Manila Standard - 2024 August 2 - Friday

PH won’t block Interpol arrest

By Ronald O. Reyes

TACLOBAN CITY—The Bagong Pilipinas Serbisyo Fair, a flagship project of the Marcos Administration, will be held in Tacloban City on August 2-3 to serve residents of the six provinces of Eastern Visayas. House Speaker Martin Romualdez earlier said that with the opening of the 3rd regular session of the 19th Congress, they will also start a new chapter in the launching of Bagong Pilipinas Serbisyo Caravan all over the country.

He will spearhead the fair’s opening ceremonies today (Friday), which is touted as “the biggest and grandest staging of the service caravan in terms of the total value of services to be delivered [and] in the number of lawmakers attending the event.”

For his part, Tacloban City Mayor Alfred Romualdez urged the public to take advantage of the services being offered at the fair, which is being held at the Leyte Normal University campus.

“I invite you to participate and

DOJ: Manila has duty to cooperate if body runs after Rody, others in bloody drug war

JUSTICE Secretary Jesus Remulla said the country is duty-bound to help Interpol in case it serves an arrest warrant against former President Rodrigo Duterte and others named in the International Criminal Court's investigation into the drug war deaths during the past administration.

"We respect Interpol's actions 99.9 percent of the time," Remulla said, referring to the International Criminal Police Organization that facilitates worldwide police operation and crime control.

"If a problem arises, they (ICC) will bring it to Interpol. We are members of Interpol, and we do not block any movement of Interpol unless a policy contradicts our international commitments. The future issue at

hand now is that if a warrant of arrest is issued – it's Interpol's job to serve it, and we have a duty to Interpol," he added.

Remulla said under the principle of comity, the government will not obstruct anything as long as it does not violate the country’s laws.

"The principle of comity dictates that we remain friendly and do not block any legal actions they undertake. If they engage in illegal activities, then we will not tolerate that if they violate our laws," he said.

By Riera U. Mallari

PARIS (Via PLDT Home) – The Philippines’ Nesthy Petecio tries to build on her impressive opening-bout win as she shoots for a place in the quarterfinals when she takes on hometown bet Amin Zidani in a Round of 16, 57-kg bout at the North Paris Arena at 8 p.m. (12 midnight Saturday, Manila time).

Looking every inch like the Tokyo Olympic silver medalist that she is, the 32-year-old Petecio took Indian foe

Jaismine Lamboria to school in a masterful 5-0 triumph on Tuesday. She is expected to encounter some resistance this time from Zidani – and the hometown crowd – when she shoots for a second straight victory in these games. The 30-yearold Frenchwoman, a featherweight gold medallist at the 2023 European Games, where she earned qualification for the Paris 2024 Olympic Games, is a sixtime French national champion from 2016 to 2021.

By Vince Lopez, Dennis Abrina and Othel Campos

THE Philippine Coast Guard on Thursday said siphoning operations of the oil from the sunken vessel MT Terra Nova will begin "not later than two weeks from now."

The Bureau of Fisheries and Aquatic Resources also reported that preliminary results from its fish sampling indicate some degree of petrochemical tainting in fish samples from Noveleta and Rosario in Cavite following the oil spill. However, fish samples from Tanza, Cavite City, and Naic remained

By Vito Barcelo, Maricel V. Cruz, Macon Ramos-Araneta and Joel E. Zurbano

THE Commission on Elections is set to file criminal cases against suspended Bamban Mayor Alice Guo after the poll body found sufficient evidence for alleged misrepresentation in her certificate of candidacy. According to the Comelec panel investigating the embattled mayor, the fingerprints of Guo and Chinese national "Guo Hua Ping" matched. The poll body's chairman, George

Garcia, said the Comelec en banc could issue a resolution concerning the case this week.

“[The Comelec] finds sufficient factual basis to proceed with the preliminary investigation and thus respectfully recommends that this department be directed to file a motu proprio complaint and conduct a preliminary investigation against Mayor Alice Guo/Guo Hua Ping for material misrepresentation in violation of Section 74 in relation to Section 262 of the Omnibus Election Code,” Garcia said.

As this developed, a joint inquiry by the House Committees on Public

free from contamination at this time.

In a statement, the PCG said that all valves and “high-level alarm pipes” of the tanker, which was carrying approximately 1.4 million liters of oil, have been capped while the working barge and receiving tanker to be used in the recovery operation have been positioned on site.

By Darwin G. Amojelar, Rio N. Araja and Macon Ramos-Araneta

THE Department of Transportation

(DOTr) said it will push through with the nationwide Public Transport Modernization Program despite senators’ efforts to suspend its implementation, saying most of the transport sector members have already signed up for the program.

Transportation Undersecretary for Road Transport and Infrastructure Je-

sus Ferdinand Ortega said the agency would enforce President Marcos’ directive to proceed with the PTMP after the deadline for consolidation lapsed last April 30.

“All transport sector stakeholders who wish to take part in the program are already on board. No one was left behind. On the part of DOTr, we were given a marching order by the President… we are 100 percent ready to go (ahead with modernization),” he said. He said the issue of modernization is focused on commuter-safety and comfort.

EYES ON THE QUARTERFINALS. Filipina boxer Nesthy Petecio seeks to secure a place in the quarterfinals during her bout against French competitor Amin Zidani in the women's 57kg preliminaries Round of 16 on Friday (Saturday dawn, Manila time).

Photo shows Petecio celebrating after winning against India's Jaismine Lamboria at the North Paris Arena on July 30, 2024. AFP

Gov’t rolls out ‘Timbangan ng Bayan’ to protect consumers

By Othel V. Campos

THE Department of Trade and Industry on Thursday launched the "Timbangan ng Bayan" project which aims to provide consumers with the means to verify the accuracy of weights and measures in public wet markets across the country, thus protecting them from unfair trade practices.

"This Timbangan ng Bayan facility will support lower-class municipalities and cities. We are targeting the fourth, fifth, and sixth-income class municipalities," DTI Secretary Alfredo Pascual said during the MOU

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When asked what would constitute illegal actions, Remulla said: "If they arrest someone without the authority to do so, or usurp power, then we have a problem."

"We are not in the business of blocking Interpol's job, which is to fight international crime," he added.

Former senator Antonio Trillanes IV earlier revealed that the Office of the Prosecutor of the International Criminal Court has asked Interpol to put Senator Ronald Dela Rosa and other former and current police officials on "blue notice" amid the ICC’s probe into the drug war.

Trillanes posted on the social media platform X an alleged confidential ICC document tagging Dela Rosa, former Philippine National Police officials Oscar Albayalde, Edilberto Leonardo, Eleazar Mata, and former CIDG chief and current Northern Luzon commander Maj. Gen. Romeo Caramat Jr. as "suspects."

Dela Rosa dismissed Trillanes' post, saying there was nothing new to it. Albayalde, on the other hand, said he is ready to face the ICC.

The ICC prosecutor can interview persons of interest in its investigation of the Duterte administration’s war on drugs, Solicitor General Menardo Guevarra earlier said.

Guevarra said the document posted by Trillanes was supposed to be confidential but Trillanes’ revelation forced him to make an explanation.

Government records show that some 6,200 drug suspects were

‘PUV...

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Under the PTMP, jeepney units that are 15 years old will be replaced with Euro 4 engines or electrically-powered engines with solar panel roofing.

“This goes beyond the drivers, the operators. This is about the commuters,” Ortega said.

“We’re talking of millions of commuters everyday. This is a project that the public has been awaiting for decades now,” he added.

The program aims to transform the road transportation system by addressing vehicle safety and quality; route network efficiency; and fleet management, while providing commuters modern public utility vehicles (PUVs) that are comfortable, accessible, safe and affordable.

Meanwhile, the Land Transportation and Franchising Regulatory Board (LTFRB) defended its decision to allow unconsolidated public utility jeepneys (PUJs) and UV express units to operate in some routes, saying this is a stop-gap measure to ensure enough public transportation in low number of authorized units routes.

“However, they will have to be approved by the Local Public Transport Route Plan or the Route Rationalization Plan,” the LTFRB said. Under Board Resolution No. 53, the LTFRB said it recognizes that some operators are unable to consolidate because their total number of

killed during the Duterte administration but human rights organizations say that the actual number is closer to 30,000.

At the lower house, Santa Rosa City Rep. Dan Fernandez said the findings of the House Committee on Human Rights could serve as evidence in the ICC’s probe into alleged crimes against humanity by Duterte and his close associates.

Meanwhile, Remulla said the plunder complaint filed earlier this month by Trillanes against Duterte may find its way back to the Department of Justice from the Office of the Ombudsman for further evaluation.

"(W)e have to do some back-channeling with the Office of the Ombudsman so it will be returned to us and we can evaluate it before the prosecutor general returns it. That has to be coordinated," he said.

"What happened was it was submitted by the prosecutor general without the Office of the DOJ knowing. Now, we are looking at it because Trillanes is filing evidence not included in the body of the complaint," Remulla added.

Trillanes filed plunder complaints against Duterte and Senator Christopher Lawrence Go before the DOJ on July 5 in connection with the alleged anomalous award of 184 government contracts worth more than P6 billion.

In the 30-page complaint, Trillanes alleged that Duterte and Go facilitated corrupt practices in the awarding of contracts to companies owned by Go's father and brother from 2007 to 2018.

vehicles falls short of the minimum requirement under the PTMP.

The Board allowed the continued operation of select unconsolidated PUJs and UV express units “provided that their units are currently registered with the Land Transportation Office and have a valid Personal Passenger Accident Insurance Coverage.” Transport groups Pagkakaisa ng mga Samahan ng Tsuper at Operator Nationwide (PISTON) and Manibela slammed the LTFRB for supposedly “hiding” a board resolution that would allow unconsolidated PUVs to operate in areas with low rate of consolidations.

For his part, Senator Alan Peter Cayetano expressed confidence the majority of PUJ drivers and operators would agree to modernization if a "win-win solution” could be presented to them.

He said drivers, transport groups, and cooperatives would be willing to modernize as long as it does not overly burden them.

"They should also be assured of the sustainability of their livelihoods," said Cayetano.

He noted that the PTMP presented a “one-size-fits-all” transport modernization program and had not taken into account the varying conditions in different routes.

Aiming for a more efficient and inclusive PTMP, several senators are now seeking to suspend its implementation to allow more time for a thorough review.

trol and containment as well as cleanup measures are ongoing in coordination with the local government, other national government agencies, and partners in the

BFAR, meanwhile, said it continues to conduct fish sampling and testing in affected areas across Central Luzon, Calabarzon and the National Capital Region.

signing ceremony.

The project is a collaborative effort between DTI, the Department of Interior and Local Government (DILG), the Department of Science and Technology (DOST), and the Rizal Commercial Banking Corporation (RCBC).

The Timbangan ng Bayan facilities will not only serve as a tool for consumers to verify weights but will also function as an information resource, educating consumers about their rights and responsibilities.

This information will be presented in

Speaker...

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register at bagongpilipinastayo.com to get free and quality services from various agencies of our government this August 2-3, 2024,” the host city mayor said in a social media post.

The fair will feature the services from various government agencies, ranging from education, agriculture, social services, livelihood programs, regulatory functions, and health among others.

Reyan Arinto, regional head of the Philippine Information Agency (PIA)-Eastern Visayas, urged the local residents “to take advantage of the Bagong Pilipinas Serbisyo Fair.”

“This program offers a comprehensive range of government services, making them more accessible and convenient for the public, by participating, you can benefit from streamlined processes and valuable support to meet your needs,” Arinto told Manila Standard.

Meanwhile, House Deputy Secretary General and Lead of BPSF National Secretariat Sofonias Gabonada Jr. said the 21st staging of the East-

Comelec...

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Order and Safety, and on Games and Amusements has revealed a complex network of Chinese nationals involved with illegal Philippine Offshore Gaming Operators (POGOs) and drug trafficking.

During Wednesday’s hearing, Santa Rosa City Rep. Dan Fernandez presented a detailed matrix linking several Chinese nationals, including businessman and former presidential adviser Michael Yang, to both alleged illegal POGO activities and drug operations.

Yang, who once served as an adviser to former President Rodrigo Duterte, is the subject of an arrest and detention order from the House for refusing to appear and shed light on his alleged involvement in a P3.6-billion drug bust in Mexico, Pampanga last year.

“It’s not only the criminal activities of POGOs and the corporations established by Chinese nationals, but also

Petecio...

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Zidani settled for the featherweight bronze at the 2023 World Championships, losing to Irma Testa of Italy in the semifinal.

Interestingly, Petecio defeated the same Testa, 4-1, in the semifinals of the Tokyo Olympics.

Only Petecio, her fellow Tokyo Olympic silver medalist Carlo Paalam and first-time Olympian Aira Villegas have remained of the vaunted Philippine boxing team, with Tokyo bronze medalist Eumir Marcial and Igorot fighter Hergie Bacyadan losing to their opponents.

Laboratory tests for harmful substances are being conducted to verify the safety of fish and other seafood for consumption.

As a precautionary measure, BFAR advises against consuming fish harvested from areas where oil slicks have been observed.

The Department of Health, in a related report, advised Cavite resi-

local dialects to ensure accessibility and understanding at the grassroots level.

Consumer Protection Group (CPG) undersecretary Amanda Nograles said 630 analog weighing scales will be distributed in local government units in Metro Manila as a centralized property of every wet market.

"Just having this Timbangan ng Bayan in the market is already a deterrent against cheating,” she said.

The initiative is part of the DTI's broader ALAGAng Konsyumer program, which focuses on consumer protection and empowerment.

ern Visayas BPSF will pour a total of over P1.2 billion worth of services to the people of Region VIII, of which over P800 million is in the form of cash assistance.

“Some 241 congressmen are expected to witness the Bagong Pilipinas Serbisyo Fair…they want to see for themselves how the funds being earmarked for services are being handed over to beneficiaries,” he said.

Tingog party-list Rep. Jude Acidre said the presence of the lawmakers at the service caravan also shows their solid support for the President’s efforts to bring positive change to Eastern Visayas and the entire country,

“The Speaker and the President are consistent in their desire to bring services closer to the people. So, let’s take advantage of it,” the lawmaker said.

A Bagong Pilipinas Pagkakaisa Concert will also take place at 5 p.m. today at the RTR Plaza in Tacloban. The event features top showbiz personalities and performers, like Daniel Padilla, Pokwang, This Band, Jane De Leon, Sponge Cola, Plethora, Antonio Bathan, Righteous One, ILT Band, and Hilera among others.

drugs are involved,” the lawmaker said. Fernandez’s panel and the Committee on Games and Amusements, chaired by Cavite Rep. Antonio Ferrer, have been investigating the proliferation of criminal activities associated with illegal POGOs.

He began his presentation by referencing the extensive investigation initiated last year by the House Committee on Dangerous Drugs, chaired by Surigao del Norte Rep. Robert Ace Barbers.

The investigation, launched through House Resolution (HR) 1346, focused on the P3.6 billion worth of shabu seized in the municipality of Mexico.

This initial probe led to further inquiries by the Committee on Public Accounts, chaired by Abang Lingkod party-list Rep. Joseph Stephen Paduano, into properties acquired with the alleged connivance of local government units, implicating former Mexico Mayor Teddy Tumang and Mayor Abundio Punsalan Jr. of San Simon, Pampanga.

Marcial was ousted from the men's 80-kilogram boxing competition early Wednesday morning (Manila time) after losing by unanimous decision to a tall and younger Uzbekistan opponent in Turabek Khabibullaev.

Bacyadan rammed into a great wall in Tokyo Olympics silver medalist, China's Li Qian in the women's 75kg preliminaries Round of 16 boxing and bombed out following a 0-5 setback.

Meanwhile, Jarrod Hatch plunges into the 100m butterfly eliminations at 11 a.m. (5 p.m., Manila time), while Joanie Delgaco tries to secure the best placing in the 19th to 24th women’s singles sculls classification in the rowing competitions set to begin at 9:42 a.m. (3:42 p.m., Manila time).

Marcos urges Filipinos to embrace nat’l language

By Charles Dantes

ON Buwan ng Wikang Pambansa, President Marcos called on Filipinos to embrace the national language.

"This occasion serves as an important reminder for us to love the Filipino language with all our hearts, acknowledging that the languages we have inherited showcase our remarkable identity as a people," President Marcos said in his message to mark the Buwan ng Wikang Pambansa (National Language Month).

Mr. Marcos added the celebration is more than just a reminder but also an exhortation for the younger generation.

"Buwan ng Wikang Pambansa is also an invitation for us to continuously love and enrich our languages. Our literature is replete with works that deepen our love for the country and encourage the new generation to cherish what is uniquely ours," he said.

Noting that this year's celebration has the theme "Filipino: Wikang Magpapalaya" (Filipino: The Language That Liberates), President Marcos underscored the vital role of language in strengthening national unity.

"Among the benefits mentioned are the advantages of having a national language, its significant contribution to our country's independence, and its power to open our eyes and minds to the importance, experiences, and capabilities of each individual," he said.

Megaworld offers P24-m condo to Filipino Olympics gold medalists

By: Jenniffer B. Austria

PROPERTY giant Megaworld

Corp. committed to give a residential condominium unit worth P24 million to each Filipino gold medalist competing at the 2024 Paris Olympics.

Megaworld of business tycoon Andrew Tan said Thursday it will give Filipino gold medalists with fully-furnished two-bedroom unit inside its 50-hectare McKinley Hill township in Taguig City.

“This 2024, we are celebrating our 100th year of participating in the Olympic Games, and what a way to celebrate this milestone than by recognizing the superb competitive spirit of our newest Olympic gold medalist and welcoming them to McKinley Hill,” said Megaworld president Lourdes T. Gutierrez-Alfonso.

As one of the most celebrated addresses in Fort Bonifacio, McKinley Hill is home to several world-class athletes, including members of the Philippine national teams for basketball and football.

"This makes it a perfect home for Filipino champions who live a life of passion and excellence through and through,” she added. McKinley Hill is also home to the famous Venice Grand Canal, one of the most photographed malls in the country today. It also houses exclusive McKinley Hill Village, residential condos and villas, office towers, schools, foreign embassies, and the McKinley Hill Football Stadium.

During the last Tokyo Olympics, Megaworld also gave the country’s first gold medalist Hidilyn Diaz a residential condominium in Eastwood City worth P14 million.

dents to exercise caution as the oil spill poses significant risks to public health, causing harm through direct physical contact and by contaminating food sources and habitats. Depending on the type of contact, individuals may experience immediate health effects such as Inhalation may cause nausea, eye irritation, increased blood pressure, irregular heart rhythm, headache, loss of appetite, and difficulty concentrating.
Skin contact may lead to skin irritation, blisters, burns, peeling skin, and dermatitis. Ingestion may result in vomiting, diarrhea, abdominal pain, coughing, irritability, and unconsciousness. Ingesting large amounts may lead to convulsions, coma, or death.

By Rex Espiritu

THE Philippines and the United States are set to forge a key military intelligence sharing agreement by the end of the year, according to US Defense Secretary Lloyd Austin III. Meanwhile, the Philippines and US defense secretaries agreed that their respective Coast Guards were “an essential part of maintaining stability and supporting a free and open Indo-Pacific.’

Speaking after the 2+2 Foreign and Defense Ministerial Meeting at Camp Aguinaldo in Quezon City, Austin said both nations are committed to making the defense alliance “even more secure through technology and cyber cooperation”.

“We reiterated our shared intent to conclude a general security of military information agreement (GSOMIA) by the end of the year. Now, that’s crucial to our shared cybersecurity goals,” Austin said.

According to a US-Philippine joint statement following the 2+2, this GSOMIA would lay the foundation for “enhanced, expanded, and timely sharing of information and defense technology”.

Defense Secretary Gilberto Teodoro Jr., meanwhile, said the deal would serve as a tool to help the Philippines develop its operational security.

‘No NCR flood control master plan’

By Macon Ramos-Araneta and Joel E. Zurbano

DEPARTMENT of Public Works and Highways (DPWH)

Secretary Manuel Bonoan on Thursday admitted there was no flood control master plan and that current efforts were merely remedial or band aid-style in nature, giving rise to persistent flooding in Metro Manila.

Meanwhile, the Philippine government expressed gratitude to the United Arab Emirates (UAE) for its humanitarian assistance and donation of relief goods to the communities affected by

Super Typhoon Carina. The latest heavy flooding in the metropolis and nearby areas occurred amid typhoon Carina and the southwest monsoon or habagat. despite the

DPWH's whopping budget for flood control.

Testifying in the hearing of the Senate Committees on Public Works chaired by Senator Ramon Revilla Jr., Bonoan said the existing 5,521 flood control projects were meant for immediate flood mitigation.

He said these flood projects suffered delays from 2019 to 2023 due to various reasons including the COVID-19 pandemic.

He said these were also the same projects referred to by President Ferdinand Marcos Jr. in his third State of the Nation Address.

Senator Imee Marcos grilled Bonoan on the flood control projects which usually get enormous amounts in the national budget.

LAB FOR ALL. First Lady Liza Araneta Marcos, together with Quezon City Mayor Joy Belmonte, visits various government agency booths during the “Lab for All: Laboratoryo, Konsulta, at Gamot Para sa Lahat!” program held at Risen Garden, Quezon City Hall Complex in Quezon City,. Aside from free healthcare services including medical checkups, dental services, and laboratories, various government services from different agencies are also available at the Lab for All event. Manny Palmero

China rejects sending of US mid-range missiles to PH

By Rex Espiritu

CHINA has objected to the deployment of American mid-range missile system in the Philippines, saying the move “fuels tension in the region that could possibly escalate into geopolitical tension and an arms race.”

Meanwhile, the Armed Forces of the Philippines (AFP), in collaboration with the United States Navy, held a maritime cooperative activity on Wednesday in the West Philippine Sea.

Marcos said it would appear that the projects involved only small ones. She also noted that under the 2024 national budget, it was agreed upon that the funds for foreign-assisted projects be removed or declared nil. These funds, she said, were intended for big-time flood control projects, with some of them placed in the unprogrammed appropriations of big projects for flood control.

IN BRIEF

22 needy

Cavite learners get bikes for school rides

THE Philippine National Police’s Regional Mobile Force Battalion (RMFB) led by MSgt. Paquito Chan Jr, in collaboration with the Rotary Club of Las Piñas Central, has donated bicycles to 22 deserving students of Kaysuyo National High School in Alfonso, Cavite. The project, dubbed “Bisikleta Para sa Pangarap,” aimed to alleviate the daily struggles of 22 deserving students who had to walk 10 kilometers daily to their school. These students, from grades 7 to 10, received brand-new mountain bikes complete with helmets, courtesy of the RMFB.

“Let me stress once again that by letting the US deploy the missile system on Philippine soil, the Philippines is enabling a country outside the region to fuel tensions and antagonism in this region, and incite geopolitical confrontation and arms race,” Chinese Foreign Ministry spokesperson Lin Jian said. He urged both nations to “pull out the missile system as publicly pledged, and stop prolonging the wrongful act.”

sive capabilities and are not meant for offensive purposes.

Manalo emphasized that he does not foresee how these defensive measures could escalate into an arms race.

During the US-PH 2+2 Foreign and Defense Ministerial Dialogue on Tuesday, Foreign Affairs Secretary Enrique Manalo dismissed China's claims as “false,” stating that the missile systems are intended to enhance defen-

BI halts alien minors with stolen passports

By Vito Barcelo

THE Bureau of Immigration (BI) has expressed alarm over the recent trend of minor aliens obtaining fraudulently-acquired foreign passports.

In a statement, BI chief Norman Tansingco said Immigration officers at the Ninoy Aquino International Airport (NAIA) have encountered three incidents of Vietnamese children presenting illegally-obtained German passports. He said that this might be a case of trafficking of minors to illegally enter other countries. BI agents at the NAIA terminal 1 intercepted two Vietnamese women who attempted to enter the country claiming to be German nationals.

Manalo also stressed that the deepening relations between the US and the Philippines are not intended to pose a threat to any nation, as they are founded on “shared adherence to democratic values and social justice” and the “strong people-to-people relationship.”

“The Philippine-U.S. alliance and friendship has withstood the test of time,” Manalo said.

Kaysuyo National High School principal Lorena Blancaflor broached the idea as she noted the students sacrifices to access education. Seeking support from various stakeholders, Blancaflor’s efforts connected her with Chan and the Rotary Club of Las Piñas Central, who embraced her proposal. Roy Tomandao

DHSUD bags 1st COA unmodified opinion

THE Department of Human Settlements and Urban Development (DHSUD) has bagged its first unmodified opinion from the Commission on Audit (COA), attesting to the fair and transparent presentation of the agency’s financial position.

“We are proud of this achievement as this opinion attests to the fair and transparent presentation of the Department’s financial position, aligning with President Ferdinand Marcos Jr.’s Bagong Pilipinas brand of governance,” Housing Secretary Jose Rizalino Acuzar said.

“It also underscores DHSUD’s commitment to maintaining high standards of financial integrity and transparency,” he added. Rio N. Araja

Army’s 4ID gets new assistant commander

THE Philippine Army’s 4th Infantry Division (4ID) has a new deputy commander, Brig. Gen. Consolito Yecla, replacing Brig. Gen. George Banzon who retired last July 1. In his remarks, Yecla expressed gratitude for the “opportunity to take on a critical position” and acknowledged the added weight and responsibility that comes with it.

“With my acceptance of the role as the Assistant Division Commander, I will carry with me all the valuable lessons and experiences I’ve learned. Rest assured that I will do my best to assist the commander as he performs his duties and uphold nothing but excellence, as should any Diamond trooper who takes pride in this,” Yecla said. Rex Espiritu

JOB CHASE. Hundreds of applicants line up for interview with recruitment agencies that joined a job fair organized by the Department of Migrant Workers (DMW) and the Embassy of Japan in a mall in Quezon City in celebration of the Philippines and Japan Friendship Week on Thursday. Manny Palmero

DBM cuts President’s travel budget by 8%

IN BRIEF

House bill seeks gov’t control of AI tech use

CAMARINES Sur Rep. Luis Raymund

Villafuerte is batting for government regulatory control of artificial intelligence (AI) technology when used for the production of “deepfake” audio, visual or audiovisual materials by penalizing those that produce or distribute them without making a public disclosure that these are deepfakes, or AIaltered visual and/or audio presentations.

In House Bill 10567, Villafuerte proposed cash penalties ranging from P2 million to P5 million for producers or distributors of deepfake materials without any disclosure that these were altered with the use of AI or any other similar technology. A similar penalty awaits those who delete or tamper with such disclosures in these AI-modified voices or images under the bill. Villafuerte introduced the bill just weeks after backing the proposal of Commission on Elections (Comelec) Chairman George Erwin Garcia for the electoral watchdog to prohibit the use of AI and deepfake technology in electoral campaigns, to preserve honesty and transparency in our nationwide balloting in 2025 onwards. Maricel V. Cruz

Padilla bill seeks to end political dynasties

SENATOR Robin Padilla has filed Resolution of Both Houses (RBH) No. 9 which seeks restrictions on relatives running for public office.

He said his proposed measure would kickstart the process of finally ending political dynasties. He recommended an amendment to the 1987 Constitution which aims to give it more teeth on the matter. Instead of waiting for an enabling law from Congress, RBH 9 seeks restrictions on relatives running for public office.

He stressed equal opportunities for public service, inclusivity and fair representation in executive and legislative affairs are supposed to be among the blessings of a democratic state.”

Yet, he lamented that political dynasties “continue to thrive and dominate in both national and local elections, most frequently unchallenged.” Macon RamosAraneta

Marcoletea: Poll chief has offshore accounts

SAGIP Party-List Rep. Rodante Marcoleta on Thursday said Commission on Elections (Comelec) Chairman George Erwin Garcia’s alleged offshore bank accounts do exist contrary to the poll body’s claims. Marcoleta at the same time appealed to fellow lawmakers to support a congressional inquiry on the matter “to ensure the integrity of the upcoming 2025 Philippine elections and to preserve the exercise of each Filipino voter’s inherent right to suffrage.” Marcoleta voiced concerns over what he described as “intriguing” million-dollar offshore bank accounts that appear to be connected to the poll body’s P18-billion deal with South Korean firm Miru Systems Co. Ltd. for the 2025 midterm elections. Marcoleta said the burden has now shifted to Garcia, for the Comelec Chairman to prove these solid pieces of evidence wrong, if he can. But Garcia denied the allegations levelled against him even as he expressed readiness to attend the congressional hearing to clear his name. Maricel V. Cruz

Pascual to next DTI chief: Focus on MSMEs dev’t

By Othel V. Campos

OUTGOING Department of Trade and Industry (DTI) Secretary Alfredo Pascual called on his potential successor to sustain the momentum of trade agreements and ensure that micro, small and medium enterprises (MSMEs) get the assistance they need.

“We have built a strong foundation for the future of Philippine trade and industry. The investments we’ve secured, the consumer protections we’ve put in place... this is the legacy we leave behind. But the work is far from over,” Pascual said during his last day in office.

“It is now up to the next generation of leaders to build upon this foundation and take our nation to even greater heights.”

Ongoing activities that need focus include Free Trade Agreement (FTA) negotiations and MSME initiatives like the shared service facilities (SSFs), “Malikhaing Pinoy,” and “Tatak Pinoy,” he said.

He added one of his biggest contribu-

tions as DTI chief has been building a pipeline of billions of dollars in investments. Consumer protection initiatives like “Kalasag,” seizures of uncertified products, simplification of SRP lists, and the launch of “E-presyo” are significant achievements.

Business groups Philippine Chamber of Commerce and Industry (PCCI) and the American Chamber of Commerce (AmCham) expressed optimism that the new Trade secretary will continue the programs and innovations introduced in the department during Pascual’s term.

PCCI president consul Enunina MangioMangio expressed hope that initiatives such as regional industrialization, ease of doing business, skills development, investment attraction, export expansion, and consumer protection will remain DTI priorities.

Both the PCCI and AmCham said they look forward to working with the

new DTI chief, and hope for continued progress in supporting MSMEs, attracting investments, and promoting trade.

Senator Grace Poe meanwhile belied reports that she would take over the DTI post However, Poe said she is open to assuming the post.

“In whatever manner I can help is a privilege,” Poe said, adding that right now, she wants to focus on her job in the Senate. As chairperson of the Senate Committee under the new Senate leadership, Poe will lead the deliberations on the proposed government budget for next year.

Senate President Francis Escudero said the budget hearing will start on August 13. They projected its ratification and submission to the President before the Congress Christmas break.

Last July 19, Senator Sonny Angara replaced Vice President Sara Duterte as Secretary of the Department of Education. Macon Ramos-Araneta

SC says exclusive franchises of electric coops unconstitutional

By Pot Chavez

THE Supreme Court (SC) on Thursday said electric cooperatives do not have the constitutional right to an exclusive franchise within their coverage areas.

“A franchise, as a privilege granted by the state, is not the exclusive private property of the franchisee. Thus, it must yield to serve the common good, as determined by Congress,” the SC said in a news release.

In a decision dated July 30, 2024, the SC dismissed the petition of Iloilo Electric Cooperative, Inc. I, II, and III (ILECOs) which challenged the validity of Republic Act No. 11918.

In dismissing the petition, the Court cited the prohibition of exclusive franchises provided under Section 11, Article XII of the Constitution. Meanwhile, the said law expanded the

franchise of MORE Electric and Power Corporation, another electric distribution utility in Iloilo City, to areas within ILECOs’ franchise.

ILECOs hold franchise certificates to operate electric light and power services in various municipalities in the province of Iloilo and in Passi City while MORE initially held a franchise to operate the same in Iloilo City until RA 11918 expanded its franchise to include 15 municipalities and one city previously within ILECO’s exclusive franchise area.

As a result, ILECOs filed before the High Tribunal a petition for certiorari and prohibition, with prayer for the issuance of a temporary restraining order and writ of preliminary injunction, to invalidate Section 1 of RA 11918 for violating their rights to exclusive franchises, due process, non-impairment of contracts, and equal protection.

By Charles Dantes

THE proposed travel budget for the Office of the President for 2025 has been reduced by 8%, to P1.054 billion, down from P1.148 billion, the Department of Budget and Management (DBM) Secretary Amenah Pangandaman said during a Palace briefing on Thursday.

Despite the budget cut, Pangandaman said the government would continue its efforts to promote the Philippines as an investment destination, which will continue unabated.

“We’re still going out there, basically marketing the Philippines as a great place to invest – and that’s ongoing,” Pangandaman said.

“Meanwhile, some others have already signed memorandums of understanding and agreements with our President, but we still need to follow up on these to ensure that the investments we’ve gathered over the past years come through,” she added.

From January to May of this year, President Ferdinand Marcos Jr. has traveled out of the country eight times. President Marcos visited Brunei and Vietnam in January, followed by a state visit to Australia in Canberra in February. In March, he returned to Australia for the ASEAN-Australia Special Summit before heading to Central Europe for a working visit in Germany and a state visit to the Czech Republic. In April, President Marcos traveled to Washington D.C. for the first trilateral summit with Japan and the United States, and in May, he embarked on a back-to-back visit to Brunei and Singapore.

DOJ sees Teves extradition from Timor Leste

THE Department of Justice (DOJ) is confident that the Timor Leste Court of Appeals would uphold its decision to extradite former Negros Oriental Third District Rep. Arnolfo Teves, Jr. Earlier, Teves through his local legal team, filed a motion for reconsideration for the reversal of the order.

DOJ Assistant Secretary Mico Clavano, quoted by ABS-CBN News said: “It seems like a rehash of their arguments to begin with, political persecution, the fact that we have death penalty here, and all these arguments which have already been ruled upon before.” Clavano further said: “There’s little that they can argue in addition to what they’ve already argued before that’s why we are doubly confident na magkakaroon tayo ulit ng confirmation of the decision that was first rendered.”

The Philippine government has requested the extradition of Teves who is facing multiple murder cases in Manila for the killing of Negros Oriental governor Roel Degamo and nine others. Clavano further said “it will take a lot for the Court of Appeals to reverse its decision.”

“We believe na hindi talaga ire-reverse ang una nilang decision and after that magkakaroon na ng desisyon iyong Court of Appeals and we can proceed already with the extraction,” Clavano said.

DEMOLITION. Residents return to their demolished houses in Barangay 13 FB Harrison in Pasay City. More than twenty members of the demolition teams were injured and taken to the hospital. Norman Cruz

LAKAS OATH-TAKING. Lakas-CMD Party president and House Speaker Ferdinand Martin G. Romualdez administers the oath of membership to Sulu provincial government officials led by Governor Abdusakur Tan. Ver Noveno

OPINION

Description of the place to be searched

(First of 2 parts)

ONE requirement for the validity of a search warrant under Article III, Section 2 of the 1987 Constitution and Rule 126, Section 4 of the Rules Court is that it must specifically describe the place to be searched and the things to be seized.

The absence of this requirement “will cause the downright nullification of the search warrant” (Diaz v. People, G.R. No. 213875, July 15, 2020).

In the case of Diaz v. People, the Regional Trial Court of San Pablo City issued a search warrant upon an application with two sketches of the house of Merlina Diaz (Merlina) in Gitna, Brgy. Cuyab, San Pedro, Laguna.

The first sketch “depicted a floor plan of a studio-type apartment with an anteroom where the entrance gate of the property was located while the second sketch depicted three buildings… one of which was marked with a large ‘X’ enclosed in a square…”

“Pursuant to the search warrant, members of the San Pedro Police Station searched the house of Merlina.

“Approximately nine grams of shabu were then found in and seized from the premises. Merlina was immediately arrested and detained… for her alleged violation of Section 11 of Republic Act No. 9165 or the Comprehensive Dangerous Drugs Act of 2002” (op. cit.).

“Immediately after the search and [Merlina’s] arrest, the following information was uncovered from [her]: (1) that the complete address of her residence is No. 972, Gitna, Brgy. Cuyab, San Pedro, Laguna; and (2) that the house located at No. 972, Gitna, Brgy. Cuyab, San Pedro, Laguna was divided into five separate units each occupied by [Merlina] and her four siblings…”

“[I]nquest Proceedings were conducted… [and] [o]n the same day, an Information for violation of Section 11 of R.A. 9165… was filed before the RTC of San Pablo City, Laguna…” Merlina filed a Motion to Quash the

search warrant on the grounds that the same was a general warrant.

She argued that: “(a) house number 972 did not appear in her home address as stated in the search warrant; and (b) the search warrant failed to distinguish [Merlina’s] unit, which was the place intended to be searched, from the other units or rooms representing the four other households inside the house…”

“The particularity of the place described is essential in the issuance of search warrants to avoid the exercise by the enforcing officers of discretion to decide on their own where to search and whom and what to seize.”

—“—

The absence of specific description of the place to be searched and the things to be seized ‘will cause the downright nullification of the search warrant’

“Notably, it is well-entrenched in our jurisprudence that a description of a place to be searched is sufficient if the officer with the warrant can ascertain and identify with reasonable effort the place intended, and distinguish it from other places in the community” (op. cit.).

“Simply put, the test of whether the requirement of definiteness or particularity has been met is whether the description of the place to be searched under the warrant is sufficient and descriptive enough to prevent a search of other premises located within the surrounding area or community.

“A ‘place’ may refer to a single building or structure, or a house or residence, such as in the case at bar” (op. cit.).

War on poverty gaining ground

THE good news on the socio-economic front is that poverty incidence in the country fell to 15.5 percent in 2023 from 18.1 percent in 2021.

This, according to the National Economic and Development Authority, is a positive development that’s likely to lead to a further decrease in the poverty rate to single-digit level by 2028. The 2023 full-year official poverty statistics released by the Philippine Statistics Authority on July 22 showed the number of Filipinos living in poverty decreased by 2.45 million to 17.54 million in 2023 from nearly 20 million in 2021.

The latest numbers surpassed the government’s target of a reduction in poverty incidence in 2023, which was set at 16 percent to 16.4 percent in the Philippine Development Plan 2023-2028. The figures indicate poverty incidence among families declined to 10.9 percent in 2023 from 13.2 percent in 2021.

This corresponds to a decrease in the number of impoverished families from 3.5 million in 2021 to 3.0 million in 2023.

For NEDA Secretary Arsenio Balisacan, the numbers are encouraging and “underscore our unwavering commitment to implement effective policies and initiatives that uplift the lives of our countrymen. As we welcome news of our progress, we remain steadfast in our efforts to ensure that our economic gains are truly felt by all Filipinos, rich and poor alike,” he explained.

We’re glad the number of food-poor families decreased to 740,000 in 2023 from 1.04 million families in 2021, or a significant reduction of 300,000 families. In terms of population, the number of food-poor individuals also dropped from 6.55 million in 2021 to 4.84 million in 2023, a decrease of 1.71 million individuals.

It is also worth noting the country’s average per capita income increased by 17.9 percent between 2021 to 2023, outpacing the 15.3-percent rise in the annual per capita poverty threshold during the same period.

The mean per capita incomes of the first, second and third decile classes also recorded significant increases of 25.3

percent, 22.9 percent, and 22.2 percent, respectively.

NEDA believes high inflation during the first half of 2023 likely partially offset the positive effects of income growth on poverty reduction.

The decline in poverty incidence could actually been higher had inflation been more moderate. But what is interesting is that mean per capita incomes for the poorest Filipinos—those belonging to the bottom deciles—grew very fast, faster than those in the top decile classes and faster than the rate at which the poverty threshold grew. “In other words, economic growth was progressive,” NEDA said.

It will take political will on the part of three branches of government to harness enough resources to fund anti-poverty initiatives, among them a no-holdsbarred approach to curbing corruption

But there are challenges ahead.

One, the government should prioritize food security and make food available, accessible, affordable, and nutritious.

The government should also boost agricultural productivity and effectively manage food prices through supply- and demand-side interventions; invest massively to improve infrastructure and markets; and strengthen targeted interventions to enhance health outcomes.

All this should be component parts of an all-out war on poverty that the Marcos Jr. administration should launch in the next three-and-half years of its term in office.

Aren’t we exaggerating when we say

Decline in PH school enrolment

needs urgent solutions.

ENOUGH reason for the national government to take stock of the actual state of Philippine education and adopt immediate remedial measures is the recent data from the Department of Education that enrollment in public and private schools has declined for the past three consecutive years, or from 2020 to 2023

DepEd reported in School Year 2024-2025, a total 21,563, 642 out of 27,722, 835.

The number is still expected to go up until the end of the enrollment period on Sept. 16, DepEd added..

SY 2024-2025 will end on May 16, 2025. For SY 2023-2024, there were only 22,917,725 enrollees, which was 5.8 million fewer than the 28,797,660 enrolees for SY 2022-2023.

The steady decline in the number of enrollees in basic education from elementary to high school is really alarming and reflects a serious problem that

One problem is the lack of enough classrooms especially in the rural areas.

This is compounded by the damage wrought by natural calamities like torrential rain that leads to flooding and damage to school facilities.

The perceptible decline in enrollment in basic education may also be traced to poverty

School facilities are also often used as evacuation centers in the aftermath of typhoons and other natural calamities.

According to DepEd, 12,866 schools were affected by the recent torrential rains and flooding brought by Typhoon Carina.

As of July 27, at least 1,063 schools declared postponement of their class openings initially scheduled for July 29 to allow rehabilitation and cleanup activities.

Last May, the National Economic and Development Authority Board approved the P30.56-billion fund for the repair and rehabilitation of school facilities outside the National Capital Region damaged by recent calamities.

IN A troubling revelation, the Commission on Audit has once again cast a spotlight on Cebu City’s governance woes, underscoring a recurrent theme in the Philippines’ public sector: the shady nexus between government officials and questionable transactions.

This time, the controversy centers on a stalled drainage project, with the city government failing to recover an excessive advance payment made to a contractor.

The 2023 audit report by COA critiques the Cebu City Government for its mishandling of a P1.3 billion flood-control initiative.

The Manila-based contractor, awarded the project in April 2021, received a mobilization fund of P199.323 million, ostensibly to kickstart the design phase.

Yet, over two years later, the project remains entangled in bureaucratic inertia, having seen no progress beyond the design stage.

The timeline is telling: from the contract’s inception in April 2021, through multiple suspension notices, to its expiration in November 2023, the narrative remains one of delay and dysfunction.

Despite the Department of Engineering and Public Works recommending contract termination in September 2023, the issue languishes unresolved, underscoring a pervasive lack of accountability.

Collusion, corruption

The saga of Cebu City’s drainage project is not an isolated incident but a reflection of a broader malaise in Philippine governance.

Collusion between government officials and contractors is a well-documented phenomenon.

Whether through overpricing, substandard work, or outright failure to deliver, such transactions erode public trust and siphon off much-needed resources.

Republic Act 9184, the Government Procurement Reform Act, aims to curtail such malpractices, mandating transparency and fairness in public procurement.

However, the law’s provisions seem to have been flouted, with COA highlighting the “excessive” advance payment – a clear deviation from the legal stipulation allow-

that nothing less than a full-scale war should be launched to defeat poverty in this country?

No, definitely not. When we talk about rescuing roughly a fourth of the total population of the country from the clutches of poverty, then the entire resources of the government should be mobilized.

It should be a multi-pronged war involving all sectors, not just the national and local governments, but also the pri-

The amount comprises funding for the Infrastructure for Safer and Resilient Schools (ISRS) project, which involves the “repair, rehabilitation, retrofitting, and reconstruction” of schools affected by natural disasters from 2019 to 2023.

This project will benefit 282 schools, 4,756 school buildings, 13,101 classrooms, and 741,038 learners.

The perceptible decline in enrollment in basic education may also be traced to poverty.

If poor students have to walk very far to attend classes or cannot afford public transport to go to school, nor afford the necessary school supplies and learning materials, then we have a serious problem indeed in setting national priorities.

Our fundamental law is very clear: “The State shall give priority to education, science and technology, arts, culture and sports to foster patriotism and nationalism, accelerate social progress, and promote total human liberation and development.”

Further on, we have this in the Constitution : “The State shall protect and promote the right of all citizens to quality education at all levels and shall take appropriate steps to make such education accessible to all.”

Education for all, in other words, should be the goal, not just for this administration, but also for succeeding

Cebu City’s P1.3b drainage debacle

ing only up to 15 percent in advance, and only under specific conditions.

Acknowledging COA for outstanding service

In this bleak narrative, the role of COA stands out as a pillar of integrity and diligence.

The Commission’s meticulous auditing and steadfast commitment to transparency serve as a critical check on governmental abuse.

COA’s persistent efforts to flag irregularities, despite bureaucratic hurdles, are commendable and essential in fostering accountability within the public sector.

The Cebu City drainage project serves as a microcosm of a larger, systemic issue plaguing the Philippines

The ethical and legal breaches in Cebu City’s handling of the drainage project are manifold.

COA’s reports serve as a damning indictment, emphasizing prolonged inaction and mismanagement. According to COA, the city’s failure to expedite resolution and reclaim the advance payment not only squanders public funds but also undermines future projects due to financial constraints.

The ethical standards expected of public officials, enshrined in Republic Act 6713 or the Code of Conduct and Ethical Standards for Public Officials and Employees, emphasize accountability, integrity, and transparency.

Cebu City’s prolonged inaction starkly contravenes these principles. Moreover, the Supreme Court has set numerous precedents underscoring the duty of government officials to act in the public’s best interest. In cases like Ombudsman vs. Jurado

vate sector and civil society or the organized citizenry. It will take political will on the part of three branches of government to harness enough resources to fund anti-poverty initiatives, among them a no-holds-barred approach to curbing corruption.

The immediate goal of the war on poverty should be to abolish absolute poverty and uplift the lives of the poorest of the poor. This will entail targeted assistance to

and Atty. Vinluan vs. National Labor Relations Commission, the Court underscored the necessity for prompt and decisive action in handling public funds and contracts.

Cebu City’s rebuttals

Acting Mayor Raymond Alvin Garcia’s defense rests on logistical challenges faced by the contractor, particularly the lack of necessary documents from City Hall.

This argument, while plausible, raises further questions about the city’s administrative efficiency and oversight mechanisms.

Why were these documents not provided timely? What measures were in place to ensure the contractor’s accountability?

The way forward for Cebu City must be one of transparency, accountability, and rigorous enforcement of legal provisions.

First, an independent audit should be conducted to ascertain the extent of administrative failures and ensure responsible officials are held accountable.

Second, the city government must expedite the termination process and reclaim the advance payment, as recommended by COA.

Additionally, there should be a comprehensive review of procurement processes to prevent future lapses.

Enhanced training for city officials on procurement laws and ethical standards, along with stricter monitoring mechanisms, could mitigate such issues.

Prosecution and justice

In light of the severe implications of this case, it is imperative that those responsible face legal repercussions.

The Office of the Ombudsman should initiate an investigation into potential graft and corruption charges, ensuring justice is served and public funds are safeguarded.

The Cebu City drainage project serves as a microcosm of a larger, systemic issue plaguing the Philippines.

As stewards of public resources, government officials must be held to the highest standards of accountability and integrity.

Only through decisive action and unwavering commitment to ethical governance can public trust be restored and sustained.

them in terms of cash aid, provision of job and livelihood opportunities as well as subsidized health/medical care and free education and skills training. The Marcos Jr. administration is on the right track in targeting single-digit poverty incidence by 2028.

By achieving this goal, the next administration should be able to pick up the baton and move even closer to not just uppermiddle income country status but perhaps even beyond. (Email:ernhil@yahoo.com)

Harris unchallenged as Democrats vote for WH nominee

– Kamala Harris

WASHINGTON, DC

will be confirmed as the Democratic US presidential nominee in an electronic vote starting Thursday (Friday Manila time) that replaces the fanfare of in-person balloting that usually kicks off the party’s national convention.

Less than two weeks after Joe Biden ended his reelection bid, his 59-year-old vice president is in full control of the party, having emerged as the only Democrat in the running to challenge Republican Donald Trump in November.

Just under 4,000 delegates, the grassroots activists and politicians allocated during the primary process, sent in signatures backing Harris to be on the ballot for the five-day electronic vote.

No other Democrats have stepped forward to challenge her elevation to the top of the ticket, making her confirmation as the first Black and South Asian woman ever to secure a major party’s nomination a formality.

Meanwhile, in Harrisburg, Donald Trump suggested Harris had decided to “turn Black” for political gain, as he attacked his Democratic White House rival during a combative interaction with African American journalists in Chicago.

The Republican former president’s inflammatory comments marked an escalation of the 78-year-old’s vitriol against Harris, whom he falsely accused of having identified as Indian but then, “all of a sudden, she made a turn, and she became a Black person.” Harris has long identified as Black and graduated from a historically Black university.

“So I don’t know, is she Indian or is she Black?” asked Trump during a heated interview at the National Association of Black Journalists conference. AFP

AS MADURO ASSERTS WIN

Venezuelans asked to ‘mobilize’

Iran holds funeral for Hamas leader

TEHRAN – Iran held funeral processions on Thursday for Hamas political chief

Ismail Haniyeh after he was killed in a strike in Tehran blamed on Israel.

The Islamic republic’s supreme leader Ayatollah Ali Khamenei will lead the prayers for Haniyeh ahead of his burial in Doha, having earlier threatened a “harsh punishment” for his killing.

In the capital’s city center, mourning crowds carrying posters of Haniyeh and Palestinian flags gathered at Tehran University on Thursday morning, according to an AFP correspondent.

Haniyeh’s death was announced the day before by Iran’s Revolutionary Guards, who said he and his bodyguard were killed in a strike on their accommodation in the Iranian capital at 2:00 am (2230 GMT) on Wednesday. It came just hours after Israel targeted and killed top Hezbollah commander Fuad Shukr in a retaliatory strike on the Lebanese capital Beirut, sending fears of a wider regional war soaring. Israel has declined to comment on the Tehran strike.

Khamenei, who has the final say in Iran’s political affairs, said after Haniyeh’s death that it was “our duty to seek revenge for his blood as he was martyred in the territory of the Islamic Republic of Iran”.

The Hamas leader was in Tehran for the inauguration ceremony of newly elected President Masoud Pezeshkian on Tuesday.

The Iranian president said Wednesday that “the Zionists (Israel) will soon see the consequences of their cowardly and terrorist act”. AFP

CARACAS –Venezuelan opposition leader Maria Corina Machado called Wednesday (Thursday Manila time) for supporters to “mobilize” after President Nicolas Maduro vowed to hold onto power following a widely disputed election.

Machado’s message comes amid deep uncertainty in the South American country, after Maduro was declared the winner in Sunday’s election but with electoral authorities failing to disclose detailed results to back up the claim.

Sixteen people have been killed in protests that erupted after the election, according to the opposition, which claims its candidate Edmundo Gonzalez Urrutia is the rightful victor.

The opposition has released a large set of voting data it says shows him defeating Maduro by a wide margin, as pre-election polls had suggested.

“We spent months building a robust platform that could defend the vote and unquestionably demonstrate our triumph.

WE SUCCEEDED,” Machado, who was barred from running in the election, said Wednesday evening on X.

“Now it is up to ALL of us to assert the truth that we ALL know. Let’s mobilize.

WE WILL SUCCEED,” she said. Numerous nations, including Brazil, the United States, and the European Union, have demanded Venezuelan authorities release the detailed data, with the White House warning Wednesday that the international community’s patience was running out. AFP

IN BRIEF

Hopes fade for more survivors

WAYANAD, India – Indian rescue crews scoured mud-caked tea plantations and villages Thursday with little hope of finding more survivors from successive landslides that killed around 200 people.

Days of torrential monsoon rains have battered the southern coastal state of Kerala, with blocked roads into the Wayanad district disaster area complicating relief efforts since Tuesday.

The number of fatal floods and landslides in India has increased in recent years and experts say climate change is exacerbating the problem.

Army teams were working around the clock to build a temporary bridge over raging waters to help search efforts after earlier relying on jury-rigged ziplines to transport bodies that had been recovered.

Saraswathy, one of hundreds of laborers on the tea estates struck by a wall of mud before dawn on Tuesday, said she had been unable to contact her sister and niece in the days since.

“After this many days, we’ve lost hope,” Saraswathy, who goes by one name, told AFP.

“I came back from the hospital, I kept looking for their bodies but couldn’t find them,” she said. “Eventually I couldn’t stand it. Seeing all these bodies, I almost fainted.”

Wayanad is famed for the tea estates that crisscross its hilly countryside and which rely on a large pool of labourers for planting and harvest. AFP

Canadian warship sails through Strait

TAIPEI – Taiwan’s defense ministry said Thursday a Canadian warship sailed a day earlier through the Taiwan Strait, a sensitive waterway separating the democratic island from China.

China claims self-ruled Taiwan as part of its territory and has stepped up military and political pressure as relations have plunged in recent years.

The navies of the United States and its Western allies, meanwhile, have increased “freedom of navigation” crossings through the strait to reinforce its status as an international waterway, angering Beijing.

Taipei said Thursday that the Canadian ship’s transit took place Wednesday, with the warship travelling “from north to south”.

“The military has monitored the situation and no anomaly was detected in our surroundings,” the defense ministry statement said.

Li Xi, a spokesman for the Chinese military’s Eastern Theater Command, condemned the passage.

“Canada’s actions disturbed the situation and undermined peace and stability in the Taiwan Strait,” Li said.

“(Our) troops are always on high alert and ready to respond to any threats and provocations at any time,” he added.

The Halifax-class frigate “HMCS Montreal recently conducted a routine transit through the Taiwan Strait,” the Canadian Joint Operations Command confirmed on social media platform X without providing a date. AFP

SPORTS

Tournament staff members douse AJ Wacan with water after capturing the 2024 ICTSI JPGT Mindanao Series 2 boys age 16-18 at the South Pacific Golf and Country Club in Davao City on Thursday. (Inset) The 2024 ICTSI JPGT Mindanao Series 2 age 13-15 champions (from left) Wacan and Johanna Uyking. Manny Marcelo

Wacan, Uyking rack up back-to-back JPGT titles

DAVAO—Local talents shone brightly in the 13-15 age category as AJ Wacan and Johanna Uyking ruled their divisions with 72 and 82, respectively, in the ICTSI Junior PGT Mindanao Series 2 at the South Pacific Golf and Leisure Estates here yesterday (Thursday)

Wacan staged a remarkable comeback, overturning a five-stroke deficit to defeat Alexis Nailga in the boys’ class with a scorching three-under par after 11 holes. He secured victory with a clutch chip-in birdie on No. 16, last three holes of the well-maintained, challenging course. However, Wacan’s chip shot from 20 yards found the hole, ultimately winning by two as Nailga dropped another shot on the par5 18th while attempting a birdie for a

checking a late skid to edge Nailga by two strokes with a 33at 21-over total on Nos. 13 and 14.

The duo traded double bogeys on the tricky par-3 15th, setting for a thrilling battle of skill and nerves

while Joaquin Pasquil came in third at 269 after a 90. Uyking, leading by four shots over Zero Plete after 36 holes, struggled early, losing four strokes over five holes from No. 3. However, she birdied the 10th and regained a three-stroke lead, helped by Plete’s mishap on No. 9.

The Davao Christian High School student then cruised to a six-stroke victory, finishing with a 239 despite a round of 40-42. Plete ended with an 84 and a total of 245 over 54 holes, while Rose Wacan carded an 83 for third at 252.

Lady Warriors stun NCAA volley champs in V-League Challenge

UNIVERSITY of the East (UE) opened its bid in the 2024 V-League Women’s Collegiate Challenge in impressive fashion, crushing reigning NCAA champion De La Salle-College of St. Benilde (CSB) in straight sets, 25-22, 25-23, 25-21, at the Paco Arena in Manila Wednesday night.

The Lady Warriors staged multiple comebacks to complete their domination of the Lady Blazers in a battle between Jerry Yee-coached squads.

“They (Lady Blazers) have been having the advantage over us the past couple of weeks, so I’m very happy that the girls pulled through even coming from behind,” said UE assistant coach Obet Vital.

Down by as many as five points midway through the final set, 12-17, UE rattled off a pivotal 9-1 run to gain momentum and sweep CSB. An unsuccessful floor touch challenge by the Lady Blazers, coupled with a crosscourt hit from Khy Cepada, propelled the Lady Warriors to victory in an inspiring start to their VLeague campaign.

“The girls really played with heart, they were mentally tough, had a good attitude, and they kept calm throughout the three sets,” added Vital.

UE faced an early six-point deficit in the second set, 2-8, but fought back to tie the count at 16 with a quick hit by Cepada. Both teams traded hits late in the set, but the Lady Warriors secured a two-point win to gain a crucial two-set-to-nil advantage. It was a similar story in the first set, with UE rallying from a 14-17 deficit to seal the victory. A Riza Nogales crosscourt hit and a through-the-block attack by Cepada capped the comeback, as the Lady Warriors capitalized on 25 unforced errors by their rivals to secure the one-hour, 30-minute victory. Cepada led UE with 20 points, all from attacks, while Kayce Balingit and Jenalyn Umayam contributed 12 and 10 markers, respectively.

playoff opportunity. Nailga fin

ished with a 79 for a 240,

Unbeaten HD Spikers sustain form, topple struggling Angels

Games tomorrow (Saturday)

1 p.m. – Nxled vs Farm Fresh

3 p.m. – Galeries Tower vs Creamline

5 p.m. – PLDT vs Chery Tiggo

CIGNAL, enjoying top form, dominated Petro Gazz, securing a 25-19, 25-19, 2522 victory to extend its winning streak to four in Pool B of the Premier Volleyball League Reinforced Conference at the Philsports Arena in Pasig yesterday (Thursday).

MJ Perez delivered another stellar performance, scoring 20 points, including 16 on attacks, with her final two clinching the team’s second shutout victory following their sweep of the Choco Mucho Flying Titans last July 28.

Cignal also notched a pair of four-set wins over ZUS Coffee and Capital1, underscoring their consistency and readiness to vie for the championship after finishing sixth in the recent All-Filipino Conference.

The HD Spikers aim to sweep the group against the surprisingly tough Akari Chargers, who have won two games via reverse sweep, on Tuesday.

But with the HD Spikers’ Venezuelan reinforcement delivering top-notch plays and the local players providing solid support, the Chargers will need more than just a charged-up crew, headed by Oly Okaro, and magical finishes to halt the HD Spikers’ rampage. “I’m proud of my team, especially Perez, who went all-out in this game,” said Cignal coach Shaq delos Santos. “The team put in an incredible effort. After three days of preparations, our game plan truly came to life.”

“Hopefully, this momentum continues. However, for us, it’s not enough to say we’re fully satisfied because the games are becoming increasingly challenging, so we need to prepare even more,” he added in Pilipino.

MJ Perez delivers for Cignal HD Spikers.

FRIDAY, AUGUST 2, 2024

RIERA U. MALLARI, Editor

RANDY M. CALUAG, Asst. Editor

Editor

EDGARD HILARIO, Asst.

Team USA’s Bam Adebayo (No. 13) slams the ball in the men’s preliminary round group C basketball match between USA and South Sudan during the Paris 2024 Olympic Games at the Pierre-Mauroy stadium in Villeneuve-d’Ascq, northern France. USA won, 103-86, to advance to the Round of 8. AFP

Paalam’s eyes on the goal as he faces Aussie in Q’finals

By Riera Mallari

PARIS (Via PLDT Home)—Carlo Paalam vowed to remain focused and not lower his guard, even after overcoming the top favorite in his weight category at the Paris Olympics.

Paalam is approaching each bout with the understanding that there are no easy matches in the Olympics, preferring to focus on the task at hand.

“Lahat ng nandito naka-prepara, gagawin ko lang ang best ko sa bawat laban,” said Paalam, who advanced to the 57kg quarterfinals with a unanimous win over Commonwealth Games champion Jude Gallagher of Ireland on Wednesday at the Paris North Arena. Next up for Paalam is Australian Charlie Senior, who won 4-1 against

PH among top nations for Olympic medal incentives

THE Philippines, with a gold medal incentive set at P10 million, stands among the countries offering the highest payouts for Olympic medalists, including at the 2024 Paris Games.

Globally, the Philippines ranks 12th, 9th in Asia, and 4th in Southeast Asia in terms of medal incentives.

Hong Kong and Singapore lead the world, offering $768,000 (P44.7 million)and $745,000 (P43.3 million) respectively for Olympic gold medalists. Taipei follows in third place with $720,000, and Thailand is fourth at $365,000. Israel ranks sixth globally, providing $271,000 for a gold medal. Since the Tokyo Olympics, most countries’ incentives for medal winners have remained stable. However, Hong Kong has increased its payout by 20% over the last three years, according to CNBC.com.

The Philippines offers P10 million for a gold medal, P5 million for a silver, and P2 million for a bronze.

Peter Atencio

Belgian Vasile Usturoi.

A win would guarantee Paalam a bronze medal, potentially marking his second Olympic podium finish after winning silver in Tokyo in 2021.

However, similar to his match against Gallagher, the Takalag, Bukidnon native will face a height and reach disadvantage against the 22-year-old 5-foot-10 Senior, a gold medalist at the 2023 Pacific Games.

Despite these challenges, Elmer Pamisa, Paalam’s discoverer from Cagayan de Oro and long-time mentor, is confident in Paalam’s ability to handle Senior.

“Suki niya yan sa training,” said

Pamisa, referring to Paalam’s favorable performance against Senior during their training sessions in Germany leading up to the Games.

Paalam plans to use a similar strategy to the one he employed in his first bout.

“Malaki at magaling kaya pinaopen ko muna,” Paalam said of Gallagher. “Pinapa-open ko, matamaan man ako, clear punch yung balik ko,” he explained. “Nag-o-open ako (to bait him), pagsuntok niya, bawi ako ng dalawang clear punch.” This strategy proved effective, earning Paalam the unanimous approval of all five judges.

Petecio seeks quarterfinals, faces host’s bet Zidani

PARIS (Via PLDT Home)—Nesthy Petecio is set to face a formidable challenge as she goes up against French hometown fighter Amin Zidani in the Round of 16 of the women’s 57-kilogram boxing competition at the Paris Olympics.

The bout will take place at the North Paris Arena on Friday at 8 p.m. local time (12 midnight, Saturday, Philippine time), with a quarterfinal spot on the line.

The Philippines’ Nesthy Petecio battles it out against hometown bet Amin Zidani in the Round of 16 of the women’s 57-kilogram Paris Olympics boxing competition at the North Paris Arena on Friday at 8 p.m. (12 midnight, Saturday, Philippine time) with a quarterfinal seat at stake.

Petecio is expected to encounter a stiff challenge from Zidani, who will undoubtedly be buoyed by the support of the French crowd.

The 30-year-old Zidani brings a wealth of experience to the ring. She clinched the featherweight gold at the 2023 European Games, thereby securing her place in the Paris Olympics. Moreover, her six-time French national championship title from 2016 to 2021 is a testament to her dominance in the domestic scene.

The Frenchwoman’s journey to the Olympics was further solidified with a bronze medal finish at the 2023 World Championships, where she fell short against Italy’s Irma Testa in the semifinals. Interestingly, Petecio had previously defeated Testa in the semifinals of the Tokyo Olympics.

But while Petecio, fellow Tokyo silver medalist Carlo Paalam, and debutante Aira Villegas remain in contention, the Philippine boxing squad has suffered setbacks with the early exits of Tokyo bronze medalist Eumir Marcial and Hergie Bacyadan. Marcial was eliminated in the men’s 80-kilogram division after a unanimous decision loss to Uzbekistan’s Turabek Khabibullaev.

Bacyadan contemplates future after Olympic boxing setback

What’s next for Hergie Bacyadan? (Shot on OPPO Reno 12 Pro 5G)

Espinosa’s nephew takes limelight in ROTC Games

TAGAYTAY City—Carlo Espinosa of La Concepcion College-Bulacan lived up to his illustrious family name as he bagged the gold medal in boxing on another eventful day in the Philippine Reserve Officers Training Corps (ROTC) Games Luzon/NCR leg at the Tagaytay Combat Sports Center here Thursday. Espinosa, who is hoping to follow in the footsteps of his uncle, former world boxing champion Luisito Espinosa, won by referee-stopped-contest with only five seconds left in the first round over Ridge Aqui Burgos of the University of Perpetual Help System Dalta in the Philippine Air Force men’s lightweight 57-60 kg division.

An incoming third-year BS Criminology student, Espinosa said his extensive training and preparation paid off.

“Worth it talaga yun training ko. Sa tingin ko, mas nagiging easy yung fight once na yung training is napa-

pagod ka talaga nang sobra,” said Espinosa.

“Paghahandaan natin yung national finals para maging maganda naman po yun laban na ipapakita natin sa mga manonood” added Espinosa

Espinosa said he expects tougher and stronger opponents in the ROTC National Finals scheduled on August 18-24.

‘Expected ko na nga na mas malalakas yung mga kababayan natin, lalo na yung mga Cebuano, at ibang parte ng Visayas at Mindanao, sa darating na finals,” added Espinosa, referring to the event conceptualized by Sen. Francis Tolentino in collaboration with the Department of National Defense, Commission on Higher Education, and Philippine Sports Commission.

When asked about his relationship with the former boxing champion Luisito, the young Espinosa claimed it is a big plus.

By Riera U. Mallari

PARIS (Via PLDT Home)—Vovinam, kickboxing or boxing?

Those were first-time Olympian Hergie Bacyadan’s choices following her first-round exit from the boxing competitions of the Paris Olympics on Wednesday.

The 29-year-old Bacyadan rammed into a great wall in Tokyo games’ silver medalist, China’s Li Qian in the women’s 75kg preliminaries Round of 16 boxing match at the North Paris Arena and lost a unanimous 0-5 decision, forcing her to contemplate on which sport to set her eyes into.

Prior to boxing, Bacyadan had a background in martial arts. She started her athletic career in wushu before transitioning to vovinam, a Vietnamese martial art that combines elements of traditional fighting styles and wrestling. She is also a national kickboxing athlete.

“Tuloy-tuloy pa din, kickboxing or vovinam, ibi-visualize ko pa

‘yung kulang ko sa boxing. In case kailangan pa din ako ng ABAP (Association of Boxing Alliances of the Philippines), siguro mas mababang timbang na,” she said.

But if Philippine Olympic Committee Secretary-General Wharton Chan would have it his way, he believes that Bacyadan has a promising future in boxing and should continue pursuing the sport.

“I think she has to remain in boxing because she has great potential. More than that, she has an Olympics to look forward to,” Chan said of Bacyadan, a native of Tabuk, Kalinga.

Bacyadan herself expressed hesitation about her next steps, saying, “Hindi ko pa po alam kung ano mangyari sa akin, it all depends ‘to sa mga bosses.”

Chan’s encouragement could factor in Bacyadan, who looked at her setback in the Olympics in a different light.

“Happy pa rin ako na napabilang ako sa mga Olympians. Dagdag aral sa buhay, dagdag aral sa sports na sinalihan ko,” said Bacyadan.

Carlo Espinosa (right) in action. PSC Media Pool

WHAT’S INSIDE?

PH predicted to expand 6.1% annually until 2034

TDBS Bank, Angsana Council and Bain & Company released the “Navigating High Winds: Southeast Asia Outlook 2024-34” report Thursday, forecasting 6.1 percent annual growth for the Philippines in the 10-year period.

HE Philippines is expected to grow more than 6 percent annually over the next decade, the second-fastest among six major Southeast Asian economies, a regional bank said. 6.1% 2.3% 6.4%

The Philippines, which grew 4.5 percent annually from 2000 to 2009, 6.4 percent from 2010 to 2019 and 2.3 percent from 2020 to 2023, is forecast to have the second-fastest expansion in Southeast Asia behind Vietnam’s 6.6 percent, but outpace Indonesia’s 5.7 percent, Malaysia’s 4.5 percent, Thailand’s 2.8 percent and Singapore’s 2.5 percent.

The report said the Philippines benefits from a pro-growth government

PH retained $81-m foreign funds in first half

THE Philippines retained $81 million in foreign funds in the first half of 2024 despite volatile stock and money markets.

The Bangko Sentral ng Pilipinas (BSP) said Thursday that foreign portfolio investments, or “hot money,” resulted in net inflows in the first six months, a reversal from the $804 million in net outflows recorded in the same period last year.

However, transactions registered through banks showed net outflows of $27 million in June, due to $1.1 billion in gross outflows and $1 billion in gross inflows. This reversed the $43 million in net inflows posted in May.

Registered investments in June totaled $1 billion, a 1-percent or $10-million decline from May’s $1.1 billion.

About 52.8 percent of registered investments, or $551 million, were in peso government securities, while the remaining 47.2 percent — $492 million — were in Philippine Stock Exchange-listed securities. Most investments targeted holding firms, banks, transportation services, property, and electricity, energy, power and water.

The United Kingdom, the United States, Singapore, Luxembourg, and Switzerland were the top sources of foreign funds.

June’s $1.1 billion in gross outflows increased 6 percent or $60 million from May’s $1 billion.

Ralph Harvey Rirao

prioritizing infrastructure investments, particularly renewable energy projects drawing investor interest. It can also reap demographic dividends, unlike Singapore and Thailand, which face challenges in this area.

As a whole, the six Southeast Asian economies are expected to grow 5.1 percent over the next decade, outpacing China in gross domestic product and foreign direct investment.

“As a result of strong domestic growth and the China-plus-one strategy, we are increasingly optimistic that Southeast Asia will outpace China’s growth in both GDP and FDI in the next decade. However, multinational investments will be highly contested, with competition

between countries improving outcomes for both businesses and consumers,” said Charles Ormiston, advisory partner at Bain & Company and chair of Angsana Council.

“The world has turned increasingly protectionist and inward-looking in recent years, a trend unlikely to change. Yet, most Southeast Asian economies and companies are well placed to find opportunities as capital allocation is recalibrated across geographies and sectors, while dealing with tech disruption and climate change. We think the doomsayers are wrong; a decade of tailwind awaits the region,” said Taimur Baig, managing director and chief economist at DBS Bank. The report said the region attracted more foreign direct investment than China for the first time in a decade in 2023. The six economies’ combined FDI totaled $206 billion, while China’s was $43 billion. Between 2018 and 2022, FDI in the six countries grew 37 percent, compared with China’s 10 percent.

Projected PH annual growth from 2024 to 2034 Annual PH growth from 2020 to 2023 Annual PH growth from 2010 to 2019

By Ralph Harvey Rirao and Jenniffer B. Austria

THE Bangko Sentral ng Pilipinas (BSP) may still consider an interest rate adjustment in August despite the expected faster inflation in July, Governor Eli Remolona Jr. said Wednesday night.

“I think Aug. 15 is still a possibility. Of course, it will depend on the numbers,” said Remolona who is also the chairman of the policy-setting Monetary Board.

Remolona reiterated that the BSP was looking at 50-basis-point total reduction in policy rates this year, including a possible 25-percentagepoint cut in August and another later this year.

The BSP said it expected the July inflation to settle within a range of 4.0 percent to 4.8 percent, higher than 3.7 percent in June, on the back of higher electricity rate, agricultural commodities and higher domestic oil prices.

Remolona said the lower import

A FILIPINO high school student studying the anti-dengue properties of the common Philippine mint herb has made history at a prestigious international conference of scientists and experts on natural products research by being the youngest attendee and presenter at the gathering. Marianna Ines Lopez, a 17-yearold student at the International School Manila, joined the International Congress on Natural Product Research (ICNPR) in Krakow, Poland to share the results of her research on the potential medicinal properties of chemical compounds that can be extracted from the Philippine marsh mint—a fragrant herb known also as yerba buena.

tariff on rice would help ease inflation in the coming months. “Given the lower tariffs of rice, that will lead to more moderate inflation, significantly moderate, so that’s a good thing that will help us ease monetary policy,” he said.

Bank of the Philippine Islands (BPI), the financial unit of the Ayala Group, also expects the BSP to implement two rate cuts this year. BPI president and chief executive Jose Teodoro Limcaoco said in a news

DIGITAL ENTREPENEURSHIP.

The Department of Trade and Industry (DTI), Department of Education (DepEd) and Thames International School sign an agreement to boost digital entrepreneurship with specialized Senior High School E-commerce Track. The program will provide students with skills in e-commerce, covering topics such as online marketing, digital product development and customer service. Showing the signed agreement are (from left) DepEd Secretary Juan Edgardo Angara, DTI Secretary Alfredo Pascual and Thames International School co-founder and president Jaime Noel Santos.

The quadrennial ICNPR typically draws esteemed professors, postdoctoral researchers, PhD candidates, university undergraduates and business executives. In the Krakow gathering, Ines was the only delegate at the conference who had yet to receive a high school diploma. Lopez was the youngest among more than 1,100 attendees and 900 scientists from around the globe to be selected as a presenter at the Krakow conference from July 13 to 17, 2024. He research found out that two specific yerba buena compounds, called eriocitrin and luteolin-7-O-rutinoside, could strongly bind to—and potentially inhibit—a protein responsible for the spread of the dengue virus within an infected host.

RICE FOR ALL.

The Department of Agriculture launches on Aug. 1, 2024 in selected Kadiwa centers the widelyanticipated Rice-for-All program, a follow up to the successful P29 rice program introduced in June. Agriculture Secretary Francisco Tiu Laurel Jr. says the Rice-for-All program is another step towards realizing the vision of President Ferdinand Marcos Jr. to ensure the availability of affordable food, particularly rice, to every Filipino.

briefing the first rate could happen in August, followed by another after a couple of months depending on how inflation rate pans out.

“When you look at the macro fundamentals, inflation is clearly under control, and economic growth is pretty strong,” Limcaoco said.

He said the US Federal Reserve also hinted a possible rate cut in September. “So, there are no hindrances [for the BSP] to cut rates in August,” Limcaoco said.

By Darwin G. Amojelar

THE Department of Transportation (DOTr) said Thursday it signed agreements with the Asian Development Bank (ADB) to speed up the implementation of priority flagship transport projects.

The agreements for transaction advisory services cover the Metro Rail Transit Line-3 operations and maintenance, Davao Public Transport Modernization Project (DPTMP) operations and maintenance and the Philippine Automatic Fare Collection System (AFCS) project.

DOTr Secretary Jaime Bautista said the agreements are testaments to the existing collaborative relations between the ADB, the Public-Private Partnership (PPP) Center and the DOTr.

“These agreements for ADB transaction services will help us fast-track project structuring towards a better commuting experience, while ensuring these are compliant to global standards,” Bautista said.

He cited the need for MRT Line 3 operations to continue a year before ownership of the rail line is officially turned over to the government. The DOTr, meanwhile, will determine the best protocols for the operations and maintenance of the DPTMP, which was launched in February 2024.

Bautista said engaging ADB’s technical assistance extends the concession agreement for the AFCS.

Marianna

Ines Lopez, 17, becomes the youngest delegate and presenter at the 2024 International Congress on Natural Product Research in Krakow, Poland.

MPIC unit buys Bukidnon milk producer

METRO Pacific Agro Ventures (MPAV), a whollyowned subsidiary of Metro Pacific Investments Corp. (MPIC), said Thursday it signed agreements to acquire 100 percent of Universal Harvester Dairy Farms Inc. (UHDFI) for over P700 million.

UHDFI, based in Maramag, Bukidnon, owns the Bukidnon Milk Company brand and produces fresh milk, flavored milk, yogurt and cheese products, with presence primarily focused on key cities in the Visayas and Mindanao.

UHDFI is the largest state-of-theart dairy production facility in the country, the showcase model for community, private sector and government partnership and also a major supplier for the National Dairy Authority’s (NDA) milk feeding program, primarily focused on ensuring schoolchildren have regular access to high quality fresh milk.

“Establishing this strategic beachhead in Mindanao complements our dairy farms in Luzon, bringing us closer to our mission of achieving nationwide food security. Our operations in Laguna have not only improved the accessibility of fresh dairy but also fostered an ecosystem of milk farmers who supply to us, creating a virtuous cycle of increased domestic milk production,” said MPIC chairman, president and chief executive and MPAV chairman Manuel Pangilinan.

“With our new investment in Bukidnon Milk Company, we anticipate replicating this success in Mindanao and other regions of the country,” said Pangilinan.

MPAV’s acquisition comes after its previous investment in The Laguna Creamery Inc. (TLCI), known for popular brands Carmen’s Best ice cream and Holly’s Milk.

TLCI doubled its sales in just two years since partnering with MPAV.

MPAV said that by combining the resources of TLCI and UHDFI, it aims to establish a national dairy champion with farms across the country, a nationwide reach and a comprehensive range of products.

MPAV said its continued investment into the dairy industry supports an underserved segment of the economy.

The NDA reported in March 2024 that the country continues to import 98 percent of its milk demand. It targets to reach a milk production of just 5 percent of local demand by 2028.

“Bukidnon Milk Company is highly complementary to our existing dairy business. This investment not only enables us to achieve nationwide distribution but, more importantly, this is a significant step for us to achieve our aspiration of becoming a Dairy Masterbrand - where we will be providing the Filipino consumer the full range of dairy products from ice cream, milk, yogurt, cheese, butter and other milk derivative products that is 100 percent fresh and 100 percent local,” said MPAV president and chief executive Juan Victor Hernandez.

PH stocks climb on positive comments from US Fed

By Jenniffer B. Austria

PHILIPPINE stocks climbed Thursday following the dovish comments from the US Federal Reserve. Wall Street’s overnight gains also boosted local trading as the Philippine Stock Exchange index advanced 74.74 points, or 1.13 percent, to close at 6,693.83. The broader all-shares index also went up by 31.47 points, or 0.88 percent, to reach 3,629.18.

“The gains were influenced by Fed Chair Jerome Powell signaling the possibility of an interest rate cut at the next meeting if data continues to show easing inflation,” Regina Capital Development Corp. Luis Limlingan said.

Mikhail Plopenio, research analyst from Philstocks Financial Inc., said a rate cut by the Fed would give the Bangko Sentral ng Pilipinas (BSP) room to ease its own policy rates. The BSP’s next policy meeting is slated in August.

Nicholas Mapa, chief economist at Metropolitan Bank & Trust Co. (Metrobank), also expects three rate cuts from the BSP this year to support the growth of the domestic economy.

Value turnover, however, remained thin at P3.89 billion, lower than year-to-date average of P4.91 billion. Foreign investors were net sellers, with outflows amounting to P42.70 million. All sectors ended in the green, with banks climbing by 2.75 percent followed mining and oil rising by 1.7 percent. Gainers edged losers, 104 to 75.

Meanwhile, Asian stocks were mixed Thursday after the Fed flagged a possible interest rate cut next month, but Tokyo’s Nikkei tumbled on a stronger yen following a hike by the Bank of Japan.

US central bank boss Jerome Powell said decision-makers were increasingly confident inflation and the economy were at a point where they could start loosening monetary policy.

He said after a highly anticipated two-day meeting, where borrowing costs were kept at 23-year highs as expected, that the first reduction could come “as soon as” September if data continued to improve. With AFP

ACEN fully acquires 500-MW wind energy project in Quezon

By Alena Mae S. Flores

ACEN Corp. said Thursday it signed a share purchase agreement with Maraj Energy and Development Corp. to acquire the remaining 60 percent of Real Wind Energy Inc.

ACEN will now wholly own RWEI—a special purpose vehicle for the development and operation of the 500-megawatt (MW) wind energy projects in Real, Quezon.

“The transaction will potentially add 500 MW of renewable energy to the company’s power generation portfolio,” the company said in a disclosure to the Philippine Stock Exchange.

The company acquired in March a 40-percent interest in RWEI from Modern Energy Management Pte. Ltd. (MEM).

ACEN said it signed the deed of absolute sale of shares with Maraj, as the seller, for the acquisition of 6,000 common shares in RWEI.

“The RWEI project is strategically located close to another ACEN wind project spanning Laguna and Quezon. This new acquisition presents opportunities for synergies through the joint use of logistical routes, transmission lines, and substation infrastructure,” it said.

It said the acquisition price represented less than 10 percent of the book value of the company as of March 31, 2024.

ACEN is the listed energy platform of the Ayala Group, with a fast-growing presence in the Philippines, Australia, Vietnam, India, Indonesia, Lao PDR and the United States.

It has about 4.8 gigawatts of attributable renewables capacity in operation and under construction, as well as signed agreements and won competitive tenders worth over 1 GW.

Metro Pacific Agro Ventures (MPAV), a wholly-owned subsidiary of Metro Pacific Investments Corp., announces the acquisition of Universal Harvester Dairy Farms Inc. (UHDFI). Attending the signing ceremony are (from left) MPAV president and chief executive Jovy Hernandez, MPIC chairman Manuel Pangilinan, UHDFI executive vice president and treasurer Milagros How and UHDFI chairman, president and chief executive William How.

SOLAR ROOFTOP. MSpectrum Inc., a wholly owned solar subsidiary of the Manila Electric Company (Meralco) signs a contract to install a solar rooftop on the manufacturing plant of Excelitas Technologies Philippines Inc. in Laguna province. Signing the agreement are (from left) MSpectrum head of commercial services Rodolfo Lim Jr., MSpectrum president and CEO Ma. Cecilia Domingo, Excelitas senior director of operations Enrique Sonoy Jr. and Excelitas senior HR manager Nicasio Castillo Jr.

Filinvest unit signs lease at Camp John Hay

By Othel V. Campos

BAGUIO Mountainscapes Inc. (BMI), a subsidiary of Filinvest Development Corp. (FDC), signed a lease agreement with the Bases Conversion and Development Authority (BCDA) and John Hay Management Corp. (JHMC) for a 730-square meter property within Camp John Hay in Baguio City.

This is the second partnership between BCDA, JHMC and FDC within Camp John Hay, following the Grafik Pine House Baguio which is under development.

“This partnership marks a new beginning for us—a new chapter for us. It is more than just a lease agreement, it is a partnership that reflects our shared vision of growth and innovation,” said JHMC president and chief executive Marlo Ignacio Quadra.

The property will be developed into the Hay Diner, a modern American all-day breakfast restaurant that fea-

tures classic American favorites with Cordilleran twists.

The Hay Diner will be designed to honor Baguio’s rich heritage while incorporating modern sustainable elements.

BMI president and chief executive Francis Nathaniel Gotianun emphasized the restaurant’s goal of “enhancing the hospitality and culinary landscape of this iconic destination.”

“We are grateful for the support of BCDA and JHMC. Together, we will reinvigorate the local tourism industry,” he said.

AG&P, partners building Biliran II geothermal project

By Alena Mae S. Flores

AG&P Industrial (Atlantic, Gulf and Pacific Company of Manila Inc.) entered the renewable energy (RE) space after signing a memorandum of understanding (MoU) with Cresphil Inc., Energy Stream Power Corp. and Royal Eijkelkamp for the exploration and development of geothermal resources.

The consortium is initially developing the Biliran II Geothermal Energy project in the Biliran with an estimated capacity of 50 megawatts (MW) to 70 MW.

Cresphil and Energy Stream, as the project proponents, will oversee government permitting, procurement of requirements, planning and reporting in compliance with the rules, regulations, and policies of the Department of Energy (DOE), Department of

TREATMENT PLANT. Manila Water Company Inc. is upgrading the Luzon Treatment Plant with completed chemical storage room to ensure compliance with hazardous chemical handling protocols and an additional train to the Ultrafiltration Unit 5 that collects accurate data to maintain water safety standards for more than 20,000 households in Quezon City.

THE Department of Energy endorsed to the National Grid Corp. of the Philippines (NGCP) 22 power generation projects for the conduct of a system impact study (SIS) in June 2024.

The SIS will determine the capacity of the power grid to accommodate additional capacities and identify necessary improvements needed such as transmission lines, transformers or substations.

It said these include the 3,500-megawatt solar and 4,500-megawatthour battery energy storage project of Terra Solar Philippines in Nueva Ecija. Terra Solar is led by SP New Energy Corp. (SPNEC) controlled by Meralco PowerGen Corp.

The DOE also endorsed Haraya Wind Energy Corp.’s proposed 1,215-MW offshore wind project in Negros Occidental.

Other projects include the 316-MW solar project of Liwanag Energy Corp. in Burgos, Pangasinan; Opus Solar Energy Corp.’s 416-MW solar project in Ilocos Norte; and North Luzon Natural Energy Inc.’s 365-MW Cabiao solar project in Nueva Ecija.

The agency also approved the conduct of the SIS to Alba Renewables Philippines Corp.’s 300-MW Botolan wind power project in Zambales; Sinag Solar Power Corp.’s 421.98-MW Medellin solar project in Cebu; Suncastle Energy Resources Inc.’s 516-MW solar project in Camarines Sur; and the 300-MW wind project of CI NMG (PH Corp.) in Nueva Ecija.

The DOE also endorsed the 304-MW solar project of Luzon Alternative Energy Resources Inc. in Tarlac; the 229-MW San Luis solar project of Freya Renewables Inc. in Aurora province; and the 208-MW GigaWind 1 floating solar project of Gigawind1 Inc. Alena

Environment and Natural Resources (DENR) and local government units.

AG&P Industrial said it would serve as the technical partner and EPC contractor, bringing its expertise and resources in infrastructure development and project management, including civil works and earthworks and the construction of necessary facilities for the drilling, power plant and other related infrastructure to support the successful implementation of the project.

“AG&P Industrial has built over a century of legacy from shaping the modern face of the Philippines to building oil and gas and clean energy mega-projects worldwide. This alliance signifies our entry into renewables in the clean energy sector that we are spearheading through our leading downstream, liquid natural gas/natural gas line of business,”

AG&P Industrial president Alex Gamboa said.

He said the Biliran project would not only enhance energy security but also drive sustainable economic growth and environmental stewardship.

The project is expected to be constructed and operationalized within three years, he said.

“The partnership brings together our forward looking vision for clean energy through increasing geothermal capacity in the Philippines and nearby regions. A stable source of renewable energy, with a small land and visual footprint, geothermal energy reduces the use of fossil fuels, producing minimal carbon dioxide and near-zero nitrous oxide and sulfur dioxide,” Cresphil chairman and chief executive Jose Silvestre Natividad said.

FLOOD CONTROL. The Department of Public Works and Highways (DPWH) says the construction of a flood control structure along the banks of the Mananga River helped mitigate flooding in Barangay Bonbon, Cebu City.

By Jenniffer B. Austria

METROPOLITAN Bank & Trust Co. (Metrobank) said Thursday its net income reached a record P23.6 billion in the first semester of 2024, on the back of strong loan growth and stable margins.

Metrobank said in a disclosure to the stock exchange the first-half earnings translated into a 13.3-percent return on equity, above the 12.9 per-

cent recorded in the same period last year.

“Our strong capital position and robust asset profile continued to support our expanding core businesses despite market challenges. Prospects of easing inflation driven by government efforts could further spur consumer demand,” said Metrobank president Fabian Dee.

“We are firmly on track to meeting our mediumterm growth aspirations as we support various public and private sector initiatives that continue to drive economic growth,” he said.

Net interest income in the first half of 2024 grew 14.6 percent to P58 billion, as net interest margin improved to 4 percent from 3.9 percent

Metrobank said gross loans climbed 14.9 percent year-on-year, as commercial loans increased 15.2

percent and consumer loans expanded 13.7 percent. Net credit card receivables surged 21.4 percent, while auto loans grew 16.6 percent, sustaining the growth momentum in the consumer segment.

It said that on the funding side, total deposits grew 7.8 percent to P2.4 trillion as of end-June from a year ago, of which low-cost current and savings accounts (CASA) accounted for 58 percent.

Fee income was stable in the first half, with second-quarter growth accelerating to 8.4 percent, supported by a continued expansion in the bank’s consumer business.

Operating cost grew 8.1 percent year-on-year to P36.4 billion, as the bank continued to beef up its capabilities to provide better service to clients, with cost to income ratio at 52.3 percent as of end-June.

start flooded engines and, to disconnect batteries. Claimants should not dispose of the damaged items without the approval of insurance adjuster, it said.

IN BRIEF

CHINA Banking Corp. said Thursday its net income grew six percent year-on-year to a record P11.4 billion in the first half of 2024, boosted by stronger core lending and deposittaking activities.

This translated into a return on equity of 15.1 percent and a return on assets of 1.5 percent, China Bank said in a disclosure to the stock exchange.

“Our business performance continued to improve during the first half of the year,” China Bank president and chief executive Romeo Uyan Jr. said.

“The continued growth of our core lending and deposit taking businesses, combined with stable asset credit quality and controlled operating costs, allowed us to register our highest 1st half net income to date, solidifying our position as one of the top four banks in the country,” he said.

The bank’s net interest income hit P30.4 billion, up 19 percent year-onyear as higher interest income offset the rise in interest expense. This resulted in a 25-basis point improvement in net interest margin to 4.4 percent.

Its non-performing loan (NPL) ratio was at 1.9 percent as the credit provisions were lower at P737 million. NPL coverage remained at 141 percent. Operating expenses went up by 5 percent to P14.1 billion, on higher volume-related taxes while cost-toincome ratio slightly improved to 49 percent.

Jenniffer B. Austria

EXECUTIVE Secretary Lucas Bersamin and Philippine Charity Sweepstakes Office general manager Melquiades Robles on Thursday led the groundbreaking for the new PCSO Corporate Center in Ermita, Manila.

The P2.2-billion project is expected to become the permanent home for the agency’s employees and stakeholders, while allowing a 24/7 operational capability for designated operations.

It is also expected to improve the agency’s overall products and services.

“This groundbreaking stands not only as a testament to your vision but as a beacon of progress. And given your efforts leading to today, this will surely positively impact the quality of

your service to your stakeholders, to the gaming community, to the evergrowing patrons of the PCSO and the general public,” said Bersamin.

Robles said their objective was to build an infrastructure that would not only be enough to house the workforce, but also to significantly enhance their corporate image.

PCSO also aims to strengthen their ability to fulfill their mandate of raising and providing funds for national health-related projects and charities.

Three separate major buildings will be linked to form the PCSO Corporate Center for efficient circulation, accessibility and smooth operations, he said. These include the Corporate Building—a seven-story facility with

a concrete roof deck that would accommodate frontline services, medical and charity departments, other satellite government offices, and additional spaces for employees’ wellbeing.

The Gaming and Multi-Purpose Building, with three floors, is dedicated to draw court and gaming operations, complemented by multi-purpose areas for social events.

Meanwhile, the Logistics and Parking Building, a five-story structure, will integrate multi-level parking, warehousing facilities and printing operations to streamline logistics.

The facility meets the minimum parking space requirement of 200 parking slots.

By Alena Mae S. Flores

MERALCO PowerGen

Corp.

(MGen) said it expects to close the acquisition of stake in Chromite Gas Holdings (CGHI) by end-September, paving the way for their investment in liquefied natural gas (LNG) assets valued at $3.3 billion.

MGen, the power arm of Manila Electric Co., will acquire a 60-percent interest, while TNGP owned by Aboitiz Group will acquire the balance of 40 percent in CGHI.

CGHI intends to invest in two gas-fired power plants owned by San Miguel Global Power Holdings Corp. (SMGP), including the

1,278-megawatt (MW) Ilijan power plant and a new 1,320-MW combined cycle power facility under Excellent Energy Resources Inc. that is under construction. CHGI, together with SMGP, will also invest in the LNG import and regasification terminal owned by Linseed Field Corp. CGHI intends to acquire a 67-percent equity interest in the LNG assets, while SMGP will own the remaining 33 percent. Meralco PowerGen president Emmanuel Rubio said the transaction is now under review by the Philippine Competition Commission, and they do not expect any

that will affect the approval of the deal.

Executive Secretary Lucas Bersamin (center), Philippine Charity Sweepstakes Office (PCSO) general manager Melquiades Robles, Finance Undersecretary Rolando Tungpalan and members of PCSO board of directors lead the groundbreaking ceremony of the PCSO Corporate Center on August 1, 2024 in Ermita, Manila. The project is expected to be completed by October 2026. Joseph Muego

TRANSPORT

Darwin G. Amojelar, Issue Editor

WHILE the digital transformation journey of Philippine Airlines (PAL) has been challenging, the country’s flag carrier remains steadfast in its commitment to innovation and delivering exceptional customer service.

Stanley Ng, president and chief operating officer of PAL, said the airline’s digital transformation journey“was not that easy.”

“Over the past two and a half years already … and today, we exist in this era where amazing innovations are advancing really in a great way.

As an organization, we have always committed ourselves to continue to innovate and provide best customer service to our customers,” Ng said during the Globe Business GSummit 2024.

“However, with the growth in digital advertising, we realized that we had to do more to optimize our digital capabilities, transform our mindset to be more agile and dynamic in the face of constant change and also a lot of disruptions happening today,” he said.

Ng stressed the need for a cultural shift within the organization to embrace innovation and agility.

“Having the right people means everything. So having the right people is not just hiring the right people. With the right people in the company, this will create a more dynamic organization,” he said.

“We would always encourage our employees to continue to think outside the box. To be able to share their views in their everyday life will provide us the strategic agility we need to meet and exceed the evolving needs of our customers,”Ng said.

He also highlighted the need for efficient processes to support the airline’s overall digital strategy. “A future where digital transformation isn’t just a buzzword, but a strategy

and paradigm. It’s about reimagining what Philippine Airlines can do,”Ng said.

To elevate customer service and engagement, PAL teamed up with Salesforce to implement its Customer 360 platform. The AI-powered solution will provide a unified view of customer interactions, enabling the airline to deliver personalized experiences. PAL is also leveraging Salesforce’s AI chatbot to improve customer support.

The partnership will focus initially on core functions—customer experience, marketing and sales—

PAL embarks on digital journey

with plans to explore expansion into other functional areas within PAL in the future as part of a company-wide journey towards full-fledged digital transformation. By reimagining its business model and leveraging technology, PAL aims to solidify its position as a leading airline in the Philippines and beyond.

Darwin G. Amojelar

MCIA secures Level 2 airport customer experience accreditation

MACTAN-CEBU International Airport (MCIA) has once again raised the bar for airport excellence, securing Level 2 Airport Customer Experience Accreditation from the Airports Council International (ACI).

This milestone follows last year’s historic achievement, where MCIA became the first airport in the Philippines to receive Level 1 accreditation, setting a new benchmark for excellence.

ACI, a prestigious organization that represents airports worldwide in contributing to the safety,

security, and sustainability of the global aviation industry, awarded MCIA this recognition. The Level 2 accreditation acknowledges MCIA’s effective customer experience strategy in managing daily operations and maintaining high customer satisfaction.

“Year after year, we refine our customer experience strategies by leveraging innovation and engaging in consultations with passengers and other stakeholders,” Ricia Montejo, head of Aboitiz InfraCapital (AGMCAC) Customer Experience

NLEX ramps up road safety campaign with BiyaHero 2024

NLEX Corporation continues to ramp up its road safety efforts with another BiyaHero Road Safety Caravan recently held at the SMX Convention Center.

As part of the company’s Mission Road Safety campaign, the caravan aims to foster a safer road environment and boost productivity within the transport sector. It brought together transport organization leaders, drivers, helpers, and mechanics for a comprehensive day of education and engagement.

“Today, we reaffirm our commitment to making roads safer for everyone,” J. Luigi L. Bautista, president and general manager of NLEX said.

“Through the BiyaHero Caravan, we equip drivers with essential knowledge and skills to prevent road crashes, traffic violations, and vehicle damage,” Bautista added. Beyond this vital road advocacy, the event’s highlight was the ceremonial signing of the Mission Road Safety pledge by key stakeholders and leaders from transport organizations. The impressive list of groups includes the Confederation of Truckers Association of the Philippines (CTAP), Inland Haulers and Truckers Association (INHTA), Haulers and Truckers Association in the Watersouth, Inc. (HATAW), Nagkakaisang Samahan ng Nangangasiwa ng Panlalawigang Bus sa Pilipinas, Inc. (NSNPBPI), Pangkalahatang Sanggunian Manila & Suburbs Drivers Association (PASANG MASDA), Alliance of Transport Operators and Drivers Association of the Philippines (ALTODAP), Liga ng Transportasyon at Operators sa Pilipinas (LTOP), Alliance of Concerned Transport Organizations (ACTO), Stop and Go Transport Coalition, Bulacan Federation of Transport Cooperative (BUFETRANSCO), Pinagsama Transport Cooperative and UV Express National Alliance of the Philippines. This commitment marks the start of a nationwide campaign to gather one million pledges by 2025 to significantly reduce traffic violations and fatal road crashes. The initiative aligns with the United Nations’ goal of halving road traffic deaths and injuries by 2030.

said.

“Apart from the warm and inviting culture that the airport practices towards its passengers, we gather representatives from different age groups to seek their ideas and understand their sentiments, which are relevant in enhancing the overall airport experience,” she added.

In the course of its expansion, Athanasios Titonis, AGMCAC chief executive said MCIA is committed to following best practices compliant with government policies and global aviation standards.

“We envision a collaborative airport where management and customers share a common goal of enhancing various service aspects that promote the airport’s safety and sustainability,” he added.

“A clear and proven strategy that meets global standards is at the core of our operations. We ensure smooth movements are facilitated daily in the airport and create and manage longterm plans that put our customers first,” Julius Neri, Mactan-Cebu Airport Authority general manager said.

Front row, from left: HATAW president and lawyer Ferdinand Manebo; INHTA president Teodorico Gervacio; ACTO president Liberty De Luna; NLEX customer experience and marketing assistant vice president Frances Dela Cruz; Pasang Masda president Roberto Martin; vice president of UV Express National Alliance of The Philippines Ronald Saraza; NSNPBPI executive secretary Alex Yague; CTAP vice for external affairs lawyer Ruperto Bayocot. Back row, from left: LTOP president Orlando Marquez; LTOP vice president Reynaldo Del Rosario; Stop and Go president Zaldy Ping-ay; Pinagsama Transport chairwoman Norlyn Sareno; ALTODAP president Melencio Vargas; Good Samaritan Translogistics Corp. president George Jalandoni; BUFETRANSCO board of director Allan Oliquiano.

Mober rolls out EV delivery, warehousing services in Cebu

MOBER, the pioneer of green logistics services in the Philippines, has launched sustainable delivery services in Cebu to support the regional expansion of Swedish home furnishing retail giant IKEA Philippines.

As IKEA Philippines’ green logistics partner, Mober will use its 100 percent EV fleet to support home deliveries in Cebu and other Visayas provinces, ensuring zeroemission deliveries. This not only supports IKEA’s growing demand for high-quality and affordable home products in the regional areas but also showcases Mober’s commitment to eco-friendly logistics solutions.

In addition to the sustainable delivery services, Mober will assist the furniture brand’s warehousing solutions via a collection hub located in Cebu City, speeding up delivery times and increasing product accessibility for Filipino households in Visayas.

The collection hub serves as the last-mile delivery point for IKEA Philippines’ sustainable products and houses Mober’s EV charging stations.

The Cebu City facility includes Mober’s latest 15kw OCPP chargers, compatible with type 2 and GB/T standards, ensuring efficient support for Mober’s EV fleet serving IKEA.

in General Trias, Cavite

THE Department of Transportation (DOTr) is bringing road transport services closer to the public with the opening of Land Transportation Office (LTO) General Trias, Cavite District Office on July 31, 2024. The 160-hectare LTO General Trias District Office will facilitate services such as licensing and motor vehicle registration for clients in the city and nearby areas in the province. LTO Chief, Assistant Secretary Vigor Mendoza II led the blessing and inauguration of the new LTO office, along with General Trias Mayor Luis Ferrer IV, Vice Mayor Jonas Glyn Labuguen, executive director, Greg Pua Jr., LTO Region IV-A regional director Elmer Decena, district office chief Lawrence De Chavez, and other local leaders. “After 3 years natapos na rin itong District Office. Malaking tulong po ito sa ating mga kasamahan sa transportasyon,” Mendoza said. Nagpapasalamat kami kay Secretary Bautista dahil makikinabang dito hindi lang ang General Trias kundi pati ang mga bayan ng Tanza, Rosario, Trece Martires at portion ng Noveleta,” Mayor Ferrer said. LTO opens district office

Stanley Ng, president and chief operating officer of PAL

Sandara, SB19, G22 headline Acer Day 2024

By Nickie Wang

RETURNING for its eighth year, the annual Acer Day celebration is back with the theme “AI’m Limitless.” The event encourages users to explore the latest Acer products, designed to enhance user experiences and unlock potential.

Acer Day 2024 will showcase Acer’s AIenhanced products that push the boundaries of technology and foster new creative ideas and capabilities among users.

According to Andrew Hou, president of PanAsia Pacific Regional Operations, AI has become a major influence in people’s lives, expanding creativity and imagination. The tech company recognizes these changes and is committed to providing tools to explore limitless possibilities and bring ideas to life.

“As Acer continues to transition into a lifestyle brand, it is dedicated to enriching everyday experiences through innovative technology. This year’s celebration aims to highlight how Acer’s AI-powered products elevate users’ experiences and unlock boundless opportunities for creativity and achievements,” said Hou.

Acer Day 2024 will kick off with the release of the official video and Acer Ambassadors Mission videos on Acer’s social channels. The event will start on Aug. 3 across the PAP Region with local celebrations.

“Users are invited to participate in social challenges and explore their limitless possibilities,” the brand said in a statement.

Acer Day 2024 will feature a night of spectacular performances with international superstar Sandara Park, Kings of P-pop SB19 and rising P-pop girl group G22 leading the concert on Aug. 4 at the SM MOA Arena.

Other artists include Cup of Joe, TJ Monterde, Ebe Dancel, and Rico Blanco Concertgoers can expect performances and surprise numbers, including a special stage featuring Acer’s ambassadors.

In addition to the concert, SB19 and G22 have teamed up for the “Acer U: Charged to Lead” Backto-School promo, offering discounts on the latest Acer tech and the best athletic gear from Under Armour. Patrons can save up to P10,000 and get an Under Armour voucher worth up to P14,000 for every purchase of a participating Acer product. The promo runs until Aug. 18. The purchased product must be registered for warranty at warranty.acer.com.ph to claim the voucher.

For more information about Acer and Acer Day, visit Acer’s official website and follow its social media platforms on Facebook, Instagram, and Twitter.

Venezuelan wins Man of the World 2024

From left: Man of the World 2024 fourth runner-up Sebastián Mora, Man of the World 2024 second runnerup Gwen Jegouzo, Man of the World 2024 Sergio Alejandro Azuaga, Man of the World 2024 rst runnerup Kenneth Vincent Cabungcal, and Man of the World 2024 third runner-up Ezequiel Padín

Pageant Concept Eton Concepcion

RETTY boy Sergio Alejandro Azuaga of Venezuela, a 20-year-old model from the capital city of Caracas, edged out 22 delegates from all over the world and walked away with the Man of the World 2024 crown, during the World Finals held at the Winford Resort & Casino Manila, in Sta. Cruz, Manila on Friday night.

Azuaga was crowned by Man of the World 2022 Aditya Khurana of India who substituted for Man of the World 2023 Jin Wook Kim of South Korea, who could not make it to the country due to typhoon Gaemi.

The Philippines’ Kenneth Vincent Cabungcal , a 24-yearold civil engineer was named fi rst runner-up, while France’s Gwen Jegouzo was second runner-up. Puerto Rico’s Fernando Ezequiel Padín , and Ecuador’s Sebastián Mora (who also won Mister Congeniality) fi nished as third and fourth runnersup, respectively. During the questionand-answer round, Azuaga was asked to explain a quote from Harry Potter author JK Rowling, “It is our choices that show what we truly are, far more than our abilities.”

Azuaga, who was cheered by his mother at the side, answered in halting English, “Sometimes you have the ability to become the person that you are not. But your

choices really show who you are and what you want.”

Azuaga, the fi rst Venezuelan to win in the Manila-based pageant, now on its sixth year, won the best in swimwear and favorite of press special awards.

“I love the Filipinos who always smile no matter what happens, even when it’s raining hard, like these past days,” Azuaga said in a message after his victory.

Rounding out the Top 10 fi nalists were Brazil’s Miguel Leles (Best in Physique), Eritrea’s Paulos Tecle , India’s Lavesh Mohan Bharambe (Best in National Costume), Spain’s Sergio Avila (Mister Photogenic), and Vietnam’s Doan Cong Vinh . The Top 15 included Australia’s Amit Singh Saini , Colombia’s David Linares , Dominican Republic’s Junior Mendoza , Malaysia’s Edison Ho , and United Kingdom’s Kazim Keskin

Presented by PEPPs Foundation, Inc., founders of Misters of Filipinas pageant, headed by president Carlo Morris Galang, the Man of the World pageant celebrates ‘Masculinity with Responsibility’ and aims to promote youth empowerment, education, tourism, culture, and heritage.

P-pop girl group G22 debuted in 2022 with their single ‘BANG!’ P-pop boy band SB19 has garnered international acclaim with their

Sandara Park is one of the members of the recently reunited K-pop

Venezuela’s Sergio Alejandro Azuaga is a 20-year-old model from Caracas

FRIDAY, AUGUST 2, 2024

lifeandshow.manilastandard@gmail.com

NICKIE WANG, Editor

ANGELICA VILLANUEVA, Writer

ABIGAIL ADRIATICO, Writer

Random Talk

Kate Adaja

AS an art enthusiast, I have always been fascinated by the power of colors. From its impact on appetite to changing our moods, I have spent countless hours on personal research. What remained challenging all these years was fi nding the right shades of makeup for my skin tone. It was often a hit-or-miss affair.

I’m glad the SM Beauty’s So Much Color event turned out to be more than just a showcase of products at the SM Mall of Asia Main Atrium last Saturday, July 27. It was a venue for creativity and self-expression and where I found out how to fully maximize colors in all aspects of beauty. The key? Finding your undertones.

The undertone, the subtle hue beneath the surface of our skin, plays a crucial role in determining which makeup shades and clothing colors complement our complexion best. It’s the secret ingredient that can make one’s skin glow (and even eyes sparkle as experts would say!).

Contrary to popular belief, the wrist test is not the most accurate way to determine your undertone. The veins in your wrist can appear blue or green due to various factors, leading to an incorrect assessment.

“I advise my clients to swatch it [makeup] on your face, and not on the back of your hand or other parts of your face,” color analyst Paoie Minerales said while doing a live demo with a model. “In color analysis, the best colors for you are the colors that match your skin and hair.”

A color analyst’s technique is more efficient. The expert makes use of a flesh tone color wheel or fan and matches the sample colors with the client’s face by directly comparing the two. Without it, one can manually try on different foundation or makeup shades and observe which ones seamlessly blend with your skin or produce a glowing effect.

Once you’ve determined your undertone, choosing the right makeup and clothing colors

Hue knew?

The secret to glowing up through colors

in finding the right shade of make up that matches one’s skin tone

of colors. If you have difficulty finding your undertone, seek the help of a color analyst and customize the right shades for you. Understanding your skin’s undertone will surely make an impact on your look. Select foundation shades that blend beautifully with your skin, lipsticks that enhance your natural lip color, and clothes that make you glow. It’s like discovering a hidden superpower that elevates you with the right hues.

Homestyle brand celebrates three years of championing local design

ITOOH Homestyle, founded in 2021 by Andrew Bercasio, Jules Veloso, and Enah Baba-Igual marks its third anniversary this year. Dedicated to showcasing Filipino craftsmanship and providing convenient home furnishing solutions, the company has grown into a leading destination for high-quality, locally crafted furniture.

Since its inception, ITOOH Homestyle has partnered with 90 brands to offer over 4,000 curated furniture pieces. From tropical to industrial and Scandinavian to eclectic, the diverse styles ensure something for every taste.

“Our journey started with a deep passion to enrich Filipino homes with locally crafted furniture that blends elegance and functionality. Three years since we introduced ITOOH Homestyle, our commitment to highlighting the exceptional talent of Filipino artisans and bridging tradition with contemporary living to craft spaces that reflect our customers’ distinct lifestyles and preferences remains steadfast,” shares Bercasio, cofounder and Chief Operating Officer of ITOOH Homestyle.

The brand is committed to nurturing Filipino craftsmanship. The local furniture industry, known for its intricate designs and sustainable materials, is a key focus. Bercasio emphasizes, “By investing in our local artisans, we are preserving a legacy of excellence that defines Filipino craftsmanship.”

ITOOH Homestyle’s online catalog offers a wide range of home furniture and accents, including sofas, chairs, tables, nightstands, bookcases, rugs, lamps, wall art, and decorative accessories. They also provide customizable pieces to match customer preferences in fabric, finish, or size.

Most items are available for immediate purchase and delivery.

The company also offers interior design services, full-service furnishing solutions for commercial spaces, and expert furniture repair and reupholstery services.

Bercasio added that the brand is flexible in catering to various styles and budgets, from tropical to minimalist designs.

“We help cultivate a passion for improving our homes,” he says.

ITOOH’s online platform simplifies shopping for Filipinos, with plans for a mobile app and a gift registry to enhance the experience. Visit www.shopitooh.com for more information.

becomes a breeze. Warm undertones look radiant in earthy shades like gold, coral, and olive green, while cool undertones shine in jewel tones like

ruby, emerald, and sapphire. If you have a neutral undertone, consider yourself lucky. You can pull off a wide range

Determining one’s undertone is helpful

The undertone is a subtle hue under the surface of the skin which varies from person to person

Color analyst Paoie Minerales demonstrates how she determines the undertones of her clients

The Carranglan Outdoor Set is made with Philippine bamboo and brings a tropical vibe to any home

ITOOH Homestyle has partnered with various brands for curated furniture pieces such as the Platform Paletta 2 Seater Living Room Sofa from Space Matters Manila

Jed Yabut Furniture & Design’s Pahiyas Divider is inspired by Lucban, Quezon’s Pahiyas Festival as it resembles the ‘kiping’ or leaf-shaped wafer made from rice typically used in the celebration

ITOOH Homestyle COO and co-founder Andrew Bercasio

Hurricane is an oil and acrylic on canvas piece by the late painter Dante Perez