Manila Standard - 2024 April 4 - Thursday

SIX out of ten Filipinos believe the removal of restrictions against foreign investments and businesses in the Constitution may lead to more high-quality jobs, better services, and lower prices of goods, according to a recent Pulse Asia survey commissioned by international think tank Stratbase Institute.

The polling firm released the survey results on Wednesday during a consultative session on Charter Change organized by the Democracy Watch Philippines.

The survey, conducted from March 6 to 10, asked 1,200 respondents from all over the country about what they

think would be the possible outcomes of the removal of restrictions against foreign investors or businesses in the Constitution.

The respondents were presented with a list of six options and were al lowed to choose up to three.

Speaker only gainer in Tangere survey rating gov’t executives

In its March poll, Tangere said Romualdez increased his trust and satisfaction ratings by one percentage point among 2,000 respondents.

Romualdez’s trust rating increased from 51 percent in February to 52 percent in March of this year, while his satisfaction rating increased from 40 percent to 41 percent during the same period. Tangere said President Marcos continues to enjoy high trust and satisfaction ratings at 54 percent and 41 percent, while Vice President Sara Duterte’s numbers dipped by four

DA’s Laurel suspends fish imports

THE importation of fish — including frozen round scad (galunggong), bonito (tulingan) and mackerel (alumahan) — has been suspended.

The Department of Agriculture (DA) ordered the suspension after the agency said it received reports that these commodities “were being diverted to wet markets to the detriment of local fisherfolk.”

The DA issued Memorandum Order No. 14, which will put on hold the issuance of import clearances for these fishery products intended solely for canning and processing and for institutional buyers catering to the requirements of hotels and restaurants.

7.4 quake...

According to the Department of Migrant Workers’ Facebook page, the Taiwan Ministry of Labor listed 159,480 Filipinos in Taiwan, 150,666 of whom are overseas workers.

The DMW also posted an advisory on their social media, stating that they have opened a Help Desk for OFWs who may need assistance after the earthquake.

The order, which was signed by Agriculture Secretary Francisco Tiu Laurel Jr. on April 1, will take effect 15 days after its issuance.

The last time the DA imposed an import suspension due to such diversion was in December 2022.

According to the memo, “The top commodities that are identified as prone to diversion [to local wet markets] are round scad, bonito and mackerel.”

The DA further said the order excludes the importation of mackerel for

canning purposes, “provided that the volume should be based on the sales of the canned product from the previous year plus an additional 10 percent for buffer.”

The DA memo further said all mackerel imports entering the country should carry the following label: “Imported Under FAO (Fisheries Administrative Order) No. 195 for Canning Purposes Only and not for Sale or Distribution to Wet Markets and Supermarkets.”

Earlier, Bureau of Fisheries and Aquatic Resources (BFAR) spokesperson Nazario Briguera said the diversion of these fish varieties to wet markets “could disrupt the supply and demand”

and “would have a repercussion on the local fishery industry,” reports said.

FAO No. 1995 allows institutional buyers to source fish and fishery/aquatic products from abroad, but only for canning and processing and when certified as necessary by the agriculture secretary to achieve food security.

Institutional buyers refer to entities or corporations authorized to import fish for final consumption or processing as food requirements for accredited hotels and restaurants.

The BFAR however said this has led to the diversion of some of the imported fish to wet markets, which caused prices to go down, affecting local fisherfolk. With Othel Campos

percent and three percent—the highest reduction so far—to 64 percent and 54 percent.

The House chief scored the highest in the Visayas region in terms of both trust and satisfaction among the respondents.

Meanwhile, Senate Majority Leader Joel Villanueva, credited the Senate President’s positive trust ratings in the Pulse Asia survey to his “steady, sober leadership of the Senate.”

“Because of this, the Senate President enjoys not only the trust of our people, but the trust of the members of the Senate,” he said.

The survey, conducted from March 6 to 10 this year, saw a two-percentage point increase in the trust ratings of Zubiri from 51% compared to the 49 % in December 2023.

“The earthquake is close to land and it’s shallow. It’s felt all over Taiwan and offshore islands,” said Wu Chien-fu, director of Taipei’s Central Weather Administration’s Seismology Center.

Wu said the quake was the strongest since a 7.6-magnitude struck in September 1999, killing around 2,400 people in the deadliest natural disaster in the island’s history.

Meanwhile, President Marcos assured the government stands ready to assist Filipino workers in the island nation.

The Chief Executive expressed solidarity and extended heartfelt condolences to the people of Taiwan.

The 7.4 magnitude earthquake damaged dozens of buildings and prompted tsunami warnings that extended to Japan and the Philippines before being lifted. Officials said the quake was the strongest to shake the island in decades and warned of more tremors in the days ahead.

“Our hearts are with the people of

#ANONGBALITA

Music billionaire: Taylor Swift now in 3-comma-club

TAYLOR Swift was officially named a member of the three-comma-club Tuesday, as Forbes confirmed rumors estimating her wealth exceeds a billion dollars.

The financial news outlet said she is the first artist to achieve billionaire status solely on the basis of her music, and estimated she has a $1.1 billion fortune.

Other industry heavyweights who’ve hit the mark -- Rihanna and Jay-Z among them -- have earned their massive wealth in part via fashion brands, alcohol companies or entertainment holdings, among other interests.

Along with her vast songwriting catalog, Swift staged the first billion-dollar tour ever -- the ongoing Eras Tour has boosted economies

and delighted fans around the world. Swift, 34, also has a significant real estate portfolio, with homes in New York, Beverly Hills, Nashville and a coastal mansion in Rhode Island.

Her touring milestone was one of many records Swift shattered over the past year, including winning a fourth Grammy for Best Album, the most of any artist.

She received wall-to-wall attention throughout 2023, which closed with Time Magazine honoring Swift as Person of the Year, calling her a “rare person who is both the writer and hero of her own story.”

And in mere weeks fans have a brand-new album to look forward to: Swift is set to drop “The Tortured Poets Department” on April 19. AFP

Going commando ‘indecent’ amid heat wave—doc

GOING “commando” or not wearing underwear Filipino women amid the extreme heat is indecent, said a former president of the Philippine College of Physicians (PCP).

Dr. Anthony Leachon, also a former Department of Health consultant, stressed “it’s not universally accepted as a public health measure.”

“How about the men?” asked Leachon, also a health reform advocate.

He pointed out that people need serious answers amid the intense heat Filipinos are experiencing.

He said the proposal to skip wearing panties when women stay at home or go to sleep is “a low point in health debates.”

“How elegant naman this topic,” taunted Leachon. “What’s happening to our country? Is this our answer to the existential threat of global warming?”

Former Health Secretary Janette Garin on Tuesday advised women, especially if they are just staying at home, to just go commando.

“No malice. But if you are just at home and sleeping, and it is terribly hot, it’s quite advisable not to wear underwear if you are wearing pajamas or shorts,” said Garin, a physician and House Deputy Majority Leader and Iloilo representative.

“The ventilation will be effective against fungal infection,” she added.

Macon Ramos-Araneta

Fans swoon over Alden-Kathryn birthday surprise

ALDEN Richards is making “KathDen” fans swoon online after a surprise for Kathryn Bernardo during her birthday celebration.

In an Instagram story shared by Kathryn’s stylist, Priscilla Tañedo, it showed Alden arriving at the venue where Kathryn was having her dinner, together with her invited friends and guests.

Carrying a massive bouquet and a gift, Alden made his way to the table. Upon seeing the actor, Kathryn stood up and approached him.

The clip captured a sweet hug between the two, followed by Kathryn receiving Alden’s gifts.

Many eagle-eyed fans also noticed the same black ring that the two were wearing on their right fingers. In a separate video, Alden and Kathryn were seen having a selfie and when someone volunteered to take their photo, the two actors did a friendly hug pose.

In an event last month, Alden hinted at an upcoming project with Kathryn, in collaboration with his company, Myriad Entertainment. Kathryn and Alden first worked together in the box-office film, “Hello, Love, Goodbye” in 2019.

Angelica Villanueva

Taiwan as they endure the aftermath of today’s powerful earthquake,” the chief executive stated.

Rep. Ron Salo of Kabayan party-list group, chair of the House Committee on Overseas Workers Affairs, said his group and the entire House leadership offered prayers for the swift recovery of Taiwan from this disaster and for the continued safety of OFWs residing there.

For its part, the Department of Migrant Workers said the three Migrant Workers Offices (MWOs) in Taiwan has “already activated the protocols with Filipino communities, leaders, relevant Taiwan government agencies as well as employers and trade associations to ascertain the safety and status of Taiwan-based OFWs.

Pinoys...

Removing restrictions on foreign investments was among the proposed economic amendments in the Constitution under the Resolution of Both Houses 7.

Results show that 64 percent of Filipinos believe that lifting the restrictions may lead to “an increase in high quality jobs with high salaries and better benefits” while 56% believe that “services to stakeholders/customers will be better.”

More than half or 55% of Filipinos also believe that such action may result to “foreign capital will dominate local investors and businesses” while 54% think that “the price of goods and services will decrease.”

Moreover, the same survey also asked Filipinos what they think are the most significant factors that hinder foreign investments in the Philippines. They were also allowed to choose three answers from a list of eight options.

Majority or 56% identified “complicated rules and regulations like red tape, changes in government policies and regulations”, while 55% blamed “restrictive rules on foreign ownership.”

Forty-six percent said “corruption in the public sector” hinders foreign investments in the country, while 40% chose “inadequate transportation infrastructure.”

During the consultative discussion, Stratbase Institute President Dindo Manhit noted that “investments are a crucial tool in increasing a nation’s productivity while also generating employment, providing income security, and alleviating other economic hardships being experienced by millions of Filipinos.”

He then echoed the survey results and emphasized the need to create a business environment that enables growth and innovation through market-friendly public policies, transparency, and good governance to encourage more investments in the country.

Canadian Chamber of Commerce of the Philippines President Julian Payne stressed the need to ease economic restrictions to keep up with a “competitive world.”

“When we talk about charter change, we shouldn’t be talking about just liberalization… we are talking about flexibility and immediate response to this changing world of globalization, digitalization economies, and rapid change,” Payne said.

For Foundation for Economic Free -

November in California that saw a marked thaw in tone, if not the longterm rivalry, between the world’s two largest economies.

dom Board Member Gary Teves, it is high time the Philippines became at par with the laws of other countries, especially as President Marcos’ foreign trips open opportunities for potential investors.

“If the legal framework in the Philippines is so different from the others, they might say let’s just go out to the next country,” Teves added.

TradeAdvisors CEO Tony Abad agreed. “What is guaranteed is we keep the Constitution as is, you’ll keep out the investors,” he said.

On concerns that there are issues more pressing than amending the Constitution, Abad said these can be addressed simultaneously.

“We can’t have a rigid, old-fashioned, and very faulty Constitution in place. It’s gonna be a great disservice to the population. You need a Constitution that makes your government and your people move fast – address changes quickly. That’s why there’s no sequencing, you don’t have to address corruption first,” he said.

FEF lead economist Cha Ubarra said laws have been passed unlocking the country’s doors to foreign investments, but they are at risk of constitutional challenge without charter change.

individuals,” National Security Council Assistant Director General Jonathan Malaya told reporters on Wednesday.

Meanwhile, Senator Risa Hontiveros has filed a resolution seeking an investigation into the claim of a “gentleman’s agreement” between former President Rodrigo Duterte and the Chinese government. She said this has restricted the repair and rehabilitation of the BRP Sierra Madre on Ayungin Shoal.

In Washington, Presidents Joe Biden and Xi Jinping clashed in a telephone call Tuesday about US trade restrictions on technology and on Taiwan, but they looked to manage their tensions, with two top US officials heading shortly to Beijing.

The nearly two-hour telephone conversation was the two leaders’ first direct interaction since a summit in

In Manila, Malaya also slammed the Chinese foreign ministry for insulting Filipino and foreign journalists covering the Ayungin resupply missions.

“The only way, the only response, on how you can fight disinformation is through the truth,” Malaya said.

“What was mentioned by the Chinese Foreign Ministry is an insult to our Philippine Journalists who are independent and are not in any way being manipulated by the Philippine government,” he added.

For her part, Hontiveros said: “It is our duty to fortify the BRP Sierra Madre. Without it on Ayungin, we effectively give way for China to illegally occupy what is ours. If we stop reinforcing the Sierra Madre, we not only lose a crucial, strategic outpost, but also fail to defend our sovereignty.”

a net worth of $233 billion. Arnault is head of LVMH, the luxury fashion and cosmetics conglomerate in France bannered by Louis Vuitton, and his family is usually in the top three of Forbes’ wealthiest people in the world lists. The wealthiest woman on the billionaires list comes in at No. 15: Francoise Bettencourt Meyers, the granddaughter of the founder of L’Oreal. As the richest woman in the world, she is worth $99.5 billion.

Villar grew his fortune to $11 billion from $8.6 billion in 2023 as he chairs several listed firms, including his biggest assets Vista Land & Lifescapes, Inc. and Golden MV Holdings, a developer of mass housing projects and memorial parks.

reau of Investigation and the Philippine National Police served a warrant issued by the Davao court against Quiboloy and five others in connection with a child abuse and sexual abuse case.

Senator Risa Hontiveros, who presided over the chamber’s investigation

The NBI placed three of the accused -- Cresente Canada, Paulene Canada, and Sylvia Cemañes – under its custody. The bureau’s agents arrested Cresente, the village chairman, in Barangay Tamayong, where the KOJC is based, while Paulene Canada and Cemañes surrendered to authorities. Former KOJC members identified Cresente as Quiboloy’s close aide who served as the preacher’s driver and bodyguard.

into the charges against the controversial pastor, believes Quiboloy’s “happy days are numbered.”

“Bilang na ang masasayang araw ni Apollo Quiboloy. Halos lahat na ng institusyon sa Pilipinas ay gumagalaw para mapanagot siya (Happy days are numbered for Apollo Quiboloy. Almost every institution in the Philippines is moving to hold him accountable),” Hontiveros said in a statement.

CUNA, 86. This photo shows the announcement for the wake of veteran PR consultant Elpi O. Cuna Jr., who passed away yesterday. Before he died, Cuna was a consultant for San Miguel Corp. and the vice president of the International Association of Business Communicators Philippines.

LTO to use MMDA footage vs. erring motorists in NCR

By Joel Zurbano and Rio Araja

THE Metropolitan Manila Development Authority (MMDA) has agreed to the proposal of the Land Transportation Office (LTO) to use MMDA-installed cameras to record violations of erring motorists in the National Capital Region (NCR).

LTO Chief Assistant Secretary Vigor Mendoza II said the recorded videos will be used to issue show-cause order against any erring motorists in a bid to discipline them, as part of the road safety measures in line with the instruction of Transportation Secretary Jaime Bautista.

According to Mendoza, the cameras installed by the MMDA are be-

E-bikes, trikes ban on roads begins Apr. 15

ing used to monitor traffic situations, especially in major thoroughfares in Metro Manila. Hence, they might as well use them to run after erring motorists who would openly defy traffic safety rules. Initially, the LTO will be focusing on the violators of the exclusive busway along Epifanio de los Santos Avenue.

Based on the agreement, the MMDA will forward the captured videos of violations, including details on the date and time of the violation, and the license plate of the vehicle involved in any traffic violation. These captured videos will be transmitted to the LTO office and will be used as the basis of the show-cause order.

LTO Chief chief Vigor Mendoza II said the recorded videos will be used against any erring motorists in a bid to discipline them as part of the road safety measures.

“The cameras installed by the MMDA are being used to monitor traffic situations especially in major thoroughfares in Metro Manila. We might as well use them in order to run after erring motorists who

would openly defy traffic safety rules,” he said. He earlier issued an instruction to coordinate with the MMDA on the possible utilization of its cameras. A meeting was then set between LTO officials and MMDA officials.

During the meeting, Mendoza said the MMDA officials agreed to the proposal of the LTO. The MMDA would forward the captured videos of violations, including details on the date and the time of the violation, and the license plate of the vehicle involved in any traffic violation. He thanked the MMDA for continuous cooperation and coordination in order to instill discipline among motorists in Metro Manila.

Solon backs PNP plan to use socmed against crime

REP. Brian Raymund Yamsuan of Bicol Saro party-list group expressed support for the plan of newly appointed Philippine National Police (PNP) chief General Rommel Francisco Marbil to use technology and social media to improve law enforcement.

Yamsuan, a former assistant secretary of the Department of the Interior and Local Government (DILG) said this strategy, complemented by Marbil’s plan to use social media to help the police organization communicate better with the public, “is

‘More efforts needed for convicted

REP. Ron P. Salo of Kabayan partylist group is asking the Department of Foreign Affairs (DFA) to heighten efforts in seeking executive clemency for Filipino workers convicted of crimes in Muslim countries as the holy month of Ramadan draws to a close.

Salo, chair of the House Committee on Overseas Workers Affairs, said that the conclusion of Ramadan, a period of sacrifice, reflection, forgiveness, and renewal in the Islamic faith, presents a favorable time for seeking pardon.

“As Ramadan nears its end, we urge the DFA and Philippine Embassies in Muslim countries to make the nec -

essary representation and actively intercede on behalf of our kababayans who are facing sentences abroad,” Salo said in a statement.

Data from the DFA as of March 2023 reveals a critical situation: 83 overseas Filipinos are on death row, while 1,267 are detained, with the majority of these cases in the Middle East and Muslim countries.

Highlighting the traditional acts of royal clemency by Muslim leaders during Ramadan, which include the commutation of sentences or complete pardons, the Salo believes that such gestures of goodwill align with the values of compassion and forgiveness emphasized during the holy month. Maricel V. Cruz

“General Marbil has my full support when it comes to improving the PNP’s efficiency in enforcing the law through the use of digital tools and modern crime investigation techniques. This strategy will also enhance transparency in police operations and help the PNP garner support from the public in its job of preventing crime, ” added Yamsuan, who is also a member of the House Committee on Public Order and Safety. Maricel V. Cruz

In another six parcels which were intercepted at CMEC, the contents were declared as various personal items but found a total of 1,307 grams with an estimated value of P1.8 million worth of marijuana. BOC-NAIA District Collector Yasmin O. Mapa said that appropriate charges will be filed against the consignees of the parcels for violation of the Comprehensive Dangerous Drugs Act and the Customs Modernization and Tariff Act.

Solon on Davao drug war: Old tactic, a failure

By Maricel V. Cruz

“BEEN there, done that—it was a failure.” This encapsulated the sentiments of former Bayan Muna party-list legislator and human rights lawyer Neri Colmenares as he criticized Davao City Mayor Sebastian Duterte for having resurrected his father’s contentious drug war, raising questions about its efficacy and human rights implications. “Failure ‘yan eh. Been there, done that na ‘yan. So you’re not inventing something new,” Colmenares stressed. The local chief executive recently announced the revival in Davao City of former President Rodrigo Duterte’s “war on drugs,” which resulted in the deaths of an estimated 12,000 to 30,000 Filipinos, primarily among the urban poor.

Large-scale extrajudicial violence as a crime solution was also characteristic of the older Duterte’s 22-year tenure as mayor of Davao City before assuming the presidency from 2016 to 2022.

Colmenares criticized the young Duterte’s move, stating, “He used the same tactic na ginamit ng ama niya (that his father has used)…It didn’t work for his father. So, why would you imitate anyway, right? What is the reason? After six years and thousands of deaths, President Duterte’s drug war is a failure if you look at his objectives.”

AFP forum tackles gender programs in military ranks

SENIOR leaders of the Armed Forces of the Philippines (AFP) convened in a forum on April 2 here to consolidate support for gender and development programs in the military.

In partnership with the United Nations Women Philippines and the Philippine Commission on Women, the Senior Leaders’ Forum on Gender and Development became an avenue for discussions on women’s participation in government and highlighted their role in peace and security.

Participants from the AFP Major Services and the General Headquarters also exchanged gender mainstreaming best practices and were enjoined to accelerate gender equality and women empowerment in the AFP.

“This forum on gender and development will capacitate our senior leaders and their units and offices to have a deeper understanding of GAD policies and mandates,” said LtGen Charlton Sean Gaerlan, The Deputy Chief of Staff AFP. Vince Lopez

ILLEGAL DRUGS. The Bureau of Customs-Ninoy Aquino International Airport (BOC-NAIA) agent opens one of several unclaimed parcels containing illegal drugs with an estimated street value of P14.8 million in Pasay.

Rice prices go up slightly over past two months–PSA

By Othel V. Campos

THE Philippine Statistics Authority (PSA) has reported a slight uptick in the price of well-milled rice over the last two and one-half months.

Based on the latest statistics, wellmilled rice sells at an average of P56.95 per kilogram (kg) during the second half of March, up from P56.29 in February. Rice retailers said the increase in the buying price of palay by the government has also spurred local traders heighten their palay buying by topping off a few more pesos on what the government offered to the farmers.

Adding to this is the additional premium given by the local government units (LGUs) to the government’s buying price.

With the government and traders competing for local harvest, the price of wet paddy rice effectively increased from P23 to P24/kg., while dry palay fetches P29.50 to P30/kg.

Based on the DA Rice Outlook, total national supply was at 6.23 million metric tons (MT), while total demand was at 3.83 million MT.

While there was a slight increase in local rice prices, traders noted a softening of rice prices in the world market by about $50 to $70/MT in the last few months, but rebounded by $20/MT in April.

The Philippines sources majority of its rice imports from Vietnam, although Indonesia was the biggest rice importer at present.

As of last March, Philippine rice imports that arrive through 14 ports of entry totalled to 1.06 million MT based on data from the Bureau of Customs (BOC).

Solon files bill on same sex live-in partners

By Maricel V. Cruz

A PARTY-LIST member of the House of Representatives has filed a bill that provides ‘legal clarity and protection’ for properties of same-sex partners who are cohabiting or living together.

Rep. Marissa Magsino of the OFW party-list group filed House Bill 10206 that aims to establish a comprehensive property regime for cohabiting same-sex partners in the Philippines, recognizing and safeguarding their rights in property acquisition, ownership, and disposition.

“Though through the years there has been change in the mindset of people on long-standing stereotypes and generalizations with social perceptions becoming more accommodating of the LGBTQ+ community, there’s still no legislation that guarantees equal rights for everybody regardless of sexual or ientation or gender identity,” the bill’s explanatory note stated.

The measure, otherwise known as the Same Sex Partners Property Relations Act, covers the acquisition, ownership, enjoyment, distribution, and disposition of both real and personal property acquired during the partnership.

DENR calls for stringent water-saving measures

By Rio N. Araja

WHILE assuring Metro Manilans of sufficient water supply from Bulacan’s Angat Dam and other reservoirs, the Department of Environment and Natural Resources (DENR) on Wednesday advised property managers of villages and condominiums inthe metropolis to adopt water conservation measures to ensure a steady supply amid the onslaught of the El Niño phenomenon.

Along with the Metropolitan Waterworks and Sewerage System and National Water Resources Board, the DENR’s Water Resources Management Office issued a bulletin directing condo and subdivision administrators to observe water management measures.

These included informing homeowners of DENR bulletins and to enjoin them to practice water conservation measures and buying appliances that help save water.

The DENR advised its personnel to conduct spot checks and information drives in the coming weeks, and re-

quests for assistance in their work.

It warned that the El Niño brings about lower-than-average rainfall which would likely persist through April and May before normal conditions begin to set in by June.

The DENR also instructed the property managers to regularly check watermeters and pipe leaks, as well as to minimize watering of plants and lawns, postpone swimming pool maintenance work, to discourage the use of hose for car washing and cleaning of driveways.

The DENR said leaks can account for 15 to 40 percent of water wasted every month. During late at night or early in the morning, It also issued some reminders on the prudent use of water.

THE Department of Health (DOH) is keeping a close watch of the incidents of pertussis or whooping cough which has so far caused 49 deaths since last January.

As of March 23, the DOH logged 862 cases, mostly in Mimaropa with 187; Metro Manila with158; Central Luzon, 132; Central Visayas, 121; and Western Visayas, 72.

Gov’t disburses P487m to assist drought-hit areas

THE government has disbursed some P487.1 million for assistance regions hard-hit by the El Niño dry spell, according to the National Disaster Risk Reduction and Management Council (NDRRMC).

The assistance consisted of family food packs, financial aid, fuel, galvanized sheets, generator sets, and hygiene kits distributed to affected residents in Mimaropa, Western Visayas, and Zamboanga Peninsula, the NDRRMC said in its latest report. Damage to agriculture was estimated at P1.23 billion in the Ilocos Region, Cagayan, Calabarzon, Mimaropa, Western Visayas, and Zamboanga Peninsula.

The NDRRMC report also stated that a total of 29,400 farmers and fishermen were affected by the drought which scorched some 26,731 hectares of farmlands across the country.

Earlier, the El Niño Task Force headed by Defense Secretary Gilberto Teodoro Jr., directed the Bureau of Fire Protection (BFP) to ensure the safety of all public hospitals and health facilities nationwide. Teodoro underscored the need to mitigate the risk of fire-related incidents, accidents, and emergency situations.

Meanwhile, hundreds of schools across the country, including dozens in Metro Manila, suspended in-person classes on Tuesday due to dangerous levels of heat, with the Department of Health (DOH) warning against heat-related illnesses such as heat cramps and heat stroke.

The municipality of Guiuan in Eastern Samar logged the highest heat index yesterday at 46 degrees Celsius, well within the “danger level” of 42 to 51°C.

BOC confiscates P102m smuggled marijuana, vapes

By Joel E. Zurbano

BUREAU of Customs (BOC) intelli-

gence agents assigned at the Manila International Container Port have seized smuggled kush and vapes with cannabis content worth more than P102 million.

The operatives conducted a physical examination of several balikbayan boxes from Thailand, resulting in the discovery of the contraband on Tuesday at the North Harbor Manila.

The shipment contained 200 balikbayan boxes, but five of them gave positive indication of prohibited substances as detected by a member of the agency’s sniffing K9 team . Upon inspection, the Customs men found some 82 kilograms of marijuana or kush and 1,881 pieces of disposable distillate vape pens with cannabis content.

Adults aged 20 and above accounted for only four percent of the cases.

“The DOH is cautious in interpreting trends as the number of cases may still change as there may be late consultations and reports,” the agency said in an advisory issued late Tuesday.

Of the total, 79 percent of the patients were under five years old. At least 66 percent of the kids were either unvaccinated, or did not know their vaccination history, the DOH said.

By Vito Barcelo

THE Bureau of I mmigration ( BI) has urged the public, particularly foreigners, to immediately report persons posing as Immigration agents who were harassing foreign nationals in the country. BI Commissioner Norman Tansingco issued the call after the bureau received reports that there were individuals who present themselves as BI employees or officials that harass and attempt to extort aliens. Tansingco said he received a request for verification of a mission order supposedly issued by the BI, targeting foreign nationals in Maka-

ti City. However, the BI denied the issuance of the order, saying the document was fake.

“No such order was issued by the BI,” Tansingco said, adding that mission orders against subject foreign nationals are always specific, and cannot be used to harass foreigners.

Tansingco added that the BI has issued multiple warnings against such scams involving fake BI employees extorting unsuspecting victims.

He said that foreigners may request verification of orders directly to the BI through the contact information found in the bureau’s website.

Health Secretary Teodoro Herbosa said the DOH Regional Epidemiology and Surveillance Units (RESUs) are in constant coordination with provincial, city, and municipal health offices to provide scientific advice.

“We are helping LGUs move to break transmission and protect children. Vaccines are available, and more have been ordered,” he said.

“Furthermore, the effects of increasing immunization efforts to stem the outbreak may not be seen in the data until 4-6 weeks after they are started,” it added.

“For Filipino families, balikbayan boxes symbolize their love and longing for their loved ones. Unfortunately, it is now being used by unscrupulous individuals to smuggle in illegal drugs, vapes, and many other items. Here in the BOC, we want to assure our kababayans that we’re working hard to get to the bottom of this,” Customs Commissioner Bienvenido Rubio said. Customs intelligence chief Verne Enciso said the physical examination was the result of the alert order issued last Feb. 28 following intelligence information about the shipment consigned to the Marcelo Laylo Cargo Forwarders with the recipient listed as Gerard Cruz.

OPINION

Are we being primed for war?

“SI VIS pacem, para bellum,” the Roman general Vegetius was supposed to have originally said, quoting from his book Epitoma Rei Militaris.

If you want peace, prepare for war.

Thus, from the Roman emperors to the Ottoman Empire, from the AngloSaxons to the Iberian kings, the Prussians, the Austro-Hungarian empire, to Napoleon, to Hitler and now, the US of A, China and Russia, and even North Korea’s Kim Jong-un, leaders have always beefed up their military and their navies, their air force and their arsenals with the most deadly weapons, be it for lebensraum and outright invasion, or preparing for war, ostensibly to achieve “peace in their time.”

Poorer nations, however, cannot always afford the high cost of military preparations, and thus they have to rely on “alliances” with the richer nations whose military-industrial complexes profit richly from the sale of weapons of war, often backed-up by long-term loans from their governments.

—“—

What Japan was in the 20th century, though brought to its knees after the Pacific War, China is now – a threat upon America, with two China Sea flashpoints

Hand-me downs or weapons made obsolescent by ever-evolving technologies of the military-industrial complex for use of their rich client governments are often sold to the poorer nations who cannot afford the ever-increasing costs of “para bellum.”

And these weapons are sold through loans, sometimes grants-in-aid with strings attached by the developed to the under-developed nations, often to those who are considered “allies,” whether through bilateral or multilateral treaties.

But preparing for war can be quite tricky, especially after the Second World War where millions perished, and in the Pacific theater, where atomic bombs were dropped by the Americans to force the Japanese to surrender quickly and surely.

And in the complex world of geopolitics, today’s enemies can be tomorrow’s allies, as in a defeated Japan becoming America’s staunch friend in East Asia, or an isolated Korea north of Seoul has become a client-state of a wealthy China after the Soviet Union disintegrated. Here in our region, several countries are in dispute with a hugely enriched

and amply militarized China over small islands, mostly islets which bob up and down with the tides, in what is largely known as the South China Sea.

These are Indonesia, Brunei, Malaysia, Vietnam and the Philippines. And Taiwan, too, which China considers an integral part of its territory, but which seeks to have its own national identity under a different form of government, and which has control of Itu Aba which it calls Taiping, the largest island in the Spratly group, but is likewise claimed by China, Vietnam and the Philippines as part of its territory.

Vietnam and China fought a short war over the Paracels in 1974, but after the Chinese won, the Vietnamese have had an uneasy “peace,” preferring to shore up an economy destroyed by civil war and American intervention, with amazing results.

The Philippines under the present dispensation invokes a Mutual Defense Treaty forged in 1951, six years after the end of the Pacific War, where both nations agreed to support each other in case of an attack by another.

For 40 years thereafter, we hosted American military bases in our territory, the largest of which were the deepsea harbor in Subic and the massive airfield in Clark.

But in 1991, the Philippine Senate decided to retrieve those bases and converted them to industrial zones.

For a long time, China was yet a “sleeping giant,” and Napoleon warned the abusive British and other world powers of the time that when it wakes up, the “world will be shaken.”

By 1991, the giant had awakened, as its leaders focused the energies of its people on becoming “rich,” which its paramount leader after Mao, the widely admired Deng Xiaoping described as a “glorious” endeavor.

China’s ascent over the last 50 years can only be described as “glorious,” and is now the world’s second largest economy, threatening the US of A which for almost the entire 20th century had no parallel on the world stage, its wealth used to become the strongest military force, often described as the “constable of the world.”

That China achieved such economic progress, its technology astoundingly innovative and it becoming the world’s factory of value-for-money goods in so short a period is truly phenomenal. Together with new wealth, China also developed its own military and naval forces to the point where they now threaten America’s hegemony in the Pacific.

What Japan was in the 20th century, though brought to its knees after the Pacific War, China is now – a threat upon America, with two China Sea flashpoints: Taiwan and what we call our West Philippine Sea. (To be continued)

Celebrating small victories

THE cancellation of the Pasig River Expressway project by San Miguel tycoon Ramon Ang is a small victory for those environmentalists who put time and effort to oppose it.

But as we know, the fight to preserve what is left of our environment is a daunting and in many instances a losing effort.

Furthermore, the project itself has not been canceled by the government. Someone else could still take over. This is because making money often takes precedence over keeping our mountains or maintaining our river systems pristine.

Take a look at what is happening to our United Nations Heritage site of Chocolate Hills in Bohol or right at our very noses, the continued sand mining in the waters off the province of Zambales. Protected area or not, there is absolutely no respect to the status of Chocolate Hills as a UN Heritage Site. There are others that are just too many to mention and with climate change and sea rise accelerating, we will soon have a country much smaller than its current

Drug rehab efforts gaining momentum

THE previous administration emphasized the reduction of the supply side of the country’s problem with illegal drugs through the sheer coercive power of the police, who killed in the process no less than 6,000 suspected drug pushers and users from July 2016 to mid-2022.

Police invariably claimed the drug casualties had fought back when they came to serve search or arrest warrants.

The shoot-first-ask-questions-later approach to the drug menace has since undergone a sea change, with the Marcos administration adopting a more nuanced approach, with the demand side getting the attention it deserves through the rehabilitation of drug dependents and their re-integration into the mainstream of society.

The good news from the Philippine Drug Enforcement Agency is that over 300,000 drug-dependent individuals have been rehabilitated under the current administration.

“Powered by a renewed conviction

that human life is precious and must be saved at all costs, the government has put a premium on preserving lives ripped apart by the scourge of illegal drugs in the form of rehabilitation, interventions and social reintegration programs,” PDEA said.

—“—

The good news from the Philippine Drug Enforcement Agency is that over 300,000 drug-dependent individuals have been rehabilitated under the current administration

The rehabilitation efforts are part of PDEA’s move to provide assistance for voluntary rehabilitation and intervention and the creation of Regional Public Assistance Desks.

This set the stage for the institutionalization of a procedure in helping drug dependents gain access to appropriate intervention.

Last year, the government established no less than 105 Balay Silangan Reformation Centers, producing 1,854 graduates.

Since the program’s launch in 2018, a total 535 reformation centers have

IN A bewildering display of shortsightedness and sheer capitulation, Rep. Pantaleon Alvarez has urged President Marcos to abdicate his responsibility to defend our nation’s sovereignty against the encroaching grasp of China.

Alvarez’s proposal, masquerading as a call for pragmatism, is nothing short of treasonous and an affront to the very essence of patriotism.

Alvarez’s ill-conceived notion of easing tensions with China by relinquishing power to Vice President Sara Duterte is an act of surrender disguised as diplomacy.

By suggesting that Marcos should follow in the footsteps of Jesus Christ’s sacrifice, Alvarez not only exhibits a gross misunderstanding of the geopolitical realities but also undermines the sacrifices of our brave soldiers and the integrity of our nation.

Under the guise of pragmatism, Alvarez dismisses the significance of defending our territorial integrity in the face of Chinese aggression.

While doubts about the USA’s commitment might be partially justified due to past lapses, brought about by many factors including the over-reliance of the USA on the text of the treaty, it’s crucial to note that the Mutual Defense Treaty between the USA and the Philippines is being updated.

However, Marcos’ strategy does not solely rely on the USA; rather, he is harnessing alliances among like-minded nations like Japan and India.

size. So, for environmental advocates, any small victory is worth the celebration.

The public of course, do not know the true reasons why PAREX was canceled, but is nevertheless good for Metro Manila’s environment.

What will it take for the government to permanently stop the activity before irreparable damage is done to Manila Bay?

The PAREX was originally intended as the unhampered East-West corridor but right from the start, there were problems with the project.

One was the freeway had to go thru the Pasig River, making the route very circuitous unlike other freeways that are

usually designed to take a straight and the most direct route possible.

The other is how to design the freeway in such a way it will blend well with the existing structures along and beside the river and not become a monstrous eyesore.

In the final analysis, it is probably better that the project was canceled by the proponent himself. And perhaps the public has the NAIA I, 2, and 3 renovation and the Pasig River walkway project to thank.

Maybe Mr. Ramon Ang simply decided to concentrate on the P175 billion airport project and forget about the controversial road project.

But since an East-West corridor is still necessary, the problem now is where to construct the road if the DPWH is still thinking of constructing one and whether to do it at grade level or elevated.

And since the road will be passing mostly on private land, construction costs will sky rocket possibly tripling

been created, which helped 7,526 drug-dependents wean themselves from the habit and provided employment to 2,123 former drug users.

Among the strategies for rehabilitating drug addicts is Cognitive-Behavioral Therapy.

This form of psychotherapy seeks to identify and correct problematic behaviors, enhance self-control, and address underlying issues like stress or depression.

There’s also Motivational Enhancement Therapy, which is designed to produce rapid, internally motivated change, by mobilizing an individual’s internal resources for positive change and engagement in treatment.

The PDEA has also launched the Adbokasiya Laban sa Iligal na Droga or ALAB, a program that empowers advocates to become force multipliers in the conduct of reformation programs.

Up to 5,619 people have joined training seminars in all provinces and highly urbanized cities.

Will the administration’s focus on rehabilitation of drug dependents stop the drug menace?

Maybe not, considering that the trade in illegal drugs means easy money for drug syndicates, that is, for as long as they remain scot-free and beyond the reach of law enforcers.

But if rehabilitation offers a way out for addicts to return to productive lives in society, then it’s going to be well worth it.

Sacrificing sovereignty: Alvarez’s treasonous proposition

Marcos is actively fortifying the country’s military capabilities to ensure a robust defense posture against any aggressor. Alvarez’s cynicism not only undermines these strategic partnerships but also emboldens our adversaries, signaling weakness and appeasement on the international stage.

Alvarez’s audacious assertion that poverty alleviation and economic development should take precedence over defending our sovereignty is a betrayal of the Filipino people.

—“—

President Marcos must unequivocally reject Alvarez’s misguided advice and demonstrate unwavering resolve in protecting our nation’s interests

While these issues are undeniably important, they cannot come at the expense of our national security. It is the duty of our government to address multifaceted challenges simultaneously, not to prioritize one at the expense of the other.

the cost.

This being the case, it is possible that the project will be permanently shelved.

But looking at all environmental protection issues such as the PAREX, the Bohol Chocolate Hills and the sand mining of the coast of Zambales in Manila Bay, environmental protection in this country leaves much to be desired. DENR, the principal agency that handles all environmental matters is supposed to protect our environment while at the same time is the same agency that allows mineral exploitation like open pit mining.

It is a contradictory in terms.

How can an agency protect the environment while at the same time allow its destruction.

Clearly, reform is badly needed.

The government must separate environmental protection and mineral exploitation in order to be consistent.

Furthermore, Alvarez’s attempt to deflect attention from China’s aggressive actions in the West Philippine Sea by highlighting domestic issues is a disgraceful evasion of responsibility.

It is precisely because of our territorial integrity that we are able to pursue economic development and poverty alleviation.

Surrendering to China’s territorial ambitions would only serve to undermine our economic prosperity and national security in the long run.

In the face of Alvarez’s treacherous proposition, it is imperative that we reaffirm our commitment to defending our sovereignty and upholding the rule of law.

President Marcos must unequivocally reject Alvarez’s misguided advice and demonstrate unwavering resolve in protecting our nation’s interests.

Now is not the time for capitulation or appeasement; it is a time for courage, determination, and unwavering patriotism.

As citizens, we must hold our leaders accountable and demand that they prioritize the defense of our nation’s sovereignty above all else.

We cannot afford to betray the sacrifices of our forefathers or compromise the future of our children for the sake of short-term expediency.

Let us stand united in defense of our nation, resolute in the face of adversity, and unwavering in our commitment to freedom, sovereignty, and justice.

In the sand mining in Manila Bay, the Regional Director of the DENR in Region 3 resigned several months ago because of this sand mining issue but the mining is still apparently going on. The question now is why is sand mining still going on?

What will it take for the government to permanently stop the activity before irreparable damage is done to Manila Bay?

All that this tells us is that the government is saying one thing but apparently doing another.

Like many other things that the government does, it starts something with a huge and well publicized launching complete with all the placards and media coverage after which, everything will be forgotten quietly as if nothing has happened. This needs to change.

There also seems to be bureaucratic overlaps because in the case of the resort constructed in the Chocolate Hills of Bohol, the authority to construct the project was green lighted by the Barangay Captain which is clearly unusual.

Cambodia ex-leader Hun Sen becomes senate president

PHNOM PENH, Cambodia – Former Cambodian leader Hun Sen was promoted to senate president on Wednesday, taking over a key ceremonial role less than a year after handing power to his son.

Hun Sen stepped down in August after nearly four decades of iron-fisted rule, passing the baton to his eldest son Hun Manet following a landslide win in national polls held without any significant opposition parties.

In February his ruling Cambodian People’s Party won 55 seats -- including his own -- out of 58 in the senate election, with the opposition Khmer Will Party taking the remainder.

On Wednesday senators unanimously voted to approve Hun Sen as president of the senate after King Norodom Sihamoni convened its first meeting.

The position allows Hun Sen to act as acting head of state when the king is overseas.

Addressing the senators after the vote, Hun Sen thanked them for the “honour”.

“It is my first time to sit on such a high chair,” he said, saying he would use the second-highest ceremonial role -- only superseded by the king -- to further Cambodia’s international diplomacy.

There are 62 senators, with 58 elected in February by 125 MPs and more than 11,000 local administrators, mostly members of Hun Sen’s party.

King Norodom Sihamoni appoints two senators, while the National Assembly appoints two others. Analysts said Hun Sen’s new role would allow him to continue to dominate the country.

“The senate isn’t a powerful political or legislative body, but it holds the highest ceremonial role as the highest political symbol of the nation,” Cambodian political analyst Ou Virak told AFP. AFP

Israeli defense chief says strike killing of 7 was ‘grave mistake’

Finland’s day of mourning after school killing

HELSINKI, Finland – Finland will fly its flags at half-mast on Wednesday to mark the country’s mourning after a 12-year-old opened fire at a school, killing one classmate and seriously injuring two others.

All public buildings and institutions will lower their flags from 8:00 am, the Interior Ministry said on its website. The ministry encouraged the whole country to participate in the event.

On Tuesday morning, a 12-year-old boy opened fire at his school in Van-

taa, Finland’s fourth-largest city.

The school has around 90 staff and 800 pupils aged seven to 15.

According to the Finnish TV channel MTV Uutiset, the boy wore a mask and noise-cancelling headphones while carrying out the shooting.

The child who was killed, also aged 12, died at the scene, and the suspect had already fled the school by the time police arrived.

They have opened an investigation into murder and attempted murder.

The suspect, who was carrying a

Japan PM talks with Prabowo on security

TOKYO – Japan will deepen security ties with Indonesia, Prime Minister Fumio Kishida told president-elect Prabowo Subianto on Wednesday on the ex-general’s second stop after Beijing as he visits Asian neighbors.

Prabowo, currently Jakarta’s defense minister, met Chinese President Xi Jinping on Monday, his first visit to a key trade partner since he won the presidential election held in February.

At those talks, Beijing said it was “willing to deepen all-round strategic cooperation with Indonesia”. Prabowo then traveled to Tokyo where he met Kishida.

During their meeting on Wednesday

Kishida “stated that Japan attached great importance to cooperation with Indonesia in maintaining and strengthening the free and open international order based on the rule of law”, Japan’s foreign ministry said.

He added that “Japan would advance security cooperation with Indonesia besides the provision of a large patrol vessel for Indonesia decided in December 2023,” the ministry said.

The terms “free and open” and “rule of law” are often used by the United States and its allies including Japan to make a veiled reference to countering China’s increasing assertiveness in the Asia-Pacific region. AFP

Russia reports surge in army recruitment after deadly hit

MOSCOW – Russia’s military said Wednesday it had seen a surge in people signing up to fight in Ukraine since a deadly terror attack on a Moscow concert hall last month.

The Islamic State group has claimed responsibility for the attack that killed more than 140 people, the worst such attack in Russia in years.

But President Vladimir Putin has since continued to say, without providing evidence, that Ukraine had a hand in plotting the attack.

“Over the last week and a half, military recruitment points have recorded a significant increase in the number of those wishing to sign contracts with the Russian defence ministry to take

part in the special military operation,” the defense ministry said Wednesday.

Moscow calls its full-scale offensive on Ukraine a “special military operation”.

The ministry said more than 100,000 people had voluntarily signed up to fight so far in 2024 -- including 16,000 in the 10 days after the attack.

“Most candidates indicated that the main motive in signing a contract was a desire to avenge the victims of the tragedy that occurred on March 22,” it added in a statement on Telegram.

Kyiv has denied any responsibility and US officials have told the media that Washington warned Russia of a possible attack on the Moscow suburbs. AFP

Slovaks elect leader as rivals spar over Ukraine

BRATISLAVA, Slovakia – A proWestern former top diplomat and a Ukraine-sKeptic backed by the ruling populists will face off in a presidential election on Saturday that could possibly halt Slovakia’s shift towards Russia.

Russia’s invasion of Ukraine has become a fixture of the electoral campaign in Slovakia, a European Union and NATO member of 5.4 million people.

The two candidates, Peter Pellegrini and Ivan Korcok, are vying to replace outgoing liberal President Zuzana Caputova.

They will square off in a decisive second round as neither won the minimum 50 percent of votes in the first ballot on March 23.

The latest polls suggest the candidates are running nearly neck-andneck.

Pellegrini, the 48-year-old parliament speaker, is credited with 51 percent of the vote and Korcok with 49 percent, according to the NMS agency opinion survey.

Russia’s war in Ukraine, now in its third year, has become a key election issue. AFP

PALESTINIAN Territories – Israel’s defense chief said Wednesday a strike that killed seven aid workers in Gaza was a “grave mistake”, after the deaths prompted a chorus of international outrage.

“This incident was a grave mistake,” IDF chief Herzi Halevi said in a video message after the strike that hit a World Central Kitchen convoy delivering aid on Monday.

“It shouldn’t have happened,” Halevi said, as he blamed the strike on a nightime “misidentification.”

“We are sorry for the unintentional harm to the members of WCK.”

At the Vatican, Pope Francis expressed his “deep sorrow” Wednesday for the deaths of seven charity workers killed by an Israeli strike while they were delivering aid in Gaza.

“I express my deep sorrow for the volunteers killed while they were distributing humanitarian aid in Gaza,” the 87-year-old pontiff said during his weekly audience at the Vatican.

gun, was arrested in a “calm manner” within an hour of the shooting and admitted to being the shooter in a preliminary interrogation. There were no other suspects, police said.

They said the weapon the suspect was carrying belonged to a relative.

“The police are investigating, among other things, the motive for the act and the reasons for the incident,” Detective Chief Inspector Marko Sarkka, who is leading the investigation, said in a statement on Tuesday. AFP

Taiwan detects 30 Chinese military planes near island

TAIPEI – Taiwan said Wednesday

30 Chinese military aircraft were detected around the island in a 24-hour window -- one of the highest daily numbers this year.

China considers self-ruling Taiwan its territory, and has never renounced the use of force to bring the island under its control.

Taiwan’s defense ministry said 20 of the aircraft crossed into the island’s so-called Air Defense Identification Zone (ADIZ).

Taiwan’s armed forces “monitored the situation and employed (patrol) aircraft, Navy vessels, and coastal missile systems in response to the detected activities”, it said in a statement.

Last month, Taiwan detected 36 Chinese warplanes around the island over a 24-hour period, the highest daily count this year.

The uptick in incursions follows a pattern of what experts dub “grey zone” actions -- moves that fall short of outright acts of war.

These have ramped up since the 2016 election of President Tsai Ingwen, who considers Taiwan “already independent” -- a position Beijing considers unacceptable.

China deploys warplanes and naval vessels around Taiwan on a near-daily basis, and balloon flights over the island have also increased. AFP

“I pray for them and their families.”

AFPTV footage from the scene showed the punctured roof of a vehicle emblazoned with WCK’s logo alongside the mangled wreck of other vehicles.

Since the October start of the war, the US-based charity had been involved in feeding displaced Gazans, and was one of two organisations spearheading the delivery of food aid arriving by sea.

The employees killed on Monday had just unloaded “more than 100 tons of humanitarian food aid brought to Gaza on the maritime route,” WCK said.

The attack, which killed Australian, British, Palestinian, Polish and US-Canadian staff, was widely condemned, with world leaders demanding an investigation.

In a strongly worded statement, US President Joe Biden said Israel “has not done enough to protect aid workers trying to deliver desperately needed help to civilians.”

He called for a “swift” investigation to bring accountability to what he said was not a “stand alone incident”.

UN Secretary-General Antonio Guterres told the General Assembly that 196 humanitarian workers have been killed in the war.

He called the strike “unconscionable” but “an inevitable result of the way the war is being conducted”.

“It demonstrates yet again the urgent need for an immediate humanitarian ceasefire.”

WCK said it was mourning the loss of its seven “heroes”, naming them on Wednesday as Palestinian Saifeddine Issam Ayad Abutaha, 25; Australian Lalzawmi (Zomi) Frankcom, 43; Pole Damian Sobol, 35; American-Canadian Jacob Flickinger, 33; and Brits John Chapman, 57, James (Jim) Henderson, 33, and James Kirby, 47.

“These 7 beautiful souls were killed by the IDF in a strike as they were returning from a full day’s mission,” WCK CEO Erin Gore said.

The organisation called the strike a “targeted attack” and said its team had been coordinating its movements with the Israeli forces.

“This is not only an attack against WCK, this is an attack on humanitarian organizations showing up in the most dire of situations where food is being used as a weapon of war,” Gore said in an earlier statement. AFP

hosted

were completed in

of

9, the Egyptian Theater was again open to the public. AFP

FIRE TOLL. Emergency personnel intervene at the site of a fire in a residential building in Istanbul on Tuesday where at least 29 people in a 16-story residential building were killed, the governor of Turkey’s economic capital said, updating an earlier toll of 15 dead and eight hurt. The blaze had broken out during construction work in the first and second floors below ground, which housed a nightclub. AFP

VOW TO RETALIATE. This handout picture provided by the Iranian president’s office shows President Ebrahim Raisi (center) chairing a Cabinet meeting in Tehran on Tuesday. Iran has vowed to retaliate after it accused Israel of bombing embassy complex in Syria on Monday, in a deadly escalation of regional tensions over the war in Gaza that once again appeared to raise the risk of a wider Middle East Conflict. AFP

Capital1, Smart claim twice-to-beat advantage

CAPITAL1 Solar Boys and Smart Sports Scribes formally clinched the coveted twice-to-beat advantage in the playoffs after winning their respective matches in the 2024 Philippine Sportswriters Association (PSA) Cup at the Ninoy Aquino Stadium on Tuesday, April 2.

The Solar Boys showed no rust after the tournament’s two-week break and delivered in the clutch for a 68-61 win over Say Chiz Smileys while the Smarts Sports Scribes fended off Strong Group Athletics to claim a 78-72 victory. Capital1 and Smart now have identical 4-1 records heading into the final stretch of the tournament that is one of the projects of PSA President Nelson Beltran of the Philippine Star.

Clinging onto a 65-61 lead in the dying seconds of the fourth quarter, Aldo Aviñante and Jonash Dannug of Tiebreaker Times drained three out of four free throws to ice the game and seal the victory for the squad backed by Mandy and Milka Romero, Bulakan Mayor Vergel Meneses, Uratex, and Rebel Sports.

John Bryan Ulanday of The Philippine Star spearheaded Capital1 with 16 points and six rebounds while Aviñante dropped 13 points, six rebounds and four assists.

Christian Jacinto had another doubledouble output with 11 points and 15 rebounds. Delfin Dioquino and Mark Montejo had six points apiece but also collared 17 and 15 rebounds respectively.

In the first game, the Sports Scribes clamped down on the defensive end to overcome a slow start. After trailing 39-47 at the break, Smart limited SGA to just five points in the third to turn the tables around.

AJ Bolando and Jan Ballasteros then put on the finishing touches, knocking down crucial free throws late in the fourth quarter to seal the Sports Scribes’ crucial win.

Bolando erupted for 39 points, four rebounds and seven assists while Reuben Terrado of SPIN.ph had 12 points and eight rebounds for the Danny Espiritu, Headstart Sports Academy, and BaliPure-back team.

Eugene Flores of One Sports paced the Press Row Bros with 33 points while Diego dela Paz grabbed a doubledouble of 19 points and 13 rebounds in a losing effort. Action resumes next week with Capital 1 and SMART battling for the top seed in the 8 p.m. affair while SGA goes up against Say Chiz at 9:30 p.m.

Santo Tomas zeroes in on rare tennis double crown

UNIVERSITY of Santo Tomas moved a step closer to taking a double championship in the UAAP Tennis tournament after winning both the first ties of the women’s and men’s best-of-three Finals series on Wednesday at the Felicisimo Ampon Tennis Center in Malate, Manila.

The Female Tennisters from España inched closer to ending a six-year championship drought in the women’s division by winning the first tie of the best-ofthree Finals series 3-1 against the National University Lady Bulldogs.

Meanwhile, the UST Male Tennisters team gained an advantage in the series for a back-to-back men’s title by defeating Ateneo de Manila University Blue Eagles, 3-2.

The second ties of the championship round are scheduled for Saturday at 7:30 a.m.

On the women’s side, Minette Bentillo and Justine Maneja secured UST’s victory—a first-ever against the defending back-to-back champion NU in

the Finals—with a 6-2, 6-4 conquest of Angela Cabaral and Rovie Baulete in the second doubles match.

“Sobrang importante po sa ‘min kasi nga po ‘yung NU hindi pa natatalo sa Finals pero nagawa namin. Very important po ‘to sa amin kasi mas mabuboost po ‘yung confidence namin,” said UST senior Alexei Santos.

Symon Jaculan and Steven Sonsona clinched the win in the second men’s doubles match with a score of 7(3)-6, 6-7(6), 7-5 against Axl Gonzaga and Nio Tria after the squads split the other four rubbers. “Natalo po kasi ‘yung first singles, kaya talagang pinush po naming manalo. Pinush po talaga namin ‘yung limit namin kasi ‘yung opponent namin mas

Smart AVC Nuvali Open beach volley meet begins

EIGHT matches—six men and four women—usher in the main draw of the Smart Asian Volleyball Confederation (AVC) Nuvali Open with the organizing Philippine National Volleyball Federation (PNVF) adding premium on concerns about the intense summer heat.

The matches involving 46 squads from seven Asia-Oceania countries will be determined after the preliminary inquiry scheduled late Wednesday in a general meeting that also focused on expectations on temperatures in the four-day event that could reach the high 30s at the world-class Nuvali Sand Courts in the City of Santa Rosa.

The matches start at 8 a.m. with tickets available at www.ticketmax. ph where beach volleyball fans could avail themselves of the P220 day pass.

There will be no matches in between 12 noon and 2 p.m., according to event director Antonio Carlos Jr., who added that it will be an onsite decision for the AVC Technical Delegate Thomas Chang (Hongkong) and Referee Delegate Jayaraman Srinivasan (India) in the event of a temperature surge.

Ties on Saturday (Felicisimo Ampon Tennis Center) 7:30 a.m. - UST vs Ateneo (Men’s Finals Tie 2) (UST leads series 1-0) 7:30 a.m. - NU vs UST (Women’s Finals Tie 2) (UST leads series 1-0)

mataas ‘yng level sa amin. Ang mindset lang po namin nung third set is kailangan namin ‘tong panalong ‘to,” said sophomore Jaculan on the deciding match. Female tennis team rookie Kaye Emana secured a win against Elsie Abarquez, 7-5, 7-6(0), to start the day in favor of the España-based side, but reigning MVP Mae Bornia and Alliah Ragunton took one back for NU with a 6-2, 6-4 sweep of Debbie Gom-os and Miles Vitaliano in the first doubles match. Santos, however, set up the Bentillo and Maneja heroics with a solid 6-3, 6-1 clinic past JM Carcueva in the second singles match.

PNVF president Ramon “Tats” Suzara said all systems are in place and the Nuvali Sand Courts by Ayala Land have been conditioned for its second hosting of a major international competition after last December’s Volleyball World Beach Pro Tour Challenge.

“Everything is ready for the PNVF’s first major international competition for the year and precautions—such as breaks at noon when the sun is at its hottest—and medical teams wellequipped for heat-related incidents— are also in order,” Suzara said.

Major international sports events, including tennis’s Australian and US Opens, always put premium on expected high temperatures and the Smart AVC Nuvali Open is no exception, Suzara said.

The Philippine teams under Brazilian coach Joao Luciano Kiodai and Mayi Molit-Prochina include the women’s pairs of Gen Eslapor and Kly Orillaneda, and Alexa Polidario and Jenny Gaviola and the men’s tandems of James Buytrago and Rancel Varga and Ranran Abdilla and AJ Pareja.

Elite talent recognized in All-EASL Team

HONG KONG SAR—Five outstanding players from the East Asia Super League 2023-24 Season have been selected to make up the All-EASL Team.

The statistics leaders for the EASL 2023-24 Season have also been announced. These accolades highlight a selection of the greatest players currently active in East Asian professional basketball, as EASL provides a new platform to recognize Asia’s best talent.

The 2023-24 All-EASL team includes two players from champions

Chiba Jets (Japan – B.LEAGUE). Jets captain Yuki Togashi led his team to the championship with a string of inspirational performances, also securing the MVP award for the EASL Final Four 2024. His teammate John Mooney was dominant in the center position and in rebounds across the season, recording 21.7 points and 15.3 rebounds per game over six games. The EASL’s top scorer this season, Jameel Warney of the Seoul SK Knights (Korean Basketball League), made the team after averaging a stunning 34.8 points, and

13.2 rebounds, per game over six games.

Despite a season curtailed by injury, Asian basketball legend Jeremy Lin was selected. The former NBA star showed his quality early-season as the New Taipei Kings (Chinese Taipei – P. LEAGUE+) had a 4-0 start in the Group Stage. Korean national team star Park Ji Hoon capped a magnificent EASL Season for Anyang Jung Kwan Jang Red Boosters with a Player of the Game performance in the Third Place Game, featuring 29 points and eight rebounds.

FESSAP nominates Arzaga-Mendoza to FISU Executive Legal Committee

By Graham C. Lim

“IT is an immense pleasure and honor to have the Federation of School Sports Association of the Philippines (FESSAP) reappoint me once again to be a member of the International University Sports Federation (FISU) Legal Committee for the year 2024-2027,” said Maria Luz Arzaga-Mendoza upon the announcement of her nomination to the legal committee of the world governing body for university sports.

“The honor bestowed on me also brings as much honor to the country, in general, and the Federation of School Sports Association of the Philippines (FESSAP) in particular,” cited Mendoza.

This was the message of Mendoza, who has been connected with FESSAP since 2013 as the Legal Adviser to the FESSAP Board of Trustees and has been a member of the FISU Legal Committee since 2017. Executives and Presidents of the FESSAP, past and present, have been supportive of Mendoza as a member of the

FISU Legal Committee.

This is a vital position as it also defends the legal welfare of the FESSAP state university and private school members in the FISU organization. Mendoza has the unequivocal support of FESSAP past and present executive leaders such as Alvin Tai Lian, Dr. Godofredo E. Gallega, Teresita Abundo, David Ong, Baldomero Estenzo, Prof. Robert Milton Calo, Nenita V. Mendoza, Maria Cecilia Sarmiento, Dr. Diosdado Amante, Angel Ngu, Christian Tan, Dr. Jesus Rodrigo Torres, Dr. Gregorio J. Rodis, and current FESSAP president Edwin C. Fabro. Luz, as close friends call her, is appreciative of FISU’s trust in her, allowing her to serve its international legal interests in the field of sports.

Mendoza is incredibly grateful to the international and local organizations that selflessly advocate for the wellness, welfare, and development of Filipino university athletes in the field of sports. On the other hand, Mendoza’s leadership and good governance are truly worth

in gold and have propelled the FESSAP to world prominence as the only university sports federation in the Philippines to be recognized by the FISU and other university sports institutions in the international scene.

Mendoza, in a recent interview, took the opportunity to congratulate Switzerland’s Leonz Eder for being elected to the presidency of FISU last November held in Geneva.

She also took note of the immense contribution of Eric Saintrond, FISU Secretary General, over the past two decades. Thank you to Paulo Ferreira for his wonderful advising approach to our federation.

The FESSAP likewise wishes the best of luck to the newly elected first Vice President from Brazil, Luciano Cabral, and the four FISU Vice Presidents, namely, Marian Dymalski (Poland), Miss Aligawesa Penninah Kabenge (Uganda) and Miss Liu Jin (China) and Miss Verena Burk (Germany), and all the FISU Executive Committee members’ Rosaura Mendez and the entire members.

The All-EASL Team

PSC starts Indigenous People’s Games

THE Philippine Sports Commission (PSC) will hold three regional legs of the Indigenous People’s (IP) Games this year that will start in Luzon at the Municipality of Salcedo, Ilocos Sur on April 19 and 20.

The IP Games made a successful comeback last year in Palawan after the COVID-19 pandemic. This year, PSC eyes Bacolod City in Visayas and General Santos City in Mindanao as possible hosts of the remaining two legs.

“We are acknowledging the culture and traditions ng ating mga ninuno in these games.

We are expecting to see a bigger number of participants this year, well over a thousand for all the three regional legs. We might even have an additional leg for Bangsamoro,” said Commissioner Matthew ‘Fritz’ Gaston who oversees the IP Games.

“We would like to acknowledge our LGU partner and host in Ilocos Sur, headed by Gov. Jeremias “Jerry” Singson and Salcedo Mayor Ninya Grazielle Gironella-Itchon, together with our support sponsors MILO and Pocari for their assistance,” he added.

The PSC has been organizing the IP Games since 2018 as part of its mandate of showcasing and preserving the traditional sports and games. Among the games popularly played in the program all throughout are pana, sumpit, kadang-kadang, trumpo, and javelin.

The program also conducts Indigenous People’s Forum that emphasizes the importance of the IP community and its preservation across generations.

In partnership with the National Commission on Indigenous People and the local government units, the program is aimed to expand and reach more IP communities annually.

Quinto lifts Bolts to 3-point victory over Terrafirma Dyip

By Peter Atencio

BONG Quinto knocked nine of his 18 points in the last period as the Meralco Bolts weathered a late comeback by Terrafirma Dyip to pull off an 8683 victory on Wednesday night in the 2024 Philippine Basketball Association Philippine Cup at the Smart Araneta Coliseum.

Quinto shot his remaining baskets inside the last two minutes, pushing the Bolts to sixth place in the team standings with their third

NEW YORK—A US wom-

en’s basketball record television audience of 12.3 million people watched sensation Caitlin Clark lead Iowa over rival Louisiana State University in the college playoffs, telecaster ESPN said Tuesday.

Young stars lead pack in Cycle PH

KYLE Echarri and Raven Rigor are set to energize the Sun Life Cycle PH event slated to flag off this Sunday (April 7) at the Ayala Vermosa Sports Hub in Imus, Cavite.

The two young actors will be participating alongside Piolo Pascual, a long-standing client and brand ambassador for Sun Life, who has been associated with the company for over a decade through the SunPIOLOgy, an annual charity event focused on health and education initiatives.

As emerging talents from Star Magic, Echarri and Rigor embody the spirit of maintaining health through enjoyable activities. While many opt for traditional workouts like gym sessions or running, a growing number have embraced cycling as both a form of exercise and a leisure activity.

Hundreds of participants across various age categories and skill set are all geared up for the event, featuring individual rides of 30km and 45km, a corporate challenge covering 60km, as well as special categories for children and families. These include a kids’ ride for ages 6-15, a family ride permitting a child to cycle with an adult, and tricycle rides for toddlers aged 2-5 over distances of 100 meters and 500 meters.

Meanwhile, the Sun Life Cycle PH Expo is set to open tomorrow (Friday) at the Seda Hotel in Bonifacio Global City, serving as a gathering for fitness aficionados, according to the organizing The IRONMAN Group/Sunrise Events, Inc.

The previous record was 11.83 million viewers for the 1983 final between Southern California and Louisiana Tech on CBS, a major network rather than a cable telecaster. Clark, the all-time leading scorer for men or women in the history of US college basketball, scored 41 points in Iowa’s 94-87 victory over the Tigers in a Monday rematch of last year’s March Madness championship game.

The 22-year-old Hawkeyes guard, set to be the top pick in the April 15 Women’s NBA Draft, made nine 3-pointers in the contest, matching the record for a women’s NCAA tournament game and passing Diana Taurasi for the all-time 3-pointers record in the event.

“When the stage is the brightest,

with Stephen Holt and Juami

showing the way with

now share the same 3-3 slate with the Bolts.

Holt knocked in nine points in the last quarter, with his two charities in the last six seconds allowing Dyip stay in the thick of the fight at 83-85.

Holt’s two charities in the remaining 2:20 seconds saw Dyip grabbing the lead for fifth and last time, 81-79.

But a three-pointer from Quinto with 2:01 to go handed back the lead to the Bolts, 82-81.

Norbert Torres sank 15 points, including 10 in the last 10 minutes, while Raymund Almazan fired 14.

Torres’ triple in the final 4:53 saw the Bolts in front by five, 79-74.

The Scores:

MERALCO 86 – Quinto 18, Torres 15, Almazan 14, Black 7, Mendoza 7, Newsome 7, Banchero 6, Maliksi 6, Hodge 4, Pascual 2, Jose 0, Rios 0

TERRAFIRMA 83 – Tiongson 20, Holt 20, Gomez de Liano 11, Ramos 11, Sangalang 6, Go 4, Camson 4, Carino 4, Cahilig 3, Mina 0, Calvo 0, Alolino 0 QUARTERS: 19-25, 39-46, 63-65, 86-83

spectacular. Some people wither in the moment. She just gets stronger in the moment. When it’s her time, I mean, she’s going to just shine.”

ESPN’s previous women’s basketball record viewership was 9.9 million people for last year’s Iowa-LSU final, but jumped 24% this year to become the top US prime-time program Monday night. Iowa advanced to Friday’s March Madness semi-finals, where the Hawkeyes will face the University of Connecticut. A victory would soar the Hawkeyes into Sunday’s final against either North Carolina State or South Carolina.

The ratings made the Iowa victory the most watched basketball game on ESPN since game seven of the 2018 NBA Eastern Conference finals between Boston and the LeBron James-led Cleveland Cavaliers. The contest outdrew every Major League Baseball game in more than a year and every National Hockey League game since game seven of the 1971 Stanley Cup final between Chicago and Montreal. AFP

Korean’s Seoyun Kim by a single stroke. She anticipates a similarly close contest next week, with formidable competitors like Sarah Ababa and Harmie Constantino, winners of the first two LPGT legs in Davao, along with Lois Kaye Go, Mafy Singson, Chihiro Ikeda, Florence Bisera and Laurea Duque, promising to challenge her title defense.

“Doing my regular practice routines, nothing out of the ordinary. Just trying to bring that confidence and momentum moving forward,” added del Rosario, also the first Filipina to win on the Taiwan Ladies PGA Tour during her rookie pro season in 2017.

Meanwhile, Ababa rallied to edge Singson by two in the Apo Golf Classic, while Constantino battled back from five strokes down to beat Ababa and Ikeda in the Rancho Palos Verdes Championship. Go, on the other hand, is poised to rebound from her final round struggles at Palos Verdes, determined to convert lessons learned into success.

“I need to stay patient,” Go reflected on her experience in her pro debut, emphasizing the need to capitalize on opportunities rather than succumbing to frustration. She led in the final round but ended up tied at fourth.

Joining the title hunt in the tournament supported by PGTI official apparel Kampfortis Golf are Marvi Monsalve, Miya Legaspi, Gretchen Villacencio, Annika Cedo, Rev Alcantara, Apple Fudolin, Kristine Fleetwood, Pamela Mariano and Velinda Castil.

Caitlin Clark #22 of the Iowa Hawkeyes signs autographs after her team beat the LSU Tigers, 94-87, in the Elite 8 round of the NCAA Women’s Basketball Tournament at MVP Arena in Albany, New York. AFP Commissioner Matthew ‘Fritz’ Gaston (right) and IP Games project head Elias Samorin

Pauline del Rosario

DigiPlus spending up to P2b this year to sustain growth

By Jenniffer B. Austria

DIGIPLUS Interactive Corp. is spending P1.5 billion to P2 billion in 2024 to sustain its growth momentum, its top executive said Wednesday.

DigiPlus president Andy Tsui said in a news briefing 50 percent of this year’s capital expenditures would go to technological upgrades as part of the company’s strategic priorities to become the number one diversified leisure and entertainment hub in the country.

Tsui said the company was also expecting sales to grow anywhere from 10 percent to 20 percent this year from P27 billion in 2023. It also plans to add 5 to 10 million registered users this year.

He said that as the domestic digital gaming market was expected to reach P60 billion this year, the company aimed to get more than 50-percent share of this market.

DiguPlus now has 20 million registered users and plans to aggressively promote its digital games to the provinces, as Metro Manila has become saturated.

The company operates the country’s leading digital platforms BingoPlus, ArenaPlus and PeryaGame. BingoPlus remains the country’s leading digital bingo platform, offering Filipinos convenient access to their favorite game. Its robust online platform is further supported by over 140 physical sites nationwide.

DigiPlus posted P4.1 billion in net income in 2023, up by 596 percent from the 2022 level, driven by the steady growth of its digital retail segment which received a boost from new platforms and cost efficiencies.

PH, Japan vow to meet carbon emission target

By Alena Mae S. Flores

THE Philippines said it remains committed to achieving net-zero emissions by 2050 during a meeting with a Japanese delegation promoting decarbonization efforts.

The Department of Energy (DOE) said the country would work closely with Japan to contribute to decarbonization in Asia. This collaboration will involve policy harmonization and support, along with other member countries of the Asia Zero Emission Community (AZEC). AZEC is a platform for Asian nations to promote decarbonization. It leverages Japan’s resources and experience by providing support in finance, technology, human resources, and policy coordination with partner countries.

The DOE said in a statement a Japanese mission led by Cabinet special advisor Maeda Tadashi, along with officials from the Ministry of Economy, Trade and Industry (METI), the Japan Bank for International Cooperation (JBIC), and Japanese private sector executives, met with Energy Secretary Raphael Lotilla on April 1.

Both countries acknowledged the importance of the AZEC JapanPhilippines High-Level Coordination Dialogue. This framework facilitates discussions between Japanese public and private sectors, and the Philippine government, led by the Department of Energy. The dialogue aims to address challenges and develop solutions to advance decarbonization efforts. This will be achieved by creating specific projects and encouraging all parties with appropriate assistance.

Gov’t debt jumped 10% to top P15t in February

By Darwin G. Amojelar

THE government’s debt jumped 10.4 percent yearon-year to surpass P15 trillion for the first time in February 2024, the Bureau of the Treasury (BTr) said Wednesday.

Data showed the total outstanding debt also increased 2.63 percent from the previous month’s P14.79 trilion.

The BTr attributed the increase in debt stock to the government’s domestic debt issuances, although this was partially tempered by the effect of the stronger peso on foreign debt valuation. It said of the total debt stock, 30.32 percent was external debt and 69.68 percent, domestic debt.

Domestic debt reached P10.58 trillion as of end-February, or 4.08 percent higher than the end-January 2024 level following the net issuance of government securities.

Domestic debt gross issuance totaled P708.74 billion, including the P584.86-billion five-year retail treasury bond issuance.

Meanwhile, principal payments amounted to P293.57 billion, resulting in a net issuance of P415.17 billion.

The peso appreciation trimmed P0.66 billion from domestic debt through downward revaluation of foreign currency denominated domestic debt.

Meanwhile, external debt reached P4.60 trillion, down by 0.56 percent from the end-January 2024 level. The decrease was attributed to favorable foreign exchange movements by both local- and third-currencies against the US dollar amounting to P18.79 billion and P9.96 billion, respectively.

These more than offset the P2.75billion net availment of foreign loans.

Government-guaranteed obligations decreased by 1.07 percent from its end- January 2024 level to P344.93 billion as of end-February 2024.

Heal Venture, PEZA sign deal to woo pharma firms

International tourism receipts double to $9.1b

THE Philippines posted a net trade surplus of $2.45 billion from travel services in 2023, with international tourism receipts reaching $9.1 billion –more than double the 2022 figure.

The Department of Tourism

and the private sectors in delivering our strategies under the approved National Tourism Development Plan [NTDP] 2023 to 2028,” she said.

Data from the DOT showed that spending by international travelers in the Philippines is greater than what Filipinos spend overseas.

The DOT counted 5.45 million international visitor arrivals in 2023, breaching its year-end target of 4.8 million. It said that in the first two months of 2024, arrivals reached 1.23 million or 22.86 percent higher than the 999,390 arrivals recorded in

P15.17 trillion

Gov’t debt as of February

P388 billion

Debt’s month-onmonth growth

P1.43 trillion

Debt’s year-on-year increase

ROW committee to speed up rail projects

THE Department of Transportation (DOTr) said Wednesday said the newly-formed Inter-Agency Committee for Right-of-Way (ROW) will speed up the completion of major railways.

DOTr Secretary Jaime Bautista said the committee would directly address concerns over land acquisition which often hamper the implementation of railway construction. Bautista said the initiative, outlined in Administrative Order (AO) 19, would be a huge boost to the country’s railway system and “help restore its former glory.”

Under AO 19, the committee is tasked to study and devise an efficient and collaborative mechanism to streamline the process of land acquisition necessary for the implementation of all railway projects.

The order also directs the committee to coordinate the implementation of railway policies and projects and craft and approve project-specific policies and programs. It must also identify appropriate services or programs concerning land acquisition and other ROW issues, such as livelihood, income restoration and resettlement.

Bautista sits as chairman of the committee with the secretary of the Department of Human Settlements and Urban Development (DHSUD) as co-chairman.

Member-agencies of the committee are the Department of the Interior and Local Government, Department of Social Welfare and Development, Department of Environment and Natural Resources, Department of Finance, Department of Budget and Management, Department of Justice and the Office of the Solicitor General. State-owned Philippine National Railways will serve as the committee secretariat. Darwin G. Amojelar

By Jenniffer B. Austria

from Regina Capital Development Corp.

Meanwhile, Asian markets fell Wednesday as investors grow increasingly skeptical that the Federal Reserve will cut interest rates as much as hoped this year, while a massive earthquake in Taiwan added to the sense of gloom.

Traders have pushed equities higher for months, driven by optimism that the central bank will begin easing monetary policy this year as inflation comes back towards officials’ two percent target.

By

The bonds will be offered in tenors of either 5 and/or 10 years,

ployment rate by 1.1 percent to 1.6 percent in that time frame.

companies

but

all need

support of the government and lawmakers, in particular, in easing the Metro Manila bedlam.

One quick fix is in the form of motorcycle taxis. They have been actually part of the menu of transport options available to Filipino commuters in Metro Manila for years—but it is only recently that there has been a serious push to finally pass legislation to legalize this mode of transportation.

President Ferdinand Marcos Jr. is aware of the traffic gridlock, conceding that “more transport options will benefit commuters, drivers and MSME (Micro, Small and Medium Enterprises).”

Yes, motorcycle taxis drive the economy, create jobs and provide livelihood to our small entrepreneurs.

One of the country’s major transportation network companies (TNCs) created more than 100,000 driver and operator jobs and digitalized over 15,000 MSMEs between 2019 and 2021. This is credited for easing the national unem-

Economists at the University of Asia and the Pacific estimate that the app of the same Singapore-based TNC contributed P37 billion to P165.6 billion to our gross domestic product in the same period. A study revealed that the app-based transport company, unlike other modes of transportation, had a 3.42 multiplier effect. This means that for every P100 spent on the app, the economy obtains an additional P342 in output.

House Speaker Martin Romualdez recognized the contribution of the TNCs and vowed Congress would prioritize the passage of a motorcycle taxi law.

The legalization of motorcycle taxis and the relaxation of regulations on Transportation Network Vehicle Service, or TNVS, he says, “align with our goals to provide more choices for passengers, drivers and businesses, particularly MSMEs.”

The House Committee on Transportation is reviewing and finalizing the bill. For years, motorcycle taxis have been operating under a pilot program. But despite the success of the pilot program, the legalization process has dragged on.

It is clear in hearings that the Transportation Committee wants to finally get this done, thanks to the efforts of chairperson Rep. Romeo Acop.

The Lower House, however, must get its act together. While the transportation panel is diligently finalizing the provisions of the bill, another panel—the Committee on Metro Manila Development (MMD)––is conducting parallel

INTEGRATED Micro-Electronics Inc. (IMI), the electronics manufacturing arm of Ayala Corp., widened its net loss to $109 million in 2023 from a loss of $6.75 million in 2022. IMI said in a disclosure to the stock exchange Wednesday it incurred a large net loss after it booked one-time losses of $106.1 million related to the sale of STI Enterprises Limited and impairment of goodwill and certain assets. Revenues also slipped 6 percent to $1.3 billion last year due to the divestment of STI in October.

Meanwhile, IMI said its whollyowned subsidiaries maintained the momentum from 2022, with revenues at par with the previous year, and better profitability margins netting a reported net income of $13 million, an improvement of 14 percent from 2022.

—“—

The promise of an expanded railway network around Metro Manila to ease the current traffic congestion is not on the horizon, yet.

hearings on the same topic.

Conducting simultaneous hearings sows confusion. The pertinent points raised in one committee could be addressed within the main hearing where the bill’s provisions are being finalized.

The MMD Committee, for instance, discussed at length the need to study and evaluate the impact of motorcycle taxis on other transportation modes. Representatives of other PUVs―tricycles, jeepneys, and taxis―complained about how their incomes were affected by the proliferation of two-wheeled taxis―the very same issues they raised in the first Transportation Committee hearing called to finalize the motorcycle-for-hire bill. They are exactly the same issues already addressed by 1-RIDER Party-list Rep. Ramon Rodrigo Gutierrez in the March 7 hearing, where he stressed “there is no question on the fact on whether or not there will be limits, because there will be limits.” The Land Transportation Franchising and Regulatory

“Through intensive collaboration with customer and supplier partners, IMI core businesses were able to build on the recovery of 2022,” said IMI president Jerome Tan. “The company is operating with a higher level of efficiency through savings obtained from direct material cost reductions and restructuring of overhead costs as we continue to ramp up new businesses in the EV and energy management projects that we won in the past three years,” Tan said. IMI ranks among the top 25 electronics manufacturing service (EMS) providers in the world based on 2022 revenues per Manufacturing Market Insider and is among the top ten automotive EMS companies per New Venture Research.

Board as the regulatory body will assess and approve the routes and number of motorcycle taxis that may be allowed to ply the roads of Metro Manila and beyond.

Our lawmakers should remember that having simultaneous hearings on the same (or similar) subjects forces agencies to send more officials and personnel to Congress. If all these agency leaders (and their staff) are in the House answering the queries of legislators, who is left at department offices to address the other needs of the public?

One wonders about the real reason behind the simultaneous hearings and the call for a moratorium on adding new players in the ongoing pilot program. Is somebody protecting entrenched players who are finding it hard to compete commercially in a more competitive landscape? Are the players who’ve enjoyed a monopoly during the past five years now finding the space too tight and, thus, want to revert to the status quo?

For a country that wants to tell the world that we are open for business, developments such as these and the ensuing confusion in the legislative process can have detrimental effects on investor confidence.

Potential investors have always been wary of our regulatory environment and the inconsistencies in Philippine government policies. The prolonged discussions and uncertainties surrounding the legalization of motorcycle taxis only exacerbate these concerns.

Jenniffer B. Austria

CHAMPION

Members of

Balabag

BUSINESS Customs collection rose 3.5% to P75.4b, exceeded March goal

By Darwin G. Amojelar

THE Bureau of Customs (BOC) on Wednesday reported a 3.5-percent increase in revenue collection in March, exceeding its target for the third month in a row.

Preliminary data showed that the BOC collected P75.429 billion in March, surpassing the target of P72.910 billion. This resulted in a surplus of P2.519 billion.

It said that it also exceeded its cumulative revenue target in the first

quarter by 4.03 percent, collecting P219.385 billion versus its goal of P210.896 billion. This also reflected a growth of 2.60 percent compared to the P13.829billion collection in the same period in 2023.

The BOC attributed its strong fiscal performance to its higher rate of assessment or enhanced system for determining the customs value of imported goods.

It also boosted its revenue collection through strict monitoring and collection of deferred payment of government importation.

Intensified post-clearance audit also resulted in ensuring compliance to customs laws and collection of rightful duties and taxes from importers.

The BOC recently signed a memorandum of agreement with Landbank of the Philippines to facilitate digital

payment of miscellaneous fees and streamline payment processes for stakeholders to further improve its collection.

The BOC said its strengthened border protection efforts also contributed to its enhanced collection performance.

“The revenue collected by our agency serves as a lifeline for our government coffers, funding crucial national projects such as infrastructure development, education, healthcare, and disaster preparedness,” said Customs Commissioner Bienvenido Rubio. With Vito Barcelo

By Jenniffer B. Austria

CONGLOMERATE Filinvest Development Corp. (FDC) said Wednesday it registered attributable net income of P8.9 billion in 2023, up by 58 percent from P5.7 billion in 2022.

FDC said in a stock exchange filing its consolidated revenues climbed 31 percent to P92.8 billion from P71.1 billion as all business segments delivered double-digit growth.

“This past operating year was marked by robust growth in all our business lines. The key to our success was a renewed focus on the fundamentals of our business and staying true to our key strategic imperatives and reliance on our core strengths as an organization,” said FDC president and chief executive Rhoda Huang.

Consolidated net income reached P12.1 billion, up 46 percent year-onyear from P8.3 billion.

Banking and financial services delivered a net income contribution to the group of P4.6 billion, equivalent to 39 percent of FDC’s bottom line.

The property business, composed of the real estate and hospitality segments, delivered a combined P3.8 billion or 32 percent of total.

The power subsidiary contributed P2.9 billion in net income or 24 percent of the total, while the balance of 5 percent came from other businesses.

Banking subsidiary EastWest Bank (EW) delivered a net income of P6.1 billion in 2023, or 32 percent higher than the previous year on sustained consumer loan growth and strong deposit generation.

FDC’s real estate business, comprised of listed subsidiary Filinvest Land Inc. (FLI) and Filinvest Alabang Inc. (FAI), contributed P3.7 billion in net income to the group in 2023, or 31 percent higher than P2.8 billion in the previous year. Its power subsidiary, FDC Utilities Inc. reported a net income contribution of P2.8 billion in 2023, representing a 30-percent growth from 2022 on the back of a 33-percent increase in revenues to P17.2 billion. All units of its 3x135-megawatt FDC Misamis plant were fully contracted within the year, helped by the energization of the Mindanao-Visayas interconnection project in the second half of 2023. Meanwhile, hotel operations under Filinvest Hospitality Corp. rebounded in 2023 with a net income of P106 million, buoyed by the 48-percent growth in revenues to P2.9 billion in 2023.

NEDA GUEST. National Economic and Development Authority (NEDA) Secretary Arsenio Balisacan hosts a courtesy call from World Bank officials led by global director for health, population and nutrition Dr. Juan Pablo Uribe on March 21, 2024 at the NEDA Office in Mandaluyong City. The two officials discussed the ongoing engagements between the government and the World Bank, which include the Philippine Multisectoral Nutrition Project (PMNP), the Philippines COVID-19 Emergency Response Project (PCERP) and the Health System Resilience Project (HSRP).

First Gen eyes new sites for RE projects in Nueva Ecija

By Alena Mae S. Flores

CLEAN energy provider First Gen Corp. said Tuesday it identified several areas around its hydroelectric power plant complex in Pantabangan, Nueva Ecija as potential sites for developing solar plants, wind farms and battery energy storage system (BESS). First Gen vice president Ricky Carandang said in a statement developing these additional renewable energy (RE) projects forms part of the company’s program to grow its RE portfolio capacity to 9,000 megawatts (MW) by 2030 from 1,500 MW at present.

“Sites under consideration in Pantabangan for wind projects satisfy several criteria, like acceptable wind speeds and proximity to transmission line substations; while locations under consideration for solar farms meet their own peculiar criteria, like high

irradiance and a flat terrain, aside from proximity to transmission line substations,” Carandang said.

“The projects also will have no adverse impact on the environment but will instead complement the operations of First Gen’s hydro plants in the area. In the case of floating solar, they can even help preserve the water resource in the dam by slowing down the process of evaporation,” he said.

Freeport, following last month’s arrival of MV Serenade.

MV Serenade of the Seas became the biggest cruise ship to dock in the freeport on March 25.

The vessel docked at the Leyte Wharf of the Subic Bay Freeport, with Subic Bay Metropolitan Authority (SBMA) chairman and administrator Eduardo Jose Aliño leading the SBMA board and agency employees in welcoming the passengers of the cruise ship.

Seven more cruise ships are expected to arrive in the Freeport to boost the tourism sector in the country.

“It is certainly a welcome sight to see a cruise ship docking here in Subic Bay. It means that this Freeport is still one of the ideal tourist sites for international cruise ships to visit,” Aliño said.

He said the seaport revenue from the arrival of the MV Serenade of the Seas is about P438,000.

More cruise ships expected to dock in Subic Bay Freeport Filinvest Group’s income rose 58% to P8.9b last year

Around 2,490 passengers and 891 crew members boarded buses for a tour around the Freeport either to buy souvenirs or immerse themselves in the tourist attractions in the former US naval base.

“We are expecting seven more cruise ships to arrive, including the MV Costa Serena, arriving on Nov. 13. The ship will berth at the Riviera Wharf and will carry around 3,700 passengers and 1,100 crew members on board,” Aliño said.

SBMA expects seaport revenues from cruise ship arrivals this year to reach P3.3 million, on top of the business opportunities for micro small and medium enterprises (MSMEs) catering to the souvenir and delicacy requirements of the tourists.

Aliño said the SBMA set up safety measures for the passengers of the cruise ships, including an ambulance and fire truck on stand-by; law enforcers deployed for traffic and security; seaport personnel monitoring the berthing of the ship; a bus for guests who availed of the tour package; taxis for guests who wish to go around Subic Freeport; directional and safety signages; a waiting area to pick up passengers; and tower lights to illuminate the entire area.

By

crease market access, deeper economic ties and widen investment opportunities.

PCCI president Enunina Mangio said the business community is optimistic that the talks, previously

Asialink Finance gets P300-m loan from Taiwan bank

ASIALINK Finance Corp. said Wednesday it secured a P300-million credit line facility from Taiwan’s Cathay United Bank to provide more loans to small businesses for their expansion plans.

“This latest partnership will allow us to sustain growth in our customer base. One of our strengths has always been our partner network, and the support we have been getting from our partners in Taiwan has just been tremendous,” Asialink president and chief operating officer Apples Mangubat said.

Cathay United is the third Taiwanese bank to extend credit support to Asialink. The other two are CTBC Bank Philippines and Yuanta Savings Bank.

The Asialink-Cathay United agreement was sealed during a signing ceremony in March attended by Mangubat, Asialink chief executive Robert Jordan, Asialink chairman Ruben Lugtu II and Cathay United regional head and executive vice president Arnold Kan.

These partnerships are now opening up a new window to individual lenders and small companies with little to no access to traditional sources of funding, Asialink said in a statement.

“We are strategically expanding our network by actively seeking partnerships with both institutional entities and individual lead generators. This initiative is geared towards broadening our outreach and diversifying the sources that contribute to our lead generation efforts,” said Jordan.

Darwin G. Amojelar

stalled over intellectual property, human rights and environmental standards issues, would culminate in a successful agreement.

“The FTA should be able to expand on opportunities, especially in services such as BPO [business process outsourcing] and KPO [knowledge process outsourcing], digital commerce and agri-technology,” Mangio said.

She said the preferential trade with the EU under its Generalised Scheme of Preferences Plus (GSP+) helped boost exports of many micro, small

and medium enterprises (MSMEs).

PCCI chairman George Barcelon, however, cautioned against overly stringent EU conditions, particularly those related to carbon emission standards. He said such standards could hinder growth in developing economies.

“The EU must be realistic in its expectations of the Philippines. While being able to leverage on our comparative advantages for a PH- EU partnership, our negotiators must ensure we can comply without having to compromise our development,” he said.

By

“Overall infrastructure disbursements were bolstered to P1.419 trillion, up 11.0 percent year-on-year and 9.8 percent above the program,” the DBM said in a statement.

Total government expenditures hit P5.34 trillion last year, up by 3.4 percent from the 2022 level and 2 percent above the P5.23-trillion program, data showed.

Revenue collection also increased 7.9 percent to P3.82 trillion, while budget deficit amounted to P1.5 trillion.

The DBM said the significant expansion in infrastructure and other capital outlays led to increase disbursements last year. It also noted the accelerated program implementation and fund mobilization of the Department of Public Works and Highways and the Department of Transportation in the second half of 2023. This was supported by the direct

payments made by development partners for the implementation of foreign-assisted rail projects of the DOTr.

It said spending for operating expenditures such as personnel services and maintenance and other operating expenses also improved on the back of catch-up spending of major social departments.

Subsidy to government corporations, however, declined 18.4 percent in 2023.

DOE, DOST agree to jointly study green technologies

THE Department of Energy (DOE) and the Department of Science and Technology (DOST) agreed to collaborate on research projects aimed at enhancing the efficiency, affordability and scalability of renewable energy technologies.

The two agencies signed on Wednesday a memorandum of agreement (MOA) to foster collaboration in the advancement of renewable energy (RE) research and development (R&D) through the Philippine Council for Industry, Energy and Emerging Technology Research and Development (PCIEERD) .

Recognizing the crucial role of research and innovation in driving the transition to clean energy, they agreed to utilize the Renewable Energy Trust Fund (RETF) mandated under Section 28 of Republic Act No. 9513 or the Renewable Energy Act 2008.

By Alena Mae S. Flores

THE Department of Energy said

Wednesday it will hold the second round of bidding for the Microgrid Systems Service Provider this year after announcing the winner in the first round.

The bidding process is governed by Republic Act No. 11646, or the Microgrid Systems Act of 2022. The law provides a 90-day timeline from pre-qualification to contract submission to the Energy Regulatory Com-

mission. “The DOE is committed to enhancing the terms of reference and streamlining processes to encourage wider participation from private sector entities,” it said.

The DOE concluded the first round of competitive selection process with the award of microgrid systems development in eight unserved areas in Cebu, Quezon and Palawan to the Maharlika Consortium.

The consortium is composed of Maharlika Clean Power Holdings

Corp., Singapore-based CleanGrid Partners Pte. Ltd. and Singaporebased renewable energy company WEnergy Global Pte Ltd.

The consortium, as the winning MGSP, will provide 24/7 electricity services to the areas through a hybrid microgrid system composed of solar, energy storage system and diesel genset to be built and operated not later than 18 months from the execution of the microgrid systems service contract (MSC) with the National Power Corp. (NPC).

The DOE issued Department Circular No. DC2022-06-0018 in 2022, which provides the guidelines for managing the RETF to facilitate the program’s full implementation. The RETF is exclusively used, among others, to finance R&D, demonstration and promotion of RE systems both for power and non-power applications by qualified R&D institutions.

The agreement also facilitates the application of research findings and innovations, promoting the commercialization of RE technologies and the growth of the local green economy.

SENATOR Sherwin Gatchalian on Wednesday asked the Department of Energy (DOE) to implement stopgap measures to avert the forescasted “yellow alert” in the Luzon grid due to rising temperature amid the El Niño drought.

“The DOE should immediately form an El Niño task force to convene all power plants and distribution utilities to plan for contingency measures, including the implementation of the Interruptible Load Program [ILP],” Gatchalian said.

Under the program, participating consumers will be compensated if they use their own generating facilities in case of a power supply shortage. The DOE earlier warned that the Luzon grid might experience yellow

alerts in April and May, based on its latest simulations, with hydroelectric power plants running below capacity during the dry months. A yellow alert indicates that the supply available to the grid has fallen below a designated safety margin. Gatchalian said the DOE should ensure that power-generating plants and transmission facilities adhere to the Grid Operating and Maintenance Program (GOMP). The program contains all the maintenance schedules of power plants, substations and transmission lines. He said the DOE should encourage consumers to be mindful of their energy use during the summer months and utilize energy-efficient products. Alena Mae S. Flores

COAST GUARD SUPPORTERS.

The Philippine Coast Guard led by Commodore Geronimo Tuvilla (second from left) recognizes Aboitiz Land and Aboitiz Foundation at the headquarters of the Coast Guard District Southern Tagalog in Batangas province for their efforts towards community development and environmental sustainability.

Alena Mae S. Flores

GERMAN TRAINING. Officials of the Philippine Constructors Association Inc. (PCA) and the BFW Construction Training Institute NRW of Germany sign a memorandum of understanding (MOU) during the 2nd Joint Economic Commission (JEC) meeting on March 27, 2024. The MOU aims to promote the German Dual-Training System within the Philippines, bring German innovation in technology and enable the exchange of best practices through study visits.

BINONDO ‘Chinoys’ dominate PH billionaires list

By Jenniffer B. Austria

FILIPINO-CHINESE businessmen dominate the list of the country’s richest based on Forbes magazine’s latest ranking of world billionaires.

Fourteen of the 16 Filipino billionaires in the list have Chinese heritage, with some of them immigrating from China to establish business empires in the Philippines.

Self-made property magnate Manuel Villar, a Tondo native, emerged as the richest Filipino and was ranked 190th in the list with estimated net worth of $11 billion. Villar, chairman of Vista Land Lifescapes, was followed by port magnate and International Container Terminal Services Inc. chairman Enrique Razon Jr., who has Spanish heritage, with $10 billion in wealth.

Villar and Razon are the only “nonChinoy” Filipino billionaires in the latest Forbes ranking.

San Miguel Corp. president and chief executive Ramon Ang came in third with a net worth of $3.5 billion this year. Ang was born in Manila to Chinese immigrants, but persevered to become one of the richest in the country. Meanwhile, the six children of SM Group founder Henry Sy who was born in Fujian, China, have net worths of more than $2 billion each.

Divisoria a hub for Chinese, local traders

DIVISORIA market, which began with a small community of Chinese merchants, boomed into a major commercial and trade center in the 1990s.

Filipinos flock to Divisoria for its bargains and the chance to haggle. While everything seems like a great deal, shop owners aim for small profits, earning more on bulk orders than retail sales.

Shoppers negotiate for fair prices that balance quality with seller profitability. Discounted products should ultimately benefit both buyer and seller.

Low margins force shop owners to sell quickly in large quantities to survive Divisoria’s fierce competition. Their merchandise needs to move swiftly, like a well-oiled machine. Over the past 30 years, many Chinese businessmen have grown from small shops to big importers, wholesalers and national network owners. The key to their success—networking.

Most Divisoria products come from China, often undercutting prices globally. Local Chinese businessmen naturally have an advantage finding Chinese exporters. However, the Chinese market is open, and more Filipinos are now importing directly from factories.

Finding suppliers isn’t the challenge in Divisoria; it’s generating high-volume sales at competitive prices. A strong marketing network is key. Michael Wong Ho

Together, Hans, Henry Jr., Herbert, Harley, Teresita and Elizabeth control SM Investments Corp., the country’s largest conglomerate which has businesses in property development, retail, banking, hotels, gaming, logistics and energy.

Lucio Tan, who was also born in Fujian, is the oldest Filipino billionaire in the list at 89. With estimated net worth of $2.5 billion, Tan controls the LT Group which is into airline, tobacco, liquor, banking and property development.

Megaworld Corp. chairman Andrew Tan (with estimated net worth of $2 billion) was born in Fujian, China. He is one of the biggest office and residential builders in the country and is also into liquor, casinos, hightechnology, resorts and restaurants.

Jollibee Foods Corp. chairman Tony Tan Caktiong ($1.4 billion) was born in Davao del Sur to Chinese immigrant parents from Fujian, while JG Summit Holdings corp. chairman Lance Gokongwei ($1.1 billion) was born in Manila as the only son of the late industrialist John Jokongwei who moved to the Philippines from Xiamen, China.

PH-China trade promotes peace, economic growth

By Michael Wong Ho

TRADE promotes development and peace in the Philippines and China, according to the participants of the 135th Canton Fair Roadshow which was held on March 26 at Seda Hotel in Taguig City.

The event drew prominent figures, including Federation of Filipino Chinese Chambers of Commerce and Industry Inc. (FFCCCII) president Cecilio Pedro, Philippine Exporters Confederation president and CEO Sergio Ortiz-Luis Jr., Philippine Chamber of Commerce and Industry (PCCI) president Enunina Mangio, Department of Trade and Industry Undersecretary Ceferino Rodolfo, Trade Counselor of the Chinese Embassy in the Philippines Yang Guoliang, CEPA president Hu Xinquan and heads of various companies.

“We live in an interconnected world where prosperity and peace are intertwined through economic development,” Pedro said. “Trade has become a modern force for dialogue, understanding and lasting friendship between countries.”

Filipino-Chinese schools prepare students for business success

THE success of Filipino-Chinese businesses can be attributed to several factors, with a strong emphasis placed on school education, which is deeply rooted in their cultural heritage.

The first local Chinese school, Tiong Se Academy, was founded on April 15, 1899. Over the next century, Filipino Chinese established more than 300 schools. Today, 148 of these institutions remain operational, 16 of which have a remarkable history exceeding a century.

Filipino-Chinese schools typically offer a range of educational lev-

els, from kindergarten and elementary school to junior and senior high school.

Prior to 1975, Filipino Chinese schools operated under a dual academic system, with two distinct sets of courses. These schools offered both English and Chinese sections. Students attended Chinese courses predominantly in the morning sessions, while English courses replaced them in the afternoon.

Presidential Executive Order No. 176, issued in 1973, mandated all Filipino Chinese schools to adopt English and Tagalog as their primary

languages of instruction. Since 1976, Chinese language instruction became an elective, limited to a maximum of 100 minutes per day.

The implementation of this executive order marked the end of the dual academic system and the full integration of Filipino Chinese schools into the Philippine educational framework. To comply with government regulations, most Filipino Chinese schools offer a maximum of two hours of Chinese language instruction daily, in addition to the mainstream courses mandated by the Department of Education. Michael Wong Ho

Sincerity Café: A beloved institution in the heart of Manila’s Chinatown

By Julie Ann Lope

SINCERITY Cafe and Restaurant has earned its reputation as a culinary landmark in Binondo over

for

Diners flock

the

whether for a

lunch or a celebratory dinner, to indulge in its mouthwatering offerings and soak in the rich ambiance of Chinatown.

Dining at Sincerity Cafe and Restaurant is more than just satisfying hunger; it’s a full sensory experience. From the vibrant colors of fresh vegetables to the tantalizing aroma of spices and sauces, every aspect of the meal is curated to delight diners. And of course, there’s the signature dish: the renowned Sincerity Fried Chicken.

Pedro urged participants to collaborate in fostering mutually beneficial trade between the Philippines and China. He expressed the chamber’s support for the upcoming Canton Fair in Guangzhou City.

“Despite complex geopolitical challenges,” Pedro said, “I believe the path to peace and prosperity lies in firm economic cooperation between the Philippines and China. China has been the Philippines’ top trading partner for eight years, from exports of Mindanao bananas and durians to renewable technology joint ventures and many other opportunities.”

Rodolfo, who also heads the Board of Investments, expressed optimism that strong economic relations and deep friendship can help overcome difficulties.

“Here in the Philippines, for example, we see many Chinese couples playing with their children in BGC,” Rodolfo said. “They view the Philippines as home, and Filipinos continue to travel to China. These continuous exchanges are the solid foundation of our friendly relations.”

FCCEA provides business skills, language classes

THE Filipino-Chinese Cultural and Economic Association (FCCEA), a non-profit established in 1919, is offering a variety of summer classes designed to promote cultural exchange and enhance skills. The classes, scheduled from April to July 2024, will be held at the FCCEA facility on the fifth floor of Liberty Hall at 820 Benavidez St. in Binondo. “We encourage interested individuals to register promptly to secure their spots,” the FCCEA said in a statement.

Course offerings include: Business Chinese Summer Class: This class will run from April 13 to June 15, with sessions from 1:30 p.m. to 3:30 p.m. It aims to equip participants with essential language skills for conducting business in Chinesespeaking environments.

Mandarin Conversation Summer Class: Starting April 14 and concluding on June 16, this class offers morning sessions from 9:30 a.m. to 11:30 a.m. Participants will have the opportunity to improve their Mandarin conversational skills.

Chinese Dance Summer Class: Designed for students aged four to 10 (9:30 a.m. to 11:00 a.m.) and those aged 11 and above (2:30 p.m. to 4:00 p.m.), this class runs from May 27 to July 5. Students will delve into the practice of traditional Chinese dance, experiencing its cultural heritage firsthand. Julie Ann Lope

William Belo Lucio Tan

Andrew Tan Ramon Ang

Wilcon Depot Inc. founder William Belo, with a net worth of $1 billion, was born in Amoy, China but grew up in the Philippines to establish the biggest home supplies retailer in the country.

Officials of the Filipino Chinese Chambers of Commerce and Industry Inc. (FFCCXII) hold the 135th Canton Fair Roadshow on March 26 at Seda Hotel in Taguig City.

Sincerity Cafe and Restaurant earns its reputation as a culinary landmark in Binondo, Manila.

KOREAN actor-singer Kim Won Shik opens up about his journey in the entertainment industry and how he landed a role in the Philippine adaptation of What’s Wrong With Secretary Kim in the latest cover of Metro Man

In the cover story published on Metro.Style , Won Shik shared that he got scouted to be an idol trainee after helping his sister out to watch Park Shin

Hye’s fan meet in Manila. This opportunity also led him to become a part of popular Korean series such as True Beauty , Love Like a K-drama , and Alchemy of Souls

Prior to his acting projects, Won Shik lived in the Philippines with his sister for six years where he became fluent in English and Filipino. He also described the country as his “second home” and

expressed his love for the popular Pinoy meal liempo or pork belly.

He is now set to captivate the hearts of viewers as he portrays the role of Daniel Park in What’s Wrong With Secretary Kim which he describes as a rival of Paulo Avelino’s character.

“It was hard for me to act because it’s totally different. But I did my best and I put

By Nickie Wang

AHEAD of her birthday on April 13, Congresswoman Lani Mercado of Cavite’s 2nd District sat down with select members of the showbiz press. During their meeting, the congresswoman spoke candidly about her life as she approaches her 60s. She’s turning 56 in less than two weeks.

“I’ve been feeling a lot in my body,” she said in jest as she sat at the table and started scanning the restaurant menu. “Imagine, my only exercise now is walking, and then the doctor tells me that the pain in my lower back is because I walk too much.”

For the scribes accustomed to guarded politicians, Lani’s openness was a breath of fresh air.

“I won’t be having a party for my birthday. It’s not that it’s not worth celebrating, but there are many other things I want to do. I’m hosting a free concert for my constituents. And this April, it’s going to be like a month-long affair with medical missions and other activities for the benefit of the people of Bacoor, where I currently serve,” she told Manila Standard Entertainment

According to the former actress, this April, they will offer a variety of events instead of having a single birthday party. Today, blessings for a covered court in Molino 2 and a multi-purpose building in San Nicolas 2 kick things off. A medical mission follows in Molino 2 on the 6th. On the 12th, a Passport on Wheels event coincides with the inauguration of a multi-purpose building in Aniban 1. On the day of her birthday, music lovers can celebrate with G na G with Ate Lani, a birthday concert featuring Itchyworms and Flow G at the NOMO parking lot. Job seekers can look forward to the Job Fair at SM Bacoor on the 16th. The 17th features blood donation drives at Strike Gym alongside blessings for covered courts in Molino 4 and Habay 1. To wrap up the month, a medical mission arrives in Niog on the 21st, followed by the blessing of a covered court in Queensrow West on the 25th. Talking about being candid, Lani proudly admitted to having a ‘crush’ on a handsome foreigner. Lani has a crush on the male lead in Crash Landing On You Hyun Bin, who shares a birthday with her Kim Won Shik graces Metro Man cover

more effort into it. The whole What’s Wrong With Secretary Kim team/ family helped me a lot to finish it,” said Won Shik.

Aside from acting, he also showcased his musical talent as he recorded the series’ soundtrack “To Be With You,” which is available now on digital streaming platforms.

Actor Hyun Bin (right) plays the role of Ri Jeonghyeok in ‘Crash Landing on You’

Bong Revilla.

“And he seems to be the only one my husband gets jealous of,” Lani revealed with a laugh. “He’s the only one! Because I asked Chaye [Cabal] for a standee of him. Because he’s a “I got one. So when I’m working, the standee is behind me. Then I ask for pictures. Then Senator Bong says, ‘Who is that?! Who is behind you?!’ There, he’s getting mad and jealous,” Lani revealed. “I said, ‘Pa, don’t be like that. He’s your birthday mate!’ I don’t think he watched Crash Landing On You,” she went on. “That series made me dream of visiting Switzerland with my husband. I want to see where they shot their iconic scenes.” Hyun Bin, 42, also starred in TV series such as My Name is Kim Sam-soon (2005), Secret Garden (20102011), and Memories of the Alhambra (2018-2019). “Of course, there’s also a standee of Senator Bong in my office, even when he was still mayor of Bacoor City. But I’m always close to Hyun Bin’s standee which I put in my office at home,” she said.

The former actress admits to having a standee of South Korean actor Hyun Bin in her office

Caeg added. Launched in April 2023, TNT’s SIM Registration campaign videos quickly racked up over 100 million views across social media platforms, including Facebook, YouTube, TikTok, with viewers organically sharing them for being “creative,” “funny” and “unskippable.”

Within just 10 days since the videos dropped, over seven million subscribers registered their SIM, proving the campaign’s effectiveness.

TNT’s gold Lotus Award at Adfest 2024 adds to a string of local and international recognitions for the viral SIM Registration campaign videos, which includes being shortlisted at the New York Festivals 2023 Advertising Awards, winning Silver at Boomerang 2023 Awards, and bagging Crystal Awards at Korea’s MAD Stars 2023, among others.

MANY years ago when my then band Syato was touring to promote our originals, our resident drummer Arly LaGuardia brought along a protege to jam with the group, and on at least one occasion, sat in for him during an outdoor gig in Manila.

The boy’s name is Francis Nuega, simply Bong to some friends; unassuming - a can-do-no-harm boy tagging along to learn from the more experienced. I recalled that he played steady during rehearsal and even steadier at the gig proper. But after that, I hardly heard from him, until fate allowed us to reconnect.

Our “one-time” drummer had moved to Los Angeles in California way back in 2011. He had immersed himself in the Fil-Am music scene, and developed into a skilled, busy musician, with multiple band affiliations and a continuously deepening knowledge of the art of record engineering.

“You have to keep in mind na once you get here in America, you have to do your diligence din (and) do your homework para makapasok ka sa music scene,” shared the drummer who currently plays for four bands, namely, (in alphabetical order), Calratz, De Soto, RIV3R, and Zipcode De Soto, with its effortlessly bluesy latest single “Oo (Balewala)” released last November, is being handled by Toggleswitch, a USbased promotion and production company catering to Filipino artists.

Nuega expressed delight over De Soto’s agreement with Toggleswitch which for him fits in with his routine, or in other words just about every Filipino musician he knows in the field of indie rock where artists write and record their compositions and when lady luck smiles get paid.

The instrumentalist who enjoys his exposure to a variety of musicality and personalities, said, “Halos wala akong kilalang musician na bread and butter niya ang pagbabanda. What we do is a weekend thing. You need to have a day job.”

Nuega’s father has music flowing in his veins and his roots were planted playing in church. When asked who his main influences are, he singled out Dream Theater’s Mike Portnoy and the late Taylor Hawkins. He is grateful to have Arly (whom I played with for nearly a decade) as his mentor and likewise acknowledged the role of his former neighbor and now-Europe-based guitarist Elmer Sandig, who for a time also played for Syato, in his early forays in music.

Nuega noted, “I try to be as versatile as I can. As a musician, ayaw ko ma-stuck. There are musicians na once a month ang gig. So it works for me having more options to play and yung utak ko mas nagiging more creative. That’s not a bad thing.”

Location plays a crucial role for someone to seriously pursue music. Los Angeles is not called the La-La land for nothing. He related, “If wala tayo sa California ngayon, I’m sure iba ang naging demeanor ko towards music and the scene. Ang community of musicians dito mas malawak.”

Would he urge anyone to leave the Philippines and breathe music elsewhere? That depends. The Fil-Am talent pointed out that one should have the tenacity to give up the “unnecessary convenience” Filipino artists in the Philippines have access to because life in America is “systemized” and “you will be humbled here.”

He said, “Hindi ka pwede magmataas dito and you can’t think you’re the best among the rest. In fairness to those who are already here like Paco (Arespacochaga), ), and Glenn Jacinto, they have remained extremely humble. Talent must be there, given, and proper attitude is

Bong and I recently met up as he recorded my vocals for a song I wrote, anchored on an arrangement by a Manilabased musician-friend. He gave me his competently crafted mix of it just a couple of days later. It’s amusing that the teenage drummer boy I met when I was still a wideeyed songwriter-performer navigating Manila has blossomed into a versatile talent. He is enjoying an interesting job in L.A. which he said pays well the bills and gives him a sense of purpose outside of music. No doubt he has kept his musicianship intact, graciously growing by playing in many promising Fil-Am bands.

LIFE & SHOWBIZ

THIS summer, global apparel giant Uniqlo is unveiling its latest updates to its linen collection, promising even greater comfort with the finest natural materials.

The expanded lineup showcases a fusion of 100 percent European Premium Linen alongside innovative linen blends with smooth rayon or soft cotton, offering a diverse range of textures and styles to suit every taste. Renowned for its cool and comfortable Premium Linen, sourced from flax cultivated in Western Europe, Uniqlo’s collection boasts a smooth texture and exquisite luster. Among the highlights this season are the newly introduced men’s premium linen shirts, available in classic silhouettes and a myriad of color options, catering to a wide spectrum of fashion preferences.

What sets Uniqlo Premium Linen apart is its certification as 100 percent European Flax, ensuring traceability through rigorous thirdparty verification processes. Notably, the cultivation of plant fibers is conducted with utmost environmental consciousness, with zero waste generated during production.

Complementing the premium linen offerings are a range of linen blend items designed to maximize breathability and softness. Noteworthy additions to the collection include one-piece dresses crafted from a blend of linen, cotton, and rayon, seamlessly marrying the breathability and luster of linen with the softness and wrinkle resistance of cotton and rayon. These versatile pieces are designed for effortless styling and promise everyday comfort for wearers.

lessons big dreamer Willy Wonka can teach us

ROALD Dahl’s vivid imagination brought to life the whimsical and fantastical world of Willy Wonka and his chocolate factory. From chocolate rivers to edible landscapes, the sheer creativity of the setting has been captivating audiences of all ages since the release of the book in 1964.

The latest iteration of the timeless story is the musical film Wonka – directed by Paul King and starring Timothée Chalamet – which is now available locally through HBO GO powered by PLDT Home. Wonka traces the billionaire chocolate maker’s beginnings. Chalamet plays the aspiring inventor, magician, and chocolatier newly arrived in Europe after traveling the world for seven years. Here are a few life lessons that the world’s most popular chocolatier himself can teach us: Work hard, persist, differentiate yourself Every entrepreneur or employee faces logistical challenges and fierce competition.

‘Wonka’ serves as an entertaining film filled to the brim with lessons about perseverance, creativity, and many more

Be creative, be imaginative

Sometimes,

conundrum yet Wonka persists in making his chocolate – leveraging his skills as a magician, inventor, and showman.

Pay attention to details

GMA Network, Inc. announces the appointment of Nessa Valdellon as Executive Vice President of GMA Pictures, effective April 1. She remains as First Vice President of GMA Public Affairs.

In less than a year since her appointment to Senior Vice President of GMA Pictures in 2023, Valdellon has enabled the GMA production arm to become a prominent player in the Philippine cinema landscape. Valdellon produced the internationally acclaimed film Firefly , which won Best Picture not only at the 49th Metro Manila Film Festival in the Philippines but also at the inaugural Manila International Film Festival in Hollywood, California. The romantic drama The Cheating Game was GMA’s first offering to screen worldwide on Netflix, hitting the number 1 slot within 24 hours of streaming.

In a personal capacity, she was one of the executive producers of the independent film Iti Mapukpukaw (The Missing) which won Best Picture at the Cinemalaya Film Festival and became the Philippines’ Oscar entry for 2024. As GMA Network’s concurrent First Vice President for Public Affairs, Valdellon leads an awardwinning department that has put the Philippines on the world stage with its premium content. Public Affairs just received nominations for six of its programs in this year’s New York Festivals: one for action drama

Wonka learns a lesson by not reading the fine print in Mrs. Scrubitt’s contract and he gets stuck working for her to pay off his debt. In real life, whether it’s a side hustle contract or your rental agreement, remember to always read the fine print. It’s literally fine print because it sometimes stipulates conditions you may not agree to had it been front and center.

When people say use your imagination, they usually mean it sarcastically. Well, Wonka does use his imagination – and it pays off handsomely, getting his chocolate to the masses and a measure of popularity. Wonka invents “hoverchocs” or chocolates that make people fly for 20 minutes. He also invents Big Night Out chocolate, which allows the eater to feel like he’s on a night out, making him sing and dance. Wonka’s Broadway Choc has the same effect – but with better choreography as if you were on a Broadway show. They sure got everyone’s attention!

Find your inspiration

Wonka’s inspiration is his mother’s love. “Hold on to your dreams,” his mother told him when he was a young boy. Throughout his difficulties, Wonka held on to these words like a lifeline. Whatever it is that inspires you to get up earlier in the morning or work later in the night, use it. Starring alongside Chalamet are Calah Lane, Keegan-Michael Key, Paterson Joseph, Matt Lucas, Mathew Baynton, Sally Hawkins, Rowan Atkinson, Jim Carter, Olivia Colman, and Hugh Grant. The film also stars Natasha Rothwell, Rich Fulcher, Rakhee Thakrar, Tom Davis, and Kobna Holdbrook-Smith

To find out more, visit pldthome.com/hbogo.

Aside from her talents, Billie Eilish is known for being vocal about social and political issues

potential to advance human creativity,” but warned of the darker consequences. AFP

Timothée Chalamet stars as the titular character in Paul King’s ‘Wonka’

The musical film delves into the beginnings of Willy Wonka’s chocolate empire and the trials that came before his eventual success

C LIFE

Bridging the gap in women’s health

By Abigail Adriatico

ONE of the problems faced by many Filipinas is the lack of openness when it comes to conversations surrounding women’s health. Most of the time, such topics are considered to be taboo which can be quite problematic for those who may need immediate care and support.

Eager to provide a solution to such a problem, Eluvo Health serves as the Philippines’ first women’s digital and physical health care provider. Featuring a team of physicians, medical experts, and support professionals, Eluvo offers an all-in-one hybrid approach to women’s healthcare through its website.

During its launch on March 21, Founder and CEO Dr. Jaycy Violago-Olivarez expounded

Cruel summer

Helpful tips to avoid heatstroke as El Niño intensifies

SUMMER in the Philippines can be harsh, especially with El Niño intensifying temperatures this year. As thermometers rise, so does the risk of heat-related illnesses like heat cramps or exhaustion.

Certain groups, like children, the elderly, and those with chronic conditions, are especially vulnerable. Symptoms vary from mild, such as heat rash, to severe, including nausea, fainting, and muscle pains (heat stroke).

For a safe and comfortable summer, Amado A. Flores III , MD of the Philippines Makati Medical Center (MakatiMed) recommends brushing up on what to do when intense heat is making you physically ill.

Go somewhere cooler. The most important thing to do is seek refuge in a cooler environment.

“It’s ideal for you to stay somewhere with air conditioning when you start feeling unwell,” says Dr. Flores. “When that’s not an option, even somewhere with shade is much better than standing in the sun. The goal here is to help your body cool down and lower its temperature.”

Hydrate with electrolytes. Hydrating is also key to bringing your body temperature down so go for a cool beverage like water or even a sports drink with electrolytes.

“Electrolytes such as potassium, sodium, calcium, magnesium, and chloride maintain our fluid balance, facilitate nerve function, regulate muscle contractions, and support numerous biochemical reactions within our bodies. Replenishing electrolytes during a heat wave is important because we lose them when we sweat,” explains Dr. Flores

Cool the body . It’s also important to cool the largest organ of your body where heat escapes through—the skin. Soak a towel (or napkins or even a t-shirt) and dampen the neck, back, chest, and shoulders.

According to Dr. Flores the science behind this is that the wet towel will pull heat away from your body, cooling your skin and aiding temperature regulation.

“If possible, you can also try submerging your hands and feet in cold water. This is effective because the wrists and ankles have pulse points, where blood vessels are near the skin, allowing for a faster cooling process,” adds Dr. Flores. But when it comes to heat-related illnesses, MakatiMed emphasizes that prevention is always better than cure.

“Stay out of the sun if you can help it, especially during the hottest hour of the day at around 3:00 p.m.,” advises Dr. Flores. “If you have to go out then wear light, loose clothing and be careful not to overexert yourself.”

Watching what you eat and drink is also part of staving off heat-related illnesses. Eat food with high water content: pineapple, tomato, celery, cucumber, and cauliflower all go a long way in keeping your body hydrated. You should also avoid drinks with alcohol and caffeine as they act as diuretics, causing your body to shed more water than normal and speeding up the dehydration process.

on the growing need for a better approach to women’s health in the country.

“The Philippines is already five to ten years behind in terms of the services and the systems that are set in place to cater for women’s health,” said Dr. Olivarez.

She also pointed out the country’s lack of access to information regarding women’s health as well as the gaps within the healthcare system which makes it hard to receive holistic care.

To address such issues, Eluvo came up with a solution through its “talk, test, and treat” system. Through its website, patients will be able to schedule a consultation with a doctor that will address their concerns. Afterward, patients will no longer have to go through the hassle of scheduling their own procedures as the Eluvo

Women creators find strength in collaboration

By Nickie Wang

THE main idea for women striving to overcome barriers, both online and in real life, is to support each other. This was the central theme of this year’s “Breaking Barriers Online and Beyond,” Google’s celebration of Women’s Month.

team will do it for them. “We have [a] digital platform where we can do our home services—specimen collection or ultrasound procedures. You get the results within the next 12 to 24 hours,” said Dr. Olivarez, further noting that once Eluvo’s physical clinic opens, the results can be received within an hour.

Apart from that, Dr. Olivarez also said that Eluvo is partnering with an IVF center that will be catering to reproductive endocrinology once the physical clinic is opened. The health care provider also caters to services surrounding the field of function and aesthetic gynecology.

“Hopefully, once the physical clinic is also up, we’d really be able to create not just, you know, a safe space for women to talk but really build the ecosystem that is necessary to progress or lift the level of women’s health care,” said Dr. Olivarez.

Eluvo Health is set to open its physical clinics in Parqal Mall and a residential tower in Rockwell later this year.

Hosted by comedian Issa Villaverde, the event highlighted the strength and courage of female YouTube creators. Speakers included journalist Jacque Manabat, dermatologist Dr. Gaile Robredo-Vitas, dentist Dr. Shideh Nikbin, fitness coach Anne Aniag, tech reviewer Isa Rodriguez, and entrepreneur Rizza Lana-Sebastian. They emphasized the importance of representing themselves authentically and sharing their expertise on platforms like YouTube. “When I first started, I was like a headless chicken running around because I didn’t know what I was doing,” shared Rodriguez, who has a popular tech channel on YouTube called Isa does tech.

“But I got an email from a journalist in Malaysia saying she found me, and at that moment, I realized that by showing up every day, that in itself is a message: I’m here, I’m gonna do it, and I’m gonna do it the way I want.”

This was the same realization that Manabat—who pivoted to online journalism by starting a personal YouTube channel after a long career in TV—came to.

“When I saw YouTube, I saw that it encouraged authenticity and emotions. Media literacy and women empowerment are my advocacies, and I was inspired by those who champion it online,” she said. “If they could do it if they could inform and educate those watching on YouTube, then maybe journalists can break the stereotype barrier. So when you see my YouTube content, I show emotions, I am me, and I am more approachable and relatable because I believe you should be where the audience is.”

Nikbin agrees with how YouTube pushes genuine authenticity. She had faced a bigger challenge by not just being a woman, but also being part of the LGBTQ+ community in a public same-sex relationship, which she fearlessly features on her YouTube channel Dr. Glam.

“YouTube was a great platform for me, especially the way I was raised—you’re a doctor, businesswoman, professional, you have to look like this. I was doing it, but there was a fear in me that a lot of people weren’t aware of it, and YouTube was a platform for me to overcome that fear by sharing it with others,” she said. “I realized that there were a lot of people on YouTube who were true to themselves, and that inspired me.”

It’s the presence of other people that can really be a big push for those figuring out how to get started. “What I learned in my journey as a YouTube creator is that you should never be afraid to ask people for help,” agreed Robredo-Vitas, who started her YouTube channel in 2019 to make the science of skincare and skin health as accessible to as many people as possible.

“I started with a lot of self-doubt. I had a lot of great ideas, but then I kept thinking, I couldn’t do this. But then I learned that you can’t do it all on your own.”

This collaborative spirit combats the tendency to pit women against each other. Lana-Sebastian, who shares her experiences on her YouTube channel, stresses the importance

of empowering people regardless of gender.

This mindset reflects internalized bias against women, which can manifest as outright misogyny online, creating barriers for women. Manabat shares that she receives many comments from men about her appearance and relationships, affecting how stories are told and undermining credibility. Aniag faces similar challenges, with people questioning her credibility and saying women shouldn’t have muscles. However, she emphasizes the importance of muscles for daily tasks.

Despite ongoing discrimination, the speakers agree that perseverance and confidence are essential. Villaverde, a queer stand-up comedian, advises women facing adversity to be selfassured.

“You have to develop a tough skin for that but also know that just by being great at your craft, it shows them that their discrimination isn’t true. You think you wouldn’t be respected in such a space, but you’re a breath of fresh air,” said Villaverde. To learn more about Google’s support for women and other causes, follow the official Google Philippines YouTube channel and Facebook page.

ELUVO Founder and CEO Dr. Jaycy Violago-Olivarez aims to create a safe space for women’s health to prosper in the country

Dr. Nikbin imbibes authenticity as she fearlessly presents her true self online

Issa Villaverde asserts the importance of being self-assured in one’s craft

Jackie Manabat sees the value of authenticity and relatability in educating people online

From left: Entrepreneur Rizza Lana-Sebastian and fitness coach Anna Aniag

From left: Journalist Jackie Manabat, tech reviewer Isa Rodriguez, and dermatologist Dr. Gaile Robredo-Vitas