its relentless pursuit of positive change and sustainable practices, Watsons continues to lead the way as a responsible and impactful retailer, promoting the well-being of people, communities, customers, and the environment.

SAMSUNG and Smart Communications have joined forces to revolutionize the smartphone landscape, introducing the eagerly awaited Samsung Galaxy Z Fold5 and Z Flip5. These flagship models are set to enthrall both tech enthusiasts and everyday users with their cutting-edge technology and lifestyle-centric attributes.

The Samsung Galaxy Z Flip5 stands out as a compact wonder, redefining smartphone design with its distinctive clamshell configuration. Its foldable, pocket-sized display ensures heightened portability, seamlessly fitting into pockets or purses. The Flex Mode feature enhances hands-free entertainment by allowing novel app usage even with the device partially unfolded.

The phone’s dual 12MP rear cameras enable effortless photography anywhere, while a 10MP front camera ensures impeccable selfies. The device comes in a range of stylish colors: Graphite, Cream, Lavender, and Mint.

The Samsung Galaxy Z Fold5 elevates productivity and entertainment with its Foldable Dynamic AMOLED screen

and exceptional multitasking capabilities, enabling seamless app and task switching.

The device’s slim design, coupled with the zero-gap hinge, ensures a smooth unfolding experience. With potent performance and a spacious screen, the Z Fold5 transforms into a portable workstation, catering to professionals on the move. Nature-inspired shades like Phantom Black, Cream, and Icy Blue give the device a distinctive appearance. Smart offers exclusive deals for preorders of the Galaxy Z Fold5 and Z Flip5, bundled with Smart Postpaid plans. These deals encompass unparalleled connectivity, substantial data, and enticing perks.

Pre-ordering, which runs until August 17, offers a free storage upgrade, up to 50 percent off vouchers for Galaxy Watch6 and Galaxy Buds2 Pro on the Samsung Online Store, and a complimentary 1-year Samsung Care+ subscription.

Both the Galaxy Z Fold5 (12+512GB) and Galaxy Z Flip5 (8+512GB) are available for pre-order with Smart Signature and Infinity Plans.

Taberna Group of Companies honors partners in appreciation night

THE Taberna Group of Companies (TGC) paid tribute to its clients and partners at the annual Appreciation Night held at the Metrotent Convention Center in Pasig City on July 26.

Guests relished an evening of entertainment, music, and exquisite cuisine. Cultural band Indio and dancing duo Power Duo delivered remarkable performances, alongside other celebrities and TGC’s talents.

Dubbed as TGC Icon 2023, the event also featured multiple booths showcasing TGC’s brands, including Outbox Media (OBM), sought-after events and multimedia company, and Taberna couples’ F&B businesses: Ka Tunying’s restaurant, A. Taberna Foods Corp., Kumbachero Food Corp., Taste of the Town catering, and K Tunying’s TV and Digital programs –Tune In Kay Ka Tunying Live, a one-hour digital newscast, and Kuha All, a documentary on today’s viral videos.

Anthony “Ka Tunying” Taberna the president and CEO of TGC, an A-list broadcaster, expressed gratitude to their cherished clients and partners, whom he referred to as their co-creators, for their unwavering support through good and challenging times. He emphasized the crucial role that their stakeholders play as TGC sets its sights on greater heights post-pandemic.

Meanwhile, Rossel Taberna, Taberna’s wife, recognized the hard work and dedication of each member of TGC, considering them a vital part of the company’s progress over the years. Renowned as an Xtrapreneur for consistently going the extra mile, Mrs. T encouraged her team to exceed expectations consistently and make their distinct impact.

The power couple concluded their day of gratitude by expressing their appreciation and recognition to all their valued clients.

Watsons celebrates a year of doing good for the people, community, customers, and the planet

The Taberna family

Employee volunteers of Watsons actively participate in the coastal clean-up activity at Las Pinas-Paranaque Critical Habitat and Eco-Tourism Area

Watsons believes in the importance of nurturing talents and developing leaders who are essential in building a strong, sustainable, and high-performing organization