Manila Standard - 2023 November 21 - Tuesday

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MANIBELA TO JOIN PISTON’S TRANSPORT STRIKE, LTFRB DOWNPLAYS EFFECT

By Rio N. Araja, Joel E. Zurbano, and Maricel V. Cruz MANIBELA, another major transport group, said it is joining the three-day strike launched Monday

by Piston (Pinagkaisang Samahan ng mga Tsuper at Operators Nationwide) to protest the government public utility vehicle (PUV) modernization program that seeks to replace old dieselburning jeepneys with modern units with lower carbon emissions.

Manibela chairman Mar Valbuena said his group sent members to three Piston strike centers in Monumento in Caloocan City, San Andres Bukid in Manila, and Marikina City to join the protest.

Piston, which touts around 120,000 members, began its strike Monday, with several members gathered along EDSA Avenue in Caloocan City as early as 5 a.m. before marching to Monumento.

Moody Floranda, Piston president, said he believes the PUV modernization program would remove all jeepneys from the road.

While some of the drivers made a few rounds before taking part in the strike, others did not, saying the strike was for their own good because

STRIKE DAY ONE. Commuters jostle with each other to board a jeepney along JP Rizal cor. Marcos Highway in Pasig City on Monday on the first day of the threeday strike held by transport group Piston, whose members held pocket protests in Caloocan, Pasig, Taguig, Marikina, and Makati cities. Manny Palmero they could not afford the high price of a modern jeepney that could cost about P2.5 million.

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VOL. XXXVII • NO. 279 • 3 SECTIONS 12 PAGES • P20 • TUESDAY, NOVEMBER 21, 2023

Marcos slams Chinese ‘threats’ Says China Coast Guard actions making WPS ‘more dire than before’

By Charles Dantes

A

DAY after meeting with China’s President Xi Jinping, President Marcos on Sunday (Monday in Manila) slammed “persistent, unlawful threats” by the Chinese Coast Guard in the Philippines’ exclusive economic zone, which he said were making the situation in the West Philippine Sea “more dire than it was before.”

BACK HOME FROM HAWAII.

“Tensions in the West Philippine Sea are growing, with persistent unlawful threats and challenges against Philippine sovereign rights and jurisdiction over our exclusive economic zone and the continental shelf, actions that violate obligations under international law,” Mr. Marcos said at the Daniel K. Inouye Asia-Pacific Center for Security Studies in Hawaii on the last day of his US visit.

The President told attendees at a roundtable briefing that China’s “coercive tactics and dangerous maneuvers” against the Philippines’ routine resupply missions to the Ayungin Shoal put people’s lives at risk and challenged the rule of law.

President Marcos delivers his speech Monday night after arriving at Villamor Air Force Base in Pasay City from his six-day official visit to the US to attend the APEC Summit.

Before leaving Hawaii, the President Marcos visited the barge of the US IndoPacific Command with First Lady Lisa AranetaMarcos, Speaker Martin Romualdez, and other US and Philippine officials (inset). PCO Photos

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Quake toll now President nets $672m investment pledges from 6-day APEC US trip at 9, could rise further—gov’t ‘VP doesn’t deserve impeach bid’

By Charles Dantes and Maricel V. Cruz

he secured $672 million (about P37.18 billion) in investment pledges while participating in the 30th Asia-Pacific PRESIDENT Marcos arrived Monday Economic Cooperation (APEC) Sumnight from a six-day US trip in which mit and related activities.

“Altogether, we return to the Philip“In the APEC Leaders’ Meeting, I pines with more or less $670 million in pushed for our priorities in clean, reinvestment pledges that have the potential newable, accessible energy, food and to create thousands of jobs for Filipinos,” health systems, and digital inclusions of the President said in his arrival statement.

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By Rio N. Araja and Macon Ramos-Araneta

THE number of people killed in a powerful quake off Mindanao rose to nine, the national disaster agency said Monday, warning the toll could increase further.

People fled into the streets or hid under tables when the 6.8-magnitude quake struck Sarangani on Friday, causing buildings to shake and part of a ceiling inside a shopping mall to collapse.

At least 15 people were injured, and more than 800 houses damaged or Next page

By Charles Dantes

READING THE ROADS. Vice President Sara Duterte (center) gets help reading the traffic situation from Metro Manila Development Authority Chairman Romando Artes (left) as LTFRB Chairman Teofilo Guadiz (right) observes the roads from the MMDA Metrobase in Makati on the first day of the nationwide transport strike on Monday. Manny Palmero

Pinoys on board ship in Red Sea seized by Huthis YEMEN’S Iran-backed Huthi rebels said they had seized in the Red Sea a ship owned by an Israeli businessman with 25 people on board—including Filipino crew members—and rerouted it to Yemen’s coast.

The Bahamas-flagged Galaxy Leader is operated by Japanese firm, Nippon Yusen K.K., prompting Tokyo to intervene and “directly” approach the rebels.

Nippon Yusen has set up an emer-

gency task force at its headquarters in Tokyo.

“We are handling the situation with the safety of crew members as the top priority,” the company said.

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VICE President Sara Duterte does not deserve to be impeached over her office’s requests for confidential funds, President Marcos said in an interview in Hawaii on Monday (Manila time).

“We don’t want her to—she does not deserve to be impeached. So, we will make sure that this is something that we will pay very close attention to,” Mr. Marcos said.

The President said calls for the im-

peachment of high-ranking officials are not new, especially if there are people who seek to change the results of an election.

“I guess a continuing evolution of that thinking is that for as long as we do not like that person elected, we can remove that person, we can impeach that person. There must be a reason other than just because they don’t like that person. That’s not a reason to be impeached,” he added.

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DA, GOVERNORS WORKING TO HIKE RICE OUTPUT

31 PREMATURE BABIES MOVED FROM GAZA

NEWS / A2

NEWS / A2

NEWS

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TUESDAY, NOVEMBER 21, 2023

mst.daydesk@gmail.com

DA, governors to hike rice output

By Othel V. Campos and Maricel V. Cruz

T

HE Department of Agriculture (DA) is tapping the assistance of the provincial governments in rice producing regions for concerted efforts to attain sufficient and stable supply of rice nationwide.

on Rep. Wilfrido Mark Enverga.

DA Assistant Secretary Arnel de Mesa told legislators that about 95 percent of palay (unhusked rice) has already been harvested “and majority of these harvests were bought from between P20 to 23 per kilogram [from farmers].”

Newly appointed Agriculture Secretary Francisco Laurel said the governors have pledged support to boost supply, bring down importation, and lower prices of the cereal in the markets.

The DA pooled all 10 rice-producing provinces in a consultative meeting on Nov. 16 in San Juan City as a first step towards joint efforts to boost rice production.

“I really appreciate Secretary Kiko’s

(Laurel) effort to touch base with stakeholders,” said Nueva Elijah Gov. Aurelio Umali, whose province is the country’s biggest producer of rice, accounting for nine percent of national production.

“This is the first time that local government units are being given the opportunity to address the concerns of their respective provinces. I believe that this kind of leadership he is starting will benefit not only my province but also the country’s food security,” he added.

Isabela Gov. Rodolfo Albano III said the meeting would foster cooperation among various stakeholders in rice production.

Meanwhile, Camarines Sur Rep. Luis Raymund Villafuerte suggested to give farmers in the top 10 rice producing provinces financial aid of P40,000 per hectare to help realize the government target of rice sold at P20 per kilo -- on the condition that farmers would sell their palay to the government at P9 per kilo.

Villafuerte called it a “game-chang-

ing program” that would achieve the targeted P20 per kilo of rice as enunciated by President Marcos during the election campaign last year.

The DA also hinted at a P41 to P48 per kilo price of rice from its retailers during the holiday season in a briefing conducted by the House Committee on Agriculture and Food chaired by Quez-

President...

From A1

Gaza’s Indonesian Hospital hit, at least 12 dead

MSMEs,” he added.

He also announced that the Philippines will host the 2024 Indo-Pacific Business Forum that will be attended by “a highlevel business delegation formed by US President Joe Biden” that will look at possible investments in the country.

“This is a new feature. There has never been a presidential delegation to the country before,” Mr. Marcos said.

He also hailed the signing of a thecalled 123 Agreement that will enable the Philippines to buy nuclear material, equipment, and technology from the United States.

“This paves the way for streamlining licensing requirements while ensuring the highest safeguards. This will bring us closer to a more energy-secure and green Philippines,” he said.

The Presidential Communication Office said the pledges include $400 million (P22.1 billion) for the telecommunications sector; $250 million (P13.8 billion) for semiconductors and electronics; $20 million (P1.1 billion) in pharmaceutical and health care; $2 million (P110 million) for artificial intelligence (AI) for weather forecasting; and $300,000 (P16.6 million) in renewable energy.

HAMAS says Israel launched deadly strike on Gaza’s Indonesian Hospital.

Gaza’s Hamas-run health ministry said Monday Israeli forces had struck the Indonesian Hospital and killed at least 12 people, including patients, in the north of the war-torn Palestinian territory.

Dozens more were wounded and around 700 people remained trapped inside the “besieged” medical centre, said Ashraf al-Qudra, a spokesman of the ministry which has reported a death toll of more than 13,000 in Gaza.

Israel did not immediately comment but pushed on with its withering air and ground campaign aimed at destroying Hamas over the October 7 attacks it says killed 1,200 people and saw 240 dragged off as hostages.

The latest reported blow to Gaza’s devastated health sector came as hopes rose that 31 premature babies evacuated from another hospital, Al-Shifa, would be taken from a Gaza clinic to safety in Egypt through the Rafah crossing.

Frantic diplomatic efforts were meanwhile underway to seal a deal for the release of some of the hostages.

Mediator Qatar voiced hope on Sunday

Manibela...

From A1 Manibela’s Valbuena said his group and Piston had earlier planned to go on strike, but the latter had its own internal schedule.

Manibela had launched its own transport strike in October, but it fizzled when other major groups did not join it.

Land Transportation Franchising and Regulatory Board (LTFRB) chairman Teofilo Guadiz III said public transportation was normal in most parts of Metro Manila on Monday.

A few areas that were slightly affected by the transport strike were Novaliches and a portion of Commonwealth Avenue in Quezon City, and Pasig City, he said, but the deployment of government-owned vehicles accommodated the affected commuters.

The LTFRB said it is still open to discussing the jeepney operators’ request to extend the validity of their franchise to five years, as long as they consolidate into a cooperative to comply with the PUV modernization program.

Marcos...

From A1 He also noted “rampant illegal, unreported and unregulated fishing and militarization of reclaimed features in the South China Sea.” Moreover, the President said that China has expressed interest in atolls and shoals that are “increasingly close” to the Philippines’ coast, with the nearest atoll being about 60 nautical miles (111 kilometers) away.

“Unfortunately, I cannot report that the situation is improving, the situation has become more dire than it was before,” the President said.

Mr. Marcos reiterated that the Philippines would not yield an inch of its territory amid the territorial dispute with China.

“As I have said before, and I will say again, the Philippines will not give up a single square inch of our territory to any foreign power,” he said.

He vowed to continue adhering to international rules-based order and to enhance the Philippines’ alliances with its partners.

Quake...

From A1 ‘VP...

From A1 Duterte on Sunday said she believed she still has the trust of President Marcos even as her office is doing “due diligence” on rumors that there are moves to impeach her.

Speaker Martin Romualdez also categorically denied claims there was a move to impeach the Vice President amid talk of fractures inside the “UniTeam” coalition.

“I’m not aware of anything… There’s been nothing filed, no news of that,” Romualdez said in a chance interview in San Francisco, California where he is part of President Marcos’ delegation to the Asia Pacific Economic Cooperation (APEC) Summit.

“I don’t know who your sources are but there’s nothing in the offing,” he added.

Mr. Marcos said he does not see any crack in the “UniTeam.”

destroyed, the National Disaster Risk Reduction and Management Council said in its latest update.

The death toll steadily rose over the weekend as searchers found more bodies buried under rubble or soil.

Search operations have largely ended, but the disaster agency said it was still receiving data from some of the dozens of villages affected by the earthquake.

“I’m hoping to God that our death

Pinoys...

From A1 A total of 25 people are on board, with the crew hailing from Bulgaria, Ukraine, the Philippines, Mexico and Romania, the company said.

The attack came days after the rebel group threatened to target Israeli ves-

CARING FOR ‘PREEMIES’. Palestinian medics care for some of the 31 premature babies evacuated from Al Shifa hospital to the Emirates hospital in Rafah in the southern Gaza Strip on Nov. 19 amid ongoing battles between Israel and the militant group Hamas. AFP

IN BRIEF House recalls all ‘8’ protocol car plates THE House of Representatives has recalled “8” protocol vehicle plates issued to its members in past Congresses.

House Secretary General Reginald Velasco also appealed to lawmakers to submit to his office any bogus protocol plate that may have come into their possession “for proper acknowledgment,” in a memorandum dated Nov. 16.

Velasco said the House will issue new protocol plates only after they get hold of faked or expired plates.

He earlier asked the Land Transportation Office and the Metropolitan Manila Development Authority to apprehend drivers of vehicles bearing “8” protocol plates and confiscate expired or bogus plates. Maricel V. Cruz

‘Firm could handle visas for Chinese’ JUSTICE Secretary Jesus Crispin Remulla on Monday revealed a plan to have global outsourcing and technology services firm Visa Facilitation Services (VFS) handle the issuance of visas to Chinese nationals coming to the Philippines instead of the Department of Foreign Affairs (DFA).

Remulla cited as grounds the issues of national security with China and the continued human trafficking of Chinese nationals to the Philippines. He said the DFA has no capability to verify the documents submitted by visa applicants.

The Justice Secretary said the proposal is nothing new and has been discussed before with DFA Secretary Enrique A. Manalo. He said many countries, including those in Europe, have been using VFS. Rey Requejo

DNA in car matches Camilon’s family

that an agreement was near, but Israel and Hamas have not yet reported that a deal is imminent.

The bloodiest ever Gaza war has reduced much of the coastal strip to

rubble and seen Israeli troops raid, occupy and evacuate the biggest hospital, Al-Shifa, in recent days, which saw hundreds flee the area on foot toward southern Gaza. AFP

“The law is clear as defined by UNCLOS (UN Convention on the Law of the Sea) and the final and binding 2016 Award on the South China Sea Arbitration,” the President said.

“Supported by the rules-based international order and our growing partnerships, both time-tested and new ones, we will insist on the preservation of the sovereignty and integrity of the country, while working closely with international partners in the bilateral, regional, and multilateral settings in developing rules and processes to address these challenges,” he added.

The growing tension in the West Philippine Sea has required a partnership with the United States, which would maintain peace in the resourcerich region, the President said.

“The United States is our, I would say, our oldest and most traditional partner and that has been in various forms, ongoing over a hundred years. And I think, it serves as well to remember that the United States is the Philippines’ only treaty partner,” Mr. Marcos said.

“The heightening tension in the West Philippine Sea, as we have named it — it

is generally known as the South China Sea — the increasing tensions in the South China Sea requires that we partner with our allies and our friends around the world, so as to come to some kind of resolution and to maintain the peace,” he added.

Mr. Marcos said he approached Malaysia and Vietnam to discuss a separate code of conduct regarding the South China Sea as Beijing continues expanding its presence in the region.

“We are still waiting for the code of conduct between China and ASEAN and the progress has been rather slow unfortunately,” President Marcos said.

“We have taken the initiative to approach those other countries around ASEAN with whom we have existing territorial conflicts, Vietnam being one of them, Malaysia being another, and to make our own code of conduct,” he added.

Earlier, the President visited the United States Indo-Pacific Command (Indopacom) in Honolulu, Hawaii, where he said the Philippines and the United States were assessing how they could improve capabilities and coordination in multiple spheres, encompassing military, political and economic affairs.

toll won’t go up anymore, but we’re still waiting for the information coming from the regions,” NDRRMC deputy spokesman Mark Timbal told AFP. The state seismology service said the quake was likely generated by the movement of the earth’s crust along the Cotabato trench, a long, narrow depression on the seafloor that forms the boundary of one tectonic plate pushing against another.

Phivolcs said it was studying if liquefaction could be the cause of the fissures found in some parts of earthquake-hit Glan in Sarangani, Mindanao.

Bhenz Rodriguez, science research specialist, said they are now assessing the damaged areas and other hazards resulting from the tremor.

“One of the outputs of our team we sent to the area is to check the damage effects, to check if there are fissures, what extent of the landslide is, or if a sea level disturbance was experienced,” he said.

Liquefaction takes place when loosely packed, water-logged sediments at or near the ground surface lose their strength in response to strong ground shaking. With AFP

NEW members of the Armed Forces of the Philippines (AFP) should be excluded from the proposed mandatory contribution for military and uniformed personnel (MUP), the Department of National Defense (DND) said Monday.

Senator Ronald dela Rosa relayed this for the DND during the Senate plenary deliberations on the department’s P233.27 billion proposed budget for 2024.

In defending the DND’s budget, Dela Rosa explained that the AFP has existing assets that could fund the pensions of new entrants, and active and retired military personnel, but this would only cover the AFP and not the other law enforcement agencies.

Defense Secretary Gilbert Teodoro earlier said President Marcos’ first marching order to him was to continue to reform the MUP pension system. Vince Lopez

sels in the waterway over Israel’s war with Hamas in the Gaza Strip.

Huthi military spokesman Yahya Saree said in a statement on X, formerly Twitter, that the rebels “seized an Israeli ship and took it to the Yemeni coast.”

Foreign Minister Yoko Kamikawa said Tokyo was “communicating with Israel, and in addition to directly approaching the Huthis, we are also urg-

ing Saudi Arabia, Oman, Iran and other countries concerned to strongly urge the Huthis for the early release of the vessel and crew members.”

Israel, Japan and the US have condemned the vessel’s seizure.

The office of Israeli Prime Minister Benjamin Netanyahu said the vessel was owned by a British company and operated by a Japanese firm.

Huthi “forces will continue to carry out military operations against the Israeli enemy until the aggression against Gaza stops and the ugly crimes... against our Palestinian brothers in Gaza and the West Bank stop,” Saree said.

A Yemeni maritime source said the Huthis had “seized a commercial vessel” and took it to the port of Salif in the coastal city of Hodeida, which the rebels control. AFP

POLICE have confirmed that DNA in hair strands and blood samples found in an abandoned vehicle in Batangas matched that of DNA samples collected from the family of missing beauty queen Catherine Camilon.

Criminal Investigation and Detection Group (CIDG) Director Police Major General Romeo Caramat Jr. also told ABS-CBN News that the charges of kidnapping and serious illegal detention against Police Major Allan De Castro and two others will remain until they find Camilon.

“This says that what the witnesses said when they saw Camilon being lifted from the car is positive.

It confirmed that they saw Miss Camilon,” Caramat added.

Meanwhile, PNP Forensic Group public information officer Police Major Rodrigo Sotero Jr. said. the DNA results will be presented to the media if the official report is released today. Vince Lopez

‘Exclude AFP newbies from pension inputs’

NEWS

A3 TUESDAY, NOVEMBER 21, 2023

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Arguments to declare fishing order unconstitutional resume at SC today

MUSEUM PIECE. National University (NU) President Hans Sy looks at a vintage telescope on display at the newly opened NU Museum on Monday. The telescope was mounted at the Jhocson Memorial Astronomical Observatory on the top of the National University building during the 1950s.

Danny Pata

P70m in flood control projects completed in Isabela, Romblon

By Vito Barcelo THE Department of Public Works and Highways (DPWH) has completed the construction of two flood control projects in Isabela and Romblon worth nearly P70 million.

DPWH Secretary Manuel Bonoan said the flood-prone barangay in Tumauini, Isabela is now safeguarded against the perennial threat of flooding with the completion of a river wall structure.

Completed was the 1.22-kilometer river wall made of gabion structure in Barangay Antagan II, Tumauini which will alleviate fears about agricultural loss during the rainy season.

The river wall structure is a robust defense against erosion to safeguard fertile farmlands in the area, the DPWH said.

The project was completed in the amount of P49 million funded under the 2023 General Appropriations Act (GAA).

Meanwhile, the DPWH Romblon has completed the construction of the P19.5 million seawall that will protect the coastal community in Barangay Calabasahan, Concepcion, Romblon.

The project will protect the community from storm surges, sea wave actions, and soil erosion, which may cause damage to lives, properties, and livelihoods, especially during severe weather conditions.

The completed seawall which spans 228 meters and stands four meters was constructed when the old seawall structure could no longer protect the area from the waves.

THE Supreme Court will resume today the oral arguments on the petition that declared the Fisheries Administrative Order (FAO) No. 266 unconstitutional.

The government filed the petition through the Office of the Solicitor General, seeking to set aside the 2021 ruling issued by the Malabon City Regional Trial Court against FAO No. 266.

Led by Chief Justice Alexander Gesmundo, magistrates are expected to grill the respondent fishing companies -- Royal Fishing Corp., Bonanza Fishing and Market Resources, Inc. and RBL Fishing Corp. -- through their counsel, lawyer Arnold D. Naval on their position that FAO No. 266 is unconstitutional.

FAO. No. 266 mandates fishing ves-

sels to report their catches through a vessel monitoring system (VMS) and an electronic reporting system (ERS) to curb illegal, unregulated, and unreported fishing (IUUF).

The fishing companies asserted that information on the fishing grounds of fishing companies constitute trade secrets and the mandatory installation of real-time Vessel Monitoring System (VMS) under FAO 266 violated the fishing companies’ right to privacy and unlawful searches.

The respondents said that FAO 266 violates the equal protection clause of the Constitution by regulating only commercial fishing vessels and leaving the regulation of municipal fishing vessels to the discretion of local government units. Rey Requejo

5 generals shuffled as PNP says no ‘uneasiness’ in police ranks F IVE ranking police officials have been included in the latest reorganization of the Philippine National Police (PNP).

Based on PNP chief Gen. Benjamin Acorda Jr.’s order dated Nov. 17 that took effect on the same date, Director for Information and Communication Technology Management (DICTM) Maj. Gen. Bernard Banac is now the Director of the Special Action Force (SAF), replacing Maj. Gen. Rudolph Dimas, who was assigned to head the Directorate for Plans (DPL).

Meanwhile, Brig. Gen. Neil Alinsañgan from DPL will head the DICTM

in lieu of Banac, while Brig. Gen. John Chua, former Police Regional Office – Ilocos (PRO - 1), will be the chief of the Area Police Command (APC) in the Visayas.

Brig. Gen. Lou Evangelista, director of Police Community Affairs and Development Group (PCADG), will replace Chua at PRO – 1, while Col. Restituto Arcangel will be the PCADG director.

Acorda, who is retiring on Dec. 3, previously said he has no plans of implementing a massive reshuffle.

“If there are any changes in the command because of vacancies, if somebody is retiring or there are problems with commanders on the ground, that’s the only time we do a reshuffle. It’s only done to fill up vacancies that will be created,” he said.

The PNP earlier reassured the public there is no brewing destabilization plot as it dismissed reports of “uneasiness” among its ranks.

PNP spokesperson Col. Jean Fajardo made the statement when asked for comment about former president Rodrigo Duterte’s statement that the military and the police are closely watching the political developments at the House of Representatives amid the allegedly

emerging alliance between Speaker Martin Romualdez and ACT Teachers Party-list Rep. France Castro.

“On the part of the PNP, we will not participate in any attempt to destabilize our government. Although as I said, the PNP is ready to defend the security and sovereignty of our country but I hope the PNP would be excluded from these political issues,” she said.

“Mayroon tayong mandato na ienforce iyong ating mga batas but kagaya ng sinabi ko kanina na as an institution, ang PNP po (We have a mandate to enforce our laws, as I said earlier, as an institution, the PNP is) 100 percent behind this administration,” she added.

Ensure safe use of nuclear energy, Gatchalian urges administration

By Macon Ramos-Araneta SENATOR Sherwin Gatchalian said the government needs to ensure the safety of nuclear energy use in the country.

The lawmaker said public confidence in the use of nuclear energy needs to improve dramatically, and ensuring safety and transparency is the only way to achieve significant development in this area.

The senator made the statement following the signing of a nuclear cooperation pact between the US and the Philippines.

Under the agreement, the Philippines would receive investments and technology support as the country transitions to cleaner energy.

Last year, Gatchalian filed a resolution to inquire about the activities, outputs, and accomplishments of the Nuclear Energy Program Inter-Agen-

cy Committee and its recommendation for the country to embark on a nuclear power program.

According to Gatchalian, the government must also ensure adherence to international standards.

In March last year, the government

adopted a national position and formally relaunched its bid to include nuclear power in the country’s energy mix, generating varied reactions from the public.

Currently, the Department of Energy (DOE) is working on 19 infrastructure issues relating to the adoption of

nuclear energy in line with The Milestones Approach of the International Atomic Energy Agency (IAEA), which promotes the safe management of spent fuel and radioactive waste generated by the use of nuclear technologies, including nuclear power.

ONE-STOP SHOP. Antipolo City Mayor Jun Ynares (second from right) led the signing of a new government one-stop

shop at the SM Cherry Antipolo in Antipolo City. The SM Government Services Express is a hub that facilitates easy access to government services, officials said. Manny Palmero

House approves bill on new Eastern Samar university campus in Balangiga

By Maricel V. Cruz THE House of Representatives has approved on third and final reading a bill seeking to establish a new Eastern Samar State University (ESSU) campus in the Municipality of Balangiga.

Under House Bill No. 9302, the ESSU will soon have its seventh campus in the said municipality.

“We, in Congress, are absolutely determined to further improve public access to free higher education, and the new

ESSU campus in Balangiga will do just that,” House of Representatives Minority Leader and 4Ps party-list Rep. Marcelino Libanan said in a statement on Monday.

The Universal Access to Quality Tertiary Education Act of 2017 provides free tuition and other school fees to students enrolled in state universities and colleges (SUCs) such as ESSU. “We have very high hopes that the new ESSU campus will enable Eastern Samar to produce a greater number of employable college graduates who can

help their families achieve a higher standard of living,” Libanan said.

Libanan thanked House Speaker Martin Romualdez and Tingog party-list Rep. Yedda Marie Romualdez for their key roles in the passage of HB 9302.

Libanan previously served as representative of Eastern Samar’s lone congressional district for nine years before he was elected 4Ps party-list representative.

In 2004, Libanan authored Republic Act No. 9312, which integrated the former Eastern Samar State College with

the former Maydolong National Agricultural School to form what is now the ESSU. The ESSU’s main campus is in Borongan City, the provincial capital of Eastern Samar.

The university also has campuses in the municipalities of Can-Avid, Guiuan, Maydolong, Salcedo, and Arteche.

Approximately 14,000 students are currently enrolled in ESSU, making it the second biggest SUC in Region 8 (Eastern Visayas) in terms of student population.

Rep. Marcelino Libanan

Las Piñas honors outstanding government employees, officials

By Joel E. Zurbano

LOCAL GOVERNANCE AWARD. Las Piñas City Vice Mayor

April Aguilar (center); with Odilon L. Pasaraba, Undersecretary for Project Development Management of the Department of Interior and Local Government (DILG); and Brig. Gen. Mark Danglait Pespes, Southern Police District (SPD) Director, attended the awarding ceremony of the 2023 Local Governance Exemplar Awards held in Las Piñas City Hall on Nov. 20. Joseph Muego

LAS Piñas City Mayor Imelda Aguilar and Vice Mayor April Aguilar honored this year’s outstanding employees, officials, and operating units who demonstrated good performance in the delivery of programs, projects, and activities in the city.

The 2023 Local Governance Exemplar Awards was established to identify, select, and provide rewards and incentives to deserving offices, officials, and employees.

The mayor emphasized the importance of upholding knowledge management, convergence, and multi-stakeholder partnership for the implementation of city government programs, projects, activities, and initiatives.

The awards and recognition program

consists of two categories: city-level awards and barangay-level awards.

City-level awards include High Functionality on the Las Pinas City Peace and Order Council, Safest City in Southern Metro Manila, High Functionality on the Las Pinas City Anti-Drug Abuse Council, Ideal Function for both the Local Council for Protection of Children and the Local Committee on Anti-Trafficking and Violence Against Women and Children, Functional Comprehensive Development Plan, and Functional Fisheries Compliance Audit.

Barangay-level awards, on the other hand, include Safe Barangay Awards, Drug Cleared Barangays, Best Barangay Nutrition Scholars, Seal of Good Local

Governance for Barangays, and the Outstanding Lupong Tagapamayapa of the City of Las Piñas.

Vice Mayor April Aguilar expressed gratitude to all awardees for their unwavering commitment and innovative contributions to the city. She emphasized the importance of working together with a shared vision for a better city and praised the hard work and dedication of the awardees for enhancing the quality of life.

“Your efforts in various sectors have not only improved our city’s operations but have also uplifted the lives of our residents.

This is a clear demonstration of what we can achieve when we work together with a shared vision for a better Las Piñas,” she stated.

NEWS

A4 TUESDAY, NOVEMBER 21, 2023

MST.DAYDESK@GMAIL.COM

EXOTIC PESTS. The Bureau of Customs uncovers a parcel containing 50 concealed pieces of isopods (inset), invertebrates belonging to the greater crustaceans, which were all misdeclared as candy. The exotic pests were confiscated for lack of import clearance from the Bureau of Plant Industry, violating the Plant Quarantine Law of 1978 (PD 1433) and the Customs Modernization and Tariff Act (CMTA) (see story below).

BOC Photos

‘Build hospitals with excess PhilHealth funds’ A PARTY-LIST member of the House of Representatives has proposed the realignment of excess funds of the Philippine Health Insurance Corporation (PhilHealth) to finance the construction of more hospitals and health centers across the country.

Rep. Ray T. Reyes of the AnaKalusugan party-list group, vice chairman of the Committee on Health, made the suggestion after the Appropriations committee approved House Bill 9513 which seeks to allow the government to tap excess revenues of government-owned and -controlled corporations (GOCCs) to bankroll items under the unprogrammed funds in the General Appropriations Act. “We are proposing to realign what is given to PhilHealth to be returned for the construction of much needed hospitals,” Reyes said.

Based on pertinent guidelines, Reyes said PhilHealth should have only P200 billion in reserves. “Right now, they are at more than P400 billion. Imagine how many hospitals at health centers will be built with readily available P 200 billion,” he noted.

Reyes said AnaKalusugan was also looking at rechanneling PhilHealth’s excess budget to finance the hiring of medical professionals or raise the salary rates of government medical personnel to make them more competitive.

“I think we all can agree that health workers deserve more pay increase and huge benefits,” he said.

“We cannot afford to scrape or scramble for crumbs left by the brain drain when the country is hit by the next pandemic,” he added.

Under House Bill 9513, the funds of GOCCs determined to be over their current administrative and operational expenses, benefit obligations, or reserve requirements, may be used to implement the vital purposes under the unprogrammed appropriations. .

Maricel V. Cruz

Bill seeks P1k/month maintenance medication aid for senior citizens A

By Maricel V. Cruz

GROUP of legislators led House Deputy Majority Leader Erwin Tulfo on Monday filed a bill recommending a P1,000-monthly maintenance medication for senior citizens.

House Bill 9569, entitled “Providing Monthly Maintenance Medication Support Act for Senior Citizens,” was co-sponsored by fellow legislators from ACT-CIS party-list group, Reps. Jocelyn Tulfo and Edvic Yap, Benguet Rep. Eric

Yap, and Ralph Tulfo of Quezon City.

Around 9.2 million senior citizens or Filipinos aged 60 and above were recorded in the latest Philippines Statistics Authority survey in 2020.

The legislators said the bill is a

legislative proposal that responds to a critical issue confronting the elderly population, particularly those dealing with chronic or long-term medical conditions.

“It acknowledges the fundamental importance of preserving and enhancing the health and well-being of senior citizens in our society,” Tulfo said.

Tulfo explained one of the primary challenges faced by senior citizens, especially those with on-going medical needs, is the financial strain associated with obtaining essential medications.

Chronic illnesses often require regular

Ex-Cagayan LGU officials, radio execs face House contempt raps A JOINT committee in the House of Representatives on Monday issued a show cause order on two former Cagayan provincial government officials and a radio station executives for failure to attend congressional hearings on alleged massive distribution of cash and other forms of assistance in Cagayan province during the 2022 election campaign period.

The House Committee on Public Accounts and Suffrage and the Committee on Electoral Reforms issued the order directing the respondents to explain why they should not be cited for contempt over their continuing absence from the House probe.

Ordered to explain why they should not be cited in contempt were a former Cagayan provincial administrator and a former Cagayan provincial health officer, as well as executives of Bombo

Radyo Tuguegarao.

Rep. Stephen Paduano of Abang Lingkod party-list group, chair of the House committee on public accounts, stressed that the former provincial officials should cooperate with the committee investigation.

“This is already the seventh hearing.

It is only proper for Bombo Radyo and these other individuals to be issued a show cause order for explanation why they should not be cited in contempt by this committee. This is supposedly the last hearing,” Paduano said.

Cagayan provincial police Director Col. Julio Gorospe lamented that service of the subpoenas to the erstwhile provincial officials had failed because they were not in their residences during the delivery date of the summons.

Maricel V. Cruz

Lawmaker bats for fisheries code to boost industry

TO THE RESCUE. The Malabon City Government uses some of its rescue vehicles to provide free rides for stranded commuters and partly negate the impact of the nationwide transport strike of public utility vehicles that started Monday. Andrew Rabulan

Customs seizes smuggled isopods shipment from Thailand

By Joel E. Zurbano CUSTOMS agents assigned at the Ninoy Aquino International Airport have intercepted at the Central Mail Exchange Center (CMEC) in Pasay City a smuggled shipment of pests from Thailand.

“Through the rigorous screening of postal items, including X-ray scanning and thorough physical examination, a parcel was found to contain 50 concealed pieces of isopods, invertebrates belonging

TOKA AWARDS.

Jose Victor Emmanuel de Dios, President and CEO of Manila Water Company Inc. (MWC) addresses the 2023 TOKA Awards: Sama-sama sa lisang Toka’ at the MWSS Multi-purpose Hall in Quezon City on Nov. 17. The Awards gather and recognize barangays and local government units who were able to hit their desludging targets as part of the Company’s TOKA TOKA advocacy.

Manny Palmero

to the greater crustaceans, which were all misdeclared as candy,” NAIA district collector Yasmin Mapa said in a statement.

She said the exotic pests were confiscated for lack of import clearance from the Bureau of Plant Industry, violating the Plant Quarantine Law of 1978 (Presidential Decree 1433) and the Customs Modernization and Tariff Act (CMTA).

Mapa said the Bureau of Customs under the leadership of Commissioner Bien Rubio pledges to prevent smuggling and

and costly treatments, imposing a substantial burden on seniors and their families.

“This bill recognizes this burden and aims to alleviate it by providing financial assistance,” Tulfo noted.

By offering a monthly stipend of P1,000 for maintenance medications, Tulfo said the bill was “designed to improve the quality of life of our senior citizens and ease the financial constraints they encounter, making it more feasible for them to access the medications they require. It acknowledges that managing chronic diseases should not be compromised due to economic limitations.”

protect the country’s borders against threats, including exotic pests, through strict border controls and reforms.

The Port of NAIA previously confiscated at CMEC a parcel containing 14 live beetles and larvae illegally shipped from Hong Kong.

The authorities found the insects concealed in plastic tubes hidden in the packages of snacks, biscuits, noodles, and chocolates.

The shipment, which was consigned to a resident in Mandaluyong City, was confiscated also for lack of necessary clearance and

permit from the Bureau of Plant Industry.

Under Section 4 of PD 1433, the importation of potential animal pests, which are liable to become agricultural crop pests and can cause injury to agricultural crops, is restricted subject to quarantine orders, rules, and regulations.

Prior to importation, the owner must secure Plant Quarantine Clearance and Phytosanitary Certificate from the Bureau of Plant Industry, otherwise, the importation of which shall be considered prohibited.

A PARTY-LIST lawmaker on Monday batted for a fisheries code that will empower the fishing industry and its players to generate employment and contribute to national economic development and food security.

AGRI party-list Rep. Wilbert T. Lee made the call during the 6th National Sardines Congress in Zamboanga City where he was the keynote speaker.

Organized by the Southern Philippines (SOPHIL) Deep Sea Fishing Association, Inc., the delegates tackled latest developments in the sardines industry, as well as the major issues confronting their trade.

Lee stressed that the fishing industry should welcome the appointment of a Department of Agriculture (DA) Secretary who is from the fisheries sector, Francisco Tiu Laurel Jr. He said: “For the first time, the country has a DA Secretary who comes from the fishing industry.”

“The knowledge and experience he has in growing his company should be a great asset for the department, one that the fishing industry can tap,” said the Bicolano lawmaker, who was also a businessman before entering politics.

Prior to being appointed Agriculture chief, Laurel was the president of the Frabelle Fishing Corp., a company that grew from small trawl fishing into one of the biggest deep-sea fishing enterprises in the region. Maricel V. Cruz

BI bans blacklisted American from reentering PH

By Vito Barcelo THE Bureau of Immigration (BI) prevented from reentering the Philippines a blacklisted American accused of sexually abusing some 20 Filipino women.

Immigration agents intercepted the 40-year-old Jared Allen Kasper at the Ninoy Aquino International Airport (NAIA) Terminal 1 after he arrived from Los Angeles.

Immigration chief Norman Tansingco said Kasper was placed on the BI’s blacklist in October after the bureau received reports from three female victims that the Amer-

ican allegedly sexually abused and exploited them.

“The complainants alleged that there were at least 20 Filipino women who were victimized by him, but only the three of them filed a formal complaint,” Tansingco said.

According to the bureau, the women said Kasper promised to marry them if they would sleep with him. They also accused him of taking nude pictures of his victims.

Records showed that Kasper first arrived in the Philippines in July and was deported in August.

Meanwhile, a Japanese man was arrested at the NAIA for presenting to immigration officers a fake Special Resident Retiree’s Visa (SRRV).

The foreigner, identified as Yoshiaki Nakamura, was intercepted before he could board his flight to Osaka, Japan.

“After validation from the agency’s forensic document’s laboratory, it was revealed that the SRRV visa affixed on his passport was counterfeit,” the BI said.

Nakamura is held at the BI’s detention facility in Taguig City pending deportation.

B1

OPINION

TUESDAY, NOVEMBER 21, 2023

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

To The Point

EDITORIAL

Emil P. Jurado

There’s still hope

Special Courts for drug cases Until today, there are continuous cases of illegal drugs being confiscated and there are always attempts to smuggle drugs in.

In the final analysis, the illegal drugs problem will continue to be a national problem.

The only thing the government can do is to minimize it with the proper enforcement of laws so we can stop it from becoming a national threat.

In the meantime, the government can have community-based rehabilitation centers in cooperation with the business community.

We must remember that illegal drugs are also a problem in almost every country, much more so in highly-industrialized countries.

Rehabilitation centers must be community-based, since the recovery of a person from drug addiction depends largely on the support of his/her family, especially after the release of the person from rehab.

De Lima to help ICC? An interesting aspect in the case of former Senator Leila de Lima, in the aftermath of her release after the Muntinlupa court granted her bail, is her statement she would help the Hague-based International Criminal Court in prosecuting former President Duterte who, the former senator claimed was responsible for her seven-year detention.

It would be interesting to know how and in what way she can help the ICC from probing further its case against Duterte for alleged crimes against humanity during his six-year term as President in connection with all the extra-judicial killings.

Considering that the Philippine government refuses to recognize the jurisdiction of the ICC, it would be interesting to know how de Lima will help the Hague-based criminal court.

But, knowing De Lima and her attempt to hit back at Duterte, the ICC would really welcome the former senator’s help. Abangan, as they say, Santa Banana!

Electric cars With more and more people buying electric motor vehicles, there is now a problem with the need for more electric hubs, not only in Metro Manila, but other cities.

Charging these vehicles at home would take overnight. This is the disadvantage of electric vehicles.

A friend told me that he’s sticking to gasoline-fueled motor vehicles.

Aside from this, electric vehicles are more expensive than gasoline-fed vehicles.

THERE is a proposal in Congress for the creation of a special court for drugrelated cases following an increasing number of cases still unresolved by courts nationwide.

Santa Banana, would you believe more than 33,000 drug-related cases remain in the dockets of courts, congesting jails all over!

Courts handling drug-related cases are actually nothing new.

I recall during the incumbency of then president Ferdinand E. Marcos, the father of the incumbent President, illegal drugs were also a big problem.

I do recall that in addition to handling drug-related cases, these special courts also handled cases where parents voluntarily surrendered their children who were drug users and addicts, and it was then up to the courts to have them submitted for drug abuse rehabilitation to rehab-centers.

—“—

Electric vehicles are more expensive than gasoline-fed vehicles If this proposal to create courts for drug-related cases can succeed in an attempt to solve the illegal drugs problem, the building of community-based rehab centers must also be pursued.

One way of doing this is for BBM to have the government partner with the business community in building rehab centers.

Rehab centers cannot be built just like that.

They must be properly staffed with doctors, (particularly psychiatrists and psychologists) and nurses. This is where the problem lies.

In the case of DARE Foundation, in the 70s and 80s, it was only partly financed by government and business establishments. Reason why DARE didn’t last long enough. My services to DARE were gratis et amore.

What I’m trying to say , from experience, is the anti-illegal drug problem is multi-faceted.

It cannot be solved by the government alone without the private sector.

There will always be an illegal drug problem if there’s a demand for it.

It boils down to supply and demand.

For so long as there’s a demand for illegal drugs, cartels around the world will always be there to supply that demand.

Citizen Barok

Louis ‘Barok’ Biraogo

Castro, De Lima start propaganda war vs. Duterte IN MY previous essay, I predicted the enemies of ex-President Rodrigo Duterte will start a propaganda war against the latter, now that the former president is no longer an incumbent.

They just need the right opportunities to get back at him.

The first opportunity came last month when Vice President and Education Secretary Sara Duterte appeared in the appropriations hearings of the House of Representatives of Congress.

She asked the House to approve her request for P650-million in confidential and intelligence funds for the Office of the Vice President and the Department of Education.

Everybody knows, Sara Duterte is the daughter of the former president.

Several partylist representatives, including ACT Teachers Rep. France Castro, opposed the request on the premise the OVP and the DepEd are not supposed to do intelligence work.

They also questioned the propriety of confidential funds on the ground the secret expenditures are essentially unconstitutional and illegal.

After due deliberations, the House turned down the request and allotted the P650-million sought by Sara Duterte to the intelligence services for use

in the defense of Philippine territory in the West Philippine Sea against Chinese intrusion.

Reacting thereto, an angry ex-President Duterte appeared on a television program and criticized the House.

Duterte also said if he had control of those confidential and intelligence funds sought by his daughter, he would use them to kill a certain “France,” in a manifest reference to Castro.

As expected, Castro exploited the expresident’s statement and accused him of committing the crime of grave threats as defined and penalized under the Revised Penal Code.

Inevitably, Castro and other anti-Duterte groups had a heyday denouncing the former chief executive.

After Castro and her allies basked in the free publicity they generated, Castro filed a criminal complaint against exPresident Duterte before the office of the city prosecutor of Quezon City.

In a previous article published under this column, I discussed, citing the law and jurisprudence, that the complaint for grave threats filed by Castro has no legal basis and should be dismissed outright.

Be that as it may, Castro is certain to exploit the pending case she filed.

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LIMATE change, seen by storm chasers as an urgent threat to millions of lives, has become the most serious threat to life.

But climatologists agree there are solutions and they are well understood.

In 2015, world leaders signed a major treaty called the Paris agreement to put these into practice.

Core to all the solutions is reducing greenhouse gas emissions, which must get to zero fastest.

Because both forests and oceans play vitally important roles in regulating the climate, increasing the natural ability of forests and oceans to absorb carbon dioxide can also help stop global warming, weather experts say.

The main ways to stop climate change are to pressure government and business to: Keep fossil fuels in the ground. Fossil fuels include coal, oil and gas -– and the more that are extracted and burned, the worse climate change will get.

Invest in renewable energy: Changing our main energy sources to clean and renewable energy is the best way to stop using fossil fuels.

These include technologies like solar, wind, wave, tidal and geothermal power.

Switch to sustainable transport: Gasoline and diesel vehicles, planes and ships use fossil fuels. Reducing car use, switching to electric vehicles and minimizing plane travel will not only help stop climate change, it will reduce air pollution too.

—“—

Core to all climate change solutions is reducing greenhouse gas emissions Improve farming and encourage vegan diets: One of the best ways for individuals to help stop climate change is by reducing their meat and dairy consumption, or by going fully vegan.

Restore nature to absorb more carbon: The natural world is very good at cleaning up our emissions, but we need to look after it. Planting trees in the right places or giving land back to nature through ‘rewilding’ schemes is a good starter.

Protect forests: Forests are crucial in the fight against climate change, and protecting them is an important climate solution.

Climate justice and human rights

Eagle Eyes Tony La Viña

WE WILL continue with the discussion on the column last week wherein I wrote about Special Rapporteur Ian Fry’s visit to the Philippines to study how climate change impacts our enjoyment of human rights.

Last time, we discussed the violations of human rights against EHRDs fighting for our right to a clean environment. This time, we will be focusing on the impacts of climate change Filipinos experience according to Fry’s statement.

The general situation is we experience extreme weather events.

We are familiar with typhoons, floods, landslides, and droughts which are all worsening each year.

We are also vulnerable to rising sea levels as a country of many islands.

Fry confirms what we already experience; the Philippines is one of the most vulnerable countries to climate change impacts.

He uses the infamous Super Typhoon Yolanda as an example. It was one of the deadliest tropical typhoons; the death toll being at least 6,300.

Fry visited many communities that experience these impacts strongly and he recounted this in his statement too.

First, he spoke of the Bataan Shipping and Engineering Company (BASECO) compound which is in Manila Bay. They are vulnerable to storm surges and flooding because of high tides and the community is on low-lying land.

Additionally, the dredging in Manila Bay has worsened flooding, fisheries’ production, and the ecosystem in the area.

Meanwhile, during the visit to Tacloban, Fry discovered the community has not fully recovered from Super Typhoon Yolanda.

—“—

Expect other tirades from anti-Duterte groups Last week, a trial court allowed exSenator Leila de Lima to post bail in the last pending anti-narcotics criminal case against her.

She has been incarcerated at Camp Crame for almost seven years, which began during the administration of Duterte.

As usual, anti-Duterte groups denounced the ex-president for the prolonged detention of de Lima, and called him a violator of human rights.

They conveniently failed to mention,

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

Cutting down forests on an industrial scale destroys giant trees which could be sucking up huge amounts of carbon.

Protect the oceans: Oceans also absorb large amounts of carbon dioxide from the atmosphere, which helps to keep our climate stable.

But many are overfished, used for oil and gas drilling or threatened by deep sea mining.

Reduce plastic: Plastic is made from oil, and the process of extracting, refining and turning oil into plastic (or even polyester, for clothing) is surprisingly carbon-intense.

Demand for plastic is rising so quickly that creating and disposing of plastics will account for 17 percent of the global carbon budget by 2050 (this is the emissions count we need to stay within according to the Paris agreement).

What is the Paris Climate Agreement, and why does it matter?

Everything you need to know about the world’s most important climate change treaty It’s easy to feel overwhelmed, and feel climate change is too big to solve.

But we have the answers; now it’s a question of making them happen.

All these solutions need strong international cooperation between governments and businesses, including the biggest polluters.

This has stolen our citizens’ livelihoods.

Some have lost their homes. Many lives have been taken. Even our rich biodiversity is at risk with the changing climate.

Local communities are facing consequences for mistakes they were not even responsible for.

Seeing these consequences in the statement confirm human-induced climate change in itself is a human rights violation.

Millions are affected yet we are not doing enough globally to mitigate the effects.

People continue to be displaced.

Institutions continue to support construction projects that make it worse.

We continue to be violated.

I echo the findings of SR Fry: “Climate change is negatively impacting human rights in Philippines, including the rights to water and sanitation, food,

culture, education, healthy environment, health, work and housing.

“It is very evident that the Government has made efforts to address the impacts of climate change by developing a number of reports and pieces of legislation.

“The clear message I received, however, is that while the Government has produced many policies and laws relating to climate change, there is a distinct lack of implementation on the ground.

“Furthermore there is a development agenda being pursued by the government which contradicts the highly fragile nature of the country.

“Of the local government units I visited, most were trying to implement adaptation and disaster risk reduction projects to protect their communities, although some of these practices, such as forced relocation, are drastic and violate the rights of people to make their own choice about their right to housing. “Nevertheless, some communities appeared to be reasonably happy with their relocation.

“I am deeply troubled by the treatment of environmental human rights defenders, particularly Indigenous Peoples.

“The use of intimidation, harassment, abductions, prosecution, jail sentencing and extra-judicial killings by the military based on trumped up charges against human rights defenders is contrary to many international human rights obligations.

“This year represents the 75th Anniversary of the Universal Declaration of Human Rights.

“The Declaration states that “everyone has the right to life, liberty and security of person.

“I strongly encourage the Philippines government take urgent and decisive measures to respect this right.”

however, that the Supreme Court upheld the nearly seven-year detention of de Lima.

A day after her release on bail, de Lima told the media she will work with the International Criminal Court in its task of investigating ex-President Duterte for the latter’s alleged violations of human rights during his tenure.

Since the Philippines has withdrawn from the Rome Statute, the multilateral treaty creating the ICC, and considering that the Supreme Court has upheld the power of the President to withdraw from the Rome Statute, it follows the ICC has no jurisdiction to conduct an investigation of the allegations of human rights violations against ex-President Duterte.

To hold otherwise is to allow a violation of Philippine sovereignty.

Therefore, to assist the ICC in its illegal investigation of ex-President Duterte, as

de Lima plans to, is tantamount to a treasonous act as it is an affront to Philippine sovereignty.

Being so, it behooves the Department of Justice to probe the plans of de Lima with a view toward her prosecution, if warranted.

The DOJ should likewise investigate once and for all if de Lima, as Justice Secretary during the term of President Benigno “Noynoy” Aquino III, committed an irregularity in the investigation of a criminal case which prompted the Iglesia ni Cristo sect to protest her official acts regarding the case.

It appears the Aquino regime kept mum about the extent of the liability of de Lima, if there is any, on this issue.

Castro and de Lima have started the propaganda war against Duterte.

Expect other tirades from anti-Duterte groups.

Ten years have passed and yet some are still living in temporary housing. People here are also experiencing extreme heat which affects their time to tend to their fields or fish.

There is no denying some of the worst climate change impacts are experienced

by Filipinos.

In addition to this, we appear to have a hard time adapting to these changes.

—“—

Millions are affected yet we are not doing enough globally to mitigate the effects

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

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

TUESDAY, NOVEMBER 21, 2023

mst.daydesk@gmail.com

Pentagon chief visits Ukraine to reassure Kyiv KYIV, Ukraine – US Defense Secretary Lloyd Austin made an unannounced visit to Kyiv on Monday to reassure Ukraine that Washington will continue supporting its fight against invading Russian forces.

The United States has provided tens of billions of dollars in security aid for Ukraine and repeatedly pledged to back Kyiv for “as long as it takes,” but opposition from hardline Republican lawmakers has raised doubts about the future of American assistance.

Austin “travelled to Ukraine today to meet with Ukrainian leaders and reinforce the staunch support of the United States for Ukraine’s fight for freedom,” the Pentagon said in a statement on the trip, which was not announced ahead of time due to security concerns.

“He will also underscore the continued US commitment to providing Ukraine with the security assistance it needs to defend itself from Russian aggression,” it said.

The trip to Kyiv -- via train from Poland -- is the Pentagon leader’s second since Russia launched a fullscale invasion of Ukraine in February 2022.

Washington is by far the biggest donor of military assistance to Kyiv, and a cut to American aid would be a major blow to Ukraine as it readies for the second winter of the war.

Austin and Secretary of State Antony Blinken urged lawmakers during a hearing in October to sustain support for Ukraine, with the US defense chief saying that “without our support, (Russian President Vladimir) Putin will be successful.”

But some Republican lawmakers oppose continued aid, and new support for Ukraine was left out of a temporary deal passed by Congress last week to avert a US government shutdown. AFP

GAG ORDER.

In this Aug 28, 2023 file photo, a demonstrator wearing a costume in the likeness of former US President Donald Trump (center) holds a sign outside the E. Barrett Prettyman US Courthouse in Washington, DC, On Monday, the ex-president’s lawyers contest a gag order imposed on him during one of Trump’s criminal trials related to the 2020 election.

AFP

Court considers Trump speech restrictions in 2020 polls case

W

ASHINGTON, DC – Does Donald Trump have the right to call prosecutors “fascist thugs,” or advise those testifying against him to keep quiet?

Those are the questions a federal appeals court in Washington will hear Monday as the ex-president’s lawyers contest a gag order imposed on him during one of Trump’s criminal trials related to the 2020 election.

The gag order -- a set of restrictions on what Trump is allowed to say publicly about a given set of legal proceedings -- was imposed by Judge Tanya Chutkan, overseeing the federal case against him for allegedly trying to overturn the 2020 election.

She has restricted statements that “target” prosecutors, court personnel and witnesses, which prosecutors argue could endanger

people involved in the trial.

But the gag order, currently temporarily lifted during Trump’s appeal, will run up against First Amendment protections guaranteeing free speech.

The country’s premier civil liberties group -- hardly a Trump ally, historically -has criticized the gag order.

“The entire order hinges on the meaning of the word ‘target,’” the American Civil Liberties Union has written. “But that meaning is ambiguous.”

Chutkan did, while imposing the gag order, recognize Trump’s right to criticize his White House successor, Joe Biden, whom

This file photo shows a general view of the special courtroom prior to the opening of the ‘RinascitaScott’ maxi-trial in which more than 350 alleged members of Calabria’s ‘Ndrangheta mafia group and their associates went on trial in Lamezia Terme, Calabria.

Hundreds of alleged mafia members and their white-collar collaborators face sentencing following a historic, nearly three-year trial aimed at the ‘Ndrangheta, Italy’s most powerful organized crime group. AFP

LAMEZIA TERME, Italy – Hundreds of alleged mobsters will be sentenced Monday by an Italian court, the culmination of a historic, nearly three-year trial against Calabria’s notorious ‘Ndrangheta mafia.

Prosecutors are asking for guilty verdicts against 322 accused mafia members and their white-collar collaborators in what could mark the most significant blow to date against one of the world’s most powerful organised crime syndicates, which enjoys a near-monopoly on the European cocaine trade.

The sentencing will cap Italy’s largest mafia trial in decades, a “maxi-trial” in which vast numbers of defendants accused of being part of the same mafia criminal conspiracy face justice.

The court of Vibo Valentia -- a province in the poor southern region of Calabria

Seoul warns Pyongyang: Toss out immediately spy satellite launch

SEOUL – South Korea’s military warned North Korea on Monday to immediately stop preparations for a spy satellite launch, vowing to take “necessary measures” if it goes ahead.

North Korea is preparing to launch a spy satellite for the third time, after failing twice this year to put a military eye in the sky.

Earlier this month, Seoul’s spy agency said that Pyongyang was in the final stages of preparations for its third try and South Korean defense minister Shin Won-sik said Sunday that the lift-off could take place as early as this week.

“We sternly warn North Korea to... imManila andard mediately suspend the TODAY current preparations to launch a military spy satellite,” said Kang

Notice is hereby given to the public that the Deed of Extra Judicial Settlement of the Intestate Estate of Eduardo R. Bustillo With Waiver of Rights has been executed by and among his heirs, namely: Beatriz S. Bustillo and Edmundo S. Bustillo in favor of Ma. Fe C. Siscar, as per Doc. No. 147; Page No. 30; Book No. XLVI; Series of 2023 of the Notarial Register/Book of Atty. Donato C. Manguiat, Notary Public for Quezon City.

(MS-NOV. 14/21/28, 2023)

be restricted.

Prosecutors argue that some of Trump’s statements about his trial “consist of ad hominem attacks using inflammatory language likely to arouse angry or violent feelings in the listener, rather than reasoned argument.”

“These are precisely the sorts of statements that pose a substantial likelihood of material prejudice to the proceedings,” they said, arguing that the gag order is clear on what is and isn’t allowed.

Trump has a “pattern,” they argue, “stretching back years, in which people publicly targeted by the defendant are... subject to harassment, threats and intimidation.”

Catherine Ross, a professor at the George Washington University Law School, told CNN she doubted Trump’s appeal would succeed in rescinding the gag order. AFP

Hundreds of alleged mobsters face sentencing in historic mafia trial

MAFIA TRIAL.

NOTICE OF DEED OF EXTRA-JUDICIAL SETTLEMENT OF THE INTESTATE ESTATE OF EDUARDO R. BUSTILLO WITH WAIVER OF RIGHTS

the Republican frontrunner will likely face in next year’s presidential election, given current polling.

But Trump’s lawyers have argued that the restrictions on him in the trial, set to start in March, will have an undue influence on his 2024 campaign. The Iowa Republican Caucus is set for January.

“The Gag Order installs a single federal judge as a barrier between the leading candidate for President, President Donald J. Trump, and every American across the country,” his lawyers wrote.

To clarify the restrictions on Trump, Chutkan cited a post that Trump made on his Truth Social website questioning whether his former chief of staff Mark Meadows took an immunity deal to testify against him, saying only “weaklings and cowards” would do so.

The judge said that sort of speech should

Ho-pil, chief director of operations at the Joint Chiefs of Staff.

“If North Korea goes ahead with the launch of a military reconnaissance satellite despite our warning, our military will take necessary measures to guarantee the lives and safety of the people,” he added.

After a failed second attempt in August, Pyongyang said it would carry out the third launch in October, though it never materialized.

South Korea has said Pyongyang is providing Moscow with arms in exchange for Russian space technology. AFP

that is the birthplace of the ‘Ndrangheta -has heard thousands of hours of testimony since the trial began in January 2021, including from more than 50 former mafia operatives turned state’s witnesses.

They and others have detailed countless examples of the ‘Ndrangheta’s brutality and its stranglehold over the local population, whether carrying out violent ambushes, shaking down business owners, rigging public tenders, stockpiling weapons, collecting votes or passing kickbacks to the powerful.

The accused are members or affiliates of the top ‘Ndrangheta “clan” in Vibo Valentia -- one of the region’s many economically depressed rural areas where the mafia has suffocated the local economy, infiltrated public institutions and terrorised its people for decades. AFP

Taiwan’s pres’l frontrunner picks US envoy as running mate TAIPEI – Taiwan’s presidential frontrunner Vice President Lai Ching-te said Monday he had picked the island’s former envoy to the United States as his running mate for January’s election.

The lead-up to the January 13 vote comes as Taiwan faces increased diplomatic and military pressures from China, which regards the island as its territory.

The candidate from the ruling Democratic Progressive Party, Lai said he would be joined on the ticket

by Hsiao Bi-khim, Taipei’s de facto ambassador to the United States

since 2020.

Bi-khim, we will succeed in the fiHsiao, 52, is widely regarded in nal 50 days to unite the consensus Washington and Taipei as a well- of the people and unite all forces to connected and savvy diplomat but is win the election, and allow Taiwan seen by China as an “independence to continue to grow on a steady path diehard”, and Beijing has previously forward.” sanctioned her twice.

Taiwan’s foreign ministry also Lai said Hsiao “has facilitated announced it had accepted Hsiao’s unprecedented close interactions resignation as the representative to in Taiwan-US relations in the past the Taipei Economic and Cultural years.”

Representative Office (TECRO) in “I believe that Bi-khim is definite- Washington. ly a leader in Taiwan’s diplomatic While the United States does not work today and a rare diplomatic tal- diplomatically recognise Taiwan, it ent in our country,” he said. is the island’s most prominent ally “I am confident that together with and arms supplier. AFP CYAN MAGENTA YELLOW BLACK

Myanmar’s displaced pray, teach under deadly air strikes

DEMOSO, Myanmar – A woman rings a bell outside a makeshift church of wood and tarpaulin, calling the faithful to worship and a respite from war in eastern Myanmar’s Kayah state.

Thousands of young people fled from Myanmar’s cities to Kayah’s rugged hills and jungle as the army launched a crackdown on pro-democracy protests following its 2021 coup.

Many volunteered for military training at hidden camps run by “People’s Defense Force” groups, and have since fought the junta across the Christian-majority state.

The junta has battered Kayah with artillery and RESPITE FROM WAR. Children with their parents pray in a temporary church at air strikes from its Russian and Chinese-built jets, a camp for internally displaced people in Demoso township in Myanmar’s Kayah state.

Thousands of young people fled from Kayah’s rugged hills and jungle as the military launched and more than 100,000 people are now displaced a crackdown on pro-democracy protests following its 2021 coup. AFP in the state, according to the United Nations.

A dirt path in Demoso township runs to one of the many new camps that have sprung up, where inhabitants pray, teach and eat under threat from the skies.

Mar Thi Yar, 45, says he is proud of the local church, with its roof of green tarpaulin and makeshift altar decorated with tinsel that inhabitants built last summer.

“It shows our togetherness,” he told AFP last month. “We only have God to rely on in our lives.”

Every evening the church is busy, he added.

At another camp, Daw Yit, 27, teaches at the school she helped found last December to serve 72 displaced students.

Constantly listening for the sounds of jets and shells makes it hard to teach as she would like, she said. AFP

BUSINESS

B3 TUESDAY, NOVEMBER 21, 2023

extrastory2000@gmail.com

PH stocks decline as investors search for leads to sustain rally T

By Jenniffer B. Austria

he Philippine Stock Exchange index slipped by 28.26 points, or 0.45 percent, to close at 6,183.62, while the broader all-shares index dipped 19.45 points, or 0.58 percent, to settle at 3,305.32 in the absence of fresh leads Monday.

Philstocks Financial Inc. research market because of its substantial weight head Claire Alviar said the 3.04-percent in the index. drop of SM Investments Corp.’s share Net market value turnover was thin price to P829 exerted pressure on the at P3.3 billion as investors stayed on

the sidelines and were hunting for fresh leads.

Meanwhile, Asian stocks mostly rose Monday following small gains on Wall Street as investors grow increasingly optimistic that the Federal Reserve has come to the end of its interest rate hiking cycle.

After a string of reports pointing to slowing inflation and a cooling jobs market, traders are shifting back into riskier assets as they bet on a loosening of financial conditions in the new year, with many eyeing rate cuts.

Focus will be on the release later in the week of minutes from the Fed’s November policy meeting, where officials held borrowing costs and hinted that they could be finished with their tightening campaign.

“While the Fed is likely pleased with the evolving data, the minutes will be scrutinized in the context of easier financial conditions since the meeting and a more favorable macro environment supporting the soft landing narrative,” said SPI Asset Management’s Stephen Innes. With AFP

ACEN’s retail arm signs supply deal with Zuellig Pharma

By Alena Mae S. Flores ACEN Renewable Energy Solutions (ACEN RES), the retail electricity arm of ACEN Corp., signed a new strategic partnership with healthcare solutions company Zuellig Pharma to supply 100-percent renewable energy to its Laguna facilities.

ACEN RES will supply RE to two major distribution facilities in the Philippines – the Santa Rosa distribution center and Canlubang distribution center.

The centers combined will reduce their carbon dioxide emissions by 10,600 tons each year, equivalent to the amount of CO2 absorbed by 92,739 trees in their lifetime (about 30 years) with the shift to 100-percent RE from ACEN. “ACEN is thrilled to join forces with Zuellig Pharma, a company that shares our robust commitment to sustainability. We are proud to support Zuellig Pharma by powering their operations with clean, renewable energy,” ACEN chief operating officer of Philippine operations and head of the commercial operations group Miguel de Jesus said.

The company’s Santa Rosa site was certified as a Leadership in Energy and Environmental Design (LEED) facility with its use of RE to support the requirements of its operations.

ACEN’s partnership with Zuellig Pharma falls under the retail competition and open access (RCOA) program, a government initiative allowing high power-consuming end-users to choose their electricity suppliers.

RCOA provides businesses such as Zuellig Pharma the opportunity to opt for RE supply, solidifying their commitment to sustainability.

SEC ANNIVERSARY. The Department of Finance lauds the Securities and Exchange Commission (SEC) for being a global champion of good governance during the commission’s 87th anniversary and appreciation night on Nov. 10, 2023 at the SEC headquarters in Makati City. SEC chairperson Emilio Aquino (sixth from left) joins representatives of the newest SEC Campaign Network partners, together with Commissioners Kelvin Lester Lee (left), Karlo Bello (fourth from left) and Javey Paul Francisco (right) during the appreciation night.

By Othel V. Campos TRIPZILLA, a digital travel company in Southeast Asia, named the Philippines as the Destination of the Year in its 9th annual awards.

The Philippines bagged back-toback wins as this year’s favorite destination among travelers and fourth most desirable country for adventure

by TripZilla and Wanderlust magazine, the Department of Tourism (DOT) said Monday.

“We are grateful for the global affirmation given to the extensive work that has been done to develop and promote our country. These recognitions underscore the Philippines’ stunning landscapes, vibrant culture, and Filipino brand of service excellence that makes for an enhanced Philippine tourism experience under the Marcos Administration,” said DOT Secretary Ma. Esperanza Christina Frasco.

“On behalf of the Department of Tourism, I extend my heartfelt gratitude to everyone who has risen to our President’s call for tourism transformation, which expands opportunities for livelihood and employment, driving the growth of the Philippine economy further,” she said.

TripZilla cited the Philippines not only for its popular tourist attractions but also for under-the-radar tourist offerings fit for all travel preferences. The wide range of tourist offerings keeps visitors coming back again to the country, it said.

The Tourism Promotions Board (TPB), an attached agency of the DOT in charge of marketing and promotions, also won the Sustainability Leader of the Year for Asia from the same award-giving body.

PAL plans to add more flights between Manila and Toronto in April 2024

By Darwin G. Amojelar PHILIPPINE Airlines (PAL) said Monday said it will increase its flight frequency between Manila and Toronto

by April next year to meet the growing travel demand.

The airline unit of businessman Lucio Tan said it would introduce a thirdweekly nonstop frequency on its Manila-Toronto route on April 5, 2024.

The 50-percent increase in capacity aims to meet growing travel demand to and from the Canadian East Coast region, as part of a long-term investment by the Philippine flag carrier in developing business and tourist travel flows between Canada and the Philippines.

PAL said with three-weekly frequen-

cies to choose from between Manila and 180,000 Canadians visiting the PhilToronto, passengers would gain added ippines during the first ten months of flexibility to structure their travel plans. 2023. Additionally, the new frequencies PAL’s current twice-weekly service will bolster connectivity between Southdeparts every Wednesday and Sunday east Asia and Canada via PAL’s Manila from Manila and Toronto. hub,” he said.

“Our expansion of flights to Toronto The Filipino community in Canada is highlights the importance of the Cana- estimated at over 350,000 ethnic Filipinos dian market in the Philippine Airlines in Ontario province. Toronto is the gatenetwork. We want to make it easier for way to Ontario, Quebec, the Maritimes businesses to establish commercial rela- and other areas in the Eastern seaboard. tions, for Canadians to plan holiday trips PAL is the only airline offering nonto the Philippines, and for Filipino Ca- stop flights between the Philippines and nadians to visit their families back in the Canada and also serves Vancouver with Manila homeland,” said PAL chief commercial daily flights from its Manila hub. Other Standard TODAY officer Eric David Anderson.

“Canada is among the top ten sources of foreign tourists to the Philippines, with more than

HOTEL101 IN LOS ANGELES. The NASDAQ Stock Exchange congratulates Hotel101 Global Pte. Ltd., the Singaporeregistered subsidiary of DoubleDragon Corp. for its expansion to the United States, as it seals an agreement for the Hotel101-Los Angeles California site. The iconic seven-story NASDAQ Tower shows the Hotel101 Global logo and the message congratulating Hotel101 Global.

AIA PH announces retirement of Ang as chief executive

AIA Philippines CEO Kelvin Ang

PH awarded ‘Destination of the Year’

PAN-ASIAN life insurance group AIA on Monday announced the retirement of AIA Philippines chief executive Kelvin Ang. This followed Ang’s distinguished 26year career at AIA that spanned multiple geographies, including Hong Kong, Malaysia, Indonesia, Vietnam, China and the Philippines.

“It has been quite a journey for me working these past five years alongside our people and partners at AIA Philippines, through the challenges of a worldwide pandemic and back to regaining our footing thereafter.

I will leave with a grateful heart knowing that we have done much to bring more focus on the importance of protection, and help more Filipinos live Healthier, Longer, Better Lives,” Ang said.

AIA appointed Melita Teo, who brings with

her 21 years of experience with the company, as AIA Philippines’ incoming chief executive.

Teo was recently AIA Singapore’s chief customer and digital officer and held various leadership positions in strategy and planning, business development, corporate solutions and operations, since joining the company in 2001.

“I’m excited to be joining the AIA Philippines team. These are exciting times for our business. Powered by the legacy of our 76 years in the market and the strength of the AIA Group, we are well positioned to bring Filipinos the best AIA has to offer.

Our recent acquisition of Medicard furthers our ability to help more customers address their health and protection needs. I look forward to working with our team to do more towards bringing our Purpose to life in the Philippines,” said Teo.

(MS-NOV. 20 & 21, 2023)

points across Canada such as Edmonton, Winnipeg and Calgary are served via PAL’s codeshare partner WestJet. PAL operates the Toronto services with the new-generation Airbus A350-900, a long-range jetliner that accommodates 295 passengers across a tri-class layout with 30 passengers in Business Class, 24 in Premium Economy, and 241 in Economy.

“We are thrilled that Philippine Airlines is increasing frequency between Toronto and Manila, a destination in very high demand,” said Greater Toronto Airports Authority chief commercial officer Khalil Lamrabet.

BUSINESS

B4

TUESDAY, NOVEMBER 21, 2023

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

JG Summit injecting P11-b fresh capital into petrochemical unit JG SUMMIT Holdings Inc. of the Gokongwei Group said Monday it is injecting an additional P11 billion in fresh capital into its wholly-owned petrochemical subsidiary.

JG Summit said its board of directors approved the proposed P11-billion infusion into JG Summit Olefins Corp.

(JGSOC) to pay off its expansion project obligations and support its operations during a period of declining market demand and rising input costs.

JGSOC, in exchange for the capital infusion, will issue 1.67 billion shares to JG Summit, equivalent to 20 percent of the company’s outstanding common shares, at P6.57 apiece.

JGSOC is the largest manufacturer of polyolefins—commonly used in

making plastic bags—in the country.

It operates the first and only naphtha cracker plant in the Philippines to produce olefin raw materials ethylene and propylene used as feedstock by the downstream polymer plants, which produce many products including plastic, clothing and fiberglass.

It is embarking on an organizationwide transformation that targets realizable performance results within 2024.

JGSOC narrowed its net loss to P8.8 billion in the first nine months of 2023 even as revenues remained largely flat year-onyear at P25.5 billion as increased volumes, especially in third quarter after its cracking operations resumed in June, cushioned the impact of lower petrochemical selling prices. Jenniffer B. Austria

HOLOGRAM SPEECH. President Ferdinand Marcos Jr. makes history by delivering the first successful holographic keynote address at the Singapore FinTech Festival 2023 on Nov. 15, 2023. Crafted by the collaboration of UnionDigital Bank, CSJ Events and Total Experience agency -Tribal Worldwide Philippines, the president’s holographic address not only highlighted the nation’s commitment to embracing digital transformation and financial technology but also emphasized the vital role of inclusivity within the financial sector.

Aboitiz to close $1.8-b Coca-Cola deal in Q1

By Jenniffer B. Austria

BOITIZ Equity Ventures Inc. (AEV) said Monday it expects to close the acquisition of Cola-Cola Bottlers Philippines Inc. (CCBPI) by the first quarter of 2024.

A

AEV and joint venture partner CocaCola Europacific Partners Plc. (CCEP) signed a definitive agreement to finalize their planned acquisition of CCBPI from The Coca-Cola Company (TCCC),

the Aboitiz Group said in a disclosure to the stock exchange.

AEV and CCEP signed in August a non-binding letter of intent to acquire the TCCC’s 100-percent stake in CCBP,

which has an enterprise value of $1.8 billion on a debt-free and cash-free basis.

Under the agreement, AEV will hold a 40-percent beneficial ownership in CCBPI, while CCEP will have the remaining 60-percent stake.

The final cash consideration will be subject to cash, debt-like items and working capital adjustments at completion of the transaction. It is subject to a number of customary closing conditions, including clearance from the Phil-

ippine Competition Commission, the government’s anti-trust body.

AEV said the acquisition would support its portfolio diversification strategy to enter the branded consumer goods space.

It is one of the most diversified conglomerates in the country with interests in power generation, financial services, real estate development, infrastructure, food, data science and artificial intelligence.

“AEV is well positioned to support

BOP climbs to 9-month high of $1.5b

SEMICONDUCTOR MEETING.

Department of Trade and Industry (DTI) Secretary Alfredo Pascual (center) encourages US firms and companies to invest in the Philippines semiconductor industry during a roundtable meeting at the sidelines of the Asia-Pacific Economic Cooperation Summit 2023 in San Francisco, United States.

By Julito G. Rada

Pascual woos US electronics firms, cites huge pool of young Filipino talent DEPARTMENT of Trade and Industry (DTI) Secretary Alfredo Pascual encouraged US companies to invest in the Philippine semiconductor industry in a roundtable meeting at the sidelines of the recent Asia-Pacific Economic Cooperation Summit 2023 in San Francisco, United States.

Pascual underscored the Philippines’ strong economic growth, coupled with the country’s comparative advantages including a huge pool of young talent, a competitive business environment, strategic market access and robust government support.

CCBPI’s growth ambition due to the synergies which could be generated from AEV’s other business interests in the country,” the conglomerate said.

CCBI operates 19 manufacturing plants and about 50 sales offices and distribution centers across the country.

Meanwhile, the proposed acquisition would also build on CCEP’s successful expansion into Australia, Pacific & Indonesia (API) in 2021. It primarily bottles and sells Coca-Cola products in Western Europe.

“Within the semiconductor sector, the United States, particularly through partnerships and support from the Semiconductor Industry Association [SIA] and the Semiconductor Equipment and Materials International [SEMI], stands out as a pivotal ally. Our two countries’ collaboration runs deep, reflecting a strong alignment across various levels, where the previously mentioned advantages seamlessly complement the advanced technologies of your country. Meanwhile, at the policy level, both parties are actively engaged in the Indo-Pacific Regional and Bilateral Policy Frame-

work negotiations,” he said.

Pascual said the DTI is fostering close collaboration with local industry associations, such as the Semiconductor and Electronics Industries in the Philippines Foundation Inc. (SEIPI). He emphasized the country’s robust electronics industry which contributed 62.27 percent to the total exports.

He said Philippine merchandise exports soared to about $78 billion, making the Philippines among the top 10 global suppliers for nearly 200 products and among the top 20 suppliers for 500 diverse products.

Pascual also outlined the strength of the Philippines’ service export, particularly in the manufacturing services on physical inputs owned by others (MSPOI), which recorded $41 billion in 2022 placing the country as the secondlargest exporter in the ASEAN region.

He said the country was aspiring to grow its participation in the US semiconductor value chain in relation to the CHIPS Act and with the executive order of President Joe Biden to work with American allies and partners to strengthen the collective supply chain resilience.

PhilHealth adjusting rates of benefit packages in 2024 to expand coverage

DIGITAL HR. Bank of the Philippine Islands (BPI) adopts digital-first HR with its partnership with Darwinbox, a human resource management system (HRMS) provider.

Attending the signing of the partnership agreement are (from left) BPI chief human resources Gina Eala, BPI president and chief executive TG Limcaoco, Darwinbox cofounder Jayant Paleti and Darwinbox country manager for the Philippines Sasank Raavi.

THE Philippine Health Insurance Corp. (PhilHealth) said Monday it will adjust the rates of most of its benefit packages in 2024, which will result in increased financial coverage for Filipinos’ hospitalization expenses.

It said the adjustment is in response to the increasing costs of healthcare in the country brought about by inflation.

The state insurer first implemented the case rate payment system in 2013 when it reimbursed a fixed amount for a specific medical condition or surgical case.

“It is about time that PhilHealth adjusts its rates in order for our members to cope with the increasing cost of medical care. We want our members to feel the value of their benefits which translates to meaningful financial risk

protection. Dapat ramdam ng mga kababayan natin ang benepisyo nila sa PhilHealth,” said PhilHealth president and chief executive Emmanuel Ledesma Jr. The case rates are likely to increase to a maximum of 30 percent across all cases. This is expected to reduce out-of-pocket expenses of patients during hospitalization and in the availment of PhilHealth benefits for outpatient care.

PhilHealth said to minimize untoward inflationary effects after rate adjustments, it would prescribe a costsharing mechanism where health facilities and the members would have fixed co-payment rates on top of what is being paid for by PhilHealth as the insurer.

THE Philippines’ balance of payments posted a nine-month high surplus of $1.5 billion in October from $711 million in the same month last year, data from the Bangko Sentral ng Pilipinas (BSP) showed Monday.

It was the biggest BOP surplus since reaching $3.1 billion in January 2023.

“The BOP surplus in October 2023 reflected inflows arising mainly from the national government’s net foreign currency deposits with the Bangko Sentral ng Pilipinas, and the BSP’s net foreign exchange operations and net income from its investments abroad,” the BSP said.

The surplus in October brought the year-to-date level to $3.2 billion, a reversal from the $7.1-billion deficit recorded in the same period last year.

“Based on preliminary data, this development reflected mainly the improvement in the balance of trade alongside the higher net inflows from personal remittances, trade in services and foreign borrowings by the national government,” the BSP said.

The peso also strengthened Monday to close at 55.55 against the US dollar from 55.67 Friday.

Net inflows from foreign direct investments contributed to the surplus, albeit lower during the period, the BSP said.

The gross international reserves level increased to $101.0 billion as of end-October from $98.1 billion in September. The latest GIR level represented a more than adequate external liquidity buffer equivalent to 7.5 months’ worth of imports of goods and payments of services and primary income.

It was also about 5.8 times the country’s short-term external debt based on original maturity and 3.7 times based on residual maturity.

The BSP earlier reduced its BOP deficit projection this year to $0.1 billion from an estimate of $1.2-billion shortfall made in the second quarter.

The Monetary Board approved the new set of 2023 and 2024 balance of payment projections during its Sept.

14, 2023 meeting.

The current account is expected to post a deficit of $11.1 billion this year from the previous estimate of $15.1-billion shortfall.

C1

SPORTS

TUESDAY, NOVEMBER 21, 2023

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

Azkals in must-win situation vs. Garudas in AFC tourney

By Peter Atencio

A

NOTHER close encounter is expected when the Philippine Azkals national men’s football team meets the Indonesian Garudas at the resumption of the second round matches of the 2026 FIFA World Cup AFC qualification on Thursday evening at the Rizal Memorial Football Stadium.

The Azkals are ready to bounce back af- their 7 p.m. clash with the Garudas. ter their 0-2 loss to Vietnam last Thursday, “We are coming off a 0-2 loss, and Incoach Hans Michael Weiss said ahead of donesia is coming off a 1-5 loss. It will be

difficult for us if we don’t win. It will be difficult to qualify for the next round if we don’t win,” said Weiss.

The Azkals will remember their setback to Vietnam, coming into their showdown with Indonesia.

The match was close and they had scoring opportunities. But this time against the Garudas, the Azkals will need to be more focused in converting goals.

And so will the Indonesians, now that Iraq and Vietnam share the lead in Group F. “We got a big advantage in our prepa-

rations. And we are adjusting to our difficult situation,” said Indonesia’s Korean coach Shin Tae Yong.

After their first game, Weiss said he is seeking to get the right mix of players on the pitch.

“We have little thoughts on how far we can go, how far we can press. But we have a little more than in our last game,” added Weiss.

Backed by a big home crowd the last time around, Weiss hopes that fans will once again flock to the Vito Cruz venue cheer them on again.

And going in to their game with the

Michael Weiss

Garudas, Weiss said they will not allow the Indonesians to leave them behind by a big margin.

“The Philippines has never fought close games, to be beaten or get drawn by opponents, just like in our game with Vietnam. It was a very fair result,” said Weiss.

Young turks, top guns clash as PGT Match Play unfolds

Fiery duels highlight match play golf opener HARMIE Constantino and Mikha Fortuna face off in what promises to be a furious battle for ball control and putting as the ICTSI The Country Club Match Play Invitational unfolds Tuesday at the TCC course in Laguna.

Back-to-back winner at Luisita and Villamor in the recently-concluded Ladies Philippine Golf Tour, the topseeded Constantino is all primed against the title-hungry Fortuna, who narrowly missed a breakthrough victory at South Pacific last September.

But in knockout duels, focus will be on winning individual holes, thus putting more accent on aggressiveness and strategic play in the face of the demanding TCC layout. As contenders navigate the long and exacting course, they must balance assertiveness with caution, given the lurking challenges on every hole, especially with the unpredictable wind conditions.

With a total prize fund of P1.5 million at stake in the ladies division, each duel becomes a crucial battle for supremacy and the quest for an early advantage will be paramount, setting the stage for eight compelling matches in the tournament organized by Pilipinas Golf Tournaments, Inc. which features the Top 16 in the Order of Merit rankings after the 10-leg LPGT season.

Top amateur Mafy Singson, already winner of two LPGT titles, including the Valley leg last June, collides with young Korean Seoyun Kim in one of the featured matches at 7 a.m. on No. 10, while Apple Fudolin and Rev Alcantara tangle at 7:08 a.m.

Tony Lascuña will be tested by Gab Manotoc in one of the top matches ushering in the P2-million championship at the TCC course in Laguna.

THE ICTSI The Country Club Match Play Invitational gets going today (Tuesday) with a mix of experienced players and rising stars slugging it out for early survival in a format that also provides a platform for Asian Tour campaigners to spice up the title chase in head-to-head clashes.

Defending champion Tony Lascuña draws Gab Manotoc, Elmer Salvador duels with Keanu Jahns, Michael Bibat tests Korean Hyun Ho Rho and Frankie Miñoza faces Ira Alido in top matches ushering in the P2 million championship at the TCC course in Laguna.

The four-day tournament also sees the return of Miguel Tabuena, Justin Quiban, Angelo Que and Lloyd Go, adding an extra layer of intensity to the competition in a clash of generations with the seasoned campaigners relying on experience and the younger talents eager to make their mark.

Among the anticipated matchups in the event which features the Top 32 players on the Order of Merit after the 10-stage PGT season is the 7:20 a.m. clash between Tabuena, winner at Luisita and No. 2 in the Asian Tour OOM derby, and fellow Asian Tour regular Go. But a slew of riveting matches are also on tap, including the Lascuña-Manotoc duel at 8:52 a.m., while Jahns, who lost a 4&3 verdict to Lascuna in the event’s inaugurals at Villamor last year, is eager to kick off another title run against former OOM winner Salvador, who tied for seventh in the last two PGT events at Del Monte and South Pacific.

They tangle at 7:16 a.m. while Bibat, who nipped Lascuna and Reymon Jaraula by one to capture the Eagle Ridge crown last year, braces for a showdown with Rho, this year’s Q-School top-

FEU chessers make history with 3 UAAP titles

Rookie Jade Disquitado of NU attempts for a kill during PNVF Challenge Cup action against Arellano U

National University sweeps PNVF Challenge Cup Pool B HEAVY title favorite National University wiped out Pool B after rolling past Arellano, 25-17, 25-12, 25-16, in the Philippine National Volleyball Federation Challenge Cup men’s division on Monday at the Rizal Memorial Coliseum in Manila.

The three-time reigning UAAP champions encountered little to no resistance from the Chiefs to bag their fourth straight win in as many games in only 60 minutes and top Pool B of the elimination round heading into the quarterfinals.

NU also carved out easy wins against Rizal Technological University-Basilan, 25-15, 25-17, 25-19, and University of the East-Cherrylume, 25-22, 25-23, 25-20, with its lone gritty win coming against Pool

notcher who is still in search of a big finish, in their 7:56 a.m. clash.

While Alido, who opened the PGT season with a come-from-behind victory in Bacolod, hopes to bank on his power and energy against Miñoza in their 8:28 a.m. encounter, the golfing legend looks to lean on his sheer talent and experience in a bid to progress in the knockout format on a course that puts premium on skill, strategy and nerves.

Jhonnel Ababa, meanwhile, tangles with former amateur hotshot Ferdie Aunzo in the last pairing at 9 a.m. with the ace Davaoeño shotmaker eyeing to cap a successful season after ruling the Mimosa Plus leg last September on his way to securing his first OOM crown in the circuit organized by Pilipinas Golf Tournaments, Inc. In other matches, Jaraula, winner at Valley last June, faces Gerald Rosales at 8:44 a.m. after the 8:36 a.m. duel between Iloilo leg runaway champion Rupert Zaragosa and Mars Pucay, while Dino Villanueva and Joenard Rates collide at 8:12 a.m.

Que and Quiban, meanwhile, take on Korean Min Seong Kim and Elee Bisera at 8:04 a.m. and 7:32 a.m., respectively, while Marvin Dumandan, who lost to Quiban in a four-hole playoff at South Pacific, trades shots with Rico Depilo at 7:48 a.m.

Dutch Guido van der Valk, the reigning back-to-back The Country Club Invitational champion, squares off with Art Arbole at 8:20 a.m., while Albin Engino and Nilo Salahog face off at 7 a.m., Zanieboy Gialon and Jay Bayron duel at 7:08 a.m. and young Sean Ramos and Fidel Concepcion slug it out at 7:40 a.m.

Games Tuesday (Rizal Memorial Coliseum, Manila) 9 a.m. – UB vs Letran (women’s) 11 a.m. – Parañaque vs UP Volleyball Club (women’s) 1 p.m. – Arellano vs RTU (men’s) 3 p.m. – Iloilo vs Sta. Rosa (men’s) 5 p.m. – UST vs Tacloban (men’s)

B second-seed VNS Asereht (3-1), 25-23, 22-25, 25-21, 25-27, 15-6.

The Bulldogs thus joined other fancied squads in Cignal (4-0) from Pool A, PGJC Navy (4-0) from Pool C and UAAP runner-up University of Santo Tomas (3-0) from Pool D as unbeaten squads and top-seeds in the knockout quarterfinals of the tourney supported by the Philippine Sports Commission headed by chairman Richard Bachmann,

PLDT, Rebisco, Akari, Foton and CBPI. PGJC Navy also completed a perfect slate in Pool C on Sunday night with a 26-24, 25-16, 22-25, 25-9 win over Jose Rizal U (2-1), which despite the loss maintained its place at No. 2 with still a game to go for the second quarterfinal ticket from the group.

UE-Cherrylume, on the other hand, finished its campaign in style despite already being out of the race in Pool B with a 2-2 record after sweeping RTU-Basilan (0-3), 25-18, 25-16, 25-19.

In other games, Kuya JM-Davao City and Sta. Rosa City scooped up big wins against separate foes to stay in contention in Pools A and D, respectively, of the 20-team men’s division.

FAR Eastern University made a historic performance after it recently ruled three of the four divisions in chess in the UAAP Season 86 at the FEU Tech Gym in Morayta, Manila.

Spearheaded by eventual MVP Mary Joy Tan, the FEU lady woodpushers reigned supreme in the women’s division to reclaim the crown they last won four seasons ago.

It was the sixth title in all for the FEU senior women’s squad, which has Vic Glysen Derotas, Mhage Gerriahlou Sebastian, Bea Mendoza, Rizalyn Jasmine Tejada and Shaine Romanillos as other members.

FEU also topped the high school girls courtesy of Ruelle Canino, Samantha Umayan, April Joy Claros, Bonjoure Fille Suyamin, Kate Nicole Ordizo and Arleh Cassandra Sapuan as well as the high school boys thanks to Franklin Loyd Andes, Jerish John Velarde, Oscar Joseph Cantela, Lemmuel Jay Adena, Ritchie James Abeleda and Zeus Alexis Zeus Paglinawan.

The only title that escaped FEU was in the men’s section, which went to University of Santo Tomas.

“It was history, winning three of the four was never been done before,” said FEU coach Jayson Gonzales, who thanked FEU chair Aurelio Montinola III and president Juan Miguel Montinola, FEU Diliman senior executive director Benson Tan, executive director Armi Yabut.

Also lending a helping hand to the team were assistant coach John Jasper Laxamana and national women’s champion and Woman Grandmaster Janelle Mae Frayna, who served as team consultant.

Gonzales also praised UAAP executive director Rebo Saguisag for helping approve blitz and rapid chess as part of the UAAP calendar as demonstration sports starting in the second semester next year.

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SPORTS

TUESDAY, NOVEMBER 21, 2023

Highest ambitions fuel Djokovic after record ATP Finals triumph T

URIN—Novak Djokovic has no intention of slowing down after capping another incredible year with Sunday’s recordbreaking seventh ATP Finals victory.

At 36 years old Djokovic is still tennis’ number one player by some distance and he has racked up a host of new records this season, taking his Grand Slam tally to 24 and finishing top of the year-end world rankings for the eighth time.

He swept past young pretenders Carlos Alcaraz and Jannik Sinner on his way to triumph in Turin and is gunning for more glory in 2024, when Paris hosts the one major event where he has not won -- the Olympics.

Asked what else he can accomplish in tennis, Djokovic joked: “Well, you can win four Slams and Olympic gold”.

“I have always the highest ambitions and goals. That’s not going to be different for the next year, that’s for sure. The drive that I have is still there,” he added.

“Motivation, especially for the biggest tournaments in sport, is still present... For me, obviously those are Grand Slams and Finals, and next year hopefully also Olympic Games.”

The Olympics take place over July 26-August 11 in the French capital, starting less than a fortnight after Wimbledon and finishing shortly before the US Open.

It is a major career goal sandwiched into an already long, draining season, one which will take its toll on all the top players let alone one heading towards his late 30s.

“It is definitely one of the major goals for next year, other than Grand Slams,” said Djokovic.

SEA Games veteran Felipe nails junior men’s foil gold

Serbia’s Novak Djokovic poses with the trophy after winning the final match against Italy’s Jannik Sinner at the ATP Finals tennis tournament in Turin.

“It’s going to be very congested schedule with going from the slowest to the fastest surface in sport back to the slowest. Clay, grass, clay, then hard court. Obviously that’s a very demanding, challenging stretch of the year.”

Vanquished finalist Sinner hailed Djokovic as an “inspiration” during the trophy ceremony and is using the Serb as a model for his own bid for the

Shawn Felipe

By Peter Atencio SOUTHEAST Asian Games veteran Shawn Felipe frustrated US-trained foe Dean Myers, 15-8, to rule the junior men’s foil event of the Dr. Celso Dayrit Memorial Fencing Championships Sunday at the Ayala Malls by the Bay in Macapagal Ave., Pasay City.

The 19-year-old Felipe, who was part of the national squad that won the team bronze medal in the recent SEA Games, quickly earned points in the first round, and was never in trouble after taking a 12-4 edge with his attacks.

“My opponent trained well in the US. I just made sure about my movements so I did not hurry up. That’s why I was able to score early,” said Felipe, who will see action in the World Junior Cadets later this month in Thailand.

Felipe advanced to the finals after outpointing University of the East teammate Ygnatius Cabaero, 15-10, in the semifinals, and Ignatius Obnuzar,15-8, in the quarterfinals.

Earlier, Felipe’s elder brother Nash, 21, took home a gold medal in the cadet men’s saber, while his younger brother Kianne, 14, earned a silver in the junior men’s sabre.

Republic Fencing’s Jacob Mayo repulsed Lance Dy, 10-5, in the fight for the top honors in the under-12 boys epee, while Yuna Canlas of Canlas Fencing clinched the under-12 women’s foil crown in toppling UE’s Willa Liana Galvez, 10-7.

Maegan Co Say (Republic Fencing) prevailed over Adrienne Lising, 15-11, in taking the junior women’s epee honors, while University of

sport’s top honours.

Both Djokovic and his coach Goran Ivanisevic predicted that Sinner, who claimed four tour-level titles this season, will one day win Grand Slams and top the world rankings.

And his performances at the Pala Alpitour have been cause for great optimism within Italian tennis.

“He’s an inspiration because he worked throughout the whole years

before, when he was younger, in the right way to get to this point. That’s also one of my goals,” Sinner told reporters.

“It’s not only about watching one season. You watch this season, and you say, OK, I played good. But you have to play well every season, and you have to get to a certain age, which is 35, 36, 37, whatever, and you can still feel the body in the right way.” AFP

Castillo wins PSA Cup golf crown with a 70 MUSONG Castillo of the Philippine Daily Inquirer shot a two-under 70 under the System 36 format to capture the overall title in the ninth Philippine Sportswriters Association Cup at the Manila Southwoods Golf and Country Club in Carmona, Cavite last Friday.

Castillo, the assistant sports editor of PDI, banked on a key birdie on the water-laced par-3 No. 16 of the Legends’ course off a solid pitching wedge to foil two others for the overall championship in the revival of the annual tournament hosted by Manila Southwoods.

The battle for the overall title headed to a wild finish after Castillo, Jong Arcano and Dr. Ian Laurel matched one-under par cards heading to the closing holes.

Arcano of Inquirer Golf went on to clinch the Class A crown with a 71, while Jun Engracia edged Dodo Catacutan of spin.ph for second via countback after both players matched par 72s.

In Class B, PSA president and The Philippine STAR sports editor Nelson Beltran emerged as champion with an 81.

Dr. Laurel also carded a 71 to rule the sponsors and friends division with Coco Torre, the sec-gen of the PFF, nipping PFF president Nonong Araneta for second after both posted 73s.

Daily Tribune golf editor Marc Reyes placed second in Class B with 83, besting Aldrin Quinto of spin.ph via countback in the tournament backed by ICTSI, San Miguel Corp., the Philippine Football Federation, Philippine Airlines, Rain or Shine, NorthPort, the Philippine Basketball Association, the Premier Volleyball League, Sen. Chiz Escudero, Milo Best Center, Akari, Aces, Shakey’s, Batangas Rep. Eric Buhain and MacBeth.

Southwoods, Luisita renew rivalry at Fil-Am Golf BAGUIO —The rivalry between Manila Southwoods and Luisita continues as they compete anew for the Fil-Championship title in the coming 73rd Januarius Fil-Am Golf Invitational at the Baguio Country Club and Camp John Hay courses in Baguio starting on November 25.

Last year, Manila Southwoods put one over Luisita after finishing the tournament with an 11-point victory.

The Carmona-based club will practically have the same nucleus of Jun Plana, Raul Miñoza, Theody Pascual and Manfred Guangko with Bong Brobio as the fifth member.

“I know the battle would be intense so I reminded the guys to just enjoy the week and play pressure-free,” said Southwoods’ captain Freddie Mendoza, who presided over the team’s final meeting on Monday at Southwoods.

Luisita, on one hand, will parade stables Benjie Su-

mulong, Rodel Mangulabnan, Dan Cruz and Chino Raymundo.

Abe Rosal, currently one of the national coaches under the National Golf Association of the Philippines will take the place of Marty Ilagan in the roster.

“We have the top 4 from our PAL Interclub team and with the addition of Abe (Rosal), we hope to take the title,” said Luisita skipper Jeric Hechanova.

Greenwater, though, might spring a surprise and could possibly be a contender since many time winners Tommy Manotoc and Douglas Puckett are in the line up The seniors’ competition of the Fil-Am, regarded as the world’s largest amateur tournament, tees off November 25 at the Baguio Country Club and Camp John Hay courses.

A total of 252 teams, around 1,400 participants, are taking part this year.

Clark Festival of Speed organizers lauded CLARK Development Corporation president Agnes Devanadera has expressed her gratitude to the organizers of the Clark International Festival of Speed (CIFOS), which flagged off recently at the Clark Speedway in Clark Freeport Zone in Mabalacat, Pampanga.

The former Solicitor General during the Gloria Macapagal-Arroyo administration said the staging of the CIFOS would boost the economic development

Santo Tomas bet Janna Catantan downed younger sister Sophia Catantan, 15-10 for junior women’s foil gold.

University of the Philippines standout Lorenzo Malvar outplayed UE’s Aurell Obnuzar, 15-10, in the junior men’s epee action, and Krups Ednilag won over Mayumi Trinidad, 15-8, for the junior women’s epee gold.

Kurt Marquez of UST stopped Khiane Felipe, 15-10, to earn the junior men’s sabre plum.

Some 403 fencers took part in the two-day meet organized by the Philippine Fencing Association, in honor of former Philippine Olympic Committee president Celso Dayrit.

of CDC as it opens the gates for the arrival of both local and foreign motorsports enthusiasts and tourists alike.

“This is a milestone, this will attract more tourists and investments here in Clark,” said Devanadera, who also served as chairperson of the Energy Regulatory Commission during the Duterte administration.

The three-day annual event sponsored by Yamaha and Petron, brought

Motorsports officials’ (from right) Johnny Tan, president and CEO of Kilton Motor Corporation; Steve Ayles, president of MAD D; M. Agnes Devanadera, president of Clark Development Corporation; and Richard Daemos, Regional Director of the Department of Tourism Region III are shown during the opening of Clark International Festival of Speed.

together motorcycle manufacturers, dealers and producers to showcase their products including motorcycle spare parts and accessories.

“This will serve as a platform for motorcycle industry designers, owners, and enthusiasts to share their expertise, knowledge, and skills with the general public through various events and activities,” said Johnny Tan, president and chief executive officer of the Clark International Speedway. .

Devanadera also stressed the CIFOS would promote trade and tourism in the country by the advancement of motorcycle technology, safety and manufacturing.

“I have two boys. I told them not to go onto motorcycle because I was afraid then. But now, since I took a ride on a bike, I enjoyed it. It’s exciting,” added Devanadera.

Highlighting the event on Saturday was the motorcycle club experience participated in by Team Ninja Horth, Ninja Big Bike, Anghel ng Lansangan, Vespa Club of the Philippines and Club Culiat.

Other demonstrations held were conducted by Suzuki Riding Safety Clinic, Mad Dog Motorcycle Club of the Philippines. On the other hand, the MORAC Grand Prix was held Sunday with the Scooter 160cc open class, Motorex Underbone Street Legal and Pirelli Maxi Scooter Intermediate as well as Pirelli GP Supperbike and Yamaha R3 Race of Champions.

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SHOWBIZ

TUESDAY, NOVEMBER 21, 2023

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

Ryan Cayabyab makes festive return THE Yuletide Season becomes even merrier with the release of the album One Christmas by Filipino National Artist Ryan Cayabyab on the Viva/ Ivory label.

Recorded for Telesis Recording and Entertainment Corporation and initially released in 1991, the album has been off the grid for several years. With Viva Music’s recent acquisition of its distributor, Ivory Records, One Christmas is now available on all digital platforms.

One Christmas is Cayabyab’s follow-up to his successful solo album One. The collection of Filipino love songs was the first of its kind and is now considered a true landmark in the

Filipino National Artist Maestro Ryan Cayabyab

local history of recorded music.

One features Cayabyab as the sole performer of all vocals, which he also arranged. He followed the same approach for One Christmas, mixing classic Christmas carols with new compositions for his song lineup.

With Felipe de Leon’s “Pasko Na Naman” as binder music, the album includes old favorites like “Ang Aking Pamasko” by Antonio Velarde and Levi Celerio; “Noche Buena” by National Artists De Leon and Celerio; “Maligayang Pasko at Masaganang Bagong Taon,” better known as “Ang Pasko ay Sumapit” by Vicente Rubi and Celerio; “Himig Pasko” by S.Y. Ramos; and “Payapang Daigdig” also by De Leon.

One Christmas is notable because it marked

the first recorded versions of Christmas songs composed by Cayabyab, such as “Heto Na Naman” and “Ano’ng Gagawin Mo Ngayong Pasko,” and his noted collaboration with Jose Javier Reyes, which became a huge Holiday favorite, “Kumukutikutitap.”

Also included in the album are contemporary pop Christmas songs like “Miss Kita Kung Christmas” written by Hermie Uy and Fe M. Ayala, and “Pasko Na Sinta Ko” by Francis Dandan and Aurelio Estanislao.

One Christmas was produced for Telesis by Cayabyab and the late Margot M. Gallardo. It was recorded at Greenhill Sound Productions, with Monching Payumo as the engineer.

Melai’s time to shine T

By Angelica Villanueva

V host and comedienne Melai CantiverosFrancisco embarked on a new mission as she bannered the Filipino-Korean action-comedy movie, Ma’am Chief: Shakedown in Seoul.

Taking on the titular role, Melai is playing the role of SPO4 Crisselda “Selda” Kaptan, the “fangirl pulis ng bayan” who disguised as a tourist guide in South Korea to do a secret mission to apprehend a dangerous fugitive.

During the film’s press conference, the Magandang Buhay host shared how nervous she was to play the character of a fangirl policewoman.

“I’m so nervous. I really felt very nervous because I didn’t even know why I was chosen and given this character. I feel so nervous and so flattered,” said Melai.

When asked by Manila Standard Entertainment about her preparations for playing Selda, Melai shared that she underwent a series of workshops and training both as a fangirl and as a policewoman.

“We had a series of workshops on how we can play the character of being a K-pop fan because K-pop fans know exactly if you’re just pretending to be a fan,” stated Melai.

“And then, we also had fight scenes—me, Jennica, and Karylle. We had training for our action scenes. However, they provided us Korean stunt director,” she added.

The comedienne also shared that she had struggled in a particular scene that required her to cry.

“It’s so hard for me to cry. Sobrang maloko talaga kasi ‘yung mukha ko, when it’s time to be sad, I started to imagine funny things. So, ‘yung

nag-iyakan, I need to become serious because the scene needs to show the heart of the movie,” Melai explained.

Melai then became emotional as she expressed her gratitude for entrusting her with the lead role.

“I am so amazed. I can tell that God really moves in mysterious ways. We just need to believe and trust in God’s plan for our lives. I will not forget this moment. This is one of the things that God moved in mysterious ways in my life,” she continued.

Melai has been in the entertainment industry for 14 years after winning the reality show Pinoy Big Brother: Double Up in 2009.

Since then, the actress has been active in doing roles both in small and big screens.

This time, she’s taking on a new challenge as the lead role.

“The Lord made this possible. To Inang Reyna, I will forever pray for you and for your family,” she added.

Shot in South Korea, the movie also marked Pulp Studios’ debut film produced by Pulp Live World COO Happee Sy-Go and directed by her best friend, Kring Kim. Ma’am Chief: Shakedown in Seoul is written by Sofia Hazel Calayag.

Sy-Go explained how she wanted Ma’am Chief to represent the entire K-pop community— full of energy, excitement, and humor.

“I’ve been exposed to different fans, different [communities], and this time I wanna tell their story through my eyes. And at the same time, I wanted a Filipino character enjoying K-pop and K-drama, that’s why she’s a police,” Sy-Go reiterated.

She also stated that the movie aimed to let K-pop fans understand that it’s okay to find joy in different things.

“The movie is not about anything else

but to show that we could all be serious in life, but at the same time, we all have our crazy side and it’s okay. It’s okay to be fun.

It’s okay to go crazy and be crazy b u t

The cast of ‘Ma’am Chief: Shakedown in Seoul’ led by (center) Melai CantiverosFrancisco

Comedy actress Melai Cantiveros-Francisco portrays the role of SPO4 Crisselda ‘Selda’ Kaptan

it’s also okay to be real,” she added.

On the other hand, Sy-Go applauded Melai for accepting the role of Crisselda “Selda” Kaptan.

“I know she’s very funny because you can notice how funny she is. But I know inside her, there’s a very, very soft spot of Melai that’s why she can make people happy but deep inside her, she’s a very sensitive person. Makikita niyo doon kung sino ang totoong Melai,” Sy-Go said.

“Thank you so much, Ma’am Chief, for your trust with us at Pulp Studios. You know that Ma’am Chief character is really you. And you really, really never failed us. Thank you so much,” she added.

“Pasabog ang Melai CantiverosFrancisco dito. I think, generation niya ‘to. It’s her time to shine,” said the film’s director, Kring Kim. Meanwhile, Melai also extended her thanks and gave credit to his co-star for doing the film with her.

“Hindi lang ako ‘to, sila rin ‘to. Gusto kong ibigay ang honor sa kanila. Hindi magiging Ma’am Chief kung ako lang. Sobrang honored ako sa mga kasama kong cast dahil ginawa nila ang best nila,” Melai stated, The film also features Alora Sasam, Bernadette Allyson Estrada, Dustine Mayores, Enzo Almario, Jennica Garcia, Karylle Tatlonghari, Manel Sevidal, Pepe Herrera, Sela Guia, and Al Tantay.

Korean superstars such as Lee Seung-gi, Do Ji-han, Rolling Quartz, and Yuju have also some special cameos.

Ma’am Chief: Shakedown is now cinemas nationwide.

Melai expresses her gratitude that the people behind ‘Ma’am Chief: Shakedown in Seoul’ entrusted her with the character of ‘Selda’

Disney brings back the villain FROM Cruella de Vil to Scar, Disney has created many of cinema’s most memorable villains -- but bombastic baddies have been notably absent from the studio’s recent hits.

In movies such as Frozen 2 and Raya and the Last Dragon, heroes have battled abstract enemies like mistrust and xenophobia rather than puppy-flaying prima donnas or regicidal uncles, leaving some fans disappointed.

That is about to change with Wish, an oldschool animation out in theaters Wednesday, which celebrates the 100th anniversary of Disney with dozens of throwbacks to the studio’s earliest films -- including their dastardly antagonists.

We hear what people are saying out there – the fans are like, ‘Just give us a villain!

A real good old-fashioned villain!’” director Chris Buck told AFP. “And a good-looking villain!” added his

fellow director Fawn Veerasunthorn.

Wish follows the adventures of Asha, a plucky 17-year-old girl who unexpectedly finds herself pitted against the handsome, duplicitous King Magnifico.

Magnifico — voiced by Chris Pine — is a seemingly benevolent sorcerer-monarch, with the power to grant the wishes of his subjects and those who travel to his Medieval realm from far and wide.

But when Asha (Arianna DeBose) applies for a job as Magnifico’s apprentice, she quickly learns that the king only grants wishes that suit his own selfish purposes.

“He starts off charming,” explains Veerasunthorn, but “we get to see the evolution of how he became the villain throughout the course of the story.”

For producers Peter Del Vecho and Juan Pablo Reyes Lancaster Jones, there is something “delicious” about watching a

villain make all the wrong choices.

“Disney villains are funny and fun, and they are over-the-top at times,” said Reyes.

“But also they have their reasons to be villainous. And the villain song! Who hasn’t missed a villain song?”

The movie, from the creators of Frozen, was dreamt up as a way to celebrate Disney Animation’s centenary.

Early in the process, Buck and writerproducer Jennifer Lee sought inspiration by putting together a giant bulletin board with stills from all of the studio’s previous films.

They quickly realized that a common theme linking films from Pinocchio to Moana was characters wishing on stars.

Visually, Wish uses a watercolor style reminiscent of the fairytale storybooks that originally inspired Walt Disney to make his first animated feature, Snow White and the Seven Dwarfs, back in 1937. AFP

Hollywood actor Chris Pine shows off his singing skills in ‘Wish’ as King Magnifico

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LIFE

TUESDAY, NOVEMBER 21, 2023

lifeandshow.manilastandard@gmail.com NICKIE WANG, Editor ANGELICA VILLANUEVA, Writer Mocasa’s Virtual Mastercard can help you in checking out items on your online shopping cart

Mocasa CEO Robin Wong

No cash?

Pay with virtual credit

By Tet Defensor

S

HOPPING is getting easier by the day. Apart from the convenience of online purchases and instant delivery, shoppers now have the option of using a virtual credit wallet like Mocasa.

Enjoy cashless bill payments and other purchases without touching your cash on hand.

All these can be charged to the credit wallet.

No need for physical cards with microchips, just scan the QR code, and the transaction is completed.

Mocasa provides a Pay Later credit line of up to P30,000 with 0 percent interest if payment is completed within 50 days. Mocasa also offers Quick Loan, a cash loan of up to P25,000 for as little as 0.2 percent daily interest payable in three installments. Users also have the option to pay off the Quick Loan before the end of the billing cycle, by paying only the principal plus the actual

daily interest.

“Our Pay Later option provides a more streamlined and convenient service with features like increased credit limits and payment flexibility. We feel that this strategy is more in line with the consumers’ interests and needs ” explained Mocasa CEO Robin Wong.

The app is very easy to use. Simply download and submit the required documents like government IDs and proof of income.

Once approved you can start shopping with Mocasa. Online purchases are processed via the virtual Mastercard while in-store purchases are completed by scanning the QRPH code standard

of The Bangko Sentral ng Pilipinas (BSP).

Mocasa virtual wallet was launched in 2022 and now has over 200,000 active Pay Later customers.

“Our pilot market is the Philippines. We did not go for mature markets like China and the United States, we focused on developing countries like Vietnam, the Philippines, Cambodia, and Nigeria. When we performed our in-depth analysis, we found that some markets are not as prepared as the Philippines in terms of infrastructure, laws, legislation, etc. They are still somewhat behind. Because industries are adapting to technology and the government/regulators are supportive of and

foodpanda brings festive vibes to Masskara Festival

Uniqlo patrons can get a complimentary Uniqlo tote bag for every purchase worth P3,500

Giving back with joyful deals UNIQLO is hosting its bi-annual Thank You Festival, a two-week celebration that kicks off on November 24. The festival serves as a heartfelt expression of gratitude towards the brand’s loyal customers and features a variety of exciting deals, engaging activities, and special gifts.

Customers can expect significant discounts on their favorite LifeWear items, spanning T-shirts, pants, and dresses, with reductions of up to 50 percent. Additionally, the festival includes unique collaborations with Filipino brands like Papemelroti, Mary Grace, and Bibingka MNL through special UTme! collaborations.

As part of the festivities, customers have the opportunity to take home complimentary Uniqlo tote bags with cooler compartments or upcycled pouches when making purchases of P3,500 or more.

Moreover, a Thank You Wall has been set up in select stores, inviting customers to pen down words of gratitude to their loved ones.

Meanwhile, in the spirit of giving back this holiday season, Uniqlo will initiate a nationwide sustainability effort in collaboration with SM Foundation, SM Cares, and SM Supermalls.

As part of the RE.UNIQLO initiative, the brand will distribute pre-loved clothing donations to families in need near the locations of its 74 stores nationwide. This donation drive serves as Uniqlo’s way of supporting the communities that continue to show love and support for the brand.

foodpanda joins in the Masskara Festival party as its commitment to enhancing every app user’s life beyond just food delivery

FOLLOWING the resounding success of last year’s “Balik Yuhum,” Bacolod City was once again aglow with brilliant masks and captivating rhythms during the celebrated return of the Masskara Festival.

In collaboration with online food and delivery delivery platform foodpanda, this year’s event restored the smiles of the Bacolodnons as both locals and

encourage digitalization, the Philippines has an advantage.”

The app is very easy to use it resembles an online shopping site, with specific tabs for every partner establishment for easy navigation. The company continues to be open for partners who wish to be part of Mocasa’s credit payment ecosystem.

All transactions and personal information are secure with Mocasa’s high-tech security measures. It fully complies with the Securities and Exchange Commission (SEC) licensing and regulation requirements and is a recognized Accessing Entity of Credit Information Corporation (CIC).

tourists alike immersed themselves in the joys of Sinadya sa Bacolod. foodpanda joined the exuberant mix this year with its on-ground activation, “Magsinadya Like a Panda”, which ran from October 18 to 22 on Lacson Street. The food delivery giant gave both its app users and festivalgoers an elevated festival experience that encapsulates its brand philosophy: “Live Like A Panda.”

The beloved mascot, Pau-Pau, played a central role in all the celebrations, engaging in numerous festival activities. Those who visited the foodpanda booth had the opportunity to partake in a range of activities, experience PauPau’s preferred awards, and receive an abundance of giveaways.

Amidst the rhythm of drums and the vibrancy of the dance parades, festival-goers discovered a haven where all their food desires were effortlessly catered to thanks to foodpanda’s participation.

During the Masskara Arena Competition and Masskanamit Culinary Showdown, foodpanda proudly awarded the coveted ‘Pau-Pau’s Choice Award.’ Additionally, lucky festival attendees participated in various activities and had the chance to win adorable Pau-Pau plushies as part of the festivities. foodpanda’s presence at the festival added an extra layer of excitement and fun to the celebration. “foodpanda’s involvement in Masskara Festival is a reflection of our commitment to enhancing our app user’s lives beyond just food delivery.

It’s about amplifying the moments of joy and celebration,” says foodpanda Philippines Growth & Marketing Director Patricia Jacinto.

It’s also worth noting that the festival wasn’t complete without the special festival vouchers, which ensured that app users enjoyed exclusive discounts on their grocery and food orders, adding an extra layer of excitement to the festivities.

For more information on foodpanda’s participation and offerings during Masskara Festival 2023, visit their official website or connect with them on social media. Embrace the spirit of Masskara, and get ready to Magsinadya Like A Panda.

Visit the official website at https://www.foodpanda.ph for more information and exciting offers. Also like and follow the official social media accounts on Facebook, Instagram, Twitter, Tiktok and Youtube.

Embrace the holiday spirit early at Winford AS THE holiday season approaches, Winford Resort & Casino Manila (WRCM) invites members and guests to jumpstart their festive celebrations with an array of enticing offers this November.

For this month’s Wheels for the Win, one lucky winner will drive home a brand-new Nissan Kicks e-Power hybrid car. For a chance to own it, WRCM members must simply earn 10 promo points daily for a raffle ticket. The draw is on November 25.

More opportunities for good fortune await with Man vs. Robot, a baccarat electronic games tournament where participants stand a chance to win a share from a cash prize pot of over P100,000. Pre-registration period is from November 10 to 23, with tournament dates on November 24, December 1, 8, and 15 and a buyin of P2,000 cash to join.

There’s also the WRCM Slots Tournament where players may join for a chance to win a chunk of the P500,000 free play prize pot. Pre-registration period is from November 15 to 28, 2023, with tournament dates on November 29 and 30, 2023, and a buy-in of P4,000.

For those longing for a staycation, WRCM offers the Happy Ber-Day promotion for a limited time only. Guests born in September, October, November, and December may enjoy an overnight

Winford Resort & Casino Manila is giving early treats to its members and guests with ‘Wheels for the Win’ and ‘Happy Ber-Day’ promotions

stay in a deluxe room inclusive of breakfast for two persons for P6,000 nett. Included in the package are two P500 Winford Café vouchers, a 20 percent discount on selected dining outlets, a 20 percent discount on the next staycation, and an option for early check-in (12:00 p.m.) or late check-out (2:00 p.m.).

Last but not least, what better way to kick off the yuletide revelries than with WRCM’s Smirnoff

Mule promotion where patrons may avail of five bottles of Smirnoff Mule paired with their choice of buttered cheese corn or sizzling tofu – all for just P500 nett until November 30 at the Hippodrome Bar & Lounge and Zabana Bar only.

WRCM is located in San Lazaro Tourism & Business Park, Santa Cruz, Manila. Visit www. winfordmanila.com for more information or call the hotline at +63 (2) 8528-3600 for inquiries.