Manila Standard - 2023 November 17 - Friday

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VOL. XXXVII • NO. 275 • 3 SECTIONS 12 PAGES • P20 • FRIDAY, NOVEMBER 17, 2023 •

FRIENDS AGAIN? US President Joe Biden (right) and Chinese President Xi Jinping walk together after a meeting during the APEC Leaders' Week in Woodside, California on Wednesday.

The leaders of the world's largest economies talked for at least three hours at the Filoli country estate on the city's outskirts. AFP

Funding for 80 infra projects eyed via MIF Marcos woos potential Maharlika Fund investors, touts high return to financiers at APEC sidelines

By Julito G. Rada, Charles Dantes and Maricel V. Cruz

A

T LEAST 80 infrastructure projects can be funded through the Philippines’ first sovereign wealth fund, the Maharlika InvestmentFund (MIF), President Marcos told potential investors at the Philippine Economic Briefing (PEB) in San Francisco Thursday.

China will not fight a war with any country, Xi says SAN FRANCISCO—China will not begin armed conflict with any nation, President Xi Jinping said after a high-stakes summit with US President Joe Biden on Wednesday.

"China does not seek spheres of influence and will not fight a cold or hot war with any country," he told a gathering of business leaders in San Francisco.

China, the world's second largest economy, has benefitted from the US-dominated global order, he said, adding that good relations between the two countries were vital for both sides.

"I believe that once the door to China-US relations is opened, it will not be closed again," he said.

Biden and Xi agreed at their summit in California to rejuvenate a relationship that has struggled in recent years and to bolster direct communications between the two men.

Xi said China wanted to continue to improve its ties with Washington and assured his US hosts that his country did not seek confrontation with anyone.

"The great rejuvenation of the Chinese nation cannot be achieved without a peaceful and stable international environment," Xi said.

Next page

Dismantle illicit structures in WPS, DFA urges Beijing

By Rey E. Requejo, Vince Lopez, and Charles Dantes

In his keynote speech, the President said he was looking forward to the start of operations of the MIF before the year ends.

The MIF, he said, would serve as an additional source and mode offinancing for priority projects of the government, including the infrastructure flagship projects.

“These projects offer high returns and significant social-economic impact.

Currently, we have identified about 80 potential infrastructure projects that are financeable through that fund, the Maharlika Investment Fund,” he said.

Mr. Marcos stressed the need to improve connectivity and the supply chain to help the Philippines regain its leading role in Southeast Asia.

Next page

THE Philippines on Thursday asked China to dismantle all illegal structures, cease reclamations and be accountable for environmental damage in the West Philippine Sea. In a statement, the Department of Foreign Affairs (DFA) said the regular resupply missions to Ayungin Shoal located within the Philippines’ exclusive economic zone are legitimate activities and it will give no prior notice to China.

“We are being asked to give prior notification each time we conduct a resupply mission to Ayungin Shoal. We will not do so.

The resupply missions are legitimate activities within our EEZ, in accordance with international law," DFA spokesperson Teresita Daza said in a statement.

The regular resupply missions support Filipino troops stationed on the BRP Sierra Madre, a World War II-era warship that was Next page

CENTER STAGE. President Marcos delivers his message during the APEC CEO Summit in San Francisco, California on Wednesday (Thursday in Manila), urging global investors to place their funds in the Philippines. PCO Photo

NSC: Civil registrars paving way for passport docs LOCAL government workers, in particular civil registrars, might have a part on the issuance of Philippine IDs and documents to foreigners, which authorities and lawmakers consider a national security threat.

National Security Council

(NSC) spokesperson Jonathan Malaya said Thursday that based on their initial investigation, the scheme starts with the civil registrars taking bribes to produce documents needed to secure a Philippine passport, such as a birth certificate.

"The corrupt public officials issue fake birth cer-

tificates that are sent to the PSA (Philippine Statistics Authority). When they already have a record, the foreigners may now request a PSA-certified copy of a birth certificate which can then lead to a passport which can then lead to many other documents like national ID,” Malaya said in a Palace briefing.

The official described the scheme as a national security threat “because once they are able to get a birth certificate, they will be able to secure a passport, they can also get a national ID. Effectively, they will like regular Filipino citizens.”

He said most of them are Chinese nationals “who were not born in the Philippines, who do Next page

LIVE-FIRE DRILL. Armed Forces Chief Gen. Romeo Brawner

(right) stands inside a ring of artillery rockets as the Philippine military staged live-fire drills using artillery and air assets, simulating defensive action against 'an aggressor coming from the sea' in the Kamandag exercises in Ilocos Norte on Thursday. AFP Photo

MMDA fines two Revilla name-droppers Chavez poised

By Joel Zurbano and Macon Ramos-Araneta THE Metropolitan Manila Development Authority yesterday issued traffic violation tickets to two drivers who dropped the name of Senator Ramon Revilla Jr. when they were apprehended for illegally using the EDSA bus lane on Wednesday.

The two drivers, who were not identified, were also slapped with a fine of P5,000 for their first offense as they appeared before MMDA acting

MISS UNIVERSE LOOKS.

The Philippines' Michelle Marquez Dee shows off her swimsuit and evening gown looks at the 2023 Miss Universe pageant at San Salvador, El Salvador on Thursday. Miss Universe PH photos

chairman Don Artes at the agency's head office in Pasig City.

The drivers admitted that Revilla was not onboard their vehicle when they were flagged down by traffic enforcers and that the senator was also not the owner of the vehicle.

Revilla said he will file charges against the two drivers.

"While we leave it to the MMDA to pursue legal actions arising from their traffic violations, we are contemplating filing charges against them for impersonating me," he said. Next page

NO JEEP PHASEOUT PNP: SON A SUSPECT

BY DEC. 31 – LTFRB IN BUS MURDERS NEWS / A2

NEWS / A2

to join Palace comms team

TRANSPORTATION Undersecretary for Railways Cesar Chavez is set to join the communications team of Malacañang.

A well-placed source said Chavez will hold a Cabinet-level portfolio, but declined to identify the position.

The source said Chavez has already started attending workshops and meetings at the Palace.

In October last year, Chavez was among those considered for the position of Press Secretary after Trixie CruzAngeles stepped down for health reasons.

In January, President Marcos issued an administrative order renaming the Office of the Press Secretary to the Presidential Communications Office.

Next page

NEWS

A2

FRIDAY, NOVEMBER 17, 2023

mst.daydesk@gmail.com

‘No jeepney phaseout by Dec. 31’

By Rio N. Araja and Joel E. Zurbano

T

HE government on Thursday said traditional jeepneys will not be phased out after the Dec. 31 deadline set in its Public Utility Vehicle (PUV) modernization program, but urged operators and drivers to comply with the consolidation requirement under its guidelines.

“For as long as the jeepneys have passed the roadworthiness requirement of the Land Transportation Office, they can still operate [even after Dec. 31],” said Land Transportation Franchising and

Regulatory Board (LTFRB) chairman Teofilo Guadiz III. Guadiz offered this assurance to jeepney drivers and operators who have threatened to go on a nationwide strike

next week over the PUV modernization program.

The consolidation must be accomplished by Dec. 31, he said, “but it does not mean that traditional jeepneys will no longer be allowed to ply the roads by year’s end.”

He called on the operators and drivers of traditional jeepneys to maximize the 27 months given to them as they can still ply the road so long as their vehicles are determined to be roadworthy.

The 27-month period can also be used to transition from the old diesel-powered jeepneys to fuel-efficient, modern

vehicles, he added.

“It is not true that within three, six, or nine months, one must need a new unit.

There is no truth to that. [Those are] all lies,” he added.

Guadiz said 60 percent of PUJs in the country have already been consolidated or joined a cooperative.

He also said he is optimistic that the PUV Modernization Program will be completed under the Marcos administration, as more drivers and operators have come to accept it. (See full story online at manilastandard. net)

responsibility and what it is assigned to do, as againstthe role played by the private sector.

He also noted that investing in digital infrastructure would result in convenience and increased productivity.

“And that is what we’re really going for because when we look at successful economies that have had to pick themselves up after war for example, and the COVID was kind of a war, so, we have to pick ourselves up from that,” Marcos said.

“It is productivity, it’s an increase in productivity and that’s what we’re trying to achieve. Infrastructure – the physical infrastructure, a better, more efficient transport system, a cheaper transport system.

All of these will increase the productivity of every single Filipino worker.”

President Marcos also stressed the country's readiness for artificial intelligence as he met with technology investors on the sidelines of his attendance at the 30th APEC Summit.

He said the Philippines is crafting a National AI Strategy to enhance the skills of Filipino workers with the help of AI and position the country as a Center of Excellence in Artificial Intelligence.

“The Philippines is ready to become your partner in navigating the AI future.

As we look to the horizon, let's 'Make

It Happen in the Philippines,' where the promise of a future defined by technological inclusivity and shared growth is not just envisioned but actively realized,” President Marcos said.

“We believe AI can uplift the lives of Filipinos, increase the productivity of our enterprises, and enhance the competitiveness of our economy. And I’m certain our discussions here today will help the Philippines steer our road maps in a direction that maximizes the skills of Filipinos and helps them achieve their aspirations,” he added.

Also at the PEB, Finance Secretary Benjamin Diokno said the Philippine economy was doing very well and now was the best time to invest in the country.

“I have served four presidents. I have seen the ups and downs of the Philippine economy. During the last six years, it has changed. We opened up the economy.

We did not wait for the [COVID-19] virus to subside… We are one of the fastest-growing countries in the fastestgrowing regions in the world. So this is our moment,” Diokno said.

National Economic and Development Authority Secretary Arsenio Balisacan said the economy still has room for further expansion and the growth targets for this year and in the medium term remained within reach. (See full story online at manilastandard.net)

the area, the Council cannot support the mission due to security reasons “even though the intention is good.”

China might view the civilian mission as “provoking” and could lead to a more heated situation in the waterway, Malaya added.

Daza said Ayungin Shoal is in the Philippines’ EEZ under the United Nations Convention of the Law of the Sea (UNCLOS).

"The resupply mission to and the upkeep of the BRP Sierra Madre are legitimate Philippine government activities in our EEZ, and inaccordance with international law, particularly UNCLOS. It is difficult to imagine how these activities could be deemed threatening to China," she said.

The Philippine embassy in Beijing has protested the latest incident, which took place on Nov. 11.

The Chinese side defended their actions by saying the Philippine boats “trespassed” into their waters “without the permission of the Chinese government.”

But Daza pointed out UNCLOS superseded any “historic rights” that China might claim.

"In accordance with UNCLOS and the final and binding 2016 Award in the South

China Sea Arbitration, Ayungin Shoal is 'within the exclusive economic zone and continental shelf of the Philippines,' over which the Philippines has sovereign rights and jurisdiction," Daza said.

"China cannot, therefore, lawfully exercise sovereignty over it," she added.

In San Francisco, US Vice President Kamala Harris reaffirmed that the US would stand shoulder-to-shoulder with the Philippines when it comes to defending its territorial rights in the South China Sea. Harris reiterated the US' commitment during her meeting with President Marcos, who is in San Francisco for the 2023 APEC Summit.

She also cited the US defense commitment under the 1951 Mutual Defense Treaty, which states that an armed attack on Philippine armed forces, public vessels, or aircraft in the Pacific, including in the South China Sea, would invoke the US mutual defense commitments.

In Indonesia, American Defense Secretary Lloyd Austin III met withDefense Secretary Gilbert Teodoro and renewed Washington’s “ironclad” commitment to defend the Philippines. (See full story online at manilastandard.net)

China...

From A1

"We will never revert to the beaten path of war, colonization, plundering or coercion in pursuing modernization."

However, China condemned Biden's description of Xi as a dictator as "extremely wrong", after the two leaders wrapped up a summit in California.

Asked about Biden's remarks, foreign ministry spokesperson Mao Ning said: "This kind of speech is extremely wrong and is irresponsible political manipulation. China firmly opposes it."

"I need to point out that there are always some people with ulteriormotives attempting to sow discord and wreck China-US relations, and this too will not succeed," she added.

Asked to clarify who she was referring to, Mao demurred, saying: "Ithink whoever is trying to undermine and sow discord between China and the United States knows it."

Biden and Xi agreed at their first summit in a year on Wednesday to restore military communications between the two countries.

They also agreed, among other things, that China would crack down on the production of ingredients for fentanyl, responsible for a deadly epidemic of opioid abuse in the United States.

But speaking after his meeting with Xi on Wednesday, Biden told journalists he still considers the Chinese president a "dictator".

He had sparked fury from Beijing by making the comparison earlier this year.

"Well look he is, I mean he's a dictator in the sense that he's a guywho's running a country, a Communist country, that's based on a form of government totally different than ours," Biden said. AFP

MMDA...

From A1

Revilla said if there was one good that came out of the incident, "it exposed the wrong practice that a single person in the MMDA believes he has the power to select to whom the law applies."

Artes earlier slapped a two-week preventive suspension on MMDA Task Force Special Operations Unit Head Bong Nebrija after he erroneously implicated Revilla in the bus lane violation.

Nebrija said he allowed the convoy that illegally passed through the bus lane to get off without a ticket because one of his traffic enforcers told him Revilla was onboard the vehicle.

The apprehending traffic officer admitted he did not personally see Revilla inside the vehicle and just relied on the statement of its driver.

Artes said the owner of the vehicles reached out to him through a common friend.

“The agency considers this a welcome development in light of the incident as the agency conducts a probe and determines the lapses in the procedures in the implementation of the EDSA Bus Lane regulation,” Artes said.

Artes said that Nebrija was suspended "not because he was doing his job, but because he went overboard" when they conducted the operations.

Meanwhile, Artes reminded senators, congressmen, and Cabinet members they are not exempted from the EDSA bus lane rule.

He said the privilege of using the exclusive bus lane is extended onlyto the President, Vice President, Senate President, House Speaker, and Chief Justice.

“The exemption was approved by the Transportation Department,” he said.

Artes said marked government vehicles are also not allowed to use the special lane.

BRAZEN ATTACK.

This screen grab from a video provided by the police and broadcast on television Thursday shows a man pointing a gun at the head of a man and woman before killing them on a bus traveling through Carranglan, Nueva Ecija on Wednesday.

ABS-CBN TV

Funding...

From A1

“For our part, that’s what we’re doing and that brings us now beyond just the purely economic considerations, because now, there are political and diplomatic considerations because these partnerships are now essential,” he said.

In his speech, Mr. Marcos pointed out that international financial institutions and think tanks like the World Bank, International Monetary Fund, and ASEAN+3 Macroeconomic Research Office project that the Philippines "will outpace its major regional peers."

“In fact, Fitch Ratings recently affirmed the stable outlook for the Philippines. This is on the back of strong growth, gradual fiscalconsolidation, reductions in government debt-to-GDP ratio, and a comfortable external position supported by sound economic policies and robust economic reforms,” President Marcos said.

“The economy is well. I know we’ve heard it many times but I think today, without fear of contradiction, we can absolutely say that the economy is truly global and we must again view all that we do in that context,” Marcos added.

Marcos said in terms of spending, there is a clear delineation of thegovernment’s

Dismantle...

From A1

intentionally grounded in Ayungin (Second Thomas) Shoal in 1999 as an outpost against Chinese encroachment.

Daza said the BRP Sierra Madre is a commissioned Philippine naval vessel permanently stationed in Ayungin Shoal to serve as a constant Philippine government presence in response to China’s illegal occupation in 1995 of Panganiban Reef, also known as Mischief Reef.

The DFA statement was issued days after the China Coast Guard (CCG) fired a water cannon at a Philippine boat carrying provisions to the Filipino troops on the BRP Sierra Madre.

Meanwhile, the National Security Council on Thursday said it “highly discouraged” the planned Christmas convoy civilian mission in the West Philippine Sea, citing the heightened tensions in the area.

Speaking in the Bagong Pilipinas Ngayon program, NSC Assistant Director General Jonathan Malaya said that despite the organizers’ good intentions to spread Christmas cheer to the troops stationed in

Chavez...

From A1

The PCO, tasked with "crafting, formulating, developing, enhancing, and coordinating the messaging system of the Executive branch and the Office of the President," is headed by Secretary Cheloy Garafil.

The source said Chavez will work closely with Garafil.

Chavez was a former station manager of dzRH. He also served as deputy administrator of the Light Rail Transit Authority during the term of former President Rodrigo Duterte.

Before working in the transport sector, Chavez was Assistant General Manager for Planning of the Metro Manila Development Authority.

He also served as chairperson of the National Youth Commission. Joyce Pañares

NSC:...

From A1

not have any parental or links to Filipinos and who are not entitled to a Philippine document," he said.

Senators on Monday urged the National Intelligence Coordinating Agency(NICA) and the NSC to look into how official government IDs and documents were allegedly issued to

Son of woman shot inside a bus ‘person of interest’ THE son of the woman killed along with her reported live-in partner on a bus in Carranglan, Nueva Ecija is a person of interest in the brazen shooting on public transport, the Philippine National Police (PNP) said Thursday.

PNP spokesperson Col. Jean Fajardo said the three were involved in a conflict that reached a point where the victim filed a carnapping case against her son.

“Initial investigation showed that this is a possible motive since the conflict and the filing of the case between them happened before the incident. In fact, this is on the blotter, and the victim’s son is just out on bail,” Fajardo said during a press briefing on Thursday.

“Investigators already talked to the son, but he said he knows nothing. On the part of Nueva Ecija police, they got information from the victim’s sibling, saying that there is an alleged threat that came from the son,” the police spokesperson added.

The PNP did not disclose the identities of the individual and victims but revealed that the latter were longterm live-in and business partners.

Fajardo added that the female victim was a resident of Cauayan, Isabela, while her partner was from Cotabato. Both were shot and killed by unidentified gunmen while the bust was in transit in Carranglan on Wednesday.

Fajardo assured the public and the victims’ relatives that they are already backtracking CCTV installed in nearby areas to track the suspects.

IN BRIEF ‘No need for Rody to face prosecutor’ FORMER President Rodrigo Duterte is not required to personally face a prosecutor's summons concerning a grave threat complaint filed by ACT Teachers party-list Rep. France Castro, his former spokesman Harry Roque said Thursday.

"That's not a requirement," Roque, Duterte's legal counsel for the case filed

by Castro, told ANC's "Headstart" when asked if the former Chief Executive would personally answer the subpoena.

"Lawyers can appear, especially in the initial hearing, to receive a copy of the complaint affidavit and he can have his affidavit sworn before any public prosecutor even in Davao City," Roque said.

Quezon City Senior Assistant City Prosecutor Ulric Badiola issued a subpoena ordering Duterte to appear before the Office of the City Prosecutor on December 4 and 11, 2023.

The former president was directed to submit his counter-affidavit in response to the grave threats complaint filed

by Castro, along with the affidavits of his witnesses and other supporting documents.

Roque: No regrets about words to Leila LAWYER Harry Roque on Thursday said he had no regrets about wishing exsenator Leila de Lima, who recently was set free on bail after nearly seven years, a lifetime in incarceration.

The spokesman of former President Rodrigo Duterte and de Lima had exchanged criticisms over policies during the previous administration, particularly on the government's war on drugs, which the latter investigated in the Senate.

De Lima in 2017 was detained over alleged illegal drug trading in the New Bilibid Prison when she was still justice secretary under the Benigno Aquino III administration. She insists the charges were meant to silence her criticism against Duterte.

At one point, Roque told De Lima, "Happy anniversary on your first year of detention. May you spend the rest of your life in jail."

When asked if he regretted the statement, especially now that De Lima could be acquitted in her third and last drug case, Roque told ANC: "No… Because I heard the testimonies of the witnesses against her, and I am convinced as a lawyer [with] 32 years of experience that they were telling the truth."

foreigners.

“We assure senators that the NSC, NBI, and PSA will not stop until we eradicate this modus operandi,” Malaya said.

The agency vowed to work with the National Bureau of Investigation andthe PSA on the issue, which also saw foreigners being able to get legal documents from the Bureau of Internal Revenue and Philippine Health Insurance Corp. (PhilHealth). Charles Dantes

NEWS

A3 FRIDAY, NOVEMBER 17, 2023

mst.daydesk@gmail.com

GROUNDED. This photo from the Philippine Coast Guard shows the barge TML Blue Sky Jay -- loaded with 1,600 metric tons of industrial coal – towed by the tugboat TML The CEO that was grounded at the Bais Sand Bar near Barangay Okiot in Bais City, Negros Oriental on Thursday. The vessels were en route to Campuyo, Manjuyod, Negros Oriental from Semirara, Antique when they encountered rough sea conditions and ran aground. PCG Photo

LTO: No registration, no travel as gov’t losing P37b in revenues

By Rio N. Araja

T

HE Land Transportation Office (LTO) on Thursday ordered the strict implementation of the no registration-no travel policy in light of P37-billion revenue losses due to non-registration of vehicles.

LTO chief Vigor Mendoza II cited a review of the agency’s data showing that 65 percent of the motor vehicles in the country were classified as delinquent, or those whose owners either failed or deliberately refused to have them registered.

Records also indicated that 24.7 million of

the 38.3 million vehicles in the country have been classified as delinquent motor vehicles, and that only 13.3 million, or 35 percent of the motor vehicles were registered.

Translated into revenue losses in terms of registration payment and penalties, P37.10 billion are to be collected from these delinquent motor vehicle owners, Mendoza said.

“Included in the report are delinquent motor vehicles without registration renewal for more than one year. Not included are those that have not been renewed in less than a year,” he noted.

The cut-off date of the LTO report is April 2022, or before the use of the Land Transportation Management System for motor vehicle registration became operational.

The figures on delinquency were tallied based on the outstanding delinquent registrations as of April 2022.

The LTO chief raised concern over the

alarming data since based on their assessments, delinquent motor vehicles either have problems passing roadworthiness inspections that include emission testing, and do not have insurance coverage.

“In other words, these motor vehicles are threats to road safety. We have to be very strict in implementing the laws on land transportation not only to make it fair to the law-abiding motor vehicle owners but also for the welfare of the road users,” he said.

The LTO data showed that the National Capital Region has the most number of delinquent motor vehicle owners with 4.1 million, followed by Region III with 3.3 million, and Region IV-A with 2.7 million.

In the Visayas, 1.8 million delinquent motor vehicles were recorded in both Region VI and Region VII while Region VIII has 758,000.

Maguindanao Norte vice gov facing contempt charge with SC

By Rey E. Requejo THE Supreme Court (SC) has or-

dered Maguindanao del Norte Vice Governor Bai Fatima Ainee Sinsuat to explain why she should not be cited in contempt for her failure to promptly inform the Court of her appointment, oath-taking, and assumption as vice governor of the province.

The SC issued the order last Monday and gave Sinsuat 10 days from notice to submit her explanation.

Sinsuat won as Maguindanao vice governor in the 2022 national and local elections.

Prior to her election, Republic Act 1550, or the Charter of the Provinces of Maguindanao del Norte and Maguindanao del Sur, was signed into law on May 27, 2021.

On September 17, 2022, the Commission on Elections (Comelec) conducted the plebiscite which resulted in the overwhelming ratification of the law.

Sinsuat later assumed the gubernatorial post of the newly created province of Maguindanao del Norte. She then wrote a letter to the respondent Bureau of Local Government Finance-Regional Office No. XII (BLGF Region XII) requesting that Badorie M. Alonzo be designated as provincial treasurer.

Sinsuat was informed by the BLGF Region XII of its intention to seek guidance from BLGF Central and the Ministry of the Interior and Local Government (MILG) of the Bangsamoro Autonomous Region in MuslimMindanao (BARMM).

NAVOTAS VICTORY. The Department of Health, through the Health Facilities and Services Regulatory Bureau, once again recognized Navotas City Hospital (NCH) as one of the Top 15 Level 1 hospitals in the country for upholding quality healthcare. Dr. Spica Acoba, NCH Medical Director, and Dr. Roan Salafranca, Chief of Clinics, received the award during the 2023 DOH Hospital Star Awards held in Iloilo City. Andrew Rabulan

Pimentel sees heated bicam talks on DA budget

By Macon Ramos-Araneta SENATE Minority Leader Aquilino Pimentel III foresees animated discussions of the contentious budget for the Department of Agriculture-Office of the Secretary (DA-OSEC) at the bicameral committee, saying many issues have to be ironed out.

Pimentel cited the reduction of the DA’s proposed budget in the General Appropriations Act (GAA).

“So that means a total of P22 billion was slashed by the Senate in the proposed budget of the DA-OSEC,” Pimentel said.

With the reduction, he said the department’s OSEC budget now stands at P92.1 billion as opposed to the original P114 billion.

Pimentel then asked Sen. Cynthia Villar, sponsor of the DA budget, the reason for the cutdown.

Villar said they see the budget for the office “as too big, so they have to fix it.”

She also noted that the department’s proposed budget was not P85 billion, but in the 2024 NEP, it was P92 billion.

“Because the one passed by the Lower House is bigger, so we have to settle that,” she said.

Pimentel then inquired from Villar the huge shifts in the budget starting from the House of Representatives version.

Villar explained that the Senate particularly removed the realignment made by the House for the Agribusiness and Marketing Services (AMAS) which amounts to P20 billion.

As the DA failed to explain how this will be spent, the Senate decided to scrap the budget for AMAS. However, the National Irrigation Administration appeared to have emerged as a winner when its proposed budget was nearly doubled from P41 billion to P81 billion.

Catholics banned from Freemasonry, Vatican answers local bishop THE Vatican has reaffirmed that Catholics are prohibited from joining the Freemasons, after a local bishop expressed concern over his parishioners enlisting with the organization.

“Active membership in Freemasonry by a member of the faithful is forbidden because of the irreconcilability between Catholic doctrine and Freemasonry,” according to a note signed by Pope Francis and Cardinal Victor Fernandéz, Prefect of the Dicastry for the Doctrine of Faith (DDF).

The Vatican was responding to a question from the Bishop of Dumaguete, Most. Rev. Julito Cortes, who said more Catholics were enrolling in Freemasonry in his diocese.

The DDF cited a 1983 declaration that

states that “the faithful who enroll in masonic associations are in a state of grave sin and may not receive Holy Communion.”

The Vatican office urged Philippine bishops to “conduct catechesis accessible to the people and in all parishes regarding the reasons for the irreconcilability between the Catholic faith and freemasonry.”

Bishops were also invited to study making a public statement about the subject.

Freemasonry of all types -- regular or irregular, legitimate or “diverted” -- has been condemned by many popes.

Freemasonry is a fraternal organization that arose from the loose grouping of medieval masons, or stone workers, in the build-

ing industry. Early organizational forms included lodges and craft guilds.

Critics have likened it to a secret society as certain aspects are kept private.

The Most Worshipful Grand Lodge of Free and Accepted Masons of the Philippines said masonry is “not a religion nor a secret society.”

“It teaches man to practice charity and benevolence, to protect chastity, to respect the ties of blood and friendship, to adopt the principles and revere the ordinances of religion... support the government, inculcate morality, promote learning, love man, fear God, implore his mercy, and hope for happiness,” it said.

NEWS

A4 FRIDAY, NOVEMBER 17, 2023

MST.DAYDESK@GMAIL.COM

‘Nuke accords to help achieve energy security’ THE two nuclear agreements sealed in the United States during the trip of President Marcos constitute a significant stride towards providing Filipinos with cheaper, cleaner, and sustainable electricity, Speaker Martin Romualdez said.

Mr. Marcos witnessed Wednesday (US time) the signing of a groundbreaking cooperative agreement between Meralco and Ultra Safe Nuclear Corporation (USNC) in San Francisco to pave the way for the deployment of Micro-Modular Reactors (MMRs) in the Philippines.

The country is also set to sign with the US government the 123 Nuclear Agreement or the “peaceful nuclear cooperation agreement” during the sidelines of the Asia Pacific Economic Cooperation Summit that Mr. Marcos is participating in.

“The partnership between Meralco and USNC is a game-changer for the Philippines’ energy landscape.

Micro-Modular Reactors represent a paradigm shift in delivering cheap, safe, reliable, and scalable nuclear energy,” Romualdez said.

“This initiative aligns with our President’s commitment to diversify our energy sources to fuel economic growth and at the same time address the challenges of climate change,” he added.

In his second State of the Nation Address in July, President Marcos said it is time to re-examine nuclear energy to attract more investors and ensure enough power supply, noting that cheap and reliable energy is a vital requirement for economic growth.

The cooperative agreement between Meralco and USNC will facilitate a comprehensive pre-feasibility study to assess the potential for deploying MMRs in the Philippines.

Maricel V. Cruz

EYE IN THE SKY. MMDA officers look at the

traffic situation at the command center in Pasig City on Thursday, Nov. 16, 2023. The MMDA said senators, congressmen, and Cabinet members are not exempted from the EDSA bus lane rule even as the privilege is extended to the President, Vice President, Senate President, House Speaker, and Chief Justice. (See related story on A1) Manny Palmero

House leader douses impeach Duterte rumor over intel funds H

By Maricel V. Cruz

OUSE Majority Leader Mannix Dalipe on Thursday dismissed as “unfounded” rumors of an alleged plan to file an impeachment complaint against Vice President Sara Duterte.

“The speculation of House Leaders planning to impeach the Vice President is unfounded,” Dalipe said in a statement.

He said those circulating the rumor

aimed to sow political division between the Vice President and Speaker Martin Romualdez.

“There is no truth in them. These rumors are without merit,” Dalipe said.

Dalipe also offered reassurance to supporters of the Vice President.

“If she has not committed any wrongdoing, there is no reason for concern about these baseless rumors,” he said.

Last week, the Supreme Court was asked to order the Office of the Vice President to return the P125 million confidential funds it spent in 2022 to the government’s treasury, saying these were “unconstitutional.”

In a 49-page petition, the petitioners said the transfer of funds from the Office of the President to the OVP was an exercise of legislative power.

This violated Article VI, Section 1 of the 1986 Constitution which provides that legislative power belongs to the Senate and House of Representatives, he said.

Duterte, for her part, welcomed the filing of the petition before the High Court, saying this will give her a chance to clear her name.

“We welcome the opportunity to discuss the legality of fund transfers.

We hope that the wisdom of the Supreme Court will pave the way to finally end this matter,” she said.

AI-powered weather forecast to boost PH disaster resilience

LIKE A GHOST TOWN STILL. The

empty street leading to a mosque in Marawi City is dotted by buildings damaged during the siege in 2017. Aram Lascano

SPEAKER Martin Romualdez said moves to build a new, AI-powered weather forecast for the entire country will boost disaster risk resilience.

The Department of Science and Technology and Atmos Inc. signed a memorandum of understanding that was witnessed

by President Marcos at the Ritz Carlton Hotel in San Francisco, California on the sidelines of his participation in the Asia Pacific Economic Cooperation Summit.

“This welcome initiative demonstrates President Marcos’ determination to address the evolving challenges of climate change through innovative solutions that empower our nation to adapt and thrive,” said Romualdez.

“It comes at a crucial time when the

Philippines faces increasingly complex and unpredictable weather patterns. The AIpowered weather forecasting system will enhance our ability to predict and respond to weather-related events, ensuring the safety and well-being of our citizens,” he added.

He said the Philippines is among the countries most vulnerable to climate change, frequently beset by typhoons, floods, and droughts.

“By harnessing the power of AI in weather forecasting, we may be able to avert another tragedy such as the one wrought by supertyphoon Yolanda,” said Romualdez, who represents the first district of Leyte that bore the brunt of Yolanda’s wrath. Maricel V. Cruz

Dela Rosa rejects UN special rapporteur’s call for NTF-ELCAC abolition Experts urge gov’t

By Macon Ramos-Araneta SENATOR Ronald dela Rosa yesterday called out a United Nations special rapporteur for suggesting to abolish the country’s anti-insurgency task force.

UN human rights and climate change expert Ian Fry on Wednesday called on the government to abolish the National Task Force to End Local Communist Armed Conflict (NTF-ELCAC) for

red-tagging community and indigenous people’s leaders.

Dela Rosa rebuked Fry for claiming the task force was “operating with impunity.”

“That is why we are in quandary right now. NTF-ELCAC is all about good governance and delivery of basic services to the communities and they are not involved in armed confrontation with the enemies of the state,” he said.

“Why are they lambasting the NTF-

ELCAC? Maybe they are being fed with wrong information,” Dela Rosa added.

Fry said there was “no reasonable response that ELCAC can say to the fact that I’ve heard stories of torture, disappearance and EJK of people.”

“This is totally unacceptable. It seems the government has lost control of this military organization and is moving beyond what is considered reasonable,” Fry added.

Justice Secretary Jesus Crispin Remul-

la on Wednesday asserted the government’s independence in solving its problems as he rejected Fry’s call.

“They should not meddle in the internal mechanism of the Philippines which is effective in achieving its goals,” Remulla said.

National Security Adviser Secretary Eduardo Año, who is concurrent vice chairman of the NTF-ELCAC, also took strong exception to Fry’s push to disband the task force.

House leader eyes amnesty program for delinquent housing beneficiaries A CONGRESSIONAL leader has filed a measure that would help delinquent beneficiaries of the government’s housing program keep their houses without fear of being ejected.

In filing House Bill 1925 or the proposed “NHA Amnesty and Acquisition Act of 2023,” Rep. Florida Robes of San Jose del Monte in Bulacan said there are thousands of beneficiaries who are set to be ejected due to their failure to pay monthly amortizations.

Robes’ bill aims to authorize the NHA to grant amnesty or condone the unpaid amortization/lease payments to ease the burden of the beneficiaries, or acquire the units from the original awardees in order to be allocated and awarded to qualified beneficiaries through the

Build Better and More (BBM) and the Pambansang Pabahay Para sa Pilipino Housing Program (4PH).

In her bill, she noted the low occupancy rate for the government housing program. “[This was] mainly due to the failure of the beneficiaries to pay the monthly amortization and/or association dues, resulting to selling their rights or leasingout their units to other individuals and entities,” Robes said.

Robes also underscored reports that some of the beneficiaries have used their units as collateral for unregulated private and personal loans by the Bangko Sentral ng Pilipinas which gives the creditor unilateral right to seize the units in their favor. Maricel V. Cruz

MAGNIFICENT SCENERY. Iloilo City Mayor Jerry Treñas leads the lighting ceremony of the Molo Plaza Wednesday evening, Nov. 15, 2023.

to prioritize grid modernization

INFRASTRUCTURE and governance experts urged the government to prioritize the upgrading of the transmission grid to achieve national energy security.

“The ERC [Energy Regulatory Commission] should tighten oversight on the completion of these critical infrastructure projects, which would hopefully strengthen the electricity value chain and prevent higher electricity cost for consumers,” InfraWatch PH convenor Terry Ridon said during a forum entitled on energy security and sustainable development organized by the Stratbase ADR Institute.

Ridon cited various ways to address the critical issues surrounding the energy grid, including ensuring the independence of regulatory agencies, developing clear and specific standards and performance metrics for energy companies to follow, and harsher penalties for noncompliance to these standards.

“This will serve as a strong deterrent for companies considering cutting corners or violating regulations. To further promote accountability, compliance data should be publicly accessible to promote transparency. This will allow the public to be informed about the operations of energy companies and their adherence to regulations,” Ridon said.

B1

OPINION

FRIDAY, NOVEMBER 17, 2023

mst.daydesk@gmail.com HONOR BLANCO CABIE, Editor

To The Point

EDITORIAL

Emil P. Jurado

Survey says…

Many foreigners abuse us because of corruption tificates and government IDs without the connivance of corrupt government employees and officials.

The problem, with all this corruption and the existence of fake Filipinos, is a great threat to national security.

With all our recurring disputes with China at the West Philippine Sea, I am certain there are now members of the People’s Liberation Army of China posing as Filipinos.

Call me paranoid, but for how long can we Filipinos continue to look like fools, my gulay, unless we do something , really something, to stop all this?

My China experience I would like to recount my experience with China during the 70s when I used to write reams of columns against Communist China.

At that time, I could not get a visa to visit China since I was one in the long list of Filipinos banned from visiting China.

The first time I saw China was when I joined the official state visit to China of then President Ramos.

I had wanted my wife to visit China years after that. Knowing Vicente Tan, a banker and his connection with China, I sought his help to get visas for my wife and myself.

He assured me of getting our visas from a travel agency also with connections to China.

Thus, it was foursome (Vic and his wife Helen, my wife and myself) on a twoweek visit to China. Our itinerary was set, first to Xiamen then to Beijing, then to Shanghai, then back to Xiamen and on to Hong Kong.

Strangely enough, we were accompanied by a Chinese man whose name I can no longer remember.

He was always following us wherever we went, sleeping in a room next to our rooms, and always with us for breakfast, lunch and dinner.

When I asked Vic who the Chinese man was, Vic simply smiled and said: “Don’t mind him.”

Yes, my wife and I enjoyed that China visit but I wondered why there was a Chinese man who had to accompany us on our trip.

I had my suspicion he was there to monitor my movements, Santa Banana, I enjoyed that trip but I felt like somebody was monitoring my movements.

True to myself, this proves how paranoid the Chinese can get.

Up to this date, I ask myself ? Am I still banned from going to China?

AFTER her incarceration and detention for almost seven years, former Senator Leila de Lima was finally granted bail by the Muntinlupa Regional Trial Court.

The grant is significant because bail can be granted if the evidence is weak. The former senator has a third case pending.

This means that her final release is expected.

Santa Banana, can you imagine spending 2,453 days in detention, from Feb. 24, 2017 to Nov 13, 2023 for crimes she did not commit, only because former President Duterte did not like De Lima?

Some people must be held accountable for the injustice against De Lima.

Fake Filipinos Santa Banana, because of so much corruption in government agencies, foreigners have succeeded in making us Filipinos look like fools! I don’t like saying this, but to some extent it’s true.

—“—

I am certain there are now members of the People’s Liberation Army of China posing as Filipinos That great scandal of “pastillas” when so many undocumented Chinese from Mainland China entered the Philippines as tourists, many of whom have not left and corrupt immigration agents were bribed with dollar bills wrapped like the well-known delicacy “pastillas.”

Then came the infamous Philippine Offshore Gaming Operations that gave birth to kidnapping, even torture, by Mainland Chinese crime syndicates that victimized their own fellow nationals.

Despite calls from the Senate and the House of Representatives that we had enough of these POGOs, many operating illegally, they are still around.

Can you believe it, China itself has outlawed the offshore gaming operations, but we in the Philippines continue to harbor them, Just recently “fake” Filipinos, having Philippine passports, authentic birth certificates and government-issued IDs in their possession entered the country.

Santa Banana, these foreigners are really making us Filipinos look like fools, all because of corrupt government agencies.

Surely, these fake Filipinos could not have gotten those passports, birth cer-

Citizen Barok

Louis ‘Barok’ Biraogo

De Lima, et al., not Romualdez, are Duterte’s enemies THE recent tirades of former President Rodrigo Duterte against the House of Representatives and its leader, Speaker Martin Romualdez, suggest all is not well with the ex-President and Romualdez.

It also suggests a rift between the Speaker and Vice President and concurrent Education Secretary Sara Duterte.

After all, ex-President Duterte’s criticism of Romualdez and the House was triggered by the decision of the chamber to disallow the P650-million budget for confidential and intelligence funds sought by Sara for the Office of the Vice President and the Department of Education.

The P650-million was given by the House instead to the military establishment to put it in a better position to attend to China’s illegal expansionist activities in the West Philippine Sea. That decision of the House should not be considered anti-Sara Duterte per se.

Limited public money sought for intelligence work is better off alloted to the government agencies precisely created and specifically equipped to do work relating to the country’s maritime dispute which, if left unattended, may become a bigger problem.

What should be a cause for concern for ex-President Duterte and Vice Presi-

dent Sara Duterte is the avalanche of anti-Duterte propaganda they are sure to get from staunchly anti-Duterte groups, now that the elder Duterte is no longer president.

These groups are composed of the remnants of the politically unpopular Liberal Party, ostensibly led by the hopelessly misinformed and biased Albay Representative Edcel Lagman.

—“—

Romualdez is not the enemy of the Dutertes.

The anti-Duterte group is their enemy The LP got clobbered by pro-Duterte candidates in the 2019 senatorial elections.

All eight LP bets lost, including former Senator Mar Roxas, and Bam Aquino, then an incumbent senator whose only claim to serious public service is his consuming desire to be a look-alike of his famous uncle.

In the national elections last year, the tandem of political opportunists who

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Y

OU could be forgiven for thinking that, based on the headline that appeared recently in a daily broadsheet, the country is indeed going to the dogs, that things are getting even worse than usual, that Philippine society is in a state of decay and therefore, ripe for revolution.

The headline? “More think Philippines headed in wrong direction – OCTA poll.”

The headline, however, highlighted only the negative aspect of the survey result.

The survey actually found the majority of Filipinos, or 62 percent believe the country is headed in the right direction.

This is a decrease of 10 percent from 72 percent in a similar survey conducted in July 2023.

Optimism was 76 percent in March 2023 and 85 percent in October 2022, the first survey conducted by OCTA on this issue under the second Marcos administration.

Only two in every 10 Filipinos believe country is headed in the right direction the country is headed in the wrong direc- decreased across all areas. tion, according to the third quarter survey It was lowest among those in Luzon, by the OCTA Research Group. followed by those in the Visayas, Metro Manila and Mindanao.

The number of those who think the country is headed in the wrong direction was highest among respondents in the How useful is a survey Visayas, followed by those in Mindanao, that asked respondents balance Luzon and Metro Manila at 18 percent (from 13 percent). if they approved or How useful is a survey that asked disapproved of the respondents if they approved or disapproved of the country’s current direction country’s current without offering specifics, such as ecodirection without nomic growth, good governance, peace offering specifics? and order, or foreign policy, among others?

If you ask respondents to take a stand Those who think that way increased based only on a subjective perception of from 11 percent in July to 20 percent how the country is doing at this particuin the latest survey. It was 10 percent in lar point in time, you get simply yes or no March 2023 and only six percent in Oc- answer, rather than a carefully considered tober 2022. or well-thought-out reply.

The remaining 18 percent said they do In other words, such a survey may be not know if the country is headed in the next to useless in terms of guiding policy right or wrong direction, almost similar makers in coming up with concrete proto the 17 percent ambivalence in the July grams and projects for various sectors poll. that can help government attain political Compared to the July survey, the per- stability, economic advance and social centage of respondents who think the cohesion.

—“—

About Town

Ernesto M. Hilario

Has Meralco grown too big for its own good?

IN A privilege speech last Nov. 7, Laguna Rep. Dan Fernandez accused power distribution giant Manila Electric Company (Meralco) of carrying out “monopolistic” practices because of its “mega-franchise.”

He also insisted Meralco had been overcharging its 7.6 million customers for the past nine years.

The monopolistic behavior of Meralco, the Laguna solon pointed out, is well in evidence in its control of at least 70 percent of Luzon’s electricity output: “They control the whole of Metro Manila, the whole of Calabarzon, including my province, Laguna...They control Pampanga and Bulacan...They are so huge and enormous that they have subdivided the whole franchise.”

Since the Meralco’s franchise had grown so huge, he said, the company can even operate the Bohol franchise in the Visayas if it wanted to.

With 60 percent of the country’s gross domestic product coming from NCR, Fernandez added, Meralco can manipulate the Philippines’ economic growth by having full control of electricity in Luzon.

Monopoly behavior, the lawmaker said, is also indicated by reports that Metro Pacific Investment Corp., Meralco’s mother company, has been trying to acquire the natural gas power plant in Ilijan town, Batangas province.

The $700-million plant has a 2,500-megawatt capacity.

“If you combine the assets of Meralco and Ilijan Power Plant, they will be creating a vertical integration system wherein they will be able to control fuel supply, imported fuel facilities, power supply and distribution under one board of directors,” Fernandez added.

The solon also called out the irregular manner by which Meralco computed its weighted average capital cost back in 2015, when the company was supposed to recompute.

He said Meralco fixed its weighted cost of capital at 14.97 percent, which the utility uses as basis to compute its profits up to the present.

But the Asian financial crisis at the time has long been over, yet Meralco continues to use the same weighted average capital cost to hide its excessive profits, Fernandez said.

Reacting to the Fernandez privilege speech, Meralco pointed out “factual errors” in the lawmaker’s presentation.

It clarified it does not control ‘70 percent of Luzon’s electricity,’ since 90 percent of

will not hesitate to promise heaven and earth just to get votes -- Leni Robredo and Kiko Pangilinan -- lost miserably.

Robredo and Pangilinan, candidates for president and vice president, respectively, were so ashamed of their LP affiliation that they ran under a pink (and yellow) banner many derisively called the pinklawan party.

Sara defeated Pangilinan so badly in the vice presidential race that it was almost as if only a fraction of a percentage of the nation’s voting population voted for Pangilinan.

Ultimately, the defeat of the two de facto LP candidates led to the eradication of the LP from the political consciousness of the electorate.

For that, LP stragglers will want to get even with ex-President Duterte by discrediting him and his daughter.

Included in the anti-Duterte group are the drug lords whose illegal trade had

been stopped, albeit temporarily, by the tokhang anti-narcotics operations of the administration of the ex-President. These drug lords lost a lot of money during the Duterte administration.

Padre Damaso and his confederates in the Catholic Church are likewise included in the anti-Duterte gang.

These politicized friars and nuns, who lost the immense political influence they enjoyed in the administrations before Duterte became president, will think it’s payback time, now that ex-President Duterte is no longer in power.

For the friars, Duterte violated the secret Church commandment which states, “Thou shall not deprive Padre Damaso of his power and influence in government.”

Don’t forget to include the communists.

They hate the Dutertes so much, they’re drooling to discredit them.

The recent release on bail granted by a trial court to ex-Senator Leila de Lima will

Former Chief Justice Reynato S. Puno Anita F. Grefal Baldwin R. Felipe Edgar M. Valmorida

—“—

Meralco has grown too big that it is empowered to commit abuses with impunity industrial consumption and 1/3 of commercial consumption is supplied not by the distribution utility but by competitive retailers like Aboitiz and First Gen. Meralco also said it does not serve “the whole of Calabarzon” as claimed by the lawmaker as there are other electric cooperatives and distribution utilities in Calabarzon. It does not “control Pampanga” but serves only a handful of barangays.

“Meralco is fully compliant with all government regulations and even outperformed the level of service required by the regulator…While Meralco is the largest utility in the country, it has never committed and has no record of any anti competitive behavior or abuse of market power.”

The core issue that Meralco did not address, however, is whether it is actually engaged in monopsony, or a situation in which

Board Member & Chief Legal Adviser Treasury Manager Head—Ad Solutions Circulation Manager

the entire market demand for a product or service consists of only one buyer.

Meralco is not only a power distribution utility but also a buyer of electricity.

What seems to be amiss here is that utilities distributing electricity are prohibited from sourcing this electricity from power plants they also own.

It’s plain and simple conflict of interest.

If a giant corporation can control both the distribution and supply of electricity, there’s no way you can stop it from also dictating prices.

But here’s the thing.

Meralco is allowed by the Electric Power Industry Reform Act or Epira to become both power distributor and supplier which also, technically, allowed it to become a monopoly.

Since it was Congress that granted Meralco its mega-franchise through Epira, the chamber, Fernandez said, it can still correct this since it has the power to “amend, revoke, suspend, and even subdivide their franchise.”

Fernandez, chairman of the House Committee on Public Order and Safety, proposed they should pass a bill that would pave the way for the split of the mega-franchise granted to Meralco.

“If possible, we can split it into three franchises since Meralco actually operates in three sectors in Luzon— NCR (National Capital Region), South Luzon (Calabarzon) and North Luzon sector of Pampanga and Bulacan.”

As the lawmaker put it bluntly in his speech, Meralco has grown too big that it is empowered to commit abuses with impunity.

Will his fellow lawmakers listen?

And will Meralco customers also say enough is enough? Let’s wait and see.

(Email: ernhil@yahoo.com)

surely start the anti-Duterte propaganda.

Duterte enemies are bound to lecture that de Lima was only incarcerated because of the whim of then President Duterte.

The ensuing anti-Duterte propaganda will label the ex-President as a lawless, vindictive and oppressive bully who has no respect for human rights.

Naturally, they will conveniently ignore the fact that de LIma’s past detention had been upheld by the Supreme Court.

In contrast, Romualdez announced any perceived rift between him and the Dutertes is momentary, and he can mend fences with them soon enough.

Besides, the close political ties between the Dutertes and the Marcos-Romualdez clan will weather the temporary political tempest.

To repeat, Romualdez is not the enemy of the Dutertes. The anti-Duterte group is their enemy.

Rolando G. Estabillo Publisher Chin Wong Joyce Pangco Pañares Jimbo Owen Gulle

Associate Editor Managing Editor News Editor

Emil P. Jurado

Honor Blanco Cabie Opinion Editor Lino M. Santos Chief Photographer

Chairman Emeritus, Editorial Board

B2

WORLD

FRIDAY, NOVEMBER 17, 2023

mst.daydesk@gmail.com

US Congress averts chaos of shutdown WASHINGTON, DC – The US Congress passed a stop-gap funding bill Wednesday (Thursday in Manila) to keep federal agencies running for another two months and avert a painful holiday season government shutdown -- although the deal leaves out aid to war-torn Ukraine and Israel requested by President Joe Biden.

Three days before the Friday night deadline, the Senate voted to keep the lights on through mid-January with a resolution that had advanced from the House of Representatives during a week of high-stakes brinkmanship on Capitol Hill.

The last-ditch “continuing resolution (CR)” was pitched by new House Speaker Mike Johnson as more than a million public workers looked set to be sent home unpaid ahead of next Thursday’s Thanksgiving holiday, upending government functions from national parks and air traffic control to federal policy making.

Democrats had pressed for the inclusion of aid for Israel, Ukraine and Taiwan -- but each now looks set to be dealt with separately, with a $61 billion request from the White House for Kyiv looking particularly precarious amid conservative opposition.

Senate Majority Leader Chuck Schumer said the bill was “far from perfect” but achieved Democrats’ aims of keeping the lights on without “cruel cuts or poison pills.”

The shutdown crisis was triggered by hardline conservatives in the Republican-led House defying their own party leadership to scupper the bills that normally set the annual federal budget as they pressed for deep spending cuts. AFP

FOR TREATMENT.

Paramedics carry a Palestinian cancer patient, who had crossed from Gaza into Egypt, after arriving at the Esenboga Airport in Ankara on Thursday. Two planes carrying more than two dozen Palestinian cancer patients, many of them children, arrived in Turkey for treatment in the early hours of Thursday. AFP

Israel presses Gaza hospital raid I SRAEL renewed its operation at Gaza’s largest hospital Thursday, targeting what it said was a Hamas command center nestled among patients, medics and the displaced.

“Tonight we conducted a targeted operation into Shifa hospital,” said Major General Yaron Finkelman, the head of Israeli military operations in Gaza.

“We continue to move forward.”

Gaza’s Hamas-controlled health ministry said Thursday that Israeli bulldozers had “destroyed parts of the southern entrance” of the hospital.

Both Israel and its top ally the United States believe Hamas has a command centre below the Al-Shifa complex, which has become a focal point in the war.

The Palestinian militant group and directors at the hospital have denied the charge.

Before Israel first sent troops into the hospital complex on Wednesday, UN agencies estimated that 2,300 patients, staff and displaced civilians were sheltering at Al-Shifa.

Israel’s army claimed an initial raid had uncovered military equipment, weapons and what spokesman Daniel Hagari described as “an operational headquarters with comms equipment”.

Witnesses have described conditions inside the hospital as horrific, with medical procedures performed without anaesthetic, families with scant food or water living in corridors, and the stench of decomposing corpses filling the air.

China’s President Xi Jinping attends the ‘Senior Chinese Leader Event’ held by the National Committee on US-China Relations and the US-China Business Council on the sidelines of the Asia-Pacific Economic Cooperation Leaders’ Week in San Francisco, California, on Thursday (Manila time).

Manila Standard The APEC Summit TODAY takes place through Nov. 17. AFP

WOODSIDE, California — US President Beijing claims sovereignty over the selfJoe Biden and Chinese President Xi Jinping ruling democracy and has not ruled out seizagreed to restore military communications at ing it by force. their first summit in a year Wednesday, even Biden and Xi also discussed the wars in as Biden went off script by saying he still Gaza and Ukraine, on which their countries considered Xi a “dictator.” have found themselves backing opposing The leaders shook hands and strolled in a sides. garden at a historic California estate during But after theYELLOW talks Xi tooBLACK had tough words CYAN MAGENTA four-hour talks aimed at preventing growing for Biden, particularly on the subject of Taitensions between the world’s largest econo- wan. mies from spiraling into conflict.

“The US side should... stop arming TaiThey also agreed that China would crack wan, and support China’s peaceful reunifidown on the production of ingredients for the cation,” Xi told Biden, according to a readdrug fentanyl, responsible for a deadly epidem- out from China’s foreign ministry. ic of opioid abuse in the United States.

“China will realize reunification, and this But Xi and Biden remained far apart on is unstoppable.” the wider flashpoint of Taiwan, with the ChiRussia, a partner of China in what Washnese president telling his US counterpart to ington sees as a growing authoritarian alliance, stop arming the island and saying that reuni- welcomed the meeting, with the Kremlin callfication was “unstoppable.” ing the talks “important for everyone.” AFP

Rescuers drill to free 40 workers

Christine Rey Galang over personal & real properties per Deed executed on Nov. 17, 2022, before Notary Public Atty. Marcus Aurellius M. Banares per Doc. No.650, Page 26, Book No. 2, Series of 2022.

(MS-NOV. 10/17/24, 2023)

NOTICE OF DEED OF EXTRAJUDICIAL SETTLEMENT OF ESTATE OF RUEL O. PRAXIDES Notice is hereby given to the public that the Deed of Extrajudicial Settlement of Estate of Ruel O. Praxides has been executed by and among his heirs, namely: Vince Ryan O. Praxides, and Marielle Jade Antonette Obniala and Charlize Nicole O. Praxides as represented by their mother Rosemarie Obniala, as per Doc. No. 69; Page No. 14; Book No. VII; Series of 2023 of the Notarial Register of Atty.

Mishael R. Occiano, Notary Public for and in the city of Iriga, and municipalities of Baao, Balatan, Bato, Buhi, and Nabua.

(MS-NOV. 17/24 & DEC. 1, 2023)

Israel has vowed to eradicate Hamas in retaliation for the attacks of October 7, which killed 1,200 people, most of them civilians.

Hamas also took around 240 people hostage, among them elderly people and young children.

But with the Hamas-run health ministry claiming the death toll from the offensive has now topped 11,500, including thousands of children, calls for a truce are mounting.

The UN Security Council on Wednesday set aside deep divisions over the conflict to agree a resolution calling for “urgent and extended humanitarian pauses” in fighting.

The resolution -- which passed thanks to abstentions from the United States, Britain and Russia -- called on Hamas and Israel to protect civilians, “especially children”. AFP

Xi tells counterpart Biden to stop arming Taiwan, vows reunification

HIGH-LEVEL COMMUNICATIONS.

DEHRADUN, India – Indian rescuers said Thursday that a powerful new drilling machine had been deployed as efforts to free 40 workers trapped in a collapsed road tunnel entered their fifth day.

Excavators have been removing debris since Sunday morning from the site of the collapse in the Himalayan state of Uttarakhand to create an escape tunnel for the workers, some of whom have fallen sick.

NOTICE But rescue efNotice is hereby given to the Public that a Deed of Extra forts have been Judicial Settlement of Estate slowed by debris has been executed by the heirs of the late Spouses Teodoro continuing to fall C. Rey,Jr. & Amelia E. Rey, as workers lanamely Philip Michael Rey, Jennifer Rey Abad, Francis boured to clear Adrian Rey Galang & Aimee

“The protection of newborns, patients, medical staff and all civilians must override all other concerns,” UN humanitarian chief Martin Griffiths said. “Hospitals are not battlegrounds.”

A journalist in contact with AFP, trapped inside Al-Shifa, said that Israeli soldiers, some wearing face masks, shot in the air and ordered young men to surrender when they first entered the facility.

About 1,000 male Palestinians, hands above their heads, were in the courtyard, some of them stripped naked by Israeli soldiers checking them for weapons or explosives, the journalist said.

US President Joe Biden said Hamas had committed a war crime by housing “their headquarters, their military hidden under a hospital”.

But he warned Israel to be “incredibly careful” of harming civilians during the operation.

the tunnel, with progress stalled after an earthboring drill developed problems.

The air force flew in a second drilling machine on a C-130 Hercules military plane on Wednesday, with the giant drill bit stretching much the length of the aircraft’s cargo hold.

“Drilling is starting soon,” rescue leader Deepak Patil said Thursday.

Engineers are trying to drive a steel pipe about 90 centimeters wide through the debris, wide enough for the trapped men to squeeze through.

India has sought advice from the Thai company that rescued children from a flooded cave in 2018 as it races to save the men, as well as from engineering experts in soil and rock mechanics at the Norwegian Geotechnical Institute. AFP

250 Rohingya refugees reach western Indonesia by boat BIREUEUN, Indonesia – A boat carrying 250 Rohingya refugees landed in Indonesia from Bangladesh on Thursday, a local official told AFP, bringing the number of such arrivals over the past week to nearly 600.

The mostly Muslim Rohingya are heavily persecuted in Myanmar and thousands risk their lives each year on long and expensive sea journeys, often in flimsy boats, to try to reach Malaysia or Indonesia.

Thursday’s arrivals were waiting in the water about 100 meters from a beach in the country’s western-

most province of Aceh, according to Mukhtaruddin, village head of Pulo Pineung Meunasah.

Some villagers were preventing the refugees from getting off the boat, said the official, who like many Indonesians goes by one name.

Rohingya refugee Manzur Alam told AFP the boat had departed from Cox’s Bazar in Bangladesh -home to almost a million Rohingya refugees -- 20 days ago with 249 people on board, including 54 infants and children, 79 men and 108 women.

“There are many babies, little children (on the boat), please protect them, they are very hungry because they didn’t get anything,” the 23-year-old said.

The latest boat brings the total number of Rohingya arrivals in Indonesia over the past 72 hours to nearly 600, according to figures provided by local officials.

Bangladesh is home to at least 960,000 Rohingya refugees, according to UN figures, most of whom fled a violent 2017 crackdown by the Myanmar military that is now subject to a UN genocide probe. AFP

In frontline Ukraine, wounded evacuees vow to return home NEAR AVDIIVKA, Ukraine – Lying on a hospital bed, Oleksandr insists that once he recovers from his injuries he will return to the eastern Ukrainian city of Avdiivka -- even if it falls to the Russians.

The 71-year-old is one of around a thousand residents to have stayed put in the mostly abandoned city, which has been devastated by Russian shelling.

But after being hit in the thigh by shrapnel as he entered his home, he had no choice but to evacuate.

“It was like a wave pushing me towards the entrance,” he told AFP, describing the moment he lost consciousness.

Oleksandr’s son was the first to help him after his injury, before he was taken by the “White Angels” -- a police unit that evacuates people from Avdiivka and its surrounding villages.

Avdiivka has for almost a decade been a symbol of resistance for Ukraine, which has managed to cling on there despite a brief separatist takeover in 2014 and relentless attacks by Moscow’s army.

Evacuations from the city have accelerated since October 10, when the Russian army launched a massive assault with columns of tanks and armoured vehicles, intense artillery and aerial bombardments.

Although it has lost some ground on the outskirts, Ukraine says it is resisting and inflicting heavy losses on Russia.

Inside the city, already largely destroyed, “Russian attacks are constant,” Mayor Vitaliy Barabash told AFP on Tuesday.

The day before there had been 16 air strikes.

Drones are now a threat as well, he added. AFP

SCARY SIGHT. Rescue workers use a crane to lift the remains of a person from a heavily damaged residential building following a Russian strike, in the town of Selydove, Donetsk region, on Wednesday, amid the Russian invasion of Ukraine. AFP

BUSINESS

B3 FRIDAY, NOVEMBER 17, 2023

extrastory2000@gmail.com

Stocks, peso rise on expected BSP pause

By Jenniffer B. Austria

P

HILIPPINE stocks and the peso moved up Thursday ahead of the Bangko Sentral ng Pilipinas’ decision to keep the benchmark interest rate steady at 6.5 percent, representing a pause in its monetary tightening cycle.

FINTECH COLLABORATION. FinTech Alliance.ph, the Philippines’ leading and largest digital trade organization, and the Australian government through Australian Trade and Investment Commission (Austrade), sign a memorandum of understanding to promote trade and investment across the fintech sector in the region. Signing the agreement are (front row, from left) Lito Villanueva, founding chairman of FA.ph; Mukund Narayanamurti, general manager for Southeast Asia at Austrade; (second row) Antonilo Mauricio, general manager of Philippines National Development Authority; and Allaster Cox, high commissioner of the Australian High Commission in Singapore.

NLEX’s income rises 24% on traffic recovery, toll hike

By Darwin G. Amojelar NLEX Corp. said Thursday its net income grew 24 percent in the first nine months of 2023, driven by traffic recovery and increased toll.

The operator of North Luzon Expressway and Subic Clark-Tarlac Expressway (SCTex) said it posted a net income of P7.07 billion from January to September, higher than P5.72 billion in the same period last year.

Revenues amounted to P15.67 bil-

lion, up 20 percent from P13.1 billion in the same period last year.

The company attributed the revenue growth to higher traffic volume and the impact of NLEX toll rate adjustments implemented in June 2023.

NLEX said all vehicle classes posted double-digit growth in revenues, with Class 1 revenues growing by 18 percent, Class 2 by 26 percent and Class 3 by 18 percent.

Average daily traffic along NLEX reached 321,384 vehicle entries as of Sept.

30, 2023, higher than the 2022 figures by 15 percent, while average daily traffic in SCTEX reached 77,878 vehicle entries or 10 percent above last year’s figures covering the same nine-month period.

Average daily traffic for the Connector Road Section 1 was close to 12,000 vehicles a day.

NLEX paid P1.39 billion in concession fees to the Bases Conversion and Development Authority (BCDA), representing 50 percent of toll revenues in SCTEX.

Analysts said local shares sustained their upward momentum as investors took positive cues from Wall Street’s overnight performance.

The 30-company Philippine Stock Exchange index added 20.35 points, or 0.33 percent, to close at 6,191.48, while the broader all-shares index inched up by 6.77 points, or 0.20 percent, to finish at 3,314.49.

Philstocks Financial Inc. research analyst Mikhail Plopenio said the anticipated pause in rate hike by the BSP also boosted market sentiment.

“Last-minute buying aided the market’s uptick wherein the market closed at its intra-day high,” Plopenio said.

The peso closed at 55.79 against the US dollar Thursday, stronger than Wednesday’s 55.83.

Oxford Economics said the BSP was expected to keep interest rates steady until the second quarter of 2024, when it would likely shift to rate cuts.

“Declining inflation should keep BSP on the sidelines until then. The risks are tilted to a delayed start to the rate cut cycle given inflation volatility and our expectation for the US Fed to start cutting only in Q3 2024,” it said.

Meanwhile, most Asian markets fell Thursday as investors took a breather and cashed in on a recent rally, though analysts said the outlook was bright, even as data pointed to a soft landing

New projects helped boost Visla Land’s nine-month profit by 18%

By Jenniffer B. Austria VISTA Land & Lifescapes Inc. of the Villar Group said Thursday it posted a net income of P8.2 billion in the first nine months of 2023, up 70 percent year-on-year on aggressive project launches.

Vista Land said in a disclosure to the stock exchange nine-month consolidated revenues climbed 18 percent to P27.4 billion from a year ago.

Real estate revenue returned to double-digit growth of 17 percent to P12.2 billion, while rental income went up 15.7 percent to P11.8 billion in the period ending Sept. 30, 2023.

“We are delighted with our results, as we remain optimistic with the industry for the rest of the year with the strong GDP growth of 5.9 percent coupled with sustained growth in OF remittance and revenge spending from consumers, all of which contributed to the positive performance of the group,” Vista Land chairman Manuel Villar said.

Vista Land launched 27 projects with an estimated project value of about P40 billion from January to September this year. As a result, reservation sales grew 10 percent to P53.1 billion “With the holiday season approaching, we eagerly anticipate welcoming an increased number of customers to our commercial centers as well as our

overseas Filipinos coming home during the holidays which bodes well for our residential sales. As we move forward, our aim is to maximize our existing resources specifically our land as we remain committed to our mission of building communities across the Philippines that stand the test of time,” Villar said.

Vista Land president and chief executive Manuel Paolo Villar said demand for residential developments remained robust as the company con-

EARNING the trust of Filipino consumers is a challenge that requires a nuanced and dedicated approach, especially in today’s fast-paced realm of digital financial technologies.

Starpay, a financial technology company, adeptly navigates this challenge through a blend of perseverance and personalized service.

Starpay product and marketing head Ryan Uy provided Manila Standard insights into their trust-building strategy, emphasizing the ongoing nature of this process.

He said this is a continuous trial and interaction with customers with the goal of being able to retain them even beyond the trial period.

Uy said central to their strategy is a commitment to being present and available during crucial customer interac-

increased foot traffic exceeding pre pandemic levels.

“Our strategic approach to maximizing prime land is actively underway, with the continuous launch of Vista Estates nationwide. Currently, our land bank spans over 3,085 hectares and is strategically located across the country,” Villar said.

Vista Land spent P21.3 billion for capital expenditures in the nine-month period, directed mainly towards construction and land development.

NEW KFC STORE.

KFC opens a new branch on Holy Spirit Drive in Don Antonio Heights, Quezon City. Leading the store opening are (from left) KFC Philippines North Luzon operations manager Gina Domingo, KFC Philippines operations director Linda Jalandoni, YUM! Brands chief development officer Justin Morely, KFC Philippines general manager Jojo Marcelo, YUM! brands development director Shuwei Quek, YUM! brands development manager Nizam Nasir and KFC Philippines vice president for business development Jun Cruz.

Fintech firm Starpay focuses on building trust as its customer base expands to 7m

By Peter Paul Duran

tinued to enhance its residential business by offering more vertical and upscale projects.

He noted the strong interest in residential projects from overseas Filipino buyers who constituted about 60 percent of the company’s total sales.

The group’s leasing business is also maintaining its growth trajectory with a leasing portfolio of over 1.6 million square meters of gross floor area across 45 malls, 56 commercial centers and seven office buildings that experienced

tions. Whether setting up a new service or addressing inquiries, Starpay ensures that their team is on standby.

Uy recalls numerous on-site activations in the countryside, highlighting the importance of patience and genuine care for people’s learning processes, a pivotal factor in Starpay’s ascent to 7 million users.

While others might start packing up as early as 3 p.m., Uy said Starpay employees stay to address the needs of remaining customers, underscoring their dedication.

This commitment plays a crucial role in establishing confidence among users, particularly during the educational phase.

Educating users about Starpay’s features and benefits is also a key aspect of their approach. “You have to explain all that even in a short time because they are trying you out,” Uy said.

MENTAL WELLNESS. PhilCare, a health maintenance organization, and the Taguig City government sign a partnership for Mindscapes—the mental health service arm of PhilCare which helps companies develop customizable, tech-enabled programs to support employees in their mental wellness journey. Sealing the partnership are (from left) PhilCare executive vice president Raymond Tiangco, PhilCare president and chief executive Jaeger Tanco, Taguig Mayor Maria Laarni Lopez Cayetano and Taguig human resources management office head Jeanette Clemente.

for the world’s top economy.

Figures released Tuesday showing a slower-than-expected rise in the US October consumer price index lit a fire under global equities, cementing traders’ views that the Federal Reserve would no longer need to hike interest rates and even fueling talk of cuts next year.

Hopes for a further slowing in inflation were boosted the next day by figures showing producer prices had also come in below forecasts.

However, a slightly above-estimate print on retail sales growth tempered the mood, even as it marked a sharp drop from the previous month.

The readings allowed dealers to step back and take a pause from their recent buying, leaving Wall Street’s three main indexes only slightly higher, and pushing Asian stocks lower on Thursday.

Hong Kong, which jumped almost four percent the day before, led losses as it gave up one percent, while Tokyo, Shanghai, Sydney, Wellington, Bangkok and Jakarta were also in the red.

London and Paris fell at the open, though Frankfurt edged up.

Singapore, Seoul, Taipei, Manila and Mumbai also eked out gains.

Still, observers said the pullback was not unusual and remained upbeat heading into the new year. With AFP

PCSO posted P1.23-b sales in two weeks THE Philippine Charity Sweepstakes Office (PCSO) said Wednesday it earned P1.23 billion in sales for a two-week period from Nov. 1 to 14, representing an average of P87.6 million a day.

It said that in the same period, the agency reached a significant milestone as the sales of lottery tickets reached P104.87 million on Nov, 1, the highest daily sales recorded since the PCSO migrated to the Philippine Lottery System (PLS) on Oct. 1 this year.

PCSO general manager Melquiades Robles expressed gratitude to the public for continuing to support and participate in PCSO-sanctioned games particularly the lottery games.

He said the huge sales would not have been possible without the people’s enduring trust and loyalty.

“We are delighted that more people are patronizing our games. It only proves that the public fully trusts the PCSO even as we continue to innovate and make our games more transparent and credible,” Robles said.

PCSO’s migration to state-of-the -art PLS resulted in vastly improved efficiency and transparency as it centralizes sales reports, enables realtime identification of lotto winners, and provides more accessible ticket validation.

PCSO set the starting jackpot prize of all its jackpot bearing games to the P89 million on Oct. 30 to mark its 89th anniversary, dubbed as ‘Anniversaregalo,’ a way of giving back to lotto patrons.

“We continue to explore more ways to make our gaming products enticing, making them even more accessible and convenient to everyone. The agency seeks opportunities to expand its reach and prioritize customer satisfaction,” Robles said.

He said transparency, integrity and responsibility are the core principles of PCSO, which help maintain Filipino people’s trust and confidence.

The funds from lotto sales enable the PCSO to implement various initiatives that benefit communities, such as medical assistance, health programs, education, disaster relief, and other charitable endeavors.

Meanwhile, Robles expressed confidence the PCSO would exceed its revenue target this year. Based on third-quarter data, the PCSO’s revenue sales reached P44.9 billion, rapidly approaching the target annual sale of 53.25 billion.

BUSINESS

B4

FRIDAY, NOVEMBER 17, 2023

extrastory2000@gmail.com RODERICK T. DELA CRUZ, Editor ALENA MAE S. FLORES, Asst. Editor

BSP keeps interest rate steady Meralco, US firm on easing inflation, faster growth to explore micro modular reactors

By Alena Mae S. Flores MANILA Electric Co. (Meralco) and US-based Ultra Safe Nuclear Corp. (USNC) signed on Thursday a cooperative agreement to study the potential deployment of one or more fourth-generation gas-cooled micromodular reactor (MMR) energy systems in the Philippines.

The agreement builds on the partnership the two companies announced in August.

“USNC is changing the nuclear safety and energy security conversations in the Philippines with these micromodular reactors. This agreement moves us forward with a partner who understands these important issues alongside the essential nature of the cost and reliability of the electricity supply,” Meralco chairman and chief executive Manuel Pangilinan said in a statement.

Pangilinan was represented by Meralco executive vice president and chief operating officer Ronnie Aperocho who signed the agreement together with USNC founder and chief executive Francesco Venneriat at the sidelines of the 30th AsiaPacific Economic Cooperation (APEC) Leaders’ Summit.

President Ferdinand Marcos Jr. witnessed the signing of the agreement.

“This also signifies the commitment of Meralco to explore and utilize diverse energy sources for the benefit of Filipinos. Nuclear technology should be able to help us meet our country’s growing demand for energy, achieve energy independence, and transition towards a sustainable energy future,” Pangilinan said.

USNC will conduct a four-month pre-feasibility study to familiarize Meralco with MMR systems and how these can be effectively utilized.

By Julito G. Rada

T

HE Bangko Sentral ng Pilipinas (BSP) kept the overnight borrowing rate steady at 6.5 percent amid the slowdown in inflation in October and the stronger gross domestic product expansion in the third quarter.

The BSP, however, remained hawkish, saying it might resume monetary policy tightening if needed to make sure inflation remains within the target range.

BSP Deputy Governor Francisco Dakila Jr., who read the statement of

board chairman and BSP Governor Eli Remolona who is in the US for the Philippine Economic Briefing in San Francisco, said the interest rates on the overnight deposit and lending facilities were maintained at 6.0 percent and 7.0 percent, respectively.

“The latest projections indicate that the inflation outlook has moderated over the policy horizon. The risk-adjusted inflation forecasts remain above the target for 2024 at 4.4 percent [from 4.7 percent in the previous meeting in October] and within the target for 2025 at 3.4 percent [from 3.5 percent],” Dakila said.

He said the BSP survey of external forecasters showed that inflation expectations for 2024 rose above the target range in the October 2023 survey and declined to the upper bound of the target in the November survey, while remaining anchored for 2025.

Diokno cites proactive steps to curb inflation

PAGCOR’S REMITTANCE. Philippine Amusement and Gaming Corp. president and chief operating officer Juanito Sanosa (third from left) hands over to Deputy Treasurer Eduardo Anthony Marino a check for P5 billion representing the state gaming firm’s latest remittance for dividend year 2022 during a simple turnover ceremony at the PAGCOR Executive Office in Manila. With them are (from left) PAGCOR board secretary and assistant vice president Ma. Corazon de Leon, PAGCOR fund management department assistant vice president Lolita Gonzales and Bureau of the Treasury officer-in-charge director Maura Lizza Espina.

Foreign tourism receipts jumped 190% to $7b in 10 months—DOT

By Othel V. Campos INTERNATIONAL tourism receipts jumped 190 percent in the first 10 months of 2023 to $7 billion from $2.47 billion in the same period in 2022, the Department of Tourism (DOT) said Thursday.

Tourism Secretary Christina Frasco announced this as she joined the economic team of President Ferdinand R. Marcos Jr. at the 2023 Philippine Economic Briefing (PEB) on Wednesday at

Supply-side inflation pressures continued to ease due in part to the national government’s non-monetary interventions as well as seasonal factors, he said.

Dakila said the balance of risks to the inflation outlook still leaned significantly toward the upside, notwithstanding the recent improvement in food supply conditions. Key upside risks are associated with the potential impact of higher transport charges, electricity rates, and international oil prices, as well as of higher-thanexpected minimum wage adjustments in areas outside the National Capital Region.

the Ritz-Carlton Hotel in San Francisco, California.

“We have received over 4.63 million international visitors which constitutes 96 percent of our entire year’s target, contributing over $7 billion to our economy,” Frasco said.

She said the country’s economic managers agreed that tourism is the second top economic driver for the Philippines in the first half of 2023.

Tourism contributed 6.2 percent to

the gross domestic product (GDP) in 2022. More than 2.65 million foreign visitors arrived in the country, while 102 million domestic trips were also recorded last year.

This improved employment in the tourism sector, ending the year with 5.35 million individuals employed in tourism industries.

Frasco, during the panel discussion, said the goal of transforming the Philippines into a tourism powerhouse in Asia

LENDING PLATFORM. WeFund Lending Corp., owner of the JuanHand lending app, signs a loan channeling agreement with SeaBank Philippines Inc. (A Rural Bank) to provide around P300 million of loan capital to eligible borrowers. Signing the agreement are (from left) JuanHand chief executive Francisco Mauricio, JuanHand head of international business Yining Xu, SeaBank head of operations Siew Ghee Kung Lim and SeaBank chief finance officer Elmer Herradura.

contributed to economic recovery.

She said the development of tourism infrastructure also received priority.

“We’ve engaged in a collaboration with the Department of Public Works and Highways (DPWH) for the purpose of continuing the tourism road infrastructure program, and as a result of that, over 158 kilometers of tourism roads have been constructed or rehabilitated this year, with more to come in 2024 and in succeeding years,” she said.

The DOT said it is collaborating with the Department of Transportation (DOTr) not only for hard infrastructure investments but also for soft infrastructure or human capital development.

Frasco said the “Filipinization” of the country’s airports and seaports, starting with the enhancement of the Terminal 2 at the Ninoy Aquino International Airport (NAIA), is among the priorities of the DOT. The DOT trained over 111,000 frontline tourism workers in airports and seaports in the Filipino Brand of Service Excellence and built more tourist rest areas (TRA) in strategic locations across the country.

Frasco said the agency plans to enhance the overall tourist experience by adding 18 more TRAs on top of the initial 10 that were already functioning.

FINANCE Secretary Benjamin Diokno said the government’s proactive steps enabled the Philippines to withstand the impact of elevated inflation which started when Russia invaded Ukraine early last year.

Diokno, in a presentation during the 30th Asia-Pacific Economic Cooperation (APEC) Finance Ministers’ Meeting in San Francisco, California from Nov. 12 to 13, 2023, discussed how the RussianUkraine war disrupted supply chains and caused supply shortages that led to elevated levels of inflation globally.

He said the Philippines took proactive steps through its InterAgency Committee on Inflation and Market Outlook (IAC-IMO) by introducing a package of comprehensive measures to effectively mitigate inflation across several fronts.

The IAC-IMO serves as an advisory body to the Economic Development Group (EDG) on measures to mitigate both food and non-food inflation as well as ensure food and energy security while balancing the interests of producers, consumers and the economy.

Latest data showed that inflation in October eased to a three-month low of 4.9 percent from 6.1 percent in September.

Diokno also said the government was committed to exercising fiscal discipline through the Philippines’ first-ever Medium-Term Fiscal Framework (MTFF) to promote fiscal sustainability, reducing the fiscal deficit while enabling economic growth and avoiding adding up to inflationary pressures.

He said the Philippine government was collaborating with financial institutions such as the Asian Development Bank (ADB) and the World Bank (WB) to scale up sustainable finance in the country.

The APEC Finance Ministers’ Meeting is an annual forum where APEC member economies address regional macroeconomic and financial issues and policy priorities. United States Secretary of the Treasury Janet Yellen chaired this year’s meeting. Julito G. Rada

Gov’t set to launch tokenized Treasury bonds on Monday THE Bureau of the Treasury (BTr) said it will launch on Monday the country’s maiden offering of pesodenominated Tokenized Treasury Bonds (TTBs) to raise at least P10 billion from the domestic market.

TTBs are one-year fixed-rate government securities that pay semi-annual coupons, which will be offered to qualified institutional buyers (QIBs) on Nov. 20, 2023, with the issue date scheduled on Nov. 22.

It said the first TTBs would be made available to eligible investors in minimum denominations of P10 million and in increments of P1 million thereafter, similar to conventional government securities

offers.

The BTr said it would issue the bonds in the form of digital tokens, which would be maintained in the BTr’s Distributed Ledger Technology (DLT) Registry.

The BTr said it would implement a dual registry structure, with the DLT Registry running in parallel with the National Registry of Scripless Securities (NRoSS) which would serve as the primary registry.

“As part of the Government Securities Digitalization Roadmap, the maiden issuance of TTBs aims to provide the proof of concept for the wider use of DLT in the government bond market. This proof of concept will serve as the starting

point of the NG’s broader agenda of democratizing investment through digital technology, significantly reducing settlement risk and friction costs, ultimately leading to a financially inclusive local bond market,” the BTr said.

It said the bookbuilding exercise for the TTBs would commence at 9 a.m.

Nov 20. It asked QIBs to submit bids no later than 12:30 on the same day.

QIBs are asked to submit firm commitment letters to the issue managers including Land Bank of the Philippines and Development Bank of the Philippines (DBP). The BTr said it would issue the notice of awards not later than 2 p.m. of the same day.

FINANCIAL EDUCATION. Land Bank of the Philippines and the Overseas Filipinos Bank will hold a series of free financial education seminars for about 180,000 Filipinos living and working in Italy and Switzerland in line with the government’s push for greater financial inclusion. Attending the signing of the agreement are (from left) LandBank president and chief executive Lynette Ortiz, Philippine Ambassador to Italy Neal Imperial and OFBank president and chief executive Randolph Montesa.

C1

SPORTS

FRIDAY, NOVEMBER 17, 2023

RIERA U. MALLARI, Editor RANDY M. CALUAG, Asst. Editor

Asian Tour regulars toughen PGT cast BOLTS, GIGA FALL. Meralco

and TNT suffered similar fates on the road in the EASL Home and Away season. The Bolts’ tournament debut was spoiled by the Ryukyu Golden Kings, 89-61, in Okinawa, Japan, while over in Taipei, the Tropang Giga failed to hang on and lost to the Taipei Fubon Braves, 106-97, late Wednesday night. Shown here is Meralco’s Chris Newsome attacking the basket.

Kickboxing PH introduces flagship plan pointfighting

By Randy Caluag

T

HE Samahang Kickboxing ng Pilipinas introduced its newest event that will serve as the flagship project of its grassroots program during the ongoing 2023 National Kickboxing Championship at the Tagaytay Combat Sports Center in Tagaytay City.

Aiming to discover more talents and stir kickboxing among young enthusiasts, especially students, pointfighting will become a regular event in all of SKP’s national and regional tournaments.

It will also be the centerpiece event of the Batang Pinoy, the Philippine Sports Commission’s grassroots program dedicated to children and youth athletes.

“It has been a bullet train journey for Pilipinas kickboxing and now we present one of the most interesting events in the sport. Pointfighting (is) purely speed and technique that parents (would) approve. A sport for your young ones and good for the seniors as well,” said Roselyn Hung, national team coach and tournament director of the national tournament.

Pointfighting is a light contact kickboxing category that puts emphasis on techniques, making it less dangerous than other kickboxing categories like lowkick and full contact, where knocking out opponents is part of the objective to win a match.

In pointfighting, actions are halted every clear punch or kick and awarded points right away.

“It’s a very safe sport especially for children. We are hoping that more parents will allow their kids to participate as we work with the PSC in the holding of Batang Pinoy and Philippine National Games,” added Hung.

Several youth athletes from Cebu, Benguet, Laguna and Manila are entered in some pointfighting Athletes prepare to engage during a pointfighting match at the events’ elimination round on Thursday.

2023 National Kickboxing Championship in Tagaytay City.

College of St. Benilde, Letran blast foes NCAA bets College of St. Benilde and Letran met little to no resistance against different rivals to remain undefeated in the Philippine National Volleyball Federation Challenge Cup on Thursday at the Rizal Memorial Coliseum in Manila.

The Lady Blazers rolled past the Volida Volleyball Club, 25-12, 25-12, 25-18, in only 65 minutes of play, while the Lady Knights decked Arellano University, 25-21, 25-10, 2520, in 83 minutes.

St. Benilde, which took care their first two assignments with ease against Parañaque, 25-6, 25-20, 25-17, and UP Volleyball Club, 25-20, 25-18, 25-10, zoomed to a 3-0 record in Pool A. In Pool C, Letran moved to 2-0 after previously handling Rizal Technological University-Basilan, 25-22, 25-11, 2225, 25-13.

RTU-Basilan was quick to shrug off that loss by routing University of Batangas, 25-19, 25-20, 25-15, for its breakthrough win in Pool C of the 16-team women’s division of the tournament supported by the Philippine Sports Commission, headed by chairman Richard Bachmann, PLDT, Rebisco, Natalie Marie Estreller of Letran tries to crush Arellano’s net deAkari, Foton and CBPI. Arellano slid to 1-1 while the University of Batangas stayed fense with a spike during PNVF Challenge Cup action on Thursday winless in two matches in Pool C. The Volida Volleyball Club at the Rizal Memorial Sports Coliseum.

Davao and LPU-Batangas slid to similar 0-2 slates in their also tripped to its second straight loss in Pool A. In other games, Jose Rizal University scored 25-19, 25-16, respective pools of the Challenge Cup by the PNVF, headed by 25-21 win over Davao City for a flying start in Pool B while La Ramon “Tats” Suzara, with also a 20-team men’s division curSalle-Dasma thwarted Lyceum of the Philippines University- rently paced by fancied bets National U, Cignal, PGJC and University of Santo Tomas.

Batangas, 25-20, 25-18, 25-15 for a 1-2 card in Pool D.

Sato, Dennis Villanueva and Patrick Deyto from the old Global FC team.

As the Azkals wrapped up their final scrimmage before their opening game in the FIFA World Cup2026/ AFC Asian Cup 2027 Preliminary Joint Qualifiers, their opponents, the highly-favored Vietnam team, made its way to the pitch.

There were some token smiles, but that was it. No small talks. No good to see you again sort of vibes. Just business.

The Azkals knew how important the opening game was and seeing the highly-fancied Vietnamese side somehow made it even tougher to entertain a good result, which we will know by the time this piece gets printed or posted on the online version of the Manila Standard.

And who can fault the Azkals amid the daunting task of beating Vietnam? The Philippines has not beaten the regional powerhouse in their last five games. The most recent was a 1-0 win by Vietnam in a December friendly last year, not to mention earlier pronouncements by the visitors that they are coming to Manila to gain the full three points

The Designated Kit Man Erel Cabatbat

Miracle in Manila?

AFTER their practice last Wednesday night, the mood in the Philippine Azkals’ camp is somewhat subdued – their calm demeanor probably hid whatever apprehensions they have against a formidable opponent. Somewhere, however, there is a positive vibe among the players after an hour of practice at the Rizal Memorial Stadium. Saw again several familiar faces that had been on the team since The Designated Kit Man started covering them on a regular basis. And some old friends, too, like Daisuke

MIGUEL Tabuena, Justin Quiban, Angelo Que and Lloyd Go take advantage of a brief break before the Asian Tour concludes in Chinese Taipei, firming up the already formidable field in the ICTSI The Country Club Match Play Invitational unfolding Nov. 21 at TCC in Laguna.

The region’s premier Tour regulars will be coming into the head-tohead clashes in top form, having competed in a series of tournaments in various cha mpionship courses abroad with Ta b u e n a Miguel Tabuena looming as one of the marked players in the P2 million championship given his impressive form.

The two-time Philippine Open champion had two Top 6 finishes in the last four Asian Tour events but it was his victory in the DGC Open in India last March that fueled his rise to No. 2 in the Asian Tour Order of Merit ranking.

While Que, Quiban and Go haven’t achieved finishes higher than 17th in the same stretch, they remain confident in delivering solid performances in what has become the Philippine Golf Tour’s season-ending tournament which features the Top 32 players in the OOM ranking after the 10-leg circuit.

Jhonnel Ababa heads the stellar cast, having earned P1.5 million for victories at Villamor-Philippine Masters and Mimosa to secure his first OOM trophy.

Inaugural champion and four-time OOM winner Tony Lascuña, who topped the Caliraya Springs leg, finished second with P1.325 million in winnings followed

by Valley stop champion and No. 4 Reymon Jaraula, who pooled P1.064 million in earnings.

ASICS Rock N’ Roll Series ready for grand Manila comeback IN AN exciting celebration of night rac- atmosphere for both participants and ing, the ASICS Rock ‘n’ Roll Series pre- spectators. sented by AIA Vitality has drawn 9,400 As the series held across various counparticipants 10 days before the second tries, the ASICS Rock n’ Roll Series caedition is held Nov. 26 at the Rizal Park. ters to performance, recreation, lifestyle With health restrictions lifted, organiz- and budding runners. The event also ers anticipate a grand reprise this year, holds prestige on the world stage, receivaligning the world’s largest running series, ing official certification and measurewhich combines running, music and com- ment from World Athletics and the Asmunity, with the capital city’s 451st found- sociation of International Marathons and ing anniversary celebrations.

Distance Races.

The IRONMAN Group/Sunrise Events, Inc. initiated the event’s return early in the season, aiming to build awareness and ensure a record turnout. The series, which infuses the course with live bands, cheer teams and entertaining water stations, promises a virtual block-party Participants answer the starting gun.

as Group F action in the second round of qualifiers begins.

For Coach Hans Michael Weiss, the ball is round, anything can happen in a football game, and yes, hope is always there.

“I’m very happy with the performance of the team in the last three days. We put more intensity despite the training being short. Everybody is training very hard and is pushing in the same direction.

We are very positive,” Weiss said.

He likewise maintained that despite many high-profile Azkals missing a day before the big game against Vietnam and the unrelenting criticisms over the team’s lineup, he liked what he was seeing in his squad.

“They don’t know what’s going on inside (the team) and we do the things that we can do. What we have is already very good. We want young players. We have players that can be stronger in the future. We want that and we are working on it,” he explained.

While the odds are stacked against the Azkals, Weiss said the team will definitely give a strong performance against Vietnam. He is also excited to see a packed Rizal Memorial Stadium after the Philippine Football Federation called on at least 10,000

fans to watch the game.

“It is going to be very, very nice to see a full stadium for the first time after several years. We will be very happy too to see thousands of Azkals fans back to watch us live. And for those who will watch the game on TV or on livestream, please cross your fingers and say a prayer for the team because we will put on a good game,” he added.

Even Dan Palami, Azkals’ Team Manager, shares Weiss’ optimism. He is also aware of the significance of the game for a team that is seeking to be more relevant and to be on the winning side on the scoreline.

“It is really important and the players know that.

The coaching staff knows that. The management knows that, too. We are going into that and the spirit of the team is very vibrant,” Palami said.

When asked about his team’s chances, Palami had this to say: “We always have a fighting chance.

We have done our homework. The team will create chances. I think we could surprise them.”

Stay safe. Stay happy peeps!

For comments or questions, you can reach The Designated Kit Man at erel_cabatbat@yahoo.com

Manila

Standard

TODAY

Manila

Standard

TODAY

(MS-NOV. 10/17/24, 2023)

C4

LIFE

FRIDAY, NOVEMBER 17, 2023

lifeandshow.manilastandard@gmail.com NICKIE WANG, Editor ANGELICA VILLANUEVA, Writer

Winning the Task Tetris How bundling items in your to-do list leads to efficiency Random Talk Kate Adajar

HILE I find cleaning the bathroom or the kitchen therapeutic half the time, there are just those days I would need to drag myself to get the task done. The concept of linking habits I learned from James Clear’s Atomic Habits inspired me to bundle tasks as well, with main focus on the ones I dread the most.

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In the chaos of our modern lives, juggling responsibilities is an everyday feat. I’ve stumbled upon a game-changing strategy that The sense of has not only brought a sense of order to my daily routine but has also injected a dose of fun accomplishment into the mundane - the art of bundling tasks for derived from efficiency. completing multiple Time and again, I have succumbed to my feelings of being overwhelmed that constantly tasks in one go creates led to procrastination and other things. Instead a positive feedback of going on a downward spiral, I took on a personal quest to transform my chores into a loop. game of efficiency, very much like the popular mobile game Tetris.

First, the key to successful task bundling complements the strengths of the others. My is identifying compatible activities. It’s like favorite example is folding laundry becoming assembling a dream team where each member fun as I try to catch up on my favorite podcasts’

James Clear shares in his book, ‘Atomic Habits’, how to bundle tasks successfully

newest episodes. As I fold each piece of clothing, I’m not just organizing my clothes but I’m immersing myself in a world of storytelling and knowledge-sharing. It’s a win-win situation that suddenly turns seemingly mundane.

As I delved deeper into the art of bundling, I realized that this strategy extends beyond mere time-saving. The activity fosters creativity.

Writing emails while on the treadmill or brainstorming ideas during a brisk walk not only elevates my heart rate but also sparks fresh perspectives. The physical activity fuels my mental prowess, turning a routine exercise into a brainstorming session on the go.

Moreover, the ripple effects of bundling tasks extend beyond the immediate efficiency gains. The sense of accomplishment derived from completing multiple tasks in one go creates a positive feedback loop. Suddenly, the satisfaction of ticking items off my to-do list

Jewelry brand embraces new era with fresh collection

By Angelica Villanueva LOCAL silver jewelry brand SilverWorks celebrated its 33rd anniversary by officially introducing the GenSW to the public during its three-day grand celebration from November 3 to 5 at the Trinoma Cinema Lobby.

The event allowed customers to shop, get piercings, and have their jewelry personalized.

For more than three decades, SilverWorks has been catering to generations of fashion mavericks and life celebrators with its pieces of silver jewelry.

Silverworks is now embracing a new era with a comeback that signifies a significant shift – one that underscores its importance by connecting generations, both young and old, through timeless

style expression.

Through GenSW, it put together the style of the past and the sensibilities of the present, to etch a statement that reverberates into the future.

Recently, SilverWorks paid homage to its past campaigns acknowledging its success with its latest line of jewelry pieces – the Retro Collection.

“The pieces came straight from our treasure trove of quirky statement jewelry.

While they may have come from decades ago, they’re certainly not from a bygone era. The trend is back and forth, and popular styles from the past are making a comeback to the present. It won’t be surprising that we see them shaping the future,” shared Louie Gutierrez, CEO of Silverworks.

Gutierrez also explained why the brand had decided to come up with

Top media network, financial institution secure PH’s win at Cannes’ anti-scam campaign SilverWorks celebrates its 33rd year by introducing GenSW catering to fashion mavericks and life celebrators

GenSW emphasizing the important roles of the youth in society.

“Today’s generation is all about standing up for something you believe in—causes that serve the greater good.

Playing safe won’t cut it anymore; one must stand and speak up to stand out. As they fight for something they believe in, having fun and celebrating their youth is still important,” he shared.

Beyond the finish line Run Ortigas 2023 draws runners and furry friends for a day of fitness and fun

Over 1,500 runners bring their furry friends to join Run Ortigas 2023

OVER 1,500 runners and their furry friends filled the streets with energy and enthusiasm as the second annual Run Ortigas 2023 kicked off. Organized by Ortigas Land in partnership with Runrio, the premier race organizer in the Philippines, the event brought together people of all ages and fitness levels from the Ortigas Community to enjoy a day of running, fitness, and tailwagging fun.

The participants showed their speed and stamina on the asphalt with the top three finishers in each category making their mark on the racecourse.

becomes a source of motivation, empowering me to tackle even more with enthusiasm.

Of course, the art of bundling tasks requires a delicate balance. Not all activities are compatible. It’s about finding the sweet spot where tasks seamlessly merge without compromising the quality of each endeavor.

The journey into the world of bundling tasks for efficiency has not only revolutionized my approach to daily chores but has also injected a sense of playfulness into the most routine aspects of life. It’s a personal game of task Tetris, where each piece falls into place with precision, creating a boost in productivity and joy.

So, the next time you find yourself drowning in responsibilities or with a heavy heart, consider bundling tasks. It’s not just a strategy but a wellbeing game that transforms the mundane into a masterpiece of efficiency.

The winners of the 10K category are Jackson Chirchir and Joida Gagnao, while the winners of the 5K category are Ritchie Estampador and Jennelyn Isibido. Furry friends Ratos and Moose are the winners of the 1K category, accompanied by their owners Enrico Lorenzo Burgos and Kim Mangrobang, respectively.

The winners of the run expressed their gratitude for being part of the event, praising the challenging route, the fun atmosphere, and the opportunity to run with passionate racers and their pets.

The event also had a strong online presence, with participants and spectators sharing their experiences on social media.

Run Ortigas 2023, in its second edition, continues to inspire and engage. The event, an awardee of the Gold Stevie for Art, Entertainment & Public - Public Event in 2022, goes beyond the conventional race experience. This year’s route through Ortigas East allowed participants to experience the sights and sounds of the city while discovering the premier property developer’s dedication to creating spaces for life.

The event was a testament to the success and positive impact of Ortigas Land’s efforts to promote fitness and community engagement through its events and projects. The event also demonstrated the company’s vision of building for life, creating a memorable and meaningful experience for the runners and their families.

Meanwhile, immerse yourself in the festive spirit of Ortigas East with the Christmas Street Light Musical Tunnel at Central Avenue along Tiendesitas. The award-winning lights and sound show runs every 30 minutes from 6:00 p.m. to 10:00 p.m. until January 7. Indulge in culinary delights at the StrEAT Food Night Market, where you can enjoy delicious and affordable food from various stalls and food trucks.

THE Bank of the Philippine Islands (BPI) and GMA Network, Inc. (GMA) made history as the sole Philippine awardee in this year’s Cannes Corporate Media & TV Awards.

The “Maging Listo, Huwag Magpaloko” (Be Vigilant, Don´t Be Deceived) anti-scam advocacy was recognized as a Finalist in the category A3–Informational Films and Explanatory Videos of the 14th edition of the awards for 2023 recently held in Cannes, France.

“We are delighted that our anti-scam campaign has been recognized as world-class.

BPI is committed to raising more awareness about the importance of cybersecurity, and this recognition will only inspire us to strengthen our efforts to communicate key messages that help build a better Philippines,” said Cathy Santamaria, BPI Chief Customer and Marketing Officer.

“It is a great honor to be among the best creative works across the globe,” said

Angela Javier Cruz, GMA Network’s Vice President and Head for Corporate Affairs and Communications.

“This recognition mirrors BPI’s extensive research, GMA NMI’s creative storytelling, and the craft of our incredible Sparkle artists. We are committed to equipping Filipinos with trusted information through exceptional narratives—and this is only the beginning of more advocacy work from our corner in the world.”

In May 2023, BPI, the first bank in the Philippines in Southeast Asia, partnered with GMA, the country’s largest media organization, and its digital media and technology arm, GMA NMI, to launch a series of cybersecurity videos. The goal was to raise awareness about online scams and social engineering schemes.

The videos feature relatable characters and reallife instances of scams, emphasizing the importance of vigilance and protection from deception.

From left: BPI Enterprise Information Security Officer and Data Protection Officer Jonathan John B. Paz, BPI Chief Customer and Marketing Officer Catherine P. Santamaria, and GMA Network’s Vice President and Head for Corporate Affairs and Communications Angela Javier Cruz