Manila Standard - 2024 February 26 - Monday

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House studies

Lawmakers seek balance in helping

By Rio N. Araja

Trecently passed by the Senate, Zamboanga City Rep. Manuel Jose Dalipe. “Our

to alleviate their financial burdens,” Dalipe said, noting that Filipinos are grappling with inflation and

MARCOS: MUCH TO LEARN FROM STUDYING HISTORY

PRESIDENT Marcos urged the public to study history as the country marked the 38th anniversary of the EDSA People Power Revolution.

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hike

workers, protecting MSMEs

BFAR: Filipino fishers back at Bajo de Masinloc

MORE Filipino fishermen are now fishing in the Bajo de Masinloc or Scarborough Shoal despite the presence of Chinese Coast Guard and militia vessels, the Bureau of Fisheries and Aquatic Resources (BFAR) said Sunday.

BFAR spokesman Nazario Briguera said almost 45,000 liters of diesel fuel, 217 liters of potable water and 20 gallons of fresh water were supplied to fisherfolks during the latest resupply mission at the shoal.

“The good thing about this is that, compared to our previous mission, the number of Filipino fishing boats that were given aid has increased. From 21 in the past, now at 44,” he said in an interview with SuperRadyo dzBB.

Bajo de Masinloc is 240 kilometers (150 miles) west of the Philippines' main island of Luzon and nearly 900 kilometers from the nearest major Chinese land mass of Hainan. It has been a flashpoint between the countries since China seized it from the Philippines in 2012.

Hundreds mark 38th EDSA People Power anniversary

SEVERAL groups gathered to commemorate the 38th EDSA People Power Anniversary with a wreath-laying ceremony at the People Power Monument yesterday.

The historic monument is just a few meters away from the military camp where thousands once converged to call for the return of democracy in the country.

Family members, friends, and supporters of democracy icons and martial law victims were among those who attended the event organized by the National Historical Commission of the Philippines.

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Rody’s supporters rally vs. people's initiative in Cebu

IN A show of force, supporters and close allies of former President Rodrigo Duterte gathered in Cebu City to oppose constitutional amendments through a people’s initiative.

Organizers of the “Hakbang ng Maisug” (Step of the Brave) movement held a candlelight rally at the South Road Properties in Cebu City, where Duterte was expected to speak as guest of honor.

This was the second gathering held by his allies after launching the movement in Davao City last month.

By Rio N. Araja

THE House of Representatives will start its deliberations today (Monday) on Resolution of Both Houses (RBH) No. 7, which proposes amendments to

the 1987 Philippine Constitution’s restrictive economic provisions through a joint vote of Congress. Pampanga Rep. Aurelio Gonzales, Jr., one of the authors of RBH 7, said the Lower House would convert itself

into a committee of the whole to expedite discussions.

Some resource persons, including noted economists, were invited to join the initial debates starting at 1 p.m.

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FLORAL BEAUTY. SM City Baguio's float showcases scenic

Terrace and Skyranch adorned with colorful flowers as a tribute to the festive and

spirit of the season.

EDSA

The National Historic Commission of the Philippines leads the commemorative rites for the 38th anniversary of the EDSA People Power Revolution at the People Power Monument in Quezon City on Sunday, Feb. 25, 2024. Leading the wreath

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Ian Alfonso, supervising researcher of the NHCP’s Research, Publication and Heraldry Division, said the celebration will be held year after year to remind everyone of its significance, regardless of whether it is declared a holiday or not.

"Remembering is not just about wreath-laying and flag-raising. It is about living it every day. What is the spirit of EDSA? What were its fruits? What have we gained from it? Those are probably

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“The urgency of these discussions highlights the House’s dedication to timely and impactful legislative action,” Dalipe said.

Dalipe said while they appreciate the Senate's efforts, the House believes a P100 increase is insufficient to address declining real wages and purchasing power.

He, however, underscored the importance of considering the impact on businesses, particularly micro, small, and medium enterprises (MSMEs).

“While any increase is a step in the right direction, we must ensure that our legislative actions truly make a meaningful difference in the lives of our workers, particularly when considering the substantial challenges faced by the business sector, especially micro, small, and medium-sized enterprises,” the lawmaker said.

Labor Secretary Bienvenido Laguesma earlier said DOLE is not against a legislated wage hike even as he cautioned against its possible impact on MSMEs and the economy in general.

Laguesma 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,” he added.

The Employers Confederation of the Philippines earlier warned a legislated wage hike could cause a “catastrophic effect on

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“Under Bagong Pilipinas, our beloved President said no one shall be left behind,” he added. Some 45 members of the House of Representatives – all of whom were from Mindanao – participated in the BPSF in the province.

“This remarkable turnout serves as a resounding testament to the unity and solidarity of Mindanao lawmakers to a united Philippines under the visionary leadership of President Marcos. It sends a powerful message that despite our diverse backgrounds

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the things we should always highlight and emphasize," he said. Among those who attended the wreath-laying ceremony was lawyer Chel Diokno, son of the late statesman and Martial Law victim Jose Diokno.

"The theme of this protest is to reject Marcos's charter change moves, which is a move to remain (in) power... which is basically what happened 38 years ago," said economist Rosario Guzman, 58, who told Agence France Presse that she had also taken part in the 1986 uprising.

"No to Cha-Cha (charter change),"

read a protest banner displayed behind a mock black coffin marked "Freedom

inflation.”

The Philippine Chamber of Commerce and Industry (PCCI) also appealed to Congress to let wage boards decide on wage increases rather than push for a legislated increase which it said would only benefit a few and disenfranchise other members of the labor force.

PCCI president Enunina Mangio said the proposed P100 legislated wage in the Senate will only benefit five million workers, while 47 million who are in the informal sector will be left behind.

“The P100 proposed wage will not even be enough when inflation goes up. Why don’t we instead legislate measures to address the rising cost in food prices and other issues that hamper our economic growth?” she said.

However, labor groups Partido Manggagawa (PM) and Kilusang Mayo Uno (KMU) said discussions on a legislated wage hike should be evidence-based.

“The latest Labor Force Survey shows that 49.2 percent, 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 percent of the labor force, are self-employed with no employees,” PM chairman Rene Magtubo said.

He said the majority are informal workers like street vendors and tricycle drivers while a minority are middle-class professionals like doctors and lawyers.

Magtubo said three quarters of the labor force or more than 30 million workers stand to benefit from a wage hike.

and regional differences, we stand together as one nation, united in our commitment to building a brighter future for all Filipinos,” Romualdez said.

“The significant participation of lawmakers from across the political spectrum at the BPSF underscores our unwavering dedication to addressing the needs and aspirations of every Filipino, regardless of geographical location. It reflects our shared determination to promote inclusivity, progress and prosperity for all citizens, especially those in underserved regions like Sultan Kudarat,” he added.

The strong presence of the

and Democracy." According to the Philippine National Police, a few hundred people joined Sunday's march, a far cry from the crowd that paralyzed the capital's main avenue over four days in February 1986 until the military withdrew its support for the elder Marcos.

At the 38th anniversary march, 21-year-old demonstrator Giu de Sagun said he felt like he was "watching history repeat itself."

Senate Minority Leader Aquilino Pimentel III said among the factors that led to the diminished number of participants is how the “last [Duterte] admin-

Solons...

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“The conversion of the House into a committee of the whole, which is like a plenary session, aims to involve every one of our colleagues in discussions with our resource persons. This will facilitate proceedings leading to an eventual approval or rejection of the proposed amendments,” he said. Congress would conduct three hearings a week and try to obtain a vote on the proposals before the Holy Week recess next month, Gonzales said.

March also the original timeline set by Senate President Juan Miguel Zubiri for the adoption of RBH No. 6, the Senate's version of the measure, but it has since been moved to October.

RBH No. 7 is almost an exact reproduction of RBH No. 6, introduced by Zubiri and Senators Loren Legarda and Juan Edgardo Angara.

They are both entitled “A Resolution of Both Houses of Congress proposing amendments to certain economic provisions of the 1987 Con-

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Notable attendees in the event included Davao City Mayor Sebastian Duterte, former presidential spokesman Harry Roque, former Executive Secretary Vic Rodriguez, Cebu City Mayor Michael Rama, former Chief Presidential Legal Counsel Salvador Panelo and television host Willie Revillame.

“[We are here] to support the ‘TRAPS’—transparency, accountability, peace and security—that is what we are fighting for,” a female supporter was quoted saying in a video posted on X. Panelo said the public should not be surprised that what started in Davao

lawmakers serve as a resolute answer to any calls for secession or division within Mindanao, Romualdez said.

“By coming together in solidarity, we demonstrate our steadfast rejection of any attempts to undermine the unity and integrity of our nation. We reaffirm our unwavering commitment to upholding the principles of peace, unity and nation-building,” he added.

At least 57 members of Congress earlier signed a unified manifesto for national integrity and development against an independent Mindanao amid secession calls by former President Rodrigo Duterte.

“We, the elected representatives of Mindanao in the House of

tathione, under the medical supervision of a professional nurse," she added.

Senator Robin Padilla earlier said he found it funny that some netizens criticized his wife for having her IV drip session inside his office.

istration tried to lessen the importance of the EDSA celebrations.”

Francis Aquino Dee, the grandson of the late President Corazon Aquino and the late Senator Benigno "Ninoy" Aquino Jr. lamented the event was not declared a holiday like in previous years.

In a statement, the Office of the President maintained its respect for the commemoration of the event in 1986 but since February 25 falls on a Sunday, "there is a minimal socio-economic impact in declaring such a day as a special non-working holiday since it coincides with the rest day for most workers/laborers.”

stitution of the Republic of the Philippines, particularly on Articles 12, 14 and 16.”

RBH 6, however, is pushing for a separate vote of both chambers of Congress in approving the amendments. “We in the House chose to be true to our Constitution by quoting exactly what it says, no more, no less. If they say joint voting is unconstitutional, separate voting is also against the Charter because it is not there. Let the experts interpret this provision,” Gonzales said.

The proposed House and Senate changes were on the grant of legislative franchises to and ownership of public utilities in Article 12, and ownership of basic educational facilities in Article 14, and advertising firms in Article 16. The suggested principal amendments were 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 14.

City would spill over to Cebu because of the irregularities involved in the gathering of signatures for Charter change through a people's initiative. Rodriguez, a former Cabinet official of President Marcos, said the PI campaign continues despite earlier pronouncements from the Commission on Elections (Comelec) that it already stopped all proceedings related to the signature campaign to amend the 1987 Constitution.

“We have many friends from all over the Philippines who said it is still ongoing,” he said in a video interview shared on Facebook. Vice President and Education Secretary Sara Duterte did not confirm her attendance to the event.

Representatives, firmly oppose the calls for the secession of Mindanao from the Republic of the Philippines. Our stance is deeply rooted in our belief in national unity, the power of inclusive development, and the promise of a peaceful, progressive future for all Filipinos, including the indigenous people of Mindanao,” the manifesto read.

A multimedia musical event by the Buhay ang Edsa Campaign Network called, "The EDSA Story – A People's Victory, A Nation's Glory" was held at the Club Filipino in San Juan City to commemorate the non-violent uprising.

The late President Corazon Aquino was sworn in in 1986 in a simple ceremony at the establishment. Earlier, the Philippine National Police (PNP) said it will deploy more than 8,000 police personnel in the National Capital Region and Cebu on the anniversary of the EDSA People Power Revolution.

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The President, in a vlog uploaded yesterday, gave the statement in response to the letter of a certain “Erica” who noted that “people, especially in the Philippines, have distorted ideas of politics.”

“Your interest in history is very, very important because we have much to learn from history,” the President said.

“The history that has been made a long, long time ago and the history that is being made now, all of these are important,” he added.

Acknowledging the proliferation of disinformation and misinformation, Mr. Marcos said the public should be more discerning.

“My grandmother taught me that you can read anything and it's up to you to decide which parts are good and which parts are wrong. That’s what you can do. That’s what history can guide us with because we have experienced this before,” the President said.

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

Over the weekend, the Philippine Coast Guard released drone footage showing a Chinese Coast Guard vessel blocking BRP Datu Sanday during the resupply mission at Bajo de Masinloc on Feb. 22.

The CCG ship was also seen deploying a new floating barrier in the area.

Meanwhile, China rejected allegations it was responsible for damaging at least 21,000 acres of reef in the South China Sea.

China issued the statement after a study conducted by the Center for Strategic and International Studies. (CSIS) showed that Chinese activities in the disputed waters in the South China Sea, such as its dredging and landfill activities and giant clam harvesting have left a drastic damage in its marine environment.

"I never had any intention to tarnish or destroy the integrity and dignity of the Senate. I want to express my heartfelt apology to everyone involved, including the members and staff of the Senate and the public. We uphold the dignity and integrity of the Senate,” the actress said.

"Just to clarify, I received a Vitamin C Drip, not Glu-

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In a circular, Bishop Mylo Hubert Vergara appealed to the Catholic faithful to participate and provide information to her cause.

“The Diocese of Pasig is proposing a candidate for Sainthood in the person of the Servant of God, Laurena 'Ka Luring' Franco of Hagonoy, Taguig City,” he said.

“With this Circular Letter, I invite all the People of God in the Diocese of Pasig to participate in the tedious

The actress earlier posted photos on Instagram of her IV drip therapy but removed them after getting much flak on social media.

Senator Nancy Binay said the incident should be investigated further due to its implications on the Senate's integrity as well as health and safety concerns.

process of bringing to light the life and heroic virtues of a legendary catechist to Sainthood. I invite all the faithful to provide me with helpful information regarding the cause of Ka Luring," the Pasig prelate added. Any information, whether personal or private, authenticated documents, can be communicated to the diocese’s chancellor, Father Joeffrey Brian Catuiran, at Tahanan ng Mabuting Pastol Sta. Clara de Montefalco Compound, C. Raymundo Avenue, Caniogan, Pasig City or through telephone number 02-8643-9325. Franco was born on July 4, 1936, the eldest among eight siblings. She

died on Oct. 17, 2011. She joined the Legion of Mary as a devotee of the Blessed Mother and taught catechism to public school students. She was awarded the Pro Ecclesia et Pontifice (For Church and Pope) from Saint John Paul II on April 1, 1990 for her exemplary service as a lay catechist, upon the recommendation of the late Manila Archbishop Jaime Cardinal Sin. In 2002, she also received the Mother Teresa Award, which is given to individuals and organizations promoting peace, equality and social justice.

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Soberano hit the red carpet in a black tube bodice adorned with sequins, paired with an apricotcolored skirt from the designer’s PreFall 2024 collection. Along with the gown, the actress also wore a matching set of necklace and dangling earrings.

The 26-year-old actress recently starred in her debut Hollywood film, “Lisa Frankenstein,” as Taffy alongside Kathryn Newton and Cole Sprouse. It was directed by Zelda Williams and written by Diablo Coby.

After trending on social media, Soberano shared a few snippets of the awards show on her Instagram stories, posting photos of stand up comedian Sherry Cola and “Moana” actress Auliʻi Cravalho whom she shared a table with. The 30th SAG Awards was held at the Shrine Auditorium and Expo Hall in Los Angeles, California. The ceremony was streamed live on Netflix.

Chinese dredging and landfill activities damaged 4,500 acres of reef, while the clam harvesting affected 16,000 acres, making China the top contributor to the damage in the area, according to the CSIS.

Beijing stressed that it always attached "great importance to the protection of the ecological environment of the Nansha Islands and reefs and their adjacent waters" as well as "carried out environmental protection and monitoring work in accordance with domestic and international laws."

The Chinese Embassy in Manila said the CSIS study is “neither factual nor verifiable."

George Poling, one of the researchers of the study, urged countries, especially the claimant states of the South China Sea, to form a coalition that would call on Beijing to stop its “damaging activities.”

He pointed out the South China Sea "is the most productive fishing ground on earth," with 12 percent of the global fish catch being sourced there. Vince Lopez, Rey Requejo and Macon Ramos-Araneta

THE

“We support the recent passage of the Housing Development Digital Connectivity Act by the House of Representatives as digital connectivity is now an indispensable utility that should be accessible to all and integral to the design of every residential and commercial development project,” Stratbase president Victor Andres Manhit said in a released statement.

House Bill 9870, or the Housing Development Digital Connectivity Act, aims to ensure internet access in city hubs and densely populated areas.

The measure mandates all residential developments, subdivisions, communities, and other property owners to designate a portion of their allocated open space for the installation of information and communication technology infrastructure and related equipment.

The bill seeks to amend Presidential

FATF cites PH gains in AML drive

By Darwin G. Amojelar

THE Philippines has gained positive recognition from the Financial Action Task Force (FATF) for the country’s progress in strengthening its anti-money laundering (AML) and combating financing of terrorism (CFT) systems.

In a statement, the FATF said “the Philippines has taken steps towards improving its AML/CFT regime, including by identifying and investigating TF [Terrorism Financing] cases.”

FATF is a Paris-based inter-governmental body that sets international antimoney laundering and terrorist financ-

ing standards established in 1989. President Ferdinand Marcos Jr. in January ordered relevant government agencies to expedite efforts in addressing deliverables set by the FATF within the year.

“This improvement in our AML/CFT regime is a strong recognition of the government’s efforts in curbing terror-

ism and terrorism financing incidents in the country. It also sends a positive signal to the international community on the unwavering commitment and continuous progress made by the Philippines in this front,” said Matthew M. David, executive director of the AntiMoney Laundering Council Secretariat.

Specifically, as the Philippines remains on the FATF grey list, the entity has considered accomplished action plan items related to terrorism financing identification and investigation. The FATF grey list is a list of countries that are actively working with the FATF to improve their AML/CFT measures.

“As we continue following the marching orders set by the President, a whole of nation approach remains vital moving forward. We are happy that the collaborative effort among agencies in addressing areas for improvement as suggested by the FATF has been cited,” David added.

Led by the Philippine President and supported by the Executive Secretary, the National Anti-Money Laundering/ Counter-Terrorism Financing/CounterProliferation Financing Coordinating Committee (NACC) has played a pivotal role in guiding and instructing relevant agencies, ensuring a unified approach to addressing the FATF’s requirements.

PBBM favors beefing up sports anti-doping body under PSC

PRESIDENT Ferdinand Marcos Jr. favors a proposal to beef up the Philippine National Anti-Doping Organization (PHI-NADO) with more personnel to enable it to effectively carry out its anti-doping mandate, Malacañang announced on Sunday.

PHI-NADO is the country’s accredited anti-doping organization under the Philippine Sports Commission (PSC). PSC chairman Richard Bachmann and executive director Paulo Francisco Tatad met recently with the President in Malacañang to inform him of the country’s compliance with the World Anti-doping Code (WADC).

The PSC proposed the strengthening of PHI-NADO to ensure compliance with the WADC and in preparation for the upcoming World Anti-Doping Agency’s (WADA) audit.

DOJ: LGUs may send OFWs abroad, but with DMW supervision

By Rey E. Requejo

THE Department of Justice (DOJ) says local government units (LGUs) may send Filipino workers abroad under sisterhood agreements like those forged with several cities in

In a legal opinion issued by Justice Undersecretary Raul Vasquez, the DOJ

clarified that while the LGUs may be the primary actor when it comes to sisterhood agreements, it is still the national government agencies mainly responsible for the protection and promotion of the welfare of the workers covered under the sisterhood accord.

“In particular, with respect to the deployment of Filipino workers for employment abroad, it is the DMW

(Department of Migrant Workers) which has jurisdiction over the same pursuant to RA 8042 (Migrant Workers and Overseas Filipinos Act of 1995), as amended by RA 10022 (the law amending the Migrant Workers and Overseas Filipinos Act of 1995),” the DOJ stressed.

“The DMW is the primary agency of the government mandated by law to

protect and promote the welfare of overseas Filipino workers after it absorbed all the functions and powers of the Philippine Overseas Employment Administration (POEA),” the DOJ said.

The legal opinion was issued on behalf of Justice Secretary Jesus Crispin C. Remulla after it was sought by Presidential Management Staff (PMS) Senior Undersecretary Elaine Musukat.

Accord inked to boost farm, fishery outputs

THE Department of Agriculture (DA) has entered into a partnership with the Philippine Space Agency (PhilSA) to use advanced space technology to increase local farm productivity, improve resource utilization, and enhance project monitoring.

The Bureau of Agricultural and Fisheries Engineering (BAFE) and PhilSA signed last Wednesday a memorandum of agreement (MOA) to modernize data collection, analysis and dissemination, fostering informed decision-making and sustainable growth in the agriculture and fisheries sectors.

“The collaboration between DA-BAFE and PhilSA exemplifies the spirit of partnership and synergy that is essential for driving meaningful change. By pooling together our respective expertise and resources, we can co-create innovative solutions that have the potential to revolutionize the way we approach agriculture,” said Agriculture Secretary Francisco Tiu Laurel.

Phase 1 of the project involves joint research, exchange of expertise and information, capacity-building exercises, and project implementation focused on monitoring of farm-to-market roads and major agricultural commodities such as onion and corn.

“We need to be independent in terms of operational decisions and activities as provided by the World Anti-Doping Code [Article] 20.5.1 granted to the NADOs, without limitation by prohibiting any involvement in operational decision or activities, at the same time involved in management or operations of the federations, the major event organizations, the National Olympic Committee, the National Paralympic Committee, government departments with responsibility for sports as well. So, operational independence from the said entities,” Tatad said.

House Bill No. 7927 was filed in May last year call9ing for the creation of PHI-NADO attached to the PSC. The bill is still pending at the House’s Committee on Youth and Sports Development.

By Othel V. Campos

THE National Dairy Authority (NDA) strengthens its presence in Western Visayas as part of a broader goal of promoting the domestic dairy industry.

NDA administrator Gabriel Lagamayo earlier signed a memorandum of agreement with New Lucena Mayor Liecel Mondejar-Seville for collaboration on improving the towns capacity to produce fresh milk.

“As mentioned by the Mayor, she anticipates tasting milk produced right here in New Lucena. There will be no other producers here but our farmers, as they are the primary beneficiaries of our animal distribution programs,” Lagamayo said.

Under the accord, the DA will establish the Western Visayas regional office, laboratory, dairy showroom, dairy demo farm, and the country’s first feed center, in a three-hectare property provided by the town.

New Lucena is a fourth class municipality in Iloilo province.

The Sangguniang Bayan agriculture and cooperative committee fully supports the agreement that will help upgrade New Lucena’s livestock industry.

Seville noted how NDA and her town will mutually benefit from the project.

Comelec to demo Miru poll system

POLL regulators are now ready to conduct a demo of South Korean firm Miru Systems’ new automated election system for the 2025 national and local elections in front of lawmakers.

Commission on Elections (Comelec) chairman George Garcia said that the poll body will conduct the demo in front of lawmakers in Congress on March 5. Garcia, quoted by reports, said: “In our contract negotiations with Miru, one of our requests would be that the machines need to be demonstrated to our countrymen, especially to the authorities such as the Senate

and Congress, so that their doubts will be erased and they themselves will be able to get answers to the questions.”

Garcia said the demo will be done before the manufacturing of vote counting machines (VCMs) begins.

On Thursday, Comelec awarded the P17.99 billion contract for VCMs for the 2025 elections to the South Korean firm.

Garcia said that Miru Systems will lease to the Comelec around 110,000 machines and peripherals including ballot boxes, laptops, and other printing requirements for the 2025 polls.

The poll body said it also conducted end-to-end testing of the prototype machines of Miru as part of its post-qualification evaluation for the procurement of a new automated election system.

Back then, the poll body’s Special Bids and Awards Committee also held a mock election using Miru’s systems.

“What we want is a process that is transparent. This must be understood

by the voters. In the end, our countrymen will be the ones who will use the machines. It’s very difficult if they don’t understand that,” the poll chief said.

Lawmakers, election watchdogs, and other groups earlier expressed concern and called on the Comelec to review Miru’s track record.

Miru Systems however said the allegations of election failures due to its technology were not true.

“The company designs, develops, and manufactures secure electoral systems that are of international standard,” Miru said in a statement.

Implement VAT exemption on drugs Gatchalian

By Macon Ramos-Araneta

SENATOR Sherwin Gatchalian on Sunday urged drugstores and other retailers of pharmaceuticals to immediately implement the exemption from value-added tax (VAT) of specific medicines.

A total of 22 medicines were added to the existing list of over 2,000 VAT-exempt drugs designed for the prevention and management of diabetes, hypertension, cancer, high cholesterol, mental illnesses, tuberculosis, and kidney diseases, as well as medicines and medical devices specifically used for the prevention and treatment of COVID-19.

“Given the high prices of basic commodities, it is important that affordable medicines are made available to those who have existing medical conditions. This should be implemented soon for the benefit of our people, especially the sick,” Gatchalian said.

The senator made the call after the Bureau of Internal Revenue (BIR) issued Revenue Memorandum Circular No. 17, series of 2024, containing the list of additional medicines to be covered by VAT exemption as provided by Republic Act 10963 or the Tax Reform for Acceleration and Inclusion (TRAIN) Act, of which Gatchalian is a co-author.

The VAT exemption for these medicines is also stipulated in Republic Act No. 11534, or the Corporate Recovery and Tax Incentives for Enterprises (CREATE) Act.

Lawmakers vow to hasten P500 discount for seniors

By Rio N. Araja

HOUSE Speaker Martin Romualdez moved to fast-track the P500 discount for senior citizens and persons with disabilities (PWDs) in grocery stores and supermarkets.

Albay Rep. Joey Salceda, chairperson of the House committee on ways and means, filed a proposal to increase the discount to P125 per week

or P500 per month. Currently, the discount for seniors and PWDs is only P65 per week or P260 per month on their purchased grocery items.

According to Romualdez, “that can be done even next month since just one memorandum circular from the Department of Trade and Industry (DTI) is all that is needed to be issued to mall grocery stores and supermarkets.”

DTI Assistant Secretary Amanda Nograles said they are preparing an interagency committee circular to immediately implement the House leader’s wish of a P500 discount per month on grocery items for senior citizens and PWDs. The inter-agency committee is composed of DTI, the Department of Health, the Department of Agriculture, the Department of Transportation, and the Department of Energy.

Romualdez: Motorcycle bill a priority

By Rio N. Araja

SPEAKER Martin Romualdez declared on Sunday the prioritization of House Bill No. 3412, which seeks to legalize motorcycles as public transportation vehicles and reform current transportation network vehicle service (TNVS) regulations.

“The maintenance of peace and order, the protection of life, liberty, and property, and the promotion of the general welfare are foundational to our democracy. It’s imperative to adapt our laws to the evolving transportation landscape to ensure the well-being and convenience of our citizens,” he said.

1-Rider party-list Reps. Ramon Rodrigo Gutierrez and Bonifacio Bosita introduced the proposed measure. HB 3412, or the’ Act Regulating the Operation of Motorcycles-for-Hire’ remains pending at the House committee on transportation since Aug. 15, 2022.

Romualdez’s statement was a direct response to President Ferdinand Marcos Jr.’s advocacy for increased transportation options for the Filipino people as demonstrated by his support for the legalization of motorcycle taxis and the easing of TNVS regulations.

Solon to DOH: Plan rehab center upgrade

By Rio N. Araja

QUEZON City Rep. Marvin Rillo on Sunday called on the Department of Health (DOH) to submit to Congress a comprehensive plan to upgrade public residential drug abuse treatment and rehabilitation centers (DATRCs), amid reports of overcrowding and that individuals seeking admission are placed on a waitlist.

“We would urge the DOH to prepare a more aggressive plan to augment the number of beds in existing DATRCs so that funding may be included in the 2025 national budget,” he said in a statement.

“If we want to succeed in suppressing the demand side of our illegal drug problem, we have to improve public access to DATRC services,” he added.

Under the law, a drug dependent may, by himself/herself, or through his/her parent, spouse, guardian or relative within the fourth degree of consanguinity or affinity, voluntarily seek admission to a DOH-run DATRC.

Lee urges congressional probe into online sale of smuggled onions

By Rio N. Araja

AGRI party-list Rep. Wilbert Lee is seeking an inquiry into the reported proliferation of smuggled onions and other possible agricultural products being sold online. The lawmaker also said this act “is detrimental to the livelihood of the local farmers and fisherfolk, and a threat

to the health of consumers.”

Lee filed House Resolution No. 1600, saying: “There is a need to take decisive action and measures from the government to protect our consumers as well as the livelihood of Filipino farmers and fisherfolk amid the online selling of smuggled onions.”

The Samahang Industriya ng Agri-

High Court junks DOH plea on paying contractor for P8.1-b brgy. health project

By Rey E. Requejo

THE Court of Appeals (CA) junked the petition filed by the Department of Health (DOH) on the court decision ordering the DOH to compensate a private contractor in the controversial P8.1 billion Barangay Health Stations (BHS) project.

The BHS project was implemented during the term of former President Benigno Aquino III. In a 22-page decision penned by Associate Justice Jaime Fortunato Caringal, the CA’s Eight Division ruled that the final award issued by the Construction Industry Arbitration Commission (CIAC) Arbitral Tribunal on Jan. 3, 2022 in favor of JBros

Construction Corporation in joint venture agreement with Fujian Zhongma Construction Engineering, Ltd. Co has attained finality and “may no longer be modified, be it on errors of fact or law.”

The appellate court explained that while the losing party now has two options against an unfavorable CIAC award, and under the second option has 60 days within which to file a petition assailing the decision, the old rule that the award becomes executory after 15 days has been retained, subject to the losing party’s right to either secure a temporary restraining order and/or a preliminary injunction from the Supreme Court or the Court of Appeals.

kultura (Sinag) earlier said onion farmers were already incurring losses with the P28 per kilo farmgate price as the production costs stood at P30 per kilo. “Farmers have been complaining,” he said. “On the other hand, online buyers are also complaining about the bad quality of the onions they have bought,” Lee said.

“The Department of Agriculture has reported that it found E. coli on confiscated onions. Smuggled onions did not pass through the phytosanitary tests,” he added. He urged the Department of Trade and Industry and other concerned government agencies to implement more stringent measures to curb the sale of illegally sourced agricultural products online.

MONDAY, FEBRUARY 26,

So I See Lito

Banayo

Demolishing Sara

AS LUDICROUS as Apollo Quiboloy’s claim the President and his first lady are actively complicit with a foreign power to “kidnap” him by way of “rendition” to answer multiple charges including human trafficking and rape, are the accusations being levelled against the vice-president, Inday Sara Z. Duterte.

It all started with the revelation she applied for, and got confidential funds in 2022, released by DBM upon approval of Malacanang before the holidays, and spent before year-end.

This was followed by intense House scrutiny on the NEP allocation of P500 million for the DepEd and P150 million for the OVP in the 2024 budget, again proposed by the Office of the President, DBM, and the economic managers.

The budget, called the “economic program expressed in numbers,” emanates from the Office of the President, reason the National Expenditure Program submitted to Congress after the annual SONA is referred to as “the President’s budget.”

Woe unto the people of the benighted land, when toxic politics trumps wobbly economics this early in the day

Now, if the process was endowed with Machiavellian thinking, one can say that a trap was laid, in conspiracy with the HoR, but that is not likely as the economic team was neither Machiavellian nor antiDuterte.

As stated in this space several months ago when the controversy over confidential funds was hot topic, Inday Sara would have done well by immediately refusing to receive the allocation, something she did belatedly.

As riposte, she could have pointed out that the second highest official in the land and head of the department with the Constitutionally-mandated most important cabinet position, was being allocated “loose change” compared to the bonanza in pork barrel entitlements inserted in the line budgets of DPWH, DSWD, DOLE, DA, DOH, and GOCCs by our legislators.

P650 million is lower than what an ordinary member of the HoR gets in the 2024 budget, picayune compared to ordinary senators, and almost infinitesimal compared to what the more “powerful” members of both houses will get in the budget, crafted in aid of re-election.

But now, the systematic demolition has gone into high gear.

IN THE vast expanse of the West Philippine Sea, an ominous force lurks beneath the waves, threatening the delicate balance of international order.

China, with its insatiable appetite for territorial expansionism, stands as the harbinger of chaos in a world already teetering on the brink.

The echoes of history reverberate with the warnings of Vice President Richard Nixon, who branded China as the villain of the world in the 1950s. His words, prophetic in their clarity, ring true to this day.

The saga begins in the crucible of conflict, as North Korea, emboldened by communist fervor, launches a brazen assault on its democratic counterpart.

The intervention of China, like a malevolent specter emerging from the shadows, tilts the scales of war.

The result: a stalemate, and the seeds of future discord sown in the blood-soaked soil of the Korean peninsula.

But the tendrils of China’s influence extend far beyond the battlefield.

In the heart of North Korea, a totalitarian regime holds sway, its grip on power fueled by the patronage of its communist benefactors. Starvation, oppression, and the relentless propaganda machine serve as tools of subjugation, forging chains of servitude that bind an entire nation to the whims of its tyrannical overlords.

Yet, North Korea is but one chapter in

Whistleblower Arturo Lascanas, now in the safe embrace of the ICC in the Netherlands, recently modified his testimony against the former president by including Inday Sara, then mayor of Davao City, as having herself been complicit in human rights violations and summary killings.

Conveniently, Lascanas included the vice-president, knowing the amended charges will not prosper whether under our judicial system nor the ICC, but serves publicity in aid of demolition.

Then, in the Senate investigations on the queerly named “Kingdom Nation of the Appointed Son of God,” a witness with face blocked out, claims to have seen the president and his daughter going to the mountain lair of the “appointed” son to receive gifts of arms and ammunition, virtually “gun-running” in a gun store owned by the “king of the kingdom above all else..

He he he, such infantile twist by highly creative imaginations that would beat “Love the Philippines” in its “ingenuity,” peddled in the Senate at the same time that the befuddled because asinine progenitors of PIRMA were caught in various disingenuous prevarications.

The planned demolition of the vicepresident who would be president has begun a tad too early.

I recall how the demolition of VP Binay began after the mid-term elections, in 2014, after several senatorial candidates, his then unknown daughter Nancy included, won with his endorsement, and his survey ratings miles above all other known pretenders to PNoy’s throne.

The obvious intent is to damage the Duterte brand this early to boost the chances of the “blessed” candidates for 2025, whose candidacies will be registered by October this year, a scant seven months away.

If early demolition succeeds, the Duterte candidates would fare poorly in May next year and the VP’s chances for the 2028 presidential derby would have been severely damaged.

Of course, the other ace in the demolition sleeve is revising the Constitution to suit political designs.

The vice-president shrugged off the latest demolition efforts. Trabaho lang, she says, as if telling the conspirators to ‘bring them on.’

As we commemorate the “people power” revolt in EDSA which threw out the dictatorship 38 years ago with a “little help from our friendly” Americans, the political brands have shifted from Aquino versus Marcos to Marcos versus Duterte.

The holiday is no longer official, less important to Malacanang than Chinese New Year.

Even President Cory Aquino, a Cojuangco of Chinese descent, did not deign the Lunar New Year worthy of an official holiday.

Meanwhile, woe unto the people of the benighted land, when toxic politics trumps wobbly economics this early in the day.

the chronicles of China’s tyranny. In the hallowed halls of Tibet, once a bastion of spiritual enlightenment, the echoes of monks’ prayers are drowned out by the thunder of boots marching in conquest.

The Dalai Lama, a symbol of hope in a land besieged by darkness, flees into exile, leaving behind a nation shackled by the chains of communist oppression.

And still, the march of China’s aggression knows no bounds.

From the Paracel Islands to the shores of Cambodia, the specter of communist expansionism casts a long shadow, leaving

EDITORIAL

Adjustment in 4Ps cash aid

HOW should the government position the Pantawid Pamilyang Pilipino Program (4Ps) to really make a difference in the lives of the poor?

As the national poverty reduction strategy and a human capital investment program that provides conditional cash transfer to qualified household-beneficiaries, it will enable poor Filipino households to meet health and nutrition as well education goals to eventually break the intergenerational cycle of poverty.

This month, the 4Ps supports 4.4 million households as active beneficiaries.

The Department of Social Welfare and Development, the lead agency in implementing the program, emphasizes only households assessed as poor qualify for 4Ps benefits, following the mandate of Republic Act 11310 or the 4Ps Act.

To be eligible, households must have children aged 18 and below or members who are pregnant during the survey. Currently, the approved budget for the year 2024 covers 4.4 million households.

The Marcos Jr. administration is moving in the right direction in asking three government agencies to look into automatically adjusting the cash assistance given to 4Ps beneficiaries based on inflation or the rise in prices of goods and services.

—“—

The 4Ps is an important tool in the government’s poverty reduction program and its cash assistance to the poor and nearpoor cannot remain fixed

The DSWD is now working with the Philippine Statistics Authority and the National Economic and Development Authority to adjust government aid and grants according to prevailing inflation rates.

The Palace order to the three agen-

Open Thoughts

Orlando Oxales

The ‘right-of -way’ curse

THE slow development of Philippine transportation infrastructure is one of the most frustrating problems every inhabitant has been living with for decades.

If you live and work in the Mega-Manila area, like me, you are one of the millions who must endure hours of daily traffic jams.

The underdevelopment of transport infrastructure has been a constant bane to individual mobility and industry supply chains, like a ball and chain restraining the economy.

In the 2023 World Competitiveness Yearbook by Switzerland-based International Institute for Management Development, the Philippines’ competitiveness ranking slipped to 52nd out of 64 countries, a drop of four places from the previous year.

In the Asia-Pacific region, the Philippines has been stuck in 13th place, that’s second to the last out of 14 countries for six years straight.

In a published statement, the Asian Institute of Management, the IMD’s local partner, pointed out the constant delays in infrastructure caused another downgrade from 57th in 2022 to 58th in 2023.

Right-of way issues are the most common and already an anticipated cause for delay and added costs because of the clashing interests created between government and the development partner, versus the legal owners of ROW affected properties.

Here are four big examples of huge projects that suffered serious delays because of ROW issues. The Skyway Stage 3 and the NLEX Connector projects managed by San Miguel Corporation, the NLEX-SLEX connector road and CALAX projects managed by Metro Pacific Investments Corp. all had to negotiate with tough dealing property owners that in some cases even

devastation in its wake. The promise of freedom in Hong Kong, once a beacon of hope in the face of tyranny, lies shattered at the feet of communist autocrats, trampled beneath the jackboots of oppression.

But perhaps the most insidious weapon in China’s arsenal lies not in the realm of conquest, but in the shadows of economic exploitation.

Across the continents of Africa, Asia, and beyond, nations find themselves ensnared in the tangled web of debt diplomacy, as Red China extends its tendrils of

caused the rerouting of entire segments of the projects because a property owner just would not budge. From what I can gather from online research, just for the Skyway Stage 3 project which spans 18.83 km, almost 400 ROW cases had to be resolved. Imagine how many more ROW issues had to be addressed with the other three projects mentioned above which have an approximate total length of over 61 kilometers.

—“—

The acquisition of ROW is a multifaceted process that requires the cooperation and coordination of all stakeholders

It’s likely that all of Metro-Manila’s inhabitants at one time or another experienced the inconvenience of disrupted traffic routes throughout the approximately 80 kilometer-length of these four projects while under construction.

there is a

influence in exchange for strategic concessions. And yet, amidst the chaos and despair, a new menace emerges from the depths of Wuhan, casting a pall of darkness over the world.

The COVID-19 pandemic, born of a reckless experiment gone awry, spreads its tendrils across the globe, leaving death and devastation in its wake.

As the world grapples with the fallout of China’s machinations, one truth remains clear: the villainy of Beijing knows no bounds.

cies seeks to find ways so as not to diminish or decrease the value of financial assistance given to the poor. While the administration’s economic team is doing all it can to slow down inflation, it should also protect the peso value of the assistance grants given to 4Ps beneficiaries and other social protection programs.

Grants given to 4Ps beneficiaries are fixed under the 4Ps Act, and any increase will need to be recommended by the DSWD and enacted into a new law by Congress.

In fact, the Philippine Institute for Development Studies recommended last year an increase of 20 percent in 4Ps cash assistance to poor and nearpoor families after finding out that the maximum annual amount of P31,200 a 4Ps household received in 2019 was worth only P14,524 in 2023 due to inflation.

The current monthly rates for health and education allowances given to beneficiaries range from P300 to P750, depending on the age of the child enrolled in school.

The 4Ps is an important tool in the government’s poverty reduction program and its cash assistance to the poor and near-poor cannot remain fixed but should keep in step with the prevailing economic situation to be really useful.

Ironically the same law applied by skillful lawyers to protect the interest of their ROW affected property owners, which then results in huge delays.

The House of Representatives recently passed House Bill 6571 or the “An Act of Providing Additional Guidelines in the Acquisition of ROW, Site or Location for National Government Infrastructure Projects” which aims to expedite ROW issues; offer landowners affected by ROW acquisition of the current market value or zonal value of the land; address the issues of squatting, among others.

I had the privilege of listening to a forum of Industry leaders and stakeholders engaging in honest and insights on how to solve the ROW problem.

Respecting Chatham House rules, I cannot quote the participants but will share some very instructive notes. Political will is important. Mandated to streamline the ROW process, a champion must be appointed by Office of the President and mandated with an Executive Order to expedite the ROW process. This method is faster than passing a bill through Congress.

The private sector engaging in Public Private Partnerships plays a significant role in this process. They are can be allowed to compensate for ROW appropriately, which could include replacement or market value, rent subsidy, etc. This can help alleviate the financial burden on the government.

Coordination gaps between implementing agencies and Local Government Units must be aligned to improve the process of expropriation.

A special court can be created to ensure the ease of resolution of cases. This would expedite the process and help avoid unnecessary delays.

ROW can be partially delegated to the private sector. However, safeguards must be in place to ensure that the process is fair and transparent.

The acquisition of ROW is a multifaceted process that requires the cooperation and coordination of all stakeholders. With the right strategies and policies billions in resources can be saved by quickening the completion all of these delayed critical infrastructure that we needed decades ago.

From the battlefields of Korea to the laboratories of Wuhan, the specter of communist aggression looms large, casting a shadow of fear and uncertainty over the world.

But amidst the darkness, a glimmer of hope remains.

For as long as there are voices raised in defiance, as long as there are hearts that beat with the rhythm of freedom, the menace of China shall never triumph. In unity, in resolve, lies the power to confront the darkness and emerge victorious, for the flame of liberty burns eternal in the human spirit.

Citizen Barok

Louis ‘Barok’ Biraogo

US, UK launch latest strikes vs. 18 Yemen’s Huthi targets

WASHINGTON, DC – American and British forces carried out a fresh wave of

strikes during the weekend against 18 Huthi targets in Yemen, following weeks of unrelenting attacks on Red Sea shipping by the Iran-backed rebels.

The strikes “specifically targeted 18 Huthi targets across eight locations in Yemen” including weapons storage facilities, attack drones, air defense systems, radars and a helicopter, a joint statement said.

It was co-signed by Australia, Bahrain, Denmark, Canada, the Netherlands and New Zealand, who gave unspecified “support” to the new round of strikes, the second this month and fourth since the rebels began their attacks on ships in the region.

“The Huthis’ now more than 45 attacks on commercial and naval

vessels since mid-November constitute a threat to the global economy, as well as regional security and stability, and demand an international response,” the statement said.

Huthi-run Al-Masirah television reported “a series of raids on the capital Sanaa,” while AFP correspondents in the rebel-controlled city in western Yemen said they heard several loud bangs.

“The United States will not hesitate to take action, as needed, to defend lives and the free flow of commerce in one of the world’s most critical waterways,” Pentagon chief Lloyd Austin said in a separate statement after the strikes.

“We will continue to make clear to the Huthis that they will bear the consequences if they do not stop their illegal attacks, which harm Middle Eastern economies, cause environmental damage, and disrupt the delivery of humanitarian aid to Yemen and other countries.”

Huthi military spokesman Yahya Saree was defiant, vowing in a social

media statement that the rebels would “confront the American-British escalation with more qualitative military operations against all hostile targets in the Red and Arab Seas.”

The UK Ministry of Defense said four Royal Air Force Typhoon FGR4s targeted “several very long-range drones, used by the Houthis for both reconnaissance and attack missions,” on Saturday, at a site northeast of Sanaa.

Saturday’s operation comes after several merchant vessels were struck this week in the region, including the fertilizer-filled Rubymar, whose crew had to abandon ship after it was hit several days ago and began taking on water. British maritime security agency UKMTO reported another attack on an unspecified ship near the port of Djibouti on Saturday night, saying there had been an “explosion in close proximity to the vessel, no damage is reported to the vessel and there are no injuries to the crew.” AFP

Israel discusses next steps in ceasefire talks

JERUSALEM – Israel’s war Cabinet has discussed the next steps for negotiations towards a hostage deal and ceasefire in its war with Hamas, as concern deepens over the increasingly desperate situation faced by civilians in the devastated Gaza Strip.

An Israeli delegation that had travelled to Paris for fresh talks on a hostage deal returned to brief the country’s war Cabinet on Saturday night, according to an official and local media reports.

National security adviser Tzachi Hanegbi said in a televised interview shortly before the meeting that the “delegation has returned from Paris -- there is probably room to move towards an agreement”.

Prime Minister Benjamin Netanyahu said the meeting would discuss the “next steps in the negotiations”.

Local media later reported that the meeting had concluded with the cabinet agreeing to send a delegation to Qatar in the coming days to continue the talks.

As with a previous week-long truce in November that saw more than 100 hostages freed, Qatar, Egypt and the United States have been spearheading efforts to secure a deal. AFP

Supporters hail Trump nomination as ‘definitive’ after latest win, while Haley lashes out at him

MT. PLEASANT – When Donald Trump’s picture appeared on screen Saturday (Sunday in Manila), his supporters at an election-night watch party in South Carolina burst into cheers -- convinced that his victory in yet another state primary had cemented his status as the “definitive” Republican presidential nominee. Holding slices of pizza and glasses of wine, those gathered at an upscale apartment complex outside Charleston hugged and congratulat-

ed each other, with the 77-year-old former president projected to win just moments after polls closed. “I’m thrilled!” Amber Sparks told AFP.

“Because it’s definitive, and at this point we can move on... we can move forward. We don’t have to sit on the fence and wonder ‘what if’ and ride between two candidates -now it’s definitive,” the 55-year-old legal assistant said. Elsewhere, former South Caro-

Cambodia ex-PM Hun Sen returns to frontline politics for senate seat

PHNOM PENH, Cambodia –Cambodian officials voted in a Senate election on Sunday, setting the stage for ex-leader Hun Sen to officially return to politics after he stepped down as prime minister last year. After nearly four decades of hardline rule, Hun Sen handed power to his eldest son Hun Manet after national polls last July held without any significant opposition. Hun Sen at the time made it clear that despite his resignation, he still intended to wield influence.

The 71-year-old lawmaker and chief of the ruling party cast his ballot near his home in Takhmao city

lina governor Nikki Haley vowed to fight on after an emphatic primary defeat to Trump in her home state, underlining the steep climb she faces to capture the Republican presidential nomination.

“I said earlier this week that no matter what happens in South Carolina, I would continue to run... I’m a woman of my word. I’m not giving up this fight when a majority of Americans disapprove of both Donald Trump and Joe Biden,” she said. AFP

Pro-Ukraine rallies across Europe on war anniversary

BERLIN – Protesters rallied across Europe during the weekend in support of Ukraine on the second anniversary of Moscow’s invasion, urging greater Western backing as fears mount about Kyiv’s ability to fend off an emboldened Russia. Crowds gathered in Berlin, London, Paris and other European cities, waving the blue and yellow Ukrainian flag and demanding that Russian President Vladimir Putin put an end to the war. When Putin sent his forces into Ukraine on Feb. 24, 2022, it brought conflict back to Europe for the first time in decades, a geopolitical earthquake that sent shock waves across the world. With concerns growing about waning support from Ukraine’s allies as an emboldened Moscow makes battlefield gains, there were calls at a protest at Berlin’s Brandenburg Gate for accelerated arms deliveries. Addressing thousands of supporters, some waving banners that read “arm Ukraine now”, Berlin mayor Kai Wegner decried Putin’s “brutal war of aggression”.

“He wants to wipe out Ukraine, he wants to wipe out the identities of Ukrainians,” he told the crowd, which organisers estimated at 10,000-strong while police gave a figure of 5,000. AFP

HOSTAGE DEAL. Fog covers buildings and tents set up by displaced Palestinians in Rafah in the southern Gaza Strip on Sunday, amid continuing battles between Israel and the Palestinian militant group Hamas. As with a previous week-long truce in November that saw more than 100 hostages freed, Qatar, Egypt and the United States have been spearheading efforts to secure a deal. AFP

PSALM

By Alena Mae S. Flores

By Jenniffer B. Austria

THE Securities and Exchange Commission (SEC) announced over the weekend a streamlined registration process for power generation companies and distribution utilities planning to raise fresh funds through an initial public offering (IPO).

The SEC said in a statement the issuance of Memorandum Circular No. 4 Series of 2024 was aimed at simplifying the registration process for power generation operators and wholesale electricity and retail services (SEC POWERS).

SEC POWERS aim to simplify the

registration of securities for power generation companies and distribution utilities mandated to offer and sell their shares to the public, as stipulated in Section 43(t) of Republic Act No. 9136, or the Electric Power Industry Reform Act of 2001 (EPIRA).

Darwin G. Amojelar

he said.

ensuring a

Specific plans for MCIA include

between the

and international terminals, new dining and retail offerings and the introduction of on-site electric vehicles to reduce the airport’s carbon footprint.

“The thrust of Aboitiz InfraCapital— through our airports business—is to improve the country’s gateways and provide a world-class travel experience to boost tourism further,” said Aboitiz InfraCapital vice president and head of airports business Rafael Aboitiz.

“By forging this strategic partnership with Cebu Pacific, we will be able to pursue our aspiration to spearhead an airport experience and identity that is uniquely Filipino,” he said.

This

tial lessening of competition in the relevant markets.

PSALM issued a certificate of effectivity to FLRC on Jan. 31, 2024 following PCC’s clearance which marked the Casecnan final transac-

PSALM said it planned to use proceeds from the privatization of the CHEPP to settle its obligations.

The CHEPP, located near Pantabangan and Munoz in Nueva Ecija, is a run-of-river hydroelectric power plant which diverts water from the Casecnan and Taan Rivers through a 26-kilometerlong tunnel to generate energy.

POWER retailer Manila Electric Co. (Meralco) said over the weekend it earmarked more than P100 billion for capital investment through 2030 to fund programs under its long-term sustainability strategy (LTSS), to help achieve energy security and contribute to the nation’s development.

“With sustainability deeply embedded in Meralco’s operations and long-term plans, we are proud to commit over P100 billion in capital expenditures to initiatives that not only enhance our infrastructure but also align with the government’s vision for a sustainable future,” Meralco executive vice president and chief operating officer Ronnie Aperocho said.

Meralco said the investment would catalyze critical projects intended for its distribution network, making it not only sustainable but also smarter and more resilient amid the challenges posed by climate change.

These projects include enhancing grid reliability, reducing system loss, transitioning to natural ester oil for distribution transformers, implementing energy efficiency solutions and expanding electric vehicle (EV) fleets and infrastructure.

Meralco chairman and chief executive Manuel Pangilinan said the company was accelerating its transition to green energy by leveraging next-generation technologies such as nuclear energy and battery energy systems, charting a course towards deep decarbonization with the goal to become coal-free by 2050.

“As we pursue our decarbonization strategies, we envision a thriving society with access to education, clean water, quality healthcare, dignified livelihoods, and disaster preparedness—all in alignment with the United Nations’ Sustainable Development Goals [UN SDGs],” Pangilinan said. Alena Mae S. Flores

The new guidelines lower the minimum public float requirement from 20 percent to 15 percent for listed companies as provided under the EPIRA Law. The SEC said the streamlined procedure aligns with the government’s policy to enhance the inflow of private capital and broaden the ownership base of the power generation, transmission and distribution sectors. Under the guidelines, the SEC’s Markets and Securities Regulation Department (MSRD) will complete the review of the registration statement within 45 days from filing. Subsequently, the MSRD will issue a pre-effective letter outlining the conditions to be met.

Upon meeting these conditions, the MSRD will then issue the order of registration and/or permit to sell securities to the public. The public offering and sale of the securities may then commence within 10 business days from the date of the registration statement’s effectivity. To expedite the processing of the registration statement, the SEC advises registrants to obtain all necessary clearances from the SEC Company Registration and Monitoring Department, Corporate Governance and Finance Department, Enforcement and Investor Protection Department, Office of the General Counsel and Office of the General Accountant (OGA) before filing with the MSRD.

Converge ICT set to launch direct-to-home satellite TV service this year

CONVERGE ICT Solutions Inc. said over the weekend it plans to disrupt the Philippine pay television market with a nationwide direct-to-home satellite TV service set for launch in 2024.

Converge co-founder and chief executive Dennis Anthony Uy told reporters the company was testing its satellite direct-to-home (DTH) TV service.

Satellite DTH delivers video via radio waves received through a satellite dish, usually placed on top of the house. “We

have a direct to home franchise already, and we need to open that soon, maybe within the year,” Uy said. The move positions them directly against established players like Cignal and Global Satellite (GSAT).

“Traditional pay TV is sunset already. You need to go to OTT [overthe-top], streaming, IPTV [Internet Protocol TV]. That’s the pay TV direction,” Uy said. Converge in 2021 launched Vision,

a new all-in-one home entertainment add-on service powered by its pure fiber broadband network in partnership with Pacific Kabelnet Holding Co. Inc. (PKN). The company also offers BLASTTV, a streaming platform that showcases an extensive content library of TV shows and exclusive channels. BlastTV’s global content partners include NBC Universal, Paramount Pictures, Sony Pictures, MGM Television and Lionsgate.

Converge earlier reported a net income of P6.26 billion from January to September 2023, up by 4 percent from P6.1 billion in the same period in 2022. Consolidated revenues grew 7.2 percent to P26.2 billion in the nine-month period from P24.5 billion a year earlier. Residential business rose 5.2 percent to P22.5 billion from P21.4 billion. The company recorded a total of 2.04 million subscribers as of end-September 2023.

Darwin G. Amojelar

SSS booked P83-b net income in 2023, topped target by 62% on high collection

THE Social Security System (SSS) said over the weekend it surpassed its 2023 net income target by 62.8 percent on the back of higher revenues.

Based on its 2023 unaudited financial statement, SSS said its net income amounted to P83.13 billion last year, exceeding its P51.06-billion target and P52.60 billion net income in 2022.

SSS president and chief executive Rolando Ledesma Macasaet said its 2023 profit was the highest on record.

“Our revenue in 2023 grew by 15.6 percent to P353.82 billion from P306.16 billion in the previous year,” Macasaet said.

He said the bulk of SSS revenue in 2023 came from contribution collection, which rose 18.2 percent to P309.12 billion from P261.44 billion collected in 2022.

“Our record-high net income last year shows that we continue to strengthen our finances through programs and policies that increase new paying members and strengthen collection efforts,” he said. Macasaet said SSS recorded lowerthan-revenue expenses of P270.69 billion, with the lion’s share of the total expenditure going to benefit payments to members and pensioners. Darwin G. Amojelar

Stock index seen testing 7,000 level on sustained rally

PHILIPPINE stocks may attempt to breach the 7,000 level this week amid the global market rally.

Rizal Commercial Banking Corp. head economist Michael Ricafort said the mostly better-than-expected US economic data could support better market valuations.

“Market sentiment is partly supported recently by the record highs in stock markets in the US and in other parts of the world,” Ricafort said. The bellwether Philippine Stock Exchange index (PSEi) hit an intra-day high of 6,990.65 last week, before closing at 6,913.21, up 0.58 percent from previous week’s close. The market was also up 7.2 percent since the start of the year.

Ricafort said that aside from positive sentiments overseas, the continued net foreign buying supported the local stock market. Net foreign buying for the week Feb. 19 to 23 reached $30.1 million.

The strengthening of the peso against the US dollar also boosted market sentiment, he said. Online brokerage firm 2TradeAsia. com said the impressive corporate earnings so far would also support the market’s upward momentum. Jenniffer B. Austria

PIPE LAYING. Manila Water Company Inc. continues the expansion and maintenance of its water connection to ensure its growing customer base is afforded 24/7 clean and potable water. As of November 2023, the east zone water concessionaire has laid and maintained 5,445.96 kilometers of pipelines all over the east zone of Metro Manila.

EV MOBILITY. Department of Trade and Industry (DTI) Secretary Alredo Pascual (second from left) and United Nations Industrial Development Organization (UNIDO) Philippine representative Teddy Monroy (third from left) sign the ‘Accelerating the Adoption and Scale-up Electric Mobility for Low-Carbon City Development in the Philippines’ or E- Mobility project on Feb. 23, 2024 to revolutionize Philippine transportation by promoting electric vehicles (EVs) and fostering a thriving local EV manufacturing industry.

THE Philippines called on local government units (LGUs) to take advantage of available hazard maps as part of early warning systems to avert disasters and safeguard lives and livelihoods.

The World Meteorological Organization (WMO) has noted that more lives are being protected from extreme weather and dangerous climate change impacts but there is a long way to go. Half of countries globally still do not have adequate multi-hazard early warning systems, it said.

Department of Environment and Natural Resources (DENR) Secretary Maria Antonia Yulo Loyzaga has urged local executives to integrate the use of hazard maps in decision-making.

“A hazard does not have to become a disaster,” Loyzaga said during a radio interview earlier this month.

The environment chief sounded off the appeal in the wake of the landslide incident in Maco, Davao de Oro, stressing the DENR’s collaborative efforts with key national and local agencies to enhance the preparedness and resilience of affected communities.

A report from the United Nations Office for Disaster Risk Reduction

Warmest January on record as temperatures rose globally

IN the battle to slow global warming, January was the hottest month on record according to the World Meteorological Organization (WMO) last week.

Large portions of North America, Asia and Australia were wetter than average while much of southern Africa and South America were drier than normal.

The record-breaking trend seen for much of 2023 has rolled into 2024. For the eighth month in a row, new heat records have been set.

At the same time, sea surface temperatures have been at a record high

Rail

now for 10 consecutive months.

The UN climate change body, which hosts the annual COP conference, UNFCC, tweeted that based on Thursday’s figures, “the urgency for climate action has never been clearer.”

“It is time to act,” declared UNFCCC, and for countries to put their climate plans into motion which align with keeping global warming below the 1.5°C limit outlined in the Paris Agreement nearly a decade ago. This new data comes from the US

BIODIVERSITY 101

Wella Mayor

transportation

for a greener future

alleviating urban gridlock, this ambitious undertaking holds the promise of spreading prosperity to regions beyond the capital, while safeguarding our environment from further degradation.

Rail transport, heralded as a green alternative, is poised to play a pivotal role in decarbonizing our nation’s transit networks. By offering energy-efficient mobility solutions and curbing greenhouse gas emissions, railways present a pathway towards sustainable development.

The support of international organizations like the Asian Development Bank underscores the significance of these initiatives. Their commitment to funding projects like the NSCR reflects a shared vision of inclusive growth and environmental stewardship.

—“—

Rail transport … is poised to play a pivotal role in decarbonizing our nation’s transit networks.

promise and potential.

Initiatives once plagued by delays and setbacks are now attracting attention and fostering public optimism. The spotlight shines brightly on ambitious projects set to redefine our nation’s transportation landscape.

At the forefront of this movement is President Ferdinand Marcos Jr., who has elevated rail development to a top priority within his administration’s agenda. With a directive to explore funding avenues for a long-awaited railway system in Mindanao and a push for the timely implementation of the NSCR project, Marcos signals a departure from past disappointments towards a future of progress.

The NSCR, in particular, emerges as a beacon of hope amid Metro Manila’s crippling traffic congestion. Beyond

As contracts are awarded to reputable companies renowned for their eco-friendly solutions, the wheels are set in motion for tangible progress. Yet, challenges loom on the horizon, from the resettlement of informal settlers along railway corridors to the complexities of project implementation.

In the face of these obstacles, the resolve of government agencies and the cooperation of affected communities are essential to ensuring the timely realization of our aspirations. The NSCR stands as a testament to our collective ambition―a symbol of progress hurtling towards a greener, more sustainable future.

As we embark on this journey, let us remain vigilant, mindful of the hurdles that lie ahead. The track is laid, the momentum is building―may we stay steadfast in our commitment to seeing this vision through to fruition.

Editor’s Notes: Ms. Wella Mayor is a distinguished advocacy communicator with a profound focus on agriculture, environment and telecommunications. With a robust background serving in both governmental and private sectors, she has honed her expertise as a consultant for local and multinational corporations, as well as non-governmental organizations. Through her work, she has contributed significantly in raising awareness about pressing environmental challenges and promoting solutions for their mitigation and adaptation.

Manila Standard’s Biodiversity 101 column is open to contributors who share the advocacies of protecting the environment and promoting sustainable practices that are being pushed by the United Nations. Such contributions are subject to the availability of space and the paper’s editorial policies. The contributions should not exceed 600 words or 4,000 characters.

National Oceanic and Atmospheric Administration (NOAA), NASA, the European Union’s Copernicus Climate Change Service and the Japan Meteorological Agency.

They are four of the six international datasets feeding into WMO’s State of the Climate reports. That report is due out next month. But, so far, the agency has already confirmed that 2023 was by far the warmest year on record due to human-induced climate change and a warming El Niño weather pattern.UN News

(UNDRR) and the WMO finds that Africa has doubled the quality of early warning systems coverage, but still falls below the global average. Less than half of the Least Developed Countries and only 40 percent of small island developing states, meanwhile, have a multi-hazard early warning system.

Recalling the incidence of an earlier landslide in the area back in 2008, Loyzaga stressed the significance of recognizing data-driven indicators for early warning and action. These include the Philippine Atmospheric, Geophysical and Astronomical Services Administration’s (PAGASA) record of unusually high rainfall in January this year, which was four times the affected area’s monthly average in the nearest weather station. Loyzaga acknowledged the importance ofLGU leadership in early action guided by hazard maps. She underscores that early warning should lead to early action.

DENR, UN News

The data reveals January 2024 as the warmest month on record globally, highlighting a stark deviation from the 30-year average. This map visualizes the significant temperature anomalies that contribute to this record-breaking warmth, signaling a clear and concerning trend in our planet’s climate trajectory. WMO photo

New body aims to limit deadly toll of pollution, waste

DIRTY air alone is responsible for 6.7 million deaths globally every year, while conservative estimates suggest that in 2019, 5.5 million people died from heart disease linked to lead exposure. To stem the pollution crisis, countries agreed in 2022 to establish anew body that would provide policymakers with robust, independent information on chemicals, waste and pollution.

Negotiators are fine-tuning the details of this new sciencepolicy panel. Once operational, it will complete a trifecta of similar

scientific bodies designed to counter the triple planetary crisis of climate change, nature and biodiversity loss, and pollution and waste.

“Pollution is an urgent global issue, on par with climate change and biodiversity loss,” says Tessa Goverse, principal coordinator of the United Nations Environment Program (UNEP)-hosted secretariat of the ad hoc open-ended working group, which is tasked with preparing the foundational elements for establishing the panel. “What we’ve been missing is a strong and comprehensive

UN, FAO recognize

science-policy interface to tackle the pollution pillar of the triple planetary crisis. Now the global community is constructively working towards a panel that can deliver policy impacts that save lives and protect the environment for decades to come.”

The new science-policy panel can help to translate scientific findings into action and is expected to work strategically with the recently adopted Global Framework on Chemicals and numerous Multilateral Environmental Agreements.

Later this month, delegates will gather in Nairobi, Kenya, for the sixth session of the United Nations Environment Assembly (UNEA6), the world’s top decision-making body on the environment. They are expected to discuss how to strengthen implementation of international environmental accords and reenforce the link between science and policymaking.

The new science-policy panel seeks to equip policymakers with the best available science, enabling them to make well-informed decisions and develop policies to lessen the toll of toxic chemicals, waste and pollution on human health and the environment.

UNEP News

seven ‘World Restoration Flagships’

THE UN Environment Program (UNEP) and the Food and Agriculture Organization of the UN (FAO) have named seven initiatives from Africa, Latin America, the Mediterranean and Southeast Asia as UN World Restoration Flagships.

These initiatives include ecosystems at the tipping point of outright degradation resulting from wildfires, drought, deforestation and pollution. They are now eligible for technical and financial UN support.

The World Restoration Flagship awards are part of the UN Decade on Ecosystem Restoration–led by UNEP and FAO–which aims to prevent, halt, and reverse the degradation of ecosystems on every continent and in every ocean. The awards track notable initiatives that support global commitments to restore one billion hectares–an area larger than China.

The winning initiatives are announced ahead of the 6th session of the UN Environment Assembly (UNEA-6), the world’s highest-level decision-making body for matters related to the environment, taking place from February 26 to March 1 at UNEP headquarters in Nairobi, Kenya. Together, the seven new flagships are expected to restore nearly 40 million hectares—an area almost 600 times the size of Nairobi—and create around 500,000 jobs.

”FAO is pleased to recognize these seven worthy champions, proving that we can offer the leading examples to reverse ecosystem degradation at scale, while also addressing the impacts of the climate crisis and biodiversity loss,” said FAO Director-General QU Dongyu.: “Restoring terrestrial and aquatic ecosystems is a crucial step in the transformation of global agrifood systems to

be more efficient, inclusive, resilient and sustainable. Ecosystem restoration is long term solution in the fight to eradicate poverty, hunger and malnutrition, as we face population growth and increased need for foods and ecosystem goods and services,” he said.

The World Restoration Flagships are chosen as the best examples of ongoing, large-scale and long-term ecosystem restoration by the Task Forces for Science and Best Practices of the UN Decade on Ecosystem Restoration and approved by its executive board. Selection follows a thorough review process with over 60 indicators and criteria, embodying the 10 Restoration Principles of the UN Decade.FAO News

UNEP

Tamaraw spikers keep unbeaten UAAP run

FAR Eastern University preserved its flawless record in the UAAP Season 86 Men’s Volleyball Tournament after sweeping University of the East, 25-22, 25-17, 25-15, Sunday at the SM Mall of Asia Arena in Pasay City. The Tamaraws now hold the momentary top spot at 3-0, their best start since 2018, with 2-0 University of Santo Tomas playing against De La Salle University as of posting time.

“Yes happy sa performance. Sa magandang nilalaro ng team, hopefully magdire-diretso lang,” said FEU head coach Eddieson Orcullo ahead of their matchup against UST next Sunday at 12 p.m.

The Tamaraws made sure to finish the game in straight sets by unleashing a strong finishing kick buoyed by second-stringer middle blockers Rey Sabanal and Jeff Abuniawan to turn

a 17-14 close lead to a 25-15 for the match in just one hour and 25 minutes.

JJ Javelona was inserted in the starting lineup and delivered a gamehigh 13 points on 11 attacks and two blocks while Martin Bugaoan chipped in 11 points of his own.

“Nagpapasalamat din ako kay coach kasi kahit saan akong puwesto ilagay, nakakaya ko and nagaadjust talaga ako palagi. Ready talaga ako,” said Javelona.

Wing spikers Dryx Saavedra and Andrei Delicana added eight and seven points, respectively, as well in the win.

JP Mangahis tallied 10 points and 21 excellent receptions as the Red Warriors remained winless in three outings.

UE will open the day next Sunday against Adamson University at 10 a.m. still at the Pasay venue.

Tough grind continues for Obiena, 2 others

By Peter Atencio

AFTER breaking two indoor records twice this week, Filipino pole vault sensation Ernest John “EJ” Obiena is off to a bigger stage in the coming weekend.

Obiena is set to compete in the final day of action at the World Indoor Championships in Glasgow, Scotland, when its gets going until March 3.

The 28-year-old Obiena is expected to be in high spirits after setting a new Asian indoor record for the second time in a week last Friday.

Obiena will go into action with confidence following his second gold medal victory in the ISTAF meet at the Mercedes-Benz Arena in Berlin on Saturday (Manila time).

Over the weekend, Obiena cleared 5.93 meters, which eclipsed the 5.92 meterrecord of Kazakh Igor Potapovich established in February, 1998.

Last Wednesday, Obiena kicked off his

PhilCycling BMX Freestyle starts March 22 in Tagaytay

indoor campaign by clinching the gold at the 2024 World Athletics Indoor Tour Bronze—Memorial Josip Gašparac in Osijek, Croatia. Obiena came up with remarkable leap of 5.83 meters, establishing a new meet standard in the elite category.

His previous best in an indoor setting was at 5.91 meters, which Obiena did at the Perche Elite Tour in Rouen, France, in March 2022.

Placing second was his closest rival Tray Oates of the United States of America as he settled for the silver at 5.75 meters.

Polish bet Robert Sobera took the bronze, after he and Torben Blech cleared 5.66 meters.

Hoffman got selected after she obliterated the Philippine national record in the women’s indoor 400-meter run, when she finished second in the heats at 53.71 seconds two weeks ago at the Clemson Paw Invitationals at the Clemson Indoor Track & Field Complex in South Carolina.

Last month, Hoffman smashed it for the first time, claiming one of two Philippine national records in the 2024 Clemson Bob Pollock Invitational indoor athletics meet also in Clemson, South Carolina.

That was when Hoffman, who became eligible to represent the Philippines in October last year, settled for the bronze medal with a record-breaking time of 53.91 seconds.

“Just when I thought my indoor season was done, God has opened up another door. Next week I’ll be representing the Philippines at the World Indoor Championships in Glasgow, Scotland! Excited to represent the country I love and get after it one more time this season! Thank you @officialpatafa for the support!,” said Hoffman in an online statement.

Mapua, Letran catch Perpetual at the top

MAPUA and Letran pulled off contrasting results to catch up on previously unbeaten University of Perpetual Help at the helm in NCAA Season 99 junior basketball at the Filoil EcoOil Arena yesterday.

The Red Robins fought back from 10 points down late in the third quarter in snatching a nail-biting 72-71 victory over the Junior Altas, who were sent crashing to their first defeat after a scorching 5-0 start.

That result, coupled by the Squires’ 8369 triumph over the Emilio Aguinaldo College Brigadiers earlier, created a threeway logjam on top among Letran, the defending champion, Mapua and UPHSD on 5-1 cards.

Lawrence Mangubat keyed Mapua’s dramatic fightback as he poured in 11 of his game-high 25 points in the fourth quarter when the Red Robins overhauled that double-digit deficit and turned it to a precious win. Defense though did the trick for Mapua as it showed why it owns the league’s stingiest defense after it held down UPHSD to its season-low output after coming into

the duel with a leaguehigh average of 94 points a game. The Red Robins also shackled UPHSD’s top gun Amiel Acido to just six points after averaging 17.2 points an outing before yesterday.

For the Squires, they needed an early assault to set the tone and never relented the rest of the way.

Moses Manalili led the way with 15 points, while Jolo Navarro, George Diamante and Jovel Baliling scattered 14, 12 and 11 points, respectively.

The Brigadiers were demoted to one rank lower and slipped to 2-4.

The scores:

First Game Letran 83- Manalili 15, Navarro 14, Diamante 12, Baliling 11, Padilla 8, Reyes 7, Hugo 6, Gazzingan 4, Villanueva 3, De Leon 3, Cruz 0, Paguio 0, Alforque 0, Quijada 0 EAC 69- Castillo 28, Coronel 10, Asay 8, Graham 7, Campana 4, Lumbo 4, Razo 4, Mariquit 2, Luna 1, Tecson 1, Bautista 0, Canonigo 0

Quarterscores: 27-13; 47-35; 65-55; 83-69

VANIE Gandler proved her stellar rookie season in the Premier Volleyball League was no mere fluke.

In Cignal’s first game of the 2024 All-Filipino Conference last Saturday, the former Ateneo star spiker picked up right where she left off, tallying a game-high 19 points on 17 attacks, one ace, and one block to help the HD Spikers edge the reloaded Akari Chargers in four sets.

In a team bannered by steely veterans like former PVL Most Valuable Player Ces Molina and top offseason recruit Dawn Macandili-Catindig, it was the young Gandler who quickly proved her worth from the get-go, despite being rested in the game’s waning moments.

“It feels good, of course, because our preparation time was very short, but I’m happy that the team was able to come together,” said the Cignal rising star after their 21-25, 25-18, 25-12, 25-18 victory over Akari at the Smart Araneta Coliseum.

“After the first set, it’s normal first-game jitters. but I could see how much we all want it.

“For her standout performance, Gandler was awarded by the newly-formed PVL Press Corps as the 2024 season’s first Player of the Week for the period of February 20 to 24.

She edged out Creamline’s Tots Carlos, PLDT’s Savie Davison, Chery Tiggo’s Mylene Paat, Petro Gazz’s Nicole Tiamzon, and Choco Mucho’s Mars Alba for the weekly award de-

liberated upon by reporters regularly covering the PVL beat. Carrying a mindset rivaling seasoned veterans, the 23-year-old Gandler already knows that her rise to stardom won’t come as easily moving forward, and she is very much ready for bigger challenges in the path ahead.

“Personally for me, now that I’ve played two conferences, I know that the teams are going to really scout me more, so I really have to think outside the box and level up from here,” she continued.

“As a team, I’m sure teams are also gonna scout us. That’s a challenge, of course. We’re just 14 awesome, so, you know, [we need to] stay healthy. It’s everyone’s biggest obstacle.”

Celtics stretch win streak to 8 games,

T-Wolves win

NEW YORK—Jaylen Brown scored 30 points and Kristaps Porzingis added 22 as the Boston Celtics stretched their NBA win streak to eight games on Saturday by defeating New York 116-102.

The Celtics improved to NBA’s best record to 45-12 and boosted their win streak to a season high while stretching their Eastern Conference lead over second-place Cleveland to eight games.

Jayson Tatum added 19 points, six rebounds and six assists as Boston had six scorers in double figures.

“We’ve got so many good players on our team,” Tatum said. “We always talk about respecting each other’s space. It’s about understanding it’s a rhythm game. It’s going to come back to you eventually.”

Tatum says the players adopt a long-term approach, keeping in mind the overall goal is an NBA title in June.

“We have a really good team and we understand the important goal, what we’re really trying to accomplish, so every single night we’re trying to share the love, play the right way and make sure we win more often than not,” Tatum said.

Jalen Brunson had game highs of 34 points and nine assists to lead the Knicks, who fell to 34-23.

Porzingis, who began his NBA career with the Knicks in 2015, sank two 3-pointers and Brown scored five points in a 17-5 third-quarter Boston run that gave the Celtics their biggest lead to that point at 84-71 on the way to a 97-84 lead after three quarters -- the Celtics hitting 68% of their shots from the floor entering the fourth quarter.

Boston kept the Knicks scoreless for five minutes in the heart of the fourth quarter to help seal New York’s fate, the Celtics stretching the lead as high as 20 points.

At Minneapolis, the Minnesota Timberwolves seized sole possession of the Western Conference lead with a 101-86 victory over Brooklyn.

Anthony Edwards scored 29 points and Karl-Anthony Towns added 28 to spark the T-Wolves, who improved to 40-17, one-half game ahead of Oklahoma City with the NBA’s secondbest record.

The Nets sunk to 21-35 with their fourth loss in a row.

Banchero lifts Magic

In the night’s only other game, Paolo Banchero’s three-point play with 0.1 of a second remaining gave the Orlando Magic a 112-109 victory at Detroit. Banchero sank the game-winning jumper while being fouled and added the free throw for the dramatic triumph.

“It was important,” said a tearful Banchero of his final shot. “It was a hard game and I’ve been sick. I’ve been feeling terrible. I just give credit to my teammates. They lifted me up the whole game.

“I don’t know why I’m crying. It was a hard game. I’m proud of my team.”

Banchero’s 15 points led eight double-figure scorers for Orlando, which improved to 32-25, level with Indiana for sixth in the East.

The Pistons, led by Cade Cunningham’s 26 points, fell to an NBA-worst 8-48 with a fifth consecutive loss.

Franz Wagner’s free throw gave Orlando a 109-105 lead with 96 seconds remaining.

Cunningham answered with a jumper and a layup for Detroit, the latter pulling the Pistons level at 109109 with 12 seconds in stage for Banchero’s heroics.

Verstappen eyes 4th title as foes face brutal reality

PARIS—Max Verstappen looks set to cruise to a fourth consecutive drivers’ title with Red Bull as the dominant team again this year when the curtain rises on Formula One’s longest-ever season in Bahrain.

Whatever the outcome of an independent investigation into allegations of controlling behaviour by team boss Christian Horner, Red Bull have built a crushing level of momentum and a stunning car that oozed potential in pre-season testing.

With stable unchanged regulations and no changes to the driver line-ups, a year of deja vu is in prospect as the F1 circus embarks on a daunting and unprecedented run of 24 race weekends stretching to early December.

Verstappen’s mental strength, the team’s well-oiled winning habit, the design genius of Adrian Newey and an overall sense of ambition and hunger for more success are unlikely to be affected by a leadership change.

After sweeping to a record 21 wins in 22 races last year, with Verstappen

claiming a record 19, plus 12 poles and nine fastest laps as he accumulated a staggering total of 575 points, Red Bull have every reason to believe they can stay on top.

In such a demanding calendar, much will depend on the form of Verstappen’s Red Bull team-mate Sergio Perez, who won twice last year before fading, if the team hope for a clean sweep this time.

After his imperious form in 2023, the 26-year-old Dutchman has every reason to begin this year with a swagger, but he will need help from the Mexican for the team to smash all their own records in an invincible season.

‘Crush competition’

All of their rival teams have improved their cars, as seen in pre-season testing, but none arrived to shine last week with as many updates and revisions as those

seen in Red Bull’s RB20, a car that marks the team’s 20th birthday. “It’s a team that operates at its best when they are winning,” said former Red Bull race winner Daniel Ricciardo, who remains this year with the renamed Red Bull junior team, RB, having shrugged off the Alpha Tauri label.

“When they’re winning, it’s like they just want to crush the competition completely. It’s not like ‘ok, now we’re winning, let’s go on holiday’. It’s like ‘let’s really put our feet down.” Ferrari, entering a second season under the guidance of Frederic Vasseur as team principal, who has recruited seven-time champion Lewis Hamilton to replace Carlos Sainz in 2025, will be aiming to improve on their one triumph last year. They believe they have a more reliable car that will transfer qualifying speed into race performance, but as Charles Leclerc admitted after he topped the times on the final day of testing, they have some way to go to catch the runaway Red Bulls. AFP

Pampanga takes on Batangas in MPBL semis

PAMPANGA and Batangas subdued their respective opponents on Saturday night and forged a semifinal clash in the 2024 MPBL (Maharlika Pilipinas Basketball League) Preseason Invitational at the Lagao Gym in General Santos City. Showing why they are the reigning MPBL national champions, the Pampanga Giant Lanterns routed guest squad Gensan Bulalakaw, 10975, for their third straight win and a sweep of Group B. The Batangas City Tanduay Athletics, on the other hand, bested the Bataan Risers, 86-75, to climb to 2-1 in Group A and join South Cotabato in the crossover semifinals on SunSouth Cotabato, which won its three elimination round assignments, clashes with Quezon City TODA Aksyon at 6 p.m., followed

by the Pampanga-Batangas tussle at 8 p.m.

Quezon City dumped Valenzuela Classic, 99-77, in the first game on Saturday to claim the second semifinal slot in Group B over its victim and the Bulalakaw team of MPBL Founder and CEO Manny Pacquiao.

Quezon City, Valenzuela and Bulalakaw finished with 1-2 slates, but Quezon City qualified with a better quotient owing to its 22-point win over Valenzuela.

Rhinwill Yambing presided over Quezon City’s victory with 24 points, 4 steals and 3 rebounds. The 6-foot-3 high-flyer from San Sebastian College was supported by Rael Are with 22 points, spiced by 5 triples, 5 rebounds and 3 steals.

Justine Baltazar, the reigning MPBL MVP, again shone for Pampanga with 15 points, 15 rebounds

and 7 assists. He was supported by Rence Alcoriza with 16 points, 6 rebounds and 4 assists, Kevin Santos with 12 points plus 9 rebounds, and Kurt Reyson with 10 points, 8 assists and 4 rebounds.

Bulalakaw got 27 points, 8 rebounds and 2 blocks from Victor Nguidjol and 21 points, 5 assists, 3 rebounds and 2 steals from Pacquiao.

Batangas, which crashed out of the semifinal round in last year’s edition of the tournament, was powered by Levi Hernandez with 22 points and 5 rebounds, Jeckster Apinan with 17 points, 7 rebounds and 4 assists, Juneric Baloria with 14 points, 4 rebounds and 2 assists, and RJ Ramirez with 11 points.

Bataan, which ended up with a 1-2 card, got 23 points and 10 rebounds from Michelle Maynes.

US rookie Knapp fires 63, grabs lead at Mexico Open

MEXICO CITY—Jake Knapp, a rookie making only his ninth PGA Tour start, fired an eight-under-par 63 on Saturday to grab the lead after a recordsetting third round at the Mexico Open. The 29-year-old American birdied seven of the first nine holes for a course-record 7-under 28 on the front side at Vidanta in Puerto Vallarta. A birdie-birdie finish gave Knapp 11 birdies against three bogeys on the day to match the 54-hole tournament scoring record of 19-under 194 set last year by winner Tony Finau. That was good enough for a four-stroke lead over Finland’s Sami Valimaki, another PGA Tour rookie in only his 11th start on the circuit, with Canada’s Ben Silverman, Sweden’s Henrik Norlander and American Chan Kim sharing third on 201, seven strokes adrift.

World number 101 Knapp, who shared the lead on 11-under when the day began, birdied six of the first seven holes, reeling off four in a row from the fourth, and birdied the ninth to seize command, telling himself to stay focused as the birdies fell.

“Just keep it going, stick to the process, do what we’ve been doing,” Knapp said. “Kept saying I’ve been hitting the ball well, just keep giving myself opportunities and get some putts to drop and was able to do that.”

Knapp, who produced his best PGA finish with a share of third earlier this month at Riviera, has won three times on a Canadian developmental tour and will rely on years of past efforts to cope with Sunday pressure in the biggest round of his career.

“I’ve been playing professional golf for a while and had plenty of good stuff and bad stuff,” he said.

“What happened at (Riviera), I have that to lean back on, and some experiences on the Korn Ferry and Canadian tours and all that, so that will all be a part.”

Knapp opened with back-to-back birdies, hitting his approach at the first from the left rough to just inside three feet of the hole, then blasting his approach to four feet at the second.

Knapp sank a birdie putt at the fourth from just inside 17 feet, followed with a 24-foot birdie putt at the par-3 fifth, another from just outside five feet at the par-5 sixth and made a five-foot birdie putt at the par-4 seventh after driving onto the green.

At the par-3 ninth, Knapp landed his tee shot four feet from the hole and tapped in to set the nine-hole tournament record and lead by three at the turn. AFP

San Juan shackles Biñan, moves to solo lead in PSL

SAN Juan put the clamps down on the Marc Pingris-less Biñan and handed out Tatak Gel’s first loss in the PSL President’s Cup following a 78-74 win at the Filoil-EcoOil Centre in San Juan late Saturday night.

More than dealing Biñan its first ever loss in the tournament, San Juan has vaulted to the top of the standings by notching its 14th win in 15 games.

Tatak Gel dropped to second with a 13-1 win-loss card.

San Juan made its presence felt on the defensive end in the third period, holding Biñan to just one field goal in a seven-minute stretch as the Kings created separation.

The Kings led by as many as 16 points, 6145, in the 3:05 mark, behind a 16-3 run, with

former Philippine Basketball Association player Dexter Maiquez waxing hot from beyond the arc. Maiquez finished with 19 points, including four three-point shots.

But just when the Kings were about to put away Tatak Gel, Biñan gave San Juan a dose of its own medicine in defense in the fourth period. Trailing 58-71 with still 6:03 left, Biñan held San Juan to just a lone field goal in a fourminute span, resulting in a 10-2 run as KG Canaleta, Tyrone Chan and Kenny Rocacurva combined forces to shove Tatak Gel within five, 68-73.

The closest Tatak Gel could come was within two, 74-76, off a Canaleta lay up with still 35 seconds left and Biñan had one last chance

of equalizing the count, but Jayjay Helterbrand missed a runner, allowing San Juan to make it a two-possession game.

Michael Calisaan split his charities, but after missing his second free throw in the last three seconds, Mike Malonzo was there to snatch the offensive rebound and the young player came up with his own split to seal the game for San Juan.

Davao Occidental ran roughshod over Cam Norte, 122-88, in the other game.

Justine Sanchez led the way with 22 points, making 9-of-13 attempts from the field to spark the Tigers’ torrid shooting.

Davao Occidental hit 54% from the field (45-of-83) while holding Cam Norte to just 39% (29-of-73).

Rhinwill Tambing of Quezon City TODA Aksyo

San Juan’s Zach Huang finds himself too deep under the basket to get off a shot against a phalanx of Binan defenders.

Kathryn Bernardo finds perfect match

HER fans say that since her muchpublicized breakup with longtime boyfriend Daniel Padilla, Kathryn Bernardo has been doing much better in her career. She seems to be enjoying her singlehood, partying, and traveling like any 27-year-old would.

Speaking of career, the actress recently inked a contract with TCL Electronics, a leading consumer electronics brand and the world’s top two TV brands.

“I just renewed my contract with TCL Electronics, so I am very excited about the partnership we’ll be doing this year,” Kathryn enthuses during the contract signing session held at her studio.

The partnership was sealed at Baked Studios last February 6. Present at the signing were Loyal Cheng, TCL PH Chief Executive Officer (CEO), Shae Xiaoling Yu, Marketing Head, and Joseph

Very Wang

Nickie Wang

Cernitchez, Brand Manager.

This partnership is truly a match made for Kathryn, as she vividly remembers her childhood with their TCL TV and the bonding moments with her family. Having grown up with the TCL brand, she says, “I would remember that big gray box before smart TVs existed. I have such fond memories with that TCL TV because every night after I finished my homework, we would go to my parents’ room to bond and watch our favorite shows and cartoons.” She continues, “I didn’t expect that one day, fast forward to 2023 when I first became their brand endorser, which is why I’m so grateful and humbled. I grew up with TCL, and now they offer other products like air conditioners, washing machines, and refrigerators. It’s also more interesting because they have more TV options and features. I’m pleased to see the brand grow alongside me.”

‘Rewind’ receives commendation from Senate, streams on Netflix in March

THE Philippine Senate congratulated and commended the artists and production team of the country’s highest-grossing film Rewind Senator Robin Padilla, in his Senate Resolution No. 909, emphasized the film’s role in revitalizing the Philippine film industry.

“This achievement is a testament to the return of a vibrant and flourishing Philippine film industry - attributed to the hard work and commitment of artists, writers, directors, and all members of the production teams,” he said.

Dingdong Dantes, Marian Rivera, director Mae Cruz Alviar, Kris Gazmen and Marizel Martinez of Star Cinema, and Jojo Oconer and Michael Tuviera of APT Entertainment were present to receive a copy of the Senate resolution during the ceremony.

“Dingdong Dantes and Marian Rivera-Dantes serve as inspiration, not only as artists on screen but also as one of the inspiring couple celebrities championing family values,

OPPENHEIMER took top honors at the Screen Actors Guild Awards on Saturday, as Hollywood stars partied at their union’s first prize-giving gala since staging its longest-ever strike last year. The prestigious prize for best performance by a cast at the SAG Awards is historically

Aligning with the brand message of “Inspire Greatness,” Kathryn’s journey to becoming the most sought-after actress in the Philippines has inspired many. She embodies empowerment and ambition, continuing to illuminate and inspire others. Likewise, TCL strives to develop and roll out innovative products to improve the Filipino lifestyle.

The brand executives have high praise for the 27-year-old actress for helping them set the trail as a leader in the industry.

“We are thrilled to have Kathryn once again as our brand endorser. She embodies the company’s vision to provide products that

of her life

inspire and empower people to pursue greatness in their lives,” says Loyal Cheng Kathryn will be headlining upcoming campaigns for TCL products such as TVs, washing machines, air conditioners, and refrigerators.

“We are planning a lot of exciting things for Kathryn for this partnership, and we are very happy to have her onboard once again. She’s a perfect match for TCL. She has become an inspiration for many people, just like TCL’s brand message to ‘Inspire Greatness.’ That’s why many people aspire to be successful like her,” says Shae Xiaoling Yu “I’m looking forward to many exciting launches for TCL products. I’m also grateful that we have partnered again. For someone who grew up loving TCL since childhood, it’s such a happy feeling to be part of their biggest campaigns this year,” Kathryn testifies.

entrepreneurship, and philanthropic deeds to help our fellow countrymen,” the Senate Resolution stated. It further added, “Recognizing this victory as well as the people behind it proves our pride and gratitude to those who relentlessly work to contribute to the evolution of the country’s cinematic landscape.”

Senate Majority Leader Joel Villanueva praised the blockbuster movie for highlighting the importance of expressing love in everyday life.

“

Ipinaalala po ng mga eksena sa pelikula na walang rewind button ang buhay kaya po dapat sikapin pong ipadama araw-araw ang pagmamahal at pagpapahalaga sa ating pamilya at

sa kapwa,” he shared. Following the film’s success, Senator Risa Hontiveros sees this as a promising sign for a brighter future for the Philippine film and entertainment industry.

“Nais kong magpugay sa kanila at higit doon nais kong ipahayag ang taos-pusong pasasalamat sa isang bagong pag asang ibinigay kahit sa ating mga manonood na Pilipino sa kinabukasan ng sining at kultura dito sa ating bansa,” she said.

Produced and distributed by Star Cinema, in association with Agosto Dos Media and APT Entertainment, Rewind will debut on Netflix on March 25.

‘Oppenheimer’ sweeps SAG Awards

Oppenheimer a formidable frontrunner for best picture.

Christopher Nolan’s epic drama about the father of the atomic bomb also took the awards for best actor for Cillian Murphy, who plays the titular scientist, and best-supporting actor for

Robert Downey Jr, portraying his bitter rival.

“Thank you for the invitation to play a genuine part in making this scarily important film,” said Kenneth Branagh speaking on behalf of the cast.

The movie has already won top prizes at the Golden Globes, Critics Choice Awards, Directors Guild of America Awards, and Britain’s BAFTAs.

It now adds the top SAG-AFTRA award for best cast, which has led to recent best picture Oscar wins for movies such as Parasite, CODA, and Everything Everywhere All at Once Many of the same actors who vote for the SAG Awards also make up the largest voting bloc for the Academy Awards, which will be held this year on March 10.

Oppenheimer saw off Barbie, Killers of the Flower Moon, American Fiction, and The Color Purple for top honors. AFP

Top fast food chain fosters joy of love through short films

By Abigail Adriatico

THROUGHOUT the years, Jollibee has made its mark with its heartwarming short films, which showcase relatable stories within three-minute advertisements.

For this year’s Valentine’s Day celebration, Jollibee took a new twist on its iconic Kwentong Jollibee series by featuring new heartfelt stories from real people.

“These stories are made more touching since they’re told by the actual persons, and we as viewers get to be part of their inspiring journey of finding joy.

We hope that these will inspire you even more to share the joy of love this season,” said Dorothy Dee-Ching, the marketing head of Jollibee Philippines, during the advanced screening of the #MyKwentongJollibee short films. Directed by award-winning filmmaker Paolo Villaluna, the two short films for this year’s #MyKwentongJollibee Valentine’s Day celebration are 30 Dates and To Love Again

30 Dates revolves around the story of good friends Kristian and

Coleen who unexpectedly find themselves developing something deeper in the midst of 30 straight days of courtship in celebration of the latter’s birth month.

Tackling the theme of giving love a second chance is To Love Again which tells the story of a single mom who has long turned her back on love after being heartbroken and a man who had fallen for her and hoped to win her love.

Villaluna noted that it was a noble thing to put the real-life stories of people such as the two couples in the short films into the spotlight, thereby bringing a more relatable value to the public.

During the exclusive launch of the two films at the Bonifacio High Street Cinema last Feb. 12, the event was graced by the two real-life couples along with their children.

Coleen Lasat from 30 Dates shared how seeing the poster for their short film brought tears to her and her husband’s eyes as they also felt touched by how their story was able to reach the hearts of other people.

Hazel and Ronald Pesigan from To Love Again tearfully attested to how their story served as proof that even after a painful experience, love will always find a way to bring two hearts together.

Musician Ebe Dancel also took part in the celebration by singing his song “Dapit-hapon,” which was used in To Love Again, and personally thanked the couples for sharing their stories with the world. Apart from screening the films, the event also involved an interactive live poll among the audience where they were asked questions about their perspectives on romance.

The two films are available to watch on Jollibee Studios’ official YouTube page.

Real-life couple Hazel (left) and Ronald Pesigan share their story in ‘To Love Again’

‘Rewind’ stars Marian Rivera (left) and Dingdong Dantes at the Senate

From left: ‘Oppenheimer’ stars Emily Blunt, Cillian Murphy, and Matt Damon

Kathryn Bernardo inspires greatness with the newest chapter

Kathryn Bernardo is focused on career growth with her continued partnership with TCL Electronics as its ambassador

Musician Ebe Dancel charms the audience with his song, ‘Dapit-hapon’

MONDAY,

NICKIE WANG, Editor

ANGELICA VILLANUEVA, Writer

THE Philippine Travel Agencies Association (PTAA) hosts the biggest Travel Fair in the country, the Travel Tour Expo. This year’s edition, the 31st, was the biggest, so far, with more than 200 exhibitors occupying more than 700 booths set up on two floors of the humongous SMX Convention Center at the Mall of Asia Complex.

TTE 2024 chairperson Patria Chiong happily declared that this year’s attendance surpassed the pre-pandemic numbers that the travel expo attracted. This could only mean that this year will again be a banner year for our country’s Travel and Tourism Industry.

prepared in the pipeline.

The Tourism Secretary also proudly revealed that the agency has embarked on a huge project to improve tourism facilities all throughout the country, such as building Tourism Rest Areas. Last year, ten were built in areas leading to popular tourist destinations, and twenty more as scheduled to open this year. This laudable project has been made possible through the cooperation of the Tourism Infrastructure and Enterprise Zone Authority (TIEZA).

Tourism Secretary Christina Garcia Frasco during her keynote speech, announced that our country recorded a total of 5.45 million international arrivals, way beyond the target of 4.8 million. Out of these arrivals, 92 percent were foreign passport holders, with South Koreans still topping the list, while 8 percent were overseas Filipinos.

She also announced that the Department of Tourism has embarked on the Philippine Experience Program which promotes lesser-known destinations in the country, to encourage more domestic and international visitors to discover more reasons to Love the Philippines. This project has, so far, showcased the various provinces in Davao, CALABARZON, the Bicol Region, and Western Visayas with more destinations being

I like what she said about travel agents, the majority members of PTAA, that even if their job is to bring people out of the country, she’s still grateful to them as these passengers pay the Philippine Travel Tax. This amount goes to TIEZA which helps the DOT in putting up the much-needed infrastructure for our tourism industry. There were also more countries that participated in this year’s TTE. Among them, Taiwan had the biggest booth, and it was right at the main entrance to the hall. It even featured some dancers performing some intricate athletic moves, much

to the delight of the audience. Hong Kong had a very colorful booth, while Thailand had staff in the usual elegant Thai costumes while greeting everyone

with the traditional “Wai.” Korea was packed with prospective holiday-seekers as it was selling heavily discounted tours to Jeju Island, travel that does not require Filipinos to have a visa. Of course, Japan did not want to be left behind as they had a booth that portrayed the serene scenes of their country, attracting guests to take part in typical Japanese traditional activities, while scouting around for bargain tours to various cities in that country.

By Nickie Wang

SOON, Swifties from around the world will flock to the streets of the Lion City for the Eras Tour. While the concert is the main event, it’s not the only experience to enjoy.

Klook, the top travel and experiences platform, encourages Swifties to embrace shared experiences and explore Singapore’s offerings. The adventure begins right at Singapore’s gateway. Taylor Swift herself was amazed to witness a forest in Changi Airport’s Terminal 3 upon her arrival 13 years ago, and now that it’s had years of changes and improvements, tourists can look forward to even more attractions like Canopy Park, featuring the Discovery Slides, Foggy Bowls, Petal Garden, and Topiary Walk. Take a scenic stroll on the Mastercard Canopy

Bridge for views of the iconic HSBC Rain Vortex.

Groups can enjoy activities like the English-gardeninspired Hedge Maze or the mind-bending Mirror Maze. For a thrilling experience, try the Bouncing Net and Walking Net suspended 25 meters above ground, taking a walk and playing to new heights. Must-see attractions

Kick off your trip with a bang at the S.E.A. Aquarium, one of the world’s largest, boasting over 100,000 marine life representing 1,000 species across 45 habitats. Not a fan of fish? Indulge in unlimited ice cream treats at the Museum of Ice Cream Singapore, where you’ll explore its history

Macau, Indonesia, Guam, and a few other countries also had attractive booths, all offering attractive tours at giveaway rates, the reason why swarms of visitors gathered around them throughout the day.

The Travel Tour Expo will always be a landmark event for our Travel and Tourism Industry. This early, PTAA is already starting preparations for next year’s event, expected to be even bigger than what we had this year.

For feedback, I’m at bobzozobrado @gmail.com

through 14 interactive installations. For the adventurous ones, try the Skyline Luge, a mix of go-kart and toboggan racing down purpose-built tracks with hairpin corners and exhilarating tunnels. Take the Sentosa Skyride back up for a bird’s eye view and another round of racing fun. While in Singapore, don’t miss exploring vibrant neighborhoods showcasing diverse cultures. Start with Chinatown and delve into its history with the Singapore Chinatown Heritage Walking Tour.

Experience a blend of past and present, discovering unique trinket shops, award-winning restaurants, and iconic locations. Then, wander through the bustling Indian markets and sample Indian cuisine in Little India.

Finally, visit Haji Lane in Kampong Glam for its colorful architecture, street art, trendy vintage shops, and eclectic bars and cafes.

Don’t forget to pick up some souvenirs and pasalubong. No trip is complete without trying local specialties.

Start your day with an authentic Singaporean

breakfast at Ya Kun Kaya Toast, then enjoy a light lunch at Ina Satay for their delicious satay dishes. For dinner, visit The White Restaurant for their renowned Original Sembawang White Beehoon and other flavorful dishes like Hainanese Chicken Rice and Chilli Crab.

Meanwhile, Gardens by the Bay, The ArtScience Museum, and Universal Studios Singapore are must-visit attractions for all ages.

Gardens by the Bay impresses with its cooled conservatories, floral structures, and waterfront gardens, offering picturesque landscapes. The ArtScience Museum provides a sensory journey through 21 gallery spaces, exploring the intersection of art and science.

For thrill-seekers, Universal Studios Singapore offers six themed zones with exciting rides based on blockbuster films, promising an adrenalinefilled experience.

Just like Taylor’s expansive discography, Singapore offers a bucket list full of accommodations, activities, attractions, and experiences for every kind of traveler. From March 2 to 3, and 7 to 9, while you shimmer with Taylor at midnight, discover the essence of Singapore at daylight with Klook. Discover exclusive P1,989.00 deals and activities on

Tourism Secretary Christina Garcia Frasco announces several efforts of the DOT for the local tourism industry