Manila Standard - 2024 February 16 - Friday

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COMELEC DISTRIBUTES WITHDRAWAL FORMS FOR PEOPLE'S INITIATIVE

By Vito Barcelo

DAVAO LANDSLIDE TOLL CLIMBS TO 90 NEWS / A3

PCO CHIEF LOSES HOUSE IN QC FIRE NEWS / A2

VOL. XXXVIII • NO. 6 • 3 SECTIONS 12 PAGES • P20 • FRIDAY, FEBRUARY 16, 2024 •

House leader: Senate must walk Cha-cha talk

Senators reminded to honor ceasefire, self-imposed March timeline

THE Commission on Elections has approved the distribution of “withdrawal forms” to registered voters who wish to remove their signatures from the people’s initiative petition to change the 1987 Constitution.

In a memo, the poll body said the withdrawal form was adopted during a referendum on Feb. 14.

Comelec in its memo also directed its Education and Information Department to disseminate the information “while clarifying that the acceptance of withdrawal forms shall not be construed as formal action by the Commission on the signature sheets/petition for People’s Initiative.”

Among the details asked for in the withdrawal form are the person’s name, address, precinct number, and reason for taking back their signature to the PI petition.

Last month, the Comelec suspended all proceedings concerning the people’s initiative for Charter change to avoid “problems, chaos and misunderstandings.”

The people’s initiative proposes that the two chambers of Congress should vote jointly, not separately, on any Charter change proposal.

Next page

By Maricel V. Cruz and Macon Ramos-Araneta

H

OUSE Deputy Majority Leader and Iloilo Rep. Janette Garin on Thursday urged the Senate to “walk the talk” in its commitment to discuss economic Charter amendments and honor the ceasefire between the two chambers which Senate President Juan Miguel Zubiri announced on Wednesday.

“The Senate should walk the talk, with due courtesy on them,” Garin said in a press briefing.

While she said she was impressed with Zubiri, she also acknowledged that “majority prevails” in Congress.

“Sometimes we get confused with mixed signals from the Senate – if what is being discussed is cascaded to the members because that's how leadership should be. So, it's good that the Speaker and our Senate President have already talked,” she said.

Garin also reminded the senators of their previous commitment to finish deliberations on economic Constitutional amendments by March.

Next page

RISE AND RISE AGAIN. Students, employees, and faculty members of St. Scholastica's College in Manila dance as they join the '1 Billion Rising 2024' campaign on Thursday, Feb. 15, 2024. The campaign seeks to end violence against women. Norman Cruz and Danny Pata

As high as 40°C: House seeks higher than P100 Brace for hot but balanced minimum wage hike summer months By Maricel V. Cruz due to El Niño

By Othel Campos

FOR CONNECTIVITY. President Marcos leads the lighting up ceremony of the

Philippine Domestic Submarine Cable Network (PDSCN) at the Peninsula Manila Hotel in Makati City on Thursday, Feb. 15, 2024. The undersea fiber optic backbone network infrastructure will span more than 2,500-km. Revoli Cortez

Marcos hails submarine cable network

By Charles Dantes

Measuring at 2,500 kilometers, it was recognized as the longest yet in the PRESIDENT Marcos led the country, bringing the Philippines closer inauguration of the Philippine Domestic to the forefront of digital transformation Submarine Cable Network (PDSCN) on under his administration.

Next page Thursday

GOVERNMENT agencies warned Filipinos to prepare for a hot season – as high as 40 degrees celsius in certain parts of the country—since people, particularly those with comorbidities, will not be spared by the prolonged dry spell and drought.

PAGASA's Climatology and Agrometeorology Division said Metro Manila and adjacent provinces may hit 37 to 38 degrees celsius.

“The absence of storms and rains will cause a double whammy on agriculture and people. The ongoing drought and dry spell, and the pre-developing La Nina will double the impact of the drought,” said Next page

the private sector.

House Deputy Majority Leader and THE House of Representatives is Iloilo Rep. Janette Garin, however, said eyeing a higher increase in the daily it is crucial to balance the interest of minimum wage from the P100 being workers and small businesses.

Next page pushed by the Senate for workers in

ISIS terror fund facilitator nabbed in Sulu—PNP

Alleged terror fund facilitator Myrna Ajijul Mabanza

POLICE have arrested an alleged female financier of Al-Qaeda and supporter of an Islamic State terror group in Indanan, Sulu on Thursday.

Criminal Investigation and Detection Group director Maj. Gen. Romeo Caramat Jr. said the suspect, 32-year-old Myrna Ajijul Mabanza, was nabbed in an operation in Barangay Pasil, Indanan, Sulu shortly before 6 a.m.

Next page

#ANONGBALITA? Solon wants leave for the heartbroken

Goodbye Greenbelt 1: Mall to close in April

CAGAYAN de Oro City Rep. Lordan Suan filed a bill granting a leave of absence to workers undergoing emotional distress because of relationship breakups.

GREENBELT 1—the iconic mall in Makati City—will be closed and demolished in April to pave the way for its redevelopment.

Next page

Next page

Gusto ko happy ka: Enrile gets P100k Chief presidential legal counsel Juan Ponce Enrile already received the P100,000 cash gift as he turned 100 years old on Feb. 14.

Next page

NEWS

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FRIDAY, FEBRUARY 16, 2024

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Marcos orders PNP to bolster cybersecurity, ICT systems

Comelec...

From A1

Earlier, Comelec said it cannot hold a plebiscite next year to amend the 1987 Constitution given that there are already two scheduled polls in 2025.

“You cannot squeeze in a plebiscite in the middle of an election. Even prior to 2025, you cannot do that...

And we cannot divert any of the funds in the possession of Comelec. That is contained in the General Appropriation Act,” Comelec chairman George Garcia said.

The poll body, he said, is preparing for the May 2025 midterm elections and the December 2025 barangay elections.

Efforts to amend the Charter through a people's initiative, constitutional convention, or a constituent assembly would culminate in a plebiscite.

Garcia, however, cited a Supreme Court ruling, which states that the Comelec "cannot include a plebiscite for the amendment of the constitution on a regular election."

Speaking during the PNP's first command conference on Thursday, the President expressed alarm at the 53.34 percent jump in cybercrime cases from 13,890 in 2022 to 21,300 in 2023, highlighting the need for improved prevention, detection, and investigation methods.

“We have to build our cybercrime unit from scratch. Now, we need experts to do this. Filipinos are really good at IT (information technology) – we seem to have a talent for it,” the President said.

PNP data showed that from July 2022 to January 2024, online scams accounted for a whopping 15,937 cases, followed by illegal access (4,821 cases) and computer-related identity theft (2,384 cases).

The PNP, for its part, proposed the creation of a dedicated Cybersecurity Center that would be responsible for monitoring, detecting, protecting against, mitigating, and responding to cybersecurity threats and incidents within the PNP's own ICT

House leader:...

their job.

“What he said is that business as usual, don't get distracted [by the political noise] and if possible we do not dignify statements that will only cause division.

But of course there are other members of Congress who want to answer accusations hurled against them,” she said.

Bataan Rep. Geraldine Roman also urged senators to do away with unnecessary investigations and political maneuverings, and instead prioritize urgency and efficiency in amending the restrictive economic provisions in the 1987 Constitution.

“If you love the Filipino people, you’ll work with a sense of urgency, efficiency, and very important, you will walk the talk. When you say you want to amend these economic provisions, if there’s a will, there’s a way,” Roman said.

Earlier, Zubiri, together with Senate President Pro Tempore Loren Legarda and Senator Sonny Angara, filed Resolution of Both Houses No. 6 (RBH6) which seeks to amend three restrictive provisions of the 1987 Constitution – public utilities, advertising and education.

Angara, chairperson of the Senate

subcommittee on constitutional amendments, has so far conducted two hearings on RBH 6. He will hold two or three more hearings to be held in Cagayan De Oro City or either Bacolod City, Iloilo City or Cebu in the Visayan Region. No dates have been set for the hearings.

As this developed, 30 Metro Manila lawmakers representing 14 highly-urbanized cities and districts have banded together to defend Romualdez from baseless accusations of some senators amid efforts to amend restrictive economic provisions of the 1987 Constitution.

“Let it be said, here and now, that we the undersigned Representatives from the National Capital Region denounce efforts to foment disunity in our nation!

We call on all to respect each other's positions and the voices of our citizens and their inalienable right to be heard,” the lawmakers said in a three-page “Statement of Solidarity.”

“Hearing the clamor of our constituents, we express our undaunted support for Speaker Romualdez who champions the efforts of the public for a lively discourse on the issues besetting the future of our Republic.”

CAD officer-in-charge Ana Liza Solis in a briefing on Thursday.

“The maximum temperature, we could get as high as 40 degrees, but it’s only instantaneous and not on the average,” she added.

In particular, this shall be “mostly” felt in the Cagayan Valley Region, she added.

“Around 41 provinces are under meteorological drought, but if we include dry spells and drought areas, still around 80 provinces are affected,” Solis said.

Meanwhile, a government task force is set to help some 4,000 farmers severely affected by the El Niño phenomenon in Western Visayas and Zamboanga Peninsula.

Task Force El Niño spokesperson Joey Villarama said the farmers will receive seeds for alternative crops after rice and corn plantations were badly affected by the weather phenomenon.

They have also been given animals as a source of livelihood, he said.

The government will also fix irrigation canals and conduct cloud seeding operations to help the affected farmers.

Agricultural damage due to El Niño has reached P151 million, with possible production losses pegged at 6,618 metric tons of palay and corn, mostly in Iloilo, Antique, Negros Occidental, and Zamboanga Del Norte, according to a report of the Department of Agriculture.

In a related development, Defense Secretary Gilberto Teodoro Jr. has ordered all military camp commanders to conserve water to ease the effects of El

Niño, which may persist until the month of May. “Commanders of all military camps across the country must take the lead in conserving water as we begin to experience the effects of El Niño,” Teodoro said during the second meeting of Task Force El Niño (TFEN) at the Office of Civil Defense in Camp Aguinaldo.

He also raised the need to repair facilities, such as leaking pipes, to stop water waste.

The Metropolitan Waterworks and Sewerage System (MWSS), on the other hand, assured Thursday that water source augmentation efforts are in place to cushion the effects of El Niño.

In a press briefing, MWSS Field Operations chief engineer Christian Gonzales said the country is now more prepared in mitigating the impact of the weather phenomenon. With Vince Lopez

The Senate on Wednesday approved on second reading a measure for a P100 across-the-board increase in the minimum wage of private workers.

Business groups, however, said the legislated wage hike would hurt companies, especially micro, small and medium enterprises.

Garin congratulated the Senate for passing the bill on second reading, but said the increase may not be enough to cover the increase in prices of basic goods due to inflation.

“P100 seems low. Because of the high price of goods now, it seems this does not agree with the needs of the people,” she said.

At the same time, Garin said the Ayuda para sa Kapos ang Kita Program (AKAP), which some senators are criticizing heavily, would help in augmenting the wages of Filipino workers while Congress deliberates on the legislated wage hike.

The AKAP Program was designed to provide a one-time P5,000 cash assistance to near-poor, low-income Filipino families affected by the global inflation and the surge in commodity prices.

Outlined in the 2024 budget, the program has an earmarked fund of P50 billion for direct support to families earning less than P23,000 monthly, ensuring that those not covered by the Pantawid Pamilyang Pilipino Program (4Ps) due to their income bracket will receive necessary aid.

ISIS emir in the Philippines Isnilon Hapilon.

He said Mabanza is wanted for charges of terror financing under Republic Act No. 10168 (Terrorism Financing Prevention and Suppression Act of 2012) and RA No. 11479 (Anti-Terrorism Act of 2020) issued by a Zamboanga court in December 2023.

She is the widow of a Malaysian terrorist

who was believed to have influenced her into engaging in terrorism, Caramat said.

Caramat said Mabanza facilitated the transfer of funds from international financiers to local terrorist leaders including Hapilon since 2016.

These include the transfer of funds worth $107,000 to Hapilon in January 2016.

“In February 2016, Mabanza served

as an intermediary between Hapilon and ISIS elements in Syria while in March 2016, Mabanza coordinated another transfer of funds with Hapilon. Also in March 2016, a senior ISIS official in Syria planned to send financial support to ISIS-(Philippines) through Mabanza,” he added.

In April 2016, she also helped facilitate

the travel of a representative of Indonesian terrorist group Jamaah Ansharut Daulah (JAD) from Indonesia to the Philippines for a meeting with Hapilon.

The JAD representative traveled to the Philippines to purchase arms for ISISaligned forces in Indonesia and to set up training courses for pro-ISIS recruits from Indonesia with ISIS-Philippines.

"Spanning approximately 2,500 kilometers, it is now the longest and highest capacity domestic submarine fiber cable network in the Philippines, connecting our islands in various touch points from the provinces of Quezon to Zamboanga," President Marcos said.

President Marcos expressed optimism the project will provide faster fiber

internet connection to the public, saying the network would help realize his "Bagong Pilipinas."

"Because of this connection, we now find a long-term solution that delivers high-connectivity and high-speed internet for our people and facilitates the realization of the Bagong Pilipinas that we envision for

our country," he said.

"We will also be able to provide faster internet [and] more efficient digital services to Filipinos located in both urban and rural areas of the country. More importantly, this will help facilitate our efforts to digitize public data and government services to cater to the needs of our people

efficiently," the President said.

The cable network is a joint project of Globe, Eastern Communications, and InfiniVAN Inc. The President also lauded the partnership between the government and the private sector, noting the administration's commitment in promoting ease of doing business.

F

OLLOWING an increase in cybercrime-related cases in the country, President Marcos instructed the Philippine National Police to ramp up its cybersecurity efforts.

From A1

“The Senate also came with their timeline that it will be completed by March. The only thing missing is for them to walk the talk,” she said.

Zubiri, who earlier said he and Speaker Martin Romualdez “have agreed to end the squabble and to continue to work for the benefit of the administration and for our countrymen,” appealed anew for professionalism among members of Congress.

“We should be professional when it comes to our work attitude and how we want to pass legislation,” he said Thursday.

“We can disagree on many points, but we owe it to the people to work together and set aside any personal differences to be able to work professionally to pass legislation to help our country. For the sake of the country, we need to do this," Zubiri added.

On the part of Romualdez, Garin said the Speaker has appealed to members of the House not to be distracted by the political noise and to just continue doing

Rey E. Requejo The Department of Foreign Affairs on Thursday reaffirmed its commitment to negotiate for a code of conduct between China and Southeast Asian nations to prevent war in the South China Sea. This as geopolitical and marine science experts said a whole-of-community approach is needed to protect the marine environment in the West Philippine Sea amid continuous destructive activities by an “aggressive and coercive state.”

DFA Secretary Enrique Manalo said tensions in the South China Sea are not about a rivalry between superpowers the US and China, and that the Philippines and other Southeast Asian nations had legitimate rights and interests to uphold.

Manalo lamented that actions that are illegal in international law and against the UN charter are sometimes “rationalized under the pretext of this rivalry.”

"It obscures good judgment, actions that are clearly illegal in international law and against the UN charter are sometimes rationalized under the pretext of this rivalry," he said.

The think-tank Stratbase, for its part, said the commitment to secure the territorial waters is not only limited to implementing the national security strategy but also extends to protecting the marine environment.

“To fulfill this commitment, the country must take a whole-ofcommunity or a whole-of-Philippine society approach, including the government, private sector, and civil society organizations,” Stratbase Institute President Dindo Manhit said during a forum hosted in partnership with the Embassy of Japan in the Philippines.

From A1

She was declared by the United States Defense Department as a specially designated global terrorist along with the ISIS founder Abu Bakr Al Baghdadi and the late Abu Sayyaf Group (ASG) leader and

Marcos...

From A1

“What we have done here will accelerate the pace of our improvement anew," the Chief Executive said in his speech during the lighting up ceremony held in Makati City.

A TWO-HOUR fire “totally destroyed” the house of Presidential Communications Office chief Cheloy Garafil and several homes in a private village in Quezon City on Wednesday night.

The fire broke out at 8 p.m. in a duplex house and engulfed another house on Gabriela Silang Street, New Capitol Estate 1, Barangay Batasan Hills, according to a barangay official.

Garafil's family was having dinner when they heard their neighbors shouting, Batasan Hills Fire Brigade officer in charge Sanny Pineda said.

The Palace official and her family immediately went out of the house, taking with them their pets.

Pineda said no one from the Garafil family was hurt, but their house was “totally burned.”

“Being a Valentine’s Day, the traffic was heavy and had slowed down fire trucks deployed to the scene,” Insp. Marvin Mari, Quezon City Fire chief said.

Two other houses, including the one being occupied by a 67-year-old male Korean, were also gutted, Mari said.

The Korean sustained third-degree burns on his right hand and multiple second to third-degree burns on different parts of his body, he added.

The fire was declared out at 10:44 p.m. Damage was estimated at P7 million, fire officials said.

infrastructure.

Mr. Marcos also directed the PNP to bolster its communication system, especially in emergencies and crisis situations.

“We really need a plan to improve the PNP's communications. You can't do your job without being able to communicate. We have to be able to communicate with each other, especially in disaster response. We need to know what's happening on the ground,” he said.

He also pointed out the alarmingly low fill-up rates across various categories in the PNP, even for basic equipment like digital and tactical radios.

As of Wednesday, the PNP said it only had 32.05 percent of its required digital radios, 33.98 percent of tactical radios, and a measly 2.48 percent of satellite phones.

By Charles Dantes

‘PH to keep pushing for SCS code’

ISIS...

PCO chief loses home in QC fire

As high...

From A1

Solon...

From A1

House Bill 9931, or the proposed Heartbreak Recovery and Resilience Act, “aligns with modern values of flexibility and work-life balance,” Suan said.

"By offering heartbreak leave and emotional support resources, this legislation presents a win-win scenario for both employees and employers, fostering engagement, reducing costs, and ultimately contributing to a more humane and productive

work environment," he added.

Suan admitted the policy was "unconventional” but it addresses a significant yet often overlooked factor impacting employee performance and engagement: the emotional turmoil associated with breakups.

Employees under the age of 25 are entitled to a maximum of one business day of unpaid heartbreak leave per calendar year while those between the ages of 25 and 35 are entitled to a maximum of two business days of unpaid heartbreak leave per calendar year.

Gusto...

From A1

Social Welfare Secretary Rex Gatchalian confirmed Enrile already got the incentive as provided for in the Centenarians Act of 2016.

President Marcos, who hosted a lunch for Enrile's birthday, called him a “pantheon of Philippine history.”

Enrile said serving both President Marcos and his late father – Marcos Sr. – have been the happiest moments of his life. ''The happiest moment of my life was when I served the first presidency of a Marcos President and the second time is now that I'm serving the son of that president, our President Bongbong Marcos,'' Enrile said.

House...

From A1

Goodbye...

From A1

Ayala Malls vice president AC Legarda said the mall, designed by national artist for architecture Leandro Locsin, will be closed by April and will reopen by 2028.”

“Greenbelt 1 was co-developed with national artist Locsin... We will integrate aspects of old Greenbelt 1,” Legarda said.

Greenbelt 1 is Ayala's oldest mall, having been built in the 1970s.

Greenbelt 1 is one of four Ayala flagship malls that will undergo renovation, along with Glorietta, Trinoma, and Ayala Center Cebu. (See full story on B4)

NEWS

A3 FRIDAY, FEBRUARY 16, 2024

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Binay seeks VP intervention on 2 EMBO schools

By Joel E. Zurbano THE Makati City government has reiterated its appeal to Vice President and Education Secretary Sara Duterte to resolve the issue concerning the management and administration of three public schools in two EMBO (Enlisted Men’s Barrio) barangays that are now under the jurisdiction of Taguig City.

The request covers the Makati Science High School (MSHS) in Cembo to be placed under the Schools Division Office of Makati City and for the integration of Fort Bonifacio Elementary School and Fort Bonifacio High School with the University of Makati (UMak) in West Rembo.

“A favorable resolution from the Vice President will allow Makati to move forward with our plans for enhanced programs and services in the said schools,” said Makati Mayor Abigail Binay in a statement on Thursday.

The appeal has already been officially conveyed to the Office of the Vice President last year. “We have already explained at length the rationale supporting our stand to exclude them from the administrative transition, and we believe it is for the best interest of the students,” Binay said.

Plans for the schools and their students have been put on hold for now, including increasing the monthly stipend of MSHS scholars from P1,500 to P3,000, in addition to free school uniforms and supplies provided every school year to all public school students, Binay added.

Binay also cited the ongoing upgrade in public school facilities, including smart classrooms equipped with interactive whiteboards and unlimited internet connection.

BREATH OF FRESH AIR.

With the emerging skyline in the backdrop, people of all ages stroll along the Baywalk in Pasay City for a breath of fresh air blowing from across the Manila Bay. Danny Pata

Death toll in Davao landslide hits 90 T

HE death toll in the massive landslide that hit a mining village in Maco, Davao de Oro has increased to 90 on Thursday, according to the latest report of the provincial government.

The same report noted that 37 people remained missing and 32 injured in the landslide that hit the gold-mining village of Masara on Feb. 6.

Nine victims were laid to rest at the Mawab Public Cemetery on Wednesday afternoon, while several unidentified bodies were also buried in a mass grave as recommended by the munici-

pal health office.

The operations in the landslide site have already transitioned from search, rescue, and retrieval to search and retrieval.

The landslide hit at least four barangays, burying some houses, a barangay hall, and the terminal of a bus company.

A three-year-old girl was recovered from the rubble two days after the land-

slide, and was declared in stable condition at a hospital.

Two United States Marine Corps (USMC) KC-130J Hercules aircraft on Monday were used to help in the delivery of supplies to the landslide victims.

The Armed Forces of the Philippines (AFP) on Wednesday said it has deployed its search and rescue personnel and assets for humanitarian assistance and disaster response operations in Davao and Caraga regions.

The Air Force deployed its 505th Search and Rescue Group, 205th Tactical Helicopter Wing, and the 220th Air-

lift Wing— with six helicopters, one C-130, and one C-295 aircraft.

Meanwhile, the Army deployed its 10th Infantry Division; 701st, 402nd, and 1001st Infantry Brigades; the 66th, 67th, 25th and 60th Infantry Battalions, and the 534th and 525th Engineer Construction Battalions to the disaster sites.

“It is without doubt that our troops are ready to go beyond the call of duty to deliver aid wherever and whenever it is needed. I am proud of every soldier, airman, sailor, and marine for their commitment and sacrifice in these trying times,” AFP chief Gen. Romeo Brawner Jr. said. Vince Lopez

Professor seeks comprehensive reforms on PH economic laws

By Maricel V. Cruz

E-VEHICLES REGULATION. Metropolitan Manila Development Authority acting chairman Romando Artes, Land Transportation

Franchising Regulatory Board chairman Teofilo Guadiz III, Land Transportation Office chief Vigor Mendoza II, and Department of Transportation Assistant Secretary Jose Lim IV hold a press conference regarding regulations for electric powered vehicles at the MMDA Office in Pasig City on Thursday. Manny Palmero

A PROMINENT economist has emphasized the urgent need for strategic amendments to the 1987 Constitution and the adoption of comprehensive economic reforms to significantly enhance the country’s investment climate.

National scientist Raul Fabella, a professor at the University of the Philippines School of Economics, made this pitch to members of the House of Representatives during a recent forum where he presented his paper titled “PH Investment Rate: Why are we far behind? How do we rebound?”

The forum was organized by the

5 gov’t agencies crafting rules to regulate e-trikes amid accidents THE government is working on strategies to regulate electric tricycles (etrike) and bicycles (e-bike), which are rapidly increasing and becoming one of the leading causes of traffic accidents on national roads across the country.

On Thursday, officials of five govern-

ment agencies — Metropolitan Manila Development Authority (MMDA), Department of Transportation (DOTr), Land Transportation Office (LTO), Land Transportation Franchising and Regulatory Board (LTFRB), and Department of the Interior and Local Government (DILG)

Army activates Combat Engineer Brigade THE Philippine Army (PA) has activated its “firstever” Combat Engineer Brigade (CER) in ceremonies held Friday at Fort Magsaysay in Nueva Ecija.

PA chief Lt. Gen. Roy Galido led the event that also saw the reorganization of the 191st Military Police Battalion, Installation Management Command.

The transition of the Lanao del Norte-based 55th Engineer Brigade to the CER aligns with the PA’s shifting tactical strategy to territorial defense operations.

The newly activated CER, to be led by Brig. Gen. Ulpiano Olarte, is tasked to assist other Army units in combat missions by needing engineering support on the ground.

Meanwhile, rationalizing the Military Police (MP) units will effectively address concerns about securing vital installations, facilities, assets, and personnel at Army camps nationwide.

“The goal of establishing appropriate MP units will not only further enhance the enforcement of military laws and order among personnel but also improve custodial support, traffic management, and detainee handling, among others,” Galido stressed. Vince Lopez

— met to discuss various issues related to electric vehicles, especially e-trikes.

Topics discussed included the registration of e-trikes and e-bikes, as well as the requirement for their drivers to obtain a license.

MMDA acting chairman Romando

Artes, LTO chief Vigor Mendoza II , LTFRB chair Teofilo Guadiz III, DOTr Undersecretary. Jose Lim, and other officials also talked about existing laws, policies, guidelines, ordinances, and programs concerning electric vehicles at both the national and local government levels.

WHEN SAYING SORRY IS NOT GOOD ENOUGH.

Operatives of the Land and Transportation Office ferry out unregistered motor vehicles including tricycles and riders without a driver’s license along Manila thoroughfares.

Norman Cruz

Caloocan cops, enforcers gain vehicles, gear

By Jun David THE Caloocan City police and traffic enforcers were provided with new equipment, specifically motorcycles, patrol cars, and body cameras to boost their law enforcement and public safety operations.

At least 30 new motorcycles and eight mobile patrol vehicles were procured by the city government

to strengthen patrol operations of both the local police force and the Public Safety and Traffic Management Department (PSTMD).

Along with the new vehicles, traffic operatives likewise received more than 80 sets of body cameras to be used during daily traffic operations, especially in interactions and contact apprehension of erring motorists.

House Congressional Policy and Budget Research Department (CPBRD) led by Deputy Secretary General Dr. Romulo Emmanuel Miral Jr. and moderated by Marikina City Rep. Stella Quimbo, senior vice chairperson of the House Committee on Appropriations.

In his presentation, Fabella highlighted the stark reality of the Philippines’ investment rate, which “stands as the lowest among selected ASEAN countries, at 22.4 percent.”

In comparison, nations such as Thailand, Indonesia, and Vietnam boast higher investment rates, with China’s investment rate reaching between 3450 percent in recent years.

Pag-IBIG issues P350-m loan to 4PH contractor

By Rio N. Araja THE Department of Human Settlements and Urban Development (DHSUD) on Thursday announced the release of a P350-million developmental loan from Pag-IBIG Fund to a private company implementing a township project under the Pambansang Pabahay para sa Pilipino (4PH) Program, a flagship initiative of President Ferdinand Marcos Jr. Housing czar Jose Rizalino Acuzar witnessed the turnover of the check for an approved developmental loan for PCHC-CSE Builders Joint Venture Co. Ltd. that is currently constructing phase 1 of the Palayan City Township Project in Nueva Ecija.

Pag-IBIG Fund chief executive officer Marilene Acosta personally handed over the check to Wilma Eisma, the company’s representative in simple turnover during DHSUD’s fifth anniversary celebration in Quezon City.

“This (fund release) will further strengthen the program,” Acuzar said.

“It will not only ensure the continuity of the township development in Palayan City, more importantly this will further boost the private sector’s confidence to the flagship housing program,” he added.

NEWS

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FRIDAY, FEBRUARY 16, 2024

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Solon seeks probe on LGU land deals R

By Maricel V. Cruz

EP. Joseph Stephen Paduano of Abang Lingkod Partylist has vowed to deepen the panel’s investigation into several anomalous land transactions entered into by local government executives of many municipalities all over the country.

Paduano, the chair of the House Committee on Public Accounts, said the committee unearthed many alleged irregularities and anomalies in several real estate transactions in

San Simon, Pampanga where requirements of many laws were not followed.

“You are not following the laws of the land. The necessary requirements should be complied with,” Paduano told LGU of-

ficials in San Simon, Pampanga, most of whom are currently suspended, during his panel hearing Wednesday.

The lawmaker said: “We cannot allow these things to happen in these municipalities in Pampanga and even in other parts of the country.” “’We’ll start here, but sooner or later, we will take a look at municipalities in other provinces and regions, papa-imbestigahan natin yan,” he added.

The committee is investigating allegations contained in House Resolution No. 1503 filed by Senior Citizens Partylist Rep. Rodolfo Ordañes, seeking an in-

vestigation on the actions of San Simon Mayor Abundio Punsalan Jr. and several members of the Sangguniang Bayan of the municipality.

The allegations include: The highly irregular reclassification of 1.4 hectares of agricultural land into industrial; the cancelation of the procurement for a bridge project without first canceling the signed contract of a winning bidder; the illegal use and disbursement of P45 million in public funds to purchase land for the expansion of the municipal hall; and using a falsified SB resolution to collect P5 million from a corporation representing regulatory fees.

STA.CRUZ FIRE.

Firefighters respond to a third-alarm fire that struck a residential area along Alonzo Cor. Fugoso, Sta. Cruz, Manila, on Thursday, Feb. 15. Authorities are still investigating the fire incident.

Norman Cruz

SC adopts rules to determine discernment of children in criminal acts

By Rey E. Requejo THE Supreme Court (SC) has adopted rules and guidelines in the determination of whether children in conflict of law act with discernment when they commit criminal offenses.

According to the high court, discern-

ment “is the capacity of the child at the time of the commission of the offense to understand the difference between right and wrong and the consequences of the wrongful act.”

The SC stressed that children, “with their malleable and developing minds,” are not always presumed to

act with discernment in committing criminal offenses.

To determine discernment in criminal offenses involving children in conflict with the law (CICL), the SC said: “The task of ascertaining discernment is done preliminarily by a social worker, and finally by the

court. The determination shall take into account the ability of a child to understand the moral and psychological components of criminal responsibility and the consequences of the wrongful act; and whether a child can be held responsible for essentially antisocial behavior.”

Scrap 25% tax on cross-border services—groups

By Othel V. Campos PRIVATE sector groups urged the Bureau of Internal Revenue (BIR) to revoke the implementation of Revenue Memorandum Circular (RMC) 5-2024, which subjects cross-border services to 25 percent withholding tax and 12% final withholding value-added tax (VAT).

In a joint statement, the 10 business groups asserted that RMC 05-2024 while other crossborder services do not also require government regulation, the new measure qualifies that services rendered by a Philippine-based company to a foreign entity is subject to final withholding tax.

The business groups, composed of the Philippine Chamber of Commerce and Industry (PCCI), Philippine Exporters Confederation (Philexport), Management Association of the Philippines (MAP), Tax Management Association of the Philippines (TMAP), Philippine Institute of Certified Public Accountants (PICPA), Financial Executives of the Philippines (FINEX), Association of Certified Public Accountants in Commerce and Industry, Association of Certified Public Accountants in Public Practice, Joint Foreign Chambers of the Philippines (JFsC), IT and Business Process Association of the Philippines, appealed to BIR to reconsider the implementation of such policy and consider its negative implications to foreign or local businesses.

The groups also noted that circular runs counter to the provisions of the Tax Code on the situs of the source of income. Under the Tax Code, a non-foreign resident corporation (NRFC) is only taxable on income from sources within the Philippines.

Five execs face raps on ghost receipts

By Rey E. Requejo THE Department of Justice (DOJ) on Thursday filed criminal charges against five corporate officers and an accountant of two corporations allegedly involved in “sell, buy, use of ghost receipts.”

The DOJ was joined by BIR Commissioner Romeo D. Lumagui Jr. in filing the cases against officers and an accountant of Decarich Supertrade, Inc. and Redington Corporation before the Quezon City region-

al trial court and metropolitan trial court.

“The BIR under the Run After Fake Transactions Taskforce will not hesitate to file criminal cases against big corporations/syndicates that sell, buy, or use Ghost Receipts,” the BIR official said, in a statement.

The BIR, however, did not identify the corporate officers and the accountant of Decarich Supertrade, Inc. and Redington Corporation for violating the National Internal Revenue Code.

IN BRIEF DOLE settles 43% of conciliation cases in ‘23 THE Department of Labor and Employment (DOLE) was able to settle 43 percent of its conciliation cases last year, resulting in more than P41 million in monetary benefits for 514 workers.

DOLE Secretary Bienvenido Laguesma said the department’s National Conciliation and Mediation Board (NCMB), has been able to sustain its high-resolution rate of existing labor cases under its disposition as of January this year.

Aside from settling labor cases, the NCMB’s voluntary arbitration program likewise resulted in more than P246 million in monetary claims for 81 workers from all over the country.

The landmark Single Entry Approach (SEnA) program, on the other hand, achieved a high 81% disposition rate of the existing 664 cases and a robust 62% settlement rate resulting in more than P6 million in monetary claims for 247 workers from all over the country. Vito Barcelo

Comelec urged to test poll machine prototype FORMER Caloocan Representative Edgar Erice urged the Commission on Elections (Comelec) to act on the untested prototype electronic machines submitted

by Miru Systems Company Limited for use in the May 2025 National and Local Elections which could undermine the integrity of the elections.

In a letter to the Comelec, Erice criticized Miru for presenting a prototype for Comelec’s evaluation, stating that it violates the law.

Erice, now the regional chair of the political party Aksyon Demokratiko, warned that if Comelec allows the use of the untested prototype, then it can be subject to a legal suit which could result in the court ruling against it and consequently jeopardizing the elections. Vito Barcelo

PCG recovers hacked account on X platform THE Philippine Coast Guard (PCG) said it has recovered its account in the social media platform X, which was earlier hacked and compromised.

In a statement, the PCG said its Coast Guard Public Affairs Service (CGPAS) immediately coordinated with the X support team to report the incident.

In an update, the PCG said as of 11:30am, it has retrieved access to its account with the help of the X support team. Vince Lopez

B1

OPINION

FRIDAY, FEBRUARY 16, 2024

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

Citizen Barok

EDITORIAL

Louis ‘Barok’ Biraogo

Enhanced cybersecurity

Romualdez’s visionary healthcare upgrade IN THE swirling currents of political debate, one figure emerges as a beacon of hope, a general of change leading the charge for a better future: House Speaker Ferdinand Martin Romualdez.

In his latest daring move, Romualdez sets his sights on a monumental task—revamping PhilHealth’s coverage to alleviate the burden on Filipinos seeking medical care.

With the fervor of a seasoned warrior, Romualdez urges PhilHealth to embrace a more substantial role in shouldering the financial load of private hospitalization.

His battle cry resonates with the cries of countless Filipinos drowning in the rising tide of medical expenses.

—“—

It’s not enough to merely witness change; we must actively support and embrace it

“Not all patients admitted to the hospital are in the free or charity ward,” he reminds us, highlighting the grim reality faced by many.

Romualdez’s proposal isn’t merely a policy change; it’s a lifeline thrown to those struggling to stay afloat in the turbulent waters of healthcare costs.

By pushing for increased coverage, he seeks to ease the burden on ordinary citizens, ensuring that access to quality healthcare is not a luxury reserved for the

privileged few.

His boldness knows no bounds as he vows to expedite the process, sparing no effort to make tangible improvements swiftly. In a landscape where bureaucracy often stifles progress, Romualdez’s determination shines as a beacon of hope.

But Romualdez’s vision extends beyond mere rhetoric; it’s a blueprint for a brighter future for all Filipinos.

With increased PhilHealth coverage, families can breathe a sigh of relief knowing that they won’t be crippled by medical bills. Romualdez’s initiatives have the potential to transform lives, offering a glimmer of hope in an otherwise bleak landscape.

Yet, as we applaud Romualdez’s courage and leadership, we must also play our part.

It’s not enough to merely witness change; we must actively support and embrace it.

Filipinos must rally behind Romualdez, lending their voices to the chorus of progress.

In this age of uncertainty, Romualdez emerges as a guiding light, a fearless leader unafraid to tackle the most pressing challenges head-on.

His initiatives offer a glimpse of what’s possible when boldness and vision converge, igniting a spark of hope in the hearts of millions.

As Romualdez charts a new course for healthcare in the Philippines, let us stand with him, united in our quest for a better tomorrow.

Let us seize this opportunity to shape our collective destiny, forging a path towards a brighter, healthier future for all Filipinos.

In the face of adversity, Romualdez stands resolute, a true champion of the people.

Let us honor his legacy by embracing change and daring to dream of a future where healthcare is not a privilege but a fundamental right.

W

The comprehensive plan also incorporates advanced threat assessment so that even before incidents happen, the government could obtain information ahead from its international partners.

E WELCOME the approval earlier this month by President Marcos Jr. of the National Cybersecurity Plan 20242029 that provides the policy direction, operational guidelines in building its cybersecurity posture, as well as the fortification of the country’s cyberspace against online threats.

—“—

The agency expects that in the next two decades, the Philippines will have one of the biggest and youngest work forces that can address many of the challenges faced by First World countries

This plan, according to the Department of Information and Communications Technology, took a year to draw up.

It is actually a comprehensive plan based on consultations with the different stakeholders from the public and private sectors, including in the academe.

The plan also draws from the experiences of other countries, particularly their thrusts in addressing increased cyber threats.

It seeks to ensure a safe cyber landscape for the country, identifies cyber assets, and provides government agencies and sectors with guidelines on how to respond to cyber-attacks.

Another important component of the plan includes capacity building and upskilling of cybersecurity personnel.

In fact, the DICT said, today there are more than two million job vacancies for cybersecurity. The agency is therefore intensifying its training and capacity building for cybersecurity, artificial intelligence, and other emerging technologies.

About Town

Ernesto M. Hilario

Rail sector on the right track Footnotes

Tranquil G. Salvador III

Diligent, competent lawyer “[A] lawyer… shall, to the best of his or her ability, observe competence, diligence, commitment, and skill” in the performance of his or her professional duties.”

The duties must be observed “regardless of the nature of the legal matter or issues involved, and whether [the legal services of the lawyer are] … fee [based] or pro bono” (Canon IV).

The lawyer’s diligence and fiduciary duty shall not be diminished just because the legal services are for free.

The lawyer must be competent, efficient, and conscientious in providing the legal services, being “thorough in research, preparation, and application of the legal knowledge and skills necessary for an engagement” (Section 1).

For example, a lawyer must provide only a thoroughly studied and well-researched legal opinion to the client.

The legal opinion must be based on the facts given by the client, taking into consideration the advantages and disadvantages of the proposed legal steps or actions to the latter.

“A lawyer [in giving legal advice] shall, after reasonable inquiry, promptly give an objective assessment of the merits and probable results of the client’s case… [and] shall explain the viable options to the client to enable [the latter to have] an informed decision regarding the matter” (Section 5).

“A lawyer shall be punctual in all appearances, submissions of pleadings and documents before any court, tribunal or other government agency, and all matters professionally referred by the client, including meetings and other commitments” (Section 3).

Furthermore, “[a] lawyer shall appear for trial adequately familiar with the law, the facts of the case, and the evidence to be presented.

“A lawyer shall also be ready with the object and documentary evidence, as well as the judicial affidavits of the witnesses, when required by the rules or the court” (Section 4).

“A lawyer shall regularly inform the client of the status and the result of the matter undertaken, and any action [taken] in con-

nection thereto, and shall respond within a reasonable time to the client’s request for information” (Section 6). Updates to clients are important to make them feel that their interests are adequately represented and protected.

Pleadings and other court submissions must be supported by reasonable and not frivolous legal arguments.

Every issue, ground, or argument presented in pleadings and court submissions must be meticulously analyzed and meaningfully articulated to aid the courts in rendering a fair judgment.

—“—

Since a lawyer is expected to be competent, he or she must participate ‘in lifelong learning through the continued development of professional skills’

Understanding this immense responsibility, a lawyer should accept only such legal work that he or she can diligently and competently perform.

Hence, a lawyer believing the legal assistance being sought by the prospective client is outside of his or her legal skill or competence may opt to decline the proposed legal engagement.

“A lawyer shall only undertake legal services he or she can deliver” (Section 2).

For instance, a lawyer who is already heavily burdened with legal work may decline the proposed legal engagement in order not to jeopardize the interest of the prospective client.

To effectively represent the client’s interest, “[w]ith the prior written consent of the

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ARE we seeing an energized rail transportation sector?

Will this new-found vitality be sustained?

Or, would it eventually succumb to the “ningas-cogon” syndrome which government-conceived initiatives are prone to?

We hope recent developments in this sector would prove otherwise. After all, they have started to make waves and catch the public imagination.

If the rail transportation projects that have been thrust into the limelight by these developments do not materialize or are not finished on time, we fear they may result in another major public disappointment and, worse, loss of opportunities for faster progress in areas outside of Metro Manila.

There is reason to be optimistic. Indications are the country’s rail transportation sector is finally on the right track, pun intended.

For one, President Marcos Jr. himself has put the sector in the list of his administration’s priorities.

Just a few days ago, he directed Secretaries Jimmy Bautista and Ralph Recto to look for the money needed to start an over-a-century-old dream—a massive railway system for Mindanao.

Late last year, he also directed the Department of Transportation to make sure that the 147-kilometer North-South Commuter Rail project rolls off and is finished on schedule.

The NSCR had been the subject of many feasibility studies under several past administrations. They were shelved many times, almost consigned to the dustbin of failed dreams.

Not until today had both rail systems come this close to finally becoming reality. Will Marcos Jr. accomplish what all his predecessors failed to do?

We hope he and Secretary Bautista would succeed. After all, the NSCR has become a beacon of hope for the National Capital Region strangled by traffic woes.

Metro Manila’s horrible gridlocks have put it at number one spot in the world’s worst even as they caused the President an embarrassing moment during the recent Coldplay concert at the Philippine Arena.

The NSCR, however, is more than just a solution to traffic woes.

client, a lawyer may secure the services of a collaborating counsel” (Section 3).

In cases of multiple lawyers representing a single client or one party, only the lead counsel shall be served with copies of pleadings and court submissions (see Section 2, Rule 13, 2019 Rules of Civil Procedure).

In observing diligence in all professional undertakings, a lawyer “shall not cause or occasion delay in any legal matter before any court, tribunal, or other agency”

(Section 4).

A lawyer shall not file motions for postponements or cancellations of hearings outside of the grounds provided in the Rules of Court.

“A lawyer shall avoid asking for an extension of time to file any pleading, motion, or other court submission, except when allowed by the Rules of Court or for good cause.

“When an extension is obtained, the law-

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

—“—

Metro Manila’s horrible gridlocks have put it at number one spot in the world’s worst even as they caused the President an embarrassing moment during the recent Coldplay concert at the Philippine Arena

Like most rail transportation systems in the world, it will be an important component of the country’s bid to disperse progress into regions outside of Metro Manila without degrading air quality or harming the environment.

A 2022 World Bank study on “Railways in Developing Countries: a Global Review” said: “As a green mode of transportation, railways have an important role to play in decarbonizing transport through shifting them from more polluting modes such as road and air.”

“Railways can enable economic growth which, in turn, generates increasing transport demand while keeping greenhouse gas emissions low,” the study pointed out.

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

The agency expects that in the next two decades, the Philippines will have one of the biggest and youngest work forces that can address many of the challenges faced by First World countries – their aging population and their lack of manpower in order to meet their economic development.

Apart from upskilling or scaling up its training component, the DICT is also undertaking more information campaigns to make the public aware of different scams perpetrated by cybercriminals.

We certainly need to strengthen our cybersecurity after the DICT recently foiled attempts to attack Philippine government websites and emails. The IP addresses of the hackers were traced to a Chinese state-owned telecommunications company.

The hackers reportedly tried to penetrate email addresses linked to the DICT, Philippine Coast Guard, National Coast Watch and the websites of President Marcos Jr. and Cabinet members.

Meanwhile, the Philippine National Police is also doing its part to fortify our cybersecurity infrastructure.

Police stations will soon have cybersecurity desks that would handle cybercrimes after the national government ordered an intensified crackdown on cybercrimes that have been on the rise in recent years.

This is supported by the International Energy Agency, a Paris-based intergovernmental organization with 31 membercountries that provides policy input, data and analysis to the global energy sector.

According to its director-general, “the rail sector can provide substantial benefits for the energy sector as well as for the environment.”

The contribution to environmental protection appears to be among the reasons for the readiness of the Asian Development Bank to provide significant funding for the NSCR project.

According to its vice-president for East Asia, Southeast Asia and the Pacific, Ahmed Saeed, “this project represents ADB’s biggest infrastructure investment and reflects our commitment to helping the Philippines attain its goals of reducing poverty, improving the lives of Filipinos and achieving green, resilient and high economic growth.”

The DOTr has awarded the contract for the assembly of some 56 rolling stocks for the seven express trains of the NSCR to two respected global companies: Mitsubishi Corporation of Japan and Construcciones y Auxiliar de Ferrocariles of Spain.

This is a welcome development.

Both companies are known to develop and supply the world with rolling stocks and rail transportation management solutions that are eco-friendly.

With the strong resolve of the President and the readiness of Secretary Bautista’s rail transportation team, the odds are stacked in favor of the on-time completion of the NSCR and the eventual take-off of the Mindanao Railways project.

We just hope that the fulfillment of these long-time aspirations will not be hobbled by problems like the vast informal settler communities that have mushroomed along the sides of the railway alignment of the NSCR project.

DOTr Undersecretary Jeremy Regino has made sure that resettlement areas for the informal settlers who have to be removed from the project right-of-way are now available.

It is now a matter of the informal settler communities cooperating with the DOTr so that the project can proceed without further delay.

The NSCR is on the right track; we hope it will not be derailed. Again, pun intended.

(Email: ernhil@yahoo.com)

yer shall not let the period lapse without submitting the pleading, motion, or other court submission…” (Section 7).

Since a lawyer is expected to be competent, he or she must participate “in lifelong learning through the continued development of professional skills” (Section 8).

This is why lawyers participate and comply with Mandatory Continuing Legal Education, or enroll in graduate legal courses and specialized legal conventions.

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

Associate Editor Managing Editor News Editor

Emil P. Jurado

Honor Blanco Cabie Opinion Editor Lino M. Santos Chief Photographer

Chairman Emeritus, Editorial Board

B2

WORLD

FRIDAY, FEBRUARY 16, 2024

mst.daydesk@gmail.com

NEW LEAF. A

handout picture released by the Egyptian Presidency shows President Abdel Fattah al-Sisi (center right) and his Turkish counterpart Recep Tayyip Erdogan (cneter left, posing for a picture with their wives Emine Erdogan (left) and Entissar Amer (right), during a welcome ceremony in Cairo. Erdogan and his Egyptian counterpart said in Cairo Wednesday they were turning a ‘new leaf’ in their relations after over a decade of estrangement. The two also criticized Israel’s conduct of the war in the Gaza Strip and called for a ceasefire. AFP

Taiwan blames Beijing after death of two in boat incident TAIPEI—Taiwan called on Beijing Thursday to restrain its citizens from illegal fishing in the waters around the self-ruled island, defending its coast guard over the pursuit of a boat that led to the deaths of two Chinese nationals.

The boat was carrying four people when it capsized near the Kinmen islands—a territory administered by Taiwan but located just five kilometers from China’s Xiamen.

All four people were thrown into the water, and two of the crew later died, according to Taiwan’s coast guard.

China—which claims Taiwan as part of its territory—condemned the democratically ruled island for the incident Wednesday, saying it “severely harmed the feelings of compatriots on both sides of the Taiwan Strait”.

But Taiwan’s Coast Guard Administration said the speedboat was “0.86 nautical miles within prohibited waters”, and that after the capsizing, its personnel had immediately conducted search-and-rescue operations.

The Mainland Affairs Council—Taiwan’s official body dealing with China affairs— defended the coast guard Thursday, saying their procedure was “not improper.”

MAC also placed the blame across the strait, saying that in recent years, Taiwanese authorities have seen Chinese people crossing the border and engaging in “sandALESTINIAN Territories—Israel’s vow to dredging, fishing with explosives and push ahead with a “powerful” operation in poisons, and discarding garbage”.

Gaza’s Rafah was met with a growing chorus “Despite our calls to strengthen governance, there has been no improvement,” it said. of international condemnation Thursday, with leaders “Recently many Chinese fishing boats warning against catastrophic consequences for the 1.5 have continued to enter our restricted or prohibited waters, taking advantage of the million Palestinians trapped there.

Lunar New Year to catch high-value fish,” it added, referring to a holiday period for both Hundreds of thousands of displaced Australia, Canada and New Zealand Taiwan and China. AFP CYAN MAGENTA YELLOW BLACK warned Israel “not to go down this Palestinians have been driven into path,” issuing a rare joint statement Gaza’s southernmost city by Israel’s Republic of the Philippines Republic of the Philippines relentless military campaign, seeking in the latest urgent appeal seeking REGIONAL to REGIONAL TRIAL COURT TRIAL COURT shelterJudicial in Region a sprawling makeshift avert further mass civilian casualties.

NATIONAL CAPITAL JUDICIAL REGION National Capital “An expanded military operation Branch 100, Quezon City BRANCHencampment 107, QUEZON near CITY the Egypt border. rtc1qzn100@judiciary.gov.ph Emailsaid.

Address: rtc1qzn107@judiciary.gov.ph Despite pressure from foreign would be devastating,” they Tel. No. 8639-1731 (02) 8529-9986 governments and aid agencies not “There is simply nowhere else forTel. No. IN THE MATTER OF THE FERDINAND R. CABUANG, to invade, Israel insists it must civilians to go.”

World leaders urge Israel to avoid ‘catastrophic’ Rafah city operation P

JUDICIAL RECOGNITION OF DIVORCE DECREE AND CANCELLATION AND/OR CORRECTION OF ENTRIES OF RACHEL TAN CARRASCO IN THE CIVIL REGISTRY,

Petitioner, -versus-

CASE NO. R-QZN-22-07850-CV For: Declaration of Nullity of Marriage

IRENE V. CARBO Respondent. x--------------------------------------------------x

RACHEL TAN CARRASCO, Petitioner, -versus-

push into Rafah and eliminate Hamas Wairimu Nderitu, said Wednesday.

In Cairo, mediators from the United battalions.

“We will fight until complete victory States, Qatar and Egypt are seeking to and this includes a powerful action also broker a deal that would suspend fighting in Rafah after we allow the civilian and see the release of the roughly 130 population to leave the battle zones,” hostages still in Gaza in exchange for Prime Minister Benjamin Netanyahu Palestinian prisoners held by Israel.

“Israel did not receive in Cairo any said in a statement on Wednesday.

His threats of an imminent incursion new proposal of Hamas on the release come as mediators race for a truce in the of our hostages,” Netanyahu’s office said four-month-old war, which has flattened in a statement following Israeli media vast swathes of Gaza, displaced most reports that the country’s delegation until of the territory’s population and pushed was told not to rejoin negotiations Manila Republic of the Philippines Hamas softens its stance. people to the brink of starvation.

Standard Regional Trial Court TODAY While he did not comment directly on Should the Israeli assault on National Capital Judicial Region reports, Netanyahu said: “I insist that Rafah go ahead, the risk of atrocities BRANCH 107, QUEZONthe CITY rtc1qzn107@judiciary.gov.ph is “serious, real E-mail andAdd:high,” the Hamas drop their delusional demands, No. (02) 8529-9986 United Nations’ special Tel. adviser on and when they drop these demands we the prevention genocide, Alice can move forward.” AFP IVANof PATRICK HIDALGO BICIERRO,

SUMMONS BY PUBLICATION

R-QZN-24-00496-SP

IAN DAVID STRUDWICK, and the OFFICE OF THE CIVIL REGISTRAR GENERAL. Respondents. x----------------------------------------------------------x

TO:

1. GRANTING the instant Petition; 2. ORDER the recognition of the Certificate of Final Judgment (Divorce) dated 17 March 2022, dissolving the marriage between Petitioner Rachel Tan Carrasco and Respondent Ian David Strudwick pursuant to the Certificate of Final Judgment dated 17 March 2022 issued by the Family Justice Courts of the Republic of Singapore; and 3. DIRECTING the Office of the Civil Registrar General to; a. REGISTER AND RECORD the Certificate of Final Judgment dated 17 March 2022 issued by the Family Justice Courts of the Republic of Singapore, finally dissolving the marriage between Petitioner Rachel Tan Carrasco and Respondent Ian David Strudwick; and b. CANCEL AND/OR CORRECT the entries and/ or records of marriage of Petitioner Rachel Tan Carrasco and Respondent Ian David Strudwick found in the Philippine Statistics Authority.

Finding the Petition to be sufficient in form and substance, notice is hereby given that the petition is set for initial hearing on 04 April 2024 at 8:30 o’clock in the morning at the sala of this Court located at Rm. 503, 5th Floor, Hall of Justice Bldg., Annex, Elliptical Road, Diliman, Quezon City at which date and time, all persons interested may appear and show cause in writing why the petition should not be granted.

Let a copy of this Order be published once a week for three (3) consecutive weeks in a newspaper of general circulation chosen by raffle and further served together with a copy of the Amended Petition and annexes to the National Statistician/Civil Registrar General of the Philippine Statistics Authority; the Office of the Solicitor General; the City Prosecutor’s Office of Quezon City; and also to the private respondent Ian David Strudwick of 9 Newton Road #30-07 Trilight Siingapore 307997 by registered mail or through a private courier at the expense of the petitioner.

SO ORDERED. 25 January 2024, Quezon City, Metro Manila.

(Sgd.) EDITHA G. MINA-AGUBA Presiding Judge Copy furnished: RACHEL TAN CARRASCO – petitioner 6192 Einthoven St., Palanan, Makati City, Metro Manila IAN DAVID STRUDWICK – private respondent 9 Newton Road #30+07 Trilight Singapore 307997 ALCANTARA JOAQUIN AND ALCANTARA LAW – counsel for petitioner Unit 802 Metropolitan Terraces Condominium, Sacred Heart St., San Antonio Village, 1203 Makati City, Metro Manila E-mail: litigation@aja.law OFFICE OF THE SOLICITOR GENERAL134 Amorsolo Street, Legaspi Village, Makati City THE ADMINISTRATOR AND CIVIL REGISTRAR GENERAL PHILIPPINE STATISTICS AUTHORITY – 8F CRS Building, PSA Complex., East Avenue, Diliman, Quezon City THE CITY PROSECUTOR, QUEZON CITY

(MStandard-Feb. 16, 23 & Mar. 1, 2024)

Prabowo set to sweep as new leader of world’s 3rd largest democracy -versus-

CASE NO. R-QZN-21-12122-CV For: Declaration of Nullity of Marriage (Art. 35[4])

MARISSA ILAO HIDALGO, Respondent. x---------------------------------------------------x

SUMMONS BY PUBLICATION

TO:

IRENE V. CARBO BRGY. TOCOK, SAN FABIAN, PANGASINAN

ORDER This is a verified Petition filed by Petitioner Rachel Tan Carrasco, praying, that after due notice and hearing, the Honorable Court render judgment;

Petitioner,

GREETINGS: Pursuant to the Orders of this Court dated October 11, 2023 and November 23, 2023 granting petitioner’s Motion for Leave of Court to Serve Summons by Publication, the undersigned hereby issues this Summons by Publication, in accordance with Section 16, Rule 14 of the Rules of Court, as amended, and Section 6 of A.M. No. 02-11-10-SC. NOW THEREFORE, respondent IRENE V. CARBO with address at BRGY. TOCOK, SAN FABIAN, FIGHTER VS. DEATHPANGASINAN PENALTY.isThe widow of the and laterequired French to Justice hereby summoned file withphilosopher the Regional Trial Court Branch 107(center Quezon left) and Minister Robert Badinter, French Elisabeth Badinter sitting at Room 601, 6th(center) floor, Hallwalk of Justice Annex, France’s Minister for JusticeCity Eric Dupond-Moretti during a national City Hall Compound, Quezon City 0860, her tribute ceremony in honorQuezon of Badinter, outside the Ministry of Justice, at the Place verified ANSWER to the above-captioned Petition for Vendome, in Paris on Wedneday.

Badinter, who died on Feb. 9, 2024, aged Declaration of Nullity of Marriage filed by petitioner 95, saved many lives by dedicating his own the fightpraying against punishment, FERDINAND R. to CABUANG thatcapital his marriage playing a pivotal role in banning the guillotine in CARBO 1981. AFP with respondent IRENE B. be declared NULL and VOID on the following grounds: (a) Absence of essential and/or formal requisites under Article 4 of the Family Code in relation to Article 2 (2) and Article 3 (1) of the same code, the petitioner alleging that their marriage lacks the essential requisite of consent freely given in the presence of the solemnizing officer, and the formal requisite of authority of the solemnizing officer. petitioner further of alleges incapacity MOSCOW—Veteran Thecampaigner fivepsychological years in prison. the respondent of the Family Orlov, Code Oleg Orlov said he will of “continue the under Article The 36 70-year-old who has of the Philippines.

JAKARTA—Indonesian “This victory should be a victory MARISSA ILAO HIDALGODefense 3789 VernacchiaSubianto Drive, Chantilly, VA 20151for all Indonesians,” Prabowo told a Minister Prabowo on Thursday looked set to become the new rapturous crowd in the capital Jakarta on GREETINGS: president of the world’s third-largest Wednesday evening.

Pursuant to the Order of this Court dated December 21, democracy, likely avoiding a runoff He said he would assemble a 2023 granting petitioner’s Motion for Leave of Court to Serve vote against Summons electionby rivals who have government “consisting of the best sons Publication, the undersigned hereby issues this Summons by Publication, the undersigned hereby issues thisof Indonesia”. yet to concede. and daughters Summons by Publication in accordance with Section 17, Rule The ex-general declared victoryand Section In 6reaction 14 of the Rules of Court as amended, of A.M. No. to his victory, markets 02-11-10-SC.after preliminary Wednesday evening in Southeast Asia’s biggest economy counts fromNOWgovernment-approved jumped by nearly two percent, energised THEREFORE, respondent MARISSA ILAO HIDALGO with address atshown 3789 Vernacchia VA 20151 is vows of continuity in the pollsters—previously to Drive, be Chantity,

by Prabowo’s hereby summoned and required to file with the Regional Trial reliable—indicated he would win resource-rich archipelago.

Court Branch 107 Quezon City high sitting at Room 601, 6th floor, Hall of Justice Annex, Quezon City Hall Compound, Quezon office with a majority in his third attempt.

His supporters danced outside his City 0860, her verified ANSWER to the above-caption Petition The slower, official count by the Jakarta residence after the preliminary for Declaration of Nullity of Marriage filed by petitioner IVAN HIDALGO BICIERRO also praying that his marriage with archipelago’s PATRICK election commission polls showed him winning. respondent be declared NULL and VOID for being a bigamous showed the 72-year-old on course for The government-approved polling marriage under Article 35(4) of Family Code of the Philippines. the presidency at 56.39 percent with must groups’ “quick counts” have also Respondent MARISSA ILAO HIDALGO file her verified within thirty (30) days from the last publication of 42.5 percent ofANSWER votes counted, more than been used to claim victory in previous this Summons in a newspaper of general circulation in the double his nearest rival.serving at the same time a copy elections.

AFP Philippines, thereof upon the petitioner IVAN PATRICK HIDALGO BICIERRO or his legal counsel, Atty. Constantino L. Navarro III of Navarro Law Offices at 2710 One Corporate Center Meralco Ave., cor.Julia Vargas Avenue Ortigas Center, Pasig City.

Russian dissident Orlov voices defiance despite prison threat fight” —criticising Russia’s campaign been classified as a “foreign agent” in Ukraine—despite theRespondent threat ofIRENEunder Russianmust law,file is aher rare exception V. CARBO ANSWER thirty high-profile (30) days fromKremlin the prison when a new trialverified against him within among critics, last publication of this Summons in a are newspaper starts on Friday. many of whom either in prison or of general circulation in the Philippines, serving Speaking in his Moscow flat,same whose living in exile. at the time a copy thereof upon the petitioner door has been vandalized with the “I don’t to end Atty. up in prison, but FERDINAND R. CABUANG of his want legal counsel, Danny F. of Villanueva LAW the FIRM OF BACLIG letter “Z” used by supporters the ofdoTHE I have choice?” said Orlov, who & VILLANUEVA 204, 2ndunder floor, the Soviet offensive in Ukraine, Orlov said he hadwith address began athisSuite activism Eagle Court Condominium, No. 26 Matalino St., Central “no doubt” that he wouldDiliman, be convicted Quezon City. Union in the 1980s when he helped within weeks. create the human rights group Memorial the respondent fails towas file hershut verified Answera few weeks He has already packedIn case a bag of which down withinof the period,the thisUkraine Court shall direct essentials to take to jail, ahead hisreglementary trial before assault. the Public Prosecutor to investigate whether collusion on a charge of discrediting thebetween Russianthe parties.

“Repent, admit my guilt in front of exists If the Court is convinced army that carries a maximum sentence thethe judges?

It shall would be like denying my that there is no collusion, petitioner be allowed

In case the respondent fails to file her verified Answer within the reglementary period, this Court shall direct the Public Prosecutor to investigate whether collusion exists between the parties. If the Court is convinced that there is no collusion, the petitioner shall be allowed to present his evidence in support of the petition. However, if the Public Prosecutor finds that collusion exists, the Court shall set the report for hearing and if convinced that the parties are in collusion, the Court shall dismiss the petition.

whole life,” the bespectacled activist said.

Speaking in a calm, strong voice, Orlov spoke to AFP from his Orlov said he “never wanted to leave” apartment—decorated with his his country despite the risks, because he watercolours—that he shares with is “more effective here.” his wife of 30 years Tatyana, a fellow “Having another voice from within Respondent is reminded to observe restraint in filing a motion activist.

Russia is important,” he said. to dismiss and instead allege the grounds thereof as defenses “There is in no choice.

We have with to IBP-OCAOrlov, a trained biologist, said his the verified Answer, in conformity Memorandum Policy Guidelines dated March 12, 2002. continue the on fight,” he said, his eyes still own situation reminded him of Sovietsparkling. WITNESS THE HONORABLE JOSE L.era dissidents BAUTISTA, JR., who had to live through Judge of this Court, this 8th day multiple of January 2024 in of repression.

Orlov wasPresiding fined in October after a waves Quezon City, Philippines. first trial for discrediting the Russian “Who would have said that we army in a column written for the French would find ourselves living in the same (Sgd.) ATTY. ETHELENE G. VELASCO-GOTOHIO Branch Clerk of Court V online publication, Mediapart. conditions?” he said. xx & xx, 2024) The fine was a relatively (MStandard lenient - Feb. xx, Orlov said he did not fault the punishment and prosecutors called for a majority of Russians who prefer to new trial against him. remain silent. AFP

to present his evidence in support of the petition.

However, if the Public Prosecutor finds that collusion exists, the Court shall set the report for hearing and if convinced that the parties are in collusion, the Court shall dismiss the petition.

Drone hit leaves Russia oil depot in flames

ORDER

Respondent is reminded to observed restraint

in Ukrainian filing a motion to dismiss instead each allege other. the MOSCOW—A night-time drone attackand against grounds thereof as defenses in the verified Answer, set ablaze a Russian oil depot in the Kursk region Meanwhile, Ukraine was under a nationwide air in conformity with IBP-OCA Memorandum on Policy near the frontier between the two countries, Russian alert for over two hours on Thursday after the miliGuidelines dated March 12, 2002. authorities said Thursday. tary warned that a group of bombers had taken off WITNESS THEsaid HONORABLE Regional governor Roman Starovoit on so- JOSE fromL.a BAUTISTA, base in Russia.

Presiding Judge of this Court, this 28th day of cial media that there wereJR., no casualties, appealing The Ukrainian air force reported that several November 2023 in Quezon City, Philippines. to the local population to remain “calm”.

Tu-95MS strategic bombers had left the Olenya “Following a Ukrainian drone in the Kursk airfield in Russia’s far north, prompting the alert (Sgd.) attack ATTY. ETHELENE G. VELASCO-GOTOHIO Branch Clerk of Court region, fire has broken out in an oil depot,” Starovoit to beV issued. said on Telegram.

But it xx, was2024) lifted hours later, with the air force saying (MStandard - Feb. xx, xx & Ukraine has stepped up its drone and missile in a post on Telegram that the “missile threat is over”. attacks on Russian territory in recent months, Explosions were officially reported in the regions particularly targeting Russia’s energy and mili- of Kyiv, Zaporizhzhia, Lviv and Poltava. tary installations.

Kyiv’s local government said the air alert had Ahead of the second anniversary of Russia’s of- been in place for more than two hours, but “anti-airfensive against its neighbor on February 24, both craft defense destroyed all enemy missiles” aimed sides have staged daily drone and missile attacks at the city. AFP

FALLEN MEDIC. Ukrainian servicemen carry the coffin

with the body of German national Diana Wagner, a volunteer of the Carpathian Sich Battalion, during her funeral service in St. Michael’s Cathedral in Kyiv, amid the Russian invasion of Ukraine, on Wednesday. Wagner was a combat medic who died in eastern Ukraine. AFP

BUSINESS

B3 FRIDAY, FEBRUARY 16, 2024

extrastory2000@gmail.com

PH stock market advances ahead of policy rate decision

DATA SCIENTIST. Gilbert Chua (standing) is one of the scholars of the Aboitiz Group who studied at the Asian Institute of Management-Aboitiz School of Innovation, Technology and Entrepreneurship (ASITE). In 2019, the Aboitiz Group donated $10 million to AIM to establish ASITE, one of the most advanced learning facilities in the region for data science and innovation. A cornerstone of the group’s centennial anniversary celebration, the investment included study loan grants for aspiring students, which include Chua.

Then a government employee, Chua would go on to become a scholar, a data scientist and a pioneer in one of the fastest growing industries here and abroad. Photo from AIM

PHILIPPINE stocks rose Thursday as investors awaited the outcome of the Bangko Sentral ng Pilipinas’ (BSP) policy meeting.

The bellwether Philippine Stock Exchange index picked up 27.62 points, or 0.40 percent, to close at 6,882.15, while the broader all-shares index climbed 13.32 points, or 0.37 percent, to finish at 3,601.55.

Regina Capital Development Corp. head of sales Luis Limlingan said the local shares edged higher even as the Monetary Board was expected to keep interest rates unchanged.

The Monetary Board of the BSP later in the day maintained the overnight borrowing and lending rates steady on easing inflation rate.

Most Asian markets also rose Thursday, tracking a rebound in Europe and New York and following

positive remarks from a senior Federal Reserve official that inflation was headed in the right direction.

Figures on Tuesday showing the US consumer price index slowed less than expected in January dealt a body blow to hopes of an early interest rate cut and sent Asia indices mostly lower.

But investors returned to buying on expectations borrowing costs will be reduced this year, while traders also cheered strong earnings releases that soothed any worries about companies’ bottom lines.

“Over time we think it will become clear that January was more one-off vs a new CPI trend,” 22V Research strategists led by Dennis DeBusschere said.

Traders will be closely following the release of the producer price index, which is due at the end of the week.

Jenniffer B. Austria

URC breaks ground for mega Batangas factory

By Jenniffer B. Austria

F

OOD manufacturer Universal Robina Corp. (URC) said Thursday it broke ground on its new mega production plant in Malvar, Batangas.

URC said in a statement the new manufacturing facility, covering an area of 30.7 hectares, will employ some 3,000 workers directly and indirectly.

“This mega plant will feature state-of-the-art manufacturing

technology—from the way it will be constructed all the way to how it will be operated,” said URC president and chief executive Irwin Lee. Lee said many of the new, highquality products URC would introduce in the coming years

would be made in Malvar.

Construction of the manufacturing plant will begin this year and will be completed within 10 to 15 years.

Lee said the manufacturing plant’s high-end technology will optimize use of resources.

“The manufacturing lines to be installed in Malvar will incorporate design improvements that will further reduce material resource inputs, production wastage, labor efforts, and energy

CEBU PACIFIC’S SUPPORT. Cebu Pacific demonstrates its commitment to empowering and uplifting the lives of vulnerable Filipino girls and boys as its in-flight fundraising campaign, Change for Good, reached P91 million in donations since its launch in 2016. Change for Good, a joint initiative between UNICEF Philippines and CEB, aims to convert the spare change of passengers into life-saving supplies and services that benefit vulnerable children and communities.

Globe Telecom retains ‘B’ score from Carbon Disclosure Project

By Darwin G. Amojelar GLOBE Telecom said Thursday it retained its ‘B’ score from the Carbon Disclosure Project (CDP) for the third consecutive year, solidifying its position as the most sustainable telecommunications company in the Philippines.

The CDP, a renowned not-for-profit charity, operates a global disclosure system for managing environmental impacts, recognized as the gold standard of environmental reporting. It provides the most comprehensive dataset on corporate and city action towards managing and mitigating environmental risks.

Globe said that with its ‘B’ score for 2023, it

entered the CDP Management band, a distinction achievable only by surpassing a threshold percentage of available awareness points. The achievement involves demonstrating a broad assessment of environmental issues and a fundamental awareness of how these issues intersect with its business operations.

“We understand the critical role we play in mitigating climate change and are dedicated to operationalizing our climate action in ways that are both impactful and sustainable. This recognition reaffirms our resolve to continue advancing our sustainability agenda, driving positive change within our industry and beyond,” said Globe chief sustainability and corporate communications officer Yoly Crisanto.

More Filipinos turn to digital lending FILIPINOS are increasingly turning to digital lending solutions for quick and accessible financial solutions, according to a financial technology company.

A recent survey conducted by fintech firm Tala reveals that 59 percent of Filipinos prioritize digital lending options, highlighting the growing demand for innovative financial services in the country.

“This shift towards digital alternatives demonstrates the need for flexible and reliable financial tools that empower Filipinos to navigate unforeseen circumstances,” said Iona Iñigo-Mayo, senior director for global customer experience operations at Tala.

“As a pioneer in the digital lending space, Tala is committed to providing responsible and accessible credit solutions

that help Filipinos achieve their financial goals,” said Mayo.

The survey also sheds light on the financial realities faced by Filipinos in today’s economic climate. About 84 percent of customers feel the pinch of inflation, with 59 percent citing rising living expenses as their primary financial challenge.

Unexpected medical expenses and seasonal expenditures add to the pressure, with 38 percent struggling to meet their monthly income. To cope with these challenges, Filipinos are showing resilience and resourcefulness. About 58 percent have taken on side hustles or started businesses to generate additional income, while 72 percent believe they have the necessary tools to manage their finances.

as well as water consumption,” he said.

It will have solar panels to generate power, and the buildings will make use of as much natural lighting and ventilation as possible.

It will also maximize recovery of rainwater and reuse of wastewater.

URC is one of the country’s largest food and beverage firms. It has been pivoting towards making renewable energy take up a bigger share in its power use.

It has been installing solar panels at several of its facilities in the Philippines and its manufacturing plans in Thailand and Vietnam.

“We look forward to building a healthy relationship with the people of Malvar. We also look forward to doing our part in economic development and nation-building by providing jobs to the residents of Malvar, and the rest of the country, with the full build-out of this manufacturing facility,” said Lee.

BUSINESS

B4

FRIDAY, FEBRUARY 16, 2024

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

PRICE MONITORING. An official of the Department of Trade and IndustryLaguna Provincial Office monitors a private supermarket in San Pablo City, Laguna. Based on the monitoring results on Feb. 14, 2024, the establishment was found to be compliant with the suggested retail prices (SRPs), and it was observed that the supplies of basic necessities and prime commodities (BNPCs) remain stable. The DTI, through its Consumer Protection Division, regularly monitors the price and supply of BNPCs in the province.

BSP keeps policy rates unchanged on easing inflation THE Monetary Board of the Bangko Sentral ng Pilipinas (BSP) on Thursday kept the overnight borrowing rate steady at 6.5 percent for the third time amid the slowdown in inflation.

“In consideration of the prevailing risks, the Monetary Board deems it appropriate to keep the BSP’s monetary policy settings unchanged in the near term amid the improvement in inflation conditions,” it said in a statement.

Data from the Philippine Statistics Authority showed that inflation rate moderated to 2.8 percent in January 2024, within the government’s target range.

The BSP said the Monetary Board also retained the overnight deposit and lending facilities at 6.0 percent and 7 percent, respectively, as the outlook for inflation was broadly unchanged.

“The latest risk-adjusted inflation forecast for 2024 eased to 3.9 percent from 4.2 percent in the previous meeting in December,” the BSP said.

It said that for 2025, the risk-adjusted inflation forecast is relatively steady at 3.5 percent. The BSP’s projection for 2024 and 2025 is also within the government’s target of 2 percent to 4 percent “Equally important, the BSP’s latest survey of external forecasters shows inflation expectations to be more firmly anchored, with mean forecasts remaining within the target range for both 2024 and 2025,” the BSP said.

BSP Government Eli Remolona Jr. said in January “a rate cut is possible within the year, but first semester is too soon.”

Meanwhile, the BSP said the risks to the inflation outlook had receded, but remained tilted toward the upside. Darwin G. Amojelar

Cash remittances rose 2.9% to hit record $33.5b in 2023

By Darwin G. Amojelar

O

VERSEAS Filipinos sent a recordbreaking $37.2 billion in personal remittances to the Philippines in 2023, up by 3.0 percent from $36.1 billion in 2022, according to the Bangko Sentral ng Pilipinas (BSP).

This translates into a monthly average of $3.1 billion, with December 2023 hitting a peak of $3.6 billion from $3.5 billion in the same period in 2022.

“The robust inward remittances reflected the rise in the deployment of overseas Filipino workers [OFWs] due to the continuous increase in demand for foreign workers in host countries,” the BSP said.

The BSP said the full-year 2023 remittances represented 8.5 percent and 7.7 percent of the gross domestic product (GDP) and gross national income (GNI), respectively.

Data showed that of the personal remittances, cash remittances coursed through banks reached $3.3 billion in December 2023, higher by 3.8 percent than $3.2 billion in the

same month in 2022.

“The growth in cash remittances in December 2023 was primarily due to increased receipts from both land- and seabased workers,” the BSP said.

Full-year cash remittances also reached an all-time high of $33.5 billion in 2023, representing a 2.9-percent growth from $32.5 billion in 2022.

The growth in cash remittances from the United States, Saudi Arabia and the United Arab Emirates contributed mainly to the increase in remittances in 2023, according to the BSP.

DTI signs instruments to enhance 2 regional free trade agreements

By Othel V. Campos

TECHNICAL COOPERATION. Bangko Sentral ng Pilipinas (BSP) Governor Eli Remolona Jr. (third from left) and Deutsche Bundesbank Executive Board Member Burkhard Balz (second from left) lead the signing of a memorandum of understanding on technical cooperation between the BSP and Deutsche Bundesbank at the BSP Head Office in Manila on Jan. 22, 2024. With them are BSP capacity development department director Iñigo Regalado III (right) and Deutsche Bundesbank director for international central bank Dialogue Martin Dinkelborg. Deutsche Bundesbank is the central bank of Germany.

THE Department of Trade and Industry (DTI) said it signed two key economic instruments on Feb. 14, 2024 to enhance the ASEANAustralia-New Zealand Free Trade Agreement (AANZFTA) and the ASEAN-Hong Kong, China FTA (AHKFTA).

“The finalization of the second protocol to amend the AANZFTA represents another milestone in our work to further strengthen regional trade and investment flows between ASEAN, Australia and New Zealand. We want to ensure the agreement continues to benefit businesses and reinforce our strategic links in the region,”said Trade Secretary Alfredo Pascual.

The second protocol updates the original AANZFTA signed in 2009 and the first protocol signed in August

2014, respectively.

The new provisions respond to the evolving multidimensional challenges in the business environment and seek to maintain the agreement as a relevant, high-quality FTA and complement the region-to-region efforts to strengthen supply chain resilience, inclusivity and sustainable development, according to the DTI. The improved commitments under the agreement included new chapters on government procurement, trade and sustainable development and micro, small and medium enterprises (MSMEs).

It also features new rules to boost merchandise trade under the chapter on trade in goods and dustoms procedure such as facilitating trade of essential goods during humanitarian crises and addressing related issues on non-tariff measures.

Angkas supports PUV modernization, asks gov’t to address stakeholders’ other concerns HOMEGROWN motorcycle taxi operator Angkas said Thursday it is supporting the government’s public utility vehicle (PUV) modernization, but called for a more comprehensive approach to address the concerns of all stakeholders.

Angkas chief executive George Royeca said while the eco-friendly vehicle upgrades are laudable, there is a need to go beyond aesthetics and tackle commuter pain points like waiting times, schedules, payments

and driver livelihood concerns.

“The PUV modernization program is truly a step in the right direction, but I think it’s incomplete. When we modernize PUVs, it’s not just about the vehicles but the system,” Royeca said.

“The idea for this program should be able to address the concerns of the stakeholder, and uplift the lives of these passengers and drivers,” he said.

Royeca proposed initiatives that

empower the drivers’ livelihood, similar to Angkas’ approach of integrating informal motorcycle taxi riders into the system while offering benefits and tech tools for income stability.

“Upgrading vehicles might address the environment,” Royeca said, “but is that the sole purpose of modernizing our iconic jeepneys? What about the commuters and drivers struggling within the current system?”

Angkas said it has been giving its drivers access to financial institutions

such as Pag-Ibig, Social Security System (SSS), and reliable loan services, fulfilling its commitment to the welfare of riders.

The Angkas system advocates for their drivers through upholding dignity and respect for their work and contribution in the community.

President Ferdinand Marcos Jr. earlier extended the consolidation deadline for PUV until April 30 this year from the earlier schedule of Dec. 31, 2023. Darwin G. Amojelar

DOTr announces start of bored piling works for South Commuter Railway THE Department of Transportation (DOTr) announced a milestone in the P873.6-billion North-South Commuter Railway Extension (NSCR-Ex) project, with the start of the first bored piling works for the South Commuter Railway Project (SCRP) in Contract Package S-06 in Cabuyao, Laguna on Feb. 12, 2024.

The NSCR is a priority project of the Marcos administration which aims to connect New Clark City in Tarlac and Calamba in Laguna via a high-speed train.

“At the heart of this milestone stands the first bored pile out of 1,786 piles to be constructed for CP S-06 with a contract cost of P25.83 billion involv-

ing 10.3 kilometers of railway from Cabuyao to Chipeco Ave. in Calamba City,” the DOTr said in a statement.

The inaugural bored pile will serve as the foundational support for Pier1150 in Barangay Mamatid, Cabuyao, Laguna, setting the stage for the construction of 357 piers crucial to the structural integrity of elevated viaducts in S-06.

Situated about 4.2 km. and 1.0 km. from the NSCR Cabuyao Station and NSCR Banlic Station, respectively, the completion of the first bored pile represents a promising start for the agency as it looks forward to the continued progress and success of the SCRP.

SCRP GROUNDBREAKING. The Department of Transportation (DOTR) starts the South Commuter Railway Project (SCRP) with bored piling works in Contract Package S-06 in Cabuyao, Laguna. This marks a pivotal moment in the P873.6-billion North-South Commuter Railway Extension (NSCR-Ex) project.

Ayala Land allots P13b to renovate four major malls

By Jenniffer B. Austria PROPERTY developer Ayala Land Inc. (ALI) said Thursday it will spend P13 billion to redevelop four major shopping malls in Metro Manila and Cebu.

ALI said the planned redevelopment of Glorietta and Greenbelt in Makati City, Trinoma in Quezon City and Ayala CenterCebu this year would not only focus on aesthetics, but would also enrich customer experience.

“The redevelopment will unleash the full potential of the mall’s retail spaces, enhance areas for convergence and experiences and create spaces that challenge Ayala Malls’ retailers to bring their best,” ALI said.

ALI senior vice president and head of leasing and hospitality Mariana Zobel de Ayala said in a news briefing the redevelopment would not significantly affect the group’s revenues moving forward as this will be done in phases.

ALI committed to double its net income over the next five years.

“That will not change. That remains the same,” she said.

The makeover will set a new standard in retail landmarks that will cater to the present and future generations, the company said.

The developer said it would work with global experts such as Buchan, Gensler and CAN Design Ltd. for the planned redevelopment.

“With the transformative era, Ayala Malls firm up its dedication to creating dynamic, innovative, sustainable and memorable malls that serve, empower and celebrate the local communities the malls are embedded in,” ALI said.

Maynilad spending P2.7b to replace Manila’s old pipes WEST ZONE concessionaire Maynilad Water Services, Inc. (Maynilad) said Thursday it is spending P2.7 billion from 2023 to 2027 for its non-revenue water (NRW) management program in Manila where water loss is highest due to an aging pipe network and rampant illegal connections.

It said about P2.4 billion would go towards pipe replacement projects, while P151 million would be used for leak repairs and P190 million for network diagnostics and leak detection.

“It is in Manila City where the oldest section of the pipe network that we inherited from the government is located. To reduce water losses in this area, we have already replaced 701 kilometers of old pipes since 2007,” said Maynilad chief operating officer Randolph Estrellado.

He said this was accomplished, thanks to the assistance extended by the city government of Manila on the issuance of permits and the management of traffic for pipe replacement and leak repair projects.

The P2.7-billion allocation for Manila is part of the P16.5-billion NRW Management Program of Maynilad for 2023 to 2027, which aims to further reduce water losses in the west zone.

Maynilad is the largest private water concessionaire in the Philippines in terms of customer base, facilitating the delivery of water service in certain portions of Manila and Quezon City, West of South Super Highway in Makati City, Caloocan, Pasay, Parañaque, Las Piñas, Muntinlupa, Valenzuela, Navotas and Malabon in Metro Manila; the cities of Cavite, Bacoor and Imus and the towns of Kawit, Noveleta and Rosario in Cavite province. Othel V. Campos

C1

SPORTS

FRIDAY, FEBRUARY 16, 2024

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

The San Miguel Beermen celebrate their title conquest.

One dead, 21 injured in Super Bowl parade shooting

Perez proves he’s Best Player of the Conference

By Peter Atencio

O

N Valentine’s Day, the San Miguel Beermen showed to the world, why they are loved by many.

Staring at a 13-point deficit in the closing minutes, the Beermen got their acts together and launched a late rally, en route to winning their 29th championship.

And CJ Perez took a lot of credit for the role he played on Wednesday night in the 48th Philippine Basketball Association Commissioner’s Cup Finals at the Araneta Coliseum.

Perez went on to finish with 28 points for the Beermen, to go with one of two crucial triples in the game, a step-back three-pointer in the last 48 seconds.

Perez’s triple with Chris Ross allowed the Beermen to finally overcome a 13-point deficit and move ahead at 103-99.

His actions not only earned Perez the Best Player of the

Conference earlier, but the Finals’ MVP accolade as well.

“CJ’s a great player. He plays defense, he plays offense. Now, he just showed his worth this conference,” said SMB coach Jorge Gallent.

Later, in the final moments, Junemar Fajardo’s rebound off Perez’s missed free throw, and Jericho Cruz’s split charity with 1.6 seconds left sealed the deal for the Beermen.

Fajardo and Bennie Boatwright Jr. shot 19 points for the Beermen.

Gallent added that Perez became a better player during the conference.

“He did the things that he had to do exactly in this game. And this is what he is now. He is the best player of the conference, the finals’ MVP,” said Gallent, who claimed his first title as head coach of the Beermen.

They were behind 95-86 with less than five minutes to go, when the Beermen leaned on Perez, Cruz and Chris Ross.

The three spearheaded a 17-4 run for a 103-99 lead with 48 seconds left.

“They just didn’t give up. They just showed how composed they are. Even when we were down 9, 10, they

didn’t panic. They played in the flow and stepped up their defense, and good things happen when you play defense,” said Gallent.

Perez had two missed free throws with 9.6 seconds left.

That was when Magnolia’s Aris Dionisio hit a triple as the Hotshots stayed close, 102-103, with 25 ticks left.

But Cruz split his charities in the final second, allowing the Beermen to end the series in their favor.

Gallent had an argument during the game with Perez for his awful first half performance -- four points in the first quarter and scoreless in the second.

But Perez bounced back with 24 points in the second half.

“Siyempre, nag-aargue kami. But we’re not arguing para sa sarili lang namin. Sinasabi lang niya sa amin kung ano ang gagawin ko. Pero, ganu’n talaga ‘pag sa pamilya. Para kaming mag-tatay na nag-aaway. Pero, sumusunod pa rin. I always cherish those moments,” said Perez.

Gallent scolded Perez for his hesitation in taking shots in the first half. In the next two quarters, Perez just took advantage of his scoring opportunities.

Saint Benilde sinks Navy to reach Champions League semis COLLEGE of Saint Benilde caught the last bus to the playoffs with a big win against PGJC Philippine Navy at the close of the Philippine National Volleyball Federation (PNVF) Champions League eliminations Wednesday night at the Rizal Memorial Coliseum.

The Blazers had to dig deep though in scoring a 26-24, 25-22, 14-25, 25-22 win to join Cignal HD, Iloilo D’Navigators and VNS Asereht in the semifinals.

Saint Benilde lost to Cignal HD in the opener but bagged two crucial wins in a row to finish No. 2 in Pool A with a 2-1 won-lost record and dodge complications of making the next round with Savouge (1-2) and Navy (0-3).

“This was big for us as it dictated our playoff fates,” said coach Arnold Laniog, whose wards avoided a three-way tie at 1-2 with also-ran Savouge and Navy.

Jacob Herrera and Mike Balbacal fired 12 points each while James Marasigan chipped 11 to lead the Blazers’ march to the playoffs.

Philippine Army’s Edward Camposano is rejected by two Air Force defenders.

Saint Benilde will face unbeaten Pool B nal HD and VNS duke it out in the other leader Iloilo while Pool A topnotcher Cig- semifinals pairing of the PNVF tiff backed

by PLDT, Ayala Land, Nuvali, Cignal, One Sports, One Sports+, Mikasa, Senoh, Foton, Philippine Olympic Committee and the Philippine Sports Commission.

The Blazers vowed to give the D’Navigators a run for their money despite being a heavy underdog against the seasoned pro club for a shot at the crown.

“We joined the PNVF for exposure and experience,” Laniog said. “It’s a reward to be in the semifinals. Iloilo is tough and undefeated with a bevy of veterans but there’s no pressure on us and everything to gain,” Cignal HD completed a sweep of Pool A with a 25-15, 25-16, 25-22 win over Savouge behind Joshua Umandal’s 11 points on nine hits and two aces.

All HD Spikers scored against the Spin Doctors in the 92-minute match.

“It’s one goal at a time—advance to the playoffs,” said coach Dexter Clamor whose HD Spikers are campaigning for redemption after losing their throne to the University of Santo Tomas Tigers last edition.

RLC Residences powers up IRONKIDS THE IRONKIDS, the junior counterpart of the IRONMAN series, gets a significant boost with the backing of RLC Residences with the partnership aiming to promote an active and purposeful lifestyle among young athletes.

The collaboration kicks off on April 20, where RLC Residences, the residential brand of Robinsons Land Corp., will extend its support to youngsters participating in the aquathlon. The event, to be held at The Reef Island Resort in Mactan, will feature participants aged 6 to 15 competing in various age-group divisions.

RLC Residences head of Brand Management Dan Carlo Torres emphasized their commitment to supporting the IRONKIDS and fostering opportunities for future triathletes.

“We are very excited to see this partnership unfold.

We’ve been very supportive of IRONMAN, especially IRONKIDS because we also believe in the importance of promoting an active and purposeful lifestyle at such a young age and we hope to continuously be part of IRONMAN as we create more vibrant opportunities for our future triathletes,” said Torres.

Registration is open. For details, visit https:// ironkidsphil.com/ . Media inquiries can be directed to sai.mayol@ironman.com.

Princess Galura, the Regional Director of the organizing The IRONMAN Group Philippines, highlighted the significance of the IRONKiDS event in nurturing the Cebuano youth’s interest in sports and encouraging a healthy, active lifestyle.

“The IRONKIDS has had a positive impact on the Cebuano youth over the past 10 years, serving as a stepping stone to a future in sports and fostering a healthy, sporty lifestyle,” said Galura. “The partnership with RLC Residences will further contribute to These efforts.”

The Lapu-Lapu event will feature age-group categories and relay events for mixed teams. The swim and run courses, transition area, and finish line will be held at The Reef Island Resort, providing a convenient and secure location.

Families attending the race weekend can also enjoy the resort amenities, including the beach, lap pool, game room, and the resort’s restaurant operated by Cebu-based top-tier chain, Abaca.

Gracing the media launch of the IRONKIDS Lapu-Lapu 2024 in Cebu are (from left) The IRONMAN Group Philippines’ regional director Princess Galura, RLC Residences head of brand management Dan Carlo Torres, Lapu-Lapu City Rep. Cynthia Chan, Brgy. Basak captain Jasmine Chan, and The Reef Island Resort manager Gerra Lizares.

KANSAS CITY—One person was killed and children were among the 21 injured after a mass shooting at the Kansas City Chiefs’ Super Bowl victory rally on Wednesday triggered panic among huge crowds of fans.

Shots rang out moments after jubilant Chiefs players addressed a vast, cheering crowd, sending shocked fans and VIPs fleeing in a tragic end to what had been a joyous morning of celebrating the NFL champions.

Police said three people had been taken into custody after the attack near Kansas City’s Union Station, but the motive behind the shooting was still under investigation.

Fire department chief Ross Grundyson told a press conference that many of the victims had sustained “life-threatening injuries.”

A local DJ, Lisa Lopez, was killed in the assault, her radio station said.

“This senseless act has taken a beautiful person from her family and this KC Community,” KKFI posted on its Facebook page, referring to Kansas City.

Children’s Mercy Hospital said it was treating 12 people -- 11 of them children, nine for gunshot wounds -after the shooting. A hospital spokesman said all were expected to recover.

Paul Contreras, who was at the rally with his three daughters, said he tackled and disarmed one of the suspected shooters before the police arrived.

“I got the right angle on him and I hit him from behind. And when I hit him from behind, I either jarred the gun out of his hand or out of his sleeve,” Contreras said on CNN. “I take him down, and I’m putting all my body weight on him. And then another good Samaritan comes over and is helping me.”

Victims were treated lying on the ground before being carried away on stretchers amid the commotion and the crowds, while the hundreds of police guarding the event rushed to clear the area.

Chiefs star Travis Kelce said he was “heartbroken.”

“My heart is with all who came out to celebrate with us and have been affected. KC, you mean the world to me,” he wrote on X, formerly Twitter. AFP

PH swimmers miss Olympic berth in 4x100 freestyle relay THE foursome of Jasmine Alkhaldi, Xiandi Chua, Teia Salvino and Kayla Sanchez missed a chance to secure a spot in the Paris Olympics’ women’s 4x100 meter freestyle relay.

They finished with a clocking 3:46.93 during the preliminaries on Sunday to end up 12th among 14 countries at the Doha World Championships Sunday afternoon.

Poland went on to claim a slot in the Paris Olympics with its 3:41.43 preliminary time, while Slovenia clocked 3:42.91 in the prelims and now ranks 17th overall for Paris Olympics.

Despite their misfortunes, the Philippines will have more chances to qualify, Eric Buhain, secretary general of the Philippine Aquatics Inc., said.

Buhain added that more opportunities for Filipino swimmers will come during the 11th Asian Age Group Championships.

The meet will offer Filipino swimmers more opportunities, following World Aquatics’ announcement that it will be one of the events serving as a qualifier to this year’s Summer Games.

Competitions are set to take place from Feb. 26 to March 9 at the New Clark City Aquatics Center in Capas, Tarlac.

The clocking of Alkhaldi, Salvino, Chua and Sanchez were almost two seconds off the Philippine national record that they own.

During the Hangzhou Asian Games, Alkhadi, Salvino, Chua and Sanchez set a new national mark with their time of 3:44.31. Peter Atencio

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SPORTS

FRIDAY, FEBRUARY 16, 2024

M Nadal says Djokovic Premier volley meet innovates, ‘best player in history’ sets 1st Rookie

ADRID— Rafael Nadal on Wednesday hailed longtime rival Novak Djokovic as the best player in the history of the sport.

Draft in June

THE Premier Volleyball League is introducing a novel fair play recognition system to enhance its competition dynamics while reverting back to the previous technical timeout format in the All-Filipino Conference unfolding on Feb. 20 at the Philsports Arena in Pasig.

The league is also gearing up for its inaugural Rookie Draft in the next conference in June.

A groundbreaking initiative includes the issuance of green cards to players who voluntarily acknowledge a block touch or a net touch, streamlining the adjudication process and minimizing the need for unnecessary video challenges.

League commissioner Sherwin Malonzo said the league will revert to the former 8 and 16 technical timeouts, each lasting one minute, along with regular timeouts lasting 30 seconds. Players will now be required to remain on the court during video challenges, barring coaches from inter- acting with them during disputes.

“We’re bringing back the 8 and 16 technical timeouts (1 minute each) and the regular timeouts (30 seconds),” said Malonzo. “Also, during the video challenge, players need to stay in the court, meaning coaches cannot talk to the players during the dispute,” he added.

While the rotation of courts remains unchanged, the league, organized by Sports Vision, is poised to make history by conducting its first-ever annual draft immediately following the AllFilipino Conference.

The draft order for the bottom four teams will be determined through a lottery, with the remaining teams likely to be allocated positions based on their standings in the season-opening conference.

Malonzo shared insights into the draft eligibility criteria, specifying that applicants must be at least 21 years old on the draft day. The league is still finalizing detailed regulations, which will be presented to member teams.

“We’ll just create a formula based on that. We’re also considering a lottery for the bottom four.

So, not just because you’re No. 12, you get the automatic first pick,” he said. “The basic eligibility rule for one to qualify for the draft is she has to be 21 years old on the day of the drafting.”

Meanwhile, the All-Filipino Conference will play a single round robin elims with the top four teams advancing to the semis, another round robin phase.

The top two squads will dispute the championship in a bestof-three series. In case of a tie for the second final slot, a playoff will be held. There will be no playoffs in the elims but ties will be resolved using the FIVB system of classification.

Novak Djokovic (right) has 24 Grand Slam titles having surpassed Rafael Nadal’s 22 when he captured last year’s French Open.

Perpetual Junior Altas, EAC Brigadiers clash, eye 2nd wins in NCAA cagefest

Bulldogs seek 4th straight volley crown

By Dennis Abrina LAS PIÑAS CITY—The Perpetual Junior Altas and EAC-ICA shoot for a second consecutive win when they clash at 10 a.m. in the National Collegiate Athletic Association Season 99 Junior’s Basketball Tournament at the FilOil EcoOil Center in San Juan City on Friday.

Coach Joph Cleopas’ Junior Altas won against LPU GenTri with a score of 89-75, while coach Noy Catalan’s EAC-ICA Brigadiers edged La Salle Greenhills, 78-75, on opening day of the tournament on February 10.

Cleopas will rely on the solid offense and tight defense of the Junior Altas in the hands of Lebron Jhames Daep, Amiel Acido, Mark Gojo Cruz, JD Pagulayan, Kelsey Baldorai and point guard Regie Ayon.

Daep listed an impressive 22 points, 5 rebounds, 4 assists, 4 steals and a block in 28:21 minutes of play in their first match in the league, while versatile power Acido contributed 15 points, 4 rebounds, 3 assists and one steal. Cruz had 14 points, 5 rebounds, 3 assists and 3 steals.

Cleopas was also impressed by the backcourt lineup of Jamal Diaz, Arzel Asuncion, Lance Nitura, Aries Borja, Jericho Cristino, RJ Bernaldez and Icee Callangan, who contributed greatly to the team.

By Peter Atencio

The Perpetual Help Junior Altas eye a second straight win when they play the EAC-ICA Brigadiers on Friday in the NCAA Season 99 Juniors Basketball Tournament at the FilOil EcoOil Center in San Juan City. (Dennis Abrina)

The SSCR Staglets will meet in the 1st game against LPU GenTri at 8 a.m., while the defending champion Letran Squires battle the San Beda Red Cubs at 12 noon.

site, at least aesthetically. And if it is not asking too much, maybe the PFL bosses can also check on the artificial pitch that has been in use for at least the last 10 years.

Some keen fans, however, have speculated that the postponement may be due to some The Designated Kit Man other reasons. They theorized that the postErel Cabatbat ponement might be due to some clubs needing more time to assemble a decent squad to compete in the tournament.

While several clubs have been very active with signings, transfers and arrival of foreign players to boost their squads, more are still silent on their buildups for the season opening competiLOCAL fans of the Philippines Football League will tions. Of the 15 teams competing, only a few have have to wait a little bit longer, at least a month to be been consistent in giving updates on social media a bit specific for the fixtures to begin. A PFL official and other online platforms. The rest are quiet and gave The Designated Kit Man an update on the open- “missing in action” until now. A club should have ing of the domestic season and instead of an early at least 25 players on their roster before the initial March start, it will now begin on April 6, 2024.

February 20 deadline which is fast approaching.

The source said the delay is due to two reasons. This might be true or not. The other clubs might The PFL is still working things out with an outside just be keeping their cards close to their chests and marketing group that will practically run the league, will just surprise their opponents. make it sustainable and financially viable, too. Yup, Other fans say the postponement was to give way that is the hope. for the preparation of the men’s national team’s forthAnother reason cited was the facelift set to be done coming games against Iraq for the World and Asian on the VIP stands and dugouts for opposing teams at Cup qualifiers. Might be true, too, but then how the Rizal Memorial Stadium (RMS). Which, if done, would you account for the match readiness and fitwill definitely impact the appearance of the historic ness of homegrown players, who will be tapped to

Nothing but‘chismis’

“The numbers say yes, for me yes (he is the best in history),” Nadal said in an interview with El Objective de La Sexta when asked “who is the best?”

Djokovic has 24 Grand Slam titles having surpassed Nadal’s 22 when he captured last year’s French Open.

Despite that success, the controversial world number one from Serbia still struggles to translate his on-court triumphs into off-court popularity.

“The image he projects is worse than he really is; I think he’s a good person,” added Nadal.

“There are moments of frustration.

Novak breaks his racquet, but the next point he is ready to play at 100% again and it is the best I have ever seen.”

Nadal, 37, has been battling injury and missed virtually all of 2023. He was hurt again last month before sitting out the Australian Open.

With his career winding down, Nadal hailed compatriot and heir Carlos Alcaraz who is already a twotime major winner at the age of 20.

“Carlos has an incredible level of tennis, he is a super complete player in every sense,” said Nadal.

“I don’t see weaknesses in him like the ones I had at his age. He has all the ingredients to have an incredible career.” AFP

The Mapua Red Robins take on La Salle Greenhills at 2:30 p.m. while hosts, the JRU Light Bombers play the Arellano Braves in the main game at 4:30 p.m.

play in the national team if the tournament opens after the crucial games against Iraq next month?

Which leads us to the question of what’s happening to the men’s national team? Who will be invited to attend the training camp? Can we expect new names and new faces soon? When will the training camp start? And who will be the coach of the team?

Hans Michael Weiss is still the coach on paper because his contract is until the end of December this year. We have a new administration in place at the Philippine Football Federation and it has appointed a new manager when the longtime former boss decided to give the new president the free hand to decide on what direction the men’s national team will go.

So it is understandable that speculations are rife, too, that the current coach might go as well.

As early as a few weeks ago, a prominent name has been reported to be set to replace Weiss and lead the national squad in the next few years. This fellow has been rumored to be the next Azkals, err men’s national team’s, coach for some time in the past. Until now, however, these claims remain nothing but “chismis”.

I’ve heard that Weiss is in the country waiting and ready to resume his duties as the head coach, with waiting as the operative word. I also heard that he has spoken to John Gutierrez on several occasions.

Whether he has spoken with Freddy Gonzalez, the new team manager, is yet to be confirmed.

THIS year, the three-time defending champion National University Bulldogs won’t be letting their guards down in the coming Season 86 of the University Athletic Association of the Philippines men’s volleyball tournament.

This is because coach Dante Alinsunurin believes that their rivals will be much stronger, and the Bulldogs must therefore be better this time around.

“Mas pinagbutihan pa namin ang preparation. Ito ay para maka-fourpeat kami,” said Alinsunurin.

The Bulldogs will be aiming for a fourth straight title as volleyball action begins this Saturday at the Mall of Asia Arena.

The Bulldogs took the men’s title via a 16-game sweep of Season 85. They have been unbeaten for 34 matches since their second game back in 2019.

Alinsunurin, who is on his 13th year with the squad, will have his next team built around Joshua Retamar and Nico Almendras, who are stepping up as their new leaders.

Retamar, the reigning Best Setter, is staying put with the Bulldogs with Almendras, after three other veterans have graduated. “‘Yun ‘yung nagiging dahilan kung bakit nagiging maayos ‘yung takbo ng team eh dahil sa leadership nu’ng dalawa,” added Alinsunurin.

The Bulldogs will have their first game on Sunday against season 85 finals’ opponent University of Santo Tomas at 12 noon at the MOA Arena.

The “silence” on the status of the national team is quite alarming to say the least. The game against Iraq is set on March 21, or a little over a month to go from now.

Iraq is probably the toughest team in our group.

And coming just from the recently concluded AFC Asian Cup 2023, Iraq is in top shape and match ready. The country topped Group D by winning all its fixtures to advance to the knockout round.

Iraq’s campaign, however, was cut short after they lost to eventual first runner-up Jordan, 3-2, in the round of 16.

The Azkals or the men’s national team last played a game when it drew against Indonesia last November 21 at the Rizal Memorial Stadium. The team has been known to gather a few weeks or even just days before a major tournament but then again, results would also show that this has never been the most ideal set up ever.

On the flipside, however, the PFF might just be doing its job to assemble the best team possible without the fanfare, distractions and the noise. I would probably think more of the latter until the PFF makes an official announcement.

Stay safe. Stay happy peeps!

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

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SHOWBIZ

FRIDAY, FEBRUARY 16, 2024

A vibrant celebration of Filipino music and culture BLVCK Entertainment, in collaboration with Rekta Sa Kayle, announces the much-anticipated BLVCK Summer Festival slated for April 13. Taking place at the SM Mall of Asia Concert Grounds, this festival promises to be a sunsoaked extravaganza celebrating the richness of Filipino music and culture.

With a stellar lineup boasting over 30 artists spanning various genres including OPM, Hiphop, and P-Pop, attendees are in for an unforgettable experience filled with vibrant beats and electrifying performances. Notable acts such as Rico Blanco, Sandwich, Franco, December Avenue, and many more are set to grace the stage, with

additional surprise performers to be announced.

Engineers Louie and Grace Cristobal, the masterminds behind BLVCK Entertainment, express their enthusiasm for showcasing the unparalleled talents of Filipino artists, underscoring their unwavering support for OPM. “It’s going to be a big musical extravaganza with some of the rising names in the music industry today,” said Grace. “It’s our dream to stage such a festival on this scale.”

Tickets are currently on sale, offering different tiers of access priced at P3,500 for VIP, P2,200 for Gold, and P1,000 for General Admission. Keep an eye out for special promo rates announced on

the official social media pages of Blvck Entertainment and Rekta Sa Kalye, offering discounts down to P2,850 (VIP), P1,700 (Gold), and P700 (General Admission).

For convenient online purchases, visit RektaSaKalye.com or the official Shopee and Lazada pages of Rekta Sa Kalye. Tickets will also be available soon through SM Tickets.

The BLVCK Summer Festival owes its success to the generous support of sponsors including Alkaviva Waters Philippines, Grace Electronics Philippines, GLC Infinite Waters International, Blue Green Dragon Marketing, LG Realty Development, Blvck Puffs, and Blvck Creatives Studio.

BLVCK Entertainment’s BLVCK Summer Festival is set to celebrate Filipino music and culture with over 30 artists

Heart Evangelista is OG Pinay fashion influencer

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CTRESS and fashion icon Heart Evangelista celebrated her 39th birthday this year with “a smile and a heart full of gratitude,” as she has every reason to be.

She can now look back with pride and see the fruits of her labor and sacrifices.

A certified international fashion influencer who has generated millions of dollars for the brands she endorses, the wife of Sen. Chiz Escudero has successfully reinvented herself in every phase of her life, starting as a young star in the early 2000s, then becoming an accomplished actress and a teleserye powerhouse before shifting her focus to fashion and the arts.

Heart is living her dreams. They were realized not without hard work, determination, and sacrifice. No wonder other local celebrities – and even beauty queens – are now following in the footsteps that she carved into the glittering runway of international fame.

Recently, renowned fashion and beauty vlogger Jesson Capuchino, who is a senior lecturer on fashion design and retail merchandising at the University of the Philippines (UP) Diliman, hailed Heart for being “The OG Pinay Fashion Influencer,” who paved the way for other Filipinas to carve similar paths, including Miss Universe 2015 Pia Wurtzbach, Miss Universe 2018 Catriona Gray, and celebrities Anne Curtis and Liza Soberano.

Soberano.

Fashion “We cannot talk about fashion influencer influencers here in the Heart Philippines without Evangelista starting with has paved Miss Heart the way for Filipinos to enter the international fashion scene

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

Very Wang

Nickie Wang

Evangelista. We all know that she is essentially the first, you know, the OG Pinay Fashion Influencer in the country,” Capuchino said.

“You cannot start a conversation about fashion influencers and the fashion influencer culture without her because I think beyond everything else that has been discussed and talked about, it was Heart who essentially started the ball game on fashion influencers,” he added.

While there were several Filipinos before her that attempted to penetrate the international fashion world in the past, the vlogger opined that it was Heart among other fashion influencers that really cemented her role at the The fashionista is one of the top influencers celebrated Fashion Week in at Milan Fashion Week Paris and in Milan during the past years.

“The beauty of Heart is that she is not only a fashion influencer but she also moves merchandise. That is a very important and a very potent tool to have because, for example, during Fashion Week the dresses or items that she wears tend to get sold out whether it’s a Bulgari ring or a YSL limited edition sunglasses,” he pointed out.

What the UP lecturer mentioned in his vlog was not without basis.

In an article, fashion magazine Vogue noted that luxury brands have keenly observed Heart’s influence. After all, according to Launchmetrics, during Paris Fashion Week, Heart’s social media posts generated a staggering $1.27 million in Media Impact Value (MIV) across 11 placements.

She also emerged as one of the top influencers at Milan Fashion Week, generating an impressive US$1.4 million in media impact value. MIV reflects the cumulative impact of views, likes, engagements, and other interactions, as calculated by an algorithm developed by the data analytics company.

As she continues to grow as a person nearing her 40s, Heart is resolved to paint her life’s journey with vibrant hues, weaving her aspirations into the fabric of reality. And as the fashion cosmos evolves, she will remain a guiding star, illuminating the path for others to follow.

Herlene Budol’s viral IG convo scandal now a novelty song ACTRESS and former beauty queen Herlene culinary delights. Featuring references to beloved vibrant music video that showcases Tolentino’s Budol found herself at the center of online buzz dishes like adobo, puto’t kutsinta, and bibingka, signature dance moves, dubbed the ‘Mukbang after a screenshot surfaced, allegedly showing the song is guaranteed to make listeners’ mouths Dance Craze.’ With appearances from popular food influencers and a special guest spot from Herlene, a message exchange between her and her water and ignite a craving for local delicacies.

Accompanying the release of “Kain Tayo” is a also known as Hipon Girl, the video is a feast for Magandang Dilag co-star Rob Gomez. The the eyes and ears. screenshot, which caught the Directed by Edrex attention of netizens, featured Sanchez, with creative the words “kain tayo” (let’s direction from Ryan eat) attributed to Herlene.

Soto, the music Now, online personality and video is a testament vlogger Wilbert Tolentino to Tolentino’s turned it into a catchy novelty creative vision and song that promises to be the entrepreneurial spirit. next viral sensation.

Beyond entertainment, Inspired by the infamous “Kain Tayo” also has ‘kainan issue,’ Tolentino the potential to promote has transformed controversy Philippine food tourism into creativity with “Kain on a global scale.

Tayo,” a song that celebrates And Tolentino’s Filipino cuisine and culture. talents don’t stop there Distributed by Star Records – he’s also making under ABS-CBN Music, the waves as an actor, track is already gaining traction with a starring role in on social media platforms, GMA7’s Black Rider thanks to its infectious beat where he portrays the and relatable lyrics. character of Doctor But “Kain Tayo” is more Wilford Bernardo. than just a song—it’s a Wilbert Tolention turns Herlene Budol’s controversy into a song celebrating Filipino cuisine and culture Nickie Wang celebration of Filipino

Heart’s influence has caught the eye of top international luxury brands

Pageant Concept Eton Concepcion

Lucban appoints entrepreneur as Miss Universe PH bet RIKKI Dela Peña, former Miss Philippine Youth International (2019) and Miss Philippines Face of Tourism( 2022) is now an official candidate for Miss Universe Philippines 2024.

The 25-year-old entrepreneur and fashion show producer was appointed the first Miss Universe Philippines-Lucban.

Rikki, a graduate of Business Administration at the University of Asia and the Pacific, and studied entrepreneurship at the University of the Philippines-Diliman, is the owner of Moderno eyewear. She serves as ambassador of the Educational Research and Development Assistance (ERDA) Foundation and is the executive producer of the Manila Fashion Runway.

Rikki’s recent MFR fashion show was held for the benefit of ERDA Foundation’s educational needs and the Trichotillomania Philippines, a foundation that she founded last year, which helps individuals suffering from trichotillomania or compulsive hairpulling behavior.

A motivational speaker and lecturer, statuesque Rikki will be a force to be reckoned with in the coming Miss Universe Philippines 2024 competition. *** MUPH gets new events partner Tei Endencia, a popular and sought-after organizer of wedding events and other affairs, has been assigned as the Official Events Stylist of the Miss Universe Philippines pageant.

Endencia, President & CEO of Aquila Crystal Palace in Tagaytay, will bring to MUPH a wide experience and mastery in events styling. The multi-faceted Fine Arts graduate started his creative passion in flower arrangements for debuts and setting up venues for parties.

A talent of Rams David’s Artist Circle Talent Management Services, he has become the favorite go-to guy among celebrities for weddings, birthday parties, anniversaries, and other special affairs.

He was responsible for the breathtaking white beach wedding of Miss Universe Philippines 2016 Maxine Medina and Timmy Llana held in Club Paradise Palawan in November 2023.

Rikki Dela Peña will be vying for the crown in upcoming Miss Universe Philippines 2024 competition

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LIFE

FRIDAY, FEBRUARY 16, 2024

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

LOVE EXPERT. Social media personality and author Matthew Hussey shares lessons about love and relationships

The Love Visionary Revisiting Matthew Hussey’s expert advice on finding the right love

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T THE height of the pandemic, I came across numerous videos of a confident-sounding guy on my Facebook and YouTube feeds. The charmer was giving nuggets of wisdom on self-improvement, love, and relationships.

After watching a couple of the short and easyto-digest clips, I found myself availing access to one of his online retreats. The expert is Matthew Hussey, a British life coach, YouTube creator, and author.

At 36, Matthew has established his reputation as a leading authority in the field of relationships and personal development.

He captured the hearts and minds of millions with his groundbreaking 2013 book, Get the Guy: Learn Secrets of the Male Mind to Find the Man You Want and the Love You Deserve.. He has piqued the interest of Hollywood stars and has had guestings and appearances on numerous media platforms.

Let’s dive into some of the profound love lessons I gleaned from his teachings: The power of mutual choice Matthew stresses that for a relationship to thrive, it must be a mutual choice. Regardless of how deeply one may feel for another, true fulfillment can only be achieved when both parties actively choose each other. It’s not enough to simply love someone; they must reciprocate that

love and actively choose to be with you for a genuine dream relationship to blossom.

Going beyond the spark A crucial lesson from Matthew is the importance of finding someone with whom you share a deep connection, and who is also willing to invest in the relationship. While connections can be formed with many people, it’s those who reciprocate the connection and demonstrate a commitment to nurturing it that are truly worth holding out for.

Attention vs.

Intention In a world w h e r e attention can be mistaken for intention, Matthew’s message is clear: pay attention to actions,

The opening of the MR.DIY Panglao Branch represents a significant milestone as the 500th store in the Philippines and the largest among the five stores in Bohol.

MR.DIY Philippines: Trailblazing the retail platform with 500 stores strong THE opening of the MR.DIY Panglao Branch represents a significant milestone as the 500th store in the Philippines and the largest among the five stores in Bohol.

MR.DIY PHILIPPINES, the household name synonymous with affordability, variety, and quality, proudly announces a significant milestone in its journey as a retail trailblazer in the Philippines. With the opening of its 500th store, MR.DIY Philippines continues to redefine the true meaning of expansion in the retail format.

From its humble beginnings in Kuala Lumpur, Malaysia, in 2005, MR.DIY entered the Philippine market in 2018 with its inaugural store in Balagtas, Bulacan.

Since then, the brand has rapidly expanded its footprint, reaching a remarkable 500 stores in less than six years. The exponential growth is a testament to MR.DIY Philippines’ commitment to improving the homes of Filipinos and contributing to the local economy through extensive employment opportunities.

The true essence of MR.DIY Philippines’ expansion lies not only in the celebration of the 500th store but also in its unwavering dedication to providing a comfortable and wholesome family shopping experience. Each MR.DIY store boasts an average size of 6,500 square feet, ensuring ample space for customers to explore the extensive range of products available.

With an impressive catalog of 18,000 types of products, MR.DIY not only offers unparalleled variety but also maintains some of the lowest prices in the market. The brand’s commitment to assuring a wide product range, convenient locations nationwide, and products at Always Low Prices has positioned MR.DIY as a preferred destination for Filipino shoppers.

MR.DIY’s strategic approach involves direct management and collaboration with prominent retailers and mall owners. The brand operates as a mini anchor tenant in major shopping destinations such as Ayala Malls, SM City, SM Center, SM Megacenter, SM Hypermarket & Savemore, Waltermart Community Malls, Puregold, Gaisano Malls, and freestanding stores in local communities solidifying its presence across the Philippines.

Reflecting on this remarkable achievement, Roselle Andaya, CEO of MR.DIY Philippines, commented, “From our first store in Balagtas to reaching the 500th milestone, our journey has been about providing value to Filipino families. We started with a vision, and today, we are not just a retail brand but an integral part of the communities we serve. MR.DIY is not just about growth; it’s about giving every Filipino family an affordable means to improve their lifestyle” In the pursuit of its business milestone, MR.DIY Philippines has served more than 100 million customers from 2018 to 2023. The brand has also been a significant contributor to local employment, hiring thousands of employees to date. With more than 500 operational stores nationwide, MR.DIY Philippines has established a robust presence across the archipelago.

As MR.DIY celebrates its 500th store milestone, the brand remains committed to enhancing the lives of Filipinos, fostering local employment, and consistently providing quality products at Always Low Prices.

To know more about MR.DIY Milestones, head to MR.DIY’s official website at www.mrdiy.com/ph or follow /mrdiyPH on Facebook, and @mrdiy.philippines on Instagram and TikTok. You can also check out MR.DIY’s stores nationwide here: https://www.mrdiy.com/ph/storelocator.

Matthew Hussey married the love of his life, Audrey, in 2023

Random Talk Kate Adajar

not just words. According to him, “Attention does not equal intention.” This is particularly pertinent for those in ambiguous relationships or uncertain about their standing in someone else’s life. True intention is demonstrated through consistent actions and genuine effort, not just fleeting attention.

Loving and living your present Matthew advocates for embracing life and finding happiness in the present moment, even while searching for a romantic partner.

By cultivating self-love and fulfillment independently, individuals are better equipped to attract healthy and fulfilling relationships into their lives.

Character and chemistry In the quest for lasting love, Hussey emphasizes the importance of valuing character as much as chemistry. While attraction and

chemistry are important, it’s the depth of character and shared values that sustain a relationship through the ups and downs of life.

The three keys to finding the right person Matthew outlines three essential elements in finding the right partner: chemistry, connection, and investment.

Chemistry entails a magnetic attraction and effortless rapport, while connection involves a deep understanding and shared vision for the future. Investment, the engine that drives the relationship forward, encompasses consistency, vulnerability, and shared goals.

Matthew’s insights can serve as a life compass to save others from potential heartbreak or wrong decisions based on mere emotions.

Through his wisdom, thousands or millions of people around the world may enjoy lives filled with love, growth, and profound connection.

Get to know more about Matthew and his words of wisdom on Instagram @matthewhussey and watch out for his latest book titled Love Life.

For your random thoughts, email the author at randomrepublika@gmail.com.