Manila Standard - 2024 April 8 - Monday

Binay: NICA should step in; PRA: Security checks in place

By Macon Ramos-Araneta

SENATOR Nancy Binay on Sunday questioned the Philippine Retirement Authority’s policy of issuing special resident retiree visas (SSRVs) to Chinese nationals of “soldier’s age.”

the US Justice Department in 2021 with sex-trafficking of girls and women aged 12 to 25 to work as personal assistants or "pastorals" who were allegedly required to have sex with him.

By Rio N. Araja

LEADERS of the House of

Marcos: Develop nearby provinces to solve Metro Manila’s traffic woes

PRESIDENT Marcos Jr. said will pursue the development of nearby provinces and cities as a

Chinese...

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“We expect NICA to help assess the scale of fraud perpetrated by these syndicates, and check the addresses and contact numbers provided in their 'valid' documents,” Binay said.

“Visa fraud and fake identities adversely impact national security,” she added.

PRA general manager Bob Zozobrado, for his part, said while the agency has been accepting retirees who are at least 35 years old since 1991, the age requirement has since been raised to 50 in April 2021.

Zozobrado said there are also existing mechanisms to check if retirees are legitimate.

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The one-day activity was held within the Philippines’ Exclusive Economic Zone to demonstrate the four allied countries’ “collective commitment to strengthen regional and international cooperation in support of a free and open Indo-Pacific,” Andolong said.

Defense Secretary Gilbert Teodoro Jr. said the sequence of bilateral and multilateral activities aims to enhance

#ANONGBALITA?

“Clearance from the National Bureau of Investigation is also required for foreigners who have been staying in the Philippines for more than ninety days,” he said in a statement.

“Aside from these requirements, and as another layer of security, the Bureau of Immigration also checks in its system whether the applicant has a derogatory record before entering the Philippines as tourist and before approval of the SRRVisa application. In short, BI does the vetting twice. Derogatory checking is also required when the SRRVisa holder needs to transfer the visa sticker from the old to the new passport,” Zozobrado added.

As to the arrested Chinese nationals, Zozobrado said it was not yet clear if they are legitimate holders or

the Philippines’ capability for both individual and collective self-defense.

The initial set of activities showcases the lasting camaraderie and collaboration between the peace-oriented citizens of the Philippines, the United States, Australia, and Japan, according to a joint statement signed by the defense chiefs of the four countries.

The defense chiefs said the joint maritime activity also demonstrates the four countries' "collective commitment to strengthen regional and international cooperation in support of a free and open Indo-Pacific.”

US Defense Secretary Lloyd Austin

AI vs. humans: Virtual models as influencers

SOCIAL media influencers have embraced artificial intelligence to spice up their content but they are also facing growing competition from AI-generated Instagramers, TikTokers and YouTubers.

Sporting pink hair and posing in lingerie, swimsuits or gym outfits, Aitana Lopez has more than 300,000 followers on Instagram where she is described as a "gamer at heart" and "fitness lover" – except she's not real.

Aitana was created by The Clueless, a Barcelona-based company that describes itself as an "AI modeling agency" run by "visionaries on a mission to redefine the world of influencers."

Sofia Novales, project manager at The Clueless, said the "rising costs associated with human influencers" was a reason behind the company's creation.

"Virtual models, being digital, present a more economical alternative," Novales said.

Another plus: Total control over content.

"The advantages lie in unparalleled creative control, allowing seamless decision-making on image, fashion, and aesthetics without the need for physical photoshoots," Novales said.

The rise of AI has fueled concerns about the proliferation of deepfake videos that could be used maliciously.

Meta, owner of Facebook and Instagram, said Friday it would start putting "Made with AI labels" on AI-generated content in May.

AI presents a huge business opportunity for content creators: The influencer market is expected to grow rapidly, from $16.5 billion

in 2022 to nearly $200 billion by 2032, according to Allied Market Research.

Using virtual influencers is not new: Barbie already has millions of followers on Instagram.

But they are now being used in advertisements where they can't be told apart from a real person.

Take Lil Miquela, a "19-yearold Robot living in LA" created by a California agency in 2016.

With 2.6 million followers on Instagram and 3.5 million on TikTok, Lil Maqueta has promoted brands as big as BMW.

The idea was to "create something never seen before," the German premium carmaker said in a statement to AFP.

"Attracting a younger, technology-savvy generation is for us the icing on the cake," it said.

Maud Lejeune, who heads up the Paris-based digital strategy agency AD Crew, said that it isn't difficult for the public to accept AI influencers.

"It's like actors on TV: we know it isn't real yet we follow them and we find it interesting, it's like watching a mini-series."

AD Crew represents more than 30 influencers, but Lejeune created her own virtual influencer, Metagaya, two years ago.

"The current level of design didn't exist then. It's technical, you've got to dress them, take photos for the background, create a story," said Lejeune, acknowledging that Metagaya didn't turn out very well.

The rapid technological progress brought by the likes of OpenAI's Sora video generator could make it easier to create and operate realistic virtual influencers. AFP

Tasteless prank? Seller admits tattoo 'stunt'

THE owner of the takoyaki stall that went viral over an April Fool's prank tattoo challenge admitted the stunt had been planned since 2023.

The stall owner, in a video posted online yesterday, said Ramil Albano played the part of the social media user fooled into having the store's logo tattooed on his forehead.

He said Albano got the tattoo on March 28, or days before the April 1 challenge that came with a P100,000 offer was posted on Facebook.

"Bakit sa noo? Dahil kung hindi sa noo ay mawawalan lang ng saysay ang tattoo dahil wala nang nakakawili pa sa isang brand logo na nakatatak sa noo ng isang tao," the stall owner said.

"Oo, nagsinungaling ako sa inyo at gusto kong humingi ng tawad. Dinala namin kayo rito sa

SRRVs. “But PRA can check in its database whether these subject foreigners are indeed holders of SRRVisa once the identity and related information are gathered. PRA is ready to coordinate with the law enforcement authorities if these subject foreigners are found to be SRRV holders,” he said.

Binay said these foreign nationals enter and exit the country using valid documents obtained through illicit ways.

"Chinese syndicates have likely connived, maintained ties and established networks within the government bureaucracy," she said.

Last year, the National Bureau of Investigation arrested a high-ranking PRA official for issuing unwarranted SRRV cards to foreigners.

said “the drills…are intended to (ensure) that all countries are free to fly, sail, and operate wherever international law allows."

There were no details in the statement on what the drills would precisely include.

The Japanese embassy in Manila said in a statement that "anti-submarine warfare training" would be included in the drills.

Earlier, President Marcos issued a strongly worded statement on March 28, vowing the country would not be "cowed into silence, submission, or subservience" by China.

DepEd...

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Private schools are not covered by the advisory, but DepEd said their school administration can implement the order.

Based on its forecast, the state weather bureau said a 46 degrees Celsius danger heat level in Daet, Camarines Norte is possible both today (Monday) and tomorrow (Tuesday, April 9.)

A heat index of 44 degrees Celsius is also seen in Cotabato and Maguindanao until Tuesday.

Other areas to be in danger heat index for the same period are Appari, Cagayan; San Jose, Occidental Mindoro; and Puerto Princesa City, Palawan.

Meanwhile, a militant labor group called for expanded coverage of the guidelines for measures like temperature control and water breaks issued by the Department of Labor and Employment (DOLE).

“It is the responsibility of the gov-

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Quezon Rep. David Suarez cited Romualdez’s dynamic leadership which has shown outstanding performance and unwavering dedication.

Throughout the 19th Congress, the 300-plus-strong House has consistently demonstrated unparalleled commitment to legislative excellence, as evidenced by its remarkable achievements and continued momentum in fulfilling its responsibilities, he said.

“Under Speaker Romualdez’s guidance, the House has exemplified dedication and competence in fulfilling its legislative duties. His leadership has been instrumental in steering the chamber towards achieving legislative excellence,” Suarez said.

PRA records show that there are about 78,000 foreign retirees in the Philippines, and about 30,000 Chinese "retirees" have been allowed to permanently reside in the country.

The senator said a whole-ofgovernment response is necessary to identify syndicates issuing fraudulently acquired government IDs including visas and passports, and pressed for tougher action against foreign nationals conducting illegal activities in the Philippines.

Last week, agents of the Intelligence Service of the Armed Forces of the Philippines (ISAFP) and the National Bureau of Investigation (NBI) investigated reports of the presence of a large group of Chinese in a village in Paranaque City.

ISAFP and NBI agents have questioned residents about the throng of

Meanwhile, China conducted its own military "combat patrols” yesterday, its southern theater command said. Beijing's People's Liberation Army (PLA) Southern Theater Command said it was organizing "joint naval and air combat patrols in the South China Sea."

"All military activities that mess up the situation in the South China Sea and create hotspots are under control," it said in a statement, in an apparent swipe at the other drills being held in the waters.

Further details about the Chinese military activities in the waterway were

ernment and of employers to ensure that workers are safe while they are working,” said Jerome Adonis, secretary general of the Kilusang Mayo Uno.

The Labor Advisory No. 8 in 2023 issued by the DOLE recommends measures to help workers deal with extreme heat, including allowing temperature-appropriate clothing and providing free and adequate drinking water, ensuring adequate ventilation and heat insulation in workplaces, and adjusting rest breaks or work locations.

Rizal Rep. Fidel Nograles, who chairs the House committee on labor and employment, backed the labor group’s proposal and urged employers to heed the DOLE advisory. “Now, that summer has officially begun, which has been made worse by the drought due to El Niño and climate change, we are calling on employers to follow the DOLE advisory for the sake of our employees,” he said. Nograles warned heat exposure that could result in occupational illnesses and injuries. Rio N. Araja

to serving the Filipino people has been unwavering,” he said.

Zamboanga City Rep. Jose Dalipe said under Romualdez’s leadership, the 19th Congress has been proactive and responsive to the challenges facing the nation. “We commend the Speaker’s tireless efforts in leading us towards a brighter future for all Filipinos,” he said.

The House's oversight function also played a crucial role in safeguarding the integrity of government institutions and ensuring the welfare of the people.

draft-age male Chinese nationals residing in their neighborhood.

However, the ISAFP and NBI have yet to come out with their findings, according to the residents.

Last month, the Philippine Coast Guard said there was no basis to the speculation that dozens of Chinese businessmen previously enlisted in the auxiliary force of the Philippine Coast Guard (CG) were spying for Beijing.

PCG spokesperson Rear Adm. Armand Balilo said the 36 Chinese nationals registered as PCG Auxiliary (PCGA) members were never involved in its sensitive operations.

Balilo said they were “ordinary businessmen” who had helped the agency’s humanitarian assistance response, which led to them being invited to apply for membership in the PCG’s reserve force.

not disclosed.

The military exercises took place days before US President Joe Biden is due to hold the first trilateral summit with the leaders of the Philippines and Japan.

Top Washington officials have repeatedly declared the United States' "ironclad" commitment to defending the Philippines against an armed attack in the South China Sea – to the consternation of Beijing. China claims territorial sovereignty over nearly all of the South China Sea and has been increasingly assertive in the region in recent years.

Vince

Surrender,...

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A Davao City court last week ordered his arrest over charges of sexual assault, human trafficking, and labor violations, among other allegations of abuse.

Quiboloy also has a standing warrant of arrest from the Federal Bureau of Investigation (FBI) for alleged frauds in the United States.

"Quiboloy is thumbing his nose at the Marcos administration and if it accedes to his demands, then it would be the laughing stock of the international community for having a justice system that can be bullied," Castro said.

The Philippine National Police on Sunday reiterated its appeal to the fugitive televangelist to surrender.

Police Region XI spokesperson

Maj. Catherine Dela Rey said the cases Quiboloy is facing—for alleged sexual abuse and child abuse—are all bailable, for P200,000 and P80,000, respectively.

Senator Ronald Dela Rosa warned Quiboloy his world will become much smaller when law enforcers launch a massive manhunt against him.

"They will really look for you because you have a standing warrant of arrest. Let the wheels of justice roll. I hope he will face the charges against him to put and end to this chaos," Dela Rosa said.

Quiboloy on Saturday said he wanted a written guarantee from the government that "there will be no American interference and no extraordinary rendition" in the case if he surrenders to face charges in the Philippines.

isang malaking marketing stunt na may iba't ibang klaseng emosyon, diskusyon, at pagpapakitang tao," he added.

Earlier, the Department of Trade and Industry said it was looking at possibly suspending or revoking the business name registration of the takoyaki store.

DTI Assistant Secretary Amanda Nograles said the post was irresponsible since not all Filipinos are familiar with April Fool’s Day. “We can suspend, revoke, or cancel their registration with the DTI, their business name. Then we can also refer this to the mayor’s office or to the LGU since they are the ones that can revoke a business permit...You cannot use your official, legitimate name for an unlawful act or something that may destroy or harm others,” Nograles said.

He said the Speaker’s “steadfast leadership has inspired unity and collaboration among House members, leading to commendable achievements for the benefit of the Filipino people.”

Pampanga Rep. Aurelio Gonzales Jr. said the Speaker’s vision and leadership have propelled the legislative chamber to address the nation’s challenges with diligence and determination.

“Speaker Romualdez’s commitment

Marcos:...

From A1 been a part of every Filipino's life, and the traffic in the Philippines is notorious all over the world,” Mr. Marcos said in a vlog on Sunday. “Metro Manila is congested. So part of the plan is to develop the neighboring provinces and cities,” he added.

In terms of economic reforms, the chamber approved Resolution of Both Houses No. 7 seeking to amend restrictive economic provisions in the 1987 Constitution to unleash the country's economic potential. Romualdez reiterated the House’s commitment to serving the Filipino people, stressing the need to maintain legislative momentum even during recess. “The House remains steadfast in its commitment to serve the Filipino people. Allowing committee hearings during the break demonstrates our dedication to fulfilling our duties as legislators and addressing the needs of our constituents,” Romualdez said.

"Unless you give me the guarantee I'm looking for, you won't see me. Go ahead and hunt me down," Quiboloy said in a voice clip posted on the YouTube channel of his church's television network Sonshine Media.

"I'd rather die at the hands of the Filipinos, for my blood to spill here in my country, than to die at the hands of the American authorities who are overseas, in their country,” he said.

He alleged that President Marcos's government had "conspired" with the FBI and CIA to "hand me over to the Americans."

If his demands were met, Quiboloy said: "I will appear and deal with all those cases, no matter where you bring them, here in the Philippines."

woes, he said. “Join us through the comment section so we can hear your ideas and suggestions," the President said. The town hall meeting-style summit will be at FilOil EcoOil Centre in San Juan City on Wednesday.

Earlier, the President ordered concerned agencies to provide a comprehensive and holistic approach to fix the country's worsening traffic system.

Concerned government agencies and local government units will discuss in detail the steps to be taken that would address the perennial traffic

Mr. Marcos said developing and improving mobility in Metro Manila’s nearby provinces such as Bulacan, Pampanga, Laguna, and Cavite are among the priorities to address the traffic problems. The President, however, asked for understanding as large-scale infrastructure projects take time to be completed. He said while long-term infrastructure projects are underway, the government is still looking to provide commuters and motorists immediate relief from traffic congestion.

In a Palace briefing last week, Socioeconomic Secretary Arsenio Balisacan said the President gave his instructions during a recent cabinet meeting.

Lopez, Rey Requejo with AFP

From reel to real Rep. Arjo Atayde’s impact on Quezon City’s First District

By Patricia Taculao-Deligero

REP. Juan Carlos “Arjo”

C. Atayde, a firsttime public servant and legislator, has rapidly emerged as a prominent figure in Philippine politics, bringing a unique blend of youthfulness, passion, and dedication to public service. He is currently on his first term in the 19th Congress of the House of Representatives, emphasizing his commitment to providing his constituents with “Akyson Agad.”

Many Filipinos already knew Rep. Atayde before his foray into politics as a versatile actor who starred in various series and movies in the Philippines. However, his decision to transition from the silver screen to the political arena reflects his deep-seated diligence in effecting positive change in his community.

So why did he choose to venture into the world of public service? It’s all thanks to his parents, actress Sylvia Sanchez and Spanish-Filipino businessman Arturo Atayde, who nurtured his philanthropic nature at an early age.

Ever since he and his siblings were young, they would visit their mother’s hometown in Nasipit, Agusan del Norte, annually to hold outreach activities and help local charities. This exposure inspired Rep. Atayde to the roles of local government units in bringing joy and solutions to their communities.

On the other hand, throughout his years in the entertainment industry, Rep. Atayde leveraged his various roles and led his constituents with the sensitivity and understanding of human reality he developed by playing diverse roles.

Although tropes in the entertainment industry often portray government officials in a negative approach, the young district representative is confident that he can change this perspective and shine a positive light on public leaders like him who want nothing more than to see his fellow Filipinos prosper.

Since assuming office, the young district representative has undertaken several initiatives to address pressing issues and improve his constituents’ quality of life.

One of his primary goals has been on healthcare, recognizing the importance of accessible and quality medical services for all constituents.

Rep. Atayde has championed enhanced healthcare facilities, advocating for increased funding and resources to improve healthcare infrastructure and services in the district to meet modern demands at a time when people are becoming more conscious about their well-being.

supported legislation and policies aimed at protecting the rights and promoting the welfare of these groups, demonstrating his advocacy for inclusivity and social justice.

Rep. Atayde’s approach to governance is characterized by accessibility, transparency, and responsiveness to the needs of his constituents. He has established various channels for feedback and communication, ensuring that

Moreover, he also keeps his two feet planted firmly on the ground and remains humble enough to acknowledge that he still has much to learn as a district representative. Fortunately, he is more than eager to explore the complexities of the role so he can put his best foot forward in any circumstance.

Besides his resolve to bring only the best for his constituents, Rep. Atayde also uses his voice to champion other causes in the House of Representatives.

Ways And Means, and Youth And Sports Development.

Although it may seem like he has a lot on his plate, the neophyte district representative remains optimistic about his initiatives and is always ready to respond to his constituents’ needs, embodying his slogan, “Aksyon Agad.”

For the 19th Congress, he was the principal author of 205 bills and coauthored 56 more. His legislative

Rep. Atayde spearheads district programs and projects directly benefitting the Distrito Uno community. These include the “Kyusiklaban” music festival, interbarangay basketball league, “Kusina on Wheels” monthly feeding drive, and the Mobile Laboratory for healthcare needs––projects that exemplify his proactive approach to community service.

His passion for public service is further evident in initiatives like Medical and Financial Assistance, which have benefited over 22,580 individuals, and successful medical missions that reached approximately 10,000 beneficiaries.

In addition to healthcare and education, Rep. Atayde has been a vocal advocate for empowering marginalized sectors, including women, children, and the LGBTQ+ community. He has actively

the voices of the people are heard and their concerns are addressed. Through town hall meetings, public consultations, and community outreach programs, he has fostered greater civic engagement and participation in the decision-making process.

As a public leader, he remains firm on being a champion for the people by being the person they can turn to in times of need. Instead of drawing concern about his youth and no experience in politics before, he knows that he is among the next generation of public leaders who can set a good example to others while lobbying for the change they want to see within their respective communities. While some may misinterpret the lawmaker’s compassion for naivete, he exhibits it proudly–a symbol of his strength as a young district representative.

He is an active member of 17 committees, reflecting his dedication to the welfare of his constituents.

Notably, he holds the position of Vice Chairman in three committees and serves as a Member in 13 others. His commitment extends to promoting inclusivity and gender equity, as evidenced by his deputization as a Member of the Committee on Women and Gender Equality.

In the meantime, Rep. Atayde’s committee memberships include vital areas such as Creative Industries, Metro Manila Development, Micro, Small And Medium Enterprise Development, Appropriations, Banks And Financial Intermediaries, Bases Conversion, Games And Amusements, Housing And Urban Development, Information And Communications Technology, Land Use, Legislative Franchises, Natural Resources, Nuclear Energy, Public Works And Highways,

initiatives––such as the SOGIE Equality Act, Adolescent Pregnancy Prevention Act, and regulations on the use of Artificial Intelligence and Automation Systems in the labor industry––showcase his dedication to addressing challenges relevant to Filipinos today. Rep. Atayde’s political achievements and efforts as the First District Representative of Quezon City reflect his unwavering dedication to serving the public interest and his commitment to building a more equitable and prosperous society for all. He may have won numerous awards for his undoubted skill on the big and small screens, but one relevant achievement he earned lately is the trust of his constituents.

With his passion, vision, and leadership, he continues to make significant strides in shaping the future of his district and the nation.

Championing QC District 1’s vibrant culture and heritage

By Peter Paul Duran

REPRESENTATIVE Juan Carlos “Arjo” C. Atayde stands at the helm of Quezon City District 1, a vibrant enclave brimming with rich cultural heritage and unique attractions. From historic landmarks to bustling markets, the district offers an array of experiences that captivate visitors from all walks of life. Embarking on a journey through Quezon City District 1, visitors can immerse themselves in its storied past and vibrant present. The Basilica Minore de San Pedro Bautista, a historic church dating back centuries, resonates with prayers and echoes of history. Meanwhile, the peaceful Sto. Domingo Church provides a quiet refuge amidst the busy city. For those with an eye for unique finds, a visit to Dapitan Arcade is a must. This hidden gem boasts a treasure trove of home decorations, artisanal crafts, and vintage finds, offering a glimpse into Quezon City’s artistic soul. History enthusiasts will appreciate the significance of the Pugad Lawin Monument, a testament to the spirit of Filipino nationalism that echoes through the ages.

Welcome Rotonda, an emblematic landmark, marks the border between Quezon City and Manila, epitomizing the dynamic synergy between these bustling cities. Adjacent to it, Balintawak Market entices visitors with its vibrant ambiance and diverse selection of fresh produce and genuine Filipino products, offering a glimpse into the essence of local trade and heritage.

In Distrito Uno, the legacy of Filipino icon Fernando Poe Jr. lives on at FPJ Ave and FPJ Studios, paying homage to his enduring influence on Philippine cinema and culture. Meanwhile, Siena College serves as a pillar of quality education, providing students with a serene campus environment conducive to learning and achievement.

Nature lovers find solace amidst the urban bustle at QC Circle, a sprawling green oasis where lush landscapes and tranquil ponds invite contemplation and relaxation. For those seeking a deeper connection with nature, Ninoy Aquino Wildlife Parks beckons with its diverse wildlife and immersive experiences.

No visit to Quezon City District 1 is complete without indulging in its culinary delights. Laloma, known as the Lechon Capital of the Philippines, offers a tantalizing array of roasted delights that satisfy even the most discerning palate. Meanwhile, eateries like Pares Retiro, Bagong Pagasa Bakery, Robina House Chicken, DPD Carinderia (Ulo Ulo), and Pandos Eatery serve up authentic Filipino flavors that delight the senses and warm the soul.

Quezon City District 1 is a melting pot of history, culture, and gastronomy, offering something special for every visitor. Whether visitors are history buffs, nature enthusiasts, or culinary connoisseurs, Distrito Uno invites exploration and discovery of the true essence of Quezon City’s spirit. Under the leadership of Representative Arjo Atayde, the district continues to thrive and flourish, celebrating its rich heritage while embracing the promise of a dynamic future towards the goal of a Bagong Pilipinas.

BJMP insists no hacking of bureau’s private data

THE Bureau of Jail Management and Penology (BJMP) has denied hackers’ claim that they compromised the bureau’s private data intended to be “securely protected.”

The BJMP made the statement following the cybersecurity breach on its website perpetrated by the Philippines Exodus Security (PHEDS), a hacker group known for targeting government websites.

“We assure the public that there are no personal and sensitive data compromised in the said breach,” the BJMP said in a news release on Sunday.

The BJMP said the website is currently under maintenance, alongside expedited plans for migration to a more secure platform.

Upon discovering the breach, the BJMP Directorate for Information and Communications Technology Management (DICTM) launched a comprehensive investigation and implemented prompt measures to mitigate its impact.

Among the initial steps taken, the DICTM initiated password changes and conducted an inventory to assess any potential data loss.

Subsequent validation revealed that the unauthorized access was facilitated by outdated security patches, for which the Content Management System (CMS) platform no longer provided technical support.

The PHEDS’ cyberattack on BJMP’s website was announced on X (formerly Twitter) by Deep Web Konek, a group identifying itself as cybersecurity enthusiasts monitoring Dark web activities in the Philippines.

According to media reports, PHEDS claimed its “team has compromised your databases, gaining access to private data that it is intended to be securely protected.”

Meanwhile, the city government of Marikina on Sunday said it regained control of its hacked Facebook page last month.

No additional motorcycle taxis for Metro Manila—Bautista

DEPARTMENT of Transportation and Communications (DOTR) Secretary Jimmy Bautista said there will be no additional motorcycle (MC) taxis allocated within Metro Manila, contrary to speculations.

The clarification comes amid recent debates and calls for a moratorium on MC taxi expansion within the metropolitan area.

By Macon Ramos-Araneta

SENATOR Sherwin Gatchalian has admitted that the overwhelming opposition to amending the 1987 Constitution “has weakened his spirits on charter change.”

“Honesty, medyo pinanghinaan ako ng loob because of the huge number of people against it. I was hoping that it will be only 50-50,” he said, referring to the latest Pulse Asia Survey showing that 88 percent of Filipinos surveyed do not favor amending the country’s Constitution.

But Gatchalian, one of those who filed a bill for charter change (ChaCha), said he won’t give up on his stand on the need to amend the three restrictive economic provisions of the Constitution on full foreign ownership.

He said ChaCha would be beneficial to the welfare of Filipinos, especially in the education sector. With a majority not favoring ChaCha, Gatchalian now sees amending the Constitution as a huge challenge.

Gatchalian underscored the need for clearer explanations that this is being done not for political interest, but for the good of the people.

“It will be challenging to convince the people although we pass this in the Senate and explain this to them. That’s challenging to explain outside the Senate and convince that 88 percent,” he said.

“The LTFRB will already stop adding the MC taxi units in Metro Manila. The eight thousand slots for new players recently announced were intended only in the provinces,” Bautista said.

This decision aligns with the department’s vision to balance transportation services across different regions while addressing the specific needs and challenges of each area, the official said.

Earlier, one of the proponents of the measure endorsing the use of MC taxis welcomed President Ferdinand R.

The House Committee on Metro Manila Development, in conjunction with various transport groups, is advocating for a temporary halt on MC taxi expansion, citing multiple concerns. Bautista disclosed that the slots for MC units earlier announced by the Land Transportation Franchising and Regulatory Board (LTFRB) were intended outside of Metro Manila. LTFRB chair Teofilo Guadiz III initially announced a moratorium on MC taxi expansion but not after the inclusion of four new players into the pilot study, with 2000 units allocated to each. Guadiz stated that these new players would have until April 15 to complete their allocation.

Marcos Jr.’s instruction to Congress to prioritize its passage. “With this prioritization by no less than our President, and Speaker Ferdinand Martin Romualdez, we are hopeful, I think, sometime in the next few weeks, we’ll already be having our fourth technical working group meeting perhaps,” 1-Rider party-list Rep. Rodge Gutierrez said.

Gutierrez is a

Gatchalian earlier said the low acceptance of ChaCha was due to the “People’s Initiative (PI) which “damaged the people’s views on ChaCha. Due to this, people see ChaCha as bad regardless if it’s economic or political provisions, he said,

“Because the people saw the bickerings ... they also heard corruption issues and the buying of signatures. The PI had damaged the image of ChaCha,” he said.

That stand of the majority, he said, should be changed and that should be tackled by the leadership when the Senate goes back this April, he said.

Gatchalian, the chairperson of the Senate Ways and Means Committee, said he is confident that on the next hearings will better explain the benefits of ChaCha. The hearings will be conducted by a Senate subcommittee led by Senator Sonny Angara.

Acuzar also pledged to “ensure an efficient processforreviewingandapprovingplanswhile

facilitating their alignment with regional and national priorities.”

The formulation of the JMC was spearheaded by the Department of the Interior and Local Government (DILG) headed by Secretary Benhur Abalos Jr.

The memo was primarily designed to enable better coordination among national government agencies led by the DILG, DHSUD, National Economic and Development Authority (NEDA), Department of Budget and Management (DBM) and the Department of Finance’s Bureau of Local Government Finance (DOF-BLGF) in their provision of technical assistance to LGUs, specifically on public financial management.

It was likewise implemented to ensure that the agencies’ tools on policy development, manuals, guidelines, issuances, awards, and advice and guidance complement each other.

Under the JMC, the DHSUD is tasked to provide technical assistance, as well as formulate and prescribe standards, regulations and guidelines for the Climate and Disaster Risk Assessment, Comprehensive Land Use Plan, Zoning Ordinance, and Provincial Development and Physical Framework Plan of LGUs.

OPINION

Are we being primed for war?

(Part 2)

EVEN after his (President Marcos’) January state visit to Beijing last year, both Chinese militia and coast guard have had several “encounters” with Philippine vessels, whether lowly fishermen or our own coast guard and its privately-contracted supply vessels.

In what we call the Ayungin Shoal, we have beached since Pres. Estrada’s time, an old and dilapidated Philippine Navy vessel, the BRP Sierra Madre where a dozen naval personnel guard that lonely outpost to which we periodically send food and other supplies.

Of late, a former presidential spokesman, lawyer Harry Roque, claimed there was a verbal agreement between FPRRD and Pres. Xi on the fate of the BRP Sierra Madre, which was immediately denied by yet another former spokesman, lawyer Salvador Panelo.

Best to dismiss their conflicting rants.

Meanwhile, in the latest encounter between a Philippine supply boat escorted by our coast guard, Chinese vessels sent strong volleys of water cannons on our hapless countrymen, some sustaining minor injuries.

—“—

President Marcos has now inexorably swung our foreign policy and national security concerns towards the US and its proxies in the region

These “encounters” have been going on for years, heightened since our president allowed additional sites for the American military under the Enhanced Defense Cooperation Agreement, most of them in the northernmost part of the country facing our Luzon Strait which divides us from Taiwan.

It is as if nothing cordial came about since the president visited Beijing 15 months ago.

Meanwhile, too, we have sought help from our allies, principally the US of A, Japan and Australia, gaining “sympathy” from other Western states as well as Japan and South Korea in East Asia, while being greeted with silence from our ASEAN counterparts.

In a few days, our president will confer with US Pres. Joe Biden and Japanese PM Kishida in the White House, the main topic of their conversations being the worsening security situation in the South China Sea. And just before Easter, Malacanang issued EO 57, “strengthening our maritime security and maritime domain awareness,” creating a National Maritime Council with broad powers, including what Sen. Imee Marcos warned as a “Trojan horse” of foreign interference, Section 7 of EO 57, where the Council is allowed to accept “donations, contributions, bequests of gifts from … foreign sources” to strengthen our security capabilities.

The senator warns “such largesse has been the fuel to never-ending conflict as we still see in Ukraine and Gaza,” and adds “declarations of support lack credibility where a rules-based international order is loudly invoked amid the mute refusal to ratify the UNCLOS,” clearly referring to the US of A which, to this date, has not ratified the UN Convention on the Law of the Sea, the principal arguments we utilize against China’s claim on almost the entirety of the SCS.

Meanwhile, too, American “security experts” from its think-tanks to Pacific military commanders have been warning about an “imminent” invasion of Taiwan by the People’s Liberation Army, with dates stretching from 2027 to 2030.

While former president Duterte insisted on an independent foreign policy which leaned towards China more than to America, President Marcos has now inexorably swung our foreign policy and national security concerns towards the US and its proxies in the region.

I recall that during the 2022 campaign, in a televised DZRH interview, then candidate Marcos Jr. said if we invoke American assistance in the face of the conflicting claims on the SCS with China, “that would mean war.”

The volte face from the candidate’s position then to the winner’s now is lost on our short memories, even as we chide him for “20 peso-per-kilo rice.”

Clearly, China is bristling, and it will continue it’s “bullying” of our vessels short of a fatal encounter in the WPS.

It is the same tactic it has been using in Taiwan, tiring the defense capabilities of what it calls its “renegade province” while raising up the ante on threats of an eventual take-over.

Valor for these times

IN THE the tumultuous year of 1985, a time of political upheaval, Bishop Federico Escaler, a vocal defender of human rights, and eight of his companions were abducted in the outskirts of Zamboanga City by the secessionist Moro National Liberation Front (MNLF).

What unfolded is a little known, almost forgotten act of valor by Col. Segundo “Boy” Bolo and his team which lead to the rescue of the hostages. The mission was fraught with peril. The whereabouts of the hostages were uncertain, the operation lay beyond familiar grounds, resources and intelligence were scarce.

Nevertheless, Col. Bolo and his team, driven by duty and determination, embarked on a daring rescue deep in the forested stronghold of the MNLF.

Col. Bolo’s astute leadership successfully executed the rescue mission using a deception tactic that disoriented the kidnappers and culminated in the liberation of the hostages. The actions of Col. Bolo and his team epitomizes the essence of the Filipino soldier—their valor, their pledge to protect, and their selfless service to the Filipino people.

This is but one of many heroic acts that characterizes the bravery and sacrifice of the Filipino soldier. The rescue of Bishop Escaler is a powerful testament to the sacrifices made by military personnel in the line of duty.

As we commemorate “Araw ng Kagitingan” or Day of Valor, and remember the heroism of our Filipino soldiers who fought shoulder-to-shoulder with American soldiers during World War II, we are confronted by escalating geopolitical dynamics wherein our armed forces are at the front lines in safeguarding the country’s national interests and sovereignty against the expansionist ambitions of China.

—“—

Col. Bolo’s astute leadership successfully executed the rescue mission using a deception tactic that disoriented the kidnappers and culminated in the liberation of the hostages

We have been at the receiving end of China’s gray zone tactics that have become more aggressive with damaging water cannons and ramming maneuvers that have already injured Philippine Coast Guard personnel.

Beijing’s propaganda on WPS

AMID what appears to be a deliberate campaign by Beijing to distort the truth about what’s really happening in our Exclusive Economic Zone in the South China Sea, Defense Secretary Gilberto Teodoro has correctly warned Filipinos not to believe any ‘‘Chinese propaganda’’ on the issue.

The Defense Secretary urged the public to be very wary of attempts by Beijing’s spokespersons and their Filipino trolls to steer the conversation away from the main threat posed by China’s harassment of Philippine vessels and other illegal activities in the disputed waters.

The defense official pointed out that Chinese propaganda has been highlighting Manila’s supposed violation of a “gentleman’s agreement” between then President Rodrigo Duterte and Chinese President Xi Jinping to maintain the status quo in Ayungin Shoal

where the Philippines has stationed Filipino troops at BRP Sierra Madre, a grounded World War II-era warship that serves as Manila’s military outpost in the area.

The Secretary is on the right track in asking Filipinos “not to fall for the trap by Chinese propaganda of refocusing the debate on a so-called promise while deflecting attention away from China’s aggressive maneuvers, thereby freeing and allowing them to continue with their illegal activities in our EEZ.”

—“—

Defense Secretary Gilberto Teodoro has correctly warned Filipinos not to believe any ‘Chinese propaganda’ on the issue

He is not the only high government official to speak on the heightened tensions in the West Philippine Sea. National Security Adviser Eduardo Año said he and his American counterpart Jake Sullivan recently discussed China’s “coercive, aggressive

IN A dazzling display of forwardthinking leadership, President Ferdinand Marcos Jr. has unveiled a bold plan to secure the future of the Philippines through the construction of 20 medium and several large dams by 2028.

This visionary initiative, unveiled during a recent sectoral briefing at Malacañang, signals a watershed moment in the nation’s quest for sustainable development.

Led by the capable stewardship of National Irrigation Administration head Eduardo Guillen, this ambitious undertaking underscores President Marcos’ unwavering commitment to addressing the pressing needs of water scarcity and power shortages plaguing our beloved nation.

With an acute awareness of the challenges ahead, President Marcos has championed the construction of high, multipurpose dams as the cornerstone of his administration’s strategy.

As Guillen eloquently articulated, the benefits of these towering edifices are manifold, transcending mere infrastructure projects to become transformative engines of progress.

With a single stroke, these high dams promise to usher in an era of abundance, providing essential services such as irrigation, flood control, power generation, domestic water supply, and even aquaculture. It’s a holistic approach that embodies President Marcos’ holistic vision for national development. The geographical scope of this en-

The international community has unequivocally condemned the unlawful, coercive, and aggressive actions undertaken by China in the West Philippine Sea (WPS), warning of the significant risks these actions pose to the security and stability of the region.

There is a collective call for China to adhere to international law and cease any further actions that could undermine regional stability.

In the face of these ongoing maritime security challenges, the Philippines has consistently advocated for a diplomatic resolution to the disputes through dialogue and adherence to international law.

President Ferdinand Marcos Jr.’s initiative to create the National Maritime Council (NMC) underscores the government’s commitment to ensuring a

and deceptive actions” in the West Philippine Sea. According to Año, Sullivan reaffirmed Washington’s ironclad commitment to their alliance, and expressed the US government’s support for Manila following China’s dangerous actions obstructing a lawful Philippine resupply mission to Ayungin.

The American official was referring to the March 23 water cannon attack by Chinese ships on a Philippine resupply boat heading to BRP Sierra Madre, leaving three Philippine Navy crew members injured.

Meanwhile, Commodore Jay Tarriela, PCG’s spokesperson for the West Philippine Sea, echoed the call of Defense Secretary Teodoro for Filipinos to unite against China’s illegal actions in the West Philippine Sea.

He warned that China’s efforts to “spread disinformation and create division are strong, so we must double our efforts to counter their lies.”

He also asked Filipinos to educate fellow countrymen “who may have been misinformed and have accepted China’s false narratives” with “courtesy and professionalism.”

We totally agree with the Coast Guard official’s view that “our fight in the West Philippine Sea is not dictated by any external actor but driven by our national interest.”

PBBM’s vision for PH: Dams, dams, dams

deavor is equally breathtaking, spanning regions from the verdant landscapes of Isabela to the picturesque panoramas of Ilocos Norte and Ilocos Sur.

Not content with regional boundaries, the NIA is also spearheading projects in the Visayas, with the majestic Jalaur Dam poised to become a beacon of prosperity in the heart of the Panay River Basin.

What sets President Marcos apart is not just his grand vision but also his unwavering determination to see it through to fruition.

—“—

The economic implications of this endeavor are staggering, with billions of pesos earmarked for transformative projects

With a keen eye on the horizon, he envisions these high dams not just as utilitarian structures but as potential magnets for tourism, inviting visitors to marvel at the ingenuity of Filipino engineering while basking in the natural beauty of our land.

President Marcos’ initiative represents a crucial departure from the status quo, where aging dams built half a

coordinated and effective approach to addressing the maritime disputes in the region, particularly with China. It can serve as the central coordinating body for developing strategies that enhance domain awareness and safeguard national interests. The council can facilitate well-informed decision making within the executive and advise the legislative branch on legislation that will clarify sea lanes and strengthen Philippine sovereignty interests.

The NMC can also help sort out apprehensiveness within the merchant marine industry which includes safeguarding sea lanes and advocating for the free flow of goods despite China’s assertiveness in the area.

In the past two years, the Philippine Coast Guard (PCG) has emerged as a

century ago stand as relics of a bygone era.

By breathing new life into our infrastructure, he is charting a course towards a brighter future, one where the mistakes of the past are rectified through bold action in the present.

The economic implications of this endeavor are staggering, with billions of pesos earmarked for transformative projects such as the Tumauini River Multipurpose Project in Isabela and the Panay River Basin Integrated Development Project in Iloilo. These investments not only promise to stimulate economic growth but also to uplift communities, providing much-needed jobs and opportunities for advancement.

As we look towards the horizon, President Marcos’ vision shines like a beacon of hope, guiding us through the turbulent waters of uncertainty towards a future filled with promise and potential.

With each high dam that rises from the earth, we inch closer to realizing our collective aspirations for a flourishing Philippines, where prosperity knows no bounds and every citizen can bask in the fruits of progress.

Let us applaud President Marcos Jr. for his unwavering commitment to the well-being of our nation and his bold vision for a brighter tomorrow.

May his leadership serve as an inspiration to us all as we embark on this journey towards a future filled with hope and possibility.

key defender of maritime safety and sovereignty. With unwavering commitment, they have exposed illegal activities at sea and upheld the 2016 Arbitral Award. Through significant reforms and bolstered ranks, the PCG has enhanced its capacity to protect the nation’s vast maritime zones.

Charged with a broad spectrum of responsibilities, from search and rescue to environmental protection, the PCG stands as a pillar of national security, vigilantly guarding the Philippines’ maritime domain. The valor and steadfastness of the PCG are highly commendable, meriting the full support and recognition of both the government and the citizenry for their indispensable role in maintaining the nation’s maritime integrity.

PHILRACOM pay rates need updating DOJ

By Rey E. Requejo

THE Department of Justice (DOJ) says there must be a new law adjusting the rates of compensation for injury, disability, and death benefits for horse trainers and jockeys employed by the Philippine Racing Commission (PHILRACOM).

In a legal opinion issued on behalf of Justice Secretary Jesus Crispin Remulla, DOJ Assistant Secretary Randolph Pascasio stressed that there is a need to propose a legislation to amend the existing schedule of rates.

The opinion was sought by PHILRACOM chairman Aurelio De Leon who asked if the commission could adjust the present rates found to have been outdated and no longer responsive to the current conditions considering that Republic Act (RA) 6115 that created the fund was signed into law on Aug. 4, 1969.

Under the current rates, Pascasio noted that the death benefit is P6,000; P6,000 for permanent disabilities due to work-connected accidents; P500 for hospitalization and care due to illness or accident connected to work; and P10,000 for acquisition of moderately priced land and house.

Probe on ‘palit-ulo’ mess sought

By Rio N. Araja

AGRI party-list Rep. Wilbert Lee has filed a resolution seeking an investigation into the alleged hospital detention of relatives of deceased patients or the so-called “palit ulo” and refusal to release death certificates and other relevant medical documents due to unpaid hospital bills. Lee filed the measure following complaints of arbitrary or illegal detention against Allied Care Experts Medical Center allegedly engaged in the unlawful practice of detaining relatives of deceased patients and refusing to issue death certificate until the hospital bills are fully settled. Valenzuela City Mayor Wes Gatchalian earlier ordered an investigation into

Japan funding for

railroads

Japan to seek Tokyo’s assistance in funding the long-delayed Mindanao Railway Project (MRP), Surigao del Sur Rep. Johnny Pimentel said on Sunday.

“We do not want Mindanao to be left behind in the government’s railway infrastructure development plan,” Pimentel said in a statement.

The Mindanao lawmaker, a senior member of the House Committee on Flagship Programs and Projects, said Recto should visit Tokyo to seek additional official development assistance (ODA) from Japan for the MRP.

Pimentel said the Japanese government “might be ready to help fund the MRP, considering that Tokyo is very interested in promoting peace and development in Mindanao.”

Japan Prime Minister Kishida Fumio underscored Mindanao’s importance in Tokyo’s vision of a “Free and Open Indo-Pacific” in his speech at a joint session of the Philippine Senate and House of Representatives during a visit in November last year.

AFFAIR. In collaboration with the Department of Social Welfare and Development, the office of Speaker Ferdinand Martin Romualdez, and Tingog party-list Representatives Yedda Marie Romualdez, Jude Acidre, along with Palo, Leyte municipal officials led by Mayor Remedios conduct a cash assistance and rice distribution (CARD) event. at the Montejo Sports Complex in Palo, benefitting some 1,000 needy residents. During the event,

Care Experts (ACE) Medical Center upon receiving serious complaints that some of the relatives of patients, who died under its care, were held against their will after failing to fully settle their medical bills.

“A hospital is a place where people seek medical attention, and not a place of detention of the patients or any of their relatives. Only a demon can do such crime. Those involved in such (unlawful) act are just adding more burden to the patients and their families,” Lee stressed. Lee’s resolution cited a case of alleged

“palit-ulo” at the medical facility where a certain Richel Mae Alvaro claimed she was barred from leaving the hospital premises due to her husband’s unpaid bills.

Lee quoted Alvaro as saying the facility held her up even after the remains of her husband were already taken out of the hospital. Alvaro, 26, said her husband was admitted to the Intensive Care Unit of the hospital, located in Barangay Malanday. The patient died of complications last February 14. They incurred a total of P518,519.37 in hospital bills.

THE Department of Budget and Management (DBM) has released P4.5 billion to cover the crop insurance premium of farmers and fishermen in the country.

Budget Secretary Amenah Pangandaman ordered last March 19 the release of P4.5 billion and its corresponding notice of cash allocation for January to March 2024 in the amount of P900 million to the Philippine Crop Insurance Corp. (PCIC).

Pangandaman said the allotment was meant to assist the agriculture sector cope with the impact of the El Niño dry spell and other natural challenges.

“In light of the escalating challenges posed by climate change, which heightens the risks to both our economy and food security, it becomes imperative to prioritize the provision of financial security and insurance to empower our farmers and fishermen,” Pangandaman said in a statement.

“This assistance is intended to help them safeguard their means of living, ensuring they can continue their activities despite unforeseen events,” she added.

In 2023, the state-run PCIC, mandated to provide insurance protection to farmers, was able to insure more than 2.3 million farmers and fishermen listed under the Registry System for Basic Sectors in Agriculture, overshooting the target number of beneficiaries by 44,855.

Bacolod launches own film festival, to be shown in September

will be held as a culminating event.

By Vince

film festival in September. An awards night

Ang revealed that the city government will provide production grants worth P300,000 each to ten filmmakers, whether producer, director, or writer, who are bona fide residents of Bacolod City. She clarified that selected filmmakers do not need to shoot scenes entirely in the city.

to check the condition of our kababayan (compatriots),” he said.

MECO deputy resident representative Alice Visperas, Migrant Workers Office director Cesar Chavez and Welfare Officer Ruth Vivaldi joined Bello.

Hualien, the biggest county and a major tourist destination in Taiwan, hosts some 1,400 overseas Filipino workers (OFWs).

Bello met with about 30 Filipino community group leaders who briefed him about their situation.

FINANCE Secretary Ralph Recto should consider visiting

ETHNIC CELEBRATION OF PLENTY. The Kankanaey tribe of Mt. Province celebrates “Lang-Ay” which is largely an invitation to families, friends, and guests to partake of their thanksgiving for good harvest, weddings, and child birth, highlighted by dances, music, and games. Villagers from Mt. Province’s 10 municipalities gather round at the capital town of Bontoc for the revelry, clad in their colourful indigenous attires for the merry-making to the tune of traditional instruments such as bronze gongs and solibao drums. Dave Leprozo

IRONMAN 70.3 marks milestone staging in Lapu-Lapu City

THE IRONMAN Philippines celebrates a milestone 10th anniversary staging of its 70.3 triathlon series in Lapu-Lapu City on April 21, featuring a diverse and international roster of competitors, all vying for the overall championships in the men’s and women’s divisions.

Over the years, the IRONMAN 70.3 Lapu-Lapu has evolved into a highly prestigious event, drawing the country’s leading athletes and emerging talents, along with the top triathletes from around the world. This speaks volumes about its soaring popularity and the exceptional experience it offers athletes, bolstered by its recognition as the best spectator race globally in 2018.

Billed as the Crown Jewel of Asia, the IM 70.3 presented by Megaworld and Mactan Newtown will unfold across a challenging 1.9km swim, 90km bike and 21k run course.

Registration is ongoing. For details, visit ironman.com/im703-cebu-philippines-register.

Lapu-Lapu City Mayor Junard Chan has expressed excitement about hosting the event, which also features competitions in various age categories, emphasizing the unique opportunity to present the city’s top sites and adventures while heralding its status as a premier destination for sports and adventure.

“Lapu-Lapu has played a crucial role in the success of the IM 70.3 in Cebu over the last decade,” said Chan. “We are thrilled to welcome participants from around the globe to our shores once more, offering them an unforgettable racing experience.”

Lapu-Lapu, known for its pristine white-sand beaches on Mactan Island, also offers an abundance of water activities such as para-sailing, jet skiing, diving and island hopping, making it a paradise for tourists. It is also buzzing with resorts and rich cultural sites.

Cray bags bronze in Florida, nears contention for Olympic quota spot

By Peter Atencio

ERIC Cray clocked one of the best times in the 2024 outdoor season when he snatched a bronze medal in the men’s 400-meter hurdles of the Miramar Athletics Invitational at the Ansin Sports Complex oval on Saturday in Florida (Sunday in Manila).

The 35-year-old Cray, who is a point away from contention for a world ranking quota spot in the Paris Olympics, submitted a season record-breaking time of 50.18 seconds.

Cray behind eventual gold medallist David Kendziera of the USA, who took the gold medal , also had

a season record-smashing performance of 49.65 seconds.

Dominican Republic Yeral Nunez also went past the season mark to earn the silver with his time of 49.69 seconds.

Cray, along with Kendziera and Nunez, surpassed the world leading record, or season record of 48.68

NATIONAL University and University of Santo Tomas successfully defended their respective championships in the women’s and men’s divisions at the conclusion of the UAAP Season 86 Tennis tournaments on Sunday at the Felicisimo Ampon Tennis Center. The Lady Bulldogs leaned once more on the heroics of Elise Abarquez to secure a third straight UAAP title after a 6-3, 6-0 conquest of Female Tennister Justine Maneja in the deciding singles match as the tie went to a truce at two matches apiece.

“That loss in the first tie, I think we needed that, para mapa-realize sa amin na kahit na-sweep namin ‘yung eliminations, pwede pa rin kaming matalo. And na-overcome namin ‘yung as a team,” said graduating team captain Mae Bornia.

COLLEGE of St. Benilde launched its bid for a three-peat feat with an emphatic 25-15, 25-14, 25-23 victory over Emilio Aguinaldo College yesterday in NCAA Season 99 women’s volleyball at the Filoil EcoOil Arena.

With the exception of the third set, the Lady Blazers were nothing short of impressive as they claimed their first win of the season and 30th straight including a couple of 11-game title sweeps the last two seasons.

They were put to an acid test though in the third set when the Lady Generals seized a 21-19 edge but the back-toback champions regrouped and went on a rampage from there when they took six of the last seven points that sealed the deal.

Michelle Gamit paced CSB with 10 points while Jade Gentapa and Gayle Pascual chipped in eight hits apice. The game also saw the return of former skipper and league MVP Mycah Go from various knee injuries that sidelined her for more than a year.

“Kinakabahan ako, tagal na kasi hindi naglaro,” said the 23-year-old Cebu native, who added she’s already 60 percent before going into full strength.

In the men’s section earlier, EAC turned back CSB, 22-25, 25-23, 25-22, 22-25, 15-12, to set in motion its bid to replicate, if not surpass, its Final Four finish a season ago.

Jan Ruther Abor came off the bench and unleashed a 26-point performance he laced with 25 booming kills while Marvin Williams Romero and captain Kenneth Batiancila chipped in 16 and 11 hits, respectively.

On the other hand, the Male Tennisters pulled the rug out from under the Ateneo de Manila University for a back-to-back championship with Richard Bautista and Nash Agustines dominating JJ Llavore and Stef Gurria, 6-4, 6-2, in the second doubles rubber.

“Pressured din kami kasi syempre in-eexpect ng mga tao na ma-defend namin ‘yung title. Pero maganda ‘yung preparation namin, mahaba ‘yung preparation namin. Itong last na ‘ti ang ganda ng nilaro ng mga bata. Ito na talaga ‘yung pang-Finals,” UST assistant coach and Philippine tennis icon Johnny Arcilla shared.

Paris Olympics qualifier Melissa Jefferson claimed the gold medal in 11.19 seconds, while Destiny Smith Barnett, who is no. 27 in the Olympic rankings, took the silver in 11.28 seconds, and English Garner settled for the bronze in 11.33 seconds.

Knott is at no. 78 in the Olympic rankings in the women’s 100-meters, and only the top 56 are expected to qualify.

three medals in the 2024 outdoor season. He got his first when Cray took the silver medal at 10.67 seconds last March 23 at the Charles Austin Classic in San Marcos, Texas. Then, Cray claimed a bronze medal in the men’s 400-meter run in 48.15 seconds at the Bobcat Invitationals also in San Marcos, Texas Earlier, Kristina Marie Knott, facing a 1.2 meter/second headwind, struggled to a 15th place finish at 16.23 seconds, in the women’s 100-meter finals.

sets. “We knew that Japan always fights, we knew it was gonna be a big match so we went out there and played our best and we played some really good volleyball,” Fejes said. Now the Aussies reset and refocus for an all-important matchup against very familiar foes. “We’ll definitely go back and watch the footage and come in to work with a fresh perspective,”

Milutinovic said. “We’ve played them many times so it’s gonna be difficult to separate what we know from the past and what we want to do,” she added.

In men’s play, Thailand’s Tipjan Pithak and Taovato Poravid held off Australua’s D’Artagnan Potts and Ben Hood, 21-15, 18-21, 15-11, in the tournament organized by the Philippine National Volleyball Federation led by Ramon “Tats” Suzara. They advance to the final against Iran’s Abbas Pourasgari and Alireza Aghajanighasab, who defeated Thailand’s Surin Jongklang and Dunwinit Kaewsai, 21-13, 21-17. Potts and Hood clash for the bronze against Surin and Dunwinit.

The UST women’s tennis team displays their trophy and medals.

Tuesday (San Andres Gym)

Bornia and her trusted partner Alliah Ragunton, both playing in their last UAAP matches, set up the comeback after the opponents from España Boulevard threatened to take the title away with a 2-0 advantage.

Alexei Santos put UST in the lead with a huge 6-3, 6-2 victory over JM Carcueva in the opening singles match, before Rookie of the Year Kaye Emana doubled the cushion with a 6-4, 6-2 clinic

against Angela Cabaral. That would be all for the challengers as the second doubles pair set up Abarquez’s clincher in the crucial moment of the day.

Danna Abad, who steered NU past University of the Philippines in last year’s Finals series, pulled through in her second straight doubles assignment with Rovie Baulete to level the tie, 6-0, 6-4, against Minette Bentillo and Nicole Dela Rita.

Australia’s Jana Milutinovic and Stefanie Fejes

Foreign reserves climbed to $104b as of March—BSP

Rizal Commercial Banking Corp.

By Darwin G. Amojelar

THE

Philippines’

gross international reserves (GIR) climbed to $104 billion in March 2024, providing the economy additional buffer against external volatilities.

Data from the Bangko Sentral ng Pilipinas (BSP) showed that the March reserves increased from $102 billion in February.

The BSP said the latest GIR level represented a more than adequate external liquidity buffer equivalent to 7.7 months’ worth of imports of goods and payments of services and primary income.

It was also about 6.1 times the country’s short-term external debt based on original maturity and 3.7 times based on residual maturity.

“The month-on-month increase in the GIR level reflected mainly the national government’s net foreign currency deposits with the BSP, upward valuation adjustments in the value of the BSP’s gold holdings due to the increase in the price of gold in the international market and net income from the BSP’s investments abroad,” the BSP said.

It said net international reserves— the difference between the BSP’s reserve assets (GIR) and reserve liabilities which include short-term foreign debt and credit and loans from the International Monetary Fund, also went up by $1.8 billion to $103.8 billion as of end-March from $102.0 billion as of end-February.

Gov’t watches impact of El Nino, La Niña on prices

THE government is ramping up efforts to shield Filipinos’ purchasing power from the effects of El Niño and La Niña on food and energy supplies, Finance Secretary Ralph Recto said over the weekend.

“The Inter-Agency Committee on Inflation and Market Outlook is all hands on deck in monitoring weather-related disturbances as well as other external factors and their effects on the prices of essential goods to protect Filipinos’ purchasing power,” Recto said.

“Mitigating the effects of inflation, especially on our vulnerable sectors, is our top priority,” he said.

“Rest assured, we are doubling down on our efforts to address the ongoing El Niño situation while actively preparing for the anticipated La Niña phenomenon in the latter part of the year,” Recto said.

El Niño is characterized by abnormally dry and hot weather that brings drought or dry season, while La Niña is associated with above-normal rainfall that results in flooding.

Despite the ongoing onslaught of El Niño in March, the government managed to keep the inflation rate at 3.7 percent, within the target band of 2 percent to 4 percent, due to vigorous implementation of measures that ensured sufficient imports of key commodities and improved agricultural production.

Darwin G. Amojelar

chief economist Michael Ricafort said the country’s GIR level was still way above the minimum international threshold of 3 to 4 months.

“[This] could still provide greater buffer/support/cushion on the peso exchange rate vs. any speculative attacks. For the coming months, the country’s GIR could still be supported by the continued growth in the country’s structural inflows from OFW remittances, BPO revenues, exports [though offset by imports] and relatively fast recovery in foreign tourism revenues,” Ricafort said.

$104 billion $87.9 billion $10.5 billion

PH dispatches second batch of mangoes to Australia

THE Department of Trade and Industry (DTI) said over the weekend Faxtboxph will dispatch another batch of mangoes to Australia in April 2024.

“This move is poised to further fortify the trade relations between the two countries,” the DTI said in a statement.

Philippine Ambassador to Australia Ma. Hellen De La Vega cited the significance of the second mango shipment under the strategic partnership established in September 2023.

“The Philippines and Australia share a strong commitment to fostering trade ties, and the arrival of our

Solar PH secures $14-m loan to finance East Bali solar project

By Alena Mae S. Flores

SOLAR Philippines said over the weekend its joint venture (JV) with Medco Energi, PT Medcosolar Bali Timur, signed a loan agreement with Bank Negara Indonesia (BNI) for a $14-million financing to fund the construction of a 25-megawatt solar farm in Kubu District, Karangasem Regency, East Bali.

The company said in a statement this would be the largest groundmounted solar project in Indonesia. It is estimated to cost $20 million and would be funded by a combination of BNI’s credit facility and equity invested

52,826

by Medco and Solar Philippines.

Solar Philippines founder and chief executive Leandro Leviste signed the loan agreement along with BNI senior vice president Ditya Maharhani Harninda, Medco Power president and chief executive Eka Satria and Medco Power chief financial officer Myrta Sri Utami at the Medco Power office in Jakarta.

BNI’s representatives said the bank actively focused on financing projects that are environment-friendly as an effort to encourage the green energy transition in Indonesia. It is in line with Medco Power’s mission to create long-term value in renewable energy.

mangoes signifies a delightful milestone in our partnership, especially as we celebrate Filipino Food Month in April,” she said.

Meanwhile, FastboxPH, the logistics firm entrusted with the recent mango shipment, reported a surge in demand within the Australian market, attributing it to the unparalleled taste and quality of Philippine mangoes. FastboxPH plans to further expand its presence across Australia. The company aims to establish partnerships with additional retailers and distributors nationwide, ensuring wider accessibility of Philippine mangoes to Australian consumers.

“The overwhelmingly positive response to our initial shipment last year has paved the way for a triumphant return of Philippine mangoes to Australian tables this April. We are steadfast in our commitment to making Philippine mangoes a household staple in Australia,” said Miguel Ripoll, managing director of FastboxPH.

Highlighting the robust recovery of bilateral trade between the Philippines and Australia, DTI Secretary Alfredo Pascual said trade levels between the two countries soared beyond pre-pandemic figures.

MW of new renewable supply needed by 2040—DOE

THE Philippines will need 52,826 megawatts (MW) of additional renewable energy capacity by 2040 to meet the target, according to the Department of Energy (DOE).

Gross international reserves BSP’s foreign investments Gold reserves as of March THE Social Security System (SSS) said it will push through with the mandated contribution rate hike by January 2025 to ensure the fund’s long-term financial stability and future benefits of its members.

DOE assistant secretary Mylene Capongcol said during the Philippine Electric Power Industry Forum of the Independent Electricity Market Operator of the Philippines on Friday that “to reach the RE target, a total of 52,826 MW additional RE capacity is needed by 2040, which is almost seven times the current level at 8,264 MW.”

She said this would also be equivalent of 175 terawatt-hours of renewable energy generation.

The bulk of the expected capacity will come from new solar projects at 27,162 MW, wind at 16,650 MW, geothermal at 2,500 MW, hydro at 6,150 MW and biomass at 364 MW.

The RPS mandates electricity suppliers to source an agreed portion of their energy supply from eligible RE resources. This will help the government achieve the 35-percent RE share by 2040, reaching 65,316 MW by 2040.

said the DOE increased the RPS annual incremental requirement from 1 percent to 2.52 percent starting 2023 for grid-connected areas. The DOE last year issued two circulars governing the RPS rules for both ongrid and off-grid areas.

Energy Secretary Raphael Lotilla signed Department Circular DC 202305-0015 amending the RPS rules for on-grid areas and adjusting the annual incremental RE percentage to 2.5 percent. Alena Mae

Dingdong launches motorcycle taxi service

gone through comprehensive road and rider safety training and continuous upskilling programs, we aim to deliver an easier and better ride-hailing experience to everyone for their everyday journey,” said Joy Tan, president and chief of Dingdong powered by RiderKo.

SSS to push contribution hike in 2025

“As a system, we follow what the law says, the law says there’s scheduled increases. We will do that,” SSS senior vice president and chief actuary Edgar Cruz said. Cruz said the increase is not onesided because members can expect

They discussed how to sustain inclusive growth in the Philippines through the efficient and proper implementation of existing economic and fiscal policies and addressing the challenges faced in the overall devolution effort across the country.

Top executives of Solar Philippines, through its joint venture (JV) with Medco Energi, PT Medcosolar Bali Timur, sign a loan agreement with Bank Negara Indonesia (BNI) for a $14-million financing to fund the construction of a 25-megawatt solar farm in Kubu District, Karangasem Regency, East Bali. Solar Philippines led by founder and chief executive Leandro Leviste (second from left) owns 49 percent of PT Medcosolar Bali Timur.

Dingdong powered by RiderKo, together with its all-professional rider fleet, takes on the streets of Metro Manila through a grand motorcade that started from Pasay City to Quezon City while committing to provide Filipinos an easier and better journey through its newest service, the Dingdong Hatid motorcycle taxi app service.

Share prices seen trading sideways on headwinds

SHARE prices are expected to move sideways during this shortened trading week amid the continued macroeconomic headwinds.

Financials markets will be closed Tuesday and Wednesday in observance of Araw ng Kagitingan and Eid’l Fitr, respectively.

Analysts said the recent string of negative news on higher inflation rate and lower economic growth were causing concerns among investors.

“Stubborn inflation has been the theme of Q1 and a continuation is likely for Q2, while indicators are putting towards consistently higher prices for most of the first semester,” online brokerage firm 2TradeAsia. com said.

March inflation rate came in at 3.7 percent or within the government’s estimate range of 3.4 percent to 4.2 percent, but this marked the second straight month of acceleration.

Investors also fear that inflation rate would continue to rise in the coming months as prices of rice a major component of the food basket, remained elevated.

Adding to this concern is the recent spike in oil prices in the world market due to increased tensions in the Middle East and the production cut by oil producing countries.

“US manufacturing data showed strong orders despite anemic employment and high input costs. China factory data also showed record level in March. While these allay recession fears, inflation anxiety is more valid especially heading into mid-year,” the trading firm said. Jenniffer B. Austria

RADIUS Telecoms Inc. (RADIUS), a subsidiary of Manila Electric Company (Meralco), was recognized on the global stage as it received the “Most Strategic Partnership for Hyper Scale Data Center” recognition at the prestigious International Finance Awards 2023.

The telecommunications company that delivers end-to-end full fiber optic network services has enabled data enters to serve the connectivity requirements of hyperscalers such as Meta, Google, Amazon Web Service (AWS), Alibaba and other over-thetop (OTT) providers.

“With over 20 years of existence, Radius has the most presence in all data centers in Metro Manila, Clark, and Cebu, all connected via Cisco’s DWDM network. Radius is also the first to deploy a 100Gbps network capacity using Nokia’s Optical Transport Network [OTN]. We take pride in forging these partnerships that aim to boost the country’s digital growth and transformation,” Radius officerin-charge and chief operating officer Al Solis said. Radius has two new colocation data center sites including Digital Edge and Digital Halo as it moves towards a more digitallysustainable and conclusive business operations.

It has also enhanced its capacity at one of its locations, CAV1 (ST Telemedia), with the implementation of east and west diverse access routes that will ensure connectivity and seamless operations for the data center.

Filinvest Group nearly doubling 2025 budget EMS, European firm team up to

By Jenniffer B. Austria

FILINVEST Development Corp. (FDC), the listed holding company of the Gotianun family, said it will nearly double its planned capital spending for 2024 to a range of P20 to P25 billion from P13 billion it spent last year to support the expansion of its core businesses.

Another 15 percent will be spent by its power generation subsidiary, which will develop more renewable energy projects, including a 20-megawatt solar project in Misamis Oriental and a 12-MW hydro project in Cebu.

Around 15 percent of capital expenditures will be set aside for the hospitality group, which is adding more hotels across the country including Baguio and Clark and the renovation of Mactan hotel. The rest of 10 percent will be for other businesses and digitalization initiatives.

FDC president and chief executive Rhoda Huang said the funding for this year’s capital expenditures would come primarily from internally-generated funds and borrowings.

The conglomerate in February raised P10 billion from the issuance of fixedrate bonds to partially finance capital expenditures and repay existing debts.

design items for women use

By Othel V. Campos

FILIPINO semiconductor firm EMS Group signed a partnership agreement with a European manufacturer of consumer electronic goods to jointly produce specific products that fit the female lifestyle.

EMS president and chief executive Perry Ferrer said the partnership identified a plant in Batangas province that could be retrofitted to be consistent with the specifications of the manufacturing project.

“This is a big project, and we are happy that we got to get this opportunity. We are now finalizing their entry into the Philippines. We have been constantly on the lookout for business and projects that are consistent with the way we do business in the Philippines. There have been numerous inquiries, and many have shown interest to relocate here,” Ferrer said at the sidelines of the Philippine Chamber of Commerce and Industry (PCCI) 1st general membership meeting (GMM) on Friday.

The facilitation of the plant will commence by June 2024 and may take three to four months. It should be ready for pilot testing by the fourth quarter.

Ferrer did not disclose the investment cost for the new project, but he said some 4,000 to 5,000 people would be given employment once the manufacturing project starts.

EMS is expanding to a new facility in Calabarzon from its Sta. Rosa plant in Laguna.

As the lead of innovation and science at the PCCI, Ferrer said the business group is actively brokering for foreign companies relocating from China to give the Philippines a chance to show what it can offer investors.

By Alena Mae S. Flores

CEBU-BASED

delegates in the Asia Pacific region. The team demonstrated exceptional skills, creativity and determination and will

FDC chief finance officer Brian Lim said the bulk of this year’s capital spending, or 60 percent, would be allotted for the group’s property unit Filinvest Land Inc., (FLI), which will launch more projects this year.

BUSINESS Business groups vow to upskill workers, generate 1m new jobs

By Othel V. Campos

THE Philippine Chamber of Commerce and Industry (PCCI) and the Philippine Export Confederation of the Philippines (PhilExport) are driving a new advocacy to create another 1 million jobs under the Job Opportunities Building Skills (JOBS) program, a sequel to Project Jobs launched in 2022.

The private sector-led project is a collaboration among the PCCI, Philippine Exporters Confederation (PhilExport), Employers Confederation of the Philippines (ECOP), Semi-

Deep wells to help secure east zone summer water supply

MANILA Water Company Inc. said it is gradually activating its deep wells in the east zone of Metro Manila and parts of Rizal to help ensure water supply during the dry months.

The water concessionaire said it is able produce up to 67.06 million liters of water per day (MLD) from the 38 deep wells operating in its concession area. This is a steady improvement of almost 7 MLD compared to the 60.21 MLD on March 15. At this rate, the improved deep well operations could provide the daily water needs of up to 335,000 customers.

The operation of these deep wells aims to ensure water supply to its customers and ease the strain on Angat Dam in the event that the National Water Resources Board reduces both concessionaires’ allocations by April 16 from 50 MLD to 48 MLD to maintain the dam’s working level during the dry months.

“We are working closely with the MWSS and NWRB to preserve Angat Dam’s working level. In addition, the company has been carrying out water supply augmentation programs, which include deep well maximization,” said Manila Water corporate communications affairs group director Jeric Sevilla.

“These projects help ease our heavy dependency on Angat, which provides 90 percent of our water supply,” said Sevilla.

conductor and Electronics Industry of the Philippines Inc. (SEPI), Hotel and Restaurant Association of the Philippines (HRAP), Philippine Constructors Association Inc. (PCA) and

Philippine Hotel Owners Association, Inc. (PHOA).

The previous program took almost two years to deliver the 1 million jobs, but JOBS intends to scale up the program, not only to provide employment to 1 million Filipinos but entrench an upskilling program for every worker.

“The difference here now is the upskilling factor. It has leveled up. It does no only provide jobs but provide more meaningful jobs as workers are given a chance to improve their skills set,” said PCCI chairman emeritus and PhilExport chairman

Sergio Ortiz Luis. Advocacy participants will sign a memorandum of understanding (MOU) with relevant government agencies like the Department of Trade and Industry, Department of Labor and Employment (DOLE), Department of Education (DepEd), Department of the Interior and Local Government (DILG), Department of Tourism (DOT), Commission of Higher Education (CHED) and the Technical Education and Skills Development Authority (TESDA) to highlight their specific roles in the program.

SALT INDUSTRY. A man rakes salt to dry as the Department of Environment and Natural Resources (DENR) declares as priority areas for salt production Ilocos Norte, Ilocos Sur, La Union, Pangasinan, Zambales, Bataan, Occidental Mindoro, Oriental Mindoro, Palawan, Marinduque, Quezon Province, Misamis Oriental and Antique. The agency is mandated to map and identify public lands, including portions of municipals waters, as suitable salt production areas to revitalize the salt industry under Republic Act (RA) 11985.

Microsoft says China using AI to sow division

SAN FRANCISCO, United States—China is ramping up use of AI-generated content and fake social media accounts to inflame division in the United States and elsewhere, according to the latest report from Microsoft’s threat center.

Beijing has “doubled down” on targets and increased sophistication of its influence operations, Microsoft threat analysis center general manager Clint Watts said in a report released late Thursday.

“China is using fake social media accounts to poll voters on what divides them most to sow division and possibly influence the outcome of the US presidential election in its favor,” Watts said in the report.

“China has also increased its use of AI-generated content to further its goals around the world” as well as in the US.

Chinese influence operations continue to “opportunistically jump” on events such as a train derailment in Kentucky and wildfires in Maui to promote mistrust of the US government, according to the report.

The polling about controversial US domestic issues “indicates a deliberate effort to understand better which US voter demographic supports what issue or position and which topics are the most divisive, ahead of the main phase of the US presidential election,” Watts wrote.

The report concluded there is little evidence that the influence operations have succeeded in swaying opinions thus far. AFP

GSIS opens emergency loan for weather-affected Zamboanga members

THE Government Service Insurance System (GSIS) said it opened an emergency loan window for members and pensioners adversely affected by weather changes in Zamboanga City in response to the president’s call to assist victims of calamities.

A total of 23,872 active members and 5,208 old-age and disability pensioners who are working or residing in Zamboanga City may ap-

ply for the emergency loan.

The deadline for filing of application is on April 25.

GSIS earmarked P705.36 million for the loan window to help those affected by heavy rainfalls and depleting water supply in the city.

Members with existing emergency loan balance may borrow up to P40,000 to clear the balance of their previous emergency loan and receive a maximum net amount of P20,000.

US hiring blows past expectations in March – gov’t data

WASHINGTON, United States—US hiring rose much more than expected last month, according to government data published Friday, increasing the chances that the Federal Reserve will remain on pause for longer as it weighs when to start cutting interest rates.

The world’s largest economy added 303,000 jobs in March, up from a revised 270,000 new jobs created a month earlier, the Department of Labor announced.

The surge, coming seven months before the November election pitting President Joe Biden against former Republican president Donald Trump, was far above market expectations of an increase of 200,000, according to

Briefing.com. The unemployment rate ticked lower to 3.8 percent from 3.9 percent in February, in line with expectations —and maintaining the longest streak of below-four-percent joblessness in decades.

“Today’s report marks a milestone in America’s comeback,” Biden said in a statement. “Three years ago, I inherited an economy on the brink.

With today’s report of 303,000 new jobs in March, we have passed the milestone of 15 million jobs created since I took office.”

Beyond the headline number, wage growth increased 0.3 percent on a monthly basis, while average

hourly earnings were up 4.1 percent from a year earlier, Labor Department figures showed. The labor force participation rate was little changed at 62.7 percent.

Many of the new jobs were created in the health care and government sectors, while construction and leisure and hospitality also saw big gains.

While the overall unemployment rate fell slightly, it rose for Black Americans, while declining for both Asians and Hispanics. Wall Street stocks closed higher on Friday, bouncing back after tumbling in the prior sessions on geopolitical concerns. AFP

Meanwhile, pensioners and those without existing emergency loan may apply for a P20,000 loan.

To qualify for the GSIS Emergency Loan, active members should not be on unpaid leave, have no pending legal cases, have paid premiums within the last six months and their net take-home pay should not be lower than P5,000 as prescribed by the General Appropriations Act.

Old-age and disability pensioners

residing in the calamity area may avail of the loan provided their net monthly pension is at least 25 percent. The loan has a low interest rate of 6 percent and payment period of three years. It also includes redemption insurance coverage, which will pay off the loan balance in case of the borrower’s death during the loan term, for as long as the payments are updated.

Philhealth raises breast cancer benefit to P1.4m

THE Philippine Health Insurance Corp. (Philhealth) announced that its benefit package for breast cancer is now up to P1.4 million, a 1,400-percent increase from the previous package of P100,000 effective March 30, 2024.

PhilHealth Circular 2024-0007, published recently, stated that the enhanced Z Benefit Package now covers Stages 0 to 4 of breast cancer and even expanded the eligibility qualifications of members who can avail, even covering patients already undergoing treatment for the said illness.

“This significant leap in the Z Benefits Package for breast cancer is proof that PhilHealth is committed to delivering our mandate, to provide responsive benefits to our Kababayans and we will continue implementing benefits that will improve the financial coverage under our thrust

Pinalawak at Bagong Benepisyo para sa Mamamayang Filipino,” said PhilHealth president and chief executive Emmanuel Ledesma Jr.

“This package provides a ‘holistic approach’ to breast cancer treatment because it covers diagnostic tests, breast cancer management up to surveillance or assessment for early signs of relapse after the surgery,” he said. Based on the guidelines, the mandatory services have different package rates depending on the doctor’s recommendation which is based on the patient’s requirements.

Diagnostic tests and prognostication range from P1,000 to P10,000; surgical procedures from partial mastectomy to modified radical mastectomy range from P30,000 – P140,000; hormonotherapy coverage is P2,700 or P18,000 while cytotoxic chemotherapy shall be paid from P43,000 to P185,010.

PH lags behind ASEAN peers in FDI inflows

By Darwin G. Amojelar

Philippines

THE

lagged behind its Southeast Asian peers in attracting foreign direct investment (FDIs) from 2010 to 2022 partly because of restrictions on foreign ownership in certain sectors, according to a former Department of Finance secretary.

Former DOF secretary Margarito Teves said the Philippines only attracted $9 billion in foreign direct investments (FDI) from 2010 to 2020, lower than for Malaysia and Vietnam, which each attracted $17 billion. Indonesia received $22 billion in the same 12-year period.

The lower FDI inflows to the Philippines resulted in a smaller share of gross domestic product (GDP) invested in economic expansion at 23 percent in 2022—below the 33 percent of GDP in Vietnam, 30 percent in Indonesia and 28 percent in Thailand.

“Attracting more FDIs will help direct more capital, and thus more balanced growth in other regions,” said Teves.

BSP expects inflation to pick up until midyear

THE Bangko Sentral ng Pilipinas (BSP) said inflation rate may continue to rise in the coming months because of the impact of El Nino drought on prices of commodities.

month. The PSA said that on a monthon-month seasonally adjusted basis, headline inflation slowed down to 0.3 percent in March from 0.9 percent in February.

PHILIPPINE Airlines (PAL) said over the weekend it is eyeing a 20-percent passenger volume increase in 2024, fueled by the rebound of the air travel industry.

“We’re expecting about 10 to 20 percent growth, [in passenger volume]” PAL president and chief operating officer Capt. Stanley Ng said.

PAL carried 14.7 million passengers last year, up 58 percent from 9.3 million passengers in 2022.

The flag carrier operated 105,294 flights in 2023, a 36-percent growth from the 77,533 flights it mounted in 2022. This represented an increase of more than 27,000 flights.

The airline posted a net income of $379 million (P21 billion) last year, higher by 92 percent than the $197 million (P11 billion) it earned in 2022.

PAL budgeted about $450 million for 2024 capital expenditures this year, higher than $170 million it spent in 2023.

The airline said it would use about 80 percent of the capex for aircraft refurbishment, maintenance upgrade and payments for delivery.

PAL recently acquired an additional 777-300 ER aircraft as a first step towards renewing its long-haul fleet.

It made the statement after inflation picked up to 3.7 percent in March from 3.4 percent in February. The BSP said the latest inflation was consistent with its projections that inflation path would likely to be within the target range in the first quarter.

percent to 4 percent.

The BSP said its Monetary Board would consider the recent price developments and would update its outlook for inflation at its upcoming monetary policy meeting.

“But [it] will accelerate in the middle of the year due to the possible impact of adverse weather conditions on domestic agricultural output as well as positive base effects,” it said.

Inflation in the first quarter of 2024 averaged 3.3 percent, still within the government’s 2024 target range of 2

GLOBE Group said it expects a sustained growth in its non-telecommunication businesses as they introduce more innovative digital solutions.

“We build products and services to alleviate the burden of daily life in the Philippines. And that is something that the Globe Group will continue to do— leverage what we have in terms of assets and capabilities to build new businesses,” said Globe Group’s president and chief executive Ernest Cu.

“So watch out for us in 2024. More and more offers are coming your way,” Cu said.

Globe Group achieved an 18-percent year-on-year growth in its nontelecom revenues, climbing to P4.9 billion in 2023 from P4.2 billion in 2022.

The Monetary Board will meet on April 8, 2024 to decide on whether it would keep or adjust the policy interest rates. It kept the overnight borrowing rate at 6.25 percent in February. Data showed that the March inflation was within the BSP’s forecast range of 3.4 to 4.2 percent for the

Core inflation, which excludes selected volatile food and energy items and measures underlying demandside price pressures, decelerated to 3.4 percent year-on-year in March from 3.6 percent in February.

Headline inflation rose on higher food prices, particularly those of rice and meat.

Non-food inflation held steady year-on-year as higher inflation for transport, restaurants and accommodation services was offset by slower inflation for housing, water, electricity, gas and other fuels.

GOVERNMENT Service Insurance System (GSIS) said over the weekend it released the pension payments for old-age, disability and survivorship pensioners April 6 ahead of schedule.

The GSIS said it regularly releases social security payments every eighth of the month. The country has two upcoming regular holidays, including Araw ng Kagitingan (Day of Valor) on April 9 and Eid’l Fitr (Feast of Ramadhan) on April 10 per Malacañang Proclamation No. 514.

“We are prioritizing the release of the pension payments this April as we join the nation in the observance of Araw ng Kagitingan and celebrate the advent of Eid al-Fitr,” GSIS president and general manager Jose Arnuflo Veloso said.

Almost P8 billion was allotted for the monthly pension of more than 580,000 GSIS old-age, pensioners nationwide.

GSIS electronically credits the pension through the unified multipurpose identification (UMID) card or electronic card (eCard) issued by the Land Bank of the Philippines or the UnionBank of the Philippines. Pensioners may withdraw the cash from the nearest automated teller (ATM) machine.

GSIS pensioners and members are advised to use the GSIS Touch Mobile app during the holidays to transact online with the pension fund. Members and pensioners may also access the app to apply for loans and claims and check their GSIS records.

“We are progressively renewing our fleet. We ordered nine airbus A350 1000s for routes to North America. Deliveries will start in 2025,” said PAL senior vice president and general counsel Carlos Luis Fernandez. The new aircraft include 13 Airbus 321 NEOs which are scheduled for delivery until 2029.

Darwin G. Amojelar

Elon Musk says Tesla will unveil robotaxi in August

SAN FRANCISCO, United States--

Elon Musk revealed Friday that Tesla will pull back the curtain on a robotaxi this summer, news that comes as adoption of self-driving vehicles hits speed bumps over safety concerns. The billionaire boss of the electric car maker did not provide details, saying only in his post on X that the “Tesla Robotaxi unveil” will come on Aug. 8.

Tesla shares rose more than 3 percent in after-market trades following the post, after finishing the day down.

Musk has long boasted of work Tesla is doing on its systems for electric cars to drive themselves.

Tesla models with FSD (Full SelfDriving) “will be superhuman to such a degree that it will seem strange in the future that humans drove cars, even while exhausted and drunk!” he said in a post on X in March.

While legislators in the 19th Congress move to ease the Constitution’s limits on foreign capital, Teves wanted their “outright removal” across-the-board, or without the need for additional or new laws. Teves particularly pushed to allow 100-percent foreign ownership of land, natural resources and mass media. RIZAL Commercial Banking Corp. (RCBC) said it won multiple awards at the Retail Banker International Asia Trailblazer Awards 2024 for its innovative projects across several units. RCBC president and chief executive Eugene Acevedo said the multiple awards reflect the bank’s dedication to providing innovative financial solutions that meet the evolving needs of our customers.

“These recognitions affirm our commitment and inspire us to continuously push the boundaries of banking excellence and redefine the standards of what it is to

Globe said its joint ventures and affiliates also increasingly contribute to the company’s bottom line. Their net share in equity gains surged 86 percent year-on-year to P2 .6 billion.

Globe’s share in Mynt’s earnings amounted to P2.4 billion in 2023, representing a 193-percent increase from

Globe, through an expansive ecosystem of products and services spanning financial technology, virtual healthcare, e-commerce, business outsourcing, adtech, edutech, investments and entertainment, cemented its position as a catalyst for change in the local digital landscape.

RCBC scores rare grand slam at Retail Banker Asia awards 2024

the previous year. It placed Mynt’s contribution to Globe’s net income before tax at 7.3 percent.

The sustained success and expansion of digital services, such as Mynt’s GCash, STT GDC Philippines data center projects and Gogoro Philippines’ introduction of electric mobility and battery-swapping technology in Metro Manila, highlight Globe’s strategic focus on diversification and innovation. Darwin G. Amojelar

Musk has also said that owners of Tesla vehicles with FSD will be able to have their cars serve as robotaxis, rather than remain idly parked. Despite its potential, rollout of selfdriving vehicles in the United States has been tentative and rocky so far as both regulators and the public voice safety concerns.

San Francisco has been a testing ground for the technology.

Robotaxis from Google’s Waymo in the city have been targeted by vandals opposed to autonomous vehicles, while GM-owned Cruise indefinitely suspended its robotaxi service at the end of October after several accidents sparked a crackdown by California regulators. AFP

REAL ESTATE

Builders to launch ‘game changer’

By Jenniffer B. Austria

CONGLOMERATE DMCI Holdings Inc. and Japan’s Marubeni Corp. are teaming up to launch a high-end condominium project touted as a “game changer” for the property sector.

DMCI Holdings chairman Isidro Consunji said during the recent launching of The Valeron Tower’s grand showroom the project would be a “game changer” in the industry with the combined experiences of both companies in their respective fields of expertise.

“This is our [DMCI Homes] 25th year and probably this project is a good milestone for our 25th year. It is our biggest joint venture project and with a partner in Marubeni at that,” Consunji said.

“We expect this project to be a game changer. We can put our collective experience locally and Marubeni’s experience globally so that we can create a better product for everybody and continue to create innovations that will sustain us in the next 25 years,” he said.

Marubeni Corp. general manager for overseas real estate business department Noritake Miyaguchi also expressed confidence in their partnership to deliver high-quality residences to homebuyers.

“Drawing from our experiences, we are confident that through our collaboration, we can deliver high-

quality residences to homebuyers,” Miyaguchi said.

DMCI and Marubeni have been business partners in various infrastructure projects including the LRT Line 2 East Extension Project, Maynilad Water Services Inc. consortium and recent initiatives in reforestation and plantation development in Negros Occidental.

Befitting its prime location, The Valeron Tower is more upscale than other DMCI Homes projects in Pasig City. From the outset, its frontage along C-5 showcases thoughtful design elements, diverging from the typical commercial appearance of neighboring establishments. Adorned with lush landscaping and water features, it aspires to exude elegance.

Beyond aesthetics, the property boasts a meticulously planned layout, expansive amenities and distinctive industry-first services such as commercial-grade community Internet and DMCI Homes’ innovative RideShare Carpool Program. Units at The Valeron Tower start from P7.51 million and will be ready for occupancy by July 2029.

GSIS, PNB team up with developer for affordable housing

CLI NUD Ventures, Inc., a joint venture between

GSIS president and general manager Wick Veloso highlighted the project’s synergy with the government’s Bagong Pilipinas’ vision of fulfilling the dreams and aspirations of every Filipino, particularly the fundamental need for a home.

“Our partnership with P.A. Properties whose advanced construction technology will help boost the country’s housing supply, is more than just a financial venture for the GSIS. It’s a significant step towards nation-building,” Veloso said. The agreement outlines the establishment of a P900 million and a P300 million notes facility by GSIS and PNB, respectively, for P.A. Properties.

These funds will support P.A. Properties in land banking, acquisi-

—“—

Our partnership with P.A. Properties whose advanced construction technology will help boost the country’s housing supply, is more than just a financial venture for the GSIS. It’s a significant step towards nationbuilding

— GSIS president and general manager Wick Veloso

tion, development, and expansion plans aimed at increasing affordable housing availability. PNB president Florido Casuela also shared the bank’s enthusiasm for the venture, noting its strategic plan to bolster housing project investments. With its 30-year track record in developing affordable housing, P.A. Properties has already built over 20,000 units in strategic locations across the Philippines.

ABS-CBN’s longest-running noontime show It’s Showtime made another historic milestone, as its debut episode kicked off with a jaw-dropping opening number, which trended worldwide and earned 500,000 peak concurrent views on Saturday.

Comedian Vice Ganda opened the show with a Dune-inspired video, which shifted to featuring him sitting atop the GMA logo on the network’s main building. He also did another “mothering” performance singing “Thunder,” “Champion,” and “Hall of Fame.”

Anne Curtis, Vhong Navarro, Jhong Hilario, Karylle, Kim Chiu, Ogie Alcasid, Amy Perez, Darren Espanto, Jugs Jugueta, Teddy Corpuz, Ryan Bang, Jackie Gonzaga, MC, Lassy, Ion Perez, and Cianne Dominguez also performed heart-pumping performances for the Kapamilya and Kapuso viewers.

Vice expressed his gratitude to the ABS-CBN and GMA bosses for continuously giving It’s Showtime the opportunity to spread happiness and entertainment to more audiences. He also added that this was his best birthday celebration, and the continuous collaboration between the two media giants was for the viewers.

“This is for all the Madlang People whom we will bring joy to starting today. This is for GMA and ABSCBN, for everyone working on ‘It’s Showtime,’ all our staff who are very talented and hardworking, and to all our hosts, to all our companions, our Kapamilya, our Kapuso,” the TV host and comedian said.

Kapuso stars Gabbi Garcia, Sanya Lopez, Glaiza de Castro, Jillian Ward, Mark Bautista, Christian Bautista, Jake Vargas, Mikee Quintos, Nadine Samonte,

Streaming giant unveils stellar lineup of originals for April

is gearing up for a blockbuster April with a diverse selection of original content. From thrilling dramas to heartwarming comedies and animation for the whole family, there’s something for everyone to enjoy this month.

Ninjago Dragons Rising Season 2

In this new season, which premiered on April 4, beloved ninja heroes face an unprecedented challenge – a threatening arcane ritual that could unleash chaos. With Lord Ras’ army mastering the corrupted art of Shatterspin, the stakes are higher than ever. This season of Ninjago combines stunning visuals, a captivating storyline, and the timeless appeal of the franchise, making it perfect for family viewing. Expect thrilling action, adventure, and valuable lessons on resilience and teamwork.

R“EVENGE” is the central theme of TV5’s latest action-drama series, the remake of the classic film Lumuhod Ka Sa Lupa, starring Sarah Lahbati and Kiko Estrada. It will start airing today after Eat Bulaga.

During a press conference held on April 2 at TV5 Studios, lead stars were asked, “What personality trait do you hate the most in someone you’d want to see humbled?”

Sarah downplayed the question, not directly addressing the elephant in the room – people’s speculation about her recent breakup with husband Richard Gutierrez

“I don’t believe in revenge, I believe in karma,” she said succinctly.

After the press conference, reporters pressed the actress further about her rumored new love.

She immediately addressed rumors of a new relationship after confirming her separation from Richard. She also quickly reacted to a photo of her dining with a man in Hong Kong.

“I’m single, let me repeat that, I’m single. Of course, there will always be speculation,” she said.

Sarah strongly denied having a relationship with the man, clarifying that she went to Hong Kong for an art exhibition and he was just a friend.

“Yes, I went to Hong Kong to experience the art exhibit. It’s always been a dream of mine to travel around, and I was happy that I was able to go. And that photo circulating around is just one of my friends. It’s as simple as that. I visited Hong Kong and met up with different friends,” Sarah stated.

Sarah emphasized that a new relationship wouldn’t be a problem since she’s single.

“Is it unfair? Does it bother me now? No, it takes a lot more to bother me these days. But I think, as a woman, we’re all allowed to have male friends. Again, it’s okay to speculate because I am single, and this is all part of this new chapter in my life,” she said.

Meanwhile, Sarah politely declined to comment on the rumored romance between her estranged husband and actress Barbie Imperial “No reaction, NR,” she said with a chuckle before being escorted by a TV5 staff member. Intense drama

Originally penned as a comic book by the legendary Carlo J. Caparas and adapted into the classic film top-billed by the late action icon Rudy Fernandez in the 1980s, Lumuhod Ka Sa Lupa now undergoes a contemporary reimagining

with more action-filled sequences. Featuring an ensemble cast of actors led by Kiko Estrada, Sarah Lahbati, Sid Lucero, Rhen Escaño, and Gardo Versoza , with Mark Anthony Fernandez, Andrew Muhlach, Phoebe Walker, Andre Yllana, Ashley Diaz, Annika Co, Rose Van Ginkel, Jeffrey Hidalgo, and Jeric Raval – TV5’s Lumuhod Ka Sa Lupa revolves around its characters’ quest for justice and retribution. The story follows Norman Dela Cruz (played by Kiko), a working student aspiring to become a lawyer. Norman’s life takes an unexpected turn when his mother Tacing (with the special participation of Ana Abad Santos), engages in an intense land dispute with her estranged non-biological brother Benito Balmores (Gardo) that results in tragedy. Surviving this ordeal, Norman vows to avenge his mother but finds himself torn as he falls in love with Benito’s daughter, Mercy Balmores (Sarah). After several years, Norman returns as the successful lawyer Abra Espiritu, with a plan for revenge while suppressing his feelings for Mercy, who has married Miguel Aguirre (Sid). Lumuhod Ka Sa Lupa airs weekdays at 2:30 p.m. on TV5’s Hapon Champion block, with same-day catchups on Sari-Sari Channel at 8:00 p.m.

NETFLIX

The show’s opening number included comedian Vice Ganda sitting atop the GMA logo

Actress Sarah Lahbati denies rumors about being in a relationship following photos of her with a man in Hong Kong circulating online Actor Kiko Estrada stars alongside Sarah in ‘Lumuhod Ka Sa Lupa”

LIFE & SHOWBIZ

Celebrity couple KZ and TJ enjoy extraordinary attractions in Singapore

SINGER-SONGWRITER sweethearts KZ Tandingan and TJ Monterde recently flew to Singapore to catch Taylor Swift in concert. But before the celebrity couple took to the National Stadium to catch the Eras Tour , KZ and TJ got to squeeze in a day filled with ordinary moments made extraordinary in Singapore. They also shared that they celebrated one of their anniversaries in Singapore in less than 24 hours.

institution prides itself in Singapore Nanyang-style seafood – a style grounded in the Southern regions of China with influences from Malay, Indian, and Peranakan traditions.

Breakfast at Maxwell Food Centre

Open from 8:00 a.m. to 2:00 a.m., Maxwell Food Centre is a treasure trove of hawker delights. It first opened in the 1950s as a wet market and has evolved

through the years to become one of Singapore’s most popular food hubs. From chicken rice to oyster cakes, both locals and tourists alike flock to Maxwell Food Centre to get a taste of Singaporean cuisine.

Lunch at Red House Seafood

Now operating in three locations across Singapore, Red House Seafood has delighted diners since 1976. The

A sweet date at the Museum of Ice Cream Designed to be a space for connecting with friends and family, Singapore’s Museum of Ice Cream features multi-sensory installations, an indoor carnival, and the world’s largest sprinkle pool! Visitors can learn all about ice cream while indulging in sweet treats perfect for the Singapore weather.

A spectacular view of Marina Bay from 165 meters above The Singapore Flyer is one of

Chinese sci-fi fans divided over Netflix’s‘3 Body Problem’

NETFLIX’S blockbuster 3 Body

Problem , an adaptation of the crown jewel of Chinese sci-fi, has sparked passionate debate and divided opinions among fans in the country despite it not being available to watch there.

The streaming service isn’t officially operational in China, but that hasn’t stopped devotees from accessing the show, likely via VPN services or illegal streaming sites.

Hashtags relating to the show have over two billion views on the X-like social media platform Weibo.

Among the tens of thousands of commentaries left on a reviewing platform, reactions ranged from disappointment at plot and character changes to nationalistic outrage, to optimism the show’s profile would boost the representation of Chinese literature and film.

The series is based on the threepart Remembrance of Earth’s Past by Liu Cixin , a domestic superstar whom readers sometimes jokingly call “God”, and his trilogy “the bible of

Chinese sci-fi.”

“The original works have a huge influence. Many fans of the books know all the details of the characters in the books by heart, so they have a hard time accepting changes,” Li Dongdong, founder of Chinese sci-fi film community Geek Movie, told AFP

Previous Chinese-produced adaptations have taken this obsessive attention to detail into account – Liu told a conference recently he had suggested making a small visual change to a recurring plot device, only to be told: “You can’t change it beyond recognition!”

For many, the Netflix adaptation has very much done that. Spearheaded by the team behind the megahit series Game of Thrones , it transfers most of the action to the United Kingdom and changes the nationalities and genders of some of the key characters.

One Chinese reviewer likened the series to “a plate of General Tso’s chicken,” a Westernized Chinese dish that can be used as a metaphor

for inauthenticity and cultural misunderstanding.

Disagreement with the showrunners’ creative choices is not confined to China. The series was the most watched on Netflix by its second week, but reviews have been mixed, with Rolling Stone calling it “one great big miss”.

Some of the Chinese criticism though is tinged by politics, against a backdrop of tense US-China relations.

Many commenters questioned the motive behind the decision to keep the villain Chinese while the heroes are mostly played by Westerners. Others have taken issue with the show’s portrayal of Chinese history.

The show starts in the 1960s, with an ugly scene from the Cultural Revolution in which a physicist is killed by a mob for refusing to disown key scientific theories. Its use as the opening scene led some online nationalists to accuse Netflix of making the entire show purely to portray China in a bad light. AFP

The cryptic photos on the singer’s Instagram story led to rumors about an upcoming album

the largest observation wheels in the world. Established in March 2008, travelers from across the world have toured their way to marvel at the breathtaking views of Marina Bay from the Singapore Flyer’s capsules. A scenic spin on the Singapore Flyer takes tourists 165 meters above ground, or as high as 42 stories. From its vantage point, tourists can witness the historical sights from Marina Bay to the Singapore River, such as Raffles Place, Merlion Park, Empress Place, and the Padang.

For more information on extraordinary destinations in Singapore, check out http://www. facebook.com/VisitSingaporePH

Billie Eilish surprises fans with ‘Close Friends’ list move

By Abigail Adriatico

BILLIE Eilish fans were surprised to find themselves on her “Close Friends” list on Instagram. This feature lets users share stories exclusively with selected individuals by marking their stories with a green badge.

The singer-songwriter shared cryptic photos, including a hand underwater and a new tattoo, only visible to her existing 111 million followers who were unexpectedly added to the list. This sparked speculation about a possible new album, especially since Billie previously announced it’s mastered. While new followers get immediate access to her “Close Friends” stories, details remain scarce. Eilish rose to fame with Ocean Eyes (2017), followed by her awardwinning debut album When We All Fall Asleep, Where Do We Go? (2019). Her 2021 album Happier Than Ever further cemented her success.

Recently, Eilish and her brother Finneas O’Connell won awards for their song “What Was I Made For?” from the film Barbie.

The couple tries out a serving of authentic laksa at the Maxwell Food Centre

TJ Monterde (left) and KZ Tandingan share a sweet moment at the Singapore

One of the highlights of their date includes a romantic bike ride

As captured in TJ’s vlog, discover some of the food spots and fun attractions in store for Filipino travelers looking to explore Singapore.

CBob Zozobrado

REATED under Executive Order

1037 on July 4, 1985 by former President Ferdinand Marcos , the Philippine Retirement Authority (PRA) is a corporate body tasked to primarily develop and promote our country as a retirement haven for foreign retirees by providing them the best quality of life.

In cooperation with the Bureau of Immigration (BI), the PRA processes for qualified retirees, the Special Resident Retirees Visa (SRRV), a special non-immigrant visa, which has a lifetime validity and exempts its holders from BI requirements, and allows them to study, invest and work (with the approval of our Department of Labor and Employment) here in our country. SRRV holders also have multiple entry and exit privileges, and are exempt from travel tax, if the retiree has not stayed in the country for more than a year from his last entry.

PRA also assists these foreign retirees in securing government documents like driver’s license, National Bureau of Investigation (NBI) Clearance and Alien Employment Permit (AEP), among many others.

What are the requirements for these foreign nationals to apply for the SRRV? They must be 50 years or older. If they are currently receiving a monthly pension of at least $800, they have to deposit in their name $10,000 in any of PRA’s accredited banks. If they do not have a pension, the required deposit is $20,000.

However, for former Filipinos (now citizens of other countries) and foreign nationals who used to be Armed Forces officers of foreign countries with a monthly pension of at least $1000, and officers of international organizations recognized by our Department of Foreign Affairs, i.e., Asian Development

Davao, Clark, Subic, and Baguio, with plans to open additional offices in the other major cities of the country. It is also currently in the process of adopting full automation for all its documentary procedures. It has already completed the system that allows it to share data with the BI, to easily track down the movements of these foreign retirees.

our country is much lower than that of our neighbors.

YOUR MONDAY CHUCKLE

What makes these foreign retirees choose our country over our ASEAN neighbors? We are perceived as “the most loving people towards foreigners.” They also see us as having a very strong culture of respect for elders. In fact, when I was in Berlin last month to attend the Internationale Tourismus Borse (ITB), the biggest tourism event in the world, a police officer in uniform came to the PRA booth and declared that he had decided to retire in the Philippines because he likes “the way Filipinos take care of old people.”

By Nickie Wang

IN ITS bid to champion Filipino food brands internationally, pita wrap favorite Turks announces the opening of its third international branch in Central, Hong Kong. The brand, boasting 17 years of success in the Philippines, is also expanding its menu by launching two new, crave-worthy crispy chicken dishes.

Following a successful rebrand as T.Co in Hong Kong last year, the company is opening its third international branch on April 11. This expansion

By further strengthening PRA’s marketing promotions and visibility in international markets, more foreign retirees will discover that settling down in our corner of paradise will be the best decision they have had to make. We have an entire spectrum of magnificent natural treasures, inhabited by the friendliest people on earth, serving mouth-watering culinary delicacies, and celebrating the most colorful cultural events…what else could they ask for?

A couple were on a safari in Africa, walking through the jungle. Suddenly, a huge lion sprang out of the bushes and seized the wife, dragging her off. “Shoot!” she screamed to her husband. “Shoot!”  He shouted back, “I can’t! I’ve run out of film!”

Another reason why foreign retirees choose to settle down here is our English-speaking capability, which makes it easy for them to connect and establish friendships. Of course, they also realize that the cost of living in

There is one thing we do need – more world-class retirement facilities. We could attract even more foreign retirees if we have more of these, just like what they have in other countries. So, if any of you, dear readers, would like to invest in something that will guarantee quick ROI, contact the PRA at www.pra.gov.ph (office of the General Manager) or through +632 8848 1412. Such a productive investment might just be the retirement business you have been searching for.

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

underscores founder Gem L. Zeñarosa’s commitment to international growth, with two more T.Co branches planned for Hong Kong in May and June.

Turks is taking its menu to new heights with the introduction of the Crispy Chicken Wrap and Crispy Chicken Rice Bowl. Both dishes feature the brand’s signature crispy chicken, boasting a flavorful coating and juicy, tender meat, promising to be strong contenders in the competitive chicken market.

The Crispy Chicken Wrap is a convenient and satisfying meal option, combining crispy chicken strips, fresh vegetables, and Turks’ signature sauces all wrapped in warm pita

Some retirees engage with Life Care employees for an outdoor activity

A display ad by the PRA found at NAIA Terminal 3