Manila Standard - 2024 September 2 - Monday

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Lawyer: Alice Guo wanted to surrender

FUGITIVE former mayor Alice Guo wanted to surrender but was concerned about her safety, his lawyer said. Guo’s lawyer Atty. Stephen David in an interview with ABS-CBN on Sunday said this was based on his last transaction with Guo on August 22, and did not disclose any further information.

THE weather bureau expects tropical depression “Enteng” to reach tropical storm category today and intensify even further later this week. On late Sunday afternoon, the storm was observed intensifying over the waters of northeast Northern Samar with its eye placed at around 110 kilometers east-northeast of Catarman town.

PH staying put at Escoda Shoal

Speaker says Filipinos' patience 'wearing thin;' US,

THE Philippines is staying put at Escoda Shoal despite China’s continuous efforts to drive it out of the waters located some 140 kilometers off Palawan and well within Manila's 200-kilometer Exclusive Economic Zone.

Magbanua will remain and maintain its operations in the West Phil-

ippine Sea. We will not succumb to acts of harassment and aggressive behavior." CCG 5205 can clearly be seen in a viral video hitting the Philippine ship thrice during the encounter.

“The Philippines condemns this unprovoked aggression and remains steadfast in upholding its sovereignty, sovereign rights, and jurisdiction in the West Philippine Sea,” the NMC also stated.

Despite the latest attack, the council avowed that Manila would continue its sovereign operations in its maritime zones.

UK condemn China

THE Philippine National Police cordoned off the worship cathedral in the compound of the Kingdom of Jesus Christ (KOJC), after denying their request to celebrate their 39th founding anniversary yesterday in the facility.

“The PNP refused my client's

request to use the KOJC Cathedral so they will just use, instead, the front portion of the KINGDOME as per PNP’s instructions,” Atty. Israelito Torreon, KOJC head legal counsel, said. Atty. Torreon also said the PNP has taken control over the cathedral despite the Temporary Protection Order (TPO) issued by the court.

FLUVIAL PROTEST. Fishermen from Batangas, Zambales, Bataan, Bulacan, Laguna, and Cavite held a fluvial parade in Calatagan, on Sunday, September 1, 2024, to condemn the ramming of the Philippine Coast Guard's BRP Teresa Magbanua by a Chinese Coast Guard vessel off Escoda shoal in the West Philippine Sea. Inset shows damage caused by the Chinese vessel on BRP Magbanua. Manny Palmero/ PCG
ENTENG'S HERE. Tropical storm Enteng made its presence
in Northern Samar flooding streets and houses in Allen, right photo, and San Roque, middle
towns. At right is the track of Enteng as of 4:00 pm. FB page of Jhenifier Sadial, Northern Samar information office, and PAGASA

Cooking gas, auto LPG prices up from Sept. 1

OIL firms raised the price of liquefied petroleum gas (LPG) or cooking gas by as much as P0.55 per kilo or P6 per 11-kilo tank and auto LPG by P0.25 per liter effective September 1 to reflect the higher contract price of LPG in the world market.

LPG prices are adjusted every first day of the month while petroleum prices are adjusted every Tuesday. Prior to the increase, LPG in the National Capital Region sold from P840 to P1,087 per 11-kilo tank which

is used primarily by households.

“Petron will implement a P0.55/kg

(VAT-incl) increase in LPG prices effective 12:01 AM Sep 1. This reflects the international contract price of LPG for the month

PLARIDEL’S 174TH

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The NMC urged counterparts in Beijing to exercise restraint and prioritize the safety of vessels at sea and aircraft within its airspace.

It can be recalled that CCG 5205 was responsible for pointing a military-grade laser at the crew on BRP Malapascua on Feb. 6, 2023, while the PN ship was on a rotation and resupply mission to Ayungin Shoal, which is around 67 kilometers from Escoda.

Despite the NMC’s carefully selected words, policymakers in Manila seem to be rethinking the wisdom of maintaining their “maximum tolerance” policy against China’s bellicose behavior.

On Sunday, House Speaker Ferdinand Martin Romualdez issued a strong warning, affirming that the Philippines is fully prepared to defend its sovereignty in the face of escalating Chinese aggression in the WPS.

“The Philippines remains committed to dialogue and a peaceful resolution, but we also stand ready to safeguard our sovereignty. We call for respect, and we are determined to meet any challenges that may arise. For the Philippines, for our future, and for our sovereignty, we will stand firm,” he warned.

He noted that while the Philippine government would rather engage in constructive dialogue, “the country’s patience is wearing thin.”

Meanwhile, the Philippines’ key allies castigated Beijing for its relentless efforts to provoke its neighbor.

"The United States stands with its ally, the Philippines, and condemns the dangerous and escalatory actions by the People’s Republic of China (PRC) against lawful Philippine maritime operations in the vicinity of Sabina Shoal in the South China Sea on August 31," US State Department spokesperson Matthew Miller said in a statement.

"The United States reiterates its call for the PRC to comport its claims and actions with international law and to desist from dangerous and destabilizing conduct, he added"

Washington also expressed fears that China’s "unlawful claims of territorial sovereignty over ocean areas where no land territory exists, and its increasingly aggressive actions to enforce them, threaten the freedoms of navigation and overflight of all nations."

For her part, British Ambassador Laure Beaufils said on X (formerly Twitter) that the United Kingdom "is concerned about reports of yet more dangerous actions by a Chinese vessel near Sabina Shoal." She urged China’s leaders to respect international law and adhere to the 2016 Arbitral Award which, she pointed out, “is legally binding on the parties."

PNP... From A1

“They are controlling and occupying the KOJC Cathedral, hence, we have to deal with them,” Torreon said.

The PNP has yet to issue a statement on the matter.

As this developed, Sen. Ronald Dela Rosa said the fugitive pastor would only surrender if he is not extradited to the US..

"That's it basically- that's the bone of his contention- that he refuses to be turned over to the US," he said.

"It's not a demand. It can be a condition to surrender," said Dela Rosa in a telephone interview.

He also said he has not talked to Quiboloy or his lawyer about this matter.

of September,” Petron Corp. said in its advisory over the weekend.

Rival Solane LPG also issued a separate advisory of the same level of increase while Cleanfuel announced a price hike of P0.25 per liter for autoLPG.

Department of Energy director Rodela Romero said Friday the price of LPG will likely go up as the contract price of LPG went up by $22 per metric ton, which would translate to an increase of about P0.55 to P0.60 per kilo. Meanwhile, Romero said prices of petroleum products in the domestic pump are expected to increase on Tuesday.

BIRTHDAY. Manila Vice Mayor Yul Servo joins officers of the Samahang Plaridel in commemorating the 174th birth anniversary of Marcelo H. del Pilar at his monument at MH Del Pilar St., cor. Quirino Ave., Malate, Manila. Photo shows (upper left) Plaridel Director Atty. Hector Villacorta; Plaridel Vice President Andy Sevilla; Plaridel Director Vito Barcelo; (lower left) Plaridel Exec. Sec. Nelly Lumbaca; Plaridel Director Ms. Carmelita Valdez; Plaridel President Evelyn Quiroz; (center) Manila Vice Mayor John Marvin “Yul Servo” Cruz Nieto; (upper right) Mr. Bryan Anthony Paraiso, National Historical Commission of the Philippines; Plaridel Director Ed Andaya; (lower right) Ms. Rica Pauline Villegas (great great granddaughter of MH Del Pilar); Plaridel Director Jinky Jorgio; Plaridel member Boy Villasanta.

PAGASA:...

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Romero said gasoline prices may increase from P0.20 to P0.45 per liter, diesel may have no adjustment or may increase by P0.20 per liter and kerosene from P0.45 to P0.55 per liter.

Romero said the combination of escalating geopolitical tensions and a sudden halt in Libyan oil production/exports sent shockwaves through global markets which influenced the upward movement in oil prices.

She said the market also reacted positively to the US Federal Reserve rate cut cycle in September “which has lifted the outlook for global economic activity and

“It is forecast to remain at this category until early Wednesday. It may also reach a peak category of typhoon by Thursday or Friday,” the Philippine Institute of Volcanology and Seismology said in a bulletin.

It was moving westward at 15 kilometers per hour (kph) packing maximum sustained winds of 45 kph near the center and gustiness of up to 70 kph.

“Enteng” was expected to make landfall in the vicinity of Catanduanes or Albay early this morning.

Tropical Cyclone Wind Signal (TCWS) No. 1 was raised over the southeastern portion of Cagayan, the northern portion of Aurora, Polillo Islands, the southern portion of mainland Quezon, Camarines Norte,

Digong,...

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“It has come to public attention that serious allegations have been made against the former President, and Senator Go and Dela Rosa in the Quad Comm probe, and given the gravity of these accusations, we hope they attend the hearings to address these claims directly,” said Laguna Rep. Dan Fernandez, who heads the committee on public order and safety.

In the Aug. 22 hearing, persons deprived of liberty Leopoldo Tan Jr. and Fernando Magdadaro testified that Duterte ordered the killings of three Chinese drug lords detained at the Davao Prison and Penal Farm in Davao del Norte in 2016.

Meanwhile, Col. Jovie Espenido alleged there was a reward for killing drug suspects during the Duterte administration’s drug war, which was supposedly funded by illegal activities, including contributions from POGO operations.

He said Go and Dela Rosa had direct involvement in these government-

"At the end of the day, it's his call. It's his call if he wants to surrender or not," De La Rosa said.

Meanwhile three Malaysian nationals who claimed to be members of KOJC were barred by immigration authorities from entering the Philippines.

Immigration Commissioner Norman Tansingco said Sunday the three Malaysians were ordered to board a flight back to Malaysia last August 28. In their incident report, the BI supervisors who interviewed the Malaysians said the trio said they were going to Davao City at the invitation of the KOJC. However, they failed to show any proof of their financial capacity to support their stay in the country, admitting that they are unemployed.

During an interview one of them inadvertently showed screenshots of

Camarines Sur, Catanduanes, Albay, Sorsogon, Masbate, includeing Ticao and Burias Islands, Northern Samar, Samar, Eastern Samar, Biliran and the northeastern portion of Leyte. In Luzon, Tropical Cyclone Wind Signal (TCWS) No. 1 was hoisted over the eastern portion of Isabela (Palanan, Dinapigue), the eastern portion of Aurora (Dilasag, Casiguran, Dinalungan), the eastern portion of Camarines Norte (Mercedes, Basud), the eastern portion of Camarines Sur (Presentacion, Garchitorena, Caramoan, Calabanga, Naga City, Pili, Bombon, Magarao, Ocampo, Baao, Nabua, Bula, Balatan, Bato, Milaor, Minalabac, Camaligan, Saglay, Iriga City, Buhi, Tigaon, San Jose, Goa, Siruma, Tinambac, Lagonoy, Canaman, Gainza, San Fernando), Catanduanes, Albay, Sorsogon, Burias Island, and Ticao Island

In Visayas TCWS No. 1 was hoist-

sanctioned killings.

“Espenido, a key figure in the drug war, has implicated Sen. Bong Go in this scheme, claiming that funds were funneled downwards from his level.

Similarly, Senator Bato, who led the Philippine National Police during the early years of the drug war, has been accused of instructing police officers to neutralize drug suspects, which has been interpreted as an order to kill,” Fernandez said.

“Given these severe allegations, we hope the President, Go and Dela Rosa will appear before the Quad Committee. Their attendance would provide them a crucial platform to defend themselves and clarify their roles in the previous administration's anti-drug policies,” he added.

For his part, Manila Rep. Bienvenido Abante, who heads the panel on human rights, said Duterte, Go and Dela Rosa must take every opportunity to speak up to save their reputations.

“The testimonies heard so far have led to disturbing revelations, suggesting that the Philippines may have operated as a ‘narco-state’ during Duterte's

various anti- government slogans to an Immigration supervisor.

When asked to explain the screenshots, the passenger said she accidentally downloaded them from her Facebook/Messenger page.

The Malaysians have been placed in the immigration blacklist and banned from entering the country.

“Our immigration officers discovered their intent to participate in anti-government demonstrations being staged by KOJC members who are protesting the ongoing manhunt for Pastor Quiboloy,” Tansingco said.

He stressed that “foreigners have no business interfering in the country’s internal political affairs, thus aliens who join these protest actions can be expelled for violating our immigration laws and for being undesirable aliens.”

crude demands.”

“But the economic worries in the US and China overshadow supply risks that made prices bearish (last) Thursday,” Romero said.

On August 27, the oil companies implemented a big time price rollback of P1.15 per liter for gasoline, P1.90 per liter for diesel and P1.85 per liter for kerosene. Based on DOE computation, total adjustment of gasoline and diesel year to date stands at a net

Mpox...

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encounters with more than one partner, while Case 17 had close, skin-to-skin sexual contact with another person who had skin symptoms.

Case 15 is a 29-year-old male from NCR whose symptoms started on August 21. He had rashes on his upper lip, arm, and anal area. He also had swollen neck lymph nodes, sore throat, muscle pain, and weakness. A day later he started having a fever. According to the DOH, this person did not travel within 21 days before the start of symptoms. He also reported one close contact and disclosed that he had anonymous sexual encounters. As of the moment, this case remains in home isolation.

ed over Northern Samar, Samar, Eastern Samar, Biliran, and the northeastern portion of Leyte (Babatngon, San Miguel, Tacloban City, Alangalang, Santa Fe, Palo, Barugo)

“Forecast rainfall is generally higher in elevated or mountainous areas. Under these conditions, flooding and rain-induced landslides are likely especially in areas that are highly or very highly susceptible to these hazards as identified in official hazard maps and in localities that experienced considerable amounts of rainfall for the past several days.” PAGASA said.

Meanwhile, PAGASA warned of serious flooding and landslides in Eastern Samar, Samar, Biliran, Leyte, and parts of Cebu.

In a red rainfall warning issued on Sunday afternoon, the weather bureau urged residents in low-lying areas and coastal communities in these jurisdictions to evacuate to higher ground.

presidency, with high-ranking officials involved in the drug trade,” he said.

“These claims, if left unchallenged, could undermine public confidence in the integrity of the country's leadership and its institutions. Therefore, allowing Duterte, Go and Dela Rosa to address these accusations is critical in maintaining transparency and accountability in governance,” he added.

For his part, Surigao del Norte Rep. Robert Ace Barbers warned exPhilippine Charity Sweepstakes Office general manager Royina Garma to attend the next scheduled hearing or face arrest.

Barbers, the Quad Comm’s lead chairman, said a subpoena has been issued to Garma, requiring her to appear before the committee on Sept. 3.

“If Lt. Col. Garma refuses to attend, we will have no choice but to issue a warrant for her arrest. This is a matter of national importance, and we will not tolerate any obstruction to this investigation. We are committed to ensuring that justice is served, and that means everyone involved must be held to account,” he said.

PBBM... From A1

Philippine Economic Zone Authority (PEZA).

Proclamation No. 668 creates and designates a building and the parcels of land on which it stands as an Information Technology Center, identified as Lot 16-E, Psd-06-069682, and Lot 16-D-1, Psd-06-085931 in Iloilo City, Island of Panay. The building designated is to be known as “The Grid.”

Proclamation No. 670, on the other hand, designates several parcels of land as an inclusion to the existing Lima Technology Center-Special Economic Zone, identified as Lot 2 Pcs-04-004370, Lot 1 Pcs-04-004370,

Case 16 is a 34-year-old male also from NCR, whose symptoms started on August 27. He had rashes and blisters over his arms, genital and anal areas. He also had a cough, fatigue, and swollen lymph nodes in his groin area. Similar to Case 15, he did not travel anytime 21 days before symptoms started. He disclosed that before symptoms started, he did have sexual contact with three partners. He was admitted after he sought a consultation but has already been discharged to complete isolation at home. Contact tracing is ongoing.

Mpox Case 17 is a 29-year-old male from CALABARZON who started having a fever on August 19. Shortly thereafter he developed rashes (vesicles) on his face, thorax, arms, legs, and soles. He also had headaches, muscle pain, and swollen neck lymph nodes. The said case also had no travel history within 21 days but had close intimate contact with one sexual partner who may have had the same skin symptoms. He has two household close contacts. Other details are still being verified.

Lawyer:...

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“There were many threats, internal and external, we don't have to elaborate on that, we are. bound by lawyer-client privilege but basically, she wanted to surrender,” David said.

But despite this, David is hoping that Guo will change her mind to surrender, citing Sheila Guo and Cassandra Lee Ong’s condition when it comes to their safety with Philippine authorities.

Guo was reportedly last seen roaming in Jakarta, Indonesia.

Authorities have requested a blue notice to interpol that would oblige member countries to report Guo’s presence.

David also communicated with Guo’s brother, Wesley Guo.

“He did not tell me where he was. He just asked how was Sheila and what was our strategy on the case," he said.

The Bureau of Immigration have said they have information that Guo’s brother is in Hong Kong but its counterparts reported no sighting of the latter. Rex Espiritu

Lot 5572 Psc-47, Lot 3 Psu-194217, Lot 2 Psu-194217, Lot 1 Psu-194217, and Lot 5575 Psc-47. Also identified in the proclamation are Lot 8 Ccs-04-005168-D, Lot 1-B Psd-4A-012120, Lot 5496-A Psd-04132073, Lot 1 Psu-185706, Lot 5594D Psd-041017-057499, and Lot 55 Psd-041017-057499, located in Malvar, Batangas. The President’s proclamation was signed by Executive Secretary Lucas Bersamin. According to PEZA, as of April 2023, there is a total of 419 economic zones in the country, 297 of which are information technology parks or centers. PEZA promotes the establishment of economic zones in the Philippines to attract foreign investments. Vince Lopez

‘TULONG ESKWELA.’ Representatives of various government agencies and the O ce of House Speaker Martin Romualdez distribute cash aid to more than 7,000 students and parents as part of the government’s ‘Tulog Eskwela Program.’ Norman Cruz

IN BRIEF

Private investments key to tourism dev’t

THE country’s tourism sector will greatly benefit from private sector investments in the areas of infrastructure and public services, former Senate President Juan Miguel Zubiri said.

The senator, chair of the Senate Committee on Economic Affairs, said investments will enable the country to capture a larger market of foreign tourists that are all flocking to our Southeast Asian neighbors.

During his committee’s hearing on Senate Resolution No. 1121, or the inquiry into the economic impact of poor and inadequate infrastructure, frequent power outages, and insufficient water supply on the tourism sector, Zubiri noted that the country has the best beaches and other tourist spots in Southeast Asia.

“But we are losers when it comes to airports, power supply, public transport, and connectivity. So we are being left behind although the Philippines is more beautiful,” he said.

In 2023, Thailand had the best tourism economy in Southeast Asia, receiving 28 million foreign arrivals. This was followed by Malaysia with 20 million, Singapore with 13.6 million, Vietnam with 12.6 million, Indonesia with 11.7 million, and Cambodia 5.5 million.

The Philippines, meanwhile, welcomed only 5.4 million foreign visitors. “Tourism is the low-lying fruit that can help us increase our GDP growth once we get our acts together,” he pointed out. “The market is there, the natural resources are there. We just have to invest in our tourism infrastructure.” Macon Ramos-Araneta

Bahay Kalinga to rise in Navotas City

NAVOTAS Mayor John Rey Tiangco together with other officials led the groundbreaking ceremony for the construction of Bahay Kalinga, a temporary shelter dedicated to providing a safe haven for abandoned, neglected, and abused children in Navotas.

The three-story Bahay Kalinga to rise in Brgy. NBBS Kaunlaran will offer temporary housing, basic needs, and access to medical care, psychological support, and educational programs. Andrew Rabulan

BPSU team visits

cashew producers

The Bataan Peninsula State University (BPSU) project team went on a two-day visit to cashew product processors in Bagac and Morong and held consultations with growers.

The BPSU project, “Enhancement of Intellectual Property and Technology Business Management in BPSU through the Regional Agri-Aqua Innovation System Enhancement (RAISE) Program” is funded by the Philippine Council for Agriculture, Aquatic and Natural Resources Research and Development (PCAARRD).

The 2-year project aims to enhance intellectual property protection and management in cashew technology. The project team first visited cashew processors in Bagac in May.

The BPSU team held consultations to learn the technologies use by local cashew processors and started identifying commercialized innovations that local cashew processors can adopt to be more productive.

The project team is also analyzing the development gaps based on the data they gathered at the same time will explore future possible collaborations with local cashew stakeholders.

DOTr sets P300 million for Pag-asa Island port

THE Department of Transportation (DOTr) is set to spend P300 million to build a new sheltered port on Pag-asa Island in the West Philippine Sea, according to Makati City Rep. Luis Campos Jr.

The lawmaker said the budget is for the Pag-asa Island Sheltered Port Project and is itemized in the DOTr’s Maritime Infrastructure Program in the 2025 national budget.

Campos is vice chairperson of the committee on appropriations. With a land area of 37.2 hec-

tares, Pag-asa lies 518 kilometers west of Puerto Princesa City, Palawan.

It is the largest landmass in the Kalayaan Island Group.

“The P300 million will bring to P2.6 billion the cumulative funding for new infrastructure projects in the Kalayaan Island Group,”

Campos said.

In October 2023, Speaker Martin Romualdez visited Pag-asa and vowed to develop the entire Kalayaan Island Group, which he said had the potential to become a tourist haven, like the Maldives Islands in the Indian Ocean.

“Following the Speaker’s visit, Congress has since earmarked P1.5 billion to further extend Pagasa’s 1.3-kilometer runway to accommodate bigger aircraft, plus P800 million for a sheltered port on smaller Lawak Island, both in the 2024 General Appropriations Law,” Campos said.

Mayor Joy to attend climate change meet in QC

QUEZON City Mayor Joy Belmonte is set to attend a meeting with other city leaders from Southeast Asia in the upcoming C40 Cities SEA CAI Regional Academy to be held in the locality this week.

“This is a testament to the city’s commitment in leading the fight against the climate crisis. Together with other cities in the Global South as well as Mayor Aki-Sawyerr’s leadership, we hope to strengthen our initiatives, policies, and programs in promoting and ensuring an inclusive and equal community for all,” she said.

“I am confident that our collaboration will inspire new strategies and strengthen our commitment to combating climate change without leaving anyone behind,” she added. Freetown’s (Sierra Leone) Mayor Yvonne Aki-Sawyerr will lead the high-level dialogue on integrating Inclusive Climate Action into city governance and climate actions in the Global South.

The Regional Academy running from Sept. 2 to Sept. 6 is part of the Climate Action Implementation Programme supported by the UK government’s Urban Climate Action Programme.

Apart from Mayor Belmonte and Mayor Aki-Sawyerr, British Ambassador to the Philippines, Her Excellency Laure Beaufils, and C40 Cities’ Regions and Mayoral Engagement Managing Director, Shruti Narayan, will also deliver their messages.

Belmonte is the 2023 Champion of the Earth for Policy Leadership of the United Nations Environment Programme.

She strongly advocates for an inclusive and responsive climate action, ensuring that no resident is left behind, and has pioneered the prohibition of single-use plastics while pushing for a circular economy.

These included the creation of over 25,000 good, green jobs, and the integration of the informal waste workers in the solid waste management system of the city government.

C40 is a global network of nearly 100 mayors from the world’s leading cities, united in action to confront the climate crisis. Rio N. Araja

Children’s kin disappointed in Dengvaxia dismissal

THE relatives of eight children whose deaths were linked to the Dengvaxia vaccine on Sunday expressed disappointment over the dismissal of the criminal charges they filed against exDepartment of Health (DOH) Secretary Janette Garin, who is now an Iloilo representative.

“How this happened…,” Samahan ng mga Magulang at Anak ay Biktima ng Dengvaxia president Sumachen Dominguez said, adding “We still do not have a copy (of the decision).” The Quezon City Regional Trial Court Branch 229 junked the reckless imprudence resulting in homicide filed against Garin and other physicians for lack of sufficient evidence against them.

“The prosecution evidence failed to establish a prima facie case against demurrant Janette L. Garin and demurrant Julius Lecciones. The evidence does not amount to proof beyond a reasonable doubt of any or all of the criminal charges against either or both of them,” Judge Cleto Villacorta III’s decision read.

“Expert witnesses have a special duty to the court to provide fair, objective, and non-partisan assistance. A proposed expert who is unwilling or unable to comply with this duty is not qualified to give expert opinion evidence,” the court said.

It cited an expert opinion, to be admissible as evidence, must come from a credible expert who has special knowledge, skill, or training; it must be derived using sound “scientific” principles and methodology; and must not be based on hearsay and in this case, there is no such evidence on record.

“[I]t appears though from the evidence that the children had other diseases, preexisting or otherwise, that the death certificates and the pathologist were able to document,” the court ruled.

“Following the grant of the demurrer to evidence to Garin, et al., the prosecution filed a motion for reconsideration, however, on August 20, 2024, the Court denied the MR and ruled that the “orders granting their respective demurrers stand,” it further stated. Rio N. Araja

CLOSE to 23,000 registered voters of Barangay 176 also known as Barangay Bagong Silang in Caloocan City have voted to divide their area into six separate and independent barangays, the Commission on Elections (Comelec) said Sunday.

Based on the proclamation of the Barangay Plebiscite Board of Canvassers, a total of 22,854 residents voted for “yes” to divide the barangay while 2,584 votes were counted for “no” during the plebiscite held Saturday. With the majority of the voters having agreed to the division of Barangay 176, the country’s most populous barangay, the poll body ratified the creation of six new barangays. They will be known as Barangay 176-A, Barangay 176-B, Barangay 176C, Barangay 176-D, Barangay 176-E and Barangay 176-F. Of the 86,153 registered voters, 25,345 participated in the plebiscite which was held pursuant to Republic Act No. 11993 dividing Barangay 176 into six independent villages, approved on April 3, 2024.

‘BAHAY KALINGA.’ Navotas Mayor John Rey Tiangco leads the ceremony for Bahay Kalinga, a temporary shelter for abandoned, neglected, and abused children in Navotas

QC Memorial bell rings out National Peace Month

THE Office of Presidential Adviser on Peace, Reconciliation and Unity (OPPARU) on Sunday rang the Peace bell at the Quezon Memorial Circle in Quezon City as part of celebration of National Peace Consciousness Month.

OPPARU Secretary Carlito Galvez Jr. in his remarks reminisced about the donation in the 90s of the bell by the World Peace Bell Association in Japan that promoted peace movement across the globe. The bell was turned over by Former President Fidel Ramos in 1994 to its current keeper, the Quezon City government.

“As we have done over the past two decades, our Peace Month celebration begins with the ringing of the peace bell. Everything starts with that powerful sound,” Galvez said. He also called on the people to make this year’s peace month “a time of deep reflection, purposive action, and an opportunity to demonstrate a greater commitment to our country’s peace, healing, and unity.”

“Everyone is invited to actively participate in this year’s National Peace Consciousness Month celebrations. From the peace education summit, constituency building, forums and debates, and community service activities, everybody should get involved,” he added.

Former President Gloria MacapagalArroyo signed Proclamation Number 675 declaring September as “National Peace Consciousness Month.”

This year’s theme for its 20th celebration is “Transforming Minds, Transforming Lives.”

Ban on improvised license plates reset to Dec. 31 — LTO IN BRIEF

Tulfos thank supporters on mother’s passing

ACT-CIS party-list Rep. Erwin Tulfo on Sunday expressed thanks to those who joined their grief for the passing of their mother at 97.

“We would like to thank everyone who joined us in our moments of sorrow,” Tulfo said.

The Tulfo family asked for the understanding of the motorists who might have been disturbed by the funeral procession of their mother’s remains from Quezon City to Taguig on Sunday morning.

“We sincerely apologize for any inconvenience that may have caused to some motorists yesterday due to the funeral procession,” Senator Raffy Tulfo said.

The Tulfo matriarch, Caridad, passed away last Aug. 27 at the age of 97 due to natural causes.

She was survived by her children Ramon Junior, Tuchi, Wanda, Ben, Bong, Joseph, Raffy, Erwin, and Edelle. Rio N. Araja

Noveleta honors five outstanding workers

FIVE local government employees Noveleta, Cavite were honored on Saturday, August 31, 2024 in celebration of the 128th Day of Heroes of Noveleta held at the Iglesia Indepiendente Church in Barangay San Rafael.

The municipal government under Mayor Dino Reyes-Chua recognized the staff along with Cavite 1st District board member Davey Chua for their unique contribution to the town.

This year’s Makabagong Bayani awardees are eco=aide Leonora Bacsal, garbage collector Rex Mediran, traffic enforcer Nelia Santiago, regular employee Vicky Nicanor, and day care worker Estelita Bunda.

“We do this every year since I took over as mayor to acknowledge the contributions of our workers to the town of Noveleta, and to serve as an inspiration to the other employees of the local government,” Chua said in Filipino. Dennis Abrina

PH, Indonesia hold Navy-to-Navy talks

THE Philippine Navy on Saturday hosted a meeting with Indonesian Navy (IDN) delegates during the 15th observance of the annual Navy to Navy Cooperation held in Cebu City.

Philippine Navy spokesman Commander John Percie Alcos said the meeting led to an update of several bilateral activities between the two navies.

“The meeting also establishing future maritime cooperation initiatives between the two services, particularly in operations, exercises, education and personnel exchanges, high-level interactions, and information sharing,” Alcos said. Rear Admiral Joe Anthony Orbe served as head of the Philippine delegation, while FAdm. I Gung Puto Alit Jaya led the Indonesian group. Both navies have been partners in the maritime security of its common borders in the Celebes Sea and working together to address cross-border security challenges. Rex Espiritu

ACT Teachers party-List Rep. France

Castro has vowed to vigorously oppose the budget allocation for the Office of the Vice President (OVP) for 2025, particularly funds designated for social aid.

“Given the previous misuse of confidential funds, we must ensure that public funds are allocated and utilized properly. We cannot allow the allocation of a separate budget for a department that has a dubious track record,” Castro stressed.

She highlighted the “alarming track record” of Vice President Sara Duterte in managing public funds, citing a recent directive of the Commission on Audit for the Vice President to return P73 million in confidential funds that were disal-

lowed due to improper use.

“If the OVP cannot properly manage its P73-million confidential fund, how can we entrust them an even higher budget? This is about protecting taxpayers’ money from potential misuse,” Castro noted.

During the last budget hearing, Castro said that Duterte failed to provide adequate explanation on how she spent taxpayers’ money.

“We asked, and the Vice President could not give clear answers. She consumed entirely the confidential funds, but she doesn’t want to explain how it was used,” Castro added.

“How can we, as lawmakers, justify

Transfer of PhilHealth funds to

healthcare services to all, and ensuring that no one would be financially crippled by medical expenses. However, this promise required significant funding amounting to P 2.34 trillion in 2023, P1.68 trillion in 2024, and P1.22 trillion for the fiscal years 2025-2026.

The DOH planned to gather these funds from sin tax collections and income from the Philippine Amusement and Gaming Corp. and the Philippine Charity Sweepstakes Office, but these sources fall woefully short, underscoring the urgent need for direct, substantial funding to make the UHC law a reality, Leachon noted.

He said the Senate’s Committee on Health called for a hearing on the decision to transfer supposedly excess PhilHealth funds to the national treasury for unprogrammed appropriations.

giving her more funds when she cannot even account for the money she has already spent? Again, this is not about politicizing. This about protecting the hard-earned money of every Filipino,” the lawmaker said.

According to her, the budget for social services should be channelled directly to the Department of Social Welfare and Development, instead of being allocated separately to the OVP.

“The DSWD has the mandate and expertise to handle social services. By funnelling the budget to the DSWD, we can ensure that the funds are used properly and reach those who need them most,” Castro explained. Rio N. Araja

THE Land Transportation Office has reset to Dec. 31 the start of its drive against the use of temporary or improvised vehicle license plates. Instead of the Sept. 1, the prohibition will start on Dec. 31, LTO chief Vigor Mendoza II said.

He said there would be no excuse for motor vehicle owners who already have the license plates not to install them in their vehicles.

“We ask the motorists to claim and install their respective license plates as soon as they are available either in the car dealerships and replacement plates in our offices,” he said.

The agency previously issued a memorandum circular against the use of improvised and temporary plates after an initial investigation showed that registered owners of vehicles, especially the newly bought ones, are not claiming their license plates from the motor vehicle dealers.

Thousands of license plates remained unclaimed in various motor vehicle dealerships, he said.

Mendoza recalled that during a meeting last July, the car dealers asserted that their clients did not claim the plates despite repeated reminders.

The installation of license plates is crime deterrent, too, the LTO chief said.

“There is no more backlog in (license plates for) four-wheel vehicles, so there is no reason for vehicle owners not to claim and install them in their vehicles,” he said.

“The only remaining backlog is the license plates on motorcycles, and that this is our focus now in compliance with the directive from President Ferdinand Marcos Jr. to address all the backlogs on license plates by June next year,” he added.

He clarified that the deadline extension would not diminish the agency’s effort to aggressively come up with measures to deliver all the unclaimed license plates to the rightful owners.

He said he has already instructed the regional directors and district office heads to coordinate with the local government units for the distribution of the license plates.

POGO HUB RAID. A total of 162 foreign nationals consisting of 83 Chinese, 70 Indonesians, six Burmese, one Malaysian, and two Taiwanese, along with six suspected human trafficking victims were rescued during a raid on a POGO hub in Lapu-Lapu City in Cebu. Alan Tangcawan
GOLD MEDALISTS, TOO. President Ferdinand Marcos, Jr. and Department of Science and Technology Secretary Renato Solidum, Jr. pose with scientist-inventors Richard and Rigel Gomez, inventors of the pioneering Philippine-made medical cannabis CANCUR which won a gold medal in the pharmaceutical category of the International Invention and Innovation Summit in Krakow, Poland. NOVELETA’S MODERN-DAY HEROES. The municipal government of Noveleta, Cavite confers plaques of appreciation to five outstanding

OPINION

What else do we not import?

AUGUST has come and gone. Typhoon Carina lashed before the ghost month, which ends today, with no major weather disturbance except for the persistent “habagat” of our wet season, which oldtimers at the NFA always dreaded because the third quarter were lean months, when the summer harvest is supposed to supply the nation’s consumption needs as it awaits the harvest of September till November.

Our celebratory events coincide with the palay harvest: May was the merry month when the harvests sustained our population during the pre-independence era.

Most of our fiestas gravitate around this period, when farmers thank the good Lord for the bounty of the good earth.

Then comes the holiday season celebrating the birth of the Christ. It also comes after the harvest two months before the Siberian cold winds descend upon our warm climate, bringing a welcome chill.

While the “simbang gabi” starts us off the novena of masses prior to Christmas Day, we have through the years begun the celebratory mood as early as September, when our ubiquitous malls start putting up the tinsel and the lights to entice consumers to buy for the customary gift-giving of the holiday season.

But, enough of the trivia.

My attention was called by recent news items about how our imports of beef and even pork have increased tremendously.

The USDA forecasts our 2025 beef imports to increase to some 226,000 metric tons next year. It attributes this to strong consumer purchasing power and population growth.

The former is a good economic indicator, if it were not for the inequality by which such growth is distributed.

The latter has been a perennial problem --- we produce more and more mouths to feed while we hardly produce enough of the wherewithal to feed them here.

Far away Brazil rejoices at our meat imports from them, so does Australia, New Zealand and the US of A, and of course, for the very rich, the Japanese for their wagyu.

So, we import more and more, because “hungry stomachs know no law,” a quote I always heard from former president Erap.

Not only beef, but pork likewise.

USDA estimates next year, we will be importing 510,000 metric tons of a food commodity which we used to export once upon a long forgotten time to China.

That’s because of the African swine fever which our quarantine officials failed to suppress from entering the country as early as 2018.

I was then a resident of Taiwan, and unable to bring in goodies like frozen Vigan or Alaminos longanisa or even chicharron from Carcar or Baliwag which I missed terribly as I do not like Taiwanese sausages

which were on the sweet side.

Now we have not been able to totally eradicate ASF-infested hogs such that even our provinces forbid the entry of meat from other provinces, some kind of hog racism.

Do many of us know that we import pork not from those of Asian provenance, but as far as from Netherlands and Spain?

Despite the cost of logistics, importers say they come out cheaper than if they were to buy locally produced pork.

But worse is the fact that we import our rice because our palay production is not commensurate to our rice consumption.

Under PNoy, DA and NFA estimated the annual shortfall to be 10 percent when the heavens were kind, 15 percent when it unleashed its fury through strong winds and rain.

TLegitimate global concern

maritime claims that defy international norms and called on China to comply with Article 296 of UNCLOS, which requires adherence to tribunal decisions.

Japan concluded by affirming its dedication to working with the international community to uphold a rulesbased order and keep the South China Sea open for all nations

“peaceful resolution of disputes and full respect of UNCLOS and International Law, including the 2016 Arbitral Award.”

UNCLOS was established in 1982 to define coastal and maritime boundaries, to regulate seabed exploration not within territorial claims, and to distribute revenue from regulated exploration. Both China and the Philippines are signatories.

Now that shortfall is 20 percent, and, if are to believe the USDA, it could be more.

The DA recently warned our traders to already import and take advantage of the tariff reduction our president decreed to lower the price of rice which is hounding him endlessly because he made a promise that was impossible to begin with.

But the Viets and the Thais are wise. You reduce your tariffs; time for us to increase our selling price.

We also import chicken because again, prices of deboned chicken are lower.

We import galunggong, which used to be the poor man’s fish, since replaced by tilapia which thrives in brackish water perhaps contaminated by human detritus.

We import carrots and mushrooms, almost all kinds of vegetables save for sitaw and upo, from China and Taiwan. And we pay atrociously high prices for these vegetables, which are really of poor quality compared to what they eat in their countries.

We also import 95 percent of our garlic, and at one time, our onions became the most expensive aromatic and sauteeing ingredient in the whole wide world.

That is food. But we also import almost all of our oil requirements, and all the cars that use oil for fuel.

But we export humans, their labor in distant lands fueling the consumption needs of the people they have left behind.

More about the Konektadong Pinoy Act

THIS is a follow thru of my Aug. 12 commentary on the potential security risks of Senate Bill 2699 or the “Konektadong Pinoy Act,” a LEDAC priority bill aimed at enhancing digital connectivity wherein other concerning effects that have more internal dynamics and as critical as the geopolitical dynamics of national security need careful attention. One of the central issues with the bill is its potential weakening of regulatory oversight of the National Telecommunications Commission. Currently, the NTC rigorously vets companies entering the telecommunications sector, ensuring only qualified operators with the necessary resources provide reliable services. Senate Bill 2699, however, proposes reducing the NTC to an administrative body that merely registers new entrants.

This shift could allow operators with questionable capabilities to flood the market, prioritizing speed over service quality and reliability. Without stringent checks, the market could become saturated with providers who lack the technical expertise or financial stability to maintain consistent and reliable services leaving Filipino consumers with subpar internet access.

This risk is particularly high in underserved areas, where reliable connectivity is already a major challenge. By reducing regulatory safeguards, the bill could worsen the digital divide rather than bridge it. Another significant issue from the bill is the potential erosion of consumer protection.

The current regulatory framework ensures telecommunications providers are held accountable for their services with the NTC monitoring compliance with standards that protect consumer interests.

If the NTC’s role is reduced to mere registration, this could lead to a scenario where consumers have little recourse if they experience poor service or unfair practices. Additionally, the bill could inadvertently encourage a short-term focus among Internet Service Providers. By making entry too easy and free of a

congressional franchise, this bill might incentivize companies to prioritize rapid expansion and market penetration over long-term investments in infrastructure and service quality.

ISPs can cut corners to achieve quick gains, potentially leading to widespread service disruptions, inadequate customer support, and a lack of innovation in the sector.

The emphasis on deregulation and rapid market entry also raises concerns.

We export humans, their labor in distant lands fueling the consumption needs of the people they have left behind —“—

ISPs can cut corners to achieve quick gains, potentially leading to widespread service disruptions, inadequate customer support, and a lack of innovation in the sector

We already have three telcos with the third one having difficulties.

Proponents want more, possibly foreign players – whose profits will be remitted outward – to come in and force a price war to bring down costs. New entrants must operate with lower costs to offer cheaper services. Sounds nice but will the quality of services be sustainable?

The experience of other countries with similar open-access policies offers valuable lessons. For instance, Australia’s National Broadband Network project, despite substantial government investment, also faced significant challenges, including cost overruns and delays. In contrast, countries like Sweden and the

HE rising calls from different countries for peace, safety and rules-based maritime order in the South China have in the main been ignored, with China continuing to harass Philippine ships on rotational and resupply mission within Manila’s exclusive economic zone.

The embassies in Manila of South Korea, Germany, New Zealand, and Japan have separately issued statements calling for de-escalation of the tense situation, not helped any by the continuing harassment by China’s coast guard against Filipino vessels.

The Japanese Embassy criticized China’s claims over baselines in the South China Sea, arguing these assertions are inconsistent with the United Nations Convention on the Law of the Sea (UNCLOS).

Japan highlighted the 2016 Arbitral Tribunal ruling that dismissed China’s “nine-dash line” and claims of “historical rights” as incompatible with international law.

Despite the tribunal’s decision, Japan noted China continues to assert

It appears China would continue harassing the Philippines even in the latter’s exclusive economic zone

The South Korean Embassy itself said, “We reiterate the importance of upholding peace, stability, safety and rules-based maritime order in the South China Sea, a critical sea lane of communications for all countries that are using it.”

The German Embassy shared a similar view, saying, “Germany is seriously concerned about dangerous actions of Chinese vessels near Second Thomas (Ayungin) Shoal against Philippine resupply missions.” Germany reiterated its call for a

HAS the Department of Agriculture finally discovered a way to make coconuts grow faster than political promises?

The DA, with its usual flair for bold proclamations and elusive results, is vowing to restore the Philippines to its former coconut throne, currently occupied by—wait for it— Indonesia.

Because nothing says “we’re back” like chasing after a country that’s already miles ahead in the coconut game.

We’ll just have to wait and see if this latest attempt to revive the coconut industry is anything more than another episode in the never-ending telenovela of Philippine agriculture.

Let’s take a brief (and unpleasant) stroll down memory lane, shall we?

The Philippines was once the undisputed king of coconuts, producing enough to quench the thirst of the entire world.

But as the coconut trees aged, so did our global standing.

Senile trees, poor replanting practices, and a government that seemed more interested in collecting slogans than planting seedlings led to a steady decline.

Meanwhile, Indonesia, our coconut nemesis, decided to take the lead, leaving the Philippines to cling to the consolation prize of “Second-Largest Exporter.”

It’s a title we hold dear, mostly because it reminds us of the glory we once had but no longer deserve.

But there’s no need to panic!, baroks!

The DA has a plan.

And it’s as ambitious as it is likely to succeed—which is to say, not very.

Undersecretary Roger Navarro, in a display of optimism that only a government official could muster, declared, “We have been quite declining in the global stage, but we will return.”

Ah, the classic strategy of acknowledging failure before making promises that will undoubtedly be forgotten by the next coconut harvest.

Netherlands, which have successfully implemented open-access models, relied heavily on robust municipal oversight and public-private partnerships to ensure that underserved areas were not neglected.

These cases highlight the importance of balancing deregulation with strong regulatory frameworks and massive government investment in telecommunications infrastructure to ensure equitable service distribution across all regions. In the Philippine context, however, the burden of infrastructure development almost entirely on the private sector.

Without significant public investment or well-designed regulatory mechanisms, the bill’s promise of improved connectivity for all may ring hollow, especially for those in rural areas who stand to gain the most from a more inclusive digital infrastructure.

The focus on easing market entry without

A Filipino maritime expert, UP Institute for Maritime Affairs and Law of the Sea Director Jay Batongbacal, also said the Philippines must show China the former is not alone – in fact there is a chorus from some countries – as it has allies ready to help in defending the West Philippine Sea.

We have monitored developments in the West Philippine Sea since China started bullying its smaller southern neighbor and it appears China would continue harassing the Philippines even in the latter’s exclusive economic zone.

The Philippines has displayed courage, and has allies supporting it.

But does China have a sensitive ear?

As early as February 2023, President Ferdinand Marcos Jr. said the country “will not lose an inch” of territory, his remarks chasing continuing maritime tensions with Beijing, which demonstrated aggressive activities in the South China Sea.

DA’s coconut comeback plan: Planting dreams, harvesting delusions

To achieve this coconut renaissance, the DA plans to plant 100 million coconut trees by 2028.

Yes, a mere 100 million, because if there’s one thing we’ve learned from past agricultural promises, it’s that numbers on paper grow much faster than actual trees.

But let’s give credit where it’s due.

The DA isn’t just planting trees; they’re also planting hope.

Hope the government and private sector will suddenly discover a magical synergy, solving problems like low prices, stiff international competition, and the minor detail of senile trees.

The reality is the DA’s vow to support the coconut industry is as solid as a coconut shell—on the outside, it looks tough, but crack it open, and you’re left with a lot of liquid promises —“—

And let’s not forget the logistical challenges, because nothing says “we’re on top of things” like a port congestion issue that can turn a coconut shipment into a game of “Will It Arrive Before the Next Election?”

Of course, there are reasons—quixotic, improbable reasons—why the DA’s plan might just work. Perhaps coconut farmers will suddenly find themselves showered with government support, free from the burden of land ownership disputes and the struggle for a decent market price.

corresponding measures to ensure infrastructure development in less profitable regions risks creating a two-tiered digital society, where only urban areas enjoy the benefits of fast and reliable internet while rural communities remain disconnected.

The potential weakening of legislative oversight in telecommunications could have lasting effects on governing critical infrastructure. Currently, congressional franchises for spectrum allocation provide public accountability and transparency.

Eliminating this requirement, risks reducing public oversight and favoring corporate interests over the public good, setting a worrisome precedent.

Senate Bill 2699, though well-intentioned, requires a more balanced approach. Instead of dismantling the existing framework, lawmakers should refine it with ad-

Maybe the global demand for coconut products will spike overnight, propelling the Philippines back to its rightful place atop the coconut world.

Or, in a truly miraculous turn of events, the DA will discover that the key to agricultural success isn’t in the number of trees planted, but in the number of press releases issued.

But let’s not get ahead of ourselves.

The reality is the DA’s vow to support the coconut industry is as solid as a coconut shell—on the outside, it looks tough, but crack it open, and you’re left with a lot of liquid promises.

In the spirit of constructive satire, here are a few recommendations for the DA: Invest in Time Travel: Since the best days of the Philippine coconut industry are behind us, why not focus on going back to when we were on top? It’s a surefire way to reclaim our global standing—if we can just figure out how to make a time machine out of coconuts.

Slogans Over Seeds: Why bother with the messy business of planting when you can simply create catchy slogans? “Coconuts for a Brighter Tomorrow” sounds like a winner, and it doesn’t require any actual coconuts. Partnerships with Reality: Instead of aiming for 100 million trees, perhaps a partnership with reality would yield better results. Let’s focus on managing the trees we already have, supporting the farmers who grow them, and ensuring our coconuts don’t end up as another export statistic in someone else’s success story. The DA’s vow to support the coconut industry is a classic case of promising the moon when all we really need is a sturdy ladder.

So here’s to the DA, the coconut industry, and the grand tradition of making bold promises that are just a little too high to reach. If nothing else, it’s bound to be a cracking good time.

equate safeguards against the inherent risks of the digital world.

Strengthening the NTC’s capacity, rather than diminishing it, is essential, including streamlining processes, enhancing capabilities, and ensuring adequate resources for managing a complex and fast innovating industry. Additionally, the government must play a more active role in ensuring broadband connectivity in underserved areas. This can be achieved through aggressive government investments in digital infrastructure, particularly in rural and remote regions, and by introducing incentives for companies to expand their services to these areas. A regulatory framework that balances market competition with government oversight is essential for ensuring that the benefits of fast connectivity are shared equally across all regions.

Israel finds 6 dead hostages in Gaza tunnel

PALESTINIAN TERRITORIES – Israel’s military announced Sunday the discovery of six dead hostages in a Gaza tunnel, as medics in Palestinian territory braced for pauses in fighting for a polio vaccination drive.

The hostages’ remains were recovered Saturday “from an underground tunnel in the Rafah area” and formally identified in Israel, a military statement said.

The military named them as Hersh Goldberg-Polin -- a dual US-Israeli national -- Carmel Gat, Eden Yerushalmi, Alexander Lobanov -- a Russian-Israeli -- Almog Sarusi and Master Sergeant Ori Danino. US President Joe Biden said he was “devastated and outraged” by the deaths.

The six were among 251 hostages seized

during Hamas’s Oct. 7 attack on southern Israel that triggered the ongoing war, 97 of whom remain captive in Gaza including 33 the Israeli army says are dead.

Military spokesman Daniel Hagari said all six “were abducted alive on the morning of October 7” and “brutally murdered by Hamas terrorists shortly before we reached them”.

The Hostages and Missing Families Forum said it “bows its head in mourning” for the latest deaths and called for a

ceasefire deal.

“Were it not for the delays, sabotage, and excuses those whose deaths we learned about this morning would likely still be alive,” the campaign group said.

Israel’s retaliatory military campaign since October 7 has reduced Gaza to ruins, devastating water and sanitation facilities, while disease has spread.

Following the first confirmed polio case in the besieged Palestinian territory in 25 years, a Gaza health official said vaccinations began Saturday ahead of a wider campaign.

The World Health Organization says Israel has agreed to a series of three-day “humanitarian pauses” to facilitate the polio vaccination drive, which an interna-

tional aid worker told AFP would start in earnest Sunday. While fierce fighting raged ahead of the hoped-for pauses, Israel pressed on with a large-scale military operation in the occupied West Bank.

As Palestinian militants battled Israeli troops in Jenin refugee camp, a local official said soldiers had destroyed most of the streets while power and water had been cut off.

Clashes and explosions persisted in Jenin, and both the health ministry and the Red Crescent reported two more Palestinians killed there.

Israel’s military said a 20-year-old soldier was killed and another severely wounded.

Earlier, the military said two Palestin-

REPUBLIC OF THE PHILLIPINES REGIONAL TRIAL COURT NATIONAL CAPITAL JUDICIAL REGION BRANCH 306 - QUEZON CITY rtc1qzn306@judiciary.gov.ph 09760968624/8660-1763

PETITION FOR CORRECTION OF THE CERTIFICATE OF LIVE BIRTH OF CHARLENE PATRON MCNAMARA SPEC. PRO. CASE No. R-QZN-24-01970-SP

CHARLENE PATRON MCNAMARA, Petitioner, QUEZON CITY CIVIL REGISTRY DEPARTMENT, PHILIPPINE STATISTICS AUTHORITY, RAYMOND JOHN MCNAMARA, WENDY A. PATRON (a.k.a. WENDY WAGEMANN), and ALL PERSONS AND ENTITIES WHO/ WHICH MAY BE AFFECTED THEREBY, Respondents. x--------------------------------------------------------x ORDER This is an Amended Petition filed by petitioner Charlene Patron McNamara, through counsel, praying for the correction of entries in her Certificate of Live Birth.

Petitioner alleges that she was born on October 16, 1987 in Caloocan City. She is the legitimate daughter of respondents Wendy A. Patron (a.k.a. Wendy Wagemann) and Raymond John McNamara. Her Philippine Statistics Authority (PSA) Certificate of Live Birth shows her name as “CHARLENE PATRON MCNAMARA’ but indicates her date of birth on “March 16, 1991”. Her birth was not registered immediately by her mother. It was only registered four (4) years after she was born when her father returned from Australia. Due to such late registration, the birth date of the petitioner was erroneously recorded in her PSA Certificate of Live Birth registered in the Local Civil Registry of Quezon City. Instead of October 16, 1987, which is the correct date of birth of the petitioner, the birth date of the petitioner that was entered in the birth registration

Moscow says thwarts ‘massive’ drone hit on western Russia

MOSCOW – Moscow said Sunday it thwarted a “massive” drone attack on western Russia and another targeting the capital.

“Our defenders are repelling an attempted massive UAV attack on the territory of the Bryansk region” bordering Ukraine, regional governor Aleksandr Bogomaz said. At least 26 drones were “identified and destroyed” by the Russian military, without causing any casualties or damage, Bogomaz said on Telegram.

The regional governor said on August 21 the military had foiled an attempt by a Ukrainian “reconnaissancesabotage group” to cross into Bryansk.

Russia’s neighboring Kursk has been hit by a Ukrainian offensive since August 6.

Overnight into Sunday, five drones launched towards the capital were neutralised by Russian forces, Moscow mayor Sergei Sobyanin said.

The incursion came more than a week after Sobyanin described “one of the largest ever” drone attacks against Moscow, with authorities saying 11 aircraft were destroyed.

Russian forces also shot down drones overnight above the border regions of Belgorod and Voronezh, as well as in Lipetsk and Ryazan regions farther from Ukraine, without local officials providing precise numbers.

“The glass of three residential buildings in Belgorod is damaged. In one private residence, a utility building was completely destroyed,” said Belgorod governor Vyacheslav Gladkov. AFP

a

CARACAS, Venezuela – More than 700 people arrested during protests that erupted after Venezuela’s disputed presidential election have been transferred to maximum security prisons, a human rights group said Saturday (Sunday Manila time).

The detainees, held at police stations around the country, were transferred over the past week to two notorious prisons that were previously controlled by gangs, the Venezuelan Prisons Observatory said. In many cases the transfers were conducted under questionable circumstances, with detainees’ relatives not informed of the moves to Tocuyito and Tocoron prisons, the group said.

“They were conducted with many irregularities,” the NGO said in a press release. More than 2,400 people were arrested after the protests that broke out after President Nicolas Maduro was declared winner of the disputed July 28 election. The opposition claims it won by a landslide and has voting

ians were killed while attempting to carry out separate bombings overnight in the southern West Bank. At least 22 Palestinians have been killed by the Israeli military since Wednesday in simultaneous raids in several cities across the northern West Bank. Hamas and Islamic Jihad have said at least 14 of the dead were members of their armed wings. Israel said it had killed “14 terrorists” since Wednesday in the West Bank, which Israel has occupied since 1967. Since Friday, soldiers have concentrated operations on Jenin and its refugee camp, a densely-populated community which has long been a bastion of Palestinian armed groups. AFP

a “serious violation” of its sovereignty. AFP

WASHINGTON, DC – Democratic presidential candidate Kamala Harris said Saturday (Sunday Manila time) her Republican rival Donald Trump “disrespected sacred ground” at a US military cemetery during a contentious pre-election visit.

Trump’s presence at the hallowed Arlington National Cemetery -- intended to provide a campaign boost ahead of the Nov 5 vote -- has instead mushroomed into a public dispute consuming the candidates and the military. In Monday’s incident at the cemetery across the Potomac River from Washington, Trump broke rules barring photography for political purposes, posing with relatives of US service members killed in Afghanistan in content that was later shared by his campaign on social media. “Let me be clear: the former president disrespected sacred ground, all for the sake of a political stunt,” Harris said. AFP

ERFURT, Germany – Voters in two former East German states began casting ballots Sunday in elections expected to deal a blow to Chancellor Olaf Scholz’s government and deliver big gains for the far-right AfD. The contests in Thuringia and Saxony come just over a week after three people were killed in a suspected Islamist attack, which has fuelled a bitter debate over immigration in Germany. Opinion polls have the anti-immigration Alternative for Germany (AfD) ahead in Thuringia and a close second in Saxony, while also predicting a strong showing for the upstart far-left BSW. The two parties have found a receptive audience in the eastern states for their criticism of the government in Berlin and of military aid to Ukraine. An election victory for the AfD would be a landmark in Germany’s post-war history and represent a rebuke for Scholz ahead of national elections in 2025. In both states, Scholz’s Social Democrats are polling at around six percent, while their coalition partners, the Greens and the liberal

records to prove this. The leftist Maduro government, brushing off accusations of authoritarianism, has resisted intense international pressure to release vote tally numbers to back up its claim of victory. The United States, the European Union and several Latin American countries have refused to recognize Maduro as having won without seeing detailed voting results. Violence that accompanied the protests left 27 people dead and 192 injured.

Venezuelan Prisons Observatory said none of

DESPITE INVASION. Ukrainian military students attend the ceremony marking the beginning of the school year at Kruty Heroes Lviv Lyceum, in Lviv, on Saturday amid the Russian invasion of Ukraine. Meanwhile, overnight into Sunday, five drones launched towards Moscow were neutralized by Russian forces, Moscow mayor Sergei Sobyanin said. The incursion came more than a week after Sobyanin described ‘one of the largest ever’ drone attacks against Moscow, with authorities saying 11 aircraft were destroyed. AFP
BLACKOUT AND PRISONERS. High-voltage towers are seen in
poor neighborhood of Catia in western Caracas on Sunday. Power was restored across Venezuela after a massive 12-hour outage plunged the entire country into darkness. The government has blamed the outage on ‘sabotage’ by opposition forces protesting what they say was fraud in the widely disputed elections that left President Nicolas Maduro in charge. AFP

Sinner avoids US Open trap, Swiatek moves into final 16

NEW YORK—Jannik Sinner avoided plunging through the US Open trapdoor which claimed Novak Djokovic and Carlos Alcaraz when he stormed into the last 16 on Saturday as fellow world number one Iga Swiatek stayed on course for a second New York triumph. Australian Open champion Sinner raced past 87th-ranked Christopher O’Connell 6-1, 6-4, 6-2.

The 23-year-old Italian’s win came a day after four-time champion Djokovic was sent spinning to his earliest loss in New York in 18 years by Alexei Popyrin.

One day earlier, 2022 winner Alcaraz was defeated in the second round by Dutch journeyman Botic van de Zandschulp.

“I knew I had to play very solid. My serve worked well so I am happy with my performance,” said Sinner after firing 15 aces in his 46 winners past outclassed O’Connell of Australia.

Sinner did not face a single break point in his one-hour 53-minute victory which took him into the last 16 for a fourth successive year.

“There have been some upsets in the tournament so let’s see what’s coming. I’m happy to still be here and play as many matches as possible,” added Sinner whose comfortable afternoon on Arthur Ashe Stadium saw tennis legend Serena Williams amongst the spectators.

Sinner will take on 14th seed Tommy Paul for a quarter-final place after the American defeated Canadian qualifier Gabriel Diallo in four sets.

There were 14 breaks of serve in that tie with Diallo, ranked a lowly 143 in the world, undone by 77 unforced errors.

Four-time French Open champion Swiatek was equally dominant as Sinner as the top-seeded Pole eased into the fourth round with a 6-4, 6-2 victory over Russia’s Anastasia Pavlyuchenkova.

The 23-year-old will face another Russian, Liudmila Samsonova for a quarter-final place.

“I like the night sessions but it’s noisy so I need to focus on my job and stay inside my bubble,” said Swiatek who shot a long hard stare at her opponent when a ball was speared towards her early in the second set. AFP

Jerusalem risks WBC belt

vs. top Mexican challenger

MELVIN Jerusalem, one of just two reigning Filipino world champions, makes the first defense of the World Boxing Council (WBC) minimumweight crown against mandatory challenger Luis Castillo of Mexico on 22 September at the Mandaluyong City College Gym.

Manny Pacquiao Presents: BlowBy-Blow is staging the scheduled 12-rounder alongside a bevy of other marquee matchups as a special edition of the weekly television program on Cignal’s ONE Sports channel.

This will be Blow-By-Blow’s first

major card featuring a world title fight and Pacquiao can’t help but express his excitement over the prospects of a Filipino world champion risking his title on home soil against the 105-lb division’s No. 1 contender.

“This is a fulfillment of our plan

when we revived Blow-By-Blow almost two years ago, seeing a Filipino figure in a world title fight right before his countrymen,” said Pacquiao, who is spearheading the slugfest that will also see the return of former world superflyweight king Jerwin Ancajas in the undercard.

While it is Pacquiao who is leading the way in hosting the event, the eightdivision champion is tipping his hat to the decision of a “heavyweight backer in Petron to help me put together this stacked card.”

“I am also grateful that the City of Mandaluyong, the city where I fought countless fights that made me a house-

hold name in the 1990s, has offered its venue to host the WBC championship bout and the undercard fights,” added Pacquiao.

Jerusalem, who fights out of ZIP Sanman, had won the WBC plum last March by edging Yudai Shigeoka on a split decision in Nagoya. Armed with a 22-3-0 win-loss-draw record with 12 knockouts, Jerusalem will have his hands full against Castillo, who is younger by three years at 27.

The native of Los Mochis in Sinaloa, Castillo enters the ring with an unbeaten 22-0-1 card with 13 knockouts.

The southpaw Castillo is coming off 15 straight wins, including nine within

PH chessers dominate Asean age-group tourney

THE Philippines’ Kaye Lalaine Regidor and Apple Rubin each delivered a golden performance in the just concluded 22nd ASEAN+ Age Group Chess Championships in Vientiane, Laos over the weekend.

Regidor, a World Under-15 silver medalist in Greece last year, slew top seed Nguyen Binh Vy of Vietnam in the ninth and final round to rule the girls’ blitz event for 16 years old with 6.5 points. Rubin, a native of Toledo, Cebu, for her part, dominated the girls’ blitz section for 14 years old by scoring 8.5 points out of nine that she capped with a clinical win over Vietnamese Do Ha Trang. Also picking a bronze in blitz was John Curt Valencia in the open Under-12 side.

The pair of feats averted a golden shutout for the Filipinos, who came into blitz with only a silver medal and a couple of bronzes to show in the individual standard event of this annual tournament.

Accounting for the silver was Iana Angela Sotaridona (G14) and the two bronzes were Khana Kathrine Ventolero (G10) and Royce Caleb Garcia (Open U8-10), whose trip was supported by National Chess Federation of the Philippines president/chairman Butch Pichay.

BASKETBALL and volleyball take center stage again when the September edition of the award-winning sports clinics by the BEST Center are held in Quezon City and Pampanga.

The Basketball Efficiency and Scientific Training Center founded by the late Olympian Nicanor Jorge will hold cage clinics on Saturdays ( September 7, 14, 21, 28, Oct 5, 12, 19) at Ateneo. Basketball lessons from 8:30am to 12 noon are for students in Preparatory Level and in Levels 1, 2, 3, and 4.

Sarines twins dispute honors as JPGT Malarayat unwraps

LIPA City, Batangas—Lisa and Mona Sarines are set to engage in yet another intense sibling rivalry, this time with the stakes higher than ever, as they compete not only for leg honors in the ICTSI Junior PGT Series 6 but also for dominance in the girls’ 13-15 category.

As the penultimate leg of the seven-stage regional series tees off today (Monday, Sept. 2) at the Mount Malarayat Golf and Country Club, the Sarines twins find themselves in a head-to-head showdown for the top spot in the highly competitive fourage division series organized by Pilipinas Golf Tournaments, Inc. The anticipated clash between the sisters was intensified by the unexpected withdrawal of Precious Zaragosa due to injury. Zaragosa, fresh off a commanding victory at the Luisita leg two weeks ago, had been poised to challenge the Sarines twins for the top position. Her absence now

shifts the focus squarely onto the Sarines siblings as they vie for the No. 1 spot in their division.

While all three players have effectively secured their places in the upcoming Match Play Championship, the Sarines sisters are not expected to hold back. With the national finals slated for Oct. 1-4 at The Country Club in Laguna, each is aiming to maintain peak performance and sharpen their competitive edge.

Currently, Lisa Sarines leads the category with 50 points, with Mona close behind at 48 points. Zaragosa remains in contention with 46 points, despite her absence.

The ongoing absence of Levonne Talion, who ranks fourth with 43 points, further reinforces the race for the final top-four position. Montserrat Lapuz, with 36 points, and Kendra Garingalao, still in the hunt with 21 points, are also vying for a coveted spot as the series nears its conclusion.

The nationwide circuit will culminate on Sept. 10-13 for the final Luzon series leg at Sherwood Hills Golf Club in Cavite, where the top four performances will determine the four finalists who will join the top two players from each division of the Visayas and Mindanao series. For registration, contact Jhi Castillo at 0928-316-5678 or Shiela Salvania at 0968-311-4101. Additionally, the highest-ranked player in each category, provided they’ve participated in at least three series, will also advance to the finals of this nationwide circuit, designed by ICTSI to hone young golfers’ talents and skills.

The series not only aims to develop the players’ skills and boost their confidence but also to foster camaraderie among the young golfers and their families.

Italy’s Jannik Sinner celebrates his victory over Australia’s Christopher O’Connell during their men’s singles third round match on Day 6 of the US Open tennis tournament at the USTA Billie Jean King National Tennis Center in New York City. AFP
Melvin Jerusalem
the distance, since a draw in 2017. Born in Bukidnon but now based in Cebu, Jerusalem joins Pedro Taduran, the International Boxing Federation titlist also in the 105-lb category, as the Philippines only reigning world champions.
Kaye Regidor
Apple Rubin
Lisa Sarines Mona Sarines

MONDAY, SEPTEMBER 2, 2024

RIERA U. MALLARI, Editor

RANDY M. CALUAG, Asst. Editor

EDGARD HILARIO, Asst. Editor

Red-hot Golden Spikers zero in on semis, mow down Generals

THE University of Santo Tomas Golden Spikers extended their winning streak in the V-League Men’s Collegiate Challenge, dominating the Emilio Aguinaldo College Generals in straight sets, 25-18, 25-17, 25-19, at the Paco Arena in Manila on Sunday. Paul Colinares was a force at the net, contributing 11 points, including six blocks, to lead three UST players who scored in double digits. The Golden Spikers, after an initial pair of losses, have now strung together four consecutive victories, bringing them within one win of securing a semifinal spot in the eight-team pre-season tournament organized by Sports Vision.

With the victory, UST claimed solo third place with a 4-2 record, trailing only joint leaders Far Eastern University and De La Salle University, both holding 4-1 slates.

Despite the team’s hot streak, UST head coach Odjie Mamon expressed that their current form still doesn’t align with the system he aims to establish. He pointed out the team’s 28 errors in the one-hour, 10-minute match as a key area for improvement.

“We will play according to our needs. So ang priority muna namin is to build our team moving forward,” said Mamon.

Rookie JJ Macam added two crucial points late in the match, while Karbe Malabunga’s quick hit sealed the sweep over the Generals.

EAC, which dropped to a 1-5 record, had its only victory against Perpetual Help last week.

UST will conclude their elimination round on Sept. 11, facing Ateneo de Manila University at 12 p.m.

Jan Abor, who starred in EAC’s surprise win over Perpetual, led the Generals with 11 points but lacked the necessary support from his teammates. The Generals will next take on the FEU Tamaraws on Sept. 8 at 3 p.m.

Cagulangan assumes leadership role for UP

THE University of the Philippines

Fighting Maroons will have a new group of players taking on leadership roles when season 87 of the University Athletic Association of the Philippines reels off on Sept. 7 at the Araneta Coliseum. Returning senior cagers JD Cagulangan and Gerry Abadiano, along with Rookie of the Year Francis Lopez, will lead the fight for the Fighting Maroons in their quest to make it back to the finals.

The three are expected to shine in the presence of new recruits coming into the roster.

The Maroons will have newcomers in the mix, like Quentin MilloraBrown, Gani Stevens, former Gilas Youth prospect Jacob Bayla and Nigerian foreign student-athlete Dikachi Udodo.

The 6’10” Millora-Brown, a Filipino-American center for the Citadel Bulldogs in Charleston, South Carolina, is a one-and-done player, playing for one season with the Fighting Maroons.

Cagulangan takes on the captain’s role with one more season left, a job he assumes following the departure of graduates, CJ Cansino and Malick Diouf.

The Fighting Maroons, who lost the crown last year to the La Salle Green Archers, will clash with the Ateneo Blue Eagles in the lone opening encounter.

The Eraserheads, composed of Ely Buendia, Raymund Marasigan, Buddy Zabala and Marcus Adoro, will again reunite to perform in the opening ceremony.

The band recently received the Gawad Oblation Award, the highest honor UP bestows on its alumni for significant contributions and extraordinary service. Peter Atencio

Yulo backs Olympic dream of younger brother Eldrew

THE dreams and journey of Karl Eldrew Yulo have the support of his older brother, Paris Olympics’ double gold medallist Carlos Yulo.

The 24-year-old Yulo said this on Saturday after he was presented with a P 5-million reward and a contract renewal as a brand ambassador of ArenaPlus, after the digital app company launched an initiative to support other aspiring athletes striving to make their dreams a reality.

“Sa experience niya makukuha iyung mga pangarap niya. At may naga-guide naman sa kanya. Feeling ko, ito (Olympics) ‘yung path naming dalawa. Magpakatatag lang siya. Just go for it. Mag-enjoy lang siya,” said Yulo on his 16-year-old kid brother.

The elder Yulo shared his thoughts on his kid brother during rites held at the Cinema 11 of the Gateway 2 Mall in Cubao, Quezon City.

Eldrew has shown progress in his efforts to follow in the footsteps of his illustrious brother.

Last May, Eldrew won a vault gold medal at the Asian Juniors Artistic Gymnastics Championships in Tashkent, Uzbekistan. He also had a silver in the same competition in June last year in Singapore.

Carlos believes that Eldrew will be ready for bigger competitions in the senior level. But that will have to wait for a while, as Eldrew can’t be part of the national men’s team in the coming Southeast Asian Games as he is not yet 18 years old.

The young Eldrew and sister Elaiza have been closely following their brother’s footsteps.

Last July, Elaiza also made progress with her five-medal gold victory at the 2024 Palarong Pambansa in Cebu City.

Meanwhile, Eusebio H. Tanco, Chairman of DigiPlus, personally handed out a P5-million check to Car-

Gawilan gets another crack at Paralympics

PARIS—Para swimmer Ernie Gawilan is taking no chances in his farewell event at the 17th Paralympic Games.

Gawilan missed the medal race of the men’s 200-meter individual medley SM7 and he intends to atone for that lost opportunity by giving his all in the 400m freestyle S7 race on Monday at the Paris La Defense Arena here.

He’s Asia’s best in the said event, capturing the gold medal twice in the 2018 Asian Para Games in Jakarta, Indonesia and the 2022 edition in Hangzhou, China.

“Maayos ang pakiramdam ko. Bigay todo na ako dito,’’ said Gawilan, who lacked both legs since birth along with an underdeveloped left arm. He reached the wall sixth in his heat

during the 200m IM preliminaries, missing the chance for a medal.

Gawilan, a four-time Asian Para Games gold medalist, has been bunched with Argentina’s Inaki Basiloff, Ukraine’s Andrii Trusov, Cuba’s Yosjaniel Hernandez Velez and Yurii Shenhur, another Ukranian, in the 400m freestyle.

Basiloff nosed out Trusov for the gold medal in their 200m IM encounter over the weekend.

Para swimming coach Tony Ong said he expected Gawilan to qualify to the 200m IM final but faced problems during the breaststroke sequence of the event and didn’t force his way.

“Anyway, we tried to use this event as part of the tuneup for his favorite event, the 400m free on Monday,’’ said Ong.

Should Gawilan get through the heats, the medal race for the 400m free

Undefeated former Olympian Suarez draws backing

BUSINESSMAN-POLITICIAN Luis

“Chavit” Singson is throwing his support behind former Olympian Charly Suarez, who left on Sunday to prepare for his coming World Boxing Organization Jr lightweight eliminator fight in Las Vegas. The 36-year-old Suarez will go up against Andres Cortes on September 20 in Arizona in a clash put up by TOP Rank Promotions. In 17 fights, the pride of Davao del Norte is undefeated in a streak that began on Jan. 1, 2019. Cortes is also undefeated, but with more fights up his sleeves. He has not lost in 22 bouts, the most recent of which was a unanimous decision win over Abraham Nova on June 21.

Cortes is ranked No. 2 by the WBO and ninth by the World Boxing Council, while Suarez is rated No. 3 by WBO and No. 5 by the International Boxing Federation.

“Ito na ang pag-asa natin na magkaroon tayo ng bagong champion. Malaki ang pagasa ni Charly,” said Singson.

Beating Cortes will allow the three-time Southeast Asian Games gold medalist a chance to seek a title fight in the junior lightweight category.

Singson has assumed the role of pro bono manager on behalf of Suarez since March last year, after he almost did not get his purse when he fought and won over Paul Fleming.

That’s when he stepped in and asked Top Rank’s Bob Arum to arrange Suarez’s next fights.

“This is the third time that he has won a fight. If he wins this one, it will be an eliminator fight,” added Singson. Suarez has been training under coach Delfin Boholst at Singson’s Tagaytay City residence. Peter Atencio

is set early Tuesday morning. As the Games approach the halfway mark, the Philippines have four more athletes capable of delivering a medal in the nation’s campaign facilitated by the Philippine Paralympic Committee and fully backed by the Philippine Sports Commission.

Para swimmer Angel Mae Otom will open her bid in the women’s 50m backstroke S5 on Tuesday and wheelchair racer Jerrold Mangliwan steps into the Stade de France anew for the qualifying heats of the men’s 100m T52 race on Thursday. Otom, a triple-gold medalist in the 2023 Asean Para Games, gets another crack at a medal in the women’s 50m butterfly S5 on Friday, after which Cendy Asusano closes out the Philippine campaign in the women’s javelin throw F54 on Saturday.

of Singson

Charly Suarez with former Ilocos Sur Gov. Luis “Chavit” Singson
The UST Golden Spikers celebrate the continuation of their winning streak in the V-League Men’s Collegiate Challenge following a 25-18, 25-17, 25-19 victory over the Emilio Aguinaldo College Generals.
Shown here are (from left) gymnastics’ chief Cynthia Carrion, Carlos Yulo and DigiPlus chairman Eusebio Tanco.
los, in the presence of Gymnastics Association of the Philippines president Cynthia Carrion.
“We celebrate not just an athlete, but a true champion who made history. Carlos, ikaw ang tunay na atleta.
Carlos’ victory at the Paris Olympics is not just a personal triumph, but also a beacon of hope and positivity for every aspiring Filipino athlete,” said Tanco during their presentation, dubbed as “Astig Ka, Carlos.”

President’s economic adviser open to ‘Greater Manila Bay Area’ plan

THE Office of the Special Assistant to the President for Investment and Economic Affairs (OSAPIEA) is exploring the concept of a “Greater Manila Bay Area” which was proposed in a forum hosted by the Chinese business community.

“The concept of a Greater Manila Bay Area is something that can be looked at a little deeper. We welcome investments from all parts of the globe,” said OSAPEIA Secretary Frederick Go. The idea emerged in the meeting between Philippine business groups and the Hong Kong Business Group,

with another dialog planned to kickstart the project’s development. While still in its early stages, the concept leverages the existing Luzon Economic Corridor and its railway network supported by the United States and Japan to create an integrated economic zone around Manila Bay.

Go said the move could attract significant investments and spark economic growth in the region.

The project has the potential to redefine the economic landscape of the Manila Bay Area, creating more room for innovation, trade and investment, while deepening the already strong economic ties between the Philippines and China.

The idea, proffered by Chinese General Chamber of CommerceHong Kong chairman Jonathan Choi Koon-shum during the PhilippineChina Forum on Aug. 22, 2024 envisions a “Greater Bay Area of Cavite, Bataan and Zambales” centered around Manila Bay, similar to the Guangdong-Hong Kong-Macau

Greater Bay Area (GBA).

“We welcome the Philippines to join the GBA in a parallel capacity,” said Choi Koon-shum.

“We hope that the Philippines will also create a similar GBA that will include growth areas in Manila, Cavite, Bataan and Zambales with Manila Bay as its anchor,” he said.

“We can expand our trade relations [with China] through the Greater Bay Area in the field of electronics and textiles. The region’s demand for high-quality goods aligns perfectly with the Philippines’ export strength,” said Association for PhilippinesChina Understanding chairman Raul Lambino.

Bank lending growth in July 2024

Outstanding loans as of July 2024

10.4% P11.80 billion P11.74 billion

Outstanding loans as of June 2024

Bank loans rose 10.4% to P11.8b as of July—BSP

BANK loans sustained their double-digit growth in July 2024 despite the elevated interest rate, data from the Bangko Sentral ng Pilipinas (BSP) show.

The BSP said over the weekend outstanding loans of universal and commercial banks (U/KBs), net of reverse repurchase (RRP) placements with the BSP, grew by 10.4 percent year-on-year in July, faster than the 10.1-percent rise in June.

Outstanding loans reached P11.80 billion in July, up from P11.74 billion in June and P10.68 billion a year ago.

The BSP said that on a monthon-month seasonally-adjusted basis, outstanding U/KB loans, net of RRPs, went up by 0.8 percent. Outstanding loans to nonresidents increased by 9.2 percent in July, after rising 9.8 percent in the previous month.

Loans for production activities went up by 8.8 percent in July from 8.3 percent in June. The growth was driven by lending to major sectors such as real estate activities (up 12.0 percent); professional, scientific, and technical activities (438.3 percent); manufacturing (7.9 percent); transportation and storage (20.6 percent); and wholesale and retail trade, repair of motor vehicles and motorcycles (6.0 percent).

Meanwhile, consumer loans to residents grew at a slightly slower pace of 24.3 percent in July, compared to 25.0 percent in June due mainly to credit card lending. Credit card receivables amounted to P810 billion in July, up from P797 billion in June.

AFFORDABLE ENERGY. The Private Sector Advisory Council’s (PSAC) infrastructure committee presents recommendations to President Ferdinand Marcos Jr. on boosting energy affordability and securing a

water supply to support sustainable growth and improve the quality of life for Filipinos. PSAC highlights the urgent need to re-evaluate the Philippine Energy Plan, placing a primary focus on affordability while also considering energy autarky, or self-sufficiency, as a supporting strategy.

Mel Velarde: From prodigy to CEO

THROUGHOUT his life, Meliton

“Mel” Velasco Velarde, president and chief executive of NOW Corp., has been a consistent achiever.

At a very young age of 8, he received an award as “The World’s Youngest Professional Photographer” handed to him by 14th Supreme Court Chief Justice Felix Makasiar. The trophy came after he was appointed assistant photographer of the 1971 to 1972 Philippine Constitutional Convention headed by former President Diosdado Macapagal.

His task then was to help his father and namesake capture vital moments as official photographer of the exercise with their lenses.

The elder Meliton was suffering from an eye disease that started when the son was born, eventually leading to total blindness.

At age 11, he was adjudged national chess and Games of the General finalist, and national Siege game champion.

At 14, Mel won as national quiz bee champion and brought home the grand prize—a brand-new Toyota Corolla. He drove the car to school for one day, then sold it for P45,000, gave P40,000 to his parents for family expenses, then bought a used Volkswagen beetle with the remaining P5,000.

Retail sector’s contribution expected to rise

THE Philippine retail industry is expected to increase its contribution to the gross domestic product (GDP) to 20 percent by end-2024 or early 2025 from 18.6 percent share in 2022.

Philippine Retailers Association (PRA) president Bobby Claudio attributed the growth to the accelerated development of online platforms.

“We’re seeing retail contribution to the GDP increasing

sellers, particularly those based abroad, who can offer their products at significantly lower prices than physical stores. Claudio said. Othel V. Campos

At 15, he was elected secretarygeneral of the Professional Photographers’ Association of the Philippines (PPAP). During summers, he dabbled on guitar, piano and fine art drawing. He taught photography during weekends while helping run the family-owned Velarde Studio in Ermita, Manila, even as he attended elementary and high school at St. Anthony School in Singalong, Malate, Manila.

At 19, Mel was designated chairman of the Philippine delegation to the 1983 International Youth Conference at the United Nations headquarters in New York City.

But raising money for the ticket was a big problem, Somehow, the Philippine Airlines gave him 50-percent discount on the fare, and with help from some friends and relatives, Mel made it to the United States.

At the UN conference, Mel was chosen as the leader of 110 youthful representatives from across the globe.

Later on, Mel was accepted as a SERVAS exchange student at Princeton, New Jersey where he stayed with Dr. Earl Simon, a top American eye physician. Mel was also a consistent honor

and working student through elementary and high school. Mel went through higher learning by dint of hard work, and later completed Bachelor of Liberal Studies from Boston University, where he was awarded with the highest Latin honor of summa cum laude with near perfect GPA of 3.9.

Success indeed came to him in no small measures. He obtained his Bachelor of Arts in Liberal Studies Major in Interdisciplinary Studies at Boston University, Massachusetts and acquired a Master’s degree in Business Economics at the University of Asia and the Pacific.

In 1999, he established his own holdings company, Velarde Inc. VI, which specialized in transforming and expanding telecom, media and technology resources. It invested in Altimax which transformed the company into a “high-value potential asset” for Broadband Internet Business, Direct Broadcast Satellite (DBS) and Multi-point Microwave Distribution Service (MMDS). In 2008, 86 percent of Altimax was acquired by Globe Telecom, with the remaining 14 percent purchased in 2021.

Mel Velarde, president and chief executive of NOW Corp

Electronics firm

VSIP of Malaysia to expand, set up facility in Batangas

VS INDUSTRY Philippines Inc. (VSIP), a wholly-owned subsidiary of Malaysia’s leading electronics manufacturing services (EMS) provider VS Industry Berhad (VS), is set to expand in the Philippines.

AyalaLand Logistics Holdings Corp. (ALLHC) said in a statement over the weekend VSIP would occupy over 52,700 square meters of gross leasable space in ALogis Santo Tomas, marking its first project in the Philippines.

VSIP delivers vertically-integrated manufacturing solutions to global multinational corporations, serving as both an original equipment manufacturer (OEM) and an original design manufacturer (ODM). Its services span high-precision printed circuit board assembly, plastic injection molding, full and sub-assembly as well as tool design and fabrication. VSIP, with its expansion in the Philippines, is set to fulfill new orders from a key customer, focusing on the box-build assembly of consumer electronics.

The facility is slated for turnover in the third quarter of 2024, with mass production set to begin by the second quarter of 2025, employing 2,000 people upon completion.

ALogis Santo Tomas, located in Sto. Tomas, Batangas, is a PEZAaccredited facility that is easily accessible from Manila via the South Luzon Expressway (SLEX) and from Batangas City via the Southern Tagalog Arterial Road (STAR).

Jenniffer B. Austria

Softer inflation seen lifting stocks this week

PHILIPPINE stocks are expected to move sideways this week, with an upward bias on the back of expectations the August inflation print will ease from 4.4 percent in July.

The Philippine Statistics Authority is scheduled to release the inflation data on Sept. 5.

“The market could move with an upward bias on the back of expectations that the Philippines’ August inflation print which will be released on Thursday would be lower than July’s 4.4 percent,” Philstocks Financial Inc. research head Japhet Tantiangco said.

NICKEL Asia Corp. (NAC) the country’s largest nickel ore producer, is looking at investment opportunities overseas.

NAC president and chief executive Dennis Zamora said in an interview at the sidelines of the Shareholders Association of the Philippines’ 3rd general membership meeting the company is exploring potential investments overseas.

“We have some interesting opportunities in the mining space, but we can’t disclose anything at the moment. We are in discussion with some investment opportunities,” Zamora said.

“It has to be the right opportunity and the right partner. Those two things need to meet,” Zamora said.

NAC owns five mines in the Philippines which are being operated by its subsidiaries: Rio Tuba in Palawan operated by Rio Tuba Nickel Mining Corp.; the Taganito mine operated by Taganito Mining Corp. and the Tagana-an mine operated by Hinatuan Mining Corp., both in Surigao del Norte; the Cagdianao mine in Dinagat Islands operated by Cagdianao Mining Corp.; and the Dinapigue mine in Isabela operated by Dinapigue Mining Corp.

It also has other properties in various stages of exploration for nickel, while continuing to seek opportunities in copper and gold. Jenniffer B. Austria

Rhea Gregorio (fourth from left). TMP reported P18.7 billion in duties and taxes paid in the first semester of 2024, underscoring its significant role in the positive district collection performance as reported by the POB.

“Confirmation of the said expectations may also somehow give the market a boost on the latter part of the week,” he said. Tantiangco said investors would also take cues from other economic data including the strengthening of the peso against the US dollar, the S&P Global Philippines’ Manufacturing PMI for August and the Philip-

pines’ labor force figures for July.

The market’s major support is still seen at 6,700 to 6,800 range for this week.

The bellwether Philippine Stock Exchange index touched the 7,000 level several times last week, but closed lower amid profit-taking.

The PSEi ended the week at 6,897.54, down 0.93 percent weekon-week, while the broader all-shares index finished at 3.742.81, down 0.18 percent. The PSEi was up 4.4 percent for the month of August.

Average daily value turnover improved to P8.02 billion, up from previous week’s level of P6.9 billion.

Foreign investors were net buyers by P2.16 billion, lower than previous week’s buying of P6.87 billion.

NLEX Corp. said over the weekend its net income grew 24 percent in the first half of 2024 on the back of stronger revenues and prudent cost management measures.

The operator of North Luzon Expressway (NLEX) and SubicClark-Tarlac Expressway reported a net income of P5.6 billion from January to June, higher than P4.51 billion in the same period last year. NLEX recorded revenues

amounting to P12.4 billion in the six-month period, up by 20 percent from the same period in 2023 due to increase in traffic, toll rate adjustments and the added revenue stream from the newly-opened NLEX-SLEX Connector Road.

Operating revenues, mainly from toll collected in NLEX, SCTEX and the NLEX- SLEX Connector Road, accounted for 99 percent of total revenues in the first half of the year. All vehicle classes registered dou-

SCG reported a surge in secondquarter profit, buoyed by economic upturns in Vietnam and Indonesia as the company demonstrated continuous improvement in sales, efficiency sustainability.

The company is implementing strategies to counter domestic economic headwinds and global uncertainties, including cost-cutting measures, AI integration, and a push into low-carbon cement.

Thammasak Sethaudom, SCG president and chief executive said revenues for the second quarter reached P202.456 billion ($3.542 billion), a three percent quarter-on-quarter increase.

Net profit surged by 53 percent to P5.856 billion ($02 million) in the same period.

SCG generated a total revenue of P398.707 billion ($6.976 billion) in the first half of the year, nearly match-

ble-digit growth, with Class 1 revenues rising 18 percent, Class 2 by 23 percent and Class 3 by 21 percent.

Average daily traffic along NLEX reached 336,993 daily vehicle entries as of June 30, 2024, higher than the 2023 figure by 4 percent, while the average daily traffic on SCTEX reached 81,618 daily vehicle entries, a 1-percent increase over last year’s figure. Non-toll revenues, consisting of fees collected from toll service facilities and utility companies us-

ing the previous year’s figures.

The company’s revenue streams were diversified across its business units, with SCG Chemicals contributing the most significant portion at 39 percent.

SCG managed to sustain its growth trajectory through a series of strategic initiatives despite facing headwinds such as the petrochemical downturn, intense competition and a sluggish domestic economy.

The company boosted alternative fuel use in its cement operations to mitigate rising energy costs, achieving a 47-percent utilization rate in Thailand.

SCG also focuses on high-growth segments like solar energy solutions and has invested in technology to optimize its supply chain and distribution network.

The company leveraged artificial

SM has put corporate social responsibility alongside expansion and sustainability as one of the key drivers of its growth, guided by the vision of serving as catalysts for responsible development in the communities they serve,

SM’s social good programs are anchored on making meaningful impact on critical areas that affect the most vulnerable communities, among them in the health, education and jobs sectors.

By synergizing with a diverse network of partners and institutions from the public and private sectors, and leveraging its scale and wide footprint, SM is able to harness the full potential of its programs for the chosen communities and beneficiaries.

“SM Foundation integrates itself in communities to grasp the unique social challenges they face, enabling us to create localized, relevant, and sustainable programs. Engaging stakeholders in both planning and execution drives the success of our social good initiatives,” said Deborah PeSy, executive director of SM Foundation, the corporate social responsibility arm of the SM group.

SM Foundation’s efforts to refurbish medical facilities, especially in Geographically Isolated and Disadvantaged (GIDA) areas, are geared to meet PhilHealth Accreditation standards. The foundation works with the national government and respective LGUs, and immerses itself within respective communities to identify how best to facilitate medical services to remote areas.

SM Foundation recently refurbished the Polomolok East Community Clinic, a health center that caters to nearly 50,000 individuals, predominantly in GIDAs, in South Cotabato. The renovated facility now includes areas for specialized programs such as Animal Bite and Treatment, TBDots, Nebulization, Counseling, and Family Planning. To support healthcare workers in their roles, the project provided an enhanced dental clinic, operation room, conference room, physicians room, and PWD-friendly restroom.

ing NLEX right of way, accounted for 1 percent of the total revenues in the period.

Total cost of services amounted to P4.5 billion, higher by 19 percent than P3.8 billion recorded a year ago.

NLEX spans about 105 kilometer or 598 lane-kms, and services an average of 323,791 vehicles per day as of end-2023. The SCTEX is a 91-km or 362 lane-kms,, stretching from Subic-Tipo to La Paz, Tarlac.

intelligence to enhance operational efficiency by tailoring its product offerings to meet customer needs, such as CPAC’s compact concrete mixer trucks designed for urban construction. SCG had robust sales in the first half of 2024, with new products and green initiatives contributing significantly to its overall performance. High-value-added products and services accounted for 39 percent of total sales, while environmentally friendly products under the SCG Green Choice brand made up 54 percent. The company also saw strong growth in its overseas operations, with 44 percent of total revenue generated outside Thailand.

SCG recorded a strong financial performance in the second quarter, driven by robust economic recovery in Vietnam and Indonesia.

BUSINESS

Group calls for investigation on BSP-Allcard deal cancellation

A PARTYLIST group is calling for an investigation into the contract termination between Allcard Inc., the supplier for the national ID cards and the Bangko Sentral ng Pilipinas (BSP) Lawyer Nicasio Conti of the CLICK Party List and chief executive of Capstone-Intel Corp., said in a statement the BSP’s decision to end its agreement with Allcard over significant delays and non-compliance with project requirements highlights the urgent need for scrutiny.

He said the national ID system is a crucial infrastructure project intended to streamline government services and provide a unified proof of identity for all Filipinos.

Conti said the failure to deliver the project on time and up to standard not only undermines the government’s modernization efforts but also erodes public trust.

“The delays and failures related to this contract may suggest issues beyond mere administrative inefficiency,” said Conti.

“I have personally experienced the impact of these delays, having only received a digital copy of my National ID while waiting for the printed version. This is unacceptable for a project of such national importance,” he said.

Conti, a former commissioner of the Presidential Commission on Good Government (PCGG) and the Presidential Anti-Graft Commission (PAGC), emphasized the need for a thorough examination of the procurement process.

He said the investigation should assess potential issues within the contract and ensure that public resources are managed effectively.

“We must ensure that those responsible for this failure are held accountable,” Conti said.

“Contracts, especially those impacting millions of Filipinos, must be awarded and managed with stringent oversight to prevent any form of misconduct. This incident should prompt all government agencies to strengthen their safeguards and accountability measures,” he said.

Meralco expects power sales to register 6% growth in August

Power retailer Manila Electric Co. (Meralco) expects a 6-percent sales growth in August, led by the strong performance of all business segments despite the rainy season which brought cooler temperature, an executive said over the weekend.

“Too early, but indicative is still ok, close to 6 percent up versus August last year, and that will keep us close to 8 percent year to date,” Meralco senior vice president and chief revenue officer Ferdinand Geluz said.

Geluz said the residential segment is forecast to grow more than 11

Customs, PCCI agree to bolster revenue collection

THE Bureau of Customs (BOC) teamed up with the Philippine Chamber of Commerce and Industry (PCCI) to enhance revenue collection, combat smuggling and protect local industries.

A memorandum of understanding (MOU) was signed at the 6th Customs and Industry Consultative Advisory Council (CICAC) meeting hosted by the Philippine Exporters Confederation Inc. (PhilExport) on Aug. 30, 2024.

Customs Commissioner Bienvenido Rubio received the “2024 Outstanding Achievement Award” from International Container Terminal Services Inc. at the same event for his dedication and exceptional leadership.

He also received a commemorative gift from PhilExport for BOC’s significant contributions to the advancement of the industry.

PhilExport president Dr. Sergio Ortiz-Luis Jr., in his keynote address, acknowledged BOC’s efforts in sustaining the vital role of public-private partnership.

“Thanks to BOC Commissioner Rubio and his predecessors who tend to build up on each other’s gain— since global trading is very dynamic, government and private sector [have remained] vigilant and pro-active in ensuring that the Philippines is not left behind on trade facilitation,” Ortiz-Luis said.

The bureau introduced Customs Memorandum Order 08-2024 which provides clear guidelines on the implementation of the ATA Carnet System in the Philippines. Often referred to as the “passport for goods,” the ATA Carnet is an international Customs document that permits the tax-free and duty-free temporary export and import of nonperishable goods for up to one year.

Members of the private sector also presented several proposals in alignment with BOC’s goals to improving trade facilitation. CICAC members constructively discussed the proposals.

percent and commercial to register “north” of 8 percent. The industrial is forecast to post a “modest” 3-percent growth.

He said Meralco’s year to date sales volume was around 7.8 percent or higher than a year ago.

“Growth [is] still robust, even with

rainy season setting in, but not as high as the El Nino weather in the first half,” he said.

“Customer count growth is also robust with close to 220,000 net adds as we close in to our eight million customers milestone. We are now at 7.952 million,” he said.

Geluz expects the final sales figure to be finalized next week.

Meralco’s consolidated distribution utility energy sales volumes in the first half reached 26,954 gigawatthours (GWh), up from 24,792 GWh a year ago, as volumes of Meralco and Clark Electric Distribution Corp. went up by 9 percent and 7 percent, respectively.

Six-month sales volumes got a boost from the second-quarter sales which hit a new record – with monthly volumes breaching the 5,000 GWh-level in May, largely driven by the double-digit growth in residential and commercial segments.

The commercial segment had the biggest share of 37 percent in the energy sales mix, while residential and industrial accounted for 36 percent and 26 percent, respectively as of end June.

Consolidated customer count was at 7.9 million as of end-June, or 3-percent more than 7.7 million reported last year, with sustained efforts to energize new customers.

Globe deploys more cell sites in four Central Luzon provinces

GLOBE Telecom Inc. said over the weekend it deployed 20 new cell sites across four provinces in Central Luzon to boost the region’s digital infrastructure and support its predominantly agricultural economy and growing tourism sector.

Globe built six new towers including two in Marilao and one each in Angat, Doña Remedios Trinidad, Hagonoy and the city of San Jose Del Monte in Bulacan. A total of 22 other sites were also expanded across the province.

Six new towers were also built in Nueva Ecija, with one new site each in Aliaga, Gapan City, General Tinio, San Isidro, Santa Rosa and Talavera. Globe also expanded 11 sites to ensure that both urban centers and rural communities gain access to faster, more reliable digital services.

Globe built an additional five cell towers to provide better network coverage in Apalit, Floridablanca, Mexico, San Luis, and Sasmuan in Pampanga. About 15 existing sites were upgraded

to expand network capacity and coverage.

Tarlac got three new sites in Bamban, Concepcion and Tarlac City, with other sites also upgraded, further enhancing the province’s overall network coverage.

“Globe’s network expansion across Central Luzon underscores our commitment to providing world-class connectivity to every Filipino,” said Joel Agustin, Globe head of service planning and engineering.

“With these new towers and expansion sites, we are not only enhancing connectivity but also empowering communities to thrive in the digital age,” Agustin said.

Globe’s continuing network expansion is part of its mission to bridge the digital divide in the Philippines.

Globe said it aims to provide all Filipinos with access to the benefits of digitalization, fostering inclusive growth across the nation by continuously upgrading its infrastructure and expanding its network reach.

APEC ministers renew pledge to enhance food security, cut waste

FOOD security ministers from the Asia-Pacific Economic Cooperation (APEC) member economies renewed their commitment to enhancing food security, focusing on combating food loss and waste.

Department of Agriculture Undersecretary Roger Navarro, representing Agriculture Secretary Francisco Tiu Laurel Jr. at the 9th APEC ministerial meeting in Trujillo, Peru, echoed the sentiments of attendees from the other 20 APEC economies.

“Food security has consistently been a top priority in the Philippines, where the prevention and reduction of food loss and waste are crucial,” he said.

The APEC food security ministers, in a joint statement, reaffirmed their commitment to the APEC Food Security Roadmap Towards 2030.

The roadmap envisions open, fair, transparent, productive, sustainable, resilient, innovative and inclusive agri-food systems. The ministers acknowledged the APEC Leaders’ 2023 declaration, which emphasized the necessity for tailored approaches to agricultural sustainability rather than a one-size-fits-all solution.

Navarro highlighted the DA’s initiatives to support farmers, fisherfolk and stakeholders across the food value chain and agro-processing industry, including developing advanced post-harvest technologies, improved storage facilities, better packaging solutions and enhanced distribution systems.

Recognizing the significant impact of food loss and waste on food security, the ministers endorsed the Principles for Preventing and Reducing Food Loss and Waste in the APEC region.

These principles advocate for multisectoral, context-specific, voluntary, and science-based approaches to address this critical issue.

Darwin G. Amojelar
INVESTMENT CONFERENCE. The Board of Investments (BOI), represented by director Ernesto Delos Reyes Jr. (third from left), and Ilocos Norte Governor Matthew Marcos Manotoc (fourth from left) spearhead the Invest: Ilocos Norte Investment Conference in the Bonifacio Global City on Aug. 22, 2024. Joining them are Paolo Cabanos, Ilocos Norte investment consultant; Dr. Bernardo Villegas, professor at UAAP; Eric Chua, Filipino Chinese Chamber of Commerce and Industry - Ilocos Norte vice president; and Soya Cheng-Bueno, Ilocos Norte Investment Office head. The BOI collaborated with the provincial government of Ilocos Norte for the conference, drawing together government officials, foreign ambassadors, academics and private sector representatives to explore business opportunities in the province.
BIOFERTILIZERS MOU. The Board of Investments (BOI), University of the Philippines-Manila (UPM) and University of the Philippines-Los Baños (UPLB) sign memoranda of
(MOU) to collaborate on investment
for
developed biofertilizers and herbal medicine technologies In pursuit of food security and health promotion. Trade Undersecretary and BOI Managing Head Ceferino Rodolfo (center), Dr. Leslie Michelle Dalmacio, U.P. Manila Vice-Chancellor for Research (third from left), and Prof. Rolando Bello, UP Los Baños, vice chancellor for administration lead the MOU ceremonial signing at the BOI main office on Aug. 20, 2024.

Hot money net inflows increased to $1.4b in July on rising optimism

FOREIGN investments registered with the Bangko

Sentral ng Pilipinas through authorized agent banks yielded net inflows of more than $1 billion in July 2024 on rising optimism ahead of the expected interest rate cuts by the BSP and the US Federal Reserve.

and

IN BRIEF

million a year ago. The July figure resulted from $2.43 billion gross inflows and the gross outflows of $1 billion. The gross in

Money supply expanded 7.2% to P17.5t in July

THE Bangko Sentral ng Pilipinas said domestic liquidity (M3) or money supply grew 7.2 percent year-on-year to about P17.5 trillion as of July 2024. This was faster than the 6.6-percent growth in June, according to preliminary data from the BSP.

It said that on a month-on-month seasonally-adjusted basis, M3 also increased by about 0.7 percent.

Domestic claims expanded by 11.3 percent year-on-year in July, compared to 10.5 percent in the previous month.

Claims on the private sector grew by 11.9 percent in July, after the 11.7-percent increase in June with the continued expansion in bank lending to non-financial private corporations and households.

Net claims on the central government expanded by 14.0 percent, up from 12.1 percent in June on sustained borrowings by the national government.

Net foreign assets (NFA) in peso terms rose 11.2 percent year-on-year in July, compared to 8.3 percent in June. The BSP’s NFA grew by 13.8 percent, while the NFA of banks contracted, largely on account of higher bills and bonds payable.

The BSP said it would continue to ensure that domestic liquidity conditions are consistent with the prevailing stance of monetary policy, in line with its price and financial stability objectives. Ralph Harvey Rirao

Laguna Wind eyes transmission line to wind project

LAGUNA Wind Energy Corp. asked the Energy Regulatory Commission to allow it to develop a dedicated point-to-point limited transmission facility to connect its 100-megawatt Kalayaan 2 wind project in Laguna province to the Luzon grid. The company wants to connect its power plant to the San Juan 230-kV substation of the National Grid Corp. of the Philippines (NGCP) in preparation for the start of its commercial operations by 2026. The facility will be completed within 13 months from construction.

“The commercial operation of Kalayaan 2 Wind Power Project, scheduled for 2026, depends on LWEC being granted a provisional authority or interim relief to develop and own the dedicated facility project. Connecting the Kalayaan 2 Wind Power Project to NGCP’s existing San Juan 230 kV substation o s essential for this to happen,” it said.

The Kalayaan 1 wind power project will use 17 wind turbines, and its capacity will be sold to the Wholesale Electricity Spot Market and through bilateral supply agreements.

“LWEC seeks to help address the additional capacities required in the Luzon grid and meet the electricity demand while adhering to the DOE’s sustainability agenda and contributing to the country’s low emission development strategy,” it said.

About 71.3 percent of registered investments were in peso government securities ($1.73 billion), while 28.7 percent went to PSE-listed securities ($697.67 million).

Most of them were invested in banks, holding firms, property, transportation services, and food beverage and tobacco.

Investments in July mostly came from the United Kingdom; the United States (US); Singapore; Luxembourg; and Norway with combined share to total at 93.7 percent.

The BSP said that on a year-onyear basis, registered investments increased 54.3 percent from $1.58

billion in July 2023, while gross outflows also rose 70.6 percent from $614.93 million. The $1.38-billion net inflows in July 2024 were larger than $961.58 million net inflows recorded in the same month last year.

This brought total hot money net inflows to $1.46 billion in the first seven months of 2024, up by 830 percent from $157.30 million net inflows noted in the same period last year.

Registration of inward foreign investments delegated to authorized agent banks by the BSP is optional under the rules on foreign exchange (FX) transactions.

his insights on the Spanish tourist source market and the Philippine Embassy’s current initiatives and upcoming events to deepen the bilateral ties between the two nations in terms of political, economic and cultural interests. He also talked about initiatives to encourage more Spanish tourists to visit the Philippines, primarily through its Centro de Filipinas en Madrid, the first Philippine Center in Madrid established during his tour of duty.

Gov’t borrowings climbed 42.5% to P186b in July to augment budget

THE government’s gross borrowings

climbed 42.5 percent in July 2024 on higher domestic financing, according to the Bureau of the Treasury.

Data from the Treasury showed that gross borrowings amounted to P186.90 billion in July, up from P131.12 billion in the same period last year.

It said that month on month, gross borrowings also went up by 33.28 percent from P140.23 billion in June.

Gross external financing amounted to P8.06 billion, lower by 62.38 percent than P21.43 billion last year. However, domestic gross borrowings increased 63.43 percent to P180.58 billion from P110.49 billion.

The Treasury said that in the first seven months, the country’s gross borrowings amounted to P1.36 trillion, lower than P1.45 trillion in the same period last year.

The government set a 2024 borrowing plan of P2.57 trillion. The Department of Finance said the government would continue to adopt a 75:25 borrowing mix in favor of domestic sources.

Data from BTr showed that the national government debt climbed to P15.48 trillion as end-June 2024, a 0.9 percent increase from the endMay level primarily due to new borrowings and the peso’s depreciation against the US dollar.

It said of the total debt stock, 31.71 percent was external debt while 68.29 percent represented domestic debt.

The end-June domestic debt level of P10.57 trillion was 1.2 percent higher than the end-May 2024 level.

The government targets to bring down the debt-to-gross domestic product (GDP) ratio to 57 percent by 2028. In 2023, the debt to GDP ratio was at 60.1 percent, down from 60.9 percent in 2022.

AFFORDABLE HOUSING. Officials of the Philippine Chamber of Commerce and Industry (PCCI), Philippine Exporters Confederation Inc. and Employers Confederation of the Philippines (ECOP) sign a memorandum of understanding with the Department of Human Settlements and Urban Development (DHSUD) for the Pambansang Pabahay Para sa Pilipino or the 4PH program—a flagship project of DHSUD that aims to address the housing backlog and provide affordable housing for Filipinos nationwide. The MOU seeks to institutionalize the partnership between the government and the business community to encourage the participation of the private sector in building socialized housing units, thereby promoting equitable access to affordable and decent housing, especially for low-income families and underprivileged sectors.

AIM launches Master in Data Analytics program to meet growing demand

skilled data analysts globally and position AIM at the forefront of Industry 4.0.

Recognizing the critical role of data in an organization, AIM designed a curriculum that equips professionals with the essential tools and knowledge to harness the power of data.

The 18-month, part-time and hybrid program offers unparalleled flexibility, allowing working professionals to seamlessly integrate their graduate studies with their careers.

The Analytics Association of the Philippines (AAP) estimates that by 2028, the country will need 500,000 analytics professionals. This figure, however, only considers the IT industry. AIM aims to fill the demand in other industries such as marketing, sales, media, public relations, human resources and government.

“The business landscape is rapidly evolving. Leaders who can har-

ness the power of data and AI will undoubtedly shape the future”, said Prof. Corinne Burgos, academic program director of the Master in Data Analytics at AIM.

The program will provide students with a deep understanding of data collection, analysis, interpretation and visualization. Graduates will be empowered to extract actionable insights, make data-driven decisions, and contribute significantly to their organizations’ growth and competitiveness.

AIM said the program delivers a curriculum that blends theoretical knowledge with hands-on experience.

“Students will have the opportunity to work on real-world projects and gain exposure to best practices in various industries,” AIM said.

“This is not merely obtaining a degree but a strategic investment,” said Burgos. Ralph Harvey Rirao

TOURISM TIES. Department of Tourism (DOT) Secretary Christina Garcia Frasco receives Philippine Ambassador to Spain and Permanent Representative to the UN Tourism Philippe Lhuillier in a courtesy meeting at the DOT Office in Makati City. Ambassador Lhuillier shared
TOP TAXPAYER. Analog Devices representatives accept the

The Philippines is making notable strides in the global office market, currently ranked as the third strongest with an average occupancy rate of 80 percent, according real estate consultancy firm Prime Philippines.

PH office market world’s third strongest

This performance, Prime Philippines said, surpasses the United States and Europe, where occupancy rates are 62 percent and 60 percent, respectively.

The country’s robust showing is driven by a dynamic business process outsourcing (BPO) sector, which grows at 7 percent to 8 percent annually and a strong demand from government agencies.

The flexible workspace sector, projected to expand at a compounded annual growth rate of 15 percent globally through 2030, also plays a significant role. Unlike traditional office spaces with high capital costs and long leases, flexible workspaces offer short-term leases, catering to BPO companies, small businesses and freelancers.

Localized bubbles

Prime Philippines noted that since 2020, localized property bubbles have emerged in certain office Philippine markets, marked by speculative building and rapid rental increases in areas like Mactan Island and Clark.

While these bubbles began to deflate between 2020 and 2022, recovery has been quick, with national occupancy rates now exceeding 80 percent and Metro Manila at over 84 percent, although rental rates remain at 2016 levels.

But as rental rates will continue to soften, Grade A buildings prime properties will remain at the top of minds of BPO firms. Grade B and Grade C office buildings will continue to suffer.

To remain competitive, Prime Philippines urges landlords of these buildings to consider adaptive strategies including upgrading of facilities, offering more flexible lease terms and repurposing spaces for alternative use such as coworking for mixed-use development to maintain their tenant base.

Industrial sector

In the industrial sector, the Philippines has seen strong demand, with over 2 million square meters needed. This

is fueled by foreign direct investments, especially in manufacturing.

Competitive labor costs and a sizable workforce of about 48 million enhance the country’s attractiveness.

Regional demand is highest in Davao, Bulacan, Cebu and Metro Manila, with logistics, manufacturing and wholesale sectors leading the way.

Demand for industrial space is segmented, with 53 percent attributed to logistics, 21 percent to manufacturing and 15 percent to wholesale and retail sectors.

Despite these positive trends, challenges persist, including underdeveloped infrastructure compared to ASEAN peers and higher electricity costs. Frequent changes in government policies also contribute to an environment of uncertainty for long-term investors.

Jettson Yu, chief executive and founder of Prime Philippines, says that while the industrial sector shows promising growth, addressing these challenges is crucial to sustaining progress and attracting long-term investments. Improvements in infrastructure, more stable energy costs and a consistent policy environment are essential for the continued success and expansion of both the office and industrial property markets in the Philippines.

Jennniffer B. Austria

Century Properties honors Yulo with P6-m house and lot

LISTED developer Century Properties Group (CPG) and its first-home brand PHirst formal turned over a house and lot package to Olympic double gold medalist Carlos Yulo at Century City Mall, Makati.

CPG and PHirst executives presented Yulo with the symbolic key to his new home at PHirst Editions Batulao in Batangas.

Yulo’s new house, named Charles (the Spanish translation of Carlos), is a single-attached home with a 70 sqm floor area on a 136 sqm corner lot worth P6 million. It features a spacious living, dining, and kitchen area, as well as 3 bedrooms, 2 bathrooms, and a 2-car carport.

This will be completed by March 2025.

“It is an honor for us at Century Properties and PHirst to celebrate this moment with Carlos and all of you. Winning gold in the Olympics is an extraordinary achievement for the Philippines, and a double gold is historic for us, Filipinos. Carlos, we are very proud of you,” said CPG executive chairman Ambassador Jose E.B. Antonio. “On behalf of CPG and PHirst, we present this gift to Carlos as a symbol of our gratitude

and appreciation for his remarkable accomplishment.

Yulo, the first Filipino and Southeast Asian to win two Olympic gold medals, attended the ceremony with his mentor, Gymnastics Association of the Philippines president Cynthia Carrion.

CPG donated Php 500,000 to the Gymnastics Association of the Philippines.

“Winning an Olympic medal is an immense achievement, and the

journey to the Olympics is even more challenging. Carlos, thank you for your hard work, passion, and dedication, and for inspiring us all,” said CPG president and chief executive Marco Antonio.

“Century Properties will continue to support the ‘New Generation of Olympians’ through the Gymnastics Association of the Philippines. We hope that our support will help young Filipino athletes achieve Olympic success like Carlos,” Antonio added.

CBDI awarded top commendations by Pag-IBIG for two years in a row

CITIHOMES Builder and Development,

Inc. has been recognized as one of PagIBIG Fund’s Top Ten Developers and for achieving the Highest Performing Accounts Ratio in the National Capital Region (NCR) for two consecutive years, covering the second half of 2023 and the first semester of 2024.

The company’s chief executive officer Rosie Tsai, and executive vice president, John Phillip Wang, were present to receive these commendations at the Pag-IBIG StAR (Stakeholders’ Accomplishment Report) Awards ceremony held recently at the Marquis Events Place in Bonifacio Global City.

CBDI also received the Best in (Title) Conversion award. Among all developers in NCR, CBDI has the highest percentage (99.10 percent) of qualified and actual accounts converted from Contract To Sell (CTS) to Real Estate Mortgage (REM) type of loan documentation for the first semester of 2024. The Highest Performing Accounts Ratio

MyTown: Affordable urban living

IF YOU are looking for an affordable yet vibrant living experience in Manila, MyTown offers a unique value that stands out among urban co-living options.

This innovative network, consisting of 14 residential facilities near Taguig’s Bonifacio Global City (BGC) and the Makati Central Business District, caters specifically to young professionals who value convenience and community.

MyTown’s defining feature is its walkto-work lifestyle, allowing residents to live just a short distance from major office hubs. This proximity significantly reduces commute times and associated stress, enabling a more balanced worklife experience. Residents, affectionately known as “townees,” benefit from an environment designed to enhance both productivity and relaxation. Affordable accommodation is a key attraction at MyTown. Rates start at

P4,260 per month for a deluxe shared room, and private first-class dorms are available for P 17,260 per month. Each room is fully furnished with modern amenities, including airconditioning, a refrigerator, a microwave, spacious cabinets, and a private toilet and bath. This level of comfort and privacy distinguishes MyTown from traditional dormitories, which often feature communal facilities.

Beyond just providing a place to live, MyTown fosters a vibrant community that enhances the overall resident experience. Mytown chief executive officer Jogee Arellano emphasizes the importance of this aspect, stating, “Our goal is to seamlessly integrate work and life, creating an environment where residents can thrive both personally and professionally.” To support this mission, MyTown

award on the other hand, is bestowed to the developer in the NCR Region with the highest number of accounts (98%) taken out or loans approved that are actively paying, a testament not only to the quality of buyers of CBDI developments but also to the developer’s fair pricing and in-depth understanding of its market segment.

The Pag-IBIG StAR Awards aim to recognize the commitment of accredited developers and partners in providing quality homes and communities for the Filipino people, thereby helping to alleviate the country’s housing problem.

The Philippines faces a housing backlog of 6.5 million as of 2022, with projections suggesting this could increase to 22 million by 2040, according to data reported by the United Nations. CBDI has proven to be a reliable partner of Pag-IBIG Fund in addressing this crisis by consistently providing dependable and quality, economic housing for Filipino households.

SHOWBIZ

Korina Sanchez, Pinky Webb to steer Bilyonaryo News Channel’s primetine newscast

BILYONARYO News Channel has announced the lineup for its new primetime newscast, Agenda, debuting on Sept. 9. The program will be anchored by seasoned journalists Korina SanchezRoxas and Pinky Webb Sanchez-Roxas, a prominent figure in Philippine media, returns to news anchoring after nearly a decade. Known for her extensive experience in both major news programs and lifestyle shows, Sanchez-Roxas will focus on straightforward questioning of key

issues affecting the nation.

Webb, a seasoned broadcast journalist with over 30 years in the industry, will coanchor. Webb is recognized for her calm and engaging presentation style, which complements her rigorous approach to journalism.

Jam Alindogan, an internationally acclaimed correspondent and co-founder of the aid organization Sinagtala, will serve as Foreign Affairs Editor. Alindogan will deliver weekly special reports on global issues.

Meanwhile, veteran journalist Nancy Carvajal will contribute special reports twice a week.

Agenda will air daily from 6:00 p.m. to 7:00 p.m., aiming “to address significant national issues through in-depth reporting and direct interviews.”

The Bilyonaryo News Channel is available over free-to-watch television channel BEAM TV 31 (through digital TV boxes in Metro Manila, Cebu, Davao, Iloilo, Baguio, Zamboanga, and Naga), and leading cable TV provider, Cignal Channel 24.

Gerald Anderson returns to small screen with ‘Nobody’

ACTOR Gerald Anderson is returning to television with the series Nobody. In a project announcement on Wednesday, Aug. 28, Anderson referred to the show as an ideal comeback, two years after his last project, A Family Affair

story may not be true to life, it mirrors

“things happening in real life,” the actor

“Maybe more than my character, it’s about his journey. It’s the storyline. It’s about sacrifice. It’s about loyalty. It’s about integrity, the sacrifice of his family. It’s not just a simple action series or drama. It’s about the journey of the people who go through that as well,” he continued.

the the about

“It says he’s a nobody. I think all of us feel at some point in our lives that we’re nobody. We have doubts about ourselves, doubts about our situation, like, can we really do this? I know a lot of people can relate to this, starting with the title,” the actor added.

Without too a enforcement explained.

today’s efforts

The 35-year-old actor also shared that “Nobody” is one of his ways to honor today’s heroes for their sacrifices and efforts in putting their lives at risk to help others.

“This thanking Tayong

“So, I can honestly say, this is the best show for my comeback. I’m very excited. Honestly, this is one of the things that has made me the most excited to do something. So, it’s the perfect comeback show,” Gerald said.

Having been in the industry for more than a decade, Gerald has played various roles in the past, but he noted that his role in Nobody is different from his previous projects. While the

“This [Nobody] is my way of thanking you. Soldier’s Heart Tayong Dalawa, and this, Nobody – I always ask ABS-CBN, if I do a show, I hope it has social awareness. I hope we can inspire someone. I hope we can tell the stories of what’s really happening in our lives, especially now that so much is happening in our country,” Gerald told the Manila Standard Entertainment He emphasized his desire to use his influence to inspire more people and raise awareness. Without giving away too much, Gerald teased that the show would be an exciting series delving into the life of a member of the law enforcement team. He mentioned that he would begin training this week, which would require him to improve his firing skills.

Gerald also expressed his gratitude for having another project and promised to do his best in portraying his role.

“I work from a place of gratitude. So, I think when you’re grateful, many blessings happen in your life,” he shared.

“This is going to be a very hard show mentally, physically, and emotionally. But when you love what you do, and this is really close to my heart, I’m going to give my 150 percent here,” Gerald stated.

Andrea Brillantes bids emotional farewell to roles in ‘Senior High,’ ‘High Street’

Brillantes said.

WITH the finale of the hit series

High Street airing last Friday, actress

Andrea Brillantes expressed her sentiments on the conclusion of her roles as Sky Love Cruz and Luna Amore Cruz in both High Street and Senior High Brillantes took to social media to share her thoughts in a heartfelt post, accompanied by behind-the-scenes photos from the set. She began by thanking the late Roldeo Theodore Endrinal , the former head of Dreamscape Entertainment, for his pivotal role in bringing the series to life, recognizing its importance for the

younger generation. Brillantes also expressed her gratitude to her fellow cast members for their performances and to the production crew for their hard work in making the series possible.

Reflecting on her roles, Brillantes expressed how grateful she was for the characters, noting how they inspired her to be a voice for the voiceless and reminded her of the importance of kindness.

Senior High and High Street have always been about people’s stories for me. From the start, I wanted this project to move hearts, open minds, and raise awareness about struggles that are often left unspoken,”

“Now that it has officially come to an end, I hope that this second season of Senior High not only entertained you but also inspired you to find your voice or be a voice for those who can’t speak up,” she added.

The actress acknowledged that while the show’s ending might not meet fans’ expectations, she hoped it would serve as a reminder that some things must end and that sacrifices are sometimes necessary for the greater good.

“Sky started it, and in the end, she finished it. Once again, this is Sky Love Cruz, now signing off!” Brillantes concluded.

Pinky Webb is known for her calm and engaging style in presenting news
Korina Sanchez-Roxas has numerous experience in hosting news and lifestyle programs
Actress Andrea Brillantes portrays Sky Love Cruz and Luna Amore Cruz in both ‘Senior High’ and ‘High Street’
‘Nobody’ star Gerald Anderson shares his excitement for the upcoming show
Actor Gerald Anderson during the announcement of TV series ‘Nobody’

SHOWBIZ

Asian horrors haunt SM Cinemas in exclusive fest

IN LINE with the Ghost Month observance, SM Cinemas launched a week-long horror film festival from Aug. 28 to Sept. 3. Titled “AuGhost Exclusives,” the event showcases a selection of Asian horror films, each making its Philippine cinema debut. Special ticket prices are set at 150 pesos.

The festival lineup features four films: Haunted Universities 3 , Taiwan’s Z-Mom

have gained significant attention in their home countries and

Haunted Universities 3 is an anthology film centered around three campus-related horror stories,

Mystery Writers draws inspiration from the 1984 Jin Xin Building fire in Taiwan, transforming the tragic event into a horror drama.

FELIP, known as Ken from the Filipino boy band SB19, released his album 7sins as a physical CD exclusively in Japan on Aug. 21. Fans began pre-ordering the album on July 1 through online platforms such as Tower Records Japan, Amazon Japan, and CDJapan. The CD includes exclusive merchandise, content, and a bonus track titled “Tokyo.”

Felip has made history as the first Filipino artist in 27 years to top CDJapan’s all-genre rankings on the first day of pre-orders. The album also led Amazon Japan’s Hip-Hop category on the second day and entered the top 10 of Tower

Z-Mom is set in a holiday resort where a mother fights to save her family from a zombie outbreak on the

Horror films, once considered B-movies, have become essential to the film industry’s resilience, particularly in Asia.

“AuGhost Exclusives” offers audiences a unique opportunity to experience the latest in Asian

Records’ K-pop/World CD reservation rankings. Additionally, 7sins secured the number one spot in the Rock/Pop genre on Rakuten and sold out on Warner Music Japan’s online store.

Warner Music Japan, in collaboration with Warner Music Philippines, is organizing Felip’s promotional events in Japan. An autograph signing was held at Tower Records Shibuya on Aug. 30, followed by the 7sins the Album Concert at Shibuya duo MUSIC EXCHANGE today.

Felip expressed his excitement about promoting his album in Japan, calling it a “dream” due to his love for the country and its culture.

THIS September, HBO GO offers a slate of new content, including episodes of Rick and Morty: The Anime and Race Philippines Season 3, as well as the finale of City of God: The Fight Rages On. The platform also debuts the dystopian thriller Civil War, starring Kirsten Dunst

HBO GO will feature the premieres of The Penguin, starring Colin Farrell, and Land of Bad. Additionally, Warner TV marks the 30th anniversary of Friends with a special marathon, while Cartoon Network and Cartoonito celebrate Batman Day with themed programming.

Rick and Morty: The Anime airs new episodes every Friday, while Drag Race Philippines releases episodes on Wednesdays. The series finale of City of God: The Fight Rages On is set for Monday, Sept. 30.

HBO’s September premieres include Nights at Freddy’s on Sept. 7, Civil War Sept. 14, The Penguin on September 20, and Land of Bad on Sept. 28. Warner TV will host a Friends marathon throughout September, and Cartoon Network honors Batman Day with weekend programming, including Teen Titans Go! and

‘Z-Mom’ is a Cambodian horror film starring Miss Universe Cambodia 2018 Rern Nat and Mr. Friendship International 2023 Leav Veng Hour

MONDAY, SEPTEMBER 2, 2024

lifeandshow.manilastandard@gmail.com

NICKIE WANG, Editor

ANGELICA VILLANUEVA, Writer

ABIGAIL ADRIATICO, Writer

SUMMER might have ended in the Philippines, but beach trips remain a yearround option, thanks to the country’s vast coastline.

While Filipinos are familiar with the best beach spots, Boracay and Cebu have been highlighted by Agoda, securing 9th and 10th places among Asia’s top beach destinations.

This list, released ahead of International Beach Day on Sept. 1, is based on accommodation searches made on the platform for September and October.

Leading the list is Indonesia’s Bali, which saw an 11 percent increase in related accommodation searches compared to the same period last year. Other notable beach destinations include Okinawa in Japan and Da Nang in Vietnam, which ranked second and third, respectively.

The Philippines joins Thailand and Vietnam in having two destinations each in the top ten. Thailand’s entries include Pattaya and Phuket, known for their lively beach scenes and vibrant nightlife. Vietnam’s Nha Trang also made the list, celebrated for its beautiful beaches and bustling coastal atmosphere.

Jeju, South Korea, and Penang, Malaysia, secured the sixth and seventh places, respectively.

Agoda’s data highlights the diverse preferences of travelers, showing that Asia’s beach destinations cater to a wide range of tastes, whether one seeks a tranquil escape or an active adventure. The conclusion of the monsoon season in many parts of Asia marks a time when travelers look forward to sunny beach holidays, keeping demand for these coastal getaways strong.

Andrew Smith, senior vice president of supply at Agoda, noted the significance of International Beach Day as an opportunity to appreciate the beauty of Asia’s beaches, which continue to attract visitors from around the world.

C4 LIFE

Boracay and Cebu

THESE are at Conrad Manila’s famous China Blue by Jereme Leung. The name of this restaurant has always intrigued me. I could never figure out why it is so. I can only surmise that its dinnerware’s China Blue color, a grayish moderate blue, gave rise to its name. But, whatever the reason is, the meticulously curated Chinese culinary jewels it serves are the best in the land. So when the invitation came for me to partake in the launch of its latest promotion, The Emperor’s Table, I made sure I would be available. The event was the much-anticipated return of celebrity chef Jereme Leung, part of the restaurant’s Legendary Chefs Series. It was another opportunity for me to indulge in an exquisite and one-of-a-kind culinary experience.

Chef Jereme Leung is a pioneer in modern Chinese cuisine who seamlessly fuses a contemporary approach to culinary traditions, allowing himself to craft innovative creations that eventually become classic favorites available only at China Blue. He prides himself in not bending to external pressure brought about by commercial preferences but has left even bigger footprints as one of the most influential chefs in the Chinese culinary scene. He embraces his heritage and its traditions and shines in each of his dishes which he skillfully puts together with extreme care.

At China Blue, he works the wok together with

Executive Chinese Chef Eng Yew Khor, producing this delectable selection of Chinese culinary jewels using premium and sustainably sourced ingredients that are both local and East Asian.

Aside from his collaboration with Conrad Manila,

Culinary jewels at The Emperor’s Table

Chef Jereme Leung has also successfully collaborated with other select and renowned hotel brands, including Conrad Maldives Rangali Island where he established the world-class fine dining “Ufaa by Jereme Leung” ten years ago.

The short introduction by Conrad Manila’s amiable general manager Fabio Berto was an invitation for us to discover Chef Leung’s new gastronomic repertoire which bears his unique culinary signature. Loyal patrons of the restaurant always look forward, with much excitement, to what this genius-of-the-kitchen brings to the table year after year, during his visits.

The six-course menu of The Emperor’s Table, which costs P6588 nett per person, starts with marinated crabmeat with avocado in a crispy puff roll and marinated sweet plum drunken king prawn as appetizers. These delicious starters signaled the start of a heavenly culinary experience. This was followed by Kung Fu soup made of double-boiled sturgeon tendon and dry sea conch with morel mushroom. For this menu item, Chef Leung shared with us his discovery that this fish tendon can be a delicacy to be

enjoyed by those looking for a new dining experience.

The main course is a selection of two items:

The first is the extremely tender, melt-in-yourmouth wasabi wagyu beef cheek covered with grated pistachio and served with green bamboo shoots. I’ve had many chateaubriands, sirloin, and filet mignons before but none of them beats this one, as far as tenderness is concerned. The second entrée is just as delectable---roasted black cod with torch ginger flower gravy sauce and served with pomelo. This was just as heavenly as the first entree.

Just like in any other Chinese meal, rice came after the main course---braised Yin Yang rice (orzo rice and Tibet rock grain) served with dry scallops and dry fish maw with an oyster ginger taste. Although I no longer take rice with my meals, I didn’t want to miss out on this one because I knew it would be another tastefully superb experience…and I wasn’t wrong. Of course, with the amazing culinary repertoire I already tasted, I knew the dessert would be just as unique and extraordinary. It was a large chocolate shell shaped like an egg and containing coconut mousse, topped with a yolk made of mango puree. It

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