DOMESTIC pump prices for fuels went up anew on Tuesday by P1.20 per liter for diesel, P1.10 per liter for kerosene, and P0.50 per liter for gasoline
-- the ninth consecutive week of hikes for diesel and kerosene and the eighth for gasoline.
Over the past nine weeks, diesel prices have gone up by a total P14.40 per liter, and kerosene by P13.75 per liter.
THE House of Representatives will find ways to allocate P2 billion to help retailers who will be hurt by the price ceilings on rice imposed by the Palace last week, Speaker Ferdinand Martin G. Romualdez said Monday.
Romualdez said he had instructed Ako Biko party-list Rep. Elizaldy Co, chairman of the House committee on appropriations, to coordinate with the Department of Budget and Management (DBM) for the swift allocation of P2 billion to support the rice retailers, who said they bought the grain from traders at a price higher than the price ceilings.
“Our goal is to ensure that we can extend assistance to rice retailers who may be affected by this rice price ceiling, as it is a directive from our President aimed at protecting consumers,” Romualdez said.
JAKARTA—President Ferdinand Marcos Jr. arrived here on Monday night as he readies to meet other world leaders before the opening of the 43rd ASEAN Summit today.
Mr. Marcos stressed he would discuss security, economy, agriculture, and mi-
By
Vince Lopez and Maricel
V. Cruz
A CHINESE woman kidnapped by a police officer and his brother was rescued by the Pasay City Police, the National Capital Region Police Office (NCRPO) said Monday.
The kidnapping was one in a recent string of incidents involving cops, 24 of whom were relieved after testing positive for drug use in Mandaluyong City.
In a report by state-run Philippine News Agency, NCRPO director Brig. Gen. Jose Melencio Nartatez said Zhou Yunqiing, 26, was abducted by Staff Sgt. Lordgin Antonino, 34; and his brother Nelson, 20, at around 10:48 p.m. Sunday in Pasay City.
More rain seen over next 3 days
HEADING HOME.
A father fixes his daughter’s raincoat after the cancellation of classes at the Justo Lukban Elementary School in Paco, Manila on Monday, as most of Metro Manila suspended classes due to stormy weather. Norman Cruz
grant welfare issues, as well as pursue a statement on the country’s ongoing incursions with China in the regional meeting of the Association of Southeast Asian Nations.
The President was joined by First Lady Liza Araneta-Marcos, his son and Ilocos Norte first district Rep. Sandro
Hours before flying to Indonesia for the 43rd ASEAN Summit, President Ferdinand Marcos Jr. met with the heads of several government agencies to discuss the implementation of the price ceilings on rice, which starts today (Sept. 5).
Some local retailers said they would rather close their shops temporarily than sell their current stocks at the ceiling prices, adding they would face huge losses if they did.
“It’s hard because you’re already selling at a loss, you’re working your store, and you’ll just get tired, for no profit,” said Aldrian Flores, a rice retailer at the
The navies of the Philippines and the United States conduct a bilateral sail exercise in the waters west of Palawan province under the Mutual Defense Board activity, while a medical team from the Philippine Army and the combat medics of the Royal Australian Army Medical Corps perform Tactical Combat Casualty Care as part of Exercise Carabaroo 2023 at the Channel Island, Northern Territory, Australia on September 3. AFP Photos
A MANILA Regional Trial Court on Monday acquitted self-confessed drug lord Rolan “Kerwin” Espinosa of charges of illegal possession of
firearms and explosives.
In a decision dated Sept. 4, 2023, Manila City RTC Judge Janice Yulo-Antero absolved Es -
pinosa of violations of Republic Act No. 9516 on illegal possession of explosives, and RA 10591, the Comprehensive Firearms and Ammunition Regulations Act.
“The prosecution miserably failed
to prove the guilt of accused Rolan Espinosa y Eslabon alias ‘Kerwin Espinosa’ beyond reasonable doubt that he was in effective control and possession over the firearms/weapons
THE Department of Information and Communications Technology (DICT)
on Monday said it confiscated a large number of illegal China-made “text blast” machines used by organized syndicates for text scams via mobile phone messaging.
This developed as the PLDT Group vowed to support two bills -- one in the
House of Representatives and the other in the Senate – that will strengthen the country’s current laws on cybercrime and imprison individuals who act as “mules” in the commission of cybercrimes.
“Many” of the text blast machines were confiscated, DICT Secretary Ivan John Uy said in a Viber message to reporters, without indicating a number.
THE southwest monsoon or “habagat” enhanced by an incoming storm will bring as much as 200 millimeters of rain to most parts of Luzon until Wednesday, the state weather bureau said Monday.
In its weather advisory, the Philippine Atmospheric, Geophysical, and Astronomical Services Administration said the monsoon is expected to trigger the heaviest rainfall in Pangasinan, Zambales, and Bataan over the next three days.
Metro Manila, Ilocos Norte, Ilocos Sur, La Union, Abra, Benguet, Tarlac,
Nueva Ecija, Pampanga, Bulacan, Rizal, Cavite, Batangas, Occidental Mindoro, and Calamian Islands would also experience rainfall of up to 100 mm into the midweek, keeping most areas in Luzon under floods.
“Under these conditions, flooding and rain-induced landslides are expected, especially in areas that are highly or
very highly susceptible to these hazards as identified in hazard maps,” the advisory said.
Meanwhile, PAGASA said after the exit of typhoons “Goring” and “Hanna,” a low-pressure area inside the Philippine Area of Responsibility is brewing to become a tropical depression within the next 24 hours.
The LPA, once it develops into a tropical depression, would be named “Ineng,” the bureau said.
The weather system was estimated at 870 kilometers east of extreme northern Luzon as of Monday 3 p.m.
Meanwhile, a total of P584,759,593 worth of damage to agriculture was reported due to the impact of Goring
and Hanna as well as the habagat, the National Disaster Risk Reduction and Management Council said on Monday.
In its latest report, the NDRRMC said most of the damage to agriculture was reported in Western Visayas with P356,128,079, followed by Cagayan with P192,654,704.
Damage to agriculture worth P29,678,492 was also reported in Mimaropa; P5,737,325 in Central Luzon; and P560,990 in the Cordillera Administrative Region (CAR).
For infrastructure, the NDRRMC said a total of P130,251,200 worth of damage was reported in Cagayan, Western Visayas, and CAR. With Vince Lopez
Marcos, House Speaker and Leyte first district Rep. Martin Romualdez, and the government’s economic managers and Cabinet secretaries on board PR001, which landed in Indonesia at exactly 6 p.m. (7 p.m. in Manila).
Apart from local officials, Mr. Marcos was welcomed by Philippine Ambassador to Indonesia Gina Jamoralin, Permanent Representative of the Philippines to ASEAN Hjayceelyn Quintana, PH Defense Attaché in Indonesia Col. Emmanuel Canilla, and Police Attaché in Indonesia Col. Donald Madamba.
“Once again, I will use this opportunity to advance Philippine priorities in ASEAN and work with our other ASEAN member states not only in addressing the complex challenges facing the region but also in pursuing opportunities for ASEAN as an ‘epicenter of growth,’” the President said earlier in his departure statement at Villamor Airbase.
“My participation will highlight our advocacies in promoting a rules-based international order, including in the South China Sea, strengthening food security, calling for climate justice, tapping the potential of the digital and creative economies, protecting migrant workers in crisis situations, as well as combating Trafficking-inPersons,” he added.
The second ASEAN Summit of this year provides a strategic opportunity for the regional bloc to deepen its partnerships with Australia, Canada, India, China, Japan, Korea, the United States, and the United Nations, Marcos said, noting they will foster cooperation with these countries in trade and investment, climate action, food security, clean energy, and maritime cooperation.
The President also said he would participate in the ASEAN Plus Three and East Asia Summits to discuss developments in the South China Sea, the situation in Myanmar, and the conflict in Ukraine; as well as on major power rivalries.
“I will also take the opportunity to meet with bilateral partners at the sidelines of the ASEAN Summit to advance cooperation that will benefit our national priorities,” he said.
STUDENTS and parents alike were
dismayed Monday by the late announcement of some local governments in Metro Manila of their suspension of classes due to monsoon rains, as some of them had braved strong downpours and flooded streets to get to their schools before their classes were called off.
The pupils, their parents and guardians took to social media to express their gripes against mayors and school officials for their late announcements, which were made only when the state weather bureau raised orange rainfall warnings in their areas.
A total of 15 local government units in the National Capital region suspended classes in all levels on Monday due to continuous rains and flooded areas.
“They are not legal unless NTC [National Telecommunications Commission] approves it.”
He added that it is “challenging” to confiscate some of the text blast machines because “some of them are owned by local politicians.”
Uy did not mention which politicians owned such machines, which were used as recently as the 2022 national and local elections.
In an interview with GMA Network’s Unang Balita, DICT Undersecretary Alexander Ramos said the text blast machines are typically connected to a computer or laptop and send random text messages to a series of numbers.
Ramons said these machines are now being sold at low prices.
Uy earlier blamed the continued “smishing” (SMS phishing) and text scams on organized syndicates that are buying pre-registered SIM cards from people willing to sell them.
“These people have little regard for protecting their identity or credentials, which is mostly from poor communities,” Uy said.
PRESIDENT Ferdinand Marcos Jr.
congratulated Srettha Thavisin on his appointment as the 30th Prime Minister of Thailand on Monday.
In a social media post, the President said he looks forward to meeting the new premier to boost bilateral relations between the Philippines and Thailand.
“I convey my warm congratulations and best wishes to @Thavisin on your election as the 30th Prime Minister of Thailand. I look forward to working with you in strengthening Philippines-Thailand relations, which celebrates its milestone 75th anniversary next year,” the Chief Executive said in a tweet. He added that his administration
so we want to listen to their concerns, and we will try to find a solution to address their fears of incurring losses,” the Speaker said.
is committed to enhancing the longstanding friendship between the Filipinos and Thais.
Thavisin was elected on August 22, 2023, replacing Prayut Chan-o-cha as the new Prime Minister.
A businessman and real estate magnate in Thailand, Thavisin co-founded Sansiri in 1988, the largest land developer in their country.
prioritize and provide funds for it. There has to be a plan so we can start. We need to start acting now,” Lee added.
Only the city of Makati did not declare class suspensions yesterday, while localized suspensions were put in place in Quezon City, where some areas are still inundated.
Commonwealth Market in Quezon City, in a television interview.
“They (government officials) should bring the prices down from the people who sell rice to us so they can be sure to get the price (levels) they want,” Flores added.
Another rice retailer at the same market, Alfonso Flores, was taken by surprise by the price ceiling order and said the move would wipe out their profit of around P1,000 to P1,500 per sack of rice sold.
While admitting the goal of the rice ceiling price was noble and would check price manipulators, the agricultural group SINAG said the government should give retailers and rice traders more time to sell out their existing stocks before dropping the prices.
Jayson Cainglet, SINAG executive director, said the government could give traders another week to consume their expensive stocks before setting the new price ceiling.
Meanwhile, Co said his committee has already coordinated with the DBM under Secretary Amenah Pangandaman to find ways to fund the allocation.
Romualdez said this initiative underscores Congress’s commitment to fortifying and bolstering the resilience of essential food supply chains.
He had earlier disclosed plans to engage with rice retailers nationwide to listen to their concerns about potential financial losses stemming from the rice price ceiling.
“The government is not insensitive,
“We are aware that they have high costs from traders, but our priority is the public’s difficulty in buying rice,” he added.
President Ferdinand R. Marcos Jr. had issued Executive Order 39, setting prices at P41.00 per kilo for regular milled rice and P45.00 for well-milled rice starting Sept. 5. This action was prompted by government intelligence indicating that certain unscrupulous traders planned to hike rice prices to as high as P70.00 per kilo.
In a related development, AGRI Party-list Rep. Wilbert T. Lee on Monday said affordable, stable rice prices are possible if the government is willing to invest to ensure the food security.
Lee filed a bill to establish a program to provide subsidies intended to lower rice prices while encouraging farmers to produce more rice.
“Food security is a national security issue,” he said. “If this is your perspective, we should treat our farmers as food security soldiers—an army being mobilized to feed millions of Filipino families, an army waging a war on hunger.”
Lee said lowering rice prices to P20 a kilo is possible in the long term if the government is willing to invest in a plan to increase rice production and shield consumers from rising international prices for rice.
“If the issue involves ‘national security’ -- it’s automatic, it is an expense item. That means the government has to
inside a room at Qing Qing Hotel in Pasay City.
Lee filed House Bill 9020 or the “Cheaper Rice Act” to establish a Rice Incentivization, Self-Sufficiency, and Enterprise (RISE) Program that aims to ensure that rice prices remain affordable for the ordinary Filipino consumer through a subsidy for the country’s estimated 2.6 million rice farmers.
The RISE Program Act tasks the Department of Agriculture (DA), in coordination with the Department of Trade and Industry (DTI) and other relevant government agencies, to develop a pricing structure that will cover the minimum guaranteed prices for palay.
The program will also establish a regular monitoring system to mitigate the impact of fluctuating prices on palay and rice and design a system for payouts to farmers based on various scenarios of price decline.
Romualdez compared the current rice situation to what occurred with onion prices when onion cartels raised them to P800 per kilo. “Naturally, the President had to act swiftly to counter this ill-intentioned plan by a select few,” Romualdez said.
Retailers had aired their concern about the new price ceilings, saying they bought rice from traders for nearly P50 a kilo.
Department of Trade and Industry Assistant Secretary Dominic Tolentino Jr. raised proposed solutions to various concerns from retailers, rice traders, and farmer groups in the implementation of the EO.
claimed that he was involved in an operation at the hotel.
According to the Metropolitan Manila Development Authority, the cancellation of classes in both private and public schools was announced in Caloocan City, Malabon City, Marikina City, Parañaque City, Pasay City, San Juan City, Manila, Muntinlupa City, Valenzuela City, Las Piñas City, Mandaluyong City, Navotas City, and Municipality of Pateros. Taguig City canceled afternoon classes in public and private schools due to expected rainfall and monsoonlike conditions, potentially causing flooding in low-lying areas.
The Taguig government has asked residents to visit and monitor the Taguig Open Weather and Environmental Reporting (TOWER) System for updates.
From A1
and ammunition, neither was he in actual nor constructive possession of the same,” Antero ruled.
With the acquittal, the judge ordered the warden of the Manila City Jail “to release the body of the accused unless he is being detained for other lawful cause/s.”
However, Espinosa is left with one more drug-related case in Baybay, Leyte, where he was previously allowed to post bail, and two other cases for violating the Anti-Money Laundering Act.
Nartatez said the police received information on the incident around 1 a.m. on Monday from the victim’s friend, Malaysian Law Yi Wei, 34.
Wei went to the Pasay police substation 3 in Libertad to seek assistance regarding his friend who was taken by the suspects who reportedlt posed as agents of the Criminal Investigation and Detection Group (CIDG) for an alleged case of human trafficking.
Wei also said the victim was detained
He also showed a photo of the victim who was then handcuffed and a photo of a police ID bearing the name “PMSG John Reggie Reyes” as well as the text message from the suspects who asked for P500,000 in exchange for the woman’s release. Authorities launched an operation at the hotel and saw Lordgin, who matched the description on the police ID shown by Wei, sitting in the lobby of the establishment, the PNA report said.
When the police approached the suspect, he identified himself as a police officer assigned at the CIDG Pasay and
public utility vehicles, 930,000 tricycles, and 150,000 units related to delivery services “that stand to gain from this relief measure,” the DBM said.
However, the police arrested Lordgin after verifying with the District Special Operations Unit (DSOU) of SPD that the unit was not conducting any operation at the establishment at that time.
Police officers proceeded to a room at the hotel where they rescued the victim and arrested the police officer’s brother.
The police officer had a 9mm Taurus with serial number TBW77621 classified as a property of the Philippine National Police, a police ID, a wallet, P14,000; five assorted identification cards, and a mobile phone.
“All the firearms and ammunition as enumerated in the Informations (criminal charge sheets) are hereby confiscated and forfeited in favor of the Government and accordingly, the Evidence Custodian of the Ormoc City Crime Laboratory Office, Philippine National Police, is hereby directed to turn over the said firearms and ammunitions to the Firearms and Explosives Office (FEO), Camp Crame, Quezon City, within 15 days from receipt of this Consolidated Decision and submit proof thereof to this Court,” Antero ordered.
The cases involved the explosives and firearms allegedly seized by the police on Aug. 3, 2016 in Albuera, Leyte from the houses of Kerwin and his father, slain Albuera Mayor Rolando Espinosa.
In exonerating Kerwin, the RTC gave weight to the recantation of Mayor Espinosa’s bodyguard, Marcelo Adorco. Judge Antero said Adorco disclosed that he was “he was coerced, threatened, and intimidated” to testify against Kerwin.
oil price hike this week.
On the other hand, gasoline prices increased by P9.65 per liter over the past eight weeks.
This developed as the Department of Budget and Management is facilitating the release of P3 billion for the implementation of the Department of Transportation’s Fuel Subsidy Program, under the Fiscal Year 2023 General Appropriations Act, the DBM said Monday.
The subsidy is projected to benefit approximately 1.36 million transport operators and drivers, the DBM said in a statement.
The funds would go to around 280,000
In a statement, the DBM said the target beneficiaries of the transport sector subsidy comprises public utility vehicles, taxis, tricycles, and fulltime ride-hailing and delivery service drivers nationwide, “which have been adversely affected by progressive fuel price hikes.”
The department received on Monday the official letter of request for the issuance of a Special Allotment Release Order and Notice of Cash Allocation for the project from the DOTr.
The DBM likewise received the official Joint Memorandum Circular
and the Memorandum of Agreement, it added. The initiative aims to bring some respite to these transportation stakeholders who are currently grappling with the repercussions of heightened fuel prices.
“Phoenix Petroleum Philippines will increase the prices of gasoline by P0.50 per liter and diesel by P1.20 per liter effective 6 AM of 05 September 2023,” the company said in its advisory.
Other oil companies namely PTT Philippines, Cleanfuel, Jetti Petroleum, Chevron Philippines, Seaoil Philippines, and PetroGazz also issued their respective price advisories.
Department of Energy director for the oil industry management bureau Rodela Romero confirmed the possible
“We will be expecting another round of increases in the prices of petroleum products. This is attributed to China’s stimulus measure to alleviate fuel demand and the hurricane Idalia that hit the oil production and power generation facilities in the US Gulf of Mexico and US government data showed tighter-than-expected crude supplies,” Romero said.
The oil companies implemented an increase of P0.30 per liter for gasoline, P0.70 per liter for diesel, and P0.80 per liter for kerosene on August 29.
These price adjustments resulted in a year-to-date net increase of P14.80 per liter for gasoline, P9.50 per liter for diesel, and P6.64 per liter for kerosene, according to DOE.
THE Bureau of Immigration (BI) will replace its manual counters with electronic gates to increase the efficiency of airports nationwide.
BI Commissioner Norman Tansingco said it will take only at least 45 seconds of immigration processing time for travelers under the Guidelines on Advance Passenger Information published jointly by the International Air Transport Association (IATA) and the International Civil Aviation Organization (ICAO).
While the 45-second standard is intended for check-in counters for the
the municipalities of LDS in 2022, calling forth the dispatch of a team to carry out a surface archaeological survey by the BCPCH-LDS to uncover antique remnants and discover the rich cultural heritage of the province.
Commissioner Robert M. Alonto of BCPCHLDS said that the survey aimed to unearth ancient settlements and shed light on Lanao del Sur’s historical and cultural past. “Experts, scholars, and enthusiasts embarked on a six-day journey of exploration. Engaging with local communities, the teams merged academic expertise with community insights, collecting surface artifacts and laying the groundwork for future heritage tourism initiatives,” Alonto said. Bobby Lagsa
THE Philippine Coast Guard (PCG) has responded to an oil spill incident involving the Motorized Tugboat (MTUG) Sugbo 2 in the waters off Naga Anchorage, in City of Naga in Cebu Province on September 3.
The PCG deployed three segments of oil spill boom, two bales of absorbent pads, and four segments of absorbent boom to control the oil spill. Based on the investigation, the distressed vessel called the PCG to report that they encountered hull damage on the steering portion inside the engine room.
The crew reported that the steering room was flooded due to an approximately four-inch diameter hole at the vessel’s starboard quarter. A submersible pump was also deployed to remove the seawater inside the steering room, but the tugboat lost its power/electricity.
The crew also contacted the tugboat’s sister ship MTUG Sugbo 5, to connect its power source to the submersible pump, but he terminated the pumping operation due to the increase in the volume of water in the steering room. Vince Lopez
THE Sangguniang Bayan of Morong, Bataan has established the Local Youth Development Council (LYDC).
The Sangguniang Bayan, headed by Vice Mayor Leila Linao-Munoz passed Municipal Ordinance No. 269 creating the LYDC which was approved by Mayor Cythia Linao-Estanislao.
The ordinance was sponsored by Morong SK Federation president and ex-officio Councilor Carl Francis Cariaso.
–––“The Local Youth Development Council will be responsible for the formulation of policies and implementation of youth development programs, projects, and activities.”
The LYDC functions include to serve as the core of the advocacy on youth participation and nation-building and youth empowerment; to formulate policies and component programs in coordination with the various government agencies handling youth- related programs, projects, and activities; to develop and provide support for the development and coordination of youth projects and designed strategies to gain support and participation of the youth; and to recommend youth programs and projects proposals to appropriate government agencies and and non-government organization.
The LYDC will be headed by SK Federation president. Butch Gunio
manual keying of passenger data, the BI has committed and imposed upon itself to process passengers within the said period.
Tansingco said that the BI’s IT programs are lined up to further reduce the processing time without compromising national security. The procurement of e-gates has been included in the BI’s approved information systems strategic plan for 2024-2026.
The e-gates, similar to those used in advanced countries, can lessen processing time to as low as 8 seconds per passenger and would significantly reduce the processing time of travelers.
Currently, only 21 e-gates are distributed at the arrival area in major international airports nationwide, the majority of which are deployed at the NAIA. The BI is gearing up to procure additional e-gates starting in 2024 and expects that by 2026, a total of 43 egates will be installed nationwide.
The agency projects that the project will cost 1.9 billion, but is necessary to remain at par with international counterparts. “E-gates are now the standard in most countries. We want things faster
and more efficient, to better improve the experience of our travelers,” he added.
Meanwhile, the Commission on Filipinos Overseas (CFO) has informed the BI that effective September 3, Filipino fiancés, spouses, and other partners of foreign nationals holding tourist or other limited period of stay visas are no longer required to undergo the CFO guidance and counseling program (GCP).
The GCP was initially a requirement for Filipinos with foreign partners departing to meet or marry abroad.
“The Inter-agency is committed to continuously review departure requirements for departing Filipinos to adapt to current trends,” said Tansingco.
THE Airport Press Club (APC) has criticized the removal of one of its members from the Viber group of APC and OTS (Office for Transportation Security) after the said member criticized the OTS for long lines caused by the shoe removal policy at airports.
OTS chief Ma.O. Aplasca directed Froilan Morallos’ removal, and his spokesperson Kim Marquez deleted him.
The APC officials felt slighted by the situation and criticized Aplasca and Marquez for “mishandling the situation.”
They argued that the situation should have been handled more professionally, with Morallos being contacted first through private message or on the same Viber group.
They also criticized Marquez for not trying to dissuade Aplasca from being onion-skinned or handling the situation herself first.
APC members noted that Morallos had been accommodating OTS press releases without expecting anything in return and had been fair during times of extortion complaints and loss of items from passengers involving OTS personnel.
The OTS recently came under fire following a series of thefts involving screening security officers assigned at the country’s premier airport.
Among the controversies include the case of screening officers Irene Medalla and Babeth Tagapan who were seen in a video taking money from a Thai national last Feb. 22, 2023, at NAIA Terminal 2. OTS personnel Valeriano Diaz Ricaplaza Jr. was also arrested by the PNP Aviation Security Group on March 1, 2023, for taking a watch owned by a Chinese national. He was also dismissed from the service motu proprio.
THE Land Transportation Office chief Vigor Mendoza II on Monday told legislators the agency hopes to address the motor vehicle and motorcycle plate backlogs by 2024.
During the House appropriations panel hearing on the Department of Transportation’s (DOTr) proposed P214.3 bil-
lion budget for 2024, Mendoza said the LTO already ordered 15 million plates to address the 179,000 and 13.2 million backlog for motor vehicles and motorcycles, respectively. “We have ordered 15 million plates [in pairs] and these will be delivered soon. We expect this [delivery] to reduce the backlog on a month-tomonth basis. But given the volume,
it would reach by next year, the complete backlog removal,” Mendoza told legislators.
LTO is an attached agency of the DoTr. Mendoza assured lawmakers that “these deliveries are ongoing,” noting that the agency has enough resources to meet such a backlog.
“We are catching up. The deliveries are speeding up, 250,000 pairs for mo -
tor vehicles are delivered every month, while it reaches one million pairs for motorcycles [for the same period]. Our production capacity also increased to 32,000 pairs per day or 120,000 pairs per month,” he said.
“We have enough allocation for this in 2024, we can already meet the backlog given the current consumption rate of LTO,” he added. With Rio N. Araja
SEN. Sonny Angara said he agrees with the proposal of Finance Secretary Benjamin Diokno to review the government’s free college education program since it is “inefficient and wasteful.” He said multimillionaire families should pay tuition so that more resources can go to support poorer families and students. “I think we should review it with a view to making richer families pay,” Angara said.
Sen. Chiz Escudero said he doesn’t understand why Diokno is so “stingy” when it comes to investing in the country’s “human capital.”
However, he said Diokno seems to be “liberal and magnanimous” when it comes to flood control projects which have not worked.
Escudero said P181 billion was allocated last year on flood control projects without having an impact on lessening
flooding in different parts of the country.
“If at all, it is this allocation that should be reviewed and revisited,” Escudero said.
For Senate Minority Leader Aquilino Pimentel III, Diokno has a point. He said free college education should be for those who want to go to college; who have the aptitude to study in college; and who can secure a competitive slot in college (determined thru competitive examination).
“Sec. Diokno has a very valid point,” Pimentel said.
Diokno earlier said he wants to revisit the present “free” college education system in state universities and colleges (SUCs) to “optimally allocate resources” that are funded mainly by taxpayers.
Diokno said this said over the weekend following his previous statement that the free access to state university education was “unsustainable.”
THE Department of Human Settlements and Urban Development (DHSUD) is open to suggestions to further enhance President Ferdinand Marcos Jr.’s Pambansang Pabahay para sa Pilipino Housing (4PH) program aimed to address the decades-old housing backlog.
DHSUD Secretary Jose Rizalino Acuzar said while the 4PH is now rolling out nationwide, the agency welcomes recommendations from all stakeholders, particularly lawmakers, on how to further improve the flagship program for the benefit of poor Filipinos.
“The President and the entire
government are doing their best to come up with solutions to address the long-standing problem of housing. We have created the 4PH. This is a new concept that is entirely different from the previous housing programs. We can still improve it, and all your recommendations are very much welcome,” he said.
The 4PH aims to fix the country’s housing need pegged at more than 6.5 million units that accumulated through the years.
“Our door is open and we are willing to listen and help you reach your dreams,” Acuzar said.
Unlike previous government housing programs that heavily depended on the national budget, DH-
SUD is tapping private funds and investible funds from government financial institutions in the implementation of 4PH.
Under 4PH, private developers and contractors would be given access to developmental loans to jumpstart housing projects, the housing czar said.
He maintained that the 4PH is pro-poor and designed to uplift the lives of underprivileged Filipinos, especially the informal settler families.
The Chief Executive is giving the underprivileged Filipinos a chance to own millions worth of asset in the form of housing through the 4PH, he emphasized.
A LOWER court in Quezon City has ordered the prosecution to amend an “offending religious feelings” case against an exorcist priest after it found that the criminal charge against him failed to state an offense.
Branch 81 Judge Madonna Echiverri threatened to dismiss the criminal case against a Dominican priest, Fr. Winston Cabading, should the prosecution fail to do so.
“Otherwise, it shall dismiss this case,” the order read.
Cabading was sued for ridiculing the supposed Marian apparition in Lipa, Batangas in 1948.
Harriet Demetriou, ex-Sandiganbayan and Commission on Elections chair, and a Marian devotee, filed charges against Cabading for saying, over a 2020 online show, that the petals from the apparition were “not from God,” and that the Our Lady of Lipa devotees were not true Marian devotees since they only wanted to listen to “what pleases them.”
Cabading, an exorcist priest and theologian, was arrested in Nasugbu, Batangas in May and was freed on bail set at P18,000.
He filed a motion to quash the case, denying the allegations against him.
Under Article 133 of the Revised Penal Code, the prosecution must prove two essential elements: the acts complained were done in a place devoted to religious worship or during the celebration of a religious ceremony, and that the act must be “notoriously offensive” to the feelings of the faithful.
“This court finds nothing in the quoted statements made by accused to be offensive nor punishable by law. No object of veneration was damaged or destroyed by the accused in a religious ceremony nor was there any religious ceremony to speak of,” Echiverri said.
The QCRTC cited that what Cabading had said were “not of his own but he was merely echoing what the Vatican said or based on the dogma of the church.”
THE Office of the Vice President (OVP) has defended the large number of security personnel for Vice President and Education Secretary Sara Duterte last year after the Commission on Audit (COA) made no negative comments about the issue in its 2022 report.
The OVP reportedly had 433 security escorts in 2022, making up 63 percent of its personnel, as opposed to only 78 under former Vice President Leni Robredo.
“It will make our work in the Office of the Vice President more efficient and quicker with the vice presidential security and protection group,” Duterte said in an interview. Duterte justified the huge increase,
saying they will accomplish more because the office would not have to depend on other national government agencies when it comes to questions on trends of security.
“This will help secure successful implementation of the programs, projects and activities, and engagements in the OVP,” she added.
The Vice President security group was created by Duterte to have a group
independent from the Presidential Security Group (PSG) of Malacanang.
It will provide all future Philippine Vice Presidents with necessary security and protection, an inevitable task to perform should the Vice President and the President face the misfortune of having a strained or broken relationship brought about by political differences like that seen in the previous administration.
The COA made no adverse findings on the creation of the Vice Presidential Security and Protection Group.
The Senate committee on finance has also approved the 2023 budget for the OVP at P2.385 billion, with a P500 million confidential fund.
“We can live without confidential funds, but of course, our work will be much easier if we have the flexibility of
THE Judicial and Bar Council (JBC) will decide today who among the seven aspirants to the post of Court of Appeals presiding justice will be nominated for submission to President Ferdinand Marcos Jr. for appointment.
This came after the post of CA presiding justice became vacant following the mandatory retirement of Presiding Justice Remedios Salazar Fernando last September 2.
Associate Justice Fernanda Lampas
Peralta, the most senior CA justice, assumed the post of acting presiding justice pending appointment by President Marcos of Fernando’s replacement from a list to be submitted by the JBC, the constitutional office that accepts, screens and nominates appointments in the judiciary.
Besides Peralta, the other candidates for the vacant post included Associate Justices Nina G. Antonio-Valenzuela, Ramon M. Bato Jr., Apolinario D. Bruselas Jr., Mariflor P. Castillo, Marlene B.
GUN ban checkpoints set up by the National Capital Region Police Office (NCRPO) within Metro Manila has so far netted 65 violators and seized more than 200 deadly weapons including firearms.
NCRPO chief Brig. Gen. Jose Melencio Nartatez Jr. said his men, whom he deployed to man 1,319 police checkpoints to monitor and enforce the ban in Metro Manila, were able to apprehend 65 people from August 28 to September 4, 2023.
Sixteen seized firearms were recorded, including handguns and 23 other improvised weapons like sumpak, replica, and paltik. Additionally, 186 other deadly weapons
Health Secretary Teodoro
Herbosa and Science and Technology Secretary
Renato Solidum, Jr. unveil a Philippine Plan of Action for Nutrition (PPAN) 2023-2028 at the Pandanggo-Polkabal Hall, Manila Hotel in Manila. The PPAN serves as a blueprint of a framework to guide government, nongovernment organizations, the academe, and private sector in a coordinated e ort to check all forms of malnutrition. Danny Pata
were confiscated.
The Commission on Elections (Comelec) issued Resolution 10728, prohibiting unauthorized firearms and bodyguards ahead of the elections.
Nartatez reiterated that all firearms, even with licenses and permits, will not be allowed to be brought outside the owner’s residence during the ban. He directed all policemen to wear proper uniforms, saying he would deal with infractions accordingly.
The poll body resolution bans bearing, carrying, or transporting firearms or deadly weapons outside residences, places of business, and public places from August 28 to November 29, 2023, a month after the October 30 Barangay and Sangguniang Kabataan Elections.
Gonzales-Sison, and Edwin D. Sorongon.
The JBC had also conducted public interviews of the aspirants.
Under the Constitution, the President has to appoint a replacement within 90 days from the date of the vacancy.
Justice Peralta has been a CA associate justice since 2004 after serving in the Office of the Solicitor General (OSG), the government’s law firm, for 17 years.
Also a certified public accountant, Peralta finished her business administration
degree from the University of the East and her law degree from San Beda College.
She took the Bar exams in 1985 with a rating of 86.40 percent. She is the wife of former Chief Justice Diosdado M. Peralta.
Justice Valenzuela finished her law degree from the University of the Philippines in Diliman, Quezon City. She completed her master of laws degree, without thesis, at the Philippine Judicial Academy-San Beda College of Law Consortium. Rey E. Requejo
confidential funds in monitoring the safe, secure, and successful implementation of the programs and projects of the OVP,” Duterte said.
Duterte is also the Secretary of the Department of Education, the co-vice chairperson of the National Task Force to End Local Communist Armed Conflict, and President of the Southeast Asia Ministers of Education Organization. The P500 million confidential funds, Duterte said, was for a safe, secured and successful implementation of their projects, programs, activities and engagements of the OVP Testifying during the Senate deliberations on the proposed P2.385 billion OVP budget for 2024, Duterte stressed however, they can survive even without the confidential funds.
WITH President Ferdinand Marcos Jr’s call for the modernization of Philippine agriculture, Israel has shared its agricultural expertise with officials of the Department of Agriculture as a response to the chief executive’s call for assistance.
In a statement, the Israeli Embassy in Manila said it “invited an agricultural research expert to share with the Philippines insights on how Israel became a world leader in agriculture.”
It said the Israli expert shared how its country “modernized its agricultural research and development (R&D) agenda as well as the country’s modern technologies, techniques, and best practices for its agricultural sector.”
Deputy Director of Volcanic Institute of Israel Prof. Uri Yermiyahu discussed with Philippine agriculture officers Israel’s agricultural research and development agenda, as well as joined panel discussions, which made comparison and contrast to the agricultural R&D agenda of the two countries and how to build an R&D agenda particularly on the balanced fertilization strategy. Rey E. Requejo
THE AnaKalusugan party-list group on Monday renewed its call for greater involvement from barangays in tackling tuberculosis, which the Department of Health said TB remains among the top 10 leading causes of death in the Philippines.
“We need greater involvement from our barangay health system in addressing tuberculosis in our communities. Maraming hamon na pine-presenta ang TB treatment na makakatulong ang mga barangay sa pagtugon,” said AnaKalusugan Rep. Ray Reyes, vice chair of the House Committee on Health.
Data from the Philippine Statistics Authority show that 15,689 out of 563,465 recorded deaths among Filipinos from January to November 2022 were due to respiratory tuberculosis.
The DOH said recently that according to the Field Health Services Information System, 119,558 Filipinos were stricken with TB from January to December 2022. Reyes said that there remains a stigma surrounding the disease, which both the national government and local government units should help dispel. Maricel V. Cruz
HOUSE Deputy Minority Leader and ACT Rep. France Castro on Monday appealed to the government to scrap entirely the proposed travel guidelines by the Inter-Agency Council Against Trafficking (IACAT), stressing the need for a comprehensive review of the existing policies.
“These travel guidelines proposed by the IACAT not only fail to address the root causes of human trafficking, but also pose serious threats to the rights and freedoms of individuals,” Castro said.
“We cannot allow measures that potentially violate the rights of innocent individuals, especially overseas Filipino workers (OFWs), who are already vulnerable to exploitation and abuse,” she added.
Castro highlighted the need for a thorough review of existing policies and the inclusion of various stakeholders, including migrant workers’ rights groups, to ensure that the guidelines are fair, just, and protective of individuals’ rights. Maricel V. Cruz
THE National Capital Region Police Office (NCRPO) on Monday announced the arrest of a 27-year-old man tagged as the No. 6 most wanted person in Metro Manila. NCRPO director Brig. Gen. Jose Melencio Nartatez Jr. said elements from the Sta. Ana police in Manila and captured the suspect Pio Cinco Marteja Sunday night at Block 1 Flood Way, in Cainta, Rizal.
The operation was conducted based on an arrest warrant issued by Judge Caroline Lacsamana Tonias of Manila Regional Trial Court Branch 7. The suspect was wanted for murder.
“During the arrest, our operatives used body-worn cameras and one alternative recording device as required and indicated in the Warrant of Arrest as may be necessary to capture and record the relevant
incidents,” Nartatez said. The suspect was detained at the Sta. Ana Police Station. No bail was recommended for his temporary liberty.
During a 24-hour separate police operations in NCR, four more wanted personalities were also arrested. The suspects were involved in drug trafficking, theft, illegal detention, and robbery extortion. Joel E. Zurbano
THE he big scandals of graft and corruption are all over the newspapers, television and internet, but what you don’t read about are the countless cases of small graft and corruption that happen everyday that eat up the core of the people’s faith in government, Santa Banana!
The extortion committed by traffic enforcers when they stop your vehicle and tell you to pull over, and accuse you of violating a traffic rule which you are totally unaware of, and then they insinuate to you on the side that for a few hundreds of pesos you are excused, happens day in and day out.
And whenever you are involved in a small car accident and when you are taken to the police station to file the needed car accident report that you need to claim your car incident report for insurance purposes, the policeman tells you that either the station typewriter is not working or that the policeman is too busy, you start losing your cool until you notice the sign/signal that you have to give him some grease money and all of a sudden another typewriter is available, then you understand.
That’s all part of the game, my gulay!
They may be small cases of graft and corruption, but, as I said, when it happens to you, your faith and confidence in government are eroded.
I recall when one of my sons wanted to open a small gallery shop in Makati, he needed various permits before he could open a shop.
What
He managed to get all those permits, although it took him months with some “padulas” or grease money, but when it came to the mayor’s permit, he was told that he’d have to pay P50,000 “for the boys”. My son asked for my help, so I had to look for somebody who carried some influence at City Hall. Santa Banana, if all this could happen in Makati City, I can now see how much more in the province when you are required to secure environmental permits and police or military permits among others.
I know, since my other son once worked for a property developer somewhere in Laguna.
When you get involved in any business, you have to face the rigors of going into business.
All these confront foreign investors.
These instances of petty graft and corruption may be taken for granted by a lot of Filipinos, but, Santa Banana, when they are taken together, the corruption is far worse than the P10 billion pork barrel scandal and definitely even worse than the scandal involving Pharmally Pharmaceuticals that occurred at the height of the COVID-19 pandemic.
And, my gulay, you don’t read about these small cases in newspapers and hear over the television.
But graft and corruption strike deep in the people’s faith and confidence in the government.
They may not be scandalous like that P10 billion pork barrel scam involving senators and members of Congress.
Nnow there is the procurement scandal by the Procurement Service of the Department of Budget and Management for laptops which were definitely overpriced and the infamous P10 billion contract at the height of the COVID-19 pandemic for medical supplies.
It even linked President Duterte because of his special economic adviser Davao City-based Michael Yang, the alleged financier of the measlycapitalized Pharmally Pharmaceutical.
Petty graft and corruption strike deep into the people’s faith and confidence in government and in administrations past and present.
Suspended
The Department of Justice did well to suspend the new travel guidelines scheduled to be implemented on Sept.3 by the Inter-Agency Council Against Trafficking (IACAT).
Can you imagine all the confusion the new travel guidelines could have created at the international airport, and all the delays in boarding flights if the DOJ did not suspend the new travel requirements?
Above everything, they would have given the corrupt immigration agents an opportunity to shake down and extort money from new Filipino travelers, especially new OFWs, Santa Banana!
I said earlier the IACAT may be wellintentioned to stop human trafficking at the international airports, but, my gulay, they would well be likened to “burning the house just to catch or kill a rat.”
LAGOS, Nigeria—Following a July coup, Niger has become the latest hotbed of disinformation in the troubled Sahel region as West African powers grapple with crafting a response to the political crisis.
From false rumors and misleading videos to manipulated audio clips, AFP has debunked over a dozen social media claims either backing or discrediting the coup leaders after they toppled President Mohamed Bazoum on July 26.
Soon after his ousting, amateur footage of a large march surfaced online purporting to show a pro-Bazoum rally in Niger’s capital Niamey on August 6. In reality, the clip was filmed on the day of the president’s removal from power.
Another viral video allegedly featured Niger’s deposed finance minister crying after coup leaders gave him an ultimatum to account for missing funds or face death.
But AFP found the clip, from 2021, in fact showed Niger’s former justice minister Marou Amadou expressing his gratitude to ex-president Issoufou Mahamadou.
Misleading reports about foreign interference in the crisis abounded as uncertainty mounted over the possibility of the Economic Community of West African States using military force to reverse the coup.
The regional bloc, chaired by Nigerian President Bola Tinubu, was quick to condemn
Aside from an opportunity for corrupt immigration agents to shake down new travelers, the constitutionally-guaranteed right to travel and right to privacy were being violated.
My gulay, aside from the usual passports required of travelers and the visa and the return tickets, a new traveler would have to show source of income, employment, and for sponsored trips, who or what are sponsoring the traveler.
All these could have caused chaos and confusion and long queuing at immigration and failure to board a scheduled flight.
I know that several groups were ready to file a Temporary Injunction Order at the Supreme Court to contest the new guidelines as violations of the right to travel and the right to privacy. We are not told who were the geniuses who crafted the new guidelines, but they would give corrupt immigration agents the opportunity to shake down new travelers, especially new OFWs, to ask for bribes.
From my point of view, the new guidelines should not only be suspended, but ordered scrapped altogether.
Yes, my gulay, there’s a lot of human trafficking going on.
But, you shouldn’t burn the house to catch or kill a rat. NAIA rehabilitation
The Ninoy Aquino International Airport (NAIA) has become Jurassic in many ways, often referred to as one of the worst airports in this region.
But, what is difficult to understand is why
so many proposals have been made by private conglomerates to rehabilitate it and even to operate it, and yet their unsolicited proposals to modernize and operate the international gateway have been rejected. Now comes the so-called PPP or Public-Private Partnerships scheme by the NEDA or National Economic and Development Authority approving a P170.2 billion scheme which will open public bidding to rehabilitate and operate NAIA with a concessional right to operate it for 10 years and renewal for another 15 years, to double passenger traffic from the present 32 million and double it, and, above everything, provide passenger comfort and experience.
There’s no doubt NAIA, a dinosaur as compared to international airports in the region, must be rehabilitated and properly operated. I have gone around the world on many occasions, my heart bleeds a little when I come home and see NAIA as compared to other airports, not only in Southeast Asia, but to international airports in the US, Europe and the Middle east.
But, what I cannot understand is why the unsolicited proposals, much more than what NEDA set at P170.2 billion, were rejected and why NEDA would rather prefer solicited bidding proposals.
What is important, however, is NAIA is crying out for rehabilitation and new operation, if we intend to have the Philippines as a new haven for foreign investments. My gulay, what I am afraid of is when foreign investors come to the Philippines, they may change their minds as regards investing in the Philippines after going through NAIA and, worse, after going through other airports nationwide.
Political violence
Santa Banana, following reports that there had been cases of violence after filingCertificates of candidacy for village chiefs and youth participation in the forthcoming local elections this October, one is prone to ask:
What is there to die for in the village and youth elections?
Is it for the opportunity to commit graft and corruption?
Or is it for the opportunity to become wellknown and famous so that later on, one can run for Congress and even the Senate.
The only reason that comes to mind is that one becomes a village chief, one becomes an important person in a village and for the “Sanguniang Kabataan” one also becomes a youth leader.
I can think of one reason why there had been some violence in the forthcoming elections.
Something is ingrained in the Filipino psyche that one has to be elected to make himself wellknown and famous , so much so that one has to resort to violence to achieve fame and become well-known.
Please tell me why this is not so.
I can understand these things happen during local elections for mayor, councilor and during congressional polls every three years.
But, what is there in village and youth polls to have a reason to kill?
WITH climate change breathing down the nape of the country’s population, we are glad the Department of Health has joined forces with the World Health Organization and other development partners to strengthen collaboration to address cadiovascular diseases.
Health experts say climate change has become one of the causes of having cardiovascular diseases, one of top three causes of death in the country from January to November 2022.
These are ischemic heart and cerebrovascular diseases as well as neoplasm, with ischemic heart disease continuing to top the list of causes of deaths in the Philippines with 103,628 or 18.4 percent of the total, according to health officials.
But what is climate change, a frequent topic among experts today?
Climate change refers to long-term shifts in temperatures and weather patterns -- such shifts can be natural, due to changes in the sun’s activity or large volcanic eruptions.
But since the 19th century, human activities have been the main driver of climate change, primarily due to the burning of fossil fuels like coal, oil and gas, with burning fossil fuels generating greenhouse gas emissions that act like a blanket wrapped
around the Earth, trapping the sun’s heat and raising temperatures. The main greenhouse gases causing climate change include carbon dioxide and methane, which come from using gasoline for driving a car or coal for heating a
NEXT month, many will be praying once more, on a daily basis, the Rosary – some in the comfort zones of their homes, while others among the pews of their parish churches.
And we ask the question: Why pray the Rosary in October?
The short answer is: October is dedicated as the Month of the Rosary because we celebrate the memorial of Our Lady of the Rosary each year on October 7.
Saint Pius V established the feast of Our Lady of Victory to thank God for the Christian defeat of the Turks at Lepanto – a victory attributed to praying the rosary.
Pope Gregory XIII changed the name to Feast of the Holy Rosary – originally celebrated on the first Sunday in October –in 1573.
But Pope Leo XIII officially established October as the Month of the Rosary in 1884. He was also called the “Rosary Pope” because he wrote 11 encyclicals about the Rosary. October is one of the two months the Catholic Church recognizes as a month devoted to the Blessed Virgin Mary.
The other month that is even more closely associated to Mary is the month of May, which the Catholic Church has set aside to honor Mary, Mother of God.
Known for centuries as the Feast of “Our Lady of Victory,” this takes place in honor of a naval victory which secured European Christendom against Turkish invasion in 1571.
Not many know, although it is widely believed, in 1214 St. Dominic de Guzman had a vision of Mary and, available religious documents suggest she is said to have presented him with the rosary, both the beads and the prayers to be prayed.
Dominic (Aug 8, 1170-Aug 6, 1221), a Castilian Catholic priest and the patron saint of astronomers and natural scientists, had a tremendous devotion to Mary and the rosary, which he promoted wherever he traveled to preach. He is alternatively called Dominic of Osma, Dominic of Caleruega, and Domingo Felix de Guzman.
He was canonized on July 13, 1234 at the
Rieti Cathedral by Pope Gregory IX, with his feast marked on August 8 – in the pre1970 General Roman Calendar August 4.
Two years later, in 1216, St. Dominic de Guzman founded the Order of Preachers in response to at that time a desperate need for informed preaching.
Now what is this Rosary?
October is dedicated as the Month of the Rosary because we celebrate the memorial of Our Lady of the Rosary each
Rosary (Latin rosarium in the sense of “crown of roses” or “garland of roses” is also known as the Dominican Rosary and refers to a set of prayers used primarily in the Catholic Church and to the physical string of knots or beads used to count the component prayers.
Theologians say when referring to the prayer, the first letter – Rosary – is usually capitalized as is customary for other names of prayers: the Lord’s Prayer and the Hail Mary.
When referring to the prayer beads as an object, it is written with a lower case initial letter: instance, a rosary bead.
The prayers that compose the Rosary are arranged in sets of 10 Hail Marys, called “decades.”
Each decade is preceded by one Lord’s Prayer (“Our Father”), and traditionally followed by one Glory Be.
Some Catholics also recite the “O my Jesus” prayer after the Glory Be – best known of the seven Fatima prayers that appeared in the early 20th century.
Rosary prayer beads are an aid for saying these prayers in their proper sequence.
Bazoum’s ouster and piled sanctions on Niamey days after the takeover, with Nigeria—Niger’s main electricity provider—cutting off supplies.
There were also false claims about French fighter jets landing in Senegal to support a possible ECOWAS intervention, or about fighters from the Russian mercenary group Wagner and Burkinabe troops arriving in Niger to support the new leaders.
‘Popular’ anti-Western views
Landlocked Niger joined neighbors Mali and Burkina Faso to become the third Sahel country in three years to experience a coup.
Like elsewhere in the region, anti-French sentiment has been on the rise in Niger. Its new military leaders have the support of fellow exFrench colonies Mali and Burkina Faso, which have turned their backs on Paris in favor of closer Moscow ties.
In May, Bazoum told British newspaper The Independent that Wagner had been sponsoring “disinformation campaigns against us.”
Some analysts, however, said there were few signs of organized, large-scale offensives aimed at spreading false content as seen in other African nations.
Disinformation about post-coup Niger did not seem
Some said panAfrican activists are using their alliance with Russia to further ‘personal agendas,’ including political ambitions
“particularly well coordinated or centrally managed”, said Ikemesit Effiong, an analyst at the geopolitical consultancy SBM Intelligence in Nigeria.
Nonetheless, coup supporters have “largely amplified the threat of conflict with ECOWAS, particularly Nigeria as well as France, to mobilise support online and on the ground” in a region where “anti-imperialist and anti-Western views are popular and an easy sell,” Effiong said.
Pro-Russia propaganda network
Experts told AFP that the spread of disinformation targeting Niger mirrored a pattern already witnessed elsewhere on the continent: it usually originates on encrypted platforms like Telegram and WhatsApp before being shared on other social media apps.
Moreover, several anti-French and pro-Russian accounts that post propaganda about Mali and Burkina Faso have also promoted false claims about Niger.
One such actor is the Pan-African Group for Trade and Investment, a media firm founded by pro-Russian businessman Harouna Douamba, originally from Burkina Faso.
The GPCI is at the heart of a vast network of websites and Facebook pages pushing disinformation to further stoke tensions, according to the All Eyes on Wagner investigative consortium.
For instance, AFP found that one of its accounts recently alleged that France was preparing a “plot to destabilise” Niger and arm “terrorists”.
The GPCI also posted warnings about an imminent military intervention on “suspicious sites involved in spreading disinformation” in Chad and Nigeria for example, according to a
building, for example. Clearing land and cutting down forests can also release carbon dioxide.
Agriculture, oil and gas operations are major sources of methane emissions. Energy, industry, transport, buildings, agriculture and land use are among the main sectors causing greenhouse gases.
The Department of Health has joined hands with the the World Health Organization, Resolve to Save Lives, and World Heart Federation.
This was aimed at preventing and beating cardiovascular diseases to highlight actions needed to prevent deaths caused by cardiovascular diseases and noncommunicable diseases.
Cardiovascular diseases (CVDs) – or diseases of the heart and blood vessels –are responsible for a third of death in the Philippines, according to the Philippine Statistics Office, CVDs are part of the larger group of noncommunicable diseases, which account for 72 percent of deaths in the country in 2021 alone.
We raise our hope that collaboration among the Department of Health, the World Health Organization, development partners, the academe, medical associations, the legislature, civil society as well as other advocacy groups for cardiovascular disease prevention would get the appropriate attention and efforts.
Usually, five decades are recited in a session. Each decade provides an opportunity to meditate on one of the Mysteries of the Rosary, which recall events in the lives of Jesus Christ and his mother Mary.
In the 16th century Pope Pius V established a standard 15 Mysteries of the Rosary, based on long-standing custom.
This groups the mysteries in three sets: the Joyful Mysteries, the Sorrowful Mysteries, and the Glorious Mysteries.
In 2002, Pope John Paul II said it is fitting that a new set of five be added, termed the Luminous Mysteries, bringing the total number of mysteries to 20.
The mysteries are prayed on specific days of the week; with the addition of the Luminous Mysteries on Thursday, the others are the Glorious on Sunday and Wednesday, the Joyful on Monday and Saturday, and the Sorrowful on Tuesday and Friday.
Over more than four centuries, several popes have promoted the Rosary as part of the veneration of Mary in the Catholic Church, and consisting essentially in meditation on the life of Christ, according to theologians.
They add the rosary also represents the Catholic emphasis on “participation in the life of Mary, whose focus was Christ,” and the Mariological theme “to Christ through Mary.”
Now we go back to Dominic Guzman, founder of the Order of preachers or Dominicans and is generally regarded as the creator of the rosary.
Theological documents say Dominic was combating a popular heresy in France called Albigensianism.
Mary gave him the rosary, told him to teach people this devotion, and promised that his apostolic efforts would be blessed with much success if he did.
Dominic was the first to preach and teach the Rosary as a form of meditative prayer, and the first to see the benefits reaped from meditation upon its mysteries. In the 11th through 13th centuries, a heretical doctrine developed in Europe.
French analyst who runs the well-known Casus Belli account on X (formerly Twitter), which monitors suspicious content in Africa.
The analyst, who spoke to AFP on condition of anonymity for safety reasons, said the panAfricanist TV channel Afrique Media was also involved in the disinformation drive.
The Cameroon-based broadcaster has partnered with state-owned Russia Today and regularly reports on Wagner operations in Africa.
On August 9, the channel shared a video purporting to show Bazoum looking relaxed after allegedly signing a resignation letter.
In fact, the deposed leader has been held prisoner at his home since July 26, with UN SecretaryGeneral Antonio Guterres denouncing “the deplorable living conditions that President Bazoum and his family are reported to be living under.”
The current wave of disinformation is as much the work of local actors as of foreign influences, said Maixent Some, a Burkinabe financial analyst who tracks Africa-linked disinformation on social media.
“There was an anti-French feeling long before the arrival of Russia” and Moscow was able to capitalise on this sentiment, he told AFP.
Meanwhile, Some said pan-African activists are using their alliance with Russia to further “personal agendas”, including political ambitions. AFP
CVDs are part of the larger group of noncommunicable diseases, which account for 72 percent of deaths in the country in 2021 alone
The two tourists died after straying on their jet-skis from Moroccan waters into Algerian territory.
Lawyer Hakim Chergui, who is acting for the families of the victims, said the legal action would be submitted on Monday or Tuesday.
They are accusing the Algerian authorities of aggravated murder, attempted aggravated murder, the hijacking of a vessel and failure to assist a person in danger.
The break in diplomatic relations between Morocco and Algeria “does not justify the committing of the least crime and even less so the impunity of
those responsible,” said a statement from the lawyers.
“That is why, in the face of the silence of the Algerian authorities, on whose territory the killings took place, they have no other choice but to turn to the French courts...” the statement added.
The statement was issued shortly before the Algerian authorities released their own communique saying the jet skiers had refused to comply with orders to stop.
The brother of one of the men killed, who was with the group when the shootings happened, had told news websites the group accidentally strayed into Algerian waters after setting out from a Morocco beach.
While he managed to make it back to Moroccan waters safely, another member of the group was arrested by the Algerian coastguard. AFP
POWER SHORTAGES. A view of a neighborhood in Tripoli last weekend. Chronic electricity shortages had shaped the daily lives of Libyans since the fall of Moamer Kadhafi in a NATO-backed 2011 uprising. But with new management at Gecol since last year, along with a relatively stable security situation, Libyans are receiving markedly improved electricity supply. AFP
T
ed in Libya.
Traffic snarls the corniche in Tripoli, where improved electricity service has brought renewed energy to Libya’s capital after years of conflict and power cuts.
Chronic electricity shortages had shaped the daily lives of Libyans since the fall of Moamer Kadhafi in a NATObacked 2011 uprising.
A decade of stop-start fighting be-
RIPOLI, Libya—It’stween rival armed groups followed, adding combat damage and looting to an already dilapidated grid in the North African country.
Power “outages were a disaster for my business”, said Hanan alMiladi, a 43-year-old baker who sells pastries online for weddings and other celebrations.
After 42 years in power, Kadhafi left behind obsolete infrastructure, an economy largely dependent on oil, and an under skilled workforce.
To protect the network and prevent overloads, the General Electricity Com-
pany of Libya (Gecol) resorted to widespread power cuts over the past 10 years during the peak consumption periods of summer and winter.
Until last year, outages could last 10 or even 20 hours, turning the city’s streets dark and leaving residents sweltering in summer temperatures above 40 degrees Celsius (104 Fahrenheit) without air conditioning. The most “unbearable thing was never knowing when the power would go out or for how many hours”, said Miladi.
But with new management at Gecol since last year, along with a relatively
stable security situation, Libyans now receive a markedly improved electricity supply.
Prime Minister Abdelhamid Dbeibah, who heads a United Nations-backed government in Tripoli and is the Gecol chairman, in July 2022 sacked the previous manager. He also made sure the power company’s new boss saw through projects, including a plan for maintenance of damaged infrastructure and tight control of funds to curb corruption.
Some foreign companies have now even revived projects they had suspend-
BLACK Rock City, United States — Tens of thousands of festival goers were stranded Sunday (Monday in Manila) in deep mud in the Nevada desert after rain turned the annual Burning Man gathering into a quagmire, with police investigating one death.
Video footage showed costumewearing “burners” struggling across the wet gray-brown site, some using trash bags as makeshift boots, while dozens of vehicles became stuck in the sludge.
Many events at the counterculture festival, which drew some 70,000 people, were canceled when rain tore down structures for dance parties, art installations and other entertainment.
Police said they were probing one death, without giving further details.
Fear set in among some attendees desperate to flee the muddy site.
“I got scared with what happens when so many people run out of toilet paper and water and food, so I
“The situation has improved, and customers notice it,” said 34-year-old butcher Moaed Zayani, who also sells frozen products.
To avoid countless sleepless nights, Libyans did adapt to the power outages.
Buying batteries costing a few hundred dinars (tens of dollars), they could power a television set and one or two lamps, as well as provide basic internet connectivity.
Those who could afford it spent thousands of dollars on buying noisy, polluting fuel-guzzling generators. AFP
felt I had to get out,” Pascale Brand, a 40-year-old who arrived from the Netherlands, told AFP. Brand said she had been “crying a lot,” before deciding on Sunday that “I am leaving no matter what.” She got a seat in a neighbor’s vehicle and they made it down a muddy road without any problems.
“There were people yelling at you, ‘You can’t leave... Go back! The gates are closed,’” she said, but the vehicle made it past an unmanned gate, and to a paved road.
“I felt like I was breaking out of something,” Brand said. Others made the strenuous journey on foot.
“It was an incredibly harrowing six-mile (10 kilometer) hike at midnight through heavy and slippery mud, but I got safely out,” lawyer Neal Katyal said on social media.
Organizers asked festival crowds to hunker down at the Black Rock City
DUBAI, United Arab Emirates—The United Arab Emirates has set up a regulatory body for “commercial gaming”—a step which could potentially allow for casino licences in the Arab Gulf state where gambling is currently banned.
The General Commercial Gaming Regulatory Authority (GCGRA) will “coordinate regulatory activities, manage licensing... and facilitate unlocking the economic potential of commercial gaming,” the official WAM news agency said late Sunday.
The statement did not clarify whether “gaming” refers to gambling and made no mention of casinos
venue after the heavy rains started Friday night. Scattered showers continued throughout the weekend, and it rained for two hours Sunday.
“You can’t really walk or drive,” a young circus performer named Christine Lee said on TikTok, adding that the mud was five inches deep in some areas.
A video posted on social media showed comedian Chris Rock hitching a ride in the back of a pickup truck after managing to leave.
Festival organizers urged so-called “burners” to “conserve food, water and fuel, and shelter in a warm, safe space,” saying the “playa” -- the huge open-air esplanade where the event unfolds -- was impassable.
“Look out for your neighbors, introduce yourself,” they added.
One attendee, known on the playa only as Dr T, told AFP he is planning to “just go with the flow, meet people and make the best out of this difficult situation.” AFP
but senior officials hired to run the body are industry veterans.
Its CEO was named as Kevin Mullally who served as executive director of the Missouri Gaming Commission—a body in charge of regulating riverboat casinos throughout the US state.
“I look forward to establishing a robust regulatory body and framework for the UAE’s lottery and gaming industry,” Mullally was quoted as saying in the WAM statement.
GCGRA’s board of directors is chaired by James Murren, who previously served as chairman of the American Gaming Association, a trade group representing the United States casino industry. Gambling is prohibited under Islamic laws in the oil-rich Gulf state, whose population is 90 percent foreign.
In 2022, US-based casino operator Wynn Resorts announced plans to establish an “integrated resort”, including “gaming facilities”, in the emirate of Ras al-Khaimah.
Ras al-Khaimah is one of the seven members of the UAE, which includes the city state of Dubai.
Preliminary construction work has begun on Wynn Al Marjan Island which is scheduled to open in early 2027.
UAE authorities have for years denied reports that the country which neighbours Saudi Arabia, the birthplace of Islam, is to lift an Arabian Gulf-wide ban on gambling.
But it has made a series of liberalizing moves as it faces increased regional competition for talent and tourism, notably from Saudi Arabia and Qatar.
These included lifting a ban on unmarried couples living together, loosening restrictions on alcohol, and offering long-term residencies.
Last year, it moved to a Western-style Saturday-Sunday weekend, in what experts said was an attempt to maintain its edge over regional competitors. AFP
BEIJING, China—The head of the International Monetary Fund (IMF) on Monday praised “productive and substantive” talks with top officials in China as she wrapped up a visit to the country.
The IMF warned in July that the overall global economic recovery from the pandemic was slowing, despite slightly upgrading its outlook for world growth this year.
In China, the world’s secondlargest economy, the IMF has forecast 5.2-percent expansion in 2023, slightly higher than Beijing’s target of around five percent.
However, growth in the Asian nation has stuttered in recent months as weak consumer demand, high youth unemployment and a crisis in the crucial property sector have chipped away at an already lukewarm post-Covid rebound.
IMF managing director Kristalina Georgieva said she had “very productive and substantive discussions with the Chinese leadership”, including Premier Li Qiang, Vice Premier He Lifeng, central bank governor Pan Gongsheng and Finance Minister Liu Kun. The group spoke about the “status of the world economy and on the developments here in China”, Georgieva said in a video posted on X, the social media platform previously known as Twitter.
“We talked about measures the Chinese government is taking to bring forward the (growth) goal,” the Bulgarian economist said, adding that the target was “important for China (and) important for the world”.
“In a world where so many countries are vulnerable to the impact of the Covid and war shocks, it is critical that the IMF has the financial strength to help them,” she said.
“I am grateful to China for recognizing the role of the IMF at the center of the global financial safety net,” she said. AFP
MANILA—Local stocks rose Monday in line with most Asian markets on hopes the US Federal Reserve may pause monetary tightening in response to weak jobs data.
The 30-company Philippine Stock Exchange index climbed 33.62 points, or 0.54 percent, to close at 6,214.68, while the broader all-shares index picked up 14.47 points to settle at 3,356.44.
China Bank Capital managing director Juan Paolo Colet said traders took their cue from the latest US employment report and news one of China’s largest property developers won a debt payment reprieve from bonds holders. Colet said, however, that investors remained generally cautious ahead of the release of Philippine August infla-
tion report.
Meanwhile, stocks rose Monday on hopes the Federal Reserve has come to the end of its interest rate hiking cycle following a positive US jobs report.
Confidence has been buoyed recently by a string of reports pointing to a softening of the labor market and signs the economy is slowing, indicating the US central bank’s monetary tightening is kicking in.
Adding to the upbeat mood was the hope that China will continue to unveil measures to boost its stuttering economy and beleaguered property sector.
While the 187,000 new jobs in August was more than forecast, the figures for the previous two months were revised significantly lower, while wage growth cooled.
The readings suggested the economy was not in danger of tipping into recession while at the same time slowing enough to justify not lifting borrowing costs any further -- a so-called “Goldilocks” scenario.
“Fed chair (Jerome) Powell, or President (Joe) Biden for that matter, probably couldn’t have scripted a better August employment report if they’d tried,” said Ray Attrill at National Australian Bank.
“The Goldilocks metaphor is much used and abused in economic and financial circles, but in relation to the various ‘soft landing’ signals emanating from the report, on this occasion it does seem entirely appropriate.” With AFP
ASEAN MEETING. From left are: Malaysia’s Foreign Minister Zambry Abd Kadir, Philippines’ Foreign Minister Enrique Manalo, Singapore’s Foreign Minister Vivian Balakrishnan, Thailand’s Permanent Secretary of the Ministry of Foreign Affairs Sarun Charoensuwan, Vietnam’s Deputy Foreign Minister Do Hung Viet, Indonesia’s Foreign Minister Retno Marsudi, Laos’ Foreign Minister Saleumxay Kommasith, Brunei’s Foreign Minister Erywan Pehin Yusof, Cambodia’s Foreign Minister Sok Chenda Sophea, East Timor’s Foreign Minister Bendito dos Santos Freitas and ASEAN Secretary General Kao Kim Hourn pose for a group photo during the 34th ASEAN Coordinating Council meeting in Jakarta on September 4, 2023. AFP
ISTANBUL, Turkey—Turkey’s annual inflation approached 60 percent last month, official data showed Monday, putting pressure on the central bank to further hike interest rates at the risk of angering President Recep Tayyip Erdogan.
The state statistics agency said prices rose by 58.9 percent over 12 months ending in August compared to 47.8 percent in July.
The latest data will test the limits of how much leeway Erdogan’s new mar-
ket-friendly team has to raise borrowing costs.
“Pretty awful inflation prints,” emerging markets economist Timothy Ash remarked in emailed comments.
“This will heap pressure on the (central bank) to further significantly hike policy rates from 25 percent at present.”
The Turkish leader has been a lifelong opponent of high interest rates due to his unorthodox conviction that they cause -rather than help cure -- inflation.
BERLIN—German exports fell again in July after a slight rebound in June, official data showed on Monday, as Europe’s biggest economy battles an industrial slowdown.
Exports totaled 130.4 billion euros ($141 billion), a fall of 0.9 percent compared with the previous month, according to adjusted figures from federal statistics agency Destatis.
FactSet analysts had predicted an even steeper decline of 1.5 percent.
Imports meanwhile were up 1.4 percent compared with June, totaling 114.5 billion euros.
The country’s adjusted trade surplus -- the difference between exports and imports -- fell slightly to 15.9 billion euros.
“Trade is no longer the strong resilient growth driver of the German economy that it used to be, but rather a drag,” ING economist Carsten Brzeski said.
German exports have been lagging for several months as a result of supply chain difficulties, a fragile global economy and stubbornly high inflation.
German inflation dipped slightly to 6.1 percent in August but remained at a level three times higher than the European Central Bank’s target rate.
Energy prices remain high and some energy-intensive sectors, such as the chemicals industry, are struggling to return to production levels before the war in Ukraine.
German industry has also been weighed down by the struggling economy in China, the country’s top trading partner. AFP
His decision to push policymakers to slash rates in the face of rising consumer prices saw inflation soar to 85 percent last year.
The economic crisis nearly cost Erdogan his re-election in May.
He won after showering his supporters with massive pay increases and introducing an early retirement program that cost the government billions of dollars. Analysts feared that Turkey would
enter a systemic crisis unless Erdogan radically changed course after the vote.
‘Risk will remain high’
He did just that by overhauling his government and tapping a handful of respected Wall Street veterans to top economic posts.
Finance Minister Mehmet Simsek and new central bank chief Hafize Gaye Erkan have begun to carefully dismantle Erdogan’s economic legacy and win over foreign investor trust. AFP
THE Manila International Airport Consortium, a group of major conglomerates whose unsolicited bid was earlier rejected by the government, said Monday it bought bid documents for the P171-billion contract to rehabilitate, optimize and maintain the Ninoy Aquino International Airport.
“The consortium did [purchase bid documents],” said Cosette Canilao, president and chief executive of Aboitiz InfraCapital Inc., one of the members of the consortium.
“There’s no truth that Aboitiz will do this outside the consortium. The consortium will assess the viability of the
solicited terms as one,” she said. The other members of the MIAC, aside from Aboiitz Infra, are AC Infrastructure Holdings Corp. of the Ayala Group, Asia’s Emerging Dragon Corp., Alliance Global-Infracorp Development Inc., Filinvest Development Corp. and JG Summit Infrastructure Holdings Corp. The
group earlier submitted an unsolicited offer of P267 billion to modernize NAIA, but the government decided to conduct competitive bidding for the redevelopment of the main gateway.
The Department of Transportation and the Manila International Airport Authority on Aug. 23 began inviting interested parties to participate in a single-stage competitive bidding process for a rehabilitate-operate-expand-transfer modality in accordance with the Build-Operate-andTransfer Law and its revised 2022 implementing rules and regulations.
Based on the invitation to bid, the concession agreement and certain other documents that provide background information on the project will be made available to prospective bidders through a virtual
Cebu Pacific still top domestic airline—CAB
CEBU Pacific retained its position as the country’s leading domestic airline in the first half of 2023, according to the Civil Aeronautics Board. Data from the CAB showed that Cebu Pacific and unit Cebgo flew 7.6 million domestic passengers from January to June, followed by Philippine Airlines and PAL Express with a combined 4.09 million domestic passengers and AirAsia Philippines with 2.53 million passengers.
data room upon payment of a participation fee of P2.75 million or $50,000.
The issuance of the draft concession agreement is set on Sept. 8, while the pre-bid conference will be on Sept. 22.
The bid submission is scheduled on Dec. 27, 2023.
The DOTr said the bidder should have a net worth of at least P20 billion and would be required to post bid security of P1.71-billion standby letter of credit as part of its bid proposal.
“If the bidder is a consortium, and any consortium member or such consortium members’ affiliates is an airline-related entity, then such consortium member cannot own or be proposed to own more than 33 percent interest in such consortium,” the agency said.
LAND USE FORUM.
Real Estate &
salient issues surrounding proposals to pass a National Land Use Act which has been part of its 5-point agenda on housing to attain its vision of ‘a home for every Filipino’. The event is the third in a series of policy discussions in the lead-up to the 50th CREBA founding anniversary and National Convention & Housing Expo slated from Sept. 26 to 28 at the SMX Mall of Asia and Conrad Hotel
INFRASTRUCTURE conglomerate Met-
ro Pacific Investments Corp. renewed its interest in Metro Rail Transit Line 3.
MPIC chairman and president Manuel Pangilinan said the group submitted an unsolicited proposal to the Department of Transportation for the operation and maintenance of MRT 3 which runs along EDSA.
MPIC teamed up with Japanese conglomerate Sumitomo Corp. for the unsolicited bid.
SCHEIRMAN Construction Consolidated Inc. and Land Bank of the Philippines signed a loan agreement in the bank’s head office in Manila to support the former’s ongoing and pipeline projects.
Scheiman Construction president William Russel Scheirman Jr. and LBP senior vice president Lucila Tesorero led the signing of the loan agreement. The amount was not disclosed.
Scheirman Construction consistently demonstrated excellence in the construction industry. With achievements such as a PCAB AAAA Rating, dual ISO certifications (quality and safety) and strategic partnerships with leading suppliers and financial institutions, the company carved its name as one of the fastest-growing construction firms in the Philippines.
The strategic partnership with Land Bank serves as a testament to Scheirman Construction’s commitment to achieving even greater milestones, it said in a statement.
It said that by securing the loan, the company is positioned to fortify its ongoing projects and propel its pipeline initiatives to success.
Scheirman Construction said that with unwavering dedication to quality, it stands strong with a robust and professional team of over 5,000 skilled individuals.
“As we embark on this journey with Land Bank of the Philippines, Scheirman Construction’s mission to redefine construction excellence remains steadfast. This partnership signifies a union of expertise and innovation, paving the way for a future brimming with possibilities,” it said.
“We wanted to take a second look at it,” Pangilinan said when asked why MPIC again expressed interest in the mass transit system after two failed attempts.
MPIC in 2011 offered to buy out Land Bank of the Philippines and Development Bank of the Philippines in MRT 3 for $1.1 billion.
The DOTr in 2017 gave the consortium, which includes MPIC, Ayala Group and Macquarie Infrastructure Holdings (Philippines) Pte. Ltd. the original proponent status for the unsolicited proposal to operate and maintain
the 17-kilometer line for P12.5 billion. The consortium decided to withdraw its unsolicited proposal in 2020. Meanwhile, MPIC said Monday it signed a strategic partnership with Malaysian firm Hartasuma Sdn Bhd. for possible development of railway and cable car systems in the country. Pangilinan said the partnership would pave the way for diverse initiatives including developing rolling stock refurbishment projects in the Philippines and exploration of cable car systems for tourism and urban transport.
Hartasuma will be initially involved in the procurement of refurbishment of trains at Light Railway Transit Line 1 and its extension project. Both parties are also exploring the possibility of setting up cable cars in Metro Manila and other parts of the country including Baguio, Tagaytay and Antipolo.
Pangilinan said MPIC turned aggressive with its investments in infrastructure projects as regulatory environment became favorable and supportive of the infrastructure sector.
THE Department of Energy is preparing to launch the Green Energy Auction Program 3 in November that will focus on geothermal, run-of-river hydro and pumped storage hydro projects.
“The capacities [for GEAP 3] will be announced when the notice of auction is issued,” DOE Undersecretary Rowena Guevara said.
The Energy Regulatory Commission is expected to release the green energy reserve prices which serve as theceiling price for GEAP, simultaneous with the issuance of the notice to auction.
Guevara said the DOE was also
looking at auctioning the unsubscribed 8,000 MW of renewable capacity from GEAP 2 next year. GEAP 2 generated a total of 3,440.756 MW of RE capacities out of 11,600 MW that was auctioned for installation for the years 2024, 2025 and 2026.
The DOE recently released the list of winning bidders for GEAP 2 where 105 RE projects were awarded to developers. More than half of the committed winning capacity is from groundmounted solar with a total of 1,878.982 MW, while 9.390 MW, 90 MW and 1,462.384 MW are from rooftop solar, floating solar and onshore wind, re-
AirSwift Transport Inc. carried 202,154 domestic passengers, while Royal Air Charter Services Inc., Sunlight Air and Island Aviation Corp. recorded 58,448 passengers, 23,820 passengers and 4,887 passengers, respectively.
The country’s total domestic passengers reached 14.6 million domestic passengers in the first half of 2023, up 51 percent from 9.7 million in the same period last year. PAL, on the other hand, retained its status as the leading carrier in terms of international travelers with 2.7 million in the first six months. It was followed by Cebu Pacific with 906,090 international passengers and Philippines Air Asia with 477,616 international passengers. Darwin G. Amojelar
in RRP auction
THE Bangko Sentral ng Pilipinas said Monday it will shift to a variable-rate format with a pre-determined offer volume in the auction for the overnight reverse repurchase facility beginning Sept. 8, 2023.
It said in a statement the changes are part of the BSP’s set of planned reforms dating back to the adoption of the interest rate corridor framework in 2016. They are largely operational in nature and do not constitute any shift in the BSP’s monetary policy stance.
“These initiatives are geared towards enhancing the transmission of monetary policy by strengthening the link between monetary policy strategy and implementation. The shift to the variable-rate auction format will also help strengthen the price discovery process by providing market participants and monetary authorities alike a market-determined interest rate that conveys the prevailing cost of and demand for overnight funds in the financial system,” the BSP said.
“With these changes, the BSP further aligns its implementation of monetary policy with the best practices in other jurisdictions,” it said.
The BSP’s monetary policy rate will be called the “target RRP rate”. The BSP will signal its monetary policy stance through the target RRP rate. Julito G. Rada
STATE-RUN Bases Conversion and Development Authority and subsidiary John Hay Management Corp. said Monday they plan to lease several vacation homes at Voice of America Estate in Baguio City.
BCDA said in a statement it is in search of eligible bidders for the long-term lease of three loghome units at Camp John Hay.
“Showcasing Camp John Hay’s scenic landscape full of pine trees, rich flora and fauna and peaceful residential neighborhood, the VOA Estate is the ideal place for individuals and families looking for nice vacation or retirement homes, or corporations looking for housing for their executives and staff. With the opening of this bidding, interested parties may now get the opportunity to lease these prime properties,” said BCDA president and chief executive Joshua Bingcang. As part of the joint assets disposition program, the BCDA and JHMC are offering Units 3, 9 and 20A of VOA loghomes for a lease period of 25 or 50 years, with a minimum bid price of P2.51 million for the initial one-year lease of each property. Accessible through Loakan Road, VOA loghomes is located north of the John Hay Special Economic Zone. The properties were constructed in 2000 on BCDA-owned land within JHSEZ and underwent renovation in 2022. Othel V. Campos
MOODY’S Analytics, a research unit
that operates independently of Moody’s Investors Service, said Monday Philippine inflation is expected to rise in August 2023 from the 16-month low of 4.7 percent in July.
It said in its Asia Pacific Economic Preview for the week released on Monday Philippine inflation likely accelerated to 4.8 percent. The Philippine Statistics Authority will release the official August 2023 inflation data on Sept. 5. Moody’s Analytics did not provide the reasons for its projection, but said it would be within the 4.8 percent to 5.6 percent projection by the Bangko Sentral ng Pilipinas for the month.
The BSP said last week the August inflation was driven by higher prices of rice and other agricultural commodities amid weather disturbances, sharp rise in fuel prices and increased transport fares and toll rates.
Inflation eased to 4.7 percent in July from a peak of 8.7 percent in January 2023.
spectively.
Guevara earlier said the industry identified the GEAR price, availability of transmission lines and short preparation time as factors for the low turnout of GEAP 2.
She said they were also coordinating with the local government units to enroll through the Energy Virtual OneStop Shop System to ensure transparency and fast-track the permitting process. The GEAP is DOE’s initiative to attract current and incoming power players to invest in RE generation which will drive the agency’s goal of a 35-percent RE capacity mix by 2035 and 50-percent RE by 2040.
The July inflation was the sixth consecutive month of deceleration in the headline inflation and the lowest since March 2022’s inflation of 4 percent. It was also slower than 6.4 percent registered a year ago.
Inflation in the first seven months averaged 6.8 percent, higher than the 2023 target range of 2 percent to 4 percent.
Bangko Sentral ng Pilipinas Governor Eli Remolona said earlier there was still room to increase the prevailing interest rates, when necessary, without negatively impacting the economy.
Remolona said the third pause in interest rate adjustments by the BSP’s Monetary Board on Aug. 17, 2023 was a “prudent” move.
HOW do you beat Team USA?
Lithuania showed the Americans can be beaten and how they did it served as a reminder that basketball the Euro way puts a premium on teamwork and the methodical execution of a game-plan.
Many times, Team USA, the top contender in the FIBA World Cup 2023, had shown its vulnerability before pulling through with late rallies.
On Sunday night, though, Lithuania showed how to drill a hole into the Americans’ armor as it got away with a 110-104 win.
Here’s how the Lithuanians did it.
Near flawless 3-point shooting Europeans are always known for their hot shooting and no other team in the tournament has shown it better against the Americans than the Lithuanians, who hit all of their nine triples in the first half.
TEAM USA tries to bounce back from a loss to Lithuania as it battles Italy on Tuesday at the start of the quarterfinals of the FIBA World Cup 2023 at the Mall of Asia Arena.
Game time is set at 8:40 p.m. after the other quarterfinal matchup between Lithuania and Serbia at 4:45 pm.
The American’s loss to Lithuania had no bearing as they completed their elimination phase tasks, but this time is a round of no-return as the winner moves to the knockout semifinals.
Germany will battle Latvia and Canada will meet Slovenia in the other quarterfinal matchups on Wednesday.
The winner of the Italy-USA match will take on the Germany-Latvia victor.
The other semifinal pairing will pit the winner of the LithuaniaSerbia tussle with the victor of the
Canada-Slovenia tussle.
Team USA, out to redeem itself from 7th place in the previous World Cup in China, went 4-0 in the classification phase, beating New Zealand, Greece, Jordan, and Montenegro, before bowing to Lithuania. The loss notwithstanding, the Americans proceeded to the next phase with an on-and-off Italy.
After absorbing their first loss in the tournament, USA coach Steve Kerr said they need to play like they were always in the second half, the time when his boys play more aggressively than in the first half where they appeared lazy and tentative, allowing
THE Philippines has momentum on its side— and more especially rekindled trust and confidence—in men’s basketball action at the Hangzhou 19th Asian Games that start in 19 days (as of Monday, September 4).
“That was one big victory over China,” said Philippine Olympic Committee president Rep. Abraham “Bambol” Tolentino Monday, two days after Gilas Pilipinas closed out its FIBA World Cup campaign with a convincing 96-75 rout of China Sunday night.
“The win was confidence-building and that brought back the belief that yes, Filipino athletes can,” added Tolentino, who also expressed the same trust on the Filipinas, the women’s national football team, who made history by qualifying for the Women’s World Cup and nailed a victory, 1-0, over tournament co-host New Zealand last July.
“Those are two momentum going for us in the Asian Games,” Tolentino said.
Men’s basketball in the Asian Games is set three days after the opening ceremony on September 26 in three venues with the Philippines taking on Bahrain as its first opponent in Group C where Thailand and Jordan—which went 0-5 won-lost to finish seven rungs below No. 24 Philippines in the World Cup—are also bracketed.
Gilas Pilipinas plays Thailand on September 28 and Jordan on September 29.
Japan, the best-finishing Asian at 3-2 in the World Cup for an automatic Paris Olympics berth, is in Group D with Indonesia, Qatar and medal contender but a non-World Cup team South Korea.
Iran, Kazakhstan, Saudi Arabia and the United Arab Emirates are in Group A while China, Lebanon, Chinese Taipei and Mongolia make up Group B.
“But of course, we should be expecting a big fightback from the Asian teams which were in the World Cup and didn’t fare well, much more nail a victory,” Tolentino said.
opponents to mount early leads.
“In the first half, they (Lithuania) were carving us up. There was definitely some miscommunication (on our part). We’ll learn from this,” said Kerr. “But it’s good for us. I hate losing, but we needed to feel this (loss). We needed to respond the way we did, and next game we must respond the way we did in the second half.”
Italy, which placed second in its classification group, has won only twice in their 12 meetings with the five-time world champion USA.
Meanwhile, Lithuania is undefeated in five games and is facing a Serbian squad that is coming off a loss to Italy.
“We didn’t play particularly well against today. They just punched us in the mouth right away and made their shots and executive (very well). I don’t think it was a case of us not being ready, it was a case of them playing the perfect first half,” acknowledged Team USA coach Steve Kerr. Lithuania, no. 8 in the world, made 14 triples out of 25 attempts for 56 percent, compared to Team USA’s 11 of 29 for 37.9 percent.
The result was a commanding 5437 halftime lead for Lithuania, which led by as much as 19 points twice earlier, the last at 54-35, two minutes before the halftime break.
Moving without the ball and less dribbling
From a strategic position at the pressbox, the Lithuanians were a beautiful sight—moving without the ball as if they were remotely controlled by someone, who knew exactly where to position the players. More passing and less dribbling
At one time, there was no need to pass as the ball handler just handed the the rock to an onrushing Vaidas Kariniauskas for a perfect layup. It didn’t matter even though Lithuania had fewer assists, 23-26, and more turnovers, 19-12, than the US.
JOSHUA “The Passion” Pacio’s quest to regain the ONE Strawweight World Championship begins.
China (1-4) which finished No. 29, No. 31 Iran (0-5) and No. 32Jordan (0-5). Lebanon (2-3) was the second-best Asian finisher at No. 23. Athletes, coaches and officials bound for Hangzhou are scheduled to secure their Asian Games and accreditation cards starting today (Monday) at the POC offices at the PhilSports Complex in Pasig City.
BUKIDNON—Staying motivated during the long break, Daniella Uy bursts with confidence as she launches her drive for a second straight Ladies Philippine Golf Tour victory in the ICTSI Del Monte Championship, which gets under way today (Tuesday) at Del Monte Golf Club here.
The former Junior World champion hardly strayed off the course after topping the Forest Hills leg last June, working diligently the last 10 weeks to sharpen her skills and prepare for the resumption of the country’s premier circuit organized by Pilipinas Golf Tournaments, Inc
She also vied in the Japan LPGA Q-School where she tied for 18th and advanced to the next phase, making her A-ready for another shot at LPGT glory.
“I practiced almost every day and I made sure that I do it productively. Then I focused on getting stronger in the gym,” said Uy, adding she would even make a wager with friends “to keep my competitive mode on.”
She tees off with top amateur Mafy Singson, who reigned at Valley Golf, and local talent Pamela Mariano at 7 am on the first hole of the challenging course, seeking to gain momentum with a strong start.
But she underscored the need for her all-around game to click in the next three days to stay in the conversation and, hopefully, match Harmie Constantino’s back-toback title romps at Luisita and Villamor.
“I’m confident and very excited to play and compete again,” added Uy.
So do Constantino, Singson, Chihiro Ikeda, Florence
Bisera, Martina Miñoza, Sarah Ababa, Korean Seoyun Kim and the rest of the 25-player cast, who are all raring to get going given the long respite in the circuit backed by PGTI’s official apparel Kampfortis Golf.
Like Uy, Constantino trained and worked on her physical strength during the break and said she’s excited for the Tour’s return and ready to get another shot at a third championship in the season about to end.
“It’s good to be back and hopefully play more tournaments,” said Constantino, who duels with Bisera and Korean amateur Jiwon Lee at 6:40 am at the backside of the quaint layout.
“I practiced a lot and went back to the gym, so I’m pretty confident,” she added.
Ikeda, due for a big finish, also expects to get rolling on No. 1 against amateur Kiara Montebon and junior golfer Velinda Castil at 6:40 am to be followed by the group made up of Ababa, Annika Cedo and another Junior PGT campaigner Alethea Gaccion.
Completing the cast are Gretchen Villacencio, Rev Alcantara, Lucy Landicho, Lesley Icoy, Apple Fudolin, Kristine Fleetwood, Lovelynn Guioguio, Eva Miñoza, amateurs Krista Miñoza and Sophia Abarcas and Koreans Minyeon Kim and Juyoung Yang.
And his road to redemption starts at ONE Fight Night 15: Tawanchai vs. Superbon on Oct. 7 at Lumpinee Boxing Stadium in Bangkok, Thailand. Pacio will take on the dangerous Mansur Malachiev as he looks to reaffirm his position as the top contender to Jarred “The Monkey God” Brooks.
It’s the dawn of a new era for Pacio with this match serving as a chance for him to showcase what he has learned over the past few months.
From his two-month journey in the United States with Eduard ‘Landslide’ Folayang where they trained with elite coaches in Greg Jackson and Mike Winklejohn of Jackson Wink MMA and Rafael Cordeiro of King’s MMA, to the new faces guiding him in Lions Nation MMA in multi-medalled Brazilian Jiu Jitsu black belt Gibran Langbayan and veteran striking coach Don-Don Colas, it’s a golden opportunity for the 27-year-old Igorot stalwart to display how much he has improved.
A LOADED pack of bidders, made up of seasoned triathlon campaigners seeking a new challenge and beginners wanting to immerse themselves into endurance racing, braces for a spirited dash to glory in the Go for Gold Sunrise Sprint, which unwraps on Sept. 10 in Zamboanga del Norte.
Dubbed as S2, the short-distance triathlon series, to be disputed over the 750-m swim in open water, 20km bike and 5km run race, serves as the subcategory to the centerpiece 5150 Dapitan, which will also mark its inaugural run in the country’s Shrine City featuring an international cast.
Former winner Raven Alcoseba, Nicole del Rosario, Karen Manayon, Sophia Belican, Julie Mae Jaylo and Sherr Elbreth Daniot are tipped to crowd for top honors in the women’s side while Enrico Burgos, Renz Corbin, Kian Manabat, Matthew Hermosa, Fidel Redillas and Mohammad Sumagayan will lead the chase for the overall championship in the men’s side of the event also held to provide quality triathlon experience on an Olympic-style course setup. Also to be disputed are titles in various age-group categories.
“Whether you’re a seasoned triathlete or a beginner, the Sunrise Sprint is the perfect opportunity to test one’s limits, push oneself to new heights and create lasting memories,” said Go for Gold PH founder Jeremy Go.
“The event is designed to showcase the participants’ skills while embracing the joy of triathlon racing,” he added.
Meanwhile, the athletes’ race briefing yesterday kicked off the week-long buildup to Sunday’s main event to be ushered in by the Noli Run, a 3km fun run on Sept. 9.
Backed by Lungsod ng Dapitan, Go for Gold, Active, Rudy Project, Santé, Manila Bulletin and Tempo, the Sunrise Sprint also drew entries from some of the country’s top triathlon clubs, including Trinics, Amai Manabilang Triathlon, Go for Gold PH, The NextStep Tri, Blackshirts Multisport and Trimac, among others.
The S2 wave start fires off at 8 a.m. for the men’s side and at 8:05 a.m. in the women’s at the Sta. Cruz beach, near Punto del Desembarco de Rizal en Dapitan with each participant given 30 minutes to finish the 750m swim.
The bike cut off time is two hours from the last rolling start release while the run cut off time is three hours.
NEW YORK—Defending champion Iga Swiatek crashed out of the US Open on Sunday after defeat by Jelena Ostapenko and will lose her number one ranking, while Novak Djokovic marched into the quarter-fi nals.
Swiatek grabbed the opening set against Ostapenko but the unpredictable Latvian stormed back to win 3-6, 6-3, 6-1 and secure her fourth victory in as many meetings with the Polish star.
The mercurial Ostapenko, who had never made it to the last 16 in New York before this week, goes on to face title contender and home favourite Coco Gauff in the last eight after blasting Swiatek out of the tournament.
“She plays well against me, she’s always done that,” said Swiatek.
“I’m just surprised that my level changed so drastically. I don’t really know what happened with my game, I felt no control suddenly.”
Undeterred by falling behind, Osta-
penko’s typically fearless and aggressive approach rendered Swiatek helpless and ensures there will be a new world number one after the US Open.
Swiatek’s 75-week reign will come to an end, with rival Aryna Sabalenka set to take over top spot.
“I always expect a tough battle against Iga, she’s such a great player and won many Slams and is so consistent,” said Ostapenko, the 20th seed and 2017 French Open champion.
“I knew I had to be aggressive and play my game because that’s what she doesn’t like.
“I was just thinking that I have to play until the very last point, until we shake hands. I felt like I was playing better and
LOS ANGELES—Inter Miami delivered the most impressive win of their Lionel Messi era, 3-1 oaver Major League Soccer champions Los Angeles FC on Sunday, with two assists from the Argentine boosting their playoff hopes.
Goals from Argentine forward Facundo Farias, Spanish full-back Jordi Alba and substitute Leonardo Campana of Ecuador earned Miami a statement victory that moves them within nine points of the playoff places with nine games remaining.
Messi’s first MLS appearance in Los Angeles, attracted a capacity crowd, swollen by a host of A-List celebrities including Leonardo DiCaprio, Selena Gomez and Prince Harry.
But the home fans left frustrated as last year’s MLS Cup winners wasted a series of chances.
French-born Gabon international Denis Bouanga had the first opportunity, bursting goalwards but with Mexican Carlos Vela unmarked to his right, unwisely chose to shoot and his effort was blocked—to the fury of his teammate.
didn’t give her many chances.”
Gauff ended Caroline Wozniacki’s fairytale Grand Slam comeback earlier Sunday as the sixth seed saw off the former world number one 6-3, 3-6, 6-1.
The 19-year-old registered her 15th win in 16 matches, a run including titles in Washington and Cincinnati last month.
Gauff sparked into life after dropping the opening two games to pocket the opening set, but Wozniacki -- playing her first Grand Slam in over three years -wound back the clock to level the match.
Two-time US Open runner-up Wozniacki, 33, broke to start the deciding set, triggering a ferocious response from Gauff who swept the final six games to close out a gutsy victory.
Wozniacki, who made her tour debut when Gauff was only one, retired after the 2020 Australian Open to start a family, giving birth to two children.
She was trying to emulate Kim Clijsters, who beat the Dane in the 2009 US Open final on her own return to Grand Slam tennis from maternity leave. AFP
BUKIDNON—While the homegrown talents enjoy some kind of an edge on local knowledge, majority will rely more on quality of shots than innate skill as the ICTSI Del Monte Championship unwraps today (Tuesday, Sept. 5) at the Del Monte Golf Club here.
And there could be no other way to mark the resumption of the Philippine Golf Tour following a 10-week break than pitting the five winners of the first seven legs in a couple of threesomes that could set the tone for the battle for top honors in the P2.5 million championship.
Ira Alido, who won the kickoff leg in Bacolod, and Clyde Mondilla, winner of the last Tour stop at Forest Hills, slug it out with young Sean Ramos in the 7:20 a.m. flight on No. 1 of Del Monte that puts premium on accuracy and consistency rather than power given its narrow setup with terrors lurking on every corner of the wooded course.
“I can’t tell if my chances are good but the sure thing is I’ll give my best to play good,” said Mondilla.
A highly-spirited duel also looms in the 7:40 a.m. clash featuring Valley leg champion Reymon Jaraula, Caliraya Springs titlist Tony Lascuña and Villamor Philippine Masters ruler Jhonnel Ababa even as Iloilo leg runaway winner Rupert Zaragosa mixes it up with Justin Quiban and Guido van der Valk in the 7:30 a.m. group.
Ababa said he is upbeat but wary of his chances to duplicate his two-stroke victory over Jaraula when Del Monte hosted a PGT leg in 2019 before the pandemic, stressing a lot has changed with regard to their respective games although he’s still bringing in the same winning mindset to the 72-hole championship.The same with the rest of the bidders, including former leg winners Michael Bibat, Zanieboy Gialon, Jerson Balasabas, Jay Bayron, Elmer
Salvador and the comebacking Mhark Fernando.
Legend Frankie Miñoza, the sentimental pick this week, is also expected to figure in the title hunt using his knowledge of the course as he trades shots with the power-hitting Marvin Dumandan and young Korean Rho Hyun Ho in the 8:20 a.m. flight, also on the first hole.
But the event, organized by Pilipinas Golf Tournaments, Inc. and backed by PGTI’s official apparel Kampfortis Golf, could also produce a winner from the group of the young guns, led by Ivan Monsalve, Gab Manotoc, Leandro Bagtas, Josh Jorge, Boni Salahog, Russell Bautista and Jonas Magcalayo, or from the likes of Noel Langgamin, Jelbert Gamolo, Magno Arancon, Jr., Elee Bisera, Albin Engino, Rico Depilo, Gerald Rosales, Enrico Gallardo, Nilo Salahog, Ferdie Aunzo, Korean Kim Minseong and Japanese Ueda Atsushi.
Bouanga had another great chance in the 11th minute after a fine tharough ball from former Italy defender Giorgio Chiellini but Miami keeper Drake Callender pulled off an excellent save.
After surviving those early scares, Miami took the lead in the 14th minute when Tomas Aviles split the LAFC defence to find Farias who beat John McCarthy with a low shot on the slide.
Miami struggled to contain Bouanga but the LA forward was again unable to make the most of his opportunity when he burst through the middle but fired wide.
Mario Gonzalez should have done better when he was given space for a shot but blasted into the side-netting as Miami were increasingly threatening on the counter.
Paraguay midfielder Diego Gomez broke forward and played a clever back-heel to Messi but the Argentine’s shot was weak and easily dealt with by McCarthy.
Before the interval, Messi had his best chance of the game, again set up by the outstanding Gomez, but one-on-one with McCarthy, Messi saw his lofted shot pushed away by the LAFC keeper. ‘Nice test’
LAFC paid the price for the wastefulness in front of goal in the 51st minute when Miami’s former Barcelona trio combined in style.
Spanish midfielder Sergio Busquets fed Messi who picked out the overlapping Alba and he burst into the box to score with a cool, left-footed finish.
Miami were in firm control and wrapped up the win in the 83rd minute when Messi burst from midfield and slipped the ball outside to Campana who made no mistake with a curling finish.
“You know what Leo is, what he can give on the pitch. He gets the best (out) of everyone,” said a beaming Campana.
“Right now, the goal is to achieve the playoffs and I hope we can do it to give happiness to the people of Miami,” added the striker.
LA got a 90th-minute consolation via Ryan Hollingshead’s glancing header from a corner and while the third-placed team in the Western Conference should have little trouble making the playoffs, they had been given a lesson in finishing. AFP
THE Philippine Sports Commission reaffirmed its commitment to promote the national sport of Arnis in the region during the 7th ASEAN Ministerial Meeting on Sports (AMMS-7), the 14th Senior Officials Meeting on Sports (SOMS-14) and related meetings, in Chiang Mai, Thailand.
The conclaves brought together sports ministers, leaders and officials from across Southeast Asia from August 27 to September 2 to discuss collaborative efforts in promoting sports excellence and development.
Pressing areas of discussions for the PSC was its commitment to foster a culture of sportsmanship, inclusivity and excellence in the Philippines and the broader ASEAN community.
“The Philippines has always been in support of the activities of the different ASEAN member states
that are incorporated in the ASEAN Work Plan on Sports 2021-2025, to strengthen cooperation towards an active community, where sports grow with integrity and serve an essential means in advancing sociocultural development and promoting peace,” said PSC Chairman Richard Bachmann, who led the Philippine delegation.
Bachmann furthered that the sports agency plans to conduct the second edition of the Arnis Expo next year, as part of the scheduled activities of the Philippines in the sport’s overall promotional program.
“Arnis, as our national sport, is a complete martial art system of weapons training and empty-hand self defense. We want our ASEAN neighbors to experience and appreciate this sport and further forge sports activities and exchanges of experts,” added the PSC chief, who was joined
by PSC Commissioner Bong Coo as the country’s SOMS leader.
Coo graced the 6th SOMS+Japan meetings, where the lady commissioner shared the initiatives and efforts of the PSC regarding women in sports this year, with the end view of building collaborative measures among ASEAN member states.
“This is a great opportunity to learn from our neighbors, and continue our commitment of equal participation and opportunity of sports for every woman in the region,” Commissioner Coo said.
In 2019, prior to the country’s SEA Games hosting, the Philippines anchored the 5th edition of the AMMS and related meetings which gathered delegates from Brunei, Cambodia, Indonesia, Laos, Malaysia, Myanmar, Singapore, Vietnam and Timor Leste at the PICC in Pasay City.
By Nickie Wang
THE unexpected reunion of childhood sweethearts in adulthood is a journey of rediscovery and emotions. Memories of shared moments flood back, evoking nostalgia and sparking overwhelming joy, confusion, and excitement.
Sometimes, the spark of childhood romance reignites, offering a second chance at love, while other times, their friendship is renewed, becoming a steadfast anchor in adult life. But what if there were challenges due to life complexities or existing relationships?
American romantic drama Past Lives, the directorial debut of writer-director Celine Song and stars Greta Lee, Teo Yoo, and John Magaro, navigates this emotional terrain with delicacy.
A must-watch movie of the year, Past Lives opened in Philippine cinemas on August 30 after capturing the hearts of audiences and critics worldwide.
Past Lives is a heartrending modern romance that follows the story of two deeply connected childhood friends who drifted apart. Two decades later, they are
reunited in New York for one fateful week as they grapple with questions of fate, love, and the choices that shape a life. With a captivating script and stunning visuals, the film has been hailed as one of the best films of the year. The movie has received glowing reviews from critics and audiences alike, with many calling it one of the best romantic dramas in recent memory.
Rotten Tomatoes has given the film an approval rating of 98 percent based on over 200 reviews and an audience score of 94 percent. Released in over a hundred theaters nationwide, Past Lives is produced by A24 and exclusively distributed in the Philippines by TBA Studios. This marks the third acquisition and distribution partnership between TBA Studios and A24 following the successful Philippine release of the multi-awarded film Everything Everywhere All At Once and The Whale “We are incredibly excited to bring Past Lives to the Philippines,” said TBA Studios President and COO Daphne O. Chiu. “This film is a hauntingly beautiful masterpiece and we are confident that it will leave a lasting impression on everyone who sees it.”
DAVAO’S up-and-coming multi-instrumentalist and singer-songwriter joem continues to surprise fans by collaborating with video creator and co-Davaoeño, Katik, for his “Pangako” music video.
If you’re not familiar with joem’s new muse, Aira Denielle, or better known as Katik, is the creator behind the viral “Die For You” dance challenge. The contrast between her quirky, budotsstyled choreography and the mellow tune of this song by Japanese singer-songwriter, Joji, was an instant sensation. Katik’s videos were even reposted by Joji’s record label, 88rising.
With Katik in joem’s “Pangako” music video, fans can see how the production referenced her colorful personality while maintaining joem’s vulnerability as an artist. In sync with the upbeat tempo of the song are the warm, butterflies-in-yourstomach moments that someone who had a teenage love can relate to.
But just like every young love, there’s a melancholic undertone in joem’s “Pangako” and it’s revealed at the very end of the video.
Eighteen-year-old joem of Davao City is a multiinstrumentalist and singersongwriter who first made waves when he won his first ever music competition, Globe Virtual Hangouts GoJAM On Stage Talent search in 2022. Then only 16-yearold, joem made a brave feat after flying all the way from his hometown, Davao to defeat more experienced finalists.
After earning nods from music executives and producers, he was awarded a record contract
with Kroma Entertainment, Inc. One of the competition’s judges is multi-award winning producer, Brian Lotho who believed in the young blood by collaborating with joem for his new song, “Pangako” out now on all streaming platforms.
“Pangako” takes on an upbeat tempo but with a melancholic undertone as joem sings of a love that’s lost and a broken promise. He’s holding on to hope even if it’s just wishful thinking—the next anthem of every sawi, no matter where you are in the Philippines.
“Pangako” was seeded at number 1 spot in Spotify’s Fresh Finds Philippines playlist and the 28th spot in New Music Friday Philippines in the first week since its release. Then it was followed by major editorial playlists such as OPM Rising, OPM Says Chillax, Relax Tayo, Pinoy Indie Mix.
Listen to joem’s “Pangako” out worldwide: joem.lnk.to/pangako
IN a recent interview, Judy Ann Santos expressed her continued enthusiasm for her upcoming movie, Mrs. Winters, in which she is set to star alongside Sam Milby However, there have been some challenges that the stars and the production team have had to face along the way.
Originally, cameras were scheduled to start rolling for the film, which is set in Canada, but Judy Ann encountered some visa problems, leading to a delay in production. She pointed out that shooting in May or June, as initially planned, would have missed the essence of winter in Canada, potentially warranting a change in the film’s title.
SONY’S The Equalizer 3, starring fan favorite Denzel Washington, helped boost the North American box office to a post-pandemic high over the long holiday weekend, industry watcher Exhibitor Relations reported Sunday.
The vigilante action film, which closes out the Equalizer trilogy, took in an estimated $34.5 million for the Friday-through-Sunday period and $42 million when the forecast for Monday – Labor Day in the US and Canada – is included.
The film, also starring Dakota Fanning, again has Washington playing a retired US Marine and drugenforcement agent, this time taking on a gang in southern Italy.
That phenomenon of pinkness known as Barbie easily held on to the second spot for the weekend, with estimated totals of $10.6 million for three days and $13.3 million for four. The Warner Bros. film now has $612 million in total domestic earnings, only the 14th movie ever to pass the $600 million mark.
In third place for the second straight weekend was DC’s superhero flick Blue Beetle, at $7.3 million for three days and $6.5 million for four.
Xolo
Mariduena plays the Beetle.
Viewers hit the brakes, however, on Sony’s Gran Turismo, as last weekend’s top film dropped to fourth with estimated ticket sales of $6.6 million for three days and $8.5 million for four. David Harbour and Orlando Bloom star in the movie about video gamers training to race real cars.
And like Barbie, the movie to which it became fortuitously hitched in viewers’ minds Oppenheimer managed a strong showing in its seventh weekend out. Christopher Nolan’s atom bomb origin story placed fifth at $5.5 million and $7.5 million.
Overall, this weekend’s numbers were enough to push the domestic summer box office past $4 billion, a first in the post-pandemic era and a big jump from last summer’s $3.4 billion, trade publications reported. AFP
“If we persisted in the shooting last May or June, we’ll lose the essence of the title since during that time, it was no longer winter in Canada,” the seasoned actress explained.
Despite the setback, Judy Ann emphasized her unwavering commitment to completing the project. She stated that she’s fully dedicated to it, provided they can resolve the visa requirements and find the right snowy conditions at the location. This might mean waiting for the next winter season, with the hope that her visa situation will be resolved by then.
“As long as the requirements will be settled and of course, there’s snow in the location. So, I think we’ll just have to wait for the next winter to come. By that time, I hope my visa will be okay,” she went on.
“I can’t back out from it. We’ve already announced and I gave my producers my word. If ever the project would be shelved eventually, I promise that I won’t be the reason!” she concluded.
***
Actor-director Eric Quizon reveals that they’re cooking up a possible show for Maricel Soriano on NET25.
“Apart from the sitcom Quizon CT, I’m going to work for another program which Marya and I will top-bill. It’s a sitcom. Maricel will be our next big star. She can’t say no to me. I just can’t give details as of now since there’s still no official announcement. What’s definite is that it will be a sitcom which I will direct and will also feature my siblings,” Eric stated.
The veteran acting stalwart also mused that they’re
conceptualizing new programs for their new Star
Center talents as well whom he handles.
“Yes! Our family is growing so I have to be on my toes all the time. I’m looking forward to all our planned offerings!” ended Eric.
Judy Ann remains committed to 'Mrs. Winters' movie despite visa woes, other challenges
REA Anicoche Tan, owner and CEO of Beautéderm, celebrated the company’s 14th anniversary in Angeles City, Pampanga, with the support of stars like Sam Milby, Andrea Brillantes, and Maja Salvador
The inspiring entrepreneur expressed her heartfelt gratitude to these celebrities for their unwavering support.
Under the theme “Bravely Beautéful: 14 Years of Setting The Gold Standard,” the lady CEO reflected on her journey in building the brand.
Beautéderm began as a modest skincare company in 2009, but today, it has evolved into one of the leading names in the beauty and wellness industry, thanks to Tan’s dedication and vision.
“Fourteen years ago, in 2009, I was just a simple ‘tindera,’ selling beauty products at my old house. Back then, I got a nudge and heard a little voice inside me say, ‘Keep it up.’ And yes I did,” Anicoche Tan said in her speech.
“Much has changed over the years.
Since I first took the plunge in 2009, the brand has grown so much. This brand is currently one of the leading beauty and wellness brands with branches all over the Philippines, Southeast Asia, Canada, and New Zealand. The brand taps the country’s celebrity A-listers as endorsers,” she added. The business magnate thanked her employees, staff, franchisees, distributors, resellers, family, friends, consumers, and celebrity endorsers. Some of the A-listers under Beautéderm are Piolo Pascual, Bea Alonzo, Marian Rivera, Carlo Aquino, and Darren Espanto
“Over the past 14 years, these people have given Beautéderm the most precious beginning, taking Beautéderm from an unknown brand to a well-known giant, becoming a key player in the beauty and wellness industry in the Philippines,” Anicoche Tan shared.
“I am so blessed and grateful. I also thank Maja, Sam, and Andrea for celebrat-
ing with us in Pampanga. We continue to make every Filipino beautiful inside and outside. We are a brand that goes beyond what you can see,” she went on. Kakai Bautista, Ysabel Ortega, Thia Thomalla, Ruru Madrid, Sunshine Garcia, Alex Castro, Patricia Tumulak, Ryle Santiago, EA Guzman, Alma Con cepcion, DJ JhaiHo, and La Union gov ernor Rafy Ortega were also spotted at the brand’s 14th anniversary celebration.
make every Filipino beautiful inside and goes beyond Thia Thomalla, Ruru Madrid, Sunshine the brand’s 14th anniversary celebration.
IN the age of smartphones, photography has become more accessible than ever before. While daytime photography is relatively straightforward, capturing stunning night scenes with a mobile phone can be a challenging yet rewarding endeavor.
With the right techniques and a few key tips, you can take your night photography skills to the next level.
One such device, the Samsung Galaxy A14 5G, stands out among the company’s affordable smartphone lineup. It boasts a 50-megapixel main camera, complete with an f/1.8 aperture lens and PDAF (phase detection autofocus). Complementing this impressive main shooter are a 2-megapixel f/2.4 macro lens and a 2-megapixel f/2.4 depth sensor, creating a versatile photography setup.
The Galaxy A14 5G has garnered praise for delivering exceptional value at a modest price point of just P12,990. Its robust hardware and camera capabilities make it a compelling choice for budget-conscious consumers. However, when it comes to capturing the
magic of night or low-light scenes, there are ways to further enhance the camera performance of the Galaxy A14 5G.
Take photos in night mode
Utilize the Night Mode feature to improve your low-light photos. You can access it via the Galaxy A14 5G’s camera app by tapping More in the selection of camera modes.
By using Night Mode, the camera’s dynamic range is improved, so highlights don’t get blown out. This makes night photo scenes with light sources (such as street lamps or building lights) look more balanced or visible. Night Mode also improves the overall sharpness of your night photos.
Take photos in pro mode
Use the camera’s Pro Mode so you can take more control of your night photos. You can activate this mode the same way as the Night Mode. It allows you to control the camera’s ISO, exposure compensation, and white balance.
The three settings give you finer control of how your night photos will look, allowing you to be more creative with taking photos.
Adjusting the ISO lets you choose whether to brighten the scene or tame the highlights, while white balance allows you to adjust the tone or temperature of your photo.
Lastly, as its name suggests, expo-
sure compensation lets you increase or decrease the camera’s overall exposure by several steps, giving you one last layer of adjustment to get your perfect night photo.
Use a tripod/gimbal
To complement the Night Mode, Pro Mode, or even the standard shooting mode of the Galaxy A14 5G’s camera, you can use either a smartphonecompatible tripod or gimbal to keep the device steady for shots that require lower shutter speeds, which is typical of night photos. A gimbal is great for keeping the camera steady for shutter speed lengths of several seconds while also being relatively easy to carry around. A gimbal can also be used for shooting videos, so you’ll get a lot of use out of one besides taking better night photos.
Tripods are best for shots that require you to keep the camera still for an extended period of time. There are several options available, from a small tabletop tripod to a larger one that can also be used for larger cameras.
The Galaxy A14 5G is currently available through Smart Signature Plan 599 and above. When you select the Samsung Galaxy A14 5G with Smart Signature Plan 599, you only need to cash out P7,200 or pay only P200/ month for 23 months with a downpayment of only P2,600.
CRAVING the exquisite flavors of Japan? Look no further than Botejyu, where authenticity meets innovation under one roof.
With roots dating back to 1946 in Osaka, Japan, this beloved brand has been serving traditional and innovative Japanese cuisine for over seven decades.
Notably, it pioneered “modernyaki,” a delectable fusion of yakisoba and okonomiyaki, and boasts an extensive menu to cater to every discerning palate.
As Botejyu continues to expand globally, the Philippines welcomed its 70th store in Robinsons Antipolo. This sprawling culinary haven, the newest and largest branch in the Botejyu family, can accommodate up to 188 guests. Step into an ambiance reminiscent of Japan, where warm wooden interiors harmonize traditional Japanese minimalism with modern aesthetics.
The restaurant’s serene yet sophisticated atmosphere is perfect for gatherings with family, friends, or business meetings over lunch.
Additionally, the Robinsons Antipolo branch boasts its very own VIP
dining room, available for reservations, making it an ideal choice for private events and special occasionsjust in time for the upcoming holiday season.
Spotted at the opening were celebrities Jairus Aquino and Marco Gallo, who served as the program hosts, Jehramae Trangia, Michael Keith, Andrew Muhlach, Sheree Bautista, Katya Santos, Maui Taylor, Jean Kiley, Josef Elizalde, Frost Sandoval, Mikaella Raz, Lara Morena, Benz Sangalang, and Angelica Hart
With the tagline “Sama-sama. Salo-salo,” Botejyu, a valued member of the Viva Group of Companies, invites diners to join in a special celebration of 77 years of authentic Japanese culinary culture in the heart of Antipolo. Aiming to open its 100th store in the Philippines, Botejyu further establishes itself as a cherished purveyor of Japanese cuisine in the region.
For the latest information and updates, follow Botejyu on Facebook at Facebook.com/boteyjuph, Instagram at Instagram.com/boteyjuphilippines, and TikTok at @botejyuphilippines
Images by Peter Paul Duran