Manila Standard - 2024 May 30 - Thursday

PRESIDENT MARCOS SAYS

By Charles Dantes and Vince Lopez

PRESIDENT Ferdinand Marcos Jr. on Wednesday reiterated that his ad-

HE IS STILL OPEN TO WPS TALKS WITH CHINA

ministration is open to back-channel talks with the Chinese government regardless of Beijing’s continuing incursions in the West Philippine Sea (WPS). He said that “We should try every-

thing,” to open and use any point of contact or communication lines that will bridge the discussion towards progress and stop any form of aggression in the area. The President added that our na-

tion is allied with countries who also reject China’s claims in the WPS, and that we are not a lone voice is an important aspect to consider. Marcos recognized that the invitation he received to deliver the keynote

Church firm against divorce; Villar 8th senator opposed to it

Bill is ‘anti-family, anti-marriage, and anti-children’—CBCP

By Vito Barcelo, Macon Ramos-Araneta, and Maricel Cruz

THE Catholic Bishops’ Conference of the Philippines remained firm in opposing the proposed divorce law, warning lawmakers they are supporting a measure that is "anti-family, anti-marriage and antichildren.”

"It’s a betrayal of their constitutional mandate to uphold marriage and the family,” said CBCP Spokesperson Father Jerome Secillano.

The House of Representatives earlier approved on third and final reading the absolute divorce bill, but the measure is facing an uphill battle in the Senate.

On Wednesday, Senator Cynthia Villar added her voice to the members of the Upper Chamber opposed to the divorce bill.

"I was surprised the House passed the measure," said Villar, wife of business tycoon and former Senate President Manny Villar.

"Everyone knows I have a very happy family life, so I'm not in favor of divorce," she added.

Based on an informal poll conducted by Senator Jinggoy Estrada as well as the public pronouncements of senators, eight are against the divorce measure while seven were in favor.

Aside from Estrada, Senate President Francis Escudero, Senate Majority Leader Francis Tolentino, and Senators Joel Villanueva, Ronald dela Rosa, Aquilino Pimentel III and Juan Miguel Zubiri are against absolute divorce.

Those who were in favor Senators Risa Hontiveros, Grace Poe, Raffy Tulfo, Robin Padilla, Imee Marcos, JV Ejercito and Pia Cayetano.

speech at the annual Shangri-la Dialogue—an international conference on defense and security—marked a significant aspect of the controversy: the position the Philippines is in as

By Charles Dantes

PRESIDENT Ferdinand Marcos Jr. on Wednesday said he was aware of the plan to remove Senator Juan Miguel Zubiri as Senate President.

In a media interview in Brunei, the President said he was informed by Senator Francis Escudero regarding his plan to take the post of Senate President.

"Senator Migz (Zubiri) has changed already, he has stepped down. So that's the extent, that's how... I was basically informed every step of the way but it moves so quickly as well," Mr. Marcos said.

"But of course, we knew the state of the voting when that was still being collected by Senator Chiz (Escudero). We already know the numbers that will come out," he added.

Zubiri was officially replaced as Senate President by Escudero on May 20.

Meanwhile, Marcos denied claims he was involved in the ouster of Zubiri, citing the decision was made by the Senate alone.

Comelec to ban use of AI-generated campaign materials

By Vito Barcelo

THE Commission on Elections (Comelec) announced plans to ban the use of Artificial Intelligence (AI)-aided election campaign and propaganda materials during the campaign period for the 2025 elections. In a brief statement, Comelec chairperson George Garcia said he will recommend to the en banc the prohibition of deepfakes in campaign activities by candidates, party-lists, and political parties. Garcia highlighted growing concerns among election management experts about the threat of AI technology, particularly deepfakes, which can sow deceit and misinformation among voters and candidates.

He cited an incident where even the President of the country fell victim to AI-generated deepfake videos intended to deceive viewers.

Garcia expressed fears that the misuse of AI technology in campaign materials—including videos, audios,

By Macon Ramos-Araneta

By Macon Ramos-Araneta

Marcos vows stronger bilateral ties with Brunei

By Charles Dantes

PRESIDENT Marcos vowed to keep stronger bilateral ties between the Philippines and Brunei during a dinner hosted by Sultan Hassanal Bolkiah on Tuesday evening.

He said their friendship has stayed strong despite many changes over the years. On his first visit to Brunei, Presi-

dent Marcos talked about how both countries have similar interests, especially with all the problems happening around the world.

"It is important that we continue to work together on a bilateral basis, also together with ASEAN, with BIMP-EAGA in all of these methods by which we can plan together for our own communities, for the peace and the stability of the region," President Marcos said.

BIMP-EAGA stands for Brunei Darussalam-Indonesia-MalaysiaPhilippines East ASEAN Growth Area, a cooperation initiative established in 1994 to spur development in

the four participating Southeast Asian nations. Mr. Marcos asked Bolkiah to keep working together to improve working relations “not only for Asia, but for the Indo-Pacific” as well.

“It is important that those partnerships now be brought back into the modern world. And I look forward [to] this state visit to once more give an added impetus and warmth and inspiration to the relationship between our two countries," President

Gordon hails Ombudsman for indicting officials in Pharmally mess

Marcos stated. President Marcos and the Sultan also led the signing of agreements about working together on ships, tourism, and more.

The President is embarking on a two-day state visit to Brunei Darussalam, which coincides with the 40th Independence anniversary of the Sultanate and the 40th anniversary of the close and enduring cooperation between the Philippines and Brunei formalized on January 1, 1984.

Gordon also expressed his gratitude to the staff of the Blue Ribbon Committee headed by Director General Attorney Rudy Quimbo.

The former senator led the Senate investigation into Pharmally and the Procurement Service of the

FORMER Senator Richard Gordon recently lauded the Ombudsman’s recommendation to indict government officials involved in the Pharmally scandal as well as Pharmally Pharmaceutical Corporation’s Lin Weixiong for graft and corruption. “I wish to thank the Ombudsman for this action,” said the former chairman of the Senate Blue Ribbon Committee. “It affirms my belief that there is still justice in the Philippines,” he said in a statement.

Church...

From A1

Secillano, who is also the head of the CBCP’s Committee on Public Affairs, said passing a divorce bill would weaken the commitment to marriage.

“And of course, you also just perpetuate the cycle of violence. You are not treating the person who is violent, you are just merely freeing the abused person from that violent situation. So that guy who may be abusive is not treated at all, he will be looking for another girl who is going to be his punching bag later on,” the priest said.

President...

From A1

regards the decision of policymakers everywhere.

On the issue of the fishing ban, the President made it clear that Beijing’s policy to arrest and detain Filipino fishermen plying the WPS is “worrisome”.

In a media interview, the President said the policy would put local fisherfolk at risk, more so when things escalate in the ongoing tension in the maritime region.

The policy, as stated by China, will begin in June this year.

Under China's new policy, the Chinese Coast Guard can detain "foreign trespassers" in the South

Marcos...

From A1

Marcos was also asked if he knew about Zubiri's remark in his resignation speech that he was ousted for not following instructions from "the powers that be."

"I guess if you are Senate President, the only power that be is the President. So, I am not sure what he is referring to, if there is a specific instance or just as a general principle. I don’t know, I have not spoken to him about it," the

FLiRT...

From A1

Despite the recent increase in cases, the DOH reports no scientific basis for imposing travel restrictions to any country.

Coordination with international health authorities remains strong, with the Bureau of Quarantine (BOQ) closely monitoring points of entry. Current entry requirements are streamlined through the etravel.gov.ph website or the eGovPH app.

As of May 18, 2024, only 12 percent of dedicated COVID-19 intensive care unit (ICU) beds (141 out of 1,155) and 14 percent of total COVID-19 beds (1,435 out of 10,356) are occupied. Severe and critical cases account for only nine percent (151) of total hospital admissions.

The average daily reported cases from May 14 to 20, 2024, have dropped to 202, significantly lower than the approximately 500 daily cases earlier this year and 1,750 daily cases in mid-May 2023. Of the new cases reported during the week, 16 were severe or critical.

Albay Rep. Edcel Lagman, however, said Catholic marriages will be covered by the divorce law once it is passed by Congress, rejecting the position of the CBCP that the measure will only apply to civil unions.

“It’s completely baseless to assert that a 'sacramental marriage' or church wedding will not be covered by a future divorce law,” Lagman said.

“Church marriage is recognized as a civilly valid marriage under the Family Code and is regulated like civil marriages by the secular laws on marriage,” he added.

House Deputy Majority Leader Janette Garin on Wednesday said a

China Sea for up to 60 days. Beijing's directive came after the successful civilian mission of ‘Atin Ito’ in the WPS.

In a separate statement, Marcos said China's fishing ban is not a new issue, referencing previous agreements that had addressed it.

The President said China’s action is “just an extension again of their claim that this is all the maritime territory of China.”

"There are sometimes fishing bans because it’s the season. And this is something that we have actually agreed upon before," Marcos said.

Meanwhile, the Philippine Navy on Wednesday, May 29, said that the imposition of the Chinese fishing ban was meant to deceive the public by creating a false narrative

President said.

"The last time I spoke to him, we talked about procurement, which did not come up. So, it’s hard for me to answer simply because I am not sure what he’s referring to because what instructions could that be that he didn't finish. Yes, that’s still unclear to me what he's referring to," he added. Zubiri, in his resignation speech, hinted that his ouster as Senate President was due to his failure to follow certain instructions from a higher power, which was rumored as someone within Malacañang.

Twelve deaths were recorded, with five occurring between May 7 and 20.

The DOH, along with the University of the Philippines -Philippine Genome Center (UP-PGC) and the Research Institute for Tropical Medicine (RITM), continues sequencing efforts to monitor variants.

The flagged Omicron subvariants (KP.2 and KP.3) are considered likely present in the Philippines, but remain clinically mild and manageable. Four variants under monitoring (VUM) are currently tracked: JN.1.7, JN.1.18, KP.2, and KP.3—all descendants of JN.1.

The informal term "FLiRT," used by some researchers to describe specific spike protein changes, is avoided by the DOH to prevent miscommunication about health risks. There is no evidence that the KP.2 and KP.3 variants are causing severe or critical COVID-19 cases locally or internationally.

Preventative measures such as good respiratory hygiene, hand washing, avoiding crowds, and ensuring good airflow are emphasized. The public is also advised to stay home if feeling unwell or to properly wear a mask if going out is necessary.

Department of Budget and Management (PS-DBM) then headed by Lloyd Christopher Lao and former Procurement Director Warren Rex Liong who awarded multi-billiondollar contracts for the supply of medical equipment during the Covid-19 pandemic.

Gordon questioned how the DBM procurement service could award

compromised version for minimal annulment fee should be pushed if the Senate does not adopt the House version of the divorce bill.

A survey conducted by the OCTA Research Group released in December showed 51 percent of Filipinos were against the legalization of divorce. At least 41 percent of the respondents were in favor while the rest were undecided.

Majority of Filipinos who supported the divorce law were from Mindanao, followed by Metro Manila. Most of the respondents in favor of the law were aged 18 to 24, while most of the respondents aged 67 to 74

that might gather support among Filipinos.

At a press briefing held at the Philippine Army Officers Clubhouse in Taguig, Philippine Navy spokesperson for the West Philippine Sea, Commodore Roy Vincent Trinidad, said that China’s directive was only for “narrative, deception, and lawfare” purposes. Commodore Trinidad also noted that China's lawfare or the usage of legal means to cause problems for its opponent “is one of the instruments in their cookbook” to accomplish their main purpose of solely controlling the entirety of the WPS.

“So far, none,” the Commodore said in answer to the question if there have been indications that China would impose the fishing ban. “To-

Comelec...

From A1

and other media forms—could lead to fraudulent misrepresentation of candidates.

“This defeats the very purpose of a campaign, which is to fully and truthfully inform the voting public about the elections [and] the candidates,” he added.

Previously, Comelec Commissioner Rey Bulay suggested formulating policies regarding the use of

Senator... From A1

Earlier, Mayor Guo testified in the hearing of the Senate committee on Women, Children, Family Relations and Gender Equality, chaired by Sen. Risa Hontiveros, that they lived in a rented warehouse in Valenzuela when she was a teenager.

Gatchalian said the workers told them that the young Guo then introduced to them Wen Yi as her biological mother.

The senator said that based on his personal assessment, Wen Yi might be the biological mother of the mayor.

The senator also noted that the name of Wen Yi consistently cropped up during his investigation on Guo's family. Her name is also included in the travel records of the mayor' father.

"They always travel as a couple. So again, based on my investigation and asking around plus the documents, my personal analysis is that Wen Yi is the biological mother of the mayor,” he said.

The senator also pointed out the Bureau of Immigration (BI) records show-

such big contracts to Pharmally which had no previous transactions with the government and had a paid-up capital of P625,000.00. The medical supplies included face masks, face shields, PPE’s and RT-CPR test kits.

He expressed the hope that the Ombudsman’s investigation will go deeper and that it will unravel further evidence that will prove plunder.

were not in favor.

Under the measure passed by the House, the following are grounds for divorce: legal separation under Article 55 of the Family Code of the Philippines; annulment of marriage under Article 45 of the Family Code of the Philippines; separation of the spouses for at least five years at the time of the petition for absolute divorce is filed, and reconciliation is highly improbable; psychological incapacity as provided in Article 36 of the Family Code of the Philippines; and domestic or marital abuse to include acts under RA No. 9262 or the Anti-Violence Against Women and and Their Children Act of 2004.

day's warfare is more on narratives, more on deception. It is part of the lawfare of China.”

“The pronouncement on the ban has been there since 2021. They have announced a four-month fishing ban. But the implementation has not yet been put into effect,” he added.

Furthermore, Commodore Trinidad said China is out of its minds, and out of step, and is now stepping out of line by imposing such a moratorium.

Beijing asserts sovereignty in almost the entire South China Sea, illegally using their imaginary 10-dash line, including most of the West Philippine Sea.

China’s claim has been effectively invalidated by a July 2016 international tribunal ruling from a case filed by Manila in 2013.

AI in producing election materials, whether printed or digital, which could be implemented in time for the 2025 midterm elections.

Bulay noted that misrepresentation, if expanded to cover a candidate's personality, could become criminal misrepresentation when violated and serve as grounds for the cancellation of the Certificate of Candidacy (COC).

“The concept of misrepresentation is also included in the principle of truth in advertising…something along this line,” he added.

ing Wen Yi as a Chinese citizen carrying a Chinese passport.

"We also got her flight records from the BI," he added.

The senator stressed that if the mayor's father and mother are Chinese, then obviously, she is Chinese since the bloodline is being followed in our system.

Asked on their legal implications, Gatchalian said the mayor will no longer be Filipino in her birth certificate and passport. He further stated that the basis of her Filipino citizenship on her certificate of candidacy was the birth certificate.

Gatchalian said he will ask the mayor's parents to attend the next hearing.

The senator emphasized that the mayor's father lied in the birth certificate, insisting it wasn't an error. He said if there is an error, it is just one time and one birth certificate. This is constant information in four different birth certificates.

“It's not a clerical error, it wasn't forgotten. He declared it 4 times in 4 different birth certificates," he explained.

She also emphasized that Sheila Guo, the sister of the mayor, is in all incorporation papers.

Rainy season has started, says PAGASA

THE Philippine Atmospheric, Geophysical and Astronomical Services Administration (PAGASA) on Wednesday confirmed the onset of the rainy season even as typhoon 'Aghon' exited the country. Aghon left seven dead and damage to infrastructure and agriculture amounting to millions of pesos.

"The occurrence of scattered rain showers, frequent thunderstorms, the passage of Typhoon 'Aghon,' and the Southwest Monsoon (Habagat) over the past few days have brought significant rains over the western sections of Luzon and Visayas signifies the start of the rainy season in the country," PAGASA said in a press release. The state weather bureau added that the high chance of La Niña conditions to develop between July and September increases the likelihood of above-normal rainfall conditions in some areas of the country, particularly toward year's end.

"On the other hand, there may be breaks in rainfall that extend over a few days or weeks, also referred to as monsoon breaks," it said.

PAGASA said it will continue to monitor the country's weather and climate situation.

THE Commission on Elections (Comelec) chairperson George Garcia said on Wednesday they got wind of reports that certain individuals have been going around and promising potential candidates in the 2025 national and local elections a “win” but to the tune of P100 million.

Warning the public of a possible bigtime “scam,” the Comelec chair said the alleged individuals give an asking price of P50 million, P70 million or P100 million to “win” in the upcoming elections.

In order to pull it off, the alleged individuals claim that they know someone inside the poll commission.

“I hope the public will help us report and arrest them. I hope you will not allow yourselves to be fooled. That is not true,” Garcia said. He reminded the public that the rigging of elections is illegal, and there are laws to prevent them.

By Ratziel San Juan

MORE than a third of United States adult respondents to a survey by the American Academy of Sleep Medicine (AASM) are practicing "sleep divorce."

The term refers to the act or sometimes or consistently sleeping in a room separate from one's partner.

The survey found that nearly half (45 percent) of men said they sleep divorced, compared with just 25 percent of women.

Additionally, 43 percent of millennials have sleep divorced, followed by 33 percent of Gen X, 28 percent of Gen Z, and 22 percent of baby boomers.

"We know that poor sleep can worsen your mood, and those who are sleep deprived are more likely to argue with their partners. There may be some resentment toward the person causing the sleep disruption which can negatively impact relationships,” pulmonologist and AASM spokesperson Seema Khosla told MedicalXpress.

Participants display their kites for the kite ying competition in Albay as part of the

Festival celebrations.

DOJ welcomes Quiboloy trial transfer

By Rey E. Requejo

THE Department of Justice (DOJ) on Wednesday lauded the Supreme Court’s (SC) decision to grant its request to transfer the venue of the sexual and child abuse trial against Kingdom of Jesus Christ (KOJC) founder Pastor Apollo Quiboloy and fi ve others from the Regional Trial Court (RTC) of Davao City to the Quezon City RTC.

DOJ Secretary Jesus Crispin Remulla stressed that the DOJ expressed concern for the safety of those involved in the prosecution of Quiboloy and prompted its request for transfer of venue.

“Witnesses, judges, our prosecutors

IN BRIEF

MIAA completes NAIA system upgrade

THE Manila International Airport Authority (MIAA) has completed electrical system upgrades at Ninoy Aquino International Airport Terminal 3, but cannot guarantee that there won’t be future power interruptions. The airport management successfully replaced deteriorated medium-voltage switchgear components across eight electrical substations within Terminal 3 from April 2 to May 28.

During the upgrade, MIAA’s generator sets provided power to the terminal, prioritizing critical equipment and facilities to ensure continuous passenger processing and uninterrupted flight operations.

However, there were noticeable issues with lack of lighting in certain areas of the terminal, such as the curbsides, hallways, and roadways. The management has instructed MIAA Engineering to address this, as these areas should have been powered up by the generator sets.

13 Filipino seafarers safe in Ukraine

ALL the 13 Filipino seafarers and a Ukrainian on board the sea were safe after four missiles launched by Houthi rebels hit the ship, the Department of Migrant Workers (DMW) said.

The vessel, a bulk carrier, sustained some damage from four missiles launched by Houthi rebels as the ship was traversing the Yemeni coast near Hodeidah on May 28, the DMW said, adding that all the Filipino seamen crew were unhurt when it was attacked by the rebels.

“The vessel is continuing its voyage to its next port of call. The DMW is communicating with the shipping and manning agencies, monitoring the safety and condition of our Filipino seafarers,” the statement read.

“The DMW is communicating with the shipping and manning agencies, monitoring the safety and condition of our Filipino seafarers. The DMW is also contacting the crew members’ families to provide any assistance they may need.

Laguindingan Airport hailed on preparedness

THE Civil Aviation Authority of the Philippines (CAAP) on Wednesday commended the management of Laguindingan Airport for the success of its full-scale emergency exercise aimed at improving safety and preparedness for passengers and personnel in potential emergencies. During the drill, a mock-up aircraft caught fire due to a crash-landing scenario at the airport.

The Pilot-in-Command declared an emergency alert due to loss of vertical control and notified Laguindingan Air Traffic Control to request a priority landing.

The Incident Management Team and Emergency Operations Center were activated, and the aircraft on fire and passengers on board simulated wreckage, injuries, and wounds requiring immediate fire suppression and rescue. Joel E. Zurbano

and their families will no longer have to fear for their safety, the wheels of justice can now freely roll through this journey,” Remulla said, in a statement.

“This is a major breakthrough in our pursuit for justice as we relentlessly

PEACEKEEPERS. United Nations Peacekeepers from the Philippine National Police, Philippine Army, and Philippine Airforce participated in the 76th International Day of UN Peacekeepers held at SM Megamall in Mandaluyong City on Wednesday. Manny Palmero

delve into the truth behind all these accusations against the embattled church leader,” it added.

The SC’s Second Division on Monday said it found compelling reasons to allow the transfer of venue of the cases as these involve public interest, considering that Quiboloy is a well-known religious leader who remains influential in the province.

The Coufrt also directed the Clerk of Court of Branch 12, RTC, Davao City to forward the entire records of the said cases to the Office of the Executive Judge of the Quezon City RTC, within three days from notice.

On the other hand, the Quezon City RTC Executive Judge was ordered to immediately raffle the cases, upon receipt of the case records, among the

judges in the station for immediate resolution of the cases.

The Court also directed judges in Davao City and in other stations in Mindanao where future related cases involving Quiboloy and his co-accused may be filed to motu proprio order the transmittal of the records to the Office of the Clerk of Court of the Quezon City RTC and Metropolitan Trial Court, Quezon City, as the case may be. But Quiboloy’s camp was surprised with the SC’s decision to grant the DOJ’s request for the transfer of venue.

Quiboloy’s counsel Israelito Torreon said the ruling failed to follow the Office of the Court Administrator-Circular No. 162-2022-A which simplified the procedure for transferring the venue of cases.

DPWH unveils infrastructure projects for Calabarzon

By Roy C. Tomandao

CALAMBA City—Department of Public Works and Highways (DPWH)

Calabarzon regional director Jovel G. Mendoza presented an overview of the department’s accomplishments, key projects, and future initiatives aligned with President Ferdinand Marcos Jr.’s Bagong Pilipinas governance and leadership agenda, alongside the “Build. Better. More.” program.

During the inaugural nationwide synchronized weekly forum, “Kapihan sa Bagong Pilipinas,” organized by the Presidential Communications Office (PCO) in collaboration with the Philippine Information Agency (PIA), the DDPWH Calabarzon took center stage as the featured national government agency on Tuesday. Aside from the P200-billion construction of 5.22-kilometer inter-jurisdictional

roads and bridges, Mendoza seized the opportunity to shed light on the ongoing road maintenance initiatives, a critical focus area as the region braces for the onset of the rainy season.

Emphasizing the significance of these efforts, Director Mendoza detailed the intensified road maintenance operations undertaken by DPWH personnel, who are working diligently, even on weekends, to ensure the safety and functionality of the region’s roadways and bridges. These activities encompass a range of tasks, including the inspection and repair of road damages, bridge cleaning, vegetation management along roadways, and the clearance of silt from drainage systems on national highways. Such proactive measures are essential for safeguarding the integrity of the region’s infrastructure, particularly in the aftermath of natural calamities such as Typhoon Aghon.

Mendoza reiterated that these preemptive measures are specifically designed to mitigate the potential impacts of adverse weather conditions, guaranteeing that transportation routes remain secure and accessible for motorists and the general public. By upholding a steadfast commitment to maintaining top-notch infrastructure, DPWH aims to provide a dependable and safe transportation network for all users. Furthermore, Mendoza underscored the pivotal role of these initiatives in bolstering the economic growth and development of the region. By enhancing infrastructure quality, these projects facilitate improved connectivity to markets, services, and opportunities, thereby fostering socio-economic advancement in Calabarzon. The anticipated outcomes include job creation, economic stimulation at the local level, and an overall enhancement of residents’ quality of life.

CSC: Public may now apply for written tests until June 3

By Ratziel San Juan

THE Civil Service Commission (CSC) on Wednesday announced that interested individuals may apply for the upcoming August 11 Career Service Examination - Pen and Paper Test (CSE-PPT) until June 13.

CSC Chairperson Karlo Nograles said there will be over 90 testing centers in 16 regions nationwide to accommodate eligibility applicants for first and second level positions in the civil service.

“We are encouraging interested applicants to apply as early as possible since acceptance of applications shall be on a first-come, first-served basis and may be closed any time before the deadline once the CSC Regional or Field Office has already reached the target number of applicants,” Nograles said.

Qualified applicants must be Filipino citizens at least 18 years old on the date of filing of application with good moral character and have not been convicted by final judgment of an offense or crime involving moral turpitude, or disgraceful or immoral conduct, dishonesty, examination irregularity, drunkenness, or addiction to drugs. They must also not have been dishonorably discharged from military service, or dismissed for cause from any civilian position in the government.

The commission reminded applicants that they should not have taken the same level of Career Service Examination, either through PPT or Computerized Examination, within three months before the date of the exam, or from May 11 to August 10.

Qualified individuals must submit a fully accomplished application form, four copies of passport size ID pictures, original and photocopy of accepted valid ID cards, and an examination fee of P500.

The complete application requirements and procedures can be found on Examination Announcement No. 6, s. 2024 posted on the CSC website.

Deceased PAF pilot’s kin can settle loan—SC

THE Supreme Court (SC) has directed the Government Service Insurance System (GSIS) to allow the lone heir of a Philippine Air Force combat pilot who died in the line of duty in 1980 to settle his deceased brother’s socialized housing loan to avoid foreclosure.

In a decision penned by Associate Justice Alfredo Benjamin Caguioa, the SC granted the petition filed by Felimon Torres, brother and sole heir of military pilot Dominador dela Cena Torres Jr., who assailed the Court of Appeals ruling that affirmed the order of the GSIS Board of Trustees which denied the housing loan restructuring and issued a notice of cancellation.

“Forty-four years since Dominador’s death and 19 years since the GSIS Board’s issuance of the Notice of Cancellation, the Court makes this final note. That is, perhaps more than others, the socialized guarantee of security is most required by Filipinos who serve in the military and allied forces—they who stand in uniform, daily put their lives on the line and protect our lives and liberties, often at the cost of theirs,” the SC noted.

CALABARZON INFRA FUND. Department of Public Works and Highways Calabarzon regional director Jovel G. Mendoza, (center), along with other o cials announces the allocation of P200 billion for new road and bridge projects in Calabarzon. Roy C. Tomandao

“Perhaps the assurance of the dignity of a shelter to come home to is earned, even deserved, by those who all too often have to leave their lives behind and march towards the threat of their early graves at a moment’s notice, and who profess that ‘if their ashes are scattered in the four winds, that is all part and parcel of the job,” the SC said.

“Accordingly, the instant Petition is hereby granted. The Decision dated March 16, 2016 and the Resolution dated July 20, 2016 of the Court of Appeals Eleventh Division in CA-G.R. SP No. 136562 are hereby reversed and set aside,” the SC ruled. Rey E. Requejo

COLORFUL KITES.

Magayon

US, PH marines conclude bilateral command post drill

By Vince Lopez

US and Philippine Marines concluded their military exercise ending a weeklong bilateral command post training exercise aimed at enhancing interoperability, refining tactics, techniques, and procedures, and supporting combined and joint maritime domain awareness, in Luzon last May 24.

The operation, dubbed Litorral Zone Reconnaissance Cobra LZR Cobra, took place during Archipelagic Coastal Defense Continuum, a series of bilateral exchanges and training opportunities between U.S. Marines and Philippine Marines aimed at bolstering the Philippine Marine Corps’ (PMC’s) Coastal Defense strategy while supporting the modernization efforts of the Armed Forces of the Philippines.

On May 20, U.S. Marines with the 3rd MLR’s headquarters element and 1st Air Naval Gunfire Liaison Company, alongside Philippine Marines with the Coastal Defense Regiment demonstrated cooperation and interoperability by establishing Combined Joint Task Force – Luzon for the purpose of the exercise.

The U.S. and Philippine Marines kicked off LZR Cobra with an ordered development class to synchronize planning procedures among participants.

The drill began when Capt. Mario Desalvo, a primary staff officer with 3rd MLR, addressed the room to brief the Marines on the scenario they would be operating in for the next week. He pointed to a screen projecting a map of Luzon with the LZR Cobra problem set depicted.

Speaker cites Recto for reducing rice tariffs to cut prices of staple IN BRIEF

Indiscriminate military attacks in Aurora hit

A LEGISLATOR identified with the militant bloc in the House of Representatives on Wednesday condemned what she called “indiscriminate bombings” by the military in Aurora province.

The military operations, House Deputy Minority Leader France Castro said, “resulted in the displacement of hundreds of families and widespread fear among the civilian population.”

“We strongly condemn the indiscriminate firing and bombing operations of the military in the towns of Dipaculao and Maria Aurora, which have caused immense suffering and displacement among the civilian population,” Castro said in a statement. Castro, the nominee to the House of the ACT Teachers party-list group, called for a congressional investigation into the incident, urging her colleagues to take immediate action to address the humanitarian crisis in Aurora.

“We need to get to the bottom of this incident and hold those responsible accountable. The people of Aurora deserve justice and protection from the very institutions that are supposed to serve and protect them,” she added. Maricel Cruz

PCG-EV attends peace, order talks in Tacloban

THE Philippine Coast Guard District in Eastern Visayas (CGDEV) has attended the Regional Peace and Order Council Meeting held at Pacific Point San Jose Tacloban City, on last May 28. Commander Elgene Gregorio, deputy chief of the CGDEV, together with Ens. Ephraim Juliano, DCDS for Operations and Ens. Jucent Tacwang, Station Commander of Coast Guard Station Eastern Leyte also took part in the meeting.

The conference aimed to assess and refine the various agenda items, ongoing initiatives, and operational activities crucial to upholding peace and order within Eastern Visayas, Region VIII.

The meeting, under the stewardship of Tacloban City Mayor Alfred Romualdez, served as a pivotal platform for stakeholders to converge and deliberate on strategies and measures essential for the sustained preservation of peace, security, and stability within the region. Vince Lopez

House reso honors late Arsenio Ferriol of PMCC

A RESOLUTION is filed at the House of Representatives honoring the late Arsenio T. Ferriol, founder and leader of Pentecostal Missionary Church of Christ (PMCC) (4th Watch).

House Resolution 1758 filed by evangelist-lawmaker, Rep. Eddie Villanueva of Cibac party-list group expresses the “profound resolve of the House of Representatives to pay tribute to the life and legacy of Ferriol for his unwavering dedication to his ministry, his exemplary leadership, and his profound impact on the spiritual lives of countless individuals worldwide. “ The late Ferriol founded PMCC in 1973 with the aim of proclaiming to the public the Good News of the Lord Jesus Christ. Under his leadership, PMCC grew significantly and expanded to a global ministry which has chapters in 70 countries. Maricel V. Cruz

Solons grill PhilHealth on P15.5-b IRM payments

By Maricel Cruz

LEGISLATORS want a more thorough investigation into the P15.5-billion advance payments made by the Philippine Health Insurance Corporation (PhilHealth) to hospitals under its controversial Interim Reimbursement Mechanism (IRM) program.

During Wednesday’s oversight hearing of the House Committee on Appropriations, several congressmen voiced concerns over the legality and transparency of the IRM program, which was implemented during the previous Duterte administration.

Gabriela Party-list Rep. Arlene Brosas raised critical questions about the

IRM, a system that advanced P15.5 billion in funds to private and government hospitals during the COVID-19 pandemic.

“Ang allegation ay P15.5 billion na binulsa umano ng PhilHealth officials through fraudulent schemes? Pinautang sa mga negosyante and hospital owners itong budget na ito para sana sa emergency fund para sa mga natural disasters? Meron na rin ba na naging liable baka maaari na nating makuha ang report nila? (The allegation is P15.5 billion allegedly pocketed by PhilHealth officials through fraudulent schemes? This budget was loaned to businessmen and hospital owners for the emergency fund for natural disasters? Is there anyone

DOJ inspects Catanduanes ‘mega illegal drugs lab’ raided in 2016

By Rey E. Requejo

T HE Department of Justice (DOJ) has led the ocular inspection of the “mega illegal drugs laboratory” that was discovered in Catanduanes in 2016 before its destruction based on an order by a trial court.

DOJ Assistant Secretary Eliseo Cruz stressed that the inspection was granted by the Makati City regional trial court (RTC) where the cases against those reportedly involved are now pending. In 2016, law enforcement agents raided the illegal drugs laboratory which was as big as the size of two basketball courts in Barangay Palta, in Virac town. Considered as one of the biggest drug hauls in the country at that time,

the agents seized from the laboratory 22.509 kilograms of methamphetamine hydrochloride or shabu, 200 milliliters shabu liquid, 359.75 kkilograms of Ephedrine and several drug manufacturing equipment. Illegal drugs charges have initially been filed before the RTC in Virac but the Supreme Court (SC) ordered the case transferred to the Makati City RTC in 2018 at the request of the DOJ due to concerns that the case could be compromised.

Among those charged were former National Bureau of Investigation acting director for Region 7 Augusto Eric Isidoro, Xian Xian Wang, Pido Bonito, Paolo Uy, Jayson Gonzales Uy, Lorenzo Flores Piñera II, Paolo Wee Palisoc, Phung Yuan Estorco, and Sheng Wang.

who has become liable, maybe we can get their report), ” Brosas said.

The IRM controversy happened during the PhilHealth management under the Duterte administration.

Brosas lamented why PhilHealth officials could not answer some of the questions surrounding the program.

“Dapat may institutional memory ang ating PhilHealth, ‘di ba? Kaya nga natin sila pinapatawag kasi gusto naman natin itahi ang mga nangyari noong nakaraan hanggang ngayon. ‘Yung mga issues na ‘yan, they will hound us (Our PhilHealth should have an institutional memory, right? That’s why we are calling them because we want to stitch together what happened in the past until

By Maricel V. Cruz

SPEAKER

Ferdinand Martin G. Romualdez on Wednesday expressed his gratitude to Finance Secretary Ralph Recto for fulfilling their agreement to reduce rice tariffs, a move intended to lower the price of rice to below P50 per kilo. Romualdez commended Recto for advancing their earlier agreement between House leaders and the secretaries of Finance and Agriculture. This initiative aims to address the rising rice prices driven by unscrupulous traders, the impacts of El Niño, and high global costs, he said.

Last week, Romualdez met with Recto, Agriculture Secretary Francisco Tiu Laurel, Jr., Customs Commissioner Bienvenido Rubio, and House Appropriations Committee chairman Zaldy Co of Ako Bicol party-list to craft practical solutions to mitigate the financial strain on consumers while securing fair compensation for local rice farmers.

The House leader said the group looked at temporary reduction in rice tariffs to lower traders’ costs.

He said this is expected to help make rice more affordable without undermining local farmers’ livelihood.

Despite the planned tariff reduction, Romualdez said farmers will continue to receive support from the Rice Competitiveness Enhancement Fund (RCEF), funded by taxes collected under Republic Act 11203 (Rice Tariffication Law).

As of April, DOF data indicated that rice tariff collections has already reached P16 billion, enough to cover the P10-billion minimum requirement to assist farmers under RCEF. Additionally, the Speaker called for stricter price controls in the retail market to prevent price manipulation and protect consumers.

OWAG SHI KAYAPA. Kayapa, a fourth-class town in Nueva Vizcaya, marks its 121st year with a parade of floats showcasing the municipality’s culture, bedecked with flowers and vegetables.

PLEBISCITE FORMS. Workers at the National Printing Office in Quezon City are busy printing out forms for the June 29, 2024 plebiscite delineating the boundaries of 20 barangays in Las Piñas City. Manny Palmero

OPINION

About time

COUNTRIES which have historically been the seat of Christianity, even Roman Catholicism, have long legalized divorce.

There are very Catholic countries in Europe and Latin America which even give Church holidays legal effectivity, yet they have legalized divorce.

Except for Vatican City, which is a sovereign state inside Rome, the Philippines is the only other country where divorce is not allowed, and only legal separation or church annulment, both of which are tedious and quite expensive to undertake, are allowed.

Though this singular distinction compared to the rest of humanity is not a valid reason for us to allow couples to legally file for divorce, the mere fact that we still make it so difficult for estranged and relationship-suffering couples to call it quits, just shows how our political leaders are in denial of reality, and prefer moral pretense instead.

That is why it is about time Congress approved the passage of the Absolute Divorce Act.

Through the dogged advocacy and legislative effort of Albay Rep. Edcel Lagman, the House finally passed the landmark legislation on third and final reading.

Hopefully, the Senate, as resolutely sponsored for years by Sen. Risa Hontiveros, and supported openly by Senators Imee Marcos, Pia Cayetano, Grace Poe and Raffy Tulfo, will pass it into law before its adjournment prior to the 2025 election.

Senate President Escudero has taken issue with the House version due to the lack of provisions that would allow indigents to avail themselves of the services of the Public Attorney’s Office in seeking divorce.

We agree with his position on making divorce affordable to the poor, and it should be placed in the Senate version which I suppose many senators will support as well.

The advocates of divorce in our country precisely point to the inaccessibility and un-affordability to many who want to have their marriages dissolved.

Church annulment is limited to cases where the couples can prove they were incapacitated psychologically or physically to begin with, an ab initio ground for dissolution of the marriage vows.

Legal separation is also quite tedious and requires lengthy court proceedings the poor, and even the middle class, cannot afford.

But many marriages result in a partner, especially the females, having to suffer through a failed union, affecting even the well-being of their children.

Many “Catolicos cerrados” will insist on the absolute inviolability of marriage, which the Roman Catholic Church considers a sacrament, and contrary to the teachings of their religion.

But our Constitution, now and be-

fore has always upheld the separation of Church and State and, therefore, what may be “morally unacceptable” to a religious group need not be rule for all. Medievalist thinkers in our present Church leadership simply will not accept what they consider as a “transgression of Christ’s sovereign will,” to quote from Dagupan-Lingayen Archbishop Socrates Villegas’ recent pastoral letter where he sanctimoniously stated being the only country without legal divorce, should be considered “a badge of honor, a mark of distinction.”

One wonders what gives supposedly celibate leaders of the Roman Church the right to pontificate on relationships they themselves have not experienced.

They would rather that couples who cannot co-exist in a sham relationship continue to suffer for the sake of “moral” pretense.

Legislation must answer the need of the times and not be imprisoned in the archaic thinking of those who profess to be guardians of morality

We hope and prayour senators, even those facing re-election next year, will not tremble in fear of the “negative influence” of the close-minded in the numerous church, and instead pass long-needed legislation that will free legions of Filipinos from the bondage of failed marriages. Legislation must answer the need of the times and not be imprisoned in the archaic thinking of those who profess to be guardians of morality.

***

I just got back from a very relaxing foreign trip yesterday, aboard a PAL flight whose Airbus has seen better times and cannot compare to those of the more modernly-equipped air carriers.

As always the gracious smiles and solicitous attention given by its flight crew makes up for the inconvenience of its old planes.

But in two recent trips, I noticed that luggage tagged “priority” at the airports of origin are not given the priority our baggage crews (once in NAIA One, and even another at Clark International) should render.

Yesterday, my friends and I had to wait the longest for ours to come out of the tube, after all others had already left.

If that is what our NAIA baggage handlers call “leveling the field.” that should be alright by us, but foreign visitors were chafing at the incident.

Pervert or pioneer? The entrepreneur trying to get South Korea into porn

SEOUL – When entrepreneur Lee Heetae told his parents he was going into the porn business, he urged them not to worry about social disapproval in conservative South Korea and to think about the money instead. The financial case, he said, was clear: built-in domestic demand plus a growing global fascination with South Korea, thanks to booming K-pop and K-drama exports.

However, due to deeply conservative social mores, South Korea’s adult industry is a minnow compared to neighboring Japan.

It produces around 2,000 adult movies a year, compared with what Lee’s research indicates is 2,000 a day made by Tokyo’s $36.5-billion-dollar behemoth. That, Lee said, is not only a lost opportunity but a personal tragedy for many South Koreans who are unable to properly discuss sex, desire, and sexuality because of its “taboo” nature.

“I’d like South Korea to be more open about sex,” said Lee, whose adult content company Play Joker recently moved from making movies towards hosting live events. While not illegal, the production of pornography is closely regulated in South Korea, with authorities requiring that images of genitalia be heavily blurred. The country is also grappling with a “molka”, or spycam, epidemic of illicitly filmed videos that include everything from women in public restrooms to leaked sex videos from K-pop stars. Lee argued that the two phenomena

are linked and said allowing a thriving local adult content industry would help prevent spycam crimes.

Local women’s groups disagree.

“Their claim that the so-called ‘free sexual culture’ will help prevent the spread of illegal adult content is a blatant fallacy,” the Suwon Women’s Hotline said in a statement last month.

“It is nothing more than an attempt to further spread the culture of sexual violence.” Porn for women?

Lee said some people might “watch ‘molka’ because they don’t understand adult content”, and so don’t understand there is a difference between professional pornography and illicit footage, he said.

While not illegal, the production of pornography is closely regulated in South Korea, with authorities requiring that images of genitalia be heavily blurred

Lee’s company has produced around 500 adult films so far, the majority of them filmed in Japan using Japanese actors.

Back to old school calendar

ground approach.

HEEDING

public clamor, Malacañang has approved the gradual shift of the country’s school calendar to the old June-to-March schedule starting next school year.

For the 2024-2025 academic year, classes will open on July 29, 2024, and end on April 15, 2025, doing away with Saturday in-person classes.

Understandably, the Palace move has been widely praised by teachers and education stakeholders, who had complained the current calendar exposed them to extreme heat in the dry season, compounded by this year’s El Niño weather phenomenon.

The decision to return to the old school year was made to “emphasize education quality and the well-being of learners and teachers.” The policy will apply to public schools, but private schools may also choose to follow the new schedule.

President Marcos Jr. stressed the need to maintain 182 school days without using Saturdays for classes as “a

commitment to improving educational outcomes and stabilizing the academic schedule.”

The Department of Education had actually presented two proposals for the shift of the school year, both of which would end on March 31, 2025: 182 school days with 15 in-person Saturday classes, or 167 school days with no in-person Saturday classes.

—“—

As a compromise, the DepEd was urged to adjust the school year to end on April 15, 2025, to allow students to complete 182 days without having to go to school on Saturdays

The agency had consulted teachers, school officials and parents about the proposed shift in the school calendar amid health issues arising from the intense heat wave.

But the Chief Executive rejected both options and decided on a middle-

ONCE again, Congress is trying to pass a law that will finally allow absolute divorce in this country.

Apart from the Vatican, we are now the only country on earth that does not allow divorce.

The House has approved House Bill 9349 or The Absolute Divorce Act on third reading and will now go to the Senate. It looks, however, that the bill is dead on arrival at the Senate.

The new Senate President, Chiz Escudero, has issued a statement that he favors annulment which is what the Philippine Catholic Church wants.

To him, lowering the cost of annulment proceedings is the solution not divorce.

It is, therefore, more likely that this attempt will also fail. And this is all because of the word divorce that the Philippine Catholic hierarchy apparently does not like.

If this is the only problem with the good Senator, why not change the wording of the Bill to The Marriage Dissolution Act instead of Absolute Divorce Act.

This play for words is so weird considering it means the same thing no matter what people say.

Why our lawmakers continue to oppose the passage of the law is beyond me.

We can understand why there is no divorce in the Vatican but here? Just look around, read the newspapers and watch TV. What do we see? Sin is everywhere.

Yet, it appears that some of our lawmakers who are apparently mostly male, want us to believe they are the guardians of the moral values of the Catholic Church.

As one Congressman who voted

The bulk of them target male viewers but he can see an industry-wide trend with companies making more content specifically aimed at women, he said, adding that many Japanese producers have popular female-focused content.

On South Korea’s adult cable channel “a surprising trend has emerged where the viewership from 11 am to 12:30 pm has significantly increased”, he said, prompting industry research.

“It turns out women tune in after sending husbands to work and kids to school,” he said.

However, Lee said South Korea has a web of social taboos and regulations that are “keeping the industry from reaching its full potential”.

For example, putting a porn actor in a school uniform violates child protection laws. Or featuring a flight attendant uniform guarantees the production can “expect full-blown protest from flight at-

He said the 167-day calendar was “too short” and would “significantly reduce the number of school days and contact time and may compromise learning outcomes.”

On the other hand, the 182-day calendar might “jeopardize” students’ well-being and demand more resources as it meant going to school on Saturdays.

As a compromise, the DepEd was urged to adjust the school year to end on April 15, 2025, to allow students to complete 182 days without having to go to school on Saturdays.

The Alliance of Concerned Teachers, one of the groups that campaigned for the return of the June school opening, described the Palace decision as “a fruit of public school teachers, students and parents’ consistent clamor…This is a positive step toward addressing the concerns of our teachers, students and parents who have long been advocating for a more humane and conducive learning environment.”

All’s well that ends well, it would appear, with school administrators, teachers, students and their parents happy with the return to the old school calendar.

A matter of semantics

against the bill proudly said, “what God has joined together, let no man put asunder.”

But what do you call those nuns and priests leaving their religious vocations whichare supposed to be an eternal marriage with the Lord?

It is called special dispensation but it is divorce nonetheless.

—“—

The important thing is to give individuals an easier way out from marriages that are irretrievably broken and not prolong the agonizing situations they are in

And the separation is even easier than civil annulment because it can simply be initiated with a simple letter.

If that is alright with priests and nuns, why should it be so hard for ordinary people not belonging to religious orders?

Are we not being hypocritical with all this marriage being a covenant with God?

It is true that marriage whether solemnized by a judge or priest should be valued as a foundation of the family.

But we also know that not all marriages have fairy tale endings. Instead of people living in sin, they should be granted an easier way out of unhappy and broken unions.

Our lawmakers and bishops should focus their attention for example on what

tendants’ unions”.

“Thanks to K-pop, Korea’s national brand has grown... and there are many countries now looking for Korean adult content,” he said, but the existing industry is unable to meet demand.

Adults-only festival Lee decided to focus on live events as a way to change attitudes but his attempt to hold South Korea’s largest sex festival in April encountered online vitriol and legal challenges.

Women’s groups branded the proposed festival in Suwon, south of Seoul, a “sex-exploitation event” and decried it as “quasi-prostitution”. Suwon authorities canceled the event amid the backlash. After he found a new site in the capital, Seoul officials threatened to shut off the electricity and cancel the venue’s licenses. That eventually forced Lee to cancel, causing what he said were significant fi-

is happening to our OFWs who have to leave their families to earn a living in faraway countries. There is no denying the pressures of prolonged separations is one of the causes of broken marriages. Instead, our OFWs are hailed as heroes for bringing home needed foreign currencies for the country at the expense of broken families. Government priorities seems misplaced.

The government does not want divorce but broken families and all the attendant problems that go with it are alright.

We have to accept we live in an imperfect world.

As they say, we cannot win them all.

The annulment proceedings which is favored by Senator Escudero even if he can lower the cost would always need lawyers and hiring lawyers in this country is not cheap even with PAO assistance.

Furthermore, there is the issue of practicality. Annulment proceedings takes a long time. This divorce thing has been going on in Congress for quite a while.

It’s time it is decided based solely on its human merits and demerits.

Unfortunately, on this issue, the Catholic Church’s shadow cannot be ignored.

But the Church has also a bit of explaining to do why it grants nuns and priests an easier way out of their perpetual religious vows yet, is so against the dissolution of marriages.

Does it really matter whether it is called divorce or annulment?

The important thing is to give individuals an easier way out from marriages that are irretrievably broken and not prolong the agonizing situations they are in.

nancial losses.

Lee is taking both Suwon authorities and some women’s groups to court, seeking damages. The fallout has prompted some new lawmakers to question whether officials were right to cancel.

“What is wrong with hosting an adultonly festival?” incoming opposition lawmaker Chun Ha-ram, who won office in April parliamentary elections, wrote in a Facebook post.

“Authorities should take their hands off this. Unless it’s blatantly illegal, state power has no right to interfere in the cultural sphere.”

Such signs indicate the tide may be turning, at least a little, Lee said. He is planning another, larger event for June and said this time he won’t back down.

South Korea needs to be less prudish about adult content, he said.

“I would like to remind people that we are all created through sex.” AFP

Prosecutors urge jury to convict Trump

NEW YORK – Prosecutors pleaded with jurors Tuesday to use their “common sense” and find Donald Trump guilty, as the first ever criminal trial of a former president reached its dramatic final phase.

With both sides wrapping up their closing arguments, the stage is now set for the 12-member panel to begin deliberating Wednesday.

Less than six months before an election in which Trump is seeking to return to the White House, the stakes are high both for the 77-year-old personally and for the country.

Trump is accused of falsifying business records to reimburse his ex-lawyer Michael Cohen for a $130,000 payment to adult film actress Stormy Daniels, afraid that her account of an alleged sexual encounter could doom his 2016 presidential campaign against Hillary Clinton.

Assistant District Attorney Joshua Steinglass made the last push for a guilty verdict after Trump’s defense lawyer, Todd Blanche, called for his acquittal, insisting the case against the former president was based on lies.

DEED OF EXTRAJUDICIAL

SETTLEMENT WITH WAIVER

Notice is hereby given that the estate of the late Lourdes Go-Soco Somera has been extrajudicially settled by the execution of a DEED OF EXTRAJUDICIAL SETTLEMENT WITH WAIVER dated May 15, 2024 and notarized and docketed as No. 116; Page No. 24; Book. No. 1; Series of 2024 of Notary Public Atty. Walter T. Young in Quezon City, Metro Manila (MS-May 30/June 6/13 2024)

Steinglass said Daniels’s story about her 2006 tryst with the married Trump was the motive for the alleged crime, but the “case at its core is about a conspiracy and a cover up” on the eve of an election.

“The defendant’s intent to defraud could not be any clearer,” he said.

Blanche told the jury that Trump was innocent and the only outcome should be a “very quick and easy not guilty verdict.”

Cohen, the one-time Trump fixer who became the star prosecution witness, was motivated by “outright hatred” for his former boss, Blanche said.

“He told you a number of things on that witness stand that were lies, pure and simple,” he said.

During a break before the court returned for a rare evening session on Tuesday, Trump took to social media to dismiss proceedings as “boring.”

Speaking to reporters at the start of the day, Trump called it a “very dangerous day for America.”

“We have a rigged court case that should have never been brought,” he said as three of his five children -- Don Jr, Eric and Tiffany -- stood behind him.

Blanche told the court that Trump did not closely inspect all the invoices that came across his desk.

But Steinglass countered that there was a mountain of corroborating evidence in addition to Cohen’s testimony. AFP

This handout photo taken by the South Korean Defense Ministry between the night of May 28 and 29, 2024 and released on May 29 shows unidentified objects believed to be North Korean propaganda material attached to balloons on a street in Chungnam Province.

North Korea dropped suspected anti-South Korean ‘propaganda’ into border areas overnight. South Korean activists sometimes release balloons carrying anti-Kim Jong Un regime propaganda leaflets and money intended for people living north of the border. Pyongyang has long been infuriated by such propaganda campaigns, possibly due to concerns that an influx of outside information in the tightly controlled society could pose a threat to the Kim regime. AFP

US not changing Israeli policy despite Rafah strike

WASHINGTON, DC – US President Joe Biden has no plans to change his Israel policy following a deadly weekend strike on Gaza’s Rafah -- but is not turning a “blind eye” to the plight of Palestinian civilians, the White House said Tuesday (Wenesday in Manila).

REPUBLIC OF THE PHILIPPINES REGIONAL TRIAL COURT NATIONAL CAPITAL JUDICIAL REGION BRANCH 225-QUEZON CITY E-mail add:rtc1qzn225@judiciary.gov.ph cel. # 0932-6189508 LESLIE WILLIAM VAN GENT and ANGELINE QUILISADIO VAN GENT, Petitioners. -versus- Case No. R-QZN-24-02266-SP For: Recognition of Foreign Divorce THE NATIONAL STATISTICIAN IN HIS CAPACITY AS THE CIVIL REGISTRAR GENERAL, THE LOCAL CIVIL REGISTRAR OF QUEZON CITY, THE LOCAL CIVIL REGISTRAR OF MANILA CITY, THE EMBASSY

marriage with respondent; that on December 2, 2016, the Superior Court of Washington, County of Pierce, issued a Final Divorce Order (Dissolution Decree) granting the divorce and dissolving the marriage of petitioner and respondent; that considering the valid divorce obtained by petitioner and respondent in accordance with the laws of the State of Washington, USA, the fact of such divorce must likewise be recognized in the Philippines; that the effects and the fact of the foreign divorce obtained in the US must be recognized in the Philippines; and that based on the foregoing rules, law and jurisprudence, as well as on the

Gazan health authorities said 45 people were killed as a blaze tore through a camp for displaced people following the Sunday strike by Israel.\

Meanwhile, former US presidential hopeful Nikki Haley has been photographed writing “Finish Them” on an Israeli shell as she toured sites near the northern border with Lebanon.

The photograph was posted on X on Tuesday by Danny Danon, a member of the Israeli parliament and former ambassador to the United Nations, who was accompanying Haley on her visit.

But Washington does not believe that Israel’s actions in Rafah amount to a full-scale operation that would breach Biden’s “red lines,” National Security Council spokesman John Kirby said.

“As a result of this strike on Sunday I have no policy changes to speak to,” Kirby told a White House briefing. “It just happened, the Israelis are going to investigate it.”

Kirby added however that “this is not something that we’ve turned a blind eye to” when asked “how many charred corpses” it would take for Biden to change course on the issue.

Biden has previously said he would not support a major Israeli military offensive in Rafah, from which one million civilians have fled, and earlier this month paused a shipment of heavy bombs to Israel over concerns they could be used against the southern Gazan city.

Witnesses told AFP that Israeli tanks were stationed in the center of Rafah on Tuesday, after intense fighting between Israeli forces and Palestinian militants in recent weeks.

But under repeated questioning Kirby insisted that the president was not “moving the stick” on how to define a major military offensive against Rafah.

“We have not seen them smash into Rafah,” he added.

“We have not seen them go in with large units, large numbers of troops, in columns and formations in some sort of coordinated maneuver against multiple targets on the ground.” AFP

Ex-Thai PM Thaksin to face trial for royal insult almost 10 years ago

BANGKOK – Former Thai prime minister Thaksin Shinawatra will be prosecuted for insulting the monarchy, the attorney general’s office said Wednesday, over comments he made almost a decade ago.

Prayuth Pecharakun, spokesman for the attorney general, said Thaksin would be summoned to court on June 18 to answer charges under the kingdom’s strict lesemajeste laws.

Thaksin, 74, is a two-time premier who was ousted in a 2006 coup and then lived in self exile for 15 years.

He returned to Thailand last year as his Pheu Thai party took power at the head of a coalition government.

“The attorney general has decided to indict Thaksin for insulting the monarchy,” Prayuth told reporters.

“The attorney general cannot bring him to court today, as his (Thaksin’s) lawyer said he has COVIDA.”

Thailand has some of the world’s strictest royal defamation

laws protecting King Maha Vajiralongkorn and his close family, with each charge bringing a potential 15-year prison sentence.

Thaksin’s lawyer, Winyat Chatmontree, said he would fight the charges.

“He is ready to prove his innocence in the justice system,” Winyat told reporters.

Critics say the lese-majeste laws are abused to stifle legitimate political debate, and there has been a spike in their use since youth-led anti-government street protests in 2020 and 2021.

More than 270 people have been charged with lese-majeste since the protests, accoridng to Thai Lawyers for Human Rights.

The case against Thaksin relates to comments he made in 2015 to South Korean media and is the latest in a series of legal battles he has fought. When he returned to Thailand in August last year, the billionaire former Manchester City owner was jailed on graft and abuse-ofpower charges dating back to his time in office. AFP

Mungeshpur.

The weather bureau said the temperatures were nine degrees higher than expected.

Forecasters predict similar temperatures Wednesday for the city with an estimated population of more than 30 million people, issuing a red alert warning notice for people to take care.

The IMD’s red alert is a warning there is a “very high likelihood of developing heat illness and heat stroke in all ages”, with “extreme care needed for vulnerable people”. AFP

KOLKATA, India – A powerful cyclone that smashed into low-lying Bangladesh and India killed at least 65 people, including in torrential rain storms in its wake, state government officials and media said Wednesday.

Cyclone Remal, which made landfall on Sunday evening with fierce gales and crashing waves, moved slowly inland causing floods and triggering landslides.

Azizur Rahman, director of the staterun Bangladesh Meteorological Department, said the cyclone was “one of longest in the country’s history”, blaming climate change for the shift.

In Bangladesh, which bore the brunt of the cyclone, at least 17 people died, according to the disaster management office and police. Some drowned. Others were killed by debris, falling trees or electrocuted by falling power lines.

In India, 48 people died, government and media reports said, updating an earlier toll of 21 from the country.

The majority were killed in northeastern Mizoram state, where 28 died. AFP

PORT MORESBY, Papua New Guinea –

Supplies of food and medicine began arriving at the scene of a deadly landslide in Papua New Guinea Wednesday, with aid workers discovering children rendered mute by the shock

PROPAGANDA BATTLE.

SPORTS

By Peter Atencio

FILIPINO pole vaulter Ernest John Obiena broke his pole during competition and landed seventh place at the 2024 Ostrava Golden Spike - World Athletics Continental Tour Gold in Ostrava, Czech Republic.

The incident came at the end of a frustrating week for the 28-year-old Obiena, who began encountering troubling issues, while trying to transport his gear from Los Angeles to Europe.

“Broke my pole and only made my opening bar. Frustrating to say the least and very pissed at the whole debacle. Taking what positive I can take on this whole situation and thankfully, it seems like I am in one piece,” said Obiena, who took to social media to vent his ire on what became of his campaign.

The world no. 2 Obiena, who spent a month preparing for four events is the US and in Europe, talked about his issues after the world top pole vaulter, Armand Duplantis of Sweden, ruled the event after clearing 6.00m.

Ethan Cormont of France took the silver at 5.62 meters, and Belgian Ben Broeders settled for the bronze also at 5.62 meters.

Obiena managed to clear 5.52 meters before missing out on his attempt 5.72 meters twice.

After that, Obiena’s pole snapped in two while he was up in the air, trying clear 5.82 meters.

Obiena said he will just have to redeem himself when he heads for Oslo, Norway for the Bislett Games on Thursday.

“We are still gonna give it a good go in @bislettgames on the 30th!!! Let’s go!!!,” added Obiena. Obiena’s logistical issues started when he left Los Angeles to Europe. He booked a flight where his poles were not accepted due to full cargo space on the flight.

“We had nowhere to put the poles or we will just miss the flight. Luckily, there were two Filipinas that helped and got the poles from check-in counter to cargo and shipped them to the manufacturer,” said Obiena, who thanked fellow pole vaulter Alyanna Nicolas for making it possible to transport his poles to Europe.

Logistical issues in bringing his poles to the Czech tourney continued to be a problem for Obiena for five days.

Meanwhile, the 24-year-old Duplantis narrowly missed a world-record attempt at 6.25 meters.

Duplantis, who earlier set a world mark of 6.24m in April, brushed the bar with his belly on the third attempt at the height.

“I’m happy about the last attempt, it felt quite good. I was actually closer than I thought I was going to be. Gives me confidence going forward,” Duplantis said.

Bossong vows to lower time in 800 finals

FOR Victoria Bossong, it was an uplifting experience competing in the ongoing US NCAA Division 1 Track and Field Championships.

Not only did Bossong qualify in the women’s 800-meter finals, she anchored her teammates at Harvard University and made it to the 4x400 meter relay finals.

“It was also uplifting to run a fast anchor leg of the 4x4 in 51 seconds. I am aiming to lower my split into the 50s at NCAA Nationals,” said Bossong in an interview with the Manila Standard.

First, Bossong ran a faster time of two minutes and 2.05 seconds in the 800-meter heats on Saturday to earn a seat in the national finals, when action ended at the Eastern Conference First Round at the University of Kentucky track and field complex in Lexington.

The 21-year-old Bossong, a Philippine national team aspirant studying at Harvard University, shaved almost two seconds off her preliminary-round clocking in the quarterfinals, to place fourth in the first heat.

This put Bossong behind heat 2 top qualifier, Hayley Kitching of Penn State University, along with second and third qualifiers, Aniya Mosley of Ohio State, and Duke University’s Lauren Tolbert.

In her second race, the Harvard Crimson squad of Bossong, Chloe Fair, Izzy Goudros, and Sophia Gorriaran clocked their season best time of 3:30.49. Bossong anchored them with fast time of 51.51 seconds, which eclipsed the Philippine national mark of Kayla Richardson at 53.81, achieved back in 2018 in the Mt. San Antonio College Relays in Walnut, California.

Despite having a fast time in the 800s, Bossong said she will try to have a better execution in the nationals.

“I was disappointed with the time I ran. I got boxed in early in the race which led me not to execute well. I am giving myself some grace, given the unfortunate circumstances I had gone through, while also holding myself accountable and learning from my mistakes in the race,” said Bossong. Peter Atencio

Obiena breaks pole, places 7th in Ostrava

Djokovic believes Nadal could be back in ‘25

PARIS—Novak Djokovic believes longtime rival Rafael Nadal could be tempted to play the 2025 French Open despite experiencing the “unique moment” of what was generally accepted to be the great Spaniard’s farewell. Djokovic and Nadal have met 59 times in their careers with 10 of those clashes coming at Roland Garros. Djokovic was in a star-studded crowd on Court Philippe Chatrier on Monday as 14-time champion Nadal was knocked out in straight sets in the first round by Alexander Zverev.

“It was great. Iga (Swiatek) was there, (Carlos) Alcaraz was there, and we all wanted to get a glimpse of the atmosphere of that possibly unique moment that could be his last. But it doesn’t appear like that,” said Djokovic after making the second round on Tuesday. When asked if he expected to see Nadal play the 2025 French Open when he will celebrate his 39th birthday, the Serb replied: “Yeah, it looks like.”

“I think he played very well. Even though he lost in straight sets, the second and third were really close.

“He could have easily won one of those two sets, and maybe the match was going in a different direction.” After the match Nadal said he was unable to make any commitment on his future plans.

Zverev joined Djokovic and Robin Soderling as the only men to defeat Nadal at Roland Garros since 2005.

“He was a bit unlucky with the draw, because Zverev is in a great form, winning Rome, and he was serving extremely well,” added Djokovic.

“It’s tough to play Sascha when he’s feeling the ball so well. But it was great to watch. I don’t recall last time I actually watched a set of any match live on that level, other than Davis Cup matches.” AFP

Zamboanga halts Caloocan; Abra, Sarangani triumphant

ZAMBOANGA pounced on misfiring Caloocan and prevailed, 72-65, on Tuesday in the MPBL (Maharlika Pilipinas Basketball League) Sixth Season elimination round at the

Sports Complex.

by Jaycee Marcelino, the 2022 league MVP, Zamboanga Masters Sardines notched its 8th win against 2 losses while pulling

down Caloocan Batang Kankaloo to 5-2.

Marcelino barely missed a tripledouble with 17 points, 11 assists and 9 rebounds to go with 5 steals and a block. He was supported by Jayson Castro Apolonio, a former Pampanga Giant Lantern, with 13 points, 4 rebounds and 2 steals, Joseph Terso with 11 points and 3 assists, and Adrian Santos with 9 points and 8 rebounds in halting Caloocan’s 5-game winning streak.

The Batang Kankaloo, who could only bury 4 of 29 triple tries, got 14 points and 4 rebounds from Jeramer Cabanag, 11 points and 5 rebounds from Rommel Calahat and 10 points plus 5 rebounds from Reil Cervantes.

The Abra Weavers bared their strongest form yet with a 94-57 drubbing of Imus Agimat A Drones in the opener.

Powered by John Lloyd Clemente, who posted 24 points, 9 rebounds and 3 assists, the Weavers raised their record to 5-5. The former National University

Baluyot submits Leonen to bag URCC yweight title

EROS Baluyot came away with a submission win over Robin Leonen to capture the vacant Universal Reality Combat Championship (URCC) flyweight championship during a fight card at the Fuerte Complex in Pili, Camarines Sur recently.

Baluyot forced Leonen to submit right in the opening round by employing a triangle choke to win the belt in the main event of the “URCC: Kaogma Collision”, held as part of the province’s celebration of the Kaogma Festival.

“I’m happy that all the hard work in training paid off. My opponent was a tough one and pulling off the choke was not easy, so I was relieved when it was over,” Baluyot said.

Meanwhile, Emmanuel Isukpe, John Aluwa and Sheraz Qureshi of Team Qureshi edged Team Norov composed of Norov Azizbek, Suyarov and Kim Young Song in an actionpacked 3 vs 3 tussle, which served as the comain event of the URCC card supported by

DFC.bet and Dynasty Fight Club. URCC founder Alvin Aguilar raved over the success of “Kaogma Collision” and promised to stage similar URCC fight cards in more provinces.

“There’s no place in the Philippines that we cannot reach. The URCC is committed to extending its reach beyond Metro Manila and entertain MMA fans all over the country,” said Aguilar, who is also president of the Wrestling Association of the Philippines.

In the undercard, Ryan Boyles defeated Jerrold Flores (135 lbs); Rene Catalan Jr. beat Chuckie Ruis (125 lbs); Rafael Refugio edged Mark Baldejueza (150 lbs); Rizaldy Sombrero won over Jonathan Samprada (115 lbs); Jayson Margallo trounced Marjohn Manahan (155 lbs); Justine Matoto bested Menard Atole (115 lbs); Scottie Abayton defeated Jaime Francisco (135 lbs); and Princess Barameda emerged victorious over Sarah Bustamante in a 115-lb women’s bout.

star was supported by Michael Canete and Will Keane Lee with 10 points each and NCAA Season 99 MVP Clint Escamis with 8 points, 14 assists, 6 steals and 4 rebounds.

Imus tumbled to 0-10 as only Luis Gaveriel Tapenio fought back with 19 points and 13 rebounds.

The Sarangani Marlins bested the Marikina Shoemasters, 70-67, in the second game mainly through the 26-point, 6-rebound, 3-steal effort of Ryan Isaac Sual.

Other Marlins who delivered in their third win against 7 losses were Charles Callano with 13 points, 5 assists and 3 rebounds and King Destacamento with 9 points and 11 rebounds.

Marikina fell to 1-9 despite the 16-point, 8-steal, 4-assist, 3-rebound output of Ahron Estacio.

The MPBL goes to the Ynares Sports Arena in Pasig on Wednesday with games pitting Nueva Ecija against Muntinlupa at 4 p.m., Bulacan against Bacolod at 6 p.m. and Bataan against Batangas at 8 p.m.

Caloocan

Powered

Jaycee Marcelino shines anew for Zamboanga.

Ernest John Obiena shows his broken pole.

Eros Baluyot holds his championship belt

THURSDAY, MAY 30, 2024

RIERA U. MALLARI, Editor

RANDY M. CALUAG, Asst. Editor

EDGARD HILARIO, Asst. Editor

PVL extends application deadline for rookie draft

THE Premier Volleyball League (PVL) has announced the extension of the application deadline for aspirants of its inaugural rookie draft.

The new deadline is now set for June 12, 2024.

This decision comes in response to the overwhelming number of applicants requesting additional time to secure the necessary supporting documents, including a PSA-issued birth certificate and letters of recommendation.

PVL Commissioner Sherwin Malonzo expressed understanding and support for the applicants’ needs.

“Since this is the first-ever draft event for the PVL, many applicants have requested more time to compile their necessary documents,” said Malonzo.

“We want to ensure that all aspiring players have the opportunity to participate in this historic event, and extending the deadline will help achieve that.”

Prospective draftees are required to submit the following documents—1x1 picture, Philippine Statistics Authority-issued birth certificate, passport, endorsement letter and medical certificate.

All applicants must fill out the online form available at https:// pvl.ph/draft.

Additionally, all supporting documents must be sent to draft@ pvl.ph or physically dropped off at the Sports Vision office located at the FilOil EcoOil Centre, Col. Bonny Serrano Ave., San Juan, 1500 Metro Manila. For physical drop-offs, please look for Rowie Joaquin.

The schedule for the draft combine and the draft proper remains unchanged.

The draft combine is set for June 25-26, while the draft proper will commence on July 6.

Alas Pilipinas stuns Australia to secure Asian volley bronze

By Peter Atencio

ALAS Pilipinas played with confidence and took the short route to fend off the Australian Volleyroos, 25-23, 25-15, 25-7, on Wednesday to earn the bronze medal in the 2024 Asian Volleyball Confederation at the Rizal Memorial Coliseum.

Angel Canino led the Filipinas with 14 points, as she struck hardest with six attack points in the first set of their 75-minute encounter with the Volleyroos. Canino’s huge effort in the opening set and Sisi Rondina’s 13 points, including seven big points in the first set alone, helped give the Philippines its first-ever podium finish in women’s volleyball at the continental level.

Alas Pilipinas coach Jorge Edson Sousa de Brito expressed his gladness for Team Philippines’ achievement.

“No words to express how happy I am. I told the guys from the beginning that they deserve a lot. They deserve this,” said De Brito.

Rondina and Thea Gagate started a decisive pullaway with their attack combinations at the front and sides.

Their big plays set off a 7-1 run,

pulling the Filipinas away from 10-9 lead, and into a 17-10 edge.

Rondina’s smash to the backline came just in time for a 25-23 lead, after the Volleyroos rallied to within a point off spiker Cassandra Dodds’ block on Eya Laure.

With momentum on their side, Laure took charge with four points off her attack in the second set, with two angled spikes on the left side avoiding the Volleyroos’ blocks and putting the Philippines ahead, 9-5.

The combo of Rondina, Gagate and Canino helped give the hosts a 17-10 edge off their combo assaults later in the second set. Canino and Gagate joined hands for nine points in the third set as they took off on a 5-1 blast, with Canino’s drop shot giving Alas

Paalam, Bacyadan try to move closer to Olympics

By Randy Caluag

TOKYO Olympic silver medalist

Carlo Paalam and returning Hergie Bacyadan aim to move closer to securing Olympic berths as they face separate opponents in the Olympic Qualifying Tournament for boxing at the Hua Mak Indoor Stadium in Bangkok, Thailand.

Paalam, needing three more victories to earn a ticket to the Paris Games, will compete against Armenia’s Artur Bazeyan in the Round of 16 of the men’s 57 kg category on Thursday afternoon, May 30. Bacyadan, who returned to the national team after several years of absence, will take on Hungarian Veronika Nakota in the Round of 16 of the women’s 75 kg category on Saturday afternoon, June 1. She pummeled Spain’s Dunia Mas Martinez in their women’s

75-kg clash, 5-0, on Tuesday to advance.

Paalam advanced to the next round following a commanding 5-0 victory over Turkmenistan’s Shukur Ovezov on Tuesday night.

Previously, Paalam had lost to Ovezov during the first World Boxing Qualification in March due to a shoulder injury sustained in the prior match. This time, Paalam was not to be denied.

Now fully recovered, Paalam dominated the fight, leading all judges’ scorecards 30-27 after three rounds.

“I’m happy I was able to move well,” said Paalam, who injured his right shoulder three months ago after being slammed to the canvas by a Mexican opponent. “I will work even harder for the upcoming matches.” Rep. Robbie Puno (1st district,

“Congratulations, Carlo Paalam, on your decisive unanimous decision win!” said Rep. Puno. “Your long road to the Olympics continues! We are here supporting you all the way!”

Suzuki zips to 2nd JPGT win; Handog delivers

LUBAO, Pampanga—Ryuji Suzuki solidified his position as the standout player in the 8-10 division of the Junior Philippine Golf Tour with a hard-fought victory, thwarting Jose Luis Espinosa for the second straight time with a 71 at the Pradera Verde Golf and Country Club here. Mirroring his performance from the first round, Suzuki added more brilliance to his game on yesterday (Wednesday).

After posting a two-birdie, two-bogey card Tuesday, he delivered four birdies against three bogeys, finishing a 36-35 for a 36-hole total of 143, and claiming supremacy in the JPGT Luzon Series 2.

“It feels great to win back-to-back.

It’s truly an honor,” said Suzuki, who attributed his early success in the series organized by Pilipinas Golf Tournaments, Inc., aimed at developing young

talent and boosting the sport’s popularity across the country, to diligent practice, especially on his short game.

A clutch birdie on the closing par-5 hole secured Suzuki’s two-stroke victory over Espinosa, who mounted a late charge with birdies on Nos. 12 and 15 and an eagle on the last. Despite Espinosa’s strong finish for a 72, he fell short again with a 145 total.

Monte Andaman wound up third with a 175 after an 83.

“I felt the pressure and struggled to hit properly,” Suzuki said of Espinosa’s late surge, which he countered with a brilliant last-hole feat.

“I’m so glad my chip went in on the last hole,” added the 10-year-old Suzuki, who expressed gratitude to his family and coach for their guidance in his

golfing journey.

Suzuki also edged Espinosa by one in the series’ kickoff leg at Splendido Taal two weeks ago.

In the girls’ side of the youngest category of the three-division series sponsored by ICTSI, Georgina Handog made an impressive JPGT debut with a commanding fourstroke triumph over first-leg winner Maurysse Abalos despite a closing 81.

Handog, who started the final round with a huge nine-shot lead, endured nine bogeys in a birdie-less round but still captured the crown with a 168 aggregate. Abalos, finished with a 76 marked by four birdies, six bogeys and a double bogey, for a 172.

“I’m very happy because I worked so hard to reach this position,” said Handog. “I managed to handle the pressure by fo-

Pilipinas 10-2 spread.

“They played tough every single game. They won this game because they trusted themselves. I am happy because of this,” said De Brito.

Caitlin Tipping showed the way for the Volleyroos with 13 points. Support for each player in the team, coming from the Philippine Sports Commission amounted to P200,000, while an additional P200,000 was granted by Sen. Bong Go in his capacity as chairman of the Senate Committee on Youth and Sports. Earlier, India stopped Iran, 25-17, 25-16, 25-11, in the battle for fifth place. Indonesia took the seventh place after they turned back Hong Kong, 25-15, 25-25-19, 25-20.

THE National Chess Federation of the Philippines teams up with Negros Oriental as they host the FIDE-rated National Age Group Championship Eliminations from May 31 to June 6 at the Oriental Convention Center in Dumaguete City.

The weeklong event, presented by Negros Oriental Gov. Manuel “Chaco” Sagarbarria, has drawn a recordbreaking 500 participants, the most since the founding of the annual event 24 years ago, battling it out in 10 categories—boys’ under-18, U16, U14 and U12 and girls’ U18, U16, U14 and U12.

The top eight of each division will advance to the Grand Finals set June 22 to 30 at the Dapitan Sports Complex, Zamboanga del Norte.

“Our goal is to produce future champions,” said NCFP chief executive officer Grandmaster Jayson Gonzales. Apart from Sagarbarria, GM Eugene Torre, NCFP chairman/president Butch Pichay, Negros Oriental Congressman Manuel Sagarbarria, Negros Club 64’s Adji Alamillo and Little Kings Men’s Ernesto Torres will grace the inaugurals Friday.

JPGT 8-10 category champions Ryuji Suzuki (right) and Georgina Handog Manny Marcelo cusing on my own game and not worrying about the other players.” She also expressed gratitude to her supporters for their help with her swing, which was instrumental in her becoming a champion.

Hergie Bacyadan is declared the winner in her bout against Spain’s Dunia Mas Martinez in their women’s 75-kg. Antipolo City), president of the Association of Boxing Alliances in the Philippines (ABAP), praised Paalam’s performance and encouraged him to stay focused on his ultimate goal.

Members of Alas Pilipinas celebrate their historic achievement of a bronze-medal finish in Asian volleyball.

PHILID USE.

Rosebert Taberara OF Naval, Biliran uses his National ID for processing documents and claiming remittances. Taberara is among the more than 50 million Filipinos who received their National IDs as the Philippine Statistics Authority (PSA) encourages more Filipinos to take advantage of the card’s benefits of easy access to services and transactions.

37,314 37,474 146,920

Vehicles sold in April

Vehicles sold in March

Vehicles sold in 4 months

By Darwin G. Amojelar

THE Toll Regulatory Board (TRB) authorized NLEX Corp. to implement the second tranche of a previously approved toll adjustment effective June 4, 2024.

Under the new toll matrix, motorists traveling anywhere within the open system of North Luzon Expressway will pay an additional P5 for Class 1 vehicles (regular cars and SUVs), P14 for Class 2 vehicles (buses and small trucks) and P17 for Class 3 vehicles.

The open system is from Balintawak, Caloocan City to Marilao, Bulacan, while the closed system covers the portion between Bocaue, Bulacan and Sta. Ines, Mabalacat City, Pampanga including Subic-Tipo.

Those traveling the NLEX end-toend between Metro Manila and Mabalacat City will pay an additional P27 for Class 1, P68 for Class 2 and P81 for Class 3 vehicles.

The additional rates, which followed strict compliance with regulatory procedures and underwent thorough review, were part of the approved periodic adjustments of NLEX due in 2019 and 2021.

The increase was deferred and divided into two tranches to help curb the inflationary strains and ease the impact on the users of the expressway.

Vehicle sales climbed 14.8% in four months

By Othel V. Campos

PHILIPPINE automotive sales climbed 14.8 percent in the first four months of 2024 to 146,920 from 127,927 units in the same period last year.

The Chamber of Automotive Manufacturers of the Philippines Inc. (CAMPI) and the Truck Manufacturers Association (TMA) said in a joint report that sales of both passenger cars and commercial vehicles were strong in the four-month period.

“On the demand side, positive consumer and business confidence

plus stability in automotive finance boosted sales,” said CAMPI president Rommel Gutierrez. He said the auto industry displayed strong in the fourmonth period despite a slight monthon-month (MOM) decline of 0.4 percent to 37,314 in April from 37,474 units in March.

Passenger car sales increased 9.4 percent to 38,380 in the first four months from 32,070 units a year ago, while commercial vehicle sales grew 13.4 percent to 108,667 from 95,857 units.

Month-on-month sales in April slowed 0.4 percent, with passenger car sales dropping 0.57 percent from 10,127 units and commercial vehicle sales slowing 0.4 percent from 27,377 units.

The two industry groups said that on a year-on-year basis, passenger car sales climbed 21.8 percent in

April and commercial vehicle sales increased 16.9 percent.

CAMPI expressed optimism about delivering better sales in 2024 as the National Economic and Development Authority (NEDA) agreed to expand the coverage of Executive Order No. 12 to include hybrid electric vehicles (HEV) and plug-in HEVs.

EO 12 temporarily eliminates tariffs for EVs and their components for five years, to promote and create a stable ecosystem for sustainable transportation in the Philippines.

The combined EV sales represented 2.5 percent of total sales in 2023.

The Department of Energy (DOE) also announced the implementation of higher biofuel blends beginning October 2024, and CAMPI said the new vehicles are already compatible with B3 biodiesel.

ECONOMISTS at First Metro Investment Corp. (FMIC) and the University of Asia and the Pacific (UA&P) maintained their 6-percent gross domestic product growth forecast this year, despite a “disappointing” growth in the first quarter of 2024.

“While Q1-2024 GDP growth of 5.7 percent fell short of market expectations [5.9 percent], we retain our full-year forecast of 6 percent as we

LAB FOR ALL. Pag-IBIG Fund chief executive

Marilene Acosta joins First Lady Liza Araneta-Marcos in providing social security benefits to communities during the ‘LAB for All’ at the Subic Bay Exhibition & Convention Center on May 21, 2024. The Lab for All, an initiative led by the First Lady, aims to extend medical services and social security benefits to communities nationwide.

expect an acceleration starting Q2,” FMIC and UA&P said in their latest Market Call report.

“This finds support from continuing elevated levels of employment, recovery of the Manufacturing subsector, weakening inflation and a slightly less negative external sector account,” they said. The economists said they are adopting cautious optimism for the rest of the year.

By Jenniffer B. Austria

ROCKWELL Land Corp., the property arm of the Lopez Group, said Wednesday it increased its land bank to 500 hectares which will provide steady revenues over the next five years.

Rockwell Land chairman and chief executive Nestor Padilla said during the company’s virtual annual stockholders meeting more than 90 percent of the land bank is located in key cities of Pampanga, Laguna, Batangas and Bulacan.

“Our current presence in these strategic sites has given us the optimism to develop more products, allowing us to excite our core market with new offerings to complement their lifestyle,” Padilla said.

GLOBAL MARKET. Department of Trade and Industry (DTI) Secretary Alfredo Pascual proclaims the Philippines’ strong positioning for economic prosperity and outlines key initiatives to strengthen economic partnerships and promote exports during the Philippine Economic Briefing on May 27, 2024.

“For the rest of the year, elevated employment levels, expected ramping up of government spending, and inflation maxing out at slightly below 4 percent up to July, dropping closer to 3.0 percent by August and a likely policy rate cut of 25 basis points [bps] by BSP in Q3 should put domestic demand back into the fast lane,” the FMIC-UA&P report said. Darwin G. Amojelar

Padilla said Rockwell Land will launch three new horizontal developments in Batangas and Bulacan this year. The Bulacan project is a 100-hectare development in San Jose Del Monte, Bulacan. This project, to be called The Samanean at Paradise Farms, is designed to build a hillside escape and wellness retreat for residents.

The two projects in Batangas are the 63-hectare property in Lipa and another 38-hectare development in Bauan.

Padilla said the Lipa project would be a mixed-use development in partnership with General Milling Corp., while the Bauan development woyuld be a residential estate with a hotel concept.

By Darwin G. Amojelar and Othel Campos

THE Clark International Airport Corp. (CIAC) plans to transform the Clark aviation complex into the Philippines’ leading aerospace hub, creating thousands of jobs and solidifying the country’s role in the global industry.

“Clark in the Philippines is a very viable and attractive hub for foreign investors from the aerospace industry, and those who are looking for strategic partners able to address the growing necessity for aviation jobs to meet current demands and future expansions,” said CIAC president Arrey Perez. Perez recently participated in the 9th International Aerospace Innovation Forum organized by Aéro Montréal and the Québec government held in Canada on May 21 and 22, with over 1,700 participants from 19 different countries, 145 speakers and more than 800 business meetings over two days.

“In our business meetings in Québec with top aerospace and technology industry players, we have pitched Clark’s marketability and encouraged global aerospace companies to establish facilities here (at Clark) to serve the Asia region and global market,” Perez said.

Aéro Montréal is Québec’s cluster of key leaders in the aerospace sector, while Québec is the world’s third largest center of aerospace manufacturing. Clark International Airport and the aviation complex host aerospace investors such as MRO giant SIA Engineering, which maintains airframes, Hong Kong’s Metrojet Ltd. which takes care of business jets and Lufthansa Technik which will soon construct new hangars in Clark, along with global cargo leaders UPS, DHL and FedEx.

“The Philippines’ aerospace sector may strategically begin with industry upgrade, starting with reputable and comprehensive pilot training programs, along with skills training in components and assembly manufacturing, and then expanding into production engineering, procurement and distribution,” Perez said.

SM opens 86th mall in Caloocan, providing venue for SME growth

THE SM Group announced Wednesday the opening of SM City Caloocan, SM’s 86th mall, that will better connect surrounding urban and rural communities, sharing borders with Quezon City, Valenzuela, and the cities of Marilao, Meycauayan and San Jose Del Monte in Bulacan.

The growing reach of SM malls nationwide is providing a venue for growth for many small and medium enterprises and communities.

“SM malls are venues for businesses to thrive and these provide linkages to adjacent and surrounding communities. Our malls have transport terminals for better access to these areas. The malls also serve as a hub for different brands and enterprises both local and foreign, all of which support economic activity,” said SM Supermalls president Steven Tan.

“With the opening of SM City

Caloocan, we hope to bring more connections to more families in the North Caloocan community,” he said.

Caloocan City Mayor Dale Gonzalo Malapitan shared how Caloocan residents have been very excited about the opening of the first SM mall in North Caloocan.

“We have been hoping for this because it will be the first big and leading mall to open in North Caloocan, which was once deemed as rural area. Having three SM malls in Caloocan shows the trust of the community in the partnership with SM. It’s a trust that builds on the capacity and belief in our people that enhances the vibrancy of our local economy,” said Malapitan.

Caloocan is identified by the Commission on Audit (COA) as one of the fastest-growing economies and has 65% of its 1.66 million residents in North Caloocan.

Local stocks decline, peso retreats to 58.42 a dollar

By Jenniffer B. Austria

PHILIPPINE stocks sank, while the peso fell to close at 58.42 against the US dollar Wednesday, despite latest overnight gains in most US markets on continued concerns over inflation and interest rates.

The 30-company Philippine Stock Exchange index ended at 6,411.41, down 89.93 points or 1.38 percent from the previous trading, while the wider all-shares index lost 33 points, or 0.95 percent, to settle at 3,451.74.

Philippine Depository & Trust Corp. president and CEO Ma. Theresa Ravalo, EDC senior vice president and chief finance officer Erwin Avante, BPI Capital Corp. president Roland Gerard Veloso Jr., BDO Capital & Investment Corp. first vice president Barbara May Billano and PDEx president and CEO Antonino Nakpil.

All sectoral indices ended in the negative territory, led by financials which dropped 2.36 percent, followed by services and property, which declined 1.67 and 1.24 percent, respectively.

Philstocks Financial Inc. research analyst Claire Alviar said the investor sentiment was dampened by the latest Monetary Policy report which stated that the Bangko Sentral ng Pilipinas sees the local economy likely missing its 2024 and 2025 economic growth targets amid high interest rates.

“Overseas, most Asian markets also traded lower as investors assessed inflation rates in the region,” Alviar said.

Value turnover reached P4.98 billion with 127 decliners versus 72 gainers.

Meanwhile, Asian equities fell Wednesday on lingering worries about the outlook for US interest rates, while oil prices extended their gains after an attack on a ship in the Red Sea stoked fresh worries about supplies from the Middle East. With AFP

Stock market accounts increased 11% to 1.9m in 2023

STOCK market accounts reached 1.906 million in 2023, up 11.3 percent from 1.71 million in 2022 as more individuals opened new accounts through the GStocksPH platform, according to the Philippine Stock Exchange’s (PSE) annual stock market investor profile report. New accounts opened through the GStocksPH platform accounted for 80 percent of the total stock market accounts. Online accounts stood reached 1,525,768 as of end-2023, up by 21.2 percent or 266,861 accounts. “Giving e-wallet holders direct access to the stock market is instrumental in our drive to increase retail investor participation in the market,” said PSE president and chief executive Ramon Monzon in a statement Wednesday.

“PSE’s partnership with the Department of Migrant Workers to conduct learning sessions on financial literacy and stock investing for Overseas Filipino Workers (OFWs) and their families is another initiative that can potentially boost the number of retail investors in the stock market once this program is fully implemented,” Monzon said.

By Alena Mae S. Flores

BUSINESSMAN Enrique Razon Jr.’s Prime Infrastructure Capital Inc. is investing a combined $7.6 billion in two pumped storage projects that recently received certificates of energy project of national significance (CEPNS) from the Department of Energy (DOE).

The two projects—the 1,400-megawatt (MW) Pakil pumped storage power project in Laguna and the 600MW Wawa pumped storage power project in Rizal, are designed to meet energy demand by harnessing the potential of renewable energy sources to provide reliable and sustainable electricity storage.

“We thank the Department of Energy for recognizing the importance of our pumped storage projects in the nationwide agenda to achieve energy security. These are critical projects, essential to enable the energy transition and to enhance grid security through flexible energy generation,” said Prime Infra president and chief executive Guillaume Lucci.

HARD discount stores are gaining popularity in the Philippines against the backdrop of high inflation. They offer a practical alternative to consumers and compete in the food retail market dominated by the country’s three largest retail conglomerates.

Filipino consumers are reeling from inflation that has consistently topped their list of concerns in several surveys. In a poll conducted in March, 70 percent of those surveyed cited the need to curb the rising prices of basic commodities and identified it as the most urgent issue that the government needed to address.

With hardship comes the need to tighten belts and the corresponding effort to look for cheaper alternatives for basic goods and commodities, like drinking water, meat, condiments, laundry soap and snack items.

The emergence of discount stores to challenge the dominance of big food retailers comes at an opportune time. The Asian Development Bank (ADB) has taken notice of their rise and is giving financial support to at least one start-up chain.

An ADB report in March 2023 said the Philippine food retail market is concentrated, with the three largest retail conglomerates accounting for 51 percent of modern retail revenue and 38 percent of total food retail.

The discounter segment, meanwhile, is the least developed, with just three companies― Dali, O!Save Trading Philippines Corp. (more than 50 hard discount stores) and Puregold Price Club, Inc. (65 discounter stores).

Per the ADB study, food retail sales in the Philippines reached $19.2 billion in 2021,

position the Philippines to effectively tackle the challenges of a dynamic energy landscape going through a critical transition,” Lucci said.

CEPNS are issued to “energy projects that are found to have significant impact on the country’s energy sufficiency, security, reliability and stability, economic development, technological progress, and environmental protection.”

It will fast-track the issuance of permits and clearances required by different concerned government agencies for energy projects.

The Wawa pumped storage power project in Rizal is being developed by Olympia Violago Water Power Inc. (OVWPI), a subsidiary of Prime Infra.

The project, with an investment amounting to $2.57 billion, will have a storage capacity of 6,000 megawatthours per day and a generating output capacity of 600 MW. GREEN BONDS. Energy Development Corp. president and chief operating officer Jerome Cainglet (fourth from right) leads the listing of the company’s

Jenniffer B. Austria

“As we advance through the development phases of these two projects, Prime Infra remains committed to leveraging pioneering solutions that meet current energy demands and

Discount stores are thriving in PH amid rising prices of basic products

dominated by modern food retail (supermarkets and convenience stores) at $14.3 billion (75 percent). Traditional food retail (mom-and-pop stores) accounted for $4.8 billion in sales (25 percent), but represented 80 percent of total store outlets (30,900 out of 38,800).

The same ADB study noted that 43.8 percent of households in the Philippines from 2019 to 2021, or 48 million people, were moderately or severely food insecure, more than double the average for Southeast Asia (18.8 percent or 126 million people).

Dali’s expansion, according to the ADB, will address an important gap in the food retail industry in the Philippines while creating thousands of inclusive employment opportunities. The bank found the need to develop the hard discount retail model in the Philippines. Hard discount, says the ADB, is a proven and well-established retail business model that focuses on keeping product prices below market levels and sustaining profitability through high volume sales of a limited product range.

The ADB deemed that Dali was a suitable candidate for investment. The company, it says, requires additional growth capital to expand the network of hard discount stores in the Philippines, adding that the store contributes to food safety and security by offering essential products at lower prices, especially for low to middle-income households.

The ADB further noted that Dali would address the market gap in the Philippines and that it was primarily building stores in

The emergence of discount stores to challenge the dominance of big food retailers comes at an opportune time.

rural communities instead of malls, thereby supporting development in rural and peri-urban areas.

The initial success and ADB’s esteem of neighborhood grocery chain Dali, however, are being tainted by some consumer complaints about its alleged exploitative practices, especially on cheap goods that often look like knock-offs of established brands.

At first glance, these products look like great bargains, but a cursory look at the comments of Dali’s Facebook pages reveal a deluge of complaints about the quality of the products being sold on the shelves.

The issues include substandard products, items that taste like they’ve been sold past their expiry date, and low-grade packaging. Some customers complain of detergents that are harmful to their skin, chicken being sold with ice in them so that they weigh heavier when sold, and moldy bread products.

The quantity and frequency of the complaints online could be evidence that these are not isolated examples, but indicative of a problem

that may afflict the whole Dali grocery chain―a glaring lack of concern for their customers. In cases like these, consumers who are most affected by inflation––and often have no choice but to turn to stores like Dali in search of affordable options––are the biggest losers. Instead of buying bargain products that allow them to make the most out of their limited budgets, they are short-changed. And instead of saving money, they end up throwing their cash away.

The Malayang Konsyumer wrote the Department of Trade and Industry to seek consumer protection against the alleged abusive and negligent practices of Dali.

The group claimed that it was monitoring social media feedback in the publicly available pages of Dali Everyday Grocery to verify the complaints.

“With that, we were dismayed at the expanse of the complaints publicly made at the apparent inaction regarding these complaints. The lack of a corresponding response by DALI, as well as any corresponding measure that could have merited the imposition of regulatory sanctions is truly alarming,” says lawyer Simoun Antonio M. Salinas, spokesperson of Malayang Konsyumer. Consumer protection is an overlooked element in the Philippines. Dali, perhaps, could cure this apathy and make itself an ally of our hard-pressed consumers.

E-mail: rayenano@yahoo.com or extrastory2000@gmail.com

The SM Group opens its 86th mall, SM City Caloocan, that will provide a venue for growth for many small and medium enterprises and communities. The new SM mall in Caloocan will better connect surrounding urban and rural communities, sharing borders with Quezon City, Valenzuela and the cities of Marilao, Meycauayan and San Jose Del Monte in Bulacan. Caloocan is identified by the Commission on Audit (COA) as one of the fastest-growing economies and has 65 percent of its 1.66 million residents living in North Caloocan.

Farmers group asks Senate to review agri performance

By Othel V. Campos

THE Federation of Free Farmers (FFF) urged the Senate to examine the country’s agricultural sector’s performance under the Regional Comprehensive Economic Partnership (RCEP) trade agreement.

“We call on Senate President Francis Escudero to immediately reorganize and convene its RCEP oversight committee. We need to know if the government lived up to its promises to the agricultural sector,” said FFF national manager Raul Montemayor.

The FFF, part of the Bantay RCEP coalition monitoring the agreement, wanted to know if the government delivered on its promises of agricultural benefits.

DTI: PH well positioned for prosperity

DEPARTMENT of Trade and Industry

(DTI) Secretary Alfredo Pascual said the Philippines is in a strong position for economic prosperity.

“We at the DTI are charting a course to ensure the Philippines continues its impressive economic growth trajectory. By deepening our economic partnerships, aggressively promoting our exports, and unlocking the untapped potential of our local industries, we are confident that the Philippines will solidify its position as a significant player in the global market,” said Pascual.

He said the DTI capitalizes on trade agreements such as the Regional Comprehensive Economic Partnership (RCEP) and annual international trade forums that directly connect businesses with export opportunities arising from the agreement.

The DTI also leads educational campaigns, providing vital information and resources to ensure businesses understand and leverage RCEP effectively, he said.

RCEP, the world’s largest free trade area led by the Association of Southeast Asian Nations, unifies preceding agreements with major economies like Australia, China, Japan, Korea and New Zealand. It aims to streamline the region’s business environment and bolster its resilience against emerging economic challenges.

The partnership offers crucial support for services, investments, intellectual property, e-commerce, and micro, small and medium-sized enterprises. A significant share of the Philippines’ trade and foreign direct investment comes from RCEP member nations, he said.

The DTI said it recognizes concerns about a potential surge in imported goods following RCEP’s implementation. To address this, the department has proactively implemented the Import Surge Monitoring System, he said.

It criticized attempts by the economic managers to reduce tariffs on rice and other sensitive commodities, which contradicts their assurances during the RCEP Senate hearings that these products would not suffer any tariff reduction.

Finance Secretary Ralph Recto recently floated a proposal to cut rice tariffs from 35 percent to 17.5 percent, purportedly to lower rice prices.

The RCEP consolidates trade agreements among ASEAN nations with China, South Korea, Japan, Australia, and New Zealand. The Philippines officially joined RCEP on June 2, 2023.

The FFF further challenged Congress to fulfill its commitment to significantly increase the

Department of Agriculture’s (DA) budget.

“A large part of the proposed increase in the DA’s 2025 budget is placed in Tier 2, where it will have to compete with proposals from all other government agencies. How the DA budget is finally configured will show whether the senators were serious in their commitments when they approved the RCEP,” said Montemayor.

It has established an oversight committee to monitor commitments under RCEP and their impact on farmers.

A scheduled oversight committee meeting in May 2024 was canceled due to a change in Senate leadership and the resignation of Senator Loren Legarda as com

mittee head.

Malampaya gas project shows climate resilience

By Alena Mae S. Flores

THE Malampaya gas field, which powers 20 percent of Luzon through indigenous natural gas, demonstrated anew its reliability and resilience in times of natural disasters, as typhoon Aghon caused a substantial reduction in available power supply.

Prime Energy Resources Development B.V., operator of the Malampaya gas project, said Wednesday the facility remained 100-percent available to supply gasfired power plants on demand during the onslaught of typhoon Aghon.

“Prime Energy and its partners in the Malampaya consortium remain committed to supporting the Department of Energy’s (DOE) drive to keep the grid stable by ensuring uninterrupted operations and fuel supply to power generators during extreme weather,” said Prime Energy managing director and general manager Donnabel Kuizon Cruz in a statement.

Prime Energy and its joint venture partners (UC38 LLC, PNOC Exploration Corporation, Prime Oil and Gas, Inc.) operate the Malampaya project under Service Contract No. 38 with the government.

Manila Standard TODAY

Several baseload power plants were forced to shut down due to inability to operate under inclement weather recently.

The 1,200-MW Ilijan natural gas power plant lost its source of fuel— liquefied natural gas—as its floating

Cebu needs stable power to support infra projects

CEBU province is preparing for major infrastructure improvements to alleviate traffic and boost economic growth that would require additional power.

Cebu’s business leaders said the area is experiencing transformative infrastructure projects and expanding industries, promising thousands of new jobs.

“In the coming three to four years, Cebu and its neighboring provinces are assured of an unprecedented surge in development,” former Cebu Chamber of Commerce Inc. president Charles Kenneth Co said.

The anticipated economic boom in the province will need the support of the power sector, and these initiatives include the Third Transmission Voltage Interconnection Project and the expansion of the Therma Visayas Inc. (TVI3) Toledo Power Plant of Aboitiz Power Corp.

Co said the 169-megawatt baseload capacity from TVI3 in Toledo is expected to eliminate Cebu’s reliance on imported electricity from other regions, thereby enhancing energy security and minimizing susceptibility to external factors.

Co said based on forecast by grid operator National Grid Corporation Philippines, Cebu’s power demand is projected to increase by 7 percent annually.

“Without the construction of new

power plants within the next 3 to 4 years, there may be an imminent power shortage,” Co said.

He said this poses a significant challenge considering the three-to-four-year timeframe to build a power plant.

TVI, one of Cebu’s largest power plants, can provide a reliable and abundant power supply, essential for sustaining economic growth.

This will ensure that Cebu becomes a leading economic and cultural hub in the Philippines, moving confidently toward a brighter and more prosperous future.

Among the projects lined up for Cebu are road widening construction of the third Mactan Bridge, development of a subway system and the expansion of the Cebu International Airport.

Cebu, famous for its pristine beaches, culture and nightlife, is also set to boost its tourism sector with hotels, resorts and recreational facilities under development. These include the Sheraton Cebu Mactan Resort, Radisson Blu Cebu, and the Movenpick Hotel Mactan Island Cebu.

Additional projects like the Mandani Bay Quay and Skywaterpark Cebu will offer various recreational facilities.

Alena Mae S. Flores

storage unit (FSU) had to beunberthed and relocated for safety reasons while Pagbilao Units 1, 2, and 3, Masinloc, SPBL and Botocan coal-fired power plants with a total of 1,995 MW were also shut down due to the typhoon.

The significant loss of power capacity led to a call by Energy Secretary Raphael Lotilla to minimize the use of electricity in Luzon, following the red alert notice of the National Grid Corporation of the Philippines (NGCP).

The world-class Malampaya infrastructure is designed to operate safely in adverse weather conditions, demonstrating its unique capability to consistently supply gas to power plants and help assure Filipino consumers of stable and reliable electricity, regardless of the weather.

“Malampaya will always be ready to provide reliable natural gas. This situation demonstrates the critical role Malampaya plays in the nation’s energy security,” said Cruz.

The Malampaya gas project exceeded its normal supply capacity to enable maximum power generation from its customers during the peak of yellow and red alerts in April.

NOTICE OF ANNUAL STOCKHOLDERS’ MEETING DEAR STOCKHOLDERS:

Please be informed that the Annual Stockholders’ Meeting of Allied Care Experts (ACE) Dumaguete Doctors Inc. will be held on July 2, 2024 (Tuesday) at 8:00 o’clock in the morning, via Zoom Webinar, to ensure the safety of our stockholders who will be attending the meeting.

For the conduct of the Webinar, please register on or before July 2, 2024, through the following link: https://us02web.zoom. us/webinar/register/WN_4xWX51dsT9mTMe3vNzhpPg

The link will provide you the process for the registration. You will receive a confirmation email once you have successfully registered in the platform, including the details and procedures in the conduct of the meeting. Voting will be done via the online tool which you can access once you have logged in to the Webinar.

The meeting shall be recorded (visual and audio) for future reference.

The Agenda:

I. Call to Order

II. Invocation

III. Determination of Quorum

IV. Welcome Message from the Chairman of the Board

V. Reading and Approval of the Minutes of the Y2023 Annual Stockholders’ Meeting

VI. Approval of the Y2023 Audited Financial Statement

VII. President’s Report

VIII. Ratification of the Acts and Proceedings of the Board of Directors, Officers, and Management of the Corporation

IX. Election of the Board of Directors 2024-2025

X. Appointment of External Auditor for the year 2024

XI. Other Matters

XII. Adjournment

Only stockholders of record at the close of business on June 12, 2024 (Wednesday) shall be entitled to notice of and to vote at the meeting. If you cannot personally attend the meeting, you may opt to send your proxy to attend in your behalf. Kindly submit your duly executed proxy form with the undersigned, via email, at office staff at acedumaguetedoctors@yahoo. com.ph not later than July 1,2024 on or before 5:00 PM but preferably by June 29, 2024, to enable your proxy to register in the Zoom Webinar. A sample proxy form is posted at the Corporation’s website for your reference. [NOTE: Management is not soliciting proxies.]

The Information Statement and Management Report and SEC Form 17-A are available at the Corporation’s website at www. acedumaguetedoctors.com

You may contact the undersigned via email office staff at acedumaguetedoctors@yahoo.com.ph or at telephone number: (035) 523 5957 if you have inquiries/concerns regarding the meeting.

Very Truly Yours,

MEAT INSPECTION. Department of Agriculture (DA) Undersecretary for livestock Deogracias Victor Savellano (left) visits the meat section of major supermarkets on May 28, 2024 to assure consumers that there are readily available and affordable supplies of pork and chicken.

TOURISM COOPERATION. Department of Tourism (DOT) Secretary Christina Garcia Frasco (standing) joins President Ferdinand Marcos Jr., First Lady Liza Araneta-Marcos, House Speaker Martin R. Romualdez and fellow Cabinet officials as they engaged with the Filipino Community in BRIDEX International Convention Centre, Jerudong, Brunei. Frasco took part in the signing of a memorandum of understanding on Tourism cooperation between the two nations.

World expects up to P30-b sales in Pasig project

By Jenniffer B. Austria

PH1 World Developers, the property arm of construction and engineering firm Megawide Construction Corp., could raise up to P30 billion in sales from its latest multi-tower residential development in Pasig City.

PH1 World president Gigi Alcantara said at the sidelines of the groundbreaking ceremony Wednesday phase 1 of the project would involve a three-tower development that could generate between P10 billion and P11 billion in sales. It will offer roughly 500 to 600 lofttype units per tower with sizes ranging from 20 square meters (sq.m) for

Filipinos face significant out-of-pocket medical costs

FILIPINOS with non-communicable diseases (NCDs) such as cardiovascular diseases, cancer and diabetes shoulder significant out-of-pocket health care expenses.

This finding was highlighted in a recent webinar conducted by the Philippine Institute for Development Studies (PIDS) featuring the study titled “Determinants of Household Out-of-Pocket Expenditure on Noncommunicable Diseases”.

Authored by PIDS consultant Lovely Ann Tolin and PIDS senior research fellow Valerie Gilbert Ulep, the study, which utilizes data from the 2018 National Health Expenditure Survey (NHES), is part of the broader three-part PIDS paper titled “Analysis of the National Health Expenditure Survey Round 1 and Design of Survey Protocol for NHES Round 2 [Phase 1]”.

Tolin revealed that there are several factors influencing out-of-pocket spending on NCDs. These include type of health facility (with private facilities leading to higher costs), health insurance coverage, presence of comorbidities, and socioeconomic status. This financial burden applies to both outpatient and inpatient care, with medications and professional fees being the top cost drivers, she said.

“On an aggregate scale, estimates from the Philippine Statistics Authority showed that NCDs accounted for 30 percent of total health expenditures in 2019,” Tolin said.

a studio unit and 40 sq. m. for onebedroom unit.

Construction will start in 2026, and turnover by 2030.

Meanwhile, phase 2 will be launched once the third tower of phase 1 is 60 percent to 70-percent sold out, the company said.

“If you combine the two phases, the whole development will be about P25 to P30 billion,” Alcantara said.

The project will be a joint venture between PH1 World and Velfox Manufacturing Corp., which owns the two-hectare property. The project is located just right behind Ayala Feliz Mall and is accessible via Marcos

Highway.

Alcantara said the company’s developments in the Greater Manila Area are seen positively “disrupting” the Philippines’ real estate and infrastructure sectors, challenging conventions while setting elevated standards in property development.

Alcantara said unit owners could expect higher quality, consistency and durability since Megawide will be undertaking design and build for the project.

The Pasig project will expand PH1 World pipeline of vertical projects which currently include My Enso Lofts in Timog, Quezon City and Modan Lofts in Taytay.

By Darwin G. Amojelar

Tis closely monitoring the price and supply of energy-related products for their potential impact on the domestic economy.

The Bangko Sentral ng Pilipinasled FSCC, in its 39th executive committee meeting, recognized that global indicators of market volatility “remained low.” However, it underscored the volatility in global oil prices.

“US inflation has come down but remains stubbornly high by the Fed’s own characterization. This suggests a high-for-long policy rate environment, which will likely affect the global economy,” the council said.

“In addition, geo-political risks have been protracted and, in recent cases, escalated,” it said.

The FSCC said economic growth in the Philippines remains strong, and among the highest in the world. Latest data suggest that the full-year inflation is unlikely to breach the upper end of the band. These are reassuring indicators that allow the Philippines greater control over its macro-financial path forward, it said.

April’s inflation brought the year-

THE Department of Social Welfare and Development (DSWD) tapped the Land Bank of the Philippines for the efficient and timely delivery of financial relief to crisis-affected individuals, including those in remote and underserved communities.

Under DSWD’s Assistance to Individuals in Crisis Situation (AICS) program, LandBank will serve as the department’s disbursement partner and will engage financial service providers to effectively facilitate payouts in identified regions.

The new set-up eliminates the need for beneficiaries in remote communities and geographically isolated and disadvantaged areas

IPOPHL adopts treaty on IP rights for genetic resources

By Othel V. Campos

THE Intellectual Property Office of the Philippines (IPOPHL) and the World Intellectual Property Organization (WIPO) adopted a groundbreaking treaty on intellectual property (IP) rights for genetic resources (GR) and associated traditional knowledge (ATK), capping about 25 years of negotiations and ushering in a new and more inclusive global patent system.

The Philippines and the 193 member states of the WIPO agreed on May 24, 2024 to establish the first WIPOadministered instrument to address the interface between patents, GR and ATK and include provisions specifically relating to Indigenous Peoples

and local communities.

“The treaty is a testament of our collaborative spirit that can empower the marginalized sectors, beyond national borders, while upholding a balanced IP system,” said IPOPHL director-general Rowel Barba at the diplomatic conference held in Geneva from May 13 to 24, 2024.

The agreement included crucial provisions recognizing the rights of indigenous peoples and local communities.

The new treaty establishes a mandatory disclosure requirement for patent applicants if they are based on genetic resources and associated traditional knowledge. The critical mechanism aims to combat the misappropriation of these valuable resources.

(GIDAs) to travel to other towns and cities to seek and receive financial aid from DSWD regional offices.

The pilot implementation will cover beneficiaries in the National Capital Region, Cagayan, Central Luzon and CALABARZON.

“Through our partnership, we look to ensure the swift and timely delivery of financial aid to vulnerable individuals and families suffering from unforeseen life events or crises, including those beneficiaries in far-flung areas,” said LandBank president and chief executive Lynette Ortiz.

DSWD Secretary Rex Gatchalian and LandBank president and chief executive Ortiz led the

signing of the memorandum of agreement (MOA) for the pilot implementation of the improved delivery of the AICS Program on 21 May 2024 at the DSWD Central Office in Quezon City.

The AICS program supports the recovery of individuals and families suffering from unexpected life events or crises by providing assistance for medical, burial, transportation, food, educational, financial or other essential needs.

LandBank serves as the main distribution arm of the national government’s various social protection programs, facilitating the timely and safe disbursement of financial assistance to vulnerable and underserved sectors.

on-year national average inflation in the first four months to 3.4 percent, within the government’s target range of 2 percent to 4 percent.

“We find comfort in the broad indications of stability and their effects on the economy. These are issues that the FSCC will continue to monitor,” said FSCC chairman and Bangko Sentral ng Pilipinas (BSP) Governor Eli Remolona Jr.

The government is targeting a 6 percent to 7 percent economic growth this year. The Philippine economy grew 5.7 percent in the first quarter of 2023, lower than 6.4 percent in the same period last year.

Remolona said “the volatility in the price and supply of energy-related products can affect economic activity, while a high-for-long global interest rate situation will weigh on debt servicing in general. These are issues that the FSCC will closely monitor and may address in due course, if warranted.”

IN BRIEF

Ovialand marks 10th

SME SUCCESS. Josefina Barcela and Abbie Ricohermoso of Josefina’s

Homemade Food harnesses TikTok Shop to propel their business. Josefina’s Homemade Food, a humble carinderia in Bicol, has transformed into a nationwide sensation, thanks to its delectable offerings and strategic use of social media, particularly TikTok.

Department of Social Welfare and Development (DSWD) Secretary Rex Gatchalian (second from left) and Land Bank of the Philippines president and chief executive Lynette Ortiz (third from left) lead the signing of a memorandum of agreement for the improved payout under the Assistance to Individuals in Crisis Situation (AICS) program.

Jollibee emerges from ice cream parlor in Manila to global chain

By Julie Ann Lope

JOLLIBEE Foods

Corp. (JFC), a dominant market leader in the food and beverage industry in the Philippines, continues to see a positive outlook and growth opportunities for its business here and abroad.

“We’re excited about that, and we look five years forward. We do see significant opportunities coupled with some challenges like inflation, but we have the fastest-growing economy fueled by rising consumerism and increasing global connectivity.” said Richard Chong Woo Shin, chief financial and risk officer of JFC during the Indo-Pacific Business Forum at Shangri-la The Fort in Bonifacio Global City, Taguig on May 21, 2024.

Founded in 1975 by Dr. Tony Tan Caktiong with a single ice cream parlor in Manila, Jollibee has become the largest restaurant chain in the Philippines and is now one of the fastest-growing global food brands in the world, while ensuring sustainable and ethical business practices.

Shin said that in today’s market, understanding and utilizing digital technology is crucial. Convenience plays a very big part in the dining experience of the consumers.

When asked about the sustainability practices of JFC, he said that consumers are increasingly concerned about the origins of their food and the sustainability practices of brands.

Anvil Business Club discusses role of AI on transformation

The company implements several programs aimed at reducing its carbon footprint, improving water treatment processes and ensuring responsible sourcing of ingredients.

“Ethical sourcing, fair treatment of vendors, and transparent supply chains are becoming critical factors in consumer decision-making.” he said. Shin said that rising inflation and supply chain disruptions pose significant challenges in the industry.

Baguio Chinoy Mural unveiled along Kisad Road in Baguio City

THE Anvil Business Club held the second installment of its Anvil Learning Event series through a talk about the transformative power of artificial Intelligence (AI) in business on May 9, 2024 at Astoria Hotel in Pasig City.

Denise Haak, head of product design at Globe Telecom and 2023 [resident of the Digital Marketing Association of the Philippines (DMAP) was the guest speaker.

“AI can transform businesses through four key points - analytics, automation, augmentation, and acceleration.” Haak said.

She said AI goes beyond data aggregation by enabling targeted campaigns and personalized experiences, as exemplified by Netflix’s AI, which analyzes viewing patterns to suggest relevant content.

It can streamline business processes, including lead generation, helpdesk support, content management, and reporting, making operations faster and more efficient.

It also enhances customer experience by identifying key touchpoints; for instance, Starbucks uses AI to implement rewards programs, cashless payments, and in-app personalization.

AI also creates responsive, personalized campaigns as demonstrated by McDonald’s, which leveraged AI for marketing, achieving a 550-percent increase in conversions and reducing the cost per action.

Haak underscored the need for high-quality data for AI accuracy and the importance of addressing human biases.

She encouraged stringent data management and the acceptance of AI in daily operations.

Julie Ann Lope

THE Filipino-Chinese community in Baguio City, in collaboration with the city government and the Department of Public Works and Highways, unveiled the Baguio Chinoy Mural along Kisad Road on May 22, 2024

The mural, conceptualized by a team led by Filipino-Chinese visual artist Chino Chow, depicts cultural representations of both the Cordillera people and the Chinese community.

It is 200 feet long and 14 feet high, making it the biggest in the city.

“The mural aims to highlight the intertwined history and contributions of both the Cordillerans and Chinese in shaping the development of Baguio.” Chow said.

Peter Ng, president of the FilipinoChinese community executive committee, said the mural aims to promote better understanding between the Filipino and Chinese communities, which have co-existed since the early 1900s.

Mayor Benjamin Magalong, in a message conveyed by executive assistant Samantha Hamada, expressed his gratitude to the Filipino-Chinese community for their continued cooperation with the city government in enriching Baguio.

Councilors Leandro Yangot and Jose Molintas, Creative Baguio City Council chair Venus Tan, Baguio Patriotic High School president and businessman Fernando Tiong were also present during the event. Julie Ann Lope

Filipino-Chinese student graduates summa cum laude from Yale University

By Michael Ho

TWENTY-ONE-YEAR-OLD

Fili-

pino-Chinese student Dion Stephan

Ong recently graduated summa cum laude from the prestigious Yale University with a perfect 4.0 grade point average.

Ong was among the 4,000 students who graduated during the Yale University’s 323rd commencement ceremony in Connecticut on May 20, 2024.

He earned combined degrees of Bachelor of Science and Master of Science in Computer Science. Ong also received Distinction in the Major and the Yale Science & Engineering Association Senior of Distinction award. He was inducted into the honor society Phi Beta Kappa. An alumnus of Ateneo de Manila University, Ong completed his elementary education in 2014, high school in 2018 and senior high school in 2020.

He graduated valedictorian from Ateneo de Manila Senior High School.

Ong is set to embark on his professional career as a core engineer at Hudson River Trading in New York City.

Rotaract Club of Chinatown, president receive most outstanding awards

THE Rotaract Club of ChinatownManila was awarded the Overall Most Outstanding Club and its president Joshe Calvin Tiu as the Overall Most Outstanding Club President for the Rotary Year 2023-2024.

The awards were given during the Rotaract District 3810 District Awards Night on May 18, 2024 at Hortz Hotels and Resorts-Tagaytay.

The club received several awards, underscoring its dedication and impact in various areas of service. It was

recognized for the best project in club service with the Rotaract Got Talent event, which was deemed the overall most outstanding club development project. Its Kwela Pa-Eskwela project was awarded the most outstanding project in community service. It also received the award for the most outstanding project for international service.

The Rotaract Club of ChinatownManila also received certificates of recognition and exemplary awards in

club service, community service, professional development, international service, public image and fundraising.

It was distinguished as one of the PolioPlus Giving Clubs and the Rotary Foundation Giving Clubs, each with special distinctions for contributing at least $100. The club was celebrated as the champion of inter-district and global partnerships for having the most number of partnerships in both categories. Special awards highlighted its over-

all outstanding achievements in membership growth, twin club collaboration and friendship club collaboration. Among its minor awards, the club was recognized for participation in events like APRRC South Korea, APRRC Singapore, 2024 PROCON Cebu, the Sports Fest and Magic Badminton Cup Luzon Leg, and for hosting the 1st District Meeting “Marahuyo,” World Rotaract Week, year-end showcase and GLOW: A Party For a Cause 2024. Julie Ann Lope

The rise of coworking space in Binondo

IN THE ever-evolving landscape of

work culture, traditional office setups are giving way to innovative alternatives, with coworking spaces at the forefront. The COVID-19 pandemic has accelerated the shift towards remote and flexible work, highlighting the relevance of coworking spaces. While exploring the vibrant and historic streets of Escolta in Binondo, I came across a coworking space named FIRST Coworking Community, situated on the fifth floor of the First United Building. FIRST Coworking Community started in 2017. The owners of the First United Building, Roberto Sylianteng and Lorraine Young-Sylianteng, are pioneers of coworking space

in the heart of the historic Escolta. It offers a unique blend of history and innovation, catering to the needs of modern professionals while preserving the charm of its historic setting. FIRST offers flexible pricing to accommodate various needs and durations. For hourly use, the rate is P70 per hour. For short-term use, the rates are P250 pesos for four hours and P400 for 8 hours. Monthly rates are set at P6,000 a month. For longer-term commitments, quarterly packages are available at P5,750 a month, semi-annual packages at P5,500 a month and annual packages at P5,250 a month.

Julie Ann Lope

Jollibee Foods Corp. (JFC) chief financial and risk officer Richard Chong Woo Shin (right) speaks at the Indo-Pacific Business Forum at Shangri-la The Fort in Bonifacio Global City, Taguig. Julie Ann Lope

Dion Stephan Ong. From Ong’s Facebook page

First Coworking Community in Escolta provides professionals and entrepreneurs flexible and conducive work environments. Julie Ann Lope

The Baguio Chinoy Mural depicts cultural representations of both the Cordillera people and the Chinese community. Julie Ann Lope

Dua Lipa to return to PH for one-night show

By Nickie Wang

BRITISH-ALBANIAN

pop star

After Manila, the tour will continue in Tokyo, Taipei, Kuala Lumpur, and Bangkok in November, wrapping up in Seoul in December.

Dua Lipa is holding a concert in the Philippines later this year, she announced in an Instagram post on Wednesday, May 29.

“Wowowowww summer tour dates start in 1 week and I can’t wait!!!! So I thought why not add... MORE TOUR! Asia in November it’s been a long time coming and I can’t wait to be back!!!” she wrote in the caption of her Instagram carousel photos containing a schedule of her upcoming Asia tour.

The singer-songwriter is bringing her Radical Optimism Tour to the Philippines on Nov. 13 at the Philippine Arena in Bulacan.

The Asian leg of Dua Lipa’s Radical Optimism Tour will commence in Singapore on Nov. 6, followed by Jakarta on Nov. 9.

The concert will be Dua Lipa’s return to Manila since her last performance at the Mall of Asia Arena in 2018. Known for her chart-topping hits such as “Don’t Start Now,” “New Rules,” and “Levitating,” Dua Lipa is expected to deliver a spectacular show.

The tour announcement comes on the heels of Dua releasing her third album, Radical Optimism, which went straight to No. 1 in 11 countries, including the UK where it became the biggest album debut from a UK artist in 2024 and garnered the highest week one sales from a UK female artist since 2021. In the US, the album debuted at No. 1 on Billboard’s Top Album Sales chart and No. 2 on the Billboard 200

chart, marking Dua’s biggest sales week yet. It was named a Critic’s Pick by The New York Times, who hailed it as “an album of nonstop ear candy,” along with Variety, who declared it is “a joyous blast of pop savvy.” Additionally, The New Yorker praised, “the instrumentation is a gleaming and impenetrable expanse, and the main attraction is Lipa,” and Vogue raved it is “a summery, selfassured slice of pop brilliance…[and] catchy

THE Society of Philippine Entertainment Editors (SPEEd) is celebrating the seventh edition of the annual Eddys (Entertainment Editors’ Choice), a film award show happening on July 7 at the Ceremonial Hall of the Marriott Grand Ballroom in Pasay City. The awards show will be broadcast on a delayed telecast on ALLTV.

A highlight of the event will be the recognition of five movie icons who have made indelible marks on the entertainment industry through their outstanding bodies of work.

The late comic strip creator Carlo J. Caparas will also be honored with a posthumous award for his contributions to the Philippine movie industry.

This year’s Movie Icon Awards will be conferred upon Nova Villa, Leo Martinez, Lito Lapid, Eva Darren, and Gina Alajar

They join the ranks of previous awardees who have been recognized for their undying efforts and dedication to elevate local film artistry.

A decorated actress, Nova Villa has starred in over 150 films and is a key figure in local entertainment. Some of her notable works include TV shows Chicks to Chicks (19711991), Home Along Da Riles (1992-2003), and Pepito Manaloto (2012-present), and films Payaso (1986), 1st Ko si 3rd (2014), and Miss Granny (2018). She’s received numerous awards, including the

prestigious “Pro Ecclesia et Pontifice medal” from Pope Francis

Leo Martinez is an actor, comedian, and director, known for his roles in films like Up from the Depths (1979), Juan Tamad at Mr. Shooli: Mongolian Barbecue (1991), and On the Job 2: The Missing 8 (2021). He also served as Director General of the Film Academy of the Philippines.

Actor and politician Lito Lapid gained fame from his iconic roles in the Leon Guerrero (19681981) and Da Best in da West (1984-1996) film series, as well as notable performances in Kastilyong Buhangin (1980), Hari ng Gatilyo (1985), Lapu-Lapu (2002), and most recently in Brillante Mendoza’s Apag (2022).

Eva Darren began her film career in the 1960s and won two awards for her role in Ang Pulubi (1969) and a nomination for her role in Ligaya Ang Itawag Mo Sa Akin (1997). Known for her poignant portrayal of maternal characters, she made memorable appearances in the TV series Pangako Sa ‘Yo (2000) and Sineserye Presents: Patayin Sa Sindak si Barbara (2008), and in the films Ang Lalaki sa Buhay ni Selya (1997) and Ate (2018).

Gina Alajar has had an illustrious career since her debut as a child actress in the 1970s. She’s starred in acclaimed films like Playgirl and Brutal . Transitioning to television in the 2000s, Alajar also directed for GMA Network dramas. Some of her notable film roles include Manila

7th Eddys pays tribute to Caparas, five movie icons

By Night and Brutal , both released in 1980.

As a director, she has helmed four Shake, Rattle, & Roll titles, and at least two dozens TV shows and dramas.

The Eddys has been a game-changer in Philippine movie awards since its inception in 2017, celebrating diversity and excellence in the industry.

SPEEd, a non-profit organization

established in 2015, consists of past and current entertainment editors from nationwide newspapers, top tabloids, and online sites, is led by its president Salve Asis of Pilipino Star Ngayon and Pang Masa

The Eddys acknowledges the achievements of actors, writers, directors, craftsmen, and producers, solidifying its status as a distinguished film award.

Writer

Comic strip creator and director Carlo J. Caparas was known for his iconic characters such as ‘Bakekang,’ ‘Joaquin Bordado,’ and ‘Panday’

Lito Lapid recently starred in ‘Apag’ by director Brillante Mendoza

Actress and director Gina Alajar started her career as a child star in the 1970s Award-winning actress Eva Darren began her career in acting in the 1960s

Villa is currently one of the cast members of hit show ‘Pepito Manaloto’

Leo Martinez has also been the director general of the Film Academy of the Philippines

LIFE & SHOWBIZ

Beauty weekend at Laura Mercier Suite

By Tet Defensor

AMID the sea of eye and cheek palettes, it is interesting how women aim for the ‘flawless face’ or the ‘barely there’ look. Essentially real beauty is anchored on smooth skin and the healthy glow that comes with the right loose powder and foundation shade.

HUMANS must be able to do two things right after birth: cry and burp. We’ve all been coaxed into burping as infants, and even as adults, it provides comfort and satisfaction, especially after a meal or a soda. Though sometimes seen as embarrassing, burping can be beneficial, but only in moderation.

For Carlo M. Cornejo, MD, Section Chief of Gastroenterology of the top hospital in the Philippines Makati Medical Center (MakatiMed), understanding when burping becomes excessive is crucial in maintaining digestive health.

“The average person burps around 3-6 times after eating or drinking. You might burp more frequently after drinking carbonated beverages like sodas but overall, that’s a pretty healthy range,” explains Dr. Cornejo.

Simple excess burping should be resolved by eating and drinking more slowly and avoiding carbonated drinks and certain foods like hard candy.

“Eating and drinking too quickly and sucking on hard candy causes you to swallow more air than normal. Dropping these habits should reduce belching significantly,” adds Dr. Cornejo.

MakatiMed warns that burping combined with other symptoms can indicate issues like GERD. Excess belching with a burning sensation in the chest could signal gastroesophageal reflux disease. Dr. Cornejo explains that GERD occurs when stomach acid moves into the esophagus, causing the urge to burp. To relieve GERD symptoms, take antacids or avoid acidic foods, fried and cheesy items, sodas, and alcohol. Burping combined with diarrhea could signal serious health issues such as food poisoning, traveler’s diarrhea, or stomach flu. These conditions, though common, can be life-threatening if severe. Dr. Cornejo advises increased fluid intake, antibiotics, and probiotics for recovery.

Additionally, burping accompanied by abdominal pain, unintentional weight loss, or vomiting (with or without blood) may indicate gastrointestinal cancers like stomach, pancreatic, or esophageal cancer. Further diagnostic tests like endoscopy and CT scanning are recommended for accurate diagnosis, says Dr. Cornejo.

“What I’d like to emphasize is for you to pay more attention to your body. Take note of even the most mundane bodily functions like burping as they could give you a hint on what’s happening inside your body,” Dr. Cornejo. “Excessive burping along with the alarming symptoms mentioned can be your body’s way of telling you to seek medical advice as soon as possible.”

World-renowned make-up artist Laura Mercier pioneered the “flawless face”. An art student in Paris, her creative passion pivoted towards painting faces. She moved to New York and etched her name in the fashion scene, working on major advertising campaigns, and editorial spreads, and even developed a roster of celebrity clients that included Madonna. She launched her “flawless face” line in 1996 emphasizing the significance of enhancing one’s natural features, amid the everchanging trends in make-up colors.

To this day her Real Weightless Foundation and Translucent Loose Setting Powder are considered beauty must-haves. Recently, Luxasia Philippines introduced the brand’s latest color shades the Caviar Eye Shadow Sticks, the Tinted Moisturizer Blush, and the High Vibe Lip Color. The Caviar Eye Shadow stick is a versatile cream color that easily glides on

The pigment-rich

in

and

For the barely

is

or

look, the Tinted Moisturizer Blush promises the just-pinched glow. Its moisturizing formula contains water-building compounds for weightless tint and hydration. The season is all about bright lips and vivid colors are achieved with the High Vibe Lips. Light-reflecting lip shades with supercharged pigments ensure comfortable wear for six hours.

Make-up enthusiasts can check out these new shades when they book the Laura Mercier Suite at Ascott Makati. Enjoy a weekend of beauty and comfort complemented by a refreshing afternoon tea for two from Mesclun restaurant.

The Mercier suite is in line with Ascott’s brand essence of understated luxury. “We believe that with Laura Mercier we

For more information, please contact MakatiMed OnCall at +632.88888 999, email mmc@ makatimed.net. ph, or visit www. makatimed.net.ph.

WHAT makes legal dramas so captivating? Is it the complex characters, suspenseful courtroom scenes, or high stakes?

Lionsgate Play offers a curated selection of riveting legal dramas that will make you root for justice, keep you on the edge of your seat, and even question your morals. Here’s a must-watch list of the best legal dramas on Lionsgate Play.

Dark Waters

A gripping legal thriller that follows the real-life story of environmental attorney Robert Bilott (Mark Ruffalo), Dark Waters delves into the complexities of fighting a powerful corporation accused of contaminating a town’s water supply. As Bilott uncovers a long history of pollution, the stakes rise, revealing the immense personal and professional sacrifices required to pursue justice.

The Sparring Partner

Based on actual events in Hong Kong, The Sparring Partner examines the twisted minds of Henry (Yeung Wai Lun) and his accomplice Angus (Mak Pui Tung), accused of murdering Henry’s parents.

The courtroom drama, revealed through interviews, exposes Henry’s motives of jealousy, greed, and sociopathy. While the case against Henry seems clear, Angus’ involvement is clouded by coerced confessions and dubious evidence. As the trial progresses, jurors struggle with their biases, further complicated by a disturbing crime re-enactment. The film

critiques jury partiality and sensationalism, reflecting on justice and human nature.

Woman in Gold

In Woman in Gold , Helen Mirren stars as Maria Altmann, an elderly Jewish woman who, six decades after fleeing Nazioccupied Vienna, seeks to reclaim her family’s possessions seized during the war. Central to her quest is the renowned painting Portrait of Adele Bloch-Bauer I by Gustav Klimt , a portrait of her beloved aunt. Teaming up with a determined young lawyer, Randy Schoeberg (Ryan Reynolds ), Maria embarks on an arduous legal fight against the Austrian government, which regards these artworks as national treasures.

On the Basis of Sex

On the Basis of Sex chronicles the inspiring journey of Ruth Bader Ginsburg, one of the most influential figures in American legal history. Portrayed brilliantly by Felicity Jones, this biographical drama focuses on Ginsburg’s early career and her fight against gender discrimination. The film highlights her landmark case that set the stage for her future role as a Supreme Court Justice, making it a must-watch for those passionate about legal history and social justice.

Stream these dramas on Lionsgate Play on PLDT Home and Smart.

Guests can book the Laura Mercier Suite at Ascott Makati until the end of July

THURSDAY,

lifeandshow.manilastandard@gmail.com

NICKIE WANG, Editor

ANGELICA VILLANUEVA, Writer

ABIGAIL ADRIATICO, Writer

C4 LIFE

Making beauty enhancements, services accessible and affordable

IN RECENT times, there has been a noticeable surge in demand within the beauty industry for cosmetic enhancements and nonsurgical treatments that are both accessible and affordable. The era where these procedures were exclusively reserved for the affluent is now a thing of the past.

Very Wang Nickie Wang

Today, advancements in technology, coupled with increasing demand, have led to a proliferation of options that cater to various budgets without compromising on quality or safety.

“We’re relatively new, we’ve just recently opened our clinic that’s why we are introducing our services at an affordable price,” Elaine Pablo, CEO of Luxbelle Wellness and Beauty Center, told Manila Standard Life in an interview during the VIP product launch of Renova x Xcellens.

Pablo, who had previously been part of a more renowned clinic before opting to establish her own beauty house, emphasized that they utilize identical equipment, and her staff possesses an equivalent level of expertise, albeit without the association with a prominent beauty brand.

“That’s how we’re able to introduce our services at a lower price without compromising the quality of our products and treatments,” Pablo explained. During the launch, Pablo introduced their clinic’s flagship treatments: Xcellens and Renova. Xcellens, according to the beauty expert, is an advanced diode laser hair removal system that provides a long-lasting solution for unwanted hair.

This state-of-the-art technology ensures a safe, quick, and virtually painless hair removal experience.

The benefits of Xcellens include permanent reduction of unwanted hair, leaving the skin smooth and hair-free. It’s also safe for all skin types and offers fast and efficient treatment sessions.

Renova, on the other hand, is a revolutionary non-surgical facelift and body sculpting treatment designed to rejuvenate your appearance without the need for invasive procedures. Using advanced technology to tighten and lift the skin, Renova offers a safe and effective solution for those seeking a youthful look.

“Renova has a few amazing benefits,” said Pablo. “It includes immediate and visible lifting effects, improved skin texture and elasticity, with no downtime or recovery period required. It’s a non-invasive and painfree treatment option for anyone looking to enhance their appearance.”

At the product unveiling, guests had a full tour of the wellness center. Pablo introduced the cutting-edge machines, describing them as “state-of-the-art.”

“All of our machines are imported,” she explained. “Our vision is to expand our clinic and have more branches through franchising. It is our mission and commitment to offer advanced, effective, and safe beauty solutions.”

To know more about its products and services, visit LuxBelle Wellness and Beauty Center located along Congressional Avenue in Quezon City.

is making waves in health and beauty with the launch of its new product, Soft Glow, featuring actress Elisse Joson as its brand ambassador. The product is by far the most affordable S-Acetyl Glutathione supplement.

According to its executives, Elisse Joson, known for her acting and business ventures, is the perfect choice for the brand.

“She shows how to keep a healthy glow even with a busy life, representing the modern Filipina,” an executive said during the launch.

“We’re drawn to her genuine and composed nature amidst the chaos of a busy life. It wasn’t just her captivating beauty that stole our hearts.

During the planning stages, we were all struck by Elisse’s relatable story as a working mom and businesswoman who skillfully manages every facet of her life with grace and unwavering dedication,” the Soft Glow isn’t just any supplement, said Elisse during a quick media huddle. She said it’s a special mix of S-Acetyl Glutathione, collagen, zinc, rosehip, oral sunblock, and essential

executive added. vitamins and minerals.

The face of New Moon

“Glutathione, often called the ‘master antioxidant,’ is a natural substance in our bodies crucial for detoxification, immune support, and cellular health. As we get older, our body makes less glutathione, making us more vulnerable to toxins, stress, and aging,” Dr. Chan pointed out.

“S-Acetyl glutathione supplements are a powerful and efficient form of glutathione compared to regular ones. This modification is thought to improve its stability and bioavailability, meaning it’s better absorbed and used by the body, potentially delivering

more glutathione to cells throughout the body,” the specialist added. New Moon stands out for its focus on quality, honesty, and caring for the environment. Its products are made with the help of top health experts and are backed by solid research. The brand uses vegan capsules to be environmentally friendly, showing its commitment to sustainability and trust.

Dr. Bea Chan talks about the importance of glutathione to one’s body

“This powerful combination helps detoxify the body, boost the immune system, and give the skin a radiant, even tone,” a brand executive said. Also during the launch held at Manila House in BGC, Taguig, dermatologist Dr. Bea Chan explained how important glutathione is for our bodies. She highlighted that S-Acetyl Glutathione is better absorbed by the body, making it more effective than regular glutathione.

Soft Glow will be available starting June 6 on Tiktok Shop and other online stores for P449. Join the launch party on Jonah Sison-Ramos’ Tiktok account to be one of the first to try Soft Glow.

“New Moon is more than just a brand, it’s a community aimed at better health. We welcome beauty and lifestyle influencers to join our Digital Influencer and Content Creator program. By becoming a New Moon Brand Ambassador, you can inspire others, and earn rewards while promoting a healthier future,” a New Moon executive said during the latter part of the launch.

Star Magic artist Elisse Joson is the newest brand ambassador of beauty brand New Moon

Dermatologist

The brand is opening its Digital Influencer and Content Creator program for beauty and lifestyle influencers

LuxBelle Wellness and Beauty Center CEO Elaine Pablo is keen on making their services affordable to the public

The beauty industry has seen a rise in calls for more affordable and accessible cosmetic enhancements and nonsurgical treatments

LuxBelle features state-ofthe-art treatments

Xcellens is an advanced diode laser hair removal system perfect for those looking for a long-term solution to removing unwanted hair

Renova is a non-surgical facelift and body sculpting treatment that fosters skin rejuvenation without invasive procedures