Manila Standard - 2024 February 21 - Wednesday

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DEPED ORDER ENDS SCHOOL YEAR IN MAY, REVERTS TO OLD CALENDAR

By Maricel V. Cruz

PBBM LAUDS INTEL WORK FOR SECURITY NEWS / A2

TAGUIG BANS E-BIKES ON NATIONAL ROADS NEWS / A4

VOL. XXXVIII • NO. 10• 3 SECTIONS 12 PAGES • P20 • WEDNESDAY, FEBRUARY 21, 2024 •

Get job done, work on Cha-cha–PBBM

Marcos tells solons to set aside disputes, let Senate lead talk on economic changes

THE Department of Education (DepEd) has released a new order amending its calendar for school year 2023-2024, recognizing the clamor to revert the schedule of classes back to pre-pandemic times.

Classes in public elementary, junior, and senior high schools (SHS) will now end by May 31 (Friday) under its revised Department Order 003 dated Feb. 19 and signed by Vice President and Education Next page Secretary Sara Duterte.

Sue foreigners using cyanide to fish in Masinloc, President tells agencies

By Charles Dantes and Rey Requejo

"I do know that there have been cases of cyanide fishing before, even here in the Philippines but I think the reason that it has been more alarming is that it has bePRESIDENT Marcos said the Philippines come more prevalent," he added. will file a case against foreign entities usThe National Security Council raised ing cyanide in the West Philippine Sea, the possible filing of a case against forin particular at Bajo de Masinloc or Scar- eign fishers in WPS after Bureau of Fishborough Shoal, if eries and Aquatic there is evidence spokesResources spokes to prove the illegal person Nazario fishing practice.

Briguera reported "If we feel that VietChinese and Viet there are enough usnamese vessels us grounds to do so, ing cyanide near we will," Mr. MarNEWS / A2 Bajo de Masinloc. cos said.

China hits PAF-US joint air patrols

Next page

By Charles Dantes

P

RESIDENT Marcos yesterday asked both the Senate and the House of Representatives to set aside their differences, work on proposed amendments to restrictive economic provisions of the 1987 Constitution, and get the job done for the benefit of the Filipino people.

“What for me is more important than to make these proclamations or pronouncements— what’s more important is to get it done. So, that’s what we’re doing. We’re doing it quietly. We do it without any fuss," Mr. Marcos said during a media interview at the sidelines of the 16th Ani ng Dangal Awards 2024.

"We just want to get those amendments incorporated into theConstitution to improve the chances of investment and upskilling of our people,” he added.

JOINT AIR PATROL. Aircraft of the

Philippine Air Force and the United States Pacific Air Force hold a joint patrol over the West Philippines Sea on Monday as part of the 3rd Maritime Cooperative Activity -- an act China’s military called out for “stirring up trouble” in the contested waterway. PAF Photo

Next page

Palace: ICC still has no jurisdiction over country

By Charles Dantes and Maricel Cruz WHILE he won't bar investigators of the International Criminal Court from entering the country, President Marcos said Tuesday his position that the ICC

has no jurisdiction over the Philippines remains.

Despite a recent survey showing a majority of Filipinos wanted thecountry to rejoin the ICC, Mr. Marcos said there remains “questions of jurisdiction and sovereignty.”

"It opens a Pandora's box. It’s still

those – [and] I haven’t yet seen a sufficient answer for it. Until then, I do not recognize their jurisdiction in the Philippines," he said.

"I cannot. That seems to be the only logical conclusion that could come from that situation," the President added.

Next page

‘ANI’ AWARDS.

President Marcos (seated, center) congratulates awardees of the 16th Ani ng Dangal Awards who showed the world the Filipino skill in the field of art.

PCO Photo

‘Suntok sa buwan’: House solons say no hand in Senate leadership revamp prised that there’s even such an allegaLAWMAKERS from the House of tion that the coup started from us.”

Representatives called on their Senate “According to the Senate, we are just counterparts to stop accusing them of mere congressmen here who are inferior orchestrating alleged moves to underto them. If that is take a major revamp in the Senate the case, then it leadership, since seems they are now it’s almost imposgiving us too much sible for them to do credit for us to have influsuch a thing. that kind of influ “I would say that ence to meddle in NEWS / A2 this would be sunthe affairs of the tok sa buwan na (a upper chamber,” shot at the moon),” he pointed out in response to a reporter's question.

1-Rider Partylist Rep. Rodge Gutierrez Next page told a news briefing Tuesday. “I am sur-

‘Imee’s fault 4.3m 4Ps have no ayuda’

House ready to have Quiboloy arrested if he ignores subpoena

By Maricel V. Cruz THE House of Representatives is ready to enforce potential contempt measures and issue an arrest order against televangelist Apollo Quiboloy should he choose

to ignore the subpoena issued by the legislature.

1-RIDER Partylist Rep. Rodge Gutierrez added Tuesday that the House Committee on Legislative Franchises is ready to act if Quiboloy persists in evad-

#ANONGBALITA? ‘Forever sounds good’: Atayde, Marudo engaged

ing summons.

“If he is still absent in the next hearing, I think the committee is ready to cite him in contempt and seek his subsequent arrest,” Gutierrez said at a news conference.

Next page

Dancing cops rejoice: No ban yet on TikTok, says PNP chief

ACTORS Ria Atayde and Zanjoe Marudo are now engaged!

The couple announced her engagement on Instagram with a post featuring a carousel of photos including the engagement ring on Ria's hand.

POLICE "performers" on social media rejoice! Cops can still use TikTok on their phones as long as the videos “do not degrade” the Philippine National Police, Gen. Benjamin Acorda Jr. said Tuesday.

Next page

Next page

PH-CANADA TIES. Speaker Ferdinand Martin G. Romualdez (seated, second from right) engages with Canada’s Members of Parliament Kevin Lamoureux and Marco Mendicino during their courtesy call at the House of Representatives on Tuesday. Also in the meeting were Philippine Ambassador to Canada Maria Andrelita Austria, Pangasinan Rep. Rachel Arenas, Senior Deputy Speaker and Pampanga Rep. Aurelio "Dong" Gonzales Jr., and Zamboanga del Norte Rep. Glona Labadlabad. Ver Noveno

No sugar daddies: Jalosjos, Suntay deny links to Roque NO sugar daddies here.

Dapitan City Mayor Bullet Jalosjos and Quezon City 4th District Rep. Bong Suntay on Tuesday denied allegations they were “benefactors” of actor and model Dominic Roque following the latter's breakup with top actress Bea Next page Alonzo.

NEWS

A2

WEDNESDAY, FEBRUARY 21, 2024

mst.daydesk@gmail.com

China hits PAF-US joint air patrol T In a statement, the Armed Forces of the Mindoro Strait.

Philippines (AFP) said three PAF FA-50s “It is the air component of the said accompanied a B-52H bomber aircraft of activity that demonstrates the commitPACAF from the west of Ilocos Sur to ment of both armed forces to enhancing

interoperability and advancing regional peace and security in the Indo-Pacific,” the AFP said.

“It also further strengthens the capability of the AFP to perform its mandate and maintain its presence over the Philippines’ exclusive economic zone,” it added.

But China called out the activity, saying the Philippines "stirred uptrouble" in the South China Sea by conducting a joint air patrol with "extraterritorial countries."

China's Southern Theater Command said it organized front-line naval and air forces to closely monitor the Philippines' joint air patrol on Monday, and that troops

"maintained a high degree of vigilance to resolutely defend national sovereignty."

In response, AFP public affairs office chief Colonel Xerxes Trinidad pointed out that the activity with the US is “well within our [exclusive economic zone].”

“We expect more MCAs in the future with our ally and other like-minded nations in keeping a peaceful and secured Indo-Pacific region,” he said.

In a separate statement, the PAF said the activity was Phase 2 of the3rd MCA covering areas 90 nautical miles west of Candon, Ilocos Sur and 50 nautical miles northwest of Lubang, Mindoro.

long reached a consensus on the issue.

"I don’t know why there is such – it’s really a storm in a teacup because this has been decided very long ago from both the leaders of both Houses. Maybe I don’t proclaim but they said I need to step in [amid the squabble] but I have been talking to both sides for a long time,” the President said.

On Monday, House leaders filed a resolution containing their own version of economic amendments to the 1987 Constitution, patterned after the Senate’s current Charter change proposals.

Resolution of Both Houses (RBH) 7 is almost an exact reproduction of RBH

6, filed by Senate President Juan Miguel Zubiri and Senators Juan Edgardo Angara and Loren Legarda.

RBH 7 is authored by Senior Deputy Speaker and Pampanga Rep. Aurelio Gonzales Jr., Deputy Speaker and Quezon 2nd District Rep. David Suarez, Majority Leader Manuel Jose Dalipe, and other House leaders.

The proposed House and Senate changes are on the grant of legislative franchises to public utilities in Article 12, basic education in Article 14, and advertising in Article 16.

The suggested principal amendments are the insertion of the phrase, “unless

otherwise provided by law,” which would empower Congress to lift or relax present economic restrictions in the nation’s basic law, and the addition of the qualifier “basic” in Article 16.

RBH No. 7 and RBH No. 6 restate the provision of the Constitution that Congress may propose amendments “upon a vote of three-fourths of all its members.”

“The nation’s economic policy must be reframed under the demands of this increasingly globalized age, while still protecting the general policy of Filipino-first that guides the economic provisions of the Constitution,” the House authors said.

tails of the shift and that the DepEd has now issued the order to end school year 2023-2024 by May 31, 2024 and start school year 2024-2025 by July 29,2024 and end by May 16, 2025," she said in a statement.

"As it is, though, the El Niño is now in its mature phase and the heat in classrooms are increasing. We hope that mitigating measures to reduce the inconvenience of teachers and students are now in place so that classrooms are still conducive to learning," Castro added.

DepEd spokesperson Undersecretary Michael Poa explained the adjustmentwill pave the way for the “slow” return of the pre-pandemic school calendar.

“The school days of our learners will be compromised if we fast-track the shifting, and it will be difficult for our teachers to teach allthe competencies. So, as you can see, the shift of our school calendar back to the usual AprilMay break will be gradual,” he said.

Poa said there will still be 179 school days for the current academicyear, meaning the number of lessened school days was “not that significant.”

Based on DepEd’s projections, he said the April school break may begin starting the end of school year 2026-2027.

“We are looking at around 2026-

2027, by April 2, as the last day ofclass.

So, we're pretty much there. If you want to go back to March, I think it will be more on SY 2027-2028,” he added.

Poa earlier said it would take at least three years before the school break returns to April-May. DO 003 also emphasized that nonvoluntary or mandatory tasks or activities must be given to teachers amid the break from June 1-30.

“Even though we are already making adjustments to shift back, weensure that the 30 days of break are still there from June 1-30. We cannot give voluntary or mandatory activities or tasks to our teachers during this time so they can rest,” Poa said.

DepEd said the decision was made with “resounding consensus” fromteachers, learners, and relevant stakeholders. It is also consistent with the findings of a study conducted by the Philippine Normal University (PNU).

The amended school calendar was also in line with the MATATAG agenda of Vice President Duterte to “take good care of learners” by promotingtheir well-being through inclusive education and a positive learningenvironment.

Duterte also told reporters in an interview Tuesday that her department intends to conduct pilot implementation

of the revised curriculum for Grades 11 and 12 students by next academic year (2025-2026).

Currently, she said DepEd is still gathering inputs from the businesscommunity regarding the skills they want SHS graduates to have to increase their chances of employability.

“Because we are still reviewing the senior high school curriculum forGrades 11 and 12, it is important to get their [business community’s]input in terms of the skills that they want senior high school or K-to-12 graduates to have because the intent, the vision of the K-to12 program is that after they finish basic education, they can work right away or are already employable,” she said.

Various groups requested a review on the current school calendar asmany students and teachers complained of hot weather inside schools, especially during the summer season.

Reform group Movement for Safe, Equitable, Quality, and Relevant Education said in January that the weather is just one factor in fixing the education system.

Dr. Lizamarie Olegario, the group's head of research, noted the lack of classrooms and facilities such as electric fans, which led to fainting spells by schoolchildren in the heat of summer.

He said that there are questions that only Quiboloy himself can answer, not his lawyers.

“As a lawyer, we also understand the SMNI lawyers. Even through hookor by crook, they will really uphold their stand even if it looks like an excuse sometimes.

But as lawmakers, we demand answers,” Gutierrez said.

PBA Partylist Rep. Margarita Nograles echoed Gutierrez’s sentiments, underscoring the significance of due process and Quiboloy’s right to address the allegations.

“It's only right that the Pastor should show up and attend the hearing so that he can answer the questions that are in relation to him and his own personal knowledge. I hope he attends the hearing which deliberates on the franchise [issues of the SMNI],” Nograles said.

She added: “And that's only a matter of due process. And it's his right that he should have come so that he can answer the questions [levelled against him] instead of insinuating a lot of things.”

Sue...

Briguera said parts of the resourcerich area had been destroyed by cyanide fishing.

NSC assistant director-general Jonathan Malaya said the council would investigate the accusation of BFAR, which was directed to gather evidence for its claims.

"And if we see that there’s probable cause or there is enough evidence to prove this claim, we will forward this to the Office of the Solicitor General and the Department of Justice so we can prepare for the case we will file,” Malaya said.

Solicitor General Menardo Guevarra underscored the need for “careful factual verification” given the seriousness of the claim.

Guevarra said the OSG “has been studying legal options on the WPS com-

pletely on its own.

“But when the time is ripe the OSG will collaborate with otherrelevant agencies, including the DFA (Department of Foreign Affairs), the DOJ (Department of Justice), the NSC (National Security Council), and other key members of the national task force on the WPS,” he said.

“Any legal action must be supported by strong, solid, and competent evidence that can withstand the scrutiny of any international tribunal. All government agencies must work together and support each other to achieve the common goal of protecting the country’s sovereign rights in the WPS,” Guevarra added.

Bajo de Masinloc has been a flashpoint between the countries since China seized it from the Philippines in 2012.

Since then, Beijing has deployed patrol boats that Manila said harass Philippine vessels and prevent Filipino fishermen from reaching a lagoon where fish are more plentiful.

“Why is it that when senators bicker, we always end up being theculprit? We don’t have anything to do with them in terms of their leadership. They have their own internal rules, we respect their rules, we respect who they want as their leader,” she told newsmen.

“So, why do they have to blame us and again, portray us as the bad guys?

If they are fighting among themselves, then let them be. We have nothing to do with the internal rules of the Senate and

whoever they wish to keep with their leadership,” Nograles reiterated.

Lanao del Sur Rep. Zia Alonto Adiong made the same remarks. “We respect the independence of our co-equal branch, the Senate. This is entirely up to the Senate. We are absolutely oblivious of the fact that there is a case, there is an issue going around the Senate.”

“In fact, this is entirely up to the majority in the Senate, so wedon’t know why they keep on tagging us every time

there’s an issuecoming up. We don’t know what went (on) these past few days (and) why the issue came out,” Adiong said.

Many senators have already spoken about this issue and denied havingknowledge of plans to unseat incumbent Senate President Juan Miguel Zubiri.

Sen. Imee Marcos even went on record to say no other senator wants to take over Zubiri’s job because it is tough.

Maricel V. Cruz

By Vince Lopez

HE Philippine Air Force and the United States Pacific Air Force held a joint patrol over the West Philippines Sea on Monday as part of the 3rd Maritime Cooperative Activity —an act China’s military called out for “stirring up trouble” in the contested waterway.

Get...

From A1

The President said the Senate will take the lead in Charter change discussions, but both houses of Congress need to come to an agreement.

"I always said the Senate will take the lead. The Senate is taking the lead and between the two Houses [if] they will come to an agreement, then that will be the way we’ll do it," Mr. Marcos said.

He also described concerns over Charter amendments as "a storm in ateacup" as both the Senate and House have

DepEd...

From A1

The summer break is now scheduled from June 1 to July 26. School Year 2024-2025 will start on July 29 and will end on May 16, 2025.

The department also adjusted the schedule of school activities, with third quarter examinations to be held on March 25-26 and fourth quarter examinations on May 16-17.

National school activities will also be held on the following dates: Palarong Pambansa: July 6-17, 2024; National Festival of Talents: July 9-13, 2024; National Schools Press Conference: July 9-13, 2024; Learners' Convergence: July 9-15, 2024.

DepEd earlier said it has drafted guidelines for reverting to the old Juneto-March school calendar by the school year 2028-2029 following proposals from education stakeholders.

It also said the gradual shift is to avoid disruption of school days.

The order was a result of the clamor of teachers, students, and parents, said House Deputy Minority Leader and ACT Teachers Rep. France Castro.

"It is good that a dialogue consultation was arranged to iron out the de-

House...

From A1

The committee, chaired by Parañaque City Rep. Gus Tambunting, is currently taking up a bill aimed at revoking the legislative franchise of Sonshine Media Network International (SMNI), believed to be owned by Quiboloy.

A subpoena was recently issued against Quiboloy requiring him toattend the committee hearing scheduled on March 12 after he disregarded at least three invitations.

The subpoena was signed by Speaker Ferdinand Martin G. Romualdez, Tambunting, and House Secretary General Reginald Velasco.

Gutierrez, the author of the SMNI franchise revocation bill, emphasized the importance of Quiboloy's presence to shed light on the numerous violations committed by the broadcast network, known for regularly airing the preachings of the religious leader.

‘Suntok...

From A1

His fellow lawyer, Rep. Margarita Nograles of party-list Pwersa ng Bayaning Atleta, echoed the same sentiments.

She wondered why House members are somehow always blamed for whatever transpires in theSenate, when both coequal chambers have their own separate internal rules.

‘Forever...

Dancing...

From A1

From A1

“Forever sounds good… and tastes even better,” they wrote in the caption accompanied by a white heart and ring emoji.

Ria is the younger sister of actor and Quezon City 1st District Rep. Arjo Atayde, who is now married to actress Maine Mendoza.

Marudo, meanwhile, was the ex of actress Bea Alonzo, who recently broke off her own engagement to Dominic Roque (see related article on A1 – Editors).

From A1

Acorda said while the military already has a policy banning TikTok use for official phones, he said the PNP has yet to come up with its own directive.

“With regards to using TikTok privately, our personnel, as long as it's not degrading our uniform, there is no problem,” Acorda said.

Earlier, military spokesperson

Col. Francel Padilla said TikTok and other free apps ask users for access to phone features like camera, microphone, and messages even though their services have nothing to do with these.

"Not just Tiktok, but the free apps that we have in our gadgets, they have the capability to turn on our microphones, to look at us and watch us while we sleep and turn on our cameras, access our SMS sent

No ...

From A1

Jalosjos and Suntay broke their silence in a YouTube interview, while Roque, in a statement made through his lawyers, “strongly condemn[ed] the malicious and defamatory public statements of Ms. [Cristy] Fermin” who insinuated the alleged romantic links on her vlog posts.

Jalosjos, who said he has been good friends with Roque for a decade now,

‘Imee’s fault 4.3m in 4Ps didn’t get P13b in ayuda’

By Maricel V. Cruz and Macon Ramos-Araneta NEARLY 900,000 households or 4.3 million Filipinos in the “poorest of the poor” bracket did not receive cash grants totaling P13 billionfrom the Pantawid Pamilyang Pilipino Program (4Ps) last year afterSenator Imee Marcos redirected these funds to another social amelioration program, according to a congressman.

This developed as House of Representatives leaders questioned thetiming of issues Senator Marcos raised against the P5.768-trillion 2024 national budget.

Meanwhile, Marcos charged that this year's national budget defunded billions of pesos in pensions for retired military and uniformedpersonnel, as well as retirement and separation benefits for government workers while giving way to the controversial Ayuda para sa Kapos ang Kita Program (AKAP).

Ako Bicol Rep. Jil Bongalon made this observation as he claimed the P13billion budget cut in the 2023 budget at the behest of the senator, a sister of President Marcos, deprived 4Ps beneficiaries of critical support, as funds intended for them were diverted to the Assistance to Individuals in Crisis Situations (AICS) program.

PBBM lauds intel work of agencies vs. security threats

By Charles Dantes PRESIDENT Marcos on Tuesday lauded the government's intelligence services and their response to looming national security threats such as an alleged destabilization plot against his administration.

“Their work is okay, but I feel like they focus more on externalthreats rather than internal ones because we see those as more serious,” Mr. Marcos said in an ambush interview.

The President vowed to continue intensifying intelligence services to combat threats against national security.

"We really strengthened our intelligence service. It's much better now because many new things need to be monitored," he said.

Asked if he considered himself a strong leader, in contrast toPresident Rodrigo Duterte's previous tirades calling him a 'weakleader', Mr. Marcos said he gets things done and that is what matters to him.

"We are able to accomplish more than most other people. So, I believe that's the most important thing... The important thing is, we're here to serve.

As long as we can do that, then we're effective. And that's what matters," the President said.

Palace:...

From A1

He said the ICC could produce as much evidence as they wanted but they would still have no jurisdiction in the country.

“It’s not about the evidence. It’s about the jurisdiction of the ICC in the Philippines. They can produce as much evidence as they want but they cannot act upon it in the Philippines,” Mr. Marcos said.

However, he said ICC probers would not be stopped from entering the Philippines as long as “they haven’t done anything illegal.”

“We are an open country. We are not a closed country,” he said.

A recent OCTA Research Survey showed at least 59 percent of Filipinos support the Philippines rejoining the ICC, with 55 percent also in favor of investigating allegations of crimes against humanity during the previous administration. admitted he owns the condo unit the actor has been renting for three years now “at a good price.”

“It's funny how the issue jumped from being a business transaction to being a kept man. I hope those who spread these false allegations – they even claim to be veteran journalists – would be more careful because they have a responsibility to the people to fact-finding, and not assume that just because the condo is in my name, that I am automatically a sugar daddy,” the mayor said.

NEWS

A3 WEDNESDAY, FEBRUARY 21, 2024

mst.daydesk@gmail.com

NDRRMC places infra damage at P1.2b PNP receives cars, gear in Davao, Caraga due to incessant rains new worth P20m

D

AMAGE to infrastructure due to the rains induced by the amihan (northeast monsoon) and the trough of low pressure area that drenched Mindanao has reached nearly P1.2 billion, the National Disaster Risk Reduction and Management Council (NDRRMC) said Tuesday.

The destruction is concentrated mostly in Davao which suffered P933 million losses and Caraga (P265.6 million) regions, according to the agency’s latest situation report.

Agricultural damage was placed at P558.2 million in the two regions.

The death toll was at 22, all from

Davao region although the reporters were still under validation, the NDRRMC said.

The NDRRMC was also validating reports of 11 injured and two missing persons.

A total of 1,762 houses were damaged in Northern Mindanao, Davao and Caraga, it added.

The NDRRMC earlier said a total of 16,261 individuals remained in 73 evacuation centers in the Davao and Caraga Regions amid the flooding and landslides in Mindanao.

The agency also reported that 273,543 people, or 91,843 families, had sought temporary shelter outside of evacuation centers.

The floods and landslides affected 1.5 million people in 881 barangays in Northern Mindanao, the Davao Region, Soccsksargen, Caraga, and BARMM. The Department of Agriculture recorded P558.3 million in damages to crops, affecting 19,071 farmers and fishermen.

For its part, the National Irrigation Administration reported P454.6 million worth of damage in the Davao Region alone.

There were 1,762 houses damaged due to the disasters, 751 of them totally and 1,011 partially. Eighty roads and 16 bridges remained impassable in various parts of the Davao Region and Caraga.

The NDRRMC said as of the weekend, a total of P254,911,720 worth of assistance had been provided to affected residents. The assistance included family food packs, water, hygiene kits, medical supplies, modular tents, and sleeping kits. Vince Lopez

State prosecutors record more cases resolved in 2023

By Rey E. Requejo PROSECUTORS of the Department of Justice (DOJ) resolved more cases last year compared to 2022 and 2021.

Records showed that the Office of the Secretary of Justice Prosecution Staff (OSJPS) logged an 89.30-percent rate of case disposition in 2023 as opposed to 85.13 percent in 2022 and 53.44 percent in 2021.

“The OSJPS was able to obtain a ‘Very Satisfactory’ adjectival rating for 2022 and has maintained such rating for 2023,” Prosecutor General Benedicto Malcontento said.

He said there has been “a significant reduction in ageing cases, and an increased rate of convictions vis-à-vis acquittals.”

The Prosecutor General also said the OSJPS has “a 100 percent resolution rate of Petitions for Review in 2023.”

Disposition of cases refers to the number of resolved complaints filed before the DOJ that underwent preliminary investigation to determine if the case should be quashed or filed in court.

The accomplishments of OSJPS for 2023 were disclosed by Benedicto during a recent planning assessment and general assembly.

During the event, Malcontento thanked all personnel of OSJPS for their collective efforts and “encouraged them to push it further so that the OSJPS can achieve an “outstanding rating for 2024.”

ON THE JOB. Construction workers diligently attend to their tasks in putting together a new building in

Quezon City, with the likelihood of an extra P100 daily going to their pockets, courtesy of a newly Congress-ratified legislated minimum wage hike. Manny Palmero

CAAP formulating masterplan to enhance PH aviation

By Joel E. Zurbano THE Civil Aviation Authority of the Philippines (CAAP) is developing a masterplan to improve the country’s aviation industry.

“The masterplan will ensure safe, efficient, and sustainable air transport in the Philippines, aligned with international standards, while promoting inclusivity, economic growth, and comprehensive development,” said CAAP spokesman Eric Apolonio.

To achieve the goal, the CAAP will review the current state of civil aviation in the Philippines, including infrastructure, operations, regulatory framework, national and regional policy, and international standards.

“Once the review is complete, a benchmarking analysis will be conducted to compare the country’s aviation sector with those of other countries in the Association of Southeast Asian Nations and the best practices observed in the European Union,”

Apolonio said.

To ensure the successful development of the master plan, the Philippines will receive assistance from the European Union Aviation Safety Agency (EASA), including the services of two experts.

The collaboration was agreed upon during a bilateral meeting with Luc Tytgat, executive director of EASA, held during the 58th Conference of Director Generals of Civil Aviation in Asia in Bangladesh last October.

QC to become first Asian City to host OASIS Schoolyards program of Paris

By Rio N. Araja QUEZON City is about to become the first Asian city to the OASIS Schoolyards program, an initiative developed in Paris, France aiming to will transform selected schools into landscapes resilient to heatwaves and floods.

Mayor Joy Belmonte said the project, to be implemented in partnership with Singapore’s Temasek Foundation, have already chosen three schools in Quezon City.

They are the Diosdado P. Macapagal Elementary School, Manuel L. Quezon Elementary School, and Placido del Mundo Elementary School.

These schools were selected based on their comparative vulnerability to heatwaves and flooding, and availability of open spaces.

GIANT CLAM SHELLS

BY THE SEASHORE.

Elements of the Philippine Coast Guard unearth hundreds of giant clam shells at a beach in Bugsuk Island off mainland Palawan province.

The retrieved 336 clam shells are believed worth P8.1 million. PCG photo

“Quezon City is truly honored to be selected as the first city in Asia for the OASIS Schoolyards program supported

by Temasek Foundation,” Belmonte said.

“We are committed to tackling climate change and provide a liveable and quality community for all by strengthening the adaptive capacity of our communities and resilience of our natural ecosystems. Inclusive climate action is also integral in the plan development to ensure representation of various sectors including the youth,” she added.

OASIS Schoolyards was originally conceived and implemented by the city of Paris as part of the Paris Resilience Strategy to address the urgent challenges of climate change in urban areas with a focus on mitigating the disproportionate impact on vulnerable communities and improving the well-being of children.

ROAD CLEARING DRIVE. The Metropolitan Manila Development Authority

(MMDA) and the Manila Traffic and Parking Bureau MTPB conduct joint road clearing operation along Bonifacio Drive to Road 10 in Manila. Norman Cruz

By Vince Lopez THE Philippine National Police’s (PNP) operations are expected to be bolstered with the acquisition of drones and other modern equipment worth almost P20 million.

PNP chief Gen. Benjamin Acorda Jr. and Okada Foundation Inc. president James Lorenzana signed a memorandum of agreement (MOA) for the purpose at Camp Crame, Quezon City on Monday, the PNP public information office said in a statement.

Under the MOA, the PNP would get P9.99 million worth of radio communication equipment and P9.96 million worth of drones and drone jammers from Okada.

“By providing funds for essential equipment such as radio communication devices, drones, and jammers, we are prepared to confront the evolving challenges of modern police work,” Acorda said.

The PNP also received vehicles and television units from the Public Safety Mutual Benefit Fund Inc. (PSMBFI).

Acorda received the four Toyota Innova vehicles and 28 55-inch TV units from PSMBFI president and chief executive officer Jose Malayo in simple rites.

The vehicles were allocated to the PNP Training Institute, the PNP Academy, the Explosive Ordnance Disposal/K9 Group, and the chief executive senior police officer, while the TV units were distributed to various national support units .

Acorda also led the launch of the PNP’s Logistics Policies Volume V Compendium.

BI agents arrest Chinese fugitive leaving for China

By Vito Barcelo BUREAU of Immigration (BI) agents have arrested a Chinese fugitive wanted by the authorities in Beijing.

The fugitive, identified as Zhang Xianfa, 36, was intercepted at the Immigration departure area of the Ninoy Aquino International Airport terminal 3, while he was about to board a Cebu Pacific flight to Guanzhou, China .

BI chief Norman Tansingco said Zhang was intercepted by BI officers who noticed that he was in the BI’s database of aliens with existing derogatory records.

Tansingco said the BI has already issued an order for the deportation of Zhang in May 2023 for being an undesirable alien.

The Chinese fugitive is one of 16 Chinese nationals whose deportation was sought by Chinese authorities due to crimes they allegedly committed in China. The remaining 15 Chinese nationals were also ordered deported by the BI. Zhang will be sent back to Beijing as soon as the BI secures the required clearances for his deportation, the BI said, adding that he was already barred from re-entering the Philippines as a result of his inclusion in the Immigration blacklist.

Morong officials boost public service delivery, bring gov’t closer to people

By Butch Gunio THE local government of Morong, Bataan has intensified its service delivery efforts while at the same time bringing the government closer to the people.

Morong Mayor Cynthia Linao-Estanislao and Vice Mayor Leila Linao Munoz have been personally reaching out to their constituents to feel public pulse and know the people’s economic and social conditions first hand.

The two local leaders said their visits to the hinterlands strengthened ties with the barangays and the village officials.

Estanislao also said they were installing solar lights in the main thoroughfares of their town.

She said the street lighting project was a boost to local tourism, adding that they expect more visitors during the forthcoming summer.

She reported that the Morong government has its own 1,117 college scholars who receive P5,000 subsidy each.

She also disclosed that needy farmers were given four bags each of fertilizer per hectare while the fishermen received P1,000-cash assistance before Christmas, with all the funds coming from the municipal coffers.

NEWS

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WEDNESDAY, FEBRUARY 21, 2024 MST.DAYDESK@GMAIL.COM

Taguig bans use of e-trikes along main city roads

By Joel Zurbano ELECTRIC tricycles or e-trikes are now banned on national roads in Taguig City.

The local government recently issued an announcement informing residents about the new strict guidelines on the use of the popular e-trikes or electric tricycles, which are rapidly increasing and becoming a leading cause of road accidents.

The Traffic Management Office (TMO) stated that e-trike users or owners are strictly required to follow the Land Transportation Office (LTO) administrative order to ensure the safety of all road users.

The TMO imposed not to allow etrikes to enter national roads such as Circumferential Road 5 (C-5 Road), Circumferential Road 6 (C-6 Road), and Kalayaan Avenue “except when they need to cross.”

It also prohibits e-trikes from being used as public transportation, stating they are only for personal use, and should keep to the right side of the road to avoid blocking other vehicles and to maintain proper traffic flow. They can also use the bike lanes, but they should drive slowly and prioritize cyclists.

The city government also required e-trike drivers and passengers to wear helmets.

The TMO has requested residents’ cooperation and understanding to ensure a safe road for everyone, stating that “failure to comply may result in severe penalties.”

Metropolitan Manila Development Authority chairman Romando Artes recently discussed various issues related to electric vehicles, especially e-trikes, with off cials from LTO, the Department of Transportation, the Land Transportation Franchising and Regulatory Board, and the Department of the Interior and Local Government (DILG).

LAWMAKERS IN ACTION. Lanao Del Sur Rep. Zia Alonto Adiong (right), 1-Rider Party-list Rep. Ramon Gutierrez, and PBA Party-list Rep. Margarita Nograles answer questions from the media regarding amendments to the economic provisions of the Constitution. Speaker Ferdinand Martin G. Romu aldez (left, inset) talks to members of the Vice Mayors League Leyte Provincial Chapter at the Speaker’s Office. Ver Noveno

Customs vows to intensify efforts against smuggling amid record haul

By Vito Barcelo

T

HE Bureau of Customs (BOC) vowed to be more aggressive in stopping smuggling in the country amid the bureau’s high record of seized and confiscated smuggled goods which reached P43.295 billion in 2023.

Customs Commissioner Bienvenido Rubio also declared an all-out war against all forms of smuggling in the Philippines during the World Customs Organization Asia/Pacific (WCO-A/P) Regional High-Level Roundtable on the Enhancement of Data/Intelligence Analysis and Regional Cooperation Network held in Tokyo, Japan.

In his statement, Rubio underscored the BOC’s unyielding pursuit to curb smuggling in all forms, marking the highest record on apprehension in history in cooperation with its foreign counterparts.

The BOC chief expressed confidence in preventing smuggling in the country with the full support of WCO- A/P by

By Othel V. Campos

VP SARA.

Vice President and Secretary of the Department of Education Sara Duterte speaks before the members of the Chinese Filipino Business Club, Inc. (CFBCI) during its 13th Biennial National Convention at the Manila Hotel on Tuesday.

Danny Pata

tabase and network, ultimately enhancing the effectiveness of intelligence and enforcement operations.

The three-day assembly is comprised of various sessions that convene officials from various nations in the A/P. The opening ceremony also received remarks from principal officials of the WCO and the Japanese Prime Minister, Fumio Kishida.

Rubio not only successfully arranged a bilateral meeting with the Director General of the Japan Customs Tariff Bureau but was also invited to serve as a panelist for Session 5 on “Expectations for RILOs as WCO regional bodies.” with Darwin G. Amojelar

Bill seeks temporary relief for wage earners from PhilHealth contributions

DA declares Benguet free from avian flu THE Department of Agriculture (DA) has declared the province of Benguet free from avian influenza, two years after the initial case of the H5N1 strain infection was detected in the province.

The towns of Atok, Buguias, Itogon, La Trinidad, Sablan, and Tublay and the City of Baguio previously reported cases of H5N1 strain infections in layer and native chickens, ducks, turkeys, and geese, between February and September 2022.

The DA immediately ordered the culling of infected fowls and imposed sanitation measures that include cleaning and disinfection, mobility restrictions, and surveillance in the affected as well surrounding farms.

Stricter biosecurity controls protected the rest of the fowl population urging the DA to lift the ban and declare Benguet free from the dreaded avian disease.

The Bureau of Animal Industry (BAI) continues to monitor 9 provinces afflicted with bird flu. These are the provinces of Bulacan, Pampanga, Nueva Ecija, Tarlac, Laguna, Sultan Kudarat, Kalinga, Cagayan, and Bataan, the DA also said.

As of Feb. 9, 2024, the BAI said 66 municipalities in 10 provinces are affected by bird flu.

providing its members with operational and reach-back intelligence support, implementing target-oriented analysis projects, fostering collaborative information exchange, and providing capacity building, modern tools and platforms for information exchange.

The majority of the items seized by the bureau were counterfeit items such as shoes, bags, and clothes. Aside from fake items and agricultural products, also included in the list were smuggled cigarettes and illegal drugs.

The WCO A/P aims to establish a Global Intelligence Network, providing member countries with timely and accurate information through its extensive da-

CALL FOR RELOCATION. Informal settlers stage a protest in front of Manila City Hall to call on Manila Mayor Honey Lacuna to properly relocate families living in houses set for demolition at the Manila North Bay Blvd. Norman Cruz

MARIKINA Rep. Stella Quimbo has filed a resolution urging the Philippine Health Insurance Corporation (PhilHealth) to temporarily suspend premium contributions for all minimum wage earners pending a review of benefits expansion and contributions reduction.

House Resolution 1595, which was filed Monday afternoon, seeks to use the unspent appropriations allocated to PhilHealth for premium subsidies, providing immediate financial relief to the country’s economically vulnerable workers.

In a statement Tuesday, Quimbo noted that in 2022, Congress appropriated P80 billion to subsidize premiums of indigent families, senior citizens, and persons with disability to PhilHealth.

However, PhilHealth reported that it failed

DOLE fears price increase due to P100 wage hike THE Department of Labor and Employment (DOLE) expressed fear of a possible price increase of basic commodities once the proposed P100 legislated hike is implemented.

However, labor groups Partido Manggagawa (PM) and Kilusang Mayo Uno (KMU) lambasted the DOLE and the Employers Confederation of the Philippines (ECOP) for opposing the wage increase and for peddling fake news that the wage increase would hurt the economy.

In a press briefing, Labor Secretary Bienvenido Laguesma said the department is not against the pending legislated wage hike but warned that it may have an im-

pact on micro and small businesses.

He said that some businesses can handle the wage increase but said most of the businesses that are under micro and small categories may have a hard time coping with the salary increase.

The DOLEchief said when there are salary increases, the prices of basic goods and transport services also increase, describing it like a chain reaction.

“That’s why the DOLE is always looking for a balance. The DOLE is looking for possible interventions to help micro and small businesses in case the minimum wage increases by P100,” Laguesma added.

However, the PM lambasted Sergio

Ortiz-Luis of ECOP for feigning concern for workers when in truth he just doesn’t want profits reduced through a wage hike.”

“Ortiz-Luis is peddling fake news. Let us be evidence-based with the numbers.

The latest Labor Force Survey shows that 49.2%, about half, of the total 50.5 million labor force, are 24.8 million workers employed in private firms. Of which, one fifth or 4.1 million are minimum wage earners. Another 13.8 million workers, about a quarter or 27.4% of the labor force, are self-employed with no employees,” PM chairman Rene Magtubo said. Vito Barcelo

PNP to deploy 8.5k cops to secure EDSA anniv

By Vince Lopez THE Philippine National Police (PNP) will deploy 8,500 cops to secure activities for the 38th anniversary of the EDSA People Power Revolution on Feb. 25 in the National Capital Region and Cebu.

“We are looking at two rallies. One in Cebu and the other rallies will be in Manila,” PNP chief Police General Benjamin Acorda Jr. said in an interview after the 123rd anniversary ceremony of the Manila Police District.

“In Cebu, we’re intending to deploy more or less 2,500 police personnel. In Metro Manila, more or less 6,000,” he added.

According to the PNP chief, the police force will provide maximum tolerance to the protesters but he reminded them to calm down during their programs.

So far, Acorda said that the police have not monitored any threat for the observation of the event.

Acorda, meanwhile, appealed to protesters and groups to conduct their activities peacefully.

“We will be exercising maximum tolerance pero sana wala naman manggugulo (but I hope nobody would sow chaos),” said Acorda.

He said police have not monitored any imminent security threats for the occasion.

“So far wala naman tayong nakikitang kumbaga nakakabahala (we don’t see anything that seems disturbing) except for the crowd. We expect but nevertheless, our PNP, the men on the ground, we are closely monitoring all the intelligence reports na natatanggap natin (that we are receiving) and we will be deploying accordingly,” Acorda said.

to spend P24 billion of the said amount.

In 2023, Congress again provided an appropriation amounting to P79 billion as premiums subsidy but PhilHealth left P39 billion unspent.

“The unspent premium of Phi Health can very well cover the premium contributions of minimum wage earners for at least a year since in 2022 their premium contribution only amounted to P19.6 billion,” Quimbo pointed out.

She also noted that PhilHealth’s financial reserves are expected to reach P463 billion in 2023, marking a 68-percent increase from the previous year.

This surplus has accumulated from premiums collected from members, as well as subsidies from Congress that have remained unspent. Maricel Cruz

Castro slams drilling in Rizal georeserve area

By Maricel V. Cruz HOUSE Deputy Minority Leader and ACT Teachers Rep. France Castro condemned the drilling activities within the Masungi Georeserve in Rizal province, emphasizing the urgent need to protect the fragile protected area from further harm.

“The drilling inside the Masungi Karst Conservation Area for the planned wind energy farm poses a severe threat to the environment, particularly endangering the local bird and bat species as well as the delicate ecosystem of the area,” Castro, an opposition lawmaker, added.

Castro stressed the importance of upholding existing environmental protections and ensuring that industrial projects do not encroach upon sensitive ecological zones such as the Masungi Georeserve.

“We call for the immediate stop and relocation of this project by the Rizal Wind Energy Corp. (RWEC) whose parent company, Singapore-based Vena Energy, would wreak havoc on our fragile ecology and spell dangerous floods like those experienced now in Mindanao,” Castro said.

At the same time, Castro, member of the Makabayan Bloc, called for a revocation of government permits for the wind energy project within the protected area.

B1

OPINION

WEDNESDAY, FEBRUARY 21, 2024

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

Eagle Eyes Tony La Viña

EDITORIAL

EDSA 38 years after THE legacy of the 1986 EDSA revolution is not merely freedom, but more importantly peace.

EDSA 1986 showed that revolution and change need not be violent affairs, and that the resulting freedom and peace need not be mutually exclusive – given the right conditions.

However, we can all agree the EDSA revolution, like the 1897 revolution against Spain, is an unfinished revolution.

In 1986 we were given another chance at democracy.

The miracle of EDSA is not merely that we unseated the dictator, but that we found the courage to come to the aid of others, when called by Jaime Cardinal Sin, in our nation’s hour of need – even if we didn’t know for certain the tanks would crush us, or that the soldiers would shoot.

By the grace of God and the compassion of those soldiers, we survived and overcame, without need of a bloodbath.

—“—

Those who gave their lives for our freedom deserve no less from us, that we live their great courage in the small moments of our democratic lives

Indeed, EDSA was not just a revolution against a corrupt and dictatorial government; it was also a rejection of apathy and indifference by the governed.

But today, again, many Filipinos are unwilling to contribute a portion of their lives to the public arena, for the common good.

Whether this is in response to poor governance doesn’t matter; we owe it to the country and our people to come forward and take responsibility to change our country.

EDSA is a major avenue in Metro Manila, but its spirit is closer to the streets and alleys that run near our homes.

Those who gave their lives for our freedom deserve no less from us, that we live their great courage in the small moments of our democratic lives. This is what we ought to celebrate.

This is the promise we owe to EDSA. There are many avenues, government-

provided and citizen-enabled alike, for individuals and citizen organizations to step forward and contribute to improving governance and nation-building.

A people united by the common good and by doing the right thing can finally bring their country to the just peace it sorely needs.

Above all, however, we can complete the 1986 EDSA revolution by successfully concluding the peace processes with the Communist Party of the PhilippinesNational Democratic Front (CPP-NDF), which thankfully is back on track.

Thirty-eight years ago, as the Philippines came to the edge of a civil war, I started discerning who I wanted to be in the trenches with if that war broke out. Do I take up arms and go to the countryside in Mindanao and fight the US-Marcos dictatorship from there?

I was in first year law school then at the University of the Philippines and was active in what we then called the UP Law Liberation Forces (formed to respond to arrests and dispersals in the demonstrations that preceded the EDSA revolution).

I was also teaching philosophy at the Ateneo de Manila then and belonged to a community of young faculty members and student leaders ready to take action against an illegitimate regime.

But EDSA intervened and the civil war was fortunately averted.

Still the revolution was not finished.

On the evening of Feb. 25, 1986, as my wife and I, with my mother with us, entered Malacañan Palace with thousands of our countrymen, this was very clear to me – much work still had to be done to liberate the country from poverty and injustice.

I believe that we can finally complete, in the next two years, this unfinished revolution through a final settlement with the CPP-NDF. If the peace agreements represented just solutions to righteous demands to address poverty and injustice in our islands, then we would have successfully completed the 1986 EDSA revolution.

Cynicism would be replaced by hope and future EDSA 1986 celebrations would not include a sense of regret that the country missed an opportunity for real change.

If the country achieves peace, Filipinos can show those only at the beginning of their path to democracy that change is not a one-time thing, and true, fruitful, revolution is not a moment in time, but a lifetime commitment to the best of our common humanity.

For this is what EDSA really means: a journey towards peace.

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Navalny widow vows to take up fight for Russia’s ‘freedom’ WARSAW, Poland – Yulia Navalnaya has vowed to continue her husband Alexei Navalny’s fight after his death in a Russian prison last week, for which she blamed the Kremlin.

She spoke as the Kremlin said it had no details about his death, while his mother Lyudmila was denied access to his body for a third day.

Navalnaya’s address came shortly before she met EU foreign ministers in Brussels, where she had been invited after the death of her husband triggered Western outrage.

“I will continue the work of Alexei Navalny. I will continue to fight for the freedom of our country,” Navalnaya said.

“And I call on you to stand by me.”

Navalnaya, an economist, stood by her husband as he galvanized mass protests in Russia, flying him out of the country when he was poisoned before defiantly returning to Moscow with him in 2021, knowing he would be jailed.

The announcement she will replace Navalny is a momentous and unpredictable turn for Russia’s exiled and beleaguered opposition, left leaderless after Navalny’s death.

Russia will hold a presidential election on March 15-17 in which Putin has no real challengers, with most the opposition exiled, behind bars or dead.

“Vladimir Putin killed my husband Alexei Navalny,” Navalnaya said on his Youtube channel, adding he died “after three years of torment and torture.”

“Putin took from me the most valuable thing that I had, the closest and most loved person. But Putin also took Navalny from you,” the 47-year-old said.

Russia’s prison service said on Friday that Navalny had died “after a walk” in the IK-3 prison colony in the Arctic Yamal region.

Kremlin spokesman Dmitry Peskov refused to say how Putin -- who has not commented on the death -- reacted to his main opponent dying.

He also said the Kremlin had no results from an investigation into the death.

“At the moment, the results of the investigation have not been released, they are unknown,” Peskov said.

He decried Western statements blaming the Kremlin for Navalny’s end as “absolutely unacceptable.”

Navalny’s team however accused Russian authorities of trying to cover up “murder”.

—“—

Several European countries including Spain and Germany have summoned Russian diplomats, and the EU called for an independent ‘international investigation’ into the Kremlin foe’s death

“Investigators told Alexei’s mother and lawyers that they are not handing over the body and in the next 14 days they will conduct a chemical analysis, an investigation,” Navalny spokeswoman Kira Yarmysh said in a YouTube broadcast.

“I’ll say it again: Navalny’s body is being hidden to hide the traces of the murder.

This 14-day ‘chemical analysis’ is an outright lie and mockery,” she said in a subsequent statement on social media site X, the former Twitter.

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All hands on deck vs. El Niño

T

HAT’S right, you did not misread the lips of National Defense Secretary Gilberto Teodoro Jr. when he said the national government would streamline its response to the El Niño weather phenomenon.

Teodoro, chair of the El Niño task force, noted President Marcos Jr. wants to focus on “systematic, holistic, and results-driven interventions.”

The 59-year-old defense chief said: “Effectively addressing the effects of El Niño across the country surely requires all hands on deck.”

The common phrase may well be a figure of speech that means everyone available needs to be involved in a super urgent task that needs immediate attention.

Coming from Teodoro, in the middle of the weather phenomenon, the idiom conveys the basic idea that all available people and resources are urgently needed to complete the task to stand up to the challenges of El Niño, the warming of the ocean surface or above-average sea surface temperatures in the

About Town

eastern tropical Pacific Ocean.

We should heed Teodoro’s call for cooperation and coordination “as we deal with the effects of and concerns on El Niño,” who pointed out “We do not need a new structure. What we need is to breathe fresh energy and a new lease on life on the existing networks and links that we have all access to.”

—“—

We endorse Teodoro’s suggestion that at the regional and local government levels, officials can ‘reignite old connections of collaboration’

We endorse Teodoro’s suggestion that at the regional and local government levels, officials can “reignite old connections of collaboration.”

“We have done this in handling past disasters and calamities. The provincial DRRMCs (Disaster Risk Reduction and Management Council) and city

Ernesto M. Hilario

Bright economic prospects

THERE’S encouraging news on the economic front amid the current toxic political atmosphere.

First, the country’s gross domestic product is projected to grow 6.3 percent year-on-year in 2024 to P12.8 trillion in real terms.

A combination of easing inflation and a tight labor market would pump up consumer spending this year, which bodes well for the country’s consumption-reliant economy, according to the Fitch Group.

With 2010 as the base year, consumer spending is projected to grow 6.3 percent year-on-year in 2024 to P12.8 trillion in real terms.

That forecast is in line with expected gross domestic product growth of 6.2 percent this year, faster than the 5.6-percent expansion in 2023 but below the government’s growth target of 6.5 to 7.5 percent for 2024.

Despite inflation easing back to within the government’s 2 to 4 percent target in December last year after hovering above that range for 20 months, the Bangko Sentral ng Pilipinas has deemed it necessary to keep monetary policy settings sufficiently tight until a sustained downtrend in inflation becomes evident.

Second, consumer prices grew at a much slower pace in January amid better food supply, although the El Niño weather phenomenon threatens to erase some of the government’s hard-won gains in its fight to bring inflation back to manageable levels.

Inflation, as measured by the Consumer Price Index, softened to an annual rate of 2.8 percent in the first month of 2024, from 3.9 percent in December, the Philippine Statistics Authority reported.

The latest reading, the lowest since October 2020, matched the lower-end of the BSP’s forecast range for the month. It was also the second consecutive month that inflation eased to within the central bank’s 2 to 4 percent target after hovering above that range for 20 months.

The biggest contributor to the lower CPI was the milder food price inflation,

Three, the PH jobless rate eased to a record low of 3.1 percent in December 2023.

The proportion of unemployed Filipinos to total labor force decreased to another record-low in the final month of 2023.

There were 1.6 million jobless people in December 2023, down from 1.83 million in the preceding month, the PSA reported recently.

This put the jobless rate at 3.1 percent, the lowest since the PSA adopted a new definition of “unemployment” back in 2005. It beat the previous record-low unemployment rate of 3.6 percent recorded in November.

The underemployment rate in December 2023 was recorded at 11.9 percent, higher than the November figure of 11.7

Navalny’s allies said his mother Lyudmila was on Monday again denied access to a morgue in the Russian Far North for a third day in a row.

Navalny had continued even from behind bars to call on Russians to fight the government, calling on them “not to be afraid.”

Across Russia, mourners have laid flowers in memory of Navalny at monuments to victims of Soviet-era repression and hundreds of people have been detained.

In Moscow, AFP reporters saw a steady stream of people bring flowers to two monuments on Monday.

At one known as the “Wall of Grief,” a woman stood and cried, with a heavy police presence nearby.

“One for all,” read a note left by mourners, quoting a slogan Navalny often used

at protests.

Another monument close to the headquarters of Russia’s security service was visited by French ambassador to Moscow Pierre Levy.

Outside Russia, Russian emigres held vigils in European cities.

In Kazakhstan -- another country where many Russians fled -- Russian rock legend Yuri Shevchuk performed a song in honour of Navalny on Sunday.

“Alexei Navalny who spoke to us, Russians, about freedom and who reminded us all that we could be free in the best sense of the word,” Shevchuk told a crowd, according to Russian independent media.

In Washington, US President Joe Biden said he was studying more sanctions against Moscow.

“We already have sanctions, but we are considering additional sanctions,

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

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

DRRMCs should restart reconnecting,” he said as he assured the President the task force and local DRRMCs are actively working to mitigate the impact of the dry spell.

This was after the DILG agreed with Teodoro’s position to align local government units as well as provincial and city-level DRRMCs with President Marcos Jr.’s whole-of-government approach to mitigate and manage the impact of El Niño.

Last month, President Marcos signed Executive Order 53 to streamline, reactivate, and reconstitute the old El Niño task forces under EO 16 (s. 2001) and Memorandum Order 38 (s. 2019) and designated Teodoro chairperson of the task force, while Secretary of Science and Technology Renato Solidum was designated as co-chairperson.

Teodoro Jr. has also ordered all military camp commanders to conserve water as the government ramps up its actions to mitigate and manage the impacts of El Niño, predicted to persist until May this year.

In line with President Marcos Jr.’s directive for government intervention, Teodoro said “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 also stressed “we should all support and practice daily the government’s water conservation policy as we experience the effects of El Niño.”

which moderated to 3.5 percent in January, from 5.4 percent in December.

That was the slowest spike in food prices since March 2022, data showed, with vegetables (-20.8 percent) and meat (0.7 percent) leading the way.

Secretary Arsenio Balisacan of the National Economic and Development Authority said the Marcos administration would introduce stop-gap measures, as necessary, such as allowing further imports on key commodities until the rice supply stabilizes.

—“—

Filipinos abroad sent a record amount of money back home in 2023 as remittances hit $33.5 billion, boosted by a stronger peso

percent but lower than the 12.6 percent rate recorded a year ago. A higher underemployment rate indicates declining job quality.

Four, investment pledges from foreign firms during the presidential visits over the past 16 months are starting to come in, boosting the position of the Philippines as a premier investment destination for foreign businesses in Asia, according to the Department of Trade and Industry.

Committed foreign direct investments in the country soared to a record-high in 2023, reflecting the results of the Marcos administration’s efforts to sell the Philippines as an investment destination.

The government approved FDI pledges worth P889.07 billion last year, 3.7 times larger than the amount recorded in 2022, according to the PSA. The figure represents FDIs committed to the country’s ecozones, which entice investors with tax perks.

The investment areas span various sectors, such as manufacturing, renewable energy, infrastructure, transport and logistics, agriculture, and retail.

And five, Filipinos abroad sent a record amount of money back home in 2023 as remittances hit $33.5 billion, boosted by a stronger peso.

This increase in the value of remittances helped households cope with high inflation. Cash remittances through banks totaled $33.5 billion, marking a 2.9 percent annual increase.

The 2023 inflows were the highest on record or since the BSP started tracking cash remittances in 1970.

At the same time, last year’s remittance growth was consistent with the central bank’s projection of a 3-percent expansion for 2023, albeit slower than the 3.6-percent uptick in 2022.

All in all, there’s enough positive indications in the past year and the first two months of 2024 for the economy to continue its growth trajectory in the years ahead.

(Email: ernhil@yahoo.com) yes,” said Biden, who has already directly blamed Putin and his “thugs” for Navalny’s death.

Several European countries including Spain and Germany have summoned Russian diplomats, and the EU called for an independent “international investigation” into the Kremlin foe’s death.

Earlier, EU foreign policy chief Josep Borrell pledged to hold Putin to account for Navalny’s death after meeting his widow.

The EU has already imposed heavy sanctions on Moscow, including on Putin, over the invasion of Ukraine. Officials concede it will be difficult to take significant further action.

The EU in a statement called for an independent “international investigation” into the Kremlin foe’s death and threatened sanctions. AFP

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Taiwan to China: ‘Be rational’ following deadly boat incident

RELENTLESS FIGHTING. This picture taken from Rafah shows smoke billowing over Khan Yunis in the southern Gaza Strip during Israeli bombardment on Tuesday amid continuing battles between Israel and the Palestinian militant group Hamas.

The UN Security Council will vote on an Algeria-prepared new draft resolution Wednesday (Manila time) calling for an immediate ceasefire in Gaza, despite threat of a third US veto on such a text. AFP

Manila Republic of the Philippines National Capital Judicial Region TODAY REGIONAL TRIAL COURT Mandaluyong City

Standard

REPUBLIC OF THE PHIL IPPINES National Capital Judicial Region Regional Trial Court Quezon City - Branch 217 rtc1qzn217@judiciary.gov.ph Cp # 09275426985 (Effective September 13, 2023) Tel. # 8529•0868 IN THE MATTER OF THE PETITION FOR THE CANCELLATION/CORRECTION OF ENTRIES IN THE CERTIFICATES OF LIVE BIRTH OF VERNADETTE NAGUIT. VERNADETTE NAGUIT a.k.a.

VERNADETTE NAGUIT DUAZO. Petitioner.

-versus-

SP. Proc. No. R-QZN -23-11718-SP

E-mail: rtc1mdlocc@judiciary.gov.ph Hotline No.: 639952598147/02 82876702

OFFICE OF THE CLERK OF COURT & EX-OFFICIO SHERIFF

NOTICE OF HEARING Notice is hereby given that the summary hearing on the Petition for Notarial Commission of Atty. Edson T. Eufemio will be held on February 29, 2024 at 1:00 o’clock in the afternoon in the courtroom of RTC Branch 280, 3rd Floor New Hall of Justice, Maysilo Circle, Mandaluyong City.

Any person who has any valid reason or cause to object to the granting of the aforesaid petition may file with the undersigned a verified written opposition thereto before the date of the summary hearing.

THE LOCAL CIVIL REGISTRAR OF QUEZON CITY, THE CIVIL REGISTRAR GENERAL OF THE PHILIPPINE Witness the Hon. Restituto V. Mangalindan, Jr., Executive Judge, this 15h day of February 2024, Mandaluyong City.

STATISTICS AUTHORITY (formerly NSO), EDITHA DIMAGIBA NAGUIT, VICENTE (Sgd.) ATTY. ERWIN N. BARATA PANTUA DUAZO and all other persons claiming Clerk of Court VI rights and interest in the instant petition, CYAN MAGENTA YELLOW BLACK (MStandard-Feb. 21, 2024) Respondents. x------------------------------------------------------------x REPUBLIC OF THE PHILIPPINES REPUBLIC OF THE PHILIPPINES ORDER REGIONAL TRIAL COURT National Capital Judicial Region This is a verified petition for Cancellation/Correction of entry Trial Court Naguit Duazo, filed NATIONAL CAPITAL JUDICIAL REGION in the Certificate of Regional Live Birth of Vernadette by the Petitioner,Quezon through counsel, dated December 21 , 2023.

City – Branch 217 BRANCH 224, QUEZON CITY 09153627542 I (02)86586669 I (02)88597908 The Petitionrtcqzn217@judiciary.gov.ph alleges that Petitioner is a Filipino citizen, and rtc2gzn224@judiciary.gov.ph (Effective a Cp.#09275426985 resident of Bldg. 4, 1st floor, UnitSeptember 4, Bistekville13, 15,2023) Richland Tel.# 8529-0868 Avenue, Sauyo, Quezon City; that Petitioner was born on April

2, 1990; her Parents are herein named respondents Editha INDimagiba RE: PETITION NaguitFOR andCANCELLATION Vicente Pantua Duazo; however the OF CERTIFICATE LIVE BIRTH OF Birth of herein Petitioner registration of theOF Certificate of Live JACKELYN MAÑOZA QUIDILLA was done only sometime May 28,WITH 1996; the Petitioner’s birth her REGISTRY NO. 96-32184 parents Editha and Vicente were not married; they subsequently

contracted marriage sometime in February 11, 1996 at the No. R-QZN-23-11772-SP Green Ville Covered Court bySP.Proc. attending a “Kasalang Bayan”; in the year 1999 herein respondents Vicente P. Duazo and EDITHA JACKIELYN QUIDILLA BARTE, D. Naguit executed a joint Affidavit of Legitimation declaring, Petitioner, among others, that they had no legal impediment to marry when contracted marriage; a Certification dated November 23, 2023 -versuswas issued by the Office of the City Civil Registry Department of Quezon City to certify that indeed the Affidavit of Legitimation OFFICE OFand THErecorded LOCAL CIVIL was filed in the REGISTRY office as Registry No. 99-679; OF QUEZON CITY;now PHILIPPINE herein Petitioner, already of age, had a fiance, an American STATISTICS AUTHORITY; OFFICE OF review of her Certificate citizen, whom she intends to marry; upon THE SOLICITOR GENERALwere and all otherabout the Remarks/ of Live Birth questions raised Persons who may have a claim or interestof said Certificate of Annotation found at the right uppermost InLive thisBirth Petition. which indicates “Legitimated by Subsequent Marriage Respondents. of Parents on 11th February 1996 in Quezon City under reg.no. x-------------------------------------------------------x 99-679” Verifications were required about the legitimated status ORDER of herein Petitioner and in the process herein Petitioner was able toThis secured from the Officefor of Cancellation the PhilippineofStatistics Authority is a verified Petition Certificate of Live (PSA) respective CENOMARS herthe parents; the copy of Birth of the Jackelyn Mañoza Barte, filedofby Petitioner, through the Cenomar of respondent Editha D. Naguit showed that she counsel, on December 27, 2023. had contracted marriage only once and it was with Vicente P. Duazo revealedalleges that he that was married first marriage The Petition Petitionertwice; is atheFilipino citizen wasresident with Miguela Orivida which happened sometime March 22, and of 58-B Saint Vincent Street, Brgy. Holy Spirit, 1986; copies of the CENOMARs Editha D. Naguit2,and Vicente Quezon City; that Petitioner was of born on October 1991 in 28 P. Duazo.

Commonwealth Avenue, Quezon City; that her parents Jocelyn Mañoza JimmyOrivida, Santiago recently was she The |Quidilla first wife,and Miguela of Barte; herein that respondent found that the her birth recorded at the Local Registry of alive out during time was herein respondents Edith Civil D. Naguit and Quezon City twice and under two different names; the first record Vicente P. Duazo contracted marriage; considering; a copy of ofMiguela her birthOrivida’s is under Civil Registry No. 91-47948 with the following facebook screenshot, to prove the fact that details/entries appearing said respondents Certificate ofEditha Live Birth; she was still alive when on herein and Vicente contracted marriage; considering that the marriage of herein 1. Name: Vicente JackielynP.Quidilla respondent Duazo Barte with Miguela Orivida happened 2. Sex: Female much earlier than his marriage with herein respondent Editha 3. Naguit Date of Birth: 2 Octobermarriage 1991 D. the subsequent is considering bigamous 4. therefore Place of Birth: #28void Commonwealth Avenue, Gao,Petitioner Quezon and null and from the beginning; herein Citybe considered as a legitimated child considering that cannot 5. Type of Birth:were x Single when her parents married there was a legal impediment for the contract suchJocelyn marriage; the Petitioner 6. parents Motherto Maiden Name: Mañoza Quidilla the sought the of bothFilipino PSA and Civil Registry Office of Quezon City 7. advice Nationality: on to remover or cancel the annotation on her Certificate 8. how Religion: R Catholic of9.Live Birth and bothJimmy officesSantiago advised Barte her to file the appropriate Father’s Name: case before the court; thus, the filing of this Petition to correct the 10. Nationality: Filipino error and to cancel the annotation “Legitimated by Subsequent 11. Religion: Catholic Marriage 11th February 1996 September in QC under6,the reg.

12. DateofofParents Place ofonMarriage of Parents: 1990 no. 99-679” – Manilafound in her Certificate of Live Birth and likewise to13. cancel the registered “ Joint Affidavit of Legitimation” filed Certificate of Attendant at Birth: by herein Editha and Vicente with the Office of Namerespondents in Print: Jocelyn Regaspi – Telebrico the Civil Registry of Quezon City; there is a need to correct the Position: Midwife erroneous annotation “Legitimated

by Holy Subsequent Marriage of Address: #34 Saint Vincent Brgy.

Spirit Q.C. Parents onOctober 11th February Date: 3, 19911996 in QC under reg. no. 99-679” found in Petitioner’s Certificate of Live Birth to reflect her true 14. Informant: and actual status a person relative to her family to avoid Name in Print:as Jimmy S. Barte confusion with her public records and most importantly, to give Relationship to Child: Father herein Petitioner peace of mind in her future private and public Address: #28 Commonwealth Ave., Gao, Quezon City transactions.

Date: October 3, 1991 WHEREFORE, let this Petition be set for hearing before this On the otherathand, of birth was recorded under Civil Court located Roomsecond 604, Sixth Floor, Hall of Justice - Annex, Diliman,No. Quezon City with on June 5, 2024 details/entries at 10:00 o’clock in the Registry 96-32184 the following appearing morning at whichofplace on which time, all interested person on said Certificate Live and Birth: must appear and file their opposition/s to the petition.

1. Name: Jackielyn Mañoza Quidilla Pursuant to Section 4, Rule 108 of the Rules of Court let a 2. Sex: Female copy of this Order be published at the expense of the Petitioner 3. Date of Birth: 2 October 1991 once a week for three (3) consecutive weeks in a newspaper of 4. Place of Birth:throughout 28 Commonwealth Avenue, Q.C. general circulation the Philippines.

5. a. Type of Birth: x Single let copies c. Further, Birth Order: First of this Order together with the Petition and annexes be sent registered mail to the Office of the d. its Weight at Birth: 3175bygrams Solicitor General, Office of the City Prosecutor of Quezon City, 6. Mother Maiden Name: Jocelyn Mañoza Quidilla Office of the LocalFilipino Civil Registrar of Quezon City and Philippine 7. Citizenship: Statistics Authority who may file their oppositions thereto with in 8. Religion: Catholic fifteen notice this petition.

9. a.(15) days Totalfrom Number of of Children born alive: 1 b.ORDERED. No. of Children still living including this birth: 1 SO c.

No. of Children born alive but are now dead: 0 City, Philippines, 10:Quezon Occupation: Housewife January 4, 2024.

11. Age at the time of (Sgd.) this birth:CARLO 18 yearsD. VILLARAMA 12. Residence: 28 Commonwealth Ave., Quezon City Presiding Judge 13. Father’s Name: NA cc: 14. Citizenship: Vernadette NaguitN/A a.k.a.

15. Religion: N/A Duazo Vernadette Naguit 16.

Occupation: N/A Petitioner 17.floor, Age:Unit X 4, Bistekville 15 Richland Avenue, Sauyo, 1st 18. Date and Place of Marriage of Parents: N/A Quezon City 19. a. Attendant: x Midwife Atty. Carlitos N. Encarnacio b. Certificate of Birth: II Counsel for the Petitioner Name in Print: Jocelyn R. Telebrico Rm. 207 2/f CMC Bldg., 35 Midwife Matalino St., Diliman, Q.C. Position: Reg. arcc_enca@yahoo.com Address: 28 Commonwealth Ave., Q.C. Date:Naguit May 27, 1996 Pantua Duazo Editha Dimagiba & Vicente 20. Informant: Respondents NameUnit in Print: Jocelyn M. Bldg., 4, 1st floor, 4, Bistekville 15,Quidilla Richland Avenue, Relationship Sauyo, Quezon City and to Child: Mother Address: #28 Commonwealth Ave., Q.C. Area 6 Sitio Cabuyao, Sauyo, Novaliches, Quezon City Date: May 27, 1996; THE LOCAL CIVIL REGISTRAR Quezon City That the Petitioner now desires to have her second Certificate ofPHILIPPINE Live Birth STATISTICS with RegistryAUTHORITY Number 96-32184 with Registered Namne, Jackelyn Mañoza PSA, Complex East Ave Quidilla, be cancelled as it causes confusion as to her true and correct name.

Diliman, Quezon City

OFFICE OF THE let SOLICITOR GENERAL WHEREFORE, this Petition be set for hearing before this Makati City at Room 604, Sixth Floor, Hall of Justice – Annex, Court located Diliman, onPROSECUTOR June 19, 2024 at 10:00 o’clock in the OFFICEQuezon OF THECity CITY morning which place and on which time, all interested person Quezon at City must appear and file their opposition/s to the petition.

(MStandard - Feb. 14, 21 & 28, 2024)

Pursuant to Section 4, Rule 108 of the Rules of Court let a copy of this Order be published at the expense of the Petitioner once a week for three (3) consecutive weeks in a newspaper of general circulation throughout the Philippines.

Further, let copies of this Order together with the Petition and

IN RE: PETITION FOR RECOGNITION OF FOREIGN JUDGMENT (DECREE OF DIVORCE) MICHAEL P. LARA, Petitioner, -versus-

R-QZN-24-00080-SP For: Recognition of a Foreign Decree of Divorce

ANJANETTE T. DE TORRES, THE CIVIL REGISTRAR GENERAL, ADMINISTRATOR OF THE PHILIPPINE STATISTICS AUTHORITY, AND THE OFFICE OF THE LOCAL CIVIL REGISTRY OF QUEZON CITY, Respondents, x --------------------------------------------------x

ORDER

A verified Petition for the recognition of foreign judgment on divorce between the petitioner and respondent Anjanette T. De Torres (“private respondent) was filed, alleging as follows: petitioner and private respondent were both Filipino citizens when they got married on February 21, 2004; sometime in May 2004, the private respondent went to Canada for her Canadian citizenship and since then, the parties lived separately from each other; the petitioner then applied for an immigrant visa as a spouse so he could be with the private respondent in Canada who was also then pregnant with their child; while waiting for the approval of the petitioner’s visa, the private respondent gave birth to Avilenne Kayle De Torres Lara on October 24, 2004; unfortunately, the petitioner figured in an accident and his visa application was denied because of a pending case; since then , the parties constantly fought and could no longer settle their differences leading them to further grow apart; after the private respondent acquired her Canadian Citizenship, she decided to file for Divorce with the Superior Court of Justice, Family Court of Ontario on July 7, 2009 applying the Divorce Act R.S. 1985, c.3 (2nd Supp.) of Canada being a naturalized Canadian citizen; and on the basis of the said law, particularly Sections 8(1), 8(2) (a), 12(7) and 14, the Superior Court of Justice Family Court of Ontario issued a Divorce Order dated November 9, 2009, which took effect on December 10, 2009 as reflected in the Certificate of Divorce.

The petitioner prays that a judgment be rendered: (1) recognizing the Divorce Order dated November 9, 2009 issued by the Ontario Superior Court of Justice in the case of Anjanette T. De Torres v,. Michael P. Lara; (2) consequently, recognizing the effects of the foreign divorce decree obtained by the private respondent in Canada as to the petitioner; (3) declaring the petitioner as having the capacity to remarry according to Article 26 of the Family Code; and (4) ordering that the aforesaid divorce be recorded in the Local Civil Registry of Quezon City, the Philippine Statistics Authority, and other concerned Philippine Government offices.

WHEREFORE, notice is hereby given that the hearing of the Petition is set on April 4. 2024 at 11:30 in the morning, at which date and time, all persons Interested and concerned may appear and show cause, if any, why the petition should not be granted.

The petitioner is directed to do, or cause to be done at his expense, the following and submit proofs of compliance therewith: 1. Publication of this Order once a week for three (3) consecutive weeks in a newspaper of general circulation to be chosen by raffle; 2. Posting of this Order for a period of thirty (30) days prior to the date of the hearing at the main entrance of the Quezon City Hall, and the bulletin boards of this Branch and the Office of the Clerk of Court, Regional Trial Court of Quezon City; and 3. Furnishing a copy of this Order and the Petition, together with its annexes, upon the Office of the Solicitor General, the Office of the City Prosecutor of Quezon City, the Civil Registrar General of the Philippine Statistics Authority, the Local Civil Registrar of Quezon City, and respondent Anjanette T. De Torres by personal service, registered mail or accredited private courier.

Moreover, the Civil Registrar General and any person having or claiming any interest in the petition may file the opposition/ objection thereto within fifteen (15) days from notice, or from the last date of publication of this Order.

SO ORDERED. Quezon City, Metro Manila, January 9,2024.

Copy furnished :

(Sgd.) ZITA MARIE M. ATIENZA-FAJARDO Presiding Judge

DJCP LAW OFFICE Counsel for the Petitioner Unit 1003 President Tower No. 81 Timog Avenue, South Triangle, Diliman, Quezon City 1103 ANJANETTE T. DE TORRES Private Respondent 99 Howard Street, Apartment 1216. Toronto, Ontario M4X 1K1 -and35 Luna Street, New Intramuros Village, Balara, Quezon City OFFICE OF THE SOLICITOR GENERAL 134 Amorsolo Street, Legaspi Village, Makati City OFFICE OF THE CITY PROSECUTOR J. Cecilia Munoz Palma Hall. City Hall Complex. Quezon City CIVIL REGISTRAR GENERAL PHILIPPINE STATISTICS AUTHORITY PSA Complex, East Avenue, Diliman, Quezon City LOCAL CIVIL REGISTRAR OF QUEZON CITY Quezon City Hall Compound, Quezon City (MStandard - Feb. 14, 21 & 28, 2024)

TAIPEI, Taiwan – Taiwan called on Beijing to “be rational” on Tuesday following a deadly incident involving a Chinese boat and the Taiwanese coast guard, with the island’s premier insisting it would protect its waters.

China claims self-ruled Taiwan as part of its territory, and relations between the two have plummeted in recent years.

Last week two Chinese crew members died after a boat capsized near Kinmen, an island administered by Taipei but located just five kilometers from the mainland city of Xiamen.

It was being pursued by Taiwan’s coast guard for being within prohibited waters.

China announced stepped-up patrols around Taiwan’s waters, and on Monday members of its coast guard briefly boarded a Taiwanese cruise

ship to check the captain and passengers’ details.

Taiwan’s Premier Chen Chienjen said Tuesday that both sides had been aware of “restricted and offlimits sea areas” since 1992.

“We will continue to protect these sea areas to ensure safety in our territorial waters and the rights of our fishermen,” he told reporters outside Taiwan’s parliament.

“We hope both sides can be rational, equitable and cooperate with each other to ensure the safety of the Kinmen-Xiamen waters so that the people from both sides of the strait can engage with each other in a healthy and orderly manner.”

Taiwan’s defense minister said the military would not get involved, leaving it to the coast guard to monitor waters around Kinmen, “because we want to avoid war.” AFP

Israel troops whip Gaza ahead of UN truce vote Manila

Republic of the Philippines Standard REGIONAL TRIAL COURT

REPUBLIC OF THE PHILIPPINES National Capital Judicial Region REGIONAL TRIAL COURT Branch 91, Quezon City rtc2qzn091@judiciary.gov.ph Tel. No. 8361-2799

TODAY National Capital Judicial Region BRANCH 214 Mandaluyong City rtc1mdI214@judiciary.gov.ph (02) 8682-0747

PETITION FOR DECLARATION OF PRESUMPTIVE DEATH

IN RE: PETITION FOR APPOINTMENT OF LEGAL GUARDIAN OF MINOR TIDUS LEON R. PEREZ,

NETHANEL MARK A. CATALUÑA, Petitioner

SP PROC. NO. R-MND-23-01927-SP

-versus-

Civil Case No.R-QZN-23-06178-

most city Rafah, where MARY nearlyANN 1.5D. million Palestinians are ALESINIAN Territories – Israel CATALUÑA sheltering.

Respondent. hit Gaza with new air strikes on x----------------------------------------------x The city, the last untouched

by Israeli ground troops, Tuesday aspetition world powersfiledgrappled is also the main entry point for desperatelyORDER needed relief This is a for guardianship by petitioner This is an Amendment Petition filed by the petitio Dulce S. Ramirez (PETITIONER), through counsel, supplies via neighboring Egypt.

Nethanel Mark A. Cataluña, praying that after due no with howpraying to broker a ceasefire ahead of inter alia, that after due notice and hearing, judgment behumanitarian rendered granting his peti Israel’s strikes on theand cityhearing, are hampering judgment be rendered appointing PETITIONER as for approval of presumptive death of respondent a UN Security Council vote. operations, while the food supply is disrupted by regular guardian over the person and estate of her grandson MARY ANNE D. CATALUÑA. minor Tidus Leon R. Perez. PETITIONER also prays border closures, according to the UN’s agency for Palesfor Nations such othersounded reliefs justthe andalarm equitable the The United overunder the hutinian refugees, UNRWA. The petitioner and respondent married on Janu circumstances. before Municipal Mayor Manila manitarian situation in the besieged territory, warning that The scarcity of food26, and2000 water hastheleft children andof Castille Zambales, as evidenced by the Certificate of Marri REPUBLIC OF THE PHIL IPPINES Standard food shortagesPETITIONER could leadalleged to anthat “explosion” preventshe is of legalofage, widow, women across the strip attached suffering a steep inTODAY malnutrias Annex “A”rise hereof.

The couple was bles National Capital Judicial Region Filipino citizen and with residential address at Court No. 8K able child deaths. three (3)fund children namely: Elisha Mei Dega tion, the United Nationswith children’s warned Monday.

Regional Trial Dayton 2 California Garden Square, Domingo Guevera Cataluña, born on are April now 25, acutely 1999, Alexandra City - Branch 217 Four months of relentless fighting Quezon haveCity. flattened much One-in-six children in northern Gaza Street, Highway Hills, Mandaluyong PETITIONER Degamo Cataluña, born on April 3, 2001 and Debo rtc1qzn217@judiciary.gov.ph of the Palestinian pushed million people to malnourished, UNICEFJeisaid, a situation “comis the territory, grandmother of the2.2 minor.

PETITIONER’s Degamo Cataluña,poised born onto August 9, 2003, cop Cp # 09275426985 (Effective September 13, 2023) daughter and the mother of minor Tidus Leon R. Perez the brink of famine and displaced three-quarters of the pound the already unbearable levelofof child of Certificate Live Birthdeaths.” attached hereto as Annex Tel. # 8529•0868 is Patricia Jean Saligumba Ramirez (DECEASED population, according to UN estimates.

Despite repeated callsC &toD”.spare Rafah, Israel has set a PATRICIA) whoIN died on 19 August 2021 at East THE MATTER OF THE PETITION FOR “How many of us have to die... to stop these crimes?”

Ramadan deadline for a ground incursion, should Hamas Avenue MedicalTHE Center, East Avenue, Diliman, QuezonOF CANCELLATION/CORRECTION In 2004, the petitioner left for abroad as an overs Tidus Leon R. Perez the child ofin DECEASED INisTHE CERTIFICATES OF LIVE militants not free scorescontract said AhmadCity.1 Moghrabi, aENTRIES Palestinian doctor southern of Israeli hostages held since worker.

The following year,the the respond andYunis.

RodrigoOFS.VERNADETTE Perez, Jr .. PETITIONER BIRTH NAGUIT. left and abandoned their minor children. Hence, Gaza’s mainPATRICIA city, Khan Oct. 7 attacks by then. avowed that she is the legal guardian of minor Tidus petitioner sent them to his parents in Butuan City.

VERNADETTE NAGUIT a.k.a.

“If by Ramadan the hostages are not home, the fighting Leon“Where R. Perez.is the humanity?” petitioner discovered that in 2015, the respondent VERNADETTE NAGUIT DUAZO. Global powers trying to navigate a way out of the spiwill continue everywhere include the aRafah said and with for to abroad without definitearea,” destination Petitioner.

PETITIONER averred that minor a raling crisis have so far come up short, with Tidus a pushhas later knownGantz. address; and never returned to the Philippi war cabinet member Benny SP. Proc.

R-QZN biological father-versusRodrigo Saavedra Perez,No. Jr., who -23-11718-SP nor communicated withto thestart petitioner and their child Tuesday for has a UN ceasefire facing expected The Muslim holy month is expected around a family of hisresolution own and could not an take custody Despite earnest efforts they could not locate petition THE LOCAL CIVIL REGISTRAR OF US veto. and care of the QUEZON minor and his estate. The other next of March 10. wife, because allegedly, she no known relatives in CITY, THE CIVIL REGISTRAR kin relative of minor Tidus R. Perez are hisall aunts After months of struggling for aLeon united Philippines, who scrambling could provide to anyavert information a International mediators have been GENERAL OF THE response, PHILIPPINE EU Pamela Ramirez Tolentino and Pia Joanna Ramirez her whereabouts.

STATISTICS AUTHORITY (formerly NSO), members except Hungary called Monday for an “immethe assault and its feared mass civilian casualties.

England.

EDITHA DIMAGIBA NAGUIT, VICENTE diate humanitarian pause.”

At the United Nations Security Council, two rivalling PANTUA DUAZO and all other persons claiming PETITIONER stated that DECEASED Patricia They also urged Israelrights not to invade Gaza’s southernceasefire proposals have been putthe forward.

Finding petition AFP to be sufficient in form and interest in the instant petition,

P

DULCE S. RAMIREZ, Petitioner. x-------------------------------------------------------x ORDER

obtained a group insurance in the amount of One Respondents.

Million pesos (Php1,000,000.00) issued by Sun Life of x------------------------------------------------------------x Canada.2 The beneficiary therein is minor Tidus Leon ORDER R. Perez.

substance, the same is hereby set for hearing on A 17, 2024 at 8:30 in the morning before this C located at Room 403 Hall of Justice Building Ann Elliptical Road, Quezon City.

Ukraine troops face ‘difficult’ battles—Zelensky

This is a verified petition for Cancellation/Correction of entry in the Certificate of Live Birth of Vernadette Naguit Duazo, filed PETITIONERbyposited that through since Tidus is dated a minor, the Petitioner, counsel, December 21 , 2023.

All interested parties are required to appear show cause during the said hearing why the peti should or should not be granted.

there is a need forThe thePetition appointment of a guardian over alleges that Petitioner is a Filipino citizen, and his person and the above-mentioned a resident of Bldg. 4, 1stproperties. floor, Unit 4, Bistekville 15, Richland

Avenue, Sauyo, Quezon City; that Petitioner was born on April

2, 1990; her Parents arehas herein respondents Editha PETITIONER, the grandmother, the named custody andwith Vicente Duazo; however the and care of the Dimagiba minor whoNaguit is living her inPantua the given registration of the Certificate of Live Birth of herein Petitioner address from the death of minor’s mother until the was done only sometime May 28, 1996; the Petitioner’s birth her present time. PETITIONER thatwere she not possesses parents Edithaavowed and Vicente married; they subsequently all the qualifications and marriage none of sometime the disqualifications contracted in February 11, 1996 at the Green Ville Covered Court by attending “Kasalang Bayan”; in to be appointed as legal guardian over the personaand the year 1999 herein respondents Duazo and EDITHA properties of minor Tidus.

PETITIONER isVicente willingP.to D. Naguit executed a joint Affidavit of Legitimation declaring, post bond as may be deemed required. among others, that they had no legal impediment to marry when

Let a copy of this Order be published at the expe of the petitioners once a week for three (3) consecu weeks in a newspaper of General Circulation to KYIVselected – Ukrainian from by raffletroops, pursuantreeling to P.D. 1079.

contracted marriage; a Certification dated November 23, 2023

WHEREFORE, the sufficient was finding issued by thepetition Office ofto thebe City Civil Registry Department of Quezon let Citythe to certify theinitial Affidavit of Legitimation in form and substance, samethat beindeed set for was Italian filed and recorded in the office as Registry No. 99-679; Eleonora Pucci cleans Michelangelo’ s hearing on 07 May 2024 atrestorer 8:30 o’clock in the morning herein Petitioner, now already of age, had a fiance, an American at using the Regional Trial Court, Branch Hall offiber Justice statue of David a backpack vacuum and214, synthetic brush at the Galleria citizen, whom she intends to marry; upon review of her Certificate Building, Maysilo Mandaluyong City,sraised at which dell’Accademia, in Florence on Monday.

Michelangelo’ masterpiece of Circle, Live Birth questions were about thereceived Remarks/ time,treatment, date and place mentioned, any person Annotation found atmaintenance the interested right uppermost of said Certificate ofs a delicate beauty part of routine on one of the world’ Live Birth which indicates “Legitimated by Subsequent Marriage who may be affected thereby including the minor’s most recognizable nudes.

Every two months, the marble sculpture of a muscular of Parents on 11th February 1996 in Quezon City under reg.no. relative mentioned in the petition, may file a written 99-679” Verifications were required about the legitimated status and steely-eyed David — a 29-year-old Michelangelo in 1504 — opposition or completed contest the by petition and appear in court of herein Petitioner and in the process herein Petitioner was able undergoes the cleaning from his home within sStatistics Accademia Gallery, tocareful show cause why the instant not be to secured from thepetition Office ofshould theFlorence’ Philippine Authority granted.for over(PSA) the respective where it has resided 150 years.

AFP CENOMARS of her parents; the copy of

BEAUTY TREATMENT.

the Cenomar of respondent Editha D. Naguit showed that she

had contracted only once and it was The Court Social Worker ismarriage DIRECTED to conduct a with Vicente P. Duazo revealed that he was married twice; the first marriage case study of thewas minors and the prospective guardian/s with Miguela Orivida which happened sometime March 22, and submit to this court her of report and recommendation 1986; copies the CENOMARs of Editha D. Naguit and Vicente within THIRTY (30) days from receipt of this Order.

P. Duazo.

European countries summon Russian diplomats over Navalny’s prison death The first wife, Miguela Orivida, of herein respondent was

Let c.opy of this a new paper alive Order during be thepublished time hereininrespondents Edith D. Naguit and of general circulation Metro Manila marriage; and nearby Vicente P.inDuazo contracted considering; a copy of Miguela Orivida’sraffle facebook screenshot, prove investigation,” the fact that provinces selected through conducted by tothe PARIS – A host of European goving a transparent she wasofstill alive when herein respondents Office of the Clerk Court, Regional Trial Court,Editha and Vicente ernments have summoned Russian said, theherein meeting contracted marriage; Norway considering that the adding marriage of Mandaluyong City, ONCEVicente (1) aP. WEEK for Miguela THREEOrivida happened respondent Duazo withyet diplomats following the prison had not taken place but would (3) CONSECUTIVE WEEKS at the expense of much earlier than his marriage with herein respondent Editha death of Russian opposition leader shortly.

PETITIONER. D. Naguit the subsequent marriage is considering bigamous

and therefore null and voidItfrom the beginning; herein Petitioner Alexei Navalny. followed similar announcecannot be considered as a legitimated child considering that SO ORDERED. French Foreign Minister Stements earlier Monday

by Finland, when her parents were married there was a legal impediment for parents contractGermany, such marriage;Lithuania, the Petitioner the sought Swephane SejourneMandaluyong said duringthe aadvice visit oftotoboth Spain, City. the PSA and Civil Registry Office of Quezon City Argentina that Russia’s the Netherlands saying 18 Januaryambassador 2024. on how to remover or den canceland the annotation on her Certificate of Livewhile Birth and both they offices advised to file the appropriate in Paris would be summoned, have hersummoned diplomats (Sgd.) IMELDA L. PORTES-SAULOG case before the court; thus, the filing of this Petition to correct the Norway’s foreign ministryerror issued acancel thefrom Russian embassies.

London and toPresiding annotation “Legitimated

by Subsequent Judge Marriage ofits Parents onhad 11th February 1996 in QC Friday under the evening. reg. statement that it was calling on done the same no. 99-679” found in her Certificate of Live Birth and likewise 1 “B” and “C” of the Petition. top Russian1 Certificate diplomatof Death “for aas Annexes talk” in a remote to cancel the registered Navalny’s “ Joint Affidavitdeath of Legitimation” filed prisSun Life Policy as Annex “D” of the Petition. by herein respondents andArctic, Vicente with the Office of about Navalny’s death. the Civil Registry of Quezon onEditha inCity; the where the 47-yearthere is a need to correct the “In the conversation,erroneous Norweold was serving a 19-year sentence annotation “Legitimated by Subsequent Marriage of Copybe furnished: Parents on 11th February in QC under reg. no.

99-679” that gian views will conveyed about after1996 surviving a 2020 poisoning found General in Petitioner’s Certificate of Live Birth to reflect her true Office of the Solicitor Russian authorities’ responsibilblamed on the Kremlin, was anand actual status as he a person 134 Amorsolo Street, Legaspi Village, Makatirelative City to her family to avoid with her public records and most importantly, ity for the death and forconfusion facilitatnounced Friday.

AFP to give herein Petitioner peace of mind in her future private and public

the loss of a key town, now face “exthe Office of the Solicitor General, the Lo tremely Furnish difficult” conditions all along Civil Registrar of Quezon City, the Local Civil Regis the frontline with Russia because of deof Castillejos, Zambales, Office of the City Prosecut layed Quezon foreignCity aid,and President Volodymyr the Philippine Statistics Authorit Zelensky said. together with the copy of the Petition this Order, its Annexes. Russian offensive in A heightened eastern and southern Ukraine saw them SO ORDERED. capture the key town of Avdiivka last week in aQuezon majorCity, boost ahead of the sec-11, 2023.

Philippines, December ond anniversary of the February 2022 (Sgd.) invasion.

KATHLEEN ROSARIIO D. DE LA CRUZ-ESPINO The Ukrainian military also says it Presiding Judge is critically short of ammunition and Lydio J. Cataluña shells,Atty. worsened byPetitioner the holdup of a $60 Counsel for the billion31-F USPanay aid package.

Avenue, Dist. IV, 1103 Quezon is Cityextremely difficult in “The situation several parts of the front line, where RusNethanel Mark A. Cataluña sian troops have concentrated maximum Petitioner reserves,” Zelensky said after Quezon vis- City 147 Fort Bonifacio St.,Monday Bago Bantay, iting frontline troops in the Kharkiv region.

Mary Anne D. Cataluña Russian troops “are taking advantage of theRespondent delays in helping Zel- Quez No. 2 JP Ramoy Street,Ukraine,” Talipapa, Novaliches, enskyCity added, highlighting shortages of artillery, frontline air defence and lonOFFICE OF THE SOLICITOR GENERAL ger-range weapons.

134 Amorsolo St., Legaspi Village USMakati President Joe Biden told ZelCity ensky on Sunday that he was “confiOF THE CIVIL REGISTRAR US GENERAL dent”OFFICE the Republican-dominated PHILIPPINE AUTHORITY Congress wouldSTATISTICS approve the critically East Avenue, Quezon City needed aid.

Ukrainian Minister Denys ZAMCITY CIVILPrime REGISTRAR OF CASTILLEJOS, BALES Shmygal said Tuesday he also believed Congress would come through after it OFFICE OF THE CITY PROSECUTOR returned from recess andPalma thatBldg., his counJustice Cecilia Munoz try would “continue our fight” with inQuezon City (MStandard - Feb. xx, xx, & xx, 20 ternational support. AFP

Pros. Christopher Nonatus B. Ortiz transactions.

Office of the City Prosecutor WHEREFORE, let this Petition be set for hearing before this Mandaluyong City Court located at Room 604, Sixth Floor, Hall of Justice - Annex,

Putin gifts North Korea’s Kim a Russian-made car — KCNA Diliman, Quezon City on June 5, 2024 at 10:00 o’clock in the

morning at which place and on which time, all interested person Atty. Gina A. Antonio (COUNSEL FOR PETITIONER) must appear and file theirthe opposition/s the any petition.

Unit 302President Eastwind Residences SEOUL – Russian Vladimir importtoof vehicles or luxury 121 Malakas Street, Brgy.

Central Quezon Pursuant to Section 4,goods RuleCity 108 of the of Court let a Putin has gifted North Korean leader into theRules country. copy of this Order be published at the expense of the Petitioner

Kim Jong Un car, Kim was a car once a week for three (3) consecutive weeks“presented in a newspaperwith of Dulcea S.Russian-made Ramirez (PETITIONER) general throughout the in Philippines.

Pyongyang’s8Kstate media said circulation Tuesmade Russia for his personal use Dayton 2, California Garden Square Further, this Order together Vladimirovich with the Petition Domingo Guevara St., Highway Hillsofby day, as the two countries bolster tiesletincopies Vladimir Putin, and its annexes be sent by registered mail to the Office of the Mandaluyong City areas from tourism to defense. of the Russian Federation”, Solicitor General, Office president of the City Prosecutor of Quezon City, Office of the Local Civil Registrar of Quezonofficial City and Philippine The gift would violateRTC, successive Pyongyang’s Korean Central Social Worker, OCC, Mandaluyong City Statistics Authority who may file their oppositions thereto with in rounds of UN sanctions on the(15) North News Agency fifteen days from notice of this petition. reported.

Mandaluyong City over Kim’s RTC-OCC, nuclear and other weapKim’s powerful sister, Yo Jong, said SO ORDERED. ons programs -- which were passed the “gift serves as a clear demonstraQuezon City, Philippines, January 4, 2024.

(MStandard-Feb. xx, xxof& the xx, 2024) with Russian approval -- that ban tion personal relations (Sgd.) CARLO special D. VILLARAMA Presiding Judge

cc: Vernadette Naguit a.k.a.

Vernadette Naguit Duazo Petitioner 1st floor, Unit 4, Bistekville 15 Richland Avenue, Sauyo,

between the top leaders” of the two countries, KCNA added.

The report did not specify the vehicle’s model.

Since Kim visited Putin last year, Pyongyang has been drawing ever closer to Moscow, with a group of Russian tourists arriving earlier this month for a four-day trip -- the first known foreign tour group since before pandemiclinked border closures in 2020. AFP

CYAN MAGENTA YELLOW BLACK

BUSINESS

B3

WEDNESDAY, FEBRUARY 21, 2024

extrastory2000@gmail.com

Stocks rebound after 2-day decline on technical sell-off

By Jenniffer B. Austria

L

OCAL shares rebounded Tuesday after a two-day losing streak even as Asian stocks ended mixed.

The bellwether Philippine Stock Exchange index advanced by 56.05 points, or 0.82 percent, to close at 6,854.66, while the broader all-shares index climbed 19.09 points, or 0.54 percent, to finish at 3,581.70.

Regina Capital Development Corp. head of sales Luis Limlingan said local shares bounced back following a technical sell-off.

“Economic data from the previous week raised concerns that Federal Reserve might delay interest rate cuts, prompting uncertainty among market participants,” Limlingan said.

Meanwhile, China’s shares finished higher on Tuesday as its central bank announced a record cut to a benchmark lending rate in a bid to boost its struggling economy.

The Shanghai and Shenzhen exchanges were buoyant Monday after the Lunar New Year, leading gains in most Asian markets thanks to a holiday boost that pushed spending above pre-pandemic levels.

But both were down in early trade Tuesday, as the People’s Bank of China announced it was lowering the five-year loan prime rate (LPR), used to price mortgages, from 4.2 to 3.95 percent. The markets ticked up by the close.

Beijing’s measures are intended to rally dwindling growth and counter rate hikes in other major economies, as the world’s second-largest econo-

my battles a prolonged property-sector crisis and a global slowdown.

The Chinese central bank’s moves, aimed at pushing commercial banks to grant more credit at better rates, was the largest reduction since the key LPR was revamped in 2019, Bloomberg reported.

While the rate cut may offer relief, Stephen Innes, of SPI Asset Management, suggested managing expectations.

“The government is likely to prioritize piecemeal measures over implementing substantial fiscal stimulus packages,” he said.

“This cautious approach reflects a shift away from the previous ‘growth at all costs’ model, with current emphasis placed on achieving technological self-sufficiency and ensuring macro-financial stability.”

With US markets closed Monday for a holiday, investors are eyeing major upcoming earnings reports as well as policy meeting minutes from the US Federal Reserve and European Central Bank that might offer insights about hoped-for interest rate cuts.

“Markets have adjusted to the idea that rate cuts would come later and probably be less important than what was originally priced,” Vincent Juvyns, global market strategist for JPMorgan Asset Management, told Bloomberg Television. With AFP

NEW SBC BRANCH. Security Bank Corp. (SBC) opens its newest branch at Cagayan de Oro-Uptown on Feb. 1, 2024. Leading the ceremonies are (from left) Security Bank business manager Blan Valdehueza, executive vice president Leslie Cham, Limketkai representative Kim Navarro, Knysna Farms Inc. president and chief executive Bjorn Limketkai, Pyramid Consolidated Builders president and chief executive Earl Navarro, Cagayan de Oro City Mayor Rolando Uy, Security Bank president and chief executive Sanjiv Vohra, Oro Port Cargo Handling Services former director Irma Mae Neri Siao, Security Bank first vice president Decy Narne Sarmiento and vice president and area head Francisco Santos.

Citicore defers P12.9-b IPO, listing to second quarter CITICORE Renewable Energy Corp.

(CREC) said Tuesday it is delaying its planned P12.9-billion initial public offering (IPO) to the second quarter of 2024 as it evaluates offers from various interested parties.

CREC said in a notice to the stock exchange it decided to adjust the indicative date of the offer from March 2024 to the second quarter of 2024.

“The company recently received inquiries from other institutions with regard to participation in the IPO,” CREC said.

“Following this, the company is carefully evaluating the offers from the various institutions, and hopes to finalize them at the soonest possible

AREIT’s net profit up 43% to P4.93b on asset infusion AREIT Inc., the real estate investment trust (REIT) company of Ayala Land Inc. (ALI), said Tuesday it posted a net income of P4.93 billion in 2023, up 43 percent from 2022 on the back of higher revenues and continued asset infusion.

AREIT said in a stock exchange filing its 2023 revenues climbed 41 percent year-on-year to P7.14 billion as occupancy rate remained stable.

Earnings before interest, taxes, depreciation and amortization (EBITDA) also grew 29 percent to P5.04 billion.

AREIT said its 2023 performance was boosted by the acquisition of One Ayala Avenue East and West Towers at the corner of Ayala Ave. and EDSA, Glorietta 1 and 2 Mall and BPO buildings at Ayala Center and MarQuee Mall in Angeles, Pampanga.

These acquisitions resulted in a 4-percent increase in dividends per share to P0.55 in the third quarter from P0.53 in the second quarter of the year.

AREIT declared cash dividends of P0.55 per outstanding common share for the fourth quarter of 2023 during its board meeting on Tuesday.

The dividends are payable on March 20, 2024 to shareholders on record as of March 4, 2024.

The latest quarterly dividend brings AREIT’s annual dividendper-share to P2.15 for 2023, an 8.6 percent increase from P1.98 per share in 2022 and nearly double the company’s first quarterly payout of P0.28 per share when it listed in 2020. Jenniffer B. Austria

time,” it said.

CREC obtained regulatory approvals for its planned IPO as early as January this year.

The offer period was tentatively scheduled to run from March 11 to 15, 2024, while its tentative listing date is on March 22, 2024.

It plans to sell up to 2.9 billion common shares with an over-allotment option for another 435 million common shares at a maximum price of P3.88 apiece.

It plans to use the proceeds from the offering to partially fund its capital expenditures and pipeline development for solar energy plants and battery energy storage system (BESS)

HAPAG MOVEMENT. Globe Telecom Inc.’s Hapag Movement and its implementing partner Ayala Foundation, conduct supplemental feeding to 4,500 students in 21 schools across four municipalities in Basilan to help address the rising hunger rate in Mindanao. The project also reached remote communities, indigenous peoples and families of former combatants with the help of alumni from Ayala Foundation’s Basilan Leaders Program–Leadership Communities (BYLP– LeadCom), supporting 2,500 beneficiaries.

P3.1-b Negros solar plant eyed for completion this year

By Alena Mae S. Flores CITICORE Renewable Energy Corp.

(CREC) on Tuesday held the ceremonial groundbreaking for its new 69-megawatt (MW) solar power plant in Barangay Eustaquio Lopez, Silay City, Negros Occidental costing P3.1 billion.

CREC president and chief executive Oliver Tan said in a statement Negros Occidental could further develop with the entry of more RE projects, not only addressing urgent environmental concerns but also bringing substantial socio-economic gains

while enhancing energy access, security and self-sufficiency.

“We support Negros Occidental, its steps towards the renewable energy transition. With the completion of this project, we will not only be able to augment the power generation needs of Negros Occidental and the Visayas grid, but also contribute to the growth of the province,” said Tan. Key government stakeholders, including Silay City Mayor Joedith Gallego, local government heads and representatives from national government agencies attended the groundbreaking.

The Citicore Solar Negros Occidental 2 power plant covers a land area of 69-hectares and has a future expansion plan to a total installed capacity of 100 MW. It is CREC’s second power plant in the province.

CREC expects commercial operation by 2024, as part of its deliverables for the government’s Green Energy Auction Program 2 (GEAP2).

CREC’s first plant in the province, Citicore Solar Negros Occidental, was commissioned in 2016 and has an installed capacity of 25 MW.

JTI named PH top employer for 3 straight years for focusing on people

BPI, ACEN TIE-UP. Bank of the Philippine Islands (BPI) is further committing to its Sustainability Strategy Framework through its partnership with ACEN Corp., one of the country’s leading renewable energy companies. BPI Securities, the stock brokerage arm of BPI, recently held a webinar to spotlight ACEN, the listed energy platform of the Ayala Group.

JAPAN Tobacco International has been certified Top Employer in the Philippines for the third year in a row.

The award acknowledges JTI’s continuing commitment to creating a great place to work for its diverse workforce located across three entities in the country.

“The certification by Top Employers Institute cements JTI’s reputation in the Philippines as an employer that puts our people first. It recognizes that our people are at the heart of everything we do and shows the progress we continue to make in improving our work envi-

ronment, caring about the wellbeing of our employees, as well as our focus on diversity, equity, and inclusion,” said JTI Philippines people and culture director Ari Wisnubroto.

“Being awarded Top Employer three years in a row demonstrates to both our current and future employees that JTI is a great place to work.

This certification is a key component in attracting and retaining talent,” said Wisnubroto.

JTI is one of only 12 companies to be honored with the Top Employer award in the Philippines.

as well as general corporate purposes.

CREC has a pipeline of renewable energy projects in the Philippines in line with its goal of adding about 1 gigawatts (GW) of ready-to-build/under construction solar energy capacity each year through 2027.

It had installed capacity of 285.1 megawatts as of end-September 2023, accounting for 19 percent of country’s total installed capacity of 1.5 GW. The company engaged UBS AG as sole global coordinator and joint bookrunner and BDO Capital & Investment Corp. as domestic lead manager and joint bookrunner for the IPO. Jenniffer B. Austria

Clark Water allots P5.56b to enhance service, compliance CLARK Water Corp., a subsidiary of Manila Water Philippine Ventures and the sole water and wastewater service provider of the Clark Freeport Zone (CFZ), is spending P5.56 billion for service improvement projects crucial in the fulfillment of its service obligations to customers and compliance to regulatory requirements.

Under the business unit’s 20232040 service improvement plan presented during the public consultation for the 2022 rate rebasing, Manila Water Philippine Ventures chief operating officer and Clark Water president Melvin John Tan said the capital expenditure allocation would pave the way in developing new infrastructure anchored on water security, service quality, service accessibility and continuity and regulatory compliance.

Clark Water said it fully supports the goal of making CFZ a premier business and tourism destination by providing locators with quality and sustainable water and wastewater services.

Clark Water said it would continue with its source development programs to increase the current supply by 22 percent and is set to embark in the exploration of sustainable water sources and water re-use.

Having consistently delivered its service obligations to the CFZ locators, the business unit commits to further enhance water service quality and reliability through the construction of additional water treatment plants and storage facilities.

Clark Water will also continue to build and expand its water and sewer network and implement effective maintenance and rehabilitation of its existing network.

The company said it would ensure compliance to environmental standards with the completion of the retrofitting and construction works in its wastewater treatment facility.

“Through these projects, aside from the goal of continuously improving service for our customers, we also aim to continue supporting CFZ and the Province of Pampanga in their journey as one of the Philippines’ major investment hubs,” said Clark Water general manager Lyn Zamora.

BUSINESS

B4

WEDNESDAY, FEBRUARY 21, 2024

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

Metro Pacific keen on acquiring Cebu Pacific Ayala’s 35% stake in LRT 1 firm signs deal with P&W to secure 15 jet engines M

By Darwin G. Amojelar

CEBU Pacific (CEB) said Tuesday it signed a memorandum of understanding with Pratt and Whitney (P&W) to secure engines for 15 new narrow body jets to support its growth plans in the region.

The airline unit of the Gokongwei Group said the 15 narrow body jets for the A320/A321 family of aircraft were a part of the order made in 2019, which included 16 A330 NEO aircraft.

“We appreciate Cebu Pacific’s continued confidence in Pratt & Whitney since they initially selected the GTF engine in 2012,” said Rick Deurloo, president of commercial engines at Pratt & Whitney.

“With deliveries for this most recent order starting in 2025, the GTF engine will provide even more fuel and carbon emissions savings,” he said.

Pratt & Whitney, a world leader in the design, manufacture and service of aircraft engines and auxiliary power units, will also provide CEB with Geared Turbofan (GTF) engine maintenance through an EngineWise comprehensive service agreement.

The budget airline earlier said the issues with P&W engines grounded a number of its aircraft, resulting in muted growth outlook this year.

The MOU between the two companies will strengthen the airline’s operational resilience as it explores opportunities to strengthen its position in regional markets in Southeast Asia, China and Japan, while demand for air travel continues to grow after the pandemic. Darwin G. Amojelar

ETRO Pacific Investments Corp. said Tuesday it is keen on acquiring the 35-percent stake of Ayala Corp. in Light Rail Manila Corp.

(LRMC), the private operator of Light Rail Transit (LRT) Line 1.

“I think in principle, we are [interested] for a number of reasons. One is the possibility of being able to bid for the MRT-3. I understand that the government wants to do what they did with NAIA, because we submitted an original proposal,” MPIC chairman

Manuel Pangilinan told reporters.

“I think they are taking a similar path to NAIA [Ninoy Aquino International Airport] where there was an open bidding. That’s likely to be made in 2025,” Pangilinan said.

MPIC has the right of first refusal

on Ayala Corp.’s stake.

“They [Ayala] have signified their intention publicly to divest. And I think it is easier for us to move if it were majority-owned, fully under the control of MPIC,” Pangilinan said.

MPIC owns 35.8 percent of LRMC, while Sumitomo Corp. and Macquarie Infrastructure Holdings Philippines have 19.2 percent and 10 percent, respectively.

LRMC won the bidding for the 11.7-kilometer Cavite extension project and took over the operation of LRT Line 1 on Sept. 12, 2015. LRT Line 1 runs from Baclaran in Pasay City to Munoz in Quezon City.

BOP incurred $740-m deficit in January—BSP

BUSINESS PROGRAM.

Tokyo-based GLOBIS Corp. announces its expansion to the Philippines through the establishment of GLOBIS Manila Inc., offering a pre-MBA program. GLOBIS will launch the Philippine branch with an exclusive seminar in Makati City on Feb. 27.

The event, titled ‘Revolutionizing Business Education in the Technovate Era’ will be led by GLOBIS founder and president Yoshito Hori.

InfiniVAN, local telco partners power up 2,500-km submarine cable network

By Othel V. Campos INFINIVAN Inc., the local affiliate of Japanese telecommunications giant IPS Inc., and local partners Globe Telecom and Eastern Telecommunications powered up the Visayas and Mindanao component of the 2,500 kilometer Philippine Domestic Submarine Cable Network (PDSCN) project.

The Board of Investments (BOI) said the partnership spent P649 million to have the segment of the domestic subsea submarine cable project up and working.

“I congratulate InfiniVAN for this

truly innovative project, as it can help open opportunities in various regions in the country and can provide faster internet for the Filipino people. This is a testament that investments from the foreign trips of the President are coming to fruition. Rest assured that there are many projects in the pipeline that will boost the country’s economy and provide employment for Filipinos,” said BOI chairman and Trade Secretary Alfredo Pascual.

President Ferdinand Marcos Jr., who led the lighting-up ceremony for the express route of PDSCN, noted the significance of ensuring the provi-

sion of reliable and affordable internet services to the Filipino people.

InfiniVAN holds 40 percent share of the subsets cable, which is now the longest and highest capacity domestic submarine fiber cable network in the country.

Establishing touch points in 21 provinces including Quezon up to Zamboanga, the company has activated its service in Iloilo, Bacolod, Boracay, Caticlan, Pinamalayan, Surigao, Palanas, Bulan and Placer.

“The completion of our PDSCN project reaffirms our conviction and is a testament that ‘coopetition’ works, having done it with erstwhile competi-

tors Eastern and Globe Telecom,” said InfiniVAN chairman Koji Miyashita.

InfiniVan started operating in the Philippines in 2015, years before the amendments to the Public Service Act (PSA) took effect.

“With the amended PSA taking effect, we have lined up additional investments in fiber optic backbone infrastructure along toll roads, PNR routes and the Metro Manila Subway Project among others. We are also looking into building new submarine cable landing stations for international cables as well as facilitating the launch of a Philippine flagship satellite,” Miyashita said.

Filipino-Dutch firm opens Asia’s first indoor tulip farm in Quirino FILIPINO-DUTCH flower farm operator Phinl Corp. launched Asia’s first and only fully-contained and computer-controlled indoor hydroponic tulip farm in Quirino province.

The facility is designed to grow up to 6,000 stems per batch of tulips. The facility supports 42 workers who undertook upskilling courses to support the company’s expansion plan.

“The success of Phinl’s climatecontrolled tulip farm in the country demonstrates our commitment to innovation and sustainability in agriculture. We are proud to welcome pioneers in this field and look forward to contributing to the growth of the local floral industry,” said BOI executive director for industry development services Corazon Dichosa.

The project in Maddela, Quirino

PEZA REPORT.

Philippine Economic Zone Authority (PEZA) directorgeneral Tereso Panga reports on the latest investment performance in the first two months of 2024 during the PEZA board meeting at LIMA Technology Center – Special Economic Zone in Malvar, Batangas.

PEZA reported a total of P12.096 billion in investments in the first two months of 2024, marking an 18.66-percent growth compared to the same period last year.

marks a significant milestone in the local agricultural industry as it is able to successfully grow quality tulips in a sub-tropical climate. Tulip flower bulbs are usually found in countries with mild to moderate climates.

The Philippines imports tulip bulbs from the Netherlands and New Zealand, which are stored in a cold storage facility to ensure optimal preservation.

Phinl adopts a technology that is similar to hydroponics, a farming technique using water and air without soil.

The facility operates in a completely closed environment, ensuring full control of temperature, humidity and light intensity. The unique approach allows for year-round production, constant quality and higher yields compared to traditional outdoor or greenhouse methods. Othel V. Campos

The company earlier said Phase 1 of the LRT Line 1 Cavite extension was expected to be operational before end of 2024.

Phase 1 covers 7 kilometers of the 11-km. LRT-1 Cavite Extension, including the Redemptorist Station, MIA Station, Asiaworld Station, Ninoy Aquino Station and Dr. Santos Station.

The remaining stations are between Las Piñas and Niog.

Ayala earlier said it expects to raise up to $400 million from the planned divestment of its 35-percent stake in LRMC and remaining 20-percent interest in Manila Water Company Inc.

THE Philippines’ balance of payments position yielded a deficit in January 2024 on outflows related to the government’s payments of its foreign currency debt, the Bangko Sentral ng Pilipinas (BSP) said Tuesday.

Data from BSP showed the BOP position resulted in a deficit of $740 million in January, a reversal of the $3.1-billion surplus recorded in the same month last year.

“The BOP deficit in January 2024 reflected outflows arising mainly from the national government’s payments of its foreign currency debt obligations,” the BSP said.

The BOP position reflects a decrease in the final gross international reserves (GIR) level to $103.3 billion as of end-January 2024 from $103.8 billion as of end-December 2023.

“Notwithstanding the decline, the latest GIR level represents a more than adequate external liquidity buffer equivalent to 7.7 months’ worth of imports of goods and payments of services and primary income,” the BSP said.

“Moreover, it is also about 6.0 times the country’s short-term external debt based on original maturity and 3.9 times based on residual maturity,” it said.

Michael Ricafort, chief economist at Rizal Commercial Banking Corp., said the latest BOP and GIR data could have also been supported by the continued growth in the country’s structural US dollar inflows such as OFW remittances, BPO revenues, exports, foreign investments and international tourism receipts. Darwin G. Amojelar

Ayala Land’s profit rises, eyes P50-b borrowing

By Jenniffer B. Austria

Phinl Corp., a Board of Investments-registered company, launches Asia’s first and only fully-contained and computer-controlled indoor hydroponic tulip farm in Maddela, Quirino province. With a capacity to produce up to 6,000 stems per batch and room for further expansion, Phinl aims to meet the increasing demand for high-quality tulips in the country. Attending the launching of Philn are (from left) Quirino Governor Dakila Carlo Cua, BOI Industry Development Services director Rosario Dominguez, BOI-IDS executive director Ma. Corazon Dichosa, Dutch Ambassador Marielle Geraedts and Phinl owners Amie and Ivo Franssen.

SM’s Goldilocks whips up 2024 expansion plan, eyes 60 new stores GOLDILOCKS Bakeshop, Inc., one of the SM Group’s portfolio investments, plans to increase its nationwide presence by 60 new stores in 2024.

Goldilocks opened 41 stores in 2023, bringing the total to 926 stores nationwide to reach and serve more customers.

The company said it looked to expand responsibly in emerging centers in the region, building on the momentum from last year with over 40 percent of new locations situated in the Visayas and Mindanao.

“Aligned with the SM Group’s strategy to develop areas outside of the NCR, the Visayas and Mindanao regions offer strong growth potential as many areas there are still unserved and/or underserved. From a customer

focus standpoint, we continue to be committed to their needs and wants by building 60 new Goldilocks stores, with the aim of creating more delightful celebrations with our signature cakes and food offerings,” said Goldilocks chairman Frederic DyBuncio, who is also the president and chief executive of SM Investments Corp.

Goldilocks introduced in 2023 new cake flavors such as Mango Dream, ensuring celebrations during Mother’s Day are extra special, Rainbow Magic and Luscious Choco to bring out the playfulness in Birthday occasions and Merry Cherry Choco to capture the essence of the holidays and spruce up the typical Noche and Media Buena spreads.

Property developer Ayala Land Inc. (ALI) said Tuesday it plans to borrow up to P50 billion this year to partially finance general corporate requirements and refinance maturing debt.

ALI said in a disclosure to the Philippine Stock Exchange it planned to raise the P50 billion through the issuance of retail bonds and/or corporate notes for listing on the Philippine Dealing and Exchange Corp. and/or execution of bilateral term loans.

ALI also reported that its net income grew 32 percent in 2023 to P24.5 billion from P18.6 billion in 2022 as consolidated revenues increased 18 percent year-on-year to P148.9 billion.

“Ayala Land was well-positioned to take advantage of opportunities from an improving market in 2023, enabling us to meet our objectives for the year,” said ALI president and chief executive Anna Ma. Margarita Bautista-Dy. “With our focus on quality, we look forward to bringing more high-value development products to market and embarking on the reinvention of our malls, hotels and resorts for our customers to enjoy,” she said.

Property development revenues expanded 14 percent to P92.3 billion, driven by steady bookings and higher completion of residential projects and offices for sale.

C1

SPORTS

WEDNESDAY, FEBRUARY 21, 2024

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

Players have their photos taken by a caddie during a practice round for the 75th PAL Interclub golf tournament championships at the Del Monte Golf Club in Manolo Fortich, Bukidnon on Tuesday.

Seniors face challenges at Pueblo, Del Monte

PSC confident row with world doping group resolved soon T

HE Philippine Sports Commission (PSC) is extremely confident the brewing issue with the World Anti-Doping Agency (WADA), which has placed the country under threat of suspension from international competitions, will be resolved sooner than expected.

No less than PSC chairman Richard Bachmann and executive director Paulo Tatad together with Philippine National Anti-Doping Organization (PHI-NADO) officer Nathan Vasquez made the assurance during Tuesday’s Philippine Sportswriters Association Forum at the Rizal Memorial Sports Complex.

“We are working with Malacanang with the legislative requirements of WADA. The help of Malacanang is greatly appreciated,” said Bachmann during the forum presented by San Miguel Corporation, Philippine Sports

Shown here are (from left) PSC Executive Director Paulo Tatad, PSC chairman Richard Bachmann, and Phi-NADO officer Nathan Vazquez

Commission, Philippine Olympic Committee, MILO, PLDT/Smart, and the country’s 24/7 sports app ArenaPlus.

To make sure the country complies with all the WADA requirements, Bachmann called for the need to empower

PHI-NADO, which is undermanned as it is right now, into a fully independent and operational group with the personnel that could cater to the thousands of athletes in the national pool.

“Right now, ang trato namin sa PHI-

NADO is like an NSA. We just fund them. Siguro dapat independent na sila,” said Bachmann, citing the importance of Malacanang’s full support more particularly in funding.

“A perfect example is Indonesia which was non-compliant in 2021.

They were forced to establish their own organization (like PHI-NADO),” said Vasquez.

The issue came to a boil when WADA wrote the PSC last January after a previous notice in September last year for its alleged failure to comply to the WADA code. Failure to respond positively in 21 days could have led to a suspension on the Philippines from international events like the Southeast Asian Games, Asian Games and even the coming Paris Olympics as raised by the Philippine Olympic Committee.

The Philippines appealed the WADA action, and the issue has been elevated to the Court of Arbitration in Sports.

Bachmann said the PSC, PHI-NADO, which is in charge of anti-doping education in the country, and all the stakeholders are now doing everything they could to make sure the issue is ironed out even before WADA representatives pay the country a visit next month.

Asiad champ Gilas PH brimming with confidence

By Peter Atencio MEMBERS of the Gilas Pilipinas team are brimming with confidence going into their first game in the first window of the 2025 FIBA Asia qualifiers.

One of the team’s veteran players, CJ Perez of San Miguel Beet feels this way, heading into Monday evening’s open practice sessions at the Philsports Arena.

“Kumpiyansa kami sa chemistry. Kasi magkakasama na kami sa workout. Sa chemistry, madali lang. We’re making the best out of it. Pero short pa rin ang preparation namin,” he said.

Perez just got together with members of Team Pilipinas right after the San Miguel Beermen won the 48th Philippine Basketball Association Commissioner’s Cup on Valentine’s Day. His SMB teammate, JuneMar Fajardo won’t play for Gilas in the first window

because of a calf injury, giving 7’3” big man Kai Sotto the chance to have a lot of time on the floor defending the middle.

Japeth Aguilar is also coming in to help fill in the void that Fajardo left behind, along with another tall cager in Carl Tamayo.

“Me and Japeth will have to step up.

Lahat ng players, kailangan mag-step up sa first window,” said Sotto.

Fajardo will rest for two weeks to heal the injury he sustained during the recently PBA finals.

Gilas Pilipinas is carrying the momentum of its historic title win in the Hangzhou Asian Games, as it gets ready to leave for Hong Kong.

Team Philippines will first clash with Hong Kong on February 22 at the Tsuen Wan Stadium, before taking on Chinese Taipei on February 25 at the PhilSports Arena.

The game with Hong Kong is seen as a warm up for their second encounter with the Taiwanese cagers.

That’s because in three straight Asia Cups from 2009 to 2013, the Philippines has won two matches.

Coach Tim Cone said the practice sessions are just the start of bringing the same players together for the next four years.

“It’s not a third of a (PBA) conference that we’re together. So, everything that we do here will have a purpose,” said Cone.

Keeping members of the Gilas Pilipinas national men’s basketball team together for the next four years is in the wish list of Cone.

Samahang Basketbol ng Pilipinas president Al Panlilio expressed his optimism on the vision of keeping the squad intact for many years.

PLDT Chairman and CEO Manuel V Pangilinan welcomes the participants at the MVP Cup: One Invitational

the National Golf Association of the Philippines in developing local athletes.

Exclusive to top-tier customers and partners of PLDT Enterprise, Smart Infinity, and PLDT Home, 400 golfers joined the tournament held at the prestigious Manila Golf and Country Club on February 12 and 13. Participants were ushered into a first-class golfing experience, enjoying a seamless journey from bag drop, registration, the washed and tailor-fit J.Lindeberg golf gear awaiting in their lockers ready for their wear, to the tournament itself and the widely-acclaimed Fellowship and Awards Night held at the magnificent MVP Cup Tent built inside the Manila

4 schools aim for share of lead in UAAP women’s volley Games today (Smart Araneta Coliseum) 10 a.m. – DLSU vs FEU (Men) 12 noon – UE vs UST (Men) 2 p.m. – DLSU vs FEU (Women) 4 p.m. – UE vs UST (Women)

Tim Cone

PLDT Group elevates PH golf, customer experience through MVP Cup golf meet IN celebration of MVP Cup’s 20th anniversary, the Philippines’ largest integrated telco network PLDT Inc. (PLDT) and its units PLDT Enterprise, PLDT Home, and Smart Communications, Inc. (Smart) recently staged the company’s biggest ever golf tournament.

MVP Cup 2024: One Invitational reinforced the outstanding customer experience and network supremacy that the Group is known for, while delivering an unparalleled g olfing experience that helps develop and promote golf in the Philippines.

The event also anticipates impacting community development, specifically by supporting grassroots programs of

CAGAYAN DE ORO CITY—The fairways are rolling fast in both courses that will be used for the 75th Philippine Airlines Interclub golf team championships, but senior participants will find reaching the greens challenging.

“You better use one club stronger in every approach,” said Dan Salvador III of Tagaytay Midlands who sampled the Pueblo de Oro Golf and Country Club on Monday. “The winds are heavy.”

Dry conditions make the fairways firm but Pueblo’s greens are unpredictable. Some are receptive and others are not.

Players, however, praise the pristine conditions of the greens at Pueblo and at the Del Monte Golf Club in Manolo Fortich, Bukidnon.

Groundskeepers at Pueblo did a good job rehabilitating the greens which a few months ago had brown patches.

While the bombers off the tee will have wider fairways to deal with at Pueblo, it is the opposite at the treelined old course known for being home to two of the country’s greatest golfers —Frankie Minoza and the late Celestino Tugot.

Dan Cruz said Del Monte favors players who hit their drivers straight.

“I spent a lot of times, punching shots under the trees,” he said during his practice round on Tuesday.

Julius Bautista, one of Del Monte’s top amateurs who will see action next week, said the greens are hard, advising players to hit it short and let the ball roll into the green.

“Puwede tirahin ang green kung ang pin nasa likod,” Bautista said.

The city rolled out the red carpet for the event’s diamond anniversary as it hosted a welcome dinner at the Mallberry Hotel on Monday.

Participants were treated to an evening of cultural dances highlighted by the performance of the city’s young dancesport athletes.

The seniors’ competition kicks off on Thursday with Luisita defending its title against the souped-up teams of Canlubang and Manila Southwoods, and the dangerous Del Monte squad.

Golf premises where premium raffle items were given away.

European restaurant group Modine, led by Michelin-starred British chef Jason Atherton, the creator of The Pig & Palm in Cebu, ensured sumptuous and sufficient buffet-style meals for all golfers and guests from breakfast on day 1 all the way to the elegant dinner served on Fellowship Night.

For the first time, golfers were treated to the “shot tracer” technology. Often used in golf broadcasts, this technology visually tracks the path of a golf ball from the moment it is struck until it lands, creating a digital line and allowing players to see the trajectory and direction of their shot.

FOUR teams vie for a share of the early lead Wednesday in the UAAP Season 86 women’s volleyball tournament at the Smart Araneta Coliseum.

Defending champion De La Salle and Far Eastern University collide in the 2 p.m. curtain raiser, while young talent-laden squads University of the East and University of Santo Tomas lock horns at 4 p.m.

In the men’s division, the Golden Spikers shoot for a second straight victory as they play the Red Warriors at 12 noon.

The Tamaraws and the Green Spikers collide in a rematch of last season’s step-ladder duel at 10 a.m., with both squads eyeing win No. 2.

De La Salle proved that it could win despite losing Jolina dela Cruz, Mars Alba, Fifi Sharma, and libero Justine Jazareno.

Behind holdovers in Angel Canino, Julia Coronel, Thea Gagate, Em Povido, and Lyka de Leon, the 12-time winners dominated Adamson University in straight sets, giving coach Ramil de Jesus his 300th victory.

Aiming for back-to-back UAAP titles, there is still room for improvement for the Lady Spikers, who have the tallest roster in the league.

“Nakikita ko kailangan pa nila mas mag-jell,” De Jesus said. “Lalo na yung setter, napakahirap palitan ng setter last year. Then yung libero, kasi kung hindi stable yung pasa ng libero mahihirapan. Kailangan namin mag-adjust ng todo todo and iyun yung iwo-workout namin.”

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SEC MEMORANDUM CIRCULAR NO. 3 SERIES OF 2024 TO

: ALL CONCERNED

SUBJECT : GUIDELINES ON THE USE OF THE EAMEND PORTAL

WHEREAS, Section 179 (0) and (p) of Republic Act (RA) No. 11232, otherwise known as the “Revised Corporation Code of the Philippines” CRCe” or “Code”), grants the Commission the power and authority to: (i) formulate and enforce standards, guidelines, policies, rules and regulations to carry out the provisions of the RCC; and (ii) exercise such other powers provided by law or those which may be necessary or incidental to carry out the powers expressly granted to it.

WHEREAS, Section 13 therein provides that the articles of incorporation and other applications for amendments thereto may be filed in the form of an electronic document in accordance with its rules and regulation on electronic filing as supported by Section 180 where the Commission is directed to develop and implement an electronic filing and monitoring system.

WHEREAS, Section 16 of the RCC provides that no articles of incorporation or amendment to articles of incorporation of banks, banking and quasibanking institutions, preneed, insurance and trust companies, NSSLAs, pawnshops, and other financial intermediaries shall be approved by the Commission unless accompanied by a favorable recommendation of the appropriate government agency to the effect that such articles or amendment is in accordance with law.

WHEREAS, Section 45 of the RCC provides that the Commission shall not accept for filing the bylaws or any amendment thereto of any bank, banking institution, building and loan association, trust company, insurance company, public utility, educational institution, or other special corporations governed by special laws, unless accompanied by a certificate of the appropriate government agency to the effect that such bylaws or amendments are in accordance with law.

WHEREAS, in pursuit of sustainable practices, streamlined and automated processes, the Securities and Exchange Commission allows the amendment applications through the eAMEND portal.

WHEREAS, the eAMEND portal is a user-friendly online filing and submission amendment portal that facilitates the acceptance, processing, approval for payment, and issuance of the digital copy of the Certificate of Amendment of Domestic Stock and Nonstock Corporation which aims to provide the following: e - Electronic A - Application for M - Modification of EN - ENtity D - Data NOW THEREFORE, the Commission hereby promulgates the folloWing requirements and guidelines for the application for amendments under Sections 15 and/or 47 of the Revised Corporation Code, among others:

A. Applications Subject to Issuance of Digital Certificate Applications for Amendment of the Articles of Incorporation and/or By-Laws filed by Domestic Stock or Non-stock corporations concerning the following provisions or any combinations thereof: a. Articles of Incorporation: i. Change in the Principal Office Address; ii. Increase or Decrease in the Number of the Board of Directors/Trustees; iii. Fiscal Year for One Person Corporations(OPCs); or iv. Deletion and/or Addition of New Provisions in the Existing Articles of Incorporation except those provisions on purposes, capitalization and reclassification of shares.1 b. By-Laws: i. Date of Annual Meeting of the stockholders/ members; ii. Fiscal Year.

B. Applications Subject to Regular Processing through the eAMEND Portal: a. Amendment of Partnership; b. Dissolution of Partnership; c. Amendment of Articles of Incorporation of a Domestic Corporation whether stock or nonstock other than those indicated in Section 1.A.a; d. Amendment of By-Laws of a Domestic Corporation whether stock or nonstock other than those indicated in Section 1.A.b; e. Application for Conversion of One Person Corporation (OPC) to Ordinary Stock Corporation (OSC) and vice versa; f. Application for Increase of Capital Stock for One Person Corporation via Cash; g. Combination of any of Section 1.A and Section 1.B;

a. Failure TO COMPLETE the filling up of the required details and TO UPLOAD the documentary requirement in the system within sixty (60) calendar days from the time of the creation of the account; or

SECTION 2. WHO ARE ALLOWED TO FILE Only registered and active Partnerships Corporations may apply as stated in Section 1.

and

b. Failure TO COMPLY with the Commission’s compliance order within thirty (30) calendar days from receipt of the system email compliance notification in cases of incomplete or non-compliant submission; or

SECTION 3. DOCUMENTARY REQUIREMENTS FOR APPLICATIONS SUBJECT TO ISSUANCE OF DIGITAL CERTIFICATE The applicant shall submit the following documents: A. System-generated/downloaded Cover Sheet for Amendment;

c. Failure TO PAY the amendment fees within forty-five (45) calendar days from the date reflected in the PAF.

B. System-generated/ downloaded, signed apostilled / authenticated Amendment Form2; and notarized

In any instance, the corporation may re-apply through the eAMEND portal.

B. CANCELLATION OF APPLICATION

C. Monitoring Clearance from the Compliance Monitoring Division (CMD) or from other Department/s of the Commission and proof of payment, if applicable;

The application may be cancelled motu proprio by the Commission on the following grounds: a. Non-submission of three (3) original sets (in hard copies) to the appropriate SEC Office of the documentary requirements that have been approved in the portal system within thirty (30) calendar days from the date indicated in the digital copy of the Certificate of Amendment; and

In lieu of the Monitoring Clearance from the Compliance Monitoring Division (CMD), applicant shall have the option to submit an Affidavit of Undertaking3 to submit CMD Monitoring Clearance and proof of payment; and Note: Affidavit of Undertaking is not applicable to corporations which are under supervision and monitoring with the Corporate Governance and Finance Department (CGFD) and Markets and Securities Regulation Department (MSRD).

D. Certification and/or Favorable Endorsement of the appropriate government agency or from other Department/ s of the Commission, if applicable.

b. Non-compliance of any lawful order of the Commission in instances of incomplete documentary requirements and/or inconsistent entries of the documents processed in the system with the submitted hard copies of the documentary requirements.

SECTION 8. INTER-AGENCY RECOGNITION OF THE AMENDMENT FORMS

a. Articles of Incorporation: Business Activity/ Industry

The Amendment Form shall form part of the original Articles of Incorporation and/or By-laws of the corporation and any changes made to the Articles of Incorporation and/or By-laws, as provided in the Amendment Form and duly approved by the Commission, shall be considered official and legally valid when presented to other government agencies for any purpose.

Government Agency

Banks, banking Bangko Sentral ng and quasi-banking Pilipinas (BSP) institutions, Non-stock Savings and Loan Associations (NSSLAs), pawnshops and other financial intermediaries

SECTION 9. TRANSITION GUIDELINES

Preneed, insurance and Insurance Commission trust companies (IC)

Pursuant to the implementation of the eAMEND starting on 23 February 2024, please be guided by the following procedures:

b. By-Laws: Business Activity/ Industry

A. All applications (such as on-going, unpaid and expired PAF) submitted through the electronic mail platform may opt to proceed with the email application or apply through the eAMEND portal;

Government Agency

Banks, banking Bangko Sentral institutions, building and Pilipinas (BSP) loan association, Nonstock Savings and Loan Associations (NSSLAs), pawnshops and other financial intermediaries Preneed, insurance and Insurance trust companies (IC)

ng

B. All applications that have been filed and paid prior to the implementation of the eAMEND Portal, shall proceed through the electronic mail platform for approval. Beginning 23 February 2024, only system generated Amendment Form shall be acceptable for applications covered under Section 1.A. Any alteration, erasure, modification, or revision in the systemgenerated application under Section 1.A and the uploaded application under 1.B shall result in the automatic cancellation of the application after non-compliance of any lawful order of the Commission.

Commission

Public Utility

Government concerned

Educational institutions

Commission on Higher Education (CHED) Department of Education (DepEd) Technical Education and Skills Development Authority (TESDA)

SECTION 1. COVERAGE AND APPLICABILITY This Memorandum Circular shall cover applications within the competent jurisdiction of the Corporate and Partnership Registration Division (CPRD) of the Company Registration and Monitoring Department (CRMD) and the respective Extension Offices of the Commission.

The application shall be automatically purged by the eAMEND Portal on the following grounds:

All other applications not included in the list above shall be filed through the Official electronic mail platforms of the Commission and/or its Extension Offices.

agency

Other activities governed Other government by special laws agency concerned

SECTION 4. DOCUMENTARY REQUIREMENTS FOR APPLICATIONS SUBJECT TO REGULAR PROCESSING THROUGH THE eAMEND PORTAL:

SECTION 10. ANNOTATION ON THE ARTICLES OF PARTNERSHIP, ARTICLES OF INCORPORATION, and BY-LAWS For purposes of effecting the implementation of the eAMEND Portal provided for and adopted in this Circular, an annotation to the Articles of Partnership, Articles of Incorporation, the By-Laws, as the case may be, filed through the eAMEND Portal undertaken by the Corporation, shall be listed therein.

Documentary requirements provided in the SEC’s latest Citizen’s Charter as posted in the SEC Website (https:l!www.sec.gov.ph/about-us/citizenscharter/#gsc.tab=O)

SECTION 11. APPLICABILITY OF OTHER RULES

SECTION 5. SUBMISSION OF HARD COPIES

The pertinent provisions of the Rules of Procedure of the Commission and the Rules of Court of the Philippines may, in the interest of expeditious dispensation of justice and whenever practicable, be applied by analogy or in a suppletory character and effect.

The filing of the hard copies shall be filed and submitted to the appropriate addresses of SEC Offices chosen by the applicant as indicated in Annex “D”.

SECTION 6. APPROVAL CERTIFICATE

AND

ISSUANCE

OF

In compliance with the Commission’s future issuances, specifically those focused on digitalization, the eAMEND Portal shall promptly incorporate any applicable requirements into its framework, provided they are relevant to the scope outlined in this Memorandum Circular.

A. Digital Certification For applications subject to Section 1.A, a Digital Certificate of Filing of Amendment will automatically be issued through the eAMEND Portal upon payment of the amendment fees and shall be received by the applicant in their e-mail.

The amendment documents submitted shall be subjected to post-evaluation/postaudit to determine completeness and consistency of the information provided in the system vis-a-vis the hard copies. If found compliant, the original copy of the Certificate of Filing of Amendment will be released.

SECTION 12. EFFECTIVITY This Memorandum Circular shall take effect immediately upon its publication in newspaper of general circulation Done this 15 Jan 2024, Makati City, Philippines.

B. Original Certification For the Commission

For applications subject to Section 1.B, the Original Certificate shall be issued only upon submission of the hard copies of application documents after the necessary payment has been made. No digital certification shall be issued through the eAMEND Portal.

SECTION 7. GROUNDS FOR PURGING CANCELLATION OF APPLICATION

EMILIO B. AQUINO Chairperson

AND 1

2

A. PURGING OF APPLICATION

3

This item shall be available in the updated version of the eAMEND Portal. As of present, this falls under Section 1.B Copy of the Amendment Forms are hereto attached as Annexes “A” to “B-3” Copy of the Affidavit of Undertaking is hereto attached as Annex “C”

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LIFE Ballet Manila opens spectacular season

WEDNESDAY, FEBRUARY 21, 2024

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

Nurturing creativity Telco renews partnership with Art Fair PH, Art in the Park IN ITS commitment to nurturing creativity and improving the lives of Filipinos, Globe is once again collaborating for the 11th consecutive year with two of the Philippines’ most significant art events: Art Fair Philippines and Art in the Park.

Support for these two events underscores Globe’s dedication to nurturing the creative economy and giving customers access to engaging and enjoyable experiences. It is part of the company’s broader commitment to support the arts, uplift Filipino talent, and enrich the country’s cultural fabric.

Art Fair Philippines, renowned for showcasing contemporary Philippine and international visual art, has become a platform for artists, galleries, and collectors to come together. It promises a diverse range of artworks, installations, and performances on top of a rich program composed of daily tours, engaging talks, and a special book launch.

Meanwhile, Art in the Park offers an open-air art fair environment, providing enthusiasts a unique opportunity to explore and purchase affordable artworks from both emerging and established artists and galleries in a casual setting. Visitors can also enjoy live performances, public art installations, and various culinary delights.

At Art Fair, Globe customers will enjoy perks and privileges, including faster entry via a designated entrance, complimentary cocktails and discounts from ARC Gin and Don Papa Rum, and guaranteed slots on select daily tours and talks. Meanwhile, during Art in the Park, they can expect quicker transactions with a dedicated cashier lane and relax at the Globe lounge. Both events will provide free WiFi accessible to all.

“At Globe, we believe that beyond being a source of enjoyment, art can catalyze creativity, inspire ideation, and offer avenues for self-discovery and self-expression. We are thus delighted to continue our long-standing partnership with Art Fair Philippines, as it allows us to make memorable, creative experiences available to our customers,” said Pia Gonzalez-Colby,, Globe Chief Marketing Officer.

After inviting its customers and art enthusiasts at The Link, Ayala Center, Makati, from Feb. 14 to 18, Globe invites them again on March 17 at the Jaime Velasquez Park in Salcedo, Makati, for Art in the Park.

Globe collaborates with Art Fair PH and Art in the Park to nurture the creative industry and support the local art scene

H

UMANS crave love stories, from sweet beginnings to painful breakups.

Maybe it’s Marites-ness, vicarious living, or yearning for “The One”.

Whatever the reason, happy endings keep us hooked, fueling romance movies, K-dramas, and telenovelas.

But we know that life is not always a bed of roses.

Take, for instance, the love story of Medora and Conrad in Le Corsaire. A ballet in three acts based on the 1814 poem by Lord Byron, the classical ballet follows the adventures of a pirate named Cornad who falls in love with a Greek woman named Medora whom he rescues from slave traders.

For its 26th ballet season, Ballet Manila will perform this classic ballet as a seasonopener, slated on Feb. 24, 8:00 p.m., and Feb. 25, The production of ‘Tatlong Kwento ni Lola Basyang’ brings Severino Reyes’ renowned ‘Mga Kuwento Ni Lola Basyang’ to life

‘Le Corsaire’ serves as the opening salvo of Ballet Manila’s 26th season

5:00 p.m., at the Aliw Theater in Pasay City.

The ballet company was the first to perform Le Corsaire in Southeast Asia in 1998. Back then, BM artistic director and prima ballerina Lisa MacujaElizalde was pregnant with her first child. The late Osias Barroso – the forever dance partner of M a c u j a Elizalde – took the l e a d role of Conrad, dancing with ballerina Pamela Asprer as Medora.

Four years later, in 2002, MacujaElizalde danced as Medora when the company restaged the piece with an allFilipino cast. Of course, Barroso reprised his role as Conrad. Providing corps de ballet was the Krasnoyarsk Ballet.

This time, BM is making another history, with Macuja-Elizalde creating her version Le Corsaire.

Dreaming of a stronger Medora, Elizalde reworks Le Corsaire,”\ pushing the damsel past capture/rescue cycles. “It should build!” she says. Meanwhile, the ballet’s appeal? Its wealth of roles – each a platform for virtuosity and brilliance.

After the swashbuckling romantic tale, the season continues with Tatlong Kwento ni Lola Basyang, on stage on May 11, 8:00 p.m., and May 12 and 18, 5:00 p.m.

“The idea to create a ballet from the Anvil Publishing books of Mga Kuwento Ni Lola

Basyang came about during my children’s book fair. I saw the entire collection of children’s books displayed in their school library, and I bought all 12. After, I called a meeting with my artistic team. I put all 12 books on the table and told them to choose one to make into a ballet,” shared the BM artistic director.

Finding all stories to be worth sharing with a wider audience, the artistic team had Mitch Valdez takes on the a difficult time selecting only role of Lola Basyang three stories but eventually ended up with those whose themes centered on romance, adventure, and comedy. The production is based on multi-awarded children’s book writer Christine Bellen Ang’s retelling of Reyes’ stories.

For this special production, Ballet Manila partnered with Anvil Publishing to keep the legacy of renowned Filipino writer Severino Reyes alive.

“We hope it reaches and inspires more people to appreciate and support different forms of local art and culture. An original Filipino story performed through dance is something that the Philippines can be proud of,” said Anvil Publishing president Xandra Ramos Padilla, adding that Lola Basyang’s stories are “well and widely loved by generations because they teach values and help instill a child’s love for reading.”

Celebrated artist Mitch Valdez will take on the role of Lola Basyang.

Having been active in the local theater and entertainment scene for over 50 years, the seasoned comic-singer-actress is just the right person to give life to the character, with her signature and humor.

Asked how she would make her character different, Valdez replied: “I will ask Lisa (Macuja) if Lola Basyang can get up from her rocking chair for some choreography. Maybe up on pointe for five seconds!”

Ballet Manila’s season concludes with the romantic Giselle, followed by exciting premieres of Florante at Laura and a modern Ang Ibong Adarna. The year ends with a festive Snow White.

Nihongo Fiesta 2024 highlights language learning, international friendship THE Japan Foundation Manila announces the return of the highly anticipated Nihongo Fiesta, now in its 19th year, promising a dynamic celebration of the Japanese language and culture.

The 51st Nihongo Fiesta is set to take place at the Shangri-La Plaza Mall, Mandaluyong, on Feb. 24 from 1:20 p.m. to 2:40 p.m.

The Nihongo Fiesta stands as a celebration of the enduring camaraderie between the Philippines and Japan, serving not only as an event but as a cherished tradition that fosters deeper connections between the two nations.

It provides a fertile ground for the flourishing community of Nihongo

speakers and enthusiasts, welcoming individuals from all walks of life, from eager language learners to seasoned professionals, to take part in an immersive arts and cultural experience unlike any other.

One of the highlights of the Nihongo Fiesta is the Nihongo Speech Contest, wherein nine finalists from Luzon, Davao, and the Visayas will showcase their language proficiency and communication skills. This year’s competition promises to be fiercer than ever, as participants vie for top honors with their original compositions on various themes.

Adding to the excitement, the “Minna no Nihongo Fiesta” will

feature a display of photos submitted by educational institutions across the Philippines, giving the audience a unique glimpse into the diverse facets of Japanese culture.

Meanwhile, attendees will be treated to a captivating performance by the UP Philippines-Japan Friendship Club (UP Tomo-Kai), showcasing the rich tapestry of Japanese traditions.

Guests will also get to experience the Ryukyu Buyo, an Okinawan traditional dance performance that promises to mesmerize and delight.

For more information on Nihongo Fiesta 2024 and other Japan Foundation Manila initiatives, visit www.jfmo.org. ph and www.facebook.com/JFManila.

The Nihongo Fiesta celebrates the culture and language of Japan through contests, photo displays, and performances