and Macon Ramos-Araneta
SPEAKER Ferdinand Martin G. Romualdez on Monday appealed to
key players in the oil industry to share the burden of rising prices of oil to ease its impact on the daily lives of ordinary Filipinos.
Meanwhile, pump prices went up for
the 11th consecutive week, as the price of diesel rose P2.50 a liter while kerosene rose by P2 a liter. Gasoline prices went up as well, by P2 a liter, effective 6
By Charles Dantes, Julito G. Rada, Maricel V. Cruz, Vito Barcelo and Joel E. Zurbano
PRESIDENT Ferdinand Marcos Jr. on Monday said the price at which the government buys rice from farmers will go up from P19 a kilo to P23 a kilo for dry and from P16 a kilo to P19 a kilo for wet unhusked rice.
JAPAN on Monday raised concern over the extensive maritime damage in waters frequented by Chinese militia vessels in the West Philippine Sea, but China quickly shot back by denouncing Tokyo’s release of contaminated water from its Fukushima nuclear plant.
The Japanese Embassy in Manila said the damage done to coral reefs, presumably by Chinese boats in Rozul (Iro
quois) Reef was “very alarming news.”
“Our oceans are the lifeblood of our plant, and coral reefs are its colorful heartbeat. Let’s preserve and protect these vital ecosystems for generations to come,” Japan’s Ambassador to the Philippines Koshikawa Kazuhiko said on his X social media account.
He was referring to a report from the Armed Forces of the Philippines Western Command, which said it suspected Chinese boats were behind the exten-
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The President said the NFA Council, which he chairs as Agriculture Secretary, agreed on the new buying prices at a meeting Monday. He said that the higher buying price for palay would give the country’s farmers a better income. At the same time, Mr. Marcos said the price ceilings that the government imposed will calm rice
prices down.
Originally, the NFA considered the buying price of P20 and P25 a kilo but felt this might be too high and spike retail prices. The new buying price of dried palay at P23 a kilo would require P15 billion, as opposed to P16 billion if
By Rey RequejoSENATE Minority Leader Aquilino Pimentel III and former lawmakers of Bayan Muna party-list filed a petition asking the Supreme Court to declare the Maharlika Investment Fund (MIF) unconstitutional and void. In a 56-page petition for certiorari and prohibition, the petitioners challenged the MIF on three grounds: violation of economic viability, violation of BSP independence, and violation of the three readings requirement for legislative measures.
THE Supreme Court on Monday revealed that it is now requiring a mandatory drug test for employment in the judiciary and in all offices under its supervision, and all personnel, including contractual workers like janitors and security guards, will be subject to drug tests.
This requirement is contained in the Guidelines for the Implementation of a Drug-Free Policy in the Judiciary, which was adopted by the Supreme Court through Administrative Matter No. 23-02-11-SC, a copy of which had been published in a national newspaper
last Sunday.
The Court stressed: “Employees found positive for dangerous drug use shall be dealt with administratively, and such finding shall be a ground for suspension or termination, subject to the provisions of the Civil Service Law and
A.M. No. 21- 08-09-SC or the Further Amendments to Rule 140 of the Rules of Court.”
“The guidelines also seek to enhance awareness about the use, abuse, and adverse effects of dangerous drugs among the Judiciary’s officials and employees through information dissemination and periodic random drug testing,” the tribunal said.
The guidelines apply to all officials or personnel of the judiciary, regardless of status of appointment, who are employed at the SC, the Court of Appeals, the Sandiganbayan, the Court of Tax Appeals, and the first- and second-level courts under the direct supervision of
the Office of the Court Administrator.
They also cover employees in the Judicial and Bar Council, Judicial Integrity Board, Philippine Judicial Academy, Office of the Judiciary Marshals, Mandatory Continuing Legal Office, and all other offices placed under the supervision of the SC.
According to the Court, other workers detailed or working in the courts such as security and janitorial services personnel hired through service contracts as well as employees detailed as members of the Senate Electoral Tribunal and House of Representatives Electoral Tribunal are also subject to the guidelines.
sive damage done to the corrals in the West Philippine Sea.
But the Chinese Embassy did not let the Japanese ambassador’s remarks go unanswered.
Agreeing that “oceans are indeed the lifeblood of our planet,” the Chinese Embassy urged Japan to “stop the release of contaminated water from Fukushima.”
China has objected to Japan’s release of treated radioactive water into the ocean— a move that was approved by the International Atomic Energy Agency.
On Monday, the Philippine Coast Guard confirmed the “extensive maritime damage in areas frequented by Chinese maritime militia.”
“The PCG fully supports and confirms the report released by the Armed Forces of the Philippines (AFP) Western Command (WESCOM), exposing the severe damage inflicted upon the marine environment and coral reef in the seabed of Rozul Reef and Escoda Shoal,” Jay Tarriela, PCG spokesman, said.
Tarriela said surveys conducted by the PCG in Escoda shoal revealed the effects of China’s underwater activities in the region.
“The surveys conducted in Escoda Shoal revealed visible discoloration of its seabed, strongly indicating that deliberate activities may have been undertaken to modify the natural topography of its underwater terrain,” Tarriela said in a statement.
“The presence of crushed corals strongly suggests a potential act of dumping, possibly involving the same dead corals that were previously processed and cleaned before being returned to the seabed,” he added.
Jay Batongbacal, director of the University of the Philippines Institute for Maritime Affairs and Law of the Sea, said the rampant coral harvesting in Rozul Reef in the West Philippine Sea could have dire implications for the country’s food security.
Batongbacal said he had no doubt it was China behind the reef destruction.
He noted Chinese vessels often destroy the coral reefs to extract the giant clams underneath, which the Chinese use as a substitute for ivory.
The environmental group Pamalakaya urged the government to do further damage assessment on the corals in Rozul Reef.
THE 2023 Barangay and Sangguniang Kabataan Elections (BSKE) in Negros Oriental will proceed on October 30, despite the appeals for its postponement due to the reported political violence in the province.
Commission on Elections (Comelec) chairperson George Garcia, however, said Monday that the entire province will be placed under the control of the poll body and necessary guidelines on how this will be implemented will be released soon.
DEPARTMENT of the Interior and Local Government (DILG) Secretary
Benjamin Abalos Jr. on Monday said he has sought guidance from the Office of the President (OP) on the promotion of star-rank police officials.
The DILG chief also said he would continue to push for the passage of a law restructuring the Philippine National Police (PNP) while waiting for the legal opinion of the OP on the matter.
“Once I get this (legal opinion), I will
the price was pegged at P25 a kilo.
The Department of Agriculture expressed its support for the new buying price.
National Economic and Development Authority (NEDA) chief Arsenio Balisacan said that the proposed changes would “help elevate farm gate prices.”
Meanwhile, Finance Secretary Benjamin Diokno said the executive department is discussing his proposal to reduce import tariffs on rice “at the highest level.”
Diokno issued this statement after farmers groups denounced his proposal and called for his resignation.
In a statement, he said this is part of a comprehensive strategy to reduce prices for consumers and mitigate a potential shortage of the staple grain due to the impact of the ongoing El Niño phenomenon.
“As discussions are underway, the Department of Finance maintains its support for an appropriate policy response that promotes the greatest good for the greatest number of Filipinos,” Diokno said.
Earlier, Diokno said the Department of Finance was proposing to reduce the
immediately sign their promotion so we can resolve this issue. The problem would have been solved if a law on this is out by December. I hope that this issue is resolved in one to two weeks,” he said on the sidelines of the rites for the DILG’s donation of 10 motorcycles to the Metropolitan Manila Development Authority in Pasig City. This came after the Department of Budget and Management (DBM), citing Republic Act (RA) 6975 (DILG Act of
35 percent rice import tariff rates, for both ASEAN and MFN (most favored nation) rates, temporarily to 0 percent or at most 10 percent to arrest the surge in rice prices.
Rice, which accounts for about 9 percent in the consumer basket, was one of the triggers of the two-month high 5.3-percent inflation in August from 4.7 percent a month ago, according to the Philippine Statistics Authority.
The PSA said the bottom 30 percent of households felt the impact of higher rice prices the most. Data showed that regular milled rice in August 2023 averaged P43.34 a kilo nationwide, up 8.9 percent year on year, while well-milled rice averaged P47.63, higher by 8.1 percent from the same period last year.
Meanwhile, the leader of the minority bloc in the House of Representatives said the government price caps on rice must stay.
“The government should keep the caps on rice costs as long as these are needed to safeguard consumers against price shocks and counteract potential illegal acts of price manipulation, profiteering and hoarding,” the bloc’s leader, 4Ps party-list Rep. Marcelino Libanan said.
Libanan urged the government “to do everything it can to insulate consum-
Solicitor General Menardo Guevarra, for his part, said the filing of such a petition was expected “in view of the public interest” generated by the MIF.
1990) and RA 8551 (PNP Reform and Reorganization Act of 1998), earlier flagged the PNP’s actual strength and rank distribution for having excess positions that contradict the figures set by the agency.
Citing Section 13 of RA 9551, Abalos said the National Police Commission has submitted to Congress the PNP’s reorganization plans in the years 1998, 2008, 2009, and 2011, but none of these were approved.
VinceLopez
ers, especially low-income households, from precipitous and excessive increases in rice prices.”
“If necessary, the government should also subsidize rice traders, not just small retailers, in order to keep the price caps sustainable,” Libanan said.
Also on Monday, the Bureau of Customs (BOC) said it seized more than P400 million worth of smuggled rice and other imported products in another operation on three warehouses in Tondo, Manila. Customs Commissioner Bienvenido Rubio said the confiscated goods were discovered in a raid of the warehouses and found P310 million worth of imported miscellaneous goods, such as children’s toys, cosmetics, kitchenware, household wares, videoke machine, fabrics, cosmetics, pharmaceutical products, shoes, apparel, and general merchandise.
Also confiscated were 36,086 sacks of rice from Vietnam, Thailand, and Myanmar with an estimated amount of P90.2 million.
Intelligence Group Deputy Commissioner Juvymax Uy said the operation stemmed from confirmed intelligence reports that rice and other smuggled items were being stored in warehouses in Tondo.
“The Comelec decided to push through with this because based on the papers, documents, and evidence we gathered from the place where the Comelec held a three-day hearing, we found out that people overwhelmingly want the election to continue on October 30,” Garcia said. Garcia said both the Philippine National Police (PNP) and the Armed Forces of the Philippines (AFP) wanted the same.
Meanwhile, police arrested another teenager in south Metro Manila for violating the election gun ban.
On Sunday, 18-year-old Ronilo Reyes was apprehended by Pasay City - Malibay Police Substation for Alarm and Scandal, and violation of Republic Act 10591 (Possession of a Gun Replica) in relation to RA 7166 (Omnibus Election Code).
The suspect was found shouting and brandishing a gun replica that caused a disturbance along Apelo Cruz Street in Barangay 157 Zone 16 around 2 p.m. Responding policemen found the suspect holding a gas blowback-type gun replica resembling a silver .9mm Beretta pistol equipped with a magazine containing 15 pellets.
Pamplona Mayor Janice Degamo and eight other mayors from Negros Oriental earlier appealed to the Comelec to postpone the BSKE in the province, citing peace and order concerns.
Joel ZurbanoFrom A1
provisional fare increase before the year ends and a permanent hike of P2 to P5 to the current base fare of P11 for the first 4 kilometers.
TPF is a commuter network and mobility advocacy group campaigning for the protection of passenger rights and welfare.
Based on the TPF survey conducted from Sept. 16 to Sept. 17, 71 percent of the respondents are against a jeepney fare increase.
Pimentel, who
by Bayan Muna chairman Neri Colmenares and former Bayan Muna lawmakers Carlos Zarate and Ferdinand Gaite as petitioners in the case, also sought the issuance of a temporary restraining order, a preliminary injunction, or a status quo ante order to immediately enjoin the implementation of the law.
Named respondents in the petition were Executive Secretary Lucas Bersamin, Finance Secretary Benjamin Diokno, the House of Representatives, and the Senate.
“The OSG has been keenly following the public debates about the fund to determine what legal issues of transcendental importance, if any, may be raised before the Supreme Court,” Guevarra said.
The petitioners said the MIF failed to satisfy the test of economic viability as only a three-page business proposal for the MIF was submitted to comply with the test of economic viability.
“Although it is true that the Business Proposal of the Maharlika Investment Corporation reflected promising
Singapore’s Prime Minister Lee Hsien Loong and Deputy PM Lawrence Wong during dinner on Sunday.
“Our countries can expect enhanced collaboration on multiple fronts to address common global challenges,” Mr. Marcos said.
“Later in the evening, we watched Ferrari clinch the podium at the F1 (Formula 1) Grand Prix (race in Singapore),” the President added.
Mr. Marcos attended the F1 race at the invitation of Prime Minister Lee.
The President returned to the country Sunday night after leaving for Singapore on September 13 after he was invited to speak at the 10th Asia Summit hosted by the Milken Institute.
While abroad, Mr. Marcos met with various economic managers and business leaders to discuss the Philippines’ priority policies and programs to transform its economy.
The Philippines received a P11billion investment pledge from Singapore-based multinational firm Dyson, which plans to invest in the country in the next two years.
a.m. Tuesday. Phoenix Petroleum, Seaoil Philippines, PTT Philippines, Chevron Philippines, and Cleanoil issued separate announcements of the price increases.
Romualdez and other lawmakers met with representatives from the major oil companies and the Department of Energy (DOE) to find ways to shield consumers from the worst effects of the rapidly rising fuel prices.
“If you are part of the solution, Congress will be very appreciative and supportive of you. But if you are part of the problem, we might have to undertake measures that would be unpalatable to you,” said Romualdez, leader of the 311-member House of Representative.
“I hope we can work together to help our people,” said Romualdez, as he sug-
gested that oil firms may be able to find ways to cut their profit margins to reduce fuel prices.
In the Senate, Senator Sherwin Gatchalian said the government’s Pantawid Pasada Program should benefit not just the poorest of the poor but also the middle class who are hit by skyrocketing prices of fuel.
In an interview over TeleRadyo Serbisyo, Gatchalian said the fuel subsidy doesn’t help the middle class and said this was a defect in the Pantawid Pasada program.
The chairperson of the Senate oversight committee on biofuels also cited the congested and inefficient public transport system.
Oil industry executives assured Romualdez they would relay the Speaker’s appeal to their principals, who can decide on any commitment that they can make in the next consultative meeting with the House. Romualdez assured them that the
estimated returns for the next ten (10) years, the computation on which the estimated returns were based was not even provided in order for Congress, and also the public, to study and review such basis,” the petitioners said.
“With the simple submission of a three-page business proposal without the basis of computation of the return on equity, the requirement of economic viability will be easily circumvented,” they added.
The petitioners also argued the MIF violates the independence of the Bangko Sentral ng Pilipinas as it is required to contribute 100% of its total declared dividends to the sovereign wealth fund for its first and second fiscal years.
House is open to hearing other alternatives to address the relentless rise in oil prices, including possible adjustments to fuel taxation policies, that has been causing considerable strain on the budgets of Filipino households.
“We want to make sure that we can bring to the Filipino people a very safe, secure supply of oil products at very reasonable and realistic prices,” Romualdez said.
Among the possible courses of action discussed during the meeting is the proposal of Rep. Rodante Marcoleta to revisit the Oil Deregulation Law, as he noted there is no transparency in the pricing scheme of oil industry players.
He noted that oil players sought and obtained a temporary restraining order against the DOE circular requiring oil firms to submit detailed computations with corresponding explanation and supporting documents on the reasons for any movement of their oil prices.
“There is no doubt that regular commuters simply do not have the budget space to allow any fare hikes. This confirms what we have been asserting that the government should look for other solutions, such as continuous and effective fuel subsidy for PUJs rather than simply giving the go signal for a fare increase,” Morillo said.
The Land Transportation Franchising and Regulatory Board (LTFRB) must also publicly release the liquidation of the P3-billion fuel subsidy that was disbursed recently, he added.
“As the main rationale for the fuel subsidies is to cushion the effects of oil price hikes on the transport sector, it should also eliminate, or at least minimize, the need for fare hikes,” Morillo said.
Rep. Estella Luz Quimbo, vice chair of the House Appropriations Committee, also noted that oil companies would usually submit to the DOE practically the same price adjustments “up to the last decimal point.”
“There is no reason why you would have the same weekly price adjustments,” she said.
Quimbo proposed that the DOE discard the practice of submitting price adjustment schemes weekly and instead just allow oil firms to make such submissions when it becomes necessary for each of them to increase prices or implement a rollback.
Joining the Speaker in Monday’s consultation were Senior Deputy Speaker and Pampanga Rep. Aurelio Dong Gonzales, House appropriations chair and Ako Bicol Rep. Elizaldy Co, House ways and means committee chair and Albay Rep. Joey Sarte Salceda, and members of the House committee on energy.
was joinedSENATOR Risa Hontiveros on Monday said the granting of confidential funds to government agencies has become a form of political accommodation.
She also urged Congress to limit allocating confidential funds to civilian agencies.
Responding to reporters’ query on confidential funds and political accommodations, Hontiveros said: “Yes, unfortunately, our politics has become very personalistic. We are very much lacking in programmatic or party-based
HOUSING REQUEST.
Members of the Alliance of People’s Organizations in Lupang Arenda (APOLA) call on government agencies to be accountable for neglecting APOLA’s request to move f orward with the proclamation of Lupang Arenda that will be used for housing for over 19,000 families.
Manny Palmero
politics. I mean, if there were more genuine political parties, we can better exercise fiscal discipline.”
Hontiveros earlier said with the government’s limited resources, confidential funds should only be for agencies that have intelligence mandates.
“There should indeed be a value for money and for every peso and cent,
which is the responsibility of the government,” Hontiveros said as she aired her concern over the P500 million confidential funds being sought by Vice President Sara Duterte under the 2024 proposed national budget. Aside from the CIF for the Office of the Vice President, Duterte is also asking for P150 million in confidential funds for the Department of Education which she also heads.
Both the proposed confidential funds for the OVP and the DepEd are larger than the proposed P101 million confidential budget of the Department of National Defense for next year. She said the giving of confidential
funds to the OVP should be based “on science and logic.”
“And the science has to be based on our laws, based on the experiences of previous budgets. Even if we look at the former Vice Presidents--from (Gloria MacapatalArroyo) GMA, Jejomar Binay, and Leni Robredo—where the requested funds are small compared to P500 million,” she said. She also said there’s need to rationalize the confidential funds.
The House Committee on Appropriations headed by Ako-Bicol Rep. Elizaldy Co meanwhile is all set for the plenary debates today on the proposed P5.768-trillion budget for 2024 With Maricel V. Cruz.
REP. Patrick Michael Vargas on Monday pushed for the passage of a proposed measure increasing teachers’ salaries as a way to “truly recognize” their efforts.
The Quezon representative filed House Bill 4070 which aims to raise the minimum salary grade level of public school teachers from the current Salary Grade (SG) 11 (P25,439 per month) to SG 19 (P49,835 per month).
“To truly recognize our noble teachers
who shape the minds that shape the nation, we need to ensure that their compensation corresponds with their workload. We hope to have good news regarding their salary upgrade in time with World Teachers’ Day next month,” Vargas, an assistant majority leader said.
The measure remains pending at the House Committee on Appropriations.
Teacher organizations have been lobbying for salary increases since the 18th Congress, arguing that Republic Act 11466 or the Salary Standardization Law of 2019 was not enough to sustain
the rising cost of living.
Vargas, at the same time, commended the Department of Education and the Department of Budget and Management for what he called the much-awaited release of a P11.6-billion performancebased bonus for teachers in public elementary and secondary schools in various regions nationwide.
“All teachers are performers in their profession. Despite the different struggles they face, they manage to keep up with the delivery of education to our students. They deserve all the praise
and incentives,” Vargas said.
Vargas also appealed to fellow legislators to support the enactment of several bills that will help uplift the lives of teachers as well as uphold their rights and welfare.
Vargas authored several pro-teacher bills, such as: Teaching Supplies
Allowance Bill (HB 4072); Distant Public School Teachers Incentive Bill (HB 4073), Health Care for Teachers Bill (HB 4074); and Housing Program for Teachers Bill (HB 4075), among others.
DEPUTY Minority Leader and Basilan Rep. Mujiv Hataman filed a bill seeking to remove the powers and functions of the National Commission on Muslim Filipinos (NCMF) over the administration of the annual Hajj pilgrimage.
The lawmaker also said the administration of the annual pilgrimage “has been characterized by incompetence over the past several years.”
Hataman authored House Bill 9096 titled “The NCMF Reform Act of 2023” which seeks to amend Republic Act 9997 to remove the administration of the hajj from the NCMF. The bill allows the private sector to handle the hajj services for Filipino Muslim pilgrims.
DEPUTY Minority Leader Mujiv Hataman has urged the Marawi Compensation Board (MCB) to develop a roadmap on how to compensate the tens of thousands Marawi siege victims.
“I highly encourage the MCB to formulate a five-year roadmap. Yes, Congress can always extend its life, but it is always good to aim high and achieve all the objectives of the board within the time allotted to it,” Hataman said.
Hataman, former governor of the now-defunct ARMM and currently Basilan representative, said the Budget department has to see what the complete plan and strategies of the MCB to justify a bigger allocation in the budget. He lamented that for the second straight year, the Development and Budget Coor-
dination Committee (DBCC) has allotted only P1 billion for the Marawi Compensation Fund.
“The DBCC allocated only P1 billion for the Marawi Compensation Program for 2023 and 2024: Does this mean that the Marawi victims will get only P1 billion for every year that the MCB is in operation? It appears that P5 billion compensation budget is not enough.” Hataman said.
During the hearing of the joint congressional oversight committee on the Marawi Siege Victims Compensation Act of 2022 last Sept. 11, the MCB said that from July 4 to Aug. 31, it received a total of 4,762 filed claims, which translates to roughly P17.46 billion for claims filed in just two months. Maricel V. Cruz
“The recent issues surrounding the plight of Filipino Muslim pilgrims during the 2023 Hajj in Saudi Arabia brought to light, yet again, the years of poor treatment of Filipino pilgrims suffering from poor living conditions, delayed and substandard meals, and delayed transportation, among others,” Hataman said in the bill’s explanatory notes.
Hataman also cited Section 2 of the measure states that: “The NCMF shall no longer perform any powers and functions relative to the administration of hajj except to register and accredit sheiks, who are private individuals or entities engaged in facilitating, processing, and providing guidance for the annual hajj for Muslim Filipinos in Makkah, Saudi Arabia.” Maricel V. Cruz
WORLD BAMBOO
DAY. Senator Cynthia Villar and other o cials led the launching and ceremonial bamboo planting in celebration of World Bamboo Day and Philippine Bamboo Month held at the Center for Innovation Technology Entrepreneurship in Marikina City on Monday. Manny Palmero
SENATOR Francis Tolentino urged businesses to be considerate of consumers especially this Christmas season by not increasing the prices of products. Tolentino also said companies should think of prioritizing their social responsibilities and not impose price increases that might be “too high” for consumers.
Tolentino made the appeal following a report by PricewaterhouseCoopers Philippines (PwC) which said that one possible mitigating measure of companies to combat high inflation is to make prices higher.
Earlier, Roderick Danao, PwC chairman also said inflationary threats may mean prices of “noche buena” goods such as Christmas hams would rise. “That’s a big probability. If a product is in demand or will peak, and there’s an imbalance of supply, a price adjustment will happen,” Danao said.
Filipinos must also cope with costlier basic goods such as “sili” or local chilies, which now cost from P500 to P720 per kilo in local markets after recent storms flattened farms and ruined crops, PwC also said.
While Danao clarified that this is only a possibility, he did not deny that consumers will bear the brunt of price hikes.
Citing the data of PwC which said the Philippines is the 24th largest consumer economy in the world with 70% of the Gross Domestic Product (GDP) driven by consumption, Tolentino said: “You were the one who said it’s consumer-driven. If we don’t have the consumers, we cannot expect our economy to rebound.”
For Senator Sherwin Gatchalian, chairperson of the Senate Ways and Means Committee, the rise in prices of goods and services is being triggered by the spikes in fuel prices. Macon Ramos-Araneta
THE Southern Police District arrested 11 Chinese nationals in Paranaque City over alleged involvement in human trafficking. The police operation took place at Unit 1811, 18th Floor, SoleMare Parksuites in Barangay Baclaran following the issuance of a search warrant issued by Executive Judge Jaime Guray of the Regional Trial Court, Parañaque City.
One of the suspects was identified as Lin Shengjie, also known as “Boss Lin or Lin Wei,” 32, who faces complaints for violation of Republic Act 10591 and RA 9208. His accomplice, Xiao Ji, alias “Boss Kee” is currently at large and is now the subject of a manhunt operation.
Those arrested also include Chinese nationals identified only by their aliases Weichao, Liulizhang, Honghualiang, Luyzhenggang, Zhangmingpeng, Pengke, Dengchaofan, Cai Deqiang, and Chujunyi, and their 48-year-old Filipino cohort named Arlene Lapurga Geron. Joel Zurbano
THE majority or 87 percent of leptospirosis cases nationwide reported from Jan. 1 to Sept. 2 are males, an official of the Department of Health (DOH) said Monday. DOH Epidemiology Bureau Director Alethea de Guzman said individuals belonging to the older age groups are affected by leptospirosis, specifically those who are 20 to 49 years old or those who go out to work.
About 14 percent of cases have farming-related occupations, almost 8 percent are laborers, 6 percent are students, nearly 4 percent are drivers and 2 percent have fishing-related jobs, she added.
As of Sept. 2, the DOH has logged a total of 3,728 cases of leptospirosis nationwide --70 percent higher than the recorded cases for the same period last year.
De Guzman said the increase in cases started middle of July along with the entry of a number of storms in the country.
AN economic crisis is looming in Davao del Norte as investors continue to shun the province due to Northern Davao Electric Cooperative Inc.’s (NORDECO) failure to provide reliable power supply in the area, a consumer group said.
Ryan Amper, lead convenor of Davao Consumer Movement, during a radio interview said the group does not see any new businesses setting up shop in their area. “In fact, the businesses are going to Northern Davao’s 2nd District, which has stable and less expensive electricity rates.”
He said the group cannot blame businesses for not setting up—or closing down--in their district (1st District). Amper earlier helped bring public attention to the province’s power supply problems during a recent hearing by the Senate Committee on Energy chaired by Senator Raffy Tulfo.
THE Office of the Ombudsman found former National Irrigation Authority acting administrator Benny Antiporda guilty of administrative cases, and imposed a one-year suspension without pay or a fine of equivalent to one year of his salary as NIA chief for harassment and oppression.
The Ombudsman said Antiporda’s acts “failed to live up to the high standards required of a government employee.”
One of Antiporda’s staff complained that the former NIA head ordered the turning off of the electricity in the complainant’s office, violated the flexi-time arrangement, and locked down the office without prior notice.
The Ombudsman said since Antiporda is no longer working at NIA, it will just impose a one-year fine.
The acts, the Ombudsman said, “demonstrate cruelty, severity, unlawful exaction, domination, or excessive use of authority which are tantamount to harassment and oppression.”
“Government employees are supposed to be well-mannered, civil and considerate in their actuations, not only in their relations with the transacting public, but also with their coworkers.”
The Ombudsman, however, said the allegations against Antiporda “do not constitute grave misconduct” as issues of corruption and clear intent to violate the law or rule were “absent in this case.”
Antiporda said he will file for a motion for reconsideration.
“Let me reiterate that this complaint is a product of a concocted scenario to cover up a bigger issue in NIA which involves corruption,” Antiporda said.
“While I can only bow to the wisdom of the Office of the Ombudsman, may I point out that the punishment ordered against me appears unjustifiable and highly prejudicial considering that I only served at the NIA as acting administrator for less than four months.
THREE former officials of the defunct Technology and Livelihood Resource Center (TLRC) were found guilty by the Sandiganbayan of misusing P9.6 million for ghost livelihood projects in 2007 related to the Priority Development Assistance Fund (PDAF) scam.
The Sandiganbayan 3rd Division sentenced former TLRC executives Belina Concepcion, Dennis Cunanan, and Marivic Jover to 6 to 10 years of imprisonment for graft and 12 to 18 years for malversation of public funds in a decision promulgated on September 15.
The projects were funded by the PDAF of the late Negros Oriental 3rd District representative Herminio Teves, who was exonerated due to his death.
The Supreme Court in 2013 declared the PDAF unconstitutional.
Teves’ former chief of staff Hiram Diday Pulido and Molugan Foundation Inc. (MFI) representative Samuel Bombeo were also convicted of graft and malversation. Aside from imprisonment, Concepcion, Cunanan, Jover, Pulido, and Bombeo were ordered to pay the government a P9.6 million fine, equal to the amount malversed, as well as an indemnification
fee of P9.6 million with 6 percent interest.
The court acquitted former TLRC department manager Francisco Figura and ordered the archiving of the cases against the agency’s director general Antonio Ortiz, who remained at large.
“Considering that there is no proof as to the whereabouts of the funds and nothing happened to the project, this meant that the amount was not actually used for its intended purposes and that the accused misappropriated or consented, or, through abandonment or negligence, permitted Bombeo to take the public funds,” the court said.
Associate Justice Ronald Moreno penned the decision, with the concurrence of Presiding Justice and Division Chairperson Amparo Cabotaje-Tang and Associate Justice Bernelito Fernandez. MFI did not possess the required
THE Taiwanese government is set to establish ten overseas bases, with the Philippines being the primary location, as part of its study and work program to boost the region’s workforce.
The Ministry of Education plans to invest 5.2 billion New Taiwan dollars (P9.3 million) from 2024 to 2028 to promote international student enrollment and stay in Taiwan.
Dr. Lee Tien-Shang, President of KunShan University (KSU), announced the plans to establish overseas bases in Manila, Cebu, and Iloilo, among other locations.
The bases will serve as platforms for academic and industry-academia exchange and collaboration between Taiwan and the Philippines.
Each location will promote highquality Mandarin, cultural experiences, and preparatory courses, with the aim of deepening the international educational
THE Supreme Court on Monday said 10,400 or 96.38 percent of the 10,791 registered examinees for the 2023 Bar examinations completed the first day of the exams on Sunday, Sept. 17, in 14 local testing centers nationwide.
Associate Justice Ramon Paul Hernando, chairperson of the 2023 Bar examinations committee, declared the first day a “smashing success.”
“The Court and its 2,310-strong Bar personnel have vigilantly stood watch over our 2023 Bar Examinees and ensured the safe, peaceful, and orderly conduct of the exams. Let us all hope and pray that this would continue until the last day of the Bar,” Hernado said.
“To all of my 2023 Bar Examinees,
HOLIDAY
FEELS.
Street corners start to light up with holiday decors while the aroma of native ‘kakanin’ from this stall waft in the air in Brgy. Olympia in Makati City. Diana B. Noche
I salute you for powering through the first Bar day. There are only two Bar Examination days left. You can do it.
I look forward to warmly welcoming you to our profession before Christmas day,” he added.
During the traditional “Breakfast with the Deans” held last Sunday at the St. Maur’s Hall of San Beda Collage Alabang – the SC’s headquarters for the examinations -- Hernando expressed his gratitude to all those helping in the 2023 Bar examinations.
He shared how he and the rest of “Bar Team Hernando” carefully mapped out the details of this year’s exams, which were shortened to three days the usual four Sundays.
The second day of the examinations will be held tomorrow, September 20.
exchange and cooperation between universities in both countries.
KSU will establish new specialized programs, including dual-degree programs, bachelor programs, post-bachelor programs, and master’s and doctoral programs, with a priority focus on STEM (Science, Technology, Engineering, and Mathematics), finance, and semiconductor-related fields.
Students will receive industryacademia scholarships funded by Tai-
wan’s National Development Fund for up to two years and living and onternship allowances provided by companies.
After graduation, students will be required to work in Taiwan for at least two years to meet the talent needs of the industry.
A KSU delegation is also set to visit Rizal Technological University (RTU) on or before the end of September to discuss the details of establishing an official recruitment headquarters in the Philippines.
qualification and accreditation to undertake the livelihood programs by allocating farm implements and livelihood materials for residents of depressed barangays, the court noted.
During the trial, Pulido said she had no knowledge of the dealings of her office with MFI.
Cunanan argued that he practiced due diligence in signing PDAF-related documents and rectified the implementation of PDAF projects that were already under scrutiny in 2010.
Meanwhile, Jover said she had no choice but to affix her signature on transactions supported by documents.
“Accused public officers Concepcion, Cunanan, Jover, and Pulido consented or permitted Bombeo, through MFI, to take the PDAF-drawn public funds,” the court said.
AN AIRPORT worker of the Office for Transportation Security (OTS) is under investigation for alleged theft following an incident at the Ninoy Aquino International Airport Terminal 1.
OTS spokesperson Kim Marquez said one of their checkpoint supervisors reported that a passenger lost $300 on Sept. 8, prompting them to initiate a probe.
The OTS has identified one screening officer as of Monday afternoon and is still investigating whether other personnel are involved, Marquez said.
The OTS is working closely with the Manila International Airport Authority (MIAA) and the Philippine National Police Aviation Security in addressing the issue, the OTS said.
Last March, a screening personnel was arrested for allegedly stealing a watch from a passenger at the NAIA Terminal 1. The incident prompted the OTS to prohibit jackets and pockets on the personnel’s uniform.
THE Department of Public Works and Highways is rushing the completion of the P70 million new multi-purpose building (MPB) that will serve as a public market in Isabela City, Basilan.
DPWH Region 9 Director Cayamombao Dia said the project entails the construction of a two-storey structure that would host small and large stalls and shops in the province.
“Built within an area of 8,830 square meters, the MPB is expected to cater to the daily necessities of approximately 130,379 locals in Isabela City,” he said.
“When completed, the new public market will become the center of economic activity, providing business opportunities to locals and farmers,” the public works officials added.
Vito Barcelo
THOUSANDS of civil servants were called to participate in the nationwide blood drive organized by the Civil Service Commission (CSC) from September 19 to 21 to mark the 123rd Philippine Civil Service Anniversary (PCSA) CSC chairperson Karlo Nograles said the agency, in partnership with the Department of Health - Philippine Blood Center (PBC) and SM Supermalls, organized the bloodletting activity with the theme
“Dugtong Buhay, Handog ng Lingkod Bayan” to highlight the third week of Civil Service Month and encourage government workers to help increase blood reserves.
In the National Capital Region (NCR), the blood drive will be held in three locations: at the CSC Resource Center in Batasan Hills, Quezon City, at the PBC Building on Quezon Ave., Quezon City, and at SM Mall of Asia (Music Hall), Seaside Boulevard in Pasay City.
“We are looking forward to our bloodletting activity as this is one way of collectively showcasing volunteerism and malasakit among the 1.9 million civil servants. We give so others may live. This event is another way to show our appreciation to the gift of life that we are blessed with to serve the public,” Nograles said.
QUEZON City Mayor Joy Belmonte on Monday called for a change in leadership in the city’s Bureau of Fire Protection, lamenting lapses in operational readiness and proper fire safety precautions.
“The capability and effectiveness of the BFP-QC Fire Department in responding to these fires have lessened significantly. The city government recognizes that each fire has its
own distinct volatile circumstances,” she said.
“Nonetheless, the severity of this year’s incidents necessitates a call for a change in the leadership of the agency. A change is needed for the welfare of our citizens. We look forward to a better performance from the BFP,” she added.
Belmonte criticized Sr. Supt. Aristotle Bañaga of the BFP-QC as well as Chief Insp. Dominic Salvacion, QC Fire Prevention Branch chief, as
she callrd on the BFP central office to conduct a thorough investigation into the shortcomings of the two fire officials and to undertake reforms within the BFP-QCFD. She said Bañaga and Salvacion must be investigated to determine their culpability in the recent spate of fire occurrences in Quezon City, particularly in the Aug. 31 blaze that killed 15 people, including a threeyear-old girl, inside Pleasant View Subdivision in Tandang Sora.
TWO recent incidents of road rage have sparked public indignation over the seemingly limited ability of the law to address and penalize such cases.
Both cases featured guns being drawn and pointed, with what may be perceived as the clear intent to scare off, threaten, and intimidate.
The first incident involved a cyclist and an ex-cop who has shown a pattern of similar behavior in the past.
The latter’s bluster and former’s cowed demeanor after threats were made enraged many in the biking community and the general public, who saw this as a perpetuation of the perceived police penchant for violence, and the impunity shown by such persons.
No less than celebrity lawyer Raymond Fortun, himself an avid cyclist, came to fore to bring justice to the case. Even the Senate got involved and held a hearing on the matter.
This high-profile investigation brought to light another road rage incident that also occurred last month.
In this one, a motorist brandished his pistol at a cab driver in Valenzuela City.
Jason Ivler shot Renato Ebarle Jr. In 2016, former Army reservist Vhon Tanto shot and killed Mark Vincent Garalde, a cyclist.
How much longer before the law gets tougher on motorists who can’t keep calm under stress?
How many more people have to suffer threats and intimidation from people who feel entitled because they have a gun ‘sukbitized’ in their belt?
With today’s advanced video technology, such incidents are being filmed.
Perpetrators may try to intimidate bloggers who’ve shared such videos into taking them down, but once it’s on the internet, it’s immortalized.
Road ragers trying to talk their way out of it will see their fabrications shrivel in the glaring light of video evidence.
As a consequence of these incidents, Atty. Fortun has asked the Supreme Court to “consider the court’s proper appreciation and admission of video evidence of a crime, even from anonymous sources.”
He added such would “insulate citizens with cellphone cams and dashcams from having to disclose themselves and expose themselves to retribution or threats.
SOMETHING must be done. And done fast.
People who monkey around the government’s Subscriber Identity Modules (SIM) should have the book thrown at them posthaste. We have it on record from the National Telecommunications Commission a total 113.9 million SIM cards had been registered as of July 30, 2023, the final day after the five-day registration grace period. This means nearly 68 percent of SIM cards in the country were registered, and the rest deactivated.
But something rather disgusting had reared its ugly head after the National Bureau of Investigation Cybercrime Division Chief, Jeremy Lotoc, admitted before a Senate panel that registered SIMs were being sold openly on various social media platforms.
The NBI also found a loophole in the SIM card registration process of major telecommunications companies when it successfully registered a SIM card using a fake PhilHealth ID with a photo of a smiling monkey. Lotoc also disclosed his team had
Both road rage cases were caught on videotape. The videos went viral on social media.
After the incident involving the cyclist, an anti-road rage bill was filed in the Lower House by Reps. Erwin Tulfo, Jocelyn Tulfo, Ralph Tulfo, Edvic Yap, and Eric Yap. House Bill 8991, An Act Penalizing Acts of Road Rage and for Other Purposes, seeks to establish a policy to “protect all road users from all acts of road rage that not only cause unwarranted road obstruction but physical harm and even death in extreme cases.”
This is not the first time such a law has been proposed.
In HB 5759 or the Anti-Road Rage Act of 2019, Rep. Florida Robes argued for strict penalties including a P250,000 fine and imprisonment against drivers who act in an “aggressive, hostile, or violent” manner on the road or in traffic.
There have been countless road rage incidents that have gone unrecorded and unpunished.
Many of us, whether driver or passenger, will have such stories to tell.
Here’s mine: Some years ago, my daughters and I were in a cab on the way to church at UP Campus.
We were in the tunnel from Quezon Boulevard that passes under EDSA and our cab was behind a large white SUV that was hogging the center of the road.
Our driver tried to pass on the left, but the driver of the SUV stuck his hand holding a gun out the window.
It was a clear threat to us to stay away. We immediately dropped back.
It’s time that such hostile and antisocial behavior, rooted in entitlement, excess, and a sense of untouchability, is penalized.
Extreme cases of road rage have ended in death and tragedy.
In 1991, businessman Rolito Go shot dead college student Eldon Maguan.
In 2009, former U.S. army soldier
SI THEP, Thailand—Under the scorching sun, Thai archaeologist Tanachaya Tiandee clambers through ruined pagodas in the ancient town of Si Thep, trying to unlock their mysteries—a task made harder because parts of the puzzle are missing thanks to decades of looting. Thailand has a rich collection of historical sites, but foreign looting has stripped many of them, leaving the country scrambling to repatriate its stolen cultural wealth.
“The big picture like the building was discovered, but the artefacts which tell little details are missing, making a lot of stories untold about Si Thep,” Tanachaya told AFP.
“It’s like a piece of puzzle was missing,” she said. The 400-hectare complex, which archaeologists date back to between 1,500 to 1,700 years ago, may be inscribed in UNESCO’s cultural world heritage list this week -- Thailand’s first addition since 1992.
As 33-year-old Tanachaya carefully excavates the ancient stone constructions, she faces a difficult task piecing together the stories of Si Thep, which lies around 200 kilometers north of Bangkok.
It is believed that over the years, at least
“Our prosecutors should not be hampered by the absence of witnesses to get convictions for crimes caught in digital recordings.”
Fortun asked the highest court in the land to “consider the passage of a new Rule of Procedure or, in the alternative, an amendment/s of our current Rules on Electronic Evidence, so that our courts would favorably consider the appreciation and admission of video recordings coming from mobile phones, dashcams, and CCTV footages obtained from anonymous sources.”
He cited Singapore as an example. Their law enforcement has a website that allows citizens to anonymously provide information about crimes by uploading photographs and videos.
Confidentiality is preserved, encouraging civic engagement.
The era of social media and viral videos has brought about a paradigm shift in the way we document and address crimes.
The power of recorded evidence transcends mere words and negates lies, and it has the potential to reshape the landscape of justice in the Philippines.
Atty. Fortun’s appeal to the Supreme Court is a significant step towards modernizing our legal system, fostering transparency, and empowering ordinary citizens as vigilant guardians of truth and accountability. This will not only strengthen our legal framework but also reaffirm our commitment to a just and transparent society where the truth cannot be concealed, no matter how hard one may intimidate or threaten.
It’s time to put an end to road ragers getting away with their reckless and dangerous behavior.
* * * FB and Twitter: @DrJennyO / Email: writerjennyo@gmail.com
successfully registered with unnamed telecommunications operators’ SIMs using the photograph of a smiling monkey, which indicates unscrupulous individuals were able to skirt around the new legislation mandating SIM registration to verify identification.
to determine the veracity of a SIM card user’s details.
As Gatchalian said, “We cannot allow horses, monkeys, and gorillas to be registered. If we are not going to do something, this will happen over and over again.”
Under Republic Act 11934 or the Subscriber Identity Module Registration Act, those who use fictitious identities or fraudulent documents to register a SIM card will be slapped with a prison sentence ranging from six months to two years and a fine of P100,000 to P300,000.
Senator Sherwin Gatchalian said criminal groups have taken advantage of the fact that registered SIMs are being sold openly, adding tens of thousands of SIMs have been accumulated which were later used in investment, cryptocurrency, and love scams.
“The basic objective of the law is if we register the SIM, there will be accountability, meaning you can go after the registered person if needed because the anonymity is creating a lot of problems,” Gatchalian said.
We feel telco providers must place an effective form of post-validation mechanism
The law took effect in December last year, mandating all SIM owners to register their mobile phone numbers. Senator Grace Poe called the incident an “insult” to the SIM Registration Act’s implementation. She said succinctly, “All of us here are playing catch-up with technology so the blame is not all lodged in one particular group. But, of course, we have to keep updating and it’s frustrating. It’s adding insult to injury if you see the smiling monkey.”
Perhaps the national ID system can help the authorities.
But they cannot just smile back and withdraw in repugnance.
THE national security objectives outlined in the new NSP have been formulated by evaluating the evolving strategic landscape and aligning them with the country’s sociopolitical values, fundamental laws, and core national interests.
The new NSP encompasses several key national security priorities within each of these core areas: National Sovereignty and Territorial Integrity, Political Stability, Peace, and Public Safety, Economic Strength and Solidarity, National Identity, Harmony, and a Culture of Excellence, Ecological Balance, and Climate Change Resilience, Cybersecurity, Information Security, and Cognitive Security, as well as Regional and International Peace and Stability.
To implement the NSP 2023-2028 effectively, a set of guiding principles has been defined, including: Fostering Inclusivity; Promoting Trust and Optimism and Strengthening Leadership Resolve; Ensuring Strategic Alignment; Benchmarking Against International Norms and Best Practices; Anticipating the Future and Being Proactive; Promoting Consistency and Continuity; Sustaining Wealth Creation and Generation; Measuring Effectiveness and Collecting Feedback; Constituting Oversight and Developing Advocacy Plans.
To achieve success, the NSP 2023-2028 relies on a comprehensive approach that involves the entire government and nation. All government departments, agencies, and other entities of the government should incorporate and synchronize the NSP with their own plans, programs, and strategies.
Additionally, policymakers can use this document as a guiding tool when crafting legislation related to national security matters.
Likewise, the government seeks the support and active participation of the Filipino public in contributing meaningfully to the realization of the NSP’s vision and objectives.
It is only through national unity that the Filipino nation can confidently anticipate a more prosperous, secure, and promising future.
The West Philippine Sea issue has now become the primary national security concern for the Philippines.
This is consistent with the statements of Defense Secretary Gilberto Teodoro who clearly has a comprehensive and strategic view of national security.
The country asserts its sovereignty, sovereign rights, and jurisdiction over the West Philippine Sea in accordance with the 1982 United Nations Convention on the Law of the Sea and the legally binding South China Sea Arbitration Award of July 12, 2016.
Despite the clarity of these principles in international law, other claimant states persist in making territorial claims in this strategic waterway.
These differing claims and the methods employed by claimants to assert their positions continue to present strategic challenges.
These challenges not only threaten the Philippines’ territorial integrity but also jeopardize the legitimate rights, safety, and well-being of the Filipino people.
Marcos gave his endorsement to the National Security Policy 2023-2028 via Executive Order 7 on August 10, shortly following an incident where Chinese Coast Guard ships and Chinese military militia obstructed and used water
peninsula, as well as Russia’s engagement in military conflict within Ukraine. Climate change and other global challenges is also highlighted.
cannons against Philippine vessels while they were en route to Ayungin Shoal for a resupply mission.
In this regard, the Marcos Jr. administration has made it a top focus of his foreign policy to address the Philippines’ maritime conflict with China, bolstering diplomatic and security alliances with the nation’s partners to counter China’s increasing presence in Philippine waters.
Additionally, President Marcos Jr. has pledged to safeguard the nation’s interests while fostering positive international relations.
This more assertive stance is in stark contrast to the cozy dalliance by the Duterte administration with China.
The Philippines is also worried about the impact of any conflict on its economic stability, the possibility of an influx of refugees, and the welfare of its overseas populations.
A military conflict in the Taiwan Strait would unavoidably affect the Philippines due to the close geographic proximity of Taiwan to the Philippine archipelago and the presence of more than 150,000 Filipinos in Taiwan.
The NSP document underscores a range of external challenges, including the ongoing strife in the Taiwan Strait and the Korean
20 objects have been stolen from the site, with experts identifying 11 in museums in the United States.
The real number of looted objects is suspected to be far higher, thanks to a lack of documentation.
Now Tanachaya—who decided when she was young that she wanted to become a Thai version of movie character Indiana Jones— and her colleagues face their own quest.
Can they bring their culture’s treasures home?
‘Won’t accelerate’
Thailand’s government, led at the time by the military, established the Committee to Monitor Thai Antiquities Abroad in 2017.
About 340 objects have been voluntarily repatriated to Thailand since then, according to the latest report by the committee.
But the process is slow, partly because government officials are wary of jeopardizing diplomatic relations with important allies like the United States.
Instead, Thai authorities have pursued a “discreet” diplomatic route, explained the
director-general of Thailand’s Department of Fine Arts Phnombootra Chandrachoti. “We won’t accelerate anything,” he told AFP.
The Norton Simon Museum, located in the US state of California, holds nine Thai artefacts, according to a recent statement from the committee—including one item an independent expert says is from Si Thep park.
The items were among 32 scattered in museums across the United States, the
committee said.
The Norton Simon is only one of a number of US institutions -- including New York’s Metropolitan and San Francisco’s Asian Art Museum -- that have been named in the growing scandal around art that investigators claim was illegally removed from its country of origin.
The museum told AFP it had not heard from the Thai government, but would cooperate with authorities if contacted, and defended holding the items.
The works, which it claimed were legally purchased, “have been carefully preserved and displayed” said Leslie Denk, vice-president of external affairs at the institution.
Dilemma over tourism
Thai historians face another dilemma: Si
Thep’s bid to become a UNESCO site could boost the local economy—but it could also put the fragile ancient site under strain.
Presently, only one percent of visitors to Phetchabun—the province that is home to Si Thep—are foreigners, according to official 2019 data.
In contrast, during the preceding administration led by Rodrigo Duterte, the focus was primarily on addressing internal issues. Core policies during Duterte’s leadership revolved around an intense crackdown on illegal drugs, characterized by a rigorous “war on drugs,” along with the continuous identification and pursuit of individuals purportedly linked to the Communist Party, a practice often referred to as red-tagging, among other key initiatives. In the Marcos policy, this approach is rejected but on the ground there is still this obsession with illegal drugs and the insurgency. The one gap in the Marcos national security policy is the inadequacy of its approach to the peace negotiations with the Communist Party of the Philippines and the National Democratic Front of the Philippines. That guarantees that the longest communist insurgency in the world will continue beyond the Marcos administration. A comprehensive permanent peace settlement is the only path to end such an urgency. Local initiatives can only do so much.
Overall, however, the Marcos National Security Policy for the years 2023-2028 is a visionary and all-encompassing approach aimed at protecting the Philippines’ vital interests, preserving its sovereignty, and tackling urgent global issues. By steadfastly following its guiding principles and promoting a sense of national cohesion, the Philippines strives to ensure a future characterized by prosperity, safety, and promise in an ever-evolving and interconnected global landscape.
This ends my series on national security policy. I will continue to monitor the implementation of the Marcos policy. I am sure with Secretary Teodoro in charge of this the policy objectives articulated will be achieved.
Website: tonylavina.com. Facebook: tonylavs X: tonylavs
The Thai government hopes UNESCO designation will help boost the kingdom’s tourism sector, which accounts for almost 20 percent of the country’s GDP.
There are, however, concerns about conservation.
The site is already “almost reaching its fullest capacity” of around 2,000 tourists a day, said Si Thep Historical Park head Sittichai Pooddee.
“We will try to balance things. We will try to not over-promote,” he said.
Missing items mean gaps in the record, which makes it harder to satisfy the curiosity of tourists visiting the site, said Thai historian Tanongsak Hanwong.
“Artefacts dignify Thailand’s past civilization, and when some of the parts are missing, we get stuck and we can’t tell important pieces of the story to the world,” Tanongsak said.
At Si Thep’s peaceful complex, domestic visitors gaze at a carefully carved pagoda wall.
“It’s the heritage that belongs to Thai people, and that we are proud of. It would be a pity not to get it back,” said Chaowarat Munprom, a 66-year-old retiree.
“It once belonged here.” AFP
VATICAN City, Holy See—Calls for compassion for migrants suffering in North Africa and those attempting to reach Europe or die trying will be at the heart of Pope Francis’s visit to Marseille this week.
The pontiff is making a two-day trip to France’s second-largest city, a historic gateway for immigrants, where he is expected to insist on the causes of migration, from poverty to climate change, and urge greater tolerance.
He is also likely to address the horrors many migrants face in North Africa, from internment in brutal camps to being left by traffickers to die in the desert. The visit comes as a surge in the number of migrant arrivals in Italy revives a bitter debate over how Euro-
pean countries manage asylum seekers.
“It represents a challenge that is not easy, as we also see from the news in recent days, but which must be faced together,” Francis said after his Angelus prayer on Sunday in Rome.
“It is essential for the future of all, which will be prosperous only if it is built on fraternity, putting human dignity and real people, especially those most in need, in first place,” he said.
The Marseille trip comes as Francis, 86, is in increasingly fragile health, saying on his return from Mongolia this month that papal voyages were not as easy as they used to be.
But he continues to travel widely, focusing on the smaller Catholic communities the Vatican calls the peripheries. AFP
Migrants wait at the operational center called the “Hotspot” to receive registration papers from the Red Cross on the Italian island of Lampedusa, on Sunday. The European Union presented an emergency plan for Italy to help it handle migrant arrivals after a record number of people landed on its island of Lampedusa over the past week. Since a week, around 8,500 people— more than the island’s entire local population—have arrived in around 200 boats, according to the UN migration agency. AFP
TAIPEI—Taiwan told China on Monday to stop its “destructive unilateral actions” after more than 100 Chinese warplanes and nine navy ships were detected in areas around the self-ruled island.
Beijing claims Taiwan as its own territory to be seized one day, by force if necessary, and has ramped up diplomatic and military pressure on Taipei in recent years.
Taiwan’s defense ministry described the number of warplanes detected in 24 hours as a “recent high”, while Beijing has so far refrained from issuing any official comment on the sorties.
“Between the morning of September 17th to 18th, the Ministry of National Defense had detected a total of 103 Chinese aircraft which was a recent high and has posed severe challenges to the security across the Taiwan Strait and in the region,” it said in a statement.
Beijing’s “continued military harassment can easily lead to a sharp escalation in tension and worsen regional
security,” the ministry said, as it called on China to “immediately stop such destructive unilateral actions.”
Of the total number of warplanes detected, 40 crossed the so-called median line of the Taiwan Strait that separates the island from China, and entered its southwest and southeast air defense identification zone (ADIZ), the statement said.
Last week, Taipei also reported an increased number of incursions by Chinese warplanes and ships.
The uptick came as Beijing said its troops were on “high alert” after two ships belonging to the United States and Canada sailed through the Taiwan Strait.
Taiwan’s defense ministry said 68 Chinese aircraft and 10 naval vessels were detected around the island between Wednesday morning and Thursday morning.
Some of those planes and warships were heading to an unspecified area of the Western Pacific to “conduct joint sea and air training” with China’s Shandong aircraft carrier, the ministry said.
The Shandong, one of two operational aircraft carriers in the Chinese fleet, was detected last week around 110 kilometers southeast of Taiwan heading into the Western Pacific, Taipei authorities said.
Japan’s defense ministry also said last
LONDON—Charles III finally makes it across the Channel from Britain to France this week, six months after rioting and strikes forced the last-minute postponement of his first state visit as king.
The 74-year-old British head of state’s rescheduled three-day trip to Paris and Bordeaux with his wife Queen Camilla, 76, starts on tomorrow, with the itinerary largely unchanged from March.
It includes set-piece ceremonial events with President Emmanuel Macron, whose unpopular pension reforms sparked the civil unrest earlier this year, as well as more informal meetings with the public.
DEMOCRATIC HERITAGE. A statue of Mahatma Gandhi, who led the successful campaign for India’s independence from Britain, is pictured against the backdrop of India’s new parliament building in New Delhi on Monday. The new building will have a Constitution Hall for the purpose of showcasing India’s democratic heritage. AFP
The royal couple, Macron and his wife Brigitte will be officially welcomed at the Arc de Triomphe and lay wreaths of remembrance before a pro-
cession down the sweeping ChampsElysees avenue.
The French leader and First Lady will host Charles and Camilla at a state banquet at Versailles, the palace west of Paris synonymous with French royalty —and the bloody republican revolution of 1789.
Other highlights include a landmark address—likely in French—by Charles to lawmakers at the Senate.
Many of the engagements turn around subjects championed by both couples, from the environment and sustainability to promoting literacy and youth entrepreneurship.
There are meetings with local communities and sports stars in the north Parisian suburb of Saint-Denis, home to the national stadium and venue for next year’s Olympic Games. AFP
Yi began a four-day visit to Russia for security talks on Monday, his foreign ministry said, the latest in a series of high-level visits and phone calls between the two sides.
China and Russia are strategic allies, with both countries frequently touting their “no limits” partnership and economic and military cooperation.
They came even closer after Russia’s invasion of Ukraine in February last year, which China has refused to criticise.
China’s foreign ministry said in a
statement Monday that Wang would hold security consultations at the invitation of Nikolai Patrushev, secretary of Russia’s security council.
Wang’s visit was “a routine event”, the ministry said later at a daily news conference, aiming to “promote the development of bilateral relations, and conduct in-depth communication on important issues involving the strategic security interests of the two countries”.
The Russian foreign ministry said in an earlier briefing Wang would meet his counterpart Sergei Lavrov and the two planned to “focus on efforts to strength-
DERNA, Libya—UN agencies warned Monday that Libya’s flood-stricken city of Derna, where thousands were killed a week ago, faces the threat of disease outbreaks that could bring “a second devastating crisis.”
The massive flash flood that has killed over 3,000 people and left thousands more missing came as the war-scarred North African country was lashed by the hurricanestrength Storm Daniel on September 10.
Traumatized residents, 30,000 of whom are now homeless, badly need clean water, food and basic supplies amid a growing risk of cholera, diarrhea, dehydration and malnutrition, UN agencies warn.
“Teams from nine UN agencies have been on the ground delivering aid and support to those affected by Storm Daniel and the flash flooding for the last few days,” said the UN Support Mission in Libya.
But it warned that local officials, aid agencies and the UN World Health Organization “are concerned about the risk of disease outbreak, particularly from contaminated water and the lack of sanitation”.
“The team continues to work to pre-
vent diseases from taking hold and causing a second devastating crisis in the area,” UNSMIL said in a statement.
Rapidly rising waters burst two upstream river dams in Derna, sending a late-night tidal wave crashing through the centre of the coastal city of 100,000 that swept entire residential blocks into the Mediterranean.
UN teams also including the children’s relief fund UNICEF, refugee agency UNHCR and World Food Program have been in and around Derna for the past few days to help the survivors.
UNICEF teams have delivered “medical kits to primary care services to support 15,000 people for three months” while the UNHCR distributed supplies including blankets, tarpaulins and kitchen equipment to 6,200 displaced families in Derna and Benghazi, said UNSMIL.
“So far food rations have been distributed to over 5,000 households through the World Food Program, and 28 tonnes of medical supplies have been shipped by charter flight from the World Health Organization, which has also donated ambulances and medical kits.” AFP
en collaboration on the international scene”.
“There will be a detailed exchange of views on issues related to a settlement in Ukraine, as well as ways of ensuring stability and security in the Asia-Pacific region,” a spokesperson said.
China has sought to position itself as a neutral party in the Ukraine war, while offering Moscow a vital diplomatic and financial lifeline as its international isolation deepens.
But it has stopped short of overt military involvement or sending lethal arms to Russia.
Chinese Defense Minister Li Shangfu visited Russia and Belarus last month and called for closer military cooperation. The two countries have carried out joint sea and air patrols in recent months, the latter causing South Korea to deploy fighter jets as a precaution.
Their high-level contacts look set to increase, with an aide to Vladimir Putin saying in July that the Russian president was planning to visit China in October.
President Xi Jinping made a state visit to Moscow in March and declared that relations between the two countries
week its navy had detected six ships— including frigates, destroyers, one fast combat support ship and the Shandong —sailing through waters some 650 kilometres (400 miles) south of Miyakojima island, east of Taiwan.
It confirmed that jets and helicopters had been detected taking off and landing from the Shandong, though China has not commented officially on any drills being conducted in the Western Pacific. Analysts said China could be flexing its muscles to counter US influence in the Asia-Pacific, as it leads multiple rounds of military drills with allies across the region. AFP
over southwest Crimea
MOSCOW—Russia said it repelled Ukrainian drone attacks over several parts of Crimea, outer Moscow and two border regions on Sunday.
Crimea has been targeted by Ukraine throughout Russia’s offensive but attacks there have recently intensified as Kyiv vows to recapture the Black Sea peninsula, which Moscow annexed in 2014.
And since Ukraine launched its counter-offensive in early June, Russia has weathered waves of drone attacks that have sporadically damaged buildings, including in the capital Moscow.
Russian officials have downplayed their significance.
“Drones were intercepted over the western, southwestern, northwestern and eastern parts of the Crimean peninsula; Istra and Domodedovo districts of Moscow region, Belgorod and Voronezh regions,” Russia’s defense ministry said on Telegram in the round-up of Sunday’s attacks.
The drones “have been thwarted”, it added.
Most of the attacks were early Sunday.
In their Sunday round-up, the Russian ministry claimed that production workshops at a military vehicle repairs plant in the eastern Ukrainian city of Kharkiv had been hit.
Elsewhere, at The Hague, Netherlands, Russia and Ukraine were scheduled to face off at the International Court of Justice from Monday over Moscow’s claim of “genocide” in eastern Ukraine as a pretext for last year’s invasion.
Representatives from the two warring nations will go head-to-head at the sumptuous Peace Palace in The Hague over whether the top UN court has the jurisdiction to order a halt to Russia’s ongoing military action.
WELFARE AID. Members of the UAE Red Crescent distribute food aid to disaster survivors in Libya’s eastern port city of Derna on Sunday, following deadly flash floods. A week after a tsunami-sized flash flood devastated the Libyan coastal city of Derna, sweeping thousands to their deaths, the international aid effort to help the grieving survivors slowly gathered pace. AFP
When Russian President Vladimir Putin ordered the February 24, 2022 invasion, part of his reasoning was that pro-Russian people in eastern Ukraine had been “subjected to bullying and genocide by the Kyiv regime.” AFP
BANGKOK—Thailand must ban stubble burning by farmers to improve air quality, the head of a leading agricultural body said Monday, after a spike in dangerous pollution left millions needing medical treatment.
The kingdom suffered dire air quality earlier in the year, with Bangkok and the northern city of Chiang Mai ranked among the most polluted cities in the
world on some days in April.
Authorities urged people to stay indoors and work from home as concentrations of the most dangerous PM2.5 particles—so tiny they can enter the bloodstream— reached unsafe levels.
One of the leading sources of the particles is farmers torching stubble to prepare land for the next crop, with “burning season”
peaking between December and April.
The head of the kingdom’s top agricultural body said the practice must be halted.
“The government should ban cropburning—the method widely used among farmers in Thailand,” said Pornsil Patcharintanakul, president of Thai Feed Mill Association (TFMA), which operates under the commerce ministry. AFP
UNITED NATIONS, United States
—World leaders meet Monday at the United Nations in a bid to salvage ambitious promises to lift the planet’s poorest, at a time when vulnerable nations are facing a volley of crises.
But the development summit, on the eve of the annual UN General Assembly that opens Tuesday, threatens to be eclipsed by growing geopolitical tensions -- which will be symbolized by the presence at the meeting in New York of Ukrainian President Volodymyr Zelensky.
In 2015, UN member states adopted the Sustainable Development Goals, 17 targets to transform the world by 2030 including by completely ending extreme poverty and making sure not a single of the planet’s eight billion people goes hungry.
UN Secretary-General Antonio
Guterres said the summit will seek a “global rescue plan” on the targets, as he acknowledged that only about 15 percent were on track to be met and that metrics on some were heading in reverse.
The goals are “about the hopes, dreams, rights and expectations of people and the health of our natural environment,” Guterres said.
“They’re about righting historic wrongs, healing global divisions and putting our world on a path to lasting peace,” he said.
Efforts to devote money and attention to the goals have been repeatedly set back, including by the Covid-19 pandemic, the war in Ukraine and other tumult, worsening climate catastrophes and sharp increases in the cost of living.
The United Nations summit “is a vital space to make change,” said Abby Maxman, the president of anti-poverty activist charity Oxfam America.
“Leaders must be held accountable, heed the calls of those on the front lines and use this time to listen, make meaningful commitments and follow up with real action,” she said. AFP
LOCAL stocks opened the trading week in the red as investors exercised caution ahead of the release of key economic data in the US and the Philippines.
The Philippine Stock Exchange index lost 1.77 points, or 0.03 percent, to close at 6,124.57 Monday, while the broader all-shares index dropped 10.94 points, or 0.33 percent, to settle at 3,309.24.
“Philippine shares traded quietly to start the week as investors await the main event this week, which is Monetary Board policy setting meeting on Sept. 21,” Regina Capital Development Corp. head of sales Luis Limlingan said.
Limlingan said the US Federal Reserve, which would also have a policy meeting this week, was expected to keep its rates unchanged, with rate cuts unlikely before the second quarter of
2024.
The Bangko Sentral ng Pilipinas is also expected to keep its rates steady on Thursday. Meanwhile, Asian markets started the week limply Monday following a selloff on Wall Street, with focus turning to the Federal Reserve’s keenly awaited key policy decision. Traders were a little more cautious after the healthy close to last week that was fueled by another batch of positive Chinese data suggesting the world’s number two economy is stabilizing. But US interest rates once again take center stage this week, with investors
expecting officials to stand pat while hoping for some guidance on its plans in the coming months.
A recent run of indicators suggests the economy and labor market remain resilient even after more than a year of interest rate hikes, meaning the central bank will have to keep open the option of another hike.
There is plenty of debate over what the Fed will do, with decision-makers appearing to differ.
Some have said they are happy with rates where they are and others have warned not doing enough could mean inflation will remain stuck well above the official two percent target.
SPI Asset Management’s Stephen Innes said the Fed had to tread a fine line and Wednesday’s decision was a key focal point owing to “its potential implications for the broader economy and financial markets.” With AFP
HONG KONG, China—Shares in Chinese property giant Evergrande plunged by around 25 percent as markets opened in Hong Kong on Monday, following the arrest of several of the debt-ridden company’s employees in China.
Evergrande’s stock price dipped to 0.47 around 9 am in Hong Kong (0100 GMT) on Monday, before ticking back up, after closing at 0.62 Hong Kong dollars on Friday.
The drop comes two days after police in the southern Chinese city of Shenzhen said in a statement that several employees of Evergrande’s financial subsidiary, Evergrande Wealth Management, were arrested.
The authorities did not specify the number of employees or the charges against them.
The statement called on the public to report any cases of suspected fraud.
WHEN people establish businesses, they often only think about one thing—profit. While profit is indeed a crucial consideration for many people when establishing businesses, it’s important to note that modern business practices and philosophies are evolving. In recent years, a growing emphasis has been on incorporating broader considerations beyond profit.
Stewardship is a profound concept that transcends business; it embodies a sense of responsibility and nurturing for the resources entrusted to one’s care. Ms. Maret Follosco-Bautista, the visionary CEO of CL Follosco Group Inc., talked about her family’s remarkable journey, exemplifying the true essence of stewardship that has shaped her leadership and the company’s enduring success. During the session, it was mentioned that the true meaning of stewardship lies in core business practices, unwavering passion, steadfast mission and dedication to building a lasting legacy rooted in the company’s DNA.
While some individuals may have the advantage of being born into families with significant resources, most people have to navigate life with limited means and face various challenges in their pursuit of success. Stewardship plays a crucial role in achieving success, regardless of one’s starting point or circumstances. It is not how much we have but how well we take care of and nourish the little that we have.
The story shared with us exemplifies the power of family values and stewardship in achieving long-term success and generational continuity in business. While their family may have started with limited resources, their commitment to certain values and principles laid the foundation for their flourishing business and the ability to pass it on to future generations.
“You are responsible for creating and living your lives to build a better future for your children, grandchildren and the world,” Ms. Maret passionately declared. The essence of this sentiment is deeply rooted in the concept of stewardship. The family behind CL
Evergrande, the world’s most-indebted property developer with an estimated debt of $328 billion (307 billion euros) at the end of June, has been at the center of China’s deepening market crisis, raising fears of a global spillover.
Once a star player in an industry key to China’s economic growth, Evergrande’s enormous debt has been seen by Beijing as an unacceptable risk for
VERGARAFollosco Group exemplified this philosophy by combining the fruits of their labor and expertise to establish their core business. Driven by their dedication and passion, they never ceased to strive for growth, always seeking to excel in what they do best.
As the business grew, the family instilled a profound sense of purpose within CL Follosco Group. Central to this purpose was the company’s mission of providing high-quality products and services that enriched its customers’ lives while positively impacting society. The family’s unwavering commitment to a mission-driven approach, fueled by their labor, expertise, passion and dedication, led them not only to achieve success but also to embrace the responsibility of shaping a brighter future for their loved ones and the world at large.
The family is determined to leave a lasting legacy through the amalgamation of their efforts and values. Their vision extends beyond immediate gains, and they aim to build a sustainable business that thrives while contributing positively to society and the environment. This legacy is not just about financial prosperity but also about making a meaningful difference in the lives of future generations, leaving a positive imprint on the world that resonates far beyond their own time.
As an aspiring CEO, Ms. Maret’s words and the story of CL Follosco Group have deeply resonated with me, prompting profound reflection on the values that will shape my journey toward success. The concept of stewardship has opened my eyes to a broader perspective on leadership and the profound impact a business can have on society and the world.
The author is an MBA student at the Ramon V. del Rosario College of Business, DLSU. She can be reached at louise_vergara@dlsu.edu.ph.
The views expressed above are the author’s and do not necessarily reflect the official position of DLSU, its faculty and its administrators.
the country’s financial system.
Authorities have gradually tightened developers’ access to credit since 2020, and a wave of defaults have followed— notably that of Evergrande.
On Friday, China’s national financial regulator greenlighted a takeover of Evergrande’s insolvent insurance subsidiary, Evergrande Life Insurance, by new state-owned vehicle Haigang Life Insurance. AFP
AN INDUSTRY group said more than 6,000 workers lost their jobs following the closure of apparel factories, including those that manufacture Adidas wearables in the Philippines this year.
The Confederation of Wearable Exporters of the Philippines (CONWEP) confirmed the closure of several factories of Mactan Apparels Inc., one of the three biggest garments and apparel manufacturing groups in the Philippines.
“Mactan is suffering from major net loss. From operating seven firms, it is
now down to five firms. They merged the four companies that were bleeding into two surviving firms. It was a business decision to save factory workers in the Philippines,” said CONWEP executive director Maritess Agoncillo.
CONWEP is the largest group of manufacturers and exporters of apparel, travel goods and shoes in the
Philippines. Its members export their product to major global apparel and sports brands in the US, Europe and Japan.
Mactan Apparel is a Taiwanese group that exclusively manufactures Adidas wearables in the Philippines and caters to the US and European markets.
The second company that shut down was a member of the Luen Thai International Group Philippines Inc., which is also part of the major apparel players in the Philippines, according to CONWEP.
The Bataan-based company which produces premium goods such as shoes and clothing goods laid off 2,000 factory workers in the second quarter, the group said.
PHILIPPINE Airlines (PAL) unveiled a new one-stop booking platform powered by Expedia Group, a travel website that offers a seamless and comprehensive platform for travel needs.
“Luen Thai is trimming down. Productivity is low. Wages constantly increase annually. These were part of the reasons why the companies pulled out,” Agoncillo said.
CONWEP said together with Reliance Producers Cooperative, the three biggest apparel exporters represent 60 percent of the total garment exports of the Philippines amounting to $900 million annually.
It said that based on the January to July 2023 financial report, the country’s combined wearable exports suffered a 22-percent decline to $768.68 million from $983.99 million in the same period in 2022. It said that in July, exports tumbled 18 percent to $128.59 million from $156.93 million.
The airline unit of tycoon Lucio Tan said the new site is now live in the US, Canada, Australia and the Philippines. It is powered by Expedia Group’s White Label Template technology and designed to help passengers effortlessly plan and book their entire journey—including PAL flights, hotels, transportation and exciting travel activities, all in one convenient location.
“We are thrilled to introduce PAL Holidays, our new one-stop booking platform that simplifies and enhances the travel planning process for our passengers. By partnering with Expedia, we are confident that our customers will enjoy unparalleled access to a superior range of great offers for hotels, experiences, and transport that can go together with the Philippine Airlines flights that they book,” said PAL vice president for sales Bud Britanico.
“PAL Holidays reflects our dedication to providing exceptional travel experiences, and we look forward to serving our customers in a more convenient and efficient way,” he said. Darwin G. Amojelar FIBA basketball fans fill up NCR hotels
THE Department of Tourism (DOT) reported a spike in hotel occupancy rates in the nine official hotels for the Philippine leg of FIBA World Cup held on Aug. 25 to Sept. 10, 2023 in Metro Manila.
Based on the report of DOT National Capital Region, Conrad Manila reported a 100-percent average hotel occupancy during the period. Other hotels in Pasay also saw higher occupancy average including Hotel 101-Manila and Microtel MOA which both reported 92 percent occupancy rate; Hilton Manila, 91.8 percent; and TRYP MOA, 91 percent. Grand Hyatt Manila in Taguig reported an impressive 96-percent hotel occupancy rate during the FIBA period.
The DOT’s Statistics, Economic Analysis and Information Management Division (SEAIMD) also reported increase in the volume of visitor arrivals to the Philippines from countries with FIBA Basketball World Cup 2023 participating teams from July 1 to Sept. 12.
It said of the 20 countries with teams that competed in the sporting event, almost half registered a growth rate of more than 100 percent. These included Dominican Republic with 700 percent growth, Latvia with 600 percent, China with 595.85 percent, Lithuania with 444.58 percent and Serbia with 429.07 percent. Othel V. Campos
FLEXIBLE PAYMENTS. LPG brand Solane teams up with finance superapp GCash to enable Solane LPG users to pay for their liquefied petroleum gas tanks and refill using their GCash wallet. Signing the partnership agreement are (from left) G-Exchange Inc. (GCash) head of commercial sales and operations group Luigi Reyes, G-Exchange president and chief executive Oscar Reyes, Isla LPG Corp. chief operating officer Banjo Castillo and Isla LPG Corp. chief executive Tonito Gonzalez.
THE Bangko Sentral ng Pilipinas will likely keep the policy rate steady this week despite the uptick in August 2023 inflation, Hongkong and Shanghai Banking Corp. said Monday.
HSBC Global Research said that with higher inflation last month amid significant price pressures from rice, the monetary policy decision this week would likely be a “tough one.”
“Nonetheless, we expect the Bangko Sentral ng Pilipinas to keep its policy
THE Department of Energy plans to start the full commercial operations of the reserve market on Dec. 26, 2023.
The reserve market allows for the trading of ancillary services or services that are necessary to support the transmission of capacity and energy from resources to loads, while maintaining the reliable operation of the transmission system.
It said in a draft circular the Independent Electricity Market Operator of the Philippines (IEMOP) would prepare the commercial operations of the reserve market. IEMOP operates the Wholesale Electricity Spot Market (WESM), the trading floor of electricity.
“The market operator is mandated to start the final preparations and the limited live dispatch operations of the reserve market, starting 26 September 2023 until 25 December 2023, unless otherwise lifted for subsequent full commercial operations,” the circular read.
It said IEMOP should conduct live parallel operations involving end-to-end testing among the system operator (National Grid Corp. of the Philippines) and registered ancillary service providers using a non-production system.
The DOE issued an advisory on June 26, 2023 declaring the implementation of the trial operations program of the reserve market until Sept. 26, 2023 in preparation for the commercial operations of the reserve market.
rate untouched at 6.25 percent,” it said.
HSBC said concerns on growth would likely be front and center for local monetary authorities.
“The Philippine economy hasn’t felt the peak impact of the aggressive rate hikes done last year. But the hikes are already deep in the works: reining in investment demand while dragging down core CPI,” it said.
BSP Governor Eli Remolona earlier said he was not seeing any reason to hike the policy rate although inflation picked up to 5.3 percent in August from
By Darwin G. AmojelarTHE government will provide tax incentives to the winning bidder of the P170.6-billion deal to rehabilitate, optimize and maintain the Ninoy Aquino International Airport, documents show.
Based on the Project Information Memorandum for NAIA, the government offers key incentives under the Corporate Recovery and Tax Incentives for Enterprises (CREATE) Law, which include income tax holiday for its four years of operation and thereafter five years of availment of enhanced deductions.
The winning bidder would also be exempted from customs duties for importing capital equipment, raw materi-
4.7
percent in July. He said “it was just an uptick” that was caused by higher food prices.
“But these kinds of supply shocks dissipate usually… If there is no further supply shock beyond that uptick in August, then it won’t be necessary to hike the policy rate,” Remolona said.
The BSP raised the policy rate by a total of 425 basis points to 6.25 percent from May 2022 to March 2023, before taking what it called a “prudent pause” in the last three Monetary Board meet-
ings.
The Monetary Board on Aug. 17, 2023 kept the overnight borrowing rate at 6.25 percent for the third time this year. The interest rates on the overnight deposit and lending facilities were also retained at 5.75 percent and 6.75 percent, respectively.
The board’s decision considered the lackluster 4.3-percent gross domestic product growth in the second quarter and 5.3 percent first-half expansion, below the 6 percent to 7 percent target range for the year.
MINING DEAL.
Eleven 09
Construction Supplies Trading president and chief executive Susana Oca and Korean businessman Kim Jaewon sign a comprehensive memorandum of agreement to acquire mining rights and sales rights for nickel ore. Under the MOA, the two parties will establish a mutually-beneficial and productive relationship and other conditions concerning the agreement.
als, spare parts and accessories made by registered business enterprises.
The project may also be entitled to non-tax incentives such as unrestricted use of consigned equipment, employment of foreign nationals in supervisory, technical or advisory positions for a period of not exceeding five years from its registration, extendible for limited periods and access to bonded manufacturing/trading system.
The winning bidder, however, will be required to pay an upfront payment of P30 billion to the government and a fixed annuity payment of P2 billion annually. The government will also have a share of the gross revenue, excluding the passenger service charge (PSC) revenues, based on the percentage share
bid by the concessionaire.
Officials of the Department of Transportation said that as of Sept. 13, the project received interest from at least five potential bidders including San Miguel Corp., India’s GMR Group, Manila International Airport Consortium, Spark 888 Management Inc. and Asian Airport Consortium.
The agency set the pre-bid conference on Sept. 22 and the bid submission on Dec. 27, 2023.
The DOTr and the Manila International Airport Authority (MIAA) serve as co-grantors for the project, which would have a 15-year concession and an option for a 10-year extension. The agencies expect to award the contract by end-2023.
Bill
DAVAO City First District Rep. Paolo Duterte filed a bill intended to institutionalize accepted interest rates on the loans of farmers and provide sanctions to those who will violate the measure.
House Bill No. 9094 or the Anti-Usury Against Farmers Act of 2023 aims to safeguard farmers not to become victims of usurious lenders and to their unauthorized lending practices. Under the proposal, interest on loans to farmers whose landholding does not exceed seven hectares, should not exceed an effective interest rate of 6 percent per annum.
“It is disheartening that regardless of the invaluable contribution of the farmers to the country’s food security, they remain to be living below the poverty line,” Duterte said.
He said the lack of access to formal credit facilities and excessive interest rates charged by predatory and opportunistic lenders remained one of the primordial issues faced by the agriculture sector.
Duterte said several factors were forcing poor farmers to the brink of debt, which include natural calamities, worsening climate change, fluctuating economic forces and unforeseen global pandemic that resulted in the ballooning prices of farm capital and the exposure of agricultural lands to dilapidation.
“As a result, the country’s farmers are faced with unabated losses and financial burden which results in their increased financial vulnerability. It left them with no other choice but to obtain more and more credit from loan sharks in order to secure short term relief with the hopes of mitigating their losses from the effects of devastating calamities, disrupted economies, and exorbitant farming capital,” he said.
METRO Global Holdings Corp. plans to conduct P3.75-billion share sale to finance renewable energy projects.
MGH said in a disclosure to the stock exchange it planned to issue new shares to partially cover the proposed increase in its authorized capital stock to P10 billion, or 10 billion shares from P5 billion, or 5 billion shares.
Under the plan, MGH’s parent FilEstate Management Inc. (FEMI) will subscribe to 1.25 billion commons shares from the increase in the authorized capital stock at P1 apiece.
MGH said it planned to offer to the public the unsubscribed portion equivalent to 3.75 billion common shares at P1 per share.
The proposed capital hike will be presented for approval to shareholders during the company’s annual stockholders meeting next month.
It said the public offering of the unsubscribed shares would be subject for approval by the board of directors, while the timing would depend on the approval of the Securities and Exchange Commission (SEC) on the proposed increase in capital stock.
MGH said that upon completion of FEMI’s subscription, its public float would decrease to 7.5 percent, below the 10-percent required by the Philippine Stock Exchange to remain listed on the local bourse.
MGH said, however, its public float might increase once the unsubscribed shares were offered to the public.
MGH reported plans in 2018 to invest in development of renewable energy through solar farms, wind farms, waste-to-energy and other energy projects.
By Randy Caluag
SENATOR Bong Go wants to increase the cash incentives for paralympic athletes, who emerge victorious in international events.
During the joint sendoff ceremony for national athletes to the Hangzhou Asian Games and Asian Para Games on Monday, Go revealed that he has filed a bill seeking to amend the Athletes Incentives law.
The Hangzhou Para Games is set Oct. 22 to 28.
“They train as hard as the elite athletes, so hindi porke sa paragames sila ay mas mababa ang incentives nila,” said Go, who is the chairman of the Senate Committee on Youth and Sports.
By Peter Atencio
FILIPINO pole vault star Ernest John “EJ” Obiena, a silver medalist in the Wanda Diamond League finals on Sunday, will be one of two flag bearers of the Philippine delegation in the Hangzhou Asian Games.
Obiena’s new role for the national contingent in the Asiad was made known hours after he leapt 5.82 meters for the silver at the Hayward Field in Eugene, Oregon on Sunday (Monday, Manila time) behind gold-medal winner Armand Duplantis. (See related story on C2)
UNIVERSITY of Santo Tomas spoiled the debut of new Letran coach Oliver Almadro with a 25-21, 25-23, 25-14 win to stay unbeaten in the 2023 Shakey’s Super League Collegiate Pre-Season Championship on Monday at the Filoil EcoOil Centre in San Juan.
The Golden Tigresses carved out two close sets before mauling the Lady Knights in the third to bag their second straight win in Pool C of the 16-team SSL backed by Mikasa, Eurotel, Victory Liner, Summit Bottle Water, Peri-Peri Charcoal Chicken, R and B Milk Tea, Potato Corner, Rebel Sports, Converge ICT Solutions and Genius Sports.
Dazzling rookies Angeline Poyos once again anchored with 13 points on 11 attacks, an ace and a block as UST took care of business against Letran in only 81 minutes after a four-set win over the University of Perpetual Help System Dalta in the opener.
Xyza Gula added nine while setter Cassie Carballo displayed a different facet of her game with seven points on four aces. Regina Jurado and Kyla Cordora also cashed in seven apiece in the Golden Tigresses’ scattered attack.
“Hindi pa kami satisfied. Kailangan bigyan pa namin ng diin. Syempre, a win is a win pero ‘yung level ng nilalaro namin, kailangan itaas pa,” said coach Kungfu Reyes as UST, the SSL National Invitationals bronze medalist, fortified its quarterfinal bid with a game left in the preliminary round.
The Golden Tigresses have the twotime NCAA champion College of St. Benilde, which is yet to debut, as their last assignment in Pool B of the SSL Season 2 in cooperation with the Commission on Higher Education and the Philippine Sports Commission.
UST opened its campaign with a 2512, 21-25, 25-15, 25-21 win over Perpetual but found itself in an early trouble against the souped-up Letran under the tutelage of former Ateneo mentor Almadro with a 19-20 deficit.
Skateboarder Margielyn Didal will join Obiena in hoisting the Philippine banner during the opening ceremonies.
Philippine Olympic Committee president and Tagaytay City Mayor Abraham “Bambol” Tolentino confirmed this a day before a second batch of athletes and coaches leaves Tuesday for China.
“They will both carry the flag for the
Philippines in the opening ceremonies should the organizers allow both a male and a female to do so,” said Tolentino during Monday’s sendoff rites at the Philippine International Convention Center’s Reception Hall.
Obiena is one of the Philippines’ brightest hopes in the Asiad.
And Tolentino hopes that with Obiena leading the charge, the country can surpass its performance in the 2018 Asian Games in Indonesia, where the Philippines brought home four golds, two silvers and 15 bronze medals.
“It will be a big challenge to us. Alam ko kaya natin iyan. May paghuhugutan tayo kahit kulang ang ating elite athletes,” said Tolentino.
The golds in the Asian Games in Jakarta, Indonesia all came from female athletes, namely Hidilyn Diaz (weightlifting), Didal and Yuka Saso (golf).
Saso also contributed to the team gold of Lois Kaye Go and Bianca Pagdanganan.
Tolentino said the POC will add P1 million to the current incentive of P2 million from the Philippine Sports Commission.
The Philippines is sending 395 athletes seeing action in 40 sports in Hangzhou.
PSC chairman Richard Bachmann also said the agency is willing to give the allowances of all Filipino athletes in the Asiad—those supported by the PSC and the self-funded ones.
“We will allowances for both categories of athletes,” said Bachmann.
Senate Committee on Sports chairman Bong Go thanked the athletes and coaches for the sacrifices they make preparing for their participation in th Asiad.
SINGAPORE—Red Bull’s hopes of winning every race in the 2023 season were dashed in Singapore, where Ferrari’s Carlos Sainz triumphed and an exciting rookie claimed his first championship points.
AFP Sport looks at talking points from the Singapore Grand Prix: You can’t win them all
Red Bull’s winning streak finally came to an end in a chastening weekend under the floodlights as Sainz drove a perfect race to hang on to victory for Ferrari.
The last time neither Max Verstappen nor Sergio Perez stood on the top step of the podium was in Brazil in November 2022. George Russell took his first grand prix victory in that penultimate race of last season. In Singapore on Sunday, the Mercedes driver was sniffing a second win when he crunched the unforgiving Marina Bay circuit barriers.
That left Sainz, Lando Norris of McLaren and Mercedes’ Lewis Hamilton to cross the line nose-to-tail in
a breathless finish.
Verstappen and Perez were never in the mix during a weekend that demonstrated how thrilling a spectacle Formula One might be if Ferrari, Mercedes, McLaren and Aston Martin can close the gap on Red Bull. Unfortunately for race fans, the switch-around is likely to be short-lived with Red Bull expected to roar back on the sweeping high-speed Suzuka circuit in Japan this weekend.
Verstappen is still runaway favourite to claim a third world title in a row but must wait a little while longer. But the gap to the rest is closing and that bodes well for the remaining seven races this season— and for 2024.
Sainz shows his smarts
Sainz said that slowing in front to give Norris a “cheeky DRS boost” had been key to victory.
Sainz’s cool head in the heat of the night to keep the McLaren within a second was as impressively smart as it was precise. AFP
“Sa tulong ng mga kasamahan natin sa senado ay pipilitin nating mapataas ang kanilang incentives para lalo silang mag pursige,” Go added.
Under Republic Act 10699 or the Expanded National Athletes and Coaches Incentives and Benefits Act, national athletes who win medals in international competitions like Southeast Asian Games, Asian Games and the Olympics will receive cash incentives from the government through the Philippine Sports Commission.
SEA Games gold medalists are entitled to P300,000, and the silver and bronze P150,000 and P60,000, respectively.
ASEAN Para Games athletes receive less, with the gold worth P150,000, silver P75,000 and and bronze P30,00.
In the Asian Games, national elite athletes are granted P2 million, P1M and P400,000 for gold, silver and bronze winners, respectively. Only half of the amounts are allotted to a para athlete.
PSC chairman Richard Bachmann also batted for equal treatment to both the national elite and paralympic athletes in terms of providing cash incentives.
“I want it equal, yes,” he told Philippines Paralympic Committee president Mike Barredo.
Barredo has been batting for equal treatment for the para athletes, finding an ally in Go “who has been very supportive.”
SANTINO Pineda and Korean
Ji Won Lee churned out a pair of dominant victories as they enhanced their respective bids for the national finals of the Junior PGT Series, topping Round 3 of the premier category under the 18-hole stroke play format at Splendido Taal in Batangas last Sunday.
Pineda birdied two of the last four holes to rescue a gross 73 at the challenging Splendido Taal Golf Club worth 53 points under the Molave scoring system as he ran away with the boys’ 15-18 trophy with a seven-point romp over Zachary Villaroman.
Pineda, an AJGA (American Junior Golf Association) campaigner, posted the best frontside score of 25 points on two bogeys and a run of
pars then came up with a 28-point output at the back spiked by three birdies against two bogeys.
Villaroman, son of former threetime Junior World champion and swing coach Carito, hit two birdies but made seven bogeys and a triple bogey for a gross 80 worth 46 points while Mark Kobayashi scored 41 points from a gross 85 for third.
Rafael Manaol finished with 40 points from a gross 86 while Miguel Espartero and Von Raiden Tablac struggled for 38 and 26 points from grosses of 88 and 100, respectively, heading to the last two legs of the circuit at Pradera Verde and Eagle Ridge featuring the 18-hole stroke play and drive, chip and putt formats, respectively.
Lee, who tied for fifth in the Ladies Philippine Golf Tour’s Del Monte leg two weeks ago, likewise dominated the girls’ 15-18 field, also coming away with a gross 73 on three birdies against four bogeys for 53 points. She annexed a whopping 11-point win over Lia Duque, who scored 42 points from a gross 84 with Angelica Bañez ending up third with 23 points from a gross 103.
Patrick Tambalque, on the other hand, outgunned Alexander Crisostomo in a virtual shootout in the early going of the boys’ 13-14 Round 4 play then held sway at the back to fire a two-under 70 worth 56 points, four points clear of the latter, who finished with 52 points from a gross 74.
EDUARD “Landslide” Folayang is by no means taking Amir Khan lightly.
Ahead of the two-time ONE Lightweight World Champion’s return fight at ONE Fight Night 14: Stamp vs. Ham on September 30 at Singapore Indoor Stadium, he assured that he’s far from being overconfident and understands how serious he has to prepare for this rematch.
“Of course, di naman natin minamaliit ‘yung talent niya,” said the Filipino mixed martial arts legend.
It’s easy to look at Folayang as being the favored one in this clash.
After all, he already owns a win against Khan, earning a dominant unanimous decision win in their first tussle at ONE: Conquest of Champions back in 2018 where he reclaimed the ONE Lightweight World Championship.
Yet Folayang would be the first to acknowledge that Khan, too, has undergone multitudes of changes in his life, the same way that he did since they first crossed paths.
“Looking at him sa mga previous fights niya, nakikita ko ‘yung pagbabago sa galaw niya. His mental aspect, nag-iba na rin kasi nagkapamilya na siya so there’s maturity sa emotional aspect sa kagustuhan niya sa pag-achieve ng goals niya,” he said.
Khan has been inconsistent in his last six fights, trading wins and losses including his last defeat against Keanu Subba at ONE 16: Ok vs Lee II in August last year.
But that only makes this match more dangerous for Folayang, knowing that Khan would come to the fight with nothing to lose and everything to gain.
And it only motivates Landslide to be at his best.
“Ako rin naman, ‘di ako nagrerelax,” he stated. “We’re preparing well and I know he’ll be doing a lot in this upcoming fight so we’re not taking him lightly.”
THE Philippine men’s baseball team bound for the 19th Asian Games will guest in the Philippine Sportswriters Association Forum on Tuesday (Sept. 19) prior to its departure for Hangzhou, China.
Philippine Amateur Baseball Association (PABA)
Secretary General Pepe Munoz and members of the PH team, will discuss their coming campaign in the Asiad, where preliminary games start on Oct. 1.
Session starts at 10:00 a.m.
The other part of the public sports program will feature legendary basketball coach Joe Lipa and co-author Peter Regalado Lopez to talk about the newlypublished 280-page book Basketball 101.
The Forum is presented by San Miguel Corporation, Philippine Sports Commission, MILO, Philippine Olympic Committee, and the Philippine Amusement and Gaming Corporation.
After the program, the Forum will take a threeweek break to give way to the country’s campaign in the Asiad.
The session is livestreamed via the PSA Facebook page fb.com/PhilippineSportswritersAssociation and aired on a delayed basis over Radyo Pilipinas 2, which also shares it on its official Facebook page.
EUGENE—World and Olympic pole vault champion Armand Duplantis improved his world record with a leap of 6.23m at the Diamond League finals on Sunday, as Gudaf Tsegay shattered the women’s 5,000m world record.
Swedish superstar Duplantis added a centimeter to the world record of 6.22m he recorded in France in February.
He has now re-set the world record seven ti mes. Five of those marks were set indoors, with both of his outdoor world marks coming at H ayward Field in Eugene, where he won the world title last year.
Filipino star Ernest John Obiena finished second with 5.82m, while American Sam Kendricks placed third with 5.72m.
“I’m two for two right now on world records coming here to Hayward,” Duplantis said. It has absolutely everything. It has the history, it has the
modern touch. The track is really fast, the crowd and energy is fantastic.”
Duplantis retained his world title in Budapest last month with a clearance of 6.10m and cleared 6.12 in Ostrava in June.
He’d failed in a string of attempts at 6.23 since February, including at Brussels last weekend, but said the smaller field in the finals was more conducive to a record attempt
“I think that it’s a lot easier to be fresh at that world record height,” he said.
Duplantis had already secured victory with a height of 6.02—the 73rd clearance of his career of more than six meters.
In his first effort at 6.23, with the
crowd chanting, he raced up the runway and sailed over.
“I just try to jump high,” said Duplantis, who believes he can continue to improve the record.
“The limit is very high, and I hope that I can continue to jump well and keep jumping higher than I did today.”
Ethiopia’s Tsegay had electrified the crowd with her spectacular 5,000m win in 14min 00.21sec.
The reigning 10,000m world champion carved almost five seconds off the previous 5,000m record of 14:05.20, set by Kenyan Faith Kipyegon in Paris on June 9.
Kenyan Beatrice Chebet was second to Tsegay in 14:05.92, the third-fastest time ever.
“My focus today was the world record,” said Tsegay, who won the 2022 5,000m world title in Eugene and was disappointed with a 13th place finish in that event in Budapest that left her “very hungry in my mind.”
Jackson sprint double
Shericka Jackson couldn’t break Florence Griffith-Joyner’s 35-year-old 200m world record, but the Jamaican’s 21.57sec was enough to complete a sprint double after her 100m victory on Saturday.
Jackson concluded a season that included a 200m world title and the second-fastest time ever of 21.41.
Sunday’s time was the eighth-fastest ever—and of those eight Jackson owns five and will be poised to renew her pursuit of Griffith-Joyner’s record of 21.34 from 1988 in 2024.
“The end of the season,” Jackson said. “I’m healthy and I ran some fast times, so I’m definitely grateful.”
Marie-Josee Ta Lou of Ivory Coast finished second in 22.10 and Anthonique Strachan of the Bahamas placed third in 22.16.
Canadian Andre de Grasse won the men’s 200m in 19.76sec. Kenneth Bednarek was second in 19.95 and Erriyon Knighton thrid in 19.97. AFP
NEW DELHI—ESports’ debut as a medal event at the Asian Games starting this week will change attitudes and be a major step towards Olympic recognition at last, gamers and experts say.
Gaming was a demonstration sport at the 2018 Asian Games but gold medals will be up for grabs this time in Hangzhou in seven different games.
Players will battle in EA Sports FC, PUBG Mobile, Arena of Valor, Dota 2, League of Legends, Dream Three Kingdoms 2 and Street Fighter V. For Mayank Prajapati, India’s medal hope in the Street Fighter beat’em up game, the Asian Games opening on Saturday will mark how far he and eSports have come. He recalled how his father would beat him for sneaking off to play video games.
“I played my first game in the late 1990s at an arcade machine at a market with the two rupees I had,” the 33-year-old said.
“It was my first exposure with Street Fighter and I fell in love with the game.
“I got addicted and often lied to my parents, saying ‘I am going for tuition’, but spent hours playing.”
Prajapati, a 3D designer, recalled how his father once tracked him down out playing video games at night, surrounded by half a dozen cheering children.
“I got a lot of scolding... I think I got beaten up,” laughed Prajapati, himself now a father to a two-year-old boy.
Prajapati’s tale is a familiar one among gamers from different countries.
Kim Gwan-woo, who will represent South Korea in
Street Fighter V, told AFP in Seoul: “My parents absolutely hated me playing video games.”
They remain “dubious” about him going to the Asian Games, he said, but added: “I think they will be very happy if I actually win a medal.”
South Korea, together with hosts China, are expected to be the dominant force in eSports at the Games. Olympic dream?
ESports events at the Games are expected to play out to bumper crowds at the futuristic-looking China Hangzhou Esports Centre—a far cry from players slinking off to dingy arcades against their parents’ wishes.
Its inclusion at the Games is a milestone for eSports in its quest for recognition as a “real” sport, said Professor Kang of Shingu College, who was one of the first generation of Korean professional gamers under the alias “H.O.T Forever”.
“When I was a player in the late 1990s the initial reaction was, ‘Why is a video game on TV?’” Kang told AFP.
“But with the hard work of the players and staff, I think we’re about 90 percent there in becoming a real sport,” he added.
Lokesh Suji, vice-president of the Asian Electronic Sports Federation, called the Asian Games a significant step towards the ultimate goal. AFP
VAVAVOOM, with Andrew “Dodong”
Villegas on top, was a cut above the rest in topping the PSA Cup race in the rain Sunday at the Metro Turf in Malvar, Batangas Sunday.
Vavavoom stormed out of the gates and sustained a torrid pace en route to winning by five lengths with a clocking of one minute and 25.4 seconds and quarter times of 14-22-22-26 in the 1.4-kilometer race.
The Dan Camanero-saddled Lucky Lea, CP Henson-ridden Biglang Buhos and JA Guce-mounted Denueis Son settled for crumbs, winding up second to fourth places, respectively.
For the old hands and race fixtures, the lopsided win was inevitable as Vavavoom was trained by a maestro in grizzled veteran Ruben Tupas and
multi-titled horse owner and breeder in Sandy Javier, a known sportsman who has dabbled in basketball in the past.
“Hindi na ako masyado na-surprise kasi lahat ng prestigious races naipanalo ko,” said Tupas, a recipient of multiple trainer of the year awards.
The proceeds of the race will go to the charity programs of the PSA headed by The Philippine STAR sports editor Nelson Beltran.
“This annual benefit race is for the PSA and we’re here to partner with the sportswriting community and support their advocacies,” said Philracom president Reli de Leon. De Leon was accompanied in the awarding ceremony by his acting executive director Ronaldo Corpuz and MMCTI’s race manager Rondy Prado.
OVER the weekend, the internet went wild as Donny Pangilinan and Belle Mariano, otherwise known as DonBelle, unleashed a storm on social media with their cryptic posts that left fans eagerly guessing their next move.
Donny tweeted a photo of an unidentified female on X with this caption: “I value this the most.” The next day, Belle posted, “Sulitin natin ‘to,” with a photo of a guy fans believe to be Donny. Both posts ended with a green heart emoji.
The hashtag #DonBelleSulitComeback trended on social media, with fans cooking up theories about what this might mean. Some are guessing it’s a sneak peek at a cool new project involving Donny and Belle teaming up with Smart Communications, Inc. (Smart).
It can be recalled that ‘DonBelle’ fans were treated to an abundance of kilig when Smart Prepaid unveiled a swoonworthy campaign featuring Donny Pangilinan and Belle Mariano, making Valentine’s Day come early for their dedicated fanbase.
Follow Smart on Instagram and Facebook to stay updated on any announcements.
BARBIE Forteza and David Licauco found themselves both elated and challenged as they took on the lead roles in the television remake of Maging Sino Ka Man, a 1991 megablockbuster originally starring Sharon Cuneta and Robin Padilla
David acknowledged the enormity of his task, saying, “Breathing life into the character of Carding is definitely a big shoe to fill. It’s a huge challenge, but I just don’t let myself be affected. What I do is I just try to live the moment.”
He understood that feeling pressured would only lead to anxiety and added, “When you feel the pressure, you might just get anxious. So, for me, I just stay in the moment.”
David also found comfort in sharing the screen once again with Barbie after their highly Maria Clara at Ibarra. He explained, “Working alongside her, the job becomes easier. This is due to our familiarity with each other. I’m used to sharing the frame with her. She helps me in a lot of our
By Nickie Wang“ON A rare occasion, the former couple Sharon Cuneta, 57, and Gabby Concepcion, 58, crossed paths once again at the media conference for their upcoming concert, ‘Dear Heart,’ which will be held at the MOA Arena on October 27.
The reunion happened at the Glass Ballroom in Okada Manila in Parañaque City on Friday afternoon, September 15. Gabby faced the media alone from 1:05 p.m. to 2:02 p.m. As the event host announced Sharon’s arrival, Gabby said with a smile, “I knew it!”
They initially decided to stay apart until the concert, aiming for an authentic and special reunion on stage. They rehearse separately to build anticipation and excitement. When they finally met on stage, playful banter ensued.
The concert has a theme celebrating their relationship with fans and supporters, covering their journey from being a couple to post-1987 separation. This narrative will evoke nostalgia and emotion for performers and fans.
“Hello everybody!”
Sharon cheerfully greeted as she took the stage.
Gabby quickly assisted Sharon and humorously exclaimed, “Hey! This is the first time I’m holding her hand! First
time! First time!”
Gabby also took a flower and jokingly said, “Before anything else, you know, I bought this in Quiapo earlier.”
Sharon chuckled and said, “Thank you so much. Thank you to our producers.”
Gabby delighted the members of the press with his next gesture.
Gabby said to Sharon, “I told them that after this, I’ll leave, so we won’t run into each other. Can we have a hug before we go?”
Sharon agreed, and the two embraced.
As Gabby was about to bid farewell, he introduced Sharon one more time.
“Ladies and gentlemen, on stage, I give to you, Sharon...” Gabby paused and deliberately left out mentioning the Megastar’s last name. “ Dati , she was Concepcion.”
Sharon laughed and playfully swatted Gabby with the flower. Gabby said, “Just Sharon!” and turned to his exwife saying, “I’ll see you in the concert.”
“I’ll see you at the concert,” Sharon agreed with a smile. Gabby jokingly asked Sharon for a kiss again, saying, “One more kiss!” but quickly added, “Just kidding, just kidding!” Sharon and Gabby allowed for more photo opportunities before the actor finally left the stage.
It’s said that they didn’t plan to be on stage together for the media conference, but they did it out of love for the press, who have known the ex-couple for a long time. The last time Sharon and Gabby crossed paths was when they shared the stage together at the Gabay Guro grand gathering held at the MOA Arena five years ago.
Meanwhile, Barbie also faced her share of challenges, including action scenes, in her role as Monique. She noted, “The role of Monique is not only emotionally but physically demanding as well. You have to be ready to do action sequences.”
Interestingly, the petite actress admitted to being clumsy in real life, making the role even more challenging. She emphasized, “That’s why the role is challenging for me. I’m not used to doing action scenes, but here, I must deliver since the role calls for it.”
* * *
Switching gears, Julia Barretto dismissed rumors of a secret marriage between her and boyfriend Gerald Anderson. She firmly stated, “Oh, no! There’s nothing like that. That’s not true! There’s no secret. It’s so hard to keep secrets these days when news spread quickly.”
Julia saw no rush to get married and emphasized that their happiness together was the most important thing. She remarked, “What’s important is that Gerald and I are happy with each other at this point. We’re just really happy where we are in life right now. Marriage is something to look forward to. I don’t know why the public are hurrying us to tie the knots.”
She also believed that the timing of sharing such news should be left to the couple. Julia said, “I don’t think it’s something that should be asked constantly. I feel like, when the time comes, it comes. As I’ve said, I don’t know why everybody is rushing us. You’ll just find out one day.”
A KOREAN media outlet, officially announced on Monday that P-pop sensation SB19 and the all-Filipino boy group HORI7ON are set to perform at the 2023 Asia Artist Awards, scheduled for December 14 at the Philippine Arena in Bulacan.
According to Star News , the
two Filipino acts are the latest additions to the long list of brightest stars who will grace the prestigious award.
SB19, which debuted in 2018, was the first group in Southeast Asia to receive a Billboard Award, while HORI7ON was introduced as a group after winning a joint Korean-Philippine audition program called ‘Dream Maker.’
Korean boy group SEVENTEEN ’s subunit BSS, as well as Oneus, Kingdom, ATBO, and Lun8, are also set to attend the highly-anticipated event this year.
“SEVENTEEN’s Bu Seoksoon, SB19, Oneus, Kingdom, ATBO, Lunate, and Horizon attend the ‘2023 Asia Artist Awards IN THE PHILIPPINES’ and shine on
the stage,” wrote Star News
More artists in the industry are expected to attend the 2023 AAA, according to PULP Live World Chief Operating Officer Happee Sy-Go
Presented by PULP Live World, Star News, and TONZ Entertainment, ticket sales will be held on November 12.
TO KICK off SM’s grand 65th Anniversary festivities, the 2023 SM Supermalls’ TenantPartners Summit commenced with esteemed guest speakers.
Renowned best-selling author and New Yorker columnist, Malcolm Gladwell, delivered the keynote address. Accompanying him was Emma Chiu, the Global Director of Wunderman Thompson Intelligence.
The diverse audience, packed with industry leaders, innovative entrepreneurs, and media influencers, couldn’t help but be captivated by Gladwell’s dynamic presence. His continuous movement around the circular stage ensured that every corner of SMX Halls F2-F4 felt like an intimate conversation, connecting with each person in the room.
In today’s vibrant market, three essential factors drive successful campaigns and branding efforts: authenticity, inclusivity, and spontaneity.
Gladwell encouraged the audience to join him in recognizing that the modern market doesn’t adhere to traditional hierarchies, as those over 30 might expect. For those born into the digital age, the new guiding principle is no longer hierarchy but rather a dynamic network of connections.
Emma dished out some serious insights into the retail game, especially in this postpandemic era.
HARDWORKING, productive, and financially
literate individuals who make our country proud – these are Global Filipinos, our new breed of overseas workers and professionals who are sought after for their competence and excellent work ethic.
Whether they hold blue-collar jobs or impressive posts across various fields and professions, Global Filipinos are achievers with a singular goal: to secure a brighter future for their families.
As they embrace this role, Global Filipinos are looking beyond remittances to find ways to boost their income.
For instance, those who have been working abroad for the longest time may have saved enough to consider real estate as a smart investment option.
Adding to this, the increase in spending power due to a stronger dollar spurs Global Filipinos to look into the Philippine property market for investment opportunities.
Vista Residences, a prominent player in the Philippine real estate market, recognizes such aspirations and is now offering Global Filipinos access to high-quality condominium homes that align with their varying needs and preferences.
Teresa Tumbaga, Vista Residences Division Head, says, “We at Vista recognize the significance of real estate as an investment avenue for Global Filipinos. We are dedicated to offering top-tier condominium options tailored to fit their vision.”
With a portfolio of prime properties located in key cities across the metro, Vista Residences presents prospective investors with a choice of Ready-forOccupancy (RFO) or pre-selling units, providing flexibility in investment timing and objectives.
To ensure a smooth and informed investment journey for Global Filipinos, Vista Residences will also provide comprehensive support throughout the process, from property selection to financing options.
“Whether Global Filipinos are looking for a second home or retirement place, a cozy and secure dwelling for their families in the Philippines, or a way to generate passive income through leasing or flipping, Vista Residences has the right condo properties for them, and an assurance of the highest returns for their money,” Tumbaga adds.
Vista Residences is a wholly Filipino-owned and managed property developer in the country. Vista Residences focuses on building vertical developments in the Metro’s commercial and business centers that cater to the needs of the Filipinos of today.
For more information, visit Vista Residences website, email info@vistaresidences.com.ph, follow @VistaResidencesOfficial on Facebook, Twitter, Instagram, and YouTube, or call the Marketing Office at 0999 886 4262 / 0917 582 5167.
game and tap into the new pulse of the market. With a bunch of real-life examples flashing on her slides, Chiu made a compelling argument for this fresh approach. She warned that if we don’t catch the wave of evolving consumer behavior, we might end up on the sidelines, slowly losing our relevance.
Steven Tan, the president of SM Supermalls, welcomed the attendees with a sneak peek into the thrilling journey that awaits as SM Supermalls charts its course to greater heights in the coming years.
Jeffrey Lim, president of SM
Prime Holdings, Inc., on the other hand, extended heartfelt gratitude to all the partners who graced the summit and officially wrapped up the day’s festivities. But let’s not forget the real stars of the show – the tenants and partners of SM Supermalls. They were the heart and soul of this celebration. Through thick and thin, especially during the tough times of the health crisis, they stood strong. They witnessed SM Supermalls not just listening but actively finding ways to support their survival. This strong sense of partnership has never been more alive and kicking.
WINFORD Resort & Casino Manila (WRCM)
continues to give members and non-members alike plenty of reasons to visit this month of September, with exciting promos and a chance to win a brandnew 2024 Next Gen Ford Territory all in the mix.
For this month’s Wheels for the Win A Ford car raffle, one lucky member won P250,000 cash in the September 16 draw while another will drive home a brand new Ford Territory in the September 30 draw, plus a chance to win P200,000 cash in the special VIP raffle exclusive for Gold and Platinum members. To join, members must simply earn 30 points on slots or table games until September 26.
On the staycation front, WRCM introduces the Two Nights to Win room package wherein guests may avail of a deluxe room with breakfast for two which starts at just P6,300 nett per room, per night.
For a truly winning experience, guests may book a two-night stay to enjoy instant perks, either one gift certificate for an overnight stay in a deluxe room with breakfast for two, or welcome treats, a Copa de Manila dining voucher worth P1,000, a Zabana Bar snack voucher good for one 10” square pizza with three cans of soda, and two Winford Café vouchers worth Php500.
For those who love their food and drink, WRCM extends its two-for-one happy hour promo at Zabana Bar to October 15 and also serves the September cocktail of the month—Viva Sangria— the casino hotel’s refreshing take on the classic Spanish cocktail.
Also, in celebration of Grandparents’ Day on September 10, WRCM whips
up a favorite comfort food the whole family can enjoy—mouthwatering churros con chocolate for only P120 nett at Winford Café this whole month of September.
On top of that, non-members are invited to sign up and earn instant rewards. With the Freebies for Newbies promotion, new members may enjoy perks like free drinks, giveaways, and discount vouchers upon signing up for WRCM membership—with additional rewards for members who earn 80 points within the same day that they sign up.
WRCM is located in San Lazaro Tourism & Business Park, Santa Cruz, Manila. Visit www. winfordmanila.com for more information or call the hotline at +63 (2) 8528-3600 for inquiries.
From left: SM Supermalls’ President Steven Tan, SM Investment Vice Chairperson Tessie Sy-Coson, best-selling author Malcolm Gladwell, Wunderman Thompson Intelligence Global Director Emma Chiu, SM Prime Chairman Hans T. Sy, and SM Prime Holdings, Inc. President Jeffrey Lim SM Supermalls’ President Steven Tan (left) and Philippine Airlines President Capt. Stanley Ng Emma Chiu (from left), Malcolm Gladwell, and host David Celdran